the history of brutes, or, a description of living creatures wherein the nature and properties of four-footed beasts are at large described / by wolfgangus franzius ... ; and now rendred into english by n.w. historia animalium sacra. english franz, wolfgang, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing f estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the history of brutes, or, a description of living creatures wherein the nature and properties of four-footed beasts are at large described / by wolfgangus franzius ... ; and now rendred into english by n.w. historia animalium sacra. english franz, wolfgang, - . n. w. [ ], p. : ill. printed by e. okes, for francis haley ..., london : . translation of: historia animalium sacra. reproduction of original in yale university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng zoology -- pre-linnean works. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - john latta sampled and proofread - john latta text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the history of brutes ; or , a description of living creatures . wherein the nature and properties of four-footed beasts are at large described ; by wolfgangus franzius , d. d. and now rendred into english , by n. w. lectio certa prodest , varia delectat . sen. ad lucit . epist. . london , printed by e. okes , for francis haley , at the corner of chancery-lane in holborn , . the epistle to the reader . courteous reader , i do here present thee with a history of brutes , a piece that hath been long expected : collected out of the most approved authors which have written of this subject : written originally in latine , by wolfgangus franzius professor of divinity in the university of witteberg , a man famous , in his time , for his great learning : the book is , by the author , divided into five parts . in the first part , he at large treats of the nature of all four-footed beasts ; first , setting down the properties , and then deducing several corollaries , which is the method he useth throughout the book ; alwaies mentioning some apt place of scripture where it is spoken of , from whence he infers them . in the second part , he discourseth only of the nature of volatil's ; in the third , of fishes ; the fourth part is a full description of serpents ; and the fifth , of insects . i have here translated only the first part , which treats only of the nature of four-footed beasts , having the other by me ; which , if it find acceptance , may speedily be put in the press . i have one request to thee , which is , not to charge the author with those faults which possibly thou maist find in the perusal , having not leisure to correct it my self . if thou shalt find as much pleasure in reading , as i have had in the writing of it ; we shall neither of us lose our pains . n. w. the table . chap. . the argument of the treatise . pag. . c. . the definition of an irrational creature . p. . c. . of the division of irrational creatures . p. . c. . of the elephant . p. . c. . of the camel. p. . c. . of the lion. p. . c. . of the bear. p. . c. . of the leopard . p. . c. . of the tyger . p. . c. . of the elke . p. . c. . of the unicorn and rhinosceros . p. . c. . of the horse . p. . c. . of the oxe . p. . c. . of the asse . p. . c. . of the hart. p. . c. . of the hog . p. . c. . of the fox . p. . c. . of the cat. p. . c. . of the hare and coney . p. . c. . of the wolf p. . c. . of the dog. p. . c. . of the sheep . p. . c. . of the goat . p. . c. . of the ape . p. . c. . of the squirrel , weasel , and gulo . p. . c. . of the hedge-hog . p. . c. . of the beaver . p. . c. . of the otter . p. . c. . of the crocodile , lizard , &c. p. . c. . of the salamander , lizard , &c. p. . c. . of the chamelion . p. . c. . of the frog and the toad . p. . c. . of the mouse , and the dormouse , &c. p. . c. . of mix'd four-footed creatures . p. . books printed , and are to be sold by francis haley , at the corner of chancery-lane in holborn . euclid's elements of geometry , in . books , in eolio . an exposition , with practical observations on the three first chapters of job ; by joseph caryl , in quarto . the royal grammar , commonly called lilley's grammar , explained , by way of question , and answer ; opening the meaning of the rules , with great plainness , to the understanding of children of the meanest capacity : with choice , critical observations on the same , by william walker , b. d. author of the english particles , in octavo . the new help to discourse , or wit , mirth , and jollity ; intermixt with more serious matters , in twelves . the opinion of witchcraft vindicated ; in an answer to a book entituled , the question of witchcraft debated ; being a letter to a friend , by r. t. chap. i. the argument of the treatise . the history of brutes , which by some is not unfitly called , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or a description of living creatures , is that part of physicks which treateth of brute beasts . we may properly call this one part of physicks , because it treateth of the nature of things ; for physicks is either physicks properly so called , or you may divide it into metaphysicks , and mathematicks . physicks properly so called comprehendeth under it the nature of meteors , metals , plants , stars , the four elements , men , and brutes . some would have the consideration of brutes be brought under medicine , which i think belongeth more properly to philosophy ▪ for here in this treatise of animals you have the nature , property , motions , generation , strength , shape and use of brutes . but i shall a little shew the use and benefit that this treatise will be of , not only to physicians , but also to all scholars , and more especially to divines ; for consider ; . the dignity of it , which authors tel us , in any art or science , ariseth from the efficient cause , or the object : the inventors of this science have been learned and pious men in all ages ▪ gen. . ● . adam gave names suitable to all creatures . ch ▪ . v. . . noah in the ark did not only behold the creatures , but was commanded to provide food for them . gen. . . we find several holy men in scripture who were shepherds . gen. . . — . ● . exod. . . . sam. . . — . . we read that solomon wrote of fishes , birds , and beasts . . k●●gs . . . we read of alexander , that he gav● . talents to aristotle to instruct him in the knowledge of creatures , and had a . men in asia and greece , who were employed in fishing and hunting , thereby to be informed of the nature of creatures . which was the reason of aristotles writing his history of animals . the advantages we have from this kind of knowledge is not only for dispute , but also for the explication of authors as well sacred as prophane . it bringeth also much glory to god. . we shall find it very useful in sermons . for from hence we may deduce many profitable inferences . it is fit to know lest we commit an error ; democritus was laughed at by aristotle , who asking him what was the reason that a dog alwayes lay upon the same stone , answered , because he had some thing in him like a stone . we find virgil bringing a hart of africa to prove what he said , when there are none there ; thus he bringeth in the wild asses of italy when there are none there . it is no less useful also in the explication of prophane authors as well as sacred . the priest in the law was very well skilled in the nature of all food , he being to instruct the people , of the lawfulness , and unlaw●●lnes of meats . dan. . we read that monarchies are compared to beasts , as the chaldean to a lyon , the persian to a bear , the grecian to a fox , the roman to a beast with many heads and horns . dan. . . we find [ in tobit ] the persian empire compared to a ram , and the grecian to a goat ; we read many things in scripture of the lyons whelp . gen. . . . . . . . . . so gen. . . many places of scripture cannot be interpreted without the knowledge of animals . thus for the history of jonah , it is necessary we should be acquainted with the nature of the whale , in whose belly the prophet was swallowed up . thus john. . . we find christ compared to a lamb. mat. . . the holy ghost appeared in the shape of a dove , and we are commanded to be wise as serpents , and innocent as doves . mat. . . sathan and false teachers are compared to wolves . mat. . . where the carcass is , there will the eagles be gathered . chap . . how would i have gathered you as a hen gathereth her chickens ! thus david , psal . . . o that i had the wings of a dove , then would i fly away . thus we find him wishing himself a coney and a sparrow in several places . psal . . . we find the church compared to a nest in which the swallow and sparrow layeth her young . so psal . . . david wisheth he might renew his strength as the eagle . examples of which are frequent in prophane authors . but finally , the knowledge of the creature doth tend very much to the glory of god. thus we find that the frost is called upon to praise god. bless the lord ye whales , and all things that move in the water praise the lord , bless the lord ; ye fowls of the air , bless ye the lord ; man by the beholding of creatures is thereby induced to praise god , if he consider , . the different nature of creatures , their beauty , magnitude , and agreement one with another . . the benefit of them , the least creature being not useles to man. . the wonderful providence of god that is in the generation of creatures , in the places where they live : of which job telleth us , chap. . . . . the constant use that several creatures are of to mankind , which they might easily avoid if they knew their own strength : god hath also commanded them to serve man. gen. . repeated also after the flood . chap . . to have dominion over the beasts of the earth . . the wonderful obedience of the creature to god. thus herod . lib. . in sennacheribs army , the enemy being great , they despaired of victory , in one night the mice destroyed their shields and arrows , so that the next day they were forced to fly . thus we see most of phara●hs plagues were inflicted by brutes : and no less wonderful is the history of bal●am's ass , numb . . and of the crow which fed the prophet , and of the beares which destroyed those that mocked the prophet . . king. . . thus we see the be●efit & usefulnes of this knowledge ▪ chap. ii. the definition of an irrational creature . an irrational or brute creature is a body perfectly mixed , indued with life and sense ; for the genus , here is body ; for the form of it , that is two-fold . . it is said to be perfectly mixed , to difference it from meteors that are not . . it is indued with life and sense , to difference it from vegetatives which have not ; so that an irrational creature consisteth of a body and soul . of the body of a brute . the body of a brute is the collection of its severall members and intrails , ●of fluids as blood , of solids as flesh and bone , similar and dissimilar parts ; in this order all the other parts are to be explained ; but we shall pass by these members which it hath in common with man , which are all explained in melancthon , of the soul . there are many creatures which want blood , as spiders , and pismires , but instead of that they have fat and a sanguineous moysture , analogous to blood , which nourisheth the body , and is a vehicle to the sensitive soul . thus fishes have no bones properly so called , but rather thorns . thus crabs have grisles , in insects there seem eh to be something between flesh and nerves , instead of bones . so birds have small meatus's which are for eares , instead of teeth they have a bony bill . and for their nose small passages into the head . thus the sea ▪ calf hath his fore-feet for hands , the elephant his snowt , fishes and serpents have no members of generation , but smal passages , through which the seed runneth ; and the pourcountrel , a fish so called , hath no head , but a great paunch , other creatures have no tongue that appeareth outwardly ; as , the pismire ; some creatures by a hollow spongie sting doe taste and take in the meat they eat : fishes have no lungs living alwayes in the water , do not breathe , and so want not a neck , by which respiration is made ; but they have a larger gall than other creatures to keep them warm ; see gods wisdom in creating those creatures that serve man with a small gall , lest by heat of choler they should be inraged against those that use them ; lesser creatures have a larger gall , because we need not fear their hurting of us ; nature hath also armed every creature , some have hornes , some teeth , others have spurrs , others are swift , as the horse , others have large bodyes as camels . the hedge ▪ hog hath prickles ; there is a creature called benasus , which pursued , voydeth so much excrements , that it cannot be taken . thus a fish called the cuttle , doth mud the water so that one cannot see her . thus the pourcountrel by the pellucidnes of his body changeth himself into divers colours , insects have but few members , but many feet . their ears are moveable , that by their constant motion they might hear the better . some creatures have teeth in one place , and some in another . some in the roof of the mouth , some in the tongue , as fishes . crabs have two rowes of teeth , the one in their mouth , the other in their ventricle , and because they have but few bowels , from their belly to their vent they have a small pipe which some improperly call their tail , for that is necessary for those fish that swim , which a crab doth not ; those creatures that have no teeth live in a moister element ; some creatures have two ventricles as birds , they that chew the cud have four , they feeding upon crude food which requireth great digestion , especially milch kine . god hath made lesser creatures wiser than greater , as appeareth by birds-nests and spiders-webs . the flesh of wild creatures is more wholsome than the flesh of tame , the superfluous humors of the one being by motion dispersed , the flesh of the other being softer , but not so pure . the females of all creatures being the fiercest god hath made them weakest ; some birds have a broader tongue than others , as parots , though every creature cannot speak , yet have distinct voices to know one another by , as aristotle saith , lib. . c. . of the parts of animals . fishes have not so broad a tongue , and so swallow their meat quick●r , lest humours meeting should stop it , and hinder the taste ; it is strange that males and females are alike for number , not more of the one than the other in men . those creatures that bring forth living creatures have firmer bones and flesh , as lyons , horses , which birds have not , the dung of the one is stronger than the other . hairy creatures have but short tayls . birds that feed on flesh have crooked bills . the sow hath a snowt which serveth instead of a bill , to root up small plants ; many fishes have no bladders , their excrementitious humors being received into their tayles and finns . bruit beasts want those members that are in a man , and what they have are not so placed as in a man. of the soul of a brute . natural philosophers make . kinds of souls , from the three kinds of animals . vegetative in plants , sensitive in brutes , rational in man ; as for the soul of brutes , it is not like ours , but , as the name for it signifieth , a wind or breath . there is a kind of a warm , spirituous breath in the blood of beasts which is their soul , by which is performed all its actions and operations ; hence , levit. . , . it is thrice said , that the soul is in the blood ; some members are more excellent than others , yet the soul is not in them , but in the blood which is a convenient vehicle for the vital heat . deut. . . they were forbidden to eat the flesh with the blood thereof , because it was the life thereof . hence we may learn to take heed of murther , the prohibition of which followeth immediately after the other command ; that this is so , appeareth , . because the parts of some creatures will live after that they are cut off , and being put into the earth will draw moisture from it . . because we see how the body is variously affected with the motion of the blood . thus we see when we are moved to anger , how the blood doth boyl in the vein● . so in fear the blood doth recede from the outward parts to the inward , which causeth a paleness in the face ; thus joy sendeth out the blood , and causeth a redness in the face ; thus when we are ashamed we blush , so that we betray our selves in a fault , according to the old saying , heu quàm difficile est crimen non prodere v●ltu . the affections that happen in the blood are the same that happen in man. an ass is foolish , a horse hot in love , and in war , and a wolf unruly , a lyon bold , a fox crafty , the dog docile , and so other creatures i could instance in . the tartars drink horses blood to be valiant . those beasts that are fat are soonest old , the vehicle of their sense being taken away , viz , their blood , but a beast hath no rationall soul , though it doth exert such actions . gen. . . god will have the blood of man revenged on brutes , the ox that goreth aman shall be put to death . levit. . , . the creature was to be burned that was found naturally joyned with a man ; the reason of all which was , that men might be deterred from killing his fellow creature . it being an argument a minore ad majus . if god be so angry for beast killing a man , much more for one man killing another . now concerning the faculties of the soul of a brute . . the vegetative faculty containeth under it , . nutrition . some creatures feed only upon flesh , as lyons , wolves , others promiscuously , as dogs . some by prey , as lyons and wolves , some upon what they can get , as pismires , and earwigs , some get prey in the night as wolves , others day and night , as cats . many brutes are not made immediatly for the use of man , but for the use of other creatures , and so mediately for the use of man. the pismire eateth the flesh and blood of a toad , but leaveth the bones . four-footed beasts eat more of these , whereby their flesh and milk is increased . serpents endure hunger a great while , otherwise they would be injurious to man. swallows devour wasps , and titte-mice gnats . we have many crows , partly to destroy all carrion , and also to destroy those wormes which are bred in the earth , which do follow in multitudes . pies by slitting the barks of trees , the wormes fall out ; thus spiders , gnats ▪ serpents , do clear the air . creatures that feed upon mountains are the wholsomest , because the herbs are driest on mountains : god hath ordered it so , that beasts do not sleep much , because they should feed in the night-time . some chew the cud , as oxen . some creatures are generated by copulation , others are generated out of excrements , others both wayes , as mice . . by naturall conjunction are produced creatures of the same kind , as dogs , harts , &c. the serpent layeth eggs , others again generate neither by seed nor eggs. . some creatures are generated out of rotten wood , as wormes , lice ; &c. many creatures are generated of the excrements of other crea ures , others breed in the bowels of living creatures ; bees are generated out of calves that are starved , as is noted in that history of sampson ; there is a worm bred in the boughs of oak , of which we make a scarlet colour . so gnats are generated out of horse-dung . . some creatures are generated partly by copulation , and partly by accident , as mice : mice are generated in ships , out of the putrid matter which lyeth at the bottom of the pump . i question whether all creatures do not lay eggs , and whether a hens egg may not be hatched in a mans bosom . we see small creatures are generated in mans body by the heat of some parts . we find birds to have been bred in ships : but we leave these things to be judged of by the more learned . those creatures that are of most use to man do generate often , and many at a time , as doves and hares : but others generate but seldom , and not many , as vipers , &c. as herodotus observeth . there are in creatures distinct sexes , and they remain so . a hare is not now a male , anon a female ; hence we imagine so many hermaphrodites amongst creatures . useful creatures are generated in a short time , as sheep in moneths time , harts in moneths time , oxen moneths , sowes in , dogs and cat●s in dayes ; but elephants years ; lyons , wolves , and beares yeares ; some creatures live longer than others , an elephant , a camel , a horse , a dove , a peacock , , oxen , dogs , and hogs , partridges , sheep , goats , hares and mice , yeares . concerning the sensitive power of brutes . brutes do excel man in several outward senses . the boare for hearing , the ape for taste , the rave● for smelling , the spider for touch. god hath also given beasts inward senses , they can see objects , and distinguish between them by their phancy , and they can remember them , but yet they have not right reason , what they do is in imitation , and have only shadows of virtue ; their building nests , seeking food , prognosticating of weather , are effects of their inward senses , which the minutest animals have , as appeareth in the artificial contexture of the spiders-web , and in the pismires storing against winter ; but in some creatures these senses are more acute , in fishes the nerves are not so quick of sense , they perceive little pain from any wound that is given them . no creature can be without touch . the mole hath no sight , but it hath feeling . the snail discovereth his way by his fleshy horns , and upon a dangerous obstacle draweth in her horns . as to the sensitive and loco-motive faculties that are in beasts , they have them analogously as they are in man ; the external senses receive external objects , and so are carryed to the braine , there causing joy or griefe . some creatures fly , some swim , some have a progressive motion , as serpents and worms , first by a contraction , and then by an extention of the body . chap. iii. the division of irrational creatures . some creatures are sanguineous , others are not . the former kind are greater ; some creatures have two , some four feet , which maketh them more able to work . other creatures are aquatile , and bigger than sanguine creatures . in all kind of living creatures there is one , which is as it were king over the rest . those that have no blood are called exsanguineous , such are insects , which though they have not so perfect a heart , yet have something analogous to a heart . . some creatures are viviparous , and some oviparous . . some creatures are more in number , as harts and camels ; some go singly , as birds , that have crooked talons , beasts that live upon prey , and spiders , which feed upon flies . some creatures are domestique , as the cow and dog , and other creatures . it is the wonderful wisdome of god , that some shun the company of man , others love it ; concerning which job speaketh , cap. . who hath set the wild asse at liberty , or who hath loosed the bonds of the wild asse ; he derideth the multitude of the city , he heareth not the cry of the driver , he seeketh out the mountaines for his pasture , and searcheth after every green thing . will the unicorn serve thee ? &c. . some creatures have more parts , some havefewer . but all creatures have various parts , because the soul resideth not but in an organic● body . all creatures consist of those parts that are necessary for their nutrition , or augmentation , thus they have that which is analogous to bones and nerves ; the head is the seat of the senses , wings for motion . . some creatures have feet , and they either have . . . or feet , as spiders . those creatures that have wings , have either two wings , or four wings , as certain insects : eishes have neither feet nor wings , because that they live in a thicker medium than other creatures do . . other creatures are made to labour , as horses , and camels ; other creatures god hath made only for food , as hogs . other creatures god hath made for both , as oxen. some for safety , as dogs . . some creatures are dumb , as most fishes . other creatures have a voice , or rather make a noise , and especially at the time of their copulation , as appeareth by frogs , which in the time of their coitus do croak and keep a great noise in the waters ; this may be seen plainly in harts and cats , if you observe them in the winter time , but especially in autumn . but this following table will comprehend in it all the animals that have been mentioned before , or all that will be mentioned hereafter . all animals whatsoever , are either perfect or imperfect . perfect creatures are either rationall or irrationall ; irrationall are either those that live in the air , or those that live in the water , or those that live on the earth ; or els there are some creatures which we call amphibious , which are those creatures that live upon the earth partly , and partly in the waters . imperfect creatures we call those which are partly plants , and partly animals , as sponge . so is sea-beares-breech , which is bred out of the earth ▪ and are like to herbs , yet if any one cometh but nigh it they have a kind of fear , and are presently contracted . an insect is such a creature whose head is contiguous , but not continuous to his body , as we may see in a fly. so those that live both in the air , and in the water , as are frogs and beavers ; the rest are plain enough , from the very names of them . now although the preceding table doth sufficiently enough shew the order of our discourse , yet notwithstanding we will begin this history of animals , and speak of the biggest animals first . the consideration of which will make the other smaller kinds of creatures more plain and easie . and thus i have shewed the use of this knowledge , and that not only in philosophy , which is very great , but also in divinity . for from the nature of several beasts and birds , we may draw several profitable inferences and instructions , which may be useful to divines , in the opening of several places of scriptures , wherein several sorts of creatures , not only birds , but beasts and fishes , which cannot be explained , unless we know the nature of those creatures that are there mentioned . now having finished the general table of all animals , and shewed the design and scope of this treatise , together with the usefulness and benefit of it , we shall now proceed to speak of creatures more particularly . and , as i said before , i shall begin the book with the biggest creatures first , so that the first animal we shall speak to , shall be the elephant , which is the business of the following chapter ; wherein we shall set down , not only the nature , bigness , food , &c. of the elephant , but also the several places of scripture wherein it is mentioned ; and last of all , deduce those several corrolaries , and instructions , that may be deduced from the nature of it . chap. iv. of the elephant . the elephant is a vast creature , but very deformed ; she is also very prudent , strong , gentle and docile ; we shall treat of this creature first of all , because job in his th chap : maketh this creature to be the beginning of the wayes of god , or the very first work of god : we may judge of the greatness of this creature , . from his name ; for behema signifieth a beast : the elephant in the fore-cited place is called behemoth in the plural number , which is as much as to say beasts , because he is in stead of many beasts . . from his tayl , of which the scripture saith , in the fore-cited place , that it is like a cedar , and yet it is of no use to him , but only to keep him from the flyes . . from the quantity of his drink , for the scripture saith that he drinketh up rivers , i. e. he drinketh very much ; for arist . lib. . c. . of his history of animals , saith that an elephant at one feeding will drink up macedonian measures ; and in a dayes space he will drink thirty eight . . from his teeth , for he hath two teeth which weigh . pound ; and julius scaliger in his . exercit : doth relate that he saw an elephant's tooth longer then a man ; his teeth are called ivory ; of which in africa and aethiopia are made posts , pales , hedges , and styes for hoggs ; as virgill hath it in the . book of his georg. in foribus pugnam ex auro solidoque elephante . . from his foot-steps , the diameter of which was seen to be . hands and a thumb . . from his nose , for he hath a snowt which he maketh use of to take up his fodder , which he can extend . cubits in length : he loveth to be in waterish and fenny places ; untill he is hindered from taking breath by some weeds , &c. that hang over his snowt ; for by reason of the vastness of his body he cannot easily come out of the water ; his height is judged to be . foot ; that it doth delight in fenny places , job seemeth to intimate in his . chap. and . v. where he sayth , he lyeth under the shady trees , in the covert of the reeds and fenns : although some would understand this of the vastness of his body , which is so great that it cannot be covered by many trees ; yet withall it shews that it doth delight to be in fenny places . we may consider the strength of this creature from these . particulars . . that aristotle lib. th of the hist . of animals , affirmeth that it can overthrow a house . . that xtesius himself saw an elephant pluck up a palme-tree by the roots , and when he had done he spurn'd it away with his feet . . aelian , lib. . sayth that elephants have tumbled down great walls ; so that toward the east when the inhabitants go to warr they most commonly get the victory by elephants . . job , chap. . v. . sayth that his bones are like barrs of iron . . maccab. . and . it is sayd that upon every elephant were strong towers of wood wherein were . men besides the governour . . that he never sleepeth lying ; for if he should once lye down he could never get up again ; but though this be so large and strong a creature , yet it is so ordered by the wonderful goodness of god , that it is a most milde and gentle creature , for otherwise neither man nor beast could live for him ; he is not only milde and gentle , but of all creatures he is the mildest ; and this will appear , . from the holy scripture , job . th , behold now behemoth which eateth grass like an oxe , i. e. although it be so vaft a creature , yet it is so gentle that a man may rule it . . you may easily tame an . elephant after it is taken ; as to the taking of elephants there be divers wayes , whether they take them alive or dead . the aethiopians when they have killed an elephant they build a smal tent , and there they stay untill they have eaten it up . those who would take them alive mark the paths that they are seen most commonly to go in , and there they dig a pit so cunningly that the elephant coming along her old path as she used to do , being not aware of it falleth into it . as soon as she is in , she is by . or . men beaten upon her tenderest parts very smartly untill she is almost mad ; when they have so done , cometh another huntsman who deploreth her condition , and threatneth the former hunts-men , and giveth her some of the juice of barley , as also some meat , and this he often doth , coming to the pit and asking him whether he will come out or no , untill by degrees the elephant begins to know him , and to yield to him in any thing ; another way they have to take them alive , and that is thus ; they make a very large pit of about a mile in compass , in the place where they most use to haunt ; the passage into it is very narrow and straight , which is presently stopped up as soon as the elephant is got in . in aethiopia they diligently observe what trees they lean against when they sleep ( for they sleep always leaning ) then they go and cut that tree on the other side almost in two , and having so done they go away , but never leave any foot-steps behind them to be seen ; at evening the elephant coming to lean against it with all his weight it breaketh in two and so she falleth down ; sometimes whole troops of men go to hunt her , as strab● saith ; sometimes the tame elephants carry armed men on their baeks ; and so they take the wilde ones . . in a little time these creatures are made so gentle that they will take out of ones hand like a little dog , and will as it were embrace one with his snout ; so then he will suffer one to put ones head between his jawes , and will not shut his mouth untill you pull it out again . . he ne●er layeth snares for any of his fellow creatures , but suffereth them to live quietly by him . . when whole flocks of little creatures meet the elephant he will gently move out of the way , lest they should bruise themselves against him . . philostratus sayth that he saw a boy of about . yeeres of age who sate upon a great elephant , and with a little stick guided it whither he wolud , to the admiration of the beholders . . he is not fed of flesh , neither doth he live by prey , but is content with green herbs , as the scripture saith , he eateth grass like the ox. . he is very much delighted with musick and singing . . he very much dreadeth any snare that a man layeth for him , but most of all when she hath young ones ; many times if he see a man he will go aside as if he fled from him , lest seeing such a huge creature he should be frighted ; but if he doth but give him a nod he will salute him ; sometimes he will go before , sometimes behind him , and will if need be set him in the right way : but if once he knows that he intendeth to lay snares for him he destroyeth him ; and when he hath so done he giveth the carcass to the next elephant he meeteth that he may see his enemy . therefore they often meet together , and make a company , as pliny sayth , lib. . chap. . of his natural history ; the gentleness , memory , and subtilty of this creature is so great , that aristotle sayth , when he is first tamed he will learn to make all letters with his trunk , to dance , and to bend his knees ; he will learn to do his reverence to the king , to cast a stone at a mark , to handle arms ; and so king porus ( whom alexander overcame ) had an elephant whom if his guide did command to kneel down would presently fall on his knees . he very well knoweth his name , and by dayly use he will understand the language of his country ; and what soever he is commanded to do he faithfully doth it , never deceiving his guide : if an elephant be to go to sea , he will not enter into the ship , unless the master of the ship will swear he shall return again . plinus mutianus , who was three times consul at rome , saw at puteolis , that when an elephant at sea was forced to be thrown over board , lest he should be frighted with the vastness of the ocean , and the distance that he was from land , they used to make him go backwards , and so tumble him into the sea . plutarch also maketh mention of another elephant , whose governour allowed him a whole meafure of corn every day ; but he who gave it him alwayes took away half of his allowance ; the governour coming one day himself gave him a whole measure of corn ; the elephant with his trunk parted it in half , and so discovered the fraud of his feeder . he tells us also of another , who was in love with ● very beautiful woman of alexandria , who going by her brought her some apples , and with his trunk fawned upon her . athaneus tells us of an elephant who did no hurt at all to a little childe that lay between his leggs . many like examples we have in several histories ; in a certain island in india called zilana are found very large ones , and those who will learn the languages of strange countryes . when pompey was the d time consul at rome he brought severall elephants into the publique theater to fight with several archers ; but when the elephants saw that they were hated by the people , they shewed themselves to be very much troubled , which they signifyed to the people by several gestures and lamentable cryes ; at which the common people were so moved that they wept , and cursed pompey for his cruelty . from what hath been sayd it plainly appears that there are shadows of virtue in elephants ; but this will yet further appear by what followeth . . elephants are very milde and gentle not only towards other creatures that are but small , but also towards men which are wandring in holes , in caves , and also towards criminal persons , who use to be cast before them to be torn in pieces by them ; which they will scarcely do unless they be drunk with wine ; so king bocchus being enraged against . men , commanded them to be bound to . elephants ; but the elephants would not be bound to them , not being willing to be executo●s of the kings cruelty . . they never gorge themselves by eating too much ; and if at any time they do eat more then they should do , they punish themselves afterwards by abstaining from meat for some dayes , that they may be ready to fight , or for any flight if occasion should be ; which is a great example of temperance and providence . . they never couple with any strange elephants , nor with their own very often , but only for generation-sake , and that not in the sight of other elephants , but in private by themselves . neither doth he return to his fellowes before he be very well washed ; and while the female is big the male doth not leave her , but is alwayes with her ready to defend her ; she is said to carry her young two years , and to bring forth in the water , because she is very much afraid of the dragon . others report of the elephant , that she brings forth but once in her life , and then but one neither ; which scaliger , exercitat . . sect. seems to deny , because ( sayth he ) there are seen many young ones to go by the side of one elephant . . they never leave their young ones but are alwayes with them , to defend them , and will lofe their life as soon as their young : when they go in companyes , the oldest goeth fore-most ; when they are to go over the water , they carry their young ones in their snow● , some carry them in their teeth ● those that are bigger follow them : for the great ones can go over where the young ones cannot ; all which are as it were shadowes of ove and gentleness . . they never pass by a dead elephant unless they can find a bough or a clod of earth to cover them with , by which they shew a great deal of piety in burying them . . they carefully cure those who are sick or wounded , they provide them meat and cherish and help them in all their dangers , and if they see the huntsman they run upon him , and fright him away . when hannibal could not make the elephants go over the river , he used this stratagem . he commanded that one of them should be wounded in his ear and to be thrown into the river , and as soon as the wounded elephant was in , all the rest followed her . the wounded elephant when he is hunted seeks for aloes , but before he useth it , he will lift up his head , and use certain other gestures , which is ( as their governours say ) an imploring heaven , and as it were an imitation of religion . others will salute the new-moon , and at that time many of them will get together , and with delight and reverence , as they can , do behold it . . they have a desire after praise , for it was obserued that one of them , who was of a more dull capacity , was often corrected , and had but a bad esteem amongst them . when they are commanded to do homage , as it were to the moon , and are not able to do it , they will strive with themselves untill they can do it . hence we may learn good instructions , as to obedience , and to diligence in our studies . when they are overcome by any of their fellows , they are very much ashamed of it , and cannot endure their presence , nay , not so much as to hear them ; hence we may learn honest aemulation : for it is commonly said , that he who yields to any one , will be no body . . they cannot swim , yet they delight to be in ships , whence erasmus borroweth this similitude ; as the elephants who by reason of the greatness of their bodies cannot swim , yet they love to be in ships , so many who are unlearned , yet love to be in the company of those that are learned . whence we may learn not to cast away or despise the arts , because we are ignorant of them our selves ; but we should love and admire them in others , lest the old saying be verified in us , viz. that learning hath no enemy but the ignorant man. . they are said to want gall , or at least they have very little , as appears from maccab. . . to provoke them to fight they shewed them the juice of grapes , and mulberryes , which in the beginning of a fight doth very much enrage and provoke them , in somuch that ( as osonius relates ) they did not only carry wooden towers on their backs , full of men , but they also took swords in their teeth , with which they did good execution . but this rage ( as the same osonius relates ) doth not last long , for they being impatient of any pain , if the enemy do but wound her on the side , she will be so enraged , that she will rush through the army , and by that means will so disorder it , that it cannot be put in order again ; neither can any man make her tame again . the long lives of the elephants is very wonderfull ; some say it liveth yeares , others . when alexander the great had conquered on phorus , king of india , he took a great elephant , which had fought very valiantly for his king , and named him ajax , and dedicated him to the sun , and let him go with this inscription , alexander the son of jupiter hath dedicated ajax to the sun. this elephant was found with the same inscription years after , but many of them do not live to that age , for they are often sick of very dangerous diseases . . we shall next speak of the antipathy that is in this creature ; and though they are many , yet we shall speak of some of the most observable . they cannot endure the grunting of hoggs , an example of which we have in the wars of the magarens ; for when antipater brought a great many elephants loaded with armed men , against whom the enemy brought a great company of hoggs in the middle of them , after the hoggs had been pretty well beaten , they began to fall a grunting ; the elephants , as soon as they heard them , ran all away . we may hence see the reason , why wise men are moved with calumny and reproaches . there is a great antipathy between elephants and dragons , although elephants do exceed them not only in the greatness of their body , but also in strength , yet oftentimes the dragon doth overcome and ensnare him , sometimes by lurking in pathes in which he useth to go , sometimes by getting on the top of that against which he leaneth at night ▪ and because elephants alwayes go through woods in companies , the dragon sets on the last ; the first thing a dragon doth , when he takes an elephant , is to entangle his feet in a knot ; after that the first part he wounds is his ear , which he wounds untill the bloud spout out , for the dragon being a very hot creature drinks the bloud of elephants , which he knows is cold , and that is the reason the dragon drinks so much of it in the summer time . after they have killed the elephant by sucking his bloud , they never touch the body ; the dragon will drink himself drunk with his bloud , and they will drink untill they burst themselves , so that the conqueror and conquered dye both together ; hence erasmus doth inferr the uncertain chances of warr , for oftentimes both partyes perish ; and we may also compare it ( saith he ) to christ and satan combating together , and also to the tyranny of wicked men to christians ; for as dragons do thrist for the blood of elephants most in the summer-time , which they get by fraud and craft , so tyrants do chiefly desire the bloud of good men , when acted ●y their passion ; and as dragons oftentimes do perish together with the elephants , so tyrants themselves oft-times ●●●ergo grievous punishments ; there are many famous examples to this purpose to be brought out of eusebius , concerning domitian , maximianus , maxentius , and maximinus , whose cruelty was so great , that in one moneth were slain by their command , but they all underwent great and tragicall punishments ; domitian killed himself , maximianus was murthered , maxentius was overcome in warr , and he together with his souldie●● were driven into a river , and were drowned ; and maximinus was eaten up of worms . the story of julian is known to all almost , who walking alone by himself in a solitary place , was on a sudden wounded with a weapon which he had about him ; he taking some of the bloud in his hand , and holding it up toward heaven , sayd , thou hast overcome me , o thou galilean ; so that it was truly said of the poet. ad generum caesaris sine cade & sanguine paali descendunt reges & sicca morte tyranni . . there is a wonderful antipathy betwixt an elephant and a ram , which when he seeth he is much terrified , and he is even mad , yet at the sight of a goat he groweth tame . so the romans used to make the elephants of the king of epirus to run away by bringing rams to them ; this may teach us allegorically , that learning like the goat doth tame the fierceness of barbarous people ; whence it was well said , that he who hath well learned the arts , it doth better his manners . thus the wind did obey christ's command , as we may read in the evangelical story ; so the jews , when our saviour said these words , i am he , fell back ; so the heathens left all their oracles , idols , and divinations , when once the gospel of christ was made known to them . thus sinners when once they received the impressions of the holy spirit they grew more milde and civil . . the elephant is said extremely to hate a mouse , insomuch that if the mouse touch any thing that is in his manger , he will not eat any of it , so that a small enemy may torment an heroick mind . . so if a swallow be thrown into the water where an elephant drinks , he will turn from it . . oftentimes the elephant and chamelion are fed together on a green bough ; the elephant often eateth wild-olives , for he cannot live without them . . the elephant doth not love the sight of fire , neither can it endure the sight of grapes or mulberries , and the reason of it is , because a red colour moveth the spirits , which are conveyed through the blood ; for if the blood be once moved , the whole body is disturbed , hence those that have red garments can never catch them . the indian elephant is nine cubits high , and five broad ; sometimes she will tear an arm of a tree off , which twenty five men pulling with a rope cannot bend it to the ground ; when other food fails , he liveth on roots which he diggeth out of the grass . chap. v. of the camel. a camel is a very large creature , of a tall stature , and hath a hard skin , a small head , of a brown colour , very chaste , and an enemy to horses . . the scripture too seems to intimate to us , how great it is , matth. . . speaking of those who more regarded the commandements of men than of god , saith they strain at a gnat , and swallow a camel , signifying those who strain their drink , lest they should drink a flye , and in the mean while swallow a camel. . it hath a very thick skin , i. e. as aristotle saith in his second book of the history of animals , chap. . of all four-footed beasts he hath only that which we call a bunch ; in esai . . . he is said to sit upon the bunch of camels . there are found several of them in arabia and asia ; those in arabia have two bunches , those are called dromedaries . . these creatures are made fit to carry burthens in war ; and that they may go the faster , they sometimes are gelded , for one camel that is strong will carry a thousand pound weight ; they commonly will carry seven hundred . . in old age , or in any disease his strength doth very much decay , but then he will carry a hundred pound . hence the proverb , that an old camel will carry the burthens of many asses , i. e. that a vert●ous man in old age or sickness doth excel many a young man who is in health . when he is to be loaded he will kneel down if you do but touch him on his knees with your hand ; when they kneel they bend their foremost hams ; they will not take more than their ordinary burthen , or more than their strength will bear . ▪ camels are a most swift creature , by reason of the largeness of their steps ; those camels which are small , and cannot carry any burthen , yet they will go twenty five german miles in a day . . they will not go beyond their usual stages , and if once tyred in a journey , he will not stir ( though you lay on never so many stripes ) unless he hear some musick . . they are of a very hot temper , and therefore of a very lean and spare body . and by reason they are hot they have a very good concoction , which is the reason why their milk is so wholesom for man. . they cannot endure cold. . they never over-burthen themselves with meat , but are content with a little . . they never drink in clear water , but first they make it muddy with their feet , as do also the elephants , &c. . they can endure thirst for four dayes together , but if forced to it , for fifteen dayes . there are camels found in lybia which feed upon grass , and if it be wet with dew , they never drink . . camels have many ventricles , and not without cause , for they loving thorny meat , and that which is very hard of digestion , it would never be so well unless they had more ventricles than one , yet they have teeth but on one side , because they have so many ventricles , which will digest their meat without so much chewing , . they do not couple openly , but in some private place , and in that place where they couple , there the male and female alwayes meet afterwards . in the time of their coupling they are very fierce , insomuch that they will endure no one to come nigh them , unless it be the keeper himself and that very scarcely neither . . they are altogether free from incestuous copulation ; the young one never goeth along with his dam , altnough you would force him to it . aristotle giveth us an example of this , of a certain camel that was by his keeper brought to his dam 〈◊〉 cover ber , who lay hid being covered with straw , the camel leaps on her ; some of her cover●n● falling off , he knew her , at which he being 〈◊〉 he leapt upon his keeper , and tore him in p●●ces . . they have no horns , nor teeth in both j●ws . . their feet are fleshy like geese , therefore it is that oftentimes they make small puddles to w●sh ▪ the●r feet in . . they are sometimes troubled with a kind of ma●●iness , and sometimes they have the gowt , wh●ch oftentimes kills them . . they are said to have no gall , which must be thu● understood ; not as if they had no choler at all , but they have a cholerick humour which runs th●ough their veins , which is the reason that they are so patient , which would not be were their choler in one place . . it is very rare to see a camel leap , and as difficult to bring them to it ; whence the proverb , a man is as fit for such a business , as a camel is to leap . julius caesar scaliger tells us how to make a camel leap ; thus , let a young one be shut up in a hot house , which is more than ordinarily heated , and at the doors let some little bells be rung , the camel being very much enraged with the heat , will begin a little to lift up his feet , and afterward more and more , so that when she cometh out again , whensoever she hears bells she will leap . . they say that there is a mutual love between camels , for when they are in company , or in a stable together , if one of them chance to be sick , the rest of the camels will leave their meat , and by several gestures will declare a sympathy with him . . camels are exceedingly hat●d by horses , a notable instance of which herodotus hath in his first book of the war between cyrus and croesus . craesus bringing an excellent troop of horse into the field , cyrus used this stratagem , he brings a company of camels , and sets them in sight of the horses , who being not able to endure their sight or smell , immediately fled away . . in the east they are fed among other cattle , and historians tell us that several camels have been roasted whole , being stuff'd within with other small creatures , as in our dayes oxen are roasted whole on some grand festivals . thus having explained the several properties of camels , it now remains that we shew the several allegories . . why a camel is said to be unclean , the jews being forbid to eat it , levit. . . how it is that john baptist was said to have his garments of camels hair . . for the several allegooies . . a camel is a deformed creature , and nature hath so formed her , as if she were created o n purpose to carry burthens . so the ministers of the gospel are despised and slighted ; for christ hath not chosen the wise and strong , but the weak , who are compelled oftentimes to carry great burthens of affliction . . as there is a natural enmity between a horse and a camel ( yet so that the horses shun the camels ) so it is very rare to see the great men of this world to agree one with another , who carry themselves so high in their deportment , the ministers carrying themselves humbly to them , yet at last those great ones are forced to yield to them . . as camels milk is the best and sweetest , so the doctrine of the gospel concerning peace with god , and remission of sins , is most sweet and pleasant , bringing comfort to the disconsolate , and relief in the greatest misery . . as there is a mutual love between camels , especially towards the sick , so there ought to be a great care taken by ministers to keep and preserve peace and unity amongst men . . as camels are chaste and continent , so ought all men , but more especially the ministers of the gospel . . a● camels are content with a little meat , and can long en●ure thirst , so ministers ought to be very moderate in the use of these outward things , not guilty of covetousness , not usurers , not guilty of filthy lucre , for they should know that in this life they must have the water of tears , and the bread of affliction . . as camels fall on their knees when they take their burthens , so the ministers ought patiently to take their burthens , and undergo the difficulties that may attend their office. . as camels will not go beyond their stage , nor will they take more than they can , so ministers should do the like , not to cove● anothers place and neglect their own . whence , in the fable , the camel desiring horns from jupiter , he took from him his ears . i. e. she desired more , when she did not make use of what she had . . as camels have many ventricles for the better concoction of what they eat , so ministers ought to meditate again and again , and diligently to correct those things which they intend to preach , and not to speak what comes next . . as camels have not all their gall in one place , but it runs through their veins , so ministers ought not easily to be provoked to anger . . we come now to speak of that place , levit. . . in which the jews were forbid to eat the camel , because it cheweth the cud , but did not divide the hoof , therefore it was unclean . the reason of which is this , the flesh of a camel is not unclean or noxious of it self , nor is it said it shall be un clean to all , but only to the jews . so again , if they touched any thing that was unclean , they were to remain unclean untill the evening , but not for ever , therefore we see that all things are good with respect to the time and place ; so that by these prohibited meats god would signifie unto us , that chewing the cud is an emblem of purity , and dividing the hoof an emblem of modesty , for those creatures which chew the cud are fed with purer meat than those which do not ; and those creatures which part the hoof are not so fierce as those which do not . that which the jews were to learn from those creatures which chew'd the cud , and divided the hoof , was this , that they ought diligently to meditate and consider of those divine truths which at any time they heard , and from the gentleness of those creatures to learn mildness and courteousness towards all : luther in the beginning of his book of directions for reading of the fathers , useth this metaphor ; that those fathers only are to be chose which favour of the spirit . so lactantius followeth the metaphor well , in his fourth book , chap. . concerning the prohibition of eating hogs flesh . so god had respect to this in all their sacrifices , as galatinus in his history of the jews , lib. . chap. . saith , that those creatures which were sacrificed did figuratively signifie unto them several vices , and the mortification of those vices , and partly vertues ; so the firstlings of the sheep which abel offered up to god , and the paschal lamb signified the suffering of the messias . so kids and goats signified unto them the mortification of the sins of the flesh by repentance , as also the impurity and the filthiness of every sinner . by the bull was signified pride , by the calf wantonness , by the goat and sparrow unconstancy . contrarily , by the sheep was signified gentleness , by the lamb innocency , by the ox fury , by the turtle-dove chastity , by pigeons which flye in companies , and have no gall , is signified charity ; thus galatinus . . concerning the garment of john the baptist , which st. matth. saith was made of camels hair , whence ariseth two enquiries . . as to the matter , and . as to the form of it . . as to the matter of it , we must know that the word which we translate a camel , signifies in greek , a cable-rope , therefore . some think that his garment was made of camels hair , as our hair cloath is made of goats hair ; which garment was formerly a sign of repentance , and did suit with him who was a preacher of repentance . philip was of the opinion that john baptists garments were made partly of camels hair , and partly of flax ; as amongst us , we have some stuffs which are half silk , which the jews were not to wear , as appears , deut. . . so that in this respect also that kind of garment 〈◊〉 very well suit with him who was to preach the abolishing of the law , and the conversion of jews and gentiles to one lord , and also to signifie t●at the priest hood of the new testament did not consist in garments . some think that it was woven with thick flax , like to our cotton , therefore the monks of the order of st. john imitate him to this day , by such a garment ; but i am apt to believe that it was made only of camels hair . . concerning the fashion of it , some do enquire what the reason is that elias ( whom john mentioneth ) is said to be a hairy man , and girt with a girdle of leather about his loyns , king. . . which was the better to defend him from the extremity of the weather , he being a man that was often in the open air , and in the wilderness ; and therefore john the baptist would have his garment like the garment of elias ; and therefore limners now adayes do not well in representing john wrapt in a camels skin , which makes him look more like a satyr than a man. so heb. . . we read that the christians wandred up and down in sheep-skins , and goat-skins , the benefit of which was only to keep them from cold , as we see in the example of elias . chap. vi. of the lyon. the lyon is a fierce and intractable cre●ture , but yet famous , because it hath the shadows of many vertues , which we may learn partly from the properryes of his body , and of his soul . those which belong to his body are these . . his bones are so firm and solid that they are scarcely perceived to have any cavity in them , and yet they are but very small ; and therefore it is that his neck is so stiff and hard , that many have thought that it had no joynts , but was one continued bone . . the strength of a lyon is so great , that he can at once break all the bones of a mans body ; therefore it is that we find in holy writ , what is stronger than a lyon ? judg. . . and so solomon saith , that a lyon is the strongest of creatures , pro. . . hence comes the proverb , as good vex a lyon. thus gen. . v. . 't is said , judah is a lyons whelp , he stooped down he couched as a lyon , and as an old lyon ; by which is signified to us the great strength of the jews , who although they have oftentimes been worsted , yet there have been some branches left of them even untill christs time . so numb . . . he concludes ; he lay dew● as a lyon , and as a great lyon , who shall stir him up ? . as the lyon is the king , so it is the hotte●st of all creatures , and therefore he soon digesteh his prey ; he is also a greedy and devouring creature , and oftentimes eats his prey without chewing , which he vomiting up eats it again . . by reason of his great heat he breeds much choler , and therefore in the summer time he is continually troubled with a quartane feaver . . sometimes having eaten too much , he is forced to abstain from meat for two or three dayes , and afterwards for some time to eat but once every other day ; which afterwards makes him follow the prey with more greediness . . his dung is very dry and hard , so that he easeth nature with a great deal of difficulty . he makes his water as a dog doth , with one leg lift up , which comes from him with a great deal of difficulty . . he hath short eye-lids , but yet very great eyes ; and that is the reason that he is so troubled with the gnats which flye in his eyes , that he is forced sometimes to plunge himself in the water when he sleeps . . when he sleeps , he sleeps with his eyes open , which is but very little ; he is often seen to move his tayl when he is asleep , that men may see that they are not fast asleep . . some lyons have manes , and those are the fiercest ; and therefore those in america are very fearful and timerous , so that they cannot endure the sight of man. . we come now to speak of the properties which are in the soul of a lyon. . a lyon is a generous , proud , cruel , hasty creature ; and as horses shew their anger by hair , so do lyons by their tayl , which they strike against the ground when at any time they are angred ; but when their passion is a little over , they strike their own backs with it . . they hurt no man , and are seldom angry , except they are forced to it by great hunger , on have been hurt first ; they seldom pursue or hurt man or child , unless it be in their old age , when they are not able to encounter with wilde beasts for a prey ; and therefore it is that when they are old , they are seen to wander up and down in cities for a prey ; julius camillus , a french man , tells us this story of himself ; a certain lyon did pursue him , but coming to him did him no mischief at all ; the reason whereof he makes to be this ; because the lyon is one of the twelve signs of the zodiack ; which i do not at all approve of . . the lyon never makes a prey of those who lye flat on their faces , and seem as if they were dead . i have read of one who putting his hand in a lyons mouth , got hold of his tongue and killed him ; it is strange , that although he can break iron , yet he never meddles with wood , it being the weaker of the two ; and therefore it is , that they are alwayes kept up in wooden dens . . they are oftentimes seen to hide themselves in the fields , lest passengers should be frighted at them . . when they are hunted , they do not make much haste from the hunsmen ; and although they pursue him over hedge and ditch ▪ yet he will not flye , but goes on slowly before , and oftentimes stands still in the sight of the hunters , as it were preparing himself to encountet with them ; and when he comes to a great hedge , he then runs swiftly away , that he may get sight of the hunters again , that so they might not think he hid himself for fear ; so that the lyon is without any malicious craft or guile . neither are they ever seen to look asquint on any one ; and as they will not flye from the hunter , so they will not willingly run themselves into a snare ; and therefore it is , that when they go , they cover their foot-steps with their tayl , lest huntsmen should follow them by their foot-steps . . when at any time they are put to flight , they do strive all they can to vomit ; and do provoke themselves to vomit by putting their claw into their throat , that thereby emptying themselves they may be the lighter to run . this they do also , if they find at any time , that they have overcharged their stomacks . . the lyoness , when she hath young ones , will fight so fiercely to defend them , that she will lose her life before they shall be taken from her . aelian relateth a story of a bear in a mountain of thracia , who going into a lyons den , the dam being gone out to look for a prey , found several young ones in the den , no one being there , he destroyeth them all ; the lyon and lyoness return'd and took him in the very act ; he for fear climbeth up into a high tree , thinking there he was safe ; the lyon he runneth out into the wood ( the lyoness in the mean time standing at the tree where the bear was ) and wandring up and down , found a man with a hatchet in his armes , whom he forced to go along with him , taking hold of his cloaths , and led him to the tree where the bear was , and there he made some signs to him , that he should cut it down ; which when he had done , the lyon soon destroyed the bear ; which being done , he carried the man into his way again . . in a great multitude the lyon diligently observeth who it is that woundeth him , and taketh him alone from all the rest of the company , and teareth him in pieces : hose who have weapons and do not hurt him , he will do them no hurt , but only affright and terrify them . . although , by what hath been said , we may gather the gratitude of the lyon ; yet it will further appear by the example of a lyon at rome , who would not touch androdus's servant , because that not long before he had pulled a thorn out of his foot ; neither do they alwayes exercise their power on every object . . there are ●ix wayes whereby to make these creatures milde and gentle . . the first way is to hood-wink them ; pliny recites many examples to this purpose , which happened at rome . . to give them meat , so as to fill their bellies ; for arist . ( lib. . of the history of animals , cha . ) saith that when they are full and satisfied , they are very tame , tractable , and gentle . . when they are kept in a house ; whence antonius did make them so tame and gentle by this meaus , that his chariot sometimes was drawn by lyons ; and hanno also , the cart●aginian , did by this means so tame them , that they did car●●●●rthens like asses ; and which is more , antonius caracalla had some lyons which he brought up in the house , which were so gentle that they would lick his mouth , and at dinner time used to sit on a bench by him , and to lye in the bed with him like little dogs . . when they are kindly used , or have received any benefit , as appears ▪ from the fore-cited story of androdus ; also their keeper may lead , nay , strike them , and they will do them no harm . . if any one lyeth flat on his face , and doth feign as if he were dead . . if their mouths are miraculously shut , as in the case of daniel , chap. . . they will never injure a camel , if they can have any other prey ; hence herodotus recites that xerxes did look on it as a prodigy , and as a token of bad success in his war , when a lyon in his army tore a camel in pieces . . they alwayes hide themselves in some cave , or high mountain , in which they most delight to be , and there they will sit in such a posture as may the better fit them with greater violence to set on the next prey . hence david , psal . . v. , . doth recite all the several postures of lyons , and doth apply them to his enemies . but if the prey be so far from him , that he thinks he will escape , he will roar and make such a noise , that he will even amaze the wild beasts , so that they are not able to stir any further , and so become a prey ; hence it is that the scripture , when at any time it speaketh of an enemy , to shew the terribleness of him , setteth it out by the roaring of a lyon. . when he cometh to a wild beast , he encompasseth him with his tayl , so that he cannot get out : after once he hath taken his prey , he teareth it to pieces with his teeth and claws ; and after that he hath broken all the bones , and torn the flesh in pieces , he then first licketh up the blood , before he eateth any of the flesh . . if he espyeth an enemy approaching , he immediately leaveth his prey , and pursueth his enemy ; and if he seeth that he flyeth from him , he pursueth no further ; but if he will not run away from him , and if he standeth to him , he presently destroyeth him , and then returneth to his prey again . . he alwayes leaveth some of his prey for other beasts . . whatever creature the lyon woundeth , the blood of it turneth black , yet the fat of a lion is good against a bite of any other creature . there is a kind of secret antipathy in other creatures against the fat of a lyon. . he can contract his nails and hide them as it were in his flesh , which he doth many times , lest they should grow dull in cold weather . , the lyon never fe●deth with the lyoness , nor with any other creature , but alwayes feedeth in solitary places , and desarts . . as the lyoness is very fierce , so she is also very leacherous ; she will mingle her self with other lyons , also with the libard and civet . . in those places where there are many lyons , if any of them are taken , the rest presently run away . . they cannot be taken but in pit-falls , wherein a lamb or two must be put , and then they easily run in for them . there are several things which the lyon hateth , and cannot endure : . a lyon cannot endure the noife of wheels . . he cannot endure a cocks-comb , he is very much affrighted at the sight of it . . a lyon is very much afraid of fire . . he is as great an enemy to the crowing of a cock. . they are easily afrighted with the sight of any that looketh like a ghost , or any wayes terrible to look upon ; but above all creatures they hate an ape most , which is a crafty cunning creature , which a lyon hath very little of ; yet when a lyon is sick , nothing will cure him so soon as the blood of an ape . . a lyon cannot endure to see a wolf. philip camerarius telleth us that a lyon hath no such hatred against a cock , for they have been oftentimes seen to have taken both cocks and hens , and tear them in pieces ; we have several names in scripture , by which lyons are called , which are especially four . . they are called whelps , that is , those young lyons that are not yet able to seek their prey : but although a lyon is so fierce , notwithstanding the divine providence hath put such an affection into these creatures towards their young , that they will bring them food into the den , until they are able to go out to take their prey . . they are called kephir in the hebrew , which signifieth those lyons that are not yet come to full age , but are of middle age , at which time they are most ravenous and greedy of their prey . the psalmist compareth the covetous to lyons whelps , being violent and greedy creatures . . they are called ari , which is when they are at the strongest that they will be ; it cometh from an hebrew word , arah , which signifieth to snatch , and devour , because at that age they are aptest to tear and devour : we find that tyrannical rulers are set out in scripture by lyons . these lyons when they grow old are called levi , because then they are not able to go out to seek their prey , but hide themselves in dens , and behind bushes , and lye as if they were asleep , and move no part of their body ; so when any beast passeth by , he setteth upon him on a sudden , and teareth him in pieces ; just as cats cateh birds and mice ; but if they are so old , that they cannot get their prey , they sometimes do fall upon men and destroy them . but it is ordained so by divine providence , that their young ones bring them meat when they are not able to go for it themselves . a lyon liveth to a great age , for several of their teeth have been very much eaten in , which sheweth that they were very old . . although the lyon is of a noble and generous spirit , yet sometimes also he is very fierce and cruel ; from whence we may learn several good instructions ; and first we will consider what the scripture speaks , as when the jews , christ , the apostles , and all wise men are called lyons : hence gen. . . kings are called lyons , whom no one dare raise ; and as the bones of a lyon are firm and strong , so the jewish state was so firmly established that although it had many enemies , yet they could never overthrow it . moreover though the lyon is a strong creature , yet is he not proud of his strength , neither hath he any craft or guile , but doth all his actions openly ; so in the jewish state right and justice ought to prevail before fraud and injustice ; and as the lyon is a great enemy to the wolf ; so all common-wealths ought to be armed with strength and power against all sedition and heresie ; so david , psal . . . he that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house , and he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight . and though a lyon be sometimes very fierce , yet he is then so noble and generous , that he will spare those who crouch to him ; so it is policy in princes to be ready to forgive , according to that of virgil , parcere subjectis , & debellare superbos , to spare the humble , and to bring down the proud ; and as lyons sleep but very little , so all rulers ought to be vigilant and watchful , as homer seems to intimate to us . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. it is not fit for a governour to sleep much ; and therefore it is that the ancients have given a lyon in the arms of princes , to shew that they ought to be pitiful and merciful towards their subjects ; yet also just and impartial to all malefactors and offenders ; therefore solomon compareth the wrath of a king to the roaring of a lyon , pro. . . the wrath of a king is as the roaring of a lyon , whose provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul ; and we find it prophesied by joel , chap. . . concerning god , that he shall utter his voice as a lyon ; thus christ is called the lyon of the tribe of judah , rev. . . so the tribe of judah is called a lyon , and a lyons whelp , gen. . . so called because it was such a setled and strong government , which continued even untill christs time , and was then the most famous government in the whole world ; and although they had several kings and judges , famous for power and wisdom , yet christ by way of eminency is called the lyon of them all ; which is plain , as we might shew in several particulars ; as his satisfaction for our sins , his conquering the devil , and his several miracles . and as the lyon , when he roars , doth make the other beasts to quake and tremble ; so christ by his word hath converted several nations to himself , mic. . . we read that the remnant of jacob shall be among the gentiles , in the midst of many people , as a lyon amongst the beasts of the forest , as a young lyon among the flocks of sheep , who if he goeth through , both treadeth down and teareth in pieces , and none can deliver . thus christ brought the jews from the babylonish captivity : so holy men are compared to lyons , for as lyons do prepare themselves to take their prey by setting them in a convenient place , by watching , &c. so the apostles were made all things to all men , that they might gain some . . as lyons by their roaring do affright their prey , that they may make it stand still astonished ; so the ministers not by force of arms , but by the word of god , ought to bring men to repentance . . as lyons will not suffer their prey to be taken from them , so the apostles gave all diligence by visiting the churches which they had planted , lest they should be drawn aside by satan , the common enemy . . again , we find just men compared to lyons , pro. . . the righteous are as bold as a lyon. for first , as a lyon is a strong and bold creature , scorning none of his fellow creatures , so the true church , i. e. all holy and pious men are armed with the spiritual strength of the lyon of the tribe of judah , by which they can overcome and conquer all those dangers and difficulties which do attend them in this world. . as the lyon , if he finds himself sleepy , doth lye down and sleep , let it be where it will ; thus the righteous are prepared to undergo all dangers , let them happen in what place soever , according to the old verse , omne solum forti patria est , seu piscibus aequor ; a valiant man is never out of his countrey . moreover , as lyons have nothing of craft or deceit , nor will they look asquint on any one , neither will they hide themselves when hunted ; so holy and pious men are plain and open in all their dealings . and as lyons do hate apes and wolves , so true christians are enemies to all tyrants and dissemblers ; pindar compares a wise man to a lyon , being ready to bear all burthens and hard-ships that shall be laid upon him ; but he is also like a fox , taking counsel in all his actions ; thus we have shewn what good we may learn from this creature ; and we will consider what we may learn from those evil qualities which are in him . we find in holy scriptures , that all tyrants , hypocrites , and the devil himself is compared to a lyon ; and we find also , dan. . . that the assyrian , chaldean , and babylonish monarchies are compared to a lyon , and an eagle , which might be for these reasons . . because as a lyon is a strong and fierce creature , so most of the kings of the above-named monarchies , were both potent and cruel , as nimroth , salmanasser , sennacherib , nebuchodonosor , xerxes , &c. . as the lyon is the chiefest of creatures , so the assyrian king had vast dominions and territories , of which we may read at large in holy writ . . as the lyoness is a most leacherous creature , so the chaldeans and most of their kings were subject to lust and gluttony ; so we find sardanapalus , who by his lust did lose his kingdom ; we read , psal . . . that christ complaineth , that his enemies are like lyons ; and in another place , he calls them lyons , the priests bulls , and the scribes dogs ; as also pro. . . as a roaring lyon , and a hungry bear , so is a wicked prince over the people . for as a hungry lyon spares none , so wicked princes are cruel towards the innocent , devouring the sheep . aristotle calls tyrants lyons , but more cowardly princes he compares to hares ; so the fable of the hares speaking to the lyons , who could scarcely speak for fear of being devoured by them : it may fitly be applyed to those timerous men who dare not reprove great potentates . moreover we read , eccles . . . where it is said , be not thou as a lyon in the house , by which all governours of families are taught to be mild and gentle towards their families , and never to disturb that conjugal love and society which ought to be between man and wife , which we are taught by the lyon , who is never angry with the lyoness ; and as the devil , so all wicked men who are his instruments , are compared to lyons ; for although the jews in the gospel called satan beelzebub , which signifies the prince of lies , which they spoke out of disgrace , yet the apostle peter compares him more fitly to a roaring lyon , going about seeking whom he may devour : for though the lyon can go three dayes together without any sustenance , yet afterwards it makes him follow his prey with more eagerness and fierceness . and as the lyon is fierce and cruel when he hath got a prey , and in the pursuit of it covers his footsteps with his tayl , lest the huntsmen should follow him by his steps ; so the devil is cunning and diligent to take all occasions to get men into his snare , which he doth sometimes by drunkenness , or some other sin . further , as the lyon doth not eat one part of his prey only , but devours it all ; so the devil doth destroy both body and soul ; and as lyons are fiercest when old , wandring near cities making a prey of men , so the devil in these last times is most diligent and watchful to seduce the souls of men : and as a lyon doth not break wood ( though it be weakest ) but iron ; so the devil sets on those that are most secure ; therefore let him that stands take heed lest he fall . and as a lyon cannot endure the crowing of a cock , so the devil is only by the sound of the gospel overcome , not by external means . finally , as the cock is a weak creature , yet is proud of his crowing ; so the saints , though weak and feeble in themselves , yet do make their boasts , and do confide in the promises of christ ; we have to this purpose the examples of the martyrs , who were cast to lyons , yet were not at all amazed ; and those several fables of the lyons are not to be made light of , for from them we may learn good morals . chap. vii . of the bear. the word bear , is derived from the latin word urgeo , which signifies to urge or provoke . it is a very large creature , and very strong ; mischievous , perfidious , and deformed , and a great lover of honey : we shall speak to the properties of this creature more particularly . . although , as we said , it is so fierce , yet it is not so strong as a lyon , nevertheless it can break a mans back-bone asunder at once . . though it hath such a strong body , yet it hath a very weak head , and therefore it is when he comes down from a tree , he comes down backwards , but if he be forced to leap down , he takes great care to defend his head with his fore-feet . pliny tells us that there have been several bears found dead in the sand at rome , which were supposed to have had some blow on the head , which killed them . . when the male and female meet together for copulation , afterwards they go backwards , and never see one another again , but hide themselves in some cave or den , and therefore it is very rare to find a bear who is big with young ; there is a time in the winter quarter when they sleep for several dayes together , and that so soundly , that it is a difficult thing to awake them ; and this is the time in which they grow fat ; when they are awakened , they suck their fore-feet ( which are sweeter than their hind-feet , because they are more in use ) and do exceedingly like the juyce which they suck from thence . . the female is said to be very leacherous , and doth bring forth very deformed young ones , which are so deformed , that as soon as they are brought forth , it seems to be but a meer lump of flesh , without eyes or hair , and little bigger than a mouse , but not so big as a cat , which she afterwards brings into shape and form by licking of it ; therefore virgil said , that he composed his verses as bears do form their young ones , viz. by licking , i. e. with a great deal of difficulty . scaliger proves the contrary , exercitat . . sect. . where he alleadges that there have been several bears found in the alps big with young , which were cut open , and the young ones were found to be perfectly shaped in all its parts ; and others have observed that the young ones of bears as soon as they are brought forth , are enclosed in a certain skin , which cannot be got off but by licking , and it is a long while ere they can get it off so too . . the female hath a great love and affection to her young ones , and sits over them as a hen doth over her chickens , by which she cherisheth them exceedingly . . she is very fierce and cruel when she hath young ; therefore solomon saith , that is it better to meet a bear robbed of her whelps than a fool in his folly , pro. . . thus we find god speaking , hos . . . i will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her welps , and will rend the caul of their hearts ; so sam. . . we find that davids counsellours were compared to bears . . they love to be in caves and secret places ; and if they can find none , they will make themselves a hiding place with boughs of trees , which they will place so closely together , that it will shelter them from rain . . they exceedingly love honey , and oftentimes do smell out bees in a hollow tree by the scent of the honey-combs , which they desire , possibly , not so much out of love to the honey , as to be stung with bees , which cures them of the head-ach , a disease with which they are often troubled . . it is very strange and wonderful to see how they will climb a tree , and with their paw will tear off the bark from the tree where the bees are . . they will eat any thing ; as pears , nuts , plumbs , flesh ; yea , some will eat carrion : and if at any time they perceive that they have overcharged their stomacks , they eat pismires , which causeth them to vomit , which easeth them ; they are also very full of revenge , and if any one doth injure them , they will be sure to be revenged of him ; and though they are useful in carrying of burthens , and drawing of water , yet their masters often find , to their cost , that they are revengeful and perfidious . further , it is to be observed , that a bear is extraordinarily delighted with musick . paulus diaconus , and olaus magnus telleth us a story , that there are multitudes of bears in the south , who oftentimes will come to shepherds , and will make them play to them , till hunger forceth them to go away ; and as soon as they are gone , the shepherd will sound his horn , by which they are so affrighted , that they will never come more . moreover ( as we said before ) it is a very mischievous creature ; they are often seen upright standing on their hind-feet , and many of them will leap very well , and are very nimble and agile in several other actions ; as running , dancing , &c. sindrigal , prince of littaevia , had a certain bear which he had brought up by hand , and used so to the house , that he would every day come out of the wood to his house and knock at the door , and wait like a beggar , untill some one had brought him some meat , which when he had got , he returned into the wood again ; other bears have been seen to hunt cows and horses ; and if they see a cow with calf , they will with more eagerness pursue her ; some tell us that when the female hath young ones , she will work her self on her back to the cave where her young ones are , lest any one by her foot-steps should follow her to her den ; but if she perceive that the hunters have followed her , and have espied their den , she then immediately takes some of her young ones in her mouth , and some on her back , and carryeth them into some high tree . again , he is often troubled with sore eyes ; there are abundance of them almost in all parts , except in africa , and numidia ; and therefore virgil was much mistaken , when he speaks of the bears of africa ; he never drinks as the dog , nor sups up the water as other creatures do , but as it were bites it up . hunts-men have no device to entrap them so well as by laying honey over the pit-fall , which they smelling , come immediately to the place where it is , and so are got ; but they have several other wayes to entrap them ; one cannot more enrage a bear , then to strike or cut him on the nose , which is the tenderest part about him ; hence the proverb , as good take a bear by the nose . further , it hath an inveterate hatred against horses ; and as in other creatures , so in this , their hatred remains after their death ; hence it is reported , that a bear will flye at the sight of a horses skin . thus much for the properties of this beast , we will next consider what we may learn from it . the holy scripture compares the persian monarchy to a bear , because as the bear after he hath seized on any man as a prey , the first thing he doth is to flea off his skin , which is a sign of his cruelty ; so the persian kings were very cruel and inhumane in punishing offenders and malefactors , as cambyses , who inflicted this punishment on an unjust man , viz. he commanded his skin to be flead off . there are three things , especially , to name no more , in which the persian monarchy and a bear are alike . . as a bear doth exceedingly love and delight in honey , which by the scent they find out ; so the persians are meer gluttons and epicures , wholly given to delight and pleasure ; being prodigal in cloaths , and no less in the furniture of their houses , it being common among them to have golden tables , and beds of the same ; neither do they come behind hand in lust and uncleanness , for cambyses defloured his own sisters ; and herodotus reports of them , in his fifth book , that it was a custom among them , at any feast or banquet , for every one to bring in his concubine . . as bears are often troubled with sore eyes ; so the persians had very little skill or insight in military affairs ; so herodotus , lib. . affirms that xerxes brought an army into the field , consisting of almost an incredible number , yet he could not subdue the graecian monarchy : so likewise the persians , when they fought against hellespont , where a vast army of the persians were easily overcome by alexander the great , as the reader may see more at large in q. curtius . . as bears are observed to have very weak heads , several of them at rome having been killed with a small blow on the ear ; so the persians giveing themselves wholly up to lust and pleasure , did destroy the natural strength and vigour of their bodies , which was the reason of that ill success which we read they had in all their wars . herodotus , lib. . tells us , that after a war , seeing the heads of many egyptians and persians , he observed the heads of the persians to be softer , whenas the heads of the egyptians were much harder and firmer , they wasting their strength in lust and lasciviousness : there are several things i have observed in the nature of a bear , which may not unfitly be compared to a scholastical and philosophical life ; for instance , the bears , at first when young , are very deformed creatures , untill she by licking them hath brought them into shape ; thus it is most commonly amongst scholars , the first thing they put out is not so polite and well digested as the next is : and then secondly , as the bear hath a great love and affection to her young ones , thus we see that scholars do set a high price and value upon the first fruits of their study . thirdly , as the bear is so good at climbing of trees , thus learned men should make it their chiefest business to seek those things that are above . again , as a bear loveth caves and dens , thus scholaos love retiredness and secrecy ; moreover , as the bear when he is tyed to a stake , will still be walking round it ; thus the scholar delighteth to be in his study , and among his books , spending all his time there . again , as bears love honey , thus learned men cannot endure to spend their time in reading of dull books , but in those books wherein they find something of sweetness , the reading of which is their chief business ; for eating and drinking that is a thing they do by the by , as the bear that doth not drink as the dog , nor sup up his water as other creatures do , but doth as it were bite up the water when he drinketh . and as the bear loveth musick , so do philosophers , who are like to this creature for passion and revenge ; and as these creatures are deformed , oftentimes troubled with bad eyes , having but weak heads ; thus it is most commonly with scholars , who are oftentimes troubled with the same distempers ; who oftentimes are seduced with the pomps of this world , and blinded with the vanities thereof , as they say that bears if you hold but a bright silver basin before their eyes , they cannot see . albertus telleth us of certain white bears , which are amphibious ▪ and live both in the air and water ; i have read that heliogabalus sent several bears into the room where were several of his guests , whom he had made drunk . i need not speak of those men that have been turned into bears , which as it seldom happeneth in physicks , yet it is often seen , as to their morals ; some being more like bears than men , as others are like swine . chap. viii . of the panther , or leopard . the panther , or libbard , is called in low-dutch lin panterthier , which is also called in dutch panther , the female is called a libbard or panther ; it is a creature which is found in asia , the males are as big as a calf , the females as big as a beagle ; it is a fierce and crafty creature , his skin being full of little spots . . he is very fierce , and especially aims at a mans eyes , as basil saith in these words , i have seen and partly heard , as a thing most certain , that the panther , of all creatures , is the greatest enemy to man ; some have shewed him the picture of a man , which with a great deal of rage he hath tore to pieces , which is an evident argument of his hatred to man ; thus we may plainly see what an enemy satan is to god , by that enmity which he shews to man , which is his image ; thus far st. basil . . as he is fierce , so he is very swift and nimble ; thus osonins , in his history of portugal , lib. . reports that the king of portugal sent forth a panther which was somewhat tamed , who notwithstanding when he was let loose into the fields or woods , did with a wonderful eagerness destroy several beasts which were in the field ; as harts , &c. a further instance of their swiftness we have , hab. . . god saith he would bring the chaldeans upon them , whose horses should be swifter than leopards . . it hath a very beautiful skin , spotted with divers colours , the spots are like an eye , so that his skin looks as if it were full of eyes , the spots are blacker in the male than in the female , to which the prophet alludes , jer. . . saying , can the leopard change his spots ? . it is very crafty and subtle , and hath a very deformed head , insomuch that it frightens all other creatures ( as all other creatures hate a cat , or any thing like it ) but the rest of her body is very beautiful and comely , which is the reason why she hideth her head between her legs : it is observed that she is most cruel to any beautiful creature ; thus jer. . . the wolf of the evenings shall spoyl them , and the leopards shall watch over their cities , every one that goeth out thence shall be torn in pieces : for he oftentimes feigneth himself dead , or fast asleep ; or elfe she hideth her self that so she may better take other creatures for her prey . . of all creatures the panther hath a most fragrant and pleasant smell , by which means he draweth other creatures to him , and so maketh a prey of them ; thus aristotle , in his problems , sect. . quest . . enquireth into the reason why a panther of all other creatures should smell the sweetest ? some learned men tell us that it is from the place they are in , asia being a hot region , all sweet scents being hot and dry ; yet we may very well doubt of this reason , untill we have plainer evidence of the truth of it . . if he hath at any time eaten any poyson , he presently seeketh for some of mans dung , which he with a great deal of eagerness devoureth , and it is a certain remedy for him , speedily curing him . . it is observed that they will sleep three whole dayes together , and after he is awake he roareth out , and then it is that his body smelleth the sweetest , at which time abundance of creatures are drawn to him by the scent of his body . . although he be so fierce and cruel a creature , yet it is reported of him , that he is not unmindful , or ungrateful to any one that doth him any courtesie : for the truth of which we have the testimony of several historians , which do affirm that if he meeteth a passenger that is wandring up and down in a wood and cannot get out again ; if he hath formerly shewed any kindness to his young ones , he will take him and set him in his way . aelian telleth us that the leopard , while young , accompanieth with the kid ; it is reported that a certain kid being cut to pieces , and given to the leopard to eat , he would not touch it , being his old companion . although men oftentimes do indeed devour as it were their neer relations . . if at any time he hath touched any poysonous flesh , he immediately dieth . the panther hath an inveterate hatred against three kinds of creatures more especially . the first is the dragon , whose voice he cannot endure , neither the scent of him . . he hath an inveterate hatred against the hyaena , and that not only while he is alive , but after he is dead ; so he hateth the leopard , that if he seeth a man that hath only his skin , he will fall upon him and destroy him ; it is affirmed by some , that if the skin of a hyaena and a leopard be hung up both together , the hairs of the leopards skin will all fall off . . he is a great enemy to the cock , he cannot endure his flesh , insomuch that he will not meddle with a man that he smelleth hath eaten of a cock. . the female is not so cruel as the male , for she hath a very large heart ; the reason why she is so timerous and fearful , if at any time she doth any mischief , it is meerly out of fear . . the female is very leacherous , she not only coupling with the panther , but with the lyon also . . the females skin hath a more fragrant and odoriferous smell with it then the skin of a male. . although this creature be so valiant and s●btle , yet it is easily intoxicated with wine , which he is very greedy of ; therefore it is that the huntsman pours wine into the water that he drinketh first in a morning , and when he is very thirsty , he is drawn with the scent of the wine to the place ; after he hath drunk , it flyeth into his head , which maketh him wanton , sporting himself in the fields with other creatures , until at last they are tired , and fall asleep ; so that then they are easily taken : and thus we have shewn the several properties of this creature , let us now see what is to be learned from them ; and although we may compare them to all cruel men , to devils , &c. yet we will first take notice what the scripture saith ; thus we find it comparing the grecian monarchy ( as also alexander the great , who was a chief member of it ) to the panther or leopard ; the reasons of which according to pererius , and others , are these that follow . . as the panther is no bigger than a beagle , yet is very strong , thus we see that alexander the great had but a small empire , yet with an army consisting but of men , conquered the eastern countries . . as the leopard is a very swift creature , thus we read how that alexander the great , in the space of twelve years had got the whole empire to himself , for at twenty years of age he enjoyed his fathers kingdom , he dyed when he was but thirty three years of age , at which age men use to have but little of any experience and prudence ; but how much he gained in those twelve years , we shall know hereafter more at large : he being once asked how he brought about such great things in so small a time , he answered , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , never delaying nor procrastinating any business ; but it is much to consider what a fiery bloody empire he had ; therefore apelles pictured him carrying lightening in his hand , his mother olympias when she was with child dreamed that it lightned into her womb , and that it caused a great flame . iu seventeen dayes time he built that noble city of alexandria , seated upon the river tanais . in three fights he conquered all asia , and built seventy cities , and as hieronymus saith well , that he was rather famous for his victories than his war , thus we read in the prophet daniel , who speaking of the leopard , chap. . v. . saith , th●● dominion was given to it ; for when he came to jerusalem and met the high-priest there , he fell on his knees and worshipped him , being asked the reason why he would so debase himself , he answered , that he did not worship the man , but god ; for the night before god did appear to him in the shape of a high-priest , and promised him several victories . . as the leopard hunteth all living creatures , and maketh a prey of them , so the dominion of alexander was very large , as the prophet daniel saith , that he had dominion over the whole earth ; thus machabees , it is said that he went even to the ends of the earth , for he had overcome the greatest part of europe . all asia , macedonia , armenia , ilerica , albania , cappadocia , syria , egypt , mount taurus , caucasus , media , persia , india , and indeed , all the eastern countries in general ; several kings being subject to him ; and he had gone further , had not his army mutynyed ; as the learned have observed out of q. curtius ; coming from the east to babylon , he found there the ambassadors from several nations , not only from those which he had conquered , but from those which he had not conquered ; as out of africa , spain , france , italy , and also from the romans themselves , and he had conquered the whole mediterranian , and the rest , had he lived a little longer . . as the leopard hath a most sweet and fragrant smell , thus alexander was not only civil and courteous to all , and happy and successful in all he undertook , but as plutarch affirmeth , he had a sweet smell came from his body , he being of a hot and moist temper ; we will not now speak any thing of his converting the barbarous nations , how he instructed them how they ought to cherish and nourish their parents , and not to destroy them , as some of them did , he also taught them to abstain from incest , it being common among them to lye with their own mothers . from his loyns came four kings , viz. antipater in macedonia , antigonus in asia , seleucus in syria , and ptolome● in egypt . . as the leopard is a fierce and cruel creature , thus alexander , he overcame and destroyed all his enemies , he never sat down before a city , but he took it ; although he hath fought with the enemy when they have been armed , and his souldiers unarmed , yet he got the victory ; many times he hath fought alone himself , and scaled the walls himself . . as this is a most crafty subtle creature , so alexander by his policy overcame many wise and grave seniors , he had a quick and ready wit , he having an extream love to all learned men . . as the leopard is full of spots , but beautiful ones , so there were in alexander many vertues together , for he was like achilles , and like agamemnon for chastity , for piety like diomede , and like cyrus for magnanimity , and for a quick wit like themistocles , and for learning like his father ; but whatsoever we have said of him , or can say of him , is less than he deserveth . . as the leopard is a furious creature , and cannot be taken but by wine ; thus alexander is said to have loved wine extraordinarily , and when he was drunk he was guilty of many enormous crimes ; he often drunk so much that he slept three dayes together ; he would often appoint drinking matches , giving large rewards to them that overcame ; when he was drunk he set that famous city persepolis on fire , and killed his dear friend clitus when he was in drink , at which he grieved so much , that it had almost killed him ; he once made a feast , to which he invited . guests , and to every one he gave a golden plate ; so that he who once overcame the whole world , and was most chast and continent , at last could not overcome his voluptuousness and gluttony . q. curtius , in his tenth book , goeth about to excuse him for this ; we may also learn from what we have read of this beast , to apply them to several other noble men , who being destitute of divine grace , although at first were famous for many noble and heroick actions , and would stick at no dangers , yet at last lost all this , and came to sad and tragical ends . hercules was in some things very like to a leopard , destroying all thieves and robbers , at last being overcome with his own lust and passions , he gave himself wholly up to women , one of which knocked him on the head with a slipper ; thus themistocles , who overcame all the persians , and kept all greece under him , yet in his old age he was so leacherous , that he was drawn into the market-place by four women instead of mules ; moreover now i will compare this leopard to the devil , as st. basil did , for . as the leopard is so crafty and subtle , so we cannot express the malice and subtilty of this common enemy . . thus the devil ( as the leopard hath a most fragrant scent ) sometimes transformeth himself into an angel of light ; and as the leopard hideth himself , feigning himself to be dead , or asleep , the easier to ensnare his prey ; so the devil oftentimes covereth his temptations with fallacies and deceits , the better to take the simple : and as the leopard with a great deal of eagerness leapeth upon his prey , so the devil is never sluggish nor slothful in tempting of us , but he doth ( as he is a roaring lyon ) snatch away the wicked ; finally , as the leopard never changeth his spots , so he will not leave off deceiving mankind ; nay , by so many years experience as he hath had , he is much craftier , and now in these later ages he is more fierce and cruel , by how much the nearer he seeth his judgment coming ; and therefore we ought alwayes to implore the son of god that he would restrain and confound this cruel creature ; but so much for the leopard . chap. ix . of the tyger . aristotle in his ninth book of his history of animals , chap. . saith , that in asia are found more cruel beasts , in europe stronger , and valianter ; but that in africa there are beasts of stranger shapes ; and therefore this creatute being found only in asia , is more fierce and cruel ; as for the etymology of the word , tyger is an armenian word , and signifieth in that tongue , an arrow ; hence it was that in ancient times there was a river called by the same name , because it ran so swiftly . . this creature is found most commonly in hircania , being generated only there ; hence virgil , in the second book of his aeniods , calleth them hircanian tygers . . it is like a great horse for the bigness of it . . it is a very swift beast , and almost incredible ; whence in former times it was called an arrow . . it is as strong as swift , therefore it is said to be stronger than an elephant . . his skin is all over spotted , and therefore this heast is what the peacock is among birds , most comely and beautiful . . it hath such a fragrant scent , that it cometh not behind any other creature . . by reason of its swiftness and fierceness , it is very difficult to be taken ; but especially when it is grown to any bigness , therefore huntsmen use this stratagem for the taking of them . they take notice what time she bringeth forth in , and where , as also when she goeth to take her prey , as soon ●s she is gone , one rideth on horse-back , and ta●eth away all her young ones , and bringeth them away with all speed ; as soon as ever she is returned from her prey , she knoweth by the scent which way the hunter is gone , and doth pursue him with all speed , but when the huntsman seeth him not far from him , he letteth one of them fall , this she taketh and carryeth to her den , and cometh again ; and he droppeth another , she carryeth that to her den ; she overtaketh him again and again , so often that he has scarce one left . or else he doth thus , if he intendeth to take them all , then goeth another way to work , that is thus ; he goeth to the den , and taketh all her young ones away with him , but when he perceiveth that the tyger doth pursue him , he setteth down a great looking-glass in the way , and one of her young ones by it , as soon as the tyger cometh to the glass , she wondreth to see her self in the glass ; she seeing the resemblance of the young one that lyeth by it in the glass , thinking that to be another , striveth with a great deal of eagerness to get that out of the glass , in the mean while the huntsman rideth a●ay with all the rest , and carryeth them aboard ; the dam standing upon the shoar , roareth out , and rageth for madness . . the males have no love at all for their young ones ; but when the huntsman cometh , will fly away ; but the females are so careful of them , that they will lose their lives for them . . there are a certain people of india , which are said , at this day , to find tygers that are as big as two lyons , and have stings in their tayls , which they put out if they meet any one . . it cannot endure the sound of drums , which maketh him run mad , and tear himself to pieces . . although it be so fierce a creature , yet augustus caesar had one which he had tamed , which he brought to rome ; and anrelianus caesar , besides several tygers , he brought elkes , camels , and panthers ; and thus we have shewn the several properties of this beast , which we can resemble to no thing so like as to she turkish empire ; for , . as the tyger is a strong , fieree creature ; thus is the turkish empire , potent and rich. . as it is the swiftest creature , so neither are the turks long in taking counsel , and whatsoever they propose to themselves in war , they do it without any long deliberation about it ; and as this creature doth cast forth a most fragrant scent , thus the military discipline that the turks have doth far exceed other nations ; moreover , as the tygers skin is full of spots , thus the turks have some small vertues , but joyned with enormous vices ; as their daily prayers which they say seemingly with a great deal of attention , as also their several kinds of washings ; washing their whole bodies , their eyes , mouth , privities ; they are very cleanly in their dyet ; they will not suffer any unclean creature to be where they are , they have certain conveyances in the tents for all manner of filth , which runs into several ditches , which are daily covered with sand , lest the stench that cometh from it should infect the air ; further , in their market-places they have several deep holes , wherein they cast all the filth of the beasts that they kill , as their excrements , guts , &c. they are very severe in punishing any one that playeth at any game for money ; as also those that neglect their kind of worship are exceedingly derided and scorned by all people ; if any one is not seen at their worship for three fridayes together , he is immediately excommunicated ; they make mention of their gods with a great deal of reverence , if they find any pieces of paper , they either burn them or hide them , if they think that the name of mahomet is written in ●it : when they pray , they turn their faces toward the south , but when they ease nature any wayes , they take a great deal of care that they turn not their faces to any of their moschs , or temples ; when they go into their temples , they pull off their shooes , which they do when they sit down to meat ; so that in these , and several other things , they far exceed several others ; for although they have no great love for the arts and sciences , being ignorant of their very names , yet they are very great linguists , and honour every man according to his skill in the tongues , they finding a great deal of profit and advantage in the knowledge of the tongues ; but on the contra●y they are guilty of many hainous vices ; for , . they are very cruel and unnatural , so that the very emperours themselves as soon as they have the power in their hands , they put all their brethren to death , nor have they any regard or respect for any of their concubines , oftentimes taking them captive ; they use their enemies like beasts , which they sell , or else put them to cruel torments , nay oftentimes they will put out their eyes , others they will pull their skin off , and several other wayes of cruelty they have among them , that they exercise upon their enemies : and although they give a great deal of honour and reverence to their kings while they are alive , yet after they are once dead , they then care not what they do ; they will mutiny , rob his treasury ; but this will be too tedious a business to follow any further , it being but a digression , i shall say but a little more of it . , as tygers cannot endure the sound of drums , thus the turks banish from them all good arts and sciences , as rhetorick , physick , limning , but especially musick ; because they know that they are apt to use it immoderately . finally , although tygers are so fierce and cruel , vet have been , and may be tamed ; thus the turks , were they governed as they should be , would soon be a more civilized people ; as to the difficulty that there is in the taking of their young ones , erasmus applyeth it to niggardly covetous men ; for as huntsmen think they do very well in robbing the tyger of her young ones , so those that possess other mens estates , think they have them lawfully , and at first satisfie themselves with thoughts of returning it back again ; thus we see how the several properties of a tyger may be applyed to several other things . thus we see a tyger pictured lying by bacchus , which signifieth to us , that men when intoxicated , are more fierce than they are at other times . chap. x. of the elke . the elke is only to be found in the northern parts of the world ; they are chiefly to be found in the woods of muscovy , as also in illyria . aristotle saith nothing of this creature , neither doth pliny , speaking nothing of his shape , or nature , but only nameth it ; this creature is bigger than a hart , and more hairy , his hairs are almost the same with the hart , but something more like to an asses hair , as scaliger hath well observed ; and therefore it is that the helvetians call it a wild ass , others call it a horse-stag . there is another beast in muscovy , which is a very swift creature , which is very like to this elke . julius caesar in his comment of the french war , lib. . describing the wood hyrcinia , saith that it did extend much towards the north , and further addeth that he found in it the elke , and the machlin . . it is like a goat , whose fore-head is two handfuls broad , his upper lips are very large . . his legs have no joynts . . he hath horns , but they grow only backwards , the hoofs of this creature do cure and heal all epileptical diseases in young children , it being covered with gold , and so hung about his neck ; there are some who instead of this , sell an oxes hoof , but it is very easie to discern the difference , for if you shave an oxes hoof , it will have a very bad smell with it , which this hath not . . it hath a doleful , mournful cry , as i my self have heard , so that if you did not see it , you would think it were a young child , and therefore it is that the germans call it glen . they have been tamed and ridden upon ; others have used them for drawing , it being a very swift creature , and will go further in one day than a horse doth in three , especially upon ice , where he will go much faster than upon the earth : thus we have shewn the nature of this beast , which somewhat resembleth a christian ; as , . his leg is without any joynts , so that if it lye down , it cannot get up again ; thus christians are seldom guilty of any craft or subtilty , and not armed with any external power , for if they once fall into any danger , they are not able to deliver themselves ; and as she never goeth backwards , lest she should be got in a snare ; thus christians have a great care lest they should be ensnared with the snares of this world. further , as she goeth swifter upon the ice than upon the land , thus the church hath alwayes gained more by afflictions then by prosperity . finally , as the hoof of this creature cureth the epilepsy ; so to be conversant among christians is the only way to be kept from vices , that are the diseases of the mind ; there might be more corrolaries drawn , as we might apply the nature of this beast to counsellours , merchants , and almost to all sorts of men , they are very watchful while they are feeding , and very swift in flight ; it is a rare thing to meet with those that will give us good counsel , and when once we have deliberated upen it , then to follow it without delay : we should carefully lay up good counsel , and if we have a secret told us , not to reveal it . chap. xi . of the unicorn and rhinoscerote . we have two questions to answer , before we begin to speak of these two creatures ; as a. whether there be any such thing in nature as a unicorn . . whether an unicorn and a rhinoscerote , be one and the same beast . as concerning the first doubt , whether there be such a creature as the unicorn or no ; some learned men have denyed that there is any such creature as an unicorn , but only an indian ass , for many approved authors do say , that indian asses have but one horn , but the scripture draweth many inferences from the nature of this beast , and doth apply them to good men and bad men , nay , even to christ himself , therefore it must nessarily follow that there are such creatures as unicorns , and according to that judicious writer , julius caesar scaliger , in his exercitations against cardanus , quoteth one of his friends that saw one . as for the second question , whether a unicorn and a rhinoscerote be not the same . the word in hebrew for a rhinoscerote , which is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , rheem , signifieth an uniiorn , and a rhinoscerote also , the other hebrew word which the jews use for it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , rhum , which signifieth both the unicorn and the rhinoscerot , thus we find several have used rhinoscerote and monocerot for one and the same animal ; but julius caesar scaliger in his exercitations affirmeth the contrary , that the unicorn and the rhinoscerot are two several creatures ; for the unicorn hath but one horn in his fore-head , but the rhinoscerot hath two , one little one in his fore-head , and a great one in his snowt , from whence he taketh his name ; but because in the holy tongue we have but one name for them both , we will handle the properties of them both in this chapter . the unicorn is a creature about the bigness of a horse , he hath the beard of a goat , the head of a hart , he hath a neck with a large main , he hath the feet of an elephant , the tayl of a hog , he hath one black horn in the middle of his fore-head about two cubits long . the rhinoscerot is a very large creature , and is almost as hig● as he is long , but hath very short legs , and two horns , as i said before ; but because they are both such large creatures , and therefore the jews have but one name for them both , that cometh from an hebrew root ram , which signifieth high exalted ; moreover the rhinoscerots horn is evceeding hard , which he often sharpneth and whetteth upon a stone , when at any time he is to encounter with any other beast ; for the rhinoscerot hath an natural enmity against several creatures , but especially against the elephant , which two are alwayes at variance one with another ▪ in the combate the rhinoscerot aimeth at the elephants belly , which is his tenderest part , and doth often overcome him ; against whom the elephant fighteth very fiercely with his horn that he hath in his s●owt . his back is of a dapple gray , and defended as it were with divers shields , from whence we may gather the great strength of this beast ( philippus camerarius speaking of the rhinoscerot , saith that i● is something lower than the elephant , but is as long as a wild ox , he is cloven footed , but his skin is of a box colour , but so hard and impenetrable , that it is like armour to him ; he hath no weapon to defend himself with but his horn , with which he often runneth through the belly of the elephant , which is his chief enemy ; but in the combat the elephant hath a great care lest the rhinoscerot should thrust against his throat , which if he did , it would soon strangle him ; the hatred and enmity that there is between these two creatures is very great , and almost incredible . imma●uel king of portugal carried a rhinoscerot to rome , but in the way they were ship wrackt ; the rhinoscerot although he were shackled , yet it was wonderful to see what shift he made to swim , bu● at the last he perished in a rock , philippus camerarius ●ells us another story of the rinoscerot , who when he was set on shoar , was perceived to trem●le and shake extremely ; the reason of which a●terwards was perceived to be an elephant which he there saw afar off ; the rhinoscerot betakes himself to fight , and with a great deal of eagerness pursues the elephant , making a lamentable noise as ne went , and destroying all before him . we come now to speak of the unicorn , and the first thing observable is his horn , which is two cubits lon● , white and shining within , but is black without ; it is not light nor hollow as other horns are , neither is it so plain and smooth , but is sharp and rough like a file , and at the end of it as sharp and piked as a sword , so that he ea●ily runs his horn into any thing . . although he be very fierce , yet he is mild and gentle to the females , and is often found asleep by them in the fields , by which means they are taken ; they have another way to take them , viz. to cloath a strong young man in womans apparel , perfuming his garments with rich scents , and so to stand in the fields ; the unicorn smelling him presently comes to him , the huntsmen hide themselves , but yet keeps within sight of him ; the young man layes his hands upon his eyes , and so blind-folds him , whereupon the huntsmen come softly behind him , and take him . . the unicorn is so exceeding strong that it is invincible , a wild creature , inhabiting only mountains and desarts , to which job alludes ; who speaking of the unicorn , saith , chap. . . can the unicorn be tamed , or canst thou bind him ? whence it appears to be very fierce and wild , because it cannot be tamed ; for we have tamed lyons , panthers , and tygers , but this we could never tame . . it 's horn is an excellent antidote and preservative against poyson , insomuch that if water hath been poysoned , if it be but touched with his horn , it takes away the poysonous quality ; it was a custome in old time among rich men to have drinking cups made of the unicorns horn , and when at any time they drank , they used to have a piece of the horn in the cup , for it is very much commended by physicians ; now having explained the properties of the unicorn , we will next consider what we may learn from it . . nazianzen , in his orations , compares the philosopher and the unicorn together ; for , . as the unicorn loveth solitude , so he who addicts himself wholly to good learning , desires nothing so much as privacy and retiredness . . as the unicorn loveth to be on the high mountains ▪ so wise men ought to despise and sleight these worldly things , as below them . . as the unicorn hateth any slavery or servitude , so the true philosopher should be servant to none ▪ nor should he dwell ( as it were ) in another mans brains , taking up and changing his opinions , on anothers judgment . . i suppose that that in the psalms is unknown to few , psal . . . where christ being compassed about with most cruel enemies , makes sad complaints as of their cruel usage , and compares them to lyons and unicorns , saying , in the fore-cited place , save me from the lyons mouth , from the horns of the unicorn ; by which we are to understand , more especially , the cruelty of those who crucified our saviour , although it may not unfitly be applyed to all the enemies of the gospel ; for , . as the unicorn is a very cruel creat●re ; so the enemies of christ were strong and cruel . . as it is strong and vigorous , so are the enemies of the church . . as it is very difficult to be taken , and when taken , as difficult to tame it , which job , chap. . . seems to hint to us , saying , will the unicorn be willing to serve thee , or abide by thy crib ? canst thou binde the unicorn with his band in the f●rrow , &c. so the enemies of christ are implacable . . as the unicorn loveth to dwell in solitary places , never keeping company with any other creature ; thus the enemies of christ will by no means be reduced to the society of the church , but do still go on in enmity and hatred against it . . in other places of scripture , the church and jewish state is compared to a unicorn ; so num. . . it is said , that god brought them o●t of egypt , he hath the strength of a unicorn , and the very same words are there used , n●mb . . . like to which we have deut. . . his horns are like the horns of a unicorn , with them he will push the people together to the ends of the earth ; so the family of joseph is compared to the horns of a unicorn ; so david , psal . . praye● that his k ●gdom might be exalted as the horns of a unicorn ; and in general we may re●em●le this to the church , and so to all holy and pious men that ever have , or shall be in the world ; and without doubt the horn is an emblem of power and strength , as also of defence , which we may liken to the true knowledge of god , and to his presence , aid , and assistance , and then we may learn , . as the unicorns horn is so high , by which he defends himself against all inj●ries , so the churches wellfare and safety consists in the knowledge and love of god. . and as his horn is an excellent antidote against all poyson , so the knowle●ge and love of god is an excellent remedy against all vice . . as the chief thing that huntsmen regard in a unicorn , is his hor● ; so it is most certain that the main reason of the churches sufferings is ( as i may so speak ) her horn , i. e. her great confidence and affiance in god. . as it is very difficult to take the unicorn alive , and when she is hunted taketh great care of ●e● horn ; thus the church ought in the midst of all her afflictions to take great heed , lest she lo●e her horn , i. e. her knowledge and love of god ; these heads of inferences might be further inlarged i shall add a story which i have read in the third book of philip's declamationes , where he saith , that he saw the church pictured like to a unicorn standing , one half of which only appeared , but immediately it appeared in his full proportion ; about whom stood divers beasts , as the elephant , panther , &c. making a great noise about him ; the unicorn in the mean while standing undauntedly . he addeth there , ●hat the church hath in this world sometimes prosperity , and sometimes adversity , but alwayes hath great enemies , which she at last overcometh ; by the way here we may take notice that oftentimes states and kingdoms are called by the name of horns ; for as horns are of no use at all , but only to defend the body , so kings and princes , unless they defend the church , are useless . . also christ himself and his kingdom are not unfitly compared to an unicorns horn ; for although we have it not expresly mentioned in the bible , yet we read in the book of numbers , that when balaam was to bless israel he taketh many similitudes from the unicorn , from whence we may learn , . that as the unicorn is an invincible creature ; thus the church shall prevail against the gates of hell ; moreover , as the unicorn with his horn doth overcome all other creatures ; thus we by this horn of christ do overcome all the temptations of sathan , and of wicked men ; and as his horn is a sovereign remedy against poyson , so the kingdom of christ is the horn of salvation , in which sin is destroyed , death is abolished and overcome , and everlasting life promised to all believers ; and as the unicorn spareth the female , as being the weaker ; thus christ loveth and cherisheth those that are of a contrite heart ; to conclude , as the unicorn pursueth any one that goeth about to ensnare him ; thus christ doth by his horn ( as it were ) oppose all that set themselves against his gospel , insomuch that to all eternity they shall find nothing but severe punishments and torments , inexpressible and intolerable . chap. xii . of the horse . the americans never saw this creature , till about a hundred years since , and therefore when they saw a man on horse-back they thought the man and the horse to be one individual creature , which made them much afraid of it ; this being the creature that conquered the indians ; so that the spaniards , if they could not bring horses , the indians overcame them ; this is a very useful and necessary creature to man , and that not only for war , but also for journeying ; concerning his usefulness in war , we have it set down at large in job , chap. . , . &c. hast thou given the horse strength , hast thou cloathed his neck with thunder ? canst thou make him afraid as a grass-hopper ? the glory of his nostrils is terrible , he paweth in the valley , and rejoyceth in his strength , he goeth out to meet the armed men , he mocketh at fear , and is not affrighted , neither turneth he back from the sword . v. . he saith among the trumpets , ha , ha , he smelleth the battel afar off , the thunder of the captains , and the shoutings . these words god himself speaketh of the horse , as of a noble spirited creature ; in all ages of the world , as well without as within the church , men have had a great love and care of their horses , above other creatures ; so that we find them sometimes to be careful of them , we find solomon ( kings . . had some thousands of horses , too much confiding in them , against the express command of god. deut. . where we read that the king is not to multiply the number of his horses ; there were in egypt many rare horses , and therefore lest the jews , by having any converse with the egyptians , should learn their customes and manners , god did forbid all princes to multiply their horses , which command solomon violated ; for he had several troops of horses brought him from egypt , . king. . . it was a custom among the persians , to bury the dead carkasses of their horses , and therefore we read that simon at athens buried his horses by his own tomb ; and julius caesar did erect a marble monument for his horse in his own temple ; and antonius verus did set up a golden image , in honour of his horse ; poppe● sabina , nero's wife , had her horses shod with golden shooes ; glaucus ( in the third book of georgicks ) potneius fed his horses with mans flesh ; nero did adorn his horse with a gown that the senators only wore , and every week allowed them so much ; thus caligula went beyond them all , he inviting his horses to dinner , and did make them drink in golden bowls , and would have made one of his horses consul ; as he once ( a most horrid fact ) made himself priest , and his horse his associate . theophylact , patriarch of constantinople , alwayes kept above two thousand horses ; which he fed not with hay and barley , but with spices , figs , raisins , wine , &c. nay , when at any time he was at the communion , doing his office , if one had come to him and told him that one of his mares had foaled , he would for joy immediately have left off , and seen his mare , and then come again to make an end ; thus alexander , in the honour of his bucephalus , did erect a great city ; so in all ages of the world great hath been the folly and madness of princes , in taking over-care for their horses ; and so we read in homer , il. . that the wife of hector fed her horse as constantly , and with the same dyet as she did her husband . conradus gesner speaking of the horse , hath digested , in one alphabetical order , all those proper names that have been formerly given to horses ; but i shall come now more particularly to speak of the nature of horses . . the horse is an understanding , docile creature , but especially are those that are bred in the islands of the baltick sea ; and those that are bred in selandia , though small , yet are very strong ; those are o●●erve● to be very do●ile a●ove other horses ; for they will understand their masters by a ●od or a sign ; t●ey have been ●aught to walk upon their two hi●●er feet , ●o sit dow● , to take their meat with their two ●ore-●ee● out o● a dish , and to hold up a 〈◊〉 with their ●ore-●eet , to wink , to lay their heads upon their backs , to run round in a circle , to kneel down that t●eir masters ●ight get up ; they h●ve ●een al●o ●a●ght to reverence the king , by certain ge●t●res that they are taught , all which c●sp●an affirmeth that he hath seen ; and pausanias rela●eth of a●ot●er horse , who in the olympick games , as of●en as ●e go● the victory , would run to the chief officer imme●iately , to let him understand that he had overcome ; they may be taught to leap over ditches , to go up hills , and also to go down again ; nay , they understand their own names , and oftentimes are seen to be drunk , which they will soon be with w●●e , or any strong liquor . . it is a warlike fierce creature , endued with great strength a●d co●rage ▪ me●alsome horses often moving their j●ws up and down , foaming at the mouth : for aristotle el●eth us that it is a sign of a strong horse , if he be in co●tinual motion of one part or other ; motion and hea● together or causing foam , according to t●a● of virgil , stat sonipes , & frae●a f●●ex sp●mantia mandet . thus we find g●●●c● dim , in his second book of the war ●e●wee● 〈◊〉 ●●ench and the italiaus , saith tha● the horses did as ●uch service in the war as men ; ●iting , ki●k ●g , and leaping upon men ; which also appeareth from that place which we quoted in job ; in war they ▪ will neigh , rage , scrape the ground with their feet , their manes will stand upright , and can very hardly ●e held in ; he knoweth the enemy ; nay , he knoweth the very noise of the enemies horses ; he is not at all terrified with the sword , nor is he afraid with the noise of trumpets , quivers , spears , nor shields , but loveth to be among them , being as valiant as the souldiers themselves , being daunted with nothing , but pricketh up his ears , and standeth as it were with a great deal of courage ; sometimes horses will not be so stout and valiant , as at other times ; thus we read in virgil , lib. . of merentius horse , flet pallantis equus . . there are several creatures which are proud , but the horse more especially , and that chiefly when he seeth himself to have rich trappings on , according to that of virgil , in the third book of his georgicks ; frena pelethronii , lapithae gyrosqae debere , impositi dors , oatque equitem docure sub armis . which take thus in english . lapithes first the art of riding found , and horsemen taught to fight or'e trampled ground . when bucephalus is naked and hath no trappings , he will suffer any horse-courser to ride him , but when once he hath his trappings , then no one shall back him but his master alexander ▪ the like also was observed of julius caesars horse , whose fore-feet were very handsom , and almost like unto mens feet ; erasmus applyeth it to poor men , who will admit any one into their society ; but if once they grow to be rich , they scorn and despise all poor people . . they are very much delighted with any musical instrument ; for they are observed sometimes even to weep for joy at it , but most of all he is pleased at the sound of a trumpet ; he terrifieth the enemy , but himself is not at all afraid ; he runneth into the battel , rageth and foameth , but the more when he seeth his trappings . pliny speaking of horses , mentioneth a sort of people in italy , that taught their horses to dance at the sound of a trumpet , which they used to do at great feasts ; and therefore when the enemy waged war with them , they had the best trumpets they could get , by which the enemies horses were so transported , that they would leap and dance , and run with their masters on their backs into their enemies camp. . they are the most leacherous creatures in the world , man onely excepted ; they are mad when in the act , and will bite any horse that cometh nigh them , but the mares are more leacherous than the horses ; it is fabulous that is reported of the mares in portugal , who are reported , by drawing in the wind , to have a kind of false conception , ( as hens oftentimes lay windy eggs ) but what they bring forth never liveth long ; those that would satisfie themselves further in this point , may read more in the third book of georgicks , like to that fabulous report i have read of the tygers conceiving with the wind ; but so great is the leachery of the horse , that he will copulate wit● the mare that foaled him ; aristotle in his history of animals , lib. . chap. . saith , that the king of scythia's horse was compelled to copula●e with the mare that cast him , she being covered over with cloaths , that he could not see her ; but yet notwithstanding after he perceived it , he ran away and threw himself down headlong from a high place ; herodotus , in his third book , relateth this story , that after the death of cambyses it was so agreed upon among the nobles , that the next day seven noblemen should be drawn into the city with horses , and that his horse that neighed first should be made king ; that night one of darius his servants took a mare and tyed her to a post , and there let her stand , and after a while brought darius his horse to her , which he was to ride upon the next day ; darius his horse coming by that place , remembring the mare that stood there the day before , neighed , upon which darius was made king. mares cast their foals standing , which no other beasts do ; the mare hath a great love for her foal , for she will dye if they be taken away from her ; and if it chance that the dam dyeth , some other mare taketh care of the foal . . after they have cast their foal , it is a long time before she is proud again . . the horse is a fickle and unconstant creature , not caring much for company , unless in the time of copulation , and then no creatures love it more ; there is no leader or captain ( as it were ) among h●r●e● , as there is among oxen and other creaur●s . . as oxen delight to feed upon the hills , hor●es , on the contrary , delight to feed upon a plain , where they are most serviceable in time of vvar ; e ca●●o● endure to go in boggy ground , and therefore campanus , we read in livye's history , advised ●●e ●nemy to go into some moorish place ; the ho●se taketh great delight in washing himself , and t●eref●re will oftentimes lye down in the water ; w●en ●e drinketh he muddeth the water with his ●eet ▪ but the ox loveth to drink in clear water ; the reason of which may be , because he seeth his shadow the better in it ; when bucephalus was brought to philip of macedon , he began to rage as if he were mad ; alexander , though he was but a young man , came to him , and turned him to the sun , ( for if he perceived the shadow ▪ of any one , it made him startle ) and immediately the horse was very gentle , to the great admiration of his father : great care is to be had that tame fowl be not fed ●igh horses , for oftentimes they scatter t●eir feathers among their meat , which breedeth diseases in them . . horses and sheep are liable to as many diseases as man is , wild horses being often troubled with the gout , and those that ●re kept up in the stable with the iliack passion , the cramp ; they sometimes are stopped in their ureters , so that they make water with a great deal of difficulty ( which the● will do with a great deal of ease if they are brought to a place where there is sheeps dung ) they have ●een oftentimes observed at the snuff a candle to cast their foal , as it sometimes happe●eth to women in the like case . some constand purge their horses once every year ; it is bad f● horses to stand nigh hogs , and as bad to have the● stalls nigh any stinking ditch ; a horse as he groweth old , so he groweth hoary , as aristotle saith . . a horse is a very laborious creature , especially if he be well fed ; jovius , in his fourth book ▪ saith , that the italians laughed at the germans for cutting off their horse tayls , but ●et he commendeth them , because it maketh horses fatter ; for that nourishment which goeth into the tayl , after it is cut off , serveth to nourish the body ; th●● philip camerarius , lib. . chap. . saith , t●at in a certain war between maximilian and the venetians , the germanes had the manes and tayls of their horses cut off , which as some are of opinion , maketh them stronger and better for service ; i have read in pa●lus vinetus , how that the tartars used to dock their horses tayls , that so they might not hit their rider with them ; but some do not so well allow of it . vve then may see the falshood of that report , that a horse is fiercer when he hath no trappings on , when we see that horses are delighted in colours , and are pro●d when they have trappings on ; and since the horse is so useful , as we have seen already , to all countreyes ; it is a punishme●t to those people that e●t horse flesh ; as the tartars , who account the guts of horses the greatest ornament . . they exceedingly hate bears , camels , and elephants ; as herodotus , in his first book , and . chap. giveth instances of more at large . . horses and dogs are true and constant to their masters , unless they grow mad ; which love is greatly increased by making much of them ; no better way to make a horse mild and gentle , than to forbear striking of him as much as you can ; for he will do that by fair means , which he will not do with the spur and vvhip ; these are the several properties of the horse ; we come now , according to our method , to draw some corrolaries from him ; we might compare him to souldiers , but i shall speak to that place , zach. . . i saw by night , and behold a man riding upon a red horse ; and he stood among the myrtle trees that were in th● bottom , and behind him were red horses speckled and white ; then said i , o my lord , what are these ? and the angel that talked with me said , i will shew thee what these be ; and the man that stood among the myrtle trees answered and said , these are they whom the lord hath sent to walk to and fro through the earth ; to this agreeth that of the prophet habakk●k , chap. . . that thou didst ride upon thy horses , and thy chariots of salvation ; in which places the apostles and all ministers are compared to horses , on whom christ rideth through the earth to the eternal salvation of the vvorld ; many goo● inferences might be drawn from the nature of this animal ; i shall mention but few of them . . as horses carry burthens and packs into several countries ; thus the ministers prea ch the gospel throughout the earth . . as t●e 〈…〉 no● where he list , but is guided by the r●de● , so the ministers are by christ himself placed in several parts of the vvorld . . as horses take the pains , but their masters receive the profit ; thus in all ages good ministers are exposed to more dangers and difficulties then any other men ; thus when christ preached to ●he multitude , he was upon the water in a small fisher-boat ; ( so the minis ers are exposed to all dange●s ) whe● in the mean time his hearers stood on the sh●●e safe and secure . as horses , when they go through any town or village , shall soon have the little dogs barking at his heels ; so minis●ers are still persecuted and perplexed by wicked men . . and as we see that the horse is not at all moved or troubled at the barking of these dogs , neither do they so much as mind them , but go on their way ; so the ministers of the gospel do despise and make light of the scorns and jeers that the world putteth upon them . . as horses do take a great delight and pleasure in washing themselves ; so it should be the chief care of ministers to see their lives and conversations , that they be pure and holy . . as we see how docile and tractable horses are , yet fierce against their enemies ; hence ministers are taught to be meek and humble to all men , but to be armed against the enemies of the gospel . . as horses are troubled with many diseases ; thus we commonly see that ministers are liable to as many distempers , if not more , than other me●n and i may add also , that they are no less subject to vices , further , as in the fore-cited place of zach. chap. . v. . the son of god was seen to be among those horses that were in the prophets vision ; thus have all good ministers this to comfort them in their greatest miseries and afflictions , that god is with them . to conclude , as bucephalus would suffer no one to back him but alexander ; thus should the ministers take especial care not any wayes to be ensnared to sathan , and so made ( as it were ) the devils horses . we might have spoken to each of these heads much more than we have done . i could have shewn how fitly this creature might be likened to the apostles , but especially to st. paul , who travelled many thousand miles , and carried the gospel into spain , ant●●ch , and cappadocia ; neither was he satisfied with preaching once to a people ▪ but often visited them , to confirm them in the truths that he ●ad preached , &c. we often find in scripture , that horses have been tyred and wearied , as we find the horses of the canaanites were , joshua . . without question this was to teach the jews , that they were to put their whole confidence and trust in god ; for as a horse , as we said before ▪ is very fierce , leacherous , and proud ; so we are commanded in the place quoted before , to weaken these horses ; 〈…〉 we ought to root out and avoid those vices , of pride , leachery , &c. origen , upon the . of exodus , compareth all wicked , carnal men to horses , who have the devil for their rider , and are delighted in the plains of egypt ; by which we are to understand the allurements of this world ; he further goeth on and calleth judas christ's horse , because he carried the gospel to several places of judea ; but as soon as he took the sop , he had another rider on his back , who led him to eternal ruine . origen proceedeth to give many other examples , exhorting us to bridle our immoderate affections , which oftentimes like wild horses do often hurry us to the doing of what is contrary to reason , like to that known verse , fertur equis a●riga , nec audit currus habenas . erasmus hath several inferences and corrolaries , which he draweth from the horse ; as . the horse , if not tamed , will be ruled by none ; thus man by nature is a wild and unruly creature , untill by good education he be better mannered ; and as a horse is not at all the better for his rich trappings ; thus these worldly enjoyments do not at all better him that possesseth them ; and as we do not use to put an asses saddle on a horses back ; so we ought not to back-bite or cast any reproach on the good name of our neighbour . moreover , as we find that horses are not tamed by stripes and blows , but by gentle means ; so we see that children at school are not so easily wrought on by the rod and ferula , as by mild and gentle words ; nay , we often see that good wi●● have been spoyled by the over harsh and austre carriage of their masters . further , if at any time we see an unruly horse , we presently conclude , that it is either for want of care , or skill in the rider ; so also we conclude , if we see a people given to all vice and wickedness , it is the fault of the clergy . and as a free horse needs no sput , so he who loves learning , needs no arguments to make him diligent ; and as we do not ride a horse without a bridle , and if we see that he begins to be head-strong , then to put on one ; so all men who are cholerick , ought to restrain and bridle their passions at the first risings of them . and as when a horse is made tame and tractable , one may ride him without a bridle , and easily guide him ; so when once a man hath conquered and subdued his passions , they will not so easily afterwards exceed their due bounds and limits . as a horse also , when single , can go in as narrow a path as a man ; but when he draws a chariot , he then is forced to go through thick and thin ; so we find it amongst men , who are not content with their condition , but still aiming at preferment , do but thereby run into greater troubles and dangers . to conclude , as horses , when they once grow old , are good for nothing but the cart or the plough ; so while a man is in prosperity , he is beloved of all ; but when in adversity , then he is despised of all ; sophocles , in his electra , speaking of ●restes , his aged school-master , by whose mean● he killed clytemnestra , and aegis●us , said he was like a horse , who though he be old , and have lost his strength , yet did not lose his courage . wasps and hornets breed in the carkass of a dead horse , as bees do in the carkass of an ox , which we are to understand thus ; that such kinds of small insects do use to lay their spawn or egs in such carrion ; and those things which we read in exodus , and in the history of sampson , that were done many of them contrary to the ordinary course of nature , have made some people think them incredible , and almost impossible , because they have been ignorant of the way , how these insects and all such kinds of little creatures are generated . pliny tells us , that although there be some herbs that will destroy the palmer-worm , yet if the head of a mar● which hath been with foal be laid by it , it will preserve it ; some people do judge of the goodness of a horse by his colours ; some do tell us that a good horse must be thus qualified ; he must have the eyes , stomack , and neck of a wolf , the short eats , long tayl , and softly tread of a fox ; the breast , the pride , and the hair of a woman ; others say , he must be like the hare for swi●tness and agility ; the good eyes , and hairs , tayl of a fox , the thigh and the hair of an ass , the pride and suggestion of a vvoman ; others say a horse must be ●s swift , and leap as a pike , the sharp sight of a serpent , the broad breast and thick mane of a lyon , the cleanliness and soft tread of a cat : horses require great skill to keep them well ; horses do not love to stand in a stable alone , but are abundance better when they have company with them ; it is a known story of the trojan horse , that it was destroyed by those that got into it ; joachimus camerarius , hath written a whole book concerning horses , which is worth peru●●ng , where the reader may satisfie himself further in the nature of this creature . chap. xiii . of the ox. the ancient greeks comprehend the wild bull and cow under this creature ; there is a beast called hyreinia , much like to an ox , which they called by the same name , a very swift creature ; this word ox was formerly taken to signifie a calf , which of all the rest agreeth best with the body of a man ; it is a very useful creature , it was used to be offered in sacrifices , it is good for food , the husbandman maketh great use of him in tilling his ground ; formerly it did thresh the corn , which was done by leading him over the corn , and treading it ; the earth is much fatned by his drug ▪ shooes are made of his skin , of horns are made combs , winding horns , and several other things , which we could not well want . he is a strong creature , endued with a great deal of valour , yet very gentle . . his flesh is very hard of digestion , especially when old , which baptista porta thinketh would be tenderer , were he baited with dogs before he was killed , for experience telleth us that the flesh of those oxen that run among bears , is so tender that it will almost melt in the mouth , but his blood is thicker ; thus it is in other oxen , that which maketh him appear to be the stronger , is this ; that he never coughs , nor scarce ever bringeth any thing up out of his stomack ; ( it is observed by some , that a minister is never heard to sneeze while he is preaching , the reason of which i leave for the more curious to enquire into ) this creature hath many ventricles , by which his food is better digested ; he is very hot naturally , whose milk serveth for the nourishment of his body ; and therefore it is that he giveth not so much milk , either as the sheep or goat . . in the time of his copulation he is like all other creatures , very mad and furious , but otherw●se tame and gentle . . he is observed to be given as little to leache●y as any other creature ; and as before his coitus he usually feedeth among cows , but afterwards he ●ccompanieth himself with bulls , which aristotle hath observed to be the nature of several other creatures ; lib. . chap. . in his history of animals . . he is much delighted in company , and cannot endure solitude ; there is a kind of mutual love ( as it were ) between oxen that work in the plough together , insomuch that if his fellow be not with him , he looketh about him to see if he can find him , and will low untill he cometh to him . i shall not say any thing of his grateful resentment of courtesies ▪ which is spoken of by the prophet isaiah , chap. . v. . where the ox is said to know his owner . . this creature is exceeding delighted in musick , and he never drinketh but in clear cold water . . he loveth to be in the woods among the boughs ; it is by some observed , that sometimes he feedeth backwards ; there is a certain herb in the field that the ox loveth to feed on rather than grass , in the leaves of which lyeth hid a little creature , much like a bettle , which will bite him and torment him so , that oftentimes he killeth him ; an ox is soonest fat when by himself , and kept from copulation ; but i have been informed , that the quickest way to fatten him , is often to wash him with warm water , and feed him with beans and elm boughs ; baptista was wont to give his oxen those scraps of meat that came from his table , which in a short time made them so fat , that they could scarcely go ; the ox will work at the plough much better , if he hath a live coal held to him . . the horns of a young ox laid in hot wax will be soft and bend any wayes ; the hoofs of an ox , if anoynted with wax , oyl , or pitch , they are not sensible of any pain . . he sheddeth his hair every year ; it is very strange that nanzienzen telleth us , that if the corn that is sown have an ox horn lye amongst it , that grain shall never grow , be it what it will ; the phy●ical cause of which is not yet found out , although several writers , as well sacred as prophane , have deduced several inferences from the nature of this beast , yet for brevity sake i shall name but few of them . . i shall speak to some places in the old testament , in which there is mention made of this creature ; as that it was offered for sacrifice , which was a kind of a type of christ , being offered sor ●s , for before the sacrificing of the beast , they used to lay their hands upon the heifer , by which rite was signified unto us , that that particular beast was set apart for sacrifice ; thus the voice that came to christ from heaven , did fore-tell that christ should be the general victime of the world. . as the heifer was slain before the ● abernacle , in the sight of all the people ; thus was christ crucified before hier●salem , in the sight of the whole multitude . . as his skin wa flead off , and the beast also dismembered , thus christ lay naked upon the cross , there induring many stripes and wounds ; and as the blood of the heifer was sprinkled upon the horns of the altar ; thus by the preaching of the g●spel , is the blood of christ sprinkled throughout the whole world ; and as in old time an ox or a cow was given as a marriage pledge , as one , in homer , gave a hundred oxen to his father-in-law as a pledge ; thus christ is given to the world as a pledge of that covenant which is made between god and man , sinee the fall . further , as the ox is the husband-mans servant , thus christ was made servant to us all , for he did ( as the apostles ) wash the feet of several poor people , yet he himself went on foot into palestine , and so finished the work of our redemption ; moreover , as the ox is a strong creature , thus there was an infinite power given to christ ; and as the ox was not an unclean creature in the law , ●ut gentle and tame ; thus there was never found any craft or guile in christ's mouth , for he was of al● men the most meek and humble , and so inviting all men to him . moreover , as the ox is a gentle tame creature , being seldom seen to fight with his fellows , neither hath he any pride in him , thus was christ the meekest , humblest person that ever lived on the face of the earth , and all his sermons which he preached while he was here on the earth , tended all to exhort them to meekness and humility ; it is reported that there are some oxen in tar●ary , which will kneel down like a camel when they take up any burthen ; thus christ patiently and willingly took up the cross ; and as we see that bees are bred out of the carkass of the ox ; thus by the death of christ many have been turned to god , and by this spiritual death they are restored to life ; and as corn that was but touched with the horn of an ox will never come up in the ear ; thus wicked men , through the just judgments of god perish to all eternity , because of their unbelief . i might have inlarged on each of these particulars , and also upon the several circumstances of the sacrifice , and also of the red heifer , which in the law was offered for a sacrifice , which signified the blood of christ , one drop of which ( as st. bernard saith ) is sufficient for the redemption of the whole world , were there a thousand more than there are ; moreover , we find , that the ministers of the gospel , ( who represent the person of christ ) are compared in the holy scripture to oxen ; the first place where we find them thus compared , is , cor. . . where we find the apostles thus speaking ; if we have sown unto you spiritual things , is it a great thing , that we should receive your carnal things ? i. e. that as the ox was not to be muzled that trod out the corn , which law seemeth to have respect only to oxen , as appeareth from that place , deut. . . yet the apostle sheweth that when this law was given it had respect to ministers ; but this will appear , if we consider , we may compare ministers and oxen together . . as the ox is a stout creature , endued with a great deal of courage ; thus ought ministers to be valiant for the gospel , and fight manfully under christ's banner . . oxen by nature are gentle , tame , chast , loving to drink alwayes in clear water , and hath a great love to his fellow ; thus ought ministers to be like them in all respects ; and as an ox is useful , whether he be dead or alive ; thus ought ministers , by their preaching and writing , seek to edifie the church ; and as the horns of young oxen do soften by lying in wax ; thus are younger affections easier wrought upon ; and as oxen will labour more , and work harder in the vvinter than in the summer ; thus ministers get more when under sufferings , then when in a prosperous condition . . vve read in the . psalm , that false teachers are compared to oxen , and their hearers to bulls and calves ; so that as oxen are better than calves , so are wicked teachers than their people ; and as oxen sometimes ( although but very seldom ) are seen to quarrel one with another ; thus are ministers too often striving for the supremacy . in phrygia it is reported that the oxen will move their horns ; thus we find too often that ministers are wavering and unconstant . it were very easie to draw more corrolaries from the fore-cited place , but these that we have named shall be sufficient . . vve read that the enemies of christ are compared to oxen , psal . . . and that for these reasons especially . . because as oxen are the chiefest of cattel ; thus the scribes and pharisees were the chiefest among the jews , and most honoured ; and as oxen sometimes will be exceedingly inraged one against another ; thus these enemies of christ like mad bulls thirst after the death and blood of christ ; sometimes wicked men are compared to oxen , unaccustomed to the yoak , deut. . . for as the ox will run away if he seeth any one come to yoak him ; so the wicked shun all good exhortations to virtue ; to conclude , nazianzen , in his fourteenth oration , speaking of those several excuses made by those that were invited to the marriage-supper , he expoundeth it allegorically thus ; he that had bought the land , and was gone to see it ; they are those , saith he , that are given wholly to the love of riches ; but those that had bought the oxen , are those that are ambitious of honours and dignities ; but he that had married a wife , are meant those that are addicted to the unlawful pleasures of this world , which three sins were the cause of their ruine , and indeed they are the seed that all manner of sins do come from , and of the ruine of most men in all ages of the world ; for adam was drawn to his sin by pleasure , the devil by honor and ambition , and judas by covetousness ; we have many examples of this in history , but i shall in●arge no further . chap. xiv . of the ass . we read deut. . . thou shalt not pl●w with an ox and an ass together , which words are spoken allegorically , to shew that we should not compare fools with wise men , nor timerous with valiant men ; now as to the several properties of this beast . . it is a very timerous fearful creature , he hath a very large heart , but no gall at all , and therefore it is that he will endure more hardship than any other creature ; he is content with his provender , let it be what it will ; and if you lay upon him more than he can bear , he will no wayes complain , or resist , but fall down under his burthen . . his chief provender is hay , the fodder , the whip , and the burthen belong to the ass , meat , correction , and work to thy servant , ecclesiasticus ● . . the ass will eat brambles and thistles better than any thing else ; his skin is very hard and brawny , for he cannot feel a blow with a stick , when he goeth into any field where there is any grass , he is kept from eating it , or any other green herb ; and when he is loaded with wheat , he keepeth himself upon hay ; the little birds are oftentimes very troublesome to him , for by rubbing himself against those hedges where the birds build , and by his doleful cry doth so affright the young ones , that were not his eyes very low in his head , the birds would peck them out ; he useth to drink in muddy water , he can endure the smell of no oyntment , and if by hard labour he is killed , he is good for nothing but the dogs , after his skin is pulled off . . vvhen once he falleth , he is alwayes afraid of that plaee ; he will scarcely go over that bridge where he can see the water through the crevises of the boards ; and if you force him to go through the water , he urines ; he hath but a weak head , and oftentimes is troubled with the dizziness in his head . . she so exceedingly loveth her young ones , that she will run into any danger to secure them , he carrieth the form of a cross ( as it were ) in his body , he is strongest in his hinder parts , he never doth any one any hurt , but is an innocent harmless creature , but withal very dull and blocki●h , yet sometimes he will move his ears , which with him is a sign that he knoweth what you say ; bodinus relateth a story of an ass that was so tame and gentle , that being commanded to go into the theatre , he would find out the handsomest woman there , and when the actors were commanded to fetch him some barley , he would by his gestures express something of joy at the hearing of it ; if any one had spoken to him , he would make some sign that he understood what he said ; from whence he inferreth that no creature is so dull and sensless , but may be brought to understand something , thus far bodinus . some have not scrupled to say that what the ass is made to understand , is done rather by magick , than by art , which i think the likelier of the two . . there is no creature so fruitful as this is , for she is with young , when she is but young her self , and so continueth still to have colts , untill she is thirty years old . . when she is bringing forth , it is alwaye ; in some dark place , where no one can see her ; before he copulateth , he doth with a loud voyce call the female , continually braying until she cometh ; and as nazianzen very well observeth , an ass will bray although loaden with gold , the flesh of asses is allegorically compared in scripture to the grosfest kind of idolatry , which the jews were alwayes very much inclined unto , ezek. . . . the ass will alwayes drink in the same place , if he can go dry to it , for he will not go through any water ; he will drink no water at all unless it be like to what he useth to drink . . the ass is a very dull , blockish creature , having long ears , very impatient of cold ; if at any time he chance to eat any hemlock , it maketh him sleep so soundly , that you may flea him , and he not feel it ; in the desarts of arabia are found a kind of wild asses , that are so swift they cannot any wayes be taken , and if any one by chance is taken , he can never be tamed , nor made to carry b●rthens . god seemeth to speak of this creature , job . where he saith , that he hath given a dwelling to the wild ass . and thus we have sufficiently shewed the nature and properties of the ass ; there are many things which the holy scripture draweth by way of inference from the nature of this beast , i shall speak to some few of them . . vve read , gen. . . that jacob in his prophesying concerning the tribe of issachar , saith , that he shall be as a strong ass . for , . as an ass is of no use in war , so the posterity of issachar shall be wholly ignorant of war. . as the ass is gentle , will bear great burthens , and will endure hard labour , so his posterity shall chuse rather to suffer , and pay tribute , so he can but have peace , then to get wealth by war , for peace , though but upon base and dishonourable termes , is better than a war , though never so just ▪ . in the same place we find jacob speaking concerning the nativity of the messi●s , where he saith , that he shall bind his f●al to the vine , and his asses colt to the choyce vine ; i am not ignorant of the several expositions that are given of these words ▪ some expounding it of the universal peace that should be at the coming of christ , and so judah found it when he bound his asses foal to the vines , which in time of war was not lawful to do ; others again do expound them thus ; this ass signifieth several nations , and the vine the church , to signifie thus much to us , vizs that christ should ride upon an ass , i. e. that he should gather all nations into his church , which before for their ignorance and stupidity , might be compared to wild asses , feeding upon thorns and thistles , having but an impure religion . . god commanded ( exod. . . ) that the first-born of an ass should not be offered to him , but that he should be redeemed with a kid , or his neck be broken , which the learned have expounded thus ; that although god would have the first of all creatures offered to him , as being the 〈◊〉 yet he would not have the ass offered , because he is a dull , sluggish creature ; thus we should have none in the church that are dull and sottish , and especially among ministers . . sampson , ( judg. . . ) with the jaw-bone of an ass killed many of his enemies , and with 〈◊〉 broke open a fountain ; sampson being a type of christ , the jaw-bone might signifie christ , by whom we have living water , who also like sampson subdued all his enemies . . in samaria , we read that there was such ● scarcity of food ( 〈◊〉 kings . . ) that an asses head was sold for fourscore pieces of silver , and the fourth part of a cab of doves dung was sold for five pieces of silver ; which may not unfitly be applyed to the spiritual famine under the pope , when there was such great rates given for asses heads ; the maintaining of the monks being mighty chargable , and with no less charge did they buy doves dung ; purchasing the false and pretended reliques of the saints at so dear a rate ; and i think it may not unfitly be applyed to the religion of the turks and tartars , it being almost incredible , what esteem they have for their idol-priest , and at what cost and charges they are to maintain them ; and among the tartars , their chief priest at certain times rides upon a horse decked with the richest trappings , whose hands it is an honour for the king to kiss , the nobles may onely kiss his knees , and the common people onely scarcely admitted to kiss his heel ; we may not unfitly compare this creature and the heathen oracles together , which with infinite charge they obtained of the devil : those that will see more of it , may read herodotus , in his second book concerning those gifts that cyrus sent to apollinis . . the ass that christ rode upon ; some expound concerning those heathen nations that inhabit among the jews , which will not bear the yoak of christ ; and in general it may very well be applyed to all christians , but especially to the elect ; for , . as the ass was created for the use of man ; thus true christians should strive to be useful to all men . . the ass feedeth on thorns and briars ; thus true christians are acquainted with the dainties of this world. . as the ass will very hardly be made to go through the water , and is alwayes afraid of that place where once he fell ; so ought christians to have great care of old sins , and not rashly to run themselves upon a temptation ; as the ass hath the figure of a cross upon his back ; thus ought christians alwayes to bear in mind christ crucified , and to study him only , willingly bearing whatever he shall lay upon them ; and as the ass hath foals when she is old ; thus ought christians to be fruitful in good works , even to their lives end . moreover , as the ass , when she casts her foal , getteth into some cave , where no one can see her ; thus christians should do nothing to be seen of men , and when they give alms , it must be done so privately , that their left hand must not know what their right hand doth . and further , as the ass will not willingly drink in any pond , but where he is used to drink ; thus christians ought to take heed what doctrines they are that they give credit unto . i have read of a certain priest in germany , who in his sermon said that the citizens were like asses , who were sorely oppressed with the burthens that were laid on them ; but that the senators were great asses , they having a greater charge lying upon them , and that the priests were the greatest asses of all , the burthen that lay upon them being of the greatest concernment ; and at last , lifting up his eyes and his hands , but the king ( said he ) cometh not behind any of the rest , the burthen of the whole nation lying upon him . the wild ass may represent wicked men , of which there are abundance in the desarts of arabia ; thus even the whole world is filled with wicked men . and as there is no possibility of taming the wild ass ; so it is as difficult a matter to reclaim a wicked person , one that is given over to a reprobate sense ; moreover , as this creature will never cry if it have but good pasture ; so neither do wicked men take any care for the next world , if they can but have enough of this . covetous men may also be compared to asses , who as they are chiefly employed in carrying of burthens ; so are covetous men still heaping the world together , and burthening themselves with the cares thereof ; but as the ass oftentimes is loaden with corn , but feedeth upon the chaff himself ; thus covetous men do not enjoy what they have got , not knowing who shall enjoy those riches which they with a great deal of pains and care have scraped together . to conclude , erasmus hath drawn many inferences from the ass , comparing illiterate men to them ; who as she hath a great love to her young ones , so have they a high esteem of their own works ; and although it hath a very large heart , yet is very timerous ; thus unlearned men will imitate , and sometimes exceed the learned in their serious deportment and grave gestures : many teachers there are that are more dull then the ass , who saw divine vengeance , and the naked sword sooner than balaam did ; for it is often seen that the people are truer worshippers of god than those that teach them . the ass may be compared to that knowledge which men have of god , and of his wayes ; and balaam may be compared to the will which oftentimes goeth contrary to conscience , untill they see divine vengeance coming upon them . the ass may also be compared to the sinner , who runneth on in a full carreir of sin , untill christ meetes with him , and stoppeth him ; but so much for the ass . chap. xv. of the hart. the hart is a creature commonly known to be very swift , strong , but timerous ; his heart is yellowish ; but in critannia there are some found that have blackish hearts ; these are the only creatures that have yearly new horns . . those creatures that have great hearts are most timerous , because the heat is more dispersed ; but on the contrary those creatures that have lesser hearts are stronger , according to that saying , vis uuit a fortior ; so we read in the first iliad of homer , that when achilles told agamemnon of his timerousness , he answered him that he had cor cervi , the heart of a stag. . this is a very swift creature ; david giveth god praise that he had given him the feet of a hart , psal . . . because god had alwayes given him speedy and prosperous success in his enterprises ; he is naturally very leacherous , b●t especially at the rising of arcturus , at which time he is observed to be fiercer then at other times ; it is common among them to fight one with another for a female , and oftentimes are mortally wounded ; at this time their flesh is something rank , like the flesh of goats ; after the female hath been copulating with a male , they then do seperate themselves one from another ; the female eateth cummin , which maketh her bring forth her young ones with a great deal of ease . . although the hart in some sense may be termed a stupid creature , insomuch that when she is hunted , if a horse cometh by her , she perceiveth him not , ( for she hath her eyes fixed so on the huntsmen , ) yet this may be a great instance of her sagacity and prudence , that she alwayes feedeth and bringeth forth her young ones by the path way , by which she need not fear being made a prey by wild beasts , by reason of passengers coming so often by ; she hath a very tender care of her young ones , teaching them to avoyd the snares of the huntsman , & inureth them to running while young ; she sheweth them those places which are the securest for them to lye in ; as rocks upon high mountains , where there is but one way to it , and that but very narrow , and in an eminent danger to run thither ; he is often seen to stand sentinel , as it were , upon a mountain , to see which wayes the huntsman goeth , and if he cometh nigh her hole where she is , she will not run away , but resisteth them ; we find david , in the . psalm , . giving god thanks that he had made his feet like hindes feet , and had set them upon high places , i. e. that god had made him as safe as hindes are in high places ; if he perceiveth himself grown fat , he goeth into some place where there is no path , nor any one passeth by and if he seeth any man , he hideth himself , because his fatness maketh him that he cannot run so swiftly ; thus in the winter time , for then he is weaker than at other times ; and so when he sheddeth his horns , divine providence hath so ordered it , that they fall off very easily , for they grow not out of the skull , but out of the skin ; the reason of his shedding his horns may be , because if they should grow still bigger and bigger , it would be a burthen to him ; or else it may be , because it maketh a greater plenty of his horn ( which is of such great use in physick : ) at the time of her bringing forth ( which is in the spring ) she goeth aside into some private place , where no one may see her , and when she lyeth down , she either thrusteth her horn into the ground , or else hideth it where no one can see it ; she goeth out to feed but in the night time ; when she hath new horns growing , she tryeth the firmness of them by thrusting them against a tree , and will never be seen abroad again until her horn is firm and fit for service ; and when they are full grown out , she lyeth in the sun that it may harden them ; from all which it appeareth that the stag is a wise creature ; she soon apprehendeth any danger approaching , if she pricketh up her ears ; but otherwise she is easily taken ; in scythia it is reported that stags are so tame , that they may be rid on like horses ; aelian reporteth of king mithridates , that he would lye among bulls and horses , that he had used familiarly , and also that he often slept with the stags that he had tamed ; if any one had come to him , one would have mowed , the horse would have neighed , and the stag would make a great noise until he had awakened him . . they exceedingly love musick ▪ and are much delighted in hearing any one sing ; and therefore one goeth before a stag and singeth to him , another cometh behind him and taketh him . . when he is so closely pursued by the dogs , that he seeth there is no hope at all , he will run to the huntsman , expecting more favour from him , than from the dogs ; but some there are , who are of opinion , that this proceedeth from the fierceness of their nature . . he hath no gall , yet his inwards are so bitter that a dog will not touch them , unless they be very fat indeed ; some have reported ( but how true i shall not here dispute ) that in achaia there are harts who have their gall in their tayl . . when he is wounded with a dart , the only cure he hath is to eat some of the herb called betony , which helpeth both to draw out the dart , and heal the wound . . the stag is a very sociable creature , for they alwayes go together in companies ; some have been seen to swim over rivers in great companies ; the captain of them going first , and the hindermost laying their heads on the backs of the foremost ; and if the foremost be tyred with swiming , another is put in his place , and he swimmeth behind all the rest , and laying his head upon the back of him that is before him , recovereth himself again ; sometimes when he is hunted , he will g●t himself into a low tree , and hide himself among the boughs : many wild beasts do hunt the hart for a prey , as the weakest creature ; this they do alwayes in the morning , because then hunger pincheth them most ; it is a wonderful thing to consider the great antipathy that there is between a hart and a serpent , for he knoweth by natural instinct where the serpents holes are ; he goeth to the hole where he seeth and thinketh a serpent is , and breatheth upon him untill he is forced to come out of his hole , and then he setteth upon him , and teareth him to pieces , or else eateth him up ; the serpent ( after he hath eaten it ) maketh him very thirsty , yet he knoweth by instinct of nature , that if he drinketh any water before it is well digested , it will kill him ; and upon this account he will endure thirst a long while , but at length he runneth to the water so swiftly that he is tyred before he cometh to the water , and when he is come to the fountain , he cryeth for weariness , making a lamentable noise , and panteth untill he hath recovered his breath before he will drink ; thus we find david speaking , as the hart panteth after the water-brooks , so panteth my soul after thee , o god , psal . . . when he cometh to the water , he doth not immediately drink , but first plungeth himself in the water , and after he hath eatet● so me crabs ( if he can get any ) he drinketh . in lybia there are abundance of serpents , and if they see a hart lying along upon the ground , a great company of them leap upon him together , and one windeth himself about his neck , another about his back , some about his belly ; he being thus tormented with them , when he feeleth them bi●ing so hard , he starteth up and runneth up and down the fields as if he were mad ; at last he throweth himself upon the ground , and rubbing his back against the ground , destroyeth the snakes ; but when he seeth himself all over bloody , he runneth immediately to the water to wash himself : the hatred that is between a serpent and the hart , is not only while alive , but after he is dead ; for a serpent if he smell a harts-horn burning , will get away from it ; this is also to be observed concerning the hart , that when the wind bloweth he alwayes runneth against it , because if he run with the wind it would carry the scent of him to the dogs . thus we have finished what is very necessary to be spoken of the nature and properties of the stag ; i shall now speak to the several corollaries or inferences that may be drawn from the nature of it ; there are many similitudes which the holy scripture fetcheth from the stag , which i find mentioned very often in profane authors ; i shall content my self out of many to collect some few , and among those many places in scripture where we find mention made of this creature , i think this which i shall here begin with , may be accounted the chiefest place , viz. psal . . . where we find the son of god compared to the hind of the morning ; where observe , . he is not compared to the hart , but to the hind , because the hind is the weaker creature ; thus we find , cant. . . it is not , gemellus meus , of male twinns , but gemella , female twinns , ●ecause the love that females have for females , is greater then that which they bear to males ; as galatinus telleth , lib. . chap. . christ when he suffered made his power of no effect , as irenaeus telleth us ; that is , saith he , he suffered , and spake not a word . . it is not unworthy our observation , to consider that which is added ; the morning hind , cerva matutina , for the beasts do make a prey of the hind in the morning , as being then the weakest and most obnoxious to danger . . hinds flesh is softer then that of the stag , if it be hunted ; thus the flesh of christ which was softned by those cruelties he endured , is thereby made food for us : ein guter murber braten , as the germanes say . . as the hart hath such a hatred against serpents , thus christ came into this world , that he might destroy the old serpent , the devil , that he might bruise his head , destroy his kingdom and power ; we read it promised , gen. . . that the seed of the woman shall break the serpents head . . and as the hatred that is between the hart and ●he serpent , is the same after death ; thus christ , now he is dead , and risen again , and sitteth at the right hand of god , is still de●troying the devils kingdom , and doth by his breath , the preaching of the gospel , ruine and destroy him . . as the stag , after he hath devoured the serpent , burneth within with a vehement drouth , which they do signifie to others by that lamentable cry which they make , panting and howling as it were , untill they come to the fountain ; thus it was with christ ; we read that the serpent should bite his heel , gen. . . christ when he came into the world to save sinners , to destroy the works of the devil , he perceived the great weight of the wrath of god which then lay upon him , insomuch that in the garden he sweat drops of blood , and when he was upon the cross , he cryed out that he was a thirst , and with a bitter cry called upon god ; saying , my god , my god , why hast thou for saken me ? and when he had offered up supplications and prayers with strong crying and tears , gave up the ghost ; all which is fully and emphatically set down by the prophet david ; all my bones are out of joynt , my heart is like wax , it is melted in the midst of my bowels , my strength is dryed like a pot sherd , and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws ; i am poured out like water , psal . . . as there are great store of serpents found in lybia , which cannot endure the seag ; thus the enemies are numerous that are against christ and his gospel ; and as the hart when he is beset with these serpents , some of them winding about his neck , others about his feet , which he throwing himself upon the ground destroyeth , others he bruises , and after he hath cleared himself of them , immediately runneth to a river , partly to wash himself from the blood , and partly to wash away any venom that may be in the wounds ; thus christ endured the contradiction of sinners , and by death overcame death , and conquered the devil , and now enjoyeth life eternal ; and hath left us efficacious remedies in his passion , which as often as we shall seriously consider of , and meditate upon , will be an infallible cure for any deadly wound , that the devil by any hainous sin shall give unto us ; the church in the canticles , chap. . v. . speaking of christ , saith , that he is like the roe , or the young hart ; or as some will have the words to signifie , a wild goat ; and they give us these reasons for it ; as , . because of his great swiftness and strength , in leaping over the mountains , so that he seemeth rather to flye than leap ; so christ is said to come leaping over the mountains , and skipping over the hills ; the word may also signifie harts , for as harts do fight one with another for the hind ; so doth christ wage war with the devil for the defence of the church . . many in christ might be applyed to the church , and to all good men as members of the same ; thus all good men are compared to harts , psal . . . the hart panteth after the water-brooks , so panteth my soul after thee , o god : we might draw several inferences from the nature of this beast , and further shew wherein the good man and the hart do agree ; as , . the hart is meek , and a very sociable creature , loving the company of his fellows ; thus the church hath received from christ the spirit of meekness . . as the hart , when surrounded and beset with the hounds , seeing no way to escape them , he will run to the huntsman , rather then be made a prey to the hounds ; thus the church in her greatest danger runneth for help to god , and like an humble supplicant acknowledgeth her transgressions , and confesseth that she hath deserved greater punishments . . as harts and goats when hunted run for refuge to high mountains and rocks ; so christians when any wayes distressed , look up to heaven , from whence cometh their salvation ; and as the stag , when he perceiveth himself wounded with a dart , their only cure is betony ; thus christians perceiving doubts to arise , can find comfort no where but in the holy scriptures ; and as i said before , some harts have their gall in their tayls ; so ought all good men patiently and quietly to endure injuries done unto them ; not prone to revenge , but labouring daily to bridle and restrain their uuruly passions . . as there is a natural antipathy and enmity between the hart and the serpent ; thus the church in all ages hath alwayes had implacable enemies , tyrants , hereticks , &c. and as when he is hunted , it groweth exceeding hot , and extreamly thirsteth for water ; so when good men are vexed and persecuted by wicked men , they immediately betake themselves to the service of god , expecting there alone to find help and succour in all their extremities ; and as when they swim over any river , they so order themselves , that the head of one lyeth on the back of another ; so we ought all to bear one anothers burthens ; and as , although they have large horns , yet they hurt no one , but are very timerous ; so christians ought not to trust in an arm of flesh : st. basil saith , that as harts by their breath do expell , and ( as it were ) draw out the poyson from the serpents hole ; so good men , by their good coversation do often convert and reclaim men from their sins . and as in the cant. christ and the church are compared to two friends , in like manner the hart is an eminent instance and symbol of love and frieudship , concerning which we will not now speak any thing , having at large spoken to it in the former part of this chapter . and as oftentimes the horns are of no use to the hart ; so neither do riches profit the owner , because as we often see the owner never liveth to enjoy what he hath gotten ; thus it often cometh to pass , that outward strength hath done a great deal of mischief , therefore it is alwayes good to trust in god for relief in all our miseries ; we read , psal . . that the voyee of the lord maketh the hinds to calve ; which is as if he should say , that god was even the midwife and physician at the time of their bringing forth ; some say that the hart is very fearful of thunder , for when it thundreth she never bringeth forth her young alive , which god , in the fore-cited place , is said to prevent ; he also breaketh the cedars of lebanon ; i. e. by his word he humbleth the high and lofty spirits of men , he is said there to make the hinds to calve , i. e. he by his gospel comforteth and supporteth all weak and despairing christians ; but having so largely spoken of this beast , we shall say no more of it . chap. xvi . of the hog . before we shall speak of the nature of this creature , we shall consider the difference between the hog , the wild boar , the tame boar , the pig , sow , and the porcupine , which some do think is rather a kind of hedge-hog ; as the ape is likest to a man in his outward parts ; so the author of that little anatomical exercise , ( which galen is supposed to have writ ) saith that a hog of all other creatures is likest to a man in his inward parts , whose flesh is so like to mans flesh , both in smell and taste , that ( as conradus gesner saith ) several have eaten the one for the other , not discovering of it by taste or smell ; these things premised , i come now more particularly to speak of it . . it hath exceeding hard hairs , of a devouring gluttonous nature , and therefore his head continually looketh towards the ground , and never can look upwards , and by his scent and continual smelling of the earth , he findeth roots , bones , carrion , dung , and never refuseth any thing that he findeth . . it is hot and moist ; and therefore it is that sometimes we see hard swellings grow about them ; so that butchers looking under their tongues , will tell whether a hog be good or no. those hogs which are fed of rotten apples , bean cods , and such moist meat , their flesh is moister and pleasanter than other meat , but not so healthful for the body ; they have another way to know a hog by looking on their backs , for they see whether the blood be good or no that cometh out upon the plucking some hairs off by the roots ; the way to have them clear from these swellings , is to let them run abroad , and keep them in clean sties ; butchers commonly say , that it is very seldom but that a hog is troubled with some distemper or other , either in his lungs , lights , liver , &c. but most especially they are troubled with lice , which breed most upon their backs ; but the head-ach is an epidemical disease among all hogs , of which many dye . . it is so greedy a creature , that he hath no measure in eating , and groweth so fat , that sometimes he is not able to go ; they have lain so long in one place , that mice have bred under them ; otto melander saith , that in arcadia he saw a hog so fat that he could not stir , and that a rat had eat a hole in his flesh , and there bred young ones ; as marcus varro saith , quoting johannes rivius , in his book concerning the institution of children : this creature liveth as if he were born for nothing but to eat ; and , as there he observeth , the grosfest bodies breed the worst blood ; he hath nothing of subtilty or craft in him , but is a dull , stupid , sensless creature , and can never be brought to any service , as are other creatures , though wild ; viz. lyons , bears , &c. and therefore cicero saith , that the life of a sow is for nothing but to keep it from putrifying , and as the proverb , habet animam pro sale , their souls are of no other use than to keep the body from stinking ; pigs will suck any sow , and therefore they use to distinguish one from another by sticking pitch upon them . . they very much delight to be in the mud , which they doe not perceive the stench of , because they often breathe in the mud , and doe not take the scent up into their nose ; he cannot endure the smel of a rose or sweet marjoram ; and , as varro saith , that tumbling and wallowing in the mud is as pleasant to the swine as washing to a man ; he loveth roots better then any thing , will eat something of whatever he findeth , he very greedily devoureth serpents , and the dead carkass of any creature , nay he will eat the carkass of his fellow creature , which no other creature will doe . she is so impatient of hunger , that oftentimes she devoureth her young , and therefore it is no strange thing , as some have thought , for a sow to devour her pigs . . it is no less fruitful then leacherous , for it is so exceeding enflamed with lust that they will fight one with another for the female ▪ it hath almost the strength of a lyon , for a boar when hunted will not only throw the huntsman down , but if he hath no help will kill him . . the sownever sheddeth her hair in the winter time , as all other four-footed creatures doe . it is the particular property of the boar , who when he seeth unavoidable death , he singleth out one of the huntsmen and will run upon him , with the greatest rage imaginable , not to be affrighted with swords or sticks ; it is worth observation , to consider that if one hog be hurt , and he beginneth to grumble , all the rest of the hogs of the same company come in to him ; it is needless to recite any thing more of this creature , it being so commonly known : now let us see what we may learn from the nature of it . i might give examples of this creature , out of several prophane authors ; but i shall only set down one or two out of the holy scripture : the first place i shall speak to , shall be taken out of the old testament , in the . of deut. v. . where we find the jews were forbidden the eating of swines flesh ; some may enquire the reason of this prohibition , since , according to the judgement of all physitians , it may be reckoned one of the best sorts of meats , provided that it have no distemper upon it ; nay they were not only forbidden the eating of it , but they were not so much as to touch the carkass of it after it was dead ; the reasons of which among others may be these . . lest the vines and olive trees in the fragrant gardens should be rooted up by this venemous creature ; for he will not eat the tops of herbs , but pull them up by the roots . . to prevent the encrease and spreading of diseases among them , who were alwayes very subject to the leprosie ; swine being often troubled with hard swellings , which soon putrifie , being not well fed . conradus gesner hath observed that white hens are troubled with the same disease . but , . the next reason of their being forbidden swines flesh may be , that by their abstinence they might give a testimony of their obedience to god , which would not have appeared in abstaining from those things which in their own nature were hurtful ; but in abstaining from those things that were usefull and pleasant ; for swines flesh ( as we said before ) is the likest to mans flesh . . lactantius telleth us a fourth cause , in his book de vera sapientia . cap. . god forbid the jews the eating of swines flesh , ( saith he ) that thereby they might learn to keep themselves from all sins of uncleanness , for swines are filthy and unclean creatures ; never so much as once looking up unto heaven , but alwayes rooting in the earth continually seeking for food ; and no creature is of so little use as they are , for every creature is either good for drawing , for tilling the ground , for easing of burthens , or else they serve to clothe us , or give us milk , or last of all , are for a safegu●rd unto us ; so that no creature but is of some use or other to man. god therefore forbids them to eat swines flesh which was fed only to live . he would have them take heed , from this coeature , of being gluttons , which would very much hinder the free exercise of justice amongst them , as also that they should not plunge themselves in filthy lusts as the sow doth in the mire , and that they should not be subject to , nor clog themselves with earthly pleasures ; for they are besmeared with mud or clay , that make riches their god ; thus far lctantius . the sow never looks up to heaven but when he grunteth , and then it is only with his eyes lift up ; he will be much under trees , loving exceedingly to feed upon acorns , but never looketh up to the oak from whence they fall ; thus wicked covetous men , though they enjoy all this worlds good , never look up to god who is the tree of life , who is the authour and giver of them . physitians say , that those who have small foreheads have no more learning in them than a hog ; and that they who have a thick nose and flat at the end , are foolish ; and if they have a thick neck , then they are cholerick : all authors compare those men that are given to lust to swine ; thus christ , mat. . . forbiddeth us to cast pearls before dogs and swine , not to dogs , i. e. to furious persecutors ; not to swine , i. e. to unclean persons , who contrary to their consciences wallow in their sins , and that men should not be deterred from preaching the gospel by the ingratitude of their hearers , christ commandeth them to preach to those who are more willing and obedient ; thus we find epicures and drunkards are compared to swine . pet. . . for first , as the hog is a most dull stupid creature , having not so much reason as to distinguish good from bad ; nor can he be made fit for any service ; thus wicked men will not understand the things of god , not being at all moved at any sermon , but doe despise even wisdom it self . the same christ telleth us , in another place , that the cares of this world is one great hinderance of our profiting by the word . . swine are led only by their appetite , alwayes living an intemperate gluttonous life , jeremiah , cap. . . saith , that wicked men who flourish in this life , and enjoy all the world can afford them , are fatted for the slaughter ▪ and as swine doe devour any thing that cometh next to their mouth , ( for dish-water is a very pleasant drink to them ) thus wicked covetous men use all meanes , both right and wrong , to obtain their covetous desires ; sometimes we pull out some of their teeth to prevent mischief ; thus wicked men are kept from doing that mischief which otherwise they would doe , for fear of the laws . . as swine cannot distinguish between pearls and carrion , but trample upon them both , so sinners doe not see any difference between earthly and heavenly things ; nay , they contemn the latter , and only seek for earthly things ; and as they cannot endure the scent of roses and sweet marjoram ; so cannot wicked men endure that breath of life which is breathed out of the holy scripture . swine doe not onely delight in dung , but they count the smel of carrion a sweet scent . thus wicked men count all their sins vertues ; so it is common among us now , not to count drunkenness any sin , but a vertue ; so of other vices ; and as the sow after her washing will turn to the mire again , so wicked men , after a feigned repen tance , will turn again to their former wicked life ; and also , as this creature defileth any thing which he toucheth with his snout , thus doe wicked men by their evil lives ; and as we commonly see the sow teacheth the young pigs betimes to wallow in the mire , so wicked men begin betimes to teach their children to doe wickedly ; if one hog be hurt , all the rest of the company will run to help him ; so if the minister accuseth one wicked man of his sins , all his company will run to help him . but we may learn some good instructions from the nature of the so● in this particular , in which she sheweth a tender nature and a great love to her fellows ; thus ought christians to be pitiful & tender-hearted to their fellow creatures when under any misery or affliction ; but more particularly we may compare the hog and the covetous man together ; for as the hog doth nothing all his life long but eat and seek for food ; thus is it the whole business of the covetous mans life to heap up riches , and to encrease his wealth . . as the hog is never satisfied with what he eates , so are the desires of the covetous never to be satisfied with riches . . as the hog is of no use nor service to any one while alive ; so it is with the covetous man , who never doth any good with what he hath while alive . . as swines when very hungry and cannot get any thing to eat , doe not spare their young piggs , but greedily devour them ; thus covetous men will have their greedy desires satisfied , and spare neither friends nor relations , but are for what they can get of either . . as the hog if he heareth any noise about his stye presently beginneth to gruntle , fearing that some body is coming to take his life away ; thu are covetous ▪ men afraid of every one , lest they should rob him of his pelf . . as the hog is continually grunting all the while he is at the trough , eating in fear lest any should take it away from him ; thus covetous men doe not enjoy what they have , but are in fear lest by any accident they should lose what they have . . as the hog will soon forget the misery of his fellow , though at the hearing of him cry many of them will run to help him ; thus it is with the covetous men , who have no true affection to their friends and relations , but when self-interest is at the bottom of it . . as the hog maketh a great noise and loud cries when he is going to be killed ; thus are covetous men as fearfull of death . . as when swine are killed , there are puddings and sausages sent about to friends and neighbours , which are eaten with a great deal of joy ; thus do wicked heires daily expect and desire the death of the covetous miser , and then with joy they divide what with care and pains he had gathered together . as swine never shed their hairs in the winter time , thus it is with the wicked , who never leave off their wicked wayes ; and as the sow after her washing , returns again to her wallowing in the mire ; thus doe wicked men after a feigned repentance return again to their former wicked courses ; and as swine doe not make any noise towards heaven ; thus wicked men while in peace and prosperity never seek god ; but when under afflictions and troubles , psal . . . . to conclude , the enemies of the church are compared to wild boares destroying the vineyards , who will often whet and sharpen their teeth , rushing upon the huntsman with so great violence that it is very hard for him to escape with his life ; thus with no less rage and violence doe the enemies of the church act against her . xenophon , opianus , pollux , and several other writers do tell us , that it is of so fiery a nature , that when for weariness he is forced to lye down upon the ground , his teeth are so inflamed and his whole mouth , that if you take a hair from his neck , and put it into his mouth , it will set it on fire ; the enemies of christ are as fierce against his church , as the boar is against the huntsman ; an example of this we have , in our modern story ; who have sworn for themselves and their posterity the ruine who have and destruction of all lutherans ; and as the boar ( which may not unproperly be called a kind of swine ) until she hath voided her ruine , cannot fly the enemy , but will stand still and be taken ; thus the enemies of the church , unless they doe leave and forsake their sins , cannot avoid the wrath of god ; and as the boar , when ill , cureth himself tby the ivy-tree ; thus there is no remedy for the cure of sinners but the word of god ; and as the boar if inraged will for madness run into his stye ; thus many men , in a passion ▪ will say and doe that which at last proveth their own ruine : we reade in st. matthews gospel , of the devills that besought christ , if he cast them out that they might enter into the herd of swine , christ gave them leave to goe , the devil was very willing to enter into the herd ; from whence we may learn thus much , that the devil dwelleth in those persons , who like hogs and swine delight to continue in their sins and iniquities ; and as the gadarens desired christ to depart out of their coasts , lest they should lose any more hogs ; thus it is with wicked men , who rather then they will lose the enjoyment of a base filthy lust , will let christ , god and heaven , and all go . thus much of the hog . chap. xvii . of the fox . the fox is a creature commonly known to all , and therefore i shall not be very large in speaking of it ; only i shall say something to those several places of scripture , where we find this creature made mention of : there are three things which i observe in the fox ; it is a very crafty and subtle , and it is a cruel and gluttonous creature . ambrosius ( in his hexameron ) saith , that the fox is to be hated for his greediness , and th●t he is despised for his weakness , and that while he is laying waite for another , he doth not take care enough of himself . i find that foxes and weasels may be said to be equally cunning , especially ferrets and white weasels ; there is also a sea-fish called a fox , which i think doth not come far short of this creature we are now speaking to , for subtilty and craftiness ; that the fox is so , appears from those fables which are extant concerning him , by which his craftiness , &c. is signified to us ; but we shall shall have occasion to speak of this at large hereafter ; that he is malicious and revengeful appears , in that all his craftiness , &c. is only imployed to the destruction of other creatures ; and his gluttony appears in that he is continually seeking for his prey , never being satisfied ; which three odious properties are applyed to hypocrites , luk. . . and that chiefly to herod , luk ▪ . . go and tell that fox , &c. the fox therefore , as we said before , is very crafty ; which will appear , . in that he claps his tail between his legs when he is pursued , . he hath a very large hairy tail , insomuch that the dogs pursuing of him catch hold of his tail ; & thinking to catch hold of him , instead of flesh get nothing but their mouthes full of hair , by which means they lose their hold of him . . when he perceiveth he cannot escape he urin's on his tayl and whisks it on the dogs , which hath an exceeding strong scent , insomuch that the dogs not enduring the scent are for a while forced to desist . . he often when he is in danger , and no avoiding of it , he will bite the dogs on their hinder legs , for that is the tenderest part about them . . because the urchine is too strong for him , he taketh him by craft ; for when he casteth himself down upon the ground , he leapeth upon his belly and destroyeth him . . the fox hath a way to take fish ; wandring by the shoar , he dippeth his tayl in the water ; the little fish immediately entangle themselves in his tayl , and so are taken . . he his often troubled with wasps in the summer time , but useth this wile to destroy them ; he hideth himself , but layeth his tayl out ; the wasps fly to his tayl , and when there are abundance in it , he runneth to the wall or to some tree , and there striketh his tayl against the tree , and ●ubbeth it against the ground , and so he destroyeth all of them . . if he wanteth any food and cannot tell where to get it , he lyeth upon the ground upon his back with his legs stretched abroad , and so feigneth himself dead ; the birdes seeing him lye so light on him , thinking he is dead ; & when they are upon him he taketh them , and devoureth them . . he hideth himself privately when he knoweth there are hens , geese or ducks , and so destroyeth them in the night time ; he will be often sucking the milk pailes where he can find them ; sometimes he taketh a hare by his trapps which he layeth for him . the fox will eat mice , and hens , after he hath killed them , but before he will not meddle with it . he is a destroyer of peacocks , doves , and almost all birdes , as also of hares ; and therefore there are but few hares where there are many foxes ; it is a known fable of the fox , the geese , and hens . . he will never eat if any one seeth him , but alwayes feeds by himself in his hole . . when he goeth abroad he never goeth straight forwards , but in several paths and turnings , and therefore he is called vulpes quasi volvipes . . he goeth as if he were lame , for his right legs are shorter than his left . . he is a greater devourer of tame , than of wild creatures . . his breath is very strong , and his urine is no less unpleasant than his breath ; and if he bites any one it is venemous ; it is observed , that those places where they are are very barren ; the reason of which some think may be , that rank and unpleasant smell which cometh from his body ; so that , according to the proverb , he stinks ano & ore . . when he wants food he will be very tame , & keep about houses , and in the night time , if he can get any thing he takes it , and runs with it into the woods , and his hole or den hath six or seven wayes to it , lest any one should trayle him . . there is a kind of mutual love between the fox and the serpent ; for both of them love to be in holes and caves ; but though foxes have holes , yet they be not of their own making ; for those holes which the badgers make for themselves , they by craft cousen them of by this stratagem ; when he seeth any of their holes empty , he immediately dungs just at the mouth of the hole ; when the badger returns he not enduring such a rank smell is forced to leave his hole ; the several wayes which lead to his hole are a great distance one from another ; for were they near one another , if the huntsman laid a gin at one place , let him come out where he would the dogs would see him . we find that christ spoke of the holes of foxes , mat. . . luk. . . the foxes have holes , and the birdes of the air have nests , &c. serpents , apes , and foxes , and all such like mischievous creatures , are observed to have very smal eyes ; but the more innocent creatures , such as sheep , oxen , &c. have very large eyes ; the crow and the fox are often seen to be together . there is a bird called the o●sal●s , which is a great destroyer of foxes , for he will light upon the fox and pull the haires off his back , and if he knoweth where his young ones are , will kill them all ; and therefore the fox is seldom found big ; and when she hath brought forth her young , she hideth them where no one can find them ; when she is old it is a hard matter to take her in a net , neither will she be deceived by taking any thing that you shall throw unto her . , the fox feedeth upon dead carkasses ; we find david cursing his enemies who had sought for his soul , those that seek my soul to destroy it , shall go into the lower parts of the earth , they shall fall by the sword , they shall be a portion for foxes . ps . . , . origen understandeth by the fox the devil , parts of whom are all wicked men ; yet we may very well by it understand temporal punishment for wicked men ; offenders & malefactors are here destroy'd by the sword , & their carkasses cast to the beasts of the field ; that story will very well come in here , that pausanias relateth in his history of messene , a little city in peloponese in greece ; which is of one aristomenes messenius , who was taken by the lacedemonians , and condemned to dye ; and after the custom of those people he was thrown into very deep cave and there to starve , where man● malefactors before him had been thrown , and die● with hunger ; he lying there very sad , and expecting a lingring death , he saw a fox coming privily and very slowly to devour a carcass which lay by him ; he seeing that covereth his face with the garment that he had about him ; and so lay for dead ; the fox at last perceiving him lie so , thinking that he had been dead , setteth upon him , and immediately catcheth at his garment to teare it off from him , the better to come to his carkas● ; the man ▪ with one hand catcheth hold of the fox , and with the other hand keepeth on his clothes that the fox should not bite him ; the fox striving to get away , the man keeping his hold , followeth him from one hole to another , until he came to a little hole where he saw light ; he let the fox goe , broke his way through and escaped ; but when this was told to the lacedemonians , that aristomenes was escaped and alive among his friends , they thought it as great a miracle , as if he had arose from the dead . pliny telleth us , that if they chance to eat bitter almonds it is death to them except they can get water ; in thracia if he goeth over any ice ; he will first lay his ear to it , if he hear the current of the water underneath he will not venture over , fearing lest it be too weak to bear him ; if a fox runneth mad he hath the same qualities as a mad dog : but we have spoken enough of the nature and properties of the creature . authors have deduced many and useful inferences from it ; i shall for brevity sake only tell the reader thus much , that the craftiness and subtilty of the fox , is an evidevt symbole and example of that craft and deceit which is in the devil and all his agents ; which how great it is in transforming himself into an angel of light , will be better altogether omitted , then briefly to speak of , as the orator once said of carthage : with what fraudulent expressions did he deceive our first parents ? with what subtilty did he tempt christ himself ? and how many cheats doth he put upon men dayly , but chiefly those that think themselves most secure ? how easily doth he deceive witches and inchanters ? he telleth them how to bring a flood , how to make thunder , and he destroyeth these ; nay he is not contented with this neither , but at their death he being not able to give that help which he promised , destroyeth both body and soul ; sampson is said , judg. . . to get . foxes , and to tye them together with firebrands at their tailes , and so sent them into his enemies corn ; some doubt how it could be done ; for first , sampson could not get so many ; and secondly , although he might get them , yet he could not tye firebrands to their tails ; to both which i answer , that about the caspian sea there are so many foxes , as aelian reporteth , that they will come into towns and cities in great companies , but doe no one any hurt , fawning upon every body ; and as amongst us we have so many goats , that they will often get into the vineyards and pull down the vines ; so in judaea , in old times , they were as much troubled with foxes , as appeareth , cant. . . take us the foxes , the little foxesthat spoyl the vines , for our vines have tender grapes . to the second objection , i answer , that we have many like examples in prophane authors ; thus we read in ovid. lib. . fastorum , of several foxes that have been fent amongst corn with firebrands at their tails . cur igitur missa junctis ardentia taedis terga ferant vulpes , causa docenda mihi est . and a little further , you may read , is capit extremi vulpem in convalle salicti , abstulerat multas illa co●ortis aves . captivam st ipula foenoque involvit & ignes , admovet urentes effugit ill● manus . quâ fugit incendit vestitos messibus agros . damnosis vites ignibus aura dabat . factu● abiit , monumenta manent , nam dicere certam nunc quoque lex vulpem carse●lana vetat utque luat poenas genus hoc cerealibus ardet quoque modo segetes perdidit , ille perit . but enough of this ; we will now return to the story of sampson , who may signifie to us a true teacher or doctor who is set , whose work and business is to see it that it flourisheth ; but we may compare the foxes unto hereticks who are tyed together by their tailes , i. e. they consent and agree to destroy and ruine the church ; but their heads are distant one from another , i. e. they differ in judgement and opinion ; notwithstanding all makes for the ruine of the church , sampson therefore gathereth the foxes together , i. e. to shew that they are all agreed to trouble the church , neh. . . we read , that when the jews returned from captivity , and began again to build the temple , and the heathens their enemies hearing of it , said , even that which they build , if a fox go up , he shall even break down their stone wall ; thus , as the enemies of the jews thought , that the wall which they built was so weak , that they might easily be laid waste , even by foxes , &c. thus the enemies of the church , if they see that our sanctum sanctorum is likely to be built , i. e. that by the preaching of the gospel many shall be converted ; they think it an easie matter by subtil disputations to overthrow and ruine ; this we see hapned in the primitive church , which appears by those many and long disputations which we see the fathers had with the philosophers of those times . take us the little foxes which spoyl the vines , cant. . . false prophets and hereticks are compared to foxes , ezek. . . o israel , thy prophets are like the foxes in the desarts ; that is a remarkable place in the canticles , of the little foxes that spoyled the vines ; origen by the foxes understandeth devils ; for as foxes are fed with clusters of grapes , that is , they spoyle the vines while young , and their tender branches but just grown out : thus the devil hideth himself in dens , but on purpose to entrap young christians , and with evil thoughts to extinguish the flower of virtues as soon as budded , and but beginning to appear , but especially in young men , when they have but just begun to lead an honest life : i could by many examples shew how young men are in love with vice , as drunkenness , filthy and obscene songs , immodest pictures , &c. so that it was too truly said by some of the fathers , that the youthful age of most is sacrificed to the devil , the best part of most men are spent in the worst things ; no one can take this little young fox but christ , therefore we ought earnestly to implore him , that he would govern and enlighten our youth by his holy spirit ; the best time to take this fox is while young , we ought betimes to stop the first beginnings of vice , before they become a habit ; as we use to say , principiis obsta . fot in the forecited place of the canticles it is faid , that these foxes live to be taken when the winter is past , and the showers are over , when the voice of the turtle is heard , &c. hence some of the holy fathers understand by these little foxes , hereticks that lay waste and destroy the vineyard , that is the church ; and as in that place there is no mention made of lions , tygers , leopards , bears , &c. because the church never receiveth such hurt from open enemies , though they shed much blood , but rather by such perfecutions it is the more increased , and groweth the better , according to those verses , sanguine succrevit ecclesia , sanguine coepit , sanguine fundata est , sanguinis finis erit . as those little foxes which lye hid under ground do most mischief to the vines , thus the greatest enemies of the church lye in her very bosome , for the church in all ages hath been like joseph , sold by her own brethren , and like sampson betrayed by his own wife ; thus christ was betrayed into the hands of his enemies by his own disciples ; thus the church chiefly suffereth by those me● that are maintained by her , as joseph preserved the life of his brethren that destroyed him ; and no less doth it suffer from those men whom it defendeth , and who know all her secrets ; so judas knew the garden where christ was wont to pray . and as foxes by their craftiness do great mischief to vines and gardens , so the church never suffereth more than from subtilty of arguments , by which young men are easily deceived , not being able to perceive the fallacy of them ; we might illustrate this by the example of several hereticks in all ages , who have used all wiles and stratagems to deceive ; and as foxes have several waies to their holes , so do wicked men turn and wind themselves alwaies to deceive ; and as the fox , if he be necessitated to it by hunger , will seem to be tame , so do these deceivers seem to imitate the true church ; an eminent instance of this we have in ecclesiastical history , of arrius , who seemed to be one of the true church , and agreed with all orthodox men , and said that he would subscribe to the nicene creed , & the rest of the decrees of that councel , using these words , what i have subscribed , ● give my consent to , but under his doublet he had a paper wherein was written another thing ; but these foxes are to be taken , they are to be confuted with strong arguments , and that while they are young , before their opinions get too big a head , before they have cast their urine and dung about , before their breath becometh rank , and their teeth venomous ; that is , before they have by their false doctrine poysoned and infected mens judgements ; they make those places barren where they are , i. e. they lay waste the church ; and as the foxes have a kind of friendship with the crow and serpent , thus have hereticks a correspondency and a great love for the devil and his agents ; it is worthy our observation to consider how ministers are compared to the hunters of foxes , who must be crafty and industrious to find them out ; the little foxes are only to be taken , for none can take the great one but the son of god , who is described in the forecited place of the canticles : the germanes have this proverb , eines haas une inchs sein , he that is once overcome by an enemie ▪ shall never be at quiet : they have another proverb to the same purpose almost , which is this , ber einen inchs fangen wil , der mus einen schops hinder das garn stellen , it is a difficult thing to find out an army that lyeth in ambush ; with which proverb we shall conclude our discourse of the fox . chap. xviii . of the cat. in former times cats were not so tame as to live in houses , and be familiar with us as they are now ; for they used formerly to live only in woods , and were exceeding cruel and venomous , making a prey of foxes and rabbets , &c. but yet doubtless their nature was the same then as it is now ; for god at the first creation gave every creature those properties which afterwards it retained ; but yet i do not deny , but that about helvetia there are wild cats now , and , as conradus gesner saith , are very good food ; the cat in former times was one of the aegyptian gods , as diodorus siculus telleth us , and strabo in his th . book saith , that in the reign of tiberius there were above romans slain in aegypt for the killing of one cat ; but we will let this pass : a cat is not much unlike a lion in his face , teeth , and claws , but his ears are somewhat rounder ; the wild cats most commonly are grey , and are almost of the colour of ice ; the tame cat is of divers colours , but most commonly are grey ; cats eyes shine in a dark night , they can see to get mice in the darkest night ; thus the hyena and the batt have their sight the strongest when it is dark , their eyes are observed to be bigger and lesser according to the change of the moon ; if he seeth a mouse run by him , he will run after him whatever he is doing of , and thence came the proverb , the bride cat , which gregory nazianzen expoundeth thus , that if a cat be adorned like a bridegroom with rich attire , if he seeth a mouse stir , though a bride for attire , yet she runneth after it , never minding her attire ; thus are all spurious and false ministers ; and he compareth them to some gentlemen that have been given to lewd courses , but afterwards have undertaken the office of the ministry , and yet continue the same as they were before . . aelian , lib. . cap. . saith , that the male cat is the leacherousest creature that is , but the female not so bad , and very tender of her young ones ; when the male is thus inflamed with lust , she leaveth the house , and wandereth up and down ; the male being so leacherous , killeth all the young ones , that he may enjoy the female the sooner ; the male at that time is exceeding fierce , and oftentimes do wound one another in the night time , where we commonly hear them make such noises ; but some do say that the male is not more lustful than the female , but that they are both alike , nay sometimes the female will fight for the male . . a young cat is very nimble , climbing over houses , and up into trees , and if he seeth any thing to move upon the ground , he will leap upon it , he will play with any that he meeteth with ; but when old , then he is as dull and lazie : julius caesar scaeliger saith , that in malabar there are some cats so nimble , that they will run as nimbly as a squirrel . . he is exceedingly cleanly , he will often be licking of himself , not induring any bad scent , and therefore maketh a hole with her feet , and hideth her own excrements in the earth . pliny telleth us the reason of it is , that she might not discover to the nice where she is . . at night she will run into the darkest corners of the house , having a very sharp and acute sight , and can better see in the night time than in the day ; very intemperate in her diet , and often is distempered by over-much eating , and therefore seldome liveth long ; she loveth to lye near ovens , and in the chimney-corner , and often burneth herself , she will alwaies lye clean and soft , & will not leave the house that she hath long lived though the house be left alone ; not like the dog , that loveth the people , and not the house ; the breath of a cat is very unwholsome , and the smell of his urine is very strong , and therefore we use to say , that a cat alwaies leaveth a stink behind him ; he is naturally very hot , his skin is very warm , he being alwaies so hot , hath a bad scent about him ; some cannot endure the breath of a cat , and will smell it though they do not see him , and will sweat untill he be removed out of the room , because the mother , when big of that child , could not endure a cat her self ; the cat will light on his feet though he falleth a great height , and seldome is hurt by any fall ; if his skin be burned any where , he will not stir out of doors , but at other times will go about to shew himself : his breath is exceeding strong and unwholsome ( as we said before ) and therefore those that let them lve with them in bed are seldome free from diseases ; he is a great enemie to serpents and toads ; in time of sickness he will carry the contagion about him ; he hateth no creature more than mice , and will easily find them out by their smell , and will see them when they do not see him ; and oftentimes when he hath got one , first he will play with it , and afterwards devour it : thus do they serve birds ; he loveth fish , but cannot endure the water , and these are the most noted things that we shall observe of the cat ; and i know none that more resemble the cat than flatterers : for , . as it is a common creature , so there is no place free now from slanderers and back-biters . . as they creep into all corners and holes , thus do tale-bearers prye and search into all mens actions ; and as they themselves do not perceive the strong smell that cometh from them , thus back-biters aggravate other mens faults , but hide their own , and as the cat loveth to be handled and stroked on the head , thus flatterers love those that will give eare to their reports : as in the old time it was one of the aegyptian gods , so back-biters and flatterers are by too many people honoured and loved ; they , like the cat , where-ever they come , leave a strong scent behind them , and by the just judgement of god are often discovered . chap. xix . of the hare and coney . the hare is generally known , and is very swift , and therefore some give the etymologie of the word lepus from levi-pes ; he hath a very light round head , his ears are long , and but of a small body , he never groweth fat , and never goeth , but alwaies leapeth ; his hair is as soft as feathers ; but the fox hath a way to take him although he be so swift ; when the fox pursueth him , when he hath run after him a great way , he seemeth to give over pursuing him ; the hare perceiving of it , goeth on but very leasurely , the fox perceiving that , followeth him to his burrough ; the hare can go up a hill easier than he can go down , he is easier taken in a valley than on a hill ; when he goeth down a hill , he never goeth straight forward , but windeth about ; for his hinder feet being longer than his fore-feet , it is troublesome for him to go down hill : his feet are very hairy , and cannot easily be hurt with running . . he is very timerous , as are all other creatures that have such great hearts ; ( he is frighted at the shaking of a leafe ) those creatures that are strong , as the bull and dog , have a lowd cry , but the hart and hare have a very small cry : the hare exceedingly feareth the eagle , and is no less fearful of the snares of the fox ; there is no virtue in the hare worth commendation ; but instead of this , nature to recompence them ( as the heathen philosophers say ) hath given them very long ears , that they might the better perceive dangers approaching ; and as soon as he feareth any danger , he flyeth so swiftly , that sometimes in the midst of his flight he dieth ; he is so fearful , that oftentimes to avoid one danger , he runneth into another ; when he is pursued he runneth into his hole : it is reported of a hare , that being hunted very hard , he ran into the sea , and there was killed by the sea-dog ; no one would hunt a hare with a snail , according to the dutch proverb . it is a further argument of the timerousness of the hare , that she shunneth those places that passengers come through , but loveth woods and hedges ; lysander did well when he commanded his men to be of good courage when they lay before corinth , because he saw a hare running upon the walls ; for , saith he , it cannot be that the hare would be there , if they had ever used any military exercise upon them ; and possibly from hence came that saying , that it is a bad sign for a hare to cross us in the way ; for it signifieth that those places are very lonesome , and that few people frequent them , and so the more dangerous . . it hath a very weak and infirm sight , he sleepeth not as other creatures do with his eyes shut , and therefore of old , to live the life of a hare , was as much as to say , you are in perpetual fear . . it is exceeding fruitful , and of all other creatures , this only after she hath brought forth her young , conceiveth another ; she bringeth forth young , and yet continually is with young ; whence herodotus well observeth , that god hath so ordered it , that those creatures which are useful and beneficial unto mankind , should exceedingly increase ; but on the other side , those things that are ravenous and mischievous , such as are lions , bears , and wolves , should not increase so much ; in old time it was thought , that those that eat much hares flesh , it made them very fair , as martial saith , and that it did in seven daies time , because it is a kind of a melancholy flesh , and good blood ; martial therefore maketh the hare to be the best of all four-footed creatures ; inter aves turdus , si quis me judice certet ; inter quadrupedes gloria prima lepus . take it in english thus , the thrush above all birds that are ; and of four-footed beasts , the hare . that a hare should make one beautiful , i know no reason can be given . . it is exceeding leacherous , but mostly in january , when if she be hindred from the male , she will devour those young ones which she had brought forth not long before . . she may in some respects be said to be crafty ; for in the winter time she is alwaies in plowed fields , but in harvest time she hideth her self in vineyards , and after harvest , when the grapes begin to grow ripe , she leaveth the vineyards ; when she goeth to seek her food , she alwaies goeth and cometh the same way , but not in a straight line , but in several turnings and windings ; she seldome goeth amongst the thorns , lest it should tear her hair ; for the dogs by the scent of her hair would soon discover her : when she bringeth forth her young , she hideth them up and down in several places , and of all enemies she feareth the hawk most , and continually when hunted windeth up and down , and so deceiveth the dogs ; we do not hunt the hare for any hurt it doth us , but as we use to say , the hare is hunted for her flesh , from whence came the proverb , as safe as a hare , spoken of one who had riches , &c. for which only he was vexed and troubled by others : neither is the hare of an uncertain sex , sometimes male and sometimes female , as some have falsly imagined , but it is alwaies the same . the coney is not much unlike the hare , something less , but much stronger , alwaies being under the earth , and makes her burroughs sometimes under mountains , as martial saith ; gaudet in eff ossis habitare cuniculus antris , monstravit faciles hostibus ille vias . the psalmist seems to speak almost the same , psal . . . the coney where ever she makes her burrough , she levels the ground again , lest it should be discovered ; at mornings and evenings she constantly cometh out of her burrough , and there she sits at the entrance of it , to see if there be any approaching danger ; and if at any time she be closely pursued , and hath no way to escape , she immediately runs into her burrough , out of which there is no way to get her , but by sending a ferret after her ; for there is nothing which the rabbet hateth more than the ferret ; there is such plenty of them in some parts of spain , that oftentimes they have destroyed the harvest : nay , we read of the island called carpathia , that the inhabitants were once destroyed by them ; and marcus varro ( quoted by pliny ) saith , that there was a city in spain undermined by coneys : but what we said before concerning the hare , that it might be compared to timerous and cowardly men , we may say the like concerning the coney ; the fable of the hares and the lion is known , how that the hares would have given laws to the lion , who afterwards were destroyed by him ; which may signifie thus much to us , that oftentimes mild and timerous princes do rule and govern a fierce and war-like people , by whom their kingdome is sometimes overthrown ; or else it may signifie those men who are afraid to tell men of their faults : the germans have a proverb , ber hasen spurng , i. e. the anckle of an hare , meaning any thing that men trust to , or relye upon ; for the anckle-bone in the hare is that without which she could not leap : but by the way we shall speak to prov. . vers . . , . there are four things which are upon the earth , but are exceeding wise ; the ants are a people not strong , yet they prepare their meat in the summer ; the coneys are but a feeble folk , yet make they their houses in the rocks ; the locusts have no king , yet go they forth all of them by bands ; the spider taketh hold with her hands , and is in kings palaces ; by all which this wise king signifyeth to us , the great inadvertency and perverseness of mankind , who of all creatures is only able to consider his waies , and knoweth his own greatness and strength , and yet daily runneth into dangers : these four sorts of little creatures that solomon spake of in the forecited place , though small , yet know their own weakness , and therefore chuse alwaies those places where they may be most secure ; and will not go into any place where there may be a possibility of danger : the ants begin betimes to lay up food for winter : the hare being timerous , doth not love to be in those places where any one cometh : the locust being weak , liveth quietly , and doth not go where any one is in the place , knowing that it cannot so well avoid dangers : the spider is alwaies exercising her curious art ; therefore this is to be wiser than the wisest . . to know our own strength , and our own weakness . . to undertake nothing above our strength , but on the contrary , not to indulge our selves in sloth and idleness ; and because there is some small difficulty in it wholly to let it alone ; we know there are many mischiefs and distempers accompany drunkenness , and that idleness and wars , is not without its inconveniences , yet few do endeavour to shun the one or the other : the hare being weak , goeth not much abroad ; the ant because poor , laboureth the more 〈◊〉 ●●utarch saith , that there is no small creature so l● , an● great one , as is the hare and the ass , in his e● th● colour , ears , and flesh ; and he saith further , 〈◊〉 lib. . sy●p . the la●● question , the jews were therefore forbidden to eat the hare , because so like an ass ; leviticus . ● . it is said , the coney , because he cheweth the cud ▪ and divideth not the hoof , he is unclean unto you ; so de●t . . . by which prohibition they were most especially to learn , chiefly to avoid the qualities of the hare ; when xerxes brought his numerous army against the grecians , ( as herodotus relateth ) a mare brought forth a hare , that signified to xerxes that he should not prosper in his undertakings , which also hapned . chap. xx. of the wolf. this creature is known to most , he is much like unto a dog , but for fierceness like a lion , only this difference , that he hath them not in the same degree , but as albertus saith , more mischievous and crafty ; his chief properties particular t● him , are strength , swiftness , fierceness , and a natural hatred to sheep ; he hath no qualities that do deserve any commendation . . whatsoever he teareth with his claw , dieth . . his greediness and cruelty appeareth in this , when he goeth to se●k his prey , he whetteth and sharpneth his teet●e l●●h the herb origanum ; he can endure hung●●●r a long time together , but afterwards he will eat ●ery greedily , and sometimes too much , but he speedily digesteth what he so greedily devoureth ; the reason of which quick digestion may be the great heat of his body , he being naturally of a very hot temper ; the female constantly supplyeth her young ones with food , the male knoweth this , and therefore the female is fain to hide her prey from him ; and as soon as she hath taken her prey washeth her mouth , lest by her bloody mouth she should be discovered ; but yet when the he - wolf hath been out , and can take no prey , he forceth her to give him the prey that she took for herself ; his cruelty appeareth further in this , that he loveth nothing more than blood . . his craftiness is more than his cruelty ; for those beasts which have horns , she cometh upon them , and beginneth at their tail , lest by his horns he might be too hard for him ; he often filleth his belly with earth , which maketh him more ponderous , and not so easily to be destroyed : he alwaies observeth this , never to go for his prey but in the night , or early in the morning , a little before day , that so he might not be seen by man or beast , by which means he also avoideth all snares and ginns that are laid for him : his eyes shine in the night , and do as it were sparkle in the dark ; his sight is very strong , seeing very exactly in the darkest night . . he hath a great hatred to man , which appeareth in this ; if a wolf seeth a man first , he is not able to speak ; and on the other side , if a man first espyeth a wolf , immediately he becometh tame , and hath nothing of fierceness or cruelty in him ; the reason of which some have enquired into , who tell us it proceedeth from the hot , fiery spirit of the wolf ; that , they tell us , enters into the man ; how true it is i know not , but camerarius telleth us it is altogether fabulous , in his succis . cap. . vid. scalig. de subtilitate , ad card. . exercit. sect. . camerarius , in the forecited place saith , that a wolf hath not such a fear of wood and iron as of stone , which appeareth in this , that if a stone touch him , where it is touched , that part shall rot and putrefie ; and therefore it is that he flyeth from the noise of stones ; as a dog is sooner frighted with a stone than a sword : if once he getteth amongst the sheep , he will not only kill as much as he can eat , but it he be not hindred , will destroy the whole flock . . when he is extreme hungry , he will eat earth ; he never hunteth for his prey where his young ones are , lest they should be discovered , for he hath a very great care of , and love for his young ones ; and is very fierce when big with young : in all dangers she betaketh her self to flight before it be too late , and taketh her young ones with her into the woods ; if she goeth to the sheep-fold , she alwaies goeth against the wind , because if she should go with the wind , it would carry her scent to the dogs ; if she lose her feet in a snare , or one of them , she teareth her self for vexation , and is mad that she is taken . . he is very fearful of stones , if he heareth the noise of stones , immediately he runneth away into the woods ; nay , he will swim over rivers , which they do in companies , the hindermost taking hold of the tail of the foremost . . if he espyeth a goat , he hideth himself among green boughes that he may not be seen ; when he is exceeding hungry , he will yawn and open his mouth ; and if he can get nothing , he walketh with his mouth open : wolves may be fitly compared to high-way men , who go in companies . at atticu a province in greece there was a law made , that whosoever killed a young wolf , should be rewarded with a talent of silver ; but he that killed an old one , should have two talents ; for they are great enemies to man ; though the voung ones did never do any mischief , yet they did what they could to kill them , to prevent the mischiefs that they might do for the future : adulterers and whoremongers are often punished by god with want and poverty , and thence it is that they are often forced to rob and steal to keep themselves alive ; and therefore we may not unfitly compare adulterers and wolves together ; and therefore it is that harlots are called wolves ; so romulus and remus were nourished by a wolf , that is , a harlot , they being bastards themselves : if the reader hath a mind to see more of it , let him read lactant. lib. . cap. . de vera sapientia . . he alwaies burieth some part of his prey , that so he may have something to eat when he cannot get a prey . . there is a wonderful secret antipathy between the sheep and the wolf , that is plainly seen while alive , and when dead ; for the sheep-skin that the wolf biteth , is afterwards full of lice ; and i have heard that the guts of sheep made into fiddle-strings , will never tune with the strings made of wolves guts ; if wolves skins lye among sheep-skins , they will be utterly spoyled ; and if a drum that is covered with a wolves skin come neer a drum that is covered with a sheep-skin , it will presently flye in pieces ; but for the reason and truth of it , i shall further enquire when i come to speak of the sheep . . they are very much afraid of fire , and cannot endure to see a sword , and therefore some alwaies carry flints about them , and when they see a wolf they strike fire , which when he seeth , he flyeth away ; the like he doth at the sight of a naked sword . . if a horse tread in the foot-steps of a wolf , it maketh him dull and stupid for the present ; and if a mare tread in her steps , she cannot cast her foale : bolapolines , in his hierogl●phicks , representeth an abortive woman , by a mare treading upon a wolf ▪ nay if she seeth but the guts of a dead vvolf any where , her strength decayes , as camerarius telleth us , lib. . succise . . . though she be so greedy and ravenous , yet is she very mindful of any one that doth her a courtesie . bonfinius relateth a story of a vvolf , who when he was taken , a passenger that came that waies , set him lose again ; when he was free , he observed which waies the man went , and the house where he dwelt , and afterwards would often drive horses and cows out of the field to his house ; so that the fiercest creatures that are be mindful of kindnesses done to them ; a vvolf when his belly is full , if among a flock of sheep , seemeth rather to be a lamb than a vvolf . aristotle saith , that in a certain place in greece , the vvolf will couple with the dog : when a company of wolves have gotten a prey , they will equally divide what they have got ; sometimes the wolf and the dog will plot as it were together to go into a sheep-fold ; she hateth the bull , the hart , the fox , and the goat ; it hath all the properties and qualities of a lion , he exceedeth the lion in craft and deceitfulness ; that creature which albertus saith is begotten of a stag and a wolf , which some call a los or a lynx , is a kind of vvolf ; it beareth an inveterate enmity to the hart , and thence it is that in latin he is called lupus cervarius , and for his ravenous and greedy nature cometh not behind the vvolf ; nay , he will kill a vvolf , and hath been seen to have destroyed a young lion ; when he is hungry , and is eating , if he looketh back , he forgetteth that he hath any thing , and goeth to look after another prey : there is a beast like a vvolf who hath a mane like a horse , whom some call a hyaena , he will go into graves , and devour dead bodies , a fit representation and symbole of those slanderers which do not spare to destroy the good name of their neighbour after he is dead . a vvolf will go among the sheep in the night time , and will learn those tones that the shepherds use to them ; nay , they will learn the shepherds name , and will call them out by their names ; the shepherd thinking it to be the voice of a man , cometh forth , and when he is come out , the wolf falleth upon him , and destroyeth him ; so she often serveth dogs : thus the papists used to let book-sellers sell heretical books , and then mark what noble men did buy of them , and afterwards accuse them for it . the female hyaena is much craftier than the male , for it was never yet found where she lyeth at night ; whatsoever she toucheth is made dull and stupid ever after . philippus camerarius , suc●is . cap. . saith , that there are no wolves in england ; for they being exceeding destroyers of sheep , and making of cloath being the chief of englands trade ; those malefactors in former times that were condemned , had their lives given them upon this condition , that each man should kill a wolf ; this creature is not only a fit representation of theeves and robbers , but may also fitly resemble the devil , hereticks , and tyrants . john. . . christ maketh mention of the vvolf , in the parable of the shepherd and the sheep , by whicn the devil is to be understood . for , . as the vvolf continually goeth about to destroy men and beasts , so is the devil the most implacable enemie to all mankind . . as the vvolf by nature is so greedy and ravenous that he can never be satisfied , so neither is the devil ever satisfied with those millions of souls that he yearly destroyeth . . the vvolf hath a sharp and acute sight , seeing best in the night time ; and they say of her that she can smell her prey when she is half a germane mile from him : thus the devil by so many years experience groweth more subtil , easily perceiving to what sins every mans natural inclination leadeth him unto . . as they will sometimes devour a whole sheep , sometimes only some part of it ; so doth the devil , by divine permission , sometimes take away our estates only , sometimes our health ; nay , sometimes destroyeth body and soul . . as the wolf is a most crafty , cunning creature ; so is the devil full of his crafty and subtil devices ; for as the wolf chiefly seeketh her prey in a clowdy night , being then not so easily perceived : so the devil maketh his assaults , and tempteth men chiefly when under some heavy affliction ; and as the wolf goeth slowly , and often licketh her feet , which maketh her steps not so easily heard ; so the devil insinnuateth himself into men , darting his tentations as insensibly as the sun-beams . goats cannot defend themselves by the weapons which nature hath given them ; neither can sowes keep their pigs from any one that will take them away from her ; therefore the wolf when she goeth to take any of these , taketh them by the ear , and if he cometh not forward willingly , he striketh them with his tail ; sometimes he maketh them run faster than himself , and so he leadeth them by the eare to the rest of his company , who stand in a certain place expecting the prey ; and when he hath brought it , the rest of them fall on , and tear it in pieces . albertus saith that he saw a wolf catry a green willow in his mouth to deceive the goats that love a sprig of a willow-tree ; than which there cannot be a fitter representation of sathans malice and subtilty , whereby he entrappeth and ensnareth poor silly people , endeavouring to draw them from the truth , by suggesting his tentations and flattering devices , thereby drawing them into eternal destruction . the wolf useth no less subtilty in taking of the bull ; for she never setteth upon him forwards , lest he should kill her by his horns , but cometh behind him , leaping upon him ( as we said before ) filling her belly with earth , which maketh her the heavier , and so maketh up her weakness by her weight ; she taketh a single calf thus , she draweth him away from the cow , which she perceiving , it causeth a small combate between the cow and the wolf for a time , the calf in the mean time running up and down ; when he hath tired the cow , then he goeth to the calf , and teareth him in pieces : thus in like manner doth the devil set on young and old , suiting his temptations to their constitutions and inclinations ; and oftentimes by the force of his temptations , and of those asflictions which oftentimes godly men lye under ( were they not endued with faith and strength from above ) would vanquish and overcome them ; but when by strength he can do nothing , he doth as it were come behind them by his fraud and deceit , and then beginneth a little to fall back , as if he were overcome , and so maketh him the less wary of him , thinking he is gone ; but afterwards cometh on afresh with his new wiles with a greater violence , and so destroyeth them ; many instances and examples of this might be given ; but i shall proceed . . if a wolf first espyeth a man , he doth by a secret virtue so astonish him , that he cannot cry out for help : thus the devil , when by his tentations he besetteth a careless sinner , he easily obtaineth the victory , triumphing over him when conquered ; but on the other side , if a man first espyeth a wolf , he is not so fierce nor ravenous as before : thus good men who are afraid of sathans devices , who by prayer and other holy duties arm themselves against him , do as it were afright him , and make him fly ; and as wolves hate nothing more than the sight of fire , and of a naked sword ; so doth the devil no less dread those sparks of divine light that come from the scripture , and the prayers of good men , which are the arms and weapons of the church ; and therefore st. chrysostome rightly said , that swords are not so terrible to wolves , as are the prayers of good men to sathan . . we find that hereticks are often compared unto wolves ; we read acts . . that wolves should come who would not spare the flock ▪ so matt. . . vve are commanded to beware of false prophets who come to us in sheeps clothing , but inwardly are ravening vvolves ; we may here take notice of the epithete given to false prophets of ravening wolves : there are some wolves in africa and in aegypt that will stand on the shore , and if they see any fishermen , will take some of their fish from them , and run away with it ▪ and on the other side , oppianus and several other good authors tell us of another kind of wolves that are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that are a kind of goats , which are swifter than any of the former ; for they go to hunt early in the morning , and do as it were leap upon their prey with an incredible violence ; these are found in great companies upon mountains ; in the winter time they are so venturous , that they will come into cities , and there will go up and down very quietly untill they can see a goat , &c. which they will greedily fall upon , and run away with ; this may seem to have respect to that prophesie of the patriarch , gen. . . benjamin shall ravine like a wolf , in the morning he shall devour the prey , and at evening he shall divide the spoyle ; although some would have this to signifie the covetousness of the benjamites , yet i can see no reason for it , because they were not so cruel ; and besides , what argument could that be of their covetousness , who though they took their prey in the morning , yet he divided it again at night : the holy fathers therefore do make this to be a prediction concerning the holy apostle st. paul , who was of the tribe of benjamine ; for he in the morning , that is in his youth , was like a cruel and devouring wolf ; but at the evening , towards his old age , he gave food , the bread of life , which he distributed to the heathens ; these things being premised , any one , from what hath been said , may deduce very useful corollaries , such as these . . the wolf is said to astonish a man so much , that he taketh away his voice and speech ; thus wicked men do rob the saints of their wonted purity , yet they will talk of great things ; for alwaies amongst wicked men there is more seeming religion than true piety ; and as the wolf is of so ravenous and greedy nature that he killeth more than he can eat ; and if not hindred , will destroy the whole flock : so wicked men do not so much seek the hurts and ruine of one particular man , as of the whole church ; and as the wolf is very subtil and crafty , first going very slowly round about the flock , to see whether the shepherd , or any dogs be there ; and when he seeth his opportunity , will rush among them with a great deal of fierceness : thus hereticks , before they disclose their errors , will insinuate themselves into the minds of the people , and will use a great deal of hypocritical piety , boasting of their angelical holyness and peculiar visions which they have from god , and after they have thus prepared the minds of the common people , vent their impious errors that tend to the ruine of the whole church , and as there is a natural enmity and antipathy between the sheep and the wolf even after death : thus wicked men by their doctrine do not hurt the church only while alive , but after death : there is a law among the atticks , that whosoever killeth a wolf shall be highly rewarded ; of no less praise are they worthy that do discover the plots and devices of hereticks and deceivers : the vvolf if he cannot get the prey that he sought , he runneth up and down with his mouth open , making a great noise ; thus are hereticks very much troubled if their snare do not take as they would have them . . what hereticks are in the church , that are tyrants in the common-wealth ; and therefore they are called by some aethiopian vvolves ; the poets do feign tyrannical princes for their cruelty to be changed into wolves : we read , in ezekiel , of princes that are like ravening wolves devouring the prey , cap. . . the same is said wisd . . . it is easie to draw several other inferences from the nature of the wolf , and to follow the comparison between the wolf and the tyrant further than i shall carry it now , which i leave to the studious ; i could speak also to the fable of men that were changed into wolves , and other creatures ; but i shall not enlarge much further on his creature ; the history of nebuchadonosor is no proof at all of men being changed into other shapes ; for all that we find in scripture concerning it is this , that he did eat grass as oxen , and that his body was wet with the dew of heaven , untill his hairs were grown like eagles feathers , and his nails like birds claws , dau. . . i have read of the tyrant that promised the athenians to make peace with them , if they would send away their orators ; the athenians answered him with this apologue , of the wolves that offered to make peace with the sheep , if they would send away their dogs , the ready way for them to be all destroyed ; a fit answer for him , they being then as naked lambs among wolves ; as christ told his disciples , that he sent them out as lambs among wolves , luke . . is . . . it is said , that the wolf shall dwell with the lamb , and the leopard shall lye down with the kid , and the calf and the young lion together ; spoken allegorically of the conversion of great ones ; the same is spoken of them , cap. . . tyrants are compared to wolves ravening the prey ; those cruel exactions that were used to the people of israel , god doth not call them barely robberies and thefts , but rapines , as may be seen more at large in these following places , is . . . ch . . vers . . ch . . . ezek. . . . . mich. . . wisd . . . chap. xxi . of the dog. this is a creature more commonly known than any we have yet spoken of , and hath many good properties in him ; fidelity , love to his master , constancy , vigilancy , obedience , sagacity and memory . . he is more faithful than a servant , watching in the night , and like a porter keeping the doors , and gives notice by his barking of any thief or stranger ; and therefore the proverb is true , that the dog hath nine lives , but , . amongst all other creatures , there is no creature hath so much love to his master as the dog , alwaies going along with him , knowing his voice , and will find him out by his scent ; if his master be killed , he will not leave his garkass , but will betray the murtherer if he seeth him , barking at him , and fastning upon him , fighting for his master against any one that shall assault him : plutarch relateth a story of king pyrrhus , who in a journey found a dog who for three whole daies together lay by his master that was murthered , never eating any thing all that while ; afterwards he found out the murtherer by flying on him , who being examined confessed the fact . . he is very constant to any house where he is kept , and will not follow any one that shall entice him away : jovius relateth of the dogs in france that fled into the enemies camp , and licked their feet , which they took to signifie their victory , which afterwards came to pass ; for thereupon maximilianus sphorsia vanquished the french. . their vigilancy is known to all , although geese are more watchful than they ; and thence the french entring into rome , were not disturbed at the dogs , but were betrayed by the noise of a company of geese ; and therefore once every year several dogs were slain , because they gave no notice of the enemies approaching . . no less is his prudence and sagacity , being no less fierce and rough to strangers than he is courteous to his master : but he is especially an enemie to any one that he seeth come in a poor habit ; for he knoweth these do but rob him of what he should have . among all birds the vulture ; and of all four-footed beasts the dog hath the best smell ; and therefore aelian saith he hath so quick a scent , that if you cut a piece of a dead dog amongst several sorts of meats , he will scent it from all the rest , and will not touch it . . he is as obedient as he is constant or faithful ; he will learn to do any thing , he will go into the shambles , and fetch meat , pluck hairs off from ones head , &c. plutarch saith , that in a comedy acted at rome , he saw a dog that feigned his master had poysoned him , and as soon as he had taken it , all his body would shake and tremble , but that would abate by degrees , and at last would stretch himself , and never move at all ; his master cometh to him , and biddeth him rise , he then hearing him stirreth one part , and then another , untill at last he came to himself again ; all which he did so cunningly , that caesar and all the rest of the spectators were moved with no less laughter than admiration ; not long after that he would draw himself up altogether , as if he were going to dye , and would lye without any motion at all , suffering himself to be dragged out by the heels , as if he had been dead ; but in a little while after he recovered himself again , to the admiration of the spectators ; when he is hunting , or at any other time he will come at his masters call , although he hath a good prey before him ; he hath a greater respect for his master than for himself , his actions are all for the good of his master ; when he is hunting , he will bring the prey to his master , and he himself is content with the bones , nay , is content without them , if his master will not give them him . . he hath a very strong memory , insomuch that he will remember the way to his masters house , though through woods and lands , and will remember those persons a long time that have injured him : he will lay up those bones that he cannot eat , and fetch them out again when he hath occasion for them ; when he is asleep in the night he will remember what he hath seen in the day-time ; and therefore it is we often hear them bark in their sleep when no body is nigh them . . he is very careful of his whelps , and will suffer no one to take them away from him ; he loveth to be among company , but as timerous when among strangers , as he is bold among his acquaintance . . he hath a kind of ambitious desire ; for plutarch saith , that dogs , if they get a hare alive , besmear their mouths with the blood of it ; this they do not do if they run her dead , then they will not touch her , but stand about it wagging their tails , to signifie that they rejoyce not so much in the flesh of it , as in the victory ; pliny saith , that it is a sign of an heroick spirit in dogs , that if any one lyeth upon the ground , they will not meddle with them ; and the scholiast upon homer saith , that it is the best way to secure our selves against dogs , to sit down and hide our sticks ; and we may adde further , that as the deepest rivers make the least noise , so , fearful dogs will bark more than they will bite . . a dog cannot endure to see the moon , and are very much afrighted at a spectrum or apparition ; and therefore when the moon shines , dogs be continually barking . . when they grow old they are very dull and heavy ; they then will sleep in the dirt , and the flies oftentimes will eat through their ears , which they might easily prevent , yet are so lazie that they will not , unless they come upon their face , and then they snap them in their mouthes . . they cannot hunt if the south-wind bloweth , for that is the moistest of all the four winds , and all moisture hindereth the smelling : in egypt the dogs are so subtil , that because they know the crocodiles oftentimes devour them , they will not stand still when they drink , but drink as they run ; and therefore the proverb is , canis ad nilum , i. e. a sup and away ; just as many men learn philosophy ; but on the other side , they have their ill qualities as well as their good . . he is a very filthy , uncleane creature , coupling himself publickly in the streets ; and hath a very greedy stomach after his meat , and exceedingly loveth carrion ; he satisfieth his lust with the bitch that puppyed him . deut. . god forbids that any money should be brought for the price of a dog into the house of the lord , vers . . . he is easily angered , and will be soon enraged at a stone or a stick that is thrown at him . plutarch , in his sympos . saith , that some dogs have died because they could not take their revenge . . they cannot endure one another ; one dog will not suffer another to come to the house , yet they will eat one anothers vermine . . some dogs sleep all the night-time , and go about in the day , these are very mischievous . . the dog will eat his own vomit , and is subject to many diseases , but especially they are aptest to grow mad ; and when they are so , whatsoever they bite they make like themselves : it is a sign when a dog will grow mad , if he will not eat what he used to eat , and will purge at the nose and mouth , and is very dull and heavy , barking at every one they see ; hesychias saith , that all dogs have very hard deaths ; and thus we have shewn both the good and the bad properties of the dog ; the holy scriptures , both in the old and new testament , draw many inferences from the nature of this creature , which , although they be very many , yet i shall satisfie my self , in speaking to two only , one out of the old testament , and another out of the new ; that out of the old testament , is judg. . . when gideon had brought a vast army against the midianites , lest if the jews had overcome them they should have ascribed it to their own strength and valour , the lord said unto gideon , every one that lappeth the water with his tongue as the dog lappeth , him shalt thou set by himself ; likewise , every one that boweth down upon his knees to drink : there were left but of . and those few were crowned with victory ; a fit symbole of the elect , who get the victory over all their enemies ; and those that drank water , represent those that received the sacrament of baptism , and so are listed among gods souldiers . . as there were a great multitude which drank , yet were rejected by gideon , being a great sign of laziness and sloath ; so , many of those who are baptized , are rejected ; which being careless and sloathful , do not fight the good fight , nor keep the faith , and therefore lose the crown , pet. . . . as gideon received those only into the number of his souldiers , that lapped of the water with his mouth as the dog lappeth ; a sign of fortitude and valour : so , those who were baptized , carry away the heavenly crown , being not addicted to this world , but diligent and sedulous in their calling ; and , like dogs , are faithful and industrious in searching out divine mysteries , being lovers of christ , knowing his voice ; neither will they be drawn from christ through the temptations of sathan , being very watchful , and like the wise virgins , alwaies expecting the coming of christ , very courteous to their kinsfolks , but are fierce and unpleasant to those who are strangers and enemies to christ ; they do also every thing to the honour of their master christ , though no temporal advantage should from thence acrew , who lastly are easily called back from a course of sin . . we read matt. . there are several inferences drawn from the dog , some of which seem to be spoken in his commendation , and others not . thus , when the syrophaenician woman , whose daughter was sore vexed with a devil , came to christ and implored his help , received this answer , that it was not good to take the childrens bread , and cast it unto dog● , which she inverteth thus to her present condition , and saith , yet the dogs do eat of the crumbs that fall from their masters table ; in which words christ compareth the heathen to dogs : for , . we see that dogs will couple with any strange bitch ; thus , the heathens were not like all other men , born in sin only , but of those parents who made nothing of the ordinance of marriage ; this might be confirmed from many examples ; thus the aposile , rom. . . complaineth , that the women changed the natural use into that which is against nature ; as also the men leaving the natural use of women turned in their lust one towards another . . they commonly bark at any passenger that cometh by , and a mad dog will flye upon his own master : thus , the heathens , destitute of divine light , and without the true religion , do blaspheme god , and , as it were bark at their neighbours , by cursing of them . we do not use to feed dogs with any thing but what is not fit for others to eat ; the heathens being so wicked and blasphemous against god , are not worthy of christ . further , dogs do not use to run from their masters , if they can but get food ; the heathens , as long as they prosper in this world , are very well contented , but when under trouble and afflictions , have nothing to support them : dogs are of such a beastly nature , that ( as we said before ) they will devour their own vomit : thus it is with the heathens , who , though often instructed in vertue by divers of their poets , yet soon return unto their former wicked life ; thus , having spoken what is necessary for his discommendation , now , i shall see what may be said to his praise and commendation . . dogs only wait at their masters table , expecting what may fall ; thus , the ignorant gentiles had no other comfort but this , that they should expect what god had promised them , saying , in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed ; neither did they desire to be preferred above the jews , but were very well content with what the bounty and goodness of god did give them : children often sport themselves with little dogs , hence it is that we read , in the proverbs , of wisdome ( i. e. the son of god ) sporting her self among the sons of men ; and we see that children take great care of dogs , and will feed them if they can get it ; the heathens did continue long in their primitive ignorance and state of darkness untill christ came and deliver'd them ; dogs will bemoan themselves when bereaved of their whelps ; and it is the greatest trouble to good men to see their children drawn aside from the truth ; although , i must confess , dogs as well as most other beasts have a great love for their young ; yet , i doubt , we may find some persons who , like fishes , leave their spawn in the water , never minding it afterwards what becomes of it . he will not leave off barking and howling untill his master give him something : thus , the canaanitish woman , and every true christian , ought to be constant , persevering in duty . . also the dog will be so fierce that he will flye upon any stranger , yet when corrected by his master , will hang down his tail : thus all true christians , when in peril and trouble , will cry out with daniel , ●o thee belongeth righteousness , but to us confusion of face ; and with the penitent thief , we are justly punished for our deserts ; and like the emperour mauritius , who , when he saw his sons and his daughters slain before his face , did not murmur or repine in the least ; but his wife turning to him , said , o lord , thou art just and righteous in all thy judgements . luther , when he saw a dog wagging his tail at dinner , used to say , that he begged by the very wagging of his tail ; and , i wish , saith he , that we men were indued with the like nature , not to leave off our prayers because not presently received ; this is a good similitude , though but a homely one . see more of this in philippus camerarius , lib. . succis . chap. xxii . of the sheep . i take the word sheep here for all kind of sheep , whether it be the ram , the wether , &c. the ram is the male , the wether is guelded ; although this be a domestick and common creature , yet it is worthy our observation , to consider , that it hath pleased the holy ghost very often to compare christ to sheep , as also all christians : the jews in their sacrifices offered more sheep than any other creature , although they used to offer up calves , goats , oxen , heifers , kids , as also turtles and pidgeons ; but their daily sacrifices consisted chiefly of sheep ; for every day , for above years , all the while that the mosaical law was observed , there were offered two lambs , one in the morning , and the other at evening , with fine flour and wine , which did signifie to us holy prayers and ejaculations , with which we ought to begin and end every day . that ram which abraham offered in the mount , instead of isaac , was a type of christ ; for , as the ram was slain for isaac , so christ , the lamb of god , was offered up instead of us ; every day ( as i said before ) were offered up two lambs , besides all other sacrifices which sometimes did require lambs and sheep , as in the consecration of priests , as also on their sabbaths , and new moons , and at the passover , at pentecost , and several other feastivals , as also upon their confessions , purifications , &c. of which we may read at large in exodus , leviticus , and several other places , all which were but types and figures , as they are called , heb. . now we come to speak of the nature and properties of the sheep . . it is not a crafty , subtil creature , like to foxes and leopards , but dull and stupid , often wandring and running into deserts and by-places , where he meeteth but with worse pasture : in the winter time they will run out of the pens into the snow where they are smothered , neither do they ever come back again unless the shepherd fetch them ; it was wittily said by him of a wandring sheep , raro una errat ovis , raroque revertitur una . . the sheep is neither so strong as a horse , so couragious as the lion , nor so confident as a dog ; he regardeth not the traps and snares that are layed for him , being gentle , and easily taken : the sheep hath no gall , and therefore is more patient than other creatures that we have named before , never roaring nor crying out , when sheared ; nay , they are silent , though about to be slain : whereas on the contrary , swine , and several other creatures , are not only unwilling to be caught , but when caught , do make such a hideous noise as is scarcely to be endured . . nature hath denied this creature any thing whereby to defend her self ; some creatures have talons , others horns , but this nothing ; and although rams have horns , as sheep have in some countreys , yet have they no courage to defend them ; for sheep are very timorous and fearful , and are very gentle when they have young ones , contrary to the nature of all other beasts ; and thus is easily made a prey of , either to man or beast . . of all creatures , none are subject to so many diseases as man , the horse , and the sheep ; as distempers in the head , and is also very subject to the scab : and what we said before of their wandring abroad , so , the scabby sheep is never single , as the old verse hath it ; morbida facta pecus totum corrumpit ovile . if they are driven far in a night , or heated , it maketh them lean ; when it thundereth , they are so affrighted , that they cast their young for fear . . they seem to have a great love to their shepherds ; for nature hath made them so cowardly and weak , that they cannot live without some one to rule over them . a shepherd hath especially these four things to do for the sheep ; . to lead them into good pastures , and wholsome clear waters ; for a sheep loveth green meadows , and is very delicate ; for if she cannot feed in such green meadows , she will eat nothing at all ; and counteth no labour lost if at last she getteth into a field that is green , and then she looketh about for cold , clear water , loving nothing more , not induring to drink of muddy waters . . the shepherd is to keep them together , lest by their simplicity and foolishness they should stray from the flock , and run into ditches and fens where they are destroyed without remedy . . he is to defend them by his dogs against wolves , or any one that shall disturb them when feeding : when any of them is with young , he taketh them up upon his knees , and cherisheth them . . he is to understand and know the signs and causes of their diseases ; all good shepherds ought to be thus qualified . when the sheep hear the shepherds voice , they all get together into one place , but especially when he singeth , for they love musick exceedingly , and it maketh them feed the better ; they are so delighted with it , that some think they would not live long if the shepherd did not sing : the young lambs as soon as brought forth know their damms , though there be thousands of sheep in the field together , yet they will know their damm from them all by their bleating ; and though they be never so hungry and thirsty , yet will they suck of no one but of their own dam ; and the damm , amongst hundred of lambs , although of the same bigness , colour , and make the same noise , yet they will know their own lambs ; this they do while young , but when once they come to be weaned , they know the shepherds voice so well , that they will follow him , and flye from any one else ; the scripture reckoneth this amongst those creatures that cleave the hoof , and chew the cud , of which we have spoken very largely before : he loveth to eat of green willow-leaves though they be very bitter : salt getteth them a great stomach , and therefore the shepherd will oftentimes sprinkle salt in the water where they use to drink . the sheep is observed to be very cleanly , and cannot endure , like the swine , to be in dirty places ; there is scarce any thing in the sheep but is of use to us , she giveth milk , bringeth forth lambs , we make cloath of her wool , and formerly her skin was worn for garments , of her guts are made fiddle-strings , and her dung maketh the ground fruitful ; they bring forth young as long as they live , and are never barren , though not so long liv'd as some other creatures : but to conclude , she will never go into water unless compelled , loveth company , and will not be alone if she can get to her fellows ; hath alwaies the same bleating when hungry as when full ; whereas men do not more rejoyce in prosperity , than they are cast down in adversity : and thus i have briefly run over the principal properties of the sheep , from whence the holy scripture draweth many useful inferences from the nature of this creature ; we read , dan. . . i lifted up mine eyes , and saw , and behold there stood before the river a ram which had two horns , and the two horns were high , but one was higher than the other , and the higher came up last : i saw the ram pushing westward , and northward , and southward ; so in chap. th . there was the vision of a bear , by which we are to understand the fierceness , and ambitious desires that were in those kings , like ahasuerus , who by the instigation of haman did intend to destroy all the jews in one day ; but afterwards he became as mild as a ram ; which , as he is even loaden with his horns , his flesh , and wooll , so , the persian monarch did abound in all mauner of wealth , and it had two horns , viz. the kingdoms of media and persia , with which he did push , as it were troubling and tormenting the eastern nations . . in leviticus , and several other places , the jews were commanded to offer up a lamb as a sacrifice for their sins , which did signifie to us christ the true lamb of god , that taketh away the sins of the world : these lambs were to be sacrif●●●d , i. e. all stupid and dull affections were to be cast away , and striven against , which they observed to be in the sheep , as origen well observeth on that place : but we have spoken more at large of this in the chap. of the camel , out of the learned galatinus . . matt. . . christ placeth his people at his right hand , and compareth them to sheep , because of that wonderful meekness which they have learned of christ ; or else it may signifie to us , that as the sheep is wonderful patient of injuries , so likewise all good men have been alwaies very ready to suffer all calumnies and reproaches for christ , yea , even death it self : but enough of these . i shall now speak a little to that notable place where we find mention made of the paschal lamb , which is called , in the new testament , the lamb of god which was slain from the beginning of the world. . the paschal lamb which used to be eaten at the passover , is a fit symbole of the body and blood of christ , with which we are fed at his holy table ; and doubtless , it did also signifie unto us , that innocence , patience and meekness that was in christ ; for the whole life and death of christ was one continued example of humility and patience ; and his death was of great advantage to us , in whose mouth was found no guile ; & he truly might be said to bear our infirmities , who was throughly tri'd in all things ; the death of christ was not only represented unto us by the paschal lamb , but those very sheep that were slain to cover ada● w●●● in paradise , the skins of them were a type of christ . . the paschal lamb was slain towards evening ; christ the lamb of god suffered not for us in the first ages of the world , but some thousands of years after the fall , to exercise the faith of good men , and then in the fulness of ●ime god sent his son , which was to be slain at even , not in his childhood , nor in his youth , but in his estate of manhood . . the paschal lamb was used to be taken from among the flock ; christ took not on him the nature of angels , but the seed of abraham , and so became the captain , and shepherd of his sheep . . it was to be a male of a year old , without spot or blemish ; christ was perfect man , but yet subject to divers infirmities , though without sin . . the blood of the paschal lamb was to be sprinkled on the door-post ; thus is the blood of christ by the preaching of the gospel sprinkled on the hearts of men . . it was to be eaten with unleavened bread ; christ never doth that man good that doth not receive him into a pure heart . . it was to be eaten with bitter herbs , by which was signified to us those many afflictions and calamities that the christians were to undergo . . as there used to be but one paschal lamb in a house , so was there but one christ , who was king both of jew and gentile . . that which remained of the paschal lamb was not to be kept , but to be burned , to signifie to us , that reason is to be brought into subjection unto faith . . as garments were made of sheep-skins ▪ thus ought we to put on christ to cover our naked souls ; jacob could not have received the blessing , unless he had put some skins over his hands to make them hairy , like esau's ; so , neither can we be made partakers of heavenly blessings , unless we have on us the righteousness of christ . . the blood of the paschal lamb which was sprinkled on the door-posts , was a means to preserve the jews from destruction , but was no benefit at all to the egyptians ; the blood of jesus christ in like manner doth not profit us , unless we have true faith , and shew it forth by our works : finally , the paschal lamb was to be eaten in haste , with their loyns girt ; and poor people that could not kill a lamb of their own , were to go to their neighbours , and eat it with them : those likewise that do eat of the body of christ , ought not to be dull and sluggish , nor of dissolute and wicked lives , but courteous and charitable to their neighbours . . exod. . . a ram was to be offered at the consecration of priests , from whence we may learn , that as the blood of the ram was to be poured on the right eare ; so ought we to hear the word of god , for faith cometh by hearing . . it was to be poured upon the right eare , and not on the left , which intimateth unto us thus much , that our faith ought not to be feigned , but sincere . . the bloud was to be sprinkled upon the thumb of the right hand of the priest ; it doth not suffice to hear the word of god , but we must set our hand to the plough ; for the kingdome of god consisteth not in words , but in holy living ; we must put to our right hand , following the commands of god , not of men . further , the blood of the ram was to be sprinkled round about the altar ; the bloud of christ , in like manner , is to be sprinkled through the world , one drop of which ( as st. bernard faith ) was sufficient for the redemption of the world , were there . worlds more . moreover , the blood of the ram was to be sprinkled on the garments of the priest , and yet many of them were meer hypocrites ; there are many likewise which partake of christ's table which are unworthy to be his guests . lastly , some parts of the sacrifice were given to the priest , as the breast , and the shoulder , one of which is the sign of wit , and the other of fortitude ; two vertues which of all others are most necessary for ministers ; by which also we see that ministers ought to be allowed a competent subsistence , for which god did bless the people the better . . it is very well worth our observation , that christ compareth all good men to sheep , as himself is compared to them ; and without question it doth figurate unto us that sweet and near union that there is between christ and his church . . christ being to prescribe laws to his church , doth not compare it to a den of lions , which all other creatures dread ; nor to wolves which are never satisfied , having such a greedy desire ; nor to bears which are alwaies doing mischief ; nor to the stately horse ; nor to the crafty fox ; nor to the sluggish ass ; nor to the contentious dog ; nor to the luxurious swine ; nor to the leacherous goat ; nor to the intemperate glutton , but to the sheep ; by which we are taught to shun and avoid all the former vices . . sheep have nothing of fraud nor deceit in them ; christians likewise ought not to be crafty and deceitful in their dealings one with another . . sheep do no harm neither to man nor beast ; neither ought christians to do any injury to their friends or enemies , to good or bad ; moreover , the sheep is very patient and mild ; christians in like manner ought to be courteous and civil to all persons ; and they are of all creatures the cleanlyest ; so ought every member of the true church to mortifie their lusts by the holy spirit : again , they love green meadows , and clear water ; neither doth the church make the jewish fables nor the turkish alcoran any part of their creed , but the word of god : but yet a little further , sheep love to be among their fellows ; thus ought it to be with good men , who should love the company one of another : if a sheep strayeth , he never returneth again of himself , but lyeth liable to all dangers , unless the shepherd bring him home ; so good men , when they fall into errors , cannot be brought home but by the word of god : we do not use to bind sheep in chains , but they go freely of themselves , with no less willingness ought all christians to do their duty : when the sheep is pursued by the wolf , she hath nothing to defend her self withal ; thus , neither have christians any strength of their own to resist the devil , but what they have from their spiritual armory mentioned , ephes . . sheep are often troubled with weak and infirm heads , having nothing of craft or subtilty in them ; neither can christians do any thing in spiritual things by their own wit ; they , ( as we said before ) are as obnoxious to diseases as any creatures , excepting man and horses . god in all ages hath been pleased to exercise his church with many afflictions and calamities , and therefore the church is compared to a sheep that is fatted for the slaughter ; for , as butchers are glad when they find a fat sheep , so wicked men rejoyce at the calamities and afflictions of the church : when once the sheep hath the scab , he is separated from the rest of the flock ; neither ought notorious , scandalous sinners to be suffered to have communion with the rest in the publick congregation ; for , as one scabby sheep infecteth the whole flock , so the slips and failings of one christian is often the cause of the fall of many weak ones . sheep , as i said before , know their dams as soon as they are brought forth ; so ought we all to learn how to distinguish the true church , and once found , never to leave her . i spake , in the former part of this chap. of four properties which did belong to the good shepherd , all which may be fitly applyed to christ , who is the good shepherd : for , . he feedeth us , he giveth us food and raiment , health and plenty , mercies spiritual and temporal . . the shepherd is to take care that the sheep do not wander ; christ , as the shepherd of our souls , giveth us his holy spirit to guide and direct us , that we sin not against him . . in like manner he defendeth us from the devil and all his instruments ( this he doth by his own power , and the tutelage of angels ) who by all waies , by force and fraud , endeavoureth to oppose and ruine the church . . neither doth he neglect wandring and weak christians ; he taketh them up in his arms , and wipeth all tears from their eyes . but , to conclude , we said before , chap. . speaking of the wolf , that two drums , one covered with the wolve's skin , and another with a sheeps skin , will never agree in sound ; and that an instrument tuned with the gut of a wolf , and the gut of a sheep , will never make any harmony : and that a sheeps skin and a goats skin layed together , the hair of the sheeps skin will shead : the reasons of which conradus gesner giveth us in these words ; it is no wonder that a wolves skin which by nature is more hard and solid , should give a clearer , & lowder sound than a sheeps skin which is more soft and porous : and , it is no wonder that a hard , solid body , should endure longer than a body that is more soft and pliable ; as we see the feathers of an eagle will last longer ( it being by nature very dry ) than the featners of a goose , which is by natuee more moist and humid ; so that a sheep-skin consumes ne're the more for being laid by the skin of a wolf , ; for it is by nature more solid and substantial , and therefore may very well last longer than the other ; as we see that the bodies of those persons which are lean and spare , may be kept much longer from putrifaction than those bodies which are more fat and gross . we shall not speak to that place , gen. . . where jacob peeled rods and laid them before the sheep when they conceived ; but shall only take notice of this by the way , that the same device would not have the same effect in other places ; for , we must consider , that in those countreys where jacob lived , the sheep were wont to wander up and down in dry , barren fields , where they could not come by a drop of water untill noon , at which times they used to be driven to the wells , and there were watered ; by which they being much refreshed , became more apt for copulation , and the sight of the rods did work on their imagination ; but i doubt whether it would have the like effect in other countreys . the jews will not eat the sinnew that is in the leg of a sheep , especially , though they will not eat that part of any other creature , as being that part in which jacob was touched by god , gen. . . chap. xxiii . of the goat . when they are young they are called kids , afterwards , when guelded , are called he-goats , otherwise buck-goats ; those that have brought forth are called she-goats ; but if they have not brought forth , they are called kids : some say that the fallow-deer is a kind of goat , as also the oryx , a wild creature in africa : but , to let this pass . . it is commonly thought to be that which we call a satyr ; he loveth to be amongst the briars , and thorny places , and is very delicate , biting off only the tops of boughes ; but most of all she loveth to feed on the bark of the beech-tree , as also on the leaves of shrubs and hedges : what tree soever he biteth , it proveth very noxious ; for his breath is exceeding hot , which may be a fit embleme of slanderers , who turn what ever they hear of others to the worst ; and therefore , as in old times it was an antient custome , that when any one let out a piece of land , this was made one article of the agreement , that the party which took it should not let a goat feed in it : so i would have all men well to consider these verses , quisquis amat dictis aliorum laedere faman , hanc mensam vetitam noverit esse sibi . if he eat honey it is present death to him , although it is thought , that honey mixed with his own milk is very wholsome for him : the herb eringo , or sea-holly , is almost as deadly to him ; for if he eateth of it , he is so stunnyed with it , that he cannot stir from the place where he standeth ; neither will the rest stir unless the shepherd take that away : a fit resemblance of those men that take bribes , who , although , before they receive them , they are very active in their clients cause ; yet afterwards , when they have got what they can get , they then begin to grow negligent in the cause ; for gifts corrupt judgement , and will make a man perjured : he said well , i have received a bribe , and am not free . goats have a great deal of hair under their chin , which is called their beard ; if any one taketh a goat by the beard from amongst the flock , the rest will stand still , as it were amazed . further , he is very often troubled with the epilepsie , or palling-sickness : some say , that whoever eateth of goats flesh , especially if it be old , are very subject to that disease . the goat of all other creatures is thought to be the most leacherous ; for if he see other goats in the act , he will run at them ; his lust is so great , that sometimes they do endeavour to couple with women . plutarch , coesius , and others , do relate a story of one whose name was crates , who was killed by a goat ; for it was observed of him that he loved a she-goat , and was often seen to be familiar with it : at the time of copulation goats do sweat very much , and have a very strong scent cometh from them , whence cometh the proverb of those men that have a strong scent about them , that they stink like a goat ; olet ut hircus , there is a kind of an antipathy between the bloud of a goat and the adamant stone ; for , although it cannot be broken neither by the hammer , neither can it be softened by the fire , yet the blood of a goat will break it : a fit representation of the blood of christ , by which only sathan is overcome : some have made bowes of goats-horns , with which they used to kill wild goats , like those men that cherish those who afterwards are their greatest crosses : thus are arrows feathered with the wings of birds , that afterwards prove their own destruction : thus we use to say , that when we are injured by any of our own kinred , we see some of our feathers in the wound . the goat is of no use to the husband-man for the tilling of his ground ; neither is it of any use in war , but , that sometimes coats are made of their skins ; in some parts of africa they make cableropes of goatshair ; and aelian saith , that in some places of the caspian sea there are goats as big as horses ; their hair is so fine , that the best sorts of garments are made of it ; as , in arabia , good cloath is woven of asses-hair ; and zembelitas telleth us , that in lycia there are goats have hair as long as womens hair ; we read , exod. . that the jews were commanded to bring silver , gold , purple , scarlet , and fine linnen , and goats-hair , of which were made curtains , which hung over silk-curtains ; by which is signified unto us , that every one ought to give something towards the building of the temple ; but prophane stories tell us , that they used to make their tabernacles of goats skins , ( coelius , lib. . chap. . ) as in moses his time , tabernacles used to be covered with rams skins , and badgers skins dyed , as we read , exod. . . thus , the author to the hebrews , speaking of those course garments which the prophets of old were forced to wear , chap. . . saith , that they were clothed with sheep-skins and goat-skins ; for there is nothing so useful to us as their skins , though some do make cheese of their milk ; but it is very rank : many of them cannot feed together , as gaberius , a senator of rome , found dearly to be true ; who feeding a . goats together , lost them all ; so that it appeareth from this , that that place which will feed a sheep , will not be ground enough for an goats . she , like the cow , will kick down the milk as soon as she hath given it ; like those men , who , though they have many good qualities , yet have more bad ones ; thence cometh the proverb , like the cow , that giveth a good mess of milk , and afterwards kicketh it down with her heel . he seldome stayeth long in a place , alwaies running up and down : the goats in arabia do exceedingly love cinamon , and if you have but any cinamon about you , he will follow you any whither ; so that we may see a kind of sympathy that there is between the goat and cinamon ; they have a very quick hearing ; for horace saith ( but how true , i know not ) that she heareth not only ●●th her 〈◊〉 but with some part of her throat . sheep and goats , as aristotle saith , in some places bring forth twice in a year ; some do gather it from that place , in gen. . when as , in that place , jacob's words do not mean as if the same goats brought forth twice in a year , but that some brought forth , some sooner , and some later . the subtilty and craftyness of this creature is very great , if we may believe munanus ; who reports , out of pliny , that a couple of goats meeting one another on a long bridge , which was so narrow , that they could not pass by one another ; neither of them would go back to give the other way ; so that one of them lyeth down , and the other goeth over his back ; which should be an example to us of love and unity ; and when once our private interest doth meet with the publick , so that one of them must go back ( as it were , ) let the one give place to the other , to prevent all contention and divisions : an instance of which we have in jonathen , who , though possibly was as strong as david , yet he would not stand to contend , or resist him , knowing that he was chosen of god , but gave place to him : i might further inlarge this , but let this suffice . moreover , it is very patient , and content with a little ; the buck-goat most commonly goeth the foremost of the flock , like as the bell-wether goeth out , and cometh in , the first of the flock ; and they ( as some have observed ) are prouder than the rest , because of the small difference that there is between him and the rest ; according to the proverb , vacua vasa plus tinniunt , i. e. empty vessels sound loudest . philip melancthon was often heard to say , that every fool was proud ; and , that every proud man was a fool : and the word in the germane-tongue , which signifies a proud man , viz. stolt's , is , by some , derived from the latine word , stultus , which signifies a fool ; according to those verses , which , some say , that john gerson , chancellor of paris , made . vidi ego vesicam medico tur gescere flatu , quae pisis sonuit quatuor impositis ; hanc puer unus acu pupugit , displosa repente vilis & absque sono flaccida detumuit . that verse is known , of proud men . capra nondum peperit , & hoedus ludit in tectis . he was like that flatterer who applauded one for asking this question ; which was the greatest fool ? he that went to milk a he-goat ; or he that went to fill a sieve ; they being both alike foolish , and ridiculous . the wild goat is called the roe ▪ buck , or fallow-dear ; it is called also the ibex , or eveck , the oryx , or the american wild goat : the she-goat is very quick-sighted , her crye is weak , but very shrill ; which the hunts-men do imitate , shaking the leaves of trees , the noise of which bringeth them out of their denns ; to which may be added that verse of martial . pendentem summa capram de rupe vid●res : casuram speres , decipit illa canes . the fallow-deer differeth from the wild goat in this , that the horns of the fallow deer have not so many branches in them as the wild goat ; the horns of the one bending forward , but the other bending backwards . the ibex or eveck is a kind of goat found chiefly in the alps , something bigger than the he-goat , having very large horns , by which , when she leapeth down from a rock , she keepeth her self from the stones ; she is very swift , and when at any time hunted , if she hath no way to escape , she runneth upon the hunts-man , & tumbleth him down , so escaping ; the oryx , or wild goat in africa , differeth from all the rest , in that his hairs turn towards his head : they are exceeding fierce , oftentimes killing lions and tygers , and is never satisfied but with the death of whatsoever assaulteth it ; and , although all the kinds of this creature are very good at leaping , yet the eveck hath his name from an hebrew root , which signifieth to leap : he alwaies liveth upon rocks and mountains , which are so cold that the snow lyeth there all the year long ; for , unless they did dwell in those places which are very cold , they would grow blind : they are very nimble , and climb any thing , if they can but set their claws in : and thus we have spoken to the several properties of the goat ; from which creature , the holy scripture borroweth many similitudes ; two of which i shall only speak to here ; the place in the canticles , where christ is compared to the goat , or hind , i have spoken already to , in the chap. of the hart ; it is very well known , the comparing of wicked men to goats , at the last day ; by which are meant all lustful & lascivious men , who shall then receive their reward . levit. . . the scape goat is there spoken of , which was to be offered for the sins of the people , and that was to be done only by the high-priest once a year : christ , our high-priest , offered up himself once for us , and went into the sanctum sanctorum , and by his miracles did testifie , that he was the son of god ; while one goat was offering up , they laid the sins and transgressions of the people upon the head of another goat , which was done thus : aaron laid his hands upon the head of the wild goat , which afterwards was sent into the wilderness ; by which was signified unto us , that christ was to suffer without the city ; thus we read , heb. ult . that they lead christ without the gates of the city ; he was nailed to the cr ss , so , that he could not see the city : and thence was the custome of placing pictures with their faces to the west , in churches . . the kingdome of alexander the great is compared to a he-goat , dan. . . and as he was considering , behold , a he-goat came from the west , on the face of the whole earth , and touched not the ground ; and the goat had a notable horn between his eyes ; and he came to the ram that had two horns , and was moved with choler against him , and smote the ram , and broke his two horns : the grecians , here , are compared to goats , and alexander to the he-goat , because he was to be born of the greeks ; the grecians , because of their nimbleness and sagacity , are well compared to goats ; but it informeth us thus much of them likewise , that they were unstable , and fleeting ; as they used to say , that the romanes spake from their hearts , but the greeks from the teeth outward : as the he-goat is more swift and hasty , powerful and lustful than the ram ; so was alexander the great , who overcame the ram , the king of persia , by his great horn , his great prudence , and valour : he touched not the ground as he went ; for he flew , breaking the two horns of the ram , viz. media and persia : but when this he-goat was grown too big , his great horn was broken ; that is , he did not dye in his old age , but in the flower of his age ; which is signified in these words , his horns were broken : that day in which alexander was born he set the most famous temple of asia on fire , viz. that of ephesus ; and therefore the magicians prophesied , that the incendiary of asia was born that day : of his broken horn arose four other horns , i. e. the four successors of alexander , of which we spake at large , chap. . further , alexander , when he was years old , went to jerusalem , where he sacrificed , and heard this prophesie , concerning himself , read , and explain'd , with a great deal of joy : the history is worth the reading at large , in josephus book , . there is another pretty story , which we may read in herodotus , lib. . of a question that arose between the egyptians and the phrygians concerning their priority ; which king psammetychus undertook to decide , thus ; he commanded two infants to be brought up by a shepherd , amongst the sheep , and commanded him , that no one should speak a word to them , and that they should suck a goat , which accordingly was done ; the shepherd was to observe the first word that they spake ; at a certain time the shepherd opening the door , both of them being hand in hand , cryed out beccus , which they often repeated ; this was told to the king ; he enquired what that word signified in any language , and they found , after long search , that it signified bread , among the phrygians ; and so ever after the egyptians acknowledged the phrygians to be the more ancient nation ; although weken signifieth bread , and becket signifieth a baker ; and the phrygians did use the germane tongue , as historians tell us ; yet , no doubt but they expressed that inarticulate sound which they heard from the sheep ; for there is no tongue or language that is natural to any one , but all are to be learned : the hebrew tongue is not natural to the jew ; for if a jew be born in germany , france , or spain , he will speak the language of the countrey where he is born ; and will as soon learn hebrew there , by the help of a master ( without which , he cannot attain it in his own countrey ) as his own countrey : but this by the way . chap. xxiv . of the ape . this is a very known creature , very much like the monkey ; the ape hath a large tail , but the monkey hath none at all ; this being the only thing almost wherein they differ : this creature very much resembleth the marmoset , which is like an ape , very apish , and never staying long in one place : vesalius and columbus , two famous anatomists , tell us , that galen had more skill in the anatomie of an ape , than of a man. but now i shall speak to the nature of an ape , properly so called . . he is very like a man in several parts of his body ; he hath a very ill-favoured face , his nose is almost flat to his face , which is full of many wrinkles ; his eares are movable ; he liveth on the tops of mountains and trees , and in the holes of rocks . . as he is very like to man in several parts of his body , so he doth strive to imitate mens actions , but very foolishly , and not at all like those actions which he seemeth to imitate ; he will learn any childish action quickly , as to play upon the pipe ; sometimes he will act the part of a carter , at another time he will look a childs head , crack nuts , &c. he will play wlth dogs and little children , and if care be not taken , will kill them : so aelian reporteth of an ape , who seeing a nurse washing a little infant , he , in the nurses absence , strippeth the child , and washeth it with hot water , and so scalded the child to death . . the foolish imitation of the ape often proveth his own ruine ; for he hath a very strong body , and cannot be taken by force , but by some wile or trap : the hunts-man when he seeth an ape , goeth before him , and pulls off his shooes , and combs his head , and washes his face , and so goes his way , leaving a vessel full of mud behind him ; the ape coming to wash himself , as the hunts-man did , and daubing himself with the mud , the dirt getteth into his eyes that he cannot see ; and he leaves also shooes of lead behind him , which , whe● he hath tyed on , he cannot stir : the hunts-men when they go to take him , carry a looking-glass tyed to their head , with many ropes hanging upon it , which , when they go away , they leave behind them , which the ape tyeth on when they are gone ; the hunts-men seeing this , catch hold of the ropes , and so take him . . he loveth himself very much , and is very sensible when any one praiseth him ; and loveth to see himself in a glass . there is no creature loveth her young ones so well as the ape , and with a great deal of joy he will shew them to all in the house ; he is alwaies hugging , and making much of them , although they be the most deformed creatures of all others : god hath given them dugs in their breast , not as other creatures ; whence it is , that they can feed them in their bosome ; they love their young so much , that oftentimes , by too much imbracing , they kill them : when he is put to flight at any time , he carryeth one of his young ones at his back , and the other before him ; he carryeth that on his back that he loveth best ; in any great danger she is fain to let go that which she holdeth in her claws , while the other that she hath the least love for , remaineth safe upon her back : which representeth to us those parents that have too great a love for some children , while they neglect the others ; but yet we often see , that those that they love least prove the best , when the other come to ruine : an example of which we have in our first parents ; which bare a greater affection to cain than they had to abel ; yet notwithstanding , cain , and his whole posterity , were rejected in the deluge , when as the other was received into god's favour , and saved . moreover , the male hath so great a love for his young ones , that if he seeth one of them look as if it were not kindly used by her damm , he will correct her for it . . the ridiculousness of his actions is no less than the deformity of his body ; for he will not only imitate the actions of men , but is very unlucky , and mischievous ; wheresoever he biteth any one , it is very dangerous , and hard to be cured : he is so wild , that he can hardly be kept in with chains ; and though he be tamed , yet he is soon as wild again as ever . . he will eat any thing , be it never so filthy ; he will eat lice with a great deal of delight , and loveth to crack nuts ; but especially he loveth apples , and wine ; and will drink so long of it untill he is so drunk that he cannot stand . . there is a great antipathy between the ape and the lion ; the ape being a crafty , subtil creature , but the lion ( as we said , cap. . ) hateth all manner of craftyness : the antipathy between the lion and the ape is further seen in this ; that if the lion be sick of any disease , he can no waies be cured but by eating of the flesh of an ape . aelian saith , that among the indians , no apes that are red are suffered to come into their cities , because they are so lustful and lascivious , insomuch , that they oftentimes assault the women . they will know their masters where they are long kept , and will remember any injury that is done unto them , but will as long feign their anger , untill they have a fit opportunity to revenge it ; an ape is an ape , though cloathed in never so rich garments ; although by fools and children he may be taken and saluted for a man , yet he cannot hide his natural deformity . gregory nicene telleth us of an ape , who being cloathed in very rich habit , did dance very exactly , according to the musick , in the city of alexandria , and that for a long while together , untill one of the company throwing some nuts to him , he left off his dancing , and fell to gathering up of the nuts , to the great laughter of the beholders ; like , as many men , who are intrusted in great offices , honoured by all men ; yet if any private gain offereth it self to them , they presently discover that secret wickedness that lyeth hid . athenaeus relateth of anacharsis the philosopher , who seeing many foolish things acted , did not laugh at all ; but seeing an ape brought upon the stage , broke out into a great laughter ; and being asked the reason of it , answered , that it was made for nothing else but to laugh at : and these are most of the chief qualities and properties of the ape ; to which we might compare all flatterers and dissemblers , and even the devil himself , who may not unfitly be called god's ape . . then , the ape hath not the reason of a man , but without respect to the place , persons , or time , do imitate many of mens actions , without either wit or discretion : thus do dissemblers and flatterers ; when they cannot give counsel , they applaud and commend that which they have done ; by which means , as polybius saith , they often betray not only their weakness , but their folly : thus it was in the reign of philip , some then imitating melancthon , in the gestures which he used in his sermons ; thereby discovering their great folly ; not considering their time , nor the difference of persons ; to which we might adde the foolish imitation of the germanes , wherein they shew a great deal of weakness ; according to that known story of the painter , who was commanded by the duke of venice , to describe the several habits of the countreys ; when he came to paint the germanes , he painted the ape , carrying a piece of cloath ; and being asked the reason of it , he answered , that the germaues , like so many apes , did imitate the garments and habits of all nations ; and therefore he had left them a whole piece of cloath , that they might please themselves in their habits . . apes , ( as we said before ) are often caught by their foolish imitation : so , oftentimes such flatterers get nothing else , but to be made a laughing-stock ; like phaeton , who would needs drive his fathers charriot , but could not do it . apes are very proud , and love to behold themselves in looking-glasses : flatterers , of all men , love to be praised ; apes , although they move laughter oftentimes , yet are very unlucky , and mischievous : thus are flatterers , as we find sometimes by sad experience , in the courts of princes . we seldome find an ape in poor peoples houses , but most of them are to be found in great mens houses , and princes courts : flatterers are seldome in the poor mans cottages . apes often sport themselves , and play with their masters : thus do flatterers oftentimes deceive their princes , and bring them into unavoidable dangers : examples of which we read too often in history . apes are so impudent , that they will not fear to disturb a lion ; flatterers are oftentimes the ruine of great favourites , by the calumnies and reproaches which they cast upon them , which euripides found to be true ; being very familiar with archelaus , one uight coming out of the court , the courtiers set the dogs at him , which tore him to pieces . and aratus had the same fortune , who was poysoned ; which he perceiving , cryed out , haec sunt praemia regiae amicitiae , fuge aulam ; moreover , they are good for nothing but to provoke laughter ; and flatterers are good for little else : as aurelianus , who used constantly to keep a very big man , who had no other office but to drink with strangers : the flesh of an ape is good for a lion , if distempered with a fever ; the posterity of those who are thus soothed up by flatterers , pay dear for their ancestors folly : all these might very well be applyed to the devil , who is god's ape ; who , of old , did use to prophesie to the heathens , and foretell things to come ; to feign miracles , as he did in egypt by the magicians : and many things more might be added , but let these suffice , as to the nature of the ape . chap. xxv . of the squirrel , weasel , and gulo . the squirrel is very common amongst us ; he hath a very large tail , which serveth indifferently for a shadow and a covering : he layeth up his food in the summer for the winter ; he eateth often , but drinketh very little ; he layeth up what he cannot eat , and loveth sleep , which maketh him very fat : he liveth in hollow trees , where they build their neasts , and bring forth their young ; his tail serveth him for wings , which he useth often wagging of it when he is to leap on any thing ; if he is to go through any water , he will get upon a piece of wood ; his tail serveth him instead of a sail , so swimming over , carrying his food in his mouth . she hath divers holes and caverns in the earth where she liveth , and each of these hath several waies to it , which she stoppeth up with ●er tail ; when the wind bloweth , if the wind is in the north , she stoppeth the hole towards the north , and leaveth that hole open which is southward . some tell us ( but how true i know not ) that he ●a● fore-see a storm , or any tempestuous water , a long while before it cometh , and will provide aga●n●t it , stopping up her little holes that lye to that point of the compass that the tempest will come at . he sheddeth his hair once every year , sometimes in the year he is almost quite bald ; yet he is not long without his hair ; for when it groweth again ( which it doth in a short time ) he hath more than he had before . squirrels are of two colours , some of them are red , and others are grey : we might deduce many inferences from the nature of this creature ; it might be a fit resemblance of a frugal man , he securing himself against all mischances of fortune , providing suitable remedies against them ; and this is not at some particular seasons only , but all his life long : thus should the man that is frugal , observing a mediocrity in all things , never exceeding his due bounds , not being given to drinking , gaming , nor any thing else to excess : there are some things in the nature of an ape which we should avoid , they only taking care for themselves , alwaies either sleeping or eating , doing no good to no one but to themselves . the squirrel , as soon as he hath eaten inordinately , goeth to sleep ; and after he is awake again , then he falleth to eating afresh , as if he had eaten nothing before . and thus we have spoken what is necessary , or worth observation in this little creature . t●e next that cometh in order to be spoken to , is the weasel ; it may be called mustela , quasi mus long●or , because it is something longer than a m●●se ; for , although it doth not belong to any kind of mice , yet it may be said to have a very great likeness and affinity with it : it was the opinion of the ancients , that the weasel conceivd at he eare , and brought forth at her mouth ; and therefore it was forbidden to the jews : that they might know it was a most wicked custome to aggravate what they heard . but this is frivolous , when as it conce●veth , and bringeth forth as other like creatures : but should we grant it to be so as they say ( as it is not ) it might learn us thus much , that we ought to consider well before we speak ; according to the counsel that the son of s●rach giveth us , learn before thou speak , chap. . . the flesh of the weasel was forbidden to the jews , to teach them that they should not fear what should hereafter befall them . . the weasel is no less crafty than it is timerous ; and although she bringeth forth her young ones in the house , she often changeth her neast , lest being discovered , her young ones should be taken away : some tell us , that if her young ones at any time were hurt , she seeketh out for some herb proper for the distemper , with which she cureth them . . they have a natural enmity against serpents , and mice have as great an enmity against them . the secret members of the weasel are very deformed ; as therefore the serpent , so is the weasel commonly seen in houses : it is their work to catch mice , which is most of their food ; weasels destroy more mice and moles than cats : it hath been observed , that those creatures which eat both the same food , can never agree one with another . the weasel hath a particular way to find out serpents holes ; for they defend themselves against the serpent , by taking some rue in their mouths , and then go in boldly to the serpent , and will kill it , let it be never so big ; nay , they will kill a basilisk : it may be a representation to us of all christians , against whom the devil hath alwaies had , and doth still express the great enmity he hath against them ; but this may be for our comfort , that he is easily overcome by the vertue of rue , that is , by the blood of christ . if the weasel be angered he will send forth a stinking smell from his body , and is as mischievous when vexed , as a mad dog : he destroyeth many small birds ; for what the wolf is to the sheep , that is the weasel to fowls ; and as he cannot endure the serpent while he is alive , so when he is dead , his gall is a sovereign remedy against the poyson of the serpent . the weasel is a very swift creature , his teeth are venomous , he sheddeth his hair , and is very wild , and hath a very nimble body . the field or wild weasel is somewhat larger than the domestick ; he will catch abundance of small birds in a day : but the iltissa , a kind of weasel which destroyeth cocks and hens , he devoureth also fishes , fowls , and birds ; and to prevent their crying out , he first bites off their heads : the martin may be also called a kind of weasel , as also the civet-cat , which is the better sort of weasels , of which there are two sorts ; some live in cities , others in woods and deserts , but especially in the fir-tree and beech-tree ; they are like to the weasel in every thing , excepting these two . . that his dung smelleth very sweet ; therefore it is that they are so much prized . . although he will destroy the poultrey , yet he will bring them home to the house where he is ; which is a fit resemblance of gratitude : an example of which we have even among thieves , who have alwaies some respect to their relations ; and those men are worse than beasts who will lay violent hands on those men by whom they subsist : by the way i shall note this , that the squirrel weasel will become tame , if their teeth be rubbed with garlick . deut. . . the jews , among other things , were forbidden the field-mouse or shrew , which is a kind of weasel , though not so commonly known to us ; but some do think that the word doth not properly signifie the field-mouse called a shrew ; for there are many words in the latine version of the bible , which do not agree with the hebrew : this is a very small creature , almost as big as a weasel ; it is wholly given to his prey , and is very crafty in taking of it , and given much to excess and intemperance ; if any one cometh by him , he will lye still , and seem tame untill he come nigh , and then he will bite , which is venomous : if therefore the word in the hebrew signifieth a shrew , we may learn thus much , that god would have us to shun all the vices above-named . the ferret may not unfitly be called a kind of weasel ; he hath a little head , a red back , and a white belly ; his hair sticketh so close to him , that his skin will come off as soon as his hair ; this resembleth covetous men , who , as the comoedian well said , will part with their teeth rather than with their money ; it is called in latine furo , or furunculus , from furor , to steal ; because it stealeth , and carryeth away all he can get to his hole , laying up a great deal of corn against winter , without any chaff amongst it ; so that one may commonly see half a bushel of corn layed up in one weasels hole , so that it may be well called viverra , quasi vi omn●a ad se verrens : if the male feareth that he shall at any time want food , he will not suffer the female to eate any ; but she is alwaies too cunning for him , finding out some other way to it ; which may serve to admonish those men who are too severe and rigid to their wives , who sometimes are too wise for them ; and cannot alwaies see nor prevent their plots : the ferret agreeth with the weasel in all things , but in this , that he hateth the coney , which he hunteth out of their burroughs into the traps that are layed for them : he is so cruel to them , that he will kill a rabbet that is as big again as himself ; when under ground he is very fierce , but otherwise is very tame and gentle ; contrary to the nature of dogs , who are fiercest when at home ; but when in strange places are very tame ; like those men who are very cruel and rigid at home , but when they go abroad , seem to be very mild and courteous . formerly they used to carry ferrets along with them to hunting , and to send them into the coney-burroughs to drive them out . the poltcat is a kind of weasel also , they are most commonly very fat and ravenous : he will fore-see a tempest coming , and will run into their holes to shelter themselves ; i cannot give much credit to those who say that they can know a tempest a great while before it cometh , which , i think , no man can do ; not astrologers , who pretend so much skill in knowing the weather ; for tempests and storms , and all changes of weather depend only on the will of god ; but i think they may sometimes hit to fore-tell the weather by chance : but to say that it will certainly be such & such weather , i think no one can tell ; for we have oftentimes seen that god hath disappointed them in that which they have fore-told would most certainly come to pass ; but this by the way . the poltcat lyeth hid , and is seen but very little all the winter ; sleepeth very much , which maketh them grow exceeding fat : when they are pursued by the dogs very close , and are in danger of their lives , they will hold their breath , thereby puffing themselves up , being then better able to bear blows . there is a natural antipathy between this creature and the fox ; for the fox will oftentimes be in his holes , which if he cannot get by force , he will do it by fraud ; he will dung and urine at the mouth of the hole , which maketh such a stink , that he cannot endure the smell of it , and is forced to leave her hole . the poltcat is almost as big as a fox , and some say that it is a kind of fox : if so , it may represent to us apostates , who of all other men are the most bitter enemies against that religion of which they were once themselves ; for in all ages of the world , hereticks , like those apostates , have opposed and persecuted the true church , striving only for riches , and by calumnies and reproaches intend to ruine the rulers of the church ; and if they cannot do it so , they will do it by curses and maledictions ; they never go far from their holes , nor do they stay out long when they do go out , which is only in the night-time , because then they know all things are safe and quiet ; it is called in latine taxus , which is the word for the ewe-tree , yet from thence came the dachsus : to conclude , weasels may be tamed several waies , and when they are tamed they are very useful ; they will fetch young birds from trees , they will drive out young pidgeons out of their holes , and will hunt coneys out of their burroughs : by which we see , that god hath made nothing in vain , though at present we cannot see the usefulness of it : the next thing that cometh in order to be spoken to , is the it was unknown to the ancients , found only in the southern countrys ; of a very greedy and ravenous nature ; about the bigness of a dog , and hath a cats face , the body and tail of a fox , and the colour of a weasel ; he hath particular properties ; . he is very cruel : and , . very ravenous . he will climb up trees , and leap upon any man that goeth by , and is very cruel , feeding most upon dead carkasses ; and where he seeth one , he will eat so long of it , that his belly will be almost ready to burst ; as soon as he hath done , he will look for two trees that stand close together , and will squeeze himself between these trees ; and so what he had forced in , he forceth out ; having done so , he maketh haste again to the dead carkass , then to the two trees again , and doth as before : this he doth untill he hath devoured the carkass : by which filthy creature , god would have us to hate that sin of intemperance ; for we see that most of our domestick creatures observe a rule in eating and drinking , and will not exceed the rules of temperance ; nay , we cannot make them , neither by fair means nor foul , to take more than will satisfie nature : but it is to be much lamented , that man , who was born in the image of god , should so violate the laws of nature , as to exceed the bounds of sobriety , that which the very beasts are free from : and by this creature we should learn to detest the beastly sin of intemperance . this creature , though such a gorging creature , is satisfied when he hath eaten one carkass ; but men , when in their cups , know not when they have enough , turning day into night , and night into day ; and when nature will bear no more , but forceth them to bring it up again ; they will after their vomit , return again to their cups : some have merrily put the question , whether there may not be antipodes in the same city , and have concluded on the affirmative : these antipodes are the gluttons and drunkards above-mentioned , who have t●●ir day when we have our night ; and when we have our day , and are about our business , they are ●aking their rest . chap. xxvi . of the hedg-hog . i need not go about to make a large description of this creature , because it is so very well known ; it is all over full of prickles , so that no one can touch him without pricking himself : it represents unto us the untractable rustick , or wrangling disputants , with whom there is no talking without a quarrel : her neast is by the hedges and vineyards in autumn , but in the winter in hollow-trees ; in the summer-time she layeth up her food against winter ; she will climb fruit-trees , and shake down apples , and then she taketh one in her mouth ; and so rouls her self up , and sticks the rest upon her prickles , and so carryeth them to the hollow-tree where her neast is , and that is her food all the winter ; she doth the same in vineyards , shaking the vine as long as any grapes will fall off : his hole hath two holes , one towards the north , and another towards the south , which he shutteth north and south , according as the wind is in either of those two corners : sometimes they have two vents , through which nature easeth her self : when he seeth any one coming to take him , he rouleth himself up , and so secures himself ; but when he cannot run away , he urines upon his back , which maketh his skin to rot and putrifie ; this he doth for very fear ; but some are of a contrary opinion , who think it is because no one should have the benefit of his skin : there is no way to take him so easily , as to pour cold water upon him , which will make him unfold himself : his skin is very good to scour garments with , to brush them from the dust : if he loseth one apple by the way as he carryeth them , he will throw away all the rest , and run to his hole . she knowing that her young ones are full of prickles , she rouleth her self up , because she would have it as long as she could before she brought forth ; but afterwards it is a means to make her bring forth with a great deal more pain and anguish ; as oftentimes it hapneth , according to that verse , incidit in scyllam qui vult vitare charybdin . men oftentimes , while they are taking care to avoid a small danger , run into a greater : a fit resemblance of all quarelsome , proud men , who will do nothing peaceably ; and it is our wisdome to let such men alone ; in vain do we attempt to perswade them to be more civ●l and courteous , when their very nature maketh them otherwise : so we have it in that verse ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ex hirco lavem nunquam mutabis echinum . such as was cain to abel , and saul to david ; and we may more easily beware of open enemies than dissembling friends : and although the fox is crafty enough , yet the hedg-hog doth it by her prickles : the porcupine some do make to be a wild sort of swine , which hath larger prickles than the hedg-hog , which he will shoot out like an arrow , and will with it wound either man or beast : as most of the creatures above-named , so doth this hide himself all the winter . chap. xxvii . of the beaver . this is an amphibious creature , hath four feet , two of a dog , and two of a goose : his forepart is hairy ; he hath a long , broad , ruggid tail , like the tail of a fish ; his feet are skinny , which maketh him swim with a great deal of ease ; he cannot dive long together , being of very short breath ; and therefore is fain often to put his head up above water for air : he biteth very hard , and loveth to be among fishes , or where they are : he may be like a thief in this thing ; for he loveth to lye in the way that passengers come oftenest by : he is as big as a large cat , his testicles have neither a bad scent nor a good , but is very good against the diseases of the matrix ; and is often given to women with child . some are of opinion that the castor knoweth it , and therefore when he is pursued , biteth them off , because he will not have any one have the benefit of them ; which , i think , may be rejected as fabulous : this resembleth those men , who , when in an eminent danger , will part with those things that are dearest to them , if they can but escape . he loveth to be upon the banks of rivers , and in those places where trees grow close to the water ; and there he will sit , with his body in the tree , and his tail in the water : his subtilty is seen in this , that he will make a tree hollow with his teeth , as if it were made so by art : he will not loose his hold that he hath taken of any man , except he hath broken the bone , or that part that he hath hold of . the tree that he thus holloweth he maketh threce ells in it , one above another ; and if it raineth so that the tree is full of water , then he goeth up a story higher , and according as the water decreaseth or increaseth , so he goeth up higher or lower in the tree ; yet so , that still he may keep his body dry , and his tail in the water : this may teach us to foresee dangers that are coming upon us , and to arm our selves against them . chap. xxviii . of the otter . this is also an amphibious creature , very much resembling the beaver ; there is no great difference as to their outward shape ; pliny saith , that the otter and beaver are both the same , but in this they differ ; the beaver hath a tail , but the otter hath no tail at all : he biteth as hard as the beaver , and hath many other qualities which the beaver hath . there is a creature which is much like the otter , called latax , which hath all his food out of the water : all these creatures , the beaver , the martin , the ferret , &c. are mentioned among those doleful creatures , is . . . called there by the names of ohim and zihim , by all which , is represented unto us the lives of those who live privately , and solitarily in the world , only looking after what concerneth themselves , meat and drink , not skilled in any art or science that may fit them to do their countrey service : for , as the creatures above-named are very timerous and fearful , shunning the sight of men ; so are these countrey people , who are strong , but nothing of courage in them ; neither are they able to do any service ; so that , as terence said , homine imperito nihil injustius , nothing is more injurious to men , than when ignorant men are put in place . . they live most under ground , and seldome come abroad but in the night-time , when they know all things are quiet and still , and then only when they are forced to it to seek for food : thus is it with common people , who will not take any journey to increase their knowledge , or to serve their countrey ; but to serve their own private ends holding this for a maxime , bene qui latuit bene vixit , he liveth the best that liveth the privatest life . he nourisheth his young ones alwaies in their houses , or in their holes ; like those men that breed their children at home , and never send them abroad , whereby they might see the world , because most commonly it is liable to the greatest hazards : moreover , he careth for nothing but food , some of them laying up whole heaps of corn against the winter : thus do they take thought for nothing , but how to increase their wealth . the lion is forced daily to seek his prey , when these creatures have food enough in their holes ; so that they do not only live in the winter , which some creatures cannot do for want of food ; but they grow fat . thus learned men , who have done their countrey service either in war , or otherwaies , although they are not so sollicitous to get wealth as others are , yet they do seldome want ; some of the fore-mentioned creatures will not let the female eat as much as she will , but yet she will find a private way to his heap , and eat as much as she will : so , those churles who are so harsh to their wives , do but endamage themselves by it . these creatures daily change their neasts ; so those men are continually laying up their riches , knowing no end of them . some are of opinion , that they can fore-see a storm long before it cometh , and defend themselves against it . ferrets will not devour the poultrey in the same house where they live : thus , those people , who although they have no love for their rulers , yet are forced to obey them out of fear . there is another sort of otter in egypt , which is called ichneumon , or the indian-rat , about the bigness of a cat , his hairs are as hard as sowes brissels , dwelling chiefly amongst hedges ; having a great enmity to the crocodile , as solinus and strabo do affirm . the trochilus , or wagtail , a creature that goeth into the crocodiles mouth , and eateth that which sticketh between his teeth , so that he doth , as it were , scour and cleanse them . chap. xxix . of the crocodile , lizard , salamander , and stellio . although all the fore-mentioned creatures be but several sorts of lizards , yet they differ much as to their bigness , and several properties . of the crocodile . the crocodile is a creature found only in egypt ; he is an amphibious creature , as are many others besides ; which are fit emblemes of the popish priests , which are conversant as much in civil as in ecclesiastical affairs : it may resemble those men who are of all religions ; when they are among priests , they will seem to be priests ; if in wicked and prophane company , they will be so to ; if in religious company , they will be religious : it is a four-footed creature , and bringeth forth eggs a little bigger than goose-eggs , which she hideth in the earth where they are hatched : there is no creature that is , which from so small a bigness , groweth to be such a great creature ; he groweth as long as he liveth : he liveth years , and groweth till he be , , or . cubits long : his teeth are more like rakes than teeth , being ertraordinarily big : his skin is so hard all over his body , ( excepting his belly , which is exceeding tender ) that he cannot feel the hardest blow . . although he is so exceeding timerous , pursuing none but those which flye from him ; and flying as fast from those that do pursue him ; yet he may be accounted bold and valiant . when he goeth out for his food , he will sometimes lye still , as if he were dead , or asleep ; thus inviting the birds to him , which thinking he is dead , come very near him , flying about him , and when they are within his reach , he taketh them . there is a little bird which is called in latine trochilus , that he suffereth to feed continually in his mouth , because it keeps his teeth clean , by picking out any thing that is between them ; like to those men who will do nothing but what may serve their own interest ▪ when the crocodile wanteth food , and is exceeding hungry , he will fill his mouth full of water , and poureth it upon the beaten path , and so making it very slippery , if any one falleth down , he will catch them before they can rise again : he first eateth the carkass , and then , with tears , he will eat the head ▪ whence came the proverb , the tears of the crocodile , which are feigned , and hypocritical . there is a great antipathy between the crocodile and ichneumon , or indian-rat , which is a kind of otter , to be found only in egypt : when the crocodile lyeth asleep with his mouth open on the shore , he will go into his mouth , and down his throat into his belly ; and that he may the more easily go down , he daubeth himself with mud : the crocodile awaking , and perceiving the rat in his belly , runneth up and down , sometimes lying down upon the ground , and stretching himself out , then he will go and plunge himself in the water ; all this while this little indian-rat never mindeth what he doth , but lyeth in his belly , gnawing of his bowels , ( which is very pleasant meat to him , ) where he stayeth untill he hath gnawed his way through the crocodiles side , which killeth him ; but he cometh out alive , without any hurt at all : he is very diligent in seeking out the crocodiles eggs ( from whence some are of opinion , that her name is derived from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , veftigo , to seek , ) and when he hath found them , he breaketh them in pieces . moreover , it is exceeding ravenous and greedy , and wants the use of his tongue ; his sight is dull when in the water , but very quick on the land : it exceedingly fears serpents , for they will lye hid under those herbs which they know the crocodile most loveth ; in all which he much resembleth the devil ; for , . the crocodile is a very great creature , amphibious , living either on the land , or in the water , a very cunning , crafty creature . . the crocodile flyeth from those that pursue him , and pursueth those that flye from him : the devil likewise dares not stand to encounter with those that resist him by the word and prayer , but eagerly pursueth those that are ignorant of their spiritual weapons . . the crocodile suffers the creature called the trochilus , quietly to feed in his mouth : the devil likewise spares one the better , to draw and allure more to himself . again , if he can get any thing , he presently devoureth it ; so likewise doth the devil deal by those who follow his temptations . origen , contra celsum , lib. . doth enveigh very bitterly against the egyptians , who worship the crocodile as one of their gods ; and blames them that they suffer that to live which is such an enemie to mankind . the enmity that there is between the indian-rat and the crocodile , much resembleth the war and enmity that there is between christ and the devil . . the indian-rat layes traps , and ensnares the crocodile : christ likewise destroyes the works of the devil . . the indian-rat goeth into the crocodiles mouth when it is asleep , & eateth his way through his belly , and again cometh forth alive : thus christ hath conquered death , & rose again the third day . the crocodile , were it not destroyed by the indian-rat , would over-run those countreys : the devil likewise would destroy the world , were he not restrained , and kept in by christ . chap. xxx . of the salamander , lizard , and stellio , &c. the lizard is a creature so well known , that there are few better known . there is a certain kind of lizard in egypt , which is called sciuncus , or scineus ; but that which we have out of egypt , called scineus , is not a true lizard , but a kind of land-crocodile , ( which is used , by some , to provoke lust , ) having his scales growing towards his head ; as also , a very white , thin skin . moreover , the lizard hath a very great love to man , insomuch , that whensoever he seeth any man , he expresseth it by several apish actions , fawning , & wagging his tail like a dog ; and when he seeth a serpent to lye lurking under any herb , ( as they often do ) he is more active and apish , which he doth to give notice to any one that is passing that waies , that they may defend themselves against it : which is a very fit resemblance of those men who are crafty and mischievous , and make it their business to do mischief ; yet it is so ordered by divine providence , that they do even betray themselves ; like balaam , who was forced to bless those whom he would have cursed : and so it was with pharaoh , who was forced , against his will , to let the people go ; so that it is verified which solomon said , when a mans waies please the lord , he maketh his very enemies to be at peace with him : and so it happens amongst us , our greatest enemies sometimes being the occasions of our greatest good : and thus much for this creature , which is hatched out of an egg . the salamander ( ein melch ) is a kind of a white lizard , being hatched of an egg ; it is very like the lizard , having along , crooked tail , and crooked , sharp feet ; his skin is very rough , and rugged , and is said to be of so cold a nature , that he can ēven put out the fire ; but experience teacheth us the contrary ; for if he be kept some time in the fire , he is easily burnt , although at the first sight one would think otherwise . they say , that if he get into a tree , he doth so impoyson the fruit , that it proveth mortal to those who shall eat of it afterwards : and his spittle ( as it were ) or that which cometh out of his mouth , is of so venomous a quality , that if it chance to light on any one , it maketh the hair to come off ; and yet , notwithstanding , swine will eat it without any hurt to them at all ; which fitly resembles wicked men : for , the salamander ( as we said before ) is a kind of lizard : so wicked men likewise , are but the issue and off-spring of the devil . and as its spittle makes the hair to fall off ; so , the reproaches which wicked men cast on the godly , robs them of that honour and esteem which is due to them . the salamander is never seen abroad in fair weather : wicked men , in like manner , ought not to be seen in a well-ordered common-wealth . again , he never cometh out of his denn , but in great storms and showers : it is likewise only in times of sedition and rebellion that wicked men dare shew themselves . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. in troublesome and seditious times , the worst of men are often honoured and promoted , when others are reproach'd and scorn'd . the salamander ( they say ) hath little spots on his back , like stars : wicked men , in like manner , make fair shews and pretences of religion , but yet they are good for nothing : wicked men also are born for nothing else but to trouble and perplex their neighbours . under this chapter is to be referred the stellio , a creature much resembling the lizard , having shining spots on his back , resembling stars : they are found chiefly about old houses , and sometimes in new ; he chiefly liveth on the dew , and spiders . she casts her skin every year , which she devoureth as soon as she hath done ; which some think she doth out of envy ; for her skin is good against the falling sickness . it is a very venomous creature , and bears a great ha●ed to the scorpion , which she often shews ; insomuch , that she cannot endure to see one : wh●ch fitly resembles wicked men , who put on stars , i. e. a pretence of religion , when about the most wicked action . and , although the stellio be a venowous creature , yet it cannot endure the scorpion : thus , we oftentimes see that wicked men cannot agree among themselve , but fall out one with another . chap. xxxi . of the chamelion . this is a creature very well known , four-footed , and engendred of an egg ; to be found in asia only ; almost like a lizard : he holdeth his mouth open to take in the air . it is reported of aristotle , that of all the creatures that he hath described , there is none that is more timerous and crafty than the chamelion : it is to be found in africa also , but very rarely , as also in india . his snout is like a hogs , which routeth up the ground ; and although the chamelion is very much like a crocodile , yet in this he differeth from him , his tail being much longer , and thicker : he is very crafty and mischievous , although so fearful and timerous . it is a quality of this creature , and of this creature only , that when at any time he is frighted , he , for very fear , changeth himself into the colour of that thing at which he is frighted : the reason of which bodinus thinketh to be the pellucidness , and transparency of his body ; and therefore whatsoever colour is next to him , that colour seemeth to reflect from his body : a fit resemblance of stage-players , who can be any thing for their profit and advantage : he can change himself into any colour except red and white ; which is a fit resemblance of subtile disputants , who run from one thing to another , to evade the force of their adver●aries argument . when he is dying he turneth very white , and pale ; he can no more be without the cool air , than he can without food : he hath very large lungs , yet when opened , there is nothing found within them : which fitly resembleth flatterers and dissemblers . the chamelion being a very timerous and fearful creature , changing himself into all colours but red and white : thus , flatterers do live in fear continually , and lest they should be discovered , are sometimes put to their shifts ; but they can never endure to behold the truth in its lustre . moreover , the chamelion alwaies goeth with his mouth open , and hath large lungs , but nothing within them : thus , these sycophants and dissemblers covet nothing so much as the breath of people ; who , although they have not the least spark of religion , yet would seem to have the most : good men had rather be real , than seem to be religious ; but wicked men had rather seem to be religious , than to be really so : such are those that do all things for their own praise , and by their gestures and actions do plainly shew that they would be praised of all men . there is a natural antipathy between the chamelion and the crow ; which , as often as they meet , the crow remembreth that poysonous quality that is in the chamelion ; and therefore , before he encounters with him , he eateth a leaf or two of lawrel ; and , although he be often wounded in the combat , yet he alwaies is conqueror . that , by the lawrel , is meant true piety and godliness , i suppose no one can be ignorant of it : as the crow therefore , we see , overcometh by this lawrel-branch ; thus , we can no waies better reject , and conquer slanderers and back-biters , than by an innocent and vertuous life : it hath been the constant care of godly men to live a godly and religious life ; the only way to confute the reproaches that are cast upon them , and to stop the mouths of gainsayers . the chamelion , when he is dead , groweth pale and white ; which arist . lib. . eth. cap. . doth apply to the life of a man ; and saith , that those who depend on fortune , do as often change , and alter their conditions , as the chamelion doth his colour ; sometimes rich , sometimes poor , now happy , anon miserable , &c. . it may be also not unfitly applyed to tyrants : the chamelion goeth very slowly ; the like is reported of nero : tyrants at first do feign and dissemble piety , but when once they have got the power into their own hands , they then shew what before they did but dissemble , then committing all manner of wickedness . the chamelion can imitate all manner of colours , like tyrants , who imitate all mens manners . the chamelion , when he is afraid , seemeth to be very gentle , and mild ; like as the tyrant is sometimes fain to dissemble himself mild , but cannot imitate white and red ; i. e. true innocency and modesty ; and therefore nazianzen telleth us , in his th . oration , of the objection that he made against julian ; who , with the chamelion and proteus could do all things ; but yet he could not be mild towards the christians : it may also resemble those men who study several arts and callings , lest one of them should fail . to conclude ; as the chamelion , so these men can imitate the black and evil customes of men , but take no example by good men , not being able to imitate the white and red , i. e. true vertue and piety . chap. xxxii . of the frog , and the toad . frogs are divided , by physitians , into several kinds ; some tell us that there are none in the sea , but only in gardens , and in the fields ; sometimes in ponds and lakes : those that are more venomous , are called toads , and are to be found only in holes ; which , like the bat , never come out of their holes but in the night-time . . our common frogs , by their continual croaking , do very much trouble and infest us ; which ovid telleth us of , in his metam . concerning the countrey-men that were changed into frogs . quanquam sunt sub aqua , sub aqua maledicere gaudent ; litibus exercent linguas pulsoque pudore . their brawling tongues , but setting shame aside ; though hid in water , under water chide . to which we may fitly compare our clowns , who , when in their cups , talk of that which doth not concern them . aristophanes being to describe the croaking of the frogs , setteth it down thus , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in which is elegantly set down , the noise that frogs make when they croak , the grecians call a frog 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , like to our germane ▪ word brosch , which signifieth a frog ; but let the studious see more of this in homer , in his 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the fable of the war between the frogs and the mice . frogs are commonly taken to be a sign of the approaching spring ; and are thought to be engendred of mud , like eeles : it is to be obsérved , that there are most frogs to be found in a moist year ; and therefore , when we see a multitude of frogs , we may conclude no happy year to follow : but it is to be rejected as fabulous , and ridiculous , which some say , that they are bred of mud and slime , when we may see them copulate , and of their sperm or eggs are generated young frogs ; they are not seen to copulate in the day-time , neither can they do it in the water ; but yet , by their continual croaking , the male provoketh the female , and both of them wait for the night , that they might the freelier enjoy one another ; this they do in the night-time , lest they should be disturbed by men or beasts , and are very much delighted in the act : sometimes men , through carelesness , drink the spawn of the frogs ; whence it is , that sometimes we have seen frogs to be generated in men , and whether also eggs by the same means , the sperme , or the little worms being eaten with our meat oftentimes , do not breed worms in children and in men oftentimes , i leave to the more learned to judge . from the spawn of these frogs are bred other little frogs , which have long tails at first , but afterwards grow shorter and shorter : in winter-time they lye hid in holes of the earth ; and some say , that in those ponds that do not freeze , are frogs all the winter ; but , as concerning the multitude of frogs that we have sometimes , there can no other reason be given of it , than what we have for the great company of locusts that was sent upon the egyptians , to wit , the immediate hand of god , for our sins . some are of opinion that they are bred of showers ; others , of winds ; but , i think , no other reason can be given of this than of the former ; like as god once did create out of the rivers of egypt great store of frogs . . if we set a candle lighted on the ground , the frogs will immediately be silent ; they make a great noise when they are in warm water ; but if they are cast into a well that is colder , they are immediately silent . . some do pretend to foretell a shower , by the more than ordinary croaking of frogs : but , i think , we may more rationally conclude , that frogs do see the shower hanging in the air , and so prepare themselves for it ; they being very much delighted in rain-water , being much sweeter than any other water . it is a common thing for children to get frogs by a piece of red cloath , and a hook ; the frogs do catch those bees that flye near the water , and , although they are often stung by them , yet do not feel it . there are some people will eat frogs , first fleaing them , and then taking only the hinder parts of them : this may be a fit representation of those who do delight in scandalizing and reproaching their neighbour . too great multitudes of frogs are thought , by some , to portend an unhappy year : thus it is with these men who alwaies breed commotions , and are the promoters of dissentions and divisions . if frogs do croak more than ordinarily , it sheweth the change of weather ; thus , when wicked men ●lourish , and prosper , it is but a bad omen of some alteration for the worse . frogs are not sensible of the stings of bees ; so great and high are men in their wickedness , that reproofs and advices will do them no good . frogs croak only in warm water , but make no noise at all in cold water : thus wicked men are well enough while in a prosperous condition ; but , when once affliction cometh , then they cannot bear it . rev. . . and i saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon ; that is , hereticks proceeding out of the mouth of sathan , such as were formerly the monks , and at this day the jesuites ; who , by all their reasonings and disputations , do only endeavour to maintain the popes supremacy , and his power over all other men whatsoever . . if one were to judge of the bigness of a frog by the noise that it made , and did not see it , we should be ready to conclude that it was some large beast : ignorant people , at first , that do not examine their arguments , and bring them to the touchstone of the scripture , are ready presently to conclude their arguments unanswerable , when , indeed , they are nothing less ; and like the croaking of frogs , intending only to weary out their adversaries by the multitude of their arguments , but not to convince them by the force of them ; and all to no other end , but to establish the papal chair . . if a frog be set upon a golden stool , it will leap off from it into the mud ▪ thus , jesuites , if brought to the scripture , will betake themselves to philosophical arguments , and creep to the authority of the fathers , where they think themselves secure . . frogs do not love wine , but had rather drink water : thus , the jesuites do tell us , that the scripture is ambiguous , and chuse rather to trust upon the authority of the church , than the scripture it self . of the toad . a toad is but a larger kind of land - frog . . they love to dwell in moist places , neither can he endure the light of the sun ; and therefore at day-time he lyeth hid , seldome creeping out but towards night , at which time he is seen alwaies in path-waies . . he liveth most under ground , and is nourished chiefly by the vapours of the earth ; but yet sometimes he eateth herbs , and worms ; some say that he feedeth upon the earth it self ; he eateth as much at one time as he can hold in one of his feet : some authors do conceive that the reason why he eateth no more at one time , is , because he feareth that the earth will not be enough for him ; whence came the picture of a covetous old woman standing upon a toad . . the toad is a venomous creature , and soon angered : if he getteth hold of any thing that you hold to him , he will not loose his hold : if he be struck by any one , he spitteth poyson at them . the spider and the toad have a great hatred one to the other , yet the spider alwaies hath the better of it ; he cometh down by a small web , and lighteth upon his head , and pricketh him , or rather biteth him . it is a known story , that conradus gesner reciteth out of cardinal foncetto , concerning the toad , in these words ; one taking up a reed in the field , there was a toad at one end of it ; he perceiving that , threw it out of his hand ; and returning home , when he was at dinner , he vomited up all that he eat , neither did any thing stay with him that he took , untill another gave it him ; not perceiving the reason of it at first ; afterwards , he considered that the cane which he took in the field was poysoned , which he found to be so ; the toad having left a kind of viscous , thick matter , which was not able to pierce the skin , and so could not prove mortal : thus far foncettus ; and gesner goeth on further , and reciteth a story out of matthiolus , and discourseth at large concerning the toads poysoning of herbs , which he doth by sittilng upon them , and sending forth a poysonous moisture upon the leaves , which spreadeth all over the herb , and doth poyson the herbs that are next to it ; thus far gesner . we may now consider , a little , the several commands that god gave to his people israel , about the difference between those creatures that were clean , and those that were unclean ; and that they were not to touch those creatures which are unclean ; neither were they to touch any dead carkasses : we read also , how those men that were unclean by the touching of any unclean creature , were to be separated for a time : there were also several laws given to the people of israel , concerning their several washings ; for those persons that were any waies unclean , and also all the ceremonial laws , had their particular uses , and typical significations , yet they all contained something that was moral : and among other things , this may be one , which is in the story related before : thus we fee in gardens , the little worms that are upon the herbs and fruit ; yet we commonly touch the grass with our hands , and eat fruit , never washing them again before we eat , when we know not what poysonous humors are in the grass that we so freely handle : we see that cats , mice , flyes , and spiders , do bepiss ▪ our clothes , books , meat ; and therefore , i think it would be very healthful for us if we used often to wa●h our hands ; but especially , when we have been handling of herbs ; unda datur gratis , water is cheap enough ; but , verbum sat sapienti . ●he toad might be very fitly compared to all envious , cruel , malicious , and tyrannical men : but , i shall not stand here to inlarge any further , or to draw any inferences from the nature of the toad ; we use to say , that , a fool hath as many senses as a toad hath hairs . of the snail . this creature is commonly known , and there are several kinds of them ; some living in the water others on the land , others in marshy grounds ; it is very much eaten among divers people ; if any one eateth but a few of them together , it will bind him ; but if a great quantity of them are taken together , then the property of them is quite altered . the nature of lettuce is the very same ; the learned erasmus fetcheth a similitude from hence concerning our study , that there is no mediocrity neither in professing the truth . . this creature goeth very slowly , and alwaies carrieth his house along with him wheresoever he goeth ; and therefore apelles , or , as some would have it , phidias , painted venus standing in a sheet , to signifie to us that a woman ought to be alwaies 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is , that she should not be far from her own house ; as it is a great commendation of a man ( when we can say of him , as horace saith out of homer , mul●orum mores hominum qui videt & urbes ; ) to have seen the customes of countreys , and to be acquainted with the manners of men : so is it on the contrary , the greatest honour and glory of a woman to keep at home ; the hebrews do very fitly call a woman 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , alma quasi occultata , signifying that a woman should not be much in the streets , but to mind her own houshold-affairs ; and as it is dangerous for the snail to go from his house , so it is not good for women to go far from their own houses : we may remember sad examples of it in dinah : the snail useth the herb called origanum , or wild marjoram , against serpents and vipers ; when he goeth along , he putteth out his horns , to see it the way be safe . . if he seeth no body near him , he will creep out of his shell a little way ; but if he seeth any one coming , he presently contracteth himself , and getteth into his shell again : we may learn thus much from it , for our instruction , that we should be silent , and say but little ; and thus much it may teach us , for our caution , to have a care of our enemies , who do privily lay snares for us when we do not see them . it is worth our observation , which plutarch reporteth of the sea-snail ; when she layeth her eggs , she goeth out upon the sand , and when she hath covered them with the sand so that they cannot be seen , goeth again into the sea , and maketh some private mark to find them again by : thus we have set down the principal qualities of this oviparous creature , covered with a shell ; from whence it may have his name testudo , a testa ; besides these land-snails , there are water-snails , or sea-snails , of the several kinds of which , the curious may satisfie themselves , if they look into the treatise which several physitians have written of the nature of this creature . it is reported , that there are very large snails in the indian sea. it is a known story of aeschilus the poet of athens , who having a bald head , an eagle seeing of it , and taking it for a stone , let a shell-fish fall upon it , to break it , which falling upon his head so high , killed him : and the apologue of the beasts , and other creatures that were invited by jupiter to a feast , is very well known ; all the creatures came together , but only the snail , who made his excuse to jupiter in these words , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; propria domus , carissima domus , according to our english proverb , home is home , though never so homely . the ape hateth nothing more than the snail ; but i shall not dilate any further upon this creature . chap. xxxiii . of the mouse , the dormouse , and the mole . these are all of them known creatures ; the comocdian calleth the mouse a wise creature ; for he trusteth not himself in one hole alwaies , but hath several holes to run into : he compareth them to captives , who , like mice , are fed with other mens food : he hath a very good scent and taste , and is very gluttonous , and will not be contented with a little ; he will taste of all things , as cheese , bread , meat , but will eat only of the best : and , as among birds , the swallow ; so , of all creatures which live upon the earth , the mouse is the dullest : its urine is exceeding strong and offensive ; nay , it will eat the flesh to the bone , if it lye long ; and therefore men ought to be careful that nothing they eat be tainted with it . lemnius , lib. . chap. . telleth us of a mouse that was bred in a man ; the reason of which , no doubt , was this , that the mice had cast their sperme upon some of the meat that he had formerly eaten ; although lemnius doth ascribe it to be some filthy humor that lay in his stomack in the winter-time . those mice that live in woods in autumn , gather a great deal of corn , insomuch , that sometimes they are so overladen with it , that he is fain to be drawn along with it by the female ; so the female is sometimes so laden , that she is fain to be drawn by the mule. aelian saith , that mice are not so lively , but that if their guts fall out , they immediately dye ; they can live without any thing better than heat ; for cold destroyeth them : those mice that live in woods will roul themselves up , and so sleep all winter ; they are often carried in cold weather on hay in baskets . the liver of a mouse doth decrease and increase with the moon . this creature is chiefly to be found in ruined and rotten houses . there is a story in herodotus , lib. . that is worth the perusing ; concerning the king of egypt , sethon ; this sethon would not indulge the egyptian souldiers so much as the former kings had done ; and therefore , when senacharib had invaded egypt , none of the souldiers would come in to his help ; whereupon he implor'd the oracle , and in a dream it was revealed to him that it should go well with him notwithstanding ; he trusting to this , with a few spartans resolves to meet the enemie , and coming neer , in the night-time , they did perceive that a company of field-mice had eaten off the feathers from their arroms , by which they being disabled for fighting , were forced to flye the next day , and were pursued by sethon , who slew many of them . afterwards they did erect a monument in honour of him ; with this inscription : in me quis intuens pius esta . we might deduce several things from the nature of the mouse , from whence we have both caution , and instruction . . it may resemble all timerous and fearful creatures , but chiefly , all parasites and flatterers , because they are chiefly delighted in stealing , living on other mens charges . of the dormouse . the bigger sort of mice are called dormice , called in the latin , glis , a glicescere , i. e. crescere , to grow , and increase : they consume most part of their time in sleep , which maketh them grow exceeding fat . the dormouse is counted a dainty dish amongst epicures , so that some do report that they have pulled down houses to find some of them , for the satisfaction of their curious palate . authors tell us , that the viper maketh a prey of the dormouse ; and if he findeth a neast of them , although he cannot eat them all , he will put out the eyes of the rest , and feedeth them untill he can eat them : if these epicures chance to find these dormice , and eat them , they are certainly poysoned . epiphanius , lib. . tom. . contra haer . applyeth it to origen , who being blinded , by the graecian doctrine , did vomit poyson to those that believed him : so that , what injured him , he did a greater injury with to others : like those , who neglecting the wholsome food of the holy scriptures , seek to be satisfied rather with metaphysical , and scholastical speculations . the dormice love company exceedingly , and are therefore alwaies seen in great companies together ; whence came the proverb , currere sicut glires ; spoken of those who love to be with their companions at work , or where-ever they be . the dormouse will fight with those that are not of their company ; but they shew a great love to the old ones , and have a great care of them , and provide food for them , and several other waies do shew their love to them ▪ from whence we may learn that reverence and obedience that is due to our parents ; as also , to take heed of over-much sleep , to which these creatures are so very much addicted . of the mole . the mole cannot properly be called a mouse ; he hath no eyes , but is very quick of hearing ; but yet if a young one is taken out of the dams belly , it is plainly perceived to have eyes : he heareth far better under ground , than when above ground ; he can hear the worms more under ground at a great distance from him , which doth not proceed so much from the quickness of his hearing , as from the continuity of the moved earth ; if there be a hole made in the earth , and a noise be made in it , the mole will hear it a great way off ; as we hear any one speaking through a hollow-pipe better than in the open air ; and therefore moles make themselves several holes in the earth , that they may hear any thing that stirreth the better . the worm , if pursued by the mole , maketh his way above the ground ; the mole is continually under ground , and casteth up the earth , making himself holes to be in : therefore we find virgil speaking to this purpose , aut oculis capti fodere cubilia talpae . some say that the mole cannot properly be called an animal , because he wan●eth 〈◊〉 eyes , ●he instruments of the chiefest sense , and a 〈◊〉 creature is not so without senses , and therefore the mole is no creature ; it is plain , that they having been dissected , there have been holes found in their heads for eyes , & so they do not want sight per se , but per accident , for they want not the organe of sight ; but because they are continually under ground , which blindeth them ; nature hath given them a very quick hearing , and so recompensed them for the want of their sight . the mole spoyls a great deal of corn that is layed up in barns ; they also will eat roots , toads , serpents . their nose resembleth a sows snout : they cannot live above ground an hour together : their feet are like a hand . this may fitly resemble all false-hearted persons , who are afraid to come to the test ; for , as darkness is dispersed by the light of the sun , so is falsehood discovered by truth . chap. xxxiii . of mix'd four-footed creatures . hitherto we have explained the nature and properties of those creatures that have been begotten by their own species . it remaineth now that we speak of those that are begotten of creatures of divers kinds , which are chiefly to be found in africa ; that being a barren countrey , and very dry , several kind of beasts drinking at one river : wherefore it cometh to pass , that creatures of several kinds copulate one with another : hence cometh those divers mix'd creatures , as the leopard , the mule : the leopard is generated of the libard and the lioness : the lion being of a hot temper , doth not so often copulate ; but the lioness is a very leacherous creature , and therefore she suffereth her self to be covered with a libard : when she groweth big , she runneth into the mountains , as if she went to take her prey , that there she might bring forth without any danger . she bringeth forth a leopard , a creature like a lion , and a libard ; which , if the lion find , he teareth in pieces ; but to prevent it , the lioness alwaies bringeth forth in some solitary place . thus , the camelopardalis , a creature like the camel , and the panther , is generated by them two : so , the mule of the asse and the mare ; and sometimes of the bull and the asse : so , sometimes dogs are generated of the fox and dog , and sometimes of the wolf and the dog : thus is the lypopanther begot of the wolf and panther : so also in rhoetia there is oftentimes a creature generated of the ram , and she-goat , his fore-parts resembling a sheep , and his hinder-parts a goat ; and i wish that these mix'd coitus were to be found among beasts only ; for we find even men too often guilty of it . plutarch relateth of one plinius , who saith that he himself saw a crocodile lying with a woman : other examples might be brought to illustrate this ; as , of the girl that was born of a man and a she-ass ; but such births are so ordered by divine providence , that they never live long ; neither do they alwaies beget again , though sometimes they do so . herodotus , lib. . saith , that in the babilonish siege , as also in xerxes army , a mule brought forth most commonly . there may be a reason given of most monsters ; so , as plutarch saith concerning thales milesius , who was invited to a feast , with other grave seniors , to the house of one periandrus ; there was for one dish a little infant brought in , that was begotten of a man and a mare ; his head , neck , and hands , were like other childrens , and his cry was also the same ; but all his other parts were like a horse ; several gave their opinions concerning it : diocles judged it to be a miracle , or prodigie , portending dissentions , wars , and divisions : but thales was of another opinion , and advised them , that all who looked after horses should be married men ; for they committed this horrid , beastly act , for want of wives . sabellicus relateth , in his th . book , ennead . . under martin the th . p. r. of one who was a-kin to the pope , that brought forth a hairy boy , who had claws like a bear : he was very much troubled at it , and commanded the pictures of bears to be pulled down in all places . those men are much to be blamed , who at feasts do disguise themselves in frightful vizards , the sight of which may prove exceeding dangerous : when as we ought earnestly to implore heaven that we may not be punished with such deformed children ; for the sight of such things do very strangely work upon the fancy of women with child : hence it is , that oftentimes when women look upon hares , they bring forth their children with hare-lips ; so , some have brought forth their young ones with horns , seeing the picture of actaeon , who was turned into a hart : and therefore we have horses of divers colours , when the mare standeth in a stable where she seeth hangings of several colours . we read of a bitch that lying continually in the soft wool of a ram , brought forth her puppies with a main . thus damascene relateth of a woman , who , continually almost , looking upon the picture of john the baptist , brought forth her child hairy all over its body . quintilian cleared a woman who was accused for lying with her servant , because the infant was black , when he found the image of an aethiopian in her chamber . there are five things go to the making up of a mixt creature , ( man , not being content with the ordinary course of nature , first invented those promiscuous couplings of one creature with another . ) . those creatures that thus copulate must not be much bigger one than another ; therefore it is that the dog and the horse cannot copulate , but the wolf and the dog ; the asse and the horse , the lion and the panther : and hence it is that man , by a horrible act against nature , hath copulated with mares , swine , &c. . those creatures cannot capulate together , when one carries their young longer than the other ; therefore a dog cannot be begotten of a woman , nor a horse by an elephant ; for a woman carryeth her infant nine moneths , but a bitch not above seven . . they must be prone to lust , such as are dogs , goats , swine , asses , &c. . it must be done at a convenient time , which , with most creatures , is the spring ; for so it hath been found by experience , that some creatures are more leacherous at one time of the year than at another ; for there are very few creatures which at all times are equally prone to lust . . it is necessary that they be both young , that so the one may be the better able to give seed , and the other to receive it : and , although it be thus qualified , yet they do not do it voluntarily , but are compelled unto it by those that look after them , that so they may have new sorts of creatures . but , the reason why the ancients used to compell creatures to these promiscuous couplings was , that those creatures were much stronger than other creatures which are not so generated . in india formerly those dogs which were begotten of a tyger were incredibly strong , and very fierce . thus philes , that wise king , as also aelian maketh mention of an indian dog of aleuander's the great , that was presented to him by an indian king , which alexander commanded should be brought upon the stage , and that a great bore should be let loose upon him ; the dog would not stir , as scorning to meddle with it , thinking it was not worthy of his anger : not long after , a bear was brought upon the stage ; the dog looked upon him , but would not stir : last of all was brought a lion ; the dog , as soon as he saw him , flyeth at him , and bit him so hard , that he made his teeth meet , and there held him : alexander commanded that one of his legs should be cut off ; the dog endured it with so much courage as if it had not been his own leg that had been cut off ; another of his legs was cut off , and so a third ; and then they cut off the other also , the dog yet keeping his hold ; but afterwards they cut off his head ; yet his teeth were as hard set together as when he was alive : we may judge of other creatures by what hath been said of this . and as , although all right lines are equal , yet crooked lines differ one from another , and there are many sorts of them ; so that it is impossible to set down the several kinds of them ; thus , i think , it is a very difficult thing to set down the several sorts of mix'd creatures ; and therefore i have spoken only of the camelopardalis , the leopard , and the mule ; of which last i am now to speak . it is a noted story which plutarch and aelian relate of a mule that was loaden with salt , if he went through any water that was so deep that the salt was wet , he found it grew lighter and lighter every day than other : the next time he went through any water , he plunged himself in over head and ears : thales the next day commanded that he should be loaden with spunges , which he perceiving to grow heavier by being dipped in the water , would never lye down in the water any more when he was loaden with salt . herodotus saith , that croesus was called a mule by the oracle , because his father was a persian , and his mother a lydian : but he not understanding it , could not believe that that oracle should so highly affront him , on whom he had bestowed so many gifts : but his misunderstanding of the oracle had like to have been his ruine : the more curious may read the story at large in the book of herodotus . i noted before , out of aelian , concerning the indian apes , which they could not bring into their cities , because of their leacherousness ; nay , they could hardly be kept off from assaulting the women themselves : and therefore , those monsters that we have now been speaking of are not alwaies miraculous : and therefore i very much commend the judgement of thales , in plutarch , of whom we spake but a little above . these creatures may resemble those men who either in the church , or in a war , own neither side , but stand as neuters . the jews were forbidden to let their cattel gender with divers kinds , lev. . they were also forbid to till their fields with an oxe and an asse together ; and as they were not to sow the ground with mixed grain ; so , neither were they to wear a garment made of linnen and woollen : by all which we are to learn what we read , mat. . . to avoid the leaven of the pharisees , which the psalmist exponndeth thus , that we should not stand in the counsel of the ungodly : in former times the grecians condemned those persons to dye , who in time of war , or any other disturbance , did not take one side or another ; but because the mule is more known than any of the former , i shall speak to it by way of corollary , and draw two or three inferences from the nature of it . . the mule is neither a horse nor an ass , but between both : so , those which stand neuters in a cause , are neither hot not cold , as is said in the apocalyps . chap. . but yet it is added also there , that she should be either hot or cold : moreover , mules are barren ; so these hypocrites are barren and empty of all that is good . mules do carry very great burthens : those men likewise that do stand neuter , are oftentimes troubled and vexed by both sides , like to those men that po●eanes speaketh of , who have a room one story high ; they are troubled with those above them , who sometime , pour water upon their heads ; and with the smoak of them below . and thus we have finished the first part of our discourse , wherein we have spoken to the nature and properties of four-footed creatures . finis . a description of the nature of four-footed beasts with their figures en[graven in brass] / written in latin by dr. john johnston ; translated into english by j.p. historiae naturalis de quadrupetibus. english jonstonus, joannes, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing j a estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a description of the nature of four-footed beasts with their figures en[graven in brass] / written in latin by dr. john johnston ; translated into english by j.p. historiae naturalis de quadrupetibus. english jonstonus, joannes, - . j. p. [ ], p., p. of plates : ill. printed for the widow of john jacobsen schipper, and stephen swart, amsterdam : . translation of: historiae naturalis de quadrupetibus [sic], which forms part of his work on animals. reproduction of original in harvard university libraries. marginal notes. imperfect: some letters missing on t.p. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng animal behavior -- early works to . zoology -- pre-linnean works. natural history -- pre-linnean works. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - judith siefring sampled and proofread - aptara rekeyed and resubmitted - judith siefring sampled and proofread - judith siefring text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a description of the nature of four-footed beasts , with their figures 〈…〉 written in latin by d r. john johnston . translated into english by j. p. amsterdam , printed for the widow of john jacobsen schipper , and stephen swart . m.dc.lxxviii . the preface to the book of the four-footed beasts . courteous reader , we have thought good to anticipate somthing touching four-footed beasts in general : which i trust i shall have sufficiently performed , when i shall have praemised to you some account of the name , the parts , place , food , growth , generation , life , animal actions , use and differences thereof . now under the denomination of these , are to be by us considered those animals which , being of a middle nature between the airy and the waterish , are for the most part covered with hair , somtimes with shells , and do go upon four feet . i should call them , after the greek idiom , tetrapoda four-footed , tetrakola having four members or parts , tetraskele four legg'd , and tetrabamona such as walk on four . in all the rest there is a manifold and incomprehensible varietie , which , if you should well consider , would strike you with astonishment . please first to view with me the outward parts . they which bring forth living creatures have hairs ; which produce eggs , a shell . the hairs of horses are seen in their large manes , so the locks of lyons on their shoulders : and in coneys within their cheeks and feet . the hare is of all living creatures the most hairy . the hairs grow thicker in all with age . in the horse onely they contract a grayness . swine and porcupines are covered with bristles , sheep with wool , goats have their beards hanging down from their chin . the hide of the sea-horse is so thick , that out of it are formed turned-spears : that also of the elephant and rhinoceros is almost impenetrable . nowhere is natures wantonness , or lavishness , more evident than in the horns . these it spreads abroad into branches , as in the harts . to others it gives single ones , as in the harts call'd spitters which have young horns without tines . the horns of others hath it fashioned as the palms of hands spread abroad , and hath shot out fingers from them , whence they call them platycerota's broad-horned beasts . to the roes , or wild goats , hath it given horns with branches , but little : neither hath it made them hanging down . such as are circularly convolved or wound about , as a worlebat , are given to the rams : unlucky ones to bulls . to the wild goats of the rocks , such as are crookedly writhen backwards , to the fallow-deer on the contrary , forwards . such as stand bolt upright , and twined with the compassing about of wrinckles and sharpened lightly toward the top , to the strepsiceros a beast half wild and half tame , which in africa they call an addax . those are moveable , as are ears , which be found among the herds in phrygia : those of the troglodyts ( so called from their inhabiting in caverns ) grow directly toward the earth , by reason whereof they must turn their necks awry when they feed . to others onely one horn is given , and that in the middle of the head , or on the nose . to some also are given horns of strength to run on in a forcible assault ; to others , for striking withall . some are hooked , others contrariwise crooking upwards . in some they are cast in various manners , lying along , turned about , entangled together : all of them tending toward a sharp point . to all them and them onely who procreate a living creature are given ears , and they are movable . in some they are less , in others greater . in the harts onely they are cloven , and as it were divided : in ratts they are full of hairs . in horses and all kind of labouring cattell they show the tokens of the mind : in the weary they are flagging : panting or trembling in the fearfull : standing upright in the raging : hanging loose in the sick . the dog , the lion , and those which live upon hunting for the prey have the mouth so cut open as to gape wide ; 't is of a middle size in the swine . the snout or trunk is onely in the elephant . the jaws in labouring cattell are long , in apes round . the neck in the lion onely , and the wolf and the subtil beast hyaena is stiffened with each of them one bone . touching the paps or teats this is observed by pliny : the beasts which have whole hoofs , and bring not forth above two young at once , these all have two paps , and not otherwhere than between the thighs : the cloven-footed and horned in the same place . the cows have four , the sheep and goats two . those which are fruitfull with a numerous brood at once , and have toes or claws in their feet , have many more along their whole belly , in a double rank , as the swine : the nobler sort have twelve , the vulgar fewer by two : in like manner the bitches of dogs . others have four in the middle part of the belly , as the panthers : others two , as the lionesses . the elephant onely hath two under the shoulders ; not in his breast , but on the side hid under the arm-holes . none have any between their thighs which have claws on their feet . they who live upon the prey have claws , five in the foremost feet , four in the rest . lions , wolvs , dogs , and a few other beasts have also in their after-feet five nails , one whereof hangs close by the joining on of the leg : the rest which are less have five claws . all those that have toes or claws , have also nails . but the apes have them bowed or roof-like rising up : the ravenous crooked : in the rest they stand right out , as in dogs , except that which commonly hangs upon the leg . they have solid or whole hoofs which bear no horns : but the horned are cloven-footed . they say that the swine in some places of illyria ( sclavonia ) have whole hoofs . they are renewed onely in that kind of beasts which bear burdens . lastly , they have all tails , except apes , and those that bring forth eggs , according to the need of their bodies . they are bare in those that are rugged , or have bristles , as in boars : little in those that are full of hairs , or wolly , as in bears : in those that are very long they are full of hard hair , as in horses . being cut off they renew again in lizards . in kine the tail is longest of all , and at the lowest part long-hair'd . the same are longer in asses than in horses , but in those that bear burdens , full of rough hairs : lions have them in the lowest part as they are in oxen and in rats : with the panthers not so : with foxes and wolvs they are full of rough , or flock-like hair , as in sheep , but longer . no less is the diversity of the inward parts . the teeth in the brawn and wild boar stick right out : in the dog and the lion , like as if they were indented or sawed : in the horse and ox they stand close together ; the foremost are sharp , those more inward are plain : the horned beasts want the one row : they stick not out in any , where they are as sawed : none that have horns do either stick out or are sawed : but in all these they are hollow , in others solidly fixt : they are in apes as in men . in those that chew the cud , in the lion and the dog they are various or interchanged . in swine they never fall out . the tongue in crocodiles cleaveth wholly fast : in lions and catts it is very rough and sharp , like a file . in the elephant especially broad . the ribs in swine are ten , in horned beasts thirteen . the heart in all of them is in the middle of the breast . in that of horses , oxen and harts are bones found . it is proportionably the greatest in mice , hares , rabbets , deer , hyaena's , and in all beasts that through timidity become mischievous . the lung is in the tortoise without bloud : in the chamaeleon 't is according to proportion the greatest , and nothing else within . the belly in those that are whole-hoofd is rough and hard : in some of the land-beasts it hath a sharpness as of teeth , in others toothed , yet like a lattise . touching the bellies of those that chew the cud we have spoken in the second book . the spleen in round in the double-hoof'd & horn'd beasts : drawn out long-ways in those that have many claws : very long in those that are whole-hoof'd : the lest in the cattel that are in the region of asia which is called scepsis . all they which generate a living creature have reins : of those which bring forth eggs , onely the tortoise . none of those that bring forth eggs , except the tortoise , have a bladder : also none , save those that have a bloudy lung : and none of them that want feet . concerning the fat and tallow it is observed , the horned beasts which are toothed but on one side , and which have pastern-bones in their feet , abound with tallow ; the double-hoof'd and those that have their feet slit into toes , and are not horned , with fat . the tallow is congealed together , and when it is cold it's brittle ; and is always in the end of the flesh . on the contrary the fat is between the flesh and the skin moistened with juice . some grow not fat : all that are fat are more barren . the marrow in young beasts is reddish and in those of old age it grows white : this is onely in hollow bones , neither is it in the thighs or shanks of labouring cattell or dogs : it abounds in those that are fat ; it is like tallow in the horned beasts : in bears there is none , in the lion among the bones of his thighs and arms very little . and so much of the parts . nature hath designed the earth as the place for most of them : and the water to a few of them , as to the crocodile , the sea-horse , the castor , the sea-tortoise . some of these and the other have certain dens or lurking places : some dwell among the trees . you may find some in a cold , others in a hot climate : some things in the same soil are denied to some of them . in cilicia ( others read lycia ) the bucks and does pass not over the mountains that border on the syrians : the wild asses go not over the mountain that divides cappadocia from cilicia . on the coast by hellespont the harts do not go to and fro to other territories : and about argenusa they do not go beyond that lofty mountain . in the island pordoselene ( or poroselene ) the weasels run not over the way : the moles of baeotia brought over into lebadia avoid the very soil , which yet in orchomenus , which is close by , do root up whole fields . the hares brought over into ithaca die , and that upon the uttermost shores : in ebusus there are no rabbets . among the cyrenians they have had frogs that were dumb : but the kind of those croakers brought out of the continent continues still . in olympus a mountain of macedonia are no wolvs , nor in the island creta ( now candia . ) 't is more wonderful , that there are no harts in that island , except in the region of cydon . in africa are neither wild boars , nor harts , nor goats . 't is likewise in vain to look for an uniformity in their food . oxen , or kine , harts , horses , swine feed on herbs and fruits : the lower sort whereof is the food of sheep ; the higher , as branches and twigs , of goats . wolvs , lions and dogs delight in flesh : beavers and catts in fish : the chamaeleon in flies . some chaw their victuals , some not . you may perhaps rightly reckon the apes and monkeys among those that eat all things . it is believed , that the bear lives in his dens in the winter , out of that humour , or moisture , which he sucks out of his fore-feet , which then swell . touching their generation take this , that some bring forth without copulation , as the mice in egypt after the running back of the nile . those that admit of copulation do it most in autumn , summer or the spring : the bulls and bears do it with raging violence , the dogs not . the greatest number bring forth their young alive ; the tortoises , crocodiles , lizards , &c eggs . i learn from resendus that mares in portugal conceive a mole ( lump of unshapen flesh ) from wind ; and from others , that cows being big do carry their young onely on the right side of the womb , even when they carry twins . their time of going with young wonderfully varies . the wolf goes a moneth or at the utmost xl. days ; the dog ( bitch ) nine weeks ; the sow four moneths ; the goat five ; the sheep about six ; the cow ten ; the horse eleven . the same ( variety ) must you understand of the number of their young : the mule , as is believed , never brings forth : the wolf but once in it's life : the hare brings forth abundantly . of their augmentation it may suffice to say , that the whole-hoof'd and two-hoof'd are greater than they that have claws ( or fingers ) except the rhinoceros , the camel , the sea-horse , &c. and they differ in greatness from the those of the same kind according to their places . in the region of camadu the rams are not less than the asses : about taprobane the tortoises are so great that they weigh ciii . pounds : the lizards in ethiopia are eight cubits long . some of them have a long , others a short life . hares and cats attain onely to the seventh year : the ram and the goat seldom to the tenth : the sow arrives at the twentieth : the dog somtimes at the same : the cow scarce exceeds sixteen : horses ( the male-kind ) somtimes reach the thirtieth year : yea the seventy fifth year , as we read in pliny . 't is evident from the monuments of the athenians , that a mule hath lived eighty years : and that the harts have lived a hundred years you may find in history . unto the animal actions appertain the external and internal senses , their appetites , and their faculties of removing from place to place . the bucks ( and does ) and lynx excell in sight : the hyenae and cats see by night : the moles little or nothing : the hares are quick of hearing : camels , harts and lybian mares are delighted with the musick of the pipe : every one knows that dogs are excellent at smelling : swine have so little ( smell ) that they are not moved with the stench of filthy mud : the ape exceeds us in tasting , as the vulgar vers runs . if we take notice of their inward ( senses , ) some are exceedingly stupid , as the buff , who , if his head be coverd , thinks his whole body to be hid ; others are most acute : there is nothing that the apes do not imitate : foxes , ere they go over the ice , first by laying their ears to it , find out it's thickness : dogs remember journeys though very long : neither have any , except man , a greater memory . harts , when they hear the barking of dogs , run along with the wind , that therewith the sent of their footsteps might go farther off . for the rest you may look in the chapters of horses , goats , wolvs , and others . but it is mostly to be wondred at that so many four-footed beasts do know the things whereby they may be cured of their diseases . the panther seeks mans dung . the tortoise recovers it's strength against serpents by feeding on savory or marjoram , or , as some will have it , penny-royal : the weasel by ( eating of ) rue , in its hunting of mice , when it is environed with them in battel : the cow in cyprus cures itself against it's torments in the belly by the excrements of men . in their appetite , their love and lust especially shows it self : so great is that of apes toward their young , that they kill a great part of them by embracing them . sows swelling with lust are carried on with that fury that they would tear a man : the bulls also are so greatly furious , as that the brazen cow at syracuse , was enter'd upon , and bespattered with seed by a wild bul which had wandered from the heard . on the contrary the camel shuns copulation in open view . pliny tells us , that a horse , his eyes being uncovered , and he thereby seeing that he had copulated with his dam , fell down a steep place , and so died . touching their motion we know that some are swift , others slow . xenophon believed , that no living creature doth aequall the hare in running . but horace , when he would express a most speedy carefulness , said swifter than harts : the elck makes so long a journey in one day , as a horse doth in three . i will say nothing of the arabian asses : for the common asses are most slow , as is also the tiger , as bontius informs us . i had almost forgot to speak of their voice : of which ne'retheless there is a wonderfull variety in this sort of living creatures . for the horse neighs , or hinneys : the bul low's , bellow's , or rowts : the ass howls : the ram clatters : the sheep bleats : the swine grunts : the wild boar grunts and cries out aloud with grinning : the hart and wild ass clucks or cackles : the goat chatters : the lion roars : the tygers voice is hoars : the panther cries : the libbard waws as a cat : the wolf howls : the elephant bray's : the dog barks : the fox yelps : the kitling mew's : the hare cries like a child : the mouse chirps or squeaks : the weasel maketh a noise with it's teeth : the rat also , with the sawing of it's teeth : the frog croaks . but let us come to their use. for no man will deny that they are made of god for our benefit . hence they are to us aliment or nourishment , medicin , cloathing , and for other uses . nourishment : for those that are covered with hair supply us with milk , out of which is made butter and chees : the labouring cattel give us flesh , as do also those which live in desarts , harts , fallow-deer , boars , the elck and others . neither are we onely provided for with necessaries ; nature hath not forgot to store us also with delicacies : martial calls the flesh of the hare the chief daintie : the flesh also of a tame swine may so be seasoned or drest fiftie severall ways , that they may seem to be so many sorts of wild boars flesh . medicaments : for they have taught us some : 't is not one alone wherewith they supply us : we have it from the weasel and tortoise that savory and rue are available against venoms . the sea-hors hath taught us the art of bloud-letting by opening veins : the harts have led us to the knowledge of this , that dittany is good to draw darts ( out of the flesh . ) you may consult history touching remedies against diseases . cloathing : we have great advantage from the cattel by the use of their skins : we are beholden to them for the preservation of our bodies . the richest of the caspian people made their garments of camels hairs : those ( garments ) also are made of wool which gaesar called subcoacta compressed , helmodus presbiter feltra & filtra felts , the same with those called by the greeks pileta and pilota : out of these or of the quilted coverings made of course wool or flocks , or out of hides the soldiers made coats or coverings , wherewith they might avoid the darts . the dead ones supply us with skins . the first coats that god made , were out of these . hercules was cloathed with the skin of a lion. the ancient german garments that covered their shoulders and breasts were made of sheep-skins : their start-up-shoes and baggs were of raw hides : the shoes of their more noble persons were of tawed and dressed leather : lastly the frieslanders , by the command of drusius , brought the hides of oxen into military use . touching other uses i shall onely say this : that dogs serve for our preservation : cats defend the meat from the mice : the horse , the ass , the mule , the camel are used for carrying burdens . out of the nervs or sinews are made fiddle-strings . with the yard of the camels are bows best spanned or stretched out . the cords , wherewith the arms of the dart-shooting bows are kept together , are twined or wreathed on t of the sinews . paper is smoothed or polished with boars teeth . the vulgar or common servants among the romans were driven to their places of meeting by certain persons sounding with the horns of oxen . ambrose said that wine flowed down mens throats through a horn . the barbarous northern people did certainly drink out of the horns of the wild bulls . the altar of apollo of delos made of horns is accounted among the seven wonders of the world . bulls gall is of mighty vertue , even in copper , and in colouring skins of a golden colour . what shall i say of their dung ? of the differences whereof pliny thus speaks : some authours , for the manuring of ground , especially commend mans dung , calling it human dainties . others praefer that which men drink , viz. urin , when hair hath been steeped in it , 〈◊〉 tanners work-houses . in the next place they prais the filth of swine : columella onely ●ondemns it . varro add's to his precepts , that corn-ground should be nourished with that ●ors-dung , which is lightest , but the meadows with that which is heavier , as also that which 〈◊〉 made by those who feed on bearley , as bringing forth many herbs . some also praefer 〈◊〉 e dung of working-cattle before that of the buff or wild ox ; and that of the sheep before ●●at of the goats . but the asses dung is esteemed above all , because they feed most leisurly . touching their differences we might infinitely treat . but how we have digested the whole host of four-footed beasts into their severall orders or ranks , the ( following ) history will teach us . first you will meet with the whole-hoofed ; next cloven-hoofed , both such as chew the cud , whether horned or not , and those that chew not the cud : lastly those that have fingers & toes , or claws , both those who bring forth their young alive , whether on the land or water , and those who bring forth eggs , which are either cover'd with a shell , or not . but i will not further proceed herein . now , courteous reader , take my labour in good part ; and at the next marts or fairs expect the history of serpents & insects ; after which shall follow , if it please god , the history of such creatures as fly on high , & of those under the earth , and also of man. the naturall history of the fourfooted beasts . the first booke . of wholehoof'd fourfooted beasts . chapter i. of the horse . on the living creatures that are brutish , or without reason , and having blood , hath nature bestow'd feet , on some two , on some four . the four-footed , ( in latine called quadrupedes , in greek tetrapoda , by aristotle called peza ) are comprised under three main kindes . one whereof is wholehoofd or solidfooted , or onehoofd ( aschides , mononyschon . ) another sort are cloven-footed , having two clefts on either side , afore and behinde . in latine bisulca ; in greeke dichela , having as it were claws for hoofs . a third kind are as it were toed , having many parting 's ( in greeke polyschides , polydaktylon , in latine multifidum . ) they have all feet to goe on , but those that have toes doe the offices of hands with their forefeet , as the wholehoof'd doe with their hinderfeet . among the whole-hoof'd are the horse , the asse , the wild asse , the mule , the vnicorne , and the elephant ; whereof wee shall treat in order in this first booke . wee begin with the horse , which hath the preeminence among the labouring beasts , called jumenta from juvando , or helpfulnesse . demosthenes reckons him among city-ammunition . the romans out of the publique purse layde out peeces for this beast , and took them away from those , who could not goe to warre . a horse with faire trappings was held an ornament to any consul , or emperour . in many countries care hath been taken that no horse should be exported . the circassians suffered not the common-people to keep horses . m. anthony forbad riding on horseback in cities . atheas a scythian king curried his horse with his own hands . hectors wife andromache herself gave oates , and hay to her husbands horses , knowing hee took delight in them . theophilactus , patriarch of constantinople under lacapenus the emperor , kept above horses , and was so intent , and earnest in feeding them , that he gave them pistacknuts , pine-apples , palm-fruit , raisins , dried-figs ; and all of them choyse●t , moystened with perfumed wine , and mixt with saffran , cinnamon , and other costly druge ; in this excesse going beyond the emperor himself , who layd in the manger for his horse , called the winged , raisins , and kernels in stead of barly . the moxy , a people of tartary , on a set and solemne day yearly after some ceremonies , flaid a horse , eat the flesh at table , stuf'd the hide with chaff , then reare an altar , set it up thereon , worship'd it as a favourable deity . in petrarchs time there lived one in italy who doated so on his sick horse , that he spread under him a silk bed , with a golden pillow . and when hee himself was layd fast by the gowt that hee could not stirr , and must be ruled by the physitians laws , yet would hee needs bee carried by his servants , or be layd on another horse , and taking his physitians with him twice , or thrice a day visite his sick horse , and sit down by him sighing , and troubled , stroking him , and murmuring comfort to him . the mighty king of narsinga had a horse thought to be of such a value for the incredible plenty of jewels , wherewith it was laden , that hee was worth one of our cities . in such esteeme is the horse among most nations , as aldrovand shews more at large . but to come to his name . hee hath gotten divers names both with the greekes , and latines . by the greekes hippus and polos ( which yet is properly a fole . ) by the karians alla ; by some kalpis ( which seemes to fit the ambler ; by the ligurians damnos and ikkos ; by the etimologers kaballos , from the manger , and his ever-eating ; ergatees is a wrought one , or an ordinary one the same with caballus , so the latines use it . innos is that that hath an horse for the sire , and an asse for the dam ; hinnos , whose dam is a mare , and the sire a mu●e . aristotle takes it for a nag . keles , and azyx is a horse when back'd ; some say a generous one , some a saddle horse , or a bare horse ; some , but mistaking , a curvetter . chrysampus is rather an epithite or addition then a name , taken from the goldstring that ties his foretop . the latines call him equus from payring , or matching them in wagons . by scaliger eniochus and canterius from gelding ; ( varro ) or from branding ; or taken for a cheap , common horse . veredus is one that carries no packs , nor draws , or a post-horse . mannus is a little nag , so called from his gentle bringing to hand . seneca calls the tollutares when loose . others call them burdones , burichi , and strabo gygeny . musimones perhaps from the place whence they are had , so much for their names . wee need not describe so known a beast , for his , and their names . the hoofs ( ungulae , oplai , ) whole , firme , not cloven . chelidon is the hollow being like a swallows nest . batrachos , or frog is the tender part of the hoofe , which is hurt , if the nayls be ill driven . the dutch call it kern . full , fleshy hoofs are called chamelai in greeke . the joyning tween the hoof , and foot the greeks call stephanee . aristotle saith , no beast , but the indian asse hath ankle bones : ( but horses have pasterns , ) and that behind that answers the knee afore , a turning joynt , ( called suffrago , and garrectum ) joyning the foot to the leg . they have fetlocks ; little bones called basis ▪ tufts of hayre adorne them . the haunches , the hips , large and strong ; the horse thereof is thought to desire his rider , or the saddle near his shoulders ; the asses and mule contrary . the seat , ( edra ) is that part of the back whereon men sit . the shoulder is called armus . both horses and mares have teats ; these two tween the thighs , those have but risings like teats . the taile is quite contrary to the oxes ; a short dock , and long haire , serving them for a flee-flap . they are stiffer in horses then mares , these weaken them with staling . horses have manes , and crests , and fore-tops . the lower eylids have no hayr ; therefore the painter , ( whether the ephesian apelles , or nicon , micon , or polygnostus , is doubtfull ) is blamed for painting hayr there . it is a mistake in pliny , and arist. that ( except man ) they only grow gray , or hoory , by reason of the thinnesse of their brainpan , for dogs also wax grizly . under the saddle on the scares of gall'd places ever grow white hayrs , whether because that part is weak , and perisht , or for any other cause . yet they come forth of one colour , if you sprinkle on them ground barly fried , which hath a dispersing , and cleansing power . of the colours in the differences : they have a continued rew of teeth on both sides ; and besides those in colts , . afore the rest are small ones , as big as a bean that hinder their chewing , and make them leaner . the stone horses are said to have more then mares . they change . the foreteeth are shed first , called cutters and suckers ; they are , in the upper , in the lower chap. these shew the horses age . for a horse moneths old looses first his middle teeth , . above , and below . entring on their fourth year , they shed as many more , then come columellares , or eye-teeth . in the fifth year they shed the second dogteeth ; in the sixth year they grow again ; and then they have their full number in the eighth year . three year after , they break a tooth , which becomes roundish , and then square , when a rheum falls into their mouths . after they grow crooked , & stick out sometimes ; and wax hollow ; and after there is no guessing at their age . yet at their temples grow hollow , and their eybrows gray , and their teeth stick out , at a blacknesse is seen in the midst of their teeth , saith vegetius , but varro , and arist. write then they wax brighter with age . pliny saith they grow reddish . some have their names from the variety of teeth among the greeks ; they with the marke out of the mouth , agnomoi , &c. some write besides of grinders , and double teeth . they hold them fast , though old , and fed with hard meat , because they eat nothing hot . the farrides call the cheekbone psalion , gnathos , jaw , or chap. the chaps are very large , and moved by great muscles , because they eat stooping . in the heart is sometimes a bone found . some say hee hath a gall , some deny it . indeed hee hath no gall-bag in the liver . yet ruinus in dissecting a horse found on the right side of the liver a hollow receit for gall . in most it is set in sprigs into the substance of the bowels , whereby the liver easily disburthens it self of gall ; it layes it also into the duodenum gut , or the first gut foot long . nature , it seems confines the gall to no one bag in him , as in man , and in other beasts , because hee is ever eating , and needs gall ever ready to provoke him to dung . it is observed in their shape that the foles are a little lower then their dams , and being growen up cannot reach their head . it is said a witchcraft of lust , called hippomanes is naturall to them , and sticks in their foreheads , it is black , as big as a fig , which the mare presently after foaling bites off afore shee lets the fole suck , such another grows on the mares privities . this venome but daubd on the brazen olympick mare set all the horses a madding : as pliny , pausanias , and aelian . ( h. a. l. . c. . and . . ) write . horses are found in all places almost . they delight in marishes , and places wel watered , though plains , or hills . and such places are fittest for them , not dry grounds ; nor pestered with trees ; and where tender shrubs grow rather then tall trees . horses for state , and service in warre stand in the stable at rack , and manger , where they are tied with head-stalls . their feed is fruit , it is a wise beast in choyse . barly is lesse windy for them then oats , or wheat . wee use oats . in england and elsewhere hors-loaves of beans , and pease . grasse is the common , and proper fodder , and hay . melilote in italy is called the horse three-leave-grasse . strabo speaks of a median physick grasse that battens them . not the first cutting , especially if it grow in stinking pudde water , that is unwholesome . they cut it , or times a year . some commend cytisus in winter , being dry , moystned . ten pound serves an horse ; lesse , other cattell . in many places they give them bundles of vetches . by damascus , pulse ; for a need other things . caesars horses besieged by scipio ate duck meat , rinced in fresh water . the pompejan horses at dyrrachium in a siege ate leaves striped from trees , and reed-roots . in senega , that dry soyl , fitches , and mixt . in thrace by strymon , thistle-leaves . in parthia the herb hippax . in tartary boughs , and bark of trees , and roots strook out of the earth with their hoofs . in aden they eat fish , there being plenty there . and dried fish in golconda in persia ; and among the gedrosians , the celtae , macedonians , lydians , and paeons inhabiting the prasian lake . the arabs feed them twice a day with camels milk . in spring with tender herbs . they love to drink water whether troubled , or clear , running , or standing , muddy , or other . some , to make them metled , give them wine ; especiall if leane , of old beer of oats , or corne , say some . the males live longest . we read of one years old . at they gender . after men use them for stallions . one called opuns , held out years . some judge their age by the pinching of their shoulder-skin , if after pinching it , unfold it self leysumly , it is an old , if presently , a young horse . some judge by the joynts in the tayl , after the mark is out of the mouth . mares leave growing at , males grow a year longer , after they spread , and so till . but mares come sooner to their just pitch . it is the most lustfull of all beasts ; whence a venerous man is compared to a horse , and called hippobinos . the mares are most salacious ; among whom cupid is by poëts faind to be bred , and whores all called mares ; having been but a few dayes together they smell out one another . the horses by biting drive away strange mares , and hold to their owne , feeding with them . some say , a mare great with fole , will take horse , some deny it . gryllus in plutarchs questions , whether buggerers are not worse then beasts , since beasts sollicite none . yet at athens , a horse is said to have ravisht a girle , the daughter of the last of the codry , called hippomanes . those that begin to gender at two years old , bring weak colts ; but they begin commonly at , or moneths old , and hold on to . they are fit when they cease breeding teeth ; but best , if they feed well , when they are a year and half old complete , or somewhat yonger . pliny saith that mares , after the third , or one year after they have had a fold , may take horse againe , and bee forced to it ; the tame dayes sooner then those that run abroad . in hispaniola at moneths old they conceive , and oft fole two at once . columella thinks the mare should bee years old , and the horse . shee after bring sluggish foles ; he lasts to . anatolius would have the horse begin at , and give over at . you shall know their lust , by gathering themselves up together , oft whisking the tayl , and oft staling . the horse will bee covering the mare one , two , somtimes dayes , or more ; it is fit to give him a years intermission . the beginning of the conception from the spring equinoctial to the solstice in april , in hote places , is colder in may. so that the mare , using to fole in the twelfth moneth , that will fall out about the green and temperate season of the year . the eleans carry their mares out of their own coasts to take horse , because they find by experiments , that by this means the brood wonderfull prospers . the males covet coupling in the morning-season , the females after mid-day . some give them provocatives . absyrtus bids men to weaken a deers tayl burnt in wine , and therewith to anoynt them . some give them parsnip ; some put nettles into their mouths , &c. the mares of lybia , and mysia , are provoked with piping , and come thereby to bee with fole , as we read in aelian in his history of beasts , in booke , chapter . pollu calls the pipe hippophorbus , made of a bay-tree peeld . yet all conceive not , neither doe all that conceive , bring forth ; which is , say they , betokened by this , that the brood about the reins , hath somewhat like reins that being cut , it seems to have reins . if you demand how many mares serve one horse , columella saith , no lesse then , nor above . arist. allows him . palladius advises to allot to able horses , either few or many ; and to a young and handsome one , or . you shall know when they are with fole , by the holding up of their months , or by their refusing the horse , or by their hayr turning on a sudden redder , or fuller then it was . they say that it shall be an horse-colt , if the mare take horse the third day afore the full moon ; if the third after , a female-colt , they guesse the former , if the horse mount on the right side , the latter , if on the left . in pharsalia they counted that a right mare , whose fole resembled the sire . that they conceived by the wind in portugal , colum. varro , plin. solinus , albertus , avicen , thought , and s. austin affirmes it of cappadocia ; but iustin reckons it for a fable . aristotle denies it to be possible . husbandmen tell what is to bee done about those with fole . they cast their fole , if they smell the smoke of a candle , or if an asse cover them . they goe with fole , according to the opinion of most , a yeare ; according to absirtus , eleven moneths and ten dayes . the hardnesse of the belly is the cause , if we follow aristotle . they bring forth with most of all the footed beasts , and standing upright . eumelus saith , that if they be long in foaling . bind her nostrils close , and gently , and you help her . for the most part they bring but one at once , sometimes twins . they are very cleanly in foaling , not voiding much blood , according to their bignesse . assoone as she hath foale'd , shee eats her after-birth , and the bunch that is on the foals forehead . there have been hermophrodites , to wit , of both sexus foales . nero shew'd such mares brought out of trier land , yoaking them in his chariots , a strange sight ; the lord of the world riding on monsters . of such a mixt brood that belonged to the vicount princival cardanus writes thus ; he had but one stone in the right place with swelling teats , such as mares have : and besides a matrice , whereout he put forth his member , that was not greater then fingers . when the greeks would expresse a horses neighing , they call it chremetizein and epichremitizein , the latine , fremere , hinnire . the voyce it self is called mimigmos , &c. of the change whereof arist. writes , they differ much in their neighing . the shefolds send forth as soone as foled , a very small voyce ; the males somewhat fuller , and greater , which dayly increases . a horse of two years old , when he begins to engender , neighs strongly ; and the mare clearer , and shriller then afore , and it continues so , for the most part , till ; after that age their neigh is feebler . there are that never neigh in company ; miraldus calls them dumb : when they goe , or pace , they make a noyse with their feet , striking the ground with their hoofs : whence the latines call them sonipedes , homer hypsechees , or great noyse-makers ; because they cannot so well bend their hams , they are most weary going up hill , and falling , they run headlong ; going down hill , they can well endure their burden , because they have foure thighs . their nimblenesse , both the epithites give them , that we meet with in authors , and examples testifie . homer calls them okypodes , elaphropodes , &c. fleetfooted , and deerfooted . oppianus writes , that those of iberia were so swift , that eagles onely might be compared with them , or hauks of the circus , where they ran for mastery . perseus his pegasus is said to be winged . some write that the sarma●ae , could dispatch with their long journeys of miles , without drawing bit , or baiting . in arabia , if we credit vertomannus , they hold a more fleet pace day and night without resting . in the alanican war , probus the prince , ( men report ) tooke one that in one day would travell an miles , and would hold out so for ten dayes together . but , it is questioned , whether mare , or horse are swifter . homer gives the plam to the pheretian mares . menelaus his aetha was exceeding fleet . horace chooses to say , that horses are fitter to draw then mares . pliny saith , that mares stale as they run . the mare of crauxida , in the eight olympiade , out-ran all the race-horses . wee read that hecra●ites the thessalian his mare , and shee was great with fole ( pliny calls her echecratides ) had the better of all the running-horses in the olympique games . but oppinan writes , that males are better for hunting ; that mares cannot so well ridde way in woods , in long courses . what cicero means by the horse called admissus , see in aldrovandus ; he grows restive , lesning , or loosing his pace , if he stand long idle in the stable . therefore when king antigonus with his cavallery was besieged , and so straitned , that he had no place to exercise his horse , he caused them to be thrust up by the head , that their forefeet could not touch ground , and forced them to strike with their hind feet , which made them sweat , as if they had travelled . it is well knowne , that wasps breed in the marrow of a rotten horse . if you look upon their nature , they are very sociable , they sup their drink , and plunge their nose deep in the water , which is a signe of their boldnes : their minds are ever on rack and manger , and can better endure thirst then hunger : mares stale often ; and their monthly clensings : they dung more dry , then wet stuff , because they are kept at hard meat : if you ride them hard , and tire them , they fome : the cause whereof galen hath exactly declared ; they dream on what they are wonted : they sleep commonly standing ; especially geldings ; who are more drowsy then others . when they are angry , like dogs , they shew their teeth , and bite : they love to be strok't : they eagerly love their folds . hence it was that dartius after his defeat escaped on a mare out of the battle at issus , shee hastning home to her fole . and the tartarians , when they goe into any land to seek for prey , or plunder , where the sunne shines for a good part of the year , they leave their folds on the borders ; so that the mares marking their night-journey at their return , goe strait to their foles . the mares are seldome , but sometimes mad ; as when they see their shape by reflection in the water , they are taken with a vain selflove , and forget their meat , and pine to death ; they are brought to their wits againe , if you cut off their maine , and bring them to water : then the memory , of the former ugly shape that they saw , will be abolished . aelianus writes that the lycospadian horses did their best , that they might seem comely to their wagoners . unto their inward sences , their witt , teachablenesse , memory , love , and faithfulnesse towards their masters , chastity , and courage doe belong . it is ascribed to their witt , that they know the enemies of their partye , so that they bite their enemies in battle : that , having lost their riders that they loved , they pine themselves to death : that they showe by their eares what they heare , and that they know well a skilfull horsman . alexander his busephalus , would vouchsafe to suffer none at any time to back him beside his lord , and that with his kingly caparisons : and having received deepe wounds in a battle , he fell not before he had set his lord safe downe out of danger . solinus and suetonius tell us , that cajus iulius caesar , his horse would receive no man on his back besides caesar. a certaine pannonian physition , his horse being let loose afore the dores , would wait even a whole day , untill his master returned from the sick ; and when he came againe , met him rejoycing ; it is well knowne by the example of the sybarites , that they may be taught to daunce , who were come to that hight of madnesse , that in their drinking-feasts , they would teach there horses to daunce to the pijpe . scaliger writes of a horse that he sawe , that was little and mishapen , which a certain juggeler carried about to showe , by whose desire also he would sometimes doe all his trickes , that he would walke , goe a round trott , run , daunce , either on fourefeete or on two . wee have seen them drinke wine , sitting on their buttocks ; that they have bourne up their first foure feet , to carry a goblet : that they have bourne up a basen with their legges , as if they had beene to be washed by a barber ; as we see the painted asse with the coule : they will lye all alonge on the ground , stretched out at length : that they will beckon unto you , closing their eye-lids : and lift up their head at their master his nod : and turne on their back , lying with their face upward . it is knowne that they knowe their stable , and returne willingly home . therefore galba , when there was a dispute about the possession of a horse , whose he was , commanded that he should be led vailed to watering , and when he had drunke , he would go home to the right stable . as deuxippus his horse was so taught , that he would gallop with him without a bridle , and when he went saftly afore , he would stand still . strabo tels us , that the horses of the nigrites , followed their masters like dogs . we read in herodotus , that they were taught by the yarce , to lye down on their belly . in parthia a horse boud down to narva . another at paris , made obeisance with bent knees , to the queene of louïs the twelfth . in the yeare . we saw at venice , that a horse would leep through wooden hoopes , like a doge , and jumping with a lively swiftnesse turne himself round ; that they have a good memory , the sound of the trumpet especially showes us , which as soone as the horse heares , he prickes up his eares , snortles , he neighs , he champs upon the bit : he beats the earth with his hoofes , no ground will scarce hold him . a certaine jester also in tzetzen , riding upon a chariot-horse , lost his dinner , because the horse lighting by chance upon the marke-piller , thinking it to be the circe , he went round about the piller till night , running with great violence . to say nothing of that tholossanus writeth of the horse of a certaine bishop , that his brother had so wonted , that as often as he heard these words , o god , attend to be my helper , he would leap often , and high from the ground , curvetting , and bounding . as concerning their love , gratitude , and faithfulnesse toward their master , examples witnesse for them . antiochus his horse , his lord being slain in battell , cast himself , and rider centeretrius a gaul man headlong down . a horse of a scythian king , with kicks , and bites killed the conquerer , comming to plunder . dionysius his horse , being left by him , sticking in the mudde , ( as we read in pliny out of philistus , ) as soon as hee got out , traced his masters steps , though a stock of bees clave to his back . homer saith , that patroclus his horse wept . virgil writes the same of pallantus , suetonius of caesar , cardan of his own gennet . pliny also hath delivered , that many horses have such an affection to their masters , that they will mourn for them , and sometimes bewaile them with tears . king nicomedes being slain , his horse starv'd himself to death . the same is related of the horse of socles an athenian , after hee had sold him away . of their chastity you may read in aelian , varro , and others . pliny breefly thus : a horse his eyes being uncovered , and knowing then that hee had covered his dame , sought a steep place , and there killed himself . and in the reatine province , a mare for the like reason perisht , and tore the carter in peeces , who had so deceived her , for they have understanding of their kindred ; therefore a mare will choose rather to keep her sister of the former year company , then the dame . about the folds jealousy , that is sprung from an incestuous commixture , see aldrovandus . of the courage of the horse , the same author speaks at large . let it suffice , that pliny hath advised , that you shear of the horse main , that they may condescend to cover an asse , for they pride themselves in their crest . there have been those also , that would win a course without a wagoner . in the circe , put into chariots , they undoubtedly manifest that they understand both hartning , and prayse . in claudius caesars races , a charioter being shaken at setting out , from his seat , the horses clad in white , won the race , dashing out of their way whatever hindred them , and performing all against their corrivals , as if they had had a guide , shaming men , and their skill , that they should be outdone by horses ; and comming , having run their course , to the goal , they stood stone still . it was a great matter of divination of old , that horses in the plebejan-games , having cast off their guide , ran into the capitol , and thence compassed the seat there , ( as pliny adds . ) and the greatest omen of all , that ratumena , being conqueror of veja , ran with lawrell , and crownes thither ; from which gate came to beare the name . in pausanias we read that phidotus of corinth his mare , her name was aura , her rider falling off , at first starting , held her course as exactly , as if he had been managed by a horseman , and reaching the goal , she turne herself ; but hearing the trumpet sound , shee was mad to be running , and preventing the judges , she stood still , as knowing that she had won . if you mark their sympathy , and antipathy ; the horse holds much friendship with hens , and the buzzard ; but is at enmity with the camel , elephant , wolf , beare , sow , sheep , asse , serpents , a fish called trachurus , the sea-calf , apples , and figs , a kinde of barly called pelwort , of a black colour , and dead carkasses . when cyrus encountred craesus his horse with camels , the horse fled . xerxes placed his arabians , mounted in camels in his rere , least his horse should bee frighted . in the tarentine war , the horses being terrified by the greatnesse , the misshapen bulk , and strange hew , and hideous noyce of the elephants , thinking those unknown beasts to be huger then indeed they were , fled all , which cause a great slaughter . caesar wading over a river in brittain , mounted on an elephant , amazed the british horses . aporta reports , that they cannot abide so much as drums made of the skins , either of elephant , or camel , or wolf. pliny testifies , that it went by tradition , that a horse will burst that under his rider treads in a wolfs steps . we read in aelian , that if a wolf tread on a horse heel , as he is drawing a cart , he stands still , and stif , as if with the carter he were frozen . pierius valerianus reports , that you cannot get a horse to passe by , where a wolfs bowels are buried . pliny saith , that if you ty great teeth to horses , they will never tire . we shall speake of lycospadi , and lycophori , or horses that men ride with bits , when we shall deal with the differences of horses . wee ow it to portaes relation , that bears in the wildernesse , are affrighted by a drum , made of a horsehide . geldings will by no meanes come neare a lion , others not gelt will run on him . if sheep stand in a stable wherein mules , horses , or asses have stood , they easily get the scab . braying asses in darius his expedition against the scythians , troubled their horses . of serpents , and horses , silius ital. hath written . the tayl of a trachurus hung at a mares belly , makes her cast her foal , if we beleeve aelian . they cannot abide the sight of a sea-calf . they swound , if they carry appels , or figs ; but come to themselves again , if you lay bread afore them : they will not touch a kind of barley , that grows in thrace , near a province of the scythians and medes . they run mad , if you smeare their nostrils with the herb laser , or benjamin . gesner was informed by an old man , that gentiana , or pelwort , causes mares to cast fole . if they tread on henbane , they cast their shoos . if horses drink of the river sybaris , they are troubled with neezing : if of cossiniris in thrace , that fall into the land of the abdeerites , they run mad . the same is said of a well , or pit , not far from potniae a city of boeotia . silius ital. writes , that catoes horse , though spurr'd on , would not approach a black moore in black harnesse . we have it from homer , that they loath carcases . wee have great use of the horses in meat , phisick , war , hunting , journeying , triumphs , and other occasions : we will onely see in what account they are to be had in meats , and medicine . that not onely besieg'd persons have eaten horse-flesh , as in verona under maximilian the first , in novara , under lewis aurelian ; at rupel , under lewis of france , to name no more , but we read that heathens make it their food the name of the nomedes , the scythians , the scarmathae , and the late tartarians is well knowne ; these take pleasure in wounding and cutting of horses , and feeding upon half rawe flesh : they eat horses dyeing the day before of themselves , or of a desease , the impostumed place being cut up ; and their kings , when they would distribute provisions amongst them , were wont to give one horse amongst men . and also amongst the persians in their feasts on their bearth-day , they had set before them whole roasted horses : and among the gearmans , they ate both wild and tame horses , untill it was forbidden by gregory the iii. bruerenus relates , that he hath heard that the inhabitants of the alpes , eate colts . blood also hath beene a delicate : pliny indeed reports that the sauromatae doe live of hirse , especially puls , and also rawe meal mingled with blood out of the thigh vaines . mecovius and paulus venetus have written , that if travellers be surprized with hunger and thirst , they satisfie themselves with opening of vaines and drinking of blood . wee read in horace , that the cancany , who according to some are besalte , and according to acron and porphiry are spanish nations , delighted in the same food . concerning milk there is no doubt . for the scithyans give their children mares-milke , assoone as they are borne . thence have they their names of horse and milke-suckers . the same lay the milke in the sun , that the thicker part may settle downe , and by and by they seath it . they say that it becomes like white wine . the moschy once , the servants of the tarters , were wont to present them mares-milke upon their journey , as they came with their captaine to demand tribute . writers are not agreed what hippacks is . hypocrates , dioscorides , and pliny , write that it is chees , which he ads smels of vennome , and answers in proportion to ox-milke , others beleeve it to be mares-milke crudled . theopompus writes that it was scithian food of mares-milke ; however it is , we read in theophrastus that they could live or days together upon that and licourise : hypocrates testifies , that for the most part they use mares-milk chees . neither is that any wonder , since some relate , that zoroaster lived once six moneths with milke alone ; which atheneus declares also of another . as for what belongs to medicines , horses milk , whay , blood , greace , curd , teeth , heart-bone , liver , stones , gall , hayre , hoofes , sweat , foame , spittle , stale and dunge hath place therein ; their milke is very purgative , as dioscorides delivers . whay serves to cleanse the ulsers of the reins , to wit that , that by seathing is sever'd from the milk , if we beleeve aethius . rhasis writes that a woman , if shee unwittingly drink mares-milk , if shee presently accompany with her husband , shall conceive . i find also in pliny , that the same milk is good to wash the matrix . their blood is of a purifying quality , but whether that of mares , that have taken horse , or of stallions , or of either sex , experience may best decide . pliny writes , that the same is good for the kings evill : and fariers use it for divers diseases . the phragmaticum drawn from the matrix , warme with oyl and wine , and smeard on over the whole beast against the hayr , cures it . the gall is of a malignant nature , and is reckoned among poysons , so that the priest for that cause must not touch a horse . his grease smoked brings forth a dead birth , and the after-birth follows . his marrow is mixt with ointment for the cramp . curd from the mares milke is accounted a remedy against bloody fluxes , and collicks , say dioscor . gale. avicenna , and haly. meal made of their teeth sprinkled on the privities cures many , cures their greefs . the teeth that a horse first sheds tied to infantes , eases them in breeding teeth , and with more successe , if they have not toucht the ground . sextus writes that with a touch they heal the toothake ; for , hee adds , that if an infant kisse a horse mouth , the pain of the teeth is not felt , nor will a horse bite an infant . the tongue in wine is a present remedy for the milt , saith pliny . the heartbone neerly resembles dogsteeth : it scarifies , or opens a sore ; or if you take a tooth out of a dead horses jaw it helps a sore shoulder , plini saith , infallibly . the liver laid up in a cedar chest , tempered with wine of chies , and water prevents the consumption of the liver . de ▪ milt drunke in fresh water cast forth a dead child , saith pliny . their stones dride , and drunke provoke lust . bunches in their knees , and the hard skin of their hoofs or grown ground to pouder , and given in vineger are good against the falling sicknesse , as dioscor , galen . and pliny write . the hayr tied at a doore keepes flies , and the worms called cniphes out , as rhasis , and albertus have delivered . three horse bristles tied in so many knots within sores in the privities , helpe them . the ashes of the same taken out of the head , or belly stops a flux of blood . warts are taken away , if you bind a horse hayr about them , because by tying that that feeds them is stopt , and so they dry away . the ashes of their hoofs smeare with oyl , and water on wax kernels , and apostumate , mattery swelling in any part scatters , and removes them : and also bunches , if mingled with hot urine . the same being taken in with wine , and water helps against the stone in de bladder . hierocles write , scrapings pourd into a horses nostrils provokes him to stale . their sweat , drunk with urine in a bath drives out belly wormes , and serpents ; if you will trust the promises of some , mixt with wine , and drunke by one great with child makes her miscarry . if a knife , or sword warme out a wound be dipt therein , it is so infected , saith albertus , that the wounded place will never leave bleeding till the party dy . their fome newly taken from them infuse in oyl of roses helps eares , though never so sore . gesner commends their spittle as a remedy for the pestilentiall burning in the jaws , that sometimes in summer troubles especially shouldiers ; let the patient , saith hee , gargle horses spittle in his mouth , that is provenderd with oats , or barly : then bruse together living crabs , presse out the moysture , and wash it again with the same ; if you cannot get living ones , sprinkle the pouder of crabs dried in an oven : after you have washt it with horses spittle . give to them that are so far gone in a consumption of the lungs , that they are given over , an horses some , or spitle in warme water three dayes together , the sick person shall without delay be healed , but the horse shall dy . as for their stale , and dung , let it suffice to have said , that mingled with smiths forge water it helps the falling sicknesse ; the same sod in white wine is used against the collicke , and the bite of a scorpion ; and in water , good against a flux . being fresh and put to the nose stanches blood , especially if stird with chalk , and sharp vineger mingled with egg-shell beaten to powder , it prevents the over-bleeding of a wound . their breath , as some feign , is a preservative against the plague . the differences , or kinds of horses are manifold ; the cheefe are borrow from places , parts , and certain accidents . from place , those of acarnan are said to be greatest ; whence it grew a proverb , when men spake of any huge thing . the aethiopian horses , ( the wild i beleeve ) are reported to be wingd , and horned , and can endure no heat . those from agrigentum were use to be sent of old to the graecian games , and went away still conquerors . the alanican were fleetest , and strongest . probus had one , as men say , of such swiftnesse , that between sun , and sun hee went an hundred mile , and would hold out so ten dayes together , as wee have said . the english are most pacers , few trotters , saith polydore virgil. the apaniensers in sytia kept above mares , and they sent out for breed . those of apulia are cried up for the best war-horses , saith varro , and volateran . those of arabia , specially the mares , in a day and a night , or thereabout , can rid an mile ground , if we beleeve vartomannus . arcadia is famous for breed of mules tween-horses , and shee-asses , whence it hath the name hippobatos . the armenian are of the parthian race , but have greater heads , saith absyrtus . the gennets of austria are small , having a soft turning in the opening of their thighs , have been in great request ; but are unfit for warre . the barbaries out of tunis , and numidia are swiftest . those of bengala are so hard hooft , that they need not be shod , though they travell among rocks , and mountains . in bisnagar they are sould for , or peeces of gold , and sometimes , because they are fetcht elsewhere . the britones have short thighs and eares . those of burgundy most patient . the calabrian best travellers . those of cappadocia best of all ; they used to pay yearly to the persian a thousand five hundred . those of caraja are brought by merchants into india , the natives use to cut two or three joynts from their tayl , that they may not swinge their rider . those of biscay are whitish ; brought into the farther end of spaine , they change colour . those of cilicia payd for tribute white horses to darius . those of corsica are gallant spirited , but low ; some little bigger then sheep , saith procopius ; some add that they cannot be rode unlesse you close their eyes . the cretan are so lofty spirited , a man dare scarse come near them . those of cyrene pinchbellued , but have sound feet , shortbreath'd if ridden , and of great bulk . the dacian most fleet , with manes hanging to the ground , long-tayles , and little heads . the danish handsome , and famous for strength . the oelandi of the i le of the gothique sea , the least tits in the world , but very teachable . the elean prayz'd for swiftnesse ; the natives cause their mares to be lead out of their coasts to take horse , finding by experience , that it wonderfully betters the breed . the epirots are biters , and froward , by the elis they deserved the palme ; they now call them aban . vegetius applauds the frigisci , as out-done by none for swiftnesse , and holding out untired . the german horses are most trotters . the transilvanian not so docible as others , but yeelding to none in maintaining a long course . those of greece , whereof absyrtus writes , have good feete , a great body , a handsome head , high afore , neat bodyed , but unhandsome buttocks , no way answering the rest , swift and couragious . the hetrusei are copt-headed and thick crested . the spanish are great , and handsome bodyed , straight , neat of head , their whole frame plainely distinct ; but thin buttockt , able , and stout travellers of a body , nor slender , nor leane , but fit for going , and neede no spur . besides they are from the time of their foaling to their full age , well manner'd , and obedient , after untoward , and biters . rodericus santius saith , that so great is there fidelity , that when they feele themselves wounded in battle , they set downe their rider safe from all danger : they commonly call them gennets . those of holland , especially southward , are of baway bodies . in friesland , their horses generous , thick-brested , and fit for warre-service . the hunnisci are of a great and bow-bending head , their eyes sticking out , narrow of nostrill , broad cheeckt , strong , and stiffe-neckt , their manes hang below their knees , great ribs , saddle-backt , thick taild , strong leg'd , small footed , full and broad hoofs , hollowe bouweld , and the whole body full of nooks , no fat in their buttocks , no muscles in their necks , rather long , then high statured , hanging bellyed , great boned , leane , but handsome , and whose deformity it self is beautifull , their spirit moderate , and knowing , patient of wounds : they are otherwise called hunnici : perhaps they are those of hungaria , that , camerarius saith , never shed their teeth . those of iberia are swift , but not for a long course , handsome bodyed , but tender hoof●d . perhaps they are not those of spaine , but out of iberia , betweene armenia and colchis ; though oppianus makes them the same . of the indian horses , aelian saith , that they are hardly stopt when they run , unlesse by most skilfull horsemen . these know how to run the ring . the iusubres are harder neckt then others , and of sparkling eyes . the istrian , tall their backbone continued , and hollow , or saddle-backt . the lidian , very long , of thick ribs and sides , and broad brested . they can well endure heat , and thirst at midday . the massesily are small , and fleet , governed onely with a switch , which is also said of the moorish . the menapian , or gelders , are the onely warre-horses of jermeny , and therefore much valued . some will have them called cicambry . the moscy go unshod . the murciby , will scarce take a bit into their mouth . the neapolitan , are stout , handsome , and strong . the negritae are almost of no use , because of the too much heat : as also because they are codsweld , that they cannot stale . in stead of hay they use shred fitches dryed in the sun : for oates they use hirse : for a horse trapped , and with his other furniture they will give nine slaves , at the most . the nisei , which oppeanus priseth highly , are most dutifull easie paced and reined , smal-headed , their maines long and thick , the haire hanging downe on each side , somewhat yellow . stephanus and am. marcel . testifie , that they have beene out of media , they are also called nesei ; they were wont to send yearly of them to the king of persia , about the time when the feast of mithra was held . norwey breeds horses of a middle pitch , but those of an admirable stoutnesse , and fleednesse , even in craggy wayes . the numidian , tast not barley , nor wheat , being content with grasse , and hay alone . the parthian are of fast , huge body ; their hayr tied up in crisped curls . the persian horses are not much unlike others in stature , and shape , onely are discerned from others by a certain gracefull walke . they take their steps thick , and short , but their pace delights , and recreates the rider , which they have naturall , never being taught it ; they are reckoned among the pacers , or amblers , and rackers , like neither , yet like both : for a spurt they have a gracefull gate , in a long journey of a strong endurance , of a proud temper , and , unlesse kept down by labour , dayly stubborn against their rider ; swelling , ingenious : and , which is strange , in such a hote climate , wary observers of comelinesse in carriage , their crest arched , and bowing downe to their very breast . among the pharsalick , arist. avers , there was a kind of mare , called justa , that brought foals all like stallions ; whence it may bee , they have the name , justae , or perfect . the polonian are coveted by strangers , partly for their swiftnesse , and endurance of hardship , partly for their easie going . among the psylli , aelian faines that their horses are no greater then rams . what the saphareni are , that vegetius mentions with the armenian , having applauded the persian , i can in no author find . i guesse they are from saphara , a towne of arabia the happy , neare the midland-sea , which pliny mentions , and ptolomy calls saphara . those of sardis are most cried up , their tayls are long , and bushy , their crest short , their hoofs like asses : of a strong , sinewy limbs , ears prickt up , if stradanus have well described them . the sarmatici , a kind not unhandsome , and in their kind neat , good racers , plain , and great bodied , strong of head , and of a comely neck . they geld them , least being enraged by the sight of mares , they be borne away , and take head , or being high fed , they should run a madding , and by often neighing , betray their owners . pliny saith , that that people , when they are to take a long journey , prepare their horses by keeping them short , and hungry , and let them not drinke much , and so shall travell miles without lighting . the scenitae are outgone by none in swiftnesse . in swethland , and gothland , they are great , and very serviceable in battell , when armed , and are forbidden , by royal command , to be exported . the tartar are most white . venetus writes , that the great cham keeps xm ; so fleet they are , that they can ride german miles of ground in one day : low crested , and with their feet they search for their food , and water under the snow ; and are fleeter then others , as the moschi say . those of thessalie have this brand on them , that they are oxheaded . the thrasian horses are ugly , mishapen , rough-bodied , great-shouldered , saddle-back'd , crooked-shanked , and goe an uncertain jogging pace . yet virgil praises the delphique ( uncertain , doubtfull ) oracle . the toringi , vegetius commends , setting them next the hunnisci . volateran makes those of sardinia , and corsica , isles of the tyrrhene sea , to be very low , but generous , and restles . and thus much of their kinds , in respect of places . very many differences also meet us taken from their severall shaped parts , some are stild elaphopodes , or hartfooted , from their deersfeet , who have bones in their hough joynt , that make them of a hobbling pace , that they tire their rider with their shufling , so hard they set . some in the same parts have short , and low bonds , and their hoofs come to the inmost part of their heels , so that they trail , and drag their legs after them , and halt ; these are dog-footed . some are waglers . absyrtus calls them eteroskeleis ; not having a right stroak . some tosse their heads up , ( or hold them like a pig on a spit , ) others are unlike jaw'd , one jaw hard , the other soft ; from their accidents , or qualities , they are distinguisht ( to let passe the rest ) from their colour . in which respect , they are some fleabitten , some streaked , some pide , some all of a colour , white , black , red , chestnut , &c. the spotted , especially with great coleblack spots , and ringlets , whether on the thighs , or back , at length , or distinct on the neck , are counted the noblest , and are thought the choyser , because nature seemes , in so marking them , to keep a kind of order , whether in respect of numbers endures , or placed in those spots , or straitnesse : next to these are the red , and dark spotted . to these may be refer'd the chequered , or dappled , the speckled , like panthers ; the pide ; the fleabitten ; those like magpies , full of black and white spots . those whose right , or left feet are both white , are esteemed bad . those that have each other foot white , worst of all . the reason is , because the legs lay clapt together in the dames belly , whence they became so spotted . those that are of one onely colour , palladius advises to choose for stallions . the white claudian counts fleetest , and are most magnified by plato . those also that are gray-eyed ; for , since they all , either black , or goot-eyed , or grey-eyed , the colour of the ey answers that of the body . the blackish are cried up , especially , if they have a star in the forehead , and a white streak , and some white on one foot . the cole-blacke , as it were schorcht in the fire , ( homer calls them aithoonas ) oppian commends them for hunting the wild boar . there are some brightbloody , and palme colour'd , and bay , and chestnut . becanus saids the azure , or blewish are fleet . hesychius , and varinus mention flame-colour'd . some , ( calls heterophthalmi ) have one ey greater , or lower then the other . lacuna miscalls them , one-eyed . the parthians liked the fearfull ones best , perhaps , because good to run away upon . some are called aetogeneis , or eaglebreed , from a native scarlet spot on the shoulder , as absyrtus thinks ; the sarmatae hold them for good : but reject those that have an eagle marke about their hips , or tayl . lastly , those that are called alphorugchoi , are said to hold out good , and not to decay so soon as others . chapter ii. of the asse . next the horse , i shall treat of the asse , a beast contemptible indeed , but no lesse usefull . certainly the report goes , that it is above beleefe , almost how gainfull they proove to their owners : and it is said for certain , that a shee-asse there was , that brought in more then any the most fruitfull farme : for it was knowne , as we read in pliny , that in celtiberia , shee-asses each yeelded pieces of mony , so fruitfull they were . no wonder therefore that q. axius the senatour , gave pieces for an asse ; and that heliogabalus distributed asses for rich magnificent presents , and donatives to the people of rome . the name the asse hath obtained among the romans ( asinus ) is not derived from a , and sinos , as if he were a senselesse beast , as bartholomaeus plays upon the word ; but from sitting , as one should say , a waine , or waggon ; or rather from the hebrew word ason , that signifies an asse . the greeks call him onos , because helpfull to us in our works ; unlesse it were better to say , from the palish , wan colour , whence also it is thought that the same name ( asellus ) is put on the cod-fish . the cyrenenses call him brikos , from his untowardnesse ; aristophanes , boupalas , as a man should say , blockish as an ox . nicander , broomaees , the brayer ; and from his hideous absurd voyce , megamocos ; eustathius and suidas , kanthoon , from his packsadle ; hezyc . and the dores , killos ; others , koothulos , lepargos , from his whitish bowells ; cyrill , memmemnoon , monios ; which yet the phocenses give onely to those that are sent in hast : also keeloon he is called ; and okribas , that is , wild ; ogkistees , from braying . if you looke on his description , his eares are long and broad , proportionable to his body ; he is thick lipped , great headed , there are black streaks on his neck , and feet . in the enterance of his skin , he bears the shape of a crosse , in which place also his burdens fall more uneasie to him , then near his reines , because he is there weakerboned . his hair very rough , and unfit to make cloaths ; his bowells white ; he is fairer hang'd then any other of the fourfooted beasts ; nicander calls it korooneen , he fo rs teeth both male , and female loose at months old ; the second , in the sixth month , and if they bring no yong , afore they shed their last teeth , they are undoubtedly barren . their skin is so tough , and thick , that they scarce feel a club . the heart , very great , as in all timerous beasts , or those out of fear doe mischief . the blood extream thick , fat , and black . as for places , the nomades have them not , by reason of the coldnesse of the region ; therefore northward you find but few . very many are found in italy , france , germany , greece , as we shall see in their differences ; their food is of the meanest . for even , where there are no pastures , they will be fed with anything , and a little serves their turne ; for they will eat leaves , and thorns , and willow spruggs , or bavins , if you lay them afore them . they thrive on chaff , that you may find every where in abundance . therefore tetzes , declaring a cities utter ruïne , said wittily , that he fears it should prove asses-provender . he delights in reed , that to other beasts is poyson ; and in figs , the which when one had greedily eaten , and a boy desired that wine ( or grapes , ) should be also given to him . philemon ( the poët ) seeing the asse eat them , died with laughing . but so great cost was layd out on christian the bishop of mentz his asses , as might have well maintained a mighty princes family . they say also that drinking of water , battens them , and that the more they drink , the more they thrive by their provender . they are very lustfull , which appears by the brazen asse , that those of ambracia dedicated at delphos , after their conquest over the molossi , in a night-fight . but that excesse of theirs in venery , it is well knowne , makes them sluggish and barren . hence it is , that to the aegyptians they were so hatefull , as aelian relates . of their engendring thus pliny ; their soonest bringing forth is after month old , but a full exact birth after three years , as it is with mares , in the same months , and after the same fashion . the shee-asses brings forth in the twelfth month , for the most part but one at once , for so is her nature , yet twins sometimes , but very rarely . seven dayes after she will couple , and then conceives ; but after again shee will take the hee-asse . she is not wont to doe so , unlesse she bring forth , afore she loose the tooth , whereby her age is knowne ; but if she bring forth afore , she shall be fruitfull as long as she lives . she uses to breed all her life long , that is , till she be years old ; when their time comes , they must be helped by a kind of midwiferie , for their great toyling weakens them in those parts . they never let the hee stand idle , for rest makes him but worse . they bring the hee and shee together afore the solstice , that is the longest , or shortest day in the year , that every other year they may bring forth about the same time , which they do the twelfth month after conception . thus far pliny . they are use to be sore teated with breeding , therefore at six months end they suffer their hee-colts to suck no more , but suckle their shee-colts almost a whole year . the breeders have milk in the tenth month ; pliny saith , they are never without from the first . if the dames run in rank pasture , it is deadly for the colts to suck for the two first dayes after foaling ; they call the disease colostratio , coming from the first crudled milke . anah was the first that brought horses , and asses together , ( whence mules proceed . ) it is worthy our nothing , as pliny saids , that , especially at the production of mules , the hair of the ears , and brows are like the dames , and of as many colours , though all the rest of the body be of one colour . they are all at enmity with the bird , call'd aegithus , ( that uses to peck-asses galled backs , because these spoyl their nests ) as also the spinus , ( the nightingal , or thistlefinch . ) and among plants , they hate hemlock most . they use to rub themselves against thistles , and so wrong the aegithus his nest ; which shee so dreads , that , hearing but an asse bray , she casts out all her eggs , and the chickens fall all out . the spinus hates the asse , because he devours so the thistle-flowers , that she lives upon . if in hetruria they eat but hemlocke , they are taken with a deep sleep , and seaz'd with a senselesnesse , that they seeme stark dead . scaliger testifies , that many with eating thereof fall a yawning , and then are giddy , and turne round , and fall . what men report of the crow , wolf , rat , and horse , stands with plain reason . the asse loves the scorpion , and vines ; whereof merula saith , if one strook by the scorpion , sit on an asse upright toward the tayl , the asse shall feel the anguish in his stead ; and that is a signe thereof , that asse dies farting . or if hee , whom a scorpion hath stung , whisper the asse in the eare , saying , a scorpion hath stung mee , the pain shall leave him , and passe into the asse . but it is observed , that , if an asse crop a vine-branch off , from that time the vine shall take better , and prove more fruitfull : and that those that have studiously endeavoured this , have gain'd yearly an ample vintage . men use to fetch the water of the river styx , onely in an asses hoof ; and that empedocles could allay east-winds with botles made of asses-hides : i know not whether these are to be reckoned among the examples of sympathy . their life they prolong to the thirtieth year , unlesse they be worn out with overhard labour . the shee-asse is more lively then the hee . their voyce is braying , or onking , as scaliger will have it , and wee read of that they call bromomai , and mycaomai by the greeks . they only among the hairy beasts are free from not only lice , but also loosnes , and chapping of the skin . they are troubled with rheums , and insatiable hunger , and that most , if they carry figs dried , and apples . they call it malida , which arises in the head , and causeth much red and yellow stuff to run out of the nostrills ; which should it fall down on his lungs , would kill him , as it is said . aelian reports that the maurusian asses , assoone as they come into the highway , ridd ground with such incredible swiftnes , that they rather do fly , then run ; but then they are soon tired , their feet , and spirits fayling them , and when goaded on to mend their pace , stand stone still , and weep bitterly . see in aldrovandus , how their halting may be cured . that , as pliny writes , they take heed of water , and feare to dip their feet in it ; that ( wonderfull to be related ) though very thirsty , if the water be changed , you must force them to drink , and unload him also ; that grinning , gaping , and unhandsome shewing their teeth , they seeme to laugh . that they will pisse , when they see others stale afore them , or upon dung ; that they are not much troubled with monthly terms ; that , when they drinke , that thrust not their nose farre in , certainly because of the shadow of their eares . lastly , that they , of all beasts , except the mouse , are most quick of hearing ; all this belongs to their nature . all men know , that they are condemned to the priveledge of singular stupid dulnes , whence blockish men have obtained deservedly the name of asses ; whereof aldrovandus at large . yet some examples shew , that they may be taught , for cardan , out of leo africanus , writes , that asses can daunce to the pipe , and with a word whispered in their eare , will of their owne accord ly down on their back , and hold their eyes close shut , and as if they had drunk poyson , swell , nor can be brought for a time by threats , entreaties , nor blows to rise up , but will start up on a sudden , and jolly , allur'd by stroaking , and flattering , and by promis that they shall carry a beautifull woman ; but when they shall heare that they are to carry old crones , or decrepid women , they shall hang their eares , and fain themselves lame ; and being asked whether they love fair mayds , they shall beckon a yea with their head ; nay , they shall pick out the fairest in the company . gesner , having been an eye-witnes , reports the like of a shee-asse of iohn à grua the juggler . shee , saith hee , would first daunce three severall kinds of daunces , as the musick changed ; and that with her forefeet held up , with great alacrity , and anone , as if all her jollity were turn'd into the deepest sorrow , cast herself all along on the ground , and there ly stone still , as struck with an apoplexy , and could not be brought to stir , with spurning , or kicking : after being bid to greet all the beholders , shee would , like a man , turne her eyes and head toward them all , and salute them , doing obeysance with her forefeet : and , which was the greatest wonder of all , shee , to the amazement of the bystanders , would cast her body through a hoop , at her masters beck ; as cleverly as a dog should leap through . lastly , like a dogge , shee would take up an handkerchief , or glove dropt on the ground , and restore it to the owner . they are so fond on their colts , that they will run through fire to come at them ; and are so loving to their kind , that they swound , if they see them dy . it is also observed , that the sheeashe takes speciall heed , that shee bring not forth afore any mans eyes , or in the light . when shee is overloaden , shee shews it by hanging down her eares . that asses flesh hath serve for food , is witnest by galen . the story also of charles v. relates the spanjards did sometime eat it . wee know also , that m.d.xvi. at the siege of verona , it was counted a dainty , when they used lentils , and beanes but seldome . the persians also on their birth-feast-day would rost an asse whole , and reckoned it among princely delicates . mecaenas , saith pliny , was the first who appointed asse-colts in feasts , at that time prefer'd afore wilde asses ; after his time the tast grew out of request . that they are ill tasted , and hard of disgestion , and spoil the stomach , they that have fed on them can witnes . the physitians have brought into use asses milk , blood , flesh , liver , spleen , yard , stones , hoofs , scurf , stales and dung . galen saith , their milk is thinnest , if compared with that of the cattell that we use to milke : but thick , if compared with that of camels and mares . unlesse we so distinguish he must be said to contradict himself ; since pliny also writes , that camels-milk is thinnest , next that of mares , the shee-asses so thick that men use it in stead of curds . it is best , if she be well , well fed , young , and shortly after her foaling . physitians advise , some of them , that they that are in a consumption , should suck it themselves , that it abate not of the native warmth . galen prescribe it to yong man , who was wasted away , mixt with hony , as soon as he came out of a bath . the same drunke alone refresheth an exulcerated stomack ; and is commended against a cough , leannes , and spitting of blood . drinking it helps a sore breast , as pliny delivers ; and taken in with hony it helps monthly terms . it is not good for a weak , or giddy , swimming head . it helps against parget , ceruse , brimstone , and quicksilver . gargling it is most comfortable for exulcerated jaws . there are examples of some helped of the gout by drinking asses-milk . and some eased of that gowtish pain , by drinking the whey thereof . it is thought to help somewhat to the making womens skin white . it is certain that domitius nero his poppaea carried still along with her bigbellied asses , and bathed her whole body in the milk , on a conceit that it saftned and suppled her skin . the blood , some say , stanches a flux of blood out of the brain . pliny sayes , that it is said to cure a quartan ague , if the patient drink three drops of the blood taken out of a vein in the asses-eare , in a pinte and a half of water . hartmannus commends the same taken after the ears , as extreme good against madnesse . linnen never used afore is thereby softened , and bleached ; whereof a part is softned in a draught of spring-water , and the water taken in against frenzy . aelian witnesses the same of asses flesh ; and that one bathylis of candia was recovered of lunacy thereby , it being prescribed him . pliny saith , it cures the tisick , especially in achaja : wee read the same in avicen , who addes that it is given in against the falling sicknesse . the liver also eaten helps against the same disease , but is prescribed to be eaten fasting . others advise it to be drop'd into the mouth mixt with a little of the universall medicine . the milt is so effectuall against the spleen , that the profit is felt in three dayes usage . the same beaten to powder , and out of water put on the breasts brings the milk into them , if we credit sextus . the fume is good for old matrices , as pliny holds . their reins in powder given in pure wine , help the bladder , and to hold the water . the asses genital is conceived , sayes pliny , burnt to ashes to make hayr come thick , and prevent gray hayrs , if smeare on the new shaven with oyl , and pounched to powder with lead . his right stone drunke in wine , or bound to the arme provokes lust . either of them helps against witchraft . wrapping infants in the skin keeps them from frighting . a ring made of his hoof , if there be no black in it carried about one inclinable to sounding fits , keeps him from falling . the asses of the same are also good for that end , drunk many dayes together , and kneaded with oyl dispersse swellings , or bunches . tarentus used it for a bait to take many fishes . that they call lichen ( whether male , or scurf , or tetter ) burnt , and powderd , and laid on with old oyle , breeds hayr so , that if you annoint but a womans jaw with it , shee shall have a beard ; daubd on with vineger raises from a lethargy , or dead sleep . their stale smeard on with clay takes away corns , and cures hard flesh , saith marcellus . savanarola hath written that it is good against an ill savour of the nostrils . dioscorides , that in drinke it helps the ache , and gravell in the reins . wherefore those of old have still used it . of their dung , thus pliny ; the dung of the asse-colt , voided first after his foaling , is called polea . the syrians minister it in vineger , and meth against the spleen : the same helps the collick , and bloody flux , boyld in wine it greatly relievs the pain of the skin : in three dayes it cures the kings-evill given but as big as a bean in wine . a mares foles dung hath the like efficacy . the same is used to stanch blood . tarentinus much commends it moystned in coriander juice , and kneaded with barly-flower , for the taking of trachuris and perch . i need not speake of their usefulnesse in carriage , in the mill , in warre , and at the plow , &c. this may be added , that pipes are made of asses bones , and are shriller then others ; and that the arabs make parchment of the asse-hide , and cloath of the hayr . some differences , and kinds they may be divided into ; there are those of mysia , that are crooked gutted ; and vary so called , such as the great turke gave ferdinand k. of naples , of a strange hayr , a body streakt , many colourd , and markt with even streaks , small , such as illyria , thrace , and epire breed . great ones , such as antron a city of thessaly yeelds . swift , found by euphrates , that out-run a horse . scaliger writes that in aegypt such is the holding out , and fleetnesse of their ambling asses , that they can without baiting ride their miles a day without taking a hayr 's harme . chapter iii. of the wilde asse . the greeks call him onagros , as much as to say , the asse of the field , or wilde asse . nicephorus callistus , speaking of india , seemes to describe him , when he saith , this region breeds wild asses both very great , and of a skin of strange musuall colours , black , and white being mixt with a great variety : and certain girdles , or rings reaching down from the top of the back-bone to the sides , and belly , and there parted , and by certain turnings entertwined , making an admirable folding , and variety . oppianus ascribes a silver colour to him , which gesner takes it for an ash-colour , and conceives that eeroenta signifies the same . but that he is not all white is clear by what oppian adds about a black streak running along his back , fairly distinguisht here , and there by snow-white crownlets . their skins suidas calls ozai. they live in wildernesses , especially in rocky and craggy places , in africk , lycaonia , narsinga . some deny that they passe in lycia , that hill that severs cappadocia from it . the cappadocians hunt them most . in psara , an isle of the aegean sea , lives there a kind , that translates elsewhere dy . some deny that there are any in scythia . but strabo sais that the inhabitants about the marshes of moeotis , appoint hunting matches of them . as for their nature , and fashions ; isidore , and bartholomew of england write , that they were about the first equinoctial once every hour night and day ; and thereby men know that the nights , and dayes are of a length : which rather agrees to the cynocephalus , bodied like an ape , and headed like a dog ; scaliger saith , that if they have seen a man stand in the same steps , they presently fall a braying , holding their forefeet still , and flinging out with their hindfeet . he will suffer the hunter to come so near him , that he can touch him with his hand , and then he betakes him to his heels . they are very jealous , and each governs his females : they are fearfull of their rivals . whence it is , that they watch their shee-asses , when great with fole ; that , if they can , they may by biting geld the male-colts , which the dammes fearing , doe their best to hide them in corners , and love to foale by stealth . we gather out of h. scriptures , that they are impatient of thirst . some , to have a breed of mules , choose wilde-asses tamed . this beast is easily tamed , and made so gentle , that he shall not seek to returne to his former lovely wildnesse . their flesh is bitter , saith aelian : galen saith , that that of the well conditioned , and young , comes near to harts-flesh , and beef . scaliger saith , that it is ranke , while warme ; cold , it neither smels , nor tastes well . and pliny writes , that maecenas made feasts of asses-colts , and that then they were far preferd afore the wilde asses ; but after his time , their taste was not regarded . physitians smear their galls on ulcers with good successe ; and mingle them in plaisters against s. anthonies fire , if we beleeve avicen . their fat with oyle of costus , is commended for the windinesse of the loins , and reins . the flesh of their back with oyles , help aking-joynts . their pisse , saith avicen , breaks the stone in the bladder . their marrow cures the gout , and takes away the pain , annointing the place . the dung mixt with the yolke of an egge , daubed on the forehead , stanches blood . the same with an ox-gall , if you annoint the hair , makes it curl . there are said to be two kindes of them . in the mountaine that parts the narsingae their kingdome from the malabars , many savage asses have their haunt . the same breeds wild asses faced like a horse , ash-coloured , so nimble of foot , that there is no taking of them . those also of africa are so swift , that they fall short of no wild beast , except that they call the lant. chapter iv. of the mule , and the indian zebra . the name of the mule is common to four living creatures ; for the shee-mule is ingendered , not only between a mare and an asse , but between a shee-asse● , and an horse , as also a wild-asse , and a mare , as columella hath delivered . the iumar , between an asse , and a bull. onely males come from a horse and an asse ; ancients called them hinnulos , or little mules : on the other side , they called those mules , that came of an asse and a mare . yet varro thinks that they are to be called , mules , that come of a mare , and a mule. it may be those are the pumily , or tits , that martial mentions . for hinnus ( they are varro his words ) engendered of an horse , and shee-asse is fleshie in bulk then a mule , and for the most part , ruddier , dard as a horse , mained , and tailed like an asse . but the name of mule , isidore conceives to be drawn from the greeks , namely from that bakers use to drive abont their flowgoing mills withall , or a mullet : but it is better to drive it from molos , labour , or of the hebrew maal , which signifies prevaricating , deceiving . or going out of the right way ; since this is a toyling creature , and bred out of the road , or ordinary course of nature : he hath obtained many names among the greeks ; emionos , or half , mungril-breed , because sprung from an asse , and a mare ; astrabe , from his strength of body ; agonomoxthos , from barrennesse ; eterogonon zoon , as bred of diverse seeds ; thres , olkas , &c. are names given to the shee , as oreus to the hee . aeidaros , because he can lobour more then any other beasts on mountanous places . many more greeks names he hath gotten , whereof consult with the lexicons , when the mule hath a mare to the dam , and an asse to the sire , he resembles partly the one , and partly the other : yet more the sire then the dam , and is also voyced like him . they are long dard like the asse ; and hath them in stead of forelocks to guard the eyes . there is a crosse on the shoulder ; small , slender footed they are , lank of body ; for the rest , like a horse , save that the neck is none strait . they have all . teeth , besides others more then usual by nature : we learn from aristotle , that they shed them . in the heart of some is found a bone . gall they have none , as all whole hoofed . if you would know their place ; they say , that hote , and dark places spoyl them , and make them after a manner beside themselves ; they love to have their standing in the open aire , covered , or onely their head , it is enough ; the rest takes no harm by the aire . there are none of them in arabia the happy , england , scotland , poland , nor in the neighbouring regions . they cannot breed in eleus ▪ because of a certain imprecation , or curse . the east-indies also want them . in scythia they cannot abide so much as the beginning of winter . a certain isle there breeds some , but those of a loud , and shrill voyce . themisita is full of them . the cappadocians pay yearly of them to the persians . that they abound in persia , mesopotamia , and babilon appears by alexanders taking order to lead away , at the taking of susae , both such as would carry and draw . their food is both fruit , and grasse ; but they baten most by their drink ; nothing is better to keep them in good plight , then clave-grasse : the more barly they eat , the more they neigh. from their first breeding of teeth they wax , and live many years . it is reported , that , when the temple was built at athens , there was one years old . the male , as they say , engenders at seven years old ; the female is barren , because , though shee conceive , shee can bring nought to perfection ; but the hee-mule , being of a hotter temper , then the female , sometimes generates , though he confer litle to the brood ; and what comes of him is but a maimed tit , as among the swine the metachaerum , or after-birth , you shall find the same of a mule in juvenal . yet good authors , not to be concealed , as m. varro , and afore him dionysius , and mago , have delivered that in regions of africa , the broods of shee-mules are not so prodigiously strange , but are as common with them , as mares with us . we shall unfold the reasons of their barrennesse , in the books of nature . some relate that they excell in the sense of smelling , by the benefit whereof , leave them any where , they shall by their sent alone find out their way . hence is it , that they are easily tainted with an infectious aire , and stroken with the pestilence , which also happens to dogs . of the diseases whereto they are liable , see aldrovandus . there is such a sympathy , or agreement in nature , between them and swimming fowles , whether geese , or ducks , that they are said to be heald with the very sight of them . on the contrary the flowers , and leaves of the lawrell rose , that are wholsome to man , are to them poyson . in mules also there is , i know not what , deadly to mice . for fasten but a mules left hoof at door , and the mice shall quit the house ; they are ever tame . the shee s are found livelier then the hee s , and wax not so soon old . those are cleansed by the flowing of stale ; these seem sooner old by the sent of urine . they love tumbling to refresh them , when weary . they borrow from the fire hardinesse to labour , and boldnesse , and from the dame , swiftnesse . i have knowne , saith varro , that when a wolf hath come to a company of mules , they have hemmed him in among them , and kicked him dead . yet any un-usuall sight terrifies them , and brings them into hazards . they kick most fiercely . there hath been one seen , that would brook no master , but one . they are extream stubborn . i saw , as i went between naples and rome , one , that could by no means be forced to lead the way , and being left by her fellows , lay downe , making us all laugh , and the priest , who rode on her , fret . an example of their craft , you have in thales his mule , and of their memory , in pliny . the monuments of athens declare , that one mule lived years ; they taking delight in him , because ; when they were building a temple in the tower , he being excused from labour for his great age , would endevour to help , and in courage by his company , the beasts that fell under their burden ; concerning which mule they decreed , that no corne-merchants should offer to drive him from their corne-sives : some have wrote , that they will not kicke , when they have drunk wine . how true that is , we shall shew elsewhere . they are of great efficacy against poyson , few one poysoned in a mules belly newly killed , hee shall escape with life , if hee remain therein , as long as there is any warmth in the beast ; hee shall be much better , if hee use many . maranta is authour , that there have been princes , who to save a life , have used , , and mules . some have allayed their lust by sprinkling on their body the dust wherein a shee-mule hath tumbled . their heart , stones , reins , flesh , and filth of their ears , are said to cause barrennesse . the bristles of the taile , bound together , are good to help conception , saith pliny . hippocrates prescribes , against the womb-flux , to drink their dung burnt , powder'd , and sifted in wine . aristotle mentions two kindes , namely the barren , ( whereof afore ) and the breeder , whereof he writes , that there are in syria , called mules , of a divers kind from that engendered between a mare and an asse , but faced alike as wild-asses , have obtained the name of tame from their likenesse . and indeed , as wild-asses , so mules excell in swiftnesse . such mules engender in their kind , as it is well knowen in them , that in the time of pharnaces father of pharnabazes came into phrigia , that are there yet ; three of nine are kept there to this day . they commonly engender in cappadocia , but it is a peculiar kind . the zebra answers every way the mule , but that it is a fruitfull breeder . of a hayr full of seames and streakes , wonderfull to be seen . for even from the back-top to the belly shee hath lines , as painted , of three colours , black , white , and yellow , the lists being disposed in an even proportion , each almost three fingers broad . they run wild , but in herds , and are famous for swiftnesse ; and , if tamed , might serve in stead of an horse . some take them for mules . whereof pigafeta thus : the zebra is bred in this tract ( congo ) as also in other parts of barbary , and africa , which though in shape , and stature like the mule , yet is not it , ( since it breeds ) and differs from the mule , and all other beasts in colour . for in three colours , black , white , and fresh red streaks of three fingers bredth compasse the body from the back to the belly in fashion of semy , or half circles ; the tail being of a red , and shining hew-footed , and hoof'd as the mule , otherwise of a light , and nimble foot , as the horse , nay much fleeter then he , so that it occasions the proverb in portugal , swifter then the zebra . shee breeds every year , whence there is great plenty of them ; but uselesse to the natives , who know not how to use them ; else they might serve them as well as horses , both in peace , and warre , nature having furnist those places with them , where there are no horses , to supply that want . those of congo therefore , nether having horse , nor knowing how to yooke oxen , nor to tame , or briddle the zebra , nor know how to use other beasts ; are faine to use men in all their works . and as they lay all their baggage on mens shoulders , so themselves are carried about by men in litters , or on chairs covered from the sun , having alwayes servants , or other hirelings at hand to that purpose . and if they are to dispatch long journies in a short time , they carry many such man-bearers about with them to take their turnes , as the rest are weary ; by which shifting , they ridde more way , then horses themselves . so far pigafeta . chapter v. of the elephant . the elephant hath also place among the whole-hoof'd , whose hoof , though it may seem to be shaped , as if he had toes , yet because they are not cleft : i know not well how to shut them out from among the whole-footed . he hath gotten his name , not from his vast bulke , he seeming to be a kind of mountain , as isidore would have it ; but rather from the hebrew alaph , to learn , he surpassing all other beasts in teachablenesse : or from eleph , an ox , by reason of his greatnesse , bu , being a word importing increase : or , as it were elebas , from elas , a marish , and baino , to descend , because with his weight he makes there deep gulls ; or from elephrairo , to hurt ; or from elisso , to bend in , because he hath an involved in bending his trunk ; or finally , from alphos , white , since ivory , triumphs in that colour . some call him pirissas , others simply the monstrous beast , ( theria . ) the romanes , who saw elephants first in their warre with king pyrrhus , call them lucanian oxen ; whether from lucanian , where they first saw them , or ( a luce ) from light , because they glistered a far of by reason of the princely golden shields , wherewith the towers on their backs were adorned . the indians call him bartus , from his voyce , saith isidore ; others will have it a sabine name , whence servius thinks ebur , ivory hath the name . we shall shew in the differences , their different greatnesse . gillius measured one at constantinople , that from the ey to the farther end of the back was eleven foot ; from the ey to the end of his trunke , eight foot . some of them are twelve foot high ; some thirteen ; some reach fifteen , and nine inches . aloysius cadamustus writes , that hee saw one , that had more flesh then five of our bulls . they are all black , except the aethiopian : yet the writers of the indian voyages report , that the king of narsinga hath a white one . they have a checquerd skin , or rather one graven with blistered pits , and is of such a hardnesse , that you would take it to be of bone . therefore the moores make their bucklers of it ; and the peguans use it in stead of armes : yet it is harder on the back , then the belly . their back-skin is extreme hard and stubborn , their bellies are soft . whether he be hairy , or no , pliny himself knew not ; he hath no bristles to cover him , nor can he use so much as his taile to drive away the flies from annoying him ; pliny speakes of the elephants in some places ; but in others , their bodies have impenetrable bristles . cardan saith , their skin is naked , and gives reason why it must be so . but cadamustus testifies that he himself hath pluckt blackish haires two palms long out of them . gillius affirms the same length thereof . vartoman , finally , reports , that they have a taile like the oxes , about inches long , with a few hairs at the end ; and in the description of guinea we read that the women use such for fly flaps to drive them from their images . nay pliny , as forgetting himself , writes , that the indians delight strangely in emeralds , counting them only precious stones , and had rather want gold then them , and that they make holes in them , and tie them in elephants bristles . they have an ugly mishapen head ; and about the temples a kind of tunnell , whereout the male sends forth a fat stuff at coupling-time ; the female also hath the like then open , if we beleeve strabo . their ears are little for a beast of that bulk , two hand-palms breadth every way , and under them is a place , where you may strike him dead with one stroak of a chissell driven by a hammer . livy thinks that haserubal first found it out . those among the sambri , an ethiopian folk , have no ears . their eyes , though great , yet seem but small for so vast a body ; and those but heavy . the mouth in the breast , and with that they suck , and not with the trunck ; their is also very small , and very far in , not as in other beasts , that you can hardly perceive it . they have foure teeth within to chew withall , besides the tushes that hang out , the males are crooked , and turning again , the females teeth strait , and hanging downward . they have teeth so soon as they are brought forth , but those great ones , are not so plainly seen ; with those they grind their food as small as meal . they are placed in their upper-jaw , and some are of an astonishing greatnesse . bartomannus saw a couple in sumatra , hanging up , that weighed pound . and gadamustus saw one slain , whose teeth exceeded fingers bredth in greatnes ; and sticking fingers bredth out . of whose vastnesse thus pliny . the greatest teeth are to be seen in temples . but in the utmost coasts of africk , where it borders on ethiopia , they use them in stead of posts in their houses , and for fences , and stakes , and prope in their stalls for cattell . gillius reports , that they wax sometimes to ten foot length . venetus the merchant , that one was said to be sold for . pieces of gold , being inches long , and inches thick ; and that it was so heavy , that he could not lift it from the ground . besides sabellicus writes , that there was at firmus two elephants-teeth of that excessive hugenesse , that aurelian , who conquered it , caused them to be carried for a miracle to rome , and of such an unbeleeveable length . some call these horns . how properly aldr and cardan shew , and shall elsewhere declare ; onely i desire to add here , that the lower jaw is onely stirred in eating , the upper lying still . in that place , where other beasts noses stand . the elephant hath a part hanging , narrow , and long , that reaches to the very ground , board at the end , flexible , yeelding nimble , like a serpent , that can every way turn it self , a trunk the english call it ; the latines , proboscis , ( or a snout . ) tuba ( a trumpet ) manus ( a hand ) as pliny and cicero call it ; manus nasuta ( a nosed hand ) as cassiodore , promuscis , as vitruvius . the greeks call it proboskitha , mokteera , pronomaian , &c. there is the same use of it , as of a hand . for therewith they take , and put food dry , and moist to their mouth . therewith they breath , drinke , smell . lucretius therefore calls them , anguimanos , snakehanded . aristotle h. a. l. . c. . testifies , that they have bending joynts in the lower part of their hinde legs ; but , as concerning the bending of their leggs , some report otherwise , as that they have no joynts , but their legs is one entire bone , which they cannot bend , and that falling , they cannot rise again : but others , as pliny for one , deliver , that they have behind short joynts , and within bending hams , like a man ; and indeed experience hath taught us so much . their feet are round , like a horsehoofe , but broader , the bottomes being some inches round . vertoman likens them to a table-trencher , form'd of an hard , black , wide skin . their toes are misshapen , five in number , but not parted , and scarsely distinguisht , the hoofs are not like claws . they have two paps under their shoulders , not on the breast , but on the side it is hidden in the shoulder-pits . their genital is like a horses , but small , no way answerable to their bulk . pliny saith , that they gender averse , the face turne from each other . their testicles are not seen outwardly , but lurke within about the reins , whence they engender the sooner . ctezias trifles in saying their seed is as dry , and hard as amber . pliny saids , they have foure bellies . aristotle , that their gut is windding , and turning , that they seeme to have foure bellies , and therein meat is found . galen makes it very wide , and most like a horses , their entralls resemble a swines . their liver is foure times as great as an oxes ; the rest of the inwards are answerable , except the milt ; this is lesse then proportion would require . pliny makes their lungs foure times greater as an oxes . aristotle denies that he hath any gall in his liver : yet , if you cut that part , where it uses to bide , some gally moysture more , or lesse , will spurt out . galen also avers , that there is choller in his bladder . the same tooke a bone out of the heart of one that he cut up ; and he observes , that it hath two ventricles in it , and not three , as aristotle saith . whereof aelian thus ; the elephant is said to have a double heart , and sense , that by the one he is anger'd , by the other appeased , as the moors report . see the description of a couple in aldrovandus . they are found in africk , asia , and the neighbouring islands . and in africk in a forrest behind the syrtes , or quicksands , in the deserts-bordering on sala , a town of mauritania ; in lybia , getulia , and the forrests near mount atlas , &c. the symbari , between the arabian mountains , and the nile , live on the hunting of them . there were huntings of them appointed by ptolomaeus philadelphus , king of aegypt , in the aethiopia of the ophiophagi , or serpent-eaters . as for asia , king of parthia , kept d. c c. king of audata a . the king of the palibroti . the king of chrysaeum , parasanga , asanga had armed . in taprobana are vaster , and more warlike accounted then in india , as onesicritus a governour under alexander the great , relates . in zeilan are at this day very great ones , and very ingenious . the siamensian king is said to keep ; whereof stand ever armed against any sudden surprizes , and chances . under the great mogul , his command are . in mosambique isle , and in benomotapa . are found whole herds of them . to the isle zanzibar , also resort many merchants to buy yvory . they delight much in moyst and marishy places , they love rivers , especially in hote countries , for they can endure no cold . as concerning their foed , they feed on fennygraffe , on leaves of trees , on stumps , the fruits of the mose-tree , and on the roots of the indian fig-tree . they devour sometimes earth and stones . but eating it brings them diseases , unlesse they first chew it . the tame ones are fed with barley , and they will sometimes devour nine macedonian bushels thereof at once . there was one shewed at antwerp , that gobbled up foure bushels of apples on one day . they write , that they are much taken with musckmelons . water , but muddy , and troubled , is their drink ; wine also made of rice , and other grain , and so among us . that at antwerp souped up at once more then . pound ; and did that so often , that it seems to come near the proportion , whereof aristotle writes . yet they can well bear thirst , and can goe without drinking eight dayes together . about their coupling , the time and manners , writers report diversly . pliny out of aristotle saith , the male begins at five years old , the female at ten . aristotle assignes to both the years , and anotherwhile , the twelfth to the female , when soonest , and the fifteenth , when latest ; you shall find in solinus , that they couple averse from each other . horace of canida agrees with him , that the female sits , then the male covers her . see albertus the great , and aristotle , about the circumstances , the desire to couple in the water especially , &c. they never couple but in secret . the male three years after seeks out the same female , and never more after . in two years they couple five dayes , and no more , saith solinus out of pliny , nor returne ▪ they to their herd , till they have wash'd themselves in fountain-water . in coupling-time they rage most , and ●●row down the indians stables . it is also doubted , how long the shee carries her burden . some say a year and six moneths ; some say three years , some say ten . arist. h. a. l. . c. . writes , two years ; strabo , months at least ; at longest . diod. sic. and aelian , say the same . some say resolutely , eight years . they bring forth sitting on their hind legs with pain . the birth comes into the light with the head formost , saith aelian . they bring but one at once , as we read in arist. and diod. sic. every foure years one birth , say cadamustus , and scaliger . the birth is as great as a grown hog , or a calfe of three months . as soon as it is brought forth , it can see and goe ; and sucks with the mouth , and not with the trunk . they suck till they be eight years old . they hold enmity with the rhinoceros , the lyon , tiger , ram , hog , serpent , dragon , they hate some colours and fire . of the rhinoceros thus pliny : in pompey his sports was a rhinoceros seen . a born enemy to the elephant ; he whets his horn on the stones , and prepares for fight , wherein he aimes most at the belly , which he knowes to be softest . they are of equal height , only the legs are somewhat shorter of one then the other . among the westerly ethiopians , the lyons will fasten on the young elephants , and wound them ; but if the dame come , they fly . the tiger flies at the elephants head , and with ease chokes him . if he be in a raging fit , the very sight of a ram makes him gentle . the grunting of a swine terrifies him . of their combating with dragons , and their perpetual discord , pliny writes , that the dragon clings about him , as on a knot ; he finding himself overmastered with his weight falling , disentangles himself . the cunning of beasts in self-defence , is singular , as in those dragons , who not being able to clime so high as the elephant , spying their prey , cast themselves thereon from a high tree ; he is not able to avoid the serpents circling him , seeks a tree , or a rock to rub against . the dragon aware of this , clings with his feet about the elephants taile ; he unites the knot : the dragon flies then , and hides his head in one of the elephants nostrils , stops his breath , and tears the softest parts : dragons meeting them , being surprised , stand upright , and make at their eyes most , so that many of them being blind , and famished , are found dead . among colours , he avoids the light-red , and the white most : we shall shew the cause else-where . that fire frights them , livy tells us by an example of hannibal , who at the siege of capua , by fire drove them away : it so terrified them that they fly , and can by no means be brought back again . of their age , men write diversly : some say they live two hundred years , some three hundered ; some say , one hundered and twenty years . one sicritus saith , that they live to three hundered , seldome to five hundered , and that they are very strong about the two hundered year of their age . philostratus relates , that one of those that fought against k. alexander , live above three hundered and fifty years after him . i say nothing of juba his elephant ; and that of ptolom . philad . and that of seleucus nicanor : at sixty years begins their youth . by the greatnesse of their teeth you may know how long they shall live . they can endure no cold , that is their greatest bane : they are troubled with wind , and flux of the belly , and feel no other diseases . yet aelian speaks of sore eyes . they that are taken and wounded , their wounds are washed with warme water first ; then , if very deep gashed , anoynted with butter ; after that , men lay on fresh and bleeding swines-flesh , and so the inflammation is asswaged . some years , i find they are madde , and then they spare none they meet . a foretoken thereof is an oyly substance , flowing out of their ears . the cure is , to chide , and rage at them : their keepers shew , by reason that they are of a base , and degenerate disposition ; and that lust casts them into their mad-sits . men write , that they are troubled with rheums , and that the humour will petrifie , or harden into a kind of stone , whereof there have been a statue shewen . they walk slowly , by reason of their heavy bulk : yet they say , none is so swift , whom they with their walk cannot overtake . they bend their hams inward like a man : and because his bending joynts of the legs are not so high , as those of other beasts , but stand lower toward the earth ; it is troublesome to the rider , he being so used to sitting , which yet is to be meant of those that are grown up ; since the young have an easie pace , and as delightfull to the rider , as that of the ambling mule. there are many things that witnesse their singular nature and ingenuety ; that it is no wonder , that pliny calls him the wittiest of all that go on four feet . we said afore , that they fear water , whereof hannibal had much adoe to bring his to it : and pliny saith , that at puteoli , they ran away from the ships for fear . yet l. caelius meteilus joyning tunnes together , ferried them over the sicilian sea , for want of ships . the female is much stronger then the male , as shews plainly a masculine ability . aristotle yet affirmes them to be more timerous . opian saith , they can with their tuches turne beeches , wild-olives , and palm-trees upside down . one of them laid flat a body of a tree of such a vastnesse , that four and twentie men could scarce stir it ; and three of them drew a shoar a very great pinnace . they fight eagerly one with another . the conquered flyes the very voyce of the conquerour , holding to him earth , and verwain . it come to a proverb , the conquered brings grasse to the conquerer , from hence , yet with vossius , i can hardly yeeld beleefe to it . they will revenge an injury . one of them kept a nut-shell , that a souldier flung at his face , and many daies after cast it at him again walking in the same street . they are strangly kind to their keepers , or masters , and also mindfull of any wrong offered them , as seneca excellently expresses it : the wildnesse of elephants , condescending to the basest offices deservs them their meat . strabo saith indeed that some of them have carried their chariotters falne in battail , clearly off , and others have saved others . and cassiodore writes , that when they thinke that their masters provision falles short , they will by a certain motion , by meat of diverse , who if they slight them , and regard not answering their desire , they will open a bladder wherein much filth is gathered together , and cast so much out on the refusers houses , that you would thinke there ran a river therein , with that stink revenging the deniall . at cochin some of them tooke a souldier , and ducked him severall times in the water , because he refused to give their master the way . porus an indian king being almost dispatched with wounds , his elephant with his trunk plucked out the darts by degrees , and gently , and himself being also much wounded , would not fall , till he felt the king slide down from his back , having lost much blood ; and then he bowed himself a little , that the king might not tumble down , but reach gently the ground . they by nature fear man , for if he but see the print of humane footing , though he spy not yet the man , he trembles for feare of ginnes , or snares , makes a stand , smels , snufs , and looks about him , puffes , but tramples not on him , but plucks him out , and delivers him over to the next , and he to the next , like a message , and so to the very last of the herd , that goes too and fro , & order themselves , as preparing for a battell . that sent of a mans steps , though bare footed they hold long . cicero is of opinion that they are great lovers of mankind , and there is a kind of a conversation between them . philos intimates the same , saying , that if be once wonted to man , he suffers any thing from him , imitates all his carriages , delights to take food from a mans hand , like dogs , and embraces him with his trunk , suffers a man to thrust his head into his mouth ; & hold it there as long as he please . see athenaeus and aelian their relations of a certain elephants love toward an infant . one is said to be in love with an egyptian herbwoman ; it seemes his choyse was not common , for shee was also very acceptable to aristophanes the famous grammarian . many arguments there are of their teachablenesse , which is singular . they will cast weapons into the aire , and catch them again , the wind not carrying them away ; they among themselves can set-forth a swore fight ; and daunce the armour-daunce sportively : and , which is the greatest wonder , goe on thwart ropes , but better backward , as stooping forward . you find the like , as in pliny , so in seneca and suetonius , to say nothing of xiphilinus . at rome one was taught to tread the maze , without admonition , by night , and was found one night practising by himself by moonshine without bidding . that that eman ▪ the portugal king presented pope leo the tenth with , would with all reverence salute him , looking out of a window , thrice with bended knees , and a lowly posture , and courtesie , as osorius relates . a●ger . busbequius also telles , that he saw a young one daunce , and foot it to musique , and tosse a ball with his trunk , as with hands . those of zeilan understand languages ; one there learnt to write in greeke these words : i my self have written this , and dedicate these celticke spoyls . they will feast together like men , and not one of them observed to be greedy after the greater peeces : in drinking , reaching the cup to each other , drinking with their trunks very moderately ; then standing round , lightly , and merrily dashing each other . arrianus boasts that he saw them , as an ape , imitate , and fain the masters office , and as it were sing and daunce , some leading the way . among the rest this shews their wit , that , being to passe deep ditches , and hard to be waded through , the greatest standing in the midst , will like a bridge , convey the rest over ; others will carry pieces of planks into the ditch , to save him . besides they know their usuall allowance of food ; and can perceive it , if you mingle meal with it , though never so cunningly : and , which is miraculous , one of them would go draw water to try , if the kettle had holes in it , or no. they will worship the sun , and the new moon ; set a wandring man in his right way again ; watch adulterers , and murderers , and reveale them : but that they understand , speake and write the native tongue of a land , i count it fabulous . of their use in warre , shews , triumphs , and otherwise , shall be spoken elsewhere . some use of them hath been in food , whence is the name of elephant-eaters , dwelling about draba in the azachaean mountains , and over against meroe , authors call them adjabars , or magabars . pliny also saith that the troglodites hunt , and live most upon them . their flesh is heavy , cold , and odious . aelian saith , there is nothing eatable in them , besides the trunke , the lip , and the marrow of their teeth . the aethiopians desire their hind-parts . but their reins are said to be delicates for kings . as for medicine ; their fat is fabulously said to make him who is nointed therewith , hurt-free , though naked , under the wildest and savagest beasts . the touch of the trunke helps the head-ake , especiall with neezing . his right side bound to red lemnian-earth makes lustfull . the liver is good against the falling sicknesse . smearing with his dung drives away lice . the ivory , that is that part especially about the mouth , or teeth , is of a singular nature and use . it may endure moysture , drowth not , and it is subject to rot . it may be softned , and is by a kind of drink called zythus , or beer . when softned , it may be turned and take any shape . thereof have been made tables , beds , knif-hefts , swords , sheaths , quivers , scepters , chariots , gates , and what not : whereof search aldrovandus . it is pollished like wood , especially with rough skin of a skate , or sole . the brightnesse of it is dimmed by womens termes . it is of a binding force , though it have no taste . those who have tried it , delivers , that it furthers conception , and helps a moyst stomach . the clouds in a face are taken away by the shavings thereof , smeared on with hony . the powder of it cures fellons , mixt with harts-horns , it is good against wormes . if burned to ashes , it is called spodium : but men are cozened with other beasts horns for this . harts , horne is more used then ivory . their differences and kindes , are especially considered from their places by ancients , and later writers . since some of them are fen , some mountain , some field , some wood , or wild elephants , some lybian , and indian . solinus mentions prasian , and taxilan ones . those that haunt marishy-fens , their teeth are pale , thin , rough , and have in many places holes , in some knobs like hail-stones , nor cannot be well wrought on by art. those are maddish , and light . the mountainers are perverse , and crafty , and never trust man , unlesse necessitie drives them to it . their teeth are lesser , white enough , and not very rough . those that live in fields , are accounted gentle , tame , and love to imitate . their teeth are largest , whitest , and easiest to be cut , and may be brought to what you please . those of the woods , in the kingdome of senega they are to be found , especially by the river gambra ; there they are by herds , as boors among us . the lybian , or moorish , are lesse then the indian , and can endure neither the voice , nor sent of these ; nay they dare not so much as look on them . the indian ones are greatest of all , yet not all of a bignesse . solinus therefore divides them into two kinds , the nobler are known by their vastnesse , the lesser are called bastards . the parsy are the greatest , such as madagascar produces . those men call taxilae , that are in greatnesse next to the former . these you find in sumatra , very towardly , and excelling those on the continent in good conditions , and ingenuity . therefore they have been transported in great ships to the fast land , ( from that island sumatra ) and sold to the calingian king. our authour promise a discourse of the use of the elephants in war , and otherwise ; whereof are many noble relations extant . as afore he omitted the diseases of the horse ; that are so many , that it is grown to an english proverb , he hath as many diseases as a horse . he is troubled with stagger , bots , glanders , vives , farcive , &c. but i must hold me to translating . chapter vi. of the vnicorn , and of the horned-asses the name of monoceros , that among the latines sounds so much , as a one-horned beast , agrees to many creatures ; but in a strict sense , is retained to one alone . namely that , who from having but one horn , bears the name of unicorn . in the brachmans dialect , called kartazonon , whether there is , or hath been such a beast in nature : i shall elsewhere examine , after baccius , and bartholinus , the great son of so great a father . for present we shall treat hereof briefly , as resting on the fidelity of relators . as for the description of the unicorne , he is said to resemble in his whole body the horse : he is tailed like a boor , grins and snarls like a lyon , headed like an hart , footed like an elephant , furnisht with one onely horn , and that a black one , two cubits long , standing in the midst of his fore-head . isidore makes him all one with the rhinoceros , and saith that his horn is so sharp and strong , that what ever he strikes at , he shatters , or peirces it through . there was one seen in the service of the great cham of tartary , in the kingdome of lambris . they are lesse then elephants , holding their head downwards , like a swine , of a prickling tongue , wherewith they get what they meet with ; black eyed , and very like the rhinoceros . lewis of barthema of bononia , writes thus of the unicorns seen by him : there are dens on the one side of the temple at mecca , wherein are kept two unicorns , that are showen , as the manner is , for a rarity . concerning the shape : the greater resembled a horse-colt of thirty months old ; his horn , that he bears on his fore-head , is about three ells in length ; the other was a year old , his horn grown to four hand breadth . the colour of the beast , somewhat darker then that of a sumpter , or pack-horse , headed like a hart , short-necked , and thin-haired thereabout , short-mained , and that hanging only on one side : small , and slender-legged , like a hinde : the feet a little cloven afore , goat-hoofed , the feet hairy on the right side . he seems feirce , and of a nature affecting lovelinesse . i adde not what garzias hath out of hortus : they are said to be found in the arabian deserts , and to have been seen there by merchants ; as also between the cape of good-hope , and that they call the currentes . some are in the kingdom basma , and lambris ; some in the utmost parts of asia , in the province macinus , between the mountains of india , and cathay , where the serici inhabite . some in the new world . the horn is shewen in many places ; the most famous are , s. denys in france , venetia , spain , utrecht , helvetia , denmark , hampton-court in england , windsor , and the gedansian of empiricus . that at s. denys is of greatest note , being rugged , not polished , blackish , and nearest those ancients describe . writers differ about the unicorns horns lenth , renodaeus makes him as long as a mans hight , he takes it on trust , as we do . baccius , and marinus bring it to six cubits : golnitzius his measure is six foot and an half : bellonius makes it up full seven foot . nor do they agree about the weight . cardan saith , one hath ▪ been seen to weigh seventeen pound , and three quarters . golnitzius rises it to five and twenty . i with bellonius should judge the horn to weigh eighteen pound , having poysed it in my hand . baccius thinks the venetian are right . marinus , that they are longer then old ones , nor so writhed as aelians , and so thin , that they cannot be drunk out of . coloured like a smooth harts-horn , and pale , not black . they are reported at the siege of bysantium , to be conveyed to the venetian common-wealth , with twelve breast-plates of imperial cavaliers . the spanish one hath nothing singular , a piece whereof phil. iv. presented to cardinal francis barbarine , an eminent man , and most courteous to strang gentery . that at utrecht is as long as that at paris , and reasonable great ; much wreathed at top , and then growing straiter toward the bottome . the outside is of a sand-colour , the inside is whither . it is held in great account , and is shown for a right one , so that colonia agrippina , hath bid a great summe of gold for it . that of the helvetians , was found in the year m.d.xx. at the mouth of the river arula , near brugia ; white it is within , yellowish without , without writhings , two cubits long , but as sweet as musk , especially if it be near the fire . the danish , one is kept in fredericks-burgs castle , above seven roman-foot long , if we except that part within the hollow , which bartholine conceives to be above a foot , it is seven fingers about , writhed all along , and sharp-pointed at top ; the colour mixt of white , and ash-colour , and in some of the spaces channeld , and chamfered with black , and duskish streaks . that of the venetian merchants , was brought out of germany , promising by the bright , and divers colour'd shape , that it is a right one ; and the rather , because there fall pieces from it , if you shave it , not like teeth , and shavings , that can be crumbled ; but there come thence shavings that are clammy , and yeelding , as any other cut hornes . i can say litle of the gedanensian one . empiricus returning from constantinople , not long ago , magnified it highly . more about this beast aelian tells us , saying , that among all beasts he hath the must absur'd vile voyce ; that if other beasts come to him , he is gentle , but ever fighting with those of his owne kind ; the males do not onely quarrell , but they also with the females , so that they kill one other . his whole body is very strong , but his horn invincible . he seeks deserts , and goes ever alone wandring . at coupling-time the male is tamer , and feeds quietly with the female ; when that time is over , and the female begins to swell , the male returns to his former fiercenesse , and betakes him to his wandring lovelinesse . men say that there were some of their young ones brought to the prasian-king , and that on feast , and triumph-dayes , they were put together to fight , to shew their strength : for no man ever remembers that one growen up , hath been taken . so far aelian . some add , that this beast loves young virgins so , that if one spreads but her lap , as he comes , he will lay his head there , and fall in a slumber , and is so taken . for their use , all know how they are commended for the soverain vertue of their horne against venome , for where poyson is , it sweats , and drops stand on it ; and so , as some think , the right horn is knowne . aloysius mundella , commends it against the bite of a mad dog , and other mischievous beasts , as also of worms . the ancient indian kings , who first arrived at the knowledge of this horne , made cups of it for themselves , that drinking out of them , they might fence themselves against poyson , drunkennesse , cramp , falling sicknesse , and other malignant diseases . a iew of venice , made a circle on a table with that horn , and cast then a scorpion , and a spider within it , who had not the power to passe that circle : after that they being pluckt by it a hand high , whether by the shadow of it , or the vertue flowing from it , they were both kill'd , within the space of an hour . no wonder then that it is so valued , that german merchants ask'd for one of them crowns ; and the pope , setting up a kind of an apothecaries shop in the vatican , gave pieces of gold to the epidaurian merchants , for a piece of an unicorns horne ; of the which austin ricchus the popes then chief physitian , used to put now a scruple , now grains in wine , or cordiall water , and administred it with great successe . and thus shall serve now to have spoken of the unicorn , we shall say more elsewhere . concerning horn'd asses , i find them cried up in three places , namely in india , scythia , and africa . herodotus mentions the african . aelian saith that they hold the water of the river styx , and were sent in yron vessels by alexander to delphos , to be there dedicated to pythia . of the indian ones , the same aelian thus : i have been informed , that there are wild asses , no lesse then horses bred among the indians , white bodied , onely purple-headed , and blew-eyed , and that they bear a horn in the forehead , a cubite and half long ; the upper-part whereof is light red , the lower white , and the middle coalblack ; and that , not all , but the principall indians have hang'd them as bracelets on their arms , and set them off with gold , and have use to drink out of the same . they report , that , who so uses to drink out of this horn , shall be free from incurable diseases , nor shall be ever troubled with convulsion fits , nor ever toucht with the falling-sicknesse , nor tainted with any poyson ; nay , that if he hath drunk any venome , he shall cast it up again , and recover his health . and when other asses , all the world over , whether tame , or wild , and all other wholehooft beasts have , as it is said , nor ankles , nor gall in their liver : these indian asses onely have ankles , and these black , and that within , if you break them , neither want they a gall ; and that in swiftnesse , they exceed not onely by much other asses , but also by far both elephants and horses . and when they come first on the way , their pace is but slow at beginning , but then they mend it by degrees , and at length none can overtake them . after the females have brought forth , the sires very carefully looke to the colts , and their haunt is in the most desert parts of india : when the indians hunt them , they hold the colts feeding behind them , and fight for them : they dare meet the horsemen face to face , and make at them with their hornes . so strong they are , there is no resisting of them , they make all yeeld , or what will not . they break , or so shatter , that it become uselesse , and is quite spoyl'd . if they meet with horses they rend , and tear their sides in pieces , that their very guts fall out , so that horsemen are affraid to come near them , knowing that the approach is the utter lamentable destruction , both man and horse , they lay finely about them with their heels . what ever they bite , they make an utter riddance of it . if they be once grown up , they are not to be taken ; they are kill'd with darts and arrows . their flesh is so bitter , it is not to be eaten . philostratus writes almost the same . the figure that we have here added , is of a wild beastbodied , and eared like an asse , armed with two hornes , one shooting out of his nostrills , the other about his eys ; but because it is not whole-hoof'd , nor one-horn'd , it cannot be the indian asse . the naturall history of the fourfooted beasts . the second booke . of the clovenfooted , fourfooted beasts . the first title . of the clovenfooted that live on the earth . chapter i. of the horned beasts in generall that chew the cud. thus farre have we prosecuted the history of the whole-hoof d ; the cloven-footed follow : in greek dichele , and dischide ; which in h. scripture are said to divide the hoof , because they have diverse clefts , though properly they cannot be said to have toes . i find two kinds of them ; to wit , those that live on the earth , and those that live in the water . of the former , some chew the cud , and some not . of the former kind , some are horned , and some not . we shall consider them in generall , and in particular . we call those ruminaters , or chewers of the cud , that , having swallowed their meat , bring it up again into the mouth , and chew it again . in latine , ruminare , rumigare , remandere , revolvere ; in greek , mereykazein , merikan , from meruein , to roul again . some of the latines have fetched the word , ruminating , from rumen , the place in the belly whether the food descends , and whence it is again sent upward into the mouth . but servius , from ruma , the upper part of the neck ; whether such beasts recall their eaten meat . but mercurialis derives it from erumnae , that are these of the throat-pipe . how necessary this chewing the cud is for these beasts , we may gather from this , because they are fed with grosser food , as also from this , because they want upper-teeth , and the lower are not sharp . whence it is , that nature recompences the want of teeth with the multitude , as it were , of bellies ; for they have no lesse then four ; namely the belly , the call , the tripe , and the paunch . the throat beginning from the mouth reaches down to the lungs , and midriffe : thence , to the greater belly , that on the inside is sharp , and rugged , and hath a cell near the knitting of the gullet , called the net , or call ; for it is outwardly like a belly , and within netted , like womens head cals , and is much greater then the belly ; next is the tripe , rugged , checkered , crusty , and as great as the call ; next is the paunch , greater and longer then the tripe , and checkered , and crusted with many light , and great crusts , vast , and misshapen , and then follow the bowels . in the first hollow place of the paunch the meat is to be seen undisgested , even in bits , and pieces scarce torned ; in the second , more change , and yet more in the third ; and in the last at length perfectly concocted , where it is turned into a white creame . nether yet do those only chew the cud , that want their upper-teeth ; for among the fishes the scarus doth the same , having blunt teeth ; and among the beasts , the common , and pontick mouse , the hare , the cony , as we have it in leviticus . if you ask the manner , and fashion of chewing the cud , aristotle answers , that the meat being chewed again is sent out of one belly into another , till at last it slides into the bowels . galen saith , that it is first brought up out of the stomack into the mouth ; thence it passes into the kall , thence into the tripes , thence into the guts . after sucking , they begin to chew the cud , in seven months , understand it of the tame . the herders , in lesse time , because they feed abroad ; yet in winter , more then at other times of the year ; and they seem to delight more in this chewing the cud , then in eating . that they then require rest appeares by this , that they do that work lying in their stalles . aristotle saith , that their milk alone cruddles , and that they have curdled milke in their tripes , and that they abound in milke . the causes hereof we shall elsewhere unfold . horns are given to these chewers ( the camel excepted ) for defence , and offence . the nourishment that should go to the making of upper-teeth , which they want , turns into horses , and those are very manifold , and different ; neither hath nature in any thing more wantonized then in these weapons of beasts ; shee hath spread them into branches , as those of deer ; to others shee hath given plain ones , as to the harts , called spitters , or pipers , from the shape ; others hath shee shaped like hands , and those as fingered , called broadhorned . shee hath given to wild-goats , or roes branched ones , but small , as such which are never cast : to rams crumpled horns , like clubs , troublesome to bulls . in this kind shee gratifies females also in many , onely male : to roe-bucks-horns hooked backward , to bucks , contrary . to the strepsiceros , ( a beast half wild , half tame , that africa calls the bold ) horns standing bolt upright , writhed , and sharp at top . to the phrygian herds , moveable horns like ears . to those of the trogloditae , horns pointing downwards , so that they are fain to feed with their necks on one side . others have but one horn , and that in the middle of their head , or in their nose . again , some of them are strong to push withall , some to strike , some crooked , some to toffe many wayes ; upright ones , turned , beamy ; all sharppointed . thus far pliny ; who hath left out their severall colours , which are very different . some simply , white , blackish , ash-coloured , yellowish ; others party-coloured , as shall be shewen in the severall kinds . these horned beasts also have some peculiar parts , as hucklebones , and sewet , and some parts common with others , but otherwise placed , as the belly , milt , udders . the milt is most round : the bowels large ; the udders between the legs in couples . the belly hath hollows while they go with yong . in the hucklebone they are furnisht with many things , and the same in their hinder-feet . but more of these in the severall kinds . chapter ii. of the horned beasts , in particular that chew the cud . article i. of the tame beeve , or neat , or ox. and thus much of the fourfooted , clovenhoof'd , cud-chewing , horned beasts in generall . if you consider the kinds , there are among them , the ox , both tame , and wild ; the sheep ; the shee , and hee-goat , the hart , the busse , elk , rhinoceros , ( or nosehorned ) we begin , and that with just reason , with the beeve , being a beast , that challenges to it self almost all thing , whereof we stand in need , for food , or otherwise , certain it is that we owe all pulse , and grain to the neat , and plow. nay the use of vineyards would be lost , if they kept not our carts a going . what need i speake of severall trades , that must be all at a stand , and heavy mooveables , ly still , and uselesse for want of carriage ; other creatures , and birds themselves fed in pennes , and coops , live on their labour : for whence should the masters be provided of barly for their horses , meat for their dogs , and swine without the toile of the ox : and , to make short , wat ever eats , ows the food to the meat . some make use of mules , some of camels , some few of elephants , but to what purpose are there without those . no wonder then , that of old the germans used to send to those that were to marrie , for a dowry oxen yoked , to signifie by these beginnings of the marriage-state , that the wife came to be a yoke-fellow in all labours and dangers . the athenians would sacrifice not one for a long time , while they had use of a plow , or a wagon . pythagoras advised , that no such labouring cattle should be killed . the phrygians punisht the killing of a labouring ox , with death . the emperour valens made a law , that in all the east , they should eat no veal : and constantine forbad taking plowing oxen in pledge for debt : nay , such were given as rewards for vertue and deserts : decius mus , tribuny of the souldery , having saved the roman army , beset by the sabines , by compassing a mountain , was rewarded with a crown of gold , and an hundred oxen ; and lelius with thirty , after the city was taken . to say nothing of an hundred and thirty oxen , sent yearly under the name of tribute by the bohemians , to charles the great . that the stealing of beeves hath occasioned a war ; and that the low-dutch of the cheese and butter they make and send abroad , make yearly two hundred sesterties , that amount to ten hundred thousand carolines , besides what they easily spend for their own use , as adrian iunius relates . the beeve obtains diverse names according to their different ages , and sexes ; the chief are the ox , bull , cowe , heifer , or stier , and calfe . the ox hath his name , bos , properly imposed from his gelding , yet it includes also the bull , and cow. as also among the greeks , bus is a general , comprehensive name , and imports sometimes the calf also . the bull is the beeve afore castration , the captain and husband of the cowes ; yet oppian in this name , as the more worthy comprehends , all neat . he is called ( as the etimologists say ) tauros , or tanyuros , from his long taile , or garos , i. e. proud ; or from the syriaque , tor , and taur . the cow is the bulls female , and in greek distinguisht from the male , only by the article o. florentinus renders it butheleian , or damalin , which phocian ascribes to every young beast , some to the heifer . authors speak not distinctly enough of the heifer , and calf , nor is varro constant to himself : and the poëts call heifers , oxen , and cowes , and calves , whose horns sprout not yet out : when isidore yet calls juvencus , the stier that begins to be able , juvare , to help man in tillage : we shall take it for a beeve , that is no longer a calfe . iunix , seems to be the same with juvenca , the heifers , or the neat not yet of age . the calfe is the name of the first age of the beeve , called vitulus , either from the youngnesse , or the wantonnesse , or the life of it . it bears many names among the greeks , at least fourteen , as petalos , mochos , roos , &c. though some of them agree to the bulls , or rather the ox ; petaloi , from their slender , or plain , broad horns . mochos , is common to either sex ; or so called from moo , the cry ; or othmadai , smelling after the dam , or crying , or longing after her . the graecians at this day call it mouskori . portis is one , very young . poris , hee , and shee , from poreia , comming forward . enis , is one of a year old . preey , is rather a bull , saith varinus . killix , an ox , or lamb with a crosse-horn . kooronios , an ox with a round horn . roos , is a scythian bull , as zetzen relates . knoodala , are oxen. pellis , is an ox with a black horn . in describing the ox , i shall only note the most remarkable things , it being a beast so well known . of the differences of their horns hereafter . it is an hairy beast , that sheds it yearly , which comes thinner , or thicker then the first hair ; it is thicker on the back and neck , called mollopsi ; because thereof hated men to make glew kolla , or kollaboi , pegs for lute-strings are thence fitted . that double neck-hair is called mukos . the lips are thick , and sticking out ; the upper-jaw thick and blunt , so that he cannot pluck short grasse . on the fore-head is the shape of a v. the gelded have a broader then bulls . the bones are hardest between the horns ; very stubborn , and not easily broken . the tongue , when pluckt out , will pant a whole day . the skins that hang down the throat , are called palezar , the dew-lap . see the greek names in varrinus . the teeth are continued , and twice changed . those of two years old , change teeth , saith pliny . they want the upper-row , they chew therefore with the four fore-teeth as hath been said . their peezel is very stiffe . they have two udders between their legges , pliny saith four , calling , it seems the teats , which are four udders . their arse gapes , saith horace . their taile is long , the hair short . the flesh dry and duskish . the sinews hard and stubborn , though not so long as the bulls . the blood full of strings , therefore hastily congeals and hardens . the ham-joynt not so fast as that of other beasts , therefore he drags his feet more , especially when he is lean and old . it is said they have a stone in the head , which they spit out , when they look to be slaughtered . austin reports they have one also in the liver , and reins . pliny saith , there is a bone in his heart . the milt is very long , and blacker then the swines , especially when he grows old . the reins resemble mans , each as it were made up of many . the ancles greater then the camels . in the heifers second ventricle is found a rough sand-stone , round as a ball , very light . aldrovand had two of them in his study , one reddish , the other black ; for that was taken out of a red , this out of a black ox , since it is sprung from haires that they lick in , in chewing the cud , as it sometimes happens , they with licking themselves swallow something , that gathers into an ovall chapt , being mixt with flegme , wee need not discourse much of the place , where they are found . for their meat , they devour all that the earth yeelds ; especially grasse , çitisus , pease , knot-grasse , sedge , willow , oke-leaves , olive-bows , reed , black-elder , vines , barly , hirse , wheat , acornes , date-kernels , wild olive , missle-toe , these the most delight in . all know , grasse to be their feed in summer , and hay in winter . in the province of narbon in fount-orges , grows an herb so gratefull to oxen , that they will plunge themselves over head , and eares to seek it . they will do the like in the river loïr , about veluin , and in the sebusian fish-ponds : and in the ditches , pools , and black waters thereabout , grows a grasse , with long , reddish leaves , flooting on the water , after which they are so greedy , that they will wade belly-deep , and duck in the whole head to feed thereon , which fattens them strangely ; and the cows that fed there , yeeld much more milk , then neerhand . citisus breeds much , and sweet milk ; but while it flourishes , it is not so good , but dries up milk . pease are commended , but not sowed in march , because it makes them wild-headed . pliny says , that not onely that , that is sowen in march , is hurtfull to oxen ; but also that that is sowen in may is hurtfull to oxen , but also that that is sowen in autumne , makes them sleepy , steep it , and it is corrected . therefore democritus prescribes such to be given them monthly in their drinke , to strengthen them ; five bushells serves a yoak of oxen . clave grasse , or three leaved fattens a carrion lean ox , and cures a sick one . therefore wild trifoly is diligently sowen in many parts of spain , especially in valentia : yet it must be given sparingly , else it dries milke , and turns all the meat into blood , fat and flesh . lotus gives best nourishment , and sweetest , and being sowen once in fallow ground , flourishes many yeares after . elm-leaves , especially those of attinia , the romans held much of . if you give it them dayly , and then another sort of leaves , they will be weary of them . virgil mentions willows ; nor hath lucretius forgot them . fig-leaves , if they may be had , are very good for them ; yet oke-leaves , and wild olive that is not thorny , are thought better . black elder leaves bring a flush of milk : barly chaffe , and that of other grain . hirse is sowen in italy for them , saith porta , fitches are given them , in stead of pease , ground in a hand-mill , and weakned a little in water , in spaine baetica . a bushell of pulse serves to put an ox into good case ; weakned three dayes in river , or sea-water , it grows sweet ; and then dried again is laid up for this use . acornes are advised to be gathered after seed time , and cast into water , and a half bushell , to be given in spring to each ox : it is meet about the fall of the leafe to give each yoke of oxen bushells . the greater make them unhealthfull ; and when ever you give it , if they have it not dayes together , they get the spring scab . the babylonians give their oxen datekernels soakt in water , and to their sheep . they are fattened by misletoe . they feed also on fish among the paeonae , who dwell by the prashian marishes . neither do they abstain from hemlock , whether green , or dry : nor doth eating of frogs do them any harme . briefly , they delight to drinke clear water , nor doth muddy hurt them . about their manner of feeding see aldrovand , and writers of husbandry . for their age , the cow lives years at most , the male ; they are at their best at five . their age is knowen by changing their teeth ; the foreteeth they cast within a year , and eight , or ten months ; then after six months by degrees they loose the next , till within three yeare they have changed them all ; when they are best disposed , and so hold out to fifthteen . at best , their teeth stand fair , long , and even ; but growing old , they diminish , wax black , and rot . the helvetians judge of their cows age by certain circles almost at top of their horns ; they are three at five years old , after more . some thinke they get a circle with every calving . about their gendring , lust , coupling , and calving , i meet with these observations . the bull feeds with the cow only in engendring time ; they couple with the elder twice a day , with the yonger oftner , and that with one , and the same , and quietly . a geld one hath egendred , saith aristotle . one bull may serve cows . varro allows many more . hee abstaines from the cows that are with calf at first , and as it were voluntarily divorces himself , as it is to be seen in epire especially , where for most part hee is not to be seen for three months , but feeds by himself . the cows salacity is famous . see aristotle about the excesse and signes of their lust ; as also aelian . h. a. l. . c. . about what heats then see columella , r. r. l. . ( thither i refer the reader , for i list not to translate such stuffe . ) the cows are knowen to be with calf , when their termes cease , within , , half a months space . they goe months , and in the tenth they calve : they bring forth nothing alive sooner , saith pliny : some say they calve when the tenth month is compleat . how the calve lies in the belly is exprest by an image , and the skin wherein it is enwrapped , is also shewen hereafter . though the cow bring but one at once , seldome twins , yet in ptolomy the yonger his time , a certain cow calved six at once ; and in hispaniola this cattle is strangely fruitfull ; for the most part they bring two at once ; in the eleventh month they go to bull , and though they carry a couple , yet they say , they ly both on the right side . they guesse by the cows frisking after coupling , whether shee shall have a bull , or cow-calf ; if on the right side a bull-calf ; if on the left , a cow-calf . they love bees , but hate hornets , gad-flees , flees of all sorts , tikes , bears , swine , crows , and some kind of plants , and some sorts of colours . pliny writes , that it is best to smear behinds with cow-dung , this kills the vermin that breeds of their bodies , and spiders , butterflies , and raises the bees themselves . they are repaired by ox-paunch , fresh , and covered with their dung . virgil saids the like of a young heifers carcase , as also of horses . neat being stung by an hornet , as in great anguish , fall a running , flies vext them so , that in leucadia it was a custome to sacrifice an ox to the flies , which being swelled with their blood , are thought to vanish away ; bitten by the like , they pine away , and are disabled for labour . bears hanging with all four on bulls hornes , and necks , tire them out with their weight . swines-dung is harmfull to them . crows pick at their egs . some say , that if a bulls tong be smeard with tallow ( whether swines , or other i know not ) they will sooner dy , then eat , unlesse washt with salt , and vineger . for plants , if a bulls nostrils be smeard with oyl of roses , hee becomes giddy ; lady-glove put into their nostrils , makes them maddish . black hellebore kills them . the juice of the chamaeleon kills yong heyfers with the squincy . the wild fig makes them tender-flesht . ash-leaves are deadly to neat , that other cattell may safely chew ; it is true of the gew-tree . there is a place , they say , a thracian province , near the scythians , and medes , almost furlongs long , that brings forth barly , that men eat , but horses , and oxen will not tast of , nor other beasts . tragus , amongst the hurtfull fruits , describes an herb , leaved like pulse at first , sharp , and long eared , the ears cleaving like burrs , commonly found in fields sowen with pulse , and barely , very hurtfull to oxen , and shund by them . of the grasse that is good for them , the alpine violet , and great burre , called by the germans blakken , read gesner , oxen eating bedewd , swell till they burst somtimes , unlesse they be driven up and down , till they be warm , and void it . seneca , writing of anger , saith , that oxen are much enraged by red , or any colour like it . but it is strange , that oxen that have been made to draw any man to execution , will not plow after , or if they be forced to it , the ground will not thrive . the geroponici advise to take heed in seed-time , that the seed fall not on ox-horns ; such they hold will never come to good , they call it kerasbolon , horn-fallen . pliny saith , that , if when a stable is on fire , and oxen , or sheeps-dung be cast out , they are more easily drawen out , nor will returne thither , which is no wonder . about their motion , and voyce , a few words shall suffice . their pace is slow , not to say sluggish ; whence we say , this is to hunt the hare with the ox ; their voyce is different according to the age and sex . the calves sounds deeper then the growen ; the cows , then the oxes , their voyce changes when they are geld . their proper voice is lowing , in lat. boare , bovare , boïre ; in gr. mukima , &c. they yeeld us many things for food , namely flesh , braines , tongue , heart , liver , milt , reines , cale , inwards , feet , and marrow , besides milk , to make cheese and butter . their flesh is prime ; and though the egyptians abstain from cow-beefe , and feed on bull-beefe : yet the romans have forbidden the latter to be sold , because under tarquin the proud , by eating thereof , women great with child , got the pestilence . in homer , beefe was set afore nobles . lysander going into jonia was presented with beefe among other varieties . in the kingdom of senega , they eat nothing else . prometheus , saith pliny , was the first who slew an ox. of old in their choysest feasts , they set whole oxen roasted on the table . the turks also in the lesser asia , or natolia , when a childe , whose parents were of any fashion , was to be circumcised , would roast on a great pole a whole ox , with a whole belweather in his belly , that had a hen with an egge in her , in his belly , and this is eaten by the kindred . beefe yeelds the best nourishment , and agreeable to the stomack , and not so subject to purifie . it is strong , and fast food , but not soon concocted . it is not waterish indeed , flegmatique , or slimy , but yet it is hard of disgestion ; very nourishing , but breeds thick blood . but if a melancholy person feed too freely on it , it shall hasten his fit . in some it swells the spleen , and breeds a consumption . beef is not so good while fed in the spring with the first , thin grasse ; best , when fed with thick grasse , and near seeding . the dutch , scotch , english , and other northerly people pickeld , and smoak it , and so eat it . they pickle it most in midst of october , and november ; when they hang it up , some smoke it first●with juniper , which they strait quench again . some think it gives it a good colour to fume it with bundles of dry netles , and that it makes it redder ; but you must feed but sparingly hereon , for it nourishes little , and lies long in the maw , being very hard to disgest , and then yeelds but ill juyce . the middle-aged is thought best , that hath not been over-laboured , yet old one will hastily fatten . bruierinus saw some , that the avern ▪ sent , that were so fat and heavy , that the buyers must carry them in carts . it hath been forbid , on great forfaits , to kill , in cities of note , diseased oxen ; and the guilty taken , have been hevily punisht ; since tainted flesh lies heavy , and breeds corrupt humours , and spirits . veal is temperate food , juicy , favoury , light of disgestion , breeds good blood , esteemed so by all , and preferred afore kid by many . crescentiensis would have it killed fifteen dayes after . others would not have it weaned till thirty dayes old : in many parts of france , they are brought to the buthchers of a month old , sometimes lesse , sometimes a month and an half old . at rome they let them suck oft a whole year ; and keeps them from grasse , and other fodder : they are after that a delicate food , and used by francis the first of france . one magnifies their flesh , if weaned at three or four months old , and killed at a year old compleat . as for heifers , they are better food , then growen , but fall short of veal . at lions they like yearlings , and those of six months , and of two and three years old . bruier ▪ commends those that never took bull. their parts we shall now consider . a calves-head boyled , and eaten warme , is known good food ; the brain taken out , boyled a while in water , and then skin'd , and sod in wine , and seasoned with spice , is good : the jaw is counted a dainty ; but an oxes is disputed of . the neats-tongue is prized in germany , both in the high and low-countries . of old it was not sacrificed , the priests under a pretence of religion , preserving it for themselves . some stuffe it with spice , and rost it . the udder uses to be par-boyled , and with fat or butter fryed , and sprinkled with spice , and so served in . the paunch was in old times cried up : the tripe among the romans especially was a dainty . their ancestors had such a special care of this beast , that there are presidents of some condemned by the people of rome , for killing an ox , and denying they had eaten the tripe , and were banished as if they had murdered a husbandman . the sweet-breeds were a service at great mens tables , and of old magnified : nor are neats-feet cast away . diogenes the cynick is said to have died with eating one raw . as for their use in medicine ; beefe allayes a swelling ; and laid on hote , disperses impostumes , and boyles , if pliny be to be believed . cowes-flesh laid on the privities , strangly heals the ulcers and coupissing . beefe-pottage stops the flux , saith simeon sethis ; pottage of cow-beefe heals sore and chapped mouths ; calves-broth is reakoned among the helps of the collick , and bloody-flux ; veal new killed , sod in vineger , and laid moyst under the arm-pits , takes away the rank , rammish smell ; if women about the time of conception , eat it well rosted with heart-wort , they shall bear males . see aldrovand . about neats-feet broth among the portugeses : and also , the oyl of neats-feet is good against all aches and lamenesse . holy saith , that ox-liver burnt , and drunk , is good against loosnesse , and bloody-issues . a distilled-water made of a bull-calfs-liver cut small , with a like quantity of sage-leaves , helps the hard swellings that lie crosse the bottom of the belly . the extract of the ox-spleen , suppresses the monthly termes . pliny writes of superstitious , and magical uses , or rather abuses . the paunch , or tripe-broth taken in thought to expel venome ; especially poyson from henbane , and hemlok . the intrals of a calfe , fresh and warm , chopt small , yeelds a juice , that with a like quantity of sage and parsly , are good to rub cold , wasted , and palsied parts . the pissle weakned in vineger , and smeared on , makes a smooth face . a red bulls dried to powder , the quantity of a peece weight , some say quench , some say kindle lust . their marrow , especially the calves , is a softner : the cowes marrow kneaded in flower , and eaten as bread , cures strangly the bloody-fluxes , especially eaten with new cheese : the bulls is dryer , and the powder taken in wine , helps strangury , and gut-wringing ; dissolved , and with a fourth part of red myrrhe , and of oyle of bay , or laurel , as much loosens the shrunk sinnews , if you annoint the feet and hands morning and evening . pliny saith , the ox-marrow out the right fore-thigh , poudered with sowte , is good for the hair , and the eye-lids , and corners , if they aile any thing . of the sewet , and the preparation of the bulls-tallow , thus pliny : the way of fat , the same is used about the sewet , and tallow of the beasts that chew the cud ; the veins are taken out , it is washed in sea-water , or brackish ; beaten into balls , sprinkled with sea-waters , then sod oft , till the rank smell be gone ; then by continual salting it , is whitened ; that is most prized , that is taken from the reins : if you resume the old , you must first melt it , then oft wash it in cold water , then try it again , and pour very sweet wine , or perfumed on it ; thus by often seathing , the malignity is boyled out . dioscorides shewes how it should be sweetned . it is much hotter and dryer then swins-grease , and cooler then the lyons ; good for fiery , and hard swellings , with rosin , and fullers chalk it is soften ; aesculapius adds wax ; and perhaps it comes near to galens fourfold medicine . it takes spots and freckles out of the face , with feed of cunila , and ashes of harts-horne , if it be burnt in the beginning of the dogdayes , with gum and hony it helps wax kernels , and the like ; mixt with bears grase , and wax , a like quantity , it strangely suppresseth impostumes , and with nightshadened rue it helps freckles , warts , bunches and the like . calves fat take out of the flank , boild with three pints of water , and taken in as broth , helps the collick . bruised , and with salt it is good for lowsinesse , and sore-heads , mixt with a little nitre , and like ser-cloth it is said to heal the swellings , and other griefs of the cods . it helps against poyson that uses to kill with exulcerating calves-sewet with goose-grease closes the chaps in the mouth . ox-sewet rubed on , takes away the stifnesse and pain of the neck . it helps the griefs of the fundament , with flower of frankincense it heals cornes , and leprosies , morfew , tetters , fellons , scurft , taken with salt , raisins , origanum , leven or bread . for fellons this sewet with salt , and goats-grease is smeared on , or burnt in the sun with roses . the ox-gall cures sore-heads presently , if mingled with juice of asses-dung , and a little powder of sea-onion and bulls-gal ; or with nitre , wine and oyl , well mixt with fullers-earth and nitre , it piels of the leprosie and scurfe . it is applied to cankers and fiftulaes with juice of leeks and breast-milke , rubed on with a woollen-cloath on the navel , it voids worms ; smeared on with hony , it helps the squincy , closes the chapt fundament , opens stopt emrods ; makes loos-bodied , laid on the bottom of the belly with butter , deer-marrow , and oyl of bay rubed on the knees , it helps them ; it helps the griefs of the privie parts , annointed on with oyl , as also of the cods ; dissolved in hot water , it takes away the dead-flesh of the fingers ; and womens terms it helps , laid on with moist woolen . ox-gal mixt with , drawes splinters of yron , and thorns ; and kneaded up to the thicknesse of hony daubt on , with allom . and mirrhe is a speedy cure for worms in the privie parts , it disperses kernels , and impostumes in any part ; as also ox-blood , and flesh layd hot on ; with oyl of palma christi , and roses , it helps the hearing ; and layd on with cotton , takes away tinkling noyses in the eare . there are who think that the kings-evill is helped by a linnen band , dipt in a warm ox-gal , and tied under the hips , shifted , and layd fresh on three dayes . hippocrates advices , that , if a woman hath not conceived , her months shewing themselves , on the third , or fourth day , all umbray'd moystened with ointment , is to be layd on with a woollen cloath , and so three dayes renewed ; and the third day , an ox-gall is to be shaven , and the shavings mixt with oyl , and put in a linnen cloath , and three dayes together layd on , and then she shall conceive . finally , it is strange that is written , that some egyptian women , to become fat , take in a bath dayes a chirat of cows-gall , dissolved in cow-pisse . about the calves-gall , understand that with vineger warmed , it takes away nits , it lesses the chops of the eyes , bruized with hony , and especially mirrhe and safran ; and is very good to put into the eare with a snakes-slough , sprinkled with lees mixt with oyl , it drives away gnats . the stone in an ox-gall , the philosophers call it alcheron , it is like a ring , bruised to pouder , and snuffed up , helps the sight , and prevents eye-rheums : and is good for the falling-sicknesse , if you take thereof the quantity of a pea with the juyce of into the nostrills . the hide , and glue also hath it's use in phisick : burnt , it heals kibes , especially out of an old shoe : with hony it eats off cankers in sores ; the ashes of an old soal burnt , helps against a bruise from a pinching shoe . glew sod out of ox-hides , especially bulls , and that out of their ears , and pizles of very soverain ; nor is any thing better against burnings . but it is often counterfaited , nothing more taken out of other leather to cozen you . that of rhodes is truest , and therefore used by painters , and phisitians . the best at this day , called german , is of a light-red-colour , very hard , britled as glasse , and blackish , and twice as deere as the other . it is called xylocolla , or wood-glue , because it is used in gluing wood together ; others call it taurocolla , or bulls-glue : we owe the invention of it to daedalus ; it joyns things firmer then any other thing can . melted in vineger it heals the scab , adding lime-wit , if it be not gone too far , weakened in vineger , and with brimstone , boild on a soft fire , to the thicknesse of hony , and stird boyling , with a fig-tree sprig , applied twice a day , it cures itch , melted , and dissolved the third day , it heals , and closest wounds , made by iron . mixt with vineger , and hony , it removes nits . it helps teeth , boyld in water , and rubed on , and presently taken of again , and then the teeth washt with wine , wherein hath been sod sweet pomegranet-roots , drunk with three cups with hot water , it helps spitting of blood ; as also the hot collique , and belly-ake , if layd on . the horne , the top of it , burnt , two spoonfulls weight , with hony , swallowed in pills , helps the ptisick , or short-breath , or wheezing ; as much burnt to pouder , with three cups of hot water , and a litle vineger , helps the spleen , taken three dayes in , if fasting . the hoof is also medicineable ; boyled , and eaten with mustard , it resists poyson : burnt , and drunk in pottage , wine , or other liquour , it restores milk to womens dried breasts ; the smoke thereof kills , or chases away mice . the ancledust drunk with hony , brings away worms ; with mulled vineger , it lessens the spleen ; with wine , it fastens the teeth . it is frivolous , but not to be left out , saith pliny , if it be but to please women , that the ankle , of a white heifer , sod dayes and nights , till dissolved , rub'd on with a linnen cloath , makes a clear smooth skin . the hips burnt , and drunk , stopt fluxes of blood . the thin skin moyst from the calving , heals a sore face . the stone , found in the head , drunk out of the same water that the ox drinks , helps effectually the head-ake . the milke , being thick , and fat passes not so easily through us ; yet pliny saith it loosens the belly , and is drunk in the spring to purge , because it comes from many herbs whereon the cows feed hartily . it works out poyson , especially , that that corrodes , and inflames ; particularly it helps against doryenium , colchicum , hemlock , and the sea-hare . warmed , and gargled it soon allayes the pain , and swelling of the almonds under the eares . taken warme from the cow it helps an exulcerated stomack . a cupfull , with so much deer-sewet , tried , and moyst pitch , and scythian red-oker , helps strangely a consumption . a black cows milk with pouder of sesamum is good to drink for a women that after child-birth vomits blood , after fourty dayes . the same boyled mitigates , and removes fluxus , and desire to stool , if newly milk , and two parts boyled away , for the strangury a little hony must be added ; and if the pain be great , lay on the navell dust of harts-horn , or ox gall mixt with cummin-seed , with flesh , up-goared . nor are these the prescriptions only of aëtius , galen , and pliny , but our late physitians prescribe the like , and therein they quench a gad of steel nine times , and apply it hot to the patient , or glister wise . hippocrates prescribed it of old , and others mixt with liquour . for he when the guts were wounded , and the breath came forth beneath apparently by the wound , and the breasts emptied , advised it to be given with a like quantity of milke , wine and water . and gesner also testifies , that some cried it up , if the liquour mixt with wine , and milke were drunk certain dayes in maries-bath . butter , although pliny say it was a food prized only by barbarians and poor common people , yet galen , and diosco . and others proclaim great vertue to be in it . vitalis de furno cardinal , and a famous physitian saith that butter is naturally warm , and moyst ; heat is predominant in it , it is viscous , and oylie . oft eaten it moystens the stomack , and make loos-bodied , softens the breast ; cures ulcers in breast , and bowells ; especially , when fresh and new , agreeing to mans complexion , helps apostumate breasts and lungs ; it being the proper quality to ripen , disperse , and cleanse all superfluous humours , especially if eaten with hony and sugar . butter resists poyson , supples the members , softens , and helps , smeared on eye-smart , disperses , and ripens impostumes , eases sore breasts , and lungs , and gripings of the bowels , supples , and loosens shriveled up sinews . it is a speciall remedy against inward poyson , if hartily drunk melted in hot milk , after you have drunk venome , for by its fatnesse it stops the passages , that the venome reach not suddenly the heart . but , new butter is thus praise-worthy , not so the old , &c. thus far the cardinall cheese is good against flaxes , strangury , and colique . hippocrates uses the same against his third sort of consumption . donatus writes that he gave a pellet of sicilian cheese dipt in hony to a boy troubled with wormes . of the whey , hote , or cold we shall elsewhere discusse ; certain it is , that it thins and cleanse away the thick humours , and brings down the belly ; to this last purpose the ancients have used it often , especially in those , which they would purge gently , as the melancholy , and those that had the falling sicknesse , the leprous , the scald , and those that brake out with blisters over the whole body ; above all it is good for shortwinded taken with neezing pouder . ox-pisse allayd with amber burnt , and quenched therein removes impotence . hippoc. purged therewith female wombs , that conception might follow . bulls-pisse takes away leprosie , and scurf ; heals sore running-heads ; allays grief , of the ears dropped in with myrrhe . finally , if the hearing be very thick , the hee-goats , or bulls , or mans old urine hot , and vapouring out of a long necked bottle helps : they mixt with it a third part vineger , and some calves-pisse that never tasted grasse . ox-blood , men write , that taken with vineger , and moderately it helps against blood-vomiting . it cures dogs newly faln mad : it concocts ulcers , if a playster be made of it with sewet by the fire . bulls-blood with meal smeard on softens hardnes , and dried it scatters impostumes in any part : it kills serpents ; takes away face-spots ; and that it is deadly to drink , by reason that it soon congulates , and hardens . midas king of phrygia , and psammenitus of egypt , themistocles and others , who died by drinking it , are sad examples . pliny excepts aegyra , a city doubtles of achaia , which homer calls hyperesia , where the priestesse being to divine , drinks bulls blood afore shee descend her prophesying cave . signes that you have drunk it are stopping of breath , even to choaking , closing the jaws , and eares , almonds , rednes of tongue , infecting the teeth , &c. they help against ik , with mariorane , cole , wildfigs , calamint , ladyglove , salpeeter , pepper , copperas , black southistle , thorn and time . a few words of the dung : the bulls dissolves swellings , and callow hardnes ; the ox-dung is layd on , made up with vineger cataplasme-wise , for hand-greefs , and hard-swellings . layd on coles with melantine , snuffed up , it heals megrim , freck , prest out , and weakened in urine , it is commended for gut-ake , men use of it bruised , and sifted for a purge for the barren . the calves dung differs little from the oxes in vertue , marcellus saith , that it is a present help daubed on sore joints . some parts are for many other uses , to say nothing of husbandry , treading out corne , carriage , warre , sights ; of the hornes are made , besides cups , lavers , cupping glasses , lanterns , cornets , buglehorns , trumpets and bows : of the hide are made shields , bucklers , helmets , tents , ships , ladders , belts , girdles , mony , pouches , bottles , bellowes , whips , shoos , and other things ; nay the pyraeaean siege in greece , and that of ripella in france witnes that they have been for food . out of the fagg-ends of hides comes glew . out of the sinews are made both tough and yeelding whips . the teeth smoothen paper . cleanthes the philosopher , wanting mony to buy paper , wrote what hee heard from zeno , with ox-bone on tiles , or slate . the powder of the same helps rheums and gout . the blood , being thicker then other , and soon coming together and stifning , is very fit to make morter . and calves blood with minced veal kept ten dayes in an earthen pot , makes fit baits for fish . the sewet , especially of the heifer , and that about three year old , makes the best candles . if you mash your seed with ox-gall , afore you sow it , it is good against field mice : nor will ants come neare a tree , if you rub the root with cow-gall . the same and lees counterfait lyciam , and make a golden colour . of old they made brushes of ox-bristles , and painters their pencills . the troglodites spent with age , used to strangle themselves with an ox-tail . the chinois feed their fish to fatten them with cow-dung . some smear their walls with it against flies . their hoofs drive vermines from vines . oxen admit of many differences from their bignesses , variety of hornes , monstrous shape of parts , place , and otherwise . in the isle aden ( of old madoce , and ocellis ) their cows are as great as a camell , snow-white , with hornes , and ears , some pricking up , some hanging . aristot. saith , that the aegyptian are greater then those of greece . those of ethiopia in prete gan his domin●ons , beare such great hornes , that thereof are made vessells that hold many galons . the african cows are so little , that they scarce reach the greatnesse of our calves , but can beare any labour , and hardship . and such are the alpine , ( or rather altine ; ) altinum being an old city and a flourishing one on the venetian coast , near aquileia . the english oxen pride themselves in their hornes , and admirable savoury flesh , called beefe . those in the north of america want a dewlap , and are bunsh-backed . in dariena they are said to be whole-hoof'd , not unlike mules , great ear'd , trunked like elephants , ash-colour'd , and of a delicate flesh . out of spain are transported into hispaniola , cows so fruitfull , that one common cow in years shall calve calves , while their race is still breeding also . the aonian oxen are many coloured , whole-hoof'd , have one horne , coming out of their mouth . vartomannus saw the sultan in arabia , presented with cows-horne like deer , and black ; and some had but one horne , and that on the forehead . among the arachatae are wilde oxen , black , ginning , flat-horned . the armenian have a double-horne , writhed , bending , and entortled like an zuy , and so hard , that it can turn a swords-edge . in the province of bengala , their oxen are as thick as elephants . in holland the cows , especially the pied ones , yeeld a great soop of milk . in some parts , in summer-dayes , each cow yeelds to the pale quarts a day . in the lazerhuys at amsterdam , they hold cows , out of which they gain in milk and cheese , beside what themselves daily spend , about crowns a year . it is not wonder then that in butter and cheese , they export to forreigne parts each year , for sesterties , that is , carolusses . they make it out of butter-milk , that we in england give to the poore , and to our swine . in scotland there are very white wild oxen , of thick and long manes , savage , and fierce , so hating mankind , that they will for many dayes abstain from that , that man hath handled , or breathed on , and being taken by wiles , they dy of themselves ; they have a sinewy , gristly kind of flesh . in the camanduan quarters there are vast oxen , short , and blunt-horned ; of aspotles whitenesse , bunched-back'd , and strong as camels , that will take up burdens , camel-like , with bended knees at their keepers command . i know not whither he mean those of caria in asia , ugly , with a bunch on the shoulders , reaching from their necks , with loose horns and laborious : the other , black , or white , are condemned to toyl . those of cyprus feed on mans dung . in the city diu , are small oxen , with great and strait hornes ; but , besides their fitnesse to carry , and toyl , they will be taught to obey a bridle , and to pace like horses . the cows of epirus , each fill a payl with milk ; the milker stands upright , or stoups a little , for sitting he cannot come by the udders . the oxen of the same place that are called pirrhique , from pyrrhus , who held ( men say ) so much of them , are highly cried up ; they come to that perfection at foure years old . they were very great , and there are of the race yet left . but now they desire yearlings for breed ; but those of two years are better . in eubaea the oxen are almost all white ; whence poëts call eubaea arggroboaeon , silver-oxed . in galata a hill of africk , the oxen , when oldest , are not so great as those of eight moneths in italy , saith leonius . in , or neare the region of the garamantes , they feed praeposterously ; for if they direct their mouths strait to their pasture , their horns bending downward hinder them . the helvetian oxen , specially those by zofinga , a town of bern , are prayzed for tender flesh . in india there are oxen with one and with three horns , and whole-hoof'd , they are as tall as camells , their horns foure foot broad . one of them was brought to ptolomy , that held three pitchers full of water . they run there with horses , being equally fleet , perhaps pliny means these , speaking of indian wood-bulls , greater then wild ones , swifter then all others , yellow , blew-eyed , their hair turning thwart , their chaps gaping to their eares , their horns wagging , their hide as hard as a flint , and wound-free ; they hunt all wild beasts ; they are taken only in pits , and kill themselves with their fiercenes . i know not whether they are those , the sangiaci and bassae use by damascus , with thin tayls and hair , valued each at four or five ducats . wee read also that in india is an ox , called in their native tongue ignaragna , near the fort of the holy ghost ( so called , ) and elsewhere , where it is lesse cold , of a monstrous bulk , feeding on grasse , that is red , far bigger then our oxen , skin'd like the elephant , having two armes near the breast , the teats hidden , wherewith shee suckles her young ; headed and mouthed as ours , sweet of flesh , that the indians much long after ; yeelding fat like butter , wherewith they season their food ; the bones as firme as ivory . the umbrian oxen , chiefly by the river clitumnus , are famous ; they are the greatest in italy , and most white . the sabine are also cried up ; there was one of old bred by a househoulder , of a strange size and shape , whose hornes were many ages kept for a miraculous monument in the porch of dianaes temple . the leutrican oxen , their hornes and eares are alike , and of apeece . in a province of catay are white and black ones , tayl'd as a horse , but bushier and long , bearing fine hairs , like feathers , of great value , which the cavaliers hang on their lance top , counting it an ensigne of high gentility ; the hornes , as they lift up their head , reach to their tayle ; the hornes are so great , that the inhabitants use them in stead of buckets . the mysian have no horns . among the negros , the cows are all black , or white , or mixt , none red . they winter them by the marsh maeotis among the nomades , and summer them in the plain fields . of the oxen , some have no horns , some they saw off . the poeonian bulls are shagged bodied , especially on breast , and chin ; and carry so great horns , that scarce three or foure quarts of wine can fill them ; whereof the poeonian kings and nobles make cups , tipp'd with ivory and silver , saith theopompus . hungary abounds so with them , that sigismundus , baron of heberstein , affirmed , that he saw one onely way toward vienna , driven above in one year . comandu , a persian region ( so called of a city there ) hath many vast ones , all white , short and blunt-horned , bunch'd-backed like camels ; whence they become so strong , and fit for carriage . such are also in quivira . the bulls there are wild , yellow , low , crookbacked , great mained , and hanging ; their flesh good wholesome , and not unpleasant : the natives eat the tayl , drink the blood , weare the hides . the phaenician cows are so tall , that the tallest shepheards milk standing ; lower men must have a footstool . in phrygia and erythraea , the oxen wag the hornes as the ears , saith aristot. and aelian . in norwey , island , gothland , feronia , oxen are wilde , untameable , and long-bearded . the hunters skulk among the trees , and when they are stroken , they either revenged , or kill themselves . there is also a sea-cow , a great , strong , furious , dangerous monster , spawning the like , not above two at once , oftner but one , which it tenders , and caries carefully about , where-ever she swims , or goes aland ; shee carries her fry moneths , she is known by cutting of her tayl , to have lived years . on some northeren-coasts , they have teeths like elephants . in caricta , a scotch province above galloway , are oxen of tender and sweet flesh ; but the fat never thickens , but slows like oyl . about torona , lastly , are some that a few dayes afore calving , have no milk , but at other times are flush , they go ten months with calve . of the tartarian oxen , tall as elephants , black and white-hayred , and hanging thick on their shoulders , like lions , three foot long , soft as silk , i have spoken already . as also of the tartarian , ( that scaliger calls syrian ) that have no dew-laps . thus far of their differences in a promiscuous way . hetherto belongs the beast called in corgo empalanga , shaped like an ox , and of the like bulke ; onely he carries his head , and neck aloft , like a stag ; the horns strait , and long , knotty at top , bending a litle inwards , wilde , but not harmfull , nor fierce ; and might be brought to the plow , if the inhabitants had the wit to use them . as for monsters , there was seene at millian , and satura , a calf with two heads ; at a village of thuringia , one with six feet , two heads , and but one passage ; and one hath been seen with seven feet , and a bunch of flesh on the side , also one nose , and eare like a man , with two heads and faces , and double-bodied ; onely two hind-feet , and faced like a lamb. anno was seen at basil of the rauraci , an ox with five feet ; such as we saw once in london in england ; and another with a horn in the neck , and short legs like a dwarfe . you shall here also have the print of a monstrous calfe with two bodies , upright , and with five eares . article ii. of wild-oxen . point i. of the wild-ox , or bugle . wid-oxen , in greek agrioi , that differ from the wild agrayloi , in this , that these though tame , and bred of such , yet running loose among the hills a pleasure are left to feed in woods and fields , but those are not wild so much from the nature of the place , as their own naturall disposition ; such are bugle , bison . the urus , or bugle , macrobius makes a french , and aldrovand a german name : for ur signified among the old dutch wild , or great , vast and strong . servius yet will have it to be greek , fetching it from oroi , the mountains . the poles , at least about mafovia , samogitia , call him tur ; which gesner thinks to be the tarand among the ancients . the liturnians calls him zumbro . whether it be iphicrates his thezes , we shall inquire elsewhere . s. hieronymus calls him bubalus , or buffe , as also martialis ; and the unskilful common romans , saith pliny . authours differ somewhat about the description , unlesse happily there be several kindes of them . caesar and pliny mentions no shagge hair on them ; eras. stella ascribes to them shaggie temples and beards ; as also albertus magnus , who confounds him with the bonasus . for the rest , he is little lesse then the elephant , shaped and coloured like the bull ▪ some are fifthteen cubits high , three men may stand between his horns ; rough of hide , and dew-lapped . horned thick , black , short , red-eyed towards the outer corner ; great-headed , broad-faced , almost black , especially his temples , chin , neck . the face , sides , thighs , tail , einclining to red . he is found in the hyrcinian wildernesse , in podolia , samogitia , masovia , and hungaria . they are not tameable by man , not the least of them : they are exceeding strong , and swift ; he can tosse with his hornes horse and rider , and turn up reasonable great trees by the roots . great men count his flesh seasoned a dainty . the northern barbarians drink in the horns , some head their darts with them . among us , saith pliny , they make clear lanterns of them , that cast light very far ; and the shavings are used to many delightful purposes , now painted , now smeared , pictures called cerostrata , or horn-peeces are made of them : it may be that wild-bull , that did so much mischief in macedonie , that king philip killed at the foot of orbel , whose hide , and horns of fourteen hand-breadth , dedicated in the porch of hercules his temple , was a bugle , or urus . see aldrovand . of the manner of taking him . point ii. of the bison , or buffle . the name bison comes from the german word vicent . the oppian coppies have it bistoon , from bistonia ( happily ) a thracian wood , but it is a mistake . dion calls them bissones . like wild oxen they are , bristled , and have rough long manes , which they shake on their thick neck and shoulders , that it is terrible to behold ; so busht also they are about the cheeks and chin . their horns crooked , but bending upwards , and sharp as swords ; not broad , and crosse as other oxen ; but starting upright , and hooked only about the tip . their shaggy hair smells of musk , short-headed , great and fierce-eyed , and sparkling , broad fore-headed ; the horns so wide from one another , that three men may sit between ; a bunch on the back ; the hinder-part of the body lower then the fore-body . gesner saw a horn of them at a gold-smiths to be tiped with silver , of a glistering black , eighteen inches long , hooked like a bird of preys talends . the tongue so rough , that were it licks , it fetches blood . the greeks used not these , nor bugles in physick , not having tried their vertue ; though indianwoods are full of such ; yet parts of them are of more efficacy in medecine , ( it is thought ) then any part of ordinary oxen. of this kind are the bulls of florida , an isle of the new world , the natives call them butrones . they have horns of a foot long , bunched backed like camels , long and yellow haired , tailed like lions ; they never become tame ; the wild cloath themselves in winter with their hides ; they conceive the horn soveraigne against poyson , and wears them for defence against it . hither may by referred the scotch bison , or wild-ox , who is said to be milk-white , mained and crested like the lion , otherwise like the tame ox ; but so wild , and untamed , and opposite to mankind , that he shuns grasse , or shrubs , that a mans hand hath but touched ; but taken by wiles , hee pines to death , and finding himself aimed at to be caught , makes at his hunter with all his might . point iii. of the bonasus . aristotle calls him bonassos , and bolintos ; the poeones honapos , the derivation of the name is uncertain . divers mistake him for the urus , or bugle ; and some later writers calls it the indian cow. he is bred in the mount mestapius , that parts poeonia from media . the poeonians call it monapus . of a bulls bulk , thicker then an ox , not high . his hide stretched out , holds enough food for seven guests . like an ox , only mained like a horse ; but softer haired , and lower ; yellow haired . his eye-haires long , tween ash-coloured and red , rougher then that of the paroa mares , but wholly under : none of them are very black , or carnation ; voyced like the ox. the horns crooked and thwart , and unfit for fight ; a palm breadth , and not full longer ; each as thick as may be grasped : of a handsome shining blacknesse . his ancles rather spreading , then bending down-ward . he wants the upper-teeth , as the ox , and other horned cattel . the thighs are shaggy ; he is cloven-footed ; his taile is not great for his bulke , but greater then the oxes . he casts dust about , and digs up the earth like the bull. her hide is stroke-proofe . her flesh sweet , and therefore men hunt her . she flies when stroken , till she tyre her self . she defends herself with her heels and dung , which she casts from her four paces ; ( not three akers , as pliny faines . ) the use whereof is good ; it burns so strong , that the cole can scorch a dogs-hair ; that it is , if you stir , and fright her ; otherwise the dung burns not . such is her look and nature , when her calving-time drawes near ; she seeks the mountains , and dungs about the place where she calves , as if she would so fence herself ; she dungs in a large measure . all this pliny doubtlesse , solian and aelian have taken out of aristotle . it is uncertain whether the horns , joynts , and shoulder-blades , and ribs , as cainius on gesner describes them , are this beasts or no. the horns are two foot long , and three hands and a half finger round , near the head , a foot and half a palme . between the horns on the fore-head , . roman palmes and a half . the turning joynt . roman foot long , and two hands-bredth and a half about . a rib six foot long . to say nothing of the omoplata , or shoulder-blade : we have added here a figure of the head and bones . point iv. of the wild-ox of the ancients , or bubalus . the name bubalus is at this day an uncertain thing , as also it seemed to be in pliny his time ; nor had it any peculiar sense among the greeks . many call divers wild-oxen , especial there where they were brought from abroad , bubali . some make them goats . we shall distinguish them ; calling the bubalus , that aristotle calls a timerous beast , having blood without fibrae , or string-veins ; the same with the african ox. scaliger speaks of the bubalis , whose blood and horns are described by aristotle . pliny makes him like a calfe , or hart. what is it then ? the gazella ? no surely , wherefore what i could learn out of the african stories , i will freely impart . the african oxen are scarce so great as our calves ; but very strong , and can endure hardship . i find him called dant , and lant , and elant ; hath an oxes face , but is much lesse and nimbler ; yea , swifter then all other wild-beasts . the hide impenitrable , iron cannot pierce , only a bullet can ; white-haired , taken in summer , because their hoofs are loosned by the burning of the sand . bellonius describs another african ox to be old , lesse then the hart , neater and greater then the wild-goat ; of a square and well-shaped body , goodly to behold , yellow-haired , and so shining and smooth , that she seems sleeked over . the belly hath red-wrinckles , and seems to incline more to yellow then the back , that is dusk-coloured . it is short , but strong thighed ; thick and short-necked , and hath a little dew-lap ▪ headed like an ox , the horns black and very crooked as the gazella , bending like a moon in the increase , wherewith he cannot well defend himself , so crooked they are . ox-eared , full , and high-shouldered ; the taile , like the panther , or camel , horses , hanging to the hams ; black-haired , twice as thick as the horses ; lows like the ox , but not so lowd . he is not the same , whose picture horatius fontana sent to aldrovandus ; for it was of much higher and slender neck , and the horns bending back , and crooking as in a wild-goat . it had great ears , the proportion of the head near the beginning of the neck ; faced rather like the kid then the ox ; wherefore reckoned by some among the african goats . the whole body yellowish , except that the musle and horns were blackish : it was very long-haired . point v. of the buffell , and strepsicerot . that the buffell , or common wild ox , is not that bubalus in aristotle , shall be manifest by comparing the history of either ; but it seems that he gave him no precise name among the wilde oxen , while he saith , that among the arachoti ( an indian city , ) are wilde oxen , that differ from the tame , as much as wilde swine from others , black , and stout-bodied , with a muzle , somewhat crooked , the horns uprighter . and perhaps this of ours shall be that wild black one , of the strange operation , of whose blood on women , if their loyns be nointed with it , osthanes speaks in pliny . to describe our buffell , he is like , but greater and higher then the ox , thick of body , hard-skind , and the parts lean , and spare ; his hair black , thin grown , and small , litle , or none on the tayl . the forehead rough , and curl'd with intricate hair . the head hanging earthward for the most part , and but small for such a body . the horns long , crumpled , and black ; sometime hanging near the neck inward , toward the inner-part of the breast ; sometime upright . the neck thick , and long , lower toward the rump . the tayl short , small , and hath almost no hair . the thighs thick , strong , and short for such a body . they are often found in asia , greece , aegypt , the isle borndo , and cities of italy . we have seen many about fundi , they love to bide among waters . their low is frightfull . the female hath milk , and in coupling-time , and at first calving . at first they seeme gentle ; but provoked , ( and that they are by red ) there is no taming them ; chase them , they fly strait on , and never turne . enraged , he takes water , and dowses into the head , to cool his boyling blood . the female endures not a calf of another kind ; knowing it by the smell , but smear it with cow-dung , the smell deceives her , and she suckles , and brings it up for her owne . they will labour hard ; they are lead , and ruled by an iron , or brasse ring-strook through the nostrils , with a halter , or bridle fastened to it . men say , that , if he be overladen , you can not beat him up ; he will not stand up , till you disburthen him . their flesh is sold at rome ; and the jews like it ; but it is so slimy , that it cleaves , if you clap it on the wall . the cheeses , that abound in the pistorian province , called marzolinis , of an ovall shape ; ( that is , shape like an egg , are preferred afore those of other cows , are better tasted . ) they make rings of the hoofs , and hornes , which worn on fingers , or toes , are excellent against cramps ; some tide on foure sorts of threads , of gold , silver , brasse , and iron ; thinking them more effectuall so . cloaths , especially doublets are made of the hide ; and horse-trappings in narzinga . the siamenses make bows of the hornes . the ox called strepsiceros , or sharp-horned , is faced rather like a wild goat , then an ox ; yet tayled like the ox , though very short . coloured he is all over like the deere . article iii. of the sheepe . from the history of the ox we passe to the description of the sheep , of old sacred to the aegyptians ; and with the athenians of such esteemed , that an action was ordered to be commenced against him , who flead a live ram. and it was enacted by an old law , that none should out of a flock of a head , kill one uncliped , or that had not yeaned . which athenaeus writes also , adding that in his time in the sacrifices of pallace , neither might an ew-lamb be slain , nor cheese tasted . and among the romans of old , no mulcts were imposed on delinquents , but paying sheep , or oxen , where also by the laws of their king , a man-slayer was to pay a ram . the tribute among the persians and medes , was sheep . those payed l. m. these as many more . and the staby ( to speak of places at hand ) sent yearly to nola , to the president under the name of tribute , and respect a great white lamb with gilded horns . to say nothing of the custome of giving for a reward lambsflesh to the unridlers of r●ddles , and to poëts . whence they that sung for , or of such rewards were called arnothooi , alluding to sheep . among the names of this beast among the latins are ovis , the sheep , aries , the ram ; agnus , the lamb ; adasia , or an old ew ; minae , smooth-bellied ; aspicae , lanata , woolly , or fleeced ; bidens , two teethed ; pecus , cattell ▪ onis , is the name of the female , or ew . though festus saith it was used in the masculine of old , about mulcts . whence oviaria denotes a flock . the ram is the male . the lamb is not yet a year old . adasia is an old ew , newly yeaning . matrices were those that suckled lambs for the palladium , called tokades , or paschals , nourisht everywhere . minae had no wool on the belly . apicae , the small ones , and thin-wooled . lanata , from the fleece . bidentes , that had two teeth longer then the rest , and such onely were to be sacrificed . also ambidentes , and duidentes . festus takes them for those that had upper , and lower teeth . the name pecus is given to grazing cattell , and usefull to man. often to sheep onely . the greeks have as many names for the sheep and ram . as the laconians amnoa , amnos , bara , probata , or bota , goita , the sheep ; didoees , two-teethed ; dikuma , ews that yean twins ; eggalon , milse ; eniron , soft woolled ; iereion , for sacrificed ; metassai , ews with lambs under their teats ; meselikes , middle-aged , between lambs and sheep ; kar , karnos , karos , oïs , ox , poon , renes , simple names for any sheep . the ram is called aricha , krios , arneios , dedmaoon , ethris , is the bel-weather geld ; ktilos , the leader of the flock ; mischias , okribas , is the wild sheep . the boors pig is nefreus in latine . ars , amnos , ersai , kathetos , killix , pratinion , tranon , phagilon , &c. are greeke names of lambs . not to stay long on the description ; this beast being so well knowne . yet we shall set downe the most memorable things we meet with in authors . nature hath given the sheep a most weak head . the braine is leane . the horns of the ews are commonly smaller ; many have none . some lambs are yeaned with hornes , the rams crooked , and sometime more then two . cardan writes that he hath seene some choyce ones with foure , we shew the figure of three , and six-horned . the gelded change the place of the hornes , bearing them on a quite contary fashion ; their eyes look a side downwards , far one from the other , darkish , or blackish , and broad . the lips thin , contrary to ox-lips . the teeth continued ; the ew having fewer then the ram . after a year and half they change , ( saith crescentius , ) namely the two fore-teeth , and six moneth after , the two next , then the rest ; in three or foure years at most , they shed them all . the teeth of the younger are uneven , when they are bigger , equall ; when they wax old , ungummed , lessened , and rotted . their bellies are as of all that shew the cud . those of the lamb we hereafter lay open . know that a denotes the stomach , b the gummes , c the salter , d the tripe . the testicles fall to the ancles . the udders of the ew are two ; as many the teats . those of chalicis a part of euboia , have no gall ; those in nexus , a great and monstrous gall . aelian saith that here they have a double gall ; in pontus none ; and that in very cold countries , in deep snows , and hard winters , they have no gall , nor being folded , eat ; but in spring , as they come to pasture , they get great galls ; and so it is with the scythian sheep . in scopsis their spleen is very litle , and round . their reins are even , and the sewet lies thicker about them ; if they be quite compast with fat , it kills them ; which comes from rank pasture , as in the leontine land in sicily : wherefore the shepheards there drive them late to pasture , that they may not eat too much . in syria , the fat lies thick between the skin , and flesh in geld-rams , as in hogs . in their ford , and hind-legs sticks a bump , near the bottome , shaped like a round worm , within woolly and hairy , like rose-cups , that hold the seed , inclosed in a softy and thin down ; it is oft taken out , when the sheeps-feet are sod , and resembles the rottennesse in worm-eten , rotten-wood , or chest-nuts . shepheards are of opinion , that for this cleaving to the joynts , no creature alive would be swifter then the sheep . the tayl is thick of wooll . hesiod . denies , that the north-wind pearces their skin , by reason of the hair , or rather the wooll . there is scarce a place where they are not found , more or fewer , and of great difference according to the place , as we shall hereafter shew in the differences . their food is grasse , whence called poephaga , grasse-eter ; yet they eat leaves also . that grasse is sweetest to them , that grows where the plow hath gone , next that in dry medows . to prevent fulsomnesse , men lay salt in summer in wodden gutters , which they lick when they come from pasture , that as it were seasons it to them . in winter they nibble , or browse on elm , ax , leaves , and the second cut-hay , called cordum . they eat also the cytisus , tame fisses , and , if need be , pulsechaffe . some give them a litle kern of resins , and bran . those that are pastured in salt marishes , yeeld more milk , and more savoury cheese , and are more fruitfull , and more tender , and sweeter fleshed ; such are those fat ones by ostia , and the neighbouring portuensian land , by the tenth mile-stone from the city ( rome ) which land the tiber runs through , where are many brackish marishes round about , which gomesius saith he tasted of . the sheep that drink river-water , couple soonest , and being used to salt from yeaning-time , yeeld much more milk . and on some sea-coast , where are dry and salt medows , sheep lives twinty years , and bring young . in scotland they feed in the wilde on cytisus . in india they feed most ( especially among the praessii ) on grasse well wetted with rain . in pontus they fatten on the bitterest worm-wood . they that feed on laserpitium usually , are first cleansed by it , then fatten on a sudden , and their flesh is wondrous sweet . when they will breed , is known by this , they after feed will neese , and then fall a sleep . the jews give theirs palm-nuts , which the babilonian-smiths use for their coles . they delight also in coluthea , aphax , wool-herb , vine-buds , adianthus , and with the brabanti , in juy , and rosemary ; and lastly eryngius . among the ichtyophagi , or fish-eaters , and about the calami , an indian village , and in the province of aden , they feed on fish ; wheron also they wax fat in lydia , and macedon . for their drinke , they batten on troubled water , and where much is . also on rain-water after wind ; in summer after northern cool showers ; in winter after southern warm showers . change of water is thought to hurt them , especially about coupling-time . ews of a year old may yean lambs ; but the lambs are better , if the sire , and dame be older . columella thinks the second yeare as a good breeding-time , and so till five , and at seven to cease breeding . florentinus is for breeding when two years old . aristot. and palladius affirms , that they may held on breeding till eight , nay to eleven , if well tended . it is worthy noting that lambs slight yong , and seeke old ews ; and themselves are better , and more usefull , when old . they all couple from the setting of arcturus , that is , from the third of the ides of may , till the setting of the eagle , that is , to the of august ; and those that are conceived later , are huge and weakly . columella yet saith , that the young couple in spring , the ews that have had lambs , about iuly . they go five months with lamb , and yean commonly but one at once , yet sometimes two , three , nay foure . in some places the goodnesse of the pasture , and their naturall strength enables them to breed twins . in some places they yean so , twice , or thrice . after the third or fourth coupling , they conceive ; and sometimes one ram serves a whole flock . sometimes they yean monsters . albertus calls that cinirus , that comes of an ew , and a hee-goat . in helvetia , some lambs are yeaned like goats afore , and sheep or rams behinde ; but such live not long . the musmon is ingendred between the shee-goat and ram. from the coupling of sheep with wilde rams , comes a brood of the sires colour , which holds also in the succeeding breed ; the wooll , in the first young , rough ; in the following ones , softer . the brood is of the colour of the veins of the dames-tongue , when pregnant-males are ingendred by the ability of the dame , and fire , and the vertue of the waters they drinke . aristotle teaches that they must take in south-winds , if females , and northerne-blasts , if males be engendred . the same happens , if you tie the rams left , or right testicle ; water also doth much in it , since the cattell that drinke of the river charadrus bring all males . rubbing on salt , and nitre helps herein ; and overfatnesse hinders conception . men take a presage of a happy year from their coupling ; for the shepheards say , that , if the older begin betimes , it will be a good year ; if the younger be forward to couple , they shall have a bad year . the ancients call the conception after the ordinary season , cordum . there is a secret liking between sheep and shee-goats , therefore they willingly come on together . from rams-horns bruised , and digged out , some say asparagus sprouts ; dioscorides denies it . if the same be buried at the root of a fig-tree , the fruit shall the sooner ripen . what is related of the fliter-mous , pliny reckons among magical experiments . they are thought to hold enmity with the wolfe , beare , tiger , elephant , especially the wolf , raven , eagle , serpents , bees . these plants are hurtfull to them , wolf-bane , pease , acorns . what is said of the wolfes entralls , and some other things , we shall elsewhere examine . if they eat sanguinaria , their whole belly is distorted , and they void a most filthy , unsavoury foame at mouth . if they eat calamogrostis , it makes them thirty , lean and rascalls , and draws blood up into their stomack . duva ( a french herb , and name ) but tasted by them , breeds in their liver litle black living things , called also duvae . pease sowen in march is unwholesome for them . acorns make them cast their lambs , if they eat too freely of them . in attica they will not touch the root of thapsia ; if strange ones to happen to eat of it , it either cast them into a loosnesse , or kills them . they cast their lambs , if frighted with thunders , if not looked to . in thrace , the turks conceive , there are two stars , appearing in july and agust , just over their heads , or verticall to them , on whose lustre , if sheep chance , lifting up their heads , but once to see , they dy upon it . therefore then they are held in house . they may live years , but for most part they dy sooner ; yet the place contributs much to the lengthning out of their life . some in dry pasture , and by the sea-coast lives years . some aethiopian sheep last or years . bleating is their voice , in greek blechathai . homer yet calls lambs mekoomenas , or meakers . claudian saith , they grunt . in coupling they have a peculiar voyce , saith aristot. as for their nature , dispositions , and usages ; they are so silly , that thence a fool is called , probatoodes , sheepish ; and it is become a proverd , there is no profit of sheep , if the shepherd be away ; gentle they are , and they only of all beasts rage not in yeaning , nor presently after , saith aristotle ; but every slight occasion scares them , yet - horace calls lambs bold . beside the shepherd and his dog , they have a ram , or bell-weather for their leader , whom the shepherd yet first teacheth ; and you may see them march out of their folds , or stall , as in martiall array ; especially if the shepherd conduct them , whose very hisse they understand : that the rams are given to fight as soon as their horns peep out , all know . they will but at , not only their own , but sometimes at mankind . their rage is taken off , if you bind with prickles abord a foot-broad crosse their fore-head on their horns , or bore these through in the crooking near the ears ; of , if you geld them . experience proves it untrue that some write , that in the six winter-months they ly on their left-side , and at spring-time on their right ; as the sun about that time takes the right , after the left-hemisphere . this cattell loves coole-springs , bites up grasse by the roots , spoiles trees , hath milk eight months ; in the fore-winter feeds greedily , as if it foresaw the hard weather and want ; is impatient of cold , though best cled of all beasts ; yet those fear it lesse that have large tailes . mizaldus saith , they will follow him who shall stop his ears with wool . the wild ones growing old , are nourisht by their own breed ; they know their own lambs by smelling on them behind . they use harder layer then goats . the ews make a thicker water then the males : both they and goats shew their months at coupling-time , and after for a time , then they cease till yeaning-time ; then have a shew of them again , whence shepherds knows that the time drawes near ; after they purge exceedingly , first redish , then very red stuffe . lambs-flesh , the ancients cared not for , say some , as turnebus . yet plautus speaks of eating it at rome ; and horace reckons it among delicates , as plautus mentions lambs inwards , at athens , none of old might eat of an unshorn-lamb . the flesh is hot in a low degree , but over-moyst , and the younger the moyster ; therefore though good for the strong , ill for a weak-stomack , being slimy and cleaving ; though crescentiensis commends yearlings . columella preferres autumne afore spring-flesh . a lambs-head is counted a delicate dish in a feast . the syringatus , terpianus , pasticus , are but names of several dressing the lamb. rams-flesh is not moyst , and well boyled , breeds good blood , especially if well gelded . weather-flesh is wholsome for people of all ages , places , and at all times ; if young , two years old , not too far , and bred in a dry aire , fed with good grasse . those are best that are bred in the high trivican mountains , saith ferrus . those in moyst places in campania are little set by . bellonius holds those most savoury that are roasted whole , as the shepheard in trace , above the river nessus use to do . the lambs-stones are counted dainties . arnoldus saith , their marrow is poyson , against which phesants-flesh is an antidotes : yet homer saith , that assianact used to feed on it . sheeps-flesh , or mutton for the taste , and over-moysture hath been forbidden to be killed after the fifthteenth of iuly , or s. iames-time , as fitter food for spring-time , then summer . the feet trouble the stomach , unlesse the worme afore spoken of be taken out . the shoulder of mutten roasted , and cold again , is much eaten . the lungs minched . the tigurine helvetians , of the liver make puddings , rouling them up in the call , spitting them on sticks , and roast them upon the grid-iron , they mince sweet-herbs in . some bray it whole , with bread crumed , and strain it , and besprinckle it with spices to give a good taste , and handsome colour , then make it hot , and lay thereon thrushes par-boyled in flesh-pottage , and fryed a while in butter . the milke , the newer the better , and the same is to be thought of the cheese . over-salt is disallowed . as for medicine , a lamb layed warm with gourds on a part bitten by a venemous creature , fetches out the poyson ; and the pottage is very good in quartan agues . the braine furthers madnesse , as gesner hath it out of a manuscript . their feet yield a decoction , good against the pains in the bladder . the rams-stones poudered , and drunk in water , are good for the falling-sickness . their lungs take away bunches in the flesh , roasted prevents drunkennesse ; shreded , helps bruises , and makes black scars white : and is used for purges . the liver helps blood-shot-eyes ; and is good for a woman swelled in child-bearing , taking in drink , and with meat . the milt tosted , & powder taken in wine , resists the collick ; which yet pliny somewhere counts it superstition , it being among the magical precepts , that the patient must say , that he maks a remedy for the spleen , and then he must hide , and steal it up in his chamber , and repeat a verse three times nine times . the sheeps-bladder galen advises them to take in drink , burnt to powder , who let water go from them in sleep . their gall , and honey , cleanses the ears ; and smeared on the head with earth dryes up scurffe ; with the sewet , it eases the gout . the milk is cried up for wholesome against all kind of venome , except the buprestis and hemlock . afore your quartan-fit , take three cups of it with a dram of swallows-dung : if to a sixt part you adde four peny weight purified cnicus , and you drink the decoction , it loosens : the same boyled on hot stones , is good against fluxes , and of an exulcerated belly . the butter that comes from sheeps-milke , smeared on with hony , together with ashes of a dogs head , or the womb , boyled in oyl , takes away dead-flesh growing about the fingers . old cheese taken with our meat refreshes disentericks , or eaten , and scraped , and taken in wine , helps the collick . rams-horns burnt to powder , with oyle some give to make the hair curle . the ashes of the trotters with hony , heals the bite of a mouse and a spider . the curd in a dram of wine , helps against pricks and all strokes and bites of the peterman , and other sea-fishes . and is good for infants drunke out of water , when troubled with pend , or curdled breast-milke , or given out of vineger . put under , or into the nostrils , it strenches blood , when other things help not . the sewet is taken either simply , or for that that is taken from the ribs , or call . one saith that melt it , and dip a cloth in it , and lay it on a burnt part , it helps : it is laid on the kibe-heels with allum ; if mingled with ashes of womens hair it cures fellons . it heals all kind of griefs about the privities , mixt with ashes of the pumice , and salt , that fat taken from the call , especially that from the reins . the lambs marrow melted by the fire drunke with oyle of nuts , and white sugar , dissolves the stone in the bladder . the urine of a red or black sheepe , mixt with hony , is good for the dropsy . their dung a physitian in mysia used , weakened in vineger , to take away cornes and hard knobs ; and mingled with rose-salve to close , and skin over an ulcer from burning . out of vineger smeard on it works the same effects . the pouder out of oyl , applied as a cataplasme , cures a fresh wound . the ashes of the same , with salpeter , or the ashes of lambs hucklebones are good against the canker , and ulcers , that will not close . sheeps dung also heat , and kneaded , allays the swelling of wounds . and is good for the colique . a mountain-sheeps dung in september shut up , the moon decreasing the day afore , gather up early , and harden in the sun , and pounce it to pouder , and keep it in a glasse , or tin vessell , for use . a spoonfull of it given three dayes out of water , cures the colique ; if a fever goe with it , use wine . the wool only layd on , or with brimstone helps many unknowen griefs ; and is of that vertue , that men put it on medicines . the wool of a butting ram , taken from between his hornes , and burnt , is good for the head-ake . the ashes ( in dioscor . opinion ) draws over a crust , hinders dead flesh , closes ulcers . men burn it , when clean and pickt in a new earthen pot , to use as afore . some shear it , some pluck it off , and clip of the top , dry , and pick it , and put it together into a new earthen pot , and drench it in hony . others with lincks set it on fire , it being sprinkled with oyle , and rub the ashes with their hands , putting in water , and then let it stand , and oft shift the water , till it lightly touch , but not bite the toung , then they lay up , and keep the ashes . it hath a cleansing vertue to the cheeks . wool taken after sheep-shearing , between the spring aequinoctiall , and the solstice , when they begun to sweat , that from the neck is most commended . such wool helps green wounds , cleansed , and broken bones , with oly , vineger , or wine ; since they soon suck up moysture , and by reason of the ranknes of the cattell ( called oesypus ) soften , changed , or applied seven dayes , it heals the bite of a mad dogge , and out of cold water heals the splents fingers ; out of hot oyle it helps running sores . herodotus relates , that the carthaginians sheephards with such wool sindge the veins of the crown of the head of their children , when foure years old , and some the temple-vein , to prevent rheums and catarrs . and if the children in finging chance , with crampes , the sprinkling of goats-pisse helps them . if a plowsheard hurt , an ox his legs , or hoof , stoned pitch , and grease with brimstone , wound up in shorn wool with a red hote iron thrust in , cures it . the same wool with oyl of roses , stanches blood in the nose ; and another way is good to stop the eares of hearing : blood is also stanched by binding the joynt-ends . oesypus , or the foul that cleaves to wool , helps disgestion . it eases , closes , supples ulcers . it helps the inflammation of the matrice , taken with butter , and melilote . it cures wounds also taken with barly ashes , and rust , equally divided ; it helps also the canker and ulcers . it eats out the swelling about ulcers ; and evens knobby flesh . it cures sint antonies fire taken with pompholyx . it provokes sleep , used with a little mirrhe washt in two cups of wine . it lessens face-spots , with corsick hony , that is counted stronger . about gathering and preparing it , see aldrovandus . the skin of the feet , and musles of the ox and sheep , long boyled on a soft fire , to a gelly , taken out , and dried in the open ayre when it whistles , is commended agains ruptures . so much for the medicinall use . sheep are also usefull otherwise outwardly ; both their fleece and pelts , or skins yeeld us stuf for cloathing . the arabian bedevini weare no other , as vitriacus relates . zeno citicus , and crates of thebes , sewd sheeps-skins within their cloaks . wolstan also bishop of worcester in england , was ever clad in sheeps-skins , because not leopards , but the lamb of god is celebrated in the temples . they were also used in tragedies , whence the wearers were called diphtheriai . only beware of the skins of sheepe that dy of the plague ; for such breed not only lowsinesse , but also sint anthonies fire . that out of aelian is strange , a garment of the wool of a sheep bitten by the wolfe , brings an itchon the wearer . new married women among the roamns weare girdles of wool . the pescia , or capucia , were made of lambs-skins . the molostans was ( saith festus ) sheeps-skin , wherewith helmets were covered . the same skin hath been used in stead of paper . the belly diophanes makes good for killing vermine . purses have been made of rams stones : and bellows , saith festus . the smallguts make lute , and bow-strings . in may make sheeps and goats-cheese . their pisse yeelds matter for salpeter . their dung fattens the ground . if you close a candle of pure rams-sewet in a linnen cloath , and put it into your chests , it keeps your cloath from moths . their differences wee shall take from their hair , or wool , or place , and handle them promis-cuously . the scythian sheep are soft , the sauromatan hard wooled . those of tarentum soft-wooled . the colonian rougher , because kept ever aborad . wee shall represent their shaggy shape to you . they are called montaneers from their rough , and unkemed wool . there are also wild-sheep , not much greater then ours , but swifter , and with horns bending back , armed with butting , and strong fore-heads . they oft in the woods strike to the earth fell bores ; sometimes they combate fiercely with each other . in the gordian forrest memorable in iul. cap. time , were many painted beasts kept , and an hundered wild sheep . in the lybian deserts called adimain , was a beast shaped like a ram , as big as an asse , with long dangling-ears , and short wool , she would suffer herself to be backed , though she was not kept for that use , but only for the milk. contrary to ours , the ewes are horned , the rams not . there they are commonly seen , in numidia also sometimes , but counted prodigious . the egyptian-fleeces resembles rather haire then wool . garments of them being thredbare and died again , last an age . they are greater then those of greece . about damiate the weathers have tayls round and so great , they can scarce carry them . leo affricanus saith , hee hath seene of those tayls that weighed some . and an pound . in aethiopia they have no wool , but weare all rugged camels hair . their sheep are very little , and the natives cover their privities with the tayls . in nubia the rams are yeaned with horns ; the ewes also are horned , and which seems a miracle , they drinke but once in every foure dayes . at tunis they are so loaden with their thick tayls , that they can hardly stir themselves , but those that tend them are faine to bind their tayls on litle carts , when they would remoove them . in england they never drinke any thing but dew , and they of purpose keep them from water , finding by experience , that it hurts them . in arabia some drag tayls after them three cubits long , some of a cubite broad . such are found in arabia the stony and the happy ; the tayls weighing some , some pound . where also are rams whose hair hangs to the ground . that , that is called the indian , but is indeed the arabian ram , hath no hornes , but long fleece , and a tayle reaching to the ground . there is a kind of smooth-rams , called moromorus , who stands stone still , and stays till any come near him ; sometimes hee is shy , and flies for feare with his burden . the ram of angola ( called guineensis ) is of the bignes of ours , thick of head , the after part sticking out more then ours ; eares dangling ; the tayl reaches but to the anckles ; with a great tripe ; the yard in the midst of the belly ; the hornes small downward , bending toward the eyes , and as it were crumpled ; at the bottome of his neck a long hairy maine , the rest of his body is short-haired like a goat , but hee carries no wool , black-headed and eared , and the upper-half of his tayl , the rest white , as also the hinder-part of the head ; the fore-legs white to the knees , the lower halfe black ; the hind-legs all black ; about the dock and back white , the sides have black spots ; footed like the goat , black-hoofed . yet these sheep are as ours , some coloured on one fashion , some on another ; and one kind is thick-legged like a man and fat , having no hanging mane , nor wool , but is haired like a goat . greater then ours , their belly strutting out like an ox . in asia some are red-wooled . the region camanda feeds some as big as asses , and those fair and fat , with tayls of pound wight . the canusinian fleeces are reddish , or yellowish . those of chios , for want of pasturage , are very small ; but their cheeses is much cried up . the clazomenian , are some white , some cole-black , some raven-black . the coraxine wool is of all the purest . therefore the rams for breed are not bought under a talent . those of creet on mount ida , called by the shepherds striphoceri , have straight-horns like a unicorn , round and hollow , and wreathed like a shell-fish , no bigger then our rams . in the isle erythraea ( it may be gades ) their milk is so fat , it yields no whey , and they choke within thirty dayes , if you blood them not . in a part of scotland , the sheep are yellow , their teeth gold colour , the flesh and wool like saffran . in gortynis , they are red , and have four horns . in gothland are rams with four and eight horns , which makes them so fierce , that to prevent mischief , which they else do to each other , and to other creatures , they are fain to saw them off . they bear a soft and long wool . hirta , one of the hebrides , hath sheep taller then the greatest hee-goats , with horns as thick as those of oxen , and somewhat longer , and tailes touching the ground . in spain in marineus his time , there was such a glut of sheep , that he knew many shepheards owners of thirty thousand , where their lambs ar better then elsewhere . in illyria they report , the ewes yean twice a year , and for the most part couples ; nay , many three at once , and four , and sometimes five . and give two quarts and a half of milk at one time . the indian reacht in bignesse the greatest asses , and yean commonly four at once , ever three at least . their tailes reach their feet which they cut off , both that the rams may come at them , and that oyl may be fetched out of their fat : the rams tailes also are cut off , and the fat taken out , and are so neatly sewed on again , that the seam is not to be seen . of which rams we shall give a figure ; one without horns and taile , but having something growing in stead , with a kind of dew-lap under the chin ; all white , except the head , and hoof-ends which are black . another notably fenced with bending and wreathed horns , they and the head of horn-colour ; the muzzle , feet , testicles , and bottom of the taile of a shining white , the rest all red . the fleece of the sheep of istria , or rather liburnia , is liker hair then wool . there is a kind said to be in italy , that carries four or six horns , but weakly ones , and their wool is uselesse . in laodicea in asia are small ones , with noble choyse fleeces . lusitania hath been so fertile , that a lamb hath been commonly sold for four pence , and a sow weighing a hundred pound , for twelve-pence , a sheep for six-pence . in lybia the rams shoot their horns early forth . in macedonia , they who would have their wool white , drive them to aliacmon ; they who would have it black , or dark , to axius . the madagascar sheep have the heaviest tailes . in magnesia , and mesopotamia , they yean twice a year . those of milesia hold the third place in goodnesse . in moscovy in the deserts about the rivers bonistenes , tanais , and rha , is a wild-sheep , they call it seigios , about the row , but shorter-footed , with lofty strait-hornes , markt with ringlets , ( whereof the natives make knife-hefts that are transparent ) very swift , and leaps high . the nabathaeans ( saith strabo ) have all white sheep . in naxus , they have a double gall . in panchaea , are much softer wooled then elsewhere . in peru , they are as big as asses , long-ledged , grosse-bodied , long-headed , camel-necked , and shaped ; their flesh is excellent , especially their lambs . they plow with the wethers , which also carry their wood ; they never bleat , their colour is white , black , and ash ; they can carry fifty pound weight , and let them rest a while , and lay on their burden again , they shall bear it some miles ; they can make them sit , and eat , and turn their head about , and grin ; if over-loaded , they stink and squat down , and till unloaded , can by no blows be forced to rise up . their wool exceeds ours in finenesse , length , and abundance . they are fed with corn , but are fed with little ; and can three or four dayes together go without eating or drinking . mathiolus exactly describes them , telling us that they resemble partly a camel , and partly a deer . they may be well called elaphokameloi . he is six foot long from the neck to the tail , but four foot high from the back to the foot-sole , the neck two foot long ; like a camel in head , neck , and mouth ; especially in the parting of the upper-lip , and the genital ; but somewhat longer headed : he hath deers-ears , and is ox-eyed , having no foreteeth in the upper-jaw , but grinders on both sides , as most cloven-footed beasts have , and it also chews the cud ; the back riged , which they the cutter hath forgot ; the shoulders near the neck deprest , or flat ; the sides swollen , broad bellied , high buttocked ; the tail but a span long , in all which in resembles a deer , as also in the thighs , especially in the hind-legs ; cloven-hoofed , the cleft afore drawn far out ; it hath clawes round the foot , pointing and ending in a thick skin ; the sole as the camels covered with skin , pisses backwards as the camel ; the testicles pinching inward ; broad-breasted , and bunched at the knitting , tween the breast and belly ; whence a kind of excrement seems to vent it self ; the neck , breast , and fore-feet white , the rest of the body reddish , or dark-red , the muzzle black , and the forefeet from the knee shining bright . it is tame and gentle , but can endure no cold , as others that are brought us out of hot-countries . offends no man , but revenges it self strangly on those that vex it , or wrong it : about the buttocks , not defending it self by biting , or kicking ; but by spewing , or squirting on the vexer with a force , to the utmost length of the neck stretched out . so lustfull it is , that where there are no females of the kind , he will couple with goats : his coupling-time is spring , and fall ; yet those shee-goats conceive not by him , being even forced , as appears by their crying ; and it is a kind that hath no agreement with this beast . they call it an indian-sheep , who brought it to us ( saith mathiolus ) but you may judge how vast the difference is between it and our sheep . those chilensian-sheep , whose picture the hollanders brought over , differs much from these . they are somewhat in make , or bulk of body , but that their hind-feet are cloven in twain , and their fore-feet in four , and the wool very long and shaggy , which they highly commend : but they are a like natured , and are questionlesse of one and the same kind ; only the climate makes the difference , unlesse they differ in that bespattring revenge , whereof i speak even now , and is thought where it lights , to breed the scab . martial . ( epig. l. . ep . . ) writes , that the sheep of pollentia near the alps , are all gray-fleeced . the rhetian sheep of six or seven years old , get new horns to their old . they yean two or three at once , small ones , and not till after six or seven , the first being strongest , and of thicker bulk . the sauromatan sheep are hard haired . the syrian have tailes of a cubit long , and most what wooly in that part . about tarnasar , a city in india , are seen sheep , horned like bucks , much larger then ours ; and monstrous lambs , whose shapes we hereafter represent ; one headed like a sow , another with two heads , and five feet ; a third footed like a horse , and headed like an ape ; a fourth , three headed ; a fifth , double backed , with eight feet . article iv. of the tame goat and kid. in this history wee shall first deal with the name , copra , or goat ; then with hircus , or hee-goat ; after with hadus , or kid. varro , cicero , and nonnius fetch capra , à carpendo , from cropping , festus from crepans , because the goat makes a noyse with the things ; martinius from kapto , from devouring , because it is a beast that eats much . it changes names from age and sex . the greeks call it aix , from aissein , to rush on with a force . but the new-borne are called aiges , and erriphoi , and chimaroi ; the yearlings , or middle aged and growen tragoi , yet this seemes to be the name of the males only . it hath many synonimaes , the late greeks call him gida . the turrhenians kapra , the cretians karrano , hesychius meklas , and astignas . the kelades are shee-goats , and horned for most part ; the kelades are marked in the fore-head , as with a bunch , or hard-skin ; the mnaades are milked . the ynnas is wild ; the chimara borne in winter , though the grammarians take it for the name of the whole kind , of what sex or age soever . called hircus , ( or as the sabine pircus ) either from the roughnes ( hirsutus ; ) or from the hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , to burne , since it is a lustfull beast . called tragos , from tragein , to eat ; it being a ravenous beast ; or from trachu , because it is rough skind ; or from trechein , running . the geld-one is kaper ; the egyptians call him mendes . haedus is that that comes of the kapra and hircus , the hee and shee-goat , or the kid , borrowed from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , filthy . that of three or foure months age is eriphos ; after called chimaros , till it have yong , and is milked . they of rhodes call it karannos , and kekrykephalos , and , in a certain law , diakala maserkes , from feeding on fruits-talks . they are all cloven-footed and horned . they change colour , and are sometimes variously generated . the hair differs according to the sex , thicker in the males , softer and finer in the shee s . festus calls hairy men goatish . pliny denies that they are all horned , but you may guesse their age by the horn , which is long and sharp . in delos one of the horns is two cubites , and weighs six and twenty pound . their eyes , which they ever thrust into their corners , look diversly at times ; in the dark they shine , and dart forth light . they are flat-nosed . the shee hath no upper - teeth besides the double-ones afore , and the rest are fewer then those of the hee-goat . they have all a shaggy-bard ; the latines call it , aruncus , spirillus ; the greeks ereggos , krygkes . the little that hang out of their jaws , festus calls noneolas ; varro mammilias , teats ; pliny lacinias , rags , others warts . the females have two dugs , slender feet . some have thought , as the egyptians sayes and others , that they breath by the ears . philes saith , the signe is , that if you stop their noses , you offend them not : especially the wild ones , who are said to have a passage betwixt the horns to the lungs , which if you stop with wax , you choke them . barthol . eustathius credits it the rather , because he saith he hath found some such thing in man , though aristotle is against it . they say , the liver , if you take it out , stirs long after . they have more bellies then one . the milt is round . the sharp artery is like that in man. as for their place , they abound in the north. in candy is great store , because there are no wolves . in ithaca homer calls aigiboton , goatish . the best goats-cheese is in the helvetian , rhetia , switserland , especially in the hilly-ground about the fabarian baths : they are found also in achaia , africa , nubia , sardinia , cephalonia , miletum , damascus , india , the new-world , in spaine , corsica , and else-where , as we shall see anone in their differences . the ground fittest for them , the greeks call aigiboton , &c. their food is manifold : they delight most in shrubs , the wild cytisus , oken-leaves . if they eat too many acorns , it causes abortion . they love the olive , and so were said to be hated by minerva , and they will crop young vines , wherefore they were sacrificed to bacchus , figs and wheat , ash and tamarisk , goats-beard , and dogs-rose . beans make them full of milk , and cinque foyle , if you give it five dayes together , afore you let them drink . and to this end some ty dittany under their belly . in some places they are greedy after hemlock , &c. ladanum also ( a sleepy plant ) such as arabia boasts of ; it may be this chance , because of the offensivenesse of the smell . goats hurtful otherwise to all green things , covets most sweet shrubs , as if they knew their worth ; they will crop the stalks of sprigs , that are full of sweet juice , and wipe from their stinking beard that that thence drops thereon : this they roul in dust , and bake in the sun ; and therefore are goats-hair found in ladanum . later writers tells us , that the arabian woods are made waste by the feeding of goats , and that juice cleaves to all the beards . thus is it also at cyprus ( they say ) and that there sticks to goats-beards and knees , the flower of the ivy being croped off , afore the dew be off ; after , the sun dispelling the mist , and the day clearing up , a dust cleaves to the dewy goats-beards , and thence ladanum is kammed out . their commonnest food is spire-grasse , and capriola , because better tasted then others , that they delight in salt , torturers well know ; for dracula the hungarian governour , oft cut out the soles of captive turks feet , and rubbed salt in , and used goats to lick it out again to increase the torment . for their drink , puddle , standing water , or long keept is disallowed . after noon , when stirred , they drink most . it is strange , that at zant , about the season when the etesiae wind use to blow , the goats stand gaping toward the north , and that serves them without drinking . the goat is very lustfull ; for they at seven months old , and while they suck , begin to couple , and with greater heat then sheep . the yearlings couple three or four times ; if presently after a great rain falls , it causes abortion . they go five months ; and bring , for most part , but one at once ; sometimes two , three , four . in good aire , and well fed , they bear twice a year . it continues eight years . aristotle saith , all their life long , and that they bring twins , if the sire and dam be of a lusty kind . in the third year it failes . fatnesse makes them barren . the meetest coupling time is the winter , or solstice . they conceive in november , and bring forth in march when the shrubs begin to swell . some use one hee for ten females , some to fifteen , some to twenty . rubbing their genitals with much salt and nitre , and annointing them with peper and nettle-berries , makes them lusty . about their venery and coupling , read aristotle his history of four-footed-beasts . they are lovers of sheep , the tiger , the sargus , with the poley and fringo . offer a kid to a tiger to eat , he will fast two dayes after , the third day he will desire some other food ; if he have it not , he digs a hole ; yet he spares the kid , as if it were his own kinde , saith plutarch . the fish sargus delights in their very shadow , and loves to touch it while they stand on the shore , but is by nature disabled from leaping ashore . the pulegium , or poley , being tasted by the goat , makes them bleat , whence some greeks call it blechon . if a shee-goat crop an fringo stalk , and carry it in her mouth , the whole heard shall straight leave their pasture , and as astonished at a new sight , shall not give over gazing till the goat-herd take away the stalk . they hold enimity with the wolfe , pard , elephant , the goat-sucking-bird ; they hate mans spittle , hony , and the evonymus , the vine , &c. for the wolfe devours them , the pard seazes them , the elephant terrifies them , the caprimulgus sucks them so , that the udder mortifies , and the shee-goat turns blind upon it . aelian saith , they avoid mans spittle , hony taken in , weakens them ; the leaf , or fruit of the evonymus were but tasted by them , kills them , unlesse they purge it out again by anochus . if they drink water , wherein rose-tree-leaves are steeped , they dy savine is also poyson to them . a young sprouting olive-tree will not bear , if a goar but lick it . the lung rosted , prevents drunkennesse . if they eat conyza , they dy with thirst . the herb aegolethrum in lycia , is their bane , whence it hath the name goat-bane . their voice is a kind of muttering , or murmuring ; whence homer calls them mekades . in latine , they and sheep are said , balare , to bleat . the hees are said phrimassein , to grumble . varinus saith , they cry ena , ena . they are ever stirring , and swift , and nimble . varro saith ( r. r. l. . c. . ) that wild-goats will frisk away from a stone above sixty foot . they can better away with cold , then sultry heat ; especially the breeders , that conceive in deep winter . they love woody , furzy , shrubby places much better then plain pasture-ground , or medow , and thrive best on clifty , shadowy-land . they hang so strangly on clifts , and rocks , that they who view them from beneath , would verily believe they were falling ; whence the rocks are called aigilipes , and the flock aipopolion , from their loftinesse , and clambring . they skip , and frisk wantonly about near brinks of rivers , browzing on the banks . authours are not agreed about the quality of their flesh . hippocrates holds it raw , windy in the stomack , begetting crudities and belching ; but more harmlesse in summer , their feed being better . at the falling of the leaf , it is most unwholesome . in winter it breeds somewhat better blood . some affirm , that though it be rank , it nourishes and strengthens much . clitomachus of carthage , a follower of the new academie , saith , that a wrestler of thebes out-went all of that age in strength , because kid , or goat-flesh was his diet , and that the toughest , and hardest of digestion ; with eating whereof , his sweet was rank and rammish . homer , in a●hillus his entertaining of agamemnon his ambassadours , shews it to be souldiers diet . the milk is as moderate as most kindes , except womens breast-milk . yet is very different according to their age , feed , season of the year , and length of time after they bring forth their young , without hony it is dangerous food , curdling in the stomack . and it troubles the belly a little , unlesse eaten with scammony , and other things . in some parts of the east , those that are weaned at three months , are wont to be fed with it . the cheese follows the nature of the milke . but hee-goats flesh is worst of all to dresse , breeding ill blood , and is most corrupt , and offensive at coupling time . and yet it hath been a dish at a feast in antiphanes , as bad and rank as it is . the testicles and liver also are much condemned . about kid , writers are not agreed : it was a delicate with the patriarches under the old testament . and ascraeus the poët calls it good juicy nourishment . and platina after galen , cries it up for the best houshold fare , easily disgested , as having litle dros in it , nourishing and breeding well tempered blood . but brujerinus cries it downe , because shee-goats are feverish , and therefore the kid cannot but be unwholsome . yet jul. alex. confessing it indeed to be hot , yet the tendernes of the kids age is an allay to the hot , and dry quality of the dam , and especially if the kid suck yet , not so much for the age , as the nourishment , which takes of from the heat , and makes tender , and juicy . heathen also of old made it a messe in their feasts , seasoning it with laser , and other herbs . the blood made into a dish , was called sanguiculus or blooding ; which the laconians call melas xoomos , or black-meat ; and pollux a●matian blood-meat . apycius will tell you how to dresse the liver and lungs . the use of this creature in medicine is great , pliny speaks of a thousand medicines to be fetched from them . democritus magnifies that is borne alone . the magitians prescribed goats flesh rosted against a mans carcasse burning , against the falling sicknes . hee-goats flesh sod in water , breaks impostumes , and divers ulcers . the porredge drives away spanish flies . drusus the tribune of the people is said to have drunke goats blood , when hee with wannes and envy accused q. cepio of poysoning him . the same washes out spots . and fried , it stops the pain in the bowells , and the flux of the belly , as galen and dioscorides relates . hee-gaots blood soon ripens , make it hot , mingled with somewhat waxy , it eases the gout , helps ill-eyes , that of one fed with diereticall herbs , dried to pouder , and taken with parsly in wine , is very good against the stone . see in aldrovand how and when it must be gathered . some call this medicine gods hand . authors of great note ( as scaliger and ioubert , &c. ) say that goats●blood can soften and dissolve the adamants glasse heated therein , and in juyce , may be made as soft and yeelding as wax , or clay , and wrought into any shape ; but dip it in water , it shall return to its former firmnes . this is a secret of geberus , albertus , and an ingenious bituricensian glasmaker , which when hee was near death , hee freely revealed to ant●mizoaldus , as himself relates . the same mixt with vineger , is good against vomiting , and hauking , and spitting . the whey is good for them that have been bitten , in right gut , or the colon , because it soon congeals . it is very loosning taken with melanthins and brimstone , and takes away morphew and spots , and itch : with goos grease , deers marrow , rosin and chalk , it closes chapped lips . if an oxes neck swell , it is a golden soveraign help , with soft pitch , and ox-marrow , and goat-sewet , and old oyl , of each an equall portion , and unsod . with chalk it scatters swellings ; with wax it stops spreading of ulcers , with pitch and brimstone it is through healing ; and with hony and juyce of bramble it stops the running of the reines . the fat of it self alone helps the sting of the green spanish fly . magitians commend it against the falling sicknes , with bulls gall , boild in equall portions , and put up in litle gallbags , it must not touch the ground , ( forsooth ) and is to be drunk out of water at doore . the same with ptisana , or barly unhusked boyled , is good for the colique . goats-fat boyled with barly , rhoe and cheese , they give for the bloody flux , and taken in with juyce of barly unhusked . and helps much against diseases in the bowells , supt in in cold water . it is also good against the dropsy . those of the canary islands annoint their flesh with goat-sewet , and juyce of certain herbs , to thicken their skins the better to endure cold ; because they goe naked . it is used also against the gout , with shee-goats dung , and saffran , and mustard , with ivy stalks bruised , or the flower of wild-cucumber . the same is an ingredient into pomatum , good for chapped lips . the marrow next to deers and calves-marrow , is commended . the liver rosted , and layd with oyl of mirrhe on the navell , helps the cholique , and is better then the same boild with sowr wine , and drunk . the same is good for nyctalopia , and against the falling sicknes , and for convulsions . it is also commended against the biting of a mad dog , and layd on , it takes away the feare of water , they say , which the bitten , dread . hippocrates prescribes sheeps , or goats liver buried in embers , to a woman in child-birth , sweld , to be eaten for four dayes , and old wine to be drunk therewith . the gall yeelds many medicines . it helps against venome from a wild weezel ; with allom ashes it remooves the itch ; with fullers earth and vineger it helps scurf , so that the hairs by degrees dry . with cheese and brimstone it takes away morfew , with sponge-ashes thickened as hony . it scatters swelling , if often touched therewith at first rising . layd on the eybrows , it takes away hair . to say nothing of the squincy , and eare-diseases . lastly , smear your beds or walls with goats or bulls●gall , steeped in keen-vineger , you shall not be troubled with wall , or bedsted-lice . the spleen fresh taken out of the beast , and laid on mans spleen , in a few dayes strangly removes the spleenative pains , if you after hang it up in the smok , and there dry it . the head , with hair and all boiled , and pounded , strengthens the bowels . the brain dropt through a gold-ring into infants , afore they have ever sucked , the magitians prescribe against falling-sicknesse , and all other infants-griefs . with honey , it heals carbuncles . and water poured out of a goats palate ; and what ever it eats , if mixt with houy and salt destroys lice●f you rub the head & body with it in whay , and is a remedy against belly ake . the ashes of the skin smeared on with oyl , rids strangly the kibe-heel . shaving thereof , pounded with pumice , and mingled with vineger , helps the mazels . bind a womans paps with a thong of goats-lether , and it will stop excessive rheums out of her nostrils . the hair burnt , heals all fluxes ; and burnt with pitch , and vineger , and put into the nostrils , stanches bleeding . when burning , it chases serpents away . the horn burnt , mixt with meal , laid on , mends scurffe , and scald-heads . pieces of it scorched in the flame , with vineger , are of good use against s. anthonies fire . laid under a weak mans head , it causes sleep . shave , or burn it , and mingle it with goats-gall , and myrrhe , and rub the arm-pits , it takes away the rank-smell . it helps against the epilepsy , and the sent of it rowseth out of a lethargy , or dead-sleep . and burnt , if you rub the teeth therewith , it makes them clean and white . the hoof burnt , it drives away serpents ; and the ashes smeared on with vineger , helps baldnesse , and shedding of hair . goats-milke also is many wayes medicinable . democratis to my knowledge ( saith pliny ) caused con●idia , m. servilius the consuls daughter , who could not bear strong physick , to use goats-milke , which sustained her long in her weaknesse . the goats were fed with mastixtrees . there is a healing vertue in it . a draught of it with uva taminia grape , cures a serpents bite . that which is first milked , lessens the fits of a quartan ague , whether eaten or drunk . some magi give swallows-dung , a dram out of goats , or sheeps-milk , or sweet wine , three measures afore the fit . annoint the gums therewith , and the teeth are bred with more ease . drunk with salt and hony , it loosens the belly ; it is given against the falling sicknesse , palsy , melancholy , leprosie , &c. hot in barly-meal like pulse , it is given against the pain in the bowels . it cures the spleen , after two dayes fasting ; the third day the goats being fed with ivy , if it be drunk three dayes without any other food . the cheese being fresh , heals bites ; being dry , with vineger and hony , it clenses wounds ; soft , and kneaded with hony , and laid on , and covered with woolen or linnen , it speedily helps bruises , &c. newly curdled , laid on , it helps sore eyes . if a woman hath eaten what goes against stomack , so that her belly ake , and she be feverish , hippocrates prescribes a fift part of white peplium , and half a chaenix , and as much nettle-feed , and half an pound of goats-cheese shaved , mixt with old wine , and supped up . and if in the womb any thing be putrified , or blood , or corruption come forth , he prescribes goats-cheese tosted , or scraped , alone , or with as much barly-meal , and taken in with win fasting . as for the curd , a dram out of wine is good against the bite of the pieterman , and other sea-fishes : it is drunk also for fluxes and taken against curdled-milk . a third part drunk out with vineger , is good against rank excesse of blood ; the bignesse of a bean , steeped in myrtle-wine , taken fasting , eases the collick . it is good against the lask . the pisse drunk with sea-aquin vineger , helps against the biting of serpents , and breakis impostumes where ever they are ; poured into the ears , it helps the pulling of the sinews . the carthaginian shepherds burn the crown veins of their children of four years old with unwasht wool , and some the temple-veins to prevent rheums : if they faint under the pain , they sprinkle goats-pisse on them , and fetch them again . the same drunken two cups a day with spicknard , is good against the water under the skin , drawing it away by urine . sextus thinks it helps women in their months . their dung is of frequent use , spurathoris , the greeks call it , it is of a digestive and eagre property , softning the hardest swellings , not only of the spleen , but also of others parts . being burnt , it is thinner , but not stronger . given in vineger , it cures the vipers bite , in wine with frankincense , female-issues . ty it on a cloath , it stills children , especially girles . they daub it on parts out of joynt . sod in vineger , it disperses throat , and other swellings ; and warmed and smeared on , it cures spreading ulcers . prepared with hony , and laid on , it heals cancers , and belly carbunckles , and disperses them . bruised to powder , and mixt with vineger , and applied to the fore-head , it takes away the migram : it cures burns , and leaves no scar : kneaded with vineger to the thickness of hony , it loosens contracted joynts , and removes tremblings with barly-meal and vineger , especial in tough and rustical bodies , it helps the sciatica . pills thereof are a remedy for the months and second-birth . adde hereto , that in plague-time , if you keep a goat at home , his breath and smell is good against infection . besides all this , of the goats-hair are made sives , of the skin garments , shoos , coverlids , bottles , boots , bellows , sails , paper , and whips . pirrhus , of the horns made him a crest . the locrians ( the ozoli ) wear sheeps and goat-skins , and live among flocks of goats . the sardi , and getuli had no other cloaths . in cypris they make chamlets of goats-hair ; and to that purpose , near the rivers betolis , and issa in armenia the lesse they keep , and shear a multitude of goats yearly . the turks also at ancyra , the head-city of capadocia , make their choysest watered stuffes thereof , and also their tapestry . the paper or parchment , i speak of , were first found out at the troian pergamus , and thence obtain the name . we read little of their differences . the egyptian bring five at a birth , because they drink the fat fruitfull water of the river nile . in phrigia there are four horned goats , as scaliger relates , with long hair , and snow-white ; in the weveries they shear not , but pluck the hair out . the egyptians say , that when the dog-starre arises , the goats turn ever eastward , and their looking that way , is a sure signe of the revolutions of that star. in the nothern-coasts they are great bodied , thick thighed , full , and short shouldered , bending eared , small headed , thick , long and bright necked , high and broad horned . they are almost all white . in winter they live on pine-bark , mosse , and poplar-boughs . the skins are carried by great shipfuls into germany , and yield great gaine . the caspian goats are whitest , not horned , and as big as horses : so soft is their hair , that it may compare with milesian-wool ; so that the caspian priests , and the richest make it their wear . in cephalenia the goats drink not dayly , but gape . and take in the wind . theophrastus therefore saith , they drink not in six months . in cilicia , and about the syrtes they are as shorn . at damascus they have long eares , manifold teats , and are very fruitful . the owners carry fourty or fifty up and down to sell their milke ; and they will milk them where you please , in your dining-room , though it be three stories high , afore your eyes in tin vessels . at narbon , they have broad and long ears . in illyria they are not cloven-footed ; they bring sometimes three , four or five at a birth , and give a gallon and a half of milk . the same is said of the indian , near the city tarnassuri ; and of the affrican at the promontory of the green-head . xaverius the jesuit testifies , that he hath seen at amborna an hee-goat suckling little kids , in that corrupted history of christ and peter , which the authour wrote in the persian language . he had but one udder , and gave a great sop of milk dayly . the mambron shee-goat in the region of damiata , they may ride with saddle and briddle , and other horse-furniture ; the ears dangle to the ground , the horns hang downward , and turn up again under the mouth . pharos , an island in the aegean-sea , breeds goats coloured like the deer , and greater by much ; with an horn twelve handfull long , straight , having but on knag reaching right forth . in sardinia , their skins are hot in winter , and cold in summer ; like the musmones . and some are swifter then any beast . among the monsters we give hereafter the figure of one with three horns . article v. of the wild-goats in generall . wee are now to treat of wild-goats both generally , and specially with many names , whereof we meet among the greeks ; as aix agrios , wild-goat . these have the wit with dictany , to draw arrows out of their bodies , those namely that live in candy , and on the hill ida. aristotle denies there are any in africa , virgil affirms it ; who takes the wild for those that are liker tame ; which varro saith are a breed of the tamer , wee call them roes , aigagros ; oppian takes for a peculiar kind , called camozza about trent . the aigokeroas , or capricorn , is a wild wood-goat , of a severall kind ; in suidas d●rkas ; hermolaus conceives to be a divers kind , but it seems to be but another name scaliger takes dorcas for a kid ; dorcus for a roe . however it seems to have the name from sharp-sightednes ; for it hath a moysture within the bowelles that helps the sight . the name is used in the canticles . the dorcalides are short-tayled . proches-gaza , turns a doe , having the name from proixesthai , the swiftnes . p●oox , from fearfullnes , the epithite that homer gives the hare . it is as swift as a whirlewind ; yellow haired , white tayled , the eyes white and blew , the eares stuck with long hair ; it swims very swiftly , and with the feet can stem a streame ; it delights in lakes where it seeks repast among the bulrushes . the nebros some make a fawn ; some a kind of goat : of solinus a doe , kolos is a scythian wild-goat , of bignes between a deer and a ram , of a bright body , very swift , drinking with the nostrils , and holds the water there many dayes , and can make long shift in dry pasture : with the latines caprea , is a rodi rupicapra , a wild-goat , living among rocky places , as the name gives it . they love to clime high , and to live on the loftiest mountains , where your eye can hardly reach them : yet if they be pursued by beast , or man , it can cast it self headlong from the steepest crags , and yet help themselves so with their horns , that they catch no harme . they fall out often about the females in coupling time : by consent of all they excell the tame in goodnes of tast , savourines , and nourishment , in delicacy of temper , easines of digestion , and in paucity of excrements ; yet is their flesh somewhat drier ; therefore the arabes invented the boyling them in oyl , to make them juicier . yet some thinke that what is sod in oyl becomes dry , and looses the glutinousnes , as psathuron , and kauron . as for their use in physique , wild goats-flesh is good food for those who have the bloody flux : the liver , either unrosted , or beaten to powder helps the cholique . the steame thereof boyled in salt water , helps thick-sighted eys : burnt , and sprinkled on it , stanches blood , especially if you snuf up the powder . the blood with sea-palme takes away the hair : it helps to an easing by stool . the gall is soveraign against venemous bites . the same helps against bloodshotten and dim eyes , and against ruggednes of the cheeks and eye-lids , with conserve of roses , or bruised with juice of leeks , and droped warm into the nostrils , it takes away the tinckling of the head ; with athenian hony , it eases the pain of the jaws , and cures the exulceration of the pizzle . the dung dried , stamped , and sifted , and taken in a cup of hypocras , takes away the yellow-jaundice . article vi. of the wild-goats in particular . point i. of the roe-deer , fallovv-deer , bucks , and doe . the kindes of wild-goats are the rupicapra , &c. the rupicapra , or dorcos ; in greek , aigastros , or aigagros , that is wild-goat . it is of the same greatnesse with the shaggy-goat , only a little taller , and in shape liker the tall wild-beasts . bellonius takes it for a buck. the colour is between dark and red ; it inclines more to the red in summer then in winter , to the dusky . but scaliger saith , it is in summer yellowish , in winter ash-colour . gesner saw one black and white . some are all white , but few . it is red-eyed . the ears are longer then the rams , and carnation coloured , and on either side a streak above the eyes from the root of the horns , straight to the end of the mouth , and ending in the upper-lip . the fore-head marked with a kind of star . the upper part of the tail hairy , black and round , and as long as that of a buck. the horns blackish , nine or ten fingers long , rough with knotty ringlets ; none in the hooked part , which is smooth , and sharp like a hook . almost paralel , rising in equal spaces ; firm , only at beginning , only a thumbs length , hollow ; and rounder then those of the tame . some say they can , as we see goats , scratch their backs with them . it is note-worthy what mischief they do themselves by that scratching ; they are thought to delight so in the tickling , that they fasten the horn-tip so in their skin , that they cannot pluck it back again ; so that they through anguish will cast themselves from the highest clifts , and taken , they dy of pain , or famish to death . they haunt rocky mountains ; yet not the tops as the ibex , nor leap they high , or far ; they come down sometime to the lower alps. they meet oft about some sandy rocks , and thence they lick sand , as goats do salt , whereby they rub off their sluggish flegme , and sharpen their stomack . when they are hardly chased , they climb so high , that no dogs can come at them : then when they see the hunters creep on all four to pursue them , they frisk from stone to stone , and make to the mountain tops , where no man can follow them , there they hold , and hang by the horns till they are shot with guns , or driven headlong from their hold , or famish to death . presently after s. iames time they betake themselves to the colder clifts , to inuse themselves by degrees to cold . being taken , they are sometimes made tame . of the skins are made gloves for horsemen . when they stray to find out new pastures , the next rock they look wishly on , putting forth a foot , they try often whether it be fast , or loose , and slippery . it is pleasant , saith scaliger , to see how in my uncle boniface his hall , they that are kept tame will leap at the hangings , wherein the like wild are woven . as for their use , their flesh is somewhat dry , and a breeder of melancholy , and is of a wild sent . hunters drink the blood afresh , springing out for a present help for the swimming of the head . a cup of the sewet mixt with the milk , it is said to cure a deep consumption . we represent here a double figure , of the rupicapra , or wild and mountain-goats . the buck is twofold ; one that the ancients write of , whereof here ; the other , the common one that the moderns write of , called platykeroos , or broad-horned ; men ( it may be ) by gaza , who translates proka , ( in aristotle ) dama , or buck. pliny reckons it among the wild outlandish goats . it may be it is that that dioscor . calls nebros . it is like a goat , and coloured like the doe . ovid calls it a doe with a yellow back . they are famous for their fearfulnesse ; therefore they are seldome tamed . they catch hold of crags with their horns , as if they were hooks ; nor do they any other wayes clim the inaccessible ridges of mountains . point ii. of the ibex . dioscorides in his chapter of curdles ●akes no mention of this goat , and scarce any other of the ancients , except homer , who calls it ixalon aiga . but the learned witnesse , as with one mouth , that it is the same that the germans call ston-buck . pliny comprizes the whole story in short , saying , that among the wild-goats are the ibices on the alps , of a wonderful swiftnesse , though their heads by burdened with huge horns , where with they defend , and poyze themselves ; and can safely tumble , and frisk as they lift from clift to clift , most nimbly . it is a gallant creature , and great-bodied , almost shaped like an hart , but not so great ; slender thighed , and small-headed , the skin dark-coloured ; growing old , they wax gresly , and have a black list along the back ; clear , and fair-eyed ; cloven , and sharp-hoofed : the female is lesse then the male , and not so dusky of colour . he is bigger then the shaggy goat ; not unlike the rupicapra . the hee hath along black beard , that happens to no other beast , so bellonius writes , haired like the hart ; unlesse happily to the hippelaphus : his vast massy horns bent toward his back , sharp , and knotty , and the more , the older he growes ; for they wax yearly , till that they grow to about twenty knots in the old ones : both horns , when grown to their utmost , are well neat sixteen or eighteen pound weight . bellonius had seen some horns four cubits long ; they have as many crosse-beams , as they are years old . fleet they are ; nor is their any rock so high , lofty , or steep , that they will not reach with some leaps , if it be but rough , and just but so far out , that they can fasten their hoofs on . they are wont to leap from clift to clift six paces distant from each other . falling , he breaks the force of the fall with his horns . see aldrovand about the manner of hunting them . there are two kinds of them in candy . bellonius writes , having seen of their horns brought out of cyprus : if they are surprized , and have space enough , they venture on the hunters , and cast them head-long from the rock ; but finding there is no escaping , they easily yeild themselves . of the same kind is that african wild beast , which aelian h. a. l. . c. . describes thus : wild-goats abide on the tops of the lybian mountains ; they are well near as great as oxen , their shoulders , and thighs extreme shaggy , small legged ; their foreheads round , thin and hollow-eyed , not bolting much out ; the horns from the first sprouting , very unlike each other , scambling , and crooked , and not uniformed and strait , as other goats horns ; but bend-back to their very shoulders . no goats so fit , and able to leap , & so far as they from clift to clift ; and though they sometimes leap short , and fall headlong downe between the crags , they get no harme , so made he is against such brunts , so firme bodied , that hee hurts no horns nor head . the goat-heards have many arts to take them , as high as they are , with darts , or nets , or gins , being very cunning in that hunting . on the plain ground any slowfooted hunts-man can overtake them . their skins and horns are of some use ; for the skins are very good to make gloves for shepheards , and carpenters in cold winters . the horns are as fit to draw water out of rivers , or wells to drink in , as cups themselves ; for they hold so much , as cannot be taken in at one draught ; if well fitted by a good workman , it may hold three measures . it hath it's use also in physick . the curds as usefull as those of the hare . the blood with wine , and rosemary is commended against the stone . the only helpe for the sciatica and the gout : gather the dung when the moone is dayes old , or when the moone is oldest , if it be needfull , it may be of like efficacy , so the medicine be made on the day , a handfull must be taken , stamped in a morter , with pepper cornes , make it into pills , the number odd , adding three , quarters of a pint of the best , and of the most generous old wine , a pinte and halfe ; first making all into one masse , lay them up in a glasse ; but to make it more effectuall , doe it on the day of the moon , and begin on a thirsday to apply it , giving it for seven dayes together , so that the patient stand eastward on a footstool , and drinke it ; which are meer fopperies , though marcellus prescribe so . point iii. of the buff , the bubalides , and the pygargus , or roe-buck . aldrovand sayes c. . p. . that hee thought once that the bubalus , or buf , and the bubalides , differed in former times in the shape ; but hee confesseth hee was mistaken . for the nature , hee is much taken with old home , and bring him into good pasture , hee will returne ; when frighted hee thinks himself safe , if hee can hide his head , like the ostrich . hee shuns all fierce and quarrelsome beasts . the blood is somewhat thicker then that of the hare and hart ; thickning well neare as much as the sheep . the pygargus ( as pliny also saith ) is a beast alwayes given to be lonely , and keeps in the woods . point iv. of the caprea , or roe , in pliny , the goat half wild and half tame , and the common buck , or doe . plinies caprea , or roe , is no other then our capreolus , or kid ; which the germans call reh , not unlike the hart in colour , but far smaller , scarce so great as the goat . the male his horns commonly have six branches . there was one had horns , whose picture the duke of bavaria sent to aldrovand . the horns are branched indeed , but small , and they cast them . sharp-sighted they are ; small voyced : they shed not their teeth ; spotted ; some spots are white . in time they change colour , and the spots become not so sightly . many are taken in the helvetian alps ; yet they love lower places then other wild-goats . the shee , if her male be taken , seeks another , bringing him to her old place ; and if the shee be taken , the hee seeks another . their horns they either know not how to use , or dare not . they love to feed , where partridges haunt . they run only when the wind blows , to refresh themselves in their toyl . they are as well tasted as the boor , and their flesh sooner digested . of this sort are those in brasile ; two kinds are of them , cagua-cuete , and cagua-capara : almost like our hee-goats . the head about seven fingers long , great and black-eyed , large and wide nostrild ; the mouth black , the skin shining ; the eares four fingers long , two and an half broad ; their veins easily seen ; the neck round and smoother haired then the rest of the body ; five fingers and a half long . the body but two feet from the neck to the rump . the tayl short , as of other goats . the forethighs a foot , the hinder a foot and half long ; the hoof cloven and black ; and on those two other lesser ones . smooth-haired , red on the thighs and feet , dark on the neck and head , white under the throat , and the bottome of the neck ; the tayl white below ; the eares whit within , dusky without , and almost hairles ; the mouth a litle longer below then above . hee chews the cud , and is easily tamed : after one or two months old hee becomes delicately white-spotted , which in time weare out . the brasile cuguacu apara is a horned hee-goat , coloured as the former , but somewhat lesse ; the horns have three shoots on them , the lowest is longest , and parted at top ; the main horn is a thumb thick , and eight or nine rhineland fingers long . the strepsicerote , or roe-buck , is described by aldrovand out of pliny , and reckoned among the wild-goats , that are outlandish . the picture of the cretian one is taken out of bellonius . the common buck resembles in shape the hart , is greater then the roe , but differs in colour . the buck is smaller-headed then the hart ; hee casts his head every year , the horns stick foreward out , and not as others use : the ridge of the back is blinking yellow , and hath a black list all along . the taile reaches to the hams , as a calves . the sides sometimes are checkered with white spots , that with age wear away . sometimes the does are all white , that you should take them for goats , but that the hair is short . their horns are in many places shewen of a vast greatnesse and beamy , as at the ascent and steps of the ambosian fort . the flesh very like the kids ; the blood of a deep black . sometimes he is fat as a wether . the dung prepared with oyl of mirrhe , is said to make hair come thick . point v. of the goat of muskus , or musk-cat . the arabians only have written of him among the old writers . the later greeks , as aetius , and paulus aegineta , have borrowed what they have from them . call him wild , or goat , or indian , or out-landish , or eastern gazella , or goat of moschus , it skills not much . some call him moschus from musk , s. hierome reckons his skin for the most delicate of perfumes , and calls him an outlandish mouse . gesner saith , the musk lies in a bag in him . writers differ in describing him , and some that have seen him , they say : but all agree , that he is a kind of goat . men report that he feeds all on sweet herbs , especially nard ; and that the sweet musk is a blood gathered about the navil . they are so swift , that they are seldome taken alive . he bites at his pursuers with a fury . take his longer teeth out , and you may tame him . in the province thebet they hunt them with dogs : some say , they are found in persia , africa , egypt . the perfume we call musk ; perhaps because of old they use the mosse of the cedars and white poplar , &c. in composition of perfumes and thickning oyntments . i have seen the like growing on beasts . the bags in this gazella are full of musk ; he is of a middle nature , between a hee-goat and a calfe , and yellowish , which the greeks call moschus ; whence musk may have the name , or from the likenesse the bag bears with the small cups on ovian-tops where the seed is , which the gr. call moschai ; or as etimologists will have it , because it lies en mesu , the middle , or the navell : not to say it comes from the verb moo , because all desire it ; or from ozoo , smelling , senting , of the original writers differ . and as much about the choosing of it . platearius likes not the black , but that that is coloured like spikenard brasavolus holds that the blackish hath the best sent , that brought out of cataia . some prefer tumbascin musk , because of the abundance of pasture there , which is ripe in the bag , and better then that that is hanged up in the aire : the unripe , though in the beast , smells not well . the antebian musk is better then the abensin , then the jurgian ; next the indian by the sea-coasts . that of elluchasis among the tacuini is thin , and the bag thin : the gergerian quite contrary , and not so aromatical . that of charua is a middle sort ; the salmindian , not so good . for the proof of musk , see aldrovand . it is many wayes adulterated , especially the black , and reddish ; by mixture of a little goats-blood a little rosted , and stamped , three of four parts for one musk : but rosted bread makes it moulder ; the goats-blood broken is bright , and clear within . the saracens vent it oft , bag and all , but sophisticated . some falsifie it with a kids-liver dried , and birds muting . some increase it with angelica-root . it will loose the sent , if you adde any sweet thing to it . it is best kept in a thick glasse-bottle , waxed over . it recovers the lost sent , if you hang it in an open pot in a house of office . for the use of musk , authours differ about the temper of it . averroes holds it hot , and dry in the end of the second degree ; sethus in the third . all confesse it to be a thin substance . it drawes out blood , put to the nose ; and opens the vessels of the body . it is besides used to strengthen , and against trembling , fainting , wind ; to purge the head in sweet-balls , and wash-balls ; in censing , in pomanders , and sweet-oyntments . yet it is ill for the mother to some women ; as the venetian , and northern women . point vi. of the bezoar , or the pazahartica-goat . men write diversly in the describing of the bezoartican-goat . bell●nensis seems to deny there is any such beast , while he relates out of thiphasis the arabian , that that they call the bezoar-stone , is taken out of the veins . the arabs fetch it from the harts . monardes from the testimony of eye-witnesses , reports it to be as great as the hart , and resembling him . bontius saith , that he is shaped like our goats of europa , except that they have more upright and longer horns , and that some of them are partly coloured , as tigers , and goodly to look on ; two whereof are to be seen in the fort in batavia . the greater , or lesser the stone is , that they carry the nimbler , or heavier they go ; which the wily armenians , and persians well know . they feed on an herb like saffran ; the eating whereof breeds that stone . whence it comes to passe , that because an isle between cormandel , and ceylon , called by the portugals , isle de vaccas , ( or of cows , ) is sometimes overflowen , that the goats must be transported thence to save them , they being deprived of that herb , breed not that stone ; and when the waters are down , and they are brought back thether , they yield the bezoar-stone again , which is as troublesome to them , as to us the stone is in the bladders or reins . whence we may gather , how vain their relations are that tell us that it is bred in their bowels , or reins , or the gall . some call it pasani , some balsaar , some pazaher , that is , an antidote against poyson . it is bred especially in persia in stabanon , three dayes journey beyond lara , where the persian kings are watchful to challenge for themselves all the stones that exceed a certain weight . they are of several shapes , and kindes ; some much costlier then others , and of greater vertue , and efficacy . there are counterfaits made . monardes , from the relation of guido de lavaretus , writes , the right ones are made up of kind of lates , or barks folded within one another , very bright and shining , as if they were pollished ; having within a dust , or a chaffe . bontius thinks that genuine , that rubed on a piece of chalk , shews a light-red ; cast into a bason full of water , and left there three hours together , looses nothing of the weight . when the counterfait becomes hevier , or lighter taken out of water ; and rubed with chalk , splits . much is written by many of the vertues thereof ; that laid on any bare part of the body , it defends it against poyson : that the powder cures bites , sprinkled on the bitten place ; that cast on wild beasts , it benums them , and kills vipers with any liquor : that all receits taken against poyson , and malignant fevers are vain , unlesse bezoar be also used . monardes gives examples of diverse hereby rescued out of the very jawes of death . it helps melancholy , quartons , fainting fits , epilepsies , giddinesse , stone , worms , and what not : but it is observed to be more helpful to women then men . some in india dream that it makes them young again . monardes hath a whole tract about it : but bontius writes , that he findes by a thousand experiments , that the vertue thereof is not so great . he saith , that the stones called pazahar bred in the stomack of the simior are round , and above a finger long , and are counted the best . hether may be referred the vicuna , and taruga . the vicuna is a swift beast of peru. it is hornlesse , else like a wild goat . nether is that any hinderance , that he wants horns ; since there are dogs that are said to have horns , when most have none . he delights in mountanious and rocky places : she loves cold and deserts : she seems to be refreshed with snow , and frosts : she loves company , and the herd . she runs from all men she meets , putting her young ones afore , being carefull of them . she is taken by a swift chase ; to which end three thousand barbarians compasse a mountain , and by degrees make all the wild here together , sometimes more then three hundred ; they send the females after the young ones ; they are taken also , when they come to a convenient space , and toyles of cord , and lead laid for them . they shear them to make coverlids ; their wool is fine as silke , of a lasting colour ; being natural , it needs no dye . in hot whether it refreshes , helping the inflammation of the reins : wherefore they stuffe therewith tikes for beds . it is said to ease the gout . the flesh hath no good relish ; yet it is an indian dainty . and a piece of it new killed , and laid on the eye , removes suddenly the smart . they breed the bezoar in the bowels , next to the eastern vicuna is the taruca , of that kind , but swifter , and greater , and deeper colour ; of soft and dangling ears , not delighting in company , she wanders among rocks alone . in these is the bezoar-stone found both of greater vertue , and bulk . point vii . of the scythian suhak , and the goat with dangling eares . of the scythian suhak , see aldrovan . pag. . we owe to aristotle the mention of the goat with hanging-ears , a palm , and more broad , and reaching near the ground ; probably it is that in the print here following , which they call the indian goat , and the syrian mambrina . by the wool , hair , face , and horns , it seems to resemble a sheep rather then a goat . the colour is white . point viii . of the oryx . three sorts of creatures are by the greeks termed oryges . one a water one , two land ones . of the first strabo writes treating of turdetamia , which some suppose to be the sea-orke . of the two latter kinds pliny , and oppian mention . the name oryx comes from to orytte●n , or digging , because , at new moon it turns eastward , and digs up the earth with the fore-feet . for the shape , it is one-horned , and cloven-footed . it is of the kind of wild goats . but of a contrary hayr , turning toward the head ; as it grows on the aethiopian bull. he is engendred in the driest parts of africa , ever without drinke , and strongly usefull against thirst ; for the getulian theeves hold out by a draught of wholesome liquor found in their bladders . albertus saith that he is as big as a hart , bearded , used to the deserts , and easily taken in a net . herodotus makes him as great as an ox ; nor have we any certainty of his shape . the horns are black , and to be seen in most libraries , like a swords blade at top , diverse , according to their age , both in length , bredth , and number of knobs . wee give you here the images of two of them . but aldrovand himself durst define , whether they are indian asses horns , or no. but , since the aethiops , called sili , used them for weapons against the struthiophagi , or estridge-eaters , and they are very hand , and beamy , long , sharp-pointed , and hollow , they seeme to belong to the oryx . the egyptians fain many things of him , that they know , when the dog-star arises , and then cry out ; that they gaze on the star , and adored it like a god ; whether by a peculiar sympathy , or that they know cold weather is past , which they cannot well endure . he seems to despise the sun , and moon ; they dung against the rising sun , and never drink . columella , and martial mention the orus ; but i beleeve it is not the same with this . the later calls him cavage ; the former reckons him among the beasts kept in warrens , or parks for food . hee is said by oppian , to be wild , a great foe to wild beasts , and milke white . so different are the relations about the orus , which must be a double kind ; one fearfull , the other fierce . some in india are said to have four horns . ambr. paréus ( t. . l. . c. . ) mentions a wild beast in some island of the red-sea , called by the arabs kademotha ; by the inhabitants called parasoupi ; as great as a mule , and headed alike ; haired like a beare , but not so dark-coloured , but yellowish ; footed like the hart ; having two lofty horns , but not beamed , akin to the unicorns horn . the natives being bitten by any venomous beast , are cured forthwith by drinking the water , wherein the horn hath lien soaking certain dayes . article vii . of the hart , or deer . the latine name cervus is taken from the greek kerata , horns . the greeks give him very many names , as elaphos , because of his nimblenesse , or his delight to be about lakes , or waters ; or because he drives away the serpent with the smell of his horn , who rubs it on purpose against a stone , to raise the sent ; and beirix , bredos , &c. the hinds first fawning , they call ptookas , that is , procas , the calf , or fawn , nebros , &c. the deer , or hart is cloven-footed , tong-hoofed , soft-haired , and hollow within , if you beleeve junius , which makes him swim well . he is light coloured , sandy reddish , yet there are white ones , as sertorius his hind , which , as he perswaded the spaniards , was propheticall . no beast carries greater horns : the hind hath none ordinarily ; though some have been seen horned by maximilian the emperor , and by scaliger . the fawn of a year old hath beginnings of horns budding , short and rough ; the second year he is called a pricket , and hath plain horns , called spellers , or pipers ; the third year he is a sorell , his horns branching once ; and sox increase to the sixt year . ( wee say there are in a stages head the burre , or round roll next the head ; then the beam , or main horn ; then the browanteliers ; next above the bezanteliers , next the royall , above the surroyall top . in a bucks head are burre , beam , braunch , advancers , palm , spellers . the fourth year the buck is a sore ; the fifth year , a buck of the first head ; the sixt , he is a buck , or great buck. ) but the branching is very different . william duke of bavaria hath two , each horn hath one and twenty branches . albertus speaks of eleven such in germany . aemilian saw in the duke of ferrara his store-house a hart , little lesse then a horse , and so branched as the german heads . at antwerp is one with branches . other hornes are hollow , except at top the harts solied throughout , others cleave to the bone ; the harts sprout onely out of the skin . no beast casts the horns so as hee . the horn is as firme , and hard as a stone ; growing old , it is lighter , especially in the open air , and sometimes moyst and dry again . gesner hath observed in a grown hart , at top of the horn , two , three , or five branches , and the beame six fingers broad , beside the antlers and spellers below ; and he hath marked between the brain-pan , and the horns , litle bones , or double-bony knobs , about two fingers long , smooth ; and the shorter , the older the hart is . ( wee english divide the deer into red , and fallow deer ; among the red , wee call the male a stag ; the shee , an hind ; the young , calves ; among the f●llow deer , wee call the hee a buck ; the shee , a doe ; the young , fawns . ) and they all differ in hornes , and in some they are grown together . gesner saith he hath seen a stags-speller of inches ; and of one of three years old , with the speller of inches . those wee have mentioned are smooth , white , not rugged . they cast their horns yearly at a certain time in the spring . one hath been taken , in whose horn green ivy grew . it is said , that if you gueled them , their horns fade away . their face is fleshy ; the nose flat ; the neck long ; the nostrils fourefold , and with as many passages ; their musles slender , and weake ; the ears as cut , and parted , as no other beasts have . they that are about argenusa on the hill elapsus , they have foure teeth on each side , both below , grinders , and besides two other above ; greater in the male , then the female , they bend all downward , and seeme bent : they have all live-worms in the head , bred under the tongue , in a hollow of a turning joynt that joyns the neck to the head ; others as great bred in the flesh , at least ● , some have seen more , and severed ; though some have none . some say wasps are bred within theirs eye-bone , and fly out thence . the blood is like water , having no strings , but is curdled , as many have observed with baldus angelus . the eyes are great ; the heart as great as uses to be in all timerous creatures . divers write diversly of a stone in the corner of the eye , called belzahart , or bezaar . scaliger denies it , that there is any stone there , till the deere be an years old ; and then it begins to grow , and waxes harder then a horn , swelling out of the bones , and over the face ; where it bunches out , it is round , and shining , yellow , and streaked with black so light , that it scarce abides the touch ; you may see it withdrawn it self . scribonius calls it , the eye-filth . almost in all deers hearts are found bones , the greater in the older , sometimes shaped like a crosse , interfering . i have seen them , saith iordanus , as big as a pigeons egg , and framed of plates , and , which is pleasant to see , break them , and you find a bone in the midst , like the other heart-bones , about which those shells clings , the heat of the heart ingenders them . they are found from the midst of august , to the middle of september . brasavolus calls it a sinew , or sinewy gristle . andernacus shews you how to find it , laying open the left side , and tracing the roots , and membrance of the artery , whereabout it lurks . the deers tayl is but little , like the sea-calves ; the thighs very slender . they have more bellies then one . the genital sinewy like the camells . the gut is so small , and britle , that you may break it , and never crack the skin . men say they have no gall , but the bowells are so bitter , that a dogge will not touch it , unlesse the deere be very fat . those of achaia are thought to carry theirs in their tayl , but liken the foure-part of the spleen , then the gall . the doe is lesse then the buck , a handsome beast , onely hornlesse , sharp-sighted , of wondrous swiftnesse , shee hath foure teats as the cow. galen speaking of the tunicles of a birth , and of veins , and arteries , which issuing out the womb , are fastened to it , affirms , that in all animals given to leaping , as deere , and goats , the ends of the vessells are joyned with the matrixes , not onely by thin skins , but by tough flesh , like a kind of fat ; a token of admirable divine providence . the back of either sex is fat . arist. and pliny write , that there are none found in africa , but virgil and modern authors say the contrary . some write that in apulia , they shew themselves like armies ; and that ferdinand king of napels was deceived by them , and james caldor , the wisest prin●e of that age . in bargu , a province of cataja , they are numerous , and so tame , that they ride on them . in batavia they have abounded all along , that tract of sand-hills , and valleys , laying between the haghs-wood and egmond . in brittain , checkered have been white , and black ones . in the region of the chicoriary in the new world , they are kept tame like goats . solinus writes , that there are none in candy , except among the cydoniatae . yet varinus mention does in achaea on that isle . bellonius said there are many there , there being no harmfull creatures in creet . they swim out of syria to cyprus , because there is plenty of pasture , that they fancy . in elaphus an asian-hill by arginussus , they are cloveneared ; and by the hellespont . they are there tame by nature , saith aurelius the emperour . in scotland the deare are great , and so numerous , that at a solemne hunting , , sometimes a have been killed ; some are thumbs thick of fat . they abound also in a hill on the ilands , the hebrides , which bears the name cervus from the deer . xapita in america hath herds of them , as wee of oxen ; they breed at home , are fed near their houses , by day let out into the woods , at night they return to their fawns , are shut up in huts , and suffer themselves to be milked . in france about fountaineblea● they swarmed . in florida there are tame , in xapitum , and wilde , some as big as an ox , some lesse . in many parts of germany , they are kept tame in dry ditches about their walls . in helvetia they lessen dayly , inhabitants increasing , and woods decaying . in hercynia they are blackish . among the dikilappi , there are many herds of them . in norw●y they are called rhen , they are somewhat greater then ours . the laplander use them in stead of beasts of carriage , they yoake them in a wagon , like a fishers-boat , whereon they bind a man fast by the legs ; he holds the reins in his left hand ; in his right he holds a staf to keep the wagon from overturning : thus they can ride twenty miles a day ; and they let the deere loose , which returne to their owner , and usuall stables of themselves . they are so lustfull , that they go the whole day a rutting , a whole month together , and are raging , and wast away with it , almost another month . they will fight for their does , and hindes ; and the worsted deere will attend , and serve the conqueror , if we beleeve albertus . the females being with fawn , they separate themselves from others , and keep by their males , they dig holes in lonely places , they smell rank like goats , their faces sported with black ; so they live , till a sound shewr of rain fall , and then they return to their pasture . they gender in august and september . the same bucks follow divers does , and returne again to the first . the tame are usually barren , unlesse they be from the very first brought up tame . they go with fawn eight months . they bring forth most part but one at once . the fawns grow apace . the doe in fawning is cleared of a flegmatique humour , otherwise she never purges . about suckling , and her posture , therein pollux , and gesner write contradictions . authours write much of their long-livednesse . a raven may live nine of our lives ; deer , that is , stags , foure times as long . by that reckoning they should live years . pliny speaks of some , taken some hundreds of years after alexander the great his time , who had caused golden collars to be put about their neck , which were found covered with skin , and sunk in great fatnesse . in the reigne of charls of france , who lived in the time of the schisme , between clement and urban vi. there was a stag taken at sylvanectus , on whose collar was inscribed in latine letters ; hoc me caesar donavit ; caesar bestowed this on mee . theophrastus who lived years , yet complained of nature , that made deere longer lived then man. not to stand long on the sacred doe , mentioned by pausanias , that was a fawn in agapenons time ; or diomedes his stag , taken in agathocles time , some ages after . it is said that a hind of augustus c. was taken many lustres of years after his reigne , with this inscription on the collar ; touch mee not , i am caesars . some guesse at their age by the number of the branches of their horns . though aristotle likes it not . authors give severall names to their voyce ; as glocitare , yonking ; virgill calls it braying . wee give different name to the voyce of bucks , does , fawns , stags , hinds , and their calves . they are friends to the quail , but hold lasting enmity with the eagle , vulcur , serpent , dog , tigre , wild beasts , foxes , the gew , and whitet-horn , and red feathers . the quail sits oft on their back , and pick their hairs . the eagle gathers a lump of dust , and sitting on their horns , shake it in their eyes , and strike them on the face with their wings . they fight with serpents , search after them in their holes , and draw them out by the snuffing of their nostrils . the very smell of harts-horn burnt , will drive away serpents . in lybia , they make at serpents , where ever they ly . if a deer tread on cactum , the hartychoke , and it pierce , their bones never be sound after . aspalathus kills them with the touch . they delight in covert , in wild woods , forrests , chases , where the soyl is fat . they love vineyards and lawns , and pastures in woods , where the sun comes . the buck leaving his pasture , hids him to the woodside , but the does run into the thickets ; they seek after fresh pasture , but ever return home again . one uses like a captain to lead the herd , they feed all day , at high-noon they seek shade ; they are fearfull even to a proverb . cantharion arcas , was by the oracle nicknamed a deere . they are good at leaping , whence a place near frankfort hath the name ; where two stones are erected , in memory of one that being hunted leaped foot , and upon a loaden cart to save himself . when hardly chased , they will rest themselves , till the dogges draw near them . when they despair of escaping , they leave the woods , fly into the fields , and sometimes into towns , and houses for shelter ; for most part they go with the wind . their sagacity and wit , in deluding the dogges , is strange . if they are hunted by eager-dogges , they gather into parties ; then if pursued , they fly among the deere , kept tame about house ; sometimes they mingle with the herd , to shrowed themselves , sometimes they will drive the hunted deere from them ; they will amuse the dogges by their uncertain steps , going back the same wayes , or where other deere use to tread , to confound the dogges sent ; they will run round , and leap to put the dogges to alosse . there hath been one seen to run among a herd of oxen , and leap on an oxes back , and to ride him along way , and trailing the hinder-feet on the ground , to put the dogs to a cold sent . they have been seen to leap into trees in shady places . they eat cinara against venomous grasse ; and crabs against the bite of spiders . they are very carefull that the sun-beams shed not on their fresh wounds , to purifie them afore they be closed . with eating dittany , they can draw arrowes out of their bodies , which goats also do . they swim over seas by herds , one resting the head on the others buttock , and take turns when the first is weary . this is most observed in the passage from cilicia to cyprus ; though they see not land , they smell it . they put the weakest last , and venter not out till the wind favours them . they fatten in summer , and then lurk in corners , that their weight may not make them an easy prey to the dogs . they hide themselves also by day , when they have cast their horns , and keep in shady places , to avoid annoyance from flies ; and feed in the night , till their horns sprout again , then they come into the sun to confirm , and harden them . and when they can rub them against trees without pain , they dare venture abroad again . some say they bury their horns , some say but one ; the horn is seldome found , which is medicinable . in epire they bury their right , else-where their left horn ; in parks neither , though they cast their horns yearly . when they have eat a serpent , that the poyson hurt them not , they go to a river , and plunge themselves in all but the head ; yet drink not , till by tears they have sweet out the venome , which the cold water expels at the eyes . eating serpents , clears their eye-sight : when taken , they become not only tame , but will come when called . nay , you may briddle , and sadle them . it is certain that in ptolomeis triumphant-shew , there were seven brace of stags seen coupled in chariots . heliogabalus exhibited them by quaternions so yoked together . they were to mithridates , as it were a life-guard . sertorius the generall of the spanjards , the roman , carried a white one alwayes about with him , making the world beleeve it was diana . ptolomy used one to understand greeke . in fawning they forsake not beaten wayes , no more then coverts . they purge themselves with the herb seselis , that they may fawn with more ease ; after fawning , they eat their after-birth , that enwrapped their fawn , then tast of a certain herb , and then return to their fawns . these they bring not up all one way ; the tenderest they carefully hide among thick shrubs , or grasse ; and chastise them with taps of their feet , to make them ly still , and not disclose themselves . when grown up a litle , they exercise them to run and leap gapps . a shepheards pipe , and singing , will intice them from their pasture . as for their senses , if they prick up their ears , they are quick of hearing ; if they hang them downe , they are easily surprised . that they are sharpsighted , their great ey is a token . authors are of divers opinions about their usefulnesse in food . some say their flesh is tender , and light of disgestion ; and better tempered , if cut afore their horns come . galen holds it to be hard of concoction and melancholy , like asses-flesh . simon sethi saids , it breeds black coller ; and that you must beware of it in summer , because they eat serpents then . if often eaten , it brings the palsie ; in winter it is safer food . some say , fawns-flesh is best . of old they praised the flesh , till they were three years old . the older , the dryer , and harder . in rutting time their flesh is rank , and rammish of smell , like goats-flesh . avicen thinks it breeds quartan-agues . but pliny saith that he knew gentle-women , that used to tast it every morning , and were , for a long time free of agues ; especially if they dy of one wound . others , by constant eating of venison , promise themselves vivacity , and spritefulnesse . the liver is thought to be naught . the horn newly shot forth , hath been counted a delicate , boyled , and then fried in gobbets . in medicine , many parts thereof are usefull . the hair burnt under the belly , prevent miscarrying of women . the skin shaved with a pumice with vineger , cures s. anthonies fire . the same fastened on the doore with the right feet , scare away all venemous creatures . the same helps against urine going from a man against his will in bed . the marrow easens pain , drives away serpents , helps against scalding ; taken in water eases the pain in the bowelles ; allays the bloudy-flux taken glisterwise ; softens the womb ; helps in lint monthly termes . the sewet eases the gout , takes away face-freckles ; burnt and mixt with a tosted oyster , cures kibes and chilblaius , layd fresh on , cures the exulcerations of the womb . the brains rhasis commends against the pain in the hips and sides , and against bruises . the lungs pliny prayses against corns , chappings , and hard flesh . marcellus sayes it helps feet pinched by , strait shoes , layed often fresh on it . dried in the smoak , and poudered , taken in wine , it helps the ptisique . the ashes burnt in an earthen pot , helps against sighing , and pursines . the pizle dried to powder , taken in wine , is given against the vipers bite ; smeard on with wine , it makes a bull lusty , dried it provokes urine , and helps the wind collique , if you drinke the water wherein it is washed . pliny speaks of the magicall use , or rather abuse of it . the bones are good against fluxes . sextus saith the knee - blade is good against priapisme , if carried about one . the heart burned with the skin and horn , smeared on with oyl , cures wounds . the heart-bone is counted a preservative : the stone in the heart , or the other prevents abortion . the crudled blood of a fawn killed in the does belly , is a speciall remedy against a serpents bite ; and drunk , is good against the bite of a mad dog ; as also if you have eaten hemlock , and toadstools . the urine helps the spleen , and the wind in the stomack and bowells . the teares in wine , bring vehement sweats . it is round and bright-yellow , and hath black streaks , if you but touch it , it withdraws , as if it stirred it self . the harts-borne is of speciall use . it helps burning feavers , provokes sweat ; is soveraign against poyson , and many diseases . the inhabitants of florida bore holes in their childrens lips , and fill them therewith , perswading themselves that that makes them poyson proof . aldernacus makes an eye-salve of it with frankincense , burnt lead , opium , &c. in rain-water . infused in vineger , or poudered some , smear it on against freckles , and ring-worms ; burnt , the smell helps the falling sicknes ; with lentile , and deer-sewet it takes spots out of the face . poudered with spunges , wherein there are stones , in a like quantity of wine and water , dayly drunke , it helps the kings-evill . snuft into the nostrills with sandaracha , it takes away swelling there ; with mastick and salt-amoniack , it whitens the teeth . with vineger it eases tooth-ake . burnt with wine it fastens the teeth . with tragacanthus it cures the haemoptoicum ; half-burnt it helps the bloody flux : with a litle livesulphur , and a newlayed eg , it stops vomiting . burnt with oxymel , it dries the spleen : it helps the collique . drunk with yvory , it is good against worms . some make cakes of it with chalk , holy seed , a rosted eg , and hony . it is used also against womens greefs , stopping of the mother . for the differences of deere . in new spain is a kind called macar . some are red ; some white all over . these the indians call kings of harts & yztak makanne . others they call aculhuame . the lesser , quauhtlamacame , that of timerous become generous , and wounded are so fierce that they assault their hunters , and oft kill them . others like them are called thalhuicamacame , of the same bulk , and nature , but not so couragious . the least are tamamacame ; perhaps a kind of goats . in duarhe , xapida , and other parts of america they herds of deere , as we of oxen ; breeding , and fed in , and near the house . they let them loose by day to seek their pasture in the woods ; at even they returne to their fawns shut up in stalls ; they milk them , and have no other milk , nor cheese made of any other milk . in some western parts there chased , and wounded in hunting they seeke an herb , called by the barbarians atochielt , whereby they refresh themselves , and recover their swiftnesse . it is more usefull to them then ditany . in virginia the deer are longer tayled then ours , and their horn-tops bend back . in america is a race of them called seovassen , much lesse then ours , and with lesse heads , their hair hanging down like goats among us . in new mexico , they have hairy long tailes , as mules , and they are as great , or greater then mules , and very strong . a spanish captain had a brace to draw his coach . see aldrovand about the cervopalmatus . we have said already out of julius capitolinus , that the memorable wood of cordianus is painted in the beaked-house of cn. pompey ; that among other pictures , there are two hundred palm-herts ; the which gesner at first thought to be all one with the bread-horned goats ; but after , when john caius a british phisitian sent out of britain these horns to him , he changed his mind , yeelding it to be a palm-deere . the horns being longer and thicker , then a deers usually are . in persia , about schamachia , karabach , and morage , there are beasts like does , yellowish , with horns bending backwards , without knobs , which the turks call tzeiran ; the persians aku. article viii . of the tragelaphus , and the tarandus , or busse . the tragelaphus seemes to have taken his name from his resembling the hee-goat , and the hart. some call him hippelaphus , because he is somewhat like a horse , he having a mane , and being greater , and grosser then a stage . the germans call him brandthirsch , either because he is blacker then the deer , or because he haunts the places , where charcole is made , and feeds on the grasse growing thereabout . he is of greater bulk , and strength then a deer . hee hath thick , black hair on his throat , and long on the shoulders . he differs from the deer therein only , and in his beard . the ridge of his back is ash-colour , the belly duskish , the hair about his peezle cole-black . they are found , not only about the river phasis , as pliny mistakes , but also among the arachosians ; and are taken also in the torantine , and konigsteinian wildes of misnia near bohemia . the blackish deer in england differ little from them . de tarandus , or busse , is called by the barbarians pyrandrus , and pyradus , by the northern folk rehenschier ; by hezychius chandaros . he is as big as an ox ; headed like a stage , nor unlike ; shaggy like a beare , but white-hayred . his hide so tough , that they make breast-plates thereof . thick breasted ; cloven , and hollow hoofed , and loose ; for in going he displaies them . so fleet , and light of foot , that he scarce leaves any print of his footsteps in the snow ; outrunning the beasts that ly in wait for him in the vallies . his horns are lofty , that are crosse beamed from the very forehead ; a knotty branch is in the midst , that branches out again into broader . the horns are white , and streaked as with small veins . they differ from the elks-horns in height ; from the harts , in breeth ; from both , in colour , and numerousnesse of branches . when he runs , he rests them on his back , for while he stands still the lower branches even cover his forehead ; with these lower he is said to breake the ice to come by drink . his food is wood-fruit , and mosse on trees . he makes himself lurking holes in the northerne mountains , and in hard frosts comes to mosiberg , and other hills in norwey . men take them for household uses . they bring him to high-way journies ; and the husbandmen to work of husbandry . no wild flesh is more delicate : they live together in herds , and are seen in the vast northern wildernesses by thousands together . the females branch not . they are found in norwey , swethland , lapland , and poland . there were once a brace brought bridled , sadled , and trapped to augusta of the vindelici . they change colour through feare , taking the colour of what they come near , be it stone , or wood , white , or green , to shrowd themselves , like the polypus in sea , and the chamaeleon on land ; but these latter are smoother , and fitter for that purpose , those are rough , and it is strange they should change colour . but what for a busse this is , whether the turo , or rangifer is uncertain . i have given you his print here , as near the truth as i could . article ix . of the rangifer . in the description of the rangifer , or reen , writers agree not . albertus saith , it resembles a deer , but is greater , and of remarkable colour , and very swift of foot . he is attired with three rows of horns , on each are two horns , so that his head seems made up of little rocks . of these two are greater then the rest , standing where the deers horns use , which grow to five cubits length , and there are seen on him five and twenty branches . those two in the middle of his head are short , and weakly . others he hath on his forehead , liker bons , then horns , which he uses most in fight . olaus m. saith , he is three-horned , and that he is a kind of stag , but much taller , fleeter , and longer . he is called rangifer , both because of his lofty horns , that resemble the branches of the oke ; as also because the harnesse that they fasten their winter carts with , to their horns or breasts , are in the countrey tongue , where they are called ranga , and loga . he hath a mane , and round hoofs . he hath a trident on the top of his horns , and is found in the forrests of poland . iulius caesar makes him a kind of ox , shaped somewhat like a hart ; from the midst of his forehead , between the ears sprouts out one lofty horn , straighter then those known to us ; the top spread , and branching . some make him like the elke , some like the asse , in stature , bulck , and slendernesse of legs ; headed like a calf ; necked , and mained like a horse ; the horns shadowing , smooth , slender , long , stretching to the back , otherwise like the common deer . scaliger ascribes to him all that olous m. doth to the elke . they are found in lapland , swethland , norwey , and near the north-pole . their meat is mountain-mosse , white , especially in winter when the ground is covered with snow ; which though never so thick , nature hath taught them to dig through to come by their food . in summer they browse on trees , leaves , flowers , and herbs ; rather desiring to stand upright , then to bend in feeding , because their horns stricking out afore hinders them ; so that they must feed with their head wryed on one side . if you bring them into other lands , they live not long , as men find in holsatia , and prussia . hether some were sent by king gustavus in the year . and turned loose into the woods , but none of their breed have been found there . because they are both wild and tame ; their milk , skin , sinews , bones , flesh , and hair are made serviceable to man. the milk and whey is for food . the skin serves for cloaths , bedding , and saddles ; being strong and lasting , they make therefore sacks , and bellowes of it . with the sinews they sew garments . of the bones and horns they make bowes . the flesh they dry in the wind and the smoke , to last many years . the hoof helps the cramp . with the hair they stuffe saddles and cushions . article x. of the elk. some make the elk a wild beast , a kinde between the hart and the camel ; bred among the celtae , hardly found out ; if they smell a man , which they do afar off , they hide themselves in deep caves , and dens . they are in the hercynian wildernesse , somewhat like the goat , but so me what bigger , and of another hew ; not horned , their thighs without joynts , never lying down to rest ; nor if they chance to fall , can they rise again of themselves . pliny makes him like a beast of use in husbandry , only differing in height of ears and neck : not unlike the machlin in the isle scandinavia , the like never seen in these parts , but without bending knees , sleeping standing , leaning against a tree , and so taken by cutting the tree then down , otherwise very swift . the upper-lip very great , which in feeding turns back , which else would be wrapt about what lies afore him . he is found on the alps , saith dodoneus , hath under his chin a gobbet of flesh , so big as a hand , hairy , grosse as a foles tail . scaliger speaks of two kinds of elks , but calls this bison . olaus , a kind of wild asse . erasmus stella , a kind between the horse and the deer , casting his horns yearly . lemning takes him for a kind of goat . the dutch call him elend , or misery , both because he is daily sick , and remains so till he put his right after-hoof to his left ear , as also because the slightest wound kills him . cardan calls him a great beast like a hart , bred in the north , having long forelegs , and a fleshy trunk , but little , and horns unlike all other beasts , thick and broad from the bottom . the shoulders sink downward ; as big , and tall he is as a reasonable sized fat horse ; he goes hanging his head down . his head and neck to the shoulders is thick of hair , and that long , and hath a beard like a goat . his colour white-ash , but at times of the year his hair changes colour . his head very long , and slender for such a body . the lips great , hanging , and thick , chiefly the upper-lip . the mouth long . the teeth not great , nor long : ears long , and broad . the male hath various horns , and full of branches , but nothing near the stags ; the female hath no horns . the horns are two fingers thick . one horn is almost triangularim shape , and extend like a great birds wing , of twelve pound weight . like stags , they cast their horns at set times of the year . one i had a while by me , that fell from the elk , like a ripe aple from the tree of it self , known well by the root ; other two small ones i have , of two or three months growth , cut off a while afore the elks death ; which have a soft down on them , and blood . he is big-bellied like a cow : his tail strangly small : cloven-hoofed he is as an ox . the skinne is thick , and tough , and can defend against cuts and stabs , as if it were an iron breast-plate ; the tanners prepare it with fish-fat so , that it can keep out any shower of raine . it is like a deers skin , but differs from it thus ; it sends forth a breath , that may be felt by a hand opposite , because it is full of pores , and the hairs are hollow , though gesner deny it , who hath a foot by him ; but he might be deceived , because pores are shut in dead bodies . the horns weigh about twelf pound , and are two foot long , not branched , as the stages , yet divided with some flat blades , more like a shoulder , then a horn : they are brought out of lithuania . but the horn of a great elk sent to aldrovand , weighed but seven pound twelf ounces ; the part near the head , a man could scarce graspe , adorned with five blades , two on each side , beside a little one shooting out . the legge weighed three pound and an half . the nature of the elk is , being hunted to betake him to the water , and to take a mouthfull , and to spout it hot at the dogges . he is seene seldome alone ; in snow they goe many together in company . one hastens afore , as occasion serves ; the rest tread in his very steps , and hold the same pace : they can hold out a day and a night , without eating or drinking . if you take the yong one , you may make the dame so tame , that shee will be brought to drink beere with you . he hath such a strength in his hoof , that with one blow hee can kill a wolf , and bruise a tree , as if it were a toad-stool . the natives , where they are , eat the flesh , both fresh and salted ; but the juice seems to be but grosse , and melancholy . in phisick , the horne is binding , and good against the epilepsy , if cut off between the feast of the birth , and that of the assumption of the virgin mary : some say , on aegidius his day . the sinews are used in swethland against the cramp , made into a girdle , and tied about the part in paine . the hoof helps against the falling-sicknesse , and the stopping of the womb , or hystericae . the outer right hind-hoof of the male , afore he hath coupled , choped of from the live-foot with a hatchet , after mid-august , is a present help for the cramp , and fainting fits ; if you make a ring of it for your left hand , or if you grasp it in your right hand ; or put a bit into the left eare , and sometimes pick the eare therewith . the shavings of it with zedoary , helps womens griefs . article xi . of the rhinoceros . the rhinoceros borrows his name from the horn in his snout . some call him an aegyptian ox , some an aethiopian bull , but they mistake ; for there are none in aegypt , except by chance . in aethiopia indeed is a bull like him in the horn , which the unskilfull miscall a rhinoceros . authours are most uncertain in their description of him . pliny in short thus ; that hee hath one horn in his nose , he is as tall as the elephant , his thighs much shorter , box-coloured . others add , that he hath a swines-head , an oxes-tayl , the elephants hew ; his horn is two foot long , that he is in the province of mangus ; that he is cold of temper ; the horn on the tip of his snowt is sharp , strong as iron , his skin so tough , that no dart can pierce it ; that he hath another shorter horn on his right shoulder . some say , two in his nose , others say , one in his forehead . some make the horn strait , like a trumpet , with a black crosse streaked . some say it is crooked ; some flat ; some , turning up . some write that he hath two girdles on his back curling , and winding like those of dragons ; one turning toward his mane ; the other toward his loyns . but bontius , who hath seen the rhinoceros a hundred times , both kept in den , and loose in woods , writes that his skin is ash-coloured like the elephants , very rugged , full of deep folds on the sides , and back , thick of hide , that a japons sword cannot enter ; the folds are like shields , or shells . he is hog-snouted , but not so blunt-nosed , their horn at the end is different according to their age : in some ash-coloured , sometimes black , sometimes white , he is not so long-legged , nor sightly as the elephant . he is found in the deserts of africa , in abasia , in many parts of asia , in bengala , and jacatra ; not knowen to the greeks in aristoteles time ; nor to the romans afore the year dclxvi after the building of rome . some say augustus shewed on in a triumph . some , that pompey was the first , who presented him in his palays . he hath a rough tongue , and feeds on grasse , and briars . he holds enmity with the elephant . he hurts not mankind , unlesse provoked . when he is to fight , he sharpens his horn on the stones : in combate , he aimes at the belly , which he knows to be soft ; out of which he lets all his enemies blood . if he cannot come at the belly , the elephant with his trunk and teeth dispatcheth him . provoked , he makes no more of a man and an horse , then of a flea ; he can with his sharp tongue lick a man to death ; fetching of skin and flesh to the bare bones . shoot him , and he with a hideous cry layes all flat , that comes in his way , even the thickest trees . read stories of his fiercenes in bontius . hee delights strangely in mud . being to fight , shee secures her yong one first : hee grunts like a hog . the moors feed on his flesh , which is so sinewy , that they had need of iron teeth to chaw it . the skin steeped in wine is given in against malignant feavers . the horne some prescribe against poyson . the dainty ones among the romans used it in bathing for a cruize ; they kept oyl in it for them that bathed : i cannot say there are different kinds of these beasts . yet they say , there was one taken in africa as great as a wild asse , the horn two cubits long , the feet like the deers , eared like the horse , tayled like the ox. chapter iii. of the fourefooted beasts chevving the cud , that have no horns . article i. of the camell . thus far of the horned-beasts chewing the cud . those that have no horns , are the camell , and the camell-panther . the camell is so called either from the hebrew gamal , or the greek kamnoo , to labour , since hee is a beast of carriage ; or from chamai , lowly ; because hee kneels to take up his burden ; or from kammeros , crooked , from his manner of bending . hee is cloven-footed , but behind on one fashion , afore on another ; the clefts like the gooses are filled . the bunch on their back differences them from all other beasts : hee hath another below like it , that seems to support his body , it is about the bending of the knee . the female hath four teats like the cow : tayled like the asse . the genital behind , and so sinewy , that with it men bend the strongest bows : on either thigh a knee ; nor more folds , but they seeme so many , because they come under the belly . the ankle like the oxes . the buttock answers the bulk of the body : the gall is not distinct , but confounded with certain veins . hee hath no fore-teeth above . hee alone of the hornles beasts hath a double stomack , to disgest his thorny hard food . therefore the skin that covers his mouth and stomack , is througout rough : some write of their marrow and sewet . they are found in africa and asia , in bactria especially and arabia , and in ionia by the city clazomenia , where they leave whole fields for them to feed in . mithridates being overcome by the river rhijndacus , they were first ( saith salust ) seen at rome ; but there wee of them seen in the achaian and asian warre . ptolomy at lagus shewed a bactrian one all over coleblack among his sights . they delight in thorny and woody food ; they brows also on bulrush tops , nor refuse they barly alone , or with hay , or thin low grasse ; sometimes content with thistles : now a dayes they that travell through the deserts of arabia , give each five barly cakes a day , as bigh each as an quince : they can goe four dayes together without drinke ; but when they come to water , they drinke so much , as not only quenches thirst , but serves for the day following . they love muddy , and avoid cleare water : they stamp on purpose in their water to thicken it . the later ones they say can refrain from drinking , nay dayes together , if need be ; and some eye-witnesses affirme that in biled elgerid , if they feed on fresh grasse , they never drinke . about their engendring , the postrue and manner read pliny , and aristotle . in coupling-time they retire into lonely places ; when none can safely come near them , but their keeper . some say the female goes ten months , and in the eleventh brings forth ; and a year intermitted couples again . they bring forth in the spring , and some say , they presently after couple . writers differ about it . they have three enemies , the horse , the lion , and the gadfly . cyrus with his camels worsted craesus his horse ; for horses cannot endure their smell and the arabs smeare their camels with fish fat , to keep away the flies from vexing them . they are troubled with the gout , whereof they dy , and shedding all their hair , is another of their diseases . they run mad sometimes through lust , and remember a wrong , and kill whoever they meet , even their guides . this frensie lasts fourty dayes . some say , hierom writes of one in bactria , that had killed divers men ; there were above thirty men to master him with strong ropes , and a great out-cry . his eyes were blood-red , he fomed at mouth , his tongue swelled , and he roared hideously . some live fifty years , some last hundred , unlesse change of hair bring them into diseases , they live longest in bactria . their disposition , nature , appears in their revengefulnes , teachablenesse , love of musick , modesty , and naturall affection . he layes up an injury long , being stroken , and watches occasion to be revenged . he may be taught by a drum to lead a dance ; they use a yong one to tread on a hote floor , which makes him lift up his feet by turns ; a drum being still beaten at door . they use him to it a year in this school ; and after , when ever he hears a drum , he falls a capring ; when he begins to tire , musick will invite him on , when blows cannot force him . he will not couple with his dame . if being blinded he be betrayed to it , in revenge he will kill the causer of it . he is compassionate . he eats all night ; but forbeares , if any in the stable be sick . this the indians observed . when they would have them speedy ▪ they take their yong ones along some miles with the dame ; shee will double her pace to returne to her yong ones . he is very usefull . in medicine , the flesh provokes urine . the fat of the bunch smoked helps the hemrods . the brain dried , with vineger , the falling sicknesse . the blood furthers conception , and is good against the stoppings of the mother , if used after the moneths . the milk eases the belly , being thin and waterish , it helps the cramp , and wakens appetite . the urine , ( which fullers also use ) whitens and cleanses the teeth . the tayl dried loosens . the dung with oyl makes the hair curl . the same , white , pounded with hony , allays swellings , and clenses wounds . it is said , that the bristles of the tayl wreath , and tied to the left arme cures the quartane ; if you will beleeve it , we know that the arabs eat the milk . galen saith , the alexandrians eat the flesh . heliogabalus , apicius like , fed on it sometimes at supper ; and the heels being tenderest . the jews of old made it their food . some reckon that , and the milk among dainties . this , in those that are near foaling , is of a lesse cheesy , and buttery substance . historians relate their use in war. hence some armes have their names , as we shall shew , if god give leave , in our philology . in arabia , aegypt , &c. they travell not without them . they are good for carriage , but stinted to so much weight ; usually six hundred pound ; for a need , a thousand . while they are loaden , and unloaden , they ly down on their belly ; and feeling they have their just load , they rise up , and will carry no more . the african camels will travell with ease fifthy dayes together without intermission . some are fat , some leane , there are reddish , and white . the swiftest are called dromedaries ; these are lower then the other . they will travell above an hundred mile in one day . they are fleeter then nisaean horses . the females are swiftest . the arabian are double-bunched on the back , called thence dityloi . the bactrian are held strongest , and have one bunch under the belly to ly on . the caspian are as big as the greatest horse . the african are of three kinds ; the first is called hugium , who are indeed huge great , and strong , able to carry a pound weight . the second sort are lesse , double-bunched on the back , called bec●eti , fit for carriage , and to ride on ; the asians know no other . the last they call raguahil , they are lanke , and slender ; fit onely for the sadle , he will carry a man an hundred miles a day . on these the king of tambutus uses to send his messengers to segelmessis , or darha , miles of , in the space of eight dayes , without any baiting , or resting by the way . article ii. of the camel-pard . hee borrows his name from the camel , whom in bulk he resembles , and from the pard , or panther , whom he resembles in his spotted skin . the name , and the beast came first from alexandria to rome . he bears other names , as , wilde sheep ; from his gentlenesse , and living in deserts , and nabis , nabuna ; by the ethiopians , anabula , & saffarat , and orasius , but falsly . since that is a beautifull , this a misshapen beast ; of late , giraffa , corruptly saffarat . nor aristotle , nor aelian mention him ; strabo , and other ancients , differently describe him . one writes , that he is so long-necked , that he can reach his food from the highest trees , and that his skin is checkered like a hinds , and streaked ; he is lower behind , then afore : sitting , he seems as high as an ox , he is taller then the camell , and gentle as tame cattell . pliny makes him horse-necked , ox-thighed , camel-headed , with glistering white spots . he is slender , and swannecked . bellonius saith , he saw three in cair , each had two small horns , sticking six fingers long out the forehead , and a bunch out the midst of the forehead , like another horn , about two fingers long , the neck seven foot long ; and when he stretcheth it out , it is sixteen foot from the ground , he is eighteen foot from the tayl to the top of his head ; that his legs are of an equall length ; on his thighs afore stand much higher then those behind ; his back , from his tayl to the top of his head , rises like a ladder , and as a ship-keel , the whole body marked with great spots , like a deers , foure-squared , nine inches broad , the ends white , and a finger broad . the whole body , like a net , the spots are not round like the leopards , the foot cloven , like the oxes . the upper-lip hangs far over the lower . the tayl is thin and small , hairy at top . he hath a mane like a horse , reaching from the back to the top of his head . he seems to halt , as he goes , now on the right side , anone on the left ; but on legs , and sides wagling ; and when he would either eat , or drink any thing from the ground , hee straddles wide afore , and bends his legs ; otherwise he cannot eat . his tongue is two foot long , of a darke violet-colour , round as an eel , wherewith he licks in boughs , leaves , grasse , nimbly , and even undiscernally . purchas , out of fernando the jesuite , writes , that he is so vast and tall , that a man on horseback can passe under his belly ; he is found in africa among the troglodites , and in ethiopia . caesar the dictator , made them first a part of his shew at rome . after him gordianus shewed . aurelia also led some of them in triumph . the ethiops presented one to leo the emperor . a sultan of babilon , another to frederick ; and another sultan , another to laurence de medices . his keeper can easily lead him with a head-stall , as he list . the jews might not eat of them , whence perhaps they come to abound so in judaea . chapter iv. of the foure-footed beasts that chevv not the cud. article i. of the swine . the latines give the swine five names , sus , porcus , scropha , verres , majalis ; in english , the sow , the hog , the barrow-hog , the boar. sus the sow ; in greeke us , common also to the boar. of old , called thysus , from thyein , to sacrifice ; since a swine in the rites of ceres was offered , and in entring covenant ; and in hetruria , at marriages by the new-wedded couple . the like did the ancient latines , and greeks in italy ; for the women , the nurses chiefly called , the female nature choiron , which signifies a swine , and one that deserves a good marriage . porcus , a porke , from spurcus , wallowing in the mire . the sabines , poridus ; the name they give brawn . scropha is a sow that hath of● had pigs . verres is the boar , or boar-pig : majalis is as the gelding among horses , or the capon among pullen . hybridae were of old swine half wild , or ingendred tween , a tame , and a wild . wee shall in brief describe the swine , it being so well knowen , in the bones is not much marrow . the hairs are stiff , and bristly , thicker then the oxes , and elephants ; amongst us for the most part yellow . in france , and italy , black ; most are party-coloured , if you observe them well . the fat lies betweene the skinne , and the muscles , called lard ; the grease is old , or salted , or simple . the brain is fattish , and decreases in the waining of the moone , more then any other beasts . the eyes are hollow , and sunk , not to be taken out without hazard of life ; no not one onely . the eye-brows move downwards toward the nose , and are drawn backward toward the temples . the tip of the nose is thick , the forehead narrow , the lips broad , the mouth stretched out , and broad , to root withall , called the snout . the sow hath fewer teeth , and never sheds them ; the neck-skin is toughest . the sows hearts are inarticulate . in the ears is a moysture like gall , of the thicknesse of that of the spleen . the stomack is large , and winding . in the liver are white stones . the flesh below the navell is without bone . the sow hath many paps , on a double row , having many pigs to suckle ; the best , twelf , the common ones , two lesse . of their genitals , see aristotle . their tayl is crooked , they have no ancle , and are a middle-kinde between the whole , and cloven-footed . they have ten ribs . the sow hath circular gristles , whereof read severinus . in the small guts of one he hath seen two wormes , one a palme , another a finger long , both hollow , and full of white juice , as chile , or first milk , both shaped like an earth-worme . learn hence how worms breed in , and cleave to our bowels . the thin skin of the sow , is of the same colour with the hair . he anatomized a sowes belly , and found in the utmost ends certain thin skins , wherein it seems , were preserved the superfluities of dregs , and pisse . the navel-vein is parted near the womb ; the navel-vessels first bend toward the left pinion , then encompassing the neck croswise , they lead back toward the right leg . in the birth almost all the bowels are conspicuous , the liver , stomack , bowels , milt , reins , mid-rif , heart , lungs . the heart whitish , the lungs liver-coloured , the liver dark-red , the reins great according to the proportion of the vein appearing by the right forefeet , but more by the hinderfeet ; the throat veins that ascend to the head , are of the shape of a lambda ( λ ) . in a perfect shaped pig , the breast laid open by two crosse-sections , you see two sinews , that passing through the throat , and cleaving to the heart-skin , descend directly through the sides of the heart to the mid-rif , by whose sinewy-ringlet they are fastned through two or three branches , or sprigs ; whence passeth another to the upper-mouth of the stomack . here perceive you plainly the severing of the axillary vein , and the thymiaean . the lappets of the heart are hollow , divided from the forepart of the heart , conjoyned behind . the passage of the urine from the bottom of the bladder after two fingers bredth is set into the arteries . at the end of the yard is a round kernel , and two in the neck of the bladder , &c. in the stomack is a slimy juice like bird-lime , or the white of an egg ; in the bowels another like thin hony . a vain unparallel'd runs along the back-bone , branching toward the severall ribs . swine are found every where among us . in strabo his time , gual was so full of them , that they furnished rome ; the best came pickled thither from lions . so good were at syracuse , that sicilian-cheese , and syracusan-porke grew into a proverb . solinus saith there are none in arabian ; aelian , that there are none in india ; and if brought thither , they dy . in the southland there are none of the four-footed beasts , that are in our world , except buffles , cows , goats , and hogs . swine eat all things , plants , fruits , roots , acorns , chestnuts , dates , grane , bran , what not ? beech-acorns make sows lively , and pork light of digestion ; the holmed-acorns make them well trussed , and weighty , and plump ; the oken ones , well spread , large and heavy . fast flesh , but hard comes from mast. holmberries are best , given a few at once . acorns from the esculus , the oke , the cork make light , spungy pork . the haliphlaei give them acorns only , when they want other food . pliny among chestnuts commends those with a stony shell . in egypt , cyprus , syria , and seleucia in assiria , they are fatned with dates . the ash-fruit also fattens them . dry cytisus is commended by aristomachus the athenian . scalions they eat in bavaria . wild rape also , have leaves like a violet , sharp , a white root , not without milk . henbane makes them run made . green pasture hurts them . they eat flesh also , mens carcases ; nay , they spare not their own pigs ; nor hens and geese in winter . they root up worms , they feed on snails , and wood-tartoyses . sixty dayes will fatten them , especially , if you hold them fasting three dayes in the beginning . to fatten them with figs , till they burst again , was apicious his invention . the english are a year fatning them , which makes their pork firme and dainty , where a sow becomes so fat , that she cannot stand nor goe , but must be carried on a cart . in lusitania the farther end of spain was a swine killed , two ribs whereof were sent to lucius volumnius the senator , that weighed three and twenty pound ; and there were two foot , and two fingers from the skin to the bone . varro saw in arcadia a sow so fat that she could not rise . and that a rat had eaten into her flesh , and made a nest therein , and laid her young ones there . gesner relates the like of basil. thirst in summer troubles them . grape-kernels in wash makes them drunk . they gender from eight months old to their seventh or eigth year . they litter twice a year , and sometimes twenty at a litter ; they go four months with pig . they are prone to cast their farrow ; the pigs are piged with teeth , saith nigidius . one boar serves ten sowes . they couple when the moon wains , and that often , and aforenoon commonly ; when the boar of rages , and will tear a man with his tusks , especially one in white cloaths . they litter fewest at first time , more at next , and though old they bate not ; they pig eight and ten , sometimes eighteen at a time ; some say , as many as they have teats . a white sow is thought most fruitful . the winter-pigs are small , and thrive not . the helvetians prefer march-pigs . in hot regions , winter ones are best . the sow having littered , gives to the first pig the former teats , being fullest of milk . every pig knows it's teat , and keeps to that alone . take away the pigs she grows barren , leave her one only , she brings it well up . if you give acorns to a sow big with pig , you hazard the casting her farrow . swine hold antipathy with the elephant , who also cannot endure their grunting . a wolf also fears it , and dars not venture on an herd of them . salamanders they devour without danger . ointment of amaracus is bane to them . the weesel and they are foes . hemlock kills them . in scythia , scorpions dispatch them with one stroke . the horse abhors his filthy smell , ugly grunting , and filthy breath . they cast not their teeth ; but after eating new corn , their teeth are ever weak , nature so punisheth their otherwise untameable greedinesse . if they loose not their eyes , nor eat themselves dead , they live fifteen , some twenty years . the disease that most troubles them , is a swelling like hailstons , that lurks unseen while they live , but cut one up it shews it self ; nor is there scarce any without three at the least , whereto those are more liable , the flesh of whose thighs , neck and shoulders are moyst , we call them meazles . they cleave to the lower part of the tongue ; a hog is knowen to be meazled by the bristles plucked from the back , if the roots be bloody . if they come out of a hot into a cold place , and are suffered to ly down , if you stir them not , there is a kind of convulsion in all their members . they are also troubled with hog-lice ; and in summer , unlesse you often stir them , they are taken with a lethargy . they are troubled also with cough , sqincy , swellings and loosnesse ; unlesse they drink their fill , they become shortbreathed . they are most brutish , filthy , lustful , and greedy by nature ; and seem to have a soul only as salt to keep them from stinking . as bathing is mans delight , so wallowing in the myre is theirs . gryllus in plutarch praises their modesty and continence , and prefers them afore men and women . though they are ravenous , yet they will not eat a dead hog . their greedinesse is insatiable . they know mans voyce . they have been known to swim home again , having been stollen , and the ship cast away . their voice is grunting : and to say the truth with pliny , no creature yields more matter for gluttony to work on then it ; near fifty several savoury dishes may be made of swins-flesh . livy celebrats a feast of a chalciden-hoast set off with exquisite variety consisting hereof . homer tells of what value it was in the heroique-age of the world ; the servants fed on lean , the masters on fat pork . the solemnity of the saturnals was celebrated almost with no other , however no daintier food ; and their riot came to that height , that they set whole ones ( and those stuffed , ) on the table , whence came the names garden , and trojan-pork : one part rosted , another boyled , and killed after a peculiar fashion . the pigs are counted daintiest : yet the jews will not touch swins-flesh , it being forbidden by their law ; the arabians forbear it ; the mahumetans also , who feigne that mice breed in swins-snouts ; and the moors , tartars , and the pessinunty of old . but that of the delphaci is too moyst , and breeds raw humours . some kind is good of digestion , by reason of the similitude it hath with mans body , and nourisheth more then other food . how strengthning it is , the example of wrestlers shews that used to feed thereon ; it is not so grosse as beef . hippocrates condemns pork . the sow of a middle age is sweetest ; yonger , if it ly long in the stomack , corrupts . choyce ones come from cicilia . apicius drest pigs on sundry fashions , whence the names of farcil , liquaminous , rost , vitellian , flaccian , laureate , frontaninian , oenogerate , celsilian , and the rest . the liver is preferred afore all the rest , if the hog be fed with figs dryed . the ancients prized the neck , the gammon , the flitch , &c. of the flesh , and the rest are made sausages , puddings , &c. of all which elsewhere , god willing . of their medicinal use gesner treats most accuratly ; a decoction of their flesh helps against the poyson of the fly buprestis . the warm blood is good against warts smeared on , keeping them from growing . the grease of a male sucking pig gelt , that especially about the rim of the belly , is by apothecaries used in their oyntments , and by physitians to soften , and disperse humours . the bones broken , tied about bacon in boyling , makes it firme on a sudden . bruised with broom , it helps the pain in the knees . with chalk smeared on , it is good against wax-kernels . drunk in wine with salt on , it helps cattel that have eaten hemlock . the liver taken with wine , helps against the biting of any venemous thing ; rosted , it stops a loosnesse . the bladder provokes urine , if it have not touched the ground , laid on the privities . any thing about a boar burned , helps those who cannot hold their water . the stones kept long , and stamped in sows-milk , is good for the falling-sicknesse . the greatest bone of the gammon of a barrow-hog , burnt dries , and fastens the gums . the ankle burnt till of black it become white , easest the paine of the colon ; the milk smeard on the temples , makes drowsy . hog-dung made into a paste with vineger , is good for the bursten . see more in gesner . as for their different sorts , some are tame , some wilde . later writers mention guinee swine , and the sluviatil , and the tapierete ; the guinee-hog brought to brasil , is shaped as ours , but of a yellowish colour ; the head not so high as ours , the ears long , and sharp at top with long tips , the tayl reaching to the ankles without hair ; the rest of the body hairy , and sleek , and glistring , without bristles , even on the back , the hair longer toward the tayl , and on the neck . he is very gentle . the river-hog the brasilians call capybaria , is so big as ours of a year or two old , two foot long from the head to the dock , the belly a foot and half thick , he hath no tayl , his forefeet have foure hoofs , the hinder but three , the midlemost afore is longest , the fourth is least ; so behinde , the middlemost is longest , he hath a hard skin , even to his hoofe , his head is ten fingers long , and almost as many thick , very disproportionable , the mouth is also long , and thick , the eyes great and black , the ears small and round , the under-chap shorter then the upper , either hath two forefeet crooked that hang out , from their sockets a finger and half , and sticking in almost two fingers ; but the tuskes stick not out of the mouth , but are set as in hares . the other tuskes are strange , in each jaw stands eight bones , on each side foure , and each bone holds three teeth undivided , so that in each jaw stand teeth , in all , all plain at the ends ; they eat grasse , and divers sorts of fruit , they eat the flesh , though it have no good taste , the head is best . the brasilians call one kinde tapierete ; the lusitanians , anta ; he is fourefooted , as big as an heifer six months old , shaped like a hog , and so headed , onely thicker , and longer , and more copped ; his snout hangs over beyond the mouth , which by a strong sinew he can draw in , and thrust out , the snout hath long clefts , the lower part of the mouth is shorter then the upper , both jaws are pointed , or sharp afore ; he hath in all fourty teeth , grinders , and others . his eyes are small , as an hogs , his ears great and round , sticking forward , the thigs are thicker then a hogs , and as long ; in his forefeet are foure hoofs , in the hinder three , the middlemost greater then the rest , all black , and hollow , and may be plucked off : he hath no tayl , but in stead a bald stump : genitaled as a baboon ; goes with the back ridged as the capybara ; the skinne solid , as the elke , the hair short , in the younger coloured as a lightsome shadow , spotted with white ; in the oulder darkish without spots . he sleeps by day in shady thickets , night and morning he comes forth to feed . he can swim excellently . he feeds on grasse , sugarcanes , cole , &c. men eat his flesh , but it is not well tasted . article ii. of the wilde boare . the latines call him aper , &c. the greeks kapros , &c. they are for the most part black , or blackish . some brasse-coloured saith pliny . pausanias writes , that he hath seen white ones ; their eyes fierce , and staring . the tuskes great , turning up , sharp , and white . and , which is strange , while the beast lives , they have the keen force of iron , but pluck them out of him dead , they are thought to loose their keennesse . some tuskes are said to be so long , that they turne back into a ring . in india some have double bending tusks , a cubite long . gyllius relates , that , when he is mastered by the dogs , and spearmen , and falls , his tusks through his inflaming breath burnt as fire ; and if any pluck a bristle out of his neck , and hold it to his tusk , while hee breaths , it shall shrivell up , and scorch ; and if he touch but a dog with his tusk in hunting , it shall set a marke on him , as if he were branded . his mouth is like a shield , wherewith he withstands spear , and sword . he hath no gall . his blood hath no strings in it . pliny saith there are none in creet . some say , but mistake , that there are none in africa , nor in india . but they are by herds in islands in the nile in egypt . some say they are mute in macedon . the spaniards in west-indies have found some lesse then ours , with short tayls , that they thought they had been cut off ; not footed as ours , not cleft behind , but whole-hoofd ; the flesh much more savoury and wholesome then ours . neare the sea-shore there grow many palms , and marishy reeds , where many of them wander . lycotus , in calphurnius his husbandry , saith that among the roman shews he saw snow-white hairs , and horned wild boars . these wild feed as the tame swine on acorns , apples , barly , herbs , roots , and the rest . with their snouts they root also worms up . they long excessively after dry-figs . but they are of a more cleanly nature then the tame . they are found sometimes among ferne leaves , which themselves have gathered together , and spread to ly on . they avoid a kind of sharp-eared corn , that the germans use to feed on . when they would engender , their neck bristles start up , and stand as the crest of an helmet ; they fome at mouth , gnash with their tusks , and their breath is extreme hot : after , they abate of their fury ; being rejected they force , or wound the female . they couple in the beginning of winter ; bring forth at spring , seeking lonely , craggy , narrow , darksome places to litter in . they keepe company thirty dayes . the wild swine carry their pigs as long as the tame , and litter as many . they pig once a year ; the boar is a year old ere he genders . they grunt , and snuft as tame ; but the sow more , the boar is seldome heard . they haunt out-places , and those deep and steep . they are quicker of hearing then man is ; they herd together , but commonly with their own brood . their tears are sweet ; they foame when chafed with hunting , and it is cleaving . their urine is so troublesome to them , that unlesse they can water , they cannot fly , but are taken , as if they were tied ; some say it burnes them . they are hardly ever tamed , and you must begin from the first , while they are pigs . hemlock , and the root of syanchus kills them . if they chance they eat hemlock , they strait shrink up behind , and pine , and hasten to water , and eat crabs . they cure their diseases with ivy : they grow till they be four year old ; they are taken with , and by musick . in a borrough in tusculum they came together to their meat at the blowing of a trumpet . they know how to confound the hunters by their footsteps in marishes . the females , though many in a herd , fly with their pigs , if they see a hunter ; but if one of their pigs be hunted , they fly not , not though one be alone , but shee will rush on the huntsman , they whet their teeth ere they fight : though they in combate among themselves , yet if they spy wolves , they combine against the common foe , and hasten to help as soon as they heare the cry . fulvius hirpinus was the first of the gowndorder that had a parke for wild boares , and other wild ; and not long after l. lucullus , and q. hortensius imitated him . how savoury meat they are is well knowen . servilius rullus , father to that rullus , who in cicero his consulship proclaimed the field , or agrarian law , was the first roman who set a whole boar on his table at a feast . some such were a thousand pound weight , that the romans had to their suppers ; thence called milliary , from their weight . consult apicius about the manner of seasoning them . the flesh is much better then common porke , soon disgested , and very nourishing , begetting a thick , and glevy juice . heliogabalus for ten dayes together shewed on his table the paps of sowes that had newly farrowed , three hundred a day . on the day of lentulus his instalment , when he was made flamen , he had at his supper such pappes , and teats , with loyns , and heads of brawn . wild boares have also their place in phisick . the brain with the blood is commended as souverain against serpents , and carbuncles in the privities . bacon boiled , and bound about broken parts , suddenly , and strangely settles them ; heals men annoint with the fat of roses . the pouder of the cheek-bones heals spreading sores . the teeth shavings disperses the pleurisy . the lungs mixt with hony some put under their feet , when hurt by a strait shoos . the liver rayses from a lethargy , and helps mattery-ears if drop'd in . drunke in wine , fresh , and unsalted it stays a loosnesse . the small stones found therein poudered help the stone . the galle warme dissolves swellings ; the ashes of the hoof burnt sprinckled in drink provokes urine . the claws burnt , and bruised helps those that pisse abed . the dung dried , drunke in water , or wine , stanches blood ; eases an old pain of the side , taken in vineger helps ruptures , and convulsions , and parts out of joynt with a serecloath and oyl of roses . fresh and hot it is good against running of the nose . kneaded with wine , a plaster of it draws out what sticks in the body . poudered , and searsed , and kneaded with grasse-hony , it helps the joynts . men pour the pisse into mattery eares . the bladder boyled , and eaten helps those that cannot hold their water . see more in gesner . the indians have a wild boare of a strange nature on their mountains , they call koya metl , and by six other names , like ours , but lesse , and not so handsome , with the navell on the back , and about the reins , strange to behold , pinch it , and a watry humour gushes out ; yet it is properly no navel , but a kind of soft grisly fat , and under is nothing but as in other beasts , as is well known by the dissecting of him . some thinke that he breaths that way . he is noysome ; he gnashes with his tusks horridly , and is leaner and slenderer then ours . he is fierce . the huntsmen climbe trees ; a herd of these zaini bite at , and teare the body of the tree , not being able to come at the men , who from above wound them with bore-spears . they go in herds , and choose a leader , and as men report , the least , and vilest of the herd , old , and feeble , nor part they company till he be slain , they will dy ere they forsake him . some ascribe the like to the bachirae . they abhor the tiger . the captain of the zaini calls of his kind more then three hundred together , and conducts them , as a generall his forces ; with these he sets on the tiger , who , though the fiercest of all american wild beasts , is yet overmastered by multitude , but not with a great destruction of the zaini ; many of whom have been found lying dead with the tigre , and but a few left to ring their knell . hee bites shrewdly , when first taken ; but when tamed , men take pleasure in him . his flesh is like porke , or brawn , but tougher , and not so sweet ; his bristles are sharp , and party-cloured , black and white . he feeds on acorns , roots , and other mountain-fruit , and also on worms , and such vermine as are bred in moyst-fenny places . their toes are some longer then other , their tayls are short , and their feet unlike those of ours , one of their hinder-feet having no claw . the flesh of the indian wild bores is moyster , and wholesomer then ours ; but unlesse the navell of the zainies be pared off , they putrifie in one day . wee give you the picture of him , with the jajacu kaaigora , of the marckgrave . ampliss . de laet , had one very tame , but died with eating moyst feed , as it seemed . valckenburg calls that navell an udder , but hee mistakes ; since it is well known that the young suck not at that part . title ii. of the vvater-cloven-hoofed beasts . chap. i. of the hippotame , or river-horse . following aristotle , hether i refer the river-horse ; though others , and perhaps more properly , to another head . hee is called an horse , not from his shape , but his greatnesse . hee is stiled the horse of nile , and the sea-ox , and the sea-hog , that afore resembles an ox , in the rest of the body , a swine ; called a sea-elephant , from his vastnesse , and the whitenesse , and hardnesse of his teeth ; and the elephant of egypt , the rosmarus , the rohart , the gomarus , in pretebans country . writers differ in describing him . some say that hee is five cubites high , and hath ox-hoofs , three teeth sticking out each side of his mouth , greater out then any other beasts , eared , tayled , and neighing like the horse , in the rest like the elephant ; he hath a mane , a snout turning up , in his inwards not unlike an horse , or asse , without hair ; taken by boats . bellonius saw a small one at byzantium , cow-headed , beardard , short , and roundish , wider jaw'd then a lion , wilde nostrills , broad lips turning up , sharp teeth as a horse , the eyes and tong very great , his neck short , tayled like a hog , swag-bellied like a sow ; his feet so short , that they are scant foure fingers high from the ground . but fabius columna describes him most accurately from the carcasse of one , preserved in salt , brought by a chirurgion called nicholas zerenghus from damiata into italy ; hee saith , that he was liker an ox then a horse , and about that size , leg'd like a bear , thirteen foot long from head to tayl , foure foot and an half broad , three foot & an half high , squat-bellied , his legs three foot and an half long , and three foot round ; his foot a foot broad , the hoofs each three inches , groutheaded , two foot and an half broad , three foot long , seven foot about in compasse , his mouth a foot wide , snout-fleshy and turning up , litle-eyed , each an inch wide , and two long , the ears about three ; the bulke thick , the foot broad , parted into foure toes , the ankle hard of flesh , tayled like a tortoys : skin thick , tough , black . the nostrils like an s , snouted as a lion , or cat , with some stragling hairs , nor are any more in the whole body , in the under-chap , thwart half a foot long , &c. like a boar-tusks , not sticking out , but plainly seene , the mouth opening , &c. on each side seven cheek-teeth , thick , broad , and very short . in the upper-chap , which he moves like a crocodile , wherewith hee chews , stand six fore-teeth , aptly answering those beneath , &c. the teeth are hard as a flint , and will strike fire , so that by night rubbing his teeth , he seems to vomit fire . his proper place is said to be saiticae in egypt . there are of them also in the river niger , and in the sea that washes petzora . barbosa hath seen many in gofala . he observed many there comming forth of the sea into the pasture-grounds , and returning again : they feed also on ripe corn , and yellow-ears . when he is grown up , he begins to try his strength with his sire , if he can master him , hee then proves his masteries with the dam , and leaves his sire ; if he offer to resist , he kills him . they bring forth young on the dry land , and there brings them up : they are so fruitful , that they teeme every year . he comes out of nilus into the fields , and having filled his belly with corn , he returns backwards , that the husbandmen may not surprize him , or by his averse footing to amuse the hunts-men ; since he is as harmful as the crocodile . he being overburdened with his own grosse bulk , he rubs himself against the canes , till he hath opened a vein , and having bled enough , he stops the vein with mud : whether he neigh , or no , is disputed . the ethiops eat him . about the promontory cabo lopez in guinee a schipper of the hage and his mates saw it ; and in the town ulibet they saw many of their heads , wherein were teeth of a wonderfull bignesse . one firmius seleucius eat an hippotame . they are also medicinable ; the egyptians use the teeth against emrods , shut or open , tying them on , or wearing a ring made thereof . the blackmoors use it also as a preservative against a certain disease . pliny extolls those teeth for a speciall remedy for toot-ache ; and the fat against a raging fever . the ashes of the skin with water smeared , dissolves waxen-kernels . the skin of the forehead slakes lust : the stones dryed , is good against the bite of a serpent : the parts as otherwise also useful . pausanius saith , that the face of his mother dindymena was formed of the hippotames teeth . pliny saith , that the painters use the blood dissolv'd in gum-water instead of red-lead . they that are besmeared with the fat , may safely go among crocodiles . some say , that they who are covered with the skin , are thunder free . pliny saith , that the hide , especially about the back is so thick , that therewith strong spears may be shaped , and shaved by the turner . the naturall history of the fourfooted beasts . the third booke . of the clovenfooted , fourfooted beasts . the first title . of the wild beasts with paws that bring their young alive into the vvorld . chapter i. of the lyon. thus far of the hoofed beasts , the four-footed follow that have paws , and toes : these are either such as bear a livingbrood , or such as lay egges . the former are either wild , and never wholly tameable ; or those that may be tamed , at least in some measure . among the former are reckoned the lyon , the leopard , the ounce , the tiger , the bear , and the wolfe . we begin with the lyon , whose name in latine is leo , in gr. leoon seems to be derived from laoo , to see by reason of the rigour of his sight . the young are called whelps . of the numidian bear , or lyon , see pliny and lipsius . his head is of a middle size , his forehead square , lofty of brow , and toward the nose like a cloud ; the eyes not hollow , nor goggle ; his nose not great , his gape , as a sheeps , wide ; lips thin ; his upper , and lower jaw alike , stif and great necked , and reasonable thick , strong of breast ; the part of the back against the heart broad , slender flankled , thighs stout , and sinewy ; the hair yellow , not much curling . the forefeet are parted by five toes , the hinder by four . the lyonesse is differenced from the lyon , by the smoothnesse of her neck and shoulders , the male having there a thick hair , mane , as also by two teats in the midst of their belly , whence we are not to argue the number of whelps . she hath little milk , so that the whelp must have other food , but little serves the turn . as for the inward parts , the lyon hath exceeding strong temple-muscles , that enable him to bite so hard ; his tongue is sharp , and rough ; his bowels are like a dogs ; his milt is black ; his neck consists of one bone , but made up of many turning joynts ; his bones have little , or no marrow in them , which even melts away . the inward passages are so narrow , that one would think there were none . lyons grow up in europe between the rivers achelous and nessus , but seldome breed in europe , but in mooreland , parthia , massylia , india , marmarica , caspia , lybia , getulia , syria , ( where are black ones , if we credit pliny ) and in tartaria , saith paul venetus . in caragol the countrey-men for fear of them are fain to arm themselves , when they till their land . in the wildernesse of angad by telessin , they prey on herds of cattell , and on men . and by feez , many that make char-cole in the woods , are devoured by them . they are in the kingdome of senega , on a high mountain near aden ; and in the holy land , and elsewhere . martyr saith , that in coba they are harmelesse ; aelian saith that agla , and the adjacent parts , breed lyons so timerous , that they are grown into a proverb . they are of a most hot and dry complection that proceeds from the extreme heat of the heart . hotter in the foreparts then the hinder . nor are all alike fierce , as the mountain lion is not so fierce as others . they feed on beef most , but hunger makes them prey on camels , mans and birds flesh . therefore many in africa were seen by polybius & aemilian to be crucified , that the rest might by that sight be frighted from killing of men ; many things they devoure whole without tearing , which within two , or three dayes they perfectly disgest . it is not certain that they will feed on carcasses . it is thought that they refrain either because of the stinke , or in pride . some say , that having eaten their fill , they hide the reliques , and breath thereon , that other wild lighting thereon may not eat them . they venter on young elephants , but if the dam come , they fly . a whelp will forsake the teat , and prey on weaker cattell , and feed also on palms . he is sparing in drinking ; he can refrain three dayes , especially in summer ; in winter he drinks more . they couple averse , as all other beasts that pisse backward , and commonly in spring-time , when they fight cruelly , eight , or twelve following one lionesse . the first of the year being past , in hot weather , the males forbearing , the lionesses couple with pards , whence come leopards ; and with panthers , whence comes a brood without mane , & with hyaenaes , whence the crocuta , and sometime with the dog . they alone among all four-footed crooked clawed beasts bring forth their yong seing , whence called sun-beasts . they whelp within six months an imperfect brood ; not that the yong tear their passage , but for want of nourishment , some say they are whelped no bigger then a weesell ; seldome above one at once , sometimes six . there have been eight found in a lionesse taken and killed . at florence an old one beyond all expectation whelped six . in syria the lionesses bear five times , first five , then four , then three , then two , then one . he loves a dolphin , both of them , when old , and diseased devoure an ape to help them . he hates a womans secrets , on the sight whereof he runs away . he cannot abide a bristled sow , nor a wolfe , nor a wild asse , nor a bull , nor an ape . if he but tast of the herb leontophonus , he dies , so strong it is . some count it a beast . the greeks of old were so confident that the lion feared the crowing of a cock , that they thought verily , that by sacrificing cocks , they called cecrop's soule forth , which they beleeved was transmigrated into a lion. some conceive that the red , glistring sparkling cocks-comb frights him . camerarius knew the contrary , who relates that in the duke of bavariaes court a lion by strange leaps got into a neighbours yard , and devoured both cocks , and hens . in africa the gnats drive them away . he will not touch a man rubd over with garlick ; or is taken with a heavinesse if he unawares tread on the leans of scilla , or seaonion , or of the ilex . the creaking of wheels frights him . a bright table-cloath drives him away . he abhors fire , and dares not come neare it . they are thought to be long-lived . some have been taken without teeth , and some with perished knags . the lionesse big with young will fight with the males that would couple with her : they are said to look downwards , that the hunting spears may not amate them . they sleep in the open aire , and with the eyes open , because their eyes are so great that the lids kan hardly cover them ; and while they sleep they wag their tayl , that they may seeme awake . their voyce is roaring ; the latines expresse it by divers words . as for their nature , one african lionesse set on two hundred horsemen , having received her deaths wound , and would not leave her whelps . they cannot endure to be scorned ; the wantonnesse of the apes playing vexes them . he goes alone to hunt his prey . he looks you in the face , and fears not . his generousnesse appears in danger , when he despises weapons ; slights dogs and hunters makes a stand in the open field , when pursued ; if he enter a thicket , he rusheth through with a disdaign that he should take covert . he pursues his prey leaping , but walks away when hunted . he observes who wounds him , & singles him out in a troop , and sets on him ; he will make him sure , who aims at him , and misses ; as one did to a yong man in iubaes army . one hurt with an arrow by a passerby , revenged it a year after , tearing the same man , lighting on him againe amidst a troop of men . another endeavoured to pearce a lion with a lance , and missing the lion , griped with his paw his helmet , which saved his head ; while they walk they withdraw their claws , that they may not be blunted . they go not strait on , but sideling , shifting their steps to amuse the chasers . no doubt but they may be tamed . onomarchus , king of catana had them for his familiars . one used to sit like a dogge by the side of john ii. of portugall . in adonis temple in elimeae , they fawned on all that entred . berenice her lion licked her face . one converts with a ram , as if they had forgot their natures . marcus anthony at rome coupled them to draw a chariot , hee was the first that did so , and it seemed ominous , that in civill warre , when the phatsalicks field was fought , that generous spirits should be subdued to the yoake ; and it was a monstrous show above those monstrous calamities , that hee should then ride so in state with his mimed citheris . hanuo that famous carthaginian , was the first who durst familiarly handle a lion , which rendered him more suspected both of craft , and cruelty . there are examples also extant of their gentlenesse exprest to diverse , who have met them by chance . mentor of syracuse , lighting on one in syria , was astonished , and would have fled , but the lion met him at every turne , fawned on him , and licked his footsteps ; at length hee spied a swelling , and wound , and a thorn , whereof hee eased him . which is kept in memory in a picture at syracuse . also elpis a samian arriving in africa by the shore-side , a lion came with open mouth , hee clomb a tree , calls on father bacchus , having no hope but in prayer ; the lion left him not , but seemed to crave his pitty and ayd , having a bone sticking in his teeth , that put him him to excessive pain , and drew lamentable cries from him ; the man tooke heart , come downe , pluckt the bone out , and they said , that in gratitude the lion hunted , and brought prey to that man , so long as the ship rode there . the story of androdus also is well knowen , the roman slave , and the lion. seneca also was eye-witnesse of a lion , that in the amphitheater owned a man , destined to dy there , and protected him from the assault of other wilde beasts . the lion alone among all savage beasts , is gentle to suppliants ; sparing those that ly prostrate at his mercy . hee will assault men first , and spare women ; and unlesse hee be very hungry , hee will not meddle with infants . in lybia they beleeve , that they understand requests . a getulian captivessed is said to have escaped the fury of many lions , by pleading thus for her self ; alack , i am a silly woman , banished , weak , and a petitioner to the noblest , and most generous of beasts , that rulest the rest ; thou canst have no honour in such a worthles prey . it used to be an hard task to take lions ; the common way was in pits . a getulian shepheard mastered a lion , by casting his coat on his head ; which was also shewen in a theatre , where a lion being so muffled , was ridiculously and incredibly bound , without making any resistance . it seemes all lies in the eye . there have been of old cannibals , that would eat lions-flesh , all but the milt . in physick they are of admirable use . the dogge-tooth helps children in breeding their second teeth without pain , being tied about the neck . the heart bruised to powder , is good against the falling-sicknesse , and quartain fevers . the fat washt , put into the ears , cures their maladies , and smeared on parts frozen , happily helps them ; they use the same for hard swellings in the skin , and kibes . it is said that those that are nointed over therewith , may walke safely among other wilde beasts ; and ( if you will beleeve it ) come in favour with princes . the flesh is commended by sextus , for driving away feare , and phantasies . the blood helps the cancer . the pouder of the bones with agrimony-water , helps a fever . sitting in the skin , eases the emrods . shoes thereof , ease the gout . the dung with oyl of roses , is good face-phisick . wee need not to say much of their use in recreations , plays , triumphs , and punishments . heliogabalus delighted in them , when they disarmed of their claws , and taught them to sit at table . augustus made them so tame , that they harmlesly played with hares . bellonius writes that hee hath been an eye-witnesse thereof . at constantinople , when q. scaevola was aedile , hee in his shews presented diverse lion-fights . l. scylla , who was afterwards dictator , in his praetorship made a shew of an hundred male lions . after him pompey in the circk shewed dc , whereof had thick manes . caesar the dictator , . there are many differences about them among writers . the lions chiefe honour is in his hairy shoulders , and neck , which right bred lions in time grow too , but mungrells want . and the manes also differ , some are longer , and more curled then others . some are much fiercer then others . in africa , and among the abyssines there are yellow as gold , white , and black ones . in lybia party-coloured ones , with red mouths , and black and blew spots like flowers . in west-indies they incline to ash-colour . those of america are not so vigorous . in puma in peru are none so great as those in africk ; they are more timerous , and harmlesse , if you let them alone , degenerate , dusky rather then yellow . the indians meet by troups , and hunt them , and kill them with stones and clubs . the barbarians climb trees , and thence gall them with their spears , and arrows , they make merry with the flesh , and feast on it ; reserving the fat for medicines , and with the bones they sport , and daunced . a spanjard having taken a tree , kept of an huge lionesse , having pearced her through with foure arrows , in her belly were found two tiger mungrell-whelps , as appeared by the spots . hollanders have eaten of sea-lions . there are other wild beasts that come somewhat near a lion , as the mitili , not hairy as our lion , but a kin to him , whelped duskish , after grows yellow , sometimes red , and whitish , bigger then the common lion , ( which may be from the nature of the region ) and not so fierce . there is the quamitzli , hee is tamer , and nimbler then the lion ; some spanjards tooke him for the panther . then the macamitzli , taking name from the hart , and lion ; and the cuitlamitzi , so called from the lion and wolf , thicker , but gentler , and lesse then the lion ; hee lives by hunting-deere , and crotales ; and when full , hee yet kills any harmfull creature ; when he hath filled his belly , hee sleeps two , or three dayes , till he is hungry again . then the tlalmitzli , lesse then a cat , but faced like a lion , his looke and fiercenesse seeme strange in so small a body . there is the cacamitzli , like the lion and cat , living among the bulrushes , hee is but foure spans long , small , yellow-haired , but long , small-eared , headed like a swan , long and rough-tayled ; so fierce , that hee sometimes dare set on a stag. in mexico , mixtli , signifies both cat , and lion , whence that beast hath his name . he lives also among the pannicenses . some of these kinds it may be are reducible to the baboons , or bavians . chapter ii. of the libard , or leopard . called pardus from ardoo , to be sprinkle ; or arbaloe , to defile . leopard , pordalis , the male ; the shee , pardalis , some say , panther ; ( yet to be distinguisht from that beast that resembles a spotted wolf ) called panther , from his being endued with all kinds of savagenes , never to be tamed ; or , because hee seems to be adorned with the colours of all kinds of wilde beasts , called thronon , from his spottednes ; small-faced he is , wide mouthed , his eyes litle whitish , and wandring ; forehead long , ears round , neck long , and slender , his breast hath small ribs , long-back'd , buttocks , and thighs fleshy , belly-squat , colour divers , his whole body unproportionable . having foure paps in the midst of the belly , five toes on the fore , and foure on the hinder-feet . his eyes glister more in the darke then any beasts ; but dull in the sun. his skin is enameld with black in white , and gold in darke colour . in hircania are many painted with small round yellow , blew , white spots like eyes , and some like increasing moones . as for the inward parts , hee hath a tongue like a gutter-tile , exceeding sharp teeth , and claws , an heart great in comparison , with beasts of his bulk , litle fat , it being spent by his excessive heat , his bones are somewhat thick . there are none of them in europe ; in africk many ; there being but few waters , many wilde beasts meet at the same watring-places to drinke , where they couple promiscuously ; whence the proverb , that africa sends dayly novelties into the world . they live also in asia , pamphylia , aboundes with them , and the province of comerus , and the kingdome of bengala , and mount caucasus , the sent of whose odoriferous herbs invites them thither . salomons song intimates that there are many in mount hermon , which the amorrhaeans call sanir . their food is most dogs-flesh , and lambs , and apes , whom they take by faining themselves dead ; then the apes drawen by the sent , come of themselves , and are surprised . they assault men also . they couple oft with the lion , sometimes with the dog , and with the wolf ; they whelp more then one at a birth , as appears by their many paps . isidore fables ( orig. l. . c. . ) that the whelps prevent the season , and through impatience tare their passage out of the dames belly . they hate mankinde so deadly , that it is said , they will teare the very picture of a man. some say , the sight of a mans skull makes them runne away . some conceive that it is the face that hee most abhorreth ; for the king of france his beast-keeper , being sent to hunt them , could take none without turning his backe towards them . the like enmity he holds with the cock , and serpents , so that hee will not touch one that is anointed with cock-broth . nor will serpents hurt one in a leopards skin . some say , hee will not come near a wall , rub'd over with garlick . there is such an enmity between him , and the hyaena , that , if their two skins hang together , the leopards hair falls off . those in the hilly-part of armenia , are much taken with the tears of storax , destilling from the tree , the sent whereof the wind brings them . his voyce is roaring . he walkes as the lion , withdrawing his claws , and runs aside to amuse hunters ; onely for prey hee stretches out his claws . in sent hee excells all beasts , but the civet , and mush-cat . he hath wiles , when hee waxes old , to inveagle beasts to come to him , and then preys upon them . by his sent hee invites them ; and no wonder , for wee see dogs diverted from their chase by sents . as for their nature , if they aile any thing ( as they are sometimes distempered , and mad , or have eaten the herb pardalianche ) they betake themselves to wilde goats-blood , or many ordured ; they ever lead their whelps , and defend them to the death . they after whelping keep their den , and the male provides food . they seldome are wholly tamed . after the death of a king of france ( francis ) the kings leopards got loose , a male , and female , and tare very many about orleans ; and there were womens carcasses found , whose breasts only they had devoured . but it is memorable that is reported , of a leopard lying by the way , and seeing the father of one philinus a philosopher , came to him ; he affrighted steped back ; shee fawned on him , seeming to make great moane , shee pulled him gently by his coat , inviting him to follow her , he did so ; shee led him to a pit , into which her whelps were fallen , he helped them out ; shee jocund attends him with her whelps , till he came to the borders of the wildernese ; and after her fashion exprest her gratitude towards him ; which in man is rarely found . read also in aelian of the kid that a leopard would not touch dead , because alive it had been his play-fellow . savages use to feed on them , as they between caucasus , and the river cophena . in india also , where they seeth them twice , the better to disgest them . they are also of use in physick , as the brain with the juice of rocket . the right testicle helps womens terms , saith cardan . the blood helps swoln veins ; the fat sleeks the skin . the moors use the skin for cloathing ; the ethiops for armour . they were of old presented in the cirk at rome . scaurus shewed fifty of them . after , pompey shewed four hundred and ten ; augustus four hundred and twenty . some make three kinds of them , the panther , the pard , and the leopard ; some four , panthers pard , the leopard without mane , sprung from a pard , and a lionesse ; and the spotted one , the issue of a pantheresse , and a lion . some call the males variae , and pards , as those in africk and syria . some difference them only by colour , and brightnesse . there was an order of senate , that transporting them out of africk into italy ; but cneius auffidius the tribune for all that allowed it to gratifie the people in the cirk-shews . perhaps we may aptly refer hether the beast , that the spaniards call dazypodes ; and the indians theotochtli ; he is about the bignesse of a tumbler , round , low , thick , small-eared , lion , or cat faced , with lively eyes , and red circles , thick thighed , crooked claws , duskish hair about the neck , white about the belly , the rest of the body ash-coloured , everywhere black spotted , the muzzle , and tayl short , the tongue rough , rather grumbling then roaring , and of incredible swiftnesse . he lives on the tetrocamian hills ; hunts deere , and other beasts of that bulke , and sometimes men . the tongue is so venomous , that a lick on the ey of his prey , blinds , and kills it . he covers the carcasses of the slain with herbs , hay , and greensward ; then climbs the next trees and houles ; when the beast within hearing , by instinct of nature , come at the call , hastning as to a feast , and fill themselves together with the provided prey : then the tocotochtli comes down for his share , and not afore knowing that should he eat first , all the guest beasts should be poysoned . so civill , charitable , and providently kind is he to the rest . none , but can profit others , if he will. we stand not so much in need of power , and riches , as of a good heart to do good . most rich are unprofitable it were well , if they were not mischievous ; but all that are benevolent can in some degree be beneficient . love is ever liberall . chapter iii. of the lynx , or lyzard . this wild beast hath his name lynx , from lykes , light ; he being the most quick-sighted of all creatures ; called also a deer-wolfe , not from his shape , but his greedinesse , and preying on deere . it is not the thois , as we shall see hereafter . i question whether it be the chaus or no , that the french call the raphius . pompey shewed one in his plays , faced like a wolfe , and spotted like the pard . he is smallheaded , his eyes glister , his face cheerfull , hath teats on the breast . the spots are more distinct , and round on the hee . the skin from the nose-tip to the tayl is three foot , four inches long ; the tayl seven inches long ; the neck-skin , half a foot , the back-skin fifteen inches about , the thighs afore fourteen , and the hinder twelve inches . the hair soft , and downy , the back hair tips bright , the belly middle white , but varied with black spots , most , near the belly on the sides ; the ears little , and triangular , and round black and shaggy , a few white hairs intermixt ; the beard like the cats , with white bristles , the feet very shaggy ; the forefeet having five , the hinder four toes ; the tayl blackish at the end , of the same thicknesse everywhere ; the temples hath weak muscles ; the skull three futures , or seams , armed with twenty teeth , whereof twelve are fore-teeth , but the first , and sixt both of the upper , and lower jaw , are lesser then the middlemost , as we observe in weazles , four dog-teeth longer then the rest , ten grinders , four in the upper-jaw on each side ; the first next the dog-teeth of a trigon figure , the last parted and broad , ; six in the under-jaw , the second shaped like a lily ; the third broader and greater , cloven in the midst , sharp-pointed . the lower jaw is little , because hanging , and not so employed in chewing . the foot armed with sharp , clear claws covered with a thin skin , like those of the eagle , and vulter ; the under part hard-skinned . they are found in the eastern parts , thence brought into europa ; also in the mountains of america . those in lithuania are black , and marked on the back with handsome spots . they are also in poland , muscovy , swethland by helsing ; they call them rattluchs . also in wittemberg , where one set on a countreyman , who knocked him down with his bill . they feed on flesh , especially of wild cats , whose flesh is sweeter . they love also beasts brains , and lurk on trees , and catch at beasts as they passe by , fastning their clawes on their necks , and hold them till they tear them , and eat their brains . some say they wound not , but only suck the blood out . in scandinia are few beasts that they prey not on . they engender as dogs and bitches , and as hares admit of superfaotation . they bring at birth two , three or four . no beast is so sharp-sighted ; whence it is fabled that they can see through a solid body . they are so swift of foot , they run headlong . pliny saith their pisse congeals into gems like carbuncles , sparkling like fire , called lyncurium , like a kind of amber . they themselves know it , and as out of envy , bury their urine , which hardens it the sooner . some say it , and some deny it : some grant it to be an amber , and that it will draw and take up fethers ; but count the other relations frivolous . they are so forgetfull , that if they spy another prey , they forget what is afore them ; but that is rather their overgreedines . in summer they cast their hair , but are shaggy in winter ; which odonus affirmes of all shaggy beasts . lucan saith that their bowells are as venemous as the fome of a mad dog. they are of some reasonable use in physick . evonymus mingles saxifradge with the blood against the stone . wekerus makes an oyntment of the fat for the same grief . crollius makes salt of the stone , and crabs eyes . the claw of the greater toe of the right foot , shut in silver , and worn , helps convulsions . in the isle carpathus , the claws , and hide , and drinke the ashes against running of the reins ; and sprinkle them on the body to cure itch ; and their pisse is good against bear-pissing , and sore throats . a skin was sold at bononia for . pound , some are greater , and some lesser . in italy they shew two kinds of skins ; a larger , and inclining to white , thought to belong to the deer-wolfe ; and a lesser , yellowish , which some think to be the cat-pards . chapter iv. of the tyger . the name of this beast is imposed by the medes from his swiftnesse , they calling an arrow tigris . some say he is of the bignesse of a dog ; nearchus , of a horse . there hath been a skin seen five foot long . he hath fiery glistering eyes , a short neck , as other beasts that feed not on grasse ; his clawes crooked , teeth keen , feet cloven . there is great store of them in the east , and south , in india within ganges , and hyphasis ; on mount caucasus , by the besi●gi near the peninulei ; in java , where the fear of them makes lesse gum benjuin ; also in bengala , and the hill of peru , and ever in taprobana . they prey on , and devour all kind of living creatures ; they are oft too hard for elephants ; they draw mules away by the legs , as also sheep , oxen , dogs , &c. which they tare ; not sparing men , but they love kids-flesh best . so greedy they are , that if they see but blood , they devour the whole body . because no males are ever taken , some fancy they are all female , and engender by the wind , because of their fleetnesse . they couple averse , and whelp many at a birth . they lust also after bitches , which men ty in woods which they haunt ; these they either tare , or couple with . the first and second brood from this commixture , the indians think too fierce ; the third they bring up . linschot relates , that in west-indies they do the spaniards no hurt , but infest the natives ; that in bamba they will not touch white men , but assault the blacks ; yea , if they find a black and white man sleep together , they spare the one , and fasten on the other . they are enraged at the sight of an elephant ; the sent of ox-dung drives them away ; the noyse of a drum mads them , so that they wound themselves . their voyce is called rancatus , a kind of roaring ; they change it , and guash the teeth when enraged . they are of an admirable fleetnesse ; the young ones are taken , and fresh horses are layd to carry them away , because the dam finding her den empty , her welps gone , hastens headlong by the sent after them , ( for the hee regards not the brood . ) he that seazed the young upon the approach of the dam , casts away one of them , ( for they bring many at one whelping ) that she snatches up in her mouth , and hids back with it to her den ; then hastens in chase after the rest , and they being shiped , she raves , and complains on the shore . this is the opinion of the ancients , but the modern report the contrary ; that the tiger is heavy-paced , that a man ( much more other wild ) can out-runne them ; that the boor , wild bull , deer , senting them , run away , and escape their clutches ; wherefore the tigers lurk in sedgy places , among reeds , and with a side-leap surprise beasts , as a cat mice and dor-mice : so also they seaze on men ; and if with over-greedy hast they misse their prey , and leap wrong , they retire softly , roaring ; and finding themselves detected , they go away . this i have out of bontius , who being dead , it is sad to think how many exotick rarities about plants , and beasts died with him . the tigresse is very fond of her whelps ; wherefore upon sight of a man , she forthwith removes them ; and if they be taken away , she cruelly rages at whatever comes in her way , and dies mad . now , though they are for the most part untameable , yet they have been tamed , and obeyed a whip , & their keepers have dared to kisse them . augustus , q. tubero , and fabius maximus being consuls , first shewed a tame tiger in a cage at rome at the dedication of marcellus his theater . claudius also shewed four : under gordian ten were seen at rome : at aurelians triumph four . heliogabalus yoakd them together in a chariot . yet they never lay their fiercenesse so aside , but that they start out , and shew their savagenesse , when we least think of it . when they have been led to be seen , men have surrounded them with bells , to warn the beholders from being surprized by them . sometimes chains cannot hold them . men must stupify them with juice of mandragora , and opium to prevent doing harm , when led along the streets . the indians ate their hind-parts , and consecrated their fore-parts to phoebus , holding them up toward the rising-sun , but ate them not . the congitani ate all , but the parts under the arm-pits , or mustachio , because whosoever did eat them ran mad ; wherefore it was ordered by edict that none should be allowed to sell the skins without those parts . ledesina the spaniard thinks the flesh so good as beef ; the cerebrarians wear the teeth into garlands , and think the wearing makes them couragious . some count the manticora a tiger , that hath three rowes of teeth , and hairs in his tail as sharp as darts . among the prasy are said to be tigers twice as big as lyons ; they differ in fiercenesse , and shape , and bulk . the lesser sort the indians call tilaco-ocelotl , or little tigers , marked with black , and dusky spots , and not pale , and bright as others commonly are . the perunians call them ururuncu , as bears aboronocus : they are fiercer then lyons , and are greedy after indians , seeking them in their houses , and cottages ; and if they keep not their doors shut , then slink in , and snatch an indian away in their mouth , as a cat would a mouse . nor can men take sanctuary in trees , for they climb them , and fetch men down , and rend them to pieces . in the expedition of fedreman , a tiger assaulted a troop of souldiers , and in the midst of them tare a spaniard , and three indians , and escaped away unhurt : yet swadle them about the reins with a stick , you cool their courage , and master them ; there is no other way . the indians dread no beast more , and even worship it . the devil very oft confers with them in the shape of a tiger : their claws are thought venemous , and the wound they make incurable . the barbarians reverence , nay dread this beast lesse , since the gospel came amongst them . they are taken in nets , and in some places in traps . in bengala are the fiercest found , and implacably revengeful . one hath followed along the shore-side thirty mile a ship , wherein any have been embarqued who wronged her . cruel to all they meet , man or beast : nature yeilds some prevention to this mischief . a little beast ever accompanies the tiger , and by constant barking discovers where he is ; and both men and beasts take the warning , and hide themselves , or run away . they are most greedy after mans-flesh , especially the black-moors , and know their ships , chasing them twenty leagues together , watching if any come ashore , to devour him . by night they leap into ships , and surprize , and destroy the mariners . to give a memorable example of what hapened to one of our men , while we were trading in bengala . a certain moor , a servant dreamed that a tiger snatched him away ; the night after he hid himself in the prow of the ship ; being asked the cause , he told his dream , which the some night was verified ; for all being asleep , a tiger leaps aboard , touches not any else , though thirty lay asleep in the ship , but seazes the wretched moor. the lot of another was luckier , as divine providence ordered it ; hee being ashore , not far from the ship , a tiger assaults him behinde , and a crocodile out of a river afore ; the tiger , to prevent his foe , and bear away his prey , for overhast , runs quite beyond the man , and running against the ships-side , falls into the crocodiles jaws , and so the man escaped . it cannot be said how those of bengala , dread the tigers rage ; whence they call him by sundry names , fearing , that , if they should call him by his owne name , they might be torne in pieces . in brasil there are multitudes of them , and those hungry , ravenous , dreadfull , and swift , and very strong . but once full fed , they are said to be so sluggish , that common curres can drive them away . gluttony destroy not mankind alone . in new spain they lurke in trees by rivers-sides , watching the crocodiles , and leap down , and surprize , and kill them . time was , when darien was as much pestered by tigers , as nemaea with lions , and calidonia with wilde boares . in six month there passed not one night free ; wherein a heyfer , horse , dog , or hog , was not devoured in the town-wayes ; their herds , and flocks were wasted , not a man could with safety step forth a doores ; especially when the tigresses had whelps , when hunger forced them to sease man , and beast . at length necessity put the natives on this invention , to revenge , and save the blood of them , and theirs ; they observed strictly the tigers track from their dens , and digged a ditch , cast up light earth , covered it with hurdles , fastened sharp stakes at the bottome ; there came a hee-tiger , hee fell in , stuck fast on the stakes ; the indians threw down great stones on him , and dispatched him in the pit , they cast many darts at him , which with his right paw hee shattered into a thousand pieces , and chips . if when half dead , and bloodlesse , hee bred such a terrour in the beholders , how dreadfull , think wee , was hee when loose ? one john ledesina , a spanjard , who was present at the busines , reports , that hee ate his share of that tiger , and that it tasted as well as beef . ask them , who never saw a tiger , how they know one , they tell you , by the spots , fiercenesse , nimblenesse . when many have seen leopards , panthers , ounces so marked also ; the male-tiger dead , they traced his footsteps to his den , where female also dwelt ; shee absent , they tooke away two sucking whelps ; changing their mind , and that they might send them to spain , when bigger , they fitted iron-chains carefully to their necks , and left them there to the dames nursery . a few dayes after returning to the den , they found them not , supposing that the dame in a rage had torne them in pieces , and taken them away , that no man might have them ; for they affirme , that they could not possibly be tame , alive out of the chains . the skin of the male was stuffed with dry herbs , and sent to admirantus , and the governers of hispaniola . see more of this subject in nieremberg , and marckg. h. b. l. . c. . chap. v. of the beare . the latines call this beast ursus , from urgeo , to force , or dirve , or urge , as they doe their prey , till it fall afore them ; or from orsus , because they lick their cubs into shape , &c. the greeks ark●os , from arkoo , to drive , or arkeomai , because hee passest the winter without eating . his body is grosse , and unwieldy , and ( some say ) ever waxing ; some have been found five cubits long , and as broad , beyond any ox-hide ; and such a one was presented to maximilian the emperour , at the baths of baden . the skin is thick , and shaggy , the teeth hidden : the mouth long , eyes quick , the feet like hands , his chief strength lies in his arms , and loyns ; sometimes they stand on their hindfeet , their tayl is short , having foure paps , a large stomack , and gut ; when taken in their dens in winter , sleeping , and being unbowdled , their stomack is empty , and clinged together . galen observes sinews in them , so turning , as in any other beasts are hardly seen . their heads seemes weake , especially afore , ( which in a lion is strongest ) therefore falling down in any precipice , they tumble down with their arms , covering their head . while they keep in their coverts , small drops of blood are onely about their heart , the rest of their body is bloodles . grease , and fat they have , but no marrow , saith pliny . they are found almost all the world over ; most are in poland , germany , lithuania , norwey , and other northern parts , especially in nova-zembla . in england are now none ; nor in candy . it is a mistake that there are none in africa , for the moores weare the skins . they delight more in hilly then plain land ; whence it is that the alpes so swarm with them , and those stout ones . in the mountains of peru are many black ones ; and pernes an attick hill is famous for bear-hunting . the beare eats all kind of things ; among plants , they fancy a red , and sweet berry growing on a bramble ; and the herb cuculus , a kind of trifoyl , and a root that provokes sleep . a cow-herd on the helvetian alps having spied afar of a bear eating that root , after the beare was gone tasting it , was so sleepy thereupon , that he drop'd down where he stood . when they come out of their holes they feed first on the herb arum . about trent grows a thorny shrub with a white flower , and red berries , called bears-bread . they climb trees , and eat the fruit , and pulse , and hony , crabs , ants , and flesh fresh , or rotten , especially hony-combs . jovius tells a merry story of a boore in muscovy who slipping into a hollow tree up to the neck in hony , and living there two dayes with no other sustenance , a bear came gently down into the same tree to eat hony , on whose rugged hide the poor man catching hold was drawn out . in island , and the frozen seas they live on fish . they drink water , but neither sipping , as the sharp-toothed , nor gulping in , as the beasts , that have a continued rew of teeth , but champing it . they are very venerous , since , because wild beasts , ( excepting the lizard and hare ) when big use not to couple , these are thought to hasten to bring forth their cubs the sooner by some force on themselves , that they may engender a new . it is reported that the males lust after young virgins , and that one tooke a mayd away of the allobroge , and lay with her , and fed her with wild apples , which philip cosserus , bishop of constance , related to gesner . saxo tells that a race of danish kings is derived from a bear ; and some say the same of gothish kings . they couple in february , or in the beginning of winter , not as other fourfooted beasts , but as mankind . being with young , they hide themselves , and the males seemed to hold them in great regard . they goe dayes , and bring one , two , sometimes five cubs together : they breed and bring forth in hast , which makes their cubs so ugly , and mis-shapen ; litle lumps of white flesh , without eyes , or hair , only clawed after a fashion , which they are said to lick into shape , and to lay to their breasts to cherish with their warmth , to bring life , and breath into them . but of late experience shews the contrary ; and that is but a fancy , that ursus comes from orsus , begun , or unfinished . above trent one was taken in a vally , and ripped up , and all her cubs were found full shaped within her . in a library of the senate-house in bononia a young cub cut out of the dams belly , exact at all parts , is kept in a glascase . camerarius his guesse is not unlikely , that the bed wherein the cub is wrapped is so thick , that the dame is many daies licking it off , which occasioned the vulgar errour . they hate mortally the sea-ox , horse , boor , the dead , and a table-cloath . they abhor the sea-calfe most of all . the horse can smell them , that never saw a bear , and fortwith prepares to combate , and kicks him on the head with his hinder feet , mastring him more by sleight then strength . they are thought to hate the dead , because they will not touch a man layed at length with his face downward . seneca saith , a table-cloath incenseth them . hemlock kills them , and the bear called marcillium , or consiligo , there is also a black fish in armenia , the meal whereof sprinckled on figs if they eat , it is their bane . experience shews that they delight in musick . their voyce is roaring or rather grumbling . having tasted mandragora apples , they lick ants . when they are qualmish , they go to myrmesia , or myre-hools , and sitting they loll out the tongue dropping with that sweet juice , lightly holding it so long , till they set it swarme with pis-mires . being wounded , they heal themselves with dry herbs . the shee-bears after their helping in to whelp , comming into the light , are so dazeled , that you would thinke they were stark blind . because they are often hevy sighted , they hunt so after hony , and that having stung their mouth with bees , they may be rid of that blood that oppresseth them . they tumble into their dens , that their footsteps may not be tracked , where they ly quiet , and at ease fourty dayes , and for fourteen dayes stir not , sustaining themselves only by licking their right foot , so that through fasting , their guts are klinged together and even shriveled up . the males ly hid fourty dayes , the females four months . they furnish their dens with heaps of bows , and shrubs , or soft leaves , making them weather proof , and then lay themselves along , and sleep the first seven dayes so soundly , that wounds cannot wake them , which strangely fattens them , after they live by sucking their forefeet ; strange to say . theophrastus thinks , that for that time bears flesh boyled and kept might increase , there is no shew in them that they have eaten , but onely a little moysture found in the paunch , and a few drops of blood about the heart , and none in the rest of the body . in the spring they come forward , and the males grows so fat , that they hardly stirre ; the shee-beare is leaner , because they breed . they hold their lodgings in their dens severally , divided by trenches . comming abroad , they eat greedily the herb arum , to loosen their guts , that are so shriveled up ; and when they breed teeth , they champ on slips thereof . if they assault bulls , they make at the horns to tire them out , and at the mustle , because they know it to be tender . their very breath is so contagious , that no wilde beast will touch what they have blowen on . in mysia , they say , are a kind of white bears , that being hunted , send forth such a breath , that the steame that rots the flesh of the doggs . although their flesh be cold , rank , hard of disgestion , and ill for the spleen , and liver ; yet those about the alps , and the helvetians count it a delicate . and bruerius saith , that hee at supper at of it , well seasoned , at symphorianus campejus his table ; but it was of a young one , killed in witner , which indeed they use to eat . for though they are fatter in july , yet for their rammish sent , they are banisht the table usually ; onely the forefeet are held the best food , and affected by some great men . some say , that salted , and hung in the chimny to be smoaked , they are a delicate , and that they wonder not , that in winter they suck their owne feet . savanorola saith , the brain is poyson . divers parts of the beare , are of great use in phisick . the eye dried , and hung about childrens neck , is said to free them from feare in the night , and bound on the left shoulder , allays a quartan ague . the blood dissolves waxen kernells , and impostumes , and helps against hairs bred in the eyes , and kills fleas . the fat takes out spots , and with lilly-roots , is good against a burne ; some sudar it on against s. anthonies fire ; mixt with red oker , it heals ulcers on the skins , and thighs ; with allom , it closes chaps in the feet , it helps against baldnes ; they use it also in the weapon-salve . men spread the skin under those that are bitten by a mad dog . the powder of the lungs , keeps feet , pinched by shoes from inflammation . the gall helps against the aches in the joynts , and is commended against the falling-sicknes ; and with hony is good for a cough , but is wrongly used to helpe conception . the hairs with venus-hair , and roots of reeds burned , make hair come . to omit pliny his fable about the easening of child-bearing , by laying the stone whereon a bear is killed , in the chamber . the samodides , and laplanders , wear bears-skins ; some use them for coverleds ; of old they covered their bucklers with them , to appeare more dreadfull . some daubed the fat on their iron-worke of plows , and harrows , to fence them from hail , and frost . some smear it on their vine-barkes , to defend them against vermine , worms , and frost . some shewed them in their sights , and used them in their punishments , domitius aenobarbus october . the pisods , and m. messala , being counsulls , presented in the cirke an hundred numidian bears , and as many ethiopian hunts-men . there are some greater , some smaller , black , and white ones . they troubled the hollanders in their passage , through the frozen sea to catay . some are of a stupendious bignes ; skins have been seen thirteen foot long . on a promontory , in the utmost confines of arabia , are bears gold-yellow ; some are dusky-coloured . the helvetians call the small rock-bears , the great capitals . in the new world are some slugs , that live on ants , dogs can master them , and a staf drive them away , having no tayls , called myrmeciphagi . the greatest are found in the province of vera-pax , or true-peace , having of black hair , or wooll upon them ; their tayls a palm long , flat-nosed they are like the blacks , their muzzles round , hairlesse , and wrinkled . in virginia they eat them . they are there timerous , avoid men take trees , and are with darts driven thence . the province beach , is said to have harmelesse bears . suidrigellius prince of lituania , had a beare , which comming a mornings out of the wood , neare the court , would with his forefeet paw on the doores ; and having meat given him , returned to the wood . among the turks , a sect of hermites , used to lead a hart , or a beare with a bell about the neck , through the cities and villages . chapter vi. of the vvolf . article i. of the vvolf in generall . the wolf the latines call lupus , or leopus , or lion-footed . the greeks lukos , from his ravenousnesse , or apo tees lukees , from the morning , either from his colour , or because at day-break he comes forth to his prey . or because their eyes are bright in the dark : they are like mastives , and of divers colours . their eyes glister , and dart forth beams , and russet : their teeth like an sow , sharp , and uneven , and round : he hath a wide gape ; his neck so strait , that he cannot turn it about , but must turn his whole body to look behind him , as if he had no joynts ; though philes , and other anatomists say he hath turning-joynts . in his temples he hath great sinewy-muscles ; his brain are said to wax and wain with the moon ; his heart dried , hath a good sent , his liver is like a horse-hoof ; his genital bony ; his fore-feet have five toes , his hinder four ; his bones thick . in his reins , when old , breed worms , or serpents , which clamorgon saith he hath observed in three or four carcasses . in his bladder is a stone called syrites . in sardinia , creet , and olympus in macedon are said to be none . england now breeds none , under edgar they were wholly rooted our , both in wales and elsewhere . they abound in the north-countreys , especially in muscovy , where how they ly in wait for cattel , and men . olcarius in his eastern itinerary , p. . declares . cadamustus , c. . tells , how they swarm in the kingdome of senega : in augusia a provence of scotland , and in the vally of glamore they are , and live by preying on wild beasts . they devour flesh ; but love mutton best , and takes them out of the folds ; they ly in wait also for horses , oxen , geese . having once tasted a manscarcasse ; mans flesh savours best with them . if they smell women with child , they watch for them ; nor spare they their own kinde , if they be hungry . they go out by troops , and if any one of them chance to faint and fall , the rest tare him . they feed their sucklings with flesh they have newly swallowed , vomiting it up again ; but growen up , they feed them with lambs and geese . they desire also the scythian herb bosametz . in congo they swallow palmoyl . they eat also potters-earth . whence it may be the stone , is the stone called lithargilus , full of turnings and folds , weighing eleven ounces , found in the stomack , spoken of by schenkius . albertus thinks he doth it not for hunger , but by naturall instinct , to make himself heavier , the better to oppresse his prey . being full he can fast long , then is his belly widened , and his tongue swells , his mouth is stopped , and he becomes tame ; when his tongue is lessened , he turns wolf again . whether they bury , and dig up their food , and equally divide it , and by houling call others to the orts , as albertus relates , i leave to hunts-men to determine . they couple as dogs doe , and quarrelling , twelve dayes in a year ; beginning , as some reckon from christmasse ; and at that time are fiercer against others , though not among themselves . they carry their burdens two months , and bring as many as dogges puppy , and those blind ; the helvetians speak of nine whelpes at once ; and one of the rhaetian alps in may found seven or nine in a covert that came of on litter , and the same man reported , that it is commonly said that at first draught they bring but one whelp , and that blind ; at the second , two , and so onward , every time more , till they come to ten , and then bear no more . that in twelve dayes they litter after gendring , as latona under that shape in delos , is a fable . antipater affirmes , that they cast their belly when the acorn-bearing-trees cast their flowers , which they tasting , their womb opens ; when there are none , their whelps dy within them , and they cannot bring forth ; and that wolves do no harme where is not plenty of acorns . they drink very little . [ poët pliny , and others report many things more strange then true , more fitted for a poëm , then a history . ] as that he is first struk mute , whom the wolfe sees first , &c. that the wolves eye plucked out , affrights four-footed tame beasts ; that she that haps to water on wolves warm pisse , shall not conceive with child . that the tail hanged by a manger , keeps beasts from eating ; of the charming of horses that treads in a wolfes foot-steps . that mutton that he hath feed on tastes sweet , but the wool breeds lice , and itch . a skin put on a wolfes skin , sheds the hair . the dung hid in stalls , holds cattel in quiet . all harmony is marred , if you mingle in musick strings of sheeps and of wolves guts : fopperies ! if he touch sea-onion , he is straight shrivelled together . he fears stones , because worms breed in that part that is struck with a stone . sparks struck out of a flint frights him so , that he dare not approach , be he never so hungry . a drum made of his hide , drives other beasts away . a pipe , or any musick , or a drum frights them away , when flinging of stones cannot . they are said to love parrats ; they run mad sometimes ; they get the gout , and are troubled with the squincy ; wolf-bane , or lycoctonum kills them . when wounded , they stench the blood by wallowing in the myre . they live long ; and when old , they are troubled with the tooth-ach , and cast all their teeth . having weake-inwards they eat herbs , especially dracontium to sharpen their teeth . the lowest are thought bouldest . falne into a pit , and seeing themselves inclosed , they are stupied , and harmelesse . they observe who strikes them , and watch to be revenged . they love their young , the females stay by them , and the males cater for them . flying they take their young with them . they are soonest taken in cloudy weather , then they hide themselves most . walking among leaves they lick their feet , that they may not be heard . being to passe a river , that the stream carry them not away , they hold one the other by the tayl with their teeth ; and so hanging on another ; they will drag an ox out of a marsh . while they eat they are angry with lookers on , meeting with a man , and a beast together , they ever spare the man , saith albertus : one related to gesner , that he saw a wolfe in a wood bite off a piece of wood of thirty , or fourty pound weight , and practised to go to and fro upon it , as it lay , and then hide it , when he was perfect ; and a wilde sow comming thether with her hogs of severall ages , because oats were sowed there , he brake in , and tooke a hog away about the weight of that block , and leaping took the wood back , and devoured the hog . sometimes they grow familiar with dogs , and so enter the folds without resistance , and worry all the sheep to death , afore they fall to eat any one . they dare not make at the face of a bull , because they feare his hornes , but they first seeme to threaten him afore , and then suddenly take advantage of him behind . like horses , and dogs , they wax gray through age . when hungry , they can sent their prey by night half a mile against the wind : one will houle , and call many more , and set together on a troop of horses , which happens oft in bononia . at midnight they will go by troupes to a village , and stay at the entrance ; one shall enter , and awake the dogs , and so entice them forth , and devoure them . they will hold willow boughs forth to goats to enveagle them within their reach . their voyce is houling . fashionable people admit not the flesh to their table , it being a dry , grosse , rank food ; yet in savoy some eat it . they are very usefull in physick . boyled alive with oyl , and wax , it is commended against the gout . the hide binds , and helps the colick . the flesh eases child-bearing eaten by the teeming woman , or any that are by . the fat is mixt with salves against the gout ; the blood with oyl of nuts helpes the deafish ; the head layed under your pillow provokes sleep ; the right ey salted , and tied on , helps agues ; the tooth takes away the swelling of the gums , making way for the teeth to come with ease ; he who drinks through a wolfs throat , escapes the danger of a squinsy . agricola confesses he learnt that experiment of adolphus occo . the heart , a dram of it mixt with an ounce of the gum of an oke , and another of that of the pear-tree , and two drams of harts-horne helps the falling sicknesse . the liver is good against a furred mouth ; the same in warm wine helps the cough , and tisick ; the gall bound with elaterium on the navell makes laxative . the dung gathered up among shrubs and briars , hath helped the colick , drunk , or hanged on ; nay the bones found in the excrements , if they have not touched the ground , tied to the arme . the bones dried to powder remove the pain between the ribs ; the head hanged up in a dove-coot drives away weesels , and cats . i omit the use , or abuse rather about venery , and witchcraft , and the heathens sacrifices with them , when they invoked divells . the newly married among the romans smeared their posts with wolfs-fat ; the tayl hanged over mangers , keeps away the wolf. the differences follow . article ii. of the wolf in speciall , and of the gulo . among wolves , some are wild , as on the doff●inian mountains , that part norwey from sweden , & in sardinia . they are more shaggy then others , yellow , and their tayl standing up . in media they used them in their sports , armed men fighting with them . some are called from their elegant colour , golden-ones , lesse then ordinary wolves , but as greedy . they go in troops , hurting neither men , nor herds . they seeme to barke like dogs . they are seen in turky and cilicia . they visite the turks cottages by night , and eat what is eatable , that comes in their way ; if they meet with nothing else , they carry away caps , cloathes , shooes , and what ever is of leather . men make garments of their skins . there are also scythian wolves in the utmost borders of scandinavia , behind norwey , and gothland . it is a beast as big as a wolf , and very angry ; the germans call them grimmeklaw , because the edges of the nayl make them teachy . there is also the sea-wolfe , a mungrell , as big as a bear , so hardskind , as a sword can scarce pearce it . he hath a wondrous great head ; his eyes are shadowed with very many hairs , nosed , and toothed like a dog , sharp-shagged on his skin ; black-spotted , his tayl long , thick , and shaggy . small stones are found in his stomack , very fat he is , found on the british coasts . in the isle of angra a thousand of them have been seen in a troop . they are also seen in an isle behind the port of s. crux , and in the sea-tract of peru. the birds called buitri kill them sometimes ; they have wings fifteen foot broad . if they spy a wolfe , one takes him by the legs , another with the beake blinds him . the old ones roar like lions , the young have a kids voyce ; the liver is eatable . those of angra eating their flesh fresh , and salted , live long . the skins are worn . the gulo , or gorbelly hath the name from greedinesse . scaliger calls him a fourfooted vultur ; crollius an ox-eater ; the germans vielfrase . found they are in lituania , moscovy , and other northern regions . they feed on carcasses , and so cram themselves , that they strut like a drum . they squeeze out their excrements between two trees by force , and then returne to their carcasse , and cram themselves again . akin to this is the wilde beast , that the arabs call dabuh , the africans sesef , shaped like a wolf , and as big , he digs up carcases also ; gesner takes him for that ancients , called hyaena ; his blood hunts-men use for drinke . seasoned with the finest hony they drinke it at wedding-feasts . they annoint ulcers with the fat . they make strings of the guts . the hoofs newly pluckt off from it , while living , shewed to dogs , and cats , drive them away ; and hanged on remove the tinckling of the eares . the skins make handsome cloaths , and the most honoured guests are entertained with such carpets . therefore they suffer them not to be transported to other lands . it is said , that they that sleep under coverlids made of the guloes skin dream of gourmandizing . title ii. of the half wilde toed-beasts . chapter i. of the fox . article i. of the fox in generall . wee call the semiferae , or half wilde , those beasts that though wilde , yet being of small bulk , are easily mastered , and tamed by man. i begin with the fox , called in latine vulpes , or volpes , either from volupes , because he is so full of doubles in his goings ; or from volipes , he being so swift of foot , or from v●lipes , because he is strong-footed . the greeks give him many names , as aloopeez , from aloo , and oph , deluding the eyes , and sundry others taken from its craft , and tayl . he is so well knowne , that i need not stand long on describing him . the genital is bony as the wolves , and wezels . the tayl bushy , ears short , he loves to eat hens , geese , and other foule , and hayrs , wild mice , cats , litle dogs , that he can gripe , and locusts . at marsellis a fox hunting in a fisher-boat for buopes , among great lobsters , was taken in a lobsters claw ; they refrain not ripe grapes , nor pears , saith the proverb . solinus saith , there are none in creet , or candy . but in russia , and the helvetian alps they abound . whence merchants buy the skins , and sell them in all parts . they couple in divers postures . they mix with other creatures , as with dogs , whence come the alopecides , or dog-foxes ; they bear blinde whelps , foure at most at once , and then retire , so that few are taken great with young . they lick , and carefully foster their brood . they love serpents , and live in the same cave with them . they hate rue , which if you bind under henswings , the fox will not touch them . they hate the kite and eagle , because sometimes they snatch up their young , and hauks , because they pluck of their hair . avicen saw a fight in a cage , between crows , and a fox , he wounded their heads ; but they bound up his lips , so that he could not queach . they have many combates with badgers , and with the sent of their dung , drive them away . hares haunt those isles most , where are fewest foxes . they barke like dogs , when vexed , or in pain , when they desire any thing f●ame , they use a fawning murmur . they are very crafty . in thrace , being to passe over frozen rivers , or lakes , by laying their eare to the ice , they guesse whether it be thick enough to beare , or no. in his hole he makes many outlets to scape traps , and gins . because the wolf by the touch of the scillais vexed , they lay it in their holes ; when troubled with fleas , they take a lock of hay , or hair in their mouth , and dip it in the water , and drown them . when hedge-hogs roul themselves up , they pisse in their mouths , and choke them . he will play with a hare , and then snap him . he will roule himself in red clay , to seeme bloudy , and then ly down , and stretch himself out , as if he were dead , and loll out his toung , and so he catches birds . so in pontus , they delude buzzards , lying with the face another way , and sprauling , with the tayl stretch forth , as a birds neck . taken in a snare , to get loose , he will bite off his leg , or fain himself dead , holding in his breath . he worries hens at roost so with his tayl , that he casts them down , and eats them ; and hath tricks to catch fish , and wasps with his tayl . on a tall tree he will shew himself sportive , and stand on his guard as in a castle ; he fears not fire , unlesse very neare him ; he will rather be thrust through , then come down to become a pray to the dog , and if he must come , hee falls like lightning on the best nosed dogs , and dies not unrevenged . neate tables admit not fox-flesh , yet the sarmatians , vandalls , and rustique , french , eat it boyled , or roasted , as the booetians of old . those islanders of s. crux eat of it , raw , or a litle hardned in the smoake . some decry it for a savage food ; but galen saith , it is like hares-flesh . the brains given to children , preserve them from the falling-sicknes . the tongue-worm in an bracelet , is good against thick sightednesse , and dried , and hung about the neck , against white in the eyes ; the lungs is commended against ptisick , wheesings , short-breath , and liver-grown : the gall with hony , helps dim-cloudy-sight ; and some put it in suppositories , to have male-children ; the reins with fat , helpe knee-gout ; and some rub the throat with them , to take down the swelling of the jaws . the genital , testicles , and the other secrets , some use to help conception , and months , and head-ach ; the blood help the stone , the fat melted , and dropped into the eares , removes old griefs thence , and helps the sinews , and the stone , and is good against shedding of hair , and the frost in hands , and feet , if you annoint them afore they be swoln : the dung with mustard , cures fore-heads ; the skin is good for the hair , and shoos made thereof , eases the gout , and sciatica . the tayl also hath its medicinall use : fox-oyl is very effectuall for all diseases in the joints . fox-skins make costly furres , especially if black . foxes are of diverse colours , sizes , and natures . they are lesse in egypt then in greece . in peru very litle , and of a noysome sent , and the stink of the pisse is not to be washed out . in the northerne-woods are black , white , glistering foxes , and some with crosses ; and those called isatides , and some black , with some white hair sticking in order : of reddish , are two kinds , one with black , and white throats , as if besprinkled with ashes . the other white-throated , which is rarer . there is plenty of white ones in swethland , and norwey , especially about nova-zembla , seen most , when the sun dis-appears . hollanders say , they taste like rabbets . some are crossed from the mouth by the head , back and tayl with a straight black streake , and another thwart by the shoulder to the forefeet ; which two streaks make the crosse . by the caspian-sea they are as familiar as little dogs , and as harmles . article ii. of the indian foxes . these are of sundry kinds , distinguished by name . the coiotl hath a wolfshead , great , pale , but lively eyes , short , sharp-ears , black , long , thick-muzl'd ; sinewy , hoocked-thighs , thick-claws , bushy-tail , dusky , long , and bright-hair , and bites shrewdly . for bulk , between a wolf and a fox ; frequent in new spain , in places lesse cold ; he lives by preying on weaker beasts , and on sugar-canes , and mazium . he sometimes sets on deer , and men ; he is cunning in avoiding hunts-men ; of the wolfs nature , revengefull , and mindfull of the losse of his prey , long after hunts him that took it ; and with others falls on him , kills him , watches his house , kills all the tame cattel about it . but is so grateful to his benefactors , that he leaves part of his prey to them . his pizzle rubbed on the teeth , is said to give present ease to the touth-ach . the cuit-lax-caiotl , is of the like nature and shape , but of another hair ; thick , and shag-necked ; the hair so long on the breast and face , that it is hideous to behold . the azcacoiotle sits on ants holes , and by night houles in several voices . the ilpemaxtla is of a hair white , black , and gold-yellow , small-headed , and joynted , slender-bodied , and short , but long-muzzled , and thin ; he is found everywhere mostwhat in hot places . the oztoa is a kind of shape and bulk like a fox , about thirty inches long , white and black-haired , and a little yellow , haunting ditches , and feeding in fenny-places ; they nurse up their young in hidden holes , and bite shrewdly , and fain themselves dead , if they have no other way to avoid the hunter ; he breaks most stinking wind , yet they eat him . the izquiepatl is coloured like tosted maiz , he is eighteen inches long , low , small-muzzled , small-eared , hairy , and black-bodied , especially near the tail , short-thighed , black and crooked-claw ; he lives in rockydens , and there their young are nursed up . they feed on horse-flies , and worms , and they kill fatted-fowles , and eat their heads only ; reduced to extream hazard , he darts his pisse and dung eight paces off , and spoyles the cloathes of the hunts-men with indelible spots , and a stink never to be gotten out . they that have the spanish-scab , find good by eating the flesh , and dung . there are two other small foxes , the izquiepatl , and the conepatl , one with two bright gards , the other with one drawn along the tail . the brachirae are like foxes , but rounder , and of sweeter flesh ; the annae are somewhat lesse then our cats , and of a pestilent smell , haunting towns by night ; their sent betrayes them an hundred paces of , nor doors or windows can keep them out . article iii. of the beasts akin to foxes . point i. of the cary-gueja , and tajibi . in brasil are five sorts of beasts akin to foxes ; the cary-gueja first , or the jupatuma , or sarigoy , or tlaquatzin , about the bignesse of a cat , having a foxes head , a pointed mouth , shorter below then above , a long tongue , that he withdrawes threatning to bite ; teeth as a cat , or a fox , small ones afore , then four long dog-teeth , then six other , and then the grinders , which are sixteen , twelve middle-teeth , four dog-teeth , and lesser , eight in the lower , ten in the upper-jaw , and two greater middle ones , like the hare . he is wide-nostrild ; hath fair , round , black-eyes ; wide , long , fox-ears , starting up , proportionable to his bulke ; thin-skinned , smooth , transparent , a little dusky ; bearded like a cat ; the hairs longer above , some on the eyes and cheeks ; the head a little more then three fingers long ; each ear two fingers long , and a finger and half broad ; the neck but a fingers length ; the rest of the body seven fingers to the dock ; the tail crooked , a foot long , whereby he hangs on trees like an ape ; broad-breasted ; the two fore-thighs shorter then the hinder ; the fore-feet five toed , as a hand , nailes white , as a birds claws with tufts ; the hinder-legges longest , as a baboons ; the hair in some parts longer , in some shorter , those of the head , and part of the neck , and tail yellow ; along the head runs a large black-streak ; the back , sides and tail most what black , but other coloured hairs mixt ; the tail part hairy , part skinny , half black , half white , some hair dusky . round bodied , insensibly slenderer in some parts . male and female alike ; under the belly is a double skin , cloven like a purse , big enough to hold an orange , hairy within , where are eight nipples , the purse closed , scarce discernable ; herein are the welps conceived ; six at a time are brought alive forth , and perfectly shaped , but hairlesse , there they move too and fro , each two fingers long , and stay there till they can feed themselves , and sometimes go forth , and come in again . the testicles ly under the dock ; it is easie to be flead , as the cony , or hare , if you begin at the belly . it stinks as a fox , or martin . he bites hard . feeds gladly on hens ; climbs trees to goe a birding , mark grave fed on in his chamber a month with sugar-canes ; at last he tangled himself in his string , and died . he is found in dariene in brasil , and in florida , and new spain . the brasilians call him cerigona ; his tail is medicinable steep in water , and take a dram of it , cleanses the ureteres , helps the stone , and colick , breeds milk , easens child-bearing . champed in the mouth , and laid on , it drawes out a thorn . the tajibi , in portugees , rachorro do mato , is round and long ; white glistering-haired , the tips black ; headed like a fox , sharp-mouthed , cat-bearded ; the eyes clear , black , bolting out , goggle ; the ears round , soft , thin , white , tender as soft paper ; the tail five fingers long , hair white , tiped with black ; the end of the tail is a thin hide , bright , scaly , like a snakes slough . the flesh is stinking , yet eaten . the hair sticks in a thin skin , and may be plucked out without defacing the hide . point ii. of the tamandua-guacu , the tamanduai , and the coati . the former is as big as a butchers dog , ( abbe●illanus saith , as a horse , ) round headed , long snouted , sharp mouth'd , toothlesse , round tonged , seven and twenty fingers long , two feet , and half of it like an owl , lying double in the mouth ; eyes little and black ; ears roundish ; the tail like a fly-flap of horse-bristles , almost a foot broad , wherewith he can cover himself all over ; the thighs round ; on the fore-feet four crooked-claws , the two greatest in the midst , two foot and a half long ; the hollow of the foot round ; the hair of the head and neck short , and dry , turning forward ; he is white afore ; he is slow of foot , and eats pismires . the tamanduai is of the bignesse of an american little fox , round , copped-headed , bowing somewhat downward ; the mouth black , very narrow , toothlesse ; eyes small , and black ; ears pricking up , about two fingers long ; the hair hard , bright-yellow ; the tongue long , round ; like an awl , lying as a pipe between the cheeks ; on the forefeet are four turning claws ; fierce he is , but cannot bite ; touch him with a staff , and he stands as a bear on his hind-legs ; he sleeps all day , hiding his head with his neck and forefeet ; romes about by night . drinking , part gushes out of his nostrils ; markgrave saith , that after he had killed and flead one , a great part stirred after , though he had been kept fasting dayes afore . in the left rein , ( saith he ) i found above a three corner'd passage , fastened to the side by a double thin skin ; in the bowels , many long round wormes ; the lappings that folded in the hair , fair ones ; the gall-bag great ; the hide thick ; the flesh smells like a fox ; none eat it . the coati is a brasile-fox , as big as a cat , with short thighs , and hands like a baboon ; coped-headed , fox-eared ; the mouth shorter below then above ; long and sharp muzzled ; nostrils wide , and cloven ; eyes black ; the tail longer then the body , which he sets up , and crooked ; with ringlets on it , raried with shadow and oker . eating , he holds his meat in his forefeet . he can climb the tops of trees . the laet saith , he kept one tame , that would take meat out of his mouth ; but when he began once to gnaw his tail , he could not be kept from it , till he had eaten it all up , and so died . chap. ii. of the ape . the ape , in latine simiae , or simius , from the flat nose , or from imitating , or his resembling of us . festus calls them clunas : the greeks pithekos , from being easily perswaded to imitate man ; emimoo , from the gestures , arimos , in the old tongue of the hetruscis , bates , from climing-trees , kalliar , by the laconians . hairy it is above , and below , back and belly ; the hair is thick ; nosed , eared , toothed like a man , two paps on the breast , armes like a man but hairy , which he can use , and turne as wee , fingered , toed , nayl like man , but those ruder , he steps like us , but treads more backward , arms short , and thighs answerable , he hath something hard like a navell , slenderer in the lower parts , they want a tayl , as being two legged creatures , the heart is pyramide-wise , some found with two tops , veins , arteries like ours , the vein that goes into the right-lappet of the heart , and then into the right breast , is in them above the heart ; those that are joyned to the reins , are widest , and passe to the stones : the substance of the eare is unmoveable . in many parts he is like a man , and in many unlike , as in the breast , and arme-muscles , and those that move the elbow , and thigh , those within the hands , and feet , in the mid-rif , lungs , as also in the bones ; for in the loins are six turning-joynts , the shoulder-joynt is far from the breast , the thighs tend not streight toward the back-bone , thence it is , that going on the hind-feet , hee waggles , his feet are hollow , the toes much cloven . bred they are in the eastern , and other warm parts , as in lybia , mauritania , in that part of mount caucasus , that looks toward the red-sea , in the kingdome of basman , in the tract between egypt , ethiopia , and lybia . in the indian-hills were so many , that they scared alexanders army often . in basman they kill them , pluck off the hair , all but from the chin , dry them , and embalm them , and sell them to merchants for mermen . they like hilly better then low-land ; therefore they frequent the hils of enisa . they love herbs , and barley , they go by troops to the ripe eares . they eat lice also , from men , and worms , and spiders , apples , nuts ; but if the paring , or she ll be bitter , they cast all away ; they love flesh also , after eating , whereof they shed their hair . they drink wine too . they gender in spring , when day and night is of a length , and beare a coupled about the summers solstice . the hee is reported to huge one for love , and to leave another with the shee , and never to looke after it . being led through towns , they run a madding after women . they hold friendship with daws , and conies ; but dis-agree with cocks , tortoyses , snails , &c. a noble man in england kept one , that keeps his rabbits from weesels . when a parricide was sewd in a sack , they used to put in with him a cock , an ape , and viper , that the ape might fall on the cock , and the viper avoiding the cock , might seaze the man. at rome one of them , spying an ape on a boys head , was so scared , that he pist , and shit . he dares not touch a snayl . they are troubled with the hernia , or bursting , having a heavy kall , and with the falling-sicknesse , and inflammation of the liver , spleen , bladder , &c. ill disgestion , &c. galen anatomised a leane one , and found in the skin about the heart a praeternaturall swelling with moysture in it , such as hydatides writs , did use to send forth . i say nothing of their biting , it is said to be venemous . avicen , to prevent rancling , prescribes a playster of ashes with hony , and bitter almonds . they hide their meat in their cheeks , whence by degrees they fetch it to chew . they are extreame lustfull , and will gender with lions . they remember a wrong long ; some say they soon forget , when tamed they shew their young to every one . they severally affected at diverse seasons of the yeare , jolly , and gamesome at new moon , very lumpish and dogged afore . so soon as they find approaching death , or any infections diseased , you may heare from them an unusuall snuffling in the noce . whence crollius thinks physitians learn the pulses of arteries ; they go awray , or sideling . some can guide a cart , and play at chesse . one seeing a nurse wash , and winded a child , when shee was absent , undrest it , washt it in scalding water , and killed it . they are taken by imitating what they see hunters do . they never are so tame , but that they quickly go wild again . they love to play with children , and dogs , but , if you look not to them , they shall choak them , or breake their necks . they will make themselves drunk . the zabeces , and zygantes of africa eat them . rhasis judgeth it but cold , and harsh flesh . the heart roasted , and boyled with hony-comb is said to sharpen memory . they differ in shape , colour , neck , hair , and bulk . some have tayls , some none , some are gray-headed . some among the orsei in india are white : polus saith , some go upright . to these may be refered the orang-outang brought out of angola , presented to frederick henry , prince of orange . tulp calls it a wild-man , long as a child of three years old , thick as one of six , square bodied , nor fat , nor slender , but very active and nimble ; having such well trust limbs , and great muscles , that he durst attempt any thing , and do what not all smooth afore , and shaggy black behind , faced as a man , flat , and crooked-nosed , eared like a man , two fair swelling paps were on the breast , like a womans , ( for it was a female ) the navell deep , and limmed so like a man , that an egge is scarsely liker an egge , resembling man in elbows , fingers , thumbs , thighs , calves , heels . shee walked oft upright , and with ease could hoyst up , and beare a burden . being to drinke , shee with one hand took the can by the eare , and put the other under ; and wiped her lips handsomly after . going to ly down , she would lay her head orderly on the pillow , and cover herself close with the coverlids . the sambacensian king reported , that they are so valiant , that they adventure on armed men . so given to women , that they oft ravish them . in guinee some of them will bray any thing in a morter , and carry pitchers of water on their heads , and empty them at their doors , to prevent spilling . these are called baris . strong they are , and brawny thick set . in india there is also cried up to the skies ; zeilan keeps his reliques , namely a tooth , which constantine the portugal viceroy took amongst the prey from a barbarian prince ; so honoured and adored was that ape by the cheefe kings there , that yearly embassadors were sent loaden with rich presents , only to be permitted to take his print in piece of clay perfumed , and inclosed in gold , to solace themselves , forsooth , with his shadow only . after the king of pegu being conscious to himself of an oath he had passed to the portugees , sent embassadors to the viceroy with ships loaden with wares , and pieces ef gold to redeeme the tooth . many portugals were of opinion to send it , but to demand a greater summe , even a million , but the viceroy ( though he knew the king would have given it , and himself wanting mony , yet ) prefered piety to gain , and that it might appeare to all , he caused the tooth to be brought amidst an assembly openly , and to be taken out of the rich case , beset with jewels , and gold , and with his own hand cast it into a brazen morter , and commanded it to be pounced to pouder , which was cast into a fire , and so vanished into smoake . chapter iii. of the baboon , or bavian . he takes the name of cercopithecus from his tayl , for kerkos signifies tayl , and pithekos monky , or ape . the greeks call him also kepos , which some fetch from kebos , nimble . albert calls him mamonet ; the italians spinga ; the celtae abranas . we shall describe him anone under the kindes of aurelius delineates his genitalls . they are found in aethiopia with black heads , and asses hair , and in the woods of iava , and the kingdome of congo ; and in india on the emoden hills , and on that lofty mountain near aden a city of arabia , and all about the indian continent . in malabar they are very cheape , because they hurt the indians nut , that is the gain of the natures . they eat any thing , and gnaw their own tayl when they are lustfull . they abhor crocodiles so , that they are almost strooke dead with the sight . in east-indies , under the portugals , they eat them , and use them in physick . what sport they make is well knowen . their bones brayed , and drunk by provoking sweat , ease the french pox . they dote on their young , and hugge them hard ; they feed on fruit , and birds egs . many of them eats and drink their own excrements . sometimes , if they see a man alone , they come down , and play with him . they are full of crafty tricks . it is strange to see how they cast stumps of trees at passengers ; they passe rivers holding by each others tayls , and get over by bows , and a chain by wondrous arts . above all , if one of them be wounded by an arrow , or dart , no men can help one another better then they , knowing how to stanch the blood with leaves , and mosse , and save , if possible , the life . they bring but one at a birth , and embrace their young , and carry them to the craggy tops of hills , where the huntsmen raise a heape , and compasse it with maiz , and lay there the stone cacakoatl , the nature whereof is , when heated through with fire to crack , and fly asunder , the baboone run to it , and to eat of that stone , but terrified with the crack , forget their young , and run away , leaving them a prey to hunters . they carry also their young on their back , till they can safely dispose of them . the young hang with the hands about the dames neck , and with the legs cling about her back . some are nimble as a bird in climbling trees , and scipping from tree to tree . one hath been seen to leap a river . the captains of them perceiving a troup of men passe by , ( for men dare not passe by them alone , nor a few ) they call their fellows of divers shapes together , out-face the men , and with hideous moyse skip from tree to tree , and follow the men , mocking them with a thousand apes tricks , moppings , mowings , waggings of the tayl , and make as if they would assault them ; but coming down , and see the arrows , and guns , ( which they have had occasion afore to be acquainted with , ) aimed at them , they fly swifter then the wind to the tree-tops , where they complain , chatter , and threaten . it is said , they are so dexterous , that they can decline , and avoid arrows-shot , and catch them flying , as if they were reached to them ; but the bullets put the younger beside their skill . when they see any of their fellows fall , and taken up by the shooters , they thunder above , filling the skies with hideous noyses ; as if you heard the roarings , and yellings of a thousand lions , and tigers . but one thing is worth hearing ; each ape , when they take a tree , carry up stones in one hand , and some in their mouths , and pelt the passengers , when they have done shooting . one levelling at a great , long-tayld monkey with a gun , hee made as if hee would stand it ; but when the man winking with one eye , was taking aime , he threw a stone in his face , and brake it , and dashed out some of his teeth . but since he perished by a new stratagen , and was shot , just as the stone fell , and was eaten for a dainty with mirth . some would have eaten then toads , or worse , so hungry they were . such tricks perswaded the old world , that these were a humane race , which occasioned in fables , mention of the baboons birth-day . i thought once that they were happily a kind of pigmees . it is strange how they can handle merchandise . they play with the savages for mony , and winning , invite to the tavern , and pay the shot . among the souldiers of havana , a baboon marked that one won apace , and sate close to him , to have his share , according to the manners ; if he denied , he would fight for it ; if he received it , hee ran strait to the taverne , and tooke a pot , holding it to the vinter , to poure wine ; the pot being brimfull , he drank it up , payed his winnings ; if it came to more , he expected more wine to the value , which he did twice , or thrice . another being sent to the taverne , and not using to pay till hee had his bottle full , would gather stones to defend it against the boyes ; and though he loved wine well , he carried it safe and entire to his master . he could not abide painted women , but tore their hair and cloathes . one great baboon , with an extreme long tail hanging by it , on an oke , turning and swing himself three or four times , caught hold , skipped from bough to bough , and from tree to tree , as if he had flowen . an archer shot one , who being wounded , in a fury set on him who hurt him ; he drawing his sword , cut off the baboons arme , and took him , but strongly resisting ; but being brought to the navy , he grew tamer , being chained : and the huntsmen bringing a boar home , he and the baboon were ever fighting ; this with his tail tangled the boar , flew at his throat , and throatled him . another seeing some hunt after him to shoot him , got into a window , snatched up an infant , ran to the house top , and held the child for a buckler between him and the archer , to make him hold from shooting . baboons differ in bignesse , colour , tail , and otherwise , some in prassiana an indian region , are as big as the greatest dogs , having tails five cubits long . some are black , some ash-coloured , some gray , some party-coloured , some spotted , some yellowish , some dusky , &c. some longer tailed then others . some bearded ; some go upright ; some lyon-like ; some mostaccioed ; some of a mixt kind . the bearded , the brasilians call them guariba , are manifold , having a round goats-beard , they are as big as our foxes , high-browed , with black sparkling-eyes , ears short and roundish ; tail long , bare at the end , which they are ever swinging about ; the hair black , long , sleek , and shining . there are swarms of them in the woods there , and make a hideous noyse . they meet daily again , and again afore and after mid-day . one of the lesser sits higher then the rest in the midst , and begins a singing note , giving a signe with the hand openly , the rest follow his note , holding on till the first makes a signe , then the rest are husht in a twinkling , and the first concludes aloud . they carry their young on their back , frisking from bough to bough . it is a biting and untamed beast . some of them are great , and black , having a long , black , shaggy beard . if they find a moor woman alone , they force her . clusius describes a kind , long tayled , with a tuft at the end , like a lion. the guinee exquina in congo hath dark hair , as it were burnt , sprinkled with white tops . the beard very white , the hair two fingers long , as it were kemed . anger him , he gapes wide and chatters . another sort is as great , or each cheek stone of hair white , and yellow , bearded like a goat , reaching to either eare ; black leged : toyish , and clamorous as the other . ambrosine represents three prints of them ; one he conceives to be the callitriche ( or fair-haired ) living only in aethiopia . a second a kin to that . the third faced like an old man ( a marmoset ) with a long black tayl . he walks upright , very nearly resembling a man. he loves boys , and women everywhere , and if he get loose , endeavors to ly with them . industrious they are , and wittier then some men . of the lion-kind are first the cagui , as the brasilians , or the pongi , as the congians call him ; one is greater , like the baboon , called cay , round , and lion-faced , black and bald-eared , lion-mouthed , black-eyed , the tayl a foot , and four fingers long , and reddish . there is a lesser , a like faced , but with a lesse head , like a small apple , a little nose , sharp teeth , roundish eares , the tayl ten fingers long , with white , and dusdish ringlets , fed with bread , and mandos meat . the whole body six figners long . another sort is called the sagovin ; lion-like afore , but so tender , that he brooks not the tossing of a ship at sea , and so proud withall , that never so little troubled , he in ●ullennesse starves himself . that that rod. lincius brought over was lesse then a squirell , and so dainty that it must be kept in furre . the snout , and fore part of the head was lion-like , dark-coloured , mixt with red ; the ears shaggy , and bright , and reddish ; the throat , and breast shaggy , dush , and white ; the other hair of the body black , and white , and sparkling , and party-coloured from back to belly ; the tayl long , and so coloured ; the belly black-haired , the thighs white , and red ; on each foot five toes , not very long ; the nayls white , scarce a handsomer to be seen . the moschatus the brasilians call caitaja , long-haired , white , and yellow ; roundish headed , low fore-headed , nose little and flat ; tayl-bending , shrill voyced , and pettish . i saw one at generall warden-burgs at amsterdam . there is another of the kind darker-haired , like the zobellines . of a doubtfull kind are the macaquo in congo ; of a wolfs colour ; the nose high and parted , the head like a bears , buttocks bald , the tayl bowed ; a foot and somewhat more long from head to tayl ; a foot and nine fingers thick . hee cries hah , hah : the brasil cay in toupinambuti is common , little and black , living most in the woods , and sitting on certain trees , where on a thick mast grows , like our greatest beans , whereon they feed . there is also another guinee baboon , grisly , dusk-shadowed with yellow , almost like a hares back , small-headed , and long-tailed . chapter iv. of the cynocephalus , ( or dogs-head ) the papio , and the wild vpalim . the first hath the name from a dogs-head . it is called also the tartarian ; because it comes thence . also kunopros●pon , or dogs-face : and cho●ropithekos , or hog-ape . almost of the shape of a long tayled monkey , but thicker set , stronger , fiercer , and faced like a dog , or a satyre , as strabo makes him . open arsed he is . found in aethiopia , and in arabia from dira to the southern corner ; and especially in the utmost promontory ; also above dachinabades , and in the south of lybia . he feeds as other apes , eating stone-fruit , he cast away the shells , and parings . they eat also flesh boyled , and roasted , especially the delicatest . they can drink wine also . they have many voyces , and those rude ; sometimes shreeking , then houling . orus saith they barke ; they are soon moved to fury , effeminate , lustfull , petulant , fiercer then apes . by naturall instinct , when dayes and nights are of a length , on set hours , night and day , they pisse , and make a noyse . the hee in times twixt moon and moon , not eats , nor looks any way , but moping looks downward . they are said to congratulate the moon rising , wherefore the egyptians in their religious rites made much of them , to learn from them the heavenly conjunctions . of a singular wit they are , comming nearest man , except the elephant . in egypt they write letters , and receive mony of the spectators for their masters . akin to these is that alvarez in his ethiopian journy writes of , and another in clusius . that 's as big as a bel-wether , and shaggy as a lion , going by herds near calote . this shaged , and ash-coloured , not so long tailed as a baboon , long snowted and blunt at the end , bal'd buttocked , blood-coloured , as if flead . the papio ( in dutch paphon ) is great rugged , ugly headed , short thighed , almost fox-tailed , but short , and commonly lifted up , footed like a man , no way answering his height , doting on women . he feeds on apples , pears , and other fruit . the shee brings two at a birth , a male , and a female . the wild upalim is as big as an ethiopian baboon , the skin red as scarlet , spotted in some places , the head round as a ball , the feet round , and broad , the claws harmlesse . the moors beat the flesh with planks to make it tender , and eat it . what it feeds on is unknown . chapter v. of the ignavus , or slug. they are of two kinds ; one the portugees call perillo ligero , the little swift dog by contraries ; and friguiza . of the bignes of one of our midling foxes , short-necked , two fingers long at most , small , and somwhat round-headed ; narrow mouthed , toothed as a lamb , blunt , smooth , high , black-nosed . the eyes small , black , drowsy , having no eares ; the tayl blunt , like a sugar-loof , on each foot are three nayls , white and yellow , crooked , bending , and hollowed . the hair about two fingers long , ash-coloured , badger-like , but softer , and whiter . the most sluggish , and slow-paced of beasts . he creeps up trees , and eats leaves , never drinks . seldome send forth any voyce ; holds fast what he catchest , fears the smallest rain . the heart taken out of the female , stirs half an houre after . the paunch red-streaked like beans , into which the navelvessells in many sprigs are fastened . they bear young-haired , toothed and clawed . the heart of the shee hath two plain ears , hollow . in the stomack the upper-mouth is two fingers crosse from the gullet , and where the opening uses to be , is a gut a span long , but hath no passage . in the stomack is plainly seen green matter of leaves . two paps are on the breast . tough of hide . so lively , that , if all the guts be taken out , it stirs , and draws the feet together . de laet , who saith , hee saw one alive , saith , the neck is longer , as we have made it . he clings so fast , that he looses hold , and life together . hermaneus saith , he in a whole day cannot move fifty paces forward . by night he is heard , and the latter syllables still lower then the former . he stays sometimes in a tree twenty dayes without food , and is thick-sighted . another of the kind , called hag , hath an apes face , a rough-shaged skin , hairy-thighs , claws , on each foot three , and those sharp , and long , is easily tamed , when taken . chapter vi. of the badger . the greeks have no proper name for it ; the latines call it taxus , perhaps from dasus , hairy , and shaggy ; and meles , or melis , melo , and melotus ; from the roundnes of the members . it is greater then a cat , or fox , whose nature it comes nearest , the skin being rough-hairy ; it hath more white , then black hairs , the head black in the midst , white on the sides , broodbacked , sharp-toothed , it is a mistake , that the left legs are shorter . they are found over all the hills of italy , and helvetia , and elswhere . they live on hornets , and worms , apples , and grapes , being fattest in autumne . they love rabbits-flesh , and geese , chickens , and other foules . they breed their young as foxes , and bring forth in three months , sometime two , sometime three in autumne . they hate foxes , for these watch when they are gone abroad , and so bedung their holes , that they must seeke another for the stinke . they are so thick-skind , that you can scarce hurt them , but their nose is so tender , then there you may kill them . their skin is so pufd , that dogs cannot fasten on it . he turnes on his back , and with teeth , and feet , resists the beasts that vex him . knowing himself to be short-legged , he goes not far from his hole . when cold weather presses him , he skulks , and fattens by-sleep . bring him in winter by the fire , he casts himself among the coals . the moone waxing , he fattens , in the wain he grows leaner ; men say , but it is uncertain . his bite is mortall , because hee feeds on hornets , and venomous things . olaus shews their ingenuity in digging , and voyding their house of the earth , and strewing themselves a bed therein with chaff , and leaves , bringing so much on their heads , and with their feet at once , as a man can carry under his arme . they ever have two doores to their house . when the south-wind blows , they open the north-doore ; and when the north-winde , the south-doore . they lay up winters-provisions ; and the male keep the female from eating too much , least they should want afore spring . when they grow blind for age , they keep house , feeding one another at home . when they are spied , and hunted on hills , they lay their forelegs over their head , and ly round like a globe , and as bears tumbled down . in italy , germany , and elsewhere , their flesh is counted a dainty , if taken in autumne . they seeth it with pears in switzerland . savanarola likens it to wilde porke ; platina to porcupines-flesh . in phisick , they put the fat into glifters to helpe back-each ; it helps chapped nipples , and gouts , and shrunk-members . the blood dried , heals leprosie . it is given with salt , and beasts-horn against the plague . lonicerus deftills it onely in the dog-dayes , and prescribes two drams . ges●er saith , that the same blood in a composition with armeniack-earth , saffran , and tormentil , is a receit in the most raging pest. the ashes stench blood . to say nothing of the brain , tooth , or left foot , which tied under the arme , is said to help memory . of old they wore badgers skins . dog-collars are made thereof . some are tame , you may play with them ; some are wild , and rough-bristled ; some are dog , and some hog , badgers or grays , both taken in the matisconensian territory . the dog-badgers have a dogs grin , and dig their holes in gravelly places ; they have not many borroughs ; feeding on carcases , and dogs-meat . they are whitish , and biger then dogs ; with their snout they dig a small hole near their house door , where they hide their dung . they eat roots , and fruits , and what swine love to feed on . the heygrat , ( or hony-devourer ) in america , of a chesnut-colour , as big as a cat , is a kind of badger . they ever hunt after bee-hives , or the trees where wild hony is , of the like kind is the quanpecotli about eighteen inches long , long snouted , slender , writheld upwards , long tailed , and haired , shining about the belly ; the rest dusk , or black , and glistering ; the back blackest ; black-footed , and crooked-nailed ; easily tamed ; ravenous ; spares nothing eatable ; gamesome a thousand wayes ; harmful to strangers ; found in new-spain among the hills , where he delights to be . akin to this is the tacuintecuani , or cynodaticus in bulk , snout , qualities , and feet . it is white , but hath large black spots ; having the name from biting . lives not far from the south-sea : like to these is the tlalcoyotl , hairy , two spans long , badger-clawed , short-legged , and black , short-tailed ; having a small head , a slender , and very long snout , teeth sticking out ; his body of a yellowish white , but on the back , and upper-parts of the neck black , and bright streaked , and feeds as the quanpecotli . chapter vii . of the castor , or bever . called by the greeks kastoor , from casteros , the belly , because he is almost belly ; not from castrating himself , when pursued for his stones , as some ridiculously derive it , for they are so small , and cleave so close to the ridge of his back , that he cannot come at them , nor while he lives , can they be plucked from him . he is called fiber , not from frequenting the brinks of rivers , that of old were called fibri , but from fibros , soft , because his hair is so . some have mistaken him for the otter . nor is it the latax in arist. nor shall i decide it , whether it is the orchia , or no : some have counted him an amphibium , or half a fish , because he lives both on land , and in the water . he is of a bright ash-colour , but blackish-backed ; finer haired then the badger , & the blacker the skin , the coftlier . his teeth are very sharp , wherewith he can cut wood ; the foreteeth are red : the forefeet like dogs-feet ; the hinder skinned like goosfeet , each five-toed . tailed like a fish . in the greater , a foot and half broad , and six fingers , two thick ; sometimes weighing four pound ; thin at the edges , a thin skin , and smooth , and pale , streaked with admirable artifice . in the privy parts he hath two swellings as big as a goose mouth , on each side one ; these are lappets covered with a thin skin , in the midst a passage , whence sweats out a fat , clammy-moysture , wherewith , after wiping his mouth , he annoints all the parts he can come by ; as some birds that have in the same place a small bag with a moysture in it , fetch it thence with their bill , and annoint their feathers , to keep them moyst , while they remain in the open aire . in tongue , heart , stomack , guts , and liver divided into five laps , or strings , he resembles a hog most . his gall lurks under the lesser laps of the liver . his spleen is but small for a beast of his bignesse . his reins as great as a yearling-calves , and fat . the bladder like a sowes . the testicles small , and cleaving to his back-bone . the femal hath but one passage for all natural uses ; the necks of the womb , and bladder meeting there . gesner in dissecting a bever , found in a bag a yellow matter , solid , waxy , sharp , not earthy , of a pound weight ; and the genital to consist of one bone , and in each knob another small bag with a honied-kind of substance in it , smelling like mouldy rotten cheese . the like is in the femals , but weighing hardly an ounce . wherein bellonius found stones as big as an egge , but without doubt it was counterfait . bevers are found in burgundy , about the river matrona ; and by the sein in cabillon , and in lorain . austria , about the danow , where they are called biferi ; in helvetia , about arula , rusa , and the river lomagus ; in poland also , russia , prussia , and italia ; especially where the po disburthens himself into the sea ; finally , the best are about the rivers of pontus , and in spain . they haunt rather the northern-waters , then the rhine , or danube , or other rivers troubled with navigation . but where ever he lives , he lives partly in the water , and partly on the land . therefore they make their holes by river-sides . they feed on tree-leaves , as the poplar , &c. but they covet most the broad-leaved willows , because bitter . not on fish , as albert mistakes ; for pelicerius , bishop of montpellier , laid often afore them fish alive , and dead , but they would not so much as smell to them . in the beginning of summer , under the constellation of the dolphin with sagittarius declining , they couple . they bring forth at the fall of the leaf . the voice of the beaver is like the crying of a child . they never leave their hold in biting , till they hear the bones crack ; when you keep them tame , they are so modest , that they never foul the house with their ordure , and they cry , and whine , if they cannot get abroad . they love their young so , that they will break through doors , and grates , and cast themselves down headlong for their sakes , as the forenamed bishop relates . they feed themselves with their forefeet , as with hands . they wet their hinder-parts often , because the barks of trees bind their bodies , or for that but little gaul flows to their guttes . that opinion of his biting off his testicles , when hunted , is false , rising from his craft in hiding them . he is observed to be very cunning . as appears by the wise building , and preparing of their house , in carrying of the materialls on the old ones lying on their backs , and packing the wood handsomely between their thighs , and dragging them by the tail to the appointed place , which makes the old ones backs so sleek . those that the scythians call drudges , gather apples , cut barke , others lay them on the backs of two yoaked , having framed a hurdle of sticks to that end . the same by the black ones , which are called masters , direct by their gate , and posture the rest ; being to cut wood , they ever hold the same track from the river to the tree ; never leaving a tree , till they have gnawed it almost asunder ; and when it is near falling , they take care that it may not fall on that side where they stand . in a word , they build their houses higher , or lower , as the river runs , and shift lodging the day afore it overflows . the flesh is not unsavoury , if in dressing the venome be removed . the foreparts are hot , the hinder so cold , that , like tortoyses , they eat them onely on fasting-dayes . the loranois count the tayl a delicate , it co●●ming near the tast of a lamprey . some sprinkle it with ginger , and roast it . gesner saith it tasts like eel . in phis●ck the bevers-gall , pisse , tayl and skin is usefull . bever compast with many naturall skins , with a waxy moysture within it , of a tart tast , and a strong sent , is said to be the choysest ; which is to be plucked from the beast in his ripe vigorous age , and to be dried with the hony liquor in it ; it will hold the vertue seven years , it helps the falling-sicknes , and lethargie , if boyled with rue in keen vineger , and the swimming in the head , if the crown be annointed with it , and vineseed , and oyl of roses ; and it helps losse of memory after chronicall tedious diseases , and against short-breath with ammoniack , and honied vineger ; also against hickok after much eating . easens collick , in juice of vine , and boyled in vineger , applied as a cataplasme on the breast , and secrets , is good against running of the reins . a perfume of it , furthers conception . eases womens griefs , rising from cold causes . purges a woman in child-bed . opium corrects it best . finally it is an ingredient into many medicines , as waters , extracts , oyls , ointments , waxes . the curd helps the falling-sicknesse . the pisse poyson ; the tayl wounds in the guts . the ashes of the skin burnt with soft pitch , and leek juice stanches blood . it is a good wearing for the palsied . the teeth are worn for amulets . the fat is a good bait to catch fish . the softest hair makes hats , and breeches . the geloni make of the skins furred coats . we finde no differences of the kinds ; onely the scythians distinguish them into black , and reddish , or yellowish , and party-coloured , calling those masters , these servants . chapter viii . of the otter . called lutra from luein , either loosning-trees at the roots , standing by the river-sides ; or from often washing it self . in greeke enudris , from living in the water . suidas mistakes the ictis for it . sylvaticus miscalls it hydria . gaza calls it lytria : aetius , a river-dog . he is slenderer , and longer then the bever ; toothed , and headed like a waterspaniell ; square-mouthed , eared like the beaver ; the tayl long , round , and pointed at the end ; the legs like a foxes , but somewhat thicker , the hinder-feet flat , and skinny , he is not so thick-skin'd as a castor , hair thick , and short , almost chest-nut colour . they are found everywhere in europe . they swarme in america , especially in canada , most about streams , and lakes , reckoned among those that live both in water , and on land . they abound in the napleshy territories . they feed on fish , whereof they carry so much into their holes , that they infect the air . they eat also the soft tops of herbs , and fruits , and bark of trees . in winter he forrages for his provision . in diving they draw air by degrees into their nostrills , to prevent drowning . in their hole they frame a table-worke of bows , and rods to hold them dry , as they ly . they can out of a river smell a fish-pond some miles off . they draw breath easiest with the stream . when hungry , they swim against , when full , with streame . entring a fish-pond , they sease the best fish with a strange ni●ublenes , and fright them all . they are easily tamed , and are taught by signes to dive , and catch fish . in swethland , at a cooks-beck they fetch fish out of the pond into the kitchen . in germany , and france , pesants eat the flesh , but it is grosse , and flegmatique , carthusians are allowed to eat it . in phisick the fat helps the joints . the blood mixt with water and vineger , takes down the swelling of the nerves . the testicles are approved against the falling-sicknes , but fall short of the bevers . the liver baked , is good against the dysentery ; a cushion of the skin , easeth the emrods ; the skins help the palsie , giddinesse , and head-each . shoes thereof ease the pain in the feet . we in cold climates make gloves , and halfe sleeves of the whole skinne , tayl , and all . the american beasts , the saricoujeme , and the carygueibeju , seeme to be a kin to them . the former is as big as a cat , soft-haired , whitish , skinne-footed . in amphilbia they are . the latter , called also the jiya , is as big as a reasonable dog , roundishhead as a cats , but more coped ; eares round , and standing lower ; footed like the baboone , each hath five toes , the inner most shorter then the rest , soft-haired , not long ; black all over , except the head , which is dusky . hee hath a yellow spot on the throat . he lives on lobsters , fish , and mandow meal , moystened in water . of the s● elswhere . chapter ix . of the ichneumon . he hath his name from ichneuein , from searching ; he being able to distinguish between foyson and poyson . called also a swine , from his hair being so like . miscalled ibis ; and anschycamus . called also thyamon , and alcasis . in greek ullos , little hog , because with his snowt he is ever rooting . at this day stiled the mouse of pharoh , or otter of egypt . of the bignesse of a cat , but longer , hair hard , as a wolfs , bright , and yellowish by spaces , and russet ; blacksnowted , and like a hog ; short , and round-eared , legs black ; on the hinder-feet five toes , the last inner one very short , the tail long , and thick ; the teeth , tongue , testicles , like a cats ; having , beside the passage of the excrement another wide one without , which in hote weather he uses to open ; whence writers have thought them all double sexed . some thinke that egypt only produces them ; but they are found on the other side of atlas , near the heads of the nile . it is an amphibium . they feed on mice , snakes , snails , lizards , the chamaeleon , frogs , and the like : they love fowles , especially hens , and the crocodiles liver ; and therefore , as it is thought , they creepe into their bellies , while they sleep , whence there is great enmity betwixt the two creatures ; so that if one finds the others egges , he breaks them , which is well for the egyptians , since it prevents the increase of the crocodiles . he is also at enmity with the asp , and all kinds of serpents . he hates the wind most , so that it begins to rise , hee hastens to his hole . they are tamed easily in egypt ; they destroy rats , like cats , or weesells ; they love to be plaid with ; they shun cold , hide their heads between their legs , rouling themselves up like a hedge-hog in a ball round ; set up their bristles when they spy any beast ; dare encounter one great dog , and choke a cat at three bites ; venter on horses and camells , and any sort of beasts . they whelp as many at a time as bitches doe . the relations about their changing of sex are fabulous . their wit is seene herein , that they stand on their hind-legs to prey , and creep slily till it be within reach , and then furiously fasten . hee never venters on his foe , till hee call his fellows . being to fight with the asp , hee wallows in mire , and then drives it on in the sun , till it serve him for an armour of proofe . if there be no mud near , he wets himself , and roules , and tumbles in the dust ; knowing his nostrills tender , in fight hee saves them with his tayl . in physick his pisse some drinke with a black cows milk against the collick . the ashes of the skin burnt in vineger , cures a sting of a serpent , smeared on . a fume of the hair is good against wormes . chapter x. of vveesels . article i. of the common vveese● , or ferret . almost all dictionary-writers fetch the name mustela , ( weesel ) from mus , and telum , a mouse , and a weapon , because of his length : some from teele , longe ; at length , or from far ; or from mus , and stelloo , mouse-stealing , because they draw them out of their holes . of old galeoe , from the milky whitenes . some kedroo , from his fox-craft . of late numphitza . it is reddish on the sides , and back ; sometimes yellowish , ever white about the thraot : slender-bodied , short-tayled . the teeth lesse then the mouses ; the heart small , yet in comparison with that of other beasts , great enough . they are found everywhere ; but the white most in northern regions . the great ones are in mauritania , the greatest , in the tartesian territory without hercules his pillars , by cales . in java woods they are . in the isle pordeselene they passe not their bounds . bring them into baeotia , they dy , or fly . they dwell in holes , clefts of rocks , haymows , and stables . he eats all things ; mostwhat mice , and moles ; he abstain not from serpents : he lies in wait for bats ; he sucks pigeon-egges , and the blood of birds killed , picks out dead mens , eyes , catches hares ; he hath been seen with one in his mouth . that they bring forth at the mouth , is a tale forged out of the fained turning galanthis alkmenas mayd , by iuno into a weesel . that they have a womb , is certain . the raven , and crow hate them for sucking their egs : their voyce frights hens ; they fight with cats . they fight with serpents , armed only with a sprig of run , or with so wthistles ; if they want these , they are worsted . their dung , if they live in fields , and woods , smells like musk . with their age they change colour . they recover their whelps sight with an herb ; are easily tamed , if you rub their teeth with garlick . they dare set on greater beasts . they build their holes with two doors , one north , the other south . they transport their young thence for a dayes space . their bite is mortall , and makes mad ; if it but touch a cows udder , it is inflamed . oyl wherein the weesel hath rotted is a remedy , or rubbing the place with the skin dry . aristides of locris died of the bite of a weesel . the mexicans eat them . galen saith that corned with salt , and dried the flesh tasts like hare . the brain dried helps not a little against swounding fits . the stomack stuf'd with coriander-seed cures serpent bites . the lungs are good for the lungs . the liver helps giddinesse , and swounding , because it increases , and decreases with the moon . pliny commends the gall against all venome , matthiolus used it with fennell-water against dimnesse of sight , and skin spots . the yard dried is soverain against the strangury . the stones , and womb , like the eagle-stone , prevents a womans miscarrying . lonicerus cries up the blood with juice of plantan against the gout , galen , against catarhs . mathiolus magnifies the dung taken in hony , with pulse-meal , and feny-greek against swellings , and wens . the weesel whole is of use . dioscorides commends it unbowelled , and long pickled against sting . galen used the dust dried against the falling-sicknesse . matthiolus the ashes of it burnt made with water into a dow , against head-ache , dimnesse of sight , and blood-shot , smeared on . marcellus burned it to ashes in an old pot , and mixt them with hony on a thirsday , in the wane of the moon against swellings of the jaws . see ambrosine about the divers uses of it . a weesels foot hung with rose , and mustard-feed on the branches of a barren tree make it beare . farriers with a piece of the skin have cured horses of the parlous disease , called tach. some sprinkle seeds with the ashes on their ground to drive away field-mice ; others seeth them in much water to that purpose . some make the weesel , and ictis herein to differ , that the one is kept tame , the other goes wild . others call the white one hermellani ; that that is white only on the breast visela . the rosola , or guisela , his dung smells sweet . one is called a salamander , for his many colours . the austrian girella , is of the bignesse of a weezel . the italian curriers shew a skinne black , and glistring brought out of the cold coasts , called the rosoleus , or romulus . some count the chiurca a ferret . the vormela mentioned by agricola , is another ; and cardan adds the lardironi , and the genet●a . scaliger writes that the chiurca hath a ferrets face , and bulk , a foxes head , lives under ground , is very fruitfull , bringing at a birth twelve at once . the tayl small , and almost bald ; it self is black-haired , carrying her young under her belly in a bag . the african ferret is as big as a great mouse , resembling a ferret , and a squirrell , lifting up the tayl , but not over the head as the squirrell ; but high , and spreading it abroad , and sitting eating on the breech , holding his food with the fore-feet squirrell-like , and tossing it . in either jaw were two longer fore-teeth , the ears roundish , the haire party-coloured from head to tayl , sandy , dusk , and white with streaks . the tayl very handsome , he could display it like a pea-cock ; five toes on each foot ; foure forwards , the middlemost longest ; the fifth like a spur behinde . he refused no food , but liked bread best ; he was tame , and went loose . on shipboard they come into the marriners laps , and stockins , so tame they are . nieremberg calls it a lybia weezel . article ii. of the wilde ferret , or fitcher . some call it putorius ; some furo , either from his theeving by night , or his darke colour , from his digging , and myning in burrows ; some viverra or ferret from verrunco , ferriting , and driving beasts out of burrows . also iktis , from a bird of that colour ; and pholita , or pholenta , coloured betweene white , and box , white-bellied , reddish-eyed ; greater then a tame weesel . aristotle makes it of the bulk of a malta-whelp ; but in hair , shape , colour ( white below ) very unlike the common-ferret . in italy , france , and germany , they are not , but onely in africa , and in england . he lives on hony , fish , pigeons , and conies , which he likes best of all . the females dy with heat , if they couple not , when lust is on them . they mix as cats , and bring seven or eight in a lutter , they carry them fourty dayes ; the young after for thirty dayes are blinde ; and the fourtieth day after sight comes , they go a hunting . provoke them , and their dung sents well ; when time in boxes , they sleep away most of their time . in narbon , france , they hunt rabbets with them ; and elswhere they fetch with them dirds out the high nests , that men cannot come by . there is a peculiar kind in zeilan , foe to the crowned serpent , he bites on the roote of snake-wood , when he goes to combate with him . the hamester is of this kinde , bigger then a tame forret ; the back is hare-coloured , the belly black , the sides shining , feet short . he is a great gatherer of grain into his burrow . thuringia is full of them , called putorius from his stinking breath ; and icktis , because he loves fish . scaliger calls him a stinking cat . bodied like a mattern , but bigger ; narrower necked , broader bellied , blacker on the tayl and thighs ; the sides yellower . it hath a double ranke of hair , some shorter , and yellow ; other longer , and black , the left legs are not shorter , as some think . they inhabite garners , stables , woods , and bank-sides . they feed on mice , hens , and other fowles ( whose heads they strait pull off ) fish , frogs . in spring their skin smell strongly , in winter not . there also the noërza , as big as a pole-cat , of an otters-colour , is a stinking beast , lurking in wood-corners . chapter xi . of the mattern , or pole-cat ; and of the zibelline-ferret , or musk-cat . the martes , or mattern , hath the name from his fiercenes ; called also martia , marta , marrus , and foina , gainus , scismus . his teeth pure white , even set , and keen . the dog-teeth in either jaw hang out , six smaller of diverse length are between , in stead of cutters , and are very small in the lower jaw . the grinders are eight , and like saws , some single . the utmost above stand more inward then the rest by much . under the skin are sinewy small veins , stretched out , answering all the ribs in number , and order ; the ribs are fourteen . no membrane fleshly . the muscles of the paunch are between the two tunicles of the rim , which makes it seeme thicker , and grosser , as the horny-film of an ox-ey ; fleshy in length by that line , that answers the navell , but not abroad , and onely below . the kell fastened to the stomack , entralls , and milt ; the milt very small , hanging on the left side of the stomack , and a part of the kell fastened to it . the stomack bigger then ordinary for such a small body , consisting of a doubled coat , the outmost whiter , the inmost smoother , both thin . the guts fastened behind to the back-bone by a thin skin . no blind gut , all uniforme . the bladder very long , thin , but inclining more to the stomack . the liver of seven films , the weakest three-parted , like a chicken-foot , the middle three-cornerd , annexed to the hollow vein , a litle way by a thin skin . the right rein is higher . the left emulgens longer then the right ; both sprouting from the great artery , not from the hollow-vein . yet i doubt of it . by the hollow-vain are here and there reddish , and yellow kernells ; the uppermost on the right side joyns to the liver by small veins . the hollow vein sends many sprigs through the loyn-space of muscles to the back bone ; and the great artery lies under the hollow . the seed-vessels descend from the midst of the reins , but are parted in two on either side below , one branch joyned to the stone , reaching without the paunch . the yard arising from strings of os sacrum , is gri●tly , and hard as a bone , writhed at top like an wimble-skind , close , sharp as a needle . the right uritory sit higher into the bladder , then the left ; a fine sinew comes strait down , tied to the right side , sit into the beginning of the hollow vein . also a small sinew on the left-side , descends to the stomacks-mouth . the hollow-vein is set into the right ventricle of the heart , neare the right lappet , which is black , and full of blood , and greater then the left ; this is white , and bloodles , hollow , spreading on the right side into the lungs . the great artery is set into the hearts left ventricle , bending downward . the hollow vain on the right , passing a little above the lungs-branches it self , into six springs , rising to the lower jaw . on the right side the lungs , consist of foure lesser veins , on the left of two greater . they are most in the north , and in the german-alps , southward , and toward italy . they inhabite the roofs of greater houses , and beech , and firre-woods . a boor told gesner , that in a very high firre-tree , he tooke a mattern , and foure welps . france hath no such . out of poland are some brought of a slight dusk-colour . beside other weezels-food , they are said to eat shrubs , their dung smels like musk ; they are easily tamed . gesner had one that loved his dog , that went about with him ; let loose , shee would come to the chaine again , and play with him like a cat , lying on the back . but there is no trusting them ; therefore some advise , to take out their dog-teeth . the skin is of use ; that under the throat , makes caps good and wholsome for the head . in canada the women shew their babes in them . there are two kinds ; one tamer of a dark yellow , except a white part of the throat , which curriers and skinners call faina . bodies like a cat , a litle longer , and shorter legged . it rooms about the country , kills hens , and sucks their egs . the other is wilde , of a brighter , and softer hair , and a clay-coloured throat . some inhabite beech , and oake , and holm-woods , some pitch , and firre-woods . about the bregantine lake , they shine by night . the zibelline weezel , or satherius , or sebalus , or the sarmatick , and scythian-mouse , is somewhat lesse then the mattern , of a dark yellow all over , except the throat , which is ash-coloured . found in the north , in the utmost woods of moscovia , in lithuania , white-russia , and neare the cronion-sea , and in laucerusa , a wood of scandinavia . the tartars , and laplanders send the best skins . the guinee story tells of store , in a province of congo ; they lurke in shady forrests , and catch birds . they are very nimble , and restles . it is said , that , if you lay the skin under other cloathes in a chest-bottome , in three dayes it shall be found uppermost ; handle them , yet they remain even . the long-haired , and inclining to black , are the best skins . you spoyl them , if you lay them in the sun. to keep them from the moth , shake them oft , and lay them up wrapped in wormwood ; they are very costly . agricola saw fourty sold for a thousand crowns . ambrosine , a halfe sleeve trim'd therewith , worth foure hundred pound of bonony-money . they of obdoria , offer this mus-cats-skins to their idol , called zlata baba . the great cham of tartary , his tents are said to be lined with them . chapter xii . of the genetta , and the zibethus , or civet-cat . some conceive that genetta , being a spanish name , borrows the name from some place there . others call it a spanish , or genet-cat . some a lesser panther . the oppians suppose it to be a lesser wolf. the whole body is handsomely , marked with black spots . the whole skin is of a soft and thick hair , and downy , breathing forth a not unacceptable sent . it is found in spain in waterish places , where it seeks the food . a winter halfe-sleeve furred therewith is sold for , nay pound bononian mony . the zibet , unknown perhaps to the ancients , is by the greeks called zapetion ; by others a zibet-cat ; or a civet-cat , a kind of panther , which the ancients thought the only well-sented beast ; this is thought the same with the hyena of old . it is armed with sharp teeth and hair . an arme long from head to dock ; the legs to the feet , a third part of an armes length . hee is about the bignes of a fox , coloured like a wolf , but black-spotted . hee carries a bag about his privities , wherein lies the civet , that is so fragrant . hee hath a wide mouth like the badger , the tongue not quite so rough as a cats . they are found in pegu , congo , china , cambaja , and in the ethiopian woods . brought also out of egypt , where they breed plentifully , and out of spain into italy . hee loves raw flesh , and field-mice . cardinal galeotto feeds them at rome with chicken-flesh . in china hee eats sweet-meats , and rice , and egs , and the sweet wood called camaron ; if that be the beast pigafetta , mentions in his journall . scaliger hath seen them so tame at rome and mantua , that men carry them harmlesly on their shoulders . a florentine consul at alexandria had one so gentle , that hee played with men , taking them by the nose , ear , lips , teeth , and did them no harm . ever fed from the first it was with womans breast-milk . the sweet excrement lurking as afore , is first white , after of a clayish colour , at length waxes black . it smells strong at first to wonder men ; being layd in the open ayr , and hardened , it obtains that most gratefull fragrancy . some will have it to be his seed . it is gathered in a silver spoon , or one of brasse , or horn , every day a dram . if you vex him with a small rod , hee yeelds more at a time . some are said to pisse civet at a set time of the year . civet is best kept in horn . there are some nobles of ulyssipone that gaine thence yearly fifteen hundred pounds . it is of use in phisick , and otherwise . a grain put on hot bread , applied to the navell eases the collique . it is one good ingredient against giddinesse , and apoplexy , smeared on the nostrills , temples , and crown of the head . it opens the mother . some adulterate it with ox-gall , storax , and hony . it is used in preparing cypres-pouder , sope-balls , strong-waters , oyls , spirits , and perfumes . chapter xiii . of the hare . he is called lepus , and levipes , light-foot from his fleetnesse , or his soft going by reason of his shaggy feet . derived from the old aeolick lepori ; or from his uncertain footing leioos , that it is hard to trace him . in greeke liporis , lagoos ; by the athenians , by the ionians lagos . and dasypous , from his shaged feet ; and from his swiftnesse doubtlesse , dromalos , ptox , tachines . in candy kekenas ; by aristotle trochos . his head is short , and round ; neck narrow , round , soft , long , prick-eared , legs strait & light , breast not fleshy , back-bone round , breast sinking ; thighs light ; those afore near one another , behind stradling ; the whole body pliable ; heart very great . about briletum , therne , the chersonesus , the propontis they seeme double livered . the gristle under the fore corner of the ey is broad ; there lies somewhat near the brain like a worme ; the body round like a vault , not found in other beasts . the ear-tip thin , and transparant as a cats . among the toothed , and single-bellied beasts this alone hath cur'd . they are everywhere , both in hote , and colder climates . white ones are brought out of africa . in the indian isle mazzua they abound so , the natives everywhere kill them . their plenty on mount athos is grown to a proverb . they frequent uninhabited places most , where huntsmen least trouble them . in ithaca are none , nor live they , if brought thether . of their food bargeus hath composed nine queint verses . the summe is : they nibble on rank grasse , and corn-stalks , and strings of herbs in the earth , and soft barks of trees , and moyst books , apples , acorns , fitches , milt , elms-leaves ; especially wild mint , water-cresses , and betony , and pennyroyall . they gender averse , as all other beasts that pisse backward . they couple all the year , especially in spring . they admit of superfaetation . aelian speaks of pregnant leverets found in a hare cut up . in the time of antiochus gonata two hares in astypalaea in a short time bred above six thousand . and all geron an isle of the scarian sea was within a while pestered from one hare big with young . they breed in forrests in the most solitary places , two , three , sometimes four at once ; you may know the female by the long head , thick body , longer ears , and grisly hair inclining to black on the back , and by her many doubles when hunted . the male hath red shoulders , and long hairs in the midst , the head shorter , and blunter ; the beard , and brow hairs longer , the ears shorter , and broader . afore the hounds he will run strait on ten miles together . they hate eagles , crows , weesels , foxes , and dogs . they live seven years . their age may be gues'd by the clefts of their dung by the mouth of their forme . their voyce is squeaking or mourning . they are well-sighted , and sleep with their eyes open , and are quick of hearing . the noyse of shaken leaves makes them run , and use their ears to guide them in their course , when they go to sleep , that their forme may not be found , they run too and fro with doubles , and then take a leap into their hole , where they lies with their forelegs together , and their ears layd squat on their shoulders . they love to sit abroad in the sun in fair weather . they love the place best where they were bred . are easily tamed ; but dy , if too fat , yet , on the least scope given , they run away to their old liberty , and fall to their first wildnesse . they seldome grow fat in the woods , because perhaps they live in fear . against winter they provide their house in sunny places , in summer northward . they run far for food , on purpose to keep themselves long winded by dayly breathing , and to use their feet . to amuse the hunters they run through windy wayes , shunning shrubs , least their hair should stick thereon , and so yeeld sent to the dogs . they know how to proportion their course , as the dogs are slower , or fleeter , and they lurk , when hunted , among clods , because they are of their colour . jews may not eat them ; but among the gentiles , after attalicus the cydonian had made hare a dish at his feasts , it became a dainty ever after , and was thought to make the face fair . for certain alexander severus ate it dayly ; and martiall writes something , that sounds that way . as for the temper of hares flesh , those of two , or three months old , leverets , of six at most are most juicy , and of easiest digestion ; if older , as above a year old , it breeds grosse blood , yet there are jolly huntsmen that eat it every day . but that cato censorinus prescribes it , and pot-herbs to the sick , it must be meant of young leverets . but those that live on hills , or heaths , feeding on pennyroyall , &c. are much better then those that frequent waterish places . they taste best as cold weather comes in . see ambrosin about the dressing of them . in phisick no part almost of the hare that is not usefull , even the very excrements . the head burnt with bears-grease , or vineger , helps shedding the hair ; the brain helps children in breeding teeth , if oft rubbed on the gum ; drunk in wine , it helps those that cannot hold their water ; the heart is tied on those that are troubled with quartains ; the powder of it dried with a third part of manna , frankincense in white wine , men drink seven dayes against the falling-sicknesse ; the lungs helps sore eyes ; the liver with sowr wine , the collick ; the gall in sugar , pearls , and dimnesse of the eyes ; the curd of one that hath eaten nothing but milk , dried in the sun , or smoke , is sovereign against bloody-fluxes ; it draws out a thorn , mixt with flower of frankincense , and oke-gum . some use it against the sting of serpents ; and to help conception : but it is said to kill what is conceived , if drunk in ; the reins boyled , are ministred for the stone ; stale , and tied to the feet , eases the gout ; from the mother , some make medicines for the griefs of the bladder ; the flesh fried in oyl , is ministred glister-wise against dysenteries , and ulcers in the bowels , to the same purpose is the blood roasted good ; some mingle it with barly-meal ; the milk makes women fruitful ; the fat with bean-flower , helps to draw out stings ; the tooth hang'd on , eases tooth-ach ; the ancle-bone tied on with a string of hares hair , mitigates the collick ; and distilled with pennyroyal , and drunk , it allayes sharp child-bearing-labour , and is prescribed with oke-lime , pearl , coral , and paeony-seed against the falling-sicknesse , and provokes urine ; the skin in sere-cloth , is good against burstings ; the feet cut off while he lives , easens the gout ; the pisse with spiknard is a wholsome drink against dropsie ; the dung born by a woman , hinders conception , but put under , helps the months , and dries , burn the whole hare , the ashes taken in warm wine , helps the stone ; whereof also is compounded an electuary , whereto jews-stone , and spunges found among small stones are added . hares differ in colour , bignesse , fatnesse . some are blew , others in a black-soyls , duskish , others on red-soyls , glistering . in america are found some with the black hare coloured , the sides white and black , the rest white . there are white ones on the alps , and on the hill tops by the vally of anania ▪ gesner saw one milk-white , with black hair on the ear-tips , and found the flesh tenderer in taste then other ; the elymaean are as big a fox . in macedon , and transalpin-gual are great ones ; in italy , and spain , lesse . in lower hungary they are observed to be fatter then in italy . one kind is said to sent so of musk , that they make the hounds mad that hunt them . some are called mountain , some field , some marish , some italian , french , spanish , indian hares . the italian are low-footed afore , black-backed , and white-bellied . the mountaneers differ from others in their black-hew , bulk , wildnesse , and thick hair ; the french are most what bright . the spanish comprehend rabbits , there is one in new-spain called by the natives citli , shaped as ours , and feeds so , but with ears very long , and broad for such a body : the indians weave the hair into clothes and sheets , which they wear for cloaks . the brasilians have their cotias of the bignesse , shape , and taste of the hare ; yellowish , little eared , and almost no tail . there is a greater kind called pacae , round mouthed , cat-faced , dusk , with white spots ; tender of flesh , and skin also , therefore fought after as a dainty . there is also a kind that the indians cudgell to death ; then flea it , and work the blew-beaten-flesh into a paste , which they wrap in the skin , and call musk. chapter xiv . of the cony . hath the name from myning , and burrowing under ground , and dwelling there ; called by aelian a little hare , or leveret ; by the greeks sunax , dasupous ; which yet pliny seems to distinguish from both cony , and hare . strabo calls them digging hares , and leberidas , perhaps from the serpents-slough ; whence a young one newly kindled , and hairlesse , is termed liberis , laberis , and laurix , or glib . also adapis , perhaps from adapanos , that cannot be spent ; so fruitfull , and numerous they are . by erotianus , limopoios , dearth-bringer . all the belly-muscles cleave fast between the two skins of the peritonaeum . the strait gut small ; the heart little , the liver great , and the reins , the milt long like a swallows , or cocks ; the parepar , or byliver , shaped like a shoe-makers broad handled knif , lying in the midst between the broad liver strings ; the stomack not unlike a hogs , very like a mouses , or dormouses ; the cystis small fastened to the liver ; the blind-gut more then a palm great , celled , and hath an appendix of three fingers ; the turning-joynts of the loyns long , between which ly fair muscles . pliny denies there are any bred in the isle ebusus ; but they swarm in france , italy , mauritania , muscovy , poland , england , &c. about mosaiscus , a muscovy-town , they are numberlesse ; but they abound most in spain . in the baleares , majorca , and minorca , they devour their harvest . in zeland by the sea-side there are many , enough to furnish all brabant in winter . they feed on grasse , three-leaved grasse , cabbage , lettuce , cicory , turneps , and apple-parings , and especially bay-berries . mans-blood fattens them apace ; they cannot away with moysture ; they couple every six , or rather twelf moneths , and kindle monethly in hot-countries . one that kept conies , relates that some have brought three young at once ; and after a fortnight as many more . but in germany , and italy , they seldome breed in winter , they bring five or nine at most ; that of their double-sex is a fiction ; they suck oneantwenty dayes ; if any handle them , the dames are angry , and either forsake , or hurt , or kill their yong : and the males doe the same , if the females are busie about their young , and neglect them . by leaping rabbits , scape taking ; they forsake places , where they are in danger ; and one going , all the rest follow . it is known that they chew the cud ; through envy they will bite one anothers ears , and legs off , yet are easily tamed . cardan knew one of it self follow the dogs ; they dig them burrows with many outlets . in spain they in sandy soyl undermined , and subeverted a fair town , so that the natives must seeke other dwellings ; they come not abroad , but mornings , or evenings ; and go not far from burrows , and stop up the entrance , to prevent discovery by the passengers ; their flesh , especially of the young ones , is tenderer then hare . a spanjard was the first who made it a dish on his table ; they care not in spain for tame conies , they tast too much of their food , but wild are a dainty . they parboyl them , and stuf them with sweet herbs ; and lard them with pork . in phisick , the fat refreshes the sinews , and helps watering : burned , it cures the inward ague ; they differ in colour , bignesse , inwards , and places : there are white , black , yellow , ash-coloured , pied , bright , stated with black , and glittering spots . valerian saw at verona with a jugler one fouretimes as bigge as ours , and strangly fat . pliny thinks that the betick-conies have double inwards . some called vtiae in india , are no bigger then rats . i leave to the reader to judge , whether they are conies that scaliger describes , of hare-colour , short-eares , thick-body , and well set , long-tails like the squirrels . some call them pharohs-mice , some indian-hares ; there those they call indian-pigs , of the bignes of our conies , but shorter-legged , on the fore six toes , on the hinder-feet five ; they have mice-teeth , no tayl , a sharp muzzle ; ears little , and round , rather bristled then hairy ; they gruntle like pigs , they eat all herbs , fruit , bread , oats , living many month without water . one male is enough for seven , or nine females ; admitting of superfetation like conies . in winter they kindle , in dayes all seeing . the males fight afore the female . we have added the picture of another indian-cony . some make nine sorts of indian-conies . . the pacfli , as dainty as those in spain , if it live where good grasse grows . . the eliztactotli , or white-breast . . the cuitlatepotli , or short tayl . . the tocant●ctli of peru , shaped like the mexican mole , called tuca . . the quau●toctli . . metochtli . . cacotochtli . . another cuitlatepotli . all differing in shape , and name , not so savoury , and delicate of tast as ours . all this i had out of d. franc. hornandus his manuscripts . out of another , that there are some somewhat lesse then the castellani tayl like a fish , well-tasted ; living on hills , and grassie places , and not in burrows . there are foure sorts of them . . quemi , greater , and harder . . utiae . . mohlas . . cuties , litle , daintier , and wholesomer . there are viscachae , long-tailed like cats . they love snow , and batten on it . the hair of old hath been valued , and of use . chapter xv. of the squirrell . the first who called this small beast sciurus was oppianus , who lived in the time of antonine c. so called from the shadow of his tail ; and kampsiouros , from kamptein , because hee bends , and turnes up his tail ever on his back ; and eleion , a dor-mouse ; and nitela , from climing ; and pirolus ; and spiriolus ; and scurulus from running . a kind of mouse he is . his lower-teeth are longest ; and the blinde-gut , answering the stomack . they are found almost everywhere ; especially northward , where their colour is fairest . they feed on apples , chesse-nuts , and other nuts , beech , and pineapples , and acorns ; and in summer they hoard up against winter . in spring they gender , and build nests of sticks , and leaves , on the highest boughs of trees . they bring three , or foure young at once ; that are said to leave their nest after they are three or foure dayes old . they can use their fore-feet like hands , are easily tamed , and chatter : going , they drag their tail after ; sitting they turn it upon their back , in leaping it is in stead of wings ; in schorching weather it yeelds them shadow , passing waters it serves for a sail , they make a bark of a tree their ship ; in their holes they have many outlets , which they stop , or open as the wind stands , or foreseeing a storme . some dresse them to eat , the velleians hold them for a delicate . the fat mollifies . galen commends it highly against ear-ache . iuglers abuse the teeth to fortune telling ; they differ in colour , and according to their place . in germany they are in the first year black , when bigger , red . in poland gray , and flame-coloured . in russia all ash-coloured . in podolia spotted . some are called pontick mice ; the getulian , and indian are pied . the pontick lives about pontus , and used there for weare , called also the laffican-mouse , and the venetian , and by the pole , popieliza . he is ash-coloured in bright , the tail not so bushy as others , but natured as the common squirrell . he is buried all winter in a deep sleep , some on the back are more ash , some more fier red . the getulian is party-coloured red , and black , streaked handsome with white , and dusk from the shoulders to the tail through back , and sides , lesse then the common one , with hanging ears , almost as big as his head , round , fetched through the surface of the skin , long headed like a frog . of the indian are five , or six kinds . . the quauhtechallotl , the tliltik , or tlilocotequillin , so called from the black colour , and the pine-tree , where he dwells . he eats the pine-apples , in the hollow there he layes up his winters provision , there they keep their brood , and gnaw all round . they are subtile , chirp like sparrows , the tail is woolly , and can cover the whole body . they are easily tamed , and brought to eat any thing . eating , he stands on his hind-feet , and holds his meat with the fore-feet , lifting up his tail , but running he stretches it out at length . anger him he raises his hair . they make winter-furres of the skins , which are warme , and handsome . . the quauhtechallotl , quapachtli , or corticolotequilin , so called from the clay-colour of the belly , twice as big as others ; and except the belly is white , black , and dusk ; the tail long and bushy , that can cover him all over . they live with their young in burrows , eat indian wheat , which they take out of the fields , and lay up for winter , they are subtile , and never tamed . . the tlechallotl , with a tail half bald , and shorter , not about nine inches , is never tamed , bites cruelly , gnaw all things , is bright , and dusk , eats as squirrells , and most maiz , hath great eyes , digs himself a burrow , strews it with wool , cotten , or any soft thing , lives there , and chirps like a sparrow . . the thalmototli , of a span long , great-headed , and eyed for such a small body ; the tail long , bushy , with white , dark , and black streaks , and can cover himself therewith , the body is pied , sometimes inclining to yellow . . the quiniichpatlan , or flying mouse , black , shaped like a small bird , long near the arms , and thighs ; he goes from tree to tree , as if he flew ; lesse he is then the rest mouse-headed , great eared , feed as the other . the ashes of the tail burnt , are said to easen child-bearing . . the yztactechalotl , like the rest , only the head , neck , and buttocks at top , yellow , and the tail hath blew spaces , and whitish , and yellow streaks ; the rest of the body is whitish , whence it hath the name . chapter xvi . of the dormouse . called glis from gliscere to wax , or grow fat , resting , and batning all winter in its hole . in greek eleios , of old gelaios , ( whence happily glis , ) so called from living abroad , in woods , or in winter in hollow trees sleeping ; some call him lagoneiron , the sleepy hare . some muozon , from the sharp muzzle , for such it is , and long ; the ears very sharp , the tayl not so bushy ; the belly strutting out more then the squirrells ; sides and back ash-coloured , some yellowish on the belly are taken . they are not onely in woods , but also about country-houses . it is a mistake , that there are none in yreland , nor where yrish wood is ; i know the contrary . they swarm neare goricia , and in the alps of carniola , styria , and carinthia . they eat beech , acorns , nuts , apples , &c. some say , they open apples , onely for the kernels . in winter they ly snorting , and fattening in hollow-trees , in so deep a sleep , that fire can scarce wake them , nor cutting ; till you cast them into scalding water , they stir not . in summer they couple , and bring forth at fall of the leafe . they are prously tender of their old fires , and dames . like mice , they quit a ruinous house , three months afore it fall by a prophetique instinct ; that winters-fatning by rest , lasts not above six years . all that inhabite one wood , meet sometime , and maintain a flight against those of another hill , or river . all authours hold that there is poyson in them about their tail , and that their pisse sprinkled on any part , makes it incurably , putrifie to the bone . some write , that the viper blinds , and fosters up their young , and thence the venome comes . q. scaurus was the first who set their flesh afore his guests , at his sumptious feasts : the romans held them for delicates , whence their gliraria , or dormouse pens . they are thought best , and fattest from october to january ; and the younger the better meat . in phisick they have also place . eating the flesh frees from dog-hunger ; the fat provokes sleep , if you annoint the soles of the feet therewith : the dung drunke , breaks the stone ; the same with vineger , and rosemary , cures shedding the hair ; the ashes cleare the eye-sight . there are severall kinds of them . there is among the allobroges , the savoyards , and the tarantesians such a beast , that sleeps a great part of the year , and is of a delicate taste . in east-india are some as big as pigs , that overturne houses , and digge through walls . there are some reddish-haired , senting like musk. in chiapa is a litle beast , the bignes of a cony , shaped like a dor-mouse ; that , when she seeks her food , carries her young on her back . chap. xvii . of mice . article i. of house-mice . mice we divide into house , field , nut , spider , alpine , and water-mice . the first called in latine catus , and sorex and mus , from the greek , mus ; ratus is the name of the greater , so called from ravening ; now of late called riskos in greek . sorex is from the noise in nibbling , like sawing , or from the rotten matter , that breeds them : in the aeolick vrax , from the muzzle like the swines-snout ; by the thracians arklos ; by some sminthos , and lamas . no need of describing the outward parts ; as for the inner , the heart is very great ; it is said to have no gall . onely in horned-beasts , having teeth on one side ; and in hares , bats , and mice , that have teeth on either side ; is there a womb , having a hollow , whereon the embrio hangs in the midst . the lappet of their heart is far greater on the right then the left side , and that black , as gore blood . at the stomacks-mouth above is a certain round passage , turning back into it selfe , having the shape of a bird turning , and hiding the neck and head in the breast . the hollow vein , rising from the liver , wide in the beginning , then slenderer , but even all along . the blind-gut is like a swines-stomack , though lesse . the stones as big as a chickens , and the skins hang lower as the testicles ; and the right is fuller of veins then the left . the right rein is nearer to the hollow vein then the left . the privy part is gristly , with a threefold parting , and sharp at end , the rest consists of two sinews . the bladder-neck hath fair kennels afore : the mid-rif is transparant in the middle , long , and round . in a dissected mouse , in the right horn of the womb were found foure young , in the left , two ; each had it's cake of flesh round , disposed afore the navell , and covered . some write , there are no mice in the isle parus ; that about the castle slane in scotland , if you bring a great mouse , he dies . that there are none in peru , but those that were brought out of spain with the merchants-wares ; they eat corne , bread , flesh , and pulse , oft onjons , and garlick ; they nibble on many cheeses , they sup wine , and lick oyl . if hunger-starved , they fall on each other . the females can fill themselves with licking of salt ; which made pliny think that by licking they gendred : but it is certain , that they couple , and bring many at once , hundred-and-twenty at a time . and some in persia have been found with young in the dames belly . they breed also out of filth in houses , and ships . as in india , worms a finger thick , breed of a rotten stuf in reed , which after turn into butter-flies , and mice . in jonia , through the overflowing of maeander , mice multiply so , that men are fain to shift their dwellings . those that breed of filth , gender not ; or if they doe , their young doe not . their noise is squeaking . they hold antipathy with elaterium , sea-onion , coloquintida , the weesel , hauke , cats , &c. but sympathy with sweet majoram , to the root whereof they betake themselves , when they ail any thing ; and they agree with swine ; for offer a mous-liver in a fig to a sow , she shall follow you without grunting ; as pierius valerian at padua hath experimented . they are quick of hearing , and hate light by night , because it dazles them . in goldsmiths shops they eat fileings of mettles , and doubtles disgest them . in the isle gyarus , they drove out the inhabitants , and nibled on iron , and steel , in the iron-mongers shops . golden metalls , their bellies can cut through . their pisse sprinkled thereon , eats through . if they slip to the water , they hold by each others tayls , so that if one scape all scape . albert saw in the low-countries a mouse , hold the candle to his master at his nod , and bidding . they differ in bignes , colour , hair smell , and place . in arabia are mice much greater then rats . vitriacus speaks of some in the east , as big as foxes . americus found exceeding great ones in a certain island , most are of the colour of the asse , some black , some dusk , some ash . gesner saw one very white in germany , taken in april , with reddish bolt-goggle-eyes , and a beard rough , and full of rough hairs . scaliger saw another very bright , with flaming eyes . albert writes of white , and very lustfull ; and white stones found in their excrements . some are softer haired then others , and some as bristled , and sharp as hedge-hogs in the region of cyrene ; and a kind of mice are called echines . hedge-hogs . the dung of some is sweet . in italy is a kinde called moschardine , from their sent . bellonius saw one that lived on hoscyam-seed onely , white-bellied , ash-coloured , backed , long-bodied , and tayled , and sword-mouthed , called skalopes , by the scholiast on aristophanes . in cappadocia is a kind called muexis . article ii. of water-mice , and other wilde mice . vvilde mice live abroad , called nitedulae , they with their feet dig themselves holes . the field-mice are called arourai●us , the wood-mice agrious . they abound no where so as in egypt . neare thebes , after the overflow of nilus , in warm weather , they come numberles out of the clefts of the ground . between gazara , and belba they swarm so , that , were they not devoured by the perenopters ( birds ) they would eat up all kinds of seeds ; they devoure hops , parsnips , and the roots of all sorts of pulse ; they affect artichokes most . in the year . they destroyed all kind of grain , so that a great dearth ensued . in the north they lurk under the snow , and feed on worms . they are in some places bred after sudden rains , and floods . the forepart of a mouse hath the full shape , the hinder not . sometimes they propagate of seed . it hath happened , that , when the movers have intended to reape a field next day , the mice have in one day prevented them , and devoured all in one night , at calenum we have seene it done , saith niphus . in cantabria , men are hired to hunt them . the aeolians , and trajans were so vexed with them , that they sacrificed them to smynthian apollo . they entrap them , and knock them on the head with a spade ; when they are hurt , they betake them to succoury , that is their nature . not to speak now of the rats , with tails tufted at the end , and have a peculiar cry ; nor of the leem that falls from the clouds in hasty rain , and lives till it taste new grasse ; nor of the napel-mouse . there is the filbert mouse , of which kind there is a greater , and a lesser . gesner kept a great one some dayes alive , it was like a rat and mouse-coloured on the back , the sides yellow , and especially the head , the ears great , and smooth , the belly white , feet reddish , the tail hairy , eyes broad , black , goggle , the beard white , and black , smelling like the house-mouse . the lesse is reddish , some , but few , have a sweet sent , called by the italians muschardines , by some lucioli from their bright glistring eyes ; it is very like a spider-mouse . he nestles among the bows of the filbert-tree , or the flax , and also under ground , and eats nuts . some of them sleep from harvest to spring , some say without waking ; but those that have kept them say they wake sometimes . there also a spider-mouse that is so nimble and light , it can walke on thred , and not bent it , or on a sword edge , without taking harme . others say it is venomous , and hath the name from a fish , called aranaeus , or a spider , it is much lesse then a weesel , inclining to ash-colour , teeth small , the tail short , and slender , the muzzle long and sharp . the eyes so small for such a body , that pliny thought it pureblind , and others call it the blind mouse . it is dusk , and yellow , the belly white , swine-snowted , thick of hair , the tail twice as little , as of other mice . in either jaw are two foreteeth sticking o●t . between the cheek teeth is no hollow place , but they are all as one bone ; in one part are three knags so small , that you cannot see them . there are four other cheek teeth unequall , and knaged , in all twenty teeth . they are not beyond the appenine hill , but everywhere in italy , especially about trent , also in germany . they winter in stables , in summer they haunt gardens , and cow-dunghills , feeding on roots , especiall eatable thistles , to the husbandmans great damage , also on carrion . those by trent are not venomous . they hate the track of wheels . their squeake is shriller then of other mice , but by reason of its dimme sight , it is sluggish . their bite is venemous , for a cat will catch , but not eat them . their bite is worse that are great with young to any other creature that is so . the alpine mouse lives in the alps , is called also marmota , and beare mouse , it being shaped like both . albert refers the empetra to these , a beast now unknown headed like a hare , as big as a cony , the ears so small , scarce seen above the hair , like a badger long , and party-coloured haired , short-tayled , sharp nayled , and dig deep . in winter it grows monstrous fat . the foreteeth like the hares , and if cut off , will grow again in one night . their stones ly high . the blind gut is large , like a stomack , rough within and net-like , there in a large womb . the liver hath seven lappets distinct , the greatest towards the left side . the gall-bag is the fold to the duodenum , the spleen long like a large swallows . the water-vessels , or uriteres not comming strait down from the reines , but cleaving to the back , and small . most of them about trent , and in the snowy cold parts of germany . they feed on fruit , especially milke , that they suck as pigs , therefore haunt they sheep-coats . being tamed they eat pulse , bread , fish , &c. about christmasse dig , you find them asleep in the ground , nothing wakes them , but the heat of the sun , or fire . a little thing frights them , vex them , they squeak like a pipe , or against change of weather . they stink so , that in summer they are not to be endured ; nor want they wit. toward winter they convey hay , and chaff into their holes . they lay one flat , and load him with hay , and drag him by the tale into their hole , which hath two entrances ; through the one they all passe too , and fro , out of the other they carry their dung . when winter begins they stop up the doore , and in the depth of winter they stop up the other so fast , that a spade cannot pearce it . about the end of september they meet seven , or more in one hole , commonly the number is odd , and there on straw they ly snorting till spring . one still stands centinell , while the rest go abroad ; if he spy any thing , he squeaks aloud , and warns the rest , whereupon they all come running , and he enters last . in fair weather they play together , and murmur , and bark like little dogs . when tame they will looke your head , like an ape . about approach of winter they come , and eat with those who live on the alps. they rost and boyl them in black pottage , and sprinkle them with salt , and hang them in the smoake , and give them to women in child-bed . the fat softens shriveled sinews , and smeared on the navell provokes sleep . the stomack eases the collick . aristotle in his book of wonders , mentions the water-mouse . he hath three passages , one for his filth , one for his water , one for bearing young . near the bignes of the mole , of a dusk-colour , all but the belly , which is bright ash-colour ; it is thick , and soft-haired , the head small for such a body ; the upper-part of the musle hangs over ; in each jaw two teeth , in the lower , lesser , and blunt . their eyes are hardly seene ; the sides of the mouth are of a long ash-coloured shagge ; the tayl thin of hair , and a bony sinew in the midst ; the hinder-legs are longest , and flat , and skind as a ducks . they are common in strymon , and nile ; they go abroad in faire nights . there are of them in smaller rivers , and in lusae an arcadian-spring . they feed on water-plants , fruit , and fish . the magi that followed zoroastres , thought these mice divells , or tortoyses . in some parts of france they eate them . there is also the coyopillis , it uses the tayl for hands ; the young , when frighted , embraces the dame . it resembles the tlacuatzis in tayl , eares , and mussles . the tayl is thicker , and stronger then the mouses , the belly palish white , the ears so thin , you may see through them ; the feet and thighs white . they are found in the tepoplan-hills . the crocodile also uses the tail as hands , therewith catching beasts , and men as a prey . chapter xviii . of the mole . the name talpa , the latines have put on it , either from thaptoo , to digge , or tophlos , blind ; or thalpae , nourishing it self under ground ; or from the chaldee talaf , to cleave the earth . the greeks call it spalax , from span , scraping . some siphncus , from hollowing the earth ; and blacta . it is not unlike a mouse ; the body broad , and flat , feet like a bears ; short-thighed , toad-headed ; having on the forefeet five toes , on the hinder foure , the fifth crooks so inward , it is hardly seene . the palme of the forefeet is flat like a hand , the neck very short , or almost none , hair short and thick , and glistring black ; the teeth , as the dogges , and wesels , are all on the sides , none afore , and sticking up ; the lungs , tied with many severall strings to the heart ; the fore-thighs consist of two bones , set into the shoulder-bone , whence he is stronger to digge : his hinder-thighs have a bone , that a litle below the knee-parts in two : all the bowells are as in other beasts ; onely . they have no colon , no blind-gut . . the stones hid , on the bladder-side , and black . . the reins joyned to the next hollow vein . . the gall great for such a body with faire cholidochs . . the porter of the stomack , is as tied by a thwart line . . the water-conveying-vessells , propt with uriteres . . the larinx , as in a land tortoyse , for it is a mute beast . . the hammer , and anvill within the inner-eare are strangely small ; the bone in the midst like a pumice-stone full of pores . . three passages are in the nether jaw . . the eyes stand in the right place all black , covered with a skin , small as a fleawort-seed ; i could perceive no optick sinews , nor know i whether they can see , or no , not onely , because their eyes have a film over them , but they want many things , conducing to sight . they seeme rather natures sportive essays , to shew what shee can doe , then eyes . in a mole found , were observed a fleshy filme , strangely set into the skinne ; the brain great , distinct , and faire ; the ears lying inward , hide the bones extreame small , the bowels small as strings . in thessaly they with heaving , have overturned a whole town . in lebaica are none ; if you bring any thither , they heave not , perhaps because it is a hard soile . they feed most on worms , and therefore haunt dunghills ; and worms failing , they eat earth . they have been seen also to make at roots of hearbs , and fruits , and toads . they are commonly bred in ground , rotted by rain , long lying . albert saith , they cannot live an houre above ground , but he is mistaken . they have but dim sight , but are very quick of hearing . they are of use in phisick ; a tooth pluckt out of a live one , is thought to ease the tooth-ach . pills of them with hony , wear away swellings . the head cut , and stamped with earth of his heaving , made up into balls , and kept in a tinne box , is given against all neck-griefs , the blood brings hair , and helps felons : the fat keeps hair from growing , as also batfat . the ashes cures fistulaes . some lay a moles-heart , and saladine , under a sick mans pillow , to know if hee shall dy , or no , conceiving that he shall recover , if he sing , or cry out ; if he weep , he shall not last long . the water wherein a mole hath been , and left hair , restores hair . of the skins are caps made . chapter xix . of the land-hedg-hog , or vrchin . called echinus , because we cannot hold him for his prickles . in greek akanthochoiros , a prickled-hog . lycophron calls him naplium from his surpassing cunning . some herinaceus , and not improperly from his roughnesse , or cleaving . it is as big as a rabbit , full of prickles , except the mouth , and feet below , where grows a thin down . it is observed in him , that the muscles are knit together over all his body . the bowells all of a thicknesse , and very long , like the mouses . the dung , and testicles all of a bignesse , the rise of the yard long , the seed like yellow snivell ; the liver sevenpointed . in the yard are whitish bits of flesh , craggy like a rock , and resembling somewhat the lungstrings . the testicles ly hid , and are fastned to the loyns . the bones are some round , some flat , some sharp , some blunt . they are found everywhere , except in candy . aristotle writes that they can last a year without food . they live most on apples , and grapes , which they shake off , and stick on their prickles , and carry to their hole . they have been also observed to drinke milke , and wine in houses ; they hold enmity with the beare , wolfe , fox , the viper , and the herb water-grasse . when he hears the barking of dogs , or smells the approach of wild beasts , or hunters , he forthwith rouls himself up like a ball , and lies , as if he were starke dead . he shifts his layer , as the north , and south wind change , and from wall to wall , if you keep him in house , accordingly as the wind sits . when you take him he pisses , and that wet slackens , and opens his prickles . they meet , and ingender , as mankind doth . some eat them , but they breed the strangury , unlesse they be carefully dressed , that is killed at one blow , as some are of opinion , and washed in whole vessells of urine . in august they are fattest , when they get plenty of food . some spice , and bake them in crust . gesner warmed them in vineger , and wine , and larded them , and stuck them with cloves , and rosted them . they are very usefull in phisick , the liver helps the reins , the gall dries up warts , the spleen rosted , and pulverized is good for the spleen ; the flesh prevents miscarrying , and if killed at a blow , the strangullion , if you hang it about you conveniently ; dried it helps rumples in the skin . the polonians use the fat to that end , it is also good for the stone ; the blood is not unusefull for the stone , the reins , and the scorching of the urine ; the ashes with bears-grease sleeks the hair ; many use the same with oyly fat to prevent miscarrying ; it is used also in the pain of the reins , and against the water between the skin ; the dung newly voided with the herb sandarucha , vineger , and tarre hinders shedding of hair : with the hide and prickles men used of old to fetch spots out of cloaths . they are distinguished into the swine , and the dog urchine from their shape . a vile stinke vapours from them . in brasil is such a beast resembling the hedge-hog with very long bristles , pale haired , black at the tops , and very sharp , and prickly . nature hath layed up a wonder in them , one prickle pluckt from them alive , but layed on anything , especially flesh , pearcheth it , and in one night it hath been known to pearce through a very thick hide , as if hands hath pricked it in . chapter xx. of the porcupine . some reckon this among the hedge-hogs , as pliny , &c. the greeks call it ystrix , from ys , and thrix no doubt ; some think it to be the african mouse in plautus . isidore writes it without an aspiration , and derives it from the noise he makes , and rustling in shaking his bristles . claudian describes him to be long snowted , like a hog , his bristles like horns stif , his eyes fiery red ; under his rough back are seen the prints of a small whelp . but agricola makes him to be hare-mouthed , with four teeth , two above , two beneath , eared like a man , footed afore like a badger , behind like a beare ; his bristles , or prickles on his back , and sides partly white , partly black , sometimes two palmes long , which he can make to start up as a pea-cock his traine . they are common in ethiopia , and are in all africa , and india to be found ; in italy , and france now , and then , but seldome , also in galicia , as the pilgrims of compostella testify , who weare their prickly quills in their caps . they lurke in groves among the bushes . they live on apples , turneps , peares , parsnips and crumbled bread , they drinke water , but if mixt with wine , most greedily . they can dart their quills at their enemy , and aime them like arrows ; whence , it may be , the archers art came . by night , they feed most , in winter they lurk in their holes . they carry their young as many dayes as the beare . gluttony hath not spared it neither , some have eaten it , and they cry it up for a dainty , you may see how to dresse it in ambrosine out of scapius . in phisick it seemes to conduce to the same maladies as the hedge-hog doth . pliny made tooth-picks of the prickles to fasten the teeth . and women use them for bodkins to part their hair . there is small difference between them . some distinguish them into sea , and land porcupines ; but too confidently , no good authour mentions the sea one . such a kind of beast cardan saw at papia fifteen hundred and fifty , as big as a fox , mouthed like a hare ; the teeth sticking like the squirrells , the eyes black , and serpent-like ; the hair like a goats beard , hanging in the neck , the forefeet like the badgers , the hinder like the bears , eared like a man , beset with almost an hundred pricklequils , some crooked at top , else fast , but rustling as he went , goos-tailed , the feathers spiny , the voyce grumbling like a dogs , he hated all dogs , probably it was some mungrill sprung from the porcupine , and some other beast . chapter xxi . of the tatus , or the brasil hedge-hog . there is a kind of an armed beast , called a tate ; by the spaniards armadillo ; by the portugese sneubertado ; by the italians barbato ; by the brasilians tatau , by some tatusia , and tatus ; in new spain chirquincus , and cassamin elsewhere , by other indians ajatochtli , or a gourdcony , for he as they lives in burrows . he can dig in one night fifty paces ; if he be not tied , no place can hold him , he mines through all in houses , and towns , and gets away . there are sundry kinds of these armed beasts , but the ajatochtlus seemes to me the strangest , rarely written , or found . he is armed with hard plates , as i my self have seene ; as big as a malta dog , the feet small as a swines , the snout long , and slender . he is all over armed as with male , or armour like a cavalier , plated , the plates joyned close , distinct , which he can move , and every way fence himself with . his belly is bright , and soft-shined as ours , having here , and there long slender hairs . he hunts after ants , lies on his back , with his tail on his mouth , so that the pis-mires comming on fall strait as a prey into his power , which he eats . it is said also that he fills with his own water the hollow on his belly between the plates , and so the ants , the moysture lying in their way , come directly into his mouth : when he flies , in all hast he claps his head , and tail on his belly , and fences himself with his shell , rolling up himself round . if he be chased hard , he flies at the hunters breast , and oft strikes almost the breath out of his body . he haunts marishes . feeds on worms , fish , berries , and apples . the flesh is very fat , and sweet , but flegmatick , and breeds crudities . the ancients used the tail to fence those they called their zebratanae , which were of frequent use among them . their shall is many wayes usefull both in warre , and peace . they say that a dram of the pouder thereof taken in , helps to sweat out the french pox . he is found in hot boggy places . there are among the lucatanenses two sorts of them ; some are as harmlesse , and acceptable nourishment , others unwholesome , and poysonous , provoking to vomite , and filling the belly so with wind , that they bring swounding fits , and at length kill . the antidote is oyl of olives , unlesse the venome have too farre prevailed , then there is no remedy . if happily any recover , their hair falls off , the colour fades , and they pine away by degrees . those that beare eight shells or plates , are harmlesse ; those with six venomous . the harmles also want a hip-bone , and have red spots about the belly : this beast is beloved of the vipers , that have a voyce , that they can live together in the same hole , and never injure each other . the former kinde is armed round to admiration , other gates then those in spain , or elsewhere in europa . he is fourefooted , covered all over , tail and all with a hide like the slough of a serpent , called the american-crocodile , betwixt white , and ash-colour , but inclining more to white , like a barbed war-horse , as big as an ordinary dog , harmles , burrowing himself in the earth , like the conies ; they are taken in nets , and with cros-bows , killed commonly in seed-time , when the stubble is burnt , or the ground tilled , or husbanded , to bring grasse . consalvus writes , that he had often eat of them ; and that it is better tasted then kid , and found wholesome . he thinks that men might hence learne to arme-horses , completely capable . others are otherwise opinioned about them . some say , he was never seen to eat , but lives ever under , and on earth . others say , some few have been brought into france , and been seen to eat seeds , and fruits . i refute neither ; they may speake of diverse kindes . platean , and clusius acknowleged three sorts of them . one short-tayled , one foot , and foure inches long , and fourteen inches about ; covered with a dusky hard crust , so grown happily by age , and oft handling , after a manner checquered ; from the neck to the midst roundish , the shells party-coloured , the middle of the body set with three rows of diverse coloures , fouresquare plates ; the hinder-parts as the first ; the head so plated to the nose ; the eares wide , and pointed ; the tayl short , not greater then a mans two fingers ends , round , and armed ; the belly soft , and shaggy , as the picture presented it ; as also the hinder-part of the thighs , and the throat , and nostrills ; three toes on the hinder-feet , and spur'd , two on the forefeet , and a spur ; the yard long , and stretched out . his chief strength lies in the tail-bone , a pill whereof made of the dust , as bigge as a birds-head , and put into the eare , asswages eare-paine , and takes away tingling , and thicknes of hearing , as it is said ; but it is knowen to give certain ease . i adde the craft of the chirquinchus , they that have seene it and report , that when it raines , he lies on his back , gathers water on his soft belly , that lies between the plates , and remaines so , while the shewre lasts , though it rain the whole day , till some deere thirsty , comes unawares to drink , then he closes his plates , and snaps the deers slips , and nose ; and let not go the hold , till he stifle him . and , as the hedge-hogge also , he craftily rouls up himself round , like a ball , and nothing but fire can loosen him . the indians abuse the shells to their witchcrafts , especially to discover , and punish theeves ; first touching the ground therewith , that the suspected person had toucht , or any thing else ; they fill his mouth with the drinke chicha : then beat they drums ; the shells the while skip , and daunce . hereby is the theeves face marked with a whelk , that runs along his cheeks through either jaw ; if the charm hold . article iii. of tame foure-footed beasts . chapter i. of the dog. so much for the half wilde beasts ; the tame follow , namely the dog , and the cat. varro fetches the dogs name canis , from canorus , shrils in his barke . the greekes of old called him kuoon , from kuoo doubtles , to love , or lust . of late ekilos , from his masterfulnes , ulaktoor , from barking , and akanthis , from fawning with his tayl ; not to insist on the description of so knowen a beast . in dissection it is noted , that the belly within forked the neck in shortnes , and narrownes , answering the middle-finger , the corners are an handbreath , a palme long , of like thicknes , not wreathed like a swines ; the forkends reach to the reins , tied by veins , that come as far as the womb , the testicles resting thereon by a thin skin . at the first opening of the neck , the body shews it self in bulk , shape , and colour , like a snails-head thrust forth out of the shell ; you cannot thrust a bodkin in , till you cut it up a litle . dissect a bitch , you find the puppies wrapt up in three beds called chorion , allantoides , and amnion ; the former can scarce be parted , they are so thin . in the right corner ly usually five whelps , in the left foure ; each hath its bed , the chorion in the midst , girdles ly thwart two fingers broad , streaked with black from the end , and red in the middle ; each as blood-spotted . the kell like a bag , covering the upper-guts ; the top sprouting out of the stomack-bottome , compassing the whole ; the hinder-part is set into the spleen , and the sweetbreads ; which latter shew themselves presently at the rise of the duodenum , being fastned thereto , and to the porturine , which sends a trebble-branch to the neighbouring-parts , meseraick , spleen-guts , the paunch-branch runs beyond part of the stomack ; the spleen-branch runs up strait to the mouth of the stomack . the spleen is tied to the mid-rif by a film two fingers broad , and to the stomack by the kall ; the spleen is like a foot with a wide shoo on . colon-gut it hath none ; the blind-gut receives the end of the strait one , which unfolded is as long as your middle-finger . at the end of the streight-gut within , is one faire lappet , and another lesse in the beginning of the blind-gut . the streight-gut is much rumpled . there is a fold of arteries from the aorta wound , to the hollow of the liver , approaching the pancreas ; pluck one , you draw the other , and the upper-bowells . above the upper-mouth of the stomack are two kernels , both spungy-moist , the right harder , and greater then the left . dogs-blood is black , as burnt . at the tip of the tongue , is set in a round muscle , descending in a middle-line . the right lappet of the heart , is twice as big as the left . on the parts of the pan , that the temple-muscles cover , appears no thin skin , to enwrap them , besides what is proper to the muscles ; but on the other parts of the brain-pan there is . at the tongue-root is a small kernell on either side , drawne out sideling . the ringlets of the sharp artery lie thwart , but not awry as in the swine . the brain is greater then a swines . turn the brain up , and certain mamillary-passages shew themselves , and the beginning of the back-bone , if you cut deep , there you shall spy two small passages , one comming from the paps in a strait line , reaching to the end of the inner-brain ; the other a litle on this side , lying upward thwart of that . on the fore-feet are five toes , on the hinder foure . the bitches-belly hath two rows of paps on either side . albert saith , that the nostrils of a dog of a good breed , are at the ends , round , firme , and blunt . the temple muscles , are noted to be very strong , as in the wolf , and the lion , which inables his jaws to break bones . there were no dogs in brasil , till vilagagnon's voyage . if any come by hap into the arabian island sigaron , they wander , and die . they eat any thing , even fish , and carrion . onely they refrain dogs-flesh , and what is thunder-strooke . they eat grasse also , and it is their physick . from ash-apples they abstain , because the turning-joints of their hips are thereby pained . drinking wine , or strong water , makes them run wild , till the vapour be spent . they are ever given to gendring , seldomest in autumne . they hold on so till twelf years old ; sometimes give over at nine . if they begin at foure , the breed is better ; if at a year old , not . they are foureteen dayes hote ; and the bitch six months after puppying , go to dog again . they couple also promiscuously with other beasts ; as with wolves by cyrene , whence spring , crocutae , with lions , whence leontomiges come ; with beavers whence castorides ; with foxes , whence fox-dogs . they carry their puppies sixty dayes , some three-and-sixty . they bring a litter of twelf , sometimes sixteen . a hare-hound in bononia , puppied seventeen at once . albertus saw mastives , that brought in the first litter nineteen , at another eighteen , at a third thirteen . those that women dandle , puppy one at once . first they breed males , next females ; then males again , if they couple in due time . the first resembles the sire ; the rest are , as it happens . they are all puppied-blind , and the more they suck , the longer they remain so , yet none longer then one-and-twenty dayes ; nor do any see till seven dayes old some say , if but one be puppied , at nine dayes old he sees ; if two , the tenth day , and so on , but it is not certain . they have milke commonly five dayes ere they litter , some sooner . their milke is thicker then other beasts , except the sows , and hares . they seldome live above fourteene yeares , some have lasted two-and-twenty . the dogs of laconia ten , the bitches twelf , other kinds fifteen . the whelps have white teeth , and a shrill bark ; the elder , their teeth blunter saffran-coloured , the bark greater . which voyce we call barking , in latine latrare , and banbare . in greeke whelps , are said , banzein , older ylaktein , to yelpe , &c. when they drink they lap ; when they quarrell , or fawne , they grumble . we say , a salt-bitch hot , go to dog , in hunting they open , ( prokunein ) provoked , they snarl , ( ararizein . ) they dread the hyaena so , that the very shadow strikes them dumb . in nilus they give but a lap , and away , for feare of the crocodile . a wolf they hate . porta saith , a wolfs-skinne hanged on one , bitten with a mad dogge , removes fear of water . they dread the buzzard for her slow , and low flying . blondus his dog would not come neare hens-flesh . some refuse the bones of wilde-fowles . of old they would not enter hercules his temple , either by reason of his club ; or they sented something buried under the threshold that they hated . some complain lamentably if you strike a harp ; some houl , if they hear a trumpet . the report of a gun , makes them run . well they agree with mankind , wee shall see anone . they are soon vexed , and will fight long about a bone . they are watchfull house-keepers ; they are soon waked . they drive them in sparta from their temples , for their lust after women . they are skilfull in senting , and by smelling behind , distinguish of the disposition of bodies . they are ever hunting with their nose near the ground , and so soon infected . quick of hearing they are . at foure moneths old they shed teeth , and hayr . if crop-sick , they devour grasse . they soon cast puppy , if the dog be killed , they coupled with . they are very cunning , and have a good memory , and are very teacheable . that in plutarch cast so many stones into the oyl-cruyze , till the oyl swelled high enough , that he could lick it . they forget not a way once gone . man onely exceeds them in remembring . one in venice knew his master after three years . ulisses his dog after twenty years absence . on vespasians theater was shewn a dog , that was taught all kinds of daunces , and fained himself sick , and dead ; suffered himself to be draged about by the tayl , then started up as out of a deepe sleep . francis marquesse of mantua , becomming dumb in a sicknesse , taught a dog by signes , to call any courtier to him . another in the presence of justinian the emperor , and the people having rings from the spectators , which his master jumbled together , returned each his own ring . being asked which of the company was poore , or rich , a whore , or a widow , he shewed each , taking their cloaths in his mouth . they are very faithfull to their masters . we have heard of one that fought with theeves for his master , and would not leave his dead body , but drive birds , and beasts of prey from the carcasse . of another in epire , that discovered one that killed his master , and never left rending and barking , till he confest the deed . two hundred dogs rescued the garamant king from banishment , withstanding all resistance . those of colophon , and the castabale●●es , made use of squadrons of dogs in warre ; they set them in the front ; neither would they give ground ; they were the most faithfull forces they had , and asked no pay . when the cimbrians were slain , their dogs defended their houses , lying on carts . jason the lycian his dog would not eat when his master was slain , but starved himself to death . another called hircanus , leaped into king lysimachus his funerall flame , the like is said of king hierons dog . pyrrhus king gelons dog also is famous , and that of nicomedes the bithinian king , his queen consinga being torn wantonizing with her husband . with you a dog defended volcatius a gentleman , a civilian , from a rouge who assailed him returning out of the suburbs homeward . and caelius also a senator of placentia , who was sickly , and opprest with armed men , nor was he slain , till his dog was first killed . but above all that surpasses any instance in our age , that the roman chronicle testifies , that when appius jenius , and publius silius were consuls , t. sabinus , who was condemned for nero germanicus sons sake , to be cast down the gemonies , had a dog that hould piteously for his master there , many romans standing about , and being offered meat , he put it to his dead lords mouth , and the carcasse being cast into tiber , the dog swam to it , and endevoured to keep it from sinking , all the people ran to beholds the dum beasts faithfulnesse . another discovered and killed the murderer of his master . that of corsica , that would not suffer the nearest friends to take away his masters body frozen to death , till they killed him . i mention not yet those that would be burnt , or buried with their masters , as that of polus the tragedian , that of pyrrhus , and theodorus his dog . eupolis the poëts dog would never eat after his masters death , nor jasons the lycian . darius the last persian monarch had no companion at his death but his dog . xantippus his dog swam after him , and was drowned . few , or civilized people will eat dogs flesh , unlesse need compell them . yet those of senega eat them , and those of guinee . some nations gueld and eat them . but in medicine they are of speciall use . the brain-pan pouder takes down the swelling of the cods ; a playster of the brain sets bones ; the greatest tooth if you scarifie the jaw-bone , eases tooth-ache ; some hang a black dogs longest tooth on those that have a quartan ague ; the dogtooth of a mad dog hung in raw leather allays frenzy ; the congeal stuffe dissolved in wine eases collick , & in vineger is taken in against dropsy ; sextus layes it on their belly , and by vomit draws out the hydroptique humour ; the liver of a mad-dog roasted is souverain against madnesse ; the gall with hony cures inward ulcers . marcellus applies the milt when fresh to the spleen ; the blood helps parts hurt by a mad dog , the fat eases the gout ; a puppies fat removes skars , and face freckles ; the milke is good for sore eyes , and to rub infants gums with all ; and drunk , brings away a dead child . the pisse fetches off hair , and warts , and mixt with salpeter cleanses leprosy . the pouder of their dung is excellent against squincies , ey-sentery , and old sores , if the dog be kept up , and fed three dayes with bones . marcellus prepares it dried in the sun and sifted , with red wax , by bits , and a little oyl for the sciatica . pliny thinks , that the bones found in their dung tied on helps the siriasis in children . the skin helps rheums , if drawn on the fingers , and thongs of it tied thrice about the neck helps the squincy . the hair laid on the bite of a mad dog draws out the venome , and stanches blood . some cure a quartane , or remove it by making a cake of meal kneaded with the water the sick person makes in one fit , at once , and giving it to a hungry dog . see the rest in gesner . some take two puppies newly puppied , and four pound of oyl of violets , and a pound of earthwormes prepared , and make an ointment for wounds made by gunshot . andrew furnerius cries up the destilled water out of whelps to prevent growing of hair . dogs differ in many respects . horned ones are said to be found in the hellespont . in hispaniola are some that bark not . in guinee some strive to bark , and cannot . some ( in regard of their qualities ) are wind-hounds , some coursers , running-dogs , some tumblers , some house , some gate-dogs , some hunting , some setting dogs , some blood-hounds , some shoks . if we regard place , there english , scotch , epire , cyrenaick , arcadian , indian , &c. dogs . we shall in order treat of the severall sorts , and first of mad dogs , which become such by eating rotten , and worm-eaten meats , and flesh , chiefly in the dog-daies . then they hate to eat , and drink dread water , rome up and down , bark hoarsly , fome extremely at mouth , and ears , look fearcely , their tail hangs down , they bite men without barking . many used manifold remedies , as white hellebore with barly boyled to make them spew ; hen-dung mixt with their meat , blooding them after the third day in the swelling veins on the thighs , casting them in a pond where many hors-leeches are to suck their bad blood away , annointing them over with oyl of poplar , washing them in a decoction of fumitory , sorell , and elicampane root . to prevent it some prescribe giving them while puppies breast-milk of one hath lien in of a son ; some cut off whelps tails , when fourty dayes old . some pinch it off with their fingers the utmost joynt of the tail . there are malta dogs , bred in that isle over against pachynus a promontory of sicily ; some of them short , some long haired , with shagnecks . blondus prayses the black , and white ones , now the red , and white are cried up . as big as a wild weasle . they keep and feed them in baskets to keep them little . they are dainty of food . if they whelp more then once , they dy on a sudden . that they may be whelped shaggy , they strew the place where they ly with woolly fleeches , that the bitches may have them ever in ey . at lions in france they are sould for ten pieces . in bononia for four hundred pound . they are womens delights . hunting-dogs , or hounds are almost every-where . those are best that are bred in hircania , between a bitch , and a tiger , and those of epire , and the region of the molossi , and chaonia . the persian are stoutest , and fleetest ; the biggest are in thebeth . those in the province gingue , are so bold , they dare venture to fasten on a lion. the writers of husbandry , shew how to breed such . alphonso king of naples prized them , and the great cham of tartary keeps five thousand of them . they are diversly distinguished . in relation to the sundry wild that they hunt , or chase ; there are hare-hounds , and little badger-dogs ; some good at a fowl , that hunt them softly into the nets ; there are water-spaniells ; others are to bait great beasts , ( as bull and bear-dogs . ) in respect to places , there are those called arcadian , ausonian , carian , thracian , iberian , hungarian , argive , lacedemonian , tegeatians , sauromatan , candian , celtan , magnetian , amorgan , hounds . if you regard their colours , there are ash-coloured , hony-colour'd , yellow , white , black . the white are somewhat afraid of the water , and will not willingly take water . those with black spots are thick , and tender-footed . the ash-coloured , or russet , are strong set , and bold , but slow-footed . the black are stout , but not so fleet as the white , being lowthighed . men choose a hound by his eager looke , great head , hanging upper-lip , red-eyes , wide nostrills , sharp teeth , thick neck , broad breast , lion liked . that is the best hare-hound , that is long , and plain-headed , sharp-eared , behind strait , and little ; the upper-lips not hanging over the lower , long and thick necked , copped breast , strait guts , high , and lean thighs , tayl not thick , nor too long , not alwayes yelping . some of them go out a hunting of themselves , and bring hares home ; they call them tumblers . there are as many sorts of wind , or sented , as of hounds . in scotland are three kinds ; some bold , and very fleet . some will catch fish . some red , and black-spotted , or black , and red-spotted , are lime-hounds , that will hunt out theeves and stolen goods , and take rivers to chase them . the english , and scotch , usually breed such blood-hounds up , and count him a theef , who is sky of letting them , have accesse where ever they would hunt , though into their bed-chamber . such a lime-hound must be low , flat-nosed , neat-mouthed , the hind-thighs of one length , not big-bellied , plain-backed to the tayl , dangling eares , quick eyes . the brittish , spanish , gnosian , and tescan excell . there is the village , and shepheards dog. the white dog is approoved , being better distinguished from the wolf. among the turks no one master owns them , nor come they into house ; they lay in yards on mats . of old the romans kept five hundred of them , to keep their stables . we read little about the warre-dogs , and the useles curres . england breeds some that theeves , murderers , and traitors breed up for their cursed purpose , and some that thirst after royall blood this very yeare . such the spanjards in battell against the indians , which they feed with mans flesh , to train them to hunt men . vazquez nunnez used them in stead of hangmen . the indian dogs in america , are a new breed , yet almost like ours in nature , qualities & shape . the xeloitzevintly is great , most what above three cubits , without hair , sleek-skinned , with yellow , and blew spots . another sort they call from the country itzcevinteporzotli , michva canem ; like those of malta , white , black , and yellow , a litle misshapen , yet sportive , pleasing , fawning , with an ugly bunch , sticking out from the head and shoulders , having almost no neck . a third kind is the tetichi , not unlike ours , but with a surly looke . the indians eat him , as the thracians of old . diocles the physitian , of the asclepiad schole , prescribed puppies-flesh to some patients . but the cozumellol are a dainty with the indians , they fatten them as the spanjards conies , and geld them , to fatten the sooner : and keepe many bitches to breed , as shepheards with us , for want of children they foster these , and are found of them . the alco is a little dog , they are much taken with , they pinch themselves to feed them ; travell with them on their shoulders , or in their lap ; never are without them . they have also dogs like foxes , that never barke ; bred in the isle cozumella . if you strike them , they will not complain , nor cry . these are called in hispaniola , calamitan frogs , spawned like vermine by nature ; no need of an after●birth dogs thin skin , nor hares-dung , nor hair . pliny superstitiously seekes after them , to strike dogs-dumb . in hispaniola are little dogs , that grumble onely , a●d bark not , they taste well . in quivira , they lay packs on their greatest dogs . chapter ii. of the cat. the cats latine name is felis , comes from phaelos , cozener-deceitfull impostor ; or ailis , flatterer ; in the aeolick dialect , phailis , called catus , cat from cautus , wary . in greeke ailouros , from flattering with the tayl . a knowen beast found almost everywhere . at first probably wilde . the greatest , all say , are bred in iberia , among the tartessians ; they feed on flesh , fish , mice , birds , snakes , and kill toads . in cyprus they hunt vipers , and chameleons . they ly in wait also for leverts , and spare not their owne kind . in bononia they are known to play with kitlings , and then rend , and eat them . they live six years , sometimes ten ; the gelded longer . in europa they go a caterwalling most what in january , and february . in india all the year long . the females in gendring ever wawl , whether for pain , or that the hee scratches them . he stands , she lies . the shee s are most lustfull . they kitten after two months or six and fifty dayes . the march breed is prefered ; those in august not , for the fleas . they kitten five , or six at once . the shee is fondest of the kitlins ; the hee oft kills them to make the shee covet others , and affect him . they hate mice , toads , serpents , fox-geese , eagles , rew , their own gall , sweet smells , and wet . with rew you may drive them from your dove-cotes , sents of ointments sometimes make them run mad . duck them a while , and you drown them . on the contrary , they willing rub themselves with setwol , and delight in mint . the shee casts her kitlins , if her male mate be killed . we meet with singular passages about their qualities . cats eyes wax , and wain with the moon ; nay the sun , and stars , breed changes in in their ey-balles . in the morning they are stretched out , at noon are they round , at sun-set , duller . cardan imputes it to want of muscles , that they cannot govern their eyes as they list . they glister by night . carry them in a bag far from home , they come back again . they stay in the old house , though you remove . they love to be stroaked ; subtile they are : how slily they steal upon birds . how softly they tread , and catch mice ; how they watch them . they bury their own dung , knowing that the sent discovers them , some , especially in spain , holland , brabant , eat them , as tasting like hare . their breath is pestilent , and breeds consumptions , and no mervail , for the brains are ranke poyson , and made an uratislavian girl mad , as weinrichius ( i thinke ) relates . in phisick they have place . the ashes of the head burnt in a pot , and blown into the eyes , clears them ; the flesh sucks weapons out of the body , and eases emrods , and back-ache ; the liver burnt to powder easens the stone , the gall fetches away a dead child , the fat is smeared on gouty parts ; the pisse stiled helps the thick of hearing , the dregs of the paunch with rosin , and oyl of roses in a suppository , stops womans flux of blood . some mince the flesh , and stuf a fat goose with it , and salt , and rost it by a soft fire , and distill it , and annoint gouty joints with successe . the fat keeps iron from rusting , nothing better . there are tame , and wild , and outlandish cats . among the tame , the spanish are greediest , nimblest , and have softest skins . among the exotiques , or outlandish the syrian are cheefe , and divers , round mouthed , strong big-breasted , large footed , and content with a little meat . the wild are bigger then the tame , their hair thicker , and longer , dark-coloured , the tail thicker . they feed on birds , and other living things . perfume of rew drives them from trees . in malabar they live on trees , nothing so fleet as they . they are best at leaping , and even fly without wings . they stretch forth a thin skin from afore to behind , when they would fly , and then draw it together , and hover in the air ; when they rest , they draw it up to their belly . there is also a kind of cat in india , black-haired , here , and there bright hairs , the muzzle long , ears small , thighs short , the tail streakt , and striped with black and white . the powder helps feavers . then there are monstrous cats , one sort hath misshapen , another six feet . in singui is a beast like a cat , haired like a deer , with many toes , two teeth in either chap , of the greatnesse of two fingers , having a fleshy bladder near the navell , full of blood , senting like musk . we have put the print of it down , like a cat , very coped-headed . in dissecting a cat are found these observables . the milt resembles the lower part of an oare . the neck of the gall-bag hath very swoln veins ; at the bottome come down streight veins running outward , two sinews are on the sides of the sharp artery , on either side one , descending to the upper-mouth of the stomack , sending also branches to the said sides of the sharp artery . the said sinews are knit by one common nerve descending awry ; then are set into the left side of the stomack , tied by many strings , where the sharp artery first parts appeare great kernels , and some small ones white , red , ash-coloured , mixed . in the sharp artery are half circles , parted as in man , but behind wrapped in a double coat ; the one outward , and fleshy , the other inner , and sinewy sprouting from the circle-brims . in the heart are lappets-party-coloured , the right more spotted with black , and white , then the left ; besides the right is thicker , and rounder , the left slenderer , and longer , like the dogs , both hollow , and stringy . in the right creek of the heart is fold , like net-worke , longer , and plainer to be seen then that in the dog ; but not with such laps . the great artery is almost in the midst of the heart , inclining to the left side . the inner-coat of the stomack is rough all along , like the plaits in an oxes paunch , turning up into a round . those tunicles are very fast , tied to the upper orifice of the stomack ; the pleats ly crosse . the liver is coloured like that of the dog-fish . in the eare-bone a shell , a maze , a little window , a ring , a round muscle , three small bones , and a stirrop , but not bored through . in the brain are three creeks , two round with net-folds . in the eye the uvea or thin skin , cleaves not afore to the cornea , or horne-tunicles , whence the lesse dilatation to this greater kinde ; in that part is the uvea , coloured like a pale leaf . the optick nerve is almost in the midst , inclining downward , the outter thick skin somewhat covering the eye , as in the cock. in the heecat we observe , that there is something peculiar about the spermatique vessels , testicles , &c. a white streake , the third part of a finger broad , descending by the right side of the paunche , lies under the muscles of the peritonaeum ; the membrane is very thin ; the peritonaeum under the ensie forme , or sword , is fat . the kall is very fast , tied to one right liverstring , and to the spleen , and stomack , and the gut duodenum , like a purse , or bag . the bladder fastened above to the peritonaeum , and below to the streight gut . the stones are covered with foure skins ; the outmost called scrotum ; the next dartos , the third , erythroides , or the red ; the fourth is the inmost . there is somewhat also considerable in the vessells preparing , and conveying the seed , &c. wee saw the uriteres descending from flat , or hollow of the reins to the bladder-neck : also the milk-veins , tending toward the bunchy-part of the reins , both sprouting from the body of the hollow-gut , but the left is higher then the right , and all most twice as long . the straight-gut is tied to the beginning of the tayl by a middle-string ; it hath veines , and sharp kernels . wee saw the mid-rif , and meseraicks , and sweet-breads , being a kernelly substance . wee saw the blind-gut a thumb-breeth long ; the other guts are uniform , but winding , and brittle . the reins large , bigger then a great nut , wherein are a few creeks , through which the pisse is strained . we saw the vein porta with it's meseraick , and spleen-branch ; hereout sprouts the coeliacus ; a branch compassing the stomack , and conveys the melancholy humour thither to provoke appetite . we saw the vein ascendent , pearcing the mid-rif , and reaching the heart , and set into the right side thereof . wee saw the peerles vein-branched from the hollow vein by the heart , and turning backagain , and descending by the backbone on the right side , which sends forth sprigs to the ribs to nourish them . the liver is distinguished by six strings , out of the midst of two of them on the right side goes the gall forth ; the bottome shews like a bolt-eye . the gall-bag hath two branches , the one passes from the liver to the duodenum , carrying the dregs away . the other running back to the bladder , to be kept there . in the duodenum , foure fingers below the pores called cholidochi , is found a worme , little , but of the bignes of the ureteries : from the sides of the ascendent hollow veine , descends a sinnew to the fleshy ringlet of the diaphragm ; and another on the left side proped with the thin skins of the sharp artery , conveying feeling to the diaphragm . we saw the turnagainsi news , which propagated from the sixth conjugation of sinews , are set in at the head of the sharp artery ; the one on the left turning upward about the great artery ; the other about the branches of the arterie , tending toward the throte ; the heart with a double lappet on the right , and left side , the right is greatest , and blackish ; the left of the colour of the heart . the heart hath a right venticle to beget vitall spirits , and a left one whether the vein-blood is conveyed , and it hath foure large vessells ; the first is the hollow ascending vein , which is set into the left eare ; the third , the arteriall vein , containing blood , having a double coat , whence it hath the name ; this is set into the lungs , to nourish them . the fourth is a vein-artery , set into the left ventricle of the heart , to convey to the brain blood , prepared there , to beget animal spirits . in the right venticle are lappets , or partitions , which keep in the blood , and so in the left . the lungs have six fins . wee saw the inner-muscles about the larynx , or the head of the sharp artery , which being inflamed , breed a squincy . there are kernells in the yard like a cats-tongue . wee marked the passage , leading to the bladder . the cats brain-pan hath red streaks like veins ; the inner-eare is rarely fashioned , whereof they have such use to listen , and looked , and prey by night . herein we marked the communion between the great artery , and the great vein , where the first parting is into the bowels . i beleeve it is common to all living creatures what i observe in the tame cats-back bone , for with the own membranes , it being covered at the end , that which answer the hard menynx , the inner sends forth nerves from it self , but since there are companies of them , like strings , we note that they having passed a little way , meet as in one knot , as we in top of grain . and , since those severall strings are covered with the same skins , if you strain one , you spoyl the other , till they come to the knot . in one rib of the house cat was noted a round knob , like a tree-knot , the midst whereof being broken asunder was porose , and full of pits with drops of blood . my fellow dissecters doubted whether it was the breach of a bone in anatomizing , or some error in the first shaping , and superfluous stuffe . in a man on the flat part of the forehead bone , that lies between the two eybrows ly equally on the right root of the nose : bruize but that bone , or peirce it , you find two long pits , passing sidelings above under the skull , and below blind ones with partitions . these are doubtlesse the chambers of smelling , where the breath is , as also in the ear , which is but of late discovered . that which strengthens my opinion is , that in a hound these cells are broader and more conspicuous then in man ; dogs excelling in sent . this is not found in a monky , perhaps because he needs not excell in that sense . the naturall history of the fourfooted beasts . the fovrth booke . of the fourfooted creatures that have toes , and spring of an egge . the first title . of the skined ones . chapter i. of the frog . article i. of the vvater-frogs . thus far of the fourfooted beasts that bring forth living broods ; those that lay egges follow . these are either skined , or shelled : those that are covered with skin are the frog , lizard , salmander , chamaeleon , crocodile , &c. the frog is either the water , or land-frog . called rana , either from the summer-croaking ra , ra , or the hebrew 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is , to cry out . in greek batrachos , from his shrill voyce , and boox , &c. by the cypriots brouchetos ; the ionians bathrakos ; the phocians brianchone ; by those of pontus babakos ; by the late greeks bordakos , and gurinos , and brinoi , and parphusides , from their puffed-cheeks with croaking . it is an amphilium , living both in water , and on land ; afore not fleshy but behind ; the hinder-legs nature hath made thick , and longer the fore-legs . they have five toes long , skined between , to help their swimming . the shee is biggest ; they have no neck , the belly white , the tong , as infants tied afore , but loose by the throat , the milt small , the liver imparted into three laps , whereunder on each side part of the lungs is seen , frothy , not very bloudy ; the guts knotly , the testicles , and other parts like those of other beasts . in england are no green ones , but they abound in germany , italy , especially in bononia . they swarm so in the waterish places of egypt , that they would destroy all , if the storks did not devour them . they are said to be dumb in the island seriphus , and cyrene , perhaps because the water is cold . they are in streams , but delight in puddles where bulrushes , reeds , and sea-gras grows . they are ever found in the waters that never freeze , but not in brimstony , or mare-waters , they being too clammy . they eat any creature that swim , are greedy after bees , & dead moles . probably they eat herbs also . the male covers the female , which layes egges after , and oft black flesh , with fair eyes , and tail , and after they get the frogs shape , the tail being parted into two hinder-legs . strange it is that after six months living they are indiscernably resolved into slime , and again reingendred in the spring puddles . but some in warmer waters last all winter , and in spring the old ones swim about . the egges are shed about the banks of pones , and marishes , hanging together as in a string , like black bits of flesh ; chymists call it spermas , or spawn . they hate storks , swans , the buzzard , the salmander , putter , pike , eel , and fire . storks devour them . the swan by eating them cures himself of a certain malady . they combate oft with salamandres . it is well known how the pike , and eel swallow them . kindle a fire by night on the banks where they are , they croke not , nor stir , you may easily take them in your hand . their voyce is brekekex , koax , koax , croaking ; aristotle calls the noyse the hee s make in coupling time ololygon , hurt them , they squeak like a mouse . about cyrene they are mute . ( but bring crokers thither they abide so . ) in seriphus also , and a certain lake of thessaly they croke not ; their flesh is loose , whitish , moyst , and subject to rot , so that they that oft eat them grow wan , and feverish : their lips are so close in august , that you can hardly open them ; they ly with the belly above , and the sides under water . if you stop their breath you choak them . they love warmth , and therefore croke in summer , against winter they skulk . busbequius heard them by strigonium in december , the waters there being warm , and sulphurous . they are clamorous against rain , either because they feel it colder , or are much taken with sweet water . they can dive long having but small lungs . they are thought to dy in winter , and revive at spring . they lurk also in the ground , and come with their young abroad then . they couple by night , and on land , not for shame but fear . in egypt , when they see the water-serpent , they carry a piece of reed thwart to prevent being swallowed up . in france they drove away a whole city . to know their sex , prick the back with a needle , from the hee shall spurt out red blood ; out of the shee yellow water . galen hath omitted their use in food . the common opinion is that they are light of disgestion , yeeld good juice , but cold , and moyst . the romans never used them , but now from may to october they are eaten roast , or boyled all but the head ; the hips are best liked . mundella counts them most harmlesse of cold things , and when they gender not . others forbid the eating as venemous . see how to dresse them in ambrosine . in physick both in whole and parts they help against sundry maladies . they remove the blewnesse after blows . tied on the jaws they ease tooth-ache , and sod in vineger they fasten loose teeth . the juice removes squincy , and helps the almonds of the ears , and abates swellings . the soft pulpis given against tisick , with capons-flesh , pine-apples , and sugar ; boiled in oyl easens pain in the sinews . against every poysonous bite it is cried up ; the ashes stanch blood , galeatius of s. sophia saies it was tied to a hens-neck , which being after cut off , there gushed no blood out . some blow it into the nostrils for the haemorrhagia , and with oil of lilies kept in an leaden box , for the interemta , and with conserve of roses to helpe the writhing of the countenance . ambrosin shews how to prepare the oyl . it is also cried up against joynt pain from a hote cause . the eyes men hang in fine linnen about the neck of the ill-sighted ; the heart bound on the heart allays burning feavers , and hath helped fistulaes ; the lungs taken out through the back , wrapped in an cabbage leaf , and burnt in a pot is given in the falling sicknesse , others take the liver . it helped the elector palatine . the dust of the liver some take , as a quartan fit comes , lay it afore pis-mires , and that part that they desire is an antidote against all venome ; the gall helps the bloody flux , and kills worms in old sores ; the fat drop'd into the ears removes pains ; the spawn is good against the erysipelas and other inflammations , emrods , scab , itch , morfew ; the water helps the rednesse of face . a staffe on which a frog shaken from a serpent hath been eases women in travell . pliny relates fables about the tongue ; as that democritus saith that if you take the tongue clear out , that it touch not any other part , and throw the frog into the water , and lay the tongue on the panting of the heart of a sleeping women , she shall in her sleep answer you all you ask . some spring from egges , some out of mud , as in egypt . there are green , and pale , and ash-coloured frogs . in stochornium a hill in bern are two lakes , wherein are frogs with great heads , and long tails . article ii. of land-frogs . point i. of the toad . called bufo from blowing perhaps ; and rubeta from being among bushes , phronon , and phrunen , the poyson running to the head , and causing giddinesse , or from the shrub phruganon . by lucian , phusalos from swelling , if but touched . it is thick skined , hardly to be pearced by the sharpest stake , pale , spotted , as if pimpled , the belly swoln and pufd , thick-headed , broad-backed , without hair . one sort lives on land , and in marishy puddles . the phansy shady , rotten holes . there are none in ireland ; bring any thither ( they say ) they dy , sprinkle but irish dust upon them . they feed on earthy moysture , herbs , worms , bees . it is said they eat so much earth a day , as they can grasp with the forefoot . they lurk oft under sage ; there are sad stories of divers dying with tasting sage leaves , whether they eat it , or no is not known . they are bred out of egges , and rotten stuff ; and out of buried ashes ; and in dariene , from the drops falling from slaves right hands , as they water the floor , and from a duck buried ; and from menstrue , we read of womans voiding toads . they hold enmity with salt , for being sprinkled therewith , they pine away to the bones , if we beleeve albert. strong sents , as of rew , &c. drives them away , as also of a blooming vine . they fight with cats , and dy for it ; moles , and they devoure each other . a spider strikes him dead at a blow . they love sage , weezels will slide into their mouths . plantan is their antidote against spiders . by day , and in winter they skulk , and ly in the paths by night , and rome about ; they hate the sun-beams . hevygated they are ; sometimes they leap . strike them , they swell , and spurt poyson out behinde , and then certain stinking drops . they infect sage , and make it as deadly as wolfbane ; they cry , or croak gru , gru . when they crawl about in the evening , it presages rain . their poyson is not much , nor strong ; especially of those in colder regions , but in hotter , stronger . the very salt wherein a toad dies , melted in water , so infects it , that wet a rag , or shirt with it , it brings an incurable scurf . if you would take it off , either prick the skin , or whip it , or prick the outside , and cast it into water . one poysoned swells , looks wan , sighs , is shortbreathed , and taken with seed-flux ; sometimes with the bloody-flux , inflammation of throat , and giddinesse . there was one , who with the cane , that pearched a toad , so venome his hands , that he vomited up the meat he had handled , and never ceast spewing , till hee took his meat from others hands ; they who scape death , most commonly shed all their teeth . for cure , men use river-crabs , stamped and drunk ; and toads-ashes , and right harts-horn , breast-milke , fasting spittle , reed-rootes , the herb poterion , or phrynion , taken in wine , malta earth , emerald , triacle , and without oyl of scorpion . some cry up the toads-stone ; adds mithridate , and the quintessence of treacle . as harmfull as the toad is , and venemous , it helps against venome , and otherwayes usefull . some seeth it in a plain pot with bears-grease for the joynt-gout . boyled in oyle , men annoint with it , swellings with successe . cut it up , and clap it to the reins , it provokes urine ; which also cures the dropsy . boyled , and made into a playster , helps the squincy ; the string also whereon it is hanged . the inner-fat , ( and stuffe one laureola-root , and hens-dung , salt , and oyl of dialthaea ) dropping from it , when roasted , is good ointment for a fistula ; also the powder thereof roasted to a cole . dried in the shadow , and wrapt in a linnen , and held in the hand , it stanches blood ; the ashes prevents the emrods overbleeding . nicolaus makes a playster thereof . others hang it dried about the neck , for an amulate against the pest . crollius sprinkles the dust of it on all venemous bites . some against a cancer , take a thick toad , weigh it , and take crabs alive of the same weight , and dry them to dust over a soft fire in a plain pot , leaving a litle hole for vent . helmond was taught by butler of yreland , out of a toads-carcasse , and earth , and those small creatures , that he uses to vomit out in three dayes , hanging by the fire into a waxen-platter , makes pellets with the gumme tragacanthus , and that dish , and hangs them at the left pap , to repell contagion , and draw out the venome ; the older , and more used , the more powerfull ; the toad taken in july , after-noon . he tooke some also at the waining of the moon in july , whose eyes swarmed with white worms , with black heads ; so at least , as if both eyes had been turned into worms ; they clinged thick together in either eye , their heads sticking out ; and as any endeavoured to come forth , the toad with his paw hindered it . hee vomited flies with shining wings , handsome , and greenish ; and by and by , after died of vomiting . the feet of a living toad , when the moon is in the last quarter , being cut off cures neck swellings , if they be hanged on of the toad-stone hereafter . in the new world , in the isle peragua a spanjard for hunger , ate boiled-toads , saith pet. martyr in his decades . l. . and lerius , that the brasilians eat them roasted , and never unbowell them ; they give a burnt-toad to their falcons , to prevent the moth-eating of their feathers . there are that shut a toad in an earthen-pot , and hide it amidst their standing corn , to prevent blasting in tempests ; to omit the foppery about the right side-bone ; they are differenced from place , shape , and bulk . for place , some are found in and about sacred places , and things . in sneberg , and mansfield , bring them out , they swell , and dy . at tholouse was one with white spots , found in a red sand-stone . a mason of antwerp found one in marble . agricola saith , they are in those they make mill-stones , and afore they shape them , they had need looke well , if they lurk not therein . about the shape , and bulke , writers mention many things ; as of a bunchbacked toad ; see his figure hereafter , &c. point ii. of the green small frog , and the temporary frog . the green frog is very small . some call them calamites , from their being among reeds , and canes ; some agredula , or field-frog , some wood-frogs ; they delighting much to be there ; or as to difference them from the green frog that men eat . the greeks call it kanthis , from croaking against rain ; and druobataes , from their skipping amongst trees ; and diopetaes , as dropping from the sky ; and brexantes , from croking . it is all green throughout , except the feet . it is usefull against many griefs . spit into the mouth , it helps a cough : held in the hand , it allays a burning-feaver . some cran-hens with puls of barley-meal , and the flesh hereof boyled , and give the hen to those in hectique feavers ; some cut it in the midst , and apply it to the reins in dropsies , to fetch out the water . the liver tied in a cranes-skin , makes lusty . the fat is good for tooth-ach . the blood dropped in , where hairs on the cheeks have been plucked out , keeps them from growing againe . some prick the frogs with a copper pin , and annoint those places with the blood . the temporary frog hath the name from its short life . chapter ii. of lizards . article i. of the common lizard . called lacertus , because it hath armes , and hands , that it bends , and turnes like a man. in greeke saura , smulla , &c. leaving pliny , who writes of rusty , iron-coloured ones , and scaligers division into lesser , and greater ; wee shall distinguish them in common , green , and brasse-coloured , and brasil , or indian ones . the first have five very small toes , with nails in the foote , and hinder-feet ; the thumb short , the fore-finger longest , the tongue hairy , and cleft ; dry lungs , small and round milt , testicles , cleaving to spondyls ; the secrets of the shee , like a fowls ; and the egs so lying , and fenced . there are store in italy , great in capreae ; and so common in india , that they creep into the beds there sometimes . those of arabia are a cubite long ; in nysa an indian hill , foure and twenty foot long , and yellow , or blew . they inhabite commonly graves , dens , thorny places , and ruined heaps . at genua in the prince of doria his fort , wee saw very many in the open ayr . they eat flesh , herbs , bees , antz ; they gender about the end of march ; they close as one body like serpents , they lay egs , and hide them in the earth , and the young come abroad ; ( though they sit not on the eggs ) at set times . that they bring forth at the month , and devour their broot all , but the one slug is a fable . they hate the stork , that feeds her young with them , and spiders with their webs , intangle young lizards in holes , and crevises of walls , and strike them dead , also toads , scorpions , and serpents , with which they fight ; whence called ophiomechi . they love flesh of shellfish , and dittany , which is their refuge after combating with serpents ; and man they lvoe , and protect him from serpents . they will lick the spittle out of your mouth greedily : in time they loose their fight , and recover it againe , either by course of nature , or by the sun , in whose beams they ly lurking till they be recovered . they lurk the six winter-months under ground , and there lay up store . the female is greatest . they go in couples , and defend each other ; and are mad at any that take their fellow . they forget the eggs they lay ; cut an egge in two , it is not lost , by reason of the glewy humour ; they naturally cleave again , as may be seen by the scarre . their tayle are said to grow again , though oft cut off . it is not true that a dried one turns viper . at paris have been seen some as big as a great fish . some have three tayls , and some two heads . torn in twain , it cures a scorpions bite , and eaten it is good against the salamanders poyson . the oyl of them drowned , and boyled in oyl with sheep-dung , is a good anointment for swellings of the neck , and face morfew , and pimples . the powder with crematartar , and candy-oyl , helps dim sight ; the green are best . the brain helps syffusions . the head bruised to a poultise , and laid on alone , or with long aristolochia , root of reed , bulb of narcissus , draws out arrows , and thorns , stick they never so fast . the heart burnt , and mixt with dreges of wine , benums , that you shall not feel the chirurgions probe . the blood keeps rickets from growing , if you annoint infants-thighs carefully therewith ; and is good , if they be bursten : the dung is put into the medicine for horses strangury . kill one in a mans-pisse , it abates your lust . article ii. of the green , and the brazen-coloured lizard . the green lizard , or chloorosaura , is called also the greater ; and the serpent-fighter , ( they worstling serpents . ) they haunt hote places , as italy , where coming of many abroad at once presages a sickly time . in summer they bide in trees , and croak like frogs ; and have two tails . the figure below shall save a labour to describe them . it is usefull in phisick ; ty it on thirty dayes for neck-swellings , and then change it . childrens burstings are cured by a bite , then shoot him through with an arrow , and bloat him . boyled alive with wine , and given fasting , it helps wheesings , and sod with oyl , face pimples . with tarre , and an old sows grease it takes away tendernesse of horse-hoofs : it makes the hair black ; and it renews hair . see in ambrosine the ointment for the falling sicknesse . the ashes help exulcerated neck-swellings . the bones help them in a swound , after you powder him alive in a stone pot , and the flesh fall off . there is a lizard with brasse-coloured streaks down the back , called ziglis , samiamithon , and seps , a serpent , because the flesh it bites , rots , and tarantula , but amisse . it resembles the small lizard , and is coloured like the serpent caecilia . it is bred , and lives among the stones in syria , lybia , and cyprus . it beares young , as the viper doth , but carry egs in the belly , as other animals that lay egges . fabius columna killed one in a french camp , and cutting it up found fifteen young within her ; some hath a thin transparent skin , some none , cut it in two it cures a bite . galen praescribes it among pickled meats . article iii. of indian lizards . point i. of the senembi , or igvana . there are many kinds of indian lizards ; the most famous are , the senembi , or igvana ( the portugees miscall it cameliaon , and the dutch worse , legvan ) long from the mouth to the tail end three foot , eight fingers , compasse ten fingers . the whole skin of a delicate green , with black , and white spots , chequered , like chamelet ; it is scaly , the greatest scales are on the back , thighs , and tail , and here all equall . from the neck to the tail end a new of plain ones , like saw-teeth , and green ; the head about two fingers long , and scaly ; the scales greater then elsewhere ; the neck a finger and half long , five thick , their eyes large , clear , and blackish , nostrills wide , the teeth many small , black , short ; tongue thick , the head on each side black spotted , a gullet hanging as fish gills , or a crop down to the breast , most part blackish , that he can gather up , and let hang out , when vexed , or frighted . from the mouth to the crop it hath bristles , and on the back , it hath four thighs , and four feet , on each five toes , all scaly , the fore-thighs are shortest , and slenderest , four fingers long , and the middle toes shorter then those on the hinder-feet ; the nayls black , and crooked , like bird-claws , &c. the hinder-thighs like a mans calf , the foremost not ; the dock five fingers thick , and so the tail thinner and thinner , and ending like an aul . one being kill and flead , yet waged after , and the heart taken out leaped ; it had in either side above ten egs , some as big as a cherry , some lesse ; the fat plainly seen , as a hens ; in the stomack was much fruit , especially sweet limons , which was the usuall food . they eat also meal and mandioca-water . they can fast two , or three months together . the flesh is well tasted , boyled , and long fried with butter , it tasts as well as chicken , or cony . it hath heart , lungs , liver , gall-bladder , reins , bladder , genitals , as other beasts ; a large liver , a double stomack , one afore , receiving the food , whence a gut as big as the little finger , and about ten fingers long , whereto is knit the other ventricle , that disgests food , hence passe the other to the strait gut . in the fore-stomack of one was found great store of mandoa meal , and angolas milt raw ; the hindermost , the greater , was stuf●d with half disguested meat , whereto cleaved many mites , as in cheese ; the last gut held the dung . being flead , and the taile cut off , it stird yet , five or six strokes on the head could not kill it , till a cut was given in the neck ; the tayl-flesh is stringy , and sinewy . anno . was a stone taken out of a senembies stomack , as big as a reasonable hen-egge , and so shaped , but not so round , but squatter , without smooth , bright ; within made up of coasts , like an onjon , to be pilled off ; within it was bright gray , hard as a bezoar-stone ; they fit in trees , and are taken in lines , that the brasilians know how to fit a club , which the beast spying , wonders at , but stirres not , suffring it self to be ensnared and taken , else he is very swift ; the younger are all over green , the elder party-coloured , or ash-hewd . in their heads are sometimes found small stones , that lessen , and void the stones in the reins forthwith , either by the juice drawn out , of a dram weight ; or tied to the body . it were good to try , whether those found in the stomack , have that vertue , or no. point ii. of the tejuguacu , taraguira , and americima . the tejuguacu , and temapara tupinambis , is a choyse lyzard , shaped like the senembi , with this difference , that this is all black , but sprinkled with goodly white spots , and toward the tayl seems to have white prickles . next the tayl is thicker at the dock . . it wants those sharp bristles along the back . . the outertoe on the hind-feet , stands a little a loof from the rest , and is shorter . . it hath a long cloven tongue , red , smooth , which snake like , it can suddenly thrust out a finger long , and withdraw it . it yeelds no voyce , is patient , loves raw-egs , can fast long . the markgrave kept one in his chamber , tied , and sometime loosed , gave it water out of a glasse ; unlesse , when thirsty , it used to sit all day , moping in a corner . it loved to ly on hot ashes . one trod of a piece of the tayl , yet it grew two fingers after : in two month it ate not , and so pined to death ; onely it sometimes licked in a litle water ; the flesh was eaten . the taraguira of brasil is a lizard , in , and near their houses , common in their gardens , and everywhere ; about a foot long , and some lesse : the body round , all full of three cornered ash-coloured scales : hath no crop under the chin , the back plain ; they nod nirably with the head , when they spy any things , and run swiftly , and wagging . they wake a man , if they see any serpent , or venemous creature , making toward him . as they couple , the hee bites the shee gently on the neck , and pulls her to his side . the brasil americima , is a small lizard , three fingers long , and no thicker any where then a swans-quill ; footed , and ledged as the senembi ; blacke-eyed , almost square-bodied , the back cloathed with ash-coloured scales , the sides with dusky ones : the head , legs , and tayl with blew ones , all bright and smooth , the toes like hogs-bristles . the portugees say it is venemous , and longs to suck the blood of women great with child ; they report that if it but touch a woman , nay her cloaths , she never after conceives more . point iii. of other indian lizards . the carapopeba is with the brasilians a venomous lyzard , three , four , five fingers long , shaped , as the other , with five toes on the fore , and four on the hinder-feet . it is all liver-coloured , with white spots , and on the tail white streaks mixt with yellow , eyes glistring , and like glasse . the ameiva with the brasilians , and the tupinambi is everyway like the taraguira ; only this is forked tailed , ending in two strait horns . the taraguico aycuraba in brasil is like the taraguira , only the scales on the tail are small , and triangular at top , but the tip plaine , with four dusk spots , the back chamleted . the brasil tejunhana is as thick as your litle finger ; coped-headed , black-eyed , with golden ringlets , fourfooted , three fingers long , the tail six fingers and an half long , round , and at the end sharp as a birds ; the head scaly , sides , thighs above skined soft as silke , the tail hath fouresquare small scales , the head greater and duskish ; the back and sides above shadowed with three streaks , and checkered , below green , above one green streak from the head to the thighs ; there is another green streak at the parting of the dusk , and green ; between the two streaks is a rank of green pricks in dusk , and under the lower green streak a rew of black spots in green ; the thighs above wax-coloured with small dusky spots , below white ▪ the tail above wax-coloured , and also below , but mixt with white ; the head beneath the throat and belly , bright , and blood-spotted ; it hath a cloven tongue . chapter iii. of the salamander . it is uncertain whence it borrows the name , whether as valincendra , from the ability to withstand fire , or as a sole lover of fire , or as saulamandran , from quiet lurking , or as selamandra , as living between the void spaces of sheep-coates , and caves ; or ( which is but too ridiculous ) from sela mana dera , from dimming brightnesse ; or from the arabique saanbras , or samabras , which is likely , but not sure . pliny calls it a starry beast ; aetius a venemous lizard . there are two sorts , the land , and the water-salmander . the land one resembles the green lizard , only the head , and belly of this are thicker . it hath a short tail , it is black , spotted with clay-spots , but smooth , and transparant . gesner found one on the alps , all duskish , and dark , short-tailed , and striking it , a milky juice flowed out . some in the germane forrests have black backs , and red bellies . some have long , and crooked tails , and claws . some call it liporrinon , because it is shining , and glistring , as if greased over . they haunt cold moyst , gloomy places . in dutchland are many found , knotted together . they are oft seen about trent , and in the ananiensian vale . some thinke they breath only at the mouth , and so live , others write that they covet hony-combs , bees , and milk , and annoy hives , and cows . pliny mistakes in saying they breed not , and have no distinction of sex ; for some have seen their brood ; they lay egges , wherein the young come to maturity . whether it live in , or can put out fire , we shall hereafter inquire . they come abroad in rainy weather , and afore storms . it is never seen in winter , or summer ; it is slow-gated . in cumana , they crow . if you cut them in two , the forepart goes forward , the hinder moves backward . by nature it hates frogs , and tortoyses , and fights eagerly with them . it is found venomous , whole families have been poysoned to death , by drinking the water , wherein one had falne . nay , the fruit is thought deadly , whereon their spittle is sprinkled . they bite also to death , as many testifie . gesner was told , that , where the tooth once fastens , and bends , it is mortall to it , but he kept two at home , that were never prone to bite , if not provoked , nor heard hee of any in germany , bitten by them . but in france the bite is deadly . and the rhetians have a proverb , that , who so is bitten by them , needs as many physitians , as the salamander hath spots . physitians use the spittle among their psilothra . kiranides hangs the hart , wrapped in a black skin , on the arme , against a quartan . not to speake of the fables of girdles , of the skin , to quench fire . the water-salamander , called the water lizard , and cordulus , and the water-scincus , or crocodile , hath a broad tayl , and is of foure kinds . . that with a tayl like a rhomlus , the tongue short , and broad ; the teeth so small , you cannot see them , on the forefeet are foure , on the hinder five toes ; the heart is spongy , and lies on the right side : whose left ear-lappet takes up the greatest part of the pericardium : the milt reddish , reins spongy , liver black , it hath egges in the belly big as peas , lying orderly , whereout live young breake ; the back hath ugly bumps on it , it is ash-colour , or dun . that gesner dissected , was seven fingers long , black , with white spots on the belly , the rest spotted with black , and rugged . there is another sort with bright half circles on the back , and there is of those , the greater , and the lesser salamander . the last is that of matheolus , common among the utinenses , the head rounder , and shorter . the land-ones , tayled like the eel , black-backed with murry-spots ; they love dark ditches , and fat soils , and ponds with white mud , there they cleave under stones , and seldome swim above . gesner cast one into a tub of water , and it put forth the mouth . they are slow on ground , and hold their mouths close shut , you must force them open . cast them into salt , they wagge the tayl , and dy . beat them long , they live . the skinne so hard , a sword cannot pierce it . out of the wounds comes milky matter . provoke them , they swell , and start upright , and pour out poysonous sweat , and look wistly on the provoker . if a sow eat one , shee dies . chapter iv. of the stellio . this goes for a lizard , called stellio from his starry marks ; and in greeke askalalotaes , or koolobataes , from the soft , and silent gate , and creeping through walls ; and galeotes , because weesellike , it is ever climbing softly ; there are divers kinds of them . that of the greeks called colotes , and ascalabotes , it is full of spots , and hath a harsh voyce , and feeds on every thing . that of italy , resembling chamaeleon , living on dew , and spiders , and is said to be venomous , as the other harmles . hether referre the little white beasts like small lizards , of a bright , and brittle-body , about rome , called tarantulaes ; but the small lizard is silver-coloured , called liakoni . in gazara was seen a black stellio , as big as a weesel , great-headed , and big-bellied . we give below a print of the mat●●●oli , and facetan lizard . there are none in germany , france , nor england , but in thrace , sicily , and syria , and those more deadly then they of italy . they keep in chinks of doors , and windows , and chimnyes . that that is foe to the scorpion , is not in italy bred . there are venomous ones . in winter they ly hid , and eat not . like snakes they grow young again , they help the falling-sicknesse , they ly in wait for spiders , and bees , and hunt them , and scorpions : they seldome bite , having bent teeth , which they leave in a wound ; their bite benums , but seldome kills . the flesh plucks splinters out mans body , it cures its own bite , and putrified in oyl , cures the scorpions bite . in quartans , some layd it in a box under the patients head , to prevent the fit . the ashes held in the left hand , provoke , in the right , subdue iust. the parts make sleepy , and benum ; the liver-pounct eases tooth-ach , sprinkled on . the dung takes away warts , the older the better against epilepsy : drowned in wine , the wine drunke , breeds spots , or freckles on the face : the gall dissolved in water , gathers weesels . chapter v. of the scincus , or land-crocodile . the scincus , so called perhaps from tinsa in the arabique , is also called the land , or lesser crocodile , either for being like , or for dreading saffran . it ●s of the bignes of a green lizard , or the salamander , fourefooted , a thumb thick , and not above a quarter long , the tayl round , and scaly ; the scales small on the body , many , and clayish coloured ; the head long , little thicker then the neck , the belly as it were winged , the tayl round , as of the lizard , but shorter , and crooked at the end ; a streak from head to tayl , gesner saw one with five toes and nails , a thumb and half broad , two palms long ; and another six palms long , at constantinople . the are bred onely in arabia about mecha , and are brought thence to alexandria , and venice . they live on sweet flowers , therefore no wonder their dung sents so , on dry ground they lay egges , and bury them . the flesh is a great antidote . rhasis uses to hang the young on those , that are frighted in their sleep . pulverid , it makes lustfull ; the same flesh helps the falling sicknes in india , and makes fat : the heart in black sheep-wool , of a lamb first yeaned , being worn , is thought to chase away quartan-agues . the gall with hony , is cried up against bloodshot-eyes : the reins increase seed ; the blood with borax , smeard on the face , removes freckles ; the fat helps reinpain : the ashes of the skin , some sprinkle on parts to be cut off , to make them lesse sensible . aegineta of the tayl , make his oyntment entaticon : out of the bowells is a perfume made against stopping of the matrix : the dung is antiepileptick , and clears the eyes , the best is the white , and mouldring , that soon melts in water : whores use it , to keep their faces sleek , and unwrinkled , as you bruise it , it smells like old leven . of old it was sophisticated with dung of stares , fed with rice . the indian , and arabian , are the biggest . in india is bred a beast like it , as great as a malta dog , with a rough scaly skin , called by the indians phatagen , happily it is the candiverbera , or smitetayl . in cyprus is a lizard , everyway resembling the scincus . in the lake of vicenza is a divers sort , a kind of salamander . the scincus rhasis , hath a tayl not round , but flat , or squat about the sides . chapter vi. of the foure-footed cordylus , and other lyzards . it is like the fish cordylus , called by some latermen , the land-crocodile ; and the candiverbera , because it is ever whisking , and clapping with the tayl , which is like a knotted club , and beats all that come near him . some say , he hath gils ; but there hangs one in a publique library , with onely two holes by the corners of the mouth . it is like a crocodile , but lesse , and moves the under-jaw ; headed , and mouthed like a tortoyse , the neck short , and swelling below : each foot hath five toes , the body scaly , skin hard , like a snakes slough , tayl round , with scaly ringlets inexpressible ; the scales are hard as bones , and fouresquare , hollowed a litle , to make the tayl round , joyned like tiles , the corners sharp as thorns , they are transparant , and of a pale yellow , as horn ; the belly struts out more then a crocodiles ; the back broad , and flat . this may proove aelians indian phattages by the description , whose rough skin they use to cut with . chapter vii . of the chamaeleon . te name imports a little lion ; the notation from a camel , and a lion is ridiculous ; of late the wild call it gamaleon , zamaleon , hamaleon , and maleon . it resembles a lizard , only the thighs stand uprighter , and higher ; the sides are joyned to the belly , as a fish , and the back-bone such snouted like a hog ; the tail long , and pointed , with rounds , viperlike , it is crooked clawed , it is rough-bodied as the crocodile , the eyes hollow , and sunk , great , and coloured as the body ; the flesh is but little about the head , jaws and dock , elsewhere , none ; it hath blood only in the heart , and about the eyes ; the bowells are without spleen . the lungs take up almost the whole body : thus arist. and pliny . others write , that from the midst of the head backward there sticks out a three cornered part bony , and the rest afore is hollow as a pipe , the brims on both sides sticking out bony and sharp as a saw-teeth : it moves not the ey-balls , it is ever gaping , hath a long tongue , like that of an earth-worm ; at the tip is a spungy glewly knot , wherewith it preys . in stead of teeth and gums it hath one continued bone , knaged ; the upper-lip is shortest , the throat , and artery like the lizards ; the heart as big as a house-mouses ; the liver hath two lappets , the left greatest , the gall-bag as big as a barly corn , cleaving to the left liver-lappet , bowelled as a lizard ; the forefeet very different from the hinder ; the forefeet having three toes inward , two outward , the hinder three outward and two inward : it is from the snowt to the dock seven , or eight fingers long , five fingers high ; it hath about sixteen ribs bending between the bottome of the belly , and the ridge of the back , and it is spotted like a leopard ; the teeth stand comlily , he hath but one gut with bendings , the excrement moyst , unlesse near the fundament ; the liver parted , & on the bunchy side pouring the blood into the hart that hath ears , and not veins ; the lungs being puffed passes into a thin skin reaching round almost through the whole body ; there is no rim at the belly bottome , onely a thin skin severing the right from the left parts : he hath no milt , no bladder , no reins to be seene , but small bits of flesh , that , it may be , are genitals ; the tongue is near a foot long . they are in asia , africk , india , and madagascar . they sit on the garden hedges at grand cair by the banks of nile ; as also on bramble-bushes . of old they were thought to live on air , but they prey on flies , locusts , but they fancy most the worms in meal tubs . they keep above for fear of serpents and vipers . they use their tongue as a trunk , darting it forth with that nimblenesse that you can hardly perceive it , by the means of a small forke bone planted on either side the ends of the jaws , the tongue is hollow , like a gut , which he can infold , and unfold at pleasure ; at the end is a slimy bit of flesh to prey withall . peirescius kept eight of them to observe their breeding , there were in one female within a thin skin above a hundred egges , some as big as an olive kernell , all yolk , no white seen in them , yet resembling milk . they hold enmity with the hauk , which will dy , it is thought , if he but tast a chamaeleon , and a crew also , unlesse bay-leave fence him . the elephant is fabled by solinus to swallow them they being of the colour of the leaves , and they cost him his life , unlesse he help himself by wild olive . fear of vipers , and serpents makes him live on shrubs , and trees . his spittle let down on a serpents head , like a limed thread , kills him . wild figs make him wild , who is otherwise harmlesse . he turns his whole dy about , sits high , ever gaping , when dead hee is pale . in winter he hides himself , as lizards use . by nature he admirably changes colour but in eyes , and tail , and whole body according to the colour of what lies next , except red , and white ; yet ambrosine affirms from a gentlemans testimony that he changes to white . but peirescius his eight changed not colour . whether they be green , or ash they put on a black , if you turn them to the sun , or fire . it is strange , that their eyes being combined move not but one looking any way , the other is fixed , or bends the other way , which deflection comes from the four pullies in them , there being no distinction of iris , but only a ball , wherein the horny part ends , which is glistring , and various , as the rest of the body . those of cochin eat them . they bind many together , and sell them , being bought , they are cast into the fire , and roasted . flea one , the flesh is very clear , which they seeth in a liquour like our butter . sod away with oyl in a new earthen pot , it drives away an epilepsy . it makes a rare oyntment for the gout ; see the composition in trallianus . the tongue hanged on helps memory , and women in child-birth : the gall stops fluxes . the hart wrapt in black-wool first shorn helps a quartan ague ; to omit fables about raising storms , making mute , &c. with the heart , tongue , &c. you must know it is pliny , who , though learned , and usefull , studied too much to delight men . in egypt they are pale . in arabia much smaller , and of another colour , as bright , yellowish , and red-spotted . wee have given here the shapes of the pale , and black chamaeleons . chapter viii . of the crocodile . he is a kind of lizard , so called from dreading the shores . the aegyptians terme him chempsa , the turks thence kimsak . kircher , picharouki . statius the pharian wild-beast , others tenchea . in arsinoë , suchus , in india , cayman . it resembles a lizard , it is of a saffran colour , but white-bellied , and there soft-skined , elsewhere musket proofe . some have been seen six and twenty cubites long . by panama there are some of above a hundred foot . the head is broad , the snowt as a swines , the gape reaches to the ears ; the eyes sharp , and piercing , and like a hogs ; he hath a rew of great , bright strong teeth , like a comb , about sixty in all ; more in the upper jaw , and sticking out , seen when the mouth is shut . the tongue cleaves , and is uselesse . the under jaw he stirs not , the testicles cling to the inner-loyns . the back-bone is made up of sixty turning joynts , tied by as many sinews ; the claws are very sharp bending somewhat toward the sides ; the tail is of the length of the rest of the body , wherein is a finne of seven fingers to the end . m. scaurus was first who in his edil-ship shewed five in his plays in an euripus made for the time . they are found in africa , asia , and america ; especially in nilus , and neighbouring pools ; in niger , in ganges about bengala , in the river bambotus near atlas , and not far from chalcedon , but small ones , they love warm waters . in peru are none till you come to pacra , then they are frequent . some live in miry plashes on fish , but are most greedy after mans flesh . they prey also on beasts on land . there was one taken that had swallowed three young ones . about arsinoë they were held holy , and nourished of old by the priests with bread , flesh , and wine . some gave them dainties , rost-meat , and mingled drinks . the shee lays sixty egges , as big as goose-egges , and by a kind of divination , where the nile , when it swells , comes not . shee lays and hatches sixty in sixty daies . gyllius hath marked that the young have crept out of the sand , where the egges have been hidden , the egges grow not greater . they hate the ichneumon for spoyling their egges , and endeavouring to creep into their mouths , while they sleep , and gnaw their bowell ; and the wild ox , that can over-master them . the tiger , because they teare them , when they take them lying on their backs , and hauks , and therefore the coptitae , that worship the crocodile , kill up the hauks . they that carry the gall of water-serpent are said to be safe from the crocodile . they let the porpisci alone for the prickles on his neck . dolphins get into nilus under their bellies , and tear them up , babillus , gouvernour of egypt , was eye-witnes of it . scorpions wound the young , as they break out of the egge . they feare a mans voyce , and fly if a man pursue them ; the tentyritae they hate , who dwell on an isle in the nile , a people of small stature , but couragious against crocodiles , that are terrible in pursuit of those that fly them , and fly those that pursued them , but that people alone dare encounter them , and swim , and ride them , and thrust a club in their mouths , and as it were bridle them , and captivate them , and terrifie them with their very voyce , and force them to disgorge bodies , newly devoured , to bury them , so that crocodiles shun onely that island , and fly , if they but smell those men , fly them as serpents the psylli . when in scaurus his time they were brought to rome , tentyrites kept , and managed them in shews , in fish-ponds . among plants they avoid the prickled beane . diverse use to carry potamogeton with them as an amulet , or preservative against the crocodile . they agree well with the hogs , so that they are saved by the niles , and with the trochilus , ( called king of birds in italy , ) that , while they ly gaping after eating , picks their teeth , and jaws clean ; which the crocodile likes so well , that they invite the bird , and gape on purpose . with eating of much fish , worms breed in their chaps , which the trochilus eats out ; which having done , the crocodile would devoure the bird too , but that it hath a sharp prickle on the head , and makes him open his mouth , and so she scapes . by night they keepe in the water , by day on land ; the same way they come forth of the water , they returne , keeping a track . their legs are short , and they cannot easily turne aside , they leave a sweet sent , where they goe ; especially the female , so that no arabian sweets excell it , as the inhabitants by the river nilus say foure months , some say fourty , some sixty dayes , they hide themselves , and eat not . artemidore the grammarian , was so affrighted with the sight of one , that he lost his wits , and learning , and verily beleeved , that the beast had bit off his left legge . when they feed on a mans carcasse , they with their teares , some say , break the brain-pan for the brain . they doe more harme to those that go up the stream , because the fishers catch the fish , they would prey on , and so ravine fiercely on man , and beast ; and so after niles overflow , when it returns within its chanell , for want of fish , in the shallows at the rivers mouth , where they lurk in the slime , watching for what ever comes to drink . they follow boats against streame , when the boat-men thrust with poles , and with their tayl strike man , and pole overbord . it is a tayl that they hurt no man , while apis , his birth is solemnized . achmed ben-tolon ; finding a leaden one at the foundations of temples , commanded it to be melted . the priests guesed , that one of the ptolomees was near death , when their old , and cheef crocodile being called , came not , and refused the meat , offered him . being tamed , they know mans voyce , and will let men handle them , and rub their teeth with a napkin , and gaped to that end . no wonder then that in the ombitan marshes , that they are brought up by art , and tamed , and fed with the heads of their sacrifices . in the town anteum , and old woman was taken in bed with a crocodile . many learned say , they live as long as man , some sixty years , some eat them . the apollonopolitae were bound by their law to eat them , either , because the daughter of king psammenitus was devoured by one , or out of hate of the tyran typhon , who was fained to be turned into a crocodile . in india they roast them , and in florida they dry them , and in winter feed on them . the egges also in the new world are eaten , and in egypt . sodden , they cure spider-biting ; the dogs-teeth stuffed with frankincense , asswaged fevers . the blood clears eye-sight , and helps stung-parts . the fat annointed on , is good against shaking in agues , and old sores , and cancer . the skinne burnt , mixt with dregs of oyl , stupefies à lirib , to be cut off , or feared . in india they cast delinquents , bound to crocodiles . in pegu they keep them in their city-ditches , that no man may swim over in the night . the inhabitants , because they worship them , drink the ditch-water ; and beleeved that all killed by crocodiles , fly strait to heaven . firmus a tyrant of egypt , being annointed over with their fat , swam safely among them . some are greater , some lesser , as scinci . some called tenchea . in ganges , there are harmles ones , and harmfull , with a horne on the snout . in the province of xanagarra , they leave a sent like musk where they goe . the second title . of the beasts that have toes that come of an egge , and are shelled . chapter i. of the tortoyse in generall . hee is called testudo , from testa , his shell . in greeke chelis , &c. from cheoo , to be capacious . it is no sightly beast , covered with an ovall shell , like a target , whereunder it hides head , feet , and tayl ; the head litle , the tayl as a snakes , the looke rough . severall writers give the shell severall names , as hided , covering , shell , &c. in greeke cheloonion , and ostrakon : in stead of teeth it hath one continued bone , the lungs are very large , and bloodles : liver tainted , testicles cleaving to the loyns : milt very litle ; they have reins , and bladder , and but one passage for excrement , which is therefore ever wet . it is footed like the lizard , having five toes and nayls . cardan saw one with a nayl in the tayl like a cocks-spur ; and the tayl of such as of lizards , cut off , grows again , and harder . they are found on land , in sea , lakes , or muddy places ; they abound in the red-sea , and are sold in the markets . they are in the isle dioscoris , now socotora , and mauritius , once cerne : they meet to gender , as others that lay egges : they delight not in coupling : they lay egges like henne-egges , but lesse , and longer , with shell , white , and yolk : the shell is so hard , that a cart may drive over it , without bruising it ; it never changes it , as other shelly creatures use . in winter-moneths they hide themselves in the earth , and eat not , comming forth , they creep slowly , whether from feeblenesse , or their nature . they are at variance with partriges and eagles , that snap them oft up , to crack them on rocks ; as one let one fall of the bald-pate of the tragick poët aeschylus , mistaking it for a stone , and killed him ; who abhorred to lengthen life , according to hyppocrates directions . their voyce is a little louder then a snakes hisse ; they fight with serpents , fenceing themselves with origanum , &c. some parboyl them , and then fry them in steaks . some reckon them among fishes , and allow them on fasting-dayes , others not ; they have bones , and breath . not to speak of their eyes . some americans count them dainties : the flesh is usefull against dropsie , and short-breath , or wheesings . boiled , they remove the loathsomnes of glutting of hony . the ashes of the shell are used against fistulaes , and shedding of hair ; and with oyl , and wine , against sore legs ; and in a fume , against emrods . burne them , they close chapped-nipples , with the white of an egge ; and they help bursten people : the blood of the head cut off , when it lies on the back , and dried in the sun , quenches s. anthonies fire , and removes warts , and morfew ; and is good for a sore-head , and with ants-egges , henbane , hyoscyamus , & hemlock , is made an excellent oyntment : the shell makes a good pot-lid that keeps the pot from boyling over : the blood in wine , makes abstemious : the flesh fattens horses , and hogs . vegetius makes an ointment of the live tortoys , burnt on chips , and raw allum , and deers-marrow , and wine , to make cattells hair grow . the shell-shavings drunk in wine , allay lust . of the greater , some have framed tables , vessells , and beds . pliny , and seneca , complain of the luxury in this kind under nero ; and of counterfaiting the colour of the shell , to make coverings for cup-bords . the amazons made shields of the shells , and cradles for their children . pliny divides them into land , and sea , and ponds-tortoyses , and such as live in sweet water , called emyclae . in the isle zambol , are seene small beasts like them , round-bodied , crosse-streakt ; at the end of each streak is an eare , and an eye ; they have but one belly , many feet , and can goe every way . the blood is soveraigne to close any wound . gesner calls it the many-footed-tortoys . in the isle mauritius , under the line , they are so large , and strong , that they carry men too , and fro ; the portugees speak of fifteen such . chapter ii. of tortoyses in speciall . article i. of the land-tortoyse . the land-tortoys is called by some the hill , wood , field , wild-one ; in greek chersaian , &c. it is as the salmander markt with yellow , and black spots on the back , shelled like the sea-one . the under-shell of the female is plain , but of the male hollow , and heavier ; under the under-shells are two moving muscles afore , on each side one , either seems double , the greater outward , the lesse inward ; both rising sideling as out of the arm-pits , springing from a thin skin clinging to the shell , and ending in a sharp tendon ; under these long , round muscles six other appeares long that haply bend the arms . two come to the thighs sprouting from the foresaid membrane , these are lesse then the former , but more fleshy , and are set into the thighs . the back-bone is compact , and fastened strongly to the shell , in the middle of the length . below the head in the midst a fingers breath from the sides descend two muscles , plucking the head inward , and two other a little below , all long . the liver is parted but alike big on the right , and left side , without bunched , within hollow , on the right side craggy containing in a strange workmanship the nether mouth of the stomack , and a part of the duodenum ; the left side holding the greater hollow of the stomack , like a hollow eyebrow . the gall-bag lies deep in the right string of the liver . the stomack nearly resembles a mans , or swines ; but after it comes to the bowells it hath three large hollows , wherein are perfected the three digestions . in the two first is a herby substance , the latter better wrought , and from hence cleaves the milt round , and black ; in the third a certain moystish , and very white substance , like a chewed chesnut , but washy . it is thought this serves for a bladder , that , as hens use , darts out sometimes a white moysture . it is large , and shaped like a chesnut , thin , and of a large conveyance . it clings fast to the peritonaeum . the straight gut at the end hath such side passages , as all cocks have , but parted , and reaching into the sides , even to the reins . here on each side ly their egges . the mid-rif is interwoaven with great veins . the heart is roundish , and whitish , hollow on one corner , placed just above the liver . the sharp artery ( which is worthy marking ) a little after the beginning is cloven , and the branches are twisted . the lungs above cling to the back-bone , thin , not fleshy , but rather skinny , set into the sharp artery , like a blackish net-worke . the disposition of the hyois-bone , and shield-gristle is remarkable . in the skull of the sea-tortoyse is a partition . these come about in the deserts of africa , and in some part of lybia . also in the arcadian woods ; they of old made harps of them . they are most in the isle dioscoris in the red-sea . living in the deserts they have been thought to feed on dew . others say they crop young sprouts of pot-herbs , and pompions , &c. worms also they eat , and shell-fish . in house they kept with bran , and meal . to passe by fables , of their being gendred of geranus a woman turned into a crane , and nicodamas . they lay hard shelled , and party-coloured egges , which they hide in the ground , and at times sit on , and the following year they foster them . it is a mistake that they conceive only when the wind blows . it is certainer , that the female being very slow to coupling is of the male quickned by an herb . the greeks eat them not . certain hungarians seeing clusius tast of one , beleeved he should dy of it . in india they are commonly eaten . in august , and september , when corn is ripe , they are fattest , and most cried up . some say , from february to may the shee s are best , being then full of egges , and from june to autumne , the hees . some praise them with garlick sauce . at this day at bononia they behead the female land-crocodile , and throw away the blood , and seeth it till the shell fall from the flesh , and wash the inward , and boyl all together with saffran , sweet spices , pines , and raisins in malmsy , and so serve it in . the flesh makes good perfumes against witchraft , and poyson . in africa they cut off the head , and feet , and make an antidote of them . in pottage eaten they disperse swellings , and help the falling sicknesse , and spleen ; the blood clears the ey-sight , and removes blood-shot , rednesse in the eyes , and helps against all venome of serpents , spiders , toads , the blood wrought with meal into pilles , and take in wine ; the gall with athenian hony is good for the yellow in the eyes , and the stroak of a scorpion ; the ashes of the shell kneaded with wine , and oyl , closes chaps , and ulcers . the scales shaven off at top in drinke allay , as the the powder of the shell inflames lust . the urine i thinke is not seen but in dissection , but is thought good against aspick-bites , better , if mixt with hog-lice ; the egges hardened make an ointment for swellings , and ulcers comming from cold , or burnes . some swallow them in stomack-aches . among the bononians there is syroop of tortoyses for short-breath , and consumptions . some also made a decoction for rheums , and cough , described by amatus the portugees . wecker compounds an electuary against sharp uds of seed . galen stampt the liver to drink for the suffocations of the mother . in india are great ones . they pluck off their shells with spades , they have fat , and sweet flesh . in brasil is one called jubeti , by the portugees cagado de terra ; it hath a black shell with many six cornered marks thereon , snowted as others . the head , and legs dusk , but shadowed , and spotted . the liver hath a more savoury tast , thenof any other beast . article ii. of the vvater-tortoyse . point i. of the fresh-water , and pond-tortoyse . pliny calls it water-mouse , and emyda . the clay-coloured is called myda . in greek potamia cheloonia , or river-tortoyses . they live in fresh water , in lakes , and rivers , as near adelfing in a small lake in the tigurine territory . and near constance in a hote that runs long , and wide among the rocks , there are plenty of them ; the women of that city call them divells , and ascribe all their sicknesses to them . they wander also in ganges , and nile ; they breath . in breeding time they dig a hole on dry land , where they lay and hide their egges , and after thirty dayes they uncover them , and bring their brood presently to the water . of the fat bruized with aizoon , or the everliving herb , and lily-seed some annoint those that have quartans all over , but the head , afore the fit ; then they wrap them warme , and give them hote water to drinke . they catch it on the fifteenth day of the moon , when it is fattest , and annoint the patient the day after . the blood droped in , eases head-akes , and swellings . some behead them lying on their backs with a brazen knife receiving the blood in a new earthen pot , annointing with the blood cure all kinds of s. anthonies fires , and running sore heads , and warts . the dung is said to disperse waxen kernels . some beleeve that ships sayl slower , if a tortoyses right foot be aboard . the indian river-tortoyse is just as big as a boat , and holds sixty bushells of pulse . the clay , or pond-tortoyse pelamida , and amida , is alike broad on back and breast , the shell makes a handsome cup. it abides in muddy places , but at spring seekes running-water . they want bladder , and reines . they are seene about ferraria , and in france , poland , hungary . some think to drive over a shoar of hayl by laying one with the right hand about their garden , or field on the back , so that it may see the cloud big with hayl . some lay three on a fire of chips , and take the bodies from the shells , and parboyl them in a gallon of water , and a litle salt to a third part , and make a drink for palsy , and gout , for those that have feeling . the gall is good for flegm , and corrupt blood . drunk in cold water , it stays a loosnes . point ii. of the sea-tortoyse . pliny calls it the sea-mouse ; the greek cheludros ; the german and flemish fishers , the souldier , because it beares a shield , and helmet ; and barchora , and of old zytyron , that , or such another with rugged , hard armed-head , and a buckler hanging at the neck . it resembles the land-tortoyse ; if you except the feet , and bignes . in stead of teeth it hath a bone so hard , it breaks asunder the thickest staffe with one stroke . the snout brims seeme like teeth . the eyes sparkle from farre ; the balls being exceeding bright , and glittering . the feet like wings , wherewith they swim as with oars ; turn him on his back , and cut him up crosse , taking away the shell , you see a peritonaean membrane covering all the fore-parts from the throat to the secrets , tied to the shell by fleshy strings , especially by the breast . kall it hath none , nor blind gut , but slender bowells from above downwards , contrary to other fourfooted beasts . nay from the gullet top , which is two thumbs thick , it reaches to the beginning of the straight gut , and lessens all along ; it hath also double tunicles , the outer sinewy , the inner fleshy , and this is hairy , and limber , and moyst , like a fat cows right gut . in the beginning of the oesophagus are many thwart prickles , bigger then in an ox-tongue , which is strange , they serve happily to chew the grosse food they use to gobble in . the neck of the bladder answers the straight gut within , and have both but one out-let ; the milt round as an egge , tied to the upper-gut : reins plain , and long , as if made up of many small ones ; heart moyst full of intricate vessels in the entrance ; the lappes large , blackish , dangling by a thin skin ; lungs large comming down much lower then the heart ; the neck bent with many muscles , and two very long plucking the head in to the shell . they live in salt water , and about moluris , and live on small fish , shell-fish , and being brought a land they eat grasse . they at breeding-time lay about an hundred egs on land , and hide them in a pit , and by night sit on them ; & with their foot make a mark on the covered-place , to find it again . they plain the earth with their breast . in fourty dayes they are hatched . in america are hide oft above three hundred egges in one hole , and are hatched by the sun , with the dams sitting , so that an army seemes to be poured out at once . they sleep sometimes on land , but cannot live long there , like sea-calves ; they come by night on land , and feed greedily , and being full , and weary , they float on the water on their backs sleeping , and snorting . if they ly long , dried by the sun-beams , and cannot get into the sleep , they dy . they thrust forth their heads , to take ayr , like sea-calves ; and are so bold , they dare set on three men at once . cut off their heads , they dy not presently , but shall bite , if you put your hand to them . the armenians , by the patriark of alexandria , are forbidden to eat them , on pain of excommunication . between spring , and fall , they are good meat . some make pies of them . in brasile they catch some that may suffice men . they lard , and roast them , they tast like veal . their flesh and frogs-flesh , help against salamanders : the blood against shedding of hair , itch , and foreheads ; but dried , and washt with breast-milk , men drop it into the ears for paine there . some eat it with corne-meal , for the falling-sicknes : some mixt the blood with vineger , wine , and barly-meal , and eat a pellet as big as a bean , morning , and evening , and after some dayes , at evening . it is taken in a castor-glister , for the cramp , wash the teeth long with the blood , you shall have no tooth-ake ; and in barly-meal soked , and fried , it removes shortnes of breath : the gall makes eyes clear , lessens scars , swellings of the amonds of the ears , squincies , and all sorenes in the mouth : sorenes creeping on by degrees , and the burning of the cods . smeard on the nostrils , it is good for the falling-sicknes ; and for mattery-ears , with snakes-sloughs , and vineger : some adde ox-gall , and juice of tortoyse-flesh , long boyld in wine . the gall with hony , is good for the eyes , and for the pin , and web , with the blood of the river-tortoyse , and breast-milk : womens hair is poysond by the gall . some drink salamanders , and the sop : the brain with sa●●●an , and egyptian-salt , makes a suppository for the stoppings of the mother . the eye-balls worn in gold , are good for d●maes of sight : they give the blood with wild-cymine , for viper-bites . the liver pouder , in breast-milke kneaded with rain-bow ointment , and wine , purges a ch●lde-bed-woman . some give the egges in an epilepsie . of old , they trimed their posts with the sh●lls . those of taprobana isle , cover their houses with them . the tortoys-eaters use them for ships , and water-vessells , and tents : they wash new-borne b●bes in them . by gambra river , they make shields of them : the turks make sword handles of the transparent shells . they are of a different bignes , and shape . in taprobana one weighed an hundred and three pound . in the red-sea are shells as broad as a doore . in india some hold ten bushels . the sea-tortoyses are longer , the shore , rounder . among the trogodites are horned ones , the horns , as on a harp , broad and loose . that help their swimming : that kind is called costium , vast , but rarely found . the sharp rocks of the chelonophagi fright them away : they frequent the trogodites , that even worship them . her-barbarus bids us to call them cheleta , or cavaleers , that use their hornes , as spurs . one sort is covered as with a tanned hide , and is like a lobster , the head , and feet gone : the back consists of six tablets joyned ; and the tayl like that part of the harp , wherein the pegs stick : there a●e two sorts , the brasilians call one iuru●ua , with legs like wings ; the fore-legs about a foot and half long , the tayl sharp , and conick , eyes great , and black ; mouth toothles , and like a birds bill . i have had of them , whose shells were three foot long , and above two broad : the shells set into the ribs , on each side eight , the former shorter ; middelmost longer , the hindmost also smaller . they eat the egges as flesh , they lay their eggs on the shore ; digging a pit in the sand , and burying them . i have oft trackt them in their walke . some i have had foure foot long , and three broad , of such a bulk , foure strong men could scarce stirre one . the shells as carved in diverse geometricall figures ; some black , and glistring with yellow streaks , goodly to see too : others , otherwise shaped . the other sort the portugees called iuruta cadago d' agoa , it is lesse then other tortoyses ; the shell the upper-shell , is ten fingers long , and broad : the hollownesse considered ; the lower shell nine fingers long , foure and an half broad , and flat . the upper hath an crooked longsquare shape . it can hide it self under the shell , and thrust out the head three fingers ; the head is three fingers thick , and longish : the nose rising , and pointed , mouth wide , eyes blackish , balls cole-black : on the feet are foure very long black nails : the tayl short , and copped ; the skinne rugged , and scaly : the upper-shell dusky , the undermost yellowish : they lay roundish eggs , half as big as hen-egges , white-shelled , they taste well fried . marckgrave ate often of them . an addition . of certaine outlandish foure-footed creatures of a doubtfull kind . chapter i. of the tlacaxolotl , the cabim , and the sea-secker . having through gods grace finished the history of the foure-footed beasts , as many sorts as are , as yet knowen , i thought good to adde this appendix about forreigne doubtfull creatures , which i am yet thinking to what head , or kind to referre . as first : the tlacaxolotl , it is roundish-faced , bigger then a bull , great-headed , long muzzle , broad eares , cruell teeth ; faced almost like a man , whence it hath the name : the neck thick , the nails like the bulls , but larger : the buttocks great , and broad , tayl thick and long ; skin thick , hair yellowish , and brisly . it is seldome found , living among stones , and in desolate places . the atzaceani , tepotzonzotla , and haquelagani , are not far from the honduras . it feeds on kacaotli , quapachtli , and green-hoali , in the wide fields , and sowen grounds ; and where they are not , on leaves and shrubs . the flesh is eateable . it fears not the face of man ; arrows cannot pearce the hide ; therefore they catch them in pitfalls , and holes covered with leaves , as the indians doe elephants . the cabim , or sionium , or thabal is bred in java . it hath one strange vertue , if any carry with them the tip of the mouth thereof , wound him in a thousand places , he shall not bleed one drop . there have been many trialls of it , and it is famous , and well knowen ; for when naodabeguea malacensis , an enemy of the portugees , in a manfull fight against them , was at length overpowered , and wounded in many places , and fell , no blood started out of the widest wounds ; after in rifling him , as they plucked from his arme a gold arm-let ( strange to say ) the blood with his life gushed all out suddenly , as out of a broken vessell , which they being astonished to see , they understood by other captives that in that arm-let was closed a cabims mouth , that is so potent in stanching of blood . as for the maripetum , aloysius almeida writes , and others affirme , ( both with what truth ) that among the japons in the gotian kingdome is a wood wherein is bred a beast as big as a dog , short-leged , good to eat , gold-coloured , soft-haired . growing old , it leaves the land , and takes the sea , and by degrees turns fish in a certain space , loosing his beasts shape , and that some have been taken not wholly transformed , the full time being not exspired , one part beast , the other scaled , and fined . chapter ii. of the danta , ●and cappa . the danta , or capa , or tapiroussu , or doueanar , resembles the mule , having such ears , a calves lips ; the upper-lips hangs a handfull over the lower , which he lifts up , when angred , in the rest like other beast , but a calf most ; he hath no harme . the hoof helps heart-pain , the skin makes an impenetrable target . it hath two stomacks , one receives the food , the other is found , none knows how , stuft with wood , and twigs . the use of this stomack is not knowen . nature uses not to make any thing needlesse . the hunter must wound him afore he takes water , for there he bites dogs to death . men have been taught breathing a vein from him , for he , his blood is rank , and he even swells , lets himself blood on the inside of the thighs with a splinter of a reed , as the sea-horse doth . he is reddish-haired , and that hanging down , and resembles a cow in bulk , and shape . but that he is not horned , and hath a short neck , and long daugling ears , by his dry , and slender legs , whole hoof , a man may take him to be of the breed of the cow , or asse , yet differs much from both , having a very short tail , ( though in america many beasts are bred , without tails ) and hath much keener teeth , yet none need feare him , he trusting more in flight , then fight . the wilds shoot them , or catch them in pits , or grins , and have handsome devices to hunt them . they value him highly for his skin , which they cut round , and lay a sunning to make targets as big as a reasonable tun , which they use in warre , as being hardly to be pearced . i brought two of those shiels carefully into france ; but returning , the famine was so sore , that all provisions being spent , we must eat apes , and parrets , and we were fain to fry those two targets , and other skins in the ship , to eat . the flesh tasts like beef , especially the feet well boyled . these dante 's are in many parts of the continent . the cappa is bigger then the asse , black , shaggy , fierce , fatall to dogs , snapping them , as a wolf a lamb. the hoof is whole , like a french shoe , and sharp in the spur-place . he is affrayed of a man. chapter iii. of the howler , the su , and peva . the howler is cunning , faining an infants cry in the beginning of the night at towns ends , and kills those that in pity run out to help upon hearing the mone . but now the towns-men are well warned , and goe forth armed with fire-brands . it is like a hare-hound in shape , and bulk . the su , i. e. water , because living by rivers most what , is found among the patagons . some call it succarath . it hath a fierce lions looke , yet is bearded from the eare like a man , short-haired , the belly strutting out , lank flanked , the tail large and long , as a squirrells . the giantlike men there , the climate being not very hote , wear the skins , for which , when hunted they lay their young on their back , and cover them with their tail , and so run away , but are taken , whelps , and all in pits covered with boughs . being fast in , for rage , or generousnesse they kill their whelps , and cry hideously to fright the hunters ; they shoot him dead with arrows , and flea him . some fain that they in fondnesse carry their young to medows , and there they dresse each other with garlands of faire sweet flowers . the peva is as big as a small cat. spying the tiger , she traces him , ever barking to warn all creatures of the danger . hence we see often , that they dy in the fields for hunger . chapter iv. of the stinking beast , the graffa , and caoch . among the chiribdes is a lean beast that voids serpents a cubit long . the dominicans brought up one in their cell , and say that those serpents creep to the next wood , where they live a while . they caused it to be killed , because it stank worse then any carrion cast out on a dung-hill . it resembles a fox in the muzzle , a wolf in hair . i wonder not much at this beasts dung , when consider what worms children , and old folks commonly void . the graffa is found most on the isle zanzibar . it is small-headed , and long-necked . the forefeet are greatest . it is party-coloured , white and red , and marked with red-rose spots . it is a gentle beast . the caoch is thirty inches long , black-haired , the belly yellow , and shining . by night it fains a humane cry . like the sow , it eates unripe mayze . and so much of the fourfooted beasts . if any thing shall be farther discovered to me about them , i shall god willing add it . an appendix peter castellus of rome his discovery of the sweet hyaena , the dam of the zibeth , commonly called the civet-cat . chapter i. it is well knowen how needfull serious , mature , and long deliberation is in the accurate search after difficult matters ; and that the more judicious , and rationall any one is the easier is it for him to unlock secrets , to bring to light hidden things , and to climbe otherwise in accessible heights . whence it is , that when inquiry is made : whether the hyaena of old be knowen to us , or no ; and on the other side , whether the fruitfull zibeth were known to the ancients , or no ; it seems hard to many to resolve . we had need search diligently , relying more in judgement , and reason then sense to perfect our wished discovery . wherefore we take our rise from the manifold names of this beast , namely , civetta , or s●vetta , whence zibeth , and civet-cat , and weesel , and zapetion , and cadopleptus , we stile it the odoriferous hyaena . zibeth is an arabique name , read in divers significations . zebet is a sweet-sented a●galia administred in physick to staunch blood , and against shedding-hair . it is called saderva in persian language ; it is a black thing , wherewith they dy cloath in haaman , or a black juice , an ingredient into sweet medicines . rasis calls it s●●dra , and scedegura ; others , severa . the arabians , galia , and algalia , whence the compositions gallia moschata , gallia alephangina , and sebellina , &c. so that a sweet pit is , called by some the arabian beasts sweat . serapions galia , is the juice of an herb , zebeth , when the beast first obtained the name z●bet , and corruptly civette . zelet allahar is sea-fome , and not unfitly applied figuratively to this , z●beth being taken when the beast is angry , and fomes . he may be like a wild cat in head , otherwise very unlike . others call it a cat ; we rather the sweet-hyaena . chapter ii. whether the civetta be the ancient pard , or panther , or no. aristotle demands , why other beasts yeeld not a sweet sent as well as the pardal , or panther , that thereby entices other beasts to him ; no other , or rarely , but hee , senting sweet , unles by chance , having eat some sweet thing , unlesse it is , that man is weaker of sent then other creatures , and knows not sents . pliny saids , all beasts are strangely allured by this sent , but frighted by the mishapen head , which hee therefore hides . aristotle saith , the panther knows , that he smells so sweet ; when he wants meat , he skulks in fruitfull or leavy shady thickets ; then fawns , and goats , &c. invited by his fragrant sent draw neare , and become a prey to him . the panther , and tiger have a peculiar kind of spots ; the panther hath small spots like egges set in white : but they are mistaken , who take him for the civetta . some deny the panthers senting sweetly , onely beasts follow him , but men smell no such sweetnes in him . but , to say truth , diverse beasts void sweet dung , that aristotle , and his scholler theophrastus knew not off ; as the cordylus resembling the crocodile , but lesse , and living onely on land on sweet flowers ; he is sought after for his sweet guts , called crocodilea , or for his dung . also wilde-yellow mice , ( that our boys play withall , called sorcimoscaroli ) voids dung like musk. and so of some serpents : and of the greater weezel , that kills great hens , ( called marter martorella , and fovina ) and of some baboons . the excrement of the gezella is a musk. and some insects handled smell sweet , as the flower dipcas , or greeke-musk . so that many beasts , beside the panther , send forth fragrant smell , and the zibeth among the rest . to let passe that needles quarrell , between cardan and scaliger , above the smell of beasts , and natures essayes in their generation . some thinke the zivet to be plinies chaum , in french raphium , like a wolf , spotted like the panther , that pompey shewed at rome ; but there is no mention of the sent . nor is the civetta , headed like the wolf , and they differ also in the spots . perhaps thoe is put for chao ; the hart-wolf , and seems to be our civet . but of the thoe , philes hath composed greek verses , the summe whereof is : how shamefast is the thoe , if hee but see a man ; how true a friend is he to man , aiding him , if any beast assault him . the thoe comes of an hyaena , and a wolf. chapter iii. whether the hyaena was knovven of old . bellonius saith , yea ; though the ancients observed not the sweet excrement of the civetta ; see thence the shape is the same with the old hyaena , of the colour of the wolf , but shaggier , and longmained , with black spots , two under the eyes , the feet black-haired ; thighs spotted , the tail very long , black above , with white spots beneath ; on the neck , and ridge of the back black-haired , which , when he is angry , start up as swines bristles : whence the fish glanis is called an hyaena . besides all old writers call the hyaena a wilde savage beast , that the panthers strangely dread , and dare not stand its , but fly , nor dare come near a piece of the skin ; nay , hang up the skins over against each other , the panthers hair falls off . diverse write of this enmity , and that the civet-cat is untameable . the best reason is , that the hyaena of old is said ( as by ovid , and pliny ) yearely to change sex , and to gender with a male ; which though it be false , and disavowed . by aristotles yet there is a vessell in the hyaenam , that makes the heedles think it epicene , or double-sexed . he is genitaled as wolves , and dogs ; and that other passage is but for the excrements . and there is female hyaena , and under the tail of both is a streake , but it is seen more in the males , which are oftner taken then the females . on the other side , scaliger derides those that think the hyaena , and zivet to be the same , and many others confute that opinion ; many things being said of the hyaena , that fit not our civet-cat . as first , a hard skinne , and a main , and neck , that are not the civetta . besides that there is no gum in the mouth , and but one tooth , or one bone all along , shutting like a box , but the zivet hath many teeth . and some write , that the hyaena fains a mans voyce , and learns shepheards names , to entrap them ; and imitates mans vomiting , to entice and catch dogs . but none of these are , as yet observed in the tamest civet-cat . but bellonius might easily confute all this : saying that those things are falsely ascribed to the hyaena , as the stifnes of neck to the lion by aristotle ; and that solinus speaks not of the hyaena , but of the crocuta , gendred between the hyaena , and lionesse . that those passages are rather to be admired , then beleeved , as denied and confuted by some writers , and in silence passed by others . adde , that the hyaena is so far from being untameable , that nicolus ancisa , marques of mantuaes bastard son , carried one on his shoulders . and a florentine consul at alexandria , had a civet-cat , that tooke man by the nose , eares , and lips , without harm , playing with them . but these are but toies , for this is by nature wilde , but may be tamed , especially the female . and for that above the mane , bellonius might probably answere , that the hyaena is as big as a wolf , yet but two handfulls high , and the mane is longer then the other hair , and may hang to the ground ; as wee see in swine , the bristles on the back are longer then other hair ; and so in our civetta you may say , why then did not aristotle rather liken the hyaenaes mane to the swines bristled crest , then the horses mane : i answere , that perhaps he took his description from some indian authour , that had seen a horse , but not a swine ; for it is not certain , that such swine as ours are in india ; so that aristotle changed not his expression about the mane . besides scaliger gathers out of aristotle , that the place of the genitalls of the hyaena , and civet is diverse . and faber findes a contradiction in scaliger , ex. . cardan . p. . but truth is , either aristotle was deceived by a false relation , or some fault is in the text ; or he is not to be understood literally , and strictly ; but thus it may be taken , that the hyaena hath a streak behind , but no passage , but the civet hath two passages , and hollows ; one wherein the civet is gathered . but busbequius saith , hee saw two hyaenaes at constantinople , a litle lower , but as long as a wolf , skind like the wolf , but rougher haired , thicker , and spotted with black ; the head huge , close to the back-bone , without turning-joynts , that without turning the whole body about , they could not looke behinde them : and that in galatia are very many , found easily out by their gathering of carcasse-bones , mens , and others , to their den . and jo. leo saith , he hath hands like a man , and delights much in humane carcasses , that he digs out of their graves ; that they are but silly , and are enticed out of their holes by singing , or a drum , which they love to listen too , and so are killed . yet it is doubtfull , whether this be the right hyaena , having no mane , nor genitals , nor qualities ascribed of old to them , as if it were a mischievous , and subtile beast ; that in africa destroyes many wilde asses ; certain males domineering over flocks of females , jealous of corrivals , guarding their females great with young ; guelding their male-brood with their teeth , seeking out the females haunt , big with young , and being extremely lustfull . herein like our civetta , whose civet makes not themselves onely prove to lust , but mankind also , if annointed with it . referre hither philes his greek verses of the propertie of beasts , and of the hyaena , no way agreeing to the zibet-cat ; ( chap. . of the land , and sea-hyaena ) the summe is , that the hyaena changes sexes , finding a man asleep , puts the right hand to his nostrils , to make his sleep sounder , lays the earth that was under his head on his throat , and with embraces throttles him sleeping . and the finnes of a sea-hyaenaes right-side with a touch , provoke sleep , stupifie , and bring terrible dreams . the hyaena deceives , and devours dogs , amazing them with the shadow by moon-shine . aelian relates the like , l. . c. . and l. . de an. c. . other fabulous things ; as about the hyaenaes hornes , which p. cillius hath past over in his translation ; and gesner confuted as ridiculous . however many things noted in the hyaena , are found in the civetta . chapter iv. vnder what kinde of beasts the civetta is to be reckoned . since it is cleare by what hath been said , that it is neither the ancient panther , nor plinies chaus , nor the true hyaena , wee may now fitly inquire , to what kind it is to be referred . it seemes to many to be a wilde cat ; and indeed in face it resembles one , having such long hairs on the beard , and three long ones on the cheek ▪ as the cat hath , otherwise they are nothing alike , not in skinne ; for the cats is smooth , the civets rough , the hair very long , and thick , nor nayle , for the cats claws are crooked , the civets blunts , nor genitalls , nor shape ; this being liker a dog , or wolf , then a car , being long , not round-mouthed . it is wilde , sharp-toothed , but unlike a cat , greater oft then a fox , unlike in head , neck , feet , and other parts ; long-snouted as a badger , long-bodied , the jaws below white , and the beard , the feet black , the belly-sides bright , the back dark-ash with black spots , and toothed more like a dog , then a cat . i indeed referre it to the hyaenaes , and these to the generall kinde , comprehending wolves , dogs , foxes , and other beasts that prey on flesh . now there are diverse kinds of hyaenaes . the thoes is genered between the hyaena , and the wolf. but i say there is a sweet hyaena , and one that hath no sent . the sweet one is either the arabian , and eastern , or the western , and american one . the other sort is , that the ancients write off , which perhaps is also twofold , since that busbequius writes of wants many markes , described of old , and seems to be an arabian wolf. but the sweet hyaenaes , arabian , and american breed , zibeth , or civet ; but differ somewhat in shape . the american hath a slender-copped head , liker a dogs then a cats , reddish . ringlets are about the eyes , that are not fierce , nor great , but whitish . the head ash-coloured , with scarce any hairs on the beard , the neck longer then the tigers , or catpards , beautifull with black , and white wreaths , like bracelets painted ; from the head to the back on the neck are such coloured streaks ; and another on the back from the neck to the tail , blackish , and hairy . handsomly set off toward the tail by the streak with blackish , round , ovall spots in order on a bright ash-colour . the uppermost nearer the backe are greater , the middlemost lesse , the lowest by little , and little lessening to nothing . the tale streakt , and so party-coloured , and long , under the tail are visibly three passages , whereof one is the civet-bag ; the middlemost seems greatest . but the african sweet hyaena , our civetta is liker a wolf then a cat ; long-headed , sharp-muzzled , toothed as a dog ; two handfulls high , as i who dissected it , found it ; and as long from the shoulders to the tail , and the tail as long as the whole body , the neck above half a palm long . the beast seeme to stoop . the length of the head was double to the breeth . on the beard , and cheeks grew hard hairs , white and long as on cats ; the muzzle bald , nostrills blackish , black spots under the eyes , the eyes glistring , and reddish . but columna saw at fabers , saw one with chesnuts-brown eyes , mixt with yellow , and dull , heavy , and down cast . but out of the eyes of our dead one , were pulled gems as big as a drie peas , round , and angeled , like christall , which i yet keepe ; which confirme mee in naming it an hyaena , since others speak of such in the hyaenaes eyes , that put under a mans tongue make him prophesie ; ( if you will beleeve it ) i say not these are true gems , for they hold their firmues , and cristalline transparancy , but two , or three dayes , and then grow dimme , and are cut into bits three , or foure like snails-shells . some have indeed put the question , why cats , hyaenaes and bats , see clearly by night . besides the civets-eares are little , round , and haired as a badgers . the body is whitish , and ash as a wolves , sprinkled with black spots , the feet but little , and short , and black-haired ; foure toes on a foot , and a small thumb inward , as on a cat . the nails , as the dogs , black , short , thick , and blunt , not as claws . next under the tayl is the excrement-passage ; then the testicles , then the civet-bag , &c. in the figure wee have printed all accurately , according to their naturall proportion . the civet-bag lies between the genitall , and stones , which are large , these i cut out , and found them sentles , the seed-vessells were very thick ; below was a small bladder . the whole genitall is hide within the body , as in cats , while the beast is quiet , onely a kernell seen ; but in the carcasse it hangs quite out . the hair of the whole body is long , rough , bristled , as a boars , and on the neck , and by the back-bone black , very long , and stiffer , which starts upright , as on the swine , when the beast is angry . the tail is very long , and pretty hairy , reaching to the ground , and marked with various spots . hence we conclude these to be hyaenaes . perhaps the bever may be referred to this kinde , it having about the same place a bladder , which opened , a kinde of a hony-moisture drops out . chapter v. where the hyaenaes are bred . herodotus , pliny , and solinus write that many of them are bred in africa . but our sweet hyaena is called the syrian cat ; they are brought out of syria . some are sent from spain . the portugees bring them out of the indies . a lituanian apothecary sent a zibet-bag , and an elcks-hoof to rome to henry convinus , writing that they were the fruits of his country ; so that i guesse they are bred also in those cold regions . the american zibeth is bred in many parts there , as also in east-india in bengala , ceilan , sumatra , java the greater , and lesse , in maliput , and elsewhere . and in new spain , in quatemala , campege , nikaragua , vera crux , florida , and the great isle s. dominick , or hispaniola , cuba , matalino , guadalupa , and elsewhere . in peru is plenty , in paraguay , tucamam chiraguanas , s. crux de la sierra , yungas , andes , chiachiapojas , quizos , timana , novo regno , and in all the provinces bordering on the great river maraguon , which are almost numberlesse hereabout reaching two thousand leagues . many more of them are in brasil , where the civet trade is driven . they abound also in guinee , in the provinces of loango , congo , manicongo , about the rivers of angola , even to cafres , and to the cape of good hope , especially on the high , and vast mountains there , called the craggy-spears , and on part of the hills of gafres , called the torea , or of the moon , where so much algalia is . chapter vi. of the zibeth-vessell , or civet-bag . zibeth is gathered only out of one small part of the beast , we shall see whence . it is a foul mistake , that the gazella voids civet , as dung ; nor comes it out the genitalls , but it lies thereabout . to let passe columna his discourse of the testicles ( epist. . ad fabrum . ) it is clear , that the civet in the males lies between the genitall , and the stones . the testicles are conspicuous in the males , and tane out , but ly hid within the females . in these between the anus , and the secrets are swellings , are bagges framed by nature , wherein by little and little the zibeth is gathered , and thence voided . and being but two , the unexperienced may mistake them for testicles , and some that have seen the beast often , much more those who never saw it afore ; so hath columna mistaken . the zibeth part at first sight seemes a feminine passe , having a long streak , and thick lips , which feels as bigge as a small egge , gristly it is , and somewhat hard , which , if you open with your fingers a little , there shew themselves two very long holes like nostrills , hollow underneath , where are the seats of the zibeth . these vessells if you squeese out with your fingers they open themselves wide , and shew the hollownesse , which may well hold an almond kernell ; in these bags is no pore , and no passage appears , but it being cut , i found a hardish body as big as an egge , feeling griftly , divided into two bags , as big as two spanish olives , and those not at all grisly , but fleshy , stuffed with small , white , hard kernels , much harder then the stones ; distinct they were those bags , but joyned with thin skins , or films , and the inner was common to both bags , which i keep still by me dried , which sent yet strongly of civet , when the stone dried smell not all . and ( which is strange ) the beast being spent by a dropsy , and all the bowells putrified , and it stinking unsufferably as it was cut all over , only the zibeth vessell sented wonderfully , and yet holds its fragrancy . chapter vii . of the beaver . since the history of the castor , fiber , or beaver conduceth much to the knowledge of the kind , and quality of the sweet hyaena ; we say that the beaver , both hee , & shee have in their privities certain receptacles , whereout , through the small bones , an hony moysture flows , which the beaver useth to lick . the males have besides their testicles shut within under the skin so , as you cannot touch them , as swine have . rondeletius saith such bumps are also in hares , whence the vulgar bruit of their double sex , and he writes the like of the moschus , and the beaver , that this hath two such swellings in the groyn , each in his thin skin as big as a goose-egge , between which are the privities . these swellings sweat out a fat moysture , which he licks , and sucks out , and after annoints therewith all his bodies as far as he can reach . these are not testicles , for they are there besides , and these have no passage to convey , are send forth water . that liquour at first is like oyl , after it is of the colour of hony , and as thick . the like is in the hare ( saith he ) and the moschus , whence a sweet substance flows . nor are they to be heard , who take these swellings , for inflamed pushes , or hote matter from the navell . that the swelling is like a kernell , or testicle they know , who sophisticate musk , making it up round in such a shape , and calling it the moschus-stone . but we know that the testicles ly so , that you cannot take them thence , and the beast live . so that many beasts , as the hyaena , zibeth , castor , and hare , and others carry sweet moysture in bags about the groyn , as among fishes , the cuttle , the calamary , and the purple fish . we grant the moschus to be a strange indian beast in pegu , frequent with the tumbasci , not unlike a shee-goat , great-bodied , called the dorcas moschus , the indian gazella ; the wild goat-moschus , out of whose under-jaw stick tushes , as in swiny , but when the tell , that when he hath lust , his navell swells , and apostumates ; and he then refrains food , and walloweth on the ground , and delights in the tickling in rubbing the swelling against stones , and tree-stumps , and breaks it , and thence comes true musk , and that the same loft on stones , and trees is by the sun , and air perfected , and all ill in it disperst , and that this is the best musk . that the beast killed , the hunters , cut a piece off , with the skin , squeeze out the blood , gather it , dry it , keep it in bottles made of the skin of the same beast , or dry the blood , and put off to chapmen that stuffe for pure musk , &c. however it be these are by these mens relations of a like nature , and the musk comes not from an apostume in the moschus , but out of a peculiar part determined by nature . chapter viii . vvhat the zibeth is . all not agreed about the matter of this sweet called zibeth , and zibet , and zapetion , and algalia , and civet , and by severall writers severally . cardan is justly taxed by scaliger for calling it seed , that diffected the beast , know better , nor assent i to those think it sweat , because ( say they ) it is most gathered from the beast , when tired , vexed , and sweating , and also under the hippes , armes , neck and tail , for then all that sweat should be sweet ; unlesse you call it sweat , because it sweats out of a glistly , spongy part through invisible pores into the bags , but then it is not simply sweat , but the sweat of the zibeth part , nor do those that call it excrement descend to a description of the particular nature of it ; for there is excrement profitable , as seed-milk ; and uselesse , as snot , sweat , filth , &c. corruption this is not , there being no sore . i take it to be an excrement proper to that kernelly substance of the foresayed bags , that breeds by its innate , proper power such a thing , as the stomack makes chyle , the liver blood , breasts milke , testicles feed , ears , ear-wax , the cuttle fish inke , the viper poyson in the teeth , and the like , as the beaver , and moschus , &c. breed on hony , sweet excrement . but i dare not determine , whether it be usefull , or useles to the sweet part , or the breeder . but we may guesse , that it is unprofitable to the beast , it seeming burdensome to it , whereof it would case it self , and the female , when tame , seems to delight , that the civet with an eare-pick should be taken out of her . on the other side the sweetnesse of the sent , shews it is no preternaturall rottennes , but an exact concoction , and natures master-piece ; and it puts forth it self naturally and copiously after that part hath concocted it , as milk , &c. usefull no question it is , nature gave not those bags such a vertue to breed such a sweet in vain . but to what purpose ? seed begets milk-nourshes ; whereto serves this ? whether to provoke the beast to generation ; as wee find musk awakes lust , and the castors-hony ; or whether to allure other beasts to him ; as was said of the panther . wee shall praise his wit , who shall suggest other , or better reasons . chapter ix . of the collecting , and electing of civet . when the vessels are full of civet , the beast it self is unquiet , and seeks to disburthen it self . the eagernes of it seemes to swell , vex , and prick , and provoke evacuation ; and the tame ones take delight to have the bags emptied with an eare-picker . the blacks , or moors , search after old , and dry stumps of trees , and mark the large and oyly spots , and take thence a round substance cleaving there as big or small as a chesnuts , they let it boyl out in water , and take that swimmes , being fat , and oyly , and pour it into clean pots , and keep it for their use , and this is the purest civet . for on thoes trees the beast rubs , and leaves it , when the bags are full , and urge him . and keep them tame in a cellar , when the civet abounds in the bags , it troubles them , and they cannot stand still , but run up , and down , and rub against the walles , to ease themselves of it , and so it is lost . the servants of d. barnardine of corduba fetch the civet out thus : one drew the chain , wherein the zibet was tied , another held the hind-legs , a third chased the bagges , and with a large ear-pick fetched the civet clean out , scraping on all sides , then wiped the short-hair of both bags with cotton wool ; and after six times fifty emptying the bags they gather civet enough to full a chesnut-shell . in summer it is moyster , and every two dayes in warme weather they gathered half an ounce , but in winter they got it scarce once a week , nor so much , the female yeelded lesse , but without striving . the civet seems fat , and ●nctunous , and swims at top in water , and serves it self from all other things ; it is as hony , or butter , it is thinner in summer , at first gathering , but after thickens . i fetched out of a dead one above two drams of civet , whitish , and fast as hony . scaliger &c. likens it to black sope , but he saw only the outside , and that old . some say , the fresh is ugly , and stinking , and after comes to smell sweet , contrary to amber , and musk , which are the newer the better . donatus ( out of eremi . l. . antidotary , c. . ) saith the stayler is best , and of a lion , and palish colour , fat , thin , thickning in time , being laid on a paper , and chased melts , and dissolves , which distinguishes it from the adulterate , false civet . it is said the civet of the male is whitish , that of the female lion-coloured at first after a weak , but white also at first gathering . an ounce of the females is worth four of the males . they mix six ounces of this with one of that , and so it is perfect ; the males alone is little worth . it is many wayes sophisticated , as mixed with butter , or the soft pulp of larger raisins , or zibbibus , and with rank fat , or butter , or cheese , put a little in a silver spoon on embers with those foresaid things , it renders them sweet like it . the sweetest civet is right , and best . it is said that the right , if put into seething water , flotes at top , and all heterogeneous stuffe sinkes from it ; but we have found in some the rank butter , so that it seems the separation is not so perfect . the best civet gains a colour , as a dusky web , but at the bottome waxes white ; the sophisticate is of the same colour at bottome , and top . it is to be kept only in glasse . chapter x. of the use , and power of civet . it hath a double use , the druggists regard only the sent , physitians the vertue . druggists say a little civet overcomes many sents in compositions , so that you shall smell only that simple pounder of civet , is made of sugar-candy , and civet beaten together to pouder , which is kept in a glasse-viol close shut . some take eg-shells washt , and dried , and bruize them to a fine powder , and in each ounce put three caracts of civet ; a caract weight four grains ; or they take two ounce weight of prepared eg-shells , infusing them in rose-water , musked ten , or twelve dayes , they dry , crumble , sears them , put an ounce of refined sugar to them , then put embers into a brasse mortor , till it be so hote , as you can endure to handle it , then wipe it , and put in the eg-dust , smooth it with the pestle , put to it four caracts of civet , mingling it by degrees with the pestle end annointed , the spaced of an houre , then keep it in glasse close shut , and sprinkle the pouder on whitened sheets , shirts , and other garments . some take the best ordinary sope , slice it small , dry it in the sun , or shade ten dayes , bruize , searse it , then add civet-pouder , and ball it with rose-water . of civet also are made oyls , ointments , and perfumes . the skin of the belly is souverain in all cold greefs . a bit of it worne on the stomack strengthens it . the guinee , and brasil blacks eat the flesh , though it be unsavoury , and hard of digestion to make them lusty . the hyaenaes skin is also good against the bite of a dog . in candy a ship-wracked barbarian being driven on shoar , that being elderly , and maintained on the publick purse , related that a piece of the hyaenaes skin tied in a cloath , and bound about the left arme helped against bites , cramp , &c. it is said , shoos made of a sea-calfs , or rather of an hyaenaes skin , drives away the foot-gout . it is good against the bite of a mad dog , if bound on . it is past beleef that the phocas , and hyaenaes skin make thunder proof , and that they carry them about in ships to that end . surely avicen knew civet liavour under the name of galia , and algalia , which was not gallia moschata , for he speaks of simple medicines , not compounds . and algalia is not serapions sederva , which is a cold juice of an herb , and astringent , as acacia . besides the vertue is the same of civet , with avicens algalia , as to soften hard impostumes , and dissolved in ben-oyl , or keiri , and droped in , eases a sore ear ; the sent helps epilepsy , enlivens , and asswages the cold soda ; in toxicates the brain in wine ; the sent cheers the heart , and in suppositories is good for the mother , and against phlegma , and provoke terms , cleanses the mother , helps conception . so that civet , algalia , and galia are all one , for all is but an arabique article . some count civet hot , and moyst , others dry , some , a kin to musk ; but avicen holds musk hote , and dry in the second degree . but if it be a sweat , the hyaena being very hote beasts , and that abounding in hot weather ; and when the beast is heated by anger , or motion , it must needs be chollerick , hot , and dry , and of a disgestive nature . but there is no certainty , because none know the tast of it . in all sweat is some salt , and when the beast sweats , the civet hath some eagernes in it . it is certainely hot , dry , and harsh . besides , sweat disgests , and allays swelligns , as algalia . but castor durantes his medicine for the matrix , seeme to be made of the genitals . lay but civet on the hollow of the navell , it turns the mother . it is used also against the stoppings of the womb , and barrennes . read red , à castro l. . de mor. mul. c. . the shape of it in the beast , speaks for what parts it is good . how it helps generation , roder. à fonseca consult . . shews . and many write how usefull it is against all womb-griefs . briefly , it easest the collick . wee read nothing in our late writers of oyl of the gall and fat of the civet-cat , but among the ancients of the hyaena , as in galen de comp . med . loc . c. . &c. aelian . h. a. l. . c. . writes , that the gall kills the ibis . galen , that the hyaenaes fat breeds hair , it being thin , and pearcing to the roots of the hair . the same doth the whole hyaena , boyled in oyl , as the fox . there are many vertues in fox-oyl , all which are found in hyaenas-oyl . the live hyaena boyld in oyl , makes a discussory oyl , excellent for the joynt-gout . chapter xi . of the bones of the civet-cat . it remains now to treat of the sceleton of this beast prepared by mee , which conduceth much to the discovery of it's nature ; to know the place , seat , and posture of the bones , and to see wherein it agrees with , or differs from the dogs , wolse , fox , cat , and other beasts . when in all other beasts the number of the turning-joynts of the back-bone is not the same , in our sweet hyaena were reckoned . but in the sow , and hedge-hogge but foure , in the horse , and camels fifteen , six in the neck , as in dogs ; in the breast twelf , after the usuall way ; seven others on the back , as in the dog. but the hedge-hogge hath eight ; the cony ten . finally the tayl consists of foure and twenty small bones . in a dog i told but fifteen . in the jaws were six sharp cutters on each side , but very small , as in the cat-pard , and in dogs . next stand the dog-teeth , in bignesse , and shape as the dogs : then grinders on either side six ; the first whereof next the grinders , but small , as the last , saving one , is the greatest of all . the shape of the whole seemed to resemble a dog , and such kind of beasts nearest . and so much briefly of the anatomy . let the reader excuse us , that wee give no account of the inwards , since such was the stink of the putrified bowells , that the offence so nau-seated , and turned the stomacks of my schollers then present , in d r. dominick panarolus , who cut it up , and also in the by standers , that it scarce suffered us to make that speedy dissection . finis . tab. ● equus frisicus frisich pferd equus pannonicus sive hungariq hungarisches pferd tab. iii. equus pferd equus aethiopicus aethiopisch pferd tab. iii equus pferd cantherins wallach tab. v zebra indica indianisch maulthier equus indicus indianisch pferd equus hirsutus rauh pferd tab. vi asinus esel asinus esel mulus maul esel tab. viii elephas elephant tab. x monoceros unicornu einhorn capricornq marinq meer steinb●●k monoceros unicornu einhorn tab. xi onager aldro wald esel monoceros seu vnicornu inbatus einhorn mit mahnen monoceros seu vnicornu aliud einhorn mit mahnen ein andr art tab. xii onager wald esel lupus marinus meer wolff capra sijlvestris wild geiss art tab. xiii taurus castratus bos verschnittener ochs kuh und kalb tab. xiiii bos domesticus tab. xv bos stier iunger ochs vitulus kalb taurus ochs tab. xvi bison wilder ochs wisent bubalus indicus vacca indica tab. xvii bisons magnus bison iubatus locobardus bison tab. xviii bonasus munister wild ochsen geschlecht bubalus africanus taurus tab. xix bonnafuf alius vrus iubatus gewohnter awer ochs catoblepa vras lijbicus tab. xx bubalus buffel alius bubalq taurus sijluester vrus awer ochs tab. xxi bos scijthicus bubali iuveu●i iunge buffel tab. xxii aries wieder ver●ex hamel ajnus lam ovis peregrina tab. xxiii vervex aliud vervex alius peregrinq ovis arabica tab. xxiv capra strephiceros eale alicorn tab. xxv ibex steinbock capra lijbica flirus tab. xxvi capra geiss capra canis capra hispanicq capra mambrinq capra mambrina tab. xxvii hircus bock rupicapra caper mumon dictus bubalq cerus aldr dama veterum hircus cotilardicus culor tab. xxviii ibex sijluester sardus musimona trais vel ibex tab. xxix gazella cervo camelq capreolus moschi bisem thier tab. xxx taurus peonius alces alce . elend geschlecht tab. xxxi dama cervq damhirsch caprea rehe-kalb alce mas tab. xxxii cerva hinde colopus rupicapra gems tab. xxxiii capreolus rehe capreolus marinus capra tab. xxxiv pijgargus weiss zars tragelaphus pijgargi species hippelaphus faemina tab. xxxv cervus hippelaphus mas ross hirsch cervus burgundicq tab. xxxvi alce elend ceruus mirabilis orijx cervi species alijs alco tab. xxxvii rangifer reinthier cervus palmatus tarandus tarandthier reinthiers geschlecht tab. xxxix camelo pardus seu gierafra camolo-pardalus tab. xi camelus iudi kamel thier camelus indicus indianisch camel camelus indicq versicolor alius camelq tab. xli dromedary tab. xlii dromedarij camelus k●m●● tab. xliii camelus bactrianus seu dromedarius camelus camelq tab. xliv dromedarius camelus tab. xlv lea capra ouis cretensis camelo pardalis tab. xlvi ovis peruana aries guineensis zainq . s. tajacn percus suluester porcus guineensis tab. xlvii verres eber aper wild schwein scrofa mock tab. xlviii sus cornut porcus pumile taxus porcinq aper wild schwein tab. xlix grijphus grijps wasser ochs hippopotamus hippopotamus tab. li le●ena leo tab. lii leucurcuta leo minor martigera tab. liii pardus leopardus parderthier leopard pardus parderthier tigris tigerthier tab. liv lijnx luchs tigris gesneri panthera tab. lvi lupus wolff zilie hyaena vulpes fuchs hyaena tab. lvii lupus marinq gesneri et bellonij hyaena gulo ●i●lfracs tab. lviii lupus scijthicus semivulpa veruex aethiopicq tab. lx cajtaia cagui brasil cercopithecus barbatus guin iuja siue carigulbeiu lutra indica capij-bara parcus flu . viatilis bras . cuandu s. qurico cachiero eijsern vercken tab. lxii tamandua tamandua guacu ai siue ignavus tatu seu armadillo tab. lxiii ap●rca cuniculi species veld ratte carigueija aguti vel acuti cunie bra. spe . cavia c●baija cunic . brasil spec cuniculi indq gesneri . paca cunic . bras spe tatu apara dachs tab. lxiv mustela ●iesel putorius iltis . martes marter martes porcellus indicus alius t●xus suillq hijstrix tab. lxv lepus hasc lepus cernutus c●n●●lq porcellq indicq kaninich kuniglei● tab. lxvi glires ratten mures meuse mus avellanarius haselmaus scivrus eichhorn nulmaus mus araneus spitzmaus talpa molckworff m. noricus grosse haselmaus zijselmaus tab. lxvii sciurus getulus mus alpinq marmota murmel thier mus indic . glis aldr. i●hneumon . s. lutra aegypti mus muscatulq tab. lxviii lutra otter vitulus marinus zee kalb lonx lonza castor fiber biber hijstrix dorn schwein stachel schwein herinaceus igel sewin igel tab. lxix canis leporariq canes canis tab. lxx canes hunde tab. lxxii felis domestica zahme katz felis sylvestris wilde katz felis zibetti zibet katz genetta geneth katz meles vel taxus canin dachs tab. lxxiii hyaena odorata africana catus zibethicus americanq genitale vas zibethi testes anus tlaquatzin mus aquaticus tab. lxxvi lacerta eijdexen lacerta lacerta chalcidica flexnosa lacertus biceps lacerta biceps lacertq viridis liguro boneniensibus lacertq viridis cauda bifurca lacertus viridis exiccatus cauda bifida lacert● et stelli●nes lacertae et stelliones lacertus cijprius scincoides tab. lxxvii teiunhana brasiliensibus americima brasiliensibq lacertus tarantula quibusdam teiuguacn et temapara tupinambis senembi brasiliensibus lacertus aquaticus wasser eijdex lacertus viridis grune eijdex salmandra molch moll salmandra aqnatica wasser molch salmandra alia aquatilis minor prone salmandra terrestris veranig maculis luteis distincta salmandra aquatica salmandra aquatica prona tab. lxxviii stelliones ex matthiolo stern eijdex frembd eijdex scincus candulus lacertus indicus cerdijlo similis cordijlus siue vromastix chamaeleon niger chamelon varius tab. lxxix chamaeleon cinerens verus chamaeleon crocodilus crocodijll laudiuerh tab. lxxx tatus testudo schildt krotte testudo aquatica testudo marina notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e name . plin. h. n. l. . c. . parts external . plin. h. n. l. . c. . plin h. n. l. . c. . plin. h. n. l. . c. . plin. h. n. l. . c. . & . plin. h. n. l. . c. . internal parts . plin. h. n. l. . c. . place . plin. h. n. l. . c. . food . generation . resend . antiq. lusit . l. . growth . life . plin. h. n. l. . c. . & . animal actions . cicero de nat. deor. l. . plin. h. n. l. . c. . plin. h. n. l. . c. ult . livius l. . plin. h. n. l. . c. . xenoph. l. de venatione . voice . use. aristot. h. a. l. . c. . dionys. halicarn . l. . plin. h. n. l. . c. . differences . notes for div a -e ●●drov . de ●●lidiped . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ●●n . ●●●idipe●● . ●●za so●●edem . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a. l. . ●●stotle . ●●nys . ●●lyc . 〈◊〉 . ●●iq . ●●man . ●●arch . capitolinus . ioseph . barbar . itiner . ludo. rom. navig , l. . c. . the name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . varin . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , isidor . orig. l. . c. . isid. porph. the parts . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . xenephon . vegetius . nolanus . ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ) xenophon . aristotle . plin. plutar. sertorius . arist. plin. arist. arist. plin. arist. h. a. l. . c. . xeno . varro . absyrtus . columel . hesy● . varin . pet. crescenti cardan . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . plin. h. n. l. . c. . & . . arist. h. a. l. . c. . arist. plin. l. . c. & . . arist. h. a. . . colum. r. r. l. . c. plin. arist. colum. plin. l. . c. . hist. bel. afri . scalig. ex. . . aelian . h. a. ● . . c. . ● . ven. herod . arist. veget. colum. varin . ●ge . ●lin . . . ●lin . ●rist . ●endring . ●rist . h. a. ● . c. . ●rist . ●enanim . ● . ●rist . ● . a. ● . c. . ● . . ●●in . ●o . c. . martyr . ●lum . ● r. ● . . . the author adds much of this stuffe , that i will not translate . aristo . abscyrtus . plin. var. r. r. l. . pl. l. . c. . soli. poly. c. . august . de civit . dei l. . c. . plin. h. n. l. . c. . hee was himself a monster . de rer . var. l. . c. . his voyce . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . of their motion , and pace . card. l. . c. . de var. rer . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . horat. l. . od . . n. h. l. . c. . p. . their nature . aphor. . . . paul. vener . l. . c. . paul. venet. l. . c. . aelia . h. a. l. . c. . their inward senses . sueton. i● caesare . scalig. exerc . . . . ●●idas in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ● . . hi. n. l. . c. . pausanias in corinthiacis . their sympathy , and antipathy . herod . hist. l. . c. . plin. h. n. l. . c. . colum. r. r. l. . c. . h. a. l. . c. . plut. symp. l. . q. . their use . bruyer . l. . c. . plin. h. n. l. . c. . l. . carm . cro. hist. polon . l. . l. . de morb . l. . c. . h. p. l. . c. . their use in phisique . m. m. l. . c. . her. barb. plin. veger . l. . c. . extus . ●olcil . ●on . ●alen . ●porist . ● . c. . plin. ma●cellus . sextus . in sicilia . h. angl. l. . strabo . geog. l. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , martial . epigram . absyrtus . hist. hisp. p. . c. . vegetius . oppianus . ceneg . l. . h. a. ● l. . c. . herberstinius . strabo . absyr. oppian . vegetius . arist. a. h. l. . c. . cromerus . l. . c. . h. h. in veterinaria . absyrtus . ●agri . ●aus ●agnus l. ● . ●icho . ● . c. . ●●syrtus . ●noba●● 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ●mer . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ●pian . ●●mer . ●●beati . ●nstra●●i . the wall-eyed are skewish . varro . cassius medicus . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 value . h. n. l. . c. . name . a sedendo isidor●s . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . descrip. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , hesych . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . pliny . place . feed . colum. r. r. l. . c. . or chrysippus . kranzius . sax. l. . engendering . h. a. l. . c. . h. n. l. . c. . gen. . . the following passage 〈◊〉 list not 〈◊〉 english. their enmity . exerc. . what they lo●●● 〈…〉 . ●oyce . ●●seases . ● . a. l. . ●● . ●heir na●re . ●o●tish●●esse . ●● descr . ●fricae . ●ist . ●uadrup . ● asino . their use in food lib. . de aliment . facult . h. n. l. . c. . vse in physick . l. . de tuen . sa . plin. h. n. l. . c. . . c. . h. n. l. . c. . plin. h. n. l. . c. . plin. h. n. lib. . c. . in praxichim . lib. . h. n. c. . plin. l. . c. . plin. l. . c. . and . . l. . c. . differences . pontanus . xenophon . exercit. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . h. eccl. l. . cyn●g l. . lucian . their nature , and fashions . plin. h. n. l. . c. . & soli●us . vse . exerc. zob . . . kindes . sc●liger . name . r. r. l. . c. . plin. h. n. l. . c. . nonius . r. r. l. . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , gr. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . descriptïon . xenoph. ruellus . s. hierocle place . herodotus . fran. lopoz . diodor. siculus . strabo . geog. l. . & feed . engendring . arist. de gen. c. ult . smell . sympathy . antipathy . r. r. l. . c. ● . plin. l. utr . anim . h. n. l. . c. . arist. h. a. l. . c. . vse . plin. h. n. l. . c. . kinds . theophrastus , aldrovand . l list . quad . l. . c. . purchas plig. l. . c. . . . arist. p●ga● . de●c . r●g . congo . aldr. h. q. l. . c. . name . vincen. beilun . martin . in lexi . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . helye . bari● . p●●n . descript. cassiod . plin. h. h. l. . c. . solinus . h. n. l. . c. . plin. h. h. l. . c. . geog. l. . oppian . cyneg . l. . v. . solin . c. . plin. l. . c. . cadamust . aelian . arist. h. a. l. . c. . arist. h. a. l. . c. . h. n. l. . c. . polyb. guloss . arist. h. a. l. . c. . cic. l. . de nat . deo. cas. l. . variorum . and take up burdens ; discharge a pistoll , as i have seen . l. . a. . ad . plin. l. . c. . arist. h. a. h. n. l. . c. . h. a. l. . c. . h. a. l. . c. . place . plin. h. n. l. . c. o . plin. h. n. l. . c. . . iohan. metellus . var●omann 〈◊〉 de baros . paul. ven●t●s . meat , and drinke . plin. h. n. l. . c. . 〈◊〉 . h. a. l. . c. . engen . 〈◊〉 . plin. arist. h. a. l. . c. . & . . i will not translate all● nor is it fit . wh●t they are ashamed to doe , i will bl●●●h to write . if they then spy any spi●s , they will kill them , if they can . h. a. l. . cap. . exer. . aelian . plin. enmity . 〈◊〉 . . a. 〈◊〉 . . c. . 〈…〉 . 〈…〉 . age. strabo . plin. arist. cadamust . pliny . var●om . g●●lisu● . their nature and wit. po●yb . h. lib. . livy l. . ver●om . seneca . geor. l. . plutar. de sol●r . animn . p●in . h. n. l. . c. . philos. de via● appo●lon . plin. seneca ep. . sueton. plin. h. n. l. . aeli . h. a. l. . c. . and . plutarch . aelian . aelian . vse . h. n. l. . c. . phrasis . aelian . ivory . pliny . hist. quad. l. . c. . plin. differences . philast . aelian . pliny . 〈…〉 . 〈◊〉 . scalig. exer. . aelian . h. h. l. . c. . the translator . aldrov . h. quad. l. . c. . strabo . plin. solinus . m. paul. venet. l. . c. . vartom l. . c. . bartholi . de unicor . c. . car. h. arom . l. . c. . paul. venet. aene. sylv. cadam . baccius , l. . c. ult . renod. l. . pharin . c. . bartholin . de unicor . c. . h. a. l. . c. . albert. h. a. l. . 〈…〉 baccius . l. . h. a. l. ● . c. ●● . l. . c. ● . cresias . vit. apollon . l. . notes for div a -e aldrov . de bisul . l. . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ap●lejus . q●ntil . plin. arnob. l. . con . gent. arist. h. a. l. . c. ult . arist. h. a. l. . c. ult . plin. h. n. l. . c. . arist. h. a. l. . c. . plin. h. n. l. . c. . aldrov . h. quad. l. . c. . vegetius in prolo . lib. . veterin . tacit. de mori . cerman . aelian . h. a. l. . c. . d●brav . in histor. bohem. pausan. in messen. names . ox. bul. scaliger . cow. heifer . varro . athaene . rhodigin . hesyth . stephan . suidas . descrip. caelius . democr . aelian . cardan . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . h. n. l. . c. . arist. h. n. l. . c. . arist. pliny . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 th●ophr●st . columel . r. r. l. c. . greog . ● . lucr●t . l. . p●in . strabo . theoph. vegetius . pliny . arist. h. a. l. . c. . varro . r. r. l. c. . arist. diogenia●●s . pliny . cael. rhodig . antiqu. l. . c. . plin. at waltham-abby in england grows a grasse so l●snious , that beasts in . hours will eat , if not watched , til they burst . plin. arist. arist. b●llon . obs . l. . c. . celsus . hippocra . de rat . vic . lib. . galen . bruierin . donat. plin. h. n. l. s. c. . arist. pliny . gesner . sextus . sextus . marcell . empir . 〈◊〉 ●●●rcell . ●●●scor . 〈◊〉 . pliny . prosper . alpinus de medic. aegyp . l. . c. . plin. dioscor . plin. plin. phrasis . d●o●co● . hippocc . marcel . dioscor . plin. g 〈◊〉 . d 〈◊〉 . p 〈◊〉 . plin. dio 〈◊〉 h. n. l. . c. . & l. . c. . ap●●●●s . dio●lor . 〈…〉 . differences . francis a●varez , de aethio . c. . plin. aelian . arist. h. a. l. . c. . p. venet. ponta●●s amstel . l. . c. . had●●●n . gun. scalig. exerc. . plin. arist. plin. h. n. l. . c. . aelian . h. n. l. . c. . herod . l. . plin. aelian . h. a. l. . c. . plin. arist. aeli . h. a. l. . c. . pa●●l . venet. l. . c. . aelian . h. a. l. . c. . v●r. o. plin. monsters . sc●●g . caesar. albert. m. a. l. . p●iny . de bicul . l. . c. . aldrov . plin. solin . oppian . gyllius . gesner . plin. ambros. paré . aldrov . de besul . l. . c. . arist. arist. h. a. l. . c. . scalig. pliny . arist. aldrovan . quadr . l. . cap. . aldrovan quadr . l. . cap. . albertus . niph●s . pl●●ar . agel . l. . c. . ambr. plin. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 descript. aristot. de gen . anim . l. . c. . aristo . h. a. l. . c. . aristo . de part . l. . cap. . plin. h. n. l. . cap. . aelian . h. a. l. . c. . bellunen . lemnius de nat . mir . c. l. . c. . colum. r. r. lib. . c. , . gome . l. . de sale. arist. albert. pliny strabo . geog. thcocrit . vanto . arist. p●in . arist. ges●● . albert. co●●●● . pliny . arist. pausan●●● . alber. m. 〈…〉 . l. . c. arist. arist h. a. l. . c. . macrob. aelian . albert. arist. athaene . donat. anton. ferrus . obser. l. . c. . athen. l. . homer . ilia . . aetius . brunus . pliny . hippo. plin. mizaldus . pliny . plin. dioscor . plin. plin. plin. albert. galen . dioscor . galen . pliny . marcell . pliny . dioscor . pliny . marcell . collume● plin. galen . discor . aetius . 〈…〉 mizaldus . arist. 〈…〉 . gailex . oppian . 〈◊〉 capi●ol . ●calig . ex. . . n. . ●●oh . leo. assi . l. . plin. dioscor . sicul. bibliot . l. . aelin . strabo . plin. bellon . observat . l. . c. . hero. l. . aeli . h. a. l. . c. . nier . h. e. l. . c. . marckgr . h. bras . l. . c. . aelian . hermola . strabo . strabo . he. boe. aelian . oppian . de venat . l. . olaus m. boet. de scot. iul. alex. arist. mirab. aelian . pliny . gesner . pliny . athenae . theophr . 〈◊〉 . 〈…〉 〈◊〉 . 〈…〉 varin . arist. description . varinus . pliny . l. . c. . arist. alc●maeo . archel . oppian . arist. h. a. l. . c. . coisumel . aelian . lucret. plin. h. n. lib. . cap. . ruelli●s . albert. antigo. pliny . varro . arist. pliny . pliny . theoph. pliny . aelian . albert. aldrova● ▪ hos●●● . 〈◊〉 ▪ col●●● . gale● . athae● dipno . l. . galen●● bon . 〈◊〉 mal . ●●●cibus . ● . galen . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ial . alex. sal●ber . l. . c. . 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 . 〈◊〉 . . ●●den . ●icen . ●●ny . ●●mel . r. l. . ● . pliny . marcel . dioscor . pliny . marcel . dioscor . m. m. l. . cap. . pliny . sext. empiricus cadamust . de natu . muliebri . pliny . dydimus . aescula . sextus . pallaelius . pliny . h. n. l. . cap. . sexus empiri . hippocra . herod . l. . dioscor . piny . hippo● . varro r. r. l. ● c. . observ. l. . c. . sc●● ▪ plutar. aelian . anist . mitab . aelian . h. a. l. . c. . plin. gesner . alex. ●drovan . hist. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●olin . ●ristot . ●heoph . ●cero . ●irgil . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aldrown . oppian . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aelian . marcel . dioscor . strabo . geogr. l. . galen . pliny . galen . dioscor . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . oppian . aldrovan . hist. scalig. bellon . ob . l. . c. . scal. pliny . nic●n . pliny . ald●● . hist. b●● . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . pliny . bellono●l . . c. . 〈…〉 pliny . virg. bellifar . iul. alex. aldrovan . plin. bellon . a●●ro h. bis. c. . gesner . moschus . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aldrovan . alex. bened. g●sner . aldro●●● . bontius med. 〈◊〉 monardes . aldrouan g●●ia . monard . 〈…〉 e. l. . ●p . . aldrovan . h. bis. c. . arist. h. a. l. . c. . strabo . geo. l. . aldro . h. b. c. . pliny . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . plin. h. n. l. . cap. . arist. h. a. l. . c. . pliny . albert. aldrovan . aldrovan . aelian . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 aldro . h. biscul . c. . varinus . descript. pliny . gesner . aristo● . pliny arist. pliny . oppia● . cyn●g . arist. albert. arist. plin. arist. plin. 〈…〉 g●sne● . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 . de bel. ●●ap . 〈…〉 . c. . cpitoli . 〈◊〉 ●ispal . aelian . arist. martyr . decad. ocean . . c. . gesner . sigism . herberstein . engengendring . badaeus . arist. plin. age hesiod . dominae sacra . their voyce . sympathy , and antipathy . plin. oppian . their ingenuity , and disposition . gesner . budae●s . aeli . dios●● . plin. aelian . arist. plin. arist. vinc●● . athen●● ae l. h. ● l. . c. . aelian . h. a. l. . c. ▪ soli●● aelin . h. a. l. . c. . their use . isidore . galen . iul. alex. arist. h. a. l. . c. . 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 ●a●en . heurn . method . l. . p. . sextus . marcellus , aldrov . galen . differences . aldrovan . h. bisulc . c. . olearius . aldro . bis. c. . gesner . arist. plin. h. n. l. . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aldrovan . h. bis. c. . solin . 〈◊〉 . c. . aldro . ● bis. c. ● ioh. , a●cola . c●sar de ● gal. l. . aldro . h. bisul . c. . pausan. in eliacis , & baeoticis . caesar. l. . de bel . gal. plin. h. n. ● . . c. . ●ol . pol. ● & . ●trabo geog. l. . ●emn . in 〈◊〉 . nat . dodoneus . gesner . in alce . gesner . olaus m. diacon . l. . pausanius in baeoti . pliny . aeli . h. a. l. . c. . tertul. l. . martial . strabo . diod. solin . bontius . place . dio. hist. l. . plin. h. n. l. . c. . soli. pol. c. . nature . zacurus . aldro . h. bis. c. . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , artem. descript. arist. h. a. l. ▪ c. . . herod . in thaliu● arist. plin. place . anax. plutar. varro . solin . pol. c. . gendring . plin. arist. suidas . arist. aeli . diseases . arist. hieron . 〈◊〉 vit . hilarion . age. arist. plin. aeli . nature . basil. arist. vse . plin. apul. galen . lamprid. solin . differences . isidore . arist. solin . cap. . aelian . aldrov . c. . pliny . albert. vincent . strabo . geog. phot. plin. dio. hist. heliodor . place . strabo . suidas . heliod . name ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ varro . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . isidor . description . plin. l. . c. . arist. h. a. l. . c. . & l. . de parti . c. . arist. plin. democr . p. . place . strabo . geog. ● . . hessel . gerar. descrip . austr . plin. columel . r. r. l. . c. . . attil . hisp. plin. l. . c. . engendring . plin. l. . c. . arist. h. a. l. . c. . plutarch . plin. antipathy ▪ aeli . l. . c. . plin. l. . c. . arist. h. a. l. . c. . age. plin. plin. l. . c. . rhodigin . lipsi . in macrob. athen. solin . c. . pausan. galen . hippocr . athen. aetius . physick galen . plin. l. . c. . kinds . mar●gra● hist brasil . l. ● c. . aldrovan . hist. bis. c. ● . na●e . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . pi●tar . descript. oppian . p●ace . theoph. h. p. l. . cap. . aelian . ● . . c. . plin. l. . c. . pet. mart. decad. ocean . aelian . l. . c. . engendring . aristotle . plin. plin. l. . cap. . var. use. plin. l. . cap. . lamprid. in heliog . gesner . differences . nieremb . anton. herrera . pet. simon . franc. hernand . aldrovan . digit . l. . c. . bellon . alvaresius . descript. aelian . h. a. l. . cap. . aristotle . leo de asr. l. . plinv . herod . h. n. l. . l●o asri . l. . plin. l. . c. . aelian . gendring . nature . aelian . use. clusius . capitol . diosco● . iuli. capitol . notes for div a -e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . descript. aristot. h. a. l. . c. . galen . part . l. . cap. . aristot. a. l. . c. . scali . aeli . l. . cap. . fallopius . michael . ephesius . place . aristot. h. a. l. . c. ● . leo af. temper . gesnei . food . aelian . h. a. l. . c. ● aristor . aelian . l. ● c. . strabo . ge. l. ● . drinke . arist. aeli . gendring . ael . l. . c. . plin. 〈◊〉 ael . . . arist. wocton . ph●●ost . arist. ae● . 〈…〉 . ae . h. a. ● . . c. . life . s●ceped . voyce . nature . leo afr. l. . aeli . h. a. l. . c. . aelian . albertus . mart. epig. l. . c. . plin. h. n. l. . c. . gel. noct . attic. l. . plin. l. . c. . vse . solinus polyh . br●●erin . de recib . l. . c. . porta phitog . l. . c. . plin. d●oscor . observ. l. . c. uit . plin. differences . plin. l. . c. . nierem . h. e. l. . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . name . description . worton . gyllius . oppi . n. soli● . plin. place . arist. lopes . philost . feed . l●● af. aelian . 〈…〉 . ge●ner . plin. nature . 〈◊〉 apo●l . voyce . wo●ton . ● . . c. . plin. manners . arist. gesner . plin. demetr . physic. aelian . h. a. l. . c. . use. plin. philost . galen . porta . phytog . alex. ab alex. l. . genial . plin. hierem. h. e. l. . c. . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . scaliger . plin. descript. scaliger . gesner . ambro. in digit . l. . cap. . galen . place . ovid. gesner . h. quad. olaus m. food . gesner . engendring . scal. arist. isid. orig. plin. odonus . sight . aelian . isidor . dio●co● . brasavolus . manners . lucan . l. . use. pliny . differences . oppian . name . descri●● . place . food . 〈…〉 gendrin● . ae●●an . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 ▪ 〈…〉 〈…〉 manners . ovid. seneca . plin. ius . capit. abdias babilo . l. . hist. petr. victor . var. lec . . c. . vse . philos. apol. l. . pet. mart. linscho● , kinds . pausan. strabo . geogr. l. . nierem . hist. l. . c. . pet. mart. 〈…〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . description . solin . polyb. arist. h. a. l. . c. ● . scaag . l. . c. . p●in . ● . ● . l. . c. . theo●●de 〈◊〉 . place . plin. . cap. . herod . solin . c. . strabo . geog. l. ult . pausan. feed . albert. gesner . arist. h. a. l. . c. ● . 〈◊〉 l. . 〈◊〉 . . ar●st . ● . a. l. . c. . martyr . 〈◊〉 . . 〈◊〉 . a●●st . 〈◊〉 . oppi●n . saxo. gr●m . h. dan. 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 . c. ● . ●●bro . 〈…〉 . antipathy . oppian . ae●ian . gesner . voyce nature . solin . c. . psutar . pli● . aelian . pli● . solin . vse . galen . in aliment . l. . c. . br●●er . de cibi● . l. . c. . barthol . aeli . mich. herus . gesner . arnol. villano . palladius . plin. differenc●s . purchas . nav●g . t. . l. . c. . strabo . geogr. l. . maiol . col. . nieremb . h. e. l. . c. . paul. ven. aldrov . l. . c. . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . description . aelian . clamor . galen . plin. albertus . gal. de usu par . plin. place . boethi●● . feed . olaus de gen● . porta physiog. linsch . navig . schenk . hist. monst . gendring . arist. gesner . 〈◊〉 . antipathy . so●n . polyb. 〈◊〉 . l. ● . c. . aelian . l. . cap. . opian . gesner . diseases . nature . gesner . q. p. . plin. l. . c. . suidas . aelian . h. a. l. . c. . gesner . p. . aelian . l. . c. . ambro. de digit . l. . c. . albert. de animal . l. . voyce . use. rhasis . gesner . galen . marcellus . plutar. ambros. h. digest . l. . c. . olaus de gent. bellon . ambros. bellon . lop. hist. bitterus . glutton . boophagon . miech . in desc . sarmat . leo af. l. . olaus . c. . ambros. name . isidor . description . feed . place . gend●ing . pliny . arist. sympathy , and antipathy . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . l. . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 〈…〉 〈…〉 . galen . differences . scalig. exer . . aelian l. . c. ● . nieremberg . h. exotic . l. . c. . marckg. h. brasil . l. . c. . marckg. de i●● ind. o● p. 〈◊〉 . marckg. h. l. . c. . name . 〈◊〉 . de 〈◊〉 propr . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . d●cript . 〈◊〉 h. a. ● c. . 〈◊〉 hip. & 〈◊〉 l. . ● . ●es●l . de ●●bri . aquapen . l. . c. . leo af. l. . feed . natal . comes . aelian . ambr. l. . c. . porta physilog . l. . c. . galen . l. . c. . their nature . albert. aelian h. a. l. . c. . plin. l. . c. . ambrosin . use. herodot . porta phys. l. . c. . arist. plin. tulp . obser . l. . c. . p●arricus . nierem . h. e. names 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ambro●● . lib. . c. . place . strabo . geog. plin. nature . nierem . h. i. l. . c. . ioh. ard. no●s . ios. a●osta . p. martyr . aelian . l. . c. . scaliger . marckgrave . h. n. brasil . l. . c. . marckgrav . gesner . marckg. nierem . nieremberg . marckg. h. bras . p. . lerius . h. americ . c. . name . gesner . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . append. quadru . aelian . arist. description . place . solinus . strabo . herod . aelian . feed . voyce . aelian . l. . c. . nature . plin. strabo . geog. l. . bellon . obser . l. . c. . ambr. h. digit . gesn●r . ambrosin . l. . c. . marckg. h. brasil . p. ● . clusius . marc●● . hier. l. . c. . lerius . ambros. h. d. l. . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . albert. descript. isidor . barthol . place . feed . breeding . nature . plin. h. n. l. . c. . carol. s●ephan . olaus m. l. . c. . use. bruyer . l. . c. . weeker . antid . spec. . albert. differences . ola●s . bruierin . gesner . nierem . l. . c. . name . ambros. l. . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . salmasius in solin . description . plin. l. . c. . bellon . h. aqua . matthio●●● . place . scal. ex . . bruyer . rei . cibariae l. . c. . olaus m. food . engendring . iul. pompon . nature . aelian . l. . c. ● . use. matthiol . diosco● . rondeletius . name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ambrosin . hist. dig● . l. . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . s●idas l. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . descript. p●●ce . brasa● . food . bellon . aq●at . l. . nature . scal. exer. . use. 〈◊〉 . de ●b . l. . c. . gesner . holler . aelian . ambrosin . l. . c. . marckg. brasil . l. . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ambros●● . dig. l. . c. . name . albert. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . manardus . bellon . obser . l. . c. . descript. place . arist. h. vitruv. food . oppian . cyneget . l. . oppian . cyn. l. . antipathy . aelian . l. . c. . nature , and manners . arist. h. h. l. . c. . & . . use. aegineta . l. . c. . ambrosin . h. digit . l. . c. . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . description . albert. place . suidas . food . plin. h. n. l. . c. . aelian . gendring . antipathy . arist. h. nature . use. galen . de ther. c. . dioscor . m. m. l. . c. . glycas l. . gal. l. . c. . por●● . phy●oga . l. . c. . galen . differences . plin. galen . figuli . dial . de . mustela . hier. h. e. l. ● . c. . clusius . ambrosin . h. digit . l. . c. . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . grapald . descript. place . gesner . s●rabo . food . gendring . differences . agrico . de ani . s●bter . ambr. h. digit . l. . c. . ambrosin . h. digit . l. . c. . zootom . democr . p. . renod. l. . pharmacop . differences . ambrosin . h. dig. l. . c. . arist. niphus . alciate . agricola . m. paul. venet. ambrosin . h. digit . l. . c. . lb. c. . scalig. ex. . ludov. rom. gyllius . bellonius . rondel● . pharmac . l. . c. . leo af. cardan . bellon . obser. l. . c. . fallopius . maiol . coll. . ambro●● isidor . origin . l. . name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . varro de i. d. l. . c. . scalig. albert. zootom . democ. ●● . arist. l. . ● . place . paerzan . lapez . ovid. art . am . l. . arist. food . gendring . xenophon . po●lux . athenaeus l. . sex. archel . albert. philomel . autor . nature . wit. lamprid. mar. epig. . brui . l. . galen . l. . de simpl. med . facul . sextus . dioscor . idem . matthiol . olam . quercetan . albert. diosc. marcellus . tragus . matthiol●s . montag . l. . differences . plin. l. . c. . manard . ambrosin . de digit . l. . c. . varro . nieremb . h. exot. l. . c. . amat . lusitan . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . strabo . geogra . l. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . hemol . in dioscor . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . zoor●m . democ. p. . place . scaliger . food . gendring . niphus . nature , and wat. m. varro . use. marcel . ambrosin . differences . nieremb . h. e. l. . c. . nierem . h. e. l. . c. . ld . lb. c. . ambrosin . dig. name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . belluacen . descript. place . food . gendring . nature . wit. use. bruyer . l. . de recib . c. . differences . cromerus . arist. pliny . amb. hier. h. e. l. . c. . amb. dig. vi. l. . c. . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . isidor . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . described . place . food . nature . wit. arist. epiphan . use. plin. differences . bruyer . nierem . h. e. l. . c. . ambr. l. . c. . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . varin . described . arist. plin. sever. zoo●om . p. . place . hect. boer . food . gendring . plin. l. . c. . anist . h. a. l. . c. . pausanias . cardan . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . nature . plin. l. . c. . amoldus . differences . anist . ae●ian . plin. heriod . ruell . h. p●ant . ● . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ambrosin . digit . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 name . aelian . l. . c. . place . food . cardan . de rer . variet . arist. kinds . olaus . ambr. dig. l. . c. . albert. avicen . sipontine . gesner . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aetius . albert. maethiolus . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . ambrosin . plin. matthiol . matthiol . barbarus . ambro. dig . vi . l. . c. . aurel. sever. zootom . democ. p. . stumpfius . ambr. 〈◊〉 c. . b●llon . aquat . l. . cl●sius in auct . exot. holler . arist. p●utar . sympo ▪ . q. ult . nier●m . exo. l. . c. . ambros●● de digit . vivip . l. . c. . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 describ● scal. severin . zoot . democ. p. . pliny . place . plin. l. . c. ● . food . use. m●rinel . mizald●s . ag●icola . ambrosin . l. ● . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . plin. described . severin . democ. zoot . p. . plin. l. . c. . food . aelian . l. . c. . arist. h. a. l. . c. . use. durantes . kinds . majolus . ambr. digit . l. . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . described . place . solinus . food . agric. ●de an● . subter . nature . use. differences . nierem . hist. exot. l. . c. . gesne● . maphaeus . anton. herrera . consalv . ferdinan . oviedus . monardes . ambros. digit . vivi . l. . c. . the name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . suidas describ . sever. democ. zootom . p. . galen . place . lerius . textor . food . gendring . arist. h. a. l. . c. . id. ib. l. . c. . arist. l. . c. . pliny . age pliny . voyce . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . antipathy . plin. natur● . wit. plin. l. . c. ● . d●ris . philistis . athen. h. a. l. . c. . use. cadamust●s . galen . alim . l. . . aescu . c●lap . plin. sextus . mizaldus . centur. . wecker . antidot . differences . ovid. clusius . ambr. l. . c. . quad. digit . aetius . mysaldus . blondus . plin. colum. ambr. ib. l. . c. . ambr. ib. c. . megastenes . id. ib. ● . . c. . blondus . bellon . obset . l. . c. . nierem . h. e. l. . c. . sextus . empyr . ovie●●s . ambro. l. . c. . salmas . in solinus . name . place . food . ambr. plin. l. ● . c. . gendring . arist. sympathy . antipathy . valerian . mizal. cent. . nature . plin. l. . c. . bruier . porta phys. l. . c. . galen . sampl . . ●●ony●us . differences . scal. ex. . ● . . nierem . h. e. l. . c. . m. p. venetus ● . . c. . anatomy m. aurel. sever. zootom . demo. p. . c. . casserius . notes for div a -e ambr. digit . ovipar . l. . c. . name . isid. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . varin . described . arist. plin. bellon . place . food . arist. h. a. l. . c. . gendring . arist. ib. l. . c. . plin. l. . c. . arist. ib. l. . c. . antipathy . glyca . mizald. cent. . memora● . voyce . plin. arist. h. a. l. . c. . aelian . l. . c. . nature . ael . l. . . plin. plin. l. . c. . use. amar. lusit . galen . l. . porta . dioscor . aetius . l. . c. . habdarrham de propriet . an . c. . plin. l. . c. . villanovanus . plin. l. . c. . q●ercetan●s . differences . diod. sicul. ambr. l. . c. . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . arist. plin. described . place . plin. food . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . mizaldus . pareus l. . c. . generation . pet. mart. port. nat. mag. l. . sympathy . sympathy . plin. nature . agrico . poyson . albert. 〈…〉 . . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 〈…〉 . helmon . 〈…〉 p. . use in meats . difference . place . shape . ambrosin . ovied . ind. p. . gesner . ambr. l. . c. . plin. isid. names . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . described . ambr. p. . use. plin. sylv. guiner . timoth. marcellus . ambr. l. . c. . p. . id. ib. c. . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . difference . in arist. h. a. & . plin. arist. albert. place . lin. chot . plin. arist. food . gendring . arist. sympathy . scal. erasm. disposition . aelian . arist. plin. aelian . l. . c. . theocr. schenck use in physick . plin. diosc. m. m. l. . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ambr. l. . c. . plin. ●sran● . hier●●● . chalcid . ambr. l. . c. . gal. med. simp. marckg. h. brasil . ● . c. . fr. ximenes . marckg. h. bras . l. . c. . marckg. h. bras . l. . c. . ambrosin . de digit . ovip . l. . c. . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . stellatum . the land-one described . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 nic●●●●● . place . food . gendring . plin. l. . c. . bellon . obs . l. . nature . cardan . rer . var. l. . c. . plin. aeans . nican . use. the water-one . ambr. l. . c. ● . be●●o● . agric●●● . agricola . 〈…〉 . 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 ●ame . dioscor . bellon . described . place . food . vse . plin. plin. differences ▪ plin. ambrosin . l. . c. . bellon . ambr. l. . c. . 〈◊〉 ovip . l. . name . described . plin. l ▪ . c. . arist. h. a. l. . c. . theoph. de mutant . color . arist. bellon . gesner . gassendus . place . bellon . obs . l. . c. . food . plin. l. . c. . 〈◊〉 ▪ 〈◊〉 〈…〉 use in 〈…〉 plin. l ▪ c. . difference . bellon . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . kircher . ● . . described . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 . l. . 〈◊〉 ●●ndring . 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 . 〈…〉 〈◊〉 . sen. nat. quaest . l. . phil. plin. l. . c. . crescentiensis . sympathy . plin. leo af● ▪ l. . nature . mart. leg. bab . l. . arist. aelian . plin. l. . c. . scal. exer. . aelian . l. . c. . & . . gyllius diod. bibl. l. . c. i. use. herodot . lopez . leo afr. c. . in phisick . baldus itin. c. . differences . plin. albert. aelian . ambr. l. . c. . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . isidor . described . paucunius . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . plin. arist. l. . c. . place . arrian . mar. r●b . herbe●● . itin. p. . gendri●g . arist. plin. aelian . nature , and qu●lities . aeli . arist. h. a. l ▪ . c. . plin. 〈◊〉 . bru● . c● l. . c ▪ ● . plin. g●l●n . e●p or . plin. l. . c. . difference . plin. ambr. ex boh●● . l. . c. . herbert . itin. ambros. o●ip . d●git . l ▪ ● . c. . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 described . 〈◊〉 . z●ot . da●ocr . place . plin. pausan. in arcad. food . bruier . gendring . athen. dipros . l. . nicander . aelian . l. . c. . use in food . bellon . ambrosi● . in phisick . plin. differences . aelian . mar●kg . brasil . ambro. name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . place . gesner . leo afr. l. . aeli . arist. plin. plin. l. . c. . mizald. cent. . plin. ambr , l. c. . name . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . albert. described . aeli . severin . zoo●● . den●●● . par ▪ p. . place . gend●●● arist. plin. plutr . p. 〈◊〉 . l. . c. . arist. oppian . hali. e● . l. . aeli . l. . c. . use in food . bell. o● . l. . c. . s●ppi●s . 〈◊〉 . l. . c. ● . ● in phi●ck . 〈◊〉 . l. . c. . 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 nierem ex. l. . c. . nierem . hist. ex. l. . c. . nierem . exot. l. . c. . lerius . franc. he●●andus . nier . exot. l. . c. . nier . exot. l. . c. . id. l. ● . c. . id. exo● . l. . c. . id. l. . c. 〈◊〉 . pet. ma● . ib. c. ▪ ib. c. ● . notes for div a -e 〈◊〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 theophr . l. . de caus . pla●t . c. . plin. l. . c. . arist. h. a. l. . c. . aeli . h. a. l. . c. . plin. gesner . plin. l. . renod. m●t. med. l. . c. . s●al . ex. . p. . dalecamp . plin. l. . c. . herodotus l. . obser. l. . c. . arist. plin. l. . c. . aeli . l. . c. . cardan . . de subt . fer . arist. de g●n . ani . l. . c. . et k. a. l. . c. . exer. . p. . gesner . busbeq . clusius . arist. solin . aelian . scal. ex. . p. . bellon . arist. h. a. l. . c. . in l. . 〈◊〉 . ovid. faber . nova 〈◊〉 . plin. l. . c. ● . 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 〈…〉 b●llon . p●in . h. a. l. . c. . albert. de lap . alex. . probl. . l. . scal. i. faber . fragorae . cuspides . riolan . patholog . c. . renod. alex. bened. dios●● . l. de amph●● c. . plin. l ● c. . 〈…〉 〈◊〉 &c. 〈◊〉 greg. 〈…〉 how togather it . faber out of father greg. f. columna . amatus . quadramius . id. de . theriaca . c. . how sophisticated . right . alexius rosellus . powder . sope. the vertues . f. gregory in faber . scribon . larg . c. . mar●el . empir . c. . aetius ●erm . c. . noni●s c. . avicea . l. . c. . the temper . 〈◊〉 & ● 〈…〉 rucil . matth. renod. 〈…〉 medicochin . aetius ●er . . c. . memoir's for a natural history of animals containing the anatomical descriptions of several creatures dissected by the royal academy of sciences at paris / englished by alexander pitfeild ... ; to which is added an account of the measure of a degree of a great circle of the earth, published by the same academy and englished by richard waller ... mémoires pour servir à l'histoire naturelle des animaux. english perrault, claude, - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing m _partial wing m _partial estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) memoir's for a natural history of animals containing the anatomical descriptions of several creatures dissected by the royal academy of sciences at paris / englished by alexander pitfeild ... ; to which is added an account of the measure of a degree of a great circle of the earth, published by the same academy and englished by richard waller ... mémoires pour servir à l'histoire naturelle des animaux. english perrault, claude, - . pitfield, alexander, - . waller, richard. académie royale des sciences (france) [ ], , [ ], p., [ ] p. of plates : ill. printed by joseph streater and are to be sold by t. basset, j. robinson, b. aylmer, joh. southby, and w. canning, london : . translation of: mémoires pour servir à l'histoire naturelle des animaux. "the measure of the earth" has separate t.p. translation of: mesure de la terre. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng zoology -- pre-linnean works. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - stephanie batkie sampled and proofread - stephanie batkie text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion quae , natura sagax , secretis abdidit extis hac ope divinaberus disquirit aruspex . memoir's for a natural history of animals . containing the anatomical description's of several creatures dissected by the royal academy of sciences at paris . englished by alexander pitfeild , fellow of the royal society . to which is added an account of the measure of a degree of a great circle of the earth , published by the same academy , and englished by richard waller , s. r. s. london , printed by ioseph streater , and are to be sold by t. basset , at the george in fleet-street . i. robinson , at the golden lyon in st. paul's church-yard . b. aylmer , at the three pigeons over against the royal-exchange . ioh. southby , at the harrow in cornhil . and by w. canning , in the temple . mdci. xxxviii . november the th . . at a council of the royal society this day held , it is ordered that the translation of the memoires pour servir al' histoire des animaux , ( by alexander pitfeild esq. r. s. s. ) be allowed to be printed . tho. henshaw , vic. praes . s. r. to the right honourable john earl of carbury &c. president of the royal society of london for the promoting of natural knowledge . and to the council and fellows of the same . this following translation of memoir's for a natural history of animals is most humbly presented by alex : pitfeild . the publisher to the reader . these famous memoir's containing the anatomical descriptions of several animals ( and those all exotic and scarce to be procured ) together with very excellent observations thereon , are some of the first-fruits and accurate performances of the royal academy of sciences at paris . they were by them some time since so magnificently , as well as curiously set forth in two volumes , that ( as they seemed not to be designed for common sale , so ) they became presents only from the king , or academy , to persons of the greatest quality , and were hereby rendered unattainable by the ordinary methods for other books . and altho' by some few , who ( through this means ) had the opportunity of perusing them , they were found full fraught with very pertinent , as well as curious observations ; yet so great was the difficulty in procuring the favour of such a perusal ( not only here in england , but even at paris it self ) that the ingenious labours of that illustrious society were hereby made less useful and ineffectual to their great design ; most of the learned being totally deprived of the singular advantages that might be obtained therefrom . for these reasons it was judged that the exhibiting of this admirable treatise in an english dress , might prove no unacceptable present , it being a work inriched with many curious physical , and no less useful anatomical remarks , of great importance to the promotion and improvement of natural knowledg ; especially that part which respects the construction , fabrick , and genuine use of the parts of animals , and even of man : a knowledge no way better to be obtained than from the comparative anatomy of divers animals ; that texture of parts being discoverable in one animal , which nature has conceal'd and made more obscure in another . these considerations , backt with the earnest importunities of several friends , and the hopes of being serviceable to the ingenious inquirers into nature , so far prevailed upon me , that ( in compliance to their desires , and for the publick benefit ) i undertook this edition , wherein i have used my utmost endeavours for the rendering a faithful translation thereof ; still keeping as near as i could to the true sense of the french coppy , and varying as little therefrom as the nature of the english language would permit . how far they have herein succeeded , is wholly submitted to the censure of the learned , whose kind acceptance of these performances may prove a farther motive to present them with some other things of this kind , whereby the useful application of these , and divers others of the like nature will more evidently appear . but there was one thing more difficult to be overcome ( at least by me ) than what i have hitherto mentioned , and that was the presenting you with the figures and delineations , which in the french edition are exceedingly accurate , as well as skillfully engraven in copper . and herein gratitude oblidges me to acknowledg the great kindness of mr. richard waller , without whose assistance i should have been at a loss , and this design would have fall'n to the ground : but his zealous endeavours to promote natural discoveries soon prevail'd with him to ingage himself in this more difficult task : and accordingly he proportioned and wrought them after the french originals , with as much exactness as was possible ; and altho' to accommodate them to this volume , he was necessitated to contract and lessen the size , yet has he so well disposed of the parts of each plate , that what is most material is very plain and clearly intelligible . most of the animals are represented three quarters as bigg as in the originals , and all the diffected parts half as bigg ; excepting some few as bigg as the life , which is expressed in their particular explications . his great care in thus nicely contracting the plates , and allowing to each part its due symmetry and proportion are sufficient testimonies of his skill in designing , which with his other abilities being already well known to the royal society , i must ( by reason of his modesty and my near relation ) forbear giving him those prayses which in iustice belong unto him . to him also i am oblidged for furnishing me with the translation of the observations made for measuring a degree upon the earth , which tho' it be a subject of a differing nature , yet being one of the most considerable productions of the same illustrious academy , and being joyned to one of the volumes in the french edition , i conceived it would be as pertinent and proper to accompany them in english. thus have i given you a short account of this following undertaking , hoping you may hereby receive as great satisfaction in peruseing , as i have done in tranlateing these memoir's . memoires for the natural history . of animals . the preface , history , of what nature soever it be , is written after two ways : in the one are related all the things which have been at several times collected , and which do belong to the subject it treats off . in the other we are confined to the narrative of some particular acts , of which the writer has a certain knowledge . this last way , which the romans did call commentaries , and the french , memoires ; although it contains only the parts , and as it were the elements which do compose the body of history , and has not the majesty found in that which is general , yet claims this advantage ; that certainty and truth , which are the most recomendable qualities of history , cannot be wanting in it , provided the writer be exact and sincere ; which is not sufficient for the general historian , who oftentimes cannot be true , how desirous soever he be after the truth , and what care soever he imploy's to discover it ; because he is allwayes in danger of being deceived by the memoires on which he builds . we have store of histories of animals of both these wayes ; for besides the great and magnificent works which aristotle , pliny , solinus , and aelian have composed of what they found in other authors , or which they learnt from those who had made some observations themselves ; we have likewise some perticular relations which travellers have written , of abundance of animals which are found onely in the countries where they have been : and those who have made the description of the several parts of the world , have not forgotten that of the animals which are there to be found . but it may be said that there is not found any certainty in these histories , nor in these relations . those who have writt the general history of animals , have thought to render it sufficiently acceptable by the great number of things which they do relate , and by the distribution which they do make of the animals into their different species ; with their resemblances and differences which are found in their parts of which the various conformation , and all their natural properties are ranged in some common classes . for it is in this that they have chiefly imployed their dilligence and industry , the rest not belonging to them , but to those who had made the description of the animals on the places , and whose exactness and fidelitie could not be sufficiently known to them , to answer for them . so that the materials , of which these authors have composed their works , being for the most part defective and layd on sandy foundations , it may be truly said that the great structure which they have afterwards built thereon , with so curious a symmetry , has no real solidity . therefore the curious and learned , who had formerly but little valued the worke of petrus gillius , when he undertook to methodize what aelian , had confusedly related of animals , have been much concerned at the loss of the excellent remarks which he afterwards made , in the travels which francis. i. caused him to take into forreign countries . for he was a very judicious and perspicacious man ; who was instructed by reading of all authors that writt on this subject , and was purposely sent by the king to make this search , and who applied himselfe thereunto with a particular care ; which made him capable of observing whatever was remarkable in animals . the want of these qualifications , in the generality of those which have made particular relations and memoires , renders their labour inconsiderable , and their testimony very suspitious : it being scarcely probable , that merchants and souldiers are indowed with the spirit of philosophy and patience , which are necessary for the observing all the nice particularities of so many different animals , whose extraordinary shape did at first satisfy all their curoiosity , as being capable of sufficiently enriching their relations ; without judging it necessary to proceed to an exacter scrutiny . but that which yet more lessens the esteem for these sorts of memoires , is the unfaithfulness which travellers do generally use in their relations ; who almost always add to the things they have seen , those which they might have seen ; and least the narrative of their travels should seem imperfect , do recite what they have read in authors , by whom they are first deceived , just as they do afterwards deceive their readers . this is the reason why the protestations which several of these observers , as belonius , piso , margravius , and some others do make , to say nothing but what they have seen , and the assurances which they do give of having discovered a great many of the falsities which have been writt before them , have scarce any other effect , than to render the sinceritie of all travellers very suspect , because that these censurers of the good credit and exactness of others , do not give sufficient cautions of their own . that which is most considerable in our memoires , is ▪ that unblemishable evidence of a certain and acknowledged verity . for they are not the work of one private person , who may suffer himself to be prevail'd upon by his own opinion ; who can hardly perceive what contradicts his first conceptions , for which he has all the blindness and fondness , which every one has for his own children ; who is not contradicted in the fredom that he allows himselfe , of uttering what ever he thinks capable of adding luster to his work ; and indeed who less considers the truth of the facts , which are not his own production than that order he gives it , and which he frames to himselfe , of some praticularities which he supposes , or disguises , to indeavour to suite them to his own design : so that he would be in some measure concerned at the finding out of truths , and making experiments which would destroy his fine speculations . but these inconveniencies are not to be found in our memoires , which do contain only matters of fact , that have been verified by a whole society ; composed of men which have eyes to see these sorts of things , otherwise than the greatest part of the world , even as they have hands to seek them with more dexterity and success ; who see well what is , and who are not easily to be made to see what is not ; who study not so much to find out novelties , as carefully to examine those pretended to be found ; and to whom even the assurance of being deceived in any observation , brings no less satisfaction than a curious and important discovery : so much the love of certainty prevails in their spirit above all other things . now this affection is so much the stronger , as it is not opposed by any other interest , seeing that the vain-glory , which the success of an ingenious delusion might have gained by surprize , would signifie very little being divided amongst so many persons , who do all contribute to this work : either by the propositions which every one makes of the novelty which he discovers ; or by the light and illustration which his censure gives to the discovery's of others , by exammining them , as his are done , with a care which a small punctilio of aemulation , never fails to excite amongst philosophers . so that it is very probable , that what ever has undergone so severe a tryal is exempt from all mixture of falsity and imposture . this exactness to advance nothing but what has been verified , is that which has made democritus so greatly extol'd amongst the ancients , when having collected a great abundance of strange curiosities , it is reported that in his collections he marked with his own seal , those of which he experimentally knew the truth , to compose a volume of them , which he intituled the book of choice . thus after his example it is that we design that this collection , be a choice of all that ever has been found and carefully remarkt in the animals which could be examined . in this collection we have particularly insisted on that which belongs to the structure of the parts of animals , rather than that which concerns their natures , nourishment , the way of taking them , their qualities in physick , and the other uses which are attributed to them ; of which all natural historians have composed their volumes , and of which we have spoken only transiently , and according to the occasion which what we observed in our subjects , afforded us ; but this design of describing only the parts , has been restrained to those within ; and it is for that reason , that we do call the descriptions which we make , anatomical , altho' they do contain a great many things which may be seen without dissection . indeed , our chief aim being to report , and collect all the remarks , which we have made on the different particularities of the inside of animals , we could not omit the other observations which belong to the exteriour form , by reason of the relation that all the parts have each to other . but we stay not long on things which do not directly appertain to this anatomical knowledg , because that there is little less , but this exact description of the internal parts , wanting to natural history . we could not ( likewise ) sometimes avoid digressing out of that strait and narrow road , which we proposed to follow ; and we have thought our selves obliged to enter into the controversies which are amongst naturalists , touching the difficulty that there is of knowing , whither some of the animals which we have , are precisely those which the antients have spoken of ; because that the descriptions of these authors are generally very ambiguous , and agree not sufficiently amongst themselves , to take away the doubts which may arise , that the animals to which they do give the same name , are not sometimes different ; and that those also which the vulgar call otherwise than they have , are not the same which they have spoken of . the particular and new remarks which we have made , have ingaged us to this examination : but we pretend not to put a value on our conjectures , farther than particular facts can prove them ; being ready to retract , when it shall happen , that a great number of contrary observations shall demonstrate to us , that these first were made upon subjects , the formation of which , was extraordinary ; and consequently insufficient and incapable , of establishing a general conclusion : but we have thought , that things of this nature might be put into memoires , which are as it were magazines , wherein are lockt up all sorts of things , to be made use of in time of need . now altho' we stick only to this description , and this lively painting , which we have endeavoured to perform simply , and without any ornament , and have no other intention , than to discover things such as we have found them , and even as in a glass , which adds nothing of its own , and which represents onely what has been presented to it : yet we have not forborn sometimes to add reflexions , when we have thought it necessary , upon particularities that deserved it ; and that onely as a sample , and first fruits which might be gathered , when by the collecting of all the observations which may be made , this work will be sufficient to afford matter enough , for the composing an intire and compleat body thereof . so that it is to be understood , that we design not that the reflexions which are here preparatorily made , do pass for decisions , but only for essays of what may be expected from this sort of work. there are some who have found fault with that great work of aristotle's history of animals , because they fancy that this author discourses therein , more like a philosopher than an historian ; but this is not the opinion of the most part of the curious , who think that he has too much confined himself to the character of a bare relation ; and that it is a great damage that he has not more explain'd himself on all the things which he could discover , by the assistance of the admirable light which he had in all sorts of sciences : and the opinion of hierocles is very probable , who says that the ten books which we have of aristotle's history , are only an abridgment which aristophanes bizantinus made of the fifty volumes that pliny has spoken of , in which was contain'd all that which may belong to the intire and perfect knowledg of animals . but as it is impossible to philosophize without making some general propositions , which ought to be grounded on the knowledg of all particular things , whereof universal notions are composed ; and that we still ▪ have a long time to work , before we can be instructed in all the particulars necessary for this end : we believe that there will not be overmuch reliance on the reasons , which we have intermixt amongst our experiments , and that it will easily be judged , that we pretend only to answer some matters of fact which we advance , and that these facts are the sole ▪ powers whereby we would prevail against the authority of the great persons which have writ before us ; seeing that speaking of them with all the respect which they deserve , we do own that the defects which are seen in their works , are there only , because it is impossible to find any thing which has acquired the utmost perfection : altho' these works do nearly enough approach it to be inimitable , and to make all those who are rational and intelligent , to have a singular veneration for the excellent genius's which have produced them : for we do think we render a greater honour to the merit of the antients , by demonstrating that we have discovered some small slight errors in their works , than if after the manner of those who distrust their own understanding , and never ground the judgment which they do make of the value of any thing but on prejudices ; we should esteem them only , because we thought they were done by great personages , and not by reason of the knowledg which we have of what they have done well or ill : because , that as the greatest encomium , which a hundred blind persons might give to a beauty , would not be so advantagious , as the meanest of a single person who had good eyes : the approbation likewise , which a general consent of all ages has given to the works of great personages , could not be well grounded , if it did not appear that it had been done with discretion , and consequently with examination , by which it has been verified , that whatever it may have defective is nothing , in comparison of the vast number of curious and excellent things which are there found . we suppose , that such as are capable of these reflections , will not have the malignity to make use of the authority given to a great number of those , who being incapable thereof , would have us like themselves , retain a blind veneration for the works and sentiments of the antients ; and we do hope , that rational men will not be so injurious , as to render odious the liberty which we have assumed , of saying that our descriptions are exact , because that we propose nothing but what we have seen ; and that we do pretend , that they are exacter than those of the ancients ; which are made for the most part on the reports of others : seeing that we do not impertinently affect to marke the errors of these great men , and that we do only advertise the reader , that our observations agree not with theirs . for we think not that this comparison of our dilligence with their remissness , a vain ostentation and utterly unprofitable ; seeing that it may contribute to an instruction more precise , and which better imprints the idea's of things , when their true description is distinguished , and marked by the opposition of that which is false : or however this demonstrates , supposing both the contrary observations to be true , that one may conclude , that in consideration of the particularities wherein we differ , nature is variable and inconstant . for which reason , we have chosen a particular way of making our descriptions . for whereas the ancients and generality of the moderns , do handle the doctrine of animals , like that of the sciences , always speaking in general , we only expose things as singular ; and instead of affirming , for instance , that the bear has fifty-two kidnyes on each side , we say only that a bear which we dissected had the conformation thereof very particular ; and in describeing it , if we testifie our admiration that no one has made this remark , and that even those who have made the anatomy of these animals are silent therein ; it is because that we suppose that nature , who rarely sports her self in the conformation of the principal parts , has formed the kidnyes of other bears after the same fashion , as we have found them in our subject . in the description of rare animals , which do come from forreign countries , we have have been particularly careful to represent their external form exactly , and to denote the size and proportion of all the parts seen without the dissection : because these are things almost as little known , as what is within the body . the familiar animals are otherwise described : for the bigness , form , and situation of their parts , as well exterior as interior are compared to those of man , whom we do establish as the rule of the proportion of all the animals : not that we do think that he is absolutely better proportioned than the most deformed beast : because that the perfection of every thing depends upon the relation it has to the end for which it is made : and it is true , that the ears of an asse , and the snout of a hog , are parts as admirably well proportioned , for the uses to which nature has designed them , as all those of man's visage are , to give him the majesty and dignity of the lord of all the creatures : but it is necessary to agree of some one measure and module , as is observed in architecture : and considering the whole universe as a great and statley edifice , which has several apartments of a different structure , the proportions of the most noble are pitcht upon for the regulating all the rest . so that when it is said , for example that a dog has a long head , little stomack , and the legg all of one thickness , it is onely in comparing these parts with those which are found of the same kind in man. we do likewise describe all the parts of man's body , altho' there are not so many new things to speak of , as those of other animals ; it being very difficult to add any thing to the ancients and moderns , who have handled this matter with all the exactness immaginable , and with a success comparable to the grandure and dignity of the subject . to a great number of particular observations which we have made , we added all the other remarks which are common to us with other authors , and which we do not give for new ; but only as being in some sort considerable , by reason of the certainty and credit , which the testimonies of so many persons who have contributed to these descriptions , may add to the facts which we declare . this so precise exactness in relating all the particulars which we observe , is qualified with a like care to draw well the figures , as well of the intire animals , as of their external parts , and of all those which are inwardly concealed . these parts having been considered , and examined with eyes assisted with microscopes , when need required , were instantly designed by one of those upon whom the company had imposed the charge of making the descriptions ; and they were not graved , till all those which were present at the dissections found that they were wholly conformable to what they had seen . it was thought that it was a thing very advantagious for the perfection of these figures to be done by a hand which was guided by other sciences than those of painting , which are not alone sufficient , because that in this the importance is not so much to represent well what is seen , as to see well what should be represented . our memoires being thus composed it is to be hoped that they will afford matter for a natural history , which will not be unworthy of the greatest king that ever has been ; and that if in this to equal alexander , as he equals and surpasses him in all other things , he wants so great a person as aristotle , the care which his majesty has taken to supply this defect , by the number of persons which he has chosen for this employ , and by the order observed to perform the things with an absolute exactness , will make this work , which was undertaken by his command , not inferior perhaps , to that which has been done for alexander . the explication of the figure of the lyon . in the lower figure he is represented alive , his head turned on one side , as he sometimes carries it ; notwithstanding the stifness of his neck . the claws tho' very great are indiscernable , being covered with hair , which is very long at the extremity of the paws . the form which the tail has under the hair is not seen , by reason of the different length of the hair , which makes it to appear of equal thickness from the beginning to the end . in the parts which the dissection discovers . a. the crest of the cranium . bb. the zygoma . cc. the great and little canini . d. the incisores . e. the apophysis coronoides of the lower iaw . fff . the molares . g. the extremity of the radius . h. the extremity of the cubitus . ii. the bones of the carpus . . the four bones of the metacarpus . . the four bones of the first phalanx of the toes . . the four bones of the second phalanx . oo . the last bones of the toes . we have represented one a part , and out of its articulation , which with the two others marked , , which are likewise separated from the rest of the paw , makes one of the toes . you may observe the bending which the bone marked , has at its extremity , which makes a condylus or protuberance , to make room for the last bone , which is articulated to it , to bend upwards . k. a part of the skin of the tongue , seen with a microscope . ll. little eminencies , which are near the root of every one of the points which are upon the tongue . mmm . the points which make the tongue rough . n. one of the points separated from the skin ▪ to shew its cavity . o. the gall-bladder . p. the ductus cholidochus . q. the bladder . rr. the prostatae . ss . the ligaments , which joyned with the urethra do compose the body of the penis . t. the beginning of the urethra . v. the balanus . x. the humor crystallinus , which was spoilt . y. the other crystallinus which was sound . ●… . the tongue . Δ. the cartilago thyroides of the larynx . θ. the cartilago cricoides . Λ. the cartilago arythenoides . Ξ. the glottis . Σ. the epiglottis . Φ. the lowest part of the stomack . Υ. the pylorus . α. the oesophagus . ββ. the aspera arteria . γ. the left auricle of the heart . δ. the heart . ξ. the right subclavian artery . η. the right carotides . θ. the left carotides . χ. the left subclavian artery . λλ . part of the diaphragme . μ. the superiour orifice of the stomach . νξ. two protuberancies which were at the fore-part of the stomach . , , , , , , , , the lobes of the lungs . the anatomical description of a lyon before the opening of our lion , we carefully examined all its external parts , according to the method which we proposed to our selves , to observe in all the descriptions of the other animals . we found that the greatness of the head , which is remarkable in this animal , consisted chiefly in the extraordinary abundance of the flesh which covered it , and in the greatness of the bones which compose the jaws . that the breast likewise , which appeared large , was only by reason of the long and thick hair which incompassed it , the sternum being compressed , and much more pointed , than it is in most horses and dogs : and that by the same reason , the tail seemed not to be of equal thickness from one end to the other ; but by reason of the inequality of the hair wherewith it was invironed , which was shorter towards the beginning , where the flesh and bones are thicker , and which grew longer as these parts grow lesser and lesser , towards the end . and that this long hair which is about the neck and breast , did differ from that of the rest of the body only in its length , having nothing resembling man's hair. the claws had no cases , as pliny reports they have , to keep them from being dulled by their walking ; but it appears rather , that these animals , as plutarch and solinus observe , do provide for that by retracting them between their toes , by the means of the particular articulation of the last joynt , which was such , that the last bone save one , by bending it self outwards , gives place to the last which is articulated to it , and to which the claw is fastened to bend it self upwards and side-ways , more easily than downwards ; being drawn upwards by the means of a tendinous ligament , which fastens together the two last bones in their superiour and external part only ; and which suffering a violent distention when the toe is bent inwards , extends this last articulation , as soon as the musculi flexores come to slacken , and strengthens the action of the musculi xetensores : so that the bone which is at the end of every toe , being almost continually bent upward , it is not the end of the toes which rests upon the ground , but the node of the articulation of the two last bones ; and thus in walking , the claws remain elevated , and retracted between the toe , to witt , all those of the right paws , towards the right side of every toe , and all those of the left paws , towards the left side ; the bending of the toes to walk being caused only by the tendons of the sublimer muscles and those of the lower muscle never moving but when it is necessary to extend the claws , which do proceed out of the toes , when the last joynt is bent downwards . this admirable structure is not found in the great toe , whose last joynt bends only downwards , because that this toe rest's not on the ground being shorter than the rest , and having but two bones as is usual . it had fourteen teeth in each jaw , viz. four incisores , four canini , and six molares . the incisores were little , and the canini very uneven , having two great and two small ones . the great ones which were an inch and half long , like the tusks of a boar , are those alone which aristotle takes for canini : but each of these great canini was accompanied with another little one , which was at the side of the incisores , and which left in the upper jaw , between it and the great one , as much void space on each side , as was necessary to lodg and insert the hook of the great caninus of the inferior jaw , in which there was likewise a space between the great caninus and the first of the molares designed to lodge the great caninus of the upper jaw , but which was much larger , to the end that the lower jaw might be advanced forward upon occasion . the molares were likewise very uneven , especially in the upper jaw , where that which stood next the caninus was as small as the incisores . the other molares were very large , having three unequal points , which represented as it were the flower de lys. the neck was very stiffe , as authors have remark't . but the dissection has demonstrated to us in our lyon , that this proceeded not , as aristotle and aelian have reported , from its having only one bone , but rather for that the spinous processes of the vertebrae of the neck were very long , and bound with ligaments so strong and hard , that it seem'd composed of one single bone. scaliger says that he had observed the same thing in the dissection of two lyons : and it is probable that aristotle has so understood it , when in his physiognomie he say's , that the body of the lyon is remarkable for the greatness and firmness of its joynts . the tongue was rough and covered with a great many sharp points , of a substance hard , and like to that of the nails of catts , whose bigness they also had : these points being hollow at their basis , and crooked towards the throat . they were almost two lines in length , and towards their basis had little round eminencies , made of the fleshy skin of the tongue . the eyes were clear and brisk after death , and through the foramen of the vuea was seen the bottom of the choroides , which was as it were gilt . the tunica conjunctiva was black . it is probable that the reason of saying , that lyons do sleep with their eyes open is that without shutting the eye-lidds , they can cover them with a thick and black membrane lay'd towards the great cant'us which raising and stretching out it self towards the lesser , can extend it self over all the cornea , as is observed in birds , and especially in catts , which have so great a conformity with the lion , that we have found that there was some ground for the fable of the alcoran , which says that the cat was first born in the ark by the sneezing of the lion. for the particular structure of the paws , teeth , eyes and tongue , which we have observed in the lion , is found to be common with the catt ; and the internal parts of these two animals have the same conformity , altho' albertus affirms the contrary . at the first opening , the skin seemed not to us extraordinary hard , nor impenetrable , as cardan reports ; but it was found strongly connected by a number of hard and nervous fibres which proceeded from the muscles and penetrated the panniculus carnosus . the oesophagus was not so large that the lion could swallow , as some authors tell us , the members of animals all intire ; for it exceeded not an inch and half in breadth , and was drawn together by the foramen of the diaphragme after the usual manner , being not open and dilated , as it is in most fishes and serpents , which do easily swallow whatever enters into their mouth . the stomack was eighteen inches long , and six broad , situated from the top to the bottom , inclineing a little to the right side , and rising towards the pylorus . at the superiour and anteriour part there were two unequal protuberancies . the intestines were not very long , comprehending all together but twenty five foot , the colon eighteen inches , and the appendix of the caecum three . the pancreas was like to that of catts and dogs , and the great glandules of the mesentery , which are by asellius called pancreas , were also like to those of these animals . the liver in which we found seven lobes as in catts , was of so dark a red , that it inclined to a black : it was also very soft . it s hollow part under the gall-bladder was filled with choller diffused into it's substance , and into that of all the circumjacent parts ; which was the sole circumstance that gave us some suspition of the cause of this animals death , which we judge to be the disease , to which pliny alone say's lions are subject , and which he calls aegritudinem fastidii : for whether this be understood of the mortal trouble which it conceives of its captivitie , as that author expresses it , or that this signifies the disgust which kills him for want of eating , it is well known that the retention of the choller may cause either . the gall-bladder was seven inches long and one and a half broad . it s structure was very particular , being anfractous towards the meatus cholidochus , and as it were seperated into several cells : catts have exactly the like . the spleen was a foot long , two inches broad , and half an inch thick . it was not so black as the liver , notwithstanding that general rule which galen gives of the colour of the spleen , which he says is always blacker than the liver , especially in animals which are of a temperament hot and dry , and which have sharp teeth . so that there is great probability that this blackness of the liver was extraordinary in this subject , and not natural . the kidney was almost round , being three inches and a half in length to two and a half in breadth and thickness : it weighed seven ounces and two drachmes . the parts of generation had this particular , that the urethra was not crooked , but quite strait from the bladder to the extremitie of the penis ; and that the beginning of the ligaments , which with the urethra do compose the body of the penis , was very remote from the prostatae , which are at the beginning of the neck of the bladder : so that the urethra , which in all contained eleven inches , extended not , being joyned to these ligaments , the length of three inches and a half : which made us to doubt of the truth of what aristotle says concerning the physiognomie of the lion , to witt , that he has eminently , and above all other animals , visible and apparent signes of the strength and perfection of his sex. the reason of this structure appears to us to be founded on the extraordinary breadth of the os pubis , along which the urethra must descend from the bladder , the bottom of which must pass over the bones , to their inferior part , from whence ariseth these ligaments which do compose the penis . this conformation makes the the lion to piss backwards , and not by lifting up the legg , like doggs , as pliny say's , and that he couples with the lionness after the same manner as camells , hares , &c. in opening the thorax it was observed , that from all the cartilages of the sternum which had been cut , there came out two or three drops of blood , which demonstrated that these parts are not so solid , as that their cavities should be imperceptible , as some authors do think , seeing that they are penetrated by some sanguinary vessels , as is seen in all animalls when young . the mediastinum was furnished with abundance of great vessels . the membranes which composed it , and which were perforated like a net , were joyned , and left no space but towards the diaphragme , on the right side of the heart , where there was a very large and ample cavity . the same thing is observed in catts . the lungs were found to have six lobes on the right side , and three on the left . all the annular cartilages of the aspera arteria made an entire circle , excepting two or three under the larynx , in which besides their greatness , which was four inches in compass , there was not more than two lines which were not entire . the breadth of this organ of the voice seem'd to us very capable of making the dreadful noise of its roaring . the ductus lacteus thoracicus was very small , and joyned to a long fillet of fat , which was extended to the whole length , and at the side of the body of the vertebrae , it was two lines broad . the heart which was found dry and without water in the pericardium , was in proportion much greater than in any animal , containing six inches in length , and four in breadth towards the basis , and ending in a very sharp point . it s substance appear'd to us very soft , before it was opened ; but it was discovered that this proceeded from its being lean , and hollow , its ventricles being so ample , that the left one which descended into the cuspis , left but two lines of thickness in the flesh which covered it at this place ; towards the basis it had but seven , and the septum had almost as many . the auricles of the heart were so small , that the right , which is the greatest , was not half an inch . the structure of the heart of catts is not so particular , for it is more obtuse at the cuspis and fleshy than ordinary . the proportion of the branches which the ascendent aorta emitts was such , that the carotides contained the same thickness as the left subclavian , and as the remainder of the right from whence they do arise ; which is very considerable in respect of the smallness of the brain . the same thing is observed in catts , excepting that they have a great deal more brains , in proportion to their bigness . the brain exceeded not two inches every way . it was included in a cranium about half an inch thick in the thinnest place , and almost an inch in the fore-head . the crown was elevated like the crest of an helmet , to give rise to the muscles of the temples , which do cover the two sides of the crown of the head , and in the middle of the fore-head do leave that cavitie , which aristotle in his physiognomy adjudgeth to be peculiar to lions . every of these muscles was five inches in length , four and a half in breadth , two in thickness , and twenty ounces in weight . this head thus garnished with flesh , and composed of bones so firm in their structure and substance , made us to think that if the bear , according to pliny , has a head so tender and weak that it may be slain with a slight blow , it is probable that it would be very difficult to stun a lion ; and that this was well known to theocritus , who tells hercules , that all that he could do to the nemaean lion with his club , was to stun him , and that he could not kill him but by strangleing him with his hands . the bone which is found in brutes between the cerebrum and cerebellum over the satura lambdoides , was an inch and a half long , ten lines broad , and two thick , of a squarer figure than that which is in the scull of cats , doggs , &c , the glandula pinealis was diaphanous , and so small that it exceeded not a line in length , and two thirds of a line in breadth at its basis. the optick nerves appeared much thicker after their conjunction than before : which proceeded hence that the foramina thro' which they do enter into the orbita are not round , but like a slitt ; which makes them broader by flattening them . being past thro' the foramen of the orbita , they were extended to the globe of the eye , two inches and a half in length . it was observed that the cavity of this orbita was not wholly fenced with a bone on the inside , but that there was a hole towards the temples , between the apophysis of the os frontis , and that of the first bone of the jaw , which were not joyned more than in cats , doggs , &c. the globe of the eye was sixteen lines diameter . the cornea was about the third part of a line in thickness at the middle , and grew thicker towards its circumference ; till it came to half a line , after the manner of the glasses in spectacles . the iris was of that pale colour , which is called isabella . the tunica choroides appeared of a gold-colour , and which had nothing of that verdure , which most authors do give to the eyes of the lion. the reverse of the anterior vuea in the place it lyes upon the crystallinus , was all black. the crystallinus was found very flat , and its greatest convexity , contrary to what is in other animals , was in its anteriour part ; which is also observed in the eyes of catts . the figurs of the crystallinus was such : that it seemed shrunk up having a dent in the side , which made the crystallinus of the left eye , where this dent was the greatest , like the forme of an heart : but one of these crystallinus's which began to be spoilt by a glaucoma , made us to suspect that this was praet ernatural , and particular to our subject . the aqucous humour was found very abundant , so that it almost equal'd the sixth part of the vitreous humour . this abundance was judged to be the cause of the clearness which remained in the eyes after death , which are obscured when the cornea is dryed and contracted for want of this humour , which keep 's it extended . the last observation was , that considering the season which was hot and moist , when this dissection was made , and the disposition to putrifaction which must needs be in the body of an animal dead of a disease , and which all authors report to have a breath so stinking , that it infects whatever it approaches , to such a degree that other animals do not touch the remainder of the flesh whereof he has eaten ; yet there appear'd nothing to us which denoted any extraordinary corruption , its smell being less offensive than that of a deer , which must be embowelled soon after it is killed : and altho' there were found some wormes in its flesh the fourth day , it was judged that they were ingender'd of flyes , because that a piece of the tongue wrapt up in paper was dryed in the space of one night , and was grown very hard without any smell . which made us conclude , that if the lion is subject to a feaver , it is not caused by the corruption of humours , and is only an ephemera , altho' it is said that he has it all his life : this may cause a belief that choller is a balsome in the body of animals which resists corruption , and which has this effect , that lyons , in whom it is praedominant , do live a long time . there was likewise made another reflection upon the smalness of the brain of this animal , of which natural historians do relate so many marks of judgement and reason ; and by comparing it with the abundance of that of a calfe , it was judged that the littleness of brain is rather the sign and cause of a savage and cruel disposition than a want of judgment . this conjecture was fortified by an other observation which was made four dayes before upon a sea-fox , where was found hardly any brain , altho' it was thought that the sagacitie and subtiltie which it hath , has given it this name amongst fishes , all the kinds of which are generally ill provided of brain , so that they have little disposition to the society , and discipline which terrestrial animals are capable of . the anatomical description of another lyon . this lyon was extraordinary large , though very young . it was seven foot and a half long , from the end of the nose to the beginning of the tail , and four foot and a half high , from the top of the back to the ground . our observations were almost the same , with those which we have already made on the first lyon , but amongst other things , the straitness and narrowness of the thorax , which we have already remarkt , seem'd to us very considerable in this subject : for in the inside , from the one side to the other in the largest place , it exceeded not seven inches , of which the heart took up four , so that there remained but three for the lungs , pericardium , mediastinum , and vessels of the heart . the pericardium was likewise without water , and the intestines short in proportion to the body , containing but twenty five foot in length , which was just three times the length of the body . the crystallinus was more convex on the outside than the inside . what we found different is , that the liver which was of so dark a red in the first lyon that it appeared black , was so pale in this that it had a feville-morte colour . that the annular cartilages of the larynx , which were intire in the first lyon which nevertheless was not old , were found imperfect in this which was younger . and we were not able to resolve whether we ought to atribute to the difference of age , that which we observed in the paws , because that in those of the young lyon we found the skin much less hard , and firm then the other , so that at the extremity of every toe of the young one , it was so loose and flaggie , that it might be made to extend and descend to cover half the nail : which seems to be the case of which pliny speaks . but the truth is that there is no probability that this can preserve its nails , as this author reports , because that they use them only at the point , which this skin cover's not . we likewise observed somthing new , viz. that the epiploon which was as great and large as its internal membrane , and which immediatly touched the intestines , did invelope them , and came round even to the kidnyes , having only the upper membrane loose , as the name of these membranes signifies . we farther remarked that their substance was not properly a continued membrane , but pierced by the light , and like a texture of very fine fibres makeing a gauze . that the kidney , which was four inches long and two and a half broad was sprinkled on its external superficies , with a great many vessells covered with the proper membrane of the kidney . that the lungs were spoilt , dry , pale , and full of knobs . that in the eye , the iris was visiblly plaited with some circular wrinkles , which were the effect of the dilatation in the pupilla , happened by the constriction of the membrane which made the iris. this folding is a thing which is commonly supposed , but which is not perceived without difficulty : and it was so much the more strange in this subject , that the aqueous humour being very abundant , this membrane was not subject to contract by dryness . the vitreous humour was almost as fluid as the aqueous . the tapetum of the vuea was gilded through the middle as in the other lyon , but it had a verdure at the extremities , which we found not in the other , although we thought it was to be there , by reason that the ancients did call the eyes of lyons 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say , full of ornaments , because that they found that green eyes were most beautiful . the retina was white and opake enough , to make one think that it would hinder the reception of the species , if it is true that they do pass farther . the place where the sight is commonly made , was crossed by a vessel filled with bloud , which passed also into the optick nerves , where it made a ●…avitie , and seem'd to form that pore or ductus , with which some authors do think , that the optick nerves were pierced , to give passage to the spirits which are received into the brain . the observation of the vessels which are visible and in great abundance on the superficies of the parenchyma of the kidney , which is a thing extraordinary , affords us matter for two reflexions ; the first of which is , that these vessels , which are branches of the truncks of the arteriae and venae emulgentes , do easily discover to the eye , a truth which we have already found in some humane subjects , by the injection of milk into the vasa emulgentia , after the having taken from the kidney its proper membrane . this truth is that the branches of the emulgents do not terminate in the middle of the kidneys , as higmorus , following vasalius , has thought ; but that they are carryed to the external superficies : for the separation of the urine which must be done by filtration , requires that the blood be carryed thro' the arteries as far as is possible , to the end that it there find a greater thickness of the parenchyma of the kidneys to penetrate , and consequently more capable of making a more perfect filtration . the other reflection is , that those vessels , which are not generally visible in the kidney , whose substance appears solid and homogeneous , towards its external superficies , which was smooth and even , were found very apparent in this subject . and we thought it probable that this happened by some distemper , and was praeternatural in this animal : either by an inslammation , or obstruction , which had caused these vessels insensibly to dilate ; this being easie in a young animal , where the parts not yet hardened , are more easie to dilate , and the humours being more agitated are more capable of effecting this dilatation . glisson who has observed that oftentimes the branches of some vessels are bigger than the very trunck which produces them , says that this may be caused by a distemper : and experience daily demonstrates by the pulsation which happens in inflamations , by the glandes which appear in the scrofula , and by the veins which discover themselves in the eyes by the opthalmia , that there is a great many things which a distemper renders visible and sensible , by augmenting them , or changing their nature , and making them to become hard and dense , from soft and rare as they were . which we have observed in the glandes which in some gazellas , or antelopes , have seemed to make the parenchyma of their liver , which appeared not in others . we vainly sought in the stomach and lungs of our lyon , some marks of the cause of its death , which was told us happeened after the voiding a great deal of blood thro' the throat . but we judged by several circumstances , which have been related , that a surfeit extraordinary and insupportable to an animal otherwise weakened , had made him sick : for we know that sometime before his death , he was several months without going out of his den , and that it was hard to make him eat . that for this reason some remedies were prescribed to him , and amongst others the eating only the flesh of young animals , and those alive . and that those which look't to the beasts of the park of vincennes , to make this food more delicate did use a method very extraordinary ; which was , they flead lambs alive , and thus they made him to eat several ; which at the first revived him , by createing him an appetite , and making him brisk . but it is probable that this food ingendered too much blood , and which was too subtile for an animal to whom nature had not given the industry of fleaing those which he eat : it being credible that the hair , wooll , feathers , and scales which all animals of prey do swallow , are a seasoning , and necessary corrective , to prevent their greediness from filling them with a too succuleut food . the explanation of the figure of the lyonness . the posture is such , that it is easie to remark what is most particular in this lyonness . the head is side-wayes , the better to demonstrate the length of her chops , which was not short and well-set like the lyons . it do's likewise more distinctly shew the smallness of the neck , which made the head to be shrunk between the shoulders . in the parts which the dissection discovers . a. the pylorus . b. the bottom of stomach separated from the rest , and making as it were an other ventricle , such as is in animals which chew the cud. c c. the vena gastrica . d. the spleen . e e. the several eminencies towards the basis of the heart , composed of a hard and tenacious substance , which did not resemble fat. f. the trunk of the vena cava . g g. the trunck of the great arterie . h h. the vasa spermatica pr●…parantia . i i. the testicles . k k. two appendices , which appear to be the fringes of the tuba of the matrix . l. the matrix . m m. the cornua uteri . n. the neck of the matrix . o. the bladder . p p. the round ligaments of the matrix . q. the membrane which composes the iris , making several circular foulds . r. the place of the tunica conjunctiva , which is white . s. the place of the tunica conjunctiva , which is black . t. the membrane which makes the inward eye-lid . v v. the claw . x x x. the last bone , to which the claw is fastened . y. a cartilagineous and ligamentous substance , which is between the bone and the claw , and which fills the space which is between both . a b c. the matrix of a woman , in which , a , represents the fundus uteri . b c , and b c. the cavity which was in each of the horns . the anatomical description of a lyonness . besides the particular character of the sex of the lionness , which is to have no long hair about the neck , there are observed several others , which are , that she has a longer nose , a head flatter at top , and claws lesser than the lyon. this lyonness was three foot high from the end of the fore claws , to the ridge of the back . she was about five foot long , from the extremity of the nose to the beginning of the tail , which was two foot and a half long . the claws which were at the end , and divided into several fibres like those of lyons , have been observed in this subject with more care and exactness than in the others . it is observed that they are composed of a fibrous and very compact substance ; in respect of each fibre , but that these fibres are easily separable one from the other ; which happens , as it is easie to judge , for want of the moisture which should join , and glue them together ; even as it is seen in fibrous wood , which cleaves not so easily before it is dry . indeed this lyonness , which was extraordinary lean , had claws much easier to shoot out than the other lyons which were younger and fatter . thus the root of the claws , and the particular manner whereby we have found them fastened to the bones of the ends of the paws , has seemed to us to be principally to supply the humour which is necessary to these parts . for the claw was not immediately fastened to the bone by its whole root : but there was a part thereof viz. the inside which was hollow , which was not knitt to the bone . this inside was filled with a competent substance between the cartilage and ligament . this manner of connexion and fastening of these claws seem'd to us to afford what ever is requisite to their use : for if all the fibres , whereof these claws are composed , had taken rise immediately from the bone , they could not attract humidity enough to make that connection , which renders the claws solid : and if they had been all fastened to the bone by means of the ligaments , they would not have been so strongly joyned , as when they are soddered without any thing between . the conformation of the stomach was particular , and very different in this subject , from that which we have found in other lyons which we have dissected , where the stomach was like to that of doggs and catts , having an ample and large fundus towards the superiour orifice , which alwayes grew lesser and lesser towards the pylorus ; but this had the bottom parted in two in a manner like animals which chew the cud. this particular form of the ventricle was found only in one of the four animals of this kind which we dissected , viz. two lyons and two lyonesses : for in the two lyons , and the other lyoness , the stomach was like that of doggs . it is very true that the stomach of the first lyon had two protuberancies in its upper part ; but this was not considerable nor comparable to the division which made this stomach double , and separated into two cavities . the intestines contained in all twenty two foot four inches in length ; the rectum had but four inches , and the colon two foot . the colon had no little cells , but only a straiter part , which divided it as it were into two parts , one of which was a little longer than the other . the caecum was two inches long , and its fundus upwards ; and orifice downwards . the pancreas resembled that of doggs . the mesentery was covered with livid glands about the bigness of a pea , all of an oval figure . the vessels were very apparent , and greatly dilated , and especially the veins . there was very distinctly seen the venae lacteae , divided in different branches , by which the trunks were easily carryed to the pancreas assellii . the peluis of the kidneys was filled with a reddish glare , which might have caused a reflux of serossity , of which there was found a great deal in the lower venter and thorax . the bladder was so small , that tho' it was extended as much as it was possible by filling it with air , it was not bigger than one of the kidnys . aristotle and aelian do say that lyons do seldome drink . and albertus remarks , that lyonesses do not long suckle their whelps , for want of that abundance of moisture , which is necessary to the generation of milk. the liver had seven lobes , six great and one small one . one of the largest which are placed on the right side , was split in two , and dilated as it were to make room for the right kidney , which was higher than the left , as is usually in brutes . the gall-bladder was anfra●…tuous , and formed like several protuberances , as in the three other subjects . the spleen was long , and like a crescent . the branches of the vas breve , which fastened it to the bottom of the ventricle , were larger and more numerous than ordinary . the uterus was divided into two long cornua as in doggs . these cornua were tyed and fastened by large ligaments . at their extremity , adjoyning to and underneath the testicles , there were some appendices of an irregular form , and as it were torn at the end , which were thought to be ▪ the parts which modern anotimists do call the fringes of the tuba uteri in women : which seems to justifie and clear the antients from an errour whereof they were accused . for this demonstrates that they had some reason to think that the cornua uteri in brutes are the same thing with that called the tuba in women . for tho' the cornua of brutes be a hollow body , in which the conception and nourishment of their young ones use to be made , and that the tuba of women appears solid and without cavity , so that it is proper to receive the seed , and make the transcolation into the fundus uteri , by possessing the place of the prostatae , according to the opinion of gallen ; and that the conception be generally made in the fundus uteri ; yet it is very true to say that the structure and use of the tuba in women , and the cornua in brutes , have nothing essentially different ; seeing that as there are some examples of the conception made in the tuba , we have some observations which do manifest to us , that this tuba has sometimes also an evident cavity . we have here put the figure of the uterus of a woman , in which we found two apparent cavities , which made some windings eight lines long , and near two broad at their beginning , which from the fundus uteri did penetrate into the tuba . at the end of each of the cornua , a little below the testicle , there was a long body , of a nervous substance , which was taken for the ligamenta teretia : for it descended into the groyne , and was there dilated like a goose's foot as in women . it s original was only different in this , that in women these ligaments proceeded from the very body of the uterus , at the place where the tuba began , a good distance from the testicle . soranus writes , that he had seen in a woman this round ligament , which he calls the cremaster of the testicle of women , which was fastened near the testicle , even as we have observed in our lyonness . the mediastine was not pierced like a net as in the first lyon ; but its membrane was thick and continued . the lungs had seven lobes , three of each side and one in the middle ; those of the right side were larger than those of the left : the whole parenchyma of the lungs was scirrhous . the vena coronaria was very large ; but the heart was much less than in the two lyons which have been dissected . the inside of the left ventricle was scirrhous towards the mouth of the artery of the lungs ; and it seemed that the lungs had communicated this distemper to the heart . there were two polypus's , one in each ventricle of the heart . all the basis of the heart on the out side , was sirrounded with a flimy substance ; which formed several unequal protuberancies , instead of the fat which is commonly found in this place . the tongue was armed , as in the lyons , with great points like claws ; they were lesser , softer , and blunter . the ventricles of the brain were very large ; and the cavity where the falx enters , and which divides the cere●…rum in two , was likewise very deep , containing ten lines . the glandula pinealis was exceeding small , not exceeding a line . the christalline humour like as in lyons , was more convex before than behind ; which was not found in the other lyonness , where it was flat and more convex behind . the membrane , which is put into the bottom of the eye , and laid on the choroides , which we call the tapetum , was of an isabella colour , intermixt with a brisk greenish blew . it was easily separable from the choroides , which remained intire with its ordinary thickness , after that we had taken away the membrane which forms this tapetum . the optick nerve was near the axis of the eye . in it 's middle there was seen to appear a foramen , which disappear'd when the whole retina was layd on one side , and that it was not equally extended about the optick nerve on the concavitie of the choroides . the explication of the figure of the camelion . it is represented alive , perched on a tree somewhat crooked towards the side which it ascends , to discover as much as is possible , the top of the head , and bottom of the belly . in the parts which the dissection discovers . a. the gall-bladder . b. the left lo e of the liver . c c. the right . d. the oesophagus . e. the ventricle . f. the pylorus . g. the ductus cholidocus . h. the vena porta . i. the vena cava . k k k. the intestins . l m. a membrane which held all these parts linkt together and suspended . n. the first bone of the sternum . o. the left lobe of the liver . p. the upper part of the lungs blown up , and speckled with red spots . q q q. the rest of the lungs blown up . r. the aspera arteria tyed to keep the lungs blown up . s s. the os hyoides . t. the cartalaginous style , to which the trunk which sustains the tongue , is fastened . x x. the tongue . y. the trunck drawn up . z z. the kidneys . Γ Γ. the cornua uteri . Δ. the neck of the uterus . k k. the intestines . Θ Θ. the eyes . λ λ. the optick nerves . Π. the brain . we did not think that the skeleton needed any explication , by reason of the neatness of the figure , and the exactness wherewith it is described in the discourse . the anatomical description of a camelion there is scarce any animal more famous than the camelion , its admirable properties have ever been the subject as well of natural as moral philosophy . the changing of its colour , and the particular manner of feeding which is attributed to it , have in all ages given great admiration and exercise to those that do apply themselves to the knowledg of nature : and those wonders which naturalists have related of this inconsiderable animal , have made it to be the most famous symbole used in rhetorick and ethicks , to represent the base compliance of courtiers and flatterers , and the vanity wherewith simple and light minds do feed themselves . it s very name in tertullian is the subject of a serious meditation upon false-glory , and he proposes it as the example of the impudence of cheats and boasters . it is not known truly why the greeks have bestowed so fine a name , upon so vile and ugly a beast , by calling it the little-lyon , or dwarf-lyon according to isid●…re's etymology . gesner says , that it somewhat resembles the lyon , without mentioning wherein . panarolus would have it the tail which is crooked at the end , as he says , like the lyons : but the truth is , that neither the camelion nor the lyon have a crooked tail. it would be more probable to place the resemblance on the crest , which they both have on the top of the head , which makes a kind of casque : but it appears on the lyons head only , when the fle●…h of the musculi crotophitae is cutt off , licetus thinks that this name was given it , because as the ▪ lyon hunts and devours other animals , so the camelion catches flies ; by the same reason that a little worm which hunts and takes ants , as albertus hath described , is called formicaleon ; and that a little lobster , as pliny and athenaus report , is named lyon , because it is of the same colour . the camelion is of the kinde of four-footed beasts , which do lay eggs , as the crocodile , and lizard , which it sufficiently resembles , save that its head and back is not flat like the lizards , who has likewise much shorter leggs , with which it cr●…wls very fast along the ground : whereas the camelion has longer leggs , and goes easily only upon trees , where it delights it self much more than on the ground ; because , that as it is sayd , it fears the serpents , from which it cannot secure it selfe by flight , and that from thence it spies them , watching the opportunity when they do pass , or sleep under him , to kill them with his foam which he lets fall upon them . belonius has observed two species of camelions , one whereof is found in arabia , the other in aegypt . faber lynceus adds a third , which is in mexico . that which we describe is the aegyptian one ; which is the greatest of all : for those of arabia and mexico , are not ordinarily more then six inches long , and ours which was brought us alive was in all , comprehending the tail , eleven inches and a half in length ; pliny is greatly mistaken , when he makes the camelion as big as the crocodile , which is the biggest of all animals : or if he intends to compare it to the land crocodile , he deceives his reader , for that is less known than the camelion , and whereof no body has spoken but himself , or upon his report . salmasius attributes this fault to the ill translation which pliny has made of the book , which democritus writ of the camelion ; in which , according to the ionick dialect , the crocodile is called by the name which commonly signifies the lizard . the head of ours was an inch and ten lines ; from the head to the beginning of the tail , it was four inches and a half ; the tail was five ; and the feet were each two inches and a half long . the bulk of the body was found different at several times : for sometimes it was two inches from the back unto the under part of the belly ; at other times it was scarce above an inch , according as it swelled or contracted it self ; this swelling and this contracting was not only in the thorax and belly , but it reached even to its fore and hind-legs , and its tail. this particular circumstance , which aristotle has observed , makes us to think upon what theophrastes says of the camelions lungs , viz. that they do extend thro' the whole body . now these contrary motions of swelling and contracting are not done as in other creatures , when to breath they dilate their breast , and presently contract it successively and orderly ; for we have seen it puft up above two hours , during which time it abated a little , but very impreceptibly , and swelled again a little , but with this difference , that the dilatation was more suddain and visible , and that by long and unequal intervals . we have likewise seen it continue unswelled for a long space , and much longer than swelled . in this condition it appeared so lean , that the spine was sharp , as if by the extenuation of the muscles which are without along the vertebrae , the skin was fastened upon the spinous and oblique apophyses ; which discovered three eminencies . the ribbs might be counted , and the tendons of the fore and hind-legs appeared very distinctly to the eye ; but neither the vertebrae , like a saw , which gesner and landius , do in scaliger report were seen on the back , nor the pricks which panarolus saith were placed there by nature for its defence , appeared to us : how lean soever it grew , it s back only remained sharp and keen , without being jagged or having any points ; the apophyses of the spine being square at the end , as in the generality of animals . this lankness was known likewise when it turned its body ; for it seemed like an empty sack that is twisted ; which tertullian , who was of the same country with our camelion , had very well observed , when he says , that this animal was but a living skin . this skin was very cold to the touch ; and notwithstanding the great lankness i have been describing , it was impossible to feel the beating of the heart , which was more secret and obscure than the motion of its breathing . the superficies of the skin was uneven , and raised in little eminencies like chagrine , being nevertheless very soft to the touch , because that every eminence was very smooth : these eminencies or grains were of a different size ; the greatest part were like the head of a middle-sized pinn , viz. the grains which covered the fore and hind-leggs , the belly and tail : there were others somewhat bigger , of an oval shape , upon the shoulders and head ; and some of these large grains were higher and more pointed , to witt , under the throat , where they made a row like beads , which reached from the lower lipp to the breast : the grains which were upon the back and head , were joyned and heaped together , sometimes to the number of seven , sometimes six , five , four , three and two ; leaving between these different heaps , some distances covered with other little grains almost imperceptible , which were generally of a pale red , and yellowish like the bottom of the skin which appeared between these parcels of grains . this ground changed not colour till the animal was dead , at which time the little points grew whiteish , and the ground whereon they were sowed , changed its red into a dark-gray . it has been since found , that all these grains , as well the great as the little ones , were made by the skin which swelled outward , being hollow on the inside in the place of every grain , like plates of metal which are chaced or stamped ; in part also thro' several little pellicles very slender , and lying one upon another , which increased the thickness of every eminence ; which were easily raised , when they were scraped with a penn-knife . but all this would not make the skin resemble that of a crocodile , as aristotle with most authors would have it . for the crocodile has upon its back , very large thick scales , proportionable to those under its belly ; and they are ranged one upon another ; whereas the eminencies of the camelion's skin , are spread without order , and little differing in size . the colour of all the eminences of our camelion when it was at rest in the shade , and had continued a long time untoucht , was a blewish-gray , excepting under the paws , which was a white inclining to yellow , and the interval of the heap of grains , which was of a pale and yellowish red , as aforesaid : and it is probable , that the natural colour of the camelion's skin , which according to aristotle is black , was in ours that gray which covered the skin all over when in repose , and which remained on the inside of the skin when excoriated : though the out-side had sometime after its death preserved , the spots and different colours which were there at the minute it expired , but which were well near all obscured when the skin was dryed . now this gray which coloured all the camelion exposed to the light , changed when in the sun ; and all the places of its body which were inlightened , instead of their blewish colour , took up a brownish gray , inclining to a minime . the rest of the skin which was not illuminated by the sun , changed its gray into several brisk shining colours , which made spots about half a finger in bigness , which reached from the crest of the spine to the middle of the back ; others appeared likewise upon the ribbs , fore-leggs and tail. all these spots were of an isabella colour , through the mixture of a pale yellow , wherewith the grains were coloured , and of a brisk red , which is the colour of the bottom of the skin which appears amongst the grains . the rest of this skin not enlightened by the sun , and which was of a paler gray than ordinary , resembleing cloth made of mixt-coloured wooll : for some of the grains were seen of a gray somewhat greenish , others of a minime gray , othrs of the common blewish gray , the ground remaining as before . when the sun did not shine , the first gray came again by little and little , and spread it self all over the body , except under the feet , which continued of the same colour , but a little browner . and when being in this state , some of the company handled it to observe something , there immediately appeared on its shoulders , and fore-leggs , several very blackish spotts about the bigness of one's nail ; which happened not when it was handled by those that lookt after it : sometimes it was marked with brown spotts , which inclined to a green. we afterwards wrapped it up in a linnen cloath , where having been two or three minutes , we took it out whiteish ; but not so white as that of which aldrovandus speaks , which was not to be seen , by becoming exactly like the linnen on which it was layed . ours , which had only changed its ordinary gray into a very pale one , after having kept this colour sometime , lost it insensibly . this experiment makes us question if it be true , that the camelion takes all colours except white , as theophrastus and plutrach report : for ours seemed to have such a disposition to receive this colour , that it waxed pale every night ; and when it was dead , it had more white than any other colour . we did not find likewise that it changed colour all over the body , as aristotle reports : for when it takes other colours than its gray , and disguises it self to go in masquerade , as aelian say's pleasantly , it covers only certain parts of its body therewith . lastly , to conclude the experiment of the colours which the camelion can take , it was lay'd on things of various colours , and wrapped up there in ; but it took not them , as it had done the white ; and it took that only the first time it was made , although it was several times repeated on different 〈◊〉 . in makeing these experiments , we observed that there were a great many places of its skin which grew brown , but very little at any time . to be more certain thereof , we marked with little points of ink those graines which to us appeared most white when it waxed pale ; and we always found that when it grew brownest , and its skin spotted , those grains which we had marked were alwayes less brown than the rest . it s head resembled that of a fish , being very closely joyned to the breast , and by a very short neck , which was covered on the sides , with two cartilagineous risings , which resembled the gills of fish. there was a crest erected just upon the crown of the head , and two other crests over the eyes , turned like an s longways . between these three crests there were two cavitys along the upper part of the head. it s nose made an obtuse point ; and there were two edges which reached from the ●…ye-brows to the end of the nose , and which made it to resemble that of a frogg . aristotle says that it is like to the choeropithecus , which is an unknown animal , the name whereof shews its derivation to be from an ap●… and hog : but the nose of our camelion resembled neither that of the ape , nor of the hog : for the lower jaw stands out farther than the upper , which is quite different from the snout of a hog . at the end of the nose there was a hole on each side like a nostril . belonius seems to be of opinion that these holes do likewise serve for the hearing ; and that so rationally , that alcmaeon sayd , by the report of aristotle , that goats do breath through the ears , which is a thing aelian says , ought to be believed only by the goat-heards , altho' tulpius in his observations assures us , that in man himself there is found a passage which conveys the air into the mouth thro' the ears . the truth is , that our camelion had no other holes in the head but these two nostrils , through which it is probable it breaths , because that its mouth is commonly so closely shut , that it seems to have none , it s two jaws being joyned by an almost unperceivable line , altho' solinus writes that its mouth is always open : which may make us to think that solinus , and the genrality of those which have described the camelion , never saw one alive ; for they do make the mouth open , which is not usual but 〈◊〉 it is dead . these jaws are furnished with teeth , or rather with a dentillated or indented bone , which to us appeared not at all serviceable to it in eating ; because that it swallowed the flyes , and other insects which it catched , without chewing them . aelian says that it defends it self against the serpent , by the help of a great stick which it takes in its mouth ; and its probable that its teeth may serve to hold it fast ; but it is to be understood that it holds it cross-wise , to hinder the serpent from swallowing him up , as it usually do's frogs and lizards , whole : for there is no possibility of explaining this place of aelian as gesner and aldrovandus do , who think that the camelion makes use of this stick as of a buckler or sword wherewith it defends it self against the serpent , as a fencer would do ; for it is not nimble enough for that . the mouth was slit after a peculiar manner : for whereas other animals have generally the opening of the lips , much less than that of the jaws ; the lips of our camelion were slit beyond the jaw the length of two lines , and this continuation of the slit descended obliquely downwards . the form , structure , and motion of its eyes had something very peculiar . they were very large , containing above five lines in diameter . they appeared sphaerical , jutting out full half of their ball , which was covered with one single eye-lid made like a cap pierced with a hole through the middle , this hole not exceeding one line in breadth . through this little hole the pupilla which was brisk and clear , and surrounded as it were with a little golden circle , was easily enough perceived , although aristotle say's that this circle cannot be discerned till after that the eye-lid be taken away by dissection . this eye-lid was rough like the rest of the skin ; and when the body variegated it self into several colours , making spots which were at different times of different figures , those of the eye always remained of the same sort ; for the barrs or streaks tinged with that colour which came over the rest of the body , parted from the hole of the eye-lidd as from a center , and were extended towards the circumference like rays . the forepart of the eye was fastened to the lid , which neither raised nor shut down it self as in other creatures , who can give their eye-lid a different motion from that of the eye , for that of our camelion could not remove it self , but the eye-lidd followed its motion . which pliny seems to express , but very improperly , when he says that the sight or pupilla of the camelio stirs not , but that it is the whole eye which moves ; for there is no creature that stirrs the prunella when all the rest of the eye stands still . but what is more extraordinary in this motion , is to see one of the eyes move whilst the other remains immoveable , and the one to turn forward , at the same time that the other looks behind ; the one to look up to the skie , when the other is fixed on the ground : and all these motions to be so extream , that they do carry the pupilla under the crest which makes the eye-brow , and so far into the canthi or corners of the eye , that the sight can discer●… whatever is done justly behind and directly before , without turning the head which is fastened to the shoulders . aristotle , who has described the camelion more exactly than any other animal , has omitted this particular circumstance of this extraordinary motion of the eyes , which in truth is not found in the mexican camelion : but it is probable that is not that which aristotle has described . he has not also observed that this little hole of the eye-lidd closes by enlarging it self cross-wise , even to the making one single slitt , which very exactly unites the upper part with the lower ; for he says that the sides of that hole do never joyn together to close the eye . pliny and solinus do likewise averr the same thing , and almost all naturalists , who have only seen camelions in the books of these authors . that part of the body which is called the trunck , and which comprehends the thorax and belly , was in our camelion a thorax alone , with scarce any belly ; which aristotle hath better observed than pliny , who say's that the camelion's breast is joyned to its belly ; for that is not peculiar to it , being so in all animals , which have nothing between the breast and belly . but when aristotle say's , that the camelion's breast as in fish , is joyned to the hypogastrium , which is the lower belly , he clearly shews that the ribbs do descend as low as the ilia , whereas other animals have only the transverse apophyses of the loyns , the rest being bone-less , and therefore by hippocrates called void . it s four feet were alike . they differed only in this that the foremost were bent backwards , and the hindmost forwards , and it may be said that these are four arms which have their four elbows bending inwards , every one consisting as it were of a humerus , articulated with two bones like to a radius and cubitus . solinus is mistaken , when he says that the camelion's feet are joyned to the belly ; for in ours those behind were articulated with the os ischium , and those before were fastened to the omoplatae . the four paws were every one composed of five claws , and better resembled hands than feet . they , as well those before as behind , were divided in two ; which made as it were two hands to each arm , and two feet to each leg : for though one of these parts had but two claws , and the other three , yet they were as large as one another , the claws , which were two and two being larger than those which were three and three . these claws were closed together under one skin as in a mittin , and were divided only in the last joynt , to which the nails are fastened . the disposition of these paws was different , in that those that were before had two claws outwards and three inwards , contrary to those behind , which had three outwards and two inwards . with these paws it caught hold on the little branches of trees like a parrot , which to pearch it self , divides its claws different from other birds , who do always put three before and one behind , whereas the parrot puts two behind as well as before . the claws which were a little crooked , and very sharp , and of a pale yellow , proceeded but half way out of the skin ; the other half was covered and hidden underneath : they were in all two lines and a half long . it s tail well enough resembled that of a viper , as pliny observes , or that of a great rat ; which marmol , who has writ the history of africa in spanish , seems to intimate ; when he compares this tail with that of a mole , because that the small resemblance that there is between the tail of a camelion , and that of a mole , must make us to think that marmol , according to the custome of the generality , of those who publish the relations of what they have seen in forreign countries , has without distinction intermixt what he hath read , with what he hath seen ; and that he has taken what he speaks of the camelion's tail , out of some italian author , because that topo which in spanish signifies a mole , does in the italian signify a rat. but the tail of our camelion was neither like to a vipers or rats , save when its swelling made it round ; for otherwise it had all along the three eminencies which are seen upon the back , as aforesaid , which are the rows of the spinous , and oblique apophyses of the vertebrae : besides these it had likewise two other rows made by the transverse apophyses . it always wound this tail about the branches , and it served him instead of a fifth hand . when it walked it very rarely suffered it to trail on the ground , but kept it parallel to the places where it went. it s pace was slower than that of a tortoise , and seemed very ridiculous , in that its leggs being not short , and incumbred like those of the tortoise , but very looss and free , it carryed them with a kind of gravity which seemed affected , because needless . wherefore tertullian saith , that one would think that the camelion rather made as if it would walk than that it really did . some do think that this gate is a mark of the timerousness , which is said to be very extream in this animal . but because it is certain that fear , when it is not great enough wholly to take away motion , adds great strength to that of the leggs ; into which it is beleived that it makes all the heat and vigour , which has left the heart to descend . it is much more probable that this slowness is the effect of a great praecaution , which makes it to act circumspectly . for it seems that the camelion chuses out places where it can best sett its feet ; and when it climbs up trees it trusts not to its claws , tho' they are much sharper than those of squirrels which do every where climb up so lightly : but if it cannot grasp the branches by reason of their bigness , it seeks out the clefts or cracks which are in the bark , to fasten its claws therein . having opened our camelion after it was dead , we found , when the skin which covered the thorax and belly , was pulled off , that there was nothing underneath but membranes which joyned the ribbs together , and which were in the place of the musculi intercostales . these membranes which were so transparent , that the intrails might be seen through , were died green on the liver . the belly being cut through the middle up to the cartilago xiphoides , the liver offered it selfe , out of which the gall bladder proceeded so as to touch the short ribs ; so we do call the ribs which are not joyned to the sternum , and which are after a particular manner in the camelion , as hereafter shall be explained . we found the vesicle between the lobes ; though belonius placeth it in the left lobe : it was a bout the bigness of a pea , almost round , of a dark green. its neck produced the ductus cholido●…us , which was inserted underneath the pylorus . the liver which was of a dark red , and of a pretty firm parenchyma , in which several cavities or passages might easily be discerned , was divided into two lobes , whereof the right appeared somewhat larger than the left. the ventricle lay under the liver , and seemed to be only the continuation of the oesophagus , which enlarged it selfe a little in the belly , along which it descended strait enough , and was only a little bended towards the pylorus , where it was contracted ; and there its membranes were very hard . we wondered how so strait a passage made by so hard a membrane , could give way to the flyes , which were whole in the intestines , and our opinion was , that it must be that the pylorus was capable of a distention like to that of the internal orifice of the uterus . this ventricle was of the same substance and colour as the oesophagus , both being composed of white , and not transparent membranes , as were all the rest that were found in the belly . the oesophagus and ventricle were together three inches and a half long . at the passage out of the pylorus the intestine was enlarged , and grew bigger than the ventricle , making three turnings one on the right side of the pylorus , the second at the bottom of the belly , where being descended , it rose again towards the ventricle , where it made the third winding to re-descend towards the anus . the length of this whole intestine was seven inches , and it kept the same bigness to the end . it was very black all over , and one might see certain membranes where with it was fastened , which were the mesentery , in which were likewise observed vessels full of blood. there were also white fi●…res like the venae lacteae ; and this membrane of the mesentery which was very transparent , had in its middle a piece which grew thick and opake , as it were to make the pancreas asellianum , or receptaculum pecquetianum . though it was impossible to get together the branches of the blood-vessels spread in this mesentery , and to trace them to their trunk , yet there was seen one which was judged to be that of the vena porta . the vena cava was likewise found under the liver , lying upon the vertebrae , and full of very black blood. there was no appearance of the spleen : which agrees with what authors averr of the camelion . they do say likewise that it hath no kidneys : however we found , that our's had two fleshy parts lying all along the two sides of the spine , in the region of the loyns and the os sacrum , which we took for the kidnyes : these fleshy parts were easily seperated from that place on which they were fastened , that they could not be taken for the musculi psoae ; and they were firmly fixed only at the place , where the end of the intestine joyned it self to the beginning of the uterus . this particular circumstance made g●…ssendus to believe that these fleshy parts , whereof he speaks in the life of mr. pier●…sk , who had the curiosity to keep camelions , might be the testicles . they were about an inch long , near two lines broad about the middle ; and they went sloping to the end , making the figure of a lancet . they were about the thickness of two thirds of a line . their parenchyma was of a pale red very solid , and watered within with store of serositie ; which made us to take them rather for the kidneys than testicles : and that which strengthened and confirmed this opinion , was a cavity each of them had in its middle , according to their length , formed of a very hard membrane , which might pass for the pelvis of the kidney . malpighius has observed the like passages in the kidney's of birds , which yet harvey saith are solid , and without any cavity . the uterus had a passage which came out at the anus . this passage or neck of the uterus was placed on these fleshy parts , which we thought to be the kidneys , and under the extremity of the intestine as in birds , and wholly contrary to what is usual in other animals , where the intestine is upon the os sacrum , and the bladder above the neck of the uterus . this uterus was as in beasts composed of two horns , which came out of its neck , and extended three inches and a half in length , and returned to the same place , making as it were two anses or handles when they were drawn from within the region of the ilia , where they were folded up . they were not above a line broad , and in several places less , where they contracted themselves , making as it were knots : but we found no eggs neither in their cavity , nor in the annexed membranes , called the ovarium . the generality of all these parts , viz. the liver , ventricle , and intestines , were upheld and suspended by a strong membrane or ligament , which like the mediastinum , descended from the region of the cartilago xiphoides to the lower part of the belly . there were also such like membranes , which from the same cartilage were extended on the right and left side , which were that which harvey takes for the diaphragme in birds , and which fabricius denys to be a di●…phragme , because that they are not musculous . and indeed these membranes were transparent , having no fleshy substance , they were only double , and ●…oyned to several others differently figured , as it appeared when having blowed into the aspera arteria , both the great vacuities on the right and left side of the bowels , which hung in the middle , were suddainly filled by the swelling of those membranes , which were not discerned before it was blown ; and this swelling did not only fill these cavities , but it did thrust out on both sides some productions resembling the bladder of a carp ; some about the length and bigness of ones finger , others much less , and from the great ones proceeded other lesser productions . in the middle of these two great heaps of different productions of bladders , which represented the right and left lungs , there likewise arose one single bladder , which seemed to supply the place of the little lobe , which in a great many animals is found in the middle of the breast , in the cavity of the mediastinum . these membranes thus extended by air were white , and somewhat transparent , and appeared very curious ; but they were strengthened by fibres , inter-woven like nets . when we ceased to blow , all these membranes falling down and lying upon one another , caused all these bladders to disappear , which indeed are nothing else but the processus of the lungs . gesner saith , that of the intrails of a camelion , the lungs only are visible . but aristotle has more truly observed , that quadrupeds which lay eggs , have lungs almost invisible ▪ if they are not blown into to swell them . indeed , whatever appeared in the place where the lungs ought to be was , before it was extended by blowing , but like two little pieces of rose-coloured flesh , about the bigness of a bean , situated on each side the heart ; which made panarolus to say , that the camelion has little lungs . but these little pieces of flesh were not all the lungs ; they could be taken only for the membranes of the upper part of the lungs plaited and heaped together ; which in this place were interspersed with small red eminences , which when the wind dilated these membranes , appeared all over the extent of their superfices ; and when the membranes subsided these little red eeminences approaching one another , caused again this appearance of flesh , which was no spongious substance , as panarolus would have it , but only a heap of contiguous membranes . the aspera arteria was very short , composed , as is usually , of annulary cartilages . it had a larynx at its beginning , made up as it were of two epiglottides , which shut the opening or chink , making a kind of glottis , which was a transverse slit , and not upright as it is in animals that have some kind of voice , of which our camelion was wholly destitute . the heart was very little , not exceeding three lines in length . it s point appeared as if it were cut off . the auricles of the heart were very large , especially the left , and somewhat redder than the heart , which was very pale . the vessels about the heart were very full of blood. the brain was found so little , that it was hardly above a line diameter , and was not twice as large as the spinal marrow , which was very white , the brain being of a reddish-gray . the optick nerves were not so short , that the brain should be continued and fastened to the eyes , as aristotle describes them . they were not likewise as panarolus represents them , who sayth , that they do proceed separately from the brain , but do not joyn again ; for there were two eminences in the brain , which were the origine and first part of the optick nerves ; and these eminencies after joyning , separated into two strings eight lines long a piece , and inserted into the ball of the eye out of its axis , as is usual . this globe was covered with a tuni●…a conjunctiva ; underneath which was the insertion of the muscles of the eye , which were not fibrous as panarolus saith , nor of little pullies , as johnson would have it ; but a true musculous flesh. over the whole tunica conjunctiva , was an orbicular muscle which fastened the lidd to the eye , to which it was so adherent , that it served to give the same motion to the lidd as to the eye . it s particular action was to close the little round hole of the lidd : this muscle being raised , the iris was seen intire , which iohnston saith the camelion wants . it was of an isabella colour , incompassed at its interior edge with a little golden circle , which has already been mentioned . the cornea was very small , the fore-part of the sclerotica very thick and hard , and the hinder part very thin . the choroides black under the iris , and blewish in the bottom ; the retina very thick and somewhat reddish ; the humours all aqueous , so that it was impossible to didistinguish them ; the crystallinus it self seem'd to be confounded with the other humours . near the place through which the optick nerves do enter into the orbitae or eye-holes , several very fine fibres of nerves did likewise enter , and passing into the vacuity which is in the middle of the orbitae , did penitrate into a great sinus which was in the upper iax-bone where are the holes of the nostrils . this sinus was full of hard , fibrous , and very red flesh , through which the passages of the nostrils did go ; these passages being made thro' a very hard yellow membrane ; they were oblique , ascending all the way from the hole of the nostril into the sinus , and afterwards they descended into the palate , which by a very hard membranous production , covered the extremity of each passage , in which we found nothing that could carry the air towards any organ for the sense of hearing . aristotle has observed , that the generality of fish do hear , though they have no conveyance for the hearing ; but we have found neither any passages for sound , nor any sign in the carriage of our camelion , which could make us to think that it had the sense of hearing : so that it is a true saying , that it is an animal , that neither receives nor makes any noise . the nerves which proceed from the spinal marrow were easily seen when the intrails were taken away . they proceeded after the usual manner , from the vertebrae , and some of those which were d●…stributed into the fore-leggs came out from the superiour vertebrae of the thorax , because that the vertebrae of the neck which is very short , could not sufficiently afford them . they entered into the capacity of the thorax three on each side , which first united , and being afterwards divided , returned towards the om●…platae . those designed for the moving of the hind-legs , did after the same manner enter in at the sides of the os sacrum , were united , and afterwards divided to distribute themselves into the leggs . between every rib there was one , which proceeding from the lower part of these verte●…rae , at the top whereof the rib is articulated , went cross-wise obliquely ascending towards the ribs , and accompanyed them to the end . aristotle says that the camelion hath no flesh but on the jaws , and at the beginning of the tail : ours had all over the body , except underneath the thorax and belly , where instead of the musculi intercostales , and those of the abdomen , there was only transparent membranes , but double and fibrous , which were thought capable of assisting the motion which the ribs ought to have for the respiration of the camelion , which is very slow ; the principal organ of this motion of the ribs , being a fleshy part which descended on both sides of the back-bone , near their articulation , which might be the musculus sacrolumbus . all the back-bone , tail , upper part of the thorax , the fore and hind-legs were furnished with musculous , red , fibrous flesh , whose white and silver-colour'd tendons were so visible , that it would have been very easy to have made a muscular dissection thereof ; all these muscles being without fatt , of which we found no appearance in all the animal , unless one might take for fatt , four or five little grains like to millet , which were fastened to the membranes , and filled the intervals of the ribs : but the smallness of this subject , which made it to dry speedily , hindred us from making our observations so particularly as it deserves . the last observation which we made , but which is not the least considerable , was upon its tongue , the make and use of which is very extraordinary . we found that it was composed of a white flesh very solid , ten lines long , three broad , round , and a little flattish towards the end : it was hollow and open at the end like a sack , somewhat like the end of an elephants pro●…oscis . this tongue was fastened to the os hyoides , by the means of a sort of trunk like a gut , six inches long , and a line broad , having a membrane without and a nervous substance within . the membrane was covered with spots all along as if it had been imbued on the inside with a blackish extravassated blood , unequally collected in several places . the nervous substance in the middle was solid and compact , although very soft , and was not easily divided into strings like the nerves which proceed from the spinal marrow . this trunk served to cast out the tongue which was fastened to it , by extending it , and to draw it back by contracting it self ; and it was our opinion that when it shortened it self , it must be , that the membrane which covered it had a stylus of a cartilagineous substance , very fine and smooth , inserted into it , to the end of which the trunck was fastened , and on which its membrane was plaited like a silk-stocking on the leg : for we could not certainly understand how this tongue could otherwise be retracted . this stylus , which was an inch long , took its original from the middle of the basis of os hyoides , as it is found in the tongue of several birds . the tongue was endowed with store of apparent vessels , by reason of the blood which was there in great abundance , as in all the rest of the body : which made us wonder why aristotle said that the camelion has no blood but about the heart and eyes ; and that the generality of the moderns do place it among those animals that have little blood. it is probable that it was not the small esteem which the antients made of the particularities of this tongue , which hindered them from speaking thereof ; and that if they had seen to what purpose the camelion uses it , they could not think that it liv'd by the air alone : for this tongue serves it for the catching of the animals whereon it lives ; and it is a very surprising thing to us to see the swiftness wherewith it darts this tongue at a fly , and with which it draws it back again into its mouth with the prey , which it is said that it never fayls to catch by the means of a natural glue which its tongue incessantly sweats forth , as we have observed , and which gathers together and thickens in its cavitie , which penetrates not into the trunk to which this tongue is fastened : so that to swallow what it has glued at the end of its tongue , it is necessary that there be a kind of peristaltick action performed by the tongue , whose parts successively joyned and pressed against the palate , do there cause to run into the throat whatever it has to swallow . the abundance of wrinkles which we saw run a cross on the extremitie of this tongue made us to be of opinion that it must be so done . nevertheless marmol , who say's that he has seen a great many live camelions , with a design to explain himself upon this particular use of their tongue , asserts that it serves them not to catch insects , and that whatever he has observed of this animal could not make him to alter his opinion , that its only nourishment is the air and the beams of the sun. yet we have found its ventricle and intestines filled with flys and wormes , having seen it swallow them after the manner aforesaid . we have likewise observed that the excrements that it voided almost every day were mixed with store of yellow and greenish choler , and such as they are in animals which do live in something else besides air : which nidermayer , physitian to the landgrave of hessen , who in the year . brought a live camelion from malta into germany , hath already observed . our's did many times void stones about the bigness of a pea ; which it had not swallowed , but which were ingendred in its intestines , as we discovered after a curious examination : for it was found that these stones were so light , that being put into distilled vinegar , they rose from the bottom of the vessel when stirred ; that they did there dissolve , and that one of them which cleft contained in its middle the head of a fly , about which the stony matter was amassed . this made us to think that the lienteria which panar●…lus reports , to be perpetual in the camelion , was not the distemper of our's ; seeing that retaining the useful things , it rejected those only which were superfluous , and not fit to be kept . it is true indeed that it voided flyes . which appeared almost as intire as it had taken them ; but it is known that this happens to serpents , which do evacuate animals whole as they have swallowed them : and every body know's that the manner of drawing the nutritive juice from the food , is different in different creatures ; that some must dissolve what they eat ; and therefore they do first chew it , and afterwards reduce it into liquor in their stomach ; that others , who swallow without chewing , have a heat and spirits powerful enough to extract the juice they have need of , without breaking that which contains it , even as it is seen that the juice of the grapes is drawn as well from the rape , where the stones remaine whole , as from a vat wherein they are bruised . by these observations we thought there was not less reason to doubt of the truth of the proposition , which the ancients had started touching the aerial nourishment of the camelion , than we have had to reject that which they had establish't touching the changeing of colour which they have said happens to it by the touching of the different things which it approaches , after having observed , that except the white which our camelion took in a linnen cloath , all the other colours , wherewith it was covered , proceeded not from the things which it touched . and it is rational to think , that the white which it received in a cold linnen cloath where it was kept some time as under a cloak , was an effect of the cold which generally made it grow pale , because that very day was the coldest of all those whereon we observed it . and to the end that naturalists and those which study morality may not be troubled for curious subjects to exercise their philosophy , which they thought to have found in the extraordinary particulars , which the antients had left in writing concerning the wonders of the camelions nourishment and change of colour , we do think that the new observations of the motion of its eyes , and that of its tongue , and the manner of changeing colour according to its passions , are altogether as capable of imploying their witt. for to demonstrate that flatterers want sincerity , and that vain and ambitious spirits feed on chimaera's ; it is not necessary to be true that the camelion takes all colours but white , and that it lives only on air : and one may find as much ground , but with more truth , to moralize on this , that the camelion , which is without ears , and almost without motion in most of its parts , hath nimbleness only in the tongue , which lets nothing escape it , and in the eyes which can see all ways at once . naturalists will likewise have a great deal to do , before that they have clearly domonstrated from whence proceeds the necessity which nature has imposed on all other animals of moveing both eyes together after one manner . for the camelion shews that it is not the joyning of the optick nerves , which causes this necessity , as many were of opinion . they will also have trouble enough to tell what power do's so far push out , and almost at the same instant draw back this tongue , and even to produce instances like it . for the moveing of the muscles , which is attributed to the different position of their fibres which makes them contract and extend , is nothing proportionable to the quickness of the motion of this tongue , nor to the greatness of the space which it runs through . for when our hand is carryed swiftly for the space of seven inches , which is what we have observed the camelions tongue to move , the contracting of the muscles which gives this motion to the hand , do's never exceed the length of two lines , that is to say the fortieth part of the contraction of this tongue , and though , there be some colour to say that it is thrust out , and if i may so say , spitt out by the effort of the wind wherewith the lungs are swelled , and that it is drawn back by the nerve which is in the middle of the trunck , which having been stretcht out by this effort , makes it to return back to its first state , and sudainly draws in the tongue . there is yet this difficulty , that this cannot be performed without a great deal of noise and we have observthat this darting out of the tongue causeth not the least . it is likewise a very difficult thing to imagine , what becomes of this nervous substance which fills the middle of the trunck to which its tongue is fastened , and where it can dispose it selfe when it is drawn into the mouth . for when it is there , the root of the tongue do's almost touch the extremity of the cartilaginous stylus , on which supposing the membrane of the trunck to be folded and drawn on , as has been said , that nerve cannot be drawn on after the same manner , by reason that it is too solid and compact ; and this solidity hinders us also from thinking that it shrinks , and as it were enters into it self to retire from the six inches in length , which it has when extended , to that of a line , to which it is reduced being contracted . it cannot be said that it bends like the neck of a tortoise , when it draws its head into its shell , because that this bending is performed by the assistance of divers muscles , which do bend this neck composed of several vertebrae , and that such organs are not found in the camelion's tongue . the tongue which the wood-pecker shoots out a great way beyond its beak , has organs also , whose substance is much fitter for this action , than that of the trunk of the camelion ; for there are very long muscles , bending over the head , which consisting of fleshy parts , have an aptitude to extend and contract themselves , which in their great length may produce a considerable extension and contraction . so that we may say , that this so strange a motion of the camelions tongue , do's somewhat resemble that of the horns of a snail , and that so great a length as this is reduced almost to nothing in this trunck , by the increase of its thickness , and by a great dilatation , caused by the powerful and suddain rarefaction of the black and thick blood , which appears unequally dispersed through the whole length of the trunck . yet that do's not sufficiently explain the thing , because that if the rarefaction causeth the dilatation which makes the contraction ; it cannot afterwards produce the extension in the same organe ; and it is to be supposed that the extension proceeds from the rarefaction which is made in one of the two parts of which this trunck is composed , viz. in the nerve which is in the middle , and that the contraction happens when the rarefaction is made in the other part viz. in the membrane which is without it , by means of a different situation of the fibres in the one and other of these parts : so as it is probable that the extending and contracting of the tongue of other animals is performed . but the bigness and fleshy substance of other tongues are dispositions to perform these actions , which are wholly wanting in that of a camelion , although this effects them with incomparably more force ; which makes that motion marvelous , and difficult to comprehend . but above all the change of colour will a long time detain the curious before they will discover the cause , and be able to determine whether it is done by reflexion , as solinus thinks ; or by suffusion , as seneca is of opinion ; or by the change of the dispositions of the particles which do compose its skin , according to the doctrine of the cartesians . yet it is true that the suffusion is most easie to comprehend , especially to those who shall have observed that the skin of the camelion has a natural colour , which is a blewish gray , which was seen on the inside when it was flea'd ; that there was easily taken away a great number of little pellicles from above each of the eminencies , which are the only parts of the skin which do change colour ; and that these thin skins are separated , or easily separable one from another , whereas those which do compose the rest of the skin , are exactly fastened together . for these things having been observed , there will be found some probability to think that choler wherewith this animal abounds , being conveyed to the skin by the motion of the passions , may creep between these skins , and that according as the choler enters under a pellicle nearer , or more remote from the exteriour superficies of the eminencies , it dy's them yellow or green : for it is seen by experience that yellow mixt with a blewish gray makes a kind of green ; so that it is easie to imagine that the same choler spread under a very thin pellicle may make it appear yellow , and that being under a thicker skin it mingles its yellow with the blewish-gray of this skin , to produce a greenish-gray , which with the yellow are the two colours that the camelion takes when it is in the sun , where it delights its self : for when it is moved by things which disturb it , it is not strange that the black , and adust humour which is in the blood , being carryed to the skin , should there produce the brown spots which appear on it when is angry ; even as we do see that our countenance becomes red , yellow , or livid , according as the humours , which are naturally of those different colours , are carried thither . by the very same reason also , when by a contrary motion the humours , wherewith the skin is naturally imbued , do return into the vessels , or dissipate themselves , so that others do not succeed in their place , the skin waxeth white by the separation of the pellicles , which do compose the little eminencies ; for this whiteness happens to them as to our epidermis or scarf-skin , which being dryed , and separated into little flakes in the disease called pityriasis , the skin whitens extraordinarily , and seems to be rub'd over with meal . abundance of such probable reasons may be found , before any one shall occurr , whereby the truth may be demonstrated . but to conclude our observations on the camelion with somthing more solid than is in this philosophy of colours , we will relate the remarks which we made on its bones , whereof we do keep the skeleton , and wherein we have observed a great many considerable particulars . the bones which composed the cranium or skull seem'd to be made only to sustain the crotaphitae which filled all the head , as well without as within with a whiteish and fibrous flesh. the three crests which were upon the head mett together in one point towards the back part . two of these crests which covered the eyes like eye-brows left great vacuities , each making a kind of zygoma . the principal cavity of the skull consisted in the or●…itae or eyeholes ; for that wherein the brain is contained was without comparison the least . these two orbitae were open one into the other , so that the eyes touched on the inside , as is seen in several birds : which pliny has excellently described , when he says that the camelions eyes are very large , and little distant one from the other . for this little separation cannot be meant of that which is at the face between each eye , because that is very broad in all camelions ; this little distance of the eye one from the other in the face being proper to man only , as the greatest is peculiar to sheep , according to aristotles opinion . each half of the lower jaw was composed of two bones articulated per diarthrosin , the apophysis which goes from the corner of the jaw to the condylus which is articulated with the bone of the temples being a distinct bone. the back-bone , comprehending the tail , had seventy four vertebrae , two in the neck , eighteen in the thorax , two in the loynes , two at the os sacrum , and fifty in the tail. the first of the neck was the only one which had its spinous apophysis bent upwards , and which was differently from the rest received on both sides . all the other had in their body a cavity in their upper part which received , and in the lower a head which was received by the cavity of the next , which made a kind of ginglymos . all in general had their seven apophyses , except the vertebrae of the tail , which have eight , viz. two spinous , a large one , and another very small one underneath . with the two transverse and four oblique ones , by the means of which all the vertebrae were articulated , the oblique superiour apophyses of one vertebra passing over the lower of the vertebra next above it . the ribbs which gesner makes sixteen were eighteen of each side , and of three sorts . the two first above reacht not to the sternum , no more than the three last below . the third , fourth , fifth , and sixth , were joyned there by appendices , which were not cartilaginous , but of the same substance with the ribbs ; and these two sorts of ribbs were joyned together by an angle which they made , the one descending downwards , and the other ascending towards the sternum . the other nine ribbs were not fastened to the sternum ; but each was joyned to its opposite , by the means of a common appendix , and which went from the right ribb to the left , being bent in the middle of the breast and belly . the sternum was composed of four bones , the first of which was very large , and made like a trefoyle . the ompolatae or shoulder-blades were so long , that they reached from the back-bone to the sternum , to which they were joyned instead of claviculae . the ossa innominata were after the usual manner joyned by the os pubis ; but the ischium was not firmly articulated to the sacrum by a cartilage : for it was the os ilium which was there fastened by a looss ligament : so that it appeared that these bones , after the same manner as the omoplatae , have a structure and connexion altogether different from what is found in all other animals , where the omoplatae are fastened to the trunck of the body , but by very looss ligaments , in comparison of the ossa innominata : and it has been observed that the omoplatae in the camelion are very closely fastened to the trunk , as has been said ; and the ossa innominata on the contrary are very moveable , even as the omoplatae are in other animals . the ossa innominata made a hole forewards on each side , but which was partly formed by the os pubis , and partly by the ischium . the humerus which was articulated with the omoplaae per ginglymon , as the femur is generally with the tibia , had an apophysis near its head like to a trochanter ; and the femur , which was joyned with the ischium per enarthrosin had no trochanter's . the leggs as well before as behind were alike , being every one composed of two bones , which rather resembled a radius and cubitus , than a perona and tibia , because that they were both articulated to the femur as well as the humerus , and were both capable of bending upwards and downwards . the feet and hands , or rather the four hands , were also alike , and differed only in this , that the fore-feet had as it were a carpus composed of twelve little bones , and those behind had something which rather resembled a tarsus , because that the bones were larger than those which seemed to make the carpus , yet there was none which jetted out enough behind to make a talus ; which might be one of the causes which makes the camelion's pace so slow . these bones of the tarsus were six in number . there was neither metacarpus , nor metatarsus ; unless you would so call the two first phalanges of the toes , because that they were joyned together as the bones of the metacarpus , and metatarsus commonly are , there being only the last phalanges which were separated , and appeared like toes . there was likewise this difference between the feet and hands ; for in the feet the part which hath three toes was articulated on the right side of the greatest of the two bones which do make the leg ; and on the contrary in the hands , it was set against the least of those whereof the arm is composed . after having made these remarks , we found that the skeleton and skin , which was layd up , retain'd for some time a strong scent , inclining much to that of fish begining to stink ; and that this ill smell , as these parts grew dryer , was changed into a sweet and agreable smell , very like that of the roots of the iris and violett flowers ; and that at last all the odour evaporated , when the rest of the humiditie was consumed . as for the knowledge of the incredible virtues which the superstition of the ancients hath attributed to the camelion and of which pliny saith that democritus hath writt a whole book , they are so extravagant in the judgment even of pliny , that we referr our selves to his opinion thereof : and without trying whether we could raise tempests with its head , or gain law-suits with its tongue , or stop rivers with its tail , and do the other miracles which it is said democritus hath left in writeing ; we were contented to make those experiments which seemed to have some probabilitie , being founded on sympathie and antipathy , such as is that which solinus reports to be so great between the crow and the camelion , that it dyes immediately after having eaten of its flesh. the truth is that a crow peckt several times with its bill on our camelion , when it was set to it dead ; and we gave it several parts of it to eat , and even the heart it self , which it swallowed without any harm . the explication of the figure of the dromedary . it is represented in the lower figure , so that there may be seen the highth of the bunch which it has upon the back , and which is for the most part composed of long hair , which stands upright . there is also seen the four kinds of callosities , which are at the parts on which it rests it self when it lyes down , viz. the two callosities of the fore-leggs , that of the thigh , and that of the breast . its feet are likewise so raised that they do present a part of the sole to the eye . in the upper figure . a. the first and greatest of the four ventricles . t. the oesophagus . b. the second ventricle . c. the third . d. the fourth . e. the pylorus . f f f. the second ventricle cut in four . g. the hole which is the passage of the first and great ventricle into the second . h h h h. the holes of the sacks , which are between the coats of the second ventricle . i. the glandula pinealis . k. the sole of the foot , which is solid , and covered with a very soft and delicate skin . l. the upper part of the foot , which is a little cloven . m. the penis . n o. the tongue . o p. the part which is rough from the inside to the end , by reason of an abundance of little pointed eminencies . n q. that which has the greatest eminencies turned after the same manner as the little ones . q p. that which has likewise great eminencies , but which are turned opposite to the little ones . q. the center of the great eminencies . the anatomical description of a dromedary . this animal here described we call a dromedary , altho' the common practise be to give the name of camel simply to that which like it has but one bunch on the back , and of dromedary to that which hath two according to solinus , but contrary to what aristotle and pliny , and the generality of authors have writt thereof , who do make two sorts of camels : whereof one , which retains the name of the genus , has two bunches , and is most commonly found in the eastern parts of asia , and is therefore called bactrianus ; it is also bigger and more proper to carry heavy burdens : the other , which is lesser , and fitter for the course , and which for this reason is called dromedary , has but one bunch , and is most commonly seen in the western parts of asia , viz. in syria and arabia . the sieur dipi an arabian , who was present at our dissection , informed us that the camels of his country are like to ours . it was seven foot and a half high from the crown of the head to the feet ; five and a half from the highest bending of the back-bone , which is the bunch ; six foot and a half from the stomach to the tail , of which all the knots or vertebrae were fourteen inches together ; and all the tail comprehending the hair , two foot and a half . the head was one and twenty inches from the hinder-part to the nose . the hair was of a fawn-colour inclining a little to an ash-colour . it was very soft to the touch , moderately short , and somewhat shorter than an oxe's , excepting some places , where it was longer , as on the head , under the throat and on the fore-part of the neck . but the longest was on the middle of the back , where it was near a foot . in this place , although it was very soft and limber , it stood erect , so that it made the greatest part of the bunch of the back , which when this hair was pressed down with the hand , hardly appeared more elevated than a doggs or swines , which are animals that have not the back sunk , as horses , cows and staggs generaly have . and indeed there are some authors which do say , that the dromedary is engendred of the camel and hogg . this is very repugnant to aristotle , who asserts , that there is no animal which hath the back bunched like the camel. some authors do say , that this bunch is a flesh peculiar to this animal , which rises upon the back over the vertebrae , and which wasts away , when after a long abstinence from food , it grows extraordinary lean . but we found not any appearance of this flesh in our subject , although it was not lean ; and without this flesh , the bunch which was made only by the hair , was much raised , as is seen in the figure . besides these two sorts of hair , viz. the long which was upon the back , head , and neck , and the short which covered the rest of the body ; there was likewise a third sort at the tail , which differed from the others , as well in bigness as colour , being gray and very strong , and altogether like the hair of a horse's tail. the head was little in proportion to the body ; the nose was cleft like a hare's , and the teeth like to those of other animals which do chew the cud , having no dentes canini nor incisores in the upper jaw ; although the head wants the horns which nature has given and bestowed on the greatest of those which do chew the cud. cardan says that it has recompensed this defect of the camel , by arming its feet , which have hoofs like those of oxen , according to pliny : but that is not found , for it has neither horn nor hoof on the feet which can render them dangerous , each foot being furnisht only with two little nails at the end ; and the sole which is flat and broad , being very fleshy , and covered only with a soft , thick , and somewhat callous skin , but very fitt and proper to travel in sandy places , such as are in asia and africa . we thought that this skin was like a living sole , which wore not with the swiftness nor continuance of the march , for which this animal is almost indefatigable : for when aristotle says , that they are sometimes forc't to defend , as it were , with boots the feet of those which are in the armies ; it seems to be not so much to ease them from the inconveniencies which they do undergo in travelling , as to prevent and keep off the wounds which they might receive in the warr. and it may be said that this softness of foot , which yeilds and fits it self to the ruggedness and unevenness of the roads , do's render the feet less capable of being worne , than if they were more solid ; although pliny thinks that it is not possible , that camels can make long journies if they are not shod : it s callous knees are much harder , and do nearer approach the solidity of the horny hoof of other animals . aristotle hath remarkt other particulars in the foot of the camel , which we have not found there . he says that it is cleft in two behind , and in four before , and that the interstices are joyned by a skin like the feet of a goose , which was not found in ours , whose foot was only cleft at top , within four or five fingers of the end ; and this slitt was not joyned by a skin , but underneath this slitt which is shallow and not very deep , the foot was solid . the callosities of the knees were six in number , viz. one at each of the joynts of the fore-leggs , the first and highest being behind , at the part which is properly the cubitus ; and the second and lower of the two before , upon the joynt of the knee which represents the wrist : each hind-legg had likewise one on the first and highest joynt , which is that before , and which is the true knee . aristotle , who has observed but four of these callosities , which he calls knees , and who groundlessly reproves an ancient author , which is herodotus , for having made six , adds also a thing more strange , which is to say , that the camel never bends its leggs but in these four places : for the truth is , that it bends them in eight , like other quadrupeds , and that there are only the two bendings which do supply the place of the heel in the hind-leggs , which have no callosities . having opened these callosities , to observe their substance ( which is between flesh , fat , and ligament ) we found that in some there was a heap of thick pus ; which made us to think as some authors do report , that camels are subject to the gout ; and we conceived that it might be , that our dromedary had been tainted with this distemper , which was ended by a suppuration . besides these six callosities , there was a seventh much bigger than the rest , at the bottom of the breast , firmly joyned to the sternum , which had an eminence in this place . it was eight inches long , six broad , and two thick . it was likewise very much suppurated , and it was judged that this part was as susceptible of the gout as the articles or joynts , because that its use being to support the whole body alone whilst it was loading , couched upon the ground , that hardship might make this part capable of the weakness and heat which do attract the humors on the joynts , and which do hinder that they cannot digest and disperse them . the great sobriety which is remarkable in the camel , and the incredible fatigue which it generally suffers , do demonstrate that the greatest hardships may produce the gout , as well as idleness and debauchery . before we opened it to observe the inward parts , we took notice that the praeputium , which is very large and loose , covered not only the end of the penis , but that it turned backwards ; which may have given occasion to the opinion of those , who have thought that the camel pissed backward , like the lyon , castor , hare , &c. whose penis bends not forward . the internal parts are very like to those of the horse . the liver had three lobes , two very large ones , in the middle and underneath which there was one which was lesser and pointed . the ligament which held the liver suspended was not fastened to the cartilago xiphoides , but to the center of the diaphragme on which the membrane of the peritonaeum which covered it , had a lustre , which made it appear as it were all over gilded . the gall was not contained in a cystis , but spread over the liver , in its ductus cholidochus . the ventricle which was very large , and divided in four , as in the other animals which chew the cud , had not that different structure , which is observed within the four ventricles called by aristotle , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . they were only distinguished by some straitenings , which made that the first ventricle , which is large and vast , produced another very small one , which was followed with a third , somewhat less than the first , but much longer ; and this was followed by a fourth like to the second . at the top of the second ventricle there were several square holes , which were the orifices of about twenty cavities , made like sacks placed between the two membranes which do compose the substance of this ventricle . the view of these sacks made us to think that they might well be the reservatory's where pliny says that camels do a long time keep the water , which they do drink in great abundance when they do meet with it to supply the wants which they may have thereof in the dry desarts where they are used to travel , and where it is said that those which do guide them are sometimes forc't by extremity of thirst , to open their belly , in which they do find water . there is likewise some reason to say , that the instinct which aristotle and pliny have observed to have been by nature bestowed on this animal , of always troubling and muddying with its feet the water which it would drink , might rather be to render it heavy , and consequently less fitt to pass speedily , and more capable of being a long time retained in its stomach . the intestines were of four sorts . the first at the enterance of the fourth ventricle were of a middle-size ; they were six foot long . the second were , as it were ruffled and contracted by several folds , as the colon usually is by means of a ligament which tacks it together , and makes it as it were divide into several cells . these were also of a middle-size , and were twenty foot long : the last which were the smallest were fifty six foot long ; the whole making eleven toises ; and there would have been found above thirteen , if those had been unfolded which were ruffled and contracted . the spleen was layd upon the left kidney . it was nine inches long , four broad , and half an inch thick . the penis , of which it is said , that bow-strings are made , was nineteen inches long . it was very pointed at the end , which was bent , and made as it were a hook of a cartilaginous substance , without any appearance of the balanus . the extremity of the ureter was a very small membrane . the lungs had but one lobe on each side . the heat was of an extraordinary bigness , being nine inches in length , and seven in breadth : it was very pointed . the structure of the tongue was remarkable , in that contrary to all tongues which are all over asperated inward , by the means of abundance of little eminencies which do tend inwards ; one part of this tongue had them from the in-side to the out-side ; for the half towards the end which was very small , was rough as usually from the in-side to the out-side ; but the other half near the root which was very thick , had towards the middle a little circle , like a center amongst several eminences , which covered all this second half of the tongue , and whose points were all turned from this center , making a roughness when we rubed them towards this center . amongst these eminencies there were others placed in two rows , in a direct line , five in each row , which were navils , formed by wrinkles folded round after a very delicate and curious structure . the figure explains this more clearly than the discourse . the whole brain comprehending the cerebellum , was but six inches and a half long , and four broad . the optick nerve was pierced , according to its length , with a number of holes full of blood. the processus mamillares were very large and hollow , having each two ductus's or passages , the one of which appeared round , and the other like a crescent , by a transverse section . the glandula pinealis was about the bigness of a small filbert , and as it were composed of three other glands , which left a dent in the middle . the explication of the figure of the bear . in the lower figure the bear is represented two ways , viz. with its skin on the one side and without it on the other ; the more plainly to discover the forme and shape of its body , which is principally remarkable in its hind-leggs . in the upper figure . a b c. the left fore-paw . b. a little toe which is in the place of the pollux . a. a great toe in the place of a little one . f. a callosity on the carpus , which as it were makes a heel . d e g. the left hind-paw . e. a little toe which is in the place of a bigger . d. a great toe in the place of a lesser . g. the heel covered with hair. h i. the two ventricles . h. the oesophagus . i. the pylorus . k l. the left kidney . m m. the ureter . n n. the vena emulgens . o o. the arteria emulgens . p q. the same kidney inverted , and from which some of the little kidneys are taken away , to discover on the inside the distribution of the emulgent vessels and ureters . r s t t. one of the little kidneys cut through the middle . r. the emulgent arterie of one of the small kidneys . s. the emulgent vein . t t. the ureter of one of the small kidneys cut in two length-wise . v v. the papillae . y y y y. the halves of the pelves . x x. the little sinus's which are between the pelves and papillae . the anatomical description of a bear . the bigness and thickness of the hair , in which the whole body of the bear is hid after such a manner , that it seems to be but one lump , which hardly has any appearance of an animal , has made it to be rightly called by virgil informe ; but there is no one which do's not find it wholly difforme , when the skin being flead off , it 's true shape and figure may be seen , without any hindrance or obstruction . this deformity , just as that of the ape , which is accounted the ugliest of all creatures , is founded on the the ill resemblance which they both have , with the handsomest of all animals , by the general and ever true rule , that the depravation of things the most perfect is the worst . that which makes the body of man admirable , according to galen's opinion , is the structure of the hands and feet , which distinguishes his body from that of other animals , even as reason makes the difference of souls . this structure is altogether extravagant in the bear , in that having something which in appearance , approaches that which makes the perfection of these organs ; it is found that in truth , that which is most important in their conformation is depraved , or wholly defective in the bear. galen remarks two things , which are principally necessary for the conveniency of the use of these parts , viz. in the hand , that its five fingers be generally divided into two parts , having four of them joyned together , which are as it were of one sort , and a fifth part which is so separated , to serve the principal action of the hand which is to take hold ; and in the foot , that it is composed of the heel of one side , and of the five toes which oppose it on the other , as the four fingers of the hand are opposite to the thumb ; to make the step more sure and firm , by the different application of these two parts , to the figure of the things on which we tread . pliny , who has spoken of the resemblance which the paws and feet of the bear have with those parts of man , has not well understood it , making it to consist in the position of the elbows and knees , which he reports to be in the ape and bear as in man , and contrary to other animals , who have the knees behind and elbows before : for the truth is , that all animals have these parts turned after the same manner , whatever aristotle may report thereof ; and that what is there found different , proceeds from hence , that the heels in brutes are taken for the knees , the carpus or the cubitus : because that the bone which makes the heel of man , is so lengthened in brutes , that it is taken for the legg , and that the wrist , which in man is composed of a connexion of eight small bones , almost round , which is called carpus , has in the generality of brutes one of these bones very long , and which is taken for the fore-legg , though it be properly one of the bones of the carpus . so that the leggs and paws of the bear are in this only as in man , that they are fleshy , although aristotle says that there is none but man which has them so : that the os calcis or heel-bone is short , and makes a part of the sole of the foot : that there are five joyned together , and opposed to the heel , and that its paw has likewise the bones of the carpus almost even , and united like ours ; but in its paw it has no thumb seperate from the four other fingers , and the biggest of the five which do compose the paw , and which has only that bigness which may make it to pass for a thumb , is placed quite contrary to mans , being on the outside , and in the place of the little finger , even as on the foot where the greatest toe is also on the outside . as to the foot it is not usually rested on the heel , which by reason hereof is covered with hair like the legg , and has no callosities , nor that kind of particular skin which defends the sole of the foot , and which leaves its print on the places where it has gone . on the contrary , its paw has as it were a heel , that callosity which is in the palm of the paw , being interrupted by the hairy skin , to begin another callosity a little higher . in a word , the fingers of the paw are likewise very ill shapen , and unfit for their uses , being great , short , and fastened to each other as in the feet . the substance of these parts is not less particular , nor less remarkable than their structure . pliny and plutarch do report that it is an excellent food ; and michael herus says that in germany they are even at present reserved for princes tables , at which the paws of the bear are served up salted and smoaked . we observed that this substance good to eat , was a fatt ligament , very white and delicate , about two fingers thick , which was on the in-side of the paws and feet ; and it is questionable , whether it be not probable that there may proceed some moisture from this part , which has occasioned aelian and pliny to say , that the bear lives forty days by licking only its right foot. the claws of the two bears which we dissected , were fastened to the last phalanx of the toes after the same manner as in the lyon , having by the particular structure of this article or joynt , which we have described in the lyon , the faculty of holding its claws elevated in its march to preserve the points thereof ; but it appeared that our bears had neglected to use this faculty , because that their claws were half worne away . they were black , and much lesser than in the lyon , as might be judged by what remained . the manner how these claws were worne , demonstrated that their substance was very different from that of the lyon ; for in the lyons which we dissected , the claws were also somewhat worne on one paw , but as fibrous wood would wear ; whereas those of the bear were like iron : that is to say , that the claws of the lyon are composed of separable fibres , by reason that they are of an heterogeneous substance , and that the claws of the bear are of a more even and more compact substance . the teeth were like to those of the lyon , save that they were much less . therefore it is said that it uses only its paws to break the netts and rend the snares of the hunters , because that the bigness and thickness of its lipps hinders it from useing its teeth . these lipps have also a very extraordinary shape , the lower ones being wrinkled , and cut from the two corners like a cock's - combe . the length of the whole body , from the end of the muzzle to the end of the toes , was eight foot three inches ; five foot and a half to the begining of the taile , which was five inches ; and one foot five inches to the hinder part of the head , which was flat and made an angle with the bones of the fore-part direct from the sutura lamdoides , at the middle of which abutted a crest elevated like that of an helmet , but much less than on the lyon ; and from whence the crotaphitae , which did likewise cover the head , did also take their original , being a great deal less fleshy . the thorax was larger than in the lyon , and also very long , being composed of fourteen ribbs . the neck was not short in proportion to its breadth like a hoggs , as authors do report : for it had seven inches in breadth , and nine in length : the great thickness of the hair which surrounds and inlarges this neck , is that which makes it to appear short . the os femoris or thigh-bone was proportionably longer than it generally is in brutes , and it was articulated with that of the legg by means of a rotula , which some authors do say is found only in man. the skin which was very hard and very thick on the back , was found very thin and delicate under the belly . the hair was not so harsh and stuborn as in the lyon and wild-boar , in some sort resembling wool , more frizled than the goats , and much less than the sheeps . as for the internal parts of the body , the epiploon was very large but very lean , like all the rest of the body , which neither on the inside nor the outside had one scrap of fat : which might be an effect of the distemper whereof it died , the natural constitution of the animal being to be very fat , and the winter being the season in which it grows fattest . the liver was vastly great , and divided into seven lobes , one of which was much less than the rest . the cystis fellea was not half so big as in the lyon : yet there was much gall diffused on the membranes of the circumjacent parts . the oesophagus which exceeded not fourteen lines in diameter , and inlarged not it self towards the superiour orifice of the ventricle , was outwardly very fleshy to the ventricle , which was extreamly small , although aristotle affirms that the bear has it very large as well as the hogg . which he says ( perhaps ) with all other authors , because that they have thought that the bear being a great feeder , must needs have a large ventricle . in our subiects it was not a foot in length , and its greatest breadth , which was towards the top , exceeded not six inches , and two and a half towards the middle , where it was contracted to inlarge it self again in a second ventricle about three inches and a half , which was raised towards the pylorus . the bottom of each ventricle was hard and three lines thick , and five towards the pylorus , which was also harder : their internal membrane was even , as it usually is , except that little roughness which we call the velvet : but it somewhat resembled that of the ventricle of animals which chew the cud , by reason of several eminencies which it had , like to those which do make the reticulum and echinos ; but that these eminencies had not in their shape the regularity which is observed in those animals , as to the intestines , it may be said that there was but one , because there appeared not the distinction which is observed in the generality of animals , by the difference of their colour , substance , and bigness . there was not likewise any sign of the caecum no●… its appendix , no more than of the wrinkles , or cells at the colon. they were in all forty foot long : where as those of the lyon exceeded not twenty five . this uniformity of the intestines may have been the cause of theodorus gazas putting , in the translation of aristotles ' book , where he discourses of the intestines of the bear , the singular intestinum for the plural 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; and it is probable that this particularity was unknown to scaliger , when he reproved theodorus for taking this liberty . the spleen was small and thin , being not above six inches long to two broad , and less than one thick . the structure of the kidneys appeared to us very excellent and particular . their figure was very long . they were five inches and a half in length , and two and a half in breadth . the membrana adiposa , which was without fat , being taken away , there appeared another very hard and very thick membrane , which was not the peculiar one , fastned to the parenchyma , but a membrane which like a sack contained fifty six small kidneys , for they may be called so many parenchyma actually separated from one another , covered with their proper membranes , and joyned together in some places by fibres and very thin membranes , which were produced from that which inveloped them like a sack. this connexion was principally of the little kidneys which are in the hollow part of this whole heap of kidneys ; for towards the gibbous part , they were not linked together . the figure of each little kidney represented a large basis on the out side , and were pressed together towards the inside of the whole kidney , where they were fastened like a bunch of grapes . this basis was in some hexagonal , in the most pentagonal , and in others four-square . they were also different in size ; but in the greatest part it was about the bigness of a middleing chestnut , in some of a small nutt . this heap did represent a pine-apple , when ripe . each of these little kidneys was fastned , as it were by a tail composed of three sorts of vessels , which are the branches of the two emulgents and the ureter , which entered thro' the point of the little kidney , which made a dent to receive them , as an apple receives its stalk , after the usual manner of the great kidneys . these branches were disposed so as that of the artery was between that of the vein and that of the ureter , as riolanus has observed , who beleives that these vessells are thus seated , to the end that the artery strikeing upon the ureter , may incessantly cause the urine to run by its continual beating . the truncks of the emulgent vein and artery , which were not bigger than a quill , were each divided into two branches , and afterwards into several others , to furnish and add one to every little kidney , though there were sometimes two which seemed to be fastened as it were to one single tail : but that appeared so , by reason that the two branches which fastened them together did enter into the little kidney presently after the division . these branches penetrated a little farther , and lost themselves in the parenchyma , so that the notable cavity which the vessel had when out of the little kidney quite disappeared ; whether that happened by the almost infinite , and consequently imperceptible division , which is made in the little branches , which disperse themselves through the parenchyma , as laurentius bellius thinks it happens to the emulgents of the kidneys of man ; or that indeed these vessels do not pass farther , according to the opinion of higmorus , and that the spongious substance of the parenchyma presently sucks up and filtrates the blood of the artery , to render it to the vein pure , and separated from its serosity , which runs through the papillae into the pelves of the ureter , like as whey , when the cheese curdles , leaves the buttery part , and passeth through the cheesy part ; and even as the lye which is poured upon the top of the copper comes through the hole below , after haveing penetrated the linnen , without any pipes which do carry and convey it thither . the formation of the ureters was different from that of the emulgent vessels : for a little after its enterance into the membrane , which like a sack shut up all the little kidneys , it was inlarged , and its bigness which was about the size of a quill , increased equall to that of a finger . it was afterwards divided into two branches of this same bigness , which produced others lesser , which supplyed a lesser to every little kidney . this last branch did nevertheless surpass in bigness the branches of the emulgent vein and arterie , which entered with it into the little kidney , and it passed forwarder , and nearer to the middle , at which place it was divided into two , and sometimes into three branches . every of these branches inlarged it self a little , and at its extremity formed a pelvis , which was filled with a caruncle like a nipple ; and at the side of this caruncle the pelvis appeared pierced with three or four holes , which were only sinuosities formed by the membrane of the pelvis , which was wrinckled on the in-side , making as it were other lesser pelves , capable of receiving only the head of a pin. these papillae or nipples , which were no bigger than a grain of wheat , exceeded in their number those of the papillae of an ox's kidney , which are as large as the end of ones finger , but which are not in number above nine or ten , whereas there was above a hundred in every one of the kidneys of our bear : and it seems that bartholinus had not examined this , when he writt that the kidney of the bear was like to that of the ox , of new-born infants , and of a porpoise , which he dissected before the king of denmark ; for these kidneys of which bartholinus speaks , and to which he compares those of the bear , have only slits in their superficies , which makes them to appear at the first sight like unto those of the bear , although in truth they have but one simple and continued parenchyma , these slits penetrating not very deep ; whereas the fifty six small kidneys of the bear were actually divided , and had every one all the parts of which the great kidneys are composed . it must be also , that those who like pliny have reported , that the penis of the bear , so soon as it is dead , grows hard like a horn , have not seriously examined the matter , and that they have not had either the courage to inform themselves , which is the penis of the bear when alive , or the curiosity of dissecting one when dead ; for they would have found that this hardness is natural to this part in the bear , as in the dog , wolfe , squirrel , weasel , and several other animals , which have a bone at the end of the penis , as aristotle observes . that of our bears was five inches and a half long , four lines broad towards the os pubis , from which it was five inches distant , and a little bended . the lungs had five lobes , three on the right side , and two on the left . the two upper on the right side were very large ; the third which was middling , was divided at its extremity into three points . in one of our bears , the two lobes of the left side were exceedingly swelled ; the superior which appeared whiteish , was puft up with a great deal of wind : in the inferiour there was found a strange body twice as big as ones fist , like to a spunge steeped in ink. in the other bear , which was very young , the structure of the mediastinum was very particular , being pierced in several places with a great many holes of a line and a half in breadth , and being interspersed with a great number of vessels , which were above a line in thickness , so that it wanted only the fat to resemble an epiploon . the heart which was six inches long and four broad , was very solid at its point , the flesh whereof was an inch thick ; this point was blunt and not sharp , as in the lyon. the aspera arteria had all its rings imperfect , and not intire as in the first of the lyons which we dissected : but these rings in our bears , were much larger than in the lyon , being above five inches in the circumference . the tongue was broad and thin , as in the cat and dog , and furnished at top with its little fleshy points without any roughness . the cranium or skull was not so brittle as authors do report ; it was found very hard under the saw. it is very true that it was not above half the thickness of the lyons ; which we found to be six lines at the thinnest place . the bone which advanced on the in-side , and which separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum was also thinner , and of a more irregular shape than in the lyon. the brain was in recompence four times as big , being four inches in length , and as many in depth , to three in breadth ; whereas the lyon had but two every way . the glandula pinealis was very little , and almost imperceptible as in the lyon. the eye was covered over with an internal eyelid , which began at the great canthus or corner tending somwhat down wards . it was strangely little : its ball was not above five lines diameter , and was lesser than that of a catt . the chrystallinus was almost spherical ; and that of the left eye of the greatest and oldest of our bears was spoiled by a glaucoma which had made it white , and altogether opake , its situation was likewise very extraordinary , not being directly placed over the aperture of the uvea but drawn a side out of the axis of the eye , so that even before the dessection this was found out by a whiteness which appeared at the bottom of the aperture of the pupilla in the inside , as if there had been a cataract couched : and this was caused by the contraction of the fibres of the ligamentum ciliare of one side , and by the extension or relaxation of those of the other ; which seem'd to be made to leave a free passage for the usual species through both the other humours ; this distortion of the crystallinus being probably caused after the same manner as it is seen to happen to the eyes of children , which haveing been a long time couched in one place where they can only discern the light obliquely , do grow a squint by a disposition which the muscles of the eye do contract by use , and which changes that which is naturall to them , by the extension of the fibres of some , and by the contraction of others . this would make us to think that these fibres of the ligamentum ciliare are capable of a contraction and voluntary dilatation , like to that of the fibres of the muscles ; and that this action may augment or diminish the convexitie of the crystallinus , according as the need which the different distance of the objects may make it to have on the eye to see more clearly and distinctly . the extream leanness of our two bears , deprived us of the means of making an experiment on their fat , and of informing our selves of the truth of what aristotle , theophrastus , and pliny do report thereof ; that being kept all winter , it manifestly increases in bulk and weight ; which being verified would confirm the current opinion , that the bear is of all animals that in which the facultie of growing is most powerfull ; seeing that being at the begining of life almost the least of all ( for according to the report of aristotle , and pliny , it is hardly bigger then a ratt , ) yet it grows one of the greatest : and that though it hath been a long time suckled and feed with milk from a damme which eats nothing , ( if it be true as aristotle says , tha●… the bear brings forth its cubbs when it is ready to shut up it self in its den , where it remains for ty days without eating , and that afterwards the bear dos annually continue a long space without takeing nourishment , ) it ceaseth not to grow so powerfully that according to albertus , its growth like the crocodile's lasts the whole course of its life , and continues even after its death , if what the ancients have writt concerning its fat be true . the consideration of these particulars joyned with our observations , made us to think that the temperament of the bear , which according to aristotle is extreamly humid , must be understood of an humidity peculiar to life , which is that which dos not easily dry , and which is the effect , not of the crudity , such as is the superfluous humidity of the excrements , but of the perfection of the concoction caused by the goodness of the constitution of the parts , which are capable of easily converting all kind of nourishment into good juice , and of assimilateing and changeing it into their proper substance , or of dissipating the greatest part thereof by the imployment which they do advantagiously make of it for the exercise of their functtions . the remark's , which our observations on the bear have afforded us of this perfection of temper , are first , that an animal which eat 's indifferently of all sorts of meat like the bear , and which with the same facility digests raw meats , fish , crabs , insects , fruits of trees , pulse and hony , and that in a very small stomach , and strait intestines , and amongst which there is found no caecum , must have a wonderful power for the concoction ; seeing that it is capable of supplying by the goodness of the temper , that which is wanting in the commodiousness of the structure , which is found in the organs which other animals have to render these functions more perfect , and which to digest a great deal of nourishment , do keep it a long time in great receptacles , and convey it through a vast many wrinkles and anfractuosities , as we have observed in the camel , whose intestines were almost as long again as those of the bear , comprehending above eleven toises . secondly , the small capacity which is found in its liver and spleen to receive the excrements , denotes also that the action of the natural heat is so well regulated , that it is not subject to the defects or excesses , through which the food being either burnt , or but half drest , the bloud which is thereby ingendered hath need of being purged and cleared of abundance of parts which are incapable of nourishing the body . for as to the great number of kidneys , when even nature had made it to evacuate a greater quantity of serosity , the abundance of this excrement ought not to be esteem'd a sign of the weakness of the heat , and imperfection of the concoction ; but rather an effect of the little insensible transpiration which is made in the bear , by reason of the thickness of the habitt of its body , which is not favourable . to which we may likewise add , that this want of transpiration cannot be a sign of the want of heat , and of an earthy weight ; seing that how masse , and gross soever the bear appears , there is scarce any animal whose agility and vigour is more capable of shewing the abundance and subtilty of spirit which the power of natural heat is used to produce . thirdly , this so powerful faculty which it has of growing , is the mark of a very perfect humidity , seing that it renders the parts capable of extending themselves , and s●… of augmenting their grandure , without the least diminishing of their forces . the conjectures which we have drawn from our observations , to make credible this extraordinary smallness reported by authors of the bear at its birth and first conformation , are grounded upon the littleness of its eyes , by reason that the eyes when the formation is apparent , are commonly so bigg in proportion to the rest of the body , that each eye surpasses in bigness all the rest of the head , like as the head do's vastly exceed the bigness of the rest of the body : so that supposing as it is rational , that the eyes of the bear were in the first 〈◊〉 proportionably as large to the rest of the body as they have used to be , it is easie to judge by the littleness which they have when the bear is arrived at its growth , what was the smallness of its whole body in the first formation ; or else it would be to suppose a thing incredible , viz. that its eyes have not grown and increased proportionably to the rest of the body , as in other animals . the explication of the figure of the gazella or antilope . that which is discribed in the lower figure has no black list , which separates the fawn-colour of the back from the white of the belly , and the knees of the fore-leggs are not bare and hair-less ; because that these are particulars which were wanting in four of the gazella's which we dissected . there was one also , which was the male , whose horns were more bent towards the back than they are in this . in the upper figure . a. the oesophagus . b. the middle membrane of the great ventricle . c. the internal membrane . d. this membrane separated , to discover the part underneath . e. the valve which shuts the second ventricle . f. the first part of the second ventricle . g. the lower part of the second ventricle . h. the sack of the second ventricle . i. the pylorus . k k. the gibbous part of the liver raised up . l l. the right lobe . m m. the left. n. a little lobe which is in the middle . o. the gall-bladder . p. the duodenum . q. the pylorus . r. the outside of the ventricle . s. the spleen . t. the two lymphaticks . v v. the kidneys , x. part of the membrane b , seen with the microscope . y. part of the membrane c , seen with the microscope . δ. the last bone of the sternum . w. the cartilago xiphoides . z. one of the feet . the anatomical description of five gazella's or antilope's . the five gazella's or antilope's of which we do give the description , were brought to us at divers times . there was one male , three females , and a fawn , which was likewise a female . the first which we dissected , which was the largest and oldest , was brought us with its fawn , from the park of versailles , where it was told us , that they had been both killed by another male gazella . we found that the left shoulder of the damme was all bruised , and that the fawn had three leggs broken . this made us to reflect upon what belonius says , that the gazella is the oryx of the antients , which oppian represents as an animal strangely fierce and cruel : but we found not the other marks , which according to authors are peculiar to the oryx ; as to have one single horn in the middle of the fore-head , as aristotle says ; to have all the hair turned towards the head , according to pliny ; to have a beard on the chin , as albertus ; and to be strong enough to fight lyons and tigers , as oppian relates . our gazella's had a very mild carriage , and it is said that these animals grow not angry , unless when touched on their horns . the arabian authors do call the gazella algazel , that is to say , a goat ; and it is most probable the dorcas , or lybick goat , which is no other but the strepsiceros or wild-goat of aegypt ; although scaliger pretends , that the strepsiceros is a species of sheep . aelian reports , that the lybick dorcas is light of foot , that its belly is white , and the rest of the body of a fawn-colour ; that the white and fawn-colour along the flanks is separated with a black list ; that it hath black eyes , and huge great ears . the strepsiceros , according to pliny is an african goat , which hath the horns elevated on the head , very pointed , incompast round with several wrinkles , and bended like the branches of an harp ; or rather as ioannes cajus understands it , that they are bent sometimes outwards , and sometimes inwards , so that they do describe the profile , and wreathing of a guitterne : but it may be questioned whether the lyrae of pliny's time were of this form. all these marks being found in these five animals which we dissected , it may be said , that the strepsiceros , dorcas , and gazella are the same thing ; for our gazella is an animal of africk , which seems to be a good runner , if it may be guessed by the length of the leggs . it was about the bigness and form of a wild-goat , with fawn-coloured hair , except the belly and stomach , which were white , the tail which was blackish , and a list somwhat more black , like as the rest of the hair from the eye to the nose . the hair better resembled that of a wild-goat , than that of a tame one , being very short : under this hair the skin was perfectly black , and shining in that which was the oldest ; in the others it was grayish ; and this blackness appeared very plainly in their ears , which were large and not hairy on the in-side , where the skin was black and smooth like ebeny , having only some streaks of hair very white , more stubborn and longer than that of the belly ; these streaks or rows proceeded from the bottom of the ear , and grew larger towards the edges . the eyes were large and black ; the horns were likewise black , radiated cross-wise , fifteen inches long , ten lines broad at the bottom , very pointed , pretty strait , but somewhat turned outwards towards the middle , and which did afterwards bend inwards again , according to the shape of the branches of an harp , such as is seen in some ancient sculptures . those of the male were a little more bent backwards . in the four females they were round , but the male had them somewhat compressed and flatted , which hindered them from being perfectly round ; and it may be said that this roundness of the horns has given to the gazella amongst the ancients the name of strepsiceros , which must rather signify horns wreathed about , than bent as those of all other goats usually are ; this one sort of roundness being peculiar to the horns of the gazella , amongst the goat-kind , ( supposing it to be a species of goat ) because that the other horns of these animals are of angles and planes , like those of all sheep , except that of candia , which hath round horns , as belonius observes , who says , that even in his time it was in the country called stripsoceri ; which might well be the reason that made scaliger to say , that the strepsiceros is a kind of sheep . these horns were hollow half way , and filled with a pointed bone , which fastened them to the head by the means of a pericranium which covered it . this pericranium was very hard , thick , and moistened with a great deal of blood , like as the in-side of the bone , which was spongious like the diploe : the external superficies of the bone being very solid , and streaked with some furrows according to its length , contrary to the furrows of the horns , which were transverse , as hath been declared . at the root of these horns there was a tuft of hair longer than that of the rest of the body . the nose was a little flattish like to the goats , but yet more in the male than in the females , for its nose was shorter , as it usually is in the generality of brutes , where the males have the head always rounder than the females . the palate was covered over with a very hard skin , like long scales . the dentes incisores , which were wanting in the upper jaw , because that this animal chews the cud , were eight in the lower jaw , very keen and of an unequal size ; the two foremost being as large as the other six whose breadth went taper-wise , and being likewise a great deal larger at either end than towards their root . the tail in the females had long and blackish hair. it was flat at its origine , and about two inches large towards its first knotts , and was contracted and reduced to one , at the place where there grew long hair which hung down to the hammes . the tail of the male had not this long hair which in all the females resembled that of a mans head ; it was only a little longer than that of the rest of the body and softer than that of the tail of the females . the fore-leggs upon the bending of the knee were covered with hair somewhat longer , and harder than on the rest of the legg . it was layd and turned half on the right side , and half on the left , like the feather of a horse ; and in this place the skin was a great deal thicker than elsewhere ; which made it a kind of a little cushion to kneel on , like the callosities which are on the knees of the camel. the gazella which fabius columna describes , better resembled the camel than ours , for it had this place wholly deprived of hair. the foot , which was a great way cleft and fortified with two great hoofs , besides the two little ones at the heel , like the foot of the wild-goat , had this also resembling the feet of the camel , that it rested half upon the hoof , which only fortified the forepart , and half on the skin , which in the hinder-part covered a round , and much thicker flesh than is on the feet of staggs , wild-goats , and other animals which have cloven feet . and this flesh is probably more fitt to walk upon the sands of lybia , than on the lands of other countrys which are stony , as we understood by the feet of one of our gazella's which was much swelled , for having been hurt in this tender part unprovided of a hoof. we observed also that these feet are cleft after a particular manner , because that the two hoofs , which might be moved a great way from one another , were joyned by a skin which was very easily extended : which made us to doubt whether the gazella might not be the animal which aelian reports to be by the greek poets called kemas , to which he gives a great many marks which are seen in the gazella , but amongst other things he says that its feet , which are like to those of a goat , are so formed that they do help it to swim . this skin was shorter in the feet of the male , whose hoofs opened not so much as in the feet of the females . our gazella's had but two teats , which had each but one papilla . on the side and underneath the teats there was in the inguina or groins two cavities like sacks not very deep , where the skin was without hair , as it is about the papillae ; but this skin was not so sleek , being rough and like a barley-corn . these cavities were filled with a substance like wax : which may have occasioned the mistake of ioannes agricola ammonius , who has taken the civet-cat for a gazella , by reason of the baggs which the civet-cat has to contain its sweet smelling liquor ; the civet-cat and gazella being otherwise animals altogether unlike , and these cavities or sacks which are seen in the gazella , do much more resemble those which hares have in the same place , than those of the civet-cat . the male had these cavities or sacks as well as the females . all these particular circumstances which we observed in these females , were only in three of our gazella's ; the fourth differed from the rest , in that it had no cushion on the knees , although the others much younger had it ; but it had not this place bare like that of fabius columna , which it otherwise resembled , by reason that it had this black list along each flanck , which aelian has observed in the lybian dorcas : the male had also this very list. as to the internal parts , the epiploon in all the five gazella's was furnisht with a hard and redish fat , which covered and inclosed almost all the vessells which are in this part , by following and accompanying them into all their divisions . this epiploon swam not upon the intestines , but inveloped them behind , except in one of our subjects in which towards the left side the ileum , was fastned to the peritonaeum , by a great number of fibres . in the others it descended from the anteriour and middle part of the ventricle to which it was fastned , and passing into the bottom of the lower belly , under the greatest part of the intestines , came to fasten it selfe to the center of the mesentery , and ascending higher , returned to the lower part of the ventricle . the cartilago xiphoides was four times bigger in proportion than it is in other animals , being an inch and half in breadth , and spreading out of each side of the sternum to which it is fastned , and turning it self round to end in a double obtuse point . the liver , as to its figure and shape , was very like to a mans , being divided into two great lobes , besides which , there were two lesser , one whereof , which was the least , was extended to the right kidney , which it half covered ; the other was in the middle upon the spine . in the hollow part of the faw●…'s liver there were two lymphatick branches about the bigness of a line . they appeared as it were very full of knotts , by reason of the inequality which an almost infinite number of valves afforded them in the contracting them ; so that like little beads of chrystall they fastned the trunck of the vena porta to the supriour orifice of the ventricle . the substance of the liver appeared to us very particular , being as it were composed of an infinite number of little glands , some bigger , and others lesser then hemp-seed . they were of a much paler red than that which joyned them together . these glands seemed every one pierced thro the middle , by reason of a little red slitt which they had , out of which there came bloud when they were pressed . that which parted them one from the other was of a red like to that of the small slits , but this part did not bleed . the glands of the hollow part were much larger then those of the gibbous . dr. malpighius a physitian of messina , who is of opinion that all the parenchyma's are composed of several glands , explains not how he observed that the livers , which do generally appear of a continued and homogeneous substance , are indeed divided into several parts separated from one another , nor of what bigness they are : for when he says that these glands do resemble grapes , upon the bunch , it may be doubted whether these grapes do signifie the figure or bigness of the glands , which he neuertheless own 's to be hexagonal in the liver of cats , and different in every animal . we were of opinion that it might be , that the glands which did compose the livers of our gazella's were grown apparent by some distemper , because that they were much more visible in some than in others , and that there was one of our gazella's where these glands appeared not at all , and in which the liver was found with a parenchyma even homogeneous , and continued as usually ; so that there is ground to believe that these glands , which when the animal is in health , are spongious and imbued with the blood which is in all the parenchyma of the liver , do not seem to be separated from one another , as they do appear , when being hardned by the distemper , and by reason thereof receiving less blood , their different substance makes them more distinguishable , by the diversity of colour , which in the glandulous part is whiter for want of blood , and redder in that which is between the glands , by reason of the blood there contained . but that which confirms malpighius's opinion , is the regular figure which we have observed in these glands , which is always near the hexagonal , and the little chincks or slits which all had in their middle : for that demonstrates , that it is not when the liver is hardned by a schirrous and preternatural concretion of its substance , fortuitously amassed into several lumps , as it happens to oyl when it is frozen , but that every gland by condensing has preserved its natural figure . the spleen was oval , very small , all fastened and joyned to the left side of the ventricle , except about a fingers breadth of the fore-part , which was separated there-from ; so that the vessels commonly called vas breve , which are ordinarily the band which fastens the spleen with the stomach , appeared not , being confounded and hid in the membranes of one or other of the viscera . in all the five the spleen was of a violet-colour at top , blew underneath , and all over speckled with white spots , which might be taken for glands like those of the liver , were it not that they were of a regular shape . the gazella , which is an animal that chews the cudd , has but two ventricles , which do appear very distinct and separated from one another by considerable contractions , such as is seen in other animals that chew the cudd. but the truth is , that in our great gazella , these two stomachs were more distinguished , than the four are in other animals ; for besides the contraction and different qualities of the membranes , which do generally make the distinction of the four ; there was a valve which separated these two , and in the membranes which did compose them , we found all the various figures and particular substances , which the four used to have . the first and largest which receives the nourishment immediately from the oesophagus , was very ample and large at the top , and its figure was pointed at the bottom . it was covered on the in-side with two membranes layd one upon the other , which are those , with which are separately covered the two first stomachs , which in french are called pance and bonnet . these two membranes were very easily separated one from the other : the exteriour , which made the internal superficies , which is that which is proper to the pance or paunch , called by aristotle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , was like a velvet composed of an infinite number of little particles , having the form of papillae , which were three times as long as bigg ; and this bulk exceeded not that of a middle-sized pin. the other membranes which were under this first is that which is proper and peculiar to the second stomach , by aristotle called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and by the latins , reticulum , by reason that it has some eminencies which do represent a little net , which has made this stomach to be called bonnet , because that this net resembles the lace bonnet , in which women heretofore inclosed their hair. these eminencies like a net were as it were ingrailed , and bordered with little grains . this great stomach , which we do reckon but one , because that its two different membranes were extended equally , and after the same manner one over the other through its whole capacity , may nevertheless appear double , in that its superiour part , which was much larger than the inferiour , was in some sort separated by a contraction , but which was very inconsiderable . at the top of this great stomach towards the right side , where it contracted like a pylorus , there was an orifice or aperture which was the passage to the second ; and this aperture was closed by a membrane , in form of a great valve , made like a little sack , to hinder that which is once got out of the great stomach from re-entring therein . this second stomach , from its entrance to its middle , was like to the third of oxen and sheep , by aristotle called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by the latins omasum , and in french millet , because that it is full of leaves disposed lengthwise , which are bordered with little emiuencies like grains of millet , which appeared rough and full of points to those who have given it its greek name , which signifies an hedghog . this roughness which went half way decreased insensibly and not all at once . the colour of this first part of the second stomach was likewise different from the first great stomach , in that it was of a red inclining to a purple , whereas the first was white as usually . the second part of this stomach was much larger than the first , and it resembled the fourth of other animals that chew the cud , called by aristotle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , by the latins abomasum , and by the french caillette , because that it is in this stomach that the runnet is made which makes the milk to curdle . it had also some inequalities and eminencies like leaves , but which were smooth and polished . moreover it formed at its entrance a great sack , by the means of a fold which it had underneath the first part of the second stomach ; and towards its passage out it was raised upwards and contracted to make the pylorus . this structure of the two stomachs which was found the same in all the females , was something different in the male , where the first and great stomach was not pointed at the bottom ; and altho its two membranes were separable as in the females , yet the under one had no net-work folds , nor any valve at the entrance into the second stomach , which had an eminence or bunch which was wanting in females . the intestines of the females were disposed in such a manner that the iejunum and ileum were plaited very small through several little cells , and fastened along the colon , which served them as a band to stay these plaits or folds like a ruff. the colon had no cells : the ilia or small guts were almost four lines diameter , and the colon above six . the intestines of the male had their anfractuosities after another manner ; for some were folded as the colon in a man , making a great many little cells : others were doubled long-ways like a trumpet , each fold being above four inches long . the branches of the venae mesaraicae were very large , and fastened to the colon by abundance of little branches which they sent thither ; and every great branch passing a little farther did in like manner distribute little branches to the small guts . the caecum was seven inches in length and one in thickness . the kidneys were almost round : the right lay under the little right lobe of the liver , and the left under the point of the stomach . the situation of those of the male was very extraordinary ; for the left was upon the aorta , and the right was two inches higher than the left . at the origine of the right spermatick artery of the male , there was a glandulous body placed upon the trunck of the vena cava as if it were a cushion to this artery . the uterus was divided into two cornua , as in other brutes . on the inside it had abundance of eminencies like papillae , seven or eight in each horn ; and at the internal orifice there was a caruncle in the inside which covered it . there were two large vessels which went to the duggs . the vein which was the larger directly tended to the papillae , alwayes keeping its same bignss , and suddainly disappearing , without casting forth any apparent branches . the artery ran down to the bagg which is near the papillae , where it was divided into five or six branches , like a gooses foot. the lungs had four lobes on the right side , and two on the left . in one of the gazella's they were all sticking fast one to the other , and to the ribb , and diaphragme , to which the liver was so fastned , that its parenchyma was there tied , and would sooner tare than separate . in this subject the vena azygos was as large as the vena cava . all our gazella's had the heart long , and pointed , that of the largest being four inches and a half in length , and two and a half in breadth . the ventricles of the heart of that which dyed with the blow which had bruised the shoulder , were almost filled with a hard and solid flesh , which was a body strange , and separated from the substance of the heart , and of its vessels . the pericardium was imediately knitt to the sternum and diaphragme by two strong ligaments . the point of the heart was turned towards the cartilago xiphoides . the brain had few anfractuosity's , and was but lightly slit , and divided in two , at the place of the falx . the two upper ventricles were open one into the other in the anteriour part of the septum lucidum , by an hole two thirds of a line in breadth . the ball of the eye which was very large being an inch diameter , was covered with an internal eye-lidd : the cornea was oval . the uvea was of a greenish pearl colour , and the retina was in this place crossed over by the branch of a vein which shot forth several branches ; the whole being full of a blackish blood. the branch was about the bigness of a great pin , and it was got into the thickness of the retina . the explication of the figure of the cat-a-mountain . in the lower figure it may be observed that this animal is altogether like a cat , except that it has proportionably a shorter neck , and the tail much less . in this it differs also from the leopard , which has a neck long and slender , and a very large tail , as naturalists do describe it . in the upper figure . a a. the bottom of the ventricle . b b. the vena gastrica . c c. the membrane which holds together the two orifices of the ventricle . d. the spleen . e. the trunk of the vena cava . g. the trunck of the aorta . h. the upper mesenterick artery miscalled the lower in the text. i. the veins and arteries of the loyns . k k. the ureters . l. the bladder . m. a vessel which may be taken for one of the deferentia . n n. the prostatae . o o. the kidneys . p. the penis . q q. the proper membrane of the kidney . r r. some vessels appearing on the outside of the kidney it self . s s. the great sinus's in the os frontis . t t. the two other sinus's in the os occipitis . v v. the brain . x. the cerebellum . the anatomical description of a chat-pard or , cat-a-mountain . 't is thought that the chat-pard or cat-a-mountain is one of those animals which are ingendred by the mixture of two different species , and that it ought to be put in the number of the novelties which africk daily produceth ; according to the opinion of aristotle , who giving the reason of the fertility which africk has for monsters , says that the dryness of its desarts compels the savage beasts to assemble at places where there is water : and he supposes that this meeting occasions these different animals to couple , and ingender a new species , when it happens that they are equal in size , and the time which they used to bear their young is not very different . but according to these reasons of aristotle , the animal which we speak of seems not possible to be ingendred of a leopard and a cat , nor of a cat and a panther , which according to the most common opinion is the female leopard , for neither the stature of these animals nor the times during which they go with young are alike ; the leopard and panther being animals a great deal larger , and of a species which carries its young much longer than cats . our chat-pard was but two foot and a half , from the end of its nose to the beginning of the tail. it exceeded not one foot and a half in heighth , from the top of the back to the end of the fore-claws : the tail was but eight inches . there was nothing in all its exteriour figure which is not in a cat , save that its tail was not long enough in proportion to the rest of the body , whose bulk did indeed surpass that of the largest cats , but was also much inferiour to that of the leopard and panther . it had no long and slender neck like those animals ? it was on the contrary in some sort shorter than the cats ; which we found to proceed in some measure from its extraordinary fatness . but in this it seemed to us repugnant to the nature of the leopard , which according to gallen is the leanest of all animals , unless it be supposed that our chat-pard was ingendred of a leopard and a cat , and not of a cat and a panther ; because it is observed that commonly when there is a mixture of species , that which is thereby ingendred has more resemblance to the damme than the sire , especially in that which respects the form and habit of the body . the grosness of the body of the hair , was proportionably of the length as it is in cats , but it was somewhat shorter . the colour which most prevailed all over the body was of a fox-red ; only the belly and inside of the fore-legs was isabella , the throat and bottom of the lower jaw was white . there were black spots all over , long ones upon the back , and round ones on the belly and feet , at the extremity of which the spots were very small , and thickly seminated ; on the ears there were some very black streaks which crossed them ; and in short , they wholly resembled those of a cat. the hairs of the beard were shorter than those in cats proportionably to the body ; and there was none on the eye-brows and cheeks , where cats have them . in opening the belly there was found an extraordinary quantity of fat , for all the intervals of the muscles of the lower venter were filled therewith ; and under the peritonaeum there was a piece which was bigger than ones fist , which inclosed the vena umbilicalis . the two skins or coats of the epiploon , which were likewise furnished therewith , did joyntly descend as usually , and reached into the groin ; and folding themselves under the intestines , did embrace and keep themselves suspended as in a sack. the intestines were almost all of an equal bigness , and had two thirds of an inch diameter . the rectum and colon exceeded the other in bigness only one third of an inch. these two great intestines together were twelve inches long ; the others from the pylorus to the caecum about seven foot . the caecum was an inch and a half in length , and two thirds of an inch in its greatest thickness . it terminated in an obtuse point . the stomach , which was very great and large , had in the sinuosity , which is in most brutes between the superiour and inferiour orifices , a membrane greatly loaden with fat , which ▪ joyned these two orifices together , and which conducted the trunck of the vena gastrica to the bottom of the bending , without touching the membranes of the stomach ; the vena gastrica being in this membrane after the same manner as the vessels are in the mesentery , and casting its branches into the stomach as the vessels of the mesentery do cast them into the intestines , or as the vas breve produces them to insert them at the bottom of the stomach , and in the spleen . the pancreas was fastened , and run along the duodenum and ileum , and advanced not far underneath the stomach . the spleen was four inches long , and fifteen lines in its greatest breadth . it was of a dark-red colour , and its figure very well represented that of an oak leaf , being slit in several places . the liver was divided into six great lobes , three whereof were indented in several places . it s substance was soft , and seemed to be composed of several glands , as we have already remark'd in the liver of the gazella . this was found by two different colours which were seen in this liver ; the bottom being black and spotted with a clear and yellowish red . but these spots had not a regular figure like those which have been observed in the liver of the gazella's . the gall-bladder was in the greatest lobe of those which were again divided in two : its colour inclined to yellow . it s size was proportionable to that of the whole animal , like as the kidneys , whose proper membrane was easily separated , altho' the vessels which were numerously extended on the external superficies of the parenchyma ▪ and which were very large and swelled , appeared through this membrane , even as if it had been closely joyned to the parenchyma : for these vessels were so visible , that they seemed to appertain to this membrane , altho indeed they were included in the substance of the kidney ; which has been already remark'd in the young lion. as for the parts of generation they were very defective and imperfect ; for except the penis , prostatae , and caruncula which is in the urethra , there appeared not the least sign or remain thereof . there was only a vessel which might be taken for one of the deferentia ; but it was impossible to know certainly whether it was really one , because that there was no appearance of testicles , and it could not be discovered from whence it came . as to the other spermatick vessels , there could none be found , altho sought after with all possible care : for it was doubted whether they were not broken through carelesness , as it is probable hofmannus did , when he dissected a woman in whom these two spermatick arteries were not found , although she had had several children . to clear this doubt , the vena cava was presfed , and the blood therein contained made to ascend from the iliack branches to the emulgent veins . the same compression was likewise made on the left emulgent , without getting out one drop of blood , which was there very abundant , and free from coagulation . the great artery was likewise tied a little below the emulgent ; and having blown into the trunk there went not out any wind . 't is true , that having tied the trunck above the division of the iliack arteries , the wind lost it self through the superiour mesenterick , which was broken : but this branch being tied , the air found no way out when blown , and when the whole trunk was swelled up . this defect of the spermatick vessels and other parts which are absolutely necessary for generation , agreed very well with the abundance of fat whereof this animal was full , after the manner of all those which by an external cause have been rendred incapable of engendring , and in which the remainder of the nourishment could be imployed only to produce fat. this gave us some suspition that our chat-pard might have been castrated when young , according to the custom which the turks have followed , as much as they could , towards all the males which they do keep in their houses , where they do frequently nourish these chat-pards , especially in barbary , there being some appearance that the spermatick vessels might have been consumed and effaced by age , even as the anastomoses of the heart are in animals of a short time after their birth , when these parts wanting action and use , do wax dry and utterly abolish . but the truth is , that we found not any cicatrice in the skin of the belly ; and considering that the umbilical vessels do still remain , altho contracted , when they do no more execute the functions for which they were employed before the birth ; and that the spermatick vessels serving for other uses than generation , have no reason to dry up for want of imployment , when that , for which they were principally designed comes to cease , seeing that it is ordinarily seen that as they pass they shoot forth several branches for the nourishment of the adjoyning parts ; we remain in our former opinion , that this defect of such important organs must proceed from some other part , and that the sterility which is common to some animals which have been ingendred by the mixture of two different species must have a particular cause in our subject . for that which renders mules barren is not the defect of any of the organs which are necessary to generation , seeing that the difference which may be found in the conformation of the matrix of mares , and that of she-asses cannot , as some pretend , be the occasion of sterility ; the mare , in which something is wanting that is found in the she-asse , being not deprived of any of the parts which are absolutely necessary to generation , seeing that she ingenders ; and the difference of the organs which is between the species of horses , and that of asses , hinder's not the generation of mules , which do proceed from the mixture of these two species . therefore aristotle , according to empedocles , attributes this defect only to the temper of these animals , whose parts have contracted a hardness which renders them incapable of contributing to a new mixture ; which this philosopher explains by the comparison of copper and tin , which being separately very ductile and malleable to be imployed in different and several works , are no more in a condition of being weilded and receiving a new form , by reason of a brittle hardness and sharpness , which the mass composed of these two metals acquires , when they are melted together . so that if it be true that the lupi cervarii or ounces , which are thought to be engendred of the wolf and panther , as mastives of the leopard and bitch , and the greatest part of the other animals which are born by the mixture of two species , cease not to be fertile ; it must be thought that the conformation of our chat-pard was particular and accidental to it ; and that the defect of the parts which are wanting , and which made it incapable of generation , proceeded not from this mixture of species , which by changing the conformation of the parts could not corrupt it to the degree of rendring it useless to the functions , and which is still less capable of making a mutilation ; but which may more easily cause a vice in the temper , which is a consequence very natural from the mixture ; and in fine , it is probable that if the mule be the only animal which the confusion of species makes barren , it must needs be that there is something particular in those which have ingendred it , which is not found in the others . 't is that which aristotle has observed in the horse and asse , who hath both much less power for generation , than all other animals , seeing that in this genus , which consists of those which are short-liv'd , and which ought consequently to be more readily engendred , the females do carry their conception a great deal longer , and have much more difficulty to give it its last perfection than others , by reason ; as this philosopher says , of the hardness of their uterus , which is like an earth which drought and aridity have made sterile . for this being so , it is found that the mule is barren , not only by the general reason of the repugnance which is always found in the mixture of different species , but likewise by the particular defect which was in both of the species which are assembled for generation , and which have not surmounted that repugnancy so powerfully as leopards , dogs , and foxes , which are animals fertile enough ; to transmit to their posterity the powerful dispositions which they have for generation , notwithstanding the contrari●…ty which the mixture of different species may cause . the penis was extraordinary small , containing from the swelling of the ischium , which is its origine , to the end , but an inch and half , and but a line and half in diameter . there was found no bone. the diaphragme was very fleshy , and its nervous part very small . the pericardium , in which there was no water , was exceeding close to the heart ; which happened perhaps by the swelling of this part , which after the manner of all things that do congeal , was puffed up : for this dissection was made the eleventh day of ianuary . at which time was felt a greater cold than ever was known . the ventricles of the heart were filled with great plenty of congealed and hardened blood , which was not in the veins , perhaps by reason of its little quantity , which easily thaws in the parts which must necessarily be much handled in the dissection and preparation thereof . the heart was rounder and less pointed than in cats and fierce beasts , by reason , as it is probable , that the extraordinary distention and enlarging of the ventricles had made the point to shrink towards the basis. the lungs had eight lobes , four on the right side , three on the left , and the eighth in the middle , in the cavity of the mediastinum joyning the diaphragme . the os frontis had two very large sinus's , which were square and long , adjoyning to each other . there were two other sinus's in the os occipitis : they were of a triangular form , and distant from each other , being of the right and left side of the cerebellum . the bone which separated these two brains had two points . the brain was divided in two by the falx which was very large , and which did enter very deep therein . the anfractuosities were extended in length from the cerebellum to the fore-part . at the place where the glandula pinealis usually is , there was found only a little point about the bigness of a pins point , which was taken for this gland . the orbite of the eye was whole and bonie all round , the bones of the temples and that of the iaw being joyned : but the internal and upper part was open , insomuch that the ball of the eye touched the muscles of the temples . the ball of the eye contained eleven lines in diameter through the middle ; the cornea had nine . there was an internal eye-lid , which was seated in the great canthus of the eye , and which advanced towards the little one . the aqueous humour , which was in exceeding great abundance , was not found congealed , although the vitreous and crystalline were hard frozen : which demonstrates that this humour is improperly called aqueous , and that its substance is rather spirituous and as it were aetherial ; because that congelation peculiarly belongs to aqueous liquors ; those which are fat and oleaginous being capable only of coagulation , even as those which are spirituous and aetherial do suffer neither congelation nor coagulation : so that it is probable that this substance , which is lock'd up in the forepart of the eye , has nothing of water but the transparency and fluidity , because that it has need of an extraordinary thinness and subtilty , to serve for the refraction which must be made in the crystalline , whose substance is thicker , by establishing the diversity of the medium , which is necessary to this operation . the choroides was brown , and the retina white . the tapetum was also of a blewish white . in the place of the optick nerve there was observed a black point . the nerve entered into the eye almost directly over the middle of the tapetum . the crystalline contained five lines diameter , and its posteriour part was not so convex as the anteriour . the explication of the figure of the sea-fox . in the lower figure it is laid in such a manner , that there may be seen the two fins which it has on its back , eye , nostril , and the five apertures of the gills , with the teeth which are on the right side all of one single bone , making only one row , and after another manner than on the left side , where they are separated from each other , and disposed in several rows , as is seen in the upper figure . in the upper figure . a. is the heart . b c. the right lobe of the liver . c. the gall-bladder , of which but a small part is seen , it being inclosed in the liver . d d. the left lobe of the liver . e. the spleen . f g. the ventricle . g h. the duodenum . h i. the great intestine . j. the auricle of the heart . k. the aorta ascendens . l. the cornea sunk and folding over the crystalline . m m. the edge of the sclerotica . n. the optick nerve . o p q. the great intestine , part of whose coat is taken away to shew the spiral membrane that is within it . o. the part next the duodenum . p. the beginning of the rectum . q q q. the srcew-like or spiral membrane . the anatomical description of a sea-fox . in this fish we found all the marks by which authors describe that which they do call the sea-fox , except some particularities which are pretended to have made it so named . for they do say that it has a great deal of resemblance with the land-fox , as well in its tail , as in its subtilty , smell , and tast of its flesh : but none of the company observed that it smell 't otherwise than the generality of sea-fish . it s flesh was found well tasted , to make it to be taken , ( as it has been by some authors , ) for the accipenser , or at least to make it unlike that of the fox , which is known to be very ill ; and it cannot be believed that this animal can have a great deal of subtilty , if it be true that the brain contributes to it , for there was hardly any found in it . as for the tail it is indeed very strange , but it nothing resembles that of a fox . the sea-fox is by authors put in the unflat cartilaginous cetaceous kind , which are called galeodi . their generical differences , are to have two livers , five bronchiae or gills of each side , and pendent points at the finns which are under the belly , at the sides of the navel in the males . these fishes are of six species called canicula , acantias , mustelus , galexias , asterias , and alopecias , which is our sea-fox , whose specifick difference , as to the figure , is taken from its tail , which very perfectly represents a sythe . the length of this whole fish was eight foot and a half , and its greatest breadth directly over the belly fourteen inches . it s figure was such , that from the end of the nose to about the middle of its whole length , it had the common form of a fish : for it grew larger toward the belly , and then it did contract , to the place where the tail of other fishes end . but there it is that his began , which was almost as long as all the rest of the body , and made like a sythe bent towards the belly . at the place where this sythe began , there was a single fin underneath , which salvian reports to be at the top , where there was only an eminence , which was an articulation that made the spine to bend in this place higher and lower more easily than in all the rest of the body , where the flexion was easie only to the right and left . there were two fins elevated on the back , a great one in the middle , and another less towards the tail , altho aristotle , according to the report of athenaeus , says that it has not any fin on the back . it had three fins on each side . the two next the head were large , and representing the wings of a bird , which is the reason perhaps that induced aristotle to say that there is a fox , which like batts , hath leather wings . these fins were fifteen inches long , and five broad at their basis. those which were at the middle of the belly were of a middle size . they were at the side of the navel , and had each a pendent point : which is proper to the males in this sort of fish , as it has been said . the last near the tail were very small . the skin was sleek and without scales ; the crests and fins were hard , and composed of small spines restrained by the skin which covered them , the colour of which was all over alike of a very dark-gray , blewish like mud , and not white at the belly , as in salvian's fox . the opening of the mouth was five inches , and armed with two sorts of teeth . the right side of the upper iaw , to the place where are the canini of other animals , had a row of sharp teeth , hard and firm , being all of one single bone in the form of a saw ; but this bone was much harder than the other bones which are fastened with a cartilage in these sorts of fishes . the other teeth , which were on the side of this and all the lower jaw , made six rows throughout , and were moveable and fastned by fleshy membranes . their figure was triangular somewhat sharp , and their substance much softer than that of the others which are like a saw , especially in the inward rows , where they were very brittle and softer than the cartilage , so that there were some which appeared only like an hardned membrane . the tongue was all firmly fixed to the lower jaw , and composed of several bones strongly articulated to each other by a fibrous flesh. it was furnished with a hard skin , and covered with little shining points , which made it very rough from the inside outwards , and very sleek and smooth from the outside inwards . these points viewed with a microscope were transparent as crystal , and appeared to have three lines in length , and one and a half at their basis. the throat was very large , and the oesophagus was not lesser than the stomach , in which authors do say that this fish conceals its young when they are afraid , by swallowing them down to vomit them up again ; and this is the reason which made aelian and plutarch to say , that the subtilty which this fish has to quit it self of the hook which it has swallowed , is to spew it up with its stomach , which as ▪ aelian reports , it can turn the wrong side outward : which is much more probable than what others do say , viz. that it proceeds to swallow the line untill it has found a place weak enough to cut it with its teeth ; because it has no incisores . this stomach was about fifteen inches long , and five broad , terminating at the bottom in a very strait pylorus , which was like a choaking , making the passage of the stomach to the intestine . this ductus or passage , which exceeded not three lines in length , and one and a half in diameter , was very smooth and slippery , even as the oesophagus , but the inside of the stomach was rugged , and like to that of animals which chew the cud , which is called reticulum . in the stomach there was found a branch of the sea-plant called in french varec , about five inches long , and a fish of the same length without a head , scales , skin , and entrails , being all digested , except the musculous flesh , which was left entire . after the pylorus the intestine was a little enlarged even to contain four lines diameter , for the length of five inches , which may be taken for the duodenum , which was afterwards dilated for the forming a great intestine , which was about eighteen inches long , and three broad . it s inferiour part , which was smooth , and seven inches long , was the rectum . the superiour which contained about thirteen inches , had a very particular structure ; for instead of the ordinary circumvolutions of the intestines , the cavity of this was transversly interrupted with several separations composed of the membranes of the intestine folded inwards . these separations were near half an inch distant from each other , and turned round like the shell of a snail , or of a stair-case with an open newel : which is the reason , as it is easie to conjecture , why the nourishment stays , and is a great while in passing , altho the way be very short . the liver took up the whole length of the right side of the belly . it was divided into two lobes ; which has made authors to say that this fish hath two livers . the longest of these lobes was twenty inches , the other eighteen , each containing only five in breadth : its colour was reddish , and was streaked all along , and across by obscure lines . the gall was inclosed at the top of the great lobe in the substance of the parenchyma , and was not gathered into a vesicle ; but its colour only seemed to appear green through the tunicle of the liver . the two lobes weighed five pounds and a half . the vesicle had in the inside as it were leaves composed of its tunicle : the gall which it contained was found to have more of acidity than bitterness . the spleen was fastened to the bottom of the stomach . it was double like the liver , and terminating in two unequal points , the longest of which was five inches . it s colour resembled that of the liver , being only somewhat less dark , and less brown . near the spleen there was observed a part fastened to the intestine , which might be said to be the pancreas , because that it was as it were glandulous , but blacker then the spleen . towards the navel there was found a part shut up in the inside , about two inches long , and pointed at the end , which was judged to be the part which made the sex , which was already discovered by the two points already mentioned , and which authors report to be found only in the males . the bronchiae or gills , which are five of each side , had this common amongst them that their aperture , which is about two inches and a half , was inlarged almost as much again in the inside , to lap over a hole like to their aperture : that wherein they differed , is that the three middle holes were greater , and provided on the inside with bronchiae . the two last which are somewhat lesser , especially that which is most distant from the head , had this particular , that they were smooth , and without those foliages whereof the bronchiae or gills are composed . the heart had no pericardium ; but there was a membrane like to that of the pericardium which reinvested and inveloped the aorta . the bigness of the heart and its figure resembled a pullets egg. its ventricle which was single as in most animals which do not breath , had five valves , three sigmoides at the mouth of the aorta , and two tricuspides at that of the vena cav●… . the heart had likewise one single auricle very large , and the beginning of the aorta was girt with a fleshy ring of ten lines . the aorta ascendens having cast forth some branches for the brain , was consumed , and near all lost under the tongue . the head was a meer lump of flesh , being covered with the muscles of the temples , which contained four inches in thickness . the cranium was not bigger than ones fist ; it was near two fingers thick at top . this thickness was excavated by cavernous and unequal sinus's . they were almost all empty , containing only a little mucous matter mixt with blood. the brain which was very small , and had but little anfractuosity , was so soft and flabby , that no observation could be made on its structure . the spinalis medulla , which shot out all along through the foramina or holes which are between the vertebrae , filaments of nerves about the bigness of a pin , produced at the beginning of its exit out of the cranium , three pair which were about a line and a half in bigness , two whereof divided themselves at the temporal muscles , and at those which do move the great fore-fins ; the third pair run all along the back-bone , always keeping the same bigness , although it continually cast into the flesh little branches like those which proceed from the medulla spinalis . the eyes which were larger than those of an ox were only demi-spherical , being flat before , and the sclerotica making as it were a cup. this membrane was very thin , but so hard that it might rather pass for a bone than a membrane . on the contrary , the cornea was so tender , that it was folded and sunk on the crystallinus , which was perfectly spherical , as it is generally found in fishes ; yet in one of the eyes it was somewhat flatned . the anteriour uvea was not black , nor very obscure in the inside , but only greyish , as it is on the outside , where it makes the iris. the choroides was of the same colour , and its ground had that lustre of mother of pearl which is in terrestrial , animals , and which we do call the tapetum , but with colours less brisk . the retina was adorned with sanguinary vessels very apparent . this fish was very fleshy , and in several places we found fat above an inch thick ; which very much fortifies the opinion of archestratus , who in athenaeus averrs that the sea-fox is that fish which those of syracuse do call cyna piona , by reason of the abundance of fat which it hath ? which is contrary to the opinion of epaenetus , who says in the same author , that cartilaginous fishes have none . the explication of the figure of the lupus cervarius or lynx . that which is most considerable in the lower figure is the black hair , which makes the tuft that each ear has at the tip , and the roundness of the head as well as the rest of the shape of the animal which nothing participates of that of the wolfe . in the upper figure . a. is one of the kidneys as big as the life . b c. the tongue . d d. the integuments of the lower belly . e e. the liver . f. the gall-bladder . g. the ventricle . h. the spleen . i. i. i. the vessels making that , called the vas-breve . k. k. k. the epiploon . l. l. l. the intestines . the anatomical description of a lupus cervarius or lynx . some authors have thought that this animal was called lupus cervarius , from its figure and colour , supposing that it has the shape of a wolfe , even as it in some measure resembles the stagg in the colour of its hair. this very reason hath made others to think that it is the thos of the ancients , because oppian reports that the thos has the form of its sire which is the wolfe , and colour of its damme which is the leopardess . but the truth is that the lupus cervarius or lynx has nothing which resembles the wolfe ; and the little resemblance which it takes from the leopard or stagg is so common to a great many other animals , that it is more probable , as several believe , that the name of lupus cervarius is given unto it , because that it hunts staggs , as the wolfe devours sheep . that which was dissected had not the nose long and pointed like the wolfe , but blunt and short , which made it rather to resemble a cat. the length of the whole head was seven inches , that of the neck four : the rest of the body contained twenty four inches , without comprehending the tail which had but eight ; the whole amounting to three foot seven inches . the height from the extremitie of the back to the end of the fore-paws were twenty inches , and there were twenty three from the os sacrum to the extremities of the hind-feet . the fore-paws had five toes ; the hind-ones only four . all these toes were armed with claws crooked , pointed , and articulated as in the lions , bears , tigers and catts which we have dissected . the back was of a fox-red , marked with black spots . the belly and inside of the leggs was of an ash-colour , speckled also with black spots , but differently ; for the spots of the belly were larger , not so black , nor so close to each other as those of the back , leggs and paws , whose outside was red like the back . the greatest part of the hair , viz. that which appeared red , and that which appeared of an ash-colour , was indeed of three colours , having the root of a dark-gray , and the extremity white : but this whiteness of the extremity took up so little a portion of the hair , that it prevented not the seeing its principal colour , which was that of the middle , and it made the whole superficies of the body to appear only as if it were powdered . the hair , which made the black spots , was but of two colours , hauing no white at the end , and being only less black towards the root , which nevertheless was browner than that of the other hair. the dentes canini , which were four , were eight lines long in the upper-jaw ; the two of the lower-jaw but six . between the canini there were in each jaw six incisores , and those of the upper were likewise longer than those of the lower . there were ten molares , five in each side , viz. two above , and three below in each jaw . the tongue was four inches and a half long , and an inch and a half broad . it was covered with pricks as in the lion and catt . these points from the tip of the tongue to the middle were very hard and sharp , and were turned towards the root of the tongue . those which were from the root to the middle were turned contrary ; and were blunter and softer . the ears , which greatly resembled those of a catt , had each on the tip which was pointed , a tuft of very black hair , which seemed to us to be a character very particular to the lupus cervarius , to distinguish it from several other animals which are described in the histories of the antients , as the thos , chaos , and panther , which modern authors have taken for the lupus cervarius ; but in none of which has there been observed this tuft , which aelian reports to be at the end of the ears of the lynx , after the same manner as we found it in our subject , and in other lupi cervarii which are in the park of vincennes . it is very hard to conjecture why modern authors have taken the lupus cervarius for the thos of the ancients , of which some , as theocritus , have only reported it to be a kind of wolfe ; and others , as homer , that it eats staggs : for it is pretended that this author has in some measure described the nature of the thos , by compareing them to a multitude of trojans , which pressing ulysses in a combate are put to flight by ajax , who comes to rescue them : but by this comparison he gives us to understand that the thos are weak , and cowardly animals , seing that being assembled to eat a stagg which has been wounded by a hunts-man , they do leave it to a lion which unexpectedly comes upon them . for this reason they are by the scholiast interpreted pantheria , which are a kind of weak and timerous wolfe . aristotle and theocritus do likewise say , that the thos resembles the wolfe , that he is swift-footed , and leaps a great way , although he has short leggs . but there are other reasons to make us beleive that the lupus cervarius is not the thos , which are much more powerful . for besides our not finding our lupus cervarius to have short leggs , the other marks also which the antients do attribute to the thos are wanting in it , having not the figure of the wolfe , as aristotle and oppian describe it , not being weak and timerous , as homer represents it , not having another colour in the winter than in the summer , nor being of the kind of animals which do love man , which do him no harm , and which do not avoid him : for it is known that these characters , by which aristotle and pliny do represent the thos , are not found in the lupus cervarius ; and the greatest part are contrary to what we have observed in that which we dis●…ected . there was only the changeing of the hair which we at first thought to be so as aristotle represents it in the thos ; because that the hair of the lupus cervarius , which was brought to us towards the end of autumne , was very different from the hair of those we had seen in the summer in the park of vincennes ; these last having not their backs red , nor spotted with black like ours , but only confusedly intermixt with black , gray , and red : besides that their hair was short , thick , and course as in a mas●…ive , whereas our lupus cervarius had it long , soft , and fine like that of a catt . but we at last found that this diversity in the colour of hair proceeded not from the alteration which happens to it according to the seasons , but from the difference of the species of the lupi cervari●… : for there are some whose back is red , spotted with black , which do come from muscovia , such as was ours ; and others which do come from the levant and canada , which have no spots on the back , such as are those which we have seen at vincennes . therefore authors do differ amongst themselves , and there are some which do even contradict themselves on this opinion that the thos is the lupus cervarius . for though scaliger and gaza do always interpret the thos in aristotle , lupus cervarius , which gesner and gillius do likewise in aelian ; yet scaliger when he speaks of the lupus cervarius , say's that he thinks it is the male lynx , which may make us to think that he takes the thos , lynx , and lupus cervarius for the same animal , conformable to the explication of petrus crinitus , who interprets thoes in homer lynces , and to that of eustathius , who says that the thos is no weak and timerous animal , because that he judges the thos to be the lupus cervarius , which indeed is strong and couragious . but hermolaus on pliny , says that he cannot sufficiently wonder at the errour of those who do take the lupus cervarius for the thos : for the species of the wolfe , which is pretended to be the thos , is a weak and timid animal , which is by gesner , gaza , and niphus called lupus canarius , lupus armenius , and by the scholiast of homer panther ; and oppian puts the thos among the little and inconsiderable beasts , such as are dormice , sqvirrels , and catts ; which is confirmed by hesychius , and seems to be very suitable to the idea which homer gives of the thos . so that it remains only to see whether our lupus cervarius , which has so little relation with the descriptions which the antients do make of the thos and panther , has any more with what they have writt of the chaos and lynx . hermolaus makes no question that it is the chaos of pliny . and indeed , when this author speaks of the lupus cervarius , he reports the same thing thereof as he said of the chaos , which is that pompey shewed some in his theater at rome , which were spotted like the leopard , and which had been sent from the gaules , that is to say , a northern country , where the lupi cervarii , which have hair like that of the leopard are found in great plenty . but the difficulty lies in what pliny says that they had the shape of the wolfe ; which we found not , as has been said , in our lupus cervarius . insomuch that there remains only the lynx , of which the ancients do say nothing which is repugnant to what we have seen in our lupus cervarius , in which we have likewise found all that they report of the lynx . for besides the lo●…k of black hair which aelian remarks on the tip of the ears of the lynx , and which we have observed to be after the same manner in our subject , which is a very particular mark , we have likewise found that it has a short nose like aelian's lynx , and it is known that the lupus cervarius is very cruelly bent after the hunting of staggs , which oppian reports to be peculiar to the great lynx ; of which he makes a species different from the little one which hunts hares . for as to the blackish colour which pliny gives to the hair of the aethiopian lynx , he mentions it as a thing extraordinary . and in short as for what concerns its sight , which pliny reports to be more piercing than in any other animals , we have remarkt nothing which may obstruct , or hinder us from believeing our lupus cervarius to have had a very pierceing sight ; besides it is not very certain whether that which is reported of the sight of the lynx must be understood of that of a wild beast , or of a man of that name , who had a sight so good , as pliny affirm's , that he saw the moon when it changed ; or of an other , who , as georgius agricola explains it , had the repute of seeing thro' the earth , because that he knew how to discover where the most concealed metals were . as for what concerns the inwards of our lupus cervarius , which was a female , we found that it had a stomach like to that of cats , having nothing extraordinary either in its structure or bigness , which was proportionable to that of the rest of the body . the spleen which was laid along the left part of the stomach was of a redish colour . it s length was seven inches , and its breadth but one . all along one of its sides , viz. that which was towards the stomach , it had an eminence which made an angle . the epiploon , which covered and inclosed the intestines , was like a net-work of cords of hard and solid fat , whose void spaces were filled with membranes pierced with an infinite number of little holes , so that as these membranes were not capable of retaining water like those of the epiploon of men and several other animals . these ropes of fat did inclose and cover almost all the vessels of the epiploon . the intestines , which were of an equal bigness , contained altogether nine foot and a half in length : which seem's to have been observed by pliny , who speaking of animals which have short intestines , produces only two examples , which are the lupus cervarius and ducker . yet we have already remarkt in the lyons that we dissected , that their intestines were not above three times longer than the whole body , which is the proportion of the intestines of the lupus cervarius . there was a caecum , but it had no appendix . the liver had seven lobes , which were long and straight . the longest was five inches , and the broadest two and a half towards the basis. the gall-bladder contained nine inches in length , and not exceeding half a one in breadth . the pancreas asellianum was three inches long , and fifteen lines in its greatest breadth . it had a cavitie full of slimie and putrified serositie , which was the occasion of an abc●…ss in the center of the mesentery . the kidneys were situated at an equal heighth opposite each to other . they were two inches in length , and one in breadth . the matrix resembled that of bitches and cats . it contained four inches and a half from the external orifice to the bifurcation of the two hornes or ductus's , which from the bifurcation to their extremitie where the testicles were , contained each four inches and a half in length . the testicles were six lines long , and four broad : they were composed of several glands . the lungs had seven lobes like the liver . they were almost all dryed up and friable through the extraordinary heat of the blood , which was blackt by adustion . this blackness of the blood had made the heart livid , and tinged the water of the pericardium , so that it was bloodie . the heart was two inches and a half long , and two inches broad . the auricles , vessels and valves were as in a catt . the muscles of the temples were large and strong , being eight lines in thickness , and two inches in breadth . this bigness seemed to us very considerable , to make dubious the beliefe which we had that the lupus cervarius is the lynx of the antients ; because that when galen speaks of the different size of the muscles of the temples in various animals , he gives only three examples of those which have them extraordinary small and feeble , which are man , the ape , and lynx . but it is probable that galen means the little lynx of oppian , which only hunts hares , and not that which devours staggs , which is the lupus cervarius . the sinus's of the skull were very ample and open . the bone which sepertes the brain from the cerebellum was like to that which we have found in a tiger , fox , dog , cat , and a great many other animals . at the opening of the skull the anfractuosities of the brain appeared thro' the dura mater , which was transparent . the external part and substance of the brain , which is called the cortex , was very white and solid . the glandula pinealis was very small . the ball of the eye was an inch diameter : it was almost sph●…rical , except the cornea , which was raised somewhat more pointing . the thickness of the cornea , which was half a line , was every where alike . it was joyned as usually with the sclerotica by the mutual attenuation of the extremitie of the two membranes , which being each in this place made like the diamond-cut of a glass , do so joyn themselves that both together are not thicker than each apart , because that the thinnest place of the one , which is its extremitie , lyes upon the thickest place of the other . these sloapeings were each two thirds of a line broad . the sclerotica , which was outwardly white , and inwardly somewhat blackish by the touching of the uvea , was very thin at the bottom , not being thicker than strong paper . it was twice as thick at its extremitie towards the cornea . at the side of the cornea there was a membrane as in the lyon , which serves for an internal eye-lid which easily covered all the pupilla when it was thrust over it . it was of a triangular form. the two lesser sides were fastened to the conjunctiva . the third , which was the largest , could slip and advance over the eye to cover it . the fore-part of the iris was of a yellow-colour mixt with a great many little red lines , which were broken and of an unequal size . it was black at the hinder part which lay upon the crystalline . the aqueous humour was very abundant , but somewhat muddie , being sullied by the dissolution of some part of the black substance which is fastened to the uvea . the crystaline was seven lines diameter , and five thick , three of which made the anteriour convexitie , and two the posteriour . the vitreous humour was very clear and transparent . the tapetum of the uvea , which was of a blewish white , was pierced by the optick nerve , not at its extremitie , as it is seen in most animals , but almost in its center . the optick nerve had in its middle a red point inclineing to black. the explication of the figure of the castor or beaver it is represented below , with half of the body , that is the fore part , on the land , and hind part in the water ; because that it was observed dureing the time that it was kept , that it loved frequently to plung its hind-paws and tail into the water . in the upper figure . a a. the os pubis . b. the bottom of the bladder . c c. the two first pouches , which are the largest of those , wherein the castoreum is prepared and contained . d d. the two second , which are less . e e. the other pouches of a third sort , inclosed in the second . d e. several little globular body 's seen upon the second and third sort of pouches . f. the common hole to the intestine and penis . g. the begining of the penis . h h. the epididymides . i. the testicles . k k. the vasa spermatica praeparantia . l l. the deferentia . m m. the cremaster's . n. one of the fore-paws . o o. the colon. p. the caecum . q. a ligament fasten'd to the caecum , along which are spread several vessels which loose themselves in the coat of this intestine . r r. the brain . s. the sinus of the dura mater . t t t t. four other sinus's proceeding from the other , which divide the cerebellum in three . v v v. the cerebellum . x. the bone of the penis . the anatomical description of a castor or beaver . it was so much the more necessary to observe nicely all the parts of the castor , because there has not hitherto been made an exact description thereof ; the ancients having been almost wholly silent concerning this animal , and the moderns applying themselves more to speak of its nature , than to examine the structure of its body . that which was dissected at the king's library was taken in canada , about the river of st. lawrence . it resembled an otter , but was larger and bigger , and weighed above thirty pounds . it s length was about three foot and a half , from the end of the nose to the tip of the tail , and its greatest breadth was near twelve inches . the hair which covered its whole body , except the tail , was not every where alike ; but there were two sorts , which were mingled together , and which differed in length as well as colour . the bigger was about an inch and half long , and as thick as the hair of ones head. its colour was brown , somewhat inclining to a minime or soot-colour , but very bright ; and its substance was firm , and so solid , that having cut it cross-wise there could not any cavity be seen , even with the microscope . the lesser was about an inch in length ; there was some much shorter than others ; it seemed likewise more slender , and was so soft , that the finest down is not softer . the mixture of these two sorts of hair so different is found in many animals ; but it is most remarkable in the castor , otter , and wild-boar ; and it seems that it is likewise more necessary for them : for these animals being subject to wallow in the mire , besides the short hair which nature has given them to defend them from the cold , they had need of another longer hair to receive the mudd , and keep it from penetrating to the skin . it s head was five inches and a half long , from the end of the nose , to the hinder-part of the occiput , and five inches broad at the place of the bones which do make the eminency of the cheeks . this proportion has made the castor , to be by herodotus , put amongst the animals which he calls tetragonoprosopa , that is to say , with a square face or head. its ears resembled those of an otter ; they were round and very short , covered with hair on the out-side , and almost without any within . it is said that this animal delights to knaw trees , and that it cuts them down to make its damme or hole withal ; and indeed its teeth were made after a manner very proper for it . at the end of the nose it had four incisores , two in each jaw , like squirrels , rats , and other animals which love to nibble . the lower ones were above an inch long , but the upper were not above ten lines , and slipped within the others , not being directly opposite to them . as to their shape , they were half round before , and very sharp at the end , which was cut bevelling on the in-side and out-side . their colour was white on the in-side , and on the outside of a brisk red inclining to yellow , almost like that of bastard saffron . they were both about two lines broad at the going out of the jaw , and above a line at their extremity . besides these incisores , there were sixteen molares , that is to say , eight in each side , four below , and four above . they were directly opposite one to another , and had nothing particular . as to the eyes we could not examine them , because that the rats , or some such creatures had eat them . the structure of the feet was very extraordinary , and sufficiently demonstrated , that nature hath designed this animal to live in the water as well as upon land. for altho' it had four feet , like terrestrial animals , yet the hindmost seemed more proper to swim than walk with , the five toes of which they were composed being joyned together like those of a goose , by a membrane which serves this animal to swim with . but the fore-ones were made otherwise ; for there was no membrane which held these toes joyn'd together ; and this was requisite for the conveniency of this animal , which uses them as hands ( like squirrels ) when he eats . the proportion of these toes , their situation , and the shape of the palm , do make these paws wholly like hands ; and when mathiolus says that they do differ from the hands of an ape , he evidently demonstrates that he has confounded the castor with the otter , which has the toes of the fore-feet provided with skins like those behind ; which perhaps he has inferr'd from what pliny says , that the castor is altogether like the otter , except the tail. the length of the fore-feet was six inches and a half from the cubitus to the end of the great toe ; and three inches from the beginning of the hand to the extremity of the greatest finger : those behind were longer , and contained six inches from the extremity of the heel to the end of the longest , which was the second toe . besides these five toes , which were all furnished at the end with nails cut aslope , and hollow in the inside like pens , there was in the external part of each fore and hind-foot , a little bone which made an eminency , and which might have been taken for a sixth toe , had it been separate and divided from the foot ; but as it was not , it seemed that it served only to add more strength and firmness to the foot. the tail is that which has principally made the castor to be reckoned in the number of the amphibious : for it has not any resemblance with the rest of the body , and seems to partake more of the nature of fish than of terrestrial animals . it was covered with an epidermis composed of scales , which a pellicle joyned together . these scales were about the thickness of parchment , about a line and half in length , and for the most part of an irregular hexagonal figure . those on the upper part of the tail were very little different from those underneath ; save that amongst some of the under ones there grew sometimes one , sometimes two , and sometimes three small hairs , which were bent downwards , and exceeded not two lines in length . as to the colour they were of a dark-gray inclineing to a slate-colour ; but in the joynts the epidermis appeared of a darker colour . when the skin of the castor was flead , the scales of the tail fell off , but their figure remained imprinted thereon ; and this part of the skin , where the scales were , became white , and of a substance like that of the skin of fish as the porpoise , or sea-fox . in dissecting the tail we also found that the flesh thereof was very fat , and had a great deal of resemblance with that of cetaceous fishes . as to the rest , the bulk and shape of the tail was very remarkable . it was about eleven inches in length , and at the root it exceeded not four inches in breadth . from thence it went insensibly increaseing on each side to its middle , where it was five inches ; and afterwards it lessened to the end , where it terminated in an oval . on the contrary it was thicker towards its root than in all the rest of its length : for in this place it was near two inches thick , and decreased by little and little towards the other end ; so that in its middle it exceeded not an inch in thickness , and was reduced to five lines and a half at its extremitie . the edges of its circumference were round and somewhat thick , altho' they were much thinner than the middle . the hole through which this animal casts its excrements was situated between the tail and os pubis , about two inches higher than the beginning of the tail , and three inches and half lower than these bones . it was of an oval figure , about nine lines in length and seven in breadth . the skin about it was black and without hair , and was easily contracted and dilated , not by a sphincter as the anus of other animals , but simply like a slitt . this hole was common to the passage of the urine as well as to that of other excrements : for besides that the anus or extremitie of the rectum ended therein , a little lower , in the anteriour part , there was seen to appear the extremitie of this animals penis . at the sides of the inside of this common passage we observed two small cavities , one in each side , where we endeavoured to introduce a stylus ; but we could not make it to pass from the inside of the hole towards the out ; and thro' the outmost skin we perceived two eminencies , which we afterwards found to be the baggs or bladders which do contain the castoreum : and it being that which is most remarkable in this animal , we examined it with a particular exactness . naturalists have spoken variously thereof . some do assert that the castoreum is lockt up in the testicles of the castor ; and aelian says that this animal knowing that men do hunt it only to get this liquor of so great use in physick , tears off its testicles when it sees it self closely pursued by the hunters , and leaves them to them as for its ransom . others are of opinion that the castoreum is not found in the testicles of the castor , but in the bags particularly designed to receive this liquor . to inform●…us of the truth , we stript our beaver of its skin ; and having taken it away , we discovered in the place where we had observed these eminencies , four great pouches fixed underneath the os pubis . the two first were placed in the middle , and higher than the two other . they both together represented a kind of heart , the top of which was about an inch under the os pubis ; and the sides , being circularly extended , did approach to re-unite themselves in the upper part of the common aperture . the greatest breadth of these two pouches taken together , was a little more than two inches ; and the length from the top of each to the common aperture was likewise about two inches . they appeared externally of an ash-colour , streaked with several white lines of the shape of those which are seen in the saligot or water-nut . their outward coat was without wrinckle or fold , and appeared clear and transparent , so that its colour seemed to be borrowed of the coat which was underneath . and indeed , having opened one of these pouches , we found that the inward coat was of an ash-colour ; that moreover it was fleshy , and that it had on the inside several wrinckles like to those of a sheeps maw , amongst which we found some remains of a greyish matter , which had a stinking smell , and which was there so strongly fastened that it seemed to be a part thereof . these wrinckles were extended into both these pouches , which had communication one with the other , by a hole of above an inch , and were separated only at the bottom . underneath these first pouches there were two others , one at the right , and the other at the left side ; each of which had the figure of a pear somewhat flatted , or of a long green almond . they were each two inches and a half in length , and ten lines in breadth . their greatest breadth was towards the end farthest from the common passage of the excrements , and ended at the sides of this hole . these two pouches were so placed , as that they joyntly formed with the said common hole the shape of a very open v , from the inside of which the two first pouches raised themselves like a heart , as we have already said . these two lower pouches were very streightly joyned with the upper , about the common hole ; and it is probable that the matter of the castoreum having begun to be prepared in the two upper pouches , passeth into the other two there to be perfected , and to acquire more consistence , more oyliness , more smell , and a yellower colour , which appeared very little in the upper pouches . the structure also of these pouches were very different . it seemed that the lower ones were composed of glands , like the kidneys of young animals : for in their exteriour surface there was a great number of small round bodies , a little rising , and of a different size , the largest not exceeding a middleing lentile . they were all covered over with the membrane which externally enveloped all the great pouches , which is nothing else but a continuation of the common membrane of the muscles . having opened several of these little glandulous bodies , we found that they were composed of a spongie flesh of a whitish colour inclining to a red , and that they all had a considerable cavity : so that it seemed as if they were so many little pouches ; but there was no liquor in them , nor any other remarkable substance . we , judging by the touch that there was some liquor in the pouches , of whose surface these little bodies made a part , opened one at the bottom , keeping that of the other side to save the liquor . out of this hole there came a stinking liquor , yellow as honey , unctuous as melted fat , and combustible as turpentine ; for it took fire being put to the flame of a wax-candle . we would have seen whether by squeezing there would not be a reflux of this humour into the upper pouches , or into the common passage of the excrements ; but neither the one nor the other fell out . having afterwards emptied the liquor of this second bag we perceived that in its lower part there was a third pouch about fourteen lines in length , and six in breadth , which was likewise full of liquor , and so fastened to the membrane of the second pouch , that it could not be separated . it went sloaping to a point on the lateral part of the common hole ; but we perceived not that there was any passage into the cavities which we have spoken of in describing this hole ; for we could make nothing go out that way . in the external surface of the third pouch there were little glandulous bodies like those which we observed in the second . in this third pouch we found a juice , yellower , more liquid , and better digested than in the others . it had also a different smell , and greatly resembled the yolk of an egg , but its colour was somewhat paler . tho it was proposed in this discourse to speak only of the observations made in the dissection of the castor , it will be no digression to relate what has been since written from canada touching the castoreum . it is reported that the castors do use this liquor to create themselves an appetite when they have no stomach ; that they do get it out by squeezing with their paw the vesicles which do contain it ; and that the savages do therewith rub the snares which they lay for these animals on purpose to entrap them . rondeletius had well observed that the castors do frequently lick up this liquor ; but he speaks not of the particular uses which are told us that the animal and savages make thereof . but to return to the pouches which contain the castoreum , it is evident by the accurate description which we have already made thereof , that they are not the testicles of the castor , as several naturalists have imagined , whose error will likewise more evidently appear , by what we shall afterwards speak of these testicles . sextius , according to the relation of pliny , derided those who believed that the castor tears off his testicles , when closely pursued by the hunters , and said that it was impossible , because that this animal hath the testicles fastened to the back-bone . but he confutes one error by another . for as dioscorides has very well observed , the testicles of the castor are concealed in the groins , and not fastened to the back-bone . nevertheless amatus lusitanus and mathiolus , who have both commented upon dioscorides , and who say that they have dissected castors in the presence of several phisitians , do averr that they have found these testicles so fastened to the back-bone , that they had great difficulty to seperate them with a launcet . rondeletius runs into the same error , altho he has examined à little better than other authors the pouches from which the castoreum is taken , but yet very negligently , not to perceive that they are four in number ; for he reckons but two . there are some more modern authors who have not gone much farther than the other , contenting themselves with knowing that the testicles are different from these pouches ; and have so ill understood dioscorides , as to believe that when he says the testicles of the castor are hid in the groins , he took the pouches for them . but experience hath demonstrated to us that all these authors are mistaken , if all castors are like to that which we dissected : for the testicles were no more on the inside than the pouches ; they were only a little higher at the external and lateral parts of the os pubis , in the place of the groins , where we found them wholly concealed , so that they appeared not outwardly no more than the penis before that the skin was taken off . their figure and shape was very like to the stones of dogs , save that they were longer and lesser in proportion to their length . they were little more than an inch long ; their breadth was half an inch , and their thickness somewhat less . as to the epididymis and all the vessels necessary to generation , they differed in nothing from those of dogs . the penis appeared more singular to us . in its extremity instead of the balanus it had a bone fourteen lines long , and made like a stylus , which was two lines broad in its basis , and suddainly straitning it self , ended in a point . there was this also remarkable , that whereas the penis of dogs re-ascends from the os pubis towards the navel , this descended downwards towards the passage of the excrements , where it ended . it was , as we have said , concealed ; so that before the skin was taken off we perceived it not , and we could not discern of what sex this animal was . the better to examine these parts , we opened the lower venter ; and having traced the spermatick vessels to their origine , we found them like to those of dogs , and other animals . we observed likewise that the penis was laid upon the rectum , and that it passed underneath the two first pouches of the castoreum , to which it was closely joyned : that moreover these baggs received their veins and arteries from the hypogastrick veins and arteries , there being no appearance that there were other vessels which could furnish the matter whereof the castoreum is formed , unless it be imagined that it is caused by the uret which is improbable . as to the other parts of the lower venter the muscles of the abdomen , peritonaeum , stomach , and bladder , had nothing remarkable , and their structure was altogether like that of dogs . the intestines had little considerable , except the caecum , which was two inches and a half in breadth , and ten in length . it was unusually ranged on the left side underneath the spleen , from whence it descended to the cavity of the ileum , and terminated in a round point , making an appendix of an inch in length : it was that which made us to distinguish this intestine from the others . it s figure was not strait , but a little crooked , like the blade of a scythe . in the concave part of this bending there was a ligament , and in the convex another , both like to those which are commonly found in the colon of men ; and these ligaments were accompanied with veins and arteries which came from the venae mesentericae , and spread from space to space their branches into the body of this intestine . two fingers underneath the great end of the spleen , there lay a little spherical body very extraordinary , which appeared of the same substance as the spleen , altho it was remote from it ; it was three lines diameter . the other intestines were so little different from one another , that we could never distinguish the colon. they were near twenty eight foot long : having opened them we found in the inside eight worms long and round , like to earth-worms , three whereof were between seven and eight inches long , and the rest about four . the spleen was laid along the left side of the stomach , to which it was fastened by eight veins , and as many arteries , which made so many vas breve's . it s colour was very red : its length seven inches , and its thickness almost equalled its breadth , which was about ten lines . we observed nothing particular in the liver , save that it was divided into five lobes of the same colour , as the lobes of a dogs liver . the gall-bladder was hid under the hollow part of the liver between two of its lobes . it was two inches and a half in length , and near an inch in breadth . all the lower venter was overflowed with a diffused choler , which had perhaps occationed the death of this animal . the pancreas was nothing different from that of dogs . it s length was ten inches , but it exceeded not two in its greatest breadth . though this castor was very fat , especially through the belly and tail , yet there was found very little in the tunica adiposa of the kidneys , and in the epiploon . each kidney was an inch in thickness , near two in length , and as much in breadth at the middle . the cartilago xiphoides was round , and fourteen lines broad ; but very thin and pliable . having afterwards opened the thorax we observed little difference between all the parts which were there inclosed , and those of dogs . the lungs had six lobes , three on the right side , two on the left , and another little one which was in the mediastinum near the center of the diaphragme . that which was most remarkable in the heart , is that the left auricle was larger than the right ; which is likewise seen in some other animals , but not in man , who on the contrary has the right auricle of the heart bigger than the left . we the more carefully sought after the foramen ovale , which several modern authors have averred to be found in all amphibious animals , and even in men , who do often dive and swim a long time in the water . but what exactness soever we used in the search , we could not discover that hole in the heart of our castor . it is true that as it had been several years penn'd up at versailles , without having the liberty of going into the water , it might be that this hole was closed up , even as it happens to the foetus , after it is born , and has breathed sometime . indeed it seemed that in this place there had formerly been a hole which was since grown up . under the vena coronaria we found the valve called noble , which fills the whole trunck of the vena cava , and which was so disposed , that the blood might easily be carried from the liver to the heart by the vena cava , but which is hindred from descending from the heart towards the liver through the same vein . the heart was two inches and a half long from the basis to the point , and almost two inches broad . in the dissection which we made of the brain , the figure of the sinus of the dura mater appeared to us very singular . the upper sinus which came from the side of the os ethmoides divided the brain into the right and left sides , and advanced in a streight line to the beginning of the cerebellum , where being arrived it was divided into two great branches almost in the form of a y , which on the right and left did divide the cerebrum from the cerebellum . these two branches produced four others ; two on each side , which by returning towards the hinder part of the head , divided the cerebellum into three unequal parts ; that of the middle , which was the greatest , was ten lines in length , and five in breadth , and was oval : the two other lateral ones were four lines and a half broad , and six long . the whole extent of the brain was in its greatest length , from the nose to the temples , but an inch and eight lines , and an inch and half in its breadth . having raised the whole body of the dura mater by the anterior part we found no falx under the great sinus . there was only a little cavity which was formed by the roundness of the sinus , and under the branches of that sinus there was seen to appear some prints of the like cavities . the separation of the brain from the cerebellum , was distinguishable only by those sorts of prints , which were not deep . the cerebellum took up all the hindermost part of the head. the brain had but very little anfractuosities ; and its external part seemed rather white than ash-coloured . the rest of the brain was like to that of other animals . the mamillares processus were very large ; but the optick nerves were very small at their going out of the substance of the brain , and they went joyned together after an extraordinary manner , by reason of the length of this conjunction , which was seven lines ; they were afterwards divided after the usual manner to go to the eyes , which for an orbita had only a bony circle . as to the flesh of the muscles and of all the rest of the body , we found nothing particular save that the flesh of the tail , as we have already observ'd , was different from that of the other parts . the explication of the figure of the otter . that which is remarkable in the lower figure is the structure of the paws , whose toes are fastened each to other by skins as in the goose ; the teeth which are sharp and different from those of the castor ; and the ear which is little as in the castor , but a great deal lower . in the upper figure . a b. the kidney covered with its membrana adiposa . c c c. the several little kidneys discovered , the membrana adiposa being taken off . d d. the ureters . e e. the emulgent vessels . e. the clitoris drawn inwards . f f. the nymphae . h. the anus . i. the clitoris drawn outwards . l. the bone in the clitoris . the anatomical description of an otter . some authors have confounded the otter with the castor , by reason of the great resemblance that is between these two animals ; but the generality do agree that they are different in several things . we have remarqued some which we have not as yet heard spoken of ; and there are likewise a great many particularities which are attributed to the otter , and which are pretended to be common to it with the castor or beaver , which we found not in our subject . pliny , belonius , and almost all the natural historians , do say that the otter and castor are only different in the tail , which is covered with scales in the castor , and which is hair in the otter . georgius agricola and albertus do make the four-feet of the otter like those of a dog. all the other authors do report that it has them like to those of the castor : we found neither the one nor the other in our otter . herodotus says that the castor and otter , even as the other animals which he calls square-headed , have this in common , that their testicles are proper to the distemper of the mother , and brasavolus affirms that they both have the same virtue against the epilepsie , palsie , and all the maladies of the nerves : in which it appears that these authors have made no distinction between the pouches of the castor and its testicles , because that the pouches are only made use of in the distempers of the mother and nerves . aristotle has likewise attributed to the otter a particularity which pliny reports of the castor , which he declares to be so inraged against man , that when he bites him , he never quits his hold until he feels the bone of the parts which he has seized to crack under his teeth . the greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from whence the word lutra is derived , and which signifies a bath or bagnio , seems to distinguish it from the castor , because that it plunges only into fresh-water , and never into the sea , the water whereof is not proper to wash with , nor to make a bath ; and that the castor goeth indifferently into the sea and rivers . the size of the otter , and the proportion of its parts , did also render it very different from the castor that we dissected ; for the castor was three foot and a half long comprehending the tail ; and the otter had in all but three foot two inches , and its tail was proportionably much longer ; which made the rest of the body lesser than that of the castor . the head of the castor was five inches and a half from the nose to the hinder part of the head , and that of the otter exceeded not four and a half . the fore-feet of the castor were six inches and a half from the cubitus to the end of the toes , and those of the otter not above five . the hinder-feet of the castor were six inches from the heel to the end of the toes , and those of the otter but three and a half . this does likewise render our otter very different from that which bellonius describes , in which he makes the leggs to resemble those of a fox , and only different in this that they are bigger ; unless he would be understood to say that they are bigger in proportion to their length : but the truth is , that in proportion to the rest of the body they are a great deal shorter than a foxes , being in this like to those of a weasel , which has a long body and short leggs . the hinder feet wholly resembled those of the castor , having five long and slender toes , not close together like those of a dog , and the intervals had a skin , as in the feet of geese . the fore ones were like those behind , and very different from the fore-feet of the castor : for these toes were joyned by membranes as those behind , excepting that the membranes held them closer together ; but they had not that resemblance which those of the castor have to a hand ; the five toes being equal , having each their three phalanges , and the pollex not being more separate from the other toes than the rest are from each other . the nose , eyes , and shape of the whole head , did hardly render it different from the castor : the teeth only were unlike , not being sharp , nor so strong as those of the castor ; which made us to think that aristotle has mistaken the otter for the castor , when he exaggerates , after the manner already shewn , the strange force of its biting : for our otter had not those four great and long incisores which are particular to the castor , and some other animals , as the hare , squirel , and rat ; all the teeth being made like those of the dog or wolf , and the canini being , as is usual , longer than the incisores . so that these teeth made all the resemblance that we found the otter to have with the dog , altho bellonius reports that it has its head , and aelian calls it the river-dog . the ears which were little , as in the castor , were lower than the eyes , and situated near the lower jaw . the hair was not half so long as that of the castor , containing in that place of the body where it was longest , but eight lines ; whereas that of the castor was eighteen . it s colour was in some measure different from that of the castor , but not after the manner as authors do express it : for they do report that the hair of the castor inclines more to grey , and we have found the contrary ; our otter having the hair underneath its throat , stomach , and belly much greyer than it was in our castor . the hair of the tail was shorter than upon the body , but a great deal longer than on the feet . the rest of the hair viz. on the head and back , was of a colour resembling that of the castor , being of a dark chesnut , and of two sorts , the one longer , browner , straiter , and thicker ; the other shorter , grayer , more frizled , and softer . to finish the description of the outside , it remains to speak of a particular very remarkeable , and which greatly distinguishes the otter , not only from the castor , but even from other brutes , which is the extraordinary formation of the exteriour orifice of the matrix , where we found the nymphae and a clitoris as in women . the clitoris , which was situated at the superiour part of the nymphae , and beyond their junction , was three lines in length . it was composed of membranes and ligaments which inclosed a bone two lines long . the generality of the parts which were seen by the dissection , were yet more different from those of the castor than the exteriour are . the liver which contained but five lobes in the castor , had six in our otter . the spleen , which was cylindrical in the castor , and very small , not exceeding ten lines diameter and seven inches in length , was flat in the otter , being an inch and half in breadth and four and a half in length . but its connexion was so particular that it was not only different from that of the castor , but from almost all other animals , in which the spleen is generally fastened to the stomach ; whereas in our otter it was at the epiploon . the kidneys were three inches long and two broad . in the castor they were not two in length : but the principal difference was in the conformation which was so extraordinary , that it resembled that of the kidneys of a bear ; those of the otter differing only in the number of little kidneys , whereof the one and the other are composed : for instead of fifty two little kidneys which we found in the bear , there were only ten in the otter , which were seperated one from the other , each having their parenchyma , vena , and arteria emulgens apart , with a third vessel , which was a branch of the pelvis , which the dilatation of the ureter produced , and ten branches of which went to each little kidney one . these little kidneys , besides a common membrane that enveloped them , had store of fibres which tied and collected them into a heap , which had a figure somewhat longer than the kidneys usually have ; and there was one of these small kidneys which was a little more separated from the rest , and which extended this figure towards the top , so that this little kidney might be taken for the capsula atrabilaria . the pancreas was composed of conglomerated glands like that of the castor , and generality of other animals , but they appeared more distinct and separate one from the other than usual . the lungs as in the castor was composed of seven lobes , six of which was equal in size , and the seventh very small , which seemed only an appendix of the sixth . we carefully sought in the vessels of the heart that foramen ovale which is thought to be in animals , whilest they do remain without breathing in the belly of their damme , for supplying the use which is attributed to respiration , which is , to assist the circulation of the blood which is made through the lungs , by means of the dilatation , and compression of this part . we had formerly made this search in the castor , because that some have thought that that animal had need of this conformation of the vessels of the heart , to make it able to indure the cessation of respiration which it undergoes when it plunges and dives a long time under water ; but we found not this foramen open , nor that there were other conveyances which might grant passage to the circulation of the blood than those which are in the lungs . yet the truth is , that we observed some vestigia of this aperture , which seemed to demonstrate that it had not been long closed : which appeared to us the more probable , for that we were assured that the castor had been a long time shut up in his hutt without having liberty to plunge into the water , and that it might happen that this foramen was stopped as it usually is in all animals a little after their birth , when the faculty which they have of breathing renders this foramen useless . but in our otter we found not any appearance that there ever had been a foramen which might grant passage to the blood from the vena cava into the arteria venosa : and this sufficiently agrees with the remarques which all authors have made that the otter is ever and anon forced to raise it self above the water to breath ; which the castor does not , having a much greater facility of wanting respiration for a considerable time . the other parts which have been carefully dissected , have furnished us with nothing considerable , and which deserves to be remark'd . the explication of the figure of the civet-cat . it is disposed in such a manner that one may see the situation of the pouches in which are the receptacles of the odoriferous liquor , and the three apertures which are peculiar to this animal , and which are more distinctly represented in the upper figure . in the upper figure . a a. is the end of the penis forceably drawn outwards . b b. the anus of the male and female . c c. the external orifice of the uterus . d d.. the place where the tail is cut off . e. an eminence being a kind of clitoris . f f. the pouches wherein are the receptacles for the odoriferous liquor , covered with their proper skin , and in their natural situation . g g. the same pouches uncovered and turned downward . h h. t●…e same pouches yet more uncovered , the muscles being taken off . i. i. the two apertures of the sack , or receptacles of the odoriferous liquor . k. the uniteing of the three muscles of the pouches , or scent-bags . l. the sheath in which the penis lyes concealed . m. the neck of the uterus . n. n. the testicles of the male , brought sideways to shew them , their natural situation being under the pouches . o. o. the testicles of the female . p. p. the cornua uteri . q. q. the cremaster-muscles . r. the bladder . s. s. the extreamitie of the cornua uteri haveing some resemblance to the tuba . the anatomical description of two civet-cats . after haveing made the dissection of a castor and otter , an opportunity offered of joyning thereunto that of two civet-catts , which dyed the following winter in the parke of versailles . we were very glad of being able to make the comparison of these two species of animals , because that they do agree in some organs , which are very peculiar to them , which are the receptacles in which there is collected a liquor , whose odour is remarkable , for being extreamly pleasant in the one , and very disagreable in the other . we at first sought whether there was not some particular reason of this diversity of scent , but we found not that there was apparently any other than the diversitie of the temperament of these animals ; for the one is hot and dry , drinks little , and inhabits hot and dry countryes ; the other lives sometimes in the water , and sometimes on the land : and as it has a great deal of humiditie , by reason that it participates of the nature of fish , it has not heat enough to concoct and perfect this humiditie . so that suppose that the good and bad scent do's proceed from the concoction or cruditie which the natural heat more or less powerful operates on the humours , the castor , whose natural heat is weakened , and as it were stifled by the abundance of its moisture , can only imperfectly concoct it , and produce only a very unpleasant scent . the two civet-catts of which we made the dissection , were male and femal , but so like in all outward appearance , that there seemed no distinction of sex ; it being impossible without dissection , to judge whether they were not both females . for the parts which are proper to the male , were hid and lockt up in the inside ; and the vessel or receptacle of the odoriferous liquor , whose aperture has been taken by most of the ancients for a mark of the female , was alike in both the one and the other of our civet-catts . from the mouth to the begining of the tail they were twenty nine inches long . the tails of both had been cut . that which was the longest contained ten inches . the feet were very short , especially those before , which from the belly to the ground exceeded not five inches . the paws , as well those before as behind , had each five toes , the least of which was inward like a bear 's ; but this little toe touched not the ground . besides these five toes there was a spur which was armed with its nail like the toes . the nails were black , strait and very little pointed . the sole was furnisht with a skin very soft to the touch . the ears resembled the figure and size of those of a catt ; but they were less pointed , and smaller : the rest of the head had nothing which participates of this animal but the beards , which are common to the generalitie of carnivorous animals . for the head was strait ; the mouth long ; the tongue soft ; the eyes little , black , troubled and long ; the dentes canini short , and blunt , so that they did seem to have been broken : and it is probable that this fierce and cholerick animal do's ordinarily break its teeth by biteing the iron barrs of its cage . the neck was strengthened and fortified by ligaments , and muscles extraordinary strong . bartholinus has observed that they are far more numerous in other animals . the hair , which was short on the head , and paws , was very long on the rest of the body , being four inches and a half on the back , where it is longest . amongest this long hair , which was hard , harsh , and strait , was intermixt another shorter , softer , and frizeled like wool , as in the castor , but it was not so fine : it was all over of the same colour , viz. a dark-gray . the great hair was of three colours , makeing spots and lists , some black , others white , and others red. there were some of these hairs which were of two colours , being black towards the middle , and white sometimes towards the root , sometimes towards the other end . the four feet were black , as also the belly and bottom of the throat , contrary to the nature of other animals , which alwayes have the belly and throat of a lighter colour than the rest of the body , when all the hair is not of the same colour . the rest of the body was intermixt with three colours , amongst which . black was the cheif . there were two great black spots at the sides of the mouth , which incompast the eyes , and left the rest very white , excepting the nose which was black . the crowne of the head , from the eyes to the ears was gray , by the mixture of the white and black which was in every hair , as has been said , all the ground being black , and the extremity white . the ears which were all black on the outside , and only listed with white , were filled in the inside with a long white hair. the neck had on each side four black lists on a very white ground ; and these lists which began underneath the ears , descended obliquely towards the stomach . the middle of the back was covered with three lists ; the middle one was black , and those of the sides redish . the shoulders and sides unto the flanks were marked with a great deal of black and little red. the flanks were equally streaked with black and white , but these streaks were not so continued as those of the neck ; they were rather the spots which pliny calls eyes in the panther , but few of which were single , the greatest part being joyned to each other . the tail was black at top , and mixt with a little white underneath . the aperture of the pouch or sack which is the receptacle of the civet , was underneath the anus , and not under the tail , as aristotle places it in his hyaena , which we together with belonius judged to be nothing else but our civet-catt ; or at least that our civet-cat is a species of hyaena . and this being so , it is very strange that this great person , who reprehends herodotus for being mistaken , when he thought that the aperture of this pouch was the part which denoted the sex of the female , and who excuses him upon this account , that it is difficult not to be deceived , if the thing be not carefully examined , should suffer himself to run into the same mistake , and write in several places , that the anus and parts of generation in both sexes are below the pouch . this pouch was between the anus and another little aperture , from which it was two inches and a half distant ; but it was nearer the anus . this pouch was two inches and a half in breadth , and three in length : its aperture which was a slit from top to bottom , was two inches and a half . at the edges and in-side it was covered with a short hair turned inwards , so that it was rough outward . by parting the two sides of this aperture , the in-side was seen , the capacity of which would contain a small pullat's egg ; the bottom thereof was pierced on the right and left side , with two foramina capable of receiving the finger , which did each penetrate into a sack , supply'd with a white and rough skin like that of a goose. the eminencies which made this inequality , were pierced with as many pores , out of which was made to come , when squeezed , the odoriferous liquor , which the arabians do call zibet , which signifies froth , and from whence is derived the word civet . indeed , this liquor was frothy in coming out ; which was known by this that sometime after it lost the whiteness which it had at the first . it proceeded , as far as we could judge , from a great number of glands which were between the two tunicles , of which the sacks were composed . the little aperture which appeared underneath the great pouch , was the entrance of a ductus , in which the penis of the male was concealed ; and the female had such a ductus , which was the neck of the matrix , whose internal orifice was so strait , and so difficult to dilate , that it was very hard to make a little probe to enter therein . the external orifice was covered with two little eminencies somewhat longish , which were joyned together , and made an angle , underneath which there was a third eminence which appeared to be the clitoris . at the opening of the belly there was found under the skin from the os pubis to the navel , two eminencies of hard fat , an inch broad and thick , and four long . they inclosed the branches which do pass from the hypogastrick veins and arteries , into the two sacks which do make the great pouch , there to convey the matter whereof the sweet-smelling liquor is made , and which is there collected . bartholi●…us has very carefully searcht after , tho' not found , the particular ductus's , which he thought to be necessary for the conveying this matter : but our opinion is that there needs no other than the arteries , just as the papillae , and kidneys have no other which do convey to them the matter of the milk and urine ; there being a faculty in the glands , that are lockt up in the sacks of the receptacle of the civet , which makes them to receive into the arteries , that which is proper to be converted into odoriferous liquor , even as the glands of the papillae do imbibe the matter which they do find in the blood , proper to receive the chaacter of milk. these vessels which went to the bags of the receptacle were very great in the male ; but could hardly be perceived in the female . the civet of the male had also a stronger and pleasanter odour than that of the female . yet authors do almost all say the contrary ; and quadramius in his treatise of theriaca preferrs the civet of the female to that of the male , which he reports to be nothing worth , if not mixed with that of the female . we found it not to be true that the scent or smell of the civet is perfected , after long keeping , nor that being new it had an abominable scent , as amatus lusitanus reports ; for its smell seemed no better to us after a year , than when we made the dissection . plutarch says that not only the skin , but likewise the flesh and bones of the panther have a good scent ; but we found not that the pleasant smell of the civet was communicated to the inward parts ; for it was the hair only that had a good smell , and especially in the male , whose hair was so perfumed , that the hand which had touched it did a long time retain a very pleasant and agreeable smell : which seems to confirm and strengthen the opinion of scaliger , mathi●…lus , and several others , who do think that the perfume of the civet-cat is nothing else but its sweat ; so that it is gathered as marmol affirms , from the animals which do produce it , after they have been well chaced in their cage ; and that it is gathered not only from their pouches , but likewise from several other places , and especially from about the neck : there being a probability that tho this sweat proceeds indifferently from the whole body , it gathers more abundantly in the bags , and there grows to greater perfection . these pouches or bags had some muscles , which bartholinus mentions not , altho he has marked them in his figures . those which we found were different from those which he represents , as well in number as in structure . he puts down four , which proceeding from the neighbouring parts , are joyned to the pouches . those of our civet-cats were but three in number , of which there was one , which taking its origine at one of the pouches , went to insert it self to the other : the two others took their origine from the lower part of the ischium , and each came to be joyned to its antagonist at the middle of the two pouches , and was fastened to the pouch over which it went to make this conjunction . it were easie for us to conjecture what ought to be the action of these muscles by their structure and scituation : for that which is common to the two pouches , must be for their constriction , by drawing one to the other ; and those which do come from the bones of the ischium , do draw the two pouches together , sometimes on the right side , sometimes on the left , according as one of the muscles is contracted , whilst its antagonist is relaxed . the use of these motions is very probably for the pressing and squeezing out the odorous liquor , the retention of which is insupportable to these animals , when by time it has acquired a picquant acrimony , which excites them to squeeze it out : for it is observed that civet-cats do seem to have a restlesness which agitates and torments them , when they have gathered store of this liquor , which they are constrained to let out . the epiploon was double and square as usually , but very great . it descended to the os pubis and was composed of rows of fat which inclosed the vessels . these rows or bands had each three angles , and were joyned together by a texture of net-like fibres . the intestines were not very long , but especially the intestina crassa , which all three together exceeded not six inches . on the contrary , the spleen was extraordinary long , containing above six inches in length and two in breadth , and a quarter of an inch in thickness . the colour thereof was livid , inclining to a black. the pancreas was fastened to the duodenum , and extended towards the spleen . it was an inch in breadth , and four in length . the liver had five great lobes , and a sixth lesser than the rest , situated in the middle of the lower part . bartholinus reckons seven . the liver of the female was much paler than that of the male , and it was marked with a great many spots of a darker red. the situation of the kidneys was such , that the right was higher than the left . they were both fastned to the loins by a membrane which we took for the duplicature of the paeritoneum , which held them together as they are in men , and in some other animals . bartholinus thinks that this membrane is that which is particular to them , and which immediately invelopes their parenchyma , but he confesses that it was more easily separated than the proper membrane used to be . the penis was situated between the two pouches in a ductus , as has been already declared . at its extremity it had a bone six lines long , one and a half broad at the narrowest place , and above two towards its extremity , where it was larger , and divided ; so that it had as it were two heads , between which there was a void space like a gutter , to give passage to the urethra . the matrix was separated into two long cornua , at the end of which were the testicles , whose bigness scarce exceeded that of a great pea , whose figure they imitated , being almost round . these cornua produced likewise beyond the testicles , some appendices of a fat and membranous substance , of an irregular figure , which might be taken for the fringes of the tuba of the matrix . the lungs had seven lobes , three on one side , and three on the other , and and a lesser than the rest in the middle in the cavity of the mediastinum near the diaphragme . the lungs of the female was corrupted and filled with stones . the heart was as in dogs . the mouth of the aorta was hardened , and as it were cartilaginous : and there was a fat which accompanied the vasa coronaria even into the substance of the heart . the muscles of the temples were very thick , and did cover as in the lion the two upper sides of the head. in the os frontis there were six cavities or sinus's separated from each other by spongious and very thin bones . the cerebrum was divided from the cerebellum by a transverse bone , as in the generality of brutes . bartholinus has observed in a civet-cat a bone which parted the cerebrum in two , very different from this and all those which are commonly found in brutes in the inside of the cranium ; for it lay long-ways according to the sutura sagittalis . the glandula pinealis was very small , and about the bigness of a little pins head . the aqueous humour of the eye was muddied ; which hapned as we thought , by the dissolution of the black , wherewith the reverse of the iris is besmeared . the tapetum strongly inclined to white . naturalists do say , that the eyes of this animal do shine in the night like those of cats . the crystalline was more convex inward than outward ; but that which it had most remarkable , was an extraordinary hardness , which put us in mind of what pliny says of the eyes of the hyaena , viz. that there are thence taken some precious stones called hyaeniae . this particularity joyned to a great many others , which are found common to the hyaena of the ancients , and to our civet-cat , made us rather to incline to the opinion of belonius , ( who thought that these are not different animals ) than to that of scaliger , ruellius , alexander benedictus , matthiolus , leo africanus , busbequius , aldrovandus , and almost all the modern authors , who would have the civet-cat to be unknown to the ancients , and that it was a species of cat : for according to our remarks , the length of the head and eyes of the civet-cat , the smalness of the teeth and feet , the harshness of its hair , the softness of its tongue , the blackness and rectitude of its nails , and the hoarsness which all authors have observed in its voice , which renders it more like to that of dogs than cats , are characters wholly different from those which are seen in all the species of cats . but on the contrary , all that the ancients have related of their hyaena is found in the civet-cat , some incredible and ridiculous things only excepted ; as to make dogs silent by its shadow , as aristotle and aelian report ; to know how to imitate the voice of men , whom it calls by their name , to intice them from their habitations , and devour them , as pliny relates ; and to have also humane feet , and no vertebrae in the neck , like the animal which busbequius takes for the hyaena of the ancients ; which are particularities , which leo africanus has not observed in the animal which he proposes for the hyaena . for the description of the ancients , as to what concerns the exteriour form , consists in three things , which are to resemble the wolf by the head , to have long staring hair on the back , and a particular aperture under the tail , besides the two which are commonly there in the females of other animals . the two first marks which we very distinctly discovered in our civet-cat , although , common to other animals , have seemed to us very convincing , being joyned to the third , which is so particular , that it may be said that there is not known any animal wherein is found the like . for the aperture which hares , gazella's , and several other animals have in this place , has nothing that resembles the extraordinary figure of this which is in the civet-cat , and which aristotle has very distinctly observed in the hyaena which he describes , by saying , that this foramen is like to the exteriour orifice of the matrix of a woman . the sole difficulty which occurs is that the ancients have not spoken of the scent of the civet-cat : which has made gillius to think , that it was the panther of the ancients , and castellus , that it was an hyaena of a particular species . but it must be considered that most natural historians have composed their works upon the report of others , and that there is reason to doubt , whether the hunters who informed them of the particularities of animals , were not too gross and rude , as are the greatest part of the savages which are addicted to this exercise , to be capable of knowing the goodness of the scent of the civet-cat , and in this resemble beasts that distinguish not the differences of odours , but as they do relate to eating and drinking ; seeing that we do know that the smell of civet is very disagreeable , and offensive to several when it is new , and not mix'd with other perfumes : but especially country persons do not think that sweet odours are pleasant , and do rather chuse the smell of garlick and pitch , than that of incense and benjamin ; whence it is , that the indians do call the musk-rat the stinking rat. and now in africa , according to the report of gregorius a bolivar , the negro's which do gather the liquor which the civet-cats have left on stones and truncks of trees , do not know it by the smell , but only by a thick and oily tenacity , which makes them to scrape the places where they do find it , with a design to extract the odorous liquor , which swims upon the water wherein they boyl what they have scraped . this incapacity of judging of good odours , whereof we do suspect the hunters of the ancients , do's otherwise appear very credible ; because that authors have writ , that of all animals the panther only had a good smell : for it is not probable that these hunters were of this belief , only because they never met with a civet-cat , martin , gennet , musk-rat , nor any of the animals , which those who have a subtiler and nicer smell do reckon to have a good scent ; but that the reason of this was the defect of their smelling , which was not the sense they made use of to judge that panthers had a good odour , as aelian avows , but only the thoughts that this must be so ; this opinion being founded only on the power which they saw that the panther had of drawing animals to it , which was supposed to be no other thing than a smell which was very pleasing and agreeable to them . the explication of the figure of the elk . that which is remarkable in the lower figure , is the length of the hair , the greatness of the ears , and shape of the eye ; the great canthus or corner of which is slit a great way , as also the mouth , which is much wider than in the 〈◊〉 , stagg , and other animals which have cloven feet . in the upper figure . a. the first and largest ventricle . b b. a membrane inclosing that ventricle , and which might serve for an epiploon . c c c. several bladders filled with wind , that were visible in this membrane . d. the beginning of the second ventricle . e. the beginning of the colon. f. the caecum . g. the cone of the heart . i. one of the hairs cut crosseways , seen with a microscope . k. the root of that hair , which is white and transparent , l l. the whole hair magnified , but not so much as the piece . m. one of the eyes . the anatomical description of an elk . this animal , which is by all the northern writers called animal magnum ; by the germans , elland , and by the modern naturalists alces , appeared to us at the first view not to be the alce , which caesar mentions in his commentaries , and which polybius , solinus , pausanias , and strabo , have likewise described after him , because that our elk was not found wholly conformable to the description which these authors do give of the alce . yet when we consider , that they do not agree , and that the descriptions which they do make of the alce , are more different from one another , than that wherein they agree is different from our elk ; we thought that all these contrarieties , which are found only in some partienlars ill explained , are not capable of hindring our belief that our elk , and all the alces of the antients are the same thing . for the reason of the diversity of these descriptions of the antients is , that the elk lives only in countries where they had no commerce . and pausanias reports , that amongst all animals , the alce is the sole one that is unknown to men , because that he suffers them not to approach him , by reason that he scents them at a great distance by the extraordinary subtilty of his smelling . but whether it be by this reason , or by any other , it appears that authors have very ill examined the alce , which they have described . for some have reported , that it has hair of different colours , like the generality of goats ; others , that it is all of one colour , like the camels ; some do make it horned ; others without horns ; some do say that it has no joynts in the leggs , and so being unable either to lye down , or rise up , it sleeps leaning against a tree , which the hunters do saw half through , to make the elk to tumble down , and to catch him ; others , that this is not true of the elk , but of another animal called machlis . all these particulars , how contrary soever , are found in our elk : which demonstrates , that these descriptions are not different , because that they are of various animals ; but because that those which made them upon the report of others did not well understand what was told them . for it is true that our elk had hair like a camel , that is to say , all of one colour over all the body ; and it is likewise held that the hair of all elks is of divers colours , but it is at different seasons of the year . indeed our elk which was dissected in winter had all the hair of a grayish yellow , which is the colour of the camel ; and the northern historians do say that it changes at summer , at which time the hair grows paler , as in deer , whose hair is paler in summer than in winter ; and thus it is probable , that caesar has reported that the alce or elk has hair of two colours , upon the relation of those which had seen it in winter and summer , and that this diversity having been ill explain'd , he understood it of that which he had remarked in goats , the generality of which have at the same time hair of two colours . so when caesar says that the alce has no horns , and which pausanias attributes to it , they have both spoken true , because that it may be that caesar's hunters had mett only with females , which have no hornes ; and that those of pausanias's time had observed that the males had hornes . as for what concern's the leggs of the elk , which are pretended to have no joynts , altho some authors report that there are elk's in moscovia , whose leggs are joyntless , there is great probability that this opinion is founded on what is reported of these elks of moscovia , as well as of caesar's alce , and pliny's machlis , that they have leggs so stiff and inflexible , that they doe run on ice witout slipping ; which is a way that is reported that they have to save themselves from the wolves which cannot pursue them ; and likewise by reason of the stiffness of the blows which they do give with their feet , which are so strong , that when they do miss the blow which they do level at some beast , they do with their hind-feet break the trees like mushroom's , as olaus magnus reports , and that with their fore-feet they have often run the hunters through . in fine , that which demonstrates that from this diversitie of descriptions , which is only in respect of some particulars , it ought not to be concluded that the elk and alce are two different sorts of animals , is that the very descriptions , which the moderns do make of the elk , do not agree together , and are not wholly conformable to what we have observed in our subject . for some , as erasmus , stella , and sigismundus , do report that the elk has a solid foot like a horse's , according to pliny , who makes the alce wholly to resemble a horse , except in the neck and ears , which are otherwise proportioned ; menabenus also , and ioannes cajus , do give it a beard like a goat , and report that the rest of its hair is not longer than a horse's : which is not found in other authors , nor in our elk , whose foot was cloven , and altogether like that of an ox. its hair was also in every part , not only a great deal longer than in horses , but it even proportionably surpassed that of goats without any appearance of a beard . we found not that piece of flesh which polybius reports , after strabo , to be under the chin of the alce , nor the hairs which some do make on its neck , and which gesner averrs to have seen in a figure of an alce , which was sent to him by sebastian munster ; but these two particularities being singular to each of these authors , and no person haveing spoken thereof save them , they ought not to prejudice the common opinion , which makes no difference between the alce and the elk. but that which more confirms this opinion , is that all the particulars on which the antients do agree , are found in our elk ; for they do all consent , that the alce is an animal near upon the stature of the stagg , which it likewise resembles by the greatness of the ears , and littleness of the tail , as also by the horns , which are not found in female elks , nor in hindes . they do also agree in this , that the alce differs from the stag in the length and colour of its hair , in the greatness of its upper lip , in the smallness of its neck , and stiffness of its legs . our elk exceeded five foot and a half from the end of the nose to the begining of the tail , which contained but two inches in length . it had no horns , because it was a female ; and the neck was short , being as broad as long , which was nine inches ; the ears were nine inches in length and four in breadth ; and there is reason to admire , why those who have thought the alce of the authors of late times , which they do take for our elk , was the onager , or wild ass of the antients , are not grounded upon the resemblance of the ears , which in their bigness do far surpass those of staggs , cows , and goats , and which have none comparable , save those of asses , which our elk did better resemble by these parts , than by the hair , or feet ; although scaliger affirms , that the feet of the elk are like to those of an ass , and stella and sigismundus report , that there are some elks whose feet are solid ; but there is ground to believe , if this is true , that it is a thing as singular to some elks , as it is extraordinary to horses to have a cloven foot , and to hoggs to have it solid , as pliny reports , that these animals have in certain countrys . as to the hair , the colour of our elks differed very little from that of the asse , the gray of which sometimes approaches that of the camel , to which we have in this already compared our elk ; but this hair was in some places very different from that of the ass , which is a great deal shorter , and from that of the camel which is a great deal finer . this hair was three inches long ; and its bigness equalled that of the coursest horse hair. this bigness grew lesser toward the extremity which was pointed ; and towards the root it was also staitened , but all at once , making as it were the handle of a lance. this handle was of another colour than the rest of the hair , being diaphanous like the bristles of a hog . this transparent part had at the extremity a little head or rotundity , which was the root ; and it seems that this part , which was finer and more flexible than the rest of the hair , was so made , to the end that the hair which was else where very hard , might keep close , and not stand an end . this hair , cut through the middle , appeared in the microscope spongy on the inside like a rush ; which gesner explains very ill , when he only says , that it is hollow . this hair was long as a bears , but straiter and closer , and all of one sort . the upper lip was great , and loosed from the gums , but not so great as pliny makes it in the alce , when he says , that this beast is forc'd to feed backward , to prevent his lip from getting between his teeth . and in the dissection we observed , that nature has otherwise provided against this inconveniency , by the means of two great and strong muscles , which are particularly designed for the raising this upper lip. we likewise found the articulations of the legs strongly knit together by hard and thick ligaments . nevertheless it is true , that if one could believe what is reported of the elk , that being very subject to the epilepsie , when it is fallen into a fit of the distemper , it is freed and cured , by lifting one of his feet unto his ear , and that the hoof of this foot is an infallible remedy for the epilepsie . this animal must have joynts far more supple than those of the alce have appeared to them that thought it had none , and which we have not found in our elk , or at least it is necessary that the convulsions wherewith it is agitated being in this condition , do make some very strange efforts on the ligaments of the joynts , to extend them so far beyond what they ordinarily are . but if olaus magnus has writ like an historian , and if it be not in raillery that he says that of the two claws which are at the end of each of the elk's feet , that alone which is on the outside of the right foot , is proper to cure the epilepsie , there must be supposed a much more admirable dislocation ; and it may be said that the cure of this distemper , by the single touch of the elk's claw , when a ring of it is worn , is not more strange , nor incredible than the contorsion that must be conceived in this foot , to make the claw , ( which is on the outside ) to be put into the ear : so that to understand what olaus means , it is probable that his intention was to deride the imaginary vertue of the elk's foot , and that he has very prudently made use thereof . for being unwilling openly to declare his opinion , which was contrary to that of the vulgar , who love specificks , amongst which the claw of the elk's foot is the most celebrated ; and seeing that they do not so much esteem the physitians who do make profession of using remedies , as instruments proper to worke some cures , as those who do boast of casting them , if i may so say , in a mould , by febrifuges , antipleureticks , antipodagricks , and antepilepticks ; this great man explains himself by a figure , which leaves those who would be deceived in their error , without scandalizing them , and which makes others to understand his meaning . for the proverb being that the eye must be rubbed only with the elbow when it is sore , to signifie that it must not be touched at all ; he has intimated that there is no claw of the elk which infallibly cures the epilepsie , by saying that there is none but that on the outside of the foot which the elk can put into its ear , that can do it : for he adds this impossible qualification to a great many others which authors do mention , and which are very difficult , but absolutely necessary , as it is said , to make this remedy operate : as to have been cut off with one blow of an hatchet , the animal being alive , on st. giles's day , from a male which is at rut , and has not yet engendred ; to manifest that the impostors which would sell elks claws , have added all these difficult qualifications , to the end that those who have experienced the claw of the elk , which they made use of , to signifie nothing , may think that it is the want of some one of those qualifications , which is certainly in that which the merchant presents them . having made these reflections on the firmness of the ligaments of the joynts of the elk , we observed the figure of the eye , the great canthus or corner of which was slit downwards , a great deal more then it is in stags , fallow-deer , and wild goats , but after a fashion very extraordinary , which is , that this slit was not according to the length of the eye , but made an angle with the line which goes from one of the corners of the eye to the other . the dissection discovered to us that this slit was proportioned to the glandul●… lachrymalis , which was found to contain an inch and a half in length and seven lines in breadth . the internal parts had something resembling those of an ox , especially in that which concerns the four ventricles and intestines . nevertheless these parts had this particular , that the first and greatest ventricle was partly inclosed by a membrane like a sack , which having abundance of vessels might pass for the epiploon ; and that instead of the glands and fat , which is usually in this part , there was only towards the top some bladders full of wind about the bigness of a chesnut . the intestines , which were forty eight foot long , had a caecum without an appendix , which was thirteen inches long , and five broad . it nearly resembled the figure of a man's . the liver was small , not exceeding one foot in length and seven inches in breadth . it was whole , without lobes , and even without any appearance of the cleft which is over the cartilago xiphoides . it was so joyned to the diaphragme , that it was impossible to separate it from its convex part without cutting it . it had no gall-bladder , and it was all over , and even to the bottom of its parenchyma , of a gray and livid colour . the spleen was likewise very small , being no more than eight inches long and six broad . the substance of these two viscera seemed very smooth and homogeneous : but the kidneys were in their external substance spotted with two different colours , which made it to appear rough like chagrin , tho to the touch nothing felt rugged . they were not adherent to the loyns by the duplicature of the peritoneum , but fastned only by their vessels . the lungs were divided into seven lobes , of which there was three on each side , and one at the middle in the cavity of the mediastinum . the inferiour lobes were each as big again as the superiour . the heart was seven inches long , and five broad . it s figure was pointed , and from the basis to the point there was an eminence obliquely turned like a screw , which eminence answered to the separation of the two ventricles , so that it seemed to be a fold of the external part of the right ventricle upon the left . this eminence , which is scarcely visible in the heart of other animals , was extraordinarily apparent in this . the septum and rest of the parenchyma of the heart , which environed the left ventricle , had the thickness of an inch . the rings of the aspera art●…ria were imperfect . the brain , comprehending the cerebell●…m , was but four inches in length , and two and a half in breadth . the smallness of this part compared with the greatness of the glandula lacrymalis , ( which , as has been said , was an inch long , ) seemed to us as an argument capable of confirming the opinion of those who believe that the greatest part of the glands which are about the brain do not receive from it the humidities , wherewith they usually are imbued ; but that they are brought to them by the arteries , or by the nerves , from which they do receive the matter , whereof they do make the lympha . the curiosity which we had of exactly seeking out the ductus's designed to receive and convey these humours , which must be very visible in a part so extraordinary large , could not be satisfied , by reason of the corruption of our subject , which had been kept so long , that all the parts began to dissolve with putrifaction . the substance of the brain differed not from that of the cerebellum , both being very white , and firm enough , notwithstanding the corruption , to make it appear very sound , in an animal so subject to some distempers , whose seat is placed in the brain : which according to cardan , is colder , moister , and more phlegmatick in this animal than in any other . the glandula pinealis was of an extraordinary size , exceeding three lines in length , like that which we found in the dromedary ; but its figure was conical as usually , whereas the glandula of the dromedary had the form of a trefoile . this greatness , which to us seemed very considerable , in regard of the smalness of the rest of the brain , made us to think that those who , following erasistratus , do attribute to the different formation of the organs of the brain the divers operations of the interiour senses , might fortifie themselves in their opinion by some such like observations ; considering that lions , bears , and other fierce and cruel beasts , have this part so little , that it is almost imperceptible ; and that it is very great in those which are timerous like the elk , which is held to be so fearful , that it dies with fear , when it has received the least wound : and it is observable that he never recovers when he sees the smallest drop of his own blood. in the brain we likewise found another part , whose bigness had relation to the smelling , which is more exquisite in the elk than in any other animal , according to the testimony of pausanias , as has been already declared : for the processus mammillares , which are thought to be the organs of that sense , were without comparison greater than in any animal that we have dissected , being above four lines in diameter . the explication of the figure of the coati mondi . the lower figure represents the different colours of its hair , which is lighter under the belly , and stomach , than on the back , and paws . it is also necessary to be advertized , that the snout is somewhat more crooked than it was when the dissection was made , designedly to express the mobility which was there observed , and the great facility which it had to be raised upwards . the tail is bent downwards , because it was found thus disposed in the dead animal . yet authors do say that the coati uses to carry his tail very erect . in the upper figure . a. the dens caninus , in form of a tusk . b b. the tongue . c c. the os penis . d. the right hind-foot . e. the spurs of the heel . all as big as the life . the anatomical description of a coati mondi . the coati is an animal of brazile , which is variously described by naturalists ; and their descriptions do not exactly agree with what we have observed in ours : which may cause a belief that there are several species of them . deleri in his voyage of brazile gives it a snout a foot long , round as a stick , and as small at the beginning as towards the end , very like the proboscis or trunk of an elephant , to which margravius also compares this snout : but in his figure he makes it like that of our coati , which had nothing of an elephant's . trunck but its mobility , which is scarce otherwise than that of a hog . in the kings library , amongst a vast number of animals painted in miniature with a great deal of exactness , there is the figure of a coati which some of the society saw alive ; which though it resembles ours , yet is different in some very considerable particulars , such as are the shape of the teeth and feet , which were very extraordinary in our subject : but notwithstanding it is found to have sufficient resemblance to the figure which margravius , laet , and deleri have given thereof , and to that which is in the kings library , to make it thought to be a kind of coati . it was in all thirty five inches and a half ; viz. six inches and a half from the end of the snout to the hinder part of the head , and sixteen inches from the occiput to the beginning of the tail , which was thirteen inches long . from the top of the back to the extremity of the fore-feet was ten inches ; and there was twelve to the end of the hind-feet . it s snout was very long , and movable like that of a hog ; but it was straiter and longer in proportion . it s motion was more evident than in the hog , its snout easily turning upwards . the four paws had each five toes , the claws of which were black , long , crooked , and hollow like those of the castor . the toes of the fore-paws were a little longer than those of the hind-paws , which were like to those of the bear , excepting that the whole sole was without hair , wherewith the heel of the bear is covered . the palms and soles of these four paws were covered with a soft and tender skin as in the ape ; and this softness of skin was the only thing which our subject had of the ape , to which we found it had no other resemblance , although it was given us for a sagoin , which is a kind of monky : for its tail , whose length in some sort resembled the tail of the apes , which are called cercopitheci , was different therefrom in the length of the hair , which is a great deal shorter in the tail of apes proportionably to their body . the sole of the hinder-paws was long , having a heel , at the extremity of which there were several scales a line broad , and five or six long . they grew out behind , heaped together like a marigold , when it closes it self at night . the hair was short , rough and knotty . it was blackish on the back , in some places of the head , and at the end of the paws and snout . as for the rest of the body it was mix'd with black and red , yet so that the bottom of the belly and throat was of a deeper red in some places than in others . the tail was covered with a hair of these two colours , which formed several circles , or knots , the one black , and the other mix'd with black and red. the tongue was chop'd with several fissures or strokes , which made it to resemble the top of a leaf of a tree . the eyes were very small , like a pigs . the ears were round like those of rats ; and covered at the top with a very short hair , but in the inside with a longer , and whiter . there were six incisores in each jaw . the canini were very large , especially those of the lower jaw . their figure had something more particular , not being round , blunt , and white as in a dog , wolf , or lion , but sharp by the means of three angles , which at the extremity formed a point sharp like an aule . they were grayish , and somewhat transparent . the gula was large , and cleft as a hogs ; and the lower jaw was also as in a hog , very much shorter than the upper . now there was not found any of these particulars in the sagoin ; and these two animals having nothing common save the country wherein they do breed , which is brazile , we have found no description in the authors which have treated of the particular animals of america meridionalis , which fuites better to what we have observed in our subject , than that of the animal which margravius and laet in their brazilian history do call coati , which is a genus whereof they do make two species ; the one has red hair all over the body , and is simply called coati ; the other has only the belly and stomach of this colour , which they do call coati mondi . in the description which these authors do make of this animal , the marks which we have there described , and which we have met with in our subject , do all occurr except the teeth and scales , which are at its heels , which they have not mentioned , and the tail , which in their coati's they do make much longer than the rest of the body . but laet reports that these animals used to bite off their tail , and that they do live on it some time , which at last they do wholly devour , and then die . it might be that ours so shortned his . they do likewise say that the coati's have hands made like those of monkies : which appeared not in our subject , whose feet were otherwise very like to the figure which margravius has inserted in his book . by the dissection we found , that under the skin , and between the muscles there was a great deal of fat , white and hard like tallow . the penis was hid in a passage an inch deep , and as much broad , whose aperture was under the belly , about four fingers distant from the anus . this penis was provided with a bone , whose length did in proportion exceedingly surpass that of the bones which are found in the penis of other animals which have it . it was thick at both ends , and had a figure resembling the bone of a pullets thigh . along the penis there were two veins very large ▪ and full of blood , which went to the balanus . the testicles were like to those of dogs . the epiploon was very small . it had little fat , and was a complication of fibres and fillets rather than a membrane . it was not laid upon the intestines , but tucked upon the ventricle . the spleen was two inches and a half long . it was of a dark-red at the side of the stomach in its hollow part , and blackish at the extremity in its gibbous part . there was not observed any vessels in the external membrane of the ventricle , except the coronaria stomachica , which appeared towards the upper orifice , and soon disappeared , shooting forth a few branches . the liver was somewhat blackish , and of a substance very homogeneous , without any appearance of glands . it had seven lobes , two great ones on the left side , and five other small ones on the right side . the bladder was between the two upper lobes . the pancreas , which was fastned along the duodenum , inclining more towards the right kidney than towards the spleen , was very small . the mesentery was all filled with a very hard fat , which inclosed , and almost concealed all its vessels . the intestines contained in all seven foot in length . they were all of one thickness , and had nothing which might distinguish them from each other ; there was no caecum . the right kidney was a great deal higher than the left , so that two lobes of the liver covered it . the lungs had five lobes ; two on the right side , and two on the left , which were somewhat smaller ; and a fifth in the mediastinum . the heart , which resembled that of a dog , had the right auricle extremely great . in the right ventricle , and in the right auricle , there was found a great deal of slimie matter , hardened . the musculus crotophites , passing under the zygoma , was fastned there . it was extraordinary fleshie , even to its insertion , which is made by a very large tendon , which was inclosed between two pieces of flesh , much thicker than those which are generally found in this place , and which are thought to be there put to defend and strengthen the tendon of the muscle of the temples . the orbita was not bony throughout , but it was supplied in the upper part , by a crrtilaginous ligament , which joyned the apophysis of the os frontis to that of the first bone in the upper jaw . the bone which separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum , was as in dogs . the dura mater was very adherent to the cranium . the sinus's of the os frontis were full of a matter like a fryable fat. the mamillares processus were very large . the globe of the eye exceeded not four lines and a half in diameter . the aperture of the eye-lids was larger , and the pupilla it self was not lesser than the whole globe of the eye . the crystalline contained three lines in breadth , and two and a half in thickness , and was more convex inwards than outwards . this thickness of the crystalline made the two other humours to be less in quantity . the choroides was all over of the same colour , viz. of a very brown-red , without any tapetum , which is hardly ever wanting in the eyes of other animals . the explication of the figure of the sea-calf . the lower figure shews the difference that there is between the fore-feet , which are locked up under the skin except the paws , and hind feet , which are joyned together , having the form of a fishes tail. it may be likewise observed that the ears do seem to have been cut off , having no external ears . in the upper figure . a. the trunck of the vena cava . b. the trunck of the aorta . cc. the venae and arteriae adiposae . d. ren succenturiatus . e. the right kidney strip'd of the membrana adiposa , and divided by the gibbous part . ffff . four small particular pelves . f. the emulgent vessels of the right kidney . gg . the emulgent vessels of the left kidney . h. the left kidney covered with its membrana adiposa . gi . the left spermatick vein which generally enters into the emulgent , but which has three other branches which do fasten it to the membrana adiposa . kl . the ventricle , half of which is taken away to represent the structure of the internal membrane , whose wrinckles are undulated and waved in the upper part , and strait in the lower . mmm . the liver . n. the gall-bladder . oo . the heart . p. the vena cava , which runs along by the basis of the heart . qq . the auricles of the heart . r. the aorta making the cross. s. the right arteria axillaris . t. the left axillaris . Δ. the artery of the lungs . vv. the carotides . xx. the nervi recurrentes . yz . the vena cava opened at the place where it is fastned to the heart . y. the hole which penetrates into the right ventricle . z. the oval hole which penetrates into the vein of the lungs . a. an edge made by the interiour membrane of the vena cava . bc . one of the hairs of the beard represented twice as big as the life . d. part of the sclerotica , which with the cornea not represented makes the half of the eye cut in two . e. the crystalline . gg . the vitreous humour . hiii . the other half of the eye . h. the extremity of the optick nerve , which enters directly at the axis of the eye . iii. three branches of blood-vessels which do enter into the eye with the optick nerve , and which are ramified in the retina . Ω. the tongue . the anatomical description of a sea-calf . rondeletivs has observ'd that the sea-calfe is of two species , one of which is found in the mediterranean , and the other in the ocean . but he makes no other difference between each of these two species than the habit of the body , which he reports to be fuller in the sea-calfe of the ocean than in that of the mediterranean , which is not so thick and short as the other . the sea-calfe whose description we make had more resemblance with this second species than with the first . it had a long neck and the head farther distant from the shoulders than it is in the calfe of the ocean , so as it is represented in the figures we have of it ; and the rest of the body was likewise straiter . the breast was broad by reason of the situation of the omoplata , which were forwarder than they are in other animals , which have the breast pointed and narrow when the omoplata are backwarder . the whole animal was twenty eight inches in length from the nose to the end of the hind-feet , which according to the disposition that they naturally have in this animal , were extended and joyned one to the other ; having in this only the forme of a fish's tail , according to the description of aristotle , which is contrary to that of rondeletius , who represents the sea-calf , as well that of the ocean as of the mediterrrnean , without hind-feet , and who reprehends aristotle for reporting that this animal has toes on the hind-feet like to those of the fore-feet ; so that it seems that rondeletius has confounded the true sea-calfe or phoca of the ancients , with the sea-ox of the west-indies which has no hind-feet , but only a mishapen fish-tail , which it makes use of for swiming , which it performes with a very great swiftness , according to clusius , who says that he saw one which the hollanders had brought from the indies . the sea-calfe which we describe had not only two hind-feet , but besides that a tail of an inch and a half long , which aristotle justly compares to the tail of a stagg . t is true that the toes of these feet were not so shaped nor so distinct as in the fore-feet , and that these two feet thus extended as they were , and joyned one against the other had rather the forme of a fishe's tail , than that of the feet of animals which have any , and which they commonly bend under the belly . these feet were like to those of a ducker , which cannot walk like other birds , by holding their body parallel to the ground , but which are forc't to go upright like man. aristotle says that the feet of the sea-calfe resemble hands : his meaning is that the fore-feet of this animal , in stead of the three parts which do compose the arme of a man , viz. the arme , cubitus , and hand , have only the last correspondent to the hand of man , so that this part proceeds immediately from the breast . the sea ox of the western islands , which is a kind of sea-calf of a prodigious bigness , is there called manaty ; because that according to oviedo's remarks , it has only the fore-feet , which by the spaniards are in all animals commonly called hands . in our subject the brachium and cubitus were inclosed and lockt up under the skin which covered the breast ; and there was only the paws which came outwards . these paws thus closed and contracted did not seem to us sufficient to serve the female to imbrace her young , as oppian reports that she do's , when she carry's them to sea : they did likewise appear , even as the hind-feet , fitter for swiming than walking ; altho' in truth , neither the one nor the other of these feet could well serve to walk conveniently . aelian has observed , that the females have a great care of carrying and frequently recarrying their young ones , sometimes into the sea , and sometimes on land ▪ it is probable , that this is to teach them to swim , and walk , by a long exercise , which produces a habit capable of supplying the conveniences which nature has denyed them . 't is likely that homer calls the sea-calves nepodes , by reason it may be said , that they do swim with feet , and walk with fins , and not because they have no feet , as eustathius explains it . these feet had claws which were not so necessary for swiming as they are for walking . so that it seems , that nature , who has made the sea-calf to live like the castor , on land and in the water , has given organs to each of these animals to go with more or less ease , according as it has designed them to be more generally in the one or other of these elements ; for the sea-calf , which is oftner in the sea , than on land , walks not with so much ease and facility as the castor ; and the castor swims not so easily as the sea-calf , because it goes into the water only to catch fish , and makes not its common residence there . for these very reasons , the heart and lungs of the sea-calf have a particular conformation , to inable this animal to continue a long time under water without breathing , as shall hereafter be explained ; but the castor which stays not long in the water , has not this particular formation of the heart ; at least we have not found it in the two castors which we dissected , the one whereof was of canada , the other of france . the head was not short and round , as rondeletius describes it , and its nose was long enough to make it resemble the head of a calf . but the eyes were not like those of a calf , which has them full , and as it were standing out of the head ; for those of our subject were hid , and as it were sunk into their orbites , whose upper edge was not raised , as it is in the calf . nevertheless thes●… eyes were large , containing fifteen lines diameter . there was an internal eye-lidd to cover the eye ; it was drawn up and hid in the great canthus . over the eyes there wanted those long hairs which rondeletius and severinus do there place , and it only had some at the sides of the nose , which were of a very peculiar figure , being square and flatted with knots from space to space , and very close to one another , as it is represented in the figure . beyond the eyes there were holes for the internal ears as in birds , and there were no external ones . aristotle has observed that this is peculiar to the sea-calf , which among all viviparous animals , is the sole one that has internal , and no external ears . the whole skin was covered with a short hair , very like to that of the land - calf . silvaticus dos ●…ill compare it to that of the goat which is very long . it s colour was between a gray and yellow , somewhat fainter towards the belly than towards the back , which was chequered with spots , about the bigness of ones nail , of a dark-red . pliny reports that this hair , a long time after that the skin has been flead , retains such a simpathy with the sea , that it follows its motions , and that sometimes it stares , sometimes is smooth , as the sea swells or is abated by its flux and reflux . severinus declares that he had seen this miracle ; but he expresses it with such excess , that it is the less credible . he says , that when the north-wind blows , the hairs which were raised by the south-wind are not only laid , but do wholly disappear . cardan affirms that this property , which had passed for fabulous , was found true in the indies . experience has demonstrated to us that this miracle is never seen at paris . for having kept and observed this skin for several months , we found that the hair was in all weathers of the same highth and situation . the skin was hard and thick . pliny says that it is impossible to kill the sea-calf but by breaking its head. the historians of the west-indies do report that the skin of the manati being tanned is above an inch thick , and that thereof is made the soles of shooes . the teeth which were long and sharp in both the jaws , were very unlike to those of the calf , and do better resemble the teeth of a wolf. so that the spaniards and germans have reason to call this animal the sea - wolf. besides , the mild and heavie disposition of the land-calf has very little resemblance with that of the sea-calf , which naturalists report to be crafty , bold , and couragious , living on rapine , having the industry of assembling with its kind , to attack the greatest fishes , and strength enough to defend it self on land against the bear : which is hardly credible of the calves of the stature of ours , and can agree only with those which are taken near england , which according to gesner are as great as the bears ; or rather with those whereof gomara oviedo , pedro ciesa , and the last relations of the ant-isles do speak , which are of a size so prodigious , that there are found some twenty foot long and seven thick . but names are most frequently given to fish by reason of some resemblances that they have , as it is pretended , to certain things , whether that similitude be taken from their shape , or dispositions . thus the sea-sheep has this appellation , because it is white , and has crooked horns like that of the land ; and the sea-calf is by some called a wolf , by reason that it lives on rapine . nevertheless by this reason it should be called a sheep , if compared to the sea-sheep ; and the sea-sheep ought on the contrary to be called a wolf , because that according to aelian , the sea-sheep hunts the sea-calves , and devours them . the tongue was very like to that of a calf , being large , flat , and smooth . it was forked , and cut in two at the end , as aristotle has remarqued ; but not double , round , and small , as in serpents , and lizards , as pliny describes it . the larynx had a particular formation , the epiglottis being proportionably larger than in other animals ; it went half an inch in length beyond the glottis , to cover it . it is probable that this is done more exactly to close the entrance of the aspera arteria , when this animal eats his prey at the bottom of the sea , and to hinder the water from running into its lungs . the ventricle was in form of an intestine , which was contracted towards its two orifices . severinus describes it round like an ostrich's egg. the interiour membrane was folded , and made several wrinckles . severinus describes it without wrinckles . these wrinckles from the superiour orifice to the middle of the ventricle were waved , and from thence unto the pylorus they were strait . this seems to have some resemblance with the ventricles of animals which chew the cud , in which the wrinckles of the lower ventricle are strait , and according to the length of the ventricle ; whereas in the upper they are transversal and oblique . in the inside of the ventricle there was found a round bottom of the sea-herb called by the sea-men wreck , which is a kind of fucus . this clue or bottom was of the bigness and shape of a nut. it closed the upper orifice of the ventricle , insomuch that it seemed that this round lump had been push'd into this orifice by the effort of an extraordinary compression , and by the contraction of the ventricle . the liver had six lobes , two great ones underneath and behind , and four small ones at the top and before . the gall-bladder was between the great right lobe behind , and the first of the small ones which are before of the same side . belonius reports according to aristotle , that the sea-calf has no gall. pliny would have it in the breast ; which agrees not with what he relates , that this animal vomits up its gall when pursued by the fisher-men , by reason of the knowledge he has that he is taken only for his gall , which is profitable for the cure of several diseases : for it would be impossible for him to vomit up this gall which is in his breast , it being incredible that he can understand the intentions of the fishermen : unless that this sagacity be peculiar to it , and other amphibia , such as are the castor , serpents , and frogs , which this same author reports to take care to get rid of the things for which they are sought after ; so that the castor tears off the pouches wherein is contained the medicinal liquor of the castoreum , the serpents do swallow the precious skin which they do cast at the spring , the frogs do daily vomit up certain salutiferous liquors which are ingendred in their bodies , for fear of being killed for this liquor . the kidneys resembled not those of the otter , as rondeletius says , because the kidneys of the otter are composed of several small separate ones , which have each their emulgent vessels and particular ureters , as is represented in the figure of the kidneys of the bear. the kidneys of our subject were more like to the kidneys of the land-calf , being cleft at top only in their surface by chops which did not sink very deep : but these chops were much more numerous than in the land-calf , and they made this kidney to seem composed of several glands joyned together . these kidneys did likewise differ from those of the land-calf , in that besides the great pelvis which is in the gibbous part of that kidney , there were several other small ones scattered in several places in the substance of the kidney , insomuch that it seemed that every of these small pelves appertained to each of the little particular kidneys of which the great one was composed , and that the parenchyma of every of these particular kidneys made but one single mass. the membrana adiposa of the kidney was all interspersed with very visible vessels , which made rondeletius to say that the emulgents enter not into the cavity of the kidney in the sea-calf as in other animals , but that they are distributed over the whole body of the kidney . the greatest part of these vessels in the left kidney were the branches , or rather the roots of the spermatick vein , which by reuniting did form three great branches , which the trunck of the spermatick vein , that proceeds from the emulgent , did by the way receive . this left kidney was accompanied with a succenturiatus , which was about the bigness of a filbert , and immediately adhering to the trunck of the vena cava . the lungs had but one lobe on each side , which was only a little transversly cut through the middle . the heart was round and flat . it s ventricles appeared very large , and its auricles very small . the trunck of the aorta proceeded from the heart two inches in length before it returned downwards . underneath the great aperture through which the trunck of the vena cava conveyed the blood into the right ventricle of the heart , there was another which penetrated into the arteria venosa , and from thence into the left ventricle , and afterwards into the aorta . this hole , which is called the foramen ovale in the foetus , makes the anastomosis by the means of which the blood goes from the cava into the aorta without passing through the lungs ; and it is apparently for the same use that this passage is found in the sea-calf and foetus , by reason of the necessity which each have of living without respiration , viz. the foetus whilst in the womb of its mother , and the sea-calf whilst under water . which demonstrates that respiration is necessary for the circulation , and that the blood which the lungs have received from one of the ventricles of the heart by being dilated , is afterwards thrust into the other ventricle by the compression of the heart . and it is probable that the facility which the sea-calf has of diving a long time under water , must rather be attributed to this particular formation of the vessels of the heart and lungs , than to the smallness of the lungs , which is the reason that pliny alledges . between these two holes which were in the trunck of the vena cava , there was a membranous separation made by a fold of the interiour coat of the vein . in the ventricles of the heart , and in the lungs , there was found great store of blood. pliny reports that these parts in the sea-calf do contain less blood than in other animals . this blood being kept congealed very firmly . aristotle and pliny do affirm that the bones of the sea-calf are cartilaginous : we found that they were real bones very hard , especially those of the cranium . the dura mater was fastned to the skull , and redoubled to make the falx . there was a bone between the cerebrum and cerebellum like as in dogs and other animals which do live by rapine , and which do eat flesh , and not grass , like the calf . this bone was flat and pointed , and not round and massie , so as that which is found in the head of the lamantin , which is a kind of sea-calf of the west-indies , and which is held to be a bone which has a peculiar vertue for dissolving the stone of the kidneys and bladder . the sinuosities and cavities of the brain were as in the calf : but there was more of the cerebellum proportionably than there is in the head of a calf ; which is unusual in fishes , which have very little cerebellum . the glandula pinealis was two lines in length and little less in breadth . natural-lists have observed that this animal participates nothing of the stupidity of fishes , but that it equalls the most subtill sagacity of terrestrial animals . pliny testifies that there were shewn some at rome which answered when they were called , and which with voice and gesture saluted the people in the theatres . gomara makes mention of a manati , or sea-calf of the indies of a prodigious size , which being tamed , did come when it was called by its name , and carried ten men upon its back in a lake where an indian prince kept it . aldrovandus reports that he saw one which did sing for the christian princes and not for the turks . the crystalline was almost sphaerical after the usual manner of fishes , and the more convex part was before , contrary to what is usual . the whole choroides was besmeared with a white and very opake substance . in the retina there were three branches of blood-vessels , which did enter into the eye with the optick nerve , and were spread over the whole membrane . this optick nerve did enter into the middle of the eye , and its entrance was directly opposite to the crystalline . these two remarks are favourable to the opinion of those which do hold that the reception of the visual species is made on the surface of the retina and not the choroides ; because that the vessels which being spread into the retina are laid upon the choroides , must , by reason of their opacity , oppose the passage of the visual species , and hinder them from going to the choroides : which these vessels do not in regard of the retina because , that it covers them with its surface which terminates and locks up the vitreous humour . the situation of the optick nerve which was found in the axis of the eye , and which by consequence did directly receive the visual species , seems to demonstrate that it is not the choroides which receives the species , seeing that there is no choroides at the principal place where the species do fall ; but that it is the retina which is extended over the optick nerve as well as on all the other places on which the species may fall . the left eye was contracted , and a great deal less than the right ; and was found to have been hurt , the humours being half suppurated . in the eyes of this subject there was not found the thousand colours which natualists report to be there observable . the explication of the figure of the barbary cow. the lower figure is to discover the extraordinary length of the head , the situation of the eyes which are very high , the winding of the horns , the length of the neck , the bunch which the shoulders do form on the back , that which is at the sternum as in the camel , the smallness of the tail , and other particularities which do render the figure of the animal different from the ordinary cow. in the upper figure . a - is the great ventricle . b b b. the three other ventricles . c c. the origine of the epiploon . d d. the pancreas . e. a part of the aspera arteria in its natural bigness . ●… . ●…●… . the membranous part of the aspera arteria on which the oesophagus lies , and which is towards the vertebrae of the neck . e e e e. the extremities of the half rings of the aspera arteria flatted and inlarged , making as it were the wings which do cover the extremitys of the other half rings which are underneath , and are represented by f f f. g g. the hollow and chanellated part of the half rings . f f. the liver . g. the gall-bladder . Γ. the trunck of the vena porta fastned to the liver . h. half of the trunck of the vena porta loosed from the liver , to discover its interiour surface . i i. the holes of the branches of the vena porta which do enter into the substance of the liver , with the valves which do half shut them . k. the head seen in another aspect than that of the lower figure , to represent the particular winding of the horns . l l l l l. the five small lobes of the lungs . m m. the two great lobes . n. the ligament which fastens the two great lobes to one another . the anatomical description of a barbary cow . this animal was about the size of a cow. its hair was of a fox-red , paler towards the point than the root . it was a little shorter than it commonly is in cows , and almost of the same bigness towards the point as the root : which is contrary to the hair of animals , which is most frequently bigger towards the root than towards the other end . yet we have before remarqued an irregularity opposite to this in the hair of an elk , which was a great deal smaller towards the root than towards the middle . the disposition of the body , legs , and neck made it better to resemble a stag than a cow , of which it had only the hornes , which were in a great many things different from those of cows . they were each of them a foot long , and took their rise very near one another , by reason the head was in this part exceeding narrow . they were very thick , bent backward , black , wreathed like a screw , and worn before and at top , so that the raised parts which formed the screw , were there wholly effaced . the tail was larger at its beginning than towards its end , after the manner of all the cloven footed quadrupeds of barbary which we have dissected . it exceeded not thirteen inches in length comprehending a tuft of black hair three inches long , which it had at its extremity . the ears were seated not at top of the temples , and underneath the horns as in cows , but more backward : as for the rest they were like to the ears of the gazella , being covered in the inside with a white hair in some places , the rest being bald , and discovering a skin perfectly black and smooth . the eyes were so high and so near the horns , that the head seemed to have almost no fore-head . the teats were very little , very short , and only two in number : which rendred them different from those of cows . the shoulders were very high , making a bunch at the beginning of the back . there was another bunch opposite to this of the back , viz. at the bottom of the sternum , like as in the camel. we found that all the particulars which are observed in this animal were seen in the bubalus which aldrovandus describes , and the figure of which was sent him by horatius fontana . there is only the bunch of the sternum which neither aldrovandus nor fontana do speak of . it is probable that this animal ought rather to be taken for the bubalus of the ancients , than the little african ox which belonius describes : for aristotle compares the bubalus to the stagg . aelian reports that it is very nimble footed ; oppian attributes to it horns bent backward ; and pliny averrs that it altogether resembles a calf and a stagg . but there is not found any of these marks in the animal which belonius describes , and they all occurr in the animal which we speak of , as may be easily demonstrated , if reflection be made on all the particulars before remarqued . but it is no wonder that belonius is deceived in attributing to his little ox the name of bubalus , seeing that pliny testifies that even in his time this word and appellation was very equivocal , and that it was given to animals which had no similitude with the bubalus . as for the inward parts , the epiploon inclosed and covered the ventricles . it was composed of a membrane very thin , but continued and not pierced . the vessels were included in a thick caul . its ligatures were fastned to the two last ventricles , viz. from the pylorus to the second ventricle , to the upper part which touches the diaphragme , and from thence it extended over the two first , by bending it self towards the left side . the ventricles were in number four . the first and greatest was velveted with an infinite number of small teats , which made the exteriour surface of the internal membrane of this ventricle , as it is in the generality of other animals which chew the cud : but this membrane was easily separable from the external as in the gazella . the second ventricle had its internal membrane in form of net-work ; and this net-work , as in sheep , was nothing else but the folds of this membrane , which was looser than the external ; and these folds were of different figures , some triangular , others square , and others pentagonal . the third , as usual had its internal membrane much looser than the second , and the folds which it had were more raised , but they were all ranged long-wise , making as it were leaves indented . the fourth , which alone was greater than the second and third together , was likewise filled with leaves ; but they were without indentures , and their situation was transverse , as it were to stop and retain the nourishment a longer time . such a structure has been observed in the sea-fox , where the cavity of the intestine was interrupted by membranes transversly situated , and disposed like a snail-shell or newel of a winding stair-case ; and this very transverse situation of leaves has been found in the coecum of apes , in the colon of hares , and rabits , in the colons and two caecums of ostriches , and in the iejunum of man : the colour of this last ventricle was very different from that of the others , being of a very darkred . the intestines were all together seventy and eight feet . the caecum was eighteen inches long , and three broad . it had a nervous ligament , which nevertheless caused not any cells . the pancreas was fastened along the little ventricles . the spleen was ten inches in length and four in breadth . it was half joyned to the ventricle . the liver was round and without lobes , being only a little cleft before and behind . in the trunk of the vena porta there was observed little membranes in form of valves , which half covered the holes of the branches which do carry the blood from the trunck of the porta into the substance of the liver , to hinder it from returning into the trunck . these valves which have not been yet seen in the liver of any animal , are very favourable to the pulsation , which glisson attributes to the branches which the porta casts into the liver : for this pulsation , which he thinks to be communicated to them by the arteries , which are joyned and fastened to them by the assistance of a capsula , which incloses the vein with the artery : this capsula having a particular motion of constriction , is not easie to conceive without these valves ; it being hard for the blood lock'd up in these veins to form any pulsation when it is struck by the dilatation of the neighbouring arteries , if not inclosed and retained by some adjoyning obstacle , such as is that of the valves ; otherwise it will necessarily flow back into the trunck , and branches which do convey the blood thither : for the impetuosity of the motion of this blood towards the trunck cannot supply this obstacle , as glisson pretends , by reason of the weakness of the tunicle of the veins , which do bring this blood into the trunck : for these veins would have more need of a capsula to be strengthned , than the branches which are in the liver , the parenchyma whereof might be sufficient to strengthen them . so that it seems that for want of these valves , the beating would be much greater in the branches which do convey the blood into the trunck of the vena porta , than in those which do distribute it into the substance of the liver ; and that this beating must be as contrary to the motion of the blood contained in these branches , as advantagious to that which must be distributed in the liver . the gall-bladder was at the extremity and on the edge of the hollow part on the right side . it was fastned to the liver by its internal half , and the membrane which made the outward half was thin , fine , and all folded , being intirely void of gall. the lungs had seven lobes : the five upper ones were small ; the two lower contained nine inches in length and five in breadth . they were fastned to each other towards the middle by a membranous ligament half an inch broad , and two thirds of an inch long . the rings of the aspera arteria which were imperfect , did leave the space of a fingers breadth without a cartilage at the place towards the back-bone , and which touches the oesophagus . these rings were of such a figure , and so disposed , that their extremities flatned , and inlarged , did each form as it were two wings or auricles , which were laid one upon the other ; so that for instance the lower wings or auricles of the first cartilage were covered with the upper wings of the second , which with its lower wings did likewise cover the upper wings of the third , which did cover its lower wings with the upper ones of the fourth . this continued after the same manner in all the cartilages of the aspera arteria , as is represented in the figure , which alone can sufficiently demonstrate this extraordinary structure . the residue of every ring , which was the hardest part , was hollow in its middle , and left two eminencies at its sides . this conformation did in this place make the aspera arteria more rough than it generally is ; because that the inequality of the two different substances which compose it , namely , the membrane , and cartilage which is found in all forts of asperae arteriae , this had over and above the inequality which the cavities or indentings , that were in each ring , did make . the cornea in the eye was of an oval figure , as it usually is in other cows . the iris was yellow , a little inclining to red. the crystallinus was more convexbehind than before . the explication of the figure of the cormorant . in the lower figure is observable the length of the head , the smalness of the eye , and its oblique situation , the crooked figure of the bill , and the extraordinary structure of the feet which have the great toe outwards , and the others inwards , being all four webb'd together by membranes . in the upper figure . a b. represents the oesophagus blown up , and tied at the top . b c. the ventricle blown up . b. the place where the oesophagus is straitned to make the upper orifice of the ventricle . d e. the aspera arteria . e. a knot made of a bony ring at the bottom of the aspera arteria . f f. two musculous ligaments which do fasten the aspera arteria with the bladders of the lungs . g. the heart . h. the right lobe of the liver . i. the left lobe . k. the third lobe , which is under the two others . l. the gall-bladder . m. the pylorus . n. a part of the oesophagus , the inside of which is represented . o. the superiour orifice of the ventricle . p. a part of the ventricle which is seen on the inside . q q. the membranes of the ventricle cut asunder , the interiour of which is composed of an infinite number of longish glands conglomerated , and whose points do make the internal superficies of the ventricle rough like chagrin . q. the larynx . r. the tongue . s t. the right foot. t. the serrate or toothed claw which is on the second toe . the anatomical description of a cormorant . this bird is called a cormorant , that is to say crow-marine , because that it is generally all black , and is an aquatick animal . gesner says that it is for this reason that it is by albertus magnus called carbo aquaticus . gaza is of opinion that the corax of aristotle is this very bird , not only by reason of the greek name , which signifies crow , but likewise of the other marks by which this philosopher designs it , which do perfectly agree with the cormorant that we describe . it was twenty seven inches from the end of the bill to the extremity of the tail , and three foot and a half from one end of the wings expanded to the other . there are seen a great many larger on the sea-shore . it s whole plumage was black , or a very dark gray , somewhat greenish on the wings , except the belly , and under the neck , which were covered with white feathers , the end of which was blackish : which made these white parts to seem spotted with brown , gesner reports that in switzerland these cormorants which are there called scharbi , that is to say coals , have some of them white bellies . under the great plumes which cover the body , there was a gray down extremely fine and thick , as in swans . aldrovandus reports that the skins of cormorants are prepared like those of vultures , and used to cover and warm the stomach . the feathers which did garnish and adorn the neck were very short , and those which did cover the head much shorter : but they were very thick and small like fringe . this demonstrates the cormorant not to be the phalocrocorax , which is so called ; because it has no feathers on the head , and that pliny is deceived , when he says that the aquatick crow , which is the cormorant , is naturally bald , and that this particularity has given it the name which it has amongst the greeks . bel●…nius held the same opinion . these plumes upon the head were four lines in length , strait , and staring . this made the head to appear less flat than indeed it is , although it very much appeared so with these feathers . towards the root , as well of the upper as lower beak , there was a skin without feathers : it was likewise extended round the eye . this skin was red. aldrovandus reports that it is generally white , and gesner makes it of a saffron-colour . this same skin was extended under the beak , upon the cavity which is generally there . in this place it was of a pale-yellow . the bill at the sides was gray mix'd with red , and black at the top . it was three inches in length , from the opening to its extremity . it was crooked , and very pointed at the end . this beak served him to catch fish ; but because that he could only swallow them backwards , or sidewise , and could not conveniently swallow the tail first , by reason of the fins , crests , and scales , which hindred them from entring into his throat , he used to cast them in the air , to receive them with the head first : which he does with so much dexterity that he never misses . this bird is made use of for fishing , by putting an iron ring at the bottom of its neck , to the end that the fish being received into the oesophagus , which is very large , making a kind of craw , might not enter into the ventricle , and they might easily be made to cast them up . in the beak there was not any hole for the nostrils , although in the palate there was one large enough to permit the vapours to rise up to the organs of the smelling . the eyes were small , and situated very near the bill . being shut , the line which the eye-lids made , was somewhat more oblique than it generally is in birds . the feet were short , not exceeding four inches from the belly to the ground , and there were seven to the end of the greatest toe . these feet were very black , and shining , covered with long , and strait scales in the inside of the foot , and on the middle of the toes . these four toes were webb'd together by some membranes , which we have already remark'd in a scotch goose. these membranes were speckled like chagrin . these four toes , which were all of a row , went lessening from the great to the little one . the great and little one did make a right angle , the great one being on the outside , and the little one on the inside . the two other toes were likewise on the inside , between the great and little one ; which is unusual in other two-footed animals , especially man , whose foot has the great toe inwards , and the others outwards : for this is so made to support and more firmly to settle the body on the feet , on which the prominence or protuberance which the toe has on the outside is necessary , to hinder it from bending on either side ; but this prominence is wholly useless on the inside ; because that the opposite leg sufficiently supports the body on that side . these toes had sharp and crooked claws : the greatest exceeded not five lines . yet there was this remarkable in these claws , that those of the second toe , which is next to the greatest , were serrate or toothed in each foot , on the side towards the third toe . the great toe , which was three inches long , was composed of five bones or phalanges , the next of four , the third of three , and the fourth , which is the least , of two . this last was an inch long . aristotle reports that the cormorant is the only ducker which perches on trees , and which makes its nest there . we have observed that the feet like those of our cormorant , are more commodious for perching than are those of other duckers , though these feet can clasp the branches only with two of their four toes , namely , with the greatest , and least : but this little one is much larger than in other palmipedes , which have the little toe behind so short , that it is only as a spur , absolutely useless to gripe the branches . the construction of the foot of our cormorant appeared to us not only more commodious than it is in other palmipedes , in regard of the facility which is given it to perch it self , but is also very advantagious for swiming : for whereas other palmipedes have only two membranes which do joyn the three toes before , our cormorant had three which webb'd the four toes together : for which reason these birds do go under water with an incredible quickness . gesner reports that the feet do sometimes serve them to catch the fish , and that they do bring it to the shore holding it with one foot , and swiming with the other . this particular use , viz. of having occasion to swim with one single foot , may make us to comprehend the reason of the extraordinary structure of the cormorant's feet : for if the toes and their membranes which do form the foot , had been outwards , it would have been impossible for the bird to go otherwise than by turning round when it swims only with one foot , as it happens to a boat when rowed but with one oar ; whereas the toes being inwards , it happens that when the bird swims with one single foot , it strikes the water exactly under the middle of the belly , and makes not his body to waddle on the one side or the other . now this formation was so much the more necessary , as its feet are shorter : for if they had been longer , they would have had a facility which they have not to be turned obliquely under the belly , to place the foot in the middle , and not to strike on one side more than on the other . the oesophagus was seated at the right side of the aspera arteria , under which it passed to reach the ventricle . when it was puffed up by blowing on the inside , it was inlarged to above two inches in diameter . being come directly over the bifurcation of the aspera arteria , it was turned on the left side , and was suddenly straitned , leaving for the upper orifice of the ventricle but one aperture about the bigness of a quill . this contracting appeared not when the oesophagus and ventricle were blown up ; for then they made only one single bowel . this ventricle was fleshy and musculous towards the bottom ; but it was membranous in its upper part , perhaps to inlarge and contract itself according to the need that it has for the swallowing fishes , and for the inclosing them afterward in the ventricle , where the concoction , which is begun in the oesophagus , must be compleated : for the greatness of the fish which these birds are seen to swallow is a very strange and amazing thing . the ventricle and oesophagus did seem of the same figure and size , being viewed on the outside , after that both had been strongly puffed up by the wind which was forceably made to enter therein : but the ventricle was narrower , and not so capacious on the inside , by reason ofo the thickness of the two membranes , whereof it was composed , which together did make the thickness of two lines . the pylorus was not opposite to the superiour orifice , as is commonly observed , but it was as it were fixed into the middle of the ventricle , leaving the lower half hanging like a sack. this lower part was fleshy , and as it were musculous , like a gizard ; although this fleshie membrane had neither the thickness nor hardness which is ordinarily remarked in the gizzard of birds . and it is probable that this part was thus fleshie and musculous , to serve to squeeze and more easily to make ascend towards the pylorus that which is descended to the long and narrow bottom of the ventricle , when the concoction of the aliment is there finished ; the hard and fibrous flesh of the gizards being made more strongly to compress , and as it were to bruise the hard and dry grains which birds do feed on , and not being necessary for those which do live only upon flesh , or fish like the cormorant . the external membrane of the ventricle was white , and appeared of two substances ; its external part being nervous and hard at top , and fleshie at bottom , as has been declared , and its internal part being quaggie , and mucous , so that it seemed that by the means of this internal part the two membranes of the ventricle were glued together . the internal membrane , which was somewhat reddish , was glandulous , and composed of an infinite number of small glands a line and a half long , and about the thickness of a great pin : these little glands did touch each other , according to their length , and were fastened , and as it were glued together , by a substance resembling their own , but somewhat less firm , and slimie . their extremities were more firmly fastend , viz. the lower ones which proceeded from the external membrane of the ventricle , and the upper ones which did adhere each to other , and did form the internal superficies of the ventricle ; so that both the ends of the glands did render this internal superficies like chagrin ; which doth very well represent the velvet of the great ventricle of animals , which chew not the cud , if it be imagined that the little long teats which do compose this velvet were joyned to each other , as conglomerated glands generally are ; whereas in animals which chew the cud , these little teats are separated from each other , being only fastned to the internal membrane of the great ventricle by their roots . in some ostriches we have found the internal membrane of the gizzard of a structure wholly like to this . in the superiour part of the ventricle towards the orifice , there were several worms eight or ten lines long , and about the thickness of a midling pin . they were white and transparent , and in the middle of their body there was seen as it were a blackish vein , going from the head to the tail which was more pointed than the head , which was smaller than the middle of the body . at the bottom of the ventricle there was a matter like to black blood half curdled . and it is probable that it was in effect from the blood which was fallen into this place , by reason of a blow which the bird had received upon the head . the intestines were seven foot long . they had not those two appendices which do form as it were two coecums , which belonius reports to be in all birds . we found that these sorts of intestines were likewise wanting in an eagle called haliaetos , and some other birds . all the intestines of our cormorant were of the same bigness , containing two lines diameter . they were inclosed with the ventricle in an epiploon , which pliny averrs , not to be in these birds . this epiploon had a great deal of fat , hard like tallow . on the ventricle and gall-bladler there was some of this fat fastened , and separated from the epiploon , which is a thing very particular . the kidneys were lock'd up and separated from the other parts of the lower belly , by the means of a membrane which did cover them . they had an extraordinary figure , not being divided into three lobes as they generally are in birds , but toothed like a cock's comb in their gibbous part . aristotle says that oviparous animals , like birds and fish , have neither kidneys nor bladder , except the sea - tortois . we have not yet found any bird that wanted kidneys or ureters . as for the bladder , the truth is they have no other receptacles for their urine , but the extremity of the rectum , which is commonly more dilated in birds than in terrestrial animals , and having sometimes a roundness like to a bladder , as is seen in the ostrich . the camelion , which is no bird , but yet oviparous , has likewise kidneys and ureters which do convey its urine into the pouch of the rectum , as in birds . the liver which was of a red as clear as flesh-colour , was small . it had three lobes , two before , as is generally seen in other birds ; but the left was not half so large as the right : the third was under the left , almost of its form and size . the whole liver was seated on the right side . the ventricle took up the left . the gall-bladder was separated from the liver , being fastened there only by its neck , as we have found it in eagles : this is likewise observed in some other birds . the bottom of this bladder touched the ventricle . it was an inch in length , and three lines lines in breadth . the spleen was an inch long , a line and a half thick , of a somewhat darker colour than the liver . it s figure was semicircular . it touched the left part of the ventricle , but was not fastened by any apparent vessels . it was very adherent to the pancreas , which reached very far , after the usual manner of birds , into the sinuosity which forms the first fold of the intestines . it was of a whitish flesh-colour : several vessels did fasten it to the hollow part of the liver near the origine of the gall-bladder . it s insertion into the intestine was near that of the bladder . the aspera arteria had its rings intire . at the place where it was divided , in the thorax , there was a great bony and very hard ring . there were two muscles or fleshie ligaments , which did tie the aspera arteria towards t●…e place where it enters into the thorax . these muscles , which in the generality of birds do knit the aspera arteria to the sternum , did in this joyn it to the bladders of the lungs , when being divided into several tendons , these tendons became membranous and made as it were a gooses foot. the heart was shut up in a pericardium where there was a clear and lymphid water . it was almost round , its point being very blunt . it s auricles were very little , especially the left : it descended not between the two lobes of the liver as in most birds , the liver being quite underneath its point . the tongue was very small , not exceeding three lines in length : it was double , having two points , one whereof , which was round and fleshie , did bend outwards ; the other , which was membranous and cartilaginous , did tend toward the larynx , which was hard and bony . the eye was but half an inch diameter . the cornea was of a transparent and very brisk red , like to that curious enamel which the french do call rouge-clair . it is probable that this red proceeded from the extravasated blood between the two tunicles , whereof the cornea was composed : for these tunicles were easily separable , and this bird had been hit several blows upon the head. the crystalline was small , being scarcely a line in diameter . it s figure was sphaerical , as it ordinarily is in fish , perhaps by reason that this animal ought to see clear in the water where it goes to catch its prey . it was a little depressed before . this bird was killed at sceaux , when being brought into the kitchin of an inne , he there flew at the cook , whom he bit . one of his wings was broken , and his skull bent in , when brought to us . the explication of the figure of the chamois or gemp. the lower figure represents the different colours of the hair , the greatness of the eyes , the turning of the hornes backward , and after what manner the upper lip is cleft . in the upper figure . a a. the right lobe of the liuer . b. the left lobe . c. the little lobe . d d. the great ventricle . e f d. the epiploon which covers the first and third ventricle to which it is fastened . e. is a part of the epiploon , which is raised to discover the great ventricle . e f. the third ventricle covered with the epiploon . g. the second ventricle . h. the ball which was found in the third ventricle . i i. the vasa spermatica praeparantia . k k. the branches of the praeparantia which go to the bladder . l i. the branches which go to the neck of the uterus . m m. the branches which go to the testicles . n n. the branches which do go to the cornua uteri . o o. the testicles . p p. the cornua uteri . q. the bladder . r. a callous apophysis at the point of the heart . s. the crystalline cleft in three . t t. the oesophagus . v. the pylorus . the anatomical description of a chamois or gemp. the chamois or gemp which we describe was somewhat bigger than a goat . it had longer leggs ; the hair in recompence was shorter . the longest , which adorned the belly and thighs , exceeded not four inches and a half ; on the back it was much shorter . the hair which did cover the back and flanks was of two sorts : for besides the great hair which did appear , there was a small one very short , and fine , hid underneath , about the roots of the greatest , as in the castor . the head , belly , and leggs had only the great hair. at the places where this hair was long , as at the top of the head , on the neck , back , flanks , and belly , it was a little frizled , and waved as in goats . the ridge of the back , the top of the stomach , the bottom of the throat , flanks , the crown of the head , and outside of the ears , was of a dark minime colour . from the ears to the nostrills there was likewise a list of the same colour , which surrounded the eyes . the rest of the hair was of a foul reddish white . the tail exceeded not three inches in length . the ears were five . on the inside they were bordered with a white hair. the rest was smooth and of a dark chestnut-colour . the eyes were large : they had an internal eye-lid which was drawn towards the little corner of the eye : it was red . 't is perhaps upon this account that al●…ertus affirmes that the chamois has red eyes . the upper lip was a little cleft , in the middle , as in the hare . the hornes grew on the fore-part of the brow a little above the eyes . the colour thereof was black . they were round and ray'd in circles and not like a s●…rew . oppian calls the chamois strepsiceros , that is to say an animal with turned hornes . aldrovandus and gesner do interpret this equivocal word , and do upon good grounds believe that oppian meant that these horn's are turned and bent backward , and not turned like a screw as they are in the sheep of candia which belonius calls strepsiceros . indeed , the hornes of our chamois were turned backwards : but because he was young , they were not crooked as they are in the more aged , in which they do grow so bending backward , and so pointed , that it is reported that these animals do tare their skin in scratching themselves ; and that it sometimes happens that they do there remain so intangled , that they cannot gett them out again ; which is the reason that they are famisht to death . it is also reported that these hooks do serve to stay them when they do fall from the top of the rocks on which they do love to run . it is doubted whether the chamois is the animal which pliny calls rupicapra , or whither it is the caprea ; for pliny says that there are two kinds of wild goats . ionston thinks that the caprea of pliny is the chevreuil . scaliger is of opinion that the caprea is the chamois , and that the chevreuil is the capreolus which votto explaining columella distinguishes not from caprea no more than aldrovandus , who says that caprea is in french called chevreuil : so that rupicapra , according to scaliger , is a common genus to caprea and ibex . yet it is probable that the rupicapra of the ancients is our chamois , because pliny says that the rupicapra is different from the dama , in that it has horns turned backward , and that the dama , which is another animal than our doe , has them turned forward : and he moreover reports that the caprea has branching horns , which corresponds to the chevreuil . belonius pretends that the chamois derives its name from the greek word kemas : but the description which aelian gives of the kemas , makes it appear very different from the chamois : for amongst other things he says that the kemas has horns turned forwards . he likewise affirms that it has the ears garnished with a very thick hair , which was not found in our chamois , as has been already remarked . now scaliger , who reasonably complains of the little exactness which the ancients used to describe , and rightly distinguish animals by their proper names , has himself greatly contributed to the confusion which is at present found in the names of all the goat-kind , of which this is one . for besides the confusion which he makes of caprea with rupicapra , he likewise gives aldrovandus and gesner occasion to think that the kemas , which he takes for the chamois , is in french called faon ; and this error of scaliger proceeds from his not making the distinction that there is between kemas , according to its common signification , and kemas , according to that in which the poets do use it : for according to the first , it in truth signifies our fawn ; kemas coming from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which signifies to sleep , or to be lain down , because that the fawns of savage beasts dare not to go out of the dens and caverns where they do sleep and are usually-layd : but according to the second signification which is particular to the poets , as aelian reports , it signifies an animal wholly different from the fawn of the deer , and other animals , which in french are called faon . our chamois had incisores only in the lower jaw , like other animals which chew the cud. they were eight in number , and uneven ; those of the middle being a great deal larger than those which were at the sides , resembling those in the gazella . the feet were cloven , and hollow underneath , and not filled with flesh as in the gazella ; for the flesh was drawn inwards , so that each claw made a print in the earth like a horse's , and the extremity of the horn , which bore upon the ground was very sharp . the anteriour part of the epiploon was fastned on the left side to the first ventricle . in passing to the right side , it was joyned to the third : descending from thence it went underneath the lower part of the first , and by re-ascending behind was fastened to the bottom of this first ventricle ; so that this epiploon was not laid on the intestines as it generally is . there was three ventricles . the first , which was the greatest , was composed of two membranes , the interiour of which was velveted , and might be easily separated from the external . the second , which was the least , had some wrinckles raised on the inside , which did form different figures , and composed as it were a net. the third , which was of a middle size , had dentilated leaves , such as are in the third ventricle of oxen. bartholinus has found in the chamois which he describes , that the two orifices of the ventricle , ( for he speaks only of one ) were very near each other ; but in our subject they were very distant , as the figure demonstrates . the third ventricle had a strange body , fastened to its interiour membrane . this body was composed of a hard membrane , in which there was gravel inclosed . genser says that the chamois uses to swallow gravel to clear his tongue and throat , which are generally bedaubed with pituita or phlegm which takes away their appetite . besides this strange body , which was naturally clammy , there was a ball , or glewy bowl , but easily separable : it was of an oval figure , containing thirteen lines to ten . one of these ends was as it were cut , and this cut had a slight cavity through the middle . this ball was of a dark olive-colour . velschius in his treatise of the balls which are found in the ventricle of the chamois , calls them german bezoar . cardan stiles them cows-eggs , by reason perhaps that these balls are sometimes found in the ventricles of young cows , which has been observed by pliny . barth linus says that they are frequently found in denmark in the bellys of horses and sheep . he thinks that these balls are made , either of the hair which the cows do swallow in licking themselves , or from the wooll which the sheep do eat from each other , when they do pass away the winter in snowie mountains , where they can find no grass . the ball which we found seemed not to be composed of hairs , but of lignous fibres : which was discovered by the inequality of these fibres which were not of the same size , nor of an uniform figure like as are hairs . it must be likewise considered that these balls are found in the bellies of horses , which are not animals that do lick themselves , and in which they must be made of something else than hair. thus the generality of authors , and amongst others camerarius and gesner , do think that these balls are composed of the residue of the plants which the animals have eaten , the hardest fibres of which are undigested ; and they do say that these fibres are of the plant doronicum which some do judge to be a kind of aconite : for tho' the leaves of the doronicum be tender and soft , they have some nervous fibres , almost like plantain . pliny seems to confirm this opinion , when he averrs that the chamois do's live on poison as well as quails : for tho botannists are not agreed upon the poyson of the doronicum , and some do question whether it is poison to men , yet they do concurr that it is poison to most beasts . it is thought that the chamois does eat the doronicum , to secure it self from the vertigo , to which they might be subject when they do run upon the points of the high rocks . velschius asserts that these balls are found only in the first , or second ventricle : that which we found was in the third . camerarius remarks that it is toward the month of november that they grow there : our dissection was made in december . all the intestines together , without comprehending the caecum , were forty foot long . the caecum was eight inches . the colon exceeded not a foot . the spleen was round and flat like a cake ; it was eight lines thick in that half which adhered to the great ventricle ; the other half , which was not adherent , went lessening its thickness to the end which was very thin . the liver had three lobes , two great ones and a little one . the gall-bladder was in the middle of the right lobe . amongst the animals that have no gall , pliny ranks the goat , of which the chamois is a species . that which bartholine dissected had none . the kidneys were two inches long . the membrana adiposa was not joyned and fastned as usually upon the body of the kidney , but it left a vacant space between both . the same thing has been observed by barth line in his chamois . the top of the memorana adiposa of the right kidney was fastned to the little lobe of the liver . the cornua uteri were extraordinary long , and bent with several folds and circumvolutions . the testicles were joyned to the extremity of the cornua , which are properly the uterus of brutes . the vasa praeparantia did cast forth some branches , not only into the testicle and matrix , but likewise into the bladder . the round ligaments took their origine at the sides of the matrix or ductus , and did descend as is usual into the groin where they were dilated to make that which is called the goose's foot . the lungs had eight lobes , four on the right side , three on the left , and the eighth on the inside of the duplicature of the mediastinum . the heart was long and pointed . towards the point there was a callous , white , hard , and round apophysis : it proceeded out of the heart about the bigness of ones little fingers end . the brain was large in proportion to the body , containing two inches in breadth and three in length , comprehending the cerebellum , the anfractuosities were more and more diversified than they commonly are in brutes . although the cerebrum was divided into the right and left , by a long cavity as is usual , yet there was no production of the dura mater , to make that which is called the falx : there was only a line very little elevated , which answered to the cavity of the brain . the choroides was very much dilated by the affluence of the blood , which had been retained in the vessels whereof it is composed . the glandula pinealis was large , containing a line in diameter . it s figure was rounder than ordinary . the optick nerve did enter into the globe of the eye out of the axis , a great deal more towards the brow than towards the jaw . on the inside of the globe of the eye , it entred through the extremity of the tapetum , which was brown of colour . the crystallinus was more convex on the outside than on the inside . it was naturally divided in three on the superficies of its interiour part . the membrana arachnoides was very thick and hard , so that it was easily separated from the crystallinus . the explanation of the figure of the porcupine and hedgehog . the lower figure represents the difference of these two species of amals , which are unlike not only in their size , but also in their prickles , which are all of one sort in the hedge-hog , and much shorter , in proportion to the body , than in the porcupine , which has great and hard prickles on the back and flancks , and which on its neck , head , and sides of its jaws has only long , small , and flexible bristle . in the upper figure . a. the ventricle of the porcupine . b. the duodenum , which may pass for a fourth ventricle . c. the great spleen . d. the little spleen , which is fastned on the ventricle by its middle , and joyned by its lower end to the ilium towards e. e f g. the ilium . h. the caecum . i i. the colon. k. the external ear like to that of a man's . l. one of the porcupines great teeth , as big as the life . m m. the parastatae . n n. the testicles of the male - porcupine . o o. the prostatae . p. the bladder . q q. the ligaments which do fasten testicles , and pass into the thighs . r. the epididymis naturally separated from the testicle . q q. a piece of the skin which seemed as it were printed on the inside by reason that it is wrinckled in small cavities lozenge-wise . there is likewise one of the porcupine's prickles which was left fastned to this piece of skin , to shew how little adherent it is , because of the smallness of its root , which penetrates not far into the skin . r. one of the quills which were upon the porcupine's rump . s s. the kidneys . t. the right succenturiatus immediately fastned to the vena cava and emulgens . u. the left succenturiatus immediately fastned to the great kidney , and by the means of a vessel to the emulgent . x x. the two cornua uteri . y y. the testicles of the female porcupine . z. the bladder . Φ Φ. the broad ligament of the uterus . Γ. the left succenturiatus cut in half . Δ Δ. the testicles of the male - hedg-hog . inclosed within the belly , as they commonly are in the females of other animals . α α. the epididymis . β β. the parastatae . γ γ. the prostatae . ε ε. some fleshie membranes which do serve for cremasters . ξ. a transparent membrane . Θ. the bladder . Ω Ω. membranes in the male hedg-hog like the broad ligaments of the uterus . these membranes are thick and very different from the membrane ξ , which is transparent . Π θ θ. the vasa spermatica praeparantia . Λ Λ. the tongue of the porcupine . the anatomical description of six porcupines and two hedge-hogs . the porcupine and hedg-hog , according to the ancients , are animals of one genus , by reason of the prickles wherewith they are both covered . the name of the genus is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , echinus . the porcupine is by the greeks and latins called hystrix . the hedg-hog is by oppian stiled 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in greek , minor echinus in latine , as if the whole distinction of these two species consisted in only the difference of the size . yet we have observed that the animals of these two species were likewise different in other things more essential , namely , in the country where they do breed , in their prickles , and in the shape of the rest of their body : for the porcupine is bred in africa , the hedge-hog is common in europe ; the prickles of our hedge-hogs were shorter in proportion to their body than those of the porcupines ; and the shape , as well as the use of these prickles , was also very different , even as their feet , nose , and all the inward parts . the greatest of the six porcupines which we here describe , was eighteen inches from the nose to the extremity of the hind-feet extended . they all had over the body a bristle or great shining hair , resembling in its grosseness consistence , figure , and colour , the bristles of a boar ; which has given to this animal the appellation of hystrix , which comes from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 that is to say hogs-hair . and indeed this bristle did better resemble that of the hogg than of the boar , in that it was not intermix'd with another shorter hair , like to the downe which garnishes the root of the bristle of the boar ; but it was every where of the same length and kind . it was above three inches long all over the body , except the top of the neck , where it was a foot long , and three times as big as any where else . these bristles made as it were a tuft on the head , of about eight inches , and mustaches about six inches long . the bristles of this tuft was of a dark chesnut colour from the middle to the end . besides these bristles there was likewise on the back two sorts , of prickles some stronger , thicker , shorter , and more pointed , the points whereof were keen , with two edges like an awle . claudian puts these sorts of prickles on the head of the porcupine , and says that they do supply the place of horns : which we found not in our subjects . the other prickles were a great deal longer and more flexible : they were a foot long , their points flatted , and weaker than the others . the shortest and strongest ▪ were white toward the root , and of a dark chesnut colour at the end . the longest were white at the root and end ; and in the middle they were chequered with black and white . all these hairs and prickles were hard and shining in their surface : the inside was of a substance white and spongious . there was likewise another kind of prickles the end of which seemed to have been cut , the res●… being hollow like a quill ; but that which composed this tube was a great deal thinner than that of any quill . these tubes or hollow pipes exceeded a line in diameter , and were three inches long : they were white and transparent like pens , and rayed with little wrinckles long-ways . they were twelve in number , and laid upon the extremity of the ●…oecyx , somewhat ●…aised at the top . their root was very small , not exceeding the bigness of a pin , although it was above six lines long . those prickles which were strongest and shortest , were easie to pluck out of the skin , not being firmly fixed like the others : these the animals are used to dart against the hunters by shaking their skin as dogs do when they come out of the water , claudian says elegantly that the porcupine is himself the bow , the quiver , and the arrow which he makes use of against the hunters . the fore-feet had but four toes ; the hind-ones had five , and were formed like those of a bear , the great toe being outward . the whole leg and foot , as also the belly , was covered with the great bristles already mentioned , having only the sole unprovided thereof . these feet resembled not those of a hog , as albertus reports they do . we found likewise that the nose of our porcupine was not made like the snout of an hog , as it is represented by claudian , to whom nevertheless the porcupine must be well known , being born in aegypt , where this animal is very common . this nose resembled that of an hare , the upper lip being cleft : the lower was likewise pierced , and made as it were a case , in which were shut up the two incisores of the lower jaw . these teeth as well as those of the upper jaw were not unlike those of the castor , being very long , and situated in such a manner that the keen part of the lower ones did not meet the cutting part of the upper ones , like a pair of pincers , as in most animals : but these parts did pass over each other like cissars . the molares in four of our subjects were only six in each jaw ; the fifth had eight . they were short , standing not above a line and a half out of the jaw-bone . they were cut at the top very smooth . by their cutting it appeared that they were not intirely solid , but that the bone was as it were folded or leaved , having amongst the folds of the bony substance another blackish and spongie one . these folds were not only in the surface where they appeared , but they were through the whole tooth , as was found after it was broken . the tongue was at its extremity covered over with several little bony bodies like teeth . the greatest were a line in breadth : their extremity was keen and divided by three rays or cuts , which made as it were four incis●…res . the ears were thinly covered with a very soft hair : they resembled those of man. in one of our subjects they were found different in the upper part , which was pointed as the ears of satyrs are painted . the eyes were little as in the hog , not exceeding four lines from one corner to the other . the situation of the corners of this eye was very extraordinary , the great canthus being much higher than the lesser . directly over the os pubis near the anus , there was a tumour or swelling about the bigness of an egg without hair and prickles . in the middle of this tumour , and near the anus , there was a little hole less than that of the anus . albertus reports that the porcupine has two anus's , by reason perhaps of this second aperture , which is designed for the parts of generation , which are not externally different in the two sexes , almost as it is in the civet-cat and castor , the penis of the male being concealed in the pouch , which was made to come out through the hole adjoyning to the anus , when the pouch was pressed . the skin being flead , on its internal surface appeared several wrinckles , lozenge-wise , about two lines in bigness . the whole skin over the back , and flancks , was adherent to the musculus carnosus , which was strong and fleshie , especially along the back , at the place where the strong prickles are fastned . this membranous muscle had its origine at the transverse and oblique apophyses of the vertebrae of the neck . from thence it was extended along the vertebrae of the back , and inserted it self into the ossa innominata being by the way fastned to the vertebrae of the spine . it was very adherent , not only to the skin , as has been already declared , but likewise to the common membrane of the muscles . on the internal surface of this muscle there was a great company of nerves which were laid and interwoven like a net. the skin was not only stirred by these muscles , as it is in the generality of brutes , but it had likewise four others on each side separately to remove different places of the skin , as the great skinnie muscle is to remove the whole skin . these four muscles proceeded from the intercostals , where they had a large basis , which terminated on a little tendon , like to the treble of a lute . the tendons of these four muscles were inserted into the skin which covers the ribs and flanks . the cartilago xiphoides was extraordinary large . the epiploon which descended on the left side to the groin , was firmly fixed in this place to the peritonaeum , and did not freely flow over the intestines as usually . in one of the subjects it adhered to the bladder . the ventricle was almost round , although divided into three unequal pouches . the middle one , which was the greatest , descended lower than the others . the superiour orifice was very strait . it was in the middle , and directly over the great pouch . the inferiour orifice was mighti●…y dilated , being an inch and a half broad ; so that the duodenum seemed to be a fourth ventricle joyned to three pouches , which did represent three others : but this intestine was contracted to make the iejunum , which was very short , and the ileum yet more . the coecum was very large : it was seven inches long and two broad towards the ileum , terminating in a point , and making in its whole length the figure of a sythe . it had three ligaments correspondent to its length , which did contract it , and make cells as in the colon of man. the ligament that was in the bending which this intestine made , was very large ; 't was a part of the mesentery , but was fastened to the intestine only by one side ; the rest was loose . the colon had likewise some cells , which were not so well seen as those of the coecum , although there were two ligaments to form them . this intestine was strait : it was forty inches long ; it was folded in two , and the two parts were strongly fastned to each other throughout their whole length . the liver was suspended and hung upon the diaphragme , by a very large and membranous ligament , which proceeded from the cartilago xiphoides , and vertically descending , was inserted from the fissure of the liver to the middle of its gibbous part . it had seven lobes , four great ones , two on each side of the fissure , and three small ones , one of which was in the middle of the fissure , fastned by a membrane to the vena cava ; the third was underneath , between the four great ones . the two great lobes of the left side were joyned together at their extremity by a very strong membrane . the gall-bladder was small , flat , and almost empty . the pancreas was very large being three inches and a half long , and six lines broad at the widest place . the spleen was different in our subjects . there was one in which we found two spleens . the largest , which was five inches long and ten lines broad , was fastned to the left side of the ventricle , by the rami splenici which do make the vas breve : it was also fastned to the epiploon . the other spleen which was three inches in length and eight lines in breadth , was fixed to the ventricle , without the appearance of any vessels which did unite it . it was likewise joyned to the epipl●…on by the upper end , and to the ileum by the lower end . in the other subjects , where it was single as is usual , it was seven inches long and ten lines broad . it was immediately fixed by its upper end to the upper part of the ventricle , and by its hollow part to the left side of the ventricle , by the means of the rami splenici , which shot forth three branches into the ventricle , and as many into the spleen . the ramifications which went to the ventricle were three inches long : those of the spleen were only one . in one of our subjects the spleen , besides the ligaments of of the vas breve , and of the membranes by which it was held to the ventricle and epiploon , had also a ligament which did hang it to the diaphragme . in all our subjects the spleen was of a very dark red , especially in its hollow part which regards the ventricle , where it was almost black . the kidneys were double on each side , having a succenturiatus a third part as big as the true kidney . the true kidney was two inches in length and one in breadth . it was very solid , not having any cavity for the pelvis . it had only on the outside a cavity or depression in its anteriour part . the parenchyma of the succ●…nturiatus was very different from that of the true kidney , being more soft ; it was likewise composed of two different substances viz. the one fleshie and red , as in the true kidney ; the other glandulous and whitish ; these two substances were mixed together , so that this kidney being cut , did shew as it were several rays which went from the circumference to the center , almost after the same manner as it is seen in the cerebellum of man. at the center of this kidney there was a cavity capable of containing a midling bean. the vasa emulgentia made an acute angle with the truncks of the cava and aorta , having their origines much higher than the kidneys , which seemed drawn downwards . the bladder was very large and thick , being composed of two coats , which included between them a substance spongious and somewhat fleshie . in one of the subjects , as it has been already declared , all the back part of it adhered to the inferiour part of the epiploon , on which it was laid . the forepart , which touched the peritonaeum , was less fleshie . it was loose in this place without being joyned to the peritonaeum . the testicles of the males were long and narrow , containing only four lines in breadth and an inch and half in length . the vasa praeparantia were fastned to the inferiour part of the testicle , and did form an epididymis separated from the testicle . this epididymis was fastned to a ligament , which passing into the thighs , did seem to be made to strengthen the testicle , and perform the office attributed to the round ligament of the uterus . the parastatae were extraordinary great : they were two inches and a half long , and separated into three branches ; and in some of our subjects into five , like branches of coral . at the end of the penis there was a bone of an inch long . in the females the broad ligament of the matrix was strongly fastened to the kidneys at the bastard-ribs . the testicles were of a glandulous substance , without any appearance of bladders or eggs. the nervous center of the diaphragme was so thin and transparent , that the lungs were seen through . there were five principal lobes , which were each divided into two . the rings of the aspera arteria were not intire . the trunck of the arteria venosa and its chief branches were of an extraordinary length . having tied the azygos in one of our subjects , and put a small pipe underneath the ligature , when it was blown , the vena cava swelled , beginning to swell through the iliaca , by reason of the communication of one branch of the azygos , which passing beyond the diaphragme went to make an anastomosis with one of the the branches of the iliack . the heart was two inches in length from the basis to the point , and fourteen lines in breadth through its middle between the point and the basis , being somewhat larger in this place than at the basis : it was blunt at the end and the flesh of the left ventricle was firm and hard . it had an eminence which made it to appear winding like a screw . the right auricle seemed to be only a dilatation of the cava . in one of the subjects the two auricles of the heart were filled with a slimy , white , and very solid substance , and the ventricles with a black and congealed blood . the brain was almost like that of the hog . there was no bone between the cerebrum and cerebellum . the globe of the eye exceeded not four inches diameter : it was almost sphaerical . the cornea was elevated like a demi-globe on another globe formed by the sclerotica . the crystalline was likewise almost spherical in one of the subjects , being more convex before than behind . in this same subject , the crystalline had as it were a kernel , its internal part being hard after the manner of a cartilage , and not less transparent than the rest . this part thus hardened had not the figure spherical like the whole crystalline , but it was flat and lenticular . the optick nerve entered at the middle of the globe of the eye . the uvea was of a dark red ; the membrane which is applyed to the bottom of the eye , and which we do call the tapetum , was whitish , and disseminated with several little red spots . this whitish colour of the tapetum made the hole of the uvea to appear less brown than the iris. the two hedg-hoggs which we dissected were male and female , they contained eight inches from the snowt to the end of the hind-feet extended , which were not above two inches . the nose in both was short and round , better resembling the nose of a dog , than the snowt of a swine ; so that they were of that species of hedg-hog called by mathiolus canina , who makes two , viz. one which partakes of the dog ; and the other of the hog ; and this kind seems to be more common than the other , because that in english , the herisson is absolutely called hedg-hog , and in dutch , een ysere verken , that is to say , a hog covered and armed with prickles . they both had the head , back , and flancks covered with prikles . the nose , throat , belly , and feet were only interspersed with a very small and very white hair. hermolaus says that the hedg-hog has prickles all over the body , except on the nose and paws ; but we found this false in one of our subjects , which had no prickls on the belly ; but those on the back and sides when it was heaped round , the breech and snowt approaching each other , did intirely cover the belly . the whole animal was of one colour ; the skin , hair , and prickcles being of a dark yellowish gray . the prickles were an inch and a half long , and very different from those of the porcupine ; for they were somewhat flattish , and very like to the prickles of the outward shells of chesnuts . the paws were composed of five toes , of which there were three great ones in the middle , and two little ones , one on each side . they had long , pointed and hollow claws , making the figure of a pen. the teeth were disposed in such a manner , that below there was only the molares and incisores . these last were but two , which were somewhat longer than the molares . at the top there were no incisores , but only two canini , which left a vacancy in which the incisores of the lower jaw were lodged . the canini which were longer than the incisores , had each also a place to lye in , in the lower jaw , between the canini and incisores , with an interval for that purpose . the female had eight teats , four on each side , disposed in two ranges along the belly and breast , the two highest being seated on the pectoral muscle . having taken off the skin , there appeared a musculus carnosus , which as in the porcupine was extended from the ossa innominata to the ear and nose , running along the back-bone without being fastned thereunto ; which shews that this muscle serves not the hedg-hog for the shaking his skin like the porcupine , which darts his prickles by this action , but to bring its head to its breech , and to gather up the whole body like a ball ; which the hedge-hog uses to do when it cannot save it self by flight : for being in this posture it is all over covered with its prickles , and the dogs know not how to take him without being pricked . pliny reports that if notwithstanding this praecaution , he perceives himself in danger , he let 's fly his urine , which he knows to have the quality of vitiating his skin , and making all his prickles to fall off , as it were to deprive the hunters of the principal fruit of their labour , which is this skin , which the ancients had in great esteem , by reason that it served them for brushes to clean their cloaths . the liver had seven lobes , one of which was divided in two . the gall-bladder was in the middle of the two upper lobes , which were the greatest . it s forme was ovale . it was eight lines long , very full and blewish the venae lacteae were white and very apparent in the mesentery ; and the receptacle of the chyle was great , ample , and full . the spleen was layd on the ventricle , to which it was fastned , by twelve branches from the vas breve . it was long and cut like a cock's comb. the pancreas to which it was fastned , had the same forme : it differed therfrom only in colour , the pancreas being whitish , and the spleen of a blackish red. the intestines were all alike in substance and thickness . there was no caecum . they contained all together four feet in length . the kidneys were an inch long and eight lines broad . they were of an olive colour , the right being situated higher that the left . the bladder was an inch and a half long and an inch broad . in the male the testicles were in the belly ; which , according to aristotle , is peculiar to the hedg-hog , which amongst all quadrupeds that do ingender a perfect and living animal , is the only one whose testicles are inclosed in it , as in birds . these testicles had a very larg epididymis , which received the vasa spermatica praeparantia divided into four branches , and which were separately inserted into them from the basis to the greater half of their length . this epididymis was not separate from the testicle , as in the porcupine , but was therto fastned , all its length . the vasa spermatica deferentia proceeded from the top of the epididymis . the testicle and its vessels were tyed and suspended by a ligament which might passe for a cremaster , because that it was a membrane which appeared somewhat fleshy near the testicle . the rest of this membrane was extended and inlarged after the manner of the broad ligaments of the uterus . it had a great many vessels of which two of the cheif did make a very considerable anastomosis , by crossing one another in the middle . they proceeded from the vasa spermatica praeparantia , as from their trunck , and were distributed through this whole membrane , extended like the wings of a batt , as in the uterus ; so that considering the greatness and number of these vessels , which were not proportionate to the quantitie of the nourishment which the membrane might require , it might be probably thought that the use of this structure was , that the arteria spermatica might send to this membrane a part of the bloud which it carryes to the testicle , to be prepared in this great number of branches ; in which the remainder that cannot be imployed to the nourishment of the membrane seemed to be sometime retained , and perfected by this long retention , to be inabled afterwards to reflow into the trunck of the spermatick artery , and to mingle with the bloud which go's into the testicle ; there being nothing to oppose this reflux , of which it is necessary to suppose the liberty into all the arteries , which upon this account are destitute of the valves which are found in the veins : and the compression that the motion of respiration causes to all the viscera , b●…ing a sufficient impulsive cause for this reflux . on both sides of the neck of the bladder there were pouches of a substance partly glandulous , partly membranous . they were very yellow : t was apparently the parastatae . the prostatae were a little underneath , of an extraordinary size , even as the parastatae . in the female the uterus was composed of a neck and two hornes . the neck was composed of two membranes : the external was thick and fleshy , the internal was thinne , membranous , and nervous . the hornes were unequal , the left being lesser than the right , in which there was a foetus . the lungs had five lobes , viz. three of a middle size at the right side , and two on the left , one of which was greater and the other lesser than all the rest . this little one , which the cavitie of the mediastine inclosed , was forked at the end . the heart was almost round . the right auricle was of a red almost black. the left was whitish . the globe of the eye exceeded not two lines in diameter : it had an internal eyelidd . of the three humours of the eye there appeared only the crystalline , which filled up the whole globe , without any appearance of the aq●…e us or vitreous humour . the retina did immediately touch the crystalline , and as it were ●…tick to it on that side towards the bottom of the eye , as the cornea did cover and touch it before . the uvea was all over black , without the tapetum ; it did not likewise make any fold on the fore-part to forme the iris ; so that the eye , when the lidds were open , did appear all black. the explication of the figure of two sapajous and two other monkeys . the lower figure showes how the hands and feet of the ape do differ from the hands and feet of man , the thumb of the hand being small and the great toe of the foot very large , and the other toes extraordinary long . here is not described the figure of the fourth ape , which is the second sapajou , because that it was wholy like to that which is here represented , except the nose , which was longer . in the upper figure . a. the umbilical veine . b b. the two right lobes of the liver . c c. the two left lobes of the liver . d. the fifth , cleft and making as it were two leaves . e. the gall-bladder . f. the ductus cysticus . g g g. the three ductus hepatici . . . . three branches that come out of the first . h. the common ductus . i. the ventricle . k. the spleen . l. the pancreas . m. the caecum . n. the end of the ileum . o. the beginning of the colon. p. a gland fastned to the lower part of the trunk of the cava . q q. two other glands fastned to the two iliack veines . r r. the testicles . s s. the glandulous prostates . Θ. the bladder so turned upside down as to hide the penis . t t. the brain . t t. the back part of the brain without anfractuositys . v. the bladder in the natural situation , and opned to shew the caruncle y and the thickness of the prostates . . x x. the parastatae cyrsoides . y. the caruncle at the beginning of the urethra . . the glandulous prostates which look but like the thickning of the neck of the bladder . the anatomical description of two sapajous and two other monkeys the species of apes are very numerous . pliny reduces them under two genus's , viz. those which have tails , and those which have none . the tail-less ape is by the latines simply called simi●… . those which have a tail are of two species . the latines have borrowed of the greeks the names which they do give them : for some are called cercopitheci , from the name of the genus , that is to say , tailed - apes ; others cynocephali that is to say , which have a head like a d●…g , by reason of the length of their nose . the differences of apes are taken in french , principally from their size ; for the great ones are simply called singes or apes , whether they have a tail or no ; or whether they have a long nose like a dog , or a short one ; and the little apes are called guenons or monkeys . the four apes which we describe were of the genus of the cercopitheci , because that they had tails . but their smalness permitts them to be ranged only under the genus of monkies . they were but fourteen inches from the crown of the head to the begining of the tail , which was twenty inches ; the arm had four inches ; from the elbow to the end of the fingers , was six inches : the thigh four and a halfe : the leg five , and the foot four , from the heel to the end of the longest toe . they did likewise all agree in several other things , which are common almost to all apes . viz. . that they had hairs on each eye-lid , which aristole has observed to be peculiar to the ape , among the quadrupeds . these haires according to aristotle's observation , were so fine that it was hard to descern them . . that in the lower jaw there was a pouch or sack on each side into which these animals used to put what they would keep . . that the teeth were very white , and like man's , except the canini , which were very long in the upper jaw , and very strait in the lower jaw , being without point and differing from the incisores , only in their being straiter and longer . . that the feet were almost like the hands , as they generally are in other brutes , the toes of the feet being as long as those of the hands ; which is not in man , whose toes are two thirds shorter than his fingers . the feet of our apes did indeed more resemble the hands of man than their own , by reason of the conformation of the great toe , which resembled a thumb , being long , slender , and a great way parted from the first finger ; whereas in the hand or paw , the thumb was so short , and so close to the first finger , that it seemed almost useless . . that the parts of generation in three of our subjects , which were males , were different from those of man , there being no scrotum in two of these subjects , and the testicles not appearing by reason that they were hid in the fold of the groyne . it is true that the third , which was one of the sapajous , had a scrotum , but it was so shrunk , that it did not appear . . that the skin stuck close on the buttocks . the three males differed only in colour of their hair. the fourth subject , which was a female was of the cynocephali kind ; not having a flat face like the others , but a nose somewhat long like little bolonia dogs . yet its long tail did make it to be of the cercopitheci kind like the others , whose differences amongst the ancients were taken from the colour of the hair ; the cercopitheci simply called , being those which have but one colour ; and those which have several being called cepi , that is to say gardens , by reason of the diversity of colours wherewith they seem to be flowered and imbroidered , as ●…lian reports pythagoras to have sayd . the first of our apes was of the first species of the cercopitheci , being all of one colour , viz. of a red somewhat inclining to a green. this colour which was predominant , was only a little darker on the back , and lighter on the breast and belly . the second was of the second species , because that besides the greenish-red colour of the hair which covered the back , the hair which adorned the belly , breast , and inside of the thighs and arms was gray . the third and fourth were likewise more diversified with colours : this species is called sapajou . these two subjects were different , not only in colour and the various shape of their spots , but also in the forme of their nose , which was long in the one , and flat in the other . the first , which was a male , was white on the belly , stomach , throat , on the inside of the armes and thighs , and on the buttocks . all the back from the ompolatae to the tail , was of a dark-red . the flanks , the outside of the armes and thighs , the leggs and crown of the head were black , and every black hair had also little red and white spots , there being two red spots towards the end , and the half towards the root being white . on the chin there was a white picked beard , an inch long . the hair on the back was an inch in length ; about the neck an inch and a halfe ; it was in this place more staring than in the rest of the body , and made as it were a ruffe . the brow had a white list , on which a row of black hair was elevated like eye-brows . the iris in the eyes was of a redish yellow . the pupilla was very large . the head was round , with a kind of a flat face , resembling the visage of a man with a short and flat nose . the other sapajou , which was a female , had the nose long inclining to the cynocephali . it s hair was of three colours , viz. red , gray , and a dark chest-nut . the belly and breast were mixt with red and gray . the armes and leggs were of a dark chestnutt ; the back had the chestnut and red mixt together , so that in some places there was more red , in others more chestnut ; which made great spots almost as in cats . it had neither the white on the fore-head nor the beard , as the other sapajou . the ears of the first sapajou were round and so small , that round the hole they were not extended above a line and a half , being intirely covered with the hair. the writers of physiognomie , have thereon apparently founded the judgement which they do make of little round ears , which they do put as a sign of a deceitful and villanous temper , such as is the apes . authors do not agree touching the internal parts of the ape . aristotle , pliny and galen do averr that they are wholly like to those of man. albertus do's on the contrary affirm , that as much as apes are like to man on the outside , so much are they unlike in the inside : so that there is no animal , as he sayes , which has the intrails so different from mans as the ape . the observations which we have made are repugnant to both these opinions , which are both too extream . yet we found that our apes did more resemble man in the external parts than in the internal , and that there are more animals which have the inward parts as like to those of man as our apes , than there are which do as much resemble man , as our apes do , in their exteriour figure . the rings or holes of the peritonaeum were as in dogs ; the epiploon was different from that of a man , in several things . st . it was not fastened to the colon in so many places , having no connexion with the left part of this intestine . ●…d . it had another ligature which is not found in man , viz. to the muscles of the abdomen by means of the peritonaeum , which formed a ligament , which we have observed in the hinde of canada . d. the vessels of the epiploon , which in man proceed only from the vena porta , did nevertheless in one of our subjects come from the cava , having there one of the branches of the hypogastrica , which was united to the branches of the porta . th . in fine the whole epiploon was without comparison greater than it generally is in man , because that it did not only cover all the intestines , which is rarely seen in man , whatever galen says , but it even inveloped them underneath , as it do's in several other brutes ; where it is frequently seen that the epiploon is larger than in man , especially in animals which do run , and leap with a great deal of agility ; as if it were so redoubled under the intestines , to defend them , with the rest of the bowels , against the rude joults which these parts do receive in running . it is true that the membranes of the epiploon were intire and continued as in man , and not perforated like a net , as they are in the generality of brutes . the liver which is one of the principal viscera , was very different from the liver of man , having five lobes as in a dog , viz. two on the right side , and two on the left , and a fifth layd upon the right part of the body of the vertebrae . this last was divided , making as it were two leaves . in one of our subjects , the substance of the liver was speckled with several spots of a darker colour than the rest , and of an hexagonal figure ; which we have very frequently seen in brutes , and never in men. the bladder was fastened to the first of the two lobes , which were on the right side . it was an inch long , and half an inch broad ; it had a great ductus , which was immediately inserted underneath the pylorus : this ductus received three others , which instead of that which in man is single , and which is called hepaticus ; these three ductus's had their branches dispersed like roots into all the lobes of the liver , so that the first had four roots , viz. one in each of the three right lobes , and one in the first of the left ; the second and third ductus had both their roots in the second of the left lobes ; these branches did run under the tunicle of the liver , so that they were apparent , and not hid in the parenchyma , as they generally are . the sapagou had this particularity in its liver , that it was marked with a great many black spots : which is unusual in other livers that we have found spotted ; for they are always of a lighter colour than the rest of the substance of the liver : it is probable , that this blackness proceeded from the spongyness of these parts , which being imbued with a greater abundance of blood than the rest of the parenchyma , did thereby appear more dark . the ventricle did likewise differ from a mans , its inferiour orifice being very large and low ; for it was not elevated so high as the superiour , as it is in man ; where it is not called inferiour by reason of its situation , but because it is thro' this passage that the ventricle is emptyed . the intestines were hardly more like the intestines of man than the other parts . in the sapajous they were in all but five foot two inches long , and in the other two apes eight ; they were almost all of the same bigness ; the ileon was in proportion a great deal bigger than in man. the caecum had no vermiform appendix ; it was very large , containing two inches and a half in length , and an inch diameter at its beginning : it went pointing , and was fortified by three ligaments like as the colon is in man , there to form little cells : this conformation is wholly different from that of a man's caecum . the colon had its cells as usual , but it was not redoubled like an s , as in man , being quite strait . it had not the contracting which separates it from the rectum in man. besides the cells there was observed some leaves on the inside , like to those which are seen in the colon of the ostrich , and which we have lately remarked in the iejunum of man. these leaves were transversely extended , abutting on the ligaments which are extended along this intestine . it was thirteen inches long , and an inch diameter . the spleen was seated along the ventricle as in man , but its figure was different in one of our subjects , being made as the heart is represented in blazonry . it s basis contained an inch. the pancreas had only its figure which made it to resemble that of man , its connexion and insertion being wholly particular ; for it was strongly fastened to the spleen , and the insertion of its ductus into the intestine , which in man is always near the porus bilarius , was two inches distant therfrom . the kidneys had a figure and situation not less extraordinary . they were round and flat ; their situation was more unequal than in man , the right being much lower , in respect of the left , viz. half its bigness . the gland called capsula atrabilaria was very visible , by reason that the kidney was without fat. this gland was white , and the kidney of a bright red ; its figure was triangular . aristotle says , that the generative parts of the ape do resemble those of the dog. in our subjects we found that they were different therefrom , as well as from those of man ; for in the males , the penis had no bones , as it has in the dog ; and the testicles , which in some of our subjects were hid in the groyn , without any scrotum , as has been say'd , had a very particular figure , being long and strait , and but one line in breadth and eight in length . in one of the sapajous they were found of a figure quite contrary , and almost as remote from the figure of those of man , being perfectly round ; they were shut up in a scrotum , which joyned them close up to the root of the penis . the glandulous prostatae were small ; the parastatae cyrsoides were in requital very large ; they contained an inch in length ; their breadth was unequal , being four lines towards the neck of the bladder , and a line and a half at the other end , differing herein from those of man , who has them slenderest near the neck of the bladder . they were composed of several little baggs , which opened into one another : the caruncle of the urethra was small , but very like to that of man. the generative parts of the female had also a great many things which rendered them different from those of bitches , herein resembling those of women ; there were some of them likewise which were as in bitches , and after another manner than in woman ; for the exteriour orifice was round and strait , as in bitches , and the generality of other brutes , and had neither nymphae nor carunculae . the neck of the bladder had its hole otherwise than in woman , being very far in the neck of the matrix , viz. towards the middle , at the place where its roughness began , which were seen only towards the extremitie of the ductus near the internal oriface . the truncks of the matrix were also different from those of women , and resembling those of brutes in that they were proportionably longer , and more redoubled by various turnings . the clitoris had somthing more conformable to that which is seen in other brutes that have it , than in that of women , being proportionably greater , and more visible than it is in women . it was composed of two nervous and spongious ligaments , which proceeding from the lower part of the os pubis , and obliquely advanceing to the sides of these bones , did unite to forme a third body , which was ten lines in length . it was formed by uniting of the two first , which a very strong membrane joyned together , going from one of the ligaments to the other , besides a hard and nervous membrane which inveloped them . they terminated at a gland like to that of the penis of the male. the little muscles , which were fastned to these ligaments , proceeded as usual from the tuberosities of the ischium . these ligaments were of substance so thin and spongious , that the wind penitrated , and made them easily to swell , when blown into the net-work of the veins and arteries which is in this place . this network was visible in this subject , being composed of larger vessells than they proportionably are in women . it was situated as usually under the second pair of muscles of the clitoris . it s figure was pyramidal , ending from a very large basis in a point , which run along the third ligament to its extremity towards the gland the rest of the parts of generation were like to those of women . the neck of the bladder had its muscles as in women : for there were a great number of fleshy fibres , which proceeding from the sphincter of the anus , were fastned to the sides of the neck of the uterus , and other such like fibres which did come from the sphincter of the bladder to insert themseves at the same place . the body of the uterus , its membranes , internal orifice , its ligaments as well the round as broad , and all its vessells had a conformation intirely like to that , which these same parts have in women . the testicles , which were ten lines long and two broad , were as in women , composed of a great number of small bladders , and fastned near the membranes which are at the extremity of the tubae and which is called their fringe . the duggs resembled those of women , as well in what respects their situation , which was on the musculi pectorales , as in what appartains to their composition , which consisted of a glandulous body , and a teat . at the place where the vena cava is divided to produce th two iliacks , there was a gland of the figure and bigness of a middling olive , containing five lines in length and three in breadth , black on the outside , and much more on the inside . it was moistned with a lymphatick humour , wherewith its spongious substance was filled . in this ●…ame subject , which was one of the two first monkeys , there were two other such like glands , but smaller , towards the origine of the crurals , one on each side . at the opening of the breast , there was found a great abundance of water dispersed over its whole capacity . the thymus was very large . the lungs had seven lobes , three on the right side , and as many on the left : the seventh was in the cavitie of the mediastine , as in the generality of brutes . this again makes a notable difference between the internal parts of the ape and those of man , whose lungs have generally at the most but five lobes , oftener but four , and sometimes but two . vesalius affirmes that he never saw in man this fifth lobe , which he reports to be in apes , supposing that they have but five . this great number of lobes of the lungs clearly evinceth that anatomists haue no reason to say that brutes have the lungs divided into more lobes than man , by reason that they have the face and breast turned towards the earth , seeing that the ape has generally the face and breast like a mans. the heart was a great deal more pointed than it usually is in man : which is likewise a character of brutes . yet in the interiour superficies of its ventricles it had that great number of fibres and fleshy columns which are seen in man. the uvula , which is in no other brutes , was found in our apes wholly resembling that of man. the cranium had a figure very conformable to a mans , being round and somewhat flat at the sides , and wanting that triangular bone which separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum in most brutes . the brain was large in proportion to the body . it weighed two ounces and a half . the dura mater entred very far to form the falx . the anfractuosities of the external part of the brain were very like those of man in the anteriour part ; but in the hinder part towards the cerebellum , there was hardly any : they in requital were much deeper in proportion . the apophyses , which are called mamillares , which are great nerves that do serve to the smelling , were not soft as in man , but hard and membranous . the optick nerves were also of a substance harder and firmer than ordinary . the glandula pinealis was of a conical figure , and its point was turned towards the hinder part of the head. there was no rete mirabile : for the carotides being entred into the brain , went by one single trunck on each side of the edg of the seat of the sphenoides to pierce the dura mater , and to be distributed as usually into the basis of the brain . to finish the description as well of the external as internal parts of the apes which we dissected , by comparing them with those of man , we have made an accurate search after all the muscles of these animals , which we found for the most part agreable to those of man : so that we do here relate only those things which we found particular in our subjects . the muscles of the face , in that which participated of the cynocephalus had a great deal of similitude with those of doggs ; and in the apes , which had the face flat like man , it had nevertheless some muscles like to those of brutes : as amongst others the masseter's and crotophitae , which were a great-deal larger in proportion than in man , the muscles of the os hyoides , tongue , larynx and pharynx , which do most serve to articulate a word , were wholly like to those of man , and a great deal more than those of the hand ; which nevertheless the ape , which speaks not , uses almost with as much perfection as man : which demonstrates that speech is an action more peculiar to man , and which more distinguishes him from the brutes than the hand ; which anaxagoras , aristotle and galen have thought to be the organ which nature has given to man as to the wisest of all animals , for want perhaps of making this reflection . for the ape is found provided by nature of all these marvellous organs of speech with so much exactness , that the very three small muscles which do take their rise from the apophysis styloides , are not wanting , altho this apophysis be extreamly small . this particularitie do's likewise shew that there is no reason to think that agents do performe such and such actions , because they are found with organs proper thereunto : for according to these philosophers apes should speake , seeing that they have the instruments necessary for speech . in the muscles of the head and neck there was nothing particular but the flexores of the head , which in man are inserted into the apophysis mastoides : for they were fastned to the lateral and hinder part of the os occipitis , because that the head of the ape has no apophysis mastoides . amongst the muscles of the armes there was only the palmaris that had any thing remarkable . it was extraordinary large . the great serratus , which in man takes its rise only from the omoplatae , did in our subjects proceed likewise from the fourth , fifth , and sixth vertebrae of the neck . the musculus rectus , which in man reaches only to the basis of the sternum , did ascend to the top , passing under the pectoralis and little serrtaus . it was fleshy only to the half of the sternum , the rest being but a meer tendon . in the thigh that of the quadrigemini ( which do serve to throw out the thigh ) called pyriformis , was a great deal smaller than in man ; and in stead of taking its rise from the lower and external part of the os sacrum , it proceeded from the ischium near the cavitas cotyloides . the muscles of the buttocks had a figure different from those of man , being shorter , by reason that the ossa iliam apes are much straiter than in man. on the 〈◊〉 pso●…e there were two other little muscles , which are not found in man. every of these muscles having the same origine as the psoas , did come by a long tendon to insert it self into the upper and inward part of the os pubis . amongst the muscles of the leg , that of its flexores , which is called biceps , had not a double origine as in man. it proceeded intire from the knob of the ischium , and was inserted into the upper part of the perona . this single head was in requital very thick and strong . the great toe had muscles like to those of a mans thumb , even as it has the action thereof : which is not in the foot of man , where the great toe has muscles very different from those of his thumb , because that the actions of these two parts are in man very different . to the history of the muscles of the ape might be added the description of the pouch , which they have in their mouth . it was composed of membranes and glands , and of a great many musculous and carnous fibres . it s situation was on the out side of each jaw , reaching obliquely from the middle of the jaw to the under part of its angle , passing under a part of the muscle called latissimus . it was an inch and a half long , and almost as broad towards its bottom . it opened into the mouth between the bottom of the jaw and the bottom of the gumme . t is into this pouch that apes use to put what they would keep ; and it is probable that the musculous , fibres which it has , do serve to shut and open it , to receive and put our what these animals do there lay up in reserve . the explication of the stagg of canada , and hinde of sardinia . the lower figure represents the disproportion which is between the stag and hinde , the stagg being almost as big again as the hinde . it discovers likewise how the hornes of the stagg is covered with a skin , and how the hinde has the back and flanks marked with several spots of different shapes . in the upper figure . a a. the liver . b. the great ventricle of the stagg . c. the little ventricle . d. the extremity of the vasa spermatica praeparantia e. the testicle it self . f. the vasa spermatica deferentia . g h h. the epididymis . i. the vterus . k k. the cornua vteri . l l. the round ligaments of the uterus . m. the bladder . n. one of the cornua uteri opened to discover the two leaves o o. which it has on the inside . p p. the carotides opened to shew the transverse lines which it has on the inside . q q. the jugular opened to shew the six rows of valves which it has , viz. four marked r , where they are three in a row ; and two marked s s , where they are two and two . t t. a piece of the jugular represented at large , the more distinctly to discover a row of three valves marked v v v. x y z Ω. the end of one of the brow-antlers of the stagg . x. part of the horn with the skin taken off , to expose to view grouves wherewith the hornes of the stagg are ordinarily hollowed , to make roome for the vessels in the skin which covers them . y , the peice of skin which is cut away , and on the inside of which is represented the vessells in it . z Ω. the rest of the brow-antler covered with the velvet skin . the anatomical description of a stag of canada and hinde of sardinia the stagg was very large , being four foot from the top of the back to the ground . its hornes were three foot long , and the brow-antlers a foot ; there were six on each horne , which is the greatest number that staggs do carry , according to aristotle and pliny ; which nevertheless is not true in this country , where are found staggs that have them to twenty two . the whole hornes were covered with a very hard skin , and garnisht with a very thick and short hair , of the same colour as that which covered the body : it was turned in several places . pliny very improperly calls this hair , feathers soft as downe . this whole skin had a great many veins and arteries filled with plenty of bloud , which swelled them on the inside next the horne , which was all furrowed to give place to the vessels , after the same manner as the cranium or skull is fluted on the inside , according to the distribution of the vessels of the dura mater . gesner was of opinion that the furrows which are seen in the surface of the horns of the stagg , are made by wormes which do ingender there in the summer , and which do eat it ; which is altogether improbable . pliny had not also well examined the nature of the hornes of the stagg , when he says that they were like the plant ferula and the reed : for the stalks of these plants , which are either hollow , or pithy , do ill express the soliditie which is peculiar to the hornes of the stagg . democritus has better philosopized on the generation of these hornes : for he affirms that in the stagg , because he abounds with bloud and grows very fatt at the beginning of summer , nature consumes a part of the nourshment where-with it is overcharged , by sending it thro some vessels , which it has in a great number and of a considerable thicknesse , to the place where the hornes do grow . and indeed , it is a very surprizing thing to see the abundance of bloud which we found between the hornes and the skin which covered them , when by fleaing off this skin , the tunicks of the veins being very fine and small were broke in sunder , this observation made us to reflect upon the different generation of the hornes of animals , which being of two natures , namely some hollow , and others solid , have likewise two way's of growing : for those which are solid , and without cavitie , like those of the stagg , are immediately fastned to the os frontis from which they do seem to grow , this bone being a great deal more rare and spongious than in other animals , as democritus has observed . but if the first origine or germination of the hornes of the stagg do's proceed from any substance which comes out of the bone , its increase depends cheifly on the skin which covers it , and which affords it a great quantitie of nourishment , thro the great number of vessels contained in it . hollow hornes like those oxen are ingendered and do grow after a quite different manner : for they are not immediatly fastned to the scull , but they have their cavitie filled by a bone which is an appendix of the os frontis ; and this appendix even as the rest of the scull is covered with the pericranium by the means of which these hornes do joyn to the scull , and are ingendered and do grow from what they receive from the vessels of the pericranium : for on the pericranium which fastens the appendix of the os frontis there is a crest , apparently made by the transudation of a matter contained in the vessels of this membrane , which we found in the cavity of the hornes of the gazellas incomparably greater , fuller of bloud , and more numerous , than they are in the rest of the pericranium which covers the other bones of the head. so that it must be understood that even as solid hornes do take their nourishment and increase by their external superficies , those which are hollow do take it at the internal : for when the first crust begins to be hardned on the production of the pericranium , which covers the pointed appendices of the os frontis , by hardning almost after the manner as nails do harden at the ends of the fingers ; between this first crust and the pericranium there is ingendered another which glues it selfe to the former and thrusts it forward ; and thus there is successively ingendered several crusts one upon another , almost after the same manner as snail-shells , and oyster-shells are ingendered and composed of several laminae or plates glued to each other . this is the reason that hollow hornes are generally wrinkled and ruffled like shells , and that they are easily separated into several leaves . aristotle has given some idea of this manner of the generatinn of hollow hornes , in saying that there enters into their cavity something hard , which springs from the scull ; which must be understood of the bone which enters into the cavity of the hornes : but he speakes not of the pericranium to which the horne is immediately fastned , and from whence it is probable that it takes its origine and nourishment . the generation of hollow hornes is likewise different from that of solid ones , by the different quality of the matter , which is more aqueous in hollow hornes , and more terrestrial in solid ones . hollow hornes do easily sofen before the fire , as not having their concretion by the exiccation and consumption of the aqueous parts , but by the coagulation of a matter which hath not a consistence so firm , without the cold which does harden it : and solid hornes are of the nature of the bones from which they do proceed , being of a terrestrial matter , which , according to aristotle and pliny , is harddened on the head of staggs by the heat of the sun : aristotle makes also a remark which demonstrates that the matter of staggs-hornes is terrene , dry and of the nature of stone ; for he sayes that there has been sometimes staggs taken , on whose hornes there was found ivie , which had there taken root as it do's on s●…ones : and naturalists have observed that the ivie do's frequently grow in places where staggs hornes are buried . this conjecture may be confirmed by the consideration of that excrescence which is peculiar to the stagg , called lachryma cervi ; which comes out , as it is said , from the great canthus or corner of the eye , being strongly fastened to the bone , out of which it grow●… ; according to scaliger : for this excrescence is so like a stone , that some do think it really is one , and that it grows not out of the stagg , being very far from giving credit to what authors report of its generation , viz. that it comes out of the corner of the eye of the stagg , when to cure it selfe of the wormes which it has in its intestines , it eats serpents , and plunges into the water up to the very eyes . the bone which is found at the basis of the staggs heart , is likewise a sign that this animal do's exceedingly abound in a juice capable of being easily converted into a bonie and as it were stoney nature . the intestines being taken all together , did measure ninety six foot in length . the smallest contained sixty six foot , and the great ones without the caecum twenty . the caecum was one foot ten inches in length and six inches in breadth towards its basis. it went lessening towards its point as usual . this extraordinary length of the intestines , which is proportionable to the greatness of the ventricle in animals which do live on grass , is not found in those which are fed with flesh ; because that grass , being not so easy to be changed into bloud , and this nourishment affording it less matter than flesh , it was necessary to have the ventricles thus large , to contain a great quantity of grass , and that the intestines should be proportionably long , to make room for the natural heat to operate a long time on the nourishment retained and conducted thro long turnings . there were two ventricles , a greater and a smaller , which seemed to be the duodenum inlarged . the great ventricle being blown was five foot round . it was composed of several other ventricles heaped in one , by reason of four or five bunches which it had connected together by a membrane which did joyn , and make them to forme to this ventricle several cells . on this membrane there was another which did cover and lock up the whole ventricle . this membrane was fastened behind to the ventricle ; before it was joyned to it only at top , the rest being wholy separated , and greatly extended , by a great deal of wind which it shut up with the ventricle and intestines , which it also covered like an epiploon . the upper part which covered the ventricles was thin , and transparent , without fat , glands , or apparent vessels : the part which descended to inclose the intestines had some vessels and fat , but in a very little quantity . the spleen was round , thin , and wholly adherent to the great ventricle . it was six inches diameter . the vessels which do make the vas breve were utterly imperceptible . the gibbous and upper part was fastned to the diaphragme by three strong ligaments . the liver had but one lobe , and was only cleft before , and quite whole within . the right side was somewhat more extended that the left , and made a point towards the kidney . there was no gall-bladder . the kidney was very large , being five inches long and three broad . there was no ren succenturiatus . the penis had no bone . the proper membrane of the testicle was immediately fastened to the glandulous substance , so that it was absolutely inseparable therefrom , and more than usual in other animals . over this membrane were an infinite number of blood-vessels , some whereof were strait and as big as a bodkin ; others were undulated , and as it were frizled , very small , about the bigness of a pin. the glandulous substance of the body of the testicle was yellow ; that of the epididymis of a pale livid red. the uniting of the vasa praeparantia was wreathed and confounded , and made a tube about the bigness of ones finger , which produced the epididymis , which covered and imbraced the top of the body of the testicle even as the cup of an acorne . this part resembling an acorne did produce a body about the thickness of ones finger , which descended along the body of the testicle , being there fastened , and made towards the bottom a kind of a teat , from whence it returned along the side opposite to that by which it descended , and formed the vas deferens , which was about the thickness of a swans quill . the lungs had seven lobes , four on the right side and three on the left . the heart was very large , almost round and soft , because that the ventricles were very large . there was a bone as usually in staggs . to the description of the stag we do joyn that of the hinde , to discover wherein these two animals did agree , and in what they were unlike besides the difference of the sex. the highth of this hinde was two foot eight inches , from the back to the ground . the neck was a foot long . the hind-legg , from the knee to the end of the foot , was two foot , and to the heel one foot . the hair was of four colours , viz. fallow , white , black and gray . there was some white under the belly and on the inside of the thighs and leggs : on the back it was of a dark fallow : on the flancks , of an isabella-fallow : both the one and the other on the trunck of the body was marked with white spots of different figures : along the back there were two rows in a direct line ; the rest was confusedly speckled . along the flanks there was on each side a white line . the neck and head were gray . the tail all white underneath , and black at top , the hair being six inches long . the epiploon was fastened to the peritonaeum directly over the navel , and inveloped the intestines underneath . it was composed of very thin membranes , and small vessels without fat : it was double . the liver was small , and like to that of the stagg , in that it was not separated into several lobes , having only the fissure , which is generally at top towards the middle , and an other underneath inclining to the right side there was not also any gall-bladder . the four ventricles were better distinguished and separated each from other than they were in the stagg , where there was distinctly seen but two . the first and greatest ventricle had on the inside a membrane easily separable from that of the outside , as in the gazella . this internal membrane was rough by an infinite number of asperites or teats , as is generally seen in animals which chew the cud. all this great ventricle was contracted in several places , and separated in different pouches as in the stagg : it was filled with grass , amongst which there was found several pieces of skin , of shoe-soles about the bigness of a crown-piece , some pieces of lead about the bigness of ones nail , which seemed worn and fretted , and some fragments of slate . this may make one to think that these sorts of animals do hastily gather their food in the fields , and that they do wait to cull it leisurely when they chew it . the second , third , and fourth ventricle were not different from those of sheep . the intestines were very long as in the stagg , but less in proportion . they measured in all forty foot . there were two sorts : the first which made about a quarter , were grayish , and plaited in folds six inches long : the others were of a dark red , and folded very small in cells . the mesentery was composed of very fine membranes . the spleen was covered with a hard , thick and whiteish membrane : its figure was round ; it was like that of the stagg , strongly knitt to the ventricle and diaphragme . the cornua uteri were long and bent into several anfractuosities . their extremity was applyed to the testicle which was small , on the inside of each of these horns there were two folds of the internal membrane , which did forme some leaves ranged according to the length of the hornes , almost after the same manner as is seen in the third and fourth ventricle of animals which chew the cudd. the heart was extraordinary large and soft : it s ventricles were extended by a quantity of coagulated bloud which filled them . the lungs had seven lobes . the truncks of the two iugulars , as well the internal as external , had each sixteen valves disposed in six rows , about two inches distant from each other . the four upper rows consisted each of three valves ; the two lower ones had only two , but they were larger than those of the upper rows . the disposition of these valves was such , that the aperture of the sacks which they did form was toward the head , to stop , as it is probable , the too great impetuositie of the bloud which falls in its returne from the brain into the axillary branches . those of the moderns who are ignorant what is the motion of the bloud in the veines , have attributed this use to all the valves of these vesseles , the situation of which is found to be contrary to the motion and course of the bloud , after the manner as they understand it , and favourable to the course which it efectively has for the circulation , that is to say for its return towards the heart . bartholinus has remarkt two valves in one of the iugulars . riolanus , who first found out these two valves affirms that they are never found but in the internal iugular , although we have alwayes found them in the external as well as internal : but this situation of the valves contrary to the motion of the bloud towards the heart , has as yet been seen only by amatus lusitanus , who has observed some of this nature at the beginning of the azygos , and which he thought to serve to hinder the bloud of the azygos from returning into the trunck of the cava ; but this conformation is extraordinary , whatever this author sayes , who averr's himself to have seen it a thousand times ; because that all anatomists , with an unanimous consent , do testifie and avow to have seen the contrary , and never to have found valves in the veins , whose situation favoured not the motion of the bloud towards the heart . the carotides having been opened long-ways , it was observed that they had several rays like transverse cutts , which interrupted the continuitie of the fibres , which are according to the length of the internal membrane of this artery : which appeared to be made to knitt together these fibres , and to fortifie them even as it is seen in the fibres of the right muscle of the belly , which are so interrupted by the transverse lines , that they are called enervations . it was searcht whether the same thing could be found in the crural artery , but it was smooth and even , and had not these cutts . the globe of the eye was an inch and a half in diameter . the crystalline was more convex behind than before . the explication of the figure of the pintado the pintado which is represented in the lower figure , has no tuft at the root of the beak , like that whose head is represented in the upper figure . as to other particulars , the ten which we describe , had all that is remarkable in this viz. the tail turned downwards as it is in partridges , the neck and leggs longer than partridges are ; the feet provided with membranes after the manner of water-fowl ; the head covered with a casque ; the top of the beak garnished with two appendices ; and the whole plumage black , or dark-gray , spekled with white spotts . in the upper figure . a b. one of the feathers of the wing . a is the part of the wing which is uncovered . b is that which is covered by another feather . c d. one of the feathers of the belly . c , the part of the feather which covers the down marked d. e f g. the head almost as big as the life . e , the tuft which grows out at the root at the beak . f. the casque or bonnet . g the fleshy beards . g. the hole of the ear. h h. the small muscles of the aspera arteria . i i. the artery of the lungs divided into two branches . k k. the carotides , the left of which seems to proceed immediately from the heart . l. the cross or bending of the aorta on the right side . m n. the heart . n. the right auricle . o o. the liver . p. the gall-bladder . q. the ductus which conveys the choler into the intestine . r. the intestine . s. the ventricle or gizard . t t. the venae iliacae . v. a single testicle fastened to the bifurcation of the iliack veins . x x. the emulgent veines . y. the continuation of the trunck of the aorta beyond the venae iliacae . a a. the iliack arteries which do serve for emulgents . b b. the kidneys . c c. the ureters . the anatomical description of ten pintado's . the birds which we describe are a kind of hen called pintado , by reason of the exactness of the figures which seem as if painted on its plumage ; these figures not being irregular and as it were accidentally made , as in the generality of other birds . upon this very reason some of the ancients made choice of the names which they have given to these fowl : for by varro and pliny they are called variae , and by martial guttatae , by reason of the white spots wherewith their whole body is diversified and speckled , as it were with several drops . their eggs are likewise painted , and chequered with white and black : thus this sort of diversitie is a thing natural and perpetual to these birds , which this particularity distinguishes from common hens , which in the genus of birds are almost the sole ones , which have not the plumage alwayes with the same colours in their species ; hens being indifferently white , black , gray , yellow , or mixt with all these colours . other authors have given to the pintado's appellations taken from the country where they do generally breed ( which is africa ) by calling them hens of africa , barbary , numidia , guinea , mauritania , tunis , pharos , that is to say aegypt . margravius reports that in the kingdome of congo it is called quesele . pliny relates that they are also called meleagrides , because that according to the report of his time , they went annually from africa into baeotia , and come to beat themselves near the tombe of meleager , whose story feigns that the sisters were changed into these birds . there are some which do think that the meleagris is the cocq-d'inde or turky-cock ; which shall be examined in the sequel . the ten pintado's whereof we have made the dissection , were of the size , and almost the shape of an ordinary hen. some are of opinion that they do better resemble the partridge . but the length of their neck , and leggs , which did even surpass that of the neck and leggs of hens , have made us to disapprove this similitude : we only found that they had the tail bent down-wards like the partridg , and not held up like the hen. but they have no characteristick more particular of the hen than the fleshy appendices which do hang down on both sides of their jaws , which are not mett-with in any other bird , and which even in the pintado have something different from those which are in hens ; as shall hereafter be explained . their whole plumage was only of two colours , viz. white and black. the white was every where perfectly white : the black was also in some places perfectly black , but in the most it was faint , and inclining to a dark-gray . the top of the neck instead of feathers , was only garnisht with a black down , which did better resemble hair than feathers . these hairs being about two lines long , were turned upwards , contrary to the ordinary situation of hair and feathers . in one of our subjects , towards the hinder part of the head , these hairs were almost an inch long , and made as it were a tuft . the under part of the neck had little dark-gray feathers markt with white . these feathers went insensibly three inches in length and one in breadth . the half of these feathers , towards the root on both sides of the quill or stem , was garnished with beards or branchings like grayish white down , above half an inch long on each side . each down or beard was dissheivelled , and divided as it were into several fine locks or threads towards its extremity . near the quill or stem the roots of each beard were joyned together by the crochets or little fibres wherewith the beards or branchings of the feathers which do serve for flight , use to be fastened , and which are described in the ostrich . the other half of these feathers was composed of these same sort of beards or branchings , which are harder and firmer . they were of a dark-gray intermixt with white round spots , two lines diameter at the most . they by an equall order did make three rows on each side with six in each row ; so that the sixth of every row , which was common to the opposite rank , whereof it did likewise make the sixth , did meet on the tail of the quill or stem . this quill which was black , did grow white at the place of the mark or spot , as if on a black skin there had been thrown some drops of aqua-fortis , which had discoloured it : which illustrates the thought of martial , by whom the pintado's are called guttatae . the feathers of the wing's were marked after another manner , haveing two sorts of spots , some of which were round , and others long . these marks were white , an a dark ground of three different kinds : for at the place where the feather is covered with another feather , this ground was simply dark-gray ; in the rest of the feather this ground was absolutely black at the circle of the white spot ; the rest was mixt with white and black speks . clytus milesius aristotle's disciple , who describes the pintado in athenaeus with great exactness , principally inlarges upon the particularities of the shape and colour of the spots of these feathers , and even to the having observed that the black which edges the spots is reciprocally intermixt with the white in form of a saw ; which is very difficult to comprehend , if one sees not these feathers , or their figure : wherefore we have in our figure exactly designed them . the tail as has been sayd , was a little bent down-wards as in partridges . the leggs were covered with little feathers layd , and as it were glued , upon the skin ; they were of a dark-gray and spotted with white like all the rest . the head had no feathers ; the upper eye-lidd had only long black hairs , which were raised upwards . at the top of the head there was a crest , or kind of casque , which modern authors do compare to the bonnet of the doge of venise . this crest is by margravius called mitella cutacea . we found that it was only covered over at top with a dry and wrinkled skin of a dark fawn colour , which was extended from the beak to the hinder part of the head which it covered , being cutt away over the eyes . but the inside was of a spongie substance , softer than the bone , and resembling , as say's clytus , a flesh hardened and dryed like wood : which may make one to think that d' alechampius and casaubon had no reason to correct the ancient exemplars of athenaeus , where it appears that this crest is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , by putting 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . instead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : for altho the colour of this crest resembles some sort of wood , yet indeed its substance has more resemblance with all sorts of wood than its colour , because that the colours of woods are much more different amongst themselves , than their substances . d'alechampius is perhaps mistaken , when he say's that this crest is peculiar to the males ; for we have found it in all our subjects as well males as females . the eye was large and open ; the poet sophocles , according to pliny , averr's that the yellow amber is made of the tears which do drop from the eyes of the pintados , which are beyond the indies . the beak was like to that of an hen. in two of our subjects we found , on the middle of the root of the beak , a tuft composed of twelve or fourteen threads four lines in length , and about the bigness of a small pin , of colour and substance like the bristles of a hog . on each side of the beak a blewish skin was extended towards the eye , which it incircled , and grew black there . belonius positively affirmes that it is white round about the eye . this skin made the eye-lidds , and covered the two appendices with a substance half fleshy and half cartilaginous : they hung down on both sides the cheeks , being fastened to the upper jaw , and not to the lower , as they are in hens , and as belonius has painted them in his pintado . we found them of different shapes in our subjects : for in some they were oval , in others square , in others triangular . they were also of different colours . margravius simply declares that they are red. we observed that they were red in the females , and blew in the males ; although all authers do report that this bird has not any exteriour mark which makes the distinction of sex. on this difference of colours columella grounds a distinction between the african or numidian hen and the meleagris , saying that the african hen has its appendices red , and that the meleagris has them blue : but there is no probabilitie that such a difference can constitute divers species , seeing that these colours may easily change in the very same individual upon light occasions , as is observable in the turky-cock , in whom the combe waxes red when he is angry , and who has it generally blue . at the side of these appendices backward , there is plainly seen the hole of the ear , which in other birds is hid by the feathers which do adorn the head ; this hole was extraordinary little , perhaps by reason it is uncovered . the feet , which , as has been say'd , were very high , were of a dark-gray . some great scales covered them before ; and behind they had only a skin made rugged by an infinite number of small eminencies like those of chagrin . the three fore-toes had , even to the third of their length , a skin which joyned them together as in the goose. the hind-toe was short , and the males had no spurr behind the foot. after having made these remarks on the pintado , and read what the ancients have written of the bird meleagris , we think it very hard to be of the same opinion with turnerus , belonius , gesner , aldrovandus , and all the authors which have writt of these birds , and which do hold that the meleagris of the ancients is the turky-cock , and not the african hen , or pintado ; for it is easie to prove that whatever the ancients have reported of the bird meleagris is found in the pintado , and that nothing of all this occurrs in the turky-cock , which on the contrary has some things particular which are not in the meleagris of the ancients . for the particularities which clytus attributes to the bird meleagris , viz. the crest of a lignous colour and substance , the beards or appendices of the cheeks , the numerous white specks almost regularly and with symmetry placed on the feathers , of the shape and size of a lentill , the leggs without spurrs in the male , and the perfect resemblance of the male and female , are seen in the pintado and are not found in the turky-cock . what pliny reports of the bird meleagris do's very well agree with the pintado , but not at all with the turky-cock : for he say's that the meleagris is a bird that lives in lakes and rivers : now the skin which the pintado has between the toes of the feet in found only in animals which do love and dilight-in watry places , where it is known that the turky-cock takes no pleasure . in fine , in the exact description which the ancients have made of the meleagris it is impossible , if it were the turky-cock , that they should omitt the remarkable and particular things which appear in the turky-cock , and which are not found in the pintado , such as are the way of displaying its tail , of dragging its wings against the ground , of extending and suffering the combe on its head to hang , of having the neck rough and wholly void of feathers , and of having a lock of black hair at the breast . as for what respects the inward parts , we found the oesophagus , as in most birds , ranged on the right side of the aspera arteria . it was inlarged before its entrance into the thorax , and made a craw of the bigness of a tennis ball , when it was blown up ; afterwards it was contracted to pass thro the thorax . this contracted part measured two inches and a half in length . this whole oesophagus was spread over with a great quantity of vessels , which were not visible in the passage , which from the dilatation that we have taken for a craw passed to the gizard ; this passage being of a substance hardder , whiter , and more nervous than the rest . the gizard was as in the hen. it was found for the most part filled only with gravel . it s internal membrane was very much plaited , and easily separable from the fleshy part . it s substance was like to white glue ; so that this membrane being separated from the gizard , was easily dryed , and waxed hard and brittle like glass . the intestines were three foot long without reckoning the two caecums , which were each six inches . the duodenum was much larger than the others , being above eight lines . the caecum's were not of a uniform breadth as in the generality of birds , but did go inlarging . they were fastned by the membranes of the mesentery , and received vessels therefrom like the other intestines . there was no pancreas . the liver was divided into two lobes , which at the top had each a cavitie to receive the point of the heart the cavity of the right lobe was greater and deeper than that of the left , because that the point of the heart was turned towards the right side . the lower extremitie of the lobes was fastened to the diaphragme , which descends from the top downwards , and to the bladders which the lungs form in the lower belly of birds . in most of our subjects the liver was scirrhous , and filled with a great quantity of hard yellow grains , some as large as pease , and others less . we found a gall-bladder only in two of our subjects . in the one it was nine lines in length and six in breadth . it had a ductus from its bottom , which was inserted into the intestine near the pylorus . in the other , it was an inch and half long , and four lines broad , being fastened to the hollow part of the right lobe ; and the ductus was from its middle , and not from its lower extremitie , and inserted it self into the intestine , four fingers beneath the pylorus . in the other subjects which had no gall-bladder , the ramus hepaticus was there found very large and visible . it measured five inches in length , and was inserted into the intestine six inches beyond the pylorus . towards the upper part of the gizard there was a body of an oval figure nine lines long , and of a dark red colour , and a firm substance . it had connexion with the trunk of the vena porta , with that of the cava and aorta , and with the intestines and ventricle , by some very visible branches . some modern authors have observed that birds which have a fleshy ventricle have no spleen . yet we are of opinion that this body could be no other thing than a spleen , as well by reason of these connexions , as of the sympathie which it seem'd to have with the liver : because it was found that in all the subjects where the liver was scirrhous , this part was after the same manner ; altho' the hard and compact substance of this body in the subjects where it was scirrhous , and its figure so regularly oval , might cause a belief that it was a testicle : but there were two other round bodies , four lines diameter , couched on the loyns , and fastened to the trunks of the vena cava and aorta , which were the true testicles . in one of the subjects these round bodies were single , and fastened on the place of the division of the iliacks . the air being blown into the aspera arteria it made all the bladders to swell , which received the air after it had passed thro' the lungs , and of which there are some that do descend into the lower belly of birds ; it is observed that the pericardium was likewise blown up . this remark may be of some importance to discover the uses of respiration , and the advantages which the air , being by this means introduced into the thorax , may bring to the heart , by the compression it may there cause , by the impression of its qualities , by the reception of the fumes which it incessantly exhales in the continual heat in which it is , &c. the membrane of the pericardium was not just fit and fastened to the heart as is usual , but was a great deal extended towards the point , making a sack or appendix half an inch long . in one of the subjects , this appendix was a great deal longer ; for descending between the two lobes of the liver , it went to be fastened to the gizzard . the aspera arteria , after having entered the cavity of the thorax , had two small muscles which were knitt to its anteriour part , and which turning on the one side and the other somewhat downwards , were by several fibres united to the vessels of the heart . these muscles were each almost an inch long , round like a cord , and about the thickness of two thirds of a line . we have found these same muscles in a great many birds : in most they do fasten the aspera arteria to the sternum . the lungs were of spongious flesh , perforated with several little holes as bigg as the head of a small pin , regularly placed as well full as empty , and covered with a very fine tunicle . they were of a pale-red inclining to ash-colour , being two inches and a half long , and nine lines broad , and five thick . the heart measured an inch and half in length , and an inch in breadth towards its basis ; it was very pointed . the aorta being come out of the left ventricle , was turned directly forward being still in the heart , and covered with the right auricle ; so that it seem'd to proceed from the right uentricle , and crossed over in this place , to descend to the right side . for this same reason the left carotide did likewise appear to come from the heart , altho' it proceeded from the trunk . the division of the trunk of the aorta which formes the iliack branches , was an inch and half lower than the division of the iliacks of the cava . these branches were a great deal lesser than those of the cava . they served for emulgent branches , the kidneys being there fastned . the emulgent branches of the cava did likewise come from the iliack branches of the cava ; and after being joyned to the kidneys , did pass forward , like as the arteries . the same trunk of the aorta , after its division into the iliack branches , did continue , and descend even to the anus , casting forth the several branches to the right and left , to form the crurals . the brain had nothing particular . it is only observed that there was two bony apophyses about the bigness of a little pin , and two lines long , which proceeding from the two sides of the cranium , did joyn , and make an angle between the cerebrum and the cerebellum . the crystalline was more convex within than without the eye . the explication of the figure of the eagle . the lower figure represents only one of the eagles which are here described , because that they were almost all alike . the main and principal difference was in the feathers of the neck , which were composed only of a very long and smooth down in the male ; whereas in the females they were like scales . it must be likewise observed , that the greatness of the claw of the hinder foot could not be represented such as it would appear , if these claws were not hid , as they necessarily are by the bough on which the eagle is perched . in the upper figure . a. the trunk of the vena porta . b. the neck of the gall-bladder . c. the ductus cysticus . d. the ductus hepaticus . e. the spleen . f. the pancreas . g g g. the branches of the vena porta and caeliaca arteria , which go to the spleen and intestines . . the three ductus pancreatici . h. the aspera arteria . i. the oesophagus blown up . k. a glandulous body fastened to the upper part of the oesophagus . l. the ventricle . m. the spleen . n. the branches which are distributed to the spleen and intestines . o. the pancreas . p. the tongue as bigg as the life . q. the eyes . r. one of the feathers of the breast which is composed only of threads like down , and which has two stems like two branches which proceed from a third , which is as it were the trunk . s. the medulla spinalis divided and separated as it were into two branches which afterwards joyned again . t t v x. the same marrow cut through , to shew how the two parts t t , which divide in two the trunk of the marrow on the fore-side , are joyned together at the hinder part x , to form the cavitie v. y y. two small appendices which supply the place of the caecum , having on the inside a very small cavitie . the anatomical description of three eagles . these three eagles were almost alike in bigness forme , and plumage . the inward parts were in some things different , principally because they were of different sexes . the greatest which was a female , measured from the extremity of the beak to that of the tail , two foot nine inches ; from the end of one wing , to the end of the other , when expanded , seven foot and a half . the beak was two inches and a half long , without comprehending the bending , which was nine lines . the whole head , comprehending the beak , was four inches and a half ; the neck five inches and a half ; the leg together with the thigh , to the extremitie of the talons , fifteen inches . it weighed ten pounds . it s whole plumage was of a chest-nut colour almost black , except the bottom of the neck before , and of the belly , which was of a white sullied with a reddish gray . the feet were small in proportion to the body , and of a blewish gray . the beak ▪ was all black. the two others , one of which was a male and the other a female , ( and which were somewhat lesser ) had the beak black at the end , yellow towards the beginning , and blewish at the middle . the feet were yellow , covered with scales of different sizes ; those at top of the toes being large and square , especially towards the extremitie ; the other being very small . the talons were black , crooked and very great , especially that of the hinder toe , which was almost as big again as the others . the plumage was of three colours , viz. dark chest-nut , red , and white . the top of the head was mixt with chest-nut and red . the breast and belly were mixt with white , red , and chest-nut : the wings had a great deal of chest-nut , little red and less white . the quills of the great feathers of the wings were nine lines in compass . the plumes of the ▪ tail were very brown towards the extremitie , having somthing of white towards their origine . the thighs and leggs even to the beginning of the toes , were covered with feathers half white , and half red , each feather being red at the end , and white towards the beginning . naturalists do say that eagles have the leggs thus provided with feathers as well to defend them from the beak and claws of birds , when they catch and take them in their talons , as to keep them from the cold of the snow , to which they are exposed on the tops of the mountains where they generally reside . belonius , who has described several sorts of eagles , has described them all without feathers on their leggs . besides the great feathers which covered the body , there was at their root a very white and fine downe , about an inch long . this downe serves likewise to arm the eagles against the cold , of which they are very sensible : which is the reason that falconers , when they make use of eagles for high flying , do take from them a part of that downe and of the other feathers from their belly , to the end that they rise not too high , being hindred by the cold of the middle region of the air. the other feathers which covered the back and belly of our eagles , were four or five inches long . those which covered the thighs on the outside , were six inches , and reached three inches beyond the heel . those whereby the breast and belly were decked in the male measured seven inches in length and three in breadth : they were soft , having on both sides only a long downe , the fibres of which were not clasped together , as they generally are in the strong feathers which are ranged like scales . these feathers were double : for each quill being come out of the skin about two-lines and a half , did shoot two unequal stems , the one being as large again as the other . we have observed the same thing in the feathers of the neck and belly of a parrot ▪ and in all the feathers of a cassowary . belonius reports that the bird which he calls cock of the wood , and which he thought to be the tetrix of aristotle , has of those sorts of feathers , and that he has not seen any other bird have the like . the eye which was sunk in the orbite , and covered with an eminence of the os frontis , which made as it were an advanced eye-brow , was of a very brisk isabella colour , with the lustre of a topaze . the cornea was raised with a great convexity upon the sclerotica , which made an edge elevated round the cornea . this border was hard and bony . the conjunctiva was of a very lively red . the eye-lids were large each being capable of covering the whole eye . besides the upper and lower eye-lids , there was an internal one , which was drawn into the great canthus or corner of the eye , and which being extended towards the little one , did intirely cover the cornea . aristotle and pliny do make six kinds of eagles , which are the pygargus , morphnois , percnopteros , melanactos , haliaetos , and chrysaetos ; but they do not wholly agree in the description which they do make of them , chiefly in what concerns their size : in the rest of the description they could not be so different by reason of the names which the greeks have given them , by which these species are described , by attributing to them some marks which distinguish them . these marks have made us also to find out the species to which we judge that our eagles must be referred , as well by reason of the particularities which do make them agree with these species , as by reason that those of the other species are wanting in them . thus we do think that two of our eagles which were the least , might be ranged under the last species , which is the true eagle , commonly called in french , royale , by aristotle gnesios , and by aelian chrysaetos and asterias ; by reason that the red , and as it were gilded colour of the plumes , is expressed by the greek name chrysaetos ; and that the spots which they have on the belly and thighs , do represent the starrs signified by the name asterias , which all interpreters do report to have been given to this eagle , only because of these red spots . moreover these eagles could be neither the pygargus , that is to say the white-tail'd eagle ; nor the morphnos , that is to say the eagle whose plumage is of a dark colour ; nor the melanaetos , that is to say the cole black eagle ; nor the percnopteros , that is to say the eagle whose wings are spotted with black ; nor the haliaetos , that is to say the eagle which resides near the sea , that is reported to have blewish feet : because that these two eagles , as appears by the description , had not the tail white , nor the whole plumage of a dark colour , were not all black , nor had the wings speckled with black , nor the feet blue ; so that our great eagle , which had the blueish feet , might be the eagle which abides near the sea called haliaetos , for this reason , besides that it had the wings very dark , as ovid describes it in the metamorphosis of king nisus , who was changed into this bird ; that it had the brest and belly white , according to the description of the haliaetos , made by an anonymous author whom aldrovandus cites ; that its feet were almost all covered with square scales , having a great many less square than in the other eagles ; which belonius affirms to be peculiar to this kind of eagle , to which aristotle attributes that which is spoken of all the eagles , viz. that they do reject those of their young which connot stedfastly behold the sun. some difficulty might arise about the size which was indifferent in our two royal eagles , each not exceeding six pounds in weight ; whereas the eagle chrysaetos , which aldrovandus describes weighed ten . but it must be considered that our eagles were young , as appears by the white feathers which they had upon the neck , wings , and tail , which do change colour in the eagles when they do wax old , and do grow of a gilded or dark chestnut colour , as gesner has observed : add moreover that it has been said that aristotle and pliny agree not upon the size of the eagles of different species ; aristotle making that which he calls gnesios , which is that which aelian and pliny do call chrysaetos , the greatest of all ; and pliny saying that it is only of a middle size , and that that which is called percnopteros , is the biggest . pliny say's that birds have no epiploon : yet our two royal eagles had membranes , which like a sack did inclose the intestines , liver and ventricle ; which cortesius has likewise observed in making the dissection of an eagle : we found such an epiploon in other birds . this membrane proceeded from those which do form the bladders which are in the lower belly in birds , and which do swell by respiration . it had a great deal of fat , especially over the ventricle , which might cause a belief , that this fat had the same use in this bird as in terrestrial animals , where it is thought that it serves in the epiploon to foment by its heat that of the uentricle ; at least it is observed that carnivorous animals have the epiploon furnished with a great deal of fat. the oesophagus which was on the right side of the aspera arteria was extended even to two inches and a half in diameter , and six inches in length when blown up , on the inside . towards the top there was a glandulous body hard and firmly fixed to the membrane ; it was about the bigness of a pea ; it was found only in one of the subjects . underneath the place where the aspera arteria was divided in two , the oesophagus was contracted , and did pass underneath , then was enlarged to form the uentricle which resembled it in size , figure and substance : for both the one and the other was composed of memoranes hard , white , and mixt with several vessels on the outside . the inside was different ; the bottom of the oesophagus , which formed a crop or craw , was composed of small glands , which towards the bottom were about the bigness of a rape-seed , and went continually lessening , untill they insensibly became imperceptible . the uentricle had some wrinkles , which multiplying towards the bottom , did render it thicker than towards the topp . these two cavities , as well that of the breast , as that of the uentricle , were very large , and proportioned to the uoracity of this bird , which naturallists report to be so extraordinary , that it ravages all the adjacent places , which do hardly suffice to furnish it with the prey necessary for its nourishment . thus it is observed that there are not found two eagles in the same quarter . aelian reports that the eagles not being satisfied with the great birds that they do take , as cranes and geese , they do hunt rabits , hares and kidds , which they take up , and carry away ; and that they have even the craft and subtilty of killing bulls , by making them to fall down precipices , and then eat them , after that they are beaten in pieces by their fall . the intestines were small , after the manner of uoracious and carnivorous animals , contrary to those which do live only on grass , and especially those which do chew the cud , where they are generally four or five times longer and broader than in others . in our two royal eagles they were slender and short , and had no caecum in the male. the female had two , each being two inches in length . in the eagle haliaetos , instead of the caecum , there were two small bunches hardly visible on the outside , but which had on the inside two pouches formed by tunicks like valves . the rectum was suddenly contracted near the anus , and afterwards made a pouch of the bigness and shape of an egg , at the extremitie of which the ureter's were inserted : underneath this pouch there was seen the little purse of fabricius , the figure of which is represented in the plate of the bustard . the spleen in the two royal eagles was round on the outside , flat on the inside and towards the ventricle , to which it was immediately adherent : 't was on the right side that it was fastened . it was eight lines diameter . it s colour was a red much darker than that of the liver , which was of a very lively red. its vessels which it received from the porta and arteria caeliaca were large and wide . in the eagle haliaetos it was seated under the right lobe of the liver , and knit to the third fold of the intestine by the branches of the vena porta and arteria caeliaca , as in the other two . in this same eagle the pancreas was situated as in most birds in the first fold of the intestine , but it had a figure altogether extraordinary . it was round at the lower end , making as it were a head ; the rest was flatter and thinner . this head was perforated to give passage to the ductus hepaticus , which without having any communication with the ductus pancreatici , went to insert it self into the intestine . the ductus pancreatici were in number three : there were two which were inserted into the intestine between the ductus cysticus and hepaticus ; the third was joyned to the top of the hepaticus . the insertion of these ductus's had two things particular ; the first was that their insertion was made into the duodenum , whereas in birds it is commonly into the extremitie of the first doubling of the intestines , which belongs to the iejunum . the second particular is that the mouth of all these ductus's was each covered again by a little teat , whereas generally there is but one teat for all the ductus's , as well pancreatick as cystick and hepatick . the pancreas in the two royal eagles , was likewise seated very near the pylorus , but it was fastned to the intestine by a ductus so small and short , that it was hard to be seen : at the other end it clinged to the spleen , which was fastened and joyn'd to the upper part , and to the right side of the ventricle , as has been already declared . the liver was a great deal bigger in these two eagles than in the other : in both the one and the other the left lobe was the largest . the gall-bladder was likewise very large in all the three , having the bigness and form of a great chest-nut . it was joyned to the right lobe of the liver only by its neck , which was a passage of a line and half big . the ductus cysticus proceeded from the bottom , over against the neck . this neck was joyned to the liver after two different manners : for in the two royal eagles it hung to the end of the right lobe which was the shortest , as has been said : this was the reason that the bladder was quite out of the liver . in the other eagle , the neck was fastened to the middle of the hollow part of the right lobe as usually . in the two royal eagles , the kidneys were small , being only eight lines diameter : they were round and flatt , of a tawny colour somewhat reddish . the eagle haliaetos had them almost like other birds , which commonly have them very great in proportion to other animals , and of a particular figure . the testicles in the male royal eagle , were two small glandulous bodies , shut up in membranes . they were each of the bigness of a pea , somewhat flatted , of a flesh colour inclineing to yellow . the females had the ovarium and its ductus as usually in birds , and such almost as is described in the figure of the damoiselle of numidia . the tongue was cartilaginous at the end , and fleshy at the middle , having at its root two hard points ▪ like those which are at the bottom of the beard of an arrow . it was five lines broad , an inch and two thirds long , from the mouth of the larynx to the end , which was not pointed as in most birds which have the beak strait , but which was square as in the parrot . the small muscles , which fasten the aspera arteria , did not take their origine from the second clavicula as in the generallity of birds , but from the internal part of the top of the sternum . the globe of the eye in the female was in its greatest breadth an inch an half diameter . that of the male was three lines less . the cornea had a convexitie which made it to rise above the rest of the globe of the eye , which was flatned before , as it is usual in birds and fishes , which have not the globe of the eye so sphaerical as terrestrial animals . the cornea in one of the eyes of the male was not transparent but had an opake whiteness . between the cornea and chrystallinus in this subject the whole aqueous humour was found hardned and as it were petrified , about the thickness of two lines . this cataract was placed in the iris , which was of a minime colour , and which seem'd to have been altered therefrom . the crystallinus was four lines and a half broad , and three and a half thick , being more convex on the inside than the outside . in the female one of the eyes was likewise spoiled , all the humours and membranes of the inside being corrupted , so that the whole was dissolved into a reddish water , without any appearance either of the crystalline , aqueous , or uitreous humour . the hole of the uvea was closed by a thin , hard , and transparent membrane . cortesius who has observed this membrane in the eye of an eagle , reports that it is found only in the species called ossifraga , which aristotle for that reason calls epargemos , that is to say which has as it were a cloud over the eyes . our eagle was never the less very different from the ossifraga , which is not a true eagle , but a kind of vultur , whose plumage , according to aristotle , is of a whitish gray ; which has not any resemblance with our eagle . the optick nerve was in this eye extraordinary soft and tender . the membrane which is peculiar to birds , and which proceeds from the optick nerve , makeing as it were a purse which go's to fasten it self at the other end to the ligamentum ciliare , was very black , and even more than the choroides . altho' we called it a membrane , because that it appear'd a membrane plaited , yet it was only a company of great black fibres , which had some reddish ones in the middle , and which appeared to be vessels . the optick nerve from whence this membrane did proceed , was flatted , makeing as it were a cleft three lines long . the basis of this membrane which was of a triangular figure , had the same breadth , and five lines from its basis to its point . the retina was very thick and opake , especially all the bottom of the eye , where it was plaited and wrinkled . in this place there was no tapetum over the choroides . in one of our subjects a remark was made upon the structure of the medulla spinalis , which was at first thought to be peculiar to this subject , but which was afterwards discovered to be common to other birds . it was found that towards the middle of the back the exteriour part of the marrow was divided and separated in two , and afterwards rejoyned ; the interiour part remaining intire , and being only dilated : which makes the figure of a leaf . this separation of the exteriour part , and this dilatation of the interiour , was an inch and half long , and eight lines broad in this subject , and in other birds proportionably . we always found in the cavitie which the two separated parts do leave in the middle , a white and glutinous humour , which appear'd to be the lymphatick . humour condens't . if the principal use of the ventricles of the brain is to receive their excrements , it may probably be said , that this cavitie which is peculiar to birds , is as it were a ventricle of the medulla spinalis , which being included within bones , that have not a free motion , such as is that of the flexible spine of other animals , it wants the means which this agitation might give it , to disingage it self of these excrements , and dissipate them ; so that it requires some receptacle to receive them . this conjecture will give us occasion to search whether there are any particular ductus's for the discharge of these superfluities . the explication of the figure of the indian cock. of the two indian cocks , that is represented in the lower figure whose beak had no bunch , but which had three points at the end ; and which had no white feathers at top of the tail ; because that the other is found figured and described in aldrovandus . in the upper figure . a. is one of the feathers of the crest in its natural bigness . b. another of the feathers of the crest , whose fibres are half shut up in a membranous ductus . c. the beak , which has no bunch at top , of its natural size , and divided into three at the end . Δ. the beak which has a bunch . d. the liver . e. the oval gall-bladder . f. the ramus cysticus . g. the two remi hepatici . h. the single pancreas . i. the ductus pancreaticus . k. the aspera arteria flatted , but less doubled than the other . l. the aspera arteria most doubled . m m. the kidneys . n n. the aorta , o p p ▪ the vena cava , which is divided into the branches p p , laid on the kidneys , to which they are fastened , and do serve for emulgents . q q. the branches of the aorta which do make the crural artery's r r. the ureters . s t. the vasa deferentia . x x. the testicles . y y. the epididymides , z z. the extremitie of the rectum ▪ v. the penis fastened to the rectum . Γ. the same penis lifted up , to discover the hole of the rectum which is between Γ and π , and the aperture of the sack which is under the rectum , which opening is underneath π. Φ. the anfractuous gall-bladder . having the figure of a caecum . α β. the two ductus hepatici . γ. the ductus cysticus . δ δ. the two ductus pancreatici . ε ε. the right pancreas which is under the mesentery . ξ ξ. the left pancreas which is layd upon the mesentery . the anatomical description of two indian cocks ▪ this bird we call indian cock to distinguish it from that which is very common amongst us , called cocq d' inde or turky-cock . it was brought from africa , where we are told that it is called ano. but because that this name is not known ; that all the authors which have spoken of this bird have put it under the genus of cocks ; and that gallus indicus is the name which longalius , gesner , and aldrovandus have given it , iohnston being the only person that calls it gallus persicus ; we have called it indian , according to the opinion of the fore-cited authors , and after the example of those by whom the bird which is thought to be the meleagris of the ancients , is called turky-cock , altho' it comes from africa : add moreover that according to our conjectures the bird which we speak of , is found in the west-indies , where according to margravius it is called mitu-poranga , which benzo in clusius reports to be a kind of peacock . we dissected two which were males . aldrovandus describes the female , and makes it in some thing different from the male , which he saw only in painting ; and declares not in what state he saw that female . longolius saw only the skin of the indian cock which he mentions . the two which we describe , differed from each other only in the beak . they were about the size of a middling turkey-hen . their plummage was perfectly black on the head and neck : all the rest had a greenish eye mixt with black , except the back , whose plumes towards the root were of grayish colour like the wood of a wall-nut . the lower venter , the top of the thighs behind , and the under part of the tail had white feathers . margravius says that the indian cock of brazile is green , perhaps because it is less brown than ours , and that the green inclines to a brown : but the deepness or faintness of colour ought not to change a species , when it is established by more important circumstances , such as are the things in which the indian cock of margravius and ours do agree . on the head from the beak to the beginning of the hinder part of the neck , there was a crest or plume of black feathers , two inches and a half long , two lines and a half broad , erected , and a little leaning backwards , with their extremitie bent forward . the neck towards the top was garn●…ed with small feathers about the breadth of those of the crest , but a great deal shorter , not exceeding four lines in length near the head : they increased in bigness as they approached the bottom of the neck towards the breast , even till they were two inches long , and one broad . the feathers of the tail were mixed , some being black , others white . in one of the subjects there were white ones only underneath the tail ; in the other there were also white ones mixt with black at the top of the tail. there were several of these plumes whose beards were shut up in a long quill or stem made of a very thin white membrane , which somtimes incompast them even to the end , leaving only a small tuft to be seen . this quill , where it lockt up the fibres of the black feathers , appeared blue , by reason that the membrane was in some measure transparent . some of the feathers of the wings and those which did make the crest , were included in this membranous quill , which is likewise found in the feathers of the tail of turkey-hens . all the thighs were covered with feathers . the neck was nine inches long . from the under part of the belly to the extremitie of the feet extended were fourteen inches . the feet were great and strong . the leggs were covered before and behind with large square scales . at the sides they were small , not exceeding half a line , of an hexagonal figure . the talons were black , long , and crooked . behind the legg there wanted that spurr which is peculiar to cocks . the beak was large , being nine lines broad at its beginning , and two inches long . towards the end it was black , and very hard ; the rest was yellow and covered with a membrane , which was so swelled in one of the subjects , that it made a round and high bunch , about the bigness of a small nutt , and after the manner as aldrovandus figures it . that which had not this bunch had the end of the beak divided in three , as if it had been three beaks joyned together . the liver in both the subjects , was of a brisk red colour , and of a substance very soft . it was divided into two lobes : the right was biggest , the l●…t longest . the gall-bladder was almost in the middle of the two lobes , but more fastened to the left side than the right . in one of the subjects it was anfractuous , and of the figure which is attributed to tears ; which divided it into three little cells . it was joyned at the top to the surface of the liver , by the means of its exteriour tunick , which it borrowed from the capsula , and at the bottom to the intestine , which supplyes the place of the iejunum . it s colour was green , its length an inch , and its bigness half an inch. the ductus cysticus in this subject , proceeded from the upper part of the bladder , and descended straight downwards , to insert it self into the posteriour part of the intestine : it was about the bigness of a hens-quill , and about an inch long . there were two ductus hepatici , which in birds is very rare . they both came out of the side of the vena porta . they were of different sizes , the one being as bigg as the quill of a hen , and the other scarcely equalling a middle sized pin . they descended in a right line the length of an inch , and penetrated the intestine very near the insertion of the cysticus . in the other subject the bladder was smaller , of an oval figure : the ductus cysticus proceeded from the middle of the bladder . there were likewise two ductus hepatici , which were inserted into the intestine after the same manner as in the other subject : but all these ductus bilarii were lesser than in the subject where the bladder was anfractuous . the pancreas which was found double in one of the subjects , was placed as usually in birds , in the interval of the first circumvolution of the intestines , which makes a sinuosity , at the bottom of which these two pancreas's took their origine ; and the one , viz. the right , passing under the mesentery ; and the other above , ascended to fasten themselves to the left part of the liver , and to the pylorus . from this place they did each send forth a very fine ductus , six lines long , which inserted it self near the place of the three cholidochi . these five holes wherewith the intestine was in this place pierced by the three cholidochi and two pancreatici , did all meet under the wrinkle , which the intestine makes , to form as it were a caruncle . the glandulous substance of the pancreas was of a pale red : they were thin towards their origine , but very thick at their extremity towards the liver . the other subject had but one pancreas , and one single ductus . the oesophagus , which was very strait , and not exceeding half an inch in compass , was dilated towards the entrance of the thorax , to forme a craw which was four inches in circuit , and an inch in length . after its being thus dilated , it was contracted , and passing through the thorax , was again dilated to form as it were a ventricle , furnished with glands which had the figure and size of a grain of rye : they were ranged like those which are described in the bustard . the fleshy tunicle of this ventricle was very thin . the gizzard , which was two inches and a half in length , and two in breadth , had nothing remarkable , excepting that its fleshey part was very thin , and its velvet covering very thick , hard , and brittle like glass . this hardness hapning to this coat of the gizzard of the indian cocks , when being separated from the gizzard , they are left some time a drying ; but in these subjects , they were found thus hardned at the opening of the body , and being still fresh . the intestines were of an extraordinary length , viz. twelve foot ; and each caecum six ; but their cavitie was very strait , not exceeding a line in diameter . in the anus , at the extremitie of the rectum , there was a hole two lines broad , which was the mouth of a sack five lines in length , and three in breadth . this sack which was under the rectum , is described in the bustard . the testicles were seated on the aorta , at the superiour part of the kidneys : their substance was glandulous , of a pale red . they were five lines long and two broad ; and at their lower part there was seen another gland absolutely black , which was strongly fastened to them : 't was the epididymis , which through its lower extremitie sent forth a very fine ductus , which was the deferens , which running along the vena emulgens , was changed into a very thin tunicle . the penis was placed at the lower part of the anus , opposite to the rump . i●…s figure was pyramidical , being four line●… long , and three lines broad towards its basis. it was composed of two hard and nervous bodies , clad with several smooth and spongeous membranes . there was also seen some musculous flesh , which fastens it self at its basis. the kidneys , which were speckled with several small points , some white , others minime , made us to apprehend that their substance , consists of a number of conglomerated glands . they were , as usually in birds , cut in several deep compartments and divisions , each kidney being two inches and a half in length and ten in breadth . the amulgent veins and arteries had their distribution as ordinarily , and the vreters inserted themselves at the extremity of the rectum , after having run along the exteriour surface of the kidney . the asperae arteria in one of the subjects descended in a strait line to the middle of the craw-bone , which terminates the top of the thorax in birds , where it was dilated and fastened . there turning it self backwards , it made a fold reascending an inch and half in heigth , and fastening it self by a very strong membrane to the very place of the craw-bone . from thence it descended into the thorax . in the other subject it made not so great a fold , but it was dilated after the same manner . this dilatation was two inches and a half in circumference , being not an inch in any other part . the heart was very small , not being an inch in length and half an inch at its basis : its point was very sharp . the cavitie of the fleshy valve which is at the mouth of the vena cava in birds , was a line in depth . the globe of the eye measured ten lines in diameter , and the cornea five . the crystalline was more convex behind than before : it was three lines diameter ▪ the vitrious humour was : of a very hard consistance . the choroides was all over black , even over the tapetum , where were seen none of the colours which are commonly there . the iris was of a dark red . the sclerotica was hard and cartilaginous at the fore part , according to the nature of birds and fishes . the optick nerve was side-ways ▪ and after having pierced the sclerotica and choroides , was inlarged , and formed a circle , from the circumference of which there went several black fillets , which were united to form a membrane that we have found in all birds , and which is described in several places of these memoires . the explication of the figure of the bustard . the six bustards were not in all things alike . there were some whose neck was proportionably longer than the leggs ; others had it shorter . some had the beak more pointed than it is here described ; yet the generality had it thus . there was one where the feathers which covered the ear were somewhat longer than they are here represented . in the upper figure . aa . the two lobes of the liver . b. the gall-bladder . c. the ductus cysticus . dd. the ductus hepaticus . ef the ductus pancreatici . g. a fold of the internal tunicle of the intestine , forming a caruncle or teat , which cover's the four mouthes of the cystick , hepatick , and pancreatick branches . hh . the pancreas . i. the extremity of the oesophagus where it begins to inlarge it self . kkk . the outward membrane of the oesophagus which is common with the oesophagus and ventricle , or gizzard which it covers . ll. the internal membrane which cover's the gland's of the lower part of the oesophagus . this membrane is also covered with another which makes the velvet , and which is likewise extended over the membrane m m. it is not here represented , to avoid confusion , and because it is easily supply'd by imagination . mm. the internal membrane of the gizzard , which is folded and rufled . n. the glands which are at the bottom of the oesophagus like to the ends of pipes , and ranged one upon the other . oo . the fleshy and musculous part of the gizzard , inclosed between the membrane k k k , and the membrane m m. p. one of the feet represented at large , altho , it exceed not a third part of the natural bignesse . p. one of the talons cut , to shew that it is not hollow underneath , but round as at top . q. the extremity of the ilium . r r. the beginning of the two caecum's . s s. the great pouch , which is near the extremity of the rectum . it is opened , to discover the mouths of the ureter's and of the third caecum . t t. the ureters . v. the third caecum commonly called fabricius , purse . x. the mouth of the third caecum . y. a fold of the internal membrane of the great pouch of the rectum , making a little sack over the mouth of the purse . z z. the mouths of the ureters . the anatomical description of six bustards . the greatest of the six bustards which we dissected , comprehended but three foot from the extremity of the beak to that of the hind feet extended . this size comes not near that which belonius and turnerus allow to the bustard , which they report to be the largest of all fowl next the ostrich . the cassowary and griffon which we dissected , were a great deal bigger ; and other authors do not make the bustard larger than that which which we describe . aristotle in athenaeus makes it much less ; for he compares it , as to its bigness to a great cock. and it is strange that belonius and turnerus , who had seen bustards should , to follow pliny speak so of it , that they seem not to have well understood him : for the bird , which according to pliny , is the largest next the ostrich , is the second species of tetrao , which is not the bustard ; and pliny says only that the bigness of the otis , which is evidently our bustard , approaches that of the tetrao : but it is not certainly known what the tetrao is , and what he speaks thereof agrees not at all with the bustard ; this bird according to pliny's description , being black all over the body , except the feathers over the eyes , which are red : which is not found in the bustard , who has indeed some red and some black , or some brown in its plumage , but these colours are there placed after another fashion . the neck and feet were much longer in our bustards , than in those which gesner and and aldrovandus have described : as for the rest they do well enough agree with the description which these authors do make thereof . their neck was a foot long , and their leggs a foot and half ▪ the wings were hardly longer than the leggs ; so that being extended , they exceeded not four foot ; which has no proportion with the mass of the rest of their body . therefore it is that this bird fly's with so much difficulty that it may easily be overtaken in its flight . oppian say's that of all birds the bustard only is afraid of doggs , because that it raises it self so little from the ground , and go's so slowly , that they can easily catch it . 't is upon this account that it has been by the latins called avis tarda , from whence is derived the word otarde in french , unless it be taken from its greek name , which is otis ; altho the ancients have spoken very variously of the otis , to make it doubted whether it is our bustard . albertus calls it bistarda , and gives to that epithete , ill borrowed from avis tarda , an etymologie much worse ; for he thinks it is so named , because that it generally makes two leaps when it begins to fly . the plumage was of six colours ; viz. white , black , ash-colour , browngray , and rose-colour . the belly , thighs , under-part of the tail , and wings were white . it is probable that belonius , who makes the top of the wings white in the bustard is mistaken ; because that generally birds which have any dark colour in their plumage , have it ordinarily on the wings and back : which is observed in other animals , which have the back also browner than the belly . the fore-part of the neck , the head , and middle of the upper part of the wings were of an ash colour . the hinder part of the neck , the back , the upper part of the wings near the top , and the top of the tail were red streak't with black , long , unequal , and as it were interrupted spots , as in partridges . this made us to think that aelian intended to speak of the bustard , when he say's that in the indies there are partriges as bigg as geese . the extremities of the wings were of a dark-gray . all the feathers in general , excepting the great ones , which are at the end of the wings , had near the skin a down of a very lively red , inclining to a rose-colour . the quill was also of this same colour at the end . there were some of the feathers which , ( besides this down fastened to the bottom of the quill , had another , which after a very extraordinary manner , proceeded from their extremitie , the middle of the feather being composed of firm beards clasped to each other , as they are in feathers which do serve for flying , and the rest being as it were splitt and divided into an infinite number of very small fibres . the beak was of a somewhat darker-gray than the plumage of the head. it was three inches long from the eye to its extremitie . it had almost the shape of a turky-hens beak , and resembled not , as gesner reports , the beak of the eagle , which is very crooked . the leggs and almost half the thighs were covered with little small scales of an hexagonal figure , the greatest of which exceeded not one line every way . the toes of the eeet were covered at top with square , long and strait seales . all the scales were of an ash-colour , covered over again with a small skin which was raised like the heckle of a serpent . the bottom of the foot was covered with a skin speckled like chagrine . the toes were in number only three . the hinder one was wanting , and in the place thereof , there was a c●…ll sitie about the bigness of a small nut. the greatest of the toes was two inches nine lines long . the talons were large , short , a little crooked , somewhat pointed , and almost like to the nails of man , being of an oval figure : but what they had most remarkable , is that they were convex underneath as well as at top ; which rendered their section lenticular . belonius says that the kind of eagle called haliaetos , has its talons round underneath , as well as at top , contrary to the nature of the claws of other animals , which are hollow , or at least underneath . the bustard do's not build its nest on trees , according to albertus , because it cannot fly : but it is probable that it is because it cannot stand there , by reason of the extraordinary make and structure of its feet , which is incommodious for that purpose , having no hind toe , and the ●…le of the foot being made round and filled with a great callosity , which hinders it from being able to perch . aristotle says that the otis in scythia , sits not on its eggs like other birds , but that it invelops and wrapps them up in a hares or foxes skin , and hides them at the root of a tree , at the top of which it perches , to watch for the fowlers , whom it hinders from approaching , by strikeing them with its wings , as eagles do : which demonstrates that the word otis is very ambiguous amongst the antients , and that it sometimes signifies our bustard and sometimes another bird , which is very different therefrom : for the bustard is incapable either of perching on a high tree , or of fighting with the fowlers . the hole of the ear , whose greatness some pretend has given the name to this bird , had nothing extraordinary . in some of our subjects it was covered with feathers somewhat longer than the rest : but they made not such long ears as in the demoiselle of numidia , which , according to our conjectures , is the true otis of the ancients , and that it is confounded with the otis , as is shewn in the description of the demoiselle of numidia . the liver was very large , the right lobe in some of our subject being five inches ; so that it descended to the bottom of the belly . it was of a firm substance , and of a vermilion colour . the gall-bladder , which was hid under the right lobe , was fastened to the liver only by its upper part , which was as it were its neck : the rest hung down being loosened from the liver , and adhereing below to the iejunum . it was two inches and a half long , and an inch broad , being of an oval figure . the ductus cysticus in some of our subjects was short , because that it proceeded from the bottom of the bladder , and joyned it self to the upper part of the iejunum . in others this ductus was longer , because that it came from the the upper part of the bladder , near its neck , and was inserted into the same place as the others which were shorter . the ductus hepaticus came out near the neck of the bladder , and was also fixed to the iejunum , two inches lower than the cysticus , only in the subjects where the cysticus proceeded from the neck of the bladder ; in others it was immediately inserted underneath the cysticus , as it is commonly in birds . the substance of the spleen was quaggie , and of a dark red . it was made like the kidney of terrestrial animal : it was only ten lines long , and six broad . the pancreas was placed in the first circumvolution of the intestines , into which it descended as usually . it s substance was hard , and of a pale red : it was very thin at one end and very thick at th' other , from whence its ductus proceeded , which was but five lines long . in one of our subjects there was two ductus pancreatici , which came from the pancreas : in another there were two pancreas's , which had each their ductus . these ductus's were all inserted near the cystici , having each a separate entrance ; but they were all covered with an appendix like a caruncle , which appeared to be a fold of the internal membrane of the intestine . aristotle in athenaeus , remarks that the bustard has no craw. in our subjects the oesophagus was every where strait : it was inlarged only , and somewhat thikned before it joyned with the gizzard , for about the space of two inches . in this place there was a great quantity of glands inclosed between the two membranes of the oesophagus . these glands were ranged like honey-combes : each was peirced lengthwise , forming a little tube or ductus . the figure of the whole gland was conical , and about the thickness of a line at one end , and of the length of two , terminating in a point . these glands were laid one upon the other , so that the great end only appcared , where was the mouth of the little ductus . the internal membrane of the oesophagus , which was laid upon these small glands , was so thi●…n , that they were seen through it , and that when they were pressed , they sent forth a liquor which like wise passed through the membrane . this membrane was also covered with another , which was extended over the whole cavitie of the gizard , as well as over that of the enlargement of the oesophagus where the glands were . this last membrane supplyed the place of the velvet , which generally covers the inside of the ventricle of animals . this structure of the lower part of the oesophagus , and this heap of glands is found in most birds , but is not commonly seen so plainly and distinctly as in the bustard . arantius , who has made the dissection of a bustard , calls these glands of the oesophagus , carunculae ; and say's that they are round ; but it is probable that he saw those glands only through the internal membrane , which offers to view only the great end of each gland , which is round ; the rest , which is extended , and makes a point , being hid under the other glands . the gizard was four inches long , and three broad . before its opning it appeared very like to the gizard of hens , by reason of its hardness , which in hens proceeds from the thickness of the fleshey part : but in all our bustards , this fleshy part was very thin , not exceeding a line in thickness ; and the whole hardness which was observed in this gizard before it was opned , proceeded solely from the internal membrane , which was not only thick and hard , but which had folds and ruffs in several manners ; each ruff being frizled and refolded , which took up a great deal of roome . this folded and ruffled membrane on the inside of the gizard , was of a gold colour , and had no continuity with the membrane extended over the glands of the craw which was white ; but it was separated from it like the seams of a lining of a garment sowed together : it was likewise easily separable from the fleshy part of the gizard . this gizard was filled with stones and doubles : there were some stones about the bigness of a nut. in one of the subjects there was found ninety doubles , worne and polish'd by their mutual rubbing , and by that of the stones which were mix'd therewith , without any appearance of corrosion ; which it was easie to judge , for that they were worn only in their gibbous and eminent parts , the hollow parts remaining intire and without polishing , because that they could not be touched and rubbed like the others . there was not likewise seen any mark or sign of corrosion in these parts , being neither rusty , rough , nor uneven . in one of the subjects the ventricle was found filled with a great quantity of hay . athenaeus say's that bustards do chew the cud. in a parrot , which is a bird that is observed to chew over again what it has already swallowed , we have remarked two ventricles separated one from the other by a long ductus or passage ; which seems to be made for the use of rumination : but we have found no such thing in the bustard . the intestines measured four foot in length , without reckoning the two caecums , of which the right was a foot , and the left eleaven inches ; which is no great length for an animal that eats hay . the two caecums proceeded as usually from the place where the colon is joyned to the ilium , seaven inches distant from the anus . they tended not from the top downwards , as 〈◊〉 reports he observed it ; but from the bottom upwards , as it is found in other birds . the internal tunicle of the ilium was folded lengthwise , after the manner of the last ventricle of animals which chew the cud : towards the extremity of this intestine it had some cross wrinkles which supply'd the place of the valve of the colon. about an inch distant from the anus , the intestine was contracted , and afterwards dilated , making a pouch capable of containing an egg. the two ureters were inserted into this pouch . towards its middle there was discovered a little hole , which led into a sack which was as it were a third caecum , which is vulgarly called the purse of fabritius , from the name of him who first described it . this purse or sack was two inches long , and three lines broad at its beginning , where it was a little straiter than towards its extremitie . over the hole , which from the middle of the pouch penetrated into the third caecum , there was a fold of the internal membrane of the pouch , which served apparently for a valve capable of hindering the reflux towards the top of the rectum , and of favouring the entrance into the third caecum . this observation of a third caecum , is contrary to what aristotle has remark'd in the intestines of the bustard , which he reports to have less appendices at their lower extremity , than other birds use to have . the kidneys were three inches long : they were very deeply cut in three lobes , after the manner of birds . their vessels were likewise disposed as in other fowl , except the two crural arteries , which are generally double , and which commonly pass underneath the kidneys : for in our subjects there was one which passed over , and another which passed under , to go into the thigh . each testicle was six lines long and two broad , being of the shape of a small almond , of a substance very firm , and white . the epididymis , which was perfectly black , and of the same figure of the testicle , contained four lines in length and two in breadth . besides the two testicles , in one of our subjects there was found a glandulous body , which seem'd to be a third . it was nine inches long , and six broad , of an olive colour . the ductus deferens , which proceeded from the extremity of the epididymis of each of the true testicles , past over the vena emulgens , to which it was fastened , and descended upon the kidney along the ureter . at the upper lip of the anus , there was a little appendix , which supplyed the place of the penis . amongst so many subjects of this kind which we have dissected , there was never a female . the tongue was not bony , as aristotle describes it in athenaeus : it was fleshy on the outside , having on the inside a cartilage fastened to the basis of the os hyoides , as in the generallity of birds . its sides were rough with some prickly parts of a substance between a membrane and a cartilage . the rings of the aspera arteria were entire ▪ in some of the subjects there was on each side a caruncle or red gland , immediately fastened to the aspera arteria , and to the carotides , by the means of a branch about the bigness of a great pin ; which is very common in birds . the heart was two inches and a half bigg . the sack which formes the fleshy valve , which is commonly found in the right ventricle of the heart of birds , at the entrance of the vena cava , was four lines deep . the flesh of the left ventricle was four lines thick towards its basis , and one towards its point . in the eye , the sclerotica had a cartilaginous edge before , about a line broad , which made as it were a circle about the cornea . the uvea was reddish and overspread with a great number of arterys , veins and nerves . the iris was of an isabella colour . the crystalline was three lines diameter ; the whole globe of the eye nine . the optick nerve having penetrated into the inside of the eye , was flatned , and formed a white edge of an oval , long and strait figure ; from whence proceeded the black membrane in form of a purse , which fastened it self to the side , towards the edge of the crystalline . this membrane is more particularly described and represented in the description of the ostrich . in the palate and lower part of the beak , which is as it were a lower jaw , there was under the membrane which covers these parts , several glandulous bodys , which did open into the cavity of the mouth by several very visible tubes . the explication of the figure of the demoiselles of numidia . the lower figure represents what kind of long white feathers do stand up like ears on both sides of the head of this bird ; and how the brown , long , and loose feathers , do hang down to the bottom of the neck . but that which is most remarkable , is the posture , in which it is put , by representing it as if it dansed ; because that this action is proper to it . in the upper figure . a. the trunck of the aorta . b. the arteria caeliaca which goes to the ventricle , spleen , and liver . c. the mesenterica , which goes to the pancreas and intestines . d d d. the arteriae emulgentes . e e. the cruralis superior . f f. the cruralis inferior . g. the extremity of the aorta which is distributed to the os sacrum and the adjoyning parts . h. the trunck of the vena cava . i. the ramus iliacus of the cava . k. the vena emulgens . l. the vena cruralis . m. the trunck of the cruralis which passes under the kidney , and joyns at n to its fellow . o o. the left kidney . p. the testicle of the male. q. the epididymis . r r. the vasa spermatica deferentia . s. the ureter . t. the testicle of the female . v. the ovarium . x y. the oviductus . x. the funnel of the oviductus . z. a ligament which fastens the oviduct to the kidney , like a mesentery . Δ Δ. the bending of the aspera arteria . Θ. the bone of the sternum , in which the circumvolution of the aspera arteria is held fast . Φ. one of the rings of the aspera arteria having two notches . Ξ Ω. a piece of the aspera arteria which discovers the manner how its rings are interwoven . Ξ. the part which respects the vertebrae of the neck . Ω. the part which respects the outside of the neck . the anatomical description of six demoiselles of numidia . this bird is so called , by reason of certain ways of acting that it has , wherein it seems to imitate the gestures of a woman , who affects a grace in her walking , obeissances , and dansing . this resemblance must be thought to have some reasonable ground , seeing that for above two thousand years the authors which according to our conjectures , have treated of this bird , have designed it by this particularity of the imitation of the gestures and behaviours of man. aristotle gives to it the name of actor or comedian-pliny calls it parasite and danser . athenaeus names it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is to say , having humane form , by reason that it imitates what it sees men do , and not because that it imitates the speech of man like the parrot , as gellius understands it . for athenaeus relates the manner , which as xenophon reports it , the fowlers make use of to take these birds , which is by rubbing their eyes in their presence , with water put into vessels which they do carry away , leaving such like vessels filled with glue , wherewith these birds do glue their feet and eyes , when they endeavour to imitate what they have seen other done . it is probable that this dansing or buffoon bird , was rare amongst the ancients , because pliny thinks it fabulous , by ranging this animal , which he calls satyrick , amongst the pegasus's , griffons , and syren's . it is likewise credible , that till this time it was unknown to the moderns , seeing that they have not spoke thereof as having seen it , but only as having read in the writings of the ancients the description of a bird called by the greeks , scops and otus , and by the latins asio , to which they had given the name of danser , actor , and comedian . so that the matter in question is to see whether our demoisells of numidia may pass for the scops of the ancients . the description which they have left us of the otus or scops consists in three remarkable particulars , which are seen in the demoiselle of numidia , altho' it is not found that any of the moderns have described it , and that it has relation to any of the birds whereof the ancients have spoken . these three particulars , are the extraordinary postures which all authors do attribute unto it , and which have made it to be called scops , from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which according to athenaeus , sometimes signifies to make sport , in imitating the gestures of any one : and the same author says , that scops was a kind of danse so called , by reason of the bird scops , which was as it were , the inventor thereof . the second particularity , by which aristotle and pliny have designed this bird , consists in some feathered eminencies , which they do put on both sides of the head , in the manner of great ears . the third is the colour of its plumage , which alexander myndienus in athenaeus , declares to be blewish , and of a lead-colour : to which it must also be added , that they do say , that this bird is of africk . there is none of those that have seen the demoiselles of numidia , in the park of versailles , who have not observed their gate , gestures , and leaps , to have a great deal of relation to the bohemian manner , whose danse they seem to imitate . and it might be said , that they are mainly pleased to shew their graceful and handsom disposition for leaping , and that they do follow people , not to have what is thrown to them to eat , as commonly do savage animals when they are tamed , but to be taken notice of ; never failing , when they see that they are lookt upon , to fall a dansing and singing . all that we dissected had the feathered ears , which have given the name to the otus of the ancients . these were appendices three inches and a half long , composed of white feathers , made of fine long fibres , after the manner of the feathers that young herons have on the back near the wings . all the rest of the plumage was of a leaden gray , such as it is described by alexander myndienus in the otus ; except only some great feathers of the wings which were of a darker gray , at that part of the feather which appears , and some feathers of the head and neck : but for all this , the plumage in general may pass for a lead colour . in some of our subjects , the head had on its crown some plumes erected like a crest , an inch and a half long . these feathers were of this leaden gray , which was prevalent over all the body . in all of them , the sides and hinder-part of the head were garnished with black and shorter feathers than the rest . from the canthus or corner of each eye , there went a streak of white feathers , that passed under the appendex , which formed the great feathered ears . the fore-part of the neck was adorned with black feathers , composed of long fibres , much finer and softer than those of the criel heron ; they hung down upon the stomach , about nine inches long , with a very great grace and decorum . from the end of the beak to the extremity of the leggs extended there were three foot and a half . the beak measured two inches in length ; it was strait and pointed . the neck was fourteen inches . from the thigh bone to the extremity of the greatest toe , was ten inches . the eyes were large , having the eye-lids black . the internal eye-lid was white , interspersed with a great many blood vessels . the leggs were covered on the foreside with great ●…cales , which were five lines long and four broad : on the inside they were garnished with small scales of an hexagonal figure . the ●…ole of the foot was speckled like chagrin . the talons were black , and moderately crooked . the greatest toe , which was that of the middle , had four phalanges ; the least which was on the outside had five ; the middling one that was on the inside , three ; that behind but one . the liver was so large in one of our subjects , that it filled almost the whole capacity of the lower belly . in the rest the right lobe was only four inches in length , and the left three . in this lobe which covered the gizzard , there was a cavity to receive the anteriour part thereof , which was sharp , making as it were an edge . in four of our subjects the liver was scirrhous being filled with a great quantity of small yellow grains , like to millet . this scirrhous constitution did in some measure intimate to us that these livers were composed , as it were , of several small lobes , each likewise composed by the conglomerating of several glands . it was also seen after what manner the rami capillares of the vena porta , cava and ductus bilarii , went into each of the lobes ; and it might be judged that there were some which were distributed to each of the glands , because that haying blown into these ductus's , it was observed that in the livers , which were not yet quite hardned , the little lobes , and even the minute glands , whereof the small lobes are composed , were sometimes raised together , and sometimes apart . in fine , as the sound livers seemed to have a substance homogeneous and continued , by reason of the softness which is equal in all the parts that constitute their parenchyma ; they do also appear composed of several distinct and seperate parts , which we call lobes , composed likewise of glands , in those that have been hardned by distemper , by reason that this induration not equally prevailing over all the parts , shews their distinction : the interstices of the lobes and glands being softer , by reason of some remainder of blood in these interstices , of which the glands were destitute . it must be nevertheless granted that the experiment , by which different parts were seen separately to rise upon blowing into the vessels which are distributed to the different lobes of the liver , affords a conjecture more certain , to conclude that the substance of these viscera is glandulous , and that it is not from the different consistence which the scirrhous disposition causes in the liver ; and tho it frequently happens that the spleen , when it is scirrhous , discovers some hardned graines , like those which are in the scirrhous liver , yet it is certain that the spleen is not glandulous like the liver : for this may cause a belief that this argument is equivocal , and that these graines may be produced as well by some obstructions which do stop the passages , such as are those of the spleen , as by the induration of the glands , such as are those whereof the liver is composed . we found no gall-bladder in two of our subjects ; in the other it was small , of an oval figure , not exceeding five lines in length and four in breadth . it was fastened to the right lobe by its neck , the rest being loose and pendent . the ductus cysticus proceeded near the neck , and was joyned to the ie●…unum being a line in thickness , and four inches four lines in length : the hepaticus came out of the liver lower than the gall-bladder , and was but two inches long : it was inserted near the cysticus . the spleen was of a substance very like to that of the liver , seeming to be composed of lobes and glands , and being scirrhous . it s figure resembled that of the kidneys of terrestrial animals , the splenatick vessels entring through its gibbous part , after the same manner as the emulgents do enter into the kidneys . it was seated above the left kidney , and between the two lobes of the liver , so that it appeared to be a third lobe . it was united to the second ventricle by the means of a membrane that held the splenatick branches . at the bottom of the oesophagus , where it began to dilate , there were two glands , three lines long , of an oval figure , red , and with a cavity in their middle : they were fastned to some branches of the nerves of the sixth pair . the oesophagus was dilated towards the bottom , to make a craw about fifteen lines diameter , and six inches long . it s lower part , which was two inches long , was of a substance different from the superiour , its external membrane being thicker and more fleshie , and having between this and the internal membrane several little glands regularly ranged one by the other , as they are seen in several birds , and as it is described and figured in the bustard . the gizzard measured two inches and a half in length , and two in breadth . it was very like to that of a hen , having a thick and hard flesh. it was different therefrom in its interiour membrane , which was yellow , hard , and almost all separated from the fleshie part . this membrane being dried did break like glass , as it did in the indian cock. in one of our subjects there was found in the gizzard several stones , which seemed to be worn by their mutual rubbing . the intestines were six foot long , and two lines broad . their coats were extraordinary thin . each caecum measured six inches in length . the rectum was dilated towards its extremity , where it had a very ample cavity , into which the ●…reters with the vasa spermatica deferentia opened , in the male : in the females the ureters with the passage called oviductus , which is their matrix , had likewise their mouth in this place . there were two pancreas's of unequal length , the right being five inches and the left four . they were fastened to the mesentery , which afforded them store of very visible vessels . their substance was soft , and so light , that the two together weighed but one drachme . the ductus pancreatici proceeded from their upper part . the right ductus was ten lines ; the left but eight . altho they were inserted in two different places , their mouths were on the inside very near each other , and adjoyning to the mouth of the ductus bilarii , they were closed again with the same caruncle as usually . the testicles measured six lines in length and four in breadth : they were immediately connected to the trunck of the a●…rta and cava , being seated towards the upper part of the kidneys . they had an epididymis loose from the testicle , which hung by one end . it was five lines long , of a green colour , the testicle being of a whitish-yellow . the ductus deferens proceeded not from the epididymis , but from the lower part of the testicle , from whence descending along the vena emulgens , it was fastned to the ureter , so that the ureter and deferens made but one ductus ! the females had testicles like those of the males , except the epididymis which was wanting . immediately underneath the testicles the ovarrum was placed . 't was a heap of a great number of little eggs different in size , some being as big as little pease , others as small as rape-seed . the passage called oviductus , that seems to have relation to the part called tuba in the matrix of terrestrial animals , was enlarged at the top like a funnel which embraced part of the eggs. this funnel which represents the fringe of the tuba of terrestrial animals , was made of a very fine membrane ; the rest of the passage , whose membrane was a little thicker , descended along the left kidney , to which it was fastned by the means of a membranous ligament , an inch broad , in form of a mesentery , which grew along the vena emulgens , from which it received several branches , which connected with the branches of the emulgent arteries , were dispersed in the membranes whereof this ligament was composed , and did likewise pass into the tunicles of the passage called oviductus . this passage , which was very streight in its upper part , was greatly enlarged towards the bottom , where it opened into the extremity of the rectum , with a very streight mouth . the kidneys were three inches long and seven or eight lines broad , being indented in several places after the usual manner of birds . the vasa emulgentia , viz. the vein and artery , were of a structure very different . the trunck of the aorta descending directly , without dividing into two other truncks , did plainly shoot forth on the right and left some branches of a mean size . the first , third , and fourth , which were the least , did enter into the kidney , and made the emulgents . the second , and fifth , which were bigger , were the crural arteries . the sixth and seventh were lost in the lower part of the belly . the trunck of the vena cava having passed a little underneath the beginning of the kidneys , was divided into two great branches , each of which was again subdivided into two others : the one of these branches run along the kidney , and was there fastened by several very short branches , which were the emulgents . the other branch was likewise divided into two others , one of which did also make the vena cruralis : the other passing underneath the kidney , joyned itself to the opposite branch ; and both made but one branch laid upon the artery , which was divided like the vein , and was distributed as the other into the lower parts of the belly . the ureter proceeding from the upper part of the kidney , went under the branch of the vena cava ; and running along the kidney , joyned it self with the deferens , to make together but one single vessel , as has been declared . the larynx was composed of a cricoides , and arytaenoides as in the goose. the rings of the aspera arteria were intire , of a very hard substance , near that of a bone. their figure was particular , each being notched and indented in two places , and joyned together by this notch , viz. at the places which did answer to the two sides of the neck : the rest , which was not notched , being foreward and backward , so that the notches of one ring entring into the notches of the other , it happened that the rest of the rings which were not notched , did on the fore-part cover the halves of two rings , and was covered behind with those very rings which it covers in the forepart . this structure made these rings to enter into each other , which they could not do very far , being hindred by these notches , which made one ring to ride over the other , and made the artery that it could not bend so easily towards the sides , as forwards and backwards , where there was nothing that might hinder the rings from entring into each other . the figure of the whole artery was not less strange than its composition : for after having descended along the neck in a strait line about the length of a foot , it turned outwards ; and instead of entring into the thorax , it did enter into a hollow cavity in the bone of the sternum , where being descended about three inches , it was re-bent towards the place through which it had entred , and from thence descended into the thorax , where it was divided into its two branches . the rings in this whole circumvolution were so strongly fastened to each other , that they were not capable of any motion : neither have they any need thereof , being thus inclosed within the sternum . the rings of the part which was in the neck were looser , to yield to the motion of the neck . at the bottom of the aspera arteria , there was a bony knot , having the form of a larynx , which on the inside was divided in two by a small tongue , as in the goose and several other birds . the branches which went to the lungs were likewise , according to the usual manner , composed of cartilaginous demi-circles at the top , being garnished underneath only with a very thin membrane . the round and long muscles which in several birds do fasten the aspera arteria with the sternum , did take their rise from that part of the sternum which is articulated with the clavicula or forked bone , and were inserted into the sides of the aspera arteria a great deal higher than the place of their origine , so that their action was to draw the aspera arteria downwards . they were a line and a half in diameter , and near two inches in length . when the aspera arteria was blown into , the bladders of the lungs which descended to the bottom of the belly , did swell and raised up the liver . at the same time that the bladders were swelled , the oesophagus and craw were likewise observed to swell as in pigeons ; and when the oesophagus was breathed into , the bladders did also rise ; but the air did more easily pass from the aspera arteria into the oesophagus , than from the oesophagus into the aspera arteria . the use of this communication , and the ways by which it is performed , are not as yet well known : we refer the speaking thereof to the description of the pigeon . the heart was two inches long and an inch broad at its basis : it weighed half an ounce . the pericardium was fastened to the heart by several small fibres . the right ventricle was , as usually , larger than it is long . it s interiour was extraordinary smooth . the fleshy valve which birds have at the mouth of the vena cava , was five lines long , and half a line thick . the arteries of the heart had their ualvalae sigmoides , as usually . the fleshy ligament which fastned one of the partitions of the right ventricle to the other , was longer and thinner than generally it is . the aorta , coming out of the heart , was divided into three truncks . the least was the aorta descendens which made the crosse , by turning towards the right side as in the generality of birds ▪ the two other greater truncks were the axillares , which hauing cast forth two small branches , which were the carotides , were divided into several other great branches , which were almost all employed and distributed into the muscles of the wings . ▪ the carotides a little above their origine , had each a gland , which was fastned to them . these glands were two lines long , and a line thick . in the lower beak on both sides of the tongue , under the inward tunicle of the mouth , there was found two glandulous bodies , from whence proceeded several lympheducts which opened into the mouth , and there discharged , being squeezed , a white and viscous humour . there were two of them towards the upper part a great deal bigger than the others . the tongue was fleshie at top , and cartilaginous underneath as in hens . the tunicle of the palate was rough , with a great number of little nipples , and of hard and membranous points . it likewise included a glandulous body , which shot forth two great ductus's opening into the mouth . there was discovered a great quantity of other little glands at the sides of the larynx , which had also some lympheducts . the cranium or skull was above half a line thick . the brain was divided in two , as generally in birds . each part was eleven lines long , and seven broad . the cerebellum was eight lines every way . both together weighed but a drachme and a half . the internal eye-lid was large , and was easily extended over the whole globe of the eye . the punctum lachrymale was double , round , and very large . it opened as is usual into the cleft of the hinder part of the palate . the lower glandula lachrymalis was coucht under the globe of the eye in the great canthus . it was ten lines long and two broad . it s ductus was great , and opened between the eye and internal eye-lid . having syringed into this ductus , the gland swelled very much . the upper glandula lachrymalis was very small not exceeding three lines in length and two in breadth . the sclerotica was cartilaginous before , having as it were a harder ring than the rest , three lines broad . the cornea had a border or yellow circle quite round , joyning the conjunctiva . the iris was of a dark red : the tapetum of the same colour ; the rest of the choroides was extraordinary black , we found not that other black membrane like a sack , which proceeds from the optick nerve , and which we have always found in the birds that we have dissected , without being able to conjecture what its use may be . all that we could surmise is , that this part has an office like to that of the choroides , in that the one and the other do , amongst other things , serve to prepare the nourishment of the humours of the eye ; which , by reason of the transparent purity that is requisite for them , must have an aliment very pure , and wholly exempt from the gross and earthy parts , by which bodies are rendred opake : for these parts , which may be called the lees of the blood , are separated therefrom , and retained in the choroides and purse of the optick nerve , which are sullied and blackned therewith ; this being done almost after the same manner as the choroides , placenta , and membrane of the uterus are sullied , if i may so say , from the grossest and most impure portion of the blood which they retain , to the end that the part designed for the formation and nourishment of the foetus may be finer and purer . this conjecture which for these reasons may have some probability , has been likewise confirmed by the particularity that we have remarked in our subject ; where this black purse not appearing , we found the choroides a great deal thicker than ordinary ; as if the whole dregs of the blood , which in the eyes of other birds should be retained in the choroides and black purse , had here been collected into the choroides alone . the explication of the figure of the ostrich . in the lower figure it may be seen that the feathers of the wings and tail could not be proper for flying , the parts which do compose these feathers not being hook'd together as they are in other birds ; that the eye , which is not obliquely scituated after the usual manner , has great eye-lids , the opening of which is long-wise as in man ; that the neck , head , and thighs are destitute and unprovided of feathers , and that each foot has but two toes . in the upper figure . a a. represents the cavity of the middle of the thorax . b b d d. the cavity of the lower belly . these two cavities are formed by two great diaphragms , and separated one from the other by the transverse diaphragme which is between a and b , and which is garnished with fat underneath . e e e e. the four bladders of the right side of the stomach . c c c c. the four bladders of the left side . these four bladders are inclosed on each side between the great diaphragme and muscle of the lungs . g g. the lungs , each of which is shut up between the muscle of the lungs , and the ribbs . h. a part of the cartilago cricoides , ii. the cartilago tyroides . k. the tongue . l l l. the hinder part of the sclerotica , which makes half the globe of the eye , the fore-part being taken away . m. the membrane folded like a purse , which proceeds from the infundibulum or funnel n , formed by the extremity of the optick nerve , and uniting near the ligamentum ciliare . o. the optick nerve . p. the crystallinus with the ligamentum ciliare . q q. the cerebrum uncovered . r r. the dura mater raised up and thrown backward , upon the cerebellum . s. the glandula pinealis in its place . t t. the upper part of the cerebellum . v v. the sinus longitudinalis . x x. two tuberosities or swellings , making the lateral and inferiour parts of the cerebellum . y y. two cavities or ventricles which are in the swellings of the cerebellum . α. the cavity which is at the rise of the medulla spinalis made like a pen. β. the vermiforme apophysis of the cerebellum , γ. the cerebellum raised , and turned backwards - δ δ , the brain divided in two , after having cut the small fibres which joyn the two parts . ε ζ. the upper ventricles in which is seen the lacis choroides marked ζ. ι. the glandula pinealis bent a little backward out of its place . λ λ. two swellings scituated under the brain . they are the same which are marked x x. μ. the cerebellum . ν. the fourth sinus . Δ. a piece of the stem of a feather viewed with the microscope . . . two of the filaments whereof the less beard of the feather was composed . here is represented only the beginning , the rest being cut off : they are garnished on each side with a row of fibres . z z. the fibres which are at the side , toward the end of the whole feather ; these fibres having several small crotchets or hooks bent downward , which are like a latch , according to the comparison that is made thereof in the description . Θ Θ. the fibres which are at the sides towards the hollow of the feather ; these fibres have several little hooks bent upwards , resembling the catch to which the latch is fastned , when it is pushed forward enough to fall into the catch . the explication of the second plate of the ostrich . a. is the oesophagus . b. the bottom of the craw , which descends underneath the gizzard . c. the gizzard . d. the ductus hepaticus . ●… e. the pancreas . f. the ductus pancreaticus , whose aperture into the intestine is marked e. g. a part of the colon at large , which is garnished on the inside with fillets marked i i i. h h. the great pouch which is at the bottom of the rectum . i ▪ the rectum . k. the extremity of the rectum , which forms a swelling in the great pouch . k l. the penis . it s origen is marked k : it is folded towards . underneath , and suffers the part l to go through the aperture of the little pouch marked m m. n n. the ureters . o o. the opening of the ureters into the great pouch . p p. the two muscles of the anus and penis . . the two second muscles of the anus and penis . . the border of the hole of the great pouch . q. the liver . r. the great vena porta . s. the origine of the ductus hepaticus . t. the upper vena cava . v. the little vena porta . x. the aorta descendens . y. the lower vena cava . z Γ , z Γ. the kidneys . Γ Γ. the ureters . α α. the testicles . β β. the crural arteries . g g. the crural veins . γ γ. a part of the colon in little , joyned to the double coecum formed like a screw , marked δ δ. ε ε. the passage or matrix called oviductus , in birds . ξ. the internal orifice of the matrix . θ. the extremity of the oviductus , which makes the infundibulum or tunnel . ψ ψ. the broad ligament of the matrix . λ. the testicle of the male. μ. the vasa spermatica praeparantia . ν. the epididymis . ξ. the deferens . the anatomical description of eight ostriches . the eight ostriches which we describe , were almost of one size . there were five males , and three females ; they were seven foot and a half from the top of the head to the ground ; from the back to the crown of the head they were three foot , and as many from the belly to the ground . the body , from the breast to the beginning of the tail , exceeded not three foot ; the tail was a foot long ; the wing , without the feathers , but a foot and a half , being extended , and with the feathers , three foot. the plumage was also in some measure alike ; for most of it had black and white , and some gray feathers . scaliger do's upon good grounds laugh at cardan , who was of opinion , that ostriches had red , blew , and green feathers , not knowing that they are dyed of these colours . the greatest plumes proceeded from the extremities of the wings and tail. the great ones were most commonly white ; and the next row was composed only of black . there were some of them smaller , being white , others black , which garnished the back and belly . the flancks had no feathers , no more than the thighs , and under part of the wings . the bottom of the neck was half way adorned with feathers , much smaller than those of the belly and back ; some of which were black , and others white . they were gray in one of the males , and in one of the females . all these feathers were of one sort . this is peculiar to the ostrich ; for it has not feathers of several sorts , like other birds , which have some soft , and as it were lanuginous , to serve them for furr ; others hard and firm , for flying ; some lanuginous only at their beginning , and firmer toward their extremity , which is made like a scale , to the end that being all ranged one upon the other , and covering some with their extremity , which is firmer , the down which is at the root of the others , they might compose as it were a vestment , to defend the birds from the inconveniencies of the wind and water . now this is not in the feathers of ostriches , which are all soft and fibrous like down , so that they do serve them neither for flying , nor for covering them commodiously enough to defend them from external injuries . we likewise observed another equality in the feathers of the wings of the ostrich , which is peculiar to them : for the great feathers of the wings of other birds , have one side broader than the other ; but those of the ostrich have the stem exactly in the middle of the feather . there is reason to think , that this equality is the ground of the hieroglyphick of the aegyptians , who do represent justice by an ostrich's feather . in the enumeration of the wonders of nature which are read in the book of iob , those of the structure of the wings of birds is one of the most considerable . this wonder is expressed by the reflection which god causes iob to make on the difference that there is between the feathers of the ostrich , and those of herons and faulcons ; that is to say , of birds that have feathers for flying , and of those which have them not for that use ; for there is nothing indeed more admirable , than this structure of feathers designed for flight , which consists principally in three things , viz. in the texture of the threads and fibres , of which the beards of the feathers are composed ; in the figure of the whole feather , and in the particular motion of each feather . to know and examine these particularities , it must be observed ; that almost all sorts of feathers are composed of two parts , viz. of the tube or quill from whence the stem proceeds , always lessening it self to the end of the feather ; and of the beards , which are fastned on each side to the stem of the quill , and which do make the breadth of the feather : that the threads whereof these beards are composed , are flat , and plac'd with their flat sides towards each other , to the end that they might easily bend for the approaching each other , and that being harder to bend the other way , they do add more strength to the whole feather : that this strength and firmness is likewise fortified by the manner with which the threads whereof these beards are composed , are interlaced with one another , this texture or interlaceing being made by the means of an infinite number of fibres , which the threads do shoot forth on each side , to hook and grapple with each other : that these fibres are crooked after a different manner ; for those which proceed from the thread , on the side towards the extremity of the feather , are longer , more flexible , and bent down wards ; and those which do proceed from the side towards the beginning of the feather or quilly end , are shorter , firmer , and turned upwards . for it must be conceived that all these fibres having springs , those which are longest , most flexible , and bent downwards , do turn upwards at the meeting of the other fibres , when two threads are forc'd one against the other ; and that afterwards when these long fibres are forced far enough over the others , their crooked parts falls into the cavity made by the crooked parts of those other fibres , even as the latch that is fastned to a door , falls when the door is thrust-to and enters into the cavity of the catch fastned to the door-post , and there hooking it self , fastens the door : for it is properly after this manner that one thread of a feather is fastned to the other . this admirable structure of the feathers , which it is easie to see with the microscope , succeeds so well for the uses to which nature has designed it , that when one thread has been separated from the other by some external violence , it is capable of being reclasped with an incredible facility . it may be said that this is not unknown to the birds ; who frequently busie themselves in putting in order with their beak the threads of these beards , when they have been disordered ; for this is sufficient presently to recover and reduce into their former order those feathers which are so easily ruffled , and as it were broke ; and this disposition is much more advantagious to them than if they were hard to ruffle or break , but being once torne or broken , were no more capable of revniting . and it may be said that this structure has not been known by those who have thought that birds do carry a kind of glue in their beak , by the means of which they do again rejoyn their feathers when they are torne : for the wings of birds are neither mended with size nor glue ; or at least they would be spoil'd , otherwise then they are , by the rain and waters , in which they are frequently plunged , if their fibres were joyned otherwise than by this admirable texture , of which experience may easily be made , by separating the threads of the beards of the feathers , which are seen to rehook of themselves , and without glue , by reapproaching them only . it must be observed in these second place that these threads are not perfectly strait , but a little bent , to make the whole feather hollow underneath ; which serves for two things , viz. to make the beards stronger and less capable of being bent upwards , when the feather suddainly strikes the air ; and to make the air catch in this cavity , more to resist the wing which beats it in its descent , and cause it also less to resist the same wing when it is raised , by reason of the convexitie of the feather over which the air glides more easily than it would if it was flat : for it must be considered that for flight two things are necessary ; the first that the air greatly resists the beating of the wing , to the end that the bird may bear it self thereon ; the second , that the same air resist as little as is posible the raising up of the wing again ; as well to the end that the bird may not sink asmuch in raising the wing , as it rises in beating it down , as to lessen its force where the wing rises , least the bird weary it self to no purpose . in the third place it must be observed that for these very reasons , viz. of making the air resist the wing striking it , and yield to it when it is raised , nature makes use of two things : the first is that when the wing is raised , it becomes less than when it is beat downwards ; which is done sometimes by closeing the feathers , and makeing them to slipp one under the other ; so that the half of one covering the half of the other , each feather can strike the air only with its half : some times by making them to go from underneath the others , so that each strikes the air with its whole breadth . the birds which have the wings long and pointed , do make use of this means . the other way is for birds that have shorter wings : for they do make use of an artifice which rowers do imitate in the management of their oars , which is to make the water to be struck with the flat of the oar , when they do make it to go downwards , and that it be cut by the edge of the same oar when they do raise it upwards : for the same thing happens to the feathers of the extremity of the wing , which do strike the air with their flat , when the wing is lowered , and do cut it when it is raised ; which is done by a motion like to that of the oars which watermen do make to turn a little , when they do raise them upwards : for each of the great feathers has this motion apart , by which it is a little obliquely turned , when the wing is raised , and this feather is reduced into its former situation when the wing is lowered . this action is very distinctly observed when birds do for some time hold their wings erected , by an extension like to that which is done in reaching ; this state affording more leisure to see that ▪ winding of the feathers , than when they do strike their wings in flight : for than the wings being thus raised , it is observed that the great feathers , which are the principal organs of flight , are all separated from each other , by reason of their obliquitie , which seems to open , for the passage of the air , as many doors as there are feathers ; which are closed when the wing coming to lower it selfe , all these feathers do retake their former situation , and do beat one upon the other to make of the whole wing one continued surface , capable of overspreading a great quantity of air. in the fourth place , it must be observed that this oblique motion of every feather belongs not to those of the taill , which has different uses from those of the wings . there are two principal ones ; the first is to serve as a rudder , and to keep in the whole bird a strait motion , when it is kept strait and of turning the body downwards , when it is kept lowered , or ●…ward when it is raised . the other use is to serve to help it forward , w●… 〈◊〉 suddainly moved by these two successive motions , which do produce the same effect as the tail of fishes . now this whole mechanisme is wanting in the feathers and wings of the ostrich : for the threads of the beards which are at the two sides of the stem of the quill of the great feathers are never fastned one to the other , but floating and flexible , not being crooked , but strait and even without having any of the dispositions necessary for the facilitating the interlacing which they have with each other in the feathers of other birds . therefore aristotle say's that the feathers of ostriches are like the haire of terrestial animals , that is to say that they are more proper to cover their body's than to fly with . these feathers have not likewise that particular motion which renders them some times strait , some times oblique , because that this would be useless to them , the beards not being joyned together to make the texture and continuity which the other feathers have , to strike all the air that is met-with under the wing ; so that it may be said that the feathers of the wings of the ostrich are more like to the pendants of ships than to their sails ; altho' aelian reports that these animals do make use thereof as of sails , when to render their course swifter and lighter , they do extend these feathers to the wind , to the end that it may drive them : for sails are not only servicable in ships meerly as an obsticle , which resisting the wind by its bigness only , receives a simple impulse so as the hull of the vessell does ; but they must be considered as an obstacle of a commodious figure and shape , which being managed and governed after a certain manner , may draw a greater advan tage from the agitation of the air , for the motion of the vessel , than it would do without this figure and government . thus the plumes of the ostrich cannot be usefull to it by their figure or motion , for if they assist them to advance forward by forcing their wings backwards , they would hinder them as much in bringing them forward , and there would happen to them one inconvenience to which the wings of batts , butter-flyes , and flyes , would be subject , if nature had not provided against it , by giving the wings of these animals the means of being contracted in such a manner , when they are raised , that they do strike a less quantity of air , than when they are lower'd again . for this contracting is made in batts by the means of bones that they have in their wings , and which do make as it were the fingers of their hands , the distance between which are garnished with skins which they do contract and alternately extend as need requirs . the wings of butter-flyes and flyes do perform the same action by the means of certain fibers , which have an effect like to that of the fingers of the batt ; and the speed and force with which the wings of flys are removed , and how they are capable of making so great a noise as is that , not only of the buzzing of hornets , but even of little flyes , such as are gnatts , which is heard to a great distance , imitating the sound of a trumpet , is a thing very surprizing . the motion of the wings of the ostriches , can at the most serve only after the same manner as that of the tail of other birds , and those of fishes , which is in truth a motion proper to make a progression ; but it is certain that the feathers of the ostrich cannot have this effect , being like a tuft of looss and floating threads ; seeing that to the end that such a motion may have some effect , it is necessary that the organ have a surface , strait , even , and firm , such as it is in a rudder , in an oar , in the sail of a wind-mill , &c. it is probable that the author of the book of iob had reflected on all these things , when he describes the ostrich , as an animal to which god has deny'd the address which he hath given to other birds , and which he has not furnished with organs convenient to exercise the admirable action of flying ; having scarce any other use of its wings , than to raise them to receive the impulse of the wind , when it is favourable to its course . therefore cardan compares , or rather very much opposes the ostrich to the bird of paradise , which was formerly thought to have no feet ; because that the bird of paradise is a bird , which according to the opinion of cardan , never walks nor lights on the ground , even as the ostrich is one which neither flyes nor rises into the air. besides the feathers which we have described , we have observed that the top of the neck and head were garnished with a very fine , white , clear down , shining like the bristle of a hog ; so that it seemed to partake more of hair than of feathers . this down was heaped together in little tufts , composed of about twelve hairs , of but one line in length , except the hair in the middle , which was four : all the hairs of one lock had all together but one root , which was a little tube about the bigness of the smallest pin. this downe was very clear and very thin in the neck , and much more on the head , which was absolutely bald at the top : this pliny reports to be natural only to two birds , viz. the ostrich and cormorant , for that reason called phalacrocorax . at the end of each wing there was a kind of spurr , made almost like the pricks of a porcupine : they were an inch long , and a line and a half thick at the basis ; their substance was horny ; they were hollow , and in the cavity there was a cartilage covered with membranes and ligaments , with a great quantity of vessels full of blood. aldrovandus confesses that he could never find these pricks in the ostrich : albertus reports that they do serve them for offensive arms : iohnston is of opinion that they make use thereof as of a spurr , with which they excite themselves to speed . there were two on each wing , the greatest was at the extremity of the last bone of the wing , the other was half a foot lower . the neck seemed more slender in proportion than it appears in other birds , because that it was not decked with feathers , as was said . the skin of this neck was of a livid flesh colour ; gillius makes it blew . the head did likewise appear very small , for the same reason of the want of feathers . albertus finds it absolutely small . scaliger has reason to reprehend cardan , for averring that birds have commonly the head little , to the end that its weight may not hinder them from flying ; because there are a great many which fly little , as hens , which have the head much less in proportion than other birds which do easily fly : but it is probable that cardan found that his theoreme was confirmed by the example of the ostrich , which flyes not , and whose head without feathers is absolutely greater in proportion to its body , than it is in other birds . the beak was short and pointed : it measured two inches and a half broad at its beginning ; its figure like that of the rest of the head , did not in any sort approach the figure which the head and beak of a goose generally have , as those have ill thought who have called the ostrich chaenocamelus , that is to say goose-cammel . the exteriour form of the eye did sufficiently resemble that of man , and was very different from the ordinary form of birds eyes , which have the aperture of the eye round , and the upper eye-lidd unmovable , and without hair ; and the line which go's from one corner to the other , always oblique : for our ostriches had the aperture of the eye oval , a great eye-lidd at the top , which lower'd it selfe as that below was raised , having great eye-lashes , which , as in man was a great deal longer than those of the inferiou●… eye-lidd ; in the line which went from one corner to the other being strait , according to the direction of the beak , there was a third eye-lid on the inlide , as in the generality of brutes : 't was a very thin membrane , which was hid in the great corner towards the beak . aldrovandus thinks birds have this eye-lid , to supply the defect of the upper eye-lid , which is so short that it cannot lower it selfe to cover the eye as it does in man. but it is probable that this internal eye-lid has another use in birds , seeing that it is found in the ostrich , whose upper eye-lid is large enough to be able easily to lower itselfe ; add moreover that the inferiour eye-lid shuts up in bird's against the superiour , as exactly as the upper is joyned in man with the lower . the tongue was small , adherent as in fishes , composed of cartilages , ligaments and membranes intermixt with fleshy fibres . it was different in our subjects : in some it was an inch long , very thick at the aperture of the larynx ; in others it was not half an inch long , but it was above an inch towards the b●…sis , being a little forked at the end . beyond the slitt of the palate , towards the pharynx , there were two great glands , which furnished the spittle . the thighs were very fleshie , and very big , and without feathers , covered with a white skin somewhat reddish , raved by elevated wrinckles , of the figure of a net , whose mashes could receive the end of ones finger . in one of the males , there were little feathers here and there upon the thighs , almost after the same manner as gesner has described it in his figure . some had neither little feathers nor wrinckles . the legs were covered on the fore-part with great square scales . the foot was cleft , and composed only of two very large toes , which were covered with scales like the leg. these toes were unequal : the greatest , which was on the inside , measured seven inches , comprehending the claw , which was nine lines in length , and a little less in breadth ; in some resembling the naile of a mans great-toe . the other toe exceeded not four inches , and had no naile . this little one touched the ground only at the end . the great one being seen sideways had almost the shape a mans foot , with its shoe on : it was only a little thinner and longer . pliny reports that the feet of the ostrich are like to those of the stagg . diodorus siculus , who calls the ostriches stagg-birds , relies upon this false resemblance . suidas is likewise more mistaken , when he says that the feet of the ostrich do resemble those of an asse . those who have named the ostrich strutho-camelus , that is to say , cock-camel , according to scaliger , and according to the chaldee paraphrase of the fore-cited place of iob , have not erred so much : for the length of the legs of the ostrich has some similitude with those of the cock and camel. moreover the manner after which the foot of the camel is cleft , which is different from all other cloven feet , and its claw , which is also quite of another nature than that of staggs and goats , are particularities which are common to it with the ostrich . our ostriches , like the camel , had a callosity at the bottom of the sternum , on which they do rest like the camel , when they lie down . near the anus , in one of the five males , there was on each side three holes of a line and half diameter , and two lines in depth . at the top of the thorax , under the skin , there was fat about the thickness of two fingers . there was some more especially on the fore-part of the belly , which was hard like suet : it was in some places two inches and a half thick . this fat was inclosed between two membranes as strong as the peritonaeum . these membranes , which thus inclosed this fat , were the aponeuroses of the muscles of the lower venter , which began to be fleshie only towards the flancks , the whole fore-part of the belly about the breadth of a foot being without flesh . the sternum descended not to the bottom of the belly , because that the muscles which move the wings , and which are fastned to the sternum , have no need of being so great as in other birds which flye . the oesophagus was seated on the body of the vertebrae , being fastened to the aponeuroses of the muscles of the lungs ; of which more shall be spoken in the sequell . its tunicles were very thick , especially that which is fleshie . it was insensibly inlarged , even to six inches in breath near the uentricle or gizzard ; so that it was difficult to mark the place of the superiour orifice of the uentricle : it seemed that the extremity of the oesophagus did form a craw which was confounded with a gizzard , and that these two parts together did compose one single uentricle . this conformation , ( which , in general , is very different from that which is common to birds , where the craw is us'd to have a contraction which separates it from the gizzard , ) was likewise more strang , by reason of the situation that it had : for it was not only in the stomach , but it was lower than the gizzard , underneath which it descended , and towards which it afterwards re-ascended , so that the entrance of the gizzard was through its bottom ; and thus the orifice , which is com●… called the superiour , was indeed the inferiour . in some of our subjects , the gizzard was separated on the inside into two cavities by an eminence formed by its musculous flesh , which , towards the middle , was above two inches thicker than any where else . this eminence contracted the inte●…nal capacity directly over the middle , and separated it on the left side , where was the inferiour orifice , called pylorus . the figure of these two cavities did not outwardly appear , the flesh of the gizzard being equal ; and the whole together had the figure of the ventricle of man , making an oval , which was fifteen inches in length and eight in breadth . aelian seems to give several ventricles to the ostrich , as to animals which chew the cud , when he says that this bird digests stones in the uentricle called echinos , which is the second uentricle of ruminating animals , which is so called , by reason that its interiour membrane is filled with wrinckles armed with points like the hedg-hog , which the greeks do call echinos : but this sort of uentricle was not found in our subjects . it may only be said that the uentricle of some of the ostriches that we dissected is double , and not that they have two uentricles ; seeing that both the parts of the double uentricle are covered with the same membrane , and that this membrane is different in the different uentricles of animals which chew the cud. for the membranes of the craw were garnished with glands regularly ranged , and framed like the ends of small pipes , being round , and pierced through the middle at the part towards the inside of the craw , and unequal on the other side , being composed of several graines , after the manner of conglomerated glands . and in this they differed from the glands which are found in the craws of the demoiselles of numidia , geese , ducks and several other fowl , where these glands are seen pierced only as in the ostrich , but they are single , and of the kind of those called conglobated . the membrane that coated the inside of the gizzard , and which was easily separable therefrom , was a line and half in thickness in some of our subjects : it was composed of two parts , viz. of a tunicle which was immediately fastened to the flesh of the gizzard , and of a heap of little glandulons bodies , which made a kind of velvet . these small bodies , in most of the subjects , were so minute , that they appeared to be rather fibres than glands : in some they were about the bigness of a great pin , and above the length of a line . they were joyned and glued to each other , as the fibres are in wood. there was a great many places where these small bodies were separated , and made several clefts or chincks . the ventricle of the cormorant was almost of this structure . these ventricles were always found full of hay , grass , barley , beans , bones , and stones , of which there were some as big as a pullets egg. there were likewise some doubles : in one we counted seventy of them . they were most of them worn and consumed about three quarters , being scratch'd by their mutual rubbing , and by that of the stones , and not by corrosion caused by any humour or acide spirit , as we found ; because that some of these doubles , which were hollow on one side , and bossed on the other , were so worn and bright on one side of the boss , that there remained nothing of the figure of money : whereas the side which was hollow , was not at all damaged , its cavity having defended it from the rubbing of the other doubles . all the rest which was contained in the uentricle with these doubles , as well stones , and bones , as pulse and hay , was green . wee found the same thing in the uentricle of a bustard , where there were ninety doubles worn by this rubbing : they had likewise given a green colour to a great deal of hay which was there . this made us to think that in birds , and generally in all animals , the dissolution of the nourishment is not performed only by subtile and penetrating spirits , but also by the organical and mechanical action of the ventricle , which compresses and incessantly beats the things which it contains ; so that in the generality of animals which do swallow a hard nourishment without chewing it , ( as birds which live on grain , ) nature has made their ventricle musculous ; and has given them the instinct of swallowing stones , by the means of which they may break in their ventricle what others do bruise with their teeth . in fine this affectation which the generallity of birds have of swallowing stones , has a more manifest use than that which eagles and cranes have of putting stones into their nests . cardan , and the generallity of other naturalists , are of opinion that the ventricle of birds , and especially of the ostrich , is fleshy , to afford it more heat : but it is known that the musculous and fibrous flesh acts more by its motion than by its temper ; and that one of the principal and most important actions of the heart , is that of contraction and dilatation , which serves not less to the concoction and alteration of the blood , than to its distribution . it is probable that those who have thought , that the stones and iron which ostriches do devour , are dissolved in their ventricle by a particular virtue that nature has given to the ventricles of different animals ; by which some do digest poysons , others bones and raw flesh ; and that the ostrich was furnished with that of digesting metals and stones , reflected not on that attrition of the peices of copper which we have observed , and much less on the verdure , with which all that was contain'd in the ventricle was tinged . for if the ventricle of the ostrich had a faculty peculiar for digesting of metals , it would digest them after the same manner as other things are digested : which is to be melted and dissolved , without suffering other change in their colour , than to become white ; which proceeds from the almost infinite little bubbles which the boyling of the fermentation there produceth : for this ebullition gives a white colour to whatever it agitates , as is seen in the froth of inck , which is white . it is likewise known by experience that the things which are dissolved in the ventricle do receive an alteration in their substance , without changing colour ; as it is remark'd in craw-fish , which are found half digested , in the ventricles of fishes , with their natural blackness , and not having that redness which they do acquire , when the heat of the fire boyls and alters them , after a manner , which is very different from the heat of animals : so that the greeness which happens to copper in the ventricle of the ostrich , cannot proceed from a dissolvent , that it has to digest metals ; but there is a probability , that the dissolution is there made , after the same manner as if it should have been done out of this ventricle , if the copper had been champed with herbes , or some acid or saline liquor , of what nature soever it were , and which should be very different from this acid or salt ; or else from that general dissolvent ( whatever it be , ) of all that is capable of affording nourishment : so that it is credible that the ostrich being a voracious animal , which has need of swallowing some hard thing , that is requisite , as has been said , to break its nourishment ; it misuses the instinct which nature has given it for that end , when it swallows iron , and especially copper , which is turned into poison in its stomach , instead of turning into nourishment . and indeed , we were informed by those who look after these animals in the aviary of versalles , that the ostriches ' which do swallow much iron , or copper , do all dye presently after . the intestines in our subjects were different in length , altho' the animals were almost of the same size . in one they were fifty foot , in another fourty two , in a third thirty three , in a fourth twenty nine . the three smaller intestines , had scarce more length than the colon and rectum together . the caecum was doubled , as in most other birds : each comprehending two foot in length , more or less , in proportion to the length of the other intestines . the external surface of the colon and caecum were uneven , with some very regular bosses , but different in each of these intestines . these bosses were formed by some leaf-like ligaments , which were on the inside , almost the same as they are seen in the third and fourth ventricle of animals which chew the cud. in the colon these leaves were transversely situated , each making more than half a circle , and being alternately placed ; so that the ends of two semicircles , did receive and include the extremity of another semi-circle , as if one did put the teeth of two combes within one another . these semi-circles were half an inch distant from each other , and were but three lines broad in their middle , and went less●…ing to nothing . all along this intestine , in the posteriour part , there was a ligament two lines broad , which being in length a third less than the intestine , did contract it , and make the interiour and semi-circular ligaments to form the folds and bosses , which appeared still more observable , when the intestine being blow'n up , the whole membrane , which was not retained and held by the ligaments , was extended by the impulsion of the air. all the vessels entered at the side of this ligament , to distribute themselves into the intestine , but particularly into the leaves . this structure of leaves transversely seated in the colon hath already been observed in the ape , where mention is made of the discovery that we have made , of such leaves in the iejunum of man ; but we deferred to give the figure thereof till we came to the ostrich . the caecum was likewise furnished with leaves on the inside , or rather with one single leaf , which turned like a screw from one end to the other , almost after the manner described in the sea-fox , and as it is in hares , and rabits . this leaf was of the same breadth , viz , five lines every where : it went only somewhat contracting towards the extremity of the intestine , proportionally as the intestine is lessened , which went pointing , as in most quadruped's , and contrary to the nature of birds , where this intestine keeps the same breadth throughout its whole length , and which somtimes increases it self , as we have observ'd in the pintado , where this enlargement is more considerable , than in any other bird that we have seen . at the extremity of the rectum there was a great bladder fill'd with urine , to the quantity of eight ounces : it might contain ones two fists . the membranes which composed it , were like to those of the intestines ; but they were a little thicker . in one of our subjects , which was a female , this bladder was disseminated on the inside with a great number of vessels , which came as it were from a center , and spread over its whole capacity : these vessels were not visible in the other subjects . directly over this center , was the hole through which the rectum emptied it self into the bladder 't was a very straight hole , in the middle of a tumour of about the bigness of a nutt , which made as it were a hen's arse . at the bottom of this great bladder there were likewise two holes , which were the mouthes of the ureters , which did run betwixt the two tunicles of the bladder , like to that of terrestrial animals . underneath these two holes was an oval aperture ten lines in length , which had a membranous border , by the means of which it might be closed , when it came to be compressed by the weight of the urine : for then this membranous border joyned it self to a swelling or round body , being of about the bigness of ones fist , of a middle substance between a cartilage and a ligament . this tuber●…sitie was cleft in the middle after the manner of an aprico●…k , being fastened on the inside to the os pubis . this oval aperture gave passage into a second bladder or pouch , lesser than the first , and which was not made to containe the excrements , but only to give them passage , according as its tunicle did more or less compress , and close the tuberositie which did fill it , by an action like to that of the membranous border of the oval aperture . the penis in most of our subjects was composed of two substances , viz. of white , thick , nervous , solid membranes , and of white ligaments , of the same substance as the membranes , but a great deal harder and more solid , having neither in the membranes nor in the ligaments any vessels , nor cavity : they appear'd composed only of transverse fibres very compact . the external membrane which covered the whole penis was the thickest : the internal did immediately invelope each of the two ligaments , which were separated from each other , and were united about two fingers from the extremity . there was one longer than the rest ; the longest was two inches : they were each four lines diameter towards their basis , going point wise towards the extremity . the origine of this penis was at the cartilaginous swelling which was fastened to the internal part of the joyning of the os pubis , of which it is just before spoken ; from thence it was reflected turning short downward , entred into the little pouch , and came out at the external orifice of this little pouch , which is the anus . this aperture was bordered with a semicircular fold , which embraced the penis , at the place where it went out . in short this penis had neither gland , praepuce , ductus , nor cavity , which might give passage to any seminal matter . in one of the subjects , besides the membranes and ligaments which composed the penis , there was also a third substance , red , spongious , and much resembling that of the cavernous ligaments of terrestrial animals . it was garnished with a great quantity of vessels . in the female , instead of the penis , there was only the cartilaginous swelling , which filled the second pouch as in the male ; and this tumour came out of the anus about the bigness of a small nutt : it had a little appendix about three lines long , thin , and bent back . it is likely that this is the clitoris . in this little and second pouch , there was on the left side a hole into another cavity , in manner of a passage , which was the oviductus . this hole exceeded not four lines in diameter : it had wrinkles all round , after the manner of the external orifice of the females of quadruped's . in one of our subjects the tunicle of this ductus were very thick , and its cavity very large near the entrance : in another it was less ; and about five inches beyond the entrance , it was contracted to form another passage five lines long , hard and nervous , which might pass for the internal orifice of the matrix . underneath this strait passage , there was a little bag or pouch , not perforate , the depth of which was equal to the length of the passage . in the subjects where this strait passage was not found , the oviductus contracted it self , from its first entrance still as it approached the ovarium ; so that at its extremity it exceeded not four lines in breadth , instead of three inches and a half , which it had at its middle . in this extremity it formed that hole which is called the infundibulum or tunnel of the oviauctus , and sent forth , on the right and left side , two membranous appendices , which had some similitude with those that are at the extremity of the tuba of terrestrial animals . this whole passage , which is properly the matrix or cornua uteri of birds , was two foot and a half long , and capable of receiving ones fist in its largest part . it was fleshy at the beginning , and became insensibly membranous towards its end . after having ascended , by turning on the left side towards the ventricle it was reflected towards the back-bone , descending . a double membrane , in form of a large ligament , fastened it : it had an edge the length of two inches on each side : the hinder part of this ligament was fastened along the back-bone , like a mesentery : the anteriour was loose . both were intermixt with a great number of vessels , which were in greater quantity on the passage of the oviductus than in the ligament . these vessels did come from two great branches which entered through the extremity of the oviductus , towards the ovarium : the one went along the top , the other the bottom ; and their branches had some anastomoses with each other , viz. those of the lower part with those of the upper . the whole passage of the oviductus was composed of three membranes . except the extremity , which makes the infundibulum , which seem'd to be of a single membrane . the interiour of these membranes was mightily wrinkled , or rather as it were leaved , after the manner of the third and fourth ventricle of animals that chew the cud. these leaves , which filled all the cavity , went lengthwise , and a very thin tunicle joyned them together . the second membrane , which was that of the middle , was fleshy . the third , which was thin and sleek , was nothing but the double membrane , of which the broad ligament was composed , which was divided in two to embrace the passage of the oviductus . we observed four muscles , appertaining to the anus and penis : there were two on each side . the two first took their origine from the internal part of the os sacrum , and descended along the pouch of the rectum , for the space of two lines : they peirced it near its extremity , and passing under the sphincter of the anus , inserted themselves at the basis of the penis in the males , and at that of the clitoris in the females . the two others went from the internal part of the os ilium , towards the bottom of the kidney's , and descended at the sides of the ureters , and also pierceing the rectum , fastened themselves to the sides of the penis and clitoris . the ovarium was placed at the upper part of the kidney's against the vena cava and aorta , being strongly fastned to the truncks of these vessels , and garnished with several eggs , covered with their skins as in hens . these eggs were of a different size , viz. from the bigness of a pea to that of a nutt . the membrane , which included each egg , and which in french is called le calice , had as it were a tail , by which these eggs are commonly connected alltogether , and do compose that which is called the ovarium . this membrane was the thicker the lesser the eggs were : it had a great quantity of vessels , and was fastened to the egg which it inclosed , by an infinity of fibres , being open towards the place opposite to the tail , as is the cup of an acorne , when the acorne is round and small , and when it is almost all covered with its cup. the egg being separated from the calice or cup , was only a very delicate coat , which contained only the yolk of the egg , in those which were not bigger than a nutt ; but in one of our subjects where it was found about the bigness of two fists , this coat was filled with a humour like unto muddy water , excepting that it was yellow . there is ground to believe that the natural heat weakened in this animal , by the contrariety of the air of our climate , had corrupted these eggs. one of the ostriches which are in the park of versailles , having lay'd several eggs , some were brought to us , on which there was made some observations and experiments . for as these birds do not sit on their eggs , but expose them to the ray's of the sun and the heat of the sand , contenting themselves with securing them from the rain , by laying them on little hillocks of sand ; we resolv'd to try whether by the heat , as well of the sun , as of the fire , and dung , we might at least procure in them any alteration , that might seem a disposition to generation . for this end there was one kept five weeks in the sun , half buried in sand , on a bed of dung raised three foot from the ground , covering it with a glass bell during the ill weather . another was put into an athanor with a gentle fire , keeping it also , for the like space of time , in sand and well covered . we observed several things , viz. that the eggs diminished a ninth part of their weight ; that the yolk and white of that which had been heated in the fire , were somewhat thickened , without having any ill scent : that which had been lay'd in the sun was not thickened , but had contracted a very ill smell : and that in neither the one nor the other of these eggs , there was found any appearance of disposition to generation . at the top of the ovarium there was discovered two glandulous bodies fastened to the aorta , and vena cava , whose substance was like to that of the testicles of the males , having in their superficies a great number of vessels . their colour was of a brisk red . each of these bodies measured an inch and half in length , and four lines in diameter . in the males the testicles were of a different size and figure in the different subjects . in one they were small , being only fifteen lines in length and five in diameter . in another they were long and narrow , being an inch and half long and four lines only in diameter . in a third they were four inches long , and an inch and half diameter through the middle . these last had the figure of a pullets egg a little extended , being larger at one end than the other . in all the subjects they were covered with a nervous membrane , sprinkled with so great a quantity of vessels , that it appeared red . in one of the subjects we found the testicle had as it were another little one , fastened to its side . this little one was about a fourth of the great one , and was nothing else but the epididymis separated from the testicle , which was joyned to it in two places ; viz. by a branch of the vas spermaticum praeparans , which proceeding from the middle of the testicle , did enter into the middle of the epididymis ; and by the deferens , which proceeding from the bottom of the epididymis , was rejoyned to the bottom of the testicle . the vasa praeparantia came out near the emulgents , and were joyned a little lower to the testicles , which were laied on the kidneys , a little more on the left than on the right side : before their connecting to the testicle , they were each divided into three branches , which joyned to each other , and afterwards separating , did thus continue to communicate themselves along the testicle , to which they inserted some branches at equal spaces . in this place they were exceedingly invelop'd with membranes and fat : but notwithstanding these impediments , their structure and communications were distinctly seen ; because that having boiled one testicle , and all the fat being melted , the vessels evidently appeared , and shewed that after being united , they were separated , to rejoyn again . the deferens descending along the spine to the second bladder , was there fastened , after being dilated , and changed into a membrane . this ductus , as usually , was solid , and without cavity at its beginning , and at the end it was enlarged , and became membranous . the liver was red , of a substance hard and firm . by its figure it resembled that of a man , being divided into two great lobes . the left was parted into two other small ones . there was also another little one , in the middle and at the bottom of the two great ones , which was found but in one of the subjects . there was no gall-bladder , but only a ductus hepaticus , which proceeded from the middle of the hollow part of the liver , and inserted it selfe at the pylorus . the ductus was formed by the uniting of three great branches , which were distributed into the whole substance of the liver . at the extremity of one of these branches , very near its insertion into the ductus , there was a dilatation about the bigness of a great filbeard , which did not appear because it was again covered over by the parenthyma of the liver . the vena porta was double , having two separate truncks , and each their particular roots . the first , which was the bigger , was fastened to the right lobe , at the place where the gall-bladder commonly is in birds . the second ( the lesser ) came out from the bottom of the left lobe . the vena cava was joyned along the great diaphragme ▪ right by the side of the aorta . the pancreas was ten inches long , and an inch broad : it was placed between the first fold , which the intestines do make in forme of a long sinuosity as in most other birds . it was of a true flesh-colour . the glands whereof it was composed were wholly separated from each other , and joyned only by membranes . the ductus pancreaticus was knitt to the upper part of the iejunum . it proceeded from the middle of the pancreas , where the two branches joyned , which it shot forth into each half of the pancreas , one towards the top and the other towards the bottom . it is remarkable that in the generalitie of birds , the ductus pancreatici are inserted near the cholidochi ; but in our ostriches the insertion of the pancreaticus was above three foot distant from that of the hepaticus . the spleen was fastned to the ventricle by a strong membrane , which conducted and held the splenatick vessels . it was cylindrical , being two inches and a half long , and eight lines diameter ; yet it was a little smaller at the bottom than at the top . it s parenchyma was solid , and like to that of the kidneys of quadrupedes . the kidneys comprehended eight inches in length , and two in breadth . in most of our subjects they were different from the kidneys of other birds , not being cut into several lobes ▪ but having a continuity very equal . their whole substance , which was quaggy , appear'd moreover very unequal , as being composed of a great quantity of glands . they had a very fine membrane , that immediatly covered them , which was again covered over with another stronger and thicker , supplying the use of the membrana adiposa . the colour of these glands was of a very brisk dark red. in some of our subjects we found the kidneys were cut in three as usually , the upper and lower part being larger than that of the middle . the ureter was not , as in other birds , lay'd upon the kidneys from top to bottom , but it was included in their substance , where it was a little larger than outwardly , as it were to form a pelvis , which was about the length of the kidney . in this pelvis there was seen several holes , which were the mouths of the branches or channels which the pelvis sends into the whole substance of the kidney . there was not any appearance of papillae . the rings which composed the aspera arteria , were intire , but a little compressed , which gave them an oval figure . the larynx consisted of one cricoides , and one arytaenoides . the cricoides resembled that of a man , and the arytaenoides was made of two flat and large cartilages , articulated with the cricoides by the means of their muscles . between them they left an aperture of six lines , which made the glottis . these two cartilages were covered over with one muscle , which plainly serv'd to close the mouth of the glottis , by drawing them together . the diaphragme was not single , as in terrestrial animals , where there is but one partition , which separates the parts contained in the thorax from those of the lower venter : but there were several diaphragmes , which made a great many separations , by dividing the cavity of all this part of the body , which is called the trunck , into six other cavities , by the means of five partitions , which may be taken for as many diaphragmes . there were four of these diaphragmes or partitions , whose situation was direct from top to bottom , and a fifth seated a cross. of the four strait ones , two were little , and two great ; the little ones ▪ covered the lungs , which were fastened to the sides , and separated them from the four upper bladders of the lungs . the great diaphragmes which covered these bladders , as the little ones covered the lungs , left a great space in the middle where the heart and liver were included together . the fifth diaphragme , which was seated cross-wise , going from the middle of one of the great diaphragmes to the middle of the other , separated the heart and liver from the gizzard , the intestines and other ▪ parts of the lower belly , in which the two inferiour bladders of the lungs were likewise held . so that the six cavivities were , a great one of the lower venter ; another great one of the middle of the thorax , seated over the first ; two middling ones at the side of the second , which contained the four upper bladders ; and two little ones at the side of these middling ones , where the right and left lungs were inclosed . each of the little diaphragmes , ( which we call the muscle of the lungs , because that it was fleshy , and covered the lungs , ) had its origine very fleshy , which was divided into six heads fastened towards the extremity of the great ribbs , near the angle which they do make with other little ribbs that fasten them to the sternum , instead of the cartilages which knitt them in terrestrial animals . these six heads did altogether produce a large tendon or aponeurosis , which being couch'd on the lungs , went to joyn it self with the aponeurosis of the other opposite muscle , on the vertebrae of the back , to which it was also strongly connected . the direction of the fibres of this muscle was oblique , inclining a little towards the bottom , so that its action is to contract the thorax by closing the ribbs , and drawing them downwards . each of the great diaphragmes , which was only a membrane without musculous flesh , and consequently without action , and serving only for a partition , has seemed to us to meritt rather the name of diaphragme , than the two little ones that were musculous , and also than the diaphragme of terrestrial animals , which serves for other purposes than to separate the upper belly from the lower ; being principally imployed by its motion in the respiration which is called free , as are the muscles of the thorax for the respiration which is called violent and forced , the which is performed by the dilatation and constriction of the thorax . each of these diaphragmes was joyned at the top , and at the fore-side , along each ribb of the strnum , which was very broad in our ostriches , as it commonly is in birds . at its back-part it joyned to the aponeurosis of the muscle of the lungs , and by the means of this aponeurosis to the vertibrae of the back : at the bottom it was fastened to the transverse muscle of the lower venter . the transverse diaphragme was seated a little lower than the bottom of the sternum . it proceeded from the middle of one of the great diaphragmes and cle a ving on the forepart to the transverse muscles of the lower belly and on the hind-part to the aponeuroses of the muscles of the lungs , it went to fasten it self to the other great diaphragme . underneath it was garnished with fat about the thickness of ones finger . the lungs , being included between the ribbs and little diaphragmes , called by us the muscles of the lungs , were composed of two red and spongious fleshy parts , as in other birds . they were each ten inches long and three and a half broad , being an inch and a half thick . each of the two branches of the aspera arteria , entring into the lungs , was divided into several branches , which were distributed into its whole parenchyma , as in terrestrial animals , except that all these branches were simply membranous without any cartilages . the air passing into these branches , went to the external surface of the parenchyma which was pierced with an infinite number of little holes , which were seen through a very thin coat , wherewith the whole lungs were covered to inclose the air , and let it out only thro five holes , each about five lines diameter , and ranked according to the length of the lungs , some towards the back-bone , others towards the sternum . those holes which were towards the sternum , piercing the fleshy part of the muscle of the lungs to penetrate into the bladders , were oblique ; and it seem'd to be thus formed that the air might be voluntarily retained in these bladders by the action of the muscle , which , by contracting it selfe , might lessen this hole , for some uses which may be conjectured , as it shall be explained in the sequel . the four bladders which were on each side at the top of the thorax , were included , as has been said , between the diaphragme and the muscle of the lungs where with they were covered over . the coat of each bladder was fastened by the sides of the diaphragme and muscle of the lungs . at the top and bottom it was joyned to the coats of the neighbouring bladders between which it was . the fifth bladder , which was a great deal larger than the rest , was not included between the diaphragme and the muscle of the lungs , but between the two diaphragmes with the intestines and other parts of the lower belly ; and that they toucht the muscle of the lungs only at the place where it was pierced , to give passage to the air that it received from the lungs . in eagles and some other birds , we found these bladders fastned by the bottom to a membrane exceedingly loaded with fat , which inclosed as in a sack the ventricle and intestines , and which we have taken for an epiploon . the parts of this structure could not be so well observed in other birds , by reason of the tenderness of the coats whereof these bladders are composed , which in the ostrich are about the thickness of a hog's bladder ; and we found those of the lower belly in one of our subjects four times thicker , being scirrhous : but in most other birds it is almost impossible not to cut them in making the dissection , and they can be well viewed only , by keeping them extended by blowing into the aspera arteria . this knowledg of this structure gave the society an occasion of making several reflections on the manner of respiration in general , and on that particular to birds , to indeavour to arrive at the knowledg of the uses which these organs must have , which are so different in the one and the other of these animals . it was considered that respiration serves not only to the refreshment of the heart , and to the voice , but that it is also useful for the concoction and distribution of the nourishment , by the continual agitation and constriction of the thorax , which pressing the lungs fill'd with air , and by this means rendered like soft pillows , makes that they gently squeeze out , not only the blood contained in their vessels , and push it into the heart ; but do also compress the other vessels shut up in the thorax , to favour the distribution of the blood , as it appears in violent actions , where the retention of respiration is necessary ; for it is observed that it makes the blood to rise up into the face . but the manner whereby respiration is accomplisht by inspiration and expiration , does evidently demonstrate the verity of this use in terrestrial animals ; for inspiration is performed when the thorax is inlarged by the changing of the situation of the ribs and sternum , which renders its capacity more ample ; and by the relaxation of the diaphragme , which likewise diminishes the capacity , because that it makes it to mount on high , and take up a part of the thorax . now this relaxation , which is a thing passive , is not sufficient for the powerful effort that expiration requires , because that the air inclosed and compressed by the action , which the pectoral muscles do cause in respiration , would be capable of forcing the diaphragme downwards , if not thrust upwards by some power which acts strongly in expiration . this power is double ; one is that of the mediastinum , which after having been drawn and extended in the inspiration , when the center of the diaphragme descends downwards , do's afterwards draw the same center upwards , as do's spring , which after having been forc'd returns to its first state , by an action which galen calls natural , and which is not volentary like that of the muscles ; so that he attributes to it the involuntary retraction which happen's to the parts , by muscles whose antagonists have been cut . the other power which makes the diaphragme to ascend , is that of the muscles of the lower belly , which may pass for the antagonists of the diaphragme , when they do compress whatever is contained under the diaphragme : for by this action making the liver , ventricle , and other parts of the lower belly to rise up , they force the middle of the diaphragme upwards ; which afterwards descends , when by its proper action , which is extension , it again takes the strait and flat figure which the contraction of the fibres do give it . this compression of the muscles of the lower venter on the viscera is so powerful , that the ventricle has been somtimes observed to have been pusht into the capacity of the thorax , when the diaphragme had received a great wound : as paraeus , sennertus , and hildan●…s do testifie . by these actions of the compression of the muscles on the viscera making them to ascend , and of that of the diaphragme making them afterwards to descend , and by the continuity of these alternate motions , it may be said that respiration is , in respect of the the humours contained in the lower venter , what the pulsation of the heart is in regard of the blood contained in its ventricles ; that is to say , that this compression and agitation serves not only to the distribution of the chyle , as that of the heart serves to force the blood into the arteries , but that it is one of the principal causes of the generation of the same chyle , by the division , attenuation and mixture of the parts of the food which this continual agitation is capable of producing . these actions which are essentially necessary for life , and which must be porformed in birds as in terrestrial animals , are there also perform'd by respiration , altho' with different organs ; for tho' the diaphragme of those birds that have it musculous , or at least the muscle of the lungs in the ostrich , has some tension and relaxation , by the means of which , the lungs and its bladders are comprest , it has not that motion which it has in terrestrial animals , by which the viscera are somtimes forc'd upwards , somtimes downwards ; and the muscles of the lower venter , by reason of their smallness , cannot compress them but very feebly , because that almost all the lower belly is covered with the sternum , whose size must be exceeding great , as it is , to give rise to the great muscles which do draw the wing downwards ; the force of these muscles being unable to answer the powerful action of flight , if they were less . so that this weakness of the museles of the lower venter and diaphragme ; must be supply'd in birds by the bladders of the lungs , which are alternately filled and emptied in their respiration : and the manner of their acting is thus . when the thorax is dilated by the action of the pectoral muscles , the air enters into the lungs , and at the same time from the lungs into the bladders ; but it must be understood that it enters only into those which are inclosed in the thorax , because that there is nothing which , ( by dilating the bladders contained in the lower belly , can ▪ give occasion to the air to enter in ; for on the contrary it is then that they shrink , and that the air which they contain re-enters into the lungs . but when afterwards the thorax is compressed and contracted , the air lockt up in the bladders of the thorax , being thereby squeezed out , one part goes out through the larynx , the other enters into the bladders of the lower belly , and swells them at the same instant that the upper ones are evacuated ; and afterwards when the upper bladders are filled by the dilatation of the thorax ▪ they do receive , not only the outward air thro' the larynx , but also that of the bladders of the lower belly , which are compressed at the same time that the upper ones are dilated ; and this happens to them , as well by reason that their coats do return into their first state , by the force of their spring as because that the viscera , which have been forc'd and compressed by the dilatation of the bladders , do in their turn force them , aided by the muscles of the lower belly , notwithstanding their smallness . this makes a reciprocation and vicissitude of impulsions , which supplys the potent action , produced by the great muscles of the lower belly , in terrestrial animals . this action of the bladders , which serve for the respiration of birds , is plainly seen , when they are dissected alive . we have made the experiment thereof in great birds , as geese and turkey-cocks , in which having open'd the lower belly , without hurting the bladders which are there ; it was remarked that when the thorax was depressed in the expiration , the lower bladders did swell ▪ and that when it was dilated for inspiration , they did shrink . this particular manner which birds have in their respiration , may be explain'd by the bellows of forges , which seem to have been made after the imitation of the organs of the respiration of birds : for these bellow's have a double capacity to receive the air. the first is that underneath , which receives the air when the bellows is opened , and this capacity represents the upper bladders shut up in the thorax . the second capacity is that above , which represents the bladders of the lower belly : for when the inferiour capacity is contracted by the compression of the bellows : the air which it has received enters through a hole with which it is pierced , and passes into the upper capacity ; so that the air forceably thrust , do's enlarge this capacity , by making the upper board to rise ; this hole being in the middle board between them , which is as it were a diaphragme between the two capacities that compose the bellows , which are different from those of the bladders of the lungs of birds , in that their situation is different ; the capacity of the bladders which do first receive the air , being in the superiour part in birds , and in the inferiour in the bellows of forges . the society has likewise made on several other birds some remarks concerning the respiration of these kinds of animals , which will be found in their descriptions . the heart was almost round , being six inches from the basis to the point , and five in breadth . birds have it generally longer in proportion . the auricles were small , and the ventricles great . the aperture of the vena cava was very large , without any valves : there was only as it were a sack , whose side ( which was a partition between its cavity and the mouth of the vena cava ) did serve for a valve , which might be called sigmoides , this structure is common to the heart of birds . the other valves were in the other vessels of the heart as usually . the aorta desceded along the right side as in other birds , being shut up in a capsula formed by the aponeurosis of the muscles of the lungs . the skull was soft : in one of the subjects we found a fracture . naturallists have observed that when the ostrich fears any danger , it thinks it self in safety , when it has hid its head. the cerebrum with the cerebellum was but two inches and a half long , and twenty lines broad . the dura mater divided not the brain in two by that large production called the falx ; but in the substance of the brain there was observed only a small ray somewhat deep , on which the dura mater was a little thickned , and applyed to it making as it were a seame . the sinus longitudinalis went as vsually from the forepart to the hind-part of the head , to terminate at the meeting of the sinus laterales , which were fixed at the place where the dura mater separates the cerebrum from the cerebellum . these two sinus's came out of the skull through some particular holes of the occiput , to discharge themselves into the internal jugulars . the fourth sinus , which was seated a great deal back warder than in terrestrial animals , did obliquely descend downwards , and dividing into two branches , entred into the ventricles of the brain . the dura mater being taken away , we found the glandula pinealis layd upon the place where the cerebellum is joyned to the cerebrum : it was about the bigness of a little pea : several branches of the lacis choroides invelop'd it . the pia mater was strewed with a great number of vessels . the surface of the brain which it covered , was not divided into several sinuosities and circumvolutions , but smooth and even , as it is commonly in birds . the whole anteriour part of the brain was divided into two parts , which were connected together only by some very slender fibres . the separation of these two parts , which in terrestrial animals goes to the callous body , was absolutely of the whole brain , which was united only by the posteriour part , near the cerebellum . this separation and division of the brain into two parts is found in most birds ; and it is well known by quacks and mountebanks , who gain a reputation to their balsome , by curing hens , after having run a knife through their head , which they easily do between these two parts of the brain , without killing them . in each of these two parts there was a cavity or ventricle , which was covered over with a white , medullary substance , half a line thick , which was also extended over the place by which these two parts are joyned together , and where the anteriour ventricles did meet in a third . in this third there was a cleft terminating at the infundibulum ▪ and glandula pituitaria , which exactly shut the end of the infundibulum 〈◊〉 tunnel , being situated as usually on the os sphenoides . at the posteri●… part of the two anteriour ventricles there was seen the lacis choroides formed by a branch of the carotide , and a branch of the fourth sinus . almost all the substance of the brain was of an ash-colour , and like to the cortical part of a man's brain , so that in proportion to that which is medullary , it was ten times bigger and thicker . the ten pairs of nerves took their rise , and came out of the skull after the same manner as in terrestrial animals . the spinalis medulla , which took its origine from the place where the two parts of the anteriour brain are joyned together and with the cerebellum , had at its sides two round eminencies , about the bigness of a small nut. they had each a considerable cavity , and did form as it were two ventricles , opening themselves into the inferiour ductus , which passes under that which is called sylvius's bridg , and through which the serosities of the cerebellum are discharged into the infundibulum . in the cerebellum the cortical and medullary parts were disposed after the same manner as they are seen in terrestrial animals ; these different parts appearing on the outside to be ranged by plates joyned to each other , and distinguished by parallel lines . there were two apophyses vermiformes as in man. there was also a ventricle of the shape of a pen , as in the generality of terrestrial animals , the cerebellum on the inside was composed as ordinarily of a white substance , like branches of trees , and of another red and livid sustance , the figure of the eye , like as in other birds and fishes , was composed of two semi-globes , the greatest of which formed by the sclerotica had its flat part before ; the other , a great deal less , was laid on the flat of the sclerotica . this little semi-globe was the cornea , which had all round a raised circle , making as it were a border . the optick nerve did not enter at the middle , but a little at the side towards the angle , which the convexity of the sclerotica makes with the flat part . the crystalline had no kernel , but its substance was uniform : it was more convex on the inside than on the out . the choroides was intirely black , without having in the bottom that various coloured and as it were gilded membrane , which we call the tapetum . the optick nerve , having pierced the sclerotica and choroides , was dilated , and formed as it were a tunnel of a substance like its own . this tunnel is not ordinarily round in birds , where we have almost always found the extremity of the optick nerve flatted and compressed on the inside of the eye . from this tunnel proceeded a folded membrane , making as it were a purse , which ended in a point towards the border of the crystalline , nearest the entrance of the optick nerve . this purse , being six lines at the bottom , at its coming out of the optick nerve , and going pointwise towards the top , was fastened by its point to the border of the crystalline , by means of the membrane which covered it on the side of the vitreous humour , and which did also cover the whole purse , that was black , but of another black than is that of the choroides , which appeared like a spot of water colours , which sticks to the fingers : for the colour penetrated the membrane . the upper glandula lachrymalis , which is commonly hid on the inside of the exteriour angle of the orbite , was placed in a cavity sunk into that part of the coronalis which goes to make the superiour part of the orbite : it was eight lines in length and four in breadth ; its tubes were disposed after the usual manner . the explication of the figure of the cassowary . the lower figure shews that the head , neck , and bunch on the breast are without feathers ; that the rest of the body appears rather garnished with hair than feathers ; that the fleshy appendices , wherewith the lower beak of hens is ordinarily deck'd , are in this bird at the bottom of the neck ; that the head is covered with a crest like an helmet ; that the beak is divided at the end ; that instead of feathers , the wings have only five quills without beards ; and that the rump and feet are extraordinary bigg . in the upper figure . a a. represents one of the feathers , which are for the most part double . b. the tongue with the knot of the larynx . c. the spleen . d. the splenick artery . e. the splenick vein . f. the craw. g. the first ventricle . h. the second ventricle . i. an appendix of the second ventricle . t. the head of the appendix which stop'd the pylorus . k. the gall-bladder . l l. the ductus cysticus . m m. the ductus hepaticus . n. the pancreas . o q. the internal eye-lidd extended over the cornea . p q p. the internal eye-lid drawn from over the cornea , and brought into the great canthus of the eye . p sr q. the great muscles of the internal eye-lid ; q is its origine ; p , its insertion ; s , the optick nerve on which the tendon of the muscle is folded ; r , the aponeurosis of the little muscle , which serves as a pully to the tendon of the great one . r r. the little muscle . t t. the glandula lacrymalis , v v. the vessels of the glandula lacrymalis . x a. the ductus lacrymalis . x , is its aperture towards the edge of the internal eye-lid , through which the humour is poured on the cornea . y z. the great muscle extended ; z , is its origine ; y its insertion . a. the trunck of the lower vena cava . b b. the emulgents c c c c. the kidneys . d f , d f. the epididymis . e e. the testicles . d g , d g. the deferentia . g g g g. the ureter's . the anatomical description of a cassowar . before the year this bird was never seen in europe ; and no author of the ancients , or modernes , has spoken thereof . the hollanders brought one at the return of their first voyage from india . it was given them as a rarity by a prince of the isle of iava . six years after they brought two others , but they dyed on the way . that here described was sent to the king in , by the governour of madagascar , who had bought it of the marchants which returned from the indies . it lived four years at versailles . clusius say's that in the indies it is called eme. we have not yet been able to understand wherefore it is in french called casuel or gasuel . this bird , next the ostrich , is the greatest , and weightiest of all that we know . that which clusius describes , which is the first that the hollanders brought from india , was a fourth less than ours , which measured five foot and a half in length , from the end of the beak to the extremity of the tallons . the legs were two foot and a half from the belly to the end of the tallons . the head and neck were a foot and a half together . the greatest toe , comprehending the nail , was five inches long ; the nail of the little toe , three inches and a half . the wing was so little , that it did not appear , being quite hid under the feathers of the back . aldrovandus , who has only seen the description that is given thereof in the relation of the first voyage of the hollanders , reports that this bird is chiefly admirable in that it has neither wings nor tongue . in our subject we found this a falsitie . this author might also have added that it has no feathers , because that indeed , those which do cover it , do better resemble the hair of a bear or wild-boar , than feathers , or down ; so harsh , long , and thin are the fibres which do compose the beards of these plumes . all these plumes were of one sort , different from birds which fly , where there are some feathers for flight , and others only for covering the skin . our cassowar had only of the last sort . they were most double , having two long tubes or stem's proceeding from another very short one , which was fastened to the skin . clusius say's that they are alwayes double . in our subject there were a great many single . those which were double , were alwayes of an unequal length : some were fourteen inches long . we have already remark'd this kind of feather in an eagle , and a parrot : but those of the cassowar had three particularities . the first is that the beards , which did adorn the stem from the half to the end , were long and harsh like horse-hair , without casting out any fibres , and in this they are different from the plumes of heron's , whose long and slender beards are not of single fibres as they do appear ; for they are decked on each side with little fibres , so short that they are almost imperceptible . the second particularity is , that in this halfe the stem was not different from the beards , being neither bigger nor of a different colour , as is commonly in the feathers of other birds . the third particularity is that these beards were perfectly black , and that those of the other half were of a grayish tawney , shorter , softer , and casting forth small fibres like downe . now there was only this part , composed of great and black fibres , that appeared , the other part composed of down being covered over therewith . the different hairs wherewith the skin of castors , boars , and other animals which are subject to wallow in the mire is covered , are disposed after this manner for the uses which are explained in the description of the castor . the neck was without feathers as in the indian-cock . the head also had none : it had only some hairs erected on the crown , especially towards the hind part and on the neck . there was no tail ; the feathers which did cover the rump , which was extraordinary great , not being different from the others nor otherwise disposed . the wings , which without the feathers were not three inches in length , were covered with the same sort of plumes , and did each cast forth five great tubes or stems without any beards . clusius puts down but four : they were of different length , according to the disposition , and proportion that the fingers have in the hand . the longest was eleven inches , being three lines diameter towards the root , which was only a little bigger than the extremity , which went not pointing but did appear broken , or ragged . their colour was of a very shining black . we did not think these wings could serve to assist it to walk , as clusius imagines ; there being greater probability that it might be thereby aided to strike , as with switches . the head appeared little as in the ostrich , because that it was not enlarged with feathers , as in other birds . it was covered with a crest three inches high , like that of a helmet . this crest covered not all the crown of the head : for it began but a little beyond the crown , and ended at the beginning of the beak . it was of different colours , the fore part being blackish , and the hinder-part and sides of a wax-colour . it was every where smooth and shining like horn. its circumference was like an edg , not exceeding three lines in that place ; from thence it went enlarging , and towards its basis was about an inch . it s substance , which was very hard , appeared to us like horne , being composed of several laminae or plates like the hornes of oxen. clusius say's that when the bird molts the crest falls off with the feathers : which seemed to us incredible , considering the substance of the crest , supposing that it was a horne : for it was not of the nature of deer's hornes which do shed , and grow again ; and we made enquirie , after this particularity of those which do look after the animals of versailles who for the space of four years , have not seen the crest fallen . we did heartily wish that we had been permitted to examine by the dissection after what manner this crest was joyned to the scull ; viz. whether the scull sent forth any bony production into the cavity of the crest , as it is observed that there are such in hornes which are hollow , or whether it is a solid body : but there was an express order from the king to preserve the skin of this animal , to adorn the aviary of versailles . the upper part of the beak was very hard , at its two edges and at top . the interstices on each side had but one membrane , in which were the holes of the nostrills , very near the extremity of the beak . this extremity of the beak was divided in three , almost as in the indian-cock . the end of the lower beak was slightly indented , being likewise divided in three . the whole beak was of a dark-gray , except a green mark that the lower beak had on each side towards the middle . the eye was large . it s iris of a topaze colour , almost as in the lyon. there was an internal eye-lidd , which was hid in the great canthus . the inferiour eye-lidd , which was the largest , was garnished with a row of black hairs . there were likewise a row of black hairs like a demi-circle , at the top of the eye , raised like an eye-brow . the hole of the ear was very great and bare , being only surrounded with black hairs , like the eyes . there were of these very hairs about the root of the crest ▪ the two sides of the head , round the eye and ear , were of a blewish colour . the neck was purple , inclining to a slate colour . behind , it was also red in several places , but especially towards the bottom ; and these red places were raised a little higher than the rest , in wrinkles running obliquely cross the neck . clusius say's that there are red plumes towards the bottom of the neck , which we have not found in our subject . at the bottom of the neck there were two fleshy appendices , like those which hang down at the lower beak of hen's . they were an inch and a half long , and nine lines broad , being rounded at the end . their colour was like the rest of the neck , partly red and partly blew . at the middle of the breast there was a place without feathers , about six inches long , of an oval figure , a little pointed at the top . this place was a callosity , on which the bird did rest , as do's the camel. it was composed of a dry skin , fastened to a bonie ligament , very thin , applyed and fixed on the middle of the sternum , by fibres mixt with fat , so that all this callosity was moveable . the thigh 's were covered with feathers . the leggs , which were extraordinary great , strong and strait , had some scales . there were some hexagonal , pentagonal , and square . towards the top and hinder-part of the leg they were small , towards the bottom and fore-part they contained even an inch : on the instep they were like plates , two inches long . the toes were likewise covered with scales . they were but three in number , having none behind : the least was on the inside . the claws were of a hard and solid substance , black on the outside , and white on the inside . they were half worn away . clusius say's that this bird has a prodigious strength in his feet , with which it strikes , by running backward , in such sort , that it breaks down truncks of trees of the bigness of ones thigh . those that had the care of ours , observed it not to be so strong nor furious : they have only remarked that it persued after women with great hatred . the oesophagus from the pharynx to the beginning of the craw , measured ten inches long : it was an inch and half large . the tunicles whereof it was composed were thick . before the entrance into the stomach , it was inlarged and grew thinner , making a craw , which , as in hen's and pidgeons , was half on the bottom of the breast , and half in the thorax . this craw was eight inches in length , and four in breadth : at the straitest place it was two . it was succeeded by a second craw more gross , and composed of tunicles more thick . this craw was a foot long , and seven inches broad . it descended underneath the liver . it s interiour tunicle was composed of glands , as the extremity of the oesophagus commonly is in birds ; and these glands , which are not so large , nor so well formed as in the bustard , which is the only bird in which we have found them most distinct , were covered over with a yellow velvet . this particularity makes that this craw may be taken for the first ventricle , which was followed by a second composed of thinner tunicles than those of the first . the internal tunicle appeared thick because that it was plaited . the velvet which covered it , was a little thicker than in the first ventricle . these two ventricles were separated , and distinguished one from the other , not only by their substance , which was different , and by a contraction such as is seen in the different ventricles of animals which chew the cud , but likewise by a membranous border made like a valve . from the middle of the second ventricle there proceeded , on the inside , an appendix three inches long , and eight broad ; 't was a production of the internal membrane of the ventricle . at the end of this appendix , there was as it were a head , of the bigness of a pullets egg , which drawing the appendix downwards , descended into the pylorus , and stopt it . there is ground to doubt whether this formation was natural , or caused by disstemper . we have nevertheless thought that it was not natural , and that there was formed in the internal membrane of the ventricle a scirrhus , which by its weight having insensibly extended it , had formed this appendix , whose extremity , great and hard as it was , might have caused the death of this animal , which fifteen days before its decease , had undergone a kind of vomiting of whiteish water , even to a chopine or parision half pint a day ; which was in appearance its nourishment , which could not find passage . 't is a thing very remarkable that this animal , which feeds not on flesh , but pulse and bread , had not a fleshy and musculous gizzard , as all other birds ▪ which feed on that sort of nourishment use to have ; considering also that in every thing else it has so much resemblance with the ostrich , which has a gizzard : and that like it , it swallows whatever is offered to it , even to burning coals , according to clusius ; and it must be thought , that nature has supplyed the defect of the gizzard , by the multitude of the ventricles that it has given it , provided with a qualitie particular , and capable of dissolving the hardest and most solid aliments . this has seem'd credible to us , considering in what state the two ventricles and craw were found : for the ventricles were quite empty , having only the craw that had any thing in it : and the nourishment which it contain'd was more than half digested . which made us to judge of the strength that these ventricles must commonly have , seeing that their craw had so much thereof in one dying animal . the intestines , were in all four foot eight inches long , and two inches diameter . they were all of one breadth and substance , without leaves on the inside , without cells and without a caecum . the liver was of a moderate size the right lobe being only eight inches and the left four . it was every where scirrhous . the gall bladder which was fastened along the right lobe , and shut up in the capsula , was seven inches long , and an inch diameter at most . the ductus cysticus , which proceeded from the top of the bladder , measured eight inches in length , and was enlarged towards its insertion , which was towards the beginning of the duodenum . the hepaticus was eight inches and a half , and descended from left to right , and the cysticus from right to left , which made that these two ductus's increased towards their lower part . the hepaticus was inserted underneath the cysticus . the spleen was three inches long , and an inch and a half broad at its greatest breadth : it had the shape of a sole-fish . its vessels were distributed as usually . the pancreas was little in proportion to the other parts . it was but two inches in length and two lines in breadth . it s ductus , which was very slender was but one line and a half long , and was inserted above the cysticus . the kidneys , as in other birds , were divided into several lobes . they measured eight inches in length . the ureter's were of the bigness of a goose-quill , and seven inches long . the testicles were an inch in length , and half an inch in breadth . their substance was white and hard , and much different from that of the epididymis which was soft and yellowish ; but the size was very extraordinary , being three inches long and two lines broad ; so that it was raised two inches above the testicle . the ductus deferens descended along the kidney , being fastened to the vena emulgens , and afterwards uniting it selfe to the ureter . it was eleven inches long , having the bigness of a quill . the penis was placed as in the ostrich . it comprehended two inches in length , an inch in breadth towards its basis , and two lines towards its point . the skin which covered it was hard , thick and unequal on the inside , by reason of several folds which were disposed like a screw . the body of the penis consisted of two cartilaginous ligaments , which gave a piramidal figure to the penis . they were very hard and solid , and strongly connected to each other at the top . they were separated underneath , to give place to a membranous ductus , with which we could not perceive that the deferentia or ureter's had any communication . the lungs measured eight inches in length and four in breadth over their middle . this bird being the largest that we have dissected next the ostrich , we applyed our selves to observe some things which do appertain to the organs of respiration , which have a particular structure in birds , and which we begun to discover in the ostrich : for it is not easy to perceive well these things in lesser birds . amongst other things we examined two muscles , which we do call the muscles of the lungs . these muscles had their origine very fleshy , which in each was divided into six heads , each fastned to a ribb , at the place where the ribb , which by one end is articulated with the vertebrae , is by the other articulated with another ribb which is joyned to the sternum . for it must be observed that the ribbs of birds are ordinarily double ; and that whereas in terrestrial animals , there are some cartilaginous appendices which do fasten them to the sternum , they are in birds real bones , which are articulated and not joyned per symphysin with the ribbs . now these six heads of the muscle of the lungs did all together produce a large tendon or aponeurosis which covered the lungs , and which separated it from the bladders , into which the air , after having penetrated the lungs , enters through the holes with which this aponeurosis is pierced ; and these bladders were again covered over by the diaphragme , even as the lungs was by the aponeurosis : so that the bladders were shut up between the aponeurosis and the ribbs . this aponeurosis thus lay'd upon the lungs , went to joyn it self with the aponeurosis of the opposite muscle on the vertebrae , to which it was also strongly connected ; leaving nevertheless upon the middle of the body of the vertebrae , a void space for the passage of the descendent aorta , and oesophagus . at the same place where these aponeuroses were connected together , and fastned to the vertebrae , the diaphragmes were also joyned , and united to the aponeuroses ; but towards the left side they gave way to a great branch of the aorta , which supplyed the place of the caeliaca and mesenterica . this branch was crept between all these aponeuroses , as well of the muscles of the lungs , as of the diaphragmes , which were joyned together . the use of these muscles according to our conjectures , is twofold . the first is to serve the motion of the thorax , by drawing it downwards ; because that they do go from the angle which the ribbs make , by their mutual articulation , and do obliquely ascend towards the inferiour vertebrae of the back , to which they are fastned . the second use is to retain the air lockt up in the pouches or bladders , and hinder it from going out with the same liberty that it entered in . the use of this retention is not well known to us , at least in respect of the upper pouches : for in regard of the lower ones , the use of this retention has been explained in the description of the ostrich , where it was shown , that there is a probability that the air contained in the lower pouches serves to compress the viscera , and make them rise upwards . some do think that this retention of the air serves birds to render them lighter in flying , like as the bladder which is in fish helps them to swim . and this conjecture would have some foundation , if the air contained in the bladders of birds was as light in proportion to the air in which they fly , as the air contained in the bladders of fish is in proportion to the water in which they do swim . but to say something , which hath at least a little more probability , waiting till we have a more certain knowledge of the truth and use of this retention of air , we consider that the birds generally rising very high , and even to the place where the air is a great-deal lighter than it is near the earth , might be deprived of the principal advantages of rispiration , for want of an air , whose weight might make on the heart and arteries the compression necessary to the distribution and circulation of the blood ; if they had not the faculty of containing a long time a portion of air , which , being rarified by the heat which this retention produceth therein might , by inlarging it self , supply the defect of the weight , of which the air that they do breath in the middle region is destitute . for if there are a great many birds which do never rise very high into the air , whose lungs have notwithstanding these bladders in which the air is retained ; there are also a great many that have wings , which they use not for flying : and it may be observed that there are found some parts in animals , which have not any use in certain species , and which are given to the whole genus , by reason that they have an important use in some of the species . 't is thus that in several kinds of animals , the males have teats like the females , that moles have eyes , ostriches and cassowars wings , and that land-tortoises have a particular formation of the vessels of the heart , which agrees only with water-tortoises , as it is explained in the description of the tortoise . however it be , the structure of the muscles of the lungs of birds gives occasion to believe that they do serve to this retention , because it is seen that the holes which they have , to give entrance into the pouches , are most in the fleshy part of the muscles , which is capable of a voluntary constriction and relaxation . and moreover this retention of the air is manifest in the camelion , which hath lungs of a structure like that of birds : for we have remark'd that the camelion is somtimes swelled , as it was ready to burst , and continues a long time in this posture , altho' the reciprocation of the respiration ceases not from going its usual pace ; as if by the means of these muscles of the lungs , this animal did retain the air in some of the bladders , viz. in those whose apertures are in the fleshy part of the muscle ; and that in the others it leaves a free egress and entrance to the air for respiration . in the middle of the two great diaphragmes , there was a membrane , which , like a mediastinum , descended from top to bottom , and which served for a ligament , to suspend the heart , liver , ventricle , and the rest of the parts of the lower venter . the bladders of the lungs were separable from the diaphragmes and muscles of the lungs , each having their particular tunicle . these tunicles were joyned together , making double and not single partitions . the second bladder had two holes . the fourth descended not so low as in other birds , by reason that the sternum being very small , and consequently the muscles of the lower venter greater than ordinary , this bladder was not so necessary as in birds which have the sternum bigger : which confirmes the opinion that we have of the use which we attribute to this fourth bladder , and which is explained in the description of the ostrich . now the sternum was proportionably lesser than in the ostrich , because that the muscles designed for the motion of the wings , to which it gives rise , were very small , and proportioned to the wings . the heart was an inch and half long , and an inch broad towards its basis. it s fleshy valve made a sack , that was but one line deep , the tongue measured an inch in length and eight lines in breadth . it was indented all round like a cocks combe . aldrovandus has said that the cassowar has neither wings nor tongue , instead of saying that these parts are of a structure altogether extraordinary in this bird. the globe of the eye was very bigg , in proportion to the cornea , being an inch and half diameter , and the cornea but three lines . the crystalline was four . the black purse which proceeds from the optick nerve , was as usually in other birds . in this subject we applyed our selves exactly to remark what belongs to the internal eye-lid , which we have found in the eyes of all birds , and in those of the generality of terrestrial animals . the particularities of the admirable structure of this eye-lid , are such things as do distinctly discover the wisdom of nature , amongst a thousand others of which we perceive not the contrivance , because we understand them only by the effects , of which we know not the causes : but we here treat of a machine , all the parts whereof are visible , and which need only to be lookt upon , to discover the reasons of its motion and action . this internal eye-lid in birds is a membranous part , which is extended over the cornea , when it is drawn upon it like a curtain , by a little cord or tendon ; and which is drawn back again into the great corner of the eye , to uncover the cornea , by the means of the very strong ligaments that it has , and which in drawing it back towards their origine , do fold it up . it made a triangle when extended , and it had the figure of a crescent when folded up . it s basis , which is its origine , was towards the great corner of the eye , at the edg of the great circle which the sclerotica ▪ forms , when it is flatted before , making an angle with its anteriour part , which is flat , and on which the cornea is raised , making a convexitie . this basis , which is the part immovable , and fastned to the edg of the sclerotica , did take up more than a third of the circumference of the great circle of the sclerotica . the side of the triangle , which is towards the little corner of the eye , and which is moveable , was reinforced with a border , which supplys the place of the tarsus , and which is black in most quadruped's . this side of the eye-lid is that which is drawn back into the corner of the eye by the action of the fibres of the whole eye-lid , which parting from its origine , proceed to joyn themselves to its tarsus . to extend this eye-lid over the cornea , there were two muscles that were seen when the six were taken away , which served to the motion of the whole eye . we found that the greatest of these two muscles has its origine at the very edge of the great circle of the sclerotica , towards the great corner from whence the eye-lid takes its original . it is very fleshy in its beginning , which is a large basis , from whence coming insensibly to contract it self by passing under the globe of the eye , like as the eye-lid passes over it , it approaches the optick nerve , where it produces a tendon round and slender , so that it passes thro the tendon of the other muscle , which serves for a pully , and which hinders it from pressing the optick nerve , on which it is bent , and makes an angle , to pass thro' the upper part of the eye ; and coming out from underneath the eye , to insert it self at the corner of the membrane which makes the internal eye-lid . this second muscle has its origine at the same circle of the sclerotica , but opposite to the first , towards the little corner of the eye ; and passing under the eye like the other , goes to meet it , and imbrace its tendon , as it has been declared . the action of these two muscles is , in respect to the first , to draw , by means of its cord or tendon , the corner of the internal eye-lid , and to extend it over the cornea . as to the second muscle , its action is , by making its tendon to approach towards its origine , to hinder the cord of the first muscle , which it imbraces , from hurting the optick nerve ; but its principal use is to assist the action of the first muscle . and 't is herein that the mechanisme is marvelous in this structure , which makes that these two muscles joyned together , do draw much farther than if it had but one : for the inflexion of the cord of the first muscle , which causes it to make an angle on the optick nerve , is made only for this end ; and a single muscle with a strait tendon , had been sufficient , if it had power to draw far enough . but the traction which must make the eye-lid to extend over the whole cornea being necessarily great , it could not be done but by a very long muscle ; and such a muscle not being able to be lodged in the eye all its length , there was no better way than to supply the action of a long muscle by that of two indifferent ones , and by bending one of them , to give it the greater length in a little space . the inspection of the figure will serve greatly to the understanding of this description , which the novelty of the thing renders obscure in it self . the use of this internal eye-lid , which till now has been described by no person , is not determined . our opinion is that it serves to clean the cornea , and to hinder that by drying , it grow not less transparent . man and the ape , which are the sole animals where we have not found this eye-lid , have not wanted this precaution for the cleansing their eyes , because that they have hands with which they may , by rubbing their eye-lids , express the humidity which they contain , and which they let out through the ductus lacrymalis : which is known by experience , when the sight is darkened , or when the eyes suffer any pain , or itching : for these accidents do cease , when the eyes are rubbed . but the dissection has distinctly discovered to us the organs which do particularly serve for this use , and which are otherwise in birds than in man , where the ductus passes not beyond the glandula lacrymalis . for in birds it goes beyond ; and penetrating above half way on the internal eye-lid , it is opned underneath upon the eye ; which is evidently done to spread a liquor over the whole cornea , when this eye-lid passes and repasses : as we observed it to do every moment . the explication of the figure of the tortoise . this tortoise has several particularities , which do render it different from those that we have in france . it s shell is not flat , but very convex . it has but one shell to cover its back and belly . it s tail is furnished with a horn at the end . its paws are not covered with scales , but with a skin wrinkled like spanish leather . its claws are not sharp , but blunt and half worn away , and its jaws toothed like a saw. in the upper figure . a b c d. the right side of the liver . a. a little lobe which covers the bladder . b. the bladder . c. the trunk of the vena porta . d. the right ramus hepaticus . e f g. the left part of the liver . e. the left ramus hepaticus . f. the isthmus by which the left and right part of the liver are joyned together . g. the great lobe of the left part of the liver . h h. the right vena cava . i i. the left vena cava . k. the ductus cysticus . l. the trunk of the rami hepatici . m m. the kidneys . n n. the venae emulgentes , to which are fastened two glands . o o. the testicles . p p. the epididymides proceeding from the kidney , and fastened to the testicles by little ductus's . q q. the ureter's . r r. the bladder opned . s. the neck of the bladder opned , offering to the sight two carunculae , which are the extremities of the ureter's , and two others which are the extremities of the deferentia . t t. two holes , which are of the origine at the spongious ligaments , composing the body of the penis . v v. a large muscle , which includes the rectum and penis . x x. two other muscles of the penis , which are interlaced with two others marked y y. y. the extremity of the glans . z. the great circular appendix . Δ. the little appendix with its two buttons . Φ Φ. the extremity of the rectum cut lengthwise , to discover the body if the penis . Θ. an aperture between the two ligaments , on which abutts the neck of the bladder . φ. the penis cut a cross , to discover the cavities of the two ligaments marked ω ω , and the cavity which supplys the place of the urethra marked π. Ω Ω Ω Ω. the great ductus's of the lungs . ξ ξ ξ. the bladders opening into the ductus's . Λ Λ. the auricles of the heart seen on the side which touches the back-bone . . the trunk of the left vena cava . . the trunk of the right vena cava . . the trunk of the aorta at the going out of the heart , forming two crosses . . the left aorta . . the right aorta . . the conjunction of the two aortas . ▪ . the carotides . . the artery of the lungs . . the veins of the lungs which are discharged into the axillares . . the artery which goes to the stomack . . the artery which goes to the liver , pancreas , spleen , &c. . the artery which goes to the intestines . . the heart in its natural situation . . the anteriour ventricle of the heart . . the artery of the lungs opened , to shew its three valvulae sigmoides . . . the heart out of its natural situation , being raised upwards , and separated from its auricles Λ Λ , which are in their place . . . the two posteriour ventricles of the heart . . the aorta proceeding from the right ventricle . it is opened to represent its three valvulae sigmoides . , , . the three valvulae sigmoides , which are at the entrance of the auricles of the heart . a b. two holes which are the extremities of the ductus by which the two posteriour ventricles do commnuicate . c d. two other holes which do make the communication of the posteriour left ventricle with the anteriour . α α. the cerebrum . β. the cerebellum . γ γ. the olfactory nerves . δ. the medulla spinalis . ε ε. the musculi crotaphitae cut . θ θ. the os occipitis . χ. the cartilaginous plate o●… film which stops the hole of the ear. τ. a ductus which descends into the palate . κ. the plate or film sustained by the ●…ony stylus marked ●… . the anatomical description of a great indian tortoise . this tortoise was brought from the indies ; it was taken on the coast of coromandel . it was four foot and a half long from the extremity of the mouth to the end of the tail , and fourteen inches thick . the shell contained three foot in length , and two in breadth . how great soever this tortoise was , it came not near those of which elian and pliny do speak , which were fifteen cubits , and every one of which was sufficient to cover a large cabine where several persons might lodg : but our's was a land-tortoise , and those that pliny and elian do make mention of , were sea-tortoises , where animals do generally grow much larger than those of the same species which do live upon land . elian declares that land-tortoises are not ordinarily greater than the large clods turned up by the plow when the land is light . the largest sea-tortoises which they do take near the antilles , according to the relations we have had thereof , are not above as bigg again as ours . the shell and all the rest of the animal was of the same colour , viz. of a very dark gray . the upper part was composed of several pieces of a different figure , tho' the most part were pentagonal . all these pieces were fix'd and joyned unto a bone , which like a skull , enclosed the intrails of the animal , having one aperture before , to let out the head , shoulders and fore-leggs ; and another opposite , thro' which came out the hinder leggs and thighs . this bone on which the scales were fastned , was a line and half in the thinnest place ; and near an inch and half in some places . it is generally double , there being one upon the back and another under the belly , which , like two breast-plates or bucklers , are joyned by the sides , and tyed together by strong and hard ligaments , but which do nevertheless grant ▪ liberty for any motion . elian tells us that land-tortoises do cast their shell , instead of saying their shells , that is to say , those pieces which are fixed on the bone made after the manner of a skull . for there is no probability that a tortoise should separate it self from this bone to which all its principal parts are fastned . and it is true that these pieces are of themselves loosened from this bone , when the shell has been somtime kept , and the bone begins to putrify ; otherwise , to unloose them you must lay the bone upon the fire , the heat of which makes these parts easily to separate from each other . at the great aperture before , there was at the top a raised border , to grant more liberty to the neck and head for lifting themselves upwards : and this inflexion of the neck is of great use to the tortoise : for it serves them to turn again when they are upon their back . and their industry upon this account is very admirable . we have observed in a living tortoise , that being turned upon his back , and not being able to make use of his paws for the turning himself , because that they could bend only towards the belly , it could help it self only by its neck and head , which it turned somtimes on one side , and somtimes on the other , by pushing against the ground to rock it self as in a cradle , to find out the side , towards which the inequality of the ground might more easily permit it to roul its shell , for when it had found it , it made all its endeavours on that side . the three great pieces of the shell were upon the back forwards ; they had each in their middle a round bunch standing up three or four lines , and an inch and half broad : the lower part of the belly was a little hollow ; authors have taken notice that this cavity is peculiar to the males . upon the back there was a wound , occasioned by some blow that it had received when it was taken . this wound which pierc'd only the shell and part of the bone which sustained it , without penetrating on the inside , was not healed within more then a year which she lived , after her being taken . all that proceeded out of the shell , viz. the head , shoulders , fore-leggs , tail , buttocks and hind-leggs , were all covered with a loose skin , folded in great wrinkles , and besides that grained like spanish leather . this skin did not enter under the shell , to cover the parts which are there enclosed , but it was fastned about the edge of each of the two apertures : the skin of sea-tortoises is covered all along the leggs with little scales like fishes . albertus says that great tortoises have a shell over their head in form of a buckler . the head of our tortoise was only covered with a skin , which was much thinner than that of the other parts . it was seaven inches in length and five in breadth , and did in some measure resemble the head of a serpent . the lower jaw was near as thick as the upper . there were no apertures for the ears . the nostrels were opened at the end of the mouth by two little round holes , after a uncouth manner . the eyes were small and frightfull : but we have observed nothing in respect of the tortoise , which may make us to comprehend why gillius and gesner , in translating the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which elian makes use of to express the deformity of the tortoise , have rendered it crispissima aspectu , instead of aspectu admodum torvo : for the greek signifies both , and the interpretation of the translators of elian has nothing of the sense , as the other , which agree with the description of pacuvius , who says that the tortoise is truci aspectu . the eye had no upper eye-lid , being shut only by the means of the lower , which is lifted up to the eye-brow . pliny reports that this is common to all oviparous quadrupeds . towards the extremity of the jaw-bones , at the place of the lipps , the skin was hard as a horn , and keen as in other tortoises ; but these lipps were jagged like a saw , and it wanted not on the inside two rows of real teeth , although pliny affirms that tortoises have neither teeth nor tongue . on each of the fore-paws it had five toes , or rather five nailes ; for the toes were not distinguish'd otherwise than by the nails , these paws having at the end but one round mass , from whence the nails grew out : the hinder-leggs had only four . both the fore and hind-leggs were very short . the fore ones contained but inches in length , from the top of the shoulder to the end of the nails , and hinder leggs eleven , from the knee to the end of the nails . the nails were long , being an inch and half. they were rounded away both above and below , their cutt making an oval figure ; they were blunt and worn away . their colour was parti-coloured of black and white , in different places , and without any order . we have observed that sea-tortoises have claws or nails much sharper , because that they donot wear them in swiming , as land-tortoises do in crawling : we have found some that had only four nails on the fore-feet even as on those behind . albertus tells us , that there are allways five on each foot. we have remark'd that tho the tortoise goes slowly , yet the manner of going which is peculiar to it , must wear out its claws as much as in animals which run : for it rubs them all against the earth singly and one after another ; so that when it puts down one paw , it rests at first only upon the hindermost nail , then on the next , and so passes to the others , even to the fore-claw by turning its paw , which is round and bordered with nails ; like a charriot , which moves its wheels , and imprints the heads of the nails with which their circumference is bordred , and makes them to enter into the earth one after the other . the tail was large , having at its beginning six inches diameter . it was fourteen inches long , and terminated in a point like an oxe's horn. cardan calls it a nail , which he likens to the spurr which is behind a cock's foot , and thinks that it is a callosity engendred at the end of the tail of tortoises , which have been formerly cutt off : which is not probable ; a callus not being able to obtain a figure so regular , and so exactly rounded as it was in the tail of our tortoise . this tail after the death of the tortoise was turned on one side , and so inflexible , that it could never be made strait , what force soever was used . the same inflexibility was found in the muscles of the jaws , which could not be opened otherwise than by cutting the muscles . aristotle has observed that of all animals , the tortoise is that which hath most strength in his jaws : for its force is such , that it cuts in sunder whatever it lays hold on , even to the hardest flints . we have taken notice , in a small tortoise , that its head , half an hour after its being cut off , did make its jaws to clack with a noise like to that of castanetts : the stifness of the tail , equalling that of the jaws , makes it evident that the tortoise has a great deal of strength in this part to strike with ; and that this horn which it has at the end may serve instead of an offensive weapon . after having sawed on both the sides , the bone which in manner of a skull , makes the cavity in which the entrails are enclosed , as has been said : and after having quite cutt away a membrane adhering to the part of this bone which is underneath ; and which makes the belly , ( this membrane supplying the place of the peritonaeum towards the bottom , and of the pleura towards the top ) the internal parts which presented themselves to view , were the ventricle , liver and bladder , whose greatness was such , that it covered the intestines , and all the other parts of the lower belly . the ventricle was placed underneath the liver , to which it was fastned by means of several vessels . it was nine inches long , and three diameter . its tunicles were very thick , its orifices strait , and the membrane which makes the velvet was folded and bearing forms like leaves extended according to its length . it had the figure of the ventricle of a dog ; severinus attributes to it that of the ventricle of a man. at the end of the ventricle , the intestine which one may call the duodenum , had in its inner side plaits or folds like the ventricle . their figure was reticular ; which might give occasion to believe that it was a second ventricle . the rest of the intestines were composed of very thick membranes . the small-gutts were one inch diameter , and nine foot long : the valve of the colon was formed by a circular fold of the internal membrane of the ileum . there was not found in the ileum , nor colon , the leaves that we have observed in the generality of animals . we found no caecum . severinus attributes two caecums to the tortoise , resembling those which are found in birds . the rectum , at nine inches distance from the anus , had a contraction like the rump of a hen , round which there were three round appendices of a different size , which seem'd formed by the internal membrane of the rectum ; and which were covered over with fleshy fibres extended according to the length of the appendices . the rest of the rectum which reached from the contraction to the anus , did serve as a case to the penis , as is observed in the castor , civet-cat , and several other animals . among the small water tortoises we have dissected ; there was found towards the extremity of the rectum , two bladders , which had communication with the intestine , and which swelled when that was blow'n up . these bladders have not been found in great tortoises . the liver was of a solid substance , but its colour pale ; it was of a considerable bigness , and seemed as if it were double , being separated into a right and left part , which were joyned together only by an isthmus of one inch broad , and by membranes which did convey vessels from the left part to the right . each of these parts had a vena cava proceeding out of the convexity which faceth the diaphragme , and each of them a ramus hepaticus going out of the hollow part . the left part of the liver was the greatest , being divided into four lobes . the first and biggest was on the left side : the second , whose bigness was of a middle size , was under the first . the third , which was somwhat lesser , was extended towards the right part , and produced the isthmus by which the two parts were joyned together . the fourth was lengthened like as the third , over which it was situated , to go joyn it self to the right part , to which it was fastned only by a membrane and some vessels , which this membrane did convey from one part to the other ; such a like membrane did joyn the two last lobes . the right part of the liver had but three lobes . the first and greatest was the highest . the second was under it ; 't was by this lobe that the left part of the liver was joyned to the right , by the means of the isthmus . the third lobe , which was the least , issued out from the middle of the cavity of the great lobe , and did cover over the vesicula which was fastned in this place , being inclosed in a sinus or cavity , which hindred it from rising without the liver , as it usually does . it contained an inch and half in length , to half an inch in breadth . it s figure resembling that of the vesicula of a man. the canalis cysticus , ( which as in man , was the continuation of the neck of the vesicula ) was seven inches long , and as big as a little writing pen. it descended without having any communication with the hepaticus , and was inserted into the duodenum , by a particular aperture . the hepaticus was double , as has been said . the right had several apparent branches , which like roots , were extended into the lobes of the right part of the liver . the left had none of the apparent branches , but it formed a trunk , which , immediatly issuing out of the liver , did joyn it self to the trunk of the right hepatick , joyntly to making but one trunk , which went to insert it self into the duodenum near the cystic . the vena porta had its trunk in the right part of the liver , between the the first and second lobe . it shot forth a great branch along the isthmus , producing several branches which were distributed into the left part of the liver . the vena cava , as has been said , had two trunks , one right and the other left , which did penetrate the parenchyma of the liver , with which they were covered over near three inches in length . the spleen was between the duodenum and the colon. it had the figure of a kidney , and received its vessels by a depression like that which the kidney has for the receiving its own . the arteries did come from the branch which distributes it self to the liver and duodenum . the veins were branches of the mesenterick . the pancreas straitly embraced the duodenum . it was likewise fastned to the spleen , which it partly covered . it had the figure of a triangular prisme . it s ductus was opened into the duodenum . the kidneys were four inches long , and three broad , in the form of a triangular prisme , of a brisk red , divided into three or four pieces joyned together by their vessels , and enclosed by the exteriour membrane . the emulgent veins proceeded only from the right vena cava , which was quite taken up in two great branches , the shortest whereof , which exceeded not an inch , did enter into the right kidney . the longest which had three inches , passed on to the left ; their entrance was towards the lower part of the kidney . the ureters issued from the superiour part , and run along the whole surface , to which they were fastned as in birds : there was a glandulous body an inch long , six lines broad , and very thin , which was strongly connected to each of the emulgent veins . 't was in appearance a glandula renalis . the testicles were layd upon the reins . they were two inches and a half in length , and ten lines in breadth . the epididymis was of a particular structure : 't was a ductus folded into so many circumvolutions , that being unfolded , it contained fourteen inches , whereas before it had but four . this ductus did not seem to proceed from the testicle , but only from the kidney to which it was fastned . having made an injection of a coloured liquor into this ductus , a great many other little ductus's were made to rise , which did not appear before , and which went from the testicle to the epididymis : these ductus's being enclosed in the membrane which retained the circumvolutions of the epididymis , and which fastned it to the testicle . the bladder was of an extraordinary bigness . there was found in it above twelve pounds of clear lympid urine : aristotle tells us that the sea-tortoise has the bladder very large , and the land-tortoise very small . nevertheless ours was a land-tortoise : and in the dissection which we have made of several water-tortoises , we have always found their bladder a great deal less in proportion than that which we do treat of . this makes us to think that there is an errour in the text of aristotle , by the transposition of the words terrestial and marine ; seeing that the reason which aristotle alledges for the greatness of the bladder of tortoises , does not well conclude to make us clearly understand that the terrestial ought to have it less than the others . for he says , that tortoises not being covered with a skin , whose pores can assist in that transpiration , which in other animals consumes a part of the moisture of the body , and greatly diminishes the matter of the urine ; this animal must necessarily have a great receptacle for these moistures , which the thickness and hardness of the shell retains and includes ; but he say's not that the shell of sea-tortoises is thicker than that of the land , nor that they do drink more : and according to aristotle's reasoning , fishes which are known to have no bladder , ought to have one very large . the figure of the bladder of our tortoise was altogether as extraordinary as its greatness . it was made in the shape of a gutt , and its neck was not at one of the ends , but at the middle ; which does indifferently well represent the membrana alantoides of the faetus of most brutes . this figure is very different from the figure of the chestnut which severinus gives it : it had two foot in length . it s situation was transverse , going from one of the flanks to the other . it s exteriour tunicle was membranous : the interiour was strengthened by an infinite number of fleshy fibres embossed , which were crossed and interlaced one within the other , imitating those which are seen on the inside of the auricles of the heart : these fibres had their origine towards the neck , and dispersed themselves thro' the whole extent of the bladder . the use of these fibres is without doubt like that of the fibres of the auricles of the heart , where they do serve to straiten and contract their cavity , for pressing out what they contain . for the tortoise not having like other animals , a belly flexible , and garnisht with muscles which might compress the bladder , this part ought to have in it self a particular principal of compression , by the means of which it might discharge it self of what it contains . the neck of the bladder was an inch in length and as much in breadth . it was fastned towards the middle of the rectum , into which the urine was discharged by a little aperture or oblique ductus seven or eight inches from the anus . within this neck there was four little teats , the two greatest of which were the extremities of the vasa spermatica deferentia : they were about a line in length . the two other lesser were the extremities of the ureters . the penis which was enclosed in the rectum as in a case , as has been sayd , contained nine inches in length , and an inch and half over . it was composed of two round ligaments , of a spongious substance , and covered over with a fine membrane . they were layd one against the other , and knitt together , not only by their extremities , viz. near the glans , and towards the root , which was at the internal and lower part of the os pubis ; but likewise by their superiour part , for all their length , by the means of the membrane of the rectum , which was firmly fastned to them in this place , without adhering to them in other places , as by the sides and lower part . this membrane was extraordinary strong at the place where it was joyned , containing near two lines in thickness . the rest was thinner and of a blackish colour : these ligaments thus connected , did leave underneath a cavity in the form of a gutter , like to that where the urethra is generally plac'd in other animals . but in this which had no urethra , this part was supplyed by a cavity , which the ligaments themselves did form with the tunicle of the rectum only , at the time of the evacuations which ought to be made by this ductus . this did certainly happen by the swelling of the ligaments , which being constringed by the tunicle of the rectum which embrac'd them , left a vacuity in the form of a ductus , between the tunicle of the intestine and the ligaments : for these ligaments , tho' constringed , did not cease to keep somthing of their roundness , by reason of their swelling : and this made a triangular cavity , the two sides of which , formed by the sides of the ligaments , were convex , and the third formed by the tunicle of the intestine , was strait . each of the two ligaments was not only spongious , as it is ordinarily in other animals , but they were hollow with a long cavity in form of a pipe , which went from the os pubis , where was the origine of the ligaments , as far as the glans . the vessells which were sent into the body of the penis , had a particular distribution : for whereas the artery , vein , and nerve , do usually all three run upon the penis , there were but two in our subject : and the vein , after having formed a net work , and several circumvolutions towards the root of the penis , did penetrate into the ligament , and producing a trunk , which running along the internal and superiour part of the cavity , sent forth several branches , into all the rest of the internal surface of this cavity . the structure of the glans was yet more extraordinary than all the rest . above it terminated in a point , and appeared to be the continuation of the ligaments , not differing therefrom , neither in its substance nor its tunicle . underneath it had two flat and almost circular append ces , placed one upon the other . the greatest , which was fastned to the glans underneath , was an inch and half in diameter : the least , which was fix'd to the middle of the greatest , contained but half an inch. it had moreover two little appendices , like two buds about the bigness of a line : all the glans was of a colour like to that of the inferiour part of the tunicle of the rectum , which serv'd as a case to the penis ; 't was of a very dark slate colour : there were two muscles serving to draw the glans inwards . they took their origine from the vertetrae lumbares , and passing along the side of the rectum , inserted themselves at the upper part of the penis , near the glans . towards the middle , they were interlaced with two other muscles , appointed for the motion of the tail , and which served them as a pully . the heart was seated in the upper part of the breast , being closed in a very thick pericardium , and fastned by the lower part of the membrane which covered the liver . it s figure differed greatly from that which the heart generally has . for instead of being extended from its basis to its point , its greatest dimension was from one side to the other , being three inches this way , and an inch and a half only from the basis to the point . the two auricles which proceeded from the basis , were very loose , and as it were hanging down : the right had two inches and a half in length , to an inch and half over : the left was lesser . the vena cava , which , as has been said , had two trunks proceeding , the one from the right part of the liver , and the other from the left , convey'd the blood thro' each of these trunks into each of the auricles . these auricles , as usually , opened each into a ventricle , and at each of the apertures which gave passage to the blood from the auricle into the ventricle , there were three valvulae sigmoides ; which , contrary to what is usuall in this kind of valve , hindred the blood from going out of the heart to return into the auricles , performing the office of the valvulae tricuspides ▪ besides these two ventricles which were in the hinder part of the heart which faceth the spine , there was a third in the fore-part , inclining a little towards the right side . these three ventricles were communicated by several apertures , their substance not being solid and continued as in the hearts of other animals , but spongious and composed of fibres and fleshy columns , contiguous only to each other , and interwoven together . besides the strait apertures which were between these columns , there were others more capacious , by which the two posteriour ventricles had communication together , and with the anteriour ventricle . the two hinder ventricles , as has been sayd , did recieve the blood from the two trunks of the vena cava with the blood of the pulmonique veine , which was double , there being one on each side : for these veins emptying themselves into each axillary , did mix the blood that they had received from the lungs with that of the vena cava , to carry it into the right ventricle , from which the aorta did proceed . the anteriour ventricle had no other vessel than the pulmonique artery : this artery , as well as the aorta , had three valvulae sigmoides , the action of which was to hinder the blood , which is got out of the heart , from re-entring , when the ventricles have dilated themselves to receive the blood of the vena cava and the lungs . this uncommon structure of the ventricles and vessels of the heart must have some particular uses , on which we will not declare our conjectures supported on different experiments , till after having shewn that the structure of the lungs is not less extraordinary : for the one and the other structure is thus extraordinary in these parts , by reason of the particular actions that they have in amphibious animals , of which kind the tortoise is . the aorta , at the end of the right ventricle , was divided into two branches , which formed two crosses . these crosses , before they were quite turned downwards , did produce the axillares and carotides . afterwards the left cross descending along the vertebrae , did cast forth branches : the first was distributed to all parts of the ventricle . the second went to the liver , pancreas , duodenum , and spleen . the third furnished branches to all the intestines . afterwards it was united with the branch of the right cross , which descended so far without casting forth any branches , and both formed but one trunck , which descending along the body of the vertebrae , gave branches to all the parts of the lower belly . the larynx was composed , as in birds , of an arytenoides and cricoides , articulated together . the two bones , which do each make one of the horns of the hyoides , were not articulated the one to the other , but each separately in different places of the basis of the hyoides . the cleft of the glottis was strait and close , apparently to keep the air a long time enclosed in the lungs , for uses which shall be afterwards explained . it may be also believed , that this so exact inclosure is to prevent the water from entring into the aspera arteria , when the tortoises are under water : and this particular conformation of the glottis may be the cause of the snoring of the sea-tortoises , which as pliny reports , is heard a great way when they do float sleeping upon the surface of the water . the sea-calves , which are likewise remarkable for their snoring , have also their glottis and epiglottis extraordinary close , as has been remarked in the description of this amphibious animal . the aspera arteria , which had its rings intire , was separated at the entrance of the breast into two long branches of six inches each . from the entrance of the lungs these branches did loose their cartilages , and produced only membranous channels very large and unequal , containing even an inch and half in some places , and half an inch only in others . the membrane that formed these channels was transparent and thinn , but solid and fortified with ligaments linck'd together after the manner of a nett , composed of several mashes , like to those that are seen in the second ventricle of animals that ruminate . each of these mashes , was the border and entrance of a little pouch , which opened into a second , and that somtimes into a third . the branches of the veins and arteries of the lungs did run along the ligaments , of which they did accompany all the divisions , equally distributing the blood into the whole extent of the lungs . the authors that have thought that the tortoise has no blood in the lungs , have grounded this opinion on the whiteness and transparency of the membranes whereof they are composed , which do make it to appear altogether membranous when it is swelled ; whereas that of other animals appears fleshy : but the truth is , that the only difference is that of more and less : the lungs of man , after the same manner as that of other animals , being composed of nothing else but small vesicles heapt one against the other , amongst which the sanguinary vessels are interlaced in so great a number , that they do form an appearance of flesh , like little lobes fastned to the channels of the bronchi ; and 't is of these little lobes that the great lobes of the lungs are composed . yet this difference , of more and less fill'd with blood , has seemed to us to pass for essential , and sufficient to establish a species of lungs , which is one of three to which we reduce the lungs of the animals that we have dissected : for we have found lungs which did appear absolutly fleshy , others absolutly membranous , and others partly fleshy and partly membranous . the lungs of all four footed terrestrial animals , which lay no eggs , and some of the amphibious , as the sea-calf , are of the first species : and these lungs do absolutely appear fleshy , because that the blood is equally dispersed thro' all their substance , into which it circulates entirely , making all the blood to pass thro' the lungs by its vessels from one ventricle of the heart to the other . the lungs of tortoises , serpents , frogs , salamanders , camelions , &c. are of the second species ; and they appear absolutely membranous , having but very little blood dispersed into their substance , viz. only that which is necessary for their particular nourishment : so that there is no other circulation made in its vessels but of this nourishment . the lungs of birds are of the third species , and they do appear partly fleshy , and partly membranous , by reason that the part which is fastned to the ribbs is filled with a great quantity of vessels , by which the circulation is entirely made as in terrestrial animals : and the other part , which is divided into eight and somtimes into ten great bladders , has no vessels , and the circulation therein is only for its peculiar nourishment . these three species of the lungs may be reduced to two , if their differences be taken from the use which the lungs have , in relation to the entire circulation of the blood : and in this case the lungs of tortoises , and other amphibious animals of that kind , will make a particular species , their lungs being useless for the entire circulation . and the lungs of birds , and that of terrestrial animals ▪ will make another species , which will be common to those whose lungs appear absolutely fleshy , and those that appear only in one part . for the establishing these two species , there may be likewise added another difference taken from the motion of the lungs , which in terrestrial animals , even as in birds , is continual , regular , and periodical : and in the others , as in the tortoise , camelion &c. it is interrupted , and so seldom and unequal , that the camelion is somtimes half a day without ones being able to discern in him any motion for the respiration : and somtimes it is perceived to swell on a sudden , and to remain a quarter of an hour in this condition . the tortoise does probably use the same manner . we have a long time observed several living and entire , and we have taken notice that indeed they somtimes cast forth a cold breath thro the nostrils , but it is by intervals , and without order . in those which were opened alive , we saw that the lungs remained continually swelled by the exact compression of the glottis , and that it shrunk entirely and suddenly , when entrance was given to the air by cutting the aspera arteria . when the breast of a living dog is opened , by taking away the sternum with the cartilaginous appendices of the ribbs , the lungs are observed suddenly to sink , and afterwards the circulation of the blood and motion of the heart to cease in a little time , after that the right ventricle of the heart , and its auricle with the vena cava are swelled , as if they were ready to burst : so that to prevent the animals death , the end of a pair of bellows is put into the aspera arteria , and pushing in the air to make the lungs swell , and afterwards withdrawing them to make them sink , they are artificially made to have the motion that they naturally use : and it is observed that the ventricle and right auricle of the heart with the vena cava do unswell , and the heart resumes its ordinary motion again . this hapnes not to the tortoise in which one has laid open the lungs ; for whether they continue swelled , or whether they do shrink , the circulation and motion of the heart do continue so well in their natural manner , that it was experimented that a tortoise has lived above four days in this condition . we have also made another experiment to know more distinctly the necessity of the motion of the lungs , for the entire circulation of the blood in animals whose lungs are absolutely fleshy , and which are not amphibious . an injection being made by the right ventricle of the heart into the artery of the lungs of a dead dog ; it happens that if one continues to make the lungs rise and sink by the means of bellows put into the aspera arteria , the liquor which is pushed into the lungs does easily pass , and go thro' the vein into the left ventricle : and that when one ceases to blow , it passes not but with a great deal of difficulty . after having veiwed the different structure of the ventricles , and vessels of the heart of the dog and tortoise , it is easy to give some probable reasons of the phaenomena of these experiments : for it may be said that the lungs of the dog being sunk after expiration , the vessels are compressed after such a manner , that the blood cannot pass ; and that it is necessary that these vessels are dilated by inspiration for the receiving the blood of the right ventricle of the heart ; and that they be afterwards compressed in the expiration to press it out , and make it pass into the left ventricle . it may be again imagined that the ventricles of the heart of the tortoise , and other animals whose lungs are absolutely membranous , not having their walls solid like those of the heart of the dogg , ( wherin the blood has no freer passage from one ventricle to the other , but cross the lungs ) but that being porous in all their substance , and also open one into the other by very large holes , it must not be thought strange , that altho the lungs remain immoveable , whether blown up , or sunk , the circulation is not hindred , and that in these animals it is always performed after the same manner as it is in the foetus : because that in the foetus , as in these animals , the lungs receive the blood only for their nourishment , and not for the intire circulation , so that it sends to the heart only the remainder of what it has not consumed : and in fine as the intire circulation is not performed but by the anastomoses of the heart in the foetus ; it is done also in the other animals which we treat of , only by particular apertures which the ventricles of their heart have one into the other . but to be more assured that the blood circulates not intirely thro' the lungs in the tortoise , the trunck of the artery of the lungs was tyed up : and it was observed that the motion of the heart was in no manner altered , and that the circulation was continued always after the same manner . now this is easier to be seen in this animal than in others , by reason that its heart being whitish , and the walls of the ventricles thin before , the blood was in some sort seen to enter in and go out of the right ventricle , from which the aorta proceeds , as has been declared ; and this was known by a redness which happens when the point of the heart approaches its basis , and which disappears when it is remote from it . for it is easy to judg that when the point approaches the basis , 't is then that the heart utter'd the blood from its ventricles , because that at this very instant their walls presing inwards , and compressing the blood did cause a redness to appear in this place . the compression being capable of making the bodys , which their spongious consistence has rendered opake to become diaphanous by the diminution of the intervals , which make them spongious : in fine , this circulation thus apparent , & which has continued for four dayes , the lungs being opned and cut in several places , has seem'd to us very clearly to demonstrate that in the tortoise the lungs serve not for the circulation of the blood , as in the animals which have fleshy lungs . the true use of the lungs in the tortoise and other animals of its genus , is a thing which has seemed to us obscure enough to excite us to examine it carefully , and to allow us the boldness of promoting thoughts somewhat extraordinary , following the liberty that we thought we might take to our selves in these memoires , where we do not place things as being compleated , but only as materials which may be employed or rejected , according as they shall be found fitt , or useless or defective , when time by new experiments or better argumentations shall better make known their worth. we do believe then that there is no appearance that the lungs of the tortoise serve for the intire circulation of the blood , for the reasons which have been alledged : neither is it made for the voice , the tortoise being absolutely mute . and it is not conducing to the refreshment of the internal parts , nor for the evacuation of their vapours , seeing that it wants the continual and regulated motion which is observed in other animals , and which is necessary for these purposes . so that there remains only the compression of the internal parts , whose uses have been explained in the descriptions that we have made of birds ; and which are reduced to the preparation and distribution of the nourishment : but we do search after another use more important , and which being more particular to the tortoise and the other animals of its species , does better answer to the particular conformation of their lungs ; and we have found that to this part may be attributed the faculty that the tortoise has of raising , and holding it self above the water , and of sinking to the bottom when it pleases , in so much that it supplys the place of the air-bladder , which is found in most fishes . there are several conjectures on which we found the probability of this opinion , and which do make us to think that this bladder of fishes , and the lungs of the tortoise being enlarged , do render the body of these animals light enough to swim upon the water ; and that when these parts are contracted , and the air which is capable of compression , taking up less room by reason it is straitned , and so the whole body being less extended , it descends to the bottom , after the same manner as the little hollow figures of enamel enclosed in a pipe of glass , do sink to the bottom when by pressing on the surface of the water , the air is compressed which is enclosed in the cavity that makes them swim . we have frequently observed that as soon as a tortoise is put into the water , it casts forth thro' the mouth or nostrils , several bubbles , which are in all likelyhood formed by the overmuch air that it has in its lungs , for the keeping it self in a just equilibrium ; which puts it in a condition of being heavy enough to sink to the bottom , at the least compression which its muscles do make upon its lungs , just as the little figure of enamel descends in the water , at the smallest effort that is made to compress the air that it encloses ; and it is easy to comprehend that if the tortoise being at the bottom of the water , relaxes the muscles that did compress its lungs , the air by the virtue of its spring returning into its first state , can give again to its whole body , the extent which it had when it did swim upon the water . the probability of this arguing has been confirmed by experience . a living tortoise was lockt up in a vessel full of water , on which there was with wax exactly fastned a cover , from the top of which there went a glass pipe. the vessel being full so as to make the water appear at the bottom of the glass pipe , we observed the water did somtimes ascend into the pipe , and that somtimes it descended . now this could be done only by the augmentation and dimunition of the bulk of the tortoise ; and it is probable that when the tortoise endeavoured to sink to the bottom , the water fell in the pipe , because that the animal lessened its bulk by the contraction of its muscles ; and that the water rose by the slackning of the muscles , which ceasing to compress the lungs , did permit it to return to its first size , and did render the whole body of the tortoise lighter . the exactness with which the glottis is closed in this animal , seems greatly to assist the effect of this compression ; even as it is credible that it is for such an use that the bladders of fishes are so closed , that what force soever be used for the compressing them , the air cannot be got out otherwise than by bursting them : for there is no likelyhood that these bladders are in fishes to remain always in one state : they would hurt them as much in hindering them from descending in the water , as they would assist them by making them to rise towards its surface , and for this purpose it would have sufficed that their body was of a substance thin enough to render their bulk proportioned to their weight , such as is the substance of wood and other spongious bodys which do swim upon the water . we have for a long time observed tortoises floating upon the water without stirring . fishes do likewise keep themselves a long while in one place under water , somtimes near the bottom of the water , somtimes near its surface . the little figures of enamel do thus stop themselves in different places according to the different compressions that are made in the air which they do contain . aristotle and pliny have remarkt that when tortoises have been a long time upon the water during a calm , it happens that their shell being dryed in the sun , they are easily taken by the fishermen , by reason that they cannot plung into the water nimbly enough , being become too light . this shews what equality there ought to be in their equilibrium , seeing that so little a change as this ; which may happen by the sole drying of the shell , is capable of making it useless . for it is probable that the tortoise , which is always careful to keep it self in this equilibrium , so as other animals are to keep themselves on their leggs , in this case , by the same instinct , dares not let the air out of its lungs , to acquire a weight which might makeit speedily to sink ; because it fears that its shell being wett , it should become so heavy , that it being sunk to the bottom of the water it might never have power afterwards to re-ascend . now the observation of the unmoveableness of the lungs , does very well agree with the want of the organs , which might serve for its motion ; for the tortoise has not only its shell , which supplys the place of the sternum , absolutely immoveable , but in it we have found neither diaphragme , nor other parts which might supply this motion . the bone of the arm called humerus , which it has enclosed in the breast , has a very long apophysis at the place of the articulation of the cubitus , which is joyned with an other bone articulated to the cubitus : so that these bones do joyntly form two productions on each side , which approaching forward , are like claviculae : but these parts are immoveable , and do evidently serve only for a basis or origine to the muscles which do supply the place of pectorals ; and which draw forward the moveable part of the arm , viz. the cubitus , radius , and hand . there were found muscles enough that might serve for the compression of the lungs ; but muscles alone are not proper to its dilatation ; there must be the ribbs and a sternum , or somthing analogus that may be moveable . so that it is apparently necessary to suppose that the inspiration is made by the spring of the hard and firm ligaments which compose the mashes that have been described : insomuch that when the muscles which may compress the lungs begin to slacken , these ligaments are extended , and enlarging the apertures of all the bladders , do encrease the capacity of the whole lungs . altho' our tortoise was not of those that live in the water , it did not fail , in regard to this particular formation of the heart and lungs , to have it like that of the animals of its species , as several birds are observed to have wings tho' they do not fly . the brain was very small : for the size of the head , which , in proportion to the rest of the body , is very small , consisted principally in the bones of the cranium , and in the flesh of the crotaphitae muscles that covered it , and which were thick as in the lyon : the bone of the crown of the head having a crest after the manner of all animals that have an extraordinary strength in the jaws . the cerebrum with the cerebellum were in all sixteen lines long and nine lines broad . the sea-tortoises which are taken at the ant-iles have it three times lesser in proportion : for , according to the relations which we have of those countries , the tortoises which have there a head as bigg as that of a calf , have the brain no bigger than a bean. the membranes of these two parts , their substance , the lacis choroides , the glandula pinealis , the pituitarius , the infundibulum , and generality of the nerves were after the same manner as they are seen in birds : the other parts had somthing particular . the olfactory nerves were of an extraordinary grandure , making near the fourth part of the whole brain . the optick nerves took their origine from the olfactory . the two tuberosities that the cerebellum has in birds , instead of being fastned to the lateral parts of the medulla spinalis , were in its upper part . the cerebellum was neither furrowed by parrallel lines on the out side , nor diversified on the inside by the different colours of its substance , which represent the branches of trees , and its cavity was advanced very farr into the medulla spinalis , going even to the first vertebra of the neck . the medulla spinalis was covered with its vsual membranes and moistned by several vessels which did accompany it to its end ; it filled the whole cavity of the vertebrae and sent from one part and the other several pair of nerves ; those which were distributed to the arms , leggs , neck , and tail , were very large and numerous . the globe of the eye was an inch diameter . the internal eye-lidd which we have seen stirr in living tortoises , had the same muscles which we have observed in birds . the cornea was very thinn . the aqueous humour had a consistence so thick , that it did hardly run : the iris was of a light-soot-colour ; there were seen several vessells interlaced . in the little tortoises that we have here , which are all water tortoises , the iris had four yellow rayes on a ground of light soot-colour . these rayes were disposed in crosses round the hole of the uvea . the chrystallinus contain'd but one line diameter . it was flat and lenticular . the membrane made like a black purse which is found in the eyes of birds , was not met with in our subject . the tongue , whose figure was pyramidal , had an inch in length and four lines in bredth . it was thinn , not exceeding a line , the fleshy substance of which made but the half . the tunicle had over it a great number of little teats . the tongue with the os hyoides had ten muscles , five on each side . the first , which drew the os hyoides forward , went from the symphysis of the lower jaw to the basis of the os hyoides : the second , which drew it side ways , went from the interiour part of the omoplata to the basis of the hyoides : the third which drew it upwards , went from one of its hornes to its basis. the fourth which drew the tongue forward , went from the symphysis of the chin to the side of the tongue . the fifth , which drew the tongue sideways and towards the basis , went from one of the hornes of the os hyoides to the basis of the tongue . the necessity that there was of keeping the remains of this rare and extraordinary subject , for an ornament of the aviary of versailles , haveing hinder'd us from per●…uing any farther the enquiry of the organs of sense in the head of our tortoise , we have supplied this defect by the dissection of several other tortoises , where we have observed that the olfactory nerves terminated at a delicate membrane of a black-colour , which covers the inside of the nostrills ; this membrane had neither folds nor ridges that did enter into the holes of the os ethmoides : in the anteriour part of the palate , there was two holes which opened into the nostrills . as to the ears , in our small tortoises as well as the great , there was no external aperture , the bone did appear only sunk at the right side of the temples ; and the skin covering this sinking was thinner and more delicate than elsewhere , and seemed also some what sunk in this place . after having taken away this skin , there was discovered a round hole of the bigness and forme of that of the hole of the eye . it was closed by a kind of cartilaginous thin plate very moveable , being fastned all about to the edge of the round hole by a very thin membrane . at the side of the hole towards the hinder part of the head , there was a cartilaginous ductus , which descended into the palat , where it had a long aperture making a little cleft . under the cartilaginous plate there was found a great cavity of an oval figure , very long , containing twice its breadth . this cavity was pierced at the side , to give passage to a little stiletto very small , which came obliquely to sustain the platina by one end , and by the other , having passed thro a second cavity , which was a little beneath and beside the great one , it stopped a hole by which the second cavity was opened into a third , which was anfractuous , and which received the auditory nerve ; the end of the styletto which closed the aperture of this third cavitie went enlarging it self like the end of a trumpet , and had a delicate membrane which fastned it to the circumference of the hole . those who have made the description of the ant-isles , which of all in the world has the greatest quantity of tortoises , do say that they are deaf . we have reason to doubt , considering the organs that we have just described , whether these historians may have vsed all the care necessary for the being well instructed in this particular , it being probable that they contented them selves with the conjecture which may be drawn thereupon from the defect of the aperture which these animals have in their ears : unless the ears should be in tortoises the same as the eyes are in moles ; that is to say they should have ears without hearing , as the moles have eyes with which they do not see. the observation which we have made upon the tortoise's stirring its neck to turn it self when it is on its back , has given us an opportunity of searching out the muscles which do bend and extend this part . we have first found that this neck has two kinds of motion , which are each composed of flexion and extention . the first motion is that by which the tortoise draws its neck and head inwards , or extends it , and makes it to go outwards . the second is that by which the neck being thrust out and extended , is turned on all sides . in the first kind of motion the neck is extended when the muscles which serve for the different flexions of the neck do act together and with an equal force ; and it is drawn in with the head by two different flexions and extentions of the vertebrae , one of which is at top and the other at bottom : which gives to the neck a figure like to that which the neck of a swan takes when this bird draws its head towards its back . for this reason , besides the muscles which do turn the neck every way when thrust forth , and which are common to all the motions of the neck , there are five particular ones on each side which springing from the apophysis lumbaris and from the last ribbs , do ascend a long the vertebrae of the back , and are inserted in five different places of the oblique apophysis of the vertebrae of the neck , the longest being fastned near the head to the body of the first vertebra . the muscles which , when they act separately do serve for the flexions of the neck thrust outward , do spring from the vertebrae of the neck , and are likewise inserted to its vertebrae . some taking their original at the body of a vertebra , are inserted to the apophyses of others : others proceeding from the apophyses are joyned to other apophyses ; insomuch that when the muscles of one side do act separately , the flexion is made on that very side ; and when they do act joyntly with an equall force , the extension of the whole neck ensues , as has been said . when the head is drawn inward , it sinks into a fold of the skin which is upon the shoulders , which formes as it were a hood . this is done by the means of a very large and thick muscle adhering to the skin , and which being fastned to the spinal apophyses of the vertebrae , from whence it seems to rise , is folded underneath , covering and enveloping the aspera arteria and the osophagus . the different situations of the fibres of this muscle , which may make it to passe for an union of several muscles , do produce the divers folds of this skin made in form of a hood , when they do act differently . finis . an alphabetical table of the names of the several animals mentioned in this volume . a accipenser . . alce . . algazel . . alopecias . . anim●…l magnum . . ano. . antilope . . ape . . asio . . avis tarda . . b bear. . beaver . . bistarda . . bu●…alus . . bustard . . c sea-calfe . . camel. . camelion . . caprea . . carbo 〈◊〉 . . castor . . cassowar . . casuel . . catamountain . . cepus . . cercopythecus . . chamois . . chatpard . . chrysaetos . . civet-cat . . coati . . indian cock. . corax . . cormorant . . cow of barbary . . cynocephalus . . d demoiselle of numidia . . dorcas . . dromedary . . e eagle . . echinus . . elk. . eme. . f sea-fox . . g gallus persicus , gallus indicus . . gazella . . gazuel . . gemp . . goat of africk . . goat of aegypt . . h. h●…liaetos . . hedge-hog . . . herisson . . hen of africa , barbary , numidia , guinea , mauritania , tunis , and pharos . . hinde of sardinia . . . hyaena . . hystrix . . k. kemas . . , l. lamantin . . lion. . . lionness . . lupus cervarius . . lynx . . m ▪ manati . . meleagris . . mituporanga . . mondi . . monkey . . o. ostrich . . otis . . otter . . otus . . p. pintado . . phoca . . porcupine . . q. quesele . . r. rupicapra . . s. sapajou . . scharbo , . scops . . stag of canada . . strepsiceros . . . t. tortoise . . w. sea-wolfe . . y. y sere vercken . . errata . p. . l. . r. measured . p. . l. . r. splitt at the end . l. . r. a cartilage . p. . l. . r. resembled . p. . l. . r. urethra . l. . r. heart . l. . dele usually . p. . l. . r. for . p. . l. . r. each of the kidneys . p. . l. ult . r. visual . p. . l. . r. dugs . p. . l. . r. irregular . l. . dele great . p. . l. . r. in proportion to its . p. . l. . r. left side . p. . l. . add after ventricle , on the out side of the liver . p. . l. . dele as . p. ●… . l. . dele caused . l. . r. urethra . p. . l. . for cut , r. knawn . l. . add than . p. . l. . r. out of . p. . l. . r. seller . p. ●… . l. . r. inch and halfe . p. . l. . r. left . p. . l. . for gula r. mouth . p. . l. . r. ossa ilia in . p. . l. . r. insensibly increasing till they became three , &c. l. . r. on . p. . l. . r. toe . p. . l. . r. craw. p. . l. . r. on . p. . l. . r. happens to these coates . p. . l. . dele some . p. . l. . for diaphragme right r. right diaphragme . p. . l. . dele by running . p. . l. . r. shutt . an index of matters chiefly anatomical a ae gritudo fastigii , a disease peculiar to lyons ; what it is according to pliny . air 's use in respiration . air , why retained in the bladders of the lungs in birds . al●…e of the ancients our elke . amber yellow , thought to be pintado's tears . antilope , strepsiceros and dorcas the same animals . antilope and hare , have bags filled with a substance like wax in the groin . anus of the castor has no sphincter . aorta in birds , how divided at its comeing forth of the heart . aorta descends on the right side in birds apes , not so like man inwardly as outwardly . apes , wherein different from man. ib. apes provided with all the organs of speech . aqueous humour of the eye freezes not . aspera arteria , in the lyon consists of intire rings . in the cametion of intire rings . in the bear of imperfect ones , but larger than in the lyon. in the elke of imperfect rings . in the cormorant of intire rings . in the porcupine of imperfect rings . in the bustard of intire ones . in the demoiselle intire and boney . in the ostrich of intire rings . enters into the sternum of the indian-cock , and of the demoiselle . is fastned by round muscles to the sternum in birds generally . being blown into , the bladders of the lungs , the craw , and oesophagus are swelled up . auricle left bigger than the right in the castor . b balls in the ventricles of animals , how made . barbary cow has a small forehead . thought to be the bubalus of the ancients . beard-hairs , common to all carnivorous animals . in the sea-calfe , of a particular figure . beak of the cassowar and indian-cock divided into three at the end . bear , most powerful of any animal in the faculty of growing . she bear after cubbing eats nothing for days . cubbs of the bear smalest in comparison of all creatures . ib bear very strong of digestion . ib beaver's inside very much like a dogg . bezoar's in the maw of the chamois . bellows made use of to blow up the lungs and keep the animal alive . birds , have a membrane like an epiploon . have a fleshy valve at the mouth of the vena cava in the heart . after what manner the aorta is divided . how they trimm their feathers . bird of paradise falsly thought footless . bladders , in the lower belly of birds blown up by the lungs . how fill'd and emptied of wind . bladder urinary , in the porcupine has two coats . in the lyon very small . filled with urine in the ostrich . in small water-tortoises near the rectum . in the tortoise fibrous like the inside of the heart . ib bone between the cerebrum and cerebellum in carnivorous animals . bone in the staggs heart . bonnet on the pintado's head. brain , in the bear times as bigg as the lyons . in the chatpard deeply cut in at the falx . in the dromedary , six inches and a half long . in the gazella without anfractuositie●… of the lyon inches large . . in the camelion not near so bigg as the globe of the eye . in the sea-fox very little , soft and flabby . not easily distinguishable from the cerebellum in the castor . large in the chamois . in the lynx , the cortical part white and solid . in the porcupine like an hoggs . in apes like a mans. in the ostrich small in proportion . brain is usually smooth without sinuosities in birds . in birds divided in two , as is well known to mountebanks . in birds has the cortical part ten times bigger in proportiont han in men. ib branches of the emulgents terminate at the superficies of the kidney . bristles and quills of the porcupine described . c caecum wanting in the bear. . in the gazella inches long . in the castor on the left side under the spleen . wanting in the coati mondi . without an appendix in the linx . in the elk inches long . in the barbary-cow eighteen inches long . wanting in the cormorant and haliaetos . in the chamois inches long . in the porcupine very large wanting in the hedg-hog . in the monkey has no appendix . in the stag ten foot long . two in the pintado . wanting in the male eagle , and two small ones in the female . double in the bustard , being a foot long . in the demoiselle inches long . in the ostrich like the sea-fox . wanting in the cassowar . wanting in the tortoise . a third caecum in the bustard at fabricius's purse . callosity's on the sternum , and joynts of the dromedary's legs . callosity's on the sternum of the ostrich and cassowar . camelion , why so called . has a peculiar manner of breathing . is exceeding lean . . . has a very short neck . feeds on flyes . has no organs of hearing . . has lungs like birds . its body almost all thorax . canini wanting in the lower jaw of of the heag-hog . carotides of the lyon very large . carotides , with several transverse cutings . caruncle usually in birds fastned to the aspera arteria , and to the carotides . cartilages of the thorax contain blood vessels . cassowar , not known in europe till the year ●… . has but three toes on a foot . hates women . ib castor , goes indifferently into salt or fresh water . wherein different from the otter . ib castoreum , and its bags , particularly described . cataract in an eagles eye . catt and lyon much alike . cat-a-mountain like the the common catt . cerebellum of the sea-calfe , contrary to the nature of fish , very large . very large in the demoiselle . circulation of the blood , favoured by the valves . through the lungs in a dead dog. performed in the tortoise as in the faetus . ib choler resists corruption . civet-cat male and female alike externally . why civet sweet , and castoreum stinking . ib how made as muske . that of the male better . when long kept troublesome to the cat. civet-cat more of the dog than cat kind . sweet all over . claws of the lyon described . how kept sharp . in the bustard solid , not hollow . clitoris , and external orifice of the uterus , in the otter like a womans . in the civet-cat . of the ape described . in the ostrich . colon , in the castor not to be distinguisht from the rest of the intestines . in the gazella without folds . in the porcupine inches long . colours of the camelion . . . copper swallowed turns to poison . cormorant , the corax of aristotle . has no hole for the nostrills . how used in fishing . ib has the longest toe on the outside . ib cornea , in the eyes of cows oval . very prominent in the porcupine . how joyned with the sclerotica . very prominent in the eagle . in birds has a border round its edge . cornea uteri in brutes , and the tuba in women have the same use . in the hinde exceeding long . in the chamois very long . craw , or ventricle of the ostrich formed after a particular manner . cristalline , in the camelion confounded with the other humours . more convex behind in the civet-cat . more convex behind in the coati mondi . more convex behind in the indian cock. more convex behind in the ostrich . more convex behind in the barbary cow. more convex behind in the hinde . more convex behind in the pintado . more convex before in the lynx . more convex before in the cat-a-mountain . more convex before in the chamois , and the inside of it was cleft in three . more convex before in the porcupine . more convex before in the sea-calf . more convex before in lyons and cats . cristalline of the cormorant spherical . has an hard nucleus in the porcupine . fills the whole globe of the hedg-hog's eye . in the sea-fox spherical . crocodile's scales described . d deferentia , of the demoiselle open into the pouch . proceed out of the testicle . demoiselles , how catcht . reckoned amongst fabulous animals . ib dentes-canini four in the upper jaw of the lupus-cervarius diaphragme's use in respiration . . five diaphragmes in the ostrich . difference between the dromedary and camel. digestion , different in different animals . how performed . doronicum , poison to most beasts . doubles in the gizzard of a bustard . and of an ostrich . down , of what use to birds . dromedarys inwards like an horses . ducker , goes erect like man , and why . duggs of monkeys like women . ductus hepaticus in birds usually inserted under the cysticus . ductus cisticus inserted near the duodenum in the cassowar . ductus salivares in the bustard . duodenum in the porcupine like a fourth ventricle . e eagles , very voracious . their several species . ears , of the sea-calfe internal as in birds . of the porcupine like a mans. eggs , in the ostrich's ovarium , described . elke claws , good for the epilepsy . breaks trees with its feet . the male has hornes only . ib elk , has the great canthus of the eye very long . has a kind of epiploon encompassing the stomach . epididymis , separate from the testicle and made by the vasa-praeparantia in the porcupine . not separated in the hedg-hogg . in the indian-cock black . in the bustard black ; and the testis white . in the ostrich separated from the testis . in the cassowar larger than the testicle . in the tortoise of a peculiar figure . epiploon of the bear without fatt . in the gazella incompasses the guts quite round . in the linx like a net-work of cords , the spaces being filled with membranes full of holes . in the civet-cat double and large . in the elke encompasses the stomach . in the coati mondi very small . in the chamois covers the ventricles , but not the gutts . in apes quite encompasses the guts . eye , of the bear no bigger than a cats , in the elke has the great canthus long . in the porcupine has the great canthus highest . exteriour of the ostrich like a mans. eye-brow , in the cassowar . of what use the fibres of the ligamentum ciliare are in the eye . eyes in the first formation of a faetus larger than the whole head , which also is bigger than the rest of the body . eyes of the camelion of an extraordinary structure and motion . . mexican camelions not so . f fat , separated from the epiploon , on the ventricle and gall-bladder of the cormorant . feathers , on the eagle and parrot double . of the ostrich , described and all alike . of the ostrich , the hieroglyphic of justice . those for flight described . ib down of the ostriche's neck very peculiar . those of a cassowar like hogs bristles . feet , of the camelion like a parrots . of the civet-cat , short before with a little toe on the inside ▪ of the cormorant , made to swim with one foot. in the porcupine four toes on the fore feet and five on the hinder . of the ostrich like the camels . flesh of the lyon stincks not when dead . fleshy appendices at the bottom of the cassowar's neck . flight of birds how performed . folds in the iris caused by the enlarging of the pupilla . foramen ovale not found in the otter , nor castor . . found in the sea-calfe . and in the tortoise . g gall of the dromedary , not contained in a cystis . of a sea-fox , in the parenchyma of the liver . of a sea-fox , more acid than bitter . bladder , not found in the elke . nor in the canada-stagg or hinde . . in some pintadoes , not in others . wanting in the ostrich . scarce to be found in the demoiselle . in the castor two inches ½ long . in the coati-mondi between the two upper lobes of the liver . large in eagles , differently annected in the different subjects . fastned to the left side in the indian-cock . generative parts , in the civet-cat concealed . of male apes different from men and dogs . of female apes like women in some particulars . ib gizzard , wanting in the cormorant . in the indian-cock covered with a brittle coat on the inside . in the demoiselle like an hens . wanting in the cassowar tho' a graniverous animal . possibly supplyed by the many ventricles in the cassowar . glands , in the eagles craw. in the indian-cock's craw. in the bustard's oesophagus . in the demoiselles craw. discharging a lympha into the mouth of the demoiselle . in the pancreas of the ostrich quite separated and distinct . in the craw of the bustard most distinct of any . glandula lacrymalis , in the elke an inch and halfe long . swelled by syringing into its ductus in the demoiselle . glandula pinealis , in the dromedary composed of three others . in the cha●…pard no bigger than a pin. in the lynx very small . in the lyon diaphanous and small . in the civet-cat no bigger than a pins head . in the elke very big . in the sea-calfe large . in the chamois a line diameter . generally very small in fierce and cruel creatures , and very large in fearful ones . glottis , in the camelion transverse . in the tortoise exactly closed . h hair , of the beaver without cavitys . of two sorts in some animals , and why . ib of the civet-cat darker on the belly and throat , than else where , contrary to other animals . of the elke spongy and porous like rushes . of the sea-calve's skin not altered by the weather . head , of the ape has no apophysis mastoides . of all birds proportionably small . of a tortoise being cutt off stirred its jaws for half an hour . heart , of the lyon bigger than other beasts . of a dromedary large . of the castor has the left auricle bigger than the right , and the foramen ovale not discernable . of the elke seaven inches long and five thick . of the coati like a dogs the right ventricle being larger . of the gazella ½ and ½ inches . of the sea-fox without pericardium , but such a membrane encompast the aorta . of the lynx like a catts . of the civet-catt like a dogs . of the chamois has a callous apophysis . of the stag and hinde large . . of the indian-cock small . of the tortoise has three ventricles and is largest from side to side . heart and lungs , how formed in amphibious animals . ib heart and liver of the ostrich included together in one cavity . of the pintado described . heart's motion in the tortoise . heart of the sea-calfe described . differs much from the castors . in birds has no valves in the vena cava . in bruites more pointed than in men. hedg-hog's skins used anciently for brushes . hens , almost the only birds that vary their colours . hepatici-ductus , two , as many pancreatici and one cysticus in the indian-cock . . hole of the ear , wanting in the camelion . uncovered in pintados , but small . hornes , of the antilope and sheep described . of the canada-stag described . of bruites how nourisht . horny crest on the cossowar's head. hyaena of aristotle our civet-cat . . hypogastricks , send branches to the scent-bags in the civet-cat . i iaws of the tortoise strongest of all animals . iejunum and ileum short in the porcupine . internal eyelids , their structure and use . in all animals but men and apes . towards the lesser corner in the chamois . intestines of the dromedary very long . in the elke foot long . in the stag foot long . in the hinde foot long . in the coati-mondi foot long . in the barbary-cow foot long . in the chamois foot long . in the civet-cat short . in the cormorant foot long all of a size . of the indian-cock foot long . of the bustard foot long . in the demoiselle foot long . in the ostriches of very different lengths . longest in animals that feed on grass . in the bear all of one sort . intestine of a sea-fox has a spiral membrane in its middle . ivy , apt to grow where stags-hornes have been buryed . k kidneys , of the bear divided into several glands . of birds commonly large . in the canada-stag large without a succenturiatus . in the civet-cat the right higher and fastned by a duplicature of the peritonaeum as in man. right higher in the coati-mondi . in the cormorant toothed like a cocks-comb . in the gazella almost round . in the indian-cock of conglomerated glands . in the lynx of a longish figure . in the ostrich not cut into three like other fowle . in the otter separated like the bears . those of the oviparous animals described . in the sea-calfe like the land-calf . l lachryma cervi , what lachrymalis ductus , goes farther than the glands in birds not in men. larynx of the sea-calfe contrived for eating under water . leggs of eagles why feathered . of the tortoise very short . ligamentum ciliare its use . ligaments in the elkes legs very strong . liver , in the ape consists of five lobes like a dog not as in man. and spotted with hexagonal spots , as in bruits . in the barbarian-cow without lobes . in the bustard very large . in the canada-stag and hinde without lobes . in the castor of five lobes . in the cat-a-mountain of glands and has lobes . in the civet-cat of great and one small lobe . in the demoiselle very large . in the gazella made up of small glands . in the coati-mondi without any appearance of glands . in the elke without lobes and joyned to the diaphragme . in the lynx seven lobes and like a cats . in the ostrich of two lobes . in the otter of lobes . in the pintado of two lobes . in the porcupine and hedg-hog of seven lobes . ●… in the sea-calfe of lobes . in the sea-fox of two lobes . in the tortoise double . lungs , reduced to three species . and heart , how formed in amphibious animals . in the ape of lobes , man but . in the barbary-cow of lobes . those of the cassowar and so of birds in general described . in the chat-pard of great and one small lobe . in the civet-cat of lobes . in the elke of lobes . in the coati-mondi of lobes . in the chamois of lobes . in the gazella of lobes . in the lynx of lobes . in the ostrich particularly described . in the otter and castor of and a small one . in the pintado of a spongy flesh covered with a thin membrane . lymphaeducts in the demoisell's mouth . lyon and cat much alike . m males of all animals have the heads rounder than the females . mamillares processus , in the castor large . large in the coati-mondi . medulla spinalis of a peculiar structure in birds , with a ventricle in the midst of it . meleagris , the pintado . membrana adiposa , not fastned to the kidney of the chamois . membrane , proper of the testicle fastned imediately to the glandulous part . internal , of the gizzard of the bustard described . in the oesophagus pervious to the liquor contained in the glands . ib suspending the heart , liver , &c. men and apes only want the internal eye-lid . monkeys , only of bruits have hair on both eye-lids . wherein different from men. , &c. the several kinds of them . mouth of the camelion extraordinary . musculus carnosus , how moved . reaches in the hedg-hog from the head to the os innominatum . muscles of apes , most agree with men. of the lungs of birds described . of the tortoises's neck described . n neck , of the lyon very stiff , and why . of the camelion very short . of the uterus in the camelion placed underneath the rectum as in birds . nerves branching from the spinal marrow very visible in the camelion . o oesophagus , of the cormorant inches diameter . in most birds on the right side of the aspera arteria . . makes the craw in the bustard all glandulous . ib communicates with the aspera arteria in the demoiselle and pigeon . in the cassowar inlarged towards the craw. the same in the ostrich . omoplatae and ischium differently articulated in the camelion from other animals . optic-nerve , of the camelion pierced with blood vessels according to its length . in the cat-a-mountain , has a blackspeck . in the lynx has a reddish speck . in the castor both joyned together for lines . out of the axis opticus in the chamois . described together with its black purse . organs of hearing , wanting in the camelion . ●… . of speech , the same in apes as men. orifice internal of the uterus of the civet-cat very strait . otis of aristotle differs from the bustard . otter wants the incisores which the castor has . ovary , of the lynx made of many glands . of the civet-cat no bigger than a pea. of a porcupine without appearance of eggs. described what it is . oviductus , of the demoiselle , large at the top . of the ostrich , described . p pancreas , in the castor like a dogs . consists of conglomerated glands . in the cat-a-mountain fastned to the ileum and duodenum . in the civet-cat fastned to the duodenum . fastned to the duodenum in the coati . large in the porcupine . wanting in the pintado . perforated by the ductus-haepaticus in the eagle . double in an indian-cock . double in the bustard . small in the cassowar . pancreatici ductus in birds usually inserted into the iejunum . into the duodenum in the eagle . ib inserted foot below the hep●…ticus in the ostrich . parastatae large in the porcupine . and prostatae large in the hedg-hog . in apes unlike a mans. porrots , chew the cud. penis , of the sea-fox inclosed in the belly . of the cassowar impervious to the deferentia . of the ostrich has no passage thro ▪ it . of the tortoise described . of the coati boney . of the civet-cat boney . of the porcupine boney . of the canada-stag boneless . of the porcupine wherein different from the hedg-hogg . pericardium blown up by the aspera arteria . encompasses the aorta of the sea-fox . pintado's feathers described . prostatae of the ape unlike a mans. punctum lachrymale opening into the cleft on the hinder part of the palat black purse , in the eyes of birds proceeding from the optick nerve , described . wanting in the demoiselle . in the tortoise . purse of fabricius , in the eagle . in the bustard . in the indian-cock . pylorus ▪ of the cassowar stopt by an appendix . r respiration in birds how performed . . not absolutely necessary for the circulation of the blood. usefull for concoction and distribution of the nourishment . rete mirable wanting in apes brains . ribbs of the camelion not joyned to the sternum by cartilages but by hooped bones . s scent-baggs of the castor described . of the civet-cat . sclerotica in birds and fishes cartilaginous before . . ●… scull , of the lyon halfe an inch thick at the thinest part . of the camelion has a small cavity for the brain but great orbites for the eyes . of the bear but halfe as thick as the lyons . of the ape like a mans sea-calves why called apodes . wherein different from the sea-oxe very sagacious . sight of the lynx . made on the retina . sinus in the dura mater of the brain in the castor extraordinary . skin of the porcupine adherent to the musculus carnosus . of the camelion how granulated . smell of the lyon's flesh agreable of the camelion at first like stinking fish afterwards like violets . smelling-organs very large in the elke . spermatic vessels , defective in the cat-a-mountain . in the castor like a dog. do not penetrate the penis . . spiral membrane in the ventricle of a barbary cow , caecum of an ape , colon of hares , colon and caecum of ostriches and iejunum of man. in the intestine of the sea-fox . spinal marrow , of birds has a ventricle in the middle of the back . in the ostrich has two small eminencys at its origine . spleen , in the gazella joyned immediately to the stomack without the vas breve . in the sea-fox fastned to the stomack . in the otter fastned to the epiploon ▪ in the lynx fastned to the stomach ▪ in the castor fastned to the left side of the stomach by eight veins and arterys , and as many vas breve's . in the canada-stag joyned to the great ventricle . in the eagle immediately joyned to the ventricle . in the sea-fox double . in the civet-cat very long . in the elke but small , in the coati two ½ inches long . in the lynx long and narrow . in the chamois round and flatt . in a porcupine double . in the bustard like the kidney of a quadruped . in the demoiselle like the liver . spurs , on the heeles of the coati-mondi . at the extremity of the ostriches wings . squinting in children how caused . sterility whence in mixt species . sternum supplyed by the shell in the tortoise . stones and other substances in the gizzard of the ostrich worn , not corroded . structure of the hands and feet described . succenturiatus very large in the porcupine . sweet-smells unpleasant to country people . t tail , of the castor like a fish's . . of birds , of what use . of the tortoise very strong . talons of the bustard solid . two teats in the barbary-cow . teeth , of the sea-colf like a wolf 's . of the sea-fox , two rows on one side and but one on the other . testicles , of the coati like a dog. of the eagle as small as a pea. in a female demoiselle , but without epididymis . of the hedg-hog in the belly . of some monkeys long and slender , of others round . thighs of the ostrich very large . toes , but three in the bustard . but two in the ostrich . and the little one without claw . ib thorax of a bear larger than a lyons . tongue , of a camelion of an extraordinary make , &c. . of a cassowar like a cock's-comb . of a cormorant double . of a dromedary has asperitys that turn outwards . of an eagle cartilaginous . of an ostrich a little forked . of a porcupine toothed . of a sea-calf forked . of the tortoise has ten muscles . of the woodpecker how thrust out . tortoise , has no upper eye-lid . wants the outward ear-hole , yet has the sense of hearing . alters his bulk in the water proved by an experiment . tuft , on the top of the ear of the lynx peculiar to that animal . tusk of the coati sharp like an awl . v valve , in the trunk of the vena-cava . in the porta of the barbary-cow , favouring dr. glissons hypoth : in the iugulars contrary to the motion of the blood to the heart . vein , goes to the papilla of the gazella without sending forth any branches , but disapears at once . vena cava , has two trunks in the tortoise . gastrica , branches over the stomach . vena lactea and receptaculum chyli , very white and visible in the hedg-hog . ventricle , of apes differs from man's in the pylorus . four in the barbary-cow . in the bear very small . in the castor like a dogs . four in the cassowar . in the cormorant glandulous within three in the chamois . four in the dromedary . four in the elke like an ox. two in the gazella . four in the hinde . of the lynx like a catts . two in the parrot . divided into in the porcupine . but two visible in the stag. in the sea-calfe like an intestine . longish in the sea-fox . and liver and bladder very large in the tortoise . three in the heart of the tortoise open into one another . voracious animals have small intestines . vpper-lip , of the chamois cleft as in hares . of the elke very large . vpper eye-lid of the tortoise wanting . vitreous humours of the indian cock hard . uterus , of the gazella , has several papillae on the inside . of the lynx like a bitches . of the monkey different from women . uvea covered by a thin transparent membrane . uvula only in apes or men. w wings , of the bustard , short in comparison of its bulk . and back , darkest part of the bird. of birds reckoned a wonder of nature by iob. described . ●… finis . . octobris , . imprimatur , liber iste cui titulus , the measure of the earth . john hoskyns , v. p. r. s. the measure of the earth : being an account of several observations made for that purpose by divers members of the royal academy of sciences at paris . translated out of the french by richard waller , fellow of the royal society . london : printed by r. roberts : and are to be sold by t. basset , at the george near temple-bar ; i. robinson , at the golden lyon in st. paul's church-yard ; b. aylmer , at the three pigeons over against the royal exchange ; i. southby , at the harrow in cornhil ; and w. canning in the temple , mdclxxxviii . the measure of the earth . article i. the attempt to determine the magnitude of the earth is not new . many ancient authors have made themselves famous by this enquiry . but the most memorable attempt for this purpose was that of the arabians , thus recorded by their geographer . a great circle on the earth is divided into parts , as we also suppose those in the heavens . ptolomy author of the almagest , and many other of the ancients have observed what space upon the earth contains one of these parts or degrees , and have found it to contain ⅔ miles . those which succeeded them , willing to satisfie themselves by their own experience , met by the order of almamon in the plains of sanjar , and having taken the height of the pole , they divided into two troops , the one marching as directly as was possible towards the north , and the other towards the south , till the one found the pole one degree more , and the other one degree less elevated ; then meeting again at their first station to compare their observations , they found the one had computed ⅔ miles , but the other just . but they agreed to account ⅔ for one degree , so that between the observations of the ancients , and of these moderns there is a difference of miles . now ptolomy having establish'd the bigness of a degree stadia , for which the arabs account ⅔ miles , it follows that the arabian mile was equal to ½ stadia ; but we are to seek what stadium ptolomy means ; for if it were the greek , eight of which made one ancient italian mile , the proportion of the arabick mile , so the italian will be as to , and consequently the ⅔ miles found in a degree by the arabs , will make but ●… old italian miles . but if more favourably to the arabs , we suppose ( which is most likely ) that the stadia of ptolomy were the alexandrian , bigger than the grecian , according to the proportion commonly received of to , we shall find that the degree measured by the arabs was ½ italian miles , which makes toyses of paris , supposing that the old roman foot ( the same which father ricciolus after vilalpandus would have established it ) was to that of paris as to . though the roman foot , of which the module is to be seen in the capitol , is to the same parisian foot , but as to . or thereabouts . 't is very remarkable that anciently the measure of the earth was always upon the diminishing . for if we will believe aristotle , or the most part of the mathematicians of his time , according to his report , a degree was about stadia , whereas eratosthenes counted but . possidonius , and in fine ptolomy . in like manner the arabs following the same example make a degree less than all that preceded them . but without entering upon the determination , whether these opinions are so different as they appear , it may suffice in brief to say that we are ignorant of the just quantities of the ancient measures , all the measures that the ancients have left us being altered by time . amongst the moderns , fernelius and snellius are the chief , who not contenting themselves with uncertain traditions , were willing to leave us their particular observations for the bigness of a degree . fernelius at the beginning of his cosmotheoria says , that leaving paris he went directly north , until by the meridian altitudes of the sun he found the heighth of the pole one whole degree more than at paris . but whether because he would imitate the arabs , or for some other reason he has concealed the name of the place where he staged , saying only that it was at leagues from paris , and that for knowing this distance more precisely he went in a coach , and counted all the turns of the wheel till he arrived at paris . and in fine , having estimated how much the irregularities and turnings of the way might augment the length , he judged that a degree of a great circle of the earth contained geometrical paces , which according to our way of measure are equal to toyses and four feet of paris . snellius took a more certain way , and somewhat like what will be found practiced in the following account ; for instead of relating his estimation , he searched by geometrical ways the meridional distances between the parallels of almain , leyden , and bergopson , then according to the differences of the heights of the pole in those places , he concluded a degree was rhinland perches , which make toyses of paris . this last measure was commonly followed as the most exact . but father riccioli by a method which we shall anon examine , hath ( since highly prised above other ) made the degree paces of bologna , or about of our toyses . in this diversity of opinions 't was worth while to try the whole anew for the solution of this famous problem , not only for the use of geography in what concerns the difference of longitudes , but more particularly for the use of navigation . and that so much the rather , for that to this time not a person has understood the prevalency of the great advantage that may be made of telescopes from the executing of this design , and for that by other means it is easie to establish a measure which cannot change . article ii. the earth and water make but the same one globe which comprises both the one and the other under the name of the earth . we shall not stay to shew the proofs here , but this truth being supposed for constant , 't is demanded what is the bigness of the globe of the earth ; and since it would be impossible to measure the compass intire , 't is reduced to the measure of one part , from whence the bigness of the whole may be concluded ; which reduction is ordinarily to the quantity of one degree . for since the roundness of the earth is a little varied by the inequality of the mountains , like that of a very fine orange by the grain of its peel ; these inequalities are so considerable to our purpose , and so great in comparison of common measures , that for the obtaining of the knowledge of a considerable distance , though less than that of a degree , 't is necessary to have recourse to geometry , to make use of a chain or succession of triangles united together , the sides of which are as so many great measures , which passing over the inequalities of the surface of the earth , give us the measure of a distance , which it would be impossible to measure otherwise . for the well forming of these triangles 't was necessary to point at far distant objects with such preciseness , as not only to be sure of directing at the whole object , but even at a certain point thereof . there has been invented for this divers sorts of sights , but all imperfect and incapable of giving the preciseness requisite . 't was on this account snellius willing to excuse the errour of some minutes which he found in his triangles , had reason to blame his sights , through which ( as he says himself ) an object of the bigness of some minutes appeared but as a point , and even so with difficulty . but for some years it has been thought adviseable to put telescopes in the place of the old way of sights , which has been so happily performed that there seems to be nothing more to be desired for this purpose , as will appear by the sequel . article iii. in the design which was proposed for performing the mensuration of the earth , it was judged that the space contained between sourdon in piccardie , and malvoisine in the confines of the gastinois , and of the hurepois , would be very proper for the execution of this design , because these two bounds which are distant one from the other about leagues , are scituated very near in the same meridran ; and 't was known by divers journeys purposely made , that they might be joyned by triangles , with the high-way from villejuive to iuvisy ; which way being paved in a strait line , without any considerable inequality , and of such a length ( as will appear hereafter ) was proper to serve for the fundamental base of all the measure that was undertaken . for actually measuring the length of this way , four pike staves , each of two toyses were made choice of , which being joyned two and two at the great ends by a screw , made two measures each of the length of four toyses . the manner observed in the measuring was , that after one of the measures was placed on the earth , the other was joyned to it end to end , along by a great rope , then the first was taken up , and so successively . and for the more easy keeping the account , the measurer who laid the second rod had ten little stakes given him , one of which he left standing at the head of his rod every time he laid it on the ground , so that every such stake noted eight toyses ; and when all the ten were taken up , they marked eighty toyses . in this manner the distance between the middle of the mill of villejuive all along the great or high way to the pavillion of iuvisy was twice measured , which distance was found to be toyses and four foot in going , and and one foot in returning . but as a nearer approach to exactness could not be hoped , so the difference was divided , and the round number of toyses was agreed on for the length of the line , or fundamental base upon the which we have built all the calculations hereafter , save only that at the conclusion of our work we verify'd the whole by a second base of toyses actually measured as the former . in which without doubt we had very much the advantage of all those that have preceded us . for snellius having begun by a distance measured of verges and foot of the rhein measure , which make of our toyses ; it was afterward regulated by one which was not above rhein verges , or toyses . and father ricciolus framed all his measure upon a base of bologna paces , or about toyses of paris . article iv. the toyse of which we speak , and which we have chosen as the most certain measure , and most used in france , is that of the grand chastelet of paris , according to the original which has been lately re-establish'd . it is of six foot , the foot contains twelve inches , and the inch twelve lines ; but to prevent , that what has happen'd to all ancient measures ( of which nought but the names remain ) might not happen to ours ; we have adapted it to an original taken from nature it self , which ought therefore to be invariable and universal . to that effect the length of a single pendulum was by two great pendulum clocks exactly determined , each of whose single vibrations or free agitations was one second of time conformable to the mean motion of the sun , which length was found to be inches , lines and a half , according to the aforesaid measure of the chastelet of paris . 't is commonly known , that to make a simple pendulum , a little ball about the bigness of a musquet bullet , is suspended by a very flexible thread , and the length of this pendulum must be measured from the top of the thread to the center of the ball , supposing the diaameter of the ball not much to exceed the th part of the length of the thread , otherwise there must be an account had of a proportional part which we have here neglected ; and care must also be taken that the vibrations be short , for if they be beyond a certain degree , they are of unequal duration one to another . the ball of our pendulum was of copper of an inch in diameter , and it was turned . the thread with which the first experiments were made was of flat or raw silk . but because that stretches sensibly by the least humidity of the air , it was found that 't was better to use a single filament of a sort of long flax called pite , which is brought out of america . the upper end of the thread was put between a small vice with a square head , which held it fast screwed most exactly ; by this means the motion of the pendulum was more free , and the length more easily measured by an iron rod exactly fitted between the end of the vice and the ball. the two clocks made use of were of the greater sort , whose pendulums measured whole seconds , they were exactly regulated according to the mean motion of the sun , and went slower by minutes seconds at every return of the same fixt star to the meridian , with such a regularity that sometimes they differed not one from another by one second during many days . a single pendulum was set in motion , and made to go and come from the same side as the pendulums of the clock did , and being left in this condition they were inspected from time to time to see how they went. for how little soever the iength of this single pendulum either exceeded or wanted of inches , ½ lines , one might perceive some disagreement in less than an hour . 't is true that this length was not always found so precise , and that it seemed that it ought to have been regularly a little shortned in winter and lengthened in summer . but that however was but the th part of a line ) so that having a respect to this variation , it has been judged best to take the mean between them , and to take the length of inches ½ lines for the certain measure . if the length of the pendulum for seconds be once found exprest according to the usual measure of every place , by this means may be had the proportion of the different measures so exact as if the originals had been compared , and this advantage would thence accrue , that for the future any change therein might be discovered . but besides the particular measures , an agreement might be found of such as follow , which will need no other original but the heavens . the length of a pendulum of a second of the middle time might be called by the name of an astronomical ray , the third of which shall be the universal foot. the double of the astronomical ray makes the universal toise , which will be to that of paris as to . four times the astronomical ray may make the universal perch equal to the length of a pendule of two seconds . finally the universal mile may contain perches . these universal measures suppose that the difference of places causeth no sensible variation to the pendulums . 't is true , there have been made some experiments at london , lyons and bolognia in italy , by which it seems one might conclude that the pendulums ought to be shorter in some proportion as the aequinoctial is approacht . conformable to a conjecture which has been formerly proposed in the assembly , that supposing the motion of the earth , weights ought to descend with less power under the aequinoctial than under the poles . but we are not sufficiently informed of the justness of these experiments to make any conclusion thence . and we must besides note , that at the hague , where the heighth of the pole is greater than at london , the length of a pendulum exactly determined by means of clocks , was found the same as at paris . 't is for this we advise those who would make experiment with a single pendulum , to make use of great pendulum clocks , for that otherwise they will difficulty meet with the just measure . if it should be found by experience that the pendulum will be of different lengths in different places , the supposition we have made concerning the universal measure drawn from the pendulums , cannot hold , but this hinders not but that in every place there will be a perpetual and invariable measure . the length of a parisian toyse , and that of a pendulum of seconds , such as we have now establisht , will be carefully preserved in the magnificent observatory , which his majesty has caused to be built for the advancement of astronomy . article v. since the instrument we made use of for measuring the earth , had somewhat singular , it will not be insignificant to describe it before we come to the following observations . this instrument was a quarter of a circle of inches radius , the body of it is of iron , and all the pieces are fastned together underneath by screws upon the area of it . the limb b c and that part about the center a , are covered with copper . the broach or cilinder d is fastned perpendicular to the back of the instrument to fix it on its pedestal . e f is a telescope which serves ▪ instead of the immovable sights , being fastned at one end to the plate of the center a , and at the other end to one of the extremities of the limb. g h is another telescope carried by an alidade or arm of iron which turns upon the center a , and which may be fixed upon any part of the limb desired , according to the angle to be observed . the limb b c is exactly divided even into minutes very distinctly , much of the bigness and form represented in the adjoining figure . an hair stretched in the little frame i , or a silver wire smaller than a hair , serves for the fiducial line of the alidade , by which one may very easily distinguish to the fourth part of a minute , especially if a loupe or glass that magnifies the object , be used . but that which we have here principally to describe , is the construction of the telescopes e f and g h , which being in all things alike the one to the other , it will be sufficient to describe one of them . s s is a cylinder of latton or tin , made of two pieces running one within the other , that they may be taken off or put on at pleasure upon the two pinnules e. f which are fixed . the object pinnule e carries in the fore-part of it marked t , an object glass of a telescope of a length proportioned to the instrument : and by the side ▪ v it sustains one of the ends of the cylinder s s. the eye pinnule f is of three pieces , the first f x which is fastned to the limb of the instrument is a hollow cylinder about inches long , sodered to the middle of the ( chasse ) or frame f f , upon the face of which are two small single clews of black silk stiff strained at right angles in four small graved strokes , which keeps them from breaking , and they are fastned by the means of a little melted wax . the second z is a little hollow cylinder sodered as the former to the middle of a square piece , which by two screws is joined to the frame f f , to serve as well for the defence of the filets , as to sustain the great hollow cylinder s s. the third y is another little hollow cylinder which is slipped within the first x , and which carries the eye-glass of the telescope . the fixed distance between the two pinnules e. f ought to be such that the anterior face of the frame f f , where the filets of the telescope are strained , do meet each other exactly in the focus of the object glass ; and this necessity causes the object glasses to be made ( for the most part ) first before the instrument is begun . all put together does the effect of a telescope that inverts the object , which inconvenience may easily also be rectified , making use of more eye-glasses , and a little use will make it insensible . beside the advantage that the common telescopes give of being able better to distinguish a distant object , they do also much facilitate the setting it true pointing to the object with all the preciseness imaginable ; for after one has through this telescope taken notice of the far distant object , one may at the same time see very distinctly the threads ( or wires ) that are in the telescope , and also all that which the said threads hinder to be seen of the object , as if they were indeed stretched upon the very object it self , and the eye upon removing perceives no paralax at all between the one or the other , provided the fillets or threads , as we have said , be placed exactly in the focus of the object glass , because 't is in this place that the painting of the object is made reversed , which comes immediately to our eye , and which is the place of the immediate object , as may be easily understood by the following figure . a b c are three points of an object , every of which fill the object glass d e of the telescope f d e g with rays ; all these rays having passed , traverse the glass d e , they proceed to reunite by order in three other points a b c , namely , those of a in a , of b in b , and of c in c ; then these same rays are separated again , and proceed to fall upon the eye-glass , which in fine turns them towards the eye h , the rays of c are not continued to the eye , to the end that it may appear what must happen when it meets with an obstacle in some part of the focus as in c , because it is evident that this obstacle hinders all the rays of the point c , without permitting any one of them to arrive at the eye , as if one had indeed covered the object it self at the point c ; but this obstacle , such as it may be , a single filament of silk , makes its distinct image in the eye precisely in the place where the object which it hinders would have made its own image , because the eye is altogether disposed for receiving the rays which are come from the focus a b c travers the eye glass f g. it is to be added hereto , that since all the rays of the same point of the object are reunited in another point of the focus of the object glass , it happens here that notwithstanding all the aperture of the object glass d e , one has the same exactness for pointing as if the object pinnul or sight were but one single , small , and almost indivisible hole through which the point c could traject but one ray , which might be intercepted by the least obstacle placed in the line c c , because that which necessitates the placing the threads in the focus is for that if they are placed either nearer to or farther from the object glass , they cannot hinder all the rays from the same point , which are not elsewhere united but only in the focus , and there will be some parallax sensible if they be placed out of it , upon changing the position of the eye , which however is most to be regarded when the aperture of the object glass is large , for if it be but small , the place of the threads does not require so very precise a distance from the object glass , because at some distance on either side the focus , either nearer to or further from the object glass , the rays are not so far separated as to become sensible . and 't is also in the straitning or lessening of the aperture of the object glass that an inconvenience may be prevented , which happens to the threads when being well placed for a remote object , they are not so exact for objects that are nearer . there may remain one difficulty upon the account of the object glass , if it be not of an equal thickness , thereby causing some refraction , and bending the principal ray c c from a straight line . but notwithstanding all the defects of this glass , there is no reason to fear in respect of the angles of position , or of the apparent distances which one would observe , because when the two telescopes are directed to the same object at a distance , the fiducial line of the movable rule ( or arm ) falls exactly upon the beginning of the first degree . and this is a proof with which we ought always to begin when one would take angles . we shall give in the ninth article the means of remedying defects and refractions of glasses in regard of heights . the figures , , , represent the pieces which serve to set the quadrant upon its foot. the piece l m movable upon the foot ●… , su●…fices to set this instrument to its plumb or perpendicular , when one would observe heights , but for putting it horizontal , the second piece o p must be added to l m , in the manner as is represented in the fourth figure , and then one may give the quadrant such position as one will , as with a knee . thus you have the full description of the instrument which gave the angles of position with so much exactness , that upon the whole compass of the horrison taken at or angles , there was not found above a minute more or less than it ought to be , and which often also happened within about seconds of the just account , so that it was not necessary to carry a bigger instrument , of which it was otherways impossible to make use in several occurrences . article vi. the distance which was proposed to be measured from malvoisine to sourdon , is found as 't were parted into three lines , to wit , from malvoisine to mareüil , from mareüil to clermont , and from clermont to sourdon . these particular distances were known by the means of triangles , represented in the first figure of the second plate . there were two of them which needed no particular observation , so that one may account but principal triangles , the other which are represented in the second figure of the same plate , having chiefly served for the verification . here follows the list of stations and precise places to which observations have been made for forming the triangles . a is the middle of the mill of villejuive . b the nearest coin of the pavillion of juvisy . c the point of the steeple of brie-comte-robert . d the middle of the tower of montlehery . e the top of the pavilion of malvoisine . f a piece of wood set up purposely on the top of the ruines of the tower of monjay , and made larger with straw tyed about it . g the middle of the hillock of mareuil , where 't was necessary to make a fire for a mark . h the middle of the great pavilion in the oval of the castle of dammartin . i the steeple of s. samson of clermont . k the mill of jonquiers near compiegne . l the steeple of coyvrel . m a little tree upon the mountain of boulogne near montdidier . n the steeple of sourdon . o a little forked tree upon the but of griffon , near villeneuve s. georges . p the steeple of montmartre . q the steeple of st. christopher's , near senlis . a b is the first base actually measured , of parisian toyses . x y is a second base of toyses , actually measured as the former . it can't be imagined that 't was possible to place a large quadrant at the point of steeples , and of such other places as we made choice of for forming exactly the triangles . 't is true that with all the precaution that could be taken , and after turning the instrument two or three times towards the same station , 't was impossible sometimes to avoid the error of some seconds upon the summ of the three angles of the same triangle ; in which case there can be no difficulty of correcting the triangle without fear of any considerable error , because all the angles were large , and there was always some one of which there was not so much certainty as of the rest , and upon which the fault ought to be laid . the principal corrections that were made are remarked . in the list of the triangles this rule is kept , of not giving any angle that was not observed by the quadrant before described , and to omit those which we were obliged to conclude , though in effect there was no great difference to be made between the one and the other , because of the great preciseness with which they were directed at , and of the great care that was taken not to err in the quantity of the angles that were observed , by reiterating several times the observations of the same angle , and the causing them to be made by several observers who kept their memoirs apart . besides that , in the first courses that were made for the discovery of proper stations , all the angles generally had been observed ; and tho these were with lesser instruments , which gave the minutes but by six and six ; yet they were not hindered from coming to so much exactness as was necessary to make it appear that they did not all fail or err in the conclusions . the first triangle a b c. to find the side a c. c a b ° ′ ″ . a b c . a c b . a b toyses actually measured then ac toyses five foot and b c toyses . the second triangle , adc for d c and a d. d a c ° ′ ″ . a d c . a c d . a c toyses foot. then d c toyses three foot. and a d toyses two foot. the third triangle dec . for de and ce. dec ° ′ ″ . dce . cde . dc toyses foot. then de toyses foot. and ce toyses foot. the fourth triangle . for df. dcf ° ′ ″ . dfc fdc . dc toyses three foot. thence df toyses . note , that in the fourth triangle , the angle dfc was augmented ″ which were wanting to make up the summ of the three angles . the v. triangle dfg for dg and fg. dfg ° ′ ″ . dgf . gdf . df toyses . thence dg toyses . and fg toyses foot. from these five triangles 't was easie to conclude the distance ge between malvoisine and mareüil , without supposing any new observation . the vi. triangle gde for ge. gde ° ′ ″ . dg toyses . de toyses three foot thence ge toyses . by the calculation of the same triangles were found the angles dge of ° ′ , and deg of ° ′ ″ , the same which they were found also by observation , which may serve as a proof for ge. and it ought to be considered , that as this triangle is but as a consequence of the preceding , that it has two sides known , and all the angles well establisht , the smalness of the angle dge , cant hinder the certainty of the conclusion for ge , besides that hereafter the same distance ge shall be verifyed by other triangles . upon the occasion of these angles dge and deg , it was that ▪ fires were made at mareüil , montlehere , and malvoisine . a large fire of three foot made at mareüil and seen from malvoisine , appear'd to the eye like a star of the third magnitude . 't is not our design to draw hence any conjectures concerning the fixed stars , but only to make the following remark , that if one considers the distance of ▪ toyses , the fire which had three foot of breadth ought to have been seen under an angle of ′ ″ , and yet when it was seen with the telescopes of the quadrant , of which the object glasses were excellent , it was not above half hid or covered by one of the silk clews which were placed in the focus of the telescope ; now the bigness of this ●…ilament ( which was presently measured with a microscope ) was the three hundredth part of an inch. it follows then that in a telescope of inches it takes up the space of about ″ . so that the fire which it covered but half , took up the space of eight seconds , though it ought in effect have appear'd but of three seconds . from this experiment it may be concluded that even with telescopes , luminous objects do appear bigger than they ought . it were well to make trial of this with long telescopes , which will be reserved for another time . we have said above that the distance en was ▪ divided into three lines , the first , namely ge , has been calculated , but before we pass to the second , 't will be much to the purpose to verifie all that we have hitherto established by several other triangles . another way for ad by the triangle aob . aob ° ′ ″ . abo . bao . ab toyses . thence ao toyses foot. but by the triangle aod . aod ° ′ ″ . ado . dao . ao toyses . thence ad toyses foot. and do toyses . otherwise for de by the triangle doe . doe ° ′ ″ . deo . edo . do toyses . thence de toyses foot. instead of toyses foot. otherwise for ce by the triangle ace . ace ° ′ ″ . aec . eac . ac toyses five foot. thence ce toyses two foot. instead of toyses three foot. yet otherwise for ce in triangle bce . bce ° ′ ″ . bec . ebc . bc toyses . thence ec toyses . the angle ebc being diminisht ″ . otherwise yet for ce in triangle pdc . pdc ° ′ ″ . pcd . dc toyses three foot. thence pc toyses three foot. and dp toyses three foot. but in the triangle pce . pce ° ′ ″ . pec . pc toyses three foot. thence ce toyses instead of toyses three foot. otherwise for df in triangle ace . acf ° ′ ″ . afc . fac . ac toyses five foot. thence af toyses . but in the triangle fad . fad ° ′ ″ . af toyses . ad toyses . thence df toyses three foot. for toyses . otherwise for fg in triangle gaf . gaf ° ′ ″ . gfa . fga . af toyses . thence fg toyses for toyses foot. the summ of the two angles afc , gfa exceed by ″ , that of the two cfd , dfg , which is neglected , because an error so little considerable deserves not the exposing one self a second time to danger in mounting to the top of the tower of monjay which is half ruined . otherwise for ge in triangle gdc . gdc ° ′ ″ . dg toyses . dc toyses three foot. thence gcd ° ′ ″ . and gc toyses three foot. but in the triangle gce having put together gcd and dce . gce ° ′ . ″ gc toyses three foot. ce toyses three foot. thence ge toyses three foot. instead of toyses , but parting the difference we make ge toyses . the vii . triangle fgh . for gh . fgh ° ′ ″ . fhg . hfg . fg toyses three foot. thence gh toyses . in this triangle the angle gfh is diminisht ″ . the viii . triangle ghi . for gi and ih . ghi ° ′ ″ . gih . igh . gh toyses . thence gi toyses . and hi toyses . another way for gi in triangle qfg . qfg ° ′ ″ . qgf . gf toyses three foot. thence qg toyses . but in the triangle qgi . qgi ° ′ ″ . qig . qg toyses . thence gi toyses . and qi toyses . by the triangle qhi , gi is found of toyses only , but for a reason we shall after shew , the last calculation is followed , which makes gi of toyses , and by consequence hi toyses . the ix triangle hik for ik . hik ° ′ ″ . hki . khi . hi toyses . thence ik toyses . the summ of these three angles being too great by ″ , by which the angle hki is diminished , upon which it should be noted that the point h taken for the middle of the great pavillion on the oval of the castle of dammartin was difficult to determine when observed from the station k ; and that it may happen in a distance of toyses , the east side of this pavillion appear'd greatned by some other adjoyning objects , which caused the angle hki to be observed bigger than it ought . otherwise for ik in the triangle qik . qik ° ′ ″ . qki . qi toyses . thence ik toyses . after that which has been spoken concerning the point h , there is cause to rest satisfied rather in this last calculation than in that of the triangle hik , so much the more for that we being assured to have pointed most exactly at the steeple of st. christopher , which was seen on all sides like a very fine needle . we were not able to place the quadrant in the steeple , nor in that of coyvrel for observing the angles , which we were therefore obliged to conclude . but we took so much care in observing all the other angles , and the instrument gave the circuit of the horison so exactly , that there ought to remain no doubt at all upon that . the x. triangle ikl for kl and il. lik ° ′ ″ . ikl . il toyses . thence kl toyses two foot. and il toyses four foot. the xi triangle klm for lm . lkm ° ′ ″ . kml . kl toyses two foot. thence lm toyses two foot. the xii triangle lmn for ln . lmn ° ′ ″ . mnl . lm toyses two foot. thence ln toyses . the xiii triangle iln for ni . the summ of the angles ilk klm ▪ mln , being taken from , there remains iln ° ′ ″ . but ln toyses . and il toyses four foot. thence in toyses . so it is that upon the foundation of the first base ab , which was actually measured , we have concluded the length of the three lines eg , gi , in , from malvoisine to sourdon . but because the four last triangles were not accompanied with a verification , and because we had a great desire to have a new clearing of the matter upon the viii and ix triangles , we judged it necessary to come to an actual measure of a new base . the line of distance lm between coyvrel and the mountain of boulogne was found the most proper to serve for this last verification , not at all for that this line could be actually measured , but because it passed a cross a great plain where we had the convenience to take the transversal base xy from the mill of mery , even almost to the valley of st. martin within a pace of mont-dedier . which base actually measured with the same pike staves made use of for the first measuring , and which had been verified all de novo , was found of toyses . see here the calculation which was made thereupon . of the triangle xyl . xyl ° ′ ″ . yxl . xy toyses of actual measure . thence yl toyses two foot. but in the triangle xym . xym ° ′ ″ . yxm . xy toyses . thence my toyses . in fine , in the triangle myl myl ° ′ ″ . yl toyses three foot. ym toyses . thence ml toyses instead of toyses foot. then by proportion in toyses . and gl toyses .. but the eg ought to be left because it has been several ways verified . the small difference there was found between the distance which was concluded from the first base , and that which we found by the last , made us see we had reason to suspect the triangles which butted at the point h , and that those of the point q had better deserved to pass for the principal . but we had no mind at all to change the order we have kept . article vii . though our first design were to terminate all our measures at sourdon , yet we found a necessity as 't were of continuing them to amiens , where we resolved to go to take the heighth of the pole for verifying the calculation of fernelius . we would willingly have had time enough to have sought out in the plains of santerre some point proper for finishing this measure by two great triangles . but the season being already too far advanced , we were fain to content our selves with what we met with in the borderings of sourdon , where it was necessary to stay for taking the heighth of the pole. r is the steeple of st. peter of montdidier . t a tree upon the mountain of mareüil . v the steeple of nostre dame d' amicus . in the triangle lmr . lmr ° ′ ″ . mrl . lm toyses . thence lr toyses three foot. in the triangle nrl . nrl ° ′ ″ . rnl . lr toyses three foot. thence nr toyses two foot. in the triangle nrt . ntr ° ′ ″ . tnr . nr toyses two foot. thence nt toyses four foot. in fine in the triangle ntv . ntv ° ′ ″ . tnv . nt toyses four foot. thence nv toyses four foot. some have thought that we ought to have added to all these calculations the true position of the towers of nostre dame of paris , and of the observatory . s is a lanthorn over the stairs of the south tower of nostre dame of paris . z is the middle of the south face or front of the building of the observatory . in the triangle dos . dos ° ′ ″ . dso . sdo . do toyses . thence ds toyses . and os toyses . in the triangle doz . doz ° ′ ″ . dzo . zdo . do toyses . thence dz toyses . and oz toyses three foot. article viii . after having measured the particular distances between malvoisine , mareüil and sourdon , and having added to those that of amiens , the position of each of these lines in respect of the meridian ought to be examined . for this purpose in the month of september , , we went upon the hillock of mareüil , at the place marked g , where we could see malvoisine on the one side and clermont on the other , and placing the quadrant furnisht with two telescope sights perpendicular upon its foot , so that the telescope e f remained always in the level , whilst the plain of the instrument was turned vertically , and that the telescope sight of the alidade g h pointed at the polar star. this star was so followed to its greatest digression , where it remained a very sensible space of time without parting from the vertical filament of the telescope with which it was observed , then leaving the instrument fixed in its position the remainder of the night , even until the day was come , we could discover the place on the border of the horison , to which the telescope e f was found to point ; and determine by this means the vertical of the greatest digression of the polar star. for 't was known by experience , that when the quadrant was set to its plumb , the two telescopes always remained pointed in the same vertical . by this observation which was divers times reiterated , we were assured of a distant point which markt the vertical circle of the greatest oriental digression of the polar star , which vertical made with the line g i an angle of ° ′ towards the east . the complement of the declination of the polar star being then ° ′ , and the height of the pole on the hillock of mareuil , as it was afterward found ° ′ , and by consequence the digression of the polar star was ° ′ , then there remained yet one degree and nine minutes , by which the line g i declined from the north towards the west ; and because that otherways the lines g i g e make an angle of ° ′ toward the west , which angle augmented by the declination of the line g i makes but ° ′ . it followed that g e declined ′ from the south towards the west . the following year in the month of october , there was chosen by sourdon in the line n v , a place in the open field , whence the steeple of nostre dame of amiens could be discovered , and in the manner explained , 't was observed several times that this line n v declined ° ′ from the north towards the west , whence it was easie to conclude that n i declined by ° ′ ″ from the south towards the east . these last observations were made in a time wherein the pole star was found in its greatest digression a little after sun set , and thereby we had the convenience of finishing the observation all at once , without being obliged to leave the iustrument in its position , because 't is one of the advantages of the tellescope sights , that by means of them one may discover the fixed stars of the second magnitude in the greatest clearness of the crepusculum , and that those of the first magnitude may be observed in full sun-shine , which will be a great help to astronomy ; we have made several curious observations , which we shall hereafter publish . if we suppose then that the meridian line of sourdon be prolonged toward the north , till it meets the parallel of amiens at the point β for the making the rectangle triangle n β v , the angle of declination v n β , being ° ′ and the hypothenuse n v , being found toyses , foot , it follows that the meridian distance n β between the parallels of sourdon and amiens is toyses , feet , and that the arch of the parallel v β comprised between amiens and the meridian of sourdon is toyses , foot. after the same manner if we suppose that the same meridian line of sourdon be prolonged towards the south , till it meets with the parallel of malvoisine at the point α , and that this meridian be divided into three parts by the perpendiculars g δ i γ which represent the parallels of mareüil and sourdon , that moreover the particular meridian lines of those places be drawn , to wit , g ●… , from mareüil to malvoisine , and i θ from clermont to mareüil . in the triangle n γ i , rectangled in γ. n i toyses . γ n i ° ′ ″ . thence n γ toyses , foot. and γ i toyses . in the triangle g i θ , rectangled in θ. i g toyses . g i θ ° ′ ″ . thence i θ or γ δ , toyses , foot. and g θ toyses . in the triangle g e ●… rectangled in ●… . g e toyses . e g ●… ° ′ ″ . thence g e or δ●… , toyses . and e ●… toyses , foot. the lines n γ , i θ , g ●… , make together the whole distance between the parallels of sourdon and of malvoisine , of toyses , foot ; to the which distance adding that between the parallels of sourdon , and of amiens , which has been found of toyses , foot , we have the distance between malvoisine , and the parallel of amiens of toyses : and tho in effect the four lines of which this whole distance is composed , are as it were the sides of a polygon , which one would describe about the earth ; and that 't is true in geometrical rigor , that the compass of such a polygon is bigger than the circumference of the earth ; yet is it notwithstanding so little different in this case , that 't will be to no purpose to take notice of it ; since the excess upon every degree does not amount at most to the quantity of feet , so that we may consider all these particular lines of which the total distance n α is composed , as insensibly different from the curviture of a meridian . for what remains , as we have above given the position of the towers of nostre dame de paris , and of the observatory , it will be also easie for us to establish the distances of these same places in respect of the parallels of malvoisine , and of amiens . for first , if from g d , which is of toyses , there be taken d s , found before of toyses , there will remain toyses for g s , which is the distance between mareüil , and the towers of nostre dame : this line g s makes with g e , an angle of ° ′ ″ , toward the west , and by consequence also it declines towards the west by ° ′ ″ . then having drawn s ●… , which let be perpendicular to the meridian of mareüil , and which represents an arch of the parallel of the towers of nostre dame , we have in the triangle g ●… s rectangled at ●… . g s toyses . ●… g s ° ′ ″ . thence g ●… toyses . and s ●… toyses . then if from g ●… , which is of toyses , be taken g ●… toyses , there remains 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of toyses , for the distance between the parallels of nostre dame , and of malvoisine , which may also be yet further verified by the following calculation . in the triangle s d e. s d e ° ′ ″ . s d toyses d e toyses . thence e s toyses . and d e s ° ′ ″ . but d e g . thence s e g . but e g declines by ′ from the north towards the east , thence e s declines by ° ′ from the north towards the west ; and because that the length of this same line e s is toyses , it follows , that the distance between the parallels of nostre dame , and of malvoisine , is , as by the former calculation . in fine , in the triangle z d e. z d e is ° ′ . z d is toyses . d e toyses . thence e z toyses . and d e z ° ′ ″ . but d e s is . thence sez is . the last angle s e z being added to the declination of the line e s which was above found of ° ′ makes the declination of e z of ° ′ ; but the length of this same line e z is of toyses ; thence by reduction the distance between the parallels of malvoisine , and of the observatory , shall be of toyses : and in fine , that between the parallels of nostre dame and that of the observatory , shall be of toyses , foot. and tho in all our observations which we made for determining the position of divers lines with respect to the meridian , we did not at all make use of the compass ( or magnetical needle ) yet this hindred not , but that we observed the declination of the needle in several places principally at malvoisine and at sourdon : the needle of the compass which we carried , was inches long , and its declination at these two places , toward the end of the summer of the year , was found to be ° ● , from the north toward the west , or thereabout , as we had some little time before observed it at paris , with the same compass , although at paris the same needle in the year had no declination sensible , and in the year it declined ′ towards the east , the variation thereof having been every year above ′ . article ix . for concluding in fine the magnitude of a degree , and by consequence that of the earth , it remains yet to know what parts of the meridional distances we have measured with the toise of paris , do answer to minutes and seconds , considering them as parts of a great circle which should be described round about the earth . 't is upon this occasion that we are obliged to search in the heavens the measure of the earth , for we must necessarily have recourse to the difference of the latitudes of the two places established under one and the same meridian , and by this means come to the knowledg of the arch of the heavens comprised between the zeniths of the said places , the which arch is alike to that which we have measured upon the earth . but before we pass to the celestial observations , it will be to the purpose to shew after what manner the instruments were verified with which the observations were made ; which is here so much the more necessary , for that the tellescopes which we made use of might have had some latent defect , which could not be known , but by a particular proof . the first figure of the d plate represents the quadrant fitted upon its foot in the ordinary manner as for taking of heights , or for directing at an object ●…ar distant towards edges of the horizon ; but in the d figure the same quadrant is reinverted , turned from the right to the left , and directed at the same object as before , in such sort , that the plumb line which in the former position was suspended at the center a , and beat upon the limb in d , is now hung upon the limb in e , and beats precisely upon the center a , the instrument is also placed upon a place more elevated , to the end that after the reversing , the telescope might lie very near in the same line as before , tho in effect it is sufficient that it remain in a line parallel to the former , as it will always happen if the distance of the object be so great , that the alteration caused by the reinversion be not at all considerable , or at least if two objects are directed at , one of which is as much below the other as the tellescope is altered by the reinversion . the reason of this method is easie to be comprehended , because without considering what passes in the telescope , if we suppose that the right line a b ( which passes by the center a ) tends towards the object to which the telescope is directed , then the two angles which the plumb line makes with the line a b , the one under , and the other above , shall be either right angles or equal to two right angles ; they shall be right angles when one has directed in the level , but if one has directed either too high or too low , the half of the difference of the two angles taken from the greatest angle , or added to the least , shall restore or give the level line . this practice is very useful , not only for placing the degrees upon the limb of an instrument , following the effect of the telescope whatever it may be ; but 't is yet further for verifying from time to time , whether the telescope agree with the division which we have supposed good and well centred . but to the end this verification may be made with the more ease , the degrees ought to be continued from c towards e , even to the end of the limb , which for this purpose ought to be greater than it need to be for degrees only , one may verifie a sextant very near after the same manner as a quadrant , as we may easily see by considering , that if before the reinversing of the instrument there be suspended from the middle of the line a b , a plumb line which falls upon the point of the th degree , counting from b towards d , and afterwards the instrument being reinversed , the same line hanging on the point of degrees , falls upon the middle of the line a b. in the one and in the other of these positions the line a b shall be in the level , and by consequence the telescope ought to have remained pointed at the same distant object which did mark the level line . but if on the contrary the telescope be found to point to two objects , of which one is above the other , the middle between the two shall be the level line . now the angle of difference between the level line and the one and the other of those objects , or indeed the half of the angle of the appearing distance between the two objects , shall after be easily measured with a great telescope in the manner as we measure the diameters of the planets : and by this means we know the error of the instrument , the which shall augment the heigths , if before the reinversment , and in the ordinary position , the instrument be pointed at that object which is lowest , and on the contrary it shall diminish the heigths , if the instrument is found at first po●…nted at that object which was the highest . the first and second figures of the th plate represent an instrument , which containing fewer degrees than a sextant , cannot be verified to the level , but only to the zenith . this instrument is pointed in two differing manners to the same star near the zenith . for in the first figure the plumb falls in d upon the degrees of the limb. and in the second as the instrument is counterturned the same plumb falls without , and is approached to the telescope in e. now it is easie to see that if one draws the line a b from the center a through the middle between the points d and e , marked by the two positions of the plumb line , it shall determine the place of the limb where the first degree of account from the zenith ought to begin , because that when the telescope shall be pointed to the zenith , the line of the plumb shall agree necessarily with the line a b. this second manner of verifying is general for all sorts of instruments , but it is difficult and cannot at all times be practised , because it requires a star which shall be so near the zenith , that after the instrument is counterturned , and that it is pointed to this star , the plumb may always fall between the point b and the telescope . all those instruments which serve to take heights , and which have an alidade which one can take away when one will , are easie to be verified . the instrument ought to be placed in the plain of the meridian , making it perfectly immovable as if it were fixed against a wall in such a sort , notwithstanding that the plumb beating towards the middle of the limb , leaves on the one and the other side so many degrees as are necessary for the observations which are to be made with it . two fixed stars are to be made choice of , whereof the one ought to pass on this side , and the other on that side of the zenith , and of which the difference or the summ of their declinations do not surpass the number of the degrees marked upon the instrument . this being supposed , the two stars are to be observed with the telescope upon the alidade according to the measure which they pass the meridian , the one towards the north , and the other towards the south ; and then provided the instrument remains immovable , the difference between the two observations will give exactly the arch of the meridian between the parallels of the two stars , independent from all that could happen on the account of the telescope of the alidade . this preparation being made , the alidade is to be taken off for putting a plumb line in its place , and one must observe with the telescope which is fastened to the instrument , the apparent distance which is between the zenith and each of these stars taken in the meridian , if the instrument depresses , the summ of the two distances sound by this last manner shall be too great ; and on the contrary , if it raises , then it shall be too little in comparison of the total distance found by means the alidade in such manner , that the half of the difference shall be the error of the instrument . one may make a second verification by observing one star only , the distance of which from the zenith doth not exceed the number of the degrees of the instrument to be verified , but in lieu that in the preceeding manner there was no necessity to have compared the telescope of the instrument with that of the alidade . it is necessary here that they must be both well adjusted together at one and the same far distant object . this being supposed , one observes first with the plumb , and with the telescope fastned to the instrument , the meridional distance between the zenith and the star proposed , next one fixes this instrument in the plain of the meridian , as in the preceding manner , but in such sort , that it may be counterturned , and that if the star be towards the south , it returned as 't were for observing towards the north , and one observes exactly the degree and minute of the limb where the plumb beats . after this the the plumb being taken off , one applies the alidade , with which one observes the meridional distance between the zenith and the star , counting for this effect the degree and minutes which are found between the fiducial line of the alidade , and the part of the limb where the plumb did beat before . the first distance that was found being compared with this last , shall be too little if the instrument elevates ; and on the contrary , it shall be too big if it depresses in such sort that the half of the difference shall be the error of the instrument . after one has known the error of the instrument , and that one is assured that it comes not but by the telescope , the shortest and easiest way is to let it alone , and to have regard to it in the observations ; but if one would correct it , this may be done either by displacing the filaments of the telescope , or by turning the object glass upon its center ; so far as one knows by experience it is necessary for adjusting the telescope to the degrees of the instrument . an alidade furnisht with its telescope may be of great help to make this correction ; for this purpose one points to one and the same distant object , as well the telescope of the alidade as that of the instrument . next , if the error is , for example , of one minute in elevating , one sets back the alidade a minute ; or on the contrary , one puts it nearer it , as much if the error be in depressing ; and having fastned it in this position , by removing the instrument all together , one makes the telescope of this alidade to stand pointed at the same object as before ; after which you must turn the object glass of the telescope , which is fastned to the instrument upon its center , till such time as it be found pointed to the same object ; and by this means one may be assured , that a right line which shall be drawn from the object by the center of the instrument , comes to meet the point b , which we suppose to have been established for the beginning of the decision . but for avoiding as much as is possible the refractions of the telescope , care must be taken that the object glass be well centred , which may be discovered by making it reflect the rays of the sun , because if it be well centred , the little focus which it makes by reflection at a certain distance , will be found exactly in the middle of a much greater round of light . or else one may observe that the two images which the glass reflects of the same object , come to unite in the middle of its surface . after this preparation it will be to the purpose to fasten the object glass apart in a copper box pierced through its two ends , and perfectly turned round ; in which , nevertheless , it must have a little play in such sort that one may a little thrust it from one side to t'other by three screws with their heads cut off to hold it steady ; and this box being exactly enchased into the objective pinnule , one may make it turn upon its center , mean while the whole body of the telescope remains immoveable ; and one may observe , that if in making the object glass so to turn , the telescope always remains pointed to the same object , otherwise the object glass must be moved either to the one side or the other . we thought it necessary to give all these differing ways of verification , to the end that there might remain no doubt as to the great exactness which one ought to look after in telescopes used for pinnules or sights of instruments . article x. if the measure of the earth requires precise and exact observation , it is principally for that which concerns the difference of latitudes , because the error of one minute only amounts to toyses , which is multiplyed upon the whole as many times as the distance measured is contained in the whole circumference of the earth . for approaching as much as is possible to the exactness requisite , the great instrument represented in the fourth plate was caused to be made ; it is of iron strengthened with pieces upon the arda of it , as the quadrant , and covered with copper at the places necessary . the limb , which contains not above the th part of a circle of ten foot radius , is divided by dragonal lines even to thirds of minutes very distinctly . a telescope of ten foot serves for pinnules or sights to this instrument . and because that in the obscurity of the night one could not see the filaments that were in the telescope , they were enlightened by the upper end of the telescope , or by a hole made on the side . the plumb or perpendicular was secured in a pipe of tin , which kept it intirely covered from the wind , beside that they always observed in a close place , of which the cover or roof was purposely pierced . the knee of cassiopea augments its declination every year about ″ ; we were desirous to have chosen a star which had been less changing , as had been the bright star of lyra , or some one of cygnus ; but we had cause to fear , that before we should have made our observations , the sun would have been too near approached to these stars . we commonly begun the observations of the heavens with that of the heigth of the pole with the quadrant , and every evening about two or three hours before the knee of cassiopea was in the meridian , we took with the same quadrant one heigth of this star , marking the instant of observation by means of a pendulum clock which gave half seconds , and which was regulated according to the diurnal motion of the fixt stars , and then forthwith found by calculation at what hour and what instant of the same clock the knee of cassiopea ought to be in the meridian : and after this manner in two or three evenings , the great instrument was exactly pointed in the plain of the meridian towards that part where this star ought to pass , and then kept it in this position , because it is very difficult otherways to succeed in observing those sorts of heigths which pass very swiftly . the meridional distances towards the north observed between the zenith and the knee of cassiopea . in sept. . at malvoisine in a place at a great farm-house belonging to villeroy seated on an eminence in the parish of chauqueil , more south by toyses than the pavilion . ° ′ ″ . in sept. & oct. at sourdon in the presbyterate house , more north than the church by toyses . in october . at amiens in the house of the king , more south than the church by toyses . every one of these observations were taken from a great number of others , of which we took the middle , of which the whole variation or difference exceeded not ″ . nor will any one wonder that we were able to come to so much exactness , if he consider that it was not without exceeding great precaution , that moreover with a telescope of foot , one need not want ″ of pointing exactly to a fixed star. and that in fine on the instrument that serv'd for this purpose , the third part of a minute was at least as big and distinct as a whole minute of the quadrant above represented . in such sort , that if upon the quadrant one could determine a quarter of a minute pretty exactly , and at the same time guess pretty near at ″ , one might do the same thing here to about ″ . differences of latitude . from malvoisine to sourdon ′ ″ . from malvoisine to amiens . the time which passed between these observations required that we should have taken away ″ from the first of the differences , and that in proportion the last should have been diminished by ½″ , but for avoiding a too much affected preciseness , we neglected this correction . article xi . all these observations being supposed , it will be easie thence to conclude the magnitude of a degree upon the earth . for this effect it must be considered , that at malvoisine the observations of heaven were made at toises more towards the south than the point e. that on the contrary at sourdon , it was at toyses more towards the north than the point n. and that by consequence toyses should be added to the distance of toyses , foot , which are found between the parallels of malvoisine and of sourdon ; in such manner that the difference of ° ′ ″ , observ'd by the heavens , answers upon the earth to a meridional distance of toyses , foot , one may thence in fine conclude , that in proportion a degree shall be of toyses , foot. the calculation made by the distance of amiens differs not at all from the former , for the distance between the parallel of n●…stre dame d' amiens , and that of the pavilion of malvoisine is of toyse ; there ought to be taken from the side of amiens , for the place of observation , toyses ; and on the other side to add the toyses of malvoisine ; then all the compensation made , there will be toyses , for the difference of ° ′ ″ ; and in proportion the degree shall be of toyses , which number approaches in such sort to the first , that we were surprised so much the more , that if we had kept account of the corrections which we have neglected of the differences of latitude , these two calculations would have been yet more approaching to each other . it is possible that this is but an effect of chance , since notwithstanding all the exactness ▪ we were capable of , we could not answer to two seconds , and consequently to the value of about thirty two toyses , upon every observation : we may nevertheless say with some certainty , that we are not very far from the true measure of a degree ; though one may come to a yet greater preciseness , by measuring with the same care and with like instruments a distance much greater than that of malvoisine and amiens . we will fix notwithstanding upon the round sum of toyses for a degree of a great circle of the earth . 't is here principally , that the measure taken from pendulums , ought to be imployed , which we have supposed * universal , or at least invariable for every place ; and which is to the parisian toyse , as to , because following this proportion , the degree shall be of universal toyses , of which every one contains two lengths of a pendulum of seconds of mean time , so that there wants but of these toyses upon a whole degree to make up the round number of , and by consequence the degree to be of universal miles , such as we have determined them . to the end that strangers may participate of this work , without being obliged to have recourse to the length of a pendulum of seconds , we shall give the length of a degree , expressed according to the particular measures of which we could gain the knowledg . supposing then the paris foot , of parts . the rhein or leyden foot . the london foot — . the boulogne foot . the brase of florence . a degree of a great circle of the earth , according to the measures of divers places will contain toyses of the castle of paris . pases of boulogne . verges of rhein of foot each . parisian leagnes of toyses ¼ . midling leagues of france of about toyses . marine leagues of toyses . english miles of foot each / . florence miles of brasses / . the circumference of the earth . of parisian toyses . of leagues of in a degree . of marine leagues . the diameter of the earth . of parisian toyses . of leagues of in a degree / . of marine leagues . / . it may be said , that as we have measured the globe of the earth by the top of mountains , or by places more elevated than the rest , it will follow that a degree , such as we have determined , is bigger than that we should find in going still upon the sea shore , where it should seem that the measure ought to be considerably less : but that we may see whether this be so , suppose that the line from malvoisine to sourdon , be in all its length , equally removed from the borders of the sea about leagues , and that conformable to the experiments that have been made upon the seine , the declivity of rivers , which cross this line , be about foot to a league ; this shall make at most but toyses of declivity , even to the sea , and putting about toyses for the height that our line might have above the rivers , we shall find that this line might be elevated about toyses above the level of the sea. whence it would follow that a degree upon the sea would be less above foot , than that we have measured upon the land , which is not at all to be considered in this matter . a table for the value of a degree of a great circle of the earth ; divided into minutes and seconds . minutes toyses . seconds toyses . ½ ½ ½ it will not be at all difficult hence to find the differences of the heights of the pole , for all those places of which we have calculated the * meridional distances , because 't is but changing the said distances into minutes and seconds , according to the value of a degree . the differences of the heights of the pole between malvoisine and the observatory of paris ′ ″ . between malvoisine and nostre dame of paris . between malvoisine and mareuil . between malvoisine and clermont . between malvoisine and sourdon . between malvoisine and nostre dame of amiens . between nostre dame of paris , and nostre dame of amiens . the height of the pole at paris in the garden of the kings library , by many observations of the polar star made in the winter solstices has always been found ° ′ , you must substract ″ , and you have the height of the pole of paris , about the towers of nostre dame of ° ′ ″ , or if one had rather design the middle of paris between the gates of st. martin , and of st. iames , which is a little way from st iames of the butchery or shambles , the height of the pole of paris will be ° , ′ , ″ . and we are certain that if the heights of the pole be fixed , it will have little change from this , tho in the observatory one may come to a much greater preciseness : we count not the refractions which the polar star may have , which will be known in time the height of the pole of nostre dame of paris being supposed we establish the following heights of the pole conformable to the differences here above established . the latitudes and height of the pole of malvoisine ° ′ ″ . of the observatory . of nostre dame of paris . of mareuil . of clermont . of sourdon . of nostre dame of amiens . the difference of the longitudes of these places require a little more of calculation than that of the latitudes , because after we had found in a parallel the distance between the meridians of two places , we reduced this distance to that which is in the aequator between those same meridians which were changed into minutes and seconds of a great circle conformable to the table above . after this manner we found sourdon more east than amiens ′ ″ . clermont more east than sourdon mareüil more east than clermont . mareüil more east than malvoisine . mareüil more east than paris . whence 't is easie to conclude that the difference of longitude between sourdon and malvoisine is only ′ ″ , which confirms the first thought we had that these two places were very near under the same meridian . it follows also that paris about the tower of nostre-dame , is not above ′ more eastward than amiens . and because that in the parallel of paris ′ amount to toyses , one must conclude that chaliot , which may pass for one of the suburbs of paris , is very near in the same meridian with nostre dame of amiens . it would be advantageous to astronomy if we knew as exactly the difference of longitude between the observatory of paris and uraniburg , of which one may account more than two degrees difference , till such time as by observation made at the same time in these two places , and compared together , we shall be ascertain'd of the truth . article xii . whereas the ordinary method of taking the level is subject to a correction , upon supposal●… that the semidiameter of the earth is known , which according to our calculation is of toyses foot ; we have judged it significant to give here a table for the correction of the apparent level , and on that occasion we shall speak concerning refractions which intermingle themselves with these kind of observations , and which hinder them from being serviceable for the measure of the earth . 't is known that the true level requires an equal distance from the center of the earth , yet nevertheless we ordinarily seek the level in a streight line , which goes off from the said center in the manner of a tangent , hence it is that the true level is below the apparent . if instead of taking the level on one side only , the observer be placed in the middle between the two points which are to be levelld , from each of which he is equally distant , he will have in this case no correction to make , because the risings will be equal both on the one side and the other side : but without being foreced to this method since the length of the semidiameter of the earth is known , the height of the apparent level above the true is easily found , provided 't is known at what distance one is from the object seen ; in the same manner as the bigness of the semidiameter of a circle being known , and that of a tangent the excess of the secant without the circle is found . a table of the heights of the appearing level above the true . distances . heights of the apparent level . toyses . feet . inches . lines . ⅓ ⅓ ⅔ ⅓ ⅓ ⅓ ½ this table makes it appear that the heights of the apparent level are not at all considerable under toyses of distance , but beyond this they may cause a sensible error , because they increase considerably , and pretty near , as the squares of the distances . those who know not by experience what advantage one may now receive by using telescope-sights instead of the common sights , will not fail to say that this table can be of no use , because they have not yet had an instrument with which they could distinguish the difference that there is between the apparent level and the true . we can notwithstanding assure them , with our quadrant , which was not more than of three foot radius , or with the instrument of which we are going to give a description , we determined the level to inches in a distance of toyses , for which , according to the table , eight foot and three inches of correction must be made . the description of an instrument proper for observing the level . the body of this instrument which is all of iron , is composed of two principal rules . the rule a b is three foot long , and two inches broad , it is strengthned underneath by another rule , to the middle of which is fixed the stem c d , three foot and an half long , and perpendicular to the plain of the rule a b. this stem is fitted with two pieces set edgewise parallel to each other , and which being covered with a very thin plate , make a square tube , within which the plumb line or perpendicular g h is inclosed , which is seen through two glasses which answer to the two extremities thereof . it has also a third opening at the bottom of the tube , through which , with ones finger , the motion of the plumb may be stayed . upon the plain of the rule a b is fastned the telescope e f , which is of the same make with that which we have described for the quadrant ; and tho all the pieces have been already represented in the first plate , yet we judged it not impertinent to represent it once more in another order , and a bigger size : but that we might not be obliged to repeat the discourse , we have put to it the same letters . a painters aesell serves for a support to this instrument , and for accommodating it to the inequality of the ground , the rule a b is arched underneath with two bows which bear upon the two pins of the aesell ; that it may be easie to raise or sink the direction of the telescope as there shall be need , without altering the aesell ; and when the ground happens to be unequal , one may lengthen this or that foot of it by the means of a rod of iron which is joyned to it . with this instrument the level may he determined at one glance to a very great distance , even much more than is set down in the precedent table . but there is generally one great obstacle upon the account of refractions , which makes the objects appear above the line they ought to be seen in . for example , in the second figure let a be the center of the earth , b c it s ordinary surface , and d i the tops of the mountains , we are to consider that the earth is inveloped with an atmosphere or vaporous air composed of different regions , which are more subtil the further they are removed from the earth , but in such sort that the change is not made all at once , but by degrees , the visual ray which comes from a higher place to a lower , as from d to i , which passes obliquely from a more subtil to a more gross air , is continually bent in its way in proportion as it changes the medium , which gives it the position of a curve line , much like that of d f i , but the eye that is in i , receives the curve ray as if it were the tangent i e , in which it sees the object d. for the same reason if we suppose another eye in d , it sees the object i in the strait line d g. tangent to the same bended ray d f b : and supposing that the two tangents i e and d g which are in place of the visual rays cut each other in h , one may imagine that there happens the same thing , as if the two objects d and i were respectively seen with one only refraction which should be made in h. and which should be equivalent to all those of the true ray d f i. the third figure represents two mountains of equal height , but so far distant , that the visual ray cannot pass from the top of one , to the top of the other , without sensibly approaching nearer to the surface of the earth , and without being consequently broken or refracted in its way , which 't is not necessary farther to explain . you must always set apart all the irregularities which may happen every moment in the constitution of the air. it will be enough for practise , that one can inform ones self of the refraction when there is any , and that otherwise it may be avoided in the observation of the level , by contenting ones self with middle stations . divers authors report a thing which we have often tryed ; which 't is convenient to note here , that an object which at break of the day has appear'd in the level , and sometimes a little above it , has afterwards when the sun is up , appeared below it , and on the contrary after the setting of the sun , objects far distant appear'd to be raised so sensibly , that in less than half an hour their apparent height has been augmented more than three minutes . the cause of these appearances is , that the coolness of the night condenses the vapours , which descend to a lower place , leaving the air of the higher stations mare pure then in the time of the day , which causes a great refraction on the contrary when the motion of the sun has made a part of the vapours to mount to the more elevated stations , there must be less difference of the medium , and consequently less of refraction . we shall add here one experiment which makes it appear contrary to the opinion of some authors , that even at noon day there remains somewhat of refraction when the distance is great , and that the visual ray cannot pass from one place to another without approaching the earth . the last summer being on the top of the towers of nostre dame of paris , we pointed the quadrant towards the tower of mont leherie , and we found that the foot of this tower was precisely in the apparent level : this was about noon in a very serene time . some days after at the same hour , the height of the tower of nostre dame , observed from the foot of the tower of montleherie , appear'd below the level line ′ . ″ . whereas conformable to the distance of toyses , which there are between these two places , this angle ought to have been ′ . ″ . whence it appears that it had two minutes of refraction in the whole . this experiment shews what exactness one may expect from those who after maurolicus pretend to have found the magnitude of the earth , by means of the apparent level ; they suppose that for this purpose , one should chuse a very high mountain near the sea shore ; and having measured the heigth of this mountain , one tries upon the sea at what distance the top of it can be seen . but the refractions which are yet greater upon the sea than upon the land , render this practice fallacious , because they enable us to discover objects at a much greater distance than the convexity of the sea ought to permit , and by consequence make the earth appear much greater than in effect it is . article xiii . it remains now to examine the di●…fering opinions touching the magnitude of the earth . and because we can say nothing of the ancients but by conjecture ; we shall begin with fernelius who as we said at the * beginning has estimated a degree to contain toyses . it is without doubt surprising , that by a manner so gross as his was , he has approacht so near to that measure which we have concluded on from so many observations , the place which he took to be the bound of the degree he had undertaken to measure , was found ( by report of the people of the place ) as he himself says , at twenty five leagues of paris , whence he set forth . and besides , this could not be far out of the road from paris to amiens ; because these two cities are very near , under the same meridian , and that he must have gone directly towards the north ; they commonly account leagues distance between paris and amiens . it was therefore at leagues on this side of amiens , and by consequence in a place less advanced northwards by ′ . at least , but the difference of the heights of the pole of paris , and of amiens , is ′ ″ . whence it follows that fernelius ought not to account above ′ ″ . when he thought he had advanced a whole degree ; so that it must necessarily be that the error was compensated by the estimate which he made of the length of the way . as for snellius , who gives not above toyses , if one considers what we have elsewhere already taken notice of * , that it is founded upon too little a base ; if we add to this , the multitude of his triangles , the smalness of several angles , the correction of three , and sometimes of . minutes , which he was forced to make in the same triangle ; and in fine , 't is not known by what means he observed the heights of the pole ; we shall less wonder that notwithstanding all his care and pains , he did not succeed so well as fernelius . father riccioli has erred on the other hand , making a degree to amount to bolnonian paces , or to ancient italian miles , according as he determins them ; but he measured not above a third part of a degree , which is too little , and besides it is easie to shew what might have deceived him . let us imagine , that in the d figure of the th plate , i is the top of the tower of modena , d the top of the mountain of paterne , near boulogne , and a the center of the earth . father riccioli in his geography ( lib. . chap. . ) assures us that by many observations made at the times which were least suspected for refractions he always found the angle adi of ° ′ ″ ′″ . and the angle aid of ° ′ ″ supposing that the two terms i and d were viewed by one strait ray. the sum of these two angles makes ° ′ ″ ′″ and by consequence the angle a , or the arch bc , is according to this observation of ′ ″ ′″ ; but the distance is of bon●…nian passes thence by proportion an intire degree should be bolougne passes , which make about . toises of paris . this method which was proposed by kepler , appears so much the more simple , for that there was no need of any coelestial observation , and that it supposes only that the plumb or perpendicular tends directly to the center of the earth , which we have also supposed . but we may demand of father riccioli , how he could be assured that in his observations , he had not any thing of refraction . it was , says he , at noon , in places very high elevated . but besides , that one of those places is much higher then the other ; the following-experiment joyned to what we have related before , will make one ●…ee what judgment ought to be made of this method . in the month of august of the year . the top of the hillock of mareüil observed at noon , from the foot of the tower of montleherie , appear'd below the level ′ ″ ; and some days after at the same hour , the foot of the tower of montlehery reciprocally observ'd from the top of the hillock of mareüil , was found below the level ′ ″ . if there had been no refraction , these two little angles together would have made the angle at the center of the earth , between montlehery and mareüil of ′ , but the distance is . toyses : thence in proportion a degree should be . toyles , which will exceed very much , not only the greatness which we have determined by the heavens ; but even that which father riccioli has found . the measure without doubt will yet come forth much bigger in respect to two objects , that shall be further distant then mareüil and montlehery : in such sort that 't is evident that this method ought to be intirely rejected as fallacious and uncertain . it may be said , that father riccioli , understanding well what refractions would do , did not wholy content himself with this method ; but that he did verify it by coelestial obser●…ations . but after what manner soever it is in italy , where the refractions possibly are not so great as here ; we have not at all found that the observations made for the measure of the earth , by the means of the level did agree with those of the heavens , which we can confirm by divers like examples to those which we have produced : as one may see in the geography of the said author , ( lib. . cap. . ) that of the two observations of the heavens ▪ one of which gave him ′ ″ , and the other ′ ″ , of apparent distance between the zenith of ferrara , and that of the mountain of paterne , he made choice of the first , as of that which agreed best with his calculation ; whereas , if he had followed the second observation , we should have found very little difference between us . the same author for the last proof of his opinion , says , that the distance from avignon to lyons , taken out of the itineraries , accords perfectly with the difference of the heights of the pole of those two cities at the rate of . ancient miles for one degree conformable to his opinion . it were to be wisht that one knew the just distance between lyons and avignon ; and likewise , that one had to that aded the distance from chaalons on the saone , for one should then have a line of many degrees almost in a meridian . nevertheless one may answer father riccioli , that the distances reckoned by the itineraries which he cites , were not measured with exactness enough for the measure of the earth , and that he will have a considerable difference between one itinerary distance , taken in following the great road , and that which might be measured in the shortest line . of these itineraries , that which is attributed to the emperor antoninus , but which do's often pass under the name of antonius augustus , is full of considerable faults ; not giving always the same distance between the same two places , as one may see in comparing the road from millan to arles , with that from millan to vienna . the second itinerary , which is that of bordeaux and of hierusalem , seems to be the work of some particular person , who had described his own travels . and a little examination will shew that 't is different from the first in several places , and that the particular distances of several places between arles and millan , are not at all found to be the same . so that to conclude 't is not in the least reasonable to regard such kind of testimonies against a measure exactly taken . errata . page . l. . r. the. l. . r. to . p. . l. . r. alcmar . p. . l. . r. for . p. . l. . r. five . p. . l. . r. fifth . p. . l. . . p. . l. . r. ″ . ′″ . l. . r. ° . ′ . ″ . l. . r. ° . ′ . ″ . p. . l. . r. this . p. . l. . r. gi . p. . l. . r. amiens . l. ult . r. . p. . l. . r. . l. . r. . p. . l. . r. be turned . p. . l. . r. area . p. . l. . r. . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e abulfeda in his pre ▪ face . eratosth . batavus , pag. . plate the first . all the peices of such a telescope as is here described , are yet more fully represented in the fourth plate . second plate d fig. second plate , first and d figures . first plate second plate , third figure . second plate , first figure . second plate . plate the third . plate th . plate th , st and d figure . pla●…e the second . * artic. . * arti●… . . fifth plate first fig. article . * article . * article . geogr. reform . l. c. . a catalogue of all the cheifest rarities in the publick theater and anatomie-hall, of the university of leyden, by gerrard blancken, which are so set in order that all may easily bee found in their places. sic erimus cuncti postquam nos auferet oreus approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing s estc r this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) a catalogue of all the cheifest rarities in the publick theater and anatomie-hall, of the university of leyden, by gerrard blancken, which are so set in order that all may easily bee found in their places. sic erimus cuncti postquam nos auferet oreus blancken, gerard. aut schuyl, frans. aut maersche, corn. à. aut rijksuniversiteit te leiden. anatomisch kabinet. p. by hubert vander boxe, printed in leyden : . blancken's revision of the leiden catalogue ran into at least three editions before francis schuyl took over the revision. title page woodcut. includes a poem in latin on the exhibits, signed: corn. à maersche. reproduction of the original in the british library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate 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ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng anatomical specimens -- early works to . zoology -- catalogs and collections -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - aptara keyed and coded from proquest page images - andrew kuster sampled and proofread - andrew kuster text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion a catalogue of all the cheifest rarities in the publick theater and anatomie-hall , of the university of leyden , by gerrard blancken , which are so set in order that all may easily bee found in their places . sic erimus cuncti postquam nos auferet orcus . printed in leyden , by hubert vander boxe , . in anatomicum theatrum lugd. batav . advena , qui batavas spectatum veneris oras , huc age , quae stupeas inclyta leyda dabit , huc ubi legiferam cererem comitatur osiris , isidos argolicae suspice signa deae ; frustra deum fragilis fortunae idola profana , urnam , quae cineres relligiosa notet . lampada , ad humanos quae non pervenerit usus , cui magis in cultu , cui magis apta deum ! vixerit aeternae tantum se pasta lucernae flammula , an invisae larva sit illa rei ? quâ lacererit acu , qualem cui fibula vestem . vinxerit , unde sagum strinxerit , unde togam : divitis aegypti pretiosa cadavera , lata finibus eois , invidiosa diis : singula nosse juvet , tamen his & inania rerum , et maris , & terrae viscera posthabeas ; erudit in cantum te vox facunda crameri , et claram ambiguo praestat ubique facem . sic saecli penetrare sinus , & viscera veri . sic poteris roma prodigiore frui . corn . à maersche . these may be seen in the entrance . . two heads of elephants . d. d. sopii & adriana paauw. . the four feet of an elephant . e. justus heurinius . . tigers and leopard's skins . by pr. maurits . . a great oister-schell weighing pound . . the bone of the hinder part of the head of a large old whale , d. adr. paauw. . the head of an elk , d. d. jobi paludoni . the skin and horn of the head of a rhinoceros . the skin and horns of a white hart. . a crocodile . . a norway house built of beams without morter or stone . . the skin of an animall inhabiting brasil called tamandua popa . d. principi mauritii . . the snout of an unknown fish , from brasil . d. g. pisonis . . some india dats . . a trumpet made of the rinds of trees in muscovy . . muscovian bow. . a pair of polonian boots . . a leopard skin . . a pair of laplan's breeches . . a lapland's cunger drumme & a pair of shoose . given by everhard gnootsman . . two horns of an outlandish oxe . . a muscovian monk's hood . . a cithern which the cossacks lightly armed make use of . . a pair of muscovian breeches & a shirt . . a pair of stilts or skates , with which the norwegians , laplanders and finlanders run down high snowy mountaines , with almost an incredible swift pace . d. arnol. williams . . a leather'n boat , brought from the straites of st. david . . warlike arm 's used in china . . a great falchion or hooked sword of the foresaid chinenses . . the halbard of the snout of a sawfish . . a chirurgeons instrument called glossocomium . . a chaire of a root of a tree naturally grown so from amboina . d. pr. carpentier . . the sceleton of a young whale , cutt out of the old ones belly . . the hide of a sea horse ▪ given by pr. maurits . . the skin of an al●e . . swo east indian tygers . gift of p. carpentier . . a bear. d. daniels b●kheri . . the head of a wild boar . . the sceleton of an eagle . a civet-cat . by dn. d. theod. gnol . a ferret . . a leopard . . a chaire of a midwife , by van solingen . . a modell of a murthering-knife found in engeland . aboue in the anatomie chamber . . some monstrous bones . . teeth of a whale . . the sceleton of a bear. about the circle of the theatre are placed these . following rarities . . the sceleton of a cow. the sceleton of a wolf. . the sceleton of baboon ▪ . the sceleton of an asse upon which sit's a womam that killed her daughter . . the sceleton of a cat. . the sceleton a woman of . yeares old who mundered her son . ▪ the sceleton of an hog . d. dr. bils . . the sceleton of an ape . . the sceleton of a tiger . the sceleton of a buck-goate . . the sceleton of a gardiner , that hang'd himself . . the sceleton of a bear. the sceleton of an hart. the sceleton of a piget . donum pisonis . . the sceleton of a lepus marinus a fish inhabiting the muddiest part of the sea , and casteth snot out of it's mouth . the sceleton of a dogge . . the sceleton of a sheep-stealer of haerlem . the sceleton of an horse . . the sceleton of a pirat . the sceleton of a sheep . d. dr. bils . the sceleton of a gel●led buck goate . . the sceleton of a ferret . . the sceleton of a woman called catharine of hamburg , strangled for theft . . the sceleton of a man , sitting upon an ox executed for stealling of cattle . d. dr. bils . the sceleton of an ape . the sceleton of a young grey-hound . the sceleton of a dogge . . the sceleton of an otter . the sceleton of a grey-hound . the sceleton of a patridge dogg . two blue coat souldiers in their skins . . the sceleton of a captain servant , hanged in the hague . these following rarities are about the boames , & wal of the theater . . the covering of a great mumie , upon which is engraven the effigies of ceres . a young elephant's head. . an unknown sea fish. . a sea hedg hog . . the sceleton of a lapwing . . two beasts named tatou . by pr. maurits . the head of a sea-calfe . . a whale's yard . . a sawfish . . the skin of a man tann'd . a piger . don. princ. mauritii . . a fish caught in the haerlemmer meer . . the skin of a ray , or skate , from angola . a formicam vorans or pismire eater , by princip . mauritii . an hound-fish . a crocodile . donum principis mauritii . . the bladder of a man containing four stoop ( which is something above two eng-gallons ) of water . . the skin of a man dressed as parchment . a dea-dog . . an arm , a legg & the scull of a thief hang'd . . the effigies of a prusian pesant . who swallowed a knife of ten inches length , which was cut out of his stomack , & he lived eight years afterwards . don. dan. beckeri . . the entrailes of a man of which is made a shirt . don. dom. johann . a leeuwen . . the skin of an east-indian squirrell . . the skin of a woman prepar'd like leather . . the head of a sword-fish , enemy to the wrhale . d. dr. boemaert . . a whales operator . . a sea-calfe . . a sea starlin . . a sea-hedg-hog . . a fish called , orbis piscis which is like a can with a great belly , of a chesnut colour , is unsavory meat . the sceleton of a coney . . the head of a wilde boar. . the sceleton of a swan . . the sceleton of a cock. . the sceleton of a pigeon . . a shield made of a large sea-tortice-shell . d. job , ab ilpendum . and a kind of baboon , called by the dutch a b●sh manueken . sitting upon itt . . sceleton of a doue . . two peeces of the beard of a young whale , caught before zirickzee . three great snakes skins . . the bone of a whales taile . . the ribbs of whale with some back bones . . the skin of a childe when first born . two horses hides of china . . . or . . china songs . d. p. de carpentier . . the wonderfull form of the bladder & stomach of the known monstrous-fish of scheveling . . the stomach of a man , & of a hogge . . some men's gutts . . the intestines and stomack of a man. . two snouts of sawfishes . . some strange sea fishes . two skins of badgers . in the presse . a. on the north side are the following rarities . . the mumi of an egyptian prince aboue . yeares old . d. david de willem . . the beck of the bird rhinoceros . or , topau . d. a. de paeuw . . a white box in which is unbleacht egyptian linnen . . a role of white china paper . d. michaelis paeuwe . a stone of a considerable bignesse , taken out of a maids kidneys . don. otto heurnius . . a corral tree taken out of the east-indian-sea , d. i. de laet. . six stones taken out of the bladder of old . professor . joh. heurn , . the bille of a strange bird. . two vertebrae out of the neck of a rhinceros . . a great jasper-stone or bloud-stone from arabia . a pot in which is china beer . . an indian sable . . a roman lamp which burnes alwayes under ground . . some roman urnes , a . yeares old . d. danielis gisii . . an indian crab-fish . d. d. johan . dammasii bussu . . an hand of a meermaide . d. princ. mauritii . . a mushrom abroue . yeares old . wich grew on the bank of the haerlemer meer . d. petri sceverii . a foot of a sea-monster d. princ. mauritii . . a lizard's skin from brasile . d. princ. mauritii . . a gold-ring from china . d. dr. johan h●ogkamer . . the head of a rhinoceros . . the wings of a flying fish. . the skin of an indian sqirril . . the claw of an east-indian crab-fish . . a glasse containing the substance with which they were wont to preserve mumies . . a tyger's head. don. princ. mauritii . . the head of a beast from the east indies , called carbirousa , is halfe hart and halfe hog , is bred in the iland celebes . the head of a sea-hog , from brasile . d. guil. piso . the hand and foot of a mumie . d. freder . westphalink . a petrified toad-stool . the same . a precious stone in ethiopia , called heliotropium . . three clawes the horn of a young rhinoceros . . an egyptian bean. . a book printed with china character 's . d. francisci porsijn . . a thunder bolt , given by melchior de moucheron . . the arme of a great aegyptian heros . . a dried black arme . in the presse b. . a man whole in his muscles and tendons very curiously set up by professor stalpert vander wiel . in the presse are as follo weth . . the sceleton of a new born-childe . . the sceleton of a mouse . the sceleton of a mole . all the veines of a mans liver . a flying hart , by franciscus schutmans . . an abortus embalmed . in the case d. . an egyptian urn , in which is an abortus embalm'd , above a . yeares old . . a viper or flying adder . . an egyptian flie. ▪ the cheek bone of a mumie . . a sea-spider , from new. yorke d. hermanni bloem . . capriscus rhondeletii . . the veines of a man's liver . . an egyptian night-owl . . a little box , wherein is some bloud of a cocodile . a piece of bread of a new and unknown meale . a maller , or hammer that the savages in new yorke , kill with . d. hermanni bloem . . an abortus embalmed . . a great heart vein of a man. in the cupboard e. the arme of an aegyptian mumie d. av . de willem . a little bone taken out of the pizzle of a w●lle . . a little stone lound in eagles nests , called ae●●tes lapillus . a stone taken out of the stomack of a goose , brought from the straites of magellane . . lapis nephruteus , or gravel-stone . . a stone found in the head of a sea-calfe . . a bone of the hearing of a whale . d. jacobi . . cuculo , commonly called a sea-cock . . a small bone taken out of the penis of a beaver . . the bladder of a dog. . the bladder of a man. . the double bladder of a fish. the veines of the liver . . a drinking cup of the skull of a moor , killed id in the beleaguering of haarlem . . the sceleton of a hedg-hog . . the sceleton of a frog . the sceleton of a bittor . . a young crocodile from egypt . d. princ. mauritii . the sceleton of a water rat. . the sceleton of chaffinch . . a sheapheard's pipe from the iland maltha . d. d. johan . van horne . . the matrix in the case f. a woorden effigies of osiris , whom the egyptians worshipped as a god , it 's now almost consumed with age . . an image of isis , giving suck tot her son orus . . an egyptian coffer in which are aromaticall spices , for preserving of bodys , for mumies . . three egyptian idoles , made of stone . . a drinking-cup made of a tortice-shell . . an east indian serpent's egges . . the sceleton of a mole . the veines of the lungs . . two ears of a thief hang'd . . the tongue of a thief hanged . . the heart of a man. the membrane of hearing . . the wind pipe or throat of a man. . the pine glandle . . the thumb of a bassa cutt of in the sight of newhuise , by jonker tierse van mecklenburg . in the phresse g. a brazen effigies of osiris , the egyptian god . a water-serpent . . the arme of an egyptian hero , embalmd . a bone embalmd . . a little egyptian coffer upon which is engraven isi's effigies , & in which is the heart of an egyptian prince , embalm'd . d. d. de will. . a fish. called schincus . the hip bone of a giant . don. sam. mutsenbroeck . in the case h. . the arterys of the lung's of a pig . . two idols made of stone . d. david de willem . . a cruse wrought in polished marble . . a triangular fish. d. mr. a hasenbr●ck . . a child in his muscles and tendons . in the case i. a young thief hanged being the bridegom whese bride stood under the gallows , very curiously set up in his ligiments , by p. s. v. wiel , the younger . in the cse k. the sceleton of a child of fiy months . in the great cupboard . l. on the north side of the anatomie . . the mumie of an egyptian prince above . yeares d. johannis baptistis bartoliti . . a pair of sandalls or slippers from the kingdome of syam . . the skin of an indian lizard . . the skin of a molacca moman aboue . yeares old , by richard. su. . a pair of russian shoes . . two images out of the kingdom of japan . d. adriano pauwe. ▪ a cheek bone of a dog fish. lion's heads . an urne , called una feralis romana , where in the romans preserved the asshes of burnt bodies . d. danielis turreto . . a woman 's pudenda . . a roman eartherne vessell . d. danielis gysii . a guilded copper idol from syam . . a china pot. d. d. jac. speck . a box of white powder , with which the indians & italians use to make the haire fall of . . the bough of a tree fenced with a stone . d. d. harrewijn . . a pair of shoes-made of man's leather . . a pair of egyptian sandalls . d. d. i. a leeuwen . . an indian lamprey . . a sea-horse out of the east indies . a flying dragon . . somme strange indian fishes and a flying fish. . a roman lamp which burned eternally . d. d. dan. ghisii . . a roman buckle . . a piece of rhubarb gown in shape of a dog's head. d. i. hoogk . . a lizard . . a basket wherein are crocodile eggs . d. princ. mauritii . . an indian sea-spider . . the liver of a man , in which is grown astone like a ball . . the rib of a sheep , with three branches sprouting out . . the hearing organ of a man. . a basket in which is muscovian and other country money . . the arteria magna of a man. . some egyptian glassing vessels , or cupping vessels . . the sceleton of a serpent , d. ad. bornii , . a dish of lapis ossifragus , or fine bone-stone . d. johan nicola●● boumanni . . a stone which was found on the os sacrum , or the great bone upon ▪ which the ridg bone resteth . . a glasse in wich are cheina figs. . a ball called meusa , found in a cow's stomack . . a great cassia fistula from brassile . d. princ. mauritii . . a box of very large amber . d. danielis bleri . . an american bean. . an indian knife . . an indian gilded wooden-cup . d. do. jac. a stellingwerf . . a black fly called a beetle brought from the cape of goodhope . the cranium , or braine-pan of a wolfe . a cup made of a double braine-pan . d. dr. de bils . . some grown-coral . . the brain-pan of an ostrich . . a ruff , or mushrom of a very considerable greatnesse . . a sceleton of a childe newly borne . . the sceleton of a childe but . moneths old in thee womb. . the image of the goddesse fortune . d. danielis gyisi . . a great stone found in the body of a woman of vlarding being . yeares old . . china shoes of a mananda woman . . the sceleton of a twin . . the sceleton of a fondling . a loas turn'd into stones . in the cupoad m. . many anatomy-instruments left by dr. van solingen . . the sceleton of a man hang'd at gouda nam'd philip de snyder . . the monstrons sceleton of a man with crooked hands & leggs by prof. nuck . vnderneath in the circuit may be seen in the great case all soris of beasts , as cats , doggs , rats , moles , squirrels &c. here after fallows a small chamber in , which is . . a french noble-man who ravish't his sister , and also murdered her , was beheaded at paris , ad bestowed on the anatomie , by d. bils . . the sceleton of a man on horse-back . d. de bils . . the head of a sea-horse . . three fondelings in their skins . . a man beheaded at gouda very curiously set up , by prof. nuck . new-englands rarities discovered in birds, beasts, fishes, serpents, and plants of that country : together with the physical and chyrurgical remedies wherewith the natives constantly use to cure their distempers, wounds, and sores : also a perfect description of an indian squa ... with a poem not improperly conferr'd upon her : lastly, a chronological table of the most remarkable passages in that country amongst the english : illustrated with cuts / by john josselyn, gent. josselyn, john, fl. - . approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing j estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) new-englands rarities discovered in birds, beasts, fishes, serpents, and plants of that country : together with the physical and chyrurgical remedies wherewith the natives constantly use to cure their distempers, wounds, and sores : also a perfect description of an indian squa ... with a poem not improperly conferr'd upon her : lastly, a chronological table of the most remarkable passages in that country amongst the english : illustrated with cuts / by john josselyn, gent. josselyn, john, fl. - . [ ], , [ ] p., leaf of plates : ill. printed for g. widdowes ..., london : . advertisements ([ ] p.) at end. reproduction of original in huntington library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng natural history -- new england -- pre-linnean works. indians of north america -- medicine. botany, medical -- new england. zoology, medical -- new england. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion new-englands rarities discovered : in birds , beasts , fishes , serpents , and plants of that country . together with the physical and chyrurgical remedies wherewith the natives constantly use to cure their distempers , wounds , and sores . also a perfect description of an indian squa , in all her bravery ; with a poem not improperly conferr'd upon her . lastly a chronological table of the most remarkable passages in that country amongst the english . illustrated with cuts . by iohn iosselyn , gent. london , printed for g. widdowes at the green dragon in st. pauls church yard , . to the highly obliging , his honoured friend and kinsman , samuel fortrey esq sir , it was by your assistance ( enabling me ) that i commenc'd a voyage into those remote parts of the world ( known to us by the painful discovery of that memorable gentleman sir fran. drake . ) your bounty then and formerly hath engaged a retribution of my gratitude , and not knowing how to testifie the same unto you otherwayes , i have ( although with some reluctancy ) adventured to obtrude upon you these rude and indigested eight tears observations , wherein whether i shall more shame my self or injure your accurate iudgment and better employment in the perusal , is a question . we read of kings and gods that kindly took a pitcher fill'd with water from the brook. the contemplation whereof ( well-knowing your noble and generous disposition ) hath confirm'd in me the hope that you will pardon my presumption , and accept the tender of the fruits of my travel after this homely manner , and my self as , sir , your highly obliged , & most humble servant , john josselyn . new-englands rarities discovered . in the year of our lord . may . upon an invitation from my only brother , i departed from london , and arrived at boston , the chief town in the massachusets , a colony of englishmen in new-england , the ●… th of iuly following . boston ( whose longitude is deg . and deg . min. of north latitude ) is built on the south-west side of a bay large enough for the anchorage of sail of ships , the buildings are handsome , joyning one to the other as in london , with many large streets , most of them paved with pebble stone , in the high street towards the common there are fair buildings some of stone , and at the east end of the town one amongst the rest , built by the shore by mr. gibs a merchant , being a stately edifice , which it is thought will stand him in little less than l. before it be fully finished . the town is not divided into parishes , yet they have three fair meeting ▪ houses or churches , which hardly suffice to receive the inhabitants and strangers that come in from all parts . having refreshed my self here for some time , and opportunely lighting upon a passage in a bark belonging to a friend of my brothers , and bound to the eastward , i put to sea again , and on the fifteenth of august i arrived at black-point , otherwise called scarborow , the habitation of my beloved brother , being about an hundred leagues to the eastward of boston ; here i resided eight years , and made it my business to discover all along the natural , physical , and chyrurgical rarities of this new-found world. new-england is said to begin at and to end at of northerly latitude , that is from de la ware bay to new-found-land . the sea coasts are accounted wholsomest , the east and south winds coming from sea produceth warm weather , the northwest coming over land causeth extremity of cold , and many times strikes the inhabitants both english and indian with that sad disease called there the plague of the back , but with us em●…iema . the country generally is rocky and mountanous , and extremely overgrown with wood , yet here and there beautified with large rich valleys , wherein are lakes ten , twenty , yea sixty miles in compass , out of which our great rivers have their beginnings . fourscore miles ( upon a direct line ) to the northwest of scarborow , a ridge of mountains run northwest and northeast an hundred leagues , known by the name of the white mountains , upon which lieth snow all the year , and is a land-mark twenty miles off at sea. it is rising ground from the sea shore to these hills , and they are inaccessible but by the gullies which the dissolved snow hath made ; in these gullies grow saven bushes , which being taken hold of are a good help to the climbing discoverer ; upon the top of the highest of these mountains is a large level or plain of a days journey over , whereon nothing grows but moss ; at the farther end of this plain is another hill called the sugar-loaf , to outward appearance a rude heap of massie stones piled one upon another , and you may as you ascend step from one stone to another , as if you were going up a pair of stairs , but winding still about the hill till you come to the top , which will require half a days time , and yet it is not above a mile , where there is also a level of about an acre of ground , with a pond of clear water in the midst of it ; which you may hear run down , but how it ascends is a mystery . from this rocky hill you may see the whole country round about ; it is far above the lower clouds , and from hence we beheld a vapour ( like a great pillar ) drawn up by the sun beams out of a great lake or pond into the air , where it was formed into a cloud . the country beyond these hills northward is daunting terrible , being full of rocky hills , as thick as mole-hills in a meadow , and cloathed with infinite thick woods . new-england is by some affirmed to be an island , bounded on the north with the river canada ( so called from monsieur cane ) on the south with the river mohegan or hudsons river , so called because he was the first that discovered it . some will have america to be an island , which out of question must needs be , if there be a northeast passage found out into the south sea ; it contains acres . the discovery of the northwest passage ( which lies within the river of canada ) was undertaken with the help of some protestant frenchmen , which left canada and retired to boston about the year . the northeast people of america , i. e. new-england , &c. are judged to be tartars called samoades , being alike in complexion , shape , habit and manners , ( see the globe : ) their language is very significant , using but few words , every word having a diverse signification , which is exprest by their gesture ; as when they hold their head of one side the word signifieth one thing , holding their hand up when they pronounce it signifieth another thing . their speeches in their assemblies are very gravely delivered , commonly in perfect hexamiter verse , with great silence and attention , and answered again ex tempore after the same manner . having given you some short notes concerning the country in general , i shall now enter upon the proposed discovery of the natural , physical , and chyrurgical rarities ; and that i may methodically deliver them unto you , i shall cast them into this form : . birds . . beasts . . fishes . . serpents and insects . . plants , of these . such plants as are common with us , . of such plants as are proper to the country , . of such plants as are proper to the country and have no name known to us , . of such plants as have sprung up since the english planted and kept cattle there , . of such garden herbs ( amongst us ) as do thrive there and of such as do not . . of stones , minerals , metals ▪ and earths . first , of birds . the humming bird. the humming bird , the least of all birds , little bigger than a dor , of variable glittering colours , they feed upon honey , which they suck out of blossoms and flowers with their long needle-like bills ; they sleep all winter , and are not to be seen till the spring , at which time they breed in little nests made up like a bottom of soft silk-like matter , their eggs no bigger than a white pease , they hatch three or four at a time , and are proper to this country . the troculus . the troculus , a small bird , black and white , no bigger than a swallow , the points of whose feathers are sharp , which they stick into the sides of the chymney ( to rest themselves , their legs being exceeding short ) where they breed in nests made like a swallows nest , but of a glewy substance , and which is not fastened to the chymney as a swallows nest , but hangs down the chymney by a clew-like string a yard long . they commonly have four or five young ones , and when they go away , which is much about the time that swallows use to depart , they never fail to throw down one of their young birds into the room by way of gratitude . i have more than once observed , that against the ruin of the family these birds will suddenly forsake the house and come no more . the pilhannaw . the pilhannaw or mechquan , much like the description of the indian ruck , a monstrous great bird , a kind of hawk , some say an eagle , four times as big as a goshawk , white mail'd , having two or three purple feathers in her head as long as geeses feathers they make pens of , the quills of these feathers are purple , as big as swans quills and transparent ; her head is as big as a child 's of a year old , a very princely bird ; when she soars abroad , all sort of feathered creatures hide themselves , yet she never preys upon any of them , but upon fawns and iaccals : she ayries in the woods upon the high hills of ossapy , and is very rarely or seldome seen . the turkie . the turkie , who is blacker than ours ; i have heard several credible persons affirm , they have seen turkie cocks that have weighed forty , yea sixty pound ; but out of my personal experimental knowledge i can assure you , that i have eaten my share of a turkie cock , that when he was pull'd and garbidg'd , weighed thirty pound ; and i have also seen threescore broods of young turkies on the side of a marsh , sunning of themselves in a morning betimes , but this was thirty years since , the english and the indian having now destroyed the breed , so that 't is very rare to meet with a wild turkie in the woods ; but some of the english bring up great store of the wild kind , which remain about their houses as tame as ours in england . the goose. the goose , of which there are three kinds ; the gray goose , the white goose , and the brant : the goose will live a long time ; i once found in a white goose three hearts , she was a very old one , and so tuff , that we gladly gave her over although exceeding well roasted . the bloody-flux cured . a friend of mine of good quality living sometime in virginia was sore troubled for a long time with the bloody-flux , having tryed several remedies by the advice of his friends without any good effect , at last was induced with a longing desire to drink the fat dripping of a goose newly taken from the fire , which absolutely cured him , who was in despair of ever recovering his health again . the gripe and vulture . the gripe , which is of two kinds , the one with a white head , the other with a black head , this we take for the vulture : they are both cowardly kites , preying upon fish cast up on the shore . in the year . there was a great mortallity of eels in casco bay , thither resorted at the same time an infinite number of gripes , insomuch that being shot by the inhabitants , they fed their hogs with them for some weeks ; at other times you shall seldome see above two or three in a dozen miles travelling . the quill feathers in their wings make excellent text pens , and the feathers of their tail are highly esteemed by the indians for their arrows , they will not sing in flying ; a gripes tail is worth a beavers skin up in the country . a remedy for the coldness and pain of the stomach . the skin of a gripe drest with the doun on , is good to wear upon the stomach for the pain and coldness of it . the osprey . the osprey , which in this country is white mail'd . a remedy for the tooth-ach . their beaks excell for the tooth-ach , picking the gums therewith till they bleed . the wobble . the wobble , an ill shaped fowl , having no long feathers in their pinions , which is the reason they cannot fly , not much unlike the pengwin ; they are in the spring very fat , or rather oyly , but pull'd and garbidg'd , and laid to the fire to roast , they yield not one ▪ drop . for aches . our way ( for they are very soveraign for aches ) is to make mummy of them , that is , to salt them well , and dry them in an earthen pot well glazed in an oven ; or else ( which is the better way ) to bury them under ground for a day or two , then quarter them and stew them in a tin stew●…an with a very little water . the looue . the looue is a water fowl , alike in shape to the wobble , and as virtual for aches , which we order after the same manner . the owl . the owl , avis devia , which are of three kinds ; the great gray owl with ears , the little gray owl , and the white owl which is no bigger than a thrush . the turkie buzzard . the turkie buzzard , a kind of kite , but as big as a turkie , brown of colour , and very good meat . what birds are not to be found in new-england . now by what the country hath not , you may ghess at what it hath ▪ it hath no nightingals , nor larks , nor bulfinches , nor sparrows , nor blackbirds , nor magpies , nor iackdawes , nor popinjays , nor rooks , nor pheasants , nor woodcocks , nor quails , nor robins , nor cuckoes , &c. secondly , of beasts . the bear , which are generally black . the bear , they live four months in caves , that is all winter ; in the spring they bring forth their young ones , they seldome have above three cubbs in a litter , are very fat in the fall of the leaf with feeding upon acorns , at which time they are excellent venison ; their brains are venomous ; they feed much upon water plantane in the spring and summer , and berries , and also upon a shell-fish called a horse-foot , and are never mankind , i. e. fierce , but in rutting time , and then they walk the country twenty , thirty , forty in a company , making a hideous noise with ●…oaring , which you may hear a mile or ●…wo before they come so near to endanger ●…he traveller . about four years since , ●…corns being very scarce up in the coun●…ry , some numbers of them came down amongst the english plantations , which generally are by the sea side ; at one town called gorgiana in the province of meyn ( called also new-sommerset-shire ) they kill'd fourscore . for aches and cold swellings . their grease is very good for aches and cold swellings , the indians anoint themselves therewith from top to toe , which hardens them against the cold weather . a black bears skin heretofore was worth forty shillings , now you may have one for ten , much used by the english for beds and coverlets , and by the indians for coats . for pain and lameness upon cold. one edw. andrews being foxt , and falling backward cross a thought in a shallop or fisher-boat , and taking cold upon it , grew crooked , lame , and full of pain , was cured , lying one winter upon bears skins newly flead off , with some upon him , so that he sweat every night . the wolf. the wolf , of which there are two kinds ; one with a round ball'd foot , and are in shape like mungrel mastiffs ; the other with a flat foot , these are liker greyhounds , and are called deer wolfs , because they are accustomed to prey upon deer . a wolf will eat a wolf new dead , and so do bears as i suppose , for their dead carkases are never found , neither by the indian nor english. they go a clicketing twelve days , and have as many whelps at a litter as a bitch . the indian dog is a creature begotten 'twixt a wolf and a fox , which the indians lighting upon ▪ bring up to hunt the deer with . the wolf is very numerous , and go in companies , sometimes ten , twenty , more or fewer , and so cunning , that seldome any are kill'd with guns or traps ; but of late they have invented a way to destroy them , by binding four maycril hooks a cross with a brown thread , and then wrapping some wool about them , they dip them in melted tallow till it be as round and as big as an egg ; these ( when any beast hath been kill'd by the wolves ) they scatter by the dead carkase , after they have beaten off the wolves ; about midnight the wolves are sure to return again to the place where they left the slaughtered beast , and the first thing they venture upon will be these balls of fat . for old aches . a black wolfs skin is worth a beaver skin among the indians , being highly esteemed for helping old aches in old people , worn as a coat ; they are not mankind , as in ireland and other countries , but do much harm by destroying of our english cattle . the ounce . the ounce or wild cat , is about the bigness of two lusty ram cats , preys upon deer and our english poultrey : i once found six whole ducks in the belly of one i killed by a pond side : their flesh roasted is as good as lamb , and as white . for aches and shrunk sinews . their grease is soveraign for all manner of aches and shrunk sinews : their skins are accounted good fur , but somewhat course . the raccoon . the raccoon liveth in hollow trees , and is about the size of a gib cat ; they feed upon moss , and do infest our indian corn very much ; they will be exceeding fat in autumn ; their flesh is somewhat dark , but good food roasted . for bruises and aches . their fat is excellent for bruises and aches . their skins are esteemed a good deep fur , but yet as the wild cats somewhat coarse . the porcupine . the porcupine in some parts of the countrey eastward , towards the french , are as big as an ordinary mungrel cur ; a very angry creature and dangerous , shooting a whole shower of quills with a rowse at their enemies , which are of that nature , that wherever they stick in the flesh , they will work through in a short time if not prevented by pulling of them out . the indians make use of their quills , which are hardly a handful long , to adorn the edges of their birchen dishes , and weave ( dying some of them red , others yellow and blew ) curious bags or pouches , in works like turkie-work . the beaver , canis ponticus , amphybious . the beaver , whose old ones are as big as an otter , or rather bigger , a creature of a rare instinct , as may apparently be seen in their artificial dam-heads to raise the water in the ponds where they keep , and their houses having three stories , which would be too large to discourse : they have all of them four cods hanging outwardly between their hinder legs , two of them are soft or oyly , and two solid or hard ▪ the indians say they are hermaphrodites . for wind in the stomach . their solid cods are much used in physick : our englishwomen in this country use the powder grated , as much as will lye upon a shilling in a draught of fiol wine , for wind in the stomach and belly , and venture many times in such cases to give it to women with child : their tails are flat , and covered with scales without hair , which being flead off , and the tail boiled , proves exceeding good meat , being all fat , and as sweet as marrow . the moose deer . the moose deer , which is a very goodly creature , some of them twelve foot high , with exceeding fair horns with broad palms , some of them two fathom from the tip of one horn to the other ; they commonly have three fawns at a time ; their flesh is not dry like deers flesh , but moist and lushious somewhat like horse flesh ( as they judge that have tasted of both ) but very wholsome . the flesh of their fawns is an incomparable dish , beyond the flesh of an asses foal so highly esteemed by the romans , or that of young spaniel puppies so much cried up in our days in france and england . moose horns better for physick use than harts horns . their horns are far better ( in my opinion ) for physick than the horns of other deer , as being of a stronger nature : as for their claws , which both englishmen and french make use of for elk , i cannot approve so to be from the effects , having had some trial of it ; besides , all that write of the elk , describe him with a tuft of hair on the left leg behind , a little above the pastern joynt on the outside of the leg , not unlike the tuft ( as i conceive ) that groweth upon the breast of a turkie cock , which i could never yet see upon the leg of a moose , and i have seen some number of them . for children breeding teeth . the indian webbes make use of the broad teeth of the fawns to hang about their childrens neck when they are breeding of their teeth . the tongue of a grown moose , dried in the smoak after the indian manner , is a dish for a sagamor . the maccarib . the maccarib , caribo , or pohano , a kind of deer , as big as a stag , round hooved , smooth hair'd and soft as silk ; their horns grow backwards a long their backs to their rumps , and turn again a handful beyond their nose , having another horn in the middle of their forehead , about half a yard long , very straight , but wreathed like an unicorns horn , of a brown jettie colour , and very smooth : the creature is no where to be found , but upon cape sable in the french quarters , and there too very rarely , they being not humerous ; some few of their skins and their streight horns are ( but very sparingly ) brought to the english. the fox . the fox , which differeth not much from ours , but are somewhat less ; a black fox skin heretofore was wont to be valued at fifty and sixty pound , but now you may have them for twenty shillings ; indeed there is not any in new-england that are perfectly black , but silver hair'd , that is sprinkled with grey hairs . the iaccal . the iaccal , is a creature that hunts the lions prey , a shrew'd sign that there are lions upon the continent ; there are those that are yet living in the countrey , that do constantly affirm , that about six or seven and thirty years since an indian shot a young lion , sleeping upon the body of an oak blown up by the roots , with an arrow , not far from cape anne , and sold the skin to the english. but to say something of the iaccal , they are ordinarily less than foxes , of the colour of a gray rabbet , and do not scent nothing near so strong as a fox ; some of the indians will eat of them : their grease is good for all that fox grease is good for , but weaker ; they are very numerous . the hare . the hare in new-england is no bigger than our english rabbets , of the same colour , but withall having yellow and black strokes down the ribs ; in winter they are milk white , and as the spring approacheth they come to their colour ; when the snow lies upon the ground they are very bitter with feeding upon the bark of spruce , and the like . thirdly , of fishes . pliny and isadore write there are not above kinds of fishes , but to my knowledge there are nearer : i suppose america was not known to pliny and isadore . a catalogue of fish , that is , of those that are to be seen between the english coast and america , and those proper to the countrey . alderling . alize , alewife , because great bellied ; olafle , oldwife , allow . anchova or sea minnow . aleport . albicore . barble . barracha . barracoutha , a fish peculiar to the west-indies . barsticle . basse. sea bishop , proper to the norway seas . river bleak or bley , a river swallow . sea bleak or bley , or sea camelion . blew fish or hound fish , two kinds , speckled hound fish , and blew hound fish called horse fish. bonito or dozado , or spanish dolphin . river bream . sea bream . cud bream . bullhead or indian muscle . river bulls . burfish . burret . cackarel or laxe . calemarie or sea clerk. catfish . carp. chare , a fish proper to the river wimander in lancashire . sea chough . chub or chevin . cony fish. clam or clamp . sea cob. cockes , or coccles , or coquil . cook fish. rock cod. sea cod or sea whiting . crab , divers kinds , as the sea crab , boat-fish , river crab , sea lion , &c. sea cucumber . cunger or sea eel . cunner or sea roach . cur. currier , post , or lacquey of the sea. crampfish or torpedo . cuttle , or sleeves , or sea angler . clupea , the tunnies enemy . sea cornet . cornuta or horned fish. dace , dare , or dart. sea dart , iavelins . dogfish or tubarone . dolphin . dorce . dorrie , goldfish . golden-eye , gilt ▪ pole , or godline , yellowheads . sea dragon or sea spider , quaviner . drum , a fish frequent in the west indies . sea emperour or sword fish. eel , of which divers kinds . sea elephant , the leather of this fish will never rot , excellent for thongs . ears of the sea. flayl fish. flownder or flook , the young ones are called dabs . sea flownder or flowre . sea fox . frogfish . frostfish . frutola , a broad plain fish with a tail like a half moon . sea flea . gallyfish . grandpiss or herring hog , this , as all fish of extraordinary size , are accounted regal fishes . grayling . greedigut . groundling . gudgin . gulf. sea grape . gull. gurnard . hake . haccle or sti●…klebacks . haddock . horse foot or asses hoof. herring . h●…llibut or sea pheasant . some will have the turbut all one , others distinguish them , calling the young fish of the first buttis , and of the other birt . there is no question to be made of it but that they are distinct kinds of fish. sea hare . sea hawk . hartfish . sea hermit . henfish . sea hind . hornbeak , sea ruff and reeves . sea horseman . hog or flying fish. sea kite or flying swallow . lampret or lamprel . lampreys or lamprones . limpin . ling , sea beef ; the smaller sort is called cusk . sea lanthorn . sea liver . lobster . sea lizard . sea locusts . lump , poddle , or sea owl . lanter . lux , peculiar to the river rhyne . sea lights . luna , a very small fish , but exceeding beautiful , broad bodied and blewish of colour ; when it swims , the fins make a circle like the moon . maycril . maid . manatee . m●…la , a fish like a lump of flesh , taken in the venetian sea. millers thumb , mulcet or pollard . molefish . minnow , called likewise a pink ; the same name is given to young salmon ; it is called also a witlin . monkefish . morse , river or sea horse , fresh water mullet . sea mullet , botargo or petargo is made of their spawn . muscle , divers kinds . navelfish . nunfish . needlefish . sea nettle . oyster . occulata . perch or river partridge . pollack . piper or gavefish . periwig . periwincle or sea snail or whelk . pike , or fresh-water wolf , or river wolf , luce and lucerne , which is an overgrown pike ▪ pilchard , when they are dried as red herrings they are called fumadoes . pilot fish. plaice or sea sparrow . polipe or pour-contrel . porpuise or porpiss , molebut , sea hog , sus marinus , tursion . priest fish or sea priest. prawn or crangone . punger . patella . powt , the feathered fish , or fork fish. river powt . pursefish or indian reversus , like an eel , having a skin on the hinder part of her head , like a purse , with strings , which will open and shut . parratfish . purplefish . porgee . remora , or suck stone , or stop ship. sea raven . roch or roach . rochet or rouget . ruff or pope . sea ram. salmon . sailfish . scallope or venus coccle . scate , or ray , or gristlefish ; of which divers kinds , as sharp snowted ray , rock ray , &c. shad. shallow . sharpling . spurling . sculpin . sheepshead . soles , or tonguefish , or sea capon , or sea partridge . seal , or soil , or zeal . sea calf , and ( as some will have it ) molebut . sheathfish . sea scales . sturgeon , of the roe of this fish they make caviar●… or cavialtie . shark or bunch , several kinds . smelt . snaccot . shrimp . spyfish . spitefish . sprat . spungefish . squill . squid . sunfish . starfish swordfish . tench . thornback or neptunes beard . thunnie , they cut the fish in pieces like shingles and powder it , and this they call melandria . sea toad . tortoise , torteise , tortuga , tortisse , turcle or turtle , of divers kinds . trout . turbut . sea tun. sea tree . uraniscopus . ulatife or sawfish , having a saw in his forehead three foot long , and very sharp . umber . sea urchin . sea unicorn or sea mononeros . whale , many kinds . whiting or merling , the young ones are called weerlings and m●…ps . whore. yardfish , asses prick or shamefish . the sturgeon . the sturgeon , of whose sounds is made i●…inglass , a kind of glew much used in physick : this fish is here in great plenty , and in some rivers so numerous , that it is hazardo●…s for canoes and the like small vessels to pass to and again , as in pechipscut river to the eastward . the cod. the cod , which is a staple commodity in the country . to stop fluxes of blood. in the head of this fish is found a stone , or rather a bone , which being pulveriz'd and drank in any convenient liquor , will stop womens overflowing courses notably : likewise , for the stone . there is a stone found in their bellies , in a bladder against their navel , which being pulveriz'd and drank in white-wine posset or ale , is present remedy for the stone . to heal a green cut. about their fins you may find a kind of lowse , which healeth a green cut in short time . to restore them that have melted their grease . their livers and sounds eaten , is a good medicine for to restore them that have melted their grease . the dogfish . the dogfish , a ravenous fish. for the toothach . upon whose back grows a thorn two or three inches long , that helps the tooth-ach , scarifying the gums therewith . their skins are good to cover boxes and instrument cases . the stingray . the stingray , a large fish , of a rough skin , good to cover boxes and hafts of knives , and rapier sticks . the tortous . the turtle or tortous , of which there are three kinds : . the land turtle ; they are found in dry sandy banks , under old houses , and never go into the water . for the ptisick , consumption , and morbus gallicus . they are good for the ptisick and consumptions , and some say the morbus gallicus . . the river turtle , which are venomous and stink . . the turtle that lives in lakes and is called in virginia a terrapine . the soile . the soile or sea calf , a creature that brings forth her young ones upon dry land , but at other times keeps in the sea preying upon fish. for scalds and burns , and for the mother . the oyl of it is much used by the ●…ndians , who eat of it with their fish , ●…nd anoint their limbs therewith , and ●…heir wounds and sores : it is very good ●…or scalds and burns ; and the fume of it , ●…eing cast upon coals , will bring women ●…ut of the mother fits. the hair upon ●…he young ones is white , and as soft as ●…ilk ; their skins , with the hair on , are good to make gloves for the winter . the sperma ceti whale . the sperma ceti whale differeth from ●…he whales that yield us whale-bones , ●…or the first hath great and long teeth , the other is nothing but bones with tassels hanging from their jaws , with which they suck in their prey . what sperma ceti is . it is not long since a sperma ceti whale or two were cast upon the shore , not far from boston in the massachusets bay , which being cut into small pieces and boiled in cauldrons , yielded plenty of oyl ; the oyl put up into hogsheads , and stow'd into cellars for some time , candies at the bottom , it may be one quarter ; then the oyl is drawn off , and the candied stuff put up into convenient vessels is sold for sperma ceti , and is right sperma ceti . for bruises and aches . the oyl that was drawn off candies again and again , if well ordered ; and is admirable for bruises and aches . what ambergreece is . now you must understand this whale feeds upon ambergreece , as is apparent , finding it in the whales maw in great quantity , but altered and excrementitious : i conceive that ambergreece is no other than a kind of mushroom growing at the bottom of some seas ; i was once shewed ( by a mariner ) a piece of ambergreece having a root to it like that of the land mushroom , which the whale breaking up , some scape his devouring paunch , and is afterwards cast upon shore . the coccle . a kind of coccle , of whose shell the indians make their beads called wompampe●…g and mohaicks , the first are white ▪ the other blew , both orient , and beautified with a purple vein . the white ●…eads are very good to stanch blood. the scarlet muscle . the scarlet muscle , at paschatawey a ●…lantation about fifty leagues by sea east●…ard from boston , in a small cove called ●…akers cove there is found this kind of muscle which hath a purple vein , which ●…eing prickt with a needle yieldeth a per●…ect purple or scarlet juice , dying linnen 〈◊〉 that no washing will wear it out , but ●…eeps its lustre many years : we mark ●…ur handkerchiefs and shirts with it . fish of greatest esteem in the west-indies . the indians of peru esteem of three ●…ishes more than any other , viz. the sea ●…orteise , the tubaron , and the manate ●…r sea cow ; but in new-england the in●…ians have in greatest request , the bass , ●…he sturgeon , the salmon , the lamprey , the ●…el , the frost-fish , the lobster and the ●…lam . fourthly , of serpents , and insects . the pond frog . the pond frog , which chirp in th●… spring like sparows , and croke lik●… toads in autumn : some of these whe●… they set upon their breech are a foot high the indians will tell you , that up in th●… country there are pond frogs as big as 〈◊〉 child of a year old . for burns , scalds , and inflammations . they are of a glistering brass colour , and very fat ▪ which is excellent for burns and scaldings , to take out the fire , and hea●… them , leaving no scar ; and is also very good to take away any inflammation . the rattle snake . the rattle snake , who poysons with a vapour that comes thorough two crooked fangs in their mouth ; the hollow of these fangs are as black as ink : the indians , when weary with travelling , will ●…ake them up with their bare hands , laying ●…old with one hand behind their head , with ●…he other taking hold of their tail , and ●…ith their teeth tear off the skin of their backs , and feed upon them alive ; which ●…hey say refresheth them . for frozen limbs , aches , and bruises . they have leafs of fat in their bellies , which is excellent to annoint frozen limbs , ●…nd for aches and bruises wondrous soveraign . their hearts swallowed fresh is a good antidote against their venome , and ●…heir liver ( the gall taken out ) bruised and applied to their bitings is a present remedy . of insects . a bug. there is a certain kind of bug like a beetle , but of a glistering brass colour , with four strong tinsel wings ; their bodies are full of corruption or white matter like a maggot ; being dead , and kept a while , they will stench odiously ; they beat the humming birds from the flowers . the wasp . the wasps in this countrey are pie●… black and white , breed in hives made lik●… a great pine apple , their entrance is a●… the lower end , the whole hive is of a●… ash colour , but of what matter its mad●… no man knows ; wax it is not , neithe●… will it melt nor fry , but will take fire suddenly like tinder : this they fasten to a bow , or build it round about a low bush , a foot from the ground . the flying gloworm . the flying gloworm , flying in dark summer nights like sparks of fire in great number ; they are common liewise in palestina . fifthly , of plants . and . of such plants as are common with us in england . hedghog-grass . mattweed . cats-tail . stichwort , commonly taken here by ignorant people for eyebright ; it blows in iune . blew flower-de-luce ; the roots are not knobby , but long and streight , and very white , with a multitude of strings . to provoke vomit and for bruises . it is excellent for to provoke vomiting , and for bruises on the feet or face . they flower in iune , and grow upon dry sandy hills as well as in low wet grounds . yellow bastard daffodill ; it flowereth in may , the green leaves are spotted with black spots . dogstones , a kind of satyrion , whereof there are several kinds groweth in our salt marshes . to procure love. i once took notice of a wanton womans compounding the solid roots of this plant with wine , for an amorous cup ; which wrought the desired effect . watercresses . red lillies grow all over the country innumerably amongst the small bushes , and flower in iune . wild sorrel . alders tongue comes not up till iune ; i have found it upon dry hilly grounds , in places where the water hath stood all winter , in august , and did then make oyntment of the herb new gathered ; the fairest leaves grow amongst short hawthorn bushes , that are plentifully growing in such hollow places . one blade . lilly convallie , with the yellow flowers ▪ grows upon rocky banks by the sea. water plantane , here called watersuck-leaves . for burns and scalds , and to draw ater out of swell'd legs . it is much used for burns and scalds , and to draw water out of swell'd legs . bears feed much upon this plant , so do the moose deer . sea plantane , three kinds . small-water archer . autumn bell flower . white hellibore , which is the first plant that springs up in this country , and the first that withers ; it grows in deep black mould and wet , in such abundance , that you may in a small compass gather whole cart-loads of it . wounds and aches cured by the indians . for the tooth-ach . for herpes milliares . the indians cure their wounds with it , annointing the wound first with raccoons greese , or wild-cats greese , and strewing upon it the powder of the roots ; and for aches they scarifie the grieved part , and annoint it with one of the foresaid oyls , then strew upon it the powder : the powder of the root put into a hollow tooth , is good for the tooth-ach : the root sliced thin and boyled in vineager , is very good against herpes milliaris . arsmart , both kinds . spurge time , it grows upon dry sandy sea banks , and is very like to rupter-wort , it is full of milk. rupter-wort , with the white flower . jagged rose-penny-wort . soda bariglia , or massacote , the ashes of soda , of which they make glasses . glass-wort , here called berrelia , it grows abundantly in salt marshes . st. john ' s-wort . st. peter ' s ▪ wort. speed-well chick-weed . male fluellin , or speed-well . upright peniroyal . wild-mint . cat-mint . egrimony . the lesser clot-bur . water lilly , with yellow flowers , the indians eat the roots , which are long a boiling , they tast like the liver of a sheep , the moose deer feed much upon them , at which time the indians kill them , when their heads are under water . dragons , their leaves differ from all the kinds with us , they come up in iune . violets of three kinds , the white violet which is sweet , but not so strong as our blew violets ; blew violets without sent , and a reddish violet without sent ; they do not blow till i●…ne . for swell'd legs . wood-bine , good for hot swellings of the legs , fomenting with the decoction , and applying the feces in the form of a cataplasme . salomons-seal , of which there is three kinds ; the first common in england , the second , virginia salomons-seal , and the third , differing from both , is called treacle berries , having the perfect ●…ast of treacle when they are ripe ; and will keep good along while ; certainly a very wholsome berry , and medicinable . doves-foot . herb robert. knobby cranes bill . for agues . ravens-claw , which flowers in may , and is admirable for agues . cinkfoil . tormentile . avens , with the leaf of mounta●…e-avens , the flower and root of english avens . strawberries . wild angelica , majoris and minoris . alexanders , which grow upon rocks by the sea shore . yarrow , with the white flower . columbines , of a flesh colour , growing upon rocks . oak of hierusalem . achariston is an excellent medicine for stopping of the lungs upon cold , ptisick &c. oak of cappadocia , both much of a nature , - but oak of hierusalem is stronger in operation ; excellent for stuffing of the lungs upon colds , shortness of wind , and the ptisick ; maladies that the natives are often troubled with : i helped several of the indians with a drink made of two gallons of molosses wort , ( for in that part of the country where i abode , we made our beer of molosses , water , bran , chips of sassafras root , and a little wormwood , well boiled , ) into which i put of oak of hierusalem , cat mint , sowthistle , of each one handful , of enula campana root one ounce , liquorice scrap'd brused and cut in peices , one ounce , sassafras root cut into thin chips , one ounce , anny-seed and sweet fennel-seed , of each one spoonful bruised ; boil these in a close pot , upon a soft fire to the consumption of one gallon , then take it off , and strein it gently ; you may if you will boil the streined liquor with sugar to a syrup , then when it is cold , put it up into glass bottles , and take thereof three or four spoonfuls at a time , letting it run down your throat as leasurely as possibly you can ; do thus in the morning , in the afternoon , and at night going to bed . goose-grass , or clivers . fearn . brakes . wood sorrel , with the yellow flower . elm. line tree , both kinds . a way to draw out oyl of akrons , or the like , &c. maple ; of the ashes of this tree the indians make a lye , with which they force out oyl from oak akorns that is highly esteemed by the indians . dew-grass . earth-nut , which are of divers kinds , one bearing very beautiful flowers . fuss-balls , very large . mushrooms , some long and no bigger than ones finger , others jagged flat , round , none like our great mushrooms in england , of these some are of a scarlet colour , others a deep yellow , &c. blew flowered pimpernel . noble liver-wort , one sort with white flowers , the other with blew . black-berry . dew-berry . rasp-berry , here called mul-berry . goose-berries , of a deep red colour . h●… ho●…n , the haws being as big as services , and very good to eat , and not so astringent as the haws in england . ●…oad flax . pellamount , or mountain time . mouse - 〈◊〉 minor. the making of oyl of akrons . to strengthe●… weak members ▪ ●…or scall'd-heads . there is oak of three kinds , white , red and black , the white is excellent to make canoes of , shallopes , ships , and other vessels for the sea , and for claw-board , and pipe-staves , the black is good to make waynscot of ; and out of the white oak acorns , ( which is the acorn bears delight to ●…eed upon ) : the natives draw an oyl , taking the rottenest maple wood , which being burnt to ashes , they make a strong lye therewith , wherein they boyl their white oak-acorns until the oyl swim on the top in great quantity ; this they fleet off , and put into bladders to annoint their naked limbs , which corrobarates them exceedingly ; they eat it likewise with their meat , it is an excellent clear and sweet oyl : of the moss that grows at the roots of the white oak the indesses make a strong decoction , with which they help their papouses or young childrens scall'd heads . iuniper , which cardanus saith is cedar in hot countries , and juniper in cold countries ▪ it is hear very dwarfish and shrubby , growing for the most part by the sea side . w●…llow . spurge lawrel , called here poyson berry , it kills the english cattle if they chance to feed upon it , especially calves . gaul , or noble mirtle . elder . dwarf elder . for a cut with a bruse . alder ; an indian bruising and cutting of his knee with a fall , used no other remedy , than alder bark chewed fasting , and laid to it , which did soon heal it . to take fire out of a burn. the decoction is also excellent to take the fire out of a burn or scalld . for wounds and cuts . for wounds and cuts make a strong decoction of bark of alder , pour of it into the wound , and drink thereof . hasel . for sore mouths , falling of the pallat. filberd , both with hairy husks upon the nuts , and setting hollow from the nut , and fill'd with a kind of water of an astringent taste ; it is very good for sore mouths , and falling of the pallat , as is the whole green nut before it comes to kernel , burnt and pulverized . the kernels are seldom without maggots in them . the figure of the walnut . walnut ; the nuts differ much from ours in europe , they being smooth , much like a nutmeg in shape , and not much bigger ; some three cornered , all of them but thinly replenished with kernels . chestnuts ; very sweet in taste , and may be ( as they usually are ) eaten raw ; the indians sell them to the english for twelve pence the bushel . beech. ash. quick-beam , or wild-ash . coals of birch pulverized and wrought with the white of an egg to a salve , is a gallant remedy for dry scurfy sores upon the shins ; and for bruised wounds and cuts . birch , white and black ; the bark of birch is used by the indians for bruised wounds and cuts , boyled very tender , and stampt betwixt two stones to a plaister , and the decoction thereof poured into the wound ; and also to fetch the fire out of burns and scalds . poplar , but differing in leaf . plumb tree , several kinds , bearing some long , round , white , yellow , red , and black plums ; all differing in their fruit from those in england . wild purcelan●… . wood-wax , wherewith they dye many pretty colours . red and black currans . for the gout , or any ach. spunck , an excrescence growing out of black birch , the indians use it for touchwood ; and therewith they help the sciatica , or gout of the hip , or any great ach , burning the patient with it in two or three places upon the thigh , and upon certain veins . . of such plants as are proper to the country . toripen any impostume or swelling . for sore mouths . the new-englands standing dish . indian wheat , of which there is three sorts , yellow , red , and blew ; the blew is commonly ripe before the other a month : five or six grains of indian wheat hath produced in one year . it is hotter than our wheat and clammy ; excellent in cataplasms to ripen any swelling or impostume . the decoction of the blew corn , is good to wash sore mouths with : it is light of digestion , and the english make a kind of loblolly of it , to eat with milk , which they call sampe ; they beat it in a morter , and sift the flower out of it ; the remainer they call homminey , which they put into a pot of two or three gallons , with water , and boyl it upon a gentle fire till it be like a hasty pudden ; they put of this into milk , and so eat it . their bread also they make of the homminey so boiled , and mix their flower with it , cast it into a deep bason in which they form the loaf , and then turn it out upon the peel , and presently put it into the oven before it spreads abroad ; the flower makes excellent puddens . bastard calamus aromaticus , agrees with the description , but is not barren ; they flower in iuly , and grow in wet places , as about the brinks of ponds . to keep the feet warm . the english make use of the leaves to to keep their feet warm . there is a little beast called a muskquash , that liveth in small houses in the ponds , like mole hills , that feed upon these plants ; their cods sent as sweet and as strong as musk , and will last along time handsomly wrap'd up in cotton wool ; they are very good to lay amongst cloaths . may is the best time to kill them , for then their cods sent strongest wild-l●…kes , which the indians use much to eat with their fish . a plant like knavers-mustard , called new-england mustard . mountain-lillies , bearing many yellow flowers , turning up their leaves like the martigon , or turks cap , spotted with small spots as deep as safforn ; they flower in iuly . one berry , or herb true love. see the figure . tobacco , there is not much of it planted in new-england ; the indians make use of a small kind with short round leaves called pooke . for burns and scalds . with a strong decoction of tobacco they cure burns and scalds , boiling it in water from a quart to a pint , then wash the sore therewith , and strew on the powder of dryed ▪ tobacco . hollow leaved lavender , is a plant that grows in salt marshes overgrown with moss , with one straight stalk about the bigness of an oat straw , better than a cubit high ; upon the top-standeth one fantastical flower , the leaves grow close from the root , in shape like a tankard , hollow , tough , and alwayes full of water , the root is made up of many small strings , growing only in the moss , and not in the earth , the whole plant comes to its perfection in august , and then it has leaves , stalks , and flowers as red as blood , excepting the flower which hath some yellow admixt . i wonder where the knowledge of this plant hath slept all this while , i. e. above forty years . for all manner of fluxes . it is excellent for all manner of fluxes . live for ever , a kind of cad weed . tree primerose , taken by the ignorant for scabious . a solar plant , as some will have it . maiden hair , or cappellus veneris verus , which ordinarily is half a yard in height . the apothecaries for shame now will substitute wall-r●…e no more for maiden hair , since it grows in abundance in new-england , from whence they may have good store . pirola , two kinds . see the figures , both of them excellent wound herbs . homer's moll●…y . lysimachus , or loose strife , it grows in dry grounds in the open sun four foot high , flowers from the middle of the plant to the top , the flowers purple , standing upon a small sheath or cod , which when it is ripe breaks and puts forth a white silken doun , the stalk is red , and as big as ones finger . marygold of peru , of which there are two kinds , one bearing black seeds , the other black and white streak'd , this beareth the fairest flowers , commonly but one upon the very top of the stalk . treacle-berries . see before salomons seal . oak of hierusalem . see before . oak of cappadocea . see before . earth-nuts , differing much from those in england , one sort of them bears a most beautiful flower . for the scurvy and dropsie . sea-tears , they grow upon the sea banks in abundance , they are good for the scurvy and dropsie , boiled and eaten as a sallade , and the broth drunk with it . indian beans , better for physick use than other beans . indian beans , falsly called french beans , are better for physick and chyrurgery than our garden beans . probatum est : squashes , but more truly squonte●… squashes , a kind of mellon , or rather gourd , for they oftentimes degenerate into gourds ; some of these are green , some yellow , some longish like a gourd , others round like an apple , all of them pleasant food boyled and buttered , and season'd with spice ; but the yellow squash called an apple squash , because like an apple , and about the bigness of a pome-water , is the best kind ; they are much eaten by the indians and the english , yet they breed the small white worms ( which physitians call ascarides , ) in the long ●…ut that vex the fundament with a perpetual itching , and a desire to go to stool . water-mellon , it is a large fruit , but nothing near so big as a pompion , colour , smoother , and of a sad grass green rounder , or more rightly sap-green ; with some yellowness admixt when ripe ; the seeds are black , the flesh or pulpe exceeding juicy . for heat and thirst in feavers . it is often given to those sick of feavers , and other hot diseases with good success . new-england daysie , or primrose , is the second kind of navel wort in iohnson upon gerard ; it flowers in may , and grows amongst moss upon hilly grounds and rocks that are shady . for burns and scalds . it is very good for burns and scalds . an achariston , or medicine deserving thanks . an indian whose thumb was swell'd , and very much inflamed , and full of pain , increasing and creeping along to the wrist , with little black spots under the thumb against the nail ; i cured it with this umbellicus veneris root and all , the yolk of an egg , and wheat flower , f. cataplasme . briony of peru , ( we call it though it grown hear ) or rather scamnony ; some take it for mech●…acan : the green juice is absolutely poyson ; yet the root when dry may safely be given to strong bodies . red and black currence . see before . wild damask roses , single , but very large and sweet , but stiptick . sweet ●…ern , the roots run one within another like a net , being very long and spreading abroad under the upper crust of the earth , sweet in taste , but withal astringent , much hunted after by our swine : the scotch-men that are in new-england have told me that it grows in scotland . for fluxes . the people boyl the tender tops in molosses beer , and in possets for fluxes , for which it is excellent . sarsaparilia , a plant not yet sufficiently known by the english : some say it is a kind of bind weed ; we have in new-england two plants , that go under the name of sarsaparilia ; the one not above a foot in height without thorns , the other having the same leaf , but is a shrub as high as a goose berry bush , and full of sharp thorns ; this i esteem as the right , by the shape and savour of the roots , but rather by the effects answerable to that we have from other parts of the world ; it groweth upon dry sandy banks by the sea side , and upon the banks of rivers , so far as the salt water flowes ; and within land up in the country , as some have reported . bill berries , two kinds , black and sky coloured , which is more frequent . to cool the heat of feavers , and quench thirst. they are very good to allay the burning heat of feavers , and hot agues , either in syrup or conserve . a most excellent summer dish . they usually eat of them put into a bason , with milk , and sweetned a little more with sugar and spice , or for cold stomachs , in sack. the indians dry them in the sun , and sell them to the english by the bushell , who make use of them instead of currence , putting of them into puddens , both boyled and baked , and into water gr●…el . knot berry , or clowde berry , seldom ripe . sumach , differing from all that ▪ i did ever see in the herbalists ; our english cattle devour it most abominably , leaving neither leaf nor branch , yet it sprou●…s again next spring . for colds . the english use to boyl it in beer , and drink it for colds ; and so do the indians , from whom the english had the medicine . wild cherry , they grow in clusters like grapes , of the same bigness , blackish , red when ripe , and of a harsh taste . for fluxes . they are also good for fluxes . transplanted and manured , they grow exceeding fair . board pine , is a very large tree two or three fadom about . for wounds . it yields a very soveraign turpentine for the curing of desperate wounds . for stabbs . the indians make use of the moss boiled in spring water , for stabbs , pouring in the liquor , and applying the boiled moss well stamp'd or beaten betwixt two stones . for burning and scalding . and for burning and scalding , they first take out the fire with a strong decoction of alder bark , then they lay upon it a playster of the bark of board pine first boyled tender , and beat to a playster betwixt two stones . to take fire out of a burn. one christopher luxe , a fisher-man ▪ having burnt his knee pan , was healed again by an indian webb , or wife , ( for so they call those women that have husbands ; ) she first made a strong decoction of alder bark , with which she took out the fire by imbrocation , or letting of it drop upon the sore , which would smoak notably with it ; then she playstered it with the bark of board pine , or hemlock tree , boyled soft and stampt betwixt two stones , till is was as thin as brown paper , and of the same colour , she annointed the playster with soyles oyl , and the sore likewise , then she laid it on warm , and sometimes she made use of the bark of the larch tree . to eat out proud flesh in a sore . and to eat out the proud flesh , they take a kind of earth nut boyled and stamped , and last of all , they apply t●… the sore the roots of water lillies boiled and stamped betwixt two stones , to a playster . for stitches . the firr tree , or pitch tree , the tar that is made of all sorts of pitch wood is an excellent thing to take away those desperate stitches of the sides , which perpetually afflicteth those poor people that are stricken with the plague of the back . note , you must make a large toast , or cake slit and dip it in the tar , and bind it warm to the side . the most common diseases in new england . the black pox , the spotted feaver , the griping of the guts , the dropsie , and the sciatica , are the killing deseases in new-england . the larch tree , which is the only tree of all the pines , that sheds his leaves before winter ; the other remaining green all the year : this is the tree from which we gather that useful purging excrense agarick . for wounds and cuts . the leaves and gum are both very good to heal wounds and cuts . for wounds with bruises . i cured once a desperate bruise with a cut upon the knee pan , with an ungent made with the leaves of the larch tree , and hogs grease , but the gum is best . spruce is a goodly tree , of which they make masts for ships , and sail yards : it is generally conceived by those that have skill in building of ships , that here is absolutely the best trees in the world , many of them being three fathom about , and of great length . an achariston for the scurvy . the tops of green spruce boughs boiled in bear , and drunk , is assuredly one of the best remedies for the scurvy , restoring the infected party in a short time ; they also make a lotion of some of the decoction , adding hony and allum . hemlock tree , a kind of spruce , the bark of this tree serves to dye tawny ; the fishers tan their sails and nets with it . to break sore or swelling . the indians break and heal their swellings and sores with it , boyling the inner bark of young hemlock very well , then knocking of it betwixt two stones to a playster , and annointing or soaking it in soyls oyl , they apply it to the sore : it will break a sore swelling speedily . one berry , herba paris , or true love. sassafras , or ague tr●…e . for heat in feavers . the chips of the root boyled in beer is excellent to allay the hot rage of feavers , being drunk . for bruises and dry blowes . the leaves of the same tree are very good made into an oyntment , for bruises and dry blows . the bark of the root we use instead of cinamon ; and it is ●…old at the barbadoes for two shillings the pound . and why may not this be the bark the jesuits powder was made of , that was so famous not long since in england , for agues ? cran berry , or bear berry , because bears use much to feed upon them , is a small trayling plant that grows in salt marshes that are over-grown with moss ; the tender branches ( which are reddish ) run out in great length , lying flat on the ground , where at distances , they take root , over-spreading sometimes half a score acres , sometimes in small patches of about a rood or the like ; the leaves are like box , but greener , thick and glisteri●…g ▪ the blossoms are very like the flowers o●… our english night shade , after which succeed the berries , hanging by long small foot stalks , no bigger than a hair ; at first they are of a pale yellow colour , afterwards red , and as big as a cherry ; some perfectly round , others oval , all of them hollow , of a sower astringent taste ; they are ripe in august and september . for the scurvy . they are excellent against the scurvy . for the heat in feavers . they are also good to allay the fervour of hot diseases . the indians and english use them much , boyling them with sugar for sauce to eat with their meat ; and it is a delicate sauce , especially for roasted mutton : some make tarts with them as with goose berries . vine , much differing in the fruit , all of them very fleshy , some reasonably pleasant ; others have a taste of gun powder , and these grow in swamps , and low wet grounds . . of such plants as are proper to the country , and have no name . ( . ) pirola , or winter green , that kind which grows with us in england is common in new-england , but there is another plant which i judge to be a kind of pirola , and proper to this country , a very beautiful plant ▪ the shape of the leaf and the just bigness of it you may see in the figure . the leaf of the plant judged to be a kind of pirola . the ground whereof is a sap green , embroydered ( as it were ) with many pale yellow ribs , the whole plant in shape is like semper vivum , but far less , being not above a handful high , with one slender stalk , adorned with small pale yellow flowers like the other pirola . it groweth not every where , but in some certain small spots overgrown with moss , close by swamps and shady ; they are green both summer and winter . for wounds . they are excellent wound herbs , but this i judge to be the better by far . probatum est . a type of plant . this plant was brought to me by a neighbour , who ( wandering in the woods to find out his strayed cattle , ) lost himself for two dayes , being as he ghessed eight or ten miles from the sea-side . the root was pretty thick and black , having a number of small black strings growing from ●…t , the stalks of the lea●…●…bout a handful long , the leaves were round and as big as a silver five shilling piece , of a s●…p or dark green colour , with a line or 〈◊〉 as black as jeat round the circumference , from whence came black lines or ribs at equal distance , all of them meeting in a black spot in the center . if i had staid longer in the country , i should have purposely made a journey into those parts where it was gathered , to discover if possible , the stalk and flower ; but now i shall refer it to those that are younger , and better able to undergo the pains and trouble of finding it out ; for i 〈◊〉 by the natives , that it is not common , that is , every where to be found , no more th●…n the embroydered pirola , which al●… i●…●… most elegant plant , and which ●…●…id endeavour to bring over , but it 〈◊〉 a●… 〈◊〉 . for 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 all ●…eal , o. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 another 〈◊〉 ●…rb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ours , but rather beyond it : some of ou●… english practitioners take it for vervene and use it for the same , wherein they are grosly mistaken . the leaf is like a nettle leaf , but narrower and longer ; the stalk about the bigness of a nettle stalk , champhered and hollow , and of a dusky red colour ; the flowers are blew , small , and many , growing in spoky tufts at the top , and are not hooded , but having only four round leaves , after which followeth an infinite of small longish light brown seed ; the roots are knotty and matted together with an infinite number of small white strings ; the whole plant is commonly two cubits high , bitter in taste , with a rosenie savour . ( . ) this plant is one of the first that springs up after white hellibore , in the like wet and black grounds , commonly by hellibore , with a sheath or hood like dragons , but the pestle is of another shape , that is , having a round purple ball on the top of it , beset ( as it were ) with burs ; the hood shoots forth immediately from the root , before any leaf appears , having a green hollow leav'd lavender . page . sprig growing fast by it , like the smaller horse tayl , about the latter end of april the hood and sprig wither away , and there comes forth in the room a bud , like the bud of the walnut tree , but bigger ; the top of it is of a pale green colour , covered with brown skins like an onion , white underneath the leaves , which spread in time out of the bud , grow from the root with a stalk a foot long , and are as big as the great bur dock leaves , and of the colour ; the roots are many , and of the bigness of the steel of a tobacco pipe , and very white ; the whole plant sents as strong as a fox ; it continues till august . a branch of the humming-bird tree . ( . ) this plant the humming bird feedeth upon , it groweth likewise in wet grounds , and is not at its full growth till iuly , and then it is two cubits high and better , the leaves are thin , and of a pale green colour , some of them as big as a nettle leaf , it spreads into many branches , knotty at the setting on , and of a purple colour , and garnished on the top with many hollow dangling flowers of a bright yellow colour , speckled with a deeper yellow as it were shadowed , the stalkes are as hollow as a kix , and so are the roots , which are transparent , very tender , and and full of a yellowish juice . for bruises and aches upon stroaks . the indians make use of 〈◊〉 for aches , being bruised between two stones , and laid tocold but made ( after the english manner ) into an unguent with hog●… grease , there is not a more soveraign remedy for bruises of what kind soever ; and for aches upon stroaks . in august , ▪ in a swamp amongst alders , i found a sort of tree sow thistle , the stalks of some two or three inches , about , as hollow as a kix and very brittle , the leaves were smooth , and in shape like souchus laevis , i. e. hares lettice , but longer , some about a foot , these grow at a distance one from another , almost to the top , where it begins to put forth flowers between the leaves and the stalk , the top of the stalk runs out into a spike , beset about with flowers like sow thistle , of a blew or azure colour : i brought home one of the plants which was between twelve and thirteen foot in length , i wondered at it the more for that so large and tall a plant should grow from so small a root , consisting of slender white strings little bigger than bents , and not many of them , and none above a finger long , spreading under the upper crust of the earth ; the whole plant is full of milk , and of a strong savour . ( . ) this plant i found in a gloomy dry wood under an oak , . the th of august , afterwards i found it in open champain grounds , but yet somewhat scarce : the root is about the bigness of a french walnut , the bark thereof is the plant when it springs up first . brown , and rugged , within of a yellowish colour , from whence ariseth a slender stalk , no bigger than an oat straw , about two cubits in height , somewhat better then a handful above the root shooteth out one leaf of a grass green colour , and an inch or two above that , another leaf , and so four or five at a greater distance one from another , till they come within a handful of the top , where upon slender foot stalks grow the flowers four or five , more or fewer , clustering together in pale long green husks milk white , consisting of ten small leaves , snipt a little on the edges the figure of the plant when it is at full growth . with purple hair threads in the midst ; the whole plant is of a brakish tast : when it is at its full growth the stalks are as red as blood. ( . ) this plant flowers in august , and grows in wet ground ; it is about three or four foot in height , having a square slender stalk chamfered , hollow and tuff , the leaves grow at certain distances one against another , of the colour of egrimony leaves sharpe pointed , broadest in the midst about an inch and half , and three or four inches in length , snipt about the edges like a nettle leaf , at the top of the stalk for four or five inches thick , set with pale green husks , out of which the flowers grow , consisting of one leaf , shaped like the head of a serpent , opening at the top like a mouth , and hollow throughout , containing four crooked pointels , and on the top of every pointel a small glistering green button , covered with a little white woolly matter , by which they are with the pointels fastened close together and shore up the tip of the upper chap , the crooked pointels are very stiff and hard , from the bottom of the husks , wherein the flower stands , from the top of the seed vessel , shoots out a white thread which runs in at the bottom of the flower , and so out at the mouth : the whole flower is milk white , the inside of the chaps reddish , the root i did not observe . a type of plant ( . ) this plant i take for a varigated herb paris , true love or one berry , or rather one flower , which is milk white , and made up with four leaves , with many black threads in the middle , upon every thread grows a berry ( when the leaves of of the flower are fallen ) as big as a white pease , of a light red colour when they are ripe , and clustering together in a round form as big as a pullets egg , which at distance shews but as one berry , very pleasant in taste , and not unwholsome ; the root , leaf , and flower differ not from our english kind , and their time of blooming and ripening agree , and therefore doubtless a kind of herba paris . the small sun flower , or marygold of america . ( . ) this plant is taken by our simplists to be a kind of golden rod , by others for sarazens consound , i judge it to be a kind of small sun flower , or marygold of the west indies ; the root is brown and slender , a foot and half in length , running a slope under the upper face of the earth , with some strings here and there , the stalk as big as the steal of a tobacco pipe , full of pith , commonly brownish , sometimes purple , three or four foot high , the leaves grow at a distance one against another , rough , hard , green above , and gray underneath , slightly snipt and the ribs appear most on the back side of the leaf , the flower is of a bright yellow , with little yellow cups in the midst , as in the mary gold of peru , with black threads in them with yellow pointels , the flower spreads it self abroad out of a cup made up of many green beards , not unlike a thistle ; within a handful of the top of the stalk ( when the flower is fallen , growes an excrense or knob as big as a walnut , which being broken yieldeth a kind of turpentine or rather rosen . what cutchenele is . the stalk beneath and above the knob , covered with a multitude of small bugs , about the bigness of a great flea , which i presume will make good cutchenele , ordered as they should be before they come to have wings : they make a perfect scarlet colour to paint with , and durable . . of such plants as have sprung up since the english planted and kept cattle in new-england . couch grass . shepherds purse . dandelion . groundsel . sow thistle . wild arrach . night shade , with the white flower . nettlesstinging , which was the first plant taken notice of . mallowes . plantain , which the indians call english-mans foot , as though produced by their treading . black henbane . wormwood . sharp pointed dock . patience . bloodwort . and i suspect adders tongue . knot grass . cheek weed . compherie , with the white flower . may weed , excellent for the mother ; some of our english houswives call it iron wort , and make a good unguent for old sores . the great c●…ot bur. mullin , with the white flower . q. what became of the influence of those planets that produce and govern these planets before this time ! i have now done with such plants as grow wild in the country in great plenty , ( although i have not mentioned all ) i shall now in the fifth place give you to understand what english herbs we have growing in our gardens that prosper there as well as in their proper soil , and of such as do not , and also of such as will not grow there at all . . of such garden herbs ( amongst us ) as do thrive there , and of such as do not . cabbidge growes there exceeding well . lettice . sorrel . parsley . marygold . french mallowes chervel . burnet . winter savory . summer savory . time. sage . carrats . parsnips of a prodigious size . red beetes . radishes . turnips . purslain . wheat . rye . barley , which commonly degenerates into oats . oats . pease of all sorts , and the best in the world ; i never heard of , nor did see in eight years time , one worm eaten pea. garden beans . naked oats , there called silpee , an excellent grain used insteed of oat meal , they dry it in an oven , or in a pan upon the fire , then beat it small in a morter . another standing dish in new-england . and when the milk is ready to boil , they put into a pottle of milk about ten or twelve spoonfuls of this meal , so boil it leasurely , stirring of it every foot , least it burn too ; when it is almost boiled enough , they hang the kettle up higher , and let it stew only , in short ●…ime it will thicken like a custard ; they season it with a little sugar and spice , and so serve it to the table in deep basons , and it is altogether as good as a white-pot . for people weakned with long sickness . it exceedingly nourisheth and strengthens people weakned with long sickness . sometimes they make water gruel with it , and sometimes thicken their flesh broth either with this or homminey , if it be for servants . spear mint . rew , will hardly grow . fetherfew prospereth exceedingly . southern wood , is no plant for this country . nor , rosemary . nor bayes . white satten groweth pretty well , so doth lavender cotton . but lavender is not for the climate . penny royal. smalledge . ground ●…vy , or ale hoof. gilly flowers will continue two years . fennel must be taken up , and kept in a warm cellar all winter . housleek prospereth notably . holly hocks . enula c ▪ panae , in two years time the roots rot . comferie , with white flowers . coriander , and dill. and annis thrive exceedingly , but annis seed , as also the seed of fennel seldom come to maturity ; the seed of annis is commonly eaten with a fly . clary never lasts but one summer , the roots rot with the frost . sparagus thrives exceedingly , so does garden sorrel , and sweet bryer , or eglantine . bloodwort but sorrily , but patience , and english roses , very pleasantly . celandine , by the west country men called kenning wort , grows but slowly . muschata , as well as in england . dittander , or pepper wort , flourisheth notably , and so doth . tansie . musk mellons are better then our english , and. cucumbers . pompions , there be of several kinds , some proper to the country , ●…y are dryer then our english pompions , and better tasted ; you may eat them green . the ancient new-england standing dish . but the houswives manner is to slice them when ripe , and cut them into dice , and so fill a pot with them of two or three gallons , and stew them upon a gentle fire a whole day , and as they sink , they fill again with fresh pompions , not putting any liquor to them ; and when it is stew'd enough , it will look like bak'd apples ; this they dish , putting butter to it , and a little vinegar , ( with some spice , as ginger , &c. ) which makes it tart like an apple , and so serve it up to be eaten with fish or flesh : it provokes urin extreamly and is very windy . sixthly and lastly , of stones , minerals , metals and earths . as first , the emrald which grows in flat rocks , and is very good . rubies , which here are very watry . i have heard a story of an indian , that found a stone , up in the country , by a great pond as big as an egg , that in a dark night would give a light to read by ; but i take it to be but a story . diamond , which are very brittle , and therefore of little worth . crystal , called by our west country men the kenning stone ; by sebegug pond is found in considerable quantity , not far from thence is a rock of crystal called the moose rock , because in shape like a moose , and muscovy glass , both white and purple of reasonable content . black lead . bole armoniack . red and yellow oker . terra sigilla . vitriol . antimony . arsnick , too much . lead . tin. tin glass . silver . iron , in abundance , and as good bog iron as any in the world. copper . it is reported that the french have a copper mine at port royal , that yieldeth them twelve ounces of pure copper out of a pound of oar. i shall conclude this section with a strange cure effected upon a drummers wife , much afflicted with a wolf in her breast ; the poor woman lived with her husband at a town called by the indians , casco , but by the english , famouth ; where for some time she swaged the pain of her sore , by bathing it with strong malt beer , which it would suck in greedily , as if some living creature : when she could come by no more beer , ( for it was brought from boston , along the coasts by merchants , ) she made use of rhum , a strong water drawn from sugar canes , with which it was lull'd a sleep ; at last , ( to be rid of it altogether ) she put a quantity of arsnick to the rhum , and bathing of it as formerly , she utterly destroyed it , and cured her self ; but her kind husband , who sucked out the poyson as the sore was healing , lost all his teeth , but without further danger or inconvenience . an addition of some rarities overslipt . the star fish , having fine points like a star , the whole fish no bigger then the palm of a mans hand , of a tough substance like leather , and about an inch in thickness , whitish underneath , and of the colour of a cucumber above , and somewhat ruff : when it is warm in ones hand , you may perceive a stiff motion , turning down one point , and thrusting up another : it is taken to be poysonous ; they are very common , and found thrown up on the rocks by the sea side . sea bream , which are plentifully taken upon the sea coasts , their eyes are accounted rare meat , whereupon the proverbial comparison , it is worth a sea breams eye . blew fish , or horse , i did never see any of them in england ; they are as big usually as the salmon , and better meat by far : it is common in new-england and esteemed the best sort of fish next to rock cod. cat fish , having a round head , and great glaring eyes like a cat : they lye for the most part in holes of rocks , and are discovered by their eyes : it is an excelling fish. munk fish , a flat fish like scate , having a hood like a fryers cowl . clam , or clamp , a kind of shell fish , a white muscle . an acharistor , for pin and web. ] sheath fish , which are there very plentiful , a delicate fish , as good as a pr●…wa , covered with a thin shell like the sheath of a knife , and of the colour of a muscle . which shell calcin'd and pulveriz'd , is excellent to take off a pin and web , or any kind of filme growing over the eye . morse , or sea horse , having a great head , wide jaws , armed with tushes as white as ivory , of body as big as a cow , proportioned like a hog , of brownish bay , smooth skin'd and impenetrable ▪ they are frequent at the isle of sables , their teeth are worth eight groats the pound ; the best ivory being sold but for half the money . for poyson . it is very good against poyson . for the cramp . as also for the cramp , made into rings . for the piles . and a secret for the piles , if a wise man have the ordering of it . the manaty , a fish as big as a wine pipe , most excellent meat ; bred in the rivers of hispaniola in the west indies ; it hath teats , and nourisheth its young ones with milk ; it is of a green colour , and tasteth like veal . for the stone collick . there is a stone taken out of the head that is rare for the stone and collect. to provoke urine . their bones beat to a powder and drank with convenient liquors , is a gallant urin provoking medicine . for wound and bruise . an indian , whose knee was bruised with a fall , and the skin and flesh strip'd down to the middle of the calf of his leg ; cured himself with water lilly roots boyled and stamped . for swellings of the foot. an indian webb , her foot being very much swell'd and inflamed , asswaged the swelling , and took away the inflamation with our garden or english patience , the roots roasted . f. cataplas . anno . iune . to dissolve a scirrhous tumour . an indian dissolv'd a scirrhous tumour in the arm and hip , with a fomentation of tobacco , applying afterwards the herb stamp'd betwixt two stones . a description of an indian squa . now ( gentle reader ) having trespassed upon your patience a long while in the perusing of these rude observations , i shall , to make you amends , present you by way of divertisement , or recreation , with a coppy of verses made sometime since upon the picture of a young and handsome gypsie , not improperly transferred upon the indian squa , or female indian , trick'd up in all her bravery . the men are somewhat horse fac'd , and generally faucious , i. e. without beards ; but the women many of them have very good features ; seldome without a come to me , or cos amoris , in their countenance ; all of them black eyed , having even short teeth , and very white ; their hair black , thick and long , broad breasted ; handsome streight bodies , and slender , considering their constant loose habit : their limbs cleanly , straight , and of a convenient stature , generally , as plump as partridges , and saving here and there one , of a modest deportment . their garments are a pair of sleeves of deer , or moose skin drest , and drawn with lines of several colours into asiatick works , with buskins of the same , a short mantle of trading cloath , either blew or red , fastened with a knot under the chin , and girt about the middle with a zone , wrought with white and blew beads into pretty works ; of these beads they have bracelets for their neck and arms , and links to hang in their ears , and a fair table curiously made up with beads likewise , to wear before their breast ; their hair they combe backward , and tye it up short with a border , about two handfulls broad , wrought in works as the other with their beads : but enough of this . the poem . whether white or black be best call your senses to the quest ; and your touch shall quickly tell the black in softness doth excel , and in smoothness ; but the ear , what , can that a colour hear ? no , but 't is your black ones wit that doth catch , and captive it . and if slut and fair be one , sweet and fair , there can be none : nor can ought so please the tast as what 's brown and lovely drest : and who'll say , that that is best to please ones sense , displease the rest ? maugre then all that can be sed in flattery of white and red : those flatterers themselves must say that darkness was before the day : and such perfection here appears it neither wind nor sun-shine fears . a chronological table of the most remarkable passages in that part of america , known to us by the name of new-england . anno dom. . christ. columbus discovered america . anno dom. . the voyage of sir thomas pert , vice admiral of england , and sir sebastian cabota to brazile , &c. anno dom. . new-found-land , discovered by the english. anno dom. . sir francis drake began his voyage about the world. anno dom. . nova albion discovered by sir francis drake , and by him so named . anno dom. . april . sir richards greenevile was sent by sir water rawleigh with a fleet of seven sail to virginia , and was stiled the general of virginia . anno dom. . captain thomas candish , a suffolk gentleman , began his voyage round about the world , with three ships past the streights of magellan , burn'd and ransack'd in the entry of chile , peru , and new-spain , near the great island callifornia in the south sea ; and returned to plymouth with a precious booty anno dom. . september the th ; being the third since magellan that circuited the earth . anno dom. . sir walter rawleigh first discovered virginia , by him so named , in honour of our virgin queen . anno dom. . sir walter rawleigh discovered guiana . anno dom. . a collony sent to virginia . anno dom. . bermudas planted . anno dom. . the blazing star ; then plymouth plantation began in new-england . anno dom. . the massachusets colony planted , and salem the first town therein built . anno dom. . the first church gathered in this colony was at salem ; from which year to this present year , is years . in the compass of these years , in this colony , there hath been gathered fourty churches , and towns built in all the colonies of new-england . the church of christ at plymouth , was planted in new-england eight years before others . anno dom. . the governour and assistants arrived with their pattent for the massachusets . anno dom. . the lady arabella in new-england . anno dom. . when the government was established , they planted on noddles island . anno dom. . captain iohn smith governour of virginia , and admiral of new-england , dyed . anno dom. . mr. mavericke minister at dorchester in new-england . anno dom. . iohn winthorpe esq chosen the first time governour , he was eleven times governour ; some say nineteen times ; eleven years together ; the other years by intermission . anno dom. . iohn wilson pastor of charles town . anno dom. . sir r. saltingstall at water town came into new-england . anno dom. . mr. rog. harlackinden was a majestrate , and a leader of their military forces . dr. wilson gave l. to new-england , with which they stored themselves with great guns . anno dom. . mr. thomas hooker , mr. haynes , and mr. iohn cotton , came over together in one ship. anno dom. . the country was really placed in a posture of war , to be in readiness at all times . anno dom. . hugh peters went over for new-england . anno dom. . connecticat colony planted . anno dom. . the pequites wars , in which were slain five or six hundred indians . ministers that have come from england , chiefly in the ten first years , ninety four : of which returned twenty seven : dyed in the country thirty six : yet alive in the country thirty one. the number of ships that transported passengers to new-england in these times , was . supposed : men , women , and children , as near as can be ghessed . anno dom. . the first synod at cambridge in new-england , where the antinomian and famalistical errors were confuted ; errors now amongst the massachusets . anno dom. . new-haven colony began . mrs. hutchinson and her erronious companions banished the massachusets colony . a terrible earth quake throughout the country . mr. iohn harvard , the founder of harvard college ( at cambridge in new-england ) deceased , gave l. to the erecting of it . anno dom. . first printing at cambridge in new-england . anno dom. . a very sharp winter in new-england . anno dom. . harvard college founded with a publick library . ministers bred in new-england , and ( excepting about , ) in harvard college ; of which dyed in the country ; now living ; removed to england . anno dom. . the first combination of the four united colonies , viz. plymouth , massachusets , connecticut , and new-haven . anno dom. . the second synod at cambridge touching the duty and power of majestrates in matters of religion : secondly , the nature and power of synods . mr. eliot first preached to the indians in their native language . anno dom. . mr. thomas hooker died. anno dom. . the third synod at cambridge , publishing the platform of discipline . anno dom. . mr. iohn winthorpe governour , now died. this year a strange multitude of caterpillers in new-england . thrice seven years after the planting of the english in new-england , the indians of massachusets being able men were brought to . anno dom. . hugh peters , and mr. wells came for england . anno dom. . mr. iohn cotton dyed . anno dom. . the great fire in boston in new-england . mr. thomas dudley , governour of the massachusets , dyed this year . anno dom. . major gibbons died in new-england . anno dom. . iamaica taken by the english. anno dom. . the quakers arrived in new-england , at plymouth . anno dom. . mr. henry dunster the first president of harvard college now dyed . anno dom. . major atherton dyed in new-england . anno dom. . mr. iohn norton pastor of boston in new-england , dyed suddenly . mr. samuel sto●…e , teacher of hartford church , dyed this year . anno dom. . the whole bible printed in the indian language finished . the manadaes , called new amsterdam , now called new york ; surrendred up to his majesties commissioners ( for the settling of the respective colonies in new-england , viz. sir robert carr , collonel nicols , collonel cartwright , and mr. samuel mavericke , ) in september , after thirteen dayes the fort of arania , now albania ; twelve dayes after that , the fort aw●…apha ; then de la ware castle man'd with dutch and sweeds ; the three first forts and towns being built upon the great river mohegan , otherwise called ●…udsons river . in september appeared a great comet for the space of three months . anno dom. . mr. iohn indicot , governour of the massachusets dyed . a thousand foot sent this year by the french king to canada . captain davenport killed with lightning at the castle by boston in new-england , and several wounded . anno dom. . the small pox at boston . seven slain by lightning , and divers burnt : this year also new-england ▪ had cast away , and taken vessels , and some in . anno dom. . mr. iohn wilson pastor of boston dyed , aged years . anno dom. . at a place called kenibunck , which is in the province of meyne , a colony belonging to the heir of that honourable knight sir ferdinando gorges ; not far from the river side , a piece of clay ground was thrown up by a mineral vapour ( as we supposed ) over the tops of high oaks that grew between it and the river , into the river , stopping the course thereof , and leaving a hole two yards square , wherein were thousands of clay bullets as big as musquet bullets , and pieces of clay in shape like the barrel of a musquet . anno dom. . elder peun dyed at boston . anno dom. . mr. richard bellingham , governour of the massachusets in new-england . finis . books printed and sold by giles widdows at the green dragon in st. pauls church yard . folio . doctor nath. homes's works . mr. davies's rights belonging to uniformity in churches . a book of the five sences , in copper plates . quarto . mr. caryl's exposition on the , , and chapters of the book of iob. dr. sibbs's light from heaven , discovering the fountain opened , the angels acclamatio●…s , the churches riches , the riches poverty , in four treatises . mr. barto●…s remedy for londons languishing trade . the younger brothers apology , or a fathers free power , &c. marcelia , or the treacherous friend , a tragy-comedy . written by madam boothby . large octavo . mr. stucklyes gospel glass , representing the miscarriages of english professors . mr. gales theophily . his anatomy of insidelity . his idea of iansenism both historick and d●…gmatick , in small octavo . pufendorfs elementorum iuris prudentia universalis . walker's grammar . his art of teaching . . and . frommoni●… synopsis metaphysica . hoole's greek testament . history of the bible . batavia , or the hollander displayed in brief charectars , &c. dr. collet's daily devotions , or the christians morning and evening sacrafice ; digested into prayers and meditations , with some short directions for a godly life ; and a brief account of the authors li●…e , by doctor fuller . those famous lozenges for the cure of consumptions , coughs new and old , and all other diseases incident to the lungs , are made by edmund buckworth , physitian to the queens most excellent majesty , and are sold at the green dragon in st. pauls church yard , where you may also have his famous homogenial pill . gw printer's or publisher's device the historie of serpents. or, the second booke of liuing creatures wherein is contained their diuine, naturall, and morall descriptions, with their liuely figures, names, conditions, kindes and natures of all venemous beasts: with their seuerall poysons and antidotes; their deepe hatred to mankind, and the wonderfull worke of god in their creation, and destruction. necessary and profitable to all sorts of men: collected out of diuine scriptures, fathers, phylosophers, physitians, and poets: amplified with sundry accidentall histories, hierogliphicks, epigrams, emblems, and ænigmaticall obseruations. by edvvard topsell. topsell, edward, - ? approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; 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(eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the historie of serpents. or, the second booke of liuing creatures wherein is contained their diuine, naturall, and morall descriptions, with their liuely figures, names, conditions, kindes and natures of all venemous beasts: with their seuerall poysons and antidotes; their deepe hatred to mankind, and the wonderfull worke of god in their creation, and destruction. necessary and profitable to all sorts of men: collected out of diuine scriptures, fathers, phylosophers, physitians, and poets: amplified with sundry accidentall histories, hierogliphicks, epigrams, emblems, and ænigmaticall obseruations. by edvvard topsell. topsell, edward, - ? 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should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng reptiles -- early works to . zoology -- pre-linnean works -- early works to . - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - jonathan blaney sampled and proofread - jonathan blaney text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion historie of serpents . or , the second booke of liuing creatures : wherein is contained their diuine , naturall , and morall descriptions , with their liuely figures , names , conditions , kindes and natures of all venemous beasts : with their seuerall poysons and antidotes ; their deepe hatred to mankind , and the wonderfull worke of god in their creation , and destruction . necessary and profitable to all sortes of men : collected out of diuine scriptures , fathers , phylosophers , physitians , and poets : amplified with sundry accidentall histories , hierogliphicks , epigrams , emblems , and aenigmaticall obseruations . by edvvard topsell . the boas london printed by william jaggard , . to the reverend and right vvorshipfvll richard neile , d. of divinity , deane of vvestminster , maister of the savoy , and clearke of the king his most excellent maiesties closet , all felicitie temporall , spirituall , and eternall . right worthy deane , if it be true that the heathen man said , otiū sine literis mors , & viui hominis sepultura , i thinke there is nothing more commendable then the study of those letters and that poynt of learning , which god himselfe hath wrote , not onely by the great spirit of the prophets , but also by his owne hand , without scribe or other instrument , ( the creation and seuerall dispositions of liuing creatures : ) wherin with the greatest and noblest characters that euer were , he hath engrauen the highest vvisedome of all maiestie . and to say the truth , no knowledge of politicall states , no science geographicall of the round worlds orbe , no speculation astronomicall of the heauens lights or motions , nor art of speech , reason or workes , is comparable to this learning , but a man destitute heereof , is dead and buried in a liuing graue , stinking before god and angels . wherefore this beeing my opinion , and i trust the syncerity of my iudgement touching gods liuing works , it may serue for a reason for the vndertaking of these labours ; because as xenophon writeth vpon another case , ek toon ponoon malaka gignetai , out of these paynes are begotten many pleasures . but whereas some thinke that there is knowledge enough of those creatures by theyr out-sides , & the noyse of theyr names , is a complete lecture for humane vnderstanding , i would but referre them to philo iudaeus , writing in his questions vppon genesis in this manner ; sicut caeci tractant tantum ipsam corporis spissitudinē tactu , non decus colorum , non formas , non figuras , non aliud quicquam eximiae qualitatis testimonium praebens : sic minus docti , & inertis animae oculi , nihil in historijs intrinsecus cernere possunt . wherefore , seeing that blind men cannot be comforted so much by their groping feeling , as other which enioy the commodity of all their sences , no man shall iustly blame the printers and my labour , if we set forth gods workes fiue times more plainely , pleasantly , and largely , then euer before they were in any language of christendome . i haue therefore now aduentured to put abroade into the world , the second booke of liuing-creatures , which entreateth of serpents , and all venomous wormes of the earth and waters ; vvhich for their maker had the sonne of god as vvell as men , for their antiquitie , were from the beginning before men ; for their wit and disposition in nature , come neerest to men ; for their seate and habitation , dwell in one and the same element with men ; for their spirits & inclination , are most vnreconcileable enemies to men ; and for their vse and commodity , very beneficiall to men : therefore their knowledge is from god , their continuance from heauen , theyr natures worth our study , & the fruite seruiceable to man-kind . aequè pauperibus prodest , locupletibus aequè . aequè neglectum pueris , senibusque nocebit . i could therefore arrogate to my selfe that virgilian praise , pandere res alta terra & caligine tectas : but i will not , for if i haue deserued well , let another mans mouth speake it , and if the present enuious world will not , posterity i know will glorifie god for me . for my conscience beeing free from the rust of vaine-bragging , i dare be bold to pray vvith nehemiah , recordare mei domine in bonitate , secundum omnia quae feci huic , populo : and therefore , if i be not buried till i be naturally dead , i will neuer die in idlenes , nor carry about my body , to containe a liuing mans sepulture . although ( i trust ) it shall appeare to you r : w : that there is store and variety of matter comprised in this thinne volume of serpents , insomuch as it is needlesse for mee ( if not impossible ) to say much more , yet pardon me ( according to your accustomed clemencie ) if i range a little in this poynt of diuinitie , which is the cognizance i weare , and the robe where-withall it hath pleased my sauiour iesus christ to clothe mee , that i should be the man and the meane , ( although the meanest of a thousand now aliue ) to declare & publish to this present , and all succeeding ages of our country-men , the secrets vvhich god hath registred in the indelible natures of liuing creatures . i haue oftentimes admired the frequent mention of serpents , which you know ( better then my selfe ) is more then once remembred by god in holy-vvrit : but especiallie there are three memorable things concerning serpents recorded ; first , a history , the second ; a figure , the third ; an allegory . the history , is the seduction of our first mother by a serpent . whereof authours write diuersly , enquiring whether it were a true serpent , or a false created serpent , or the deuill , ( which our sauiour termeth a serpent in trope , ) were also so called by moses : but the aunswere is made , that it was a true serpent , and that ( as peter lombard writeth ) he was onely permitted by god to take the serpents body to doe that thing , his words lib : . sent : dist : . cap : . are these ; serpentem autem animal ex omnibus delegit , tum quia rationali creaturae omnis irrationalis subiecta erat : tum quia per solum serpentem id facere à deo permissus est diabolus , non autem per columbae formane , quòd fortasse maluisset , vt melius fraudem subesse in satanae verbis , homo ex eo subolfaceret , quòd serpens loquebatur . et clarius ipsius tentatoris , id est , diaboli natura , per colubru● illum tortuosis anfractibus mobilem , ac proinde magis operi isti congruum , significaretur . which opinion ( as you know very well ) was before him giuen by s. austen , lib : de ciuit : dei , : & cap. . iosephus writeth , that before that time , the serpent was very familiar with man , and that the deuill chose him for that purpose , by false friendship to deceiue him , vvherefore god in the iudgement after the fall committed , tooke away from him his legges , & maketh him creepe vppon the earth . but seeing there is no such thing reported in genesis , especially that the serpent lost any members , i will not auerre that for truth : but rather adde vnto peter lombard , that the serpents subtiltie , aboue all the residue of creatures , was the cause that the deuill entred into him . where-vnto epiphanius in his treatise against the ophitae , agreeth . but in this action , the serpent was but the deuills trunke , neither serued it for any other purpose but to couer him ; so as the words which were spoken , were the words of the deuill , and that s. austen de gen : ad lit : writeth , serpentem , dum cum eua loqueretur , neque intellexisse quid diceret , neque rationalem animam habuisse . but as hee speaketh by phanaticall men , so did hee out of the serpent . and yet god ( because hee was the deuills instrument ) hath taken from him his voyce , leauing him onelie hyssing ; and insteed of those smooth words where-withall the woman was beguiled , hee hath giuen him poyson vnder his tongue , to which the scripture alludeth , psalm . . . rom. . . as iosephus also affirmeth , lib : . cap. . antiq. and for this cause also was it punished to grouell and creepe vpon the earth , and to suffer the enmity of man. for according to the lords saying , that hath no power but to byte our heeles , & lower parts , and we on the other-side , make all force to bruize his head . i shall not need to allegorize this story , it is better knowne to you then to my selfe , and i list not write those things vvhich are impertinent to the matter . and therefore thus much shall suffice for this first record of the serpent in holy scripture , and so i will proceede to the second . another memory of the serpent is , the type of christ iesus , represented in the brazen serpent , erected at the lords owne commaundement , for the curing of the burning-serpents poyson in the wildernes . many such statues of serpents i haue remembred in the discourse following , differing onely in the end and benefit . this working miraculouslie those things , because it represented christ crucified , which those could not doe , being but the inuentions of man : yet of this saint austen maketh this elegant allusion to christ , in iohn . tract : . magnum hoc sacramentum & qui legerunt nouerunt &c. this , sayth he , is a great sacrament , and they which haue read it , know it . for what are the fiery-byting-serpents , but sinnes arising out of the mortality of flesh ? what is that same serpent lifted vp ? but the death of our lord vpon the crosse . for because death came by the serpent , death is figured in the forme of a serpent . the byting of the serpent was deadlie , the death of our lord was liuely . the serpent is looked vpon , that it might not be harmfull , death is looked vpon that it might be of no force . sedcuius mors , mors vitae , si dici potest mors vitae , imò quia dici potest , mirabiliter dicitur . shall not that be spoken which was to be done ? shall i be scrupulous to say that , which my lord did not disdaine to doe ? was not christ life ? and yet he was on the crosse . was hee not life ? and yet hee dyed . sed in morte christi mors mortua est , quia vita mortua occidit mortem , plenitudo vitae occidit mortem , absorpta est mors in christi corpore . but as they which did looke vpon the brazen serpent , did not perish although they were bytten ; so they which by fayth looke vppon christ crucified , are saued from the perrill of their sinnes : but with this difference betwixt the type and the person represented , that they were saued from a temporall death , and the faithfull from an eternall . thus farre saint austen , and thus much of the serpent in figure . the third and last mention of serpent that i apprehend , is that allegoricall precept , or instruction of our most blessed sauiour , where he exhorteth vs to be wise as serpents , to be innocent as doues . which words haue often driuen mee into the serious consideration of the serpents nature : that so i might at one time or other , attaine our sauiours meaning , for surely i thought of them , as that learned-man did of the iewes , hostes sunt in cordibus , suffragatores in libris : and because of christs reference , whatsoeuer the serpents are in their nature and inclination to vs , yet in their wisedome ( as in a booke ) they are our instructors and helpers . and certainely , seeing there are no vertues of that worth to a christian life , as are innocencie and wisedome , i could neuer satisfie my selfe in their diquisition , how we should goe to creatures so farre different in nature , betwixt whom is no concord , and take out their seuerall vertues , to marry them together in one humane breast . well i knew the worth of those vertues , and the necessity of their imitation , yet how to make vse of them in a christian life , was hic labor , hoc opus . the serpent in the earth , & the doue in the ayre , doth it teach vs that with wisedome we must dwell below on earth , and with inocencie , as with the wings of a doue , flye vp into heauen aboue ? or that in our pollicie while wee liue , wee may wind and turne in worldly affayres like a serpents path , but in heauenly , keepe a straight and swift course , like as the doues doe in their flight ? or that wee be euer armed to defend our selues , as the serpent is with poyson , neuer vnfurnished , and yet be without hart and courage , as is a doue ? or that there were no man in nature so wise as serpents , or so innocent as doues ? surely these thoughts draue me to looke vpon the fathers , the best expositors of this text , for my satisfaction ; that at least , if i could neuer attaine to the perfect science of wisedome and innocencie , yet i might shew my louing endeuour vnto both . they told me with one consent , that forasmuch as men desire wisedome vvithout innocencie , our sauiour to reprooue that affection , teacheth to conioyne both together , for prudentia sine simplicitate , malitia , simplicitas , sine prudentia stultitia : and therefore , ne machinemur dolos , habeamus simplicitatem columbae , et ne ab alijs supplantemur , astutiam serpentis : to this effect you know they all vvrite . but yet this did not satisfie mee , for mee thought there was yet a more eminent meaning , or deeper secret , like some new mercurius , or elixar vitae , contayned in those words . wherefore i sought further , and so i found , that serpents defend their head , so must men theyr fayth ; that they cast theyr skinne , so must men their sinnes ; that they stop their eares against inchaunters , so must men theyr eares against the deuills tentations ; that they byte at mens lower parts or heeles , so must we at the roote of our vnlawfull desires ; that for hatred of men they seek peace among thornes and bryars , so must good men flie the society of those things which might endanger their soules ; that they swym keeping their head out of the water , so ought men not to be drowned in pleasure ; that they eate dust , according to the sentence of the almightie , so must we be content with whatsoeuer estate god shall send vs : and to conclude , saith s. austen solertiam habent in foetuum aeducatione , in latibulorum aedification , in nutrimentorum acquisitione , in vulnerum medicatione , in nociuorum euitatione , in mutationis temporum prae cognitione , & suorum comparium dilectione . these are high poynts of vvisedome for men to imitate , and i know not what more can be added vnto them , if they were generall , except i should reckon the vicious affections of serpents , which haue far moe disciples then their vertuous inclination . the serpents spirit is a lofty and high spirit , reaching not onely after men , but also after the birds of the ayre , not beeing afrayd of the elephants . heerein many follow them , for omnis cura viris vter esset induperator . and it is true , as writeth seneca , animi hominū sunt ignei , & prouide sursum tendunt . it was the poesie of pompey , semper ego cupio , praecellere , & esse supremus . and of caesar , malem in appido primus esse quam romae secundus . another vice in serpents is theyr desire of reuenge , for euen to the losse of theyr lines , and when they are more then halfe dead , they kill other . euen so it is become a noble euill to shed blood , or at the least to disgrace and disable other to the poynt of death . s. austen sayth , that as a vessell is corrupted vvith the sharpe vineger it contayneth , so is the body and minde of man , by the wrathfull reuenge it taketh . the inhabitants of dinantium , a towne of burgundie , to despight theyr duke charles , for some iniuries to them done , made his picture of vvood , with all his armes and coates of honour vppon it , and so brought the same to a towne of his called bouinium , where they set it in a filthy stinking poole , full of toades and frogs , and other venomous beasts , and cryed out to the bouinians , hic sedet magnus bufo dux vester . to whom the bouinians sent a man with dehorting perswasions , to remoue their minds from that vndutifull disloyaltie of contempt and rebellion , which they shewed against theyr prince ; but that messenger they instantly killed : afterwards they sent a little boy , vvith letters to perswade them to make peace , sue for pardon , and to turne away the rage of vvarre which the duke was preparing against them ; as soone as the little boy had deliuered the letters , they tore him in peeces like so many wolues . thus they tooke theyr reuenge ; and shortly after came the duke with his royall armie , and razed downe theyr citty to the ground , killed and executed many of the inhabitants ; the residue he cast by couples into the riuer mosa , where they all perrished , men , vvomen and chyldron , so that the third day after it was sayd , hîc fuit dinantium . the duke himselfe , for this great reuenge enforced by rebellion & murther , escaped not scot-free , but was the last of his race , and left the duchy to another family . thus if in men there raigne the wrath of serpents , they must also looke for the ruine of serpents , and become like bruite beasts that perrish . i omit to speake of theyr flattery , embracing while they sting ; theyr treachery , lying in waite in the dust or grasse to doe harme ; their venome where-withall they are euer armed to spoyle ; theyr ingratitude , when they kill them that nourish them ; theyr voracity , when they kill much more then they can eate ; theyr hostility , whereby they bid battell to all liuing creatures ; their contempt of the reuerend visage of man , whereby they neither spare vitious nor vertuous ; and theyr desire to liue alone , destroying all other to multiply their owne kind ; like our english-enclosers , who doe herein follow the wisedome of the serpent , but not the innocencie of the doue . of all these and many more , if i did write to a man of meane knowledge , i would enlarge and apply in seuerall examples , but to you r : w. it is as needlesse as to light a candle at noone day . to conclude therefore , i onely affect three things in the serpents wisedome , whereof two haue beene practised by the church already , and the third remaineth now for vs to imitate . first , in the beginnings of the church , all the haeresies did chiefely tend against the doctrine of the trinitie , or vnitie , or deitie , or true humanity of our sauiour christ : as you know the simonians , cerinthians , arrians , and other detestable beasts did inuent . against them all the noble christian bishops and fathers did oppose themselues , and defended their head , viz. iesus christ , to be true god , and true man ; and so at one time were wise as serpents , and innocent as doues , dying for his sake that dyed for them . secondly , when by the corruption of time , and long current of many continued euils , the church grew ouer-worne with many superstitions , so as the face thereof was disfigured , and the pure wedding-garment which christ put vppon it , ouer-growne , and couered with the beggers-cloake of humane inuentions ; then god made his instruments to follow the serpents wisedome , in passing thorow a narrow passage of persecution , death and fire ; and so stripped off that ouer-growne skinne , whereby the prime decour , & comlinesse of the churches party-coloured coate of fine needle-worke , resembled in the serpent , is againe manifested . thus farre they proceeded . and thus we haue seene the correspondence of figure to figure already performed . but the third and last thing , is that part of the serpents wisedome , whereby shee forsaketh societie of men , and citties or places of pleasure , and dwelleth alone in the hedges , wildernes , or desolate rocks . it was a true experimentall saying of him that wrote , extrema religionis , vel in superstitionē , vel in profanitatem recidunt . now we haue ouer-passed superstition , i am out of feare that the church shall neuer-more haue a thick skinne : we haue fallen into open prophanenesse , and contempt of one another , ( if not of god , ) which must be remedied by the serpents wisedome . and i thinke we must depart out of the ciu ill and worldly wayes , and affayres of men , and betake our selues to more priuate and secure habitations , where the open enemy can neither so soone find vs , or wound vs. i neede not prosecute this matter , or at the least , if i should , i must exceed the limits of a dedication , onely this i say , that if the church and church-men , could put on one mind and ioyne together in this action , whereby men might be esteemed for theyr worth , and not for their wages , i know the people would hunt after vs in deuotion , where now they tread vppon vs in prophanenesse . for we beeing made poore , base and contemptible before theyr eyes ( which are the liuing organs of grace , ) they tread vppon all the residue , euen to the blood of the new-couenaunt : and therefore , once more i pray that the sons of leuie may speake one thing . i haue now said my full , & heere i present vnto you my second treatise of liuing creatures , hauing collected all that is written of this argument , out of seuerall authors into one volume and method : so that whatsoeuer gallen gaue to piso , aristotle to alexander , oppianus to antoninus , bellonius to cardinall castillion , fumanellus to the senate of verona , cardan to madrutius the prince of trent , grinaeus to collimitius , gesner to grauius , caronnus to sir horatio pallaut●ino , maiolus to heberus , or any other that euer writ of serpents , or venomous beasts , that doe i heere dedicate to you , as the euerlasting pledge of my loue , honour , and seruice vnto you . which i shall entreate you to entertaine and accept while it may honour you , because it hath gods worke for a subiect , and refuse it not , when it shall any way ecclipse or dazle your light with prince or people . and for my selfe , let me be bold to conclude with this my vnfayned protestation . sum tuus , & sine fine tuus decane manebo , cum socijs , quorum sine felle & candida nosti pectora , sic in te sibi constatura deinceps . de te nil dubite , si tu tamen ambigis , istas en , desiderij pignus , pius aspice chartas . edw : topsell . to the reader . gentle and pious reader , although it be needlesse for mee to write any more of the publishing of this treatise of venemous beasts , yet for your better satisfaction and direction , briefly take this which followeth . after the publishing of the former booke of foure-footed beasts , i vnderstood of two thinges much misliked therin , wherein i also my selfe receiued a iust offence . first , the manifolde escapes in the presse , which turned and sometimes ouerturned the sence in many places , ( especially in the latine : ) which fault as it may in parte concerne me , so yet it toucheth another more deepely , yet are both of vs excusable : he , in wanting the true knowledge of the latine tongue ; and i , bicause of my employment in my pastorall charge , and both of vs together , because we were not so thorowly estated , as to maintaine a sufficient scholler to attend only vpon the presse . wherefore , in this second booke , we haue remooued away that blot , and vsed a more accurate dilligence , and i trust there is no escape committed peruerting the sence , and not very many altring the letters . the second exception taken against the former treatise , was the not englishing or translating of the latine verses , which thing i purposed to haue done if i had not beene ouerhastened in the businesse ; for it had beene to the worke an ornament , and to the history a more ample declaration : this faulte i haue now amended in the setting forth of this second booke of liuing creatures . al therefore that can be saide for your direction , i could wish the historye more compleat for the manifestation of the most blessed trinities glory , whose works are here declared ; and for the better reuelation of the seuerall natures of euery serpent . i may fayle in the expressing of some particular , yet i suppose that i haue omitted no one thing in their narration , which might bee warranted by good authority or experience . and therfore , although i cannot say that i haue saide all that can be written of these liuing creatures , yet i dare say i haue wrote more then euer was before me written in any language . now therefore aske the creatures ( after god , ) and they will tell you : for , sayth s. austen , interrogatio creaturarum profunda est consideratio ipsarum : responsio earum , attesta ipsarum de deo , quoniam omnia clamant , deus nos fecit . the askeing of the creatures is a deepe and profounde consideration of theyr seuerall natures : theyr answere is , their attestation or testimony of god , because all of them cry out the lord hath made vs. wherefore , seeing it is most true , incognita non desiderantur , things vnknowne are not desired , to the intent that all true english christians may hereafter more affectionately long after and desire , both the mysticall vision of god in this world , and also his perfect sight in the worlde to come , i haue ( for my part ) out of that weake ability wherwith i am endued , made knowne vnto them in their owne mother tongue , the wonderfull workes of god ; for the admiring of gods praise in the creatures , standeth not in a confused ignorance not knowing the beginnings and reason of euery thinge , but rather in a curious and artificiall inuestigation of their greatest secrets . therefore , let all liuing men consider euery part of diuine wisedome in all his workes ; for if it be high , he therby terrifieth the proud ; by the truth he feedeth the great ones ; by his affability he nourisheth the little ones , and so i will conclude my preface , with the wordes of the three children : o all ye workes of the lorde , praise him and magnifie him for euer . edvvard topsell . a table of the seuerall serpents , as they are rehearsed and described in this treatise following . a adder . ammodyte . arge , argolae . aspe . b bee. bee-drone . bee-waspe . bee-hornet . boas . c cantarides . cankers . caterpillers . chamaeleon . cockatrice . cordyll . crocadill . crocadile of egypt . crocodile of bresilia . crocadile of the earth , called a scinke . d darte . dipsas . doublehead . dragon . dragon winged . dryine . e elephants . elops , elopis . f frogges . greene frogge . crooked frog , or paddock toades . g greene serpent . h haemorrhe . horned serpent . hydra . hyaena . i innocent serpents . l lizard . lizard greene . locust , vide caterpiller . m molure . myllet or cencryne . myagrus . n neute , or water lyzard . p pagerina . pareas . palmer-worme vide caterpiller . pelias . porphyre . prester . python vide dragon . r red serpent . s salamander . scorpion . scytall . sea-serpents . seps or sepedon . slow-worme . snake . spiders . , stellion . t tyre . torteyse . , , v viper . w wormes . a generall treatise of serpents , diuine , morall , and naturall . of the creation and first beginning of serpentes . there is no man that can iustly take exception that this history of serpents beginneth at theyr creation : for seeing our purpose is , to set forth the workes of god , by which as by a cleere glasse , he endeuoureth to disperse and distribute the knowledge of his maiesty , omnipotencie , wisedome and goodnesse , to the whole race of man-kinde , it seemeth most proper that the first stone of this building , laid in the foundation be fetched from the creation : and the rather , because some naturalists ( especially amongst the auncient heathen ) haue taken the originall of these venemous beasts , to be of the earth , without all respect of diuine and primary creation . and hereunto some hereticks , as the manichees and marciontes , haue also subscribed , though not directly , for they account the creation of these venemous & all hurtfull beasts an vnworthy worke for the good god , because they could neuer see any good vse of such creatures in the world. yet we know the blessed trinity created the whole frame of this visible world by it selfe ; and for good , reasonable , and necessarie causes , framed both the beneficiall & hurtfull creatures , eyther for a physicall or metaphysicall ende . therfore it is most certaine , that if we consider the outward parts of these creatures endued with life , no man nor nature could begin and make them , but the first essence or fountaine of life : and if we can be brought , to acknowledge a difference betwixt our shallow capacitie , and the deepe wisedome of god , it may necessarily follow by an vnauoydable sequele , that their vses & endes were good , although in the barrennesse of our vnderstanding , we cannot conceiue or learne them . but i purpose not to sollow these thinges philosophically by arguments , but rather diuinely by euident demonstration of the thinges themselues . and first of all , it , appeareth , gen. , . that god brought forth out of the earth all creeping thinges after their kinde : and least that any man should doubt , that vnder the generall name of creeping thinges , serpents and other venemous beasts , were not intelligibly enough expressed , it is added cap. , . that the serpent was more subtile then all the beastes of the fielde which god had made . the prophet dauid also , psal . , . among other thinges which are exhorted by the prophet to praise their creator , there are named dragons , which are the greatest kind of serpents . vnto this also alluded s. iames , cap. , . saying : that the whole nature of beastes , and of birdes , of creeping thinges of the sea is tamed by the nature of man : for man , which is next vnto god , hath authoritie and power , to rule ouer all his workes , and therefore ouer serpents . and herein it is fit to shew , what wonders men haue wrought vpon serpents , taming and destroying them rather like wormes and beasts , no waies enemies to mankind , but friendly , and endued with sociable respect , or else as weaklinges commaunded by a superiour power . such an one was atyr a notable inchaunter , who by touching any serpent brought it into a deadlie sleepe ; according to these verses . nec non serpentes dire exarmare veneno , doctus atyr : tactuque graues sepire chelydros : in english thus ; the cunning atyr , serpents fierce , of poyson did disarme , and water-snakes to deadly sleepe , by touching he did charme . aluisius cadamustus , in his description of the new world , telleth an excellent hystorie of a lygurian young man , beeing among the negroes trauailing in affrick , whereby he endeuoureth to prooue , hovv ordinary and familiar it is to them , to take and charme serpents , according to the verse of the poet ; frigidus in prat is cantando rumpiter anguis . that is , the cold-earth-snake in meddowes greene , by singing , broke in peeces may be seene . the young man beeing in affricke among the negroes , and lodged in the house of a nephew to the prince of budoniell , when he was taking himselfe to his rest , suddenly awaked , by hearing the vnwonted noise of the hissing of innumerable sorts of serpents ; wherat while he wondred , and beeing in some terror , he heard his host ( the princes nephew ) to make himselfe readie to go out of the doores , ( for he had called vp his seruants to sadle his cammels : ) the young man demaunded of him the cause , why hee would goe out of doores now so late in the darke night ? to whom he answered , i am to goe a little way , but i will returne againe verie speedily : and so hee went , and with a charme quieted the serpents , and droue them all away , returning againe with greater speed then the lygurian young man his ghest expected . and when he had returned , he asked his ghest if hee did not heare the immoderate hyssing of the serpents ? and he aunswered , that he had heard them to his great terrour : then the princes nephew ( who was called bisboror ) replyed , saying ; they were serpents which had beset the house , and would haue destroyed all their cattell and heards , except hee had gone foorth to driue them away by a charme , which was very common and ordinary in those parts , wherein were abundance of very hurtfull serpents . the lygurian young man , hearing him say so , maruailed aboue measure , and said , that this thing was so rare and miraculous , that scarcely christians would beleeue it . the negro thought it as strange that the young man should bee ignorant heereof , and therefore told him , that their prince could worke more strange things by a charme which he had , and that this and such like , were small , vulgar , and not to be accounted miraculous . for when he is to vse any strong poyson vpon present necessitie , to put any man to death , hee putteth some venom vppon a sword , or other peece of armour , and then making a large round circle , by his charme compelleth many serpents to come within that circle , hee himselfe standing amongst them , and obseruing the most venomous of them all so assembled , which he thinketh to containe the strongest poyson , killeth him , and causeth the residue to depart away presentlie ; then out of the dead serpent hee taketh the poyson , and mixeth it with the seede of a certaine vulgar tree , and therewithall annoynteth his dart , arrow , or swords point , whereby is caused present death , if it giue the bodie of a man but a very small wound , euen to the breaking of the skinne , or drawing of the blood . and the saide negro did earnestly perswade the young man to see an experiment heereof , promising him to shew all as he had related , but the lygurian beeing more willing to heare such things told , then bolde to attempt the triall , told him , that hee was not willing to see any such experiment . and by this it appeareth , that all the negroes are addicted to incantations , which neuer haue anie approbation from god , except against serpents , which i cannot verie easilie be brought to beleeue . i haue heard a gentleman of singuler learning , & once my worshipfull good friend , and daily encourager vnto all good labours , report diuers times very credibly , vppon his owne knowledge and eye-sight , that beeing at padua in italy , hee sawe a certaine quack-saluer , or mountebacke vpon a stage , pull a viper out of a box , and suffered the saide viper to bite his flesh , to the great admiration of all the beholders , receiuing therby no danger at all . afterward he put off his doublet and shirt , and shewed vppon his right arme a very great vnwonted blew veine , standing beyond the common course of nature ; and he said , that he was of the linage of saint paule , & so were all other that had such veines , and that therefore ( by speciall vertue to that family giuen from aboue ) no viper nor serpent could euer annoy or poyson them : but withall , the fellowe dranke a certaine compound water , or antidote , for feare of the worst , and so at one time vented both his superstitious hypocrisie , and also much of his antidote to his great aduantage . but i haue since that time also read , in matthiolus his commentaries vppon the sixth booke of dioscorides , that there were wont to be many such iuglers in italy , carrying in theyr bosomes liuing serpents , of whose fraudulent impostures hee speaketh in this sort . they take serpents in the winter time , when they growe dead and stiffe through cold , and yet for their better defence against their venomous byting , they defend themselues by a certaine experimentall vnguent , knowne to bee practised in this sport , made of the oyle pressed out of vvilde radish , the rootes of dragonwort , the iuyce of daffodill , the braine of a hare , the leaues of sabine , sprigges of bay , & some other few things there-vnto added . as soone as they haue taken them , they instantly all to spette vpon their heads , for by reason of a secret antipathy in nature , they grow very dull thereby , and lay aside the force and rage of venome ; for the spettle of a man , is of a cleane contrarie operation to their poyson . and when afterward they make ostentation heereof in the market , or publique stage , they suffer them to bite their owne flesh : but first of all , they offer thē a peece of hard flesh , where-vppon they bite to clense their teeth from all spawne and spume of venome , or els sometime pull forth the little bagges of poyson , which inhaere in their chaps , and vnder their tongues , so as they are neuer more repleate or filled againe : and by this deceit they deceiue the world where euer they come , giuing foorth that they are of the linage of saint paule , who cast a viper off from his hands , as wee reade in the holie scripture . it was an inuention of auncient time among the wise magitians , to make a pipe of the skinnes of cats legges , and there-withall to driue away serpents ; by which it appeareth , that the soueraigntie of man ouer serpents , was giuen by god at the beginning , and was not lost , but continued after the fall of man , ( although the hand that should rule be much weaker ) and practised by the most barbarous of the world , necessitie of defence forcing a violence and hatred , betwixt the serpent , and the womans seede . for this cause we reade of the seauen daughters of atlas , whereof one was called hyas , whose dailie exercise was hunting of venomous beastes , and from her the hyades had their denomination . and for a conclusion of this argument , i will adde this one storie more out of aelianus . when thonis the king of egypt had receiued of menelaus , helen to be safely kept , whiles he trauailed through aethiopia , it hapned that the king fell in loue with her beautie , and oftentimes endeuoured by violence to rauish her ; then , it is also said , that helen to turne away the kings vnlawfull lust , opened all the matter to polydamna the wife of thonis , who instantly fearing her owne estate , least that in time to come , faire helen should depriue her of her husbands loue , banished her into the iland of pharus , which was full of all manner of serpents , and yet taking pittie on her for her simplicitie , gaue her a certaine herbe , whereby she droue away all serpents . for ( it is said ) when the serpents and venomous beasts doe but smell the same herbe , they instantly hide their heads in the earth . helen comming into that island planted the same there , and was therefore called by the inhabitants , after her owne name helenium , which the skilfull herborists at this day affirme to grow in pharus . vnto this discourse of the taming of serpents , i may adde yet more strange things , if any thing be strange in the nature of this world. and those are some histories of the familiaritie of men , women and serpents . alexander was thought to bee begotten of a serpent , for it is said , that one a time there was found a great serpent vppon his mother olympia as shee was sleeping ; and some say ( for the honour both of the mother and the sonne , that this serpent was iupiter , turned into the likenesse of a serpent , as wee reade he changed himselfe into many other shapes . and the like story vnto this , is alledged of scipio affricanus his mother , who long time remained barren without the fruite of the wombe , insomuch as that p : scipio her husband , vtterly dispaired of posteritie . it hapned one day , as she was in her bed , her husband beeing absent , there came a great snake and lay beside her , euen in the presence of the seruants and familie , who beeing mightily astonished thereat , cryed out with loude voyces for feare , whereat the woman awaked , and the snake slidde away inuisibly . p : scipio hearing this report at his returne home , went to the wisards to vnderstand the secret or signification of this prodigie : who making a sacrifice , gaue aunswere that it betokened prolification , or birth of children , and therevpon followed the birth of scipio affricanus . we reade also in plutarch of certaine serpents , louers of young virgins , who after they were taken and insnared , shewed all manner of lustfull , vitious , & amorous gestures of vncleanenes and carnalitie ; and by name , there was one that was in loue with one aetolia a virgin , who did accustome to come vnto her in the night time , slyding gentlie all ouer her body neuer harming her , but as one glad of such acquaintance , tarried with her in that dalliance till the morning , and then would depart away of his owne accorde : the which thing beeing made manifest vnto the guardians and tutours of the virgin , they remoued her vnto another towne . the serpent missing his loue , sought her vppe and downe three or foure dayes , and at last mette her by chance , and then hee saluted her not as he was wont , with fawning , and gentle slyding , but fiercely assaulted her with grimme and austere countenaunce , flying to her hands , and binding them with the spire of his bodie fast to her sides , did softly with his tayle beate vpon her backer parts . whereby was collected , some token of his chastisement vnto her , who had wronged such a louer with her wilfull absence and disappointment . it is also reported by aelianus , that egemon in his verses , writeth of one aleua a thessalian , who feeding his oxen in thessaly , neere the fountaine haemonius , there fell in loue with him a serpent of exceeding bignesse and quantitie , and the same would come vnto him , and softly licke his face and golden haire , without dooing him any manner of hurt at all . these , and such like thinges , doe euidently prooue , that serpents are not onely involuntarilie tamed by men , but also willingly keepe quarter with them , yeelding to the first ordinance of the creatour , that made them subiects & vassals to men . and thus much shall suffice to haue spoken in this place , concerning the first creation of serpents . of the naturall generation of serpents , and their seuerall originalls . it beeing thus cleered , that serpents were at the beginning created by god , and are ruled by men , it now followeth , that wee should in the next place talk of the matter of their beginning , and the meanes of their continuance euer since their creation . first therefore it is most plaine in genesis , that the earth , ( by the vertue of the word of god ) did produce all creeping things , and among them serpents : but since that time , they haue engendered both naturally , and also prodigiously . as concerning their constitution , it is held to be most cold , aboue all other liuing creatures ; and therefore pliny writeth , that they haue neither heate , nor bloode , nor sweat . heere-vnto subscribeth galen and rasis ; yet auicen seemeth to affirme the contrary . mercuriall decideth this controuersie , and proueth that serpents are extreamely cold , & their bodies outwardly moist . first , because those which are stunge & poysoned by serpents , are oppressed with an vnnaturall cold , which ouercommeth naturall heate , and distendeth all their parts , vexing them intollerably . secondly , there can be assigned no other reason why these creatures hide themselues . moneths in the yere , but onely their naturall cold , making thē so tender , as they are altogether vnfit to endure any externall frigiditie . thirdly , if a man take a snake or a serpent into his handling in the midst of sommer , & warmest part of the yeere , yet shall he perceiue , that they are cold in a palpable manner being aliue , which is not a qualitie competible to any other creature . fourthly , seeing that blood is the proper and natiue seate of all heate in naturall liuing bodies , serpents hauing a very small quantitie of blood , must also haue a smaller proportion of heate : and therfore it followeth vnauoidably , that the eminencie of their temperament , is cold in the highest degree , aboue all other liuing creatures . and that their bodies be outwardlie moyst , it appeareth ( saith isidorus ) by this , that when they slide along vpon the earth , ( which way soeuer they goe ) they leaue behind them in their traine or path a slymie humour . by this therefore it is confirmed , that they are of the earth and of the water , as afterward we shall shew in the description of their kindes . but yet there are prodigious beginnings of serpents , whereof some seeme to be true , & other to be fabulous . the first sort are those which plinie affirmeth to be engendred of the marrowe in the backe-bone of a man , and that indifferently , out of the dead bodies of good & euill men . yet some more modest , thinking it vnreasonable , that the remnants of a good meeke man , should beget or be turned into so barbarous , venomous , & cruell a nature ; rather taking it for granted , that peace and quietnes is the reward of such persons , attribute these beginnings or alterations to the bodies of wicked men , as a iust deserued punishment of their former euills , that the reuersion of their bodies should after death turne into serpents , whom they resembled being aliue in the venemous fraude of their spirits . of this ouid speaketh . sunt quae cum clauso putrefacta est spina sepulchro , mutari credunt humanas angue medullas . which may be thus englished ; some thinke the putride backe-bone in the graue rack'd , or marrow changd , the shape of snakes to take . in egypt , as frogges and mice are engendred by showers of raine , so also are serpents : and autcen saith , that the longest haires of women are easily turned into serpents . nicander dreameth ; that all venomous beastes are engendred of the blood of the tytans or gyants . acusilaus , of the blood of typhon . apollonius rhodius of the drops of blood which doe distill from gorgons . virgilius saith , that dung beeing laid in a hollow place , subiect to receiue moysture , engendereth serpents . of the gorgons drops , ouid writeth thus . cumque super lybicas victor penderet arenas , gorgonei capitis guttae cecidere cruentae , quas humus exceptas , varios animauit in angues , vnde frequens illa est infestaque cerra colubris . which may thus be englished : and as he ouer-flew the lybicke sandes , the drops of bloud that from the head did sewe of gorgon being new cut off , vpon the ground did fall , which taking them , and as it were conceiuing them withall , engendred sundry snakes and wormes : by meanes whereof that clyme did swarme with serpents euer since , to this same present time . but most strange of all other , are the succeeding narrations . for it is reported that when l. scipio , and c. norbanus were consuls , that the mother of clusius in hetruria , brought foorth a liuing serpent in stead of a childe , and the sayde serpent by the commaund of the wisardes was cast into a ryuer , neuerthelesse it woulde not drowne but swimmed against the streame . and pliny sayth , that at the beginning of the marsycke warre , there was a mayd-seruaunt that brought foorth another serpent . and faustina the empresse dreamed that she brought foorth serpents , when shee was with childe of commodus and antoninus , and one of these serpents seemed more fierce then the other , which proued allegorically true : for afterward commodus was so voluptuous and tyrannous , that he seemed like a serpent to be borne for nothing , but for the destruction of mankinde . in the yeare of the lorde . there was a little latine booke printed at vienna , wherein was contained this history following . in this summer ( sayth the booke ) about s. margarites day , there happened most rare and admyrable accidents : for neere a village called zichsa , by the riuer theose in hungaria , there were many serpents & lisards bred in the bodies of men , very like to such as are bred in the earth , whereupon they fell into exquisite torments : and there dyed of that calamity , about three thousand , & some of the bodyes being layde against the sunne gaping , the serpents came foorth of theyr mouthes , and suddenly entred into their bellies againe . amongst other , there was a certaine noble-mans daughter which dyed of that malady , and when she was dissected or ripped , there were found in her body two great serpentes . these thinges seeme to bee miraculous and aboue the order of nature : yet credible , because in our experience in england , there haue beene wormes like serpentes found in the bodies of men , whereof some haue beene eiected the parties being aliue , and other when as the parties were dead . but that these beginnings of serpents being vnnaturall are diuine and sent from god as scourges , it may appeare by another notable history , recorded in the aforenamed booke , both in the same yeare , and in the same countrey . there was ( sayth mine author ) found in a mowe or rycke of corne , almost as many snakes , adders , and other serpentes , as there were sheafes , so as no one sheafe could be remoued , but there presently appeared a heape of ougly and fierce serpents . the countrey-men determined to set fire vpon the barne , and so attempted to doe , but in vaine , for the straw would take no fire , although they laboured with all their wit and pollicye , to burne them vp : at last , there appeared vnto them at the top of the heap a huge great serpent , which lifting vp his head spake with mans voyce to the countrey-men , saying : cease to prosecute your deuise , for you shall not be able to accomplish our burning , for wee were not bredde by nature , neither came we hither of our owne accord , but were sent by god to take vengeance on the sinnes of men . and thus much for the true and naturall beginninges of serpentes . now we reade in holy scripture , that the rod of moses was turned into a serpent by diuine myracle , whereby he was assured of the power that god woulde giue him to deliuer his people israell out of egypt , which land abounding with serpentes , both naturall bredde in the earth , and morall , such are crafty and polliticke princes and people : yet moses shoulde take them as he did his serpent by the tayle , and cause them to bende vnto him like as it were a wand , or else some other little walking staffe : and also that his power should be vnresistable , because his serpent deuoured others . the magitians or sorcerers , ( as iannes & iambres ) resisted him , and also turned their rods into serpents . but moses did it by true pietie , they by diabolicall delusions , as false christians many times worke miracles by outward signes of true pietie , and therefore moses rodde ouer-came the sorcerers serpents , because the end of fraude and falshood is , to be ouercome by truth & pietie . from this changing of rods into serpents , came the seuerall metamorphosing of sundry other things into serpents also , as that tale of orpheus head , after he was torne in pecces by the thrasian women ; and the same throwne into a riuer , was taken vp in lemnos . the poet describeth it thus ; hic ferus exposito peregrinis anguis arenis os petit , & spar sos stillanti rore capillos lambit , & hymniferos inhiat diuellere vultus : tandem phoebus adest : morsusque inferre parantem arcet , & in lapidem rictus serpentis apertos . congelat , & patulos vt erant indurat hiatus . in english thus ; no sooner on the forraine coast now cast a-land they were , but that cruell natur'd snake did straight vpon them fly , and licking on his ruffled haire , the which was dropping dry , did gape to tyre vpon those lippes that had beene wont to sing the heauenly hymnes . but phoebus straight preuenting that same thing , dispoints the serpent of his baite , and turnes him into stone , with gaping chaps . &c. so isacius tzetzes writeth , that when tiresia found serpents in carnall copulation in cithaeron , he slew a femall , who presently after death was turned into a woman , then also he slew a male , who likewise beeing dead , was in the same place and manner turned into a man. when cadmus was sent by his father , to seeke out his sister europa that vvas rauished by iupiter , with straight charge not to returne backe againe except he could finde her , hauing spent much time in seeking her , to no purpose , because he could not find her , and not daring to goe backe againe to his father ; hee was warned by the oracle that hee should goe into baeotia to build a cittie . comming thether , he sent his companions to the fountaine of mars that was in the countrey to fetch water , where a great serpent came and killed them ; at the last , cadmus not finding their returne , went likewise to the same fountaine , where he found all his men slaine , and the serpent approching to assaile him , but he quickly killed it . afterward he was admonished by pallas , to strew the teeth of the same serpent vppon the ground , which he performed , and then out of those teeth ( saith ouid ) arose a multitude of armed-men , who instantly fell to fight one with the other , in such cruell and bloodie manner , that at the last there were but fiue of them all left aliue , which fiue ( by the will of pallas ) were preserued to be the fathers of the people of thebes . and so apollonius faineth , that with the helpe of men bred of serpents teeth , came iason to obtaine the golden-flecce . they faine also , that achelous when hee stroue with hercules about deianira , turned himselfe into diuers shapes , and last of all into a serpent , or as some say ; into a riuer . so likewise cadmus afore-said , beeing ouer-come with the sight and sence of his owne miseries , and the great calamities that befell to his daughters & nephewes , forsooke thebes , and came into illyrium , where it is said , that hee earnestly desired of the gods to be turned into a serpent , because a serpent was the first originall of all his extremities . antipater faineth iupiter to be turned into a serpent , and medusa refusing the loue of neptune , is also fained by ouid to be turned into a serpent , when he writeth ; hanc pelagi rector templo vitiasse minerua , dicitur , aversus est & castos aegide vultus nata iouis texit : neue hoc impune fuisset , gorgoneum crinem turpes mutauit in hydros . nunc quoque vt attonitos formidine terreat hostes , pectore in aduerso , quos fecit sustinet angues . in english thus ; it is reported how she should abusde by neptune be , in pallas church , from which fowle fact , ioues daughter turnd her eie : and least it should vnpunisht be , she turnd her seemely haire to loathsome snakes , the which the more to put her foes in feare , before hir breast continually she in her hand doth beare . pierius writeth , that the myrtle rod was not lawfull to be brought into the temple of necates , and that a vine braunch was extended ouer the head of her signe : and whereas it was not lawfull to name wine , they brought it into her temple vnder the name of milke , and that therein continually liued harmelesse serpents . the reason of al this was , because that her owne father faunus fell in loue with her , whom she resisted with al modesty , although she were beaten with a myrtle rodde , and made to drinke wine ; but at last the beastly father was transformed into a serpent , and then hee oppressing her with the spyres of his winding body , rauished her against her minde . these and such like stories and fables are extant about the beginninges of serpents ; all which , the reader may consider , to stirre vp his minde to the earnest and ardent meditation of that power that of stones can make men , of rocks water , of water wine , and of small roddes great serpents . then thus hauing expressed the originall of serpentes in their creation , it followeth now to adde the residue of this chapter about their generacion . it is a generall rule that all beasts wanting feet and haue long bodies , performe their worke of carnall copulation by a mutuall embracing one of the other , as lampreys and serpentes : and it is certaine , that two serpents in this action seeme to be one body and two heads , for they are so indiuisibly vnited and conioyned together , and the frame of their body is altogither vnapt for any other manner of copulation . when they are in this action they send forth a ranke sauour offensiue to the sence of them that doe perceiue it : and although like vnto many fishes , they want stones , yet haue they two open passages wherin lyeth their generatiue seed , and which being filled , procureth them to their veneriall lust , the seede it selfe being like a milky humour ; and when the female is vnder the male , she hath also her passages to receiue the seed , as it were into the celles of hir wombe , and there it is framed into an egge , which she hideth in the earth an hundred in a cluster , about the quantity of a birdes egge , or a great bead , such as are vsed sometime by women . and this is generall for all serpents except vipers , who lay no egges , but hatch in their wombes their young ones , as we shall shew at large in their particular hystory . the serpent hauing layd her egge sitteth vpon them to hatch them at seuerall times , and in a yeare they are perfected into young ones . but concerning the supposed copulation of serpents and lampreys , i will not meddle in this place , reseruing that discourse to the historic of fishes , and now only it sufficeth in this place to name it , as a feigned invention , although saint ambrose and other anncient writers haue beleeued the same , yet athaeneus , and of late dayes p. iouius , haue learnedly and sufficientlie declared by vnanswearable arguments the cleane contrarie . the serpents loue their egges most tenderly , and doe euerie one of them know their owne , euen among confused heapes of the multitude , and no lesse is their loue to their young ones , whom for their safeguard , sometime they receiue into their mouthes and suffer them to runne into their bellies : and thus much for the generation of serpents . of the names of serpents , and their seuerall parts or anatomie . by serpents we vnderstand in this discourse all venomous beasts , whether creeping without legges , as adders and snakes , or with legges , as crocodiles and lizards , or more neerely compacted bodies , as toades , spiders and bees ; following heerein the warrant of the best ancient latinists , as namely cornelius celsus , pliny & apuleius doe call lyce serpents , in that their relation of the death of pherecydes the sirian , who was the praeceptor of pythagoras , of whom it is said , serpentibus perijsse , to haue perrished by serpents , when on the contrary it is manifested he was killed by lyce . aristotle and galen define a serpent to be animal sanguineū pedibus orbatum & ouiparum , that is , a bloody beast without feere , yet laying egges ; and so properly is a serpent to be vnderstood . the haebrewes call a serpent nachasch . darcon and cheueia by the chaldees : so also thaninim & schephiphon , by the hebrewes , as rabbi salomon , munster & pagnine write . the graecians , ophidi and ophis , although this word doe also signifie a viper in particular , euen as the latine , serpens , or serpula doe , sometime a snake , and sometime an adder . the arabians haie and hadaie , for all manner of serpents . and testuh or tenstu , or agestim for serpents of the wood ; likewise apartias & atussi . the germans ein schlang : which word seemeth to be deriued from anguis by an vsuall figure , and after the german fashion , proposing sch. the french call it vn serpent , the italians serpe & serpente : and massarius saith , that scorzo and scorzone , are generall wordes for all manner of serpents in italy , which strike with their teeth . the spanyards call them sierpe . the graecians call the young ones in the dammes belly , embrua : and the latines catuli . and thus much for their names in generall , which in holy scripture is englished a creeping thing . now it followeth , that i should sette downe a particular description of all the outward parts of serpents ; and first of all , their colour is for the most part like the place of their habitation or abode , i meane like the earth , wherein they liue ; and therefore i haue seene some blacke , liuing in dung , some yellow , liuing in sandy rocks , & some of other colour , as greene , liuing in trees and fieldes ; but generally , they haue spots on their sides and bellie , like the scales of fish , which are both white , black , greene , yellow , browne , & of other colours also , of which ouid writeth : — longo caput extulit antro , caeruleus serpens horrendaque sibila misit . that is ; the greenish serpent extolld her head from denne so steepe , and fearefull hyssing did send forth from throate so deepe . the frame of their bodies doth not much varry in any , except in the feete & length , so that with a reseruation of them , we may expresse their vniuersall anatomy in one viewe : for almost all of them are of the same proportion that is seene in lyzards , if the feete be excepted , and they made to haue longer bodies . for they are inclosed in a kinde of shell or crustie skinne , hauing their vpper parts on their backe , and the nether parts on the bellie like a lizard ; but they want stones , & haue such manner of places for copulation as fishes haue , their place of conception beeing long and clouen . all their bowels , by reason of the length and narrownes of their bodies , are also long and narrow , and hard to be discerned , because of the dissimilitude of their figures and shapes . their arterie is long , & their throate longer then that : the ground or roote of the artery is neere the mouth , so as a man would iudge it to be vnder the tongue , so as it seemeth to hang out aboue the tongue , especially when the tongue is contracted , and drawne backward . the head long like a fishes , and flatte ; neuer much bigger then the bodie , except in monstrous and great shaped serpents , as the boas . yea , aristotle maketh mention of a serpent that had . heads , and arnoldus , of a serpent in the piraeney mountaines , slaine by a souldier , that had three heads , in whose belly vvere found two sonnes of the said souldier deuoured by him , and the back-bone thereof was as great as a mans skull , or a rammes head . and such an one we read in our english story was found in england , in the yeere . and the yeere of edward the third , there was a serpent found in oxfordshire , neere chippingnorton , that had two heads and faces like women , one beeing shaped after the new attire of that time , and another after the manner of the old attyre , and it had great winges , after the manner of a bat. the tongue of a serpent is peculiar , for besides the length & narrownesse thereof , it is also clouen at the tippe , beeing deuided as it were with very little or small nailes points . it is also thinne , long , and black of colour , voluble ; neither is there any beast that moueth the tongue so speedily : wherefore some haue thought , that a serpent hath three tongues , but in vaine , as isidorus sheweth , for they deceiue by the nimblenes thereof . their ventricle is large , like their maw , and like vnto a dogs , also thinne , and vniforme at the end . the hart is very small , and cleaueth to the end of their artery , but yet it is long , & sheweth like the reynes of a man : vvherefore sometimes it may be seene to bend the tippe or lappe thereof to the breast ward . after this followeth the lights , but farre seperate from it , being simple , full of fibres , and open holes like pipes , and very long : the liuer long and simple ; the melt small and round as in lizards . the gall is for the most part as in fishes , but in water-snakes it is ioyned to the liuer : in other serpents to the stomacke or maw . all their teeth stand out of their mouth , and they haue thirtie ribbes , euen as there were among the haebrewes and egyptians thirtie daies to euery month . aristotle saith , that as their eyes be small , so also they haue the same good hap that befalleth young swallowes , for if by chance they scratch or rend out their eyes , then it is said they haue other grow vp naturally in their places : in like manner their tayles beeing cut off , grow againe . and generally , serpents haue their hart in the throat , the gall in the bellie or stomack , and their stones neere their tayle : their egges are long and soft , & in their teeth they carrie poyson of defence and anoyance , for which cause they desire aboue all other things to saue their heads . their sight is but dull and dim , and they can hardlie looke atone side , or backward , because their eyes are placed in their temples , and not in theyr fore-head , and therefore they heare better then they see . they haue eye-liddes , for generally no creatures haue eye-liddes , except those which haue haire in the other parts of their bodies ; foure-footed beasts in the vpper cheeke , fowles in the nether , or lyzards which haue egges , or serpents which haue soft backs . they haue also certaine passages of breathing in their nostrills , but yet they are not so plaine that they can be termed nostrills , but breathing places . theyr eares are like to finny fishes , namely small passages , or hollowe places in the backer parts of their head , by which they heare . their teeth are like sawes , or the teeth of combes ioyned one within the other , that so they might not be worne out by grinding or grating together ; and yet they bend inward , to the end that they may the better hold their meate in their mouthes , beeing without all other externall helpe for that purpose ; for euen those serpents which haue feete , yet can they not apply them to their chaps . in the vpper chap they haue two longer then all the residue , on either side one , bored thorough with a little hole like the sting of a scorpion , by which they vtter their poyson . yet there be some good authors that affirme , that this poyson is nothing els but their gall , which is forced to the mouth by certaine veines vnder the ridge or backe-bone . some againe say , that they haue but one long tooth , & that a crooked one , which turneth vpward by often byting , which sometime falleth off , and then groweth againe , of which kinde those are , which men carry vp and downe tame in their bosoms . although they be great raueners , yet is their throate but long and narrow , for helpe whereof when they haue gotten a bootie , they erect themselues vppon their tayles , and swallow downe their meate the more easily . they cannot be said properly to haue any neck , yet somthing they haue , which in proportion answereth that part . they haue tailes like all other creatures , except men and apes , and some say that their poyson is contayned in their tayles , & is from thence conuayed into little bladders in their mouthes , therefore the mountebancks or iuglers , breake that bladder , that they may keepe them without poyson , but within the space of twentie foure houres , they are recollected , and growe anew againe . their bodies are couered ouer with a certaine skin like a thinne barke , and vppon serpents it supplieth the place that scales and haire doe vpon beasts and fishes ; for indeed it is a pure skinne , and in most things they are like to fishes , except that they haue lights , & fishes haue none : the reason is , they liue on the earth , and the fishes in the sea , & therfore haue finnes and gilles in stead thereof . the little serpents haue all their bones like thornes , but the greater , which stand in neede of greater strength , haue solide bones for their firmitude and better constitution . it is questionable whether they haue any melt or no , and some say they haue at the time of their laying of egges , and not otherwise . theyr place of conception or secrete , is large , and standeth farre out , beginning beneath , and so arising vp to the back-bone double ; that is , hauing one skinne or enclosure on either side , with a double passage wherein the egges are engendered , which are not layd one by one , but by heapes or clusters together . they haue no bladder to containe vrine , like to all other creatures , which haue feathers , scales , or rinde-speckled-skinnes , except the torteises : the reason is , because of the exiguitie and smalenes of the assumed humour , and also all the humour acquired , is consumed into a loose and euaporate flesh . and to conclude this anatomie , i will adde a short description vvhich gregorius macer a phisition wrote to gesner . by his owne dissection as followeth , saying . as i lay at rest in a greene field , there came vnto mee a great serpent hyssing , & holdding vp her necke , which i suddainly with a peece of vvood amazed at a stroake , and so slevv without perrill to my selfe . afterward , sticking her fast to a pale , i drevv off her skin , which was verie fast and sharpe , and i found betwixt the skinne & the flesh , a certaine little thinne skinne , descending all vppon the body with the outward skinne , and this vvas some-what fat . and when i came vnto the place of excrements , i found it like a fishes , but there issued forth certaine filth , farre exceeding in stinking sauour the excrements of a man. after i had thus pulled off the skinne , it was easie for mee to looke into the inward parts , which i found to answere the inward anatomy of fishes & fowles in some parts , and in other things , there appeared a proper disposition to the serpent it selfe . for the arterie trachaea was about three or foure fingers long , turned about with little round circles , and so discended to the lights , vnto which the hart and the bladder contayning the gall , did adhaere or cleaue fast . then the liuer was long like the fish lucius , and so a white caule or fatnes couered both the liuer and stomack , which was halfe a spanne long : the guttes began at the chappes , and so descended downe to the place of excrements , as vvee see they doe in fishes . beneath the liuer were the guttes , vpon either side descended a certaine neruy or hard veine , vnto which the egges did cleaue : which were couered with such little skinnes as hennes egges are before they be layd , but yet they were distinguished in seate or place because of their multitude ; for vpon either side i found two and thirty egges . the tongue of the serpent was clouen , and very sharpe , but there appeared not any poyson therein . and so it is euident , that in the veine trachaea , hart and lights , it agreeth with birdes ; in the liuer , guttes and caule , it resembleth a fish , but in the place of the gall , and disposition of the egges , it differeth from both . and thus farre macer , with whose words i will conclude this chapter of serpents anatomie . of the quantitie of serpents , and theyr abode , foode , and other accidents . so great is the quantitie of serpents , and their long during age increaseth them to so great a stature , that i am almost afraide to relate the same , least some suspitious and enuious minded persons , should vtterly condemne it for fabulous ; but yet when i consider not onely the plentifull testimonies of worthy and vndoubted antiquaries , and also the euidence of all ages , ( not excepting this wherein we liue ) wherein are and haue beene shewed publiquely many serpents and serpents skinnes , i receiue warrant sufficient to expresse what they haue obserued , and assured aunswere for all future obiections , of ignorant , incredulous , and vnexperienced asses . wherefore as the life of serpents is long , so is the time of theyr groweth and as their kindes be many , ( as wee shall manifest in the succeeding discourse ) so in their multitude , some grow much greater and bigger then other . gellius writeth , that when the romanes were in the carthagenian warre , and attilius regulus the consull had pitched his tents neere vnto the riuer bragrada , there was a serpent of monstrous quantitie , which had beene lodged within the compasse of the tents , and therefore did cause to the whole armie exceeding great calamitie , vntill by casting of stones with slings , and many other deuises , they oppressed and slew that serpent , and afterward fleyed off the skinne and sent it to rome , which was in length one hundred and twentie feete . and although this seemeth to be a beast of vnmatchable stature , yet possidonius a christian writer , relateth a storie of another which was much greater , for hee writeth , that he saw a serpent dead , of the length of an acre of land , and all the residue both of head and bodie , were answerable in proportion , for the bulke of his bodie was so great , and lay so high , that two horsemen could not see one the other beeing at his two sides , and the widenes of his mouth was so great , that hee could receiue at one time within the compasse thereof , a horse and a man on his backe both together : the scales of his coate or skinne , beeing euery one like a large buckler or target . so that now there is no such cause to wonder at the serpent which is said to be killed by s. george , which was as is reported so great , that eight oxen were but strength enough to drawe him out of the cittie silena . there is a riuer called rhyndacus neere the coasts of bythinia , wherein are snakes of exceeding monstrous quantitie , for when thorough heate they are forced to take the water , for their safegard against the sunne , and birds come flying ouer the poole , suddenlie they raise their heads and vpper parts out thereof , and swallow them vp . the serpents of megalauna , are said by pausanias to be thirtie cubits long , and all their other part answerable . but the greatest in the world are found in india , for there they grow to such a quantitie , that they swallow vp whole bulls , and great stagges . wherefore i doe not maruell that porus the king of india , sent to augustus caesar very huge vipers , a serpent of tenne cubits long , a torteise of three cubits , and a partridge greater then a vulture . for alexander in his nauigation vpon the red-sea , saith ; that hee saw serpents fortie cubits long , and all their other parts and members of the same quantity . among the scyritae , the serpents come by great swarmes vppon their flocks of sheepe and cattell , and some they eate vp all , others they kill and sucke out the blood , and some part they carry away . but if euer there were any thing beyond credite , it is the relation of volateran in his twelfth booke of the new-found lands , wherein he writeth , that there are serpents of a myle long , which at one certaine time of the yeere come abroad out of their holes and dennes of habitation , and destroy both the heards and heard-men if they find them . much more fauourable are the serpents of a spanish island , who doe no harme to any liuing thing , although they haue huge bodies , and great strength to accomplish their desires . in the kingdome of senega , their serpents are so great that they deuoure whole beasts , as goates , and such like , without breaking any one of their bones . in calechute , they are as great as their greatest swine , and not much vnlike them , except in their head , which doth farre exceede a swines . and because the king of that country hath made a lavv , that no man kill a serpent vnder paine of death , they are as great in number as they are in quantitie : for so great is his error , that hee deemeth it as lawfull to kill a man , as a serpent . all kindes of serpents are referred to their place of habitation , which is eyther the earth , or the waters of the earth ; and the serpents of the earth , are moe in number then the serpents of the vvater , except the serpents of the sea : and yet it is thought by the most learned rabbines , that the serpents of the sea , are fishes in the likenes of dragons . nowe the places of serpents abode beeing thus generally capitulated , wee must enter into a farther narration of their habitations , and regions of their natiue breeding . in the first place , india nourisheth many and diuers sorts of serpents , especially in the kingdome of morfilium , and alexander the emperour , found among other beasts , sundry kinds of serpent● in a long desert , which is on the north-side of india . but all the nations of the world may giue place to ethiopia for multitude and varietie , for there they gather together on heapes , and lye in compasse like round hills , visibly apparant to the eyes of them that behold them a farre off . the like is said of all affrica , for in numidia , euery yeere there are many men , women and children , destroyed by serpents . the island pharus , is also ( by the testimony of the egyptians ) filled with serpents : the coastes of elymais are annoyed by serpents ; and the caspians are so annoyed by serpents which come swymming in the floods , that men cannot sayle that waies but in the winter-time . for from the beginning of the spring , or aequinoctiall , they seeme ( for their number ) to approch fauening , like troupes and armies . there are also certaine ilands called ophiusae insulae , named after ophis a serpent , for the multitude bred therein : and there are serpents in candy , ephesus , and all hot countries ; for this priuiledge hath god in nature giuen to the colder countreys , that they are lesse annoyed with serpents , and their serpents also lesse nocent and hurtfull : and therefore the serpents of europe , are fewer in number , lesser in quantity , and more resistable for their weakenes and strength . there were a people in campania called osci , because of the multitude of serpents bred among them . likewise there are great store in lombardy and ferrara . and whereas we haue saide , that the most nocent and harmfull serpents are bredd● in the hotest regions , where they engender more speedily , and also grow into greater proportions , yet is it not to be vnderstood of any speciall propertie appertayning to them alone , for i read in olaus magnus , his description of the northerne regions , of serpents of as great quantitie as in any other place of the world ; but yet their poyson is not halfe so venomous & hurtfull , as in the hoter regions , especially the affrican serpents . in botina neere liuonia , there are great store of great serpents also , so that the heard-men are at continuall war and contention with them for defence of their flock : likewise , in the mountaines of heluetia and auergne , whereof there are many wonders reported in the world , which i will not stand vpon to relate in this place . we reade also , that some places haue beene disinhabited , & dispeopled by serpents , such were the people of scythia , called neuri , who before the war of darius , were constrained to forsake theyr soyle , because they were annoyed , not onely with home-bred serpents , but also with many other which came from other parts : and so the country remaineth desolate to this present day , the ancient inhabitants beeing all remooued to dwell among the buditani . the cittie amyclae in italy , ( as m : varro writeth ) was destroyed also by serpents . and there be certains places of the world , which haue receiued their denomination from serpents , besides the ophiusae neere creete . the iland tenos , was called hydrussa and ophiussa , so were cremiuscos , aepolium , and the mountaines macrocremnij , rhodus , & the long ilands ophiades in the arabian coast , which after it had remained a long time desart , was purged and cleered from serpents by the kings of egypt . nicaenetus also calleth cyprus , ophiodia . and in pausanias , we read of a place name opheos kephale , the serpents head . the like might be saide of riuers , as of orontes , called also ophites and ophis in pontus , which deuideth a sunder colchis , and the country thiamica . ebusus nourisheth no serpents , and the earth thereof hath in it a secret vertue to driue away serpents , wherefore it is much desired of all men to carry about them , for that it hath beene often prooued , that neuer any venomous beast durst aduenture vpon any man possessed thereof . the like is said of ireland , as our owne chronicles doe plentifully declare , and therefore i will spare to enter into any narration thereof . to come therfore to the more particular abode of serpents , especially , of such as are knowne to vs , we must leaue of the talke and nominaton of kingdoms , and descend to dennes , holes , caues , dunghils , sheep-coats , valleys , rocks , hollow-walls and trees , woods , greene pastures , hedges . and such like places , wherein they make their most abode : and now and then in these northerne parts of the world ( & yet sildome ) they diue downe into the bottome or rootes of trees , especially such as are greene all the winter-time : for they finde in them a greater heate or warmth , then in other , whose leaues fall off and decay in the cold weather , except in the rootes of birch . and by reason of their multitude gathered together at the roote of this tree , it falleth out that their breath heateth the same , and so preserueth the leaues of it from falling off : wherefore in auncient time , the ignorant multitude , seeing a birch-tree with greene leaues in the winter , did call it our ladies tree , or a holy tree , attributing that greenenesse to miracle , not knowing the former reason , or secrete of nature . solinus reporteth of such a like wood in a part of affrica , wherein all the winter time , the leaues of all the trees abide greene , the cause is as before recited , for that the serpents liuing at the rootes of the trees in the earth , doe heate thē with their breath . neither ought any man to wonder that they should so friendly liue together , especially in the winter & cold time , seeing that by experience in england , we know that for warmth they will creepe into bed-straw , & about the legges of men in their sleepe ; as may appeare by this succeeding discourse , of a true history done in england , in the house of a worshipfull gentleman , vpon a seruant of his , whom i could name if it were needfull . he had a seruaunt that grew very lame and feeble in his legges , & thinking that he could neuer be warme in his bed , did multiply his clothes , and couered himselfe more & more , but all in vaine , till at length he was not able to goe about , neither could any skill of phisitian or surgeon find out the cause . it hapned on a day as his maister leaned at his parlour window , he saw a great snake to slide along the house side , and to creepe into the chamber of this lame man , then lying in his bedde ( as i remember , ) for hee lay in a lowe chamber , directly against the parlour window afore-said . the gentleman desirous to see the issue , and what the snake would doe in the chamber , followed , and looked into the chamber by the window ; where hee espied the snake to slide vppe into the bed-straw , by some way open in the bottome of the bedde , which was of old bordes . straightway his hart rising therat , he called two or three of his seruaunts , and told them what he had seene , bidding them goe take their rapiers & kill the said snake . the seruing-men came first and remoued the lame man ( as i remember ) and then the one of them turned vp the bed , and the other two the straw , their maister standing without at the hole , whereinto the said snake had entered into the chamber . the bedde was no sooner turned vp , and the rapier thrust into the straw , but there issued forth fiue or six great snakes that were lodged therein : then the seruing-men bestirring themselues , soone dispatched them , & cast them out of doores dead . afterward , the lame mans legges recouered , and became as strong as euer they were : whereby did euidentlie appeare , the coldnes of these snakes or serpents , which came close to his legges euerie night , did so benumme them as he could not goe . and thus for heate they pierce into the holes of chimneyes , yea into the toppes of hills and houses , much more into the bottomes and rootes of trees . when they perceiue that winter approcheth , they find out their resting places , wherin they lye halfe dead foure moneths together , vntill the spring-sunne againe communicating her heate to all creatures , reuiueth , and ( as it were ) raiseth them vp from death to life . during which time of cold and vvinter , as seneca writeth , tuto tractari pestifera serpens potest , non desunt tunc illi venena , sed torpent : they may bee safely handled , without feare of harme , not because they want poyson at that time , but because they are drouzie , and deadly astonished . but there is a question , whether when they be in this secrecie or drouzines , they awake not to eate , or else their sleepe be vnto them in stead of foode . olaus magnus affirmeth of the northerne serpents , that they eate not at all , but are nourished with sleep . cardan saith , that they take some little foode , as appeareth by those which are carried vp and downe in boxes to be seene , and are fedde with branne or cheasill . but this may be aunswered , that serpents in boxes , are not so colde as those in woods and desarts : and therefore , seeing cold keepeth them from eating , the externall heate of the box-house , or humane body which beareth them about , may be a cause , that inclosed serpents feede in winter as well as in sommer , and yet the serpents which run wild in the fieldes , eate nothing at all , during the time of their chias or ehiaus , that is , their lying hid . greuinus that learned man proponeth this question , si serpentes calidi sunt , qui fit vt in regros tres aut quatuor menses , id est toto illo tempore qu● delitescunt absque cibo vivunt ? if ( saith he ) serpents be hot , how commeth it to passe that they can liue three or . months without all foode , that is , all the time of their lying secret ? he maketh ( in my opinion ) a sufficient aunswere to this question , which for me shall conclude the cause , saying ; doth it not fall out with serpents as it doth with some women , who beeing full of humor , and thicke phlegmaticke matter , haue but a little and weake naturall heate , ( yet proportionable to the said humour ) doe liue a great time by reason thereof without foode or nourishment . and for this cause , all the hoasts of philosophers doe define , that serpents doe also abstaine from eating a long season . for nature hath clothed them with a more solide skinne , and liued them with a more thicke and substantiall flesh , to the intent that theyr naturall heate should not easily vanish away and decay in their bodies , but remaine therein permanent , for the feeding and preseruing of life . when they sleepe , they seeme to sleepe with open eyes , which is elegantly described by philes in these greeke verses . opōs kathéude kai dokeī palin blepin ophis te kai ptox kai thumou pleres león epipetatai gar he chlamys ton ommaton allou tinos chitonos apaloterou . phrorountos autois os dioptras , task-óras . which may be englished thus ; how can the hare , the serpent , and the lyon bold , both sleepe , and see together at one time ? within theyr eye-lids , a soft skinne their sight doth fold , shielding their apples , as glasse doth weakened eyne . the foode of serpents that is permitted them by god , is the dust of the earth , as may appeare by that first and iust sentence , which god himselfe gaue vpon them , for seducing our first parents adam and eue , gene : . . because thou hast doone this thing , thou art accursed aboue all the beasts of the field , for thou shalt goe vppon thy belly , and eate dust all the dayes of thy life . and againe , esay . . dust shall be meate to the serpent . and least that we should thinke that this curse hath not taken hold vpon the serpent , we may finde the expresse practise heereof , michae . . . where it is said of gods enemies , that , they shall licke the dust like the serpent . yet aristotle affirmeth truly , that serpents are omninori , that is , deuourers of flesh , fish , herbes , or any other thinges ; howbeit , heerein they passe their kind , or else the curse of god reacheth not to any other kinds thē to that alone which deceiued our first parents . we haue shewed already , how they eate and deuour men , women & children , oxen , sheepe , and goates , but whatsoeuer they eate , they retaine nothing but the moysture of it , and the residue they eiect whole and vndigested . vvhatsoeuer is offered them , that they take , either a bird , or a small chicken , or an egge , hauing it , they take hold but of one end , as of the head of a chicke , or small end of an egge , and so set it directly before them ; then doe they gather themselues together in as short a compasse as may be , that so their bodies which seeme long and small , beeing extended , may appeare great and wide , reduced into a short and compacted frame . and surely , heereby they open and make wider their passage or swallow , for then they suddenly goble in the beast or meate before them , without any great adoe ; & hauing kept it in their body till it be dryed from all moisture , they cast it out againe as they swallowed it vp , at another ordinary place . but for birds & chickens , they striue with them till they haue gotten off their feathers , or els , if they swallowe them whole , they eiect the feathers as they doe egge-shells . the serpents of the north , doe in the sommer time eate the flesh of birds , & herbes , and after the eating of them , they tast of a little water , or milke if they can attaine it , or els vvine . for this cause they will suck the vdders of kine , or goates , or sheepe , as hath been seene in england . yet is their appetite to drinke but smally , as is in all other creatures , whose liuers are fungous , and soft like spunges ; and so are all beastes and creatures which lay egges . aboue all kindes of drinke they loue vvine , and thereof they be drunke , wherfore in italy they set pottles of vvine to entrappe vipers : for if once they smell the vvine , they enter the vessell gladly and speedily , and the vvine or milke whereof they drinke , is poysoned by them . but in those places of affrick where it neuer raineth , they eate a kinde of black moyst vvorme , which hath many legges , as is said by theophrastus . and to conclude , their meate and drinke is so small , that it is receiued for truth , nullum venenatum perit fame vel siti , that no venomous beast perrisheth by hunger or thirst . the voyce of serpents is called sibilus , a hyssing , and theyr voyce differeth from all other beasts hyssing , in the length thereof : for the hyssing of a torreise is shorter and more abrupt . of this hyssing voyce speaketh lucan , saying ; quod strident vlulant que ferae quòd sibilat anguis . in english thus ; gnashing and howling is the voyce of wild beastes , long hyssing in snakes and serpents doth rest . among other things notable in a serpent , this is one , because it easteth off his old age euery yeere , whereof the graecians tell this fabulous reason . once man-kinde stroue earnestly with the gods , by supplication for a perpetuall youth , that they might neuer waxe old : and obtayning their desire , they layd the same to be carried vpon an asse the sillie beast waxing sore athirst in his trauaile , at last came vnto a water , and thereof endeuoured earnestly to drinke ; but the keeper of the same water beeing a serpent , denied leaue to the asse to drinke thereof , except he would grant him his carriage , which was perpetuall youth : the poore asse ready to perrish for thirst , easily condiscended therevnto . whervppon the serpent changeth her age for youth , and men their youth for old age ; and the asse for his punishment , is more tormented with thirst then any other beast . but to leaue fables , and to come more neere the marke , the latines call the casting of their skin , anguina senectus , spolium serpentis , & vernatio : the graecians , opheos derma , suphar , leb●ris & geras : the arabeans , geluc & genlut , & fulcalhaileb : the italians , spoglia delle serpi : and the spanyards , pelle de la culebra . about this snakes skinne there is great difference among authors , some affirming it to be the very skinne . other , that it is nothing but a kind of hard leprosie , growne vpon them during the winter time vvhile they lye hid . some againe say , that they cast it twise a yeere , first in the spring , and then secondlie in the autumne . but by conference of all together it appeareth , that while the serpents lye hidde , by reason of their drought now in the beginning of the spring when they come first abroade , they rubbe off this skinne by slyding betwixt two stones , or vnderneath some roote of a tree , or else betwixt some boughes or small trees , beginning at the head , and so continuing to the tayle . and within foure and twenty houres , that which was raw and bald , beginneth to haue another skinne vppon it ; and so as a young child or beast commeth out of the secondine doth a serpent come out of his skinne . as concerning their eye-sight , they naturally doe take the iuyce of fennell , which they eate , and by that recouer their seeing againe : and if it happen that they cannot finde sufficient , they rubbe their dimme eyes there-vpon . and if it happen that any of his scales be brused or fall sencelesse , then doe they rubbe themselues vppon the thornes of iu●…per . and whereas it is thought that they cast their skinnes againe in autumne , that is to be attributed eyther to vipers alone , which cast their skins twice a yeere , or else to those which are long before they cast , and so it falleth off in haruest or autumne the first time , which by reason of the vnseasonablenes , is thought to be a second coate . and this haue i my selfe often found heere in england in the sommer time . the casting of this skinne is thus elegantly described by tibullus : crudeles diui serpens novus exuit annos formae non vllam fata dedere moram anguibus exuitur tenui cum pelle vetustas cur nos angust a conditione sumus . which may thus be englished ; o , cruell gods , sith serpents change their yeerely age , and fates delay not to refine their forme , sith snakes with tender skinne excuss'd theyr yeeres enlarge , why vnto worser hap is man-kind borne ? of the inward disposition of serpents , and of their concord and discord with other creatures . it is euer to our woe to be remembred , that which the lord himselfe hath left recorded in genesis , that , the serpent was more subtile then all the beasts which god had made . by which is expressed , the naturall disposition of this beast aboue other to subtiltie and policie ; for i cannot approoue the saying of them , who thinke that the deuill at the beginning , might as well haue vsed the tonge of an asse or a dogge to haue deceiued man , as well as a serpents ; but surely that old serpent knewe very well , ( better then all they which speake the contrary ) that he could not haue so fit a subiect in all the world , as the shape , wit , and cunning of a serpent . and that this came not into the serpent at that time when the deuill framed his tongue to speake , may appeare by the praecept of our sauiour christ , where he saith ; be wise as serpents , be innocent as d●ues . for if there had not beene naturally , some extraordinarie faculty of vnderstanding in this beast , as there is of meekenes in a doue , his wisedome would neuer haue sent vs to a serpent possest with a deuill , but rather to some other ingenious beast , whereof there were great store in the world. and therefore i conclude , that subtiltie and prudence , came not to the serpent as speaking into balaams asse , but rather by nature or creation . and yet concerning this last sentence of our most blessed sauiour , i cannot but expresse the words of tzetzes , who writeth thus vpon it , seruate capita vestra , quemadmodum serpens qui insidijs petitus vapulansque ad mortem , omnimodò caput suum abscondit , sic vos à tyrannis & impijs cruciati , caput seruate mihi , fidem vestram , & ne deum negetis vsque ad ipsam mortem : that is , it is as much as if our sauiour christ would say ; euen as whē a serpent is set vpon and strooken , by all the meanes she can she hideth her head , and exposeth all her other parts to blowes , reseruing that sound ; so you , when you are persecuted by tyrants , preserue your head , that is , your fayth , and deny not your god to death . and this thing is affirmed by all writers , both diuine and humane , which haue euer touched this poynt , that aboue all the parts of the body the serpent preserueth his head . for pliny saith , that if his body be cut off but two fingers length from his head , he will goe away as if he had no harme at all , and liue longer . paulus fagius writing vpon genesis , saith ; it is the opinion of some haebrues , that the serpent at the beginning did goe vpright , and was indued with all the affections of men : but this iewish fable is not worthy to be confuted , because humane affections cannot proceed but frō a reasonable soule , which to ascribe to the serpent , were blasph●mous & absurd . besides , that then the soule might die , and that god had created such a soule , otherwise then by breathing into the body the breath of life . serpents haue many epithets giuen vnto them , as illiberall , perfidious , trecherous , venomous , poysonfull , stinging , implacable , furious , sauage , mercilesse , deuouret , and such like : and indeed the holy writers , by a serpent doe vnderstand implacable furie : for they are immitissïmum animalium genus , a most vngentle and barbarous kinde of all creatures , as may appeare by the rage of a little snake , one of the least of serpents kinde : for when he perceiueth that he is hurt or wounded , hee neuer ceaseth casting out his poyson , vntill he haue done harme , or die for madnes . two things i find to be notable in serpents , the first is proper to their kind , the second is common to them with swine , rats and mice . first , they are aboue measure kinde , not onely to their young ones , but also to their egges . for funckius confidently sweareth , that at lostorfium hee saw a serpents egge taken & cast into a hot fornace , and when it began to fry in the same , whether by naturall instinct , or by smell thereof , the olde serpent came , and would haue runne into the fire to fetch it out , but that hee and other strangers by hindered her by killing her . and so likewise , if in a wood one of them be set on fire , all the serpents that are within the sauour thereof , or within the hearing of the hyssing , will ista●tly gather vnto it , euen as beastes when they heare one another roare . and so great is their loue one toward another , ( as pliny & textor write ) that it was a vulgar saying , serpentium morsus non petit serpentes , one serpent will not bite another . and iuuenall writeth ; sed iam serpentum maior concordia scilicet , quam hominum inter se . that is to say ; better doe serpents with serpents accord , then man with man , who should be their lord. i cannot conceale a most memorable historie as euer was any in the world , of a fight betwixt the serpents of the land and the water . this history is taken out of a booke of schilt●ergerus , a ba●arian , who knew the same ( as he writeth ) while hee was a captiue in turky , his words are these . in the kingdome called genycke , there is a citty called sampson , about which while i was prisoner with baiazeta king of turkes , there pitched or arriued an innumerable company of land and water-serpents , compassing the said cittie a mile about . the land-serpents came out of the vvoods of trienick , which are great & many , and the water-serpents came out of the bordering sea. these were nine dayes together assembling in that place , and for feare of them there was not any man that durst goe out of the citty , although it was not obserued that they hurt any man , or liuing creature there-abouts . vvherefore the prince also commaunded , that no man should trouble them , or doe them any harme , wisely iudging , that such an accident came not but by diuine miracle , and that also to signifie some notable euent . vppon the tenth day , these two valiant troupes ioyned battell , early in the morning before the sunne-rising , so continuing in fight vntill the sunne-set , at which time the prince with some horse-men , went out of the cittie to see the battell , and it appeared to him and his associates , that the water serpents gaue place to the land serpents . so the prince and his company , returned into the citty againe , and the next day went forth againe , but found not a serpent aliue , for there were slaine aboue eyght thousand : all which , he caused presently to bee couered with earth in ditches , and afterward declared the whole matter to baiazeta by letters after he had gotten that cittie , whereat the great turke reioyced , for hee thereby interpreted happines to himselfe . but i haue beene too long in this first and proper affection of serpents , namely , theyr mutuall concord ; and this example of the land and water-serpents , doth not breake the common promised rule , because it is to be vnderstood of serpents that liue in the sam●element . the second propertie of serpents is to presage pestilence , rottennesse of ayre , famine , floods , and ruine of those places wherein they are commorant , and haue theyr abiding : so doe they knowe to chuse a good ayre , and fore-knowe fertilitie of fruites , earthquakes , and great tempests . vvhen helice was destroyed , fiue dayes before , the serpents , snakes , rats , mice and vvesills , departed all out thereof , beeing wiser then men , that misdeeming no harme , although they sawe & wondered at these remooualls , yet stood it out to their owne vtter ruine , ouerthrow and destruction . of the friendship and enmitie which serpents keepe with other creatures . ever since the deuill entered into the serpent , it became hatefull to all , or the most part of the beasts of the field , so that it may as truly be verified of the serpent as it was of esau , that the hands of all men and beastes are against them , ( except very few ) for they are strangers to all , and find very fewe or no friends . yet it is reported , that the serpent and the foxe will liue peaceably together in one caue or lodging . there is a story , not vnpleasant , of a man that found a serpent enclosed betwixt two stones , and at the intreatie of the serpent , he loosed him out of danger , and did him no harme . the serpent beeing released and free from death , instead of other recompence for so good a turne , told the man that hee had beene therein long time inclosed , and was very hungry , and therefore was forced ( against his will ) to make the best of his fortune , & therefore must needes eate the man , and bad him prepare himselfe for death . the man astonished at this motion , replyed to the serpent , that he hoped hee would not deale so with him , hauing deliuered him from death , now to put his deliuerer to death : and said moreouer , that he would not be the iudge of his owne case , but referre the same to the next they found : and the serpent also yeelded to that iudgement , beeing assured that no creature would quit the man , least he should cast his owne life into perrill . forth then they went and met with an asse , to whom the man told the difference betwixt him and the serpent , howe kindly hee saued the serpents life , and how vnkindly , he againe would take away his life . and then the serpent bade the asse consider what iudgement hee gaue , and for whom hee spake . the asse adiudged it lawfull for the serpent to kill the man. loe now , saide the serpent , make you readie , for the matter is iudged against you , and withall , began to make force at him with mouth and sting . but the man said , that hee would not take this asses decree for reasonable , and therefore prayed the serpent to tarry yet a little longer , and to try once more the next beast they met withall ; and the serpent thinking himselfe sure of the bootie , yeelded there-vnto . then forth they passed againe , & shortly after met with a fox , to whom the man related his case , and the benefit he had done to the serpent : the serpent againe , confessed he released him , but withall , denyed his case to be as the man had said , so desperat , but onely he entrapped himselfe , the better to compasse a bootie . the foxe hauing heard them both , ( desirous to end the matter for the mans benefit ) would needes goe with them both , to the place where the serpent was inclosed , and so all parties consented . and whē the fox came thether , he bade the serpent goe into the same place againe , that so he might the better iudge of the whole matter . the serpent went in againe betwixt the stones , and was so inclosed as he was before , for he could not stirre neither backward nor forward . then the foxe asked the man if this were the serpents case , from which he had deliuered him ? the man answered yea , in all poynts . then hee bade the serpent come out againe , as he said hee could , without the helpe of the man. but the serpent called the man to helpe him againe . nay , said the fox , i found you two at variance , because of your discharge from this place , and seeing nowe you are as you were before , and the man as he was before your enlargement , my sentence is , that when you come forth of that place you are in , then shall you eate the man : and if hee will let you foorth againe , i will neuer pittie him . by this fable is shewed , that foxes loue not serpents so well as they loue men ; and yet they neuer loue men , but they are afraide , suspitious , and vvilling to forsake their familiaritie . some say there is a kind of loue betwixt serpents and cats , whereof i finde this storie in ponzettus . there were certaine monks , who all of them fell sicke vpon a suddaine , and the phisitians could not tell how or whence this sicknesse came , except from some secrete poyson . at last , one of the seruants of the abbey , saw the cat which was dailie fedde at the monks table , to play with a serpent ; and thereby it was coniectured , that the serpent hauing in his sport , lost or left some poyson vppon the cats skinne , the monkes by stroking of the cat were infected there-with . and the cause why the catte was not harmed thereby , was for that shee receiued the poyson from the sport , and not from the anger of the serpent . and this thing surely is not so maruailous , seeing that little mice and rats doe also play with serpents , and heerein politicians play the serpents , vvho hold correspondence and peace both with the catte and the mouse : that is , with two sworne and naturall enemies together . the like peace and league they are also saide to keepe with eeles , as may more plainely appeare by this following historie , of a certaine monke , called , rodolphus a will monachus capellensis . there vvas ( as this monke affirmeth ) one of his fellowe monks , which did often tell him , that beeing a little boy , and vsing to sport himselfe by the water side , hee hapned to catch an eele , which he attempted ( for his owne pleasure ) to carry to another water , and by the way as he went , hee passed thorough a vvood , at which time when hee was in the vvood , the eele began to hisse & cry mainelie , at the hearing wheteof , there gathered together very many serpents round about him , insomuch that he was afraid , and set downe his basket fast pinned and ranne away ; afterward he came againe and sought for his basket , but he found not the eele therein , wherefore it was supposed , that the serpents deliuered the same eele out of the basket , by some sleight of nature : the onely doubt is , whether eeles doe hysse or not , seeing they are fishes , and omnes pisces m●ti , all fishes are mute or dumbe . but for answer to this obiection , it is most certaine that ecles haue a voyce , as all they knowe which vse fishing in the night ; for i my selfe , haue not onely heard such a voyce in the night time in riuers , and other waters where eeles abounded , but haue had it confirmed by diuers other , of greater practise & experience in fishing . the reason wherof , may be their manner of generation ; for they engender not by spawne as other fishes , but of the slyme of the earth or vvater , and differ not frō serpents in their externall forme , except in their colour , and therefore may be said to partake with fishes & serpents in both their natures : that is , hauing a voyce like a serpent , & a substance like a fish . such is theyr confederacie with liuing creatures , and with no more that i euer read or heard of . but moreouer , it is said that they loue some plants or herbes aboue measure , as the fenell and iuy ; and for this latter , both pliny and textor , doe not without great cause wonder , that euer there was any honour ascribed or giuen to the iuy , seeing that serpents ( the most vnreconcileable enemies of man-kind ) delight so much therein . but herein the deuil blinded their reason , as hee did the modest women that worshipped priapus , or the tartars , which at this day worship the deuill , to the end that he should do thē no harme . thus much i can onely say of the friends and louers of serpents , by the multitude whereof wee may coniecture , how among other parts of the curse of god vpon them , they are held accursed both by man and beast . now then it followeth , that we enter into a more particular description , or rather a relation of that hatred which is betweene them and other creatures , and first i will beginne with their arch enemie , i meane man-kind . for vvhen god at the beginning did pronounce his sentence against the serpent , for deceiuing our first parents , among other things he said , i will put enmity betwixt thee and the woman , betwixt thy seed & the womans seede . whereby he did signifie that perpetuall warre , and vnappeaseable discord , vvhich should be for euer ( by his owne appoyntment ) betwixt them . and the truth heereof is to be seene at this day , for by a kind of secret instinct , and naturall motion , a man abhorreth the sight of a serpent , & a serpent the sight of a man. and as by the tongue of the serpent , was wrought mans confusion , so by the spettle of a mans tongue , is wrought a serpents astonishment . for indeed such is the ordinance of god , that men & serpents , should euer annoy and vexe each other . and this , erasmus saith shall continue , as long as meminerimus illius inauspicati pomi , we shall remember that vnfortunate apple . isidorus saith , that serpents are afraid of a man naked , but will leape vpon , and deuoure a man clothed . which thing is also affirmed by olaus magnus , for he saith , that when he was a boy hee often tryed it , that when hee was naked , hee found little or no resistance in serpents , and did safely without all danger combat with them hand to hand . i my selfe also in my younger time , when i was about tenne or twelue yeeres old , vsed many times in the spring and sommer time , to wash my selfe with other my colleagues , in certaine fish-ponds , wherein i haue seene and met with diuers water-snakes , without all harme ; and i did neuer in my life , heare of any harme they did to any of my fellowes beeing naked , neither did i euer see any of them runne away so fast on the land , as they did fly from vs in the vvater ; and yet are not the vvater-snakes lesse hurtfull then the land-adders . and this was well knowne to many . about the beginning or fountaine springs of euphrates , it is said , that there are certaine serpents which know strangers from the people of the country , wherefore they doe no harme to the naturall borne country-men , but with strangers , & men of other countryes they fight with might and maine . and along the bankes of euphrates in syria , they also do the like ; sauing that if they chaunce to be trode vpon by any of the people of those parts , they bite ( like as a dogge doth ) without any great harme ; but if any other , forrainer or stranger annoy them , they also repay him with malice , for they bite him , and intollerably vexe him ; wherefore the country-men nourish them , and doe them no harme . such as these are also found in tirinthus , but they are very little ones , and are thought to be engendered of the earth . the first manifestation in nature , of mans discord with serpents , is their venom ; for as in a serpent there is a venome which poysoneth a man : so in a man , there is the venom of his spittle , which poysoneth a serpent . for if the fasting spittle of a man , fall into the iawes of a serpent , he certainly dieth thereof . and of this , thus writeth the poet lucretius . est vtique vt serpens , hominis quae tacta saliuis . disperit , ac sese mandendo conficit ipsa . in english thus ; as serpent dyeth when spittle of man he tasteth , gnashing his teeth to eate himselfe he wasteth . the cause of this , the philosophers ( which knew nothing of adams fall , or the forbidden apple ) doe assigne to be in the contrarietie , betwixt the liuing soules or spirits of these creatures : for the serpents life is cold and dry , and the humane life hote & moyst , wherfore either of both abhorreth one the other ; and the serpent leapeth as farre from a mans spittle , as it would doe out of a vessell of scalding water . agatharcides writeth , that there was a king in affrick called psyllus , whose sepulchre was preserued in the greater syrtes . from this king there were certaine people named psyllians , in whose bodies there was a certaine inbred and naturall power to kill , or at the least to astonish serpents , spiders , toades , and such like , and lay them for dead , euen by the sauour or smell of them . and the manner of these men , to try the chastitie of theyr wiues , was to take their children newly borne , and to cast them vnto direfull serpents , for if they were of the right line , & lawfully begotten , then did the serpents die before them , but if they were adulterous , and the children of strangers , the serpents would eate and deuoure them . pliny affirmeth , that euen in his dayes , there were some of those people aliue among the nasomons , who destroyed many of them , & did possesse their places ; yet some running from death , escaped . generally , such people were called marsi and psilli , for the marsi were a people of italy , descended of circes ( as is said ) in whom there was a vertue to cure all the stinging of serpents , by touching the wounded places . such saith crates pergamenus , are in hellespont , about the riuer parius . and some are of opinion , that at the beginning they were ophiogenes , borne or bred of serpents ; or that some great noble man , father of that country , was of a serpent made a man. and varro saith , that in his time there were some few men aliue , in whose spettle was found that vertue , to resist & cure the poyson of venomous beasts . but hauing named ophiogenes , or anguigenae , that is , men bred of serpents or snakes , i see no cause why it should be iudged , that those which cure serpents poyson , should be so misiudged ; for to cure poyson , is not the worke of poyson , but of an antidote , or contrary power to poyson : and therefore curers & resisters of poyson , are without all learning called ophiogenes , that is , serpents broode : but rather , that terme belongeth more iustlie to those people , whose nature is sociable with serpents , and serpents agree with them , as they would doe with their own kind . such an one was exagon the embassadour at rome , who at the commandement of the consuls , ( for their experience ) was cast naked into a vessell or tunne of snakes , who did him no harme , but licked him with their tongues , and so with great miracle , he was let foorth againe vntouched : and yet there is no more reason to say , that this man was borne of the linage of serpents , because those men-enemies did not hurt him , then it was to say , that daniell was borne of lyons , because that the lyons did not harme him . or that romulus and remus were borne of the kindred of wolfes , because a shee wolfe did nourish thē . vve do read of many people in the world , which were surnamed of serpents , all which may as well be deemed to be discended of such creatures , because of their name , as well as the other , who were by god , for their innocencie preserued from death . ebusus was called colub●●xia , and the people thereof ophiussae , and in arabia we reade of the ophiades , both which are deriued from serpents , called in greeke opheis . eustathius also relateth a story of a man called ophis . i omit to speake of the ophitae and others ; yet thus much i must needs say , that commonly such names haue been giuen to serpents , for some cause or accident , either fainedly or truly deriued from serpents . so wee read of ophion , a companion of cadmus , and a builder of thebes , who was said to be made by pallas of a dragons tooth . likewise the spartanes were called ophiodeiroi by pythius , because in a famine they were constrained to eate serpents . s. augustine maketh mention of certaine blasphemous haereticks , who were called ophitae , because they worshipped a serpent , & said that the serpent which deceiued our first parents adam and euah , was christ . wherefore they kept a serpent in a caue , whom they did nourish and worshippe , which at the charme of the priest would come out of his caue , and licke the oblations which they set vppon his denne ; rowling and folding himselfe round about them , and then would goe in againe : then did these abhominable haereticks breake these oblations into the eucharist , and receiue them as sanctified by the serpent . and such also is the storie of caelius rhod : where hee termeth the great deuill ophioneus , whom both holy scripture , and auncient heathen say , that hee fell out of heauen . but all these things are but by the way , vpon occasion of that vnnaturall conceit of those men called ophiogenes : that is , descended or begotten by serpents . therefore i will returne where i left , namely , to the hatred of men to serpents , and of serpents to men againe : in testimonie whereof , there haue beene mutuall slaughters , namely men , which haue killed monstrous serpents , and serpents which haue killed men againe . hercules beeing but an infant , ( as poets faine ) killed thóse two serpents which iuno sent to his cradle to destroy him ; for iuno is saide to be much offended at his birth , because hee was begotten by iupiter vppon al●mena : and therefore there was reserued the image of hercules at athens , strangling a serpent . but pierius maketh of this fiction a good morall or hieroglyphick , when he saith , that by hercules strangling of the serpents in his cradle , is vnderstood , how those men which are borne for any great enterprises , should kill their pleasures while they be young . i neede not to stand long vpon this poynt , for it is euident , that to this day there are many hyades , both men and women , which are not afraid to kill the serpents broode . but such as haue perrished by serpents , i meane men of any note , are also expressed , whereof ouid writeth of a●lacos the sonne of priamus and alixothoes , who following the nymph hesperia , ( with whom hee was in loue ) was suddainly killed by a snake biting his foote . so were apaesantus , munitus , eurydice , laocoon , opheltes the sonne of lycurgus king of nemea , orestes , idmon and mopsus , were slaine by serpents : vvherof opheltes , by the negligence of his nurse hypsiphiles , leauing him vngarded in his cradle . it is recorded by aelianus and pliny , that when a serpent hath killed a man , he can neuer more couer himselfe in the earth , but in punishment of so vile an offence , wandereth to and fro subiect to infinite miseries and calamities , beeing not acknowledged by his female if he be a male , nor yet by the male if it be a female ; and is forsaken of all his crew or societie . the earth it selfe , not dayning to entertaine a man-murtherer into her bowels , but constraining him to liue winter and sommer abroad vppon the open earth . and thus hath the diuine prouidence dispensed his iustice , that hee suffereth not murther of men to be vnpunished among the greatest haters and enemies of men . what monsters therefore are they which haue serpents in their delights , and admire that in them vvhich should be hated of all men . and how base were those minded graecians , which worshipped the serpent for a god ? or the athenians , which kept a serpent in their temple , for an opinion that the same did conserue their tower or castle from all enmity . iupiter was also worshipped in many places in the shape of a serpent . and the auncient borussians , worshipped a naturall serpent of the earth . it is strange to consider the errour of the king of calechut , who doth as seuerely punish the slaughter of a serpent , as hee doth the slaughter of a man ; and not onely restraineth his subiects from harming them , but also buildeth for them little coates , wherein they safely lodge in the winter time . and the cause of this errour , is their conceit , that they thinke serpents are diuine powers dropped out of heauen , which they proue , because when they sting fiercely , they quickly kill , and dispatch their enemie suddainly . wherfore they thinke that no creature can kill so speedily , except an angell of god. some of the heathen , had their ophiocephale beasts with serpents heads , which they did worship for a god. and the poet virgil hath an excellent description of aeneas , his sacrificing to the ghost of his father anchises . — adytis tum lubricus anguis ab-imis septem ingens gyros septena volumina traxit amplexus placide tumulum lapsusque per aras ceruleae cui terga notae , maculosus & auro squammam incendebat fulgor : ceu nubibus ar●us mille trahit varios aduerso sole colores obstupuit visu aeneas , ille agmine longo tandem interpateras , & laeuia pocula serpens libauitque dapes , rursusque innoxius imo successit tumulo , & depasta altaria liquit . which may be thus englished ; then from the hollow holes , a slyding snake appeared , which seauen waies did wind and turne , and dead-mans tombe embrace , glyding along the altar from , and backe , with colour cleered , by sunne-shine-light , like spots of gold each varied to the face a thousand hiewes , whereat aeneas maruayled : but yet at last , this snake the holy dishes , and smoothest cups of choyce did hast to touch , like as it would the sacreds tast , and so sunck downe from altar cleane , without both harme or noyse . and to make an end of this section , of the antipathy betwixt men and serpents , that whosoeuer is of the womans seede , may professe himselfe an enemy to the serpent , let him but consider how that hatefull monster heliogabalus , hauing by the helpe of the marsicke-priestes gathered together many serpents , one day in the morning , vvhen the people were gathered together to see some rare & vnheard of spectacle , suddenly he let loose the serpents , and hurt many of the people . tzetzes telleth another story , of a deuise or vvarlike stratagem , how serpents by slings or trunks , were sent abrode among the campes of their enemies . so doth galen , of serpents included in an earthen pot , and cast like dartes among the tents of the romanes . and so did anniball shevv to antiochus , how in a battell by sea , he might shoote serpents among the marriners to his enemies , and hinder their rowing : for when he did follow the same deuise at prusiae , he went away victor & conquerour . and thus i will conclude this part , with the emblem of alciatus , which hee wrote vnto the duke of millan , vppon his armes , beeing an infant proceeding out of a snakes iavves . exiliens infans sinuosi è faucibus anguis , est gentilitijs nobile stemma tuis . talia pelleum gessisse numismata regem . vidimus , hisque suum concelebrasse genus dum se ammone satum , matrem anguis imagine lusam . diuini & sobolem numinis esse docet . ore exit , tradunt sic quosdam enitier angues , an quia sic pallas de capite orta iouis . in english thus ; out of the mouth of winding snake , great duke , this is thy crest , a leaping infant making scape from iawes , a wofull rest : the like coate did pelleus king vpon his siluer presse , as we haue seene , the fame to sing of kindreds worthinesse . for whiles of ioue he glorieth . descended of his race , he faines his mother like a snake , borne of diuinest grace . but why proceeding from the mouth ? some serpents so are bred , or els , that pallas issueth out of great ioue his head . and the like by the same author is expressed vpon this theame , that the wisdom of man , is foolishnes with god ; therefore vppon the vnnaturall coniunction of two mortall enemies , framed into one bodie , he thus writeth elegantly : quid dicam quodnam hoc compellem nomine monstrum ? biforme quod non est homo , nec est draco . sed sine vir pedibus , summis sine partibus anguis vir angui-pes dici , & homiceps anguis potest : anguem pedit homo , hominem ructauit & anguis nec finis hominis est initium , nec est fera . sic olim cecrops doctis regnauit athenis . sic & gigantes terra mater protulit haec vafrum species , sed & religione carentem terrena tantum quique curet , iuduat . that is to say ; what shall i call ? or how this monster rightly name ? biformed , which nor man nor dragon , in all the same . but man vnlegged , and snake vnheaded : doubtful parts , man-snake , snake-man , exceeding humane arts . mans tayle breedes snake , & snake a man vp-casteth , on end is not of man , nor other of wild beast tasteth . such one was cecrops , learned athens king , and gyants such did earthly mother bring . mishapen then , an earthly mind expresseth , deuoyde of grace , for worlds good onely wisheth . thus then i will leaue to talke of our most iust ( & by god ordained ) hostilitie , betwixt men and serpents , and descend to a particular discouery , hovve serpents and other beastes , are for mans sake at the like enmitie . and first of all i will begin with the foules , and so discend to foure-footed beastes , and insects , or imperfect creatures . eagles are alwaie in warre with serpents , from an high they espy them , and suddainly flye downe vppon them , vvith a great noyse or cry , tearing out their bovvels , and casting aside their venom or poyson . and some ( as albertus ) say , that they will in particuler deale with vipers , tygres & dragons , when she seeth them hunting those small beasts or birdes vvhich are her pray . this fight is thus described by virgill , howe the eagle griping the serpent in her talant , flyeth vp into the ayre . vtque volans altè raptum cum vulua dracone●● fert aquila , implicuitque pedes , atque vnguibus haesit saucius et serpens , sinuosa volumina versat , arrectis horret squaemnus , & sibilat ore . arduus , insurgens : illa haud minus vrget adunc● luct antem rostro , simul aethera verberat ali● in english thus ; as eagle flyeth on high , and in her clawes a dragon beareth , folded within her feete , wounded , dying to her talants cleaueth . the serpent fierce now windeth round , and with her head erected , hyssing out threats , rough scales vpsetteth that were deiected , to fright her fo : but all in vaine , for she with beake doth striue , and beate the ayre with wings of force , till dragon cease to liue . there is in the seauenth booke of aelianus historie of liuing creatures , a notable and elegant story , of an eagle which was almost ouercome by a serpent , and yet preserued & made conquerour by a man. there was ( saith hee ) sixteene men which were threshing of corne in the heate of the sunne , by reason whereof they became very thirstie , then they agreed to send one of their company to a fountaine not farre off , to fetch some water for them all to drinke ; and so the messenger comming to the fountaine , found an eagle almost killed by a serpent : for whiles frō an high she beheld the serpent , beeing more greedie of the pray for to feede her young , then vvarie to auoyde danger , fell downe vpon her bootie , which was too strong for her ; for the serpent receiued her aduersary with fell force , power , and preparation to stifle her , and so indeede she had accomplished , had not by chance this thresher come vnto them : for the serpent had so ensnared and wrapped vp the eagle with her long body , that she was neerer ad pereundum quam ad perdendum , that is , to be killed , then to kill , or get a pray . the man beholding the sight , with his sickle cut asunder the serpent , and so deliuered the eagle : but how the eagle required the man , shall be shewed in the history of the eagle . in the mountaines of morfilium , there are great store of great serpents , which are very dangerous , but there are also great vvhite eagles , which doe eate and destroy them . some say that the vulture doth also destroy serpents , but heerein i cannot be satisfied , for all eagles doe not hunt after this game , but onely the lesser sort of them . eagles whē they build their nest to breed in , they seeke out a certaine stone called aëtites , the vertue wherof keepeth serpents from their young , and also make their egges fruitfull , so as it is a verie rare thing for eagles to haue a rotten egge . all kindes of great hawkes , bussards , & kites , are also enemies to serpents , snakes , & adders , and the kites will eate them , if they find thē aliue or dead , as i my selfe haue often seene by experience . the storkes also doe hunt after serpents , wherefore in thessalie , it is as vnlawfull to kill a storke as to kill a man ; for they haue many deuises to catch serpents , and all venomous beasts , and thereof to eate without harming themselues : and not onely eate themselues , but giue thereof to their young ones , as iuuenall witnesseth . — serpente ciconia pullos nutrit et inuenta per deuiarura lacerta . in english thus ; the storke her young ones , according to kind , in serpents and lizzards , doe their meate find . sometime they fight together irefully , & the serpent strangleth the storke by twyning about her necke ; againe , the storke killeth the serpent by pecking vppon her head , and so sometimes they are both found dead together . as the eagle hath the stone aëtites , so hath the storke lychnites , to defend herselfe and her young ones from the rage of serpents . there is ( as oppianus writeth in his ix●nticis ) this vulgar story in italy . there was a certaine serpent , which came two yeeres together to the nestes of diuers storkes & destroyed theyr young ones , neither could all the storkes make sufficient force against her with all their might to saue their broode . the third yeere the serpent came againe to attempt the like slaughter ; but there among the storkes shee found a certaine strange bird neuer seene before , being shorter then the storkes , and yet had a great long sharpe bill , as sharpe as the poynt of any sword . this bird ( as it seemeth ) was brought thether by the storkes to guard their young ones , when the parents were gone abroade to forrage for them . then , as soone as the young ones were hatcht , out commeth the serpent from his hole , and beginneth to assaile the nests of the storkes , but the guardian bird , ( according to the trust committed to her ) resisted the serpent , and pecked at her mortally with her sharpe beake . the serpent to end his aduersary , nimblie aduaunced himselfe vpright , & endeuoured to reach the bird ; but the warie bird , soared so high aboue his reach , that the langrell serpent could not catch him , & so they continued in fight , till at last the bird killed the serpent , after that the serpent had once onely fastened his venomed teeth vpon the bird , which afterward so wrought vpon this bird , that all her feathers did flie off from her backe . but of all other fowles enemies to serpents , there is none greater or more deadlie , then the bird called ibis , which the egyptians doe wonderfully honour ; for when swarmes of serpents come into egypt out of the arabian gulfes and fennes , these birds meete and destroy them : and there is such an admirable feate in serpents of these birdes , that they doe not onely tremble , and fall sencelesse at their sight , but also at the sight of their feathers : they do harme to no other liuing thing , except locusts and caterpillers , wherefore they are worthily nourished , and called inimicae et populatores serpentum , enemies and destroyers of serpents . all kind of pullen , as cocks and hennes , are likewise enemies to the broode of serpents . and a good couragious cock , ( as columella saith ) is able to kill and resist a serpent . for , ( as rondoletius saith ) he hath found in the croppe or craw of pullen , young serpents deuoured by them . but from whence albertus had his relation , that a henne cannot be hurt that day by a serpent wherein she layeth an egge , i cannot tell , and therefore leaue it to the reader to beleeue or refuse . and it is also said , that the flesh of hennes applyed to the bitings of serpents , doth cure them , or els cause a hen to sitte vpon the wounded place ; but if the beast which is wounded , be a cow with calfe , or any such other femall with young , how soeuer it fareth with the old one , surely the young ones shall perrish . there is also another bird , which for his combatting with serpents , is termed ophiomachus , a fighter with serpents . although gesner be of opinion , that ophiomachus neuer signifieth a bird. of this bird the septuagints make mention , leuit. . but many of the better learned , doe interpret it for a lizard , or a locust , or an ichneumon . the peacocke also is a terrour to serpents , so as they will not abide within the hearing of his voyce , for it is at perpetuall fewde with all venomous beastes . and the vulture , as wee said before , is a terrour vnto them , insomuch as one of their feathers burned , will by the sauour of the smoake driue away the serpent . and to conclude , the swallowes also are at variance with the serpents broode , for the snake will creepe vp to the swallowes nest , & therein suddenly surprize the young , for the old ones will flye away chattering , and chirping in mournfull sort , not beeing able to hinder or resist their chicke-deuouring foes . but at the last , when they see all their young ones dispatched , as if they could not endure to liue for sorrow , or els thinking it possible to fly into the snakes belly to fetch out againe their deuoured young ones , they fall downe vpon their enemies iawes , doing what they can to make them deuoure and swallow them vp also . and thus much for the hatred betwixt fowles and serpents : wherein , although they kill the serpent , either in their owne defence , or els for rauen & pray , yet may we admire the prudence of the most mightie creator , who hath so disposed of his power , that he causeth the fowles of heauen , to reuenge mans quarrell vpon the serpents of the earth , by whose subtiltie man was plucked from heauen , and they made subiect to corruption . in the next place , god hath also framed an opposition betwixt serpents , & the beasts of the earth and water , which liue with serpents in the same element , that so they might be both annoyed at home and abroade . i will therefore beginne with the dogge , who is a notable enemie to the serpents , as i my selfe haue seene many in england , for hee vvill earnestly seeke them out with nose and foote , both in waters , dunghills , and hedges , and when he hath found any one , he will suddainly snatch him into his mouth , biting him about the middle , & so holding it in equall poyse , will fling and shake it about his eares very fast and violently , till hee perceiue it can stirre no more , and then suddainly againe letteth it fall out of his mouth to the earth , but if it beginne to stirre , he snatcheth it vp againe , and shaketh it about his eares as before , and so neuer giueth ouer till it appeare dead : but they sildome kill them , onely they astonish them , and so may a young childe knock out theyr braines . howbeit , when they fight in defence of their maisters , then they kill them , by byting them in peeces . and yet is it more safe for them , to astonish them , and leaue them for dead , by shaking them about their eares , then by biting them in pecces , for that commonly then , while they share them asunder , they are stung or bitten by the serpent . and this i haue seene often in mine owne experience . but one of the greatest enemies of serpents , are harts , a timorous beast of all other , and yet greedie to combat with the serpent , vvherefore i will briefely describe this their war and hatred , out of solinus , aclianus , plutarch , and oppianus . the hart will greedily follow out the path of the serpent , and finding it lodged in his denne or hole , by the vertue of his nose draweth it out of the earth , and thereof some haue deriued elaphos a hart , of elanein tous opheis , that is , driuing away of serpents . and herein i thinke it not reason to follow the opinion of aclianus , who intreating of harts drawing serpents out of the earth , saith ; that the serpent is inticed and allured out of her hole , by the breath of the hart , as by a philtre or cup of loue ; for seeing that there is so great an hostilitie , and antipathy in nature , betwixt their whole disposition , howe can it come from any secret sympathy , that the serpent ( which is the subtillest of all beastes ) should be bewitched with the loue of his enemies breath ? but if it be said that serpents , which are by nature very cold , can easily be drawne forth by a warmer breath , as it were by the sweet beames of the hot sunne ; how then falleth it not out , that when any other beast breatheth vpon their lodging , and into their dennes , they are not remooued ? but let it be granted , that the warmenesse of the harts breath maketh him forsake his denne , yet it cannot be ascribed to any secret in nature , as if there were a fire of loue in the harts throat or bones , but onely from the naturall concomitant qualitie of heate , with expiration , respiration , & inspiration : and therefore i cannot but conclude , that there is not any possibilitie or probabilitie in nature , that where the spirits , which take and make the breath , are at such variance , there the breath proceeding from the one aduersary , should so inchaunt & beguile the other . but the true cause of this extraction of serpents out of their lodgings , is as i coniecture , not her warme breath , that allureth , nor yet scorcheth and burneth her aduersary , but that when the hart hath found the denne of the serpent , by her violent attraction of the ayre out from the serpent , she enforceth it for the safegard of life to follow it out of the denne . as when a vessell is broched , or vented , the vvine followeth the flying ayre ; or as a cupping-glasse draweth blood out of a scarified place of the body : and so is a serpent against her will , drawne to followe the breath of her destroyer . oribasius and gunterius , doe subscribe vnto this opinion , and take it for most consonant to reason and truth , and therfore i will not follow it any further : for by the selfe same manner doe the sea-rammes drawe the sea calfes out of their lodgings among the rocks vnder the earth , for when they haue found the calfe , they keepe them from ayre , and preuent their refrigeration . when the serpent seeth himselfe so drawne forth by his aduersarie , hee beeing aboue measure incensed to rage , flyeth away , and maketh his poyson more noysome , violent & powerfull , for which cause , there was wont to be a prouerbiall caueat or warning : caue ne incideris in serpentem , quum extracta à latebris anhelitu cerui , effugerit , tum enim propter iracundiam vehementius ei venenum est . take heede least you meete with a serpent flying away from the hart , after she is drawne out of her denne by her breath , for then , by reason of her rage , her poyson is more sorcible . but i will proceede to the more strange & wonderfull combat betwixt serpents and harts . for when the serpent perceiueth the vnauoidable danger , and that she must needes fight for her life , she hysseth strongly , lifting vp her head from the earth , euen to the throat of the hart , & thereat catcheth & gnasheth with her teeth ; but on the other side , the valiant hart , ( if such a word may be giuen to a fearefull beast ) as it were deriding his aduersaries weake endeuours to harme , suffereth the serpent to wind about his breast and belly , and to embrace both necke and legges with his long and weake bodie , that so he may haue the more power vpon it , for he teareth it into an hundred peeces . but the most strange combats , are betwixt the harts and serpents of libia , where hatred hath his deepest footing , for there the serpents watch the hart when he lyeth downe to sleepe vpon the ground , and beeing a multitude of them , set vpon him altogether , fastning their poysonfull teeth in euery part of his skinne , some on his neck and breasts , some on his sides and backe , some on his legges , and some hanging vpon his priuie partes , byting him with mortall rage , to end and ouerthrow him . the poore hart beeing thus oppressed with multitude , and assailed without any warning to the battell , in vaine attempteth to runne away , for their cold earthy bodies , winding tayles , and pinching teeth , hinder his wonted pace , and ouer-charge his strength : whereat beeing forced to quite himselfe in the best manner he can , enraged with teeth , feete and hornes , assaileth his enemies , whose speares and arrowes of teeth and stinges , sticke so fast in his body ; tearing them in peeces which he can touch with his teeth , beating others asunder where he can reach thē with his hornes , and trampling vnder his feete those which cleaue to his lower parts : and yet such is the rage and dauntlesse courage , or rather hatred of these enemies , not willing to die alone , ( but like champions to end their liues vppon and with their aduersarie ) doe still hold fast , and euen when their bodies are beaten in peeces , their heads sticke close , and hang sharpe vpon the harts skinne , as though they would grow with him , and neuer fall off , till he should also fall downe dead . but the hart feeling some ease , and hauing by the slaughter of their bodies deliuered his feete from thraldome , by a diuine naturall instinct , flyeth and runneth fast to some adioyning fountaine , where hee seeketh for sea-crabbes , whereof he maketh a medicine , that shaketh off their heads which cleaue so fast vnto him , and also cureth all their wounds and poyson . this valiant courage is in harts against serpents , neuer yeelding , tyring , or giuing ouer , and yet otherwise , are afraid of hares and connyes by nature . but what is the cause of this hostilitie betwixt harts and serpents ? is it for meate , or for medicine and cure ? surely they would abhorre to eate them , if it were not for health and naturall medicine , for sometimes the pores of their body are dulled and shut vp , somtimes the wormes of their belly , doe ascend vp into the roofe of their mouthes while they chew the cudde , and there cleaue fast ; for remedie whereof , the hart thus afflicted , runneth about to seeke for serpents , for the eating of a serpent cureth this maladie . pliny saith , that when the hart waxeth old , and perceiueth that his strength decayeth , haire changeth , & his bodie beginnes to be feeble , then for the renewing of his strength , he first deuoureth a serpent , and afterward runneth to some fountaine of water , wherof when he hath drunk , he findeth a sensible alteration , both in horne , haire , and whole bodie . and this thing is also deliuered by the writer of the glosse vpon the psalme , which beginneth , like as the hart desireth the water springs , so longeth my soule after my god. but for the ending of this question , we must consider and remember , that there are two kinds of harts , one eateth serpents , and feeling the poyson to worke , straight-way by drinking casteth vp the poyson againe , or else cureth himselfe by couering all his body ouer in water . the other kind onely by nature killeth a serpent , but after victorie forbeareth to eate it , and returneth againe to feede in the mountaines . and thus much for the discorde betwixt harts and serpents . in the next place , great is the variance betwixt serpents , dragons & elephants , wherof pliny & solinus write as followeth . when the elephants , called serpent-killers , meete with the dragons , they easily tread them in peeces , and ouer-come them , wherefore the dragons and greater serpents , vse subtiltie in stead of might , for when they haue found the path , and common way of an elephant , they make such deuises therein to intrap him , as a man would thinke they had the deuise of men to helpe them , for with their tayles they so ensnare the way , that when the beast commeth , they entangle his legges as it were in knots of ropes ; now when the beast stoopeth downe with his trunke to loose and vntie them , one of them suddenly thrusteth his poysoned head into his trunke , whereby hee is strangled . the other also , ( for there are euer many which lye in ambush ) set vpon his face , byting out his eyes , and some at his tender belly : some wind themselues about his throat , and all of them together , sting , bite , teare , vex & hang vpon him , vntill the poore beast , emptied of his blood , and swollen with poyson in euery part , fall downe dead vppon his aduersaries , and so by his death kill them at his fall and ouerthrow , whom hee could not ouer-come beeing aliue . and whereas elephants ( for the most part ) goe together in flocks and troupes , the subtile serpents doe let passe the formost of euery rancke , and sette onely vpon the hindermost , that so one of the elephants may not helpe another ; & these serpents are said to be thirtie yardes long . likewise , forasmuch as these dragons know , that the elephants come and feede vpon the leaues of trees , their manner is to conuay themselues into the trees , and lye hid among the boughes , couering their fore-parts with leaues , and letting their hinder partes hang downe , like dead parts and members : and when the elephant commeth to brouze vpon the tree-toppes , then suddenlie they leape into his face , and pull out his eyes , and because that reuenge doth not satisfie her , thirsting onely after death , she twyneth her gable-long bodie about his necke , and so strangleth him . it is reported that the blood of elephants is the coldest blood in the world , & that the dragons in the scorching heate of summer , cannot get any thing to coole thē except this blood : for which cause they hide themselues in riuers & brookes , whether the elephants come to drinke , and when he putteth downe his trunck they take hold thereof , & instantlie in great numbers leape vp into his eares , which onely of all his vpper parts , are most naked and vnarmed , out of which they suck his blood , neuer giuing ouer their holde till hee fall downe dead , & so in the fall , kill them which were the procurers of his death . so that his and their blood is mingled both together , whereof the auncients made their cinnabaris , which was the best thing in the world to represent blood in painting : neither can any deuise or arte of man , euer come neere it ; and beside , it hath in it a rare vertue against poyson . and thus much for the enm●tie betwixt serpents and elephants . the cat also , by albertus is said to be an enemie to serpents , for hee saith shee will kill them , but not eate thereof ; howbeit , in her killing of them , except she drinke incontinently , she dieth by poyson . this relation of albertus , cannot agree with the monks of mesven their relation about their abbey-cat . but it may be that albertus speaketh of vvildcats in the woods and mountaines , who may in ●auine for their pray kill a serpent , which followeth with them the same common game . the roes or roe-bucks do also kill serpents , & the hedge-hogge is enemy vnto them , for sometimes they meete both together in one hole , and then at the sight of the serpent , the hedge-hogge foldeth himselfe vp round , so as nothing appeareth outwardly , saue onelie his prickles and sharpe bristles : the angry serpent setteth vpon him , and biteth him with all her force ; the other againe , straineth herselfe aboue measure , to annoy the serpents teeth , face , eyes , and whole body : and thus when they meete , they lie together afflicting one another , till one , or both of them fall downe dead in the place . for some-time the serpent killeth the hedge-hogge , and sometime the hedge-hogge killeth the serpent , so that many times she ca●rieth away the serpents flesh and skin vpon her backe . the wesills also fight with serpents with the like successe ; the cause is , for that one & other of them liue vpon iuyce , and so for their pray or bootie , they fall together in mortall warre . heerein the wesill is too cunning for the serpent , because before she fighteth ; she seeketh rue , and by eating thereof , quickly discomforteth her aduersarie . but some say , that shee eateth rue afterward , to the intent to auoyde all the poyson shee contracted in the combat . the lyon also and the serpent are at variance , for his rufling mane is discouraged , by the extolled head of the serpent to his breast . and therefore as s. ambrose saith , this is an admirable thing , that the snake should runne away from the hurt , the most fearefull of all other ●easts , and yet ouer-come the lyon , king of all the residue . the ichneumon or pharoes mouse is an enemy to serpents , & eateth them , and because he is too feeble to deale with a snake alone , therefore when hee hath found one , hee goeth and calleth as many of his fellowes as he can find , & so when they find themselues strong enough in companie , they set vpon theyr pray , & eate it together ; for which cause , when the egyptians will signifie weakenes , they paint an ichneumon . the peacock is also a profested terrour and scourge to snakes & adders , and they will not endure neere those places where they heare their voyce . the sorex and swine , doe also hate and abhorre serpents , and the little sorex hath most aduantage against them in the winter-time , vvhen they are at the weakest . to conclude , the horse is wonderfully afraid of all kinds of serpents if he see them , and will not goe ouer , but rather leape ouer a dead snake . and thus i will end the warre betwixt serpents , and foure-footed beastes and fowles . novv least their curse should not be hard enough vnto them , god hath also ordained one of them to destroy another , and therefore now it followeth , to shewe in a word , the mutuall discord betwixt themselues . the spider ( although a venomous creature ) yet is it an enemie to the serpent , for when shee seeth a serpent lye vnder her tree in the shadow , she weaueth or twisteth a thred downe from her vveb vppon the head of the serpent , and suddenly byteth into his head a mortall wound , so that he can do nothing but onely roule to and fro , beeing strooken with a megrim , whereby hee hath not so much power , as to breake the spiders thred hanging ouer his head , vntill he be dead and ouerthrowne . the the cockatrice is such an enemie to some kind of serpents , that he killeth them vvith his breath or hyssing . the lyzard , a kind of serpent , is most friendly to man , & very irefull against serpents , to the vttermost of his power , whereof erasmus ( in his booke of friendshippe ) telleth this storie : i saw ( saith hee ) on a day , a very great lyzard fighting with a serpent in the verie mouth of a caue , at the first sight whereof i maruailed at the matter , for the serpent was not visible our of the earth : there was with me an italian , who said , that surely the lyzard had some enemy within the caue . after a little while the lizard came vnto vs , & shewed vs his side all wounded , as it were crauing helpe , for the serpent had bitten him sore , for of greene , he made him appeare redde , and this lyzard did suffer himselfe to be touched of vs. thus saith erasmus . againe , in the same place he saith , that when a lyzard saw a serpent lye in waite to set vpon a man beeing a sleepe , the lyzard ranne to the man , and neuer ceased running vpon the mans face , scratching his necke and face gentlie with his clawes , vntill he had awaked the man , and so discouered to him his great danger . the locust also fighteth with a serpent , and killeth him when he lusteth , for he getteth hold with his teeth vppon his lower chappe , and so destroyeth him ; but this is not to be vnderstood of euery kinde of locust , but onely of one kind , which for this cause is called ophiomachum genus . the serpent is also an enemy to the chamaeleon , for in the extremitie of famine , shee setteth vpon them , and except the chamaeleon can couer herselfe from his rage , hee hath no defence but death . albertus calleth a certaine vvorme , spoliator colubri , because ( as he saith ) it will take fast hold vpon a serpents necke vnder-neath his iawes , and neuer giue ouer till he hath wearied and destroyed his aduersarie . the torteises are enemies to serpents , and will fight with them , but before they enter combat , they arme themselues with wild marioram or peniroyall . but there is not any thing in the worlde that fighteth more earnestly against serpents then sea-crabbes & creuises , for when the sunne is in cancer , serpents are naturally tormented with paines and feauers , and therefore if swine be stunge or bitten with serpents , they cure themselues by ca●ing of sea-crabs . there is a great water neere ephesus , at the one side whereof there is a caue full of many noysome & irefull serpents , whose bytings by often probation , haue beene very deadly both to men and beastes . these serpents doe oftentimes endenour to crawl ouer the poole ; now on the other side there are great store of crabbes , who when they see the serpents come crawling or swimming , they instantly put out their crooked legges , & as it were with tonges or pynsars , reach at the slyding serpent , where-withall the serpents are so deterred , that through their sight , & often remembrance of their vnhappy successe with them , they turne backe againe , and neuer dare any more aduenture to the other side . where wee may see the most wise prouidence of the creator , who hath set sea crabs , the enemies of serpents , to guard both men and cattell , which are on the opposite sides : for otherwise , the inhabitants would all perrish , or els be droue away from their dwellings . to conclude , not onely liuing creatures , but also some kind of earth and plants are enemies to serpents : and therfore most famous are ebusus & creete , as some say , although bellonius say , that there are scolopendraes vipers , and slow-wormes in creete , yet he saith they are without venome : and there are very fewe in england & scotland , but none at all in ireland , neither will they liue if they be brought in thether from any other country . this antipathy with serpents , proceedeth from liuing to dead and vegetable things , as trees , herbes , and plants , as may be seene by this discourse following . there is such vertue in the ashe-tree , that no serpent will endure to come neere either the morning or euening shadow of it , yea though very farre distant from them , they do so deadlie hate it . we set downe nothing but that wee haue found true by experience : if a great fire be made , and the same fire encircled round with ashen-boughes , & a serpent put betwixt the fire and the ashen-boughes , the serpent will sooner runne into the fire , then come neere the ashen-boughes : thus saith pliny . olaus magnus saith , that those northren countries which haue great store of ash-trees , doe want venomous beasts , of which opinion is also pliny . callimachus saith , there is a tree growing in the land of trachinia , called smilo , to which if any serpents doe either come neere , or touch , they foorth-with die . democritus is of opinion , that any serpent will die if you cast oken-leaues vpon him . pliny is of opinion , that alcibiadum , which is a kind of wild buglosse , is of the same vse & qualitie ; and further , beeing chewed , if it be spet vpon any serpent , that it cannot possibly liue . in time of those solemne feastes which the athenians dedicated to the goddesse ceres , their women did vse to lay and strew their beddes , with the leaues of the plant called agnos , because serpents could not endure it , and because they imagined it kept them chast , where-vpon they thought the name was giuen it . the herbe called rosemarie , is terrible to serpents . the egyptians doe giue it out , that polydamna , the wife of thorris their king , taking pittie vpon helen , caused her to beset on shore in the iland of pharus , and bestowed vpon her an herbe ( whereof there was plenty ) that was a great enemy to serpents : whereof the serpents hauing a feeling sence ( as they say ) and so readily knowne of them , they straightwaies got them to their lurking holes in the earth : and helen planted this herbe , who cōming to the knowledge thereof , she perceiued that in his due time it bore a seede that was a great enemie to serpents , and there-vpon was called helenium , as they that are skilfull in plants affirme ; and it groweth plentifully in pharus , which is a little i le against the mouth of nylus , ioyned to alexandria with a bridge . rue , ( called of some herbe of grace ) especially that which groweth in lybia , is but a backe friend to serpents , for it is most dry , and therefore causing serpent soone to faint and loose their courage , because ( as simocatus affirmeth ) it induceth a kind of heauines or drunkennesse in their head , with a vertiginie or giddines through the excesse of his drinesse , or immoderate sticcitie . serpents cannot endure the sauour of rue , and therefore a wesill , when she is to fight with any serpent , eateth rue , as a defensatiue against her enemie , as aristotle , & pliny his interpreter , are of opinion . the country people leauing theirvessels of milke abroade in the open fieldes , doe be-smeare thē round about with garlick , for feast least some venomous serpents should creepe into them , but the smell of garlick , as erasmus saith , driueth them away . no serpents were euer yet seene to touch the herbe trifolie , or three-leaued-grasse , as aedonnus wold make vs belieue . and cardan the phisitian hath obserued as much , that serpents , not any thing that is venomous , will neither lodge , dwell or lurk priuily neere vnto trifolie , because that it is their bane , as they are to other liuing creatures : and therfore it is sowne to very good purpose , & planted in very hot coūtries , where there is most store of such venomous creatures . arnoldus villanouanus saith , that the herb called dracontea killeth serpents . and florentinus affirmeth , that if you plant woormwood , mugwort , or sothernwood about your dwelling , that no venomous serpents will euer come neer , or dare enterprise to invade the same . no serpent is found in vines when they flourish , bearing flowers or blossoms , for they abhor the smell , as aristotle saith . auicen an arabian phisitian , saith , that capers doe kill wormes in the guts , & likewise serpents . if you make a round circle with herbe betonie , & therein include any serpents , they will kill themselues in the place rather then striue to get away . galbanum killeth serpents only by touching , if oyle & the herbe called fenell giant be mixt withall . there is a shrubbe called therionarca , hauing a flower like a rose , which maketh serpents heauy , dull and drousie , and so killeth them , as pliny affirmeth . albertus and kyranides affirme , that there is a certaine tree in asia called hyperdiocis , which soundeth as much as , against the right hand , with whose sweet fruite doues are delighted ; but there are serpents which are sore enemies to the doues : so lying in waite for them , and not beeing able to abide the smell and shadow of the tree , the doues notwithstanding very safely doe there in the tree seeke their refuge , and finde foode where-with to sustaine themselues . rasis ( who practised phisick one hundreth yeres ) affirmeth , that if any man doe melt sal almoniack in his mouth , and then spet it into a serpents mouth , that he will die of it . of the medicines made and taken out of serpents . it is manifest , that if any man be wounded of a serpent , though the wound seeme incurable , that the bowels or inward parts of the same serpent , being applied to the wound , will cure the same ; and those that haue eaten the liuer of a boyled viper at any time , shall neuer after be wounded of any serpent . neither is a snake venomous , vnlesse at some-times of the moone , when shee is throughly mooued or angred . and a liue snake or serpent being caught , if the bitten place be bathed , soked or washed with the snake being brused in any water , it is of notable effect . besides , they are thought to be verie soueraigne against many infirmities , and therefore ( as pliny saith ) they are dedicated to aesculapius . auicen saith , that if any be troubled with the leprosie , he is to be cured by taking a black serpent , and beeing excoriated , he must be buried so long till there breede wormes of him , and then he is to be taken forth of the earth and dryed , and so to be giuen to the leprous person for three dayes together , the quantitie of one dramme at euery time , with syruppe of honie . pliny , and with him agreeth cornelius celsus , affirmeth , that if any one do eate the middle part of snakes or serpents , casting away the heads & tayles , they cure str●mes , which we in english call the kings-euill . there is a disease called elephantia , or elephantiasis , which is a kind of lepry proceeding of melancholie , choler and flegme , exceedingly adust , and maketh the skinne rough , of colour like an elephant , with blacke wannish spots , and dry parched scales and scurffe : this disease ( i say ) so greeuous , and strumes , are exceedingly holpen by eating often of vipers and serpents , as iohn taganet , in his first booke institut . chirurg . hath assured vs. pliny saith , that if you take out the right eye of a serpent , and so bind it about any part of you , that it is of great force against the watering or dropping of the eyes , by meanes of a rhume issuing out thereat , if the serpent be againe let goe aliue . and so hee saith , that a serpents or snakes hart , if either it be bitten or tyed to any part of you , that it is a present remedie for the tooth-ach : and hee addeth further , that if any man doe ●ast of the snakes hart , that he shall neuer after be hurt of any serpent . paulus venetus , in his second booke , chap. , writeth , howe that in the prouince of caraiam , there be serpents of exceeding greatnes , which beeing killed , the inhabitants of the country doe pull out their gall , which they vse to prize at a verie high rate when they sell any of it , for it is very medicinall : so that they which are byt of a madde dogge , if they take inwardlie in any drinke but the quantitie of a penny weight of this gall , they are presently cured . and if a woman be in her trauaile of child-birth , if shee tast neuer so little of this gall , the birth will be the more speedie . so , if any be troubled either with the pyles or haemerrhoides in the fundament , if that the place be annoynted with this gall , after a few dayes , he is set free from his disease . hippocrates giueth the seede of serpents as a remedie against the suffocation of the belly . nicholaus myrepsus preseribeth this medicine against straines & hardnesses . take a dead serpent , & put him into a new pot , luting it very well with gypsum , then set it in a furnace that it may be burnt , after that , commixe the ashes of a serpent with an equall portion of the seedes of fennegreke , so being wrought vp with attick-hony , & throughly disgested , annoynt the place affected . and with him agreeth pliny , who expresly affirmeth , that the ashes of snakes and serpents ; beeing annoynted vpon strumes , eyther with oyle or waxe , is a singuler medicine . and likewise to drinke the ashes of a serpent , that is burrit to powder in new earthen potte , is very good : but it will be the more effectuall , if the serpents be killed betweene two tracks or forrowes that are made with cart-wheeles . the ashes of a serpent burnt with salt in a pot , beeing put with oyle of roses into the contrary eare , helpeth the tooth-ach . an vnguent against the morphue , prescribed by olaus magnus . take of the ashes of a serpent burnt in a newe pot and well couered , two ounces , lytarge , galbanum , ammoniacum , and opponax dissolued in vineger , three ounces , boyle them vntill the vineger be consumed , then straine them , putting to them of turpentine three ounces , frankinsence , masticke and sarcocolla three ounces , saffron two ounces , working them with a spathulor till they be cold . the powder of a burnt serpent , is likewise good against fistuloes . the fat of a snake or serpent mixt with oyle , is good against strumes , as pliny saith . the fat of snakes mixt with verdegrease , healeth the parts about the eyes that haue any rupture . to which agreeth the poet , when he saith : anguibus ereptos adipes ●rugine misce , hipoterant ruptos oculorum iungere partes . which may be thus englished ; the fat of snakes mingled with yron-rust , the parts of eyes doth mend , which erst were burst . it is certaine that barrennesse commeth by meanes of that grieuous torment and paine in child-birth ; and yet olympias of thebes is of opinion , that this is remedied with a bulls gall , the fat of serpents , and verdegrease , with some honie added to them , the place beeing there with annointed before the comming together of both parts . when a woman is not able to conceiue by meanes of weakenesse in the retentiue vertue , then there is no doubt , but there must needes growe some membrane in the bellies entrance , for which it is not amisse to make a pessarie of the fat of a serpent , verdegrease , & the fat of a bull mixt together , &c. and to be applied . hippocrates in lib. de sterilibus . gesner had a friend who signified to him by his letters , that the fat of a serpent vvas sent to him from those sulphureous bathes which were neere vnto cameriacum , and was sold at a very deere rate , namely , twelue poundes for euery ounce , and sometimes deerer . they vse to mixe it with the emplaister of iohn de vigo , that famous chirurgeon ) for all hardnesses , nodes , and other priuie & vnseene ( though not vnfelt ) torments proceeding of the spanish-poxe . they vse it yet further , against leprous swellings , and pimples , and to smooth and thinne the skinne . matthiolus saith , that the fat of a black serpent , is mixt to good purpose with those oyntments that are prepared against the french or spanishpox . and pliny mixeth their fat with other conuenient medicines , to cause haire to grow againe . the suffumigation of an old serpent , helpeth the monthlie course . michaell aloisius saith , that oyle of serpents decocted with the flowers of cowsleps , ( euer remembring to gather and take that which swimmeth at the toppe ) is singuler to annoynt podagricall persons there-with . novv followeth the preparing of serpents . take a mountaine-serpent , that hath a blacke backe , and a vvhite bellie , & cut off his taile , euen hard to the place where he sendeth forth his excrements , and take away his head with the breadth of foure fingers , then take the residue & squise out the blood into some vessell , keeping it in a glasse carefully , then fley him as you doe an eele , beginning from the vpper & grosser part , and hang the skinne vpon a stick and dry it , then deuide it in the middle , and referue all diligently . you must wash the flesh and put it in a pot , boyling it in two parts of wine , and beeing well and throughly boyled , you must season the broth with good spices , and aromaticall or cordiall powders , and so eate it . but if you haue a mind to rost it , it must be so rosted , as it may not be burnt , and yet that it may be brought into powder , and the powder thereof must be eaten together with other meat , because of the loathing , and dreadfull name , and conceit of a serpent : for beeing thus burned , it preserueth a man from all feare of any future lepry , and expelleth that which is present . it keepeth youth , causing a good colour aboue all other medicines in the vvorld ; it cleereth the eye-sight , gardeth surelie from gray haires , and keepeth from the falling-sicknes . it purgeth the head from all infirmitie , and beeing eaten ( as before is said ) it expelleth scabbines , & the like infirmities , with a great number of other diseases . but yet such a kind of serpent as before wee haue described , and not any other , beeing also eaten , freeth one from deafenes . you may also finelie mince the heads and tayles of serpents , & feede there-with chickins or geese , beeing mingled with crummes of bread or oates , and these geese or chickins beeing eaten , they helpe to take away the leprosie , and all other foulenesse in mans bodie . if you take the dryed skinne , and lay it vppon the tooth on the inner side , it will mittigate the paine thereof , specially if it proceede from any hote cause . in like sort , the same skinne washed with spettle , and with a little peece of the taile laid vppon any impostume , or noli me tangere , it will tame and master the paine , causing it to putrefie more easilie and gentlie , and scarcely leauing behind any cicatrise or skarre . and if a woman beeing in extremitie of paine in child-birth , do but tye or bind a peece of it on her belly , it will cause the birth immediatly to come away . so the skinne beeing boyled and eaten , performeth the same effects that the serpent doth . the blood of a serpent is more precious then balsamum , and if you annoynt your lips with a little of it , they will looke passing redde : and if the face be annoynted there-with , it will receiue no spot or fleck , but causeth it to haue an orient and beautifull hue . it represseth all scabbinesse of the body , stinking in the teeth and gummes if they be there-with annointed . the fat of a serpent , speedily helpeth all rednes , spots , & other infirmities of the eyes , and beeing annoynted vpon the eye-liddes , it cleereth the eyes exceedingly . item , put them into a glassed spot , and fill the same with butter in the month of may , then lute it well with paste ( that is , meale well kneaded ) so that nothing may euaporate , then sette the pot on the fire , and let it boyle wel-nigh halfe a day ; after this is done , straine the butter through a cloth , and the remainder beate in a morter , and straine it againe , and mixe them together , then put them into water to coole , & so reserue it in siluer or golden boxes , that which is not cuaporated , for the older , the better it is , and so much the better it will be , if you can keepe it fortie yeeres . let the sicke patient , who is troubled eyther with the goute , or the palfie , but annoynt himselfe often against the fire with this vnguent , and without doubt he shall be freed , especially if it be the goute . all these prescriptions and directions , were taken from the writings of a certaine namelesse author . hippocrates saith , that a hart or stagge hauing eaten any serpents , the wormes in their guttes are thereby expelled . and absyrtus hath the same words , that harts by eating of a serpent , doc kill and expell wormes from their guttes . hierocles , to a certaine medicine which he prepared for the strangulion in a horse , mingled the dung of a lyzard , & stèar herpetou , ( that is , as i interpret it ) the fat of a serpent , the blood of a doue , &c. laurence rusius saith , that it is good to giue the flesh and decoction of serpents , to madde , beating and striking horses . and that the fatte of a serpent , &c. doth cure the puffing or swellings that arise in horses backs , which come by meanes of any compression , or close sitting and thrusting downe . item , the vnguent that droppeth from a serpent , whilst he is rosted on a spit , is highlie commended for fistuloes that are in horses hoofes . galen and rasius , doc counsell vs to cut in peeces a snake or serpent , and to lay the fat there of vpon a sticke , and to annoint the outward parts of the hoofe of any horse . horseleaches , liue mise , the greene lyzard being burned , if they be giuen to a hawke in her meate , they do cause a speedie mutation of her feathers or wings ; and the same effect haue little riuer-fishes , finely beaten or stamped , if they be cast vpon any meate . item , the serpent that is speckled , and of diuers and sundry colours , of all others hath the least poyson , and in the german tongue it is called huf , ( peraduenture it is that which we call a snake ) if , ( i say ) you take this serpent , and boyle it with wheate , and giue the same wheate to a henne to feede vpon , beeing mingled amongst her meate and drinke with the venim of a serpent , a hawke beeing fedde with the flesh of such a henne , forth-with casteth her sicke feathers , and is freed from any other disease , if she haue any at all , as albertus saith . the old skinne of an adder or snake , that he casts off in the spring-time , if it be rubbed vpon the eyes , cleereth the sight , as pliny saith . and galen biddeth vs , if any be troubled with blood-shotten eyes , to take the old cast-skinne of serpents , & being beaten with sea-water ' , to annoynt them there-withall . and cardan saith , that the cast-skin of a snake , if the eyes be rubbed there-with euery morning , that they will neuer be very dim of sight , nor yet euer haue any pinne or webbe in them . amongst compositions that are made for the eyes , they vse to mixe the cast-skinne of snakes , as diocles affirmeth ; adding further , that the old age , or cast-skinne of a snake beeing boyled in vvine , is an excellent helpe for paine in the eares , if a little thereof be dropped into them . boyle the cast skinne of a snake with toppes of poppy , and droppe a little thereof into the cares , if any be troubled vvith paine thereof , and this is an excellent remedy , as galen in his third booke , de composit . medicam . sec . loca , hath taught vs , hauing himselfe learned the same from archigenes . the cast-skinne of serpents being burned in a pot , or on a hot burning tyle-shard , if it be mingled with oyle of roses , and so dropt into the eares , is prooued to be very effectuall against all sores , and sicknesses of the eares ; but especially against the stinking sauour of them : or if they be puralent or full of matter , then to be mixt with vineger . some vse to mingle bulls gall there-with , and the iuyce of the flesh of torteises beeing boyled . marcellus saith , that if you take the gall of a calfe , with a like quantitie of vineger , and mixe them with the cast-skinne of a serpent , if then you dippe a little vvooll into this medicine , and put it into the eare , that it helpeth very much , especially if with a spunge being soked in warme-water , you first foment the eare . dioscorides and galen doe affirme , that the cast-skinne of a serpent , if it be boyled in wine , doth cure the tooth-ach , if the pained place be washed there-with . but yet , in intollerable paines of the teeth , this is prooued more singuler . take the cast-skinne of a serpent and burne it , then temper it with oyle , till it come to the thicknes or consistence of hard hony , and couer the tooth ( being first scoured and clensed there-with , annoynting all the neere places to the same , and put some of it into the hollownes of the tooth . and as archigenes saith , if you lay the cast-skinne of a snake vnto the teeth , not beeing burnt , they will all fall out . it cureth likewise the lowsie euill , called phthiriasis . and galen prescribeth this cast-skin of snakes or serpents , for a remedie against the cholick , if it be put into a brasse pot with some oyle , and so burnt to powder , if then it be dissolued in oyle , and the place there-with annoynted , it is of great vertue . and if it bee boyled in a tinne vessell with some oyle of roses , it remedieth the the bloody-flixe , and such as be troubled with tenesmas , which is , a great desire in going to stoole , and yet can doe nothing . arnoldus de villa noua , in his breuiarie saith , that if you take the cast-skin of a serpent , opopanax , myrrhe , galbanum , castoreum , yellow sulphur , madder , pidgeons or hawkes doung , and incorporate them with the gall of a cow , they beeing first puluerised , and the fume thereof receiued through a tunnell at the lower parts , it bringeth foorth either the dead or liuing birth . cardan lib. de subtil . saith , that the cast-skin of a serpent burned in the full of the moone , & entring into the first degree of aries , if the ashes thereof be sprinkled on the head , that thereby terrible and fearefull dreames will follow . and if the face be annointed or washed there-with being first layd in water , that it will cause one to looke very fearefully and horribly : and if it be held vnder the tongue , it will make one very wise and eloquent : and if it be kept vnder the soles of the feete , it maketh one very gratious among princes , magistrates and great men . and another saith , that this cast-off-skin beeing puluerised when the moone is in her increase , and in the first degree of aries , if the powder thereof be set on the table , in a woodden or metalline dish , if any poyson be therin , it will be dispersed and doe no hurt , and yet the powder will remaine safe and whole : and if giuen to a leaprous-person , his disease will spreade no further . and if you put a little of this powder into any wound , it will cure it within three dayes . i haue seene , ( fayth galen ) goates that haue eaten of the boughes and leaues of tamariske , and i haue found them without a spleene : also i haue seene other goates that haue lickt vppe serpents after they had cast their skinne , and i haue prooued , that after that , they haue growne verie white , and to haue kept their young yeeres a great while ; so that it was long before they waxed old . of the way to driue away serpents . of their poison and bytings . a certaine and sure way to cure those , who either haue beene poysoned , envenomed , or bitten by them . to expell and driue farre away any venomous creatures , wee vse to make fumigations of the roote of lyllies , harts-horne , and the hornes and hoofes of such beasts as be clouen-footed : likewise of bay-leaues and berries , calamint , water-cresses , and the ashes of the pine-tree . the leaues of vitex , bitumen , castorium , melanthium , goates-hornes , cardamomū , galbanum , propolis , which may be called bee-glew , the herbe called horstrange , panax , opopanax , fleabane , the shauings or scrapings of the cipres or ceder tree beeing steeped in oyle , the iet-stone , sagapinum , the herbe called poley , ferne , and all other things that haue a strong or vehement ill sauour , beeing cast on the coales for a fumigation , doe with theyr vapour chase away venomous beastes . for whereas all venomous creatures haue the passages or pores of theyr bodies wery straight and narrow , they are very easily filled and stuffed , and are quickly stopped and suffocated by such like sents and smells . aetius in his . booke , setteth downe an excellent fume after this manner . take of galbanum , of sandaracha , butter , and of goates-fat , of euery one a like much , make them into pills , and vse them for a fumigation . nicander in theriacis setteth downe some for the same intentions , in these verses . ceruinique graui cornu nidore fugabis : et sic cum accendens gagatae quandoque lapillum , quem consumentis non exedit impetus ignis : multifidam filicem crepitantibus inijce flammis , aut imas viridis libanotidos accipe fibras , tantundemque acris nasturci : his junge duobus aequali capre● iam jactum pondere cornu , aut exic●ant em nares cerebrumque nigellam , interdum sulphur , faedum quandoque bitumen , vt-su●pta aequali pendantur singula parte . praeterea graveolens candentibus indit a prauis galbana , et ignitum faciens vetica dolorem , dentatisque cedrum maxillis sectile lignum , omnibus invisum serpentibus eff●at odorem . in english thus ; by hart-horne-fu●● doe serpents slide away when stone gagates burning's put thereto : which heate of fire doth not cleane destroy ; then in t ' those flames cast many-leaued ferne also . of greene hogs-●…ll , take the lowest by a●ches , of nosewort sharpe , so much 〈◊〉 to them ioyne a like proportion of roes horne , in ●aight & kantches , or els nigella , drying nose and braine , or brimstone , called fil●●y sulphure , so all be equall in waight and parts to cure . besides , galbanum ranck , layde on burning coales . or nettles , which doe cause a fierie paine , and cedar cut , all burn'd d'bout serpents holes , them ouer-come , and make them flie amaine . the breath or vapour that issueth from serpents , is so pestilent , that it killeth all young chickins , as columella saith ; & for preuenting of this mischiefe , it is good to burne harts-horne , womens baire , or galbanum . vis et mirificos cautus perdiscere odores , accensis quibus arcetur teterrima serpens , aut styracem vras , aut atri vulturis alam , vel nepetam aut frondem rigidae stirpemque myricae . in english thus ; if thou wouldst learne what odours for thy skill were best to scarre the serpent fierce away , burne styrax , or blacke vultures winged quill , or neppe , greene leaues , or stock of tamariske assay . and pliny and sextus agreeing with him , doe say ; that if you burne the feathers of a vultar , all serpents will quickly avoyde the strong sent thereof . there is a certaine riuer in the countries of media & paeonia , ( as aristotle testifieth ) wherin there is a stone found , with whose fume serpents are chased away : whose propertie is such , that if any man cast water on it , it will burne , and burning , if with any fan you goe about to make it to flame , it is straight-way quenched ; and thus beeing extinguished , it sendeth forth a sauour stronger then any brimstone . and to this subscribeth ni●ander in these words . vel tu threicium flamma succende lapillum , qui licet irriguis mersus tamen ardet in vndis , expressaque statim restinguitur vnctus oliua , hanc quem fluçtisoni mittant de littore ponti , qui , rude vulgus , ibi vescentes carne magistri pascendi pecoris suapost armenta sequntur . in english thus ; or take the thracian stone , which set on fire will burne in water , yet quenched is with oyle . this cast from pontus shore , heard-men desire , the better to feede their flocks , & serpents foyle . the povvder of a cedar tree , putteth to flight venomous serpents , as virgil in the third of his georgicks witnesseth . disce et odoratum stabulis accendere cedrum , galbaneoque agitare graues nidore chelydros . which may be englished thus ; learne how of cedar , fire in thy foldes to make , and with galbanums sauour , put to flight the snak . things that are strewed or layd vnder vs , both in our houses and in high-waies or beds , will likewise defend & keepe vs frō venomous creatures , as for example ; sothernwood , dittander ; fleabane ; calamint ; gentian ; hastula regia ; sage ; nightshade ; s. iohnsvvort , called of some fuga damonum ; margerom ; origan ; wilde-rue ; wilde-time ; bay-leaues ; the shauings or toppes of the cypres or cedar-tree ; cardamomum ; penyroyall ; wormevvood ; mugwoort ; lysimachia , called in english loose-strife ; & rosemarie . and if we cannot lye vpon such a bedde : tunc nixta virides sinuosi vorticis alueos , amnicolam nepetam per obesas collige ripas . aut tibi cast a salix , pulchro quae flore renidet , praebeat , instrata securum fronde grabatum . sic quoque montanum polium , cuius graue spirans horret odor , nomenque suum quae debet echidnae herba , et ab euxina quae fertur origanus vrbe , quaecunque illarum decerpitur obuia , prodest . quin etiam multo per aprica cacumina flore ridens abrotonus , pecorique ingrata petitum pabula serpillum , molli quod pascitur horto . praestat item exiguam circumlustrare conyzam , vrticeasque comas , et spinosas anagyros : sic et punicea sectis ex arbore ramis . regalisque amplis licet hastae frondibus vti . accipe item innocuo medicantem frigore strumum , atque invisa pigris scyra prima aestate bubulcis . nicander . in english thus ; then by the winding bankes of crooked streames the water-neppe take vp , which vnder-foote is tread , or the chast osier , whose fayre flower hath beames and leaues , secure from serpents make thy bedde . the mountaine poley , whose strong-smelling breath the snakes abhorre , and that which doth the hydraname , the origan which commeth from euxinus earth , doe profit all gainst serpents , if you beare the same . the smyling sothernwood , which groweth on tops of hills , wild-marioram , to beasts abhorred foode , conyza strewed , the haunt of serpents spills , the nettle-croppes , thorny anagres stay theyr moode , so doe pomegranate branches out from tree : and the broade leaues of kingly hoosta vse , strume , healing strumes in harmelesse cold i see , and scyra , which in sommer neatheards doe refuse . in like sort , to sprinckle the place with water , wherein sal ammoniacum is dissolued , driueth away serpents , as auicen affirmeth . if any one annoynt himselfe , either with deares-sewit , the fat of elephants or lyons , serpents will shunne that person : and there be some , ( as pliny saith ) that for feare of serpents , doe annoynt their bodies with the seedes of iuniper . the iuyce of the blacke vine extracted from the roote , and annoynted on the bodie , persormeth the like . for preseruation from serpents , nicander compoundeth this oyntment . take two vipers about the end of spring-time , deare-sewit thirtie drammes , vnguenti rosati thirtie sixe drams , crude oyle of oliues as much , commix them with nine ounces of waxe , boyle the serpents till the flesh fall from the bones , which you must cast away because they are venomous . they that will yet be more assured , let them annoynt their bodies with a thinne cerate , made of wax , oyle of roses , a little galbanū , some powder of harts-horne , or els cummin-seede of ethiopia . &c. aetius . if a man carry about him the tooth of a stag , or those small bones which are found in his hart , he shall be secured from serpents . if any one doe beare about him wild-buglosse , or the roote of the wild-carot , hee cannot be wounded of any serpents . greuinus is of the minde , that the iet-stone , beside other manifest qualities , hath yet this as peculier to it selfe , that he which carrieth it about with him , need neither to feare serpents , nor any other poysons . now for venomous beastes , which are found in any houses , the best way is to powre scalding water into their dennes & lurking-holes . and if any man ( constrained by necessitie ) can find no other place to sleepe , but such a one as where salamanders , the spyders called phalangia , or the like serpents doe abound , it is good to stop the holes and corners with garlick beaten with water , or some of those herbes which before we haue spoken of . but yet men now adayes hold it the safest course , to powre vnquenched lime sprinckled with water , into their dennes and secret corners . as they that are bitten by a madde dogge , so all such persons as be wounded by venomous creatures , are in exceeding great danger , vnlesse at the first they receiue speedy help and succour : the safest way therefore to cure the poyson , is by attractiues , which dravve from the more inward parts to the surface , and not to make too much post-hast in closing vp the wound . but if any one hath swallowed downe , and taken inwardly any poyson , the best way is ( as dioscorides writeth ) to vomit often : but if any be wounded by byting , then it is best to vse scarification , and to fasten cupping-glasses vpon the place affected , to draw out the poyson . some vse to suck the venom out , and others to cut off and dismember the part . and this is to be obserued , that if any one will vndertake to suck out the venom , the partie that attempteth it must not be fasting : & besides , he must wash his mouth with some wine , and after that , holding a little oyle in his mouth , to suck the part , and to spet it presently forth . and before cupping-glasses be applyed , the part must first be fomented with a spung , then scarified deepely , that the venomous matter may the more speedily be drawne out from the more inward parts ; and yet cutting of the flesh round in a compasse , doth more good then any scarification . but if the place will admit no section or incision , then cupping-glasses , with deepe scari●ication , with much flame , must needes be vsed : for by attraction of the blood , and other humors with windines , the poyson it selfe must of necessitie follow . and aetius in his booke and tenth chapter , counselleth that the sicke person be kept from sleepe , and so sitte still , vntill he find some ceasing or release from his paine . besides , the member which is enuenomed , ought to be bound round about , that the poyson may not too easily conuey it selfe , and penetrate into the more noble and principall parts , as the hatt , liuer or braine . and in this manner hauing applyed your ligature , you must by the aduise of fumanellus , set on your cupping-glasses , and they beeing remoued , apply the herbe calamint vppon the place , and to giue the patient , some of the roote of mugwort in powder , or the best treacle , and such cordialls as doe corroborate the hart : and for this intent , buglosse , borage , balme , and any of their flowers are much commended . a doue or pidgion beeing deuided in the midst , & applyed hote to the place affected , attracteth poyson to it selfe , and healeth . and the same effect and vertue haue other liuing creatures , as namely , hennes and chickins , young kiddes , lambes and pigges , if they be set to in the beginning , immediatly after the cupping-glasses be remoued , for beeing as yet hot and warme , they draw out the poyson and mittigate paine . but if neither any one for loue or mony can be found , that will or dare suck out the venim , & that no cupping-glasse can be prouided , then it is best that the patient doe suppe of mutton , veale , or goose broth , and to prouoke vomiting . yet they that will more effectually and speedily giue help , vse to kill a goate , and taking out the entralls , with the warme dung therein found , forth-with bind it vnto the place . the learned phisition matthiolus , in his comment vppon dioscorides , saith ; that to auoyd the danger that commeth by sucking out the venom , men now a-dayes vse to apply the fundament of some cocke or henne , or other birds after the feathers are puld off , to the wounded place , and the first dying , to apply another in the same order , and so another and another , vntill the whole venomous matter be cleane driuen away , whereof one may be certainely assured , if the last henne or byrd so applyed , doe not die . auicen the arabian saith , that the phisitians of egypt , ( in which country there bee infinite store of venomous beasts ) doe hasten to burne the part with fire , as the safest and surest remedy , when any one is this way endangered : for fire not onely expelleth poysons , but many other grieuances . but the way how they vsed to burne with fire , was diuers in these cases : for some-times they vsed to seare the place with a hot yron , and other-whiles with a corde or match beeing fired , and sometimes scalding oyle ; and many other deuises they had with burning medicaments , to finish this cure , as saith hieron . mercurialis in his first booke d● morb. venenatis writeth , and iohn tagault , institut . chirurg . lib. . saith , that the wound must first be seared with a hot yrou ( if the place can endure it ) or els some caustick and vehement corroding medicine must be vsed : for all such wounds are for the most part deadlie , and doe bring present death , if speedy remedie be not giuen ; and therefore , according to hyppocrates counsell , to extreame griefes , extreame remedies must be applyed ; so that sometimes the safest way , is to take or cut off that member , which hath either been bitten or wounded . neither am i ignorant ( saith dioscorides ) what the egyptians doe in these cases : for whē they reape their co●e in haruest-time , they haue ready at hand prepared , a pot with pitch in it ; and a string or band hanging at it ; for at that time of the yeere they are most afraid of serpents , which then chiefely doe hide themselues in darke holes , and caues of the earth , and vnder thick clots & turffes , for egypt aboundeth with such venomous & poysonfull creatures . when as therefore they haue wounded either the foote or any other part , they that are present , doe put the string into the pot of pitch , and binding the place , they fall to cutting it with some instrument rounde in compasse as the string is tyed , after this is done , they powre in of the pitch a sufficient quantitie , then vntying and loosing the band , they lastly annoynt it with garlick and onions . a certaine countriman beeing bytten of a serpent , perceiued by and by his foote to swell , and by little & little the force of the poyson to swell vp higher , & neerer to the hart , the castle of life : who beeing taught & instructed of an old woman , to burie his foote vnder the earth , and to 〈◊〉 henne into two parts to apply to the wound , and to the hen she wished him to lay aliue frogge , who continually sucking the blood from the hennes flesh , might by this meanes at length , attract and draw all the poyson into it selfe . so when hee had held his foote a whole night couered and buried vnder the earth , & finding no abatement , but rather an increase of his tormenting paine ; at length , by the aduise and direction of a certaine noble matron , he dranke a good draught of theriaca & hony tempred in ale , and so after a few houres , fell on a great & continuall vomiting , by which meanes he was perfectly freed from the paines of the vpper parts of his body , his feete notwithstanding continuing in their former swelling : which was also taken cleane away , onely by drinking the milke of a black goate , so much in quantity at a time as one egge-shell would containe , his foote in the meane space beeing held or plunged in a sufficient quantitie of the same milke . from which there issued and ranne , a foule stinking , glutinous & snivelly matter , and this he was admonished to doe by a certaine priest . but yet afterwards by chaunce , washing himselfe in a hot sunnie day in a certaine riuer , and sitting vppon the banke , his feete hanging downe into the water , and hee falling fast a sleepe , ( hee knew not well how long time hee so continued ) at length awaking , hee plainly perceiued the water that was neere , on all sides to bee filthy , stained and polluted with much stinking matter , and as it were , dreggie refuse and ful●ulencie , and from that time forwards , he remained well and lustie , and as sound as a bell. another time a mayde being bitten of a serpent , layd presently vpon the wound some fresh-cheese , made of the milke of a white goate , and powring or sprinkling her foote with the milke of the same goate , as a defensatiue for that part , was by this meanes restored to her former health , as a certaine learned man testified in his letters written to gesner . vegetius affirmeth , that if any liuing creature be bytten and wounded of venomous beasts , the place which is hurt , must first of all be suffumigated with hens egge-shels burnt , which first ought to be infused in vineger , with a little harts-horne , or galbanum . after fomentation , the place must be scarified , & the blood must be let out , or else the place must be seared with a hot yron , so farre as the venom stretcheth . and this care must be had , that the cauterre be neuer applyed and layde , either aboue the ioynts , or in sinewie parts at any time , for the sinewes or ioynts beeing seared and burnt , there must of necessitie , a continuall weakenes and debilitie follow . therfore great diligence must be vsed , that neither a little aboue , nor a little beneath the nerues & ioynts , we lay any cauterizing medicine , yea , although necessitie biddeth vs. but it is also requisite that euery one thus wounded , doe gently and easily prouoke sweating with warme clothes cast vpon him , & afterwards to walke vp and downe , & to take barley-meale in his meate , with some leaues of the ash-tree , and the white vine added to it . and to the wound it is good to apply attick-honie , or comin heated and patched , and so mixed with olde wine . some vse to mixe newe hogs-dung and attick-honny tempered together with wine , and so beeing warmed , to apply it as a cataplasme , adding to it some vrine of a man. i haue said before , that young chickins , beeing dissected or cut in peeces when they are warme , ought to be layde to the stinged part : and some there be that yeelde this reason why they should be good for this purpose , because ( say they ) there is a naturall antipathy betwixt them , and venomous creatures . but this reason is reasonlesse , and i think rather , that hennes or young birds , beeing of a very hot nature and complexion , doe easilie concoct and disgest notable poyson , and their stomacks do consume most dry & hard seedes , which the strongest man liuing cannot doe ; which may easily also be prooued by this argument , that many times by their rauening , they swallowe downe sand and little stones , which they doe easily dissolue , and their croppes very soone discharge , without any offence to them at all . and therefore the spirits of an invenomed person , beeing helped and refreshed , with the liuely and strong naturall heate of these fowles thus applyed , and receiuing and acquiring strength from the part wounded , and so hastily leaping out as it were , and quickly sparkling forth , they doe expell , shut and draw out the poyson . now , after we haue described the generall method of curing this mischieuous euill , we will now descend to particular remedies , obseruing euer this rule & order , that first i will speake of such meanes as are topicall , or such as are outwardly applyed ; and next , of such as be taken inwardly , and in both of them i will first describe compound , before i speake of simple medicaments . this one lesson you must carry with you , that many remedies are prescribed and set downe , which be not onely good for the bytings of serpents , but also for the bitings and stingings of all other venomous creatures , as namely , of scorpions , tarantula●s , spyders and the like . but yet , sith these doe properly respect serpents , i vvill in this place first sette them downe : beginning first ( according to my promise ) with such compounded medicines , as are applyed outwardly for helpe against the stinging of serpents . theriaca andromachi applyed plaister-wise , is notable for this purpose . so there bee other vehement strong plaisters , whose vertue is to attract , expell , and discusse venime , of which are those which are made of salt , niter , mustard-seede , and rosemary-seedes , dittanie , or dittander , and the roote of chamaeleon : and this that followeth is of singuler vertue . take of the scumme , froth or spume of siluer , one pound , ceruse , and of the best turpentine , of either as much as of the former , old oyle three pounds , waxe sixe ounces , ammoniacum thymiama , foure ounces , and of galbanum as much : boyle the ceruse , the scumme of siluer , and the oyle so long , that they will not cleaue vnto the hands , then melting the other ingredients , incorporate them all together , and vse them when neede is for any bytings , &c. there is an emplaister fathered vpon one epigonus , & bearing his name : for this epigonus beeing in close prison , and condemned to die , for reuealing this medicine had his pardon granted him , and was freely discharged , because he there-with healed the daughter of the emperour marcus : for beeing sorely wounded by a serpent in her breast , and all other phisitians dispayring of helpe , yet with this shee was recouered . it is also good for all new and old vlcers , and for such as are either bytten by men , or by any kinde of venomous creeping wormes and serpents . take of squamma aeris , ( which is the scales and offall of brasse , blowne from it in melting ) of ammoniacum , aloes hepatica , verdegrease , of aes vstum , of frankinsence , sal ammoniacum , aristolochia rotunda , of euery one halfe an ounce , turnep-seedes three scruples , of the roote of dragonwort halfe an ounce , seedes of mugwoort nine scruples , pure wax fiue pound , of colophonia one pound , old oyle three ounces , sharp vinegar halfe a spoonefull , mustard-seede three scruples , spodium nine scruples , stone-allom and opopanax , of either halfe an ounce : infuse the metalline ingredients for three dayes space in vineger , and beate and powder them together , melting those that are to be melted , then sprinkle on those that are dry ; and all of them being throughly wrought and made vp , according to the form of an emplaister , vse them where necessitie requireth . antonius fumanellus a late phisitian , prescribeth an experimented , and ( as hee calleth it ) a diuine oyle against any poyson taken into the body , or the byting of any venomous beasts and serpents , whether it be receiued inwardly by drinking it downe , or annoynted outwardly vpon the body , & this is it that followeth . take of oyle of oliues one pound , the flowers and the leaues of the herb called s. iohnswort brused , boyle them for the space of three houres and straine them , then boyle againe other fresh flowers and leaues of the same herbe and straine them hard , and doe so againe the third time , then adde to them of the rootes of gentian and tormentill , of eyther one ounce , boyle and straine them as you did before , and reserue this oyle for your vse . andreas matthiolus in his commentaries vpon dioscorides , doth exceedingly cōmend oyle of scorpions , because beeing annoynted vpon the pulses outwardlie , it is ( as hee affirmeth ) a singuler remedie , not onely against any poyson taken inwardlie into the bodie by the mouth , but for the bytinges and stinginges of any venomous creature whatsoeuer . the way to prepare and make it , he describeth at large , in his praeface vpon the sixt book of dioscorides , which i thinke needlesse heere to describe to auoyde tediousnes ; therefore if any one be desirous to know the composition of it , let him read matthiolus in the place before cyted . vnquenched lyme , mixeth with honnie and oyle , and applied to the place the thick-nes of a cerote , is good against the wounds that come by any venomous beastes byting . now i thinke it meete to set downe those simple medicaments which are outwardlie to be applied , eyther by laying on , or by annointing , against the sting and venomous byting of serpents . it is best first to foment the sore place with hote vinegar , wherein catmint hath been boyled , and in stead of vineger , one may take salt-water , or sothern-wood , maidenhaire , and garlick , either in drinke , meate , or to be vsed as an oyntment . the roote of aram , & of astrologe , & the leaues of the true daffadill , and oyle of balme , is most effectuall : also beellium , and the roote either of the white or black beete , is good against the bytings of serpents . betonie , coleworts , especiallie the wild-coleworts , calamint , the leaues of the wild figge-tree , centorie , onions , germander , chamaeleon , the herbe called fleabane , wilde carrets , rocket , heath , fennell , figges , winter-cherries , enula campana , barly-meale , the day-lilly , hisop , the flower-deluce-roote , horehound , balme , water-cresses , basill , origan , plantine , leekes , turneps , madder , rue , verven , mustard-seede , scabiose , and s. iohnswort , all these plants are greatlie praised amongst the writers of phisick , for the mischiefes abouesaid . pliny is of opinion , that the bowels or entralls of serpents themselues , beeing applyed , will surelie cure the wounds of all other serpents , although they seeme incurable . a liue serpent beeing caught , if it be brused , beaten and stamped in water , and the hurt place fomented there-with , will assuredlie helpe and doe much ease . quae nocuit serpens , fertur caput illius aptè vulneribus jungi , sanat quae sauciat ipsa , vt larissea curatus telephus hosta . qu. serenus . which may be thus englished ; what serpent hurteth , men say by long experience , his head applyed doth cure : for where the wound , the helpe is also made , as in telephus sence , harmd by larissus speare , by it was cured found . and guil. varignana saith , deuide or cut a serpent , and lay it vpon the place , and it will mittigate the anguish and paine . the seede of thraspi and of tithimal ( which is a kind of spurge ) is greatlie vsed for this . aut tithimallus atrox , vulnus quae tuta pervngat . some besides these , doe put the roote of black hellebor into the wound , because it draweth out the poyson , as i by mine owne experience can testifie , saith matthiolus . there be also sundry antidotes and preseruatiues which are taken inwardly , that are very effectuall against the bytings of serpents and venomous beasts , as namely that , which is called theriaca andromachi , or methridate , & the like compositious . galen in his booke de theriaca ad pisonem , preferreth theriaca andromachi before all other medicines either simple or compound , for virulent wounds ; because it performeth that effect for which it is ministred . for it was neuer as yet heard , that euer any one perrished of any venomous hurt or byting , who without any delay foorth-with dranke this medicine : and if any man had taken it before he receiued any such dangerous hurt , if he were set vppon and assailed by any poysonous creature , it hath not lightlie been heard that hee hath dyed of the same . there be many antidotes described by the ancients , which they set downe to be admirable for these passions : as for example , that which auicenna termeth theriaca mirabilis , whose composition is as followeth . take of opium and of myrrhe , of eyther of them a dramme , pepper one dramme and a halfe , the roote of aristolechia longa and rotunda , of each of them three drammes , wine two drammes ; make them vp with hony & rocket water , so much as is sufficient for an electuarie : the quantitie to giue , is foure scruples , relented in some fit and conuenient decoction . king antiochus , surnamed magnus , had a kinde of theriaoa which hee vsed against all poysons , which is described of pliny in his booke and last chapter in this wise . take of wild-time , opopanax , and the herbe called gromell , of each a like much , two drammes , trifolie one dramme , of the seedes of dill , fennell , smallage , anise , and ameos , of euery one alike sixe drammes , of the meale of orebus twelue drammes : all these beeing powned and finely searsed , must with wine a sufficient quantitie , be made into trochisces , whereof euery one must weigh one dramme , giue thereof one dram at a time in a draught of wine . there is another antidote and preseruatiue against any poyson , described by paulus aegineta , much like vnto this , which is thus . take of bryonie , opopanax , of the roote of iris illirica , and of the roote of rosemarie , and of ginger , of each of these three drammes , of aristolochia fiue drammes , of the best turpentine , of wilde rue , of each three drams , of the meale of orobus two drammes ; make them into torchisches with wine , euerie one weighing one scruple and a halfe , or two scruples to be giuen also in wine . galen in his second booke de antidotis , chapter . discourseth of a certaine theriacall medicament , called zopyria antidotus , ( so taking the name of one zopyrus ) which was notable against all poysons , & bytings of venomous creeping creatures . this zopyrus in his letters written vnto mithridates , sollicited him very much , that he would make some experiment of his antidote : which as he put him in mind he might easily doe , by causing any one that was alreadie condemned to die , to drinke downe some poyson afore-hand , & then to take the antidote : or els first to receiue the antidote , & after that to drinke some poyson . and put him in remembrance , to try it also in those that were wounded any maner of way by serpents , or those that were hurt by arrowes , or darts , annoynted or poysoned by any destroying venime : so all things being dispatched according to his praemonition , the man ( notwithstanding the strength of the poyson ) was preserued safe & sound by this alexipharmaticall medicine of zopyrus . matthiolus in his praeface vpon the sixth booke of dioscorides , entreating of antidotes and preseruatiues from poyson , saith ; that at length , after long studie and trauaile , he had found out an antidote , whose vertue was wonderfull and worthy admiration : and it is a certaine quintessence extracted from many simples , which hee setteth downe in the same place . he saith it is of such force and efficacie , that the quantitie of foure drammes being taken either by it selfe , or with the like quantitie of some sweet-senting wine , or els with some distilled water , which hath some naturall propertie to strengthen the hart ; if that anie person hath either been wounded or strooken of any venomous liuing thing , & that the patients life be therewith in danger , so that he hath lost the vse of his tongue , seeing , & for the most part all his other sences , yet for all that , by taking this his quintessence , it will recouer and raise him , as it were out of a dead sleepe , from sicknes to health , to the great astonishment and admiration of the standers by . they that desire to know the composition of this rare preseruatiue , let them read it in the author himselfe , for it is too long and tedious to describe it at this time . there be besides these compounds , many simple medicines , which beeing taken inwardly , doe performe the same effect , as namelie the thistle , where-vppon serenus hath these verses following . carduus et nondum doctis fullonibus aptus , ex illo radix tepido potatur in amni . that is to say ; the roote of teasill young , for fullers yet vnfit , drunke in warme-water , venome out doth spit . that thistle which qu. serenus heere vnderstandeth , is properly that plant which of the greekes is called scolymos . yet it is taken somtimes for other prickly plants of the same kind , as for both the chamaeleons , dipsacos , or labram veneris , spina alba , eryngium , and some other . but dioscorides attributeth the chiefest vertue against poysons , to the thistles called chamaeleon albus , and to the sea-thistle , called eryngium marinum , which some call sea-hull or huluer : for in his third booke and ninth chapter , entreating of chamaeleon albus , hee saith thus . the roote of it taken with wine inwardly , is as good as treacle against any venime : and in the chapter of the same booke , eryngium , is ( saith he ) taken to good purpose with some wine , against the byting of venomous creatures , or any poyson inwatdly taken . and the same serenus , adscribeth the same vertue to the harts curd or rennet , as followeth . cervino ex foetu commixta coagula vino sumantur , quae res membris agit atra venena . in english thus ; wine mixt with rennet taken from a hart , so drunk , doth venom from the members part . he meaneth a young hart , beeing killed in the dammes belly , as pliny affirmeth also the same in his . booke and chapter in these words ; the chiefest remedie against the byting of serpents , is made of the coagulum of a fawne , killd and cut out of the bellie of his damme . coagulum , is nothing els but that part in the belly which is vsed to thicken the milke . proderit et caulem cum vino haurire sambuci . qu. serenus . which may be englished thus ; in drinke , the powder of an elder-stalke , gainst poyson profiteth , as some men talke . that vertue which serenus here giueth to the stalke of dwarfe-elder , ( for that is meant in this place ) the same effect dioscorides attributeth to the roote , in his fourth booke , and pliny to the leaues . the herbe called betony is excellent against these fore-said affects , & by good reason , for the greatest part of poysons doe kill through their excesse of coldnes , and therefore to ouer-come and resist them , such meanes are necessarie , by which naturall and liuely heate is stirred vp and quickned , and so the poyson hindered from growing thick together , and from coagulation . againe , all men doe agree , that those medicines are profitable which do extenuate , as all those doe which haue a propertie to prouoke vrine , and betonie is of this qualitie , and therefore beeing taken with wine , it must needes doe good in venomous bytings , and that not onely in the bytings of men and apes , but in serpents also . radish also hath the same qualitie , beeing taken with vineger and water boyled together , or els outwardly applyed , as serenus affirmeth . siue homo , seu similis turpissima bestia nobis vulnera dente dedit , virus simul intulit atrum , vetonicam ex duro prodest assumere baccho . nec non et raphani cortex decocta medetur , si trita admorsis fuerit circumlitor membris . in english thus ; if man , or ape ( a filthy beast most like to vs ) by byting wound , and therein poyson thrust , then betony in hard wine steeped long , or rinde of radish sod as soft as pappe , doe heale , applyed to the member strong . there be certaine herbes and simples , as wild-lettice , veruen , the roote called rhubarb , agarick , oyle of oleander , and the leaues of the same , the seedes of peonie , with a great number a little before described , that beeing taken either inwardly or outwardly in iuyce or powder , doe cure poyson , yea though it be receiued by hurt from enuenomed arrowes , shafts , or other war-like engines & weapons : for the arabians , indians , the galles ( now termed french-men ) and scythians , were wont to poyson theyr arrowes , as paulus orosius in his third booke testifieth of the indians , where hee writeth , howe alexander the great , in his conquering and winning of a certaine cittie , vnder the gouernment of king ambira , lost the greatest part there of his whole armie with envenomed darts and quarrells . and celsus in his fifth booke saith , that the auncient galles were wont to annoynt their arrowes with the iuyce of white hellebor , with which they did great mischiefe . pliny affirmeth the same to be vsed of the scythian nation . the scythians ( saith hee ) doe annoynt their arrow-heads with the corrupt , poysonous , and filthy stained dreggie blood of vipers , and with mans blood mixed together : so that the wounde seemeth to be incurable . and to this alludeth quintus serenus . cuspide non quisquam , longa neque caede sarissae , fulmine non gladij , volueris nec felle sagittae , quàm cito vipereo potis est affligier ictu : quare aptam dicamus opem , succosque manentes . which may be thus englished ; there is no man with speare or launces poynt , sharpe edge of sword , or swift arrowes might , to kill so soone , as vipers force doth dint : then fit is the ayde and meanes that it acquite . there is a certaine kind of people to whom it is naturally giuen , either by touching or sucking , to cure the wounding of venomous serpents , called psylli , ( a people of libia ) & marsi people of italie , bordering vppon the samnites , and aequiculania , and those that were called by the auncient writers ophiogenes , which dwelt about hellespont , as both pliny , elianus , and aeneas siluius doe witnesse . callias in the tenth booke of the history which hee wrote of agathocles the syracusan , saith , that if any man were bytten of a serpent , if eyther a lybian by birth , or any psyllus , whose body was accounted venom to serpents , was either purposely sent for , or came that way by chaunce , and saw the wound but indifferently and not very sore tormenting the patient , that if he did lay but a little of his spettle vpon the byting or stroke , that presently the aking and paine would be mittigated . but if he found the sick patient in great and intollerable anguish and paine , he tooke this course in his curation , that first he would sucke and draw vp into his mouth a great deale of water , and first rinse & wash his own mouth there-with , and after this , pouring it all out of his owne mouth into a cup , he would giue it to the poore wounded person to suppe of . lastly , if the malignity and strength of the venome had crept and spred it selfe very farre and deepe into the body , so that there vvas danger of death , then would he strippe himselfe starke naked , and so lie and spread his bodie vppon the naked body of the sicke person , and so by this way of touching , breake the malice and qualitie of the poyson , and giue perfect cure to the man. for more confirmation heereof , nicander colophonius is sufficient authority , whose verses i will here describe . audiui libycos psyllos , quos aspera syrtis serpentumque ferax patria alit populos , non ictu inflictum diro , morsuue venenum laedere : quin laesis ferre et opem reliquis , non viradicum , proprio sed corpore juncto . which is in english thus ; the people psylli bred in lybia land neere syrtes , where all serpents doe abound , are neuer stunge nor bitten by that band vnto their harme , or any bodyes wound : but straight one naked man anothers hurt doth heale , no rootes , but bodies vertue danger doth repeale . some of the greekes haue left in writing , that the idolatrous priests and prelats of the god vulcan , that dwelt in the i le lemnos , had a speciall vertue giuen them to cure those who were wounded by serpents : wherevpon it is said , that philoctetes beeing wounded by a serpent before the altar of apollo , went thither to be remedied of his hurt . cornelius celsus saith flatly , that the people called psylli had no such peculiar gift in healing thē that were hurt of serpents , either by sucking or touching the place , but beeing boldly aduenturous , had presumed thereby to attempt and do that , which others of lesse courage had no stomack to doe : for whosoeuer durst be so confident as to follow their example , should be himselfe out of danger , and assure the other safe and free from feare of further hurt . galen in his booke de theriaca ad pisonem , manifestly sheweth , that the marsi , who liued in his dayes , had no such speciall qualitie against the poyson of serpents , but that with their crafty dealing , and knauish tricks , they beguiled the common people . for ( saith he ) those iuglers and deceiuers , do neuer hunt vipers at any conuenient time , but long after the prime of the yeere and spring , wherein they cast their skins , when as they are weake , and haue lost their strength , and are very faint : then do they take them , & so by long vse and continuance , teach them , and invre themselues one to another , & bring it so to passe , that they will feede them with strange and vnaccustomed meates to their nature ; yea they will permit them to tast of flesh , and constraine them to be continuallie gnawing and byting of the same , that by their so labouring and striuing , their poyson may by little and little be spent , and purged out of their bellies . besides all this , they giue thē a kind of bread made of milke and flower , that by this meanes the holes in their teeth may be stopped : & so by this labourious course of dyeting them , they bring the matter so about , that theyr bytings are very weake , & do small annoyance to any that they strike at . so that the seers and lookers on , account it a thing exceeding common reason and nature , and blaze it abroade for a miracle . matthiolus also , a phisition of late dayes , agreeth with him in this poynt , affirming expresly , that these kind of trumperies and craftie fetches , are much put in practise in these times , by such bold and impudent quacksaluers , mountebanks , and cooseners of plaine country-people , who dare face it out , lye , faine and cogge , that they are descended from the race and linage of saint paule , wherein they shewe themselues notorious lyers . &c. thus farre matthiolus . serpents doe sometimes creepe into the mouthes of them that are fast asleepe , where-vppon a certaine poet saith ; non mihi tunc libeat dorso jacuisse per herbam . which may be englished thus , then would i not vpon the grasse , lye on my back where serpents passe . for if a man sleepe open-mouthed , they slilie conuey themselues in , and wind & role them round in compasse , so taking vp their lodging in the stomacke , and then is the poore wretched man , miserably and pittifully tormented ; his life is more bitter then death , neither feeleth he any release or mittigation of his paine , vnlesse it be by feeding this his vnwelcome guest in his guest-chamber , with good store of milke , and such other meates as serpents best like of . the onely remedy against this mischiefe , is to eate good store of garlicke , as erasmus in his dial. de amicitia saith . cardan saith , how that it was reported for a certaine , that a viper entring into a mans mouth being asleepe and gaping with his mouth , the venomous worme was expelled onely with burning of leather , and so receiuing the stinking sume at his mouth , the viper not enduring it , hee escaped with life . but of this more in our discourse of the viper . a certaine man called cissus , beeing very deuout in the seruice , and much addicted to the worship of the god called serapis , being trecherously wound in and intrapped , by the craftie wilines of a certaine woman , which first he loued and afterward married , when by her meanes he had eaten some serpents-egges , he was miserably vexed , and torne & rent with disquiet and torment through all his body , so that he seemed to be in great hazard of present death . whereupon , forthwith repayring and praying hartily to this his god , for his helpe and deliuerance , he receiued aunswer , that he must goe and buy a liue lamprey , and thrust his hand into the vessell or place where it was kept and preserued ; which hee forth-with did , and the lamprey caught fast hold on his hand , byting hardly , & holding fast by the teeth : and at length , when she was pulled from her fast hold , the sicknesse and grieuous torment of his body , was plucked away , and he freely deliuered from that threatning danger . thus farre aelianus . the conclusion of this generall discourse of serpents . hauing thus discoursed of the medicinal qualities in serpents , and the remedies which almighty god in nature hath prouided against their venom , now for a conclusion , i will adde some other naturall vses of them , and shut vp all in moralities , and in sundry wayes to take them . there were certaine amazons , as pierius noteth , that in theyr warre-like preparations and armes , did vse the skinnes of serpents . and to the intent that this may not seeme strange , the troglodites did eate serpents and lyzards , for they liued in caues in stead of houses , & their voyce was not a significant voyce , but a kinde of scrietching , like gnashing . and for these causes , serpents are very much afraid of any one of this nation . likewise certaine of the candeans were called ophiophagi , that is , eaters of serpents , and one part of the people of arabia eate snakes . but in india , ethiopia , and an iland in the ocean , found out by iambolus , there are serpents which are harmelesse , and their flesh very sweet and pleasant to be eaten : so are there in macinum , a prouince of asia . in manzi in the vpper india , and caraia , they sell the flesh of serpents in open markets . these serpents are called iuanae , & the common people are forbidden to eate them , because they are very delicate , euen as pheasants , partridges and peacocks are in fraunce . yet is there but one way to dresse them , which is , to roule them in lard , and so to seeth them . for first they bowell them , then wash them and fold them vp together round , putting them into a pot no bigger then to receiue their quantitie ; vpon them they cast pepper with water , & so seeth them vpon wood & coales that will not smoake . with this lard there is made a broth sweeter then any nectar , which they vse in many bankets of great account . but for the taking of serpents , i will yet adde one or two more experiments , vvherein the ancients reuenged themselues vpon these irreconcileable enemies of mankind . they did vse to set into the earth a deepe pot , whereinto all venomous creatures would gather and hide themselues , then came they suddenly & stopped the mouth of that vessell , wherby they inclosed all that were taken , and so making a great fire , east the saide part of venomous serpents into the same , which consumed them all . otherwise , they tooke a liuing serpent , and digged in the earth a deepe well or pit so steepe , as nothing at the bottome could climbe vp to the top thereof , into this pit they would cast the serpent , and with her a brand of fire , by meanes whereof the enclosed serpent would fall a hyssing for her life , at the hearing whereof , her fellowes of the same kind , were therby easily inuited to come at her call to giue her releefe , ( as we haue shewed elswhere ) who finding the noise in the bottome of the pit , doe slide downe of their owne accord , wherby they likewise intrap themselues in the same pit of destruction . but the iuglers or quacksaluers take them by another course , for they haue a staffe slit at one end like a payre of tongs , those stand open by a pinne , now when they see a serpent , viper , adder or snake , they set them vppon the neck neere the head , and pulling foorth the pinne , the serpent is ineuitably taken , and by them loosed into a prepared vessell , in which they keepe her , and giue her meate . it is reported , that if a serpent bee strooken with a reede , she standeth still at the first blow , as if she were astonished , and so gathereth herselfe together , but if she be so strooken the second or third time , as one deliuered from her astonishment and feare , she recollecteth her wits and strength , and slydeth away . the like obseruation vnto this , is that of the auncients , that a serpent cannot be drawne out of her denne by the right hand , but by the left , for they say , if one lay hold on her taile by the right hand , she will either slide farther into the earth from him , or else suffer herselfe to be pulled in peeces , neuer turning againe : and therefore saith mine authour , non cedit trahenti , sed elabitur fugiens , aut certe abrumpitur , she yeeldeth not to him that draweth her , but slideth away , flying from him , or els suffereth herselfe to bee pulled in peeces in the combat . the sundry hieroglyphicks , statues , figures , images , and other morrall obseruations about serpents , are next heere to be expressed , which the auncients in their temples , shieldes , banners , theatres and publique places had erected for their honours and dignitie . and first of all , in the temple of delphos , neere the oracle , there was placed the serpent which prouoked apollo to fight with him , wherein it was by him slaine . and the hermopolitans , did reserue the image of typhon , in a sea-horse , wherevppon sat fighting a hawke and a serpent : by the sea-horse they signified the monster typhon , by the other beasts , as namely the hawke and the serpent , how by his principalitie and gouernment , which he had gotten by violence , he troubled both himselfe and others . hercules had in his shield certaine serpents heads , pictured with these verses . bis sena hic videas , stridentibus effer a flammis coll● , venenato vultu maculosa draconum . tum magis offenso spirantia gutture virus quam magis alcides offuso sanguine pugnat . which may be englished thus ; of dragons heads twise sixe heere maist thou see , raging amongst the flames with poysond spotted face : casting most venom forth when they enraged be , as when alcides saw his blood distill apace . and so virgill saith of auentinus . — clypeoque insigne parentum . centum angues , cinctamque gerit serpentibus , hydram . that is to say ; his shield an hundred snakes , his fathers crest an hydra in their compasse is entest . oscus which raigned among the tyrrhenians , gaue in his standard & coate of armes a serpent . now the people osci ( from whom it may be he was sprung and deriued ) liued in campania in italie , as we haue shewed alreadie . in auncient time we read , that when hostilitie began to be compounded , they had herolds and embassadors of peace , which they called caduceatores , which carried vpright a certaine rodde or staffe called caduceus , this rod was very straight , & at the either side , were artificially ioyned two serpents figures , winding and crooking into each other as the manner of serpents is . this rodde was so sacred , that it was a great offence to violate or offer any iniury vnto it : for by the straight rod , was signified perfect & vpright reason or vnderstanding ; by the two crooked serpents at eyther side thereof , was figured the two armies inuading and assailing the same vpright-vnderstanding , yet not preuailing : for this passed thorough and betwixt them without harme , by truce and entreaties of peace . this rod was therfore consecrated to mercury , the tailes of the serpents reaching downe to the handle or halfe of the rod , where they were adorned with vvings . alciatus made these emblematicall verses vpon the caduceus . anguibus implicitis , geminus caduceus abis , inter amaltheae cornua rectus adest . pollentes sic mente viros , fandique peritos iudicat , vt rarum copiae multa beet . in english thus ; twixt ceres hornes the rod of peace doth stand vpright , with winding snakes , and double-winged tayles , to shew that minds and tongues with learnings brand , are blest with plenty in all worldly vayles . but hauing thus entred into the hieroglyphicall emblems , if i should say so much as i find made ready , and squared for the architecture of this discourse , i might loose my selfe in a volumnious world of matter , therefore i will but giue the reader a tast hereof . by the serpent in holy-writ , are many obseruatiue significations ; and first , that the deuill himselfe , which is malus deus mali mundi , an euill god of an euill world , should be termed and expressed by a serpent . the cause saith pierius , is linguae motatio , the continuall and neuer ceasing motion of a serpents tongue : and so the continuall and euer-working perswasions of diabolicall tentations , and a true mixture and limbe of this old serpent , speaketh otherwise with his tongue , then he thinketh with his hart . therefore it is also said , that a naturall serpent hath a clouen or twisted tongue . clemens saith truly , that serpents doe also signifie men giuen ouer to sinnes , and fraudulent impostors or malices , onos hybristes , ho akotastos , bukos agrios ho pleonecticos , kai ophis ho apatroon , that is , an insolent & an intemperate asse . there is a raging wolfe which is couetous , and there is a serpent which is an impostour and fraudulent . the same learned man saith , that riches are like to a serpent : for as when an ignorant man thinketh to take a serpent without harme by the tayle , shee turneth backe againe and biteth him , but if he take her by the necke , she cannot execute any part of her malice : euen so when a wise man hath the managing of riches , by vertue of his discretion hee so charmeth them , that there is not in them any harme at all : but the foolish man is mortally stung by his imprudent possession and dispensation of them . of the adder . it falleth out in the particular discourse of serpents , that i expresse the most knowne serpent to vs in england in the first place , according to alphabeticall order , that is , the adder . for although i am not ignorant , that there be which write it nad●re , of natrix , which signifieth a water-snake , yet i cannot consent vnto them so readily , as to depart from the more vulgar receaued word of a whole nation , because of some likelyhood in the deriuation from the latine : for whereas naders may seeme not improperly to be deriued of natrix , and natrix of natando , that is , swimming in the water , the first coniecturall deriuation is destroyed by the latter , because this serpent whereof wee now entreat , haunteth not the waters , except for drinke in her time of thirst , and therefore i mislike the writing of nadere for adder : & rather take that word to signifie a land snake . and yet if there be any good argument of deriuation of english from latine , i would not haue the reader thinke , but that the adder may as well be deriued à terra , from the earth which it vseth , or of ater , blacke , which is the colour that it beareth , or from atrox fierce , ( for there is no serpent of that quantitie , more fierce , angry , or hurtfull , ) as well as nadere from natrix . the latines doe expresse this kind of serpent by the word coluber , whereof some giue sundry reasons , either because colit vmbras , it haunteth and liueth in hedges & shadowye places , or els à lubricis tractibus , of his winding pace or path . gelenius deriueth it of the greeke word r●lobouros , which signifieth wanting a tayle , because the snakes which are about houses , are sometimes found without tayles , which haue been strooke off my men ; but this opinion hath no reason for the adder , which is not domesticall . indeede i confesse that pliny vseth coluber for a generall word for serpents , when he saith , coluber in aqua viuens , which deceiued theophr●stus & gaza , applying it to the water serpent . and so erasmus and others , translate ophis coluber , that is , the generall greeke word for a serpent , an adder . there is also colubra , as in lucilius , varro , & nonius marcellinus appeareth ; wherevnto agree horace , virgill , and cornelius celsus . the italians call this serpent lo scorzone , scorsoni colubra , la scorzonara la scorsona . the french , colenure . the spanyards , culebra , and at this day , the grecians nerophis . and thus much for the name , except i may adde these verses of virgill in his georgicks . aut tecta assuetus coluber , succedere & vmbrae pestis acerba boum , pec●rique aspergere virus fouit humum . cape saxa manu , cape robora pastor . tollentemque minas , & sibila colla tumentem . deijce , iamque fuga tumidum caput abdidit altè ; cum medij nexus , extremaque agminae caudae solvuntur , turdosque trahit sinus vltimas orbes . in english thus ; or when the adder vsing house or shade bred in the earth , the bane of sheepe and neate , then shepheard take both stone in hand and blade , to quash his swelling necke and hissing threat . or when his fearefull heàd he puts full deepe in earth to flye thy wrath , him sunder in the midst , or cut his tayle , if no part els appeareth , for that will stay his pace , while on 't thou treadest . this is vsuall , to call a water-adder , a house-adder , a land-snake , and such other , but catachrestically confounding one kind with another . and thus much for the name of this serpent . the parts differ not from the generall description before recited , it is long like an eeele , and hath many epithets , as virides colubri , greene adders , long , rough , venomous , diuers coloured , swelling , slyding , winding , blew , terrible , secret , hurtfull , medusaean , cyniphian , gorgonean , lybissine , biting , spotted , wreathing , black , bending , heauy , scalie , and diuers such other , as the gramarians haue obserued . but concerning the colour hereof , it is most commonly blacke on the backe , sometimes greenish and yellowish . the scales of it are more sharpe then of the snake , & therefore the egyptians were wont to say of the thebane adders , that they had a certaine appearance of hornes vppon them , as we shall shew more at large in the story of cerastes , or the horned serpent . victorius , speaking of the great wormes which are bred in mens bellies , doth call them caecas colubras , blind adders ; but otherwise , the adder which is proper to the earth , is not blind , but seeth as sharply as any other serpent either by day or by night . they are hoter then the snakes , and therefore liue more in the shadowes , and lye for the most part round , folded vp together like a rope , as the poet noteth , saying ; hirtus & vt coluber , nodoso gramine tectus ventre cubat flexo , semper collect us in orbem . in english thus ; as the rough adder in knotty grasse is couered , lyeth on her belly , and round in circle gathered . they are a craftie & subtill venomous beast , biting suddenly them that passe by them , wherevpon iacob said that his sonne dan should be coluber in via , an adder byting the horse heeles . when she hath bitten , with her forked or twisted tongue shee infuseth her poyson , vvhereof , and the remedy seming there-vnto , there is this history in ambrosius paraeus . at what time ( saith he ) charles the ninth lay at melines , i and doctor le feure the kings phisitian , were sent for to cure a certaine cooke of the lady castropersees , who was bitten by an adder , as he was gathering wilde hops in a hedge . the cooke as soone as he was bitten in the hand , sucked the wound with his mouth , thinking therby to mittigate the paine , and draw out againe the poyson ; but as soone as his tongue touched the wound , presently it so swelled that he could not speake : and besides , is arme or shoulder swelled into a high bunch or tumour , which did put him vnto painfull torments , insomuch that he swounded twice in our presence ; his face and colour changed as though he would presently die . whereat we all despayred to cure him , yet did not forsake him , nor left to try some meanes to ease his torments . then wee washed his tongue with triacle , mixed with an equall proportion of white vvine and aqua vitae ; then also i caused the arme to be scarified all ouer , and launced the place where the adder had bitten him , out of which flowed abundance of corrupt mattery blood . then we washed the vvound with triacle and mithridate , in aqua vitae ; so we caused him to be layd into a warme bedde , there to svveat , and commaunded to keepe him awake , which was done accordingly ; and so the next day the swelling was abated , & the malignant symptomes were all euacuated : so we gaue order to keepe the vvound or launced place open , & afterward the cooke began to be well againe . this one example in stead of many , i thought good to insert into this place , that hereby the generall cure may be learned and followed . it agreeth with all other serpents in the changing or putting off the skin ; for after that by fasting it hath made his flesh low and abated , then by slyding thorough a narrow passage , whereof virgill thus writeth . qualis vbi in , lucem coluber , mala gramina pastus , lubrica conuoluit sublato pectore targa frigida sub terra , tumidum quem bruma tegebat : arduus ad solem & linguis micat ore trisulcis nunc positis nouus exuuijs , intidusque iuventa . which may be englished thus ; euen as the adder in the spring ill fedde and leane moueth her winding limbes , holding vp her brest , whom winters cold whiles hyd in earth made swell , in sunne-shine with her treble tongue exprest doth licke and make to shine her skinne , neate youth renueth , and casts old coate , for heate ensueth . s. ierom saith , that when the adder is thirstie and goeth to drinke , she first of all at the water side casteth vp her venome , least that by drinking it descend into her bowels and so destroy herselfe , but after that she hath drunke , she licketh it vp againe ; euen as a souldiour re-armed after he was disarmed . the voyce of this serpent is hissing , although it be verie seldome heard . and it is said , that when craesus vndertooke to wage vvarre with cyrus , the suburbes of sardis vvere all filled with adders , which vvere deuoured aftervvard by horses in the pastures . whereat the king and people vvere not a little moued : but the priestes , after consultation with the oracle , tolde them that it signified , howe strangers should deuoite the people of that cittie ; because that adders were bred in those coastes , therefore they tooke them to signifie naturall inhabitants , and because horses came from other countries , therefore strangers , ( as cyrus and his souldiours ) should be thereby signified . and this is to be noted , that the enemies of this serpent , are the same that are common to other , and the hart aboue all other beasts of the earth . yet this serpent ( saith s. ambrose ) will kill a lyon , & runne away from a hart. ¶ the medicines arising out of this beast , are briefely these ; the water wherein an adder is preserued aliue , is a remedy against the poyson of a toade : also adders or vipers included in a pot with the scrapings of vines , and therein burnt to ashes , do help the vvennes or kings-euill . and pliny also affirmeth , that if a man which hunteth crocodils , beate about him any part of the fatte of an adder , or the gall mixed vvith the herbe potamigiton , he cannot be hurt by that beast . serpents and adders , especially deafe adders , signifie vntepentant wicked men , and also discord , as the poet describeth it , vvhen alecto sent a serpent , snake or adder , to moue cōtention in the familie of amata . libro . aenead . and thus much for the adder . of the ammodyte . this serpent i call after the greeke name , ammodytes , an ammodyte . it is also found to be called ammodyta , and cenchrias , or rather centrias , or centrites , because of the hardnes of their tayles , vvhich are also clouen on the vpper side . the italians call it aspido del corno , because it hath vpon the vpper chap a hard warte like a horne . the head of this serpent is longer & greater then a vipers head , and her chappes vvider , besides the late expressed difference vpon the vpper lippe : and yet it may well be termed a kind of viper . it is immanis fera , a fierce wilde beast , in length not aboue a cubite , hauing diuers blacke spots vpon the skinne , and certaine appearances of strakes or small lines vpon the backe . the colour of the other parts is euer like the sand wherin it keepeth & maketh abode , according to these verses of lucan . concolor exustis , atque indiscretus arenis ammodytes . in english thus ; the ammodyte , indiscreete on the land , doth hold the colour of the burning sand . the countries most of all annoyed with these serpents , are lybia , italy , and illiria , especially about gortinium , and the mountaines of lampidia . their harmes are not inferiour to the stinging and poyson of aspes , for matthiolus writeth , that hee hath knovvne some to die thereof vvithin three houres after the wound receiued . and if they doe not dye within short time , then doth the blood issue forth in abundant maner out of the hurt , and the wound swelleth . afterward , all is turned into matter , and then followeth dulnes in the head , and distraction in the mind ; they liue long which endure it three dayes , and it was neuer knowne that any liued aboue seauen dayes : this also beeing obserued , that those that be hurt by a femall doe dye soonest . for together with their byting , they infuse a vehement payne , which causeth swelling , and the sore to runne . i find the cure hereof in aetius to be thus , first of all triacle must be giuen to the sicke person to drinke , and also layd vpon the wound , also drawing or attractiue playsters , and such poultesses which are fit for running vlcers . but first before the playsters , scarifie all the places about the hurt , and bind the vpper parts hard , then launce the sore a little with a pen-knife , and let him drinke sweete water with rungwort , gourdes , castoreum , and cassia . auicen prescribeth in the cure of these serpents venorn : castoreum , cinnamon , the roote of centory , of each two ounces with wine , and the roote of long hartwort , of assoasier , the iuyce of the roote gentian . and for emplaister , hony sod and dryed , and so pounded , the rootes of pomgranats , and centory , the seede of flaxe , and lettuce , and wilde rew : and so i conclude with doctor gesner , percussus ab ammodyte festinet ad remedium sine quo nemo affugere , he which is hurt by an ammodyte , let him make hast for a remedy , without which neuer man escaped death . of the arges and argolae . there is mention in galen and hippocrates , of a serpent called arges : now arges signifieth in greeke white , swift , idle , ill mannered : of this serpent hippocrates telleth this story . there was ( saith he ) a young man drunke which lay asleepe vpon his backe in a certain house , gaping : into this mans mouth entered a serpent called arges , the young man perceiuing it in his mouth , striued to speake and cry but could not , and so suddenly gnashing his teeth , deuoured and swallowed downe the serpent : after which he was put to intollerable paines , his hands stretching & quiuering like as a mans that is hanged or strangled , and in this sort he cast himselfe vp and downe and dyed . it seemeth therefore that this serpent hath his name from the sudden destruction , he bringeth to the creatures it smiteth , and therefore in auncient time we read that mercury was called argiphon , for killing of serpents . the argolae are onely mentioned by suidas , for he saith , that alexander brought them to alexandria from arges , & cast them into the riuer to expell and deuour the aspes : where they continued a long time , till the bones of the prophet ieremy were brought out of egypt vnto alexandria which slew them , ( as the same author writeth : ) and thus much of these two kindes of serpents . of aspes . in hebrewe as appeareth deut. . the aspe is called pethen , in psal . . akschub , in isa . . and ier. . zipheoni , an aspe or a cockatrice , worse then a serpent . the arabians hasyos , and hascos : the greekes aspis , the italians aspe , and aspide , the spaniardes biuora , the french vnaspic , the germans ein sclang genannt , and the latines aspis . about the notation or deriuation of this word , there is some difference among writers . aristophanes deriueth it from alpha , an intensiue particle , and spizo which signifieth to extend ; either by reason of his sharpe-shrill hissing , or for the length of his body . others deriue aspis from hios , which signifieth venome or poyson , & therefore saith the scripture : the poyson of aspes , because that is a predominant poison . the latines call it aspis , quod venenum aspergit morsu , bycause it sprinkleth abroad his poyson when it biteth . besides we read of aspis a buckler , an island in the lycian sea , a mountaine in affrike , and there is fashion of camping souldiours in the fielde called aspides . the epithets declaring the nature of this pestiferous serpent are , iocheeira , reioycing in poison , elikoessa , winding , lichmores , putting out the tongue , smerdalee fearefull , phoinessa , cruelly killing . likewise in latine , dry , sleeping , drouzy , deadly , swelling , and aspis , pharia , a pharian aspe , so called of the island pharus , where they abound . it is said that the kings of egypt did weare the pictures of aspes in their crownes : whereby they signified the inuincible power of principality in this creature , whose wounds cannot easily be cured : and the priestes of egypt and aethiopia , did likewise weare very long caps , hauing toward their toppe a thing like a nauell , about which are the formes of winding aspes , to signifie to the people , that those which resist god and kings , shall perish by vnresistable violence . likewise by an aspe stopping his eare , was figured & vnderstood a rebell obeying no lawes or degrees of the higher power : but let vs leaue this discourse of moralities , and come nearer to the naturall description of aspes . there are many kings of aspes after the egyptian diuision , for one kind is called aspis siua , a dry aspe . this is the longest of all other kindes , and it hath eyes flaming like fire , or burning coales ; another kind is called asilus , which doth not onely kill by biting , but also with spetting , which it sendeth forth while it setteth his teeth hard together , and lifteth vp the head . another kind is called irundo , because of the similitude it keepeth with swallowes , for on the back it is blacke , and on the belly white , like as is a swallow . we read also in albertus of aspis hypnalis , and hippupex , but it may bee that both these names signifie but one kinde . this hypnale killeth by sleeping , for after that the wound is giuen , the patient falleth into a deepe and sweete sleepe , wherein it dyeth : and therefore leonicenus saith ; illam fuisse , ex cuius veneno sibi cleopatram suauem mortem consciuit , that it was the same which cleopatra bought to bring vpon her selfe a sweete and easie death . there is also an aspe called athaes , which is of diuers colours : but i doe consider that all the kindes may well be reduced to three , that is , ptyas , charsaea , and chelidonia . ptyas hurteth by poysoning mens eyes , by spetting forth venom , chaersaea liueth on the land , and chelidonia in the waters . the aspe is a small serpent , like to a land snake , but yet of a broader backe , and except in this differeth not much from the snake , their neckes swell aboue measure , and if they hurt in that passion , there can bee no remedy , for the stroake of their eyes are exceeding red and flaming , and there are two pieces of flesh like a hard skin which grow out of their foreheads , according to these verses of nicander ; praeterea geminae , calli instar fronte carunclae haerent , sanguineis scintillant lumina flammis . that is to say ; as hard as brawne two bunches in their face doe grow , and flaming-bloudy-eyes their grace . and the dry aspe so called , because it liueth in mid-landes , farre from any water , hath a vehement strong sight , and these eyes both in one and other are placed in the temples of their head . their teeth are exceeding long , and grow out of their mouth like a boares , and thorough two of the longest are little hollowes , out of which hee expresseth his poyson : they are also couered with thinne and tender skinnes , which slyde vp when the serpent byteth , and so suffer the poyson to come out of the holes , afterward they returne to their place againe . of all which thus writeth nicander ; quatuor huic intra marillae concaua dentes , radices fixere suas , quas iuncta quibusdam , pelliculis tunica obducit , triste vnde venenum effundit , si forte su● se approximet hosti . in english thus ; within the hollow of their cheekes fiery teeth are seene fast rooted , which a coate of skinne doth ioyne and ouer-hide , from whence sad venom issueth forth when she is keene , if that her foe she chance to touch as she doth glide . the scales of the aspe are hard and dry , and red , aboue all other venemous beastes , and by reason of her exceeding drought , shee is also accounted deafe . about their quantity here is some difference among writers : for aelianus saith , that they haue beene found of . cubits length , and their other parts answerable : againe , the egyptians affirme them to be foure cubits long : but both these may stand together , for if aelianus say true , then the egyptians are not deceiued , because the greater number containeth the lesser . the aspe ptyas is about two cubits long : the chersaen aspes of the earth , grow to the length of fiue cubits , but the chelidonian not aboue one , and this is noted , that the shorter aspe killeth soonest , and the long more slowly : one beeing a pace , and another a fathom in length . nicander writeth thus ; tam proceram extensa querunt quam brachia duci , tantaque crassities est , quantum missile telum , quod faciens hastas docta faber expolit arte . which may be thus englished ; as wide as armes in force out-stretched , so is the aspe in length , and broad euen as a casting dart , made by a wise smythes strength . the colour of aspes is also various and diuerse , for the irundo aspe , that is , the chelidonian resembleth the swallow : the ptyas or spetting aspe resembleth an ash colour , flaming like gold , and somewhat greenish : the chersaen aspe of an ash colour or green , but this later is more rare , and pierius saith , that he saw a yellow aspe neere bellun : of these colours writeth nicander : squalidus interdum color albet , saepe virenti , cum maculis saepe est cineres imitante figura , nonnunquam ardenti veluti succenditur igne , idque nigra aethiopum sub terra quale refusus nilus saepe lutum , vicinum in nerea voluit . thus otherwise ; their colour whitish pale , and sometime liuely greene , and spots which doe the ash resemble , some fiery red : in aethiop blacke aspes are seene and some againe like to nerean mud , cast vp by flowing of the nilus floud . the countries which breed aspes , are not onely the regions of affricke , and the confines of nylus , but also in the northerne parts of the world ( as writeth olaus magnus ) are many aspes found : like as there are many other serpents found , although their venom or poyson be much more weak , then in affrica , yet he saith that their poyson will kill a man within three or foure houres without remedy . in spayne also there are aspes , but none in france , although the common people do stile a certaine creeping thing by that name . lucan thinketh that the originall of all came from affrica , and therefore concludeth , that merchants for gaine haue transported them into europe saying ; ipsa caloris egens , gelidum non transit in orbem ; sponte sua , niloque tenus metitur arenas . sed quis erit nobis lucri pudor ? indepetuntur , huc lybicamortes , & fecimus aspida merces . in english thus ; the aspe into cold regions not willingly doth goe , but neere the banks of nilus warme , doth play vpon the sandes , oh what a shame , of wicked gaine , must we then vndergoe ? which libian deathes , and aspish wares haue brought into our lands . their abode is for the most part in dryest soyles , except the chelidonian , or water aspe , which liue in the bankes of nylus all the yeare long , as in a house & safe castle , but when they perceiue that the water will ouer flow , they forsake the bankes sides , & for safegard of their liues , betake them to the mountaines . sometimes also they will ascend and climbe trees : as appeareth by an epigram of anthologius . it is a horrible , fearefull , and terrible serpent , going slovvly , hauing a vveake sight , alvvayes sleepy and drowzy , but a shrill and quicke sence of hearing , whereby shee is vvarned and aduertised of all noyse , which when she heareth , presently she gathereth her selfe round into a circle , and in the middest lifteth vp her terrible head : wherein a man may note the gratious prouidence of almighty god , which hath giuen as many remedies against euill , as there are euils in the world . for the dulnesse of this serpents sight , and slownes of her pace , doth keepe her from many mischiefes . these properties are thus expressed by nicander . formidabile cui corpus , tardumque volumen , quandoquidem transuer sa via est prolixaque ventris spira , veternosique niuere videntur ocelli . at simul ac facili forte abseruarit aure vel minimum strepitum , segnes è corpore somnos exoutit , & teretem sinuat mox aspera tractum , horrendumque caput , porrectaque pectora tollit . in english thus ; this feared aspe hath slow and winding pace , when as her way , on belly she doth trauerse , her eyes shrunke in her head winking , appeare in face , till that some noyse her watchfull eare doth rauish , then sleepe shak't off , round is her body gathered , with dreadfull head , on mounted necke vp lifted . the voyce of the aspe is hissing , like all other serpents , and seldome is it heard to vtter any voyce or sound at all , except when she is endangered , or ready to set vpon her enemy . whereupon saith nicander ; — graue sibilat ipsa bestia , dum certam vomit ira concita mortem . in english thus ; this beast doth hisse , with great and lowdest breath , vvhen in her moode she threateneth certaine death . that place of dauid psalme . . which is vulgarly read , a death adder , is more truely translated a deafe aspe , which when she is enchanted , to auoyde the voyce of the charmer , she stoppeth one of her eares with her taile , and the other she holdeth hard to the earth : and of this incantation thus writeth vincentius belluacensis . virtute quorundā verborum incantatum aspis , ne veneno interinat , vel vt quidam dicunt vt quieta capi possit , & gemma de fronte eius auferri , quae naturaliter in eo nascitur , that is to say , the aspe is enchanted by vertue of certaine vvords , so as she cannot kill with her poyson , or as some say , be taken quietly without resistance , and so the gemme or pretious stone be taken out of her forehead , which naturally groweth therein . and from the wordes of the psalme a , foresaid , not onely the certaintie and effectuall vse of charming is gathered by pierius , but also by many iustified in the case of serpents . whereof i haue already giuen mine opinion in the former generall treatise , vnto the which i will onely adde thus much in conclusion , which i haue found in a certaine vnnamed authour : daemones discurrunt cum verbis ad serpentes , & infectione interiori hoc faciunt , vt serpentes ad nutum eorum moueantur , ac sine laesione tractabiles exhibeantur : which is thus much in effect ; deuils runne vp & downe with words of enchauntment to serpents , and by an inward or secrete infection , they bring to passe that the serpents dispose thēselues after their pleasure , and so are handled without all harme . and indeed , that it may appeare to be manifest that this incantation of serpents is from the deuill , and not from god , this onely may suffice any reasonable man : because the psalmist plainely expresseth , that the serpent shifteth it off , & auoideth peritissimos mussitantium incantationes , the most skilfull charmers . now if it came from the vnresistable power of almighty god , it should passe the resistance of them or deuills ; but beeing a fallacie of the deuill , the serpent ( wiser in this poynt then men that beleeue it ) easily turneth tayle against it : and in this thing we may learne to be wise as serpents , against the inchaunting temptations of the deuill or men , which would beguile vs with shadowes of words and promises , of no valuable pleasures . if we may belieue pliny , elianus , and philarchus , the egyptians liued familiarly vvith aspes , and with continued kindnes wanne them to be tame . for indeede among other parts of their sauage beastlines , they worshipped aspes euen as houshold gods , by meanes whereof the subtill serpent grewe to a sensible conceit of his owne honour and freedome , and therefore would walke vp and downe and play with their children , doing no harme , except they were wronged , and would come and licke meate from the table , when they were called by a certaine significant noyse , made by knacking of the fingers . for the guests after theyr dinner , would mixe together hony , wine , and meale , and then giue the signe , at the hearing whereof they would all of them come foorth of their holes ; and creeping vp , or lifting their heads to the table , leauing their lower parts on the ground , there licked they the said prepared meate , in great temperance by little & little without any rauening , and then afterward departed when they were filled . and so great is the reuerence they beare to aspes , that if any in the house haue neede to rise in the night time out of theyr beds , they first of all giue out the signe or token , least they should harme the aspe , and so prouoke it against them : at the hearing whereof , all the aspes get them to their holes and lodgings , till the person stirring be layd againe in his bed . the holy kind of aspes , they call thermusis , and this is vsed and fedde in all their temples of isis with the fat of oxen or kine . once in the yeere they crowne with them the image of isis , and they say that this kind is not an enemy to men , except to such as are very euill , wherevpon it is death to kill one of them willingly . it is reported of a certaine gardiner making a ditch or trench in his vineyarde , by chaunce and ignorantly , he set his spade vpon one of these thermusis aspes , and so cut it asunder , and when he turnd vp the earth , he found the hinder-part dead , and the fore-part bleeding and stirring : at which sight his superstitious hart ouercome with a vaine feare , became so passionately distressed , that he fell into a vehement and lamentable frenzie . so as all the day time he was not his owne man , and in the night , in his madde fits leapt out of his bed , crying out with pittifull & eager complaint , that the aspe did bite him , the aspe did wound him , and that hee saw the picture of the said aspe ( by him formerly slaine ) following him , and tearing his flesh , & therefore most instantly craued helpe against it , saying still he perrished by it , he was mortally wounded . and when he had now ( saith elianus ) continued a while in this superstitious fury and disease of the mind , his kindred & acquaintance brought him into the house of serapis , making request vnto that fained god to remoue out of his sight that spectre and apparision ; and so he was released , cured , and restored to his right mind . this kind of aspe they also say is immortall and neuer dyeth , and besides , it is a reuenger of sacriledge , as may appeare by such another history in the same place . there was a certaine indian peacock sent to the king of egypt , which for the goodly proportion and feature thereof , the king out of his deuotion consecrated to iupiter , and was kept in the temple . now there was ( saith hee ) a certaine young man which set more by his belly , then by his god , which fell into a great longing for to eate of the said peacocke : and therefore to attaine his appetite , he bribed one of the officers of the temple with a good summe of money to steale the sayd peacocke , and bring it to him aliue or dead . the couetous wretch enraged with the desire of the money , sought his opportunity to steale away the peacock , and one day came to the place where he thought & knew it was kept , but when he came , he saw nothing but an aspe in the place thereof , and so in great feare leaped back to saue his life , and afterward disclosed the whole matter . thus far aelianus . the domesticall aspes vnderstand right and wrong , and therefore philanthus telleth a story of such an aspe which was a female , and had young ones : in her absence one of her young ones killed a childe in the house : when the old one came againe according to her custome to seeke her meate , the killed child was layed forth , and so she vnderstood the harme : then went she and killed that young one , and neuer more appeared in that house . it is also reported , that there was an aspe that fell in loue with a little boy that kept geese in the prouince of egypt , called herculia , whose loue to the saide boy was so feruent , that the male of the saide aspe grew iealous thereof . whereuppon one day as he lay asleep , set vpon him to kill him , but the other seeing the danger of her loue , awaked and deliuered him . there is much and often mention made of aspes in holy scripture , beside the forenamed place , psal . . as in esay . . the iewes are compared to aspes , and their labours to spiders webs . and esa . . the sucking childe shall play vpon the hole of the aspe . where-vpon a learned man thus writeth : quicunque ex hominibus occulto veneno ad nocendum referti sunt , sub regno christi mutato ingenio fore vel pueris innoxios : that is , whosoeuer by secret poyson of nature are apt to do harme to other in the kingdome of christ : their nature shall be so changed , that they shall not harm sucklings , not able to discouer thē . great is the subtilty and fore-knowledge of aspes , as may appeare by that , in psal . . agaynst the charmers voyce . also it is strange , that all the aspes of nilus doe thirty dayes before the floud remoue themselues and their young ones into the mountaines , and this is done yearely , once at the least , if not more often . they sort themselues by couples , and do liue as it were in marriage , male and female , so that their sence , affection , and compassion , is one and the same : for if it happen that one of them be killed , they follow the person eagerly , and will finde him out , euen in the middest of many of his fellovves : that is , if the killer be a beast , they will know him among beastes of the same kind : and if he be a man , they will also finde him out among men : and if he be let alone , he will not among thousandes harme any but hee : breaking thorough all difficulties ( except water , ) and is hindered by nothing else , except by svvift flying away . wee haue shewed already , how the psyllians in asia , cast their children newly borne to serpents , because if they be of the right seede and kindred to their father , no serpent will hurt them , but if they be bastards of another race , the serpentes deuour them : these serpents are to be vnderstood to be aspes . aspes also we haue shewed were destroyed by the argolae , which alexander brought from argos to alexandria , and therefore those are to be reckoned their enemies . shadowes doe also scare away and terrifie aspes , as seneca writeth . but there is not more mortall hatred or deadly warre betwixt any , then betwixt the ichneumon and the aspe . when the ichneumon hath espied an aspe , she first goeth and calleth her fellowes to helpe her , then they all before they enter fight do vvallow their bodies in slime , or wet themselues , and then wallow in the sand , so harnessing , and as it were arming their skinnes against the teeth of their enemy : and so when they finde themselues strong enough , they set vpon her , bristling vp their tayles first of all , and turning them to the serpent till the aspe bite at them , and then sodenly eare the aspe can recouer , with singuler celerity they fly to her chaps and teare her in pieces , but the victory of this combat resteth in anticipation , for if the aspe first bite the ichneumon , then is he ouercome , but if the ichneumon first lay hold on the aspe , then is the aspe ouercome . this hatred and contention is thus described by nicander ; solus eam potis est ichneumon vincere pestem , cum graue cautus ei bellum parat , editaque oua , quae fouet in multorum hominum insuperabile lethū , omnia fracta terit , mordaceque dente lacessit . that is to say ; ichneumon onely is of strength , that pest to ouerquell , gainst whom in warie wise his warre he doth prepare , her egges , a deadly death to many men , in sand he doth out smell , to breake them all within his teeth , this nimble beast doth dare . pliny , cardan , and constantine affirme , that the hearbe arum , and the roote of winterberry , do so astonish aspes , that their presence layeth them in a deadly sleepe : and thus much of their concord with other creatures . galen writeth , that the marsians doe eate aspes without all harme , although as mercuriall sayth , their whole flesh and body is so venomous , and so repleate with poyson , that it neuer entreth into medicine , or is applyed to sicke or sound vpon any physicall qualification : the reason of this is giuen by himselfe and fracastorius , to be either , because aspes vnder their climate or region are not venomous at all , as in other countries , neither vipers nor serpents are venomous : or else because those people haue a kind of simpathy in nature with them , by reason whereof , they can receiue no poyson from them . the poyson of aspes saith moses , deut. . is crudele venenum , a cruell poyson , and iob. . cap. expressing the wicked mans delight in euill , sayth : that he shall sucke the poison of aspes . for which cause as we haue shewed already , the harme of this is not easily cured . vve read that canopus , the maister of menelaus ship , to bee bitten to death by an aspe at canopus in egypt . so also was demetrius phalareus , a scholler of theophrastus , & keeper of the famous library of ptolomaeus soter . cleopatra likewise to auoyde the tryumph that augustus would haue made of her , suffered her selfe willingly to bee bitten to death by an aspe . vvhereupon properitius writeth thus : brachia spect aui sacris admorsa colubris , et trachere occultum , membra soporis iter . in english thus ; thus i haue seene those wounded armes , vvith sacred snakes bitten deepe , and members draw their poysoned harmes , treading the way of deaths sound sleepe . we read also of certaine mountebankes , and cunning iuglers in italy , called circulatores , to perish by their owne deuises , thorough the eating of serpents , and aspes which they carried about in boxes as tame , vsing them for ostentation to get money , or to sell away their antidotes . when pompeius rufus was the great maister of the temple-works at rome , there was a certaine circulator or quacksaluer , to shew his great cunning in the presence of many other of his owne trade , which set to his arme an aspe , presently he sucked out the poyson out of the wound with his mouth : but when he came to looke for his preseruatiue water , or antidote , he could not finde it ; by meanes whereof the poyson fell dovvne into his body , his mouth and gummes rotted presently , by little and little , and so vvithin two dayes he was found dead . the like story vnto this is related by amb : paraeus of another , vvhich at florence vvould faine sell much of his medicine against poyson , and for that purpose suffered an aspe to bite his flesh or finger , but vvithin foure houres after he perished , notwithstanding all his antidoticall preseruatiues . now therefore it remaineth , that wee adde in the conclusion of this history , a particuler discourse of the bytings and venom of this serpent , and also of such remedies as are appointed for the same . therefore we are to consider , that they byte and doe not sting , the femalls byte with foure teeth , the males but with two , and when they haue opened the flesh by byting , then they infuse their poyson into the wound . onely the aspe ptyas , killeth by spetting venom thorough her teeth , and ( as auicen saith ) the sauour or smell therof will kill , but at the least the touching infecteth mortally . when an aspe hath bitten , it is a very difficult thing to espie the place bitten or wounded , euē with most excellent eyes , as was apparent vppon cleopatra aforesayd ; and the reason hereof is giuen to be this , because the poyson of aspes is very sharpe , and penetrateth suddenly and forcibly vnder the skinne , euen to the inmost parts , not staying outwardly , or making any great visible externall appearante . yet gallen writing to piso , affirmeth otherwise of the wound of cleopatra ; but because drowsinesse and sleepe followeth that poyson , i rather beleeue the former opinion : and therefore lucan calleth the aspe , somnifera , that is , a sleepe-bringing serpent . and pictorius also subscribeth herevnto . aspidis et morsu laesum dormire fatentur in mortem , antidotum nec valuisse ferunt . which may be englished thus , hee that by rage of aspes tooth is bitten , or is wounded , they say doth sleepe vntill his death curelesse , he is confounded . the pricks of the aspes teeth , are in apparance not much greater then the prickings of a needle , without all swelling , and very little blood issueth forth , and that is black in colour ; straight way the eyes grow darke & heauy , and a manifold paine ariseth all ouer the body , yet such as is mixed with some sence of pleasure , which caused nicander to cry out , perimitque virum absque dolore , it kills a man without paine . his colour is all changed , & ▪ appeareth greenish like grasse . his face or forehead is bent continually frowning , and his eyes or eye-liddes moouing vp and downe in drowsines without sence , according to these verses following , nec tamen vlla vides impressi vlnera morsus , nec dignus fatu tumor ictum corpus adurit sed qui laesus homo est , citra omnem fata dolorem claudit , & ignano moriens torpore fatiscit . which i translate thus ; wounds of impressed teeth , none canst thou see , nor tumour worth the naming , smitten body burning , but yet the hurt man painlesse taketh destiny , and sleeping dyeth , sluggishly him turning . the true signes then of an aspes biting , is stupour or astonishment , heauinesse of the head , and slothfulnes , wrinking the forehead , often gaping and gnawing and nodding , bending the necke , and convulsion : but those which are hurt by the ptyas , haue blindnes , paine at the hart , deafenesse , and swelling of the face . and the signes of such as are hurt by the chalidonian or chersaean aspe , & the terrestrian are all one , or of very little difference , except that i may adde the crampe , and the often beating of the pulse , & frigiditie of the members or parts , or paine in the stomack , but all of them in generall , deepe sleepe , and sometimes vomitting . but by this , that the blood of the place by thē bitten turneth black , it is apparant and manifest , that the poyson of the aspe mortifieth or killeth the naturall heate ; which is ouercome by the heate of the poyson outwardly , & the darknes or blindnesse of the eyes , proceedeth of certaine vapours which are infected , and ascend vp to the disturbance of the braine : and when the humours are troubled in the stomacke , then followeth vomiting , or else the crampe , and sometimes a loosnesse when the knuckles are drawen in by the venomous byting , or the infected humours falling downe into the intrals . to conclude , so great is the tabificall effect of this poyson of aspes ; that it is worthily accounted the greatest venom , and most dangerous of all other : for aelianus sayth , serpentum venenum cum pestiferum sit , tum multò aspidis pestilentius , the poyson of all serpents is pestiferous , but the venom of the aspe most of all . for if it touch a greene wound , it killeth speedily , but an old wound receiueth harme thereby more hardly . in alexandria , when they would put a man to a sudden death , they would set an aspe to his bosome or breast , and then after the wound or byting , bid the partie walke vp and downe , and so immediatly within two or three turnes hee would fall downe dead . yet it is reported by pliny , that the poyson of aspes drunke into the body doth no harme at all , & yet if a man eate of the flesh of any beast slaine by an aspe , he dyeth immediatly . but concerning the cure of such as haue beene , or may be hurt by aspes , i will nowe entreate , not spending any time to confute those , who haue wrote that it is incurable : on the contrary it shall be manifest , that both by chirurgery and medicines , compound and simple , this both hath beene & may happily be effected . first it is necessary when a man is stunge or bitten by a serpent , that the wounded part be cut off by the hand of some skilfull chirurgeon , or else the flesh round about the wound , with the wound it selfe to bee circumcised and cut with a sharpe rasor ; then let the hottest burning thinges be applyed , euen the searing yron to the very bone . for so the occasion beeing taken away from the poyson to spread any further , it must needes die without any further damage . then also the holes in the meane time before the eiection , must be drawne , eyther with cupping-glasse , or with a reede , or with the naked rumpe of a ringdoue or cocke ; i meane the very hole set vppon the bitten place . and because the place is very narrowe and small , it must be opened , and made wider , the blood be drawne forth by scarifications , and then must such medicinall herbes be applyed as are most opposite to poyson , as rew , and such like . and because the poyson of aspes doth congeale the blood in the veynes , therfore against the same must all hote thinges made thinne be applyed , as mithridatum & triacle dissolued in aqua vitae , & the same also dissolued into the wound ; then must the patient be vsed to bathings , fricasing or rubbing , and walking , with such like exercises . but when once the wound beginneth to be purple , greene , or blacke , it is a signe both of the extinguishment of the venome , & also of the suffocating of naturall heate , then is nothing more safe then to cut off the member , if the partie be able to beare it . after cupping-glasses , and scarifications , there is nothing that can be more profitably applyed then centory , myrre , and oppium , or sorrell after the manner of a plaister . but the body must be kept in dailie motion and agitation , the wounds themselues often searched and pressed , and sea-vvater vsed for fomentation . butter likewise , & the leaues of yew , are very good to be applyed to the bytings of aspes . and in the northerne regions , ( as witnesseth ' olaus magnus , ) they vse nothing but branne like a playster , and theyr cattell they annoynt with triacle & salt all ouer the bunch or swelling . and thus much for the chirurgicall cure of the biting of aspes . in the next place , wee may also relate the medicinall cure , especially of such thinges as are compound , and receiued inwardly . first , after the wound , it is good to make the party vomit , & then afterward make him drinke iuyce of yew and triacle , or in the default thereof , wine , as much of the iuyce as a groate waight , or rather more . but for the tryall of the parties recouery , giue him the powder of centory in wine to drinke , and if he keepe the medicine , he will liue , but if he vomit or cast it vp , he will die thereof . but for the better auoydance & purging out of the digested venome , distributed into euery part of his body , giue the party garlicke beaten with zythum , vntill he vomit , or els opponax in wine allayed with water : also origan dry and greene . after the vomit , the former antidoticall medicines may be vsed . and the northerne people vse no other triacle then venetian . whereas there are aboundance of all manner of serpents in the spantsh islands , yet neuer are any found there to vse triacle , neither doe they account of it as of a thing any whit vertuous , but in stead thereof they vse the bearded thapsia , gilliflowers , and red violets , and the herbe auance , boyled in wine vinegar , the sharpest that may be gotten , & a sound mans vrine , wherwithall they bathe the wounded part , although much time after the hurt receiued . but saith amb : paraeus , it is much better for the patient to drinke thereof fasting , & before meate two howres , three ounces at a time . and by the help of this notable experiment , the inhabitants of those ilands , are nothing afraid to offer theyr bodyes to be bitten by the most angry aspes . and thus much for compound medicines in generall . it is saide , that the first and chiefest easie remedy for such as are bitten by aspes , is to drinke so much of the sharpest vineger , as he can sensibly perceiue and feele the same vpon the right side of his midreffe , because that poyson first of all depriueth the liuer of sence . for pliny saith , that hee knew a man carrying a bottle of vineger to be bitten by an aspe , whiles by chaunce he trode therevpon , but as long as he bore the vineger and did not set it downe , he felt no paine thereby , but as often as to ease himselfe hee set the bottell out of his hand , he felt torment by the poyson , which being related to the phisitians , they knew thereby that vineger drunke into the stomacke was a soueraigne antidote against poyson . yet some say , that the first knowledge of this vertue in vineger , grew from the necessitie which a little boy bytten by an aspe had of drinking , and finding no other liquour but a bottle of vineger , dranke thereof a full draught , and so was eased of his paine . for the reason is , that it hath both a refrigeratiue , and also a dissipating vertue , as may appeare when it is poured on the earth , because it yeeldeth a froth , and therefore when it commeth into the stomacke , it disperseth all the infected humours . the northerne shepheards doe drinke garlicke and stale ale against the bytings of aspes . and some hold opinion that anniseede is an antidote for this sore . other vse hart-wort , apium seed , and wine . aron being burned , hath the vertue to driue away serpents , and therefore beeing drunke with oyle of bayes in blacke wine , it is accounted very soueraigne against the bytings of aspes . the fruite of balsame , with a little powder of gentian in vvine , or the iuyce of mynts , keepeth the stomacke from the crampe after a man is bytten by an aspe . other giue castoreum , with lignum cassiae , and some the skinne of a storkes stomacke or mawe . there be certaine little filthy and corrupt wormes bred in rotten wood or paper , called cimices , these are very profitable against poyson of aspes , or any other venomous byting beast , and therefore it is said that hennes & other pullen , do earnestly seeke after these wormes , and that the flesh of such fowle as haue eaten thereof , is also profitable for the same purpose . athaeneus also writeth , how certaine thieues were condemned to be cast to serpents to be destroyed , now the morning before they came forth , they had giuen them to eate cytrons ; when they were brought to the place of execution , there were aspes put forth vnto them , who byt them , and yet did not harme them . the next day , it beeing suspected , the prince commaunded to giue one of them a citron , and the other none , so when they were brought forth againe the aspes fell on them , and slew them that had not eaten cytron , but the other had no harme at all . the egyptian clematis or periwinke drunke in vineger , is very good against the poyson of aspes ; so likewise is corrall in wine , or the leaues of yew . henbane brused with the leaues thereof , and also bitter hoppes haue the same operation . the vrine of a torteyse drunke , is a medicine against all bytings of wild beasts , and the vrine of a man hurt by an aspe : as marcus varro affirmed in the eyghtieninth yeere of his age , according to the obseruation of serenus saying ; si vero horrendum vulnus ferafecerit aspis vrinam credunt propriam conducere potu : varronis fuit ista senis sententia , nec non plinius vt memorat sumpti iuvat imber aceti , which may be englished thus ; if that an aspe a mortall wound doe bite , it 's thought his vrine well doth cure againe , such was the saying of old varro hight , and pliny to , drinke vineger like drops of raine . but it is more safe to agree with pliny in the prescription of mans vrine , to restraine it to them that neuer had any beards . and more particularly against the aspe called ptyas , & matthiolus out of dioscorides saith , that the quintessence of aqua vitae , and the vsuall antidote both mixed together and drunke , is most powerful against the venoms of the deafe aspe . and thus much for the antipathy & cure of aspes byting venomous nature , whervnto i will adde for a conclusion , that prouerbicall speech , of one aspe borrowing poyson of another , out of tertullian against the hereticke marcion , who gathereth many of his absurd impieties from the vnbeleeuing iewes . desinat nunc haereticus á iudaeo , aspis quod aiunt á vipera mutuari venenum , that is , let the haereticke now cease to borrow his venom of a iew , as the aspes doe borrow their poyson from vipers . and true it is , that this prouerbe hath especiall vse , when one bad man is holpe or counselled by another ; and therefore when diogenes saw a company of women talking together , hee said merrily vnto thē , aspis par ' echidnes pharmacon daneizetai , that is , the aspe borroweth venom of the viper . thus much of the aspe . ❧ of the description and differences of bees . amongst all the sorts of venomous insects , ( or cut-wasted creatures ) the soueraigntie and preheminence is due to the bees , who onely of all others of this kinde , are made for the nourishment of mankind , all other ( cut-wasted ) seruing onely for medicinall vse , the delight of the eyes , delectation of the eares , & the ornament , trimming , and setting forth of the body , which they performe at the full . they are called of the hebrewes , deborah . the arabians terme them , albara , nahalea , and zabar . the illirians and sclauonians , wezilla . the italians , ape , api , vna sticha , moscatella , ape or sc●ppa , pecchi . the spanyards , abcia . frenchmen , mousches au miel . the germaines , eenymbe , apen . the flemmings , bie . the polonians , pztzota . the irishmen , camilij . in wales a bee is called gweniv . amongst the graecians they haue purchased sundry names , according to the diuersitie of nations , countries and places , but the most vulgar name is melissa , & in hesiodus , melie . othersome call a bee plastis , á fingendo , of framing . some againe , anthedon : and of their colour , zanthai . of their offices and charge , egemones , ab imperando , from gouerning . sirenes , à suam cantu , from their sweet voyce . the latines call them by one generall name , apis and apes . varro sometimes termes them aues , but very improperly , for they might better be named volucres , not aues . so much for their names , now to the definition . a bee is a cut-wasted liuing creature , that can flye , hauing foure winges , and bloudles , the onely crafts-master of hony-making . their eies are somewhat of a horny substance , hid deep in their bodies , as is also their sting : they want neither toong nor teeth , they haue . wings , being of a bright and cleare colour , growing to their shoulder-blades , whereof the two hindermost are the lesser , because they might not hinder their flying : and out of their short feet or stumps , there grow forth as it were two fingers , wherein they carry a little stone , for the peizing and making weighty their small bodies in stormy , tempestuous , blustering , or troublesome weather , for feare least they might be driuen from their house and home , by the contrary rage and violence of the winds . they do not breath ( by plinies good leaue ) but either pant , moue , or stirre ( as the hart or braine doth ) and by transpiration they are comforted , refreshed , and made liuely . their stomack is contexed and framed of the thinnest part of all their members , wherein they not onely retaine , and safely keepe their honny dew which they haue gathered , but also digest , purifie , and clense it , which is the true and onely reason , why the honny of bees is longer kept pure and fine , then any manna or meldew , or rather it is not at all subiect to corruption . bees euen by nature are much different : for some are more domesticall and tame , and others againe are altogether wilde , vplandish , and agrestiall . those former are much delighted with the familiar friendship , custome and company of men , but these can in no wise brook or endure them , but rather keep their trade of hony-making in old trees , caues , holes , and in the ruders , and rubbish of old wals and houses . of tame bees againe , some of them liue in pleasant and delightfull gardens , and abounding with all sweet senting & odoriferous plants and hearbs , and these are great , soft , fat , and big-bellied . others again , there be of them that liue in townes and villages , whose study and labour is to gather hony from such plants as come next to hand , and which grow farther of , and these are lesser in proportion of body , rough and more vnpleasant in handling ; but in labour , industrie , witteand cunning , far surpassing the former . of both sorts of these , some haue stings ( as all true bees haue : ) others againe are without a sting , as counterfeit and bastardly bees , which ( euen like the idle , sluggish , lyther , and rauenous cloystered monkes , thrice worse then theeues ) you shall see to be more gorbellied , haue larger throats , and bigger bodies , yet neither excellent or markable , either for any good behauiour and conditions , or gifts of the mind . men call these vnprofitable cattle , and good for nothing , fuci , that is drones ; either because they would seem to be labourers , when indeed rhey are not : or because that vnder the colour and pretence of labour ( for you shall sometimes haue them to carry wax , and to be very busie in forming and making hony-combes , ) they may eate vp all the hony . these drones are of a more blackish colour , somewhat shining , and are easily knowne by the greatnesse of their bodies . besides some bees are descended of the kingly race , and borne of the bloud royall : where of aristotle maketh two sorts : a yellow kind , which is the more noble , and the blacke , garnished with diuers colours . some make three kings , differing in colour , as black , red , and diuers coloured . menecratés saith , that those who are of sundry colours are the worser , but in case they haue diuersity of colour with some blacknes , they are esteemed the better . he that is elected monarch caesar , and captaine generall of the whole swarme , is euer of a tall , personable , and heroycall stature , being twice so high as the rest , his wings shorter , his legs streight , brawny , and strong , his gate , pace , & manner of walking is more lofty , stately and vpright , of a venerable countenance , and in his forehead there is a certaine red spot or mark with a diadem , for he far differeth from the populer and inferiour sort in his comelinesse , beauty , and honor . the prince of philosophers confoundeth the sexe of bees , but the greatest company of learned writers do distinguish them : whereof they make the feminine sort to be the greater . others againe will haue them the lesser , with a sting : but the sounder sort ( in my iudgment ) will neither know nor acknowledge any other males , besides their dukes and princes , who are more able & handsome , greater and stronger then any of the rest , who stay euer at home , and very seldome ( vnlesse with the whole swarme ) they stir out of doores , as those whom nature had pointed out to be the fittest to be stander-bearers , and to carry ancients in the camp of venus , and euer to be ready at the elbowes of their loues to do them right : experience teaching vs , that these do sit on egges , and after the manner of birdes , do carefully cherish and make much of their young , after the thin membram or skin wherein they are enclosed is broken . the difference of their age is knovvne by the forme , state , and habite of their bodies . for the young bees haue very thinne and trembling winges , but they that are a yeare old , as they that are two or three yeares of age are very trimme , gay , bright-shining , and in very good plight and liking , of the colour of oyle . but those that haue reached to seauen yeares , haue layed away all their flatnesse and smoothnesse , neither can any man afterwards , either by the figure and quality of their bodies or skinnes , iudge or discerne certainely their age ( as wee say by experience in horses : ) for the elder sort of them are rough , hard , thinne and leane scragges , staruelinges , lothsome to touch and to looke vpon , somewhat long , nothing but skinne and bone , yet very notorious and goodly too see to , in regard of their grauity , hoarenes and aunciency . but as they be in forme and shape , nothing so excellent , so yet in experience and industrie they farre outstrippe the younger sort , as those whom time hath made more learned , and length of dayes ioyned with vse , hath sufficiently instructed and brought vp in the art or trade of hony-making . the place likewise altereth one whiles their forme , and sometimes againe their nature , ( as their sexe and age do both . ) for in the islands of molucea , there be bees very like to winged pismires , but somewhat lesser then the greater bees , as maximilian transiluanus , in an epistle of his , written to the byshop of salspurge , at large relateth it . andrew theuet in his booke that he wrote of the new-found world , cap. . amongst other matters reporteth that he did see a company of flies or hony-bees about a tree named vhebehason , which then was greene , with the which these hony-bees do liue and nourish themselues : of the which trees there were a great number in a hole that was in the tree , wherein they made hony and waxe . there is two kindes of the hony-bees , one kind are as great as ours , the which commeth not onely but of good smelling flowers , also their hony is very good , but their waxe not so yellow as ours . there is another kinde halfe so great as the others : their hony is better then the others , and the wilde men name them hira . they liue not with the others food , which to my iudgment maketh their vvaxe to be as black as coales , and they make great plenty , specially neare to the riuer vasses , and of plate . the bees called chalcoides , which are of the colour of brasse , and somewhat long , which are said to liue in the island of creta are implacable , great fighters and quarrellers , excelling all others in their stinges , and more cruell then any others , so that with their stinges they haue chased the inhabitants out of their citties ; the remainder of which bees do remaine and make their hony-combs ( as aelianus saith ) in the mountaine ida. thus much of the differences of bees , now it remaineth to discourse of the politike , ethicall , and oeconomicke vertues and properties of them . bees are gouerned and doe liue vnder a monarchy , and not vnder a tyrannicall state , admitting and receiuing their king , not by succession or casting of lots , but by respectiue aduise , considerate iudgement , and prudent election ; and although they willingly submit their neckes vnder a kingly gouernment , yet notwithstanding they still keepe their ancient liberties and priuiledges , because of a certaine prerogatiue they maintaine in giuing their voyces and opinions , and their king being deeply bound to them by an oath , they exceedingly honor and loue . the king as he is of a more eminent stature , and goodly corporature ( as before wee haue touched ) then the rest : so likewise ( which is singular in a king ) he excelleth in mildnesse and temperatenesse of behauiour . for he hath a sting , but maketh it not an instrument of reuenge , which is the cause that many haue thought , their king neuer to haue had any . for these are the lavves of nature , not written with letters , but euen imprinted and engrauen in theyr conditions and manners : and they are very flovv to punish offenders , because they haue the greatest and soueraigne povver in their hands . and although they seeme to bee slacke in reuenging and punishing priuate iniuries , yet for all that they neuer suffer rebellious persons , refractorious , obstinate , and such as will not bee ruled , to escape without punishment , but vvith their pricking stinges they greeuously wound and torment , so dispatching them quickly . they are so studious of peace , that neither vvillingly nor vnvvillingly they vvill giue any cause of offence or displeasure . vvho therefore vvould not greatly be displeased vvith , and hate extreamely those dionysian tyrants in sicilia ; clearchus in heraclea , and apollodorus the theefe , pieler and spoyler of the cassandrines ? and vvho would not detest the vngratiousnes of those levvd clavv-backes , and trencher-parasites , and flatterers of kings , vvhich dare impudently maintaine , that that a monarchy is nothing else but a certaine way and rule for the accomplishing of the will , in vsing their authority as they list , and a science or skilfull trade , to haue wherewith to liue pleasantly in all sensuall and worldly pleasure : which ought to be far from a good prince , who whilest he would seem to be a man , he shew himselfe to be farre worser then these little poore-winged-creatures . and as their order and course of life is farre different from the vulgar sort , so also is their byrth ; for they of the kingly race are not borne after the manner of a little worme , as all the comminalty are , but is forthwith winged , and amongst all his younglings , if he find any one of his sons to be either a foole , vnhandsome , that none can take pleasure in , rugged , rough , soone angry , fumish or too teastie , il shaped , not beautifull or gentlemanlike , him by a common consent , and by a parliamentary authority they destroy , for feare least the whole swarme should bee diuided and distracted into many mindes , and so at length the subiectes vndone by factions , and banding into partes . the king prescribeth lawes and orders to all the rest , and appointeth them their rules and measures : for some he straightly chargeth and commaundeth , ( as they tender his fauour , and will auoyde his displeasure ) to fetch and prouide water for the whole campe. he enioyneth others to make the hony-combes , to build , to garnish and trimme vp the house well and cleanely , to finish perfectly the worke , to find and allow , to promote and shew others what to doe . some he sendeth forth to seeke theyr liuing , but being vvorne with yeares , they are maintained of the common stocke at home . the younger and stronger being appointed to labour , and take theyr turnes as they fall : and although ( being a king ) he be discharged and exempt from any mechanicall businesse , yet for all that , in case of necessity he will buckle himselfe to his taske , neuer at any time taking the fielde or ayre abroad , but either for his healths sake , or when he cannot otherwise chuse , by means of some vrgent businesse . if in respect of his yeares he be lusty and strong , then like a noble captaine hee marcheth before his whole winged-army , exposing himselfe first to all perils , neither with his good will , will he be carryed of his souldiers vnlesse he be wearied and vveakened by meanes of crooked age , or maistered and cleane put out of heart by any violent sicknesse , so that he can neither stand on his legges nor fly . when night approcheth , the signe and token being giuen by his honny-pipe , or cornet , ( if you will so call it ) a generall proclamation is made through the whole hiue , that euery one shall betake himselfe to rest , so the watch beeing appointed , and all thinges set in order , they all make thēselues ready and go to bed . so long as the king liueth , so long the whole svvarm enioy the benefit of peace , leading their liues vvithout any disquieting , disturbance , vexation , or feare of feuture wars . for the drones do vvillingly contain thēselues in their own celles , the elder liuing contented with their ovvne homes , and the younger not daring for their eares to breake into their father lands , or to make any inrodes or inuasion into the houses of their predecessours . the king keepeth his court by himselfe , in the highest and largest part of the whole palace , his lodging being workemanlie and very cunningly made of a fine round or enclosure of waxe , beeing thus as it were fenced and paled about as with a defensible wall . a little from him dwell all the kings children , beeing very obedient to their parents becke . their king being dead , all his subiects are in an vprore , drones bring foorth their young in the celles of the true bees , all are in a hurly burly , all being out of season and order . aristole saith , that bees haue many kings , which i would rather tearme vizeroyes or deputies , sithence it is certaine ( as antigonus affirmeth ) that as vvell the swarmes do dye and come to naught , by hauing of many kinges , as none at all . and thus to haue spoken of good kings let this suffice . euill kings are more rough , rugged , browner , blacker , and of more sundry colours : whose natures and dispositions you will condemne , in respect of their habite and manner of body and mind , the one and other are thus physiogmonically described by the poet : namque duae regnum facies , duo corpor a gentis . alter erit maculis auro squallentibus ardens , et cutilis clarus squamis , insignes & ore . faedior est alter multo , quàm puluere abacto quum venit & sicco terram spuit ore venator : disidia latamque trahens inglorias alum — hunc dede neci , melior vacua sine regnet in aula . in english thus ; the two aspects of kingly bees , two nations do disclose , one of them , golden spotted red , burning with pale hew , and hauing scales both red and cleare , and great about the nose , the other filthy to behold like dust , for it is true , which hunters spit vpon dry land , when all is crusht and prest , in sloth belly broad , doth trauaile worser then the least , him kill , let the other raigne alone , in empty court , do not disdaine . and thus hetherto haue we spoken of their kinges and dukes : now will we bend our discourse to the common sort of bees . bees are neither to be accounted wilde , nor altogether calme and quiet creatures , but of a nature betwixt both : & of all other they are esteemed most seruiceable and profitable . their sting giueth both life & death to them , for being depriued of it , they surely die : but hauing it , they repell all hostility from their swarmes . of these there are none idle , although they be not all honny-makers , neither are the most sluggish of them all , like vnto the drones in their inclination and manners : for they do not corrupt and marre the honie-combes , neither doe they lie in waite by treachery and deceit to filt●h hony , but are nourished by flowers , and flying forth with their fellowes , do get their liuing with them ; although some of them want the skill to make and lay vp the hony finely and safely , yet notwithstanding euery one hath his proper charge and businesse to vse and practise , for these bring water to the king , and to the older bees that cannot trauaile . the elder sort if they be of a strong and robustious constitution , are chosen for the gard of the kinges person , as the fittest persons to be about him , in respect of their approoued worth , faithfull dealing , and vprightnesse of conscience , for the ordering and disposing of all matters . some giue physicke to those that are sicke , by making and giuing to them a medicinall aliment of hony , that is drawne from annise , saffron , and hiacinthes . but if any thorough age or sicknesse chance to dye , then they whose office it is to carry forth the dead bodies to burying , do forthwith flocke together , carrying the dead bodie of their brother on their shoulders , as it were on a beere , least the pure honny-combes might be fainted with any vncleanlinesse , stinke , or nastinesse . bees haue also their ambassadours and orators , sent with commission or authority , and put in trust to deale in their princes affayres , their old beaten souldiours , their pypers , trumpetters , horne-winders , watchmen , scout-watches , and sentinels . likewise souldiers euen in a readinesse to defend , and looke to their hony-wealth and goods , as if it were a citty committed to their trust and valiancy , and these do punish , torment , and throw to the ground all flying theeues and wormes , that dare inuade secretly by any cunning passage , or mine into their mansions . and that they might beare the world in hand , that they are no priuy or secret theeues in their flying , they make a noyse and humming , which together with their flight , is heard both to beginne and end : which sound , whether it proceedeth from the mouth , or from the motion of their winges : aristotle and hesychius , do much vary and contend . their pipers and horn-blowers doe aedere ziggon , as hesychus saith ( the englishmen terme it sing ) and that they make to be the watch-word and priuy token , for their watch and ward , sleepe , and daily labour . they loue their king so entirely , that they neuer suffer him to goe abroad alone , but their army being diuided into two partes , and by heapes winding themselues round , they doe as it were enclose and fence him on all sides● ▪ if in any iourney the king happe to wander from his company , and cannot be found , beeing driuen away by the force of some stormie windes or weather , they all forth-with make a priuie search , and with their quick-senting , pursue and follow the chace so long , vntill he be certainely found ; and then , because he is tyred with flying , and the tediousnes of tempests , the common sort lift him vpon their wings , and so triumphantly conuey him home as it were in a chariot . but if he die by the way , then they all mournefully depart , euerie one to his owne place seperating themselues , or peraduenture for a while , they worke vp theyr hony-combes not yet finished , but neuer make any more hony ; so that at length , growing to be lazie , sickly , wasted , consumed and distained with their owne filth and corruption , they all miserably perrish . for they cannot possibly liue without a king , against whom , none is so hardy as to lift vp his finger to offer him any violence , much lesse to conspire his destruction , vnlesse he ( after the fashion of tyrants ) doe ouerthrow and turne all things vpside downe , after his owne will and lust , or neglecting carelesly the weale publique , setteth all vpon sixe and seauen . yea , if he accustome himselfe to goe often abroad , ( which he cannot doe without the great hurt and preiudice of his cittizens ) they do not by and by kill him , but they take from him his wings , & if he then amend his life & looke better to his office , they singularly affect and honour him . when the king by flying away hath left his bees , they fetch him againe , and being a fugitiue from his kingdome , they follow him amaine by his smell , as it were with liue and cry , ( for amongst them all the king spelleth best ) and so bring him backe to his kinglie house . none dare venture out of his owne lodging first , nor seeke his liuing in any place , except the king himselfe first going forth , do direct them the way of their flight . for i am hardly of aristotles mind , who affirmeth that the king neuer commeth abroad , but when the whole swgrme doth , which is seldome seene . but if by reason of his tyrannie , cruelty and violent rule , they be forced to seeke some other dwelling places , then a few dayes before the time appointed , there will be heard a solitary , mournfull , and peculiar kinde of voyce , as it were of some trumpet , & two or three dayes before , they flie about the mouth of the hiue ; so when all things are in a readines for their flight , being all assembled , they flie all speedilie away , and kill the tyrant ( whom they left behind ) if he attempt to follow them . but a good king they neuer forsake , and if at any time he pine and fall away by reason of sicknes , any plague or murren , or through old age , all the meaner sort do make mone , the whole route and multitude of senators and aldermen do greatly bewaile him , not conueighing any meate into their hiues , nor yet looking out of doores for meere griefe , filling the whole house with sorrowfull hummings & laments , and gathering themselues by heapes about the carkasse of the dead king , they doe with great noyse tragically mourne for him . neither doth cōtinuance of time mittigate or take away their griefe , but at length all of these faithfull friends , partly through griefe , and partly through famine , they are cleane consumed and brought to death . whilst they haue a king , the whole swarme and company is kept in awfull order , but he being gone , they goe vnder the protection of other kings . they haue not many kings at once , neither can they endure vs●●pers , ouerthrowing their houses , and rooting out their stocke and familie . and if in one swarme there be two kings , ( as sometimes it falleth out ) then one part adhaereth to the one king , and the other side cleaueth to the other , so that sometimes in one hiue , you shall find hony-combes of sundry formes & fashions : where they behaue themselues so honestly and neighborly , that the one medled● not with the others charge and busines , hauing no mind to enlarge their empire , to entyce , drawe or winne by faire meanes , the subiects of the side , but euery one beeing obedient to his owne king without contradiction . they honour him so highly , that being lost they complaine , being decrept , they preserue and keepe him , beeing weary , they carry him round about with them , beeing dead , they bewayle him with all funerall pompe and heauinesse , yeelding vp at length euen their very liues for an assurance of their loues and faithfull dealings . oftentimes they arreare deadly war against strangers borne , for the hony that they haue sto●ne from them , as for the catching and snatching vppe afore-hand those flowers whereon they purposed to sitte on ; so that sometimes the quarrell is determined by dint of sword in a iust battle . oftentimes againe they wrangle about their hony-combes and dwelling houses , but then the deadly and vnappeasable warre is , when the contentio● is about the life , crowne and dignitie of their king , for then they bestirre themselues most eagerly , defending him most valiantly , and receiuing the darts or stings that are bended against him , with an vndaunted courage , by the voluntary and thicke interposing of their owne bodyes , betwixt the darts and the person of their king . neither are bees onely , examples to men of politicall prudence and fidelity , but also presidents for them to imitate in many other vertues . for whereas nature hath made thē zooa agelaia , that is , creatures liuing in companies and swarmes , yet do they all things for the common good of their owne route and multitude , excepting euer the drones and theeues , whom if they take tripping in the manner , they reward with condigne punishment . their houses are common , their children common , their lawes and statutes common , and their country common . they couple together without question , as camels do , priuily and apart by themselues , which whether it proceed of modesty , or be done through the admirable instinct of nature , i leaue it to the dispute and queint resolution of those graue doctors , who being laden with the badges and cognizances of learning , doe not sticke to affirme that they can render a true reason euen by their owne wits , of all the causes in nature , though neuer so obscure , hid and difficult . flyes and dogges doe farre otherwise , whose impudencie is such , that hauing no regard of times , persons , or places , they will not giue place , or be disioyned . yea the massagets ( as herodotus writeth ) hauing their quiuer of arrowes on their carts , they dealt with their vviues very vnseasonably , and though all men beheld it , yet they most impudently contemned it . and that which is worser , this beastly fashion is crept amongst the vsurpers , or at least professors of the christian name , who shame not openly to kisse and embrace , yea euen to play & meddle with filthy whores & brothelly queanes . bees surely will cōdemne these kind of people of bestiall impudency and wanton shamelesnesse ; or causing them to blush if they haue any grace , will teach them repentance . neither are they altogether such creatures as cannot endure or away with musicke , ( which is the princesse of delights , and the delight of princes ) as many vnlearned people cannot , but are exceedingly delighted with tune in any harmony wherein is no iarring , so the same be simple and vnaffected . and although they haue not the skill to daunce according to due time , order and proportion in musicke , as they say elephants can , yet doe they make swifter or slovver theyr flight , according to the trumpettors mind , who with his sharpe and shrill sound causeth them to bestirre themselues more speedily ; but beating slowly and not so loude vpon his brasen instrument , maketh them more slow , and to take more leysure . neither hath nature made thē onely the most ingenious of all liuing creatures , but by discipline hath made them tame and tractable . for they doe not onely know the hand and voyce of the honyman , or him that hath the charge and ordering of the same , but they also suffer him to do what liketh him best : which euery man must needes confesse to be an argument of a generous and noble disposition , thus to vnder-goe the rule of their ouer-seers and surveiors , but the hand and discipline of a stranger , they will by no meanes endure . as for oeconomicall vertues they excell also , and namely for moderate frugalitie and temperance , not profusely and prodigally wasting and deuouring the great store of hony which they gathered in the sommer season , but they sustaine themselues therwith in winter , and that very sparingly : and so whilst they feede vppon few meates , and those of the purest sort , they purchase long life , ( the reward of sobrietie . ) neither are they so higgardlie and sordidous minded , but when as they haue gathered more hony then their number can well spend , they communicate and impart some very liberally amongst the drones . as for their clenlinesse these may be certaine arguments , that they neuer exonerate nature within their hiues , ( except constrained thereto by some sicknes , foule weather , & for some vrgent necessity ) that they conuay away the dead carkasses , that they touch no rotten nor stinking flesh , or any other thing , no herbe that is withered , nor no ill-senting or decayed flovvers . they kill not their enemies within their hiues , they drinke none but running water , and that which is throughly defecated : they will not dwell in houses impure & foule , sluttish , blacke , or full of any feculent or dreggy refuse , and the excrementes of the labourers and sickly , they gather on a heape without their pauilions , and assoone as their leasure serueth ; it is carried cleane away . concerning their temperance and chastity , ( although it hath beene partly touched before , ) yet this i will adde , that it is wonderfull what some men haue obserued . for whereas all other creatures doe couple in the open sight of men , the elephant onely excepted , and waspes likewise not much differing in kind , do the same : yet bees were neuer yet seene so to ioyne together , but either within their hiues very modestly they apply themselues to that businesse , or else abroad do it without any witnesses . and they are no lesse valiant , then modest and temperate , dum corpora bello obiectant , pulchramque petunt per vulner a mortem . their war is either ciuill or forraine . of the former there be diuers causes , that is to say : the multitude of their dukes or captaines lying in waight to betray both king and kingdome : scarsity of vittaile , straightnes of place and roome , corruption of manners and idlenesse . for if they haue no dukes , then is it expedient ( as otherwhiles it happeneth ) they stay the ouerplus , least the number of them growing to great , either violence might be offered to the king , or the commons drawne to some sedition . they kill them most of all , when as they haue no great store of young bees to plant any new colonies , ouerthrowing and spoyling withall their hony-combs ( if they haue any . ) they execute also theeues and drones , so often as they haue not roome inough to do their busines in , ( for they hold the more inward part of the hiue , ) so taking from thē at one time , both their hony-combs and meat . the scarsity and lacke of hony , causeth them also to be at deadly feude , so that the short bees do encounter the long with might and maine . in the which bicketing , if the short be conquerors , it will be an excellent swarme , but if fortune smile on the long bees side , they liue idlely , making neuer any good honny . whosoeuer getteth the day , they are so giuen to rapine and reuenge , as they take no prisoners , nor leaue any place to mercy , but commit all to the sword . now concerning their forren warres , i must say that they giue place to no other liuing creature , either in fortitude , or hardy venturing : and if either men , foure-footed-beasts , birds , or waspes , do either hinder , disquiet , or kill any of them , so that they be not well contented , agaynst all these they oppose themselues very stoutly , according to their power wounding them . they hate extreamely adulterous persons , and such men as bee smeared with any oyntment , those that haue curled or crisped haire ( as also all vnfaithfull and base raskally people ) and all those that weare any red clothes of the colour of bloud : as contrarywise they loue and reuerence exceedingly their maisters , keepers , tutors , defenders , and maintainers : so that sitting vpon their hands , they doe rather tickle and licke them in sporting wise , then either wound or hurt them , though neuer so little with their sting . yea these men may safely without any touch of hurt , and without any couering to their hands , gather together the swarmes in a very hot summer ; yea , handle , place them in order , heap vp together , sit or stand before their hiues , and with a sticke take cleane away drones , theeues , waspes , and hornets . if any souldier looseth his sting in fight , like one that had his sword or speare taken from him , he presently is discouraged and dispaireth , not liuing long , through extreamity or griefe . going forth into the fielde to fight , they stay till the watchword be giuen , which being done , they flocke in great heapes round about their king ( if he be a good one ) ending all their quarrell in one set battell . in their order of fighting , how great vertue , courage , strength , and noblenesse , these poore creatures shew , as well wee our selues can testifie , and they better who haue assured vs by their writings , that whole armies of armed men haue beene tamed by the stings of bees , and that lyons , beares , and horses , haue beene slaine by meanes of them . and yet ( how fierce and warlike soeuer they seeme to be , ) they are appeased and made gentle with continuall or daiely company , and vnlesse they be to much netled and angred , they liue peaceably inough without any great trouble , neuer hurting any one maliciously or deceitfully , that standeth before their hiues . if i should goe about to declare at large their ingenie , naturall inclination , cunning worke-manship and memory , i should not onely giue vnto them with virgil : particulam aurū diuinae , but also haustus mentis aethereae , and ( liceat pythagoricè errare , ) the metempsuchoosis of that ingenious philosopher . for after that they are inclosed in a cleane and a sweet hiue ; they gather out of gummie and moist licqour-yeelding trees , a kind of glutinous substance , thicke , clammy and tough , ( called of the latines comosis , and of the greekes mitys , ) especially from elmes , willowes , canes or reedes , yea euen from stones ; and this they lay for the first foundation of their worke , so couering it all ouer as with a hard crust at first , bringing to it afterwardes another layer of pissocera , which is a kinde of iuyce of waxe and pitch , made with gumme and rosin , and ouer that againe they lay propolis , which we call bee-glew . in this same three-fold tilie , and sure ground-worke thus artificially begunne , they doe not onely laugh to scorne , iest at , and mocke the eyes of the ouer-curious spectators of their common-wealth and workes , but that which no man considers , they doe heereby defend both themselues and theirs , against raine , cold , small vermin and beasts , and all their enemies . then after this they build their combes , with such an architectonicall prudence , that archimedes in respect of them seemes to be no body . for first of all they set vp the cells of their kings and princes , in the higher place of the hony-combes , beeing large , fayre , sumptuous , stately and loftie , beeing cunningly wrought , of the most tryed , purest , & refined waxe , trenching them round for the greater defence of the regall maiestie , with mound and enclosure , as it were with a strong wall , bulwarke , or rampire . and as bees in regard of their age and condition , are of three sorts , so likewise doe they deuide their cells : for to the most auncient they appoint houses next to the court , ( as those that are the fittest to be of his priuie counsaile , & garders of his person ) next to these are placed the young bees , and those that be but one yeere old . and they of middle yeres and stronger bodies , are lodged in the vttermost roomes , as those that are fittest and best able to fight for their king and country . yet aristotle saith , that bees in the making of their tents or cells , doe first of all prouide for themselues , and next for their king & his nephewes , and lastlie for the drones . and as in the fabricature of their hony-combes , they make the fashion according to the magnitude and figure of the place , fashioning it either orbicular , long , square , sword-like , or foote-like , &c. according to their owne liking , running out sometimes in length eyght foote : so their little cells contrariwise , are framed after a certaine forme in a geometricall proportion and measure ; for by rule they are iustly sexangular , and capable enough to hold the tenant . the whole combe containeth foure orders of celles ; the first the bees occupie ; the next the drones possesse ; the third , those that are called of the greekes chadoones , of the latines , apum soboles , ( call them if you please schadones . ) the last is appointed for the roome of hony making . there be some who constantly auerre , that the drones do make combes in the same hiue the labouring bees doe , but that they lacke the skill and power of mellification , it beeing vncertaine whether this comes to passe either through theyr grossnes and bigbellied fatnes , or through their setled & naturall lazines . and if through the weightines of the honie the combes beginne to shake and wagge , and to leane & bend as though they were readie to fall , then doe they reare them vp , and vnderproppe them with pillars made archwise , that they may the more readilie dispatch their businesse , and execute their charges , ( for it is necessarie that to euery combe there be a ready way . ) in some places , as in pontus , and in the cittie of amisus , bees make white hony , without any combes at all , but this is sildome seene . and if a man would consider the rare and admirable contexture and fabricke of their honie-combes , farre excelling all humane art and conceit , who would not subscribe with the poet , esse apibus partem diuinae mentis , et haustus aethereos ? who will deny them ( i say ) either imagination , fantasie , iudgement , memorie , and some certaine glimse of reason ? but i will not dispute of this , neither am i of pythagoras mind , who conceited that the soules of wise men , and of other ingenious creatures , departed into bees . but whosoeuer will diligently examine how they deuide their labours , as some to make vppe the combes , some to gather hony , to heape together their meate , to trimme and dresse vp the houses , to clense the common draught , to vndershore the ruinous walls , to couer those places wherein any thing is to be kept , to draw out the very strength of the hony , to disgest it , to carry it to their cells , to bring water to the thirstie labourers , to giue foode at set and appointed howres to the old bees that sitte , to defend their king with such ouer-sight and painefull regard , to driue away spyders , and all other enemies , to carry forth the dead , ( that no stinke or ill sauour hurt , ) euery one to know and goe to his owne proper cell , and generally , all of them not to stray farre from home to seeke their liuing ; and when the flowers are spent neere their lodgings , to send out their espialls to looke for more in places further distant , to lye with their faces vpward vnder the leaues when they haue set foorth any voiage by night , least their wings beeing much moistened by the dew , they should come tardie home the next day , to ballance and peize their light bodies with carrying a stone in stormie weather , and when there is anie whirlewind , to fly on the further side of the hedge , for feare least either they might be disturbed , or beaten downe by the boisterous violence thereof . whosoeuer ( i say ) wil dulie consider all this , must needes confesse , that they obserue a wonderfull order and forme in their common-wealth and gouernment , & that they are of a very strange nature and spirit . i had almost omitted to speake of that naturall loue which they beare to theyr young , a great vertue , and sildome seene in the parents of this age . for bees doe sitte vpon theyr combes ( when they haue laid their increase ) almost like vnto birds , neither wil they stirre from thence but in case of pinching hunger , returning out of hand to their breeding place againe , as though they were afeard least that by any long stay and absence , the vvorke of their little cell might be couered ouer by some spyders web ( which often happeneth ) or the young by taking cold might be endangered . their young ones be not very nice or tender , nor cockeringly brought vp , for being but bare three dayes old , as soone as euer they begin to haue wings , they enioyne them their taske , & haue an eye to thē that they be not idle , though neuer so little . they are so excellent in diuination , that they euen feele afore-hand , and haue a sence of taine and cold that is to come , for then ( euen by natures instinct ) they fly not far from home : and when they take their iourney to seeke for theyr repast , ( which is neuer done at any set and ordinary time , but onely in faire weather ) they take paines continually and diligently without any stay , beeing laden with such plentie of hony , that oftentimes being ouer-wearied , they faint in their returne to their own priuate cotages , not beeing able to attaine them . and because some of them in regard of their roughnes are vnfit to labour , by rubbing their bodies against stones and other hard matter they are smoothed , afterwards addressing themselues most stourly to their businesse . the younger sort bestirre thē right doutelie without dores , bringing to the hiue all that is needfull . the elder looke to the family , placing in due order that hony which is gathered and wrought by the middle-aged bees . in the morning they be all very silent , till one of them awaken all the rest with his thrise humming noyse , euery one bustling himselfe about his owne proper office and charge . returning at night , they are as it were in an vproare at the first , and after that , they make a little muttering or murmuring among themselues , vntill the principall officer appointed for setting of the watch , by his flying round about , and his soft and gentle noyse , dooth as it were couertly and priuily charge them in their kings name to prepare themselues to rest ; and so this token being giuen , they are as silent as fishes , so that laying ones ●are to the mouth of the hiue , you shall hardly perceiue any the least noyse at all : so dutifull they are to their kings , officers and rulers , reposing themselues wholie in his bookes , fauour and pleasure ! and now i will intreate of theyr excellencie and vse . whereas the almightie hath ●…ared all things for the vse & seruice of 〈◊〉 , so especially among the rest hath he made bees , not onely that they should be v●… vs patternes and presidents of politicall and oeconomicall vertues , ( of the which before i haue discoursed ) but euen teachers and schoolemaisters instructing vs in certain diuine knowledge , and like extraordinary prophets , premonstrating the successe & e●ent of things to come . for in the yeeres . . . . before the birth of our blessed sauiour , vvhen as great swarmes of bees lighted in the publique and oxe-market , vpon 〈◊〉 houses of priuate cittizens , and the chappell of mars , many conspiracies and tr●●ons were intended against the state at rome , with which the common-wealth was well-nigh deceiued , insnared , yea and ouerthrowne . in the dayes of seuerus the emperour , bees made their combes in the ensignes , banners and standerds of the souldiers , and most of all in the campe of niger , after which ensued diuers conflicts betwixt the armies of seuerus & niger , fortune for a time imparting her fauours equally to them both , but at length seuerus side carried away the bucklers . swarmes of bees also filled the statuaes which were set vp in al hetruria , representing antonius pius , and after that they fell in the campe of cassius , and what hurly burlies after that followed , iulius capitolinus will resolue you . at which time also a great number of romans were intrapped and slaine by an ambush of germaines in germany , p : fabius and q : elius beeing consuls . it is written that a swarme lighted in the tent of hostilius rutilus , who was in the army of drusus , and did there hang after such a maner , as they did enclose round his speare which was fastened to his pauilion , as if it had beene a rope hanging downe , m : lepidus and munatius plancus beeing consuls . also in the consulship of l : paulus and caius metellus , a swarme of bees flying vp and downe , presignified the enemy at hand , as the soothsayers well diuined . pompey likewise warring against caesar , when for the pleasuring of his friends he had set his army in aray , going out of pyrrhaciū , bees met with him , & darkened e●en the very ancients with their great multitude . we read in the histories of the heluetians , how that in the yere of our lord god . when leopold of austrich prepared to goe against sempach with an host of men , being yet in his iourny , a swarme of bees fled to the towne , and there rested vpon a certaine great tree called tilia : wherevpon the vulgar sort rightly fore-told the comming of some strange people to them . so likewise virgill in the . booke of his aeneades , seemeth to describe the comming of aeneas into italy after this manner . — lauri huius apes summum densae ( mirabile dictu ) stridore nigenti liquidum trans aethera vectae obsedere api●em et pedibus per mutua nexis examen subitò ramo frondente pependit , continuò vates : externum cernimus ( inquit ) aduenture virum . that is , a tale of wonder to be told , there came a swarme of bees , which with great noyse within the ayre a bay-tree did attayne , where leg in leg they cleaped fast , and top of all degrees o're-spread , and suddenly a hiue of them remaind there hanging downe : whereat the prophet said , some stranger heere shall come to make vs all afraid . which thing also herodotus , pausanias , and diuers other historiographers , haue with greater obseruation then reason confirmed . laon acraephniensis , when he could not finde the oracle of trophonius , by a swarme flying thither hee found the place . in like sort , the nurses being absent , iupiter melitaus , hiero the siracussan , plato , pindarus , & ambrosius , were nourished by hony , which bees by little and little put in their mouthes , as plutarch , pausanias , and textor are authors . zenophon likewise in his oeconomicks , termeth hony-making the shop of vertues , and to it sendeth mothers of housholds to be instructed . poets gladly compare themselues with bees , who following nature onely as a schoole-mistres , vseth no art. so plato saith , that poets ruled by art , can neuer performe any notable matter . and for the same reason pindarus maketh his brags , that hee was superiour to bacchilides , and simonides , hauing onely nature , not art to his friend . bees vnlesse they be incensed to anger , doe no hurt at all , but being prouoked & stirred vp they sting most sharply : and such is he disposition and naturall inclination of poets ; and therefore in his minoe strictly enioyne● , that those who loue their owne quiet , must take great heed that they make no wars ●ythe● with poets or bees . finally , they haue so many vertues which we may imitate , that 〈◊〉 ▪ egyptians , chaldaeans & graecians , haue taken diuers hieroglyphicks from them . a●● hee that will read ouer pierius , shall there finde store of emblemes of them . the country people in like manner haue learned of them aeromantie , that is , diuination of thinges by the ayre , for they haue a fore-feeling and vnderstanding of raine and windes afore-hand , and doe rightly prognosticate of stormes and foule weather ; so that then , they flye not farre from their owne homes , but sustaine themselues with their owne hony-suck alreadie prouided . which beeing true , we must then thinke it no strange matter , that aristaeus , philistius , aristomachus solensis , menus the samnite , and sixe hundred others , that haue writ of the nature of bees , bidding adue to all those pleasures and delicacies that are found in citties , for fyftie and eyght yeeres space together , inhabited the woods and fieldes , that they might more exactly come to the knowledge of their order of liuing , and naturall dispositions , leauing it as a monument for posteritie to imitate . but what theyr bodies doe worke in ours , i iudge woorth the labour and paines taking to let you vnderstand , that we may be assured there is nothing in bees , but maketh to the furtherance of our health and good . first therefore , their bodies beeing taken newly from the hiues and bruised , & drunke with some diareticall wine , cureth mightily the dropsie , breaketh the stone , openeth the obstructed passages of the vrine , and helpeth the suppression thereof . beeing bruised , they cure the wringings and grypings of the belly , if they be layd vpon the place affected : and if any haue drunke any poysonous hony , bees being likewise drunke doe expell the same . they mollifie hard vlcers in the lippes , and beeing bound to the part , they cure a carbuncle and the bloody-flixe , amending also the cruditie of the stomack , and all spots & flecks in the face , beeing tempered with their owne made hony ; as both hollerius , alexander , benedictus and pliny haue written . galen affirmeth , that if you take liue bees out of their combes , and mixe them with honie wherin bees haue beene found dead , you shall make an excellent oyntment to be vsed against the shedding and falling of the hayre in any place of the head , causing it to growe againe , and come afresh . pliny againe willeth vs to burne many bees , commixing the ashes with oyle , and there-with to annoynt the bald places ; but wee must ( saith he ) take great heede that we touch no other place neere adioyning . yea he affirmeth , that honie wherein is found dead bees , is a very wholsome medicine , seruing for all diseases . erotis cap : . de morb : muliebrib . commendeth highly the ashes of bees beaten and tempered with oyle , for the dealbation of the hayre . bees also are very profitable , because diuers liuing creatures are nourished by , and doe feede full sauerly on their hony , as the beare , the badger or brocke , lizards , frogges , serpents , the woodpecker or eate-bee , swallowes , lapwings , the little titmouse , which of some is called a nunne , because his head is filletted as it were nun-like , the robin-red-breast , spyders and waspes , as bellonius hath well obserued . but to what end ( you will say ) serueth their sting , against whose poyson pliny knew no remedie ? i must needes confesse truly that which cannot be denied , that the stings of bees are sometimes venomous , but that is when eyther they are madde and raging , and be exceedingly disquieted by meanes of anger , or some vehement feauer , for otherwise they doe not sting , but pricke but a little : and therefore dioscorides neuer made mention of the stinging of bees , supposing it very vnmeete for a man to complaine of so small a matter as the sting of a silly bee. but yet they that haue succeeded him , haue obserued paine , rednes , and swellings , as companions and effects of their malice , especially if the sting doe sticke in the flesh , which if it doe very deepe , then death hath sometimes followed , as nicander writeth in his theriacis . in like manner the people of the old world ( that vvee may proue the sting of bees to be conuerted to some good vse ) did ( as suidas writeth ) punish those persons who were found guilty of coosenage , and deceitfull counterfeiting of merchandise after this sort : first they stripped the offender starke naked , annointing his body all ouer with hony , then setting him in the open sunne with his hands and feete fast bound , that by this meanes beeing tormented with flyes , bees , and scorching beames of the sunne , he might endure punishment , paine & death , due to his lewd and wicked life . with which kind of punishment & torture , the spanyards doe grieuously vex the poore naked ilanders of america at this day , ( now called the west indies ) who are vnder their rule and gouernment , not for iustice sake , ( as those auncients did ) but for satisfaction and fulfilling of their barbarous wills , and beastly tyrannie , that they might seeme to be more cruell , then crueltie it selfe . noninus saith , that if the herbe balme ( called apiastrum ) be beaten , and annoynted with oyle vppon the stinged place , that there will ensue no hurt thereby . florentius counselleth the gatherer of hony , to annoynt himselfe with the iuyce of marsh-mallowes , for by that meanes he may safely and without feare take away the combes . but the iuyce of any mallow vvill doe as much , and especially if it be mixed with oyle : for it both preserueth from stinging , and besides it remedieth the stinged . but admit that bees by theyr stinging doe vexe and disease vs , yet notwithstanding the dead bees so found in the hony , doe speedily bring cure to that hurt , if they be duly applyed , abating and taking away all the paine and poyson . what should i say ? no creature is so profitable , none lesse sumptuous . god hath created them , and a little money and cost will maintaine them , and small prouision will content them . they liue almost in all places , yea euen in forrests , woods and mountaines ; both rich and poore by their good husbandry do gather good customes and pensions by them , they paying ( as all men know ) very large rents for their dwelling houses ; and yet for all their tribute they pay , a man need neither keepe one seruaunt the more for the gathering of it , nor set on pot the oftner . merula saith , that varro gathered yeerely fiue thousand pound weight of hony : and that in a small village of spaine , not exceeding one akre of ground , he was wont to gaine by honie there gathered , tenne thousand sesterties , which is of our english coyne about fiftie pounds . wee are furnished also out of their vvork-houses or shops , with vvaxe , sandaracha , bee-glevv , combes , and dregges of waxe , which no common-wealth can well spare . to speake nothing of the examples of their vertues and noble properties , being no lesse wholsome for the soule , then these others are for the good prouision and maintenaunce of our life , and for nourishment of our bodies necessary and commodious . now for the conseruation of bees , it is very meete ( as pliny writeth ) that we come by them lawfully , & by honest meanes , that is , eyther by gift , or by buying of them , for being taken away by theft , they will not prosper with vs : euen as the herbe called rew beeing stolne , will very hardly or neuer grow . furthermore , to keepe these good pay-maisters , and to make them in loue with you , you must remoue from their hiues mouthes , vnluckie , mischieuous , and deceitfull people , and idle persons that haue nothing to doe , causing them to stand further off : as also all those that are distayned with whoredome , or infected with the disease called gonorrhaea , or the fluxe of menstrues , bathes , or anie thing that smelleth of smoake , mud , dung , or ordure of cattell , men or beasts , houses of office , sincks , or kitchens . mundifie & correct the ayre oftentimes , infected with the breath and vapour of toades and serpents , by burning of balme , time , or fennell ; hauing great care to keepe them neate , cleane and quiet . destroy all vermine and seekers to prey vpon their hony , robbers , pillers and pollers , and if at any time they be sicke , giue them phisicke . nowe the signes of their vnhealthines , as of all other liuing creatures , are knowne by three things ; that is , from the action offended , the outward affect of the body , and excrements . for their cheerefulnesse beeing gone , sluggish dullnes , a giddy and vertiginous pace , often and idle standing before the mouth of the hiue , lacke of strength , wearinesse , lithernesse , languishing , and want of spirit to doe any busines , detestation of flowers and honie , long watchings , and continuall sleepings , vnaccustomed noyses and hummings , are sure arguments that bees are not in good health . as also if they be some-what rough , not fine and trimme , dry and vnpleasant in handling , not soft , harsh and rugged , not delicate and tender , if their combes be infected with any manner of filthy , corrupt , and noysome sauour , and that theyr excrements melt , stinke , and be full of vvormes , carrying dead carkasses daily out of their houses , that they haue no regard to theyr bees and bee-hiues , it is a certaine token that they are sicke , and that some exidemicall , generall pestilence or plague rageth amongst them , whereof that famous poet virgill hath very elegantlie , but confusedly touched some part , in the fourth booke of his georgickes , in these following verses . si verò ( quoniam lapsus apibus quoque nostres vita tulit ) tristi languebunt corpora morbo , illud non dubijs poteris cognoscere signis . continuò est agris alius color , horrida vultum deformat macies , tum corpora luce carentum exportant tectis , et tristia funera ducunt . aut illae pedibus connexae ad limina pendent , aut intus clausis cunctantur in adibus omnes , ignauaeque fame , et contracto frigore pigrae tum sonus auditur grauior , tractimque susurrant . frigidus vt quando siluis immurmurat auster , vt mare solicitum stridet refluentibus vndis , aestuat aut clausis rapidus fornacibus ignis . in english thus ; the life of bees is subiect vnto fall , theyr bodies languish with diseases sad : this by vndoubted signes discerne you shall , their bodie 's then with other colour is clad . a leanenesse rough doth then deforme their face , then doth the liuing bring dead bodyes out , and for theyr fellowes make a funerall place , mourning sad exequies theyr dwellings all about . or els with feete in feete they hang vpon the threshold of their hiue , or els abide close within dores , not looking on the sunne till sloth by cold and famine theyr life vppe dryde : then also is their sound and voyce more great , drawing soft , like southerne wind in woods , or fire enclosed in burning furnace heate , or as in t ' seafalls backe the flyding floods . and so the sicknesses of bees beeing euidently knowne , plainly perceiued and cured , they will liue many yeeres , although aristotle , theophrastus , pliny , virgill , varro , columella , cardan , and finally all authors , would make vs beleeue that they ●●ldome attaine to nine yeeres , but neuer to tenne . although we know by good experience , knowledge of place , and the credible attestation of men worthy beliefe , that they haue liued . yeares . which onely reason hath induced me to belieue , that bees ( euen by natures appoyntment ) are long liued , and that onely with albertus i onely doubt , whether they dye by meanes of old age . i am not ignorant how they are made away with the rage and violence of diseases , and other enemies , but if they haue all things furnished fit for the preseruation of their life , & prolongation of health , and the contrary farre from them , i knowe no reason but that i should conclude them long liued , yea more durable then any other liuing creature , and neuer to dye , but that i may not deny their time and turne to be mortall . for they onelie doe feede vpon hony , that immortall nectar , sent from heauen , and gathered from a diuine dew ( the very life and soule of all herbes , fruites , trees and plants . ) of whose nature , vse , and excellencie , if you would know more , i must referre you to the learned writings of phisitions . ❧ of bees called drones and theeves . adrone or a dran in english , is of the latines called fucus , of the greekes kephen , and thronaz . of the illirians czeno , of the germans traen . of the belgies besonder strael . of the spaniards zangano . of the italians ape che non famele . of the french baradon , and fullon . of the pannonians ( novv called hungarians ) here. of the polonians czezew . this kind of bee is called fucus , as some thinke quasifur , because he doth furtim mella deuocare , deuour honny by stealth : although it be more agreeable to truth , that it is tearmed fucus , because he doth apibus fucum fraudemque facere : and through the colour and pretence of keeping warme the hiues , he spendeth their stocke , and vndo all their hony-making . and therefore for some to deriue fucus the latin word , from phagomai the greeke , seemeth to be farre fetched : some againe will draw fucus , à fouendo , quia incubando apum iuuant faeturas , and this in my minde is as harsh as the former . many men make the drone to be one of the . sorts of bees , which is very vnaduisedly doone , as some would make vs beleeue : because they bestow no paines in gathering the hony , nor labour it throughly to haue it perfectly wrought . he is twice so great as the common bee , and greater then the theefe , so that in bignesse he eueneth , yea , surpasseth the king himselfe : and yet he attaineth vnto this greatnesse , not by the gift of nature , but by his custome and trade of life . for whereas bees doe prepare and make their celles for the breeding of drones : they make them lesser then the drones , and not heere and there through the hiue , but onely in the vttermost , and as it were in the banished or most out-cast place of all in the whole camp and lodged army . besides , the small wormes of the drones , are far smaller at their first bringing forth , then those that are of the kingly race , and linage of their dukes : who yet at length grow greater then any of them all , in regard that by labour and trauaile , they wast and diminish nothing of superfluous matter , and those grosse humours , wherewith they abound , as also that both day and night ( like oxen lying at racke and manger ) they gluttonously rauen & stuffe themselues with the hony-liquor , which they againe pay for full dearely , in time of any general dearth and scarsity of vittaile and prouision . further this is to be added , that the drone is of a more shining black colour , then the true labouring bee , he is also greater then the greatest , without sting , sluggish , idle , slothfull , without hart or courage , cowardous and vnapt to war , not daring to venture life & limbe in manly martiall trade , as the true ligitimate bees will. aristotle saith , that they breed and liue amongest the true bees , and when they flye abroad , they are carryed scatteringly , here and there aloft in the aire as it were , with some violence or tempest ; so exercising themselues for a time , they returne from whence they came , ther greedily feeding vpon the hony . now why the droues may be compared with the dukes and princes , in respect of their corporature , and bees like vnto them in theyr sting , let vs heare aristotles reason . nature would ( saith he ) there should be some difference , least alwaies the same stock should encrease one of another confusedly , without order or consideration , which is impossible : for so the whole stocke would either be dukes or drones . and therefore the true bees in strength and power of engendering and bree-ding , are comparable to their dukes , and the drones onely in greatnesse of body resemble them : to whom if you allow a sting , you shall make him a duke . these drones further of the graecians are called cothouroi , because he putteth not forth any sting : whereof hesiodus hath these verses thus interpreted ; hinc vero dij succenset & homines , quicunque ociasus ; viuat , fucis ac aleo-carentibus similis studio , qui apuni laborem absumunt ociosi vorantes . in english thus ; both god and men , disdaine that man vvhich drone like in the hiue , nor good , nor ill , endeuour can vpon himselfe to liue , but idle is , and without sting , and grieues the labouring bee deuouring that which he home brings , not yeelding help or fee. so that either he hath no sting at all , or else maketh no vse of it for reuengement . pliny saith flatly , that they are stinglesse , and would haue them called imperfect bees , & the famous poet virgill stileth them , ignauumpecus : that is , idle and vnprofitable , good for nothing . columella maketh them a race or stocke of a larger size , very like vnto bees , and accounteth them very aptly to be placed in the ranke of ordinary sorts of creatures , of the same kinde and company with bees . they suffer punnishment , and are scourged many times in the whole bee-common-wealth , not onely for pretence of idlenesse , gluttony , extertion , and rauenous greedinesse , to which they are too much adicted ; but because lacking their sting , and by that defect , being as is were emaculated , they dare shew themselues in publique . pliny doth not expresse their nature and quality . the drones are stinglesse , and so to be reckoned imperfect bees , and of the basest sort , taking their originall from tyred and worne-out bees , and such as be past labour and seruice , liuing onely vpon a bare pension● we may call them the very slaues and bond-men of the true bees , to whom they owe all due homage and subiection , wherefore they exercise their authority ouer them , thrusting them first out of doores by head and shoulders , like a company of drudges to theyr worke ; and if they be any thing negligent , not bestirring themselues quickly and liuely , they giue them correction , and punnish them without all pitty and mercy . for in the moneth of iune , two or three bees , ( especially of the younger sort ) will hale out of the hiue one drone , there beating of him with there winges , pricking and tormenting him with their stinges , and if he offer any resistance to their lordly rule , then they violently cast him downe from the shelfe or step whereon he holdeth , down to the earth as though they would breake his necke . thus when they haue glutted their wils , and punished him at the full , they at length put him to a shamefull death , all which we haue often beheld , not without great admiration and pleasure . sometimes the drones remaine like banished persons , before the enterance of the hiue , and dare not venture to presse in . for three causes specially the bees do driue and cast out the drones : either when they multiply aboue measure , or when they haue not place ynough left for their labourers , or that they be pinched with hunger and famine , for lacke of hony. and as they carry a deadly hatred against the drones , so to make it more apparant , they will not hurt such persons as offer either to take away with their bare handes any of the drones , and to cast them away , yea , though they be in the greatest heat of their fight . aristotle in his ninth booke de histo . animal . cap. . affirmeth , that bees are engendered apart one from another , if their captaine liueth : but in case their king and captaine dies , some say they breed in the bees celles , and that of all others of this kinde , they are the most noble and couragious . the young drones are bred without any king , but the true younger bees neuer : for they deriue their originall and petigree from the kingly stocke . some will say that the young drones doe fetch their originall from the flowers of the herbe cerinthe ( described by pliny , which is a kind of hony suckle , hauing the tast of the hony and waxe together ) from the oliue tree and reede ; but this opinion is weakely grounded , and standeth vpon small reason . aristotle affirmeth , that they proceede from the longer and bigger bees , yea , and those that are tearmed thieues : which without question he receiued either from the auncient philosophers , or some others that had the charge and were skilfull of ordering honny , that liued in his time . some will haue them to breed and come from putrifaction , as isidore from stinking and putrified mules : cardan frō asses , plutarke and seruius from horses . othersome are of opinion , that they first proceede of bees , and that afterwards they degenerate bastardlike from them , after they haue lost their stings , for then they become drones : neither are they afterwardes knowne to gather any honny , but being as it were depriued of their strength , they grow effeminate , ceasing either to hurt , or to do any good at all . some againe hold the contrary side , assuring vs vppon their knowledge , that the true labouring bee fetcheth his beginning from the drone , because long experience ( the maisters of wisedome ) hath taught vs , that there is yearely knowne to be the greater swarme , when there is the greater multitude of drones . but this to me seemeth rather the deuise and inuention of some curious braine , then any true grounded reason . for because that many drones breede ( as it commeth alwaies to passe in good and plentifull yeares ) therefore there should be greater swarmes is no good consequent : but contrariwise , because the multitude of bees do greatly increase through the moderatenes of the pure aire , and the plenty of the hony-dropping dew , and through the aboundance of this millifluous moysture , there must needs follow a greater foison and store of drones : as the philosopher hath well obserued . but admit that this be true , that whereas there is the greater encrease of drones , there should yearly ensue the more swarmings : yet must we not thervpon conclude , that bees do owe , and ought to ascribe their first originall from drones , but rather that they are indebted and bound in honesty to the drones , because in time of breeding , they giue much warmth and comfort to their young ( as pliny lib. . c. . saith ) conferring vppon them a liuely heat , fit for their encrease and prospering . some deuide them into male and female , and that by coupling together they make a propagation of their kind , although ( as athenaeus writeth ) neither drones nor bees were euer yet seen of any one to couple together . but whereas waspes , hornets , and other cut-wasted creatures that make any combs and breed in the same , haue beene sometimes ( though seldome ) seene , both by vs and aristotle , to ioyne together , i can surely see no cause why we should vtterly take from them the vse of venus , though in that respect they be very modest and moderate . i haue before in the discourse of their generation said , that the bees do make the male kind , and the drones to be but the female ; but sith that in the time of hony-making , they punnish them so sharply after they haue eiected them from possession first , so that afterwards they put them to death , i can hardly be enduced to beleeue that the drones are but the female kind , considering that one thing would ecclipse and ouercast all those resplendant vertues which all men know to be in bees , to deale thus cruelly with their parents . to what vse therefore serue they in hiues ? seeing virgill in the fourth booke of his georgiks thus describeth them ; immunisque sedens aliena ad pabula fucus . that is to say ; the drone as free and bold doth sit , and wast of others food commit . where festus taketh immunis , for lazy , idle , vnseruiceable , vnprofitable , and such as are nothing worth , except perchance after the guise of wicked men , they so serue theyr owne turnes , as to liue by the sweat of other mens labours , and to bring out of order , or vtterly seeke to ouerthrow the whole frame of the common wealth . but the most approoued authors set downe diuers good vses of drones . for if there be but a few of them among the bees ; they make them the more carefull about their affaires , and to looke more duely to their taske : not by their good example , ( for they liue in continuall idlenesse ) but because they might continue their liberality towardes strangers , they worke the more carefully in their honnie-shoppe . and ( if bartholemaeus doe not deceiue vs ) these drones bee not altogether idle : but they imploie themselues about the building of the kings house , which they make large , stately , and very sumptuous in the higher and middle part of the combes , being very faire to see too in respect of their couering . so then they are but lazie , in respect of hony-making and gathering : but if you looke toward their art or science of building , they are to be accounted excellent deuisers of the frame and chiefe maisters of the whole worke . for as the bees do fashion out the combs of the drones nigh the kings pallace : so againe , for the like counterchange of kindnes , the drones are the sole inuentors , and principall work-maisters of the kinges court ; for which cause both they and their of-spring , kinsfolkes , and friends , ( if they haue any ) are bountifully rewarded of the whole stocke of bees , by giuing them franckly & freely their diet and maintenance which costeth them nothing . the lockers or holes of the vp-growne bees , are somewhat to large , if you respect the quantity of their bodies , but their combes lesser , for those they build themselues , & these other are made by the bees , because it was not thought cōuenient and indifferent , so great a portion of meat to be giuen to such vile labourers and hirelings , as was due to their own sons and daughters , and those that are naturally subiects . tzetzes , and some other greekes doe besides affirme , that the drones are the bees butlers or porters to carry them water , ascribing moreouer to them a gentle and kindly heat , with which they are said to keepe warme , cherish and nourish the young breede of the bees ; by this meanes as it were , quickning them , and adding to them both life and strength . the same affirmeth columella in these wordes . the drones further much the bees for the procreation of their issue , for they sitting vpon their kind or generation , the bees are shaped and attaine to their figure , and therefore for the maintenaunce , education , and defence of a new yssue , they receiue the more friendly entertainement . and pliny lib. . c. . differeth not from him . for not onely they are great helpers to the bees in any architectonicall or cunning deuised frame ( as hee saith ) but also they doe good in helping and succouring their young , by giuing them much warmth and kindly heat , vvhich the greater it is ( vnlesse there be some lacke of hony in the meane space ) the greater will the swarme be . in summe , except they should stand the bees in some good stead , the almighty would neuer haue enclosed them both in one house , and as it were made them freemen of the same citty . neither doubtlesse would the bees by maine force violently breake in vpon them , as being the sworne and professed enemies of their common-wealth , except when their slauish multitude being to much encreased , they might feare some violence or rebellion , or for lacke of prouision : at which time who seeth not , that it were farre better the maister worke-men , free masons , and carpenters might bee spared , then the true labouring husbandman , and tiller of the eearth ? especially since that missing these , our life is endangered for lacke of meate , and other necessaries , and those other for a time we may very well spare without our vndoing , and for a need , euery one may build his ovvne lodging . but as they be profitable members , not exceeding a stinted and certaine number , so if they be to many , they bring a sicknesse called the hiue-euill , as well because they consume the food of the hony-making bees , as for that in regard of their extreame heat , they choke and suffocate them . this disease is by the authour of geoponicon thus remedyed . moysten with water inwardly the lidde or couering of their hiue , and earely in the morning opening it , you shall finde drones sitting on the droppes that are on the couers , for beeing glutted with honny , they are exceeding thirstie , and by that meanes they vvill sticke fast to the moyst and devvie places of the couer : so that vvith small adoe , you may either destroye them quite , or else if you please , take away what number you list your selfe . and if you will take away withall their young , who are not yet winged , and first pulling off their heades throw them among the other bees , you shall bestow on them a very welcome dinner . but what the dreaning of drones portended , and what matter they minister in the hieroglyphicall art , let apomasueris reueale and disclose out of the schooles of the egyptians and persians . i thinke i haue discharged my duety , if i haue set dovvne their true vses , true nature , generation , degeneration , description , and names . fur in latine , or theefe in english , is by aristotle called phoor , of hesychius phoorios : from whence i take the latine word fur to be deriued . some haue thought that theeues are one proper sort of bees , although they be very great , and blacke , hauing a larger bellie or bulke then the true bee , and yet lesser then the drones , they haue purchased this theeuish name , because they doe by theft and robbery deuoure honny , belonging to others , and not to them . the bees do easily endure , and can well away with the presence of the drones , and do as it were greete and bid one another welcome , but the theeues they cannot endure , in regard that the bees do naturally hate them , for in their absence the theeues priuily and by stealth creepe in , there robbing and consuming their treasure of honny , so greedily and hastily ( without chewing ) swallowing it downe , that beeing met withall by the true bees in their returne homewards , & found so vnweildy by means of their fulnesse , that they cannot get away , nor be able to resist , but are ready to burst againe , they are seuerely punnished , and for their demerites by true iustice put to death . neither thus onely do they prodigally consume & spend the bees meate , but also priuilie breed in their celles , whereby it often commeth to passe , that there are as many drones & theeues , as true and lawfull bees . these neither gather hony , nor build houses , nor help to beare out any mutuall labor with bees : for which cause they haue watch-men or warders appointed to obserue and ouersee by night such as are ouerwearied by taking great and vndefatigable paines in the day time , to secure them from the theeues and robbers , who if they perceiue any theefe to be stolne in a doores , they presently set vppon him , beate , and either kill him outright , or leauing him for halfe dead , they throw him out . oftentimes also it happeneth , that the theefe being glutted and ouercloyed with honny , cannot fly away or get himselfe gone in time , but lyeth wallowing before the hiues entrance , vntill his enemies either in comming forth or returning home do so find him , and so with shame discredit and scoffing-scorne slay him . aristotle appointeth no office , charge or businesse to the theefe , but i thinke that he is ordained for this end , that he might be as it were a spur to prick forwards , to whet and quicken the courage of the true bees , when the other offer them any iniury : and to stirre and encourage them to a greater vigilancy , diligence , and doing of right and iustice to euery one particularly . for i cannot see to what other purpose thieues should serue in a christian common-wealth , or what vse might be made of such as lie in waight to do displeasure , and practise by crafty fetches , ambushes , and deceitfull treacheries , to wound their neighbours , either in their estimation , credit , or goodes . thus hauing at large discoursed of the lesse hurtfull and stinging sort of bees , i will now apply my selfe to a more fumish , testy , angry , waspish , and implacable generation , more venemous then the former , i meane waspes and hornets . of vvaspes . awaspe of the chaldeans is tearmed deibrane : of the arabians zambor . of the english-men a waspe . of the germans eine vvespe . of the belgies harsel . of the gothes bool getingh . the common people of italy tearme it vespa , and some of them do vsually call it muscone , and the bononians vrespa . the french guespe . the spaniards abispa , and vespa imitating the latines , who call it vespa . the polonians ossa . the slauonians woss . the hungarians daras . calepine saith that it is called vespa , qui vesperi muscas venatur in cibum . the greekes do also name them diuersly , for commonly they are called sphekes . the scholiast of nicander calleth them lucospades , and suidas dellides , & delithes . of hesychius auletaj , and passaleres , and gaza nicknameth them authrenaj : for these ought rather to be called bees . eustathius deriueth tous spekas , apo tes diasphagon , because they seeme to bee so much cut-asunder in the wast or middle , as that they seeme to gape and to be cleane clouen asunder , as by the figure here set before your eyes you may plainely perceiue . a waspe is a kinde of insect , that is , swift , liuing in routes and companies together , hauing somewhat a long body encircled , with with foure membranous wings , ( where of the two former are the greatest ) without bloud , stinged inwardly , hauing also sixe feete , and a yellow colour , somewhat glistering like golde , garnished with diuers blacke spots all ouer the body in forme of a triangle . whereupon peraduenture pollio would needs haue it called diachrusos . the body of a waspe seemeth to be fastened and tyed together to the middest of the breast , with a certaine thinne fine thred or line , so that by meanes of this disioyned , and not well compacted composition , they seeme very feeble in their loines , or rather to haue none at all . whereupon aristophanes the greeke poet , in his comedy , entituled spheres or waspes , tearmeth all those maids which are fine , slender , and pretty small in the wast , spherodeis , resembling them to waspes , as if one should call them waspe-wasted-wenches , whom terence very quaintly and elegantly tearmeth iunceas , that is , slender , long , and small , like to a bulrush . i think that all the whole pack of them haue stings in generall , although i am not ignorant that some authors hold the contrary , affirming that the breeding female waspes doe want them : but thus much i can say of my owne knowledge , that on a time finding a waspes nest , and killing them euery one by pouring hot scalding liquor into their holes , because i would boult out the truth , i plainely perceiued by long viewing of their bodies , that there was not one of them all but hadde a sting , either thrust out euidently , or closely and secretly kept and couered . so that : — quid nobis certius ipsis sensibus esse potest , quo ●era ac falsa notemus . in english thus ; what can more certaine be then sence , discerning truth from false pretence . they make a sound as bees do , but more fearefull , hideous , terrible , and whisteling , especially when they are prouoked to wrath ; from whence theocritus fetcheth this prouerb , sphex bomboom tettigos enantion , that is , scilicet obstrepita●s argutae vespa cicadit : and this old said saw may well be applyed to those who being themselues vnlearned , will not sticke to cry out , exclaime , and procure trouble to those that be more learned : or to such as be weake , feeble , and impotent persons able to do nothing , that will offerto contend with their betters and superiors with their brawling speeches , and spitefull raylings . and this latine prouerb carrieth the same sense , catulus leonem adlatrans . if you will haue the gifts and ornaments of their minds described , you must consider that a waspe is a creature that liueth in companies together , one with another , subiect to a ciuill gouernment vnder one king or ruler , industrious , mutuall friendes one to another , ingenious , crafty , subtle , quicke , and cunning , of a very quarrelsome nature , and much subiect to anger and testinesse . this is a good argument of their ciuill and politicall manner of life , in that they liue not solitarily in a desart or wildernesse where no man keepeth , but they build for themselues a citty , both excellent and admirable for the notable buildings and houses in it , where they spend their time ( for the most part ) according to the mutable and neuer fayling lawes of nature , obseruing and keeping euer the golden meane , as well in their daily taskes , as in their dispositions and affections of mind . besides , they are gouerned with a kingly , not with a tyrannicall gouernment , ( as aelianus saith ) although by nature they are great fighters , eger , bioysterous , and vehemently tempestuous : and he is led to say this , because their dukes or generals are stinglesse , or rather hauing stings as their subiects , they will not vse the same to the hurt of their inferiors , by thrusting it forth , or striking in passion . now although they be twice so great , and harder or rougher then the other waspes , yet are they not vnfurnished of the vertue of patience and clemency , or gentle and debonaire behauiour , by which meanes they keepe in order , and containe in their lists , as it were by gentle language , their vnruly rout , and mutinous companies . there is no man but will confesse , that this is an euident token and argument of their mutuall loue , and great good liking which they bear one to another : for whosoeuer dare be so knack-hardy as to come neere there houses or dwelling places where they haue to do , and to offer any violence or hurt to the same , at the noyse of some one of them , all the whole swarme rusheth out , being put into an amazed feare , to help their fellow cittizen , and doe so busily bestirre themselues about the eares of their molesters , as that they send them away packing with more then an ordinary pase , and if we will credit aelianus . the phaselites in times past were constrained to forsake their citty , for all their defence , munition , and armour , onely through the multitude , and cruell fiercenesse of the waspes , wherewith they were anoyed . againe , this manifestly prooueth , that they want not a harty and fatherly affection , because with more then heroycall courage and inuincible fury , they set vpon all persons , of what degree or quality soeuer , that dare attempt to lye in wait to hurt or destroy theyr young breede , no whit at all dreading neoptolemus , pyrrhus , hector , achilles , or agamemnon himselfe , the captaine generall of all the whole graecians if he were present . yea the diuine poet homer , in . lib. of his iliades , when hee would expresse the haughty and generous spirits of the greekish chiefetaines , hee likeneth them to waspes in these wordes , spekessin ajolois cradien kai thumon echousaris , that is , hauing the harts and stomacks of waspes , when they are to fight for their priuate dwellings , their deare progeny & of-spring . the loue that bees carry to their issue is great , but it canot be greater then that of waspes , neither can they haue a greater promptitude , alacrity , or desire to defend their young ones , if they be any way offended by passengers . which thing homer in his iliads lib. . insinuateth by the example of the chasing god iupiter , who took it marueylous angry , and much repined at the sturdy stomackes of the graecians , adding that the greeks did defend themselues as valiantly , and endured the shock and assault of their enimies , as euer waspes of bees would in defence of their children or issue : in these verses following ; — non enim ego putaui heroas achiues sustentaturos nostrum robur , & manus inuictas illi autem quasi vespae acres atque apes , quae nidos faciunt ad viam puluerulentam , neque deserunt cauam domum : sed expectantes , viros venatores pugnant pro filijs . that is to say ; i did not thinke our noble graetian lords , could beare our force , and with vnconquered hands maintaine our right : but they like waspes and bees deuoyde of feare , which by high-wayes their houses vse to frame , doe not for sake their hollow dusty homes , what ●re they be that come to hunt them out : fighting with valour , ( not fearefully like drones ) to rid their young ones both from death and doubt . besides this , they further builde for them very large dwellings , with chambers and floores , in a round and orbicular forme , with roomes one aboue another , finely and wittily compacted , so that there is space enough of ingresse and regresse , and very defensible against all windes and weather , and yet their nests or houses , are not all made after one fashion , but very different , some of them representing a harpe , some made much after the fashion of a peare , a toadestole , a bottle , or budget of leather , and some like a standing cuppe with handles . some affirme , that the matter of theyr combes is confused , rude , and ●…fauouredlie heaped vppe , full of barke and sand , but i could neuer as yet see it otherwise then light , slender , and thinne like paper , dry , transparent , gummy and thinne , as though it vvere thinne leaues of gold , shaken very easily hither and thither with the wind , and rising many times from the foote or foundation very small , and broade aboue like vnto a top . the place of this their building , is thought to be diuers , and much different for some respects . for if they haue lost theyr duke or principall leader , then doe they make them nestes of clay in the high holes of walls and hollow trees ; and as some say ( although hetherto i ould neuer see it ) they make vvaxe there also . but in case they haue a generall or duke , then they make their nestes vnder the earth , their cells or chambers beeing formed with sixe angles or corners , much like vnto bees . they make theyr combes ●ound , much after the fashion of a broade toadestoole , from whose centers there goeth forth as it were a short stalke or tying , by which the combe eleaueth , and is fastened hard to th earth , or some tree , or peraduenture to some other combe . they haue such a tender care ouer their females , ( especially at such time as they are great with young , ) and suffer them so much to haue their owne wills , as they will neither permit them to take any paynes abroade for theyr liuing , nor yet to seeke for their meate at home : but the males flying about , ( like good purueighers , ) bring all home to their owne dwellings , thereby as it were strictly enioyning the femalls to keepe theselues within dores . all which fore-cited particulers , if a man would dulie enter into consideration of them , hee must needes confesse , ( will hee nill hee ) the admirable industry , diligence , wit , prudence , art , sweat , and labour that is in these poore vermine . their naturall inclination to anger , and the hastie fumishnesse of waspes , not onely cockes , which doe scratch and scrape vppe with their spurres their nests , doe finde implacable , but euen all other disturbers and prouokers ; from whence ( i take it ) that prouerbe hath sprung , sphekian erithizein , which the latines , as plautus almost in the same sence vseth , i●ritare erabrones : for crabro among the poets , is vsed sometimes for a hornet , and other-whiles for a waspe . in like manner , clemens alexandrinus , stromaton . when he would expresse and declare the foulenesse and abhominable hurt of such sinnes that doe lye in waite , as it were to deceiue , and watch to doe displeasure to the life of man , hath these wordes , houtoi gar ( inquit ) oi ant agonist ai pacheis koij olumpicoi , sphaecon hos eipein eisi drimuterai , kai malist a ●edone . that is , these fatte , dull , grosse and olimpicall enemies of ours , are worset then waspes , more cruell and displeasant , and especially sensuall and worldly pleasure . yea , whosoeuer dare aduenture to challenge into the fielde this hardie and couragious little creature , hee shall ( i dare be bolde to say ) but cadmeam victoriam reportare , loose more then hee shall get , whet his sword against himselfe , and returne home by weeping crosse , considering that besides the noblenes of their stout stomacks , and armed stinges , they are withall so stiffe and obstinate , as that they will neuer giue ouer . they 〈◊〉 in their first breeding , stocke , sexe , place , feeding , and manner of labour . isidore sayth , ( although perhaps not so trulie ) that waspes doe first proceed from the rotten carkasses of dead asses : for all holde opinion , that the blacke flyes called beetles , doe take their originall from them . but i am rather mooued to thinke , that they were first bredde from the dead bodie of some warlike and fierce horse , and so also thinketh pliny , in his eleuenth booke & twentith chapter . and the graecians haue vsually this famous and vulgar verse in their ordinary talke . hippoimen sphekon genesis , tauroi de melisson , equi enim vesparum generatio , tauri verò apum . in english thus ; waspes doe first come from horses , and bees are bred from bulls . and surely , their incredible swiftnesse in their flight , their ardent and burning desire they haue to fighting , are sufficient inducements to mooue me to thinke , that they tooke theyr first beginning from some gallant horse , and not from asses , oxen , or cowes , & much lesse from the fearefull deere . for dame nature hath sildome beene so indulgent and friendly to any one beast besides an horse , as to excell both in swiftnes of pace , quicknesse of spirit , courage of stomacke , and magnanimity . and i rather leane to this side , because els i doe not know what sence i should giue to that aristotelean prouerbe : chairete aellopodoon thugateres ippoon , saluete volucripedum filiae equorum : which may be englished thus ; all hayle yee daughters of swift-footed horses . for besides the truth that lyeth in the bare wordes , i take the morrall of it to be vttered as a wittie checke , or a figuratiue flout , conceitedly to rebuke & hit in the teeth , those shrewd women , curst and scolding wiues , which are so peeuish that they will not be pacified , who are like vnto waspes in their sullen displeasant humours , tempestuous madnes , and pelting chafe . some waspes doe proceede from the stinking carkasse of a crocodile , if wee may giue any credite to the egyptians and their fellowes ; and for that cause , when they imagine or thinke a waspe , they paint and draw out the shape and forme of a crocodile or a horse . from hence hierom cardan would make this collection , that of euery corrupted liuing creature , another doth proceede : which in my conceit is very absurd and against all reason . for this beeing granted , the generation of waspes would be infinite , and daily experience would read a lecture of contradiction against him , vpon the progresse of natures workes . many times waspes doe breede by the mutuall company of the male & female together , which though athaeneus counteth but a fable , yet for all that , sith the philosopher doth plainely tell vs , that hee hath beene an eye-witnes to the same , ( as in his first booke de generat . animal . cap. . and in his ninth booke de histor . animal . cap. . ) i will wholy incline to his iudgement . but what manner of beginning they haue by ioyning together , and how it is perfited & accomplished , let vs a little lend our listening eares to aristotle , and pliny his interpreter . the princes or ring-leaders of the waspes , when they haue made choyce of a fit place for themselues vnder the earth , either in the holes , chincks , or clefts of the rockes , or in thatched houses , ( as i haue often seene ) there they make there combes in the beginning of sommer , fashioning their small cells with foure little dores , wherein small wormes do breede , who when they are more growne , they make yet other greater dores or hatches , and then againe , when theyr young are at the greatest , they make others , so that towards the end of autumne , you shall find many , and those very large nestes : wherin their principall commaunder doth breed , not with euery waspe indifferently , but onely with those of his owne race and princely linage . they are bred in the most eminent and highest placo of the waspe nest , like vnto great wormes , their celles being foure or fiue in number , close ioyned and couched together , for otherwise they would encrease after the same sort in all respects as the common waspes doe . the excrement is onely in the small wormes , and their young increase remaineth immoueable without any stirring before they be able to flye , and whilst they are couered as it were with a thinne membrane , and yet in the same season of the yeere , and in the space of one day , you shall manifestly perceiue a great difference : for one flyeth out , another sticketh still as it were in the shell , another rolleth and tumbleth , and a fourth cannot stir one whit . all these haue their beginning and increase for the most part in autumne , not in the spring , and specially in the full of the moone . this one thing here is to be noted , that waspes doe not swarme , and that in sommer-time they are subiect to kings , and in winter , guuaicocrateia , the females regiment , or muliebre imperium preuaileth . and when they haue renued and repayred their issue with a great supply , & that they be fresh and lustie , the empire againe returneth to the masculine kinde , and yet it is but a short , brittle , and ruinous empire not able to beare vp it selfe , although by natures immutable decree , orderly ruled , and rightfully gouerned . aristotle saith that it is not likely that the young waspes are brought forth as a broode , because they be so great in bulke , as that in reason it should not seeme probable , that so small a flye as a waspe , should haue such great young ones . but this is a bare & weake reason , not beseeming the dignitie of so great a philosopher . for what can any man alleadge to the contrary , why nature in a lawfull birth and breeding , should not as soone , and as speedily finish , and make to grow and increase , as shee doth in generation that proceedes of rottennes or corruption , which i hold to be but illegitimate . let vs but call to minde young birds , in how short a time after they be out of the shell , they be feathered , they be able to goe , to eate , yea quickly increased in strength , and growne to theyr full greatnes , so that they are in their full flowre ere one be aware . all which when one hath throughly considered , he will easily iudge , that famous phylosopher aristotle , to haue relyed but vpon a weake proppe , hauing scarse probability to stand on his side for the maintenance of his opinion . his credit therefore at this time must not be sufficient to barre vs the libertie of contradicting him . the same aristotle , the monarch of our moderne learning , saith , that the ●●al wormes of waspes , before they haue any wings at all , are some-what long , not much vnlike those wormes which hippocrates calleth e●lai , that breede in flesh called ( as i iudge ) ●●ggots , but in our country , gentiles : & these waspish wormes are somewhat white , knowne and easily discerned by their slits or dashes , the hinder part of their body being very thicke and grosie , hauing a black list or line running along their backs , without feet , not creeping , but rolling & tumbling thēselues this way & that way confusedly . when they haue disburthened themselues of their breed , they close vp their cells with a certaine thin small skinne , which againe beeing broken when they come to any perfection or growth , they get thēselues our of dores into the cleere light , & at two daies end wil be able to flie round about . the philosopher maketh two kinds of waspes , the one wild & fell , the other more meeke and quiet . the wilder sort is sildom seene , for they liue & breed in mountaines & woods , in oke trees , & not in the earth , and this kind is greater , blacker , more diuersly coloured , & stingeth more cruelly then the other . after they haue liued one whole yeere , they are seene to flie away , if in the winter the tree be cut downe . these kinde of waspes i did once see in a wood in essex , where going vnwarily to gather simples with another phisitian , & offending one of this fumish generation , the whole swarme of them presently rushed forth about mine eares , & surely had i not had in my hand some sprigs or branches of broome for my defence , i had vndoubtedly payde deerely for this my vnaduisednes , if it had not cost me my life , for they pursued me in euery place of the wood , with a vehement rage for a long season , insomuch that i was faine to take me to my heeles , & so to seeke to saue my selfe from further danger . and if our owne countriman sir francis drake himselfe had beene there , although hee was ( as meteranus a stranger , ( and so vnpartiall ) in his belgick historie right truly obserued , ) omnium ducum nostri seculi fortissimus ac famosissimus , yet i make no doubt , but he would haue taken my part , and beene a companion with me in this my fearefull flight . some of these vvaspes , as well those of the crueller kinde as those of the gentler , doe lacke a sting , ( or rather i thinke they vse it not . ) othersome againe of both sorts , are furnished with stinges , and those that want them , are euer the lesser and weaker , neither reuenging themselues any way , nor offering to make resistance . contrariwise , those who haue stings are greater , stronger , more quarrellous , concentious , stubburne and eager . some account these the males , and those other stinglesse to be the females . many of those which haue stinges , doe for-goe and quite loose them when winter draweth on , as some make reckoning , but it was neuer my hap to see this , saith the philosopher , in his booke de hist : animal : capit . . if you catch a waspe , holding her fast by the feete , suffering her to make her vsuall humming sound , you shall haue all those that lacke stinges presently come flying about you , which the stinged waspes neuer are seene to doe . therfore some hold this as a good reason to prooue , that the one should be the male , the other the female . both these sorts , both wilde and vnwilde , haue beene seene to couple together after the manner of flyes . besides , ( in respect of sexe ) both kindes of waspes are deuided into captaines or ringleaders , and into labourers , those former are euer greater in quantitie , and of more calme disposition ; these other , both lesser , more froward , testie , peeuish , and diuers . the males or labourers , neuer liue one whole yeere full out , but all of them die in the winter time , which is euident by this , because in the very beginning of cold weather , they are as it were frozen or benummed , and in the depth or midst of hard winter , a man shall hardly or neuer see any of them . but yet for all that , their dukes or principall chiefetaines , are seene all the winter long to lye hidde in their lurking holes vnder the earth : and indeed many men whē they plowed or broke vppe the ground , and digged in winter , haue found of this sort . but as for the labouring waspe , i neuer as yet heard of any that could finde them . theyr principall or captaine , is broader , thicker , more ponderous and greater then the male waspe , and so not very swift in flight , for the weightines of their bodies is such an hinderance to them , that they cannot flie very farre : whereby it commeth to passe , that they euer remaine at home in their hiues , there making and deuising their combes , of a certaine glutinous matter or substance , brought vnto them by the worke-waspes : thus spending their time in executing and dooing all those duties that are meet , in their cells . waspes are not long liued , for theyr dukes ( who liue longest , ) doe not exceede tvvo yeeres . and the labouring , that is the male waspes , together with autumne , make an end of their dayes . yea which is more strange , whether their dukes or captaines of the former yeere , after they haue ingendered and brought forth new sprong vp dukes , doe dye , together with the newe waspes , and whether this doe come to passe after one & the selfe-same order , or whether yet they doe and may liue any longer time , diuers men do diuersly doubt . all men hold the wilder kind to be more strong of nature , and to continue and hold out the longer . for why , these other making their nests neere vnto common high-wayes and beaten paths , doe liue in more hazard , lye open to diuers iniuries , and so more subiect to shortnes of life . the brouity of their life , is after a sort recompenced , and some part of amends made by the rare clammy glewishnes of the same : for if you seperate their bulkes from the head , & the head from the breast , they will liue a long while after , and thrust out their sting almost as strongly as if they were vndeuidable , and free from hurt and deathes harme . apollonius calleth waspes omoboroi , and aristotle , meloboroi , although they doe not onely feede on rawe flesh , but also on peares , plummes , grapes , reysins , and on diuers and sundry sorts of flowers and fruites ; of the iuyce of elmes , suger , hony , and in a manner of all things that are seasoned , tempered , made pleasant , or prepared with eyther of these two last rehearsed . pliny in his . booke capit . . is of opinion that some waspes , especially those of the wilder & feller kind , do eate the flesh of serpents , which is the cause that death hath some-times ensued of their poysonous stinging . they also hunt after great flyes , not one vvhit sparing the harmelesse bees , who by their good deedes haue so well deserued . according to the nature of the soyle & place , they do much differ in their outward forme & fashion of their body , and in the manner of their qualities and dispositions of their mind : for the common waspes beeing acquainted , & familiarly vsed to the company of men & beasts , are the gentler , but the hermites and solitary waspes , are more rude , churlish , and tempestuous : yea nicander termeth them olaus , that is , pernicious . they are also more vnhappy , dangerous , and deadly in very hote countries , as ouidius reporteth , and namelie in the west-indies : where both in their magnitude and figure , there is great difference betwixt theirs and ours , so that they are accounted farre more poysonous & deadly , then either the english , french , spanish , or barbarian waspes . some of these dangerous generation doe also abound in exceeding cold countries , as olaus magnus in his . booke telleth vs. their vse is great and singuler : for besides that they serue for foode to those kinde of hawkes which are called kaistrells or fleingalls , martinets , swallowes , owles , to brocks or badgers , and to the cameleon : they also doe great pleasure and seruice to men sundry wayes , for they kill the phalangium , which is a kind of venomous spyder , that hath in all his legges three knots or ioynts , whose poyson is perilous and deadly , and yet waspes do cure their wounds . raynard the foxe likewise , who is so full of his wiles and craftie shifting , is reported to lye in waite to betray waspes after this sort . the wilie thiefe thrusteth his bushie tayle into the waspes nest , there holding it so long , vntill hee perceiue it be full of them , then drawing it slylie forth , he beateth and smyteth his tayle-full of waspes against the next stone or tree , neuer resting so long as hee seeth any of them aliue ; and thus playing his foxe-like parts many times together , at last hee setteth vppon their combes , deuouring all that he can find . pliny greatly commendeth the solitary wasp to be very effectuall against a quartaine-ague , if you catch her with your left hand , & tyeor fasten her to any part of your body , ( alwayes prouided , that it must be the first waspe that you lay hold on that yeere . mizaldus memor . cent. . attributeth great vertue to the distilled water , and likewise to the decoction of common waspes , affirming expresly , that if any part be there-with annoynted , it straightwayes causeth it to swell monsterously , and to be puffed vp , that you would imagine them to be sicke of a dropsie : and this course craftie-drabbes & queanes vse to perswade their sweet harts , that they are forsooth with child by them : thus many times beguiling and blinding the eyes of vvarie and expert midwiues . wherevpon we may very confidently conclude , that their poyson is very hote , flatuous or windie . some do prole after waspes , and kill them by other sleights & deuises . for when the labourers do much vse and frequent elmes , which they doe very often about the summer solftice , to gather from them some gummy and clammy matter , their dukes and princes beeing at home , not standing still , but setling themselues to their busines or trade , and helping to hatch vp their young , they are suddenly choked with the fume of brimstone , garlicke , the branches of coleworts , or other pot-herbes , or els by breaking downe & onerthrowing their combes , they die through famine . vvhen you are minded to defend the bees from the inuasion and spoyle of waspes , you must sette a potte with some peeces of flesh in it neere the hiue , and when the waspes ( in hope of some prey ) are entered , suddenly clappe ouer the couer , and so destroy them , or else by pouring in some hot water at the toppe , you may scald them all to death in the pot . in like sort , some doe gently breath vppon raisins , fruites , suger , hony , oyle , by which , eyther the waspes are chased away , or by tasting the oyle doe die . and againe , some doe mixe corrosiues with honie , ( as for example , sublimate , vitrioll , auripigmentum , &c. ) that they by taking this venomous or poyson-infected drinke , may suffer condigne punishment for their intemperate and insatiable gluttony . of the stinging of vvaspes , there doe proceede diuers and sundry accidents , passions and effects , as payne , disquieting , vexation , swelling , rednesse , heate , sweatings , disposition or will to vomit , loathing and abhorring of all thinges , exceeding thirstinesse , & now and then fainting or swounding ; especially when after the maner of venomous creatures , they haue infected their stings eyther by tasting the flesh of some serpents , or by gathering their foode from venomous plants . i will nowe sette before your eyes and eares one late and memorable example of the danger that is in vvaspes , of one allens vvife , dwelling not manie yeeres since at lowick in northamptonshire , vvhich poore woman resorting after her vsuall manner in the heate of the sommer to drayton , the lord mordants house , beeing extreamely thirstie , and impatient of delay , finding by chaunce a blacke iacke or tankerd on the table in the hall , she very inconsiderately and rashly sette it to her mouth , neuer suspecting or looking what might be in it , and suddainly a waspe in her greedinesse passed downe with the drinke , and stinging her , there immediatly came a grea●tumour in her throate with a rednes , puffing and swelling of all the parts adiacent ; so that her breath beeing intercepted , the miserable vvretch whirling herselfe twise or thrise round , as though shee had had some vertiginie in her braine , presently fell downe and dyed . and this is knowne for a truth , not onely to me , but to most of the inhabitants there abouts , being as yet fresh in their memories , and therefore their authorities as i take it , is vnreproueable . now , for feare least i should loose my selfe in this troublesome and vast ocean of natures admirable fabricature , i wil now discourse of such medicinall meanes , as will defend from their furious malice . the vertue of mallowes , and of althea , ( called marsh-mallowe ) is notable against the prickings of waspes . for the softest and most emollient herbe , is applyed as a contrary to a watlike and hurtfull creature , whose iuyce beeing annoynted with oyle , eyther abateth the rage of vvaspes , or so blunteth and dulleth theyr sting , that the paine is not very sharpe or byting . pliny lib : . capit : . and of the same mind is auicen : waspes ( saith he ) will not come neere any man if he be annoynted with oyle and the iuyce of mallowes . for as a soft aunswere doth frangere iram , and as the graecians haue a saying ; edus megiston estin orges , pharmakon logos : so also in naturall philosophy we see , that hard thinges are quailed , and their edge euen taken off with soft and suppling : as yron with a fine , small , and soft feather , the adamant stone with blood , and the stinge of vvaspes , hornets and bees , with oyle and mallowes . what is softer then a caterpiller ? and yet if aetius credite be of sufficience , the same beeing beaten with oyle , and annoynted vppon any part preserueth the same from the woundes and stinges of vvaspes . and of the same vertue is the herbe called balme , being stamped and mixed with oyle . the same symptomes or accidents doe follow the stinging of waspes , as of bees , but farre more painefull , and of longer continuance , to vvit , rednesse , intollerable paine , & apostumes . and if any be strooken of the orenge or yellow coloured vvaspes , especially in a sinowie or some sensible part , there will followe a convulsion , weakenes of the kees , swounding , yea , & sometimes death , as before i haue touched . against the stingings of vvaspes diuers medicines are prescribed by phisitions , but i will speake of such onely as i haue made proofe of , and such as are confirmed by long experience . gilbert the englishman , saith , that vvaspes beeing bruised and applyed to the place affected , doe cure their owne wounds very strangely . the same vertue peraduenture , not onely the scorpion , but the greater part of insects haue , if any one would make any dilligent tryall thereof . if a man be stinged of any venomous vvaspes ( which is easily knowne by the blewnes of the place , madnes , rauing and fainting of the partie , and coldnesse of the hands and feete ) after you haue giuen him inwardly some alexipharmacall medicine , the place agrieued must be launched , or rather opened with a cauterie , so beeing thus enlarged and opened , the venome must be well sucked out , and the paring or shauing of that earth wherein the waspes build their nests , must be wrought & kneaded with vineger , and so applyed like a cataplasme . a plaister also made of vvillow-leaues , mallowes , and the combe of waspes , is verie medicinable for the same , as by the counsell of haly abbas i haue experimented . the english-northerne-men , doe prepare most excellent emplaister woorth gold , against all stinges of waspes , onely of that earth whereof their ouens are made , hauing vineger and the heads of flyes commixed therewith . let the place be very well rubbed with the iuyce of citrulls , & withall , let the partie that is pained drinke of the seed of margerom beaten to powder the quantity of two drammes : or thus . take of the iuyce of margerom two ounces , of bole armony two drammes , with the iuyce of vnripe grapes so much as is sufficient , make an emplaister . another . annoynt the place with the iuyce of purcelane , beetes , or sweet wine , and oyle of roses , or with cowes bloud , or with the seedes of the spirting or wilde cucumber ( called nolime tangere ) beaten with some vvine . thus farre galen . barly meale wrought vp with vineger and the milke or iuyce of a fig-tree , brine , or sea water , are excellent for these griefes , ( as dioscorides lib. . cap. . writeth ) if the wound be often fomented , bathed , or soked with any of them . to drinke , giue two drammes of the young and tender leaues of bayes with harsh wine , and if the part affected bee onely annointed with any of these , they are much auaileable . in like sort the decoction of marsh-mallowes drunke with vineger and water , are much commended , and outwardly salt with calues fat : oyle of bayes draweth out the poyson of vvaspes . the leaues of marsh-mallow ( as aetius saith ) beeing bruised and applyed , doe performe the same . the iuyce of rue or balme , about the quantity of two or three ounces drunke with wine , and the leaues being chewed and laid on with hony and salt , or with vineger and pitch , do help much . vvater-cresses , rosemarie , with barly meale , and water with vineger sod together , the iuyce of iuy leaues , marigolds , the bloud of an owle , all these are very affectuall against the stinging of waspes : as pliny lib. . cap. . telleth vs. the buds of the wilde palme-tree , endiue with the root , and wilde timbe being applyed playsterwise , doe helpe the stinging of vvaspes . after the vemine is drawne out by sucking , the place effected must bee put into hot water the space of an houre , and then suddenly they must be thrust into vineger and brine , and forthwith the paine will bee asswaged , the tumour cease , and the malice of the venemous humor cleane extinguished . rhazes saith , that the leaues of night-shade , or of sengreene , do very much good in this case . and in like sort bole armony with vineger and champhire , and nuts beaten with a little vineger and castoreum . also take the combe with honny applying to the place , and hold the grieued place neere the fire immediatly , and laying vnder them a few ashes , binde them hard , & forth-with the paine will bee swaged . serapio saith , that sauorie , or cresses applyed , and the seed thereof taken in drinke , and the iuyce of the lesser centory mixt with wine , are very meete to bee vsed in these griefes , he also commendeth for the same purpose the leaues of basill , the herb called mercury , and mandrakes , with vineger . ardoynus is of opinion that if you take a little round ball of snow , and put it into the fundament , the paine will cease , especially that which proceedeth by waspes . let the place be annoynted with vineger and champhire , or often fomented and bathed with snow-water . take of opium , of the seed of henbane and champhire , of each alike much , and incorporate them with rose water , or the iuyce of vvillowes , and laie it vppon the wounded place , applying on the top of it a linnē cloth , first throughly wetted in wine . iohannes mesue ( who of some is called euangelist a medicoram ) prescribeth this receipt of the iuyce of sisimbrium two drammes and a halfe , and with the iuyce of tartcitrons make a potion . the iuyce also of spina arabica , and of margerom are nothing inferiour to these forementioned . aaron , would in this griefe haue water lintells ( called by some duckes meat ) to be stamped with vineger , and after to be applyed . constantine assureth vs , that alcama tempered with barley meale and vineger , and so bound to the place , as also nuts , leaues of vvall-nuts , and bleetes , are very profitable in this passion . item , apply very warme to the wound a spiders web , bruised with a vvhite onion , & sufficient salt and vineger , will perfectlie cure it . guil : placentinus will warrant , that a plate of cold iron laid vppon the wound , or lead steeped in vineger , will doe the deed . gordonius counsell is to rub the place with sage and vineger , and afterwards to foment it with water and vineger sod together . varignana would haue vs to apply chalk in powder , and invvardly to take the seedes of mallovves boyled in vvine , water , and a little vineger . matthiolus much commendeth sperage being beaten and wrought vp with hony , to annoint the place . likewise flyes beaten and annointed on the place , vvinter sauoury , vvater-cresses , with oyle of momerdica , giue most speedie helpe . arnoldus villanouanus assureth vs , that any fresh earth , especially fullers earth , is very auayleable , and the herbe called poley vsed as an vnguent , or else goats milke . and marcellus empiericus is not behinde his commendations for the vse of bullockes dung , to be applyed as a poulteisse to the stinged part . these and many others any man ascribe that hath hadde but an easie tast of the infinity of physickes speculation , for the store-house of nature , and truely learned physitions , which way soeuer you turne you , will minister and giue sufficient store of alexyteriall medicines for the expulsing of this griefe . in conclusion one and the selfe same medicament will serue indifferently for the curation of waspes & bees , sauing that when we are stung with waspes more forceable remedies are requyred , and for the hurts that bees doe vs , then weaker and gentler are sufficient . in the hundreth and nintith yeare before the byrth of our blessed sauiour , an infinite multitude of waspes came flying into the market place at capua , ( as iulius witnesseth ) and lighted on the temple of mars , all which when with great regard & diligence they were gathered together and solemnly burnt , yet for all that they presignified the comming of an enemy , and did as it were foretell the burning of the citty , which shortly after came to passe . and thus much for the historie of the waspe . of hornets . ahornet is called of the hebrewes tsirhah . of the arabians zabor , and zambor . of the germans ein hornauss , horlitz , froisln , ofertzwuble . of the flemminges horsele . of the french-men trellons , troisons , foulons . of the italians calauron , crabrone , scaraffon , and galanron . of the spaniards tabarros ò moscardos . of the illirians irssen . of the slauonians sierszen . of vs englishmen hornets , & great waspes . the graecians cal them anthrénas , and anthrenoùs , because with their sting they raise an anthrar or carbuncle , with a vehement inflamation of the whole part about it . the latines call them crabrones peraduenture of crabra , a towne so named in the territory of tusculanum , where there is great plenty of them : or it may be they are tearmed crambrones of caballus ( a horse ) of whom they are first engendered : according to that of ouid . metamorphos . pressus humo bellator equus crabronis origo est . that is to say ; when war horse dead vpon the earth lies , then doth his flesh breed hornet flyes . albertus tearmeth a hornet apis citrina , that is a yellow or orenge coloured bee. cardan laboureth much to proue that dead mules are their first beginners . plutarke is of opinion , that they first proceed from the flesh of dead horses , as bees do out of a buls belly : and i thinke that they haue their breeding from the harder , more firme and solide parts of the flesh of horses , as waspes do from the more tender or soft . hornets are twice so great as the common waspes , in shape and proportion of body much resembling one another . they haue foure winges , the inward not beeing halfe so large as the outward , beeing all ioyned to their shoulders , which are of a darke , brownish , and of a chestnut-like colour , these wings are the cause of their swift flight : they haue also sixe feete of the same colour and hew , that their breast and shoulders are of . their is somewhat long , of the colour of saffron , their eyes and lookes are hanging or bending downewards , crooked and made like a halfe moone , from which grow forth two peakes like vnto sithes or two sickles , nothing varying in colour frō their feet . their belly is as though it were tied to their shoulders with a very fine thred , the forward and middle part whereof is ouercast with a browne colour , & begirt as it were with a girdle of saffron . the hinder part is altogether yellow , easily discerned and remarkable for those eight browne pricks or specks , euery one of them being much like vnto a small triangle , besides they haue certain clefts or slits on both sides , both before and behind , by which they can at their pleasure when they list , either shrinke vp themselues , or draw and gather themselues together , and with the same againe lengthen and stretch out their bodies . they haue also neere to their belly on both sides foure blacke spots , and in their taile they are armed with a strong piercing sting , and the same very venomous . they make a sound or a buzzing strange noyse , more hydeous and dreadfull then waspes doe . they are shrewd , fierce , and cruell , quickly angry and wrathfull , and although they liue in companies together , yet notwithstanding they are euer known to be but of an homely , rude , curft , and vntractable disposition and nature , and will neuer be brought by any art or fashioning to lay aside their vplandish wildenesse , ( as some herbes will doe that are transplanted into gardens . ) they are besides this of such a mischeeuous malignity and venemous quality , that as some affirme , nine of their stings will kill a man , and three time nine will be able to kill a strong horse ; especially at the rising of the dog-star and after , at which time they haue a more fiery , hasty , and inflaming nature , and men at that season , by reason of their large exaltation and sending forth of spirits , grow more weake and faint . and therefore it is no maruaile though in holy scripture , they are compared or likened to most fierce & cruell enemies , which should put & cast forth the cananites , hettites , and cheuits , exod. . . so likewise ouid in the eleuenth booke of his metamorphos . hath these words , spicula carbronum ardentia . the burning stings of hornets : and virgill in the fourth booke of his georgiks , calleth them asperrima , most sharp and violent . terence ( the most eloquent of all comicall poets ) in his comedy intituled phormio , and plautus in his amphytrio , haue this prouerbe : irritaui crabrones , i haue prouoked or incensed the great waspes to anger : which i suppose they vsed as a by-word against the properties , natures , and froward behauiours of women , who beeing in their wonted sumish mood , if once you go about to ouerthwart them , or a little to contrary their wilfulnesse , you shall pull an old house ouer your owne head by a further prouocation , & perhaps if you get you not the sooner out of their sight and reach of their clutches , you may chance haue somewhat more flying about your eares then you would . it is good therefore if you haue a wife , that is , calcata immitior hydra , vnquiet and contentious , to let her alone , not to wake an angry dogge : and when a mischiefe is well quieted and brought asleepe , to go your waies and say neuer a word . whereas among bees , their drones and kinges do want stinges ; yea , and some waspes too , as before i haue writ : yet notwithstanding all hornets in generall , as well the greater sort of them that builde their houses in trees , as the lesser sort that dwell in the earth , are prouided of stinges , neither doth their ring-leader seeme to bee vnarmed . for waspes haue theyr presidents of their owne society , and their captaines generall as well as bees & waspes , whatsoeuer pliny lib. . cap. . dreame to the contrary : which in proportion and quantity are farre greater ( if you respect the bodies of other hornets ) then either the captaines of the bees or waspes , are in comparison of their subiects . these also spend their time within doores , as the captaines of waspes do , not hauing many but one head to guid & rule ouer them , least by banding into parties and factions , some ciuill warre ( wherein all things are miserable , as tully saith ) or other mutinie might arise to their finall destruction . they are great vexers and troublers , and euen like such as had sworne the death of their enemies , robbers , and thieues : and yet at home they nourish peace , excelling euen the very bees themselues in their painefull , earnest , and willing desire to maintaine their stocke and common society . for neither do they chide , braule , or contend , nor yet make any stir or rustling when any is promoted to any office or place of preferment in their corporation ; neither are they distracted into diuers mindes with their businesses , neither yet doe they raise any tumult , make any vprore , or keepe a coyle or ruffling at the election of their prince or captaine generall , but with common consent they vse but one table , taking their commons together like good friends and fellowes , and whatsoeuer they kill , they carry some part of it home , frankly imparting it to their neighbors , children , and companions . neither do they yearely driue and expell forth of the doores to seeke new habitations , where they can , ( as some bees deale very churlishly and vnnaturall with their young ) but they contrarywise cherish in their bosome , defend and keepe warme , their new springed vp progeny and race , building for them greater houses , and raysing of moe sellers and flores , bording and planking the same in case of necessity , neuer ceasing till they be fully reard and made fit for their defence and safety . but as for their king and captaine ( whom they exceedingly honor and highly esteeme ) they make choyce of such a one , as neyther seemeth to be a king without a kingdome , nor a prince without people and possessions , and yet he so behaueth himselfe , and carryeth himselfe so euenly , as though hee had but little to do in this his empire . and yet in largenesse of body and greatnes of his hart , in stoutnesse and statelinesse of stomacke and person , he staineth all the rest , carrying away the prize from them all , and when there is proclamation of warre to be made against any forraine foes , and that their flags and ancients bee displayed by sounding his deadly blast , he giueth the defiance to his enemies , most couragiously bestirring himselfe more then any of his followers , shewing himselfe both most vehement , warlike , and skilfull in fight , and yet againe at home towardes his subiects , ( like a true noble spirit ) he is very gratious , gentle , and temperate , tractable , easie to bee intreated and most ready to forgiue . they make for themselues certaine holes or dwelling places vnder the ground , casting forth the earth much after the fashion pismires : for you must vnderstand that neither waspes nor hornets do send forth any swarmes as bees doe , but those young hornets which spring from them now and then , do there remaine among their breeders , making their beds or hiues much greater , by meanes of the earth formerly cast out . they enlarge their combes exceedingly , by adding more and more vnto them , so that of a strong and healthy stocke of hornets , it hath beene knowne they haue gathered three or foure treyes or baskets full of combes . if any hornets stray from their owne home , they repayre to some tree , l & there in the top of it makes their combs , so that one many times may very easily and painely perceiue them , & in these they breede one captaine generall , or great commaunder , who when he is growne to be great , he carryeth away the whole company , placing them with him in some conuenient lodging . wilde hornets ( as pliny saith ) do liue in the hollow trunkes and cauities of trees , there keeping themselues close all the winter long , as other cut-wasts do . their life is but short , for they neuer exceede the age of two yeares . their combs are wrought with greater cunning , more exquisite art , and curious conceit , then those either of waspes or bees , and these excellent deuisers doe make them one while in the trunkes of trees , and sometimes againe in the earth , encreasing them at their pleasure with more floores and buildings , according to the encrease of their issue , making them smooth and bright , decking and trimming them with a certaine tough or binding slime or gelly gathered from the gummy leaues of plantes . neither do any of the little mouths or entries of their cells looke vpwardes , but euery one bendeth downewardes : and the bottome is placed vpwards , least either the raine might soke thorough them in long shewers , or the head of them being built vpwardes , they might lye open and be the more subiect , and exposed to the vnruly rage and furious blasts of winds and stormes . if you eye well their nestes , you shall finde them all for the most part exactly sex angular or sixe cornered , the outward forme and fashion whereof is diuided with a murry coloured pertitions : and their membranous substance is much like vnto the rinde or bark of byrch , which in the patching heat of sommer cleaueth and openeth it selfe into chaps . the stinging of waspes is for the most part accompanied with a feuer , causing withall a carbuncle , swelling , and intollerable paine . i my selfe beeing at duckworth in huntingtonshire , my natiue soyle , i saw on a time a great waspe or hornet making after and fiercely pursuing a sparrow in the open street of the towne , who at length beeing wounded with her sting , was presently cast to the ground , the hornet satisfieng her selfe with the sucked bloud of her quelled prey , to the exceeding admiration of al the beholders and considerers of this seldome seene combate . aristotle , whom i so greatly reuerence , and at whose name i doe euen rise and make curtesie , knowes not of a surety how hornets do engender , nor after what manner they bring forth their young breede . but since we are assured of this that they bring forth their young by the sides of their cells , as waspes and bees , we need not doubt , but that they doe all other matter after their manner , and if they couple together , they doe it by night , as cats do , or else in some secret corner , that argus with his hundreth eyes can neuer espye it . hornets gather meate not from floures , but for the most part they liue vppon flesh , whereby it commeth to passe , that you shall often finde them euen in the very dunghills , or other ordure . they also proule after great flyes , and hunt after small byrdes , which when they haue caught into their clutches , after the manner of hungry hawkes , they first wound them in the head , then cutting it asunder , or parting it from the shoulders , carrying the rest of the body with them , they betake themselues to their accustomed flyght . the greater sort of them dye in the hard winter , because they store not themselues sufficiently aforehand with any sustenaunce as bees doe , but make their prouision but from hand to mouth , as hunger enforceth them , as aristotle enformeth vs. in like sort landius hath well obserued , that hornets both day and night keepe watch and ward besides the hiues of bees , and so getting vpon the poore bees backs , they vse them in stead of a waggon or carry age : for when the silly bee laboureth to be discharged of his cruell sytter : the hornet when he hath sucked out all his iuyce , and cleane bereft him of all his moysture , vigour , and strength , like an vnthankefull guest , and the most ingratefull of all winged creatures , he spareth not to kill , and to eate vp his fosterate and chiefe maintainer . they feede also vppon all sweete , delicious , and pleasant thinges , and such as are not vntoothsome and bitter , and the indian hornets are so rauenous , and of such an insasiate gluttony ( as ouidius reporteth ) that they fly vpon oyle , butter , greasie cookes , all sorts of sharpe sawce vsed with meates , and all moyst and liquid thinges , not sparing the very napkins and table clothes , and other linnen that is any way soyled , which they do filthily contaminate with the excrements of their belly , & with their viscous laying of their egges . but as they get their liuing by robbery , and purloining of that which others by the sweat of their browes , by their owne proper wits and inuention , and without the ayde & helpe of any do take great paines for : so againe they want not a reuenge to punish , & a prouost marshall to execute them for their wrongfull dealings : tearmed of some a gray , broch , or badger , who in the full of the moone maketh forcible entrance into their holes or lurking places , destroying and turning topsie-turuy in a trice their whole stocke , famile , and linage , with all their houshold stuffe and possessions . neither do they onely minister foode to this passing , profitable , and fat beast , but they serue in stead of good almanackes to country people , to foretell tempests and change of weather , as hayle , raine , and snow : for if they flye about in greater numbers , and bee oftner seene about any place , then vsually they are wont , it is a signe of heate and fayre weather the next day . but if about twilight they are obserued to enter often their nestes , as though they would hide themselues , you must the next day expect raine , wind , or some stormy , troublesome or boysterous season : whereupon auienus hath these verses , sic & crabronum rauca agmina si volitare , fine sub autumni conspexeris athere longo , iam vespertinos primos cum commouet ortus , virgilius , pelago dices instare procellam . in english thus ; so if the buzzing troupes of hornets hoarse to flye , in spatious ayre bout autumnes end you see , when virgill starre the euenings lampe espie , then from the sea some stormy tempest sure shall be . furthermore , since it is most certaine that those remedies which do heale the stingings of waspes , do also help those wounds and griefes which hornets by their cruell stinging cause , yet notwithwanding as aggregator hath pronounced , the zabor is the bezoar , or proper antidote of his owne hurt , if he be oftentimes applyed with vineger and water , oyle and cow-dung tempered together . in like sort all manner of soiles and earths that are myry and muddy , are much commended in this case , such as bacchus applyed to bald selenus , who was wounded with hornets , when longing for a little hony , he iogged & shaked their nests , thinking he had lighted vpon some bees hony , which ouid most elegantly . fastocum hath described in these verses ; millia crabronum coëunt , & vertice nud● spicula defigunt , oraque prima notant . ille cadit praeceps , & calce feritur aselli : inclamatque socios , anxiliumque vocat . concurrunt satyri , turgentiaque ora parentis rident , percusso claudicat ille genu . ridet & ipse deus , limumque inducere monstras ; hic paret monitis , & linit ora luto . in english thus ; of hornets thousands on his head full bare , and on his face their poysond speares sticke fast , then headlong downe he fell , and asses foot him smote , whiles he for help his voyce to fellowes cast , the satyres flocke came runne apace , and did deride their sires swellen mouth , whiles asse had made him lame , the god himselfe did laugh , yet shewed an earth to hide the wound which he receiued , and so did heale the same . if any one be desirous of moe medicines against the perillous and transpeircing stinging of these horne-mad hornets , he shall finde store of them digested together in the history of waspes : for their remedies are common , belonging as well to the one as to the other , there being no other difference but this , that here they must be giuen in a greater measure or quantity , and their vse ought longer to be continued . and let this suffice to to haue spoken thus much of such insectes or cut-wasted vermine as are winged , and liue in companies and routes together . now will i make choyce to describe such as are winged and liue solitarily , least i should seem to lose my selfe in this troublesome and vast ocean of physicall contemplation . ❧ of cantharides or spanish flyes . this kinde of cut-wast is called of the graecians kantharis , and among the latines it changeth not his name . of the frenchmen cantaride . of the italians cantarella . of the spaniards cubillo . of the germans grüne kefer , goldkaefer . amongst the belgies or netherlanders , it is tearmed spaensche vlieghe , and of vs english-men cantharides , and spanish flyes . i haue seene two sorts of cantharides , the one great , and the other small . of the greater sort some are thicke , and long bodyed , which are found among wheat , and these are thicke , grosse , and vnwieldy like vnto beetles , they are also of sundry colours , and changeable hew , with golden streekes or lines crossing their winges , and these are best to bee vsed in physicke . they of the other lesser kind , are leane and thinne scragges and staruelings , broad , hairy , heauy , and sluggish , and for physicall vses little worth . the greater sort also are not alwaies of a glistering green colour , but otherwhiles you shall haue them somewhat reddish or murrey coloured , but yet all of them of a glittering brightnesse , and maruellous shining glosse , piercing the eyes with singuler delight . the lesser sort are not so common as the greater , somewhat differing from them in shape and proportion of body , but in vertue , quality , and manner of breeding : there is no disagreement at all to be found . those of the lesser sort haue their bodies and heades somewhat long & hooked , theyr eyes very blacke , and hanging out , theyr winges growing out from the middest of their loynes , beeing marked with tvvo syluer speckes or prickes , and some fewe vvhite spottes . they are commonly found in the summer season , in the hearbe that is called cicutaria , or wilde hemlocke . their feete and legges are very small and long , finely decked and garnished , as it were with a vermillion red , or beautifull purple . there is also another sort of these answerable to the former , in colour of their bodies in euery respect , sauing that their eyes are greene : their head very little ; and the hinder part of their shoulders round and crooked . the third sort haue theyr head and shoulders all one , being so closely and confusedly ioyned together , as if they were but one thing , and could not by any meanes bee separated , vnlesse in imagination , and these are of a rusty colour , and their small pinke eyes as blacke as iette , their winges as well as their heades are nothing differing in colour , sauing that their winges doe glister with some strakes of the colour of golde , their feete also are short , and as blacke as pitch . the fourth is very like to the third sort , but it is rather of a greenish , then of a rusty iron coulour , but in all other respects there is no difference to bee seene , sauing in their magnitude , for this last described is the least of them all . but th●se ●indes of cantharides as well the greater as the lesser , doe first proceede not from any beastes , as some haue thought , but they rather take their originall from some to ten , stinking , and corrupt moysture and siccity , ticteta● gar en tois toon puroon lei●is kai tais ageirais , kai tous sukais proseti to toon kantharidoon phulon , the meaning whereof is , that the whole stocke and kindred of cantharides doe bring foorth or lay their young in the vile , base , and imperfect force of heate or warmth : and further in moyst figges , as aelianus in his ninth booke and thirty nine chapter , vvord for worde hath exscribed out of aristotle . they doe also breede from a certaine little worme which is found in the sponge of the dogge bryer ( called of the physitions bedeguar ) and from catterpillets of the figge-tree , popler , peare-tree , ashe , oliue-trees and roses : for in all these there bee found certaine wormes , the very founders and parentes of cantharides , but yet in the white rose these wormes are of much lesser force , power , and sufficiency , then in the former . cantharides doe couple together and generate , but yet not any liuing creature of their owne kind , but onely a little small worme . they feede vppon all manner of pulse and corne , but especially wheat , and then they are best for medicinall vses . they smell like vnto tarre , and in their tast they much resemble the cedar-tree , as nicander reporteth . their vertue and quality is to burne the body , to patch and to bring a hard seale or crustinesse vpon any part they shall be applyed to , or as dioscorides sayth , to gnaw or eate into , to rayse blisters , exulcerate and rayse an inflammation , for which respect , they mixe them with such medicaments as are apointed to heale leprosies , any dangerous tetters and ring-wormes , or those that be cancerous . they are applyed to hard , scuruy , or mangy nayles , beeing first tempered vvith some fit playsters or cerotes tending to the same purpose , taking them so cleane away , that they fall of by the rootes . some vse also to temper them with such conuenyent medycines as are warranted to take away wartes , cornes , or any hard knobbes or peeces of flesh growing in the hands or feet . some againe vse to puluerife cantharides , and then mixing them with tarre , do make an vnguent to cure the falling away of the hayre , or the shedding of it , eyther in the head or beard , but heerein there must bee good aduise required , least at any time by their causticke faculty they exulcerate too deepe into the flesh . cantharides mingled with lime , serue in stead of a pen knife to eradicate and take away those little hard and red swellinges rising chiefely in the crowne of the head , armepittes , or priuy partes , called of some physitions pani : and some there bee againe that will aduenture a little of thē in powder , to giue with such medicines whose propertie is to prouoke vrine : but yet there is hard hold and tough reasoning on both sides , whether they ought to be giuen inwardly with dioretikes or no , considering that being so drunk , they are accounted amongest strong poysons , tormenting the bladder without any ceasing : othersome againe hold the contrary , assuring vs vpon their owne experience , that not exceeding their due quantity , they may be taken with other correctories , to serue as a retricle to trāsport them to the place affected , so that you see either side hath his strength and reasons . iust a pari premitur veluticum pondere libra , prona nec hac plus parte sedet nec surgit ab illa . that is to say ; as when an euen seale with equall weight is peized , nor fals it downe this way , or is it that way raised . but beeing mingled and wrought vppe with the iuyce of vna taminea , ( which is a kinde of berry , growing on the hearbe called ampelos angria , a kind of bryonie ) sheeps or goates sewet , there is no doubt but that they doe great good . some of my maysters ( saith galen , the prince of all physitions next to hippocrates ) did vse to put cantharides amongest such medicines as they prepared to mooue vrine , taking onely their wings with the feete , but i ( sayth hee ) am wont to take cantharides wholy , as well as some partes of them , and so i iudge them the more safe to bee vsed and prepared this vvay , especially i misse not to make choyce of such as are found among corne , and haue as it were a yellow circle or enclosure crossing ouerthwart their wings , lib. . & lib. . de simplic . facult . beeing applyed rightly , they doe also prouoke the monthly tearmes , and that very effectually , and put into antidotes , they are thought of many to helpe hydropicall persons , as not onely hippocrates and dioscorides , but also gallen , auicenna , rhazes , pliny , and other physitions of best note and worth haue witnessed : i cannot heere sufficiently enough commend theyr assured , tryed , and approoued vse , being commixed with leauen , salt , and gumme ammonialum , for the diuersions of rheumes or catarrhes , the taking away of all goutish paines , out of the ha●ch or hippe ( called the sciatica of the populer sort , ) whilest they draw forth and donsume from the center of the body , ( beeing there throughly and deepely impacted ) to the surface the matter or offending humours causing these griefes aboue said . they are also good against the vemine of a salamandra , as pliny in his . booke and . chapter assuteth vs. they are also highly esteemed of some , beeing duely prepared and orderly mixed with certaine other medicines , to take away and correct the remisse negligence , falling-faintnesse , and heartlesse casting downe of the virile part , yea they do ( as they say ) very much prouoke too venetous incitements . but heere i would counsell each one not to bee to knack-hardy bold , in medling with them , for these or the like intentions for as they bring both health and helpe , being duly commixed , and orderly tempered , not exceeding their dose and first quantity ; so againe , if you faile in their due and skilfull applycation or propmation , they induce and driue men into most intollerable grecuous symptomes and accidents , and other whyles to death it selfe . iohn langius setteth downe a true and very pleasaunt story , which in this place , because it maketh greatly for out matter in hand , i will not refuse breefely to describe it . there was ( saith he ) at bononie in italy , a certaine rich and noble young man of france ( which gallus , to vse his owne wordes , was gallo quouis gallinaceo salacior ) who falling extreamely in loue with a certaine maide in the same citty , preuayled so farre at length through his earnest importunities and incessant sollicitations , that at length they appointed and agreed vppon the time and place of their meeting , to keepe theyr reuelles for one night . so this lusty gallant beeing thus insnared in the inextricable laborinth of her beauteous physnomy , fearing deadly , least his heart should turne into liuer , or that hee might faint and loose his courage before hee should attaine to his iournies end ; in this his doubtfull coaping , and dangerous skirmishing-conflict , like a wise-man fearing the worst , casting all dangers aforchand what might ensue , would needs know of a fellow souldier , and countrey-man of his , who hadde as one may guesse borne a standard in the campe of venus , what were best to bee doone , to mooue him to a more vygorous courage , and to keepe his credit for that time , least either he should turne crauen like an ouertyred iade , or else bee vtterly non-suited which was worst of all : who presently wished him to take some cantharides in his broath , which the other at all aduentures forthwith did . but it was not long before this iolly yonker felt an itching about his lower parts , then being frolike aboue measure , supposed it to bee the operation of his medicine that caused this colt-euill , he without any more ado hyed him to his loue , minding there indeed to draw the matter to a set battell , and to end all controuersies by dynt of sword . tunc animis opus , aenea tunc pectore firmo . in english thus ; of courage then indeed , then of stout breast is neede . but yet for all this , in the still of the night , when euery one besides were at rest , my restlesse franke selt his whole body to bee pockily torne , and miserably rent with sundry cruell prickinges and stinginges , feeling moreouer a strange tast in his mouth , like the iuyce or liquor that yssueth from the cedar-tree , stamping and staring , raging and faring like a furious , madde , frantike bedlam , being all most besides himselfe thorough the extreamity of his payne , vertiginy , and giddinesse of his braine , with inclination to fainting or swounding : so beeing troubled , tost , and perplexed , all sad , melancholike and male-content , destitute of counsell and comforr , like a silly miser , and an impotent suiter , and not like a couragious hot-spurre , hee let his action fall , turning his backe like a nouyee and fresh-water souldier , full sore against his will you may bee sure , but there was no remedy , and so with as much speede as hee could , bidding his loue adew , hee trudged home to his owne lodging ; whether beeing come ; and finding no reliefe , but rather an encrease of his tormentes , with a continuall burning of his vrine and strangury , hee lamentably besought , and with weeping and teares most humbly craued and cryed out for helpe , requesting the fauour and furtherance , both of my selfe and of another physition for the cure : so i beeing admitted to visit this poore patient , i first gaue him some oyle to drinke , thereby to prouoke vomiting : then was there prepared a glyster , made of the hearbes mercurialis , mallowes , and the rootes of althaea decocted , wherein was dissolued cassia , with oyle of violets and lyllies . after the administring of this , i commanded him to take a good draught of cowes or goates milke once in euery houres space , and if milke could not be hadde , then i willed him to take an almond , milke made exnucleis pinea , secdes of mellons , guordes , and poppy bruised with the distilled water of mallowes , and alkeakengy , and this would i haue giuen to him in good quantity in stead of the milke if it were wanting . but after that my fiery frenchman hadde recouered his former health with these and the like remedies , and that the vnaduised authour of this rash counsell had very humbly intreated pardon at our handes for this his great fault , he protested solemnely with a great oath , that hee would neuer hereafter prescribe any physicke to any man lyuing . thus farre iohannes langius in his first booke epistela . medicinal . forty eyght . there is also very profitable vse to bee made of cantharides , for if you beate them to powder , and conuay a little of it into apples , peares , plummes , figges , peaches , or quinces : especially those that bee fayrest and ripest , and those that hang the lowest , finely closing it vp againe with the pill , which if any theeues or robbers of orchards shall tast of , they fall within a while after into an intollerable burning in their vrine and strangury , making it onely in dropping-wise , whereby theyr theft is soone found out , and they well rewarded with sowre sawce for theyr sweete meate : and this is an excellent night-spell , & therefore i was loth to pretermit it , but to make you acquainted withall . there is also another excellent medicinall vse of cantharides , if they be duely , and according to true art administred , and with great warinesse for that passionate grieuaunce , which at this time though some foolish physitions neuer heard tell of any such , i wil call pessuli infirmit as , yet i may not set it downe in english , because i would haue but a few acquainted with secrets . habeo enim ego singulare quoddam contra , penis languorem remedium , quo cum promiscuè vterer , vtranque multis nobilibus ( qui veneris vulgo studiosiores videntur ) animos & vires adauxit absque noxa . vni tamen inter caeterossic obfuit , vt à venere ( cui nimium litârat ) sanguinem continuó mingeret , & lipoithymia frequenti laboret . sanè nisi lactis copia in procinctu fuisset , omninò interijsset venereus pullus , & meritas salacitatis cupidinisque paenas luisset . and let this suffice to haue spoken of their medicinall vertues and qualities : now will i proceede to tell you of their ill name , naughty , venemous , and pernitious properties . they are reckoned and scored vppe in the number of most deadly and hurtfull poysons , not onely because they cause erosion and inflammation , but more in regard of their putrifactiue quality and making rotten , wherein they exceede . their iuyce beeing taken into the stomacke , and so piercing into the veines , or layd vppon the skinne outwardly so long till it hath entred the veines , is a most strong poyson , whereupon ouid when he wished ill vnto , or cursed his enemy writ this : cantharidum succos dante parente bibas . lib. trist . cicero ad parum , in the ninth booke of his familiar epistles , hath these wordes , ca●●s accusante l. crasso , cantharidas sumpsisse dicitur , as if he purposed by that way to make an end of himselfe by death . galen in his third booke de simplic . medicam . facult . writeth thus . if they bee taken inwardly into the body , though but in small quantity , and mixed with other conuenient correctories , they doe mightily prouoke vrine , and sometimes corrode and fret the bladder , so that it is as cleare as the noone-day , that what thinges soeuer do ouerthrow nature , by reason of their extreame frigiditie , if they be taken but in a very small quantity , yet will nourish the body : so on the other side , whatsoeuer is contrary , repugneth or goeth against humaine nature , by meanes of corrupting or any putrifactiue quality like vnto cantharides , can neuer do so . bartholomeus montegnana a learned physition , assureth vs , that he once knewe one francis bracca a cittizen of paduay in italy , who hauing but outwardly applyed cantharides to his knee , yet their poyson spreading to other inward parts , he voyded fiue pintes of bloud by way of vrine : and this may any man see , if he will take the paines to read ouer montegnana consil . . cap. . the same accident hath also befalne them , who to be remedyed of rough , hard , mangy , or lepros-like nailes , haue aduentured to apply them to their great toe . so that cantharides must not rashly be applyed and vsed , as common deceiuers , blind-empiricks , and cousening land-lopers would make plaine countrey people beleeue . pliny relareth a story of one cossinus a romaine knight , who was deerely beloued of nero the emperour , who hauing a very dangerous tettar ( a disease in times past was peculiar to the people of aegypt ) a physition of that countrey in stead of curing , did kill him by giuing him cantharides to drinke . but i should rather thinke that cossinus dyed by the outward applycation of cantharides , because by their burning and causticke quality , they cleane eate and consume away filthy tetters or ringwormes , manginesse , scuruinesse , lepries , and all hard callous warts , cornes , or peeces of flesh that grow in the handes or feete ; for i can see no reason why any would bee so wilfully blinde , as to giue them inwardly for the curation of any tetters or such like griefes : or at leastwise i must thinke that the right vse of cantharides was vnknowne to the ancient physitions of the old world , as by galen it may appeare in his eleuenth booke de simplic . med. fac . and in his fourth booke de victa acut. the same pliny ( in his twenty nine booke and fortith chapter ) witnesseth , that cantharides were reprochfully layd to cato vticensis charge , and that hee was sorely blamed for offering to make a price of poysons , and to sell them openly , as in port-saile to any that would giue most , so that their price rose to threescore sesterties . being drunke in too large a quantity , or else apply outwardly to any part , eyther too long or too deepe , they produce these or the like symptomes , accidents , and effects . the party to whom they are any way giuen , feeleth apricking , paine and torment in his bowelles and inward partes , extending from the mouth downe to the lower partes about the bladder , raines , and the places about the wast and short ribbes : they doc also vlcerate the bladder very dangerously , inflaming the yard , and all other partes neere the same with a vehement apostimation : after this , they pisse bloud , and little peeces of flesh . otherwhiles there will follow a great laske and a bloudy-flyxe , fainting and swounding , a numnesse or dulnesse of moouing or feeling , debilitation , our feeblenesse of the mind , with alicnation of the wit , as though they were bestraught , likewise lothing or abhorring of meate with a disposition to vomiting , and often an ordinary desire to make water , and to exonerate nature , but all in vaine . he that taketh them findeth in his mouth the tast or tallage of pitch : and all these symptomes , passions , or effectes , that they work , haue i with much labour faithfully collected out of the sixth booke of dioscorides , & the first chapter . and out of galen lib. de theriaca ad pisonem cap. . and lib. . de temperam . cap. . and out of ancient rhazes ( who practised physicke one hundreth yeares , if truth be truely related ) tit. . chap. . if any one be either affected or infected with any accydents , by meanes of cantharides , dioscorides doth thus cure them , as you may readily find in the booke and chapter before cited . first of all hee causeth them to vomit often and much : and after that hee prescribeth glysters to bee made for the scouring of the belly with niter , and to pres●rue the bladder inwardly , to take milke and psyllum : and then hee would haue the matter of glysters to be somewhat different from those which were taken in the beginning ; as namely to bee made of barley water , marsh-mallowes , the white of an egge , the musciling of line-seedes , water of ryce , the decoction of fennigreeke , hydromell , satte broathes , oyle of almonds , the fat of a goose , and the yelkes of egges . and inwardly to take at the mouth , hee biddeth them to vse cowes milke , hydromell , the graines or fruite of the pitch-tree , both the greater and the lesser sort , wine sodde to the halfe , duckes fatte , a decoction with some diureticall seedes ( namely with the foure greater cold seeds , which are cucumbers , guords , citruls , and melons ) and likewise some decoction made of figges , with sirup of violets . oyle of quinces is hyely commended of some as a proper and speciall antidote in this case , and so is oyle of lillies , and terra samia . rhazes counsell is , after the taking of some glysters made of any fat broathes , to make an iniection into the yarde with oyle of roses , and the sicke person to sit in a warme bath . tit. . chapter . the writers and authours of physicke and phylosophy cannot agree , in what part of the cantharides theyr poyson cheefely lurketh : for some will haue it to bee principally in the head and feete , and others againe will none of that : and yet they all agree vppon this poynt , that in what part of the body soeuer their poison is seated , that their winges are a soueraigne remedy and preseruatiue , and if they bee wanting , that their poyson is deadly : so that although they be neuer so poysonous , yet haue they their owne remedy which in themselues they containe and carry about : thus saith pliny in his eleuenth booke and chapter . and peraduenture for the same cause , galen in his eleuenth booke which hee entituled de simplic . medicament . facultatibus , aduiseth vs expresly and learnedly , that cantharides should be taken whole as they are , and so to be vsed either for inward or outward vses . for why it is far better , euen in the outward applycation of them , that they should more gently and slowly corrode , gnaw , or fret asunder , and that their burning vertue and quality should be a little corrected and weakened , then to performe their full effect to the great danger of the patient , and many times to his vtter vndoing and destruction . therefore they are cleane out of the way , who when they wold vse them for any inward cause , doe cast away their winges and feete , whereas indeede they ought to take all of them , not reiecting any one part of them . for being giuen whole , they neede not so much any correctiues to bridle and lessen their powerfull operation , in regard of their wings and feete , the proper resisters and expellers of their owne or other poyson . the safest course is to vse all , and euery part of them without exception , vnlesse you would haue them to corrode , fret , inflame , or burne any part . lycus neapolitanus is of opinion , that purcelane is their proper counter-poyson , which vertue pliny in his twentith booke , chapter . ascribeth to the herbe called wilde basill : who also many waies commendeth acetum scylliticum , oleum oenanthium , cowes milke and brothes made of goates flesh for these intentions , in his . booke , chapter the second and fourth , and likewise in his . booke and tenth chapter . and for our history of cantharides , let this for this time suffice , which i much wonder that the famous learned gesner hath in such deepe silence passed ouer , neuer so much as mentioning them : whereof notwithstanding so many authours , both of the auncientes and neoterickes doe so much ring . many moe authorities could i haue alledged concerning this my discourse of cantharides , but that i supposed it a labour as endlesse in toyle , as needlesse in vse ; the one sauoring of too much curiosity , the other of a fryuolous affectation : so that i hope euen amongest the whole colledge of physitions , wheresoeuer in england ( if their eares be not to dainty ) to find some few graynes of their good wordes , and such curteous construction , as that i may neither bee charged with partiality of concealing ( where it is meete i should be mute ) nor be suspected of vnsufficiency , for not pursuing where i can finde no good footing . of caterpillers , or palmer wormes , called of some cankers . now i am come to speake of caterpillers , sometimes the destroiers and wasters of egypt : as well in regard of the great differēce that is found in their seuerall sorts , as for their great dignity and vse , wherein some of them are most notable and excellent . some thinke that eruca , which is englished a catterpiller , hath his deriuation ab erodendo , which is not altogether improbable : for they gnaw of and consume by eating , both leaues , boughes , and flowers : yea , and some fruits also , as i haue often seene in peaches . ouidius the famous poet , styleth them by the name of tineae agrestes : quaque solent canis frondes intexere filis , agrestes tineae , res obseruata colonis , feraci mutant cum papilione figuram . in english thus ; and those wilde mothes by husbandmen obserued , which fold themselues in hoary springing leaues , gainst force of famine , and storme to be preserued , a shape from fruitfull butterflyes receiues . the graecians call a catterpiller kámpe , by reason of his crooked , winding or bending pace in wauing sort , whereby in creeping they bow , wry , and lift vp themselues . of the hebrewes it is termed ghazain , because it sheareth , pilleth , & deuoureth the fruites of the earth , as kimhi vpon the first of ioell writeth . the italians call it rugauerme , and brucho , for so marcellus virgilius vpon dioscorides saith expresly , that in his time all the people of italy , named it erucae , bruchi . the spanyards terme it oruga . the french-men , chenille , and chattpleuse . of the english they are commonly called catterpillers , of what kind soeuer they be of . but the english-northren-men , call the hairie catterpillers , oubuts , and the southern-men vsually terme them palmer-wormes . of the polonians it is called by the name of ruphansenka . in the germaine tongue ein raup , in the belgian , ruipe . of the illerians gasienica . and siluaticus will haue it called certris , and cedebroa . if i should goe about to describe and set downe all the differences and varieties of catterpillers , i might perhaps vndertake an endlesse and tedious labour . i thinke it therefore fittest to bend my slender skill , and to imploy my best forces , in speaking of such as are more notable and common with vs in this country : for some of them in touching are rough , hard , and stiffe ; and other-some againe , are soft , smooth , and very tender . some are horned , either in the head or in the tayle , and againe , others haue no hornes at all . some haue many feete , and some fewer , and none at all haue aboue sixteene feete . most of them haue a bending swift pace , and like vnto waues , and others againe keepe on their way very plainely , softly , by little and little , & without any great hast . some change their skinnes yeerely , others againe there be that neither change nor cast their old dry skinnes , but keepe them still . some of them ceasing altogether from any motion , and giuing ouer to eate any thing at all , are transformed very strangely into a kind of vermin or wormes , who beeing couered with a hard crust or shell , lye as it were dead all the winter ; & from these come in the beginning of hot weather , our vsuall butter-flyes . many of these catterpillers are bred of the egges of butter-flyes : and some againe do breede in the leaues of trees , of their owne proper seede , beeing left there in the time of autumne , included in a certaine webbe , or els by meanes of the dew or ayre , therein shut and putrified , as commonly the little hairie cankers or caterpillers which are so full of feete , doe breede . besides , some of them doe feede on leaues , some on flowers , & there are some which deuoure fruites . all smooth catterpillers which are not hairie , are of a yellow or greene colour : some againe are found of a reddish colour , or brownish , or else they be of sundry hewes . but of all others , the most excellent is the greene coloured catterpiller , which is found vppon that great bushy plant , vsually termed priuet , or primprint , which hath a circle enclosing round both his eyes and all his feete , hauing also a crooked horne in his tayle : these catterpillers are blackish-redde , with spots or streakes going ouerthwart theyr sides , beeing halfe white and halfe purpelish , the little pricks in these spots are inclining to redde : the rest of theyr body is altogether greene . there is another catterpiller feeding altogether vpon elder-trees , not much differing from the former , sauing that this is altogether of a greene colour , & wanting those ouerthwarting crosse white markes or spots , and the other small white pricks which we described in the former . there is also a third sort of greene catterpillers , which when autumne or the fall of leafe draweth on , are turned into a certaine sheath or case , beeing of a very hard and hornie substance , of colour very browne , and this feedeth altogether vpon pot-herbes , especially those that be soft , as lettuce : wherevpon it may not vnfitly be termed , eruca laotucaria . lastly , there is to be seene another sort , of a greene colour , which is the least of them all , and this kind liueth and feedeth vpon trees , ( especiall in the oke ) there drawing out theyr webbe , by meanes of which beeing styrred and shaken , they easily fall downe vpon the heads of trauaylers and passengers by the way side , cleauing to their hats & garments . and this kind of catterpiller is too well knowne and found in the sommer-time , and when cold weather approacheth , they fold themselues into a rude , plaine , & nothing curious web . and thus beeing included in a greenish scabbard or case tending to redde , they all die in winter , and all these haue tenne feete , as all they haue that goe bending themselues vpwards . but to leaue the greene , and come to them that are yellow , there is to be found a certaine catterpiller called vinula , being as the word soundeth , a very elegant & fine insect to looke vpon , and passing beautifull : & this kind haue i often found amongst willowes , full sauourly feeding vpon theyr leaues . his lyps and mouth are some-what yellow , his eyes blacke as a cole , his fore-head purple coloured , the feete and hinder part of the body , of a greene grassie hue , his tayle two-forked , and some-what blacke . the whole body is as it were stained and dyed with thicke red-wine , which runneth alongst the necke and shoulders blades , as it were in forme of a burgonian crosse , or of the letter x made crosse-wise downe vnto the tayle with a white line , addeth no small grace to the other parts . there is yet another catter-piller of yellow-blackish colour , called porcellus , we may in english call it pigges-snoute , in respect of the fashion of the head , especially the greater sort of these , for the lesser haue round white specks vpon their sides , and these liue and are altogether to be found amongst the leaues of the marsh trifolie , which they consume & deuoure with an incredible celeritie . in the wilde night-shade , ( which the italians call belladona ) there is found a smooth catterpiller , of a yellow-greenish colour , hauing a horne in his fore-head the length of a finger , which hierom cardan the learned phisitian , reporteth that he had often seene . the hayrie catterpillers are most mischieuous and dangerous amongst them all , and these are eyther thicke or thinne hayred , and the most venomous is that which is called pityocampe , whose byting is poyson : and this is euer found in the pine-apple-tree , beeing as thicke as three little fingers , and three fingers long beeing layd a-crosse . they consist of eleuen slyts or cuts betwixt the head and the tayle , and they haue sixteene feete , according as all other hayrie palmer-wormes haue . that is to say , neere the head on both sides , three , in the middest of their body on both sides , foure , and at the end of the tayle on both sides , one . their former feete are crooked and small , with which they feele , try and assay the way whether it be passable or no , theyr other feete are broader , with many iagges and notches like a savve , to take the faster hold , and stay with surer footing vppon smooth and slippery leaues . their head is much like a pismires , and the rest of their bodies like other common catter-pillers . they are rough , & full of bristly standing vp hayres on all sides , and those in theyr sides are white , but those on their backes doe shine , beeing very bright and glistering , the midst whereof is garnished with many spots , as though it were full of eyes . their skinne is blacke , which is soone seene , their hayres beeing cut or taken cleane away . all their hayres are but small , and yet they sting more vehemently then any nettle , whereby is caused intollerable paine , burning , itching , a feauer , and much disquietnesse : when as their poyson is suddenly in a moment , sent and conueighed without any manifest apparance , or sence of any wound to be iudged by the eye , vnto those parts that are next to the entralls , as the harr , liuer , and the rest . they weaue their webs after a fine and exquisite manner , as spyders do , drawing out in length , framing and trimming in good order , their hayrie small threads . and vnder these when night draweth on , they lye , as in their own proper tent and pauillion , aswell to auoyde cold , as the discōmodities of futious blasts & stormes : for the matter & substance of this their tent is so handsomely wrought , so firme , stiffe , clammy & sure , that they neither care for furious winds , nor yet any raine or storme will euer soke thorow . besides , the largenes of this house is such , and of so great receit , as it will easily receiue and lodge many thousands of caterpillers . they make their nests or buildings in the highest branches of the pitch and pine-trees , where they liue not solitarily ( as other palmer-wormes do ) but in flocks or cōpanies together . which way soeuer they take their iourny , they are still spinning & drawing out their threds for theyr web , and early in the morning ( if it be likely to proue faire ) the younger sort by heapes attend the elder , & hauing first bared & robbed the trees of all their boughes & leaues , ( for they make cleane riddance of all where-soeuer they come ) they afterwardes dexterouslie bend thēselues to their weauing craft . they are the only plague & destruction of pitch & pine-trees , for vnto any other roziny or gummy trees they neuer doe harme . there is great plentie of them to be found in the mountaine of athos , scituate betwixt macedonia and thrace , in the woods of trident , and in diuers valleyes beyond the alpes , in which places there is store of these fore-named trees , ( as matthiolus saith . ) they are doubtlesse most poysonous and venomous vermine , whether they be crushed outwardlie with the hands , or taken inwardly into the body : yea they are so knowne , manifest , and so neuer fayling a poyson , & so esteemed of in times past , as that vlpian the famous lawyer , interpreting the law cornelia de sicarijs , or priuie murtherers , that he in that place , calleth and esteemeth the giuer of any pityocampie in drinke or otherwise to any one , to be doomed a murtherer , and their punishment to be equalized . sect. alium . ff . ad leg. corn. de sie . as soone as this kind of catterpiller is receiued into the body , there followeth immediatly a great paine , extreamely tormenting the mouth and palate ; the tongue , belly , and stomacke are grieuously inflamed by their corroding , and gnawing poysonous qualitie , besides the intollerable payne the receiuer feeleth , although at first the partie seemeth to feele a certaine pleasant itching , but it is not long before hee perceiueth a great burning within , loathing and detesting of meate , and a continuall desire to vomit and goe to the stoole , which neuerthelesse hee cannot doe . at length , vnlesse speedy succour be giuen , they so miserably burne and parch the body , that they bring a hard crustines , skurffe or scald vpon the stomacke , as though the sides thereof had beene plaistered with some hard shardes , or other like thinges , after the manner of arsenicke , as dioscorides , aetius , pliny and celsus doc assure vs. in like manner galen in his eleuenth booke simp. cap. . and auicen . cap. . haue testified the same . and for this cause aetius and aegineta doe say , that it is nothing wholesome for any to sit downe to meate , to spread the table , or make any long tariance vnder any pine tree , least peraduenture through the sauour or smell of the meates , the reeke or vapour of their broathes , or noyse of men , the pityocampies beeing disturbed from theyr homes and vsuall resting places , might fall downe either into their meates beneath , or at least-wise cast downe , or let fall any of their seede , as poysonous as themselues . they that receiue hurt by them , must haue recourse to those preseruatiues and medicines , as were prescribed to those that were poysoned by cantharides , for by them they are to be cured , and by no other meanes . yet for all that , oyle of quinces is properly commended to vomit withall in this case , which must be taken twise or thrise , euen by the prescript of dioscorides and aetius . they are generated , or to speake more aptly , they are regenerated ( after the maner of vine-fretters , which are a kind of catterpillers , or little hayrie wormes with many feete , that eate vines when they begin to shoote ) of that autumnall seede of theirs , left & reserued in certaine small bagges or bladders within their webbes . there is another sort of these catterpillers , who haue no certaine place of abode , nor yet cannot tell where to find theyr foode , but like vnto superstitious pilgrims , doe wander and stray hither and thither , ( and like mise ) consume and eate vp that which is none of their owne : and these haue purchased a very apt name amongst vs englishmen , to be called palmer-wormes , by reason of their wandering and rogish life , ( for they neuer stay in one place , but are euer wandering ) although by reason of their roughnes and ruggednes , some call them beare-wormes . they can by no meanes endure to be dyeted , and to feede vpon some certaine herbes and flowers , but boldly and disorderly creepe ouer all , and tast of all plants and trees indifferently , and liue as they lift . there are sundry other sorts of these cankers or catterpillers to be found , in the herbes called cranes-bill , ragwort , petie-mullen , hoppes , coleworts , hasells , marigolds , fenell , lycorice , basill , alder , night shade , water-betony , garden-spurge , & other sorts of that herbe ; in elme-trees , peare-trees , nettles , and gilliflowers . yea there is not any plant to be found , which hath not his proper and peculiar enemy and destroyer : all which because they are so commonly knowne of all , though perhaps not of all obserued , i will , ( least i should seeme to be infinite , ) passe ouer with silence . but yet i will adde a word or two of a strange and stinking catter-piller , which it was neuer my hap as yet to see , described by corradus gesner , in these wordes following . this stinking catterpiller ( saith he ) is very like to those that are horned , but yet it wanteth hornes , differing frō them all in colour . i first espyed it creeping vpon a wall toward the end of august . anno. . there commeth from it a lothsome and an abhominable sauour & smell , so that you would verily beleeue it to be very venomous . it went forwards very frowningly , & with a quick , angry , and despightfull countenaunce , as it were in bending wise , the head alwaies stretched vp aloft with the former two feete : i iudge her to be blind . she was the length and breadth of a mans finger , with a fewe scattering and rugged hayres , somewhat bristly & hard both on her backe and sides , the backe was very blacke . the colour of her belly and sides was some-what redde , enclining to yellow , and the whole body was distinguished , deuided , and easily discerned with foureteene ioynts or knots , and euery ioynt had a certaine furrow like a kind of wrinckle running all along the back . her head was blacke and some-what hard : her mouth crookedly bending like hookes , hauing teeth notched like a saw , and with these teeth as with pincers or nyppers , whatsoeuer she layd hold on , she ( as famished ) did bite . she went on sixteene feete , as for the most part all the sorts of palmer-wormes doe . without doubt , she must be concluded to be exceeding venomous . the learned man vergerus , tooke it to be a pityocampe , and others thought it a scolopendra : but that could not be , by reason of the number of her feete . i could hardly with much adoe endure her vyle smell , till i had drawne out her description . shee so infected two hot-houses with her abhominable sauour and stinke , that my selfe and they that were with me , could not endure in the place . thus farre gesner , as i haue to shew out of certaine scroles of paper of his , neuer as yet imprinted . now will i proceede to discourse of the originall , generation , aliment , and metamorphosis of catterpillers . chare liber nostrûm test is benefide laborum , ne tua purpureo suffuderis or a rubore agrestes abacis tine as si expressere nostris , vermiculosque leuem qui in the cam vellera mutant . hi siquidem artificis prudenti pollice dij finguntur , tenui qui non tenuatur opella et qui vermiculis , dextrae miranda potentis signa suae prodit , potius quám corpore vasti molifero barnhi , tumido vel robore ceti equam antisque alijs , qui lata per aequoratentant fulmine as sine mente minas : et nostra profundo lintea quá mergant , large mare gutture ructant . which may be englished thus ; deere booke , a witnes of my labour true , be not ashamed to write of little wormes , nor catterpillers , which from base things ensue , and into easie cases againe returnes : for these are fram'd by hand of god most wise , neuer abased in any worke so small : for out of wormes his wonders doe arise , as well as from great beasts so tall . tower-bearing elephant , huge whale , and other monsters swimming in the seas , irefull beasts , in hills and deepest dale , death threatning to all that them displease . for so i thinke it best to beginne with the verses of a good poet , who indeede did see and admire the inscrutable wisedome and diuine prouiden●● of the almightie , in the generation and breeding of catterpillers . which whilst diuers authours laboured to expresse and set downe diuersly , i knowe not what clowdes of errors they haue thrust vs into ; for swaruing themselues besides the way , although they pretend a matchlesse vnderstanding in these misteries of phylosophy , they haue caused others to tread awry as much as themselues , and to be blinded with the mascarados of absurdities . and first , if we will beginne to rifle in the monument of former times , i will heere produce aristotles opinion in his fifth booke , histor . cap. . who there expresly saith , that they take their beginning from the greene leaues of herbes , & namely of radish and coleworts , by meanes of their small seede of generation , beeing like vnto millit-seede , which is there left about the end of autumne , from which , femall wormes proceede : and of these little wormes in the space of three dayes a catterpiller is formed , about the spring time , or toward the latter end thereof , which growing to their due quantitie , and well fedde withall , they cease at length from any further motion , & when autumne beginneth , they change both forme and life . pliny is of this mind , that catterpillers fetch all their pedegree , rase , parentage & birth , from a dew thickned and incrassated by the heate of the sunne , and so still left behind in leaues : and arnoldus de villa noua is of the same iudgement . othersome deriue them wholy from butter-flyes , and will haue them to proceede of no other beginning , which as soone as they are crept out of their hard shells or scabbards , wherein they had lien as it were dead all the winter , as soone as summer & warme weather draweth on , they cast certaine egges eyther vnder or aboue the leaues of certaine herbes , which egges according to the quantitie of their bodies , are either greater or lesser , and some of these shelles wherein they are included , are of a skye colour ; others yellow , white , blacke , greene , or redde : and so beeing at length about foureteene dayes quickned and nourished with the liuely and kindly heate of the sunne , their shell-house beeing broken , first commeth forth small catterpillers , like vnto little wormes , sauing that they are diuersly coloured , who at their first appearance , beeing as it should seeme very hungry , doe altogether bend themselues to deuoure and eate vp both leaues and flowers , especially of those trees and plants , whereon they were whilst they were in egges . but i am of opinion ; that not onely this , but by diuers other wayes and meanes they may proceede and increase , for although the doctrine of aristotle in this poynt seemeth to be vnsauoury , and nothing relishing diuers tastes , because hee affirmeth that that little worme which is found vpon coleworts , doth turne into a catterpiller : yet for all that , it is not so much without smack of salt , or so abhorrent to reason as they would make some beleeue . for nature , as shee is able , and doth produce and bring foorth a liuing creature from an egge , so likewise from a worme shee breedeth a more perfect liuing creature , by many degrees ; and that not by way of corruption , but by way and meanes of her excellent perfection . for although a worme afterwards be not that thing which before it was , ( so farre as is apparant to outward sence ) yet for any thing we can gather or perceiue , it is that which it was , and this that , is more by a great deale now , then before it was . for a worme dyeth not , that a catterpiller may therby spring , but to the old body , nature addeth a greater magnitude : as for example , feete , colours , winges : so that whilst life remaineth , it acquireth other parts , and other offices . there be some also that deride the opinion of pliny , because hee contendeth that catterpillers haue their beginning and production from dew . but it may not be denyed in my conceit , that some imperfect small creatures , are bred and take life from dew , and not without great reason . for the sunne by his kindly heate and warming qualitie , worketh and acteth , beeing as it were the forme , and the moisture or humour is passiue , as the matter or subiect for the heate of the sunne is different from that of the fire : for it eyther quickneth and inspireth with life , or at least-wise conserueth and maintaineth our life , by meanes of likenes , proportion , or symmetry , wherein our liues and spirits respect each other . besides , there is nothing more nourishing then dew , for with it onely some certaine small creatures are fedde , and doe thereby liue : which thing the diuine poet verie well obserued , when he vttered these words ; quantum nos nocte reponit . so that in respect that it is humour , it is matter , in respect it is thin , it pierceth and easily entereth in , and in respect it is attracted and throughly concocted by the sunne , it is the apter made to generation . for the preparation of the forme , carrieth with it the matter or stuffe , as his mate & companion : so these two meeting together , there cōsequently followeth the quickning or taking life of some one creature . and not onely are some catterpillers the of-spring and breed of dew , as common experience can witnesse , but euen the greatest part of catterpillers do fetch their stocke and pedegree from butter-flyes , vnlesse it be those that liue vpon colewarts and cabbages , and those that are called vine-fretters , with some few other . for those that liue and breede in vines , ( called of the graecians ipes , ) doe proceede from dew , or some dewie and moyst humour , which is included in their webbes , and there growne to putrefaction . for then doe they swarme so exceedingly in some countryes , as i dare neither affirme , nor otherwise imagine , but that they must needes haue such a mighty encrease from putrefaction . and this for the most part happeneth when the easterne wind bloweth , and that the warmth of the ayre furthereth and hasteneth forwards any corruption . all the whole packe of them are great destroyers and deuourers of herbes and trees : where-vpon philippis the parasite , as athenaus sayth in pythagorista , braggeth of himselfe in this wise , apòla●sathumon lachanonte kampe . vescens thyme ●lereque eruca sum . i am ( saith he ) a catterpiller that eateth both tymbe & pot-herbs . and to this sence speaketh martiall , erucam malé pascit hortus vnam . a garden hardly and slenderly can suffise to feede one catterpiller . i thinke he meaneth , when the time of their wasting and deuouring is gone and past , for they commonly leaue but little behind . for that beeing past , they goe wandering hither and thither , vp and downe vncertainely , wasted and hunger-starued , and so at length pyning away by little and little through famine , some seeke them fit places within , other-some aboue the earth , where they transforme themselues , eyther into a bare and empty bagge or case , or hanging by a thred into an aurelia couered with a membrane . if this happen in the midst of sommer , the hardrind or shell wherein they are enclosed beeing broken , about the time of . dayes , there flyeth out a butterflye : but if it come to passe in the midst , or toward the end of au●umne , the aurelia continueth a whole vvinter , neither is there any exclusion before the vernall heat . and yet notwithstanding , all catterpillers are not conuerted into aureliaes , but some of thē being gathered & drawne together on a heape ( as the vine-fretters ) do growe at length to putrefaction , from which sometimes there falleth as it were three blackish egges , the true and proper mothers and breeders of flyes and cantharides . when the butterflyes doe ioyne together very late , or after the time it ought to be , they doe lay or cast theyr egges which will continue vitall , and that may liue till the next spring , ( if a diligent care be had of them ) as well as is often seene in silke-wormes , whose egges the spanyards sell , and that very vsually by vvhole ounces and pounds . i haue now according to my cunning , discoursed of the transmutations and variable changes of catterpillers , it followeth next that i write of the qualities and vse of catterpillers , together with those preseruatiues which experienced phisitians haue warranted for true and infallible . all catterpillers haue a burning qualitie , and such as will readily fetch of the skinne , and flea it quickly , and rayse blisters . if any one drinke the catterpiller that liueth in the pytch-trees , there will forth-with follow a great paine about his mouth and iawes , vehement inflamation of the tongue , strong griping and wringing of the stomacke , belly and intestines , with a sensible itching about the inward parts , the whole body is as it were burned and scalded with heate & hot vapours , & the stomack abhorreth all meate : all which are to be remedied with the same meanes , as those that haue taken cantharides . yet properly , ( as here-to-fore i haue touched ) oyle of quinces giuen to cause vomiting , is the best and safest . and if we may credit pliny , new wine boyled to the third part , and covves milk being drunk , are very effectuall . there is not any one sort of catterpillers , but they are maligne , naught , and venomous , but yet they are least hurtfull who are smooth and without hayres ; and the most dangerous of all the rest , is that which heeretofore i termed a pityocampe , whose poyson for the most part is deadly . the daughter of caelius secundus liuing at basill in germany , ( as gesner saith ) when shee had vnwarily and greedily eaten some colewort-leaues , or cabbage in a garden , and with them some catterpillers , after a strong vomit that was giuen , her belly beganne to swell , which swelling , hauing continued these many yeeres , could neuer as yet receiue any cure . if you will haue your gardens and trees vntouched and preserued from their misch●euous qualitie , you must first take cleane away in the winter-time their webbes , or any part thereof ( though neuer so little ) that you can find cleauing to the bare boughes : for if you let them alone till the spring , you shall sooner see them , then find them remooued , for in a short space of time , they deuoure vp all that is greene both leaues & flowers . some vse to annoynt their trees with the gall of a greene lizard , and some with a bulls gall , which as some constantly report , they can by no meanes away withall . the country-people choke them with the vapour of a little brimstone , with straw being fired vnder the tree , and so to smother them . some there be , that make a fumigation with galbanum , harts-horne , the shauings of iuory , and goates-hoofes , and oxe-dung . didymus in georgicis saith , that if you bare the rootes of your trees , and be-smeare or soyle them with doues-dung , they shall neuer be hurt by any wormes . i should willingly haue omitted , and not renewed with any fresh discouery columellaes remedy against catterpillers , ( or rather the immodest dece●t , and deluding tricke of democritus , ) vnlesse experience , which is , iterata eiusdem eventus obseruatio , a repeated obseruation of the same euent , had approoued the verity thereof , especially in the country of stiria . and palladius in his first booke , chap. . and constantinus neere the end of his xj . and xij . bookes , whose wordes be these . at sinulla valet medicina repellere pestem , dardaniae veniunt artes , nudata que plantas faemina , quae just is tum demum operata juventae legibus , obscaeno manat pudibunda cruore , sed resoluto sinus , resoluto maest a capillo ter circum areolus , et sepem ducitur horti : quae tum lustravit gradiens ( mirabile visu ) non aliter decussapluit quam ex arbore nimbus , vel teretis mali , vel tectae cortice glandis , voluitur ad terram distorto corpore campe . which may be englished thus ; but when no medicine can that plague expell then vse they arts , which once the troyans found a woman which had virgin-lawes obserued well , her , bare and naked bring they to the ground , flowing with natures shamefull filthy blood : her bosome open , and her hayre vntrimmed falling like one ore'prest with griefe , forgetting good , three times about the plots and hedges walking . which done , a wonder t is for to be told , as rayne drops from the trees , type apples fall , wallnuts out of huskes : so cast you may behold these wormes from trees , all torne , and cannot crall . theophrastus saith , that catterpillers will touch no plants which are moistened or besprinckled with wine . they will die if they take the fume , or be any way smoaked with the herbe psora . aetius . whereby it is apparant ( saith siluius ) that the herbe commonly termed scabiose , is not the true psora . catterpillers that liue and feede on coleworts , if they be but touched with that kind of worme which is found in the fullers teasell , they die . pliny . all to besprinkle a colewort whilst it hath but onely three leaues , with niter , or with saltish and brinish earth , and by meanes of the saltnesse , the catterpillers vvill be quite driuen away . geopon . palladius in this case preferreth the ashes of figge-leaues . the sca-onion called squilla , beeing sowne or hanged vp in gardens , hindereth the breeding of catterpillers . othersome in the most places of their gardens , and round about them , sow and set mints , the pulse called orobos , which is somewhat like vetches , and some worme-wood , or at least-wise hang them in bunches in diuers places of the same , to expell this kind of noysome creature . some very aduisedly take dry leaues & stalks of garlicke , & with the same doe smoke and perfume their whole garden , so that by this way the smoke being conuayed into all places thereof , the catterpillers will fall downe dead , as palladius hath written , in whose writings , any man may read of plenty of such antydots and alexipharmicall medicines , as may serue to destroy catterpillers . now will i speake of their vse in phisicke , and in the common-wealth . the webbe of catterpillers beeing taken inwardly , stayeth womens fluxes , as matthiolus saith . beeing likewise burnt and put into the nostrells , it stancheth bleeding at the nose . the catterpillers that are found amongst the herbes called spurges of all sorts , ( by the iudgement of hippocrates ) are notable for putulent and mattrie wombes , especially if they be first dryed in the sunne , with a double quantity of earth-wormes , and a little anny-seed finely powdered , and so all of them to be relented , and taken in some excellent white-wine . but in case they feele any heauines or aking in the belly after the taking of this medicine , then it were good to drinke a little mulse therevpon . this sayth hippocrates in his booke de superfoetat . di●scorides in his first booke and . chapter , giueth in drinke those common catter-pillers that liue in companies together , against the disease called the squinsie . but vnlesse by some hidde and secret property , they doe good in this griefe beeing receiued inwardly , it were needfull ( in regard of their manifest venomous nature ) that they were vtterly reiected & contemned . nicander vseth them to prouoke sleepe , for thus he writeth , ei de súge tripsas oligo en bammati kampen kepeien drosoeastan epi chloreida noto . &c. which hieremias martius hath thus translated . quod si rodentes olus et frendentia vermes ( lueva quibus virides depingunt terga colores ) in medio sacra de palladis arbore succo triveris , hincque tuum colleveris vndique corpus , tuta dabis dulci securus membra quieti . which may be englished thus ; with herbe-eating , or greene-leafe-gnawing wormes , whose backs imprinted are with colours liuely greene , all bruised , mixed with iuyce from pallas tree that rumes , annoynted body brought to sound sleepe is often seene . there are to be seene in diuers thornie , pricklie , sharpe and rough herbes , ( as for example in nettle ) sundry hairie or lanuginous catterpillers , which beeing tyed or hanged about some part of the body , do by and by ( as the report goeth ) heale those infants which haue any stopping of the meates passage when they cannot swallow . a catterpiller bree-ding in pot-herbes , beeing first bruised and then annoynted vpon any venomous bytings of serpents , is of great efficacie : and if you rubbe a naughtie or a rotten tooth with the colewort-catterpillers , and that often , within a few dayes following , the tooth will fall out of his owne accord . auicenna . catterpillers mixt with oyle , doe driue away serpents . dioscorides . if a man annoynt his hands , or any other part with oyle , it will cause that hee shall receiue no hurt by the stinging of bees , vvaspes , or hornets , as aetius sayth . pliny cyteth many fond and superstitious fained matters , and lying tales , deuised by those who in his time were called magi , soothsayers or diuiners , concerning the admirable vertues of catterpillers . all which , because i see them hissed out of the schoole of diuinitie , and that in hart secretly i haue condemned them , i will at this time let them passe without any further mention . they are also a very good meate to diuers byrdes and fowles , which are so needful for the vse , benefit , and foode of man-kinde , as to starlings , peacocks , hennes , thrushes , dawes or choughes : and to sundry fishes likewise , as to the tench , pike or pikerell , & to a certaine sea-fish called a scorpion : also to the troute , and some others , who are easily deceiued with a catterpillerd hooke . vvhich kind of fishing fraude , if you would better be instructed in , i must referre you to tarentinus in his geoponicks , and to a little booke dedicated to robert dudley , late earle of leicester , written by ma : samuell vicar , of godmanchester in huntingtonshiere . it is not to be passed ouer in silence , how that not many yeres since , there came infinite swarmes of catterpillers out of thrucia into polonia , hungaria , and beyond the lymits of germany , which did not onely deuoute the fruites of trees , but whatsoeuer was greene either in the medowes & tilled fields , besides the vines : which was taken for an euident prognosticke and signe ( as many diuined ) of some great turkish armie to come swarming into those parts : neither herein did this their gessing and mistrust deceiue them , for the next yeere following was the siedge of vienna in austria , the wasting , spoyling and ouer-running of hungaria , and the deadly english-sweating could not containe it selfe in an iland , but must spread it selfe among them of the continent , wherevppon ensued the destruction of many thousands of people , before any remedy could be found out . in the yeere of grace . there rushed infinite swarmes of catterpillers into italy , where they spoyled and made hauock of all greene buds & grasse growing vpon the face of the earth , so that with theyr vnquenchable and insatiate voracity , they left nothing but the bare rootes of trees and plants : and this hapned chiefely about mantua and brixia . and vpon the necke of this , followed a terrible & fearefull pestilence , of which there dyed aboue . thousand persons . also in the yeere of our lord god . there vvere two great and suddaine swarmes of catterpillers that came rushing into italy in the space of one sommer , which put the romans into an exceeding great feare , for there was nothing left greene in all their fieldes that could be preserued from their rauine , and from their gluttonous and pilling maw . and although the fertilitie of the yeere immediately following , did almost blot and race out the memory of this their heauy punishment , & that many seemed as it were to repent them of theyr repentance , yet are we not to doubt , but that many were truly penitent , and seriously were drawne to amendement of life by a due consideration heereof . god grant that we may be warned by other mens punishments , least that poore creature , which we imagin to be the silliest & least able to do vs harme , we find the most heauie . ❧ of the boas. it was well knowne among all the romans , that when regulus was gouernour or generall in the punick warres , there was a serpent ( neere the riuer bagrade ) killed with slings & stones , euen as a towne or little cittie is ouer-come , which serpent was an hundred and twenty foote in length : whose skinne and cheeke bones , were reserued in a temple at rome , vntill the numantine warre . and this history is more easie to be beleeued , because of the boas serpent bred in italy at this day : for we read in solinus , that when claudius was emperour , there was one of them slaine in the vatican at rome , in whose belly was found an infant swallowed whole , and not a bone thereof broken . the germaines call this serpent vncke , and besides thē i doe not reade of any other name . some haue ignorantly confounded it with chersydrus , an adder of the earth , but vpon what reason i doe not know , onely solinus discoursing of calabria , might giue some colour to this opinion , when he saith , calabria chersydris est frequentissima , & boam gignit quem anguem ad immensam molē ferunt coalescere : that is to say , calabria is full of earth-adders , and it breedeth the boas , vvhich snake some affirme will grow into a monstrous stature . out of which words , there is no wise man can collect that the boas and the adder of the earth are all one thing . the latines call it boa and boua of bos , because by sucking cowes milke it so encreaseth , that in the end it destroyeth all manner of hedres , cattell and regions . and our domesticall snakes and adders , will also sucke milke from kine , as in all the nations of the world is most manifest to them that will obserue the same . the italians doe vsually call them , serpeda de aqua , a serpent of the water , and therefore all the learned expound the geeeke word hydra for a boas . cardan saith , that there are of this kind in the kingdome of senega , both without feet & wings , but most properly they are now found in italy , according to these verses . boa quidem serpens quem tellus itala nutrit hunc bubulum plures lac enutrire docent . which may be englished thus , the boas serpent which italy doth breede , men say , vppon the milke of cowes doth feede . their fashion is in seeking for their prey among the heardes , to destroy nothing that giueth suck so long as it will liue , but they reserue it aliue vntill the milk be dryed vp , then afterward they kill & eate it , and so they deale with whole flocks & heards . the poyson of it , saith festus , maketh tumour & swelling in the body , wherevnto all others agree , except albertus , who in this poynt agrees not with himselfe , for in one place hee saith that they are venomous , & their teeth also like other dragons , in another place he saith , their poyson is very weake , and not to be regarded , because they be dragons of the third order or deuision . they goe all vpon their belly , and so i will conclude their story with mantuan . turpi boa flexilis aluo . that is to say , the filthy boas on his belly mooues . of the chamaeleon . it is very doubtfull whether a chamaeleon were euer knowne to the auncient hebrewes , because there is no certaintie among thē for the appellation thereof , some affirming one thing , and some another . we read leuit. . among other beasts there forbidden to be eaten of , koah , or koach , which rabbi kimhi interpreteth a kind of crocodile ( hazah , ) rabbi ionas in the arabian , hardun , and so also doth auicen . the chalde koaha , the persians an sanga , the septuagints and s. ierom , a chamaeleon . the selfe same word is found leuit. . which the iewes do vulgarly at this day take for senicus , a crocodile of the earth . the word oah or oach , seemeth to come neere to this , which is some-times interpreted a torteyse , a dragon , or a monkey . and oas by syluaticus , is translated a salamander . kaath by the iewes , is translated a cuckoe , a iay , a pellican , & an onocratua : and in the second of sophoni for a chamaeleon . some haue framed an hebrew word gamalion , which is absurd , for gameleon . zamelon , aamelon , hamaleon , & meleon , are but corrupted termes of chamaeleon , as isidorus well obserueth , or els signifieth some of the kinds of lyzards or stellionds , as is manifest in albertus , and other learned writers . therefore i will not blot more paper about the arabian beastes harbe and alharbe , alarbian or hardon , hardun or alharba , but leaue them to the iudgement of those , vvho delight in the inuestigation of such secrets . chamaeleon is a greeke word , from whence the latines , and almost all nations haue borrowed the name of this serpentine or creeping beast , except the germaines , and they onely haue fained names , as lindtwarm in albertus , that is , a worme of the wood , and rattader by gesner , that is a ratmouse , because in quantitie & composition , it resembleth both those creatures . some latines , by reason of the similitude it holdeth with a lizard , call it muri laccritus , a mouse-lyzard . the greeke word chamaeleon , signifieth a low & humble lyon , because in some parts and members , he resembleth that lofty & couragious beast . so do they deriue the names of certaine low & short herbs , from great & tall trees , as chamaecerasus , chamaeciparissus , chamaedris , and chamaepitis , shrubs of plumtree , heath , cipres , germander , & ground iuy , from the cherry , the cypres , the cedar , & the pine tree . and thus much for the name of the chamaeleon . some haue thought that it neuer eateth meat , but is nourished with the wind , because it draweth in very eagerly many times the wind into the belly , whereby it swelleth : for it hath great lights stretched all along the sides of the belly : but this opinion is false , as shall be shewed hereafter , although it cannot be denyed that it is ouiparum patrentissimum famis : that is , the most induring famine among all other egge-breeding-beastes , for it fasteth many times eyght monthes : yea , a whole yeare together . in stead of nostrils and eares it hath certaine passages in those places , whereby it smelleth and heareth . the opening of the mouth is very large , and it hath teeth on the neather and vpper chap like sawes , such as are in a slo-worme , the toong very smooth , halfe a hand breadth long , where withall it licketh in those insectes flyes , horse-flyes , locustes , and emittes , whereupon it feedeth : for it keepeth at the mouth a certaine fome or moysture , and also vpon the tayle and backer partes , wherewithall those flyes and other creatures are so much delighted , that they follow the chamaelion , and as it were bewitched with the desire thereof , they fall vppon the moysture to their owne perdition ; and this is to bee noted , that this moysture or fome in the backer partes of the body is like a spunge . it hath a line or strake vnder the belly , indented as it were with scales , white in colour , and stretched out to the tayle , but the feete seeme to bee of an artificiall worke of nature , wherein is a curious difference betwixt the former and the hinder : for the forefeete haue three fingers or clawes within , and two without : the hinder feete on the contrary , haue two without and three within : it layeth twelue long egges , such as lyzards do , the hart is not much greater then the heart of a domesticall mouse or rat : it hath two lappes of a liuer , whereof the left is the greater , vnto which cleaueth the skinne of the gall , the which skin exceedeth not in quantity a barly-corne . and thus farre the description by bellonius . in the next place for the better manifestation of the nature of this beast , i will also adde the description that scaliger maketh thereof . for he saith , when iohannes landius was in the farthest parts of syria , he saw fiue chamaelions , whereof he bought one , which with his tongue did very soddenly take off a fly from his breast : wherefore in the dissection of the said chamaelion , he found that the tongue thereof was as long as a hand breadth , hollow and empty , in the toppe whereof there was a little hole with filthy matter therein , wherewithall he tooke his prey : which thing seemed new and strange vnto thē which heretofore thought that a chamaelion liued onely by the ayre . his backe was somewhat crooked , rising with spotted bunches like a sawe , like the turbut-fish , his belly closed with short ribbes , his eyes most beautifull , which he turneth euery way without bending his necke : his colour white , greene , and dusky : naturally greene , somewhat pale on the backe , but paler and nearer to white on the belly , yet was it beset all ouer with red , blew , and white spots . it is not true that the chamaelion chaungeth her selfe into all colours , vppon greene groweth greennesse , vpon the dusky is tempered a dusky colour ; but vppon blew , red , or white the natiue greennes is not blemished or obscured , but the blew , white , and red spots yeald a more liuely and pleasant aspect ; vpon black , standeth browne , yet so , as the green hew seemeth to be confounded with blacke , and it doth not change his owne colour into a supposed colour , but when it is oppressed with feare or griefe . that it liueth sometime of the ayre , a whole yeare or more , doeth appeare , because it eateth no meate during that time , but gaping with a wide mouth draweth in the ayre , & then shutting his chaps againe his belly swelleth . yea , i found one that constantly affirmed , that they turne themselues to the beames of the sunne , and gaping wide after them , follow them hard as it were to draw them in . they haue fiue distinct clawes vpon euery foote , with two of which they claspe the round boughes or twigges of trees , as parrats doe when they sit vppon their pearches , and these clawes stand not as other birdes doe , three together and one by it selfe , but in imparity or dissimilitude , three on the one side , and two on the other , and so are parted with an inuerse order , for the hinder and former are contrary one to the other , so as if there bee three clawes on the inside , and two on the outside of the leg before , then are there three on the outside behind , and two on the inside : and thus much i receiued from langius . so farre scaliger . now we will proceede to the perticular description of their parts , as we find them recorded in other writers , leauing those breefe and pregnable narrations of bellonius & scaliger . and first of all for the figure and outward shape of their bodies , then for theyr colour , and the reasons of their mutability and variation of colour . for the figure and shape of their bodies , pliny is of opinion , that a chamaelion is like to a crocodile of the earth , except in the sharpe bending of the backe-bone , or the length or greatnesse of the tayle . some say that the whole parts of the body doth represent a lizard , excepting that the sides are ioyned to the belly , and the baeke-bone standeth vp as in fishes . arnoldus saith it resembleth a stellion if the legs were not straighter and higher : but the truth is , it is a foure-footed-beast , much like to a lizard , yet it goeth higher from the earth , and alwayes gapeth , hauing a rough skinne all ouer the body like a crocodile , and is also full of scabs . the length of it from the tip of the nose to the rumpe of the taile , is . or . fingers , the height of them fiue fingers , and the legs lone , three fingers and a halfe . the length of the tayle eyght or nine fingers , the backe-bone eminent & standing vp , cersted or indented all throughout to the tip of the taile , but neare the rump , the crestes are more low and lesse visible . on eyther side at the roote of the ribbes stand bony eminent bunches , from which discendeth a line , and is extended throughout the length of the tailo on both sides ; and if it were not for these bunches the turnings about , and the other three in the lower part , it would be so exasperated or extenuated toward the end like to the tayle of a rat or great mouse . the middle place betwixt the bottome of the belly and the top of the backe , contayneth an angle or flexure of sixteene ribbes , after the fashion or proportion of a greeke lambda , except that the angle thereof be more wide & potent , which looketh backeward toward the taile , and within these ribbes is the whole haunch of the body and belly , contained in a round compasse on either side . beeing blacke , it is not vnlike the crocodile , and being pale , it is like to the lizard , set ouer with blacke spottes like a leopard . it changeth colour both in the eyes , tayle , and whole body , alwayes into the colour of that which is next it , except red and white , which colours it cannot easily vndertake , so that it deceiueth the eyes of the beholders , turning blacke into greene , and greene into blew , like a player , which putteth of one person , to put on another : according to these verses of ouid ; id quoque quod ventis animal natritur & aura , protinus assimilat , tetigit quoscunque colores . in english thus ; the beast that liueth by wind and weather , of each thing touched taketh colour . the reasons of this change of colour are the same which are giuen of the buffe and polypus fish ; namely , extreamity of feare , the thinnesse , smoothnesse , and baldnesse of the skinne . whereupon tertullian writeth thus : hoc soli chamaelienti datum quod vulgo dictum est de suo corio ludere : that is to say , this is the onely gift of nature to a chamaelion , that according to the common prouerbe it deceiueth with his skin : meaning that a chamaelion at his owne pleasure can change the colour of his skinne . whereupon erasmus applyeth the prouerb , de alieno corio ludere , to such as secure themselues with other mens perill . from hence also commeth another prouerbe , chamaileontos rumetaboloontaros , more mutable then a chamaelion , for a crafty , cunning , inconstant fellow , changing himselfe into euery mans disposition ; such a one was alcibiades , who was said to be in athens , and of such a man resembling this beast , did alciatus make this emblem against flatterers : semper hiat , semper tenuem qua vescitur auram , reciprocat chamaelion , et mutat faciem , varios sumitque colores , praeter rubrum vel candidum . sic & adulator populare vescitur aura , hiansque cuncta deuorat . et solum mores imitatur principis atros . albi & pudici nescius . that is to say ; it alway gapes , turning in and out that breath whereon it feedes : and often changeth hew : now blacke and greene , and pale , and other colours hath , but red and white chamaelions do eschew : so clawbackes feede on vulgar breath as bread , with open mouth deuouring fame and right , princes , blacke-vices praise , but vertues dread , designed in nature by colours red and white . a chamaelion of all egge-breeding-beastes is the thinnest , because it lacketh bloud , and the reason hereof is by aristotle referred to the disposition of the soule : for he saith , through ouer much feare , it taketh vpon it many colours , and feare through the want of bloud and heate , is a refrigeration of this beast . plutarke also calleth this beast a meticulous and fearefull beast , and in this cause concludeth the change of his colour , not as some say , to auoyde and deceiue the beholders and to worke out his owne happinesse , but for meere dread and terrour . iohannes vrsinus assigneth the cause of the change of chamaelions colour , not to feare , but to the meate & to the ayre , as appeareth by these verses ; non timor , imò cibus , nimirum limpidus aër , ambo simul vario membra colore nouant . which may be thus englished ; not feare , but meate which is the ayre thinne , new colours on his body doth begin . but i for my part doe assigne the true cause to bee in the thinnesse of their skinne , and therefore may easily take impression of any colour , like to a thin fleake of a horne , which beeing layde ouer blacke , seemeth blacke , and so ouer other colours : and besides , there being no hinderaunce of bloud in this beast , nor intrals , except the lights , the other humours may haue the more predominant mutation ; and so i will conclude the discourse of the partes and colour of a chamaelion , with the opinion of kiranides , not that i approoue it , but to let the reader know all that is written of this subiect , his wordes are these : chamaelem singulis horis diei mutat colorem : a chamaelion changeth his colour euery houre of a day . this beast hath the face like a lyon , the feet and tayle of a crocodile , hauing a variable colour , as you haue heard , and one strange continued nerue from the head to the tayle , beeing altogether without flesh , except in the head , cheekes , and vppermost part of the tayle , which is ioyned to the body ; neither hath it any bloud but in the hart , eyes , and in a place aboue the hart , and in certaine vaynes deriued from that place , and in them also but a very little bloud . there be many membranes all ouer theyr bodies , and those stronger then in any other beastes . from the middle of the head backward , there ariseth a three square bone , and the fore part is hollow and round like a pipe , certaine bony brimmes , sharpe and indented , standing vpon either side . theyr braine is so little aboue their eyes , that it almost toucheth them , and the vpper skinne beeing pulled off from their eyes , there appeareth a certaine round thing like a bright ring of brasse , which niphus calleth palla , which signifieth that part of a ring , wherein is set a pretious stone . the eyes in the hollow within , are very great , and much greater then the proportion of the body , round , and couered ouer with such a skinne as the whole body is , except the apple , which is bare , and that part is neuer couered . this apple stands immoueable , not turned , but when the whole eye is turned at the pleasure of the beast . the snoute is like to the snoute of a hog-ape , alwayes gaping , and neuer shutting his mouth , and seruing him for no other vse but to beare his tongue and his teeth : his gumbes are adorned with teeth as we haue said before , the vpper lippe beeing shorter and more turned in then the other . their throate and arterie are placed as in a lizard : their lights are exceeding great , and they haue nothing els within their body . whervpon theophrastus as plutarch witnesseth , conceiueth , that they fill the whole body within , & for this cause it is more apt to liue on the ayre , and also to change the colour . it hath no spleene or melt , the tayle is very long , at the end and turning vp like a vipers tayle , winded together in many circles . the feete are double clouen , & for proportion resemble the thumbe and hand of a man , yet so , as if one of the fingers were set neere the side of the thumbe , hauing three without and two within behind , and three vvithin , and two without before ; the palme betwixt the fingers is somewhat great : from within the hinder legges , there seeme to growe certaine spurres . their legges are straight , and longer then a lizards , yet is theyr bending alike , and theyr nayles are crooked and very sharpe . one of these beeing dissected and cut asunder , yet breatheth a long time after , they goe into the caues and holes of the earth like lizards , wherein they lie all the winter time , and come forth againe in the spring , theyr pace is very slow , and themselues very gentle , neuer exasperated but when they are about wild-figge-trees . they haue for theyr enemies the serpent , the crow and the hawke . when the hungry ●erpent doth assault them , they defend themselues in this manner , as alexander mindius writeth : they take in their mouthes a broad & strong stalk , vnder protection whereof as vnder a buckler , they defend themselues against theyr enemy the serpent , by reason that the stalke is broader then the serpent can gripe in his mouth , and the other parts of the chamaeleon so firme and hard , as the serpent cannot hurt them : he laboureth but in vaine to get a prey , so long as the stalke is in the chamaeleons mouth . but if the chamaeleon at any time see a serpent taking the ayre , and sunning himselfe vnder some greene tree , he climbeth vp into that tree , and setleth himselfe directly ouer the serpent , then out of his mouth he casteth a thred like a spyder , at the end whereof hangeth a drop of poyson , as bright as any pearle , by this string he letteth downe the poyson vpon the serpent , which lighting vppon it , killeth it immediatly . and scaliger reporteth a greater vvonder then this in the description of the chamaeleon , for he sayth , if the boughes of the tree so grow as the perpendiculer line cannot fall directlie vpon the serpent , then hee so correcteth and guideth it with his fore-feete , that it falleth vpon the serpent within the mark of a hayres breadth . the rauen and the crow are also at variance with the chamaeleon , & so great is the aduerse nature betwixt these twaine , that if the crow eate of the chamaeleon beeing slaine by him , he dyeth for it , except he recouer his life by a bay-leafe , euen as the elephant after he hath deuoured a chamaeleon , saueth his life by eating of the wile-oliue-tree . but the greatest wonder of all is , the hostility which pliny reporteth to be betwixt the chamaeleon and the hawke . for he writeth , that when a hawke flyeth ouer a chamaeleon , she hath no power to resist the chameleon , but falleth downe before it , yeelding both her life and limbes to be deuoured by it ; and thus that deuourer that liueth vpon the prey & blood of others , hath no power to saue her owne life from this little beast . a chamaeleon is a fraudulent , rauening and gluttonous beast , impure , and vncleane by the law of god , and forbidden to be eaten : in his owne nature wilde , yet countersetting meekenes , when he is in the custodie of man. and this shall suffise to haue spoken for the description of this beast , a word or two of the medicines arising out of it , and so a conclusion . i find that the auncients haue obserued two kindes of medicines in this beast , one magicall , and the other naturall , and for my owne part , although not able to iudge of either , yet i haue thought good to anex a relation of both to this history . and first of the naturall medicines , democritus is of opinion that they deserue a peculier volume , and yet he himselfe telleth nothing of thē worthy of one page , except the lying vanities of the gentiles , & superstitions of the graecians . with the gall , if the suffusions and leprous parts of the body be annointed three dayes together , and the whitenesse of the eyes , it is beleeued to giue a present remedy : and archigenes prescribeth the same for a medicine for the taking away of the vnprofitable and and pricking hayres of the eye-browes . it is thought if it be mixed with some sweet composition , that it hath power to cure a quotidian ague . if the toong of chamaelion be hung ouer an obliuious and forgetfull person , it is thought to haue power to restore his memory . the chamaelion from the head to the tayle , hath but one nerue , which beeing taken out and hung about the necke of him that holdeth his head awry or backeward , it cureth him . the other parts haue the same operation as the parts of the hyaena & the sea-calfe . if a chamaelion be sod in an earthen pot , and consumed till the waterbe as thicke as oile , then after such seething , take the bones out , and put them in a place where the sunne neuer commeth , then if you see a man in the fit of the falling sicknesse , turne him vppon his belly , and annoynt his backe from the os sacrum to the ridge bone , and it will presently deliuer him from the fit : but after seuen times vsing , it will perfectly cure him . the oyle thus made must be kept in a boxe . this medicine following is a present remedy agaynst the gowt . take the head and feet of a chamaeleon , cut offalso the outward partes of the knees and feete , and then keepe by themselues those parts : that is to say , the partes of the right legge by themselues , and the partes of the left legge by themselues , then touch the nayle of the chamaeleon with your thumbe and right finger of your hand , dipping the tips of your fingers of the right hand in the bloud of the right foote of the beast : and so likewise the fingers of the left hand in the bloud of the left foote , then include those parts in two little pipes , and so let the sicke person carry the right partes in the right hand , and the left parts in the left hand , vntill he be cured : and this must bee remembred , that hee must touch euery morning about the sun rising the said chamaeleon , yet liuing and lapped in a linnen cloth , with those parts that are oppressed with the gout . the like superstitious and magicall deuises are these that follow , as they are recorded by pliny and democritus . the head and thraot being set on fire with wood of oake , they beleeue to be good against thunder and raine , and so also the liuer burned on a tyle . if the right eye be taken out of it aliue , and applyed to the whitenes of the eyes in goats milke , it is thought to cure the same . the tongue bound to a woman with child , preserueth her from danger in child-byrth , if the same tongue be taken from the beast aliue , it is thought it foresheweth the euent of iudgement . the heart wrapped in blacke wooll of the first shearing , by wearing it , cureth a quartane ague , the right claw of the forefeet bound to the left arme with the skinne of his cheekes , is good against robberies and terrours of the night , and the right pap against all feares . if the left foote be scorched in a furnace with the herb chamaeleon , and afterward putting a litle ointment to it , & made into little pasties , so being carryed about in a wooden boxe , it maketh the party to go invisible . the right shoulder maketh a man to preuaile against his aduersaries , if they doe but tread vpon the nerues cast down vpō the earth . but the left shoulder they consecrate the same to monsterous dreames , as if that thereby a man might dreame what hee would in his owne person and effect , the like in others . with the right foote are all paulsies resolued , and with the left foote all lethargies : the wine wherein one side of a chamaeleon hath beene steeped , sprinkled vppon the head , cureth the ach thereof . if swines grease be mingled with the powder of the left foote or thigh , and a mans foote be annoynted therewith , it bringeth the gout , by putting the gall into fire , they driue away serpentes ; and into water , they draw together weasels , it pulleth off hayre from the body , so also doth the liuer , with the lightes of of a toade ; likewise the liuer dissolueth amorous inchantments . melancholy men are cured by drinking the iuyce of a chamaeleon out of a chamaeleons skin . they also say , that the intrals and dung of this beast washed in the vrine of an ape , and hung vp at our enemies gates , causeth reconciliation . with the taile they bring serpentes asleepe , and stay the flowing of the flouds and waters : the same mingled with ceder and myrrhe , bound to two rods of palme , and strucke vpon water , causeth all thinges that are contained in the same water to appeare ; but i would to god that such magitians were well beaten with róddes of stronger wood , vntill they forsooke these magicall fooleries : and thus much for the story of the chamaeleon . of the cockatrice . this beast is called by the graecians baziliscos , and by the latine regulus , because he seemeth to be the king of serpents , not for his magnitude or greatnesse . for there are many serpents bigger then he , as there be many foure-footed-beastes bigger then the lyon , but because of his stately pace , and magnanimious mind : for hee creepeth not on the earth like other serpents , but goeth halfe vpright , for which occasion all other serpentes auoyde his sight . and it seemeth nature hath ordained him for that purpose : for beside the strength of his poyson which is vncurable , he hath a certaine combe or corronet vppon his head , as shall be shewed in due place : it is also cald sibilus , as we read in isidorus , sibilus enim occidit antequam mordeat vel exurat : the cockatrice killeth before it burneth . the hebrewes call it pethen , and curman , also zaphna , and zaphnaini . the chalde armene , harmene , and also carmene : the aegyptians vreus , the germans ein ertz schlengle , the french vn basilic : the spaniards and italians basilisco . there is some question amongest writers , about the generation of this serpent : for some , ( and those very many and learned ) affirme , him to be brought forth of a cockes egge . for they say that when a cock groweth old , he layeth a certaine egge without any shell , in stead whereof it is couered with a very thicke skinne , which is able to withstand the greatest force of an easie blow or fall . they say moreouer , that this egge is layd onely in the summer-time , about the beginning of dogge-dayes , being not long as a hens egge , but round and orbiculer : sometimes of a dusty , sometimes of a boxie , sometimes of a yellowish muddy colour , which egge is generated of the putrified seed of the cocke , and afterward set vpon by a snake or a toad , bringeth forth the cockatrice , being halfe a foot in length , the hinder part like a snake , the former partlike a cooke , because of a treble combe on his forehead . but the vulger opinion of europe is , that the egge is nourished by a toad , and not by a snake ; howbeit in better experience it is found that the cocke doth sit on that egge himselfe : whereof leuinus lemnius in his twelth booke of the hidden miracles of nature hath this discourse , in the fourth chapter thereof . there happened ( saith he ) within our memory in the citty pirizaea , that there were two old cockes which had layd egges , & the common people ( because of opinion that those egges would engender cockatrices ) laboured by all meanes possible to keepe the said cockes from sitting on those egges , but they could not with clubs and staues driue them from the egges , vntill they were forced to breake the egges in sunder , and strangle the cockes . but this point is worth inquiry , whether a cocke can conceiue an egge , and after a certaine time lay the same ' without a shell . i for my part am perswaded , that when a cocke groweth old , and ceaseth to tread his female in the ordinary course of nature , which is in the seuenth or ninth yeare of his age , or at the most in the foureteenth , there is a certaine concretion bred within him by the putrified heat of his body , through the staying of his seede generatiue , which hardeneth vnto an egge , & is couered with such a shell , as is said already : the which egge being nourished by the cocke or some other beast , bring eth forth a venomous worme , such as are bred in the bodies of men , or as waspes , horse-flyes , and catterpillers engendered of horse-dung , or other putryfied humours of the earth : and so out of this egge may such a venomous worme proceede , as in proportion of body , and pestiferous breath , may resemble the affrican cockatrice or basiliske , and yet it is not the same whereof wee purpose here to intreat , but will acknowledge that to be one kind of cockatrice , but this kind is generated like other serpents of the earth , for as the auncient hermes writeth , it is both false and impossible , that a cockatrice should be hatched of a cockes egge . the same writer maketh mention of a bazeliske ingendered in dung , whereby hee meaneth the elixir of life , wherewithall the alchimistes conuert mettals . the aegyptians hold opinion , that these cockatrices are engendered of the egges of the bird called ibis , and therefore they breake those egges wheresoeuer they finde them : and for this cause in theyr hieroglyphicks , when they will signifie a lawfull execution after an vpright iudgment , & sound institution of their forefathers , they are wont to make an ibis , and a cockatrice . the countries breeding or bringing forth these cockatrices , are sayd to be these : first affricke , and therein the ancient seat or land of the turkes , nubia , and all the wildernes of affrica , & the countries cyrenes . gallen among the physitions only , doubteth whither there be a cockatrice or no , whose authority in this case must not be followed , seeing it was neuer giuen to mortal man to see & know euery thing , for besides the holy scriptures vnauoidable authority , which both in the prophesie of esay and ieremy , maketh mention of the cockatrice and her egges : there be many graue humainé writers , whose authority is irrefragable , affirming not onely that there be cockatrices , but also that they infect the ayre , and kill with their sight . and mercuriall affirming , that when he was with maximilion the emperour , hee saw the carkase of a cocatrice , reserued in his treasury among his vndoubted monuments . of this serpent the poet georgius pictorius writeth on this manner ; rex est serpentum basiliscus , quem modo vincunt mustelae insultus , saeuaque bella ferae . lernaeum vermem basiliscum foeda cirene producit cunctis maximè perniciem . et nasci ex ouo galli , si credere fas est , decrepiti , in fimo , sole nitente , docent . sed quoniam olfactu loedit , visuque ferarum omne genus credas , nulla tenere bona . that is to say ; the bazeliske the serpents king i find , yet weasels him do ' ouercome in warre , the cyren land him breedes of lernaes kind , they to all other a destruction are : and if we may beleeue , that through the heat of sunne , in old cockes egges this beast is raised first , or beastes by fight or smell thereof are all vndone , then i st not good , but of his kind the worst . wee doe read that in rome , in the dayes of pope leo the fourth , there vvas a cockatrice found in a vault of church or chappell , dedicated to saint lucea , whose pestiferous breath hadde infected the ayre round about , whereby great mortality followed in rome : but how the said cockatrice came thither it was neuer knowne . it is most probable that it was created and sent of god for the punnishment of the citty , which i do the more easily beleeue , because segonius & iulius scaliger do affirme , that the sayd pestiferous beast was killed by the prayers of the said leo the fourth . i thinke they meane that by the authoritie of the sayde byshop , all the people were mooued to generall fasting and prayer , and so almighty god who was mooued for theyr sinnes , to send such a plague amongest them , was likewise intreated by their prayers and sutes , not onely to reuerse the plague , but with the same hand to kill the beast , wherewithall it was created : euen as once in aegypt by the hand of moses , hee brought grasse-hoppers and lice , so by the same hand he droue them away againe . there is some small difference amongest the writers , about the quantity and partes of this serpent : which i will breefely reconcile . first aelianus saith , that a cockatrice is not past a spanne in compasse , that is as much as a man can gripe in his hand . pliny saith , that it is as bigge as twelue fingers . solinus and isidorus affirme , that it is but halfe a foot long . auicen saith , that the arabian harmena , that is , the cockatrice , is two cubits and a halfe long . nicander saith , et tribus extenso porrectus corpore palmis , that is , it is in length but three palmes . aetius sayth , that it is as bigge as three handfuls : now for the reconciliation of all these . it is to bee vnderstood , that pliny and aelianus speaketh of the worme that commeth out of the cockes egge , in regard of the length , but not of the quantity , and so confound together that worme and the cockatrice . for it is very reasonable , that seeing the magnitude and greatnesse of the serpent is concluded to bee at the least a span in compasse , that therefore the length of it must needes bee three or foure foote at the shortest ; else how could it bee such a terrour to other serpents , or how could the fore part of it arise so eminently aboue the earth , if the head were not lifted at the least a foote from the ground . so then we will take it for graunted , that this serpent is as big as a mans wrist , and the length of it aunswerable to that proportion . it is likewise questionable whether the cockatrice haue winges or no : for by reason of his conceiued generation from a cocke , many haue described him in the fore-part to haue winges , and in the hinder part to haue a tayle like a serpent : and the conceit of winges seemeth to bee deriued from holy scripture , because it is written esay : verse twenty nine , de radice cobibij egredietur regulus & semen eius absorbens volucrem : that is to say , out of the serpents rootes shall come a cockatrice , and the fruite thereof shall bee a fiery flying serpent , as wee translate it in english : but tremellius the best interpreter , doth render the hebrew in this maner : de radice serpentis prodit haemorrhus & fructus illius prester volans : that is to say ; vvord for word , out of the roote of the serpent shall come the haemorrhe , and the fruite thereof a flying prester . now we know , that the haemorrhe and the prester are two other different kindes of serpentes from the cockatrice , and therefore these interpreters beeing the more faithfull and learned , wee will rather followe the holy scripture in theyr translation , then the vulgar latine , which is corrupted in very many places , as it is also esay . the . verse sixe . for praester , there is againe in the vulgar translation the cockatrice : and for this cause vvee haue not described the cockatrice vvith winges , as not finding sufficient authority to warrant the same . the eyes of the cockatrice are redde , or somewhat inclyning to blackenesse , the skinne and carkase of this beast haue beene accounted precious , for wee doe read that the pergameni did buy but certaine peeces of a cockatrice , and gaue for it two pound and a halfe of syluer : and because there is an opinion that no byrd , spyder , or venomous beast , will indure the sight of this serpent , they did hang vppe the skinne thereof stuffed , in the temples of apollo and dinna , in a certaine thinne net made of gold : and therefore it is sayde , that neuer any swallow , spider , or other serpent durst come within those temples : and not onely the skinne or the sight of the cockatrice worketh this effect , but also the flesh thereof , being rubbed vppon the pauement postes or walles of any house . and moreouer , if siluer bee rubbed ouer with the powder of the cockatrices flesh , it is likewise sayde , that it giueth it a tincture like vnto golde : and besides these qualities , i remember not any other in the flesh or skinne of this serpent . the hissing of the cockatrice which is his naturall voyce , is terrible to other serpents , and therefore as soone as they heare the same , they prepare themselues to fly away , according to these verses of nicander ; illius auditos expectant nulla susurr●s , quantumuis magnas sinuent animalia spiras quando vel in pastum , vel opacae deuiae siluae , irriguósue locos , mediae sub luce diei excandescenti succensa furore feruntur , sed turpi cōuersa fugae dant terga retrorsum . which may be englished thus , when as the greatest winding serpents heare , ( feeding in woods or pasture all abroad , although inclos'd in many spiers , yet feare : or in mid-day the shaddowes neare brookes road , ) the fearefull hissing of this angry beast , they runne away : as fast as feete can lead them , flying his rage vnto some other rest , turning their backes whereby they do escape him . we read also that many times in affrica , the mules fall downe dead for thirst , or elsely dead on the ground for some other causes , vnto whose carkase innumerable troupes of serpentes gather themselues to feede thereuppon : but when the bazeliske windeth the sayd dead body , he giueth forth his voyce : at the first hearing whereof , all the serpents hide themselues in the neare adioyning sandes , or else runne into theyr holes , not daring to come forth againe , vntill the cockatrice haue well dyned and satisfied himselfe . at which time he giueth another signall by his voyce of his departure : thē come they forth , but neuer dare meddle with the remnants of the dead beast , but go away to seek some other prey . and if it happen that any other pestiferous beast come vnto the waters to drink neare the place wherein the cockatrice is lodged , so soone as it perceiueth the presence thereof , although it be not heard nor seene , yet it deaparteth back againe , without drinking , neglecting his owne nutriment , to saue itselfe from further danger : whereupon lucanus saith ; — latè sibi submouet omne vulgus , & in vacua regnat basiliscus árena . which may be thus englished ; he makes the vulgar farre from him to stand , while cockatrice alone raignes on the sand . so then it beeing euident that the hissing of a cockatrice is terrible to all serpentes , and his breath and poyson mortall to all manner of beastes : yet hath god in nature not left this vilde serpent without an enemie ; for the weasell and the cocke are his tryumphant victors ; and therefore pliny sayth well : huic tali monstre quod saepe enectum concupiuere reges videre , mustelarum virus exitio est , adeò naturae nihil placuit esse sinae pari : that is to say , this monster which euen kinges haue desired to see when it was dead , yet is destroyed by the poyson of weasels , for so it hath pleased nature that no beast should be without his match . the people therefore when they take weasells , after they haue found the caues and lodging places of the cockatrices , vvhich are easily discerned by the vpper face of the earth , vvhich is burned with theyr hotte poyson , they put the weasell in vnto her ▪ at the sight whereof the cockatrice flyeth like a weakeling ouermatched with too strong an aduersary , but the weasell followeth after and killeth her . yet this is to bee noted , that the weasell both before the fight and after the slaughter , armeth her selfe by eating of rue , or else she would bee poysoned with the contagious ayre about the cockatrice : and besides this weasell , there is no other beast in the world , which is able to stand in contention against the cockatrice , saith lemnius . againe , euen as a lyon is afrayd of a cock , so is the bazeliske , for he is not onely afrayd at his sight , but almost dead when hee heareth him crow , which thing is notoriously knowne throughout all affrica . and therefore all trauellers which goe through the desertes , take with them a cocke for theyr safe conduct against the poyson of the bazeliske : and thus the crowing of the cocke is a terror to lyons , & a death to cockatrices , yet he himselfe is afraid of a kite . there are certaine learned writers in saxonie , which affirme , that there are many kindes of serpentes in theyr woods ; whereof one is not vnlike to a cockatrice : for they say it hath a very sharpe head , a yellow colour , in length not exceeding three palmes , of a great thickenesse , his belly spotted and adorned with many white prickes : the backe blew , and the tayle crooked and turned vppe , but the opening of his mouth is farre wyder then the proportion of his body may seeme to beare . these serpentes may well bee referred to cockatrices : for howsoeuer theyr poyson is not so great as the bazeliskes of affrica , ( euen as all other serpentes of the hotte countryes , are farre more pestiferous then those which are bred in the cold countries : ) the very same reason perswadeth mee , that there is a difference among the cockatrices , and that those of saxonia may differ in poyson from those in affrica , and yet bee true cockatrices : besides this , there is another reason in lemnius , which perswadeth the reader they are no cockatrices ; because when the country-men set vppon them to kill them , with clubs , billes , or forkes , they receiue no hurt at all by them , neither is there any apparant contagion of the ayre : but this is aunswered already , that the poyson in the colde countrey is nothing to great as in the hot , and therefore in saxony they neede feare the byting , and not the ayres infection . gardan relateth another story of a certaine serpent , which was found in the walles of an olde decayed house in millan , the head of it ( sayth he ) was as bigge as an egge , too bigge for the body , which in quantity and shape resembled a stellion . there vvere teeth on eyther chappe , such as are in vipers . it hadde two legges , and those very short , but great , and their feete had clavves like a cats : so that vvhen it stood , it vvas like a cocke , for it hadde a bunch on the toppe of the head , and yet it vvanted both fethers and winges : the tayle was as long as the body , in the top whereof there was a round bunch as big as the head of an italian stellian . it is very likely that this beast is of the kind of cockatrices . now we are to intreate of the poyson of this serpent , for it is a hot and venomous poison , infecting the ayre round about , so as no other creature can liue neare him , for it killeth , not onely by his hissing and by his sight , ( as is sayd of the gorgons , ) but also by his touching , both immediately and mediately , that is to say ; not onely vvhen a man toucheth the body it selfe , but also by touching a weapon wherewith the body was slayne , or any other dead beast slaine by it , and there is a common fame , that a horse-man taking a speare in his hand , which had beene thrust through a cockatrice , did not onely draw the poyson of it into his owne body and so dyed , but also killed his horse thereby . lucan writeth ; quid prodest miseri basiliscus cuspide mauri transactus ? velox currit per tela venenum , inuadit manumque equumque . in english thus ; what had the moore to kill the cockatrice with speare , sith the swift poyson him did spill , and horse that did him beare . the question is in what part of this serpent the poyson doth lye ; some say in the head alone , and that therefore the bazeliske is deafe , bycause the ayre which serueth the organe of hearing , is resolued by the intensiue calidity : but this seemeth not to bee true , that the poyson shoulde bee in the head onely , because it killeth by the fume of the whole body , and besides when it is dead it killeth by onely touching it , and the man or beast so slayne , doth also by touching kill another : some agayne say , that the poyson is in the breast , and that therefore it breatheth at the sides , and at many other places of the body , through and betwixt the scales ; which is also true , that it doth so breath : for otherwise the burning fume that proceedeth from this poysonfull beast , would burne vppe the intrals thereof , if it came out of the ordinary place ; and therefore almighty god hath so ordained , that it should haue spiraments and breathing places in euery part of the body , to vent away the heate , least that in very short time , by the iuclusion thereof , the whole compage and iuncture of the body should be vtterly dissolued , and separated one part from another . but to omit inquiry in what part of his body the poyson lyeth , seeing it is most manifest that it is vniuersall , we will leaue the seate thereof , and dispute of the instruments and effectes . first of all therefore it killeth his owne kinde , by sight , hearing , and touching . by his owne kinde , i meane other serpentes , and not other cockatrices , for they can liue one beside another , for if it were true ( which i doe not beleeue ) that the arabian harmene were any other serpent then a cockatrice , the very same reason that ardoynus giueth of the fellowshippe of these two serpents together , ( because of the similitudes of their natures ) may very vvell prooue that no diuers kindes can liue so well together , in safety without harming one or other , as doe one and the same kind together . and therefore there is more agreement in nature betwixt a cockatrice and a cockatrice , then a cockatrice and harmene , and it is more likely that a cockatrice dooth not kill a cockatrice , then that a cockatrice doth not kill an harmene : and againe , cockatrices are ingendered by egges , according to the holy scripture ; and therefore one of them killeth not another by touching , hissing , or seeing , because one of them hatcheth another . but it is a question whether the cockatrice dye by the sight of himselfe : some haue affirmed so much , but i dare not subscribe therevnto , because in reason it is vnpossible , that any thing should hurt it selfe , that hurteth not another of his owne kinde , yet if in the secret of nature god haue ordayned such a thing , i will not striue against them that can shew it . and therefore i cannot without laughing remember the olde wiues tales of the vulgar cockatrices that haue bin in england ; for i haue oftentimes heard it related confidently , that once our nation was full of cockatrices , and that a certaine man did destroy them by going vppe and downe in glasse , whereby their owne shapes were reflected vpon their owne faces , and so they dyed . but this fable is not worth refuting , for it is more likely that the man should first haue dyed by the corruption of the ayre from the cockatrice , then the cockatrice to die by the reflection of his owne similitude from the glasse , except it can be shewed that the poysoned ayre could not enter into the glasse wherein the man did breathe . among all liuing creatures , there is none that perrisheth sooner then dooth a man by the poyson of a cockatrice , for with his sight he killeth him , because the beames of the cockatrices eyes , doe corrupt the visible spirit of a man , which visible spirit corrupted , all the other spirits comming from the braine and life of the hart , are thereby corrupted , & so the man dyeth : euen as women in their monthly courses doe vitiat their looking-glasses , or as a wolfe suddainly meeting a man , taketh from him his voyce , or at the least-wise maketh him hoarse . to conclude , this poyson infecteth the ayre , and the ayre so infected killeth all liuing things , and likewise all greene things , fruites , and plants of the earth : it burneth vp the grasse where-vppon it goeth or creepeth , & the fowles of the ayre fall downe dead when they come neere his denne or lodging . some-times hee byteth a man or a beast , and by that wound the blood turneth into choller , and so the whole body becommeth yellow as gold , presently killing all that touch it , or come neere it . the symptomes are thus described by nicander , with whose words i will conclude this historie of the cockatrice , writing as followeth : quod ferit hic , multo corpus succenditur igne , a membris resoluta suis caro defluit , & fit lurida & obscuro nigrescit opaca colore . nullae etiam volucres quae faeda cadauera pascunt , sic occisum hominem tangunt , vt vultur , & omnes ; huic similes alia , pluuiae quoque nuncius aura coruus , nec quaecunque fera per deuia lustra degunt étali capiunt sibi tabula carne . tum teter vacuas odor hinc exhalat in auras , atque propinquantes penetrant non segniter artus ; sin cogente fame ventens aproximet ales tristia fata refert , certamque ex aëre mortem , which may be englished thus ; when he doth strike , the body hurt is set on fire , and from the members falleth off the flesh , withall , it rotten is , and in the colour blacke as any myre . refus'd of carrion-feeding-birds both great and small are all men so destroyed . no vulture or bitter fierce , or weather-telling-crow , or deserts wildest beast , which liue in dennes sustaining greatest famines force , but at their tables doe this flesh detest . then is the ayre repleate with 's lothsome smell , piercing vitall parts of them approaching neere , and if a bird it tast to fill his hunger fell , it dyes assured death , none neede it feare . of the cordyll . although i finde some difference about the nature of this lyuing creature , and namely whether it bee a serpent or a fishe , yet because the greater and better part make it a serpent , i will also bring it in his due order in this place for a venomous beast . gesner is of opinion , that it is no other but a lizard of the water , but this cannont agree with the description of aristotle & bellonius , who affirme the cordill to haue gilles like a fish , and these are not found in any lizard . the graecians call this serpent kordule , and kordulos , whereof the latines deriue or rather borrow their cordulus , and cordyla . numenius maketh this a kind of salamander which the apothecaryes do in many countryes falsely sell for the scincus or corcodile of the earth , and yet it exceedeth the quantity of a salamander , being much lesse then the crocodile of the earth , hauing gils , and wanting fins on the sides , also a long taile , and according to the proportion of the body , like a squirrels , although nothing so big , vvithout scabs : the back being bald and some what black , & horrible rough , thorow some bunches growing therupon , which being pressed do yeald a certain humor like milk , which being sayd to the nosthrils doth smell like poyson , euen as it is in a salamander . the beake or snout is very blunt or dull , yet armed with very sharp teeth . the clawes of his forelegges are diuided into foure , and on his hinderlegges into fiue : there is also a certaine fleshy fin growing all along from the crowne of his head , vnto his tayle vppon the backe , which when he swimmeth hee erecteth , & by it is his body sustained in the water from sinking , for his body is mooued with crooked winding , euen as an eele or a lamprey . the inward parts of this serpent are also thus described . the tongue is soft and spungy , like as is the tongue of a water-frogge , wherewith as it were with glew , he draweth to his mouth , both leches and wormes of the earth , whereupon it feedeth . at the roote of his tongue there is a certaine bunch of flesh , which as i thinke supplieth the place of the lightes , for when it breatheth , that part is especially mooued , and it panteth too & fro , so that thereby i gather , either it hath the lights in that place , or else in some other place neere the iawes . it wanteth ribs as doth the salamander , and it hath certain bones in the backe , but not like the ordinary back-bone of other such serpents . the heart is also all spungy , & cleaueth to the right side , not to the left : the left care whereof supplyeth the place of the pericadium . the liuer is very blacke , and somewhat clouen at the bending or sloape side : the melt somewhat red , cleauing to the very bottome of the ventricle . the reynes are also very spungy , ioyned almost to the legges , in which parts it is most fleshy , but in other places especially in the belly and breast , it is all skinne and bone . it also beareth egges in her place of conception , which is forked or double , which are there disposed in order , as in other liuing gristly creatures . those egges are nourished with a kinde of red fatte , out of which in due time come the young ones aliue , in as great plenty and number as the salamanders . and these thinges are reported by bellonius , besides whom i finde nothing more said , that is worthy to be related of this serpent , and therefore i will here conclude the history thereof . of the crocodile . because there be many kinds of crocodiles , it is no maruaile although some haue taken the word crocodilus for the genus , and the seuerall species , they distinguish into the crocodile of the earth and the water . of the earth are sub-diuided into the crocodiles of bresilia , and the scincus : the crocodiles of the water into this here described , which is the vulgar one , and that of nilus , of all which we shall entreat in order , one successiuely following another . but i will not contend about the genus or species of this word , for my purpose is to open their seuerall natures , so far as i haue learned , wherein the works of almighty god may be knowne , and will leaue the strife of wordes to them that spend their wittes about tearmes & sillables only . thus much i find , that the auncients had three generall tearmes for all egge-breeding serpentes . namely , rana , testudo , lacerta : and therefore i may forbear to intreate of crocodilus as a genus & handle it as a species , or particular kinde . the hebreus haue many words which they vse for a crocodile . koah leuit. . which the arabians render hardun , and the persi●ds sanga , which word commeth neere the latine worde scincus for a crocodile of the earth , and yet that word koah by saint ierom and the septuagints is translated a chamaeleon . in the same place of leuiticus the word zab is interpreted a kinde of crocodile : where-withall dauid kimhi confoundeth gereschint , and rabbi salomon , faget . the chaldes translate in zaba . the persians an rasu . the septuagints a crocodile of the earth , but it is better to follow saint hierom in the same , because the text addeth according to his kinde , wherefore it is superfluous to adde the distinction of the crocodile of the earth , except it were lawful to eate the crocodiles of the water . in exod. . there is a fish called zephardea , which commeth out of the waters and eateth men , this cannot agree to any fish in nilus , saue onely the crocodile ; and therefore this word is by the arabians rendered al timasch . some do hereby vnderstand pagulera , grenelera , & batrichoi , that is great frogs . aluka by most of the iewes vnderstand a horsleach , pro. . but dauid kimhi taketh and vseth it for a crocodile . for he sayth , it is a great worme , abiding neere the riuers sides , and vpon a sudden setteth vpon men or cattell as they passe besides him . tisma and alinsa are by auicen expounded for a crocodile : and tenchea for that crocodile that neuer moueth his neather or vnder chap. shipped by the inhabitants , and kept tame by the priestes in a certaine lake , this sacred crocodile is called suchus , and this word commeth neere to scincus , which as wee haue said , signifieth any crocodile of the earth , from which the arabian tinsa seemeth also to be deriued , as the egyptian thampsai doth come neere to the arabian trenisa . herodotus calleth them champsai , and this was the old ionian word for a vulgar crocodile in hedges . vppon occasion whereof scaliger saith , hee asked a turke by what name they call a crocodile at this day in turky , and he aunswered kimpsai , which is most euidently corrupted from champsai . the egyptians vulgarly call the crocodile of nilus , cocatrix , the graecians neilokrokadeilos , generally krocodeilos , and sometimes dendrites . the latines crocodilus , and albertus , crocodillus , and the same word is retayned in all languages of europe . about the etymologie of this word , i find two opinions not vnprofitable to be rehearsed : the first , that crocodilus commeth of crocus , saffron , because this beast , especially the crocodile of the earth , is afrayd of saffron , and therefore the country people , to defend theyr hiues of bees and hony from them , strow vpon the places saffron . but this is too farre fetched , to name a beast from that which it feareth , and beeing a secrete in nature , it is not likelie that it was discouered at the first , and therefore the name must haue some other inuestigation . isidorus saith , that the name crocodilus commeth of croceus color , the colour of saffron , because such is the colour of the crocodile : and this seemeth to be more reasonable● for i haue seene a crocodile in england brought out of egypt dead , and killed vvith a musket , the colour whereof was like to saffron growing vpon the stalkes in fieldes . yet it is more likely , that the deriuation of varinus and eustathius was the originall , for they say that the shores of sands on the riuers , were called croc● and croculae : and because the crocodiles haunt & liue in those shores , it might giue the name to the beasts , because the water crocodiles liue and delight in those sandes , but the land or earth crocodiles abhorre and feare them . it is reported that the famous grammarian artemidorus seeing a crocodile lying vppon the sands , he was so much touched and moued there-with , that he fell into an opinion that his left legge and hand were eaten off by that serpent , and that thereby he lost the remembrance of all his great learning and knowledge of artes. and thus much for the name of this serpent . in the next place we are to consider the countries wherein crocodiles are bred , and keepe theyr habitation , and those are especially egypt , for that onely hath crocodiles of both kindes , that is , of the water and of the land , for the crocodiles of nilus are amphibij , & liue in both elements : they are not only in the riuer nilus , but also in all the pooles neere adioyning . the riuer bambotus neere to atlas in affrica , doth also bring foorth crocodiles : and pliny saith , that in darat a riuer of mauritania , there are crocodiles ingendered . likewise apollonius reporteth , that when he passed by the riuer indus , he met with many sea-horses and crocodiles , such as are found in the riuer nilus , and besides these countryes i doe not remember any other , wherein are ingendered crocodiles of the water , which are the greatest and most famous crocodiles of all other . the crocodiles of the earth , which are of lesser note and quantitie , are more plentiful , for they are found in libia , & in bithinia , where they are called azaritia , & in the mountaine syagrus in arabia , and in the vvoods of india , as is well obserued by arianus , dioscorides , and hermolaus , and therefore i will not prosecute this matter any further . the kindes being already declared , it followeth that we should proceed to their quantitie and seuerall parts . and it appeareth that the water crocodile is much greater , and more noble , then the crocodiles of the earth ; for they are not aboue two cubites long , or some-times eyght at the most , but the other are sixteene , and sometimes more . and besides , these crocodiles , if they lay their egges in the water ( saith bellunensis ) thē their young ones are much greater , but if on the land , then are they lesser , and like the crocodiles of the earth . in the riuer ganges there are two kinds of crocodiles , one of them is harmelesse , & doth no hurt to any creature , but the other is a deuouting vnsatiable beast , killing snoute there groweth a bunch like a horne . now a crocodile is like a lyzard in all poynts ( excepting the tayle , and the quantity of a lyzard , ) yet it layeth an egge no greater then a gooses egge , and from so small a beginning ariseth this monstrous serpent , growing all his life long , vnto the length of fifteene or twenty cubits . and as phalareus witnesseth , in the dayes of psammitichus king of egypt , there was one found of fiue and twenty cubits long : and before that , in the dayes of amasis , one that was aboue sixe and twenty cubits long , the reason whereof was theyr long life , and continuall growth . wee haue shewed already , that the colour of a crocodile is like to saffron , that is , betwixt yellow and redde , more inclining to yellow then redde , not vnlike to the blacker kind of chamaeleon : but peter martyr saith , that their belly is somewhat whiter then the other parts . their body is rough all ouer , beeing couered with a certaine barke or rinde , so thicke , firme and strong , as it will not yeelde ( and especially about the backe ) vnto a cart-wheele when the cart is loaded , and in all the vpper parts , and the tayle , it is impenitrable with any dart or speare , yea scarcely to a pistoll or small gunne , but the belly is softer , whereon he receiueth wounds with more facility : for as wee shall shew afterwardes , there is a kind of dolphine which commeth into nilus , and fighteth with them , wounding them on the belly parts . the couering of their backe is distinguished into diuers deuided shells , standing vppe farre aboue the flesh , and towardes the sides they are lesse emynent , but on the belly they are more smooth , white , and very penitrable . the eyes of a crocodile of the vvater , are reported to be like vnto a swines , and therefore in the vvater they see very dimlie , but out of the water they are sharpe and quicke sighted , like to all other foure-footed serpents that lay egges . they haue but one eye-lidde , & that groweth from the nether part of the cheeke , which by reason of their eyes neuer twinckleth . and the egyptians say , that onely the crocodile among all the liuing creatures in the water , draweth a certaine thin bright skinne from his fore-head ouer his eyes , where-withall hee couereth his sight : and this i take to be the onely cause of his dimme sight in the waters . the head of this beast is very broade , and his snoute like a swynes . when hee eateth or byteth , he neuer mooueth his neather or vnder chappe . whereof aristotle giueth this reason , that seeing nature hath giuen him so short feete , as that they are not able to hold or to take the prey , therefore the mouth is framed instead of feete , so as it may more vehemently strike and wound , and also more speedily mooue and turne after the prey , and this is better done by the vpper thē the nether chap. but it is likely that hee was not deceiued , although he speaketh of crocodilus marinus , a crocodile of the sea : vvheras there is no crocodile of the sea , but rather some other monster like a crocodile in the sea , and such peraduenture albertus saw , and there-vpon inconsideratly affirmed , that all crocodiles moue theyr vnder-chapps , except the tenchea . but the learned vessalius prooueth it to be otherwise , because that the nether chappe is so conioyned and fastned to the bones of the temples , that it is not possible for to be moued . and therfore the crocodile onely among all other liuing creatures , moueth the vpper-chap , and holdeth the vnder-chap vnmoueable . the second wonder vnto this , is that the crocodile hath no tongue , nor so much as any appearance of a tongue . but then the question is , how it commeth to distinguish the sapours and tast of his meate . where-vnto aristotle aunswereth , that this crocodile is such a rauening beast , that his meate tarrieth not in his mouth , but is carryed into his stomacke , like as other water-beasts , and therefore they discerne sapours , and rellish theyr meate more speedily thē other ; for the water or humour falleth so fast into their mouthes , that they cannot stand long vppon the tast or distaste of their meate . but yet some make question of this , and they aunswere that most men are deceiued heerein , for whiles they looke for his tongue vpon his nether-chap , as it is in all other beasts , and find none , they conclude him to want that part : but they should consider , that the tongue cleaueth to the moueable part , and as in other beasts the nether-chap is the seate of the tongue , because of the motion , so in this the tongue cleaueth to the vpper-chappe , because that it is moueable , and yet not visible as in other , and therefore is very hardly discerned . for all this , i rather conclude with the former authours , that seeing it liueth both in the waters and on the land , and therefore it resembleth a fish and a beast , as it resembleth a beast , locum obtinet lingua , it hath a place for a tongue , but as it resembleth a fish , elinguis est , it is without a tongue . it hath great teeth standing out , all of them stand out before visibly when the mouth is shut , and fewer behind . and whereas aristotle writeth , that there is no liuing creature which hath both dentes prominentes , & serratos , that is , standing out , and deuided like a saw , yet the crocodile hath both . these teeth are white , long , sharpe , & a little crooked and hollow , their quantity well resembling the residue of the proportion of the body : and some say , that a crocodile hath three rowes of teeth , like the lion of chius , & like the whale , but this is not an approoued opinion , because they haue no more then . teeth . they haue also . ioynts or bones in the back , which are also tied together with so many nerues . the opening of his mouth reacheth to the place of his eares , and there be some crocodiles in ganges which haue a kind of little horne vpō their noses or snout . the melt is very small , & this somesay is onely in them that bring forth egges , their stones are inward & cleaue to their loynes . the taile is of the same length that the whole body hath , and the same is also rough & armed with hard skin vpon the vpper part & the sides , but beneath it is smooth & tender . it hath finnes vpō the tayle , by the benefit wherof it swimmeth , as also by the help of the feete . the feet are like a beares , except that they are couered with scales in stead of haire ; their nailes are very sharp & strong , for if it had a thumbe as well as it hath feet , the strength thereof would ouer-turne a ship . it is doubtful whether it hath any place of excrement except the mouth : and thus much for the seuerall parts of the crocodile . the knowledge also of the naturall actions & inclinations of crocodiles is requisite to be handled in the next place , because that actions folow the members as sounds do instruments . first therfore , although aristotle for the most part speaking of a crocodile , calleth it aquatilis & fluuiatilis , yet it is not to confine it to the waters & riuers , as though it neuer came out of thē like fishes , but onely to note that particuler kind which differeth frō them of the earth , for it is certaine that it liueth in both elements , namely earth & water : & for the time that it abideth in the water , it also taketh ayre , & not the humour or moistnes of the water , yet can they not want either humor of the water or respiration of the ayre : and for the day time it abideth on the land , & in the night in the water , because in the day , the earth is hoter then the water , & in the night , the water warmer then the earth : & while it liueth on the land , it is so delighted with the sun-shine , & lieth therein so immoueable , that a man would take it to be stark dead . the eyes of a crocodile ( as we haue said ) are dull & blind in the water , yet they appeare bright to others , for this cause , whē the egyptians wil signifie the sun-rising , they picture a crocodile in the water looking vpward to the earth , & when they will signifie the west , they picture a crocodile diuing into the water , and so for the most part the crocodile lyeth vpon the banks , that he may either diue into the water with speed or ascend to the earth to take his prey . by reason of the shortnes of his feet , his pace is very slow , & therefore it is not only easie to escape from him by flight , but also if a man do but turne aside & wind out of the direct way , his body is so vnable to bend it selfe , that hee can neither wind nor turne after it . whē they go vnder the earth into their caues , like to all other foure-footed & egge-breeding serpents , as namely lizards , stellions , & torteises , they haue all their legs ioyned to their sides , which are so retorted as they may bend to either side , for the necessity of couering their egges , but when they are abroad , and goe bearing vp all their bodies , then they bend only outward , making their thighes more visible . it is som-what questionable , whether they lye hid within their caues . months or . daies , for some authors affirme one thing , & some another , but the reason of the difference is taken from the condition of the cold weather , for which cause they lye hid in the winter-time . now forasmuch as the winter in egypt is not vsually aboue foure months , therfore it is taken that they lye but foure months , but if it be by accidēt of cold wether prolonged longer , thē for the same cause the crocodile is the longer time in the earth . during the time they lye hid , they eate nothing , but sleepe ( as it is thought ) immoueably , & when they come out againe , they do not cast their skinnes as other serpents doe . the tayle of a crocodile is his strongest part , and they neuer kill any beast or man , but first of all they strike him downe and astonish him with their tailes , and for this cause , the egyptians by a crocodiles tayle doe signifie death & darknes . they deuoure both men and beasts if they find them in theyr way , or neere the bankes of nilus , wherein they abide , taking sometimes a calfe from the cow his damme , and carrying it whole into the waters . and it appeareth by the portraiture of nealces , that a crocodile drew in an asse into nilus as he was drinking , and therefore the dogges of egypt by a kind of naturall instinct , do not drinke but as they runne , for feare of the crocodiles : wherevpon came the prouerbe , vt canis é nilo bibit & fugit , as a dogge at one time drinketh and runneth by nilus . when they desire fishes , they put their heads out of the water as it were to sleepe , and then suddenly when they espy a booty , they leape into the waters vppon them and take them . after that they haue eaten and are satisfied , then they turne to the land againe ; and as they lye gaping vpon the earth , the little bird trochilus maketh cleane their teeth , and is satisfied by the remainders of the flesh sticking vppon them . it is also affirmed by arnoldus , that it is fedde with mud , but the holy crocodile in the prouince of arsinoe , is fedde with bread , flesh , wine , sweet and hard , sodde flesh and cakes , and such like thinges as the poore people bring vnto it when they come to see it . vvhen the egyptians will write a man eating or at dinner , they paynt a crocodile gaping . they are exceeding fruitefull and prolificall , and therfore also in hieroglyphicks they are made to signifie fruitfulnes . they bring forth euery yeere , and lay their egges in the earth or dry land . for during the space of three-score dayes they lay euery day an egge , & within the like space they are hatched into young ones , by sitting or lying vpon them by course , the male one while , & the female another . the time of their hatching is in a moderate and temperate time , otherwise they perrish and come to nothing , for extremity of heate spoyleth the egge , as the buds of some trees are burned and scorched off by the like occasion . the egge is not much greater then the egge of a goose , and the young one out of the shell is of the same proportion . and so from such a small beginning doth this huge and monstrous serpent grow to his great stature , the reason whereof ( saith aristotle ) is , because it groweth all his life long , euen to the length of ten or moe cubits . when it hath layd the egges , it carryeth them to the place where they shall be hatched , for by a naturall prouidence and fore-sight , it auoydeth the waters of nilus , and therefore euer layeth her egges beyond the compasse of her floods : by obseruation whereof , the people of egypt know euery yeere the inundation of nilus before it happen . and in the measure of this place it is apparent , that this beast is not indued onely with a spirit of reason , but also with a fatidicall or propheticall geographicall delineation , for so shee placeth her egges in the brimme or banke of the flood ( before the flood commeth ) that the water may couer the nest , but not herselfe that sitteth vpon the egges . and the like to this is the building of the beauer , as we haue shewed in due place before in the history of foure-footed beastes . so soone as the young ones are hatched , they instantly fall into the depth of the vvater , but if they meete with frogge , snayle , or any other such thing fit for their meate , they doe presently teare it in peeces , the damme byteth it with her mouth , as it were punishing the pusillanimity thereof , but if it hunt greater things , and be greedy , rauening , industrious and bloody , that she maketh much of , and killing the other , nourisheth and tendereth this aboue measure : after the example of the wisest men , who loue their childrē in iudgement , fore-seeing their industrious inclination , and not in affection , without regard of worth , vertue , or merrit . it is said by philes , that after the egge is layd by the crocodile , many times there is a cruell stinging scorpion which commeth out thereof , and woundeth the crocodile that layde it . to conclude , they neuer prosper but neere the waters , and they liue threescore yeeres , or the age of a mans life . the nature of this beast is to be fearefull , rauening , malitious , and trecherous in getting of his prey , the subtiltie of whose spirit , is by some attributed to the thinnesse of his blood , and by other to the hardnes of his skin and hide . how it dealeth with her young ones , we haue shewed already , as it were trying their nature whether they will degenerate or no , and the like things are reported of the aspes , cancers , & torteyses of egypt . from hence came the conceit of pietas crocodili , the pietie of the crocodile . but as we haue said , it is a fearefull serpent , abhorring all manner of noyse , especially from the strained voyce of a man , and where hee findeth himselfe valiantly assaulted , there also hee is discouraged , and therefore marcellinus saith of him , audax monstrum fugacibus , at vbi audacem senserit timidissimum : an audacious monster to them that runne away , but most fearefull where he findeth resistance . some haue written , that the crocodile runneth away from a man if he winke with his left eye , and looke stedfastly vppon him with his right eye , but if this bee true , it is not to be attributed to the vertue of the right eye , but onely to the rarenesse of sight , vvhich is conspicuous to the serpent from one eye . the greatest terrour vnto crocodiles , as both seneca and pliny affirme , are the inhabitants of the ile tentyrus within nilus , for those people make them runne away with their voyces , and many times pursue and take them in snares . of these people speaketh solinus in this manner . there is a generation of men in the ile tentyrus within the waters of nilus , which are of a most aduerse nature to the crocodile , dwelling also in the same place . and although their persons or presence be of small stature , yet heerein is theyr courage admired , because at the suddaine sight of a crocodile they are no whit daunted : for one of these dare meete and prouoke him to runne away . they will also leape into the riuers and swimme after the crocodile , and meeting with it , without feare cast themselues vppon the beasts backe , ryding on him as vppon a horse . and if the beast lift vppe his head to byte him , when hee gapeth they put into his mouth a wedge , holding it hard at both ends with both their hands , & so as it were with a bridle , leade , or rather driue them captiues to the land , vvhere with theyr noyse they so terrifie them , that they make them cast vppe the bodies which they had swallowed into theyr bellies : & because of this antypathy in nature , the crocodiles dare not come neere to this iland . the like thing wee haue before in our generall discourse of serpents , shewed to be in the indian psylli against the greatest serpents . and strabo also hath recorded , that at what time crocodiles were brought to rome , these tentyrites folowed & droue thē . for whom there was a certaine great poole or fish-pond assigned and walled about ; except one passage for the beast to come out of the water into the sun-shine : and when the people came to see them , these tentyrites with nettes would draw them to the land , & put them backe againe into the water at theyr owne pleasure . for they so hooke them by theyr eyes , and bottome of theyr bellyes , which are their tenderest partes , that like as horses broken by theyr riders , they yeelde vnto them , and forget theyr strength in the presence of these theyr conquerours . peter martyr in his third booke of his babylonian lagation , saith , that from the cittie cair to the sea , the crocodiles are not so hurtfull and violent as they are vp the riuer nilus into the land , and against the streame . for as you goe further vp the riuer , neere the mountanie and hilly places , so shall you find them more fierce , bloody , and vnresistable , whereof the inhabitants gaue him many reasons . first , because that part of the riuer which is betwixt the citty cair and the sea , is very full of all sorts of fishes , whereby the beasts are so filled with deuouring of them , that they list not come out of the water on the land to hunt after men or cattell , and therefore they are the lesse hurtfull , for euen the lyon and wolfe doe cease to kill & deuoure when theyr bellyes are full . but sometimes the crocodiles beneath the riuer , follow the gales or troupes of fish vp the riuer , like so many fisher-men , and then the country fisher-men inclose them in nettes , and so destroy them . for there is a very great reward proposed by the law of the country , to him that killeth a crocodile of any great quantitie ; and therefore they grow not great , and by reason of their smalnes are lesse aduenturous . for so soone as a great crocodile is discouered , there is such watch and care taken to interrupt and kill him for hope of the reward , that he cannot long escape aliue . thirdly , the crocodiles vp the riuer , towards the mountaines , are more hurtfull , because they are pressed with more hunger and famine , and more sildome come within the terrour of men , wherefore they forsake the waters , and run vp and downe to seeke preyes to satisfie their hunger , which when they meet withall , they deuoure with an vnresistable desire , forced and pressed forward by hunger , which breaketh stone walls . but most commonly when the riuer nilus is lowest , and sunck downe into the channell , then the crocodiles in the waters doe growe most hungry , because the fish are gone away with the floods ; and then the subtile beast will heale and couer himselfe ouer with sand or mudde , and so lye in the banke of the riuer , where hee knoweth the women come to fetch water , or the cattell to drinke , and when he espieth his aduantage , he suddainely taketh the woman by the hand that she taketh vp water withall , and draweth her into the riuer , where he teareth her in peeces and eateth her . in like sort dealeth he with oxen , cowes , asses , and other cattell . if hunger force him to the land , and he meete with a cammell , horse , asse , or such like beast , then with the force and blowes of his tayle he breaketh his legges , and so laying him flat on the earth , killeth and eateth him : for so great is the strength of a crocodiles tayle , that it hath beene seene that one stroke thereof hath broken all the foure legges of a beast at one blow . there is also another perrill by crocodiles , for it is saide that when nilus falleth , and the water waxeth low , the barkes thorough want of wind , are faine by the marriners to to be tugged vp the streame with long lynes and cordes : the subtile crocodile seeing the same , doth suddainely with his tayle smite the same line with such force , that eyther hee breaketh it , or by his forcible violence tumbleth the marriner downe into the vvater , whom he is ready to receiue with open mouth before he can recouer . yea many times by meanes thereof the barke it selfe so tottereth and reeleth , that the violent beast taketh a man out of it , or else cleane ouer-turneth it , to the destruction of all that are in it . aelianus saith , that among the ombitae which are in arsinoe , the crocodiles are harmelesse , and hauing seuerall names when they are called , doe put their heads out of the vvater and take meate gently , which meate is the head and garbage of such sacrifices as are brought thether . but in another place hee writeth , that among the ombitae or coptitae , it is not safe for a man to fetch water from the riuer , or to wash theyr feete , or walke on the riuers side , but with great caution and warines . for euen those beastes which are most kindly vsed by men , doe rage against their benefactours , as namely the crocodile , the ichneumon , the wild-cats , and such like . and yet plutarch in his booke vtra animalium , saith , that the priestes , by the custome of meate-giuing , haue made some of them so tame , that they will suffer theyr mouthes and teeth to be clensed by men . and it is further said , that during the seauen ceremoniall dayes of the natiuity of apis , there is none of thē that sheweth any wilde tricke or cruell part , but as it were by compact betwixt them and the priestes , they lay aside all cruelty and rage during that time . and therefore cicero writeth most excellently , saying ; egyptiorum morem quis ignoret ? quorum imbutae mentes prauitatum erroribus , quamvis carnificinam potius subierint , quam ibim , aut aspidem , aut crocodilum violent . that is to say , who is ignorant of the custome of the egyptians ? whose mindes are so seasoned and indued with erronious wickednesse , that they had rather vnder-goe any torment , then offer violence to an ibis , an aspe , or a holy crocodile . for in diuers places , all these , and cats also , were worshipped by the people , according to the saying of iuuenall . crocodilon aderat parshaec egypti , illa pauit saturam serpentibus ibim . which may be englished thus ; this part of egypt crocodiles adore , that , the ibis , fed with serpents store . but the reasons of diuine worshippe or honour giuen to the crocodiles are worth noting , that the diligent reader may the better haue some taste of that auncient blindnes whereby our fore-fathers were misleddge and seduced , to forsake the most glorious and euer-blessed principles of diuinitie , for arguments of no waight . first therefore the idolatrous priestes , thought there was some diuine power in the crocodile , because it wanted a tongue , for the deitie or diuine speech , hath no neede of a voyce to expresse his meaning , according to the saying of the graecians , kai di apsophoa bainoon keleuthon kai dikes , ta thueta agrikata diken : for by a mute and silent way it ascendeth , and bringeth all things mortall to a vocall iustice , which speaketh in action though not in voyce , euen as all that is in the crocodile , is action and not voyce . secondlie , by reason of a certaine thinne smooth skinne comming from the midst of his fore-head , where-withall it couereth his eyes , so that when it is thought to be blind , yet it seeth : euen so is it with the diuine power , for euen then when it is not seene , yet doth it see perfectly all mortall things . againe , by theyr egges & nests they vsually fore-shew the ouer-flowing of nilus , to the infinite benefit of their country wherein they liue , for thereby the husband-men know when to till their land , and when not , when to sow and plant , and leade foorth theyr flockes , and when not : vvhich benefite is also ascribed to diuinitie , and therefore the crocodile is honoured with diuine power . againe , it layeth threescore egges , & layeth threescore yeeres , which number of three-score , was in auncient time the first dimension of heauen and heauenly things . cicero also speaking against this egyptian vanitie , saith , that they neuer consecrated a beast for a god , but for some apparant vtilitie , as the ibis for deuouring of serpents , and the crocodile for beeing a terrour to theeues : and therefore the arabian and lybian theeues durst not come ouer the riuer nilus to robbe the egyptians for feare of the crocodiles . there is a tale in diodorus siculus of the originall of a crocodiles diuine worshippe , which although it cannot be but fabulous , yet i haue thought good to insert it in this place , to shew the vanitie of superstition and idolatry . there was a king of egypt called minas , or as herodotus calleth him menes , who following his houndes in hunting into a certaine marish of moeris , fell in with his horse , and there stucke fast , none of his follovvers daring to come after him to release him , so that he had there perrished , had not a crocodile come and taken him vp vppon his backe , and sette him safe vppon the dry land. for which miracle , the said king there built a citty , and caused a crocodile to be vvorshipped , which was called sychus by all the inhabitants of that citty , and also gaue all the said marish of moeris for the sustenance of the same . it was nourished with bread , flesh , & wine , cakes , sodde flesh , and sweete new wine : so that when any man came to the lake wherein it was kept , the priests would presently call the beast out of the water , and being come to the land , one of them opened his mouth , and the other put in meate , delicacies , and vvine . this crocodile of moeris , is the same that is called arsinoe , and like to that at thebes , about which they did hang iewels of gold , siluer , and iemmes of earings , bracelets , and such other thinges of price . when it dyed , they did season the body thereof with salt , & buried it in the holy tombes or burying pots . the same also are called ombitae , i meane the people of that egypt which dwell in arsinoe , and for the loue of the crocodiles , they abandon all manner of hawkes their enemies , insomuch that many times they take them and hang them vp in publique vpon gallowes for that purpose erected . and further , they keepe certaine dayes of tryumphes like the olympiades , and games of honour : and so farre they were blinded with that superstition , that they thought themselues exceedingly blessed if they lost their children by them , and thought themselues much honoured , if they saw them with their eyes fetched out of the streetes and playing places by crocodiles . againe , all the egyptians holde opinion , that the crocodile is a diuinatour , vvhich they prooue by the testimonie of ptolomeus , who calling one of these sacred crocodiles , which was the oldest and best of all , he would not aunswere him , and afterward offering him meate , he also refused it , whereat many wondered : and some of the priests sayde , it was some prognosticall signe either of the kings death or his owne , & so it fell out shortly after , for the same crocodile dyed . as though a swine might not as well be accounted diuine , seeing it also refuseth all meate and prouocation , at the time of theyr sicknes , and before death . there is a citty in egypt called apollinopolis , the citty of apollo , where the inhabitants abhor & condemne the worship of crocodiles , for when they take any of them they hang thē vp and beate them to death , notwithstanding their teares & cryings , and afterward they eate them : but the reason of their hatred is , because typhon their auncient enemy , vvas clothed with a crocodiles shape . others also say , the reason of their hatred is , because a crocodile tooke away and deuoured the daughter of psamnites , and therfore they enioyned all their posteritie to hate crocodiles . to conclude this discourse of crocodiles inclination , euen the egyptians themselues account a crocodile a sauage , and cruell murthering beast , as may appeare by their hieroglyphicks , for when they will decypher a mad man , they picture a crocodile , who beeing put from his desired prey by forcible resistance , hee presently rageth against himselfe . and they are often taught by lamentable experience , what fraude & malice to man-kind liueth in these beasts , for they couer themselues vnder willowes & greene hollow bankes , till some people come to the waters side to draw and fetch water , and then suddenly , or euer they be aware , they are taken and drawne into the water . and also for this purpose , because he knoweth that he is not able to ouer-take a man in his course or chase , he taketh a great deale of water in his mouth , & casteth it in the path-waies so that when they endeuour to run from the crocodile , they fall downe in the slippery path , and are ouer-taken & destroyed by him . the common prouerbe also , crocodili lachrimae , the crocodiles teares , iustifieth the treacherous nature of this beast , for there are not many bruite beasts that can weepe , but such is the nature of the crocodile , that to get a man within his danger , he will sob , sigh & weepe , as though he were in extremitie , but suddenly he destroyeth him . others say , that the crocodile weepeth after he hath deuoured a man. how-soeuer it be , it noteth the wretched nature of hypocriticall harts , which before-hand will with fayned teares endeuour to do mischiefe , or els after they haue done it be outwardly sorry , as iudas was for the betraying of christ , before he went and hanged himselfe . the males of this kind do loue their females aboue all measure , yea euen to iealousie , as may appeare by this one history of p. martyr . about the time that hee was in those countries , there were certaine marriners which saw two crocodiles together in carnall copulation vpon the sands neere the riuer , from which the water was lately fallen into a certaine iland of nilus , the greedy marriners forsooke their ship , and betooke themselues to a long boate , and with great shouting , hollowing & crying , made towards them in verie couragious manner : the male at the first assault fell amazed , & greatly terrified ran away as fast as he could into the waters , leauing his female lying vpon her backe , ( for whē they ingender , the male turneth her vpon her backe , for by reason of the shortnes of her legges she cannot doe it her selfe ) so the mariners finding her vpon her back & not able to turne ouer her selfe , they easily slew her , and tooke her away with them . soone after , the male returned to the place to seeke his female , but not finding her , and perceiuing blood vpon the sand , coniectured truly that she was slaine , wherefore hee presently cast himselfe into the riuer of nilus againe , & in his rage swam stoutly against the streame vntill hee ouertooke the ship wherein his dead femall was , which he presently set vppon , lifting vp himselfe and catching hold on the sides , would certainly haue entered the same , had not the marriners with all their force battered his head and hands with clubs and staues ; vntill he was wearied and forced to giue ouer his enterprise , & so with great sighing and sobbing departed frō them . by which relation it is most cleere what naturall affection they beare one to another , and how they choose out theyr fellowes , as it were fitte wiues and husbands for procreation . and it is no wonder if they make much of one another , for besides thēselues they haue few friends in the world , except the bird trochilus and swine , of whom i can say little , except this that followeth . as for the little bird trochilus , it affecteth and followeth them for the benefit of his owne belly : for while the crocodile greedilie eateth , there sticketh fast in his teeth some part of his prey , which troubleth him very much , & many times ingendereth wormes , then the beast to helpe himselfe taketh land , and lyeth gaping against the sunne-beames westward , the bird perceiuing it , flyeth to the iawes of the beast , and there first with a kind of tickling-scratching , procureth ( as it were ) licence of the crocodile to pull foorth the wormes , and so eateth them all out , and clenseth the teeth thoroughly , for which cause the beast is content to permit the bird to goe into his mouth . but when all is clensed , the ingratefull crocodile endeuoureth suddainely to shut his chappes together vppon the bird , and to deuoure his friend , like a cursed wretch which maketh no reckoning of friendship , but the turne serued , requiteth good with euill . but nature hath armed this little bird with sharpe thornes vpon her head , so that while the crocodile endeuoureth to shut his chaps and close his mouth vpon it , those sharpe thornes pricke him into his palate , so that full sore against his vnkind nature , hee letteth her flye safe away . but where as there be many kinds of trochili , which are greedy of these wormes or clensings of the crocodiles , some of them which haue not thornes on theyr heades pay for it , for there beeing not offence to let the closing of the crocodiles mouth , they must needes be deuoured : and therefore this enforced amity betwixt him and the crocodile , is onely to be vnderstoode of the claedororynchus , as it is called by hermolaus . there be some that affirme that he destroyeth all without exception that thus come into his mouth , and other-some say he destroyeth none , but when he feeleth his mouth sufficiently clensed , he waggeth his vpper chappe , as it were to giue warning of auoydance , and in fauour of the good turne , to let the bird flie away at his owne pleasure . howbeit , the other and former narration is more likely to be true , and more constantly affirmed by all good authors except plutarch . and leo afric : saith , that it was the constant and confident report of all affrica , that the crocodile deuoureth all for theyr loue and kindnesse , except the claedororynchi , which they cannot , by reason of the thornes vppon their head . that there is an amitie and naturall concord betwixt swine and crocodiles is also gathered , because they onely among all other liuing foure-footed beastes , doe without danger , dwell , feede and inhabite vppon the banks of nilus , euen in the midst of the crocodiles ; and therefore it is probable that they are friends in nature . but oh how small a sum of friends hath this beast , and how vnwoorthy of loue among all creatures , that neuer in nature hath but two , in heauen or earth , ayre or water , that will aduenture to come neere it , and one of these also , which is the best deseruing , it deuoureth and destroyeth , it it get it within his danger . seeing the friendes of it are so few , the enemies of it must needes be many , and therefore require a more large catalogue or story . in the first ranke whereof commeth , ( as worthy the first place , the ichneumon , or pharaohs-mouse , who rageth against their egges and their persons , for it is certaine that it hunteth with all sagacity of sence to finde out theyr nests , and hauing found them , it spoyleth , scattereth , breaketh & emptieth all theyr egs . they also watch the old ones asleepe , and finding their mouthes open against the beames of the sunne , suddenly enter into them , and being small , creepe downe theyr vast & large throates before they be aware , and then putting the crocodile to exquisite and intollerable torment , by eating their guttes asunder , and so their soft bellies , while the crocodile tumbleth to and fro sighing and weeping , now in the depth of water , now on the land , neuer resting till strength of nature fayleth . for the incessant gnawing of the ichneumon so prouoketh her to seek her rest in the vnrest of euery part , herbe , element , throwes , throbs , rowlings , tossings , mournings , but all in vaine , for the enemy within her breatheth thorough her breath , and sporteth her selfe in the consumption of those vitall parts , vvhich wast and weare away by yeelding to her vnpacificable teeth , one after other , till shee that crept in by stealth at the mouth , like a puny theefe , come out at the belly like a conquerour , thorough a passage opened by her owne labour & industry , as we haue also shewed at large in the story of ichneumon . but whether it be true or no , that the trochilus doth awake the sleeping crocodile , when he seeth the ichneumon lye in waite to enter into her , i leaue it to the credite of strabo the reporter , and to the discretion of the indifferent reader . monkeyes are also the haters of crocodiles , as is shewed in theyr story , & lye in waite to discouer , and if it were in their power to destroy them . the scorpion also & the crocodile are enemies one to the other , and therefore when the egyptians will describe the combat of two notable enimies , they paint a crocodile and a scorpion fighting together , for euer one of them killeth another : but if they will decypher a speedy ouerthrow to ones enemy , then they picture a crocodile ; if a slow and slacke victory , they picture a scorpion . and as wee haue already shewed out of philes , that out of the egges of crocodiles , many times come scorpions , which deuoure and destroy them that lay them . fishes also in their kinde are enemies to crocodiles , the first place whereof belongeth to the most noble dolphin . of these dolphins it is thought there be two kinds , one bred in nilus , the other forraine and comming out of the sea , both of them professed enemies to the crocodile : for the first , it hath vpon the backe of it sharp thorny prickles or finnes , as sharp as any speares poynt , which are well knowne to the fish that beareth them , as her armour and weapons against all aduersaries . in the trust and confidence of these prickles , the dolphin will allure and draw out the crocodile from his denne or lodging place , into the depth of the riuer , and there fight with him hand to hand . for the dolphin , as it knoweth his owne armour and defence , like other beasts and fishes , so doth it knowe the weakest parts of his aduersary , and where his aduantage of wounding lyeth . now , as we haue said already , the belly of the crocodile is weake , hauing but a thinne skin , and penetrable with small force , wherefore when the dolphin hath the crocodile in the midst of the deepe waters , like one afrayd of the fight , vnderneath him he goeth , & with his sharp finnes or prickles on his backe , giueth his weake and tender belly mortall wounds , whereby his vitall spirits , with his guts & entralls , are quickly euacuated . the other dolphins of the sea being greater , are likewise armed with these prickles , and of purpose come out of the sea into nilus to bid battell to the crocodiles . when bibillus ( a worthy romane ) was gouernour of egypt , hee affirmed that on a season the dolphins and the crocodiles mette in the mouth of nilus , and bade battell the one to the other , as it were for the soueraigntie of the waters , and after that sharp combat , it was seene how the dolphins by diuing in the waters , did auoyd the byting of the crocodiles , and the crocodiles dyed by strokes receiued from the dolphins vpon their bellyes . and when many of them were by this meanes as it were cut asunder , the residue betooke themselues to flight , and ranne away , giuing way to the dolphins . the crocodiles doe also feare to meddle with the sea-hogge , or hog-fish , because of his bristles all about his head , which hurt him also when he commeth nigh him : or rather i suppose , as it is a friend to the swine of the earth , and holdeth with them a sympathy in nature , so it is vnto the swine of the water , and forbeareth one in the sea , as it doth the other on the land. there is likewise a certaine wild-oxe or bugill among the parthians , which is an enemie to the crocodile , for as albertus writeth , if he find or meete with a crocodile out of the water , he is not onely not afrayd of him , but taketh hart and setteth vppon him , and with the waight and violent agitation of his body , treadeth him all to pectes : & no maruaile , for all beasts are enemies to the crocodiles on the land , euen as the crocodile lyeth in waite to destroy all them in the water . hawkes are also enemies to crocodiles , & especially the ibis-bird , so that if but a feather of the ibis come vpō the crocodile by chance , or by direction of a mans hand , it maketh it immoueable and cannot stirre . for vvhich cause , when the egyptians will write or decypher a rau●ning , greedy , idle-fellowe , they paynt a crocodile , hauing an ibis feather sticking in his head . and thus much for the enmitie betwixt the crocodiles and other liuing creatures . it hath beene sildome seene that crocodiles were taken , yet it is saide that men hunt them in the waters , for pliny saith , that there is an assured perswasion , that with the gall and fat of a water-adder , men are wonderfully holpen , & as it were armed against crocodiles , and by it enabled to take and destroy them , especially when they carry also about them the herbe potamegeton . there is also a kind of thorny wilde-beane growing in egypt , which hath many sharpe prickles vpon the stalkes , this is a great terrour to the crocodile , for he is in great dread of his eyes , which are very tender & easie to be wounded . therefore he auoydeth their sight , being more vnwilling to aduenture vpon a man that beareth them , or one of them , then he is to aduenture vpon a man in compleate armour , and therefore all the people plant great store of these , and also beare them in theyr hands when they trauaile . there be many who in the hunting and prosecuting of these crocodiles , doe neither giue themselues to runne away from them , nor once to turne aside out of theyr common path or roade , but in a foolish hardinesse , giue themselues to combat with the beast , when they might very well auoyd the danger , but many times it hapneth that they pay decrely for their rashnes , and repent too late the too much reputation of their owne man-hoode : for whiles with their speares and sharpe weapons they thinke to pierce his sides , they are deceiued , for there is no part of him penetrable except his belly , and that he keepeth safe enough from his enemies , blunting vpon his scales ( no lesse hard then plates ofyron ) all the violence of theyr blowes and sharpnesse of weapons , but clubbes , beetles , and such like weapons , are more irkesome to him , when they be sette on with strength , battering the scales to his body , and giuing him such knocks as doth dismay and astonish him . indeede there is no great vse of the taking of this serpent , nor profit of merchandize commeth thereby , his skinne and flesh yeelding no great respect in the world . in auncient time they tooke them with hookes bayted with flesh , or els inclosed them with nettes as they doe fishes , and now and then with a strong yron instrument cast out a boat downe into the water vpon the head of the crocodile . and among all other there is this one worthy to be related . the hunter would take off the skin from a swines backe and there-withall couer his hooke , whereby hee allured and inticed the serpent into the midst of the riuer , & there making it fast , hee went afterward to the next watering place , and there holding another hogge , did beate and smyte him , till he cryed ardentlie , vvith which voyce or cry , the crocodile beeing mooued , goeth presently to the bayte & swalloweth it vppe , and maketh after the noyse : at last , comming to the land , the hunter with valiant courage and diligence , casteth mudde and durt into his eyes , and so blindeth him that he may oppresse and kill him with ease . leo afric : relateth also this meanes or way to take crocodiles : there be many trees planted vpon the bankes of nilus , vnto one of these there is a long and strong rope tyed , and at the end of the same there is fastened a hooke of a cubite long , and a finger in quantitie : vnto this hooke for a bayte , is tyed a ramme or a goate , which beeing sette close to the riuer , and tormented with the hooke vppon which it is fastened , cryeth out amaine , by hearing of whose voyce , the hunger-greedy crocodile is raysed out of his denne , and inuited as he thinketh to a rich prey , so hee commeth ( although it selfe of a trecherous nature , yet suspecteth not any other ) and swalloweth the bayte , in which he findeth a hooke not to be disgested . then away he striueth to goe , but the strength of the rope stayeth his iourney , for as fast as the bayte was to the rope and hooke , so fast is he also ensnared and tyed vnto it , which while hee waueth and strayneth to vnloose and breake , hee wearieth himselfe in vaine . and to the intent that all his strength may be spent against the tree and the rope , the hunters are at one end thereof , and cause it to be cast to and fro , pulling it in , and now letting it goe againe , now terrifying the beast with one noyse and feare , and anone with another , so long as they perceiue in him any spirit of moouing or resistance : so beeing quieted , to him they come , and with clubbes , speares , beetles , staues , and such manner of instruments , pierce thorough the most tenderest partes of his body and so destroy him . peter martyr hath also other meanes of taking crocodiles . their nature is , that when they goe to the land to forrage and seeke after a prey , they cannot returne backe againe but by the same footsteps of their own which they left imprinted in the sand : whervpon , when the country people perceiue these footesteppes , instantly with all the hast they can make , they come with spades and mattocks and make a great ditch , and with boughes couer the same , so as the serpent may not espy it , and vpon the boughes they also againe lay sand to auoyde all occasion of deceit , or suspition of fraude at his returne : then vvhen all thinges are thus prepared , they hunt the crocodile by the foote vntill they finde him , then with noyses of bells , pannes , kettles , and such like thinges , they terrifie and make him returne as fast as feare can make him runne towardes the waters againe , and they folow him as neere as they can , vntill hee falleth into the ditch , where they come all about him , and kill him with such instruments or weapons as they haue prepared for him : and so beeing slayne , they carry him to the great cittie caire , where for theyr reward they receiue ten peeces of gold , which amounteth to the value of ten nobles of our english coine . there haue beene some brought into that citty aliue , as p. martyr affirmeth , whereof one was as much as two oxen & two cammels could beare and draw , and at the same time there was one taken by this deuise before expressed , which had entered into a village in saetum neere nilus , and swallowed vp aliue three young infantes sleeping in one cradle , the said infants scarcely dead were taken againe out of his belly , and soone after when no more tokens of life appeared , they were all three buried in a better & more proper graue of the earth . then also there was another slaine , and out of his belly was taken a whole ramme not disgested , nor any part of him consumed , and the hand of a woman which was bitten or torne off from her body aboue the wrist , for there was vppon the same a bracelet of brasse . we doe read that crocodiles haue beene taken and brought aliue to rome . the first that euer brought them thither , was marcus scaurus , who in the games of his aedility , brought fiue forth and shewed thē to the people in a great pond of water , ( which he had prouided onely for that time ) & afterward to heliogabalus and antoninus pius . the indians haue a kinde of crocodile in ganges , which hath a horne growing out of his nose like a rhinocerot : vnto this beast they cast condemned men to be deuoured , for in all their executions , they want not the helpe of men , seeing they are prouided of beastes to doe the office of hang-men . aurelius festiuus writeth , that firmus a tyrant of aegypt beeing condemned to nilus to be deuoured by crocodiles , before hand bought a great quantity of the fat of crocodiles , and so stripping himselfe starke naked , layde the same all ouer his body , so hee went among the crocodiles and escaped death : for this sauage beast beeing deceiued with the sauour of it owne nature , spared the man that had but so cunningly carryed it . and this is a wonderfull worke of almighty god , that so ordereth his actions in the nature of this beast , that he beguileth the cruell nature of the liuing , by the tast and sauour of the dead : how beit some thinke that the water-crocodile is daunted with the sauour of the fat from the land crocodile , and the land-crocodile by the water againe . and some againe say , that all venomous beastes runne away from the sauour of the fat heereof ; and therefore no maruaile if it also be afraide , being venomous , as well as any other . wherefore the saying of firmus was not to bee attributed to any indulgence of the crocodile toward their owne kinde , but rather to a deadly antipathy reflecting themselues vppon themselues , though not in shape and figure as the cockatrice , yet in sence , sauour , and ranknesse of their pestiferous humour . the vse of crocodiles taken , is for their skinne , flesh , caule , and medicine arysing out of it . their skinne as it is exceeding hard vppon their backes while they are aliue , so is it also when they are dead , for with that the common people make them better armour then coats of mayle , against darts , speare , or shielde , as is well knowne in all aegypt at this day . for the flesh of crocodiles , it is also eaten among those people that do not worship it : as namely , the people about elephantina apollinopolis . notwithstanding by the law of god leuit. . it is accounted an vncleane beast , yet the tast thereof being found pleasant , and the rellish good , without respect of god or health , the common people make vse thereof . the medicines arising out of it are also many . the first place belongeth to the caule , which hath moe benefits or vertues in it , then can be expressed . the bloud of a crocodile is held profitable for many thinges , and among other it is thought to cure the bitings of any serpent . also by annoynting the eyes , it cureth both the dregs or spots of bloud in them , and also restoreth soundnesse and clearenesse to the sight , taking away all dulnesse or deadnesse from the eyes . and it is said , that if a man take the liquor which commeth from a peece of a crocodile fryed , and annoynte therewithall his wound or harmed part , that then he shall bee presently rid of all paine and torment . the skinne both of the land & water crocodile dryed into powder , and the same powder with vineger or oyle , layd vpon a part or member of the body , to be feared , cut off , or lanced , taketh away all sence and feeling of paine from the instrument in the action . all the aegyptians doe with the fat or sewet of a crocodile annoynt all them that be sick of feauers , for it hath the same operation which the fat of a sea-dogge or dog-fish hath , and if those parts of men and beasts which are hurt or wounded with crocodiles teeth , be annoynted with this fat , it also cureth them . being concocted with water and vineger , and so rowled vppe and downe in the mouth , it cureth the tooth-ach : and also it is outvvardly applyed agaynst the byting of flyes , spyders , wormes , and such like , for this cause , as also because it is thought to cure wennes , bunches in the flesh , and olde woundes . it is solde deare , and held pretious in alcair . scaliger writeth , that it cureth the gangren . the canyne teeth which are hollow , filled with frankinsence , and tyed to a man or woman which hath the tooth-ach , cureth them , if the party know not of the carrying them about : and so they write , that if the little stones which are in their belly be taken forth and so vsed , they work the same effect against feauers . the dung is profitable against the falling off of the hayre , and many such other things . the biting of a crocodile is very sharp , deepe , and deadly , so that wheresoeuer he layeth his teeth , seldome or neuer followeth any cure . but yet the counsell of physitions is , that so soone as the patyent is wounded , he must be brought into a close chamber wher are no windowes , and there bee kept without change of ayre , or admission of light , for the poyson of the crocodile worketh by cold ayre and light ; and therefore by the want of both is to be cured . but for remedy ( if any bee ) they prescribe the same which is giuen for the cure of the biting of a mad dog , or ( as auicen ) the byting of a dogge not madde . but most proper is the dung of a man , the fish garum and mysy pounded together , and so applyed , or else the broth of salt-sod-flesh , & such other things as are vulgarly knowne to euery physition : and therefore seeing we liue in a country far from the annoyance of this serpent , i shall not neede to blot any paper to expresse the cure of this poyson . the crocodile of nilus onely liueth on land and water , all other are contented with one element : the picture of the crocodile was wont to be stamped vpon coyne , and the skinne hanged vp in many famous citties of the world , for the admiration of the people , and there is one at this day at paris in france . of the arabian or aegyptian land-crocodile . the figure of this crocodile sheweth euidently the difference betwixt him and the other of nilus ; and beside it is neither so tall or long as is the other , the which proportioned beast is onely particular to aegypt and arabia , and some because of his scaly head , legges , articles , and clawes , haue obserued another difference in it from the former : yet in his nature , māner of liuing & preying vpon other cattel , it differeth not from that of the water . the tayle of this crocodile is very sharpe , and standeth vp like the edges of wedges in bunches aboue the ground , wherewithall when : he hath mounted himselfe vp vpon the backe of a beast , he beateth and striketh the beast most cruelly , to make him go with his rider to the place of his most fit execution , free from all rescue of his heard-man or pastor , or annoyance of passengers , where in most cruell and sauage manner he teareth the limbes and parts one from another till he be deuoured . the apothecaries of italy haue this beast in their shops to be seene , and they call it caudiuerbera , that is , a tayle-bearer , for the reason aforesaid . and thus there being nothing in this beastes nature different from the former , besides his figure , and that which i haue already expressed , i will not trouble the reader with any more narration about it . of the land crocodie of bresilia . the figure and proportion of this serpent was altogether vnknowne in this part of the world , till of late our discouerers and nauigatours brought one of them out of bresilia . the length of it is about a fathom , & the breadth as much as ten fingers broad : the forelegges haue tenne clawes , fiue vppon a foote , the hinder legges eight , and both before and behind they are of equall length . the tayle exceeding long , farre exceeding the quantity & proportion of his body , being marked all ouer with certaine white and yellowish spots . the skinne all couered with an equall , smooth , and fine coloured scale , which in the middest of the belly are white , and greater then in other parts . it can abide no water , for a little poured into the mouth killed it , and after it had beene two or three dayes dead , being brought to the fire , it mooued and stirred againe faintly , euen as thinges doth that lyeth a dying . it is not venomous nor hurtfull to eate ; and therefore is digged out of his caue by any body safely without danger . of the crocodile of the earth , called scincus : a scinke . the graecians call this beast skigkos , and some vnlearned apothecaries stincus , and myrepsus sigk. it is also called kikeros , and the haebrew koach , doth more properly signifie this beast , then any other crocodile or chamaeleon , or lizard . some of the haebrewes doe expound zab for a scinke , and from thence the chaldaes and the arabians haue their dad and aldab , turning z into d : so we read guaril and adhaya , for a scinke or crocodile of the earth : alarbian is also for the same serpent among the arabians , balecola , and ballecara schanchur , and aschanchur , and askincor , and scerantum , & nudalep , and nudalepi , are all of thē synonymaes , or rather corrupted words for this crocodile of the earth . but there are at this day certain pseudoscinkes set out to be seen & sold by apothecaries , that are nothing else but a kind of water-lizzard : but the true difference is betwixt them , that these water-lizards are venomous , but this is not , and neither liuing in the northerne partes of the world , nor yet in the water : and so much shall suffice for the name and first enterance into this serpents history . they are brought out of the easterne countries , or out of aegypt : yet the monkes of mesuen affirme , that they had seene scinkes or crocodiles of the earth about rome . syluaticus and platearius in apulia . but howsoeuer their affections may lead them to coniecture of this serpent , i rather beleeue that it is an affrican beast , & seldome foūd in asia or europe . they loue the bankes of nilus , although they dare not enter the water , and for this cause some haue thought ( but vntruely ) that when the crocodile layeth her egges in the water , the young is there also engendered and hatched , and is a crocodile of the water , but if they lay theyr egges on the dry land , from thence commeth the scinke or crocodile of the earth . this folly is euidently refuted , because that they neuer lay egges in the water , but all vpon the dry land. they are found ( as i haue said before ) in aegypt , and also in affricke , and among the lydians of mauritania , otherwise called lodya , or rather lybia , among the pastorall or plow-men - affricans ; among the arabians , and neere the red sea , for all those at this day solde at venice , are brought from those partes . the greatest in the world are in india , ( as cardan teacheth ) who are in all thinges like lizards , sauing in their excrements , which smell or sauour more strongly , and generally the difference of their quantity ariseth from the country which they inhabite , for in the hotter and moyster country they are greater , in the hotter dryer region they are smaller , & generally they exceede not two or three cubits in length , with an answerable proportionable body , which is thus described . there bee certaine crosse lines which come along the backe one by one , somewhat white , and of a dusky colour , and those that be dusky haue also in them some white spots . the vpper part of the necke is very dusky , the head and the tayle are more white , the feet and all the neather part of the breast and belly are white , with appearance vpon them of some scales , or rather the skinne figured in the proportion of scales : vppon either feete they haue fiue distinct fingers or clawes , the length of their legges is a thumbe and a halfe : that is , three inches , the tayle two fingers long , the body sixe , so that the whole length from the head to the tippe of the tayle , ( which is first thicke , and then very small at the end ) is about eyght fingers . when they haue taken them they bowell them , and fill theyr bodies with sugar , and silke of wooll , and so they sell them for a reasonable price . that which i haue written of their length of eyght fingers , is not so to bee vnderstood , as though they neuer exceeded or came short of that proportion : for some-times they are brought into these partes of the world twenty or foure and twenty fingers long , sometimes againe not aboue fiue or sixe fingers long . when they lay theyr egges , they commit them to the earth , euen as the crocodiles of the water doe . they liue vpon the most odoriferous flowers , and therefore is his flesh so sweete , and his dung or excrements odoriferous . they are enemies to bees , and liue much about hiues , insomuch as some haue thought they did lay their egges in hiues , and there hatch their young ones : but the occasion of this error was , that they savve young ones brought by theyr parents into some hiue , to feede vpon the labouring bee. for the compassing of theyr desire they make meale of any tree , which they haue ground in the mill of their owne mouths , and that they mix with blacke hellebor iuyce , or with the liquor of mallowes , this meale so tempered they lay before the hiues , wherof assoone as the bees tast , they dye , and then commeth the crocodile with her young ones , and lick thē vp ; and beside bees , i doe not read they are hurtfull to any . the indians haue a little beast about the quantity of a little dogge , which they call phattage , very like to a scinke or crocodile of the earth , hauing sharp scales , as cutting as a saw . there is some hurt by this beast vnto men , for which cause i may iustly reckon it among the venomous , for if it chance to bite any man , if the wounded man fall into a seuer before he make water , he dyeth for it , but if he first make water , the beast dyeth and the man escapeth . it is thought that it containeth a kind of naturall magicke , witch-craft , or sorcery ; and therefore they say it hath a stupifying power , changing the mind from louc to hatred , and from hatred to loue againe . the powder of this serpent drunke in wine , if it stirre venerous lust , it hurteth the nerues and sinnewes . there be certaine magicall deuises raysed out of this serpent which are not woorth the writing , as not hauing in them any dram of wit , learning , or truth ; and therefore i will not trouble the reader with them , but follow on the conclusion of this crocodiles story in the narration of the medicinall vertues , which are farre moe and more operatiue then those in the former crocodile , for i thinke almighty god blesseth meekenes and innocency with excesse of grace in men and beastes , as may be seene in these two kindes of crocodiles , the dung and excrement of the one , beeing more worth then the body of the other , through harmelesse innocency . the body of this serpent to be dryed , after it hath line long in salt , and to bee preserued in noosewort , as ruellius and marcellus write : ( but truth is , there is no need of salt where nosewort is applyed , because the arcrimony of this hearb doth easily dry vp the moysture of the beast , keeping wormes from breeding in it . ) with the powder thus prepared , venerious men stirre vp their lustes . mithridate is called diasincu , because it is compounded of the scinke or crocodile of the earth , and it containeth in it a most noble antidote against all poysons . gallen had an antidote against scorptions , which among other thinges containeth in it the flesh of a crocodile of the earth , wherewithall he cured all them that had beene stung with scorpions in lybia . it is also good agaynst the byting of mad beastes , and pleurises ; against poysoned hony , or the crudity and loathing that commeth in the stomacke by eating of sound honny : it is profitable against empoysoned arrowes or dartes , being taken immediately before or after the wound , as apelles hath obserued . serapio did make a medicine compounded of the dung of this crocodile , and applyed the same against the falling sicknesse . of the body of this scinke , except the head and the feete being sod or rosted , and eaten by them that haue the sciattica , an old cough ( especially children , ) or the paine of the loynes , giueth them much ease . they are also mixed with medicines against the paine of the feete , as galen did for amarantus the grammartan . they are also good in medicine against the coldnesse of the sinnewes . this beast is very hot , and therefore increaseth the seede of man , and prouoketh lust ; and for this purpose the greatest and fattest , & such a one as is taken in the spring time , when they burne in lust for copulation is preferred . but this is not to be meant of the fleshy partes , but onely of those partes that are about the reynes , if a man drinke thereof the weight of a groat in wine afterwardes , for the alaying of the heate thereof , the physitions doe prescribe a decoction of lentiles with hony , and the seede of lettice drunke in water . the snout of this crocodile with the feete drunke in white wine , hath the same operation : but we haue shewed already , that these parts are to be cut offand throwne away , because if there be any venome in the beast it lyeth in them . a perfume being made of the body and intrals of this crocodile vnder the wombe of a woman labouring with child , is thought to yeald much help , for her safe , speedy , and easie trauaile , or flockes of wooll perfumed therewith , and layd to her belly . but it is the part of good physions to be very warie in giuing of medicines for stirring vp of lust in any , except in marryed persons , and then also when they are young , to procure a lawfull issue and posterity in the world : otherwise they shall both decay the body , for all violent helpes of carnall copulation , do in the end prooue detriments to nature , if they continue any time , and also they are hurtfull to the soule , when not onely the vnnaturall desire of lust , but also the intemperate pleasure of sinne is increased thereby ; and that is a miserable cure , which killeth the soule to help one part of the body . besides all kinds of medicines for this purpose , ( amongst which this crococodile is the cheefe ) haue their pecuculier venome , and when they are ministred , either they haue no effect at all through age or ouermuch impotency , or else they worke too violently , which is most dangerous , or some one hurt or other followeth the poyson : and so i will leaue the prosecution of this part . the dust of the skinne of this crocodile being annoynted with vineger or oyle vpon any part or member which is to be cut off , taketh away the sence of paine in the time of execution . the bloud is good for the eyes , and taketh away the filthy skinne of the body , with the spots and burles in the face , restoring the first , true , natiue , and liuely colour . the fat taketh away the paine in the reines , and causeth a distillation of the seede of man , yet this fatte touching the hayre of a man , maketh it to fall off , and a man annoynted heerewith , is safe from the annoyance of crocodiles , although they play with him . it also cureth the bytinges of crocodiles , the instillation of this crocodile , foulded vp in the wooll of a blacke sheepe of the first birth , and wherein is no other colour , hath power to driue away a quartan ague . and rasis saith , that it beeing hung ouer the head of a woman being in trauaile , keepeth her from deliuery . in the gall of this serpent there is a power against the falling off of the hayre , especially if the medicine bee made of the rootes of beetes to neese withall ; and besides , the eyes beeing annoynted therewith , and with hony , there is nothing more profitable against suffusions . the stones & reines haue power to prouoke generation , and aetius prescribeth an antidote to bee made of the taile of this beast , against the gout . great is the vertue of the dung or excrement of this serpent , if the same could be casily found , but while it is sought for , it looseth the vertue . it is called crocodillia , and is profitable to giue a good colour to womens faces , that is the best which is whitest , short , and not heauy , feeling like leauen betwixt the fingers , that is , smelling somewhat sharp like leauen . it is adulterated with meale , chalke , white-earth , or painting , but it is descerned by the heauinesse . the reason of the vertue of this is , because it feedeth vpon the sweetest & best smelling herbs , whereby it commeth to passe , that it doth not onely smell fragrantly , but also containe in it many excellent vertues . first therefore it is good for the comelinesse of the face , to giue colour to it , according to the saying of horace : colorque stercore fucatus crocodili : a colour in-grained with the dung of a crocodile , and for this cause also is the verse of ouid : nigrior ad pharij confugit picis opem : that is , the black woman goeth to craue helpe of the fish pharius , to become more beautifull ; for by the fish pharius , is vnderstood a crocodile . as some thinke eight , graynes of this dung , or rather the weight of eyght groates , with halfe so much mustard-seede and vineger , cureth the falling off of the haire . arnoldus doth prescribe a composition of the dung and cantharides , for the regenerating and bringing againe of haire that is decayed . if a perfume hereof be made and infused by a tunelli into the holes of serpents , it will driue them away , by reason of the sharp and leauenish sauour thereof . tralianus maketh a medicine thereof for an eye-salue against the whitenesse and bloud-shot-eyes . it is good also against dimnesse and suffutions , being annoynted with the iuyce of leekes : and to conclude , it is drunk in sweetwine and vineger , against the falling sicknesse , and also being applyed vnto women , stirreth vp their monthly courses . and thus much shall suffice for the story of the crocodile . of the dart . among the diuers kindes of serpents , there is one of speciall note which the graecians call acontia . the latines iaculares , or iaculi , or sagitta , a dart or arrow . the graecians at this day saetta . the turkes orchilanne : in calabria and sicilia , saettone , and of the germans ein schossz oder angelsch lang . the reason of this name is taken from his swift leaping vpon a man to wound and kill him ; and therfore the poets say iaculique volucres , speaking of these kindes of serpentes . albertus and auicen also calleth them cafezati , and cafezaci , altararat , acoran , and altinanti . the manner of this serpent is to get vp into trees or hedges , and from thence to flie like an arrow vpon the vpper partes of men , and so to sting , bite , and kill them : and of this kind it is thought that was , which came vpon the hand of the apostle paule , whereof the poet writeth ; ecce procul sauus sterilis robore tunci torsit , & immisit ( iaculum vocat africa ) serpens : perque caput pauli transactaque tempora fugit . nil ibi virus agit : rapuit cum vulnere fatum , deprensum est , quaefunda rotat , quàm lenta volorent , quàm segnis scythicae strideret arundinis aer . in english thus ; loe from a farre , a cruell serpent from an oke came flying like a dart , in affrica the same a dart is cald , the head and temples stroke of paule , by winding spires to worke his bane : but nothing could the poyson there auaile , for with the wound he put away his death faster then swiftest flye , or turning ball , or seythian reede remou'd with windy breath . this kind of serpent is for the most part in lybia , in rhodes , in lemnus , in italy , calabria , and sicilia , and in many of the northerne countries , and also in germany , wherof gesner telleth this story following . there is heere the coasts of zuricke a riuer called glat , and a village or towne vpon that riuer glatfelden . neare this riuer , as a poore man was gathering wood , there was a serpent of some three or foure foote long , which from a tree endeuoured to leape vpon the poore man , by gathering his body together , ( as it were into foure spires or risings like halfe hoopes , ) the man seeing it , left his sa●ke and ranne away : neuerthelesse , the serpent leaped after him at the least sixteene or seuenteene foote , but yet for that time hee last turned about him , and not seeing the serpent to follow him , gathered courage and comfort , and would come back againe for his sacke that he had left behind him . the crafty serpent expecting so much , had set himselfe againe into another tree , and priuily lay till the man came for his sacke , and then ere he was aware came flying at him as hee did before , and presently winded about his left arme ; all his body except his taile hung downe , and his neck , which he held vp hi●●ing in the mans face : the man hauing no sleeue on his arme except his shirt , yet did the serpent so presse the skin and flesh , that the circles of his winding spires and prints of his body appeared therein after he was taken off , yet did he not bite the man , for the poore country-fellow did presently with his other hand take him by the head and cast him away , notwithstanding , he had so foulded himselfe about his arme : shortly after that arme beca●●● to grow mattery , and all the flesh to the bone consumed , yet was all the rotten putty●… enuenomed flesh and substance , by the skill of a worthy learned physition taken a●… and as good flesh brought in the roome thereof as euer was before , yet was the ma●…ry yeare prescribed to let that arme bleede , and then issued foorth blacke thicke 〈…〉 some of the woundes or rather scarres , of the poyson outwardly remaining . in the northerne partes they leape tenne foote at a time , first gathering t●…elues into the similitudes of bowes or halfe hoopes , and then fight with those 〈◊〉 they would deuour , making many times a noyse among the hearbes or flowe●…ich are parched or withered by the sunne ; and therefore by the bounty of god 〈◊〉 nature , theyr owne noyse bewrayeth them to their supitious aduersaries , and so 〈◊〉 times are auoyded in safety . like vnto these are certaine in hungary ( as v●…●…ported ●…ported vnto gesner , ) whose bodies are of an equall crassitude or thicknesse , so as 〈◊〉 appeare without tailes , being for that purpose called decurtati , curtailes , these in t●●●ame manner do leape vpon men as these darters do , but they are very short , sildome ●…ding the length of two hands breadth . there is some difference among authours about the nature of this serpent : for aelianus confoundeth it with the snake of the earth , called chersydrus , and sayth it liueth sometime in the water and sometime on the land , lying in waight to destroy all lyuing creatures . and ( hee sayth ) it vseth this fraud , it euer lyeth hidde in secret neere the high-wayes , and many times climbeth vppe into trees where it roundeth it selfe round into a circle , and hideth his head within the foldes of his owne body , so soone as euer it espyeth a passenger , eyther a man or beast , it leapeth vppon him as swift as a dart flyeth . for it is able to leape twenty cubits space , and so lighting vppon the man or beast , sticketh fast vnto it without falling off of his owne accord , vntill they fall downe dead . but herein aelianus seemeth to be deceiued , because hee maketh but one serpent of twaine : namely , this dart and the land-snake , which are most apparantly different in nature , kind , and quality . aetius also confoundeth this serpent with the millet-serpent , called cenchrites , and sayth it is of the quantity of two cubits , great on the head , and the fore part smaller at the tayle , being of a greenish colour . and he saith further , that at such time as the millet-seede groweth and flowrisheth , this serpent is most strong and hurtfull , and so with the residue hee agreeth vvith aelianus , but heerein hee is also deceiued , writing by here say as himselfe confesseth , and therefore it is more safe for vs to haue recourse to some eie-witnesse for the description of this serpent , then to stand vppon the opinions of them which writ by the relation of others . bellonius saith ; that he saw one of these in rhodes , being full of small round black spots , not greater then the seedes of lentiles , euery one hauing a round circle about him like an eye , after such fashion as is to be seene in the little eish called the torpedo . in length it exceedeth not three palmes , and in bignesse no greater then the little finger . it was of an ashe-colour , comming neere to the whitenesse of milke , but vnder the belly it was altogether white : vpon the backe it had scales , but vppon the belly a thin skin , as in all other serpents . the vpper part of the backe was somewhat blacke , hauing two blacke lines in the middle , which beginne at the head , and so are drawne along the whole body to the tayle . as for the cafezati , and alterarati or altinatyri , those are redde serpentes , ( as autcen saith ) which are but small in quantity , yet as deep and deadly in poyson as in any other , for they hurt in the same manner that these darters do . some of thē do so wound with theyr poyson , as the afflicted person dyeth incontinent without sence or payne : some againe dye by languishing payne after many hopes of recouery , loosing life . among all the people of the worlde , the sabians are most annoyed with this kinde of redde serpentes ; for they haue many odoriferous and sweete smelling woods , in the which these serpentes doe abound , but such is their rage and hatred against men , that they leape vppon them and wounde them deadly , whensoeuer they come within their compasse . and surely if it be lawfull to coniecture what kinde of serpentes those were , which in the scripture are called fiery serpentes , and did sting the israelites to death in the wildernesse , vntill the brazen serpent was erected for their cure ; among all the serpentes in the world , that kind of paine and death can be ascribed to none more porperly then to these cafezati or red-dart-serpents . for first the wildernesse which was the place wherein they annoyed the people , doth very well agree to their habitation . secondly , those fiery serpentes are so called by figure , not that they were firey , but as all writers doe agree , eyther because they were redde like fire , or else because the paine which they inflicted , did burne like fire , or rather for both these causes together which are ioyntly and seuerally found in these red serpents ; and therefore i will conclude for my opinion , that these serpents ( as the highest poyson in nature ) were sent by god to afflict the sinning israelites , whose poyson was vncurable , except by diuine miracle . matthiolus also telleth a story of a shepheard which was slaine in italy by one of these , as hee was sleeping in the heate of the day vnder the shaddow of a tree , his fellow shepheardes beeing not farre off looking to theyr flockes , soddainely there came one of these dart-serpentes out of the tree , and wounded him vppon his left pappe , at the byting whereof the man awaked and cryed out , aad so dyed incontinently : his fellow shepheards hearing this noyse , came vnto him to see what he ayled , and found him dead , with a serpent vpon his breast ; now knowing what kind of serpent this was , they forsooke their flockes and ran away for feare . the cure of this serpentes byting , if there bee any at all , is the same vvhich cureth the viper , as aetius and auicen writeth , and therefore i will not relate it in this place . the gall of this beast mixed with the sythian stone , yealdeth a very good eye-salue . the which gall lyeth betwixt the backe and the lyuer : and thus much shall suffice for this serpent . of the dipsas . this dipsas hath many names for many occasions : first dipsas in greeke signyfieth thirst , as sitis dooth in latine , and thereof also it is called situla , because whosoeuer is vvounded by this serpent dyeth . it is also called by some prester : and by some causon , because it setteth the whole body on fire : but wee shall shew afterwardes , that the prester is a different serpent from this . it is called likewise milanurus , because of his black taile , and ammo●tis , because it lyeth in the sand , and there hurteth a man. it is not therefore vnfitly defined by auicen , to bee vipera sitem faciens , that is , a viper causing thirst , and therfore ouid sporting at an old drunken woman named lena , calleth her dipsas in these verses ; est quaedam nomine dipsas anus , ex re nomen habit , nigri non illa parentem , memnonis in roseis sobria vidit equis . in english thus ; there is a woman old , which dipsas may be hight , and not without some cause , thirsty she euer is , for neuer memnous sire , all blacke and sildome bright , did she in water sweete behold in sobernesse . they liue for the most part neere the waters , and in salt marishy places : whereupon lucan saide : stant in margine siccae aspides , et medijs sitiebant dipsades vndis . that is to say ; vpon pits brinke dry aspes there stood , and dipsads thirst in middest of water floud . it is called torrida dipsas , and arida dipsas , because of the perpetuall thirst , and therefore the aegyptians when they will signifie thirst , doe picture a dipsas : wherevpon lucianus relateth this story , there is ( saith hee ) a statue or monument vppon a graue , right ouer against the great syrtes betwixt sillya and aegypt , with this epigram : talia passus erat quoque tantalus aethiope cretus , qui nullo potuit fonte leuare sitim . tale nec è danao nat as implere puellas assiduis vndis vas potuisse reor . that is to say ; such tantalus indured in aethiope bred , which neuer could by water quench his thirst , nor could the graecian maids with water sped , that with dayly pourings till the vessell curst . the statue was the picture of a man like vnto tantalus , standing in the middest of a water ready to drinke , by drawing in of the water , about whose foote was foulded a dipsas : close by stood certaine women bringing water and pouring it into him to make it runne into his mouth ; besides , there was certaine egges as it were of estriches lay pictured beside them , such as the garamants in lybia seeke after . for it is reported by lucianus , that the people of that country doe earnestly seeke after the fstryges egges vppon the sandes , not onely to eate the meate that is in them , but also to make sundry vessels or instruments of the shell , and among other things they make cappes of them . neare vnto these egges doe these trecherous serpentes lie in waight , and so while the poore country-man commeth to seeke for meate , suddenly he leapeth vppon him , and giueth him a mortall wound . aelianus hath an embleme , which hee seemeth to haue translated out of greeke from antipiter sidonius , of a falconer , which while he was looking vppe after birdes for meate for his hawke , suddainely a dipsas came behind him and stung him to death . the title of his embleme is , qui alta contemplatur cadere , he that looketh hie may fall , and the embleme it selfe is this that solloweth : dum turdos visco , pedica dum fallit alaudas , et iacta altiuolam figit arundo gruem , dipsada non prudens auceps pede perculit , vltrix illa mali , emissum virus ab ore tacit . sic obit , extento qui sidera respicit arcu , securus fati quod ia cit ante pedes . which may be thus englished ; whiles thrush with line , and larke deceiued with net , and crane high flying pierced with force of reede , by falconer was : behold a dipsas on the foote did set , as if it would reuenge his bloudy foule misdeed , for poyson out of mouth it cast , and bit his foote , whereof he dyed , like birds by him deceiued , whiles bending bow aloft vnto the stars did looke , saw not his fate below , which him of life bereaued . this dipsas is inferior in quantity vnto a viper , but yet killeth by poyson , much more speedily , according to these verses ; exiguae similis spectatur dipsas echidnae , sed festina magis morsictus occupat aegros . parua & lurida cui circa vltima cauda nigrescit . that is to say ; this dipsas like vnto the viper small , but kils by stroke with greater paine and speede , whose taile at end is soft and blacke withall , that as your death auoyd , with carefull heede . it is but a short serpent , and so small ( as arnoldus writeth , ) it killeth before it be espyed , the length of it not past a cubit , the fore part being very thick , except the head which is small , and so backward it groweth smaller and smaller : the taile being exceeding little , the colour of the forepart somewhat white , but set ouer with blacke and yellow spots , the taile very blacke . galen writeth , that the ancient marsi which were appointed for hunting serpentes and vipers about rome , did tell him that there was no meanes outwardly to distinguish betwixt the viper and the dipsas , except in the place of their abode , for the dipsas ( he saith ) keepeth in the salt places ; and therefore the nature thereof is more fiery , but the vipers keepe in the dryer crountries , wherfore there are not many of the dipsades in italy , because of the moystnes of that country , but in lybia where there are great store of salt marshes . as we haue said already , a man or beast wounded with this serpent , is afflicted with intollerable thirst , insomuch as it is easier for him to breake his belly , then to quench his thirst with drinking , alwaies gaping like a bull , casteth himselfe downe into the water , & maketh no spare of the cold liquor , but continually sucketh it in till either the belly breake , or the poyson driue out the life , by ouer-comming the vitall spirites . to conclude , beside all the symptomes which follow the biting of vipers , which are cōmō to this scrpent , this also followeth thē , that the party afflicted can neither make water , vomit , nor sweat , so that they perish by one of these two waies : first either they are burned vp by the heat of the poyson , if they come not at water to drinke , or else if they come by water , they are so vnsatiable , that their bellies first swell aboue measure , and soone breake about their pr●●y partes . to conclude , all the affections which follow the thicke poyson of this serpent are excellently described by lucan in these verses following ; signiferum iuuenem tyrrheni sanguinis aulum torta caput retrò dipsas calcata momordit ▪ vix dolor aut sensus dentis fuit : ipsaque leti frons caret inuidia : nec quicquam plaga minatur . ecce subit virus tacitum , carpitque medullas ignis edax , calidaque incendit visceratabe . ebibit humorem circum vitalia fusum pestis , & in sicco linguam torrere palato coepit , defessos iret qui sudor in artus non fuit , atque occulos lachrymarum venarefugit . non decus imperij , non moesti iura catonis ardentem tenuere virum , quin spargere signa auderet , totisque furens exquireret agris . quas poscebat aquas , sitiens in corde venenum . ille vel in tanaim missus , rhodanumque padumque arderet , nilumque bibens per rura vagantem : accessit morti libyae : fatique minorem famam dipsas habet terris adiuta perustis . scrutatur venas penitus squallentis arenae : nunc redit ad syrtes & fluct us accipit ore : aequoreusque placet , sed non & sufficit humor . nec sentit fatique genus , mortemque veneni : sed putat esse sitim : ferroque apertre tumentes sustinuit venas , atque osimplere cruore . lucanus lib. . in english thus ; tyrrhenian aulus , the auncient-bearer young , was bit by dipsas , turning head to heele , no paine or sence of 's teeth appear'd , though poyson strong , death doth not frowne , the man no harme did feele , but loe , slye poyson takes the marrow , and eating fire burning the bowels warme till all consumed , drinking vp the humour about the vitall spire , and in dry palate was the tongue vp burned . there was no sweat the sinnewes to refresh , and teares fled from the veine that feedes the eyes , then catoes lawes , nor empiers honor fresh , this fiery youth could hold : but downe the streamer flyes , and like a mad man about the fieldes he runs , poysons force in heart did waters craue : though vnto tanas , rhodanus , padus , he comes , or nilus : yet all to little for his heate to haue . but dry was death , as though the dipsas force were not inough , but holpe by heate of earth , then doth he search the sands : but no remorse to syrtes floud he hies , his mouth of them he filleth , salt water pleaseth , but it cannot suffice , nor knew he fate , or this kind venoms death , but thought it thirst , and seeing his veines arise them cut , which bloud stopt mouth and breath . the signes of death following the byting of this serpent , are extreame drought and inflamation both of the inward and outward partes , so that outwardly the partes are as dry as parchment , or as a skinne set against the fire , which commeth to passe by adustion and commutation of the bloud , into the nature of the poyson . for this cause many of the auncients haue thought it to be incurable ; and therefore were ignorant of the proper medicines , practising onely common medicines prescribed against vipers : but this is generally obserued , that if once the belly beginne to breake , there can bee no cure but death . first therefore they vse scarification , and make vstion in the body , cutting of the member wounded . if it be in the extremity , they lay also playsters vnto it , as treacle , liquid pitch with oyle , hennes cut asunder aliue , and so layde to hote , or else the leaues of purslaine beaten in vineger , barley-meale , bramble-leaues pounded with hony , also plantine , isope , white-garlicke , leekes , rue & nettles . then must the gouernement of their bodies be no lesse looked vnto ; first , that they be kept from all sharpe and salt meates , then , that they be made continually to drinke oyle , to procure vomit , and vvith theyr vomits which they cast out of their stomacke , to giue them glysters , that so the waters may be drawne to the lower parts . besides , some take medicines out of fishes , especially such as are salt , and the leaues , barke , or sprigges of laurill : and to conclude , there is nothing better then treacle compounded of vipers fleshe . and thus much for the dipsas . of the dovble-head . because the graecians call this serpent amphisbaina , and the latines from thence amphisbenae , because it goeth both waies as if it had two heads & no taile : and for this purpose it is neuer seene to turne his body , as it were to turne about his head . when it hath a purpose to auoyde that thing which it feareth , or where-withall it is offended , hee doth but onely change his course backward as he went forward ; so that it is as happy a lyntius , whom the poets faine to be very quick-sighted , or as those monsters which are said to haue eyes in their backs , or rather like to ianus , which is sayde to haue two faces , one forward , and another backward , and therefore i haue called it double-head , i trust fitly enough to expresse the greeke word , although compounded of two words together , for so is the greeke word also , which the french doe expresse by a like compounded word , double-marcheur , that is , going two waies . it is likewise called ankesime , alchismus , & amphisilenem . and thus much may suffice for the name . it is said that this serpent is found in the iland lemnus , but among the germans it is vnknowne . there is some question whether it may be said to haue two heads or no. galen affirmeth , that it is like a shippe hauing two fore-parts , that is , one behind , & another before . pliny also subscribeth here-vnto , and maketh it a very pestilent serpent , geminum habet caput amphisbena , tanquam parum esset , vno ore fundi venenum , saith hee ; it hath a double-head , as though one mouth were not enough to vtter his poyson , according to the saying of the poet : est grauis in geminum surgitis caput amphis-benae serpens qui visu necat et sibilo . which may be englished thus ; this serpent double-head , is grieuous to be seene , whose clouen-head doth kill with sight and hissing keene . vnto this also elianus subscribeth , that it is a true serpent , and hath two heads , so that whensoeuer it is to goe forward , one of them standeth in the place of the tayle , but when it is to goe backward , then the head becommeth the tayle , and the tayle the head . so also mantuan sayth it is a double-headed serpent , and a fearefull stinging aspe . and so generally all the auncients , vntill mathiolus and greuinus time , who first of all began to contrary this opinion , affirming it to be impossible in nature , for one serpent to haue tvvo heads , except it be monstrous ; and exceede the common course of nature . such a one was that serpent with two heads that aristotle speaketh of , which doth easily happen to all those creatures which at one birth bring forth many young ones ; for so theyr bodies may be conioyned into one , whiles theyr heads stand asunder like twaine . and they say that this serpent doth resemble a worme of the earth , whose head and tayle is hard to be be distinguished asunder except you see it going . and they say further , that this serpent is like to the scytall , of which we shall speake afterwards , differing from it in nothing except in going backward and forward , and this is all that they can bring against the opinion of the auncients , whom i will not stand to confute , but leaue the reader to beleeue one or other : for it shall not bring to mee any great disaduantage , except the losse of his newe english name , for i haue dealt faithfully with the reader in setting downe the opinion of both sides , and if i doe fayle in a fit name , yet will i not swarue from the best description of his nature . the whole proportion of his body is of equall magnitude or greatnes , and the two extremities doe answer the middle . his eyes are for the most part shut , the colour like earth , not blacke , but tending to blacknes , the skinne rough and hard , and set ouer with diuers spots : all which properties , or rather parts , are thus described by nicander . cuius perpetua est taecum caligine lumen , quod latas vtrinque genas porrectaque menta , terreus est illi color et densissima pellis plurima quam varij distinctam signafigurant , plus alijs alto serpentibus aggere tendat : in english thus ; whose eye is euer voyde of light , because two cheekes both broade & standing vp it hides , the colour earth , thicke skinne , with spots in rowes , then other serpents with greater bulke it glides . solinus polihistor affirmeth , that they ingender and bring egges forth of the mouth , that is , out of that mouth which is toward the tayle , if there be any such . there is no serpent that doth more boldly aduenture to indure the colde then this doth , for it commeth out of his denne not onely before other serpents , but also before the cuckoe sing , or the grashopper commeth forth . they are exceeding carefull of theyr egges , and therefore sildome depart from them vntill they be hatched , whereby also may be collected their great loue to their young ones . and further , by their forward and timely comming out of their holes , greuinus maketh a good obseruation , that theyr temperament or constitution , is more hote then any other serpent . the graecians haue all obserued , that this kind of serpent is hard to be killed , except with a vine-branch , which they say was demonstrated by dionisius , who beeing turned by iuno into madnes , one day falling fast asleepe , this serpent leaped vppon him & awaked him , whereat he beeing angry , presently killed it with a vine-branch . some haue affirmed , that a small rodde or batte couered with the skinne of this serpent , and so la●d beside a man , driueth away all manner of venomous beastes . a wild-oliue-branch or sprigge wrapped in this skinne , doth cure the sencelesse and benummed estate of the sinewes , and also is good for many thinges , as nicander expresseth in these verses . haec vbi iam creuit , cedentes ligna coloni sectam deglabrant oleastri exarborc virgam , quale pedum , strictisque , prehensi pellibus anguis insectam obuoluunt , quas certis deinde diebus exarere sinunt , cantantes ante cicadas vtilis hic bacalus frigentibus artubus esse fertur , vbi exanimis digitos corpedo fatigat , tunc quia constrictos , & eorum vincula , neruos calfacit immisso fouet extenditque calore . which may be englished thus ; when this is growne , the peasants cutting wood , doe peele a branch taken from oliue-wilde , a 〈◊〉 in length , of strained snakes-skinne good , rowling it vp herein , till dayes fulfild , and let it dry before grashoppers greene : thus made , is good for sinewes cold , or nummed fingers , whose force hath beene by heate extending what cold band did hold . the wounds that come by the byting or stinging of this serpent , are not great , but very small , and scarcely to be discerned outwardly , yet the accidents that followe , are like to those which ensue the bytings of vipers , namely , inflamation , & a lingering death . the cure therefore must be the same which is applyed vnto the sting of vipers . and peculiarly i finde not any medicine seruing for the cure of this poyson alone , except that which pliny speaketh of , namely coriander drunke by the patient , or layd to the sore . it is reported by gallen and greuinus , that if a woman with childe doe chaunce to goe ouer one of these double-headed-serpents dead , shee shall suffer abortment , and yet that they may keepe them in their pockets aliue without danger in boxes . the reason of this is giuen by greuinus , because of the vapoure assending from the dead serpent , by a secrete antypathy against humane nature , which suffocateth the childe in the mothers wombe . and thus much for this serpent . of the dragon . among all the kindes of serpents , there is none comparable to the dragon , or that affordeth and yeeldeth so much plentifull matter in history for the ample discouery of the nature thereof : and therefore heerein i must borrow more time frō the residue , then peraduenture the reader would be willing to spare from reading the particuler storyes of many other . but such is the necessity heereof , that i can omit nothing making to the purpose , eyther for the nature or morality of this serpent , therefore i will striue to make the description pleasant , with variable history , seeing i may not auoyd the length heereof , that so the sweetnes of the one , ( if my penne could so expresse it ) may counter . uaile the tediousnes of the other . the hebrewes call it thanin , and wolphius translateth oach a dragon , in his commentaries vpon nehemiah . the chaldees call it darkon , and it seemeth that the greeke word dracon is deriued of the chaldee . we reade of albedisimon or ahedysimon for a kind of dragon , and also alhatraf , and hauden , haren carnem , and such other termes , that may be referred to this place . the graecians at this day call it drakos , the germans , trach lindtwarm , the french , vn dragon , the italians , drago and dragone . the deriuation of the greeke word , beside the coniecture afore expressed , some thinke to be deriued from derkein , because of their vigilant eye-sight , and therfore it is fayned that they had the custody not onely of the golden-fleece , but also of many other treasures . and among other things , alciatus hath an emblem of their vigilancy standing by an vnmarried virgin . vera haec effigies innuptae est paladis : eius hic draco , qui domina constitie ante pedes . cur diuae comes hoc animal ? custodia rerum huic data , sic lucos sacraque templa colit . innuptas opus est cura asseruare puellas pervigili : laqueos vndique tendit amor . which may be englished thus ; this dragon great which lady pallas stands before , is the true picture of vnmarried maydes : but why a consort to the goddesse is this ? and more then other beasts more meeke , who neuer fades ? because the safegard of all things belongs to this , wherefore his house in groues and sacred temples set , vnmarried maides of guardes must neuer misse , which watchfull are to voyde loues snares and nette . for this cause the egyptians did picture serapis their god with three heads , that is to 〈◊〉 of a lyon in the middle , on the right hand a meeke fauning dogge , and on the left hand a rauening wolfe , all which formes are ioyned together by the winding bodie of a dragon , turning his head to the right hand of his god ; which three heads are interpreted to signifie three times ; that is to say , by the lyon , the present time , by the wolfe , the time past , and by the fauning dogge , the time to come , all which are garded by the vigilancie of the dragon . for this cause also among the fixed starres of the north , there is one called draco , a dragon , all of them ending their course with the sunne and moone , and they are in this spheare called by astronomers the intersections of the circles , the superiour of these ascending , is called the head of the dragon , and the inferiour descending , is called the tayle of the dragon . and some thinke that god in the . of io● ▪ by the word gnaish , meaneth this signe or constellation . to conclude , the auncient romans ( as vegetius writeth ) carried in all their bands the escutchion of a dragon , to signifie their fortitude and vigilancie , which were borne vp by certaine men called for that purpose draconarij . and therefore when constantius the emperour entered into the city of rome , his souldiers are said to beare vppe vppon the toppes of their speares , dragons gaping with wide mouthes , and made fast with golden chaines and pearle , the wind whistling in their throates , as if they had beene aliue , threatning destruction , and theyr tayles hanging loose in the ayre , were likewise by the vvinde tossed to and fro , as though they stroue to come off from the speares , but when the wind was layd , all theyr motion was ended , where-vpon the poet saith : mansuescunt varij vento cessante dracones . in english thus ; when whistling winde in ayer ceast , the dragons tamed , then did rest . the tale also of the golden-fleece , if it be worth any place in this storie , deserueth to be inserted heere , as it is reported by diodorus siculns . when actës raigned in pontus , he receiued an aunswere from the oracle , that hee should then dye when strangers should come thether with shippes and fetch away the gol-den-fleece . vpon which occasion hee shewed himselfe to be of a cruell nature , for he did not onely make proclamation that he would sacrifice all strangers which came within his dominions , but did also performe the same , that by the fame and report of such crueltie , he might terrifie all other nations frō hauing accesse vnto that temple . not contented heere-with , hee raised a great strong vvall round about the temple wherein the fleece was kept , and caused a sure watch or guarde to attend the same day & night , of whom the graetians tell many strange fables . for they say there were bulls breathing out fire , and a dragon warding the temple and defending the fleece , but the truth is that these watchmen because of their strength were called bulls , because of their cruelty , were said to breathe out fire , and because of their vigilancie , crueltie , strength and terrour , to be dragons . some affirme againe , that in the gardens of hesperides in libia , there were golden apples , which were kept by a terrible dragon , which dragon was afterward slaine by hercules , and the apples taken away by him , & so brought to euryshteus . others affirme that hesperides had certaine flocks of sheepe , the colour of whose woll was like gold , and they were kept by a valiant sheepheard called draco : but i rather agree with solinus , who giueth a more true reason of this fable , nefamae licentia vulneretur fides , least ( as he saith ) fayth and truth should receiue a disgrace or wound by the lauish report of fame . there was among the hesperides a certaine winding riuer comming from the sea , and including within it the compasse of that land which is called the gardens of hesperides , at one place whereof , the falling of the water broken by a rocke , seemeth to be like the falling downe of snakes , to them that stand a farre off , and from hence ariseth all the occasion of the fable afore-said . indeed there was a statue of hercules , in the left hand wherof were three apples , which he was said to haue obtained by the conquest of a dragon , but that conquest of the dragon did morrally signifie his owne concupiscence , whereby hee raigned ouer three passions , that is to say , ouer his wrath by patience , ouer his cupiditie by temperance , and ouer his pleasures by labour & trauaile : which were three vertues farre more precious then three golden apples . but i will stay my course from prosecuting these morrall discourses of the dragon , and returne againe to his naturall history ; from which i haue somewhat too long digressed . there are diuers sorts of dragons , distinguished partly by their countries , partlie by their quantitie and magnitude , and partly by the different forme of their externall partes . there be serpents in arabia called sirenae , which haue winges , beeing as swift as horses , running or flying at their owne pleasure , and when they wound a man , hee dyeth before he feeleth paine . of these it is thought the prophet esay speaketh , chap. . ver . . serpens clamabit in templis voluptarijs : and for serpents , the old translators read syrenae , & so the english should be , the syrene dragons should cry in their temples of pleasure : and the auncient distinction was , anguis aquarum , serpentes terrarū , dracones templorū : that is to say , snakes are of the water , serpents of the earth , & dragons of the temples . and i thinke it was a iust iudgement of god , that the auncient temples of the heathen-idolaters were annoyed with dragons , that as the deuill was there worshipped , so there might be appearance of his person in the vglie forme and nature of a dragon . for god himselfe in holy scripture , doth compare the deuill vnto a dragon , as reue : . ver : . and there appeared another wonder in heauen , for behold a great redde-dragon , hauing . heads , and tenne hornes , and seauen crownes vpon his head . verse . and his tayle drewe the third part of the starres of heauen , and cast them to the earth : and the dragon stoode before the woman which was ready to be deliuered , to deuoure her child when shee had brought it forth . verse . so she brought forth a man-child , which should rule all nations with a rodde of yron . and her sonne was taken vp vnto god and to his throne . verse . and the woman fledde into the wildernes , where she hath a place prepared of god , that they should feede her there . dayes . verse . and there was a battaile in heauen , michaell and his angels fought against the dragon , and the dragon fought and his angels . verse . but they preuailed not , neither was theyr place found any more in heauen . verse . and the great dragon that old serpent called the deuill and satan , was cast out , which deceiueth all the world , he was euen cast vnto the earth , and his angels were cast out with him . verse . and when the dragon saw that he was cast vnto the earth , he persecuted the vvoman which had brought forth a man-child : and so forth , as it followeth in the text. where-vppon s. augustine writeth , diabolus draco dicitur propter insidias , quia occulte insidiatur : that is , the deuill is called a dragon because of his treachery , for he doth treacherously set vpon men to destroy them . it was wont to be said , because dragons are the greatest serpents , that except a serpent eate a serpent , he shall neuer be a dragon : for theyr opinion was , that they grew so great by deuouring others of their kind ; and indeede in ethiopia they grow to be thirtie yardes long , neither haue they any other name for those dragons but elephant-killers , & they liue very long . onesicritus writeth , that one aposisares an indian , did nourish two serpents dragons , whereof one was sixe and forty cubits long , and the other fourescore ; and for the more famous verification of the fact , he was a very earnest suter to alexander the great , when he was in india to come and see them , but the king beeing afraid , refused . the chroniclers of the affayres of chius doe write , that in a certaine valley neere to the foote of the mountaine pellenaus , was a valley full of straite tall trees , wherein was bred a dragon of wonderfull magnitude or greatnes , whose onely voyce or hissing , did terrifie all the inhabitants of chius , and therefore there was no man that durst come nigh vnto him , to consider or to take a perfect view of his quantitie , suspecting onely his greatnesse by the loudenesse of his voyce , vntill at length they knewe him better by a singuler accident worthy of eternall memory . for it hapned on a time that such a violent wind did arise , as did beate together all the trees in the wood , by which violent collision , the branches fell to be on fire , and so all the wood was burned suddainely , compassing in the dragon , whereby he had no meanes to escape aliue , and so trees fell downe vpon him & burned him . afterward , when the fire had made the place bare of wood , the inhabitants might see the quantity of the dragon , for they found diuers of his bones & his head , which were of such vnusuall greatnes , as did sufficiently confirme them in their former opinion : and thus by diuine miracle was this monster consumed , who neuer any man durst behold beeing aliue , and the inhabitants of the country safely deliuered from their iust conceiued feare . it is also reported , that alexander among many other beastes which hee saw in india , did there finde in a certaine denne a dragon of seauentie cubites long , which the indians accounted a sacred beast , and therefore intreated alexander to doe it no harme . when it vttered the voyce with full breath , it terrified his whole armie : they could neuer see the proportion of his body , but onely the head , and by that they gessed the quantitie of the whole body , for one of his eyes in their appearance seemed as great as a macedonian buckler . maximus tyrius writeth , that in the dayes of alexander , there was likewise seene a dragon in india , as long as fiue roodes of land are broade , which is incredible . for hee likewise saith , that the indians did feede him euery day with many seuerall oxen and sheepe . it may be that it was the same spoken of before , which some ignorant men , and such as were giuen to sette forth fables , amplified beyond measure and credite . whereas dragons are bredde in india and affrica , the greatest of all are in india , for in ethiopia , nubia , and hesperia , the dragons are confined within the length of fiue cubits , & twenty cubits : for in the time of euergetes , there were three brought into egypt , one was nine cubits long , which with great care was nourished in the temple of esculapius , the other two were seauen cubits long . about the place where once the tower of babell was builded , are dragons of great quantitie , and vnder the equinoctiall , as nicephorus callistus writeth , there are serpents as thicke as beames , in testimony wherof their skinnes haue been brought to rome . and therefore it is no maruell , although s. austine writing vpon the . psalme , doth say , draconis magna quedam sunt animantia maiora non sunt super terram : dragons are certaine great beasts , and there are none greater vpon the earth . neither is it to be thought incredible that the souldiours of attilius regulus did kill a dragon which was a hundred and twenty foote long , or that the dragons in the dennes of the mountaine atlas , should grow so great that they can scarce moue the fore-parts of their bodie . i am yet therefore to speake of the dragons in the montaines emodij , or of arigia , or of dachinabades , or the regions of the east , or of that which augustus shewed publiquely to the people of rome , beeing fiftie cubits long ; or of those which be in the alpes , which are found in certaine caues of the south-sides of the hills , so that this which hath beene said , shall suffise for the quantitie and countries of dragons . besides , there are other kindes of dragons which i must speake of in order : and first of all of the epidaurian dragons , which is bred no where but in that country , beeing tame , and of yellow golden-colour , wherefore they were dedicated to aesculapius , of whom nicander writeth in this manner ; nunc veridem et nigrem post dicta venena drachonem aspice , quem patulafago phoebia proles ingelido peli nutriuit , culmine iuxta letae pelethuniae quondam decliuia vallis , in english thus ; after these venoms now behold the dragon blacke and greene , nourished by apollos sonne vnder a beech full broade , on top of the cold pelus , as often hath beene seene , by fertill vale of pelethun his slyding roade . there are likewise other kindes of tame-dragons in macedonia , vvhere they are so meeke , that women feede them , and suffer them to sucke their breasts like little children , their infants also play with them , riding vppon them and pinching them , as they would doe with dogges , without any harme , and sleeping with them in their beds . but among all dragons , there was none more famous then the dragon python , or pithias , as the poets faine , which was bred of the slyme of the earth , after the flood of ducalion , and slaine afterwards by apollo , whereof there lieth this tale ; that when latona was with childe by iupiter of apollo and diana , iuno resisted their birth , but when they were borne and layde in the cradle , she sent the dragon python to deuoure them , apollo beeing but a young infant , did kill the dragon with a darte . but this tale seemeth too fabulous and incredible , and therefore they haue mended the matter with another deuice ; for they say that python by the commaundement of iuno , did persecute latona throughout all the world , seeking to deuoure her , so as she had no rest vntill shee came vnto her sister asteria , who receiued her into delos , where she was safely deliuered of apollo and diana . afterward , when the child was growne vp , he slew the dragon in remembrance & reuenge of the wrong done to his mother . but the true cause of this history is deliuered by pausanias & macrobius , to be thus ; that apollo killed one python a very wicked man in delphos , & that the poets in excuse of the fact , did faine him to be a dragon , as afore-said . and so i shall not neede to say any more of python , except these verses following out of ouid about his generation . — sed te quoque maxime python , tum genuit populisque nouis incognite serpens terror eras : tantum spatij de monte tenebras . hunc deus arcitenens & nunquam talibus armis antè , nici in damis , caprisque fugacibus vsus ; mille grauem telis exhausta penepharetra perdidit effuso per vulnera nigra veneno , neue operis famam posset delere vetustas , inflituit sacros celebri certamine ludos pithia per domitae serpentis nominem dictor . caeruleus tali prostratus apolline python . which may be englished thus ; but yet thou vgly python wert engendered by her , tho a terrour to the new-made-folke , which neuer erst had knowne so foule a dragon in their life , so monstrously fore-growne , so great a ground thy poysond paunch did vnderneath thee hyde , the god of shooting , who no where before that present tyde those kind of weapons put in vre but at the speckled deere , or at the roes so light of foote , a thousand shafts well neere did on that hydeous serpent spend , of which there was not one but forced forth the venomd-blood , along his sides to gone : so that his quiuer almost void , he nayld him to the ground , and did him nobly at the last by force of shot confound . and least that time should of this worke deface the worthy fame , he did ordaine in mind thereof a great and solemne game , which of the serpent that he slew , of pythions bare the name . of the indian dragons there are also said to be two kindes , one of them fenny , and liuing in the marshes , which are slow of pace and without combes on their heades like females : the other in the mountaines , which are more sharpe and great , and haue combes vpon their head , their backs beeing some-what browne , and all their bodies lesse scalie then the other . when they come downe from the mountaines into the plaine to hunt , they are neither afraid of marshes nor violent waters , but thrust themselues greedily into all hazards and dangers : and because they are of longer and stronger bodies then the dragons of the fennes , they beguile them of their meate , & take away from them their prepared booties . some of them are of a yellowish fieric-colour , hauing also sharpe backs like sawes ; these also haue beardes , and when they sette vppe their scales they shine like siluer . the apples of their eyes are precious stones , and as bright as fire , in which there is affirmed to be much vertue against many diseases , and therefore they bring vnto the hunters and killers of dragons no small gaine , besides the profit of theyr skinne and theyr teeth : and they are taken when they descend from the mountaines into the valleyes to hunt the elephants , so as both of them are kild together by the hunters . their members are very great , like vnto the members of the greatest swine , but theyr bodies are leaner , flexibly turning to euery side , according to the necessitie of motion : their snoutes are very strong , resembling the greatest rauening fishes ; they haue beardes of a yellowe golden colour , being full of bristles : and the mountaine-dragons commonly haue more deepe eye-liddes then the dragons of the fennes . their aspect is very fierce and grimme , and whensoeuer they mooue vppon the earth , their eyes giue a sound from theyr eye-liddes , much like vnto the tinckling of brasse , and some-times they boldly venture into the sea and take fishes . of the winged dragon . there be some dragons which haue winges and no feete , some againe haue both feete and wings , and some neither feete nor wings , but are onely distinguished from the common sort of serpents by the combe growing vppon their heads , and the beard vnder their cheekes . saint augustine saith , that dragons doe abide in deepe caues and hollow places of the earth , and that some-times when they perceiue moistnes in the ayre , they come out of theyr holes , and beating the ayre with their winges , as it were with the strokes of oares , they forsake the earth and flie aloft : which wings of theirs are of a skinny substance , and very voluble , and spreading themselues wide , according to the quantitie and largenesse of the dragons bodie , which caused lucan the poet in his verses to write in this maner following : vos quoque qui cunctis innoxia numina terris serpitis , aurato nitidifulgore dracones , pestiferos ardens facit affrica : ducitis altum aëra cum pennis . &c. in english thus ; you shining dragons creeping on the earth , which fiery affrick holds with skinnes like gold , yet pestilent by hot infecting breath : mounted with wings in th' ayre we doe behold . the inhabitants of the kingdome of georgia , once called media , doe say that in theyr valleyes there are diuers dragons which haue both wings and feete , and that their feete are like vnto the feete of geese . besides , there are dragons of sundry colours , for some of them are blacke , some redde , some of an ashe-colour , some yellow , and their shape and outward appearance verie beautifull , according to the verses of nicander . formosa apparet species pulchro illius orae , triplici conspicui se produnt ordine dentes , magna sub egregia scintillant lumina fronte , tinctaque felle tegunt imum paleariamentum . which may be englished thus ; their forme of presence outwardly appeares all beautifull , and in their goodly mouth their teeth stand double , all one within another : conspicuous order so doth bewray the truth . vnder their browes , which are both great and wide , stand twinckling eyes , as bright as any starre , with redde-galls tincture are their dewlaps dyed , their chinne or vnder-chappe to couer farre . gyllius , pierius , and greuinus , following the authoritie of this poet , doe affirme that a dragon is of a blacke colour , the bellie some-what greene , & very beautifull to behold , hauing a treble rowe of teeth in theyr mouthes vppon euery iawe , and with most bright and cleere-seeing eyes , vvhich caused the poets to faine in their writings , that these dragons are the watchfull-keepers of treasures . they haue also two dewlappes grovving vnder their chinne , and hanging downe like a beard , which are of a redde colour : theyr bodies are sette all ouer with very sharpe scales , and ouer theyr eyes stand certaine flexible eye-liddes . when they gape wide with their mouth , and thrust foorth their tongue , theyr teeth seeme very much to resemble the teeth of , wilde-swine : and theyr neckes haue many times grosse thicke hayre growing vpon them , much like vnto the bristles of a vvilde-boare . their mouth , ( especially of the most tame-able dragons ) is but little , not much bigger then a pype , through which they drawe in theyr breath , for they wound not vvith theyr mouth , but with theyr tayles , onely beating with thē when they are angry . but the indian , ethiopian , and phrygian dragons , haue very wide mouthes , through which they often swallow in whole foules and beasts . theyr tongue is clouen as if it were double , and the investigators of nature doe say , that they haue fifteene teeth of a side . the males haue combes on their heads , but the females haue none , and they are likewise distinguished by their beards . they haue most excellent sences both of seeing and hearing , and for this cause theyr name drakon cōmeth of derkein , and this was one cause why iupiter the heathens great god , is said to be metamorphised into a dragon , whereof there flieth this tale : vvhen he fell in loue with proserpina , he rauished her in the likenes of a dragon , for hee came vnto her and couered her with the spires of his body ; and for this cause the people of sabazij did obserue in their misteries or sacrifices , the shape of a dragon rowled vp within the cōpasse of his spires : so that as he begot ceres with child in the likenes of a bull , he likewise deluded her daughter proserpina in the likenes of a dragon ; but of these transmutations we shall speake more afterwards , & i thinke the vanity of these , tooke first ground frō the affricans , who beleeue that the originall of dragons tooke beginning from the vnnaturall cōiunction of an eagle & a shee-wolfe . and so they say that the wolfe growing great by this conception , doth not bring forth as at other times , but her belly breaketh , and the dragon commeth out , who in his beake and wings resembleth the dragon his father , and in his feete and tayle , the vvolfe his mother , but in the skin neither of them both : but this kind of fabulus generation , is already sufficiently confuted . their meates are fruites and herbes , or any venomous creature , therfore they liue long without foode , and when they eate , they are not easily filled . they grow most fat by eating of egs , in deuouring wherof they vse this art , if it be a great dragon , he swalloweth it vp whole , and then rowleth him selfe , whereby hee crusheth the egges to peeces in his belly , and so nature casteth out the shells , & keepeth in the meate . but if it be a young dragon , as if it were a dragons whelp , he taketh the egge within the spire of his tayle , and so crusheth it hard , & holdeth it fast , vntill his scales open the shell like a knife , then sucketh hee out of the place opened all the meate of the egge . in like sort do the young ones pull off the feathers frō the foules which they eate , and the old ones swallow them whole , casting the feathers out of theyr bellyes againe . the dragons of phrygia when they are hungry , turne themselues toward the west , & gaping wide , with the force of their breath doe draw the birdes that flie ouer their heads into their throats , which some haue thought is but a voluntary lapse of the fowles , to be drawne by the breath of the dragon , as by a thing they loue , but it is more probable , that some vaporous and venomous breath is sent vp from the dragon to them , that poysoneth and infecteth the ayre about them , whereby their sences are taken from them , and they astonished fall downe into his mouth . but if it fortune the dragons find not foode enough to satisfie their hunger , then they hide themselues vntill the people be returned from the market , or the heard-men bring home their flocks , and vppon a suddaine they deuoure eyther men or beastes , which come first to their mouthes : then they goe againe and hide themselues in their dennes and hollow caues of the earth , for theyr bodies beeing exceeding hote , they very sildome come out of the cold earth , except to seeke meate and nourishment . and because they liue onely in the hottest countries , therefore they commonlie make theyr lodgings neere vnto the waters , or else in the coldest places among the rocks and stones . they greatlie preserue their health ( as aristotle affirmeth ) by eating of wild-lettice , for that they make them to vomit , and cast foorth of theyr stomacke what-soeuer meate offendeth them , and they are most speciallie offended by eating of apples , for theyr bodies are much subiect to be filled with winde , and therefore they neuer eate apples , but first they eate wilde-lettice . theyr sight also ( as plutarch sayth ) doth many times grow weake and feeble , and therefore they renew and recouer the same againe by rubbing their eyes against fennell , or else by eating of it . their age could neuer yet be certainely knowne , but it is coniectured that they liue long , and in great health , like to all other serpents , & therefore they grow so great . they doe not onely liue on the land , as we haue said already , but also swimme in the water , for many times they take the sea in ethyopia , foure or fiue of them together , folding theyr tayles like hurdles , and holding vp their heads , so swim they ouer to seeke better foode in arabia . we haue said already , that when they set vpon elephants , they are taken and killed of men : now the manner how the indians kill the mountaine-dragons is thus ; they take a garment of scarlet , and picture vpon it a charme in golden letters , this they lay vpon the mouth of the dragons denne , for with the redde colour and the gold , the eyes of the dragon are ouer-come , and he salleth asleepe , the indians in the meane-season watching , & muttering secretly words of incantation , when they perceiue he is fast asleepe , suddainely they strike off his necke with an axe , and so take out the balls of his eyes , wherein are lodged those rare & precious stones which containe in them vertues vnvtterable , as hath beene euidently prooued by one of them , that was included in the ring of gyges . manie times it falleth out , that the dragon draweth in the indian both with his axe and instruments into his denne , and there deuoureth him , in the rage whereof , hee so beateth the mountaine that it shaketh . when the dragon is killed , they make vse of the skin , eyes , teeth , and flesh , as for the flesh , it is of a vitriall or glassie colour , and the ethiopians doe eate it very greedily , for they say it hath in it a refrigeratiue power . and there be some which by certaine inchaunting verses doe tame dragons , and rydeth vpon their necks , as a man would ride vpon a horse , guiding and gouerning them with a bridle . now because we haue already shewed , that some dragons haue winges , least it should seeme vncredible , as the foolish world is apt to beleeue no more then they see , i haue therefore thought good to adde in this place , a particuler relation of the testimonies of sundry learned-men , concerning these winged serpents or dragons . first of all megastenes writeth , that in india there be certaine flying serpents , which hurt not in the day , but in the night time , and these do render or make a kind of vrine , by the touching whereof , all the parts of mortall creatures doe rotte away . and there is a mountaine which deuideth asunder the kingdome of narsing a from alabaris , wherein be many winged-serpents sitting vpon trees , which they say poyson men with their breath . there be many pestilent winged-serpents which come out of arabia euery yeere by troupes into egypt , these are destroyed by a certaine black-bird called ibis , who fighteth with thē in the defence of that country where she liueth , so that there lye great heapes of them many times destroyed vpon the earth by these birds , whose bodies may be there visibly seene to haue both wings and legges , and their bones beeing of great quantitie and stature , remaine vnconsumed for many yeeres after . these kinde of serpents or dragons , couet to keepe about the trees of frankinsence which grow in arabia , and when they are driuen away frō thence with the fume or smoake of stirax , then they flie ( as is afore-said ) into egypt , and this is to be considered , that if it were not for this stirax , all that country would be consumed with dragons . neither haue wee in europe onely heard of dragons and neuer seene them , but also euen in our own country , there haue ( by the testimonie of sundry writers ) diuers been discouered and killed . and first of all , there was a dragon or winged-serpent brought vnto frauncis the french-king when hee lay at sancton , by a certaine country-man , who had slaine the same serpent himselfe with a spade , when it sette vppon him in the fields to kill him . and this thing was witnessed by many learned & credible men which saw the same : and they thought it was not bredde in that country , but rather driuen by the winde thither from some forraine nation . for fraunce was neuer knowne to breede any such monsters . among the pyrenes also , there is a cruell kinde of serpent , not past foure foote long , and as thicke as a mans arme , out of whose sides growe winges much like vnto gristles . gesner also saith , that in the yeere of our lord . there came many serpents both with wings and legs into the parts of germany neere stiria , who did bite & wound many men incurably . cardan also describeth certaine serpents with wings , which hee saw at parris , whose dead bodies were in the hands of gulielmus musicus , hee saith that they had two legges and small winges , so that they could scarce flie , the head was little , and like to the head of a serpent , their colour bright , and without haire or feathers , the quantitie of that which was greatest , did not exceede the bignes of a cony , and it is saide they vvere brought out of india . besides , a further confirmation of these beastes , there haue beene noted in all ages ; for it is written in the romaine chronicles , the times of their apparision and manifestation . when the riuer of tiber ouer-flowed aboue the bankes , then were many serpents discouered , and many dragons , as in the time of mauritius the emperour , at what time a dragon came along by the citty of rome , vpon the waters in the sight of all men , and so passed to the sea : after which prodigie , there followed a great mortall pestilence . in the yeere . the twenty sixe day of may , there came a dragon to the citty of lucerne , which came out of the lake through rusa , downe along the riuer , many people of all sorts beholding the same . there haue beene also dragons many times seene in germanie , flying in the ayre at mid-day , and signifying great and fearefull fiers to follow , as it happened neere to the cittie called niderburge , neere to the shore of the rhyne , in a maruailous cleere sun-shine day , there came a dragon three times successiuely together in one day , & did hang in the ayre ouer a towne called sanctogoarin , and shaking his tayle ouer that towne euery time : it appeared visibly in the sight of many of the inhabitants , and afterwards it came to passe , that the said towne was three times burned with fire , to the great harme and vndooing of all the people dwelling in the same ; for they were not able to make any resistance to quench the fire , with all the might , art , and power that they could raise . and it was further obserued , that about that time there were many dragons seene washing themselues in a certaine fountaine or well neere the towne , and if any of the people did by chaunce drinke of the water of that well , theyr bellyes did instantly begin to swell , and they died as if they had beene poysoned . where-vpon it was publiquely decreed , that the said well should be filled vp with stones , to the intent that neuer any man should afterwards be poisoned with that water ; and so a memory thereof was continued , and these thinges are written by iustinus goblerus , in an epistle to gesner , affirming that hee did not write fayned things , but such things as were true , and as he had learned from men of great honestly and credite , whose eyes did see and behold both the dragons , and the mishaps that followed by fire . when the body of cleomines was crucified , and hung vpon the crosse , it is reported by them that were the watch-men about it , that there came a dragon and did wind it selfe about his body , and with his head couered the face of the dead king , oftentimes licking the same , and not suffering any bird to come neere and touch the carkasse . for vvhich cause there began to be a reuerent opinion of diuinitie attributed to the king , vntill such time as wise and prudent men , studious of the truth , found out the true cause hereof . for they say that as bees are generated out of the body of oxen , and drones of horses , and hornets of asses : so doe the bodyes of men ingender out of their marrow a serpent , and for this cause , the auncients were moued to consecrate the dragon to noble-spirited men , and therefore there was a monument kept of the first affricanus , because that vnder an oliue planted with his owne hand , a dragon was said to preserue his ghost . but i will not mingle fables and truth together , and therefore i will reserue the morrall discourse of this beast vnto another place ; and this which i haue written , may be sufficient to satisfie any reasonable man , that there are winged serpents and dragons in the world . and i pray god that we neuer haue better arguments to satisfie vs , by his corporall and liuely presence in our country , least some great calamity followe there-vppon . now therefore we will proceed to the loue and hatred of this beast , that is obserued with man , and other creatures . and first of all , although dragons be naturall enemies to men , like vnto all other serpents , yet many times ( if there be any truth in story ) they haue beene possessed with extraordinary loue , both to men , women and children , as may appeare by these particulers following . there was one aleua a thessalian neatheard , which did keepe oxen in ossa , hard by the fountaine hemonius , there was a dragon fell in loue with this man , for his haire was as yellow as any gold , vnto him for his hayre did this dragon often come , creeping closely as a louer to his loue : and when he came vnto him , he would lick his haire and face so gently , and in so sweete a manner , as the man professed he neuer felt the like , so as without all feare he conuersed with him , and as he came , so would hee goe away againe , neuer returning to him empty , but bringing some one gift or other , such as his nature and kind could lay hold on . there was a dragon also which loued pindus the sonne of macedo king of emathia : this pindus hauing many brothers most wicked and lewd persons , and he onely beeing a valiant man of honest disposition , hauing likewise a comly and goodly personage , vnderstanding the trechery of his bretheren against him , bethought himselfe how to auoyd theyr hands and tyrannie . now forasmuch as hee knew that the kingdome which hee possessed , was the onely marke they all shot at , he thought it better to leaue that to them , and so to ridde himselfe from enuy , feare and perrill , then to embrew his hands in theyr blood , or to loose his life and kingdome both together . wherefore hee renounced and gaue ouer the gouernment , and betooke himselfe to the exercise of hunting , for he was a strong man , fit to combat with wilde-beastes , by destruction of whom , hee made more roome for many men vppon the earth , so that hee passed all his dayes in that exercise . it hapned on a day that he was hunting of a hind-calfe , and spurring his horse with all his might and maine in the eager pursute thereof , hee rode out of the sight of all his compapany , and suddainely the hind-calfe leaped into a very deepe caue , out of the sight of pindus the hunter , and so saued himselfe . then he alighted from his horse and tyed him to the next tree , seeking out as diligently as he could for a way into the caue , whereinto the hind-calfe had leaped : and when he had looked a good while about him , & could find none , he heard a voyce speaking vnto him , and forbidding him to touch the hind-calfe , which made him looke about againe , to see if hee could perceiue the person from whom the voyce proceeded , but espying none , hee grew to be afraide , and thought that the voyce proceeded from some other greater cause , and so leaped vpon his horse hastily , and departed againe to his fellowes . the day after , he returned to the same place , and when he came thether , beeing terrified with the remembrance of the former voyce , hee durst not enter into the place , but stoode there doubting and wondering with himselfe , what shepheards , or hunters , or other men might be in that place , to diswarne him from his game , and therefore he went round about to seeke for some , or to learne from whence the voyce proceeded . while he was thus seeking , there appeared vnto him a dragon of a great stature , creeping vpon the greatest part of his body , except his necke and head lifted vp a little , and that little was as high as the stature of any man can reach , and in this fashion hee made toward pindus , who at the first sight was not a little afraid of him , but yet did not runne away , but rather gathering his wits together , remembred that hee had about him birds , and diuers parts of sacrifices , which instantly he gaue vnto the dragon , and so mitigated his furie by these gyfts , and as it were with a royall feast , changed the cruell nature of the dragon , into kind vsage . for the dragon beeing smoothed ouer with these gyfts , and as it were ouer-taken with the liberality of pindus , was contented to forsake the old place of his habitation , and to goe away with him . pindus also beeing no lesse gladde of the company of the dragon , did daily giue vnto him the greatest part of his hunting , as a deserued price and ransome of his life , and conquest of such a beast . neither was hee vnrequired for it , for fortune so fauoured his game , that whether he hunted foules of the ayre , or beastes of the earth , hee still obtayned and neuer missed . so that his fame for hunting , procured him more loue and honour , then euer could the imperiall crowne of his country . for all young men desired to follow him , admiring his goodly personage & strength , the virgins and maydes falling in loue , contended among themselues who should marry him : the wiues forsaking their husbands , contrary to all womanly modestie , rather desired his company thē the societie of their husbands , or to be preferred among the number of the goddesses . onely his bretheren inraged against him , sought all meanes to kill & destroy him . therfore they watched all opportunities , lying in continuall ambush where he hunted , to accomplish theyr accursed enterprise , which at last they obtained : for as he followed the game , they enclosed him in a narrow straight neere to a riuers side , vvhere he had no meanes to auoyde their hands , they and their company beeing many , and hee alone , wherefore they drew out their swords and slew him . when he saw no remedy but death , he cryed out aloude for help , whose voyce soone came to the eares of the watchfull dragon , ( for no beast heareth or seeth better ) out hee commeth from his denne , and finding the murtherers standing about the dead body , he presently surprised them and killed them , so reuenging the quarrell of pindus , & then fell vpon the dead body of his friend , neuer forsaking the custodie thereof , vntill the neighbours adioyning to the place , taking knowledge of the fact , came to burie the bodies . but when they came and saw the dragon among them , they were afraid , and durst not come neere , but stoode a farre off , consulting what to doe ; till at last they perceiued that the dragon beganne to take knowledge of their feare , who with an admirable curtesie of nature , perceiuing their mourning and lamentation for their dead friend , and withall , their abstinence from approching to execute his exequies , or funeralls , began to thinke that he might be the cause of this their terror , & farre standing off from the dead bodies , wherefore he departed , taking his farewell of the body which he loued , and so gaue them leaue by his absence , to bestow vpon him an honourable buriall , which they performed accordingly , and the riuer adioyning , was named by the name of pindus-death . by which story may appeare , that these sauage dragons are made louing and tame to men , by good turnes & benefites bestowed vpon them , for there is no nature which may not be ouer-come by kindnes . and yet i may not leaue this matter thus , nor from these two examples alone , conclude the practise and possibility of loue betwixt men and dragons : i will therefore adde some three or foure examples more . there was a dragon the louer of aetholis ( as plutarch writeth ) who came vnto her euery night , and did her body no harme , but gently slyding ouer her , played with her till morning , then also would he depart away as soone as light appeared , that hee might not be espyed . the maydens friends came to the knowledge heereof , and so remooued her farre away , to the intent the dragon might come no more at her : and thus they remained asunder a great while , the dragon earnestly seeking for the mayden , wandered farre and neere to find her out . at last he met with her , and not saluting her gently as he was wont , flew vppon her , binding her hands downe with the spire of his body , hissing softly in her face , & beating gently with his tayle her back-parts , as it were taking a moderate reuenge vpon her , for the neglect of his loue by her long absence . another like story vnto this is reported by elianus , of a great dragon which loued a fayre woman , beloued also of a fayre man , the woman oftentimes did sleepe with this dragon , but not so willingly as with the man : wherefore shee forsooke the habitation of her place for a month , and went away where the dragon could not find her , thinking that her absence might quench his desire . but he came often to the place where hee was wont to meete with the woman , and not finding her , returned quietly backe againe , and came againe another time : at last he grew suspicious , & like a louer fayling in his expectation , grew very sorrowfull , and so continued till the month was exspyred , euery night visiting the accustomed place . at last the woman returned , and the dragon presently mette with her , and in an amourous fashion , full of suspition and iealousie , winding about her body , did beate her as you haue heard in the former storie : and this ( saith elianus ) happened in iudea , in the dayes of herod the king. there was a little dragon-whelpe bredde in arcadia , and brought vp familiarly with a little boy from his infancie , vntill the boy became a young man , and the dragon also became of great stature , so that one of them loued another so well as man and beast could loue together , or rather two play-fellowes from the cradle . at last the friends of the boy seeing the dragon grow so great in so short a space , began to be suspicious of him , where-vpon they tooke the bedde wherein the boy and the dragon were lodged , and carried the same into a farre remote place of woods and wildernes , and there set downe the bed with the boy and the dragon together . the boy after a little while returned , and came home againe to his friends ; the dragon wandered vp and downe in the woods , feeding vpon herbes and poyson , according to his nature , and neuer more cared for the habitation of men , but rested contented with a solitary life . in the length of time it came to passe that the boy grew to be a perfect man , and the dragon also remained in the wood ; & although absent one from the other , yet mutually louing as well as euer . it hapned that this young man trauelled through that place where the dragon was lodged , and fell among theeues , when the young man saw their swords about his eares , he cryed out , & the dragons den beeing not farre off , his cry came to the dragons cares , who instantly knowing the voyce of his play-fellow , answered the same with another , at whose hyssing the theeues grew afraid , and began to runne away , but their legges could not carry them so fast , as to escape the dragons teeth and clawes ; for he came speedily to release his friend , & all the theeues that he could find , he put to cruell death , thē did he accompany his friend out of the place of perrill , and returned backe againe to his den , neither remembering wrath , for that hee was exposed to the wildernesse , and there left by his play-fellow , nor yet like peruerse men , forsaking their olde friend in danger . they that desire to reade more of this subiect , shall finde store of examples in elianus his sixt and thirteene bookes . to conclude , when messalina the wife of claudius , did send certaine men to take away the life of nero , who was a riuall of britanicus , it is saide , that when they had him in their hands to strangle him , a dragon appeared out of the earth , or floore of the chamber , and did so terrifie these hangmen , that they ranne away & spared neros life . by which example , another example of pietie in dragons is obserued . againe , telephus ignorantly lying with his mother , had committed incest with her , had not a dragon by diuine prouidence come and parted them asunder : therefore draconi similis est virtus indagatrix , quae diligenter omnia perscrutatur , rimaturque studiocissimè , the vertue of discretion or perfit knowledge , is like a dragon , which diligently searcheth all thinges , and studiously looketh into euery chinck : so did this dragon preserue the chastitie of the mother and the sonne , when they ignorantly and in the darke had defiled each other , but for his appearance and demonstration . i will adde but this one example more of their loue of chastitie in men and women . in lauinium there was a great holy wood , neere vnto which stood a temple of iuno , in that wood there was a great deepe denne of a dragon , vnto the which dragon the virgins came euery yeere beeing blind-folded with clouts , and carrying marchpanes in their hands : when they entred the wood , there was a certaine spirit ( as it was said ) without offence did leade them to the denne of the dragon , and so euery one of the virgins did seuerally offer vp their marchpanes to the dragon : the dragon receiued the marchpane at the hand of euery pure virgine and vnspotted , but if they were defiled , and held onely the name of virgins , then the dragon refused the marchpane , and therefore they were all examined at their comming forth , that those which had lost their virginity might be punished by the law. and by this story , ( although none but heathens will beleeue it to be true , because it is a fable , meerely inuented to defend idolatry , which with my soule and spirit i doe detest ) yet i may collect thus much as a morrall out of fable , that dragons in auncient time , did honour virginity . and thus seeing they neither loue , nor are beloued of any other creature , i will heere leaue to talke of their loue and friendship , and passe on to their hatred and aduersaries . the examples before expressed beeing all extraordinary & beside nature , do not conclude but that there is an ordinary hatred betwixt men and dragons , and therefore in the discourse of their enemies , men must haue the first place , as their most worthy aduersarie , for both dragons haue perrished by men , and men by dragons , as may appeare by these stories following . when the region of heluetta beganne first to be purged from noysome beasts , there was a horrible dragon found neere a country towne called wilser , who did destroy all men and beastes that came within his danger in the time of his hunger , insomuch that that towne and the fields there-to adioyning , was called dedwiler , that is , a village of the wildernes , for all the people and inhabitants , had forsaken the same , & fledde to others places . there was a man of that towne whose name was winckelriedt , who was banished for manslaughter , this man promised if he might haue his pardon , and be restored againe to his former inheritance , that he would combat with that dragon , and by gods helpe destroy him : which thing was granted vnto him with great ioyfulnes . wherefore he was recalled home , and in the presence of many people went foorth to fight with the dragon , whom he flow and ouercame , whereat for ioy hee lifted vppe his sword imbrued in the dragons blood , in token of victory , but the blood distilled downe from the sword vppon his body , and caused him instantly to fall downe dead . and thus this noble conquerour , a man worthy to be remembred in all ages & nations , who had strength to kill the dragon beeing aliue , yet had no power to resist the venome of his blood , he being dead . but had it not beene that his hand had beene before imbrewed in the blood of a man , i do not beleeue that the blood of a dragon could haue fallen so heauy vppon him . but this is the iudgement of god , eyther to punish murder in the same kind , or else to teach vs , that we should not reioyce in our owne merrits , least god see it and be angry . for our sauiour christ forbade his disciples that they should reioyce that the deuils were subiect vnto them ; and therefore much lesse may we poore creatures reioyce for ouer-comming men or beasts . and yet one thing more is to bee considered in the death of this man , who was banished for killing a man , and was pardoued for killing a dragon , and yet killed by the dragon after the dragon was slaine . thus blood was the sinne because it brought death , and death againe brought blood to be the reuenger of the first , that the blood of man might be washed away with the blood of man , the blood of a serpent comming betwixt . and thus i may truly say as the christian poet saith in another case , sanguine suc creuit , sanguine finis erit , as it grew , so shall it end in blood . in the dayes of phillip king of macedon , there was a way into a mountaine of armenia , ouer which the king had prayed , that neuer man might goe but he might die : wherfore socrates , to try the effect of the kings prayer , sette his opticke philosophicall glasse that he might see what was in that way , and presently hee perceiued two great dragons , who comming out of their dennes , did infect all the ayre there-abouts wi●h a pestilent evaporation of their owne breath . this he declared to the king , who for the reuocation of his own prayer , 〈◊〉 diuers men to goe out against them and kill them : who likewise performed the same , and so cleered the way from that annoyance . and thus wee see another story of dragons slaine by men heer ( vnto may be ) added , how hercules when he was a child and in his cradle , slewe two dragons , as pindarus relateth . and the gorcyreans did worship diomede's for killing of a dragon● donatus a holy bishop in germanie , finding a dragon to lye secretly hid beside a bridge killing men , oxen , horse , sheepe , and goates , he came boldly vnto him in the name of christ , and when the dragon opened his mouth to deuoure him , the holy bishop spetting into his mouth killed him . when orpheus was in hawking , and while hee intended his sport , suddainely a dragon set vppon him , but his hawking spaniels or dogges released him of that danger , for they tore the dragon in peeces . many such other stories i could relate , but i spare them heere , because i haue handled them in the beginning of this story : and so i passe ouer the slaughter of dragons by men , and come to the slaughter of men by dragons , which are breefely these that follow . petrus damianus declareth of a certaine husband-man , who rising early in the morning and trauelling by the way side , saw a great dragon lye still vppon the earth without motion , he beeing weary , thought him to be a trunck of some tree , wherefore hee satedowne vpon him , and the beast endured him a little while , but at the last hee turned his head in anger , and swallowed him vp . after that the graecians fained as though they would goe away from troy , and synon the traytour was receiued by the troyans into the cittie , there were two dragons which slew the sonnes of laocoon as they landed in the iland porey , charibeae and chalidnae , which is thus described by virgill . at gemini lapsu delubra ad summa dracones effugiunt , saeveque petunt tritonidos arcem , subpedibusque deaeclypeique suborbe teguntur : tum verò tremefact a novus per pectora cunctis insinuat pauor et scelus expendisse merentem , laocoonta ferunt , sacrum qui cuspide robor laeserit . &c. which may be englished thus ; two dragons slide , and to the toppe of temple flie , making their way vnto the fort of tritons seirce , vnder the goddesse feete and shield , in circle downe they lie , what feare did mortall breast possesse then cannot i rehearse : for then lacoon did beginne to think on 's former sin , when he did harme the sacred thing by thrusting speare within . about the temple of iupiter nemeus , there is a groue of cypresse trees , among which there is a place wherein a dragon did destroy opheltes , when hee was laid vnder a greene bush by his nurse . there is a prouerbe , bonos viros vel á mure morderi , malis ne draconem dentes audere admoliri : that is to say , euery mouse will bite a good man , but euill men are not touched with the teeth of dragons . alciatus hath a pretty emblem , whose title is , ex arduis perpetuum nomen , from difficult things and great labours , ariseth immortall fame : wherein he pictureth a dragon following young sparrowes to take and eate them . his verses in latine are these : crediderat platani ramis sua pignora passer . et bene , ni saeuo visa , dracone forent glutijt hic pullos omnes , miseramque parentem saxus & tali dignus obire nece . haec , nisi mentitur calchas , monimenta laboris sunt longi , cuius fama perennis eat . which may be thus englished ; to plantine-leaues the sparrow did her young commit , and safe enough , had not the dragon them espied , hee eate the young ones all , the damme with sannes destroyde , well worthy such a death , of life to be denied : this is by calchas said , a type of labour long , whose fame eternall liues in euery tongue . there be certaine beasts called dracontopides , very great and potent serpents , vvhose faces are like to the faces of virgins , and the residue of their body like to dragons . it is thought that such a one was the serpent that deceiued eue , for beda saith it had a virgins countenaunce , and therfore the woman seeing the likenes of her owne face , was the more easily drawne to belieue it : into the which when the deuill had entred , they say he taught it to couer the body with leaues , and to shew nothing but the head and face . but this fable is not worthy to be refuted , because the scripture it selfe dooth directly gaine-say euerie part of it . for first of all it is called a serpent , and if it had beene a dragon , moses vvould haue said so , and therefore for ordinary punishment , god doth appoint it to creepe vpon the belly , wherefore it is not likely that it had either winges or feete . secondly , it was vnpossible and vnlikely , that any part of the body was couered or conceited from the sight of the woman , seeing she knew it directly to be a serpent , as afterward shee confessed before god and her husband . there be also certaine little dragons called in arabia , vesga , and in catalonia , dragons of houses , these when they bite , leaue their teeth behind them , so as the wound neuer ceaserh swelling as long as the teeth remaine therein , and therefore for the better cure thereof , the teeth are drawne forth , and so the wound will soone be healed . and thus much for the hatred betwixt men and dragons , now we will proceede to other creatures . the greatest discord is betwixt the eagle and the dragon , for the vultures , eagles , swannes and dragons , are enemies one to another . the eagles when they shake theyr winges , make the dragons afraide with their ratling noyse , then the dragon hideth himselfe within his den , so that he neuer fighteth but in the ayre , eyther when the eagle hath taken away his young ones , and he to recouer them flieth aloft after her , or else whē the eagle meeteth him in her nest , destroying her egges and young ones : for the eagle deuoureth the dragons and little serpents vpon earth , and the dragons againe and serpents doe the like against the eagles in the ayre . yea many times the dragon attempteth to take away the prey out of the eagles talants , both on the ground and in the ayre , so that there ariseth betwixt them a very hard and dangerous fight , which is in this manner described by ni●ander . hunc petit invisum magni iouis armiger hostem , cumque genis parat acre suis ex aethere bellum : pascentem in siluis quam primum viderit quod totos ferus is nidos cum mitibus ouis , et simul ipsa terens , et vastans pignora perdat . non timet hoc serpens , imò quodam impete dumis prosiliens , ipsamque , aquilam , leporemque tenellum ex trahit ex rapidis vifraudeque fortior vncis . cauta malum declinat auis , fit ibi aspera pugna , vt queat extortam victor sibi tollere praedam . sed frustra elapsam , et volitantem hinc inde volucrem insequitur , longos sinuum contractus in orbes , obliquoque leuans sursum sua lumina visu . which may be englished thus ; when as the eagle , ioues great bird , did see her enemy , sharpe warre in th' ayre with beake she did prepare gainst serpent feeding in the wood , after espy cause it her egges and young fiercely in peeces tare . the serpent not afraid of this , leapes out of thornes with force vpon the eagle , holding tender hare , out of her talants by fraude and force more strong , that takes and snatches despight her enemies feare . but wary bird auoydes the force , and so they fight amaine , that victor one of them might ioy the prey alone , the flying fowle by winding snake is hunted all in vaine , though vp and downe his nimble eyes this and that way be gone . in the next place we are to consider the enmitie that is betwixt dragons & elephants , for so great is their hatred one to the other , that in ethyopia the greatest dragons haue no other name but elephant-killers . among the indians also the same hatred remaineth , against whom the dragons haue many subtile inuentions : for besides the great length of their bodies , where-withall they claspe and begirt the body of the elephant , continually byting of him vntill he fall downe dead , and in the which fall they are also bruzed to peeces ; for the safegard of themselues they haue this deuice . they get and hide themselues in trees , couering their head , and letting the other part hang downe like a rope : in those trees they watch vntill the elephant come to eate and croppe of the branches , then suddainly before he be aware ; they leape into his face , and digge out his eyes , then doe they claspe themselues about his necke , and with their tayles or hinder parts , beate and vexe the elephant , vntill they haue made him breathelesle , for they strangle him with theyr fore-parts , as they beate them with the hinder , so that in this combat they both perrish : and this is the disposition of the dragon , that he neuer setteth vpon the elephant , but with the aduantage of the place , and namely from some high tree or rocke . sometimes againe a multitude of dragons doe together obserue the pathes of the elephants , and crosse those pathes they tye together their tailes as it were in knots , so that when the elephant commeth along in them , they insnare his legges , and suddainly leape vppe to his eyes , for that is the part they ayme aboue all other , which they speedily pull out , and so not beeing able to doe him any more harme , the poore beast deliuereth himselfe from present death by his owne strength , and yet through his blindnesse receiued in that combat , hee perrisheth by hunger , because hee cannot choose his meate by smelling , but by his eye-sight . there is no man liuing that is able to giue a sufficient reason of this contrariety in nature betwixt the elephant & the dragon , although many men haue laboured their wits , and strayned their inuentions to finde out the true causes thereof , but all in vaine , except this be one that followeth . the elephants blood is saide to be the coldest of all other beasts , and for this cause it is thought by most writers , that the dragons in the sommer time doe hide themselues in great plenty in the waters where the elephant commeth to drinke , and then suddenly they leape vppe vppon his eares , because those places cannot be defended with his truncke , and there they hang fast , and sucke out all the blood of his body , vntill such time as hee poore beast through faintnesse fall downe and die , and they beeing drunke with his blood , doe likewise perrish in the fall . the gryffins are likewise said to fight with the dragons and ouer-come them . the panther also is an enemy vnto the dragons , and driueth them many times into theyr dennes . there is a little bird called captilus , by eating of which the dragon refresheth himselfe when he is wearied in hunting of other beasts . and to conclude , he is an enemy vnto all kinde of beastes , both wilde and tame , as may appeare by these verses of lucan , where he saith ; — arment aque tota secuti , rumpit is ingentes amplexi verbere tauros : nec tutus spacio est elephas . which may be englished thus ; and following close the heards in fielde , great bulls with force of might , and elephants are made to yeelde by dragons valiant sprite . in the next place i will passe vnto the poyson and venome of dragons , omitting all poeticall discourses about the worshipping and transmutation of dragons from one kind to another , such as are the haires of orpheus , or the teeth of the dragon which cadmus slew , into armed-men , and such like fables , which haue no shew nor apparance of truth , but are onely the inuentions of men , to vtter those things in obscure termes , which they were afraid to doe in plaine speeches . it is a question whether dragons haue any venom or poyson in them , for it is thought that he hurteth more by the wound of his teeth , then by his poyson . yet in deuteron . . moses speaketh of them as if they had poyson , saying : their wine is as the poyson of dragons , and the cruell venome of aspes . so also heliodorus speaketh of certaine weapons dipped in the poyson of dragons . for which cause wee are to consider , that they wanting poyson in themselues , become venomous two maner of wayes : first by the place wherin they liue , for in the hoter countries they are more apt to doe harme then in the colder and more temperate , which caused the poet in his verses to write of them in this manner following ; vos quoque qui cunct is innoxi numina terris serpitis aurato nitidifulgore dracones , pestiferos ardens facit affrica : ducit is altam aëra cum pennis . &c. which may be englished in this manner ; you shining dragons creeping on the earth , which fiery affrick yeeldes with skinne like gold , yet pestilent by hote infecting breath , mounted with wings in th' ayre we doe behold . so that which is spoken of the poyson of dragons infecting the ayre wherein they liue , is to be vnderstood of the met●or called draco volans , a fire-drake , which doth manie times destroy the fruites of the earth , seeming to be a certaine burning fire in the ayre , sometime on the sea , and sometime on the land , whereof i haue heard this credible storie from men of good worth and reputation , happening about some twelue yeeres agoe , vpon the westerne-seas , vpon the coastes of england , which because it is well worthy to be kept in rememberance of all posteritie , and containeth in it a notable worke of god , i haue thought good to sette it downe in this place . there was an olde fisher-man which with his two hyred seruaunts went forth to take fish , according to his accustomed manner and occupation , and hauing layd theyr nettes , watched them earnestly to finde the bootie they came for , and so they continued in theyr labour vntill mid-night or there abouts , taking nothing . at the last there came by them a fire-drake , at the sight whereof the old-man beganne to be much troubled and afrayde , telling his seruaunts , that those sights sildome pretended any good , and therefore prayed god to turne away all euill from them , and withall , willed his seruaunts to take vp their nettes , least they did all repent it afterward ; for he said he had knowne much euill follow such apparitions . the young men his seruaunts comforted him , telling him there was no cause of feare , and that they had already committed themselues into the handes of almightie god , vnder whose protection they would tarry vntil they had taken some fish : the old man rested contented with their confidence , and rather yeelded vnto them , then was perswaded by them . a little while after , the fire-drake came againe , and compassed round about the boate , and ranne ouer the nettes , so that new f●ares , and more violent passions then before , possessed both the old-man and his seruaunts . wherefore they then resolued to tarie no longer , but hasted to take vp their nettes , and to be gone . and taking vppe theyr nettes , at one place they did hang so fast as without breaking they could not pull them out of the water , wher●fore they sette theyr grabbe-hookes vnto them to loose them , for the day before they remembred that a shippe was cast away in the same place , and therefore they thought that it might be the nettes were hanged vppon some of the tacklings thereof : and therein they were not much deceiued , for it happened that finding the place where-vppon the net did stay , they pulled and found some difficultie to remoue it , but at last they pulled it vp , and found it to be a chayre of beaten gold . at the sight hereof their spirits were a little reuiued , because they had attayned so rich a bootie , and yet like men burdened with wealth , ( especially the old-man , ) conceiued newe feares , and wished hee were on land , least some storme should fall , and lay both it and them , the second time in the bottome of the sea. so great is the impression of feare , and the naturall presage of euill , in men that knowe but little in things to come , that many times they proue true prophets of their owne destruction , although they haue little reason till the moment of perrill come vppon them : and so it fell out accordingly in this old-man , for whilst hee feared death by stormes and tempests on the sea , it came vpon him , but by another way and meanes . for behold the deuill entred into the harts of his two seruants , & they conspired together to kill the old-man their maister , that so betweene themselues they might be owners of that great rich chayre , the value whereof ( as they conceiued ) might make them gentlemen , and maintaine them in some other country all the dayes of their life . for such was the resolution that they conceiued vpon the present , that it would not be safe for them to retu●ne home againe af●er the fact committed , least they should be apprehended for murder , as they iustlie deserued , theyr maister beeing so made away by them . the deuill that had put this wicked motion into their mindes , gaue them likewise prespan●nt opportunitie to put the same in execution , depriuing them of all grace , pitty , and pietie , still thrusting them forward to performe the same . so that not giuing him any warning of his death , one of them in most sauage and cruell manner dashed out his braines , and the other speedily cast him into the sea. and thus the feare of this old-man , conceiued without all reason , except superstition for the sight of a fire-drake , came vpon him in a more bloody manner then hee expected : but life suspected itselfe , and rumors of perrill vnto guiltie consciences , ( such as all wee mortall men beare ) are many times as forcible as the sentence of a iudge to the hart of the condemned prisoner , and therefore it vvere happy that either we could not feare , except when the causes are certaine , or else that wee might neuer perrish but vpon premonition . and therefore i conclude with the example of this man , that it is not good to holde a superstitious feare , least god see it , and beeing angry there-with , bring vppon vs the euill which wee feare . but this is not the end of the story , for that fire-drake , ( as by the sequell appeareth ) prooued as euill to the seruaunts , as he did to the maister . these two sonnes of the deuill , made thus rich by the death of their maister , foorth-with they sayled towards the coasts of fraunce , but first of all they broke the chayre in peeces , and wrapped it vppe in one of theyr nettes , making account that it was the best fish that euer was taken in that net , and so they layde it in one end of theyr barcke or fisher-boate . and thus they laboured all that night and the next day , till three or foure of the clocke , at what time they espied a port of brittaine , whereof they were exceeding gladde , by reason that they were wearie , hungry , and thirstie with long labour , alvvaies rich in their owne conceit by the gold which they had gotten , which had so drawne their harts from god , as they could not feare any thought of his iudgement ; and finallie it so blinded theyr eyes , and stopped theyr eares , that they did not see the vengeance that followed them , nor heare the cry of theyr maisters-blood . wherefore , as they were thus reioycing at the sight of land , behold they suddainely espyed a man-of-warre comming towards them , whereat they were appalled , and beganne to thinke with themselues that theyr rich hopes were now at an end , and they had laboured for other , but yet resolued to die rather then to suffer the bootie to be taken from them . and while they thus thought , the man-of-warre approched and hailed them , summoning them to come in and shew what they were : they refused , making forward as fast to the land as they could . wherefore the man-of-warre shot certaine muskets at them , and not preuailing , nor they yeelding , sent after them his long-boate , vppon the enterance whereof they fought manfully against the assaylants , vntill one of them vvas slaine , and the other mortallie wounded ; who seeing his fellow kild , & himselfe not like , lie to liue , yet in enuy against his enemy , ranne presently to the place where the chayre lay in the nette , and lyfting the same vp with all his might , cast it from him into the sea , instantly falling downe after that fact , as one not able through weakenesse to stand any longer , wherevppon he was taken , and before his life left him , hee related the whole storie to them that tooke him , earnestly desiring thē to signifie so much into england , which they did accordingly : and as i haue heard , the whole story was printed , & so this second history of the punishment of murder , i haue related in this place , by occasion of the fire-drake , in the history of the dragon . a second cause why poyson is supposed to be in dragons , is for that they often feede vppon many venomous rootes , and therfore theyr poyson sticketh in theyr teeth , where-vppon many times the partie bytten by them , seemeth to be poysoned ; but this falleth out accidentally , not from the nature of the dragon , but from the nature of the meate which the dragon eateth . and this is it which homer knewe and affirmed in his verses , when hee described a dragon making his denne neere vnto the place where many venomous rootes and herbes grew , and by eating whereof , hee greatly annoyeth man-kinde when hee byteth them . os de drokoon espi xein oresteros andra menesi bebrocos kaka pharmaka . which may be thus englished ; and the dragon which by men remaines , eates euill herbes without deadly paines . and therefore elianus saith well , that when the dragon meaneth to doe most harme to men , he eateth deadly poysonfull herbes , so that if he bite after them , many not knowing the cause of the poyson , and seeing or feeling venome by it , doe attribute that to his nature which doth proceede from his meate . besides his teeth which bite deepe , he also killeth with his tayle , for bee will so be-girt and pinch in the body , that hee doth gripe it to death , and also the strokes of it are so strong , that either they kill thereby foorth-with , or else wound greatly with the same , so that the strokes of his tayle , are more deadly then the byting of his teeth ; which caused nicander to write thus ; nec tamen ille graues , vt caetera turba , doloris si velit , infixo cum forte momorderit ore , suscitat : exiguus non noxia vulner a punctus ( qui ceu rodentes noctu quaeque obvia muris ) in fligit , modicum tenui dat plaga cruorem . which may be thus englished ; nor yet he when with his angry mouth doth byte , such paines and torments bringeth as other serpents , if auncients tell the truth , when with his teeth and speare he stingeth : for as the holes which byting-myse doe leaue , when in the night they light vpon a prey , so small are dragons-byts which men receiue , and harmelesse wound makes blood to runne away . their mouth is small , and by reason thereof they cannot open it wide to byte deepe , so as their byting maketh no great paine ; and those kind of dragons which do principallie fight with eagles , are defended more with their tayles then with their teeth : but yet there are some other kind of dragons , whose teeth are like the teeth of beares , byting deepe , and opening theyr mouth wide , where-withall they breake bones , and make many bruses in the body , and the males of this kinde byte deeper then the famales , yet there followeth no great paine vpon the wound . the cure hereof , is like to the cure for the byting of any other beast wherin there is no venome , and for this cause there must be nothing applyed there-vnto which cureth venomous bytings , but rather such things as are ordinary in the cure of euery vlcer . the seede of grasse , commonly called hay-dust , is prescribed against the byting of dragons . the barble beeing rubbed vppon the place where a scorpion of the earth , a spyder , a sea or land-dragon byteth , doth perfectly cure the same . also the heade of a dogge or dragon which hath bytten any one , beeing cutte off and fleyed , and applyed to the wound with a little euphorbium , is said to cure the wound speedily . and if albedisimon be the same that is a dragon , then according to the opinion of auicen , the cure of it must be very present , as in the cure of vlcers . and if alhatraf & haudem be of the kind of dragons , then after theyr byting there followeth great coldnes and stupiditie ; and the cure thereof must be the same meanes which is obserued in colde poysons . for which cause , the wound or place bitten , must be embrewed or washed with luke-warme vineger , and emplaistered with the leaues of bay , annoynted with the oyle of herbe - mary , and the oyle of wilde-pellitory , or such things as are drawne out of those oyles , wherein is the vertue of nettles , or sea-onyons . but those thinges which are giuen vnto the patient to drinke , must be the iuyce of bay-leaues in vineger , or else equall portions of myrrhe , pepper , and rewe in wine , the powder or dust whereof , must be the full vveight of a golden-groat , or as we say , a french-crovvne . in the next place , for the conclusion of the history of the dragon , we will take our farewell of him in the recitall of his medicinall vertues , which are briefely these that follow . first , the fatte of a dragon dryed in the sunne , is good against creeping vlcers : and the same mingled with hony and oyle , helpeth the dimnesse of the eyes at the beginning . the head of a dragon keepeth one from looking a squint : and if it be sette vp at the gates and dores , it hath beene thought in auncient time to be very fortunate to the sincere worshippers of god. the eyes beeing kept till they be stale , and afterwards beate into an oyle with hony and made into an oyntment , keepe any one that vseth it from the terrour of night-visions and apparisions . the fatte of a hart in the skinne of a roe , bound with the nerues of a hart vnto the shoulder , was thought to haue a vertue to fore-shew the iudgement of victories to come . the first spindle by bearing of it , procureth an easie passage for the pacification of higher powers . his teeth bound vnto the feete of a roe , with the nerues of a hart , haue the same power . but of all other , there is no folly comparable to the composition which the magitians draw out of a dragon to make one invincible , and that is this . they take the head and tayle of a dragon , with the hayres out of the fore-head of a lyon , and the marrow of a lyon , the spume or white mouth of a conquering horse , bound vppe in a harts-skinne , together with a clawe of a dogge , and fastned with the crosse nerues or sinew of a hart , or of a roe ; they say that this hath as much power to make one invincible , as hath anie medicine or remedy whatsoeuer . the fatte of dragons is of such vertue that it driueth away venomous beastes . it is also reported , that by the tongue or gall of a dragon sodde in wine , men are deliuered from the spirits of the night , called incubi and succubi , or else night-mares . but aboue all other parts , the vse of theyr blood is accounted most notable . but whether the cynnabaris be the same which is made of the blood of the dragons and elephants , collected from the earth when the dragon and the elephant fall downe dead together , accordings as pliny deliuereth , i will not heere dispute , seeing it is already done in the story of the elephant : neither will i write any more of this matter in this place , but onely referre the reader vnto that which hee shall finde written thereof in the history of our former booke of foure-footed-beastes . and if that satisfie him not , let him read langius in the first booke of his epistles , and sixtie-fiue epistle , where that learned man doth abundantly satisfie all men concerning this question , that are studious of the truth , and not prone to contention . and to conclude , andreas baluacensis writeth , that the blood-stone , called the haematite , is made of the dragons blood : and thus i will conclude the history of the dragon , with this storie following out of porphyrius , concerning the good successe which hath beene signified vnto men and women , eyther by the dreames or sight of dragons . mammea the mother of alexander seuerus the emperour , the night before his birth , dreamed that she brought forth a little dragon , so also did olympia the mother of alexander the great , and pomponya , the mother of scipio affricanus . the like prodigie gaue augustus hope that he should be emperor . for when his mother actia came in the night time vnto the temple of apollo , and had sette downe her bedde or couch in the temple among other matrons , suddainely shee fell asleepe , and in her sleepe , shee dreamed that a dragon came to her , and clasped about her bodie , and so departed without dooing her any harme . afterwards the print of a dragon remained perpetually vppon her belly , so as shee neuer durst any more be seene in any bath . the emperour tyberius caesar , had a dragon which hee daily fedde with his owne handes , and nourished like good fortune , at the last it happened that this dragon was defaced with the byting of emmets , and the former beautie of his body much obscured : wherefore the emperour grewe greatly amazed thereat , & demaunding a reason thereof of the wisemen , hee was by them admonished to beware the insurrection of the common people . and thus with these stories , representing good and euill by the dragon , i will take my leaue of this good and euill serpent . of the dryine . there be some that confound this serpent with the water-snake , and say it is none other then that which of auncient time vvas called hidrus , for so long as they liue in the water , they are called hidri , that is , snakes of the water , but when once they come to the land , they are called chelidri and chersydri : but it is certaine that the chelidrus , is different from the chersydrus , by the strong smell and sauour which it carrieth with it wheresoeuer it goeth , according to these verses made of vmbo the priest in virgill . viperio generi et grauiter spirantibus hydris spargere qui somnos cantuque manuque solebat . which may be englished thus ; who could by song and hand bring into deadly sleepe all kind of vipers , with snakes smelling strong and deepe . which beeing compared with that instruction which hee giueth to shepheards , teaching them how to driue away the strong-smelling-serpents from the foldes , hee calleth them chelydri when he writeth in this manner . disce et odoratam stabulis accendere cedrum galbanioque agitare graues nidore chelydros . that is to say in english thus ; learne how to driue away strong smelling cheliders from folds , by galbanum and sauourie cedars . so that it is cleere that these dryines are the same which are called chelydri , vvho doe stincke on the face of the earth , whereby they are oftentimes disclosed although they be not seene : howbeit , some thinke that this filthy sauour doth not proceede from any fume or smoake comming out of their bodies , but rather from their motion , according to the opinion of macer in these following verses . seu terga ex pirant spumantia virus seu terra fumat quateter labitur anguis . which may be englished in this manner ; whether their foming backs that smell doe send abroade such poyson pestilent , or whether th' earth whereon this snake full fell doth slyde , yeeldes that vnwholsome scent . it is sayd that these dryines doe liue in the bottome or rootes of oakes , where they make their nestes , for which cause they be called querculi , as if they were deriued from an oake , which caused the countrey-people to call it dendrogailla , which signifieth the male and female in this kind : being bred onely in one part of affricke , and in hel●spont , and there be of them two kinds , one of the length of two cubits , being very fat & round , and very sharp scales ouer the backe ; and they are called druinae of drus , that signifieth an oake , because they liue in bottome of oakes : & they are also called chelydri , because of their sharp skinnes or scales , for it is the manner of the latins and the graecians , to call the hard and rough skinne of the body of man and beast , by the name of chellydra : and i take the serpents cylmdri , to be the same that the dryines be . within the scales of this serpent there are bred certaine flyes with yellow winges , as yellow as any brasse , the which flyes at length do cate and destroy the serpent that breedeth them . the colour of theyr backe is blackish , and not white as some haue thought , and the sauour or smell comming from them like to the smell of a horses hide , wet as it commeth out of the pit , to be shauen by the hand of the tawyer or glouer . and bellonius writeth , that he neuer saw any serpent greater then this dryine which hee calleth dendrozailla , nor any that hisseth stronger ; for he affirmeth , that one of these put into a sacke , was more then a strong country-man could carry two miles together without setting it downe and resting . and likewise he saith , that he saw a skinne of one of these stuffed with hayre , which did equall in quantity the legge of a great man. the head of this beast is broad and flat , and olaus magnus writeth , that many times , and in many places of the north , about the beginning of summer , these serpents are found in great companies vnder oakes , one of them beeing their head or captaine , who is known by a white crest or comb on the top of his crowne , whom all the residue do follow , as the bees doe their king and captaine . and these by the relation of old men are thought to beget a certaine stone , by their mutable breathing vpon some venomous matter , found in the trees leaues , or earth where they abide : for they abide not onely in the rootes , but in the hollow bodies of the trees , and sometimes for their meate and foode , they leaue their habitation , and discend into the fennes and marshes to hunt frogges : and if at any time they bee assaulted with the horse-flye , they instantly returne backe againe into their former habitation . when they goe vppon the earth , they go directly or straight , for if they should wind themselues to run , they would make an offensiue noyse , or rather yeeld a more offensiue smell : according to these verses of the poet lucan ; natrix & ambiguae coleret qui syrtidos arua chersidros , tractique via fumante chellidri : in english thus ; the snake which haunt the doubtfull syrtes sands , and chelyders by slyding fume on lands . georgius fabricius writeth , that he saw in the temple of bacchus at rome , a company of drūken men dancing , leading a male goat for sacrifice , hauing snakes in their mouths , which snakes prudentius the christian poet calleth chellidri , that is dryines in these verses following ; — baccho caper omnibus aris craeditur , & virides discindunt ore chellydros , qui bromium placare volunt , quod et ebria iam tu●… ante occulos regis satyrorum insania fecit . in english thus : a goat to bacchus on euery alter lyes , while sacrificers teare dryines in peeces small by force of teeth , and that before the eyes of satyres king , mad-drunke they fall . the nature of this serpent is very venemous and hot , and therefore it is worthily placed among the first degree or ranke of serpentes , for the smell thereof dooth so stupifie a man , as it doth near strangle him , for nature refuseth to breath , rather thē to draw in such a filthy ayre . and so pestilent is the nature of this beast , that it maketh the skin of the body of a man hurt by it , loose , stinking , and rotten : the eyes to be blind and full of paine , it restraineth the vrine , and if it come vpon a man sleeping , it causeth often neezing , and maketh to vomit bloudy matter . if a man tread vpon it at vnawares , although it neither sting nor bite him , yet it causeth his legges to swell , and his foote to loose the skinne thereof : and that which is more strange , it is reported , that when a physition cured the hand of one bitten by this serpent , the skinne of his hand also came off , and whosoeuer killeth one of these , if once he smell the sauour of it , whatsoeuer he smelleth afterwardes , he still thinketh it smelleth of the dryine . and therefore most pestilent must this serpent needs be , which killeth both by touching and smelling . when it hath wounded or bitten , there followeth a blacke or redde swelling about the sore , also a vehement pain ouer all the body through the speedy disp●rsing of the poyson ; also pustules or little wheales , madnes , drinesse of the body , and intollerable thirst , trembling and mortification of the members wounded , whereof many dye . the ●nre is like to the cure of vipers , and besides it is good to take hart-wort drunke in wine , or triffolly , or the rootes of daffadill . acornes of all kind of oakes , are profitable against this poyson , being beaten to powder and drunke . and thus much shall suffice for this serpent . of the serpents called elephants . there be also serpents called elephants , because whomsoeuer they bite , they infect with a kind of a leprosie , and i know not whether the serpent elops , elopis , and laphiati be the same , but because i find no matter worthy in them to be spoken of , and they are strangers in our country , the reader must bee contented with their bare names without further description . of frogges . frogges are called by the hebrewes zab , zephardea , vrdeana , & vrdea akruka , & maskar . by the arabians hardun , difdah , disphoa , difdapha , altahaul . by the graecians batrachos : whereof commeth the corrupted word brackatas , and garazum . lalages and kemberoie , signifieth greene frogges . the italians and spaniards call it rana , by the latine word . the french grenouille . the germans frosch , and frosche , and grassfrosch , for a greene frog . the flemmings vrosch , and vruesch , and piuit . the illirians & polonians zaba , by a word deriued from the haebrew . it it some question from whence the word rana is deriued , & because of much controuersie whether it hath receiued name , because it liueth on the land & in the water , or frō the croaking voyce which it vseth : i will not trouble the english reader with that discourse , onely i am assured , that the word frog in english , is deriued from the german word frosch , as many other english wordes are deriued besides the common name of many frogs . homer in his commedy of the fight betwixt frogs and mise called batrachomiomachia , hath deuised many proper names for frogs , such as these are ; lyninocharis , gracediet , peleus , dust-liuer : hidromedousa , water-haunter : phusignathos , nature-cryer : hypsiboas , loud-cryer : leuthaios , lowe-liuer : poluphonos , great labourer : krambophagos , brasile-eater : lymnesios , poole-keeper : kalaminthios , mint-eater : hidrocharis , water-child : borborokoïtes , noise-maker : prassaphogos , grasse-eater : pelauseas , dust-creeper : pelobates , dust-leaper : krawgasides , drought-hater : prassaios , grasse-greene : and such other like , according to the witty inuention of the author , all which i thought good to name in this place , as belonging to this history . in the next place wee are to consider the diuersity and kindes of frogges , as they are distinguished by the place of their abode : for the greatest difference is drawn from thence ; some of them therefore are water-frogges , and some are frogges of the land : the water-frogges liue both in the water and on the land , in marshes , standing-pooles , running streames , and bankes of ryuers , but neuer in the sea ; and therefore rana marina is to be vnderstood of a fish , and not a frog , as massarius hath learnedly prooued against marcellus . the frogs of the land are distinguished by their liuing in gardens , in meddows , in hollow rockes , and among fruites : all which seuerall differences shall be afterward expressed , with their pictures in their due places : here onely i purpose to talke of the vulgar and common frogge , whose picture with her young one is formerly expressed . besides these differ in generation : for some of them are engendered by carnall copulation , & some of the slime and rottennesse of the earth . some are of a greene colour , and those are eaten in germany and in flanders ; some againe are yellow , and some of an ashe-colour , some spotted , and some blacke , and in outward forme and fashion they resemble a toad , but yet they are without venome , and the female is alwaies greater then the male : when the aegyptians will signifie an impudent man , and yet one that hath a good quicke sight , they picture a frogge , because he liueth continually in the mire , and hath no bloud in his body , but about his eyes . the tongue is proper to this kinde , for the fore-part thereof cleaueth to the mouth , as in a fish , and the hinder part to the throat , by which he sendeth forth his voyce : and this is to bee vnderstood , that all frogges are mute and drunke , except the greene frogs , and the frogs of the water , for these haue voyces . and many times the voyces of frogs proceedeth from the nature of the countreyes wherein they liue : for once all the frogges in macedonia and cyrenia , were drunke , vntill there were some brought thither out of some other countries , as at this day the frogges of seriphus are all drunke , whereuppon came the prouerb , batrachos ec seriphou , a frogge of seriphus , because the frogs of that countrey doe neuer croake , although you carry them into any other country . this seriphus is one of the islands of the sporades in greece , wherein is the lake called pierius , which doth not runne in the summer , but onely in the winter , and all the frogs which are cast into that lake , are perpetually silent , and neuer vtter their voyce ; whereof there are assigned two causes , one fabulous , and the other true and naturall . the first , the seriphians say , that when perseus returned with the head of medusa , hauing gone very far till he was weary , layd him downe beside that lake to sleep , but the croaking frogs made such a noyse , as he could take no rest : whereat perseus was much offended ; and therefore prayed iupiter to forbid the frogs from crying , who instantly heard his prayer , & inioyned perpetuall silence to the frogs in that water : and this is the fabulous reason , being a meere fiction of the poets . the second and more true reason is that of theophrastus , who saith , that for the coldnesse of the water : the frogs are not able to cry in that place . the voyce of frogges is said by the latinists to bee corare , and by the graecians ololugon , peculiar words to set forth this crying : now because their tongue cleaueth to the pallet of their mouth , and theyr voyce proceedeth but from their throat to their mouth , and the spirit is hindered by the tongue , so as it cannot proceed directly ; therefore it hath two bladders vppon either side of the mouth , one which it filleth with wind , and from thence proceedeth the voyce . now when it croaketh , it putteth his head out of the water , holding the neather lip euen with the water , and the vpper lip aboue the water : and this is the voyce of the male prouoking the female to carnall copulation . they haue but very small lungs , & those without bloud , ful of froth like to al other creatures of the water , which do lay egges , and for this cause they do neuer thirst : wherefore also sea-calues and frogges are able to liue long vnder the water . they haue a double liuer , and a very small melt , their legges behind are long , which maketh them apt to leape ; before they are shorter , hauing deuided clawes which are ioyned together , with a thinne broad skinne , that maketh them more apt to swimme . the most place of their abode is in fennes , or in warme waters , or in fish-pooles : but yellow and ashe-coloured frogs abide in riuers , lakes , and standing pooles , but in the winter time they all hyde themselues in the earth . and therefore it is not true that pliny saith , that in the vvinter time they are resolued into slyme , and in summer they resume againe their first bodyes , for they are to be seene many times in the winter ; especially in those waters that are neuer frozen , as agrecolaana mathiolus , hath soundly obserued , and they haue beene seene in certaine running streames , holding small fishes in their mouths , as it were sucking meat out of them . sometimes they enter into their holes in autumne , before winter , and in the spring time come out againe . when with their croaking voyces the male prouoketh the femall to carnall copulatiō , which he performeth not by the mouth ( as some haue thought ) but by couering her backe : the instrument of geneneration meeting in the hinder parts , and this they performe in the night season , nature teaching them the modesty or shamefastnesse of this action : and besides , in that time they haue more security to giue themselues to mutuall imbraces , because of a generall quietnesse , for men and all other their aduersaries are then at sleepe and rest . after their copulation in the waters , there appeareth a thicke ielly , out of which the young one is found . but the land-frogges are ingendered out of egges , of whom wee discourse at this present ; and therefore they both suffer copulation , lay their egges , and bring forth young ones on the land . when the egge breaketh or is hatched , there commeth forth a little black thing like a peece of flesh , which the latines call gyrini , from the greeke word gyrrinos , hauing no visible part of a liuing creature vpon them , besides their eyes and their tailes , and within short space after their feet are formed , and their taile deuided into two parts , which taile becommeth their hinder legs : wherefore the aegyptians when they would describe a man that cannot moue himselfe , and afterwardes recouereth his motion , they decypher him by a frog , hauing his hinder legges . the heads of these young gyrini , which we call in english horse-nailes , because they resemble a horse-naile in their similitude , whose head is great , and the other part small , for with his taile he swimmeth . after may they grow to haue feete , and if before that time they bee taken out of the water , they dye , then they beginne to haue foure feete . and first of all they are of a blacke colour and round , and heereof came the prouetbe , rana gyrina sapientior , wiser then a horse-naile ; because through the roudndnesse and rolubility of his body , it turneth it selfe with wonderfull celerity , which way soeuer it pleaseth . these young ones are also called by the graecians moluridae , brutichoi , and batrachida , but the latines haue no name for it , except ranunculus , or rana nascens . and it is to be remembred , that one frogge layeth an innumerable company of egges , which cleaue together in the water , in the middle whereof she her selfe lodgeth . and thus much may suffice for the ordinary procreation of frogges by generation out of egges . in the next place i must also shew how they are likewise ingendered out of the dust of the earth by warme , aestiue , and summer shevvers , whose life is short , and there is no vse of them . aelianus saith , that as he trauailed out of italy into naples , he saw diuers frogges by the way neere putoli , whose forepart and head did mooue and creepe , but their hinder part was vnformed , and like to the slyme of the earth , which caused ouid to write thus ; semina limus habet virides generantia ranas , et generat truncas pedibus & eodem corpore saepe altera pars viuit , rudis est pars altera tellus . that is to say ; durt hath his seede ingendring frogs full greene , yet so as feetlesse without legs on earth they lye , so as a wonder vnto passengers is seene , one part hath life , the other earth full dead is nye . and of these frogs it is that pliny was to be vnderstood , when he saith , that frogs in the winter time are resolued into slyme , and in the summer they recouer their life and substaunce againe . it is certaine also , that sometime it raineth frogs , as may appeare by philarchus and lembus , for lembus writeth thus : once about dardania , and paeonia , it rained frogs in such plentifull measure , or rather prodigious manner , that all the houses and high-waies were filled with them , and the inhabitants did first of all kill them , but afterwards perceiuing no benifit thereby , they shut their doores against them , and stopped vp all their lights to exclude thē out of their houses , leauing no passage open , so much as a frog might creepe into , and yet notwithstanding all this diligence , their meat seething on the fire , or set on the table , could not be free from thē , but continually they found frogs in it , so as at last they were inforced to forsake that countrey . it was likewise reported , that certaine indians & people of arabia , were inforced to forsake their countries through the multitude of frogs . cardan seemeth to find a reason in nature for this raining of frogges , the which for the better satisfaction of the reader , i will here expresse as followeth : fiunt haec omnia ventorum ira , and so forward in his . booke de subtilitate , that is to say ; these prodigious raines of frogs and mice , little fishes and stones , and such like thinges is not to be wondered at : for it commeth to passe by the rage of the winds in the tops of the mountaines , or the vppermost part of the seas , which many times taketh vp the dust of the earth , & congealeth them into stones in the ayre , which afterwards fall downe in raine ; so also doth it take vp frogs and fishes , who beeing aboue in theayre , must needes fall downe againe . sometimes also it taketh vp the egges of frogs and fishes , which beeing kept aloft in the ayre among the whirle-windes , and stormes of shewers , doe there engender and bring forth young ones , which afterwards fall downe vpon the earth , there being no poole for them in the ayre . these and such like reasons are approued among the learned for naturall causes of the prodigious raining of frogs . but we read in holy scripture among the plagues of aegypt , that frogges were sent by god to annoy them ; and therefore whatsoeuer is the materiall cause , it is most certaine that the wrath of god and his almighty hand , is the making or efficient cause , and for the worthinesse of that deuine story , how god maketh and taketh away frogs , i will expresse it as it is left by the holy-ghost , in cap. . exod. verse . also the lord saide vnto moses , say thou vnto aaron , stretch out thy hand with thy rodde vpon the streames , vpon the riuers , and vpon the ponds , and cause frogs to come vpon the land of egypt , ver . . then aaron stretched out his hand vpon the waters of egypt , and the frogs came vp & couered the land of egypt , verse . . and the sorcerers did likewise with their sorceries , and brought frogs vp vpon the land of aegypt . verse . then pharao called for moses & aaron , and said ; pray ye vnto the lord , that he may take away the frogs from mee , and from my people , and i will let the people goe , that they may doe sacrifice to the lord , verse . and moses saide vnto pharao , concerning me , commaund when i shall pray for thee and thy seruants , and for thy people , to destroy the frogges from thee , and from thy houses , that they may remaine in the riuer onely , verse . then he said tomorrow , & he answered , be it as thou hast said , that thou mayst know that there is none like the lord our god. verse . so the frogges shall depart from thee , and from thy houses , & from thy people , and from thy seruants onely , they shall remaine in the riuer . verse . then moses & aaron went out from pharao , & moses cryed vnto the lord concerning the frogs which he had sent vnto pharao . ver . . and the lord did according to the saying of moses , so the frogs dyed in the houses , and in the townes , and in the fieldes . ver . . and they gathered them together by heapes , and the land stanke of them , &c. and this was the second plague of aegypt , wherein the lord turned all the fishes into frogges , ( as the booke of wisedome saith ) and the frogs abounded in the kinges chamber : and notwithstanding this great iudgement of god for the present , pharao would not let the people goe , and afterwardes that blind superstitious nation became worshippers of frogges , ( as philastrias writeth ) thinking by this deuotion , or rather wickodnesse in this obseruant manner , to pacifie the wrath of god , choosing their owne wayes before the word of almighty god : but vain is that worship which is inuented without heauenly warrant , and better it is to bee obedient to the will of god , then goe about to please him with the cogitations of men , although in their pretended holinesse wee spend much time , wealth , and bloud . there was one cypselus the father of periander , who by his mother was hidde in a chest called kypsele , to be preserued from the handes of certaine murtherers , which were sent to kill him . wherefore afterwards the said cypselus consecrated a house at delphos to apollo , because he heard his crying when he was hidde in a chest , and preserued him . in the bottome of that house , was the trunke of a palme-tree and certaine frogges pictured running out of the same : but what was meant thereby is not certainely knowne , for neither plutarke which vvriteth the story , nor chersias which relateth it , giueth any signification thereof : but in another place where he inquireth the reason why the oracle of pithias gaue no answer , hee coniectured because it was that the accursed thing brought out of the temple of apollo from delphos , into the corinthian house , hadde ingrauen vnderneath the brazen palme , snakes , and frogs , or else for the signification of the sunne rising . the meat of frogges thus brought foorth are greene hearbes , and humble-bees , or shor●e-bugs , which they deuour o● catch when they come to the water to drinke : some-time also they are said to eate earth , but as well frogges as toads doe eate the dead mole , for the mole deuoureth them beeing aliue . in the month of august , they neuer open their mouthes , either to take in meate or drinke , or to vtter any voyce , and their chaps are so fast ioyned or closed together , that you can hardly open them with your finger , or with a sticke . the young ones of this kinde are killed by casting long-wort , or the leaues of sea-lettice , as elianus and suidus write : and thus much for the description of their parts , generation , and sustentation of these common frogs . the wisedome or disposition of the aegyptian frogs is much commended , for they saue themselues from their enemies with singular dexterity . if they fall at any time vpon a water-snake , which they knowe is their mortall enimy , they take in their mouthes a round reede , which with an inuincible strength they hold fast , neuer letting goe , although the snake haue gotten her into her mouth , for by this meanes the snake cannot swallow hir , and so she is preserued aliue . there is a pretty fable of a great bull which came to the water to quench his thirst , and whilest the beast came running greedily into the water , hee trod in peeces two or three young frogs ; then one of them which escaped with life , went and told his mother the miserable misfortune and chance of his fellowes : she asked who it was that had so killed her young ones , to whom he answered : it was a great one , but how great he could not tell : the foolish mother-frog desirous to haue seene some body in the eyes of her sonne , began to swell with holding in of her breath , and then asked the young one if the beast were as bigge as she ? and he answered much greater , at which words she beganne to swell more , and asked him againe if the beast were so bigge ? to whom the young one aunswered , mother leaue your swelling , for though you breake your selfe , you will neuer be so bigge as he : and i thinke from this same fable came the prouerbe , rana gyrina sapientia , wiser then the young frogge . this is excellently described by horace in his third satyre , as followeth ; absentis ranaepullis vituli pede pressis , vnus vbi effugit matri denarrat , vt ingens bellua cognatos eliserit , illa rogare , quantanè ? num tandem , se inflans , sic magnafuisset ? maior dimidio : num tanto ? cum magis atque se magis inflaret , non si te ruperis , inquit , par eris : haec à te non multum abludit imago . which may be englished thus ; in old frogs absence , the young were prest to death by feete of a great calfe , drinking in the water , to tell the dam , one ran that scapt with life and breath , how a great beast his young to death did scatter . how great sayd she ? so bigge ? and then did swell , greater by halfe , said he : then she swoll more , and said thus bigge ? but he : cease swelling dam , for i thee tell , though breake thy selfe , like him thou neuer canst be made . there is another pretty fable in esop , tasking discontented persons vnder the name of frogs , according to the old verse : et veterem in limoranae cecinsere quaerelam , nam neque siccaplacet , nec quae stagnata palude perpetitur , querulae semper conuitia ranae . which may be englished in this manner ; the frogs amid'st the earthy slime , their old complaints do dayly sing : not pleas'd with pooles , nor land that drine , but new displeasures dayly bring . when ceres went about seeking proserpina , she came to a certaine fountaine in lisia to quench her thirst : the vnciuill li sians hindered her from drinking , both by troubling the water with their feet , and also by sending into the water a great company of croaking frogs ; whereat the goddesse being angry , turned all those country-people into frogs . but ouid doth ascribe this transmutation of the lisians , to the prayer of latona , when she came to drinke of the fountaine to increase the milke in her breasts , at such time as she nursed apollo and diana , which metamorphosis or transmutation , is thus excellently described by ouid ; aeternum stagno ( dixit ) viuatis in isto . eueniunt optata deae , iuuat esse sub v●dis , et modo tota caua summergere membra palude , nunc proferre caput summo , modo gurgite nare , s●pe super ripam stagni consistere , saepe in gelidos resilire lacus , sed nunc quoque turpes litibus exercent linguas , pulsoque pudore quamuis sint sub aqua , sub aqua maledicere tentant . vox quoque iam rauca est , inflataque colla tumescunt : ipsaque dilatant patulos conuitia rictus . terga caput tangunt , colla intercepta videntur . spina viret , venter , pars maxima corporis albet , limosoque nouae saliunt in gurgite ranae . in english thus ; — for euer mought you dwell in this same pond she said : her wish did take effect with speed , for vnderneath the water they delight to be indeed : now diuethey to the bottome downe , now vp their heads they pop , another while with spraulling legs they swim vpon the top . and oftentimes vpon the bankes they haue a mind to stond , and oftentimes from thence againe to leape into the pond : and there they now doe practise still their filthy tongues to scold , and shamelesly , though vnderneath the water they do hold their former wont of brauling , still auoyd the water cold : their voyces still are hoarse and harsh , their throats haue puffed goawles , their chaps with brawling widened are , their hammer-headed ioawles , are ioyned to their shoulders iust , the neckes of them do seeme cut off : the ridgebone of their backe sticke vp with colour greene . their panch which is the greatest part of all their trunke is gray , and so they vp and downe the pond made newly , frogs do play . whatsoeuer the wisedome of frogs is , according to the vnderstanding of the poets , this is certain , that they signifie impudent & contentious persons , for this cause there is a pretty fiction in hel betwixt the two poets , erupides & aesculus : for the ending of which cotrouersie , bacchus was sent downe to take the worthyest of them out of hell into heauen : and as he went ouer charones ferry , he heard nothing but the croaking of frogges , for such contentious spirits doe best befitte hell. and thus much shall suffice to haue spoken of the wisedome of frogs . their common enimies are the weasels , poule-cats , and ferrets , for these do gather them together , and lay of them great heapes within their dens : whereupon they feede in winter . the hearne also and bittor , is a common destroyer of frogges , and so likewise are some kind of kites . the night-birds , gimus and gimeta , the water-snake ( at whose presence in token of extreame terrour ) the frogge setteth vppe her voyce in lamentable manner . the moles are also enemies to frogs , & it is further said , that if a burning candle be set by the water side , during the croaking of frogs , it will make them hold their peace . men do also take frogs , for they were wont to baite a hooke with a little red wooll , or a peece of red cloth , also the gall of a goat put into a vessell , and set in the earth , will quickly draw vnto it all the frogs that be neare it , as if it were vnto them a very gratefull thing : and thus much shal suffice to haue spoken of the enemies of frogs . now in the next place we are to consider the seuerall vses , both naturall , medicinall , and magicall , which men do make of frogs . and first of all the greene frogs , and some of the yellow which liue in flouds , riuers , lakes , and fish-pooles , are eaten by men ; although in ancient time they were not eaten , but onely for physicke , for the broth wherein they were sod , & the flesh also , was thought to haue vertue in it to cure thē which were strucken by any venomous-creeping-beast , especially mixed with salt and oyle : but since that time aetius discommendeth the eating of frogs , prouing that some of them are venomous , and that by eating thereof , extream vomits hath followed , and they can neuer be good , except when they are newly taken , & their skins diligently flayed off , and those also out of pure running waters , and not out of muddy stinking puddles : and therefore aduiseth to forbeare in plenty of other meate , this wanton eating of frogs , as thinges perilous to life and health , and those frogs also which are most white when the skin is taken off , are most dangerous & fullest of venom , according to the cousell of fiera , saying ; vltima , sed nostros non accessura lebetes , noluimus , succi est pluuij & limosa maligni . ni saliat , putris ranae parabatiter . irata est & ad huc rauca coaxat aquis . in english thus : we will not dresse a frog vnlesse the last of all to eate , because the iuyce thereof is muddy and of raine , vncleane , except it go on earth , prepared way to leape for , angry it euer is , and hath hoarse voyce amid the streame . they which vse to eate frogs , fall to haue a colour like lead , and the hotter the countries are , the more venomous are the frogs in colder countries , as in germany they are not so harmefull , especially after the spring of the yeare , and their time of copulation passed . besides , with the flesh of frogs , they were wont in ancient time to baite their hookes , wherewithall they did take purple fishes , and they did burne the young frogs , putting the powder thereof into a cat , whose bowels was taken out , then rosting the cat , & after she was rosted , they annointed her all ouer with hony , then laide her by a wood side , by the odour and sauour whereof , all the wolues and foxes lodging in the said wood were allured to come vnto it , and then the hunters lying ready in wait , did take , destroy , & kill them . when frogs do croak about their vsuall custome , either more often , or more shrill then they were wont to do : they do foreshew raine and tempestuous weather . wherefore tully saith in his first book of diuination , who is it that can suspect , or once thinke that the little frogge should know thus much , but there is in them an admirable vnderstanding nature , constant and open to it selfe , but more secrets obscure to the knowledge of men ; and therefore speaking to the frogs he citeth these verses ; vos quoque signa videtis aquai dulcis alumnae , cum clamore paratis inanes fundere voces , absurdoque sono fontes & stagna cietis . in english thus ; and you o water-birds which dwell in streames so sweet , do see the signes whereby the weather is foretold , your crying voyces wherewith the waters are repleate , vaine sounds , absurdly mouing pooles and fountaines cold . and thus much for the naturall vse of frogs . now followeth magicall . it is said that if a man take the tongue of a water-frog , and laie it vpon the head of one that is asleep , he shall speake in his sleep , & reueile the secrets of his hart : but if he will know the secrets of a woman , then must hee cut it out of the frog aliue , and turne the frog away againe , making certaine charactars vpon the frogs tongue , and so lay the same vppon the panting of a womans hart , and let him aske her what questions he will , she shall answer vnto him all the truth , & reueale all the secret faults that euer she hath committed . now if this magicall foolery were true , we had more need of frogs then of iustices of peace , or magistrates in the common-wealth . but to proceede a little further , and to detect the vanity of these men , they also say , that the staffe wherewith all a frog is strucke our of a snakes mouth , laide vpon a woman in trauaile , shall cause an easie deliuerance : and if a man cut off a foot of a frog as he swims in the water , and binde the same to one that hath the gout , it will cure him . and this is as true as a shoulder of mutton worne in ones hat , healeth the tooth-ach . some againe doe write , that if a woman take a frogge and spit three times in her mouth , she shall not conceiue with childe that yeare . also if dogges eate the pottage wherein a frogge hath beene sodde , it maketh him dumbe and cannot barke . and if a man cast a sodde frogge at a dogge , vvhich is ready to assault him , it will make him runne away , ( i thinke as fast an olde hungry horse from a bottle of hay . ) these and such like vanities haue the auncient heathens ( ignorant of god ) firmely beleeued , till eyther experience disapprooued theyr inuentions , or the sincere knovvledge of religion in lightening theyr darkenesse , made them to forsake theyr former vaine errours , vvhich i vvould to god hadde come sooner vnto them , that so they might neuer haue sinned ; or else beeing now come vnto vs theyr children , i pray god that it may neuer bee remoued , least by trusting in lying vanityes , wee forsake our owne mercy . and so an end of the magycall vses . novv vve proceede to the medicinall , in the byting of euery venomous creature . frogges sod or roasted , are profitable , especially the broth , if it be giuen to the sicke person without his knowledge , mixed with oyle and salt , as wee haue said already . the flesh of water-frogs is good against the byting of the sea-hare , the scorpion , and all kind of serpents : against leprosie and scabs , and rubbed vpon the body , it doth cure the same . the broath taken into the body with rootes of sea-halme , expelleth the salamander : so also the egges , of the frogge , and the egges of the tortoyce , hath the same operation , being sod with calamynth . the little frogs are an antidote against the toades and great frogges . albertus also among other remedies prescribeth a frogge to bee giuen to sicke faulkcons or hawkes : it is also good for crickes in the necke , or the cramp . the same sod with oyle , caseth the paines and hardnesse of the ioynts and sinnewes : they are likewise giuen against an old cough , and with old wine and sod corne drunke out of the vessell wherein they are sod , they are profitable against the drosie , but with the sharpest vineger , oyle , and spume of niter sod together , by rubbing and annoynting , cureth all scabs in horses , and pestelent tumours . there is an oyle likewise made out of frogs , which is made in this manner , they take a pound of frogges , and put them into a vessell or glasse , and vppon them , they poure a pinte of oyle , so stopping the mouth of the glasse , they seeth it as they do the oyle of serpents , with this they cure the shrinking of the sinnewes , and the hot gout , they prouoke sleep , and heale the inflammations in feauers , by annointing the temples . the effect of this oyle is thus described by serenus : sape ita per vadit vis frigoris , ac tenet artus , vt vix quaesito medicamine pulsa recedat . si ranam ex oleo decoxeris , abijce carnem , membra foue . that is to say ; often are the sinnewes held by force inuading cold , which scarce can be repelled backe by medicines tried might , then seeth a frogge in purest oyle , as ancients vs haue told , so bath the members sicke therein , frogs flesh cast out of sight . and againe in another place he speaking of the cure of a feuer , writeth thus ; sed prius est oleo partus feruescere ranae , in triuijs , illoque artus perducere succo , in english thus ; but first let oyle make hot young frogs new found in waies , therewith bring sinnewes weake to weale full sound . to conclude , it were infinite & needlesse to expresse all that the physitions haue obserued about the medicines rysing out of the bloud , fat , flesh , eyes , hart , liuer , gall , intrals , legs , and sperme of frogs , besides powders and distillations ; therefore i will not weary the reader , nor giue occasion to ignorant men , to bee more bold vppon my writing of physicke then is reason , least that be said against mee which prouerbially saide of vnnecessary thinges , ranis vinum ministras , you giue wine to frogges , which haue neither neede nor nature to drinke it , for they delight more in water ; and so i conclude the history of this vulgar frogge . of the greene frog . this frog is called calamites , and dryophytes , and mantis , and rana virens . in arabia blefaricon , and cucunoines , and cucumones , irici , ranulae , brexantes , of brex-ein to raine , & thereof commeth the fained word of aristophanes , brekekekex koax , but i thinke that as our english word frogge is deriued from the german word frosch , so the germaines frosch from this greeke word brex . it is called also zamia , that is damnum , losse , hurt or damage , because they liue in trees , and many times hatme men and cattle vnderneath the trees ; and therefore called zamiae of the greeke word zemia . the italians call it racula , ranocchia , lo ranouoto , ranonchia de rubetto . the french croissetz , and sometimes graisset , verdier , in sauoy renogle . in germany loubfrosch in poland zaba trawna . some of the latines for difference sake call it rana rubeta , because it liueth in trees and bushes : and for the same cause it also called calamites , because it liueth among reeds , and dryopetes , because it falleth sometime out of trees . it is the least of all other frogs , & liueth in trees , or among fruites , and trees especially in the woods of hasels , or vines , for with his shorte legges it climbeth the highest trees : insomuch that some haue thought it hadd winges . it is greene all ouer the body , except the feete and the fingers , which are of dusty or reddish colour , and the toppes of his nailes or clawes are blunt and round : in the dissection therof there was bloud found in euery part of the body , and yet but little . the heart of it is white , the liuer blacke , mixed with the gall. it hath also a melt , and in the end of iuly it layeth egges . it is a venemous beast , for sometimes cattle as they brouse vppon trees , do swallovv down one of these vpon the leaues not discerning it , because it is of the same colour : but presently after they haue eaten it their bellyes begin to swell , which must needes proceed from the poysoned frogge . a second reason prooueth it to bee venomous , is for that many authors doe affirme , that hereof is made the psilothrum , for the drawing out of teeth by the roots , and for this cause is concluded to bee venomous , because this cannot bee performed without stronge poyson . but for the cure of the poyson of this frogge , wee shall expresse it afterward in the history of the toade , and therefore the reader must not expect it in this place . alwaies before raine they climbe vppe vpon the trees , and there cry after a hoarse manner very much , which caused the poet serenus to call it rauco garrula questu : at other times it is mute , and hath no voyce : vvherefore it is more truely called mantis , that is , a prophet or a deuiner , then any other kinde of frogge , because other frogges which are not altogether mute , doe cry both for feare , and also for desire of carnall copulation , but this neuer cryeth but before raine . some haue beene of opinion , that this is a dumbe frogge ; and therefore vincentius belluacensis saith , that it is called a mute frog from the effect : for there is an opinion , that this put into the mouth of a dog , maketh him dumbe , which if it bee true , it is an argument of the extreame poyson therein contained , ouercomming the nature of the dogge , whose cheefest sences are his tast and his smelling . and thus much shall suffice for the description of this frog . the medicinall vertues obserued herein are these that follow . first if a man which hath a cough , do spet into the mouth of this frogge , it is thought that it doth deliuer him from his cough , and being bound in a cranes skinne vnto a mans thigh , procureth venerious desires : but these are but magicall deuices , and such as haue no apparant reason in nature , wherefore i vvill omit them , and proceede to them that are more reasonable & naturall . first for the oyle of frogs , that is the best which is made out of the greene-frogs , as it is obserued by siluius , and if they are held betwixt a mans handes , in the fit of hot burning ague , do much refresh nature , and ease the paine . for feauer-heptickes they prepare thē thus : they take such frogs as haue white bellies , then cut off their heads and pull out their bowels , afterwards they seeth them in water , vntill the flesh fall from the bones , thē they mingle the said flesh with barly meale , made into paste , wherewithall they cram & feed pullen with that paste , vpon which the sicke man must be fed , and in default of frogs they do the like with eeles , and other like fishes . but there is no part of the frog so medicinable as is the bloud , called also the matter or the iuyce , and the humour of the frogge , although some of them write , that there is no bloud but in the eyes of a frogge : first therefore with this they kill haire , for vpon the place where the haire was puld off , they poure this bloud , and then it neuer groweth more : and this as i haue said already , is an argument of the venome of this frogge ; and it hath beene proued by experience , that a man holding one of these frogges in his hand , his hands haue begunne to swell , and to break out into blisters . of this vertue serenus the poet writeth ; praeterea quascunque voles auertere setas , atque in perpetuum rediuiua occludere tela , corporibus vulsis saniem perducito ranae , sed quae parua situ est , & rauco garula questu . that is to say , besides , from whatsoeuer bodyes haires thou will be cleane destroyed , and neuer grow againe on them , the mattery bloud of frogs , all spread and spill : i meane the little frog questing hoarse voyce amaine , the same also being made into a verdigreace , & drunke the weight of a crowne , stoppeth the continuall running of the vrine . the humour which commeth out of this frog , being aliue when the skinne is scraped off from her backe , cleareth the eyes by annoyntment : and the flesh laid vpon them , easeth their paines , the flesh and fat pulleth out teeth . the povvder made of this frogge beeing drunke , stayeth bleeding , and also expelleth spots of bloud dryed in the body . the same being mingled with pitch , cureth the falling off of the haire . and thus much shall suffice for the demonstration of the nature of this little greene-frogge . of the paddcke or crooked backe frogge . it is apparent that there be three kinds of frogs of the earth , the first is the little greene frog : the second is this padocke , hauing a crooke back , called in latine rubeta gibbosa , and the third is the toade , commonly called rube tax , bufo . this second kind is mute or dumbe , as there be many kind of mire frogges , such as is that which the germans call feurkrott , and our late alchymists puriphrunon , that is , a fire-frogge , because it is of the coloure of fire : this is found deepe in the earth , in the midst of rocks and stones when they are cleft asunder , and amongst mettalls , where-into there is no hole or passage , and therefore the wit of man cannot deuise how it should enter therein , onely there they find them when they cleaue those stones in sunder with their wedges & other instruments . such as these are , are found neere towers in fraunce , among a redde sandy stone , whereof they make milstones , and therfore they breake that stone all in peeces before they make the milstone vp , least while the paddock is included in the middle , and the mill-stone going in the mill , the heate should make the paddocke swell , and so the mill-stone breaking , the corne should be poysoned . as soone as these paddocks come once into the ayre , out of their close places of generation and habitation , they swell and so die . this crooke-backed paddocke is called by the germans gartenfrosch , that is , a frog of the garden , and grasfrosch , that is , a frogge of the grasse . it is not altogether mute , for in time of perrill , when they are chaced by men , or by snakes , they haue a crying voyce , which i haue oftentimes prooued by experience , and all snakes and serpents doe verie much hunt and desire to destroy these : also i haue seene a snake hold one of them by the legge , for because it was great she could not easily deuoure it , & during that time , it made a pittifull lamentation . these paddocks haue as it were two little hornes or bunches in the middle of the back , and their colour is betweene greene and yellow , on the sides they haue redde spots , and the feete are of the same colour , their belly is white , and that part of their backe which is directly ouer their breast , is distinguished with a few blacke spots . and thus much may serue for the particuler description of the paddocke , not differing in any other thing that i can reade of from the former frogges , it being venomous as they are , and therefore the cure is to be expaected heereafter , in the next history of the toade . of the toade . to conclude the story of frogges , we are now to make description and narration of the toade , which is the most noble kinde of frogge , most venomous , and remarquable for courage and strength . this is called in hebrew by some coah , the graecians call it phrunon , the arabians mysoxus , the germans krott , the saxons quap , the flemings padde , the illirians zaba , the french ●rapault , the italians rospo , botta , boffa , chiatto , zatta , buffo , buffa , buffone , and ramarro , the spanyards sapo escu , erco , the latines rubeta , because it liueth among bushes , and bufu , because it swelleth when it is angry . like vnto this there is a toade in fraunce called bufo cornutus , a horned toade , not because it hath hornes , for that is most apparantly false , but for that the voyce thereof is like to the sound of a cornet , or rather ( as i thinke ) like to a rauen called cornix , and by a kind of barbarisme called bufo cornutus . the colour of this toade is like saffron on the one part , and like filthy durt on the other : besides , there are other venomous toades liuing in sinckes , priuies , and vnder the rootes of plants . there is another kind also , like to the toade of the water , but in steed of bones it hath onely grissels , and it is bigger then the toade of the fenne , liuing in hot places . there is another also , which although it be a toade of the water , yet hath it beene eaten for meate not many yeeres since : the mouth of it is very great , but yet without teeth , which he doth many times put out of the water like a torteyse to take breath , and in taking of his meate , which are flyes , locustes , catterpillers , gnattes , and small creeping things , it imitateth the camaelion , for it putteth out the tongue , and licketh in his meate by the space of three fingers , in the toppe whereof there is a soft place , hauing in it viscous humour , which causeth all thinges to cleaue fast vnto it which it toucheth , by vertue whereof it deuoureth great flyes . and therefore the said tongue is said to haue two little bones growing at the roote thereof , which by the wonderfull worke of nature , doth guide , fortifie , & strengthen it . and thus much may serue as a sufficient relation vnto the reader 〈◊〉 ●…uersitie of toades . nowe wee will proceede to the common description of both kindes together . this toade is in all outward parts like vnto a frogge , the fore-feete beeing short , and the hinder feete long , but the bodie more heauy and swelling , the colour of a blackish colour , the skinne rough , viscous , and very hard , so as it is not easie to be broken with the blowe of a staffe . it hath many deformed spottes vppon it , especially blacke on the sides , the bell● exceeding all other parts of the body , standing out in such manner , that beeing smitten vvith a staffe , it yeeldeth a sound as it were from a vault or hollow place . the head is broade and thicke , and the colour thereof on the nether part about the necke is white , that is , some-what pale , the backe plaine without bunches , and it is saide that there is a little bone growing in theyr sides , that hath a vertue to driue away dogge● from him that beareth it about him , and is therefore called apocynon . the whole aspect of this toade is vglie and vnpleasant . some authours affirme that it carrieth the hart in the necke , and therefore it cannot easily be killed , except the throate thereof be cutte in the middle . theyr liuer is very vitious , and causeth the whole body to be of ill temperament : and some say they haue two liuers . theyr melt is very small , and as for theyr copulation and egges , they differ nothing from frogges . there be many late writers , which doe affirme that there is a precious stone in the head of a toade , whose opinions ( because they attribute 〈◊〉 the ve●… of this stone ) it is good to examine in this place , that so the reader may be satisfied whether to hold it as a fable or as a true matter , exempl●fying the powerfull working of almightie god in nature , for there be many that we●re these stones in ringes , beeing verily 〈◊〉 aded that they keepe them from all manner of grypings and paines of the belly and the small guttes . but the art ( as they terme it ) is in taking of it out , for they say● must be taken out of the head aliue , before the toade be dead , with a peece of cloth of the colour of redde skarlet , where-withall they aro much delighted , so that while they stretch out thēselues is it were in sport vpon that cloth , they cast out the stone of their head , but instantly they s●p it vp againe , vnlesse it be taken from them through some secrete hole in the said cloth , whereby it falleth into a cesterne or vessell of water , into the which the toade lateth not enter , by reason of the coldnes of the water . these things writeth ●assarius . brasauolus saith , that he found such a thing in the head of a toade , but he rather tooke it to be a bone then a stone , the colour wherof was browne , inclyning to blacknes . some say it is double , namely outwardly a hollow bone , and inwardly a stone contained 〈◊〉 in , the vertue whereof is said to breake , preuent , or cure the stone in the bladder now how this stone should be there ingendered , there are diuers opinions also , & they say that stones are ingendered in liuing creatures two manner of wayes , either through heate , or extreame cold , as in the snaile , pearch , crabbe , indian tortizes and toades ; so that by extremitie of cold this stone should be gotten . against this opinion the colour of the stone is obiected , which is some-times white , sometimes browne , or blackish , hauing a cittrine or blew spot in the middle , sometimes all greene , wher-vpon is naturally engrauen the figure of a toade : and this stone is somtimes called borax , sometimes crapodinae , and sometimes nisae , or nusae , and chelonites . others doe make two kindes of these stones , one resembling a great deale of milke mixed with a little blood , so that the white exceedeth the redde , and yet both are apparant and visible : the other all blacke , wherein they say is the picture of a toade , with her legges spredde before and behind . and it is further affirmed , that if both these stones be held in ones hand in the presence of poyson , it will burne him . the probation of this stone , is by laying of it to a liue toade , and if she lift vp her head against it , it is good , but if shee run away from it , it is a counterfeyte . geor : agricola calleth the greater kind of these stones , brontia , and the lesser & smoother sort of stones , cerauniae , although some cōtrary this opinion , saying that these stones brantia & cerauniae , are bred on the earth by thundering and lightning . whereas it is said before , that the generation of this stone in the toade proceedeth of colde , that is vtterly vnpossible , for it is described to be so solide and firme , as nothing can be more hard , and therefore i cannot assent vnto that opinion , for vnto hard and solide things , is required abundance of heate : and againe , it is vnlikely , that whatsoeuer this toade-stone be , that there should be any store of them in the world as are euery where visible , if they were to be taken out of the toades aliue , and therefore i rather agree with salueldensis a spaniard , who thinketh that it is begotten by a certaine viscous spume , breathed out vppon the head of some toade , by her fellowes in the spring-time . this stone is that which in auncient time was called batrachites , and they attribute vnto it a vertue besides the former , namely , for the breaking of the stone in the bladder , and against the falling-sicknes . and they further write that it is a discouerer of present poyson , for in the presence of poyson it will change the colour . and this is the substaunce of that which is written about this stone . now for my part i dare not conclude either with it or against it , for hermolaus , massarius , albertus , syluaticus , and others , are directlie for this stone ingendered in the braine or head of the toade : on the other side , cardan and gesner confesse such a stone by name and nature , but they make doubt of the generation of it , as others haue deliuered ; and therefore they beeing in sundry opinions , the hearing were of might confound the reader , i will referre him for his satisfaction vnto a toade , which hee may easily euery day kill : for although when the toade is dead , the vertue thereof be lost , which consisted in the eye , or blew spot in the middle , yet the substaunce remaineth , and if the stone be found there in substance , then is the question at an end , but if it be not , then must the generation of it be sought for in some other place . thus leauing the stone of the toade , we must proceede to the other parts of the story , and first of all their place of habitation , which for them of the water , is neere the vvater-side , and for them of the earth , in bushes , hedges , rockes , and holes of the earth , neuer comming abroade while the sunne shineth , for they hate the sunne-shine , and theyr nature cannot indure it , for which cause they keepe close in their holes in the day time , and in the night they come abroad . yet sometimes in rainy-weather , and in solitary places , they come abroade in the day-time . all the winter-time they liue vnder the earth , feeding vppon earth , herbes , and wormes , and it is said they eate earth by measure , for they eate so much euery day as they can grype in theyr fore-foote , as it were sizing themselues , least the whole earth should not serue them till the spring . resembling heerein great rich couetous men , who euer spare to spend , for feare they shall want before they die . and for 〈◊〉 in auncient time the wise painters of germany , did picture a woman sitting vpon a ●oade , to signifie couetousnes . they also loue to eate sage , and yet the roote of 〈◊〉 is to them deadly poyson ; they destroy bees , without all danger to themselues , for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : reepe to the holes of their hiues , and there blow in vppon the bees , by which ●…y draw them out of the hiue , and so destroy them as they come out : for this 〈…〉 at the water-side they lye in waite to catch them . when they come to drink in ●…me they see little or nothing , but in the night time they see perfectly , and there●…ey come then abroade . about their generation there are many worthy obseruations in nature , somtimes they are bredde out of the putrefaction and corruption of the earth , it hath also been seene that out of the ashes of a toade burnt , not onely one , but many toades haue been regenerated the yeere folowing . in the new world there is a prouince called dariene , the ayre whereof is wonderful vnwholsome , because all the country standeth vpon rotten marishes . it is there obserued , that when the slaues or seruants water the pauements of the dores , from the drops of water which fall on the right hand , are instantly many toades ingendered , as in other places such drops of water are turned into gnats . it hath also beene seene , that women conceiuing with child , haue likewise conceiued at the same time a frog , or a toade or a lizard , and therefore platearius saith , that those thinges which are medicines to prouoke the menstruous course of women , doe also bring foorth the secondiues . and some haue called bufonē fratrem salernitanorum , et lacertum fratrē lombardorū : that is , a toade the brother of the salernitans , & the lizard the brother of the lombards : for it hath been seene that a woman of salernum , hath at one time brought forth a boy and a toade , and therfore hee calleth the toade his brother ; so likewise a woman of lombardy , a lizard , & therefore he calleth the lizard the lombards brother . and for this cause , the women of those countries , at such time as their child beginneth to quicken in their wombe , do drink the iuyce of parsly & leekes , to kill such conceptions if any be . there was a woman newly married , and when in the opinion of all she was with child , in steed of a child she brought forth foure little liuing creatures like frogs , and yet shee remained in good health , but a little while after shee felt some paine about the rymne of her belly , which afterward was eased by applying a fewe remedies . also there was another woman , which together with a man-child , in her secondines did also bring forth such another beast ; and after that a marchants wife did the like in anconitum . but what should be the reason of these so strange & vnnaturall conceptions , i wil not take vpon me to discide in nature , least the omnipotent hand of god should be wronged , and his most secrete & iust coūsell presumptuously iudged & called into question . this we know that it was prophesied in the reuelation , that frogs & locusts should come out of the whore of babylon , and the bottomlesse pit , and therfore seeing the seate of the whore of babylon is in italy , it may be that god would haue manifested the deprauation of christian religion , beginning among the italians , and there continued in the conioyned birth of men & serpents : for surely , none but deuils incarnate , or men conceiued of serpents brood , would so stifly stand in romish error as the italians do , & therefore they seeme to be more addicted to the errors of their fathers , ( which they say is the religion wherin they were borne ) then vnto the truth of iesus christ , which doth vnanswerably detect the pride & vanity of the romish faith . but to leaue speaking of the conception of toades in women , we wil proceed further vnto their generation in the stomacks & bellies of men , wherof there may more easily a reason be giuen then of the former . now although that in the earth toades are generated of putrified earth & waters , yet such a generation cannot be in the body of man , for although there be much putrifaction in vs , yet not so much as to ingender bones & other orgynes , such as are in toades ; as for wormes they are all flesh , & may more easily be conceiued of the putrifaction in our stomacks . but then you wil say how comes it to passe that in mens stomacks there are sound frogs & toades ? i answer that this euill hapneth vnto such men as drinke water , for by drinking of water , a toades egge may easily slip into the stomack , & there being of a viscous nature , cleaueth fast to the rough parts of the ventricle , and it being of a contrary nature to man , can neuer be disgested or auoyded , and for that cause , the venome that is in it , neuer goeth out of 〈…〉 stance , to poyson the other partes of 〈…〉 med into a toade , without doing 〈…〉 are bredde in the bodies of men , 〈…〉 the midst of trees and rocks , and 〈…〉 are bredde in . for the venome is so 〈…〉 ripenesse , euen as wee see it is almost an vsu●… shall not be perceiued , till many dayes , weekes , 〈…〉 for the casting out of such a toade bredde in th●… they take a serpent and bowell him , then they cut of●… of the body they likewise part into small peeces , which 〈…〉 fatte which swymmeth at the toppe , which the sicke person 〈…〉 he auoyde all the toades in his stomacke , afterwards he must 〈…〉 ticall medicines . and thus much may suffice for the ordinary and 〈…〉 tion of toades . these toades doe not leape as frogges doe , but because of their 〈…〉 short legges , theyr pace is a soft creeping-pace , yet some-times in anger they lift vp 〈◊〉 selues , endeuouring to doe harme , for great is theyr watch , obstinacie , and desire to be 〈…〉 uenged vpon their aduersaries , especially the redde-toade , for looke howe much her colour inclineth to rednesse , so much is her wrath and venome more pestilent . if shee take hold of any thing in her mouth , she will neuer let it goe till shee die , and many times shee sendeth forth poyson out of her buttocks or backer parts , where-withall she infecteth the ayre , for reuenge of them that doe annoy her : and it is well obserued that shee knoweth the weakenes of her teeth , & therefore for her defence she first of all gathereth abundance of ayre into her body , where-withall she greatly swelleth , and then by sighing , vttereth that infected ayre as neere the person that offendeth her as she can , and thus shee worketh her reuenge , killing by the poyson of her breath . the colour of this poyson is like milke , of which i will speake afterward , particularly by it selfe . a toade is of a most cold tempriament , and badde constitution of nature , & it vseth one certaine herbe where-withall it preserueth the sight , and also resisteth the poyson of spyders , whereof i haue heard this credible history related , from the mouth of a true honourable man , and one of the most charitable peeres of england , namely , the good earle of bedford , and i was requested to set it downe for truth , for it may be iustified by manie now aliue which saw the same . it fortuned as the said earle trauailed in bedfordshire , neere vnto a market-towne called owbourne , some of his company espyed a toade fighting with a spider , vnder a hedge in a bottome , by the high-way-side , whereat they stood still , vntill the earle their lord and maister came also to behold the same ; and there he saw how the spyder still kept her standing , and the toade diuers times went backe from the spyder , and did eate a peece of an herbe , which to his iudgement was like a plantine . at the last , the earle hauing seene the toade doe it often , and still returne to the combat against the spyder , hee commaunded one of his men to goe and with his dagger to cutte off that herbe , which he performed and brought it away . presently after the toade returned to seeke it , and not finding it according to her expectation , swelled & broke in peeces : for hauing receiued poyson from the spyder in the combat , nature taught her the vertue of that herbe , to expell and driue it out , but wanting the herbe , the poyson did instantly worke and destroy her . and this ( as i am informed ) was oftentimes related by the earle of bedford himselfe vppon sundry occasions , and therefore i am the bolder to insert it into this story . i doe the more easily beleeue it , because of another like history , related by erasmus in his booke of friendship , hapning likewise in england , in manner as followeth . there was a monke who had in his chamber diuers bundles of greene-rushes , where-withall he vsed to strow his chamber at his pleasure , it hapned on a day after dinner , that hee fell asleepe vpon one of those bundles of rushes , with his face vpward , and while he there slept a great toade came and sate vpon his lyps , bestryding them in such manner as his whole mouth was couered . now when his fellowes sawe it , they were at their wits end , for to ●…er her to stand still vppon his 〈…〉 one of them espying a spiders 〈…〉 ●duise that the monke should ●…ght vnderneath the spyders●… and as soon as the spyder saw her aduersa●… downe vpon the toade , at 〈…〉 , so that it swelled , and at the 〈…〉 spyder kild the toade , and so 〈…〉 in his chamber ; for at the third time 〈…〉 swelled to death , but the man was pre●… 〈…〉 suffice for the antipathy nature betwixt the 〈…〉 ●…oade , for as albertus writeth , he himselfe sawe a 〈…〉 bitterly , for a mole did hold her fast by the leg within 〈…〉 in againe , whilst the other stroue to gette out of her teeth , 〈…〉 toades doe eate the moles when they be dead . they are 〈…〉 lizard , and all kinds of serpents , and whensoeuer it receiueth a●… it cureth itselfe by eating of plantine . the cat doth also kill ser●… , but eateth them not , and vnlesse she presently drinke , she dyeth for it . ●…nd the hawke are destroyers of toades , but the storke neuer destroyeth a 〈…〉 eate it , except in extremitie of famine , whereby is gathered the venomous na●… the toade . now to conclude , the premisses considered which haue beene said of the toade , the vses that are to follow are not many , except those which are already related in the frog . when the spanyards were in bragua , an iland of the newe-found-world , they were brought to such extremitie of famine , that a sicke-man amongst them was forced to eate two toades , which he bought for two peeces of gold-lace , worth in spanish monie sixe duckets . i doe maruell why in auncient time the kings of fraunce gaue in their armes the three toades in a yellow fielde , the which were afterwards changed by clodoueus into three flower-delusees in a field azure , as armes sent vnto him from heauen . when the troyans dwelt neere moeetis , after the destruction of troy , they were very much annoyed by the gothes , wherefore marcomirus their king , determined to leaue that country , and to seeke some-where else a more quiet habitation . being thus minded , he was admonished by an oracle that he should goe and dwell in that country where the riuer rhene falleth into the sea , and he was also stirred vp to take vpon him that iourney , by a certaine magitian-woman , called alrunna , for this cunning woman caused in the night-time a deformed appartion to come vnto him , hauing three heads , one of an eagle , another of a toade , and the third of a lyon , and the eagles head did speake vnto him in this manner , genus tuum ô marcomire opprimet me , et conculcabit leonem et interficiet bufonem , that is to say , thy stocke or posteritie , ô marcomirus , shall oppresse mee , it shall tread the lyon vnder-foote , and kill the toade . by which wordes hee gathered , that his posteritie should rule ouer the romans , signified by the eagle , & ouer the germans , signified by the lyon , and ouer the french , signified by the toade , because the toade , as we haue said , was the auncient armes of fraunce . it is an opinion held by some writers , that the weasels of the water doe ingender in copulation with the toades of the water , for in their mouthes , and feete of theyr bellie , they doe resemble them . vvherevpon these verses were made ; bufones gigno putrida tellure sepulta , humores pluvij forte quod ambo sumus , humet is et friget mea sic vis humet et alget , cum perit in terra quiprius ignis erat . which may be englished thus ; buried in rotten earth , forth toades i bring , perhaps because we both are made of rayne that 's moyst and cold , moyst i , and euer freezing , when in the earth , that force from fire came . and thus we will descend to discourse of the toades poyson , and of the speciall remedies appoynted for the same . first therefore , all manner of toades , both of the earth and of the water are venomous , although it be held that the toades of the earth are more poysonfull then the toades of the water , except those toades of the water which doe receiue infection or poyson from the water , for some waters are venomous . but the toades of the land , which doe descend into the marshes , and so liue in both elements , are most venomous , and the hotter the country is , the more full are they of poyson . the women-witches of auncient time which killed by poysoning , did much vse toades in their confections , which caused the poet in his verses to write as followeth . occurrit matrona potens quae molle calenum : porrectura viro , miscet sciente rubetam . which may be englished thus ; there came a rich matron , who mixed calen wine , with poyson of toades to kill her spouse , ô deadly crime . and againe in another place , funus promittere patris nec volo nec possum , ranarum in viscera nunquam inspexi . in english thus ; i can nor will of fathers death a promise make , for of toades poyson i neuer yet a view did take . when an aspe hath eaten a toade , their byting is incurable , and the beares of pamphylia and sylitia beeing killed by men after that they haue eaten salamanders or toades , doe poyson their eaters . we haue said already that a toade hath two liuers , & although both of them are corrupted , yet the one of them is said to be full of poyson , and the other to resist poyson . the byting of a toade , although it be sildome , yet it is venomous , and causeth the body to swell and to breake , eyther by impostumation , or otherwise against which is to be applyed common antidotes , as womens milke , triacle , rootes of seaholme , and such other things . the spettle also of toades is venomous , for if it fall vpon a man , it causeth all his hayre to fall off from his head ; against this euill par●●elsus prescribeth a plaister of earth , mixed with the spettle of a man. the common-people doe call that humour which commeth out of the buttocks of a toade when she swelleth , the vrine of a toade , and a man moystned with the same , bepissed with a toade ; but the best remedy for this euill , is the 〈◊〉 of a woman 〈◊〉 as it resembleth the poyson in colour , so doth it resist it in nature . the bodies of toades ●…and so drunke in wine after they be beaten to powder , are a most strong poyson , against which and all other such poyson of toades , it is good to take plantine and blacke hollybore , sea-crabs dryed to powder and drunke , the stalkes of dogges-tongue , the powder of the right-horne of a hart , the melt , spleene , and hart of a toade . also certaine fishes called shell-crabbes , the blood of the sea-torteyse mixed with wine , cummin , and the rennet of a hare . also the blood of a torteyse of the land mixed with barley-meale , & the quintessence of triacle & oyle of scorpions , all these things are very pretions against the poyson of serpents and toades . we haue promised in the story of the frogge , to expresse in this place such remedies , as the learned phisitians haue obserued for the cure of the poyson of frogges . first therefore , the poyson of the frogge causeth swelling in the body , depelleth the colour , 〈◊〉 eth difficultie of breathing , maketh the breath strong , and an involuntary profusion of seede , with a generall dulnes and restines of body : for remedy whereof , let the partie be inforced to vomit by drinking sweet-wine , and two drams of the powder of the roote of reedes or cypresse . also he must be inforced to walking and running , besides daily washing . but if a feauer follow the poyson or burning in the extremities , let the vomit be of water and oyle , or wine and pitch ; or let him drinke the blood of a sea-torteyse , mixed with cummine , and the rennet of a hare , or els sweat in a furnace or hote-house a long time : besides many other such like remedies , which euery phisitian , both by experience and reading , is able to minister in cases of necessitie , and therefore i will spare my further paines from expressing them in this place , and passe on to the medicinall vertues of the toade , and so conclude this history . we haue shewed already that the toade is a cold creature , and therefore the same sod in water , and the body annoynted there-with , causeth hayre to fall off from the members so annoynted . there is a medicine much commended against the gowte , which is this : take sixe pound of the rootes of wilde-cucumber , sixe pound of sweet oyle of the marrow of harts , turpentine , and waxe , of eyther sixe ounces , and sixe toades aliue , the which toades must be bored through the foote , and hanged by a thred in the oyle vntill they grow yellow , then take them out of the oyle by the threds , and put into the said oyle the slyced roote of cucumber , and there let it seeth vntill all the vertue be left in the oyle . afterwards melt the waxe and turpentine , and then put them altogether in a glasse , so vse them morning and euening against the gowte , sciatica , and paines of the sinewes , & it hath beene seene that they which haue lyen long sicke , haue beene cured thereof , and growne perfectly wel & able to walke . some haue added vnto this medicine oyle of saffron , opobalsamum , blood of torteyses , oyle of sabyne , swynes-greace , quicksiluer , & oyle of bayes . for the scabbes of horses , they take a toade killed in wine and water , and so sodde in a brazen vessell , and afterwards annoynt the horse with the liquour thereof . it is also saide that toades dryed in smoake , or any peece of them carried about one in a lynnen-cloath , doe stay the bleeding at the nose . and this fredericke the duke of saxonie was wont to practise in this maner ; he had euer a toade pierced through with a peece of wood , which toade was dried in the smoake or shadow , this he roled in a lynnen cloth , and when hee came to a man bleeding at the nose , he caused him to hold it fast in his hand vntill it waxed hote , and then would the blood be stayed . whereof the phisitians could neuer giue any reason , except horrour and feare constrained the blood to runne into his proper place , through feare of a beast so contrary to humane nature . the powder also of a toade is said to haue the same vertue , according to this verse ; buff● vstus sistit naturae dote cruorem . in english thus ; a toade that is burned to ashes and dust , stayes bleeding by gift of nature iust . the skinne of a toade , and shell of a torteyse , either burned or dryed to powder , cureth the fistulaes : some adde heere-vnto the roote of laurell and henne-dunge , salt , & oyle of mallowes . the eyes of the toade are receiued in oyntment against the wormes of the belly . and thus much shal suffice to haue spoken of the history of the toade & forgs . of the greene serpent . in valois there are certaine greene-serpents , which of their colour are called grunling , and i take them to be the same which hesychius called sauritae , and pliny by a kind of excellency , snakes , of whom we shall speake afterwards , for i haue no more to say of thē at this present , but that they are very venomous . and it may be that of these came the common prouerbe , latet anguis sub herba , vnder the greene herbe lyeth the greene-snake , for it is a friendly admonition vnto vs to beware of a falshoode couered vvith a truth like vnto it . of the haemorrhe . this serpent hath such a name giuen vnto it , as the effect of his byting worketh in the bodies of men , for it is called in latine h●morrhous , to signifie vnto vs the male , and haemorrhois to signifie the female , both of them being deriued from the greeke word aima , which signifieth blood , and reo , which signifieth to flow , because whomsoeuer it byteth , it maketh in a continuall bleeding sweat , with extremitie of paine vntill it die . it is also called affodius , and afudius , sabrine , and halsordius , or alsordius , which are but corrupted barbarous names from the true and first word haemorrhus . it is doubtfull whether this be to be ascribed to the aspes or to the vipers , for isidorus saith it is a kind of aspe , and elianus , a kind of viper . they are of a sandy colour , and in length not past one foote , or three handfulls , whose tayle is very sharpe or small , theyr eyes are of a fiery-flaming-colour , their head small , but hath vppon it the appearance of hornes . when they goe , they goe straight and slowly , as it were halting and wearilie , whose pace is thus described by nicander . — et inster ipsius oblique suaparvula terga cerasta claudicat : ex medio videas appellere dorso parvùm nauigium , terit imam lubrica terram alvus , et haud alio tacitè trahit ilia motu , ac per arundineum si transeat illa grabatum . in english thus ; and like the horned-serpent , so trayles this elfe on land , as though on backe a little boate it draue , his slyding belly makes path be seene in sand , as when by bedde of reedes she goes her life to saue . the scales of this serpent are rough & sharpe , for which cause they make a noyse whē they goe on the earth ; the female resteth herselfe vppon her lower part neere her tayle , creeping altogether vppon her belly , and neuer holdeth vp her head , but the male when he goeth holdeth vp his head : theyr bodies are all set ouer with blacke spots , and themselues are thus paraphrastically described by nicander . vnum longa pedem , totoque gracillima tractu , ignea qundoque est , quandoque est candida forma , constrictumque satis collum , et tenuissima cauda . bina super gelidos oculos frons cornua profert , splendentum quadam radiorum albentia luce , syluestres vt apes , populatricesque locuste : insuper horribile ac asprum caput horret . which may be englished in this manner following ; on foote in length , and slender all along , sometime of fiery hue , sometime milke-white it is , the necke bound in , and tayle most thinne and strong , whose fore-head hath two hornes aboue cold eyes : which in theyr light resemble shining beames , like bees full wilde , or locusts spoylers bredde , but yet to looke vpon all horrible in seames , for why ? the cruell bore they shew in head . they keepe in rocks , and stony places of the houses and earth , making theyr deunes winding and hanging , according to these verses ; rimosas colit illa petras , sibique aspera recta , et modice pendens facit , inflexumque cubile . in english thus ; the chincks of rocks and passages in stone they dwell , wherein their lodgings bare , a little hanging made for euery one , and bending too , theyr sleepie harbours are . it is said that canobus the gouernour of menelaus , chaunced to fall vpon this serpent , in reuenge whereof helen his charge , the wife of menelaus broke his backe-bone , and that euer since that time they creepe lamely , and as it were without loynes ; which fable is excellentlie thus described by nicander : quondam animosa helene cigni iovis inclyta proles euersa rediens troia ( nisi vana vetustas ) huic indignata est generi pharias , vt ad oras venit , & aduersi declinans flamina venti , fluctiuagam statuit iuxta nili ostia classem . namque vbi nauclerus sefessum fortè canobus sterneret , et bibulisfusus dormiret arenis : laesa venenosos haemorrhois impulitictus , illatamque tulit letali dente quietem : protinus ouipera cernens id filia led● oppressae medium serpenti feruida dorsum infregit , tritaeque excussit vinculae spinae , quae fragili illius sic dempta è corpore fugit , et graciles haemorrhoi , obliquique cerastae ex hoc clauda trahunt iam soli tempore membra . which may be englished thus ; once noble helen , ioues child by swan-like shape , returning backe from troy , destroyed by graecian warre , ( if that our auncients doe not with fables vs be-clappe ) this race was enuyed by pharias anger farre . when to his shores for safety they did come , declyning rage of blustering windy seas , water-byding-nauy at nilus mouth gan runne , where canobus all tyred faynted for some ease : for there this pilot , or maister of the fleete , did hast from boate to sleepe in drery sand , where he did feele the teeth of hemorrhe deepe , wounding his body with poyson , deaths owne hand . but when egge-breeding ledaes wench espyed this harme , she prest the serpents backe with stroke , whereby the bands thereof were all vntyed , which in iust wrath for iust reuenge she broke . so euer-since , out of this serpents frame and body they are taken , which is the cause that cerasts and leane haemorrhs are euer lame , drawing their parts on earth by natures lawes . they which are stunge with there haemorrhs , do suffer very intollerable torments , for out of the wound continually floweth blood , and the excrements also that commeth out of the belly are bloody , or sometimes little roules of blood in steed of excrements . the colour of the place bitten is black , or of a dead bloody colour , out of which nothing floweth at the beginning but a certaine watery humour , then followeth paine in the stomack , and difficultie of breathing . lastly , the powers of the body are broken , & opened , so that out of the mouth , gumbs , eares , eyes , fingers-ends , nayles of the feete , and priuie parts , continually issueth blood , vntill a crampe also come , & then followeth death , as we reade in lucan of one tellus a young noble man , slaine by this serpent , described as followeth . impressit dentes haemorrhois aspera tullo magnanimo iuveni , miratorique catonis : vtque solet pariter totis se effundere signis coricij pressura croci : sic omnia membra emisêre simul rutilum pro sanguine virus . sanguis erant lachrimae : quaecunque for amina novit humor , ab ijs largus manat cruor , or a redundant , et patulaenares , sudor rubet , omnia plenis membra fluunt venis : totum est pro vulnere corpus . in english thus ; the haemorrhe fierce , in noble tullus fastened teeth that valiant youth , great catoes scholler deere : and as when saffron by corycians skeeth is prest , and in his colour on them all appeare : so all his parts sent forth a poyson redde in steed of blood : nay all in blood went round . blood was his teares , all passages of it were spedde , for out of mouth and eares did blood abound . blood was his sweat , each part his veyne out-bleedes , and all the body blood that one wound feedes . the cure of this serpent , in the opinion of the auncients , was thought impossible , as writeth dioscorides , and thereof they complaine very much , vsing onely common remedies , as scarification , vstions , sharpe meates , and such thinges as are already remembered in the cure of the dipsas . but besides these they vse vine-leaues , first brused and then sod with hony : they take also the head of this serpent and burne it to powder , and so drinke it , or els garlicke with oyle of flower-deluce , they giue them also to eate reisins of the sunne . and besides , they resist the eruption of the blood , with plaisters layde to the place bitten , made of vine-leaues and hony , or the leaues of purslaine and barley-meale . but before theyr vrine turne bloody , let them eate much garlick stamped , & mixed with oyle to cause them to vomit , and drinke wine delayed with water , then let the wound be washed with cold water , and the bladder continually fomented with hot spunges . some doe make the cure of it like the cure of the viper , and they prescribe them to eate hardegges with salt-fish , and besides , the seed of radish , the iuyce of poppy , with the rootes of lilly , also daffadill and rew , trefolie , cassia , oponax , & cinamon in potion : and to conclude , the flowers and buds of the bush are very profitable against the byting of the haemorrhe , and so i end the history of this serpent . of the horned serpent . this serpent because of his hornes ( although it be a kinde of viper ) is called in greeke kerastes , and from thence commeth the latine word cerastes , and the arabian , cerust , and cerustes . it is called also in latine ceristalis , cristalis , sirtalis , and tristalis . all which are corrupted wordes , deriued from cerastes , or else from one another , and therefore i thinke it not fit to stand vpon them . the hebrewes call it schephiphon , the italians cerastes , the germans engehurnte schlang , the french vn ceraste , vn serpent cornu , that is , a horned serpent ; and therefore i haue so called it in english , imitating herein both the french and germans . i will not stand about the difference of authors , whether this serpent be to be referred to the aspes or to the vipers , for it is not a poynt materiall , and therefore i will proceede to the description of his nature , that by his whole history , the reader may choose whether he wil account him a subordinate kind vnto others , or els a principall of himselfe . it is an affrican serpent , bredde in the lybian sandie-seas , places not inhabited by men , for the huge mountaines of sands are so often mooued by the windes , that it is not onelie impossible for men to dwell there , but also very dangerous & perrillous to trauell through them , for that many times whole troopes of men and cattell , are in an instant ouerwhelmed and buried in those sands . and this is a wonderfull worke of god , that those places which are least habitable for man , are most of all anoyed with the most dangerous byting serpents . it is also said , that once these horned-serpents departed out of lybia into egppt , where they depopulated all the country . their habitation is neere the high-waies , in the sands , and vnder cart-wheeles : and when they goe , they make both a sound with their motion , and also a furrow in the earth , according to the saying of nicander . ex ijs alter echis velocibus obuia spinis , recto terga tibi prolixus tramite ducit , sed medio diffusius hic cerastes se corpore voluit : curuum errans per iter , resonantibus aspera squamis . qualiter aequoreo longissima gurgite nauis , quam violentus agit nunc huc , nunc aphricus illuc , pellitur , et laterum gemebunda fragore suorum extra sulcandas sinuose fluctuat vndas . which may be englished thus ; of these the viper with swift bones thee meetes , trayling her backe in path direct and straite , the cerast more diffused in way thee greets with crooked turning , on scales make sounds full great : like as a ship tossed by the westerne wind , sounds a far off , mooued now here , now there , so that by noyse of shrilling sides we find his furrowes turned in seas and water sphere . the quantity of this horned-serpent is not great , it exceedeth not two cubits in lengthe the colour of the body is branded like sande , yet mingled with another pale white colour , as is to be seene in a hares skinne . vpon the head there are two hornes , and sometimes . for which occasion it hath receiued the name cerastes , & with these hornes they deceiue birdes ; for when they are an hungry , they couer their bodies in sand , and onely leaue their hornes vncouered to moue aboue the earth , which when the birds see , taking them to be wormes , they light vpon them , and so are deuoured by the serpent . the teeth of this serpent are like the teeth of a viper , & they stand equall and not crooked ▪ in stead of a back-bone they haue a gristle throughout their body , which maketh them more flexible & apt to bend euery way : for indeed they are more flexible then any other serpent . they haue certaine red strakes crosse theyr backe like a crocodile of the earth , and the skins of such as are bred in aegypt are very soft , stretching like a cheuerell-gloue , both in length & breadth , as it did appeare by a certaine skinne taken off from one being dead : for beeing stuffed with hay , it shewed much greater then it was being aliue , but in other countries the skins are not so . i haue heard this history of three of these serpents brought out of turky , and giuen to a noble man of venice aliue , who preserued them aliue in a great glasse , ( made of purpose ) vpon sand , in that glasse nere the fire : the description as it here followeth , was takē by iohn faltoner , an english traueller , saying . they were three in number , whereof one was thrice so bigge as the other two , and that was a female , and she was said to be theyr mother : she had layd at that time in the sandes foure or fiue egges , about the bignesse of pigeons egges . she was in length three foote , but in breadth or quantity almost so big as a mans arme : her head was flat , and broad as two fingers , the apple of the eye blacke all the other part being white . out of her eye-lids grew two hornes , but they were short ones , and those were truely hornes , and not flesh . the necke compared with the body was very long and small , all the vpper part of the skinne was couered with scales , of ash-colour , and yet mixed vvith blacke . the tayle is as it were brown whē it was stretched out . and this was the description of the old one : the other two being like to her in all things , except in their hornes , for being small , they were not yet growne . generally , all these horned serpents haue hard dry scales vpon their belly , wherewithall they make a noyse when they go themselues , & it is thus described by nicander ; nunc potes actutum insidiatoremque cerasten noscere , vipereum veluti genus , huic quia dispar non is corpus habet , sed quatuor aut duo profert cornua , cum mutila videatur vipera fronte . squalidus albenti color est . in english thus : you well may know the treacher cerasts noyse , a viper-kind , whose bodies much agree , yet these foure hornes and brandy colour , poyse , where viper none , but forehead plaine we see . there is no serpent except the viper that can so long indure thirst , as this horned-serpent , for they seldome or neuer drinke ; and therefore i thinke they are of a vipers kind : for besides this also it is obserued , that their young ones do come in and out of their bellies as vipers doe : the liue in hatred with all kind of serpents , and especially with spiders . the hawes of aegypt also doe destroy horned-serpents and scorpions : but about thebes in aegypt there are certain sacred snakes ( as they are tearmed ) which haue hornes on their head , and these are harmelesse vnto men and beasts , otherwise all these serpents are virulent and violent against all creatures , especially men : yet there bee certaine men in libia called psylli , which are in a league , or rather in a naturall concord with horned-serpents . for if they bee bitten by them at any time , they receiue no hurt at all : and besides , if they bee brought vnto any man that is bitten with one of these serpents , before the poyson be spred all ouer his body , they help and cure him , for if they finde him but lightly hurt , they onely spet vpon the wound , and so mittigate the paine , but if they find him more deeply hurt , then they take much water within their teeth , and first wash their owne mouth with it , then spet out the water into a pot , and make the sicke man to drinke it vp . lastly , if the poyson bee yet strong , they lay their naked bodies vppon the naked poysoned body , and so breake the force of the poyson . and this is thus described by the poet , saying , audiui lybivos psyllos , quos aspera syrtis serpentumque ferax patria alit populos ; non ictu inflictum diro , morsuúe venenum laedere : quin lasis ferre & opem reliquis , non viradicum proprio sed corpore iuncto . that is to say , the lybian psylli , which serpent-breeding syrtes dwell as i haue heard , do cure poyson stings and bytes , nor hurt themselues , but it in other quell : by no rootes force , but ioyning bodies quites . when a horned-serpent hath bitten a man or beast , first about the wound there groweth hardnesse , and then pustules . lastly , blacke , earthy , and pale matter : the genitall member standeth out straight and neuer falleth , he falleth mad , his eyes grow dimme , & his nerues immanuable , and vppon the head of the wound groweth a scab like the head of a naile , and continually pricking like the pricking of needles : and because this serpent is immoderately dry , therefore the poyson is most pernitious : for if it be not holpen within nine daies , the patient cannot escape death . the cure must be first by cutting away the flesh vnto the bone , where the wound is , or else the whole member if it can bee , then lay vpon the wound goats dung sodde with vineger or garlike , and vineger or barley meale , or the iuyce of cedar , rue , or nep , with salt and honny , or pitch , and barley meale , and such like thinges outwardly : inwardly daffadill and rew in drinke , raddishseede , indian cummen , with wine and castoreum : and also calamint , and euery thing that procureth vomit . and thus much for the description of the horned-serpent . of the hyaena . there be some that make question whether there be any such serpent as this or no , for it is not very like that there is any such , and that this hyaena is the selfe same which is described to bee a foure-footed-beast , for that which is said of that , is likewise attributed to this : namely , that it changeth sex , being one yeare a male , another yeere a female , and that the couples which seeme to bee married together , do by continuall entercourse , bring forth their young ones , so that the male this yeare is the female next yeare , & the female this yeare is the male next yeare . and this is all that is said of this serpent . of the hydra , svpposed to be killed by hercules . the poets do faine , that neare to the fountaine amymona , there grew a plantaine , vnder which was bred a hydra which had seeuen heads : whereof one of these heads vvas said to bee immortall : with this hydra hercules did fight , for there was in that immortall head such a poyson as vvas vncurable ; wherewithall hercules moystened the head of his darts after he had killed it : & they say , that while hercules strucke offone of these heads , there euer arose two or three more in the roome thereof , vntill the number of fifty , or as some say fourescore and ten heads were strucken off : and because this was done in the fenne of lerna , therefore there grew a prouerb of lerna malorum , to signifie a multitude of vnresistable euils . and some ignorant men of late daies at venice , did picture this hydra with wonderfull art , and set it forth to the people to be seene , as though it had beene a true carkase , with this inscription . in the yeare of christes incarnation , . about the month of ianuary , this monstrous serpent was brought out of turky to venice , & afterwards giuen to the french king ▪ it was esteemed to be worth . duckats . these mōsters signifie the mutation or change of worldly affaires , but ( i trust said the author of the inscription , who seemed to be a german ) the whole christian world is so afflicted , that there is no more euill that can happen to the christian vvorld , except destruction ; and therefore i hope that these mōsters do not foreshew any euil to the christians . therfore seeing the turkish empire is grown to that height , in which estate all other former kingdomes fell , i may deuine & prophecy , that the danger threatned hereby , belongeth to the turkes , and not vnto vs , in whose gouerment this monster was found to be bred : and the hinder part of his head seemeth to resemble a turkes cap. thus farre this inscribing deuiner . but this fellovv ought first of all to haue enquired about the truth of this picture , whether it were sincere or counterfeit , before he had giuen his iudgment vpon it , for that there shold be such a serpent with seauen heads , i thinke it vnpossible , and no more to bee beleeued and credited then that castor and pollux were conceiued in an egge , or that pluto is the god of hell ; or that armed menne were created out of dragons teeth , or that vulcan made achilles armour ; or that venus was wounded by diomedes ; or that vlisses was caryed in bottles , so true i thinke is the shape of this monster : for the head , eares , tongue , nose , and face , of this monster , doe altogether degenerate from all kindes of serpents , which is not vsuall in monsters , but the fore-parts doe at most times resemble the kind to which it belongeth ; and therefore if it had not been an vnskilfull painters deuice , he might haue framed it in a better fashion , and more credible to the world . but let it be as it is , how doth he know that this euill doth more belong to the turkes then to the christians ? for shall we be so blind and flatter our selues so far , as not to acknowledge our sinnes , but to lay all the tokens of iudgement vpon our aduersaries ? but if there appeared in vs any repentance or amendement of those faults , for which god hath suffered in his iustice , that improus tyrant and tyranicall gouernment to preuaile against christians , then we might thinke that god would looke mercifully vppon vs , and auert his wrath from vs vppon our enemies . but with sorrow and griefe bee it spoken , for all the kings and people of christendome , doe directly go forward without stumbling in those vile courses , and odious crying sinnes , for which god hath set vp the turkes against former ages , and therefore we haue no cause to hope that euer this rod shall bee cast into the fire , vntill the chastisement of god children haue procured their amendment , and if no amendment , then all the powers of heauen ( the blessed trinity excepted ) cannot keepe christendome from ruine and destruction , which god of his infinite mercy turne away from vs. to turne againe to the story of the hydra , i haue also heard that in venice in the dukes treasury , among the rare monumentes of that citty , there is preserued a serpent with seauen heads , which if it be true , it is the more probable that there is a hydra , and then the poets were not altogether deceiued , that say , hercules killed such an one . this hydra which hercules slewe , they say was ingendered betwixt echidna and typhaon , and nourished by iuno in lerna , in hatred of hercules : and they say further , that when hee came to kill it , there came a crabbe or cancer to helpe the hydra against hercules , who instantly called vpon iolaus for helpe , and so iolaus slew the crabbe , and hercules the hydra . phaaephatus maketh the story of hercules by killing the hydra , to bee a meere allegory , saying that the hydra was a castle kept by fifty men , the king whereof was called lernus , who was assisted by a noble man ( called cancer ) against the assaults of hercules , and that hercules by the help of iolaus , king of the thebanes , ouercame that king and castle . other say , that lerna and hidra signifie the two kindes of enuye , distinguished by inuidia , and inuidentia , in himselfe , which arise out of the monstrous filthy fenne of humane corruption , like a monstrous hydeous dragon , with whom he stroue , and as he strucke off one head , or ●entation , so two or three other continually arose in the roome thereof . and thus much for the hydra , whether it be true or fabulous . of innocent serpents . idoe read of two kinds of innocent serpents , one call lybies , because they are onely in affricke , and neuer do hurt vnto men , and therefore nicander was deceiued , which maketh this kind of serpent to be the same with the amodit , whose sting or teeth are very mortall and deadly . there be also other kindes of harmelesse serpents , as that called molurus , mustaca , and mylacris , which is said to go vpon the taile , and it hath no notable propertie , except that one thing which giueth it the name , for molurus is deriued from molis ouron , that is hardly making water . there be also domesticall innocent serpents , myagrus , orophia , and spathiurus , which whether they be one kind or many , i will not stand vppon , for they are all tearmed by the germans , hussunck , and husschlang , that is a house-snake . they liue by hunting of mice and weasels , and vpon their heads they haue two little eares , like to the eares of a mouse , and because they be as blacke as coales , the italians call them serpe-nero , and carbon , and garobonazzo , and the french-men anguille-de hay , that is , a snake of hedges . there be some that nourish them in glasses with branne , and when they are at liberty they liue in dunghils also , wherein they breede sometimes , they haue beene seene to sucke a cow , for then they twist their tailes about the cowes legges . mathiolus writeth , that the flesh of this snake when the head , taile , intrals , fat , and gall are cut off and cast away , to be a speciall remedy against the french-poxe . there are also other kinds of innocent serpents , as that called parea , and in italy ba●on , and pagerina , which are brought out of the east , where these are bred . there be no other harmefull serpents in that countrey . they are of a yellow colour like gold , and about four spannes long : vpon either side they haue two lines or strakes , which beginne about a hand breadth from their necke , and end at their taile . they are without poyson , as may appeare by the report of gesner , for hee did see a man holde the head aliue in his and thus much shall suffice to haue spoken of innocent serpents . of the lizard . although there be many kindes of lyzards , yet in this place i will first intreate of the vulgar lyzard , called in the haebrew letaah , lanigermusha , lyserda , carbo , pelipah , and eglose . the chaldaeans haltetha , and humeta . the arabians ataia , alhathaie , or alhadaie , hardun , arab , samabras , saambras . the graecians in ancient time sauros , and saura , & vulgarly at this day kolisaura . the italians in some places liguro , leguro , lucerta , and lucertula : about trent racani , and ramarri , and yet romarro is also vsed for a toad . the spaniards lagárto , lacerta , lagartisa , and lagardixa . the french lisarde . the germans adax : and when they distinguish the male from the female , they expresse the male ein egochs , and the female egles . in hessia lydetstch : in flanders & illiria gesscierka , and gesstier . the latines lacertus , and lacerta , because it hath armes and shoulders like a man , and for this cause also the salamander , the stellion , the crocodile , and scorpions are also called sometimes lacerti lyzards . and thus much shall suffice for the name . the vulgar lizard is described on this sort : the skinne is hard and full of scales , according to this saying of virgill : absint & picti squalentia terga lacerti . in english thus ; — those put away and painted lizards with their scalie backs . the colour of it is pale , and distinguished with certain rusty spots , as pliny writeth , with long strakes or lines to the taile ; but generally they are of many colours , but the greene with the white belly liuing in bushes hedges , & is the most beautifull , and most respected ; and of this we shall peculiarly intreat hereafter . there haue beene some lizards taken in the beginning of september , whose colour was like brasse , yet darke and dusky , and their belly partly white , and partly of an earthy colour , but vpon either side they had certaine little prickes or spottes like printed starres : their length was not past foure fingers , their eyes looked backward , and the holes and passages of their ●ares were round , the fingers of their feet were very small , beeing fiue in number , both before and behinde , vvith small nailes , and behind that was the longest which standeth in the place of a mans fore-finger , and one of them standeth different from the other , as the thumbe doth vppon a mans hand , but on the forefeete all of them stand equall , not one behinde or before another . now concerning the different kinds of lizards , i must speake as breefely as i can in this place , wherein i shall comprehend both the countries wherein they bre●de , and also their seuerall kinds , with some other accidents necessary to be knowne . there is a kind of lizard called guarell , or vrell , and alguarill , with the dung whereof the physitions do cure little pimples and spots in the face , and yet bellunensis maketh a question , whether this be to be referred to the lizards or not , because lizards are not found but in the coūtrey , out of citties , and these are found euery where . there is also another kind of lizard called lacertus martensis , which being s●●ted with the head and purple wooll , oyle of cedar , and the powder of burnt paper , so put into a linnen-cloth , and rubbed vpon a bald place , doe cause the haire that is falne off to come againe . there be other lyzards , called by the graecians arurae , and by the latines lacertae pissininae , which continually abide in greene corne ; these burned to powder , and the same mixed with the best wine and hony , doe cure blind eyes by an oyntment . the picture of the lyzard with the belly vpward . albertus writeth , that a friend of his worthy of credit , did tell him that he had seene in prouence a part of fraunce , and also in spaine , lyzards as bigge as a mans legge is thick , but not very long , and these did inhabit hollow places of the earth , and that many times when they perceiued a man or a beast passe by them , they would suddainly leape vppe to his face , & at one blow pull off his cheek . the like also is reported of piemont in france , where there be lyzards as great as little puppies , and that the people of the country , do seeke after their dunge or excrements , for the sweetnes and other vertues thereof . in lybia there are lyzards two cubits long , and in one of the fortunate-ilands called capraria , there are also exceeding great lyzards . in the iland of dioscorides , neere to arabia the lesser , there are very great lyzards , the flesh whereof the people eate , and the satte they seeth , and vse in steede of oyle : these are two cubits long , and i know not whether they be the same which the affricans call dubh , and liue in the desarts of lybia . they drinke nothing at all , for water is present death vnto them , so that a man would thinke that this serpent were made all of fire , because it is so presently destroyed with water . beeing killed , there commeth no blood out of it , neither hath it any poyson but in the head & tayle . this the people hunt after to eate , for the tast of the flesh , is like the tast of frogges flesh , and when it is in the hole or denne , it is very hardly drawne forth , except with spades and mattocks , whereby the passages are opened , and beeing abroad it is swift of foote . the lyzards of india , especially about the mountaine nisa , are . foote in length , their colour variable , for their skin seemeth to be flourished with certaine pictures , soft & tender to be handled . i haue heard that there hangeth a lyzard in the kinges house at paris , whose body is as thicke as a mans body , and his length or stature little lesse ; it is said it was taken in a prison or common gaole , beeing found sucking the legges of prisoners : and i doe the rather beleeue this , because i remember such a thing recorded in the chronicles of fraunce , and also of another some-what lesser , preserued in the same cittie , in a church called saint anthonies . and to the intent that this may seeme no strange nor incredible thing , it is reported by volatteran , that when the king of portugall had conquered certaine ilands in ethiopia , in one of them they slew a lyzard , which had deuoured or swallowed downe a whole infant , so great & wide was the mouth thereof : it was eight cubits long , and for a rare miracle it was hanged vppe at the gate flumentana in rome , in the roofe , & dedicated to the virgin mary . besides these , there are other kind of lyzards , as that called lacerta vermicularis , because it liueth vpon wormes & spyders , in the narrow walls of old buildings . also a siluer-coloured lyzard , called liacome , liuing in dry and sunne-shining places . another kind called senabras , and adare , and sennekie . scen is a redde lyzard , as siluaticus writeth , but i rather take it to be the scincke , or crocodile of the earth , which abound neere the red-sea . there is also another kinde of lyzard called lacertus solaris , a lyzard of the sunne , to whom epiphanius compareth certaine heretickes called sapmsaei , because they perceiue their eye-sight to bee dimme and dull . they turne themselues fasting in theyr caues to the east , or sunne-rysing , whereby they recouer their eye-sight againe . in sarmatia , a countrey of the rutenes , there is a prouince called samogithia , wherein the lyzards are very thicke , blacke , and great , which the foolish countrey people do worshippe very familiarly , as the gods of good fortune , for vvhen any good befalleth them , they intertaine them with plentifull banquets and liberall cheare : but if any harme or mischaunce happen vnto them , then they vvith-dravv that liberality , and intreate them more coursely , and so these dizzardly people thinke to make these lizards by this meanes , more attentiue and vigilant for theyr welfare and prosperity . in the prouince of caraia , subiect to the tartars , there are very great lizards , ( or at least , wise serpents like lizard ) sbred , containing in length ten yards , with an answerable and correspondent compasse and thicknesse . some of these want their fore-legges , in place whereof they haue clawes like the clavves of a lyon , or talants of a falcon. their head is great , and their eyes like two great loaues . their mouth and the opening thereof so wide , as it may swallow downe a whole man armed , with great , long , and sharp teeth , so as neuer any man or other creature durst without terror looke vpon that serpent . wherefore they haue inuented this art or way to take them . the serpent vseth in the day time to lye in the caues of the earth , or else in hollovv plaees of rockes and mountaines . in the night time it commeth forth to feede , ranging vp and and down seeking what it may deuour , neither sparing lyon , beare , nor bull , or smaller beast , but eateth all he meeteth with vntill he be satisfied , and so returneth againe to his den . now for as much as that countrie is very soft and myery : the great and heauy bulke of this serpent maketh as it were a ditch by his weight in the sand or mire , so as where you see the traling of his body , you would thinke there had beene rowled some great vessell full of vvine , because of the round and deepe impression it leaueth in the earth . now the hunters which watch to destroy this beast , doe in the day time fasten sharpe stakes in the earth , in the path and passage of the serpent , especially neere to his hole or lodging , and these stakes are pointed vvith sharpe iron , and so couered in the earth or sand , whereby it commeth to passe , that when in his wonted manner he commeth forth in the night season to feede , hee vnawares fastneth his breast , or else mortally woundeth his belly vppon one of those sharpe-pointed stakes . which thing the hunters lying in waite obseruing , do presently vpon the first noyse with their swords kill him if he be aliue , and so take out his gall which they sell for a great price , for therewithall the biting of a madde dogge is cured , and a woman in trauell tasting but a little of it , is quickely disdischarged of her burthen . it is good also against the emerods and pyles . furthermore , the flesh of this serpent is good to be eaten , and these things are reported by paulus venetus , and this story following . as americus vesputius sayled in his iourney from the fortunate islands , hee came vnto a countrey where hee found the people to feede vppon sodde flesh , like the flesh of a serpent , and afterwardes they found this beast to bee in all thinges like a serpent vvithout wings , for they savv diuers of them aliue , taken and kept by the people to kill at their owne pleasure . the mouthes whereof were fast tyed with ropes , so as they could not open them to bite either man or beast , and their bodies were tyed by the legges . the aspect of these beastes was fearefull to his company , and the strangers which did behold it , for they tooke them to bee serpents , beeing in quantity as bigge as roe-buckes , hauing long feete and stronge clawes , a speckeled skinne , and a face like a serpent : from the nose to the tippe of his taile , all along the backe there grew a bristle , as it were the bristle of a boare , and yet the saide nation feedeth vppon them , and because of their similitude with lizards , i haue thought good to insert their relation among the lyzards in this place , leauing it to the further iudgement of the reader , whether they be of this kind or not . in calechut there are serpents also , or rather beasts remaining in the fenny places of the country , whose bodies are all pild without haire like serpents : also in their mouth , eies , and taile they resemble them , and in their feete lizards , being as great as boares , and although they want poyson , yet are their teeth very hurtfull where they fasten them . like vnto these are certaine others bred in hispaniola , in an island called hyuana , hauing prickles on their backe , and a combe on their head , but without voyce , hauing foure feete , & a taile like lizards , with very sharpe teeth . they are not much greater then hares or conies , yet they liue indifferently in trees , and on the earth , being very patient , and induring famme many daies . their skinne smooth and speckled like a serpents , & they haue a crap on the belly from the chin to the breast , like the crap of a bird. besides these , there are also some called bardati , about the bignesse of conyes , and of a white-ash-colour , yet theyr skinne and taile like a snakes , and they resemble trapped horses . they haue foure feet , and with the formost they dig them holes in the earth , our of which they are drawne againe like conies to be eaten of men , for they haue a pleasant tast . to conclude , wee doe read that in the yeare . there came many winged serpents and lizards into germany , neere syria , and did bite many mortally : and in the yeare . there were such bred in the bodyes of men and women , as wee haue shewed already in the generall discourse of serpents , first of all recited in the beginning . in all the nature of lizards , there is nothing more admirable then that which is reported of them by aelianus of his owne knowledge . when a certaine man had taken a great fat lizard , he did put out her eyes with an instrument of brasse , and so put her into a new earthen pot , which hadde in it two small holes or passages , bigge inough to take breath at , but too little to creepe out at , and with her moyst earth and a certaine hearbe , the name wherof he doth not expresse : and furthermore , he tooke an iron ring , wherein was set an engagataes stone , with the picture of a lizard ingrauen vpon it . and besides , vpon the ring he made . seuerall marks , whereof he put out euery day one , vntill at the last hee came at the ninth , and then hee opened the pot againe , and the lizard did see as perfectly as euer he did before the eyes were put out , whereof albertus enquiring the reason , could giue none , but hauing read in isidorus , that when the lizards grow olde , and their sight dimme or thicke , then they enter into some narrow hole of a wall , and so set their heads therein , directly looking towards the east or sunne rysing , and so they recouer their sight againe . of this albertus giueth good reason , because he saith , the occasion of their blindnesse commeth from frigidity congealing the humor in their eyes , which is afterward attenuated and dissolued by the helpe and heate of the sun. the voice of the lizard is like the voyce of other serpents , and if it happen that any man by chance doe cut the body of the lizard asunder , so as one part falleth from another , yet neither part dyeth , but goeth away vppon the two legges that are left , and liue apart for a little season , and if it happen that they meete againe , they are so firmely and naturally conioyned by the secret operation of nature , as if they had neuer beene seuered , onely the scatre remaineth . they liue in caues of the earth , and in graues , and the greene lizards in the fields and gardens , but the yellowish or earthy browne lizard among hedges and thornes . they deuoure any thing that comes to their mouth , especially bees , emmets , palmer-wormes , grassehoppers , locusts , and such like thinges , and foure months of the yeare they lie in the earth and eate nothing . in the beginning of the yeare about march , they come out againe of their holes , and giue themselues to generation , which they performe by ioyning their bellies together , wreathing their tailes together , & other parts of their bodies afterwards the female bringeth forth egges , which she committeth to the earth , neuer sitting vpō them , but forgetteth in what place they were laid ( for she hath no memory . ) the young ones are conceiued of themselues , by the help of the sun . some there be which affirme , that the old one deuoureth the young ones assoone as they be hatched , except one which she suffereth to liue , & this one is the basest & most dullard , hauing in it least spirit of all the residue ; yet notwithstanding , afterwards it deuoureth both his parents , which thing is prooued false by albertus , for seeing they want memory to finde out their owne egges , it is not likely that they haue so much vnderstanding as to discerne their own young ones , nor yet so vnnaturall as to destroy the noblest of their broode , but rather they should imitate the crocodile , which killeth the basest and spareth the best spirits . it is affirmed , that they liue but halfe a yeare or sixe months , but it is also false , for they hide themselues the foure coldest monthes ; and therefore it is likely they liue more then sixe , for else what time should they haue for generation . twice a yeare they change their skinne , that is in the spring and autume like other serpents that haue a soft skinne , and not hard like the tortoyces . their place of conception and emission of their egges is like to birds : and therefore it is a needlesse question to inquire whether they bring egges foorth of their mouth or not , as some haue foolishly affirmed , but without all warrant of truth or nature . they liue by couples together , and when one of them is taken , the other waxeth mad , and rageth vppon him that tooke it , whether it be male or female : in the old testament lizards , weasels , and mice are accounted impure beastes , and therefore forbidden to be eaten , not onely because they liue in graues and designe in constancy of life , but also theeues and trecherous persons . they are affraide of euery noyce , they are enemies to bees , for they liue vpon them ; and therefore in ancient time they mixed meale and iuyce of mallowes together , and layde the same before the hiues , to driue away lizards and crocodiles . they fight with all kind of serpents , also they deuour snailes , and contend with toades and scorpions . the night-owles and the spiders doe destroy the little lizards , , for the spider doth so long wind her thred about the iawes of the lizard , that hee is not able to open his mouth , & then she fasteneth her stings in her braines . the storkes are also enemies to lizards , according to this saying of the poet ; — serpente ciconia pullos nutrit & inuent a per deuia rura lacerta . in english thus ; with lizards young and serpents breede , the storke seeketh her young ones to feed . notwithstanding , that by the law of god , men were forbidden to eate the lizard , yet the troglodytes ethiopians did eate serpents and lizards , and the amazons did eate lizards and tortoyces , for indeede those women did vse a very thinne and slender diet ; and therefore caelius doth probably coniecture , that they were called amazons , because mazis carebant , that is , they wanted all manner of delicate fare . wee haue also shewed already , that the inhabitants of dioscorides isle , do eate the flesh of lizards , and the fat after it is boyled , they vse instead of oyle . concerning the venome or poyson of lizards , i haue not much to say , because there is not much thereof written : yet they are to be reproued which deny they haue any poyson at all , for it is manifest , that the flesh of lizards eaten , ( i meane of such lizards as are in italy , ) do cause an inflamation and apostemation , the heare of the head-ach , and blindnesse of the eyes . and the egges of lizards doc kill speedily , except there come a remedy from faulkens dung and pure vvine . also when the lizard byteth , he leaueth his teeth in the place , which continually aketh , vntill the teeth bee taken out : the cure of which wound is first to suck the place , then to put into it cold water , & afterward to make a plaister of oyle and ashes , and apply the same therevnto . and thus much for the naturall description of the lizard . the medicines arising out of the lizard , are the same which are in the crocodile , and the flesh thereof is very hot : wherefore it hath vertue to make fat , for if the fatte of a lizard bee mixed vvith wheate meale , halinitre , and cummen , it maketh hennes very fat , and they that eate them much fatter : for cardan saith , that their bellies will breake vvith fatnesse , and the same giuen vnto hawkes , maketh them to chaunge theyr fethers . a lizard dissected , or the head thereof being very well beaten vvith salt , draweth out yton poyntes of nayles , and splentes out of the flesh or body of man , if it bee well applyed thereunto , and it is also said , that if it bee mingled with oyle , it causeth hayre to to grow againe vpon the head of a man , where an vlcer made it fall off . likewise a lyzard cut asunder hot , and so applyed , cureth the stinging of scorpions , and taketh away wennes . in ancient time with a field-lizard dryed and cut asunder , and so bruzed in peeces , they did draw out teeth without paine , and with one of these sod and stamped , and applyed vvith meale or frankensence to the forehead , did cure the watering of the eyes . the same burned to powder , and mixed with creticke hony by an oyntment , cureth blindnesse . the oyle of a lizard put into the eare , helpeth deafenesse , and dryueth out wormes if there bee any therein . if children bee annoynted with the bloud fasting , it keepeth them from swellinges in the belly and legges : also the liuer and bloud lapped vp in wooll , draweth out nailes and thornes from the flesh , & cureth all kind of freckles , according to this verse of serenus ; verrucam poterit sanguis curare lacertae . that is to say ; — the bloud of lizards can , cure freckles in a man. the vrine and ( if there be any at all ) helpeth the rupture in infants . the bones taken out of the lizards head in the full moone , doe scarifie the teeth , and the braine is profitable for suffusions : the liuer laide to the gumbes or to hollow teeth , easeth all the paine in them . the dung purgeth wounds , and also taketh away the whitenesse and itching of the eyes , and so sharpneth the sight , and the same with water , is vsed for a salue . arnoldus doth much commend the dung of lizards mixed with meale , the blacke thereof being cast away , and so dryed in a furnace , and softned againe with water of niter , and froth of the sea , afterwards applyed to the eyes in a cloth , is very profitable against all the former euils . and thus much shall suffice to haue spoken of the first and vulgar kinde of lyzard : for killing of whom apollo was in ancient time called sauroctonos . of the greene lizard . the greater lizard which is called lacerta viridis , the greene lizard , by the graecians chlorosaura , by the italians gez , and by the germans gruner heydox ; is the same which is called ophiomachus , because it fighteth with serpents in the defence of man. they are of colour greene , from whence they are named , and yet sometimes in the summer they are also found pale . they are twice so bigge as the former lizard , and come not neare houses , but keep in meddowes and greene fieldes . they onely abound in italy , and it is a beast very louing and friendly vnto man , and an enemy to all other serpentes . for if at any time they see a man , they instantly gather about him , and laying their heads at the one side , with great admiration behold his face : and if it chance a man doe spet , they licke vp the spettle ioyfully , and it hath beene seene that they haue done the like to the vrine of chyldren , and they are also handled of children without danger , gently licking moysture from their mouthes . and if at any time three or foure of them be taken , and so sette together to fight , it is a wonder to see how eagerly they wound one another , and yet neuer set vppon the man that put them together . if one walke in the fieldes by hollow wayes , bushes , and greene places , hee shall heare a noyse , and see a motion as if serpents were about him , but when hee looketh earnestly vppon them , they are lyzards wagging their heads , and beholding his person ; and so if he goe forward they follow him , if he stand still they play about him . one day ( as erasmus writeth ) there was a lyzard seene to fight with a serpent in the mouth of his owne caue , and whilst certaine men beheld the same , the lyzard receiued a wound vppon her cheeke by the serpent , who of greene , made it all redde , and had almost torne it all off , and so hid herselfe againe in her denne . the poore lizard came running vnto the beholders , and shewed he bloodie side , as it were desiring helpe and commizeration , standing still when they stood still , and following when they went forward , so that it acknowledged the soueraigntie of man , appealing vnto him as the chiefe iustice , against all his enemies and oppressours . it is reported by the italians , that many times while men fall asleepe in the fieldes , serpents come creeping vnto them , and finding their mouthes open , doe slyde downe into their stomacks : wherfore , when the lizard seeth a serpent comming toward a man so sleeping , she waketh him , by gently scratching his hands and face , whereby hee escapeth death and deadly poyson . the vse of these greene-lizards , is by their skinne and gall to keepe apples from rotting , and also to driue away catterpillers , by hanging vp the skinne on the tops of trees , and by touching the apples with the said gall : also when the head , feete or intralls are taken away , the flesh of the greene-lyzard , is giuen in meate to one that hath the sciatica , and thus much for the naturall vses of the greene-lyzard . the remedies arising out of this lyzard , are briefely these : first it is vsed to be giuen to hawkes , and to be eaten in small peeces , prouided so as it be not touched vvith theyr tallants , for it will hurt their feete , & draw their clawes together ; also they seeth it in water , then beate it in a morter . lastly , when they haue powred warme water vppon it , they let the hawke wash her feete in it , and so it causeth her to cast her old feathers and coate , and bringeth a new in the roome thereof . this lyzard eaten with sauces to take avvay the loathing thereof , is good for the falling-euill : and beeing sod in three pynts of vvine , vntill it be but one cup-full , and thereof taken euery day a spoonefull , is good for them that haue a disease in the lunges . it is also profitable for thē that haue paine in the loynes . and there are many wayes to prepare it for the eyes , which i will not stand to relate in this place , because they are superstitious , and therefore likely to doe more harme then good to the english reader . there is an oyle made of lyzards , which is very precious , and therfore i will describe it as i find it in brasauolus . take seauen greene lyzards , and strangle them in two pound of common oyle , therein let them soke three dayes , and then take them out , & afterwards vse this oyle to annoynt your face euery day , but one little drop at once , and it shall wonderfully amend the same . the reason hereof seemeth to be taken from the operation of the dunge or excrements , because that hath vertue to make the face white , and to take away the spots . if the vpper part in the pastorne of a horse be broken , put thereinto this oyle with a little vineger , then rub the hoofe about there-with , so shall it increase and grow again , & all the paine thereof shall passe away . the making of the medicine is this . take a newe earthen pot , put there-into three pints of oyle , wherein you must drowne your lyzards , & so seeth them till they are burned away , then take out the bones , and put in soft lyme , halfe a pound , liquid pitch a pint , of swines-greace two pound , then let them be all sod together againe , and afterwards preserued , and vsed vpon the hoofe as need shall require : for it shall fasten and harden the horses hoofe , & there is nothing better for this purpose then this oyle . the ashes of a greene lizard do reduce skars in the body to their owne colour . the bones of a greene-lyzard are good against the falling euill , if they bee prepared on this manner following : put your greene-lizard aliue into a vessell full of salt , and there shut it in safe , so in few daies it vvill consume all the flesh and intrals from the bones , and so the bones may bee taken and vsed in this case like the hoofe of an elke , which are very precious for this sicknesse , and no lesse precious are these bones . the bloud dooth cure the beating , bruizinges , and thicke skinnes in the feet of men and beasts , beeing applyed in flockes of wooll . the eye is superstitiously giuen to be bound to ones arme on a quartane-ague , and the eyes pressed out aliue , and so included in golden buttons or bullets , & carryed about , do also help the paine of the eyes , and in default hereof the bloud taken out of the eyes in a peece of purple wooll , hath the same operation . the hart of a lizard is also very good against the exulcerations of the kings euill , if it bee but carryed about in the boosome in some small siluer vessell . the gall taketh away the hayres vpon the eye-liddes that are vnseemely , if it be dryed in the same to the thickesse of hony ; especially in the dog-daies , & mixed with white-wine , thē being annoynted vpon the place , it neuer suffereth the haires to grow againe . and thus much for the historie of the greene lizard . of the myllett or cenchrine . this serpent called by the graecians cenchros , cenchrines , cenchridion , and cenchrites : is by the latines called cenchria , cenchrus , and milliaris : because it commeth abroad at the time that myllet-seed flowreth , & is ready to ripe , or else because it hath certaine litle spots vpon it like myllet-seede ; and is also of the same colour . it is likewise barbarously called famusus , aracis , and faliuisus . the germans of all other haue a name for it , for they call punter-schlang , and berg-schlang . other nations not knowing it cannot haue any name for it ; and therefore i cannot fayne any thereof , except i should lye grosly in the beginning of the history . this serpent is onely bred in lemnus & samothracia , and it is there called a lyon , eyther because it is of very great quantity and bignesse , or else bycause the scales thereof are spotted and speckled like the lybian lyons : or bycause when it fighteth the tayle is turned vpward like a lyons tayle , and as a lion doth . but it is agreed at al hands , that it is called milliaris , a millet , because in the spots of his skinne and colour , it resembleth a millet-seede , which caused the poet to write on this manner ; pluribus ille notis variatam tingitur aluum , quàm paruis tinctus maculis thebanus ophites . in english thus ; with many notes and spots , his belly is bodyed like thebane herbe , ophtes sightly tryed . but not onely his belly , for his backe and whole skinne is of the same fashion and colour . the length of this serpent is about two cubits , and the thicke body is attenuated toward the end , being sharpe at the taile . the colour is dusky and darke like the millet , and it is then most irefull and full of wrath or courage , when this herbe or seed is at the highest . the pace of this serpent is not winding or trauailing , but straight , and directed without bending to and fro : and therefore saith lucan : et semper recto lapsurus limite cenchris : that is , and the millet alway standing in a straight and right line , and for this cause when a man flyeth away from it , he must not runne directly forward , but wind too and fro , crooking like an indenture , for by reason thereof this serpents large body cannot so easily and with the like speede turne to followe and pursue as it can directly forward . it is a very dangerous serpent to meete withall , and therefore not onely the valiantest man , but also the strongest beast is , and ought iustly to be afraide thereof , for his treacherous deceits and strength of body ; for when it hath gotten the prey or booty , he beclaspeth it with his taile , and giueth it fearefull blowes , in the meane time fasteneth his iawes or chaps to the man or beast , and sucketh out all the bloud till it be fully satisfied , and like a lyon he beateth also his owne sides , setting vp the spires of his body when he assaulteth any aduersary , or taketh any resisting booty . i take this to bee the same called in scicilia serpa serena , which is sometimes as long as a man , & as great as the arme about the wrist . in the heate of summer they get themselues to the mountaine , and there seize vpon cattel of all sortes , as often as anger or wrath enforceth them . the nature of it is very hot , and therefore venomous in the second degree : wherefore when it hath bitten any , there followeth putrifaction and rottennesse , as flesh where water lyeth betwixt the skinne , like as in the dropsie : for besides , the common affections it hath with the viper , and the byting thereof , alike in all thinges , more deadly and vnresistable euils followeth as drouzy , sleepinesse , and lethargy , paine in the belly , especially the collicke , paine in the liuer and stomacke , killing within two daies if remedy bee not prouided . the cure is like the cure of the vipers byting , take the seed of lettice , and flax-seede , sauory beaten or stamped , and wilde rew , wilde betony , and daffadill two drams in three cups of wine , and drinke the same , immediatly after the drinking heereof , drinke also two drammes of the roote of centaury , or hartwort , nosewort , or gentian , or sesamine . and thus much for a description of this venomous serpent , one of the greatest plagues , to man and beast in all those countries or places , wherein it is engendered , and it is not the least part of english happinesse to be freed by god & nature from such noysome virulent and dangerous neighbours . of the nevte or water lizard . this is a little blacke lyzard , called wassermoll , and wasseraddex , that is a lizard of the water . in french tassot , and in italian marasandola , which word is deriued frō marasso a viper , because the poyson heereof is like the poyson of vipers , and in greeke it , may be termed enudros sauros . they liue in standing waters or pooles . as in ditches of townes and hedges . the colour as we haue saide is blacke , and the length about two fingers , or scarce so long . vnder the belly it is white , or at least hath , some white small spots on the sides and belly : yet sometimes there are of them that are of a dusty earthy colour , and towards the tayle yellowish . the skinne is strong and hard , so as a knyfe can scarse cut the same , and beeing cut , there issueth out a kind of white mattery liquour , like as is in salamanders . beeing taken , it shutteth the mouth so hard as it cannot be easily opened , neither doth it endeuour to byte although it be plucked and prouoked . the tongue is very short and broade , and the teeth so short and small , as they are scarcely visible within the lippes . vppon the fore-feete it hath foure fingers or clawes , but vppon the hinder feete it hath fiue . the tayle standeth out betwixt the hinder legges in the midle , like the figure of a wheelewhirle , or rather so contracted , as if many of them were conioyned together , & the voyd or empty places in the coniunctions were filled vp . the tayle beeing cutte off , liveth longer then the body , as may be seene in euery dayes experience , that is , by motion giueth longer signes and token of lyfe . this serpent is bredde in fatte waters and soyles , and sometimes in the ruines of olde walls , especially they delight in white muddy waters , hiding themselues vnder stones in the same water if there be any , and if not , then vnder the banks sides of the earth , for they sildome come to the land. they swymme vnderneath the water , and are rarely seene at the toppe . theyr egges are not past so bigge as pease , and they are found hanging together in clusters . one of these beeing put aliue into a glasse of water , did continually hold his head aboue the water like as frogges doe , so that therby it may be coniectured it doth often neede respiration , and keepeth not vnder water except in feare , and seeking after meate . there is nothing in nature that so much offendeth it as salt , for so soone as it is layde vppon salt , it endeuoureth with all might & maine to runne away , for it byteth & stingeth the little beast aboue measure , so that it dyeth sooner by lying in salt where it cannot auoyde , then it would by suffering many stripes , for beeing beaten it liueth long , & dieth very hardly . it doth not like to be without water , for if you try one of them , and keepe it out of water but one day , it will be found to be much the worse . beeing mooued to anger , it standeth vpon the hinder legges , and looketh directlie in the face of him that hath stirred it , and so continueth till all the body be white , through a kind of white humour or poyson , that it swelleth outward , to harme ( if it were possible ) the person that did prouoke it . and by this is their venomous nature obserued to be like the salamander , although theyr continuall abode in the water , maketh their poyson the more weake . some say that if in fraunce a hogge doe eate one of these , hee dyeth thereof , and yet doth more safely eate the salamander . but in england it is otherwise , for i haue seene a hogge without all harme carry in his mouth a newte , & afterward eate it . there be some apothecaries which doe vse this newte in steed of scinks or crocodiles of the earth , but they are deceiued in the vertues and operation , and do also deceiue other , for there is not in it any such wholesome properties , and therefore not to be applyed without singuler danger . and thus much may suffice to be said for this little serpent , or water-creeping creature . of the pelias . aetius making mention of the elaps and pelias , two kinds of serpents , dooth ioyntly speake of them in this sort , saying that the signes of these 〈…〉 common and vulgarly knowne , that 〈…〉 among the auncient writers . but th● pehas byting 〈…〉 about the wound or bytten place , but yet not very dangerous , and it bringeth obfuscation or dimnesse to the eyes , by reason that as the poyson is v●●ersally distributed ouer all the body , so it hath most power ouer the tenderest part , namely the eyes . it is cured by a ptisane with oyle in drinke , and a decoction of such docks as grow in ditches , and other simple medicines , such as are applyed to the curing of the yellow-iaundise . the eyes must be washed with the vrine of a child or young man which neuer knew any woman ●…lly , and this may be applyed eyther simply and alone , or else by bryne and pickle , so also must the head . after that the body is purged , annoynt it with balsamum and hony , and take an eye-salue to sharpen againe and recouer the sight , and for this cause it is very good to weepe , for by euacuation of teares , the venom also will be expelled . but if the eyes grow to paine , then let their eyes●lue be made more temperate and gentle , to keepe the head and braine from stupefaction . and thus much for the pelias out of aetius . of the porphyre . there is among the indians a serpent about the bignes of a spanne or more , which in outward aspect is like to the most beautifull and well coloured purple , the head hereof is exceeding white , and it wanteth teeth . this serpent is sought for in the highest mountaines , for out of him they take the sardius stone . and although he cannot byte because hee wanteth teeth , yet in his rage when he is persecuted , he casteth foorth a certaine poyson by vomit , which causeth putrefaction where euer it lighteth . but if it be taken aliue and be hanged vp by the tayle , it rendereth a double , one whiles it is aliue , the other when it is dead , both of them blacke in colour , but the first resembleth blacke amber . and if a man take but so much of the first blacke venome as is the quantitie of a sesamyne seede , it killeth him presently , making his braines to fall out at his nostrills , but the other worketh neither so speedily , nor after the same manner ; for it casteth one into a consumption , and killeth within the compasse of a yere . but i find aelianus , volateran , and textor , to differ from this relation of ctesias , for they say that the first poyson is like to the drops of almond-trees , which are congealed into a gumme , and the other which commeth from it when hee is dead , is like to thin mattery water . vnto this porphyre i may adde the palmer-serpent , which strabo wryteth doth kill with an vnrecouerable poyson , & it is also of a scarlet colour , to the loynes or hinder parts . of the prester . although there be many writers which confound together the prester and the dipsas , and make of them but one kind , or serpent of diuers names , yet seeing on the contrary there be as many or more which doe distinguish or deuide them , and make them two in nature different , one from another , the dipsas killing by thirst , and the prester by heate , as theyr very names doe signifie , therefore i will also trace the steppes of this latter opinion , as of that which is more probable and consonant to truth . the graecians call it praester of prethein , which signifieth to burne or inflame , & tremellius and iunius thinke , that the serpents called fiery serpents , which did sting the israelites in the wildernesse , were presters . we find in suidas , praester for the fire of heauen , or for a cloude of fire carried about with a vehement strong wind , and sometimes lightenings . and it seemeth that this is indeede a fiery kind of serpent , for he himselfe alwayes goeth about with open mouth , panting and breathing as the poet writeth ; oraque distendens auidus fumantia praester inficit , vt laesus tumida membra gerat . which may be englished thus ; the greedy presters wide-open foming mouth infects , and swelleth , making the members by heate vncouth . when this serpent hath strooke or wounded , there followeth an immeasurable swelling , distration , conuersion of the blood to matter , and corrupt inflamation , taking away freedome or easines of aspiration , likewise dimming the sight , or making the hayre to fall off from the head ; at last suffocation as it were by fire , which is thus described by mantuan vpon the person of one narsidius , saying as followeth . ecce subit facies leto diuersa fluenti . narsidium marsi cultorem torridus agri percussit prester : illi rubor igneus ora succendit , tenditque cutem pereunte figura , miscens cuncta tumor toto iam corpore maior . humanumque egressa modum super omnia membra efflatur sanies , latè tollente veneno . ipse late penitus congesto corpore mersus . nec lorica tenet distenti corporis auctum . spumeus accenso non sic exundat aheno vndarum cumulus : nec tanto carbasa cor● curuauere sinus : tumid●s iam non capit artus informis globus & confuso pondere truncus . intactum volucrum rostris , epulasque daturum haud impunè feris , non ausi tradere busto , nondum stante modo crescens fugere cadauer . which may be englished thus ; loe suddenly a diuers fate the ioyfull current stayed narsidius , which marsinus mirror did adore , by burning sting of scorching prester dead was taye● , for fierie colour his face enflam'd , not as before . the first appearing visage fayld , all was out-stretcht , swelling couer'd all , and bodyes grossenes doubled surpassing humane bounds and members all ore reacht , aspyring venom spreads matter blowne in carkasse troubled . the man lyeth drownd within swolne bodies bankes , no girdle can his monstrous growth contayne , not so are waters swolne with rage of sandy flankes , nor sayles bend downe to blustering corus wayne . now can it not the swelling sinewes keepe in hold , deformed globe it is , and truncke ore-come with waight , vntoucht of flying foules , no beakes of young or old doe him dare eate , or beasts full wilde vpon the body bayte but that they dye . no man to bury in earth or fire durst once come nigh , nor stand to tooke vpon that haplesse case , for neuer ceased the heat of corps though dead to swell , therefore afrayde they ranne away with speedie pace . the cure of the poyson of this serpent , is by the phisitians found out to be wild purslaine , also the flowers and stalke of the bush , the beauers stones called castoreum , drunke with opponax and rew in wine , and the little sprat-fish in dyet . and thus much of this fire-burning venomous serpent . of the red serpent . this kinde of serpent beeing a serpent of the sea , was first of all found out by pelicerius bishoppe of montpelier , as rondoletus writeth , and although some haue taken the same for the myrus or berus of which we haue spoken already , yet is it manifest that they are deceiued , for it hath gills couered with a bony couering , and also sinnes to swym withall , much greater then those of the myrus , which wee haue shewed already to bee the male lamprey . this serpent therefore for the outward proportion thereof , is like to the serpents of the land , but of a redde or purplish colour , beeing full of crooked or oblique lines , descending from the backe to the belly , and deuiding or breaking that long line of the backe , which beginneth at the head , and so stretcheth foorth to the tayle . the opening of his mouth is not very great , his teeth are very sharpe and like a saw , his gills like scalie fishes , and vppon the ridge of his backe , all along to the tayle , and vnder-neath vppon the ryne or brimme of his belly , are certaine haires growing , or at the least thinne small things like hayres , the tayle beeing shut vp in one vndeuided finne . of this kind no doubt are those which bellonius saith hee sawe by the lake abydus , which liue in the waters , and come not to the land but for sleepe , for hee affirmeth that they are like land-serpents , but in theyr colour they are redde-spotted , with some small and duskie spots . gellius●…th ●…th , that among the multitude of sea-serpents , some are like congers , and i cannot te●…ether that of vergill be of this kind or not , spoken of by laocoon the priest of neptune . solennes taurum ingentum mactabat ad aras . ecce autem gemini á tenedo tranqulla per alta ( horresco referens ) immensis orbibus angues incumbunt pelago : pariterque ad littora tendunt . pectora quorum inter fluctus arecta , iubaeque sanguineae exuperant vndas : pars caetera pontum pone legit , sinuatque immensa volumine terga . fit sonitus spumante saelo , &c. which may be englished thus ; whilst he a bull at altars solemne sacrifice . behold ( i feare to tell ) two monstrous snakes appeared , out of tenedus shore both calme and deepe did rise one part in sea , the other on land was reared : their breasts and redde-blood manes on waters mounted , but backe and tayle on land from foaming sea thus sounded . of the salamander . i will not contrary their opinion which reckon the salamander among the kinds of lyzards , but leaue the assertion as somewhat tollerable : yet they are not to be followed , or to be beleeued , which would make it a kinde of worme , for there is not in that opinion eyther reason or resemblance . what this beast is called among the hebrewes i cannot learne , and therfore i iudge that the iewes ( like many other nations ) did not acknowledge that there was any such kinde of creature , for ignorance bringeth infidelitie in strange things and propositions . the graecians call it salamandra , which word or terme is retained almost in all languages , especially in the latine , and therefore isidore had more boldnesse and wit , then reason , to deriue the latine salamandra , quasi valincendram , resisting burning , for beeing a greeke word , it needeth not a latine notation . the arabians call it saambras , and samabras , which may wel be thought to be deriued or rather corrupted , from the former word salamandra , or else from the hebrew word semamit , which signifieth a stellion . among the italians and rhaetians it retaineth the latine vvord , and sometimes in rhaetia it is called rosada . in the dukedome of sauoy , pluuina . in fraunce , sourd , blande , albrenne , and arrassade , according to the diuers prouinces in that kingdome . in spayne it is called salamantegna . in germany it is called by diuers names , as maall , and punter maall , olm , moll , and molch , because of a kinde of liquour in it like milke , as the greeke word molge , from àmelgein to sucke milke . some in the country of heluetia doe call it quattertetesh . and in albertus it is likewise called rimatrix . and thus much may suffise for the name thereof . the description of theyr seuerall parts followeth , which as auicen and other authours write , is very like a small and vulgar lyzard , except in their quantitie , which is greater , theyr legges taller , and their tayle longer . they are also thicker and fuller then a lyzard , hauing a pale white belly , and one part of their skinne exceeding blacke , the other yellow like verdigreace , both of them very splendent and glistering , with a blacke line going all along their backe , hauing vppon it many little spots like eyes : and from hence it commeth to be called a stellion , or animal stellatum , a creature full of starres , and the skinne is rough and balde , especially vpon the backe where those spots are , out of which as writeth the scholiast , issueth a certaine liquour or humour , which quencheth the heate of the fire when it is in the same . this salamander is also foure-footed like a lyzard , and all the body ouer it is set with spots of blacke and yellow , yet is the sight of it abhominable and fearefull to man. the head of it is great , and sometimes they haue yellowish bellyes and tayles , and some-times earthy . it is some question among the learned , whether there be any discretion of sexe , as whether there be in this kinde a male and a female . pliny affirmeth that they neuer engender , and that there is not among them eyther male or female , no more then there are among eeles . but this thing is iustly crossed , both by bellonius and agricola , for they affirme vpon their owne knowledge , that the salamander engendereth her young ones in her belly like vnto the viper , but first conceiueth egges , and she bringeth forth fortie and fiftie at a time , which are fully perfected in her wombe , and are able to runne or goe so soone as euer they be littered : and therefore there must be among them both male and female . the countries wherein are found salamanders , are the region about trent , and in the alpes , and some-time also in germany . the most commonly frequent the coldest and moystest places , as in the shaddow of woods , in hedges neere fountaines and riuers , and some-times they are found among corne & thornes , and among rocks . they are sildome seene except it be eyther in the spring-time , or against raine , & for this cause it is called animal vernale , and pluuiosum , a spring or raynie creature . and yet there were many of them found together in a hole neere vnto the citty sneberge in germanie , in the month of february , for they loue to liue in flocks and troupes together , and at another time in nouember , a liuing salamander was found in a fountaine . howbeit , if at any time it be seene forraging out of his denne or lodging place , it is held for an assured presage of rayne . but if the spring-time fortune to be colde or frostie , then they keepe home , and goe not visibly abroade . some doe affirme that it is as cold as ise , and that it therefore quencheth heate or fire like a peece of ise , which if it be true , then is the old phylosophicall maxime vtterly false , namely , that all liuing creatures are hot and moyst , beeing compared to creatures without life and sence , for there is not any dead or sencelesse body that so quencheth fire as the ise doth . but the truth is , that the salamander is cold , and colder then any serpent , yet not without his naturall heate , which beeing compared to armans , may truly be said to be hot , and therefore the venome of the salamander is reckoned among septicks , or corroding things . it naturally loueth milke , and therefore some-times in the woods or neere hedges , it sucketh a cow that is layde , but afterward that cowes vdder or stocke dryeth vppe , and neuer more yeeldeth any milke . it also greatly loueth the honny-combe , and some authours haue affirmed , that they vse to gape after ayre or fresh breath , like the camaelion , yet they which haue kept salamanders in glasses , neuer perceiued by thē any such thing . they are slow of pace , and voyde ground very sluggishlie , and therfore it is iustly termed a heauy and slothfull beast . but the greatest matter in the salamander to be inquired after , is whethet it can liue and be nourished by and in the fire , or whether it can pa●se thorough the fire without any harme , or quench and put out the same . which opinions in the very relation and first hearing , doe crosse one another , for how can that either be nourished or liue in the fire , which quencheth the same beeing put into it ? aristotle that neuer saw a salamander himselfe , but wrote thereof by heare-say , hath giuen some colour to this opinion , because he writeth , nonulla corpora esse animalium quae igne non absumantur salamandra document● est : quae ( vt aiunt ) ignem inambulans per eum extinguit . that is to say , the salamander is an euidence , that the bodies of some creatures are not wasted or consumed in the fire , for ( as some say ) it walketh in the fire and extinguisheth the same . now whether this beseemed so great a phylosopher to write vppon heare-say , vvho tooke vpon him to gather all naturall learning into his owne graunge or store-house , & out of the same to furnish both the present and all future ages , i leaue it to the consideration of euery indifferent reader that shall peruse this story . i for mine owne part , rather iudge it to be lightnes in him , to insert a matter of this consequence in the discourse of this beast , without either authours , or experience gathered by himselfe . this one thing i maruaile at , why the egyptians , when they will expresse or signifie a man burnt , doe in theyr hierogliphicks paint a salamander , except eyther fire can burne a salamander , or else contrary to all their custome , they demonstrate one contrary by another . nicander plainely affirmeth , that the salamander dooth without all harme passe thorough the fire , and the scholiast addeth , that there are certaine passages in the skinne , out of vvhich issueth a kind of liquour that quencheth the fire : and hee telleth a story of one andreas , who did dippe a peece of cloth in the blood of a salamander , and tried afterward whither it would burne or not , but did not find that it would burne , wherfore he put it vppon his hand , and thrust that into the fire , and then also he felt no manner of paine . and therefore the said nicander calleth this creature ciporrhinon , because of a certaine fatte humour which issueth out of it , quenching the fire , but i rather thinke that this fat humour maketh the skinne to glister , for if it were properly fatte , it would rather kindle and encrease the fire then quench or extinguish the same . suidas followeth the common receiued opinion , that the salamander quencheth the fire , ( although it be not bredde of the fire as krekets are ) like ise , and when the fire is so quenched , it is in vaine to blow or kindle the same againe with any bellowes , as they say hath beene tryed in the forges of smithes . and this also caused serenus to write , seu salamandra potens , nullisque obnoxia flammis : the potent salamander is neuer hurt by flames . seneca consenteth heere-vnto , and zoroastres : and so great hath beene the dotage about this opinion , that some haue written that it ascendeth vp to the fire neere the moone , farre aboue the reach of the eagles or swiftest fowles . thus say they that write , and maintaine the salamanders abyding in the fire without harme . now on the contrary , let vs also heare their opinions , vvhich deny this naturall operation in the salamander . pliny affirmeth , that in his owne experience hee found that a salamander was consumed in the fire , and not the fire by it , for he saith he burned one to powder , and vsed the same powder in medicines . sextius also denyeth that it quencheth the fire , and vnto this opinion agreeth dioseorides . aetius writeth , that when it is first put into the fire , it deuideth the flame , and passeth thorough speedily without harme , but if it tarry long therein it is burned and consumed , because the liquour or humiditie thereof is wasted . and this is also graunted by galen , theophrastus , and niphus . and matthaeolus affirmeth that hee tryed the same , and found that if burning coales were layde vppon it , then it burned like vnto any other rawe flesh , but beeing cast into the fire , it burneth not speedily . albertus writeth , that there were some which brought to him a certaine thing which they called wooll , and said that it would not burne , but he found it not laua , vvooll , but lamygo , that is , a vapoury adhaerencie of a thing which flyeth from the strokes o● hammers vppon hot burning yron , and beeing collected vppon cloth , or cleauing to any part of the forge , it there becommeth in shew like yellowish pale wooll . the said authour affirmeth , that hee tooke a spyder , and layde the same vpon a hot burning yron , where it continued vnburned and vnharmed without motion a great while , by reason of his thicke skinne and coldnesse , and vnto another hee suffered a little candle to be put , which instantly put it out . and for the same causes , that is to say , both the thicknesse of the skinne , and cold constitution , commeth it to passe , that a salamander can liue so long in the fire without burning or consuming to ashes , for indeed the skin thereof is so hard , that it is cutte or pierced with a knife with great difficultie : and so when the force of the fire hath broken the skinne , then also issueth foorth a cold humour , which for a season keepeth the heate out . for this beast is said to be very full of humour , and the certaintie thereof may most manifestly appeare by his full and grosse body , and also by this , that it is sildome seene to issue or come forth of his denne , except it be against raynie weather : and yet as the egges of other serpents beeing cast into a hot burning furnace , do for a season rest in the same vnburned , & yet are afterward consumed , so is it with the salamander . there be some that haue found a webbe out of the hayre growing vppon salamanders , vvhich can by no meanes be sette on fire , but this is very false , because the salamander hath no haire vpon it at all . and this kind of webbe rather commeth of a kind of flaxe that pliny vvriteth of , or rather of the amiantus-stone , called the asbest , which is found in cyprus , whereof they vsed to make couerings for the theaters . this beeing cast into a fire , seemes to be forthwith all in a flame , but beeing taken out againe , it shyneth the more gloriously . some also doe affirme , that such a peece of cloth or webbe , may be wrought out of the salamanders skin , but brasauolus denyeth both the vertue of the stone , and of the salamanders hyde or shell , for hee saith hee tried the stone , and it would not be wrought into wooll or spun into thred , and when hee cast the salamanders shell or hide into the fire , it burned , and the mattery cold liquor thereof did almost flye into his face . but some then will demaund , where had pope alexander that coate , which could not be purged but by fire , which made it alway as white as snow , or that map or net at rome wherin ( it is said ) the napkin of our sauiour christ is preserued , which men say is not washed but in the fire , which thing was sent to a bishop of rome for a present from the king of tartars . vnto whom i aunswer out of paulus venetus as foloweth . there is a prouince in tartaria called chinchnitalas , wherein is a mountaine abounding with mines of steele and copper ; now in this mountaine there is a kind of earth digged vp , which yeeldeth a thred like the thred of wooll . after the digging of it vp they dry it in the sunne , and then beate it in a brazen morter , afterward they spinne it and weaue it , in the same maner that they spin and weaue other wollen cloth . after it is made , they haue no meanes to purge it from spots or from filthines , but to cast it into the fire for the space of an houre , and then it is taken forth againe as white as any snow . there is also an allum called alumen sciolae , and it is the same which among the ancients is called aster samius , out of which also is made cloth that cannot burne , by reason of a certaine oyle that it containeth or yeeldeth to resist the fire . so out of the stone pyritis found in kisheba , there commeth out a greene liquour pressed with dead coales , & after that , no fire can burne that cloth . there are also certaine mantles in bohemia , ( as witnesseth agricola ) which could neuer be burned . and out of the magnesia a scaly stone in boldecrana , they make tables , which cannot be clensed but by fire . it is also recorded , that the fore-named aster samius and pitch quenched in the iuyce of mallowes or mercuriall , beeing annoynted vpon a mans hand , doth keepe them from burning , or sence of extraordinary heate . so albertus writeth of a stone which he calleth iscullos , or iscustos , which i take to be a kind of the asbeste or amiantus . and this stone is found ( as the same authour writeth ) in the farthest parts of spaine , neere the straights and hercules-pillers . and this thing seemeth the lesse strange ▪ because they which are annoynted with birdlime , or else with vineger and the white of an egge , do not so quickly feele the strength of fire and heate , when they thrust theyr hands into the midst of it . it is also found , that the harts of them that dye of the hart-burning disease , or else are killed by poyson , cannot be burned with fire . and therefore when germanicus caesar was dead , it being suspected that he was poysoned by piso , they cast his hart into the fire and it would not burne , vvhich thing was alleadged against him by vitellius the oratour . and one aesculapius in an epistle which he wrote to octauian augustus saith , that there is a poyson so extreame cold , that it keepeth the hart of a man poysoned there-with from burning , and if it lye long in the fire , it waxeth as hard as a stone , which so concreted is called profilis , from the force of the fire , and from the matter whereof it consisteth it is called an humane stone . hee also saith , that this is redde in colour , mixed with some white , and is accounted precious , because both it maketh a man that weareth it to be a conquerour , and also preserueth him from all manner of poyson . when the salamander is prouoked , it casteth foorth a white mattery liquour or humour , and it is an audacious and bold creature , standing to his aduersary , and not flying the sight of a man ; and so much the lesse , if it perceiue that a man prosecute and follow it , to harme and kill it . the byting of it is very exitiall and deadly , and therefore the french men vse this speech vpon the byting of a salamander . si mordu t' a vne aressade , prens ton linccul et taflassade . that is , if a salamander byte you , then betake you to the coffin and winding sheete . the rhaetians also doe ordinarily affirme , that when a man is bytten by a salamander , he hath neede of as many phisitians as the salamander hath spots . and arnoldus saith , that it hath in it as many venoms and meanes of hurting , as it hath colours distinguished one from another . for when it once byteth and fasteneth teeth , it neuer letteth goe , and beeing pulled of , it leaueth the teeth behind , and then there neuer can be any remedie , and therefore it must be suffered to hang vpon the wound vntill it fall off , eyther willingly or wearied , or els compelled by the medicines that the wounded patient receiueth . for by this meanes onely is the patient kept aliue : yet this is alway to be remembred , that the salamander doth not alway bite , although prouoked , for gesner affirimeth , that hee hauing two of them , could neuer by beating make them open their mouthes , nor that in all his life did he euer heare of any man bytten by them . and of this thing hee not onely gathereth the difference of time , wherein their rage sheweth it selfe by byting , and when not , but also the difference of place and region , for that they byte in some countries , and not in other . when they haue bitten , there followeth a vehement payne and s●abbe vppon the place , for the cure whereof there must be taken a decoction of frogges , and the broth must be drunke , and the flesh applyed to the sore ; or else other common remedies against the poyson prescribed in the treatise following . the poyson hereof is great , and not inferiour to the poyson of any other serpent , for sometimes by creeping vpon apple-trees , it infecteth and poysoneth all the fruite , so that those which eate the same , dye and languish they know not whereof : and if the heele of a man doe but touch any small part or portion of the spettle of a salamander , it maketh all the hayre of the body to fall of . the poyson it selfe is not cold , as some haue thought , but hote , like to the poyson of cantharides , and therefore to be cured by the same meanes , as by vomits , glysters , ephemeron , and such like . onely swyne doe eate salamanders without harme or damage , for there is in them a kinde of resistance in nature , and yet if man or dogge doe chaunce to eate of that swyne that hath eaten a salamander , it hath beene obserued that they perrished by the same . and this poyson spreadeth it selfe the further when it is dead , because it is strengthened by putrefaction , and wine or water wherin one of these lyeth dead , is empoysoned & made mortall thereby to others . but in our dayes salamanders are not so venomous , if there be any credite in brasauolus , howbeit i haue heard and read , that if at this day a salamander g●… heape of corne , she so infecteth it , that whatsoeuer eateth of that corne , dyetl ▪ sit were of poyson , and the kine of helueria , which are sucked by salamanders , doe euer after remaine barren , and without milke , and sometime also they dye of that euill . and as arnoldus writeth , it casteth forth a certaine mattery white humour like milke out of the mouth , wherevpon , if a man or any other liuing creature doe but tread , he is poysoned thereby , and at the least , all the hayre of their body falleth off , and in like sort they in●ect herbes & plants of the earth by theyr poyson . sometimes it happeneth that beasts or men haue swallowed salamanders , and then the tongue is inflamed , and all the body falleth into grieuous torment , by cold corruption and putrefaction , part after part , and also paines in the fundament & in the stomack , likewise dropsies , and impostumation , in the belly , crampe of the guttes , and relention of vrine . for the cure whereof they giue sweete water , calamynts , saint iohns-wort , ●od with the shells pine-apples , leafes of cypresse , galbanus , and hony or rozen , ammoniacke , and styrax . new cow-milke , the meale made of flax-seede with sweete water , sweet wine and oyle to cause vomits : scammony , & a decoction of calamints and figges , fatte ba●on or hogges-flesh , and also the egges of a torteyse , with the flesh thereof ; besides infinite other remedies , ordained by the goodnesse of almighty god , as phisitians knowe by their owne studie and daily experiments . and therefore i hold it sufficient for mee to haue lightly touched them , referring those that are desirous to know more , vnto the learned collection of carromus . out of the salamander it selfe arise also some medicines , for it hath a septick power to eate and corrode to take away hayres , and the powder thereof cureth cornes and hardnes in the feete . the hart tyed to the wrist in a blacke skinne , taketh away a quartane-ague , and also kiradides writeth , that being bound vnto a womans thigh , it stayeth her monthlie flowers , and keepeth her barren : but this is worthily reproued for vntruth , and therefore i will not commend it to the reader . and thus much for the salamander . of the scorpion . scorpios in greeke is attributed both to the scorpion of the land and of the sea , although some-times for difference sake , the scorpions of the earth be called scorpios chersaios . the deriuation is manifold according to some writers , either of scorpizein ton+'ion , that is , dispersing his poyson , or of sckanoos erpein , because the motion of it is oblique , inconstant , and vncertaine , like as the flame of fire beaten with a small wind . the graecians also vse for a scorpion blestas , because it casteth poyson , & octopos from the number of his eight feete . and in ethyopia there is a kind of scorpion which the greeks call sybritae . the latines doe vse indifferently scorpius , seorpio nepa , & cancer also vinula and geptaria , as we find in ponzettus . the arabians haue many words , as harrab , acrob , achrach , and satoracon , hacparab , algerarat , algeterat , and algenat and alkatareti , for little scorpions which draw their tayles after them . howbeit , among these names also algarat signifieth that little kind of scorpions , & algararat , the scorpion with bunches on his backe . the hebrewes , according to the opinion of some , call a scorpion acchabim . the italians scurtigicio , and scorpione terrestre . the french , vn scorpion , the spanyards , alacram & alacrani , which name they haue also giuen to an iland in the west-indies subiect to their dominion . in castilia it is called escorpion , and in germany ein scorpion . the countries which breed scorpions , are these that follow , in egypt neere the citty coptus , are many very great and pestilent stinging scorpions , who kill as soone as they smite . also ethyopia and numidia abound with scorpions , especially the latter , wherin ( as writeth leo affric : ) are euery yeere found very many that die of their wounds . tenas one of the cyclades ilands , is called ophiessa , because it yeeldes many serpents and scorpions . also in that part of mauritania which is neere the vvest , are scorpions with wings and without wings : likewise in iberia , caria , & lybia . and it is also said , that once there were many scorpions brought into india , into that part of the country where the rhicophagi dwell . by the way betwixt susis in persia and media , there were wont to abound scorpions vnder euery stone and turffe , for which cause , when the king of persia was wont to goe into media , he gaue commaundement vnto his people to scoure the way , by vsing all meanes to kill them , giuing gifts to them that killed the greatest number of scorpions . there is an auncient towne in affricke called pescara , wherein the abundance of scorpions do so much harme , that they driue away the inhabitants all the sommer-time euery yeere vntill nouember following . and in like sort diodorus declareth of many other places , vtterly forsaken to auoyd the multitude of scorpions , as namely , one part of arabia , and the region of india about arrhatan , or the riuer estumenus , likewise neere the cynamolgi in ethyopia . there is also a citty called alabanda , standing betwixt two hills or mountaines , like as a chest turned inward , which apollonius calleth cistam inuersam scorpionibus plenam : a chest turned inward full of scorpions . in an island of canaria also are many scorpions , and those most pestilent , which the turkes gather as often as they may to make oyle of scorpions . in italy , especially in the mount testaceus in rome , are also scorpions , although not so hurtfull as in affrica , and other places , and it is thought that psylli , whose nature cureth all kind of venomous serpents harmes , did onely for lucers sake bring serpents and scorpions into italy , and there they left them , whereby they encrease to that number & multitude which now we see them haue . and thus much may suffice to haue spoken of the countries of scorpions . the kindes of scorpions i finde also to be many , but generally they may be referred vnto twayne , whereof one is called the scorpion of the earth , and the other the scorpion of the water or of the sea , whose discourse or history is to be found among the fishes , for we in this place doe onely write of the scorpion of the earth , which is also called by auicen a wild scorpion . of this kind there are many differences . first they differ in sex , for there are males and females , and the female is greater then the male , beeing also fatte , hauing a grosser body , and a greater & sharper sting , but the male is more fierce then the female . againe , some of these haue wings , and some are without wings , and some are in quantitie greater then a beane , as in heluetia , neere rapirsnill by zuricke . the scorpions called vinulae , are of reddish colour , as it were rose-water and wine mixed together : and from thence it is probable that they tooke their name , and from their colour , the authours haue obserued seauen seuerall kinds . the first is white , and the byting of this is not deadly . the second is reddish , like fire flamant , and this when it hath wounded causeth thirst . the third is of a pale colour , and therefore called by the graecians zophorides , & these when they haue wounded a man , cause him to liue in continuall motion and agitation of his body , so as he cannot stand still , but remaineth distract & without wit , alway laughing , like a foole . the fourth kind is greenish , and therefore termed chloaos , which hauing wounded , causeth intollerable trembling , shaking and quiuering , and also cold , so that if the patient be layd in the hot sunne , yet he thinketh that he freezeth like hayle , or rather feeleth hayle to fall vpon him . the fift kind is blackish-pale , and it is called empelios , it hath a great belly and broade , whereof the poyson is great , and causeth after stinging an admirable heauinesse , and sorrowfull spirit . this kind is called by gesner , ventricosum , because of the large belly , by the arabians algetarat , and by ponzettus , geptaria . it eateth herbes , and the bodyes of men , and yet remaineth insatiable , it hath a bunch on the backe , and a tayle longer then other scorpions . the sixt is like a crabbe , & this is called by elianus a flamant scorpion , it is of a great body , and hath tonges and takers very solide and strong , like the gramuell or creuish , & is therefore thought to take the beginning from that fish . the seauenth is called mellichlorus , because of the honny-colour thereof , or rather waxe-colour , and the wings it hath on the backe , are like the wings of a locust . also scorpions do differ among themselues in regard of their outward parts , for some of them haue wings , as those in india , which are spoken of by strabo , nicander , & others , and therefore many times when they settle themselues to flie , they are transported by the wind from one country to another . there is also another difference obserued in their tayles , and in their stings , for some of them haue sixe knots on their tayles , and some of them seauen , and those which haue seauen , are more hardy & fierce , but this falleth out very sildome that the scorpions haue seauen knots in their tayle , and therefore much sildomer to haue nine , as writeth apollodorus . for if any haue seauen , then is there likewise in them a double sting , for there is also another difference , some of them hauing a single , and some a double sting , yea some-times a treble one , and the sting of the male is more thicke and strong then the sting of the female . and to conclude , there is also a difference in motion , for some of them holde vp theyr tayles from the earth , and these are not much venomous , others againe draw them along vpon the earth , a little rowled together , and these are most deadly and poysonfull , some of them also flye from one region to another , as we haue shewed already . againe , there is nothing that giueth a man a more liuely difference then the consideration of their poyson , for the scorpions of pharus , and that part of the alpes neere noricum , doe neuer harme any liuing creature , and therfore are they suffered to abound , so as they liue vnder euery stone . in like sort , in the i le sanguola , the scorpions are like vnto those that are in castilia or spayne , for there the sting of the scorpion dooth not bring death , yet they cause a smarting paine , like the paine that commeth by the stinging of a waspe , differing heerein , that the scorpions stinging is more lasting & continueth longer then the stinging of a waspe , for it tarrieth about a quarter of an houre , and by the byting thereof all are not payned alike , for some feele more , and some lesser paine . contrary to these are the scorpions of pescara in affrick , who euer with theyr tayles vvound mortally . and those in scythia , which are great , and hurtfull vnto men and beastes , kylling swyne , who doe not much care for any other serpent , especially the blacke swyne , who doe also dye the sooner , if they drinke immediatly after the wound receiued . the like may be said of the scorpions of egypt . and thus much for the different kinds of scorpions , wherein nature produceth a notable varietie , as may appeare by all that hath been said . now it followeth that wee likewise make some relation of theyr congruity one with another . they are all little liuing creatures , not much differing in proportion from the great scarabee or horse-flie , except in the fashion of theyr tailes . their backe is broad and flat , distinguished by certaine knots of seames , such as may be seene in sea-crabbes , yet theyr head differeth , and hath no resemblance with the crabbe , because it is longer , and hangeth farre out from the body , the countenaunce whereof is fawning , and virgin-like , and all the colour a bright browne . notwithstanding the fayre face , it beareth a sharpe sting in the tayle , which tayle is full of knots , where-withall it pricketh and hurteth that which it toucheth . and this pliny affirmeth to be proper to this insect , to haue a sting in the tayle and to haue armes : for by armes hee meaneth the two crosse sorkes or tonges which come from it one both sides , in the toppes whereof are little thinges like pynsons , to detaine and hold fast , that which it apprehendeth , whiles it woundeth with the ●●ing in the tayle . it hath eyght feete , foure on the one side , and foure on the other , from whence , as we haue shewed already , it is called octopos . for the feete and armes therof is very much like vnto the sea-crabbe , and therefore may not vnfitly be called eyther the mother or the daughter thereof . they haue also tongues , where-withall they vse often to licke and smooth ouer theyr owne bodyes . and seeing of all other things they loue fresh & cleane linnen , whereinto they insinuate and wrappe themselues when they can come vnto it , then also first of all they clense theyr whole bodyes all ouer with theyr tongues , and next to their flesh put on this cleane linnen , as a man would put on a shirt . as wee haue said alreadie , it hath a tayle , wherein the sting thereof is placed , but what this sting is , diuers authours are of diuers opinions concerning the same , some affirming it to be hollow , others denying it , finding in it no passage at all to containe or couay poyson . aelianus againe sayth , that there must needs be in it a passage or cauitie , although it be so small , as by no meanes it can be perceiued with the eyes of any mortall man , and in that sting is the poyson lesse visible , which when it striketh , disperseth it selfe instantly into the wound . but what should this poyson be ? whether a substance or spirituall humor , surely a substaunce , which although it be mole minima , yet facultate maxima , that is , of great power , although of small quantitie . and therefore another authour ( namely gerardus , ) writeth thereof after this manner ; scorpius è centro quod cauum esse creditur emittit humorem venenosum : that is to say , the scorpion out of a hollow center , sendeth foorth a venomous humour . and of this venom wee will afterwards discourse more at large . thus much in this place may serue , to make knowne the seuerall parts and members of this serpent . now then it followeth , that we enquire about the manner of their breede or generation , which i find to be double , as diuers authors haue obserued , one way is by putrefaction , and the other by laying of egges , and both these wayes are consonant to nature , for lacinius writeth , that some creatures are generated onely by propagation of seed , such are men , vipers , whales , & the palme-tree , some againe onely by putrefaction , as the louse , the flye , grasse , & such like imperfect things , & some both wayes , as myce , scorpions , emmets , spyders , purslaine , which first of all were procuced by putrefaction : and since their generation are conserued by the seede and egges of their owne kind . now therefore wee will first of all speake of the generation of scorpions by putrefaction , and afterward by propagation . pliny saith , that when sea-crabbes dye , and theyr bodyes are dryed vppon the earth when the sunne entereth into cancer and scorpius , out of the putrefaction thereof ariseth a scorpion ; & so out of the putrified body of the creuish burned , arise scorpions , which caused ouid thus to write ; concaua littoreo si demas brachia cancro , caetera supponas terrae , de parte sepulta scorpius exibit , caudaque minabitur vnca . and againe : obrutus exemptis cancer tellure lacertis , scorpius exiguo tempore factus erit . in english thus ; if that the armes you take from sea-crab-fish , and put the rest in earth till all consumed be , out of the buried part a scorpion will arise , with hooked tayle doth threaten for to hurt thee . and therefore it is reported by elianus , that about estamenus in india , there are abundance of scorpions generated , onely by corrupt raine-water standing in that place . also out of the baziliske beaten into peeces and so putrified , are scorpions engendered . and when as one had planted the herbe basilica on a wall , in the roome or place thereof hee found two scorpions . and some say that if a man chaw in his mouth fasting this herbe basill before he wash , and afterward lay the same abroade vncouered where no sun commeth at it for the space of seauen nights , taking it in all the day time , hee shall at length find it transmuted into a scorpion , with a tayle of seauen knots . hollerius , to take away all scruple of this thing , writeth that in italy in his dayes , there was a man that had a scorpion bredde in his braine , by continuall smelling to this herbe basill , and gesner by relation of an apothecary in fraunce , writeth likewise a storie of a young mayde , who by smelling to basill , fell into an exceeding head-ach , whereof shee dyed without cure , and after her death beeing opened , there were found little scorpions in her braine . aristotle remembreth an herbe which he calleth sisimbriae , out of which putrified scorpions are engendered , as he writeth . and wee haue shewed already in the history of the crocodile , that out of the crocodiles egges doe many times come scorpions , which at their first egression doe kill theyr dam that hatched them , which caused archelaus which wrote epigrams of wonders vnto ptolomaeus , to sing of scorpions in this manner . in vos dissoluit morte , & redigit crocodilum natura extinctum , scorpij omnipotens . which may be englished thus ; to you by scorpions death the omnipotent ruines the crocodill in natures life extinct . and thus much for the generation of scorpions out of putrefaction . now we wil proceede to the second manner of their generation , which is by propagation of seede : for although ponzettus make some question about their copulation , yet he himself inclineth to that opinion , as neerer vnto truth , which attributeth carnall copulation vnto them , and therefore he alledgeth the example of flyes , which admitte copulation although they engender not thereby . wherefore wee will take it for graunted , that scorpions lay egges after copulation , which hapneth both in the spring and autumne . and these are for the most part in number eleuen , vpon which they sit and hatch their young ones , and when once they are perfected within , those egges ( which are in sight like the little wormes out of which spyders are engendered ) then doe they breake theyr egges , and driue the young out . for as isidorus writeth , otherwise the olde should be destroyed of the young , euen as are the crocodiles . some againe say , that the old scorpions doe deuour theyr young ones . beeing thus produced by generation , they liue vppon the earth , and those which are bredde of the sea-crabbe , doe feede vppon the foame of the sea-water , and a continuall white mould or chalke neere the sea. but the scorpions of ethyopia doe eate all kind of wormes , flyes , and small serpents . yea those serpents whose very dunge beeing troden vpon by man , bringeth exulcerations : and a tryall that scorpions eate flyes , was made by wolphius at montpelier , for hauing a young one in a boxe , for one whole month together it liued vpon flyes , and grew by the deuouring of them bigger , beeing put into the glasse vnto him . they liue among tyles and bricks very willingly , and for this cause they abound in rome in the hill called testaceus . they are also in bononia found in the walls of old houses , betwixt the stones and the morter . they loue also cleane clothes , as we haue sayd already , and yet they abhorre all places whereon the sunne shyneth . and it seemeth that the sunne is vtterly against their nature , for the same scorpion which wolphius had at montpelier , liued in the glasse vntill one day he set in the sunne , and then presently after it dyed . to conclude , they loue hollow places of the earth neere gutters , and sometimes they creepe into mens beddes , where vnawares they doe much harme : and for this cause the lybians , who among other nations are most of all troubled with scorpions , do vse to set theyr beddes farre from any wall , and very high also from the floore , to keepe the scorpions from ascending vp vnto them . and yet fearing all deuises should be too little to secure them against this euill , they also set the feete of theyr beddes in vessells of water , that so the scorpion may not attempt so much as to climbe vp vnto them for feare of drowning . and also for their further safegard , they were socks and hose in theyr beddes so thicke as the scorpion cannot easily sting thorough them . and if the bed be so placed that they cannot get any hold thereof beneath , then they clymbe vp to the sieling or couer of the house , & if there they find any hold for their pinching legges to apprehend and fasten vppon , then in their hatred to man-kind , they vse this pollicie to come vnto him . first one of them ( as i haue said ) taketh hold vppon that place in the house or sieling ouer the bed wherein they find the man asleepe , and so hangeth thereby , putting out and stretching his sting to hurt him , but finding it too short , and not beeing able to reach him , he suffereth another of his fellowes to come and hang as fast by him as he doth vpon his hold , and so that second giueth the wound : and if that second be not able likewise , because of the distance , to come at the man , then they both admit a third to hang vpon them , and so a fourth vpon the third , and a fift vpon the fourth , vntill they haue made themselues like a chayne , to descend from the toppe to the bedde wherin the man sleepeth , and the last striketh him : after which stroke , he first of all runneth away by the backe of his fellow , and euery one againe in order , till all of them haue withdrawne themselues . by this may be collected the crafty disposition of this scorpion , and the great subtiltie and malice that it is indued withall in nature , and seeing they can thus accord together in harming a man , it argueth their great mutuall loue and concord one with another , wherfore i cannot but maruell at them , who haue written that the old ones destroy the young , all but one , which they set vpon theyr owne buttocks , that so the damme may be secured from the sting and bytings of her sonne . for seeing they can thus hang vpon one another without harme , fauouring their owne kinde , i see no cause but that nature hath grafted much more loue betwixt the old and the young ones , so as neither the old do first destroy the young , nor afterward , that young one preserued , in reuenge of his fellowes quarrell , killeth his parents . it is reported by aristotle , that there is a hill in caria wherein the scorpions doe neuer sting any strangers that lodge there , but onely the naturall borne people of that country . and heere-vnto pliny and elianus seeme to subscribe , when they write that scorpiones extraneos leniter mordere , that is , scorpions byte strangers but gently . and heereby it may be collected , that they are also by nature very sagacious , and can discerne betwixt nature and nature ; yea the particuler differences in one & the same nature . to conclude , scorpions haue no power to hurt , where there is no blood . the naturall amity and enmity they obserue with other creatures commeth now to be handled , and i find that it wanteth not aduersaries , nor it againe hath no defect of poyson or malice to make resistance and opposition , and to take vengeance on such as it meeteth withall . the principall of all other subiects of their hatred are virgins and vvomen , whom they doe not onely desire to harme , but also when they haue harmed , are neuer perfectly recouered . and this is at all times of the day , but vnto men they are most dangerous in the morning fasting , before they haue vented their poyson , and this is to be obserued , that their tayles are neuer vnprouided of stings , and sufficient store of venome , to hurt vpon all occasions . the lyon is by the scorpion put to flight wheresoeuer hee seeth it , for he feareth it as the enemy of his life , and therefore writeth s. ambrose , exigno scorpionis aculeo exagitatur leo , the lyon is much mooued at the small sting of a scorpion . scorpions doe also destroy other serpents , and are likewise destroyed by them . there was one cellarius a phisitian in padua , who put together into one viall a viper and a scorpion , where they continually fought together vntill they had killed one another . the swyne of scythia , which doe safely eate all other kind of serpents and venomous beasts , without all harme , yet are destroyed by eating of scorpions , and so great is the poyson of the sibarite scopion , that the dung thereof beeing trode vppon , breedeth vlcers . and as in this manner we see the virulence , and naturall euill of scorpions against other liuing creatures , so now we are to consider the terrours of the scorpion , for god in nature hath likewise ordained some bodies , whereby the scorpion should be , and is dryuen away , scarred , and destroyed . first of all therefore men , which are the cheefe , and head of all liuing creatures , do by naturall instinct , kill and destroy scorpions , and therefore galen wryteth thus , let vs ( saith he ) kill scorpions , spyders and vipers , not because they are euill in themselues , but because it is ingrafted in vs by nature , to loue that which is good vnto vs , but to hate and auert from that which is euill vnto vs , non consider antes genitum ne it a sit an secus , not cōsidering whether it were so bred or not . as we haue shewed their generation out of putrefaction to be by heate , so also is their destruction by heate , for they are not able to abide the heate of the sunne , and therefore , although they cannot liue in cold northerne countries , but in the hotter , yet in the hotter they choose shaddowes , holes of the earth , couerture of houses , and such like vile and obscure places , to succour and secure themselues in . it is also reported , that if scorpions doe at any time behold a stellion , they stand amazed and wonderfully astonished . the viper also hauing killed a scorpion , becommeth more venomous , and the ibis of egypt destroyeth scorpions . there are a little kind of emmets , called by the arabians gerarets , which are eaters of scorpions . the quicke-sighted hawkes also , from whose piercing eye no serpent can be hidde , when hee seeth a scorpion , he neither feareth nor spareth it . it is also thought that hares are neuer molested by scorpions , because if a man or beast be anoynted with the rennet of a hare , there is no scorpion or spyder that will hurt him . wild-goates are also said to liue without feare of scorpions , euen as the affrican psylli of whom we haue often spoken . now this vertue against scorpions , is not onely in liuing things , but also in the plants of the earth , & therefore sestius writeth , that the seede of nose-wort burned or scorched doth driue away serpents , and resist scorpions , and so doth the roote of the mast-tree , & the seede of violets , and the same vertue is ascribed to the herbe lychius , which is englished calucs-snout , and also to the seede of wild-parsenip . the smell of garlicke and wild-mints set on fire , or strewed on the ground , & dittany haue the same operation : and aboue all other , one of these scorpions burned , dryueth away all his fellowes which are within the smell thereof , and therefore this is a most vsuall thing in asia and affricke , to perfume their houses with scorpions burned , and in steed thereof they make as it were little pills of galbanume sandaracha , with butter , and the fatte of goates , and thereof altogether make their perfume : also bittony and wild-pellitory with brimstone . they vse also to couer pannes with certaine things called by them alkitran and asa , and with these they compasse the place wherein the scorpion lodgeth , and then it is found that they can neuer stir any more from that place . and some in steede thereof , poure oyle into their holes after them for the same effect . and the husband-men of mauritania doe tye and fasten to their bedde-sides sprigs of white-thorne , and hasell-nuts , where-withall , by a secrete antipathy in nature , they driue away , and keepe themselues safe in their beddes from the annoyance of scorpions . by touching of henbane they lye dead and ouer-come , but if one touch them againe with white ellebore , they reuiue , and are released from their former stupefaction . it is also said , that the leafes of water-mallowes do also astonish scorpions , and so also doth the radish-roote . the sea-crabbe with basill in her mouth destroyeth the scorpion , and so doth tunicle and mushrom of trees . to conclude , the spettle of a man is death vnto scorpions ; and therefore when a certaine fellow tooke vpon him to be a cunning charmer , and by incantation to kill a scorpion , he added to the wordes of his charme a treble spetting in the mouth of the serpent , and so it dyed : where-vpon wolphius which was present and saw this charmer , did afterward by himselfe alone at home , make triall of spettle without a charme , and so found that it alone killeth scorpions , especially the spettle of a man fasting , or very thirsty . moreouer , there be certaine lands wherein no scorpions 〈◊〉 liue , as that about clupea in affricke , and the dust of the iland gaulus neere cercina , beeing sprinckled vpon a scorpion , doth incontinently kill it . and so much also writeth hermolaus , of the region galatha . these and such like things are obserued by our painefull and industrious auncestours about the nature of scorpions , as well that which is hurtfull vnto them , & they are afraid of , as those to which they are enemies in nature , & wound mortally when they light vppon them . it is remembred by textor , that orion was slaine by a scorpion , vvherevpon the poets haue made many tales . they say that when he was growne to be a man , he was a great hunter , and a continuall companion of diana , who glorying much in his ovvne strength , boasted that he was able to ouer-come any serpent , or other wild beast , whereat the gods beeing angry , for reuenge & taking downe the pride of this young man , caused the earth to bring forth a scorpion , who killed orion . whereat diana was very sory , and therefore in lamentation of her champion , and for the good deedes he had done vnto her , translated him into heauen , close by the constellation of the bull. lucan on the other side saith , that diana sent this scorpion to kill him , enuying his famous successe in hunting , and that afterward the goddesse taking pitty on him , translated him into heauen . others write againe , that he had his eyes put out by oenopion , & that he came blind into the iland lemnus , where he receiued a horse of vulcan , vppon which hee rode to the sun-rising , in which iourney , he recouered againe his eye-sight , and so returning , he first determined to take reuenge vpon oenopion for his former cruelty . wherefore hee came into creete , and seeking oenopion , could not find him , because he was hid in the earth by his cittizens , but at last comming to him , there came a scorpion and killed him for his malice , rescuing oenopion . these and such like fables are there about the death of orion , but all of thē ioyntly agree in this , that orion was slaine by a scorpion . and so saith anthologius was one panopaeus a hunter . there is a common adage , cornix scorpium , a rauen to a scorpion , and it is vsed against them thar perrish by their owne inuentions : when they set vpon others , they meete with their matches , as a rauen did when it preyed vppon a scorpion , thus described by alciatus , vnder his title iusta vlcio , iust reuenge , saying as followeth . ruptabat volucer oaptum pede coruus in aur as scorpion , audaci praemia parta gulae . ast ille infuso sensim per membra veneno , raptorem in stygias compulit vltor aquas . o risu res digna , alijs qui fat a parabat . ipse perijt , proprijs succubuit que dolis . which may be englished thus ; the rauening crow for prey a scorpion tooke within her foote , and there-withall aloft did flye , but he impoyson'd her by force and stinging stroke , so rauener in the stygian-lake did dye . o sportfull game : that he which other for bellyes sake did kill , by his owne deceit should fall into deaths will. there be some learned writers who haue compared a scorpion to an epigram , or rather an epigram to a scorpion , because as the sting of the scorpion lyeth in the tayle , so the force and vertue of an epigram is in the conclusion , for velacriter & falsè mordeat , vel iucundè & dulciter delectet , that is , eyther let it bite sharply at the end , or els delight pleasingly . there be many wayes of bringing scorpions out of their holes , and so to destroy and take them , as we haue already touched in part , vnto which i may adde these that follow : a perfume made of oxe-dung , also storax and arsenicke . and pliny writeth , that tenne water-crabs beaten with basill is an excellent perfume for this purpose , and so is the ashes of scorpions . and in padua they vse this arte , with small sticks or straw they touch and make a noyse vpon the stones and morture wherein they haue their nests , then they thinking them to be some flyes for their meate , instantly leape out , and so the man that deluded them , is ready with a paire of tonges or other instrument , to lay hold vpon them and take them , by which meanes they take many , and of them so taken , make oyle of scorpions . and constantius writeth , that if a mans hand be well annointed with iuyce of radish , he may take them without danger in his bare hand . in the next place we are to proceede to the venom & poyson of scorpions , the instrument or sting whereof , lyeth not onely in the tayle , but also in the teeth , for as ponzettus writeth , laedit scorpius morsu & ictu , the scorpion harmeth both with teeth & tayle , that is , although the greatest harme doe come by the sting in the tayle , yet is there also some that cōmeth by their byting . this poyson of scorpions , ( as pliny out of apollodorus writeth ) is white , and in the heate of the day is very feruent and plentifull , so as at that time they are insatiably and vnquenchably thirsty , for not onely the wild or wood scorpion , but also all other , are of a hot nature , and the symptomes of their bytings are such as follow the effects of hote poysons : and therefore saith rasis , all their remedies are of a colde qualitie . yet galen thinketh otherwise , and that the poyson is cold , and the effects thereof are also cold . for which cause rondeletus prescribeth oyle of scorpions to expell the stone , and also the cure of the poyson is by strong garlicke and the best wine , which are hote things . and therefore i conclude , that although scorpions be most hote , yet is their poyson of a cold nature . in the next place , i thinke is needfull to expresse the symptomes following the striking or stinging of these venomous scorpions , and they are ( as aetius writeth ) the very same which follow the byting or poyson of that kinde of great phalanx spyder , called also teragnatum , and that is , they are in such case as those persons be which are smitten with the falling-sicknesse . he which is stung by a scorpion , thinketh that he is pressed with the fall of great and cold hayle , beeing so cold , as if hee were continually in a cold sweat , and so in short space the poyson disperseth it selfe vvithin the skinne , and runneth all ouer the body , neuer ceasing vntill it come to possesse some predominant or principall vitall part , and then followeth death . for as the skinne is small and thin , so the sting pierceth to the bottom thereof , and so into the flesh , where it woundeth and corrupteth eyther some veyne , or arterie , or sinew , and so the member harmed , swelleth immediatly into an exceeding great bulke and quantity and aking , with insufferable torment . but yet ( as we haue already said ) there is a difference of the paine , according to the difference of the scorpion that stingeth . if a man be stung in the lower part of his body , instantly followeth the extension of his virile member , & the swelling thereof : but if in the vpper part , then is the person affected with cold , and the place smitten , is as if it were burned , his countenaunce or face discorted , glewish spots about the eyes , & the teares viscous and slymie , hardnes of the articles , falling downe of the fundament , and a continuall desire to egestion , foaming at the mouth , coughing , conuulsions of the braine , and drawing the face backward , the hayre standes vpright , palenesse goeth ouer all the body , and a continuall pricking like the pricking of needels . also , gordomus writeth , that if the pricke fall vppon an artery , there followeth swouning , but if on a nerue , there speedily followeth putrefaction and rottennesse . and those scorpions which haue wings , make wounds with a compasse like a bow , whose succeeding symptomes are both heate and cold , and if they hurt about the caniculer dayes , their wounds are very sildome recouered . the indian scorpions cause death three months after their wounds . but most wonderfull is that which strabo relateth of the albenian scorpions and spyders , whereof hee saith are two kinds , and one kind killeth by laughing , the other by weeping . and if any scorpion hurt a vaine in the head , it causeth death by madnesse , as writeth paracelsus . when an oxe or other beast is strooken with a scorpion , his knees are drawne together , and he halteth , refusing meate ; out of his nose floweth a greene humour , and when hee is layd , he careth not for rising againe . these and such like are the symptomes that follow the bytings and stingings of scorpions , for the cure whereof i will remit the reader to that excellent discourse written by wolphius , wherein are largely and learnedly expressed , whatsoeuer art could collect out of nature . and seeing we in our country are free from scorpions , and therefore shal haue no neede to feare their poyson , it shall not i trust offend my reader , if i cut off the relation of scorpions cures , as a thing which cannot benefit either the english-reader , or else much adorne this history , and so i will proceede to the medicines drawne out of scorpions . the application or vse of scorpions in medicine , is eyther by powder , or by oyle , or by applying them brused to their owne wounds , wherefore euery one of these are to be handled particularly ; and first of all for the powder , it is made by vstion or burning in this manner . they take tenne scorpions and put them aliue into a new earthen potte , whose mouth is to be dammed vp with loame or such like stuffe , then must it be sette vpon a fire of vine-tree-shreddes , and therein must the pot stand day and night vntill all within it be consumed to powder , and you shall know by their white colour when they be enough ; otherwise , if they be browne or burned , they must be continued longer , and the vse of this powder is to expell the stone . againe , they vse to make this powder another way , they take twentie scorpions , and put them in a little earthen pot with a narrow mouth , which mouth must be stopped , and then the potte put into a furnace by the space of sixe houres , which furnace must also be kept close within , and with a gentle fire : then after sixe houres take off the pot , and bruse the scorpions into powder , and keepe that powder for the vse afore-said . there are other waies also to prepare this powder , but in all preparations the attendant and assistant must take heede of the fume or smoake that commeth from it , for that is very venomous and contagious . but besides , there are many things to be obserued heerein , as first , that the scorpions be aliue , and that they be killed in oyle , then , that they be put in whole , with euery member , without mutilation , and that the scorpions appointed for this confection , be of the strongest poyson , and the time of their collection to be when the sunne is in leo , and not in scorpius , as some without reason haue imagined . the oyle so made , is distinguished into two kindes , one simple , and the other compound . the simple is made of a conuenient number of scorpions , ( as it were twentie if they be great , and moe if they be little , and they beeing put into a glasse vessell , oyle of bitter-almonds must be poured vppon them , and so the vessell stopped close and sette in the sunne by the space of thirtie dayes , and then stirred and vsed . yet the women of ferrara vse oyle-oliue in steede of oyle of bitter-almonds , and also obserue no quantitie of oyle , but fill the pot full , and likewise no order in the number of the scorpions , putting one to day , and another to morrow , and so more the next weeke or month , as they can find them . the compound-oyle is thus made , they take round astrologe , cypresse , and gentian , the rootes of capars , and vppon these they poure oyle of bitter-almonds , and soake the rootes in the oyle in the hot sun for the space of twentie dayes , then take they a complete number of scorpions , from betwixt tenne to fifteene , these they put againe to the oyle , and so stoppe vp the mouth againe , and set it the second time in the sun thirty dayes , and afterward straine it and vse it . this compound-oyle is not so much approued by brasauolus , as the former simple , because the first hath more scorpions , & the second is stuffed or seasoned with spyces . the greene scorpion which is bredde of basill , hauing seauen knots in the tayle , beeing beaten and pounded with the herbe scorpion , and so made into pills , then dryed and put into a glasse , are very profitable to him that hath the falling-sicknesse , if hee take of them three euery morning fasting in temperate wine , but these beeing giuen to a sound man , putteth him cleane out of his wits . if a man take a vulgar scorpion and drowne the same in a portinger of oyle in the wane of the moone , and there-withall afterward annoynt the backe from the shoulders to the hyppes , and also the head and fore head , with the typpes of the fingers and toes of one that is a daemoniacke or a lunaticke person , it is reported that he shall case and cure him in short time . and the like is reported of the scorpions sting ioyned with the toppe of basill wherein is seede , and with the hart of a swallow , all included in a peece of harts-skinne . the oyle of scorpions made of common oyle-oliue , is good for the paine in the eares infused by distillation ; also it cureth a pluresie in this manner . they take meale out of a windmill , and make thereof with water , paste , or little cakes , in quantitie like a french-crowne , these must be sodde in a frying-panne in oyle of scorpions , and so applyed as hot as can be to the place where the pricking is , and so kept to the same very hot , and when it beginneth to be cold , let new be applyed still , nine times together , successiuely one time after another . scorpions brused in new sweete wine , doe cure the kings-euill . the ashes of a scorpion infused by the yard into the bladder , breaketh and disperseth both the stone of the bladder and the reynes . and the like operation hath a vulgar scorpion eaten , with vineger and rose-cakes applyed to the gowtie members , it many times easeth the inflaming paines thereof . the oyle of scorpions is very auayleable in the time of plague , both by oyntment and also in potion : where-withall one did affirme to wolphius that hee gayned a great summe of money , which he prepared in this manner . he tooke a hundred scorpions , and sodde them in the oldest oyle-oliue he could get , vntill such time as the scorpions were consumed , then did he straine them thorough a linnen cloth , adding vnto it an ounce of rubarbe , and so shutting it close in a glasse bottle , he set it fortie dayes together in the sunne , and afterward hee gaue of it to be vsed in time of infection , aduising them that had it to apply it in oyntment to the pulse , hart , hinder-part of the head , necke and nostrills . and if a man began to be sicke , within twelue houres after the first sence of his paine , hee was annoynted heere-with about the tumour , and then was it launced . this oyntment is also commended against all manner of poyson , not onely of other serpents and venomous beasts , but also of the scorpion it selfe . and thus much for the history of the scorpion . of the scytall . this serpent called by the graecians scytale , is likewise termed by the latinists scytalis , and by some scicalis , picalis , sciscetalis and seyseculus , and by albertus , situla , which we haue already interpreted a dypsas , but all of them are most manifestly corrupted from scytale , the first graecian word . and therefore i will not stand to confute them that call it also caecilia , a blind-worme , because ( after the maner of other serpents ) it eateth no fennell , but this caecilia or blind-worme , wee shall afterward demonstrate to be our english slow-worme . this scytall is very full of markes or spots vppon the back , so variable and delectable , that it possesseth the beholders with admiration , and almost bringeth them asleepe looking thereon : for it is also slow and mooueth softly , wherefore it cannot pursue where it would doe harme , insteed therefore of celeritie , these naturall spots doe hold them that it doth desire to harme , like as they were stupifyed & astonished . and in this brightnes of the scales , first of all it must lay aside the winter-skinne , or else there appeareth not any splendour at all . and it is also said to be so hot and fernide , that it casteth skinne in the winter , according to this saying of lucan . et scytale sparsis etiam nunc sola pruinis exuuias positura suas . that is in english thus ; none but the scytall while winter-frosts abide , out of his spotted skinne and scales doth glyde . the outward forme or visible proportion of this serpent , is like that which wee haue already called a double-head , and the latines amphisbena , except that the tayle heereof is flatter and thicker . the length of this serpent is like the longest wormes of the earth , and the thicknes like a helue or handle of a spade . and the greatest difference betwixt this and the double-head , is that this goeth but one way , and the double-head goeth aswell one way as another : and the colour hereof , is like the colour of the other . the generall description of this serpent , is thus expressed by nicander : bifronti similem reperis scytalam amphisbenae , pinguior est tamen , & cauda , quae nulla ferè exit , crassior , vt quantum solita est comprendere lignum , curua manus strictum quoties tenet ipsaligonem . tam prolixa , vagans pluuio quám reptile coelo , quod foecunda genus sua gignit viscera tellus . nec postquam iuuenis venienti tempore veris , magna deûm quando profert serpentia mater , liquerit obscuram consueta cubila petram , et nitidos tepido sub sole extriuerit artus , pandentis se foeniculi teneram exedit herbam , sed per opaca morans imi decliuia montis se tenet , & multo grauiter latet obruta somn● , eque alta sua conquirit sibi pabula terra : nec licet id magno cupiat , studeatqque labore arescente sitim potis est depellere fauce : which may be englished thus ; the scytall like the double-head thou shalt in feature find , yet is it fatter , and tayle that hath no end much thicker is , as bigge as crooked hand is wonted for to wind the haft and helue of digging-spade the earth that rifts . as long it is as that thinne crawling worme which heauens rayne begets on fruitefull earth , when bowells warmely moystened are , and when the mother-goddesse great sends forth her creepine traine , which is yeeres-youth , fresh time of spring , both calme and fayre . then leaues it off his wonted bed in rocke obscure , and in what sunne he stretches out his limbes and sinnewes all , eating the new spring-blades of fennell-herbe , so putting teeth in vre , in holes of the declining hills so keepes both great and small , where time in deepest sleepe of buried nature it doth passe , and beeing hungry , the earth in toppe of hole it eates , quenching the thirst by force of dryest chappes as grasse , though without payne , desirelesse it seekes these drinkes and meates . the byting of this serpent , is like the byting of the double-head , and therefore the cure is in the same manner , wherefore i shall not neede to repeate the signes thereof , or the cure in this place . and so i will conclude the story of this serpent . of the sea-serpents . among the manifold kinds of sea-serpents , as well knowne as vnknown , ( wherof some are like the lamprey , some like the myrus , and many other like the serpents of the earth , except in their head , as aristotle writeth , for that is more like the head of a conger then a serpent ) it peculiarly hath one kind , in colour & forme not vnlike an eeele , in length about three cubits , in the gylls & finnes resembling a conger , but it hath a longer snout or beake , which is also fortified inwardly with very many small sharpe teeth , the eyes not so great , a smooth or pield skinne , and hanging ouer at the backe , hauing no scales , so as it may easily be fleyed . the belly of it is betwixt redde and white , and all the body ouer is set with spires , so as beeing aliue , it is not handled without danger . and this is by pliny called the dragon of the sea , which commeth out of the sea into the sands , and therein with an admirable celerity and dexteritie maketh his lodging place . for the snout thereof is sharper then the serpents of the earth , therefore there-with it diggeth and hideth it selfe in the hole or hollow place which it hath made . this is also called by pliny ophidion , but i thinke it better to follow aristotle , who doth call it ophis thalattios , a sea-serpent , the colour whereof is blacker or dymmer then the conger . there be also vipers of the sea , which are in shew little fishes , about a cubit long , hauing a little horne in their fore-head , the byting or sting whereof is very deadly , & therefore when the fisher-men haue taken any one of these , they instantly cut off the head and bury it in the sand , but the body they eate for good meate : yet these serpents are thought to be none other then the fishes called aranei , or spyder-fishes , sauing that they are said to haue a sharpe sting in their head , and this a horne , for all water or sea-serpents , haue harder and lesse heads then the serpents of the land. in the germaine-ocean there is found a serpent about the bignesse of a mans legge , which in the tayle carryeth a sting as hard as any horne , this haunteth onely the deepest part of the sea , yet is it some-time taken by the fishermen , and then they cut off the tayle and cate the residue of the body . yet i will not expresly define whether this may be called a sea-serpent , or a serpentine-fish ; it may be it is the same that is a forke-fish , or ray , which by reason of the tayle thereof , it might giue occasion to albertus to call it a serpent of the sea. there be also snakes or hyders in the sea , for although all water-serpents , as well of the fresh , salt , & sweet waters may be called hyders , or snakes , yet there be some peculiar snakes , such are those in the indian-sea , where they haue broade tayles , and they harme more by byting with the sharpnes of their teeth , then by any venome that is contained in them ; and therefore in this they some-what resemble the snakes of the earth . and plinie vvriteth , that once before persis , vppon the coasts of certaine ilands , there were seene of these sea - hyders very many , of the length of twenty cubits , where-withall a whole nauy or fleet of ships were mightily affrighted . and the like is reported of three other ilands , lying betwixt the promontory of carmania and arabia ; and such were those also in the affrican-sea , who are said by aristotle , not to be affraid of a gally , but will set vppon the men therein , and ouer-turne it . and he himselfe saw many bones of great wild-oxen , who had beene destroyed by these kind of sea-snakes or hyders . the greatest riuer that falleth into the red-sea , is called sinthus , the fall whereof a far off , seemeth to the beholders to be like winding snakes , as though they were comming against the passengers , to stay them from enterance into that land ; and there is not onely a sight or resemblance of serpents there , but also the very truth of them , for all the sea-men know when they are vpon these coasts , by the multitude of serpents that meet them . and so do the serpents called graae about persis . and the coast of barace hath the same noysome premonstration , by occurrence of many odious , blacke , and very great sea-serpents . but about barygaza , they are lesse , and of yellow earthy colour ; their eyes bloody , or fierie red , and their heads like dragons . keranides writeth of a sea-dragon , in this maner , saying : the dragon of the sea is a fish without scales , and when this is growne to a great and large proportion , whereby it doth great harme to other creatures , the winds or clowdes take him vp suddenly into the ayre , and there by violent agitation , shake his bodie to peeces : the parcels whereof so mangled and torne asunder , haue beene often sound in the tops of the mountaines . and if this be true , ( as it may well be ) i cannot tell whether there be in the world a more noble part of diuine prouidence , & signe of the loue of god to his creatures , who armeth the clowdes of heauen to take vengeane of their destroyers . the tongue of this sea-dragon ( saith hee ) is like a horses tayle , two foote in length ; the which tongue preserued in oyle , and carried about by a man , safegardeth him from languishing infirmities , and the fat thereof , with the herbe-dragon annoynted on the head or sick-parts , cureth the head-ache , and driueth away the leprosie , and all kind of scabs in the skinne . heere is also the picture of another sea-serpent , very like to the serpent of the earth , being . or . cubits long , hauing a rounder belly then an eele , but a head like a conger , & the vpper chap is longer , and standeth out further then the neather chap ; the teeth grovv therein as they doe in lampreys , but they are not so thicke , and it hath two small finnes neere the gills like an eele . the colour of it is yellow , but the beake and belly is of ash-colour , the eyes yellow , and in all the inward parts it doth not differ from a lamprey , and there is no man of any vnderstanding , ( as writeth rondeletius ) but at the very first sight , will iudge the same to be a serpent , although the flesh thereof be no more harmefull then the conger or lamprey ; yet for similitude with other serpents , i could not chuse but expresse the same in this place . there be also in the sueuian-ocean or balthicke-sea , serpents of thirty or forty foote in length , whose picture is thus described , as it was taken by olaus magnus , and hee further writeth , that these doe neuer harme any man vntill they be prouoked . the same authour also expresseth likewise the figure of another serpent , of a hundred and twenty foote long , appearing now and then vpon the coasts of norway , very dangerous and hurtfull to the sea-men in calmes and still weather , for they lift vp themselues aboue the hatches , and suddainely catch a man in their mouthes , and so draw him into the sea out of the shippe : and many times they ouer-throw in the waters , a laden vessell of great quantitie , with all the wares therein contained . and sometimes also they sette vp such a spire aboue the water , that a boate or little barke without sayles may passe thorow the same . and thus much for the sea-serpents . of the seps or sepedon . although i am not ignorant that there be some which make two kindes of these serpents , because of the two names rehearsed in the title , yet when they haue laboured to describe them seuerally , they can bring nothing or very little wherein their story doth not agree , so as to make twaine of them , or to handle them asunder , were but to take occasion to tautologize , or to speake one thing twice . wherefore gesner wisely pondering both parts , and after him carronus , deliuer their opinions , that both these names doe shew but one serpent , yet according to theyr manner , they expresse them as if they were two . for all their writings doe but minister occasion to the readers to collect the truth out of their labours , wherefore i will follow their opinion , and not their example . sepedon and seps , commeth of sepein , because it rotteth the body that it byteth : in colour it neerely resembleth the haemorrhe , yet it vsually goeth by spyres and halfe-hoopes , for which cause as it goeth , the quantitie cannot be well discerned , the pace of it beeing much swifter then the haemorrhe . the wound that it giueth is smarting , entering deepe and bringing putrefaction , for by an inexplicable celeritie , the poyson passeth ouer all the body , the hayre rotteth and falleth from all parts , darknes and dimnesse is in the eyes , & spots vpon the body , like as if a man had beene burned in the sunne . and this serpent is thus described vnto vs by nicander . iam quae sepedonis species sit , qualeque corpus accipe : diuersa tractum ratione figurat . quin etiam mutilae nulla insunt cornua fronti , et color , hir suti qualem est spect are tapetis , grande caput , breuior dum currit , cauda videtur : quam tamen obliquo maiorem tramite ducit . quod fit ab hoc vulnus , magnos nocuosque dolores excitat , interimens quia fundit & ipse venenum , quo sata marcentes tabes depascitur artus , indeque siccata resolutus pelle capillus spargitur , & volitans candentis pappus achantae , praeterea foedum turpi vitiligine corpus , et veluti vrenti maculas á sole videre est . which may be englished thus ; sepedons shape now take , and what his forme of body is , it doth not goe as haemorrhe doth , but trayleth diuersly , his powled head of haemorrhs hornes full happily doth misse , and colours are as manifold as works of tapestry : great is his head , but running seemes the tayle but small , which winding , it in greater path drawes after to and fro , but where it wounds , by paines and torments great it doth appall , killing the wounded , infusing poyson so whereby consumed are the leane and slender sinewes , and dryed skinne lets hayre fall off apace , like as the windes driue whites from top of thistle cardus , besides the body filth , as with sunne parched , looseth grace . thus doth nicander describe the sepedon : now also we wil likewise relate that which another poet saith of the seps , that both compared together , may appeare but one , therefore thus writeth lucan , vpon occasion of one sabellus wounded by this serpent . — miserique in crure sabelli seps stetit exiguus , quem flexo dente tenacem auulsitque manu , piloque affixit arenis . parua modò serpens , sed qua non vlla cruentae tantum mortis habet : nam plagae proxima circum fugit rapta cutis , pallentiaque ossa retexit . iamque sinu laxo nudum est sine corpore vulnus : membra natant sanie , surae fluxere , sine vllo tegmine poples erat : femorum quoque musculus omnis liquitur : & nigra distillant inguina tabe . dissiluit stringens vterum membrana , fluuntque viscera , nec quantum toto de corpore debet , effluit in terras saeuum sed membra venenum decoquit : in minimum mors contrahit omnia virus . vincula neruorum , & laterum textura , cauumque pectus , & abstrusum fibris vitalibus omne , quicquid homo est , aperit pestis : natura profana morte patet : manant humeri , fortesque lacerti : colla caput fluunt , calido non ocyus austro nix resoluta cadit , nec solem cera sequetur . parua loquor , corpus sanie stillasse perustum : hoc & flamma potest : sed quis rogus abstulit ossa , haec quoque discedunt , putresque secuta medullas nulla manere sinunt rapidi vestigia fati . cynphias inter pestes tibi palma nocendi est : eripiunt omnes animam , tu sola cadauer . mole breuis seps , peste ingens , nec viscera solum , sed simul ossa vorans tabificus seps . which is to be englished thus ; on wretched sabells legge a little seps hung fast , which with his hand from hold of teeth he pluckt away from wounded place , and on a pyle the serpent all agast he staked in sands , to him ô wofull wretched day , to kill this serpent is but small , yet none more power hath , for after wound falls off the skinne , and bones appeare full bare , as in an open bosome , the hart whole body gnaweth , then all his members swamme in filth : corruption did prepare to make his shankes fall off , vncouered were knee bones , and euery muscle of his thigh resolued , no more did hold , his secrets blacke to looke vpon , distilled all consumptions , the rym of belly brake out fierce , which bowels did infold , out fell his guts on earth , and all that corps containe , the raging venom still heating members all , so death contracted all by little poysons maine , vnloosing nerues , and making sides on ground to fall : this plague the hollow brest and euery vitall part abstrused , where the fibres keepe the life in vre did open vnto death . the life , the lungs , the hart : o death prophane , and enemy vnto nature . out flow the shoulders great , and arme-blades strong , both necke and head gush out in matter , all doth runne . no snow doth melt so soone the southerne blast among , nor waxe so fast dissolue by heate of shyning sunne . these things which now i speake i doe account but small , that corps should runne with filthy core , may caused be by flame , yet bones are spared in fire , heere all away they fall , of them and marrow sweete , fate lets no signe remaine . among the cyniph plagues this still shall beare the bell , the soule they take , this soule and carkasse both , the seps , though short it be , in force it is a hell , deuouring bones , the body all vndoeth . thus you heare that more largely expressed by lucan of the seps , which was more briefely touched by nicander of the sepedon , and all commeth to one end , that both kill by putrefaction . the length of this serpent is about two cubits , being thicke toward the head , but thinne and slender toward the tayle . the head thereof is broad , and the mouth sharpe , it is of many colours , so as some haue thought that it could change colour like a camaelion . the foure vnder teeth are hollow , and in them lyeth the poyson , which are couered ouer with a little skinne . pausanias affirmeth that he himselfe saw one of them , and that egyptus the sonne of elatus a king of arcadia was slaine by one of these . they liue in rocks , in hollow places of the valleys , & vnder stones , & they feare no winter , according to this verse of pictorius . h●● hyemis calidus frigora nulla time● . which may be englished thus ; of winters coldit hath no feare , for warme it is throughout the yeere . first of all after the wound appeareth some blood , but that symptom lasteth not long , for by and by followeth matter smelling very strong , swelling tumour , and languishing paine , and all the parts of the body affected herewith become white , and when the hayre falleth off , the patient sildome liueth aboue three or foure dayes after . the cure hereof is by the same meanes that the poyson of the viper , the ammodyte and horned-serpent is cured withall . and particulerly aetius prescribeth a spūge wet in warme vineger to be applyed to the wound , or else to lay the ashes of chaffe with the earth vppon which they are burned , to the place , and to annoynt it with butter and hony , or else lay vnto it millet & hony , likewise bay-springs , oximell , purslaine , and in their diet salt fish . aristotle writeth of a little serpent which by some is called a sacred or holy serpent , and he saith that all other serpents doe auoyde it , and flye from it , because whatsoeuer is bytten by it , presently rotteth . it is in length ( as he saith ) a cubit , and it is rough all ouer , and therefore i take this serpent to be a kind of sepedon . also aristoxenus saith , that he knew a man by touching this serpent to dye , and afterward that the garment which hee wore at the time of the touching the serpent , did likewise rot away . and thus much for the seps and sepedon . of the slovv-vvorme . this serpent was called in auncient time among the graecians tythlops and typhlines , and cophia , because of the dimnes of the sight thereof , and the deafenes of the eares and hearing , & vulgarly at this day it is called in greece tephloti , tefliti , & tephlini , and from hence the latines haue taken their word , caecilia quasi caecus serpens , a blind serpent , & it is also called cerula , caecula , and ceriella , as witnesseth albertus , because the eyes thereof are none at all , or very small . the italians call it , bisa orbala , and the florentines lucignola , the germans blyndenschlycher , the heluetians en vieux , al' annoilx , and the people of narbon nadels . it beeing most euident that it receiueth name from the blindnes and deafenes thereof , for i haue often prooued , that it neither heareth nor seeth here in england , or at the most it seeth no better then a mole . the teeth are fastned in the mouth , like the teeth of a camaelion , the skinne is very thicke , and therefore when the skin is broken by a hard blow , the whole body doth also breake and part asunder . the colour is a pale blew , or sky-colour , with some blackish spots , intermixed at the sides . there is some question whether it hath one or two rymes on the belly , for seeing they conceiue theyr young ones in theyr wombe : they haue such a belly by nature , as may be distended and stretched out accordingly as the young ones growe in their wombe . it hath a smooth skinne without all scales . the neather eye-lidde couereth all the eye it hath , which is very small : about the head they are more light coloured , then about the other partes of the body : the tongue is clouen , and the toppe thereof very blacke . they are in length about a spanne , and as thicke as a mans finger , except toward the tayle which is more slender , and the female is more blacke then the male. the passage or place of excrements or conception is transuerse . if they be killed with the young in their belly , the little ones will instantly creepe out at their dammes mouth , and some times ( as witnesseth bellonius ) in this little serpent are found forty little young ones . they are in greece and england , and come not abroad till iuly , and they goe into the earth in august , and so abide abroad all haruest , and they loue to hide themselues in corne-fieldes vnder the rype corne when it is cut downe . it is harmelesse except being prouoked , yet many times when an oxe or a cow 〈◊〉 downe in the pasture , if it chaunce to lye vppon one of these slow-wormes , it byteth the beast , & if remedy be not had , there followeth mortalitie or death , for the poyson thereof is very strong . if it swell , it is good to pricke the place with a brazen bodkin , and then apply vnto it fullers-earth and vineger . there is a triacle made of the slow-worme , which smelleth like aqua-vitae , with this some men are cured of the plague . and thus much of this little serpent . of the snake . there is no reasonable learned-man that maketh question , that anguis in latine is a generall word for all kind of snakes and serpents , and therefore when virgill writeth of the fury alecto , how she cast a snake into the bosome of amata , he first of all calleth it anguis , a snake , and presently after coluber & vipera , a serpent , as appeareth by these verses of his following . aeneid . . huic dea coeruleis vnum de crinibus anguem conijcit , inque sinum praecordia adintima subdit : vipeream inspirans animam , fit tortile collo aurum ingens coluber : which may be englished thus ; to her the goddesse a snake made of the gorgons haire , which to the bottom of her breast and entralls made to slyde , inspyring to her a vipers soule though she were fayre , for chayne of gold an adder bout her necke did glyde . and this is the lesse to be admired or doubted , seeing the very word anguis seemeth to be deriued of angulosus , winding or turning , for euery kind of serpent may be folded or winded vp together almost in euery fashion . yet some-times , as the graecians vse ophis for one kind , as haemorrhe or hor for aspe , so also is the word anguis vsed for one kinde , which we call a snake , that is , a little serpent liuing both in the water and on the earth . howbeit , as we shall shew afterward , when it is in the water it is called hydrus & natrix , and when it is on the land , it is called chersydrus . among the auncient pagans , snakes were accounted the gods of the woods , and this caused perseus to write this verse following ; pinge duos angues , pueri sacer est locus . that is , ô ye children , draw the figure of two snakes , for this place , ( meaning the groue of vvood ) is a holy place , and sacred to the gods. and in like sort , the snake in auncient time was sacred to aesculapius , because it was thought to be without venome , & to containe in it many excellent medicines or remedies against other euills , and also a kinde of diuine power or helpe to driue away calamities , whereof i remember that i haue read this story in valerius maximus . rome ( saith he ) our citty was for three yeeres together continually vexed with pestilence , so as neither the mercy of god could be obtained for the release of this euill , nor all wit , power , or industry of man put an end vnto it . at last by the care and trauayle of the priestes , it was found in the writing and bookes of sybill , that vnlesse they could obtaine of the epidaurians the holy-snake of aesculapius , there should bee no end of that pestilence . for which cause there were ambassadors sent to the citty of epidaurus , to entreat at the hands of the cittizens and priests , that holy beast or snake ( as was prophanely supposed ) and they attayned the end of their iourney , for the epidaurians did kindly entreat them , and sent with the snake of aesculapius , and then ( saith he : ) tam promptam epidauriorum indulgentiam numem ipsius dei , subsecutum , verba mortalium coelisti obsequio comprobauit : that is , the very grace & power of god seconded that fauourable indulgence of the epidaurians , and with an heauenly obsequiousnes allowed & performed the words and writings of mortall creatures , ( meaning the sibils writings aforesaid . for that snake ( which the epidaurians neuer see but they worship , with as great reuereuce as they would aesculapius himselfe ; for it neuer appeareth but for their exceeding great good and commodity ) beganne to slyde about the broadest streetes and noblest part of the citty , gently looking vppon euery body , and licking the earth , and so continued three dayes , to the religious admiration of al the beholders , bearing an vndoubted aspect & alacrity , for the obtaining and aspiring a more beautifull habitation : so at last it came to the isle neere rome , called triremis , whereinto in the sight of all the marriners it did ascend and enter , and lodged it selfe round in that place , where standeth the house of quintus ogulimus : which story is thus most excellently followed by ouid in his metamorphos : the folke of rome came hither all by heapes , both men and wiues , and eke the nuns that keepe the fire of vesta as their liues to meete the god , and welcome him with ioyfull noyse : and as the galley rowed vp the streame , great store of incense was on altars burnt on both the banks , so that on either side , the fuming of the frankinsence , the very ayre did hide , and also slaine in sacrifice full many cattell dyed . anon he came to rome , the head of all the world : and there the serpent lifting vp himselfe began his head to beare right vp along the mast , vpon the top whereof on hye , he looked round about a meete abiding place to spye : the tyber doth deuide it selfe in twaine , and doth embrace a little ile triremis , for so the people tearme the place , from either side whereof , the banks are distant equall space : apollas snake descending from the mast , conuayed him thither , and taking of his heauenly shape , as one repayring hither , to bring our citty healthfulnesse , did end our sorrowes quite . thus saith ouid : but the truth is , that the poet did but fayne this thing for the excitation and stirring vp of the minds of men to religion and religious worship of the heathen gods ; and therefore this snake of epidaurus was but a fiction , and therefore in the beginning of the history he maketh it to bee aesculapius in the likenesse of a snake , for in a vision he sheweth how that aesculapius appeared to the roman ambassador , and tolde him that he would appeare in that forme , saying ; pone metus , veniam , simutachraque nostram relinquam , hunc modo serpentem , baculumque neribus ambit , perspice & vsque not a visum vt cognosceri possis , vertar in hunc , sed maior ero , tantusque videbor : in quantum verti coelestia corpor a possunt . which may be englished thus ; feare not , for i will come and leaue my shryne . this serpent which doth wreath with knots about this staffe of mine , marke well and take good heede thereof , for into it transformed will i be , but bigge to i will be , for i will seeme of such a size , as wherein may celestiall bodyes turne suffize . but all poets are so adicted to fayning , that i my selfe may al●●s●●me while i imitate them , to set downe fables for truth : and if euer there were such a snake as this , it was diabolicall , and therefore in nature nothing to be concluded from 〈◊〉 , and in that place of rome called biremis and tiremis , was aesculapius worshipped . and at this day in the gardens called s. bartholomewes-gardens , there is a marble-shyppe , on the side where of is the figure of a crceping snake , for the memory of this fact , as wryteth gyraldns . but in the emblems and documents of the auncient heathen , it is certaine that aesculapius , and the snake and the dragon , did signifie health , and from hence it came to haue the name of the holy-snake , and also to be accounted full of medicine . the true occasion in nature , was for that about the countries of bononia and padua , they haue a snake which they call bisse , and bisse-angue anca , and about padua , autza , which they say is harmelesse . and as well children as men , doe often take vp the same into theyr handes ; with no more feare and dread then they would doe a conny , or any other tame & meeke creature . by the relation of pellinus , it is in length fiue spannes and fiue fingers , the head also compared with the body , is long , and in the necke thereof are two blanches , and betwixt them a hollow place , the backe part whereof is attenuated into a thinne and sharpe tayle , and vppon eyther chappe they haue many teeth , which are sharpe , and without poyson , for when they byte , they doe no more harme then fetch blood onely , and these , men for ostentation sake weare about their necks , and women are much terrified by them in the hands of wanton young boyes . the backe of this snake , ( as writeth erastus ) is blackish , and the other parts greene , like vnto leekes , yet mixed with some whitenesse , for by reason it feedeth vppon herbs , it beareth that colour . they are also carried in mens bosoms , and with them they will make knots . for the same erastus affirmeth , that he sawe a fryer knit one of them vp together like a garter , but when hee pulled it harder then the snake could beare , it turned the head about & bytte him by the hand , so as the blood followed , yet there came no more harme , for it was cured without any medicine , and therefore is not venomous . in the mountaine of mauritania called ziz , the snakes are so familiar with men , that they waite vpon them at dinner-time like cats and little dogges , and they neuer offer any harme to any liuing thing , except they be first of all prouoked . among the bygerons inhabyting the pyrenes , there be snakes . foote long , and as thicke as a mans arme , which likewise liue continually in the houses , and not onely come peaceably to their tables , but also sleepe in their beds without any harme , in the night-time they hisse , but sildom in the day time , and picke vp the crummes which fall from their tables . among the northerne people they haue household-snakes , as it were houshold-gods , and they suffer them both to eate and to play with their infants , lodging them in the cradles with them , as if they were faythfull keepers about them , and if they harme any body at any time , they account it pium piaculum , a very diuine and happy mischaunce . but after they had receiued the christian-fayth , they put away all these superstitions , and did no more foster the serpents broode , in detestation of the deuill , who beguiled our first parents in the similitude of a serpent . yet if it happen at any time that a house be burned , all the snakes hide themselues in their holes in the earth , and there in short space they so encrease , that when the people come to reedifie , they can very hardly displant their number . plautus in his amphitryo , maketh mention of two-maned-snakes , which descended from the clowdes in a shower ; but this opinion grew from the fiction of the epidaurian-snake , which onely by the poets is described with a mane and a combe , and therefore i will not expresse the snake to haue a mane . there is no cause why we should thinke all snakes to be without poyson , for the poet hath not warned vs in vaine , where he saith ; frigidus , ô puèri fugite hinc , latet anguis sub herba : which may be englished thus ; fly hence you boyes as farre as feete can beare , vnder this herbe a snake full cold doth leare . for this cause we will leaue the discourse of the harmelesse snake , and come to those which are no way inferiour to any other serpent , their quantitie and spirit beeing considered , wherefore we are to consider , that of snakes which are venomous and hurtfull , there are two kinds , one called the water-snake , the other the land-snake . the water-snake is called in greeke , hydra , hydros , hydrales , karouros , & enhydris , in latine natrix , and lutrix . munster calleth it in hebrew , zepha , and auicen relateth certaine barbe , rous names of it , as handrius , andrius , and abides , and kedasuderus , echydrus and aspistichon . the germans call it nater , wasser-nater , and wasser-schlange : and they describe it in the manner as it is found in their country , which doth not very farre differ from them of our country heere in england . it is ( as they say ) in thicknes like the arme of a man or child , the bellie thereof yellow , and of a golden colour , and the backe blackish-greene , & the very breath of it is so venomous , that if a man hold to it a rodde newly cutte off from the tree , it will so infect it , that vppon it shall appeare certaine little bagges of gall or poy●on . and the like effect it worketh vppon a bright naked sword , if it doe but touch it with the tongue ; for the poyson runneth from one end to the other , as if it were quicke , and leaueth behind a lyne or scorched path , as if it had beene burned in the fire . and if this serpent fortune to byte a man in the foote , then is the poyson presently dispersed all ouer the body , for it hath a fiery qualitie , and therefore it continually ascendeth , but when once it commeth to the hart , the man falleth downe and dyeth . and therefore the meetest cure is to hang the party so wounded vppe by the heeles , or else speedilie to cut off the member that is bitten . and that which is heere said of the vvater-snake , doth also as properly belong to the land-snake , seeing there is no difference betwixt these , but that at certaine times of the yeere they forsake the water when it draweth or falleth lowe , and so betake themselues to the land. they liue in the water and in the earth , ( but they lay their egges on the land in hedges , or in dunghills ) and especially in those waters which are most corrupt , as in pooles where there is store of frogs , leaches & newtes , and but few fishes , as in the lakes about puteoli and naples , and in england all ouer the fennes , as in ramsey , holland , ely , and o●… such like places , and when they swymme they beare their breast aboue the water . they abound also in corcyra , and about taracina in italy , and in the lake nyclea , and especially in calabria , as the poet writeth : est etiam illa malus calabris in saltibus anguis , squammea conuoluens sublato pectore terga atque notis longam maculosus grandibus aluum , qui dum amnes vlli rumpuntur fontibus , & dum vere madent vdo terrae ac pluuialibus austris stagna colit , ripisque habitans hic piscibus atram improbus ingluuiem , ranisque loquacibus explet postquam : exhausta palus terraeque ardore dehiscunt , exilit in siccum & flammantia lumnia torquens saeuit agris , asperque siti , atque exterritus ●st● . which may be thus englished ; that euill snake in the calabrian coasts abides , rowling his scaly backe by holding vp the brest , and with great spots vpon large belly glydes , when as the riuers streames in fountaines all are ceast . for whiles the moystened spring with raine from southwind falls , it haunts the pooles , andin the water all blaoke it feedes , in rauening wise both fish and frogs doe fill his gall ▪ for why ▪ when sommers drought enforce , then must in needes fly to dry land , rowling his flaming eye , rage in the fields to quench his thirstfull dry . there be some writers that affirme , that there is a certaine stone in a water-snakes head , which it casteth or ●omiteth vp when the skinne thereof is ●…eyed from the bodie , and after it is so cast vp ▪ it must be receiued into a p●… of silke , the vertue where of is to be prooued after this manner ; fill a brasse caldron or kettle full of water , and about the same vessell so filled , ●…de this stone fast , as it were to the handle or bayle therof , and you shall find that euery day this stone so remaineth bound to the kettle ▪ that the water wil decrease eyghteene ounces . and this kiranides affirmeth that hee bound to a woman that had the dropsie , and she was thereby deliuered from her disease ; for euery day he found that her belly did fall the quantitie of foure fingers , vntill it came to the naturall bignesse , and then he tooke it off , for he saith that if he had not then taken it off , it would also haue dryed vp the natiue humidity . in like sort , the vertue of this stone is applyed against the rhume in the legges , or any fluxe of the eyes , eares or head , but the vse of it must not exceede the quantitie of three houres at a time . it also driueth out of the body all venomous wormes , and is a special remedy against their byting and stinging . this stone is also called serpentinus and draconit●s , but it is questionable whether it be generated in the head of the snake , or by theyr vapourous breath , concurring together in the spring or winter-season . some of these stones are sayd to be of a blewish-greene colour , and the forme thereof pyramidall . albertus saith , he hath seene one of them that was blacke , and not lightsome , onely about the edges of it there was some palenesse apparant , and in the superficies or vpper part therof , there was ( as he writeth ) a beautifull picture of a snakes proportion , and the vertue therof did put to flight venomous beasts , and also eure theyr harmefull poysons . such like things we haue already shewed to be in the stone which the toade is said to haue , but this stone is more likely to be the ophites , for in the castle of tangra , once the seate or habitation of charles the fourth , there is a chappell wherein are many precious stones , wrought in the vvalls and doores , and among diuers other these ophites . but where as there is a pyramidall forme attributed to these stones , i take it therefore that it is the same which pliny calleth glossapetra , for in shew it resembleth the tongue of a snake , and the tongue of a snake beeing great or broade at the roote , and smaller toward the end or typpe thereof , is rightly said to be of a pyramidall forme : and among the germans it is called by a peculiar word , naterzungen , that is , snakes-tongue . and such a kind of stone as this snakes-tongue , ( as agricola and some other authors vvriteth ) is found in a certaine earth neere linuburgh in saxonie . and conradus gesner affirmeth , that there is a certaine towne in germanie called aenipon , where there is one of these stones halfe a cubite long , and therefore it seemeth that they are not all generated in serpents or snakes heads . among the french-men this stone is called sugne , because there be serpents seene in it twyning their tayles together , or folding them one within another . there 〈…〉 wont to be a superstitious way to extract or expresse this stone from out of the snake , which was done in this manner ; first , when they had taken the snake aliue , they did presently hang her vppe by the tayle , then iust vnderneath her they did make a suffumigation of laurell , and so did coniure the snake , saying ; per dominum qui te creauit , lapidem tuum quem in capite tenes te instanter eijcere iubeo : this kind of enchaunting charme , i hold not worthy to be translated , and yet let mee not be blamed for the relation of it , seeing it is pertinent to this story to know all the good and euill about these serpents . and therefore , not to expresse the same at all , might argue in mee , eyther ignoraunce , or silly precisenesse : and againe on the other side , to make it vulgar , might bring mee into suspition of some approbation : therefore let the reader know it from mee , but vnderstand it from some other . and for mine owne opinion , i account no better of these snake-stones then i doe of the toade-stones , concerning which i haue already giuen my opinion in another place . and therefore what heere is related of this stone , let it be examined , and then be eyther receiued or refused . many , and almost infinite are the epithets which are giuen to snakes , whereby their nature is expressed , as aliger anguis , the winged-snake , blacke , fierce , blew , greedy , wild , cold , gorgonean , wreathen , slyding , deadly , lightsome , spotted , martiall , threatning , purple , wholsome , scaly , terrible , winding , grym , swelling , fearefull , venomous , greene , infolded or implicite , horrible , hissing , marsian , maurian , pestilent , retorted , and such other like , as it hath pleased the seuerall authours writing heereof to ascribe and attribute vnto it . which we will not prosecute with any explication , but onely leaue them to the readers pleasure , beeing onely content to nominate them . there is great account or reckoning made of their egges , which they lay in the sommer-time , for first of all they are so glewed and conioyned together , partly with the spettle and moystnes which proceedeth from their mouthes , and partly with the spume and froath of their owne body , that a man seeing their heapes , would iudge them to be coupled together by some artificiall deuise . these egges thus knotted together in bunches , the latines call anguinum . the druides or auncient wisards of england and scotland , haue deliuered , that if the snake hysse , these will of their owne accord flye vppe into the ayre , and then if some wise-man take them by preuention , before they touch the ground againe , the snakes will follow him as fast as any horse , vntill he come to some riuer , into the which they dare not enter . and the folly of these also proceeded so far , that they were not a shamed to report , that if one of these anguines or bunches of egges , were tyed to a peece of gold , it would swym in a riuer against the streame . these they cōmended vnto princes and great men to carry about with them in the time of warres and other contentions , and that therefore when a romane knight of volontij , was found by claudius to carry one of these about him , hee was by the emperours commaundement put to death . but to leaue vanities , we will prosecute the true and naturall description of their egges in this manner . they are round and soft , in colour white , cleauing ( as we haue alreadie said ) together in great bunches , forty , or fiftie , or a hundred in a cluster , without , they are couered with a skinne or crust , much harder & whiter then the substance contained within it , which is like matter , or the rotten egges of a henne or ducke , in quantitie as bigge as bullis , plummes , and sildome bigger , beeing most commonly very round and orbicular . yet gesner reporteth , that he had one sent him of the proportion of a lentill , and as great as the fist of a man , & within euery egge appeare certaine smal things , like the tailes of serpents , or leaches , beeing in number tenne , fiue greater and fiue smaller , one folded or lapped within another . and these haue also little pustules vppon the skinne or crusts , whereof one doth not touch the other . out of these egges come the young ones , but i cannot affirme what great affection the old ones beare vnto them , or that when many snakes lay their egges together , euery one in that multitude hath skill to discerne her owne egges from the other . for i haue beene with other my colleagues or schoole-fellowes when i was young , at the destruction of many thousands of them , and neuer perceiued that the old snake did with any extraordinary affection fight for their egges , but rather forsooke them , and suffered vs to do with them what we pleased : which some-times we brake , sometimes scattered abroade vpon the dunghill out of which wee digged them , and some-times wee cast them into the next riuer we came at , but neuer saw any of them recollected againe to their former place by the snakes , although the place were very full of them , and therefore i conclude for mine owne experience , that snakes cannot be perceiued to beare any exceeding loue in nature to their egges or young ones . theyr ordinary foode for the most part , is earth , frogges , vvormes , toades , and especiallie paddocks , or crooke-backed frogges , newtes , and small fishes . the foxes and snakes which are about the riuer nilus are at continuall variance , and besides , the harts are by nature common enemies to all serpents . they are not in venom inferiour to other serpents , for they infect the waters neere to houses , and are many times the causes of diseases and death , whereof the phisitians cannot discerne . when they bite or sting , there followeth extreame paine , inflamation , greenenes or blacknes of the wound , dizzines in the head , and death within three dayes . whereof dyed phyloctetes , generall of the fleete of greece , in lemnos , daedalus & menalippus . the cure of this euill must be by origan stamped and layd to the sore with lye & oyle , or ashes of the roote of an oake with pitch , or barly-meale mixed with honny and water and sod at the fire . and in drinke take wilde nosewort , daffadill-flowers , and fennell-seede in wine . and it is also said , that a man carrying about him the liuer of a snake ; shall neuer be bytten by any of that kinde . and this liuer is also prescribed against the stone in the bladder , beeing drunke in strong drinke . and thus much for this serpent . ¶ of spyders and their seuerall sorts : and first of those that are commonly called phalangies . this kinde of venomous creature , of the latines is called arnanaeus , or aranea , & of cicero in his bookes denatura deorum , araneola , and araneolus . of the graecians , arachnes or arachne . hesichius termeth it stibe . the hebrewes name it acobitha , acbar , acabith , and semamith . the arabians , sibth , & phihib . in the germaine tongue , spinn , and banker . in english , attercop , spyder , and spynner . of the brabanders , spinne . in fraunce , araigne . in italy , ragno , and ragna . in spayne , arana or taranna . of the illyrians it is called spawanck . of the polonians , pajak , and pajeczino . of the hungarians , pox. of the barbarians , roatan , & kersenat . isidore in his twelfth booke saith , that the spyder is termed araneus , because she is both bred and fedde in the ayre : but heerein hee hath fallen into a double errour . for if they liued onely in the ayre , and by the ayre , as hee would seeme to enforce , i maruell to what end and purpose they should so busily make and pitch theyr nettes for the ensnaring of flyes ? and if they receiue their first beeing and breeding in the ayre , i cannot see to what purpose they doe eyther lay egs , or exclude small little wormes after their coupling together . but we will easily pardon this presumptious etymologist , and deepe diuer into interpretations , with others also of the same humour , whose ordinary custome thus to dally and play with words , is with them esteemed as good as statute-law , for the most part . there are many sorts of spyders , and all of them haue three ioynts apeece in their legges . estque caput minimum toto quoque corpore paruum est , in latere exiles digiti pro cruribus haerent , latera venter habet , de quo tamen illa remittet stamina . which may be englished thus ; little is theyr head , likewise the body small all ouer is , and fingers thinne vpon the sides in steed of legges , out of the bellyes flancke doe fall : yet out of which she makes her webbe to glyde . all spyders are venomous , but yet some more , and some lesse . of spyders that neyther doe nor can doe much harme , some of them are tame , familiar , and domesticall , and these be cōmonly the greatest among the whole packe of them . others againe be meere wilde , liuing without the house abroade in the open ayre , which by reason of their rauenous gut , and greedy deuouring maw , haue purchased to thēselues the names of wolfes , and hunting-spyders . the least sort of these weaue no webbes at all , but the greater beginneth to make a small and harsh webbe about hedges nie vnto the earth , spreading and setting the same abroade in the very entry , and in voyde places neere their lurking holes , their deceitfull nets , obseruing very diligently the stirring of their deceitfull webbes , and peroeiuing them moouing , though neuer so lightly , she maketh no stay , but with all speed possible hasteneth her selfe to the place , and whatsoeuer shee there findeth , she seazeth vppon as her lawfull prize . the most dangerous & hurtfull spyders are called phalangia , if they byte any one , ( for they neuer strike ) their poyson is by experience found to be so perrillous , as that there wil a notable great swelling immediatly follow therevpon . these kindes of venomous spyders , are of two sundry sorts , for some of them are lesser , and some greater . the lesser sort are very vnlike one to another , and of changeable colours , violent , libidinous , hot , styrring , sharpe-topped , holding on their pace and way , as it were in iumping manner or leaping-wise : and these i find to be called by aristotle in his xj . booke de animal . psullas , or pulices , and pitheci or simij . of some they are called oribates , because they are vsuallie found among trees that grow vppon mountaines . they are also called hypodromi , because they liue vnder the leaues . the phalangium or phalanx spyder , is vnknowne in italy ( as pliny saith ) & there are found many sorts of them . one sort of them is very like vnto a great pismire , but much bigger , hauing also a redde head , but all other parts are blacke , speckled , and garnished with many white spots running all alongst their bodies . this formicarian or pismire-like phalanx , of aetius is described to haue a body much resembling soote in colour , his necke ash-coloured , and his backe glistering , as it were with many starres on it . nicander calleth it agrostes , and aetius , lucos . the latines terme it venator , that is , the hunter . this stingeth but weakely , without any paine at all , but yet it is some-what venomous , though not very much . this kind of phalanx is often found among spyders-webbes , where , ( after the fashion of some hunters ) they beguile and intrap flyes , gnats , and bees , gad-flyes and waspes . ( and if lonicerus write no more then may be warranted for truth , ) those great horse-flyes or oxe-flyes and brimsees , that in sommer-season vexe cattle , and what-soeuer they lay their clowtches on , that they hold fast and destroy ; and thus liue they by taking of booties and preyes . there is no man ( i thinke ) so ill aduised , that will confesse this to be the same creature which aristotle calleth pulex , for the body of that by his description is broade , rowling , round , and the parts about the necke haue certaine lines or cuts : and besides , about the mouth there appeare and seeme to bud forth three eminenties or standings out . there is another sort of phalangiū , called by nican : rox , of aetius , ragion , of aelianus , rhax , ( because it is so like the kernell or stone that is found in grapes , ) and this kinde of spyder is of a round figure , blacke in colour , the body glistering , and round as a ball , with very short stumped feete , yet neuerthelesse of a very swift pace . they haue teeth , and their mouth is nigh their belly , and when they stirre , they gather vp their feete very round . in the description of this spyder , aetius , aelianus and pliny doe wholy consent and agree in opinion , and yet aelianus was a little besides the way , when he set downe podas macrous , for microus , long feete for short feete , and that this kind of spyder was onely found in lybia , and not els where . that kind of spyder termed of pliny , asterion , seemeth to be all one with the former , sauing that this is more knowne by his little white spots made starre-wise , & the glistering stripes or rayes where-with his body seemeth to be ouer-sprinckled . pliny onely mentioneth this , as if aristotle , galen , aetius and auicen , had neuer heard of it . the most venomous and hurtfull of all these , is that which nicander calleth pedeoros , of colour azure , or bright blew , which hath long , high , and loftie feete on both sides of the body . the scholiast addeth dasu and meteoron , that is , lanugiosum and sublime , soft like cotten or wooll , and loftie or high , and not sublime lanuginosum , as lonicerus translateth it . pliny saith , that this spyder hath a black mossines or soft downe , although it will scarce sinke into my head , that any spyder that is of an azure or blew colour , hath any soft hayres , or woollie substance of a blacke colour . there is another kind of phalangium spyder called of nicander , dysderi , which name is neither to be found in aristotle , pliny , nor aetius , nor yet in any other auncient author that euer i could reade , which some others call , and that very properly , sphekion , quasi vesparium , because it is so like a redde waspe , sauing that it lacketh wings , & this waspelike spyder is of a passing deepe redde colour , and counted far worser then the blew-spyder , although the azure or blew-spyder onely by touching doth infect with poyson , and will breake any christall glasse , if it runne ouer it though neuer so speedily , or doe but touch it in glauncing wise , as scaliger beareth witnesse . there are two sorts of phalangie-spyders called tetragnatha , and the worser is that which hath halfe of his dead deuided with one white line , and another white line running crosse-wise . there is another of these not so hurtfull as the former , and this is of an ashe-colour , and very white in the hinder-parts . there is also a spyder coloured as this is , that maketh her webbe by walls sides for the taking of flyes , which as some affirme , hath little or no venome in it at all . aetius saith , that the tetragnathus is a kinde of phalangium , hauing a broade and a whitish body , rough footed , with two swelling or little bunches standing out in the head , the one some-what broad , the other standing right foorth , so that at the first , one would imagine that it had two mouthes , and foure iawes . aelianus in his xvij . booke , chap. . saith , that there is great store of these to be found in india about the riuer arrhata , where their multitude is so dangerous and mischiuous , as that they bring death and destruction to the cittizens and people bordering nie those places . and strabo the geographer , in his xvj . booke telleth vs , that beyond the lybians and on the westerne-side of affricke , there is a country left destitute of inhabitants , hauing goodly large fieldes and pastures , beeing vnhabitable by reason of the multitude of scorpions there bred , and of the spyders called tetragnathoi . there is to be found in haruest-time amongst pease , beanes , and other sorts of pulse , ( when they are gathered and reaped by the hand ) certaine small spyders called kantharidessi eikela , in shew like vnto cantharides or spanish-flyes , of a very redde and fiery colour , such as we englishmen call twinges , by eating or licking vp of which , both oxen & other beasts doe many times dye . there is another kinde of phalangium that breedeth altogether in the pulse , called ervum , which is like vnto tares , and likewise in the peach-tree , which nicander and aetius terme cranocalaptes , and dioscorides nameth it kephalokroustes , because it is so presumptious bolde as to strike at the hands of trauailers by the high-wayes , when as eyther it passeth downe in glyding manner by her fine thredde , or that she tumbleth downe without any stay of thred or other support . it is a small creature to see to , keeping on the pace very fearefully , nodding with the head , reeling , and as it were staggering , beeing great and heauie in the belly , some-what long of body , and of a greenish colour . it carryeth a sting in the toppe of her necke , and striking at any , she commonly aymeth at those parts which are about the head . and as aetius saith , en tois phullois tes perseias trepheteis , kai taptera echei homoia tais en tais kustais psuchais : that is , they are nourished in peach-tree-leaues , and they haue wings like vnto butter-flyes that are found amongst barly . where-vpon the scholiast seemeth to insinuate to vs , that this kind of spyder is winged , which no man ( as i iudge ) hath hetherto obserued . ponzettus and ardoynus do take the cranocalaptes to be a tarantula , but herein they are both mistaken , as was rabbi moses before them . the spyder called sclerocephalus , in forme differeth but little from the former . it hath a head as hard as a stone , and the lineaments and proportion of the body do much resemble those small creatures which are seene about lamps-lights , or candles in the night time . there commeth in the last place to be described , the phalangie-spyder of apulia , commonly knowne by the name of tarantula , taking his denomination from the countrey of tarentum , where there are found great store and plenty of them . firdinandus ponzettus imagineth , that it hath but onely sixe feete , and ardoynus is of the same iudgment , & further faineth , that it hath a stretched out tayle . rasis calleth a tarantula , by the name of sypta , albucasis , alsari , rabbi moses , aggonsarpa , auicen , sebigi : doctor gilbert , taranta therein following ardoynus , which maketh two sorts of tarantulaes , the one of a browne , the other of a yellow colour and cleere shyning , such as are to be found in egypt . pliny ( as you read a little before ) sayd that the phalangiū was not knowne in italy , but in these dayes they are found throughout all the southerne parts of that country , especially ●●e the sea-shore , as both haruest-men and hunters can well testifie by their owne wofull experience . ponzettus was much deceiued , when in his third booke and xv . chapter entreating of the scorpion , he expresly affirmeth the phalanx to be such a venomous flye . it is a vengible and cruell creature ( as alexander ab alexandro saith , ) and to be touched , horrible venomous and pestilent : and most especially theyr byting is exceeding venomous in the parching heate of the sommer , but at other seasons of the yeere not so great . there be many sorts of spyders found in very cold countries , but no phalangies at all , or if there be any , yet haue they very little poyson in them , and nothing comparable to them of hoter clymates . all the sorts of phalangies doe lay theyr egges in a nette or webbe , ( which for the purpose they make very strong and thicke , ) and sitte vpon them in very great number , and when their broode is increased to some growth , they kill theyr damme by theyr hard embracements , and fling her cleane away ; and further , casting off all fatherly affection , they many times serue the male with the same sauce , if they can come handsomely by him , for he is a helper to the female in sitting ouer their egges . they hatch at one time three hundred , as hath been seene by the testimony of bellonius , in his booke singul obseruat . chap. . the tarantulaes commonly lye lurking in holes , chincks , and chappes of the earth , and with theyr teeth they bite and wound at vnawares , incircumspect mowers , & haruest-folkes , and rash huntsmen , who thinke of no such matter : and therefore they that are acquainted with theyr sleights , doe weare bootes and gloues on theyr hands & legges , for their further defence , so often as they goe foorth , eyther to hawking , hunting , or to reaping and mowing , or any such like labour in the common fields . all these spyders are venomous euen naturally , for that is so setled and deepely fastened in them , as it can by no meanes be eradicated or taken away . neither suck they this venom and poysonous qualitie from plants or herbes , as many men thinke , which in very truth they neuer so much as taste of , neither do they purchase this venomous complexion and nature from any naughty , hurtfull , and malignant qualitie that is in their meate , by reason their chiefe foode and sustenaunce is flyes , gnats , and bees , and without question they can sucke and draw no such cacochymicall iuyce from theyr bodies . if the formicarian ( which i call the pismire-like ) phalangie doe byte any man , there will presentlie follow most fearefull accidents : for it bringeth an exceeding great tumor vpon the wounded place , the knees are loose and feeble , trembling of the hart , and decay of strength doe succeede , and some-times it induceth death it selfe . nicander saith , that they who are bytten of this kind of spyder , doe fall into such a profound sleepe , as that they will neuer be awaked , for they haue and suffer that which histories report of cleopatra queene of egypt , who to escape the fingers of pompey , because she would not be brought to rome in tryumph , caused two serpents called aspes , to be sette to her breasts , which did sting her to death , whose nature is to giue a heauinesse and sleepe , without any shrinking or marke in the skinne , onely putting foorth a gentle sweat out of the face , as if one were in a traunce and hard to be awaked . the spyder called agrostis , maketh but a small wound with her byting , and in a manner without any paine at all , and no wayes deadly , vnlesse it be but slightly regarded , or that no care be had for the cure in the beginning . the phalangie that is called dusderus , which is fashioned like a waspe , if he hurt any one by his byting , it causeth the same accidents that the azure or blewish-coloured spyder doth , but yet not altogether so terrible and vehement . and besides , the dusder-spyder with her poyson , bringeth a wasting and pyning away of the whole body by degrees , without any great sence . if a man be poysoned with that kind of spyder which is found among pulse , and is ( as i said before ) like vnto spanish-flyes , there will presently arise certaine pustules , risings or swellings , much like vnto blisters , as if one were scalded with hot water , in which swellings there will commonly be much yellowish matter , besides , the patient is much disquieted , vexed , & too much out of order , the eyes seeme to be writhed , deformed , looking asquint on the one side , the tongue faltereth and stammereth , not beeing able to sound their words , or to pronounce directly : their talke is idle , they wander and roue vppe and downe in great perplexitie , their hart beeing tormented , tossed & turmoyled with an extraordinarie kind of furious passion . the spyder that is found in the pulse , called ervum , which is very like to tares or vetches , produceth by his venom the same euill effects that the former doth , and if horses or other beasts doe by chaunce deuoure any of them , their bodies are so inflamed by meanes of the vnquenchable thirstines the poyson causeth , that many times they burst asunder in the midst . if the cranacalaptes wound any man ( as pliny assureth vs ) it is not long before death it selfe doe succeede . and yet nicander and aetius hold the contrarie , and would make vs beleeue that his hurt is soone remedied , without any great adoe : yet heerein they doe consent , that if any be hurt with any spyder of this kinde , there will follow a great paine of the head , coldnes , swymming and gyddines of the braine , much disquietnes of the whole body , and pricking paines of the stomack . but notwithstanding all this ( saith nicander , ) the patient is soone remedied , and all these aboue rehearsed passions quickly appeased and brought to an end . the sclerocephalus , as it much resembleth the cranocalaptes-spyder in forme and proportion , so in his force , effect and violence they are much alike , causing the same symptomes , accidents and passions as the former . the wound that the spyder called ragion inflicteth , is very small , so that a man can hardly discerne it with his eyes , but yet if one be hurt there-with , the lowerparts of the eyes , and the eye-liddes waxe very redde . besides , the patient feeleth a shyuering cold or chyldnes in his loynes , with weakenes and feeblenesse in the knees , yea the whole body is taken with a great quaking cold , & the sinewes by meanes of the violence and ranknesse of the poyson , suffer a convulsion . the parts seruing to generation , are made so impotent and weake , as that they are not able to retaine the seede , nor yet to containe their vrine , which they voyde forth much like in colour to a spyders-webbe , and they feele the like paine as they doe which are stunge vvith scorpions . of the wounding of the starre-spyder feeblenes and weakenes followeth , so that one cannot stand vpright , the knees buckle , sleepe and shaking drousines seaseth vpon the hurt parts : and yet the worst of all is the blewish spyder , for this bringeth dimnesse of the eye-sight , and vomiting , much like vnto spyders and cobwebs in colour , fainting and swounding , weakenes of the knees , heauy sleepes , and death it selfe . if a man be wounded of the tetragnathian-spyder , the place waxeth whitish , vvith an intollerable , vehement , and continuall paine in it , and the member it selfe withereth and pyneth away euen to the very ioynts . finally , the whole body by receiuing any wholesome sustenaunce , is nothing at all relieued thereby , yea and after a man hath recouered his health , yet is he neuerthelesse disquieted by much watching for a long time after , ( as aetius writeth . ) nicander in expresse wordes confesseth , that the ash-coloured tetragnath , doth not by his byting infuse any venome or like hurt . if the speckled phalangie of apulia , which is vsually knowne by the name of tarantula , doe byte any one , there will follow diuers and contrary accidents and symptomes , according to the various constitution , different complexion , and disposition of the partie wounded . for after they are hurt by the tarantula , you shall see some of them laugh , others contrariwise to weepe , some will clatter out of measure , so that you shall neuer get them to hold their tongues , and othersome againe you shall obserue to be as mute as fishes : this man sleepeth continuallie , and another cannot be brought to any rest at all , but runneth vp and downe , raging and rauing like a mad man. there be some that imagine themselues to be some great lords or kings , & that their authoritie , empire and signory , extendeth it selfe farre and wide , and for that cause they will seeme to charge others by vertue of their absolute and kingly authoritie , and as they tender theyr fauours , and will auoyde their displeasure , to see this or that busines dispatched ; and with others againe the contrary conceite so much preuaileth , as by a strong imagination they cannot be otherwise diswaded but that they are taken prisoners , that they lye in some deepe dungeon or prison , with bolts and shackles about their feete , so many as their legges can beare , or that their necke and feete lye continually in the stocks . you shall see some of them to be cheerefull , quicke of spirit , and liuely , with dauncing , swinging , and shaking themselues . with others againe you shall haue nothing but sadnesse , and heauinesse of mind , browne-studies , vnaptnes to doe any thing , as if one were astonied , so that nothing but numnesse , and dulnes of moouing and feeling , seemeth to pinch them , beeing to see to very sencelesse . in conclusion , as dronkennesse to sundry persons is not all one , but much different , according to the diuersitie of complexions , & naturall constitution of the braine : so neyther is the madnes or frenzie-fits of these persons all one that be infected with a tarantulaes poyson : but some of them are fearefull , silent , euer trembling and quaking : and others againe are more foole-hardie , rash , presumptious , clamorous , full of noyse , dooing nothing else but call and cry out , and some fewe seeme to be very graue , constant & stedfast , that will not alter their purposes for a world of wealth . but let thē be affected eyther with this or that passion , yet this is common to them all , as well to one as to another , that they are generally delighted with musicall instruments , and at their sound or noyse , vvill so tryp it on the toes dauncer-like , applying both their mindes and bodies to dauncing & frisking vp & downe , that during the time of any musicall harmony , they will neuer leaue mouing their members & lymbes , like a iack-an-apes that cannot stand still . and which is more strange , they will vse these motions and gestures when they are ready to depart this life , through the lingering stay and vehement crueltie of the poysons operation : and yet for all this , though they be so neere vnto death , yet if they heare any musicke , they come againe to themselues , newly gathering their spirits and strength , and with a greater alacritie , promptnes of mind and cheere , they foote it as frolickly as euer they did or could haue done . and thus dooing and dauncing both day and night , without any notorious intermission , & by their continued sweating , the poyson being dispersed into the pores of the skin , and euaporated by insensible transpiration or breathing out , are arlength by this meanes recouered to their former health & state of body . and if the pypers of fidlers cease playing with their musicke , though neuer so little awhile , before the matter of the poyson be in some part exhausted , then will they make a recidiuation and returning to their former passions and griefes , with which they were at first tormented and disquieted . but yet this is the most strange , deseruing the greatest admiration of all , that all those persons vvhich are bytten or wounded by any tarantula , they wil daunce so wel , with such good grace & measure , and sing so sweetly , and withall descant it so finely and tunably , as though they had spent all their life-time in some dauncing and singing-schoole . neuerthelesse , cardan , contrary to all authoritie and experience , calleth in doubt and question this poynt , and at last concludeth that they cannot be restored to health againe by musicke . wherein he doth maruailously repugne and contrary , both foelix platerus , theodorus zuingerus , andreas matthiolus , bellunensis , ponzettus , paracelsus , and manie other famous learned men . trulie , a bare contradiction against so great authorities , is fatre vnworthy and vnbeseeming a man any thing ( though neuer so little ) seene or exercised in philosophy : much more so great a philosopher and phisitian as cardan was . yet surely i am of the opinion , that cardan did not erre in philosophy through ignoraunce , but hauing a desire continually to appeare more learned , he did euer bend himselfe to impugne that , which he knew the soundest and best part of men did hold and maintaine . but this little which i haue heere spoken , shall serue sufficiently for the discussing of cardans opinion . and surely , if the harmonicall sound and melodie of warlike drummes and trumpets , hath cured furious , madde , and enraged horses , and mittigated the paine of their legges and hyppes , as asclepiades hath written , i see nothing to the contrarie , but that it may helpe those persons that are wounded of any tarantula . the pope , with his poll-shorne generation , haue mustered diuers of the saints together , and haue assigned and appointed to each his sundry charge and seuerall office apart , for the cure of sundry diseases . as for example , s. anthony can heale the burning , s. roch the pestilence , notwithstanding that , s. sebastian hath some skill in it also . saint cosmus and damian are good for all byles and swelling diseases . s. iob for the pocks . s. appolin for the tooth-ach . s. petronella can driue away all manner of agues . and s. vitus or vitulus , ( we may well call him s. calfe ) that in times past excelled in the musicall art , doth direct all dauncers , or such as will leap or vault : so that if this saint be invocated and pacified with musicall harmonie and melodious sound of instruments , he will be an excellent apothecarie & doctor for the curation of any that are wounded with a tarantula . supersticious people fondly imputing that to the patron and proctor some-times of musick , which ought rather to be attributed to musicke it selfe , and motion of the body . dioscorides concerning the common bytings of hurtfull spyders or phalangies , vvriteth thus . the accidents ( saith he ) that doe accompany the bytings of spyders , are these that follow . the wounded place waxeth red , yet doth it not swell nor grow very hot , but it is some-what moyst . if the body become cold , there will follow trembling and shaking , the groyne and hammes doe much stroute out , & are exceeding distended , there is great prouocation to make water , and striuing to exonerate nature , they sweat with much difficultie , labour and paine . besides , the hurt persons are all of a cold sweat , and teares destill from their eyes that they grow dym-sighted there-with . aetius further addeth , that they can take no rest or sleepe , sometimes they haue erection of the yarde , and the heade itcheth , other-whiles the eyes and calfes of the legges grow hollow and lanke , the bellie is stretched out by meanes of wind , the whole body is puffed vppe , but in especiall the face , they make a maffeling with theyr mouth , and stammer so that they cannot distinctly be vnderstood . some-times they can hardly voyd vrine , they haue great paine in the lower parts , the vrine that they make is waterish , and as it were full of spyders-webbes , the part affected , hath a great pricking and swelling , which dioscorides ( as you reade a little before ) will by no meanes yeeld to , and it is a little red . thus farre aetius , from whom paulus aegineta , actuarius , ardoynus and some others differ but a little . in zacynthus an i le in the ionian-sea , on the west of peloponesus , if any there be hurt of a phalangium , they are otherwise and more grieuously tormented then in any other place , for there the body groweth stiffe and benummed ; besides , it is very weake , trembling , and exceeding cold . they suffer also vomiting with a spasme or crampe , and inflamation of the virge , besides an intollerable paine in their eares and soales of their feete . the people there doe cure themselues by bathes , into which if any sound man after that doe enter to wash himselfe , or be drawne into the same by any guile or deceitfull meanes , hee will foorth-with fall into the same greefes & passions , that the other sicke patient endured before he receiued remedie . and the like to this writeth dioscorides , in his chapter of trifolium asphaltites , in these words following . the decoction ( saith he ) of the whole plant beeing vsed by way of fomentation , bathing or soking the body , ceaseth all those paines which are caused by the byting or stinging of any venomous serpent : and with the same bathing or fomenting whatsoeuer vlcerous persons shall vse or wash himselfe withall , he will be affected and haue the same accidents , as he that hath beene bitten of a serpent . galen in his booke de theciaca ad pisonem , ascribeth this to miracle , accounting it a thing exceeding common reason and nature : but i stand in doubt that that booke vvas neuer galens , but rather fathered vpon him by some other man. and yet aelianus writeth more miraculously , whē he affirmeth that this hapneth to some helthy persons , & such as be in good plight & state of body , neuer so much as making any mention of vlcer or sore . thus much of the symptomes , accidents , passions or effects which sticke and waite vpon those that are hurt by spyders . and now come i to the cure . the generall cure , according to the opinion of dioscorides , is , that first there must be scarification made vpon the wounded place , and that often , and cupping-glasses must as often be applyed and fastened with much flame to the part affected . absyrtus counsell is to make a fumigation with egge-shells first steeped in water , and then beeing cast on the coales with harts-horne or galbanum , to perfume the venomed part there-with . after that to vse sacrifications , to let bloud , or to sucke the place , or to draw out the venom with cupping-glasses : or ( which is the safest course of them all ) to apply an actuall cautery , except the place affected be full of sinnewes . lastly to prouoke sweat well , either in bed , couering the patient well with cloathes , or it is better by long and easie walking to procure sweating . in some to attaine to the perfect curation , you must worke both with inward & outward meanes , such as here shall be prescribed and set before your eyes : whereof the most choyce and approued i haue set downe for the benefit of the reader : and first i wil beginne with dioscorides . inward medicines out of dioscorides . take of the seedes of sothern-wood , annise , dill , the wilde cicer , of the fruite of the cedar-tree , plantine and trifolie : of each a like quantity , beate them to powder by themselues , before you doe mixe them . the dose is two drammes to be taken in wine . likewise one dramme of the seedes of tamariske drunke in wine , is very effectuall . some vse a decoction of chamaepytis , and the greene nuts of the cipres-tree in wine . there be some which prayse the iuyce of croy-fishes , to be taken with ashes , milke , and smallage-seede , and this medicine experience hath approoued and confirmed , for the ceasing of all paynes . lye made of figge-leaues is drunke with good successe against all bytings of spyders . it is good also to take the fruite of the turpentine-tree , bay-berries , leaues of the balme , and the seedes of all sorts of carrets : or to drinke the iuyce of mirtle-berries , of the berries of iuy , or mull-berries , the iuyce of colewort-leaues , and of cliues or goose-grease with wine or vineger . a dramme of the leaues of beane-trifoly drunke in wine , the decoction of the rootes of a sparagus , iuyce of sen-greene , or any opening iuyce , is good for the same . some vse with very good successe , the leaues of the hearbe called balme with niter , and mallowes , boyled both leafe and roote , and so taken often in a potion . the leaues of the hearbe called phalangium , with his floures and seedes . the seedes of nigella also serue to the same end . medicines out of galen . take of aristolochia , of opium , of eyther alike much , foure drammes , of the roots of pelletorie of spayne three drams . make thereof trochisces , to the quantitie of a beane . the dose is two trochisces , with three ounces of pure wine . the ashes of a ramms hoofe tempored with hony , and drunke with wine . remedies of diophantes against the bytings of phalangies . take of astrologe or hartwort . drams , of pelletorie of spaine as much , pepper . drams , opium one dram , make thereof trochisces , to the quantity of a beane , & take two of them in a good draught of pure wine . another more excellent . take of the seedes of wilde rue , rocket-seede , styrax , sulphur viuum , of either alike much sixe drammes , of castoreum two drammes , commix them to make trochisces , as before , with the bloud of a creuish . the dose is one scruple and a halfe in wine . another . take of myrrhe , castoreum and styrax , of either one dram , opium two drammes , of galbanum three drammes , smallage-seedes and annise-seedes , of either alike two ounces and a halfe , pepper thirty graines , make them vppe with wine so much as is sufficient . another . take of myrrhe fiue ounces , of spiknard sixe drammes , of the the flower of iuncus rotundus two drammes and a halfe , cassia foure drams , cynamon three drammes , white pepper one dramme and a halfe , frankinsence one dramme , and halfe a scruple , costus one dramme , make them vp with atticke hony. the dose is the quantity of a hasell-nut , to be taken either in mulse or water . remedies out of apollodorus . take of wilde comin two ounces and a halfe , the bloud of a sea-tortoyce foure drammes , the rennet of a fawne or hare , three drammes , the bloud of a kid foure drams , make them vp with the best wine , and reserue it to your vse . the dose is the quantity of an oliue , in a draught of the best and purest wine . another . take of the seedes of trifolium bituminosum , of round astrologe , the seeds of wilde rew , the seedes of ervum dryed in the sunne , of each alike , . drams : worke them with wine and make trochisces thereof , euery one of them weighing foure drams . the dose is one trochisce . read more in galan in his second booke de antid . where any man may finde many for the same purpose , which he had gathered and selected from diuers authours . out of aetius , and paulus aegeneta . take of sulphur viuum , and of galbanum , of either foure drammes , of bitter almonds excorticated one dramme , of the gumme called benzoin foure drammes , temper them in wine , and after their maceration , worke them vp with some hony to be taken inwardly . being thus prepared , it may likewise be applyed outwardly . another . take of ameos two drammes , roots of floure-deluce one dram , or else of saint iohns-wort , or trifolium bituminosum , drinke them out of wine . or take of annise-seedes , wilde carrets , comin , nigella romana , pepper and agaricke , of either one dramme , and drinke them . or take the leaues of the cipres-tree , or the nuts beaten in wine , and three quarters of a pinte of the best oyle , and giue it to drinke . and to this end they doe prescribe bay-berries , scorpion-grasse , wilde-timbe , calamint , chamepytis , either to be taken by themselues alone , or with rew and pepper . asclepiades vsed these that follow . take of the seedes of angelica and calamint , of eyther alike much , and powned together , to bee taken in sixe ounces of wine oftentimes in a day . another . take of benzoin , the seedes of the wilde-carret , of dry mintes and spicknard a little quantity , temper them vp with vineger . the dose is one dramme with pure water and vineger mixed together about fiue or sixe ounces . another more excellent . take garlicke and eate it , and a bath made of the same with wine , and likewise al those medicines which doe heale the bytings of vipers , are notable in these cases . paulus aegineta commendendeth all these very highly , and so dooth hee the seedes of agnus castus , or the leaues of the white-popler . out of nicander . take of the purest turpentine that distilleth out of the pine-tree , and eate or drink it : for this is a very effectuall medicine , which as bellonius reporteth he hath found to be true by experience . out of auicenna . the fruite of the mirtle-tree , doronicum , masticke , assa faetida , dedder , or with-wind and his root , the nut of india , and white bdellium drunke with wine . take of the rootes of aristolochie , rootes of floure-deluce , of spicke , pellitory of spaine , the seedes of the wilde carrot , blacke hellebor , commin , the rootes of the true daffadill , of the fruite of the carob-tree , the leaues of dates , toppes of pomgranates , cynamon , of the iuyce of rue , crai-fishes , styrax , opium , and carpobalsamum , of eyther alike , one ounce , all of these being powdered , make thereof trochisces the weight of one dramme or foure scruples , which is their dose . take also in wine the decoction of the seedes of trifolium bituminosum , cipres-nuts , and the seedes of smallage . besides let him drinke the graynes or fruite of the pine-tree , comin of aethiopia , the leaues and rinde of the plane-tree , the seedes of siler montanum , blacke and wilde cicers , the seeds of nigella , sothern-wood and dill , astrologe or hartwort , the fruite of the tamariske tree : for all these are very effectuall to cure the hurtes that come by byting of any venomous spyder . the iuyce also of wilde lettice and of houselike is excellent . the decoction of cypres nuts beeing boyled , especially with cynamon , the broath of crai-fishes , and of goose-flesh , and likewise the decoction of the rootes of asparagus in wine and water . another . take of astrologe and comin , of each three drammes to be drunk in warme water : an excellent and approoued antidote . take of the seeds of git or nigella tenne drammes , comin-seede , dancus-seede ( or wilde-carret ) of either fiue drammes , spiknard , bay-berries , round aristolochie , carpobalsamum , cynamon , roots of gentian , seedes of the mountaine siler , and smallage , of euery one alike two drams , make a confection with hony. the dose is the quantity of a nut with old wine . a confection of assa . take of assa faetida , myrrhe , and leaues of rue , of euery one alike quantity , temper them together with hony. the common is one dram , or two at the most in wine . certaine other selected medicines out of absyrtus , albucasis , lullus , rhazes and ponzettus . take of white pepper thirty graynes , drinke it often in a draught of old wine . giue also the hearbe tymbe in wine . absyrtus . let him drinke after it a spoonefull of wine distilled with balme . lullus . take of dry revv , of costus , horsemint , pelletory of spayne , cardamomum , of each alike , of assa faetida a fourth part , honny so much as is sufficient , commixe them , the dose is the quantity of a hasell nut in drinke . albucasis . the brayne of a hen drunke vvith a little pepper out of sweet wine , or vineger and water myxed together . a notable treacle or antidote against the bytings of phalangies or venomous spyders . take of tartarum six drammes , of yellovv sulphur eyght drammes , rue-seedes three drammes , castoreum and rocket-seede , of eyther tvvo drammes , vvith the bloud of a sea-tortoyce make an opiate . the dose is tvvo drammes to bee taken in wine . another . take of pellitory of spaine , and the roote of the round aristolochie of each one part , of white pepper halfe a part , horehouud foure parts , temper them vp vvith honny , the dose that is to bee giuen is one dramme . another . take of the rootes of capers , the rootes of long aristolochie or hartwort , bay-berries , rootes of gentian , of each a like quantity to bee taken in wine , or let him drinke diassa with svveete strong wine , comin , and the seedes of agnus castus . another . take of the seedes of nigella tenne drammes , of daucus and comin-seedes , of each alike fiue drammes , seedes of wilde rue , and cypres nuttes , of eyther three drammes , spiknard , bay-berries , round astrologe , carpobalsamum , cynaomn , the root of gentian , seeds of trifolium bituminosum , and of smallage-seede , of either two drammes , make a confection with hony so much as is sufficient . giue the quantity of a nut with old wine . rhazes . out of pliny , celsus , and scaliger . it is good to giue fiue pismires to them that are bitten of any phalangium , or the seedes of nigella romana one dram , or mulberries with hypocistis and hony. there is a secret vertue and hidden quality in the root of parsely , and of wilde rue , peculiarly against those hurts that spiders infect by their venome . the bloud of a land-tortoyce , the iuyce of origanum , the roote of behen album , veruaine , cinquefoile , all the sortes of sengreene , cipres-roots , the iuie , of iuy roots being taken with some sweet wine , or water and vineger mixed and boyled together , are very speciall in this griefe . likewise two drams of castoreum to prouoke vomiting being relented in some mulse . apollodorus one of the disciples of democrates saith , there is an herb called crocides , which if any phalangium or other poisonous spider do but touch , presently they fal down dead , and their poyson is so dulled and weakened , as it can doe no hurt . the leaues of the bull-rush or mat-rush which are next to the root being eaten , are found to giue much help . pliny . take of myrrhe , of vna taminea , which is the berry of the herb called ampelos agria , being a kind of bryony , which windeth it selfe about trees and hedges like a vine , of some called our ladies seale , of either alike , and drink them in . quarters of a pinte of sod wine . item , the rootes of radish or of darnell taken in wine , is very effectuall . celsus . but the excellentest antidote of all other is that which scaliger describeth , whom for his singular learning and deep conceit , i may tearme nostris orbis & seculi ornamentum : the forme whereof in this place i will prescribe you . take of the true and round aristolochia , & of the best mithredate , of either one ounce , terra sigillata halfe an ounce , of those flyes which are found to liue in the flower of the herb called napellus , in number . iuyce of citrons so much as is sufficient , mixe them altogether . for against this mischiefe of spyders , oragainst any other shrewd turnes , grieuances , or bytings of any serpents whatsoeuer . are as yet neuer found out so effectuall a remedy , or so notable an alexipharmacall . thus far scaliger . the iuyce of apples being drunke , and endiue , are the propper bezoar against the venom of a phalangie petrus de albano . thus much of inward : now wil i proceed to generall outward medicaments and applications . fiue spiders putrified in common oyle , & applyed outwardly to the affected place , are very good . ashes made of the dung of draught beasts tempered with vineger , and vsed as an ointment , or instead of vineger , water and vineger boyled together , and applyed as before , are proued to be singuler . take of vineger . pints and a halfe , sulphur viuum two ounces , mix them , and foment , bath , or soke the wounded part with a spunge dipped in the liquor , or if the paine be a little asswaged with the fomentation , then wash the place with a good quantity of sea-water . some hold opinion that achates ( which is a precious stone , vvherein are represented diuers forms , whereof some haue the nine masts , some of venus , &c. will heale all bitings of phalangies , and for this cause being brought out of india it is held at a very deere rate in this country . pliny . ashes made of fig-tree-leaues , adding to them some salt and wine . the roots of the wilde panax being beaten to powder , aristolochie & barly meale kneaded together and vvrought vp with vineger . water with hony and salt applyed outwardly for a fomentation . the decoction of the herb balme , or the leaues of it being brought to the forme of a pultes , and applyed : but we must not forget to vse warme bathes , and sometimes to the place agrieued . pliny . cut the vaines that appeare vnder the tongue , rubbing and chafing the swelled places with salt and good store of vineger : then cause the patient to sweat carefully & warily for feare of cold . vigetius . theophrastus saith , that practitiones do highly commend the root of panax chironia , moysten the wound with oile . garlike bruised , knot-grasse or barly-meale , and bay-leaues with wine , or with the dregs or lees of wine , or wilde rue applyed in manner of a cataplasme to the wounded place . nonus . take of sulphur vivum , galbanum , of each alike , . drams and a halfe , of euforbium halfe a dram , hasell-nuts excorticated two drams , dissolue them , and with wine make towardes the curation . flyes beaten to powder and applyed vpon the place affected . the fish called a barble cureth the bitings of any venomous spider , if being raw it be slit asunder in the middest , and so applyed ( as galen saith . ) annoint the whole body with a liquid cerote , and foment the place affected with oyle wherein trifolium bituminosum hath beene infused , or bath it often with spongies soked in warme vineger : then prepare & make ready cataplasmes of these ingredients following ; that is , of knot-grasse , scala caeli , called salomons-seale , leekes , cheesill or branne decocted in vineger , barley-meale and bay-berries , and the leaues boyled in wine and hony. some doe also make cataplasmes of rue or herb-grace , & goats dung tempered with wine , cypres , margerom and wilde rue with vineger . an emplaster of asclepiades . take of the seedes of wilde rue , and rocket-seeds , stauesackre , rosemary-seedes , agnus-castus , apples and nuts , or in stead of these two , of the leaues of the cipres-tree , of each alike , beate and temper them altogether with vineger & hony . aetius . apply the decoction of lupines vpon the affected place , the eschar being first remoued , then annoint it in the warme sun-shine , or against the fire with the fat of a goose tempered with wilde rue and oyle , or else of the pap of barly , and the broth of lupines make a cataplasme . oribasius . the filberd-nut that groweth in india , healeth the bytings of the phalangies . auicenna . goates dung dissolued with other conuenient cataplasmes , and oyle of worme-wood , and the iuyce of figs helpeth much . kiranides . apply oftentimes a cold peece of iron to the place . petrus de albano . foment the place very often with the iuyce of the herbe plantine . hildegardis . the artificiall oyle of balme is singular . euonimus . a fomentation made of the leaues and stalkes of imperatoria called master-wort , and continued a good space : or else veruaine bruised and stamped , the iuyce being taken in wine , and further , the hearb outwardly applyed , is much commended of turneiser . beate and stampe hearb-agrace with garlicke and some oyle , and apply it outwardly . celsus . there bee but a fevv particular cures for the bytings of spyders that physitions mention : yet some they doe , although the generall bee most effectuall . pliny against the byting of the formicarion or pismire-like - phalangie , that hath a red head , commendeth much another phalangie of the same kind , onely to be shewed to the wounded patient to looke vpon , and to be kept for the same purpose , though the spyder be found dead . also , a young weasell dryed , and the belly thereof stuffed with coriander-seede , and so kept till it be very old and stale , and drunke in wine , being first beaten to powder , is likewise good for the same intention . there is a certaine little beast called ichneumon , of some it is called mus pharaonis , pharoes mouse , and for the enmity vnto serpents , it is called ophiomorchus , ( as bellonius reporteth ) being bruised and applyed to the byting of any waspe-like - phalangie , doth vtterly take away the vemone of them . it often entereth and searcheth out the seats and holes of venomous spiders and phalangies , and if it finde any of them , shee haleth and tuggeth them cleane away as a pismire doth a small graine of corne : and if the phalangie offer any resistaunce , the ichneumon sparing no labour , pulleth her the contrary way : and by this struggling and striuing , sometimes it so falleth out that the ichneumon is wearied , and then she breatheth a little , and gathering new strength and courage , setteth againe vpon the phalangie with a fresh assault , and woundeth her many times , so that at length she carieth her to her owne lodging there to be deuoured . if the tarantula haue hurt any one , the best remedy is to styrre and exercise the body continually without any intermission , whereas in all hurtes that are caused by any other spyders , rest and quietnesse are the best meanes ( as celsus affirmeth . ) but their antidote is musicke and singing . christophorus de honestis counselleth to take forth with theriaca andromachi without any delay . he also aduiseth to take butter tempered vvith hony , and the roote of saffron in wine . his propper bezoar ( saith he ) or the greene berries or seedes of the lentiske-tree . ponzettus in his booke de venenis , aduiseth to take ten graynes of the lentisk-tree in milke , or an ounce and a halfe of the iuyce of mull-berry-leaues . in the encrease of the griefe , he cureth them with agaricke , or the white vine : and after much sweating , they are to be comforted and refreshed or strengthened with colde medicines , as with the water of poppy , and the like ( meru●a saith ) they are to be remedied with the stone of musicall instruments , dauncing , singing and colours : concerning the three former i will not contend , but howe they should receiue any part of helpe or health from vewing of any colours i doe not well vnderstand : considering that the eye-sight of all those that are bitten of a tarantula , is quite taken away , or they see but obscurely , as being mightily deceiued in their obiects . andreas matthiolus in his commentaries , vppon the sixth booke of dioscorides chap. . reporteth a verie strange story of a cerraine hermit , his olde friende and acquaintance dwelling neere vnto rome , who cured all those who were bitten or hurt of any venomous wormes or serpents , which in this last place i will insert ( although some may say that it is needlesse , and belongeth not at all to this discourse in hand , or else will not beleeue it . ) for when as any of the inhabitants in those parts were wounded of any poysonous serpent , by a messenger forthwith fignified the same to the old hermit : who by and by demaunded of the messenger whether he could be content to take or drinke any medicine in the stead of the sicke patient : which if the other assented too , promising to take it , the hermit commaunded him without any further delay , to pull off his right foot shoe , and to set his foote on the earth , drawing a line round about the foot with his knife : then he willed him to take away his foote , and within the space of the line so marked , he writ or engraued these words following . caro caruze , sanum reduce , reputata sanum , emanuel paracletus . then immediatly he pared away the earth with the same whittle , so that all the characters were quite defaced , putting rhe same earth into a little earthen vessell full of water , letting it there so long remaine , vntil the earth sunke to the bottome : lastly he strayned the water with a peece of the messengers shirt , or some other linnen that hee wore next to his skin , and being signed with the signe of the crosse , gaue it him to drinke : but surely ( saith matthiolus ) it was marueylous strange , and a wonderfull thing to consider , how that the wounded patient was perfectly healed , euen at that very houre and moment of time , that the messenger tooke the aforesaide potion of the hermit , as it is plainely knowne vnto my selfe , and to all the people that dwell round about in that territory or shire . and thus much of this heremiticall curation by the way . now will i come into my path againe . a man may find a great sort , both of these , and the like remedies both in pliny , dioscorides , and other concerning the hurts of spiders , but i thinke i haue beene a little to tedious , and you may imagine that i do nothing but ta arachina hiphainein , aranearum telas texere : that is , in a friuolous matter and of small moment spend infinite and curious labour : so that i had more neede to craue pardon for my long discourse about this subiect : wherein though many things may want to the satisfaction of an afflicted & searching head , yet i am sure here is inough to warrant the discharge of my good will , & to repell the censure of the scrupulous ; — nunc imus ad illam artificem , mens nostra cui est conformis , arachnem quae medio tenerae residens in stamine telae . quà ferit eurus atrox , trepidat volitantibus auris tangitur , veresono vagus illi byssus ab aestro . in english thus ; vnto arachne , skilfull mistrisse let vs come , to whom conformed seemes the mind of man , she sits in middest of web , her tender feet vpon : whiles she is tost with eastwind now and than , she trembleth at the noyse of ratling winds , as when the humming fly hard wagging finds . of the tame or hovse ▪ spyder . aristotle , that diligent searcher and seeker out of nature and naturall causes , termeth this kind of spyder a very gallant & excellent wise creature . king salomon himselfe , at whose high wisedome all succeeding ages haue and will admire , amongst those foure small creatures , which in wisedome doe out-strippe the greatest phylosophers , reckoneth the spyder for one , dwelling ( as he saith ) in kings courts , and there deuising and weauing his inimitable webbe . the poets fayne that the spyder called arachne , was in times past a mayden of lydia , who beeing instructed of minerua in the cunning skill of embroiderie and spynning , grew therein so excellent , and tooke such a pride in the same , ( for you must remember she was a woman ) that shee sti●ly denied , facing it out in brauing-wise , that minerua was neuer the instructer , and so arrogant presumpteous shee was , as that she feared not to challenge her mistresse-goddesse to worke with her , if shee durst for her eares enter the lyst , in all manner of embroidery , tapestry-workes , and the like . at which , mistres minerua beeing netled , and taking the matter in dudgeon thus to be prouoked , and withall reprehending the mayde very sharply for her saucines , in a pelting chafe she brake all to peeces the wenches imagery worke , that was so curiously wouen , & so full of varietie , with her shittle . the mayde heereat beeing sore greeued , halfe in despayre not knowing what to doe , yeelding to passion , would needes hang herselfe . but minerua taking compassion vppon her , would not haue her die forth-with , but transformed her into a spyder , hanging by a fine small thred or line . atque ita viue quidem , pende tamen , improba , dixit ▪ lexque eadem paenae , ne sis secura futuri dicta tuo generi , serisque nepotibus esto . in english thus ; so liue indeede , yet hang , thou woman vile she said , and let the selfe-same law of punishment be vnto thee and all thy of spring , while all kindred lasts : shall not futures thee content . if any be desirous to know more of this fable , let him read the famous poet ouid , who hath excellently written thereof in the sixth booke of his metamorphosis , although some what differing from this of pliny . the graecians besides doe write , as coelius rodoginus in his . booke lectionum antiq : chap. . affirmeth , how that there was in the country of attica a certaine man called phalanx , who had also a sister named arachne , & when phalanx had perfectly learned of minerua the military-science , and all other warlike exercises and offices that belong to a souldiour , and that shee had like wise instructed his sister arachne in weauing , spynning , and needle-worke , they concluded a match betweene themselues , but the goddesse beeing much displeased with such a shamefull and incestious marriage , marring their fashion , shee disfigured them both into the number oc creeping creatures , laying t' his as a iust punishment vpon them , to be destroyed of their owne young ones . but it is at euery ma ns choyse to interprete these to be eyther fables and canterburie-tales , or true historicall narrations : yet most are of this mind , that arachne first inuented spynning of lynnen , weauing , and working with the needle , which this mayde of lydia first learned from the spyders , taking her first samplers and patterns from them for imitation ; which no man ought to thinke to be strange , sith the craft of playstering or working things in earth , and the art of curing the eyes , was first taken from the swallowes . the eagles haue taught vs architecture , and men first receiued the light of phlebotomie or letting of blood from the hippopotamus , which is a beast liuing in the riuer of nilus , hauing feete like an oxe , and his backe and mane like a horse , with a winding tayle , and tusked like a bore . the byrd of egypt called ibis , first gaue knowledge to phisitians how to vse the glister ; yea , dogges , goates , harts , storkes , swallowes and weasells , haue taught men many medicines for many diseases . to beginne therfore to make an enumeration of their prayses , i will declare vnto you , the rich vertues and externall goods of the body , fortune and mind . and first to beginne with the good gyfts of their bodies . if you will weigh and consider the matter and substance of a spyders body , you shall find it to be light , pertaking much of fire and ayre , ( being two of the most noble and effectall elements in operation ) and hauing but little earthy draggines and drossie refuse . if you behold their figure , they haue eyther a sphaericall and heauenly , or at least-wise an ouall forme , which is next to the sphaericall , as beeing the perfectest of all other . besides , theyr substance is thinne , fine , glystering and subtile , yea although they seeme now and then to be fatted vp with plenty of meate , that they grow as bigge in bulke as a wallnut , and if the learned cardan may be credited , they growe other whiles as great as a sparrow : yet for all that , if you cast your eye on them against the light , hanging in their webbe , she glittereth and shineth on all parts like vnto the chrisolite , which is a kind of precious stone , shining with a golden colour quite thorow , causing a pleasant reflexion to the eyes , and piercing them with singuler delight . the colour of a spyder is some-what pale , such as ouid ascibeth to louers , and when shee hangeth aloft in her webbe , with her legges wide and large spread abroade , ●h●e perfectly and liuely expresseth the shape and proportion of a painted starre : as if nature had intended to giue and bestow on her , not onely the resemblance & counterfeit similitude of heauen , but also the very luster of the starres themselues . the skinne of a spyder is so soft , smooth , exquisite , pure , cleane and neate , that it farre surpasseth by many degrees , the polished skinnes of those mayds that haue the greene-sicknes , or those young whores that are so carefull in sparing no cost to preserue their beauties ; and it is of such creerenes and perspicuitie , that it will easilie represent the visage and phisnomie of any beholder of it , much like vnto a fine glasse . further , it hath fingers , for all the world such as faire virgins desire to haue , that is to say , long , round and slender , beeing also endued with the most exquisite sence of touching that possibly can be imagined , insomuch that it farre surmounteth any mortall man liuing , and all other creatures in the world besides , according to that old and common verse . nos aper auditupraecellit , araneatactu vultur odorata , lynx visu , simiagustu ▪ which may be englished thus ; to heare , the bore , to touch , the spyder vs excells , the linx to see , the ape to tast , the vulture for the smells . it hath also feete , but yet not such a multitude as scolopendraes haue , nor yet none at all , as the meanest ranke and sort of creatures , nor yet sixe onely , as the common sort of insects : but it hath eyght , a number which the meanest sophister in cambridge can resolue , is next to the perfectest of all numbers , and these feete consisting of a sesquitertiall proportion , which of all mathematicians is esteemed to be wonderfull and admirable , so that although the hinder be shorter then the fore-legges , yet notwithstanding they retaine a mutuall harmonie , equalitie , and semblable concordance . many phylosophers haue not dared to affirme that they are blind , but they themselues in this poynt are most blind . for if they be depriued of their eyes and eye-sight , i would faine be resolued hovv they could make choyce of such apt and conuenient places for theyr hunting trade , and vvith what guide , captaine or director they doe knit , fasten and tye one thred to another , in such admirable order , ranke and range , as the excellentest worke-men in the world stand amazed at . or els how they can come to the knowledge when theyr webbes are broken by chaunce , or haue the skill to mend them , beeing eyther shaken or burst in sunder . besides , we may all obserue by our owne experience , that if one take a flye , and hold her at the side of the webbe , the familiar , tame , or domesticall spyder espying her , will make all the hast she can through thicke and thinne , yea though she be farre off , and will boldly assayle and deuoure her , and will ( as a man may say ) take her out of your handes into her owne , which thing i haue often seene done . surely therfore those persons are halfe blind , who neither can conceiue nor see , that spyders can see . now in that a spyder seemeth to some to be an vglie and lothsome creature , and euen at the first sight to be detested in regard it is so mishapen , i will not impute this to any defect or default that is in their forme or proportion , but i rather ascribe it to their exceeding great melancholy ( for this humour is most predominant in them ) & to their strange lusting or longing , by reason of naughty humours gathered about the mouth of the stomacke , yea , and to their lacke of stay & moderation in their lusts and affections . for they are no lesse beholding to nature for their elegancie , handsome and proper feature , then the butter-flye , or any other cut-wast whatsoeuer . to conclude this poynt , god hath giuen and bestowed vppon this strange and admirable body , as strange and admirable a disposition , nature , and constitution of the skinne . for a spyder changeth her skin , not once onely in a yeeres space , ( as vipers doe ) but once in the space of a month she reneweth it , ( if she be well fedde and not hunge●-starued ) and putteth on a new hue and skinne , and the same in all poynts more fesh , exquisite and neate , then the old skinne which shee cast off . amongst the blessings of fortune , or rather fate , i esteeme this to be the excellentest that is conferred vpon them , in that they beare about with them an inexhausted matter or substance in their bellyes to make infinite webbes , yea such a matter as can neuer be consumed , wasted or spent , of which they haue such foyson , as they are able to drawe out in length and breadth , and to spinne and deuise innumerable threds and stuffe to make and finish theyr cobwebbes of , so that if a hundred flyes light in them , they are of force sufficient so to entangle and ensnare them all , as they shall neuer get out againe . furthermore , although they haue neither foode nor sustenaunce layd vp in barnes or storehouses , as pismires haue , nor yet any meate set or sowed for them as bees haue , but get theyr commons onely by taking of booties casually , by hunting at all aduentures , and by chaunceable preyes , yet doe they satisfie nature , and expell hunger , by meanes of that hazardous and suddaine spoyle ; and sometimes you shall see them growne very thicke , fatte and vnwieldie , by reason of these good dishes , and fat messes of meate which they can purchase by their ovvne good-wary husbandry , or by any meanes can lay on , and catch into their clawes . besides , i must tell you that spyders haue not the least benefit of fortunes fauour bestowed vpon them , when as beeing inglutted with courtly viands , they haue beene glad to exchange lodgings with an old courtier , called padagra , or the gowte , for it skilleth not whether of these two names you will chuse . for you haue heard before , the wise king salomon to haue giuen them the most prime and chiefest places in princes courts , that she might be an absolute patterne and president of wit , wisedome , moderate frugality and vertue , and in diuers poynts of regiment they might be our directors for imitation . further , beginning their cobwebs , they haue wholy bent and applyed themselues to theyr most ingenious weauing trade , they haue giuen themselues to curious and superstitious hunting , to captious taking at aduantage , watching and espying their prey , nothing at all fearing any ambushes , treacheries , trappes or treasons , and no whit dreading any assaults , much lesse tryumphes : and to speake briefely , the wisest creature of the wisest king , beareth a great stroke , dominereth , and hath ( i may say ) the sole soueraigntie in the most noble , greatest , and stateliest courts of princes . and yet for all these vertues , ( since salomons time ) there haue risen vp and followed some princes and gouernours , vnaduised , desperately naught , and vnthriftie , and such as were not well in their wits , and of those it cannot easily be spoken how churlishly they entertained her , how they sent out theyr proclamations and warrants , to expell the spyder , to cast her downe to the earth , tread vnder-foote , vndoe and kill , as a night-thiefe , with beesoms , broomes , brushes and long poles , so that by and by in a trice , there flocked certaine furies of hell , ( for so i thinke i may iustly terme them ) rubbing , brushing , spunging , making cleane sluts-corners , beating and sweeping together , and whatsoeuer they found curiously wrought , all that either they swept cleane away , or tore all to peeces , so that hardly they could escape the busie beesoms of these quick-sighted and lewd naughty-packs . surely , miserable was her condition and estate , which in all that abundance of wealth , she onely beeing indigent and bare , detesting idlenes withall , might not yet be admitted tenant for some short terme of time , in some small odde corner , in such large and spacious buildings , nor yet find one hole to liue at peace in . againe , the great men , the rich mysers and penny-fathers , following the example of their princes and gouernours , they in like sort sent packing out of their doores , the schoole-mistresse of all labour , diligence & vertue , and will not permit a webbe , the very patterne , index , and anathema of supernaturall wisedome , to remaine vntouched . this same spyder which now we treate of , in times past , ( it was when dogges & cats could speake , for now because there are so many languages in the world , they turne all to plaine barking ) tooke a long iourney into a strange country , and by good hap , fell into company with my lady podagra , although ( beeing none of the best footers , ) shee could hardly keepe way with the spyder , but legged still behind , and hauing now spent one whole day in trauell , the night approching that they should take vp their inne to lodge in , they resolued betwixt them two to betake themselues to sundry houses ; so the spyder entering the towne , tooke vp her lodging in the house of a certaine wealthy cittizen , ( i suppose it was neere the signe of the three tunnes in tower-hill-streete , ) where when according to her vsuall manner , hating lewd idlenes , shee began to buckle herselfe to her wonted taske , in weauing her fine tapistrie , and other wrought workes , beeing suddenly espyed of a company of corner-creepers , spyder-catchers , fault-finders , and quarrell-pickers , they presently beginne to expostulate the matter with her , & not staying to heare any reason for her iust defence , they made no more adoe but gaue her iack-drummes entertainement , thrusting her out of doores by the head and shoulders , to seeke her lodging where she could find it ; so that she lay abroad without doores a whole winters-night in the raine and cold : and all this happened about saint nicholas time , when dayes are at the shortest . now in the meane space , podagra , hauing none of the best feete , but indeede beeing some-what lame , when she could trauaile no further , shee by chaunce light into a poore cottage or cabbin of turffes , builded with elder-poles at the townes end , and yet in this poore shed she could hardly be receiued , but yet at length , through her incessant sollicitation beeing admitted , she sate downe to rest her weary bones , so at length , supper beeing prepared , the tender-harted lady found course fare , and commons farre shorter & more homely , then euer lipsius found in westphalia : she indured all the miseries in the world , that pittie it was to see . there was no infelicitie , no distresse , misfortune and aduersity to be compared vnto hers , for there was nothing but a little browne barly-bread sette on the boorde to suppe withall , which this nice peece so much misliked and abhorred , as that at the very sight thereof shee was ready to disgorge her queasie stomacke , then was there brought some cock-crowne keale , hauing no good relish , for they were not seasoned with salt , so that they were in taste very vntoothsome , & when they should drinke , they fetcht a little cold water out of a pitte or pond , neere adioyning to the house in a wodden-dish , whereof if mistresse podagra had fetched but one sound carouse , it would haue made her runne through an alphabet of faces : but there was no remedy , hunger breaketh stone-walls , and hard neede makes the old wife trotte , shee must either quench her thirst vvith that , or fast . hauing thus thinlie supped , shee called for her chamber , where they shewed her to clymbe vp a ladder , ( you would haue taken it to haue beene the fleas ladder , ) & behind a corner there was prouided a bed stuffed with good wheate-chaffe in steed of downe , to harden her hyde , and vnder her head a hard oken-logge , with the winnow-cloth , and the one end of an old hop-bagge , cast ouer in steed of a couerlet , ( for the poore man and his wife , thought that none but the lord of the towne , & women in child-bed vsed pillowes . ) but podagra not knowing how to mend the matter , groned & made a lamentable noyse , and fetching a thousand sighes , she couched herselfe downe . but alas what ill rest she poore hart tooke that night , and how ill her soft and tender limmes agreed vvith such cold cheere and entertainement , i referre my selfe to your secrete thought . so soone therefore as the day began to breake , she started vp , and the spyder and she met together againe at the appointed time and place : and first of all the spyder beganne much to complaine of the inciuilitie of the rich chuffe his host the citizen . podagra cōtrariwise found as much or more fault with the short and sharpe commons , thinne dyet , miserable pouertie , and indigencie of his poore , bare and leane host , shewing her blacke and blew markes and prints , into whose tender skinne the bordes and plancks had made a deepe impression . for which cause , beeing both much discontented , after the matter was thoroughlie debated betwixt them two , they determined and resolued with themselues , that the night following they would change hostes and innes , that is , that the spyder should enter into some poore cottages , or houses of poore men , and podagra should bend her course vnto noble and great mens houses , to kings courts & princely pallaces , to see what good was to be done there . so podraga not beeing vnmindfull of her word , went with a fine and snayle-like pace to the house of a certaine fat , rich , and well-monied man , & quietly laid herselfe downe at the feete of this corsie sire : which as soone as the gentle host cast an eye vpon , it is strange to tell with what mildnesse , with what alurement and gentle entreatie , with what promptitude and alacritie shee was welcommed ; they prepared soft pallats of downe for her to lye vpon , the bedsteds and the settles whereon shee should rest , were couered with pillowes , soft cushions , and carpets of persia , the kitchen smokes , and all things are in a readines to giue her a most friendlie welcome . according to the wordes of the poet , where he saith ; iam dapibus mensas onerant et pocula ponunt . in english thus : spred are the tables , and laded with store of delicates , the cups filled , could receiue no more . briefely , hee was in all poynts for person and prouision such a one , as chaucer in his workes describeth his franklin to be . white was his beard as the daisie , and of complexion he was sanguine , well loued he by the morrow a soppe in wine : to liuen in delight was euer his won , for he was epicures owne sonne , that held opinion , that plaine delight , was very felicitie parfite . an housholder , and that a great was hee , saint iulian he was in his countree , his bread , his ale , was alway after one , a better viended man was neuer none . without bake-meate was neuer his house , of fish and flesh , and that so plenteouse , it snewed in his house of meate and drinke , of all dainties that men could thinke . after the sundry seasons of the yeere , so changed he his meate and his suppere . full many a fat partrich had he in mue , and many a breame , & many a luce in stue , woe was his cooke , but his sawce euer were , poynant and sharpe , and ready all his gere . his table dormaunt in his hall alway stoode ready couered all the long day . nay , hether thy brought fat and crammed capons , phesants , quailes , turtle-doues , larkes , and nitingales . i passe ouer turbot or byrt , gilt-heads , sturgion , salmonds , soales , and the like , for they were not vnfurnished of all these , and of other store of shell-fish , as lobsters , creuishes , oysters , and whatsoeuer the sea yeelded that might by loue or money be purchased : for i will not speake of a great number of riuer-fish and foules that are to be had about peterborow , wittlesey-mare , and those fennish-countries , for thither he sent his people to puruay for him all that was rare and daintie . here was redde-wine , white , claret , muscadell , rhenish , sweet-wines , harsh-wines , wine of falernum , of the ilands of creta , chio , madera , & those that are called baleares , lying neere vnto the coast of spayne . to speake nothing of their reare-suppers , their fine marchpanes and curious confections , made with sundry deuises , and exquisite skill of the apothecarie . and to conclude , there was no wanton fare vnsought for , no delicate iuncate , no curious trimming and pickednes that might gratifie , no fayre words , and pleasant enticements fitte to draw and allure , nor no delectation whatsoeuer omitted , that might seeme to please this great lady podaga , ( for you must vnderstand shee was none of the coursest sort of ladies , whereof there be many now adaies , for all men know she was a gentlewoman borne , both by the father and mothers side , as beeing the daughter of bacchus and venus , ) and all this , i say , was done , to please both her and her two sweet sisters , chiragra and congra , a poxe take them all three , and so i will let them goe , and come to the spyder , who likewise beeing directed by some fauourable planet , boldly and luckily trudged to the poore-mans house . — atque ibimiro dogmate , quidvé marem deceat , deceatque maritam addocet , atque suo sese studore saginat . which may be englished thus ; and there by strange instructions and documents , she teacheth male and female how to liue , that is , both man and wife how to encrease their rents , whilst she , on her owne sweat and fat doth thriue . but some man may heere obiect & say , i see here no such great blessings of lady fortune , more then besides a bare commendation , and good happe in this their exchange of lodging & lodgers . yes surely , very much , not onely because she spendeth her dayes more freely and safely from danger , but also because as out of a high watch-tower , she no longer beholdeth in the houses of poore persons , lauish and needlesse prodigality , bankettings , quaffings , ryotting , playes , dauncing , dicing , and whoring , and a thousand vanities and villanies besides , whereof she knew herselfe conscious , and a priuie witnes vnto , whilst she liued in the halls and bowers of the rich and wealthier sort : who when they had thrust cleane from house and home , and for euer banished the spyder , ( the true schoole-mistres of industrie and frugality ) straight-wayes the lazie gowte called podaga , arrested them . had it not beene better for them ( thinke you ) to haue graunted a dwelling place , to a sauing , wise , prudent and harmelesse little creature , then to haue giuen entertainement to such a base , blockish companion and guest as the gowte is ? let not therefore , rich , couetous men wonder , if many times they be tormented with this sore griefe , sith they vvill neither admit true phisitian nor phisicke , i meane , trauaile , diligence , industry , moderation and paines-taking , with the like . now , to touch the rich and rare gifts and graces of the mind , and other noble qualities and dispositions of spyders , i know not whither i should first beginne with the commendations of their prudence , iustice , fortitude , temperance , their philanthropia , philoponia , autarkeia , their humanitie and loue towards men , their studious industry and loue of labour , their contentation as hauing sufficient , and coueting no more then is allotted vnto them . theyr wittinesse , pollicie , quicknes and sharpnes of sence , their cleannie neatenes , with many other vertues , or else her admirable cunning and skilfulnesse in their weauing trade . their prudence , sagacity , and wittines to coniecture thinges future , appeareth in this one thing , that when great aboundance of raine , flouds , swelling and ouerflowings of riuers , are like shortly to come to passe , and thereby to threaten houses , they then begin to build their webs higher by a great deale , then their vsuall custome heretofore hath beene . and this is another proofe of the same , in that they weaue not at all in a cleare sun-shine-day , or when it is faire and calme weather , when flyes are most busie in flying about to and fro , that they may be the better at leasure to giue themselues to hunting and watching after them , to take aduantage , and if any chance to light into their nets , forth-with to seize vpon them for their repast . againe , when houses are ready to drop downe , they with their copwebs first of all fall , and get them away packing , alter their clymate to some other surer place and dwelling to rest in . if any thing touch her body that is hard or painefull , she immediatly draweth vp her legges round on a heape : for this end as i thinke , to feele the lesse paine , and the better to prouide for the health and safety of her head , the director and gouernor of the whole body : for if any other part be hurt , she can easily cure it . who hath manifested and made knowne this vnto them ? hath any chaldaean starre-gazer , or figure-flinger , by the sight and position of the starres shewed it vnto them ? no certainely . but a diuine prudence and forefeeling knowledge , originally in-bred by nature to eschewe that which is hurtfull , which is diffused into the spyder , and as that famous poet virgilius hath excellently described : spiritus intus alit , totosque infusaper artus mens agitat molem . in english thus ; mind bred within , infused in all limbes , mind mooues the bodies lump , and skinnes . furthermore , so soone as they espy their enemie to be caught in their nets , they do not first of all bite and pricke him to death in any hostile manner , but they seeme with theyr feet gently and softly to stroke him , yea euen to entreat and allure him with tickling , and as it were clipping & colling , vntill they haue throughly ensnarled him within their clammy and viscous gins , and beeing at length wearied , turmoyled , and tyred with strugling and striuing in vaine , the silly fly is made vnable either to get away , stir , or resist . so hauing made sure worke with one , she hyeth her to the center of her web , obseruing and prying whether any newe prey will come to hand againe : so by this pollicy you shall see sometimes ten , yea otherwhiles twenty flyes hanging aloft by their strings and fine spun threds . they onely feede on the iuyce of flyes , and the dry carkase without any moysture , they cast away as vnprofitable stuffe to be vsed about any businesse . moreouer , because the female spyder is sometimes greater then the male , therefore shee chuseth her standing in the lovver part of the webbe , that the poore flyes may seeme carelesse of her , yet is she very obseruant , taking great heed to thē : for they seeing her hanging below , thinking themselues safe , do fly vp into the vpper part of the net , but by this meanes seeking to shun charybdis , they fall into scilla , out of the smoke into the fire : for though in regard of her bodies magnitude , she bee vnwieldy , and very vnfit to bestir her selfe in this hunting office : yet the crafty male-spyder playing bo-peepe , and pretending some other businesse , though minding another , playing the disembling hypocrite , hydeth himselfe in the toppe of the webbe , noting vvell all occurrents , and being seene of no body , there he lurketh till some fish ( as we say ) come to his net , and hauing espyed his prey , beeing more light , quicke , and liuely , it is a wonder to see , how diligent , vigilant , and earnestly bent hee is to bend his course vvithall expedition tovvard this nevv offered booty : for there hee vvill not suffer it very long to remayne , but descending in a tryce , euro velocius , as quicke as a bee from the vpper vnto the lovver part ( as i haue sayde ) of the copweb , hee maketh a very quicke dispatch , and hauing royally feasted himselfe , hee reserueth and layeth vp all his other enemies in one place , hanging thē all by one of his own threds till some conuenient time to feast himselfe againe withall . then againe when as by reason of long continuance and length of time , the webs haue lost their binding , viscosity , and tenacious substance , either the spyder vnweaueth them againe , or else confirmeth and new strengthneth them afresh as it were , with another new glutinosity , or fast-bynding clamminesse . this their worke being finished , they either containe themselues in the center of it , or keeping sentinell and warding in the vpper part , they hold as it were in theyr hands a thred drawne from the middest or center , by which they haue easie accesse and recesse to and fro to their beguiling nets ; and withall this thred scrueth to another profitable vse , for if any prey bee entangled by the light moouing and stirring of it , they presently feele and perceiue it . but yet to make sure worke , least she should wind downe in vaine , or take bootlesse labour about nothing , she draweth backe the thred a little now & then , and by the motion and peize of it , she putteth all out of doubt , being fully ascertained of the truth . then first , withall celerity possible shee hies her to the center , which thing the silly flyes being fast , and hauing some sence and feeling ( as it should seeme ) that they are taken tardie , and fordeeming some hurt , are as quiet as a mouse in a trappe , making no noyse at all , least eyther they might bewray or betray themselues , and so be further enfolden in danger . but alasse in vayne doth hee auoyde warre , that cannot enioy peace , and bootlesse doth he shunne payne that hath no meanes to feele rest : for this auayleth but little , for they are not able withall these fetches to deceiue their sharp inquisitors , for both with eyes and feet , they finely and quickly run vnto them , making a cleane riddance & quicke dispatch of them euery one . but yet it is more to consider what great iustice and equity is obserued to be in spyders . for there is not one of them so ill bent , so malepartly sawcy , and impudently shameles , that can be seene to lay claime vnto , or to take away anothers wife or mate : there is none that entermedleth with anothers substance , businesse , or weauing : euery one liueth contented by the sweate of his owne browes , by their owne proper goods and industrious paynes taking procured by their owne bodily labour : so that not one of them dare enter his neighbors freehold , but it is accounted a haynous matter , and very vnlawfull , not one dare be so knack-hardy as to breake into their friendes and fellowes fence and enclosure , but it is euen detested as a wicked and cursed deede . non it a mortales , quos ( proh doler ) vrget habendi tantus amor , domibus domus , aruis additur aruum , monticulus monti , maribus mare , sique potessint addiderint mundum mundo , suaque omnia dixînt . in english thus ; then would not mortall men so farre engag'd in loue to haue ( a death it is to thinke ) house to house , and land to land to lay hyllocke to hill , sea vnto sea , to adde they craue , and if they could , world vnto world , and all their owne would say . againe they spread not their ginnes and nets to entrap and deceiue good creatures , and such as serue for mans vse and benefit , but for waspes , horse-flyes , or gad-bees , and brimsees , or oxe-flyes , that in summer-time vexe cattle : for drones , gnats , and other flyes , which to vs are like to theeues , parasites , bawdes , pandors , and such merchants that bring whoores and knaues together , being telluris mutile pondus , an vnprofitable burthen of the earth , seruing to no good vse . and besides being a vermine of singuler , and incomporable courage , she dare aduenture to giue the onset vpon those young serpents that are called lyzardes , who if they offer to contend and striue against her fury , she quickly enclaspeth them round about , and very nimbly and eagerly seizeth vpon both their lips , byting and holding them together so fast , that she neuer giueth ouer till they be dead : and at length hauing vanquished her enemies , she like another cacus carrieth them into her caue , or some secret corner . now if it happen in this hot bickering , that the nets be either broken , entangled , or platted together , by and by without further delay shee fals to mending what was amisle , to vnwind , spred open , & to set them again in due order and frame very ingeniously . what say you to this ? that the spyder beareth a deadly feude and mortall haired to serpents : for if so be the serpent at any time lie in the shadow vnder any tree to coole himselfe wher spyders do resort , some one of thē leuelleth directly at him , descending downe perpendicularly to the serpents head , and with such a violence striketh & dasheth at his head with her beake or snout , that her enemy withall making a whizzing noyse , and beeing dryuen into a giddinesse turning round , hisleth , beeing neither able to breake asunder the thred that commeth from aboue , nor yet hath force inough to escape it . neither is this spectacle or pageant ended , vntill this our champion with her battering , hath sent her life to pluto , the god of hell for a present . let men therefore bee silent and cease wandering at the amphitheatriall fights of the romans , which were made with seats and scaffoldes to behold playes and sightes , and where were presented to the spectators the bloudy fights of elephants , beares and lyons , sithence a small spyder dare challenge to the fielde , & fight hand to hand with a black and blew serpent , and not onely to come downe to him in daring-wise , but also victoriously to tryumph ouer him , entirely possessing all the spoyle . who would not maruaile that in so smal or in a maner no body at all , which hath neither bones nor sinnewes , nor flesh , nor scarce any skinne , there could be so great force , such incredible audacity and courage , such sharp and hard bytings , and inuincible fury ? surely we must conclude necessarily , that this cannot proceede altogether from their valiant stomacks , but rather from god himselfe : in like sort , they dare buckle with toads of all sortes , both of the land and water , and in a singuler combate ouerthrow and destroy them , which thing not onely pliny and albertus doe recite and set downe for a certaine truth , but erasmus also in his dialogue entituled de amicitia , maketh mention of , reporting how a certaine monke lying fast asleepe , on whose mouth a foule toade sat , and yet by the spyders meanes was freed from all hurt . yea , they dare enter the combat with winged and stinged hornets , hauing not soft , but stiffe bodies , and almost as hard as horne , who although she many times breaketh through theyr cobwebbes with mayne strength ( as rich men vndoe and make away through lawes with gold , and by that meanes many times scape scot-free ) yet for all that , at length beeing ouermastered hand to hand in single combat , and entangled and ensnarled with the binding pastinesse and tenacious gluysh substance of the web , she payeth a deere price for her breaking into anothers house and possession , yeelding at length to the spyders mercy . i will not omit their temperance , a vertue in former ages proper onely to men , but now it should seeme peculiar to spyders . for who almost is there found ( if age and strength permit ) that contenteth himselfe with the loue of one as hee ought , but rather applyeth his minde , body , and wandering affections to strange loues but yet spyders so soone as they grow to ripenesse of age , doe choose them mates , neuer parting till death it selfe make the separation . and as they cannot abide corriualles , if any wedlocke breakers , & cockold-makers dare bee so snappish to enter , or so insolently proude as to presse into anothers house or cottage , they reward him iustly with condigne punnishment for his temeratious enterprize , & flagitious fact : first by their cruell bytings , then with banishment or exile , and oftentimes with death it selfe . so that there is not any one of them , that dare offer villany or violence to anothers mate , or seeke by any meanes vnlawfully to abuse her . there is such restraint , such strict orders , such faithfull dealing , vprightnesse of conscience , and turtle loue amongest them . further , if you looke into theyr house-keeping , you shall finde there is nothing more frugall then a spyder , more laborious , cleanely , and fine . for she cannot abide that euen the least end or peece of her thred to be lost , or to be placed and set to no vse or profit , and they ease and releeue themselues by substitutes , that supply their roomes and take paines for them : for whilest the female weaueth , the male applyeth himselfe to hunting , if either of thē fall sicke and be weak , the one of them doth the worke of both , that their merits and desarts may be alike . so some-times the female hunteth whilest the male is busie about net-making , if the one stand in neede of the others help and furtherance . but yet commonly the female-spyder being enstructed of her parents when shee vvas young and docible , the art of spinning and weauing ( which custome was amongst vs also in times past ) beginneth the cobweb , & her belly is sufficient to minister matter inough for such a peece of worke , whether it be that the nature or substance of the belly groweth to corruption at sunne set and appointed time ( as democritus thought ) or whether there be within them a certaine lanigerous fertility naturally as in silke-wormes . aristotle is of opinion , that the matter is outward as it were a certaine shell or pill , and that it is vnwound , loosened , and drawne out by their fine weauing and spinning . but how soeuer it be , certaine it is they will not by their good-wils loose the least iot of a threds end , but very prouidently see to all though neuer so little . the loue they beare to their young breed is singuler , both in the care they haue for their fashioning and framing to good orders , & for their education otherwise , for the auoydance of idlenesse . for the male and female doe by turnes sit vppon their egges , and so by this way enterchangeably taking courses , they doe stirre vp , quicken , moue , and encrease naturall and liuely heate in them , and although it hath beene sundry times obserued , that they haue brought forth three hundereth young ones at once , yet do they traine them vp al alike without exception , to labour , parsimony , and paynes taking , and invre them in good order , to fashion and frame all thinges fit for the weauing craft . i haue often wondred at their cleanlines , when to keepe all things f●om nastinesse or stinking , i haue beheld with mine eyes those that were leane , ill-fauored , and sickly , ●o come glyding downe from the vpper to the lower part of theyr buildings , and there to exonerate nature at some hole in the web , least either their shop , work-house , or frame might be distained or anoyed . and this is sufficient to haue spoken of their politicall , ciuill , & domesticall vertues : now will i proceede to discourse of their skill in weauing , wherewith pallas was so much offended : for the scholler excelled her maisters , and in fine cunning and curious worke-manship , did far surpasse her . first then let vs consider the matter of the web , whose substance is tough , binding , and glutinous , plyant , and will sticke to ones fingers like birdlime , and of such a matter it is compounded , as it neither looseth his clamminesse and fast-holding quality , eyther by siccity or moysture . the matter whereof it is made , is such as can neuer bee consumed , wasted , or spent whilest they liue , and being so endlesse , wee must needes heere admire and honor the neuer ending and infinite power of the great god : for to seeke out some naturall reason for it , or to ascribe it to naturall causes , were in my minde meere madnesse and folly . the autumnall spyders called lupi or holci , wolues or hunters , are thought to be the most artificiall and ingenious : for these draw out a thred finer and thinner then any silke , and of such a subtilty , that theyr whole vveb being folded together , vvill scarce be so heauy as one fine thred of linnen being vveighed together . edouardus monimius hath very finely and eloquently described both the males and females , heptam . lib. . in these vvordes following ; — ille domum venatu pascit , at ista moeonio graciles orditur tegmine telas . stanniparus venter , vomifilus lanifer , ipsi palladiam cumulatque colum , calatosque ministrat ipsius est fusum pondus , quod fila trahendo nectit & intorquet parili sub tegmine ducta . illo suam à medijs orditur daedala telam , et gracili tenues intendit stamine tractus . tela iugo iuncta est stamen secernit arundo , inseritur medium radijs subtegmen acutis , atque oram à centro panum sibi staminat illam peruia tela patet gemina de parte , feroci ne concussa euro frangantur stamina , quoque musca v●lax tenij stretur sinuamine cassis , reticul● primam vix muscula contigit oram . mors abit in telae centrum , vt discrimine parua vinciat ipse suo perigrinam casse volucrem . which may be englished thus ; the spider-male by hunting game the houses charge doth feede , the female with moeonian art begins to spin fine thred , out of web-breeding-belly , breast woolly , vp-casting twine , whereto the distaffe she applyes by art of pallas fine : to her belongs the pressed waight , which doth the teale out draw , both matter , art , and substance she , doth shield by natures law. like daedala out of her middest , her web she doth begin , and stretching out her tender worke , by pressing it full thin ; the which is ioyned as in yoke , yet parted by a cane , and planted is the middle roofe , in a sharp beamy frame . and from the center draweth a thred like wooll to lye vpon while double worke on euery part doth fortifie her wone : wherewith the blasts of easterne wind vnbroken web resists , and tender fly ensnarled , is fallen into those lists . while scarce vpon the edge or brim , this little flie doth fall , but by and by death seazeth her within webs center thrall : and so the stranger winged flye with little or no adoe , she ouer commeth speedily when it the nets comes too . of these cobwebs there is great diuersity , varietie , and difference : for some of them are loose , weake , slacke , and not vvell bound : other contrarywise well compacted , and close couched together , some triangular , othersome quadrangular ; and some are made with all sides equall , but yet not right angled or cornered like a quarry of glasse : others are made of such a forme as will best fit the place where they hunt , you shal perceiue some of them to be orbicular , if they weaue betweene two trees , and you shall finde this fashion also among weedes , and oftentimes in windowes hanging together with many lines and different crosse-peeces : so that herein no man can deny but that they shew forth great reason , wisedome , admirable iudgement , and much gallant beauty worthy to see to . surely euclides that famous geometrician , who was scholler to socrates , & liued in the time of ptolomy the first , neede not be ashamed to learne from spyders the drawing of diuers of his figures and geometricall proportions . and fishermen also from them haue beene glad to learne the trade of net-making . for from whom else could they borrow & fetch such liuely representations , and such expresse patterns , then from such a skilfull and industrious schoole-maister . but the strength of the webbe seemeth to bee very strange , which although it seemeth to be the most weake of all other things , yet wee see it is able to hold hornets , and to endure the furious blastes of raging windes , and if one throw or cast dust vpon it , the same will rather be distended and stretched , then either vndone , broken , or felled downe . and yet this is the strangest of all , which many a man would thinke impossible but that it cannot be called in question , in regard we may daily see and obserue the proofe thereof commeth to passe , that a spyder should beginne to place the one end of her thread on the one side of a little riuer or brooke , and how shee should fasten the other end on the other side of the water , considering that nature neuer taught them the art eyther of flying or swimming . i would faine bee resolued of this scruple , by what meanes they sayle and passe ouer . or do you imagine that they iump ouer , or conuay themselues ouer in a leape . surely i dare not say so , i much doubt thereof , i will not stand to it . the next that best deserueth to be marshalled in the second ranke and place , for cunning worke in weauing and spinning , be those kind of spyders who build and labour about the rafters of houses , in sellers , floures , and about boardes , plankes , and such like , and of these some are wilder which doe fashion and dresse a broad , thicke , and plaine web in the grasse and fieldes all about , stretching out the same like a saile , or some fine spread sheete or curtaine . if you would duely looke into their worke , and throughly consider the strange trydles of their loomes , the shittles they vse , their combs to make all cleane , the stay of their loomes wherewith they dresse theyr webbes , theyr crosse-lines , the frame , woufe , their fine spinning-stuffe , and so their whole cobwebs , you shall therein very plainely behold the finger of god working in his poore and weake creatures . and questionlesse in this excellent mistery they are able to put downe , and farre surmount the aegyptians , the lydeans , penelope , tenaquil , ( who was wife to tarquinius , priscus ) amestris , that famous queene of persia , claudiana , sabina , and iulia , noble roman ladies and all the queenes of macedonia , who were esteemed and renowned throughout the whole world , to be the most curious & exquisite in this kind of faculty , & who in needle-worke , tapestry , and all embroidery were thought to be peerelesse . for these spyders ( euen contrary to all reason and art , as we thinke ) make a firme , strong , and well compacted web with no lines or threds drawne crosse-wise or ouerthwart , but onely made out and continued still in length . when their worke is perfected and brought to an end , they lay ouer it , and couer it round about with a certaine glutinous kinde of ielly , or slimed iuyce , by touching of which theyr prey being entangled , pay full deerely for their ignorant rashnesse , vnaduised heede-taking , and lacke of fore-sight : their web is of the colour of the ayre , or rather none at all , which easily deceiueth the foolish vnwary flyes , and such as be quicke-sighted , circumspect , and can espye thinges very quickly . for if it did represent any notorious and manifest colour , they would prouide in time against such dangerous deuises , and take heede of such traps aforehand . the baser and vilder sort of spyders , and such as bee least reputed of , are those that liue in holes , caues , and corners of houses , and these in respect of the former are slowe , slothfull , and lazy : fat , grosse , and bigge-bellyed corner-creepers , and these spinne a very homely , rough , and course thred , which they spread abroad , and set before the hollowe places and chinkes of walles . these kindes of spyders haue a more heauy and ponderous body , shorter feete , and more vnhandsome to worke or finish any webbes in their loomes , and as for separating , deuiding , picking , carding , or suting their stuffe , they are very bunglers to the first mentioned . they apprehend and take their preyes rather casually , then take any great paynes to seeke farre for it , because their hole being great outwardly , seemeth to be a good and conuenient lurking corner , and a safe corner for flyes to hide themselues in : but beeing entangled and arrested in the very entrie , they are snatched vp sodenly by the watchfull spider , and carryed away into the more inward places of their dennes , there to be slaughtered . for they watch and ward aloft in high walles and buildings , as well to deceiue such birdes as lye in waight to entrappe and take them at vnawares ( as sparrowes , robin-redbreasts , wrennes , nightingales , and hedge-sparrowes vvhich are all sworne enemies to spyders : and besides , the more easily to beguile the silly flyes suspecting no harme at all . there be certaine other sorts of spyders which as yet i haue not described , as for example , there is one ( the greatest of all that euer i saw ) which spreadeth her artificiall nettes in the haruest-time amongst the leaues and branches of roses , and entangleth eyther any other little spyder that is running away , or else gnat-flies , and such like , being caught at vnawares , and hanged by a kind of thred , whom she first pursueth and layeth hold on with a wonderfull dexterity and quicknesse : and being fast hanged , and so made sure , she there leaueth them , for the satisfieng of her hungry appetite till another time . the body of this spyder is in colour somewhat whitish , resembling s●umme or frothy some , and almost of an oule-figure . the head very little , placed vnder her belly , being withall crooked or bending like hookes , as is to bee seene in the crab-fish , and her backe garnished with many white spots . this is one kind of autumnall lupi , or wolfe-spyder , which in a very short space of time do grow from the bignesse of a little pease , to a very great bulk and thicknesse . there are also found in all places of this countrey , long-legged-spyders , who make a very homely and disorderly web. this kind of spyder liueth altogether in the fields , her body is almost of a round figure , and somewhat brownish in colour , liuing in the grasse , and delighting in the company of sheepe : and for this cause i take it , that we englishmen do call her a shepheard , either for that she keepeth and loueth to be among their flockes , or because that shepheards haue thought those grounds and feedings to bee very holesome wherein they are most found , and that no venomous or hurtfull creature abideth in those fields where they be : and herein their iudgment is to be liked , for they are indeed altogether vnhurtfull , whether inwardly taken , or otherwise outwardly applyed ; and therefore because i am tyed within a teather , and thereby restrained from all affectionate discoursing or dilating vnlesse of poysonous and harmefull creatures , i will come into my path againe , and tell you of another certaine blacke spyder , that hath very short feete , carrying about with her an egge as white as snow vnder her belly , and running very swiftly : the egge being broken , many spyders creepe forth , which goe forth with their damme to seeke their liuing altogether , and climing vpon her back when night approcheth , there they rest , and so they lodge . in rotten and hollow trees there are also to be found exceeding blacke spyders , hauing great bodies , short feet , and keeping together with cheese-lips or those creeping vermine with many feet , called of some sowes . we haue seene also ( saith the learned gesner ) spyders , that were white all ouer , of a round compact and well knit body , somewhat broad , liuing in the flowers of mountaine parsely , amongst roses , & in the greene grasse : their egges were little , slender , and very long , their mouth speckled , and both their sides were marked with a red line running all alongest . he tooke them to bee very venomous because hee saw a marmoset or monky to eate of them , and by eating thereof hardly to escape with life , yet at length it did well againe , and was freed from further daunger , onely by pouring downe a great deale of oyle into his throat . i my selfe haue also seene some spyders with very long bodies and sharp tailes , of a blackish or darke red colour , & i haue noted other-some againe to be all ouer the body greene-coloured . i will not deny but that there are many other sorts of spyders , and of many moe different colours , but i neuer reade , or yet euer saw them : neque enim nostra fert omnia tellus , the ages ensuing peraduenture will find more . i will onely put you in remembrance of this one thing worthy to be obserued , that all weauing and net-making spyders , according as they grow in yeares , so do they acquire more knowledge , and attaine to greater cunning and experience in their spinning trade : but carrying a resolute and ready will to keepe both time and measure with that musicke which best contents most eares , i will now passe to speake of the propagation and vse of spyders , and so i will close vp this discourse . the propagation of spyders for the most part is by coupling together , the desire and action whereof , continueth almost the whole spring time , for at that time by a mutuall and often drawing , and easie pulling of their web , they do as it were woe one another , then approch they nearer together : and lastly are ioyned with their hippes one agaynst another backwards as camels do , for that is the most fit for them iu regard of the round proportion and figure of their bodies . in like sort do the phalangies ioyne together , and are generated by those of the same kinde , ( as aristotle saith : ) but the phalangies couple not in the spring-season , as the other spyders doe , but towardes winter , at what time they are very swift , quicke , nimble , and of most certaine hurt , more dangerous , & more venomous in their bytinges . some of them after their coupling together , doe lay one egge onely , carrying it vnder their belly , it is in colour as white as snow , and both male and female sit vpon it by turnes . some spyders do exclude many little egges very like vnto the seedes of poppy , out of which it hath beene obserued , that sometimes there haue beene hatched three hundereth spyders at one time , which after their vaine and idle plying and sporting together in their webbe , at length come foorth with their damme , and towardes euening they all trudge home , vntill each one hath learned , and perfectly attained to the skill to spinne his owne webbe , that therein he may spend the residue of his dayes in more pleasure , ease and security . they make exclusion of their young breede in hopping or skipping-vvise , they sitte on their egges for three dayes space together , and in a months space their young ones come to perfection . the domesticall or house-spyder , layeth her egges in a thinne webbe , and the wilde-spyder in a thicker and stronger , because they are more exposed to the iniuries of winds , and lie more open to the rage of and fury of stormes and showers . the place and country where they are , helpeth much , and is very auaileable to their generation . there is no country almost , but there be many spyders in it . for in the country about arrha , which is in arabia foelix , there is an infinite number of them to be found , and all the iland of candie swarmeth with palangies . strabo saith , that in ethiopia there be great number of phalangies found , of an exceeding bignes : although as pliny saith in his eight booke and . chapter , there are neither wolfes , foxes , beares , nor no hurtful creature in it : and yet wee all know , that in the i le of wight ( a member of england , ) the contrary is to be found , for although there were neuer dwelling in it , foxes , beares , nor wolfes , yet there be spyders ynow . the kingdome of ireland neuer saw spyders , and in england no phalangies will liue long , nor yet in the i le of man , & neere vnto the citty of grenoble , in that part of france which lyeth next italy , gaudentius merula saith , there is an old tower or castle standing , wherein as yet neuer any spyder hath beene seene , nor yet any other venomous creeping creature , but rather if any be brought thether from some other place , they forth-with die . our spyders in england , are not so venomous as in other parts of the world , and i haue seene a madde man eate many of them , without eyther death or deaths harme , or any other manifest accident or alteration to ensue . and although i will not denie , but that many of our spyders beeing swallowed downe , may doe much hurt , yet notwithstanding we cannot chuse but confesse , that their byting is poysonlesse , as being without venome , procuring not the least touch of hurt at all to any one whatsoeuer ; and on the contrarie , the byting of a phalangie is deadly . we see the harmelesse spyders almost in euery place , they climbe vp into the courts of mightie kings , to be as it were myrrours and glasses of vertue , and to teach them honest prowesse and valiancie . they goe into the lodgings , shoppes and ware-houses of poore-men , to commend vnto them contentment , patience , labour , tolerance , industry , pouertie and frugalitie . they are also to be found in rich-mens chambers , to admonish them of their duties . if you enter into your orchard , they are busie in clothing euerie tree ; if into the garden , you shall finde them amongst roses ; if you trauaile into the field , you shall haue them at their worke in hedges , both at home and abroad , whethersoeuer you bend your course , you cannot chuse but meete with them , least perhappes you might imagine , or else complaine and find some faults , that the scholemistres and perfect president of all vertue and diligence were in any place absent . who would not therefore be touched , yea and possessed with an extreame wonder at these vertues and faculties , which we daily see & behold with our eyes . philes hath briefely and compendiously described their nature , properties , inclinations , wit and inuention in his greeke verses , which beeing turned into latine , sound to this effect . araneis natura per quam industria est , vincens puellarum manus argutias . nam ventris humores super vacaneos ceu fila nent , textoris absque pectine et implicantes orbium volumina , aduersa sublegunt ijs subtegmina : sed licijs hinc densioribus plagas in aëre appendunt , nec vnde conspicor sejuncta cùm sit omnis a medio basis quae fulciat mirabilem operis fabricam . et staminum fallit ligamen lumina subtilitatis sub dio discrimine . firmatur autem densitas subtegminis , raras in ambientis oras aëris . muscis , culicibus , et id genus volantibus . intensa nectens fraudulenter retia , quod incidit , jejuna pascit hoc famem , vitamque degit haud quietis indigam . suspensa centro , cassibusque prouidens , ne fila rumpat , orbiumque dissuat nexus retertos flaminis vis irruens . which may be englished thus ; industrious nature spyders haue , excelling virgins hands of skill , superfluous humours of bellyes saue , and into webbes they weaue them still , and that without all weauers combes their folding orbes inrolled are , and vnderneath their woofes as tombes , are spread , the worthy worke to beare , and hang their threds in ayre aboue , by plages vnseene to th' eye of man , without foundation you may proue all their buildings firmely stand : nor yet cleere light to eyes most bright can see the coupling of their thred , the thinnesse of the woofe in sight , on pinnes of ayre are surest spred . on gnats , and sillie winged flyes , which guilefully in nets they take , they feede their fill when they espy , and yet their life much rest doth make . they labour to , and doe prouide gainst winds and things that breake their twayles , that bands from tacklings may not slyde , when greater strength doth them assayle . and although minerua hath nick-named the spyder , calling her malepart , shamelesse , and sawcie . martiall , wandring , straying and gadding . claudianus , rash , presumpteous , and aduenturous . politianus , hanging and thicke . iuuenall , dry . propertius , rotten . virgill , light . and plautus , vnprofitable & good for nothing , yet it is cleere that they were made to serue and stead vs to many excellent vses : so that you may plainly gather and perceiue , that this is rather an amplification , rather then any positiue or measured truth , cōcerning the fond epithets , vile badges & liueries , which these rehearsed authors haue vnworthily bestowed on them , as by that which followeth may plainly be seene . the spyder put into a lynnen clowre , and hung vpon the left arme , is an excellent medicine to expell a quotidian-ague , as trallianus saith : and yet it will be more effectuall if many spyders be boyled with oyle of bay to the cōsistence of a liniment , to annoynt the wrists and the temples a little before the fit , for by this meanes the feauer will be absolutely cured , or will sildome returne againe . kiramides . a spyder tempered and wrought vppe with milt-wast or ceterach , and so spred vppon a cloth , to be applyed to the temples , cureth the fits of a tertian-feauer . dioscoride . the spyder that is called a wolfe , being put into a quill , and so hanged about the necke , performeth the same effect , as pliny reporteth . the domesticall spyder , which spinneth and weaueth a thinne , a white , or a thicke web , beeing inclosed in a peece of leather , or a nut-shell , and so hanged about the necke , or vvorne about the arme , driueth away the fits of a quartaine-feauer , as both dioscorides & fernelius haue thought . for the paine in the eares , take three liue spyders , boyle them with oyle vpon the fire , then destill or droppe a little of this oyle into the payned eare , for it is very excellent , as witnesseth marcellus empiricus . pliny steepeth them in vineger and oyle of roses , and so to be stamped together , and a little thereof to be dropped into the pained eare with a little saffron , and without doubt , saith he , the paine will be mittigated , and the same affirmeth dioscorides . or else straine out the iuyce of spyders , mixing it with the iuyce of roses , and with some wooll dipped in the same liquour , apply it to the eare . sorastus in his booke peri dakeon writeth , how that the spyder which is called cranocalaptes , beeing stifled or choked in oyle , is a very present helpe against any poyson taken inwardly into the body , as the scholiast of nicander reporteth . there be some that catch a spyder in the left hand , and beate and stampe it with the oyle of roses , putting some of it into the eare , on the same side the tooth aketh , and as pliny telleth vs , it doth exceeding much good . spyders applyed and layd vpon their owne bytings , or taken inwardly into the body , doe heale and helpe those hurts themselues procured . what should i talke of the white spots of the eyes , a most dangerous griefe ? and yet are they cleane taken away with very small labour , if so be one take the legges , especially of those spyders which are of the whiter sort , and stamping them together with oyle , do make an oyntment for the eyes . pliny . the moist iuyce that is squiesed out of a house-spyder , being tempered with oyle of roses , or one dramme of saffron , and a droppe or two thereof dropped into the eyes , cureth the dropping or watering of them , by meanes of a rhume issuing out thereat : or else the moisture of a spyder or his vrine beeing taken by themselues , laying a little wooll on the top of the part affected , worketh the same effect ; whereby you may well vnderstand , that there is nothing in a spyder so vile , homelie , or sordidous , that doth not some good , and serueth to some end . against the suffogation of the belly , aetius doth counsell to apply a cerote to the nauell made of spyders , and saith that he hath found it to preuaile much in this kind of passion . pliny saith , but he yeeldeth no reason for it , that spyders doe helpe the paine and swelling of the spleene . he writeth also further , that if a man catch a spyder as she is glyding and descending downe-wards by her thred , and so being crushed in the hand , & then applied to the nauell , that the belly will be prouoked to the stoole , but beeing taken as shee is ascending , and applyed after the same former manner , that any loosenes or fluxe is stayed and restrayned thereby . the same pliny also writeth , that if a man take a spyder , and lay it vppon a fellon , ( prouided that the sick patient may not know so much , ) that within the space onely of three dayes , that terrible and painefull griefe will be cleane taken away . and besides he affirmeth , that if the head and feete of a spyder be cast away , and the rest of the body rubbed and bruised , that it will thoroughly remedie the swelling in the fundament , proceeding of inflamation . if any be vexed with store of lyce , and doe vse a suffumigation made onely with spyders , it will cause them all to fall and come away , neither will there afterwards any moe breede in that place . the fat of a goose tempered and mixed with a spyder and oyle of roses together , beeing vsed as an oyntment vpon the breasts , preserueth them safelie , as that no milke will coagulate or curdle in them after any birth . anonymus . yea , that same knotty scourge of rich men , & the scorne of phisitians , i meane the gowte , which as some learned men hold can by no meanes be remedied , yet feeleth mitigation and diminution of paine , and curation also , onely by the presence of a spyder , if it be taken aliue , and her hinder legges cut off , and afterward inclosed in a purse made of the hyde of a stag. moreouer , we see ( which all other medicines can neuer doe ) that all they are freed for the most part , both from the gowte in the legges and hands , where the spyders are most found , & where they are most busie in working , & framing their ingenious deuised webs . doubtlesse , this is a rare miracle of nature , & a wonderfull vertue , that is in this contemptible little creature , or rather esteemed to be so vile , abiect , and of no estimation . rich men were happy indeede , if they knew how to make vse of their owne good . antonius pius was wont to say , that the sharpe words , wittie sayings , quirkes & subtilties of sophisters , were like vnto spyders webbes , that containe in them much cunning art , and artificiall conceit , but had little other good besides . if any one be newly & dangerously wounded , and that the miserable partie feareth a bleeding to death , what is a more noble medicine , or more ready at hand , then a thicke spyders webbe , to bynde hard vpon the wound , to stay the inordinate effusion of blood ? questionlesse , if we were as diligent and greedy to search out the true properties and vertues of our owne domesticall remedies , which we would buy of others so deerely , we would not enforce our selues with such eager pursute after those of forraine countries , as though things fetcht farre off , were better then our owne neere at hand ; or as though nothing were good & wholesome vnlesse it came frō egypt , arabia or india . surely , vnlesse there were some wild worme in our brames , or that we were bewitched and possessed with some furie , we would not so farre be in loue with forraine wares , or be so much besotted , as to seeke for greedy new phisicke and phisicall meanes , considering that one poore spyders webbe will doe more good , for the stanching of blood , the curation of vlcers , the hindering of sanies , slyme , or slough to grow in any sore , to abate and quench inflamations , to conglutinate and consolidate wounds , more then a cart-loade of bole fetcht out of armenia , sorcocolla , sandaracha , or that earth vvhich is so much nobilitated by the impresse of a seale , and therefore called terra sigillata , the clay of samos , the durt of germany , or the loame of lemnos . for a cobwebbe adstringeth , refrigerateth , soldereth , ioyneth , and closeth vppe wounds , not suffering any rotten or filthy matter to remaine long in them . and in regard of these excellent vertues and qualities , it quickly cureth bleedings at the nose , the haemorrhoides , and other bloodie-fluxes , whether of the opening of the mouthes of the veines , their opertions , breakings , or any other bloody euacuation that too much aboundeth , beeing either giuen by it selfe alone in some wine , eyther inwardlie , or outwardly , or commixed with the blood-stone , crocus martis , and other the like remedies fit for the same intentions . the cobwebbe is also an ingredient into an vnguent which is made by phisitians , against the disease called serpego , and beeing bound to the swellings of the fundament , if there be inflamation ioyned withall , it consumeth them without any paine , as marcellus empiricus testifieth . it likewise cureth the watering or dropping of the eyes , as pliny reporteth , and beeing applyed with oyle , it consolidateth the wounds of the ioynts : and some for the same intent , vse the ashes of cobwebbes , with fine meale and white-vvine mixed together . some surgeons there be that cure warts in this manner ; they take a spyders-web , roling the same vppe on a round heape like a ball , and laying it vppon the wart they then set fire on it , and so burne it to ashes , and by this way and order the vvarts are eradicated , that they neuer after grow againe . marcellus empiricus taketh spyders webbes that are found in the cypresse-tree , mixing them with other conuenient remedies , so giuing them to a podagricall person for the asswaging of his paine . against the paine of a hollovv tooth , gallen in his first booke de compos : medicum , secundum loca , much commendeth , ( by the testimony of archigenes ) the egges of spyders , beeing tempered and mixed with oleum nardinum , and so a little of it beeing put into the tooth . in like sort kiramides giueth spyders egges for the curation of a tertian-ague . where-vpon we conclude with gallen , in his booke to piso , that nature as yet neuer brought foorth any thing so vile , meane , and contemptible in outward shew , but that it hath manifold and most excellent necessary vses , if we would shew a greater diligence , and not be so squeamish as to refuse those wholesome medicines which are easie to be had , and without great charges and trauaile acquired . i will adde therefore this one note before i end this discourse , that apes , marmosets or monkies , the serpents called lizards , the stellion , which is likewise a venomous beast like vnto a lizard , hauing spots in his necke like vnto starres , waspes , and the little beast called ichneumon , swallowes , sparrowes , the little titmouse , and hedge-sparrowes , doe often feede full sauourlie vppon spyders . besides , if the nightingale , ( the prince of all singing-byrds ) doe eate any spyders , shee is cleane freed and healed of all diseases vvhatsoeuer . in the dayes of alexander the great , there dwelled in the cittie of alexandria a certaine young mayde , which from her youth vp , was fed and nourished onely with eating of spyders , and for the same cause the king was premonished not to come neere her , least peraduenture he might be infected by her poysonous breath , or by the venome euaporated by her sweating . albertus likewise hath recorded in his writings , that there vvas a certaine noble young virgine dwelling at colen in germany , who from her tender yeeres was fedde onely with spyders . and thus much we english-men haue knowne , that there was one henry lilgraue , liuing not many yeeres since , beeing clarke of the kitchen to the right noble ambrose dudley earle of warwicke , who would search euery corner for spyders , and if a man had brought him thirtie or fortie at one time , he would haue eaten them all vp very greedily , such was his desirous longing after them . of the stellion . they are much deceiued that confound the greene lyzard , or any other vulgar lyzard , for because the stellion hath a rustie colour : and yet ( as matthiolus writeth ) seeing aristotle hath left recorded , that there are venomous stellions in italy , he thinketh that the little white beast with starres on the backe , found about the cittie ofrome , in the vvalls and ruines of old houses , and is there called tarentula , is the stellion of which aristotle speaketh , and there it liueth vpon spyders . yet that there is another and more noble kind of stellion aunciently so called of the learned , shall afterward appeare in the succeeding discourse . this beast or serpent , is called by the graecians colottes , ascalobotes , & galeotes , and such an one was that which aristophanes faineth from the side of a house eased her belly into the mouth of socrates as hee gaped , when in a moone-shine night hee obserued the course of the starres , and motion of the moone . the reason of this greeke name ascalabotes , is taken from ascalos , a circle , because it appeareth on the backe full of such circles like starres , as writeth perottus . howbeit , that seemeth to be a fayned etymologie , and therefore i rather take it , that ascala signifieth impuritie , and that by reason of the vncleanenesse of this beast , it was called ascalabetes , or as suidas deriueth it , of colobates , because by the helpe and dexteritie of the fingers , it clymbeth vppe the walls euen as rats and myce ; or as kiramides will haue it , from calos , signifying a peece of wood , because it clymbeth vppon wood and trees . and for the same reason it is called galeotes , because it clymbeth like a weasill , but at this day it is vulgarly called among the graecians liakoni , although some are also of opinion , that it is also knowne among them by the words thamiamithos , and psammamythe . among the vulgar haebrewes , it is sometimes called letaah , and sometimes semmamit , as munster vvriteth . the arrabians call it sarnabraus , and senabras , a stellion of the gardens . and peraduenture , guarill , guasemabras , alurel , and gnases . and syluaticus also vseth epithetes for a stellion . and the generall arabian word for such creeping byting things , is vasga , which is also rendered a dragon of the house . insteed of colotes , albertus hath arcolus . the germaines , english , and french , haue no words for this serpent , except the latine word , and therefore i was iustly constrained to call it a stellion , in imitation of the latine word . as i haue shewed some difference about the name , so it now ensueth that i should doe the like about the nature and place of their abode . first of all therefore i must put a difference betwixt the italian stellion or tarentula , and the thracian or graecian , for the stellion of the ancients is propper to gracia . for they say this stellion is full of lentile spots , or speckles , making a sharpe or shrill shrieking noyse , and is good to be eaten , but the other in italy are not so . also they say in sicilia that their stellions inflict a deadly byting , but those in italy cause no great harme by their teeth . they are couered with a skin like a shell or thicke barke , and about their backes there are many little shining spots like eyes , ( from whence they haue their names ) streaming like starres , or droppes of bright & cleare water , according to this verse of ouid. — aptumque colori . nomen habet varijs stellatus corpor a guttis . which may be englished thus ; and like his spotted hiew , so is his name , the body starred ouer like drops of rayne . it mooueth but slowly , the backe and tayle beeing much broader then is the backe and tayle of a lyzard , but the italian tarentulaes are white , and in quantitie like the smallest lyzards : and the other graecian lyzards , ( called at this day among them haconi , ) is of bright siluer colour , and are very harmefull and angry , whereas the other are not so , but so meeke and gentle , as a man may put his fingers into the mouth of it without danger . one reason of their white bright shining colour , is because they want blood , and therefore it was an errour in syluaticus to say that they had blood . the teeth of this serpent are very small and crooked , and whensoeuer they byte , they sticke fast in the wound , and are not pulled forth againe except with violence . the tayle is not very long , & yet when by any chaunce it is broken , bytten , or cut off , then it groweth againe they liue in houses , and neere vnto the doores and windowes thereof make their lodgings , and some-times in dead-mens graues and sepulchres , but most commonly they clymbe and creepe aloft , so as they fall downe againe , some-times into the meate as it is in dressing , and sometimes into other things , ( as we haue already said , ) into socrates mouth , & when they descend of their owne accord , they creepe side-long . they eate hony , and for that cause creepe into the hiues of bees , except they be very carefully stopped , as virgill writeth ; nam saepe fauos , ignotus adedit stellio . many times the stellion at vnawares meeteth with the hony combes . they also of italy many times eate spyders . they all lye hidde foure monthes of the yeere , in vvhich time they eate nothing , and twice in the yeere , that is to say , both in the spring-time and autumne , they cast theyr skinne , which they greedily eate so soone as they haue stripped it off . which theophrastus and other authors write , is an enuious part in this serpent or creeping creature , because they vnderstand that it is a noble remedy against the falling-sicknesse : vvherefore to keepe men from the benefit and good which might come there-by , they speedily deuoure it . and from this enuious and subtile part of the stellion , commeth the cryme in vlpianus called crimen stellionatus , that is , when one man fraudulently preuenteth another of his money , or wares , or bargaine , euen as the stellion dooth man-kind of the remedy which commeth vnto them by and from his skinne . this cryme is also called extortion , and among the romans , when the tribunes did with-draw from the souldiours their prouision of victuall and corne , it is said , tribunos qui per stellatur as militibus aliquid abstulissent , capitali poena affecit . and therefore budaeus relateth a history of two tribunes , who for this stellature were worthilie stoned to death by the commaundement of the emperour . and all fraudes whatsoeuer , are likevvise taxed by this name , vvhich were not punishable but by the doome of the supreame or highest iudge , and there-vppon alciatus made this embleme following . parua lacerta , atris stellatus corpore guttis stellio , qui latebras & caua busta colit inuidiae prauique doli fert symbola , pictus : heu nimium nuribus cognita zelotypis nam turpi obtegitur , faciem lentigine , quisquis sit quibus immersus stellio , vina bibat . hinc vindicta frequens , decepta pellice vino , quam formae amisso flore relinquit amans . which may be englished thus ; the little lyzard , or stellion starred in body graine in secrete holes , and graues of dead which doth remaine , when painted you it see , or drawne before the eye , a symbole then you view of deepe deceit and cursed enuy : alas , this is a thing to iealous wiues knowne too well , for whosoeuer of that wine doth drinke his fill wherein a stellion hath beene drencht to death , his face with filthy lentile spots all vgly it appeareth , here-with a louer oft requites the fraude of concubine , depriuing her of beauties hiew by draught of this same wine . the poet ouid hath a pretty fiction of the originall of this cursed enuy in stellions , for he writeth of one abas the sonne of metaneira , that receiued ceres kindly into her house , and gaue her hospitalitie , whereat the said abas beeing displeased , derided the sacrifice which his mother made to ceres : the goddesse seeing the wretched nature of the young man , and his extreame impietie against the sacrifice of his mother , tooke the wine left in the goblet after the sacrifice , and poured the same vppon his head , wherevpon he was immediatly turned into a stellion , as it is thus related by ouid , metam : . combibit os maculas , & quae modo brachia gessit crura gerit , cauda est mutatis addita membris : inque breuem formam , ne sit vis magna nocendi contrahitur , paruaque minor mensura lacerta est . in english thus ; his mouth suckt in those spots : and now where armes did stand , his legges appeare , and to his changed parts was put a tayle , and least it should haue power to harme , small was the bodies band , and of the lizards poysonous , this least in shape did vayle . their bodyes are very brittle , so as if at any time they chaunce to fall , they breake their tayles . they lay very small egges , out of which they are generated : and pliny writeth that the iuyce or liquor of these egges layde vppon a mans body , causeth the hayre to fall off , and also neuer more permitteth it to grow againe . but whereas wee haue said , it deuoureth the skinne , to the damage & hurt of men , you must remember , that in auncient time the people did not want their pollicies and deuises to take away this skinne from them before they could eate it . and therfore in the sommer-time they watched the lodging place and hole of the lyzard , and then in the end of the winter toward the spring , they tooke reedes and did cleaue them in sunder , these they composed into little cabonets , and set them vppon the hole of the serpent : now when it awaked and would come forth , it being grieued with the thicknes and straightnes of his skinne , presseth out of his hole thorough those reedes or cabonet , and finding the same some-what straight , is the more gladde to take it for a remedie ; so by little and little it slydeth thorough , and beeing thorough , it leaueth the skinne behind in the cabonet , into the which it cannot reenter to deuoure it . thus is this wylie serpent by the pollicie of man iustly beguiled , loosing that which it so greatly desireth to possesse , and changing nature , to line his guttes vvith his coate , is preuented from that gluttony , it beeing sufficient to haue had it for a couer in the winter , and therefore vnsufferable that it should make foode thereof , and it the same in the sommer . these stellings ( like as other serpents ) haue also theyr enemies in nature , as first of all they are hated by the asses , for they loue to be about the maungers and rackes on which the asse feedeth , and from thence many times they creepe into the asses open nostrills , and by that meanes hinder his eating . but aboue all other , there is greatest antipathy in nature betwixt this serpent and the scorpion , for if a scorpion doe but see one of these , it falleth into a deepe feare , and a cold sweat , out of which it is deliuered againe very speedily : and for this cause a stellion putrified in oyle , is a notable remedie against the byting of a scorpion , and the like warre and dissention , is affirmed to be betwixt the stellion and the spyder . wee haue shewed already , the difference of stellions of italie from them of greece , how these are of a deadly poysonous nature , and the other innocent and harmelesse , and therefore now it is also conuenient , that wee should shew the nature and cure of this poyson , which is in this manner . whensoeuer any man is bytten by a stellion , hee hath ache and payne thereof continually , and the wound receiued looketh very pale in colour , the cure whereof , according to the saying of aetius , is to make a playster of garlicke and leekes mixed together , or else to eate the said garlice and leekes , drinking after them a good draught of svveete wine , vnmixed and very pure , or else apply nigella romana , sesamyne , and sweet water vnto it . some ( as arnoldus writeth ) prescribe for this cure the dunge of a faulcon , or a scorpion to be bruised all to peeces , and layd to the wound . but sometimes it happeneth , that a mans meate or drinke is corrupted with stellions that fall into the same from some high place where they desire to be clymbing , and then if the same meate or wine so corrupted be eaten or drunk , it causeth vnto the partie a continuall vomiting & payne in the stomacke . then must the cure be made also by vomits to auoyd the poyson , and by glysters to open the lower passage , that so there may be no stoppe or stay , to keepe the imprisoned meate or drinke in the body . and principally those thinges are prescribed in this case , which are before expressed in the cantharides , when a man hath by any accident beene poysoned by eating of them . the remedies which are obserued out of this serpent are these : beeing eaten by hawkes , they make them quickly to cast theyr old coates or feathers . others giue it in meate after it is bowelled , to them that haue the falling-sicknesse . also when the head , feete , and bowels are taken away , it is profitable for those persons which cannot hold in their vrine , and beeing sodden , is giuen against the bloody-flixe . also sodde in wine with blacke poppy-seede , cureth the payne of the loynes , if the wine be drunke vp by the sicke patient . the oyle of stellions beeing annoynted vpon the arme-holes or pittes of chyldren , or young persons , it restraineth all hayre for euer growing in those places . also the oyle of stellions , which are sod in oyle-oliue with lyzards , do cure all boyles and wennes , consuming them without launcing or breaking . and the ashes of the stellion are most principally commended against the falling-sicknes , like as also is the skinne or truncke , as we haue said before . the head burned and dryed , and afterward mixed with honny-attick , is very good against the continuall dropping or running of the eyes ; and in the dayes of pliny , he writeth that they mixed stibum here-withall . the hart is of so great force , that it being eaten , bringeth a most deepe and dangerous sleepe , as may appeare by these verses . mande cor , & tantus prosternet corpora somnus , vt scindi possunt absque dolore manus . which may be englished thus ; eate you the hart , and then such sleepe the body will possesse , that hands may from the same be cut away painelesse . to conclude , the phisitians haue carefully obserued sundry medicines out of the egs , gall , and dunge of stellions , but because i write for the benefit of the english reader . i will spare their relation , seeing we shall not neede to feare the byting of stellions in england , or expect any drugges among our apothecaries out of them , and therefore i vvill heere end the history of the stellion . of the tyre . there be some which haue confounded this serpent vvith the viper , & taken them both to be but one kind , or at least the tyre to be a kind of viper , because the arabians call a viper thiron , of the greeke word therion , which signifieth a wild beast , & whatsoeuer the graecians write of their echidna , that is their viper , the same things the arabians write of the tyre , and leonicenus compiled a whole booke in the defence of that matter : and from hence commeth that noble name or cōposition antidotary , called theriaca , that is , triacle . but auicen in the mention of the triacle of andromachus , distinguisheth the triacle of the viper , from that of the tyre , and calleth one of them trohiscos tyri , and the other , trohiscos viperae . so gentilis and florentinus , do likewise put a manifest difference betwixt the tyre and the viper , although in many thinges they are alike , and agree together . this tyre is called in latine tyrus and tyria , and also among the arabians , as syluaticus wryteth , eosmari , and alpfahex . rabbi moses in his aphorismes writeth , that when the hunters goe to seeke these serpents , they carry with them bread , which they cast vnto them , and while the tyre doth eate it , hee closeth his mouth so fast , that his teeth cannot suddainely open againe to doe his hunting aduersary any harme , and this thing ( as hee writeth ) is very admirable at the first , to them that are ignorant of the secrete in nature . galen also writeth so much to piso of vipers , and he saith that the circulators , iuglers or quacksaluers , did cast certaine mazes or small cakes to them , which whē they had tasted , they had no power to harme any body . this tyrus is said to be a serpent about the coasts of iericho in the wildernes , where it hunteth birds , and liueth by deuouring of them and their egges . and a confection of the flesh of this serpent , with the admixture of some few other things , taketh away all intoxicate poyson , which confection is called triacle . it is also reported , that whereas the dragons haue no poyson of themselues , they take it away from this serpent , and so poyson with a borrowed venom . for this poyson is very deadly : and there is a tale ( which i will not tell for truth ) that before the comming and death of our sauiour iesus christ , the same was vnremediable , and they died thereof , whosoeuer they were that had been poysoned by a tyre , but on the day of christ his passion , one of them was found by chaunce in ierusalem , which was taken aliue , and brought to the side of our sauiour hanging vppon the crosse , where it also fastened the teeth , and from that time euer since , all the kind haue receiued a qualified and remediable poyson , and also their flesh made apt to cure it selfe , or other venoms . it is reported that when the tyrus is old , he casteth , or rather wresteth off his coate , in this manner following ; first it getteth off the skinne which groweth betwixt the eyes , by which it looketh as if it were blind , and if it be strange to a man , ( i meane the first time that euer he saw it ) he will verily take it to be blind : afterward , it also fleyeth off the skin of from the head , and so at last , by little and little , the whole body , at which sight it appeareth as though it were an embryon , or skinlesse serpent . they keepe theyr egges in their belly , and in them breede theyr young ones , as the vipers doe , for before they come out of the dammes belly , they are in all parts ( according to theyr kind ) perfect creatures , and so euery one generateth his like , as doe foure footed-beastes . i take it by the relation of gesner , that the dypsas in italy is called tyrus . also cardan writeth , that there is a supposed and false conceit , that with the flesh of this tyre , mixed with hellebore and water , is made a confection to restore youth : but the truth is , it rather weakeneth and destroyeth bodies , then helpeth them , and maketh a counterfeite or varnished false youth , but no true youth at all . thus farre cardan , and thus much of this serpent , the other things written of it , are the same that are written of the viper . of the torteyse . the last foure-footed egge-breeding beast , commeth now to bee handeled in due order and place ; namely , the torteyse , which i haue thought good to insert also in this place , although i cannot finde by reading or experience , that it is venomous , yet seeing other before me haue ranged the same in the number and catalogue of these serpents and creeping creatures , i will also follow them ; and therefore i will first expresse that of the torteyse , which is general and common to both kindes , and then that which is speciall , and propper to the land and sea torteyses . the name of this beast is not certaine , among the hebrewes some call it schabhul , some kipod , and some homet , whereas euery one of these doe also signifie another thing , as schabhul a snayle . kipod a hedge-hogge , and homet a lyzard . the chaldeans call this beast thiblela . the arabians terme it sisemat . also kauden salabhafe , and halachalie . the italians call this testuma testudine , vel testugire , tartuca , enfuruma , tartocha , & cosorona . and in ferraria , gallanae , tartugellae , biscae scut llariae . the inhabitants of taurinu , cupparia . the portugalls , gagado . the spanyards , galapago , and tartuga . the french , tortue , and tartue . and in sauoy , boug coupe . the germaines , schiltkrot , and tallerkrot . the flemings , schilt padde , which aunswereth our english word shell-crab . the graecians call it chelone , and the latines testudo : which wordes in their seuerall languages , haue other significations , as are to be found in euery vocabular dictionary , and therefore i omit them , as not pertinent to this busines or history . there be of torteyses three kinds , one that liueth on the land , the second in the sweet waters , and the third in the sea , or salt-waters . there are found great store of these in india especially of the wate● torteyses , and therefore the people of that part of the country , are called chelonophagi ; that is , eaters of torteyses , for they liue vpon them : and these people are sayd to be in the east-part of india . and in carmania the people are likewise so called . and they do not onely eare the flesh of them , but also couer their houses with their shells ; and of their abundance , doe make them all manner of vessels . and pliny and solinus write , that the sea torteyses of india are so bigge , that with one of them they couer a dwelling cottage . and strabo sayth , they also row in them on the waters , as in a boate. the islands of serapis in the redde-sea , and the farthest ocean islands , towardes , the east of the red sea , hath also very great torteyses in it : and euery where in the red-sea they so abound , that the people there doe take them and carry them to their greatest marts and fayres to sell them , as to rhaphtis , to ptolemais , and the island of dioscorides , whereof some haue white and small shels . in lybia also they are found , and in the night time they come out of their lodgings to feede , but very softly , so as one can scarcely perceiue their motion . and of one of these scaliger telleth this story . one night ( saith he ) as i was trauayling , being ouer-taken with darkenesse and want of light , i cast about mine eyes to seeke some place for my lodging , safe and secure from wild-beasts ; and as i looked about , i saw ( as i thought ) a little ●ill or heape of earth , but in truth it was a torteyse , couered all ouer with mosse : vpon that i ascended and sa●e downe to rest , where-vppon after a little watching i fe●l asleepe , and so ended that nights rest vppon the backe of the torteyse . in the morning , when light approched , i perceiued that i was remooued farre from the place , whereon i first chose to lodge all night ; and therefore rising vp , i beheld with great admiration the face and countenaunce of this beast , in the knowledge whereof , ( as in a new nature ) i went foreward , much comforted in my wearisome iourney . the description of the torteyse and the seuerall partes thereof now followeth to bee handled . those creatures ( saith pliny ) which bring forth or lay egs , eyther haue feathers as fowles , or haue scales as serpents , or thicke hides as the scorpion , or else a shell like the torteyse . it is not without great cause that this shell is called scutrem , and the beast scutellaria , for there is no buckler and shield so hard and strong as this is . and palladius was not deceiued when he wrote thereof , that vppon the same might safelie passe ouer a cart-wheele , the cart being load●d . and therefore in this , the torteyse is more happy then the crocodile , or any other such beast . albertus writeth that it hath two shell●s , one vppon the backe , the other on the belly , which are conioyned together in foure places and by reason of this so firme a couer and shell , the flesh thereof is dry and firme , also long lasting , and not very easie or apt to putrefaction . this shell or couer is smooth , except some-times when it is growne old , it hath mosse vppon it , and it neuer casteth his coate in old age , as other creeping thinges do . in the head and tayle it resembleth a serpent , and the great torteyses haue also shelles vpon th●ir heads like a shield , yet is the head but short , and the espect of it very fearefull , vntil a man ●e well acquainted there with . and by reason of the hardnesse of their eyes , they mooue none but the neather eye lidde , and that without often winking . the liuer of it is great , yet without any blood . it hath but one belly without diuision , and the liueris alwa●es foule , by reason of the vitious temperature of the body . the melt is exceeding small , comming far short of the bodies proportion . be●…e , the common nature of other thicke-hided-creatures . it hath also reynes , except that kind of tortoyce called lutaria , for that wanteth both reynes and bladder , for by reason of the softnesse of the couer thereof , the humour is ouer fluent ; but the tortoy●e that bringeth foorth egges hath all inward partes like a perfect creature : and the females haue a singular passage for theyr excrementes , which is not in the males the egges are in the body of their belly , which are of a party-colour like the egges of birds . theyr stones cleaue to theyr loynes , and the tayle is short , but like the tayle of a serpent . they haue foure legges , in proportion like the legges of lizards , euery foot ha●ing fiue fingers or diuisions vpon them , with nayles vpon euery one . and thus much for the seuerall parts . they are not vniustly called amphibia , because they liue both in the water and on the land , and in this thing they are by pliny resembled to beauers : but this must bee vnderstood of the general , otherwise the tortoyces of the land doe neuer dare come into the water : and those of the water can breath in the water , but want respiration , and likewise they lay theyr egges and sleepe vppon the dry land. they haue a very slowe and easie pace ; and thereupon pauuiu● calleth it tardigrada , and also there is a prouerbe : testudineus incessus , for a slow and soft pace , when such a motion is to be expressed . the tortoyce neuer casteth his coate , no not in his old age . the voyce is an abrupt and broken hissing , not like to the serpents , but much more loud and diffused . the male is very salacious and giuen to carnall copulation , but the female is not so ; for when shee is attempted by the male , they fight it out by the teeth , and at last the male ouercommeth , whereat he reioyceth as much , as one that in a hard conflict , fight , or battaile , hath won a fayre woman ; the reason of this vnwillingnesse is , because it is exceeding paynefull to the female . they engender by riding or couering one another . when they haue layde theyr egges , they doe not sit vpon them to hatch them , but lay them in the earth , couered , and there by the heat of the sun is the young one formed , and commeth foorth at due time without any further help from his parents . they are accounted crafty and su●tle in the●r kinde , for subtlenesse is not onely ascribed to thinges that haue a thinne bloud , but also to those that haue thicke skinnes , hides , and couers , such as the tortoyce and crocodile haue . the tortoyce is an enemy to the bariridge , as philes and aelianus write : also the ape is as frayde thereof , as it is of the snayle : and to conclude , whatsoeuer enemy it hath , it is safe inough as long as it is couered with his shell , and clyngeth fast to the earth beneath ; and therefore came the prouerbe : oikos philos , oikos aristos . that house which is ones friend , is the best house . the poets giue a fabulou reasons , why the tortoyce doth euer carry his house vppon his back , which is this : they say , that on a time iupiter badde all liuing creatures to a banquet or marriage feast , and thether they all came at the time appointed , except the tortoyce : and shee at last also appeared at the end of the feast when the mea●e was all spent : whereat iupiter wondred , and asked her why shee came no sooner ? then i● answeared him , oikos philos , oikos aristos ; at which answere iupiter being angry , adiudged her perpetually to carry her house on her back , and for this cause they fable , that the tortoyce is neuer seperated from her house . flaminius the roman diswading the achaeans from attempting the island of zacynthij , vsed this argument ; and so afterward t. liuius . caeterum sicut testudinem , vbi collecta , in suum tegumen est , tutam ad omnes ictus ●●di esse : vbit exerit partes aliquas quodcunque nudauit , obnoxium atque infirmum habere : haud dissimiliter vobis achaei , clausis vndique maris , quod intra peloponnesum est , termino , ea & iungere vobis , & iuncta tueri facile : si semel auiditate plura amplect endi hinc excedatis , nuda vobis omnia quae extra sint & exposita ad omnes ictus esse . thus farre pliny . that is to say , euen as when the tortoyce is gathered within the compasse of her shell , then is it safe and free from all stroakes , and feeleth no violence , but whensoeuer shee putteth foorth a limbe or part , then is it naked , infirme , and easie to be harmed : so is it with you achaeans , for by reason of the enclosed seate of peloponnesus within the straights of the sea , you may well wind all that together , and beeing conioyned , as well defend it : but if once your auidious and couctous mindes to gette more , appeare and stretch it selfe beyond those limits , you shall lay open your naked infirmitie and weakenesse , to all force , blowes , and violence whatsoeuer . wherefore , the torteyse careth not for flyes , and men with good armour care not much for light and easie aduersaries . alciatus hath a witty emblem of a torteyse to expresse a good huswife , and that the same of her vertues , spreadeth much further then eyther beautie or riches . alma venus quaenam hac facies quid denotat illa testudo , molli quam pede diuapremis ? mesie effinxit phidias sexumque referri foemineum nostraiussit ab effigie , quodque manere domi , & tacitas debet esse puellas supposuit pedibus talia signa meis . which may be englished thus ; loues holy god , what meanes that vgly face ? what doth that torteyse signifie in deede ? which thou ô goddesse vnder soft foote dooest pace , declare what meanes the same to me with speede ? such is the shape that phidias did me frame , and bade me goe resemble women kind , to teach them silence , and in house remaine , such pictures vnderneath my feete you find . there is a manifold vse of torteyses , especially of their couer or shell , and likewise of their flesh , which commeth now to be handled . and first of all , the auncient ornament of beddes , chambers , tables , and banqueting-houses , was a kind of artificiall worke , called caruilius , and this was framed in golde and siluer , brasle and wood , iuory & torteyse-shells ; but , modo luxuria non fuerit contenta ligno , iam lignam emi testudinem facit : that is to say ; ryot not contented , sought precious frames of wood ; and againe , the vse of wood , caused torteyse-shells to be deerely bought ; and thereof also complayned the poet iuuenall , where he saith ; — nemo curabat riualis in oceani fluctu tectudo nataret clarum troiugenis factura & nobile fulerum . in english thus ; then none did care for torteyse in the ocean-flood , to make the noble beds for troyans blood . we haue shewed already that there are certaine people of the east called chelophagi , which liue by eating of torteyses , and with theyr shells they couer theyr houses , make all theyr vessels , rowe in them vppon the water , as men vse to rowe in boates , and make them likewise serue for many other vses . but as concerning the eating of the flesh of torteyses , the first that euer wee read that vsed this ill dyet , were the amozons , according as caelius rhod : and other authours writeth . besides , aloysius cadamustus affirmeth , that he himselfe did tast of the flesh of a torteyse , and that it was white in colour , much like vnto veale , and not vnpleasant . but rasis is of a cleane contrary opinion , condemning it for very vnsauourie , and vnwholesome , because the taste and temperament thereof , is betwixt the land and the water , it beeing a beast that liueth in both elements . and in eating heereof the graecians haue a prouerbe , chelones kreas he phagein , he me phagein : that is , eyther eate torteyse flesh , or eate it not . meaning that when we eate it , we must eate nothing else , and therefore must be filled sufficiently onely with that kind of meate : for to eate little , breedeth fretting in the belly , and to eate much is as good as a purgation , according to the obseruation of many actiōs , which being done frigide & ignauiter , that is , coldly & slothfully to halues , doe no good , but beeing done , acriter & explicatie , earnestly and throughly bring much content and happinesse . but i maruaile why they are vsed in this age , or desired by meat-mongers , seeing apicius in all his booke of variety of meats , doth not mention them ; and i therefore wil conclude the eating of tortoyces to be dangerous , and hatefull to nature it selfe , for vnlesse it be taken like a medicine , it doth little good , and then also the sawces and decoctions or compositions that are confected with it , are such as doe not onely qualifie , but vtterly alter all the nature of thē , ( as stephanus aquaeus hath well declared ) in his french discourse of frogges and tortoyces . and therefore to conclude this history of the tortoyce , i will but recite one riddle of the strangenesse of this beast which tertullian out of pacuuius maketh mention of , and also in greeke by moschopulus , which is thus translated . animal peregrinae naturae , sine spiritu spiro , geminis occulis retro iuxta cerebrum , quibus ducibus antrorsum progredior super ventre coeruleo pergo , sub quo venter latet albus , apertus & clausus . oculi non aperiuntur , neque progredior , donec venter intus albus vacuus est . hoc saturato , oculi apparent insignes , & pergo aditer : et quanquam mutum varias edo voces : that is to say , i am a liuing creature , of a strange nature , i breath without breath , with two eyes behinde neere my braynes doe i goe forward , i go vppon a blew belly , vnder which is also another white , open and shut , my eyes neuer open , i goe forward vntill my belly be empty , when it is full , then they appeare plaine and i goe on my iourney , and although i am mute or dumbe , yet doe i make many voyces . the explycation of this riddle , will shew the whole nature of the beast , and of the harpe called chelys . for some things are related herein of the liuing creature , and some things againe of an instrument of musicke made vppon his shell and couer . and thus much for the tortoyce in generall , the medicines i will reserue vnto the end of this history . of the tortoyce of the earth , whose shell is onely figured . these tortoyces which neuer come in water , either sweet or salt , cleare or muddy , are called by the graecians chelone chersaie , by the latines chersinae , and testudines , terrestres , syluestres , and montanae , & by nicander , orine : and the french peculiarly tortue des boys , a tortoyce of the wood . these are found in the desarts of affrica , as in lybia & mauritania , in the open fieldes , and likewise in lidia in the corne-fieldes , for when the plow-men come to plowe their land , their shares turne them out of the earth vpon the furtowes as big as great glebes of land . and the shels of these the husbandmen burne on the land , and dig them out with spades and mattocks , euen as they doe wormes among places full of such vermine . the hill parthenius , and soron in arcadia , doe yeeld many of these land-tortoyces . the shell of this liuing creature is very pleasantly distinguished with diuers colours , as earthy , blacke , blewish , and almost like a salamanders . the liuer of it is small , yet apt to be blowen or swell with winde , and in all other parts they differ not from the common and vulgar generall prefixed discription . these liue in corne-fieldes , vpon such fruits as they can finde ; and therefore also they may be kept in chestes or gardens , and fed with apples , meale , or bread without leauen . they eate also cockles , and wormes of the earth , and three-leaued-grasse . they will also eate vipers , but presently after they eate origan , for that herbe is an antidote against viperine poyson for them , and vnlesse they can instantly finde it , they dye of the poyson . the like vse it is sayde to haue of rue , but the tortoyces of the sandy sea in affrique , liue vpon the fat , dew , and moystnesse of those sandes . they are ingendered like other of their kind , & the males are more venerous then the females , because the female must needes bee turned vppon her backe , and she cannot rise againe without helpe : wherefore many times the male after his lust is satisfied , goeth away , & leaueth the poore female to be destroyed of kytes , or other aduersaries : their naturall wisedome therefore hath taught them to preferre life and safety before lust and pleasure . yet theocritus writeth , of a certaine hearb , that the male-tortoyce getteth into his mouth , and at the time of lust turneth the same to his female , who presently vpon the smell thereof , is more enraged for copulation then is the male , and so giueth vp her selfe to his pleasure without all feare of euill , or prouidence against future daunger : but this hearb neither he nor any other can name . they lay egges in the earth , and do not hatch them , except they breath on them with their mouth , out of which at due time come their young ones . all the winter-time they digge themselues into the earth , and there liue without eating any thing , insomuch as a man woulde thinke they could neuer liue againe , but in the summer and warme weather they dig themselues out againe without danger . the tortoyces of india in their old and full age change their shels and couers , but all other in the world neuer change or cast them . this tortoyce of the earth is an enemy to vipers , and other serpents , and the eagles againe are enemies to this , not so much for hatred as desirous thereof for physicke , against their sicknesses & diseases of nature ; and therefore they are called in greeke chelonophagoi aetoi , tortoyce-eating-eagles : for although they cannot come by them out of their deepe and hard shell , yet they take them vp into the ayre , and so let them fall downe vppon some hard stone or rocke , and there-vpon it is broken all to peeces , and by this means died the famous poet aeschilus , vvhich kind of fate was foretold him , that such a day he should dye : wherefore to auoyd his end , in a fayre sunne-shine cleare day he sat in the fields , and suddenly an eagle let a tortoyce fall downe vpon his head which brake his scull , and crushed out his braynes , whereupon the graecians wrote : aeschulographonti , epipeptoke chelone , which may be englished thus ; eschilus writing vpon a rocke , a tortoyce falling , his braines out knocke . the vses of this land tortoyce , are first for gardens , because they cleare the gardens from snayles and wormes : out of the arcadian tortoyces they make harps , for their shelles are very great , and this kind of harp is called in latine testudo , the inuentor whereof is said to be mercury , for finding a tortoyce after the falling in of the riuer nilus , whose flesh was dryed vp , because it was left vppon the rockes , hee strucke the sinnewes thereof , which by the force of his hand , made a musicall sound , and thereupon he framed it into a harp , which caused other to imitate his action , and continue that practise vnto this day . these tortoyces are better meate then the sea or water-tortoyces ; and therefore they are preferred for the belly ; especially they are giuen to horses , for by them they are raysed in flesh , and made much fatter . and thus much shall suffice for the tortoyce of the earth . of the tortoyce of the sweete-water . pliny maketh foure kindes of tortoyces , one of the earth , a second of the sea , a third called lutaria , and the fourth called swyda , lyuing in sweete-waters , and this is called by the portugalls cagado , and gagado , the spaniards galapag , and the italians gaiandre de aqua . there are of this kinde found in heluetia , neere to zuricke , at a towne called andelfinge : but the greatest are found in the riuer ganges in india , where theyr shels are as great as tuns , and damascen writeth , that he saw certaine ambassadours of india , present vnto augustus caesar at antiochia , a sweete-water-tortoyce , vvhich was three cubits broad . they breede theyr young ones in nilus . they haue but a small melt , and it wanteth both a bladder and reines . they breede their young ones and lay their egges on the dry land , for in the water they dye without respiration : therefore they digge a hole in the earth wherein they lay their egges , as it were in a great ditch , of the quantity of a barrell , and hauing couered them with earth , depart away from them for thirty dayes ; afterwardes they come againe and vncouer theyr egges , which they finde formed into young ones , those they take away with them into the water : and these tortoyces at the invndation of nilus follow the crocodiles , and remoue their nests and egges from the violence of the flouds . there was a magicall and superstitious vse of these sweete-water-tortoyces agaynst hayle , for if a man take one of these in his right hand , and carrie it with the belly vpward round about his vineyard , & so returning in the same manner with it , & afterward lay it vpon the backe , so as it cannot turne on the belly , but remaine with the face vpward , all manner of clouds should passe ouer that place and neuer empty themselues vppon that vineyard . but such diabolicall and foolish obseruations were not so much as to be remēbred in this place , were it not for their sillinesse , that by knowing them , men might learne the weakenesse of humaine wisedome when it erreth , from the fountaine of all science and true knowledge ( which is diuinity ) and the most approoued operations of nature : and so i will say no more in this place of the sweete-water-tortoyce . of the tortoyce of the sea. it were vnproper and exorbitant to handle the sea-tortoyce in this place , were it not because it liueth in both elements , that is , both the water and the land , wherefore seeing the earth is the place of his generation , as the sea is of his foode and nourishment , it shall not be amisse nor improper ( i trust ) to handle this also among the serpents and creeping things of the earth . pliny calleth this sea-tortoyce mus marinus , a mouse of the sea , and after him albertus doth so likewise . the arabians call it asfulhasch , and the portugalles tartaruga , and in germany meerschiltkrott , which the common fisher-menne call the souldier , because his backe seemeth to bee armed and couered with a shield and helmet , especially on the forepart : which shield is very thicke , strong , and triangular , there being great veines and sinnewes which goe out of his necke , shoulders , and hippes , that tye on and fasten the same to his body . his forefeet being like hands , are forked and twisted very strong , & with which it fighteth and taketh his prey , and nothing can presse it to death except the frequent strokes of hammers . and in al their members except their quantity , & their feet , they are much like the tortoyces of the earth , for otherwise they are greater , and are also blacke in colour . they pull in their heads as occasion is ministred to them , eyther to fight , feede , or be defended , and theyr whole shell or couer seemeth to be compounded of fine plates . they haue no teeth , but in the brimmes of theyr beakes or snouts are certaine eminent diuided thinges like teeth , very sharp , and shut vppon the vnder lippe like as the couer of a boxe , and in the confidence of these sharp prickles , and the strength of their hands and backes , they are not afrayde to fight with men . theyr eyes are most cleare and splendant , casting theyr beames farre and neare , and also they are white in colour , so that for their brightnesse and rare whitenesse , the apples are taken out and included in rings , chaines , and bracelets . they haue reynes which cleaue to their backes , as the reines of an bugle or oxe . theyr feete are not apt to be vsed in going , for they are like to the feet of seales or sea-calues , seruing in stead of oares to swim withall . their legges are very long , and stronger in their feet and nailes , then are the clawes of the lyon. they liue in rockes and the sea-sands , and yet they cannot liue altogether in the water , or on the land , because they want breathing and sleepe , both which they performe out of the water : yet pliny writeth , that many times they sleepe on the top of the water , and his reason is , because they lye still vnmooueable , ( except with the water ) and snort like any other creature that sleepeth , but the contrary appeareth , seeing they are found to sleepe on the land , and the snorting noyse they make is but an endeuour to breath , which they cannot well doe on the toppe of the water , and yet better there then in the bottome . they feede in the night-time , and the mouth is the strongest of all other creatures , for with it they crush in peeces any thing , be it neuer so hard , as a stone or such thinges : they also come and eate grasse on the dry land. they eate certaine little flshes in the winter time , at which season their mouth is hardest , and with these fishes they are also bayted by men , and so taken . pausanius writeth , that in affrica there are maritine rocks called scelestae , and there dwelleth among a creature called scynon , that is zytyron , a tortoyce , and whatsoeuer he findeth on that rockes which is a stranger in the sea , the same he taketh and casteth downe headlong . they engender on the land , and the female resisteth the copulation with the male , vntill hee set against her a stalke or stemme of some tree or plant. they lay their egges and couer them in the earth , planing it ouer with their breasts , and in the night-time they sit vppon them to hatch them . their egges are great , of diuers colours , hauing a hard shell , so that the young one is not framed or brought foorth within lesse compasse then a yeere , ( as aristotle writeth ) but pliny sayth thirty dayes . and for as much as they cannot by nature , nor dare for accident long tarry vppon the land : they set certaine markes with their feete vppon the place where they lay theyr egges , whereby they know the place againe , and are neuer deceiued . some againe say , that after they haue hidde their egges in the earth forty dayes , the female commeth the iust fortith day , not fayling of her reckoning , and vncouereth her egges wherein shee findeth her young ones formed , vvhich she taketh out as ioylfully as any man would do gold out of the earth , and carryeth them away with her to the water . they lay some-times an hundered egges , and sometimes they lay fevver , but euer the number is very great . there is vppon the left side of hispaniola , a little island vpon the port beata , which is called altus-bellus , where peter martyr reporteth straunge thinges of many creatures ; especially of the tortoyces , for hee writeth , that when they rage in lust for copulation , they come on shore , and there they digge a ditch wherein they lay together three or foure hundered egges , beeing as great as goose-egges , and when they haue made an end , they couer them with sand and goe away to the sea , not once looking after them : but at the appoynted time of nature , by the heate of the sunne , the young tortoyces are hatched , engendered , and droduced into light without any further helpe of theyr parents . great is the courage of one of these , for it is not afrayde to set vppon three men together , but if it can bee turned vpward vppon the backe , it is made weake and vnresistable . and if the head be cut off and seuered from the body , it dieth not presently , nor closeth the eyes , for if a man shake his hand at it , then vvill it winke , but if hee put it neere , it will also byte if it can reach it . if by the heat of the sunne theyr backes grow dry , they also grow weake and inflexible ; and therefore they hasten to the water to remollifie them , or else they dye within short time : and for this cause this is the best way to take them . in the whottest day they are drawne into the deepe , where they swimme willingly with their backes or shelles aboue the water , where they take breath , and in continuance , the sunne so hardeneth them , that they are not able to helpe themselues in the water , but they grow very faynt and weake , and are taken at the pleasure of the fisher-man . they are also taken on the toppes of the water after they returne weary from theyr feeding in the night-time , for then two men may easily turne them on theyr backes , and in the meane-while another casteth a snare vppon them and draweth them safely to the land. in the phaenician sea they are taken safely without daunger , and generally where they may be turned on theyr backe , there they can make no resistaunce , but where they cannot , many times they wound and kill the fisher-men , breaking the nets asunder , and let out all the other fish included with them . bellorius writeth , that there bee of these sea-tortoyces two kindes , one long , the other round , and both of them breath at theyr noses , bycause they want gilles , and the long ones are most frequent about the port torra in the redde sea , whose couer is variable , for the males shell is playne and smooth vnderneath , and the females is hollow . the turkes haue a kinde of tortoyce , whose shell is bright like the chrysolite , of which they make haftes for kniues of the greatest price , which they adorne with plates of gold . in iambolus , an island of the south , there are also found certaine monsters or liuing creatures , which are not very great , yet are they admirable in nature , and in the vertue of their bloud . their bodyes are round and like the tortoyce , hauing two crosse lynes ouer theyr backes , in the ends of which is an eye and an eare at eyther side , so as they seeme to haue foure eares , the belly is but one , into which the meate passeth out of the mouth . they haue feete round about , and with them they goe both backward and forward . the vertue of their bloud is affirmed to be admirable : for whatsoeuer body is cut asunder & put together , if it be sprinkled with this bloud during the time that it breatheth , it covniteth as before . the ancient troglodytes had a kind of sea-tortoyce , which they call celtium , which had hornes , vnto which they fastened the strings of their harpes , these also they worshipped and accounted very holy . yet some thinke that they might better be called celetum then celtium , but i thinke hermolaus dooth better call them chelitium apo tes cheluos , which signifieth both a tortoyce and their broad breastes , and with their hornes they helpe themselues in swimming . albertus also maketh mention of a tortoyce called barchora , but it is thought to be a corrupt word from ostra codermus . these sea-tortoyces are found sometimes to be eyght cubits broad , and in india with their shelles they couer houses , and such vse : they also put them vnto in tabrobana , for they haue them fifteene cubits broad . and thus much for all kind of tortoyces . of the viper . notwithstanding the asseueration of suessanus , who will needes exclude the viper from the serpents , because a serpent is called ophis , and the viper echis , yet i trust there shall be no reasonable man that can make exeption to the placing of this liuing creature among serpents , for that great learned man vvas deceiued in that argument , seeing by the same reason hee might as vvell exclude any other , as the snake , dragon , scorpion , and such like who haue their peculiar names ; beside the generall vvord ophis , and yet might hee also haue beene better aduised , then to affirme a viper not be called a serpent : for euen in aristotle whom he expoundeth and approoueth , hee might haue found in his fifth booke of gen : animal : and the last chapter , that the viper is recorded , inter genera opheon : that is , among the generall kindes of serpents , although as wee shall shew afterward , it differeth from most kindes of serpents , because it breedeth the young one in his belly , and in the winter-time lyeth in the rockes and among stones , and not in the earth . the haebrevves as it appeareth esay . . and iob. . call it aphgnath , and according to munster aphgnaim , plurally for vipers , because of the variety of colours , wherewithall they are set all ouer . the arabians from the greeke word thereon , signifieng all kind of wilde beastes , doe also call it thiron , and that kinde of viper vvhereof is made the triacle , they call a alafafrai , and alphai : they also call it eosman , ( as leonicenus wryteth . ) beside , it is called alphe , which seemeth to bee deriued of the haebrevves , and afis which may likewise be coniectured to arise from the greeke vvord ophis . the greekes call the male peculiarly and properly echis , and the female echidna , and it is a question whether the vulgar word among the gaecians at this day ochendra , doe not also signify this kinde of serpent . bellonius thinketh , that it is corrupted of echidna the female viper . the germans haue many vvords for a viper , as brandt schlangen , natet-otter , heck-nater , and viper-nater . the french vne vipere . the spaniards biuora , and bicha , the italians vipera , maraesso , scurtio , and sometimes scorzonei , although scorzo , and scorzone , be generall wordes in italy for all creeping serpents without feet , and that strike with theyr teeth . there is also about the word maraeso some question , although leonicenus decideth the matter , and maketh it out of all controuersie , and rhodigimus thinketh it a very significant vvord deriued from the people marsi , bycause they carryed about vipers . the mountebankes do also call suffili , from sibila , the hissing voyce which it maketh . some will haue nepa to be also a viper , yet wee haue shewed that already to signyfie a scorpion . the graecians say , that the viper is called echidna paro to echinin eaute ten gonen achri thanaton : bycause to her ovvne death shee beareth her young one in her belly ; and therefore the latines doe also call it vipera , quasi vipariat : bycause it dyeth by violence of her byrth or young : and they attribute vnto it venome and pestilence , and generally there are fevve epithets vvhich are ascribed to the serpent , but they also belong vnto this . there is a pretious stone echites , ( greenish in colour ) which seemeth to bee like a viper , and therefore taketh name from it . also an hearbe echite , like scammony , and echidmon or viperina . in cyrene there are myce , which from the similitude of vipers are called echenatae . echion was the name of a man , and echionidae and echionij , of people , and echidnon a citty beside the sea aegeum : also the eagle vvhich by the poets is fayned to eate the heart of prometheus , is likewise by them sayde to bee begotten betvvixt typhon and echidna , and the same echidna to be also the mother of chimaera : which from the nauell vpward was like a virgin , and down-ward like a viper , of which also diodorus siculus , and herodotus telleth this story . when hercules was dryuing away the oxen of geryon , hee came into scythia , and there fell asleepe , leauing his mares feeding on his right hand in his chariot , and so it happened by diuine accident , that vvhiles hee slept they vvere remooued out of his sight and strayed avvay from him . afterward hee awaked , and missing them , sought all ouer the countrey for them ; at last hee came vnto a certaine place , where in a caue hee found a virgin of a double natured proportion , in one part resembling a mayde , and in the other a serpent , whereat he wondered much , but shee told him , that if he would lye with her in carnall copulation , shee would shewe him vvhere his mares and chariot vvere : whereunto hee consented and begat vppon her three sonnes , famous among poeticall writers : nmely , agathyrsus , gelonus , and scythus : but i will not prosecute eyther the names , or these fables any further , and so i will proceede to the description of vipers . the colour of vipers is somewhat yellowish , hauing vpon theyr skins many round spottes , theyr length about a cubit , or at the most three palmes . the tayle curled , at the end very small and sharpe , but not falling into that proportion equally by euen attenuation , growing by little and little , but vneuenly sharped on the sudden from thickenesse to thinnesse . it is also without flesh , consisting of skinne and bone , and very sharp . the head is very broad , compared with the body , and the necke much narrower then the head : the eyes very redde and flaming , the belly winding , vppon which it goeth all in length , euen to the tayle , and it goeth quickly and nimbly : some affirme , that it hath two canyne teeth , and some foure . and there is some difference betwixt the male & the female ; the female hath a broader head , the neceke is not so eminent , a shorter and thicker body , a more extended tayle , and a softer pace , and foure canyne teeth . againe , the male hath a narrower head , a necke swelling or standing vp , a longer and thinner body , and a swifter pace or motion so that in the pictures proposed in this discourse : the first of them are for the male , and the last for the female , and this is the peculiar outward difference betwixt the male and the female vipers . auicen sayth besides , that the tailes of vipers make a noyse when they goe or mooue . those are taken to bee the most generous and liuely , that haue the broadest and hollowest head like a turbot , quick and liuely eyes , two canyne teeth , & a gristie or claw in the nose or tayle , a short body or tayle , a pale colour , a swift motion , and bearing the head vpward . for the further description of theyr seuerall partes . theyr teeth are very long vppon the vpper chappe , and in number vppon eyther side foure , and those vvhich are vppon the neather gumbe are so small , as they can scarce be discerned , vntill they be rubbed and pressed ; but also it is to bee noted , that while they liue , or when they bee dead , the length of theyr teeeth cannot appeare , excetp you take from them a little bladder , in which they lye concealed . in that bladder they carry poyson , which they infuse into the wound they make with their teeth : they haue no eares , yet all other liuing creatures that generate their like , and bring foorth out of their bellies haue eares , except this , the sea-calfe , and the dolphin , yet in stead hereof , they haue a certaine gristly caue or hollownesse in the same place where the eares should stand . the wombe and place of conception ( saith pliny ) is double , but the meaning is , that it is clouen as it is in all females ( especially women , & cowes . ) they conceiue egges , and those egges are contained neere theyr raynes or loynes . their skin is soft , yeelding also to any stroake , and when it is fleyed off from the body , it stretcheth twice so bigge as it appeared while it couered the liuing serpent : to conclude , phyliologus writeth , that their face is somewhat like the face of a man , and from the nauell it resembleh a crocodile , by reason of the small passage it hath , for his egestion which exceedeth not the eye of a needle . it conceiueth at the mouth . and thus much for the description in generall . there is some difference among this kinde also , according to the distinction of place wherein they liue , for the vipers in aethiopia are all ouer blacke like the men , and in other countryes they differ in colour , as in england , france , italy greece , asia , and aegypt , as writeth rellonius . there is scarce any nation in the world wherein there are not found some vipers . the people of amyctae which were of the graecian bloud , droue away all kinde of serpents from among them , yet they had vipers which did byte mortally ; and therefore could neuer bee cured , beeing shorter then all other kindes of vipers in the world. likewise in arabia , in syagrus , the sweete promontory of frankinsence , the europaen mountaines , seiron , pannonia , aselenus , corax , and riphaeus : the mountaines of asia , aegages , bucarteron , and cercaphus , abound vvith vipers . likewise aegypt , and in all affrica they are found also , and the affrycans affirme , ( in detestation heereof ) that it is not so much , animal , as malum naturae : thar is , a liuing creature , as euill of nature : to conclude , they are found in all europe . some haue taken exceptions to crete , because aristotle vvriteth , that they are not found there , but bellonius affirmeth , that in creete also he saw vipers which the inhabitants call by the name of cheudra , which seemeth to be deriued from the greeke echidna . at this day it is doubted whether they liue in italy , germany , or england , for if they doe , they are not knowne by that name : yet i verily thinke that we haue in england a kinde of yellow adder which is the viper that bellonius saw heere , for i my selfe haue killed of them , not knowing at that time the difference or similitude of serpents , but since i haue perceiued to my best remembrance that the proportion and voyce of it did shew that it was a viper . the most different kindes of vipers are found in aegypt and asia . concerning the quantity , that is the length and greatnesse of this serpent , there is some difference , for some affirme it to be of a cubit in length , and some more , some lesse . the vipers of europe are very small , in comparison of them in affrica , for among the troglodytes ( as writeth aelianus ) they are fifteene cubits long , and nearchus affirmeth as much of the indian vipers ; aristobulus also writeth of a viper that hee saw which was nine cubits long , and one hand breadth : and some againe ( as strabo affirme ) that they haue seene vipers of sixteene cubits long , and nicander vvriteth thus of the vipers of asia ; fert asia vltra tres longis q●i tractibus vlnas se tendant , rigidum quales bucarteron , atque arduus aegagus , & celsus cercaphus intra se multos refouet . in english thus ; such as asia yeelds in length , as are three elles , in bucarteron steepy rough , these vipers flourish , hard aegagus and high cercaphus cels : vvithin their compasse many such do nourish . others there bee in asia sixteene foote long , and some there bee againe twenty , as in the golden castiglia , where theyr heads are like the heads of kiddes . there be some that make difference betwixt echis and echidna , bycause one of them when it byteth , causeth a conuulsion , and so doeth not the other , and one of them maketh the wound looke white , the other pale , and when the echis byteth , you shall see but the impression of two teeth , and when the echidna byteth you shall the impression of more teeth . but these differences are very ydle , for the variety of the payne may arise from the constitution of the body , or the quantity of the poyson , and so likewise of the colour of the wound , and it is already set dovvne , that the echis or male-viper hath but two canyne teeth , but the other : namely , the echidna hath foure , thus sayth nicander ; masculus emittit , notus color , ipse caninos binos perpetuo monstrat , sed foemina plures . which may be englished thus ; the male two canyne teeth , whose colour well is knowne , but in the female more continually are showne . but yet the male hath beside his canyne teeth , as many as hath the female : and besides the male is knowne from the female , as the same nicander vvriteth , because the female vvhen shee goeth , dravveth her tayle as though shee vvere lame , but the male more manlike and nimble , holdeth vppe his head , stretcheth out his tayle , restrayneth the breadth of his belly , setteth not vppe his scales ( as doeth the female ; ) and besides , dravveth out his body at length . the meate of these vipers are greene hearbes , and also sometimes liuing creatures : and namely , hore-flyes , cantharides , pithiocampes , and such other things as they can come by , for these are fit and conuenient meate for them . aristotle writeth , that sometimes also they eate scorpions , and in arabia they not onely delight in the svveete iuyce of balsam , but also in the shadow of the same . but aboue all kinds of drink , they are most insatiable of wine . sometime they make but little folds , and sometime greater , but in their wrath their eyes flame , they turne their tailes and put forth their double tongue . in the winter-time as we haue said already , they liue in the hollow rocks , yet pliny affirmeth , that then also they enter into the earth , and become tractable and tangible by the hands of man , for in the cold weather they are nothing so fierce as they are in the hot , and in the sommer also they are not at all times alike furious , but like to all other serpents . they are most outragious in the canicular daies , for then they neuer rest , but with continuall disquiet mooue vp & downe till they are dead or emptied of their poyson , or feele an abatement of their heate . twise in the yeare they cast their skins , that is to say , in the spring , and in the autumne : and in the spring time when they come out of their hole or winter lodgings , they help the dimnesse of their eye-sight by rubbing their eyes vpon fennell . but concerning their copulation and generation , i find much difference among writers : wherefore in a matter so necessary to be knowne , i will first of all set downe the opinion of other men , aswell historians as poets , and then in the end & conclusion , i will be bold to interpose my owne iudgement for the better information of the reeder . herodotus in his thalia writeth , that when the vipers begin to rage in lust , and desire to couple one with another , the male commeth and putteth his head into the mouth of the female , who is so insatiable in the desire of that copulatiō , that when the male hath filled her with all his seed-genitall , and so would draw forth his head againe , she byteth it off , & destroyeth her husband , whereby he dyeth and neuer liueth more : but the female departeth and conceiueth hir young in hir belly , who euery day according to natures inclination , grow to perfection and ripenesse , and at last in reuenge of their fathers death , doe likewise destroy their mother , for they eate out her belly , and by an vnnaturall issue come forth into the light of this world : and this thing is also thus witnessed by nicander ; cum durum fugiens morsu ignescentis echidnae frendit echis , vel vbi feruente libidinis aestu saeuo dente sui resecat caput illa mariti . ast vbi post vegetam coeperunt pignora vitam , iam propinqua adsunt maturi tempora partus , indignam chari mortem vlciscentia patris erosa miseraenascuntur matris ab aluo . in english thus ; when the male viper gnasheth , auoyding females bite , vvhose fiery rage is all on ardent lust , yet when he burnes for copulation right , her cruell tooth doth husbands head off crush . but yet alasse , when seedes begins to liue , and birth of young ones ripen in her wombe , then they for fathers , death a full reuenge do giue , eating forth their wretched mothers strong . vnto this agreeth galen , isidor , plutarch , aelianus : and lucan who writeth ; viperei coeunt abrupto corpore nati . that is to say : the geniture of vipers bloud engender , breaking bodies good . pliny agreeth with the residue for the death of the male in carnall copulation , but hee differeth in this , about the female , affirming that when the young vipers grow ripe and perfect in their mothers belly , she casteth foorth euery day one for three dayes together , ( for her number is sometimes twenty ) at last the other , impatient of delay , gnaw out her guts and belly , and so come foorth , destroying their mother : and here is no great difference , for in the summe and destruction of father and mother , they all agree , and saint ierom , saint basill , and horus doe agree and subscribe to the truth of these opinions . thus we haue shewed the opinions of the ancient and first writers : now it followeth that we should likewise shew the opinions of the later writers , which i will performe with as great breuity and perspicuity as i can . pierius therefore writeth , that in his time there were learned men desirous to know the truth , who got vipers , and kept them aliue , both males and females , by shutting them vp safe where they could neither escape out , nor doe harme , and they found that they engendred , brought forth , and conceiued like other creatures , without death or ruine of male and female . amatus lusitanus also writeth thus . the male and female viper engender by wreathing their tayles together , euen to the one halfe of their body , and the other halfe standeth vpright , mutually kissing one another . in the male there is a genitall member in that part beneath the nauell , where they embrace , which is very secret and hidden , and against the same is the females place of conception , as may appear manifestly to him that will looke after the same ; and therefore all the philosophers and physitians haue bin deceiued , that haue wrote they haue conceiued at theyr mouth , or that the male perished at the time of engendering , or the female at the time of her deliuery . thus saith amatus . theophrastus he likewise writeth in this manner . the young vipers doe not eate out their way , or open with their teeth theyr mothers belly , nor ( if i may speake merrily ) make open their owne passage by breaking vp of the doores of their mothers womb , but the wombe being narrow , cannot containe them ; and therefore breaketh of it owne accord : and this i haue prooued by experience , euen as the same falleth out with the fish called acus : and therefore i must craue pardon of herodotus , if i affirme his relation of the generation of vipers to be meerely fabulous . thus farre theophrastus . apollonius also writeth , that many haue seene the olde vipers lycking theyr young ones like other serpents . thus haue i expressed the different iudgements of sundry authors both new & olde touching the generation of vipers , out of which can be collected nothing but euident cōtradictions , and vnreconcileable iudgements , one mutually crossing another . so as it is vnpossible that they should be both true , and therefore it must be our labour to search out the truth , both in their words , and in the conference of other authors . wherefore to beginne , thus writeth aristotle . the viper amongst other serpents , almost alone bringeth forth a liuing creature , but first of all she conceiueth a soft egge of one colour , aboue the egges lyeth the young ones folded vppe in a synnes skinne , and some-times it falleth out , that they gnaw in sunder that thinne skinne , and so come out of their mothers belly all in one day , for she bringeth forth more then twentie at a time . out of these words of aristotle , euilly vnderstood by pliny and other auncient wryters , came that errour of the young vipers eating their way out of their mothers belly , for in stead of the little thinne skinne which aristotle saith they eate thorough , other authors haue turned it to the belly , which was cleane from aristotles meaning . and another error like vnto this , is that wherein they affirme , that the viper doth euery day bring forth one young one , so that if shee hath twentie young ones in her belly , then also shee must be twenty dayes in bringing of them forth . the words of aristotle frō whence this errour is gathered , are these , tectei de en mia emera kathon , tictei de pleio he ei kosni , which are thus translated by gaza , parit enim singulos diebus singulis , plures quam viginti numero : that is to say , she bringeth forth euery day one , more then twentie in number . but this is an absurd translation , and agreeth neither with the words of aristotle , nor yet with his mind , for his words are these : parit autem vna die singulos , parit autem plus quam viginti numero . that is to say in english , shee bringeth forth euery one in one day , and shee bringeth foorth more then twentie : so that the sence of these words shall be , that the viper bringeth forth her young ones seuerallie , one at a time , but yet all in a day . but concerning her number , neither the phylosopher , nor yet any man liuing , is able to define and set it downe certaine , for they varry , being sometimes more , and sometimes fewer , according to the nature of other liuing creatures . and although the viper do conceiue eggos within her , yet doth shee lay them after the manner of other serpents , but in her body they are turned into liuing vipers , and so the egges neuer see the sunne , neither doth any mortall eye behold them , except by accident in the dissection of a female viper when she is with young . i cannot also approue them that doe write , that one , namelie the viper , among all serpents , bringeth forth her young ones aliue , and perfect into the world , for nicander and greuinus , doe truly affirme , with the constant consent of all other authors , that the horned serpent called cerastes , of which we haue spoken alreadie , doth likewise bring forth her young ones aliue . and besides , herodotus writeth of certaine winged-serpents in arabia , which doe bring foorth young ones as well as vipers , and therefore it must not be concluded with apparant falsehood , that onely the viper bringeth her young ones perfect into the world . the like fable vnto this , is that generall conceit of the copulation together , betwixt the viper and the lamprey ; for it is reported that when the lamprey burneth in lust for copulation , she forsaketh the waters , and commeth to the land , seeking out the lodging of the male viper , and so ioyneth herselfe vnto him for copulation . he againe on the other side , is so tickled with desire hereof , that forsaking his owne dwelling and his owne kind , doth likewise betake himselfe vnto the waters and riuers sides , where in an amorous maner , hee hysseth for the lamprey , like as when a young man goeth to meete and call his loue ; so that these two creatures , liuing in contrary elements , the earth and the water , yet meete together for the fulfilling of their lusts in one bed of fornication . vppon which saint basill writeth in this manner : vipera infestissimum animal eorurquae serpunt cum murena congreditur . &c. that is to say , the viper a most pernitious enemy to all liuing creeping things , yet admitteth copulation with the lamprey , for he forsaketh the land , and goeth to the water-side , and there with his hyssing voyce , giueth notice to the other of his presence , which she hearing , instantly forsaketh the deepe waters , and comming to the land , suffereth herselfe to be embraced by that venomous beast . also nicander wryteth thus thereof in his verses . fama est , si modo vera , quod haec suapascua linquat atque eat in siccum cogente libidine , littus et cum vipereo coiens serpente grauetur . which may be englished thus ; fame saith ( if it be true ) that she her feede forsakes , i meane the shore , and goes vpon dry land , where for her lust the viper-male she takes , in fleshly coiture to be her husband . but this opinion is vaine and fantasticall , as pliny and diuers others haue very learnedly prooued , for the lamprey cannot liue on the land , nor the viper in wet places , besides the waters : and therfore , besides the impossibility in nature , it is not reasonable that these will hazard their owne liues , by forsaking their owne elements for the satisfaction of their lusts , there beeing plenty of eyther kindes to worke vppon , that is to say , both of female vipers in the land , to couple with the male , and male lampreys in the water , to couple with the female . although i haue else-where confuted this errour , yet i must heere againe remember that which is said already . the occasion of this fable is this ; the male lamprey is exceeding like a viper , for they want feete , and haue long bodies , which some one by chaunce seeing in copulation with his female , did rashly iudge it to be a serpent because of his likenesse , as afore-said ; and therefore they deuised a name for it , calling it myrus , which some haue made a kind of viper , and others a snake : but andreas hath notably proued against archelaus , that this myrus neither is nor can be any other then the male lamprey : and so i will conclude , that neither vipers ingender with lampreys , nor yet the femall vipers kill the male in copulation , or that the young ones come into the world by the destruction of their dammes . in the next place wee are to consider , the antipathy and contrarietie that it obserueth with other creatures , and the amitie also betwixt it and others . first of all therefore it is certaine and well knowne , what great enmity is betwixt man-kind & vipers , for the one alwayes hateth and feareth the other : wherefore , if a man take a viper by the necke , and spet in his mouth , if the spettle slide downe into his belly , it dyeth thereof , and rotteth as it were in a consumption . vipers also are enemies to oxen , as virgill writeth , pestis acerba boum peccorique aspergere vinus : that is , a sharpe plague of oxen , casting his poyson vppon all other cattell . they are also enemies to hennes and geese , as columella vvriteth , wherefore in auncient time they were wont to make sure walls for the custody of theyr pullen'against vipers . they are likewise enemies to the dormouse , and they hunt very greedily after their young ones , whereof epiphanius in a discourse against origen writeth thus ; when the viper commeth to the nest of a dormouse , and findeth there her young ones , shee putteth out all theyr eyes , and afterwards feedeth them very fat , yet killeth euery day one , as occasion of hunger serueth ; but if in the meane time a man , or any other creature doe chaunce to eate of those dormise , whose eyes are so put out by the viper , they are poysoned thereby . and this is a wonderfull worke in nature , that neither the little dormise receiue harme by the poyson , but grow fat thereby , nor yet the viper be poysoned herselfe while she eateth them , and yet a man or beast which is a stranger vnto it , dyeth thereof . all kind of mice are as much afraid of vipers , as they be of cats , and therefore whensoeuer they heare the hyssing of a viger , instantly they looke to themselues and theyr young ones . there is a kind of harmelesse serpent called parea , whereof i haue spoken before in his proper place , which is an enemy vnto vipers , and that same which is harmlesse vnto men , killeth them . albertus also telleth a story of a viper that climbed vp into a tree , to the nest of a megpye , where-vppon the old one was sitting , this poore pye did fight with the viper , vntill the viper tooke her fast by the thigh , so as shee could fight no more , yet she ceased not to chatter and cry out to her fellowes to come and helpe her , wherevpon the male pye came , and seeing his female so gryped by the viper , hee ceased not to pecke vpon his head vntill the braines came out , and so the viper fell downe dead . this story is also alledged by cardan . the scorpions and the vipers are enemies one to another , for at padua a viper and a scorpion ( for the tryall of this matter ) were both included in a viall , where they continued fighting a little while , but at last they both dyed by one anothers poyson . the torteyse of the earth is also an enemy to the viper , and the viper to it , wherefore if it can get origan , or wild-sauorie , or rue , it eateth thereof , & then is nothing afraid to fight with the viper , but if the torteyse can find none of these , then they die incontinentlie by the poyson of the viper , and of this there hath beene tryall , as both aristotle and other authours affirme . and as there is this contrarietie betwixt vipers and other liuing creatures , so there is betwixt them and plants of the earth , and this blessing god in nature hath bestowed vppon many beasts , that when they feele themselues to be hurt by one herbe , they know another to cure them ; as for example , garlicke is poyson to the viper , and therefore hauing tasted thereof she dieth , except she eate some rue . a viper beeing strooke with a reede once , it amazeth her , and maketh her sencelesse , but beeing strooke the second time , she recouereth and runneth away : and the like is reported of the beech-tree , sauing that it stayeth the viper , and she is not able to goe from it . but most maruailous is the antipathy betwixt the viper and the yew-tree , for it is reported by mercuriall , that if you lay fire on the one side , and a peece of yew on the other side , and then place a viper in the middle betwixt them both , she will rather chuse to runne thorow the fire , then to goe ouer the branches of yew . the viper is also afraid of mustard-seede , for it beeing layd in her path , she flieth from it , and if she taste of it , she dyeth . there is an herbe called arum , if the hands or body of a man be annoynted with the iuyce of the roote therof , the viper will neuer byte him ; the like is reported of the iuyce of dragons , expressed out of the leaues , fruite or roote . it is also said , that if a viper do behold a good smaradge , her eyes will melt and fall out of her head . but aboue all other plants in the world , the viper is most delighted with vetches , and the sauyne tree , for in italy ( as cardan writeth ) there was once seene a great number of vipers about a sauyne-tree , and many of them did climbe vp and downe vppon that tree . there is no loue betweene this serpent and other creatures , saue onely to his ovvne kind , and therefore there are two things memorable in the nature of this sauage serpent , the one is the loue of the male to the female , & the other of the female to her young ones . it is reported by saint ambrose and saint basill , that when the male misseth the female , he seeketh her out very diligently , and with a pleasing and flattering noyse , calleth for her , and when he perceiueth she approcheth , he casteth vp all his venome , as it were in reuerence of matrymoniall dignitie . the female on the other side , maketh much of her young ones , licking and adorning their skinnes , fighting for them vnto death , both against men and beasts . for this occasion and some medicinall vses , the arabians counted vipers holy serpents , for by reason ( as we haue said already ) that the vipers do haunt the baulsom-trees , whereof there be plentie in that country , they hold them for holy keepers of that precious fruite ; wherefore they neuer kill them , but at the time of yeere when the baulsome is ripe , they come vnto the trees bearing in their hands two woodden rules , which they smyte one against another , by the noyse whereof the vipers are terrified and driuen away , and so the trees are freed for the inhabitants to take the fruite thereof at their pleasure . now forasmuch as we read that porus king of india sent many great vipers for a gyft vnto augustus , it is profitable to expresse the meanes whereby vipers are safely taken , without dooing any harme . wherefore aristotle writeth , that they are very much desirous of wine , and for that cause the country-people set little vessels of vvine in the hedges and haunts of vipers , where-vnto the vipers comming , easily drinke thēselues tame , and so the hunters come and kill them , or else so take them , as they are without danger of harme . pliny reporteth , that in auncient time , the marsians in lybia did hunt vipers , and neuer receiued harme of them , for by a secrete & innate vertue , all vipers & serpents are afraid of their bodies , as we haue already shewed in other places . yet gallen in his discourse to piso , writeth that the marsians in his time had no such vertue in them , as hee had often tryed , saue onely that they vsed a deceit or slight to beguile the people , which vvas in this manner following . long after the vsuall time of hunting vipers , they vse to goe abroade to take them , when there is no courage nor scant any venome left in them , for the vipers are then easily taken if they can be found : and them so taken , they accustome to their owne bodies , by giuing them such meates as doth euacuate all their poyson , or at the least-wise doth so stop vp their teeth , as it maketh the harme very small ; and so the simple people beeing ignorant of this fraude , and seeing them apparantly carrying vipers about them , did ignorantly attribute a vertue to their natures , which in truth did not belong vnto them . in like manner there were ( as hath already in another place beene said ) certaine iuglers in italy , which did boast themselues to be of the linage of saint paule , who did so deceitfully carrie themselues , that in the presence and sight of many people , they suffered vipers to bite them without any manner of harme . others againe when they had taken a viper , did drowne her head in mans spettle , by vertue whereof the viper beganne to grow tame and meeke . besides this , they made a certaine oyntment which they set foorth to sale , affirming it to haue a vertue against the byting of vipers , and all other serpents , which oyntment was made in this manner . out of the oyle of the seede of wild-radish , of the rootes of dragons , the iuyce of daffadill , the braine of a hare , leaues of sage , sprigges of bay , and a few such other things , whereby they deceiued the people , and got much money : and therefore to conclude , i cannot find any more excellent way for the taking and destroying of vipers , then that which is already expressed in the generall discourse of serpents . wee doe reade that in egypt they eate vipers & diuers other serpents , with no more difficultie then they would doe eeles , so doe many people both in the easterne and weasterne parts of the new-found-lands . and the very selfe-same thing is reported of the inhabitants of the mountaine athos , the which meate they prepare and dresse on this manner . first they cut off their heads and also their tayles , then they bowell them and salt them , after which they seeth them or bake them , as a man would seeth or bake eecles , but some-times they hang them vppe and dry them , and then when they take them downe againe , they eate them with oyle , salt , annyseedes , leckes and vvater , with some such other obseruations . whose dyet of eating vipers i doe much pittie , if the want of other foode constraine them there-vnto ; but if it arise from the insatiable and greedy intemperancie of their owne appetites , i iudge them eager of dainties , which aduenture for it at such a market of poyson . now it followeth that wee proceede to the handling of that part of the vipers storie , which concerneth the venome or poyson that is in it , which must beginne at the consideration of themperament of this serpent . it is some question among the learned , vvhether a viper be hot or cold ; and for aunswere heereof it is said , that it is of cold constitution , because it lyeth hid , and almost dead in the winter-time , wherein a man may carry them in his hands without all hurt or danger : & vnto this opinion for this selfe same reason , agreeth gallen . mercuriall maketh a treble diuersitie of constitution among serpents , whereof the first sort are those which with their wound doe infuse a mortall poyson that killeth instantly , and without delay : a second sort are those that kill , but more leysurelie , without any such speede : and the third are those whose poison is more slow in operation then is the second , among which he assigneth the viper . but although by this slownes of operation hee would inforce the coldnes of the poyson , yet it is alwaies to be considered , that the difference of vipers , and of their venome , ariseth from the place and region in which they are bredde , and also from the time of the yeere wherein they byte & wound , so that except they fortune to hurt any one during the time of the caniculer dayes , ( in which season their poyson is hotest , and themselues most full of spyrit , ) the same it but weake , and full of deadnes . and againe it is to be considered , whether the viper harme in her moode and furie , for anger doth thrust it foorth more fully , and causeth the same to worke more deadly . likewise the region wherein they liue , begetteth a more liuely working spirit in the serpent , and therefore before all other , the vipers of numidia are preferred , because of the heate of that country . also their meate causeth in them a difference of poyson , for those that liue in the woods and eate toades , are not so vigorous or venomous , but those that liue in the mountaines , and eate the rootes of certaine herbes , are more poysonfull and deadly . and therefore cardan relateth a story , which he saith was told him by a phaenecian , that a mountaine-viper chased a man so hardly , that he was forced to take a tree , vnto the which when the viper was come , and could not climbe vppe to vtter her malice vppon the man , she emptied the same vppon the tree , and by and by after , the man in the tree dyed , by the sauour and secret operation of the same . but of the arabian vipers which haunt the baulsom-trees , i haue read , that if at any time they byte , they onely make a wound like the pricks of yron , voyde of poyson , because while they sucke in the iuyce of that tree , the acerbitie and strength of the venom is abated . about the mountaine helycon in greece , the poyson also of vipers is infirme and not strong , so that the cure thereof is also ready and easie . but yet for the nature of vipers poyson , i can say no more thē wolphius hath said , that it is of it selfe and in it selfe considered , hot : and his reason is , because hee saw a combat in a glasse betwixt a viper and a scorpion , and they both perished one by the others poyson . now he saith that it is granted , the scorpion to be of a cold nature , and his poyson to be cold ; therfore by reason of the antipathy whereby one dyed by the malice of another , it must needes follovv that the viper is hot , and her poyson likewise of the same nature . for a serpent of a cold nature , killeth not another of the same nature , nor a hot serpent , one of his owne kind , but rather it falleth out cleane contrarie , that the hot kill those that are colde , and the cold serpents the hoter . all the vipers that liue neere the vvaters , are of more mild and meeke poyson then others . if there be any such , but i rather beleeue there be none , but that the same authour which wrote of the vipers of the water , did intend serpents of the water . but concerning the poyson of vipers , there is nothing reported more strange then that of vincentius belluacensis , who writeth , that if a man chaunce to tread vpon the reynes of a viper vnawares , it paineth him more then any venome , for it spreadeth it selfe ouer all the body incurably . also it is written , that if a woman with childe chaunce to passe ouer a viper , it causeth her to suffer abortment ; and the mushroms or toade-stooles which grow neere the dennes and lodgings of vipers , are also found to be venomous . the scythians also do draw an incurable and vnresistable poyson out of vipers , where-withall they annoynt the sharpe ends of their darts and arrowes when they goe to vvarre , to the end that if it chaunce to light vppon their aduersary , hee may neuer any more doe them harme . they make this poyson in this manner . they obserued the lyttering places and time of the vipers , and then with strength and art , did take the old & young ones together , which they presently killed , and afterward suffered them to lye and rot , or soake in some moyst thing for a season : then they tooke them and put them into an earthen pot filled with the blood of some one man ; this potte of mans blood and vipers they stopped very close , so as nothing might issue out at the mouth , and then buried or couered it all ouer in a dunghill , where it rotted and consumed a few dayes , after which they vncouered it againe , and opening it , found at the toppe a kind of watery substance swymming , that they take off , and mixe it with the rotten matter of the viper , & heereof make this deadly poyson . wee haue shewed already , that there is outwardly a difference betwixt the byting wound of the male and the female viper , for after the male hath bitten , there appeareth but two holes , but after the female hath bytten , there appeareth foure ; and this is also a great deale more deadly then is the byting of the male , according to the verses of nicander , where he saith ; porrò ex vipereo , quod noris germine peior foemina : quae veluti maiori accenditur ira , sic vehemente magis fert noxia vulner a morsu , et plus glicenti se cauda & corpore voluit , vnde citatior hac ict as mors occupat artus . which may be englished thus , but of the vipers broode the female is the worst , which as it were , with greater wrath doth burne : and therefore when she bytes , makes bodies more accurst , inflicting hurtfull wounds , to vehemency turnd . rowling her bulke and tayle more oft about , whereby a speedier death doth life rydde out . but auicen is directly contrary to this opinion , and saith , that as the bytings of male-dragons are more exitiall and harmefull then are the females , so is it betwixt the byting of the male and female viper . this contrarietie is thus reconciled by mercuriall , namely , that it is true , that the wounds which the female maketh by her byting , beeing well considered , is more deadly then the wounds which the male giueth : yet for the proportion of the poyson which the male venteth into the wound he maketh , it is more deadly then is the females ; so that with respect of quantitie , they both say true which affirme eyther the one or the other . but which soeuer is the greatest , it skilleth not much , for both are deadly enough , as may appeare by the common symptomes and signes which follow , and also death . matthiolus reporteth a history of a country-man , who as hee was mowing of grasse , chaunced to cut a viper cleane asunder about the middle , or some-what neerer the head , which beeing done , hee stoode still , and looked vppon the dying disseuered parts a little while , at last , eyther presuming that it had no power left to hurt , or thinking it was dead , he tooke that part in his hand where-vpon the head was : the angry viper feeling his aduersaries warme hand , turned the head about , and bitte his finger with all the rage , force , and venome that it had left , so that the blood issued out . the man thus bitten for his boldnesse , did hastily cast it away , & began to sucke the wound , putting his hand to his mouth , which when he had done but a little while , he suddenly fell downe dead . the like story vnto this , is related by amatus lusitanas of another , which more boldly then wisely , did aduenture to take a liue viper into his hand vppon a wager of money , but as the other , so this payd for his rashnes , for the angry viper did byte him as did the former , and hee sucked his wound as did the country-man , and in like maner fell downe dead . by both which examples , wee may well see the danger of the vipers poyson , so that if once it come into the stomacke , and touch the open passage where the vitall parts goe in and out , it neuer stayeth long but death followeth . wherefore aetius saith well , that sometimes it killeth within the space of seauen houres , and sometimes againe within the space of three dayes , and that respite of time seemeth to be the longest , if remedie be not had with more effectuall speede . the signes or effects of the vipers byting , are briefely these , first there issueth foorth a rotten matter , some-times bloody , and some-times like liquid or molten fatnesse , some-times againe with no colour at all , but all the flesh about the sore swelleth , sometimes hauing a redde , and some-time a pale hiew or colour vppon it , issuing also foorth a corrupted mattery matter . also it causeth diuers little blysters to arise vppon the flesh , as though the body were all scorched ouer with fire , and speedily after this , followeth putrefaction and death . the paine that commeth by this serpents wounding , is so vniuersall , that all the body seemeth to be set on fire , many pittifull noyses are forced out of the parties throat by sence of that paine , turning and crackling of the necke , also twinckling and wrying of the eyes , wih darknesse and heauinesse of the head , imbecility of the loynes , some-times thirsting intollerably , crying out vpon his dry throate , and againe some-times freezing at the fingers ends , at least so as hee feeleth such a payne . moreouer , the body sweating a sweat more cold then snow it selfe , and many times vomiting forth the bilious tumours of his owne belly . but the colour going and comming is often changed , now like pale lead , then like blacke , and anon as greene as the rust of brasse , the gumbes flow with blood , and the liuer it selfe falleth to be inflamed , sleepinesse and trembling possesseth the body and seuerall parts , and difficultie of making vrine , with feauers , neezing , and shortnesse of breath . these are related by aetius , aegineta , greuinus and others , which worke not alwaies in euery body generallie , but some in one , and some in another , as the humours and temperament of nature doth leade , and guide their operation . but i maruaile from whence plato in his symposium had that opinion , that a man bytten and poysoned by a viper , will tell it to none , but onely to those that haue formerly tasted of that misery : for although among other effects of this poyson , it is said that madnes , or a distracted mind also followeth , yet i think in nature there can be no reason giuen of platoes opinion , except he meane that the patient will neuer manifest his griefe at all . and this how-soeuer also , is confuted by this one story of greuinus . there was ( as he writeth ) a certaine apothecarie vvhich did keepe vipers , and it happened one day as hee was medling about them , that one of them caught him by his finger , and did byte him a little , so as the prints of his teeth appeared as the poynts of needles . the apothecary onely looked on it , and beeing busied , either forgot , or ( as hee said afterward ) felt no paine for an howres space : but after the howre , first his finger smarted and began to burne , and afterward his arme and vvhole body fell to be suddenly distempered there-with , so as necessity constrayning him , and opportunitie offering it selfe , he sent for a phisitian at hand , and by his good aduise , ( thorough gods mercy ) was recouered , but with great difficultie ; for he suffered many of the former passions and symptomes before he was cured . therefore by this story , eyther plato was in a wrong opinion , or else greuinus telleth a fable , which i cannot graunt , because he wrote of his owne experience , knowne then to many in the world , who would quicklie haue contradicted it : or else if he had consented to the opinion of plato , no doubt but in the relation of that matter , he would haue expressed also that circumstance . thus then we haue , as briefely and plainly as we can , deliuered the paines & torments which are caused by the poyson of vipers ; now therefore it followeth , that we also briefely declare the vertue of such medicines , as we find to be applyed by diligent and carefull obseruations of many learned phisitians , against the venom of vipers . first of all they write , that the generall rule must be obserued in the curing of the poyson of vipers , which is already declared against other serpents : namely , that the force of theyr poyson be kept from spreading , and that may be done eyther by the present extraction of the poyson , or else by bynding the wounded member hard , or else by cutting it off , if it be in finger , hand or foote . galen reporteth , that when he was in alexandria , there came to the citty a country-man which had his finger bytten by a viper , but before he came , hee had bound his finger close to the palme of his hand , and then hee shewed the same to a phisitian , who immediatly cut off his finger , and so he was cured . and besides , he telleth of another country-man , who reaping of corne , by chaunce with his sickle did hurt a viper , who returned and did raze all his finger with her poysonfull teeth . the man presently conceiuing his owne pertill , cut off his owne finger with the same sickle , before the poyson was spred too farre , and so was cured without any other medicine . sometime it hapneth that the byte is in such a part that it cannot be cutte off , and then they apply a henne cut insunder aliue , & layd to as hot as can be , also one must first wash and annoynt his mouth with oyle , and so sucke out the poyson . likewise the place must be scarified , and the partie fedde and dieted with old butter , and bathed in milke or sea-water , and be kept waking , and made to walke vp and downe . it were too long , & also needlesse , to expresse all the medicines which by naturall means are prepared against the poyson of vipers , whereof seeing no reasonable man will expect that at my hands , i will onely touch two or three cures by way of history , and for others , refer my reader to phisitians , or to the latine discourse of caronus . in norcheria , the country of that great and famous gentilis who translated auiten , there is a fountaine , into which if any man be put that is stung or bytten by a serpent , hee is thereof immediatly cured ; which amatus lusitanus approoueth to be very naturall , because the continuall cold water killeth the hot poyson . the same authour writeth , that when a little maid of the age of thirteene yeeres , was bytten in the heele by a viper , the legge beeing first of all bound at the knee very hard , then because the maid fell destract , first he caused a surgeon to make two or three deeper holes then the viper had made , that so the poyson might be the more easily extracted , then he scarified the place , and drawed it with cupping-glasses , whereby was exhausted all the blacke blood , and then also the whole legge ouer , was scarified , and blood drawne out of it , as long as it would run of it owne accord . then was a plaister made of garlicke , and the sharpest onyons rosted , which being mixed with triacle , was layde to the bytten place . also the maide dranke three dayes of triacle in wine , and foure houres after a little broth made with garlicke . the second day after the abatement of the paine , he gaue her the iuyce of yew-leaues fasting , which he commendeth as the most notable antidote in this kind , and so made a second plaister , which lay on three dayes more , and in the meane time she dranke fasting euery day that iuyce of yew-leaues , whereby her trembling and distracted estate was abated , but from the wounded place still flowed matter , and it looked blacke . then the foure next dayes , the said matter was drawne out by a linnen cloth , wherein was goatesdunge , powder of lawrell , and euphorbium in wine , all mixed together , and afterward he made this oyntment , which did perfectly cure her , rec : of long aristolochij two ounces , of briony and daffadill one ounce , of galbanum and myrrhe , of each one ounce , with a conuenient quantitie of oyle of bayes and waxe . this applyed to the bytten place in a ●…en cloth , and tentures twice a day , did perfectly recouer her health within a month . ambrosius paraeus cured himselfe , with binding his finger hard that was bytten , & applying to it triacle dissolued in aquavitae , and drunke vp in lynt or bumbast : and he aduiseth in stead of old triacle , to take mithridate . gesner saith , that he saw a mayd cured of the eating of v●pers flesh , by beeing constrained to drinke wine abundantly . theophrastus and asclepiades doe write , that many are cured by the sound of good musicke , as the like is already shewed , in the cure of the poyson of the phalangium : and no maruaile , for ismenias the theban affirmeth , that he knew many in baeotia , that were cured of the sciatica , by hearing of the musicall sound of a good pype . of the medicines which may be made of the uiper . the eating of vipers is an admirable remedie against the leprosie . and beeing prepared after that sort as was mentioned immediatly before in the former section , they are ministred to the sicke person sitting in the sunne , yet his head must be well couered or shadowed . neither indeed to eate vipers once alone , or twice is sufficient , but it must be done often , sith it is without danger , and moreouer bringeth great commoditie . and let the vipers be new , and taken out of moist places , for those which are bred neere the sea , are very thirstie and dry . the broth also of sod vipers , is for such persons good supping meate . the flesh of vipers is in temperature apparantly hot and dry , and purgeth the whole body by sweat ; here-vppon many sore tormented with leprosie , by eating and drinking them haue beene cured . auerroes saith , the flesh of tyrus clenseth leprosie , because it driueth the matter thereof to the skinne , and therefore they that drinke it , fall first into the passion of tyria , that is , the pilling of the skinne , and after are cured of it . chuse the vipers of the mountaine , especially beeing white , and cut off their heads & tayles at once very speedily , and then if the issue of blood be plentifull , and they continue aliue , and wallow to and fro a long time , these are good . after their beheading , let them be made cleane and sod , and let the diseased party eate of them , and of their broath . and by the drinking of wine wherein a viper dyeth or liueth , certaine haue beene cured accidentally , or by an intent to kill them . the leaper must first drinke the broth of vipers decocted , in manner as afore-saide , then let him eate the flesh , no otherwise then as mutton or fowles , which daily men dine with , but fasting and in the morning this flesh must be eaten , halfe a viper at once , and some-time a whole viper , according to the strength of the partie diseased . after the eating whereof , hee must not eate or drinke in the space of sixe houres ; but if hee doe sweat , it is most expedient that in his sweat hee looke to himselfe very carefully . and the skinne is wont to flca off from the leaper , as it vsually befalleth serpents . a man may easily see the flesh of viders to be hot and dry , when they are dressed as e●les . and that they purge the whole body thorow the skinne , thou mayest learne euen by those things , which my selfe beeing a young man , had experience of in our countrey of asia , which things seuerally and in order i shall relate . a certaine man infected with the disease which men call elephas , that is , leprosie , for a time conuersed still with his companions , till by his company & conuersation , some of them were infected with the contagion of the disease , and hee now became lothsome to smell , and filthy to sight . building therefore a cottage for him neere the village , on the top of a banke , hard by a fountaine , there they place this man , and daily bring to him so much meate as was sufficient to sustaine life . but at the rising of the dog-starre , when by good hap , reapers , reaped not farre from that place , very fragrant wine was brought for them in an earthen vessell : he that brought it , set it downe neere the reapers , and departed ; but when the time was come that they should drinke it , a young man taking vp the vessell , that according to their maner hauing filled a boule , hee might mingle the wine with a competent measure of water , hee poured the wine into the boule , and together with the wine fell out a dead viper . wherefore the reapers amazed thereat , and fearing least if they dranke it , they should receiue some harme thereby , chose rather indeed to quench their thirst by drinking vvater : but when they departed thence , of humanitie & in pietie , gaue the wine to this leper , supposing it to be better for him to die , then to liue in that misery . yet hee when hee had drunke it , in a wonderfull manner was restored to his health : for all the scurfe of his skinne fell off as the shalles of tender shelled creatures , and that which remained , appeared very tender , as the skinne of crabs or locusts , when their outward shell is taken away . another example by a chaunce not much vnlike , hapned in mysia , a country of asia , not farre from our cittie . a certaine leper went to wash himselfe in spring-water , hoping thereby to receiue some benefit . hee had a maid-seruaunt , a very fayre young woman , importuned by diuers suters : to her the sicke man committed both certaine other things pertaining to the house , & also the store-house . when they therefore were gone , into the roome , to which a filthy place and full of vipers adioyned , by chaunce one of thē fell into a vessell of wine there negligently left , and was drowned . the mayd esteeming that a benefit which fortune offered , filled that wine to her maister , and hee dranke it , and there-by in like sort as he that liued in the cottage , was cured . these are two examples of experiment by casuall occasion . moreouer , i will adde also a third , which proceeded from our imitation . when one was sicke of this disease , in mind more then the common sort philosophicall , and despising death , tooke it exceeding grieuously , and said it were better once to suffer death , then to liue so miserable a life : and drinking wine so mingled with poyson , he became a leper ; and afterward wee cured his leprosie by our accustomed medicines . also a fourth man tooke vipers aliue , but that man had onely the beginning of this disease ; therefore our care and industry was very speedily to restore him to health : wherfore hauing let him blood , and by a medicine taken away melancholy , wee bad him vse the vipers he had taken , beeing prepared in a pot after the manner of eeles . and he was thus cured , the infection euaporating thorow the skinne . lastly also , a certaine other man very rich , not our country-man , but of the middle of thracia , admonished by a dreame , came to pergamus , where god commaunded him by a dreame , that hee should daily drinke the medicine which was made of vipers , and outwardly he should annoynt his body , and not many dayes after , his disease became the leprosie : and againe also , this infirmitie was afterward cured by the medicines which god commaunded . matthew grady fedde chickins and capons with the broth and flesh of vipers mingled with bread , till they cast theyr feathers , purposing by them to cure the leprosie . a certaine noble-woman in this citty , infected with this malady ( the leprosie ) after diuers infortunate attempts of many , came to my hands , in whose cure , when generous medicines auailed nothing , at last , with consent of her husband , i purposed to try her with vipers flesh : where-vpon a female viper beeing cleansed and prepared after that sort as galen prescribeth in his booke de theriaca , mingling the flesh of the viper with galangall , saffron , &c. i sod her very well . then i tooke a chicken , which i commaunded well to be sod in the iuyce and broth of the viper . and least shee should take any harme there-by , i first ministred vnto her methridate , then the chicken with the broth , by eating whereof she said she felt herselfe better : which when i saw , i tooke another male viper , whom i sod alone without adding any other thing , and the broth thereof i ministred to her three dayes , where-vpon she began to sweat extreamely , the sweat i restrained by syrop of violets and pure water . after sixe dayes , scales fell from her , and shee was healed . moreouer , shee soone after conceiued a man-child , hauing beene barren before the space of forty yeeres . antonius musa a phisitian , when he met with an incurable vlcer , he gaue his patients vipers to eate , and cured them with maruailous celeritie . when the scruaunt of craterus the phisitian fell into a strange and vnusuall disease , that his flesh fell from his bones , and that he had prooued many medicines which profited him nothing , he was healed by eating a viper dressed as a fish . vipers flesh if it be sod and eaten , cleareth the eyes , helpeth the defects of the sinewes , and represseth swellings . they say they that eate vipers become lousie , which is not so ; though galen affirme it . some adde them to liue long who eate that meate , to wit , vipers . isogonus affirmeth the cirni , a kind of indians , to liue an hundred and forty yeeres . also he thinketh the ethyopians , and seres , and the inhabitants of mount athos , to be long liued , because they eate vipers flesh . the scythians cleaue the head of the viper betwixt the eares , to take out a stone , which they say she deuoureth when she is affrighted . the heads of vipers burnt in a pot to ashes , and after beaten together with the grosest decoction of bitter lupines , and spred as an oyntment on the temples of the head , stayeth the continuall rhume of the eyes . their ashes lightly beaten alone , and applyed as a dry medicine for the eyes , greatly amendeth a dimme sight . the head of a viper kept dry and burned , and after beeing dipped in vineger and applyed , cureth wild fire . the gall of the viper doth wonderfully cleanse the eye , and offendeth not by poyson . it is manifest against the stinging of all serpents though incurable , that the bowels of the very serpents doe helpe and auaile ; and yet they who at any time haue drunke the liuer of a sod viper , are neuer stung of serpents . the fat of a viper is effectuall against the dimnesse and suffusions of the eyes , mixed with rosin , honny-attick , and a like quantity of old oyle . for the gowte they say●t auaileth much to annoynt the feete with the fatte of vipers . vipers fatte healeth them that are burned . the slough of the viper cureth the ring-worme . the skinne of the viper beaten to powder , and layd vpon the places where the hayre is fallen , it dooth wonderfully restore hayre againe . some extend and dry whole vipers , and after beate them to powder , and minister thē in drinke against the gowte . others about the rising of the dog-star , cut off the head & tayle of vipers , and burne the middle , then they giue those ashes to be drunke . dayes , so much at a time as may be taken vp with three fingers , and so cure the swelling in the neeke . ioynts payned with the gowte , are profitably annoynted with oyle wherein a viper hath beene sodden , for this cureth perfectly . the making of oyle of vipers , is described in these words . take three or foure vipers , cut off their extreame parts , the head and the tayle , in length foure fingers , deuide the rest into foure gobbets , and put them in a pot open aboue and below , which pot must be put into another greater pot ; then the mouth of them must be well shutte with clay , that they breathe not forth ; then put them into a caldron full of seething water , and there let them continue boyling two houres in those pots : then will distill a liquour from the vipers , which were in the pot open aboue and below , with that oylie liquour annoynt the members of the partie molested with the palsey , for by a secret propertie it cureth the greefe of that disease . of triacle and trochuks of uipers . theriace or triacle , not onely because it cureth the venomous byting of serpents , but also because the serpents themselues are vsually mingled in the making thereof , fitly is so named of both significations . heere also we will insert something concerning trochuks of vipers , vvhich are mingled in the making of triacle . triacle is very auncient , and hath alwaies very carefully and not without ambition , beene refined by the phisitians , till andromochus nero his phisitian , added the flesh of vipers , as the full accomplishment of this drugge . the flesh of vipers alone is mingled in triacle , and not the flesh of other serpents , because all the rest haue some-thing malignant more then vipers . vipers are thought to haue lesse poyson in them then other serpents . vipers for triacle must not be taken at any time , but chiefely in the beginning of the spring , when hauing left their dennes they come forth into the sunne-shine , and as yet haue not poyson much offensiue . take female vipers , for we must take heede how we take male vipers for the confection of antidotes . for trochuks all vipers are not conuenient , but those which be yellow , and of the yellow , the females onely . vipers great with young you must refuse , for being pregnant , they are more exasperate then themselues at other times . of vipers be made trochisches , which of the graecians are called ther●acy , foure fingers beeing cut off at either end , and the inwards taken out , and the pale matter cleauing to the backe-bone : the rest of the body must be boyled in a dish in water , with the herbe dill , the back-bone must be taken out , and fine floure must be added . thus these trochuks being made , they must be dryed in the shade , apart from the sunne-beames , and beeing so prepared , they be of very great vse for many medicines . the vse of triacle is profitable for many things , for not onely by his owne nature it auayleth against the byting of venomous creatures and poysons , but also it is found by experience , to helpe many other great infirmities . for it caseth the gowte and payne in the ioynts , it dryeth fluxes , it very much profiteth men molested with the dropsie , leaprous and melancholicke persons , those that haue quartane-agues , or the iaundise , those that haue a weake voyce , or that spet blood : those that are troubled with aking of the reynes , with disentery , with the stone , with short breath , with passion of the liuer or milt , with choler , with hart-ake , with the faling-sicknes . it driueth all kinde of wormes out of the bowells . it is the most soueraigne remedy of the plague . euen to thē that are in health the often vse of it is wholsome , for it promiseth long life , and firme health , it consumeth excrements , it strengtheneth naturall actions , it quickneth the wit , & sharpneth all the sences ; it preserueth the body from poyson & other offences , and maketh it scarce subiect to danger by such casualties , it begetteth good bloud , it corrupteth the ayre , and waters ; neither alone doth it deliuer from instant diseases , but also preserueth from those that be emminent . of earth-wormes . although there be many and sundry sorts of wormes which doe containe in them some poysonous quality , yet for all that , at this time my purpose is to discourse especially of earth-wormes , whereof some are bred onely in the earth , and other among plants , and in the bodyes of liuing creatures . wormes of the earth are tearmed by plautus and columella lumbrici , peraduenture as beeing deriued a lubricitate . they are called also terrae intestina of the latines , as well because they take their first beginning and breeding in the very bowels and inward partes of the earth , as because being pressed and squised betwixt the f●ngers , or otherwise , they doe voyde foorth excrements after the fashion of liuing beasts that haue intrals in them . the greekes call them ges entera . hesichius calleth them embullous . brunfelsius otho in his physicke lexicon writeth , that they are vsually called in the scilician togue gaphagas , fetching the deriuation of the word parà tò gaian phágein , for they feede vppon the earth . of the englishmen they are called meds , and eearth-wormes , of the french vers de terra . of the germans eertwurm , and erdwurmem , melet , ode regenwurm . of the belgians pier-wuorm , or ranganwuorm . of the italians lumbrichi . of the spaniards lumbrizes . of the polonians glisti . of the hungarians galisza . of the arabians they are called charatin . manardus in his second booke and . epistle writeth , that in times past they were called onisculi , and nisculi . there are found especially two sorts of earth-wormes , which are eyther greater or lesser . the greater earth-wormes are somewhat long , almost like in proportion & shape to those round wormes which doe breede in mens bodyes . they are halfe a foot long at least , and being stretched out in length they are found to be a foote long , they are of a whitish colour , and sometimes though seldome , of a bloudy hue : and for the most part they are all adorned with a chaine about their neckes , or rather they seeme to weare a certaine collor , wherein there is a little bloud contained , and they lacke eyes and eye-sight as all sorts of wormes doe . they breede of the slime of the earth , taking their first beeing from putrifaction , and of the fat moysture of the same earth they are againe fed and nourished , and into earth at last are resolued . when there falleth any shewer of raine , then this kind of worme creepeth soddenly out of the earth , whereupon old euclio in plautus beeing very carefull of his pot of gold , speaketh aptly to his drudge strobilus in these words ; foras , foras lumbrice qui sub terra erepsisti modo qui modo nusquàm comparebas , nunc autem cùm compares , peris . which may be englished thus ; away , away thou vvorme , late from the earth crept out , safe thou wast vnseene , but seene , life fayles i doubt . here euclio very properly termeth his bondman strobilus , a worme , because not being espyed of his mayster before , he suddenly came sneaking out from behinde an altar where he was hid , much like a worme , that in moyst weather issueth out of the ground . those little heapes which are cast vp and lye shining and wrinkled before the mouth or edges of their holes , i take them to bee their miety excrements : for i could neuer as yet find other excrementitious substances drossy matter , or other feculency , but onely bare earth in them , whose alimentary iuyce and moysture beeing cleane exhausted , they cast out the remaynder , as an vnprofitable burthen , nothing fit for nourishment . at the entrance of their doores , which yet steadeth them to some commodious vse , for stopping & damming vp theyr holes that the raine cannot so easily soke in , they are by these meanes safely defended from many annoyances and daungers , that otherwise might light vppon them . their delight is to couple together , especially in a rainy night , cleauing together vntill the morning : and in the same they are not folded round about one another like vnto serpents , but are straightly closed together side-wise , and thus doe they remayne sticking close the one to the other . they send foorth a certaine froathy slyme or ielly when that they ioyne together . they doe euer keepe the middle part of theyr body within the earth , i meane their hinder parts : yea , euen in their mutuall ioyning together ; neither are they at any time so fast glewed and closed , but with the least styrring and motion of the ground that can bee imagined , they are straight-wayes seuered , with-drawing themselues speedily into their lurking holes . in rainy weather they are whiter a great deale then at other times , vnlesse it be when they couple together , for then they appeare very red . i my selfe about the middest of aprill , did once open a thicke female worme , and within the flesh i found a certain receptacle ringed round about , and filling vp the whole cauity of the body , hauing a thinne membrance or ceate enclosing it , and in this aforesaid stirehouse the earth which she had sed on , and wherewith she was susteyned , was held and contained . her egges were found to bee in a safe place aboue the receptacle , next to the mouth , there were many of them on a heape together , being all of a whitish colour . the lesser earth-wormes for perspicuities sake , we with georgius agricola will name ascarides : and these are often found in great numbers in dung-hilles , mixens , and vnder heapes of stones . of this sort some are redde , ( which we englishmen call duggs ) & these be they that anglers and fishers do so much desire , for fishes will greedily deuour them , and for that end they with them do bayte their hookes . there be some others of these lesser earth-wormes that are somewhat of a blew colour , othersome againe are yellow onely about the tayle : whereuppon they haue purchased the name of yellow-tayles . some againe are ringed about the neckes , withall very fat . some others there be that haue neyther chaynes nor rings , and these commonly be more lanke and slender of body then the former , and these i iudge to bee the males . these wormes doe specially breede in autumne , or at the fall of the leafe , by reason then there is but little moysture in the earth , and this is aristotles opinion . both kindes doe liue long in the water , but yet at length for want of sustenance there they dye . they mooue from place to place with a kind of reaching or thrusting forwards , for we cannot properly say that they doe eyther role or tumble . olympio in plautus would goe about to make a simple plaine fellow beleeue that wormes did eate noting but very earth , because he vsed these words to chalinus ; post autem nisi ruri tu eruum comederis : ( for thus lambine readeth ) aut quasi lumbcicus terram . in english thus ; and afterward thou naught but tares shalt eate , or else like vvormes , the earth shall be thy meate . but by earth here in this place , he vnderstandeth not pure earth , and such as is without any other mixture , but rather the fat , iuyce , and moysture of the same . and this is the reason , that earth-wormes are not to be found in all soyles alike , as in barren , sandy , stony , hard , and bare grounds , but onely in fat , grauilly , moyst , clammy and fertile . and for this respect england hath many wormes , because both countrey and soyle are very moyst : and this moysture whereon they feed must not bee salt , sower , tart , or bitter , but sweete and tooth-some : and therefore it is , that lutretius in his second booke writeth , that wormes are bred most when it showreth , as in rainy seasons and moyst weather ; quatenus in pullos animaleis vertier oua lerminus alitum , vermesque efferuare , terram intempestiuos cùm putror coepit ob imbres . in english thus ; euen as in time of raine , we see birds egges their young forth hatch , and wormes in heat of gendering be when they clouds rot do catch . and to this opinion of lucretius , nicander seemeth to leane , when he affirmeth , that these wormes are nourished altogether of the earth that is moystned with long raine , or with some smoaking shewer : for making a difference betweene the serpent scytale , & the amphisbaena , he thus wtiteth ; steileies pachetos , tes elminthos pelei ogros he cai enterages oia trephei ombrimos aia . id est . manubrij ligonis latitudo , longitudo verò ei quae lumbrico , aut terrae intestinis , quae imbribus irrigata terra alit . that is to say ; as broad as haft of spade , his length like little worme , and fed with dreary earth , moyst by clouds rainy forme . the greater sort of earth-wormes liue in the bowels of the earth , and most of all in an open free ayre , and where there is some repaire and confluence of people . euery morning they with-draw themselues into their secret holes & corners within the ground , fencing the entrance of them with their excrements they haue voyded foorth , in a fayre and sunshine weather : but in rainy weather they vse to stop the mouthes of their holes with some stalke or leaues of herbs or trees , being drawne a little inwardly into the earth . they feede vpon the roots of those plantes which haue any sweete iuyce or moysture in them ; and therefore one may many times find them amongest the roots of common meddow-grasse : and they do liue for the most part by the fat moysture of the earth , yet will they also greedily deuour crummes of white bread vnleauened , as i haue often seene . in the spring time , they first appeare to come foorth from the bowels of the earth , and all the winter they lye hidde in the ground , but yet if it bee a very sharpe and pintching colde winter , and a dry sommer follow , for lacke of moysture they doe all-most all dye . besides , if you digge into the earth , or make a great motion , trampling , or hard treading vpon the same , pouring in any strange liquor or moysture into the same , wherewithall they are vnaquainted ; as for example , the iuyce of wall-nut-trees , the water wherein hemp , eyther seedes or leaues are soked , or bin layd to rottein common lye , and the like , they will issue out of the earth speedily , and by this meanes fisher-men and anglers , do take them . in like manner , they cannot endure salt , or aromaticall things , nor by their good wil come neere them , for but touching any of these they will draw themselues on a heape , & so dye . wormes are found to bee very venomous in the kingdome of mogor , and the inhabitants there doe stand in so great feare of them , that they bee destroyed and slaine by them when they trauell any iourney ; and therefore there they vse ordinarily to carry besomes with them to sweepe the playne wayes for feare of further hurt . georgius agricola saith , that the little wormes called ascarides , are not all of one colour : for some are white , some yellow ( as i remembred a little before ) and others againe are very blacke : and many of these in tilling the earth are cast vppe by the plough , and many found in dyuers places all on a heape together . these be they that destroy corne-field , for by sharing or byting the roots the fruit dyeth . some say , that those wormes do most mischiefe to corne-grounds , which in some places of italy the people terme zaccarolae , & these are thick , almost a finger long , being natural - of a very cold constitution of body ; and therefore they neuer vse to come foorth of the earth , but when the weather is passing hot , for then will they come forth , euen to the surface of the ground , as it is notably set downe , by the famous poet ouid : — à quo ceu fonte perenni , vatum pierijs labra rigantur aquis . in english thus ; by whom , as by an euerlasting filling spring , vvith muses liquor , poets lips are bath'd to singe . homer very fitly compareth harpalion when he fell downe dead amongst his companions , to a silly worm , when as seeking to escape by flight out of the battel , he was wounded to death by meriones , shooting an arrow or steele-dart into his hanch or hip , his verses be these ; meriones d'apiontos iei chalkere oiston , kai r'ebale glouton kata dexion autar oistos , antikron kata kustin vp'osteon exeperesen : ezomenos de cat ' authi philon en chersin etairon , thumon apopneion , oste scolex epi gai keito tatheis ecd ' aima melan ree , dene de gaian . id est . meriones autem in abeuntem misit aream sagittam , et vulnerauit coxam ad dextram , ac sagitta é regione per vesticam sub as penetrauit : restidens autem illic chararum inter manus sociorum animam efflans , tanquam vermis super terram iacebat extensus : sanguisque effluebat , tingebat erutem terram . that is to say , but as he went away , behold meriones vvith brazen dart , did his right hip-bone wound , vvhich neere the bladder did the bone thorough pierce : in friends deere hands , he dyed vpon the ground . so stretcht vpon the earth he lyed , blacke bloud out flowing , the same bedyed . marke well the slendernesse of this comparison , whereby hee would giue vs to vnderstand the base estate , and faynt hart of harpalion . for in other places hauing to write of noble , valiant , and magnanimious persons , when they were ready to giue vp the ghost , he vseth the words sphadazein , bruchein , and the like to these , secretly insinuating to vs , that they fell not downe dead like impotent cowards , or timerous abiects ; but that they raged like lyons , with grinding and gnashing theyr teeth together , that they were blasted , benummed ; or suddenly depriued of all their liues and senses , &c. but here this pusillanimous and sordidous minded man harpalion , seemed to bee disgraced by his resembling to a poore worme , being peraduenture a man of so small estimation , and vile condition , as that no greater comparison seemed to fit him . it seemeth he was a man but of a faynt courage , and very weake withall , because striking and thrusting with his speare or i aucling at the shield or target of atrides , he was not able to strike it through . but although this famous poet doth so much seeme to extenuate and debase a weake worme : yet others haue left vs in theyr writings such commendations of their singular vse and necessity for the recouery of mans health ( then which no earthy thing is more pretious ) & haue so nobilitated the worth of these poore contemptible creatures , as i thinke , nature as yet hath scarce giuen any other simple medicine , or experience found out by tract of time , nor knowledge of plantes by long study hath reueyled , nor paracelsus by the distillations of his limbeck hath made knowne to the world , any secret endued with so many vertues and excellent properties against so many diseases : and for proofe heereof , it shall not beside the purpose to examine and describe the rarest and most probable that are recorded amongst the learned . earth-wormes doe mollifie , conglutinate , appease paine , and by their terrestriall , and withall waterish humidity they do contemper any affected part , orderly and measurably moderating any excesse whatsoeuer . the powder of wormes is thus prepared . they vse to take the greatest earth-wormes that can bee found , and to wrappe them in mosse , suffering them there to remayne for a certaine time , thereby the better to purge and clense them from that clammy and filthy slimynesse , which outwardly cleaueth to their bodies . when all this is done , they presse hard the hinder part of their bodies neere to the taile , squising out thereby their excrements , that no impurity so neere as is possible may be retayned in them . thirdly , they vse to put them into a pot , or some fit vessell with some white-wine , & a little salt , and streyning them gently betweene the fingers , they first of all cast away that wine , and then doe they poure more wine to them , & after the washing of the wormes , they must also take away some of the wine , for it must not all be poured away ( as some would haue it ) and this must so often bee done and renewed vntill the wine be passing cleare without any filth or drossinesse , for by this way their slymy ielly , and glutinous euill quality is cleare lost and spent . being thus prepared , they are to be dryed by little & little in an ouen , so long till they may be brought to powder : which being beaten and searsed , it is to be kept in a glasse-vessell farre from the fire by it selfe . a dramme of this powder being commixed with the iuyce of marigoldes , cureth the epelipsie , with some sweet wne , as muscadell , bastard , or the metheglin of the welchmen . it helpeth the dropsie . with white-wine and myrrhe , the iaurdise , with new-wine , or hydromell the stone , vlcers of the reynes and bladder . it stayeth also the loosenesse of the belly , helpeth barrennesse , and expelleth the secondine , it asswageth the paine of the haunch or hippe , by some the sciatica , it openeth obstructions of the liuer , dryueth away tertian-agues , & expelleth all wormes that are bred in the guts , being giuen and taken with the decoction or distilled water of germander , worme-wood , sothern-wood , g●rlicke , scordū , centory , and such like . the decoction of wormes made with the iuyce of knot-grasse , or comfery , salomons seale , or sarasius compound , cureth the disease teramed by physitians diabetes , vvhen one cannot holde his water , but that it runneth from him without slay , or as fast as hee drinketh . a glister likewise made of the decoction of earth-wormes , and also taken accordingly , doth maruellously asswage & appease the paine of the hemorrhoids . there bee some that giue the decoction of earth-wormes to those persons that haue any congealed or clotted bloud in theyr bodyes , and that with happy successe . the vertue of earth-wormes is exceedingly set foorth , both by the graecians & arabians , to encrease milke in womens breasts . hieronimus mercurialis a learned physitian of italy , aduiseth nurses to vse this confection following in case they want milk , alwaies prouided that there be not a feuer ioyned withall . take of the kernels of the fruite of the pine-tree , sweete almonds , of each alike , one ounce , seedes of fennell , parsely , and rapes , of eyther alike one dram , of the powder of earth-wormes washed in wine , two drams , with suger so much as is sufficient , to be giuen the quantity of a dramme or two in the morning , and after it drink some small wine , or capon-broath boyled with rape-seedes and leekes . against the tooth-ach the same powder of earth-wormes is prooued singular , being decocted in oyle , & dropped a little at once into the eare , on the same side the paine is , as pliny witnesseth , or a little of it put into the contrary eare , will performe the same effect , as dioscorides testifyeth . and thus far of earth-wormes taken into the body , and of their manifolde vertues , according to the euidence and testimony of dioscorides , galen , aetius , paulus aegeneta , myrepsus , pliny , and daily experience which goeth beyond the precepts of al skilfull maisters : for this is the schole-mystris of all artes , as manilius in his second booke hath written ; per varios vsus artem experientia fecit , exemplo monstrante viam . in english thus ; experience teacheth art by vse of things , when as example plainest way forth brings . being also beaten to powder , and outwardly applyed , they doe close and solder vppe wouudes , and conglutinate sinnewes that are cut , and consolidating them againe in the space of seuen dayes , and to performe this cure the better , democritus aduiseth to keepe them in honny . the ashes of earth-wormes duely prepared , cleanseth so●dious , stinking and rotten vlcers , consuming and wasting away their hard lippes , or callons edges , if it be tempered with tarre and simblian hony , as pliny affirmeth . dioscerides saith , that the hony of sicilia was taken for that of simblia in his time . their ashes likewise draweth out darts or arrowes shot into the body , or any other matter that sticketh in the flesh , if they be tempered with oyle of roses , and so applyed to the place affected . the powder also cureth kibes in the heeles , and chilblaynes on the handes , as marcellus testifieth , for hurts that happen to the sinnewes whē they are cut in peeces , quintus serenus hath these verses ; profuerit terrae lumbricos indere tritos , quets vetus & rancens sociari axungia , debet . it is good ( saith hee ) to apply to sinnewes that are dissected . the powder of earth-wormes mixed and wrought vp with old , rammish , and vnsauery barrowes grease , to be put into the griefe . marcellus empiricus . besides , the powder of earth-wormes and axunger , addeth further , grounswell , and the tender toppes of the boxe-tree with olibanum : all these being made vp and tempered together to make an emplaster , he counselleth to bee applyed to sinnewes that are layed open , cut asunder , or that haue receiued any puncture , or suffer any payne or aking whatsoeuer . pliny saith , that there cannot be a better medicine found out for broken bones , then earth-worms and field mice dryed & puluerised , and so mixed together with oyle of roses , to be layde in the forme of an emplaster vpon the part fractured . yea , to asswage and appease paine , both in the ioynts & in the sinnewes of horses , there hath not been found out a more notable medicine , as we may well perceiue by the writinges , both of russius , absyrtus , and didymus : whereupon cardan hath obserued , that all paynes whatsoeuer may bee mitigated by their apt vsing . carolus clusius sayth , that the indians doe make an excellent vnguent of earth-wormes agaynst the disease called erysipelas , beeing a swelling full of heat and rednesse with paine round about , commonly called s. anthonies fyre : and thus it is prepared . they first take earth-wormes aliue , feeding them eyther with the leaues of moeza , or else with fine meale , vntill by this meanes they grow fat ; afterwards boyling them in an earthen vessell , ( remembring euer to scumme the same ) they doe strayne them , boyling them yet againe , to the consistance almost of an emplaster , which if it be rightly prepared is of a yellow-collour . and this medicine may well be vsed for any burning or scalding . my purpose is not to vouch all those authorities i might , concerning the admirable nature and vertue of earth-wormes : for so i thinke i might alledge sixe hundreth more , which is not meete to be inserted in this place . i will therefore now passe to their qualities and medicinall vses for irrationall creatures . pelagonius much commendeth earth-vvormes as an excellent medicine for the bots or vvormes that are in horses , and in the bodyes of oxen and kine , affirming that the best way is to put them aliue into their nosthrils , although without question it were farre better to conueigh them into their mawes by the meanes of some horne . tardinus aduiseth to giue the powder of earth-vvormes with some hot flesh , to hawkes vvhen they cannot exonerate nature ( or how faulkners tearme it , i know not . ) for that ( sayth he ) will loosen their bellies . moles doe also feede full sauerly vpon them , and if they fall a digging , it is strange to see with what sudden hast and speede then poore vvormes vvill issue out of the ground . in like sort hogges and swyne ( as varro writeth ) by their turning vp the mudde , and rooting in the earth with their snouts , do by this meanes dig vp the wormes , that they may eate them . albertus magnus saith , that toades doe feede vpon wormes . bellonius saith , that lizards and tarentinus , that the sea-fish called gryff or grample , doth greedily deuour thē , and finally experience it selfe witnesseth , that frogs , eeles , gudgeons , carpes , breames , roches , and trowts , doe satisfie their hungry guts by feeding vppon them . aristotle in his eyght booke de nat. animal . chap. . describeth a certaine bird that liueth in the waters , which gaza interpreteth capella , though the phylosopher calleth it aix , and some haue called it vdhelius , that liueth for the most part vpon wormes : yea , thrushes , robin-redbreasts , munmurderers , and bramblings , hens , chaffinches , gnat-snappers , bull-finches , and all sorts of crowes will feede vppon them ; and therefore it is that there bee more crowes in england then in any other country in the world , respecting the greatnesse , because here the soyle being moyst and fat , there is aboundance of earth-wormes seruing for their food , as polydorus virgilius in his first booke of the history of england , ( which he dedicated to king henry the eyght ) hath excellently deliuered . the people of india , if wee will credit monardus , doe make of these wormes diuers iuncats , as we doe tarts , marchpanes , wafers , and cheese-cakes , to eate in stead of other daynties . and the inhabitants of west india , do deuour them raw , as francis lopez testifieth . the people of europe in no place that euer i heard or read of , can endure them to be set on their tables , but for medicinall vses onely they desire them . plautus vseth in stead of a prouerb this that followeth ; nunc ab transenna hic turdus lubricum petit . it is an allegorie taken and borrowed from a ginne or snare wherewith birdes are ta 〈…〉 by which chrysalus the bondman bringing certain letters to nicobolus an old man , ●…th and giueth warning , that the weake old man was by the reading of the letter no otherwise ensnared , intangled , & deceiued , then some birds are taken by subtile and crafty sleights . for transenna is nothing but a deceitfull cord stretched out to take birdes , especially thrushes or mauisses withall , and wormes is there proper foode , which vvhile they endeuour to entrappe , they themselues are deceiued and taken . surely i should not thinke that those fishers and anglers to be very wise , who to take wormes , vse to poure lye or water into the earth wherein hemp , sothern-wood , centery , worme-wood , or veruen haue bin long soked , or any other strange moysture , causing them by this meane to issue forth out of the earth , for the earth . wormes by this kind of dealing being made more bitter , vnsauory , and vnpleasant , no fishes will once touch or tast them , but rather seeke to auoyde them . but contrary-wise , if they will let them lie a whole day in vvheat meale , putting a little hony to it , and then bayte their hookes with them , they will be so sweete , pleasant , and delectable , as that the vnwary fish will sooner bite at it , then at ambrosia , the very meat of the gods. earth-wormes doe also much good to men , seruing them to great vse in that they do prognosticate and fore-tell rainy weather by their sodaine breaking or issuing forth of the ground : and if none appeare aboue ground ouer-night , it is a great signe it will be calme and fayre weather the next day . the ancient people of the world haue euer obserued this as a generall rule , that if wormes pierce through the earth violently , & in hast by heaps , as if they had bored it thorow with some little auger or piercer , they tooke for it an infallible token of raine shortly after to fall . for the earth being as it were embrued , distayned , made moyst , and mooued with an imperceptible motion , partly by south-wind , & partly also a vaporous ayre , it yeeldeth an easie passage for round vvormes to wind out of the inward places of the earth , to giue vnto them moyst food , and to minister store of fat iuyces , or fattish ielly , wherewith they are altogether delighted . some there be found , that will fashion and frame iron after such a manner , as that they will bring it to the hardnesse of any steele , after this order following . they take of earth-vvormes two parts , of raddish-roots one part , after they are bruized together , the water is put into a limbecke to be distïlled , or else take of the distilled water of vvormes , l. iij. of the iuyce of raddish , l. j. mixe them together , for iron beeing often quenched in this water , will grow exceeding hard . another . take of earth-wormes l. ij . destill them in a limbecke with an easie and gentle fire , & temper your yron in this destilled water . another . take of goates blood so much as you please , adding to it a little common salt , then bury them in the earth in a pot well glased and luted for thirtie dayes together . then destill after this the same blood in balneo , & to this destilled liquor , adde so much of the destilled water of earth-worms . another . take of earth-wormes , of the rootes of apple-trees , of rapes , of each a like-much , destill them apart by themselues , and in equall portions of this water so destilled , and afterwards equally mixed , quench your yron in it , as is said before . antonynus gallus . it shall not be impertinent to our matter we handle , to adde a word or two concerning those wormes that are found and doe breede in the snow , which theophanes in strabo calleth oripas : but because it may seeme very strange & incredible , to think that any wormes breede and liue onely in the snow , you shall heare what the auncients haue committed to writing , and especially strabo his opinion concerning this poynt . it is ( saith hee ) receiued amongst the greater number of men , that in the snow there are certaine clots or hard lumpes that are very hollow , which waxing hard and thicke , doe containe the best vvater as it were in a certaine coate ; and that in this case or purse there doe breede vvormes . theophanes calleth them oripas , and apollonides , vermes . aristotle saith , that liuing creatures will breede also euen in those things that are not subiect to putrefaction , as for example , in the fire and snow , which of all thinges in the world , one would take neuer to be apt to putrefie , and yet in old snowe wormes will be bred . old snow that hath lyen long , will looke some-what dunne , or of a dullish white colour , and therefore the snow-wormes are of the same hiew , and likewise rough & hairie . but those snow-wormes which are found to breed when the ayre is somwhat warme , are great , and white in colour , and all these snow-wormes will hardly stirre , or mooue from place to place . and pliny is of the same iudgement , and the authour of that booke which is intituled de plantis , falsely fathered vpon aristotle . yet some there be that denying all these authorities , and reiecting whatsoeuer can be obiected for confirmation thereof to the contrarie , doe stoutly maintaine by diuers reasons , that creatures can breede in the snow : because that in snow there is no heate , and where no quickning heate is , there can be no production of any liuing thing . againe , aristotle writeth that nothing will come of ise , because it is ( as hee saith ) most cold : and heere-vpon they inferre that in all reason , nothing likewise can take his beginning from snow ; neither is it credible , that husbandmen would so often wish for snow in winter to destroy and consume wormes , and other little vermine , that els would prooue so hurtfull to their corne and other fruites of the earth . and if any wormes be found in the snow , it followeth not straightwaies that therein they first receiue theyr beginning , but rather that they first come out of the earth , and are afterwards seene to be wrapped vp , and lye on heapes in the snow . but by their leaues these reasons are very weake , and may readily be aunswered thus , that whereas they maintaine that nothing can breede in the snow , because it is voyd of any heate at all , herein they build vpon a false ground . for if wee will adhibite credite to auerrhoes , there is nothing compounded and made of the three elements , that is absolutely without heate . and aristotle in his fift booke de generatione animalium , telleth vs precisely , that there is no moysture without heate . his wordes are ouden hugron aneu thermou . now snow is a compact , and fast congealed substance , and some-what moyst , for although it proceedeth by congelation , which is nothing els but a kind of exsiccation , yet notwithstanding , the matter whereof it first commeth is a vapour , whose nature is moyst , and with little adoe may be turned into water . i must needes say that congelation is a kind of exsiccation , but yet not simply : for exsiccation is , when as humidity goeth away , it putteth forth any matter , but in snovv there is no humiditie that is drawne out , but it is rather wrapped in and enclosed more strongly , and as it were , bounded round . furthermore aristotle in his first booke of his meteors saith , that snow is nubes congelata , a clowde congelated or thickned together , and that in snow there is much heate . and in his fift booke de generatione animalium , he further addeth , that the whitenes of the snow is caused by the ayre , that the ayre is hot and moist , and the snow is white ; where-vpon we conclude , that snow is not so cold , as some would beare vs in hand . i well hold that nothing will take his originall from ise , inregard of his excessiue coldnes , but yet snow is nothing nie so cold as that . so then all the hinderance and let , is found to exceede of cold , which is nothing so effectuall or forceable as in ise , & the cold beeing prooued to be farre lesser , there can nothing be alleadged to the contrary , but that it may putrefie . now in that snow is such an enemie to wormes , and many other small creatures , as that for the most part it destroyeth them , yet it followeth not , that the reason of aristotle is quite ouer-throwne : because ( as wee daily see ) that those creatures which liue in the ayre , will for the most part be suffocate and dye in the water ; and contrariwise , those that liue in the water , cannot endure the ayre . yet here-vppon it followeth not , that if they be choked in the water , that none at all will liue in the water , and the same reason is to be alleadged concerning the ayre . therefore it is no maruell if those wormes that first breede in the earth , and liue in the earth , be killed by the snow ; yet it necessarily followeth not , that no liuing creature can take his first beeing either from or in the snow . but if it can , as aristotle witnesseth , it is so farre vnlikely that the same snow should be the destroyer of that it first was bred of , as i thinke rather it cannot liue seperately , but of necessitie in the same snow ; no otherwise then fishes can liue without water , from which they first sprung and had theyr beginning . and to this opinion leaneth theophrastus , in his first booke de causis plantarū , whose words be these , apanta gar phainet ai ta zoa , kai ta phuta , kai diamenonta , kai genomena , en tois oikeiois capois : for all creatures ( saith he ) whatsoeuer , seeme , both plants to remaine , and to be generated and bred , in their owne due and proper places . and after this he addeth and vrgeth a little further , aparthe men hupo touton : from his owne home and speciall particuler place of abode , nothing can suffer , sustaine harme , or be corrupted . and in his fift booke de caus . plan : he setteth it downe more perspicuously , how that wormes which are bred in some speciall trees , beeing afterwards translated and changed to other trees , where they neuer came before , cannot possibly liue . wherefore it is more consonant to reason , and more agreeable to cōmon sence , to affirme that those wormes which are found folded and roled vp in the snow , to haue beene first bred in the same snow , rather then to haue issued out of the earth . neither are we to make any question or scruple concerning theyr foode ; for there is no doubt , but the mother from whence they proceeded , will prouide sufficient nourishment for her owne children . for as we said a little before , the snow is no simple thing , but compacted and concrete together of many , and of this nature ought euery aliment to be . iulius caesar scaliger is of this minde , that wormes are ingendered and brought foorth in the very snow , because there is in it much ayre and spyrit , which afterwards beeing heated and brought to some warmth together , may cause them to generate ; for it is the nature and qualitie of snow to make fat the earth , of which fattish moysture or ielly , there may ( heate beeing ioyned ) be produced a liuing creature . there be some that doe constantly hold , that in the midst of certaine stones , of which they vse to make lime , there doe breede diuers creatures , of very different kindes , and sundry proportions and shapes , and likewise wormes , with hairy backs , and many feete , which are wont to doe much hurt to fornaces and limbekills where they make limbe . yet caesalpinus in his first booke de metal . chap. . thinketh the contrary , assuring vs that in mettall-mines , quarries of marble , and other stones , there can neuer any liuing bodie be found . and yet in rocks of the sea , within the hollow places and riftes of the stones , they doe commonly finde certaine small liuing things called dactili . i doe not doubt , whatsoeuer he saith to the contrary , but that many creeping , and other liuing creatures , may be found both in the secret mines of stone , and some-times also amongst mettalls , although it be sildome seene . and for confirmation heereof , i vvill alleadge one example happening not many yeeres since in our owne country . at harlestone , a myle from holdenbie in northamptonshiere , there was a quarry of free stone found out , of which they digged for the building of sir christopher hattons house , where there was taken vp one beeing a yard and a halfe square euery way at the least , and beeing clouen asunder , there was found in the very midst of it a great toade aliue , but within a very short space after , comming to the open ayre , it dyed . this stone amongst others , vvas taken very deepe out of the earth , it was splyt and cut asunder by one whose name is lole , an old man yet liuing at this day , it was seene of fiue hundred persons , gentlemen and others , of woorthy repute and esteeme , the most part of them liuing at this howre , whose attestation may defend mee in this report : and surely , if toades may liue in the midst of stones , i can see no reason but that wormes may therebe found , but as yet i could neuer see it . in the yeere of grace . at what time romualdus the son of sergius a young monke , was aduaunced by the nobilitie of rauenna to be their archbishoppe , there followed a great death and murren among earth-vvormes : after that againe ensued scarsitie and deatth of all fruites of the earth , as carolus sigonius in his chronicle of the kingdome of italy declareth . henry emperour of rome , the sonne of the emperour henry the third , as cramzius hath written , when he tooke his voyage into italy , beeing suddenly stayed of his intended course , with an army sent against him by matild , that he should passe no further then lombardie , yet hauing taken mutina , there appeared a strange and vncouth signe in the ayre , for an innumerable company of wormes , smaller and thinner then any flyes , did flye about in the ayre , beeing so thicke that they might be touched with any small sticke or wand , and sometimes with the hand , so that they couered the face of the earth one myle in breadth , and darkned likewise the ayre two or three myles in length . some did interprete it as a signe or fore-telling , that some christian prince should goe into the holy-land . in the yeere of our lord god one thousand , one hundred and foure , there were seene diuers fiery and flying wormes in the ayre , in such an infinite multitude , that they darkened the light of the sunne , seeming to depriue mens eye-sight thereof ; and shortly after this monstrous and vnnaturall wonder , there followed other strange & sildome-seene prodigious sights on the earth : and what a boysterous storme of troubles , and raging whirle-wind of warre and blood-shedde shortly after ensued , the euent thereof did plainely manifest . finis . epilogus gratvlatorius honorando atqve in omni arte , & marte , cvmvlatissimo viro , d : lvdovico lewrnoro , eqviti avrato , et avlicarvm ceremoniarvm magistro principali . nec-non doctissimo et clarissimo uiro d : thomae bonhamo , in medicinis doctori . exorientes stellae ( secundū astronomos ) primū , aspectu transuerso atque laterali huius vniuersitatis montium cacumina , atque arborum summitates salutant , neque hoc vel illud regnum , aliquemue locum , personamue particularem conspicantur : verum altius ascendentes , & gradus plures ab ortu supergressae , non solum magis oppositae , terrae apparent , sed omnium intuentium oculos vultusque videntur directe verberare . ita mihi ( absit iactantia ) vsu-venit acciditque , illustrissime miles ; atque doctor venerande , postquam enim praecedentē de quadrupedibus historiam ( pro meo posse ) absoluissem , non sine epilogo , tanto labori valedicebam : verum neminem cuiuscunque conditionis vel specialiter respiciebat , sed generaliter , omnibus huius britanniae orbis , tum studiosis tum pijs insulanis proponebam . longius vero in istiusmodi epicyclo , seu laborum aetherea sphaera progressus , calamus , oculus , animusque in vestram coniunctissimā , mutuamque erga has lucubrationes humanitatem , quasi irreuerberato studio conuertuntur , vobis enim , prae omnibus huius augustissimi regni , vel generosis , vel studiosis , se deuinctam atque obligatam , fatetur praesens de venenatis animalibus , historia . quapropter , si tantum honoris , memoranda aliqua vestrorum ( erga hoc opusculum ) meritorum , recognitione , in vos conferre potui , quantum vestra miranda ingenua studia merentur , laborem alterum in panegyricam siue heroicam vestram laudē praedicandam , libentissime subirem . sed ne plus honestè quam modestè vobiscum agere videam , canat musa mea hoc distichon vnum : et vestrae curae testis pia charta manebit quam recinet quidquid posteritatis erit . pergamus igitur , ( summo fauente numine ) si vobis placet ad tertiam de viuiparis historiam , quae est de volatilibus coeli : tenues licet sunt fortunae meae , infinitaeque tum paupertatis , tum pastoralis euangelicique officij curae me quotidiè circumstant affliguntque , non tamen quiescam , donec altè volantia , & profundè natantia animalia , ( si christus mihi propitius erit ) in coenaculis & contubernijs vestris , sine omni feritate & falsitate , tractanda , conspicanda , legenda , cognoscenda demonstr●uero . o beatissima trinitas , tu creasti angelos coeli , & vermiculos terrae , non es in illis superior , in istis non es inferior , non est possibilius tibi creare vermiculū quan angelum , extendere folium quam coelum , formare capillum quam corpus , non fecisti me lapidē , vel auem , vel serpentem , quia bonitas tua me ordinauit vt laudem tuam in creaturaru cognitione annūtiarem . o sanctissime , si amabilis est sapientia in cogitatione vel cognitione rerum cognitarum , quam amabilis est sapientia tua , quae omnia condidit ex nihilo . differunt certè creator & creatura , nam ea quae per se considerata pulchra sunt , pulchrioribus comparata vilescunt : ideo vt omnibus tui numinis pulchritudinem enarrem , secundū misericordiam tuam , da mihi sensum capacem , intellectum facilem , memoriam tenacem , efficaciam in opere , profectum in studijs , progressum in conceptis , & gratiam in conuersatione , vt quocunque me conuertam , vbique tua manus praecedat , tuaque benedictio sequatur , quousque omnis anima spiraculum trahens vitae , tuam laudauerit maiestatem . amen . a table of the names of all the foure-footed-serpents . greca . amys authedon anthrenas arachne arurae ascalabotes aspis batrachos batrachos kalamites batrachos dryopetes batrachos chloros batrachos eleios lymnaios blestas telmaticos egemones eleiobatrachos brexantes chameleon champsai chebne chelone limnaia chelone chersaie chelone orcia chloro-saura dendrites dryopetes eleios emys garazum galeotes kalabotes kampe kantharis kephen kikeros kolisaura kordulos kordule kolotes krokodilos kolobotes lalages lyakoni mantis melissa melie ibid mys neilo crocodolylos ophiomaachos ophionikos plastis psammamythe puriphrunos phrunos salamandra sauros sauros enydros saura eliake saura chalcei saura chalkidike saura chlora scorpios skinke skigkos seps stibe syrenes thamiamithos toichobates thronaz zanthai zulobates latine . brexantes . bufo cantharides . caudiuerbera . chalcis seu chalcidica lacerta vide lacerta . chamaeleon cordulus , cordyle crabrones crocodilus eruca fucus geptaria scincus , quem aliqui crocodilum terrestrem vocant phattage idem lacertus aquaticus lacertus lacertus viridis lacerti alij diuersi mantis muri-lacertus nepa phalangium rana aquatica & in genere ranae temporariae ranunculus viridis , vel rana calamites aut dryopotes . rana siue rubeta gibbosa , & aliae ranae mutae in genere . ranae rubetae cum palustres tum terrestres , contra omnes venetas ranas . rana venenata fossilis rubeta rimatrix cordula siue cordulus salamandra scorpius , scorpio stellio testudines in genere testudo terrestra testudines quae in aqua dulci vivunt siue palustri siue fluente . testudo marina testudo polipus tinea agrestis vespa vinuula italian . ape che non fa mele bisca scutellaria boffa botta boug circa neocomum buffo . buffo , buffa , buffone brucho calauron cantarella ciatto chatt rhaetis buffo coforone crabrona cufuruma gaiandre de aquá galana galanron gez leguro liguro lucerta lucertula marasandola muscone racanella racano racula ragno ragna ramarro rana ranaiuoto ranocchia ranonchia de rubetto ibid. rospo rosada rugauerme salamandra saraffon scurtigicio scorpio terrestre tarantula tartocha tartuce tartugella testudine testugine testunia vespe vrespa . hispanica . abispa alacram , alocroni aranna cagado cubillo escorpion gagado galapago lacerta lagardixa lagartisa lagarto oruga rana salamantegua sapa escuerco taburros ò moscardos tartaruga . tartuga vespa zangano gallica . alebrenne arrassade araigue baradon blande boug coupe circa neoco : cantaride chamelyon crapault crocodile croisset graisset grenouille guespe fullon foulons lysarde lysarde verde renogle scorpion sourd stinco tartue tassot that neocomi tortue tortue des boys tortue de mer trellons trasons verdier illyrica . czeno gesscierka gesslier zaba czezo zabatrawna germanica . ader wasser ader crocodill egles egochs egdetsch froesch or frosch gartem frosch gruene refer goldkaer laubfrosch rein froschlin furt krott garten krott gschertzenfider gruner heydor gullen krottle hoptzger krott gullen krottle schiltkrott taller krott lindtwurm maal punter maal moule molch meerschiltkrot moldwurm moll wassermoll ein wespe olm padde punt quapp quattertetsch ein raup reinfroschle immeer shiltpadde borsch , fland traen a table of all the latine names of serpents without legges , as well corrupted as those in vse . latine . acontias affodius afudius alidras draco alatus amiudutus amoatis ammodytes amphibaena amphisbaena amphisilene amphisilenes andrius draco alatus anger anguis anguis aesculapius anguis alatus anguina pellis anguirana apis aranea aracis araneus arges argolae serpentes aspis arunducus idem assilus idem aspis aspis hypnalis idem aspis thermutis idem aspis sicca idem athaes idem baron basiliscus boa boua caecila caecinia caecula caecus serpens cancros caharus carmen carnen caubaerus , causon causonius causus cenchriae . cenchrites . cenchrines . cenchros cenchreis cenchriti cenchrus cenchris cenchrines centria centrites ceraftes cerchnia cerchria ceriella ceristalis ceruini serpentes cerustes chamaeleon chelidonia vide aspis chelydrus chersidal chersea vid : natrix colubra coluber corium anguis cornuta cornuta aspis cornutus c●phi●s christalis cruciator cylindri decurtatus dendrogailla dipsas draco draco pythius vide dracon : draco marinus dracones alati drinas . dryinus . durissos echidna echidrus elaps elaphis elephantiae serpentes elops enhydris enydris epid aurius anguis vide dracon : excetra exvuiae serpentis fucus glandosa graae serpentes haemorrhois haemorrhous halfordius haren hipnale vide aspis hippupix hirundo hyaena hydra hydrus hydra lernaea hydra fabulosa hydri marini hypnalis iaculus ilicinus irundo laphiati leberis lernaea hydra vid. hydra fabulosa . libyae serpentes lutrix lumbrici marinus serpents melanurus merguli serpentes mille peda miliaris molurus multipeda mustaca myagrus . mylacris naderavide coluber natrix natrix natrix torguata nepavide scorpio ochendra vide viper ophiomachus orophias padera paderotae serpentes pagerina palmerts serpens pareas parous pediculus serpens apuleius pelias pennatus serpens vide alati serp : porphyrus prester ptytas vide aspis putria querculi regulus sabrine sauritae sacer serpens vide dracon scytala semereon semurion senectus anguina senecta sepedon seps serpagerina serpens serpens epidaurius vid : dracon : serpens benignus serpens à croylis denominatus serpens volucris vide dracon serpens alatus vide dracon serpens palmaris serpens niger serpens septiceps vide hydra serpens rubescens serpens marina serpens marinus serpens sacer vid : dracon . serpens marinus in norueg : serpens epidaurij vide dracon serpens magalaunae serpens flaui marini vid : serpula seyseculus sibilus siphedon sirtalls situla , solifuga spartarius spathiurus spectaficus spolium serpentis spondylis syrenae testini testiti tephloti tristalis tyliacus , typhlae typhlinae typhlos typhlinus tyria tyrus vermis vespa vipera vraeus aegyptiorum a table of the haebrew , chaldae , arabian , & persian names of serpents . agmelon abides acbar , acabith , acobitha . acchabim acrob acoran adare adhaya afis affordius afudius agestim akchub alphai alafafrai albara albedisimon alchalha allesilati alrabian alganarat alfabai alfahex alfordius alguarel alhathaie alhartraf alhatraf ahahaul alhedysimon almsa alkatereti alkismus alphe alsalach altararat altinanti al-timasch altynatyci aluka alurel ames amiuduti andrius ankesimen apgnath apertias affulhasch arab ● arach armene aschanchur aspistichon ataia atussi ballecola , ballekara blefaricon butrisa . cafezaeci cafezati carbo carmene carnen cedebroa cerust certris cheueia chaldaicum charatim cucunoines curman deborah difdah . difdaha . deibrane dracon . , . dunios eglose eosman eosmaeri eratron faget faliuisus famusus falcalhaileb ghazain geluc genlut gereschine guaril guasseuabras hacparab hadaie haie halachalie halfordius haltetha handrius hardun , , haren carnen harmene hascos hasyos hauden , haudion humet humetha hazab kauken salabhafe ●●rmene kedasudarus koah koach koah , koach kipod lanigermusha letaah , lyserda maskar mysoxus nahalea . nachasch nigri nudalep , nudalepi oach pelipah pethen , phihib sabin saambras , samabras , , senabras , sapidi , sabrim , sabtin skabhul schanchur schephiphon , sciseptalis , sciscetalis selach alhaie , selsir semabras semamith , semurion sibth sipiti sisemat siscetati suchus tenchea tenstu , testuh thaninim thanim thanninim ibid. thannin ibid. taninai●… tisma thible●● thiron . tsirhah vasga vrdea akruka zab , zaba . ibid : zabar zabor zambor zambor zamia ibid : zaphna zaphnaim zepha zephardea , zipheoni graeca nomina serpētiū communium apedoon . aimorrhoos ophis akontias amodytes amphisbaina amphisthmaina ammoatis argas , arges aspis basilikoon therion boas geras opheos graai , gesentera dakos daketon dermestes , diban . diph●●on , dypsas drakon drakos drakaina , dryinos dryinas eleoon . elops . embrua , ton opheon enchelin thropos , echis echidna , embullos enhydris therion kauson karorus kegchrine kegchros kegchridion kegchrit●s kenchrias 〈◊〉 kegchris , kerastes , k●… kinadros , knodolon 〈◊〉 kolobourous 〈◊〉 kophiaes 〈◊〉 leon , lebaeis 〈◊〉 lib●ai libys melamiros 〈◊〉 maloueoi , muaigros muagros nerophis 〈◊〉 ochendra orophias , ophis 〈◊〉 ophis ophidi ● ophees derma , ophidion ophis oikoacos ophis thalattio●… pareias pacoua●… parias , prester pria notoi opheis pyrrhias , pythono rophias saetta scorpion , skytale sepedon , sepi , sipa , seps situla sitis spondele , syphae trissos , tuphlon , typilyne typhotes , typhlones typhlinos , typhlios ydrales ydra ydros ● italica . amiroldo ancea ange antza aspe aspide aspido del cotuo . baro basilisco biscia buona bisse ange bisse bisa orbula carbon carbonazzo colubra drago dragone . idid . lucignola lumbri chi marasso de aqua maresso . 〈◊〉 ●… scorloni scorzone , , scorzonei ●…ara ●…na ●…rtio ●…ta sa●tto●… sagitta●● ●…rpe serpente s●rpe de aqua s●rpa serena s●rpe negro s●oglia delle scrpi . s●…pera hispanic●… lusitanica . abeia basilisco bicha ●…ora , ●…bra ●…lebra ●…mbrizes ●…rpe gallica . aspic . anquille de haie basilic ●…steon serpent cornu ●…oleuure 〈◊〉 ●… double marche 〈…〉 en vieux al'●… mousches au m●… nadels serpent vipere gothica . bool gelnigh . slall snock tuuar polonica . gzeno glisti ossa padalitza paiak ptzota ruphansenka spawanck vuodnyuuaz wazilla turcicum ochilanne . germanica . angel-schlang , apen ein schlang ein schlang gennant baggen-schlang banker ● ● bergschlang blynd en schlycher brand schlangen eycs●…ang ey● schoss oder angelsch ertz schlengle eyn ymbe ert-wurm gehurnt schlang grunlinge haselwurm heck nateren hauschlang lindtwurm melet meer schlangen meer nateren nater orientischervnck otter punter schlang schlang schlangen haut schlangenbalg schaffschlange spinne stinckschlang trach uiper nater unck wasser nater wasser schlang . finis . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e augustine , epiphan . zanchius . textor . ma : will : morley of glynde in sussex . plutarch . ca : oppius iul : higinus gellius . pierius . pierius . notes for div a -e pliny . gallen . plutarch . pierius . textor . macrobius caelius rho : pliny . obsequent . pliny . aristotle aelianus . notes for div a -e holinshed . aelianus . isidorus . notes for div a -e mela. pliny . megasth . solinus . textor . strabo . aelianus . alosius . gillius . scaliger . cardan . p. fagius . venetus . hatthonus pi●rius . solinus . aelianus . cor. celsus . pierius . sc●liger . olaus mag : eupolides . diod : sicul. arrianus . suetonius . pliny . epist. . aelianus . greuinus . olaus . mag. textor . pliny . mercurialis pliny . notes for div a -e aelianus . notes for div a -e ponzettus at seauenoake in kent , which novve belongs to sir raphe bossevile , knight . &c. aelianus . pliny . pierius . caelius rho● diod. sicul. aelianus . herodotus aeneas syl : gellius . pampridius pierius . p. uen●tus a●●stotle philostratus solinus . philes marcedi . simocratus diodorus zoroaster . crescentius textor . oppianus 〈◊〉 aristotle peroitus isi●orus . aelianus . pellonius orus . pliny . erasmus aelianus . thrasillus pliny . aelianus aelianus . constantinus aelianus elecompane in english . notes for div a -e remedies to be had and taken from serpents . notes for div a -e suffu●●igations to expell serpents . of such things as are layd vnder vs , that wil expel serpents . of vnguents and thinges borne about vs , frō which serpents will runne avvay . serenus all this medicinall description of serpents , was written by tho bonham doctor in phisicke . notes for div a -e herodotus mela. pliny . solinus . scaliger . boemus aeneas syl : nicander venetus . p. martyr florentinus caelius rhoi aelianus constantinus pliny . textor plutarch . pierius . pierius . suidat . notes for div a -e isidorus . herodo●us . pliny silnius . virgill . notes for div a -e olaus mag : auicenn● . notes for div a -e galenus . hippocrates . notes for div a -e cal : rhod. diodorius , pierius . aelianus . aetius . aegmeta . pliny . aetius . auicenna . arnoldus . strabo . aetius . olaus . am●paraeus . bellonius aeli●●us ▪ giltius . aelianus pliny . suidas . toxtor . aelianus . mercuriall . aetius . ponzettus galenus . dioscorid . actuarius aegineta mercurialis . paraeus aetius mercuri : andreas . aetius . cor. celsus . olaus . mag. pliny . orpheus notes for div a -e d : bonhan his discourse of bees , wasps and drones . names . apum definitio deseription of their parts . no respiration in bees . differences of bees from nature . description of the king. differences in regard of sexe ▪ of age . the differēce of the forme of bees , according to the place . bees of amo●ca . the gouernment of bees . the vses of bees . medicinall vses . notes for div a -e the names . the description . arist . l. . de●ener . anim. c. ● . their generation . their vses . of bees called theeues . their vses . notes for div a -e d. bonham . lucret 〈◊〉 . in hoedeporis . mizaldus allens wife salomon . the curation of their stings . gilbertus anglus . haly abbas rhazes . serapio . ardoynus . mesue . aaron . constanti . guliolmus . placentinus . gordonius uarignana . matthiolus arnoldus de villa noua . marcellus . notes for div a -e the names . their description . in bellis ciuilibus omnia sunt misera ▪ tul. in ep sam● ▪ their vses , remedies against their stings . notes for div a -e the error of 〈◊〉 medi●…-giuers . notes for div a -e their name . their differences . the description of piryocamp●es . their qualities . theyr vse in ph●acke . notes for div a -e aristotle solmus . aristotle . pliny . solinus . aristotle marcellus . rhazes . kiranides . trallianus . notes for div a -e pliny . solinus , pliny . textor . auicenna . aelianus solinus . solinus . scaliger . aelianus . p●… notes for div a -e aurelianus aristotle mela. diod. sicul. marcellinus herodotus . isidore . caelius rho● herodotus pliny . solinus . marcelinus . albertus . herodotus . t. martyr aelianus herodotus p●●y . orus . sira●o . orus . aelianus . solinus . plutarch . sclinus . pe● : mar : marcelinus . caelius herodotus orus . aelianus aristotle marcelinus . aelianus . leo afric : plutarch . calcagninus . diod : sicul. strabo . strabo . solinus . senecae . orus . aelianus . crescensun : diodorus . herodotus . pliny . capitolinus . lampridi●● . uadian●… . aetius . p : martyr . herodoius . dioscorid . pliny . arnoldus . aetius . rhazes . aetius . arnoldus . bellonius notes for div a -e aristotle . aelianus . rhazes . notes for div a -e marcelinus . bellonius olaus . mag. olaus mag : notes for div a -e aelianus . stumpsius . notes for div a -e aelianus . scaliger . aelianus . herodotus . brodaus scaliger crinitus stumpsius . aelianus . gillius . suerani●● . stumpsius aristotle uincensius . s●linus . aetius . greuinus auicen . notes for div a -e aetius . notes for div a -e albertus . pliny . albertus . kiranides . democritus notes for div a -e ●uicenna . marcellus s●rabe . solinus . aelianus . polycletus marcellus notes for div a -e palladius . pliny . marcellus notes for div a -e nicander . gillius . lucan . notes for div a -e matthiolus will●… orus . cordus ▪ dioscorid . cardan . pliny . aelianus . notes for div a -e 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 leo afric : strabo . cordus gillius . elianus . pliny . aristotle pliny . aelianus . ia : lacinius kramdes philes aelianus . pliny . aelianus . albertue . aelianus gallen . ponzettus arnoldus aetius palladius rasis . strabo . plutarch . gillius . aetius . solinus . gyraldus . cardan . aetius . aelianus . haly. brasauolus kiranides . alexius galenus . notes for div a -e elianus solinus rondoletu . notes for div a -e aetius . notes for div a -e scaliger oswaldus notes for div a -e phurnut : l●o asrie : olaus . notes for div a -e doctor bonhams discourse of spyders . the signes to know when one is bitten of any phalanx and the effects of the same . notes for div a -e theyr vse . notes for div a -e aetius . cres●… pliny . notes for div a -e actorius caelius rho : amatus . notes for div a -e strabo ●…nus . notes for div a -e aelianus palladius notes for div a -e brasauolus aristotle oppianus . plinius plutarch . aelianus boemus notes for div a -e mercuriall . cardan herodotus . scaliger . cardan aelianus gallen . aristotle aristotle auicenna . caelius elianus strabo . elianus gallen . dioscorid . rasis . pausanius pliny nicander . in uipera . notes for div a -e funamellus auicen . amatus . gallen . gallen . 〈◊〉 pliny porphyrius dioscorid . pliny . aetius . albertus . pliny . gallen . aetius . auicenna . le●… f●…tin : notes for div a -e galen . auicen . galen . aetius 〈◊〉 ▪ notes for div a -e doctor bon●… discourse of wormes . in anluraria in theriaea . oui. amo . l. ●…chide . lib : . cap : . the history of four-footed beasts and serpents describing at large their true and lively figure, their several names, conditions, kinds, virtues ... countries of their breed, their love and hatred to mankind, and the wonderful work by edward topsell ; whereunto is now added, the theater of insects, or, lesser living creatures ... by t. muffet ... historie of foure-footed beasts topsell, edward, - ? approx. kb of xml-encoded text transcribed from -bit group-iv tiff page images. text creation partnership, ann arbor, mi ; oxford (uk) : - (eebo-tcp phase ). a wing g estc r ocm this keyboarded and encoded edition of the work described above is co-owned by the institutions providing financial support to the early english books online text creation partnership. this phase i text is available for reuse, according to the terms of creative commons . universal . the text can be copied, modified, distributed and performed, even for commercial purposes, all without asking permission. early english books online. (eebo-tcp ; phase , no. a ) transcribed from: (early english books online ; image set ) images scanned from microfilm: (early english books, - ; : ) the history of four-footed beasts and serpents describing at large their true and lively figure, their several names, conditions, kinds, virtues ... countries of their breed, their love and hatred to mankind, and the wonderful work by edward topsell ; whereunto is now added, the theater of insects, or, lesser living creatures ... by t. muffet ... historie of foure-footed beasts topsell, edward, - ? topsell, edward, - ? historie of serpents. gesner, konrad, - . historia animalium liber . english. gesner, konrad, - . historia animalium liber . english. moffett, thomas, - . insectorum sive minimorum animalium theatrum. english. rowland, john, m.d. the whole revised, corrected and inlarged / v. : ill. printed by e. cotes for g. sawbridge ... t. williams ... and t. johnson ..., london : . vol. is largely a translation of books and of: historia animalium / konrad gesner, with additions by topsell. the second part has title: the history of serpents, or, the second book of living creatures / edward topsell. vol. , a translation of insectorum sive minimorum animalium theatrum, has title: the theatre of insects, or, lesser living creatures / t. moffett. reproduction of original in yale university library. created by converting tcp files to tei p using tcp tei.xsl, tei @ oxford. re-processed by university of nebraska-lincoln and northwestern, with changes to facilitate morpho-syntactic tagging. gap elements of known extent have been transformed into placeholder characters or elements to simplify the filling in of gaps by user contributors. eebo-tcp is a partnership between the universities of michigan and oxford and the publisher proquest to create accurately transcribed and encoded texts based on the image sets published by proquest via their early english books online (eebo) database (http://eebo.chadwyck.com). the general aim of eebo-tcp is to encode one copy (usually the first edition) of every monographic english-language title published between and available in eebo. eebo-tcp aimed to produce large quantities of textual data within the usual project restraints of time and funding, and therefore chose to create diplomatic transcriptions (as opposed to critical editions) with light-touch, mainly structural encoding based on the text encoding initiative (http://www.tei-c.org). the eebo-tcp project was divided into two phases. the , texts created during phase of the project have been released into the public domain as of january . anyone can now take and use these texts for their own purposes, but we respectfully request that due credit and attribution is given to their original source. users should be aware of the process of creating the tcp texts, and therefore of any assumptions that can be made about the data. text selection was based on the new cambridge bibliography of english literature (ncbel). if an author (or for an anonymous work, the title) appears in ncbel, then their works are eligible for inclusion. selection was intended to range over a wide variety of subject areas, to reflect the true nature of the print record of the period. in general, first editions of a works in english were prioritized, although there are a number of works in other languages, notably latin and welsh, included and sometimes a second or later edition of a work was chosen if there was a compelling reason to do so. image sets were sent to external keying companies for transcription and basic encoding. quality assurance was then carried out by editorial teams in oxford and michigan. % (or pages, whichever is the greater) of each text was proofread for accuracy and those which did not meet qa standards were returned to the keyers to be redone. after proofreading, the encoding was enhanced and/or corrected and characters marked as illegible were corrected where possible up to a limit of instances per text. any remaining illegibles were encoded as <gap>s. understanding these processes should make clear that, while the overall quality of tcp data is very good, some errors will remain and some readable characters will be marked as illegible. users should bear in mind that in all likelihood such instances will never have been looked at by a tcp editor. the texts were encoded and linked to page images in accordance with level of the tei in libraries guidelines. copies of the texts have been issued variously as sgml (tcp schema; ascii text with mnemonic sdata character entities); displayable xml (tcp schema; characters represented either as utf- unicode or text strings within braces); or lossless xml (tei p , characters represented either as utf- unicode or tei g elements). keying and markup guidelines are available at the text creation partnership web site . eng zoology -- pre-linnean works. - tcp assigned for keying and markup - apex covantage keyed and coded from proquest page images - mona logarbo sampled and proofread - mona logarbo text and markup reviewed and edited - pfs batch review (qc) and xml conversion the history of four-footed beasts , serpents , and insects . the history of four-footed beasts and serpents : describing at large their true and lively figure , their several names , conditions , kinds , virtues ( both natural and medicinal ) countries of their breed , their love and hatred to mankind , and the wonderful work of god in their creation , preservation , and destruction . interwoven with curious variety of historical narrations out of scriptures , fathers , philosophers , physicians , and poets : illustrated with divers hieroglyphicks and emblems , &c. both pleasant and profitable for students in all faculties and professions . collected out of the writings of conradus gesner and other authors , by edward topsel . whereunto is now added , the theater of insects ; or , lesser living creatures : as bees , flies , caterpillars , spiders , worms , &c. a most elaborate work : by t. muffet , dr. of physick . the whole revised , corrected , and inlarged with the addition of two useful physical tables , by j. r. m. d. london : printed by e. cotes , for g. sawbridge at the bible on ludgate-hill , t. williams at the bible in little-britain , and t. johnson , at the key in pauls church yard . m dc lviii . to the right honourable the lord marquesse of dorchester , earl of kingstone , vicount new arke , &c. my very noble lord , your lordship well knows that honour attends upon virtue , as the shadow doth upon the substance ; there is such a magnetick force in goodness , that it draws the hearts of men after it . the world observes that your honour is a great lover of the works of learned writers , which is an infalliable argument of an excellent mind residing in you. wherefore i here humbly offer unto your noble patronage the most famous and incomparable history of conradus gesner , a great philosopher and physitian , who by his vast expences , and indefatigable pains , collected and digested into two volums , what ever he found scattered here and there in almost infinite authors , concerning fourfooted-beasts and serpents , adding also what he could possibly attain to by his own experience , and correspondence held with other famous scholars every where . after him mr. edward topsel a learned divine , revised and augmented the same history ; as it is not altogether so difficult to add something to what is first begun , and to build upon such a foundation which was before so artificially laid . he hath deserved well of our english nation in so doing ; and the more , that he doth with so much modesty attribute the praise of the whole work to the master-workman to whom it was chiefly due . the same gesner , after mr. edward wotton had begun , undertook to compose the history of insects ; which as it is a business of more curiosity and difficulty to write exactly of ; so all things considered , they serve as much to set forth the wisdom and power of god as the greatest creatures he hath made , and are as beneficial to mankind , not only for dainty food , but for the many physical uses that arise from them . john baptist fed upon locusts and wilde honey , and we read that our saviour eat a piece of a honey comb . these little insects are not so contemptible as the world generally thinks they are , for they can do as much by their multitudes , as the other can by their magnitude , when as one hornet shall be able suddenly to kill a horse , and gnats , ants and wasps to bid resistance to bears , lions and elephants , and to depopulate whole countries . the frogs , locusts , and lice , were none of the least judgements in the land of egypt . mr. thomas pennius , another physitian , lighting his candle by the former lights , succeeded them in this great undertaking . but all these vigilant and painful men never could bring it to perfection , being every one of them prevented by death . and indeed , things of deep search , and high concernment , are very seldom begun and ended by the same persons . hippocrates gives the reason for it , that art is long , life short , experience difficult , occasion precipitate , judgement uncertain . i may say farther , which he also comprehends in the close of that aphorism , that all must perform their several offices ; which is not often done , but ingenious men frequently labour under the want of means , and find small encouragement to proceed in their great designs , especially in this latter age of the world. gesner makes a sad complaint in behalf of himself , and topsel doth the like , and so do all the rest who spent their estates , and wasted their spirits for the common good . which is sufficient proof to convince many rich men of blindness and ingratitude , and confirms that truth the poet speaks ; haud facilè em●rguunt , quorum virtutibus obstat res angusta domi — good and well meaning men cannot proceed , virtue is crusht by want , opprest by need . after the death of the forementioned four worthies of their times , mr. thomas muffet a noted english physitian undertook the same task , and compleated it ; whose encomium is excellently well penned by the late honourable doctor of physick sir theodore mayerne , in his epistle to doctor william paddy of famous memory , premised to this book ; wherein to his own immortal praise , he hath so anatomically dissected many of the chiefest insects , even to admiration , that he hath let the world understand by it , that he was a deep philosopher , and a most accurate searcher into the secrets of nature , and worthy of those places of honour he enjoyed in great princes courts . this large history is not , nor could possibly be the production of one age ; both able divines , and physitians-contributed what they had , and employed their talents , and greatest studies , for many years in their severall generations , to bring it forth ; whereby it may appear how necessary this work is for the souls and bodies of men , to teach them to know the wisdom and omnipotence of god in the creation of these creatures , and goodness to bestow them upon man , both for profit and delight ; and though mony of them be dangerous and venomous , yet they were not so when god first made them . for the wiseman saith , that god made not death , neither takes he pleasure in the destruction of the living , for he created all things that they mighe have their being , and the generations of the world were healthful , and there was no poison of destruction in them , no kingdom of death upon the earth , but ungodly men by their wicked works and words , called it to them . this book will plentifully furnish us with remedies against most of these inconveniences , which is no small occasion to put us in mind how much we stand obliged to the memories of the learned authours of it ; who spared no cost nor pains that they might prove beneficial to the then present , and to succeeding ages . and the same reason is very strong in behalf of those who now have been at this vast charge to reprint and to perfect the same , that it never should be lost by time or casualties , which consume all things ; and to supply the whole work with a double physical index , to ease the readers labour , that he might not wander up and down , and lose himself in this great wilderness of beasts and insects , searching after that he stands in need of , but may in an instant be provided with all those known remedies these several creatures can afford him . should such a fabrique as this decay and come to ruine , the dammage were unspeakable and irreparable ; the mausolean sepulchre , the colossus of rhodes , or the pyramids of egypt might sooner be renewed and built again . wherefore men are bound in conscience , by the laws of god , of nature , and of nations , to consider of the great expence and pains now taken in it , and to promote the work to the best advantage of the present undertakers for the publick good , who have now brought it to this perfection , that they may say of it , what ovid did of his metamorphosis ; jamque opus exegi , quod nec jovis ira , nec ignis , nec poterit ferrum , nec edax abolere vetustas . the work is ended , which can envies fume , nor sword , nor fire , nor wasting time consume . never was there so compleate a history of the creatures as this is since the daies of solomon , who writ the story of beasts and creeping things : and indeed it requires a kingly treasure and understanding to accomplish it . and petrus gillius writes , that in former , ages , all the histories of creatures were compiled by kings , or dedicated to them ; who are bestable to bear the charge of it , and most fit be honoured with it . what would the world now give for that book of solomons , which by the negligence of ungrateful men and length of time is utterly lost ? how highly then ought we to esteem of this history of gesner and muffet , which is inferiour to none but that ? for what aristotle set forth upon this subject at the appointment of alexander the great , and for which he received from him talents as a kingly reward , is all comprehended in this , with the addition of many hundreds more that have travelled in the same way . orpheus , whom the poets so much magnifie for drawing the beasts after him , could do no more with all his melodious harmony , then these famous and ingenious men have done . and because i cannot but think , what the poets fancied concerning him , was but an hieroglyphical representation ( according to the dim light they had ) of all the creatures coming to noah into the ark , this history seems to me to be like another ark of noah , wherein the several kinds of beasts are once again met together , for their better preservation in the understanding of man ; & however there were multitudes of birds in the ark which are not here ( it may be because aldrovandus and others have written largely to that purpose ) yet here are abundance of insects that never were in noahs ark , and whereof we never had , or we can find extant , any compleate history untill this was made ; which is like to another paradise , where the beasts , as they were brought to adam , are again described by their natures , and named in most languages ; which serves to make some reparation for the great loss of that excellent knowledge of the creature , which our first parents brought upon their posterity when they fell from god. we read in the th . of the acts , that when a vessel was let down from heaven , wherein there were all manner of fourfooted-beasts and creeping things , that st. peter wondered at it : who then can choose but admire to see so many living creatures that nature hath divided and scattered in woods , mountains and vallies , over the face of the whole earth , to come all together to a general muster , and to act their several parts in order upon the same theater ? i confess there are many men so barbarous , that they make no account of this kind of learning , but think all charge and pains fruitless that is imployed this way ; shewing themselves herein more unreasonable and brutish then the irrational beasts . for next unto man are these creatures rankt in dignity , and they were ordained by god to live upon the same earth , and to be fellow-commoners with man ; having all the plants and vegetables appointed them for their food as well as man had ; and have obtained one priviledge beyond us , in that they were created before man was ; and ever since they are obnoxious to the same casualties , and have the same coming into the world , and going out that we have ; for that which befals the sons of men befals beasts , even one thing befals them both , as the one dyeth , so dyeth the other ; so that man hath no preeminence above the beasts . all go unto one place , all are of the dust , and all return to dust again : eccles . . , . and the prophet david dobuts not to compare man being in honour , and having no understanding , unto the beasts that perish . as for minerals , they are yet another degree below beasts , all the gold , jewels , and diamonds in the world , are not comparable to any one of the meanest creatures that hath within it the breath of life . god hath bountifully bestowed them all on man , whom he hath advanced above them all , for food , and raiment , and other necessary uses ; also for his pleasure and recreation : and so long as we use them with sobriety and thankfulness , we shall finde an infinite benefit and advantage by them ; but when we prove ungratefull unto god , they become so many instruments of his vengeance against sinners , to make up that fourfold judgement , with the sword , famine , and pestilence , the prophet threatens the jews with . i fear to be tedious , therefore i beseech your honour to accept this history in good part from him who humbly prayeth for your lordships temporal and eternal happiness , and who is your honours most affectionately humble servant john rovvland . to the reverend and right worshipful richard neile , d. of divinity , dean of westminster , master of the savoy , and clerk of the king his most excellent majesties closet ; all felicity temporal , spiritual , and eternal . the library of english books , and catalogue of writers , ( right worthy and learned dean , my most respected patron ) have grown to the height , not only of a just number , but almost innumerable : and no marvel , for god himself hath in all ages preserved learning in the next place of life ; for as life is the ministerial governor and mover in this world , so is learning the ministerial governor and mover in life : as an interpreter in a strange countrey is necessary for a traveller that is ignorant of languages ( or else he should perish , ) so is knowledge and learning to us poor pilgrims in this our perigrination , out of paradise unto paradise ; whereby confused babels tongues are again reduced to their significant dialects , not in the builders of babel to further and finish an earthly tower , but in the builders of jerusalem , to bring them all to their own countrey which they seek , and to the desired rest of souls . literae obstetrices artium , quarum beneficio ab interitu vindicantur . as life is different and divers , according to the spirit wherein it is seated , and by which it is nourished as with a current ; so also is learning , according to the tast , use , and practise of rules , canons , and authors , from whom as from a fountain it taketh both beginning and encrease : even as the spirit of a serpent is much quicker then the spirit of an ox ; and the learning of aristotle and pliny more lively and lightsome then the knowledge of other obscure philosophers , unworthy to be named , which either through envy or non-preficiencie durst never write . si cum hac exceptione detur sapientia , ut illam inclusam teneam , nec enuntiem , rejiciam . nullius boni sine socio jucunda est possessio . and therefore i say with petrus blesen : scientiarum generosa possessio in plures dispersa , non perditur , & distributa per partes , minoration is detrimentum non sentit : sed eo diuturntus perpetuata senescit , quo publicata foecundius se diffundit . the greatest men stored with all helps of learning , nature and fortune , were the first writers , who as they did excell other men in possessions and worldly dignity , so they manifested their virtues and worth in the edition of excellent parts of knowledge , either for the delight or profit of the world , according to the poets profession : aut prodesse volunt , aut delectare poetae , aut simul & jucunda & idonea dicere vitae . omne tulit punctum , qui miscuit utile dulci , lectorem delectando , pariterque monendo . yet now of late daies this custom hath been almost discontinued to the infinite prejudice of sacred inviolable learning and science , for turpis saepe fama datur minoribus , ( as ausonius wrote in his time ) for indeed the reason is pregnant : haud facile emergunt , quorum virtutibus obstat res angusta domi . — but yet the great rector and chancellor of all the academies in the world jesus christ , in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge , the master of that colledge wherein he was but a servant or steward , that was learned in all the learning of the egyptians , ( i mean moses ) the first writer , the first author , the first commender of knowledge , and the first ordainer of a lawful common-wealth , and ruler of church and state , hath not left our age without some monuments of great princes , earls , lords , knights , for the ornament and honour of learning , who for general and particular causes and benefits have added their names to the society of writers , and divulged their works in print , which are likely to be remembred till the worlds end . such are our most temperate , just , wise , and learned king and soveraign . the right noble , and honourable earl of surry , long ago departed out of this earthly horizon . the now living earls of dorset , northampton , salisbury ; and many knights , sir philip sidney , sir george moore , sir richard bartlet , sir francis hastings , and others . but of aarons , and such as sit at the helme of the church , or are worthily advanced for their knowledge in learning and state , i mean both bishops and doctors , almost innumerable , of all whom i can say no more , if i were worthy to say any thing , then apply unto them particularly that which was said of one of the greatest scholars and divines that ever england had : — dic obs●cro sancta posteritas , nec enim mibi fas est dicere : tantum de tantis tacitum , aut tantos audire juvabit . then why should i presume , being every way the least and meanest of all other , now the third time to publish any part of my conceived studies for the age present and succeeding , and so to have my name inrolled amongst the benefactors and authors of learning ? — non omnia grandior aetas quae fugiamus habet ; seris venit usus ab annis . alas sir , i have never abounded in any thing , except want and labour , and i thank god that one of these hath been prepared to feed the other , therefore i will not stand upon any mans objections , who like horses as it is in the fable being led empty , well fed , and without burden , do scorn the laden asse , adding misery to his load , till his back was broke , and then was all laid upon the pampred disdainful horse : even so these proud displeasing spirits are eased by the labors of us that bear the bur●hens , and if they content not themselves with ease , but will also sit in the seat of the scornsul , let them remember , that when our backs be broak , they must take up the carriage . but pardon me ( i beseech you ) if by way of preface i open my heart unto your worship , who is better able then ten thousand of the momus's , and more charitably generous in receiving such gists with the right hand ( as these are ) although they were given with the left ; for seeing i have chosen you the patron of this work , i will briefly declare and open my mind unto you concerning the whole volum , sparing any other praises of your demerits then those which by martial are ascribed to regulus , which i will without flattery or fear of the envious thus apply unto you : cum sit sophiae par fama & cura deorum , [ sss . trinitatis ] ingenio pietas nec minor ipsa tuo . ignorat meritis dare munera , qui tibi librum et qui maratur [ neiile ] thura dari . so then leaving these perorations , i will endevor to prove unto you that this work which i now publish and divulge unto the world , under the patronage of your name , is divine , and necessary for all men to know ; true , and therefore without slander or suspicious scandall to be received ; and that no man ought rather to publish this unto the world , then a divine or preacher . for the first , that the knowledge of boasts , like as the knowledge of the other creatures and works of god , is divine , i see no cause why any man should doubt thereof , seeing that at the first they were created and brought to man as we may read gen. . , . and all by the lord himself , so that their life and creation is divine in respect of their maker ; their naming divine , in respect that adam out of the plenty of his own divine wisdom , gave them their several appellations , as it were out of a fountain of prophesie , foreshewing the nature of every kind in one elegant and significant denomination , which to the great losse of all his children was taken away , lost and confounded at babel . when i affirm that the knowledge of beasts is divine , i do mean no other then the right and perfect description of their names , figures ; and natures , and this is in the creator himself most divine , and therefore such as is the fountain , such are the streams issuing from the same into the minds of men . now it is most clear in genesis how the holy ghost remembreth the creation of all living creatures , and the fourfooted next before the creation of man , as though they alone were appointed the ushers , going immediately before the race of men. and therefore all the divines observe both in the hebrew , in the greek and latin , that they were created of three several sorts or kinds . the first jumentum , as oxen , horse , asses and such like , quia hominum juvamenta . the second , reptile , quia hominum medicina . the third , bestia , i. à vastando , for that they were wilde and depopulators of other their associates , rising also against man , after that by his fall he had lost his first image and integrity . now were it not a knowledge divine , why should the holy scriptures relate it , and divide the kinds ? yea , why should all holy men take examples from the natures of beast , birds , &c. and apply them to heavenly things , except by the ordinance of god they were both allowed and commanded so to do ? and therefore in admiration of them the prophet david cryeth our , quam magnifica sunt opera tua domine ! omnia in sapientia fecisti . the old manichees among other blasphemies accused the creation of hurtful , venomous , ravening , and destroying beasts , affirming them to be made by an evil god , and also they accused the creation of mice and other unprofitable creatures , because their dulness was no kinder to the lord , but like cruel and covetous misers , made no account of those beasts , which brought not profit to their purse . you know ( right learned dean ) how that grave father answered that calumny , first affirming that the same thing which seemed idle to men , was profitable to god ; and the same that appeared ugly to them , was beautiful to him , qui omnibus utitur ad gubernationem universi . he therefore wisely compareth a fool that knows not the use of the creatures in this world , to one ignorant that cometh into the workhouse of a cunning man , viewing a number of strange tools , and having no cunning but in an axe or a rake , thinketh , that all those rare inventions of a wise workman are idle toies : and whilst thus he thinketh , wandring to and fro , not looking to his feet , suddenly falleth into some furnace in the same work-house , or chance to take up some sharp tool whereby he is wounded , then he also thinketh that the same are hurtful and dangerous . quorum tamen usum quia novit artifex , insipientiam ejus irridet , & verba inepta non curans officinam suam constanter exercet . but we that are ashamed to deny the use of instruments in the shops of rare artisans , but rather admire their invention , yet are not afraid to condemn in gods storehouse sundry of his creatures , which are rare inventions , although through folly we be wounded or harmed by them , and therefore he concludeth that all beasts are either utilia , and against them we date not speak ; or perniciosa , whereby we are terrified that we should not love this perilous life ; or else they are superflua , which to affirm were most ridiculous : for as in a great house all things are not for use , but some for ornament , so is it in this world , the inferiour palace of god. thus far austin . therefore i will conclude this first part , that not only the knowledge of the profitable creature is divine , and was first of all taught by god , but also of the hurtful : for a wise man , saith solomon , seeth the plague ( by the revelation of god ) and hideth himself from it . and john baptist , quis ves docuit ab ira ventura fugere ? these things have i principally laboured in this treatise , to shew unto men what boasts are their friends , and what their enemies , which to trust , and which avoid , in which to find nourishment , and which to shun as poison . another thing that perswadeth me in the necessary use of this history , that it was divine , was the preservation of all creatures living , which are ingendred by copulation ( except fishes ) in the ark of noah , unto whom it pleased the creator at that time to insuse an instinct , and bring them home to man as to a fold : surely it was for that a man might gain out of them much divine knowledge , such as is imprinted in them by nature , as a type or spark of that great wisdom whereby they were created . in mice and serpents a foreknowledge of things to come , in the ant and pismire a providence against old age● in the bear the love of young ; in the lion his stately pace ; in the cock and sheep , change of weather ; as s. basil in his hexameron , etiam in brutis quidem future sensus est , us no● praesenti vitae non addicti simus , sed de futuro saculo omne studium habemus . for this cause there were of beasts in holy scripture three holy uses , one for sacrifice , another in vision , and a third for reproof and instruction . in sacrifices were the clean beasts , which men were bound first to know , and then to offer ; for it is unreasonable that those things should be sacred at the lords altar , which are refused worthily at private mens tables . now although we have no use of sacrificing of beasts . nam sicut bruta pro peccatis immolabantur , ita jam vitia pro corporibus ; yet we have use of clean beasts for food and nourishment , and therefore for the inriching of the minds and tables of men , it is necessary to know not only the liberty that we have to eat , but also the quality and nutriment of the beast we eat , not for any religion , but for health and corporal necessity . this point is also opened in this story , and the other of sacrifice , wherein i have not omitted to speak of the divine use of every beast , both among the jews and among the prophane gentiles . now for the second holy use of beasts in visions , the prophet daniels visions , and ezekiels , and s. johns in the revelation do testifie of them , whereby the most divines have observed how great princes and kingdoms after they have shaken off the practise of justice and piety , turn tyrants and ravening beasts . for so man being in honour understandeth not , but becometh like the beasts that perish , and so as dionysius saith by visions of beasts , infima reducuntur pur media in suprema . now there were , as s. augustine saith , three kinds of visions , sensibiles , intellectuales , & imaginariae : the first were most pregnant , because to the understanding and conceiving , a man never lost his senses , and therefore god did suddenly create savage beasts both of natural and extraordinary shapes , whereby he shewed to his servants the prophets , the ruine or uprising of beastly states and kingdoms . and not only thus , but also in heaven ( as st. john saith ) there are beasts ful of eyes before the throne of god ; both which must needs magnifie the knowledge of these quadrupedes ; for seeing god hath used them as sacraments or mysteries to contain his will , ( not only in monstrous treble-headed , or seven horned shapes , but also ) in pure , ordinary , natural limbs and members ; how shall we be able to ghesse at the meaning in the secret , that do not understand the revealed ? and what use can we make of the invisible part of that sacrament , where we know not the meaning of the visible ? doth the lord compare the devil to a lion ; evill judges to bears ; false prophets to wolves ; secret and crafty persecutors to foxes ; open enemies in hostility to wilde boars ; heretickes and false preachers to scorpions ; good men to the fowles of heaven , and martyrs to sheep , and yet we have no knowledge of the natures of lions , wolves , bears , foxes , wilde boars , or scorpions ? surely when solomon saith to the sluggard , go to the pismire , he willeth him to learn the nature of the pismire , and then according thereto reform his manners : and so all the world are bid to learn the natures of all beasts , for there is alway something to be learned in them , according to this saying of st. basil , a deo nibil non providum in natura rebus est , neque quicquam pertinentis ad secura expert , & si ipsas animalium partes consideraveris , inventes quod ineque superstuum quid conditor opposuit , neque necessaria detraxit . then it being clear that every beast is a natural vision , which we ought to see and understand , for the more clear apprehension of the invisible majesty of god , i will conclude that i have not omitted this part of the use of beasts , but have collected , expressed , and declared , what the writers of all ages have herein observed . now the third and last holy use that is made of beasts in scripture , is for reproof and instruction ; so the lord in job , & . mentioneth the lion , the raven , the wilde goats , the hinds , the hind-calves , the wilde asses , the unicorn , the ostrich , the stork , the puissant horse , the hawke , the eagle , the vulture , the whale , and the dragon , that is , the fowles , fishes , serpents , and four-footed beasts : all which he reckoneth as known things to job , and discourseth of as strange things in their natures as any we have inserted for truth in our history , as may appear to any man whatsoever , that will look studiously into them . shall i add hereunto how moses , and all the prophets , st. john baptist , our most blessed saviour , st. paul , and all the writers since his time ( both ancient and later ) have made profession of this part of divinity ; so that he was an unskilful divine and not apt to teach , which could not at his fingers speak of these things : for ( saith our saviour ) if i tell you earthly things and ye believe not , how shall ye believe when i tell you heavenly things ? solomon , as it is witnessed in holy scripture , wrote of plants , of birds , of fishes , and beasts , and even then when he stood in good favour with god , therefore it is an exercise of the highest wisdom to travel in , and the noblest minds to study in : for in it as i will shew you ( with your good patience , for i have no other preface ) there is both the knowledge of god and man. if any man object , multa multi de musca , de apicula , de vermiculo , pauca de deo : i will answer with the words of theodorus goza , permulta enim de deo is tractat , qui doctrina rerum conditarum exquisitissima , conditorem ipsum declarat , neque musca , neque vermiculus omittendus est ubi de mira solertia agitur . whereunto st. austin agreeth when he saith , majestatem divinam aeque in formicae membris atque magno jamento tranante fluvium . and for the knowledge of man , many and most excellent rules for publick and private affaires , both for preserving a good conscience , and avoiding an evill danger , are gathered from beasts : it were too long to run over all , let me ( i beseech you ) be bold to reckon a few which descend from nature our common parent , and therefore are neither strained , counterfeit , inconstant , or deceitful ; but free , full of power to perswade , true , having the seal of the highest for their evidence ; constant and never altred in any age ; faithful , such as have been tryed at fire and touch-stone . were not this a good perswasion against murder , to see all beasts so to maintain their natures , that they kill not their own kind ? who is so unnatural and unthankful to his parents , but by reading how the young storkes and wood-peckers do in their parents old age feed and nourish them , will not repent , amend his folly , and be more natural ? what man is so void of compassion , that hearing the bounty of the bone-breaker bird to the young eagles , will not become more liberal ? where is there such a sluggard and drone , that considereth the labours , pains , and travels of the emmet , little bee , field-mouse , squirrel , and such other that will not learn for shame to be more industrious , and set his fingers to work ? why should any man living fall to do evill against his conscience , or at the temptation of the devill , seeing a lion will never yeeld ? mori scit , vinci nescit ; and seeing the little wren doth fight with an eagle , contending for soveraingty ? would it not make all men to reverence a good king set over them by god , seeing the bees seek out their king if he lose himself , and by a most sagacious smelling sense , never cease till he be found out , and then bear him upon their bodies if he be not able to flie , but if he die they all forsake him ? and what king is not invited to clemency , and dehorted from tyranny , seeing the king of bees hath a sting , but never useth the same ? how great is the love & faithfulness of dogs , the meekness of elephants , the modesty or shamefastness of the adulterous lioness , the neatness and politure of the cat and peacock the justice of the bee , which gathereth from all flowers that which serveth their turn , and yet destroyeth not the flower ; the care of the nightingale to make her voice pleasant , the chastity of a turtle , the canonical voice and watchfulness of a cock , and to conclude , the utility of a sheep ? all these and ten thousand more i could recite , to shew what the knowledge of the nature of brutish creatures doth work or teach the minds of men ; but i will conclude this part with the words of s. jerom against jovinian . ad herodem dicitur propter malitiam , ite & dicite vulpi huic , luk. . ad scribas & pharisaeos genimina viperarum , mat. . ad libidinosos equi hinmentes in proximorum foeminas , jer. . de voluptuoso , nolite mittere margaritas vestras ante porcos . de impudentibus , neque sanctum date canibus , mat. . de infidelibus , ephesi cum bestiis pugnavi in similitudine hominum . and thus far s. jerom. whereby we may boldly aver by way of induction , that wherein the knowledge of god , the knowledge of man , the precepts of virtue , the means to avoid evill are to be learned , that science is divine and ought of all men to be inquired and sought after : and such have i manifested in this history following . now again the necessity of this history is to be preferred before the chronicles and records of all ages made by men , because the events and accidents of the time past , are peradventure such things as shall never again come in use ; but this sheweth that chronicle which was made by god himself , every living beast being a word , every kind being a sentence , and all of them together a large history , containing admirabl● knowledge and learning , which was , which is , which shall continue , ( if not for ever ) yet to the worlds end . et patris , & nostras , nonumque prematur in annum , membranis intus positis delere licebit quod non edideris — the second thing in this discourse which i have promised to affirm , is the truth of the history of creatures , for the mark of a good writer is to follow truth and not deceivable fables . and in this kind i have passed the straightest passage , because the relation of most things in this book are taken out of heathen writers , such as peradventure are many times superstitiously credulous , and have added of their own very many rash inventions , without reason , authority , or probability , as if they had been hired to sell such fables : for , non bene conducti vendunt perjuria testes . i would not have the reader of these histories to imagine that i have inserted or related all that ever is said of these beasts , but only so much as is said by many , for in the month of two or three witnesses standeth every word : and if at any time i have set down a single testimony , it was because the matter was clear and needeth not farther probation , or else i have laid it upon the author with special words , not giving the reader any warrant from me to believe it . besides , i have taken regard to imitate the best writers , which was easie for me to do , because gesner relateth every mans opinion ( like a co 〈…〉 on place or dictionary , as he professeth ; ) and if at any time he seemed obscure , i tu 〈…〉 to the books which i had at hand to ghesse their meaning , putting in that which he had left out of many good authors , and leaving out many magical devises . now although i have used no small diligence or care in collecting those things which were most essential to every beast , most true without exception , and most evident by the testimony of many good authors ; yet i have delivered in this treatise many strange and rare things , not as fictions , but miracles of nature , for wisemen to behold and observe to their singular comfort , if they love the power , glory , and praise of their maker , not withholding their consent to the things expressed , because they intreat of living things made by god himself . si ergo quaerimus quis fecerit , deus est : si per quod , dixit , fiat , & facta sunt : si quare fiat , quia bonus est . nec enim autor est excellentior deo , nec ars efficacior dei verbo , nec causa melior , quam ut bonum crearetur a deo beno ; and this plato said was the only cause of the worlds creation , ut a deo bono opera bona fierent . now i do in a sort challenge a consent unto the probability of these things to wise and learned men , although no belief . for fides , is credere invisibilia ; but consensus is a cleaving or yeelding to a relation untill the manifestation of another truth ; and when any man shall justly reprove any thing i have written for false and erroneous , i will not stick to release the readers consent , but make satisfact on for usurpation . but for the rude and vulgar sort ( who being utterly ignorant of the operation of learning , do presently condemn all strange things w ch are not ingraven in the palms of their own hands , or evident in their own herds and flocks ) i care not , for my ears have heard some of them speak against the history of sampson , where he tied fire-brands to the tails of foxes , and many of them against the miracles of christ . i may remember you ( r. w. ) of a countrey tale of an old masse-priest in the daies of henry the eight , who reading in english after the translation of the bible , the miracles of the five loaves and two fishes , and when he came to the verse that reckoneth the number of the ghests or eaters of the banquet , he paused a little , and at last said , they were about five hundred : the clerk , that was a little wiser , whispered into the priests ears that it was five thousand , but the priest turned back and replyed with indignation , hold your peace sirrah , we shall never make them believe they were five hundred . such priests , such people , such persons i shall draw upon my back , and although i do not challenge a power of not erring , yet because i speak of the power of god , that is unlimitable , i will be bold to aver that for truth in the book of creatures ( although first observed by heathen men ) which is not contrary to the book of scriptures . lastly , that it is the proper office of a preacher or divine to set forth these works of god , i think no wiseman will make question , for so did moses , and david , and solomon , and christ , and s. paul , and s. john , and s. ireney , s. gregory , s. basil , s. austin , s. jerem , s. bernard in his ●●arrations or sermons upon the canticles , and of latter daies isidorus ; the monks of messuen , geminianus , and to conclude , that ornament of our time jeronimus zanchius . for how shall we be able to speak the whole counsel of god unto his people , if we read unto them but one of his books , when he hath another in the world , which we never study past the title or outside ; although the great god have made them an epistle dedicatory to the whole race of mankind ? this is my indevour and pains in this book , that i might profit and delight the reader , whereinto he may look on the holiest daies , ( not omitting prayer and the publick service of god ) and passe away the sabbaths in heavenly meditations upon earthly creatures . i have followed d. gesner as neer as i could , i do profess him my author in most of my stories , yet i have gathered up that which he let fall , and added many pictures and stories as may appear by conference of both together . in the names of the beasts , and the physick i have not swarved from him at all . he was a protestant physician , ( a rare thing to finde any religion in a physitian ) although st. luke a physician were a writer of the gospell . his praises therefore shall remain , and all living creatures shall witnesse for him at the last day . this my labor whatsoever it be , i consecrate to the benefit of all our english nation under your name and patronage , a publick professor , a learned and reverend divine , a famous preacher , observed in court and countrey ; if you will vouchsafe to allow of my labors , i stand not upon others , and if it have your commendation , it shall incourage me to proceed to t 〈…〉 residue , wherein i fear no impediment but ability to carry out the charge , my case so st 〈…〉 ing that i have not any accesse of maintenance , but by voluntary benevolence for per 〈…〉 l pains , receiving no more but a laborious wages , and but for you , that had also been taken from me : therefore i conclude with the words of st. gregory to leontius , et nos bona quae de vobis multipliciter praedicantur addiscentes , assidue pro gloria vestrae incolumitate omnipotentem valeamus dominum deprecari . your chaplain in the church of st. botolph aldersgate , edward topsel . an alphabetical table of all the creatures described in this first volum . a. antalope , pag. ape , munkey , more kinds of apes , ibid. asses of divers kinds , , &c. alborach and axis , b. badger , bear , beover , b●son , bonasus , buff , bugle , bull , buselaphus , ox , cow , calf , c. cacus , camel , camel dromedary , camelopardal , allocamelus , camp , cat , ibid. wilde cat , colus , cony , indian pig , d. deer fallow , roe buck , ●ragelaphus , ha●t and hind , dictyes , dogs , ibid. their kinds , ibid. e. eal of ethiopia , elephant . ibid. elk , f. ferret , fitch or poulcar , fox , crucigeran fox , g. gennet cat goats and their kinds , gulon , gorgon , h. hare , hedge-hog , horses and their kinds , diseases and remedies , , &c. riding , . horsnes and chivalry , furniture for horses , hippelaphus , sea horse , horse flesh and mares milk , morals and devices concerning horses hyaena and its kinds , i. ibex , ichneumon , l. lamia , lion , lynx , m. marder , martel , or martin , mole , mice and rats , and their kinds , , &c. musk-cat , mules , n. naides , o. ovnce , oryx , otter , p. panthar , leopard , or libbard , poephagus , porcupine , r. reyner or ranger , rhinoceros , s. serpents , , &c. sheep and their kinds , diseases , and cures , , &c. squirrel , su , subus , ibid. swine and their kinds , diseases and cures , , &c. t. tat●s , tiger , u. uvicorn , vreox w. wilde oxen , wea●el , wolf , sea wolf , z. zebel or sabel , zibet or sivet-cat , the history of four-footed beasts . the antalope . the antalope called in latin calopus , and of the grecians analopos , or aptolos : of this beast there is no mention made among the ancient writers , except suidas , and the epistle of alexander to aristotle , interpreted by cornelius nepotius . they are bred in india and syria , neer the river euphrates , and delight much to drink of the cold water thereof : their body is like the body of a roe , and they have horns growing forth of the crown of their head , which are very long and sharp ; so that alexander affirmed they pierced through the shields of his souldiers , and fought with them very irefully : at which time his company slew as he travelled to india , eight thousand five hundred and fifty ; which great slaughter may be the occasion why they are so rare , and seldom seen to this day , because thereby the breeders and means of their continuance ( which consisted in their multitude ) were weakned and destroyed . their horns are great and made like a saw , and they with them can cut asunder the branches of osier or small trees , whereby it cometh to passe that many times their necks are taken in the twists of the falling boughs , whereat the beast with repining cry , bewrayeth himself to the hunters , and so is taken . the virtues of this beast is unknown , and therefore suidas saith , an antalope is but good in part . of the ape . an ape called in latin simia , and sometimes simius and simiolus ; of the greek word simos ( viz. ) signifying the flatnesse of the nostrils : for so are an apes : and called of the hebrews koph , and plurally ●ophim ; as it is by s. jerom translated , king. . . from whence it may be probably conjectured , came the latin words cepi and cephi , for apes that have tails . sometimes they are called of the hebrews bogiah , and of the chaldees kokin . the italians saniada majonio , and bertuccia , and a munkey gatto maimone . the ancient grecians pithecos and the later mimon , and ark ●●zanes , by reason of his imitation . the moors bugia , the spaniards mona , or ximto , the french singe , the germanes aff , the flemish simme or schimmekell , the illyrians opieze , and generally they are held for a subtill , ironicall , ridiculous and unprofitable beast , whose flesh is not good for meat , as a sheep , neither his back for burden , as an asses ; nor yet commodious to keep a house , like a dog ; but of the grecians termed gelotopoios , made for laughter . * * * anacha●sis the philosopher , being at a banquet wherein divers jesters were brought in to make them merry , yet never laughed , among the residue ; at length was brought in an ape , at the sight whereof he laughed heartily ; and being demanded the cause why he laughed not before , answered , that men do but faign merriments , whereas apes are naturally made for that purpose . moreover apes are much given to imitation and derision , and they are called cercopes , because of their wicked wasts , deceits , impostures and flatteries : wherefore of the poets it is faigned , that there were two brethren most wicked fellows , that were turned into apes , and from their seat or habitation came the the pithecusan islands , which virgil calleth inarime : for arime was an old hetrurian word for an ape , and those islands being the seats of the * * * giants ( who being by god overthrown for their wickedness ) in derision of them , apes were planted in their rooms . apes have been taught to leap , sing , drive wagons , reigning and whipping the horses very artificially , and are very capable of all humane actions , having an excellent memory either to shew love to his friends , or hateful revenge to them that have harmed him , but the saying is good , that the threatning of a flatterer , and the anger of an ape , are both alike regarded . it delighteth much in the company of dogs and young children , yet it will strangle young children if they be not well looked unto . a certain ape seeing a woman washing her child in a bason of warm water , observed her diligently , and getting into the house when the nurse was gone , took the child out of the cradle , and setting water on the fire , when it was hot , stripped the child naked , and washed the child therewith untill it killed it . the countreys where apes are found , are lybia and all that desert woods betwixt egypt , aethiopia and lybia , and that part of oaucasus which reacheth to the red sea. in india they are most abundant , both red , black , green , dust-colour , and white ones , which they use to bring into cities ( except red ones , who are so venereous that they will ravish their women ) and present to their kings , which grow so tame , that they go up and down the streets so boldly and civilly , as if they were children , frequenting the market places without any offence : whereof so many shewed themselves to alexander standing upright , that he deemed them at first to be an army of enemies , and commanded to joyn battel with them , untill he was certified by taxilus a king of that countrey then in his campe , they were but apes . in caucasus there are trees of pepper and spices whereof apes are the gatherers , living among those trees : for the inhabitants come , and under the trees make plain a plat of ground , and afterward cast thereupon boughs and branches of pepper , and other fruits , as it were carelesly ; which the apes secretly observing , in the night season , they gather together in great abundance all the branches loaden with pepper , and lay them on heaps upon that plat of ground , and so in the morning come the indians and gather the pepper from those boughs in great measure , reaping no small advantage by the labor of apes , who gather their fruits for them whiles they sleep : for which cause they love them and defend them from lions , dogs , and other wild beasts . in the region of basman , subject to the great cham of tartaria , are many and divers sorts of apes , very like mankind , which when the hunters take , they pull of their hairs all but the beard and the hole behind , and afterward dry them with hot spices , and poudering them , sell them to merchants , who carry them about the world , perswading simple people that there are men in islands of no greater stature . to conclude , there are apes in troglodytae which are maned about the neck like lions , as big as great bel-weathers . so are some called cercopitheci , munkies , choeropitheci , hog apes , cepi , callitriches , marmosits , cynocephali , of a dog and an ape , satyres , and sphinges , of which we will speak in order , for they are not all alike , but some resemble men one way , and some another : as for a chymaera , which albertus maketh an ape , it is but a figment of the poets . the same man maketh pigmeys a kind of apes , and not men , but niphus proveth that they are not men , because they have no perfect use of reason , no modesty , no honesty , nor justice of government , and although they speak , yet is their language imperfect ; and above all they cannot be men , because they have no religion , which ( plato saith truly ) is proper to every man. besides , their stature being not past three , four , or five spans long , their life not above eight years , and their imitation of man , do plainly prove them rather to be apes then men : and also the flatness of their noses , their combats with cranes and partridges for their egges , and other circumstances i will not stand upon , but follow the description of apes in general apes do outwardly resemble men very much , and vesalius sheweth , that their proportion differeth from mans in more things then galen observed , as in the muscles of the breast , and those that move the armes , the elbow and the ham , likewise in the inward frame of the hand , in the muscles moving the toes of the feet , and the feet and shoulders , and in the instrument moving in the sole of the foot , also in the fundament and mesentery , the lap of the liver , and the hollow vein holding it up , which men have not ; yet in their face , nostrils , ears , eye-lids , breasts , armes , thumbes , fingers and nails , they agree very much . their hair is very harsh and short , and therefore hairy in the upper part like men , and in the neather part like beasts : they have teeth before and behind like men , having a round face , and ey-lids above and beneath , which other quadrupedes have not , politianus saith , that the face of a bull or lion is more comely then the face of an ape , which is like a mans . they have two dugs , their breasts and armes like men , but rougher , such as they use to bend , as a man doth his foot . so their hands , fingers and nails , are like a mans , but ruder and nimbler ; and nature having placed their dugs in their breast , gave them armes to lift their young ones up to suck them . their feet are proper , and not like mans , having the middle one longest , for they are like great hands , and consist of fingers like hands , but they are alike in bigness , except that which is least to a man , is greatest to an ape , whose sole is like the hand but that it is longer , and in the hinder part it is more fleshy , somewhat resembling a heel , but put backward it is like a fist . they use their feet both for going and handling ; the neather parts of their armes , and their thighes are shorter then the proportion of their elbows and shins : they have no navel , but there is a hard thing in that place ; the upper part of their body is far greater then the neather , like other quadrupedes , consisting of a proportion between five and three : by reason wereof they grow out of kind , having feet like hands and feet . they live more downward then upward , like other four-footed beasts , and they want buttocks , ( although albertus saith they have large ones ) they have no tail , like two legged creatures , or a very small signe thereof . the genitall or privy place of the female is like a womans , but the males is like a dogs : their nourishment goeth more forward then backward , like the best horses , and the arabian seraph , which are higher before then behind ; and that ape whose meat goeth forward by reason of the heat of heart and liver , is most like to a man , in standing upright : their eyes are hollow , and that thing in men is accounted for a signe of a malicious mind , as little eyes are a token of a base and abject spirit . men that have low and flat nostrils are libidinous as apes that attempt women , and having thick lips , the upper hanging over the neather , they are deemed fools , like the lips of asses and apes . albertus saith , he saw the heart of a male ape , having two tops or sharpe ends , which i know not whether to term a wonder or a monster . an ape and a cat have a small back , and so hath a weak hearted man , a broad and stong back signifieth a valiant and magnanimous mind . the apes nails are half round , and when they are in copulation , they bend their elbowes before them , the sinews of their hinder joynts being turned clean about , but with a man it is clean otherwise . the veins of their armes are no otherwise dissected then a mans , having a very small and ridiculous crooked thumb , by reason of the muscles which come out of the hinder part of the leg , into the middle of the shin , and the fore muscles drawing the leg backward , they cannot exactly stand upright , and therefore they run and stand , like a man that counterfeits a lame mans halting . and as the body of an ape is ridiculous , by reason of an indecent likeness and imitation of man , so is his soul or spirit ; for they are kept only in rich mens houses to sport withall , being for that cause easily tamed , following every action he seeth done , even to his own harme without discretion . a certain ape after a shipwrack swimming to land , was seen by a countrey-man , and thinking him to be a man in the water , gave him his hand to save him , yet in the mean time asked him what countreyman he was , who answered , he was an athenian : well , said the man , dost thou know piraeus ? ( which was a port in athens ) very well said the ape , and his wife , friends , and children , where at the man being moved , did what he could to drown him . they keep for the most part in caves and hollow places of hils , in rocks and trees , feeding upon apples and nuts , but if they find any bitterness in the shell , they cast all away . they eat lice , and pick them out of heads and garments . they will drink wine till they be drunk , but if they drink it oft , they grow not great , specially they lose their nails , as other quadrupedes do . they are best contented to sit aloft , although tied with chains . they are taken by laying for them shoos and other things , for they which hunt them will anoint their eyes with water in their presence , and so departing , leave a pot of lime or hony in stead of the water , which the ape espying , cometh and anointeth her eyes therewith , and so being not able to see , doth the hunter take her . if they lay shoos , they are leaden ones , too heavy for them to wear , wherein are made such devises of gins , that when once the ape hath put them on , they cannot be gotten off without the help of man : so likewise for little bags made like breeches , wherewithal they are deceived and taken . they bring forth young ones for the most part by twins , whereof they love the one and hate the other ; that which they love they bear in their armes , the other hangeth at the damns back , and for the most part she killeth that which she loveth , by pressing it too hard ; afterward she setteth her whole delight upon the other . the egyptians when they describe a father leaving his inheritance to his son that he loveth not picture an ape with her young one upon her back . the male and female abide with the young one , and if it want any thing , the male with fist , and ireful aspect punisheth the female . when the moon is in the wane , they are heavie and sorrowful , which in that kind have tails ; but they leap and rejoyce at the change : for as other beasts , so do these , fear the defect of the stars and planets . they are full of dissimulation , and imitation of man , they readilyer follow the evill then the good they see . they are very fierce by nature , and yet tamed forget it , but still remain subject to madness . they love conies very tenderly , for in england an old ape ( scarse able to go ) did defend tame conies from the weasel , as sir thomas more reported . they fear a shell fish and a snail very greatly , as appeareth by this history . in rome , a certain boy put a snail in his hat and came to an ape , who as he was accustomed , leaps upon his shoulder and took off his hat to kill lice in his head , but espying the snail , it was a wonder to see with what haste the ape leaped from the boys shoulder , and in trembling manner looked back to see if the snail followed him . also when a snail was tied to the one end of another apes chain , so that he could not chuse but continually look upon it , one cannot imagine how the ape was tormented therewith , finding no means to get from it , cast up whatsoever was in his stomach , and fell into a grievous fever till it was removed from the snail , and refreshed with wine and water . gardane reporteth , that it was an ancient custom in former time when a parricide was executed , he was ( after he was whipped with bloudy stripes ) put into a sack , with a live serpent , a dog , an ape and a cock : by the serpent was signified his extreme malice to mankind in killing his father , by the ape that in the likeness of man he was a beast , by the dog how like a dog he spared none , no not his own father , and by a cock his hateful pride , and then were they all together hurl'd headlong into the sea. that he might be deemed unworthy of all the elements of life , and other blessings of nature . a lion ruleth the beasts of the earth , and a dolphin the beasts of the sea ; when the dolphin is in age and sickness , she recovereth by eating a sea-ape : and so the lion by eating an ape of the earth , and therefore the egyptians paint a lion eating an ape , to signifie a sick man curing himself . the heart of an ape sod and dryed , whereof the weight of a groat drunk in a draught of stale hony , sod in water , called melicraton , strengthneth the heart , emboldneth it , and driveth away the pulse and pusillanimity thereof : sharpeneth ones understanding , and is soveraign against the salling evill . the munkey . they are bred in the hils of constance , in the woods of bugia and mauritania . in aethiopia , they have black heads , hair like asses , and voices like to other . in india they report that the munkeys will clime the most steep and high rocks , and fling stones at them that prosecute to take them . when the king of ioga in india for religion goeth on pilgrimage , he carryeth with him very many munkeys . in like sort , munkeys are brought from the new found lands , from calechut and prasia ; and not far from aden a city of arabia , is a most high hill abounding in these beasts , who are a great hinderance to the poor vintagers of the countrey of calechut , for they will climb into the high palm trees , and breaking the vessels set to receive the wine , pour forth that liquor they find in them : they will eat hearbs and grain , and ears of grasse , going together in great flocks , whereof one ever watcheth at the utmost bounds of their camp , that he may cry out when the husbandman cometh , and then all flying and leaping into the next trees escape away : the females carry their young ones about with them on their shoulders , and with that burden leap from tree to tree . there be of this kind of munkeys two sorts , one greater , the other lesser , as is accounted in england , and munkeys are in like sort so divided , that there be in all four kinds differing in bigness , whereof the least is little bigger then a squirrel , and because of their marvellous and divers mowings , movings , voices and gestures , the englishmen call any man using such histrionical actours a munkey . the only difference betwixt these and other apes aforesaid , is their tail ; they differ from men in their nerves , in the joints of their loynes , and their processes , and they want the third muscle moving the fingers of their hands . mammonets are lesse then an ape , brown on the back , and white on the belly , having a long and hairy tail , his neck almost so big as his body , for which cause they are tied by the hips that they slip not collar . they have a round head , a face like a man , but black and bald on the crown , his nose in a reasonable distance from his mouth like a mans , and not continued like an apes , his stones greenish blew , like a turkey stone . they are caught after the manner of apes , and being tamed and taught , they conceive and work very admirable feats , and their skins pulled off them being dead are dressed for garments . the foolish arabians dedicated memnonius cercopitheous unto heaven , and in all afflictions implored his aid . there is one other kind of munkeys , whose tail is only hairy at the tip , called cercolipis . the cepus , or martine munkey . the martin called cepus of the greek word , kepos , which aristotle writeth kebos , and some translate caebus , some cephus or cepphus or more barbarously celphus , the latines sometimes ortus , for indeed this kind of ape in his best estate is like * a garden set with divers flowers , and therefore the best kind of them is discerned and known by the sweetest favour , such being alwayes the most ingenious imitators of men . it is very probable that this name cepus is derived of the hebrew koph and kophin signifying apes in general , as is before said , but yet this kind is distinguished from other by strabo , aelianus and pliny , although aristotle doth make no difference betwixt this and another ordinary munkey . the games of great pompey first of all brought these martines to the sight of the romans , and afterward rome saw no more ; they are the same which are brought out of aethiopia and the farthest arabia ; their feet and knees being like a mans , and their fore-feet like hands , their inward parts like a mans , so that some have doubted what kind of creature this should be , which is in part a man , and yet a four-footed beast : it having a face like a lion , and some part of the body like a panther , being as big as a wilde goat or roe-buck , or as one of the dogs of erithrea , and a long tail , the which such of them as have tasted flesh wil eat from their own bodies . concerning their colour , howsoever they are not all alike , for some are black with white spots , having a greater voice then others , some yellow , some lion-tauny , some golden-yellow , and some cole-black : yet for the most part , the head and back parts to the tail , are of a fiery colour , with some golden hair aspersed among the residue , a white snowt , and certain golden strakes like a collar going about the neck , the inferiour parts of the neck down to the breast , and the forefeet are white , their two dugs as big as a mans hand can gripe , are of a blewish colour , and their belly white , their hinder legs black , and the shape of their snout like a cynochephale : which may be the difference betwixt aelianus and strabo their cepus , and aristotles cebus , for nature many times bringeth forth like beasts which are not of the same kind . in england there was a martine that had his back and sides of a green colour , having here and there white hair , the belly , chin and beard ( which was round ) white , the face and shins black , and the nose white , being of the lesser kind , for in bigness it exceeded not a coney . some of them in aethiopia have a face like a satyre , and other members in part resembling a bear , and in part a dog , so are the prasian apes . this martine did the babylonians , inhabiting neer memphis , for the stangeness , the colour , and shape thereof , worship for a god. they are of evill disposition like apes , and therefore we will spare both their pictures and further description , finding very little of them in histories worth commemoration . the ape calitrich . the calitrich , so called by reason of his beard , and may be termed in english a bearded ape , will live no other where then in ethiopia and india , which are easie to take , but very hard to bring away alive into these countrys . they differ in appearance from all other apes , having a long beard and a large tail , hairy at the end , being in india all white , which the indians hunt with darts , and being tamed , they are so apt to play , that a man would think they were created for no other purpose ; whereupon the grecians use in proverbe , an ape having a beard , for a ridiculous and foolish jesting man. of the prasyan apes . megasthenes ( saith aelianus and strabo ) writeth of apes in prasia a region in india , which are no lesse then great dogs , and five cubits high , having hair like a man coming forth of their forehead and beards , being altogether white except their tails , which are two cubits and a half long , very like a lions ; and unto a simple man it might seem , that their tufts of hair were artificially trimmed , thought it grow naturally . their beard is much like a satyres , and although their body be white , yet is their head and tip of their tail yellow , so that the martins before mentioned , seem to be affianced to these . these prasyan apes live in mountains and woods , and yet are they not wilde , but so tame that oftentimes in great multitudes they come down to the gates and suburbs of latagis , where the king commandeth them dayly sodden rice for their food , which they eat , and being filled return again to their home and usuall places of harbour in great moderation , doing no harme to any thing . while he was in the ship bound with chains , other of the company having been on land to forrage , brought out of the marishes a bore , which bore was shewed to the munkey ; at the first sight either of other set up their bristles , the raging munkey leapeth upon the bore , and windeth his tail round about the bore , and with the one arme which he had left , caught him , and held him so fast by the throat , that he stifled him . there is another kind of munkey , for stature , bignesse and shape like a man , for by his knees , secret parts and face , you would judge him a wilde man , such as inhabit numidia , and the lapones , for he is altogether overgrown with hair ; no creature , except a man can stand so long as he ; he loveth women and children dearly , like other of his own kind , and is so venereous that he will attempt to ravish women , whose image is here described , as it was taken forth of the book of the description of the holy land. of the cynocepale or baboun . cynocephales , are a kind of apes , whose heads are like dogs , and their other parts like a mans ; wherefore gaza translateth them canicipites , ( to wit ) dog-heads . in the french , german , and illyrian tongues , they are called of some babion , and babuino in italian , is a small kind of ape ; but aristotle saith , that a cynocephale is bigger then an ape . in english they are called babouns . there are many kinds of baboons , whereof some are much given to fishing , so that they will tarry a whole day in the deep hunting for fish , and at length come forth with a great multitude . again , there are some which abhor fishes , ( as orus saith ) which kind the egyptians emblematically use to paint , when they will decipher a sacrifice . some there are which are able to write , and naturally to discern letters ; which kind the old egyptian priests bring into their temples , and at their first entrance the priest bringeth him a writing table , a pencil and inke , that so by seeing him write , he may make tryall whether he be of the right kind and the beast quickly sheweth his skill : wherefore in ancient time , they were dedicated to mercury , the fained god of learning . the reason why the egyptians do nourish them among their hallowed things is , that by them they may know the time of the conjunction betwixt the sun and moon ; because the nature of this beast is , to have a kind of feeling of that 〈◊〉 〈…〉 on , for after that these two signs meet , the male baboun neither will look up n 〈…〉 s to the ground , as it were lamenting the ravishment of the moon with disda 〈…〉 manner the female , who moreover , at that time sendeth forth bloud out 〈…〉 of conception : whereupon the egyptians signifie by a baboun the moon , the rising of the mo 〈…〉 his standing up right holding his hands up toward heaven , and wearing a crown on his 〈…〉 with such gestures doth that beast congratulate her first appearance . another cause why they bring them into their temples is , because of the holyness of circumcision , for it is most true ( though strange ) that they are brought forth circumcised , at the least wise in some appearance ; whereunto the priests give great heed to accomplish and finish the work begun . the egyptians also paint 〈…〉 to signifie the equinoctium , for in every equinoctium they bark or howl twelve times in one day , and so many times make water : wherefore the egyptians also upon their 〈…〉 grave a baboun , out of whose yard or privy part issued forth water ; and they also say that this beast so nourished among their holy things , dyeth not at once like other beasts , but every day one part by the space of days ( the other parts remaining in perfection of nature ) which the priests take and put in the earth day by day , till all perish and be consumed . the west region of lybia and aethi●pia have great store of cynocephals , babouns , and acephals , beasts without a head whose eyes and mouth are in their breasts . in like sort in arabia , from dira southward in a 〈…〉 ry , there are many 〈◊〉 ▪ and in the continent called dachinabades beyond barygaza , and the eastern mountains of the mediterranean region ; and those which apollonius saw betwixt the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and hyphasis , seem to be of this sort , in that he describeth them to be black haird , dog 〈◊〉 , and like little men ; wherewithall aelianus seemeth to be deceived , in saying , that there are men 〈…〉 rosopoi , dog-faced , whereas it is the error of vulgar people , to think that babouns are men , differing only in the face or visage , concerning their members or parts in several , they are black and hairy , rough skinned , red and bright eyes , a long dogs face , and teeth stronger and longer then dogs : the face of a lion must not be attributed to this beast , nor yet a satyres , though it be more like . it hath a grim and fearful face , and the female hath naturally her womb cast out of her body , and so she beareth it about all her life long : their voice is a shrill whizing , for they cannot speak , and yet they understand the indian language ; under their beard they have a chin growing like a serpents , and bearding about the lips like a dragon ; their hands are armed with most strong nails , and sharp ; they are very swift of foot , and hard to be taken , wherefore they will run to the waters when they are hunted , being not ignorant that among waters they are most hardly taken ; they are very fierce and active in leaping , biting deep and eagerly where they lay hold , neither do they ever grow so tame , but that they remain furious also . they love and nourish sheep and goats , and drink their milk ; they know how to take the kernels out of almonds , walnuts and nuts , as well as men , finding the meat within , though the shell be unprofitable : they will also drink wine and eat flesh , sod , rosted , or deliciously dressed , and they will eat venison , which they by reason of their swiftness take easily , and having taken it tear it in pieces and rost it in the sun ; they can swim safely over any waters , and therefore among the egyptians they signifie swimming . they are evill mannered and natured , wherefore also they are pictured to signifie wrath , they are so unappeasable . the latins use them adjectively to signifie any angry , stubborn , froward , or ravening man. they will imitate all humane actions , loving wonderfully to wear garments , and of their own accord they clothe themselves in the skins of wilde beasts they have killed they are as lustful and venereous as goats , attempting to defile all sorts of women , and yet they love little children , and their females will suffer them to suck their breasts if they be held to them , and some say they will suck womens breasts like little children . there was such a beast brought to the french king , his head being like a dogs , and his other parts like a mans , having legs , hands and armes naked like a mans , and a white neck ; he did eat sod flesh so mannerly and modestly , taking his meat in his hands , and putting it to his mouth , that any man would think he had understood humane conditions : he stood upright like a man , and sat down like a man. he discerned men and women asunder , and above all loved the company of women , and young maidens ; his genital member was greater then might match the quantity of his other parts : he being moved to wrath , would rage and set upon men , but being pacified , behaved himself as meekly and gently as a man , and was overcome with fair words : shewing himself well pleased with those that sported with him . the nomades people of aethiopia , and the nations of menitimori live upon the milk of cynocephales , keeping great herds of them , and killing all the males , except some few preserved for procreation . a tartarine . there was at paris another beast called a tartarine , and in some places a magot ( much like a baboun , as appeareth by his natural circumcision ) being as great as a gray-hound , and walketh for the most part upon two legs , being cloathed with a souldiers coat , and a sword girded to his side , so that the most part thought him to be some monster-little-man , for being commanded to his kennel , he would go and tarry there all night , and in the day time walk abroad to be seen of every man , it was doubtful whether he were of the munkey kind or the baboun , his voice was like the squeeking of a mouse , but his aspect and countenance was fierce , truculent and fearful , as his image is here deciphered . the satyre . as the cynocephal or baboun apes have given occasion to some to imagine ( though falsely ) there were such men , so the satyres a most rare and seldom seen beast , hath occasioned other to think it was a devil ; and the poets with their apes , the painters , limmers , and carvers , to encrease that superstition , have therefore described him with horns on his head , and feet like goats , whereas satyres have neither of both . and it may be that devils have at some time appeared to men in this likeness , as they have done in the likenesse of the onocentaure and wild asse , and other shapes ; it being also probable , that devils take not any denomination or shape from satyres , but rather the apes themselves from devils whom they resemble , for there are many things common to the satyre-apes and devilish-satyres , as their humane shape , their abode in solitary places , their rough hair , and lust to women , wherewithall other apes are naturally infected : but especially satyres . wherefore the ancient grecians conjecture their name to be derived as it were of stathes , signifying the yard or virile member : and it is certain that the devils have exercised their prestigious lust , or rather their imagination of lust upon mankind , whereof cometh that distinction of fauni , that some are incubi defilers of women , and some succubi defiled by men . peradventure the name of satyre is more fitly derived from the hebrew sai● , isa . . whereof the plural is seirim , isa . . which is interpreted monsters of the desert , or rough hairy fawnes ; and when issim is put to seir , it signifieth goats . the chaldeans for seirim , render schedin ; that is , evill devils : and the arabians , leseiathin ; that is , satanas : the persians , devan ; the illyrians , devadai and dewas ; the germans , teufel . they which passed through the world and exercised dauncing and other sports , for dionysius , were called satyres , and sometimes tytiri , because of their wanton songs ; sometimes sileni ( although the difference is , that the smaller and younger beasts are called satyri , the elder and greater sileni : ) also bacche and nymphae , whereof bacchus is pictured riding in a chariot of vinebranches , silenus riding beside him on an asse , and the bacchae or satyres shaking together their stalkie javelines and paulmers . by reason of their leaping they are called scirti , and the antick or satyrical dancing sicinnis , and they also sometimes sicinnistae ; sometimes aegipanae : wherefore pliny reporteth , that among the western ethiopians , there are certain little hils of the satyrique aegipanae , and that in the night time they use great fires , piping and dancing , with a wonderful noise of timbrels and cymbals : and so also in atlas amongst the moores , whereof there was no footing , remnant , or appearance to be found in the day time . there are also satyres in the eastern mountains of india , in the countrey of the cartaduli , and in the province of the comari and corudae , but the cebi spoken of before bred in ethiopia , are not satyres ( though faced like them : ) nor the prasyan apes , which resemble satyres in short beards . there are many kinds of these satyres better distinguished by names then any properties natural known unto us . such are the aegipanae before declared , nymphes of the poets , fawnes , pan , & sileni , which in the time of the gentiles were worshipped for gods ; and it was one part of their religion , to set up the picture of a satyre at their doors and gates , for a remedy against the bewitching of envious persons ; and the statue of priapus in the agalma of a satyre in their gardens : for which cause we read of many pictures made of satyres . antiphalus made a very noble one in a panthers skin , calling it aposcopon , that is , wry-faced . another painter of aristides , painted it crowned with a drinking cup , signifying thereby the beastlinesse of drunkards . miron had one painted hearing and admiring pipes , and another called periboetos at athens , as is reported , & that praxiteles was wonderfully in love therewith ; whereupon being at supper with phryne the noble harlot , who had begged of him the best piece of work he had , consented with this condition , that he would not tel her which he loved best ; whereupon she to satisfie herself , privately suborned one of his slaves , to come in at supper time , and tell him his house and most of his goods were burned ; whereat being amazed , demanded if cupid , and the satyre were safe ; by which she knew the best piece , and asked cupid , refusing the satyre . protogenes had one painted holding pipes in his hand , and was called anapauomenos : & timanthes had painted cyclops sleeping in a little tabler , with satyrs standing beside him , measuring with a javelin the length of his thumb . satyres have no humane conditions in them , nor other resemblance of men beside their outward shape : though solinus speak of them like as of men . they cary their meat under their chin as in a storehouse , and from thence being hungry they take it forth to eat , making it ordinary with them every day which is but annual in the formicae lions ; being of very unquiet motions above other apes . they are hardly taken , except sick , great with young , old , or asleep ; for sylla had a satyre brought him which was taken asleep neer apollonia , in the holy place nymphaeum , of whom he ( by divers interpreters ) demanded many questions , but received no answer , save only a voice much like the neying of a horse , whereof he being afraid , sent him away alive . philostratus telleth another history , how that apollonius and his colleagues supping in a village of ethiopia , beyond the fall of nilus , they heard a sudden outcry of women calling to one another ; some saying , take him , others , follow him : likewise provoking their husbands to help them : the men presently took clubs , stones , or what came first to hand , complaining of an injury done unto their wives . now some ten moneths before there had appeared a fearful shew of a satyre , raging upon their women , and had slain two of them , with whom he was in love : the companions of apollonius quaked at the hearing hereof , and nilus one of them sware ( by jove ) that they heing naked and unarmed , could not be able to resist him in his outragious lust , but that he would accomplish his wantonness as before : yet said apollonius , there is a remedy to quail these wanton leaping beasts , which men say midas used ( for midas was of kindred to satyres , as appeared by his ears . ) this midas heard his mother say , that satyres loved to be drunk with wine , and then sleep soundly , and after that be so moderate , mild and gentle , that a man would think they had lost their first nature . whereupon he put wine into a fountain neer the high-way , whereof when the satyre had tasted he waxed meek suddenly , and was overcome . now , that we think not this a fable ( saith apollonius ) let us go to the governor of the town , and inquire of him whether there be any wine to be had that we may offer it to the satyre : whereunto all consented , and they filled four great egyptian earthen vessels with wine , and put it into the fountain where their cattel were watered ; this done , apollonius called the satyre , secretly threatning him , and the satyre inraged with the savour of the wine came ; after he had drunk thereof , now said apollonius , let us sacrifice to the satyre , for he sleepeth , and so led the inhabitants to the dens of the nymphes , distant a furlong from the town , and shewed them the satyre , saying , neither beat , curse , or provoke him henceforth , and he shall never harme you . it is certain , that the devils do many wayes delude men in the likeness of satyres , for when the drunken feasts of bacchus were yearly celebrated in parnassus , there were many sights of satyres , and voices , and sounding of cymbals heard ; yet is it likely that there are men also like satyres inhabiting in some desert places ; for s. jerom in the life of paul the eremite , reporteth there appeared to s. antony an hippocentaure , such as the poets describe , and presently he saw in a rocky valley adjoyning , a little man having crooked nostrils , hornes growing out of his forehead , and the neather part of his body had goats feet : the holy man not dismayed , taking the shield of faith , and the breastplate of righteousness , like a good souldier of christ , pressed toward him , which brought him some fruits of palms as pledges of his peace , upon which he fed in the journey ; which st. antony perceiving , he asked him who he was , and received this answer , i am a mortall creature , one of the inhabitants of this desert , whom the gentiles ( deceived with error ) do worship and call fauni , satyres , and incubi : i am come in ambassage from our flock , intreating that thou wouldst pray for us unto the common god , who came to save the world ; the which words were no sooner ended , but he ran away as fast as any fowl could flie . and lest this should seem false , under constantine at alaxandria , there was such a man to be seen alive , and was a publick spectacle to all the world ; the carcass whereof after his death was kept from corruption by heat , through salt , and was carried to antiochia that the emperor himself might see it . satyres are very seldom seen , and taken with great difficulty , as is before said : for there were two of those sound in the woods of saxoxy towards dacia , in a desert , the female whereof was killed by the darts of the hunters , and the biting dogs , but the male was taken alive , being in the upper parts like a man , and in the neather part like a goat , but all hairy throughout ; he was brought to be tame , and learned to go upright , and also to speak some words , but with a voice like a goat , and without all reason : he was exceeding lustful to women , attempting to ravish many of what condition soever they were , and of this kind there are store in ethiopia . the figure of another monster . the famous learned man george fabricius , shewed me this shape of a monstrous beast ( the figure whereof see p. . ) that is fit to be joyned to the story of satyres . there was ( said he ) in the territory of the bishop of saltzburgh , in a forrest called fannesburgh , a certain four-footed beast , of a yellowish-carnation colour , but so wild that he would never be drawn to look upon any man , hiding himself in the darkest places , and being watched diligently , would not be provoked to come forth so much as to eat his meat , so that in a very short time it was famished . the hinder legs were much unlike the former , and also much longer . it was taken about the year of the lord , one thousand five hundred thirty , whose image being here so lively described , may save us further labour in discoursing of his main and different parts and proportion . of the norvegian monsters . when as certain ambassadors were sent from james the fourth of that name , king of scotland , among whom was james ogill that famous scholar of the university of aberdene , they no sooner took shipping and hoisted sail , but there sudainly arose such a tempestuous storm , that they were driven to the coasts of norway : and there going on shoar , they were very strangely affrighted , to see ( as to them it appeared ) certain wild , monstrous men , running on the tops of the mountains . afterward they were told by the inhabitants that they were beasts ( and not men ) which did bear mortal hatred to mankind , although they could not abide the presence of a mans countenance , yet in dark nights , when the reverend visage of humane creatures are covered , they will come down by troops upon the villages , and except the barking of dogs drive them back , they break open doors , and enter houses , killing and devouring whosoever they find ; for their strength is so unresistible and great , that they can pull up by the roots a tree of mean stature , and tearing the boughs from the body , with the stock or stem thereof they fight one with another . which when the ambassadors heard , they caused a sure watch to be kept all night , and withall made exceeding great fires , and when the light appeared , they took their farewel of those monster-breeding-shores , recovering with joy , the course which before they had lost by tempest . of the aegopithecus . under the equinoctial toward the east and south , there is a kind of ape called aegopithecus , an ape like a goat . for there are apes like bears , called arctopitheci , and some like lions , called leontopitheci , and some like dogs , called cynocephali , as is before expressed ; and many other which have a mixt resemblance of other creatures in their members . amongst the rest is there a beast called pan ; who in his head , face , horns , legs , and from the loins downwards resembleth a goat ; but in his belly , breast , and armes , an ape : such a one was sent by the king of indians to constantine , which being shut up in a cave or close place , by reason of the wildness thereof , lived there but a season , and when it was dead and bowelled , they pouldred it with spices , and carried it to be seen at constantinople : the which having been seen of the ancient grecians , were so amazed at the strangeness thereof , that they received it for a god , as they did a satyre and other strange beasts . of the sphinga or sphinx . the name of this sphinx is taken from * * * binding , as appeareth by the greek notation , or else of delicacie and dainty nice * * * loosness , ( wherefore there were certain common strumpets called sphinctae , and the megarian sphingas , was a very popular phrase for notorious harlets ) hath given occasion to the poets , to saign a● certain monster called sphinx , which they say was thus derived . hydra brought forth the chymaera , chymaera , by orthus the sphinx , and the nemean lion : now this orthus was one of the geryons dogs . this sphinx they make a treble formed monster , a maidens face , a lions legs , and the wings of a fowl ; or as ausonius and varinus say , the face and hand of a maid , the body of a dog , the wings of a bird , the voice of a man , the claws of a lion , and the tail of a dragon : and that she kept continually in the sphincian mountain ; propounding to all travellers that came that way , an aenigma or riddle , which was this , what was the creature that first of all goeth on four legs , afterwards on two , and lastly on three : and all of them that could not dissolve that riddle , she presently flew , by taking them and throwing them down headlong from the top of the rock . at last oedipus came that way and declared the secret , that it was ( a man ) who in his infancy creepeth on all four , afterward in youth , goeth upright upon two legs , and last of all in old age , taketh unto him a staffe which maketh him to go as it were on three legs ; which the monster hearing , she presently threw down her self from the former rock , and so she ended . whereupon oedipus is taken for a subtle and wise opener of mysteries . but the truth is , that when cadmus had maried an amazonian woman , called sphinx , and with her came to thehes , and there slew draco their king , and possessed his kingdom ; afterward there was a sister unto draco called harmona , whom cadmus maried , sphinx being yet alive : she in revenge ( being assisted by many followers ) departed with great store of wealth into the mountain sphincivs , taking with her a great dog which cadmus held in great account , and there made daily incursions or spoils upon his people : now aenigma in the theban language , signifieth an inrode or warlike incursion , wherefore the people complained in this sort , this grecian sphinx robbeth us , in setting upon with an aenigma , but no man knoweth after what manner she maketh this aenigma . cadmus hereupon made proclamation , that he would give a very bountiful reward unto him that would kill sphinx , upon which occasion the corinthian oedipus came unto her , being mounted on a swist courser , and accompanied with some thebans in the night season , slew her . others say , that oedipus by counterseiting friendship , slew her , making shew to be of her faction ; and pausanias saith , that the former riddle was not a riddle , but an oracle of apollo , which cadmus had received , whereby his posterity should be inheritors of the theban kingdom ; and whereas oedipus , being the son of laius a forme● king of that countrey , was taught the oracle in his sleep , he recovered the kingdom usu : ped by sphinx his sister , and afterward unknown , maried his own mother j●casta . but the true moral of this poetical fiction , is by that learned alciatus in one of his emblems deciphered , that her monstrous treble-formed-shape , signified her lustful pleasure under a virgins face , her cruel pride under the lions claws , her winde-driven levity under the eagles or birds feathers , and i will conclude with the words of suidas concerning such monsters , that the tritons , sphinges , and centaures , are the images of those things , which are not to be sound within the compasse of the whole world . the true sphinx first described , is of a fierce though a tameable nature , and if a man do first of all perceive or discern these natural sphinges , before the beast discern or perceive the man , he shall be safe ; but if the beast first descry the man , then is it mortal to the man. these sphinges were of great account for their strangeness : with their image did augustus sign all his grants , libels , and epistles : afterward he left that , and signed with the image of alexander the great , and last of all with his own . syclis the king in the city of the boristhenites , had a fair house , about which there were sphinges and gryphins wrought out of white stone . at athens , in the temple parthen●na , there is described the contention betwixt pallas and neptune , about the earth , and the image of pallas made of ivory and gold , hath in the midst of her shield the picture of a sphinx . amasis the king of egypt , built in the porch of pallas , an admirable work called sar : where he placed such great colosses and a●dro-sphinges , that it was afterward supposed he was buried therein , and was lively to be seen imputrible . to conclude , the egyptians in the porches of their temples painted a sphinx , whereby they insinuated that their divine wisdom was but dark and uncertain , and so covered with fables , that there scarce appeared in it any sparkles or footsteps of yerity . of the sagoin , called galeopithecus . this figure of the sagoin , i received of peter cordenberg , a very learned apothecary at antwerpe , w ch is three times as big as my picture , and john cay that famous english doctor hath advertised me , that it no way resembleth the sagoin it self , which is not much greater then a rat , a little conny , or a young hedghog : for he had seen several ones of that bigness , of a grisseld colour , a neat beard , and somewhat ash coloured , a tail like a rat , but hairy ; the feet of a squirrel , and the face almost like a martine , or satyre , a round ear , but very short and open , the hair black at the root , and white at the end , and in other conditions like a munkey . they are much set , by among women , and by the brasilians where they are bred and called sagoins , it being very probable that they are conceived by a small ape and weasell , for in that countrey , by reason of the heat thereof , there are many such unnatural commixtions . it is a nimble , lively , and quick spirited beast , but fearful ; it will eat white-bread , apples , sweet-grapes , dryed in the sun , figs or pears . there was one of them at antwerpe sold for fifty crowns . in france they call a sagoin a little beast not much bigger then a squirrel , and not able to endure any cold . some other affirme that a sagoin is a bearded creature , but without a tail , of an ash-colour , not much bigger then a fist ; but of this beast there is not any author writeth more then is already rehearsed . of the bear-ape arctopithecus . there is in america a very deformed beast which the inhabitants call haut or hauti , and the frenchmen , guenon , as big as a great african munkey . his belly hangeth very low ; his head and face like unto a childs , as may be seen by this lively picture , and being taken it will sigh like a young child . his skin is of an ash-colour , and hairy like a bear ; he hath but three claws on a foot , as long as four fingers , and like the thornes of privet , whereby he climeth up into the highest trees , and for the most part liveth of the leaves of a certain tree being of anexceeding height , which the americans call amahut , and thereof this beast is called haut . their tail is about three fingers long , having very little hair thereon ; it hath been often tried , that though it suffer any famine , it will not eat the flesh of a living man ; and one of them was given me by a frenchman , which i kept alive six and twenty dayes , and at the last it was killed by dogs , and in that time when i had set it abroad in the open aire , i observed , that although it often rained , yet was that beast never wet . when it is tame it is very loving to a man , and desirous to climb up to his shoulders , which those naked americans cannot endure , by reason of the sharpeness of his claws . of the simivulpa , or apish-fox . those which have travelled the countrey of payran , do affirme , that they have seen a four-footed beast , called in latin , simiculpa , in greek , alopecopithecos , and in german , fuchssaffe : in the forepatt like a fox , and in the hinder part like an ape , except that it had mans feet , and ears like a bat , and underneath the common belly , there was a skin like a bag or scrip , wherein she keepeth , lodgeth , and carryeth her young ones , untill they are able to provide for themselves , without the help of their dam ; neither do they come forth of that receptacle , except it be to suck milk , or sport themselves , so that the same under-belly is her best remedy against the furious hunters , and other ravening beasts , to preserve her young ones , for she is incredibly swift , running with that carriage as if she had no burthen . it hath a tail like a munkey : there was one of them with three young whelpes taken and brought into a ship , but the whelps died quickly : the old one living longer was brought to sivill , and afterward to granado , where the king of spain saw it , which soon after by reason of the change of aire and incertainty of diet , did also pine away and die . the like things doth cardan report of a beast called chiurca , in hispania nova , and stadinius of a suruvoy in america : but i conjecture that the former is this fox-ape called in greek , alopecopithecos , and of the germans fuschsaffe , the latter the female cynocephal , which carryeth her womb wherein lie her young ones without her belly . there is a fish called glaucus , whereof the male swalloweth up all the young ones when they are indangered by other , and afterward yeeldeth them forth again safe and sound . of the asse . the asse , is called in latin , asinus , in greek , ones and killos , be reason of his labour in bearing burdens , and of some megamucos , because of his unpleasant voice : of others cochutous , or canthon , from whence cometh cantharus , that is , a scarabee or flie , bred of the dung of asses . the hebrew call it chamor , deut. . and the persians , care , the latter hebrews do indifferently take gajedor , tartak , and caar for an asse ; the italians , l'usino , the spaniards , asno , the french , vng asne , the germans , esel , mul , mulle-resel , and the illyrtane , osel ; the which beast is intituled or phrased with many epithets among poets ; as slow , burthen-bearing , back-bearing , vile , cart-drawing , mill-labouring , sluggish , crooked , vulgar , slow-paced , long-eared , blockish , braying , idle , devil-haired , filthy , saddle-bearer , four-foot , unsavoury , and a beast of miserable condition ; besides many other such titles in the greek . yet this silly beast hath among the astronomers found more favour , for in the sign cancer there are two stars called the two asses , placed there as some say , by bacchus , who in his fury which juno laid upon him , travelled to the dodanaean temple of apollo to recover his wits , by the counsel of the oracle , came to a certain lake of water , over which he could not passe , and meeting there two asses , took one of them , upon whose back he was safely carried over drie foot . afterward , when he had recovered his wits , in thankfulness for that good turn , he placed the two asses amongst the stars . howsoever this may be a fabulous commendation of this beast , yet holy writ teacheth us , that an asse saw an angel , and opened his mouth in reproof of his master balaam : and our most blessed saviour rode on an asse to jerusalem to shew his humility : and sampson out of the jaw-bone of an asse , quenched his thirst . apuleius in his eleven books of his golden asse , taketh that beast for an emblem , to note the manners of mankind ; how some by youthful pleasures become beasts , and afterward by timely repentant old-age , are reformed men again : some are in their lives wolves ; some foxes , some swine , some asses , and so other may be compared to other beasts : and as origen saith , only by pleasure is a man a horse or mule , when a beastly soul liveth in a humane shape . this world is unto them as an inchanted cup of circes , wherein they drink up a portion of oblivion , error and ignorance ; afterwards brutizing in their whole life , till they taste the roses of true science and grace inlightning their minds , which is their new recovery of humane wit , life , and understanding . asses are bred in arcadia , wherefore proverbially , the best asses are signified by the arcadian asse , and the greatest asses by the arcarnican asse . in timochain in persia , are very beautiful asses , whereof one hath been sold for thirty pounds of silver . likewise in rea , in italy , in illyria , thracia , and epirus , there are asses but very small ones , although all other cattel there are very large . in india among the psilians , they are no greater then rams , and generally all their cattel are of a very small growth . in scythia , pontus , celta , and the regions confining them , are no asses bred , by reason of extremity of cold , for asses are very impatient of cold . in mysia there are also asses ; but their flanks are crooked , and indented as if they were broken ; whereupon a proverbial common speech ariseth ( one having a broken flanke ) for a mysian asse . asses are ingendred both by their own kind , and also by horses , for they chose stallions and put them to their asses , who have large bodies , well-set legs , strong necks , broad and strong ribs , brawny and high creasts , thighes full of sinews , and of black or flea-bitten colour ( for a mouse-colour is not approved ) wherefore he that will have a good flock of asses , must look that the male and female be sound , and of a good age , that they may breed long time , and out of a good seminary , as of arcadia or rea : for as the best lampreyes are in sicilia , and the delicate fish helops in rhodes and not elsewhere ; so are best asses in those forenamed places . when they make choise of a stallion , they look principally that he have a great head . an asse is more desirous of copulation then an horse , and both male and female do couple at thirty moneths , although it prove not untill three years , or three and a half . men say that anna the father in law of esau , did first invent the copulation of horses and asses together ; for as a horse doth cover a she asse , so an asse will cover a mare , and an asse will sooner fill the lust of a mare then a horse . if a horse cover a female asse which hath been entred by a male asse , he cannot alter the seed of the asse : but if an asse cover a mare which a horse hath formerly entred , he will destroy the seed of the horse , so that the mare shall suffer abortment , by reason that the seed genital of an asse is more frigid , then an horses . the mares of elis cannot at all conceive by asses copulation , and there is more abortments falleth out by commixtion of horses with asses , or asses with mares , then when every kind mingleth amongst themselves . it is but a superstition of some , which affirme that an asse cannot conceive for so many years , as she hath eaten grains of barly corn defiled with womens purgation ; but this is certain , that if an asse conceive not at the first losing of her teeth , she remaineth barren . they are not coupled in generation in the spring aequinectium , like mares and other beasts ; but in the summer solstice , by reason of their cold natures , that they may bring forth their young ones about the same time , for in the twelfe moneth after their copulation , they render their foles . if the males be kept from labour they are the worse for generation , wherefore they are not to be suffered idle at that time ; but it is not so with the female , she must rest , that the fole may be the stronger : but presently after she is covered , she must be coursed and driven to and fro , or else she will cast forth again the received seed . the time that she goeth with young , is according to the male kind by which she is covered , for so long as the male lay in the belly of his dam , so long will the asse carry her young before deliverance : but in the stature of body , strength , and beauty , the young one taketh more after the female then the male . the best kind of asses are the foles of a wild asse and a tame female asse . they use when an asse is foaled , to take it from the dam , and put it to suck a mare , that it may be the greater , which fole is callid hippothela , that is , a horse suckling ; and mares will not be covered by asses , except by such a one as was a horse-suckling . a she asse will engender till she be thirty years old , which is her whole life long , but if she conceive often , she will quickly be barren ; whereof their keepers must take such care , that they cause them to be kept from often copulation . they will not fole in the sight of man , or in the light , but in darkness ; they bring forth but one a time , for it hath not been heard of in the life of man , that an asse hath ever brought forth twins . as soon as they are conceived they have milk i● their ●dders , but some hold not untill the tenth moneth . they love their young ones very tenderly for they will run through fire to come at them , but if there be any water betwixt them , it cooleth their affections ; for of all things they love not to wet their feet . they will drive their young ones from sucking at the sixth moneth , because of the pain in their udders , but their keepers wean them not till a whole year after their foaling , their milk is so thick that it is used in stead of sodder : a mares is more thin , and a camels is thinnest of all . it is mortal to their young ones to tast the dams milk for two dayes after their foaling , for the food is so fat that it breedeth in their mouthes the colostracion or beestings . touching their several parts , they have teeth on either chap like a man and a horse , an asse and a mule have teeth , and joyned neer together : the bloud of asses and buls is the thickest of all other , as the bloud of man is the thinnest : his head is great and his ears long and broad : both male and female lose their fore-teeth in the thirtieth moneth of their age , and the second to the first , in the sixt moneth ; their third and fourth teeth are called gnomons , that is , regulars , because by them there is a tryed rule to know their age ; and those teeth also they lose in the sixt moneth . the heart of an asse is great , as all other fearful beasts have . the belly is uniform as in other beasts that have a solid or whole hoof . it wanteth a gall , and hath two udders betwixt the thighes , the forepart of the back neer the shoulder is weakest , and there appeareth the figure of a crosse , and the hinder part neer the loins is stronger . the hoofs are whole and not parted : the stygian water is so cold that nothing can hold it , except the hoof of an asse or mule ; although aelianus affirme , that it cannot be contained but in the horns of scythian asses . their tails are longer by one joint then a horses ( though not so hairy ) . they are purged with monethly courses more then sheep or goats , and the urine of the female is more thin then the males . if an asse was hindered by any disease from making water , certain superstitious persons for the ease of the beast , muttered this charm : gallus bibit & non merit , myoxus meiit & non bibit : that is , the cock drinketh and maketh not water , the dormouse maketh water and never drinketh . they will eat canes or reeds , which to other beasts is almost poison : wherefore in the old time an asse was dedicated to bacchus as the canes were sacred unto him : and at the time of their copulation they give them herb basill to stir up their lust : they will be satisfied with any never so base food , as chaffe , whereof there is abundance in every countrey , young thornes and fruits of trees , twiges of osier , or a bundle of boughs to browse upon : in so much as q. hortentius was wont to say , that he had more care that his barbels should not hunger in his fish-pools , then his asses in rosea : but the young ones newly weaned must be more tendered , for they must be fed with hay , chaffe or barley , green corn , or barley bran . asses will hardly drink but at watering places in their folds , or such as they have been accustomed withall , and where they may drink without wetting their feet ; and that which is more strange , they cannot be brought to go over hollow bridges , through which the water appeareth in the chinks of the planks ; and when in travail they are very thirsty , they must be unladen and constrained to drink ; yea , herodotus reporteth , that there are certain asses among the african shepherds , which never drink . when they sleep they lie at length , and in their sleep conceive many forceable dreams , as appeareth by their often beating back their hinder legs , which if they strike not against the vain aire but against some harder substance , they are for ever utterly lamed . when the asses of thuscia have eaten hemlock , or an herb much like unto it , they sleep so long and strangely , that oftentimes the countrey men begin to flea them , and on the suddain their skins half taken off and the other half on , they awake , braying in such horrible manner , that the poor men are most dreadfully affrighted therewith . their voice is very rude and fearful , as the poet said ; quirritat verres , tardus rudit , uncat assellus . and therefore the grecians to express the same , haved faigned many new words , and call it ogkethmos , as the latins , byders ; that is , to utter forth a voice in a base and rude manner . the poets feign , that at that time when jupiter came to war with the gyants , bacchus and vulcan , the satyres and sileni assisted and attended him , being carryed upon asses . when the time came that the battell began the asses for very fear brayed most horribly , whereat the gyants not being acquainted with such strange and unknown voices and cries , took them to their heels and so were overcome . in the sacrifice of the godesse vacuna , an asse was feasted with bread , and crowned with flowers , hung with rich iewels and peytrels , because ( as they say ) when priapus would have ravished vesta being asleep , she was suddenly awaked by the braying of an asse , and so escaped that infamy . and the lampsaceni in the disgrace of priapus did offer him an asse . but this is accounted certain , that among the scythians by reason of cold , an asse is never heard or seen ; and therefore when the scythians set upon the persians , their horses will not abide the braying of asses , wondring both at the strangeness of an asses shape , and rudeness of his cry : wherefore there are certain birds , resembling in their chattering the braying of asses , and are therefore termed onacratuli : when an asse dyeth , out of his body are ingendred certain flies , called scurabees . they are infested with the same diseases that horses be , and also cured by the same meanes ( except in letting of bloud ) for by reason their veins be small and their bodies cold , in no case must any bloud be taken from them . asses are subject to madness when they have tasted to certain herbs growing neer potnias ; as are bears , horses , leopards and wolves : they only among all other hairy beasts are not troubled with either tikes or lice , but principally they perish by a swelling about the crown of their pasterne , or by a catarrhe called malis , which falling down upon their liver they die , but if it purge out of their nostrils they shall be safe : and columella writeth , that if sheep be stabled where mules or asses have been housed , they will incur the scab . there is great use made of the skins of asses , for the germanes do make thereof a substance to paint and write upon , which is called eselshut . the arabians have a cloth called mesha , made of asses and goates hair , whereof the inhabitants of their deserts make them tents and sacks . it is reported that empedocles was called colysancmas , because when the agrigentines were troubled with winds by hanging about their city innumerable asse skins , he safe-guarded them from the winds : whereupon some have thought ( but falsly ) that there was some secret in asses skins , against outragious tempestes . the bones of asses have been used for pipes , the artificers made more reckoning of them then of the bones of hartes , and therefore esop in plutarch wondereth that so grosse and dull a creature , should have such shrill and musical bones ; and the busirites called the philosophers naucratites , because they played musick upon asses bones , for they cannot abide the sound of a trumpet , because it resembleth the voice of an asse , who is very hateful to them for typhons sake . maecenus allowed the flesh of young asses to be eaten , preferring it before the flesh of wilde asses , and this custome also prevailed at athens , where they did eat the flesh of old asses , which hurteth the stomach , having in it no good juice or sweetness , and is very hard to be digested . in like sort about the coasts of alexandria , men use to eat the flesh of asses , which begetting in their body much melancholick and adusted humor , causeth them to fall into the elephantia or spotted leprosie . asses are tamed at three years old , and taught for those businesses which they must be applied unto ; some for the mill , some for husbandry and the plough , some for burthens and carriage , some for the wars , and some for draught . merchants use asses to carry their wine , oil , corn , and other things to the sea-side ; wherefore the countrey man maketh principal account of this beast for his carriage to and fro , being fit to carry both on his neck and on his back : with them they go to market with their wares , and upon them bring home their houshold necessaries . — tardè costas agitator , aselli , vilibus aut onerat pomis , lapidemque revertens , incussum , aut atrae massam picis urbe reportat . they grind in their mils and fetch home their corn , they plough their land , as in campania , lybia , and boetia , where the ground is soft , and in byzantium that fruitful countrey , which repayeth the husbandmans labor with increase of an hundred and fifty times more then the seed , and where in drie weather their ground is not arable with the whole strength of buls , yet after a little rain , one asse in one end of a yoak , and an old woman at the other end , do easily draw the plough , and open the earth to sow their seed : wherefore cato said merrily , that mules , horses and asses , keep no holy-dayes , except they be such asses as keep within doors . in like sort they draw from place to place the carts of bakers , or carts laden with any other carriage , if it be not over great . the people carmani ( by reason they want horses ) use asses in their wars , so also do the scaracori , who never use them in mils or any such base works , but upon them undertake all their martial perils . there was a custome amongst the cumani , that when a woman was taken in adultery , she was led to the market , and there set upon a bare stone , afterwards she was set upon a bare asses back , and so carryed throughout the city , then brought back again to the former stone for a publick spectacle to all the city , whereby she remained infamous all her life after , and was called onobatis , that is , one that had ridden an asse ; and the stone whereupon she stood , was accounted an unlucky , and an odious place for all posterity . in like sort among the parthians , it was held a disgraceful thing to ride or be carryed upon a bare asses back . the dung of asses is pretious for a garden , especially for cabages ; and if an apple tree be dying , it may be recovered by washing it in asses dung by the space of six dayes ; and some have used to put into gardens the skull of a mare or she asse that hath been covered in copulation , with perswasion that the gardens will be the more fruitful . asses are of very foolish conditions and slender capacity , but yet very tame , not refusing any manner of burthen although it break his back : being loaded , it will not out of the way for any man or beast , and it only understandeth the voice of that man , with whom it is laboured , knowing also the way whereunto it is accustomed . ammonianus was in such love with an asse , and holdding him of so great a capacity , that he had one continually to hear his lectures of philosophie . galen affirmeth , that an asse understandeth genus , species & individuum , because if you shew him a camell that never saw one before , he is terrified and cannot indure his sight : but if he have been accustomed to such a sight , if you shew him never so many , he is not moved at them . in like sort , he knoweth men in general , being not affraid of them , but if he see or hear his keeper , he knoweth him for his keeper or master . there was a cunning player in africa , in a city called alcair , who taught an asse divers strange tricks or feats ; for in a publick spectacle , turning to his asse ( being on a scaffold to shew sport ) said , the great sultan purposeth to build him an house , and shall need all the asses of alcair to fetch and carry wood , stones , lime , and other necessaries for that business ; presently the asse falleth down turneth up his heals into the air , groneth , and shutteth his eyes fast , as if he had been dead : while he lay thus , the player desired the beholders to consider his estate , for his asse was dead ; he was a poor man , and therefore moved them to give him money to buy another asse . in the mean time having gotten as much money as he could , he told the people he was not dead , but knowing his masters poverty , counterfeited in that manner , whereby he might get money to buy him provender , and therefore he turned again to his asse and bid him arise , but he stirred not at all . then did he strike and beat him sore ( as it seemed ) to make him arise , but all in vain , the asse lay still . then said the player again , our sultan hath commanded that to morrow there be a great triumph without the city , and that all the noble women shall ride thither upon the fairest asses , and this night they must be fed with oates , and have the best water of nilus to drink . at the hearing whereof , up started the asse , snorting and leaping for joy : then said the player , the governor of this town hath desired me to lend him this my asse for his old deformed wife to ride upon ; at which words the asse hangeth down his ears , and understanding like a reasonable creature , began to halt as if his leg had been out of joint ; why , but said the player , had thou lifer carry a fair young woman ? the asse wagged his head in token of consent to that bargain , go then ( said the player ) and among all these fair women , chuse one that thou mayest carry ; then the asse looketh round about the assembly , and at last went to a sober woman and touched her with his nose , whereat the residue wondered and laughed , shutting up the sport , with crying out , an asses woman , an asses woman , and so the player went unto another town . such things do serve to teach us that asses are not altogether indocible , besides in their own nature they know how to refresh themselves in their weariness , by wallowing on the ground , and being overcome with melancholy humor , they naturally look for the hearb ceterach or finger-fearne to cure them . when the asses of maurusium are bound to a journey , they set forward so fast , that a man would think they rather flew then ran ; but being overwearyed they are so abased , that they send forth tears , and then are they drawn at horses tails to their journeys end . the asse is never at peace with the crow , because it longeth for the asses eyes , likewise the bird salem , for when the asse cometh to the thornes , to rub himself where the said bird buildeth her nest , the asse spoileth it , wherefore the said bird maketh continual assault upon him . in like sort the colota or stellio , for it sleepeth in the managers , and creepeth up into the asses nose to hinder him from eating . the wolf is also an enemy to the asse , for he loveth his flesh , and with small force doth he compasse the destruction of an asse , for the blockish asse when he seeth a wolf , layeth his head on his side , that so he might not see , thinking that because he seeth not the wolfe , the wolfe cannot see him ; but the wolfe upon this advantage setteth upon the beast on the blind side , and easily destroyeth the courageless asse . another argument of an asses stupidity , is that he careth not for his own life , but will with quietness starve , if meat be not laid before him . wherefore it is apparent that when a dull scholar not apt to learn , is bid to sell an asse to signifie his blockishness , is no vain sentence ; therefore they which resemble asses in their head , round forehead , or great face , are said to be blockish ; in their fleshie face , fearful ; in broad or great eyes , simple ; and like to be mad in thick lips , and the upper hanging over the neather , fools ; and in their voice , contumelious and disdainful . to conclude , the ancients have made many significations of asses and their shapes , making a man with an asses head to signifie ; first , one ignorant of manners , histories , and countryes . secondly , immoderate riot of stubborn persons in scripture is deciphered in an asse . thirdly , impudency and shamelesness , because an asse will not for any stripes forsake his own wayes . fourthly , the jewish people , who like asses could not understand the evident truth of christ in the plain text of scripture , wherefore our saviour secretly upbraided their dulness , when he rode upon an asse . fiftly , the egyptians by an asse , noted a man without all divine knowledge ; wherefore they used to take an asse and follow him with all despight , beating him from place to place till he brake his own neck ; for they believed that an asse was possessed of a devil . sixtly , indocibility , by an asse bridled . seventhly , the snares of flatterers ; for their priests set an asse between flowers and ointments , neither of both partaining to an asses skill ; teaching thereby how mighty men fall by treachery of flatterers . eightly , a woman dissembling her pregnancy . ninthly , by a man weaving a cord , and an asse behind him biting it asunder ; they signifie , a painful husband and a prodigal wife . tenthly , a good vine-dresser , for when an asse did bite of the branch of a vine , it was observed that the next year the vine was more fruitful . finally , base servisity , trifling sluggishness , good fortune , tyrants , and fools , are hierogliphically comprized under the discourse of asses . touching such medicinal vertues as have been tried and found to be in the several parts of asses , by learned and approved writers , now in the conclusion of this history they shall be briefly remembred , and so this narration be finished . a draught or two of the same water whereof an asse or an oxe hath drunk , will ease the head-ache , the forehead of an asse tied to the flesh of one that hath the falling evill , cureth him ; and the brain of an asse steeped in sweet water and infumed in leaves , whereof taken for certain days , half an ounce , easeth the falling evill : the number of which dayes cannot be less then thirty , but this is very ridiculous , that if a man hurt by a scorpion , do whisper his harme in the ear of an asse , presently the hurt ceaseth . when one is vexed with a quotidian fever , with three drops of bloud out of the vein of an asses ear , put into eighteen ounces of water and drunk by the patient , easeth that pain . the liver of an asse burnt , driveth away venomed things , and the same dried and beat to powder , helpeth the cough and shortness of breath , and rosted to be eaten , if it be eaten fasting it is against the falling evill . other say , if it be mixed with opponax , and instilled into the mouth forty days together , defendeth infants from the aforesaid sickness . also the heart of a male black asse , eaten with bread at the evening , in the first or second day of the moon , is good against the falling evill . the liver dried with parsely , and three walnuts clensed from the pill and put into hony , is marvellous good for one that is liver sick ; the ashes of it mixt with oil , taketh away wens ; and the ashes of the liver and the flesh is good against the chapping , clefts , or slisters in the body , which come by cold : but dioscorides ; whom i rather follow , attributeth both these virtues to the ashes of the hoof . he that is sick of the milt , may be holpt with the old milt of an asse , if he eat thereof every day dryed and fasting , he shall find ease by it within three days . the same first dryed and then steeped in water , maketh the dugs full of milk , so also doth the spleen , and the spleen with sewet of a bear , and oil made as thick as hony , by anointing the eye-lids therewith restoreth the hairs which are wanting . the reins exenterated , bruised and put into new pure wine , do help the bladder , and stay the incontinency of the urine . the same dried , burned , and beaten into very small powder , whereof a nut shell full put into two cups of pure wine and drunk off , cureth the strangury . it is thought , that with the powder of the asses genital , the hair may be made grow thicker : and the same beaten with lead and oil , and annointing the head where gray hairs are shaven off , keepeth from more gray hairs . the stones of an asse kept in salt and sprinkled in a potion of asses milk or water , helpeth the falling evill . the gall of an asse or a bull , either of them , severally broke into water , taketh away the spots in the face , if after the patients skin be pilled , he must keep himself from sun and wind . the bloud of an asse stayeth the flux of 〈…〉 ud coming from the skin or films of the brain ; and two or three drops of the same drunk with wine , cureth the quotidian fever : the self same thing is reported of the bloud let out of the vein in the ear . the bloud of the fole of an asse with wine , cureth the kings evil . the sroath or scum of nitre with the fat of an asse or the fat of a sow ; cureth the botings of dogs : and if there be any scars in the body , the fat maketh them of the same colour with the residue of the body . and if one vexed with the falling evill , be annointed with the suet or fat of an asse , it will ease them very much ; likewise the marrow of asses helpeth the scabs from a man , and with the suet the places infected with catarrhs , leprosies , or scars , receive their former colour ; and the skin laid upon young infants , maketh them without fear . and if the bill of a heron wrapped in an asses skin , be bound to ones forehead , it provoketh sleep . a palsie man will fall down if he taste of the perfume made of the hairs of an asse or mule. the ashes of the hairs of asses , stayeth bleeding ; and the same hath the more force if they be of a male , and be mixed with vinegar and laid in wooll to the issue bleeding . the bones of an asse broken and sod , are very soveraign against the venom of a sea-hair-fish . the powder of an asses hoof drunk a moneth together , two spoonfuls at a time , helpeth the falling evill very greatly : and the same mixed with oil , helpeth the kings evill ; and being put upon kibes or chil-blanes , cureth them . the hoofs of asses burned and beaten to powder , given to them that have the falling evill in drink , helpeth them speedily ; also a burned hoof is mingled with many medicines , to cure the swelling of the navel in children ; and the hoofs perfumed procure speedy deliverance in travel of young , that the dead thing may come forth , otherwise it is not used , for it will kill the living young ones . the dust thereof with the milk of an asse , by annointing cureth the scars and webs of the eyes , and as marcellus saith , only the parings of an asses hoof scraped and mingled with a womans milk ; and they say , that if an epileptick man wear a ring made of an asses hoof wherein is no blackness , it will preserve him from falling . the powder of an asses hoof burned and beaten , laid in vinegar and made in little bals , and one of them put into the mouth and there held , helpeth the looseness and pain in the teeth . there is a collection of certain hard matter about an asses legs , called lichen , which if it be burned and beaten , and put into old oil , will cause hairs to grow out of baldness , and it is of such force , that if it be applyed to a womans cheek , it will produce the same effect , and mingled with vinegar it raiseth up the lethargike man. and if a man take the ring-wormes growing naturally on asses legs , and shredding them into powder put them in vinegar , it stayeth all pain in the head , which maketh one sleepy . the flesh of asses sod in pottage helpeth them that have the phthisis or disease of the lungs , and there are some which prescribe the taking of asses flesh , or the bloud , of asses mingled with vinegar , to be taken forty days together against the falling evill . the milk of an asse mingled with hony and drunk , loosneth the belly , and therefore hippocrates gave it for a gentle purgation , being moister then any other kind of milk , and fitter to take down the belly . it will also ease the tooth-ach , if the teeth be washed in it , and fasten them that are loose , being very good to wash the teeth withal . galen gave asses milk mixt with hony , to one in a consumption when he came newly from a bath , and therefore it is given in fevers hecticks , and all consuming diseases , because the substance of it is fitter for detersion then nutriment : when the brests , are in pain , by drinking asses milk they be holpt ; and the same mingled with hony , causeth . womens purgation ; by drinking asses milk , an exulcerate stomach is relieved : likewise all other pains in the stomach , which come of sadness or sorrow , sighing , and desperation : and heraclides gave asses milk with anniseed to one that had his lights stopped , and it is likewise commended against the cough , extenuation , spitting of bloud , dropsie , and hardness of the spleen , but it is not good for a weak head troubled with giddiness or noise , yet will it loosen the hardness of the belly in a fever . it is also privately used against eating of morture , white-lead , sulphur , and quicksilver ; and when a mans meat doth not neither nourish nor digest , let him drink asses milk safely : and it is also good to gargarize in sore chaps or throats . likewise in a fever when there is no head-ache . the ancient in old time gave asses milk to children before meat , and for want thereof goats milk ; for sore mouthes it must be gargarized . it is very profitable against the colick and blondy-flux , if hony be put thereto ; loosness or desire of stool is taken away by drinking asses milk : the whay or milk of an asse did hippocrates prescribe against the consumption of the reins or back ; and the same with the root of a pomgranat against the looseness and other diseases of the belly to be drunk . also there are examples where the whay of asses milk have helped the gowt , both in hand and foot : sweet water with asses milk is wholesome against poison of hen-bane , and other poisons , but it must be used new , or else soon after warmed : this milk will make womens skins whiter ; wherefore pappea , the wife of demitius nero carryed about with her in her progress fifty milch asses , wherewith she did use to bath her self . the urine with the own dung , healeth straight shooing , scabs in a man , and the roughness of the nails . it taketh away the scurffe of oxen. it is given in drink , to cure them that have ache in their reins , and with pepper-wort it is prositable against suppurations and apostems in the flesh . if any , be hurt by the stars , wash them in asses stale , mingled with spiknard : the same force hath it against cornes and all hardness or thickness of skin . the dung of asses new with oil of roses , distilled warme into the ears , helpeth deafness ; and pushes or suddain boils of the head , are cured with the juice of asses dung , and of sea-onions beat to powder , and the fat of beef , layed to the boils like a plaister : both the dung of asses and horses either raw or burnt mingled with vinegar , restraineth bleeding both in fluxes and wounds , used like a plaister , being new and mingled with vinegar ; and for the bleeding at the nose , snuffe in the ashes of asses dung burnt to powder . the dung of asses cureth the piles , and the same dried and moistened in wine being drunk of cattel which are stung with scorpions , cureth them if it be at grasse ; and it is found true by long experience , that the dung of an asse rubbed , in quantity two spoonfuls , and taken every day , delivereth one from the falling evill . mitis prodest ex ubere succus asellae , si tepido vino infundas ac mella piperque . this is good against the gall and running over thereof , if it be mingled with warm wine , pepper , and hony . the syrians call the dung of a young fole which it first castest up after the foling , polean ; and give it against the sickness of the milt . in sapa decoctum colo magnopere prodest . the same is good against the colick and the bloudy-flux . the juice of asses dung , asses milk , and sweet wine , anointed on the sick member , cureth the gowt : and the same stayeth the flowres of women with child ; the juice hereof cureth the closing up of the eyes in the night . the skin wherein the young fole lyeth in the dams belly being smelled unto by him that hath the falling evill , it easeth him . anaxilaus hath reported , that if the excrements of a mares copulation be burned , there will appear monstrous shapes of horses heads . if a horse have a web in his eye , mingle together the milk of an asse , the bloud of a dove , and the dew of cabages , and anoint him therewith : and there be some which take of the dirt where an asse hath made water in the way , and therewith anoint the scabs of sheep for their recovery : but when one is strucken with a scorpion , the asses dung must be presently applyed , or else it profiteth nothing in that malady . of the hinnus , innus , and ginnus , mannus , mannulus , befi & burdenes , &c. there is no language besides the greek that have any words to express these beasts , and the latins have derived these termes from them . these are beasts of a small size , as dwarfes among men , and therefore seldom seen in these parts parts of the world . they which are called hinni , are conceived of a horse , and a she asse , who although they take their denomination from the male , yet do they more resemble the female . in ancient time , the males which were conceived of a horse and a she asse , were called hinnuli , and likewise of an asse and a mare , muli ; so are the young ones of little goats , deer , hares , and other like : although some take innuli for the young harts , and the hinni and hinnuli for the breed of a horse and an asse ; so that there appeareth two kinds , and both of them transplanted out of other . the hinnus is lesse then the mule , but more ruddy , having ears like a horse , and a mane and tail like an asse , lying in the womb before the foling twelve moneths like a horse , and are brought up like little horses , whose age is discerned by their teeth , and they are sometimes procreated of a horse and a mule , and because of their aptness to beare , they are called burdones , or else of bardus by reason of their folly and slowness . manni and mannuli are very little low horses , being very gentle and easie to be handled , being called also among the civilians , burdi . there is in france , not far from grationopolis , a kind of mules which in the countrey speech are called iumar , being bred of an asse and a bull , and in the helvetian alpes beyond curia , about the town speluga , i have been sincerely informed , that there was a horse conceived of a bull and a mare , and therefore scaliger saith , that such a fole is called hinnulus , whereof he reporteth he had seen many , and he himself had two of them , and at that instant had only one female , betwixt whose ears there were two bony bunches about the bigness of half a wal-nut , giving evident testimony by the forehead , that her father or syre was a bull : and some say that this kind want their upper teeth : and their underchap doth in a deformed manner stretch forth it self beyond the upper , as it is in many fishes , being called of the gabala and arverni , befi : and at this day there is in the court of france a certain beast which in the former part is like an asse , and in the hinder a sheep . in ferraria among other strange beasts , they nourish dwarvish asses , of whom martial made a distichon to this effect , that they are not so high as a man , when he sitteth on the ground . his tibi de mulis non est metuenda ruina : altius in terris pene sedere soles . for the innus , and ginnus , or hinnus , they are conceived by a mule and a m●re , which are very small by reason of some disease the dam that beareth them hath in her belly : the word iuis signifying a young or new born nephew , and is attributed to this kind of beasts , because they never exceed the quantity of a young fole . both the mule and the burdo remain barren and never conceive , these neigh like a horse , and that brayeth like an asse . a musimon is a short horse , asse , or mule. of the wild asse . a wild asse , called of the latins , onager ; of the hebrews , arod and ere , and as sebastian munster affirmeth , meroda and arda ; in the german tongue it may be termed ein waldesell , and the young ones are called lalisions . dum tener est onager , solaque lalisio matre pascitur : hoc infans , sed breve nomen habet . these wild asses are not elks , as some have reported of elks , nor that oryx which the ancient writers do constantly affirm to live in a continual thirst , as for the most part wild asses do . of these asses are great store in phrygia , lycaonia , and africa , and it is said , that the saracen king of tunis in africk , sent unto ferdinand king of naples , a goodly great wild asse , such an one as hath not been seen in this part of the world . apollonius affirmeth , that he saw wild asses in great plenty beyond catadupa in egypt ; so are there many in cauda , an island neer cre●t : in persis , in asia , in madera , and abasia , arabia desert , mauritania , and armenia . callisius reporteth that there are such wild asses in that region under the equinoctial towards the east and south , of wonderful stature , their skins ( beside the usual manner ) being of divers colours , interlined variably with white and black , and the zones and strakes descending from the top of the back unto the sides , and there divided by their winding and turning , make the foles appear of admirable variety . these asses love the highest mountains and rocks , as holy scripture teacheth , jer. . the asses stood in the high places and drew in the wind like dragons : which words gave occasion to some to imagine , that wild asses would quench their thirst with the wind without water ; whereas it is the manner of all wild beasts , in extremity of thirst , to gape wide and greedily draw in the cold refreshing air , and they will not drink but of pure fountain water . they live in flocks and great companies together , but in desolate places : the males going before the females , and commonly one male will lead and rule the whole flock of females , being exceeding swift , and fearful , and therefore do they often change their places of abode ; and yet it is observed , that the wild asses of licia never go over the mountain that divideth them from cappadocia . they engender among themselves , their females being much more lustfull then the males , and therefore do the males observe and watch them with a jealous eye toward their own foles , especially after they have conceived ; and the female as warily avoideth the sight of the male , espcially at the time of her foling ; for if she bring forth a female , the male receiveth it with all love , joy , and welcome ; but if a male , then doth he with angry and envious countenance look upon it , taking it heavily that another male is bred , which in time may in the fathers place possess his dam ; wherefore in a raging madness he falleth upon the fole , seeking by all his power to bite off his stones ; the poor female although weakned with pain of delivery , yet helpeth her young one against the fathers rage , and like a mother who seeing her son slain in war , embraceth his bleeding corps , and cryeth out with doleful voice , tearing her cheeks and bleeding betwixt her brests : so would you think this silly female asse , to mourn for her fole , now ready to die by the sires cruelty ; saying , o my husband why is thy aspect so ireful ? why are thy eyes now become so bloudy , which even now were as white as light ? dost thou look upon the face of that monster medusa ? which turneth men into stones ; or dost thou look upon some new hatched horrible dragon , or the whelp of some lion lately littered ? why wilt thou geld this our young one which nature hath given unto us both by procreation ? o wretched beast that i am , which have conceived an unhappy fole by the fathers wickedness ! o my poor and unhappy son , which for a jealous fear art deprived of thy natural parts , not by the claws of lions ( for that i would endure ) but by the unnatural and more then hostile teeth of thy own father . these wild asses have good and strong hoofs , their swiftness is compared to the wind , and in the time that they are hunted , they cast backward with their heels stones with such violence , as they pierce the brests of them that prosecute them if they be not very wary . they are of a large , broad , tall and beautiful body ; long ears , and a silver colour , ( that is as i ghesse ) a bright cloud-colour , for it is but vain to imagine , that an asse can be all white , for then were all the ancients deceived , which with one voice affirm , that he hath a black list on the back , at either side whereof are two white lines . their food is only grasse and herbs of the earth , whereby they grow very fat , their heart being the fattest part of their body , and they will not abide any flesh-eating beast , especially the lion whom he feareth very much , for all these strong beasts devour and eat them . these asses are very fit for civil uses , as for plowing and sowing , for being tamed they never grow wild again , as other beasts will , and they easily grow tame . it is observed , that the same being tamed , is most tame which before time was most wild . they love figs and meal above all things , wherefore the armenians use to take a certain black fish bred in their waters which is poison , and covering it with meal the wild asses come and lick thereof , and so are destroyed . the best of them are generated of a mare and a wild asse tamed , for they are the swiftest in course , of hardest hoof , a lean body , but of a generous and untireable stomach . the indian wild asses have one horn in their forehead , and their body all white , but their head is red : so is there another beast in india very like a wild asse , which the inhabitants eat ( as we have read ) about the straights of magellana : when these asses are hunted with dogs , they cast forth their time or dung , with the favour whereof the dogs are stayed while it is hot , and by that means the beast escapeth danger : but the asses of mauritania are very short winded , and subject to weariness and stumbling , for which cause they are more easily taken , and the best of all are not so swift as a barbary horse ; besides their nature is , when they see a man to stand stone still , crying , braying , and kicking , till you come at them , and when one is ready to take them , they take their heels and run away . the inhabitants of arabia desert , by many gins and other deceitful devises take them , and on horseback follow them till they tyre , or can strike them with their darts . their flesh being hot , doth stink and taste like an other asses , but boyled and kept two dayes hath a pleasant taste ; yet doth it not breed good bloud , because it is viscous and hard to be concocted , although there be many which eat that , as also the flesh of panthers and other such beasts . pliny teacheth that there is more vertue in the wild asses milk and bones against venome and poison , then in the tame . likewise , in the heel of an asse , is a principal remedy against apostemations and bunches in the flesh , if it be applyed to the inner part of the thigh . the gall draweth out botches , and must be anointed upon impostumate scars . it is used also in emplasters against saint antonies fire , the leprosie , and swelling in the legs and guts . the fat with oil of herbe mary by anointing the reins of the back , helpeth and easeth that pain which was engendred by wind . the spleen dryed to powder and drunk in wine or drink , is good against the sickness of the spleen . the flesh is good against the pain in the ridge and hip-bones : and galen affirmeth , that the urine breaketh and dissolveth the stone in the bladder . the ashes of the hoof helpeth the falling evill , and mingled with oil , cureth the kings evill , and the looseness of the hair . the marrow easeth the gowt , and the dung mixed with the yolk of an egge and applyed to the forehead , stayeth bleeding : also the same curleth the hair if it be mingled with an oxes gall and dryed : put into wine and drunk , cureth the sting of a scorpion : and zo● an hebrew affirmeth very constantly , that if a man look into an asse ; eye , it preserveth the sight , and hindereth the water that descendeth into the eye . of the scythian asses . the asses of scythia have horns wherein it is reported that the stygian water of arcadia may be contained , although it will eat through all other vessels be they never so hard . sosipater brought of them to alexander the great , who admiring the rareness , would not put them to any private use , but sent them to delphos , to be offered to pythias ; but that these can be properly called asses , no man can defend , although herodotus also affirm , that among the africans called aratours , there be asses with horns . of the indian asses . it is questionable whether the monoceros , commonly called a vnicorne , the rhinoceros , the oryx , and the indian asse be all one beast or divers ; for the vnicorn and rhinoceros have the same things attributed to them in stories , and differ in very few reports : but for the asses of india , both aristotle , pliny and aelianus , joyntly agree , that they differ from all other whole-footed beasts , because they have one horn in the forehead , and so also have the rhinoceros , monoceros , and oryx , but the indians call a vnicorne , cartazono ; and the horn so highly prized at this day , is thought to be of the rhinoceros ; but aelianus and philes acknowledge no other vnicorne then the indian asse , who in bigness equalleth a horse among the indians , being all white on the body , but purple headed or red ( as some say ) black eyes , but volateranus saith blew , having one horn in the forehead a cubit and a half long , whose upper part is red or bay , the middle black , and the neather part white , wherein the kings and mighty men of india use to drink , adorning it for that purpose with sundry bracelets , pretious stones , and works of gold , holding for truth that all those which drink in those horns , shall be freed from annoyance of incurable diseases , as convulsions , the falling evill , and deadly poysons . these wilde asses exceed all other , both in stature of body , and also swiftness of foot , for at the first , they set forth very gently , and afterward speed their journey with better pace , so that it is very hard for any to follow them , but impossible to overgo them . the males take great pains in keeping their young ones , whom they continually watch and hide in the most remote and desert places they can finde . when they are hunted , they keep their weak young ones behind them , and fight for them very furiously , neither fear they to encounter horsemen . they are so strong , that no beast may stand before them , for they will receive the charge of horses with such violence , that in their encounter they bite out their sides and tear their guts out of their belly : for which cause they are dreadful to horses , who are most unwilling to joyn with them , for they never meet but they both perish . they fight with their heels , but their teeth are most dangerous , for what they apprehend in them they bring it clean away : and because of this rage , those which are of any years , can never be tamed . the great king of india doth once every year appoint all manner of fights both men and beasts , wherein are wilde buls , tame rams , these wild asses with one horn , hyaenaes and elephants . to conclude , it is but a fable of volaterranus , that saith , these asses want a gall , for they have the bladder of the gall , a portion whereof drunk , cureth the falling evill . of the alborach and axis . there are two other beasts to be added to the end of this rank , namely the alborach among the turks , being a fair white beast like an asse , whereupon the turkish priests blasphemous idoiaters , perswade the silly pilgrims of mecha , that mahomet was carryed up to heaven . the axis , of which pliny speaketh , is a wilde beast , having a skin like the hinnulus aforesaid , but spred over with whiter spots , which is bred in india . bellonius affirmeth , that he saw two of them in the castle of cair , a male and a female , and either sex wanted horns , having long tails down to their mid-legs like deer , and differ very little from deer , saving in their large white spots and yellow colour , yeelding a much more clear and sounding voice then a deer , and the female thereof is smaller then the male . this beast is by idolatrous people , dedicated to their drunken god bacchus . of the badger , otherwise called a brocke , a gray , or a bauson . the badger could never find a greek name , although some through ignorance have foisted into a greek dictionary melis , whereas in truth that is his latin word , mele or meles , and so called , because above all other things , he loveth hony , and some later writers call him taxus , tassus , taxo , and albertus magnus , daxus . but whereas in the scripture some translate tesson , tahas , or tachasch , and plurally techaseim , badgers , yet is not the matter so clear , for there is no such beauty in a badgers skin , as to cover the arke , or to make princes shooes thereof : therefore some hebrews say , that it signifieth an oxe of an exceeding hard skin . onkelus translateth it sasgona , that is , a beast skin of divers colours ; symmachus and aquila a jacinct colour , which cannot be ; but the arabians ; darasch , and the persians , asthak ; yet it may be rather said , that those skins spoken of exod. . numb . . ezek. . be of the lynx , or some such other beast : for tachasch cometh neer thos , signifying a kind of wolf not hurtful to men , being rough and hairy in winter , but smooth in summer . the italians call a badger tasso , the rhetians , tasoh ; the french , tausson , taixin , tasson , tesson , and sometime grisart , for her colour : sometime blareau , and at paris , bedevo . the spaniards , tasugo , texon ; the germans , tachs , or daxs ; the illyrians , gezwecz . badgers are plentiful in naples , sicily , lucane , and in the alpino and helvetian coasts , so are they also in england . in lueane there is a certain wilde beast , resembling both a bear and a hog , not in quantity , but in form and proportion of body ; which therefore may fitly be called in greek , suarctos , for a gray , in short legs , ears and feet , is like a bear , but in fatness like a swine . therefore it is observed , that there be two kinds of this beast , one resembling a dog in his feet , which is is cald canine ; the other a hog in his cloven hoof , and is cald swinish : also these differ in the fashion of their snowt , one resembling the snowt of a dog , the other of a swine : and in their meat , the one eating flesh and carrion like a dog , the other roots and fruits like a hog , as both kinds have been found in normandy and other parts of france and sicilie . this beast diggeth her a den or cave in the earth , and there liveth ; never coming forth but for meat and easement , which it maketh out of his den : when they dig their den , after they have entred a good depth for avoiding the earth out , one of them falleth on the back , and the other layeth all the earth on his belly , and so taking his hinder feet in his mouth , draweth the belly-laden badger out of the cave , which disburdeneth her cariage , and goeth in for more till all be finished and emptied . the wily fox never makth a den for himself , but finding a badgers cave , in her absence , layeth his excrements at the hole of the den , the which when the gray returneth , if she smell ( as the savour is strong ) she forbeareth to enter as noisome , and so leaveth her elaborate house to the fox . these badgers are very sleepy , especially in the day time , and stir not abroad but in the night , for which cause they are called lucifugae ; that is , avoiders of the light . they eat hony , and wormes , and hornets , and such like things , because they are not very swift of foot to take other creatures . they love orchards , vines , and places of fruits also , and in the autumn they grow therewith very fat . they are in quantity as big as a fox , but of a shorter and thicker body ; their skin is hard , but rough and rugged , their hair harsh and stubborn , of an intermingled grisard colour , sometime white , sometime black , his back covered with black , and his belly with white , his head from the top thereof to the ridge of his shoulder , is adorned with strakes of white and black , being black in the middle , and white at each side . he hath very sharp teeth , and is therefore accounted a deep-biting beast . his back is broad , his legs ( as some say ) longer on the right side then on the left , and therefore he runneth best when he getteth to the side of a hill , or a cart-road-way . his tail is short but hairy , and of divers colours , having a long face or snowt like the zibethus : his forelegs being a full span long , and the hinder legs shorter , short ears and little eyes , a great bladder of gall , a body very fat betwixt the skin and the flesh , and about the heart ; and it is held that this fat increaseth with the moon , and decreaseth with the same , being none at all at the change : his forelegs have very sharp nails , bare and apt to dig withall , being five both before and behind , but the hinder very short ones and covered with hair . his savour is strong , and is much troubled with lice about his secrets ; the length of his body from the nose which hangeth out like a hogs nose , to the tail or rump , is some thirty inches and a little more , the hair of his back three fingers long ; his neck is short and like a dogs : both male and female have under their hole another outwardly , but not inwardly in the male . if she be hunted out of her den with hounds , she biteth them grievously if she lay hold on them , wherefore they avoid her carefully , and the hunters put great broad collars made of a grayes skin about their dogs neck , to keep them the safer from the badgers teeth : her manner is to fight on her back , using thereby both her teeth and her nails , and by blowing up her skin above measure after an unknown manner , she defendeth her self against the strokes of men , and the teeth of dogs : wherefore she is hardly taken , but by devises and gins for that purpose invented ; with their skins they make quivers for arrows , and some shepheards in italy use thereof to make sacks , wherein they wrap themselves from the injury of rain . in italy and germany they eat grays flesh , and boil with it pears , which maketh the flesh tast like the flesh of a porcupine . the flesh is best in september if it be fat , and of the two kinds , the swinish badger is better flesh then the other . there are sundry vertues confected out of this beast ; for it is affirmed , that if the fat of a badger mingled with crude hony , and anointed upon a bare place of a horse , where the former hairs are pulled off , it will make new white hairs grow in that place : and it is certain ( although the grecians make no reckoning of badgers grease , yet ) it is a very soveraign thing to soften , and therefore serenus prescribeth it to anoint them that have fevers or inflamations of the body , nec spernendus adept dederit , quem bestia melis . and not to be despised for other cures : as for example , the easing of the pain of the reins if it be given in a glyster , and likewise the fat of a dog and a badger mingled together , do loosen contracted sinews . the ashes of a badger is found to help the bleeding of the stomach , and the same sod and drunk , preventeth danger by the biting of a mad dog : and brunfelsius affirmeth , that if the bloud of a badger be instilled into the horns of cattel with salt , it keepeth them from the murrain , and the same dryed and beat to powder doth wonderfully help the leprosie . the brain sod with oil easeth all aches ; the liver taken out of water , helpeth swellings in the mouth ; and some affirm , that if one wear soles made of badgers skins in their shooes , it giveth great ease unto the gowt . the biting of this beast is venemous , because it feedeth upon all venemous meats which creep upon the earth , although arnoldus be of a contrary judgement ; and of this beast i can report no other thing worth the noting , save that the noble family of the taxons in ferraria , took their name from this creature . of the bear . a bear is called in the hebrew , dob , and plurally dubim ; of the arabians , dubbe ; of the chaldeons , duba , aldub and daboube ; of the grecians , arctos ; of some dasyllis , because of the roughness of his hair ; of other beiros , and monios , signifying a solitary bear. the latins call him vrsur , which some conjecture to be tanquam orsus , signifying that it is but begun to be framed in the dams belly , and perfected after the littering thereof . the italians call it orso , so also the spaniards ; the french , ours ; the germans , bear , and beer ; the bohemians , nedwed ; the polonians , vuluver : and the attributes of this beast are many among authors , both greek and latin ; as aemonian bears , armed , filthy , deformed , cruel , dreadful , fierce , greedy , calydonian , erymanthean , bloudy , heavy , night ranging , lybican , menacing , numidian , ossean , head-long , ravening , rigid and terrible bear ; all which serve to set forth the nature hereof , as shall be afterward in particular discoursed . first , therefore concerning several kinds of bears , it is observed , that there is in general two ; a greater , and a lesser ; and these lesser are more apt to clime trees then the other , neither do they ever grow to so great a stature as the other . besides there are bears which are called amphibia , because they live both on the land and in the sea , hunting and catching fish like an otter or beaver , and these are white coloured . in the ocean islands towards the north , there are bears of a great stature , fierce and cruel , who with their fore-feet do break up the the hardest congealed ice on the sea , or other great waters , and draw out of those holes great abundance of fishes : and so in other frozen seas are many such like , having black claws , living for the most part upon the seas , except tempestuous weather drive them to the land. in the eastern parts of india , there is a beast in proportion of body very like a bear , yet indued with no other quality of that kind , ( being neither so wild , nor ravenous , nor strong ) and it is called a formicarian bear ; for god hath so provided , that whereas that countrey is abundantly annoyed with the emmets or ants , that beast doth so prey and feed upon them , that by the strength and vertuous humor of his tongue , the silly poor inhabitans are exceedingly relieved from their grievous and dangerous numbers . bears are bred in many countreys , as in the helvetian alpine region , where they are so strong and full of courage , that they can tear in pieces both oxen and horses , for which cause the inhabitants study by all means to take them . likewise there are bears in persia , which do raven beyond all measure , and all other ; so also the bears of numidia , which are of a more elegant form and composition then the residue ; profuit ergo nihil misero , quod cominus ursos figebat numidas , albena nudus arena . and whereas pliny affirmeth , that there are no bears in africk , he mistook that countrey for creet , and so some say , that in that island be no wolves , vipers , or other such venemous creatures ; whereof the poets give a vain reason , because jupiter was born there : but we know also , that there be no bears bred in england . in the countrey of arabia , from the promontory dira to the south , are bears which live upon eating of flesh , being of a yellowish colour , which do far excel all other bears , both in activity or swiftness , and in quantity of body . among the roxolani and lituanians , are bears , which being tamed are presents for princes . aristotle in his wonders reporteth , that there are white bears in misia , which being eagerly hunted , do send forth such a breath , that putrifieth immediately the flesh of the dogs , and whatsoever other beast cometh within the favour thereof , it maketh the flesh of them not fit to be eaten : but if either men or dogs approach or come nigh them , they vomit forth such abundance of phlegm , that either the hunters are thereby choked or blinded . thracia also breedeth white bears , and the king of aethiopia in his hebrew epistle which he wrote to the bishop of rome , affirmeth , that there are bears in his countrey : in muscovia are bears , both of a snow white , yellow , and dusky colour , and it hath been seen that the noble womens chariots drawn by six horses , have been covered with the skins of white bears , from the pastern to the head : and as all other creatures do bring forth some white , and some black , so also do bears , who in general do breed and bring forth their young in all cold countreys , some of a dusky and some of a brown black colour . a bear is of a most venereous and lustful disposition , for night and day the females with most ardent inflamed desires , do provoke the males to copulation ; and for this cause at that time they are most fierce and angry . philippus cosseus of constance , did most confidently tell me , that in the mountains of savoy , a bear carryed a young maid into his den by violence , where in venereous manner he had the carnal use of her body , and while he kept her in his den , he daily went forth and brought her home the best apples and other fruits he could get , presenting them unto her for her meat in very amorous sort ; but always when he went to forrage , he rouled a huge great stone upon the mouth of his den , that the virgin should not escape away : at length her parents with long search , found their little daughter in the bears den , who delivered her from that savage and beastual captivity . the time of their copulation is in the beginning of winter , although sometime in summer , ( but such young ones seldom live ) yet most commonly in february or january . the manner of their copulation is like to a mans , the male moving himself upon the belly of the female , which lyeth on the earth flat upon the back , and either embraceth other with their fore-feet : they remain very long time in that act , inasmuch as if they were very fat at their first entrance , they disjoin not themselves again till they be made lean . immediately after they have conceived , they betake themselves to their dens ; where they ( without meat ) grow very fat ( especially the males ) only by sucking their fore-feet . when they enter into their den , they convey themselves in backwards , that so they may put out their foot-steps from the sight of the hunters . the males give great honor to the females great with young , during the time of their secresie , so that , although they lie together in one cave , yet do they part it by a division or small ditch in the midst , neither of them touching the other . the nature of all of them is , to avoid cold , and therefore in the winter time do they hide themselves , chusing rather to suffer famine then cold ; lying for the most part three or four months together and never see the light , whereby their guts grow so empty , that they are almost closed up and stick together . when they first enter into their den , they betake themselves to quiet and rest , sleeping without any awaking , for the first fourteen dayes , so that it is thought an easie stroke cannot awake them . but how long the females go with young is not certain , some affirm three months , others but thirty dayes , which is more probable , for wild beasts do not couple themselves being with young ( except a hare and a linx ) and the bears being ( as is already said ) very lustful , to the intent that they may no longer want the company of their males , do violently cast their whelps , and so presently after delivery , do after the manner of conies betake themselves to their lust , and nourishing their young ones both together : and this is certain , that they never come out of their caves , till their young ones be thirty dayes old at the least ; and pliny precisely affirmeth , that they litter the thirtyeth day after their conception ; and for this cause , a bear bringeth forth the least whelp of all other great beasts ; for their whelps at their first littering are no bigger then rats , nor longer then ones finger . and whereas it hath been believed and received , that the whelps of bears at their first littering are without all form and fashion , and nothing but a little congealed blood like a lump of flesh , which afterwards the old one frameth with her tongue to her own likeness , as pliny , solinus , aelianus , orus , oppianus , and ovid have reported , yet is the truth most evidently otherwise , as by the eye-witness of joachimus rhetious , and other , is disproved : only it is littered blind without eyes , naked without hair , and the hinder legs not perfect , the fore-feet folded up like a fist , and other members deformed by reason of the immoderate humor or moystness in them , which also is one cause , why the womb of the bear cannot retain the seed to the perfection of her young ones . they bring forth sometimes two , and never above five , which the old bear daily keepeth close to her brest , so warming them with the heat of her body and the breath of her mouth , till they be thirty days old ; at what time they come abroad , being in the beginning of may , which is the third month from the spring . the old ones being almost dazled with long darkness , coming into light again seem to stagger and reel to and fro , and then for the straightness of their guts , by reason of their long fasting do eat the hearb arum , commonly called in english wake-robbin or calves-foot , being of very sharp and tart taste , which enlargeth their guts , and so being recovered , they remain all the time their young are with them , more fierce and cruel then at other times . and concerning the same arum , called also dracunculus and oryse , there is a pleasant vulgar tale , whereby some have conceived that bears eat this herb before their lying secret ; and by vertue thereof ( without meat , or sense of cold ) they pass away the whole winter in sleep . there was a certain cow-herd in the mountains of helvetia , which coming down a hill with a great caldron on his back , he saw a bear eating of a root which he had pulled up with his feet ; the cow-herd stood still till the bear was gone , and afterward came to the place where the beast had eaten the same , and finding more of the same root , did likewise eat it ; he had no sooner tasted thereof , but he had such a desire to sleep , that he could not contain himself , but he must needs lie down in the way and their fell asleep , having covered his head with the caldron , to keep himself from the vehemency of the told , and their slept all the winter time without harm , and never rose again till the spring time : which fable if a man will believe , then doubtless this hearb may cause the bears to be sleepers , not for fourteen days , but for fourscore days together . the ordinary food of bears is fish : for the water-bear and others will eat fruits , apples , grapes , leaves , and pease , and will break into bee-hives sucking out the hony ; likewise bees , snayls , and emmets , and flesh if it be lean or ready to putrifie ; but if a bear do chance to kill a swine , or a bull , or sheep , he eateth them presently , whereas other beasts eat not hearbs if they eat flesh : likewise they drink water ; but not like other beasts , neither sucking it or lapping it , but as it were , even biting at it . some affirm , that bears do wax or grow as long as they live , that there have been seen some of them five cubits long ; yea i my self saw a bears skin of that length , and broader then an oxes skin . the head of a bear is his weakest part ( as the hand of a lyon is the strongest ) for by a small blow on his head he hath often been strucken dead , the bones of the head being very thin and tender : yea more tender then the beak of a parrot . the mouth of a bear is like a hogs mouth , but longer ; being armed with teeth on both sides , like a saw , and standing deep in his mouth , they have very thick lips , for which cause , he cannot easily or hastily with his teeth break asunder the hunters nets , except with his fore-feet . his neck is short , like a tygers and a lyon● , apt to bend downwards to his meat ; his belly is very large , being uniform , and next to it the intrals as in a wolf : it hath also four speans to her paps . the genital of a bear after his death waxeth as hard as horn , his knees and elbows are like to an apes , for which cause they are not swift or nimble : his feet are like hands , and in them and his loins is his greatest strength , by reason whereof , he sometimes setteth himself upright upon his hinder legs : the pastern of his leg being fleshy like a cammels , which maketh them unfit for travel ; they have sharp claws , but a very small tail as all other long haired creatures have . they are exceeding full of fat or lard-grease , which some use superstitiously beaten with oyl , wherewith they anoynt their grape-sickles when they go to vintage , perswading themselves that if no body know thereof , their tender vine-branches shall never be consumed by caterpillers . other attribute this to the vertue of bears blood , and theophrastus affirmeth , that if bears grease be kept in a vessel , at such time as the bears lie secret , it will either fill it up , or cause it to run over . the flesh of bears is unfit for meat , yet some use to eat it , after it hath been twice sod ; other eat it baked in pasties ; but the truth is , it is better for medicine then for food . theophrastus likewise affirmeth , that at the time when bears lie secret , their dead flesh encreaseth which is kept in houses , but bears fore-feet are held for a very delicate and well tasted food , full of sweetness ; and much used by the german princes . the skins of bears are used in the far northern regions for garments in the winter time , which they make so artificially , covering themselves with them from the crown of the head to the feet ; that ( as munster affirmed ) some men deceived with that appearance , deemed the people of lapponia to be hairy all over . the souldiers of the moors wear garments made of lyons , pardals , and bears skins , and sleep upon them ; and so it is reported of herodotus megarensis the musitian , who in the day time wore a lyons skin , and in the night lay in a bears skin . the constitution of the body of a bear is beyond measure phlegmatique , because he fasteth in the winter time so long without meat : his voyce is fierce and fearful in his rage , but in the night time mournful , being given much to ravening . if a bear do eat of mandragoras , he presently dyeth , except he meet with emmets , by licking of whom he recovereth : so likewise if he be sick of a surfeit . a bear is much subject to blindness of the eyes , and for that cause they desire the hives of bees , not only for the hony , but by the stinging of the bees , their eyes are cured . it hath not been seen that a female bear was taken great with young , which cometh to pass , by reason that they go to their de●● so soon as they are conceived , and come not out thence till they have littered : and because of the fierceness of this beast , they are seldom taken alive , except they be very young : so that some are killed in the mountains by poyson , the countrey being so steep and rocky that hunters cannot follow them ; some taken in ditches of the earth , and other gins . oppianus relateth , that near tygris and armenia , the inhabitants use this stratagem to take bears . the people go often to the woods to find the den of the bear , following a leam-hound , whose nature is so soon as he windeth the beast , to bark , whereby his leader discovereth the prey , and so draweth off the hound with the leam ; then come the people in great multitude , and compassing him about with long nets , placing certain men men at each end : then tye they a long rope to one side of the net as high from the ground as the small of a mans belly : whereunto are fastned divers plumes and feathers of vultures , swans , and other resplendent coloured birds , which with the wind make a noise or hissing , turning over and glistering ; on the other side of the net they build four little hovels of green boughs , wherein they lay four men covered all over with green leaves , then all being prepared , they sound their trumpets , and wind their horns ; at the noise whereof the bear ariseth , and in his fearful rage runneth to and fro as if he saw fire : the young men armed make unto him , the bear looking round about , taketh the plainest way toward the rope hung full of feathers , which being stirred and haled by them that hold it , maketh the bear much affraid with the ratling and hissing thereof , and so flying from that side half mad , runneth into the nets , where the keepers entrap him so cunningly , that he seldom escapeth . when a bear is set upon by an armed man , he standeth upright and taketh the man betwixt his fore-feet , but he being covered all over with iron plates can receive no harm , and then may easily with a sharp knife or dagger pierce through the heart of the beast . if a she bear having young ones be hunted , she driveth her whelps before her untill they be wearied , and then if she be not prevented , she climbeth upon a tree , carrying one of her young in her mouth , and the other on her back . a bear will not willingly fight with a man , but being hurt by a man , he gnasheth his teeth , and licketh his fore-feet : and it is reported by an ambassador of poland , that when the sarmatians find a bear , they inclose the whole wood by a multitude of people , standing not above a cubit one from another , then cut they down the outmost trees , so that they raise a wall of wood to hem in the bears ; this being effected , they raise the bear , having certain forks in their hands made for that purpose , and when the bear approacheth , they ( with those forks ) fall upon him , one keeping his head , another one leg , another his body , and so with force muzzle him and tie his legs , leading him away . the rhaetians use this policy to take wolves and bears : they raise up great posts , and cross them with a long beam laded with heavy weights , unto the which beam they fasten a cord with meat therein , whereunto the beast coming , and biting at the meat , pulleth down the beam upon her own pate . the inhabitants of helvetia hunt them with mastiff dogs , because they should not kill their cattel left at large in the field in the day time ; they likewise shoot them with guns , giving a good sum of money to them that can bring them a slain bear. the sarmatians use to take bears by this sleight ; under those trees wherein bees breed , they plant a great many of sharp pointed stakes , putting one hard into the hole wherein the bees go in and out , whereunto the bear climbing , and coming to pull it forth , to the end that he may come to the hony , and being angry that the stake sticketh so fast in the hole , with violence plucketh it forth with both her fore-feet , whereby she looseth her hold and falleth down upon the picked stakes , whereupon she dieth , if they that watch for her come not to take her off . there was reported by demetrius ambassador at rome , from the king of musco , that a neighbour of his going to seek hony , fell into a hollow tree up to the brest in hony , where he lay two days , being not heard by any man to complain ; at length came a great bear to this hony ; and putting his head into the tree , the poor man took hold thereof , whereat the bear suddenly affrighted , drew the man out of that deadly danger , and so ran away for fear of a worse creature . but if there be no tree wherein bees do breed neer to the place where the bear abideth , then they use to anoynt some hollow place of a tree with hony , whereinto bees will enter and make hony-combes , and when the bear findeth them she is killed as aforesaid . in norway they use to saw the tree almost asunder , so that when the beast climbeth it , she falleth down upon piked stakes laid underneath to kill her : and some make a hollow place in a tree , wherein they put a great pot of water , having anoynted it with hony , at the bottom whereof are fastened certain hooks bending downward , leaving an easie passage for the bear to thrust in her head to get the hony , but impossible to pull it forth again alone , because the hooks take hold on her skin : this pot they binde fast to a tree , whereby the bear is taken alive , and blindefolded , and though her strength break the cord or chain wherewith the pot is fastened , yet can she not escape or hurt any body in the taking , by reason her head is fastened in the pot . to conclude , other make ditches or pits under apple-trees , laying upon their mouth rotten sticks , which they cover with earth , and strow upon it herbs , and when the bear cometh to the apple-tree , she falleth into the pit and is taken . the herb wolfeban or libardine is poison to foxes , wolves , dogs , and bears , and to all beasts that are littered blinde , as the alpine rhaetians affirm . there is one kinde of this called cyclamine , which the valdensians call tora , and with the juyce thereof they poyson their darts , whereof i have credibly received this story ; that a certain valdensian , seeing a wilde bear , having a dart poysoned herewith , did cast it at the bear being far from him , and lightly wounded her ; it being no sooner done , but the bear ran to and fro in a wonderful perplexity through the woods , unto a very sharp cliffe of a rock , where the man saw her draw her last breath , as soon as the poyson had entered to her heart , as he afterward found by opening of her body . the like is reported of hen-bane , another herb : but there is a certain black fish in armenia , full of poyson , with the powder whereof they poyson figs , and cast them in those places where wilde beasts are most plentiful , which they eat , and so are killed . concerning the industry or natural disposition of a bear , it is certain that they are very hardly tamed , and not to be trusted though they seem never so tame ; for which cause there is a story of diana in lysias , that there was a certain bear made so tame ▪ that it went up and down among men and would feed with them , taking meat at their hands , giving no occasion to fear or mistrust her cruelty : on a day , a young maid playing with the bear lasciviously did so provoke it , that he tore her in pieces ; the virgins brethren seeing the murther , with their darts slew the bear , whereupon followed a great pestilence through all that region : and when they consulted with the oracle , the paynim god gave answer , that the plague could not cease , untill they dedicated some virgins unto diana for the bears sake that was slain ; which some interpreting that they should sacrifice them : embarus upon condition the priesthood might remain in his family , slew his only daughter to end the pestilence , and for this cause the virgins were after dedicated to diana before their marriage , when they were betwixt ten and fifteen year old , which was performed in the month of january , otherwise they could not be marryed : yet bears are tamed for labours , and especially for sports among the roxolani and lybians , being taught to draw water with wheels out of the deepest wels ; likewise stones upon sleds to the building of walls . a prince of lituania nourished a bear very tenderly , feeding her from his table with his own hand , for he had used her to be familiar in his court , and to come into his own chamber when he listed , so that she would go abroad into the fields and woods , returning home again of her own accord , and would with her hand or foot rub the kings chamber door to have it opened , when she was hungry ; it being locked : it happened that certain young noble-men conspired the death of this prince , and came to his chamber door , rubbing it after the custom of the bear , the king not doubting any evill , and supposing it had been his bear , opened the door , and they presently slew him . there is a fable of a certain wilde bear , of huge stature , which terrified all them that looked upon her , the which pythagoras sent for , and kept to himself , very familiarly using to stroke and milk her ; at the length when he was weary of her , he whispered in her ear , and bound her with an oath , that being departed she should never more harm any living thing , which saith the fable , she observed to her dying day . these bears care not for any thing that is dead , and therefore if a man can hold his breath as if he were dead , they will not harm him ; which gave occasion to esope , to fable of two companions and sworn friends , who travelling together met with a bear , whereat they being amazed , one of them ran away and gat up into a tree ; the other fell down and countetfeited himself dead , unto whom the bear came and smelt at his nostrils and ears for breath , but perceiving none , departed without hurting him : soon after the other friend came down from the tree , and merrily asked his companion what the bear said in his ear , marry ( quoth he ) she warn'd me that i should never trust such a fugitive friend as thou art , which didst forsake me in my greatest necessity : thus far esop . they will bury one another being dead , as tzetzes affirmeth , and it is received in many nations , that children have been nursed by bears : paris thrown out of the city , was nourished by a bear. there is in france a noble house of the vrsons , whose first founder is reported to have been certain years together nourished by a bear , and for that cause was called v●son : and some affirm , that arcesius was so , being deceived by the name of his mother who was called arctos , a bear : as among the latines was v●sula . and it is reported in the year of our lord . that the concubine of pope nicholas ( being with childe as was supposed ) brought forth a young bear , which she did not by any unlawful copulation with such a beast , but only with the most holy pope ; and conceived such a creature , by strength of imagination , lying in his palace , where she saw the pictures of many bears ; so that the holy father being first put in good hope of a son , and afterward seeing this monster ( like himself , rev. . ) for anger and shame defaced all his pictures of those beasts . there is a mountain called the mountain of bears in cyzicus , betwixt chersonesus and propontus ; so called , because as some have affirmed , helice and cynosu●a were turned into bears in that place , but the reason is more probable , because it was full of bears , or else because it was so high that it seemed to touch the bea●-star . there is a constellation called the bear in the figure of seven stars like a cart , whereof four stand in the place of the wheels , and three in the ro●m of horses . the septentrions call them triones , that is yoked oxen. but there are two bears , a greater and a lesser . the greater is called callisto , after the name of lycaons daughter , who reigned in arcadia , whereof many give divers reasons . for they say callisto was a companion of diana , and used to hunt with her being very like unto her , and one day iupiter came to her in the likeness of diana , and deflowred her , and when she was with childe , diana asked how that happened , to whom callisto answered , that it happened by her fact : wherewith the goddess being angry , turned her into a bear , in which shape she brought forth arcas , and they both wandering in the woods , were taken and brought for a present unto lycaon her father : and upon a day , the bear being ignorant of the law , entered into the temple of jupiter lycaeus , and her son followed her , for which the arcadians would have slain them both , but iupiter in pity of them took them both into heaven , and placed them among the stars . other say that callisto was turned into a bear by iuno , whom afterward diana slew , and coming to knowledge that it was callisto , she placed her for a sign in heaven , which is called vrsa major , the great bear ; which before that time was called hamaxa ; but the reason of these fables is rendred by palaephatus , because that callisto going into a bears den , was by the bear devoured , and so her foolish companions seeing none come forth but the bear , fondly imagined that the virgin was turned into a bear. there is another constellation next to the great bear , called arctophylax , bootes , or the little bear , in whose girdle is a bright star called arcturus , and from this constellation of bears , cometh the denomination of the arctique and antarctique pole . other ▪ affirm , that the two bears were helice and cynosura , the two nurses of iupiter , because sometime they are so named ; the cause whereof is apparent in the greek tongue , for helice is a star , having as it were a tail rowled up , and cynosura , a tail at length like a dog : they are also nourished for sport for as their bodies do in one sort resemble apes , so do also their dispositions , being apt to sundry gestures and pastimes , lying upon their backs , and turning their hands and feet , rock themselves upon them as a woman rocketh her childe in a cradle ; but principally for fight : for which occasion they were preserved of old time by the romans : for when messala was consul , aenobarb●s domitian presented in one ring or circle , an hundred bears , and so many hunters with them . — rabido nec proditus ore fumantem hasum vivi te 〈…〉 ursi , sit placidus licet , & lambat digi 〈…〉 manusque : si dolor & bilis , si justa coegerit ira , vrsus erit , 〈◊〉 dentes in pelle fatiges . they will not willingly fight with a man , although men may do it without hurt , for if they annoynt or sprinkle the months of lyons or bears with vit●iol or copperas , it will so bind their chape together , that they shall not be able to bite , which caused martiall to write thus : praeceps ▪ sanguinea dum se rotat ursus arena , implicitam visco per 〈…〉 ille fugam . splendida jam tecto cessent venabula ferro : nec volet excussa lancea torta manu . deprenda● vacuo venator in aere praedam , si 〈◊〉 feras aucupis arte placet . alexander had a certain indian dog given unto him , to whom was put a bore and a bear to fight withall , but he disdaining them , would not once regard them , but when a lyon came , he rose up and fought with him . bears , they will fight with buls , dogs , and horses : when they fight with buls , they take them by their horns , and so with the weight of their body , they weary and press the beast , untill they may easily slay him : and this fight is for the most part on his pack . a rhinoceros set on by a bear in a publick spectacle at ●ome , did easily cast him off from the hold he had on his horn . she doth not adventure on a wilde bore , except the bore be asleep , or not seeing her . there is also a mortal hatred betwixt a horse and a bear , for they know one another at the first sight ; and prepare to combat , which they rather act by policy then by strength : the bear falling flat on his back the horse leaping on the bear , which pulleth at his guts with her fore-feet-nails , and is by the heels of the horse wounded to death , if he strike the bear upon his head . also bears fear a sea-calf , and will not fight with them if they can be avoided , for they know they shall be overcome . great is the fierceness of a bear , as appeareth by holy scripture , hos . . i will meet them as a bear robbed of her whelps ( saith the lord ) and will tear in pieces their froward heart : and chusai telleth absalon , sam. . thou knowest that thy father and the men that be with him be most valiant and fierce , like a she bear robbed of her whelps : for a she bear is more couragious then a male . there is a filthy nation of men called taifah , who are given unto a sodomitical buggery , to commit uncleanness man with man , and especially with young boyes ; but if any of them take a wilde bore , or kill a bear , he shall be exempted from this kind of beastly impudicity . heliogabalus was wont to shut up his drunken friends together , and suddenly in the night would put in among them bears , wolves , lyons , and leopards , muzled and disarmed , so that when they did awake , they should finde such chamber-fellows , as they could not behold ( if darkness did not blind them ) without singular terror ; whereby many of them fell into swounds , sickness , extasie and madness . vitoldus king of lituania , kept certain bears of purpose , to whom he cast all persons which spoke against his tyranny , putting them first of all into bears skins ; whose cruelty was so great , that if he had commanded any of them to hang themselves , they would rather obey him then endure the terror of his indignation : in like sort did alexander pheraeus deal with his subjects , as is reported by textor . valentinianus the emperor nourished two bears devourers of men , one of them called golden mica , the other innocentia ; which he lodged neer his own chamber : at length after many slaughters of men , he let innocentia go loose in the woods for her good deserts , in bringing so many people to their funerals . there are many natural operations in bears . pliny reporteth , that if a woman be in sore travail of childe-birth , let a stone or arrow which hath killed a man , a bear or a bore , be thrown over the house wherein the woman is , and she shall be eased of her pain . there is a small worm called volvox , which eateth the vine-branches when they are young , but if the vine-sickles be anoynted with bears blood , that worm will never hurt them . if the blood or grease of a bear be set under a bed , it will draw unto it all the fleas , and so kill them by cleaving thereunto . but the vertues medicinal are very many : and the first of all , the blood cureth all manner of bunches and apostumes iu the flesh , and bringeth hair upon the eye-lids if the bare place be anoynted therewith . the fat of a lyon is most hot and dry , and next to a lyons , a leopards ; next to a leopards , a bears ; and next to a bears , a buls . the later physitians use to cure convulsed and distracted parts , spots , and tumors in the body . it also helpeth the pain in the loyns , if the sick part be anoynted therewith , and all ulcers in the legs or shins , when a plaister is made thereof with bole-armorick . also the ulcers of the feet , mingled with allom. it is soveraign against the falling of the hair , compounded with wilde roses . the staniards burn the brain of bears when they die in any publick sports , holding them venemous , because being drunk , they drive a man to be as mad as a bear ; and the like is reported of the heart of a lyon , and the brain of a cat. the right eye of a bear dryed to powder , and hung about childrens necks in a little bag , driveth away the terror of dreams , and both the eyes whole , bound to a mans left arm , easeth a quartain ague . the liver of a sow , a lamb , and a bear put together , and trod to powder under ones shooes easeeth and defendeth cripples from inflamation : the gall being preserved and warmed in water , delivereth the body from cold , when all other medicine falleth . some give it mixt with water , to them that are bitten with a mad dog , holding it for a singular remedy , if the party can fast three days before . it is also given against the palsie , the kings evill , the falling-sickness , an old cough , the inflamation of the eyes , the running of the ears , the difficulty of urine , and delivery in childe-birth , the hemorrhoides , the weakness of the back . the stones in a perfume are good against the falling evill , and the palsie ; and that women may go their full time , they make amulets of bears nails , and cause them to wear them all the time they are with childe . of the beaver male and female . a beaver is called in greek , castor ; in latine , fiber ; in italian , bivarro , or bivero , and ilcastoreo ; in spanish , castor ; in french , bieure , and sometime castor ; in illyrian , bobr ; in germain , biber : all which words at the first sight seem to be derived from the latine : there is no certain word for it in hebrew : in arabia it is called albednester : it is also called in latine , canis ponticus , but canis fluviatilis , is another beast , as we shall manifest in the succeeding discourse of an otter : and the reason why in latine it is called fiber , is , because ( as varro saith ) it covereth the sides , banks , or extremities of the river , as the extremities or laps of the ear and liver are called fibrae , and the skirts of garments fimbriae : but the reason why the graecians call it castor , is not as the latines have supposed , because it biteth off his own stones , quasi castandro seipsum , as shall be manifested soon after , but of castrando , because for the stones thereof it is hunted and killed ; or rather of gaster , signifying a belly , for that the body is long and almost all belly ; or rather because of the colour & ill savour thereof . their quantity is not much bigger then a countrey dog , their head short , their ears very small and round , their teeth very long ▪ the under teeth standing out beyond their li●s three fingers breadth , and the upper about half a finger ▪ being very broad , crooked , strong and sharp , standing ; or growing double very deep in their mouth , bending compass like the edge of an axe , and their colour yellowish red , where with they defend themselves against beasts , take fishes as it were upon books , and will g●aw in sunder trees as big as a mans thigh : they have also grinding teeth very sharp , wherein are certain wri●ckles or folds , 〈◊〉 that they seem to be made for grinding some hard substance , for with them they eat the rindes or bark of trees ; wherefore the biting of this beast is very deep , being able to 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 the hardest bones , and commonly 〈…〉 ever loseth his hold , untill he feeleth his teeth g 〈…〉 one against ●other . plioy and solinus affirm , that the 〈…〉 son so bitten cannot be cured , except he hear the rashing of the teeth ; which take to be an opinion without truth . this tail he useth for a stern when he swimmeth after fish to catch them . there hath been taken of them whose tails have weighed four pound weight , and they are accounted a very delicate dish ; for being dressed they eat like barbles : they are used by the lotharingians and savoyans for meat allowed to be eaten on fish-dayes , although the body that beareth them be flesh and unclean for food . the manner of their dressing is , first roasting , and afterward seething in an open pot , that so the evill vapor may go away , and some in pottage made with saffron ; other with ginger , and many with brine ; it is certain that the tail and forefeet tast very sweet , from whence came the proverbe , that sweet is that fish , which is not fish at all . these beasts use to build them caves or dens neer the waters , so as the water may come into them , or else they may quickly leap into the water , and their wit or natural invention in building of their caves is most wonderful : for you must understand that in the night time they go to land , and there with their teeth gnaw down boughes and trees which they likewise bite very short fitting their purpose , and so being busied about this work , they will often look up to the tree when they perceive it almost asunder , thereby to discern when it is ready to fall , lest it might light upon their own pates : the tree being down and prepared , they take one of the oldest of their company , whose teeth could not be used for the cutting , ( or as others say , they constrain some strange beaver whom they meet withal ) to fall flat on his back ( as before you have heard the badgers do ) and upon his belly lade they all their timber , which they so ingeniously work and fasten into the compasse of his legs that it may not fall , and so the residue by the tail , draw him to the water side , where these buildings are to be framed : and this the rather seemeth to be true , because there have been some such taken , that had no hair on their backs , but were pilled ; which being espied by the hunters , in pity of their slavery , or bondage , they have let them go away free . these beasts are so constant in their purpose , that they will never change the tree that they have once chosen to build withal , how long time so ever they spend in biting down the same ; it is likewise to be observed ; that they never go to the same , during the time of their labour , but in one and the same path , and so in the same return to the water again . when they have thus brought their wood together , then dig they a hole or ditch in the bank side , where they underset the earth to bear it up from falling , with the aforesaid timber ; and so they proceed , making two or three rooms like several chambers , one above another , to the intent that if the water rise they may go further , and if it fall they may descend unto it . and as the husbandmen of egypt do observe the buildings of the crocodile , so do the inhabitants of the countrey where they breed , observe the beavers , that when they build high , they may expect an inundation , and sow on the mountains ; and when they build low , they look for a calm or drought , and plow the vallies . there is nothing so worthy 〈◊〉 this beast as his stones , for they are much sought after and desired by all merchants , so that they will give for them any great price . there is both in male and female , certain bunches under their belly as great as great as a gooses egge , which some have unskilfully taken for their code ; 〈◊〉 between these is the secret or priv 〈…〉 part of both sexes ; which tumours or bunches are nothing else , but a little fleshie bag within a little thin skin , in the middle whereof is a hole or passage , out of the which the beast sucketh a certain liquor , and afterward therewith anointeth every part of her body that she can reach with her tongue . now it is very plain that these bunches are not their cods ; for these reasons ; because that there is no passage either of the seed into them , or from them into the yard : besides , their stones are found within their body ; neither ought this to seem strange , seeing that hares have the like bunches , and also the moschus or musk-cat : the female hath but one passage for all her excrements , and to conceive or bring forth young ones . it hath been an opinion of some , that when a beaver is hunted and is in danger to be taken , she biteth off her own stones , knowing that for them only her life is sought , which caused alciatus to make this emblem , et pedibus segnis , tumida & propendulus alvo ; hac tamen insidias effugit arte fiber : mordicus ipse sibi medicata virilia vellit : atque abjicit sess gnarus ob illa peti . hujus ab exemplo disces non parcere rebus , et vitam ut redimas hostibus aera dare . teaching by the example of a beaver , to give our purse to theeves , rather then our lives , and by our wealth to redeem our danger , for by this means the beaver often escapeth . there have been many of them found that wanted stones , which gave some strength to this errour , but this was exploded in ancient time for a fable ; and in this and all other honest discourses of any part of philosophy , the only mark whereat every good student and professor ought to aime , must be verity and not tales ; wherein many of the ancient have greatly offended ( as is manifested by marcellus virgilius ) especially plato : and this poyson hath also crept into and corrupted the whole body of religion . the egytians in the opinion of the aforesaid castration , when they will signifie a man that hurteth himself , they picture a beaver biting off his own stones . but this is most false , as by sertius , plinius , dioscorides ; and albertus , is manifested . first , because their stones are very small , and so placed in their body as are a boars , and therefore impossible for them to touch or come by them . secondly ; they cleave so fast unto their back , that they cannot be taken away but the beast must of necessity lose his life ; and therefore ridiculous is their relation , who likewise affirm , that when it is hunted ( having formerly bitten off his stones ) that he standeth upright and sheweth the hunters that he hath none for them , and therefore his death cannot profit them , by means whereof they are averted and seek for another . these beavers eat fish , fruits , and the bitter rindes of trees , which are unto them most delicate , especially aldern , poplar , and willow ; whereupon it is proverbially said , of one that serveth another for gain : sic me subes quotidie ut fiber salicem ; you love me as the bever doth the willow , which eateth the bark and destroyeth the tree . they are taken for their skins , tails , and cods , and that many wayes ; and first of all when their calves are found , there is made a great hole or breach therein , whereinto is put a little dog , which the beast espying , flyeth to the end of her den , and there defendeth her self by her teeth , till all her structure or building be rased , and she laid open to her enemies , who with such instruments as they have preset , beat her to death : some affirm that she rouzeth up her body , and by the strong savour of her stones she driveth away the dogs ; which may be probable , if the stones could be seen . these dogs are the same which hunt wild fowl and otters . it is reported that in prussia they take them in bow-nets , baited with the rinde of trees , whereinto they enter for the food , but being entrapped cannot go forth again . they cannot dive long time under water but must put up their heads for breath , which being espied by them that beset them , they kill them with gun-shot , or pierce them with otters speares , so that one would think seeing such a one in the water , that it was some hairy kind of fish ; and his nature is , if he hear any noise to put his head above water , whereby he is discovered and loseth his life . his skin is pretious in polonia , either for garment , or for gloves , but not so pretious as an otters , yet it is used for the edging of all other fur garments , making the best shew and enduring longest ; they are best that are blackest , and of the bellies which are like felt wool , they make caps and stockings against rain and foul weather . the medicinall vertues of this beast are in the skin , the urine , the gall and the cods : and first , a garment made of the skins , is good for a paralytick person ; and the skins burned with dry onions and liquid pitch , stayeth the bleeding of the nose , and being put into the soles of shooes easeth the gowt . the urine preserved in the bladder , is an antidote against poyson : and the gall is profitable for many things , but especially being turned into a glew it helpeth the falling evill . the genitals of a beaver are called by the physitians castoreum , and therefore we will in this discourse use that word for expressing the nature , qualities , remedies , and miraculous operation thereof , wherefore they must be very warily and skilfully taken forth , for there is in a little skin compassing them about a certain sweet humor ( called humor melleus ) and with that they must be cut out , the utter skin being cut asunder to make the more easie entrance , and the apothecaries use to take all the fat about them , which they put into the oil of the castoreum , and sell it unto fisher-men to make bait for fishes . the females have stones or castoreum , as well as the males , but very small ones . now you must take great heed to the choise of your beaver , and then to the stones which must grow from one root conjoyned , otherwise they are not precious , and the beast must neither be a young one nor one very old , but in the mean betwixt both , being in vigor and perfection of strength . the beavers of spain yeeld not such virtuous castoreum as they of pontus , and therefore if it be possible , take a pontique beaver , next one of gallatia , and lastly of africk . some do corrupt them putting into their skin gum and ammoniack with blood , other take the reins of the beast , and so make the castoreum very big , which in it self is but small . this beast hath two bladders , which i remember not are in any other living creature , and you must beware that none of these be joyned to the castoreum . you may know if it be mingled with ammoniack by the tast , for although the colour be like , yet is the savour different . platearius sheweth , that some adulterate castoreum , by taking off his skin , or some cod newly taken forth of another beast , filling it with bloud , sinews and the powder of castoreum , that so it may not want his strong smell or favour : other fill it with earth and bloud : other with bloud , rosen , gum , sinews and pepper , to make it tast sharp : but this is a falsification discernible , and of this sort is the castoreum which is sold in venice , as brasovala affirmeth : and the most of them sold at this day are bigger then the true castoreum , for the just weight of the right stones is not above twelve ounces and a half , one of them being bigger then the other , being six fingers breadth long , and four in breadth . now the substance contained in the bag is yellowish , solid like wax , and sticking like glew , not sharp and cracking betwixt the teeth ( as the counterfeit is ) . these stones are of a strong and stinking savour , such as is not in any other , but not rotten and sharp , as grammarians affirm ; yer i have smelled of it dryed , which was not unpleasant , and things once seasoned with the savour thereof , will ever tast of it , although they have not touched it , but lie covered with it in the same box or pot ; and therefore the castoreum of persia is counterfeit , which hath no such smell , for if a man smell to the right castoreum , it will draw bloud out of his nose . after it is taken forth from the beast , it must be hung up in some place to be dryed in the shadow , and when it is dry , it is soft and white : it will continue it strength six years , and some say seven ; the persians affirm , that their castoreum will hold his virtue ten years , which is as false as the matter they speak of is counterfeit . archigenes wrote a whole book of the virtue of this castoreum , whereunto they may resort , that require an exact and full declaration of all his medicinal operations : it shall only be our purpose , to touch some general heads , and not to enter into a particular discovery thereof . being so dryed as is declared , it must be warily used , for it falleth out herein as in other medicinal subjects , that ignorance turneth a curing herb or substance , into a venemous and destructive quality ; therefore we will first of all set down the dangers to be avoided , and afterward some particular cures that come by the right use of it . therefore it must be understood that there is poyson in it , not naturally , but by accident , as may be in any other good and wholesome matter : and that especially in the smell or savour thereof , whereunto if a woman with childe do smell , it will kill the childe unborn and cause abortment ; for a womans womb is like a creature , nourished with good favours , and destroyed with evill : therefore burning of feathers , shoo-soles , woollen clothes , pitch , galbanum , gum , onions , and garlick is noysom to them . it may be corrupted not only as is before declared ; but also , if it be shut up close without vent into pure aire , when it is hanged up to be dryed , or if the bag be kept moist , so that it cannot dry ; and it is true ( as avicen saith ) that if it : be used being so corrupted , it killeth within a dayes space , driving one into madness , making the sick person continually to hold forth his tongue , and infecting him with a fever by inflaming the body , loosing the continuity of the parts , through sharp vapors arising from the stomach : and for a proof that it will inflame , if you take a little of it mingled with oil , and rub upon any part of the body , or upon your nail , you shall feel it . but there is also a remedy for it being corrupted ; namely , asses milk mingled with some sharp syrup of citron , or if need require , drink a dram of philons antidote at the most ; or take butter and sweet water which will cause vomit , and vomit therewith so long , as you feel the savour of the stone , and afterward take syrup of limmons or citrons : and some affirm upon experience , that two penny weight of coriander-seed , scorched in the fire , is a present remedy for this evill . and it is most strange , that seeing it is in greatest strength , when the favour is hottest , which is very displeasing to a mans nature in outward appearance , yet doth it never harm a man taken inwardly , ( being pure and rightly compounded ) if the person be without a fever , for in that case only it doth hurt inwardly , otherwise apply it to a moist body lacking refrigeration , or to a cold body wanting excalfaction , or to a cold and moist body , you shall perceive an evident commodity thereby , if there be no fever : and yet it hath profited many where the fever hath not been over hot , as in extasies and lethargies , ministred with white pepper , and melicrate , and with rose cakes laid to the neck or head . the same virtues it hath being outwardly applyed and mingled with oil , if the bodies be in any heat , and purely without oil , if the body be cold , for in heating it holdeth the third degree , and in drying the second . the manner how it is to be administred is in drink , for the most part , the sweet liquor being taken from it , and the little skins appearing therein cleansed away , and so it hath among many other these operations following . drunk with vinegar , it is good against all venom of serpents , and against the chameleon , but with this difference , against the scorpion with wine , against spiders with sweet water , against the lizzards with myrtite , against dipsas and cerastes , with oponax , or wine made of rew , and against other-serpents with wine simply . take of every one two drams , for a cold take it a scruple and a half in four cups of wine , used with ladanum , it cureth the fistulaes and ulcers , provoking sneezing by smelling to it ; procureth sleep , they being anointed with it ; maiden-weed and conserve of roses , and being drunk in water , helpeth phrensie , and with the roses and maiden-weed aforesaid , easeth head-ach ; being laid to the head like a plaister , it cureth all cold and windy affections therein ; or if one draw in the smoak of it perfumed , though the pain be from the mothers womb , and given in three cups of sweet vinegar fasting , it helpeth the falling sickness , but if the person have often fits , the same given in a glyster , giveth great ease : then must the quantity be two drams of castoreum , one sextary of honey and oil , and the like quantity of water , but in the fit it helpeth with vinegar by smelling to it . it helpeth the palsie , taken in rew or wine , sod in rew , so also all heart trembling , ach in the stomach , and quaking of the sinews . it being infused into them that lie in lethargies with vinegar and conserve of roses doth presently awake them , for it strengthneth the brain , and moveth sternutation . it helpeth oblivion coming by reason of sickness , the party being first purged with hiera ruffi , castoreum , with oil bound to the hinder part of the head , and afterward a dram drunk with m 〈…〉 rate , also taken with oil , cureth all convulsion proceeding of cold humors , if the convulsion be full and perfect , and not temporal or in some particular member , which may come to passe in any sickness . the same mixed with hony helpeth the clearness of the eyes , and their inflamations ; likewise used with the juice of popy , and infused to the ears , or mixed with hony , helpeth all pains in them . with the seed of hemlocks beaten in vinegar , it sharneth the sense of hearing , if the cause be cold , and it cureth toothach infused into that ear with oil on which side the pain resteth ; for hippocrates sent unto the wife of aspasius ( complaining of the pain in her cheek and teeth ) a little castoreum with pepper , advising her to hold it in her mouth betwixt her teeth . a perfume of it drawn up into the head and stomach , easeth the pains of the lights and intrails , and given to them that sigh much with sweet vinegar fasting , it recovereth them . it easeth the cough , and distillations of rhume from the head to the stomach , taken with the juyce of black popy . it is preservative against inflamations and pains in the guts or belly ( although the belly be swoln with cold windy humors ) being drunk with vinegar , or oyxycrate ; it easeth the colick being given with annis beaten small , and two spoonfuls of sweet water ; and it is found by experiment , that when a horse cannot make water , let him be covered over with his cloth , and then put underneath him a fire of coals , wherein make a perfume with that castoreum till the horses belly and cods smell thereof , then taking away the coals , walk the horse up and down covered , and he will presently stale . to soften the belly they use castoreum with sweet water two drams , and if it be not forcible enough , they take the root of a set cucumber one dram , and the some of salt peter two drams . it is also used with the juice of withy and decoction of vinegar applyed to the reins and genital parts like a plaister against the gonorrhaean passion . it will stir up a womans monethly courses , and cause an easie travail , two drams being drunk in water with penny-royal . and if a woman with childe go over a beaver , she will suffer abortment ; and hippocrates affirmeth , that a perfume made with castoreum , asses dung , and swines grease , openeth a closed womb . there is an antidote called diacostu , made of this castoreum , good against the megrim , falling sickness , apoplexies , palsies , and weakness of lims , as may be seen in myrepsus : against the impotency of the tongue , trembling of the members , and other such infirmities . these vertues of a beaver thus described , i will conclude this discourse with a history of a strange beast like unto this , related by dunranus campus-bellus ( a noble knight ) who affirmed , that there are in arcadia , seaven great lakes some miles compass , and some lesse , whereof one is called garloil , out of which in anno about the midst of summer , in a morning came a beast about the bigness of a water dog , having feet like a goose , who with his tail easily threw down small trees , and presently with a swift pace he made after some men that he saw , and with three strokes he likewise overthrew three of them , the residue climbing up into trees escaped , and the beast without any long tarrying , returned back again into the water , which beast hath at other times been seen , and it is observed , that this appearance of the monster , did give warning of some strange evils upon the land : which story is recorded by hector boethius . of the bison. this bison is called taurus paeonicus , the paeonian . bull , whereof i finde two kinds , one of greater , and another of lesser size , called the scotian , or calydonian bison , whereof you shall see the picture and qualities at the foot of this history . the greater is as big as any bull or oxe , being maned about the neck and back like a lion , and hath hair hanging down under his chin or neather lip like a large beard : and a rising or little ridge down along his face , beginning at the height of his head , and continuing to his nose very hairy ; his horns great and very sharp , yet turning up towards his back , and at the points hooked like the wilde goats of the alpes , but much greater : they are black of colour , and with them through the admirable strength of his neck can he tosse into the air , a horse and horseman both together . they are as big as the dextarii which are the greatest stallions of italy . their face looketh downward , and they have a strange strength in their tongue , for by licking they grate like a file any indifferent hard substance , but especially they can therewith draw unto them any man or beast of inferior condition , whom by licking they wound to death . their hair is red , yellow , or black , their eyes very great and terrible ; they smell like a moschus or musk-cat , and their mane reacheth over their shoulders , shaking it irefully when he brayeth ; their face or forehead very broad , especially betwixt their horns , for sigismond king of polonia , having kild one of them in hunting , stood betwixt his horns , with two other men not much lesser in quantity then himself , who was a goodly well proportioned and personal prince . there are two bunches on his back , the former near his shoulders , which is the higher , and the other near the rump , which is somewhat lower . i have seen the horns of a bison , which was in the hands of a goldsmith to tip with silver and gilt , that it might be fit to drink in : it did bend like the talon of an eagle or gryphin , or some ravenous bird . the flesh in summer time is most fat , but it tasteth so much of wilde garlick , or ramsens , that it is not pleasant to eat , being full of small veins and strings , and is accounted a noble and strong kind of flesh : the bloud is the most purest in the world , excelling in colour any purple , and yet for all that it is so hot , that being let forth when the beast dyeth , within two houres space it putrefieth , and the flesh it self in the coldest winter will not keep sweet many hours , by reason of the immoderate heat thereof , if the hunter do not after the fall of the beast , separate from it the intrails : and which is most strange of all , being pierced alive with any hunting spear , dart , or sword , the weapon by the heat of the body is made so weak and soluble , that it cometh forth as flexible as lead : and to conclude , it is a most noble and fierce spirited b●ast , never afraid , or yeelding till breath faileth , neither can he be taken with any nets or gins , untill they be thoroughly wearyed : wherefore they which hunt him , must be very strong , nimble and skilful men , or else that sport will be their own undoing and overthrow . therefore when they go to hunt this bison , they choose a place replenished with large trees , neither so great that they cannot easily wind about them ; nor so little that they shall not be able to cover their bodies from the horn or tongue of the beast : behind which the hunters place themselves out of sight : and then the dogs rouze up the beast , driving him to that place where the hunters stand ; whom the beast first espyeth , to him he maketh force , who must warily keep the tree for his shield , and with his spear wound him where he can , who will not fall without many mortal strokes , but waxe more and more eager , not only with horn but with tongue , for if he can but apprehend any part of the hunters garment with his tongue , he loseth no hold but draweth him unto him , and with his horn and feet killeth him : but if the fight be long , and so the hunter wearied and out of breath , then doth he cast a red cap unto the beast , who maketh at it with head and feet , never leaving till it be all in pieces ; and if another come to help him as hunters must , if they will return alive , then shall he easily draw the beast to combate , and forsake the first man , if he cry lu-lu-lu . pausanias sheweth how these bisons are taken alive , in this sort . the hunters ( faith he ) chuse out some steep and slippery down hill , whereupon they lay skins of beasts newly taken off , and if they want such , then anoint they old skins with oil , and so leave them spread upon those steeping or bending passages ; then raise they the beasts , and with dogs and other means on horseback drive them along to the places where they laid their hides , and as soon as they come upon the skins they slip and fall down , rowling headlong till they come into the valleys , from whence they constrain them back again some other way , three or four times a day , making them fall down the hils as aforesaid , and so wearying them with continual hunting , and fasting . at the last they come unto them , when they are no more able to rise for faintness , and give them pine-apples taken out of the shels , ( for with that meat are they delighted ) and so while they eagerly feed and lie weary on the ground , they intoil them in bands and manacles , and lead them away alive . the medicines coming from this beast may be conjectured to be more forcible , then of common and ordinary oxen , but because they were not known to the grecians and arabians , and we finde nothing recorded thereof ; we will conclude the story of this great bison , with good opinion of the virtues , though we are not able to learn or discover them to others . of the white scotian bison. in the woods of scotland , called callender or caldar , and in ancient time calydonia , which reacheth from monteth and erunal , unto atholia and loqubabria , there are bred white oxen , maned about the neck like a lyon , but in other parts like ordinary and common oxen. this wood was once full of them , but now they are all slain , except in that part which is called cummirnald . this beast is so hateful and fearful of mankind , that it will not feed of that grasse or those hearbs , whereof he favoureth a man hath touched , no not for many days together ; and if by art or policy they happen to be taken alive , they will die with very sullen grief . if they meet a man , presently they make force at him , fearing neither dogs , spears , nor other weapons . their flesh is very pleasant , though full of sinews , and very acceptable to the greatest nobles , for which cause they are grown to a small number ; their qualities being like to the former beast , excepting their colour and beard , i will term them a white calydonian , or scotian bison. bonasus , the figure of the head and horns . the head of this beast is like the head of an ox or bull his horns bending round to the sides of the cheek , by reason whereof he hath no defence by them , neither can a man be hurt that is cast upon them . his neck is very thick with a large mane , from his eyes down to his shoulders in length like an horses , but the hair thereof is much softer , and lyeth more smoothly , the uppermost hairs being harsher , and the undermost softer like wool . their colour betwixt red and ash colour , but black and yellow appeareth not in them . they have no upper teeth , in this point resembling an ox and other horned beasts ; their horns being in compass about nine inches and somewhat more , are very smooth and black like varnish . their voice is like the voice of an ox , their legs all hairy , and their feet cloven , their tail too short for the other members of the body like a bugles , their back stretched out at length , is as long as a seat for seaven men ; their flesh is very sweet , for which cause he is much sought for in hunting ; he will with his feet dig up the ground like an ox or bull in his rage ; when he is once struck , he flyeth away , fighting with his heels backward ; and whereas nature hath denyed him the benefit of horns , which other beasts have , so that he is only adorned and not armed by those weapons , like a souldier that cannot draw forth his sword ; she hath given him the secret operation of his dung , which in his chase he casteth forth of his body so plentifully upon the dogs or other that pursue him , by the space of four paces backward , that he stayeth their course , and the heat of his dung is so admirable , that it scorcheth or burneth the hair or skin of any beasts or men that hunt him : neither hath this ●ime such vertuous operation at any other time , but only when the beast flyeth , being hunted and pursued for life , at other times it lying quiet , there is no such virtue therein : neither ought this to seem incredible , seeing many other beasts in their chase , have the like or at the least do then eject their excrement more plentifully and noisomly then at other times : as the cuttell-fish , for when in chase the intrails are heated , and the passage somewhat restrained , so that the holding in of breath breedeth more wind in the guts , it may very naturally chance , the excrement being with the inclosed wind and heat sent forth by violent eruption , that it may flie far backward , and also burn as aforesaid . these beasts calve in the mountains , and before that time cometh she chuseth a place , which she walleth in with the abundance of her own dung , so high as it may cover her young one , for there is no beast that is naturally so full of excrement as a bonasus . their ears are very broad as the poet saith , patulae camuris sub cornibus aures , broad ears , under crooked winding blunt horns ; the skin is so large , that it hath covered a good part of a house , the inward colour whereof is like the earth whereon the beast did use to feed . that excellent physitian of england john cay , did send me the head of this beast , with this description , in an epistle , saying . i send unto thee the head of a great wilde beast , the bare mouth and the bones supporters of the horns being very weighty , and therefore bearing up some like heavy burden , the horns are recurved and bending backward , so that they do not spire directly downward but rather forward , though in a crooked manner , which because it could not appear forward , as they do when the beast is alive , therefore they are described turning on the one side : the space betwixt the horns or breadth of the forehead , is three roman palms and a half ; the length of the horns , three palms one finger and a half ; and their compass where they are joyned to the head , is one foot one palm and a half . in the castle of warwick where are preserved the armor and spear of one earl guy of warwick a most valiant strong man , i have seen the head of a beast not unlike to this , saving that if the bones whereon the horns grow should be joyned together , then would the horns be longer , and of another crooked fashion . and in the same place there is also the neckbone of the same beast , the compasse thereof is at the least three roman feet two palms and a half , whereunto i may also add that shoulder-blade which hangeth on the north gate of the city of coventry , being in the lowest part three foot broad and two fingers , and four foot long and two palms : and the compasse of the arme hole wherein the shoulder is joyned , is three foot and one palm , and the whole compasse of them both in breadth and length is eleven foot one palm and a half . in the chappel of the said great guy , distant from warwick about one thousand paces ( or a mile ) there hangeth a rib of this beast ( as i suppose ) the compasse whereof in the smallest place is three palms , and in length it is six foot and a half the rib is dry and rotten in the superficies thereof . the vulgar people affirm , that it is the peece of a boar , which was slain by earl guy ; other say , by tradition of their elders , that it is a piece of a wilde cow remaining neer coventry , and did much harm to many people ; which latter opinion i embrace , taking it for a bonasus , who in most things is like a cow , and therefore some affirm it is an indian cow ( but ignorantly ) because any thing that is not common is usually attributed to some strange countrey breed ( with an addition to that it most of all resembleth . ) thus far d. cay . whereunto i assent , holding his conjectures to be very probable , untill by the diligent industry of some other , or my own eye-sight we may deliver to the world some more assured and perfect knowledge in these kind of beasts . exhorting in the mean season all learned men , to discover more exactly their present or future knowledge herein , to the high benefit of all them that are diligent students in this part of gods creation . of the buffe . abuffe is called in greek , tarandos ; and in latine , tarandus ; which some have corrupted barbarously , tearming it parandrus and pyradus ; and i conjecture that it is the same beast , which the polonians call tur or thuro ; howsoever other confound this tarandus with another beast , called rangifer ; and some with a kinde of vrus , which have many properties in common with a buffe , yet my reason , why the polonian tur can be no other then a buffe , is , because the head and mouth differeth from those beasts ; and also because this is taken in sarmatia , where the common people call it daran , or darau ; although the later writers call it duran and durau , and translate it a bonasus , which can by no means agree with this beast ; and the name of daran is easily derived from tarandus , or tarandos . also that the polonian tur should not be a buffe , all that can be objected , is , that the horns thereof are cragged or branched , which thing pliny attributeth to a buffe : whereunto i answer , that the ancients did confound a buffe with an elk , and a rangifer ; for in the description of an elk they vary , divers times mistaking one for another , by reason that they wrote altogether by report , none of them being seen in their countries , and therefore may easily be deceived in a buffe , as well as in an elk. the chief authors of this opinion have been sir thomas eliot , and georgius agricola , with whom i will not contend , nor with any other man that can give better reason : for pliny maketh a buffe to be a beast proportioned betwixt an hart and an oxe , of which sort is not a rangifer , as shall be manifested ; and if it be , yet can it never appear that a rangifer doth change colour like a buffe , as also we will make more evident : so then distinguishing a buffe from a rangifer , and presuming that the poloman thuro , or tur , is a buffe ; we will proceed to his description . the head of this beast is like the head of a hart , and his horns branched or ragged ; his body for the most part like a wilde oxes , his hair deep and harsh like a bears , his hide is so hard and thick , that of it the scythians make breast-plates , which no dart can pierce through . his colour , for the most part , like an asses , but when he is hunted or feared , he changeth his hew into whatsoever thing he seeth ; as among trees he is like them ; among green boughs he seemeth green ; amongst rocks of stone , he it transmuted into their colour also ; as it is generally by most writers affirmed : as pliny and sclinus among the ancient ; stephanus and eustathius among the later writers . this indeed is the thing that seemeth most incredible , but there are two reasons which draw me to subscribe hereunto : first , because we see that the face of men and beasts through fear , joy , anger , and other passions , do quickly change ; from ruddy to white , from black to pale , and from pale to ruddy again . now as this beast hath the head of a hart , so also hath it the fear of a hart , but in a higher degree ; and therefore by secret operation it may easily alter the colour of their hair , as a passion in a reasonable man , may alter the colour of his face . the same things are reported by pliny of a beast in india called lycaon , as shall be afterward declared ; and besides these two , there is no other among creatures covered with hair , that changeth colour . another reason forcing me to yeeld hereunto is , that in the sea a polypus-fish , and in the earth among creeping things , a chamaeleon , do also change their colour in like sort and fashion : whereunto it may be replyed , that the chamaeleon and polypus-fish , are pilled or bare without hair , and therefore may more easily be verse-coloured ; but it is a thing impossible in nature , for the hair to receive any tincture from the passions : but i answer , that the same nature can multiply and diminish her power in lesser and smaller beasts , according to her pleasure , and reserveth an operation for the nails , and feathers of birds , and fins and scales of fishes , making one sort of divers colour from the other : and therefore may and doth as forcibly work in the hairs of a buffe , as in the skin of a chamaeleon ; adding so much more force to transmute them , by how much farther off they stand from the blood , like as an archer , which setteth his arm and bow higher to shoot farther , and therefore it is worthy observation , that as this beast hath the best desence by her skin above all other , so she hath a weakest and most timerous heart above all other . these buffes are bred in scythia , and are therefore called tarandi scythici ; they are also among the sarmatians , and called budini , and neer gelonis , and in a part of poland , in the duchy of mazavia , betwixt oszezke and garvolyin . and if the polonian thuro before mentioned , have a name ( whereof i am ignorant ) then will i also take that beast for a kinde of bison . in phrygia there is a territory called tarandros , and peradventure this beast had his name from that countrey , wherein it may be he was first discovered and made known . the quantity of this beast , exceedeth not the quantity of a wilde ox , whereunto in all the parts of his body he is most like , except in his head , face , and horns : his legs and hoofs are also like an oxes . the goodness of his hide is memorable , and desired in all the cold countries in the world , wherein only these beasts and all other of strong thick hides are found , for the thinnest and most unprofitable skins of beasts , are in the hot and warmer parts of the world : and god hath provided thick , warm , most commodious , and precious covers for those beasts that live farthest from the sun. whereupon many take the hides of other beasts for buffe , for being tawed and wrought artificially they make garments of them , as it is daily to be seen in germany . of the vulgar bugil . abugil is called in latine , bubalus ; and buffalus ; in french , beufle ; in spanish , bufano ; in german , buffel ; and in the illyrian tongue , bouwol . the hebrews have no proper word for it , but comprehend it under to , which signifieth any kind of wilde oxen ; for neither can it be expressed by meriah , which signifieth fatted oxen ; or bekarmi , which signifieth oxen properly ; or jachmur , which the persians call kutzcohi , or buzcohi , and is usually translated a wilde-asse . for which beast the hebrews have many words ; neither have the graecians any proper word for a vulgar bugil , for boubatos and boubatis , are amongst them taken for a kinde of roe-buck . so that this bubalus was first of all some modern or barbarous term in africk , taken up by the italians , and attributed to this beast , and many other for whom they knew no proper names . for in the time of pliny , they used to call strange beasts like oxen or bulls , vri ; as now a days ( led with the same error , or rather ignorance ) they call such bubali , or buffali . the true effigies of the vulgar bugil , was sent unto me by cornelius sittardus , a famous physitian in norimberg ; and it is pictured by a tame and familiar bugil , such as liveth among men for labour , as it seemeth to me . for there is difference among these beasts , ( as aristotle hath affirmed ) both in colour , mouth , horn , and strength . this vulgar bugil , is of a kinde of wilde oxen , greater and taller then the ordinary oxen , their body being thicker and stronger , and their limbs better compact together ; their skin most hard , their other parts very lean , their hair short , small , and black , but little or none at all upon the tail , which is also short and small . the head hangeth downward to the earth , and is but little , being compared with the residue of his body ; and his aspect or face betokeneth a tameable and simple disposition . his fore-head is broad and curled with hair , his horns more flat then round , very long , bending together at the top , as a goats do backward : insomuch as in crete , they make bows of them : and they are not for defence of the beast , but for distinction of kinde and ornament . his neck is thick and long , and his rump or neather part of his back is lower then the residue , descending to the tail . his legs are very great , broad and strong , but shorter then the quantity of his body would seem to permit . they are very fierce being tamed , but that is corrected by putting an iron ring through his nostrils , whereinto is also put a cord , by which he is led and ruled , as a horse by a bridle ( for which cause in germany they call a simple man over-ruled by the advise of another to his own hurt , a bugle , led with a ring in his nose . ) his feet are cloven , and with the formost he will dig the earth , and with the hindmost fight like a horse , setting on his blows with great force , and redoubling them again if his object remove not . his voyce is like the voyce of an oxe ; when he is chased he runneth forth right , seldom winding or turning , and when he is angred , he runneth into the water ; wherein he covereth himself all over , except his mouth , to cool the heat of his blood ; for this beast can neither endure outward cold nor inward heat : for which cause , they breed not but in hot countries , and being at liberty are seldom from the waters . they are very tame , so that children may ride on their backs ; but on a sodain they will run into the waters , and so many times indanger the childrens lives . their love to their young ones is very great , they alway give milk from their copulation to their calving ; neither will they suffer a calf of another kinde ( whom they discern by their smell ) to suck their milk , but beat it away if it be put unto them : wherefore their keepers do in such case , anoynt the calf with bugils excrement , and then she will admit her suckling . they are very strong , and will draw more at once then two horses ; wheresore they are tamed for service , and will draw waggons and plows , and carry burdens also , but they are not very fit for carts : yet when they do draw , they carry also great burthens or loads tyed to their backs with ropes and wantyghtes . at the first setting forward they bend their legs very much , but afterward they go upright , and being over-loden they will fall to the earth , from which they cannot be raised by any stripes untill their load or carriage be lessened . there is no great account made of their hides , although they be very thick : solinus reporteth , that the old britons made boats of osier twigs or reeds , covering them round with bugils skins , and sayled in them : and the inhabitants of the kingdom of caraiani , make them bucklers and shields of bugils skins , which they use in wars ; the flesh is not good for meat , which caused baptista fiera to make this poem : bubalus hine abeat , neve intret prandia nostra : non edat hunc quisquam : sub juga semper eat . for they ingender melancholy , and have no good taste , being raw they are not unpleasant to behold , but sod or rosted they shew a deformed substance . the milk of this beast maketh very hard cheese , which tasteth like earth . the medicines made of this beast are not many : with the horns or hoofs they make rings to wear against the cramp , and it hath been believed ( but without reason ) that if a man or woman wear rings made of the horns or hoofs of a bugil in the time of carnal copulation , that they will naturally fly off from their fingers ; whereas this secret was wont to be attributed to rings of chrysolytes or , smaragde stones . to conclude , some teach husbandmen to burn the horns or dung of their bugils on the windy side of their corn and plants , to keep them from cankers and blasting : and thus much of the vulgar bugil , called bubalus recentiorum : whose beginning in this part of the world is unknown , although in italy , and other parts of europe they are now bred and fostered . of the african bugil . this creature of african bugil , must be understood to be a wilde beast , and not of a tame kinde , although bellonius expresseth not so much . leo in his description of asrick , relateth a discourse of a certain beast called laut , or daut , who is less then an oxe , but of more elegant feature in his legs , white horns , and black nails , which is so swift , that no beast can out-run it , except a barbary horse : it is taken most easily in the summer time : with the skin whereof they make targets and shields , which cannot be pierced by any weapon , except gunshot ; for which cause they sell them very dear ; which is conjectured to be the bugil that bellonius describeth , although it be not just of the same colour , which may vary in this beast as well as in any other , and i have a certain manuscript without the authors name , that affirmeth there be bugils in lybia , in likeness resembling a hart and an oxe , but much lesser , and that these beasts are never taken asleep , which causeth an opinion that they never sleep ; and that there is another bugil beyond the a●pes , neer the river rhene , which is very fierce and of a white colour . there is a horn in the town-house of argentine four roman cubits long , which is conjectured to be the horn of some vrus ( or rather as i think of some bugil ) it hath hung there at the least two or three generations , and by scraping it i found it to be a horn , although i forgat to measure the compass thereof , yet because antiquity thought it worthy to be reserved in so honourable a place for a monument of some strange beast , i have also thought good to mention it in this discourse : as when philip king of macedon , did with a dart kill a wilde bull at the foot of the mountain orbelus , and consecrated the horns thereof in the temple of hercules , which were fifteen yards or paces long , for posterity to behold . of the bull . abull is the husband of a cow , and ring-leader of the herd , ( for which cause hom●r compareth agamemnon the great emperor of the graecian army to a bull ) reserved only for procreation , and is sometimes indifferently called an oxe , as oxen are likewise of authors taken for bulls , virg. pingue jolum primis extemplo mensibus anni , fortes invertant boves . — the hebrews call him tor , or taur ; which the chaldes call abir , for a strong oxe : so the arabians , taur : the graecians , tauros ; the latines , taurus ; the italians , tauro ; the french , taureau ; the germans , ein stier , ein vuucherstier , das vucher , ein mummelstier , ein hogen , and ein bollen ; the illyrians , vul , and iunecz : by all which several appellations , it is evident , that the name taurus in latine is not derived from tanouros , the stretching out the tayl ; nor from gauros , signifying proud ; but from the hebrew , tor ; which signifieth great : upon which occasion , the graecians called all large , great , and violent things , by the name of taurol , and that word taurus among the latines , hath given denomination to men , stars , mountains , rivers , trees , ships , and many other things , which caused ioachimus camerarius to make thereof this aenigmatical riddle . moechus eram regis : sed lignea membra sequebar . et cilicum mens sum : sed mons sum nomine solo . et vehor in coelo : sed in ipsis ambulo terris . that is in divers senses , taurus was a kings pander , the root of a tree , a mountain in cilicia , a bull , a mountain in name , a star or sign in heaven , and a river upon the earth : so also we read of statilius taurus , and pomponius vitulus , two romans . it was the custom in those days , to give the names of beasts to their children , especially among the troglodytae , and that adulterer which ravished europa , was taurus the king of crete ; or as some say , a king that came in a ship , whose ensign and name was the bull ; and other affirm , that it was iupiter in the likeness of a bull , because he had so defloured ceres when he begat proserpina , and afterward defloured proserpina his daughter , in the likeness of a dragon . it is reported that when achelous did fight with hercules for deianeira the daughter of oeneus king of calydon , finding himself to be too weak to match hercules , turned himself suddenly into a serpent , and afterward into a bull ; hercules seeing him in that proportion , speedily pulled from him one of his horns , and gave it to copia the companion of fortune , whereof cometh that phrase of cornucopia . afterward , achelous gave unto hercules one of the horns of amalthea , and so received his own again , and being overcome by hercules , hid himself in the river of thoas , which after his own name bending forth into one horn or crook , was called achelous . by these things the poets had singular intentions to decipher matters of great moment under hidden and dark narrations . but there are four reasons given , why rivers are called taurocrani : that is , bul-heads . first , because when they empty themselves into the sea , they roar or bellow like buls , with the noise of their falling water . secondly , because they surrow the earth like a draught of oxen with a plow , and much deeper . thirdly , because the sweetest and deepest pastures unto which these cattel resort , are near the rivers . fourthly , because by their crooking and winding , they imitate the fashion of a horn , and also are impetuous , violent , and unresistible . the strength of the head and neck of a bull is very great , and his fore-head seemeth to be made for fight : having horns short , but strong and piked , upon which he can toss into the air very great and weighty beasts , which he receiveth again as they fall down , doubling their elevation with renewed strength and rage , untill they be utterly confounded . their strength in all the parts of their body is great , and they use to strike backward with their heels : yet is it reported by caelius titornus a neat-heard of aetolia , that being in the field among the cattel , took one of the most fierce and strongest buls in the herd by the hinder-leg , and there in despite of the bull striving to the contrary , held him with one hand , untill another bull came by him , whom he likewise took in his other hand , and so perforce held them both : which thing being seen by milo crotoniates , he lifted up his hands to heaven , crying out by way of interrogation to jupiter , and saying : o jupiter , hast thou sent another hercules amongst us ? whereupon came the common proverb of a strong armed man : this is another hercules . the like story is reported by suidas of polydamas , who first of all slew a lyon , and after held a bull by the leg so fast , that the beast striving to get out of his hands , lest the hoof of his foot behinde him . the epithites of this beast are many among writers , as when they call him brazen-footed , wilde , chearful , sharp , plower , warrier , horn-bearer , blockish , great , glistering , fierce , valiant , and louring , which seemeth to be natural to this beast ; insomuch as the grammarians derive torvitas , grimness or lowring , from taurus , a bull , whose aspect carryeth wrath and hatred in it : wherefore it is proverbially said in westphalia , of a lowring and scouling countenance , eir sic al 's ein ochs der dem , flesch●uwer entlofferist : that is , he looketh like a bull escaped from one stroke of the butcher . their horns are lesser but stronger then oxen or kie , for all beasts that are not gelded , have smaller horns and thicker skuls then other , but the buls of scythia as is said elsewhere , have no horns . their heart is full of nerves or sinews , their blood is full of small veins , for which cause he ingendereth with most speed , and it hardneth quickly . in the gall of a bull there is a stone called gaers , and in some places the gall is called mammasur . they are plentiful in most countries , as is said in the discourse of oxen , but the best sort are in epirus , next in thracia , and then in italy , syria , england , maceconia , phrygia , and belgia : for the bulls of gallia are impaired by labour , and the buls of aethicpe are the rhinocerotes , as the buls of the woods are elephants . they desire the cow at eight months old , but they are not able to fill her till they be two years old , and they may remain tolerable for breeders untill they be . and not past . every bull is sufficient for ten kie , and the buls must not feed with the kie , for two months before their leaping time , and then let them come together without restraint , and give them pease , or barley , if their pasture be not good . the best time to suffer them with their females , is the midst of the spring , and if the bull be heavy , take the tayl of an hart and burn it to powder , then moisten it in wine , and rub therewith the genitals of a bull , and he will rise above measure into lust : wherefore , if it be more then tolerable , it must be allayed with oyl . the violence of a bull in the act of copulation is so great , that if he miss the females genital entrance , he woundeth or much harmeth her in any other place ; sending forth his seed without any motion except touching , and a cow being filled by him , he will never after leap her , during the time she is with calf : wherefore the egyptians decipher by a bull in health , without the itch of lust , a temperate continent man , and epictetus saying of sustine and alstine ; that is bear and forbear , was emblematically described by a bull , having his knee bound and and tyed to a cow in the hand of the neat-herd , with this subscription . hard fortune is to be endu el with patience , and happiness is often to be feared , for epictetus said , bear and forbear ; we must suffer ●n● any-things , and with-hold our fingers from forbidden fruits ; for so the bull which swayeth rule among beasts , being bound in his right knee , abstaineth from his female great with young . when they burn in lust , their wrath is most outragious against their companions in the same pasture , with whom they agreed in former times , and then the conquerer coupleth with the cow : but when he is weakened with generation , the beast that was overcome , setteth upon him afresh , and oftentimes overcometh : which kinde of love-fight is elegantly described by oppianus , as followeth . one that is the chiefest ruleth over all the other herd , who tremble at the sight and presence of this their eager king , and especially the kye , knowing the insulting jealousie of their raging husband . when the herds of other places meet together , beholding one another with disdainful countenances , and with their loughing terrible voices provoke each other , puffing out their flaming rage of defiance , and dimming the glistering light with their often dust-beating-feet into the air , who presently take up the challenge , and separate themselves from the company , joyning together at the sound of their own trumpets-loughing voyce , in fearful and sharp conflicts , not sparing , not yeelding , not retiring , till one or both of them fall wounded to the earth : sometimes turning round , sometimes holding heads together , as if they were coach-fellows : and as two mighty ships well manned , with sufficient arms and strength , by force of winds and floods violently rushing one against another , do break and split asunder , with the horrible cry of the souldiers , and ratling of the armour : so do these buls , with voice , legs , horns , and strength , like cunning and valiant martialists , make the sounds of their blows to ring betwixt heaven and earth , untill one of them be vanquished and overthrown . the poor over-comed beast , with shame retireth from the herd , and will no more appear , untill he be enabled to make his party good against his triumphant adversary : then he feedeth solitary in the woods and mountains , for it is proverbially said , to signifie a single and unmarryed life , abiit taurus in silvam : that is , the bull is gone to the wood to live solitarily without his female , often exercising himself like a studious champion against the day of a new combate , and when he findeth his strength increased , and his courage armed for the day of battel , then roareth he in the woods and mountains , to provoke his adversary to answer ; and perceiving his own voyce to be more fierce and violent then is his enemies , forth he proceedeth like some refreshed giant , confident in his strength , descending the lists of a second combate , where he easily overcometh the victor , weakned with copulation , and not exercised or fitted to such a triall through fulness and venery : so the first that was vanquished becometh conqueror . the very same is in other words described by virgil : bulls are enemies to all beasts that live upon prey , as bears , lyons , and wolves : when they fight with wolves , they winde their tails together , and so drive them away with their horns ; when the bear fighteth with an oxe , she falleth on her back , watching opportunity to take his horns with her fore-feet ; which if she catch , with the weight of her body she wearieth the beast , who is so earnest in combate with these beasts , that they will fight their tongues hanging out of their mouths . the crow is enemy to buils and asses , for in her flight she will strike at their eyes ; and it is easier for the bull to be revenged of a lyon , then on such a bird : red colour stirreth up a bull to fight , neither can the neat-herds govern these with such facility as they do the females , for when they wander and go astray , nothing can recall them but the voice of their females for copulation , which they understand and hear , being a mile or two distant . the voyce of a bull is sharper and shriller then is the loughing of a cow ; they are most couragious that have short and thick necks , and in their greatest wildeness , if their right knee can be bound , they will not stir ; or if they be tyed to a wilde fig-tree , which is so fearful to the nature of an oxe or bull , that it hath been seen , how a very few sticks of that wood have sod a great quantity of buls flesh in shorter time , then a far greater number of other wood set on fire could perform : which caused the egyptians in ancient time , to picture a bull tyed to a wilde fig-tree , to signifie a man that changed his manners through calamity . out of the hides of bulls , especially their ears , necks , and genitals , is most excellent glew confected ; but for the most part it is corrupted , by seething with it old leather of shooes or boots : but that of rhedes is without all fraud , fit for physitians and painters , and evermore the whiter the better , for that which is black is good for nothing ; wherefore that which is made out of bulls hides , is so white , that it sendeth forth a brightness , whose vertuous conjunction in conglutination is so powerful , that it is easier to break a whole piece of wood then any part so glewed together therewith : and for this invention , we are ( saith pliny ) indebted to dedalus the first author thereof . they used it in instruments of musick , and such other tender and pretious actions . the gail of an oxe put upon copper or brass , maketh it glister like gold ; for which cause it is used by players , to colour their counterfeit crowns . the flesh of a bull is good for meat , but yet not so good as an oxe or cow ; yet did the egyptians abstain from eating cows flesh , and not from the flesh of bulls . these beasts are used in some places to plow , in some to fight ; and it is reported by aelianus , that mythridates king of pontus , beside his guard of men , had also a guard of a bull , a horse , and a hart , which he tamed with his own hands ; so that when his followers were asleep , if any stranger came neer , they failed not to awake him , by one of their several voyces . it is reported also , that if the nostrils of a bull be anoynted with oyl of roses , he will presently lose his eye-sight : and that in the lake asphal 〈…〉 es there can no living creature abide , and yet many bulls and camels swim therein safely . it is but fabulous that there were bulls in colchis , which did breath out fire , except by that fiction the poets understood the beastly rage of the rich inhabitants . touching the sacrificing of bulls ; it was also the custom of the old egyptians to sacrifice a bull unto epaphus : and their manner was , first of all to try him whether it were fit for sacrifice , by laying meal before them , whereof if they refused to taste , they were adjudged not apt for the temple . the deutdae call a general sacrifice viscum , whereby they affirm all grievances may be cured . first they prepared a banquet with sacrifice under some tree , then brought they two white bulls sastened together by the horns , and then they gave a drink to any barren creature , woman , or brute beast , holding religiously , that by that drink they should be made fruitful , and free from all poyson : unto so great a height did the folly of blinde people arise , to put religion in every unreasonable invention , under pretence of any good intention devised by idolatrous priests . as often as they flew and offered a bull , and poured frankincense and wine upon the hoast , they said ; the bull is increased with frankincense and wine : but the ionians did best comfort themselves in their sacrifices , where the bull before his death did lough at the altar : and the messenians did binde their bull which was to be sacrificed to the ghost of aristomene , unto certain pillars in his sepulchre : if therefore the bull did shake the pillar while he leaped to and fro to get liberty , they took it for a good sign or omen , but if it stood immoveable , they held it a mournful and lamentable thing . it is likewise reported by varinus , that when agamemnon ignorantly killed one of the harts of diana in aulis , she was so wroth , that she stayed the winds from blowing upon his navy , so as they could not stir out of harbour : hereupon they went to the oracle , where answer was given , that the goddess was to be pacified with some one of agamemnons blood , therefore vlysses was sent away to fetch iphigenia , the daughter of agamemnon from her mother clitemnestra , under pretence to be marryed to achilles ; but when she was ready to be sacrificed , the goddess took pity on her , and accepted a bull in her stead , which ought not to be thought incredible , seeing that in holy scripture a ram was substituted in the place of isaac . they were wont also to sacrifice a bull to neptune , and to all the rivers , because of that affinity which they held a bull hath with all waters : and to apollo , according to this virgilian verse , taurum neptuno , taurum tibi pulcher apollo . but unto jupiter it was unaccustomed to be offered , perhaps because he had often shewed himself in that likeness , to ravish and deflour women . there be certain proverbs of a bull , which are not altogether impertinent in this place . first , it is commonly said , that he may bear a bull that hath born a calf ; whereby is meant , that he may be more subject to filthiness in age , which was so in youth . quartilla was a woman of most vile reputation for uncleanness , because she said , that when she was little , she lay with little ones like her self , and when she grew bigger , she applyed her self to the pleasure of elder men , growing in filthiness as she had increased in years . likewise they were wont to say of an absurd or impossible thing ; that if a bull could reach his head over taygetus , he might drink of the river eurota : and the beginning of this proverb , was taken of an apothegme of geradas , when his hoast upon a time did ask him what punishment the lacedemonians had appointed for adulterers , he answered : there was no adulterers in lacedemon , and therefore the punishment and question were frivolous . his hoast replyed ; but if there should be an adulterer there , what punishment would they appoint for him ? marry ( said geradas ) he should pay such a bull as would reach over taygetus to drink of the water eurota ; whereat the host laughed , demanding where such a bull could be found ? then said geradas , and where can you finde an adulterer in lacedemon ? so putting off one absurdity with another . and thus much of the natures and properties of a bull in general . in the next place before this beast be turned into the woods , we will describe his medicinal vertues , and so let him loose . the powder of a bulls horn drunk in water stayeth a flux of blood , and the loosness of the belly . sextus and esculapius say , that if a bulls horn be burned in a place where serpents abide , it driveth them away . the blood of bulls mingled with barley flower , driveth away hardness in the flesh , and being dryed cureth aposthumes in every part of the body . it taketh away spots in the face , and killeth serpents : it is commended warm against the gout , especially in horses . it is not good for to drink , because it is easily congealed , except the little veins be taken out . it is accounted among the chiefest poysons , and therefore it is thought by plutarch , that hannibal poysoned himself by drinking bulls blood , being thereunto perswaded by his servant : for so dyed themistocles , and psamm 〈…〉 us king of egypt , taken by cambyss , was constrained to drink the blood of a bull ; whereupon immediately he gave up the ghost . for remedy hereof , it is good to beware of vomiting , because the blood congealed in the stomach into lumps , stoppeth the throat ; wherefore all those things which dissolve milk in the stomach , are also medicinable against the blood of bulls . in these cases let the party be first of all purged by gl●ster or otherwise , and then anoynt the stomach and belly with barly meal and sweet water , laying it unto them like a plaister : likewise lupines , oxymel , and nitre , are soveraign in this , as all physitians know . the dry leaves of neppe and calamach is profitable against this malady ; so also are ashes made of the lees of wine burned . the fat of a bull is profitable to many things . first therefore , it must he plucked out warm from the reins of a bull and washed in a river or brook of running water , pulling out the skins and tunicles , then melt it in a new earthen pot , having cast among it a little salt , then set it in fair cold water , and when it beginneth to congeal , rub it up and down in the hands , wringing out the water , and letting it soke in again , untill it appear well washed ; then boyl it in a pot with a little sweet wine ; and being sodden , let it stand all night : if in the morning it savour strong , then pour in more wine , seeche it again , untill that savour cease , and so all the poyson be removed : and beware of salt in it , especially if it be to be used in diseases , whereunto salt is an enemy , but being thus used , it looketh very white : after the same manner may be used the fat of lions , leopards , panthers , camels , boars , and horses . the sat kall about the guts melted in a frying pan , and anoynted upon the genitals and breast , helpeth the dysenterie . the marrow of a bul beaten and drunk , cureth the pain in the smal of the belly : and rosis saith , that if it be melted at a fire , and mingled with one fourth part of myrrhe and oyl of bays , and the hands and feet be therewith anointed and rubbed , morning and evening ; it helpeth the contractions of the nerves and sinews . the fat of a dormouse , of a hen , and the marrow of a bull , melted together , and poured warm into the ears , easeth their pain very much : and if the liver of a bull be broyled on a soft fire , and put into ones mouth that hath the tooth-ach , the pain will go away so soon as ever the teeth touch it . the gall of a bull is sharper then an oxes , and it is mingled with hony for a wound-plaister , and in all outward remedies against poyson . it hath also a quality to gnaw the deadness or corruption out of wounds , and with the juyce of leeks and the milk of women , it is applyed against the swine-pox , and fistulaes ; but the gall alone rubbed upon the biting of an ape , cureth that malady . likewise the ulcers in the head , both of men , women , and children . and if the wool of an hare be burned to ashes , and mingled with oyl of myrtles , bulls gall , and beaten alome , and so warmed and anoynted upon the head , it stayeth the falling away of the hair of head . with the gall of a bull , and the white of an egge , they make an eye-salve , and so anoynt therewith dissolved in water four days together ; but it is thought to be better with hony and balsam : and instilled with sweet new wine into the ears ; it helpeth away the pains of them especially running-mattry ears , with womans or goats milk . it being taken wich hony into the mouth , helpeth the clifts and sores therein ; and taken with the water of new coloquintida and given to a woman in travel , causeth an easie childe-birth galen was wont to give of a bulls gall the quantity of an almond , with two spoonfuls of wine , called ( vinum lymphatum ) to a woman that hath her childe dead within her body , which would presently cause the dead embryon to come forth . the genital of a red bull , dryed to powder , and drunk of a woman , to the quantity of a golden noble , it maketh her to loath all manner of copulation : but in men ( as the later physitians affirm ) it causeth that desire of lust to increase . the dung of a bull laid to warm , helpeth all hardness ; and burnt to powder , helpeth the member that is burnt . the urine or stale of buls with a little nitre taketh away scabs and leprosie . of another beast called buselaphus . there was ( saith d. cay ) a cloven-footed beast brought out of the deserts of mauritania into england , of the bigness of a hinde , in form and countenance betwixt a hinde and a cow , and therefore for the resemblance it beareth of both , i will call it buselaphus , or bovicervus , or moschelaphus , or a cow-hart : having a long and thin head and ear , a lean and slender leg and shin , so that it may seem to be made for chase and celerity . his tail not much longer then a foot , but the form thereof very like a cows , and the length like a harts ; as if nature seemed to doubt whether it should encline to a cow or a hart : his upper parts were yellowish and smooth , his neither parts black and rough ; the hair of his body betwixt yellow and red , falling close to the skin , but in his fore-head standing up like a star ; and so also about the horns which were black , and at the top smooth , but downward rough with wrinkles meeting on the contrary part , and on the neerer side spreading from one another , twice or thrice their quantity . these horns are in length one foot and a hand-breadth , but three hands-breadth thick at the root , and their distance at the root was not above one fingers breadth , so arising to their middle , and a little beyond where they differ or grow asunder three hands breadth and a half ; then yeeld they together again a little , and so with another crook depart asunder the second time , yet so , as the tops of the horns do not stand afunder above two hands-breadth , three fingers and a half . from the crown of the head to the nostrils , there goeth a black strake which is one foot , two palms and one finger long , in breadth above the eyes where it is broadest , it is seven fingers , in thickness one foot and three palms , it hath eight teeth , and wanteth the uppermost like a cow , and yet cheweth the cud , it hath two udders under the belly like a heifer that never had a calf , it is a gentle and pleasant beast , apt to play and sport , being not only swift to run , but light and active to leap : it will eat any thing , either bread , broth ; salted or powdred beef , grafs or herbs , and the use hereof being alive is for hunting , and being dead the flesh is sweet and pleasant for meat . of the oxe and cow . we are now to describe those beasts which are less forein and strange , and more commonly known to all nations , then any other four-footed beast : for howsoever bugils , buffes , lyons , bears , tigers , beavers , porcupines and such other , are not alway found in every nation , yet for the most part are oxen , kine , buls and horses , by the providence of almighty god , disseminated in all the habitable places of the world : and to speak the truth , oxen and horses were the first riches , and such things wherein our elders gat the first property , long before houses and lands : with them they rewarded men of highest desert , as melampus , who opened an oracle to neleus that sought out the lost oxen of iphiclus . and erix king of sicily , so much loved oxen , that hercules recovered from geryon , that when he was to contend with hercules about these , he rather yeelded to depart from his kingdom then from his cattel : and iulius pollux affirmeth , that there was an ancient coin of mony , which was stamped with the figure of an oxe , and therefore the cryet in every publick spectacle made proclamation , that he which deserved well , should be rewarded with an oxe , ( meaning a piece of mony having that impress upon it : which was a piece of gold compared in value to an english rose-noble ) and in my opinion the first name of mony among the latines is derived from cattel , for i cannot invent any more probable etymologie of pecunia , then from pecus , signifying all manner of cattel : howsoever it is related by some writers , that on the one side of their coin was the kings face , and on the other an oxes picture ; and that servius was the first that ever figured money with sheep or oxen. miron the great painter of eleutheris , and disciple of agelos , made an heifer or cow of brass , which all poets of greece have celebrated in sundry epigrams , because a calf came unto it to suck it , being deceived with the proportion , and ausonius also added this following unto the said calf and cow , saying : vbera quid pulsas frigentia matris abenae , o vitula ? & succumlactis ab are petis ? whereunto the brazen cow in caused to make this answer following : hunc quoque praestarem , si me pro parte parasset , exteriore miron , interiore deus . whereby he derideth their vain labours , which endeavour to satisfie themselves upon mens devises , which are cold and comfortless without the blessing of almighty god. to begin therefore with these beasts , it must be first of all remembred , that the name bos , or an oxe as we say in english , is the most vulgar and ordinary name for bugils , bulls , cows , buffes , and all great cloven-footed horned beasts ; although in proper speech ▪ it signifieth a beast gelded or libbed of his stones : and boas signifieth a huge great serpent whereof there were one found in italy , that had swallowed a childe whole without breaking one of his bones , observing also in oxen the distinction of years or age : which giveth them several names , for in their young age they are called calves , in their second age steeres , in their third oxen , and the latines adde also a fourth , which they call vetuli , old oxen. these are also distinguished in sex , the male calf is vitulus , the female vitula ; likewise iuvencus , a steer , and iuvenca , an heifer , bos , an oxe , and vacca , a cow ; taurus , a bull ; taura , a barren cow ; and horda , a bearing and fruitful cow : of whom the romans observed certain festival days called hordicalia , wherein they sacrificed those cattel . the latines have also vaccula and bucula for a little cow : vaccula non nunquam secreta cubilia captans , virg. and again , — aut bucula coelum . and bucalus or bos novellus for a little oxe . schor in the hebrew signifieth a bull or oxe , bakar , herds , or a cow. thor in the chaldee hath the same signification with schor , and among the later writers you may finde tora a masculine , and torata a feminine , for a bull and a cow , accustomed to be handled for labour . the graecians call them bous and boes , the arabians , bakar : and it is to be noted , that the holy scriptures distinguish betwixt tzon , signifying flocks of sheep and goats , and bakar for herds of cattel and neat : and meria is taken for bugils , or the greatest oxen , or rather for fatted oxen , for the verb marah signifieth to feed fat . egela is interpreted jer. . for a young cow ; and the persians , gojalai : it is very probable that the latine , vacca , is derived from the hebrew , bakar , as the saracen word , baccara ; so in hebrew , para is a cow , and par , a steer , and ben bakar , the son of an oxe , or calf : and whereas the hebrews take parim , for oxen in general , the chaldees translate it tore ; the arabs , bakera ; the persians , nadgacah , or madagaucha ; the italians , call it bue ; the french , beuf ; the spaniards , buey ; the germans , ochs , and rind ; the illyrians , wull . the italians call a cow vacca at this day ; the graecians , bubalis , and damalis , or damalai ; ( for a cow which never was covered with a bull , or tamed with a yoke ) and agelada . the french , vache ; the spaniard , vaca ; the germans , ku , or kuhe ; and the citizens of altina , ceva : from which the english word cow seemeth to be derived ; the latine word is , a young heifer , which hath ceased to be a calf . there are oxen in most part of the world , which differ in quantity , nature , and manner , one from another , and therefore do require a several tractate . and first , their oxen of italy are most famous , for as much as some learned men have affirmed , that the name italia , was first of all derived of the greek word italous , signifying oxen ; because of the abundance bred and nourished in those parts , and the great account the ancient romans made hereof , appeareth by notable example of punishment , who banished a certain countrey man for killing an oxe in his rage , and denying that he eat thereof , as if he had killed a man : likewise in italy their oxen are not all alike , for they of campania are for the most part white and slender , yet able to manure the countrey wherein they are bred ; they of vmbria , are of great bodies , yet white and red coloured . in hetruria and latium , they are very compact and well set or made , strong for labour , but the most strong are those of apeunine , although they appear not to the eye very beautiful . the egyptians which dwell about nilus have oxen as white as snow , and of exceeding high and great stature , ( greater then the oxen of grecia ) yet so meek and gentle , that they are easily ruled and governed by men . the aonian oxen are of divers colours , intermingled one within another , having a whole round hoof like a horse , and but one horn growing out of the middle of their forehead . the domestical or tame oxen of africk are so small that one would take them for calves of two years old ; the africans ( faith strabo ) which dwell betwixt getulia and our coast or countrey , have oxen and horses which have longer lips and hoofs then other , and by the grecians are termed macrokeilateroi . the armenian oxen have two horns , but winding and crooking to and fro like ivie which cleaveth to oaks , which are of such exceeding hardness that they will blunt any sword that is stroke upon them , without receiving any impression or cut thereby . some are of opinion , that the only excellent breed of cattel is in boe●tia , neer the city tanagra ( called once poemandra ) by reason of their famous cattel , the which oxen are called coprophaga , by reason that they will eat the dung of man ; so also do the oxen of cyprus , to ease the pains of their small guts . the caricians in a part of asia are not pleasant to behold , having shaggie hait , and bunches on either shoulders , reaching or swelling to their necks ; but those which are either white , or black , are refused for labour . epirus yeeldeth also very great and large oxen , which the inhabitants call pyrrici , because that their first stock or seminary were kept by king pyrrhus : howsoever other say , that they have their name of their fiery flaming colour : they are also called larani of a village larinum , or of larinus , a chief neat-herd : of whom atheneus maketh mention , who received this great breed of cattel of hercules when he returned from the slaughter of gerion : who reigned about ambracia and ampholochi , where through the fatness of the earth and goodness of the pasture they grow to so great a stature . other call them cestrini , i know not for what cause , yet it may be probable that they are called larini , by reason of their broad nostrils , for rines in greek signifieth nostrils : but the true cause of their great bone and stature is , because that neither sex were suffered to couple one with another , untill they were four years old at the least , and therefore they were called atauri , and setauri , and they were the proper goods of the king : neither could they live in any other place but in epirus , by reason that the whole countrey is full of sweet and deep pastures . all the oxen in euloea are white at the time of their calving , and for this cause the poets call that countrey argoboeon . if that oxen or swine be transported or brought into hispaniola , they grow so great , that the oxen have been taken for elephants , and their swine for mules , but i take this relation to be hyperbolical . there are oxen in india which will eat flesh like wolves , and have but one horn , and whole hoofs ; some also have three horns ; there be other as high as camels , and their horns four foot broad . there was a horn brought out of india to ptolemy the second , which received three amphorues of water , amounting the least to thirty english gallons of wine measure ; whereby it may be conjectured of how great quantity is the beast that bare it . the indians , both kings and people , make no small reckoning of these beasts , ( i mean their vulgar oxen ) for they are most swift in course , and will run a race as fast as any horse , so that in their course you cannot know an ox from a horse , waging both gold and silver upon their heads ; and the kings themselves are so much delighted with this pastime , that they follow in their wagons , and will with their own mouths and hands provoke the beasts to run more speedily : and herein the ox exceedeth a horse , because he will not accomplish his race with sufficient celerity , except his rider draw bloud from his sides with the spur , but the oxes rider need not to lay any hands or pricks at all upon him , his only ambitious nature of overcoming ( carrying him more swiftly then all the rods or spurs of the world could prevail on him ) . and of this game , the lowest of the people also are very greedy , laying many wagers , making many matches , and adventuring much time and price to see their event . among the indians there are also other oxen which are not much greater then great goats , who likewise in their yoaks are accustomed to run many races , which they performe with as great speed as a getican horse ; and all these oxen must be understood to be wilde oxen. there be oxen in leuctria ( which aristotle affirmeth ) have their ears and horns growing both together forth of one stem . the oxen of the garamants , and all other neat among them , feed with their necks doubled backward , for by reason of their long and hanging horns , they cannot eat their meat , holding their heads directly straight . the self same is reported of the beasts of troglodytae ; in other things they differ not from other oxen , save only in the hardness of their skin , and these oxen are called opisthonomi . in the province of bangala , are oxen ( saith paulus venetus ) which equall the elephant in height . the oxen in mysia have no horns , which other affirm also of the scythians , whereof they assign this reason , because the universal bone of the skull hath no commissure or joint opened , and cannot receive any humour flowing unto it , by reason of the hardness resisting , and the veins belonging to this bone are weaker and smaller then in other ; for which also they are more unfit to convey nourishment to the place : and so the neck of these beasts must needs be more dry and lesse strong , because the veins are very little . the oxen have bunches growing on their backes like camels , and upon them do they bear their burdens , being taught by the discipline of men , to bend on their knee to receive their load . among the nomades ( which winter their cattel about the marishes of 〈◊〉 there are also certain cattel without horns ; whereof some are so naturally , the other have their horns sawed off , as soon as they grow forth , because of all the parts of their body , they only can endure no cold . there be oxen in phrygia and erythrea which are are of a flaming red colour , of a very high and winding neck , their horns are not like any other in the world , for they are moved with their ears turning in aflexible manner sometime one way and sometime another . the syrian oxen called p●llet are of great strength , having a broad forehead , strong horns , and fearful or couragious aspect , being neither too fat or too lean of their bodies ; and they are used both for war and also for running . the oxen of the belgian provinces , especially friseland and holland , are also of very great stature , for it hath been found by good experience , that one of them hath weighed sixteen hundred pounds troy weight : and when the earl of hoochstate was at michlin in friseland , there was presented unto him a great ox , which being killed , weighed above two thousand five hundred twenty and eight pound . the which thing being so strange as the 〈…〉 e had not been beforetime observed ; to the intent that succeeding ages might not mistrust such a memorable report , the said earl caused the full picture of the said ox , to be set up in his palace , with an inscription of the day and year when this ox was delivered and killed . of cowes . having thus noted briefly the countries wherein oxen are bred and nourished , with their several forms : it must be also observed that kine or cowes which are the female of this kind , are likewise found in all the places aforesaid with correspondent and semblable quantities , qualities , members , parts , and other accidents to such creatures appertaining ; excepted alwayes those things which belong to their sex , which principally concern their milk . and first of all the kine of most plentiful milk in all italy , are about altinas a city of the venetians , neer aquileia , which kine are of the smallest body , and yet the greatest labourers , who are not yoaked or coupled together by their necks as in other countries , but only by their heads . the cowes of arabia have the most beautiful horns , by reason of aboundance of humours which flow to them , feeding them continually with such generous liquor as naturally doth encrease them . the pyrrhean kie are not admitted to the bull till they be four year old at the least , which thing caused them to grow to a very high and tall stature : whereof there were ever four hundred kept for the kings store . these kie do give at one time seaven or eight gallons of milk , of wine measure , and they are so tall , that the person which milketh them must stand upright , or else stoop very little : neither ought this seem incredible , for it is evident that the cowes of the phoenicians were so high , that a very tall man could not milk them except he stood upon a footstool . the manner is in germany and helvetia , that about april some take kie to hire , which have none of their own , and other buy kie to farme them out to other ; and the common price of a cow for six moneths is payed in butter , and is rated at seventy five pounds , twelve ounces to the pound ; which payment is due to the owner , or money to that value . other again , buy kie and let them forth to farm , reserving the calf to themselves ; and if by the negligence of the cow-herd or farmer of them , the cow cast the calf , then is the hirer bound to answer the value , but if it miscarry without his negligence ( as oftentimes they may ) then is the losse equall to the locatour or farmer . yet it is noted , that the kie of greatest bodies , are not alway best or most plentifull in milke ; for the cowes or caeve of altin 〈…〉 in italy , are of little bodies , but yet very full of milk. the principal benefit of cowes milk is for making of butter , for the milk it self , the cheese and whay , are not so fit for nonrishment of man , as are those of sheep ; and the reason is , because the milk of kie is fattest of all other , and therefore the name of butter , which is in greek , boutyros and boutyron , and butyrum in latin , is derived properly from this kinde of cattel . the cow herds do also for their profit , observe the pasture and food , which doth above other multiplie milk ; and therefore they give their kie trifolie , or three-leaved grasse ; and medica , ( which is a kinde of claver grasse ) vetches , pulse , and beans , for beans have a great virtue to multiply milk : likewise i have seen bundles of hemlock , or an herb much like unto it , ( which we call harts tongue ) given to milch kie . there is an herb much like crow-foot , called of the germans , butterbloumen , and in english , butter-flower , which is used to colour butter , for thereby is the whiteness thereof taken away : they will not eat wal-wort or night-shade ( commonly called deaths herb ) but if they eat herbs whereupon falleth an hony-dew , then will their milk be wonderful sweet and plentiful : there is no food so good for cowes , as that which is green , if the countrey will afford it ; especially kie love the wet and wateryplaces , although the butter coming from the milk of such beasts , is not so wholesome as that which is made of such as are feed in dryer pastures . the like care is had of their drink , for although they love the coldest and clearest waters , yet about their time of calving it is much for better them to have warmer waters , and therefore the lakes which are heated and made to fome by the rain ; are most wholesome to them , and do greatly help to ease their burden and pains in that business . pausanias reporteth a wonder in nature , of the rivers milichus and charadrus , running through the city patrae , that all the kie which drink of them in the spring time , do for the most part bring forth males , wherefore their herdmen avoid those places at that time . kie for the most part before their calving , are dry and without milk ( especially about torona ) , they are also purged of their menstrua in greater measure , then either goats or sheep , which especially come from them a little before or after they have been with the bull ; howsoever aristotle saith , that they come from them after they have been five moneths with calf , and are discerned by their urine ; for the urine of a cow is the thinnest of all other . these beasts are very lustful , and do most eagerly desire the company of their male , which if they have not within the space of three hours after they mourn for it , their lust asswageth till another time . in a village of egypt called schussa ( under the government of , the hermopolites ) they worship venus under the title vrania in the shape of a cow , perswading themselves that there is great affinity betwixt the goddesse and this beast ; for by her mournful voice she giveth notice of her love , who receiveth the token many times a mile or two off , and so presently runneth to accomplish the lust of nature : and for this cause do the egyptians picture isis with a cows horns , and likewise a bull to signifie hearing . the signes of their bulling ( as it is termed ) are their cries , and disorderly forsaking their fellows , and resisting the government of their keeper . likewise , their secret hangeth forth more then at other times , and they will leap upon their fellows as if they were males : besides after the manner of mares , they oftner make water then at other times . the most cunning heardmen have means to provoke them to desire the bull , if they be slack , first of all they withdraw from them some part of their meat ( if they be fat ) for that will make them fitter to conceive ; then take they the ge●●als or stones of a bull , and hold it to their nose , by smelling whereof they are provoked to desire copulation ; and if that prevail not , then take they the tendrest part of shrimps , which is their fish , and beat them in water till they be an ointment , and there with anoint the breasts of the cow , after they have been well washed , untill it work upon her . and some affirm , that the tail of an eel put into her hath the same virtue ; other attribute much force to the wilde willow , to procure lust and conception . they are a great while in copulation , and some have ghessed by certain signes at the time of copulation , whether the calf prove male or female ; for say they , if the bull leap down on the right side of the cow , it will be a male , if on the left , it will be a female : which conjecture is no longer true , then when the cow admitteth but one bull , and conceiveth at the first conjunction , for which cause the egyptians decipher a woman bringing forth a maiden childe ; by a bull , looking to the left hand , and likewise bearing a man childe , by a bull , looking to the right hand . they are not to be admitted to copulation before they be two year old at the least , or if it may be four ; yet it hath been seen , that a heifer of a year old hath conceived , and that another of four moneths old hath likewise desired the bull ; but this was taken for a monster , and the other never thrived one bull is sufficient for fifteen kie , although varro faith , that he had but two buls for threescore and ten kie ; and one of them was two year old , the other one . the best time for their copulation is about the time of the daulphins appearance , and so continueth for two or three and fourty daies , which is about june and july , for those which conceive at that time , will bring forth their young ones in a most temperate time of the year : and it hath been observed , that an ok immediately after his gelding , before he had forgotten his former d●sire and inclination , his seed not dryed up , hath filled a cow , and she proved with calf . they go with calf ten moneths , except eighteen or twenty daies ; but those which are calved before that time , cannot live ; and a cow may bear every year ( if the countrey wherein she liveth be full of grasse , and the calf taken away from her at fifteen days old ) . and if a man desire that the calf should be a male , then let him tie the right stone of the bull at the time o● copulation ; and for a female bind the left . others work this by natural observation ; for when they would have a male , they let their cattel couple when the north wind bloweth ; and when a female , they put them together when the air is southerly . they live not above fifteen years , and thereof ten times they may ingender . the best time to calve in , is april , because then the spring bringeth on grasse , both for themselves , and to increase milk for the young ones . they bear not but in their right side , although they have twins in their belly , which happeneth very seldom , and the beast immediately after her delivery , must be nourished with some good meat , for except she be well fed , she will forsake her young to provide for her self : therefore it is requisite to give her vetches , millet-seed , and milk mingled with water , and scorched corne ; and unto the calves themselves , dryed millet in milk , in the manner of a mash : and the kie must also be kept up in stables , so as they may not touch their meat at the going forth , for they are quickly brought to forsake and loath that which is continually before them : and it is observed that when kie in the summer time do in greater number above custom go to the bull then at other times , it betokeneth and foresheweth a wet and rainy winter , for it cannot be ( saith albertus ) that a beast so dry as is a cow , can be increased in moisture , which stirreth up the desire of procreation , except also there be a mutation in the air unto abundance of moisture . and to conclude this discourse of a cow , in ancient time they were wont to call light women heifers , harlots , and kine , by reason of two famous harlots of athens , cuina and salanachha , and from this came the fiction of io , whose fable is at large prosecuted by ovid , how she being the daughter of iuachus , was in a darkness brought upon her by jupiter , by him ravished , which mist being espied by juno , she descended to the earth , and jupiter fearing his wives jealousie turned the said io into a heifer , from which shape she was afterwards delivered and maried to osiris the king of egypt , and after her death was worshipped by the egyptians for a god , and called isis , unto whom they facrificed geese which were called sacra isiaca . in the choise of kie , you must observe this direction , you must buy them in the moneth of march , let them be young , not past their first or second calf , their colour black or red , seldom brown or white , bright coloured , specially red , brown legs , blackish horns smooth and beautiful , high fore-heads , great eyes and black , hairy and grisly ears , flat nostrils like an apes , but open and wide , their back bones bending somewhat backward , black lips , long and thick necks , most broad fair crests descending from the neck , well ribbed , a great belly , the back and shoulders very broad , the buttockes broad , with a long tail hanging down to their heels , and their neather part in many places crisped and curled , well set and compacted legs rough and short , straight knees , and their bunches hanging over ; their small feet , not broad but round , standing in good distance one from other , not growing crooked or splay-footed , and their hoofs smooth and like one another every way . finally , it were a profitable thing to prosecute natures perfection in every one of their several parts , but i spare to speak any more of the females , and returning again to the story of oxen from which we have digressed , leaving the readers who desire to hear more of this discourse of kie to other authors , who purposely describe every part more particularly . to begin therefore with their description , because among folded beasts they are of most dignity and worth , especially in italy , where the bounds of their best priviledged and flourishing cities , were first of all declared and layed out , by the lowing together of an ox and a cow in one yoak . mago carthaginensis teacheth , that the time to provide or buy oxen , is best in the time of march , because then in their lean bodies , they which sell them cannot cover their faults so well , as if they were fatter , and also if they should be unruly and stubborn , they may be the more easily tamed , before their flesh increase their strength . their notes or markes must be these , let them be young , having square and great lims , a sound body , thick and short , having his muscles standing up red and round , and all his body smooth , his horns black , strong and large , without crooking or winding , after the fashion of a half moon , great and rough ears , their eyes and lips black , broad nostrils and flat upward , a long thick and soft neck , his crest descending down to the knee , a great breast , large shoulders , big belly , long straight sides , broad loins , a straight back descending a little , and a round pair of buttocks , straight , sound and sinewy , short legs , good knees , great hoofs , and long tails rough and grisly . and it is to be noted , that the oxen of a mans own countrey breed , are better and to be preferred before strangers , becanse he is already naturally fitted to the air , food , water , and temper of the soil : for it is not good to bring them from the mountains to the vallies , because then they will grow lasie and fat , and so into diseases ; neither from the vallies to the mountains , because they will quickly grow out of heart through want of their first deep and fat pasture ; and above all , have regard to match them equally in yoak , so as one may not overbear the other . oxen loose their teeth at two or three year old , but not all as a horse doth , their nerves are harder , but not so hard as a buls ; their flesh is dry and melancholick , their horns are greater and larger then are a buls , for the same reason that eunuchs and gelded persons can never be bald ; for copulation weakneth the brain , only a bull hath a stronger forehead then an ox , because the humour that should grow forth into horns , is hardned under the bone : and the horns of kie which are also bigger then a buls ; may through heat be made flexible with wax or water , and bend every way : and if when they are thus made soft , you do slit or cut them into four , that is , every horn in two , they will so grow afterward , as if every beast had four horns , and sometime through the thickness of their scull , closing up the part where the horn should grow , and the smalness of their veins in that place to feed the horns , there come no horns at all , but remain polled ; and it is reported that they have a little stone in their head , which in the fear of death they breath out . their teeth do all touch one another , and are changed twice , they chew the cud like sheep , wanting a row of their upper teeth , that is four of them , their eyes are black and broad , and their heart full of sinews , yet without any bony substance , although pliny affirmeth that sometimes in the hearts of oxen and horses are found bones . their crest called palea cometh of pilus their hair , and it is nothing else but long strakes in their hair , whereby the generofity and stomach of the beast is apparent . a cow hath two udders under her loins , with four speans , like a goat and a sheep , because the concoction and juice of their meat may better descend to the lower parts then to the upper ; their navell is filled with many veins , their hair short and soft , their tail long , with harder hair then in the other parts of the body ; their milt is long and not round , their reins are like the reins of a sea-calf , and by reason of their dry bodies they grow very fat , and this fat will not easily be dissolved , but their manner of feeding maintaineth their strength , for they which eat much are slow in the chewing , and speedy in the concoction , for they do better preserve their fat which eat slowly : then those that eat hastily and with more greediness . it hath been already shewed , that some oxen will eat flesh , and tear wilde beasts in pieces , the people of prasias give to their yoaked or working oxen fish , and also in the province of aden , and where their horses , sheep , and oxen , eat dryed fish , by reason that the abundance of heat doth dry up their pasture : neither is any thing so plentiful among them as fish : the like is reported of the people horotae , and gedrusu , and of mo●ynum a city of thracia , and in friseland : in the province of narbon , there is an herb growing in waters , which is so much desired of their cattel , that they will thrust their heads into the water above their ears , to bite that to the roots : and the oxen of the northern ocean islands of germany do grow so fat , that they are indangered to die thereby . the most common food for oxen , is the same that is already specified in the former discourse of kie ; namely , three-leaved grasse , claver grasse , all green herbs , hay , beans , vetches , chaffe , and in some places barley and straw . there is also a monethly diet or food given to oxen , for in january and february , they give them vetches , and lupines , bruised in water among chaffe or pease , so bruised and mingled , and where is want of such pulse , they may give them pressings of grapes dryed and cleansed , which is not turned into wine , and mingle them with chaffe for the cattel to eat , but the grapes themselves are much better before the pressing , with their small twigs or leaves , because they are both meat and drink , and will fat an ox very speedily . the like may be added of boughs , of laurel , elme , and other leaves , and also nuts and acornes , but if they be not wearyed and fed with acornes till they loath them , they will fall into scabs . in march and april , give them hay , and from april unto june give them grasse , and such green meat as may be found abroad ; afterward all the summer and autumn , they may be satisfied with the leaves of elme , bay , holm , and especially that kind of oake which is without prickles , and therefore they cannot abide juniper . in november and december , while the seed time lasteth , they must have as much given them as they can desire , either of the forenamed food , or else of some better if need require ; for it must be principally regarded , that the cattel fall not into leanness in the winter time , for leanness is the mother of many sicknesses in cattel , and their utter overthrow , and therefore the benefits by their full feeding are many , as may appear by that common proverge , bos ad acervum , that is , an ox to a whole heap , to signifie such men as live in all plenty and aboundance . the like care must be had of their drink , for the neat-herd must diligently look unto their drink , that it may be alway clear , and it is reported of the rivers crath● and sibaris , that the cattel which drink of their water do turn white , whatsoever colour they had in former times . they will live in strength and perfection twelve years , and their whole life is for the most part but twenty , kie live not so long ; the means to know their age is by their teeth and their horn , for it is observed that their teeth grow black in their age , and their horns wax more circled as they grow in years , although i dare not affirm that every circle betokeneth a years growth , ( as some have writen ) yet i am assured the smooth horn sheweth a young beast . more over , although kie will endure much cold and heat both in winter and summer , yet must you have more regard to your oxen , and therefore it is required that they in the winter cold weather be kept dry and housed in stals , which must be of convenient quantity , so as every ox may be lodged upon straw , the floor made higher under their forefeet then their hinder , so as their urine may passe away and not stand to hurt their hoofs : and there be also allowed for the standing and lodging of every ox eight foot in breadth , and a length answerable . the like regard must be had to their manger and rack , whereof the slaves must not stand above one foot , or rather lesse from one another , that so they may not draw out their meat and stamp it underfoot . but all the diet and food that the wit of man can ordain , will do them no manner of good if regard be not had to their bodily health , and preservation of strength , for which cause they must receive an ordinary medicine every quarter of the year ; that is , in the end of the spring , summer , autumn , and winter ; which in some places is thus made and given in potion , they take of cypres , and lupine leaves an equall quantity , beat them small , then set them in water in the open air a day and a night , and afterward give unto every one for three daies together warmed as much as a wine pinte . in other places they give them to prevent sickness , a raw egge , a handful of salt in a pinte of wine : and other put into the meat of oxen , the foam of new oil mingled with water , first a little at once until they be accustomed unto it , and afterward more , and this they do every fourth or fifth day . cato reciteth a certain vow or prayer , which the old idolatrous romans were wont to make for the health of their cattel , to silvanus mars , which was on this manner . first , they take three pound of green wheat , and of lard four pounds , and four pound and a half of fleshie sinews , and three pints and a half of wine , then put them into earthen pots with hony , and put in the wine by it self , and this they did yearly , but no woman might know how it is made , or be present at the time of the preparation , and it being made must be presently consumed by fire . unto this ridiculous and superstitious idle invention , serving more to express the folly of man , then to benefit either man or beast , i may add that kind of sacrifice made for beasts , which pliny calleth daps , that was made in the spring time when the pear-tree did blossom , the manner whereof was thus , they did offer to jupiter dapalis a bowl of wine , on the same day the herd-men and herds make their sacrifice , saying in this manner , o jupiter dapalis , i offer unto thee this cup of wine , in the behalf of my self , family and cattel , if thou wilt perform that unto them which belongeth to thee , be good to this wine beneath , be good to this my sacrifice : afterward the party washed his hands , and then drank the wine saying , o jupiter dapalis , be good to this my sacrifice , be good to this inferiour wine , and if thou wilt , give part thereof to vesta : the sacrifice being ended he took millet-seed , lentils , oxipanum , and garlick : thus far cato ; wherewith if any reader be offended , let him remember to pity such poor remedies , and commend his cattel to the true god , that saveth man and beast . the druides of the gauls , called a certain herb growing in moyst places samolum ; which being gathered by the left hand of them that were fasting , they gave it for an antidote to oxen and swine . and galen telleth of another superstitious cure for oxen , when a man took the horn of a hart , and layed it upon the chappel of pan , and set upon it a burning candle , which must not be forgotten , but alway thought upon in the day time , calling upon holy demusaris , which foolish people have thought as it were bv a witchcraft , to cure the evils of their cattel . but to let passe these and such like trifles , let us follow a more perfect description and rule to cure all manner of diseases in this cattel , whose safegard and health next to a mans , is to be preferred above all other : and first of all the means whereby their sickness is discovered may be considered , as all lassitude or wearisomeness through overmuch labour , which appeareth by forbearing their meat , or eating after another fashion then they are wont , or by their often lying down , or else by holding out their tongue , all which and many more signes of their diseases , are manifest to them that have observed them in the time of their health ; and on the other side it is manifest , that the health of an ox may be known by his agility , life and stirring , when they are lightly touched or pricked , starting , and holding their ears upright , fulness of their belly , and many other wayes . there be also herbs which increase in cattel divers diseases , as herbs bedewed with hony bringeth the murrain , the juyce of black chamaeleon killeth young kie like the chine , black hellebore , aconitum , or wolf-bane , which is that grasse in cilicia , which inflameth oxen , herb henry , and others . it is also reported by aristotle , that in a piece of thracia , not far from that city which is called the city of media , there is a place almost thirty furlongs in length , where naturally groweth a kind of barley , which is good for men , but pernicious for beasts . the like may be said of aegolothros , orobanche and aestur , but i will hasten to the particular description of their diseases . in the first place is the malis or glaunders already spoken of in the story of the asse , which may be known by these signes , the oxes hair will be rough and hard , his eyes and neck hang down , matter running out of the nose , his pace heavy , chewing his cud little , his backbone sharp , and his meat loathsome unto him ; for remedy hereof take sea-onions or garlick , lupines or cipres , or else the foam of oil . and if a beast eat hogs dung , they presently fall sick of the pestilence , which infecteth the herbs and grasse they breath on , the waters whereof they drink , and the stals and lodgings wherein they lie . the humors which annoy the body of oxen are many , the first is a moist one called malis , issuing at the nose , the second a dry one when nothing appeareth outwardly , only the beast forsaketh his meat , the third an articular , when the fore or hinder legs of the beast halt , and yet the hoofs appear sound , the fourth is farciminous , wherein the whole body breaketh forth into mattry bunches and biles , and appear healed till they break forth in other places , the fifth subtercutaneus , when under the skin there runneth a humour that breaketh forth in many places of the body ; the sixth a subrenal , when the hinder legs halt by reason of some pain in the loins , the seventh a maungie or leprosie , and lastly a madness or phrensie , all which are contagious , and if once they enter into a herd , they will infect every beast if they be not separated from the sick , and speedy remedy obtained . the remedies against the last seven are thus described by columella . first take oxipanum and sea-holy roots mingled with fennel-seed and meal of beaten wheat rath-ripe ; put them in spring water warmed with hony nine spoonfuls at a time , and with that medicine anoint the breast of the beast , then take the bloud of a sea-snail , and for want thereof a common snail , and put it into wine , and give the beast in at his nose , and it hath been approved to work effectually . it is not good at any time to stir up oxen to running , for chasing will either move them to looseness of the belly , or drive them into a feaver : now the signes of a feaver are these , an immoderate heat over the whole body , especially about the mouth , tongue and eares , tears falling out of the eyes , hollowness of their eyes , a heavy and stooping drowzie head , matter running out of his nose , a hot and difficult breath , and sometime sighing and violent beating of his veins and loathing of meat : for remedy whereof , let the beast fast one whole day , then let him be let bloud under the tail fasting , and afterward make him a drink of bole-wort stalkes sod with oil and liquor of fish sauce , and so let him drink it for five daies together before he eat meat ; afterward let him eat the tops of lentils , and young small vine branches , then keep his nose and mouth clean with a spunge , and give him cold water to drink three times a day , for the best means of recovery are cold meats and drinks , neither must the beast be turned out of doors , till he be recovered : when an ox is sick of a cold , give him black wine , and it will presently help him . if an ox in his meat tast of hens dung , his belly will presently be tormented , and swell unto death if remedy be not given ; for this malady , take three ounces of parsley seed , a pinte and a half of cummin , two pounds of honey , beat these together and put it down his throat warme , then drive the beast up and down , as long as he can stand , then let as many as can stand about him rub his belly , untill the medicine work to purgation : and vegetius addeth , that the ashes of elme wood well sod in oil , and put down the beasts throat , cureth the inflamation of hen-dung . if at any time it happen , that an ox get into his mouth and throat a horse-leech , which at the first will take fast hold , and suck the place she holds ( be it mouth or throat ) til she have kild the beast : if you cannot take hold on her with the hand , then put into the oxes throat a cane , or little hollow pipe , even to the place where the leech sucketh , and into that pipe put warm oil , which as soon as the leech feeleth , she presently leaveth hold . it fortuneth sometimes that an ox is stung or bitten with a serpent , adder , viper , or other such venomous beast ; for that wound take sharp trifoly , which groweth in rockie places , strain out the juice and beat it with salt , then scarifie the wound with that ointment , till it be wrought in . if a field-mouse bite an ox , so as the dint of her teeth appear , then take a little cumin or soft pitch , and with that make a plaister for the wound : or if you can get another field-mouse , put her into oil , and there let it remain till the members of it be almost rotten , then bruise it and lay it to the sore ; and the same body shall cure , whose nature gave the wound . oxen are also much troubled with a disease called the hide-bonnd ; for remedy wereof , when the beast is taken faom his work , and panteth , then let him be sprinkled over with wine and put pieces of fat into his mouth : if then you perceive no amendment , then seethe some laurel , and therewith heat his back , and afterward with oil and wine scarifie him all over , plucking his skin up from the ribs , and this must be done in the sunshine , or else in a very warm place . for the scabs , take the juice of garlick , and rub the beast all over ; and with this medicine may the biting of a wolf or a mad dog be cured : although other affirm , that the hoof of any beast with brimstone , oil , water and vinegar , is a more present remedy ; but there is no better thing then butter and stale urine : when they are vexed with wormes , poure cold water upon them , afterward anoint them with the juice of onions mingled with salt. if an ox be wrinched and strained in his sinews , in travel or labour , by stumping on any root or hard sharp thing , then let the contrary foot or leg be let bloud , if the sinews swell : if his neck swell , let him bloud , or if his neck be windiug or weak ( as if it were broken ) then let him bloud in that ear to which side the head bendeth . when their necks be bald , grinde two tile together , a new one and an old , and when the yoak is taken off , cast the powder upon their necks , and afterward oil , and so with a little rest the hair will come again . when an ox hangeth down his ears and eateth not his meat , he is troubled with a cephalalgie ; that is , a pain in his head : for which , seethe thyme in wine , with salt and garlick , and therewith rub his tongue a good space : also raw barly steeped in wine , helpeth this disease . sometime an ox is troubled with madness , for which men burn them betwixt the horns in the forehead till they bleed : sometime there is a flie which biting them continually , driveth them into madness ; for which they are wont to cast brimstone and bay sprigs sod in water in the pastures where they feed , but i know not what good can come thereby . when oxen are troubled with fleam , put a sprig of black hellebore through their ears wherein let it remain till the next day at the same hour . all the evils of the eyes are for the most part cured by infusion of hony , and some mingle therewith ammoniack , salt , and boetick . when the palat or roof of their mouth is so swelled that the beast forsaketh meat , and bendeth on the one side , let his mouth be paired with a sharpe instrument , or else burned or abated some other way , giving them green and soft meat till the tender sore be cured : but when the cheeks swell , for remedy whereof they sell them away to the butcher for slaughter : it falleth out very often that there grow certain bunches on their tongues , which make them forsake their meat , and for this thing they cut the tongue , and afterward rub the wound with garlick and salt , till all the fleamy matter issue forth . when their veins in their cheeks and chaps swell out into ulcers , they soften and wash them with vinegar and lees , till they be cured . when they are liver-sick , they give them rubarbe , mushroms , and gentian , mingled together . for the cough and short breath , they give them twigs of vines , or juniper mingled with salt ; and some use betony . there is a certain herb called a●plenon or citteraeh , which consumeth the milts of oxen , found by this occasion : in crete there is a river called protereus , running betwixt the two cities gnoson and gortina , on both sides thereof there were herds of cattel , but those which fed neer to gortina had no spleen , and the other which feed neer to gnoson were full of spleen : when the physitians endevoured to find out the true cause hereof , they sound an herb growing on the coast of gortina , which diminished their spleen , and for that cause called it asplenon . but now to come to the diseases of their breast and stomach , and first of all to begin with the cough , which if it be new may be cured by a pinte of barley meal with a raw egge , and half a pinte of sod wine : and if the cough be old , take two pounds of beaten hysop sod in three pints of water , beaten lentils , or the roots of onions washed and baked with wheat meal given fasting , do drive away the oldest cough . for shortness of breath , their neat-herds hang about their neck deaths-herb and harts-wort : but if their livers or lungs be corrupted , ( which appeareth by a long cough and leaness ) take the root of hasell , and put it through the oxes ear ; then a like or equall quantity of the juyce of onions , and oil mingled , and put into a pinte of wine , let it be given to the beast many dayes together . if the ox be troubled with crudity , or a raw evill stomach , you shall know by these signes ; he will often belch , his belly will rumble , he will forbear his meat , hanging down his eyes , and neither chew the cud or lick himself with his tongue : for remedy whereof , take two quarts of warm water , thirty stalkes of boleworts , seethe them together till they be soft , and then give them to the beast with vinegar . but if the crudity cause his belly to stand out and swell , then pull his tail downward with all the force that you can , and binde thereunto mother-wort , mingled with salt , or else give them a glyster , or anoint a womans hand with oil , and let her draw out the dung from the fundament ; and afterward cut a vein in his tail with a sharp knife . when they be distempered with choler , burn their legs to the hoofs with a hot iron , and afterward let them rest upon clean and soft straw : when their guts or intrails are pained , they are eased with the sight of a duck or a drake . but when the small guts are infected , take fifteen cypres apples , and so many gauls , mingle and beat them with their weight of old cheese in four pints of the sharpest wine you can get , and so divide it into four parts , giving to the beast every day one quantity . the excrements of the belly do deprive the body of all strength and power to labour ; wherefore when they are troubled with it , they must rest , and drink nothing for three daies together , and the first day let them forbear meat , the second day give them the tops of wilde olives , or in defect thereof canes or reeds ; the stalks of lentrske and myrtill ; and a third day a little water , and unto this some add dryed grapes in six pintes of sharp wine , given every day in like quantity . when their hinder parts are lame through congealed bloud in them , whereof there is no outward appearance , take a bunch of nettles with their roots and put it into their mouths , by rubbing whereof the condensate bloud will remove away . when oxen come first of all after winter to grasse , they fall grasse-sick , and pisse bloud ; for which they seethe together in water barly , bread , and lard , and so give them all together in a drink to the beast : some praise the kernels of walnuts put into eggeshels for this cure ; and other take the bloudy water it self , and blow it into the beasts nostrils ; and herd-men by experience have found that there is no better thing then herb-robert , to stay the pisling of bloud ; they must also be kept in a stall within doors , and be fed with dry grasse and the best hay . if their horns be anointed with wax , oil , and pitch , they feel no pain in their hoofs , except in cases where any beast treadeth and presseth anothers hoof ; in which case take oil and sod wine , and then use them in a hot barly plaister or poultess layed to the wounded place : but if the plough-share hurt the oxes foot , then lay thereunto stone-pitch , grease and brimstone , having first of all seared the wound with a hot iron bound about with shorn wool . now to return to the taming and instruction of oxen. it is said that busiris king of egypt was the first that ever tamed or yoaked oxen , having his name given him for that purpose . oxen are by nature meek , gentle , slow , and not stubborne , because being deprived of his genitals he is more tractable , and for this cause it is requisite that they be alwayes used to hand , and to be familiar with man , that he may take bread at his hand , and be tyed up to the rack , for by gentleness they are best tamed , being thereby more willing and strong for labour , then if they were roughly yoaked or suffered to run wilde without the society and sight of men . varro saith , that it is best to tame them betwixt five and three year old , for before three it is too soon , because they are too tender ; and after five it is too late , by reason they are too unweildy and stubborn . but if any be taken more wilde and unruly , take this direction for their taming : first , if you have any old tamed oxen , joyne them together , ( a wilde and a tame ) and if you please , you may make a yoak to hold the necks of three oxen ; so that if the beast would rage and be disobedient , then will the old one both by example and strength draw him on , keeping him from starting aside , and falling down . they must also be accustomed to draw an empty cart , wain , or sled through some town or village , where there is some concourse of people , or a plow in fallowed ground or sand , so as the beast may not be discouraged by the weight and strength of the business ; their keeper must often with his own hand give them meat into their mouth , and stroke their noses , that so they may be acquainted with the smell of a man ; and likewise put his hands to their sides , and stroke them under their belly , whereby the beast may feel no displeasure by being touched . in some countries , they wash them all over with wine for two or three daies together , and afterward in a horn give them wine to drink , which doth wonderfully tame them , although they have never been so wild . other put their necks into engins , and tame them by substracting their meat . other affirm , that if a wilde ox be tyed with a halter made of wool , he will presently wax tame : but to this i leave every man to his particular inclination for this business ; only let them change their oxens sides , and set them sometime on the right side , and sometime on the left side , and beware that he avoid the oxes heel , for if once he get the habite of kicking , he will very hardly be restrained from it again . he hath a good memory , and will not forget the man that pricked him , whereas he will not stir a● at another , being like a man in fetters , who dissembleth vengeance untill he be released , and then payeth the person that hath grieved him . wherefore it is not good to use a young oxe to a goad : but rather to awaken his dulness with a whip . these beasts do understand their own names , and distinguish betwixt the voice of their keepers and strangers . they are also said to remember and understand numbers , for the king of persia had certain oxen , which every day drew water to susis to water his gardens , their number was an hundred vessels , which through custom they grew to observe , and therefore not one of them would halt or loiter in that business , till the whole was accomplished : but after the number fulfilled , there was no goad , whip , or other means , could once make them stir , to fetch another draught or burthen . they are said to love their fellows with whom they draw in yoak most tenderly , whom they seek out with mourning if he be wanting . it is likewise observed in the licking of themselves against the hair , ( but as cicero saith ) if he bend to the right side and lick that , it presageth a storm ; but if he bend to the left side , he foretelleth a calmy fair day : in like manner , when he lougheth and smelleth to the earth , or when he feedeth fuller then ordinary , it betokeneth change of weather : but in the autumn , if sheep or oxen dig the earth with their feet , or lie down head to head , it is held for an assured token of a tempest . they feed by companies and flocks , and their nature is to follow any one which strayeth away ; for if the neat-herd be not present to restrain them , they will all follow to their own danger . being angred and provoked they will fight with strangers very irefully , with unappeasable contention : for it was seen in rhaetia , betwixt curia and velcuria , that when the herds of two villages met in a certain plain together , they fought so long , that of threescore , four and twenty were slain , and all of them wounded , eight excepted , which the inhabitants took for an ill presage or mischief of some ensuing calamity , and therefore they would not suffer their bodies to be covered with earth : to avoid this contention , skilful neat-herds give their cattel some strong herbs , as garlick and such like , that the savour may avert that strife . they which come about oxen , buls , and bugils , must not wear any red garments , because their nature riseth and is provoked to rage , if they see such a colour . there is great enmity between oxen and wolves , for the wolf ( being a flesh-eating creature ) lyeth in wait to destroy them ; and it is said , that there is so great a natural fear in them , that if a wolves tail be hanged in the rack or manger where an ox feedeth , he will abstain from eating . this beast is but simple , though his aspect seem to be very grave ; and thereof came the proverb of the oxen to the yoak , which was called ceroma ; wherewithal wrastlers and prize-players were anointed , but when a foolish and heavie man was anointed they said ironically bos ad ceroma . again the folly of this beast appeareth by another greek proverb , which saith , that an ox raiseth dust which blindeth his own eyes ; to signifie , that foolish and indiscreet men stir up the occasion of their own harmes . the manifold epithets given this beast in greek and latin bv sundry authors , do demonstratively shew the manifold conditions of this beast ; as that it is called a plower , wilde , an earth-tiller , brazen-footed , by reason of his hard hoofs , cerebrous , more brain then wit ; horned , stubborn , horn-stiking , hard , rough , untamed , devourer of grasse , yoak-bearer , fearful , overtamed , drudges , wry-faced , flow , and ill favoured , with many other such notes of their nature , ordination , and condition . there remain yet of this discourse of oxen , two other necessary tractates ; the one natural , and the other moral . that which is natural , contains the several uses of their particular parts , and first for their flesh , which is held singular for nourishment , for which cause , after their labour which bringeth leanness , they use to put them by for sagination , or ( as it is said ) in english for feeding , which in all countries hath a several manner or custom . sotion affirmeth , that if you give your cattel when they come fresh from their pasture , cabbage leaves beaten small with some sharp vinegar poured among them , and afterward chaffe winowed in a sieve , and mingled with bran for five daies together , it will much fatten and encrease their flesh , and the sixth day ground barly , encreasing the quantity by little and little for six daies together . now the best time to feed them in the winter is about the cock crowing , and afterward in the morning twilight , and soon after that let them drink : in the summer let them have their first meat in the morning , and their second service at noon , and then drink after that second meat or eating , and their third meat before evening again , and so let them drink the second time ; it is also to be observed , that their water in winter time be warmed , and in the summer time colder . and while they feed , you must often wash the roof and sides of her mouth , for therein will grow certain wormes , which will annoy the beast , and hinder his eating , and after the washing , rub his tongue well with salt : if therefore they be carefully regarded they will grow very fat , especially if they be not over aged or very young at the time of their feeding ; for by reason of age their teeth grow loose and fall out , and in youth they cannot exceed in fatness , because of their growth : above all heifers and barren kie will exceed in fatness , for varro affirmeth , that he saw a field mouse bring forth young ones in the fat of a cow having eaten into her body she being alive : the self same thing is reported of a sow in arcadia : kie will also grow fat when they are with calf , especially in the middest of that time . the turks use in their greatest feasts and mariages , to roast or seethe an ox whole , putting in the oxes , belly a whole sow , and in the sowes belly a goose , and in the goofes belly an egge , to note forth their plenty in great and small things : but the best flesh is of a young ox , and the worst of an old one , for it begetteth an ill juyce or concoction , especially if they which eat it be troubled with a cough or rheumy fleam , or if the party be in a consumption , or for a woman that hath ulcers in her belly , the tongue of an ox or cow salted and slit asunder , is accounted a very delicate dish , which the priests of mercury said did belong to them , because they were the servants of speach , and howsoever in all sacrifices the beasts tongue was refused as a profane member , yet these priests made choise thereof , under colour of sacrifice to feed their dainty stomachs . the horns of oxen by art of man are made very flexible and straight , whereof are made combes , hafts for knives , and the ancients have used them for cups to drink in , and for this cause was bacchus painted with horns , and crater was taken for a cup , which is derived of kera a horn . in like manner the first trumpets were made of horns , as virgil alludeth unto this sentence , rauco strepuerunt cor●ua cantu , and now adaies it is become familiar for the cariage of gunpowder in war. it is reported by some husbandmen , that if seed be cast into the earth out of an oxes horn ( called in old time cerasbola ) by reason of a certain coldness , it will never spring up well out of the earth , at the least not so well as when it is sowed with the hand of man. their skin is used for shooes , garments , and gum , because of a spongy matter therein contained , also to make gunpowder , and it is used in navigation when a shot hath pierced the sides of the ship , presently they clapa raw ox hide to the mouth of the breach , which instantly keepeth the water from entring in : likewise they were wont to make bucklers or shieldes or hides of oxen and bugils , and the seven-folded or doubled shield of ajax , was nothing else but a shield made of an ox hide , so many times layed one piece upon another , which caused homer to call it sacos heptabreton . of the teeth of oxen i know no other use but scraping and making paper smooth with them ; their gall being sprinkled among seed which is to be sowen maketh it come up quickly , and killeth field-mise that tast of it , and it is the bane or poison of those creatures , so that they will not come neer to it , no not in bread if they discern it ; and birds if they eat corn touched with an oxes gall put into hot water first of all , and the lees of wine , they wax thereby astonished : likewise emmets will not come upon those places where there remaineth any savour of this gall ; and for this cause they anoint herewith the roots of trees . the dung of oxen is beneficial to bees if the hive be anointed therewith , for it killeth spiders , gnats , and drone-bees ; and if good heed be not taken , it will work the like effect upon the bees themselves : for this cause they use to smother or burn this kind of dung under the mouthes of the hives in the spring time , which so displayeth and disperseth all the little enemy-bees in bee-hives that they never breed again . there is a proverb of the stable of augea , which augea was so rich in cattel , ahat he defiled the countrey with their dung , whereupon that proverb grew : when hercules came unto him he promised him a part of his countrey to purge that stable , which was not cleansed by the yearly labour of oxen , but hercules undertaking the labour turned a river upon it , and so cleansed all . when augea saw that his stable was purged by art , and not by labour , he denied the reward ; and because phyleus his eldest son reproved him for not regarding a man so well deserving , he cast him out of his family for ever . the manifold use of the members of oxen and kie in medicine , now remaineth to be briefly touched . the horn beaten into powder , cureth the cough , especially the tips or point of the horn , which is also received against the ptisick , or short breath made into pils with honey . the powder of a cowes horn mixed with vinegar , helpeth the morphew , being washed or anointed therewith . the same infused into the nostrils , stayeth the bleeding : likewise mingled with warm water and vinegar , given to a splenitick man for three daies together , it wonderfully worketh upon that passion : powder of the hoof of an ox with water put upon the kings evill helpeth it , and with water and honey it helpeth the apostemes and swelling of the body : and the same burned and put into drink , and given to a woman that lacketh milk , it encreafeth milk and strengtheneth her very much . other take the tongue of a cow , which they dry so long till it may be beaten into powder , and so give it to a woman in white wine or broath . the dust of the heel of an ox or ancle bone , taken in wine and put to the gums or teeth do fasten them , and remove the ach away : the ribs of oxen beaten to powder do stay the flux of bloud , and restrain the aboundance of monthly courses in women . the ancle of a white cow laid forty daies and nights into wine , and rubbed on the face with white linet , taketh spots and maketh the skin look very clear . where a man biteth any other living creature , seethe the flesh of an ox or a calf , and after five daies lay it to the sore , and it shall work the ease thereof . the flesh being warm layed to the swellings of the body , easeth them : so also do the warm bloud and gall of the same beast . the broath of beef healeth the loosness of the belly , coming by reason of choler ; and the broath of cowes flesh , or the marrow of a cow , healeth the ulcers and chinks of the mouth . the skin of a ox ( especially the leather thereof ) warm in a shooe , burned and applyed to pimples in the body or face , cureth them . the skin of the feet and nose of an ox or sheep , sod over a soft and gentle fire , untill there arise a certain scum like to glew from it , and afterward dried in the cold , windie air , and drunk helpeth ( or at least ) easeth burstness very much . the marrow of an ox , or the sewet , helpeth the strains of sinews if they be anointed therewith . if one make a small candle of paper and cowes marrow , setting the same on fire , under his browes or eye-lids which are bald without hair , and often anointing the place , he shall have very decent and comely hair grow thereupon . likewise the sewet of oxen helpeth against all outward poison : so in all leprosies , botches , and scurviness of the skin , the same mingled with goose grease , and poured into the eares , helpeth the deafness of them . it is also good against the inflamation of the ears , the stupidity and dulness of the teeth , the running of the eyes , the ulcers and rimes of the mouth , and stifness of the neck . if ones bloud be liquid and apt to run forth of the body , it may be well thickned and retained , by drinking ox bloud mingled with vinegar : and the bloud of a cow poured into a wound that bleedeth , stayeth the bloud . likewise the bloud of oxen cureth the scabs in dogs . concerning their milk , volumes may be written of the several and manifold virtues thereof , for the arcadians refused all medicine , only in the spring time when their beasts did eat grasse , they drank cowes milk , being perswaded , that the virtue and vigour of all good herbs and fruits were received and digested into that liquor ; for they gave it medicinally to them which were sick of the ptisick , of consumption , of an old cough , of the consumption of the reins , of the hardness of the belly , and of all manner of poisons which burn inwardly ; which is also the opinion of all the greek physitians : and the shell of a walnut sod in cow-milk and said to the place where a serpent hath bitteh , it cureth it , and stayeth the poison . the same being new and warm gargarized into the throat , helpeth the soreness of the kernels , and all pain in the arteries , and swelling in the throat and stomach : and if any man be in danger of a short breath , let him take dayly soft pitch with the hearb mummie , and harts suet clarified in a cup of new milk , and ithath been proved very profitable . where the pains of the stomach come by sadness , melancholy , or desperation , drink cow-milk , womans milk , or asses milk , wherein a flint stone hath been sodden . when one is troubled with a desire of going often to the stool , and can egest nothing , let him drink cow-milk and asses-milk sod together ; the same also heated with gads of iron or steel , and mingled with one fourth part of water , helpeth the bloudy flux ; mingled with a little hony and a buls gall , with cummin and gourds layed to the navel : and some affirm , that cow-milk doth help conception if a woman be troubled with the whiteflux so that her womb be indangered , let her drink a purgation for her upper parts , and afterward asses milk , last of all let her drink cow-milk and new wine ( for forty daies together if need be ) so mingled that the wine appear not in the milk , and it shall stay the flux . but in the use of milk , the rule of hippocrates must be continually observed , that it be not used with any sharp or tartd liquor for then it curdleth in the stomach , and turneth into corruption . the whay of cow-milk mingled with hony and salt , as much as the tast will permit and drunk , looseneth the hardness of the belly . the marrow of a cow mingled with a little meal , and with new cheese , wonderfully stayeth the bloudyflux . it is affirmed , that there is in the head of an ox , a certain little stone , which only in the fear of death he casteth out at his mouth , if this stone be taken from them suddenly by cutting the head , it doth make children to breed teeth easily , being soon tyed about them . if a man or woman , drink of the same water , whereof an ox drunk a little before , it will ease the headach : and in the second venter of a cow there is a round black tophus found , being of no weight , which is accounted very profible to women in hard travails of child-birth . the liver of an ox or cow dryed , and drunk in powder cureth the flux of boud . the gall of a cow is more forcible in operation then all other beasts gals whatsoever . the gall of an ox mixed with hony , draweth out any thorn or point of a needle or other iron thing out of the flesh where it sticketh . likewise it being mingled with alome and myrrhe as thick as hony , it cureth those evils which creep and annoy the privie parts ; laying upon it afterward beets sod in wine . it will not suffer the kings evill to grow or spread it self if it be laid upon it at the beginning . the hands washed in an oxes gall and water , are made white how black soever they were before time ; and if purblind eyes be anointed with the gall of a black cow , one may read any writing the more plainly : there is in the gall of an ox a certain little stone , like a ring , which the philosophers call alcheron ( and some guers and nassatum ) which being beaten and held to ones nose , it cleareth the eyes , and maketh that no humour do distil to annoy them : and if one take thereof the quantity of a lintel seed , with the juice of beets , it is profitable against the falling evill . if one be deaf or thick of hearing , take the gall of an ox and the urine of a goat ; or the gall of goose : likewise , it easeth the headach in an ague , and applyed to the temples provoketh sleep , and if the breasts of a woman be anointed therewith it keeps her milk from curdling . the milt of an ox is eaten in hony for easing the pains of the milt in a man , and with the skin that a calf cast out of his dams belly , the ulcers in the face are taken away : and if twenty heads of garlick be beaten in a oxes bladder , with a pinte of vinegar , and laid to the back , it will cure the milt . it is likewise given against the spleen , and the colick made like a plaister , and layed to the navel till one sweat . the urine of an ox causeth a cold stomach to recover , and i have seen that the urine of a cow taken in gargarizing , did cure intolerable ulcers in the mouth . when the bee hath tasted of the flower of the corn-tree , she presently dyeth by looseness of the belly , except she tast the urine of a man or an ox. there are likewise many uses of the dung of oxen made in physick , whereof authors are full , but especially against the gowt , plaistering the sick member therewith hot and newly made : and against the dropsie , making a plaister thereof with barley meal and a little brimstone aspersed , to cover the belly of a man. and thus much for the natural properties of this kind , now we will briefly proceed to the moral . the moral uses of this beast , both in labour and other things , do declare the dignity and high account our forefathers made hereof , both in vintage , harvest , plowing , carriage , drawing , sacrificing , and making leagues of truce and peace ; in so much as that if this failed , all tillage and vintage must in many places of the world be utterly put down ; and in truth , neither the fowls of the air , nor the horse for the battle , nor the swine and dogs could have no sustenance but by the labor of oxen : for although in some places they have mules , or camels , or elephants , which help them in this labor , yet can there not be in any nation a neglect of oxen ; and their reverence was so great , that in ancient time when an offender was to be fined in his cattel ( as all amerciaments were in those daies ) the judge might not name an ox , untill he had first named a sheep ; and they fined a smal offence at two sheep and not under , and the greatest offence criminal , at thirty oxen and not above , which were redeemed , by giving for every ox an hundred asses , and ten for every sheep . it is some question among the ancients , who did first joyn oxen together for plowing ; some affirming that aristeus first learned it of the nymphs , in the island co : and diodorus affirmeth , that dionysius son of jupiter and ceres or proserpina , did first of all invent the plow. some attribute it to briges the athenian ; other to triptolemus , osiris , habides a king of spain ; and virgil affirmeth most constantly , that it was ceres , as appeareth by this verse ; prima ceres ferro mortales vertere terram instituit , &c. whereunto agreeth servius : but i rather incline to josephus , lactantius and eusebius , who affirm , that long before ceres was born , or osiris , or hercules , or any of the residue , their was a practise of plowing , both among the hebrews and egyptians ; and therefore as the god of plowing called by the romans jugatinus ( because of yoaking oxen ) was a fond aberration from the truth , so are the residue of their inventions about the first man that tilled with oxen : seeing it is said of cain and noah , that they were husbandmen and tilled the earth . the athenians had three several plow-feasts which they observed yearly , one in scirus , the other in rharia , and the third under pelintus : and they call their mariage-feasts , plow-seasons , because then they endevoured by the seed of man to multiply the world , in procreation of children , as they did by the plow to encrease food in the earth . the grecians had a kind of writing called boustraphedon , which began , turned , and ended as the oxen do in plowing a furrow , continuing from the left hand to the right , and from the right hand to the left again , which no man could read , but he that turned the paper or table at every lines end . it is also certain , that in ancient time , the leagues of truce and peace were written in an oxes hide , as appeareth by that peace which was made by tarquinius , betwixt the romans and the gabli , the which was hanged up in the temple of jupiter , as dionysius and pompeius sextus affirm ( in the likeness of a buckler or shield : ) and the chief heads of that peace remained legible in that hide , unto their time , and therefore the ancients called the oxes hide a shield , in regard that by that conclusion of peace , they were defended from the wars of the gabii . and there were certain people called homolotti by herodotus , who were wont to strike up their leagues of peace after war and contention , by cutting an ox into small pieces , which were divided among the people that were to be united , in token of an inseparable union . there be that affirm , that a team or yoak of oxen , taking six or eight to the team , wil plow every year , or rather every season a hyde of ground ; that is , as some account mansa , or in english and germane account acres ; which hath gotten the name jugera from this occasion , as eustathius and varinus report . when sychaeus the husband of dido , who was daughter of agenor & sister to pygmalion , wandered to and fro in the world with great store of treasure , he was slain by pygmalion secretly , in hope to get his wealth : after which time , it is said , that he appeared to his wife dido , bidding her to save her life from her cruell brother ; who more esteemed money then nature , she fled into lybia , taking with her some tyrians among whom she had dwelled , and a competent sum of money ; who being come thither , craved of iarbas king of nomades , to give her but so much land as she could compass in with an oxes hide , which with much ado she obtained , and then did cut an oxes skin into smal and narrow thongs or lists , wherewithall she compassed in so much as builded the large city of carthage , and first of all was called the new city , and the castle thereof byrsa , which signifieth a hide . eustuthius also reporteth another story to the building of this city , namely that it was called carthage of one of the daughters of hercules , and that when elisa and the other companions of dido came thither for the foundation of the city , they found an oxes head , whereupon they were discouraged to build there any more , supposing that omen betokened evill unto them , and a perpetual slavery in labour and misery , such as oxen live in , but afterward they tryed in another corner of that ground , wherein they found a horses head , which they accepted as a good signification of riches , honour , magnanimity , and pleasure , because horses have all food and maintenance provided for them . among the egyptians they paint a lion for strength , an ox for labor , and a horse for magnanimity and courage , and the image of mithra which among the persians signifieth the sun , is pictured in the face of a lyon holding the horns of a striving ox in both hands , whereby they signifie that the moon doth receive light from the sun , when she beginneth to be separated from her beams . there is in the coasts of babylon a gem or precious stone like the heart of an ox , and there is another called sarcites , which representeth the flesh of an ox. the ancients had likewise so great regard of this beast , that they would neither sacrifice nor eat of a labouring oxe ; wherefore hercules was condemned when he had desired meat of theodomantis in dy●pia , for his hungry companion the son of hyla , because by violence he took from him one of his oxen and slew him . a crowned oxe was also among the romans a sign of peace ; for the souldiers which kept the castle of anathon neer the river euphrates against julianus and his army , when they yeelded themselves to mercy , they descended from the castle , driving before them a crowned oxe : from this manifold necessity and dignity of this beast came the idolatrous custom of the heathens , and especially the egyptians , for they worshipped him instead of god calling him apis and epaphus : whose choyce was on this sort . he had on his right side an exceeding splendent white spot , and his horns crooking together like the new moon , having a great bunch on his tongue , which they call cantharus : neither do they suffer him to exceed a certain number of years , or grow very big , for these causes they give him not of the water of nilus to drink , but of another consecrated well , which hindereth his growth : and also when he is come to his full age , they kill him , by drowning him in another consecrated well of the priests : which being done , they seek with mourning another ( having shaved their heads ) to substitute in his place , wherein they are never very long but they finde one , and then in a holy ship , sacred for that purpose , they transport and convey him to memphis . and the egyptians did account him a blessed and happy man , out of whose fold the priest had taken that oxe-god . he hath two temples erected for him , which they call his chambers , where he giveth forth his augurisms , answering none but children and youths playing before his temples : and refusing aged persons , especially women ; and if any not sacred , happen to enter into one of his temples , he dyeth for it , and if into the other , it fore-sheweth some monstrous cursed event , as they fondly imagine . the manner of his answers is privately to them that give him meat , taking it at their hands ; and they observe with great religion , that when germanicus the emperour came to ask counsel of him , he turned from him and would not take meat at his hand ; for presently after he was slain . once in a year they shew him a cow , with such marks as he hath , and alway they put him to death upon the same day of the week that he was found ; and in nilus neer memphis , there was a place called phiala , where were preserved a golden and a silver-dish , which upon the birth or calving days of apis , they threw down into the river , and those days were seaven ; wherein they affirm that never man was hurt by crocodiles . the egyptians do also consecrate an oxe to the moon , and a cow to vrania . it is reported that mycerinus king of egypt , fell in love with his own daughter : and by violence did ravish her ; she not able to endure the conscience of such a fact , hanged herself : whereupon the king her impure father , did bury her in a wooden oxe , and so placed her in a secret place or chamber , to whom daily they offer many odours ; but the mother of the maiden did cut off the hands of those virgins or women that attended on her daughter , and would not rescue her from so vile a contempt . there were also many other pictures of oxen , as in corcyra and eretria ; and most famous was that of perillus , which he made and presented to phalaris the tyrant of agrigent , shewing him ; that if he would torment a man , he should put him into that oxe set over a fire , and his voyce of crying should be like the loughing of a heifer ; which thing being heard of , the tyrant to shew his detestation of more strange invented torments then he had formerly used , he caused perillus , that presented it unto him , to be put into it alive , and so setting it over a fire ; made experiment of the work upon the workman , who bellowed like a cow , and was so tormented to death for that damnable and dangerous invention ; which caused ovid to write thus : et phalaris tauro violentus membra perilli torruit : infoelix imbuit author opus . when an oxe or cow in ancient time did dye of themselves , ( viz. ) if it were an oxe , they buried him under the walls of some city , leaving his horn sticking visibly out of the earth , to signifie the place of his burial , for when his flesh was consumed , they took it up again , and buryed the bones in the temples of venus in other places : but the body of a dead cow they cast into some great river neer adjoyning . the poets have faigned a certain monster called minotaurus , having in part the form of a man , and in part the form of a bull ; and they say , that pasiphae the daughter of the sun and wife of minos , king of crete , fell in love with a bull , and by the help of dedalus , she was included in a wooden heifer , covered with a cows hide , and so had copulation with the bull , and so came that monster minos included in a labyrinth ; and constrained the athenians , who had slain his son androgeus , to send every year seven young men , and seven maids to be given to that monsters to feed upon , for he would eat mans flesh . at last theseus son of aegeus king of athens , came into that labyrinth , and slew that minotaure , and by the help of ariadne escaped out of the labyrinth . other relate the story in this manner ; that when the cretenstans would have expelled minos from his kingdom ; he vowed that whatsoever likeness first appeared out of the sea for sign of victory unto him , he would sacrifice it to the gods , if he did enjoy his regiment : and there-upon a goodly bull came unto him out of the sea , wherewithall he was delighted : but after he had recovered his kingdom in quiet , he kept that bull in his own hands , and sacrificed another ; and that by this bull was the minotaure begotten on his wife pasiphae . but the truth is ; that when minos was in danger to lose his kingdom ; one taurus , a valiant prince and captain , came with a navy of good souldiers , and established him in quiet . afterward falling in love with pasiphae king minos wife , he lay with her in the house of daedalus : which daedalus wrought with the queen to give him his pleasure , and that the minotaure was a monster in crete , that had the face of an oxe , and the other members like a man , such an one was seen in aristotles time . although other take it for a fiction ; because the romans had it pictured in their ensigns of war , untill caius marius altered it to an eagle , which remaineth to this day . alciatus yeeldeth this reason , why the romans gave such an arms , to signifie that secresie becometh a captain , and that proud and crafty counsels do hurt the authors of them . limine quod caeco obscura & caligine monstrum gnossiacis clausit daedalus in latebris : depictum romana phalanx in praelia gestat , semiviroque nitent signa superba bove : nosque monent debere ducum secreta latere consilia , authori cognita techna nocet . it is reported also , that when cadmus went from delphos to phocis , an oxe did direct him in the way , and was his guide ; which oxe was brought out of the herds of pelagon , having in both his sides a white spot : it must needs be understood of the moon , for cadmus flying by night , having the moon to shine upon him ( which is hieroglyphically deciphered by the oxe , ) gave him light and direction to another city . it were endless to prosecute the several speeches , proverbs , allusions , emblemes , plays , prizes , and hieroglyphicks made upon oxen ; whereby , men and women , cities , regions , and people have taken denomination from oxen ; but also some of the stars in the firmament : therefore i will not proceed to those devises , but only touch the sacrifices made with oxen , and so conclude this story . it cannot be denyed , that the prime institution of sacrifices , was from , by , and for the ordinance of god , to teach the world to worship him in blood for sin : which could not be expiated but by the blood of the only immaculate son and lamb of god ; and therefore i will but remember how corruption polluted that ordinance , which was purely without idle ceremonies instituted by the everlasting god ; and yet was by mans invention made wretched , horrible , and damnable , through abuse of the fact , that otherwise by divine constitution ( as appears in holy scripture ) was heavenly , honourable and blessed . to begin therefore with the original of that heathenish and paganish sacrifice , instead of god the only true and divine essence , to whom all sacrifice and divine worship was due , and whose creatures , both men , oxen , and all other living and visible things are ; they offered unto all the hoasts of heaven , the sun , and stars , the heathen gods , jupiter , mars , minerva , pandrisus , and others : and if the sacrifice were costly and sumptuous , it was called hecatombe . now before their sacrifice they made prayers , burned incense for odours , presented prothymes ( as they were tearmed ) certain preparations and cakes made of barley and salt , ( called vlochytae . ) after which , the priest turned him sometimes to the right hand , and sometimes to the left , and then began to take the grisle hairs growing on the oxes fore-head betwixt his horns , making a taste of them , and casting them in the 〈…〉 re to begin the sacrifice . then did he give into the hands of the people standing by , little pots of wine likewise , to taste for sacrifice , and then he which killed the beast drew his knife , or axe , or cleaver , from the head to the tayl of the beast . now in every sacrifice they had burning torches , which were lawful for none to carry but for men , and not women ; then the priest commanded to kill the sacrifice , which sometime they did by knocking him on the head , if the beast were to be sacrificed to hell , and those that were therein ; for they sacrificed a barren cow , or a black sheep to those ghosts . but if the sacrifice were for heaven , and to the powers thereof , they lifted up his head and cut his throat : then put they under him their sphagian vessels to receive his blood , and when the beast was fa●n down , they flayed off his skin . then did the priest or flamen divide the intrails , that so he might make his augurism ( the bowels being proved at the altar . ) having looked into the bowels , they took out of every gut , member and part , a first fruits , moulded them together in the meal of green wheat-corn , then was it given to the priest , who put thereunto franklncense , herbmary , and fire , and so burned them all together , which was called a perfect hoast . but if they sacrificed to the gods of the sea , then did they first of all wave the bowels of the beast in the sea-floods before it was burned . the best sacrifices were fatted and white oxen or kine , such as had never been under yoke ; for the beast used to labour was accounted unclean : they never offered in sacrifice one under thirty days old , nor over five years by the laws of the priests . when the spartanes overcame their enemies by stratagem , they sacrificed to mars an oxe ; but when by open force , they sacrificed a cock ; for they esteemed more of an unbloody then a bloody victory . when a man sacrificed a cow to minerva , he was bound to sacrifice a sheep and an oxe to pandrysus . when the locreusians in a publick spectacle would make a sacrifice , they wanted an oxe ; for which cause they gathered together so many sticks of small wood , as made the image of an oxe artificially conjoyned together , and so setting it on fire burned it for an offering : whereupon a locrensian oxe , was an ironical proverb , for a sacrifice of no weight or merit . it is also reported , that an heifer being brought to the altar of minerva to be sacrificed , did there calve ; wherefore the priests would not meddle with her , but let her go away free ; because minerva was the goddess of procreation ; holding it an impious thing to kill that in sacrifice which had brought forth a young one at the altar : to conclude , as vegetius saith , that on a time justice was so offended with men , because they imbrewed every altar with the blood of oxen and cattel , that therefore she left the earth , and retired back again to dwell among the stars : so will we in this discourse cease from any further prosecution of the moral or natural description of these beasts , leaving their lawful use to the necessity of mankinde , and their abusive idolatrous sacrifices to him that loveth all his creatures , and will require at mans hand an account of the life and blood of brute beasts . of the calf . a calf , is a young or late enixed bull or cow , which is called in hebrew , egel ; or par : and some-times ben-bakar , the son of an oxe . yet rabbi solomon , and abraham ezra , expound egel , for a calf of one year old . the sarazens of that word call a calf hesel . the graecians , moschos ; whereof is derived moscharios : but at this day they call him mouskari , or moschare . the italians , vitello ; the french , veau ; the spaniards , ternera of teneritudo , signifying tenderness ; and sometimes bezeron and vezerro ; the germans , ein kalb , the flemmings , kalf ; and the latines , vitulus , of the old word vitulor , signifying to be wanton , for calves are exceedingly given to sport and wantonness ; or as other suppose from the greek word italous , came vitulus ; and therefore the latines do not alway take vitulus for a young or new foaled beast , but sometime for a cow , as virgil eclog. — ego hanc vitulam ( ne forte recuses , bis venit ad mulctram , binos alit ubere soetus ) depono . — and this word ( like the greek , moschos ) signifieth male and female : whereunto by divers authors both greek and latine , are added divers epithites by way of explication , both of the condition , inclination , and use of this young beast ; calling it wilde , ripe for the temples , unarmed , weak , sucklings , tender , wandring , unhorned , and such like . and because the poets faign that io was turned into a cow , and that the violet herb was assigned by iupiter for her meat ; they derive viola , a violet , from vitula a calf , by a kinde of graecian imitation . it is also certain that the honor of this young beast have given denomination to some men , as pomponius vitulus , and vitulus niger turamius , and vitellius was derived from this stem or theam , although he were an emperour . the like may be said of moschos in greek , signifying a calf ; for there was one moschus a sophist that drank nothing but water , and there was another moschus , a grammarian of syracuse , whom athenaeus doth record , was a familiar of aristarchus , and also of another , a poet of the bucolicks ; and this serveth to shew us , that the love our ancestors bare unto cattel , appeared in taking upon them their names , and were not ashamed in those elder times , wherein wisdom and invention was most pregnable , to glory in their herds from which they received maintenance . but to the purpose , that which is said of the several parts of an oxe and a cow , belongeth also to a calf ; for their anatomy differeth not , because they are conceived and generated by them , and in them : and also their birth , and other such things concerning that , must be inquired in the discourse of a cow. it is reported by an obscure author , that if the hoof of a calf be not absolved or finished in the dams belly before the time of calving , it will dye . and also it must be observed , that the same diseases which do infest and harm an oxe , do also befall calves , to their extreme perill : but they are to be cured by the same fore-named remedies . and above the residue , these young beasts are troubled with worms , which are ingendered by crudity , but their cure is to keep them fasting till they have well digested their meat , and then take lupines half sod , and half raw , beaten together , and let the juyce thereof be poured down his throat ; otherwise take dry figs and fitches beaten together with santonica , called lavender-cotten , and so put it down the calves throat as aforesaid , or else the fat of a calf and marrube with the joyce of leeks , will certainly kill these evils . it is the manner to regard what calves you will keep , and what you will make of and kill either for sacrifice , as in an ancient time , or private use , and to mark and name those that are to be reserved for breed and labour , according to these verses : post partum curant , vitulus traducitur omnis , et quos aut pecori malunt submittere habendo . continuoque notas & nomina gentis inurunt , aut aris servare sacris , aut scindere terram , et campum horrentem fractis invertere glebis . and all these things are to be performed immediately after their weaning : and then in the next place you must regard to geld the males , which is to be performed in iune , or as magus saith , in may , or at the farthest let them not be above a year old ; for else they will grow very deformed and small : but if you lib them after two years old , they will prove stubborn and intractable ; wherefore it is better to geld them while they be young ones , which is to be performed not with any knife or iron instrument , because it will draw much blood , and indanger the beast through pain , but rather with a cloven reed or stick , pressing it together by little and little : but if it happen that one of a year or two years old be to be libbed , then you must use a sharp knife , after you have pressed the stones into the cods , and cut them out at one stroke , and for stanching of the blood , let the cod , and the ends of the veins be seared with an hot iron , and so the wound is cured as soon as it is made . and now the time for the effecting hereof , is best in the wane of the moon , either in the spring or autumn ; but it is good to leave as many of the veins and nerves of the virile member untouched and whole as may be , that so he may not lose any condition of a male , except the power of generation . and if the wound be overmuch given to bleed , lay upon it ashes with the spume of silver , which is apt to stanch blood in all green wounds ; and that day let him not drink , and eat but a very little meat : for three days after give him green tops or grass , soft and easie to chew , and at the third days end , anoint the wound with liquid pitch , ashes , and a little oyl , which will soon cure the scar and keep the flies from stinging or harming it . if at any time a cow cast her calf , you may put unto her another calf , that hath not suckt enough from his own dam ; and they use● in some countries to give their calves wheat-bran , and barly-meal , and tender meat ; especially regarding that they drink morning and evening . let them not lye together in the night with their dam , but asunder , untill their sucking time , and then immediately separate them again , unless the cow be well fed when the calf sucketh ; her ordinary food will yeeld no great tribute of milk ; and for this cause you must begin to give the calf green meat betimes . afterward being weaned , you may suffer those young ones to feed with their dams in the autumn , which were calved in the spring . then in the next place , you must regard the taming of the beast , being ready for labour , which is expressed in the former treatise of an oxe . the ancients called victoria by the name of the goddess vitula , because they sacrificed unto her calves , which was tearmed a vitulation : and this was usual for victory and plenty , as is to be seen at large in giraldus , macrobius , nonius , ovid , and virgil : but the heathens had this knowledge , that their gods would not accept at their hands a lame calf for a sacrifice , although it were brought to the altar ; and if the tail of the calf did not touch the joynts of his hinder legs , they did not receive him for sacrifice . and it is said of aemilius paulus , when he was to go against the macedonians , he sacrificed to the moon in her declination eleven calves . it is very strange , that a calf being ready to be sacrificed at the temple of ierusalem , brought forth a lamb , which was one fore-shewing sign of ierusalems destruction . but aristotle declareth , that in his time , there was a calf that had the head of a childe ; and in luceria a town of helvetia , was there a calf which in his hinder parts was a hart. when charles the fifth , went with his army into africk , and arrived at largherd , a noble city of sardinia , there happened an exceeding great wonder ; for an oxe brought forth a calf with two heads ; and the woman that did owe the oxe , presented the calf to the emperor : and since that time i have seen the picture of a more strange beast calved at bonna , in the bishoprick of colen , which had two heads ; one of them in the side not bigger then a hares head , and two bodies joyned together ; whereof the hinder parts were smooth and bald , but the tail black and hairy ; it had also seven feet ; whereof one had three hoofs : this monster lived a little while , and was brought forth in anno . the . day of may , to the wonder and admiration of all them , who either knew the truth , or had seen the picture . butchers are wont to buy calves for to kill , and sell their flesh ; for in all creatures , the flesh of the young ones are much better then the elder , because they are moist and soft , and therefore will digest and concoct more easily : and for this cause kids , lambs , and calves , are not out of season in any time of the year ; and are good from fifteen days to two months old , being ornaments to the tables of great noble men ; which caused fiera to make this distichon : assiduos habeant vitulum tua prandia in usus , cui madida & sapida juncta tepore caro est . and principally the germans use the chawthern , the head , and the feet , for the beginning of their meals ; and the other part either roasted , or baked , and sometime sod in broath , and then buttered , spiced and sauced , and eaten with onyons . the medicines arising from this beast , are the same that come from his sires before spoken of , and especially the flesh of a calf doth keep the flesh of a new wound , ( if it be applyed thereunto ) from swelling , and being sodden , it is precious against the bitings of a mans teeth : and when a mad dog hath bitten a man or a beast , they use to pare the wound to the quick ; and having sodden veal mingled with the sewet and heel , they lay some to the wound , and make the patient drink of the broath : and the same broath is soveraign against all the bitings of serpents . the horns of a calf sod soft , are good against all intoxicate poyson , and especially hemlock . the powder of a calves thigh drunk in womans milk , cureth all filthy running ulcers ; and out of the brains of a calf they make an oyntment , to loosen the hardness of the belly . the marrow softneth all the joynts , driveth away the bunches arising in the body ; having an operation to soften , fill , dry and heat . take oyl , wax , rust , and the marrow of a calf , against all bunches in the face : and calves marrow with an equal quantity of whay , oyl , rose-cake and an egge , do soften the hardness of the cheeks and eye-lids , being laid to for a plaister , and the same mixed with cummin , and infused into the ears , healeth the pains of them : and also easeth the ulcers in the mouth . the marrow with the sewet composed together , cureth all ulcers and corruptions in the secrets of men and women . the fat pounded with salt , cureth the louzy evill , and likewise the ulcerous sores in the head . the same mixed with the fat of a goose , and the juyce of basil or wilde cummin , and infused into the ears , helpeth deafness and pains thereof . the fat taken out of the thigh of a calf , and sod in three porringers of water , and supped up , is good for them that have the flux : and the dung of a calf fryed in a pan , laid to the buttocks and secrets , doth wonderfully cure the bloodyflix : also laid to the reins , provoketh urine ; and fod with rue , cureth all the inflamations in the seat of a man or woman . the sewet of a calf with nitre , asswageth the swelling of the cods , being applyed to them like a plaister : and the sewet alone , doth cure the peeling of the nails . the liver with sage leaves cut together , and pressed to a liquor , being drunk , easeth the pain in the small of the belly . the gall mingled with powder of a harts-born , and the seed of marjoram , cureth leprosies and scurfs ; and the gall alone anointed upon the head , driveth away nits . the milt of a calf is good for the milt of a man , and for ulcers in the mouth ; and glew made of his stones , as thick as hony , and anointed upon the seprous place , cureth the same , if it be suffered to dry thereupon . with the dung of calves they perfume the places which are hurt with scorpions ; and the ashes of this dung with vinegar , stayeth bleeding : marcellus magnifieth it above measure , for the cure of the gout , to take the fime of a calf which never eat grass , mixed with lees of vinegar ; and also for the deafness of the ears , ( when there is pain withall ) take the urine of a bull , goat , or calf , and one third part of vinegar well fod together , with the herb fullonia , then put it into a flagon with a small mouth , and let the neck of the patient be perfumed therewith . of the supposed beast cacus . there be some of the late writers , which take the cacus spoken of by virgil in his eight book of aeneids , to be a wilde beast , which virgil describeth in these words : hic spelunca fuit , vasto submota recessu : semihominis caci : facies quam 〈…〉 tegebat , solis inaccensam radiis , semperque recenti caede tepebat humus , foribusque affixa superbis ora virum tristi pendebant pallida tabo . huic monstro vuloanus erat pater : illius atros ore vomens ignes magna se mole ferebat . — nequeunt expleri corda tuendo : pectora semiferi atque extinctos faucibus ignes ; that is , cacus was half a beast and half a man , who had a cave in the earth against the sun , his den replenished with the heads of men , and he himself breathing out fire , so that the earth was warmed with the slaughter of men slain by him , whose slaughter he fastened upon his own doores , being supposed to be the son of vulcan . and there be some that affirm this cacus , to have wasted and depopulated all italy ; and at length when hercules had slain geryon , as he came out of spain through italy with the oxen which he had taken from geryon , cacus drew divers of them into his cave by their tails : but when hercules missed daily some of cattel , and knew not which way they strayed , at last he came to the den of cacus : and seeing all the steps stand forward , by reason the cattel were drawn in backward , he departed ; and going away , he heard the loughing of the oxen for their fellows , whereby he discovered the fraud of cacus : whereupon he presently ran and took his club , the monster being within his cave , closed up the mouth thereof with a wonderful great stone , and so hid himself for fear : but hercules went to the top of the mountain , and there digging down the same , untill he opened the cave , then leaped in suddenly and slew the monster , and recovered his oxen. but the truth is , this forged cacus was a wicked servant of evander , which used great robbery in the mountains , and by reason of his evill life was called cacus ; for cakos in greek signifieth evill . he was said to breath forth fire , because he burned up their corn growing in the fields , and at last was betrayed of his own sister ; for which cause she was deified , and the virgins of vesta made sacrifice to her : and therefore it shall be idle to prosecute this fable any farther ( as albertus magnus doth ) it being like the fable of alcida , which the poets faign was a bird of the earth , and being invincible burned up all phrygia , and at last was slain by minerva . of the camel . although there be divers sorts of camels , according to their several countries ; yet is the name not much varied , but taken in the general sense of the denomination of every particular . the hebrews call it gamal ; the chaldeans , gamela ; and gamele : the arabians , gemal : gemel alnegeb : algiazar . the persians , schetor ; the saracent , shymel ; the turks call a company of camels traveling together , caravana . the italians and spaniards call a camel , camello ; the french , chameau ; the germans , ramelthier ; all derived of the latine , camelus ; and the greek , camelos . the illyrians , call it vuelblud : and the reason of the name camelos , in greek , is , because his burden or load is laid upon him kneeling or lying , derived ( as it may seem ) of camptein merous , the bending of his knees , and slowness of pace ; wherefore a man of a slow pace , was among the egyptians deciphered by a camel . for that cause , there is town in syria called gangamela ; that is , the house of a camel , erected by darius the son of hystaspis , allowing a certain provision of food therein for wearied and tyred camels . the epithets given to this beast are not many among authors , for he is tearmed by them rough , deformed , and thirsting ; as iuvenal . deformis poterunt immania membra cameli . and persius in his fifth satyre saith ; tolle recens primus piper è sitiente camelo . there are of them divers kindes , according to the countries wherein they breed : as in india , in arabia , and in bactria : all those which are in india , are said by didymus to be bred in the mountains of the bactrians , and have two bunches on their back , and one other on their breast , whereupon they lean : they have sometimes a bore for their sire , which feedeth with the flock of she-camels ; for as mules and horses will couple together in copulation , so also will bores and camels : and that a camel is so ingendered sometimes , the roughness of his hair like a bores or swines , and the strength of his body , are sufficient evidences ; and these are worthily called bactrians , because they were first of all conceived among them , having two bunches on their backs ; whereas the arabian hath but one . the colour of this camel is for the most part brown , or puke ; yet there are herds of white ones in india . ptolemeus lagi brought two strange things into egypt , a black camel ; and a man which was the one half white , and the other half black in equal proportion ; the which caused the egyptians to wonder and marvail at the shape and proportion of the camel , and to laugh at the man : whereupon it grew to a proverb , a camel among the egyptians , for a matter fearful at the first , and ridiculous at the last . the head and neck of this beast is different in proportion from all others ; yet the ethiopians have a beast called nabim , which in his neck resembleth a horse , and in his head a camel. they have not teeth on both sides , although they want horns , ( i mean both the arabian and bactrian camel : ) whereof aristotle disputeth the reason , in the third book of the parts of creatures , and fourteenth chapter . their necks are long and nimble , whereby the whole body is much relieved ; and in their neck toward the neather part of the the throat , there is a place called anhar , wherein a camel doth by spear or sword , most easily receive his mortal or deadly wound . his belly is variable , now great , now small like an oxes ; his gall is not distinguished within him like other beasts , but only carryed in great veins , and therefore some have thought he had none , and asigned that as a cause of his long life . betwixt his thighes he hath two udders , which have four speans depending from them like a cow. his genital part is confected , and standeth upon a sinew , insomuch as thereof may a string be made , for the bending of the strongest bow . the tail is like the tail of an ass , hanging down to their knees , they have knees in every leg , having in their former le● three bones , and in the hinder four . they have an ancle like an oxes , and very small buttocks , for the proportion of their great body : their foot is cloven , but so , that in the under part it hath but two fissures or clefts , opening the breadth of a finger , and in the upper part four fissures or clefts , opening a little , and having a little thing growing in them , like as is in the foot of a goose : the foot it self is fleshy like a bears , and therefore they are shod with leather when they travail , lest the gauling of their feet cause them to tire . avicenna affirmeth , that he had seen camels with whole feet , like a horses , but their feet ( although fleshy ) are so tyed together with little lungs that they never wear ; and their manner of going or pace is like a lyons , so walking as the left foot never out-goeth the right , whereas all other beasts change the setting forward of their feet , and lean upon their left feet while they remove their right ; but these alter step after step , so as the left foot behinde , followeth the right before , and the hinder foot followeth the left before . those camels which are conceived by bores are the strongest , and fall not so quickly into the myre as other , although his load be twice so heavy . they stale from one side to another , otherwise then any other beasts do : this beast is very hot by nature , and therefore want on and full of sport and wrath ; braying most fearfully when they are angred they engender like elephants and tygers ; that is , the female lying or sitting on the ground , which the male imbraceth like other males ; and continue in copulation a whole day together . when they are to ingender , they go unto the secretest places they can finde ; herein excelling in modesty the ancient massagetes , who were not ashamed to lie with their wives in the open field , and publick view of one another , where as brute beasts by instinct of nature , make the procreation of their kinde to be a most secret shameful honest action . at the time therefore of their lust , they are most unruly and fierce , yeelding to none , no not to their own keepers : the best time of their copulation is in september , for in arabia , they begin to ingender in the third year of their age , and so within ten or eleven moneths after she is delivered of young , being never above one at a time , for twins come not in her great belly ; so she goeth a year before she conceive again , although her young be separated or weaned , before which time they do not commonly . unto their former modesty for their copulation , we may adde another divine instinct and most true observation about the same , for the male will never cover his mother , or his sister ; wherefore it is sincerely reported , that when a certain camel-keeper ( desirous to try this secret ) having the male , son to a female , which he also kept , he so covered the female-mother-camel in all parts of her body , except her secrets , that nothing could be seen of her , and so brought her lustful son to cover her ; which according to his present rage he performed . as soon as he had done it , his master and owner pulled away the mask or disguise from the dam , in the presence of the son ; whereby he instantly perceived his keepers fraud , in making him unnaturally to have copulation with his own mother . in revenge whereof he ran upon him , and taking him in his mouth , lift him up into the air , presently letting him fall with noise and cry underneath his murdering and man-quelling feet ; where , with unappeaseable wrath and blood-desiring livor , he pressed and trod to pieces the incest marriage-causer , twixt him and his dearest mother ; and yet not herewith satisfied , like some reasonable creature , deprived of heavenly grace , and carryed with deadly revenge against such uncleanness , being perswaded that the guilt of such an offence could never receive sufficient expiation by the death of the first deviser , except the beguiled party suffered also some smart of penalty ; adjudged himself to death , and no longer worthy to live by natures benefit , which had so violated the womb that first conceived him ; and therefore running to and fro , as it were to finde out a hang-man for himself , at last found a steepy rock , from whence he leaped down to end his life ; and although he could not prevent his offence , yet he thought it best to cleanse away his mothers adultery with the sacrifice of that blood which was first conceived in that wombe which he had defiled . these camels are kept in herds , and are as swift as horses , according to the measure of their strength , not only because of their nimbleness , but also because their strides and reach doth gather in more ground : for which cause they are used by the indians for race , when they go to fetch the gold which is said to be kept by the formicae lyons , which are not much bigger then foxes : yet many times do these lyons overtake the camels in course , and tear the riders in pieces . they have been also used for battel or war ( by the arabians in the persian war : ) but their fear is so great of an horse , that ( as xenophon saith in the institution of cyrus ) when the armies came to joyn , neither the camel would approach to the horse , or the horse to the camel ; whereupon it is accounted a base and unprofitable thing for a man to nourish camels for fight ; yet the persians for the fight of cyrus in lydia , ever nourished camels and horses together , to take away their fear one from another . therefore they are used for carriage , which they will perform with great facility , being taught by their keepers to kneel and lye down to take up their burthens , which by reason of their height a man cannot lay on them ; always provided , that he will never go beyond his ordinary lodging and baiting place , or endure more then his usual burthen ; and it hath been seen that one of these bactrian camels , hath carryed above ten minars of corn , and above that a bed with five men therein . they will travel in a day above forty ordinary miles ; for as pliny saith , that there was from thomna to gaza , sixty and two lodging places for camels , which was in length one thousand five hundred thirty and seven miles . they are also used for the plow in numidia , and for this cause are yoaked sometimes with horses , but heliogabalus like as the tartarians , yoaked them together not only for private spectacles and plays ; but also for drawing of waggons and chariots . when they desire to have them free and strong for any labour in the field , or war , they use to geld both the male and the female , the manner whereof is in this sort . the male by taking away his stones , and the female by fearing her privy parts within the brim and laps thereof with a hot iron , which being so taken away , they can never more join in copulation ; and these are more patient in labour and thirst , and likewise better endure the extremity of sand in those parts , having this skill , that if the mists of rain or sand , do never so much obscure the way from the rider , yet doth she remember the same without all staggering . the urine of this beast is excellent for the use of fullers ; of the hair called buber , or camels wool , is cloth made for apparel , ( called camelotta , or camels hair , ) and the hair of the caspian camels is so soft , that it may be therein compared with the softest milesian wool , whereof their princes and priests make their garments : and it is very probable , that the garments of saint john baptist was of this kinde . in the city of calacia , ( under the great cham ) and in the province of egrigaia , is cloth made of the hair of camels , and white wool ( called zambilotti ) shewing most gloriously ; but the best of this kinde are in the land of gog and magog . it is forbidden in holy scripture to eat a camel , for although it chew the cud , yet is not the hoof altogether cloven : and besides , the flesh thereof is hard of digestion , and the juyce thereof very naught , heating the body above measure ; yet many times have men of base condition and mindes eaten thereof , as in arabia , and in the kingdom of fezzen ; and atheneus affirmeth , that the king of persia was wont to have a whole camel rosted for his own table at his royal feastings : and heliogabalus likewise caused to be prepared for himself the heels of camels , and the spurs of cocks and hens , pulled of alive , and whole ostriches and camels ; saying , ( though falsly ) that god commanded the jews to eat them . camels milk is wholesome for meat , because it is thinnest of all other , and because thereof it breedeth fewer obstructions , and is good for softning of the belly . for the natural disposition of this beast : it is partly already related , whereby the singular use thereof may be collected : yet there are certain proverbs and stories thereof farther expressing their qualities . it is disdainful , and a discontented creature : whereupon it it is faigned of the poets , that they besought iupiter to give them horns , with which petition he was so offended , that he took from them their ears , and therefore in that , those are reproved , which are so far in love with other things they want , that they deserve to lose the things they have . likewise the wantonness thereof appeareth by the proverb of a dancing camel , when one taketh upon him more then his skill will serve to discharge : yet hath not this beast been free from ignominy ; for when the emperor iustinian had found the treason of arsaces the armenian , he caused him to ride through the city upon a camel , to be shamed for his offence , although in former times it was a kinde of triumph and honor to be carryed upon a camel , led through a city . in the lake of asphaltites , wherein all things sink that come in it , many camels and buls swim through without danger . the arabians sacrifice a camel to the unknown god , because camels go into strange countries , and likewise sacrifice their virgins before they be marryed , because of the chastity of this beast , and the sagarentes with great observance , keep the combat of camels , in the honour of minerva . these beasts are hated of horses and lyons , for when xerxes travailed over the river chidorus , through paeonia and crestonia ; in the night time the lyons descended into the camp , and touched no creatures therein , except the camels , whom they destroyed for the most part . a camel will live in the soil wherein he is bred , fifty or an hundred years ; and if he be translated into any other nation , he falleth into madness or scabs , or the gowt , and then they live not above thirty years . there is a kinde of grass that groweth by the high ways in the countrey of babylon , that killeth camels when they taste thereof . there are also medicinal properties in camels , for by reason he is of a hot and dry temperament : if a man infected with poyson , be put into the warm belly of a camel newly slain , it looseneth the power of the poyson , and giveth strength to the natural parts of the body . the fat taken out of the bunch and perfumed , cureth the hemmorhoides ; and the blood of a camel fryed , is precious against the bloodyflix , or any other looseness of the belly ; the brain dryed and drunk with vinegar , helpeth the falling-evill ; the gall drunk with hony , helpeth the quinzy : and if it be laid to the eye-brows and forehead , sod in three cups of the best hony , it cureth the dimness of the eyes , and avoideth the flesh that groweth in them : and if the hairs of a camels tail be wound together like a string , and tyed to the left arm , ( pliny affirmeth ) they will deliver one from a quartan ague . the milk of camels newly delivered of young , helpeth obstructions , and all shortness of breath ; and is also good against the dropsie and hardness of the milt . also when one hath drunk poyson , this is a good antidote , and amendeth the temper of the body . the fime of camels dryed to dust with oyl , will crispe and curl the hair , and stay bleeding at the nose ; and the same hot , is good against the gowt . the urine is most profitable for running sores , there have been which have preserved it five years together , and used against hardness of the belly ; washing also therewith sore heads : and it helpeth one to the sense of smelling , if it be held to the nose ; likewise against the dropsie , the spleen , and the ring-worm . of the camel dromedary . a camel is called of the grecians , dromos , by reason of the swiftness of his race ; and also an arabian camel , which hath all things common with the former bactrian camel , except , first in the shape , for she hath but one bunch on the back , land many nations , as the italians , french , germans , and spaniards , use the word dromedary , only without addition ; the graecians never name it without the addition of a camel. therefore this is a kinde of camel of less stature , but much swifter ; for which cause it is derived from running . it cheweth the cud like a sheep , and the other camel : the french king had sent him from the great turk two of these , white coloured ; and i my self have seen one of them , being fifteen cubits high , wanting some nine inches , and about six cubits in length , having the upper lip cloven in the middle like a hare , and two broad nails in his feet , which in the upper part appeared cloven , but underneath they were whole and fleshy without division , and round in proportion like a pewter dish : it hath also a hard bunch on its brest , whereon it leaned , sitting down and rising : and also upon either knee one : these are said to live fifty years ; but the bactriam an hundred : they were used for drawing of chariots , and great presents for princes ; and when they go to war , every one carryeth two archers , which sit upon him , back to back , shooting forth their darts , one against the front of the enemy , and the other against the prosecutors and 〈◊〉 lowers . they are able to go an hundred miles in a day , bearing a burthen of fifteen hundred weight ; yea sometimes two thousand , bending upon his knee to take up his load and rider , which received , he riseth up again with great patience , being obedient and ruleable ; yet kicking when he is angry , which is very seldom : and therefore terence did significantly describe a good servant by the name of dromo , derived from dromas , a runner : and for the conclusion of the history of these two sorts of camels , i will here adde the relation and memorable observations of iohannes leo afer , in his ninth book of the description of africk , in his own words following . a camel is a gentle and pleasant tame beast , whereof there are plenty in africa , especially in the deserts of lybia , numidia , and barbary : by which african estimate their own wealth ; for when they contend who is the richest prince or noble-man among them , they say he was worth , or hath so many thousand camels , and not so many thousand crowns . and he that hath camels , liveth among them like a gentleman ; because he can at his pleasure travel into the deserts , and fetch merchandize from far , which the greatest prince or noble-man cannot without them , by reason of the drought of those places . and of these kinde of creatures , there are to be seen in all parts of the world , both in asia , africk , and europe ; for the tartarians , cordiens . dalemians , and turconians use them in asia ; and the turkish princes convey all their carriages upon them in europe : likewise do all the arabians in africk . but it must be observed , that the african camels are much more worth then the asian , for they can endure travel for forty and fifty days together , with very little or no meat , except sometimes in the evening , when they are unloaded , they go to the hedges , thorns , and other green places , and there eat any small thing they meet withall , as leaves and such like , wherewith they remain satisfied , whereas the asians can perform no such journey , except they be kept fat and well fed : and it hath been proved by good experience , that one of the africans hath travelled fifty days without meat , first wearing away the fat in their bunchy back , then about their skin and breast , and lastly , about their ribs , never giving over till it was not able to bear one hundred weight . but the asians must alway carry provender to sustain their beasts , never travelling but they have one camel loaden with meat , for the other loaden with carriage , and so indure a double charge : and when the africans go to any marts or fairs being to return empty and unloaded , they take no thought for their camels food . of these camels there be three kindes , one of them called hugiun , ( being broad and tall ) and therefore apt to bear packs and burthens , but not before they be four year old , and after their ordinary load is one thousand weight of italian measure , being taught by the jerking of a small rod , on the brest or knees , to lie down for their burthens , and afterward to rise up again . and the africans do use to geld their camels , reserving but one male for the covering of ten females . another kinde of their camels they call bechetos , such as have two bunches , one for burthen , and the other for a man to ride upon : and the third sort are called ragnahil , which are of lower stature and leaner bodies then the residue , unfit for burden and therefore are used for the saddle , by all the noblemen of numidia , arabia , and lybia : being able to run an hundred miles a day , 〈…〉 d performing long journeys with little or no provender : for the king of tombuto being to send to dara , or selmessa . ( which is distant from his court nine hundred miles ) his messenger performeth it upon one of these ragnahils , within the space of eight days . in the beginning of the spring they are most frolick and unruly , because then they incline to generation : at which time , they rage and fall upon many that come unto them , and especially those from whom they have received blows , remembring at that time , and requiting their former injuries , upon such as wronged them , whom if they can take in their mouth , they lift them up into the air , and then cast them down again under their feet , and tread upon them , in which distempered venereous fury , they remain forty days . they can easily endure thirst , five , nine , or fifteen days in necessity ; neither will their keeper give them drink at three days thirst , for fear to harm them . as these camels are pleasant and profitable ; so also they seem to participate with the nature of man : for they being wearyed , no spur or stroke can make them hasten to their journey end , therefore in aethiopia and barbary , they sing certain songs behinde the beast , which so revive their decayed spirits , that they set forward so fast , forgetting their tyred limbs , to their journeys end , that their keepers can hardly follow . i have also seen in alcair , a camel , that could dance at the sound of a timbrel , being thereunto taught when he was young by this means ; first , he was brought into a room like a stable , the pavement whereof was made hot by a fire underneath it , and without doors stood a musician playing on his timbrel ; the camel , not for love of the musick , but for the heat under his feet , lifted up first one foot , and then another , as they do which dance , and so the heat increasing , he likewise did lift up faster , whereunto he was accustomed for the space of ten months ; at every time one hour and a half , during which time the timbrel still sounded ; so that at last , use framed nature to such a strain , that hearing a timbrel , he instantly remembred the fire that was wont to punish his feet ; and so presently would leap to and fro like a dancer in publick spectacle , to the admiration of all beholders . of the two sorts of camelopardals . this beast is called in hebrew , zamer ; deut. . which the arabians translate saraphah , and sometime gyrapha , gyraffa , and zirafa ; the chaldeans , deba , and ana ; the perstans , seraphah ; and the septuagint grecians , camelopardalis , which word is also retained by the latins , whereunto albertus addeth oraflus , and orasius . the ethiopians call it nabin , from whence cometh anabula , and pausanios translateth it an indian sheep , so indeed anabula may be english●d a wilde sheep . there were ten of these seen at rome , in the daies of gordianus the emperor , and before that time , caesar being dictator . and such an one was sent by the sultan of babylon to the emperor frederick , so that it is without question that there is such a beast , which is engendred of a camel and a female libard , or panther , as horace saith ; diversum confusa genus panthera camelo . but the same which the latins call panthera the graecians call pardalis . the head thereof is like to a camels , the neck to a horses , the body to a harts ; and his cloven hoof is the same with a camels ; the colour of this beast is for the most part red and white , mixed together , therefore very beautifull to behold , by reason of the variable and interchangeable skin , being full of spots : but yet they are not alway of one colour . he hath two little horns growing on his head of the colour of iron , his eyes rowling and frowing , his mouth but small like a harts , his tongue is neer three foot long , and with that he will so speedily gather in his meat , that the eyes of a man will fail to behold his hast , and his neck diversly coloured , is fifteen foot long , which he holdeth up higher then a camels , and far above the proportion of his other parts . his forefeet are much longer then his hinder and therefore his back declineth towards his buttocks , which are very like an asses . the pace of this beast differeth from all other in the world , for he doth not move his right and left foot one after another , but both together , and so likewise the other , whereby his whole body is removed at every step or strain . these beasts are plentiful in ethiopia , india , and the georgian region , which was once called media . likewise in the province of abasia in india , it is called surnosa , and in abasia , surnappa , and the latter picture before set down , was truly taken by melchior luorigus at constantinople , in the year of salvation . by the sight of one of these , sent to the great turke for a present : which picture and description , was afterward sent into germany , and was imprinted at norimberge . it is a solitary beast , and keepeth altogether in woods , if it be not taken when it is young : they are very tractable and easie to be handled , so that a child may lead them with a small line or cord about their head , and when any come to see them , they willingly and of their own accord turn themselves round as it were of purpose to shew their soft hairs , and beautiful colour , being as it were proud to ravish the eyes of the beholders . the skin is of great price and estimation among merchants and princes , and it is said that underneath his belly , the colourable spots are wrought in fashion of a fishers net , and the whole body so admirably intercoloured with variety , that it is in vain for the wit or art of man , once to go about to endevour the emulous imitation thereof . the tail of the beast is like the tail of an asse , and i cannot judge that it is either swift for pace or strong for labour , and therefore well tearmed a wilde sheep , because the flesh hereof is good for meat , and was allowed to the jews by god himself for a clean beast . of the allocamelus . scatiger affirmeth , that in the land of the giants , there is a beast which hath the head , neck , and ears of a mule , but the body of a camel ; wherefore it is probable , that it is conceived by a camel and a mule , the picture whereof is before set down , as it was taken from the sight of the beast , and imprinted with a description at middleborough in the year . which was never before seen in germany , nor yet spoken of by pliny . they said that it was an indian sheep , out of the region of peru , and so was brought to antwerp , six thousand miles distant from that nation . it was about two yards high , and five foot in length , the neck was as white as any swan : the colour of his other parts was yellowish , and his feet like an ostrige-camels : and although it were a male , yet it did render his urine backward : it was afterward given to the emperor by theodoric neus , a citizen of the neather colen . it was a most gentle and meek beast like the camtlopardal , not past four year old : wherefore i thought good to expresse it in this place , becouse of the similitude it hath with the manners of the former beast , although it want horns and differ in some other members . of another beast called campe . diodorus siculus maketh relation , that when dionysius with his army travelled through the desert and dry places , annoyed with divers wilde beasts , he came to zambirra a city of lybia , where he slew a beast bred in those parts called campe , which had before that time destroyed many men , which action did purchase him among the inhabitantes a never dying fame , and that therefore there might remain a continual remembrance to all posterity of that fact , he raised up there a monument of the slain beast to stand for evermore . of the cat. acat is a familiar and well known beast , called of the hebrews , catull , and schanar , and schunara ; of the grecians , aeluros , and kattes , and katis ; of the saracens , katt ; the italians , gatta , and gotto ; the spaniards ; gata , and gato ; the french , chat ; the germans , katz ; the illyrians , kozka , and furioz , ( which is used for a cat by albertus magnus ) and i conjecture , to be either the persian or the arabian word . the latins call it feles , and sometimes murilegus , and musio , because it catcheth mise , but most commonly catus , which is derived of gautus , signifying wary . ovid saith , that when the giants warred with the gods , the gods put upon them the shapes of beasts , and the sister of apollo lay for a spy in the likeness of a cat , for a cat is a watchful and wary beast seldom overtaken , and most attendant to her sport and prey : according to that observation of mantuan ; non secus ac muricatus , ille invadere pernam , nititur , hic rimas ocnlis observat acutis . and for this cause did the egyptians place them for hallowed beasts , and kept them in their temples although they alleadged the use of their skins for the cover of shields , which was but an unreasonable shift , for the softness of a cats skin is not fit to defend or bear a blow : it is known also , that it was capital among them , to kill an ibis , an aspe , a crocodile , a dog , or a cat ; in so much as , that in the dayes of king ptolemie , when a peace was lately made betwixt the romans and the egyptians ; and the roman ambassadors remaining still in egypt , it fortuned that a roman unawares killed a cat , which being by the multitude of the egyptians espied , they presently fell upon the ambassadors house , to rase down the same , except the offender might be delivered unto them to suffer death : so that neither the honour of the roman name , nor the necessity of peace , could have restrained them from that fury , had not the king himself and his greatest lords come in person , not so much to deliver the roman cat-murderer , as to safegard him from the peoples violence . and not only the egyptians were fools in this kind , but the arabians also , who worshipped a cat for a god ; and when the cat dyed , they mourned as much for her , as for the father of the family , shaving the hair from their eye-lids , and carrying the beast to the temple , where the priests salted it and gave it a holy funeral in bubastum , ( which was a burying place for cats neer the altar ) wherein may appear to all men , in what miserable blindness the witest men of the world , ( forsaking , or deprived of the true knowledge of god ) are more then captivated , so that their wretched estate cannot better be expressed then by the words of st. paul , when they thought to be wise , they became fools . once cats were all wild , but afterward they retired to houses , wherefore there are plenty of them in all countries : martial in an epigram , celebrated a pannonian cat with this distichon ; i annonicas nobis nunquam dedit vmbria cattas , mavult haec dominae mittere dona pudens . the spanish black cats are of most price among the germans , because they are nimblest , and have the softest hair fit for garment . a cat is in all parts like a lioness , except in her sharp ears , wherefore the poets seign , that when venus had turned a cat into a beautiful woman , ( calling her aeluros ) who forgetting her good turn , contended with the goddesse for beauty ; in indignation whereof , she returned her to her first nature , only making her outward shape to resemble a lion ; which is not altogether idle , but may admonish the wisest , that fair and foul , men and beasts , hold nothing by their own worth and benefit , but by the virtue of their creator : wherefore if at any time they rise against their maker , let them think to lose their honour and dignity in their best part , and to return to baseness and inglorious contempt ; out of which they were first taken , and howsoever their outward shape and condition please them , yet at the best are but beasts that perish , for the lions suffer hunger . albertus compareth their eye-sight to carbuncles in dark places , because in the night they can see perfectly to kill rats and mice : the root of the herb valerian ( commonly called phu ) is very like to the eye of a cat , and wheresoever it groweth , if cats come thereunto , they instantly dig it up , for the love thereof , as i my self have seen in mine own garden , and not once only , but often , even then when as i had caused it to be hedged or compassed round about with thornes , for it smelleth marvellous like to a cat. the egyptians have observed in the eyes of a cat , the encrease of the moon light , for with the moon they skin more fully at the full , and more dimly in the change and wane , and the male cat doth also vary his eyes with the sun ; for when the sun ariseth , the apple of his eye is long ; toward noon it is round , and at the evening it cannot be seen at all , but the whole eye sheweth alike . the tongue of a cat is very attractive and forcible like a file , attenuating by licking the flesh of a man , for which cause , when she is come neer to the bloud , so that her own spittle be mingled therewith , she falleth mad . her teeth are like a saw , and if the long hairs growing about her mouth ( which some call granons ) be cut away , she loseth her courage . her nails sheathed like the nails of a lion , striking with her forefeet , both dogs and other things , as a man doth with his hand . this beast is wonderful nimble , setting upon her prey like a lion , by leaping , and therefore she hunteth both rats , all kind of mice , and birds , eating not only them , but also fish , wherewithall she is best pleased . having taken a mouse , she first playeth with it , and then devoureth it , but her watchful eye is most strange , to see with what pace and soft steps , she taketh birds and flies ; and her nature is to hide her own dung or excrement , for she knoweth that the savour and presence thereof , will drive away her sport , the little mouse being able by that stool , to smell the presence of her mortal foe . to keep cats from hunting of hens , they use to tie a little wilde rew under their wings , and so likewise from dove-coates , if they set it in the windowes , they dare not approach unto it for some secret in nature . some have said that cats will fight with serpents , and toads , and kill them , and perceiving that she is hurt by them ; she presently drinketh water and is cured : but i cannot consent unto this opinion : it being true of the weasell as shall be afterward declared . pontzetius sheweth by experience that cats and serpents love one another , for there was ( saith he ) in a certain monastery , a cat nourished by the monkes , and suddenly the most parts of the monks which used to play with the cat fell sick : whereof the physitians could find no cause , but some secret poison , and all of them were assured that they never tasted any : at the last a poor labouring man came unto them , affirming that he saw the abbey-cat playing with a serpent , which the physitians understanding , presently conceived that the serpent had emptied some of her poison upon the cat , which brought the same to the monks , and they by stroking and handling the cat , were infected therewith ; and whereas there remained one difficulty , namely , how it came to passe , the cat her self was not poisoned thereby , it was resolved , that for as much as the serpents poison came from him but in play and sport , and not in malice and wrath , that therefore the venom thereof being lost in play , neither harmed the cat at all , nor much endangered the monks : and the very like is observed of mice that will play with serpents . cats will also hunt apes , and follow them to the woods , for in egypt certain cats set upon an ape , who presently took himself to his heels , and climed into a tree , after whom the cats followed with the same celerity & agility : ( for they can fasten their clawes to the barke and run up very speedily : ) the ape seeing himself overmatched with number of his adversaries , leaped from branch to branch , and at last took hold of the top of a bough , whereupon he did hang so ingeniously , that the cats durst not approach unto him for fear of falling , and so departed . the nature of this beast is , to love the place of her breeding , neither will she tarry in any strange place , although carryed far , being never willing to forsake the house , for the love of any man , and most contrary to the nature of a dog , who will travaile abroad with his master ; and although their masters forsake their houses , yet will not these beasts bear them company , and being carryed forth in close baskets or sacks , they will yet return again or lose themselves . a cat is much delighted to play with her image in a glasse , and if at any time she behold it in water , presently she leapeth down into the water which naturally she doth abhor , but if she be not quickly pulled forth and dryed she dyeth thereof , because she is impatient of all wet . those which will keep their , cats within doors , and from hunting birds abroad , must cut off their ears , for they cannot endure to have drops of rain distill into them , and therefore keep themselves in harbour . nothing is more contrary to the nature of a cat , then is wet and water , and for this cause came the proverb that they love not to wet their feet . it is a neat and cleanly creature , oftentimes licking her own body to keep it neat and fair , having naturally a flexible back for this purpose , and washing her face with her forefeet : but some observe , that if she put her feet beyond the crown of her head , that it is a presage of rain , and if the back of a cat be thin the beast is of no courage or valew . they love fire and warm places , whereby it often falleth out that they often burn their coats . they desire to lie soft , and in the time of their lust ( commonly called cat-wralling ) they are wilde and fierce , especially the males , who at that time ( except they be gelded ) will not keep the house : at which time they have a peculiar direful voice . the manner of their copulation is this , the female lyeth down , and the male standeth , and their females are above measure desirous of procreation , for which cause they provoke the male , and if he yeeld not to their lust , they beat and claw him , but it is only for love of young , and not for lust : the male is most libidinous , and therefore seeing the female will never more engender with him during the time her young ones suck , he killeth and eateth them if he meet with them , ( to provoke the female to copulation with him again , for when she is deprived of her young , she seeketh out the male of her own accord ) for which the female most warily keepeth them from his sight . during the time of copulation , the female continually cryeth , whereof the writers give a double cause ; one , because she is pinched with the talons or clawes of the male in the time of his lustful rage ; and the other , because his seed is so fiery hot , that it almost burneth the females place of conception . when they have littered , or as we commonly say kittened , they rage against dogs , and will suffer none to come neer their young ones . the best to keep are such as are littered in march ; they go with young fifty daies , and the females live not above six or seven years , the males live longer , especially if they be gelt or libbed : the reason of their short life is their ravening of meat which corrupteth within them . they cannot abide the savour of ointments , but fall mad thereby ; they are sometimes infected with the falling evill , but are cured with gobium . it is needless to spend any time about her loving nature to man , how she flattereth by rubbing her skin against ones legs , she whurleth with her voice , having as many tunes as turnes , for she hath one voice to beg and to complain , another to testifie her delight and pleasure , another among her own kind by flattering , by hissing , by puffing , by spitting , in so much as some have thought that they have a peculiar intelligible language among themselves . therefore how she beggeth , playeth , leapeth , looketh , catcheth , tosseth with her foot , riseth up to strings held over her head , sometimes creeping , sometimes lying on the back , playing with one foot , sometime on the belly , snatching now with mouth , and anon with foot , apprehending greedily any thing save the hand of a man , with divers such gestical actions , it is needless to stand upon ; in so much as coelius was wont to say , that being free from his studies and more urgent weighty affaires , he was not ashamed to play and sport himself with his cat , and verily it may well be called an idle mans pastime . as this beast hath been familiarly nourished of many , so have they payed dear for their love , being requited with the losse of their health , and sometime of their life for their friendship : and worthily , because they which love any beast in a high measure , have so much the lesse charity unto man. therefore it must be considered what harmes and perils come unto men by this beast . it is most certain , that the breath and savour of cats consume the radical humour and destoy the lungs , and therefore they which keep their cats with them in their beds have the air corrupted , and fall into severall hecticks and consumptions . there was a certain company of munks much given to nourish and play with cats , whereby they were so infected , that within a short space none of them were able either to say , read , pray , or sing , in all the monastery ; and therefore also they are dangerous in the time of pestilence , for they are not only apt to bring home venemous infection , but to poison a man with very looking upon him ; wherefore there is in some men a natural dislike and abhorring of cats , their natures being so composed , that not only when they see them , but being neer them and unseen , and hid of purpose , they fall into passions , frettings , sweatings , pulling off their hats , and trembling fearfully , as i have known many in germany ; the reason whereof is , because the constellation which threatneth their bodies which is peculiar to every man , worketh by the presence and offence of these creatures : and therefore they have cryed out to take away the cats . the like may be said of the flesh of cats , which can seldom be free from poison , by reason of their daily food , eating rats and mice , wrens and other birds which feed on poison , and above all the brain of a cat is most venomous , for it being above measure dry , stoppeth the animal spirits , that they cannot passe into the ventricle , by reason whereof memory faileth , and the infected person falleth into a phrenzie . the cure whereof may be this , take of the water of sweet marjoram with terra lemnia the weight of a groat mingled together , and drink it twice in a month , putting good store of spices into all your meat to recreate the spirits withall , let him drink pure wine , wherein put the seed of diamoschu . but a cat doth as much harm with her venemous teeth , therefore to cure her biting , they prescribe a good diet , sometime taking hony , turpentine , and oil of roses melt together and laid to the wound with centory : sometime they wash the would with the urine of a man , and lay to it the brains of some other beast and pure wine mingled both together . the hair also of a cat being eaten unawares , stoppeth the artery and causeth suffocation : and i have heard that when a childe hath gotten the hair of a cat into his mouth , it hath so cloven and stuck to the place that it could not be gotten off again , and hath in that place bred either the wens or the kings evill . to conclude this point , it appeareth that this is a dangerous beast , and that therefore as for necessity we are constrained to nourish them for the suppressing of small vermine : so with a wary and discreet eye we must avoid their harms , making more account of their use then of their persons . in spain and gallia narbon , they eat cats , but first of all take away their head and tail , and hang the prepared flesh a night or two in the open cold air , to exhalt the savour and poison of it , finding the flesh thereof to be almost as sweet as a cony . it must needs be an unclean and impure beast that liveth only upon vermin and by ravening , for it is commonly said of a man when he neeseth , that he hath eaten with cats : likewise the familiars of witches do most ordinarily appear in the shape of cats , which is an argument that this beast is dangerous to soul and body . it is said that if bread be made wherein the dung of cats is mixed , it will drive away rats and mice . but we conclude the story of this beast with the medicinal observations , and tarry no longer in the breath of such a creature compounded of good and evill . it is reported that the flesh of cats salted and sweetned hath power in it to draw wens from the body , and being warmed to cure the hemorrhoids and pains in the reins and back , according to the verse of vrsinus . et lumbus lumbis praestat adesus opem . aylsius prescribeth a fat cat sod for the gowt , first taking the fat , and anointing therewith the sick part , and then wetting wool or tow in the same , and binding it to the offended place . for the pain and blindness in the eye , by reason of any skins , webs , or nails , this is an approved medicine ; take the head of a black cat , which hath not a spot of another colour in it , and burn it to powder in an earthen pot leaded or glazed within , then take this powder and through a quill blow it thrice a day into thy eye , and if in the night time any heat do thereby annoy thee , take two leaves of an oke wet in cold water and bind them to the eye , and so shall all pain flie away , and blindness depart although it hath oppressed thee a whole year : and this medicine is approved by many physicians both elder and later . the liver of a cat dryed and beat to powder is good against the stone : the dung of a female cat with the claw of an oul hanged about the neck of a man that hath had seven fits of a quartain ague , cureth the same : a neesing powder made of the gall of a black cat , and the weight of a groat thereof taken and mingled with four crowns weight of zambach , helpeth the convulsion and wryness of the mouth : and if the gall of a cat with the black dung of the same cat , be burned in perfume under a woman travelling with a dead childe , it will cause it presently to come forth : and pliny saith that if a pin , or thorn , or fish bone , stick in ones mouth , let him rub the outside against it with a little cats dung , and it will easily come forth . given to a woman suffering the flux , with a little rozen and oil of roses , it stayeth the humour ; and for a web in the eye of an horse , evening and morningblow in the powder of cats dung , and it shall be cured . of the wilde cat. all cats at the beginning were wilde , and therefore some do interpret iim , isa . . for wilde cats ; and the germans call it bonumruter , that is , a tree-rider , because she hunteth birds and fowles from tree to tree . the spantard calleth it gato-montes , and in some places of france it is called chatcarets . there are great store of them in helvetia , especially in the woods , and sometime neer the waters , also being in colour like tame cats but blacker , such as in england is called a poolcat . i saw one of them , which was taken in september , and observed , that it was in length from the fore-head to the top of the tail , four full spans , and a black line or strake all along the back , and likewise some black upon the legs ; betwixt the breast and the neck there was a large white spot , and the colour of her other parts was dusky , red , and yellow , especially about the buttocks , the heels of her feet were black , her tail longer then an ordinary house cats , having two or three black circles about it , but toward the top all black . they abound in scandivania , where the linxes devour them ; otherwise they are 〈…〉 nted with dogs , or shot with guns , and many times the countrey men seeing one in a tree , doth compasse it about with multitude , and when she leapeth down kill her with their cubs , according to the verse of neversianus : — felemque minacem arboris in trunco , longis perfigere telis . in the province of malabar , these cats live upon trees , because they are not swift to run , but leap with such a gility , that some have thought they did flie : and verily they do flie , for they have a certain skin , which when they lie in quiet , cleaveth or shrinketh up to their bellies , but being stirred , the same spreadeth from their forefeet to their hinder , like the wing of a bat ; by vertue whereof , they stay up themselves in the air , passing from tree to tree like a fowl ; as also doth the pontique mouse , as shall be declared afterward . the skins of wilde cats are used for garments , for there is no skin warmer , as by experience appeareth in scythia and moscovia , where their women are clothed with the fur of cats , but especially for buskins and sleeves with their hair turned inward , not only against cold but for medicine , against contracted sinews , or the gowt . the fat of this beast is reserved by some for heating , softening , and displaying tumours in the flesh : and whatsoever rasis or any other said of the house cat before in the medicinal parts , that also appertaineth to this , except as in all other , so it falleth forth herein , that the virtues of the wilde kind is more effectual then the tame . there are some among the rhoetians and germans , which eat the flesh hereof , accounting it delicate , having first cut off the head and tail ; they cannot abide the sume of rew , or of bitten almonds ; there is nothing memorable in the nature of this beast that i can learn , except that which is related by aetius , that when men are bitten by crocodils , this beast by a natural instinct hating a crocodil , will come about the wounded persons , otherwise fearing the presence of man. we may hereunto add the beast which is bred in america , called heyratt , spoken of by theuetus : which name signifieth a beast of hony , and the reason is , because it desireth hony above measure , for it will climb the trees , and coming to the caves of bees , it will with such dexterity take out the hony with their nails , that it neither hurteth the bees , or receiveth harm by them . it is about the bigness of a cat , and of a chesse-nut colour . of the colvs . there is among the scythians and sarmatians a four-footed wilde beast called colus , and some sulac in latin ; of the polonians , so●hac , of the moscovites , seigak ; of the tartarians , akkitk , and snak ; of the turkes , acomi ; being in quantity and stature betwixt a ram and a hart , and duskie white coloured , but the young ones yellow : of a singular swiftness and celerity in course . her manner is to drink by the holes in her nostrils , whereby she snuffeth up aboundance of water , and carryeth it in her head , so that she will live in dry pastures remote from all moisture a great season , quenching her thirst by that cistern in her head . they are most plentiful to be found in tartaria , in pontus , where are so many plains , that a man can see nothing but heaven and earth ; likewise they are found in moscovia , in podocia , and about the river nep●us , and borysthenes : they can never be taken but by wearisomeness : wherefore if men follow them with pipes and timbrels , playing upon them , they so weary themselves with leaping and running to and fro , being compassed in by multitudes of men , that they fall down for weakness , and so are taken . they live in flocks together , sometimes five hundred ; and after faster in the spring , two hundred in a troope : having a snout like a hogs , they endure much hunger , but no cold . in march they dig up with their horns a certain root , whereof they eat , and presently their lust for generation encreaseth unto rage ; in so much that for satisfying thereof they continue in that act both male and female , untill they lose all strength of body , lying half dead on the earth by the space of hours , not able to go or stand : during which time they are often taken alive , but when they come again to themselves , they rather die then endure to be tamed . the flesh of them is very sweet and wholesome , they conceive and bring forth for the most part twins , or two at a time ; their greatest enemy is a wolf ( for in the winter and snow they hunt and kill them . ) their horn are about four palms in length , growing upright or bending very little and very sharp , wherewithal they can pierce the belly of a horse or other beast that standeth over them : at the root they are about six inches compass , and so growing lesse and lesse to the top ; one of them weigheth about nine ounces ; the blade toward the point is transparent , being held against the light or sun , because it is white and thin , but the neather part is duskie and thicker , and therefore it is not penetrable by the eye of man. there are about circles like rings compassing about the horn , one above another , but the uppermost is not perfect . this horn is of great price , being a present for any noble man , for in turkey they are sold for six cracovian shillings ; yet i know no other use of them , but either to make hafts for knives , or else horns for spectacles . this beast liveth altogether in the plains except in snow , and then he runneth into the woods ; where he may be taken more easily , and killed with the stroke of a staffe . when the tartarians know in what plains they lie , their king cometh and with a multitude of men compasseth them and wearyeth them by musick as aforesaid . all this was related to me by one that had killed of them above two hundred with his own hand ( saith that right honorable and most learned gentleman johannes bonarus , baoron of balszei a palonian . of the cony . among the divers kinds of hares , conies have the third rank , being therefore called in latin , lepusculi , ( as it were little hares ) and sometime leberidae , as it were a leveret or young hare , as well as cuniculus : whereof the reason is , that it maketh holes in the earth , for cuniculus was a latin word for a hole or cave in the earth , before it was taken for a cony . scaphan in the singular , and schephanim , in the plural , levit. . and psal . . is taken in hebrew for a cony or conies , and not for a hedge hog , as the septuagint translate , or for a porcuspine , although they live also in caves and secret places of the earth ; and therefore choerogrillus , or choerogillius , or choerogryllinus , cannot signifie a cony : as the septuagint translate scaphan , but a hedge-hog , as the word derived from the face of a hog doth most evidently declare , which can by no means agree with a cony . in the . of deut. the word scaphan is joyned with a hare , because it is a beast neer of kind unto it , for it is evident , that both of them chew the cud , howsoever a cony hath not a simple cloven foot into two parts . a cony also is called adapes , because of the roughness of his feet ; the chalde calleth it thapsa ; the arabians , vebar ; the persians , beganzerah ; and the arabians , following sometime the greek , call it alrareb , that is , hares . the grecians call it vulgarly skele and dasipos , couniclos , scunax , and lagis , georychios a hare digging , living in the earth . the italians call it conigli ; the french , counin ; the spaniards , coneio ; the germans , kinningle , or kunel , and sometime kunlein ; the illyrians , kralik or kroliik . there are few countries wherein conies do not breed , but the most plenty of all is in england , they are also in an island where are but few men neer unto dicaearcha , or as it is now called puteoli in italie . likewise in all spain , especially in those parts neer unto lombardy , whereupon appius in varro did write to one of his acquaintance which had tarryed long in spain , that he thought he was there following or hunting of conies , because as their multitude is great , so it would aske long time to take them . among the baleares are also great store of conies , and once they so abounded there , that the people were constrained to entreat at the hands of augustus , a military company of pioners to destroy them ; and when camillus was besieging the city veii in italy , he learned of the conies , which had undermined a whole city in spain , likewise to take and overthrow that city by their example of undermining , whereupon martial said : monstravit tacitas hostibus ille vias . vegetius saith , that the proverb cuniculos agere took his beginning , when one by secret underminings , and not by open violence overthroweth a town or nation . there are also , saith albertus , great store of wilde conies in bohemia , so like a hare as one beast may be like another , save only they seem stronger , and are shorter and lesser , which thing caused baptista fiera to write thus : credideram leporem , sic forma simillima fallit , ambo superfoetant , dente vel aure pares . pet. martyr likewise affirmeth in his ocaean decades , that in curiana a region of the new found world , are conies for colour , quantity , and hair like a hares , which the inhabitants call vitias , and there are two little islands called cuniculariae , which seem to be denominated of conies , standing betwixt corsica and sardinia . for their several parts , they are most like unto a hare , except in their head and tail which is shorter , and their colour which is alway brighter , and lesse brown and sandy : or else sometimes conies are white , black , griseld , tauny , blewish , yellow spotted , ash-coloured and such like . and alysius saith , that in some places , they are also green , and their skins are of great use through the world , especially in all the north and east for garments , facings , and linings . the gray and yellowish are the worst , but the white and black are more pretious , especially of the english , if the black be aspersed with some white or silver hairs : and in their use the bucks are most durable , yet heavier and harsher . the belly is most soft , gentle , and easie , and therefore more set by , although of lesse continuance . their flesh is very white and sweet , especially of the young ones , being about fourteen or twenty dayes old , and some have devised a cruel delicate meat , which is to cut the young ones out of the dams belly , and so to dresse and eat them , but i trust there is no man among christians so inhumanely gluttonous , as once to devise or approve the sweetness of so foul a dish : but the tame ones are not so good , for in spain they will not eat of a tame cony , because every creature doth partake in tast of the air wherein he liveth , and therefore tame conies which are kept in a close and unsweet air , by reason of their own excrements , cannot tast so well , or be so wholesome as those which run wilde in the mountains and fields , free from all infection of evill air . they love above all places the rocks , and make dens in the earth , and whereas it is said , psal . that the stony rocks are for the cony , it is not to be understood as if the feet of the cony could pierce into the rock , as into the earth , and that she diggeth her hole therein as in looser ground ; but that finding among the rocks holes already framed to her hand , or else some light earth mingled therewith , she more willingly entreth thereinto , as being more free from rain and floods then in lower and softer ground ; for this cause they love also the hils and lower grounds and woods where are no rocks , as in england which is not a rocky countrey , but wheresoever she is forced to live , there she diggeth her holes , wherein for the day time she abideth , but morning and evening cometh out from thence , and sitteth at the mouth thereof . in their copulation they engender like elephants , tygres , and linxes , that is , the male leapeth on the back of the female , their privie parts being so sramed to meet one another behind , because the females do render their urine backward : their secrets and the seed of the male are very smal . they begin to breed in some countries being but six moneths old , but in england at a year old , and so continue bearing every moneth , at the least seven times in one year , if they litter in march , but in the winter they do not engender at all ; and therefore the authors say of these and hares , that they abound in procreation , by reason whereof , a little store will serve to encrease a great borough . their young being littered are blind and see not till they be nine dayes old , and their dam hath no suck for them , till she hath been six or seven hours with the male , at the least for six hours after she cannot suckle them , greatly desiring to go to the buck , and if she be not permitted presently , she is so far displeased that she will not be so inclined again for daies after . i have been also credibly informed by one that kept tame conies , that he had does which littered three at a time , and within fourteen daies after , they littered four more . their ordinary number in one litter is five , and sometimes nine , but never above : and i have seen that when a doe hath had nine in her belly , two or three of them have perished and been oppressed in the womb by suffocation . the males will kill the young ones , if they come at them like as the bore cats , and therefore the female doth also avoid it carefully , covering the nest or litter with gravell or earth , that so they may not be discovered : there are also some of their females very unnatural , not caring for their yong ones , but suffer them to perish , both because they never provide a warm litter or nest for them , as also because they forsake them being littered , or else devour them . for the remedy of this evill , he that loveth to keep them for his profit , must take them before they be delivered , and pull off the hair or flesh underneath their belly , and so put it upon their nest , that when the young one cometh forth , it may not perish for cold , and so the dam will be taught by experience of pain to do the like her self : thus far thomas gyp●on an english poysician . for conies you may give them vine-leaves , fruits , herbs , grasse ; bran , oatmel , mallows , the parings of apples ; likewise cabbages , apples themselves , and lettuce ; and i my self gave to a cony blew wolfe-bane , which she did presently eat without hurt , but gallingale and blind nettle they will not eat . in the winter they will eat hay , oats and chaffe , being given to them thrice a day : when they eat greenes they must not drink at all , for if they do , it is hazzard but they will incur the dropsie : and at other times they must for the same cause drink but little , and that little must be alway fresh . it is also dangerous to handle their young ones , in the absence of the dam , for her jealousie will easily perceive it , which causeth her so to disdain them , that either she biteth , forsaketh , or killeth them . foxes will of their own accord hunt both hares and conies , to kill and eat them . touching their medicinall properties , it is to be observed that the brain of conies hath been eaten for a good antidote against poison : so also the hart which is hard to be digested , hath the same operation that is in treacle . there is also an approved medicine for the squinancy or quinsie : take a live cony , and burn her in an earthen pot to powder , then take a spoonful of that powder in a draught of wine , and drink the most part thereof , and rub your throat with the residue , and it shall cure with speed and ease , as marcellus saith . the fat is good against the stopping of the bladder and difficulty of urine being anointed at a fire upon the hairy place of the secrets , as alex. benedictus affirms . other things i omit concerning this beast , because as it is vulgar , the benefits thereof are commonly known . of the indian little pig-cony . i received the picture of this beast from a certain noble-man my loving friend in paris , whose parts it is not needfull to describe , seeing the image it self is perspicuous and easie to be observed . the quantity of this beast doth not exceed the quantity of a vulgar cony , but rather the body is shorter , yet fuller , as also i observed by those two , which that noble and learned physician joh. munzingerus sent me . it hath two little low ears , round and almost pild without hair , having also short legs , five claws upon one foot behind , and six before ; teeth like a mouse , but no tail , and the colour variable . i have seen of them all white , and all yellow , and also different from both those ; their voice is much like the voice of a pig , and they eat all kinds of herbs , fruits , oats , and bread ; and some give them water to drink , but i have nourished some divers moneths together , and never given them any water , but yet i gave them moist food , as herbs , apples , rapes , and such like , or else they would incur the dropsie . their flesh is sweet for meat , of a yellowish colour , like the larde of swine , and therefore not so white as is our vulgar cony : they do not dig like other conies , and for the farther description of their nature , i will express it in the words of munzingerus aforesaid , for thus he writeth . one of the males is sufficient in procreation for seven or nine of the females , and by that means they are made more fruitful , but if you put them one male to one female , then will the venereous salacity of the male procure abortment . it is affirmed that they go threescore daies with young before they litter , and i saw of late one of them bear eight at one time in her womb , but three of them were stifled . they bring forth in the winter , and their whelpes are not blinde as are the conies . they are no way so harmful as other are , either to bite or dig , but more tractable in hand ; howbeit untamable . if two males be put to one female , they fight fiercely , but they will not hurt the rabbets . as the male is most libidinous , so doth he follow the female with a little murmuring noise , bewraying his appetite for generation , without wrath , and these are also called spanish conies , by peter martyr , whose nature except in their abundant superfoetation cometh nearer to hogs then conies . of the fallow deer , commonly called a bvck and a doe . there are some beasts ( saith pliny ) which nature hath framed , to have horns grow out of their head like fingers out of the hand , and for that cause they are called platicerotae : such is this vulgar fallow deer , being therefore called cervus palmatus , that is a palmed hart , by reason of the similitude the horn hath with the hand and fingers . the germans call this beast dam , and damlin , and damhiriz . the italians daio and danio ; the french , dain , and daim . the spaniards , garno , and cor●za ; the cretians vulgarly at this day agrimi , and platogna ; and aristotle , prox ; the latins , dama , and damula , because , de manu , that is , it quickly flyeth from the hand of man , having no other defence but her heels ; and the female 〈…〉 roca , and the polonians , lanii . it is a common beast in most countries , being as corpulent as a hart , but in quantity resembleth more a roe , except in colour . the males have horns which they lose yearly , but the females none at all : their colour divers , but most commonly branded , or sandie on the back , like the furrow of a new plowed field , having a black strake down all along the back a tail almost as long as a calves , their bellies and sides spotted with white , which spots they lose in their old age , and the females do especially vary in colour , being sometimes all white , and therefore like unto goats , except in their hair which is shorter . the horns of this beast are carryed about every where to be seen , and therefore this is also likely to be the same beast which aristotle calleth hippelaphus as some would have it ; yet i rather think that hippelaphus was like to that rare seen horse which francis the first of that name king of france , had presented unto him for a gift ; which was engendred of a horse and a hart , and therefore can have no other name then hippelaphus , signifying a horse-hart . in the bloud of these kind of deer are not strings or fibres , wherefore it doth not congeal as other doth , and this is assigned to be one cause of their fearful nature ; they are also said to have no gall : in their horns they differ not much from a harts ( except in quantity ) and for their other parts they much resemble a roe-buck : their flesh is good for nourishment , but their bloud doth increase above measure melancholy , which caused hiera to write thus of it , after his discourse of the roe . damula adusta magis si matris ab ubere rapta est , huie prior in nostro forte erit orbe locus ; for the preparation or dressing of a buck , we shall say more when we come to the description of a hart. albertus translateth the word algazel a fallow deer , and sayeth that the flesh thereof is very hurtful , being cold and dry , and bringeth the hemorhoides if it be not well seasoned with pepper , cinnamon , mustard seed , and hony , or else garlick , which caused juvenal to cry out upon the excess of rich men for their feasts and delicate fare , being compared with the ancients which lived upon fruits , in these words following , as they are left in his eleventh satyre . — olim ex quavis arbore mensa fiebat , at nunc divitibus coenandi nulla voluptas : nil rhombus , nil dama sapit , putere videntur vnguentum atque rosae , — the dung or fime of this beast mingled with oil of myrtles , increaseth hair , and amendeth those which are corrupt . if the tongue hereof be perfumed under a leech or tick that sticketh in the throat of man or beast , it causeth the leech to fall off presently ; and the powder of such a tongue helpeth in a fistula ; some of the late writers do prescribe the fat of a moul , of a deer , and of a bear mingled together to rub the head withall for increase of memory . of the second kind of deer the roe-bvcke . the representation both of male & female . delicium parvo donabis dorcada nato , jactatis solet hanc mittere turba togis . the persians call this beast ahu . the arabians , thabiu , a which cometh neer to the chalde word ; the germans reeh or rech , and the male rech-bocke , and the female rech-giese ; the illyrians , serna or sarna ; the french , chireau , and chevreulsauuage . the spaniard , zorito , or cabronzillo-montes ; the italians , capriolo , and cauriolo for the male , and capriola , and cauriola for the female . the grecians , dorcas , as the septuagint do every where translate , which strabo termeth corruptly , zorces , also dorx , kemas , nebrous , and vulgarly as at this day zarkadi ; and dorcalis , dorcadion , for a little roe . the latins do also use the word dorcas in common with the grecians , and beside caprea and capreolus for a little goat , for i do not think that any learned man can find any difference betwixt caprea and caprealus , except in age and quantity . the reason of these two latter names is , because of the likeness it hath with a goat , for goats , as we shall shew in their description , have many kindes distinguished from one another in resemblance ; but in the horns a roe doth rather resemble a hart ; for the female have no horns at all . these beasts are most plentiful in africk , beyond the sea of carthage ; but they are of another kinde then those which aristotle denyed to be in africa : there are also in egypt , and in germany , and in the helvetian alpes . likewise in catadupa beyond nilus , in arabia , in spain , and in lycia : and it is to be observed , that the lycian roes do never go over the syrian mountains . aelianus doth deliver these things of the lybian roes , which for the colour and parts of their body may seem to belong to all . they ( saith he ) are of an admirable velocity or swiftness ; but yet inferiour to the lybian horses , their belly is parted with black strakes and drops , and the other parts of their body are of a red yellowish colour , they have long feet , but longer ears , their eyes black , and their horns are an ornament to their heads . their swiftness doth not only appear upon the earth , but also upon the waters ; for with their feet they cut the waters when they swim as with oares ; and therefore they love the lakes and strong streams , breaking the floods to come by fresh pasture , as sweet-rushes and bul-rushes . their horns grow only upon the males , and are set with six or seven branches , but the females have none , and therefore also they differ in horn from the fallow-deer : so as they cannot be called platycerotae , for their horns are not palmed like a hand , and although they be branchy , yet are they shorter : they differ not much from the common deer , but in their horn : and whereas the horns of other beasts are hollow toward the root , whereunto entereth a certain bony-substance ; the horns of these ( as also of the vulgar buck and the elk ) are solid , without any such emptiness ; only they are full of pores . it hath also been believed , that a roe doth not change her horns , because they are never found ; whereas in truth , they fall off yearly as doth a harts , but they hide them , to the intent they should not be found . it hath likewise been thought , a roe was called in greek , dorcas ; because of the quickness of her sight ; and that she can see as perfectly in the night as in the day ; and not only for her self , but the learned physitians have observed a certain viscous humor about her bowels , which being taken forth , and anointed upon a mans eyes , which are dark , heavy , and neer blinde , it hath the same effect to quicken his eye-sight . it is also said of them , that they never wink , no not when they sleep , for which conceit , their blood is prescribed for them that are purblinde . the tail of this beast is shorter and lesser then is the fallow-deers , insomuch as it is doubtful whether it be a tail or not . they keep for the most part in the mountains among the rocks , being very swift , and when they are pursued by dogs , ( martial saith ) they hang upon the rocks by their horns to deceive the dogs , after a strange manner ready to fall and kill themselves , and yet have no harm , whither the dogs dare not approach , as appeareth in this epigram : pendentem summa capream de rupe videbis , casuram speres , decipit illa canes : yet this doth better agree with the wilde goat then with the roe , as shall be manifested in due time . aelianus saith , that the cynoprosopi , men with dogs faces , live upon the flesh of roes and bugles , in the wilderness of egypt : and also it is usual to conclude them in parks ; for they will agree very naturally with hares and swine : wherefore in the lordship which varro bought of piso , it was seen how at the sound of a trumpet , both roes and boars , would come to their usual places for meat : and although they be naturally very wilde , yet will they quickly grow tame and familiar to the hand of man ; for blondus did nourish many at rome . being wilde , they are hunted with dogs , shot with guns , taken in nets ; but this falleth out seldom , because they live most among the rocks . they are most easily taken in the woods . when they are chased , they desire to run against the wind , because the coldness of the air refresheth them in their course ; and therefore they which hunt them place their dogs with the winde ; for sometimes against the hunters mindes , do what they can to the contrary , she taketh her course that way : but harts when they hear the barkings of dogs , run with the wind , that the savour of their feet may pass away with them . they are often taken by the counterfeiting of their voyce , which the hunter doth by taking a leaf and hissing upon it . they are very good meat ( as philostratus affirmeth ) and that the indians dress at their feasts whole lyons and roes for their ghests to eat , and the sophists in their banquet , which is described by atheneus , had roes therein : and therefore fiera preferreth it before the fallow-deer , alleadging the agreement that is betwixt it and the body of man , being dressed according to art. hic optata feret nobis fomenta calore vda levi , modicis moxque coquenda focis . and therefore also affirmeth , that it excelleth all wilde beasts whatsoever , being not only fit for nourishment , but for the sick ; as for them that have the colick , or the falling evill , or the tympany : and therefore they are best at a year old , or under . likewise their broth with pepper , lovage , seed of rue , parsley , honey , mustardsecd , and oyl ; and for sauce to the meat , they take pepper , rue , hony melted , and an onyon : sometime also they seethe the hanches or hips , and make pasties of the sides and ribs . it is a beast full of fear , and therefore the flesh thereof although it be very dry , yet will it engender some melancholy ; of the fear martial saith thus : tam dispar aquilae columba non est , ac dorcas rigido fugax leoni . as the dove from the eagle , and the roe from the lyon , which afterward grew into a proverb . it hath also some epithets among authors , which do confirm their disposition full of fear : as flying , weak , wanton , and such like ; yet will they fight one with another so fiercely , that sometime they kill each other . they fear also the woolfs , whereof came the proverb , that first of all the roes will be joyned to the woolfs , to express an incredible matter . they have also been used for sacrifice to diana , for the saphriae women in patras , did lay upon her great altar whole harts , bores , roes , and other beasts alive : and the coptitae did eat the males ; but religiously worshipped the females , not daring to eat them , because they believed that isis loved them dearly . of these beasts came the islands capreae beyond surrentum in campania , where tiberius had a famous castle , and was ennobled by his presence ; but since the decay thereof , it is now celebrated for the multitude of quails that are found therein . the remedies or medicines coming from this beast are these : first , the flesh of them eaten , is good against all pains in the small guts , for it dryeth and stayeth the belly . pliny affirmeth , that the teeth of a dragon tyed to the sinews of a hart in a roes skin , and wore about ones neck , maketh a man to be gracious to his superiors , and them to be favourable and pitiful to him in all his supplications ; and if the white flesh in the brest of the hiaena , & seven hairs thereof with the genital of a hart , be tyed in a piece of roes skin , and hanged about a womans neck , it maketh that her womb shall suffer no abortments ; but these things are trivial , and not to be believed but at pleasure . i know that the tail of a dragon tyed to the nerves of a hart in a roes skin , the suet of a roe with goose-grease , the marrow of a hart , and an onyon , with rozen , and running lime , do wonderfully help the falling evill , ( if it be made into a plaister . ) sextus saith , that if one give the brain of a roe drawn or pressed through a ring to an infant , it will preserve him for ever from the falling sickness and apparitions . the liver of a roe sod in salt water , and the eyes of a purblinde man held over the fume or reek thereof , are cured of their blindeness : and some seethe it in a little cup , and anoint the eyes with the scum or froth coming from it . the same liver being burned to powder , and the dust cast on a man bleeding , stayeth the issue or flux . the gall of this beast mixed with wine , and the meal of lupines the weight of a groat , and hony , take away the spots of the face : and the same gall mixed with water , helpeth a sun-burned-face , and freck les : the same with hony attick , taketh away the dimness from the eyes , and with the juyce of a gourd anointed upon the eye-brows , causeth that where the hair hath been pulled off , that it never shall grow again ; and this gall is alway the better for the age thereof , and as hippocrates did prescribe , it must be kept in a silver pipe or box . for the tingling of the ears , take with this gal the oyl of roses , with the juyce of an onyon beaten together , and instilled warm into the ears for a present remedy : so also , with the oyl of roses only , it helpeth the pain in the teeth ; and with the hony attick , all swellings or pains in the jaws or chaps , putting thereto myrrhe , saffron , and pepper . the same gall with a little hogs-bread , and the powder of burnt allum with anise-seed , made into a suppository , procureth looseness , if the party have not the hemerrhoides . also the gall taken with hony , and the juyce of eglantine , cureth the exulceration of the virile member by anointing it . the spleen being drunk , helpeth windiness , and the milt is commended against the colick and biting of serpents . against the jaundise they take the dung of a roe dryed and sifted , and drink it in wine ; the same also so drunk cureth the ague ; and because the roe-buck doth wonderfully love his female , there be some that affirm , that if a woman eat the bladder of a roe , it will likewise make her husband to love her exceedingly . of the first kinde of tragelaphvs which may be called a deer-goat . there is another kinde so like a deer ( although conceived of a buck-goat and a female hart ) that i cannot but express the figure and brief narration thereof ( as is in the foregoing page . ) it is like a deer ( except the beard and bristles growing about the shoulders ) and pliny affirmeth , that they are found about the river phasis , in arabia and arachotae , which is a city of india so called of aracho●us , a river issuing from caucasus which the graecians call tragelaphos , and the germans , ein brandhirse ; and some think this beast to be mentioned by the name of ako , in deut. . this doubtless is the same beast which aristotle calleth hippelaphus , because he attributeth the self same things to it that pliny ascribeth to this , both for the beard , the bristles , and deep hair about the shoulders , which hangeth down like the mane of a horse . the similitude both in proportion and quantity holdeth with a hart in the feet which are cloven , and that the female thereof doth want horns . the horns of the male are like the horns of a roe . therefore howsoever some have imagined that there is no such beast to be found in the world , they are rather to be pitied then confuted , for it is not to be doubted , that neither the ancients , nor other , ever have seen all the divers and marvailous shapes of beasts , which are to be found in many remote and far distant places of the world , especially in arabia and india , where are many deserts ; and therefore the reason why they affirm this , is , because they never saw any such , and so it is to be understood : for the rare pictures of these beasts called in ancient time canathra , whereupon children were carried in pageants and shews , gave them occasion to think , that these were but mens devises , and that god never ordained such creatures . georgius fabritius which sent me this picture , doth among other things write unto me very probably , that this kinde is only distinguished from other in form , name , and strength , and not in kinde : and this being more strange and less known among men , was called by the graecians , tragelaphus ; being greater then the vulgar deer , deeper haired , and blacker in colour , and this ( saith he ) is taken in the ridings or forrests of misena , bordering upon bohemia , and the common sort of hunters hold opinion , that by reason it loveth to lie where coals are made , and in their dust , feeding upon such grass as groweth in those places , that therefore the germans call it brandhirze , and so the foxes which resemble them in colour , are called brandfusche . it is for certain that these are greater and stronger then harts , their upper part of the back being black , and the neather neer the belly not white ( as in a hart ) but rather blackish ; but about his genitals very black . i have seen the horns to have seven spires or branches , growing out of one of them , being palmed at the top . these are like to those which are called achaeines in greek , by reason of their pain and sorrow : and kummerer in german , because they live in continual sorrow for their young ones , while they are not able to run out of their dens , belike fearing by some instinct of nature , lest their tender and weak age , should betray them to the hunters , before they be able to run away . the figure of another tragelaphus , or deer-goat , expressed by bellonius . i do rather approve the relation of another of this kinde , which was sent unto me by that most learned english physician iohn cay , which as he writeth unto me , was brought in the year . out of the countrey of mauritania , which was cloven-footed , and liveth for the most part in the mountain parts of that countrey , being in quantity betwixt a fallow-deer and a hart , the body more like a hart , and the side branded and hanging down : a shorter and thick neck , the colour in the winter black , and red , set one with another ; the beard like a goat , but more divided and turned backward ; his hair very long , even to his knees , a mane full of bristles , stretched out in length through his whole neck , but especially about the top of his shoulder-blades , where it standeth like bunches , being in colour darker then in other parts of the body ; and the hinder legs are covered with longer and harder hairs down to the pastern , ( as i think ) for no other cause but to defend them from harm in his leaping : and the hoof of this beast was more strange ( for being cloven , as was said before ) the outward hoof in his fore-legs is longer and greater then the inward , and contrary in the hinder : and the inward clove thereof is longer and greater , and the outward smaller and shorter ; so as on either side you would think one of them was the hoof of a goat , and the other of a hart , both of them hollow and without soals ; whereof i can give no other reason , then the pleasure of nature , which hath so provided , that whereas this beast liveth among the rocks , and sharp places of the mountains , his foot-steps are by his hollow hoofs more firm and stable , because by that means , the stones and sharp-pointed rock entreth into them to stay them up from sliding : but it is more strange in the females hoofs , for they have upon the top and upper face of them three or four pleasant impressions , ( as it were of carved or imbroydered flowers , if a man mark them earnestly ) which i think are given unto them only for ornament and delight . either sex loose every year their hoofs , and harts do their horns , that nature may shew their resemblance in their feet to a hart , as he doth in their head to a goat . his ear is short like a goats , but his eye , genieal , stones , and tail , like a harts , though somewhat shorter . the horns like a rams , crooked and distinguished in the middle , by a black line all their length , which is two roman feet and one finger , and in compass at the root , one foot , one palm and a half , standing one from another , where they differ most not above one foot , three palms , one finger and a half . the rugged circles going about them , toward the top are bunchy , and toward the bottom or root they are low , with beaten notches or impressions . they are not at the top distant one point from another , above one foot and a palm . the length of their face , from the crown to the tip of their nose , one foot and three fingers : the breadth in the fore-head , where it is 〈…〉 dest , two palms and one finger . the height of this beast not above three foot and a half , except where his mane standeth , and the whole length hereof from the crown of the head to the tail is four feet and a half and two fingers . it hath only teeth beneath on the neather chap , and those in number not above six , neither did i observe any defect in them . it cheweth the 〈◊〉 like other cloven-footed beast . the nostrils are black , from whom the upper lip is divided by a long perpendicular line . it is a gentle , pleasant & wanton beast ; in the disposition rather resembling a goat then a hart , desiring the steepest and slipperyest places whereon it leapeth , and from whence ( it is reported ) that it doth cast down it self head-long upon the horns naturally , that by them it may break the violence of his fall or leap , and then stayeth his body upon the fore-knees . it will run a pace , but it is most excellent in leaping , for by leaping it ascendeth the most highest mountains and rocks . the females are greater then the males , but not in horn or hair , it eateth grass , oats , cheafil , hay , and bread , they bring forth twins every time : and this we call in england a barbary deer . thus far doctor cay . of the hart and hinde . the male of this beast is called in hebrew , aial , deut. . and the arabians do also retain that word in their translations ; the persians call him geuazen ; the septuagint , elaphos ; the graecians at this day laphe pelaphe ; and saint jerom for the latines , cervus ; the chaldees , aiclah ; the italians , cervo ; the spaniards , ciervo ; the french , cerf ; the germans , hirtz , or hirs , and hirsch ; the flemmings , hert ; the polonians , gelen ; the illyrians , ielii , elii . the female or hinde likewise termed in hebrew , aial ; and sometime alia , and aielet ; the latines and italians , cerva ; the spaniards , cierva ; the germans , hinde , and hindin ; and the germans more specially , hin , and wilprecht ; the french , biche ; and the polonians , lanii . the young fawns or calfs of this beast they call in latine , hinnuli ; the graecians , nebros ; the hebrews , ofer ; the germans , hindcalb . also it is not to be forgotten , that they have divers other names , to distinguish their years , and countries , as for example : when they begin to have horns , which appear in the second year of their age like bodkins without branches , which are in latin called subulae , they are also called subulones ; for the similitude they have with bodkins : and the germans call such an one spirzhirtz , which in english is called a spittard ; and the italians , corbiati ; but the french have no proper name for this beast that i can learn , untill he be a three yearing , and then they call him ( ●in gabler ) which in latine are called furcarii . and indeed i was once of this opinion , that these subulones were only two-yearing harts , untill i consulted with a savoyan of segusium , who did assure me from the mouths of men trained up in hunting wilde beasts from their youth ; that there are a kinde of subulones , which they call also brocardi , with straight and unforked horns except one branch , in the mountain of jura near the lake lemanus , and that these also do live among other harts ; for there was seen neer a monastery , called the roman monastery , by certain hunters , in the year . a vulgar hart with branched horns , and his female ; and likewise with a subulon , or brocarde , which when in pursuit he was constrained to leap from rock to rock , to get to the water , he brake his leg and so was taken . these brocards are as great in quantity as other vulgar harts , but their bodies are leaner , and they swifter in course . they have but one branch growing out of the stem of their horn , which is not bigger then a mans finger , and for this cause in the rutting time , when they joyn with their females , they easily overcome the vulgar hart , with his branched and forked horns . the hunters call this brocard the shield-bearer to the residue ; for by him they are delivered being hunted : for whereas it is the nature of the vulgar hart , to get into ditches , and hide himself in hollow places when he heareth the hounds , this beast never coveteth any secret place to cover himself , but runneth still in the sight of dogs , who leave the other that hide themselves , because they keep this on foot : and so when the hunters are passed by the lurking harts , they return back again , being safe both from nets and dogs , while the poor brocard is chased unto death . the figure of the face and horns . i have therefore here expressed the figure of the head of this beast with his horns , which is also called anamynta , or a burgundian brocard whose horns are at the longest about eighteen inches long , and at the shortest about nine inches , whereof that part which cleaveth to the head is bunchy and indented : the longest as they grow in length , do more and more stand out one from another , turning up at the top like a bow , but the lesser do not stand out so far , and bend very little at the point ; and whereas in the vulgar harts the root of the horn is but in a round circle , as it were fastened upon the skull of the beast , in this the bony roots lie within the skins much deeper , as may be easily discerned by comparing both together . the reason why i call this burgundiau hart , or subulon anamynta , is , because it not only wanteth the manifold branches of vulgar harts , but that also which is called amynta . there are also another sort of harts called achaini , bred in creet neer achaea , whereas in all other parts of creet there are no harts , whereof it is affirmed by gaza , that there was one of them which had a bough of green ivie growing in his horns , it was conjectured that when it was young , some sprig of that ivie was taken in a slifter of the horn , which by reason of some nourishment it found in the horn natural to that tree , being like a rocky substance , it there grew to more perfection . these are also called spathenae , although that term be also given unto vulgar harts , to signifie their full age ; yet some are of opinion , that this achaian hart was but an invention or figment made in bread ; for there was in antient time a kinde of loaf called achaines in the likeness of a hart. the picture of another face and horns . i received also of that learned man iohn cay , another head out of england , which he conjectureth to be the head of the palmed buck , as it was called by iulius capitolinus , which i do not take to differ from the fallow-deer : and yet because this seemeth to be of the most excellent kinde , i have thought good to express it in this place , being far different from all other horns of this kinde of beasts , and more beautiful . harts are bred in most countries , but the ancients do celebrate and prefer those of britain before other , where they are of divers colours both white and black , as pausanias affirmeth . in oedor , a region of asia , toward the northern ocean , they ride upon harts ; likewise there are harts in scythia : and the people cald meditae , which are subject to the kings of tartaria , make their harts so tame , that they also ride upon them : there are none in creet , except in the region of the cydonites . there are also in the woods of helvetia , but not so many as in time past , because democraties do not nourish game and pleasures like unto monarchies , and therefore they are daily killed by the vulgar sort , there being no law against it . the harts of hellespont , and about arginussa , have one of their ears slit or cut asunder by nature in their dams belly ; and therefore they never go over the mountains into other regions : ( as indeed it is the property of all harts to love their native soils above all other places . ) there is a city called dora , in assyria , near the banks of euphrates , where are many flocks of harts , of whom many times some are slain with darts , and others as they swim away to their accustomed solitudes are oppressed in the water by the weight of oares , and so taken . they are for the most part sand-coloured , and intermingled with some white spots , especially the hindes and their calves , and sometimes milk-white , which happeneth unto them by some defect in their nourishment before they be calved ; and for natural imbecillity : so have i seen white bears , hares , quails , partridges , and swallows . when apollonius and his colleagues travelled by paraca , a city of india , they suddenly heard a noise like the sound of a pipe , and while they looked about to see what it signified , they perceived that it was the pipe of a keeper or forrester , which governed a whole flock of white harts : such an one was the hart of sertorius that noble captain , whereby he led his army , as they were perswaded by it , who affirmed that it was a spanish prophet or wizard given to him by a certain lusitanian , whom he took in an island of portugal ; saying moreover , that she was inspired by diana , and that she had authority from the goddess to admonish him , and make the hearts of his souldiers cleave fast unto him ; and therefore if at any time he miscarryed in his proceedings , he could easily pacifie them from mutinies , in saying , that his hart set him upon that enterprize , so putting off the fault cunningly from himself to the beast for fear of defection , wherefore also these were used in the bacchanals of cracovia , and their flesh being softer , is peculiarly tearmed by the french , venaison . these do excell all other in the beauty of horns , which are very high , yet grow they not to their bones or skelps , but to their skin , branching forth into many speers , being solid throughout , and as hard as stones , and fall off once every year , but if they remain abroad in the air , where some winde and rain fall upon them , so as now they are wet , and anon dry again , they grow as light as any vanishing or softer substance , as i have proved by experience , findeing some which have been lost by them in the woods : wherefore i gather that they are of an earthly matter , concrete and hardned with a strong heat made like unto bones . it must be understood that the males only are horned , and yet have they small benefit by them , because ( as i said ) they grow but within their skin , and these also they lose every year in the spring time . at one year old they have nothing but small bunches , as it were significations of their horns to come growing on their head ; at two years old they appear more perfectly , but straight and simple ; at three years they grow forked into two speers , at four into three , and so increase every year in their branches till they be six , and above that time you cannot certainly discern their age by their head , for their horns or speers grow not more in number , although their years make them greater in quantity : yet the old harts do want these two branches , which the graecians call amynterai , and the latines , adminicula ; because they first come forth : and i have heard there were harts horns in an apothecaries shop of antwerp , which had every one fifteen branches upon one stem , which if it be true , it goeth beyond all experience . every year in the month of april , they loose their horns , and so having lost them , they hide themselves in the day time , inhabiting the shadowy places , to avoid the annoyance of flyes , and feed only during that time in the night . their new horns come forth like bunches at the first , and afterward by the increase of the suns heat , they grow more hard , covered with a rough skin , which the hunters for honours sake call a velvet head , and as that skin dryeth , they daily try the strength of their new head upon trees , which not only scrapeth off the roughness , but by the pain they feel in rubbing them , they are taught how long to forbear the company of their fellows ; for at last , when in their chafing or fretting of their new horn against the tree , they can no more feel any smart or grief in them , they take it for high time to forsake their solitary dwellings , and return again to their former condition , like one that is supplyed with new arms , after the losing of his old . the tender and new horns the germans call morchi , and kolben : these being taken from the beast , are accounted among great noble men a delicate dish of meat . cyprius is said to have a hart with four horns , which was called nicocreos , and by him dedicated to apollo , which i do therefore remember in this place , because it is seldom seen , that an hart can bear naturally above two horns . authors do generally affirm , that when a hart hath lost his horns , he hideth them in some secret places , because he understandeth some secret vertues are contained in them , which mankinde seeketh for , and therefore he either envying the good of other , or fearing lest they bewray him hereafter to hunters , taketh the best care and providence his discretion can afford , that they never come to the handling of men . when the people asked apollo , what they should do with procles their tyrant , the oracle answered , that he should go to that place where harts cast their borns : whereby it was gathered , that he should be slain and buryed in the earth , and this caused the proverb , vbi cervi abjiciunt cornua , to signifie a desperate business : yet could it not be agreed , whether the hart make more account of his right horn or his left , and therefore aristotle affirmeth , that the left horn is never found ; and pliny , that the right horn is never found . this difference may be reconciled with ease , for right and left are so tearmed for three causes , or three manner of ways . first , properly in all creatures , according to the beginning of motion . secondly , for similitude or likeness , as the right and left side of images , statues , &c. thirdly , improperly when the right side of one thing standeth against the left side of another , being opposite , as when two men stand face to face , and by this reason may the left horn of aristotle , and the right horn of pliny signifie all one thing : but we know that the horns of harts are found yearly both in fields and woods . the wilde harts of sarmatia neer turkie , have the greatest horns of all other , for it hath been proved , that one pair of them have weighed forty pounds troy weight and above : and there they lose their horns in march , neither do they fall off together , but first one , and then the other , and after the first falling , it is manifest , that a certain worm getteth on them , and maketh upon them many circles and little furrows , whereby the root or basis being weakened , the horn groweth very white in that place , and yet not without some appearance of blood remaining , which cleaveth to it , from the first falling off : for , when the head of this beast is disarmed , there issueth blood from the skull , and in appearance the naked place is like a wound , and yet it is wonderful to mark , that within three days the same is heald and filled with the blood which congealeth in that place first to a sinew , and afterward to a hard bone , so as in august at the farthest , the horns are perfect ; and therefore the egyptians to describe a long-lived man , picture a hart losing his horns every year , and new coming in their place . if any man be desirous to know the reasons , why only beasts of this kinde lose their horns in this manner ; i will not spare my pains to set down the best , which authors have rendred for this wonder of nature . first , because of the matter whereof they consist , for it is dry and earthy like the substance of green leaves , which fall off yearly , wanting glewing or holding moisture to continue them ; and for this cause the horn of a hart , cannot be bent . secondly , from the place they grow upon , for they are not rooted upon the skull , but only within the skin . thirdly , from their efficient cause , for they are hardned both with the heat of summer , and cold of winter , by means whereof the pores to receive their nourishment liquor , are utterly shut up and stopped , so as of necessity their native heat dyeth : which falleth not out in other beasts , whose horns are for the most part hollow , and fitted for longer continuance , but these are of lesser , and the new bunches swelling up toward the spring , do thrust off the old horns , being holp either by the boughes of trees , by the weight of the horns , or by the willing excussion of the beast that beareth them . democritus and other ( as gillius and aelianus ) give other reasons , but because they seem to be far fetched , i will omit them . yet by the way , it is to be noted , that if a hart be libbed or gelded when he is young , he never beareth horns , or very small ones ; and if his horns be upon him at the time of gelding , they never waxe less , or greater , or fall off . the hindes never bear horns at all , as some have affirmed , but i rather believe caesar , maximilian , and zenodotus , who affirm upon their knowledge , that hindes in some countries have horns like the males : as likewise it is observed in the elephants of india , and for this cause the poets expressed the hinde which nourished telephus with horns , and that which hercules took with golden horns , and it is for certain , that in ethiopia and lybia , both sexes have horns . the face of this beast is fleshy , his nostrils flat , and his neck very long ; his ears , some greater , and some smaller ; but in the mount elaphus and hellespont , they are slit . it is observed , that when a hart pricketh up his ears , he windeth sharp , very far and sure , and discovereth all treachery against him , but if they hang down and wag , he perceiveth no danger . by their teeth is their age discerned , and they have four on both sides , wherewith they grinde their meat , and besides two other much greater in the male then in the female , and they bend downward to bite withall . all these beasts have worms in their heads bred underneath their tongue in a hollow place , where the neck-bone is joyned to the head , which are not bigger then such as flyes blow in rotten flesh . they are ingendered together one with another , and they are in number twenty , as some would have it ; but i was given to understand by one that saw a head of this beast dissected , wherein were many more worms , and not contained in one place , but spread all over the head . the breast is by the french-men called peculiarly hampan , his blood is not like other beasts , for it hath no fibres or small veins in it , and therefore it is hardly congealed . his heart is very great , as it so falleth out in all fearful beasts , having in it a bone like a cross , as shall be afterward manifested . his belly is not of one fashion , as it falleth out in all other which chew the cud . he hath no gall , which is one cause of the length of his life , and therefore also are his bowels so bitter , that the dogs will not touch them , except they be very fat . the achaian harts are said to have their gall in their tails ; and others say , that harts have a gall in their ears . the harts of briletum and iharne , have their reins quadrupled or four-fold . the genital part is all nervy , the tail small ; and the hinde hath udders betwixt her thighs with four speans like a cow : both male and female are wonderfully swift , and subtile , as shall be shewed in the discourse of their hunting . they are also apt and cunning to swim , although in their swimming they see no land , yet do they wind it by their noses . they chew the cud like other beasts . it is reported , that when a hart is stung by a serpent , that by eating elaphoscum ; ( that is , as some call it , harts-eye ; other hart-thorn , or grace of god ; others wilde ditany ) it presently cureth the wound , and expelleth the poyson : the same vertue they attribute to polypodie , against the wound of a dart. having thus entred into mention of their food , it is to be farther observed , that the males of this kinde will eat dwall or night-shade , which is also called deaths herb , and they also love above all other food wilde elder , so as in the summer time they keep for the most part in those places where these plants grow , eating the leaves only , and not the boughes or sprigs : but the hinde will eat neither of both , except when she beareth a male in her belly , and then also by secret instinct of nature , she feedeth like a male . they will also eat serpents , but whether for hatred to them , or for medicine they receive by them , it is questionable . a hart by his nose draweth a serpent out of her hole , and therefore the grammarians derived elaphos , a hart , from elaunein tous opheis , that is , of driving away serpents . i cannot assent to the opinion of aelianus , that affirmeth the serpents follow the breath of a hart like some philtre or amorous cup ; for seeing that all authors hold an hostility in natures betwixt them , it is not probable , that the serpent loveth the breath of a beast , unto whose whole body he is an enemy , with a perpetual antipathy . and if any reply , that the warm breath of a hart , is acceptable to the cold serpent , and that therefore she followeth it , as a dog creepeth to the fire , or as other beasts to the beams of the sun ; i will not greatly gain-say it , seeing by that means it is most clear , that the breath doth not by any secret force , or vertue , extract , and draw her out of the den , but rather the concomitant quality of heat , which is not from the secret fire in the bones of the harts throat , ( as pliny hath taught ) but rather from her ordinary expiration , inspiration , and respiration . for it cannot be , that seeing all the parts of a serpent are opposite to a hart , that there should be any love to that which killeth her . for my opinion , i think that the manner of the harts drawing the serpent out of her den , is not as aelianus and pliny affirmeth , by sending into the cave a warm breath , which burneth and scorcheth the beast out of her den ; but rather when the hart hath found the serpents nest , she draweth the air by secret and violent attraction out from the serpent , who to save her life followeth the air out of her den ; as when a vessel is broached or vented , the wine followeth the flying air ; and as a cupping-glass draweth blood out of a scarified place of the body : so the serpent is drawn unwillingly to follow her destroyer , and not willingly , as aelianus affirmeth . unto this opinion both oribasius in his commentaries upon the aphorisms of hippocrates , and guniterius his restorer do joyntly agree : but the serpent being thus drawn forth , addeth greater force to her poyson , whereupon the proverbial admonition did arise . cave ne incideris in serpentem , cum extracta a latebris anhelitu cervi effugerit , tum enim propter iracundiam vehementius ei venenum est , that is , beware thou meet not with a serpent drawn out of her hole by the breath of a hart , for at that time by reason of her wrath , her poyson is more vehement . after this self same manner do the sea-rams , draw the sea-calfs hid in the subterranean rocks ; for by smelling they prevent the air that should come unto them for refrigeration . there is many times strange conflicts betwixt the hart and the serpent , thus drawn forth ; for the serpent seeing her adversary , lifteth her neck above the ground , and gnasheth at the hart with her teeth , breathing out very bitter hissings : on the contrary , the hart deriding the vain endevour of his weak adversary , readier to fight then powerful to harm hi , suffereth him to embrace both his neck and legs with his long and thin body , but at an instant teareth it into an hundred pieces . but the most strange combates are betwixt the harts and serpents of lybia , where the hatred is deeper ; and the serpents watch the hart when he lyeth a sleep on the ground , and being a multitude of them , set upon him together , fastening their poysonful teeth in every part of his skin ; some on his neck and breast ; some on his sides and back , some on his legs , and some hang upon his privy parts , biting him with mortal rage , to overthrow their foe . the poor hart being thus oppressed with a multitude , and pricked with venemous pains , assayeth to run away , but all in vain , their cold earthy bodies and winding tails , both over-charge his strength , and hinder his pace : he then in a rage with his teeth , feet , and horns assaileth his enemies , whose spears are already entred into his body , tearing some of them in pieces , and beating other asunder : they never the less ( like men ) knowing that now they must dye rather then give over , and yeeld to their pitiless enemy , cleave fast , and keep the hold of their teeth upon his body , although their other parts be mortally wounded , and nothing left but their heads , and therefore will dye together with their foe , seeing if they were asunder , no compassion can delay or mitigate their natural unappeaseable hatred . the hart thus having eased himself by the slaughter of some , ( like an elephant ) at the sight of their blood , bestirreth himself more busily in the eager battail , and therefore treadeth some under foot in the blood of their fellows , other he persueth with tooth and horn , untill he see them all destroyed : and whereas the heads hang fast in his skin , for avoiding and pulling them forth , ( by a divine natural instinct ) he flyeth or runneth to the waters , where he findeth sea-crabs , and of them he maketh a medicine , whereby he shaketh off the serpents heads , cureth their wounds , and avoideth all their poyson ; this valiant courage is in harts against serpents , whereas they are naturally afraid of hares and conies , and will not fight with them . it is no less strange that harts will eat serpents , but the reason is , for medicine and cure ; for sometimes the pores of his body are dulled and shut up : sometimes the worms of his belly do ascend into the roof of his mouth , while he cheweth his cud , and there cleave fast : for remedy whereof the hart thus affected , runneth about to seek for serpents ; for his devouring of a serpent , is a cure of this malady . pliny saith , that when the hart is old , and perceiveth that his strength decayeth , his hair change , and his horns dry above custom , that then for the renewing of his strength , he first devoureth a serpent , and afterward runneth to some fountain of water and there drinketh , which causeth an alteration in the whole body ; both changing the hair and horn : and the writer of the gloss upon the . psalm , which beginneth , like as the hart desireth the water springs , so longeth my soul after god ; confirmeth this opinion . vincentius belluacensis affirmeth , that harts eat serpents for to cure the dimness of their eye-sight . but for the ending of this question , we must corsider that there are two kindes of harts ; one which by the drawing forth of a serpent out of her hole , doth presently kill her by stamping her under feet , this eateth that serpent , and runneth to springing water , after that he feeleth the poyson to make his body swell , and then by drinking doth vomit forth the poyson , and in the mean time loseth both hair and horn ; yet the monks of mesaen affirm , that the harts thus poysoned doth only cover her body in the cold water , and not drink thereof , for that were exitial unto her ; but she sendeth forth certain tears , which are turned into a stone , ( called bezahar ) of which shall be more said hereafter . the other kinde of harts , when he findeth a serpent , killeth it , and doth not eat it , and immediately after the victory returneth to feed in the mountains . harts are opposed by wolves , for many wolves together doth overcome a hart ; and therefore it is but a fable of strabo , that the wolves and harts live tame together in the woods of the veneti . these kinde of wolves are called thoes , and they especially fear these wolves when they have lost their horns , and feedeth only in the night season , which caused ovid to write thus ; visa fugit nymphe , veluti perterrita fulvum c●rva lupum , &c. — they are afraid also of the first and second kinde of eagles , for with their wings they raise much dust about the harts , and then they being half blinde , the eagles pull out their eyes , or else so beat their feathers about their faces , that they hinder their sight , and cause them to fall down headlong from the mountains : they fear also the ganning of foxes , and the lynxes do likewise lye in wait to hurt them . these are above all other sour-footed beasts both ingenuous and fearful , who although they have large horns , yet their defence against other four-footed beasts is to run away . for this cause , in ancient time a fugitive boy or servant was called a hart ; and if he ran away twice , cantharion , which cantharion was a spartan fugitive , that first ran to the enemy , and afterward from them came back again to sparta . and martial thus describeth alchaeus , who being overcome by philip king of macedon ran away like a hart. trux spiritus ille philippi , cervorum cursu praepete lapsus abit . the epithets expressing the qualities of this beast are many : as nimble , or agile , winged , or swift-paced , full of years , quick-footed , horned , wandering , fearful , flying , fugitive , light , wood-hunter , wilde and lively . there are of them very audacious , for they will set upon men as they travel through the woods : and it is observed , that the wrathful hart hath few bunches on his horn , neither is it so long as others , but bunched at the root ; yet all of them being pressed with dogs or other wilde beasts , will fly unto a man for succour . it is reported by philip melancthon , that in locha ( a town of saxony ) there was a hart , which before rutting time would every year leap over the walls , and run over rocks and mountains , and yet return home again , untill the time that duke frederick dyed , and then the hart went forth , but never returned again . the male when he feeleth himself fat , liveth solitary and secret ; because he knoweth the weight of his body will easily betray him to the hunters , if he be hunted and pursued . the female commonly calveth neer the high ways , of purpose , to avoid noisome beasts to her young one , who do more avoid the sight of man then her self . also it is reported . that mithredates had a bull , a horse , and a hart , for his guard , beside men , who would not be brided to suffer traytors to kill him , being a sleep . moreover it is said of ptolomeus philadelphe , that having a hinde-calf given unto him , he brought it so familiarly tame , and accustomed it to words , that at length it seemed to understand the greek language : and aelianus affirmeth as much of the harts of india , for that language . when they are wounded with a dart , and having gotten it out of their body by eating dittany , they most carefully avoid the sun-beams , lest they shine upon the green wound , for then it will hardly be cured : but above all other arguments of their understanding , none is more firm and evident , then their swiming ; for the harts of amanus , libanus , and carmell , ( mountains of siria ) when they are to swim over the sea , to the fruitful green trees of cyprus , they come down to the sea-shore , and there they tarry till they perceive a prosperous wind , and a calm water ; which happening , the captain or leader of them doth first of all enter into the water , and so the next followeth , laying his head upon the captains buttocks , and so consequently all the residue resting their head upon the precedent . in the hindmost are the youngest and weakest , that so the violence of the floods being broken by the stronger which go before , the more infirm which follow may pass with less difficulty . thus sail they along without star or compass to direct them , except their own sense of smelling , using their legs for oares , and their broad horns for sails . and if the formost be weary , then slippeth he back to rest his head upon the hindmost , and so likewise the second and third , as they feel themselves enfeebled , untill they arrive at the happy port of good pasture ; where growing stronger , like beasts , fall to fighting for rule and government , but when the combate doth shew the victor and strongest , the residue do ever after yeeld obedience to him . in like sort do the harts of epirus swim to corcyra , and of cilicia to the island of curiadactes . they are deceived with musick , for they so love that harmony , that they forbear their food to follow it . also it is amazed at any strange sight , for if a hunter come behinde a horse or bullock , laying over his back his bow and arrows , they stand staring upon the new formed beast , untill the dart do end their lives . at the time of their lust or rutting , they are above measure fierce , fighting naturally for the female , and sometimes wounding one another to death ; and this falleth out most commonly in the latter end of august , at which time arcturus riseth with the sun , and then it is most natural for the hindes to conceive . in some places in october their lust ariseth , and also in may ; and then whereas at other times the males live a part from the females , they go about like lascivious woers , seeking the company of their females , as it were at the market of venus . the males in their raging desired lust , have a peculiar voyce , which the french call by a feigned word reere ; and the germans , brulen ; and the latines tearm rancere ; and the beasts so affected ololygones . when they finde the females , they are received with fear , then in short space one male will cover many females , continuing in this carnal appetite a month or two : their females do seldon : admit copulation , being herein like unto cows , by reason of the rigour of the males genital : and therefore they sink down on their buttocks when they feel the genital seed , as it hath been often observed in tame harts , and if they can , the females run away , the males striving to hold them back within their fore-feet : but surely herein they differ from all other : it cannot well be said that they are covered standing , lying , or going , ( but rather running ) for so are they filled with greatest celerity . when one month or six weeks of their rutting is past , they grow tame again , laying aside all fierceness , and return to their solitary places , digging every one of them by himself a several hole or ditch , wherein they lie , to asswage the strong savour of their lust , for they stink like goats , and their face beginneth to wax blacker then at other times ; and in those places they live , untill some showers distill from the clouds ; after which , they return to their pasture again , and live in flocks together as before . the female being thus filled , never keepeth company with the male again untill her burthen be delivered , which is eight months ; for so long doth she bear her young : before her calving , she purgeth her self by eating seselis , or siler of the mountain ; and whereas she never purgeth untill that time , then she emptieth her self of pituitous and flegmatique humors . then go they to the places neer the high ways , and there they cast forth their calf , ( for the causes aforesaid ) being more afraid of wilde beasts then men , whom she can avoid by flying : which when they have seen , they go and eat the seselis aforesaid , and the skin which cometh forth of her own wombe covering the young one , finding in it some notable medicine , which the graecians call chorion , and not the herb arum , and this she doth before she lye down to give her young one suck , ( as pliny affirmeth . ) they bring forth but one , or very seldom twain , which they lodge in a stable fit for them of their own making , either in some rock , or other bushy inaccessible place ; covering them , and if they be stubborn and wilde , beating them with their feet untill they lie close and contented . oftentimes she leadeth forth her young , teaching it to run and leap over bushes , stones , and small shrubs ; against the time of danger ; and so continueth all the summer time , while their own strength is most abundant : but in the winter time , they leave and forsake them , because all harts are feeble in the winter season . they live very long , as by experience hath been often mentioned ; not only because they have no gall ( as the dolphin hath none ) but for other causes : also some affirm , that a raven will live nine ages of a man , and a hart four ages of a raven : whereunto virgil agreeth in these verses ; ter binis deci sque super exit in annos , iusta senescéntum quos implét vita virorum ; hos novies superat vivendo garrula cornix , et quater egreditur cornicis saecula cervus , alipedem cervum ter vincit corvus : at illum multiplicat novies phoenix reparabilis ales : that is , as the life of a man is threescore and six , so a raven doth live nine times so many years , ( viz. ) years . the hart liveth four times the age of the raven , ( viz. ) years . the crow exceedeth the hart three times , ( viz. ) . but the phenix which is repaired by her own ashes , surmounteth the crow nine times , and so liveth years . the which i have set down ( not for truth ) but for report , leaving every reader to the chiefest matter of credit , as in his own discretion he conceiveth most probable . but it is confessed of all , that harts live a very long life : for pliny affirmeth , that an hundred years after the death of alexander magnus , there were certain taken alive which had about their necks golden collars , with an inscription that they were put on by alexander . in calabria ( once called iapygia and peucetia ) there was collar taken off from the neck of a hart by agathocles king of sicily , which was covered with the flesh and fat of the hart ; and there was written upon it diomedes dianae : whereby it was conjectured , that it was put on by him before the siege of trey : for which cause , the king brought the same and did offer it up in the temple of iupiter . the like was in arcadia , when arcesilaus dwelt in lycosura ; for he confidently affirmed , that he saw an old sacred hinde , which was dedicated to diana , having this inscription in her collar : nebros eoon ealoon ota es ilion en agapenor . when agapenor was in troy , then was i a young calf taken . by which it appeareth , that a hart liveth longer then an elephant , for indeed as they live long before they grow to any perfection , their youth and weakness cleaving fast unto them , so is it given to them to have a longer life , for continuance in ripeness and strength of years . these beasts are never annoyed with feavers , because their flesh allayeth all adventitial and extraordinary heat . if he eat spiders he instantly dyeth thereof , except he eat also wilde ivie , or sea-crabs . likewise navew-gentil and oleander , kill the hart. when a hart is in his chase , he is greatly pained in his bowels , by reason that the skin wherein they lie is very thin and weak , and apt to be broken with any small stroke ; and for this cause he often stayeth to ease himself . there is a kinde of thorn called cactus , where withall if a young one be pricked in his legs , his bones will never make pipes . besides these beasts are annoyed with scabs and itches in their head and skin , tearmed by the french by a peculiar name ( froyer : ) i will not stand upon the idle conceit of albertus , that waspes and emmets breed in the heads of harts , for he mistaketh them for the worm , before mentioned . the skins of this beast are used for garments in some countries , and in most places for the bottom of cushions , and therefore they chuse such as are killed in the summer time , when they are fat and most spotted ; and the same having their hair pulled from them , are used for breeches , buskins , and gloves . likewise pliny and sextus affirmed , that if a man sleep on the ground having upon him a harts skin , serpents never anoy him : whereof serenus made this verse : aut tu cervina per noctem in pelle quicscis . and the bons of young ones are applyed for making of pipes . it is reported , that the bloud of harts burned together with herb-dragon , orchanes , orgament , and mastick have the same power to draw serpents out of their holes , which the harts have being alive : and if there be put unto it wilde pellitory , it will also distract and dissipate them again . the marrow of a hart hath the same power against serpents , by ointment , or perfumed upon coles ; and nicander prescribeth a certain ointment to be made of the flesh of serpents , of the marrow of a hart , and oils of roses , against the bitings of serpents . the fat of a hart hath the like effects that the marrow hath . achilles that noble souldier , was said never to have tasted of milk , but to be nourished with the marrow of harts , by chiro , as is affirmed by varinus and etymologus . the like operation hath the tooth ( as serenus saith ) aut genere ex ipso dentem portabis amicum . if the seed of a young hinde calf be drunk with vinegar , it suffereth no poison of serpents to enter into the body that day . the perfume of the horn driveth away serpents and noisome flies , especially from the young calves , or from horses if womens hair be added thereto , with the hoof of the hart. and if men drink in pots wherein are wrought harts horns , it will weaken all force of venom . the magicians have also devised , that if the fat of a dragons heart be bound up in the skin of a roe , with the nerves of a hart , it promiseth victory to him that beareth it on his shoulder , and that if the teeth be so bound in a roes skin , it maketh ones master , lord , or all superior powers , exorable and appeased toward their servants and suitors . orpheus in his book of stones , commandeth a husband to carry about him a harts horn , if he will live in amity and concord with his wife ; to conclude , they also add another figment to make men invincible . the head and tail of a dragon , with the hairs of a lion taken from between the browes , and his marrow , the froath or white-mouth of a victorious horse , the nails of a dog , and the nerves of a hart and a roe , bound up all together in a harts skin : and this is as true as the wagging of a dogs tail doth signifie a tempest . to leave these trifles scarce worthy to be rehearsed , but only to shew the vanity of men , given over to lying devises , let us come to the other natural and medicinal properties not as yet touched . the flesh of these beasts in their running time smelleth strongly like a goats , the which thing is by blondus attributed also to the flesh of the females with young , i know not how truly ; but i am sure that i have known certain noble women , which every morning did eat this flesh , and during the time they did so , they never were troubled with ague : and this virtue they hold the stronger , if the beast in dying , have received but one wound . the flesh is tender , especially if the beast were libbed before his horns grew : yet is not the juice of that flesh very wholesome , and therefore galen adviseth men to abstain as much from harts flesh , os from asses , for it engendereth melancholy , yet is it better in summer then in winter . simeon sethi speaking of the hot countries , forbiddeth to eat them in summer , because then they eat serpents and so are venemous ; which falleth not out in colder nations , and therefore assigneth them rather to be eaten in winter time , because the concoctive powers are more stronger through plenty of inward heat , but withal admonisheth , that no man use to eat much of them , for it will breed palsies and trembling in mans body , begetting grosse humors , which stop the milt and liver : and avicen proveth , that by eating thereof men in our the quartane ague ; wherefore it is good to powder them with salt before the dressing , and then seasoned with peper and other things , known to every ordinary cook and woman , they make of them pasties in most nations . the heart and brain of a hare or cony have the power of triacle for expelling of evill humors , but the liver is intolerable in food : the horns being young are meat for princes , especially because they avoid poison . it was a cruell thing of king ferdinand , that caused the young ones to be cut out of the dams belly and baked in pasties , for his liquorous epicureal appetite . the whole nature and disposition of every part of this beast is against poison and venemous things ( as before recited ) . his bloud stayeth the looseness of the belly and all fluxes , especially fryed with oil , and the inferior parts anointed therewith , and being drunk in wine , it is good against poisoned wounds and all intoxications . the marrow of this beast is most approveable above other , and is used for sweet odour , against the gowt , and heat of men in consuptions , and all outward pains and weakness , as serenus comprised in one sentence saying : et cervina potest mulcere medulla rigorem frigoris — likewise the fat and marrow , mollifieth or disperseth all bunches in the flesh and old swellings ; all ulcers except in the shins and legs , and with venus-navil , the fistula , mattery ulcers in the ears ; with rozen , pitch , goose-greace , and goat-sewet , the cleaving of the lips : and with calves sewet the heat and pain in the mouth and jawes . it hath also vertue being drunk in warm water , to aswage the pain in the bowels and small guts , or bloudy flux . the gall of a bull , oil of bayes , butter , and this marrow , by anointing , cureth pain in the knees and loins and other evils in the seat of man , in the hips , and in the belly when it is costive : it procureth flowers of women , cureth the gowt , pimples in ones face , and ringwormes . absyrtus prescribeth it to be given in sweet wine with wax , unto a horse for an old cough proceeding of cold , after purging and heating , by holding the horses tongue in ones hand while the medicine is thrust down his throat . the same in sheeps milk with rubrick and soft pitch , drunk every day or eaten to your meat , helpeth the ptisick and obstructions . anatolius approved bean meal sifted and sod with harts marrow to be given to a horse which stalleth bloud for three daies together . also mingled with the powder of oyster shels , it cureth kibes and chilblanes . a woman perfumed with the hairs of this beast , is preserved from abortements ; and the same perfume helpeth the difficulty of urine , and little pieces cut off from the hide with a pummise put in wine , and rubbing the body , helpeth the holy-fire . the powder of the bones burned , is an antidote against the falling evill , and the dispersing of the milt ; and the bones beaten to powder , stayeth the flux of the belly . it were endless to describe all the virtues ascribed to the horn , and therefore i will content my self with the recital of few . pliny and solinus prefer the right horn , aristotle the left , and the spires or tops are more medicinable then the hard and solide stem , but the horns found in the woods lost by the beasts and grown light , are good for nothing . the other have their uses both raw and burned , which may be these which follow . take the horn and cut it into small pieces , then put it into an earthen pot anointed within with durt , and so set it in a furnace untill it become white , then wash it like a mineral and it will help the runnings and ulcers in the eyes ; and the same also keepeth the teeth white , and the gums sound . the young horns while they be soft being eaten , are an antidote against henbane and other poisonful herbs . the right horn hid by the hart in the earth is good against the poison of toades . the harts horn hath power to dry up all humors , and therefore it is used in eye salves : and orpheus promiseth to a bald man hair on his head again , if he anoint it with oil and powder of this horn : likewise the same with the seed of black mirtle , butter and oil , restraineth the falling away of the hair being anointed upon the head after it is newly shaven : with vinegar it killeth ringwormes . the same burned in the sun , and afterward the face being rubbed and washed therewith thrice together , taketh away pimple-spots out of the face : the powder drunk in wine or anointed on the head killeth lice and nits ; the same with vinegar , wine , or oil of roses , anointed upon the forehead , easeth the head-ach if it proceed of cold . a perfume made of this horn with castoreum , and lime or brimstone , causeth a dead childe strangled in his mothers womb to come forth ; if the horn be taken raw and rubbed upon the gums , keepeth the cheeks from all annoyance of the tooth-ach , and fasteneth the loose teeth , as serenus said : quod vero assumpsit nomen de dente fricando cervino ex cornu cinis est . galen prescribeth the powder of this horn for the jaundise , and for him that spitteth bloudy matter , and to stay vomit being taken in a reere egge . it comforteth also a rheumatick stomach , and it is tryed to cure the kings evill , it pacifieth the milt , dryeth the spleen , driveth all kind of wormes out of the belly , being drunk with hony , and easeth the colick , expelleth away mothers , helpeth the strangury , and the pain in the bladder , stayeth fluxes in women both white and red : being mingled with barly meal , water , and twigs of cedar , beside many other such properties . the tears of this beast after she hath been hunted with a serpent , are turned into a stone ( called belzahard , or bezahar ) of which we have spoken before : and being thus transubstantiated do cure all manner of venom ( as avenzoar , and cardinal ponzetti affirme ) after many trials , and sernus also expresseth in this distichon : seminecis cervi lachrymam miscere liquori convenit , atque artus illinc miscere calentes . the liver of this beast helpeth all sores in the feet , being worn in the shooes , the same dryed to powder with the throat or wind-pipe of the beast , and mingled with hony , and so eaten helpeth the cough , ptisick , sighing and short breathing . pliny and sextus affirme , that when a hinde perceiveth herself to be with young , she devoureth or eateth up a certain stone , which is afterward found either in her excrements or ventricle , and is profitable for all women with childe and in travell , for by that only fact , the hinde is most speedily delivered without great pain , and seldome or never suffering abortment ; and there is also a little bone found in the heart of every one of these beasts , which performeth the same qualities , in stead whereof they have such a thing to sell at venice , holding it at great price : but brasavola affirmeth , that he opened the hearts of two harts , and found in them a little gristle not much unlike to a crosse , whereof the one being of a beast new killed , was very soft , but the other was much harder , because the beast was slain about six dayes before . this bone is in the left side of the heart , upon which the spleen moveth and sendeth forth her excrements by vapors , which by reason of their driness are there turned into a bone , and being first of all of the substance of the harts bloud : and it is good against the trembling of the heart , and the hemorrhoides , but this bone cannot be found in any , except he be killed betwixt the middle of august and the twelfth of september . the skinny seed of the hind-calf , is above all other commended against poison , and the bitings of serpents and of mad dogs ; likewise it stayeth all fluxes of bloud , and spitting of bloud , and egestion of bloud : and it being eaten with beets and lentils , is profitable against the pain of the belly . the genital part and stones are wholesome ( being taken in wine ) against all bitings of vipers , adders , and snakes , and the same virtue hath the natural seed supped up in a rere egge . the genital hath also a virtue to encrease lust in every creature , it being either dryed and drunk ; or else bound fast to their privie parts . likewise being warmed in water ; and afterward dryed to powder and so drunk , helpeth the colick , and the difficulty of making water , if you put it into a little triacle . the dung of harts cureth the dropsie , especially of a subulon or young hart : the urine easeth the pain in the spleen , the wind in the ventricles and bowels , and infused into the ears , healeth their ulcers . in the tip of the tail lyeth poison , which being drunk , causeth extasie and death , if it be not helpt by a vomit made of butter , annise , and oil of sesamine , or as cardinal ponzetius saith , that the harts eye is an antidote to this evill : it may be known by a yellowish-green colour , and therefore it is called the gall , for nature hath appointed that place to receive all the venom of the whole body . i should here end the discourse of this beast , after the method already observed in the precedents : but seeing the manner of the taking hereof ( being a sport for princes ) hath yet been touched but very little , it shall not be tedious unto me , to abstain from the necessary relation of the subsequent stories , for the delightful narration of the hunting of the hart : to the end that as the former treatise hath but taught how to know a bird in a bush , that which insueth may declare the several wayes of catching and bringing the same to hand . this is a beast standing amazed at every strange sight , even at the hunters bow and arrow , coming behind a stalking horse ( as is already declared : ) and moreover , like as the roes are deceived by the hissing of a leaf in the mouth of the hunter , so also is this beast , for while she hearkeneth to a strange noise , imitating the cry of a hind-calf , and proceeding from one man , she receiveth a deadly stroke by the other : so also if they hear any musical pipings , they stand still to their own destruction : for which cause the egyptians decipher a man overthrown by flattery , by painting a hart taken by musick : and varro relateth upon his own knowledge , that when he supped in his lordship bought of m. piso , the pastour or forrester after supper , took but a harp in his hand , and at the sound hereof , an innumerable flock of harts , boars , and other four-footed beasts came about their cabanet , being drawn thither only by the musick ; in so much as he though he had been in the roman circus or theater , beholding the playing spectacles of all the african beasts , when the aedilian officers have their huntings : the like is also reported by aelianus , saving that he addeth , that no toil or engine is so assured or unavoidable to draw these beasts within a labyrinth as is musick , whereby the hunter getteth as it were the hart by the ear , for if through attention he hold down his ears as he doth in musick , he distrusteth no harm , but if once he prick up his ears as he commonly doth , being chased by men and dogs , an infinite labour will not be sufficient to over-take and compass him . it is reported that they are much terrified with the sight of red feathers , which thing is affirmed by ausonius in these verses : an cum fratre vagos dumeta per avia cervos circundas maculis , & multa indagine pennae . and ovid also saying , nec formidatis cervos includite pennis . and lucan also ; — sic dum pavidos formidine cervos claudat odoratae metuentes aera pennae . of which thing the hunters make an advantage , for when they have found the beast , they set their nets where they imagine the beast will flie , and then one of them sheweth to the beast on the other side , the red feathers hanging on a rope , which scareth them in haste into the hunters nets , as s. jerom testifieth in one of his dialogues , saying , et pavidorum more cervorum , dum vanos pennarum evitatis volatus , fortissimis retibus implicamini . and you , saith he , ( speaking to the luciferian hereticks ) run away from the vain shaking of feathers , like the fearfull harts , while in the mean time you are inclapsed in unavoidable and inextricable nets . and this caused seneca to write , that the babe feareth a shadow , and wilde beasts a red feather . many times the young calf is the cause of the taking of his dam : for the hunter early in the morning before day light , watcheth the hinde where she layeth her young one , untill she go and refresh her self with pasture ; when he hath seen this , then doth he let loose his dogs , and maketh to the place where the hind-calf was left by his mother . the silly calf lyeth immoveable as if he were fastened to the earth , and so never stirring , but bleating and braying suffereth himself to be taken , except there be rainy weather , for the impatience of cold and wet will cause him to shift for himself : which if it fall out , the dogs are at hand to over-take him , and so being taken is committed to the keeper of the nets . the hinde both hearing and seeing the thraldom of her poor son , cometh to relieve him , without dread of hound or hunter , but all in vain , for with his dart he also possesseth himself of her ; but if the calf be greater , and so be able to run with the dam among the herds , they are most h●ard to be taken , for in that age they run very fast , and the fear of dogs increaseth their agility , in so much as to take them among the herds is impossible , every one fighting for them . but the only way is to single one out of them from the flock , and so follow him until he be weary , for although he be very nimble , yet by reason of his tender age , his limbes are not able to continue long . the elder harts are taken in snares and gins laid in ditches and covered with leaves , whereby the feet of this beast is snared in wood ; this kind is described by xenophon and pollux , and is called in greek , podestrabe ; in latin , pedica , of which also the poets make mention , as virgil : tunc gruibus pedicas & retia ponere cervis . and this kind is better described by gratius , with whose words i will passe it over as a thing on t of use . nam fuit & laqueis aliquis curracibus usus . cervino issere magis conterere nervo , quidque dentatas iligno robere clausit : saepe habet imprudens alieni lucra laboris , fraus tegit insidias habitu mentita ferino venator pedicas , cum dissimulantibus armis . their manner is when they are chased with dogs to run away with speed , yet oftentimes stand still and look back , not only to hearken to the hunter , but also to rest themselves , for in their chase they are ever troubled in their belly ( as is before declared ) and sometime they grow so weary , that they stand still , and are pierced with arrows , sometime they run till they fall down dead , sometime they take themselves to the water and so are refreshed , or else to avoid the teeth of dogs , they forsake the dry land , and perish in the floods , or else by that means escape scotfree : wherefore it must be regarded by every good hunter to keep him from the waters , either among the woods or other rough places . but herein the subtilty of this beast appeareth , that when he is hunted , he runneth for the most part to the high wayes , that so the savour of his steps may be put out by the treadings of men , and he avoid the prosecution of the hound . their swiftnesse is so great , that in the champaine and plain fields they regard not dogs , for which cause in france they poison arrows with an herb called zenicum or toca , and it is a kinde of aconite or wolfe-bane , which hath power to corrupt and destroy agility of body , and to stay celerity , and for their hunting in france by dogs , it is most excellently described by budaus and robertus stephanus in his french dictionary . this wilde , deceitful and subtil beast , ( say they ) by windings and turnings do often deceive their hunter , as the harts of meandros flying from the terrible cry of dianaes hounds , wherefore the prudent hunter must frame his dogs , as pythagoras did his scholars , ( luuers qui ne parlent point ) with words of art , to set them on , and take them off again at his pleasure ; wherefore he must first of all compass in the beast , ( en son giste ) in her own lodging , and so raise her up in the sight of the dogs , that so they may never lose her footing . neither must they set upon every one , either of the herd , or that wandereth solitary alone , nor yet a little one , but partly by aspect or sight , and partly by their footings in the soft earth , and also by their dung ( les fumees ) they judge of their game , for a good woodman must not stick to gather up the deers excrement or soil , and keep them ( la trempe ) in his hunting horn : such things must the kings huntsmen and forresters observe , as also the quantity of his bed or lodging when they finde it ; being thus informed of their game , then ( discoppler les chiens ) they take off their dog couplings , and some on horseback , other on foot follow the cry with greatest art , observation , and speed , remembring and preventing ( cer fruze ) the subtile turnings , and headings of the hart , straining with all dexterity to leap hedge , pale , ditch , and rocks ; neither fearing thornes , woods , down-hils , but providing a fresh horse in case the first tire , ( chevaux de relatis ) and leaping on him with speed , untill he see ( un grand cerfl ' escuyer du grand cerf ) the great hart having ten speers on his horns , and his little squire-hart to attend him , which the dogs once perceiving , only follow the great hart , taking for a prohibition to follow any other . the dogs are animated by the winding of horns , and voices of the hunters , like souldiers to a battel by the voice of a trumpet and other instruments : but sometimes the crafty great beast sendeth forth his little squire to be sacrificed to the dogs and hunters in stead of himself , lying close in the mean time , then must the retreat be sounded , and ( rompre lechiens ) the dogs be broken off and taken in ( le limier ) that is , leame again untill they be brought to the fairer game , who ariseth in fear and rage , betaking himself to his surest legs , being pursued with all the cries of hunters , ringing and ecchoing betwixt heaven and earth , dismaying him with the continual noise in his eares , no lesse dreadful and fearful then the voice of a passing bell to a sick man , or the sight of the executioner to a condemned caitife , yet still he striveth untill wearied and breathless , he be forced to offer up his bloud and flesh to the rage of all the observant pedissequants of the hunting goddess diana . the vulgar sort call an old hart a subtil and cunning beast , but the nobles call him ( cerf sage ) a wise hart , who to avoid all his enemies runneth into the greatest herds , and so bringeth a cloud of error upon the dogs , to keep them from any further prosecution : sometime also beating of some of the herd into his own footsteps , that so he may more easily escape and procure a labyrinth to the dogs , and then after a little while he betaketh himself to his heels again , running still with the wind , not only for refrigeration , but because he may the more easily hear the voice of his pursuers , whether they be far or neer . at last , being ( for all this ) found out again by the observance of the hunters , and skill of the dogs , he flyeth into the herds of cattel , as kie , oxen , or sheep , leaping upon an ox , and laying his body or the fore-part thereof upon him , as a rider upon a horse , that so touching the earth only with his hinder hoofs , to leave a very small or no sent at all behind for the hounds to discern . the chief huntsman or sergeant of the hounds unto lewis the twelfth , called ( le grand venieur ) affirmeth that on a time they having a hart in chase , suddenly the hounds fell at a fault , so as the beast was out of sight , and not a dog would once stir his foot ; whereat all the hunters were amazed , like as in some jugling apollonian trick , as though the hart had clean forsaken the earth , and with the wings of some fowl had been flown away ; or as if the earth had opened her mouth to receive him into her protection , and had closed again over her head , or else some witchcraft had cast a mist before the dogs and hunters eyes : at last by casting about ( as it is usuall in such cases ) they found the fraud of the horned beast , which is worth the memory . there was a great white-thorne which grew in a shadowie steep place as high as a tree , and was invironed with other small shrubs about it , into the which the said hart leapt , and there stood aloft the boughs spreading from one another , and there remained , whether because he could not get off again , or else for that he was stifled in that place , but surely he was there thrust through and so died , and so had they all rather perish any other way then by the teeth and tearing in pieces of angry and greedy hounds . yet their maner is , that when they see themselves every where intercepted , to make force at him with their horns that cometh first unto him , except he be prevented by some sword or spear ; which being done , the hunter with his horn soundeth the fall of the beast , and then every one approacheth , luring with triumph for such a conquest , of whom the skilfullest openeth the beast , giving unto the hounds such parts as belongeth to them , for their incouragement against another time ; and for that purpose the hunters dip bread in the skin and bloud of the beast , to give unto the hounds their full satisfaction : and many such other things may the reader desirous of this knowledge find in the authors aforesaid , to whom i will commend him rather , then spend more time in this business , better manifested by experience , then by any written document , yet i would wish men to be sparing in this exercise , seeing it hath been seldom found that a man given to hunting , but he perished in his pleasure , as actaeon did by his own dogs : and therefore alciatus doth fitly compare together hunters and receivers of theeves and robbers , calling them new actaeons ; who after they had received horns , must be destroyed by their own dogs which they have nourished . the best use of these beasts is to keep them tame , as in helvetia , where they hunt seldom , and to make good use of them for nourishment rather then for sport , as it is reported of a holy-man , who kept a hinde so familiar with him , that in the wilderness be lived upon her milk . concluding this discourse with the words of the poet , for the instruction of dogs to this pastime and practise of the beasts . veloces spartae c 〈…〉 los , acremque molossum , pasce fero pingui , &c. and again ; — montesque per altos ingentem clamore premes ad retia cervum . — confertoque agmine cervi torpent mole nova , & summis vix cornibus extant . hos non immissis canibus , non cassibus ullis , puniceaeve agitent pavidos formidine pennae : sed frustra oppositum trudentes pectore montem gomminus obtruncant ferro , graviterque rudentes caedunt , & magno laeti clamore reportant . of the dyctyes . herodotus in his fourth book affirmeth , that among the african shepherds toward the east , there are bred in bassaria hystriches wilde rams , thoes and dyctyes , of which last there is not any mention among all other writers , except in varinus and hesychius , who affirm that among the lacedemonians a glead or kite was called dyctis , but this spoken of herodotus i conjecture to be some four-footed beast , being led with no other reason then that the other with whom he placeth it , are generally known to be creatures of that kind and nature : wherefore i thought good to express the name of it in this place , desiring the reader to accept so much thereof as is already known , and to search farther for the description of it , at the hands of them who are eye-witnesses of the wonders of africa . of the dog in general . a dog is called in hebrew , keleb , and lamas according to munster ; in chalde , kalba ; in atabick , kalbe ; in persia , sag ; the saracens , kep , or kolph ; the grecians kuon because of his love to man , and vulgarly at this day skilos and skule ; the medians , spaco ; the germans , hund ; the italians , cane ; the french , chien ; the spaniards , perro or cavendo , because his barking is as loud as an artificial song , also catellus ▪ the illyrians , pes or pas ; and the latins , canis . there is no region or countrey in the world , where these are not bred in some store , as shall be declared afterward in the particular discourse of every kinde of dogs . for as shall be manifested more at large , there are dogs very great , some for hunting , some for war and defence , some for the boar , bull , or bear , some for the hare , cony , or hedge-hog : again some are smaller which are called hounds , braches , beagles , shepherds dogs , house-curs , spagnels both for the water and land ; and some foisting dogs for the pleasure of the rich . in the first place there are to be handled the nature of dogs in general , wherein they agree , and their common properties of nature , such as are not destroyed in the distinction of kinds , but remain like infallible and invariable truths in every kind and countrey of the world . to begin with that which is outward , it is to be observed that dogs are generally rough , and their hair indifferently long ( which in winter they lose every year ) is a signe of a good constitution ; but if it grow over long , the mangie scab will follow : the outward proportion of the head altereth as the kind altereth , being sometime like a lion , sometime like a hedge-hog , some long with a broad snowt , and sometime with a piked snowt , but the brain decreaseth and increaseth with the moon , there is no commissure or seam in his scull ( like as is in a mans ) but it is a continued bone without separation inward or outward . the best dogs have flat nostrils , yet round , solid and blunt , the mouth is long and slit , their teeth like saws , as it is in fishes and serpents : those which are called canine before , are only changed , as it also falleth out in a lion , and these they lose or change , both males and females , in the fourth moneth of their age : about which time they have new ones come forth to thrust off their old . by their teeth is their age discerned , for while they are white and sharpe , it assureth the youth of a dog , but when they grow blackish , or duskie , they betoken the elder age . the breast of a dog is narrow and piked , his ventricle small and narrow , for which cause he never easeth his bodily excrements without pain , his bowels are like a lions : he hath a long spleen like a man , and a hog : his yard and stones hang outward between his hinder-legs ; a base natured cur striketh his tail betwixt his legs ; his forelegs bend like the armes of a man , and he useth them in stead of armes , having five distinct fingers , commonly called claws upon each foot before , and four upon each foot behind , which also have straight nails upon them , and that which hangeth higher upon the leg is crooked . the females , because they bring forth many whelps at a time , have underneath their bellies great paps , with many speans to suck at , in a double rank or row on both sides , and the generous bitches have . other but . they bear their young within their belly next to the midriffe , their fime is dry like a wolves , and thereby his temperament is known to be hot and dry , considered in it self , but compared with others it varyeth , for to a mans it is dry ; to an emmets , it is moist : again , in respect of a man , it is hot ; in respect of a lion , it is cold . the lowder and shriller voice of a dog , is called barking , the lower and stiller , is called whining , or fawning . it was a monstrous thing , that a dog should speak , and a serpent bark , as it is believed in antiquity both came to passe , when tarquinius was driven out of his kingdom . it is not causeless that the barking of dogs , hath attributed unto it divers qualities , as for a man to dream of the same , presageth some treasonable harm by enemies , so likewise if they fawn and claw upon a man. among the precedent tokens of caesars death , they set down in certain verses , the howling voices of owls , the weeping drops of the ivie tree , and the continual barkings of dogs , as followeth . tristia mille locis stygius dedit omina bubo , mille locis lacrymavit ebur — inque foro circumque domos & templa deorum nocturnos ululasse canes , &c. the egyptians signifie these things by a dog , a scribe , a prophet , a spleen , smelling , laughin , and neezing . a scribe , because as the dog is silent more then he barketh , so must a perfect scribe meditate more then he speaketh : for to bark at every one were to pleasure none , and to speak continually , were a signe of madness . again , a prophet , because a dog doth most eagerly behold , and admire constantly at holy actions , and so ought the eyes and eares of a prophet be attendant upon heavenly things . the spleen , because a dog hath little or no spleen , and thereof cometh his madness and death ; whereof also it cometh that the servants which have the charge of dogs , being with them in their sickness and latter end , for the most part prove splenetick . smelling , neesing , and laughing , because the splenetick can do none of all these ; but of this more afterward . the voice of a dog , is by the learned interpreted a railing and angry speech ; whereof cometh canina facundia among authors , for railing eloquence . it is the nature of a dog when he maketh water , to hold up his leg , if he be above six moneths old , or have been at procreation ; the females do it for the most part sitting , yet some of the generous spirits do also hold up the legs . they ever smell to the hinder parts of one another , peradventure thereby they discern their kind and disposition of each other in their own natures . after they have run a course ▪ they relieve themselves by tumbling and rowling to and fro : when they lie down , they turn round in a circle two or three times together , which they do for no other cause , but that they may the more commondiously lie round , and from the winde . they sleep as doth a man , and therein dream very often , as may appear by their often barking in their sleep : but it must be diligently regarded of them that love to keep dogs , that they permit them not to sleep much , especially after their meat when they are young , for as they are very hot , so in their sleep doth their heat draw much pain into their stomach and ventricle . the time of their copulation is for the most part at a year old , yet the females will lust after it at eight moneths old , howbeit they are not to be suffered , because it weakeneth their bodies , and dulleth in them all generosity ; therefore after one year they may safely be suffered to come together , and not before . neither is it material , whether in summer or winter , but it is best in the beginning of the spring , but with this caution , that whelpes of a litter or of one and the same bitch , be never suffered to couple ; for nature rejoyceth more in variety . for then they grow salt and begin to be proud ; yet in ancient time , for the more ennobling of their race of dogs , they did not suffer them to engender till the male were four year old , and the female three ; for then would the whelpes prove more strong and lively . by hunting , labour and travel , the males are made more fit for generation , and they prove best which have their sires of equal age . they are not suffered to engender all their life long , but untill ten and twelve year old , or rather eight in the male , and six in the female . yet there have been found which in one and other sex , have continued in procreation till they were twenty year old , but this exceeded all natural reason . when they begin to be proud , if you give them leaven mingled with milk and salt , they will not stray and range abroad . at the time of their copulation , they cleave together for a certain space , as if their hinder parts were glewed , and so they are filled at one time . they bear their young the fifth part of the year , that is , about two moneths and odd dayes ; but this reckoning is not general , for some kinds bear their young three moneths , and some more . they bring forth many at a time , sometime five , seven , nine , or twelve , for so many cels hath the female in her womb . albertus relateth that he saw a bitch of the mastive kind , which brought forth at three litters fifty whelpes , that is nineteen at the first , eighteen at the second , and thirteen at the third : but some-time she bringeth forth but one , which is a good argument to prove that she is filled at the first liming . they are purged of their menstruous fluxes seven or fourteen daies before they grow proud , and again , at their time of littering ; at other times they suffer none . the first they cast forth of their wombe is commonly a male , which resembleth the father , the other males and females as it happeneth , ( but it is accounted a prodigious thing to litter all males or all females ) wherein nature yeeldeth an excellent argument of divine providence , for the first born of all kinds hath more resemblance of the father then of the mother . they are also whelped blind , and so remain for nine or ten dayes , because through their multitude they cannot be perfected in the dams belly , which doth not happen to beasts which bear single , as sheep and goats . they use to carry them up and down in their mouths till they be seven dayes old , but not afterward , they have milk about five dayes before their littering . it is not good to preserve the first or second litter , but the third ; and after they have littered it is good to give the bitch whay and barly bread , for that will comfort her and encrease her milk ; and in some places they take goats milk and seethe in it broken bones of meat , whereby they conceive that the dam and whelpes are much bettered for that nutriment : there is not any great regard of the nourishment of dogs , for they will eat much and that often and divers things , except dogs flesh , for that cannot be so dressed and prepared by the art of man , but they finde it out by their nose and avoid it . it is good to let the whelpes suck two moneths before they be weaned , and that of their own dam , for it is not so good for them to suck another , and in the mean time exercise them to meat , as milk , whay , bread , and flesh ; also from the spring untill the sun entreth cancer , at which time it is good to let them grow lean according to the verses of nemesian . — consuetam minuisse saginam profuerit , tenuesque magis retinere cibatus , ne gravis articulos depravet pondere molles . nam tum membrorum nexas , nodosque relaxant . and afterward when they are sixe moneths old amend their idiet again that they may grow strong . tunc rursus miscere sero corealia done . conveniet , fortemque dari de frugibus escam . they will not eat buck-mast wherewithal hogs grow fat , for that breedeth in them the pain of the head . by eating the excrements of men they incur many diseases : they are mad drunk by the herb oenutta , as crowes bee ; they cannot endure wine , but bread sopped in wine they devoure , dryed flesh and bread in milk is their safest food ; if cummin be now and then mixed in their bread , they are not much troubled with winde in their bellies . if you put a little oil in their water to drink or lap , they will prove more able and swift to run . if he refuse and loath his meat , take a little hot bread and give it him before meat , or dip brown bread in vinegar , and so presse and squeese the liquor thereof into his nose ▪ and it will ease him . there is much ado to chuse a whelpe under the dam that will prove the best in the litter . some observe that which seeth last , and take that for the best ; other remove the whelpes from the kennel and lay them several and apart one from the other , then watch they which of them the bitch first taketh and carryeth into her kennel again , and that they take for the best ; or else that which vomiteth last of all . some again give for a certain rule to know the best , that the same which weigheth least while it sucketh will prove best according to the verses of nemesian . pondere nam catuli poteris perpendere vires , corporibusque leves gravibus pernojcere cursu . but this is certain that the lighter whelp will prove the swifter , and the heavier will be the stronger . other make this experiment , first they compass in the puppies in the absence of the dam with a little circle of small sticks apt to burn , and stinking rags , then set they them on fire about the whelpes , and that puppy which leapeth over first they take for the best , and that which cometh out last they condemn for the worst . as soon as the bitch hath littered , it is good to chuse them you mean to preserve , and to cast away the refuse ; keep them black , or brown , or of one colour ; for the spotted are not to be accounted of . and thus much of the outward parts and the choise of dogs . the manifold attributes of dogs among all writers , do decipher unto us their particular nature ; as that they are called sharp , bitter , fierce , subtil , sounding , bold , eared for attention , affable , swift , speedy , clamorous , wilde , faithful , horrible , rough , fasting , cruell , ungentle , unclean , hurtful , biting , filthy , smelling , sent-follower , watchful , mad , hoarse , and quick-nosed ; beside many such other both among the greeks and latins . and likewise you shall read of many particular dogs , and their names appellative , both in greek and latine , which may be remembred also in this place , to shew what reckoning all ages have made of this beast ; for it is necessary , that as soon as he beginneth to feed he presently receive a name , such are these , of two syllables or more , as scylax , speude , alke , rome , lacon , acalanthis , agre , labros , hylactor , alleus , argus ( one of vlysses dogs ) asbolus , augeas , aura , bria , polis , bremon , kainon , canache , happarus , ●haron , chorax , harpia , lycitas , chiron , lycisca , arcas , dromas , gnome , eba , hybris , hyleus , maira , melampus , orne , lethargos , nape ; besides infinite other among the antients ; but among the latter writers , turcus , niphus , falco , ragonia , serpens , ichtia , pilaster , leo , lupus , stella , fulgur , bellina , rubinum , satinus , and furia : so that every nation , and almost every man hath a proper and peculiar name for his dog , as well as for his oxe . there is not any creature without reason , more loving to his master , nor more serviceable ( as shall appear afterward ) then is a dog , induring many stripes patiently at the hands of his master , and using no other means to pacifie his displeasure , then humiliation , prostration , assentation , and after beating , turneth a revenge into a more servent and hot love . in their rage they will set upon all strangers ; yet herein appeareth their noble spirit , for if any fall or sit down on the ground and cast away his weapon , they bite him not ; taking that declining for submissive pacification . they meet their master with reverence and joy , crouching or bending a little , ( like shamefast and modest persons : ) and although they know none but their master and familiars , yet will they help any man against another wilde beast . they remember voices , and obey their leaders hissing or whisling . there was a dog in venice which had been three years from his master , yet knew him again in the market place ; discerning him from thousands of people present . he remembreth any man which giveth him meat : when he fauneth upon a man he wringeth his skin in the forehead . the dog which is broad faced like a lion , is most full of stomach and courage ; yet the tongue or skin of an hyaena ( by natural instinct ) maketh him run away : sometimes they will agree with wolves , for they have engendered together , and as the lute strings made of a wolfe and a lambe cannot agree in musick , but one of them will break , so also will a dogs and a lambs . aelianus thi●keth that dogs have reason , and use logick in their hunting , for they will cast about for the game , as a disputant doth for the truth , as if they should say either the hare is gone on the left hand , or on the right hand , or straight forward , but not on the left or right hand , and therefore straight forward . whereupon he runneth forth right after the true and infallible foot-steps of the hare . there was a dog in africa in a ship , which in the absence of the mariners came to a pitcher of oil to eat some of it , and the mouth of the pot being too narrow for his head to enter in ( because the pot was not full ) he devised to cast flint stones into the vessel , whereby the oil rose to the top of the pitcher , and so he eat thereof his fill , giving evident testimony thereby , that he discerned by nature , that heavy things will sink down , and light things will rise up and flie aloft . there is a nation of people in ethiopia ( called nubae ) which have a dog in such admirable estimation , that they give unto him the honor of their king ; for they have no other king but he . if he faun , they take him for well pleased ; if he bark or flie upon them , they take him for angry : and by his gestures and movings they conjecture his meaning , for the government of their state : giving as ready obedience to his significations , as they can to any lively speaking prince of the world : for which cause the egyptians also picture a dog with a kings robe , to signifie a magistrate . those people of egypt also , observe in their religious processions , and gesticulations , dumb-idle-gods , to carry about with them two dogs , one hawk , and one ibis , and these they call four letters : by the two dogs , they signifie the two hemispheres which continually watch and go over our heads : by the hawk , the sun ; for the hawk is a hot creature , and liveth upon destruction : by the ibis , the face of the moon ; for they compare the black feathers in this bird to her dark part , and the white to her light . other by the dogs , do understand the two tropicks , which are ( as it were ) the two porters of the sun for the south and north : by the hawk , they understand the equinoctial or burning line , because she flyeth high : by the ibis , the zodiack : and indeed those painters which could most artificially decipher a dog ( as nicias ) were greatly reverenced among the egyptians . the like folly ( or impious beastliness ) was that of galba , who forsook the precedents of his predecessors in stamping their coin with their own image , and imprinted thereupon his sealing ring left him by his forefathers , wherein was engraven , a dog bending upon his female . i know not for what cause , the star in the midst of heaven whereunto the sun cometh about the calends of july , was termed canis ( a dog ) and the whole time of the appearance of that star , which is about thirty dayes , should be called dog-dayes ; but only because then the heat of the sun doth torment the bodies of men twice so much as at other times : whereupon they attribute that to the star ( which they call sirius ) which rather is to be attributed to the sun during that time every year . others fable , that there is another star close to him ( called orion ) who was an excellent hunter , and after his death was placed among the stars , and the star canis beside him was his hunting dog : but by this star called of the egyptians , solachim ; and of the grecians , astrocynon , cometh that egyptian cynick year which is accomplished but once in years . unto this star were offered many sacrifices of dogs in ancient time , whereof there can be no cause in the world , as ovid well noteth in these verses . pro cane sidereo canis hic imponitur arae : et quare fiat nil nisi nomen habet . as among the carians , whereupon came the proverb of caricum sacrificium , for they sacrificed a dog in stead of a goat , and the young puppies or whelpes were also accounted amongst the most availeable sacrifices , for the pacifying of their idoll gods . the romans and grecians had also a custom to sacrifice a dog in their lycaean and lupercal feasts , which were kept for the honour of pan , who defended their flocks from the wolf , and this was performed in february yearly , either because that the dogs were enemies to wolves , or else for that by their barking , they draw them away in the night time from their city : or else , because they reckoned that a dog was a pleasing beast to pan , who was the keeper of goats : so also the grecians did offer a dog to hecate who hath three heads , one of a horse , another of a dog , and the third head in the midst of a wilde man : and the romans to genetha , for the safe custody and welfare of all their houshold affairs . their houshold gods ( called lares ) were pictured and declared to the people sitting in dogs-skins , and dogs sitting besides them , either because they thereby signified their duty to defend the house and houshold : or else as dogs are terrors to theeves and evill beasts , so these by their assistance were the punishers of wicked and evill persons : or rather that these lares were wicked spirits prying into the affaires of every private houshold , whom god used as executioners of his wrathful displeasure upon godless men . there were dogs sacred in the temple of aesculapius , because he was nourished by their milk ; and jupiter himself was called cynegetes ; that is , a dog-leader ; because he taught the arcadians first of all to hunt away noisome beasts by the help of dogs : so also they sacrificed a dog to mars , because of the boldness of that creature . to conclude , such was the unmemorable vanity of the heathens in their gods and sacrifices , as it rather deserveth perpetuall oblivion then remembrance , for they joyned the shapes of men and beasts together ( saith arnobius ) to make gods , omnigenumque deum monstra & latrator anubis , such were their cynocephali , ophiocephali , anubis , hecate ; that is as much to say , as half men , half dogs , half serpents , but generally all monsters : and for the many imaginary virtues the ancients have dreamed to be in dogs , they also in many places have given unto them solemn funerals in their hallowed cemiteries , and after they were dead they ceased not to magnifie them , as alexander , which built a city for the honour of a dog. all this notwithstanding , many learned and wise men in all ages have reckoned a dog but a base and an impudent creature : for the flamen dialis of jupiter in rome , was commanded to abstain from touching of dogs , for the same reason that they were prohibited and not permitted to enter into the castle of athens , and isle of delos , because of their publick and shameless copulation : and also that no man might be terrified by their presence from supplication in the temples . the foolishness of a dog appeareth in this , that when a stone or other thing is cast at him , he followeth the stone and neglecteth the hand that threw it , according to the saying of the poet : arripit ut lapidem catulus , morsuque fatigat , nec percussori mutua damna facit ; sic plerique sinunt vexos elabier hostes , et quos nulla gravant noxia , dente petunt . likewise men of impudent wits , shameless behaviors in taking and eating meat , were called cynicks ; for which cause athenaeus speaketh unto cynicks in this sort , you do not o cynici lead abstinent and frugal lives , but resemble dogs : and whereas this four-footed beast differeth from other creatures in four things , you only follow him in his viler and baser qualities , that is , in barking and license of railing , in voracity and nudity , without all commendation of men . the impudency of a dog is eminent in all cases to be understood , for which cause that audacious aristogiton son of cidimachus was called a dog , and the furies of ancient time were pictured by black dogs , and a dog called erinnys : cerberus himself with his three heads signified the multiplicity of devils ; that is , a lions , a wolfs , and a fawning dogs ; one for the earth , another for the water , and the third for the air : for which cause hercules in slaying cerberus , is said to overcome all temptation , vice and wickedness , for so did his three heads signifie . other by the three heads understand the three times ; by the lion the time present ; by the wolf , the time past ; and by the fawning dog , the time to come . it is delivered by authors , that the root of oliander , or else a dogs tooth bound about the arme , do restrain the fury and rage of a dog : also there is a certain little bone in the left side of a toade ( called apocynon ) for the virtue it hath in it against the violence of a dog. it is reported by pliny , that if a live rat be put into the pottage of dogs , after they have eaten thereof , they will never bark any more ; and aelianus affirmeth so much of the weasils tail cut off from him alive , and carryed about a man ; also if one carry about him a dogs heart or liver , or the skin wherein puppies lie in their dams belly ( called the secundine ) the like effect or operation is attributed to them against the violence of dogs . there is a little black stone in nilus about the bigness of a bean , at first sight whereof a dog will run away . such as these i saw at lyons in france , which they called sea-beans , and they prescribed them to be hanged about a nurses neck to encrease her milk . but to conclude the discourse of the baseness of a dog , those two proverbs of holy scripture , one of our saviour mat. . give not that which is holy to dogs ; and the other of st. peter , epistle chap. . the dog is returned to the vomit ; do sufficiently convince , that they are emblems of vile , cursed , rayling , and filthy men ; which esteem not holy things , but eat up again their own vomits . the skins of dogs are dressed for gloves , and close boots , the which are used by such as have ulcerous and swelling legs or limbs , for by them the afflicted place receiveth a double relief ; first , it resisteth the influent humors ; and secondly , it is not exasperated with woollen . the turkes colour their dogs tails with red , and it is a custom of hunters to take dogs and tie them in the woods unto trees by their stones , for by crying they provoke the panther to come unto them . it is not to be doubted but that the flesh of dogs is used for meat in many places , although the opinion of rasis be true and consonant to reason , that all devouring creatures , as dogs , foxes , and wolves , have no good flesh for meat , because they engender melancholy ; and yet galen thinketh , that it is like to the flesh of a hare , especially young whelpes were held among the romans a delicate meat , and were used by their priests ; and among whelpes they attributed most virtue to their flesh which were eaten before they did see , for by them came no evill humor at all , as is often set down in plautus . peter martyr and scaliger do affirm of cozumella and lucatana , and other islands of the new world , that the people there do eat a kind of dog which cannot bark : these dogs are vile to look upon like young kids . the inhabitants of corsica , which are fierce , angry , wilde , cruell , audacious , dissemblers , active and strong , do also feed upon dogs , both wilde and tame : and it is thought that their meat is a little furtherance to their inclination , for such is the natural disposition of dogs . and sciltbergerus in the book of peregrinations affirmeth also , that the tartarians in ibissibur do after the same manner feed upon the flesh of dogs : from hence it cometh , that men resembling a dog in a plain forehead and narrow , are said to be foolish ; in a smooth and stretched out flatterers ; those which have great voices like a ban-dog , are strong ; they which rail much ( like often barking dogs ) are of a doggish , angry disposition . he that hath a great head like a dog , is witty ; he which hath a little head like an asses , is blockish ; they which have fiery eyes like dogs , are impudent and shameless : thin lips with narrow folding corners , in dogs is a token of generosity , and in men of magnanimity : they whose teeth hang over their canine teeth , are also adjudged railers , and virulent speakers : and as carnarius observeth , vain glorious braggarts . a wide mouth , betokeneth a cruell , mad , and wicked disposition ; a sharpe nose , an angry minde ; as a round , blunt , and solid nose , signifieth a lions stomach and worthiness . a sharpe chin , vain babling and wantonness ; they which are small in their girting stead about their loins , do much love hunting . stobaeus in his wicked discourse or dispraise of women affirmeth , that the curst , sharp , smart , curious , dainty , clamorous , implacable and wanton-rowling-eyed women , were derived from dogs : and hesiode to amend the matter saith , when jupiter had fashioned man out of the earth , he commanded mercury to infuse into him a canine minde , and a clamorous inclination : but the proverb of solomon chap. . concludeth the excellency of a dog saying , there be three things which go pleasantly , and the fourth ordereth his pace aright : the lion which is the strongest among beast , and feareth not the sight of any body : a hunting dog strong in his loins , a goat , and a king against whom there is no rising up : by all which is deciphered a good king ; for the lion riseth not against beasts , except he be provoked ; the dog riseth not against his friends , but wilde beasts ; and the he-goat goeth before his flock like a guide and keeper . of the gray-hound , with a narration of all strong and great hunting dogs . among the divers kinds of hunting dogs , the gray-hound or grecian dog , called thereuticos or elatica ( by reason of his swiftness , strength and sagacity to follow and devour wilde beast of great stature ) deserveth the first place ; for such are the conditions of this dog , as plato hath observed , that he is reasonably sented to finde out , speedy and quick of foot to follow , and fierce and strong to take and overcome : and yet silent , coming upon his prey at unawares , according to the observation of gratius ; sic canis illa suos taciturna supervenit hostes . like the dogs of acarnania , which set upon their game by stealth . of these are the greatest dogs of the world , which in this place are briefly to be remembred . these have large bodies , little heads , beaked noses , but flat , broad faces above their eyes , long necks , but great next to their bodies , fiery eyes , broad backs , and most generous stomachs , both against all wilde beasts and men also . their rage is so great against their prey , that sometimes for wrath they lose their eye-sight . they will not only set upon buls , boars , and such like beasts , but also upon lions , which mantuan noteth in this verse ; et truculentus helor certare leonibus au●lens . the greatest dogs of this kind are in india , scythia , and hircania , and among the scythians they joyn them with asses in yoak for ordinary labour . the dogs of india are conceived by tygres , for the indians will take divers females or bitches , and fasten them to trees in woods where tygres abide : whereunto the greedy ravening tyger cometh , and instantly devoureth some one or two of them , if his lust do not restrain him , and then being so filled with meat ( which thing tygers feldom meet withall ) presently he burneth in lust , and so limeth the living bitches , who are apt to conceive by him : which being performed , he retireth to some secret place , and in the mean time the indians take away the bitches , of whom come these valorous dogs , which retain the stomach and courage of their father , but the shape and proportion of their mother , yet do they not keep any of the first or second litter , for fear of their tygrian stomachs , but make them away and reserve the third litter . of this kinde were the dogs given to alexander by the king of albania , when he was going into india , and presented by an indian , whom alexander admired , and being desirous to try what vertue was contained in so great a body , caused a bore and a hart to be turned out to him , and when he would not so much as stir at them , he turned bears unto him , which likewise he disdained , and rose not from his kennel ; wherewithal the king being moved , commanded the heavy and dull beast ( for so he termed him ) to be hanged up : his keeper the indian informed the king , that the dog respected not such beasts , but if he would turn out unto him a lyon , he should see what he would do . immediately a lyon was put unto him , at the first sight whereof he rose with speed ( as if never before he saw his match or adversary worthy his strength ) and bristling at him , made force upon him , and the lyon likewise at the dog ; but at the last , the dog took the chaps or snowt of the lyon into his mouth , where he held him by main strength , untill he strangled him , do the lyon what he could to the contrary ; the king desirous to save the lyons life , willed the dog should be pulled off , but the labour of men and all their strength was too little , to loosen those ireful and deep biting teeth which he had fastned . then the indian informed the king , that except some violence were done unto the dog to put him to extream pain , he would sooner dye then let go his hold ; whereupon it was commanded to cut off a piece of the dogs tail ; but the dog would not remove his teeth for that hurt : then one of his legs were likewise severed from his body , whereat the dog seemed not apalled ; after that another leg , and so consequently all four , whereby the trunck of his body fell to the ground , still holding the lyons snowt within his mouth ; and like the spirit of of some malicious man , chusing rather to dye then spare his enemy . at the last , it was commanded to cut his head from the body , all which the angry beast endured , and so left his bodiless head hanging fast to the lyons jaws : whereat the king was wonderfully moved , and sorrowfully repented his rashness in destroying a beast of so noble a spirit , which could not be daunted with the presence of the king of beasts : chusing rather to leave his life , then depart from the true strength and magnanimity of minde . which thing the indian perceiving in the king , to mitigate the kings sorrow , presented unto him four other dogs of the same quantity and nature , by the gift whereof he put away his passion , and received reward with such a recompence , as well beseemed the dignity of such a king , and also the quality of such a present . pliny reporteth also , that one of these did fight with singular courage and policy with an elephant : and having got hold on his side , never left till he overthrew the beast , and perished underneath him . these dogs grow to an exceeding great stature ; and the next unto them are the albanian dogs . the arcadian dogs are said to be generated of lyons . in canaria , one of the fortunate islands , their dogs are of an exceeding stature . the dogs of creet are called diaponi , and fight with wilde boars : the dogs of epirus called chaonides , of a city chaon , are wonderfully great and fierce ; they are likewise called molossi , of the people of epirus so tearmed , these are fained to be derived of the dog of cephalus , the first gray-hound whom stories mention : and the poets say , that this gray-hound of cephalus , was first of all fashioned by vulcan in monesian brass , and when he liked his proportion , he also quickned him with a soul , and gave him to iupiter for a gift , who gave him away again to europa , she also to minos , minos to procris , and procris gave it to cephalus : his nature was so resistable , that he overtook all that he hunted , like the teumesian fox . therefore iupiter to avoid confusion , turned both the incomprehensible beasts into stones . this molos 〈…〉 , or molossus dog , is also framed to attend the folds of sheep , and doth defend them from wolves and theeves , whereof virgil writeth thus : veloces spartae caetul●s acremque molossum pasce sero pingui , nunquam custodibus illis nocturnum stabulis furem incursusque luporum aut imparatos a tergo horrebis iberos . these having taken hold , will hardly be taken off again , like the indian and persian dogs , for which cause they are called incommodestici , that is , modi nescii , such as know no mean , which caused horace to give counsel to keep them tyed up , saying : teneant acres lora molossos . the people of epirus do use to buy these dogs , when they dye , and of this kinde were the dogs of scylla , nicomedes , and eupolides . the hircanian dogs are the same with the indain . the poeonian , persian , and median , are called syntheroi , that is companions , both of hunting , and fighting , as gratius writeth : — indociliis dat proelia medus . the dogs of loeus , and lacen● , are also very great , and fight with bores . there are also a kinde of people called cynamolgi , neer india , so called , because for one half of the year they live upon the milk of great dogs , which they keep to defend their countrey from the great oppression of wilde cattel , which descend from the woods and mountains of india unto them yearly , from the summer solstice to the middle of winter , in great numbers or swarms , liee bees returning home to their hives and hony-combes : these cattel set upon the people , and destroy them with their horns , except their dogs be present with them , which are of great stomach and strength , that they easily tear the wilde cattel in pieces , and then the people take such as be good for meat to themselves , and leave the other to their dogs to feed upon : the residue of the year they not only hunt with these dogs , but also milk the females , drinking it up like the milk of sheep or goats . these great dogs have also devouted men , for when the servant of diogenes the cynick , ran away from his master , being taken again and brought to delphos , for his punishment he was torn in pieces by dogs . euripides also is said to be slain by dogs ; whereupon came the proverb cunos dike , a dogs revenge : for king archelaus had a certain dog which ran away from him into thracia , and the thracians ( as their manner was ) offered the same dog in sacrifice , the king hearing thereof , laid a punishment upon them for that offence , that by a certain day they should pay a talent ; the people breaking day , suborned euripides the poet ( who was a great favourite of the kings ) to mediate for them , for the release of that fine : whereunto the king yeelded : afterward as the said king returned from hunting , his dogs stragling abroad , met with euripides , and tore him in pieces , as if they sought revenge on him , for being bribed against their fellow which was slain by the thracians . but concerning the death of this man , it is more probable , that the dogs which killed him , were set on by aridaeus and cratenas , two thessalian poets , his emulators and corrivals in poetry , which for the advancement of their own credit , cared not in most savage and barbarous manner , to make away a better man then themselves . there were also other famous men which perished by dogs , as actaeon , thrasus , and linus ; of thrasus , ovid writeth thus ; praedaque sis illis quibus est laconia delos ante diem rapto non adeunda thraso . and of linus and actaeon in this manner ; quique verecundae speculantem membra dianae , quique crotopiaden diripuere linum . lucian that scoffing apostate , who was first a christian , and afterward endevoured all his wit to rail at christian religion , even as he lacerated and rent his first profession , so was he rent in pieces by dogs ; and heraclitus the philosopher of athens , having been long sick , and under the hands of physitians , he oftentimes anointed his body with bugils sewet , and on a day having so anointed himself , lying abroad sleeping in the sun , the dogs came , and for the desire of the fat tore his body in pieces . i cannot here forget that memorable story of two christian martyrs , gorgonius and dorotheus , which were put to death under diocletian in the ninth persecution , and when they were dead , their carkases were cast unto hungry dogs of this kinde , kept for such purposes , yet would not the dogs once so much as stir at them , or come neer to touch them ; and because we may judge that the ravening nature of these creatures was restrained by divine power : we also read that when benignus the martyr , by the commandment of aurelian , was also thrown alive to be devoured of these dogs , he escaped as free from their teeth , as once daniel did from the lyons den . i may also adde unto these the dogs of alania and illyria , called mastini , who have their upper lips hang over their neather , and look fierce like lyons , whom they resemble in neck , eyes , face , colour , and nails ; falling upon bears , and boars , like that which anthologius speaketh of , that leaped into the sea after a dolphin , and so perished ; or that called lydia , slain by a boar ; whose epitaph martial made as followeth : amphitheatrales inter nutrita magistros venatrix silvis aspera , blanda domi , lydia dicebar , domino fidissima dextro , qui non erigones mallet habere canem , nec qui dictaea cephalum de gente secutus , lucifer● pariter venit ad astra deae . non me longa dies , nec inutilis abstulit aetas , qualia dulychio fata fuere cani . fulmineo spumantis apri sum dente perempta , quantus erat calydon , aut erymanthe tuus . nec queror , infernas quamvis cito rapta per ●mbras : non potui fato nobiliore mori . there be in france certain great dogs ( called auges ) which are brought out of great britain , to kill their bears , wolves , and wilde boars ; these are singularly swift and strong , and their leaders , the better to arm them against the teeth of other beasts , cover some of their parts with thick clouts , and their necks with broad collars , or else made of badgers skins . in gallia narbon , they call them limier , and the polonians call all made dogs for the wolf , and such like beasts , vislu : and peculiarly for the bear and bore , charzii , for hares and fowl , pobicdnizcii , and dogs of a middle scantling betwixt the first and the second , psii . gray-hounds are the least of these kindes , and yet as swift and fierce as any of the residue , refusing no kinde of beast , if he be turned up thereunto , except the porcupine , who casteth her sharp pens into the mouth of all dogs . the best gray-hound hath a long body , strong and reasonable great , a neat sharp head , and splendent eyes , a long mouth , and sharp teeth , little ears and thin gristles in them ; a straight neck , and a broad and strong breast , his fore-legs straight and short , his hinder-legs long and straight , broad shoulders , round ribs , fleshy buttocks , but not fat , a long tail , strong and full of sinews , which nemesian describeth elegantly in these verses ; — sit cruribus altis costarum sub fine decenter prona carinam : renibus ampla satis validis diductaque coras sit rigidis , multamque gerat sub pectore lato , quae sensim rursus sicca se colligat alvo : cuique nimis inblles fluitent in cursibus aures . elige tunc cursu facilem , facilemque recursu , dum superant vires , dum laeto flore juventus . of this kinde , that is a way the best to be chosen among the whelps , which weigheth lightest : for it will be soonest at the game , and so hang upon the greater beasts hindering their swiftness , untill the stronger and heavier dogs come to help : and therefore besides the marks , or necessary good parts in a gray-hound already spoken of , it is requisite that he have large sides , and a broad midriffe or film about his heart , that so he may take his breath in and out more easily ; a small belly , for if it be great , it will hinder his speedy course ; likewise that he have long legs ; thin and soft hairs ; and these must the hunter lead on the left hand if he be a foot , and on the rig●● hand if he be on horseback . the best time to try them , and train them to their game , is at twelve months old , howbeit some hunt them at ten months , if they be males , and at eight months , if they 〈◊〉 female ; yet is it surest not to strain them , or permit them to run any long course till they be twenty months old , according to the old verse ; libera t●●c primum consuescant colla ligari , iam cum bis denos phoebe reparaverit ortus , sed parvos vallis spatio septove novelli nec cursus virtute parem , &c. keep them also in the leam or slip while they are abroad , untill they see their course , i mean , the hare or deer , and loosen not a young dog , till the game have been on foot a good season , lest if he be greedy of the prey he strain his limbs till they break . when the hare is taken , divide some part thereof among your dogs , that so they may be provoked to speed by the sweetness of the flesh . the lacedemon gray-hound was the best breed , they were first bred of a fox and a dog , and therefore they were called alopecides , these admit copulation in the eight moneth of their age , and sometime in the sixt , and so continue bearing as long as they live , bearing their burthen the sixth part of a year , that is , about sixty days , one or two , more or less ; and they better conceive , and are more apt to procreation while they are kept in labour , then when they lie idle without hunting . and these lacedemon dogs differ in one thing from all other dogs whatsoever , for whereas the male out-liveth in vulgar dogs of all countries the female , in these the female out-liveth the male , yet the male performeth his labour with more alacrity , although the female have the sharper sense of smelling . the noblest kinde of dog 〈…〉 or the h 〈…〉 eep ●ome , unless they be led abroad , and seldom bark : they are the best which 〈…〉 , for which cause they use this artificial invention to stretch their necks ; they dig a deep hole in the earth , wherein they set the gray-hounds meat , who being hungry , thrusteth down his head to take it , but 〈…〉 ng it to be pa●● his reach , stretcheth his neck above the measure o● nature , by custom whereof , 〈◊〉 neck is very ●uch lengthened . other place the gray-hound in a ditch , and his meat above him , and so he reacheth upward , which is more probable . it is the property of these dogs to be angry with the lesser barking curs , and they will not run after every trifling beast , by secret instinct of nature , discerning what kinde of beast is worthy or unworthy of their labour , disdaining to meddle with a little or vile creature . they are nourished with the same that the smaller hunting dogs are ; and it is better to feed them with milk then whay . there are of this kinde called veltri , and in italian , veltro ; which have been procreated by a dog and leopard , and they are accounted the swiftest of all other . the gray-hounds which are most in request among the germans , are called windspill , alluding to compare their swiftness with the winde , the same are also called turkischwind and hetzhund , and falco a falcon , is a common name whereby they call these dogs . the french make most account of such as are bred in the mountain of dalmatia , or in any other mountains , especially of turkey ; for such have hard feet , long ears , and bristle tails . there are in england and scotland , two kindes of hunting dogs , and no where else in all the world ; the first kinde they call in scotland , ane rache , and this is a foot-smelling creature , both of wilde beasts , birds , and fishes also , which lie hid among the rocks ; the female hereof in england , is called a brache . the second kinde is called in scotland , a sluth-hound , being a little greater then the hunting hound ; and in colour for the most part brown , or sandy-spotted . the sense of smelling is so quick in these , that they can follow the foot-steps of theeves , and persue them with violence untill they overtake them ; and if the theef take the water , they cast in themselves also , and swim to the other side , where they finde out again afresh their former labour , untill they finde the thing they seek for : for this is common in the borders of england and scotland , where the people were wont to live much upon theft ; and if the dog brought his leader unto any house , where they may not be suffered to come in , they take it for granted , that there is both the stollen goods , and the theef also hidden . the hunting hound of scotland called rache , and in english a hound . the slvth-hovnd of scotland , called in germany a schlatthvnd . the english blood-hovnd . we are to discourse of lesser hunting dogs in particular , as we finde them remembred in any histories & descriptions , poets or other authors , according to the several countries of their breed and education ; and first for the british dogs , their nature and qualities hereafter you shall have in a several discourse by it self . the blood-hound differeth nothing in quality from the scottish sluth-hound , saving they are greater in quantity , and not alway of one and the same colour ; for among them they are sometime red , sanded , black , white , spotted , and of such colour as are other hounds , but most commonly brown or red . the vertue of smelling called in latine , sagacitas , is attributed to these as to the former hunting hound , of whom we will first of all discourse , and for the qualities of this sense , which maketh the beast admirable , plautus seemeth to be of opinion , that it received this title from some magicians or sage wisards ( called sagae ) for this ●e saith , speaking of this beast : ●anem hanc esse quidem magis par fuit : nasum aedepol sagax habet : it is also attributed to mice , not for smelling , but for the sense of their palace or taste ; and also to geese : in a dog it is that sense which searcheth out and descryeth the rousts , fourms , and lodgings of wilde beasts , as appeareth in this verrse of l 〈…〉 s andronicus . — cum primis fida canum vis dirige oderisequos ad certa cubilia canes . and for this cause it hath his proper epithets , as odora canum vis , promissa canum vis , & naribus ●●●es , & utilis : p●ncianns called this kinde plaudi , for so did festus before him , and the germans , spurhund ; and leidthund , iaghund ▪ because their ears are long , thin , and hanging down , and they differ not from vulgar dogs in any other outward proportion , except only in their cry or barking voyce . the nature of these is , being set on by the voyce and words of their leader , to cast about for the sitting of the beast , and so having found it , with continual cry to follow after it till it be wearyed , without changing for any other ; so that sometimes the hunters themselves take up the beast , at least wise the hounds seldom fail to kill it . they seldom bark , except in their hunting chase ; and then they follow their game through woods , thickets , thorns , and other difficult places , being alway obedient and attentive to their leaders voyce , so as they may not go forward when lie forbiddeth , nor yet remain neer to the hunters , whereunto they are framed by art and discipline , rather then by any natural instinct . the white hounds are said to be the quickest sented and surest nosed , and therefore best for the hare : the black ones for the boar , and the ded ones for the hart and roe : but hereunto i cannot agree , because their colour , ( especially of the two later ) are too like the game they hunt ; although there can be nothing certain collected of their colour , yet is the black hound harder and better able to endure cold , then the other which is white . in italy they make account of the spotted one ; especially white and yellowish , for they are quicker nosed : they must be kept tyed up 〈◊〉 they hunt , yet so as they be let loose now and then a little to ease their bellies , for it is necessary that their 〈…〉 be kept sweet and dry . it is questionable how to discern a hound of excellent sense , ( yet as blondus saith ) the square and flat nose is the best sign and index thereof : likewise a small head , having all his legs of equal length , his breast not deeper then his belly , and his back is plain to his tail , his eyes quick , his ears long hanging , but sometimes stand up : his tail nimble , and the beak of his nose alway to the earth , and especially such as are most silent or bark least . there are some of that nature , who when they have found the beast they will stand still untill their hunter come , to whom in silence by their face , eye , and tail , they shew their game . now you are to observe the divers and variable disposition of hounds in their finding out of the beast : some , when they have found the footsteps go forward without any voyce or other shew of ear or tail . again , another sort , when they have found the footings of the beast , prick up their ear a little , but either bark , or wag their tails ; other will wag their tail , but not move their ears , other again wring their faces , and draw their skins through over much intention , ( like sorrowful persons ) and so follow the sent , holding the tail immoveable . there be some again , which do none of these , but wander up and down , barking about the surest marks , and confounding their own foot-steps with the beasts they hunt , or else forsake the way , and so run back again to the first head ; but when they see the hare , they tremble and are afraid , not daring to come near her , except she run away first : these with the other , which hinder the cunning labours of their colleagues , trusting to their feet , and running before their betters , deface the best mark , or else hunt counter ( as they tearm it ) take up any false sent for the truth , or which is more reprehensible , never forsake the high ways , and yet have not learned to hold their peace : unto these also you may adde those which cannot discern the footings or pricking of the hare , yet will they run speedily when they see her , or else at the beginning set forth very hot , and afterward tyre , and give over lazily ; all these are not to be admitted into the kennel of good hunds . but the good and approved hounds on the contrary , when they have found the hare , make shew thereof to the hunter , by running more speedily , and with gesture of head , eyes , ears , and tail , winding to the hares muse , never give over prosecution with a gallant noise , no not returning to their leaders , lest they lose advantage : they have good and hard feet , and are of stately stomacks , not giving over for any hate , and fear not the rocks or other mountain places , as the poet expresseth : quae laus prima canum ? quibus est audacia praeceps : quae nunc elatis rimantur naribus auras : et perdunt clamore feram , dominumque vocando insequitur tumulosque canis camposque per omnes . venandi sagax virtus viresque sequendi , et nunc demisso quaerunt vestigia rostro . increpitant quem si collatis effugit armis , noster in arte labor positus , spes omnis in illa , &c. and therefore also it is good oftentimes to lead the hounds to the mountains for exercise of their feet , when you have no hare or other beast . and whereas the nature of this hare is , sometimes to leap and make headings , sometimes to tread softly , without any great impression in the earth , or sometimes to lye down and ever to leap or jump out & in to her own fourm or sitting , the poor hound is so much the more busied and troubled to retain the small savour of her footings which she leaveth behinde her : for this cause also it is to be noted , that the hound must be holp not only with the voyce , eye , and hand of the hunter , but also with a seasonable time , for in frosty weather the savour congealeth and freezeth with the earth , so as you cannot hunt with any certainty untill the thaw thereof , or till the sun arise . likewise if rain fall betwixt the going of the hare and the hunting time , you cannot hunt till the water be dryed up , for the drops disperse the sent of the hare , and the dry weather recollecteth it again . the summer time also is not for hunting , by reason the heat of the earth consumeth the savour , and the night being then but short , the hare travelleth but little , feeding only in the evening and morning . likewise the fragrancy of every green herb yeeldeth such a savour , as doth not a little obliterate , and oversway the savour of the beast : and therefore aristotle in his wonders , sheweth that in aetna in the summer time , there are such plenty of sweet smelling flowers , especially of violets , which overcome the nostrils of the hounds , so as in vain they follow the hare . the best time therefore for hunting with these hounds is the autumn or fall of the leaf , because that then the odours of herbs are weakned , and the earth barer then at other times . the best manner to teach these hounds , is to take a live hare and trail her after you upon the earth , now one way , now another ; and so having drawn it a convenient space , hide it in the earth ; afterward set forth your hound neer the trail , who taking winde , runneth to and fro neer the woods , fields , pastures , path-ways , and hedges , untill he finde which way the hare is gone , but with a soft and gentle pace , untill at length coming neer the lodged hare , he mendeth his pace , and bestirreth himself more speedily , leaping upon his prey like some serpent , or as an arrow shot out of a bow , and so tearing it in pieces or killing it with joy , loadeth himself with his conquest , and bringeth it to his master with triumph , who must receive both dog and it , with all tokens of love into his own bosome , which thing caused nemesian to write thus ; quae fre●a si morinum dubio refluentia ponto , o quanta est merces , & quantum impendia supra si non ad speciem menturosque decores protinus , haec una est catulis jactura britannis . — diversa britannia mittit veloces , nostrique orbis venatibus aptos . there are divers countrey dogs like unto these , as the geloni and gnosii , which caused ovid to reckon and call ichnobates one of actaeons dogs gnosius : whom oppianus compareth to the polypus fish , which smelling in the waters the leaves of olives , by the sent is drawn to the land to eat them . the spanish dogs whom the french call espagneulx , have long ears , but not like a braches , and by their noses hunt both hares and conies , they are not rough , but smooth haired . the tuscan dogs are commended by nemesian ; notwithstanding , they are not beautiful to look upon , having a deep shaggy hair , yet is their game not unpleasant . quin & tuscorum uon est extrema voluptas saepe canum : forma est illis licet obsita villo , &c. haud tamen injucunda dabunt tibi munera praedae , &c. atque etiam leporum secreta cubilia monstrant . the vmbrian dog is sharp nosed , but fearfull of his sport , as gratius expresseth . — aut exigit vmber nare sagax e calle feras , at fugit adversus idem quos efferent hostes tanta foret virtus ; & tantum vellet in armis . the aetolian dogs have also excellent smelling noses , and are not slow or fearful , whom gratius expresseth as followeth : at clangore citat , quos nondum conspicit apros , aetola quaeounque canis de stirpe ( malignum officium ) &c. — seu frustra nimius properat furor , mirum quam celeres & quantum nare metentur : the french dogs are derived or propagated of the dogs of great britain , and are swift and quick sented , but not all , for they have of divers kindes , as gratius expresseth in these words ; magnaque diversos extollit gloria celtas . they are very swift , and not sharp nosed , wherefore they are mingled in generation with the vmbrian dogs , and therefore he celebrateth in many verses , the praise of the first hunter ( as he taketh him . ) hagno baeonius and his dog metagon , and afterward the dog petronius : but it may be , that by metagon , he meaneth the dogs of lybia , because there is a city of that name : and by petronius the dogs of italy , for petronia is a river that falleth into tiber. the grammarians call a dog engendered of a hound , and an ordinary french dog , vertagus , a tumbler : because he setteth himself to hunting , and bringeth his prey to his master , whereupon martial made this distichon : non sibi , sed domino venatur vertagus acer , illaesum leporem qui tibi dente seret . the water spagnel . such be also other smelling dogs , called in the german tongue ( lochundle ) that is , terriars or beagles : these will set upon foxes and badgers in the earth , and by biting expel them out of their dens ; whereof aristotle reporteth a wonder , that one of them followed a fox under the ground in boeotia , and there made so great a noise by barking , that the hunters went also into the cave , where they saw many strange things which they related to the chief magistrate . unto all these smelling dogs , i may also adde the water spagnel , called in french , barbeti ; and in germany ( wasserhund : ) who is taught by his master to seek for things that are lost , ( by words and tokens ) and if he meet any person that hath taken them up , he ceaseth not to bay at him , and follow him till he appear in his masters presence . these also will take water-fowl , and hunt otters and beavers , ( although hounds also will do the same ) and watch the stroke of a gun when the fowler shooteth , and instantly run into the water for the dead fowl , which they bring to their master . they use to shear their hinder parts , that so they may be the less annoyed in swimming ; whose figure is in the bottom of the former page described . nare sagax alius , campisque undisque volucres quaerit , & aduncus huc indefessus & illin . discurrit . — of the mixt kinde of dogs calleed in english mangrels or mongrels . those we call mangrels , which though they be on both sides propagated by dogs , yet are they not of one kinde : for as once dogs coupled with asses , leopards , lyons , tygers , apes , or any such beasts , according to the old verse ; cani congeneres lupus , vulpes , hyaena , tygris . so now it is ordinary for the gray-hound to couple with the mastive , the hound with the gray-hound , the mastive with the shepheards dog , and the shepheards dog with any other cur or beagle : of these kindes we will now speak in order . and it is not to be omitted , that this commixtion of kindes have been invented by hunters for the amendment of some natural fault , or defect they found in the monophyli , that is , one single kinde , and so hereby they added some qualities to their kinde which they wanted before either in strength of body , or craft of wit : for they derive both of these from their sires , wherefore oppianus declareth , that in the commixtion of dogs , the ancients coupled together these kindes , the arcadians with the eleians , the cretensians with the paeonians , the garians with the thracians , the lacedemonians with the tyrrhenian , the sarmatian with the iberian , and the gallican dogs with the vmbrian , because they want the quick sense of smelling : according to these verses : quondam inconsultis mater dabit vmbrica gallis sensum agilem , traxere animos de parte gelonae hyrcano & vanae tantum calydonia linguae exibit vitium patre emendata molosso . these dogs so generated are peculiarly tearmed in greek , hybris , and hybrida , as porphyrius , writeth . the french wolves were wont to have a dog for their captain or leader , and it is ordinary for wolves and dogs to couple together , as by experience it hath been observed : and it is certain , that mastive dogs had their first beginning from this copulation , wherefore virgil calleth one of these dogs lycisca . — referensque lupum torvo ore lycisca . the dogs which are bred of thoes , are commended for their rare qualities and understanding parts in the time of wars , by hagnon boeotius in these verses ; hic & semiferam thoum de sanguine prolem seu norit voces , seu nudi ad pignora martis et subiere astu , & parvis domuere lacertis vulpina specie . — the dogs of hircania do of themselves run into the woods , ( like adulterers ) and seek out the tygers to engender with them , which thing gratius remembreth elegantly in many verses : — vltroque gravis succedere tigri ausa canis , majore tulit de sanguine foetum , excutiet silva magnus pugnator adepta . in the rank of these mangrels , i may adde in the next place those dogs , called by the graecians , symmaschi , and somatophylakes , because they attended upon men in their travels and labors to defend them , and are taught to fight for them , both against men and other beasts ; wherein they are as ready to take knowledge of violence offered to their master , and also to revenge or hinder it , as a reasonable creature can be . these are called of the latines , canes socii defensores , sociable dogs ; of which there be two sorts , the first , is lesser , being of rough and long curled hair , his head covered with long hair , of a pleasant and tractable disposition , never going far from his master , such was the dog of tobit , and the dog of godrus the poet , called chiron , whereof iuvenall maketh mention ; whose benevolence and ready minde toward their keepers and nourishers may appear by this story of colophonius . upon a season , he with a servant ; and a dog , went to a certain mart to buy merchandise , and as they travelled , his servant which carryed the purse , diverted a little out of the way , to perform the work of nature , and the dog followed him : which being done , he forgat to take up the purse of mony that had fallen from him to the ground in that place , land so departed ; the dog seeing the purse , lay down beside it , and stirred not a foot ; afterward the master and man went forward , missing their dog , and not their money , untill they came to their mart or fair , and then for want of mony were constrained to return back again without doing any farther thing : wherefore they resolved to go back again the same way they came , to see if they could hear of their mony , and at last when they came to the place where the servant had left the purse , there they found both dog and mony together ; the poor cur scarse able to see or stand for hunger : when he saw his master and the servant come unto him , he removed from the earth , but life not able to carry any longer in his body , at one and the same time in the presence of his friends and nourishers he also dyed , and took of them both his last farewel , through the faithful custody of their forgotten goods ; for which it is apparent , that one part of their faithful disposition is , to keep their nourishers goods committed unto them , as shall be afterward more at large manifested . their watchful care over their masters may appear also by these stories following , for the dogs of xantippus followed their master to the ship , at what time he was forewarned by the oracle to depart out of athens , by reason of the persians war in greece , and so they sailed with him to salamine ; and as they sailed by the way he commanded one of them to be cast into the sea , who continued swimming after the ship untill he dyed , for which cause his master buryed him . when gelon the syracusan , in his sleep had a fearful dream , that he was strucken with fire from heaven , and with impression of fear , cryed out very lamentably : his dog lying beside him , and thinking that some peril or theef was doing violence to his master , he presently leaped up to the bed , and with scratching and barking awaked him , and so was he delivered from a horrible fear , by the barking of his dog. the tyrians which have the best and the first purple in the world , are said in history to have it by the first occasion of hercules dog. hercules falling in love with a nymph called tyro , and travelling toward her with his dog , he saw the purple fish creeping upon a stone , the hungry dog caught the fish to eat it and having devoured it , his lips were all dyed or coloured with the same : when the virgin nymph saw that colour upon the dogs lips , she denyed the love of hercules , except he could bring her a garment of that colour , whereupon the valiant man knowing by what occasion the dogs lips received such a tincture , went and gathered all the purple fishes and worms he could finde , and pressing their blood out of them , therewithal coloured a garment , and gave it to the nymph ; for reward whereof , he possessed the virgin , being by this means the first inventor of the phoenician tincture . among these are to be remembred those loving dogs , who either have fought for their masters and so defended them , or else declared them that murdered their keepers , or that which is more admirable , leaped into the burning fires which consumed the dead bodies of their nourishers . such an one was the dog of calvus , who being slain in a certain civil war at rome , and his enemies coming about him to cut off his head , his poor dog interposed his body betwixt the blows , and would not suffer any foe once to touch his masters carcass , untill by more then six hundred souldiers the dog was cut in pieces , so living and dying a most faithful companion and thankful friend to him that fed him . the like was in a dog of darius the last king of the persians , after he was slain by besus and narbazanes in the battel against alexander , & so did the dog of silanien fight for his master against theeves , and when he was slain , he departed not from the body , but kept it warily from dogs , birds , or wilde beasts , sitting upon his privy parts , and covering them untill the roman captains came and buryed it . but most admirable was the love of a certain dog to his master punished with death , for the fact against germanicus . among other , this dog would never go from the prison , and afterward when his masters dead body was brought in the presence of many romans , the cur uttered most lamentable and sorrowful cryes ; for which cause one of the company threw unto him some meat , to see if that would stop his mouth , and procure silence : but the poor dog took up the meat , and carryed to his masters mouth , not without the singular passion of the beholders : at last the body was taken up and cast into the river tiber , the poor dog leaped in after it , and endeavoured by all the means his weakness could afford , to keep it from sinking , in the presence of an innumerable multitude , which without tears could not look upon the loving care of this brute beast . the dogs of gelon , hieron , lysimachus , pyrrhus king of epirus , polus the tragoedian , and theodorus , leaped into the burning fires which consumed their masters dead bodies . nicias a certain hunter going abroad in the woods , chanced to fall into a heap of burning coals , having no help about him but his dogs , there he perished , yet they ran to the high ways , and ceased not with barking and apprehending the garments of passengers , to shew unto them some direful event : and at last one of the travellers followed the dogs , and came to the place where they saw the man consumed , and by that conjectured the whole story . the like did the dogs of marius caesarinus , for by howling they procured company to draw him out of a deep cave , whereinto he was fallen on horse-hack , and had there perished ( being alone ) except his hounds had released him . but that dogs will also bewray the murtherers of their friends and masters , these stories following , may evidently manifest . as king pyrrhus by chance travelled in his countrey , he found a dog keeping a dead corps , and he perceived that the dog was almost pined , by tarrying about the body without all food , wherefore taking pity on the beast , he caused the body to be interred , and by giving the dog his belly full of meat , he drew him to love him , and so led him away : afterward as pyrrhus mustered his souldiers , and every one appeared in his presence , the dog also being beside him , he saw the murtherers of his master , and so not containing himself , with voyce , tooth , and nail , he set upon them : the king suspecting that which followed , examined them if ever they had seen or known that dog , they denyed it , but the king not satisfied , charged them that surely they were the murtherers of the dogs master , ( for the dog all this while remained fierce against them ) and never barked before their appearance , at the last their guilty consciences brake forth at their mouths and tongues end , and so confessed the whole matter . the like was of two french merchants which travelled together , and when they came into a certain wood , one of them rose against the other for desire of his money , and so slew him and buryed him . his dog would not depart from the place , but filled the wood with howlings and cries ; the murtherer went forward in his journey , the people and inhabitants neer the said wood , came and sound both the murdered corps , and also the dog , which they took up and nourished till the fair was done , and the merchants returned , at which time they watched the high wayes , having the dog with them , who seeing the murtherer , instantly made force at him without all provocation , as a man would do at his mortal enemy ; which thing caused the people to apprehend him , who being examined , confessed the fact , and received condign punishment for so foul a deed . to conclude this discourse with one memorable story more out of blondus , who relateth that there was a certain woman neer paris , who was beloved of two young men ; one of them on a day took his staffe and his dog , and went abroad ( as it was thought , of purpose to go to his love ) but it happened that by the way he was murthered and buryed , and the dog would not depart from the grave of his master : at the last , he being missed by his father and brethren , one of them went also to seek him , and see what was become of him , and so seeking , found the dog lying upon his grave , who howled pitifully when he saw his masters brother : the young man caused the ground to be opened , and so found the wounded corps of his brother , which he brought away , and caused to be buryed till the murtherer could be described : afterward in process of time , the dog in the presence of the dead mans brethren espied the murtherer , and presently made force upon him very eagerly ; which the brethren suspecting , apprehended him , and brought him before the governours of the city , who examining him with all the policies they could invent , what should be the occasion , why the dog should so eagerly fly upon him at all times , whensoever he was brought into his presence , could not get any confession of the fact from him : then the magistrate adjudged , that the young man and the dog should combate together . the dog was covered with a dry sod skin in stead of armour , and the murtherer with a spear , and on his body a little thin linnen cloath , both came forth to fight , and so the man presently made force at the dog , who leaping up to the face of the murtherer , took him fast by the throat , and overthrew him , whereat the wretch amazed , cryed out , saying , take pity on me you reverend fathers , and pull off the dog from my throat , and i will confess all ; the which they performed , and he likewise declared the cause and manner of the whole murther , for which thing he was deservedly put to death . and thus far of the lesser sociable dogs , now followeth the second kinde of the greater . the greater sociable dogs of defence are such as souldiers use in wars , or else are accustomed to keep houses or cattel . this kinde ought to be horrible , fierce , strange and unacquainted with all , except his master , so that he be always at daggers drawing , and ready to fight with all which shall but lay their hands upon him , for which cause he ought to be instructed from his littering or infancy by art or continual discipline , to supply in him the defects of nature : let him be often provoked to wrath by boyes , and afterward as he groweth , let some stranger set upon him with weapon , as staffe or sword , with whom let him combate till he be wearied , and then let him tear some peece of the provokers garment , that so he may depart with a conceit of victory ; after the fight tye him up fast , and suffer him not to straggle loóse abroad , but feed him thus tyed up , so shall he is short time prove a strong defender , and eager combatant against all men and beasts which come to deal with him . of this sort they nourish many in spain , and in other places . such an one was the dog of phesaeus the tyrant of thessaly , being a very great and fierce beast , and hurtful to all , except them who fed him daily . he used to set this dog at his chamber dore to watch and guard him when he slept , that who so ere was afraid of the dog , might not approach near without exquisite torments . augeas gave one of these to the poet eupolis , who taught him by many signes and gestures for the love of his meat , to observe his servant ephialtes , if at any time he stole mony from him . and at the last , the wily dog observed the servant so narrowly , that he found him robbing his masters coffers : wherefore he instantly fell upon him and tore him in pieces . the which dog afterward died for sorrow of his masters death ; whereupon aelianus saith , that the place of his death in aegina was called the place of mourning , to the day of his writing . nicomedes king of bythinia , had one of these molossian great dogs , which he nourished very tenderly , and made it very familiar with himself : it fell out on a time , that this king being in dalliance with his wife ditizele , in the presence of the dog , and she again hanging about the kings neck , kissing and provoking him to love with amorous gestures , the dog thinking she had been offering some violence to his master the king , presently flew upon her , and with his teeth pulled her right shoulder from her body , and so left the amorous queen to dye in the arms of her loving husband : which thing caused the king to banish the dog for ever out of his sight , for sorrow whereof he soon after dyed ; but the queen was most nobly buryed at nicomedia in a golden sepulcher : the which was opened in the raign of the emperour michael , son of theophilus , and there the womans body was found whole and not putrefied , being wrapped in a golden vesture , which taken off , and tryed in a furnace , yeelded above an hundred and thirteen pounds of pure gold . when a dragon was setting upon orpheus , as he was occupied in hawking , by his dogs his life was saved , and the dragon devoured . and when caelius one of the senators of placentia being sick , was set upon by certain lewd fellows , he received no wound till his dog was slain . there was never any thing more strange in the nature of dogs , then that which happened at rhodes besieged by the turk , for the dogs did there discern betwixt christians and turks ; for towards the turks they were most eager , furious , and unappeaseable but towards christians , although unknown , most easie , peaceable and placidious , which thing caused a certain poet to write thus : his auxere fidem quos nostro fulva sub aere arva & carpathii defendit littora ponti . pectora thoracum tunica sacrumque profano miratur , nutrit que rhodes , custodibus illis it noctes animosa phalanx innexa trilici seligit , & blande exceptum deducit ad vrbem . there were two hundred of these dogs which brought the king of garamants from banishment , rescuing him from all that resisted . the colophonian and castabalensian , or caspian dogs fought in all their battels : so likewise the cimbrian , hircanian , and magnesian dogs : these also the spaniards used in india , to hunt out the naked people , falling upon them as fiercely as ever they would upon bores , or other wilde beasts , being pointed unto by their leaders finger . and for this cause was it , that vaschus the spaniard caused pae 〈…〉 an indian lord , and three other his wicked companions to be cast unto dogs for their unnatural lust : but the inhabitunts of caramair and carib , do drive astay the dogs , for through their admirable activity in casting darts , they pierce the dogs ere ever they come neer them with poysoned arrows . and thus much for the great warlike defensive dogs . in the next place followeth the shepheards dog , called by virgil , pecuarius canis : and this cannot properly be tearmed a dumb keeper ; for there is no creature that will more stir , bark , and move noise , then one of these against thief or wilde beast . they are also used by heards-men , swine-heards , and goat-heards , to drive away all annoyances from their cattel , and also to guide & govern them , in executing their masters pleasure upon signs given them , to which of the stragling beasts they ought to make force . neither is it requisite that this dog be so large or nimble as is the grey-hound , which is appointed for deer and hares . but yet that he be strong , quick , ready , and understanding both for brauling and fighting , so as he may fear away and also follow ( if need be ) the ravening wolf , and take away the prey out of his mouth ; wherefore a square proportion of body is requisite in these beasts , and a tolerable lightness of foot , such as is the village dog , used only to keep houses , and hereof also they are the best , who have the greatest or loudest barking voyces , and are not apt to leap upon every stranger or beast they see , but reserve their strength till the just time of imployment . they approve also in this kinde above all other , the white colour ; because in the night time they are the more easily discerned from the wolf , or other noisome beast ; for many times it falleth out , that the shepheard in the twy-light , striketh his dog instead of the wolf : these ought to be well faced , black or dusky eyes , and correspondent nostrils of the same colour with their eyes , black ruddy lips , a crooked camoyse nose , a flat chap with two great broches , or long straight sharp teeth growing out thereof , covered with their lips , a great head , great ears , a broad brest , a thick neck ; broad and solid shoulders , straight legs , yet rather bending inward then standing outward ; great and thick feet , hard crooked nails , a thick tail which groweth lesser to the end thereof , then at the first joint next the body , and the body all rugged with hair , for that maketh the dog more terrible ; and then also it is requisite that he be provided of the best breed , neither buy him of a hunter ( for such an one will be gone at the sight of a deer or hare ) nor yet of a butcher , for it will be sluggish ; therefore take him young , and bring him up continually to attend sheep , for so will he be most ready that is trained up among shepherds . they use also to cover their throat and neck with large broad collars , pricked through with nails , for else if the wilde beast bite them in those places , the dog is easily killed : but being bitten at any other place he quickly avoideth the wound . the love of such to the cattel they keep is very great , especially to sheep ; for when publius aufidius pontianus , bought certain flocks of sheep in the farthest part of vmbria , and brought shepherds with him to drive them home ; with whom the dogs went along unto heraclea , and the metapontine coasts , where the drovers left the cattel ; the dogs for love of the sheep yet continued and attended them , without regard of any man , and forraged in the fields for rats and mice to eat , untill at length they grew weary and lean , and so returned back again unto vmbria alone , without the conduct of men , to their first masters , being many daies journey from them . it is good to keep many of these together , at the least two for every flock , that so when one of them is hurt or sick , the herd be not destitute ; and it is also good to have these male and female , yet some use to geld these , thinking that for this cause they will the more vigilantly attend the flock : howbeit i cannot assent hereunto , because they are too gentle and lesse eager when they want their stones . they are to be taken from their dam at two moneths old , and not before : and it is not good to give them hot meat , for that wil encrease in them madness , neither must they taste any of the dead carkasses of the cattel , lest that cause them to fall upon the living ; for when once they have taken a smatch of their bloud or flesh , you shall seldom reclaime them from that devouring appetite . the understanding of these shepherds dogs is very great , ( especially in england ) for the shepherds will there leave their dogs alone with the flocks , and they are taught by custom , to keep the sheep within the compass of their pasture , and discern betwixt grasse and corn , for when they see the sheep fall upon the corn , they run and drive them away from that forbidden fruit of their own accord ; and they likewise keep very safely their masters garments and victuals from all annoyance untill their return . there is in xenophon a complaint of the sheep to the shepherds concerning these dogs : we marvel ( said the sheep ) at thee , that seeing we yeeld thee milk , lambs , and cheese , whereupon thou feedest ; nevertheless thou givest unto us nothing but that which groweth out of the earth , which we gather by our own industry ; and whereas the dog doth none of all these , him thou feedest with thine own hand , and bread from thine own trencher . the dog hearing this complaint of the sheep , replyed , that his reward at the shepherds hand was just , and no more then he deserved , for ( said he ) i look unto you , and watch you from the ravening wolf , and pilfering theef , so as if once i forsake you , then it will not be safe for you to walke in your pastures , for perill of death : whereunto the sheep yeelded , and not replyed to the reasonable answer of so unreasonable a beast ; and this complaint you must remember was uttered when sheep could speak , as well as men , or else it noteth the foolish murmuring of some vulgar persons , against the chief ministers of state , that are liberally rewarded by the princes own hands , for their watchful custody of the common-wealth . and thus much for the shepherds dog. of the village-dog , or hovse-keeper . this village dog ought to be fatter and bigger then the shepherds dog , of an elegant , square and strong body , being black coloured , and great mouthed , or barking bigly , that so he may the more terrifie the theef , both by day and night , for in the night the beast may seize upon the robber before he discern his black skin , and therefore a spotted , branded , party coloured dog is not approved . his head ought to be the greatest part of his body , having great ears hanging down , and black eyes in his head , a broad breast , thick neck , large shoulders , strong legs , a rough hair , short tail , and great nails : his disposition must not be too fierce , nor yet too familiar , for so he will faun upon the theef as well as his masters friend . yet is it good that sometime he rise against the household servants , and alway against strangers , and such they must be as can wind a stranger afar off , and descry him to his master by barking as by a watch-word , and setting upon him , when he approcheth neer if he be provoked . blondus commendeth in this kinde , such as sleep with one eye open and the other shut , so as any small noise or stir wake and raise him . it is not good to keep many of these curst dogs together , and them few which be kept must be tyed up in the day time , that so they may be more vigilant in the night when they are let loose . there are of this kind which mariners take with them to sea , to preserve their goods on ship-board , they chuse them of the greatest bodies and lowdest voice , like the croatian dog , resembling in hair and bigness , and such asare very watchful , according to the saying of the poet : exagitant & lar , & turba diania fures , pervigilantque lares , pervigilantque canes . and such also they nourish in towers and temples ; in towers , that so they may descry the approaching enemy when the souldiers are asleep ; for which cause , dogs seen in sleep , signifie the careful and watchful wise , servants , or souldiers , which foresee dangers and preserve publick and private good . there was in italy a temple of pallas , wherein were reserved the axes , instruments , and armour of diomedes and his colleagues , the which temple was kept by dogs whose nature was ( as the author saith ) that when grecians came to that temple , they would faun upon them as if they knew them ; but if any other countreymen came , they shewed themselves wilde , fierce , and angry against them . the like thing is reported of a temple of vulcan in aeina , wherein was preserved a perpetuall and unquenchable fire , for the watching whereof , were dogs designed ; who would faun and gently flatter upon all those which came chastly and religiously to worship there , leading them into the temple like the familiars of their god ; but upon wicked and evill disposed leud persons , they barked and raged , if once they endevoured so much as to enter either the wood or temple ; but the true cause hereof was , the imposture of some impure and deceitful , unclean , diabolical spirits . and by the like instinct , scipio africanus was wont to enter into the capitol , and command the chappel of jupiter to be opened to him , at whom no one of the keepers dogs would ever stir , which caused the men keepers of the temple much to marvel , whereas they would rage fiercely against all other : whereupon stroza made these verses , falsly imputing this demonical illusion to divine revelation . quid tacitos linquam quos veri baud nescia crete nec semper mendax , ait aurea templa tuentes , parcereque baud ulli solitos , ( mirabile dictis ) docta tyanaei aratos senioris adora non magioo cantu , sed quod divinitus illis insita vis animo , virtutis gnara latentis . the like strange thing is reported of a temple or church in cracovia , dedicated to the virgin mary , wherein every night are an assembly of dogs , which unto this day ( saith the author ) meet voluntarily at an appointed hour , for the custody of the temple , and those ornaments which are preserved therein against theeves and robbers : and if it fortune any of the dogs be negligent and slack at the hour aforesaid , then will he bark about the church untill he be let in , but his fellowes take punishment of him , and fall on him , biting and rending his skin , yea sometime killing him ; and these dogs have a set diet or allowance of dinner , from the canons and preachers of the church , which they duely observe without breach of order ; for to day two of them will goe to one canons house , and two to anothers , and so likewise all the residue in turnes successively visit the several houses within the cloister yard , never going twice together to one house , nor preventing the refection of their fellowes ; and the story is reported by antonius schnebergerus for certain truth , upon his own knowledge . of the mimick , or getulian-dog , and the little melitaean-dogs of gentlewomen . there is also in england two other sorts of dogs , the figure of the first is here expressed , being apt to imitate all things it seeth , for which cause some have thought that it was conceived by an ape ; for in wit and disposition it resembleth an ape , but in face sharpe and black like a hedge-hog , having a short recurved body , very long legs , shaggie hair , and a short tail : this is called of some ( canis lucernarius ) these being brought up with apes in their youth , learn very admirable and strange feats , whereof there were great plenty in egypt in the time of king ptolemy , which were taught to leap and play , and dance , at the hearing of musick , and in many poor mens houses they served in stead of servants for divers uses . these are also used by players and puppet-mimicks to work strange tricks , for the sight whereof they get much money : such an one was the mimicks dog , of which plutarch writeth that he saw in a publick spectacle at rome before the emperor vespasian . the dog was taught to act a play , wherein were contained many persons parts , i mean the affections of many other dogs : at last there was given him a piece of bread , wherein , as was said , was poison , having virtue to procure a dead sleep , which he received and swallowed : and presently after the eating thereof he began to reel and stagger to and fro like a drunken man , and fell down to the ground , as if he had been dead , and so lay a good space not stirring foot nor limb , being drawn up and down by divers persons , according as the gesture of the play he acted did require , but when he perceived by the time and other signes that it was requisite to arise , he first opened his eyes , and lift up his head a little , then stretched forth himself like as one doth when he riseth from sleep ; at the last up he getteth and runneth to him to whom that part belonged , not without the joy and good content of caesar and all other the beholders . to this may be added another story of a certain italian about the year . called andrew , who had a red dog with him of strange feats , and yet he was blind . for standing in the market place , compassed about with a circle of many people , there were brought by the standers by many rings , jewels , bracelets and pieces of gold and silver , and there within the circle were covered with earth , then the dog was bid to seek them out , who with his nose and feet did presently find and discover them ; then was he also commanded to give to every one his own ring , jewel , bracelet , or money , which the blind dog did perform directly without stay or doubt . afterward the standers by , gave unto him divers pieces of coin , stamped with the images of sundry princes , and then one called for a piece of english money , and the dog delivered him a piece , another for the emperors coin , and the dog delivered him a piece thereof ; and so consequently every princes coin by name , till all was restored : and this story is recorded by abbus vrspergensis , whereupon the common people said , the dog was a devill or else possessed with some pythonical spirit : and so much for this dog. there is a town in pachynus , a promontory of sicily ( called melita ) from whence are transported many fine little dogs called , melitaei canes , they were accounted the jewels of women , but now the said town is possessed by fisher-men , and there is no such reckoning made of those tender little dogs , for these are not bigger then common ferrets , or weasils , yet are they not small in understanding , nor mutable in their love to men : for which cause they are also nourished tenderly for pleasure ; whereupon came the proverb , militaea catella , for one nourished for pleasure , and canis digna throno , because princes hold them in their hands sitting upon their estate . theodorus the tumbler and dancer had one of these , which loved him so well , that at his death he leaped into the fire after his body . now a dayes , they have sound another breed of little dogs in all nations , beside the melitaean dogs , either made so by art , as inclosing their bodies in the earth when they are whelps , so as they cannot grow great , by reason of the place , or else , lessening and impayring their growth , by some kind of meat or nourishment . these are called in germany , bracken schosshundle and gutschenhundle ; the italians , bottolo ; other nations have no common name for this kind that i know . martial made this distichon of a little french dog ; for about lions in france there are store of this kinde , and are sold very dear ; sometimes for ten crowns , and sometimes for more . delicias parvae si vis audire catellae , narranti brevis est pagina tota mihi . they are not above a foot , or half a foot long , and alway the lesser the more delicate and precious . their head like the head of a mouse but greater , their snowt sharp , their ears like the ears of a cony , short legs , little feet , long tail , and white colour , and the hairs about the shoulders longer then ordinary , is most commended . they are of pleasant disposition , and will leap and bite without pinching , and bark prettily , and some of them are taught to stand upright holding up their fore legs like hands ; other to fetch and carry in their mouths , that which is cast unto them . there be some wanton women which admit them to their beds , and bring up their young ones in their own bosomes , for they are so tender , that they seldom bring above one at a time , but they lose their life . it was reported that when grego in syracuse was to go from home among other gossips , she gave her maid charge of two things , one that she should look to her childe when it cryed , the other that she should keep the little dog within doors . publius had a little dog ( called issa ) having about the neck two silver bels , upon a silken collar , which for the neatness thereof , seemed rather to be a picture then a creature ; whereof martial made this elegant epigram , comprehending the rare voice and other gestures in it . issa est puriot osculo columbae , issa est blandior omnibus puellis , issa est carior indicis lapillis , issa est deliciae ●●tella publii . hanc ut , si queritur , loqui pulabis , se●tit tristi tiamque gaudiumque . collo nexa cubat capitque somnos , vt suspiria nulla sentiantur , et desideri● coacta ventris gutta pallia , non fefellit ulla . sed blando pede suscit at toroque deponi monet , & rogat levari . caste tantus inest pudor catellae . hanc ne lux rapiut suprema totam , pictam publius exprimit tabella , in qua tam similem vibebis issam , vt sit tam similis sibi nec ipsa , issam denique pone cum tabella , aut utramque putabis esse veram , aut utramque putabis esse pictam . marcellus empiticus reciteth a certain charm , made of the rinde of a wilde figtree , held to the spleen or liver of a little dog , and afterward hanged up in the smoak to dry , and pray that as the rind or bark dryeth , so the liver or spleen of the dog may never grow ; and thereupon the dog ( saith that foolish emperick ) shall never grow greater , then it was at the time that the bark was hanged up to drying . to let this trifle go , i will end the discourse of these little dogs with one story of their love and understanding . there was a certain noble woman in sioily , which understanding her husband was gone a long journey from home , sent to a lover ( i should say an adulterer ) she had , who came , and by bribery and money given to her servants , she admitted him to her bed , but yet privately , more for fear of punishment , then care of modesty ; and yet for all her craft , she mistrusted not her little dog , who did see every day where she locked up this adulterer : at last , her husband came home , before her lover was avoided , and in the night the little dog seeing his true master returned home , ran barking to the door and leaped up thereupon ( within which the whoremonger was hidden ) and this he did oftentimes together , fauning and scraping his lord and master also ; in so much as he mistrusted ( and that justly ) some strange event : at last , he brake open the door , and found the adulterer ready armed with his sword , wherewithal he slew the good man of the house unawares ; and so enjoyed the adulterate woman for his wife : for murther followeth if it go not before adultery . this story is related by aelianus to set forth a virtue of these little dogs , how they observe the actions of them that nourish them , and also some descretion betwixt good and evill . the dogs of egypt are most fearful of all other , and their custome is to run and drink , or drink of the river nilus running , for fear of the crocodiles : whereupon came the proverb , of a man that did any thing slightly or hastily , vt canis●e nilo bibit . alcibiades had a dog which he would not sell under thousand sesterces , that is , seven hundred french crowns ; it was a goodly and beautiful dog , yet he cut off his tail , whereof he gave no other reason , being demanded why he so blemished his beast , but only that by that fact he might give occasion to the athenians to talke of him . the dogs of caramania can never be tamed , for their men also are wilde and live without all law and civility : and thus much of dogs in special . in the next place i thought good to insert into this story the treatise of english dogs , first of all written in latin by that famous doctor in physick john cay , and since translated by a. f. and directed to that noble gesner , which is this that followeth , that so the reader may chuse whether of both to affect best . the preamble or entrance into the treatise following . i wrote unto you ( well beloved friend gesner ) not many years past , a manifold history , containing the divers forms and figures of beasts , birds , and fishes , the sundry shapes of plants , and the fashions of herbs , &c. i wrote moreover unto you severally , a certain abridgement of dogs , which in your discourse upon the formes of beasts in the second order of milde and tamable beasts , where you make mention of scottish dogs , and in the winding up of your letter written and directed to doctor turner , comprehending a catalogue or rehearsal of your books not yet extant , you promised to set forth in print ; and openly to publish in the face of the world among such your works as are not yet come abroad to light and sight . but because certain circumstances were wanting in my breviary of english dogs ( as seemed unto me ) i stayed the publication of the same , making promise to send another abroad , which might be committed to the hands , the eyes , the ears , the minds , and the judgements of the readers . wherefore that i might perform that precisely , which i promised solemnly , accomplish my determination , and satisfie your expectation : which are a man desirous and capable of all kind of knowledge , and very earnest to be acquainted with all experiments : i will expresse and declare in due order , the grand and general kind of english dogs , the difference of them , the use , the properties , and the divers natures of the same , making a tripartite division in this sort and manner . all english dogs be either of a gentle kinde serving the game , a homely kinde apt for sundry necessary uses , or a currish kind , meet for many toies . of these three sorts or kinds so mean i to entreat , that the first in the first place , the last in the last room , and the middle sort in the middle seat be handled . i call them universally all by the name of english dogs , as well because england only , as it hath in it english dogs , so it is not with the scotish , as also for that we are inclined and delighted with the noble game of hunting , for we englishmen are addicted and given to that exercise and painful pastime of pleasure , as well for the plenty of flesh which our parks and forrests do foster , as also for the opportunity and convenient leisure which we obtain ; both which the scots want . wherefore seeing that the whole estate of kindly hunting consisteth principally in these two points , in chasing the beast that is in hunting , or in taking the bird that is in fowling ; it is necessary and requisite to understand that there are two sorts of dogs by whose means the feats within specified are wrought , and these practises of activity cunningly and curiously compassed , by two kindes of dogs , one which rouzeth the beast and continueth the chase , another which springeth the bird , and bewrayeth the flight by pursute . both which kinds are termed of the latins by one common name , that is , canes venatici , hunting dogs . but because we englishmen make a difference between hunting and fowling , for they are called by these several words , venatio , & aucupium , so they term the dogs whom they use in these sundry games by dives names , as those which serve for the beast , are called venatici , the other which are used for the fowl are called aucupa●orii . the first kinde called venatici i divide into five sorts , the first in perfect smelling , the second in quick spying , the third in swiftness and quickness , the fourth in smelling and nimbleness , the fifth in subtilty and deceitfulness , herein these five sorts excell . of the dog called a harier ; in latin , leverarius . that kinde of dog whom nature hath endued with the virtue of smelling , whose property it is to use a lustiness , a readiness , and a couragiousness in hunting , and draweth into his nostrils the air or sent of the beast pursued and followed , we call by this word sagax , the grecians by this word ichneuten of tracing or chasing by the foot , or rinelaten , of the nostrils , which be the instruments of smelling . we may know these kinde of dogs by their long , large and bagging lips , by their hanging ears , reaching down both sides of their chaps , and by the indifferent and measurable proportion of their making . this sort of dogs we call leverarios , hariers , that i may comprise the whole number of them in certain specialities , and apply to them their proper and peculiar names , for so much as they cannot all be reduced and brought under one sort , considering both the sundry uses of them , and the difference of their service whereto they be appointed . some for the hare , the fox , the wolf , the hart , the buck , the badger , the otter , the polcat , the lobster , the weasell , the cony , &c. some for one thing and some for another . as for the cony , whom we have lastly set down , we use not to hunt , but rather to take it , some-time with the net , sometime with a ferret , and thus every several sort is notable and excellent in his natural quality and appointed practise . among these sundry sorts , there be some which are apt to hunt two divers beasts , as the fox other whiles , and other whiles the hare , but they hunt not with such towardness and good luck after them , as they do that whereunto nature hath formed and framed them , not only in external composition and making , but also in inward faculties and conditions , for they swarve oftentimes , and do otherwise then they should . of the dog called a terrar ; in latin , terrarius . another sort there is which hunteth the fox , and the badger , or gray only , whom we cal terrars , because they ( after the manner and custom of ferrets in searching for conies ) creep into the ground , and by that means make afraid , nip , and bite the fox and the badger in such sort , that either they tear them in pieces with their teeth , being in the bosom of the earth , or else hale and pull them perforce out of their lurking angles , darke dungeons , and close caves , or at the least through conceived fear , drive them out of their hollow harbors , in so much that they are compelled to prepare speedy flight , and being desirous of the next ( albeit not the safest ) refuge , are otherwise taken and intrapped with snares and nets laid over holes to the same purpose . but these be the least in that kinde called sagaces . of the dog called a blood-hovnd ; in latin , sanguinarius . the greater sort which serve to hunt , having lips of a large size , and eares of no small length , do not only chase the beast whiles it liveth ( as the other do of whom mention above is made ) but being dead also by any manner of casualty , make recourse to the place where it lyeth , having in this point an assured and infallible guide ; namely , the sent and savour of the bloud sprinkled here and there upon the ground . for whether the beast being wounded , doth notwithstanding enjoy life , and escapeth the hands of the huntsman , or whether the said beast being slain is conveyed cleanly out of the park ( so that there be some signification of bloud shed ) these dogs with no lesse facility and easiness , then avidity and greediness can disclose and bewray the same by smelling , applying to their pursuite , agility and nimbleness , without tediousness ; for which consideration , of a singular specialty they deserved to be called sanguina●ii blood-hounds . and albeit peradventure it may chance , ( as whether it chanceth seldom or sometime i am ignorant ) that a piece of flesh be subtilly stolne , and cunningly conveyed away with such provisoes and precaveats , as thereby all appearance of bloud is either prevented , excluded , or concealed , yet these kinde of dogs by certain direction of an inward assured notice and privie mark , pursue the deed-dooers , through long lanes , crooked reaches , and weary wayes , without wandering awry out of the limits of the land whereon these desperate purloiners prepared their speedy passage . yea , the natures of these dogs is such , and so effectual is their foresight , that they can bewray , separate , and pick them out from among an infinite multitude and an innumerable company , creep they never so far into the thickest throng , they will finde him out notwithstanding he lie hidden in wilde woods , in close and overgrowen groves , and lurk in hollow holes apt to harbour such ungracious guests . moreover , although they should passe over the water , thinking thereby to avoid the pursuite of the hounds , yet will not these dogs give over their attempt , but presuming to swim through the stream , persevere in their pursuite , and when they be arrived and gotten the further banck , they hunt up and down , to and fro run they , from place to place shift they , until they have attained to that plot of ground where they passed over . and this is their practise , if perdy they cannot at the first time smelling , finde out the way which the deed-doers took to escape . so at length get they that by art , cunning , and diligent endevour , which by fortune and luck they cannot otherwise overcome . in so much as it seemeth worthily and wisely written by aelianus in his . book and . chapter , to enthumaticon kai dialecticon , to be as it were naturally instilled into these kind of dogs . for they will not pause or breathe forth from their pursuite untill such time as they be apprehended and taken which committed the fact . the owners of such hounds use to keep them in close and dark kennels in the day , and let them loose at liberty in the night season , to the intent that they might with more courage and boldness practise to follow the fellon in the evening and solitary hours of darkness , when such ill disposed varlets are principally purposed to play their impudent pranks . these hounds ( upon whom this present portion of our treatise runneth ) when they are to follow such fellowes as we have before rehearsed , use not that liberty to range at will , which they have otherwise when they are in game , ( except upon necessary occasion whereon dependeth an urgent and effectual perswasion ) when such purloyners make speedy way in flight , but being restrained and drawn back from running at random with the leame , the end whereof the owner holding in his hand is led , guided and directed with such swiftness and slowness ( whether he go on foot , or whether he ride on horseback ) as he himself in heart would wish for the more easie apprehension of these venturous varlets . in the borders of england and scotland , ( the often and accustomed stealing of cattel so procuring ) these kind of dogs are very much used , and they are taught and trained up first of all to hunt cattel , as well of the smaller as of the greater grouth , and afterwards ( that quality relinquished and left ) they are learned to pursue such pestilent persons as plant their pleasure in such practises of purloining as we have already declared . of this kind there is none that taketh the water naturally , except it please you so to suppose of them which follow the otter , which sometimes haunt the land , and sometime useth the water . and yet nevertheless all the kinde of them boyling and broyling with greedy desire of the prey which by swimming passeth through river and flood , plunge amids the water and passe the stream with their pawes . but this property proceedeth from an earnest desire wherewith they be inflamed , rather then from any inclination , issuing from the ordinance and appointment of nature . and albeit some of this sort in english be called braobe , in scotish , rache , the cause thereof resteth in the she-sex , and not in the general kinde . for we englishmen call bitches belonging to the hunting kind of dogs , by the tearm above mentioned . to be short , it is proper to the nature of hounds , some to keep silence in hunting untill such cime as there is game offered . other some so soon as they smell out the place where the beast lurketh , to bewray it immediately by their importunate barking , notwithstanding it be far and many furlongs off , cowching close in his cabbin . and these dogs the younger they be , the more wantonly bark they , and the more liberally ; yet oftentimes without necessity , so that in them , by reason of their young years and want of practise , small certainty is to be reposed . for continuance of time , and experience in game , ministreth to these hounds , not only cunning in running , but also ( as in the rest ) an assured foresight what is to be done principally , being acquainted with their masters watchwords , either in revoking or imboldening them to serve the game . of the dog called the gase-hound ; in latin , agasaeus . this kinde of dog which pursueth by the eye , prevaileth little , or never a whit , by any benefit of the nose , that is by smelling , but excelleth in perspicuity and sharpeness of sight altogether , by the virtue whereof , being singular and notable , it hunteth the fox and the hare . this dog will chuse and separate any beast from among a great flock or herd , and such a one will it take by election as is not lanck , lean and hollow , but well spred , smooth , full , fat , and round , it followes by direction of the eyesight , which indeed is clear , constant , and not uncertain ; if a beast be wounded and go astray , the dog seeketh after it by the stedfastness of the eye , if it chance peradventure to return and be mingled with the residue of the flock , this dog spyeth it out by virtue of his eye , leaving the rest of the cattell untouched , and after he hath set sure sight upon it , he separateth it from among the company , and having so done , never ceaseth untill he have wearyed the beast to death . our countreymen call this dog agasaeum , a gase-hound , because the beams of his sight are so stedfastly setled and unmoveably fastned . these dogs are much and usually occupied in the northern parts of england more then in the southern parts , and / in fieldy lands rather then in bushie and woody places , horsemen use them more then footmen , to the intent that they might provoke their horses to a swift gallop ( wherewith they are more delighted then with the prey it self ) and that they might accustome their horse to leap over hedges and ditches , without stop or stumble , without harme or hazard , without doubt or danger , and to escape with safegard of life . and to the end that the riders themselves , when necessity so constrained , and the fear of further mischief inforced , might save themselves undamnified , and prevent each perillous tempest by preparing speedy flight , or else by swift pursuite made upon their enemies , might both overtake them , encounter with them , and make a slaughter of them accordingly . but if it fortune so at any time that this dog take a wrong way , the master making some usual signe and familiar token , he returneth forthwith , and taketh the right and ready race , beginning his chase afresh , and with a clear voice , and a swift foot followeth the game with as much courage and nimbleness as he did at the first . of the dog called the gray-hound ; in latin , leporarius . we have another kinde of dog , which for his incredible swiftness is called leporarius , a gray-hound , because the principal service of them dependeth and consisteth in starting and hunting the hare , which dogs likewise are indued with no lesse strength then lightness in maintenance of the game , in serving the chase , in taking the buck , the hart , the doe , the fox , and other beasts of semblable kinde ordained for the game of hunting . but more or lesse , each one according to the measure and proportion of their desire , and as might and hability of their bodies will permit and suffer . for it is a spare and bare kind of dog , ( of flesh but not of bone ) some are of a greater sort , and some of a lesser , some are smooth skinned , and some are curled , the bigger therefore are appointed to hunt the bigger beasts , and the smaller serve to hunt the smaller accordingly . the nature of the dogs i finde to be wonderful by the testimony of all histories . for , as john froisart the historiographer in his lib. reporteth , a gray-hound of king richard the second that wore the crown , and bare the scepter of the realm of england , never knowing any man , besides the kings person , when henry duke of lancaster came to the castle of flint to take king richard , the dog forsaking his former lord and master came to duke henry ▪ fauned upon him with such resemblances of good will and conceived affection , as he favoured king richard before : he followed the duke , and utterly left the king. so that by these manifold circumstances a man might judge his dog ▪ to have been lightened with the lamp of foreknowledge and understanding , touching his old masters miseries to come , and unhappiness nigh at hand , which king richard himself evidently perceived , accounting this deed of his dog a prophecy of his overthrow . of the dog called the leviner , or lyemmer ; in latin , lorarius . another sort of dogs be there , in smelling singular , and in swiftness incomparable . this is ( as it were ) a middle kinde betwixt the harier and the gray-hound , as well for his kind , as for the frame of his body . and it is called in latin , levinarius , a levitate , of lightness , and therefore may well be called a light-hound ; it is also called by this word lorarius , a loro , wherewith it is led . this dog for the excellency of his conditions , namely smelling and swift running , doth follow the game with more eagerness , and taketh the prey with a jolly quickness . of the dog called a tumbler ▪ in latin , vertagus . this sort of dogs , which compasseth all by crafts , fraudes , and subtilties and deceits , we englishmen call tumblers , because in hunting they turn and tumble , winding their bodies about in circle wise , and then fiercely and violently venturing upon the beast , doth suddenly gripe it , at the very entrance and mouth of their receptacles , or closets before they can recover means , to save and succour themselves . this dog useth another craft and subtilty , namely , when he runneth into a warren , or fetcheth a course about a conyburrough , he hunts not after them , he frayes them not by barking , he makes no countenance or shadow of hatred against them , but dissembling friendship , and pretending favour , passeth by with silence and quietness , marking and noting their holes diligently , wherein ( i warrant you ) he will not be overshot nor deceived . when he cometh to the place where conies be of a certainty , he cowcheth down close with his belly to the ground , provided alwayes by his skill and policy , that the winde be never with him but against him in such an enterprise ; and that the conies spy him not where he lurketh . by which means he obtaineth the scent and savour of the conies , carryed towards him with the winde and the air , either going to their holes or coming out , either passing this way , or running that way , and so provideth by his circumspection , that the silly simple cony is debarred quite from his hole ( which is the haven of their hope , and the harbour of their health ) and fraudulently circumvented and taken , before they can get the advantage of their hole . thus having caught his prey , he carryeth it speedily to his master , waiting his dogs return in some convenient lurking corner . these dogs are somewhat lesser then the hounds , and they be lancker and leaner , beside that they be somewhat prick eared . a man that shall marke the form and fashion of their bodies , may well call them mungrel gray-hounds if they were somewhat bigger . but notwithstanding they countervail not the grey-hound in greatness , yet will he take in one dayes space as many conies as shall arise to as big a burthen , and as heavie a load as a horse can carry , sor deceit and guile is the instrument whereby he maketh this spoil , which pernicious properties supply the places of more commendable qualities . of the dog called the theevish dog , in latin , canis furax . the like to that whom we have rehearsed , is the theevish dog , which at the mandate and bidding of his master fleereth and leereth abroad in the night , hunting conies by the air , which is sevened with the savour and conveied to the sense of smelling by the means of the winde blowing towards him . during all which space of his hunting , he will not bark , lest he should be prejudicial to his own advantage . and thus watcheth and snatcheth up in course as many conies as his master will suffer him , and beareth them to his masters standing . the farmers of the countrey and uplandish dwellers , call this kind of dog a night cur , because he hunteth in the dark . but let thus much seem sufficient for dogs which serve the game and disport of hunting . of gentle dogs serving the hawk , and first of the spaniel , called in latin , hispaniolus . such dogs as serve for fowling , i think convenient and requisite to place in the second section of this treatise . these are also to be reckoned and accounted in the number of the dogs which come of a gentle kind : and of those which serve for fowling , there be two sorts , the first findeth game on the land , the other findeth game on the water . such as delight on the land , play their parts , either by swiftness of foot , or by often questing , to search out and to spring the bird for further hope of advantage , or else by some secret sign and privy token bewray the place where they fall . the first kind of such serve the hawk , the second the net or train . the first kind have no peculiar names assigned unto them , save only that they be denominated after the bird which by natural appointment he is alotted to take ; for the which consideration , some be called dogs for the falcon , the phesant , the partridge , and such like . the common sort of people call them by one general word , namely spaniels ; as though these kind of dogs came originally and first of all out of spain . the most part of their skins are white , and if they be marked with any spots they are commonly red , and somewhat great therewithall , the hairs not growing in such thickness but that the mixture of them may easily be perceived . othersome of them be reddish and blackish , but of that sort there be but a very few . there is also at this day among us a new kind of dog brought out of france ( for we englishmen are marvellous greedy gaping gluttons after novelties , and covetous cormorants o● things that be seldom , rare , strange , and hard to get ) and they be speckled all over with white and black , which mingled colours incline to a marble blew , which beautifieth their skins , and affordeth 〈◊〉 seemly show of comeliness . these are called french dogs , as is above declared already . the dog called the setter ; in latin , index . another sort of dogs be there , serviceable for fowling , making no noise either with foot or with tongue , whiles they follow the game . these attend diligently upon their master and frame their conditions to such becks , motions , and gestures , as it shall please him to exhibite and make , either going forward , drawing backward , it clining to the right hand , or yeelding toward the left , ( in making mention of fowles , my meaning is of the patridge and the quail : ) when he hath found the bird , he keepeth sure and fast silence , he stayeth his steps and will proceed no further , and with a close , covert , watching eye , layeth his belly to the ground and so creepeth forward like a worm . when he approacheth neer to the place where the bird is , he lies him down , and with a mark of his pawes betrayeth the place of the birds last abode , whereby it is supposed that this kind of dog is called index , setter , being indeed a name most consonant and agreeable to his quality . the place being known by the means of the dog , the fowler , immediately openeth and spreadeth his net , intending to take them ; which being done , the dog at the customed beck or usuall sign of his master riseth up by and by , and draweth neerer to the fowle , that by his presence they might be the authors of their own insnaring , and be ready intangled in the prepared net , which cunning and artificial indevour in a dog ( being a creature domestical or houshold servant , brought up at home with offals of the trencher , and fragments of victuals ) is not so much to be marvelled at , seeing that a hare ( being a wilde and skippish beast ) was seen in england to the astonishment of the beholders , in the year of our lord god . not only dancing in measure , but playing with his former feet upon a tabberet , and observing just number of strokes ( as a practitioner in that art ) besides that nipping and pinching a dog with his teeth and clawes , and cruelly thumping him with the force of his feet . this is no trumpery tale , nor trifle toy ( as i imagine ) and therefore not unworthy to be reported , for i reckon it a requital of my travell , not to drown in the seas of silence any special thing , wherein the providence and effectual working of nature is to be pondered . of the dog called the water spaniel , or finder ; in latin , aquaticus seu inquisitor . that kinde of dog whose service is required in fowling upon the water , partly through a natural towardness , and partly by diligent teaching , is indued with that property . this sort is somewhat big , and of a measurable greatness , having long , rough , and curled hair , not obtained by extraordinary trades , but given by natures appointment ; yet nevertheless ( friend gesner ) i have described and set him out in this manner , namely powled and notted from the shoulders to the hindermost legs , and to the end of his tail , which i did for use and customs cause , that being as it were made somewhat bare and naked , by shearing off such superfluity of hair , they might atchieve the more lightness , and swiftness , and be lesse hindered in swimming , so troublesome and needless a burden being shaken off . this kinde of dog is properly called aquaticus , a water spaniel , because be frequenteth and hath usual recourse to the water where all his game lyeth , namely water fowls , which are taken by the help and service of them , in their kind . and principally ducks and drakes , whereupon he is likewise named a dog for the duck , because in that quality he is excellent . with these dogs also we fetch out of the water such fowl as be stung to death by any venemous worm ; we use them also to bring us our bolts and arrows out of the water ( missing our mark ) whereat we directed our levell , which otherwise we should hardly recover , and oftentimes they restore to us our shafts which we thought never to see , touch , or handle again , after they were lost : for which circumstances they are called inquisitores , searchers and finders . although the duck otherwhiles notably deceiveth both the dog and the master , by diving under the water , and also by natural subtilty , for if any man shall approach to the place where they build , breed and sit , the hens go out of their nests , offering themselves voluntarily to the hands , as it were , of such as draw neer their nests . and a certain weakness of their wings pretended , and infirmity of their feet dissembled , they go slowly and so leasurely , that to a mans thinking it were no masterie to take them . by which deceitful trick they do as it were entise and allure men to follow them , till they be drawn a long distance from their nests , which being compassed by their provident cunning , or cunning providence , they cut off all inconveniences which might grow of their return , by using many careful and curious caveats , lest their often hunting bewray the place where the young ducklings be hatched . great therefore is their desire , and earnest is their study to take heed , not only to their brood , but also to themselves . for when they have an inkling that they are espied , they hide themselves under turses or sedges , wherewith they cover and shroud themselves so closely and so craftily , that ( notwithstanding the place where they lurk be found and perfectly perceived ) there they will harbour without harm , except the water spaniel by quick smelling discover their deceits . of the dog called the fisher ; in latin canis piscator . the dog called the fisher , whereof hector boetius writeth , which seeketh for fish by smelling among rocks and stones , assuredly i know none of that kind in england , neither have i received by report that there is any such , albeit i have been diligent and busie in demanding the question as well of fishermen as also huntsmen in that behalf , being careful and earnest to learn and understand of them if any such were , except you hold opinion that the beaver or otter is a fish ( as many have believed ) and according to their belief affirmed , as the bird pupine , is thought to be a fish , and so accounted . but that kind of dog which followeth the fish to apprehend and take it ( if there be any of that disposition and property ) whether they do this thing for the game of hunting , or for the heat of hunger , as other dogs do which rather then they will be famished for want of food , covet the carcases of carrion and putrified flesh . when i am fully resolved and disburthened of this doubt , i will send you certificate in writing in the mean season i am not ignorant of that both aelianus and aetius , call the beaver kunapotamion a water dog , or a dog-fish , i know likewise thus much more , that the beaver doth participate this property with the dog , namely , that when fishes be scarce they leave the water and range up and down the land , making an insatiable slaughter of young lambs untill their paunches be replenished , and when they have fed themselves full of flesh , then return they to the water from whence they came . but albeit so much be granted that this bever is a dog , yet it is to be noted that we reckon it not in the beadrow of english dogs as we have done the rest . the sea calfe , in like manner , which our countrey men for brevity sake call a seel , other more largely name a sea veale , maketh a spoil of fishes between rocks and banks , but it is not accounted in the catalogue or number of our english dogs , notwithstanding we call it by the name of a sea-dog , or a sea-calf and thus much for our dogs of the second sort , called in latin , aucupatorii , serving to take fowl either by land or water . of the delicate , neat , and prety kind of dogs called the spaniel gentle , or the comforter ; in latin , melitaeus , or fotor . there is besides those which we have already delivered , another sort of gentle dogs in this our english soil , but exempted from the order of the residue , the dogs of this kind doth callimachus call melitaeos of the island melita , in the sea of sicily ( which at this day is named malta ) an island indeed , famous and renowned with couragious and puissant souldiers , valiantly fighting under the banner of christ their unconquerable captain ) where this kind of dogs had their principal beginning . these dogs are little , prety , proper , and fine , and sought for to satisfie the delicateness of dainty dames and wanton womens wils , instruments of folly for them to play and dally withal , to trifle away the treasure of time , to withdraw their mindes from more commendable exercises , and to content their corrupted concupiscences with vain disport ( a silly shift to shun irksome idleness . ) these puppies the smaller they be , the more pleasure they provoke , as more meet playfellowes for minsing mistresses to bear in their bosomes , to keep company withal in their chambers , to succour with sleep in bed , and nourish with meat at bord , to lay in their laps , and lick their lips as they ride in their waggons : and good reason it should be so , for courseness with fineness hath no fellowship , but featness with neatness hath neighbourhood enough . that plausible proverb verified upon a tyrant , namely , that he loved his sow better then his son , may well be applyed to these kind of people , who delight more in dogs that are deprived of all possibility of reason , then they do in children that be capeable of wisdom and judgement . but this abuse peradventure reigneth where there hath been long lack of issue , or else where barrenness is the best blossom of beauty . the virtue which remaineth in the spaniel gentle , otherwise called the comforter . notwithstanding many make much of those prety puppies called spaniels gentle , yet if the question were demanded what property in them they spie , which should make them so acceptable and precious in their sight , i doubt their answer would be long a coining . but seeing it was our intent to travail in this treatise , so , that the reader might reap some benefit by his reading , we will communicate unto such conjectures as are grounded upon reason . and though some suppose that such dogs are fit for no service , i dare say , by their leaves , they be in a wrong box . among all other qualities therefore of nature , which be known ( for some conditions are covered with continual and thick clouds , that the eye of our capacities cannot pierce through them ) we finde that these little dogs are good to asswage the sickness of the stomach , being oftentimes thereunto applyed as a plaister preservative , or born in the bosom of the diseased and weak person ; which effect is performed by their moderate heat . moreover the disease and sickness changeth his place and entreth ( though it be not precisely marked ) into the dog , which to be truth , experience can testifie , for these kinde of dogs sometimes fall sick , and sometimes die , without any harme outwardly inforced , which is an argument that the disease of the gentleman , or gentlewoman or owner whatsoever , entreth into the dog by the operation of heat intermingled and infected . and thus have i hitherto handled dogs of a gentle kind whom i have comprehended in a triple division . now it remaineth that i annex in due order , such dogs as be of a more homely kinde . dogs of a course kinde serving many necessary uses , called in latin canes rustici , and first of the shepherds dog , called in latin , canis pastoralis . the first kinde , namely the shepherds hound , is very necessary and profitable for the avoiding of harmes , and inconveniences which may come to men by the means of beasts . the second sort serve for succour against the snares and attempts of mischievous men . our shepherds dog is not huge , vast and big , but of an indifferent stature and growth , because it hath not to deal with the bloudthirsty wolfe , sithence there be none in england , which happy and fortunate benefit is to be ascribed to the puissant prince edgar , who to the intent that the whole countrey might be evacuated and quite cleared from wolves , charged and commanded the welshmen ( who were pestered with these butcherly beasts above measure ) to pay him yearly tribute ( note the wisdom of the king ) three hundred wolves . some there be which write that ludwal prince of wales paid yearly to king edgar three hundred wolves in the name of an exaction ( as we have said before . ) and that by the means hereof , within the compass and term of four years , none of those noisom and pestilent beasts were left in the coasts of england and wales . this edgar wore the crown royal , and bare the scepter imperial of this kingdom , about the year of our lord nine hundred fifty nine . since which time we read that no wolf hath been seen in england , bred within the bounds and borders of this countrey , marry there have been divers brought over from beyond the seas , for greediness of gain and to make money , for gazing and gaping , staring and standing to see them , being a strange beast , rare , and seldom seen in england . but to return to our shepherds dog : this dog either at the hearing of his masters voice , or at the wagging and whistling in his fist , or at his shrill and hoarse hissing bringeth the wandering weathers and straying sheep into the self same place where his masters will and wish is to have them , whereby the shepherd reapeth this benefit , namely that with little labour and no toilor moving of his feet he may rule and guide his flock , according to his own desire , either to have them go forward , or to stand still , or to draw backward , or to turn this way , or take that way . for it is not in england , as it is in france , as it is in flanders , as it is in syria , as it is in tartaria , where the sheep follow the shepherd , for here in our countrey the shepherd followeth the sheep . and sometimes the straying sheep when no dog runneth before them , nor goeth about and beside them , gather themselves together in a flock , when they hear the shepherd whistle in his fist , for fear of the dog ( as i imagine ) remembring this ( if unreasonable creatures may be reported to have memory ) that the dog commonly runneth out at his masters warrant , which is his whistle . this have we oftentimes diligently marked in taking our journey from town to town , when we have heard a shepherd whistle we have rained in our horse and stood still a space , to see the proof and tryall of this matter . furthermore , with this dog doth the shepherd take sheep for the slaughter , and to be healed if they be sick , no hurt or harm in the world done to the simple creature . of the mastive , or bandog ; called in latin , villaticus , or catenarius . this kind of dog called a mastive or bandog is vast , huge , stubborn , ugly , and eager , of a heavie and bourthenous body , and therefore but of little swiftness , terrible , and frightful to behold , and more fierce and fell then any arcadian cur ( notwithstanding they are said to have their generation of the violent lion. ) they are called villatici , because they are appointed to watch and keep farm-places and countrey cotages sequestred from common recourse , and not abutting upon other houses by reason of distance , when there is any fear conceived of theeves , robbers , spoilers , and night-wanderers . they are serviceable against the fox and badger , to drive wilde and tame swine out of medowes , pastures , glebelands , and places planted with fruit , to bait and take the bull by the ear , when occasion so requireth . one dog or two at the utmost is sufficient for that purpose , be the bull never so monstrous , never so fierce , never so furious , never so stern , never so untamable . for it is a kind of dog capeable of courage , violent and valiant , striking cold fear into the hearts of men , but standing in fear of no man , in so much that no weapons will make him shrink , nor abridge his boldness . our englishmen ( to the intent that their dogs might be more fell and fierce ) assist nature with art , use and custom , for they teach their dogs to bait the bear , to bait the bull and other such like cruell and bloudy beasts ( appointing an over-seer of the game ) without any collar to defend their throats , and oftentimes they train them up in fighting and wrestling with any man having for the safegard of his life , either a pikestaffe , a club , or a sword , and by using them to such exercises as these , their dogs become more sturdy and strong . the force which is in them surmounteth all belief , the fast hold which they take with their teeth exceedeth all credit , three of them against a bear , four against a lion are sufficient , both to trie masteries with them , and utterly to overmatch them . which thing henry the seventh of that name , king of england ( a prince both politick and warlike ) perceiving on a certain time ( as the report runneth ) commanded all such dogs ( how many so ever were in number ) should be hanged , being deeply displeased , and conceiving great disdain , that an ill favoured rascal cut should with such violent villany , assault the valiant lion king of all beasts . an example for all subjects worthy remembrance , to admonish them , that it is no advantage to them to rebell against the regiment of their ruler , but to keep them within the limits of loyalty . i read an history answerable to this of the self same henry , who having a notable and an excellent fair falcon , it fortuned that the kings falconers , in the presence and hearing of his grace , higgly commended his majesties faulcon , saying , that it feared not to intermeddle with an eagle , it was so venturous a bird and so mighty ; which when the king heard , he charged that the falcon should be killed without delay , for the self same reason ( as it may seem ) which was rehearsed in the conclusion of the former history concerning the same king . this dog is called in like manner , catenarius , a catena , of the chain wherewith he is tyed at the gates in the day time , lest being loose he should do much mischief , and yet might give occasion of fear and terror by his big barking . and albeit cicero in his oration had pro s. ross . be of this opinion , that sueh dogs as bark in the broad day light should have their legs broken , yet our countrymen on this side the seas , for their carelesness of life setting all at cinque and sice are of a contrary judgement . for theeves rogue up and down in every corner , no place is free from them , no not the princes palace , nor the countrymans cotage . in the day time they practise pilfering , picking , open robbing , and privie stealing , and what legerdemain lack they ? not fearing the shameful and horrible death of hanging . the cause of which inconvenience doth not only issue from nipping need and wringing want , for all that steal are not pinched with poverty , some steal to maintain their excessive and prodigal expences in apparel , their lewdness of life , their haughtiness of heart , their wantonness of manners , their wilful idleness , their ambitious bravery , and the pride of the sawcy salacones me galorrounton , vain glorious and arrogant in behaviour , whose delight dependeth wholly to mount nimbly on horse-back , to make them leap lustily , spring and prance , gallop and amble , to run a race , to winde in compass , and so forth , living altogether upon the fatness of the spoil . other some there be which steal , being thereto provoked by penury and need , like masterless men applying themselves to no honest trade , but ranging up and down , impudently begging and complaining of bodily weakness where is no want of ability . but valiant valentine the emperor , by wholesome lawes provided that such as having no corporal sickness , sold themselves to begging , pleaded poverty with pretended infirmity , and cloaked their idle and slothful life with colourable shifts and cloudy cozening , should be a perpetual slave and drudge to him , by whom their impudent idleness was bewrayed , and laid against them in publick place , lest the insufferable slothfulness of such vagabonds should be burthenous to the people , or being so hateful and odious , should grow into an example . alfredus likewise in the government of his common-wealth , procured such encrease of credit to justice and upright dealing by his prudent acts & statutes , that if a man travelling by the high way of the countrey under his dominion , chanced to lose a budget full of gold , or his capcase farsed with things of great value , late in the evening , he should finde it where he lost it , safe , sound , and untouched the next morning , yet ( which is a wonder ) at any time for a whole moneths space if he sought for it , as ingulphus croyladensis in his history recordeth . but in this our unhappy age , in these ( i say ) our devilish days , nothing can escape the clawes of the spoiler , though it be kept never so sure within the house , albeit the doors be lockt and boulted round about . this dog in like manner of the grecians is called oikouros . of the latinists , canis coltos ; in english , the dog-keeper . borrowing his name of his service , for he doth not only keep farmers houses , but also merchants mansions , wherein great wealth , riches , substance and costly stuffe is reposed . and therefore were certain dogs found and maintained at the common costs and charges of the citizens of rome in the place called capitolium , to give warning of theeves coming . this kind of dog is called , in latin , canis laniarius , in english , the butchers dog. so called for the necessity of his use , for his service affordeth great benefit to the butcher as well in following as in taking his cattel , when need constraineth , urgeth , and requireth . this kinde of dog is likewise called , in latin , molossicus , or molossus , after the name of a countrey in epirus called molossia , which harboureth many stout , strong , and sturdy dogs of this sort , for the dogs of that countrey are good indeed , or else there is no trust to be had in the testimony of writers . this dog is also called , in latin , canis mandatarius , a dog messenger , or carrier , upon substancial consideration , because at his masters voice and commandement , he carryeth letters from place to place , wrapped up cunningly in his leather collar , fastned thereto , or sowed close therein , who lest he should be hindred in his passage , useth these helpes very skilfully , namely resistance in fighting if he be not overmatched , or else swiftness and readinesse in running away , if he be unable to buckle with the dog that would fain have a snatch at his skin . this kinde of dog is likewise called , in latin , canis lunarius ; in english , the mooner . because he doth nothing else but watch and ward at an inch , wasting the wearisome night season without slumbring or sleeping , bawing and wawing at the moon ( that i may use the word of nonius ) a quality in mine own opinion strange to consider . this kind of dog is also called , in latin , aquarius ; in english , a water-drawer . and these be of the geater and the weightier sort , drawing water out of wels and deep pits , by a wheel which they turn round about by the moving of their burthenous bodies . this dog is called in like manner , canis carcinarius in latin , and may aptly be englished , a tinkers cur. because with marvellous patience they bear big budgets fraught with tinkers tools , and metal meet to mend kettels , porrage-pots , skillets , and chafers , and other such like trumpery requisite for their occupation and loytering trade , easing him of a great burthen , which otherwise he himself should carry upon his shoulders ; which condition hath challenged unto them the foresaid name . besides the qualities which we have already recounted , this kind of dogs hath this principal property ingraffed in them , that they love their masters liberally , and hate strangers despightfully ; where-upon it followeth that they are to their masters in travelling a singular safegard , defending them forcibly from the invasion of villains and theeves , preserving their lives from losse , and their health from hazzard , their flesh from hacking and hewing , with such like desperate dangers . for which consideration they are meritoriously termed , in latin , canes defensores ; defending dogs in our mother tongue . if it chance that the master be oppressed , either by a multitude , or by the greater violence , and so be beaten down that he lie groveling on the ground , ( it is proved true by experience ) that this dog forsaketh not his master , no not when he is stark dead : but induring the force of famishment and the outragious tempests of the weather , most vigilantly watcheth and carefully keepeth the dead carkasse many dayes , indevouring furthermore , to kill the murtherer of his master , if he may get any advantage . or else by barking , by howling , by furious jarring , snarring , and such like means betrayeth the malefactor as desirous to have the death of his aforesaid master rigorously revenged . an example hereof fortuned within the compasse of my memory . the dog of a certain wayfaring man travelling from the city of london directly to the town of kingstone ( most famous and renowned by reason of the triumphant coronation of eight several kings ) passing over a good portion of his journey , was assaulted and set upon by certain confederate theeves lying in wait for the spoil in come-packe , a perillous bottom , compassed about with woods too well known for the manifold murders and mischievous robberies there committed . into whose hands this passenger chanced to fall , so that his ill luck cost him the price of his life . and that dog whose sire was english , ( which blondus registreth to have been within the banks of his remembrance ) manifestly perceiving that his master was murthered ( this chanced not far from paris ) by the hands of one which was a suiter to the same woman , whom he was a wooer unto , did both bewray the bloudy butcher , and attempted to tear out the villains throat , if he had not sought means to avoid the revenging rage of the dog. in fires also which fortune in the silence and dead time of the night , or in stormy weather of the said season , the older dogs bark , baul , howl , and yell , ( yea notwithstanding they be roughly rated ) neither will they stay their tongues till the houshold servants awake , rise , search , and see the burning ' of the fire , which being perceived they use voluntary silence , and cease from yolping . this hath been , and is found true by triall , in sundry parts of england . there was no fainting faith in that dog , which when his master by a mischance in hunting stumbled and fell , toppling down a deep ditch being unable to recover of himself , the dog signifying his masters mishap , rescue came , and he was haled up by a rope , whom the dog seeing almost drawn up to the edge of the ditch , cheerfully saluted , leaping and skipping upon his master as though he would have imbraced him , being glad of his presence , whose longer absence he was loath to lack . some dogs there be , which will not suffer fiery coles to i le scattered about the hearth , but with their pawes will rake up the burning coles , musing and studying first with themselves how it might conveniently be done . and if so be that the coles cast too great a heat , then will they bury them in ashes and so remove them forward to a fit place with their noses . other dogs be there which execute the office of a farmer in the night time . for when his master goeth to bed to take his natural sleep ; and when , a hundred bars of brasse and iron bolts , make all things safe from starts and from revolts , when janus keeps the gate with argus eye , that dangers none approach , no mischief nie , as virgil vaunteth in his verses : then if his master biddeth him goe abroad , he lingereth not , but rangeth over all his lands thereabout , more diligently , i wys , then any farmer himself . and if he finde any thing there that is strange and pertaining to other persons besides his master , whether it be man , woman , or beast , he driveth them out of the ground , not medling with any thing that do belong to the possession and use of his master . but how much faithfulness , so much diversity there is in their natures . for there be some , which bark only with free and open throat , but will not bite , some which do both bark and bite , and some which bite bitterly before they bark . the first are not greatly to be feared , because they themselves are fearful , and fearful dogs ( as the proverb importeth ) bark most vehemently . the second are dangerous , it is wisdom to take heed of them , because they sound as it were , an alarum of an afterclap , and these dogs must not be over much moved or provoked , for then they take on outragiously , as if they were mad , watching to set the print of their teeth in the flesh . and these kinde of dogs are fierce and eager by nature . the third are deadly , for they fly upon a man without utterance of voyce , snatch at him , and catch him by the throat , and most cruelly bite out collops of flesh . fear these kinde of curs , ( if thou be wise and circumspect about thine one safety ) for they be stout and stubborn dogs , and set upon a man at a suddain unawares . by these signes and tokens , by these notes and arguments our men discern the towardly cur from the couragious dog , the bold from the fearful , the butcherly from the gentle and tractable . moreover they conjecture , that a whelp of an ill kinde is not worth keeping and that no dog can serve the sundry uses of men so aptly and conveniently as this sort , of whom we have so largely written already . for if any be disposed to draw the above named services into a table , what man more clearly , and with more vehemency of voyce giveth warning either of a wastful beast , or of a spoyling theef then this ? who by his barking ( as good as a burning beacon ) foresheweth hazards at hand . what manner of beast stronger ? what servant to his master more loving ? what companion more trusty ? what watchman more vigilent ? what revenger more constant ? what messenger more speedy ? what water-bearer more painful ? finally , what pack-horse more patient ? and thus much concerning english dogs , first of the gentle kinde , secondly of the courser kinde . now it remaineth that we deliver unto you the dogs of a mungrel or currish kinde , and then will we perform our task . containing cvrs of the mungrel and kascal sort , and first of all the dog called in latine , admonitor , and of us in english , wappe , or warner . of such dogs as keep not their kinde , of such as are mingled out of sundry sorts , not imitating the conditions of some one certain spice , because they resemble no notable shape , nor exercise any worthy property of the true , perfect and gentable kinde , it is not necessary , that i write any more of them , but to banish them as unprofitable implements , out of the bounds of my book ; unprofitable i say , for any use that is commendable , except to entertain strangers with barking in the day time , giving warning to them of the house , that such and such be newly come , where-upon we call them admonishing dogs , because in that point they perform their office. of the dog called tvrnespit , in latine , veravers 〈…〉 r. there is comprehended , under the curs of the coursest kinde , a certain dog in kitchin-service excellent . for when any meat is to be roasted , they go into a wheel , which they turning round about with the weight of their bodies , so diligently look to their business , that no dridge nor scullion can do the feat more cunningly . whom the popular sort hereupon call turn-spits , being the last of all those which we have first mentioned . of the dog called the dancer , in latine , saltator or tympanista . there be also dogs among us of a mungrel kinde , which are taught and exercised to dance in measure at the musical sound of an instrument , as at the just stroke of the drum ; at the sweet accent of the cittern , and tuned strings of the harmonious harp , shewing many pretty tricks by the gesture of their bodies ; as to stand bolt upright , to lye flat upon the ground , to turn round as a ring , holding their tails in their teeth , to beg for their meat , and sundry such properties , which they learn of their vagabundical masters , whose instrument they are to gather gain withall in the city , countrey , town , and village . as some which cary old apes on their shoulders in coloured jackets to move men to laughter for a little lucre . of other dogs , a short conclusion , wonderfully ingendred within the coast of this countrey . of these there be three sorts ; the first bred of a bitch and a wolf , called in latine , lyciscus ; the secoud of a bitch and a fox , in latine , lacaena ; the third of a bear and a bandog , vicanus . of the first we have none naturally bred within the borders of england . the reason is for the want of wolves , without whom no such dog can be ingendred . again , it is delivered unto thee in this discourse : how and by what means , by whose benefit , and within what circuit of time , this countrey was clearly discharged of ravening wolves , and none at all left , no , not the least number , or to the beginning of a number , which is an vnarie . of the second sort we are not utterly void of some , because this our english soil is not free from foxes , ( for indeed we are not without a multitude of them , insomuch as divers keep , foster and feed them in their houses among their hounds and dogs , either for some malady of minde , or for some sickness of body ) which peradventure the savour of that subtill beast would either mitigate or expell . the third which is bred of a bear and a bandog , we want not here in england , ( a strange and wonderful effect , that cruel enemies should enter into the work of copulation , and bring forth so savage a cur. ) undoubtedly it is even so as we have reported , for the fiery heat of their flesh , or rather the pricking thorn ; or most of all , the tickling lust of lechery , beareth such swing and sway in them , that there is no contrariety for the time , but of constraint they must joyn to engender . and why should not this be consonant to truth ? why should not these beasts breed in this land , as well as in other forein nations ? for we read that tygers and dogs in hircania , that lyons and dogs in arcadia , and that wolves and dogs in francia couple and procreate . in men and women also lightned with the lantern of reason ( but utterly void of vertue ) that foolish , frantick , and fleshly action ( yet naturally seated in us ) worketh so effectually , that many times it doth reconcile enemies , set foes at friendship , unanimity , and atonement , as moria mentioneth . the vrcane which is bred of a bear and a dog , is fierce , is fell , is stout and strong , and biteth sore to flesh and bone . his furious force indureth long , in rage he will be rul'd of none . that i may use the words of the poet gratius . this dog exceedeth all other in cruel conditions , his leering and fleering looks , his stern and savage visage , maketh him in sight fearful and terrible , he is violent in fighting , and wheresoever he set his tenterhook teeth , he taketh such sure and fast hold , that a man may sooner tear and rend him asunder , then loose him and separate his chaps . he passeth not for the wolf , the bear , the lyon , nor the bull , and may worthily ( as i think ) be companion with alexanders dog which came out of india . but of these , thus much , and thus far may seem sufficient . a start to out-landish dogs in this conclusion , not impertinent to the authors purpose . use and custome hath entertained others dogs of an out-landish kinde , but a few and the same being of a pretty bigness , i mean island dogs , curled and rough all over , which by reason of the length of their hair make shew neither of face nor of body : and yet these curs , forsooth , because they are so strange , are greatly set by , esteemed , taken up , and many times in the room of the spaniel gentle or comforter . the nature of men is so moved , nay , rather maryed to novelties without all reason , wit , judgement or perseverance , eromen allotrias , paroromen suggeneis . out-landish toys we take with delight , things of our own nation we have in despight . which fault remaineth not in us concerning dogs only , but for artificers also . and why ? it is manifest that we disdain and contemn our own work-men , be they never so skilful , be they never so cunning , be they never so excellent . a beggerly beast brought out of barbarous borders , from the uttermost countreys northward , &c. we stare at , we gaze at , we muse , we marvail at , like an ass of cumanum , like thales with the brazen shanks , like the man in the moon . the which default hippocrates marked when he was alive , as evidently appeareth in the beginning of his book peri agmon , so entituled and named : and we in our work entituled de ephemera britannica , to the people of england have more plentifully expressed . in this kinde look which is most blockish , and yet most waspish , the same is most esteemed , and not among citizens only and jolly gentlemen , but among lusty lords also , and noblemen . further i am not to wade in the foord of this discourse , because it was my purpose to satisfie your expectation with a short treatise ( most learned conrade ) not wearisome for me to write , nor tedious for you to peruse . among other things which you have received at my hands heretofore , i remember that i wrote a several description of the getulian dog , because there are but a few of them , and therefore very seldom seen . as touching dogs of other kindes you your self have taken earnest pain in writing of them both lively , learnedly , and largely . but because we have drawn this libel more at length then the former which i sent you ( and yet briefer then the nature of the thing might well bear ) regarding your most earnest and necessary studies ; i will conclude , making a rehearsal notwithstanding ( for memory sake ) of certain specialities contained in the whole body of this my breviary . and because you participate principal pleasure in the knowledge of the common and usual names of dogs ( as i gather by the course of your letters ) i suppose it not amiss to deliver unto you a short table containing as well the latine as the english names , and to render a reason of every particular appellation , to the intent that no scruple may remain in this point , but that every thing may be sifted to the bare bottom . a supplement or addition , containing a demonstration of dogs names how they had their original . the names contained in the general table , forsomuch as they signifie nothing to you being a stranger , and ignorant of the english tongue , except they be interpreted : as we have given a reason before of the latine words , so mean we to do no less of the english , that every thing may be manifest unto your understanding . wherein i intend to observe the same order which i have followed before . sagax , in english , hund , is derived of our english word hunt . one letter changed in another , namely t into d , as hunt , hund , whom if you conjecture to be so named of your countrey word hund , which signifieth the general name ( dog ) because of the similitude and likeness of the words , i will not stand in contradiction ( friend gesner ) for somuch as we retain among us at this day many dutch words , which the saxons left at such time as they enjoyed this countrey of britain . thus much also understand , that as in your language hand is the common word , so in our natural tongue ( dog ) is the universal , but hund is particular and a special , for it signifieth such a dog only as serveth to hunt , and therefore it is called a hund. of the gase-hound . the gase-hound called in latine , agasaeus , hath his name of the sharpness and stedfastness of his eye-sight . by which vertue he compasseth that which otherwise he cannot by smelling attain . as we have made former relation , for to gase is earnestly to view and behold , from whence floweth the derivation of this dogs name . of the gray-hound . the gray-hound called leporarius , hath his name of this word gre , which word soundeth , gradus in latine , in english , degree . because among all dogs these are the most principal , having the chiefest place , and being simply and absolutely the best of the gentle kinde of hounds . of the levyner or the lyemmer . this dog is called a levyner , for his lightness , which in latine soundeth levitas . or a lyemmer , which word is borrowed of lyemme , which the latinists name lorum : and wherefore we call him a levyner of this word levitas : ( as we do many things besides ) why we derive and draw a thousand of our terms out of the greek , the latine , the italian , the dutch , the french , and the spanish tongue ; ( out of which fountains indeed , they had their original issue . ) how many words are buryed in the grave of forgetfulness ; grown out of use ; wrested awry ; and perversly corrupted by divers defaults ; we will declare at large in our book entituled , symphonia vocum britannicarum . of the tumbler . among hounds the tumbler called in latine , vertagus ; which cometh of this word tumbler , flowing first from the french fountain . for as we say tumble , so they tumbier , reserving our sense and signification , which the latinists comprehend under this word vertere . so that we see thus much , that tumbler cometh of tumbier , the vowel i , changed into the liquid l , after the manner of our speech . contrary to the french and the italian tongue : in which two languages , a liquid before a vowel for the most part is turned into another vowel ; as may be perceived in the example of these these two words , implere & plano , for impiere & piano , l , before e , changed into i , and l , before a , turned into i also . this i thought convenient for a tast . after such as serve for hunting , orderly do follow such as serve for hawking and fowling , among which the principal and chiefest is the spaniel , called in latine , hispaniolus , borrowing his name of hispania , wherein we english men not pronouncing the aspiration h , nor the vowel i , for quickness and readiness of speech , say roundly a spagnel . of the setter . the second sort is called a setter , in latine , index . of the word ( set ) which siginifieth in english that which the latinists mean by this word locum designare , the reason is rehearsed before more largely , it shall not therefore need to make a new repetition . of the water spaniel or finder . the water spaniel consequently followeth , called in latine , aquaticus ; in english a water spaniel , which name is compound of two simple words , namely water , which in latine soundeth aqua , wherein he swimmeth , and spain , hispania , the countrey from whence they came ; not that england wanteth such kinde of dogs , ( for they are naturally bred and ingendered in this countrey ) but because they bear the general and common name of these dogs since the time they were first brought over out of spain . and we make a certain difference in this sort of dogs , either for something which in their qualities is to be considered , as for an example in this kinde called the spaniel , by the apposition and putting to of this word water , which two coupled together sound water spaniel . he is called a finder , in latine , inquisitor ; because that by serious and secure seeking , he findeth such things as be lost , which word finde in english is that which the latines mean by this verb invenire . this dog hath this name of his property , because the principal point of his service consisteth in the premises . now leaving the surview of hunting and hawking dogs , it remaineth that we run over the residue , whereof some be called fine dogs , some course , othersome mungrels or rascals . the first is spaniel gentle called canis melitaeus , because it is a kinde of dog accepted among gentils , nobles , lords , ladies , &c. who make much of them , vouchsafing to admit them so far into their company , that they will not only full them in their laps , but kiss them with their lips , and make them their pretty play-fellows . such a one was gorgons little puppy mentioned by theocritus in syracusis , who taking his journey , straightly charged and commanded his maid to see to his dog as charily and warily as to his childe : to call him in always that he wandred not abroad , as well as to rock the babe a sleep , crying in the cradle . this puppetly and pleasant cur , ( which some frumpingly tearm fysting hound ) serves in a manner to no good use , except ( as we have made former relation ) to succour and strengthen qualing and qualming stomachs , to bewray bawdery , and filthy abhominable lewdness ( which a little dog of this kinde did in sicilia ) as aelianus in his . book of beasts , and . chapter recordeth . of dogs under the courser kinde , we will deal first with the shepheards dog , whom we call the bandog , the tydog , or the mastive , the first name is imputed to him for service , quoniam pastori famulatur , because he is at the shepheards his masters commandment . the second a ligamento of the band or chain wherewith he is tyed . the third a sagina , of the fatness of his body . for this kinde of dog which is ufually tyed , is mighty , gross , and fat fed . i know this that augustinus niphus calleth this mastinus , ( which we call mastivus ) and that albertus writeth how the lyciscus is ingendred by a bear and a wolf. notwithstanding the self same author taketh it for the most part pro molosso , a dog of such a countrey . of mungrels and rascals somewhat is to be spoken : and among these , of the wappe of turnspit , which name is made of two simple words , that is , of turn , which in latine soundeth vertere , and of spit which is veru , or spede , for the english word inclineth closer to the italian imitation , veruvorsator , turnspit . he is called also waupe , of the natural noise of his voyce wau , which he maketh in barking . but for the better and readier sound , the vowel u , is changed into the consonant p , so that for waupe we say wappe . and yet i wot well that nonius borroweth his baubari of the natural voyce bau , as as the graecians do their bautein of wau . now when you understand this , that saltare in latine signifieth dansare in english . and that our dog is thereupon called a dancer , and in the latine , saltator ; you are so far taught as you were desirous to learn : and now i suppose , there remaineth nothing , but that your request is fully accomplished . thus ( friend gesner ) you have , not only the kindes of our countrey dogs , but their names also , as well in latine as in english , their offices , services , diversities , natures , and properties , that you can demand no more of me in this matter . and albeit i have not satisfied your minde peradventure ( who suspectest all speed in the performance of your request imployed , to be meer delays ) because i staid the setting forth of that unperfect pamphlet , which five years ago i sent to you as a private friend for your own reading , and not to be printed and so made common , yet i hope ( having like the bear lickt over my young ) i have waded over in this work to your contentation , which delay hath made somewhat better , and deuterai phrontides , after wit more meet to be perused . now it is convenient to shut up this treatise of dogs , with a recital of their several diseases and cures thereof ; for as all other creatures , so this beast is annoyed with many infirmities . first , therefore if you give unto a dog every seventh day , or twice in seven days broath or pottage , wherein ivy is sod , it will preserve him sound without any other medicine , for this herb hath the same operation in dogs to make wholesome their meat , that it hath in sheep to clense their pasture . the small fruits of ellebor which are like to onions , have power in them to purge the belly of dogs : other give them goats-milk , or salt beaten small , or sea-crabs beaten small and put into water , or staves-acre , and immediately after his purgation , sweet milk. if your dog be obstracted and stopped in the belly , which may be discerned by his trembling , sighing , and removing from place to place , give unto him oaten meal and water to eat , mingled together and made as thick as a pultess , or leavened oaten bread , and sometime a little whay to drink . the ancients have observed that dogs are most annoyed with three diseases , the swelling of the throat , the gowt , and madness ; but the later writers have observed many noysome infirmities in them . first , they are oftentimes wounded by the teeth of each other , and also of wilde beasts : for cure whereof , blondus out of maximus writeth these remedies following : first , let the sinews , fibres , or gristles of the wound be laid together , then sow up the lips or upper skin of the wound with a needle and thred , and take of the hairs of the dog which made the wound , and lay thereupon , untill the bleeding be stanched , and so leave it to the dog to be licked ; for nature hath so framed the dogs tongue , that thereby in short space he cureth deep wounds . and if he cannot touch the sore with his tongue , then doth he wet his foot in his mouth , and so oftentimes put it upon the maim : or if neither of these can be performed by the beast himself , then cure it by casting upon it the ashes of a dogs head , or burned salt , mingled with liquid pitch poured thereupon . when a dog returning from hunting is hurt about the snowt , by the venemous teeth of some wilde beast , i have seen it cured by making incision about the wound , whereby the poysoned bloud is evacuated , and afterward the sore was anoynted with oyl of saint johns-wort . wood-worms cure a dog bitten by serpents . when he is troubled with ulcers or rindes in his skin , pieces of pot-sheards beaten to powder and mingled with vinegar and turpentine , with the sat of a goose ; or else water-wort with new lard , applyed to the sore , easeth the same : and if it swell , anoynt it with butter . for the drawing forth of a thorn or splinter out of a dogs foot , take colts-foot and lard , or the powder thereof burned in a new earthen pot ; and either of these applyed to the foot , draweth forth the thorn , and cureth the sore : for by dioscorides it is said , to have force to extract any point of a spear out of the body of a man. for the worms which breed in the ulcers of their heels , take vnguentum egyptiacum , and the juyce of peach-leaves : there are some very skilful hunters which affirm , that if you hang about the dogs neck sticks of citrine , as the wood dryeth , so will the worms come forth and dy . again , for this evill they wash the wounds with water , then rub it with pitch , thyme , and the dung of an oxe in vinegar ; afterward they apply unto it the powder of ellebor . when a dog is troubled with the mangie , itch , or ring-worms , first let him blood in his fore-legs in the greatest vein : afterward make an ointment of quick-silver , brimstone , nettle-seed , and twice so much old sewet or butter , and therewithall anoint him , putting thereunto if you please decoction of hops and salt water . some do wash mangy dogs in the sea-water ; and there is a cave in sicily ( saith gratius ) that hath this force against the scabs of dogs , if they be brought thither , and set in the running water which seemeth to be as thick as oyl . flegm or melancholy doth often engender these evils , and so after one dog is infected , all the residue that accompany or lodge with him , are likewise poysoned : for the avoiding thereof , you must give them fumitory , sorrel , and whay sod together ; it is good also to wash them in the sea , or in smiths-water , or in the decoction aforesaid . for the taking away of warts from the feet of dogs , or other members , first rub and friccase the wart violently , and afterward anoint it with salt , oyl , vinegar , and the powder of the rinde of a gourd ; or else lay unto it aloes beaten with mustard-seed , to eat it off , and afterward lay unto it the little scories or iron chips , which fly off from the smiths hot iron while he beateth it , mingled with vinegar , and it shall perfectly remove them . against tikes , lyce , and fleas anoint the dogs with bitter almonds , staves-acre , or roots of maple , or cipers , or froth of oyl , if it be old ; and anoint also their ears with salt-water , and bitter almonds , then shall not the flies in the summer time enter into them . if bees or wasps , or such beasts sting a dog , lay to the sore burned rue , with water ; and if a greater fly , as the horner , let the water be warmed . a dog shall be never infected with the plague , if you put into his mouth in the time of any common pestilence , the powder of a storks craw , or ventricle , or any part thereof with water : which thing ought to be regarded , ( for no creature is so soon infected with the plague as is a dog and a mule ) and therefore they must either at the beginning receive medicine , or else be removed out of the air , according to the advice of gratius : sed varii ritus , nec in omnibus una potestas ; disce vices , & quae tutela est proxima , tenta . wolf-wort , and apocynon , whose leaves are like the leaves of ivie , and smell strongly , will kill all beasts which are littered blinde ; as wolves , foxes , bears , and dogs , if they eat thereof : so likewise will the root of chamaeleon and mezereon , in water and oyl , it killeth mice , swine , and dogs . ellebor , and squilla , and faba lupina , have the same operation . there is a gourd ( called zinziber of the water ) because the taste thereof is like to ginger , the flower , fruit , and leaf thereof killeth asses , mules , dogs , and many other four-footed beasts . the nuts vomicae , are poyson to dogs , except their ear be cut presently and made to bleed . it will cause them to leap strangely up and down , and kill him within two hours after the tasting , if it be not prevented by the former remedy . theophrastus chrysippus affirmeth , that the water wherein sperage hath been sod given to dogs , killeth them : the fume of silver or lead hath the same operation . if a dog grow lean , and not through want of meat , it is good to fill him twice or thrice with butter , and if that do not recover him , then it is a sign that the worm under his tongue annoyeth him , ( which must be presently pulled out by some naul or needle ) and if that satisfie not , he cannot live , but will in short time perish . and it is to be noted , that oaten bread leavened , will make a sluggish dog to become lusty , agile , and full of spirit . dogs are also many times bewitched , by the only sight of inchanters , even as infants , lambs , and other creatures , according to virgils verse ; nescio quis teneros oculus mihi fascinat agnos . for the bewitching spirit entereth by the eye into the heart of the party bewitched : for remedy whereof , they hang about the neck a chain of corral , as for holy herbs i hold them unprofitable . to cure the watry eyes of dogs ; take warm water , and first wash them therewith , and then make a plaister of meal and the white of an egge , and so lay it thereunto . by reason of that saying , eccles . . cap. bribes and gifts blinde the eyes of iudges , even as a dumb dog turneth away correction . some have delivered , that green crow-foot forced into the mouth of a dog , maketh him dumb , and not able to bark : when a dog becometh deaf , the oyl of roses with new pressed wine infused into his ears , cureth him : and for the worms in the ears , make a plaister of a beaten spunge and the white of an egge , and that shall cure it . the third kinde of quinancy ( called synanche ) killeth dogs , because it bloweth up their chaps , and includeth their breath . the cough is very noysome to dogs , wherefore their keepers must infuse into their nostrils two cups of wine , with bruised sweet almonds : but tardinus for this disease prescribed great parsley sod with oyl , honey , and wine , and so given to the dog. for the shortness of the breath , bore him through the ear , and if there be any help , that will prevail . if a bone stick in the mouth of a dog , hold up his head backward , and pour ale into his mouth untill he cough , and so shall he be eased . when a dog hath surfeited , and falleth to loath his meat , he eateth the herb canaria , and is relieved ( both against his furfeit , and also the bitings of serpents . ) for the worms in the belly , he eateth wheat in the stalk . the gowt maketh the dogs legs grow crooked , and it is never so cured , but that after a course or two they grow lame again . when his skin flyeth from his nails , take meal and water , and binde them thereunto for a remedy ; and these are for the most part , those diseases wherewithall dogs are infected , and the other are either cured by heat , or by eating of grass : and so for this part , i conclude both the sickness and cure of dogs , with the saying of gratius : mille tenent pestes , curaque potentia major . concerning the madness of dogs , and their venemous bitings , we are now to speak : and first of all , no reasonable man ought to doubt , why the teeth of a mad dog should do more harm then of a sound and healthy one : because in rage and anger , the teeth of every beast and creature , receive venome and poyson from the head ( as it is well observed by aegineta ) and so at that time fastning their teeth , they do more harm then at other times . against the simple biting of a dog , it is sufficient but to use the urine of a dog , for there is not much venome in those wounds ; and the urine also will draw out the prickles of a hedge-hog , because such wounds have in them but little poyson . also ( as aetius prescribeth ) it is very soveraign in such wounds , first of all to cover and rub the sore with the palm of ones hand , and then pour into it vinegar and nitre , so as it may descend to the bottom of the wound , and afterward lay unto it a new spunge wetted in the same vinegar and nitre , and let it be so continued for the space of three days , and by the working thereof it shall be whole . also it is generally to be observed in all the bitings of men by dogs , that first of all it is requisite , that the wound be well rubbed over by the palm of the hand with vinegar , then pour into the wounds vinegar mixed with water or with nitre , laying also a spunge thereupon , and so binde it upon the place , having first wetted the cloaths wherewithall you binde it with the said vinegar mixed , so let it remain bound up three days together , and afterward follow the common course of curing , as in every vulgar wounds , or else , lay thereunto pellitory of the wall , mingled and beaten with salt , changing it every day , untill the crust or upper skin fall away . it is also good sometimes , the holes being small , to wet lint in vinegar , and to purge the wound with powder of anise-seed , or cumin ; laying the lint upon the anise sor two or three days . the same being thus purged , take a medicine of the equall parts of hony , turpentine , butter , goose-grease , marrow of a hart , or calf , melted betwixt the teeth of a man , and lay it thereunto , for it also cureth the bitings of men : but if the sore be inflamed , then lay unto it lentils sod with the parings of apples , and dryed , or the crums of bread with the juyce of beets , and a little oyl of roses , made like a plaister . divers authors have also prescribed these outward medicines against the bitings of dogs in general , namely vinegar spunged , the lees of vinegar , with nigella romana , venus hair , alabaster , brine with lint , garlick mixed with honey , and taken into the body , lees of wine , almonds both sweet and bitter mingled with honey , dryed anise-seeds burned , the leaves of black hore-hound , or archangel beaten with salt , scallions with honey and pepper of the case , the juyce of onyons with rue and honey , or raw onyons with hony and vinegar , but sod ones with honey and wine , ( if they be green ) let them ly to the wound three days : the ashes of vine-trees with oyl , ashes of a fig-tree with a sear-cloth , beside infinite other elaborate medicines , drawn from trees , fruits , fields , gardens , and all other creatures ; as if nature had only stroven to provide sundry ready cures for this evill above all other . leaving therefore the simple bitings of dogs , let us proceed to the madness of dogs and their bitings , wherein the greater danger must be considered , with greater circumspection of remedies . first therefore , the ancients have derived rabiem , of raviem , madness , of the hoarsness of voyce , ( because a dog at that time hath no perfect voyce . ) but it is more probable , that rabies cometh of rapiendo , because when a dog beginneth to be oppressed herewith , he biteth , snatcheth , runneth to and fro , and is carryed from home and master , to his own perdition : this by the graecians is called lytta , and cynolessos . by this evill , not only dogs perish , but all other creatures ( except a goose ) bitten by them : and a man doth not escape without great perill . for albertus relateth a story , of a man whose arm was bitten by a mad dog , and after twelve years the sore brake forth again , and he dyed within two days ; and the reason hereof was ( as in all likelihood that of coelius ) that when one and the same nature infecteth each other , as dogs do dogs , and men do men , then by reason of their similitude and natural sympathy , they receive the consuming poyson with all speed : but if another nature infect that , betwixt whom in inclination and passion , there is a dissimilitude and antipathy , ( as is betwixt a dog and a man ) then will the poyson receive greater opposition , and be so much the longer before it receive predominant operation , because the first overcometh nature by treason , against which there is no resistance ; and the second by open force and proclamation of war , against which all the strength and force of nature is combined and opposed . hereof also it came to pass , that the noble lawyer baldus , playing with his dog at trent , was bitten by him in his lip , and neglecting the matter ( because he never suspected the dogs madness ) after four moneths the poyson wrought upon him , and he perished miserably . those beasts which have teeth like saws , ( as dogs , wolves , and foxes ) go mad by nature , without the bitings of others , but those which have no such teeth ( as asses and mules , ) fall not mad at any time untill they be bitten by other . also it hath been observed , that sometimes a mad dog hath bitten , and there hath followed no harm at all , whereof this was the reason , because poyson is not equally in all his teeth ; and therefore biting with the purer and wholesomer , the wound became not perillous . a man bitten with a mad dog , falleth mad presently when he cometh under the shadow of a corn-tree ; as it is affirmed by most physitians , for that shadow setteth the poyson on fire : but a man falling mad , of all creatures avoideth a dog , and a dog most of all falleth upon men . there are many things which ingender madness in dogs , as hot wheaten bread dipped in bean-water , melancholy bred within them , and not purged by canaria , or other herbs , the menstruous pollutions of women , and the pain of his teeth . their madness is most dangerous in the dog-days , for then they both kill and perish mortally ; for at that time their spittle or fome , falling upon mans body , breedeth great danger ; and that if a man tread upon the urine of a mad dog , he shall feel pain by it if he have a sore about him : from whence it came to pass , that a stone bitten by such a dog , was a common proverb of discord . also it is observed , that if a wound be dressed in the presence of man or woman , which hath been bitten by a mad dog , that the pain thereof wil be encreased : and which is more , that abortment will follow upon beasts with young , or egges covered by the hen , by their presence : but for remedy , they wash their hands and sprinckle themselves , or the beasts with that water , whereby the evill is to be cured . if the gall of a mad dog , about the bigness of a lentill seed be eaten , it killeth within seven days , or else doth no harm at all , if it pass seven days without operation . when a mad dog had suddenly tore in pieces a garment about ones body ; the taylor or botcher took the same to mend , and forgetting himself , put one side of the breach into his mouth to stretch it out to the other , and fell mad immediately . men thus affected , fear all waters , their virile member continually standeth , they suffer many convulsions , and oftentimes bark like dogs . there was a certain mason at zurick , who had his finger grievously bitten with a mad dog about iuly , whereunto he laid garlick , rue , and oyl of scorpions , and so it seemed to be healed , wherefore he took no counsel of any physitian . about august following , he was taken with a feaver , being first very cold , then very hot , and so continued sweating for a day or two , and could not endure the cold air . he thirsted much , yet when water or drink was brought him , he was so afraid thereof that he could not drink : his sweat was cold , and when he felt any cold air , he cryed out for fear it had been water : thus he remained trembling , and offering to vomit at the sight of water , many times howling , and so perished after two days ended . when a dog is mad it may be known by these signes , for he will neither eat nor drink , he looketh awry and more sadly then ordinary ; his body is lean , he casteth sorth thick fleam out of his nostrils or mouth : he breatheth gaping , and his tongue hangeth out of his mouth . his ears is limber and weak , his tail hangeth downward : his pace is heavy and sluggish untill he run , and then it is more rash , intemperate and uncertain . sometimes running , and presently after standing still again : he is very thirsty , but yet abstaineth from drink , he barketh not , and knoweth no man , biteing both strangers and friends . his head hangeth downward ; he is fearful , and runneth into secret places from his whelps or fellows , who often bark at him , and will not eat of bread upon which his bloud hath fallen . his eyes grow very red ; he many times dyeth for fear of water : some discern it by laying nuts or grains of corn to the bitten place , and afterward take them away and cast them to hens or pullen , who for hunger will eat them , and if after the eating the fowl live , the dog will not be mad ; but if it dye , then for certainty the dog will fall mad . the which passions do also agree with them that are bitten by him ; and it is not to be forgotten , that the bitings of the female bring more danger then the males . the bodies of them that are thus wounded grow very dry , and are pressed with inward burning feavers , if by musick and delightful sports they be not kept waking ; many times they dye suddenly , or else recover for a small time , and then fall into a relapsed malady . some give this to be the cause of their fear of water , because their body growing dry , seemeth to forget all participation with humidity : but rufus affirmeth , this cometh from melancholy , wherewithall these persons are most commonly affected : which agreeth with an imagination they have , that they see dogs in the water , and indeed it cannot be but their own countenance , which in these passions is very red , doth wonderfully afflict them , both in the water , and in all looking glasses . when a certain philosopher ( being bitten by a mad dog ) entred into a bath , and a strong apparition of a dog presented it self unto him therein , he strove against this imagination with a singular confident courage to the contrary , saying within himself ; quid cani commune est cum balneo ? what hath a dog to do in a bath ? and so went in and overcame his disease : which thing had seldom chanced , that a man hath recovered this malady after he fell into fear and trembling , except eudemus and themiso , who obeying the request of a friend of his , entred likewise into the water , and after many torments was recovered . to conclude , some men in this extremity suffer most fearful dreams , profusion of seed , hoarsness of voyce , shortness of breath , retention of urine , which also changeth colour , being sometimes black , sometimes like milk , sometime thick , sometime thin as water , rumbling in the belly , by reason of crudity , redness of the whole body , distention of nerves , heaviness of minde , love of darkness , and such like . yet doth not this operation appear presently upon the hurt , but sometimes at nine days , sometimes at forty days , sometimes at half a year , or a year , or seven , or twelve year , as hath been already said . for the cure of these dogs , and first of all for the preventing of madness , there are sundry invented observations . first , it is good to shut them up , and make them to fast for one day , then purge them with hellebor , and being purged , nourish them with bread of barley-meal . other take them when they be young whelps , and take out of their tongue a certain little worm , which the graecians call lytta ; after which time they never grow mad , or fall to vomiting , as gracius noted in these verses ; namque subit nodis qua lingua tenacibus haeret vermiculum dixere , mala atque incondita pestis , &c. iam teneris elementa mali , causasque recidunt . but immediately it being taken forth , they rub the tongue with salt and oyl . columella teacheth that shepheards of his time , took their dogs tails , and pulled out a certain nerve or sinew , which cometh from the articles of the back-bone into their tails , whereby they not only kept the tail from growing deformed and over-long , but also constantly believed , that their dogs could never afterward fall mad : whereunto pliny agreeth , calling it a castration or gelding of the tail , adding , that it must be done before the dog be forty days old . some again say , that if a dog taste of a womans milk which she giveth by the birth of a boy , he will never fall mad . nemesian ascribeth the cure hereof to castoreum dryed and put into milk , but this is to be understood of them that are already mad , whose elegant verses of the cause , beginning , and cure of a mad dog , i have thought good here to express : exhalat seu terra sinus , seu noxius aer causa mali ; seu cum gelidus non sufficit humor , torrida per venas concrescunt semina flammae . whatsoever it be , he thus warranteth the cure . tunc virosa tibi sumes , multumque domabis castorea , adtritu silicis lentescere coges . ex ebore huc trito pulvis lectove feratur admiscensque diu facies concrescere utrumque . mox lactis liquidos sensim superadde fluores , vt non cunctantes hanstus infundere eorm . inserto possis , furiasque repellere tristes . armetia a king of valen●ia , prescribeth this form for the cure of this evill : let the dog be put into the water , so as the hinder-legs do only touch the ground , and his fore-legs be tyed up like hands over his head , and then being taken again out of the water , let his hair be shaved off , that he may be pieled untill he bleed : then anoint him with oyl of beets , and if this do not cure him within seven days , then let him be knocked on the head , or hanged out of the way . when a young male dog suffereth madness , shut him up with a bitch ; or if a young bitch be also oppressed , shut her up with a dog , and the one of them will cure the madness of the other . but the better part of this labor , is more needful to be employed about the curing of men , or other creatures which are bitten by dogs , then in curing or preventing that natural infirmity . wherefore it is to be remembred , that all other poysoned wounds are cured by incision and circumcising of the flesh , and by drawing plaisters , which extract the venom out of the flesh , and comfort nature ; and by cupping-glasses , or burning irons , ( as coelius affirmeth ) upon occasion of the miraculous fiction of the temple door key of s. bellious , neer rhodigium ; for it was believed , that if a mad man could hold that key in his hand red hot , he should be delivered from his fits for ever . there was such another charm or incantation among the apuleians , made in form of a prayer against all bitings of mad dogs , and other poysons , unto an obscure saint ( called vithus ) which was to be said three saterdays in the evening , nine times together , which i have here set down for no other cause but to shew their extream folly . aime vithe pellicane oram qui tenes appulam , littusque polygnanicum , qui morsus rabidos levas , irasque canum mitigas , tu sancte rabiem asperam rictusque canis luridos , tu saevom prohibe luem . i procul hinc rabies , procul hinc furor omnis abeste . but to come to the cure of such as have been bitten by mad dogs : first i will set down some compound medicines to be outwardly applyed to the body : secondly , some simple or uncompounded medicines : in the third place such compounded and uncompounded potions , as are co be taken inwardly against this poyson . for the outward compound remedies , a plaister made of opponax and pitch , is much commended , which menippus used , taking a pound of pitch of brutias , and four ounces of opponax ( as aetius and actuarius do prescribe ) adding withall , that the opponax must be dissolved in vinegar , and afterward the pitch and that vinegar must be boyled together , and when the vinegar is consumed , then put in the opponax , and of both together make like taynters or splints , and thrust them into the wound , so let them remain many days together , and in the mean time drink an antidore of sea-crabs and vinegar , ( for vinegar is alway pretious in this confection . ) other use basilica , onyons , rue , salt , rust of iron , white bread , seeds of horehound , and triacle : but the other plaister is most forcible to be applyed outwardly , above all medicines in the world . for the simple and uncompounded medicines to be taken against this sore , are many : as goose-grease , garlike , the root of wilde roses drunk ; bitter almonds , leaves of chickweed , or pimpernel , the old skin of a snake pounded with a male-sea-crab , betony , cabbage leaves , or stalks , with parsneps and vinegar , lime and sewet , powder of sea-crabs with hony ; powder of the shels of sea-crabs , the hairs of a dog laid upon the wound , the head of the dog which did bite , mixed with a little euphorbium ; the hair of a man with vinegar , dung of goats with wine , walnuts with hony and salt , powder of fig-tree in a sear-cloth , fitches in wine , euphorbium ; warm horse-dung , raw beans chewed in the mouth , fig-tree-leaves , green figs with vinegar , fennel stalks , gentiana , dung of pullen , the liver of a buck-goat , young swallows burned to powder , also their dung ; the urine of a man , an hyaena● skin , flower-deluce with honey , a sea-hearb called kakille , silphum with salt , the flesh and shels of snayls , leek-seeds with salt , mints , the tail of a field-mouse cut off from her alive , and she suffered to live , roots of burs , with salt of the sea-plantain , the tongue of a ram with salt , the flesh of all sea-fishes , the fat of a sea-calf and vervine ; beside many other superstitious amulets which are used to be bound to the arms necks , and breasts , as the canine-tooth bound up in a leaf and tyed to the arm ; a worm bred in the dung of dogs hanged about the neck ; the root of gentian in an hyaenaes skin , or young wolfs skin , and such like ; whereof i know no reason beside the opinion of men . the inward compound potions or remedies against the bitings of dogs may be such as these . take sea-crabs , and burn them with twigs of white vines , and save their ashes , then put to them the powder of gentian root well cleansed , and small beaten , and as oft as need requireth take two spoonfuls of the first , and one of the second , and put them into a cup of pure and unmixed wine , and so drink it for four days together , being well beaten and stirred , so as the wine be as thick as a cawdle ; and there is nothing more forcible then sea-crabs , hiera , diascincum , powder of walnuts in warm rain water , triacle , castoreum , pills , spurge-seed , and a decoction of indian thorn with vervine given in water . these may serve for several compound inward remedies against these poysons , and now sollow the simple . first eating of garlike in our meat , drinking of wormwood , rams flesh burned and put into wine so drunk . there is an herb called alysson , by reason of the power it hath against this evill , which being bruised and drunk , cureth it . the liver of a boar dryed and drunk in wine , hath the same operation jews lime drunk in water , leeks and onyons in meat , dogs bloud , the head , the vein under the tongue ( commonly supposed to be a worm ) and the liver of the dog which hath done the hurt , are also prescribed for a remedy of this evill : but especially the liver or rennet of a young puppey , the rinde of a wilde fig-tree , a dram of castoreum , with oyl of roses , centaury , or chamaeleon ; the root of a wilde rose ; ( called cynorrhodon and cynosbaton ) ellebor ; the brain of a hen drunk in some liquor , sorrel , honey , mints , and plantaine : but pimpinella germanica is given to all cattel which are bitten by a mad dog. besides many other such like , which for brevity sake i omit , concluding against all superstitious curing by inchantments or supposed miracles , such as is in a certain church of s. lambert , in a city of picardy , where the mass priests , when a man is brought unto them having this evill , they cut a cross in his forehead , and lay upon the wound a piece of s. lamberts stole burning , ( which they say ( though falsly ) is reserved to this day without diminution ) then do they sow up the wound again , and say another plaister upon it , prescribing him a dyet ; which is to drink water , and to eat hard egs , but if the party amend not within forty days , they binde him hand and foot in his bed , and saying another bed upon him , there strangle him , as they think without all sin ) and for preventing of much harm that may come by his life , if he should bite another . this story is related by alysius , and it is worth the noting , how murther accompanieth superstitious humane inventions , and the vain presumptuous confidence of cross-worshippers : and thus much of the madness of dogs , and the cure thereof in men and beasts . in the next place , the conclusion of this tedious discourse followeth , which is the natural medicines arising out of the bodies of dogs , and so we will tye them up for this time . whereas the inward parts of men are troubled with many evils , it is delivered for truth , that if little melitaean dogs , or young sucking puppies , be laid to the breast of a childe or man that hath infectious passions or pains in his entrails , the pain will depart from the man into the beast ; for which cause they burned them when they were dead . serenus doth express this very elegantly , saying ; quin etiam catulum lactentem apponere membris convenit , omne malum transcurrere fertur in illum . cui tamen extincto munus debetur humandi , humanos quia contactus mala tanta sequuntur , et junctum vitium ducit de conjuge conjux . if a whelp be cut asunder alive , and laid upon the head of a mad melancholike woman , it shall ▪ cure her , and it hath the same power against the spleen . if a woman grow barren after she hath born children , let her eat young whelp-flesh , and polypus fish sod in wine and drink the broath , and she shall have ease of all infirmities in her stomach and womb . water distilled out of whelps , causeth that pieled or shaven places shall never have more hair grow upon them . with the fat of whelps , bowelled and sod till the flesh come from the bones , and then taken and put into another vessel , and the weak , resolute , or paralytike members being therewith anointed , they are much eased if not recovered . alysius saith , he made experience of puppies sod alive in oyl , whereby he cured his gowty legd horses , and therefore it cannot chuse but be much more profitable for a man. the skin of a dog held with the five fingers , stayeth distillations ; it hath the same operation in gloves and stockins , and it will also ease both ach in the belly , head , and feet , and therefore it is used to be worn in the shoes against the gowt . the flesh of mad dogs is salted , and given in meat to them which are bitten by mad dogs for a singular remedy . the bloud is commended against all intoxicating poysons and pains in the small guts , and it cureth scabs . the fat is used against deafness of the ears , the gowt , nits in the head , and incontinency of urine , given with alum . a plaister made of the marrow of a dog and old wine , is good against the falling of the fundament . the hair of a black dog easeth the falling sickness , the brains of a dog in lint and wool laid to a mans broken bones for fourteen days together , doth consolidate and joyn them together again , which thing caused serenus to make these excellent verses : infandum dictu cunctis procul absit amicis , sed fortuna potens omen convertat in hostes , vis indigna novo si parserit ossa fragore , conveniet cerebrum blandi canis addere fractis , lintea deinde super que inductu nectere lanas saepius & succos conspergere pinguis olivi , bis septem credunt revale scere cuncta diebus . the brain-pan or skull of a dog clove asunder , is applyed to heal the pain in the eyes ; that is , if the right eye be grieved , thereunto apply the right side of the skull , if the left eye , the left side . the vertues of a dogs head made into powder are both many and unspeakable , by it is the biting of mad dogs cured ; it cureth spots and bunches in the head ; and a plaister thereof made with oyl of roses , healeth the running in the head : it cureth also all tumors in privy parts , and in the fear , the chippings in the fingers , and many other diseases . the powder of the teeth of dogs , maketh childrens teeth to come forth with speed and ease , and if their gums be rubd with a dogs tooth , it maketh them to have the sharper teeth : and the powder of these dogs teeth rubbed upon the gums of young or old , easeth tooth-ach , and abateth swelling in the gums . the tongue of a dog is most wholesome both for the curing of his own wounds by licking , as also of any other creatures . the rennet of a puppey drunk with wine , dissolveth the colick in the same hour wherein it is drunk i● and the vomit of a dog laid upon the belly of a hydropick man , causeth water to come forth at his stool . the gall healeth all wheals and blisters after they be pricked with a needle , and mingled with honey it cureth pain in the eyes , and taketh away white spots from them : likewise infused into the ears , openeth all stoppings , and cureth all inward pains in them . the spleen drunk in urine , cureth the spleenetick ; the milt being taken from the dog alive , hath the same vertue to help the milt of man. the skin of bitches wherein they conceive their puppies ( which never touched the earth ) is pretious against difficulty in childe-birth , and it draweth the infant out of the womb . the milk of a bitches first whelping , is an antidote against poyson , and the same causeth hair never to come again , if it be rubbed upon the place where hairs are newly pulled off : also infused into the eyes , driveth away the whiteness of them . likewise there is no better thing to anoint the gums of young children withall , before they have teeth , for it maketh them to come forth with ease : it easeth likewise the pain of the ears , and with all speed healeth burnt mouths by any hot meat : ora ambusta cibo sanabis lacte canino . the urine of a dog taketh away spots and warts , and being mingled with salt of nitre , wonderfully easeth the kings evill . the dung of dogs ( called by the apothecaries album graecum ) because the white is best , being ingendred by eating of bones , and therefore hath no ill favour ; galen affirmeth , that his masters in physick , used it against old sores , bloody flixes , and the quinsie ; and it is very profitable to stanch the bloud of dogs ; and also against the inflamations in the breast of women mingled with turpentine . it was well prescribed by avicen , to expell congealed bloud out of the stomach and bladder , being taken thereof so much in powder as will lye upon a golden noble . of the ethiopian eal . there is bred in ethiopia a certain strange beast about the bigness of a sea-horse , being of colour black or brownish : it hath the cheeks of a boar , the tail of an elephant , and horns above a cubit long , which are moveable upon his head at his own pleasure like ears ; now standing one way , and anon moving another way , as he needeth in fighting with other beasts , for they stand not stiffe , but bend flexibly ; and when he fighteth , he alway stretcheth out the one , and holdeth in the other , of purpose as it may seem , that if one of them be blunted and broken , then he may defend himself with the other . it may well be compared to a sea-horse , for above all other places it loveth best the waters . of the elephant . there is no creature among all the beasts of the world , which hath so great and ample demonstration of the power and wisdom of almighty god as the elephant : both for proportion of body and disposition of spirit ; and it is admirable to behold the industry of our ancient fore-fathers , and noble desire to benefit us their posterity , by searching into the qualities of every beast , to discover what benefits or harms may come by them to mankinde : having never been afraid either of the wildest , but they tamed them ; the fiercest , but they ruled them ; and the greatest , but they also set upon them . witness for this part the elephant , being like a living mountain in quantity and outward appearance , yet by them so handled , as no little dog became more serviceable and tractable . among all the europaeans the first possessor of elephants , was alexander magnus , and after him antigonus , and before the macedonians came into asia , no people of the world , except the africans and the indians , had ever seen elephants . when fabritius was sent by the romans to king pyrrhus in ambassage , pyrrhus offered to him a great sum of money , to prevent the war , but he refused private gain ; and preferred the service of his countrey : the next day he brought him into his presence , and thinking to terrifie him , placed behinde him a great elephant , shadowed with cloth of arras ; the cloth was drawn , and the huge beast instantly laid his trunk upon the head of fabritius , sending forth a terrible and direful voyce : whereat fabritius laughing , perceiving the policy of the king , gently made this speech ; neque heri aurum , neque hodie bestia me permovit . i was neither tempted with thy gold yesterday , nor terrified with the sight of this beast to day : and so afterward pyrrhus was overcome in war by the romans , and manlius curius dentatus did first of all bring elephants in triumph to rome , calling them lucanae boves , oxen of the wood , about the . year of the city ; and afterward in the year of romes building . when metellus was high priest , and overthrew the carthaginians in sicily , there were elephants brought in ships to rome and led in triumph , which lucius piso afterward , to take away from the people opinions of the fear of them , caused them to be brought to the stage to open view and handling , and so slain ; which thing pompey did also by the slaughter of five hundred lions and elephants together ; so that in the time of gordianus , it was no wonder to see thirty and two of them at one time . an elephant is by the hebrews called behemah , by way of excellency , as the latins for the same cause call him bellua , the chaldeans for the same word , deut. . translate beira ; the arabians , behitz ; the persians , behad ; and the septuagint , ktene ; but the grecians vulgarly elephas , not quasi elebas , because they joyn copulation in the water , but rather from the hebrew word dephil ; signifying the ivory tooth of an elephant ( as munster well observeth . ) the hebrews also use the word sch●n for an elephants tooth . moreover hesychius called an elephant in the greek tongue perissas ; the latins do indifferently use elephas and elephantus ; and it is said that elephantus in the punick tongue , signifieth caesar : whereupon when the grandfather of julius caesar had slain an elephant , he had the name of caesar put upon him . the italians call this beast leofante , or lionfante ; the french , elephante ; the germans , helfant ; the illyrians , slon . we read but of three appellative names of elephants ; that is of one , called by alexander the great ajax , because he had read that the buckler of great ajax was covered with an elephants skin , about whose neck he put a golden collar , and so sent him away with liberty . antiochus one of alexanders successors had two elephants , one of them he likewise called ajax , in imitation of alexander , and the other patroclus , of which two this story is reported by antipater . that when antiochus came to a certain ford or deep water , ajax which was alway the captain of the residue , having sounded the depth thereof , refused to passe over , and turned back again , then the king spake to the elephants and pronounced , that he which would passe over should have principality over the residue : whereupon patroclus gave the adventure , and passed over safely , and received from the king the silver trappings and all other prerogatives of principality ; the other seeing it ( which had alway been chief till that time ) preferred death before ignominy and disgrace , and so would never after eat meat but famished for sorrow . they are bred in the hot eastern countries , for by reason they can endure no cold , they keep only in the east and south . among all , the indian elephants are greatest , strongest , and tallest , and there are among them of two sorts , one greater ( which are called prasii ) the other smaller ( called taxilae ) they be also bred in africa , in lybia , much greater then a nysaean horse , and yet every way inferiour to the indian ; for which cause , if an african elephant do but see an indian , he trembleth , and laboureth by all means to get out of his sight , as being guilty of their own weakness . there are elephants also in the isle taprobane , and in sumatra in africa . they are bred in lybia , in aethiopia , among the troglodytae , and in the mountain atlas , syrtes , zames , and sala , the seven mountains of tingitania , and in the countrey of basman , subject to the great cham. some authors affirm , that the african elephants are much greater then the indian , but with no greater reason then columella writeth , that there be as great beasts found in italy as elephants are : whereunto no sound author ever yeelded . of all earthly creatures an elephant is the greatest : for in india they are nine cubits high , and five cubits broad ; in africa fourteen or fifteen full spans , which is about eleven foot high and proportionable in breadth , which caused aelianus to write , that one elephant is as big as three bugils ; and among these the males are ever greater then the females . in the kingdom of melinda in africk , there were two young ones not above six monthes old , whereof the ●east was as great as the greatest ox , but his flesh was as much as you shall finde in two oxen ; the other was much grater . their colour is for the most part mouse-colour , or black ; and there was one all white in ethiopia : the skin looketh pieled and scabby ; it is most hard on the back , but softer underneath the belly , having no covering of hair or gristles , nor yet help by his tail to drive away the flies , for that evill doth this beast feel in his great body , but alway hath crevises in his skin , which by their savour do invite the little flies to a continual feast , but when by stretching forth they have received the swarmes , by shrinking together again , they inclose the flies , and so kill them : so that these crevises in his skin , are unto him in stead of a main , tail , and hair : yet there are some few hairs which grow scattering upon his hide , whereof some have been brought out of america into germany , which were two palms long , but not so stiffe as swines . grandia taurorum portant qui corpora , quaeris an lybicas possint sustinuisse trabes . there is a certain book extant , without the name of the author , written of judea or the holy land , wherein the author affirmeth that he saw an elephants tooth sold to a venetian merchant for six and thirty ducats , it being fourteen spans long , and four spans broad , and it weighed so heavy , that he could not move it from the ground . vartomanus also saith , that he saw in the isle of sumatra , two elephants teeth , which weighed three hundred six and thirty pounds . this is certain , that the teeth of those elephants which live in the marishes and watry places , are so smooth and hard , as they seem intractable , and in some places they have holes in them , and again certain bunches as big as hail-stones , which are so hard , as no art or instrument can work upon them . the elephants of the mountains have lesser and whiter teeth , fit to be applyed to any work , but the best of all , are the teeth of the campestrial and field elephants , which are whitest and softest , and may well be handled without all pain . the teeth of the female are more pretious then of the male , and these they lose every tenth year ; which falling off , they bury and cover in the earth , pressing them down by sitting upon them , and then heal them over with earth by their feet , and so in short time the grasse groweth upon them : for , as when they are hunted they know it is for no other cause then their teeth ; so also when they lose their teeth , they desire to keep them from men , lest the virtues of them being discovered , they which bear them should enjoy the lesse peace and security . it is admirable what devises the people of india and africa have invented by natural observation , to finde out these buried teeth , which unto us living in the remote parts of the world , we would judge impossible by any ordinary or lawful course , except we should turn up the earth of a whole countrey , or go to work by diabolical conjuration ; yet have they found out this facile and ready course . in the woods or fields where they suspect these teeth to be buried , they bring forth pots or bottles of water , and disperse them , here one , there another , and so let them stand , and tarry to watch them , so one sleepeth , another singeth , or bestoweth his time as he pleaseth ; after a little time , they go and look in their pots , and if the teeth lie near their bottles , by an unspeakable and secret attractive power in nature , they draw all the water out of them that are neer them , which the watchman taketh for a sure sign , and so diggeth about his bottle , till he finde the tooth : but if their bottles be not emptied , they remove to seek in another place . these ivory teeth have been alway of great estimation among all the nations that ever knew them , the ethiopians payed for a tribute unto the king of persia every third year twenty of these teeth hung about with gold and jet-wood . these are sold by weight , and there be many which deceive the world with the bones of fishes in stead hereof , but the true ivory is paler and heavier , and falling upon the ground will easily break , whereas the bones of fishes are more tenacious , light and strong . it is like to the chernites wherein darius was entombed , and the marble called lapis coraliticus , coral stone : like unto this is the alagi stone , and the paederos jewel . with this ivory they made images and statues for their idol gods , as one for pallas in athens , for esculapius in epidaurus , for venus under the name of vrania by phidias , whereupon she was called elephantina , for apollo at rome : and therefore pausanias wondereth at the grecians that spared no cost for the vain worship of their gods , for they brought of the indians and ethiopians ivory to make their images with more pomp and ostentation : besides of ivory they make the hafts of knives , and also the best combs , and solomon as appeareth reg. . had a throne of ivory covered all over with gold , for the costs and charge whereof he could not expend 〈…〉 lesse then thirty thousand talents . the greatness of these appeareth by their use , for polybius reporteth by the relation of galussa a noble man and a great traveller in africa , that with them they made posts for houses , and racks to lay their cattels meat upon , and likewise folds to enclose them . apelles made an ink of ivory , which was called elephants inke , and he painted therewith . it hath been affirmed by aelianus and some writers following pliny , that these teeth are horns , and that elephants are horned beasts , which errour rose upon the occasion of these words of pliny ; elephantos & arietes candore tantum cornibus assimilatis , in santonum littore reciprocatos destituit oceanus : where aelianus finding a resemblance betwixt rams and elephants in their white horns , was contented to apply that name to them both , which appertaineth only to one ; for pliny himself lib. . sheweth his meaning by another like speech , of their whetting their horns upon trees , and rhinocerotes upon stones : for except he had named horns in the first place it might have been questioned whether rhinocerotes had any horns , but rather teeth in the second place . but whatsoever were the words or opinion of pliny , it is most certain , that after herodotus and other ancient writers , it is safer to call these teeth then horns , and i will briefly set down the reasons of philostratus , that will have them to be teeth ; and afterward of grapaldus , aelianus , and pausanias , that would make them horns , and so leave the reader to consider whether opinion he thinketh most agreeable to truth . first , that they are not horns , it is alleadged that horns fall off and grow every year again , especially of harts , and grow forth of their heads ; but teeth which are called fannae or gang-teeth , standing out of the mouth , fall off together , and are given for weapon and defence to beasts , and such are an elephants . again , a horn hath a certain line or circle neer the root , which is covered every year , but this cometh up like a stony substance , without all circle or cover , and therefore it cannot be a horn . moreover , those creatures are said to have horns that have cloven hoofs , this hath no cloven hoof , but only five distinct fingers upon a foot . lastly , all horned beasts have an empty hollowness in their horns ( except harts ) but this is found and full thoroughout , except a little passage in the middle like a hole into a tooth : and thus say they which will have them called teeth . now on the contrary , those which will have them horns , maake these arguments . first , as the elks have their horns grow out of their eye-lids , the rhinocerotes or ethiopian buls out of their nose , so as it is not unnatural for the elephant to have his horns grow out of his mouth . again , horns fall off and come again in old beasts , but teeth do not so , and therefore these are horns and not teeth ; the power of fire cannot alter teeth , but these teeth break if you go about to change their porportion or figure , but horns of oxen and elephants may be stretched , bended , altered , straightned , and applyed to what fashion soever you will. again , teeth grow out of the gums and cheek-bone , as it is apparent , but horns grow out of the scull and temples , and so do the elephants , as by observation every man may discern . lastly , as nature hath given another shape and greater proportion of body to elephants then to any other beasts , so also it is not unreasonable that it vary in the placing of his horns , for they grow downward , and the very mole and quantity of his body is sufficient to arme him against the fear of death . thus they argument for the horns of elephants . the poets have a prety resemblance of dreams , comparing true dreams to horns , and false dreams to ivory , because falshood is ever more burnished , then naked and ragged truth . and besides the eye of man is translucent , and containeth in it a horny substance , and by the eye we alway receive the best assurance , but by the mouth ( signified by teeth ) are many falshoods vented : and for that horns turn upward to heaven , the fountain of truth , but the teeth of an elephant grow downward towards the earth the mother of error . and for this cause aeneas by virgil and homer , is said to come in at the horny gate of somnus , and to go forth at the ivory : virgils verses are these : sunt geminae somni portae , quarum altera fertur cornea , qua veris facilis datur exitus umbris . altera candenti perfecta nitens elephanto , sed falsa ad coelum mittunt insomnia manes . his ubi dum natum anchises , unaque sibyllam prosequitur dictis , portaque emittit eburna . and here we will leave , and prosecute no further this discourse of their horns and teeth , but proceed to the other outward parts of this beast . the tongue is very small though broad , his trunck called proboscs and promuscis , is a large hollow thing hanging from his nose like skin to the groundward ; and when he feedeth it lyeth open , like the skin upon the bill of a turkey-cock , to draw in both his meat and drink , using it for a hand , and therefore improperly it is called a hand . for by it he receiveth of his keeper whatsoever he giveth him , with it he overthroweth trees , and wheresoever he swimmeth , through it he draweth breath . it is crooked , gristly , and inflexible at the root next to the nose : within it hath two passages , one into the head and body by which he breatheth , and the other into his mouth , whereby he receiveth his meat : and herein is the work of god most wonderful , not only in giving unto it such a divers proportion and anatomy , but also giving him reason to know this benefit of it , that so long as he is in the water and holdeth up that trunck , he cannot perish . with this he fighteth in war , and is able to take up a small piece of money from the earth : with it he hath been seen to pull down the top of a tree , which twenty four men with a rope could not make to bend . with it he driveth away his hunters when he is chased , for he can draw up therein a great quantity of water , and shoot it forth again , to the amazement and overthrow of them that persecute him . the moors say that he hath two hearts , one wherewithal he is incensed , and another whereby he is pacified . but the truth is , as aristotle in the dissection of the heart observed , there is a double ventricle and bone in the heart of an elephant . he hath a liver without any apparent gall , but that side of the liver being cut , whereon the gall should lie , a certain humour cometh forth like a gall . wherefore aelianus saith , he hath his gall in his maw-gut , which is so full of sinews , that one would think he had four bellies ; in this receiveth he his meat , having no other receptacle for it . his intrails are like unto a swines , but much greater . his liver four times so great as an oxes , and so all the residue except the milt . he hath two pappes a little beside his brest under his shoulders , and not between his hinder legs or loins , they are very small and cannot be seen on the side . the reasons hereof are given , first that he hath but two pappes , because he bringeth forth but one at a time , and they stand under his shoulders like an apes , because he hath no hoofs but distinct feet like a mans , and also because from the breast floweth more aboundance of milke . the genital part is like a horses , but lesser then the proportion of his body affordeth : the stones are not outwardly seen , because they cleave to his reins . but the female hath her genital betwixt her thighes : the forelegs are much longer then the hinder legs , and the feet be greater . his legs are of equall quantity , both above and beneath the knees , and it hath ancle bones very low . the articles do not ascend so high as in other creatures , but kept low neer the earth . he bendeth his hinder legs like a mans when he sitteth , but by reason of his great weight he is not able to bend on both sides together , but either leaneth to the right hand or to the left , and so sleepeth : it is false that they have no joints or articles in their legs , for when they please they can use , bend , and move them , but after they grow old , they use not to lie down or strain them , by reason of their great weight , but take their rest leaning to a tree : and if they did not bend their legs , they could never go any ordinary and stayed pace . their feet are round like a horses , but so as they reach from the middle every way two spans length , and are as broad as a bushel , having five distinct toes upon each foot , the which toes are very little cloven , to the intent that the foot may be stronger , and yet parted , that when he treadeth upon soft ground , the weight of his body presse not down the leg too deep . he hath no nails upon his toes , his tail is like an oxes tail , having a little hair at the end , and the residue thereof peeled and without hair : he hath not any bristly hairs to cover his back . and thus much for their several parts and their uses . there is not any creature so capable of understanding as an elephant , and therefore it is requisite to tarry somewhat the longer in expressing the several properties , and natural qualities thereof , which sundry and variable inclinations , cannot choose but bring great delight to the reader . they have a wonderful love to their own countrey , so as although they be never so well delighted with divers meats and joyes in other places , yet in memory thereof they send forth tears , and they love also the waters , rivers , and marishes , so as they are not unfitly called riparii , such as live by the rivers sides : although they cannot swim by reason of their great and heavie bodies , untill they be taught . also they never live solitary , but in great flocks , except they be sick or watch their young ones , and for either of these they remain adventurous unto death , the eldest leadeth the herd , and the second driveth them forward , if they meet any man they give him way , and go out of his sight . their voice is called by the word barrire , that is , to bray , and thereupon the elephants themselves are called barri ; for his voice cometh out of his mouth and nostrils together , like as when a man speaketh breathing , wherefore aristotle calleth it raucity , or hoarsness , like the low sound of a trumpet , this sound is very terrible in battails as shall be afterward declared . they live upon the fruits of plants and roots , and with their truncks and heads , overthrow the tops of trees , and eat the boughs and bodies of them , and many times upon the leaves of trees he devoureth chamaeleons , whereby he is poisoned and dyeth , if he eat not immediately a wilde olive . they eat earth often without harm , but if they eat it seldom , it is hurtful and procureth pain in their bellies , so also they eat stones . they are so loving to their fellows , that they will not eat their meat alone , but having found a prey , they go and invite the residue to their feasts and chear , more like to reasonable civil men , then unreasonable brute beast . there are certain noble melons in ethiopia , which the elephants being sharp smelling beasts , do winde a great way off , and by the conduct of their noses come to those gardens of melons , and there eat and devour them . when they are tamed they will eat barlie either whole or ground : of whole at one time is given them nine macedonian bushels , but of meal six , and of drink either wine or water , thirty macedonian pints at at a time , that is , fourteen gallons ; but this is observed , that they drink not wine except in war , when they are to fight , but water at all times , whereof they will not tast , except it be muddy and not clear , for they avoid clear water , loathing to see their own shadow therein ; and therefore when the indians are to passe the water with their elephants , they chuse dark and cloudy nights wherein the moon affordeth no light . if they perceive but a mouse run over their meat , they will not eat thereof , for there is in them a great hatred of this creature . also they will eat dryed figs , grapes , onions , bulrushes , palmes , and ivy leaves : there is a region in india , called phalac●us , which signifieth balde , because of an herb growing therein , which causeth every living thing that eateth thereof , to lose both horn and hair , and therefore no man can be more industrious or wary to avoid those places , then is an elephant , and to forbear every green thing growing in that place when he passeth thorough it . it will forbear drink eight dayes together , and drink wine to drunkenness like an ape . it is delighted above measure with sweet savours , ointments , and smelling flowers , for which cause their keepers will in the summer time lead them into the medowes of flowers , where they of themselves will by the quickness of their smelling , chuse out and gather the sweetest flowers , and put them into a basket if their keeper have any ; which being filled , like dainty and neat men , they also desire to wash , and so will go and seek out water to wash themselves , and of their own accord return back again to the basket of flowers , which if they find not , they will bray and call for them . afterward being led into their stable , they will not eat meat untill they take of their flowers and dresse the brims of their mangers therewith , and likewise strew their room or standing place , pleasing themselves with their meat , because of the savour of the flowers stuck about their cratch , like dainty fed persons which set their dishes with green herbs , and put them into their cups of wine . their pace is very slow , for a childe may overtake them by reason of their high and large bodies ( except in their feare ) and for that cause cannot swim : as also by reason that the toes of their feet are very short and smally divided . when they are brought into a ship , they have a bridge made of wood , and covered with earth , and green boughs are set on either side , so that they imagine they go upon the land untill they enter into the ship , because the boughs keep them from sight of the sea. they are most chast , and keep true unto their males without all inconstant love or separation , admitting no adulteries amongst them , and like men which tast of venus not for any corporal lust , but for desire of heirs and successors in their families ; so do elephants without all unchast and unlawful lust , take their venereal complements , for the continuation of their kinde , and never above thrice in all their dayes , either male or female suffer carnall copulation ( but the female only twice . ) yet is their rage great when the female provoketh them , and although they fight not among themselves for their females , ( except very seldom ) yet do they so burn in this fury , that many times they overthrow trees and houses in india by their tuskes , and running their head like a ram against them , wherefore then they keep them low and down by subtraction of their meat , and also bring some stranger to beat them . there was a certain cunning hunter sent into mauritania , by the roman emperor , to hunt and take elephants ; on a day he saw a goodly young elephant in copulation with another , and instantly a third approached with a direful braying , as if he would have eaten up all the company , and as it afterward appeared , he was an arrival to the female , which we saw in copulation with the other male : when he approached neer , both of them set themselves to combat , which they performed like some unresistable waves of the sea , or as the hils which are shaken together by an earthquake , wherein each one charged the other most furiously for their love , to the terror and admiration of all the beholders , and so at last became both disarmed of their teeth and horns by their often blowes , before one had overcome the other , and so at last by the hunters were parted asunder , being ever afterward quiet from such contentions about their females for copulation . the indians separate the stables of the females far asunder from the males , because at that time they overthrow their houses . they are modest and shamefast in this action , for they seek the deserts , woods , and secret places for procreation , and sometimes the waters , because the waters do support the male in that action , whereby he ascendeth and descendeth from the back of the female with more ease : and once it was seen , that in virgea ( a countrey of the corascens ) two elephants did engender out of india , otherwise they couple not out of their own countries . when they go to copulation , they turn their heads towards the east , but whether in remembrance of paradise , or for the mandragoras , or for any other cause i cannot tell : the female sitteth while she is covered . they begin to engender , the male at six , ten , twelve , fifteen or twenty year old , the female not before ten years old . they couple but five dayes in two years , and never after the female is filled till she have been clear one whole year ; and after the second copulation , he never more toucheth his female . at that time the male breatheth forth at his nose a certain fat humour like a menstruous thing , but the female hath them not till her place of conception be opened : and alway the day after her filling , she washeth herself before she return to the flock . the time of their going with young is according to some , two years , and according to other , three ; the occasion of this diversity is , because their time of copulation cannot certainly be known , because of their secrecy , for the greater bodies that beasts have , they are the lesse fruitful . she is delivered in great pain , leaning upon her hinder legs . they never bring forth but one at a time , and that is not much greater then a great cow-calfe ( of three monthes old ) which she nourisheth six or eight year . as soon as it is calved , it seeth and goeth , and sucketh with the mouth , not with the trunck , and so groweth to a great stature . the females when they have calved are most fierce , for fear of their young ones , but if a man come and touch them , they are not angry , for it seemeth they understand that he toucheth them not for any desire to take or harm them , but rather to stroke and admire them . sometimes they go into the water to the belly , and there calve for fear of the dragon : the male never forsaketh her , but keepeth with her for the like fear of the dragon , and feed and defend their young ones with singular love and constancy unto death ; as appeareth by the example of one , that heard the braying of her calf fallen into a ditch , and not able to arise , the female ran unto it , and for hast fell down upon it , so crushing it to death , and breaking her own neck with one and the same violent love . as they live in herds , so when they are to passe over a river or water , they send over the least or youngest first , because their great bodies together should not cause the deep water to swell or rise above their height : the other stand on the bank and observe how deep he wadeth , and so make account that the greater may with more assurance follow after the younger and smaller , then they the elder and taller ; and the females carry over their calves upon their snowts , and long eminent teeth binding them fast with their truncks , ( like as with ropes or male girts , that they may not fall ) being sometime holpen by the male ; wherein appeareth an admirable point of natural wisdom , both in the cariage of their young , and in sending of the lesser foremost , not only for the reason aforesaid , but also because they being hunted and prosecuted , it is requisite that the greatest and strongest come in the rear and hindmost part , for the safegard of the weaker , against the sury of their persecutors , being better able to fight then the foremost , whom in natural love and policy , they set farthest from the danger . mutiuc which had been thrice consul affirmeth , that he saw elephants brought on shore at puteoli in italy : they were caused to go out of the ship backward , all along the bridge that was made for them , that so the sight of the sea might terrifie them , and cause them more willingly to come on land , and that they might not be terrified with the length of the bridge from the continent . pliny and solinus affirm , that they will not go on shipboard , untill their keeper by some intelligible signe of oath , make promise unto them of their return back again . they sometimes , as hath been said , fight one against another , and when the weaker is overcome , he is so much abased and cast down in minde , that ever after he feareth the voice of the conquerour . they are never so fierce , violent , or wilde , but the sight of a ram tameth and dismayeth them , for they fear his horns ; for which cause the egyptians picture an elephant and a ram , to signifie a foolish king that runneth away for a fearfull sight in the field . and not only a ram , but also the gruntling clamour or cry of hogs : by which means the romans overthrew the carthaginians and pyrrhus which trusted overmuch to their elephants . when antipater besieged the megarians very straitly with many elephants , the citizens took certain swine and anointed them with pitch , then set them on fire and turned them out among the elephants , who crying horribly by reason of the fire on their bodies , so distempered the elephants , that all the wit of the macedonians could not restrain them from madness , fury , and flying upon their own company , only because of the cry of the swine . and to take away that fear from elephants , they bring up with them when they are tamed , young pigges and swine ever since that time . when elephants are chased in hunting , if the lions see them , they run from them like hinde-calves from the dogs of hunters , and yet iphicrates sayeth , that among the hesperian or western ethiopians , lions set upon the young calves of elephants and wound them : but at the sight of the mothers , which come with speed to them , when they hear them cry , the lions run away , and when the mothers finde their young ones imbrued in their own bloud , they themselves are so inraged that they kill them , and so retire from them , after which time the lions return and eat their flesh . they will not indure the savour of a mouse , but refuse the meat which they have run over : in the river ganges of india , there are blew wormes of sixty cubits long having two armes ; these when the elephants come to drink in that river , take their trunks in their hands and pull them off . there are dragons among the ethiopians , which are thirty yards or paces long , these have no name among the inhabitants but elephant-killers . and among the indians also there is as an inbred and native hateful hostility between dragons and elephants : for which cause the dragons being not ignorant that the elephants feed upon the fruits and leaves of green trees , do secretly convey themselves into them or to the tops of rocks : covering their hinder part with leaves , and letting his head and fore part hang down like a rope , on a suddain when the elephant cometh to crop the top of the tree , she leapeth into his face , and diggeth out his eyes , and because that revenge of malice is too little to satisfie a serpent , she twineth her gable like body about the throat of the amazed elephant , and so strangleth him to death . again they marke the footsteps of the elephant when he goeth to feed , and so with their tails , net in and entangle his legs and feet : when the elephant perceiveth and feeleth them , he putteth down his trunck to remove and untie their knots and gins ; then one of them thrusteth his poisoned stinging head into his nostrils , and so stops up his breath , the other prick and gore his tender belly-parts . some again meet him and flie upon his eyes and pull them forth , so that at the last he must yeeld to their rage , and fall down upon them , killing them in his death by his fall , whom he could not resist or overcome being alive : and this must be understood , that forsomuch as elephants go together by flocks and herds , the subtil dragons let the foremost passe , and set upon the hindmost , that so they may not be oppressed with multitude . also it is reported that the bloud of an elephant is the coldest blood in the world , and that dragons in the scorching heat of summer , cannot get any thing to cool them , except this bloud ; for which cause they hide themselves in rivers and brooks whither the elephants come to drink , and when he putteth down his trunck they take hold thereof , and instantly in great numbers leap up unto his ear , which is naked , bare and without defence : whereout they suck the blood of the elephant untill he fall down dead , and so they perish both together . of this blood cometh that ancient cinnabaris , made by commixture of the bloud of elephants and dragons both together , which alone is able , and nothing but it , to make the best representation of blood in painting . some have corrupted it with goats-blood , and call it milton , and mimum , and monocroma : it hath a most rare and singular vertue against all poisons , beside the unmatchable property aforesaid . these serpents or dragons are bred in taprobana , in whose heads are many pretious stones , with such naturall seals or figurative impressions , as if they were framed by the hand of man , for podisippus and tzetzes affirm , that they have seen one of them taken out of a dragons head , having upon it the lively and artificial stampe of a chariot . elephants are enemies to wilde buls , and the rhinocerots , for in the games of pompey , when an elephant and a rhinoceros were brought together , the rhinoceros ran instantly and whet his horn upon a stone , and so prepared himself to fight , striking most of all at the belly of the elephant , because he knew that it was the tenderest and most penetrable part of the body . the rhinoceros was as long as the elephant , but the legs thereof were much shorter , and as the rhinocerotes sharpen their horns upon the stones , so do the elephants their teeth upon trees : the sharpness of either yeeldeth not to any steel . especially the rhinocerot teareth and pricketh the legs of the elephant . they fight in the woods for no other cause , but for the meat they live upon , but if the rhinocerot get not the advantage of the elephants belly , but set upon him in some other part of his body , he is soon put to the worst , by the sharpness of the ivory tooth which pierceth through his more then buffe-hard skin ( not to be pierced with any dart ) with great facility , being set on with the strength of so able an adversary . the tygre also feareth not an elephant , but is fiercer and stronger , for he leapeth upon his head and teareth out his throat , but the gryphins which overcome almost all beasts , are not able to stand with the lions or elephants . the females are far more strong , chearful , and couragious then the males , and also they are apt to bear the greater burthens ; but in war the male is more graceful and acceptable , because he is taller , giving more assured ensignes of victory and fortitude : for their strength is admirable , as may be conjectured by that which is formerly recited of their trunck , as vartoman affirmeth , that he saw three elephants with their only heads , drive a great ship out of the sea-water where it was fastened unto the shore . when he is most loaded he goeth surest , for he can carry a wooden tower on his back with thirty men therein , and their sufficient food and warlike instruments . the king of india was wont to go to war with elephants of war , and beside these he had also followed him of the chiefest and strongest in india , which at his command would overthrow trees , houses , wals , or any such thing standing against him : and indeed upon these were the indians wont to fight , for the defence of their coast and countrey . the farthest region of that continent is called partalis , inhabited by the gangarides and calingae , the king whereof was wont to have seven hundred elephants to watch his army , and there was no mean prince in all india which was not lord of many elephants . the king of palibotrae kept in stipend , eight thousand every day , and beyond his territory was the king of modubae and molindae , which had four hundred elephants . these fight with men , and overthrow all that come within their reach , both with their truncks and teeth . there were certain officers and guiders of these elephants , which were called elephantarchae , who were the governors of sixteen elephants , and they which did institute and teach them martial discipline , were called elephantagogi . the military elephant did carry four persons on his bare back , one fighting on the right hand , another fighting on the left hand , a third which stood fighting backward from the elephants head , and a fourth in the middle of these holding the rains and guiding the beast to the descretion of the souldiers , even as the pilot in a ship guideth the stern , wherein was required an equall knowledge and dexterity , for they understand any language quickly ; for when the indian which ruled them said , strike here on the right hand , or else on the left , or refrain and stand still , no reasonable man could yeeld readier obedience . they did fasten by iron chains , first of all upon the elephant that was to bear ten , fifteen , twenty , or thirty men , on either side two panniers of iron bound underneath their belly , and upon them the like panniers of wood hollow , wherein they place their men at armes , and covered them over with small boards , for the trunck of the elephant was covered with a mail for defence , and upon that a broad sword , and two cubits long : this ( as also the wooden castle or panniers aforesaid ) were fastened first to the neck , and then to the rump of the elephant . being thus , armed , they entred the battel , and they shewed unto the beast to make them more fierce , wine , red liquor made of rice , and white cloth , for at the sight of any of these , his courage and rage increaseth above all measure ; then at the sound of the trumpet he beginneth with teeth to strike , tear , beat , spoil , take up into the air , cast down again , stamp upon men under feet , ovethrow with his trunck , and make way for his riders to pierce with spear , shield , and sword ; so that his horrible voice , his wonderful body , his terrible force his admirable skill , his ready and inclinable obedience , and his strange and seldom seen shape , produced in a main battel no mean accidents and overturns . for this cause we read how that pyrrhus first of all produced elephants against the romans in lucania : afterward asdrubal in africa , antiochus in the east , and jugurtha in numidia . against this new kinds of castle-fighting , and souldier-bearing beasts , on the contrary they invented new kinds of stratagems , as is before set down , and also new instruments of war , for a centurion in lucania with a new devised sharp sword cut off the trunck of this beast , again other invented , that two armed horses should draw a chariot , and in the same armed men with javelins and sharp spears , the speedy horses should with all force run upon the elephants , and the spear-men directing their course and weapons , some upon the beast , other upon the riders , did not only wound the beast , but also by celerity of the horses , escape all danger . other again sent against him armed souldiers , having their armour made full of sharp pricks or piercing piked nailes , so that when the beast did strike at them with his trunck , he received grievous wounds by his own blowes . again there were certain young men souldiers , armed with light armour , which being mounted upon swift horses , could cast darts with singular facility , and without the reach of the beast , many times wounding him with long spears , and so by example of the horse-men , the foot-men , grew more bold , and with piles in the earth annoyed the belly of the beast , and utterly vanquishing it and the rider . again , they devised slings to cast stones , whereby they beat off the riders , and many times overthrew the castle-bearer , as it were by some violent stroke of a cannon shot ; neither was there ever any more easie way to disaster these monster-seeming souldiers , then by casting of stones ; and lastly they would suffer their elephants and their riders by poor hopes and appearances of fear , to enter into the midst among them , and so begirt and inclose them , that they took the elephants alive ; and also more shooters of darts carryed in chariots with the strong course of horses , did so annoy them , that whereas their bodies were great and unweildy , not nimble to stir out of place , it became more easie to kill an elephant then a horse , because many shooters at one time could pierce so fair a mark with unresistible weapons . and these things are related by vegetius . at the last the fight with elephants turned into a publick game or pastime , both to see them fought withall by men , and also among themselves . when certain prisoners of the romans were taken by annibal , he first constrained them to skirmish among themselves , and so slew one another except only one ; and he was by the like commandement forced to fight with an elephant , but upon condition of liberty if he escaped alive : and thereupon joyned combate , and slew the elephant , to the great grief and amazement of all the carthaginians ; but going home , according to agreement , annibal fearing that by this fact those great beasts would grow into contempt , sent certain horse-men to kill him by the way . their trunck or hand is most easie to be cut off ; for so it happered in the aedility or templeoffice of claudius , antonius and posthumus being consuls , and afterward in the circus , when the luculli were the commons officers . and when pompey was consul the second time , there were or which at one time fought within the circus , at the dedication of the temple of venus the victoria , where the getulians fought with them with spears and darts ; for there happened an admirable accident , one of the souldiers who having a hurt in his feet did creep upon his knees betwixt the legs of the elephants , and cast up the darts over his head into the beasts belly , which fell down round about him , to the great pleasure of the beholders , so that many of the elephants perished rather by art then the strength of the souldier . no lesse was the miracle of another slain with one stroke , for a pile ran into his temples through his eye , and there stuck so fast , that it could not be pulled forth again ; which thing was afterward assayed by julius caesar , and in the third time of his consulship , there were twenty elephants , which in the games fought with five hundred men , and so many with towers on their backs , bearing threescore men in every tower. to conclude , elephants are afraid of fire , and martial made this epigram of a bull slain by an elephant , which was wont to domineer in all their triuphant games , wherewithal i will conclude this discourse . qui modo per totam flammis stimulatus arenam sustulerat raptas taurus in astra pilas , occubuit tandem cornuto ardore petitus , dum facilem tolli sic elephanta putat . in the next place it is good to relate the story of the taking and taming of elephants , for in lybia about the troglodytae , the hunting and taking of elephants have given many names to severall towns , as elephantina , and elephantis , epitherae , philothera , and the hunting of elephants by ptolemais , by the port saba , the city daraba , and lycha . in africk they take them in great ditches , whereinto when they are fallen , the people presently with boughs , mattocks , leaves , and digging down of high raised places , take them out again , and so turn them into a valley wrought by the labour of man , most firmely walled on both sides , where with famine they tame him ; for when he would gently take a bough at the hand of a man , they adjudged him tamed , and grew familiar with him , leading him away without all scruple . but the indians use a more ingenious and speedy means to tame them , which is this ; first , they dig also a great ditch , and place such meat therein as the beast loveth , who winding it , and coming thereunto , for desire thereof falleth into the fosse or ditch : being so fallen in , and not able to come forth again , one cometh to him with whips , beating him very grievously for a good space , to the great grief of the beast , who through his inclosing can neither run away nor help himself ; then cometh another during this time of punishment , and blameth the first man for beating the beast , who departeth presently as one afraid of his rebuke , the other pitieth the beast , and stroaketh him , and so goeth away ; then cometh the whipper again , and scourgeth the elephant as before and that more grievously to his greater torment for a good space together : whereupon the time fulfilled , the other cometh again and fighteth with the whipper , and forcibly seemeth to drive him away , and relieve the poor beast ; and this they do successively three or four times ; so at the last , the elephant groweth to know and love his deliverer , who by that means draweth him out and leadeth him away quietly : while this thing is doing , the smiter and whipper useth a strange and unwonted kind of habit , so as he may never be known by the elephant after he is tamed , for fear of revenge : of which you shall hear more afterward , in the farther discourse and opening the nature of this beast . arrianus and strabo relate another way whereby the indians take their elephants , which because they write upon their own eye sight , of the things they knew assuredly , i have thought good to expresse the devise ; four or five hunters first of all chuse out some plain place , without trees or hils , but declining , by the space of some four or five furlongs ; this they dig like a wide ditch as aforesaid , and with the earth they take up , they raise wals about it like a trench , and in the sides of the trench they make certain dens with holes , to convey in light to the watch-men , whom they place therein , to give notice and observe when the elephants are inclosed ; then make they a narrow bridge covered with earth at the farther end of the trench , that the beasts may dread no fallacy ; and for the more speedy effecting and compassing their desire , they also include in the trench three or four tame female elephants , to entise and draw into them the wilde ones . now these beasts in the day time feed not so boldly as in the night , and therefore they cannot easily be deceived or taken in the light ; but in the night great flocks of them follow the captain ( as we have already shewed ) and so coming neer this trench , partly by the voice , and partly by the savour and smell of the females , they are drawn into the trench ; then the watch-men with all speed , pull down the bridge , and other of them go into the next townes to call for help , who upon the first notice thereof , come to the place mounted upon the best and strongest tame elephants , and so compasse them about , giving meat in their presence to the tame , but besieging the inclosed , they keep them from all meat and food , until they be so weakned that they dare enter in among them , but in this manner , they turn in their tame elephants , and go under their bellies , and so when they come near the wilde elephants , they speedily convey themselves under his belly , and lay unavoidable fetters upon their feet : then provoke they the tame ones to beat and fight with the wilde , who by reason of the manacles upon their feet are easily overthrown and fall to the ground ; being on the ground , they put halters upon their necks made of raw oxe hides , and so bind them to the tame and domestical elephants : and while they lie on the ground , they get upon them , and to the intent that their riders may be without danger of harm by them , they cut the skin of their necks round about in a circle , with a sharp sword , and upon the wound they tie and fasten a rope , that so the pain may constrain the beast to be quiet , so that by this they begin to feel their own weakness , and leave off their wildeness , betaking themselves to the mercy of their new masters . but thus raised from the earth again , and yoaked by the necks and legs to the tamed elephants , they are safely led home into stables , where they are fastened to great pillars by their necks , and if they refuse to eat their meat , with tymbrels , cymbals , harpes , and other musical instruments , they are so entised from sullen wildeness , that they forget their first natures , and yeeld all loving obedience to men , as to their victorious conquerors and unresistible masters . these beasts by their sagacity and natural instinct , do sometime foresee their own peril , and discover the trains and secret intentions of the hunters , so as they cannot be drawn into the ditches and fosses by any allurements , but presaging their own misfortunes , turn back again upon their hunters , even through the midst of them , and so seek to save themselves by flight overthrowing their enemies that dare approach unto them . at which time there is a fierce fight , to the great slaughter many times both of men and beasts ; for the men to stay his flight , bend their spears , and charge their darts and arrowes , to strike the elephant directly on the face , and if the beast perceive that he hath overthrown any man instantly he maketh to him , taketh him in his teeth , lifting him up into the air , and casting him down again , stampeth upon him , wounding him many times with his teeth or horns , whereby he putteth him to cruel torments , and leaveth him not till he be dead . and when they invade or set upon a man , they spread forth their broadears , ( which are fashioned like the winges of ostriches ) as the sails of a ship , and drawing up their trunck under their teeth their noses stand forth like the beak of some ship , and so rush they with unresistible violence upon the weak bodies of men , overturning them in no other sort , then a mighty great hulk or man of war , the little oares or whirries in the sea. and as the trumpets in war give the signes of fighting , so do these send forth such terrible yelling and roaring clamors , as bringeth no mean astonishment to his persecutors : beside the lamentable and mournful voices of men , by them wounded and fallen to the earth ; some having their knees and bones broken , other their eyes trod out of their head , other their noses pressed flat to their faces , and their whole visages so disfigured and disfavoured in a moment , that their neerest friends , kindred and acquaintance cannot know them . these also fil the spacious air with dir●ful cries , that are heard a great way off , into the towns and cities adjoyning , having no other means to escape out of the way , and from the teeth of the beast , except he strike his tooth into some root and there it stick fast untill the poor overthrown man can creep aside and save himself by flight . in this conflict , sometime the elephants , and sometimes men are the conquerors , by bringing upon the beasts divers terrors and manacles , out of which they are not very easily delivered : for men also have their trumpets , and so make the woods and fields ring with them , the ratling of their armour and shields , and their own howling and whooping , kindling fires on the earth , casting both fire-brands and burning torches into the face of the elephant , by all which the 〈◊〉 beast is not a little disgraced and terrified . so that being bereft of their wits , they turn back and run into the ditch which they so carefully avoided before . but if their rage proceed undeterred , and men be forced to yeeld unto them , forth they go into the woods , making the trees to bend unto them as a dog or an ox doth the standing corn at harvest : breaking off their tops and branches , which hinder their course and flight , as another beast would crop off the ears of corn ; but where they are taller then the woods , there they strain every joynt and member in them to get ground land overgo their hunters ; which they may perform and attain more easily , because of their customary aboad in those places : and when they are escaped out of the sight of their followers , and make account that they are freed from further persecution , then cast they off all fear , and compound their distracted senses into a remembrance of meat , and so gather their food from palms , trees or bushes ; afterward betaking themselves to rest and quietness . but if their hunters come again into their sight , they also again take them to their heels , untill they have gotten more ground from them , and then they rest again ; and if the sun decline , and light of day fail the hunters , and darkness make an end of the chase ; then do they compasse in the beasts way , and set the wood a fire , ( for elephants fear fire as much as lions : ) so that by all this it appeareth ; that the fabulous tales of gabinius the roman writer of elephants , are not to be believed , when he affirmeth , that elephants will fight against and resist the violence of fire . the troglodytae hunt and take elephants after another manner , for they climbe up into the trees , and there sit till the flocks of elephants passe by , and upon the last , the watch-man suddenly leapeth ( with great courage ) taking hold upon his tail and so sliding down to his legs , and with a sharp axe which he hath hanging at his back cutteth the nerves and sinews of his legs with so great celerity , that the beast cannot turn about to relieve it self , before she be wounded and made unable to revenge her harm , or prevent her taking : and sometimes she falleth down on the wounded side , and crusheth the hunter watch-man to death , or else with her force in running , dasheth out his brains against a tree . the elephant-eaters ( called elephantophagi ) do observe the like policy , for by stealth and secretly they set upon the hindmost , or else the wandring solitary elephant , and cut his sinews , which causeth the beast so cast down and taken . other among the aforesaid troglod●●e , use a more easie , cunning and lesse perillous kinde of taking elephants ; for they set on the ground very strong charged bent-bowes , which are kept by many of their strongest youngmen , and so when the flocks of elephants passe by , they shoot their sharp arrowes dipped in the gall of serpents , and wound some one of them , and follow him by the bloud , untill he be unable to make resistance . there are three at every bow , two which hold it , and one that draweth the string . other again , watch the trees whereunto the beast leaneth when he sleepeth , neer some waters , and the same they cut half asunder , whereunto when he declineth his body , the tree is overturned and the beast also , and being unable to rise again because of the short nerves and no flexions in his legs , there he lyeth till the watch man come and cut off his head . aristotle describeth another manner of taking elephants in this sort ; the hunter ( saith he ) getteth up upon a tamed elephant , and followeth the wilde one till he have overtaken it , then commandeth he the tame beast to strike the other , and so continueth chasing and beating him , till he have wearyed him and broken his untameable nature . then doth the rider leap upon the wearyed and tyred elephant , and with a sharp pointed sickle doth govern him after the tame one , and so in short space he groweth gentle . and some of them when the rider alighteth from their backs , grow wilde and fierce again ; for which cause they binde their forelegs with strong bands , and by this means they take both great and small old and young ones ; but as the old ones are more wilde and obstinate , and so difficult to be taken , so the younger keep so much with the elder , that a like impossibility or difficulty interposeth itself from apprehending them . in the caspian lake , there are certain fishes ( called oxyrineh ) out of whom is made such a firme glew , that it will not be dissolved in ten dayes after it hath taken hold , for which cause they use it in the taking of elephants . there are in the island zeira many elephants , whom they take on this manner : in the mountains they make certain doysters in the earth , having two great trees standing at the mouth of the cloysters , and in those trees they hangup a great parcul 〈…〉 gate , within that cloyster they place a tame female elephant at the time of their usual copulation : the wilde elephants do speedily wind her , and make to her , and so at the last having found the way betwixt the two trees , enter into her ; sometime twenty , and sometime thirty at a time : then are there two men in the said trees , which cut the rope whereby the gate hangeth , so it falleth down and includeth the elephants , where they suffer them alone for six or seven dayes without meat , whereby they are so infeebled and famished , that they are not able to stand upon their legs . then two or three strong men enter in among them , and with great slaves and clubs , belabour and , ●udgel them , till by that means they grow tame , and gentle ; and although an elephant be a monstrous great beast and very subtil , yet by these and such like means do the inhabitants of india and ethiopia , take many of them with a very small labour to their great advantage . against these sleights of men , may be oposed the subtil and cautelous evasions of the beast , avoiding all the footsteps of men , if they smell them upon any herb or leaf , and for their fight with the hunters , they observe this order . first of all , they set them foremost which have the least teeth , that so they may not be afraid of combate , and when they are weary , by breaking down of trees they escape and flie away . but for their hunting , they know that they are not hunted in india for no other cause , then for their teeth , and therefore to discourage the hunters , they set them which have the worst teeth before , and reserve the strongest for the second encounter : for their wisdom or natural discretion is herein to be admired , that they will so dispose themselves in all their battails when they are in chase , that ever they fight by course , and inclose the youngest from perill , so that lying under the belly of their dams they can scarce be seen : and when one of them flyeth they all flie away , to their usual resting places , striving which of them shall go foremost : and if at any time they come to a wide and deep ditch , which they cannot passe over without a bridge , then one of them descendeth , and goeth down into the ditch , and standeth transverse or crosse the same , by his great body filling up the empty parts , and the residue passe over upon his back as upon a bridge . afterward when they are all over , they tarry and help their fellow out of the ditch or trench again , by this sleight or devise , one of them putteth down to him his leg , and the other in the ditch windeth his trunck about the same , the residue standers by cast in bundles of sprigs with their mouthes , which the elephant warily and speedily putteth under his feet , and so raiseth himself out of the trench again , and departeth with his fellowes . but if they fall in and cannot finde any help or means to come forth , they lay aside their natural wilde disposition , and are contented to take meat and drink at the hands of men , whose presence before they abhorred ; and being delivered they think no more upon their former condition , but in forgetfulness thereof , remain obedient to their deliverers . being thus taken , as it hath been said , it is also expedient to express by what art and means they are cicurattd and tamed . first of all therefore when they are taken , they are fastened to some tree or pillar in the earth , so as they can neither kick backward nor leap forward , and there hunger , thirst , and famine , like two most strong and forcible riders abate their natural wildeness , strength , fear and hatred of men : afterward when their keepers perceive by their dejection of minde , that they begin to be mollified and altered , then they give unto them meat out of their hands , upon whom the beast doth cast a far more favorable and cheerful eye , considering their own bondage , and so at the last necessity frameth them unto a contented and tractable course and inclination . but the indians by great labour and industry take their young calves at their watering places , and so lead them away , inticing them by many allurements of meat to love and obey , them , so as they grow to understand the indian language , but the elder indian elephants do very hardly and seldom grow tame , because of their remembrance of their former liberty , by any bands and oppression ; nevertheless by instrumental musick , joyned with some of their countrey songs and ditties , they abate their fierceness , and bring down their high untractable stomachs , so as without all bands they remain quiet , peaceable and obedient , taking their meat which is layed before them . pliny and solinus prescribe the juyce of barly to be given to them for their mitification , whereunto also agreeth dioscorides ( calling that kind of drink zythus ) and the reason hereof is , because of the tart sharpness in barly water if it stand a little while ; and therefore also they prescribe vinegar and ashes to rub the beasts mouth , for it hath power in it to pierce stones , all sharp things penetrate deep into his flesh , and alter his nature ; the invention whereof is attributed to democritus . being thus tamed , they grow into civill and familiar uses , for caesar ascended into the capitol betwixt four hundred elephants , carrying at either side burning torches , and heliogabalus brought four waggons drawn with elephants in vaticanum , and men commonly ride upon them , for ap●llonius saw neer the river indus , a boy of thirteen year old riding alone upon an elephant , spurring and pricking him as freely as any man will do a lean horse . they are taught to bend one of their hinder legs to take up the rider , who also must receive help from some other present standers by , or else it is impossible to mount on the back of so high a palfrey . they which are not accustomed to ride upon these beasts , are affected with vomiting and casting , like men when they first of all take the sea. they are ruled without bridle or rains , only by a long crooked piece of wood bending like a sickle , and nailed with sharp nails , no man can sit more safely and more softly upon a horse or mule then they do which ride upon the elephants . the indians with their lesser elephants ( which they call bastard elephants ) plow their ground and corn . the common price of elephants is at the least five hundred nobles , and sometimes two thousand . the indian women are most chast and continent , yet for an elephant they take a great pride to be hired for whores , for they imagine that the fame and received opinion of their beauty doth countervail and cover the shameful losse of their honesty ( as arrianus writeth in his book of indians . ) since the time that elephants have been tamed , their natures and dispositions have been the better observed and discovered ; for they willingly obey their keepers , learning all feats of armes , to take up stones and cast them , and to swim ; so that strabo affirmeth , there was no possession or wealth comparable to a chariot or waggon of elephants . mutianus which was thrice consul , affirmed to pliny , that he saw an elephant which learned the greek letters , and was able with his tongue to write these words , antos ego● tadegrapsa laphura te kell ' anetheca ; that is , i wrote these things and dedicated the celtican spoils : but in these actions of writing , the hand of the teacher must be also present to teach him how to frame the letters , and then , as aelianus saith , they will write upon tables , and follow the true proportion of the characters expressed before their face , whereupon they look as attentively as any grammarian . in india they are taught many sports , as to dance and leap , which caused martial to write thus ; turpes esseda quod trabunt bisontes , et molles dare jussa quod choreas nigro bellua nil legat magistro , quis spectacula non putet deorum ? when the prizes of germanicus caesar were played , there were many elephants which acted strange feats or parts , four of them went upon ropes and over the tables of meat , whereon they set their feet so warily that they never touched any of the ghests , the boardes or standing cups being fully furnished . and also they learned to dance after pipes by measure , sometime dancing softly , and sometime apace , and then again leaping upright , according to the number sung or played upon the instrument ; and they are apt to learn , remember , meditate , and conceive such things as a man can hardly perform . their industrious care to perform the things they are taught , appeareth herein , because when they are secret and alone by themselves , they will practise leaping , dancing , and other strange feats , which they could not learn suddenly in the presence of their masters : as pliny affirmeth for certain truth of an elephant which was dull and hard of understanding , his keeper found him in the night practising those things which he had taught him with many stripes the day before , and could not prevail by reason of the beasts slow conceit . there was an elephant playing upon a cymbal , and others of his fellowes dancing about him , for there was fastened to either of both of his forelegs one cymbal , and another hanged to his trunck , the beast would observe just time , and strike upon one , and then the other , to the admiration of all the beholders . there was a certain banquet prepared for elephants upon a low bed in a parlour set with divers dishes and pots of wine , whereinto were admitted twelve , six males , apparelled like men , and six females apparelled like women : when they saw it , they sat down with great modesty , taking here and there like discreet temperate ghests , neither ravening upon one dish or other , and when they should ▪ drink , they took the cup receiving in the liquor very mannerly , and for sport and festivity would through their truncks squirt or cast a little of their drink upon their attendants ; so that this beast is not only of an admirable greatness , but of a more wonderful meekness and docibility . they are said to discern betwixt kings and common persons , for they adore and bend unto them , pointing to their crowns , which caused martial to write this tetrastichon ; quod pius & supplex elephas te caesar odorat , hic modo qui tauro tam metuendus erat , non sacit hoc jussus , nulloque docente magistro : crede mihi , numen sentit & ille tuum . the king of indians was watched with four and twenty elephants , who were taught to forbear sleep , and to come in their turns at certain hours , and so were they most faithful , careful and invincible . and as there be of them three kinds , the palustrians or marishie elephants are hair brained and inconstant , the elephants of the mountains are subtil and evill natured , lying in wait to destroy and devoure , but the campestrial elephants are meek , gentle , docible , and apt to imitate men . in these is the understanding of their countrey language , of obedience to princes , government , and offices ; the love and pleasure of glory and praise : and also that which is not alway in men ; namely , equity , wisdom , and probity . they have also a kind of religion , for they worship , reverence , and observe the course of the sun , moon , and stars ; for when the moon shineth , they go to the waters wherein she is apparent ; and when the sun ariseth they salute and reverence his face : and it is observed in ethiopia , that when the moon is changed untill her prime and appearance , these beasts by a secret motion of nature , take boughs from off the trees they feed upon , and first of all lift them up to heaven , and then look upon the moon , which they do many times together , as it were in supplication to her . in like manner they reverence the sun rising , holding up their trunck or hand to heaven , in congratulation of her rising . iuba was wont to say , that this beast was acceptable to those gods which ruled sea and land , because of their reverence to sun and moon , and therefore ptolomeus philopator , offered four elephants in a sacrifice ( to recover the quietness of his minde ) thinking that the gods would have been well pleased therewith , but finding that his fearful dreams and visions departed not from him , but rather his disquietness increased , fearing that the gods were angry with him for that action , he made four elephants of brass , and dedicated them to the sun , that so by this deed he might purchase pardon for the former offence . this religion of theirs , also appeareth before their death , for when they feel any mortal wounds , or other natural signes of their later end , either they take up the dust , or else some green herb , and lift it up to heaven in token of their innocency and imploration of their own weakness : and in like manner do they when they eat any herb by natural instinct to cure their diseases : first they lift it up to the heavens ( as it were to pray for a divine blessing upon it ) and then devoure it . i cannot omit their care , to bury and cover the dead carkases of their companions , or any other of their kinde ; for finding them dead , they pass not by them till they have lamented their common misery , by casting dust and earth on them , and also green boughs , in token of sacrifice , holding it execrable to do otherwise : and they know by a natural instinct some assured fore-tokens of their own death . besides when they wax old and unfit to gather their own meat , or fight for themselves , the younger of them feed , nourish , and defend them , yea they raise them out of ditches and trenches into which they are fallen , exempting them from all labour and perill , and interposing their own bodies for their protection : neither do they forsake them in sickness , or in their wounds , but stand to them , pulling out darts of their bodies , and helping both like skilful chirurgions to cure wounds , and also like faithful friends to supply their wants . again , how much they love their young , which is a natural part , of religion we have shewed before . antipater supposeth that they have a kinde of divination or divine understanding of law and equity , for when king bocohus had condemned thirty men to be torn and trod in pieces by elephants , and tying them hand and foot to blocks or pieces of wood , cast them among thirty elephants , his servants and officers could not by all their wit , skill , or provocation , make the beasts touch one of them : so that it was apparent , they scorned and disdained to serve any mans cruel disposition , or to be the ministers of tyranny and murther . they moreover have not only an observation of chastity among themselves , but also are revengers of whoredom and adulterers in other , as may appear by these examples in history . a certain elephant seeing his master absent , and another man in bed with his mistress , he went unto the bed and slew them both . the like was done at rome , where the elephant having slain both the adulterer and adulteress , he covered them with the bed-clothes untill his keeper returned home , and then by signes drew him into his lodging place , where he uncovered the adulterers , and shewed him his bloudy tooth that took revenge upon them both for such a villany : whereat the master wondering , was the more pacified , because of the manifest-committed iniquity . and not only thus deal they against the woman , but they also spare not to revenge the adultery of men ; yea of their own keeper : for there was a rich man which had marryed a wife not very amiable or lovely , but like himself for wealth , riches , and possessions , which he having gained , first of all set his heart to love another , more fitting his lustful fancy , and being desirous to marry her , strangled his rich ill-favoured wife , and buryed her not far from the elephants stable , and so marryed with the other , and brought her home to his house : the elephant abhorring such detestable murther , brought the new marryed wise to the place where the other was buryed ; and with his teeth digged up the ground and shewed her the naked body of her predecessor , intimating thereby unto her secretly , how unworthily she had marryed with a man , murtherer of his former wise . their love and concord with all mankinde is most notorious , especially to their keepers and women : for if through wrath they be incensed against their keepers , they kill them , and afterward by way of repentance , they consume themselves with mourning : and for the manifesting of this point arrianus telleth a notable story of an indian , who had brought up from a foal a white elephant , both loving it , and being beloved of it again , he was thereupon carryed with great admiration . the king hearing of this white elephant , sent unto the man for it , requiring it to be given to him for a present , whereat the man was much grieved , that another man should possess that which he had so tenderly educated and loved , fitting him to his bow and purposes , and therefore like a rival in his elephants love , resolved to deny the king , and to shift for himself in some other place : whereupon he fled into a desert region with his elephant , and the king understanding thereof , grew offended with him , sent messengers after him to take away the elephant , and withal to bring the man back again , to receive punishment for his contempt . when they came to the place where he remained , and began to take order for their apprehension , the man ascended into a steep place , and there kept the kings messengers off from him by casting of stones , and so also did the beast , like as one that had received some injury by them , at last , they got neer the indian , and cast him down , but the elephant made upon them , killing some of them , and defending his master and nourisher , put the residue to flight , and then taking up his master with his trunk , carryed him safe into his lodging , which thing is worthy to be remembred , as a noble understanding part both of a loving friend and faithful servant . the like may be said of the elephant of porus , carrying his wounded master the king in the battel he fought with alexander , for the beast drew the darts gently out of his masters body without all pain , and did not cast him untill he perceived him to be dead , and without bloud and breath , and then did first of all bend his own body as near the earth as he could , that if his master had any li●e left in him , he might not receive any harm in his alighting or falling down . generally , as is already said , they love all men after they be tamed , for if they meet a man erring out of his way , they gently bring him into the right again , yet being wilde are they afraid of the foot-steps of men if they winde their treadings before they see their persons , and when they finde an herb that yeeldeth a suspicion of a mans presence , they smell thereunto one by one ; and if all agree in one savour , the last beast lifteth up his voyce and cryeth out for a token and watch-word to make them all fly away . cicero affirmeth that they come so near to a mans disposition , that their small company or nation seemeth to over-go or equall most men in sense and understanding . at the sight of a beautiful woman they leave off all rage and grow meek and gentle ; and therefore aelianus saith , that there was an elephant in egypt , which was in love with a woman that sold corrals , the self same woman was wooed by aristophanes ; and therefore it was not likely , that she was chosen of the elephant without singular admiration of her beauty , wherein aristophanes might say as never man could ; that he had an elephant for his rivall ; and this also did the elephant manifest unto the man : for on a day in the market , he brought her certain apples , and put them into her bosom , holding his trunk a great while therein , handling and playing with her breasts . another likewise loved a syrian woman , with whose aspect he was suddenly taken , and in admiration of her face stroked the same with his trunk , with testification of farther love : the woman likewise failed not to frame for the elephant amorous devices with beads and corrals , silver , and such things as are grateful to these brute beasts , so she enjoyed his labour and dilgence to her great profit , and he her love and kindeness without all offence to his contentment , which caused horat. to write this verse : quid tibi vis mulier nigris dignissima barris ? at last , the woman dyed , whom the elephant missing , like a lover distracted betwixt love and sorrow fell beside himself and so perished . neither ought any man to marvel at such a passion in this beast , who hath such a memory as is attributed unto him , and understanding of his charge and business , as may appear by manifold examples : for antipater affirmeth that he saw an elephant that knew again , and took acquaintaince of his master which had nourished him in his youth , after many years absence . when they are hurt by any man , they seldom forget a revenge , and so also they remember on the contrary to recompense all benefits , as it hath been manifested already . they observe things done both in weight and measure , especially in their own meat . agnon writeth that an elephant was kept in a great mans house in syria , having a man appointed to be his overseer , who did dayly defraud the beast of his allowance : but on a day as his master looked on , he brought the whole measure and gave it to him : the beast seeing the same , and remembring how he had served him in times times past , in the presence of his master exactly divided the corn into two parts , and so laid one of them aside : by this fact shewing the fraud of the servant to his master . the like story is related by plutarch and aelianus , of another elephant , discovering to his master the falshood and privy theft of an unjust servant . about lycha in africk there are certain springs of water , which if at any time they dry up , by the teeth of elephants they are opened and recovered again . they are most gentle and meek , never fighting or striking man or beast , except they be provoked , and then being angred , they will take up a man in their trunk and cast him into the air like an arrow , so as many times he is dead before he come to the ground . plutarch affirmeth , that in rome , a boy pricking the trunck of an elephant with a goad , the beast caught him , and lift him up into the air to shoot him away and kill him : but the people and standers by seeing it , made so great a noise and cry thereat , that the beast set him down again fair and softly without any harm to him at all ; as if he thought it sufficient to have put him in fear of such a death . in the night time they seem to lament with sighs and tears their captivity and bondage , but if any come to that speed , like unto modest persons they refrain suddenly , and are ashmed to be found either murmuring or sorrowing . they live to a long age , even to or years ; if sickness or wounds prevent not their life : and some but to a years ; they are in their best strength of body at threescore , for then beginneth their youth . iuba king of lybia writeth , that he hath seen tame elephants which have descended from the father to the son , ( by way of inheritance ) many generations : and that ptolemaeus philadelphus had an elephant , which continued alive many ages , and another of seleucus nicanor , which remained alive to the last overthrow of all the antiochi . the inhabitants of taxila in india affirm , that they had an elephant at the least three hundred and fifty years old , for they said it was the same that fought so faithfully with alexander for king porus , for which cause alexander cald him aiax , and did afterward dedicate him to the sun , and put certain golden chains about his teeth with this inscription upon them : alexander filius iovis aiacem soli : alexander the son of iupiter consecrateth this aiax to the sun. the like story is related by iubo , concrrning the age of an elephant , which had the impression of a tower on his teeth and was taken in atlas years after the same was engraven . there are certain people in the world which eat elephants , and are therefore called of the nemades ( elephantophagi ) elephant-eaters , as is already declared : there are of these which dwell in daraba , neer the wood eumenes , beyond the city saba , where there is a place ( called the hunting of elephants . the troglodytae live also hereupon , the people of africk cald asachae , which live in mountains , do likewise eat the flesh of elephants , and the adiabarae of megabari . the nomades have cities running upon charriots , and the people next under their territory , cut elephants in pieces , and both sell and eat them . some use the hard flesh of the back , and other commend above all the delicates of the world the reins of the elephants ; so that it is a wonder that aelianus would write , that there was nothing in an elephant good for meat , except the trunck , the lips , and the marrow of his horns , or teeth . the skin of this beast is exceeding hard , not to be pierced by any dart ; whereupon came the proverb , culicem haud curat elephas indi●ns , the indian elephant careth not for the biting of a gnat , to signifie a sufficient ability to resist all evill , and noble mindes must not revenge small injuries . it cannot be but in such 〈◊〉 and vast bodies there should also be nourished some diseases , and that many ( as strabo saith ) wherefore first of all there is no creature in the world less able to endure cold or winter , for their impatiency of cold bringeth inflamation . also in summer , when the same is hottest , they cool one another by casting durty and filthy water upon each other , or else run into the roughest woods of greatest shadow . it hath been shewed already , that they devour chamaeleons , and thereof perish , except they eat a wilde olive . when they suffer inflamation and are bound in the belly , either black wine , or nothing will cure them . when they drink a leach they are grievously pained : for their wounds by darts or otherwise , they are cured by swines-flesh , or dittany , or by oyl , or by the flower of the olive . they fall mad sometime , for which i know no other cure , but to tye them up fast in iron chains . when they are tyred for want of sleep , they are recovered by rubbing their shoulders with salt , oyl and water . cows milk warmed and infused into their eyes , cureth all evils in them , and they presently like reasonable men acknowledge the benefit of the medicine . the medicinal vertues in this beast are by authors observed to be these : the bloud of an elepbant and the ashes of a weasil , cure the great leprosie : and the same bloud is profitable against all rhumatick fluxes , and the sciatica . the flesh dryed and cold , or heavy fat and cold is abominable : for if it be sod and steeped in vinegar with fennel-seed , and given to a woman with childe , it maketh her presently suffer abortment . but if a man taste thereof salted and steeped with the seed aforesaid it cureth an old cough . the fat is a good antidote either by ointment or perfume : it cureth also the pain in the head . the ivory or tooth is cold and dry in the first degree , and the whole substance thereof corroborateth the heart and helpeth conception ; it is often adulterated by fishes and dogs bones burnt , and by white marble . there is a spodium made of ivory in this manner ; take a pound of ivory cut into pieces ; and put into a raw new earthen pot , covering and glewing the cover with lome round about , and so let it burn till the pot be throughly hardned : afterward take off the pot , and beat your ivory into small powder , and being so beaten , sift it , then put it into a glass , and pour upon it two pound of distilled rose-water , and let it dry . thirdly , beat it unto powder again , and sift it the second time , and put into it again so much rose-water as at the first , then let it dry , and put thereunto as much camphire as will ly upon three or four single groats , and work it all together upon a marble stone into little cakes , and so lay them up where the air may not corrut 〈…〉 them . the vertue hereof is very pretious against spitting of bloud , the bloudy-flix ; and also it is 〈◊〉 for refrigeration without danger of binding o● astriction . after a man is delivered from the 〈◊〉 pestilence , or sudden forgetfulness , let him be purged and take the powder of ivory and hiera 〈◊〉 , drunk out of sweet water : this powder with hony-attick , taketh away the spots in the face : the same with wilde mints drunk with water , resisteth and avoideth the leprosie at the beginning . the powder of ivory burnt and drunk with coatsbloud , doth wonderfull ▪ cure all the pains , and expell the little stones in the reins and bladder : combes made of ivory are most wholesome , the touching of the trunk cureth the headach : the liver is profitable against 〈…〉 evill , the same vertue hath the gall ( if he have any ) against the falling evill . the f●●e by anointing , cureth a lowfie 〈◊〉 , and taketh away that power which breedeth these vermine ▪ th 〈…〉 me perf●med easeth 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 a 〈…〉 , and driveth 〈◊〉 or marshflies out of a 〈…〉 ouse . of the elk . as the elphant last handled , could not live in any countrey of the world , but in the hot eastern , and southern regions ; so the 〈…〉 the contrary is most impatient of all heat , and keepeth not but in the northern and cold co 〈…〉 for polonia , and the countreys under that climate will not preserve an elk alive , as it hath been often ●ryed by experience : for which cause , they are not found but in the colder northern regi 〈…〉 prussia , hung 〈◊〉 and illyria , is the wood hercynia , and among the borussian-scy 〈…〉 〈◊〉 most plentiful in s 〈…〉 ( whi 〈…〉 nias calleth the celtes ) for all the ancients called the kingdoms of germany , and the north , celtarum regiones , countreys inhabited by the celts . the figure of the elk with horns . this beast is called in greek , alke ; and in latine , alces , or alce ; which was a name of one of actaeons dogs in ovid : the turks , valachians , the hungarians , iajus ; the illyrians and polonians , los ; in the singular , and plurally , lossie , for many elks. albertus magnus calleth it alches and aloy , and afterward equicervus , a horse-hart . the germans , elch , ellend , and elent , by a metathesis of alke , or alce : and for my part i take it to be the same beast which pliny calleth machlis , for there is nothing attributed to an elk which also doth not belong to machlis . the elk without horns . i finde not any unreconcileable difference among authors concerning this beast , except in caesar , lib. . of his commentaries , who by the relation of other , ( not by his own sight ) writeth that there are elks in the hercynian wood , like unto goats in their spotted skins , who have no horns , nor joints in their legs to bend withall , but sleep by leaning unto trees like elephants , because when they are down on the ground , they can never rise again . but the truth is , that they are like to roes or harts , because goats have no spotted skins , but deer have , and there may easily be a slip from caprea , a roe , to capra , a goat : and caesar himself confesseth , that the similitude is in their spotted skins , which are not competible in goats , but in roes . and whereas he writeth that they have no horns , the error of this relator may be this , that either he had only seen a young one before the horns came forth , or else an old one , that had lately lost his horns ; and by this i suppose that the authority of caesar is sufficiently answered , so as we may proceed to the description of this beast collected out of the ancient writers , pausanias , vapiscus , caesar , and solinus , pliny , and the later writers consenting with them in all things , ( excepting caesar in the two things aforesaid ) albertus magnus , mathaeus , michuanus , seb munster , erasmus , stella , iohannes , bonarus , baron of balizce a polonian , johannes kentmannus , jo. pontanus , antonius schnebergerus , christophorus wirsungus , and that most worthy learned man georgius joachimus of rhaetia , and baoron sigismund . pausanias snpposeth it to be a beast betwixt a hart and a camel , and albertus , betwixt a hart and a horse ; who therefore , as it hath been said , calleth it equi-cervus , a horse-hart ; but i rather by the horns afterward described , and by the foot which bonarus had , do take and hold it to be as big every way as two harts , and greater then a horse , because of the labour and qualities attributed thereunto : whereunto also agreeth albertus . in swedia and riga they are tamed , and put into coaches or charriots to draw men through great snows , and upon the ice in the winter time they also are most swift , and will run more miles in one day , then a horse can at three . they were wont to be presents for princes , because of their singular strength and swiftness ; for which cause alciatus relateth in an emblem , the answer of alexander to one that asked him a question about celerity whether haste doth not alway make waste : which alexander denyed by the example of the elk in these verses : alciatae gentis insignia sustinet alce , vnguibus & [ meeden ] fert [ anaballomenos ] constat alexandrum sic respondisse roganti , qui tot obivisset tempore gesta brevi , nunquam inquit differre volens , quod & indicat alce , fortior haec dubites , ocyor anne siet ? pliny affirmeth ( in my opinion ) very truly that this beast is like an oxe , except in his hair , which is more like to a hart , his upper lip is so great , and hangeth over the neather so far , that he cannot eat going forward , because it doubleth under his mouth , but as he eateth he goeth backward like a sea-crab , and so gathereth up the grass that lay under his feet . his mane is divers both upon the top of his neck , and also underneath his throat it buncheth like a beard or curled lock of hair , howbeit , they are alway maned on the top of the neck . their neck is very short , and doth not answer to the proportion of the residue of his body , and therefore i have expressed both figures of the elks. their fore-head is very broad , two spans at the least : it hath two very large horns , which we have here also expressed , both for the right side and the left : so as they bend toward the back in the plain edge , and the spires or pikes stand forward to the face : both males and females have horns , they are solid at the root , and round , but afterward branched , and grow out of their eye-lids , they are broader then a harts , and are also very heavy , for they weigh at the least twelve pounds , and are not above two foot long , and the breadth measured from the longest spire to the other opposite side , about ten inches : the root next to the skin , is more then a man can well griple in his hand , and therefore here is expressed the figure of both horns , both in male and female ; for there is not any difference in their natures that i can learn , and these horns they lose every year . his ears and back are very long , and hanging down , the colour for the most part like a hart , and sometime white ; and munster affirmeth , that in the summer they are of russet colour , and in the winter brown or blackish coloured . his fore-legs without all joynts to bend , herein resembling an elephant , and therefore it sleepeth leaning to posts or trees , and not lying on the ground . his hoofs are cloven like a harts , and with the fore-feet he pierceth the dogs that hunt him , for the fighteth not with his horns , but with his fore-legs . it is a melancholick beast , and fearful to be seen , having an ambling pace , and keeping in the wet , watry , and marshy places , delighting in nothing but in moisture . the flesh is fat and sweet , but ingrateful to the palate , and engendereth melancholy . the germans call this beast ellend , which in their language signifieth miserable or wretched , and in truth if the report thereof be not false , it is in a most miserable and wretched case , for every day throughout the year it hath the falling-sickness , and continueth in the pangs thereof , untill the hoof of his right fore-foot touch his left ear , which comes not to pass but by the extream torments of the body , for whilest the members are reached and stretched with many strains and convulsions ( as it salleth out in that sickness ) by chance the aforesaid foot rubbeth the said ear , and immediately thereupon the beast is delivered from his pangs : whereby we are to admire the works of our creator , which having laid so heavy an infirmity upon this poor beast , wherewith he is dayly tormented , yet hath he also provided a remedy for that evill in the hoof of his own foot , making the torments of the disease to be the apothecary for applying the remedy to the place of cure . they live in heards and flocks together in scandivania , and when the waters are frozen up , the wilde mountain wolves set upon them in great multitudes together , whom they receive in battel upon the ice , fighting most fiercely and cruelly till one part be vanquished : in the mean time the husbandmen of the country observe this combate , & when they see one side go to the wall , they persecute them , & take the victors part , for it is indifferent to take either the one side or the other ; but most commonly the elks are conquerers by reason of their fore-feet , for with them they pierce the wolves or dogs skins , as with any sharp pointed spear or javelin . some have been of opinion that these are wilde asses , but they are led hereinto with no reason , except because they are used for travel and burthen as is before said , for there is no proportion or resemblance of body betwixt them : besides , they have cloven hoofs , for the most part , although sigismundus baro affirm , that there are some of this kinde which have their hoofs whole and undivided . being wilde it is a most fearful creature , and rather desireth to 〈…〉 ly hid in secret , then to fly , except persued by hunters ; and there is no danger in hunting of this beast , except a man come right before him , for on his sides he may safely strike and wound him ; but if the beast fasten his fore-feet on him , he cannot escape without death . notwithstanding it is a beast ( as hath been said ) as great as two harts , yet is it above measure fearful , and if it receive any small wound , or shot , instantly it falleth down and yeeldeth to death , as bonarus hunting with sigismund the second king of polonia in the woods of lituania tryed with his own hand , for with his hunting spear he pierced one a very little way in the skin in the presence of the king , who presently fell down dead . in some countries of ancient time ( saith pausanias ) they took them on this manner . they having found out the field or hill where the beasts are lodged , they compass it in by the space of a thousand paces round in circle with welts and toils invented for that purpose , then do they draw in their nets round like a purse , and so inclose the beasts by multitude , who commonly smelling his hunters , hideth himself in some deep ditch or cave of the earth ; for the nature of this beast hath framed to it self a most sharp sagacity , or quick sent of smelling , being not herein inferiour to any of the best dogs in the world , because it can a great way off discover the hunters , and many times while men are abroad in hunting of other beasts , this is suddenly started out of her lodging place , and so discovered , chased , and taken . other again take it by the same means that they take elephants , for when they have found the trees whereunto they lean , they so cut and saw them , that when the beast cometh , he overthroweth them , and falleth down with them , and so is taken alive . we read that there were elks in the triumph of aurelian at rome , and in the games dedicated by apollo and diana , and celebrated by valerius publicola , were many elephants , elks , and tygers . likewise there were ten elks at rome under gordianus . when they are chased eagerly , and can finde no place to rest themselves in and lie secret , they run to the waters , and therein stand , taking up water into their mouths , and within short space do so heat it , that being squirted or shot out of them upon the dogs , the heat thereof so oppresseth and scaldeth them , that they dare not once approach or come nigh her any more . the greatest vertue of medicine that i can learn or finde to be in this beast , is in the hoof , for that worn in a ring , it resisteth and freeth a man from the falling evill , the cramp , and cureth the fits or pangs , if it be put on when he is in his foming extremity : also scraped into powder and put into wine and drunk , it is used in polonia against the same evill . in like sort they mingle with triacle , and apply it to the heart , or else hang it about their neck for an amulet to touch their skin against that disease : and because that both in ancient time , and also now adays , this beast is seldom seen , and more seldom taken , the hoof thereof being so often approved for the uses before said , the rarity ( i say thereof ) maketh it to be sold very dear , which would be ( if they could be found or taken ) in more plentiful manner . some mounte-banks sell in stead thereof a bugles hoof , but it may easily be described by scraping , for ( it is said ) it smelleth very sweet , whereas a bugles savoureth very ill and strong . it is observed also , that it hath not this vertue except it be cut off from the beast while he is yet alive , and that in the months of august and september , at what time these elks are most of all annoyed with the falling-sickness , and then it hath strongest vertue to cure it in others . others affirm , it wanteth his operation if it be cut off from a young one , which never tasted of carnal copulation , and so hath not been dulled thereby : but howsoever , this is certain , that some-times it cureth , and sometime it faileth , and as there can be given no good reason of the cure , so i rather ascribe it to a superstitious conceit or belief of the party that weareth it , rather then to any hidden or assured work of nature . the skins of this beast are dressed by tawyers , with the fat of fishes and alum , to make breast-plates ; and to shelter one from rain , and they sell them for three or four nobles a piece ; but in cracovia for fifteen florens . it may be discerned from a harts skin by blowing upon it , for the breath will come through like as in a buffe , and the hairs also of this beast have also hollow passages in them when they grow upon the back of the beast , or else soon after the skin is taken off . some also use the nerves against the crampe , binding the offended member therewith , and herewith do we conclude this story of an elk , referring the reader to the fable of acida related before in cacus , if he have desire to know it for the affinity betwixt the name thereof , and alces an elk. of the ferret . the latines call this beast viverra , and furo , and furetus , and furectus , because ( as shall be afterward manifested ) it preyeth upon conies in their holes , and liveth upon stealth , and in the earth will kill a cony six times as big as herself , but being abroad on the land , in the open air is nothing so wilde , strong or full of courage . from ictys is derived iltissus , and the german , iltis , for a ferret : this is called by the french , furon , furet , and fuson , and ●uset : by the spaniards , furon , and furans , and from the english , ferret , is the german fret , derived by a common syncope , and in the time of georgius agricola , it was called in germany , furette , and frettel ; and the english word seemeth also to be derived from fretta in latine , which by a like syncope is contracted of viverra , as to any indifferent learned man it may appear at the first sight of derivation . but herein seemeth an unreconcileable diffrence , that it is reported of the ictys by gaza , the intepreter of aristotle , that it was most greedy of honey , and for that cause it will seek out the hives of bees , and enter them without all fear of stings . but when pliny speaketh of ictys , he doth not call it viverra , or once attribute unto it the love of honey , but rather the hatred and loathing thereof , in so high a degree , that if he tast of it , he falleth into consumptions , and hardly escapeth death . and these things scaliger alleadgeth against cardan , only to prove that ictys and viverra , are two distinct beasts , and that cardan was mistaken in affirming , that they were but several names , expressing one and the same beast . the answer whereunto may be very easie , for although pliny leaveth without rehearsal their love of hony , it doth not necessarily follow , that they love it not ( as aristotle before him constantly affirmeth ) and scaliger nameth no author , nor bringeth any reason to demonstrate their hate of honey , or any harm which insueth them by eating thereof : and therefore against his authority may strabo be opposed , who in his third book , speaking of the conies of spain , and of their hunters and starters , out of their holes , he taketh and nameth indifferently without all distinction and exception , viverra , and ictys , for the one and other . niphus translateth ictys , a marrel , but without reason ; for the same man finding in aristotle , that there is war betwixt locusts and serpents , which is fitly called ophiomachia ; whereas aristotle nameth akris , a locust , he falleth in doubt whether it were not better to be ictys , a martel , or as other copies have it a●pis , an aspe , which can by no means agree unto them , for there is a kinde of locusts ( called op 〈…〉 m●chum ) because of their continual combates with serpents . and therefore not to stand any longer upon this difference , omitting also the conjecture of tzetzes , which confoundeth ictys with milvus , a glead or kyte , which cannot stand reasonable , because homer saith , there was a kinde of caps made of the hairs of ictys , nor yet of albertus his new found name of anbatinos , nor avicenna his katyz , or the french , fissau , which is a poul-cat ▪ i will descend to the description of the parts and qualities , wherein the authors themselves at variance , make their own reconcilement , by attributing the same things to the ict●s , and ferret , except that of an obscure author , which saith that ictys is ankacinor , as big as a gray-hound , and that it is wiser and more industrious in his youth and tenderage , then in his perfection of strength and years . these ferrets are lesser then the melitean or gentlewomens dogs , and they were first of all brought out of africk into spain , and therefore are called by strato , african we sils , because of their similitude with weasils : for spain , italy , france , and germany , have not this beast bred among them , but brought to them out of other countries . but in england they breed naturally of the quantity aforesaid , and they are tamed to hunt conies out of the earth . it is a bold and audacious beast , enemy to all other , except his own kinde , drinking and sucking in the bloud of the beast it biteth , but eateth not the flesh . when the warrener setteth it down to hunt , he first of all maketh a great noise to fray all the conies that are abroad into their holes , and so having frighted them , pitcheth his nets , and then putteth his tame ferret into the earth , having a long string or cord with bels about her neck , whose mouth he muzzleth , that so it may not bite the cony , but only terrifie her out of her borough and earth with her presence or claws ; which being performed , she is by dogs chased into the nets , and there overwhelmed , as is aforesaid in the history of the conies . their body is longer for the proportion then their quantity may afford , for i have seen them two spans long , but very thin and small . their colour is variable , sometime black , and white on the belly , but most commonly of a yellowish sandy colour , like hermeline or wool , dyed in urine . the head little like a mouses , and therefore into whatsoever hole or chink she putteth it in , all her body will easily follow after . the eyes small , but fiery , like red hot iron , and therefore she seeth most clearly in the dark : her voyce is a whyning cry , neither doth she change it as a cat : she hath only two teeth in the neather chap , standing out , and not joyned or growing together . the genital of the male is of a bony substance , ( wherein pliny and scaliger agree with cardan and strabo for the ictys also ) and therefore it alway standeth stiffe , and is not lesser at one time then at other . the pleasure of the sense in copulation is not in the yard or genital part , but in the nerves , muscles , and tunicles wherein the said genital runneth . when they are in copulation , the female lyeth down or bendeth her knees , and continually cryeth like a cat , either because the male pincheth and claweth her skin with his sharp nails , or else because of the rigidity of his genital . and when the female desireth copulation , except she be with convenient speed brought to a male , or he suffered to come to her , she swelleth and dyeth . they are very fruitful in procreation , for they bring forth seven or eight at a time , bearing them in their little belly not above forty days . the young ones newly littered are blinde days together , and within forty days after they can see , they may be set to hunting . the noble men of france keep them for this pleasure , who are greatly given to hunt conies , and they are sold there for a french crown . young boys and scholars also use them to put them into the holes of rocks and walls to hunt out birds , and likewise into hollow trees , where-out they bring the birds in the claws of their feet . they are nourished being tamed with milk , or with barley bread , and they can fast a very long time . when they go , they contract their long back and make it stand upright in the middle , round like a bowl . when they are touched , they smell like a martel , and they sleep very much : being wilde , they live upon the bloud of conies , hens , chickens , hares , or other such things , which they can finde and over-master . in their sleep also they dream , which appeareth by whyning and crying in their sleep . whereas a long fly ( called a fryer ) flying to the flaming candles in the night , is accounted among poysons , the antidote and resister thereof is by pliny affirmed to be a goats gall or liver , mixed with a ferret , or wilde weasil , and the gall of ferrets is held pretious against the poyson of aspes , although the flesh and teeth of a ferret be accounted poyson . likewise the gall of a ferret is commended against the falling disease , and not only the gall ( saith marcellus ) but the whole body , if it be rosted , dressed , and eaten fasting , like a young pig . it is said by rasis and albertus , that if the head of a wolf be hanged up in a dove-cote , neither cat , ferret , weasil , stoat , or other noysome beast dare to enter therein . these ferrets are kept in little hutches , in houses , and there sed , where they sleep much : they are of a very hot temperature and constitution , and therefore , quickly digest their meat , and being wilde by reason of their fear , they rather seek their meat in the night then in the day time . of the fitch or poul-cat . the difference of a poul-cat , from the wilde-cat , is because of her strong stinking savour , and therefore is called putorius , of putore , because of his ill smell : for all weasils being incensed and provok't to wrath , smell strongly , and especially the poul-cat ; likewise when in the spring time they endeavour procreation , for which cause among the germans , when they would express an infamous whore or whoremaster , they say they stink like an iltis , that is a fitch or poul-cat . the french call this beast putois , and poytois , as it is to be found in carolus figulus ; the savoyans , poutte 〈…〉 ; the illyrians and bohemians , tchorz ; and the polonians , vudra ; and scaliger calleth it in latine ( catum fuinam ) by another name then putorius . it is greater then an ordinary weasil , but lesser then the wilde martel , and yet commonly fatter : the hairs of it are neither smooth and of one length , or of one colour ; for the short hairs are somewhat yellowish , and the long ones black , so as one would think that in many places of the body , there were spots of divers colours , but yet about the mouth it is most ordinarily white . the skin is stiff , harsh , and rugged in handling , and therefore long lasting in garments , yet because the beast is alway fat , the savour of it is so rank , that it is not in any great request , and moreover it is said , that it offendeth the head , and procureth ach therein ; and therefore it is sold cheaper then a fox skin , and the fattest is alway the worst of all . the skinners approve the skins of fitches and martels best , which are killed in winter , because their flesh and lust is much lower , and therefore rendereth a less hurtfull smell then at other times . the tail is not above two hands or palms long , and therefore shorter then is a martels . in all other parts of the body it equalleth a martell , or exceedeth very little , having thinner necks , but larger and greater bellies , the tail , legs , and breast , are also of a blacker colour , but the belly and sides more yellow . some have delivered that the left legs thereof are shorter then the right legs , but this is found untrue by daily experience : they keep in the tops of houses and secret corners , delighting to kill and eat hens and chickens , whose craft in devouring his prey is singular ; for to the intent that the silly creatures to be devoured may not bewray them to the house-keepers , the first part that they lay hold upon with their mouths is the head of the hen and chicken , and by that means stayeth his crying by cropping off the head . some of these fitches wander and keep in the woods , and thereby live upon birds and mise , and such things : some again live by the sea sides in rocks , and they take fishes like beavers and otters : and some creep into the caves of hollow trees , where they eat frogs , and most of all they delight to be near stals of cattel , hay-houses , and houses , where they meet oftentimes with egges , wherein they delight above all other kindes of meat . and thus much for this beast . of the fox . a fox is called in hebrew , schual ; and in chaldee , thaal ; and therefore in psal . . where the hebrew readeth schualim , there the chaldee translateth it thealaia ; the arabians call him thaleb ; and avicen calleth a fox sometime chabel , and also chalchail ; the greek septuagints , alopekon , and vulgarly alopex , and alopon ; the latine , vulpes , and vulpecula of volipes , his tumblingpace ; the italians , volpe ; the french , regnard , and a little fox regnardeau ; the spaniards , rapoya , of ravening ; the germans , fuchs ; the flemings , vos ; and the illyrians , lisika . the epithets expressing the nature hereof among writers , both poets and others , are these : crafty , wary , deceitful , stinking , strong-smelling , quick-smelling , tayled , warlike or contentious , wicked and rough ; the graecians fiery colored , and subtil for slaughter ; and therefore christ called herod a fox , because he understood how by crafty means he sought to entrap and kill him : and all the ancients called such kinde of men vulpiones , which every nation under heaven doth imitate . there are store of foxes in the alpine regions of helvetia , and amongst the caspians they abound , so that their multitude maketh them tame , comming into the cities , and attending upon men like tame dogs . the foxes of sardinia are very ravenous , for they kill the strongest rams and goats , and also young calves ; and in egypt they are lesser then in graecia , and most commonly all foxes are of stature like to a shepherds dog. their colour is reddish and more white toward the head : in mu 〈…〉 ia are both black and white , viz about the river woga , black and ash-coloured , and in the province of vsting all black , and these are of the smaller sort , which are nourished to make caps of their skins , and are therefore sold at twenty or thirty florens a skin . in spain they are all white , and their skins are often brought by the merchants to be sold at francford mart. in the septentrional or northern woods , there are black , white , and red foxes , and such as are cald crueigerae , that is cross-bearing foxes , for on their backs and orethwart their shoulders there is a black cross , like an asses : and there are foxes aspersed over with black spots , and all these are of one and the same malignant and crafty nature : and these ( saith george fabritius ) are distinguished by their regions or habitations : for it is most commonly seen , that foxes which keep and breed toward the south and west , are of an ash colour , and like to wolves , having loose hanging hairs , as is to be seen both in spain and italy ; and these are noted by two names among the germans , from the colour of their throat . one kinde of them is called koler , whose throat seemeth to be sprinkled and darkned with cole-dust , upon white , so as the tops of the hair appear black , the foot and stalk being white . the other birkfuchse , because their throat is all white , and of this kinde the most splendent white , is most pretious . a second there is ( called kreutzfuchse ) because of the cross it beareth upon his back and shoulders down to his fore-feet , being in other parts like the former , except the throat which is blacker then any of the other before spoken of , and these are not bred in germany , but brought thither from other nations . a third kinde is of a bright skie-colour ( called blauwfuchse ) and this colour hath given a different name to horses , which they call blauwschimmel , but in the foxes it is much more mingled , and these foxes which have rougher and deeper hair are called braudfuchse . the moscovians and tartarians make most account of the black skins , because their princes and great nobles wear them in their garments : yet are they more easily adulterated , and counterfeited by the fume or smoke of torches made of pitch . the white and blew skins are less esteemed , because the hair falleth off , and are also lesser then the other : the red ones are most plentiful ; and scaliger affirmeth that he saw skins brought into france by certain merchants , which had divers white hairs disposed in rows very elegantly upon them , and in divers places they grew also single . in norvegia and suetia , as there are white hares and bears , so there are also white foxes ; in wolocha they are black , as it is affirmed by sigismundus liber , the picture of the cross-bearing-fox which is less then the former is here following expressed and set down . the crucigeran fox . serpents , apes , and foxes , and all other dangerous harmful beasts , have small eyes , but sheep and oxen which are simple , very great eyes . the germans when they describe a good horse , they decipher in him the outward parts of many beasts , from whom ( it seemeth ) he partaketh his generosity , and from a fox they ascribe unto him short ears , a long and bushy tail , an easie and soft treading step , ( for these belong to a fox . ) the male fox hath a hard bony genital , his tail is long and hairy at the end , his temperament and constitution is hot , as appeareth both because of his resemblance or similitude with dogs and weasils , and also his rank and strong smelling savour ; for being dead , his skin hath power in it of heating , and his fat or oyl after a decoction is of the same force and condition . the greatest occasion of his hunting is the benefit of his skin , for his flesh is in all things like a dogs , and although galen , mnesimachus , and silvius affirm , that in the autumn or latter part of the year , some men use to eat the flesh of foxes , ( especially being cubs ) that is young , tender , and not smelling : but aetius and rasis affirm , ( and that with great reason ) that their flesh , and the flesh of hedg-hogs and hares , is not agreeable to the nature of man. but their skin retaineth the qualities of the hot beast being pulled off , by reason of the long and soft hair growing thereupon ; and the skins of cubs which are preferred before the elder , are of least value , because their hair is apt to fall off , which being thin doth not admit any deep rootings of the hair . the thracians in the time of xenophon , wore caps of foxes skins upon their heads and ears , in the coldest and hardest winters , and from hence it cometh , that in some authors the covers of mens heads , ( commonly called in greek , pericephalaea ) are tearmed alopecia , or alopecis : and for this purpose in germany at this day , they slit asunder the skin of foxes tails , and sow it together again , adding to it a sufficient number till it be framed into a cap : but the skin of the belly and sides is of more pretious estimation , because it is more soft and smooth , and therefore is sold for twice so much as the other parts . in the summer time the skins are little worth , because that then the beasts are troubled with the alopecia ; that is , the falling off or looseness of the hair ; and therefore then also they are dangerous to be used , because of that disease : men which have the gowt , shrinking up of the sinews , or other old fluxions of the rhewme in their legs , can use no better or more wholesome thing then to wear buskins of the skins of foxes ; the scythians make them shooes , and soal them with the backs of fox and mise skins , upon which they go . the latins have a proper word for the voice of a fox , which is , gannio gannire , to ganne , and it is also metaphorically applyed to men , when by scrieching clamors they trouble others ; as terence in adelph . quid ille gannit ? quid vult ? and plautus also , gannit odiosus omni toti familiae ; and for this voice did mantuan write his verse ; — putes ululare lupos , gannire sagaces vulpeculas — but yet as albertus and constantinus have truly observed , that in the time of his hunting he will bark like a little dog , and the harts are greatly afraid of this ganning of foxes . it hath been already shewed in the story of the badger , how the fox by laying his extrements in the badgers den , getteth the same to his own use ; for the abode of foxes in the day time is in the caves and holes in the earth , and come not abroad till the night . these dens have many caves in them , and passages in and out , that when the terriars shall set upon him in the earth , he may go forth some other way : and forasmuch as the wolf is an enemy to the fox , he layeth in the mouth of his den , an herb ( called sea-onion ) which is so contrary to the nature of the wolf , and he so greatly terrified therewith , that he will never come neer the place where it either groweth or lyeth ; the same is affirmed of the turtle to save her young ones , but i have not read that wolves will prey upon turtles , and therefore we reject that as a fable . when aristomanes was taken by the lacaedemonians , and included into a rock or quarrey of stones , he escaped out of their hands , by digging another passage out of it then where he was put in ; saying , that it was a shame for a man to have lesse wit then a fox . when they are in their dens , they lie upon their bellies with their hinder legs stretched forth at length , like as a man when he sleepeth on his belly , and therefore it seemeth that their legs are so framed to creep and pierce under the earth and dig out their way after their own pleasure . this is such a devouring beast , that it forsaketh nothing fit to be eaten , for it killeth hares and conies , and with his breath draweth field mice out of their holes , like as a hart draweth out serpents with his breath , and devoureth them . he devoureth also all kinde of pullen , they also eat grapes , apples , and pears ; whereupon came the proverb in plautus , tam facile vinces quam vulpes pyrum comest ; thou shalt as easily overcome him , as a fox eateth a pear : which is applyed to any easie or dispatchable business . in arabia , and syria palestina , they are so ravenous , harmful , and audacious , that in the night by ganning and barking , they invite one another ( as it were ) by a watchword , to assemble in great multitudes together , for to prey upon all things , and they fear not to carry into their dens , old shooes and vessels , or instruments of husbandry : for which cause , when the husbandmen hear thereof , they gather all things into their houses and watch them . but as it falleth out in all gluttonous ravening persons , that while they strive to fill their bellies , they poison their lives , so also it fareth with foxes , for nature hath so ordained , that if a fox , eat any meat wherein are bitter almonds , they die thereof if they drink not presently : and the same thing do aloes in their meat work upon them , as scaliger affirmeth upon his own sight or knowledge . apocynon or bear-foot givea to dogs , wolves , foxes , and all other beasts which are littered blind , in fat or any other meat killeth them , if vomit help them not , which falleth out very seldom , and the seeds of this herb have the same operation . it is reported by democritus , that if wilde rue be secretly hunge under a hens wing , no fox will meddle with her ; and the same writer also declareth for approved , that if you mingle the gall of a fox , or a cat , with their ordinary food , they shall remain free from the dangers of these beasts . when they engender and admit copulation , they are joyned like dogs , the male upon the female : and the female when she perceiveth her womb filled , she departeth and liveth very secret , for it falleth out very seldom that a female or bitch-fox is taken great with young . she bringeth forth ordinarily four at a time , and those blind and imperfect , without articles in their legs , which are perfected and framed by licking , for bears , wolves , lions , foxes , dogs , and thoes which are multipara and mul●fida , that is , fruitful , bearing many at one time , and also cloven or slitfooted into many clawes , have not the benefit of nature to perfect their young ones in their wombes . kites , vultures , and eagles lie in wait to destroy the foxes cubs or whelps . foxes do not only engender with their own kinde , but also with wolves , dogs , or any other beasts of equall proportion , both of quantity and time of going with young : so the laconian dogs are engendred by a dog and a fox ; and the hyaena , of a wolf and a fox ( as albertus affirmeth ) and the simivulpa of an ape and a fox , as is already in the story of apes declared . there be also many evils wherewithal foxes are annoyed , and first of all he falleth sometime into madness as a dog , and the same evils follow a mad fox , which already are manifested to accompany a mad dog , and that more often in summer then in winter . when a fox feeleth himself sick , nature hath taught him to eat the gum of pinetrees , wherewithal he is not only cured , but also receiveth length of dayes . they are also vexed with the falling away of their hair , called therefore alopecia , because foxes are most commonly vexed therewith , and as we see in plants , that some of them dry and consume through want of moisture to feed them , other are suffocated and choaked by abundance , and as it were drowned in humidity : so it happeneth in hair , which groweth out of the body of beasts , and the heads of men , no otherwise then plants out of the earth , and are therefore to be nourished by humours ; which if they fail and wax dry , the hair also shorteneth with them , and as it were rotteth away in length : but if they abound and overflow , then do they loosen the roots of the hair , and cause them to fall off totally . this disease is called alopecia , and the other ophiasis , because it is not general , but only particular in one member or part of the body or head , and there it windeth or indenteth like a serpents figure . michael ferus affirmeth , that sometime the liver of the fox inflameth , and then it is not cured but by the ulcerous blood flowing to the skin , and that evill blood causeth the alopecia , or falling away of the hair , for which cause ( as is already said ) a foxes skin is little worth that is taken in the summer time . the length of the life of a fox is not certainly known , yet as stumpsius and others affirm , it is longer then the life of a dog. if the urine of a fox fall upon the grasse or other herbs , it dryeth and killeth them , and the earth remaineth barren ever afterward . the savour of a fox is more strong then of any other vulgar beast , he stinketh at nose and tail , for which cause martial calleth it olidam vulpem , an olent or smelling beast . hic olidam clamosus ages in retia vulpem . touching the hunting or taking of foxes , i approve the opinion of xenophon , who avoucheth , leporum capturam venatico studio quam vulpium digniorem ; that is , the hunting of the hare is a more noble game or pastime then the hunting of the fox . this beast is more fearful of a dog then a hare , for the only barking of dogs causeth him to rise many times from his den or lodgings out of the earth , or from the middle of bushes , briars , and brambles , wherein he hid himself : and for his hunting this is to be observed , that as in hunting of a hart it hath been already related , the hunter must drive the beast with the winde , because it hindereth his refrigeration ; so in hunting of a fox he drive him against the winde , and then he preventeth all his crafty and subtill agitations and devises ; for it stayeth his speed in running , and also keepeth his savour fresh alway in the nose of the dogs that follow him : for the dogs that kill a fox must be swift , strong and quick sented , and it is not good to put on a few at once , but a good company together , for be assured the fox will not lose his own bloud till he hazzard some of his enemies , and with his tail which he windeth every way , doth he delude the hunters : when the dogs are pressed neer unto him , and are ready to bite him , he striketh his tail betwixt his legs , and with his own urine wetteth the same , and so instantly striketh it into the dogs mouths , whereof when they have tasted , so many of them as it toucheth will commonly leave off and follow no farther . their teeth are exceeding sharp , and therefore they fear not to assault or contend with beasts , exceeding their stature , strength , and quantity . sometime he leapeth up into a tree , and there standeth to be seen and bayed at by the dogs and hunters , like as a champion in some fort or castle , and although fire be cast at him , yet will he not descend down among the dogs ; yea he endureth to be beaten and pierced with hunters spears , but at length being compelled to forsake his hold and give over to his enemies , down he leapeth , falling upon the crew of barking dogs , like a flash of lightning , and where he layeth hold there he never looseth teeth , or asswageth wrath , till other dogs ▪ have torn his limbs , and driven breath out of his body . if at any time he take the earth , then with terriar dogs they ferret him out of his den again . in some places they take upon them to take him with nets , which seldom proveth , because with his teeth he teareth them in pieces ; yet by calentius this devise is allowed in this verse ; et laqueo vulpes & decipe casse fuinas . but this must be wrought under the earth in the caves , dens , or surrowes , made of purpose , which is to be performed two manner of wayes , one by placing the gin in some perch of wood , so as that as soon as the beast is taken by the neck , it may presently flie up and hang him , for otherwise with his teeth he will shear it asunder and escape away alive : or else that neer the place where the rope is fastened , to slip upon the head of the fox , there be placed some thick collar or brace , so as he can never bite it asunder . the french have a kinde of gin to take by the legs ( which they call hausepied ) and i have heard of some which have found the foxes leg in the same gin , bitten off with his own teeth from his body , rather putting himself to that torment with his own teeth , then to expect the mercy of the hunter , and so went away upon three feet : and other have counterfeited themselves dead , restraining their breath and winking , not stirring any member when they saw the hunter come to take them out of the gin , who coming and taking his leg forth , not suspecting any life in them , so soon as the fox perceiveth himself free , away he went and never gave thanks for his deliverance : for this cause blondus saith truly , that only wise and old hunters are fit to take foxes , for they have so many devises to beguile men , and deliver themselves , that it is hard to know when he is safely taken , untill he be throughly dead . they also use to set up gins for them baited with chickens in bushes and hedges : but if the setter be not at hand so soon as the fox is insnared , it is dangerous but that the beast will deliver it self . in some places again they set up an iron toile , having in it a ring for the fox to thrust in his head , and through that sharp pikes , at the farther end whereof is placed a piece of flesh , so that when the hungry fox cometh to bite at the meat and thrusteth in his head , the pikes stick fast in his neck , and he inevitably insnared . moreover , as the harmefulness of this beast hath troubled many , so also they have devised more engins to deceive and take him ; for this cause there is another policy to kill him by a bow , full bent , with a sharp arrow , and so tenderly placed as is a trap for a mouse , and as soon as ever the fox treadeth thereon , presently the arrow is discharged into his own bowels , by the weight of his foot . again , for the killing of this beast they use this sleight , they take of bacon-grease or bacon as much as ones hand , and rost the same a little , and therewith anoint their shooe-soles , and then take the liver of a hog cut in pieces , and as they come out of the wood where the beast lodgeth , they must scatter the said pieces in their foot-steps and draw the carcasse of a dead cat after them , the savour whereof will provoke the beast to follow the foot-steps , then have they a cunning archer or handler of a gun , who observeth and watcheth in secret till the beast come within his reach , and so giveth him his great and deadly wound . but if the fox be in the earth , and they have found his den , then they take this course to work him out . they take a long thing like a bee-hive , and open at one end , and iron wiers at the other like a grate , and at the open end is set a little door to fall down upon the mouth , and to inclose the fox when he entreth in by touching of a small rod that supporteth that door . this frame is set to the foxes dens mouth , and all the other passages watched and stopped . the fox having a desire to go forth , and seeing light by the wiers , misdeemeth no harm , and entreth into the hive which is wrought close into the mouth of his den , and being entred into it , the rod turneth the door fast at the lower end or entrance , and so the fox is intrapped , to be disposed of at the will of the taker . foxes are annoyed with many enemies ; and to begin with the least , the small flies , called gnats , do much trouble and infect them , against whom the fox useth this policy ; he taketh a mouthful of straw or soft hay , or hair , and so goeth into the water , dipping his hinder parts by little and little , then the flies betake themselves to his head , which be keepeth out of the water , which the fox feeling , dippeth or diveth also the same under water to his mouth , wherein he holdeth the hay as aforesaid , whereunto the flies runne for sanctuary or dry refuge , which the fox perceiving , suddenly casteth it out of his mouth , and runneth out of the water , by this means easing himself of all those enemies . in like manner , as all beasts are his enemies , and he friend and loving to none , so with strength , courage , and policy , he dealeth with every one , not only against the beasts of the land , but also against the monsters of the sea. when he findeth a nest of waspes in the earth , or in other places , as in trees , he layeth his tail to the hole , and so gathereth into it a great many of them , which he presently dasheth against the wall , or tree , or stones adjoyning , and so destroyeth them , and thus he continueth untill he have killed them all , and so maketh himself executor to their heaps of hony . his manner is when he perceiveth or seeth a flock of fowl to flie in the air , to rowl himself in red earth , making his skin to look bloody , and lie upon his back , winking with his eye , and holding in his breath as if he were dead , which thing the birds , namely crows , ravens and such like observing , because of the hatred of his person , they for joy alight and triumph at his overthrow , and this the fox endureth for a good season , till opportunity serving his turn , and some of the fowl come neer his snowt , then suddenly he catcheth some one of them in his mouth , feeding upon him like a living and not a dead fox , and so doth devour and eat him , as the leopard doth devour and eat apes , and the sea frog other little fishes . in like sort he deceiveth the hedge-hog , for when the hedge-hog perceiveth the fox coming to him , he rowleth himself together , like a foot-ball , and so nothing appeareth outward except his prickles , which the fox cannot indure to take into his mouth , and then the cunning fox to compasse his desire , licketh gently the face and snowt of the hedge-hog , by that means bringing him to unfold himself again , and to stand upon his legs , which being done , he instantly devoureth , or else poisoneth the beast with the urine that he rendereth upon the hedge-hogs face : and at other times he goeth to the waters , and with his tail draweth fishes to the brim of the river , and when that he observeth a good booty , he casteth the fishes clean out of the water upon the dry land , and then devoureth them . all kindes of hawkes are enemies to foxes , and foxes to them , because they live upon carrion , and so in the province of vla . avicen saw a fox and a crow ▪ fight together a long season , and the crow with his talons so be-gripling the foxes mouth that he could not bark , and in the mean time she beat and picked his head with her bill untill he bled again . the eagles fight with foxes and kill them ; and olaus magnus affirmeth , that in the northern regions they lay egges and hatch their young in those skins which they themselves have stripped off from foxes and other beasts . the kites , vultures , and wolves , are enemies to foxes , because they are all flesh-devouring creatures , but the fox which hath so many enemies , by strength or subtilties overcometh all . whereupon persius calleth a subtil man a fox , saying , astutam vapido servas sub ▪ pectore vulpem . the medicinal uses of this beast are these , first , ( as pliny and marcellus affirm ) a fox sod in water till nothing of the fox be left whole except the bones , and the legs or other parts of a gowty body washed and daily bathed therein , it shall drive away all pain and grief , strengthning the defective and weak members ; so also it cureth all the shrinking up and pains in the sinews : and galen attributeth the same virtue to an hyaena sod in oil , and the lame person bathed therein , for it hath such power to evacuate and draw forth whatsoever evill humour aboundeth in the body of man , that it leaveth nothing hurtful behind . neverthelesse , such bodies are soon again replenished through evill diet , and relapsed into the same disease again . the fox may be boyled in fresh or salt water with annise and thyme , and with his skin on whole and not slit , or else his head cut off , there being added to the decoction two pintes of oil. the flesh of a fox sod and layed to a sore bitten by a sea-hare , it cureth and healeth the same . the foxes skin ( as is already said ) is profitable against all moist fluxes in the skin of the body , and also the gowt , and cold in the sinews . the ashes of foxes flesh burnt and drunk in wine , is profitable against the shortness of breath and stoppings of the liver . the bloud of a fox dissected and taken forth of his urine alive , and so drunk , breaketh the stone in the bladder ; or else ( as myrepsus saith ) kill the fox , and take the bloud and drink a cupful thereof , and afterward with the same wash the genital parts , and within an hour the stone shall be voided : the same virtue is in it being dryed and drunk in wine with sugar . oxycraton and foxes blood infused into the nostrils of a lethargick horse , cureth him . the fat is next to a buls and a swines , so as the fat or lard of swine may be used for the fat of foxes , and the fat of foxes for the swines grease in medicine . some do herewith anoint the places which have the cramp , and all trembling and shaking members . the fat of a fox and a drake inclosed in the belly of a goose , and so rosted , with the dripping that cometh from it , they anoint paralytick members . the same with powder of vine twigs mollified and sod in lie , attenuateth and bringeth down all swelling tumours in the flesh . the fat alone healeth the alopecias and looseness of the hair ; it is commended in the cure of all sores and ulcers of the head ; but the gall and fime with mustard-seed is more approved . the fat is also respected for the cure of pain in the ears , if it be warmed and melt at the fire , and so instilled ; and this is used against tingling in the ears if the hairs rot away on a horse tail , they recover them again by washing the place with urine and bran , with wine and oil and afterward anoint it with foxes grease . when sores or ulcers have procured the hair to fall off from the head , take the head of a young fox burned with the leaves of black orchanes and alcyonium , and the powder cast upon the head recovereth again the hair . if the brain be often given to infants and sucking children , it maketh them that they shall remain free from the falling evill . pliny prescribeth a man which twinkleth with his eyes , and cannot look stedfastly , to wear in a chain the tongue of a fox ; and marcellus biddeth to cut out the tongue of a live fox , and so turn him away , and hang up that tongue to dry in purple thred , and afterward put it about his neck that is troubled with the whiteness of the eyes , and it shall cure him . but it is more certainly affirmed , that the tongue either dryed or green , layed to the flesh wherein is any dart or other sharp head , it draweth them forth violently , and renteth not the flesh , but only where it is entred . the liver dryed and drunk cureth often sighing . the same or the lights drunk in black wine , openeth the passnges of breathing . the same washed in wine and dryed in an earthen pot in an oven , and afterward seasoned with sugar , is the best medicine in the world for an old cough , for it hath been approved to cure it , although it hath continued twenty years , drinking every day two spoonfuls in wine . the lights of foxes drunk in water after they have been dryed into powder , helpeth the milt ; and myrep●us affirmeth , that when he gave the same powder to one almost suffocated in a p●urisie , it prevailed for a remedy . archigene prescribeth the dryed liver of a fox for the splenetick with oxymel : and marcel●inas for the milt drunk after the same manner ; and s●xtus adviseth to drink it simply without composition of oxymel . the gall of a fox instilled into the ears with oil , cureth the pain in them ; and mixed with hony attick and anointed upon the eyes , taketh away all dimness from them , after an admirable manner . the milt bound upon the tumors and bunches of the brest , cureth the milt in mans body . the reins dryed and mingled with hony , being anointed upon kernels , take them away . for the swelling of the chaps , rub the reins of a fox within , the mouth . the genitals because of their gristly and bony substance , are approved for the dispersing of the stone in the bladder . the stones take away pimples and spots in the face . the dung pounded with vinegar , by anointment cureth the leprosie speedily . these and such other virtues medicinal both the elder and later physitians have observed in a fox , wherewithal we will conclude this discourse ; saving that many writers have devised divers witty inventions and fables of foxes , under them to express vices of the world , as when they set a fox in a fryers weed , preaching to a sort of hens and geese , following the fiction of archilochus fox , to signifie how irreligious pastors in holy habits beguile the simple with subtility . also of a fox teaching a hare to say his credo or creed betwixt his legs , and for this cause almighty god in his word compareth false prophets to foxes , ezek. . destroying the young grapes and plants . the weasil brought a fox into a garner of corn through a small hole , and when he had filled his belly , he assayed to come out again at the same place , but in vain , because his body swelled with over eating , and therefore he was constrained to come out as empty and hungry as he came in : whereupon this conference was betwixt them ; forte per angustam tenuis vulp●cula rimam , repserat in cameram frumenti , postea ru●sus ire for as pleno tentabat corpore frustra . cui mustela procul , sivis , ait , effugere isthine , macra cavum repetes arctum , quem macra subisti . of the gennet-cat , called genetha . this beast is called genitocatus , either for the similitude ▪ it holdeth with a cat , or else because it hath been believed that it was engendred by a cat , but i rather do assent that the right name thereof is ginetta or ginetha , because they are bred in spain with the gennet horses , and so taketh his name from the place . albertus ( though a learned man , yet many times he was deceived in the names of beasts ) called this creature genocha , and the germans call it ein gennithkatz . the quantity or stature hereof is greater then a cat , but lesser then a fox , and therefore i think it about the mold or bigness of a young fox of six moneths old . it is a meek and gentle creature , except it be provoked ; for in constantinople they are kept came , and are suffered to go up and down from house to house like cats . being wilde , they love the vallies and low places , especially the marishes or land neer the waters , for the steep rocky mountains they cannot endure . and these cardan taketh to be of the weasil kinde , because the forme and disposition thereof , especially to the tame and domestical weasil , and in spain they are cald foinai , being black and ash-coloured , distinguished and variably interlined with many spots . but scaliger who was delighted to contradict jerom cardan , cannot endure to hear of this comparison betwixt weasils and ginnet-cats , because he saith , the skin of a gennitta is bigger then three weasils , and that it resembleth a weasil in nothing except in the ears ; but cardans comparison toucheth not the quantity , but only the outward form and qualities , and he himself disagreeth not that it is equall in quantity to an otter . but certainly the skin thereof is admirable and beautiful to behold , and if they were not common , but rare and seldom found beasts , it is no question but the price thereof and due estimation would excell many others : for the abundance of spots , their natural and uniform order , their shining splendor and brightness , give place to no other party-coloured beast , as you may observe in the true figure thereof here declared . the skin smelt sweetly and somewhat like to a musk-cat , and from lyons in france they are brought into germany , three or four of them being sold for a noble . it is very probable that it is a little kinde of panther or leopard , for there is a little panther which hath such spots , and besides of such a stature and harmless disposition , whose skin in old time was pretiously used for garments , and the favour thereof was very pleasant , and therefore i supersede any further discourse hereof , till we come to the declaration of the greater beast . of the goat , male and female . the male or great goat-buck , is called in hebrew , atud , and the lesser seir , and zeir . the chalde translateth it , gen. . teias-jaii , and numb . , ize ; the arabians , teus and maez ; the persians , asteban , and busan ; the grecians , tragos , or devouring or ravening in meat , according to the verse ; tragus ab edendo quod grana fracta pane . also chimaron and enarchan ; the latins , hircus , and sometime caper , which word properly signifieth a gelded goat , as martial useth in this verse : dum jugulas hircum , factus es ipse caper . the italians , beccho ; the germans , bock , and for distinction sake , geissbock , and reechbock , and booerk ; the spaniards , cabron ; the french , bouc , the illyrians , kozel . the reason of the latin word hircus , is derived of hirtus ( signifying rough ) by reason of the roughness of their bodies . and it is further to be understood , that the general kind of goats ( which the latins distinguish by hircus , capra , and hoedus , that is , by their sex , or by their age ; the hebrews call them singularly ez , and plurally izim , numb . . for a goat of a year old , you shall read izbethsch-neth . the chalde useth also the general word oza ; the arabian , schaah ; the persian , buz , and whereas levit. . seir is put for caper a gelded goat , there the chalde reudereth it zephirah ; the arabians , atud , and the persian buzgalaie . and in the same chapter you shall read azazel , which david kimhi rendereth for the name of a mountain neer sinai where goats use to feed and lodge : and the septuagints translate it apopompaion , signifying emission or sending away , and for this cause i suppose , that when the scape-goat was by the priest sent out of the temple , he went to that mountain , and therefore the word azazel seemeth to be compounded of ez , a goat , and azal iuit , that is , he went ; for the scape goat went and carryed away the evill . the grecians call the female goat aix , which seemeth to be derived of ez the hebrew word . the arabians , dakh , and metaham , as i find in avicen ; the saracens , anse ; the italians , peccho , changing b from the male into p ; and the spaniards , capron ; the french , cheuer or chieuere ; the germans , geiss ; the illyrians , koza ; and the tuscanes at this day call a female goat zebei . and this may suffice for the names of both male and female . their nature is to be declared severally , except in those things wherein they agree without difference : and first of all , the male is rightly termed dux & maritus caprarum , the guide and husband of the females , and therefore virgil saith of him not improperly , vir gregis ipse caper , the he-goat is the husband of the flock and except in his genitals and horns , he differeth not in any proportion or substance from the female . his horns are longer and stronger then are the females , and therefore upon provocation he striketh through an ordinary piece of armor or shield at one blow : his force and the sharpness of his horns are so pregnable . he hath many attributes among the learned , as left-sided , aged , greedy , bearded , swift , long-legged , horn-bearer , captain of the flock , heavy , rough , hoarse-voiced , rugged , unarmed , unclean , strong-smelling , lecherous , bristler , wanderer , vile , wanton , sharp , stinking , two-horned , and such like : whereof his nature and qualities are so deciphered , as it needeth no long treatise of explication . there is no beast that is more prone and 〈…〉 st then is a goat , for he joyneth in copulation before all other beasts . seven dayes after it is yea●ed and kiddened , it beginneth and yeeldeth seed , although without proof . at seven moneths did it engend 〈…〉 this cause that it beginneth so soon , it endeth at five years , and after that time is 〈◊〉 ●n●ble to accomplish that work of nature . when the egyptians will describe fecundity or ability of generation , they do it by picturing of a male goat . that which is most strange and horrible among other beasts is ordinary and common among these , for in them starce the brother joyneth with the sister , and a camel can never be brought to cover his dam : but among these the young ones being males , cover their mother , even while they suck their milk . if they be fat , they are lesse venereous then being macilent or lean . herodotus declareth that in his time a goat of mendesia in egypt , had carnal copulation with a woman in the open sight of men , and afterward was led about to be seen . when they desire copulation they have a proper voice wherewithal ( as it seemeth ) they provoke the female to love . this is called it in italy , biccari and biccarie , which the venetians apply to all lecherous companions as commonly as a proverb , and this they never use but at that time . by reason of his lust , his eyes sink deep into the corners of their holes ( called hirqui ) and apuleius with other grammarians do derive the word hircus , whereby this beast is called , from that disposition . by drinking salt water they are made desirous and apt to procreation . at that time they fight mutually one with another for their females , and it is a term among the late writers , to call those men hirci , goats , which are contented to permit other men to lie with their wives in publick , before their own faces for gain , because they imagine that such is the property of goats . but i know not with what reason they are moved hereunto , for there is a memorable story to the contrary . in sibaris there was a young man called crathis , which being not able to retain lust , but forsaken of god , and given over to a reprobate sense , committed buggery with a female goat , the which thing the master goat beheld and looked upon , and dissembled , concealing his mind and jealousie for the pollution of his female . afterward finding the said young man asleep , ( for he was a shepherd ) he made all his force upon him , and with his horns dashed out the buggerers brains . the man being found dead on this manner , and the goat which he had ravished delivered of a monster , having a mans face , and a goats legs , they call it silvanus , and place it in the rank of idoll gods , but the wretched man himself was bnried with more honour then beseemed , for they gave him a noble funeral , and finding a river in achaia which mingled water with another , they called it crathis , after the name of that unnatural and beastly monster ; whereupon also came the italian crathis which strabo remembreth . by which story it is evident , that jealous rivality resteth as well in goats as in men of more reasonable capacity and understanding . the females desire of copulation is no lesse then the males , for while they suck they admit the male , and at the seventh month they conceive . the best time of their admission to procreation is about the end of autumn ( according to columella his opinion ) they are not filled the first day of copulation , but the second or third , and those which are joyned in november do bring forth their young in the spring when all things grow fresh and green : wherefore if they chance to be slack , and not willing to engender or couple , their keepers use this sleight or policy , to procure and stir up their lust . they rub their udders with nettles untill they constrain bloud , and afterward with a handful of salt and nitre , or else with pepper or myrrhe ; after which rubbing , their desire of copulation much increaseth , and it maketh the female to provoke the male and undergo him more willingly ; and this thing also procureth in them aboundance of milk ( as aristotle affirmeth ) he had seen tryed by making experiment thereof upon the brests of women , virgins , and widows : and generally all the keepers of cattel do herewith rub their genitals , for the furthering and provoking in them carnal copulation , with the things aforesaid . they being filled and with young , they carry them in their belly five moneths before deliverance . after three years old the female ceaseth to retain in her self or confer to her kids the strength of nature , and the male after four , so that it is not a part of good husbandry to keep their young which they bring forth after those years , but rather to kill them and make them away : so also it is not good to keep their firstings , or those which are first of al engendred , but rather the second or third seed of procreation . some of them bring forth twins , and some more , as it is reported of the goats of egypt , which bring forth five at a time , because they drink of the fruitful river of nilus : for the goat-herds of the countrey do give thereof to their cattel , and fetch it into all parts of that region , and in illyria they breed twice a year , bringing sometime three , four , or five at once , but three at a time are never to be kept , but killed and eaten , for they are accounted not worth their bringing up ; only cold maketh them to suffer abortments , and sometimes they bring forth monsters like to other cattel ( for all little beasts are more apt to engender monsters then the greater . ) concerning the time that they bear young , it is in italy eight years , and being fat they are not apt to conceive , wherefore they make them lean before they admit them to their bucks . one male is sufficient for ten females , and some ( saith varro ) provide but one for ( as menas ) and other but one for ( as murus . ) there is no creature that smelleth so strongly as doth a male goat , by reason of his immoderate lust , and in imitation of them the latins call men which have strong breaths ( hircosi ) goatish : wherefore plautus saith to an old lecherous fellow which could not keep his lips from slavering of women , cum sis jam aetatis plenus , anima foetida , senex hircose tu osculere mulierem . and therefore tiberius caesar who was such a filthy and greasie-smelling old man , was called ( hircus vetulus ) an old goat , in the atellanican comoedie . they conjecture of men that have hairy legs to be unchast and full of lust , by reason of their similitude with a goat , and those which have a shril and clamorous voice , the grecians call margoi , ( that is , blockheads . ) those which have eyes like to goats they call aegopoi , goat-eyes , that is very red eyes . the egyptians affirm that their female goats when sirius the star in the beginning of dog-dayes riseth with the sun , do continually look upon the east , and that their attentive observation is a most certain argument of the revolution , that is the appearance and departure of the said dog dayes . the like things do the lybians report of their goats concerning that star , and moreover that they foresee and foreshew change of weather , for they depart from their stables , and run want only abroad before showers , and afterward having well fed of their own accord return to their folds again . concerning the description of their several parts , it is good to follow the direction of cossinius , first to look to their age ( as is before said ) if men desire to provide goats for herd-breed and profit , so as their kids may be like them , and they bear young or continue procreation eight years at the least . and for their outward parts , let them be firm , great , well compacted , full of muscles , and the superficies of their whole body be soft and equall , without bunches or indentures : therefore a thick hair , two dugs hanging under their snowt or chin , are good signes of the best goats . there are two kindes of goats , one horned , and of this sort the long sharp-horned beasts , with broad foreheads , are the most approved , and by the circles of their horns their age is discerned : but the unhorned are best for breed , procreation and milk , and such are the gaespian goats , which are for the most part white , flat nosed , and little of growth . their eyes are very deep in their heads , and therefore their sight sharp , strong and continual seeing bright and clear in the night , but the colour of their eyes variable , like to the colour of their bodies ; the males have more teeth then the females , for the females want their upper teeth : but males and females have large beards under their chins , and this is called aruncus ( saith eryngus ) but the reason hereof is , because that when a goat is taken by the beard and drawn out of the fold , all the residue stand amazed , and so also when any of them hath eaten sea-holly ( cald eryngium : ) so that aristotle confoundeth eryngium for aruncum , and so taketh one for another . once in lemnos there was a male goat which had so much milk wrung out of his paps growing betwixt his legs , that therewith a calf , by licking it received the beestings , but afterward the male kid begotten by the same goat had the like udders , whereat the owner being much amazed , because it was a prodigious thing , for his satisfaction asked counsel at the oracle , from whom he received this answer , that it betokened nothing but plentiful encrease of his cattel . the females have two udders under their loins next to the small of their belly , except the lybian goats , and their udders lie under their breast or forepart of their belly , like an apes . in naxus the goats have greater gals then in any other part of the world , and the forepart is held prodigious : on the contrary , in chalcis the goats have no gall at all . they have many bellies and a round milt , which thing no other horned-beast hath , except a sheep . the males have harsher hairs then their females , and the lybian goats have hair as long as womens , and very rough curled , which the inhabitants shear off every year , and therewith the ship-wrights make cable ropes : but in cilicia and phrygia , they shear them and make the stuffe called zambelot : and another kinde of cloth called mathaliaze . in arabia they make tents of cloth compiled of asses and goats hair , and it seemeth that cilicia received his name of this kinde of cloth , which is called in latin , cilicium , or ▪ else that this cloth was first invented among them , whereupon it received that denomination ; but among the grammarians and poets , lana caprina ( goats wool ) grew to a proverb , to signifie 〈◊〉 thing of no weight or moment , as it is in horace ; alter rixatur de lana saepe caprina , propugnat nugis armatus — there are another sort of goats which are called syrian goats , and of some mambrin goats , and most commonly indian goats , because they are most noble in that countrey , and that in coythae ; and likewise in the region of damiata , for mambre is a mountain neer hebron , from whence it is probable , that the word mambrin cometh ; wherefore i have thought good to expresse the figure both of the greatest of that kinde , as it was taken by antonius musa brasovalus , physitian to the noble duke hercules de este , at ferraria , by one of these goats brought thither to be seen . the lesser kinde i conjecture to be the right mambrine or syrian goat , although some of the late writers call it an indian goat ; the reason is , because ( as hath been said ) they call all strange beasts by the names of indians , if they finde them not in their own countrey . the ears of it are large and broad , as the picture describeth , and such ears have the goats of gallia-narbon , being at the least as broad as a mans span ; they are of colour like wilde goats , their horns very sharp , and standing not far distant one from the other , and have stones like a stone horse , being in all other parts not unlike to the vulgar and common goat . some curious herdsmen ( as alcmaeon and archelaus ) have delivered to the world , that goats take breath through their ears ; and phyles approveth their conceit , because he had seen an experiment of a goat , that his mouth and nostrils being stopped fast , nevertheless he seemed not to be troubled for want of breath : and for this also is alleadged the authority of oppianus , who writeth of certain goats ( called aegari ) that they have a certain hole or passage in the middle of their head , betwixt the horns , which goeth directly unto the liver , and the same stopped with liquid wax , suffocateth or stifleth the beast . if this be true ( as i would not any way extenuate the authority of the writer ) then it is very likely that some have ( without difference ) attributed to all kindes of goats that which was proper to this kinde alone , for the former opinion is not reasonable : nevertheless i leave every man to his own liberty of believing or refusing . there is no beast that heaeeth so perfectly and so sure as a goat , for he is not only holp in this sense with his ears , but also hath the organ of hearing in part of his throat , wherefore when the egyptians describe a man which hath an excellent ear , they express him by a goat . there are some kinde of goats in illyria which have whole hoofs like a horse , and these are only found in that region . in all other nations of the world they are cloven footed . the use of their several parts is singular , and first of all to begin with their skin , the people of sardinia ( as saith nymphidorus ) nourish goats for their skins , whereof they make them garments , being dressed with the hair upon them ; and they affirm strange virtue in them , namely , that they heat their bodies in the winter , and cool them in the summer ; and the hairs growing upon those skins are a cubit long , therefore the man that weareth them in winter time , turneth the hairy side next to his body , and so is warmed by it ; and in summer the raw side , and so the hair keepeth the sun from piercing his skin and violence of heat : and this also is usual in suevia , where the women wear garments of goats hair in the winter , and also make their childrens coats thereof , according to virgils saying in moreto , — et cinctus villosae tegmine caprae . for this cause the merchants buy them rough in those parts of savoy neer geneva , and their choice is , of the young ones which die naturally ; or are kild , or else such as were not above two years old . the tyrians in the persian war , wore upon their backs goat-skins . in ancient time they made hereof dipthera , that was a kinde of parchment , whereon they wrote on both sides , and had the name in greek from that use : which hermolaus by a metaphorical allusion , called opistographi . from the use of these in garments , came the appellation of harlots to be cald pellices , and a whores bag was called penula scortea , such a one is used by pilgrims which go to visit the church of saint james of calec , and such carriers or foot-posts had wont to use in their journies , which caused martial to write thus ; ingrediare viam coelo licet usque sereno , an subitas nusquam scortea cepit aquar . the sandals which men were wont to wear on their feet in the east countries , were also made of goats skins , and there was a custome in athens , that men for honour of bacchus , did dance upon certain bottles made of goats skins , and full of wind , the which were placed in the middest of the theatre , and the dancer was to use but one leg , to the intent that he might often fall from the slippery bottles , and make the people sport ; whereunto virgil alluded this saying ; mollibus in pratis unctos saliere pro utres . there is also a ladanum tree in carmania , by the cutting of the bark whereof there issueth forth a certain gum , which they take and preserve in a goats skin ; their use in war wherein the souldiers were wont to lie all winter , and therefore we read that claudius the emperour had given him thirty tents of goats skins for his souldiers attend upon the judges , and the mariners also by these defended themselves from the violence of storms upon the sea : and so i leave this part of the beast , with remembrance of that which is written in holy scripture , heb. . that the people of god in ancient times did flee away from the rage of superstition , being anparelled , or rather meanly disguised in goat skins , being charitably holped by the beasts , that were cruelly put to death by wretched men . in the next place the milke of goats cometh to be considered , for that also hath been , is , and will be of great accouut for butter and cheese , which the writers call tyropoeia , and virgil celebrateth the singular commendation both of the wool and of the milke , in these verses ; haec quoque non cura nobis leviore tuenda , nec minor usus erit , quamvis milesia magno vellera mutent ur tyrios incocta rubores . densior hinc soboles , hinc largi copia lactis ; quo magis exhausto s●umauerit ●ubere mulctra , laeta magis pressis manabunt flumina mammis . nec minus interea barbas , incanaque menta cyniphii tondent hirci setasque comantes vsum in castrorum : & miseris velamina nautis . therefore their milk is profitable for butter , although inferior to a cows , yet equal to a sheeps , and the herdsmen give their goats salt before they be delivered of their young , for this maketh them to abound in milk . others with goats milk preserve their wine from corruption by sowreness ; first they put into their wine the twentyeth part so much as is of the wine , and so let it stand in the same vessell covered three or four dayes , afterward they turn it into a sweet and fresh vessel , and so it remaineth preserved from all annoyance of sowreness . cheeses made of goats milk were wont to be called velabrenses casei , because amongst the romans they were made at velabrum , and that with smoak , whereupon martial made this disttchon ; non quemcunque focum , nec fumum caseus omnem , sed velabrensem qui bibit , ipse sapit . aristotle and julius pollux do commend the sicillan cheese , which was made of sheep and goats milke together , and by athenaeus it is called , caseus tromilicus , and by simonides stromilius . in khaetia of helvetia there are excelent cheeses made of goats milk and cow milk mixed together . the milk also of a goat mixed to a womans milk is best for the nourishment of man , because it is not too fat ; yet galen saith , if it be eaten without hony , water , and salt , it curdleth in the belly of a man like a cheese and strangleth him ; and being so used it purgeth the belly : from thence came the fiction of the poets , that jupiter was noursed by a goat , and that afterward in his war against the titanes or giants , he slew that goat by the counsel of themis , and wore her skin for an armor , and so having obtained victory , placed the goat among the stars , whereupon she was called aix ourania , a heavenly goat , and so germanicus caesar made this verse upon him , and jupiter himself was called aigiochus . — illa putatur nutrix esse jovis , si verè jupiter infans vbera cretaeae suxit fidissima caprae , sydere quae claro gratum testatur alumnum . the flesh of male goats is not wholesome for mans body , but the flesh of a female in the spring and fall of the leaf , by reason of the good nourishment may be eaten without danger . they are worse then bull-beef , because they are sharper in concoction and hotter , wherefore if they digest not well , they increase melancholy . the liver of a goat being eaten , doth bring the falling sickness ; yet being salted a good space , and then sod with vine-branches , or other such broad leaves , to keep them asunder , and some wine poured into the water when they almost sod , they become are very which and delicate meat ; and theresore the athenians praised the lacaede 〈…〉 ans , that in their feast sweet they called copidae , they slew a goat ; and held it for a divine meat . also c 〈…〉 omachus an academick of carthage , relateth of a certain thebane champion , which excelled in strength all the champions of his time , and that he did eat continually goats flesh , for it is very strong and remaineth a long season in the body , and doth much good being digested , notwithstanding the strong and rank smell thereof , otherwise it is dangerous , as is already said , therefore fiera having commended the kyd , when he cometh to speak of the goat he writeth thus : cum male olet siccat , fit jam caper improbus , absit , et cadat ante focos victima bacche tuos . but pliny affirmeth , that if a male goat eat barley bread , or parsneps washed , the same day that he is killed , then there is no poyson in his flesh : the stones of a buck goat , resist concoction , and beget evill humors in the body : wherefore such a banquet is called in greek ( tragos hulibertas ) for goats after their copulation , have an evill flesh , not fat , but dry , and the remedy to make their flesh sweeter , is to geld the male when he is young and tender , for so his temperature is amended by a cold and moist constitution . the inhabitants of portugal eat goats flesh , and account it delicate meat ; especially such as dwell in the mountains . in germany they make of it a kinde of meat which is called klobuusst , and is prepared on this manner : they take a goats heart newly taken out of the body , and slit it into small pieces , and break six egges upon it , and the crums of white bread , seasoned with spices and saffron , and so put into a bag , and sod or roasted : afterward they are served upon the table , and strewed over with kitchin sugar . the guts being salted , are called ( hilla ) which the french stuffe like puddings , and call them ( saulcisses ) from whence cometh our english sawsadge , of this sewet and fat of goats are the best candles made , because it is hard and not over liquid . the bloud of a goat hath an unspeakable property , for it scoureth rusty iron better then a file , it also softneth an adamant stone , and that which no fire is able to melt , nor iron to break , being of such an invincible nature , that it contemneth all violent things , yet is it dissolved by the warm bloud of a goat . the load-stone draweth iron , and the same being rubbed with garlick , dyeth and loseth that property , but being dipped again in goats-bloud , reviveth and recovereth the former nature . osthanes prescribeth for a remedy of love , the urine of a goat to be mingled with spikenard , and so drunk by him which is overcome with that passion , assuring him thereby that they shall fall in as great loathing as ever before they were in loving . with the hoofs of a goat they drive away serpents , and also with the hairs by burning and perfuming them in the place where the serpents lodge . with the horns of goats they make bows ; for in delos there was dedicated the horn of a goat , which was two cubits long and a span ; and hereat ought no man to wonder , for that noble bow of pandarus , which homer commendeth , was made of a horn of a female goat . affricanus declareth , that in ancient time they made fruitful their vine-yards by this means : they took three horns of a female goat , and buryed them in the earth with their points or tops downward , to the root of the vine-stocks , leaving the hollow tops , standing a little out of the ground , and so when the rain descended , it filled the horns , and soked to the root of the vine , perswading themselves thereby that they received no small advantage in their grapes . the gall of a female goat put into a vessel , and set in the earth , is said by albertus to have a natural power to draw goats unto it , as though they received great commodity thereby . likewise , if you would have white hairs to grow in any part of a horse ; shave off the hair and anoint the place with a gall of a goat , so shall you have your desire . the sabaeans , by reason of continual use of myrrhe and frankincense , grow to a loathing of that savour : for remedy of which annoyance , they perfume their houses by burning storax in goats-skins . and thus much for the several parts of a goat . there were in ancient time three kindes of heards-men which received dignity one above another ; the first were called ( bucolici ) neat-heard , because they keep the greater cattel : the second were ( opiliones ) shepheards , of their attendance upon sheep : the third , last , and lowest kinde , were termed aepoli , and caprarii , that is , goat-heards , or keepers of goats , and such were the locrensians , who were called ozolae , because of their filthy smell , for they had the most part of their conversation among other beasts . a goat-heard or keeper of these cattel must be sharp , stern , hard , laborious , patient , bold and chearful , and such a one as can easily run over the rocks through the wilderness , and among the bushes without fear or grief , so that he must not follow his flock like other heards , but go before them : they must also be light and nimble , to follow the wandering goats , that run away from their fellows , and so bring them back again , for goats are nimble , moveable , and inconstant , and therefore apt to depart away , except they be restrained by the herd and his dog. neither have goats a captain or bell-bearer like unto sheep , whom they follow , but every one is directed after his own will , and herein appeareth the pride of this beast , that he scorneth to come behinde either cattel , or sheep , but always goeth before ; and also in their own herds among themselves , the buck goeth before the female for the reverence of his beard , ( as aelianus saith ) the labour of the goat-herd must be to see his cattel well fed abroad in the day time , and well soulded at night ; the first rule therefore in this husbandry is to divide the flocks , and not to put any great number of them together , for herein they differ from sheep , who love to live together in multitudes , as it were affecting society by which they thrive better , and mourn not so much as when they are alone : but goats love singularity , and may well be called schismaticks among cattel , and therefore they thrive best lying together in small numbers , otherwise in great flocks they are soon infected with the pestilence , and therefore in france , they care not to have magnos greges , sed plures : not great flocks , but many . the number of their flock ought not to exceed fifty , whereupon varro writeth this story of gab 〈…〉 us a roman knight , who had a field under the suburbs containing a thousand akers of pasture ground , who seeing a poor goat-herd bring his goats every day to the city , and received for their milk a peny a peece , he being led with covetousness , proponed to himself this gain , that if he stored his said field with a thousand milch-female-goats , he also should receive for their milk a thousand pence a day ; whereupon he added action to his intent , and filled his field with a thousand goats , but the event fell out otherways then he expected : sor in short time the multitude insected one another , and so he lost both milk and flesh : whereby it is apparent , that it is not safe to feed great flocks of these cattel together . in india in the region coitha , the inhabitants give their milch-goats dryed fishes to eat , but their ordinary food is leaves , tender branches , and boughs of trees , and also bushes or brambles ; where-upon virgil wrote in this manner : pascuntur verò silvas & summa lycaei , horrenfesque rubos & amantes ardua dumos . they love to feed on the mountains better then in the vallies and green fields ; always striving to lick up the ivie or green plants , or to climbe upon trees , cropping off with their teeth all manner wilde herbs , and if they be restrained and enclosed in fields , then they do the like to the plants that they finde there ; wherefore there was an ancient law among the romans , when a man let out his ground to farm , he should always condition and except with the farmer that he should not breed any goat in his ground , for their teeth are enemies to all tender plants : their teeth are also exitiable to a tree , and pliny and varro affirm , that the goat by licking the olive-tree maketh it barren ; for which cause in ancient time , a goat was not sacrificed to minerva to whom the olive was sacred . there is no creature that feedeth upon such diversity of meat as goats , for which cause they are elegantly brought in by eupolis the old poet , bragging of their belly chear , wherein they number up above five and twenty several things , different in name , nature , and taste : and for this cause eustathius defended by strong argument against disarius , that men and cattel which feed upon divers things , have less health then those beasts which eat one kinde of fruit alone . they love tamerisk , aldern , elm-tree , assaraback , and a tree called alaternus , which never beareth fruit but only leaves : also three-leaved-grass , ivie , the herb lada , which groweth no where but in arabia , whereby it cometh to pass , that many times the hair of goats is found in the gumb called ladanum , for the peoples greedy desire of the gumb , causeth them to wipe the juyce from the goats beard . for the increase of milk in them , give them cinquefoyl five days together before they drink , or else binde dittany to their bellies , or ( as lacuna translateth the words out of alrieanus ) you may lay milk to their bellies , belike by rubbing it thereupon . the wilde goats of creet , eat dittany aforesaid against the strokes of darts : and ( serapion avoucheth by the experience of galen ) , that goats by licking the leaves of tamarisk , lose their gall ; and likewise that he saw them licking serpents which had newly lost their skins , and the event thereof was , that their age never turned or changed into whiteness or other external signes thereof . also it is delivered by good observation , that if they eat or drink out of vessels of tamarisk , they shall never have any spleen ; if any one of them eat sea-holly , the residue of the flock stand still and will not go forward , till the meat be out of his mouth . the grammarians say that 〈…〉 ara was killed by bellerophon the son of glaucus , in the mountain lyoius , and the reason hereof is , that the poets faigned chimera to be composed of a lyon , a dragon , and a goat , and in that mountain all those three were kept and fell : for in the top were lyons , in the middle were goats , and also at the foot thereof serpents . if they suffer heat or cold they are much endangered , for such is their nature that they avoid all extremity , and the females with young are most of all molested with cold ; if they have conceived in the winter , then many abortments or casting their young followeth . in like sort it hapneth if they eat walnuts ( and not to their full ) unripe , therefore either they must be suffered to eat of them to saciety , or else they are not to be permitted to them . if at any time the eat scammony , hellebore , lesseron , or mercury , they are much troubled in their stomach , and lose their milk , especially the white hellebore . the publicans in the province of cyrene , have all the government of the pastures , and therefore they permit not benzwine to grow in their countrey , finding thereby great gain ; and if at any time their sheep or goats meet with any branch thereof , they eat it greedily , but the sheep immediately fall to sleep , and the goats to neezing . aegolethros and sabine are poyson to goats . the herb called in greek , rhododendron , and may be englished rose-tree , is poyson to goats , and yet the same helpeth a man against the venome of serpents . the prickle or spindle tree ( called also euonymus ) which groweth in the mount occynius called ordyno ) about the bigness of a pine-apple-tree , having soft leaves like the same , and it buddeth in september , and the flower is like to a white violet flower , this killeth goats , except they be purged with black hellebore immediately after they have eaten thereof . the egyptians when they will describe a man devouring sheep or goats , they picture the herb curilago or conyza , because it also killeth them . also as clodrysippus affirmeth they avoid cumin , for it maketh them mad , or bringeth upon them lethargies , and such like infirmities . he avoideth also the spettle of man , for it is hurtful to him , and to the sea-fish scolopendra , and yet he eateth many venemous herbs and groweth fat thereby ; and this also may be added , that goats grow fat when they are with young , but by drinking of honey they are weakned , and indangered of death . concerning their drink , it is necessary for a skilful goat-herd to observe the nature of the beast , and the best time and place of their watering , according to the saying of virgill : — jubeo frondentia capris arbuta sufficere , & fluvios praebere recentes . in the summer they are to be watered twice a day , and at other times once only in the afternoon : but it is reported of the goats of cephalenia , that they drink not every day like other goats , but only once or twice in six months , and therefore they turn themselves to the winde or cold air of the sea , and by yawning , suck into their mouths or bellies that which serveth them in stead of water . when the sun declineth , they ly and look not upon one another but on the contrary , and they which lodge in the fields take up their rest amongst their acquaintance . but if they be used to fold or house , they remember it , and repair thither of their own accord , which thing caused the poet to write in this manner : atque ipsae memores redeunt in tecta , suosque ducunt : & gravido superant vix ubere limen . concerning their stables or houses to lodge in , for their defence against the cold , the diligent herd-man must observe , that nothing must be laid under the goat to ly upon , and it is best to make his stable upon stones , or some some such hard floor , and the same must be kept and turned dry every day from the annoyance of their dung , for that hurteth their heads . it is good to set the window of their stable to the sun , and from the winde , according to the counsel of virgil ; et stabula a ventis hyberno opponere soli , ad medium conversa diem , cum frigidus olim jam cadit extremoque irrorat aquarius . anno . although goats be stronger then sheep , yet they are never so sound , for in buying and selling or them , he was never accounted a wise man , that either hoped to buy , or promised to sell without fault . it was sufficient in open market places , when and where goats were to be sold , to promise , hodie capras recte esse & bibere posse & eas licite habere , that is , that the day of their sale they were well , and could drink , and they were his own , and it was lawful for him to have them . but farther no man was urged , for ( archelaus saith ) they are ever febricitantes , because their breath is hotter , and their copulation more fiery , and therefore their herdmen must not be unprovided of good and sufficient medicine to help them , and not only against their natural diseases , but also their continual horn-wounds which they give one another by their often fightings , and also when they aspire to climbe upon steep and craggy pointed rocks or trees , they often fall and are wounded , in such cases they have no such physitian as their keeper , whose bag and box must be as an apothecaries shop to yeeld continual remedies to all their grievances . the best means to preserve them in health , next to a good diet and warm lodging , is , to plant alysson neer to their stabling houses . and their continual ague spoken of before is profitable to their body , for when it departeth and leaveth them , presently they perish and dy . sheep and goats have a natural foresight of the pestilence or murrain , of earth-quakes , and of wholesome temperate weather , and of abundance and store of fruits ; but neither of both shall be ever infested by the pestilence , if you give them the powder of a storks ventricle or maw one spoonful thereof in water every day . and whereas all other kinde of cattel when they are sick , consume and pule away by little and little , only goats perish suddenly , insomuch as all that are sick are unrecoverable , and the other of the flock must be instantly let bloud and separated before the infection overspread all ; and the reason of their sudden death , is because of their aboundance of food , which ministreth speedy flax for the fire of their disease to burn . at such times they must not feed all the day long , but only thrice or four times a day be led forth to grass , and brought in again to their stables . if any other sickness annoy them , they are to be cured with reed , and the roots of white thorn beat together with iron pestles , and mingled with rain water ; and so given to the cattel to be drunk : but if this medicine help not , then either sell them away , or else kill them , and salt them till you minde to eat them . goats are not troubled with lice or nits , but only with tickes . there is a certain wine called melampodion , the report is , that one melampos a shepherd had it revealed unto him , to cure the madness of goats : it is made of black hellebore , and goats milk . goats are also molested and subject to the falling sickness , and this is known by their voyce and cold moist brains ; and therefore the roman priests were commanded to abstain from touching such beasts . they are also troubled with the gowt ; the female-goat easeth the pain of her eyes by pricking them upon a bull-rush , and the male-goat by pricking them upon a thorn , and so pituitous matter followeth the prick , whereby the sight is recovered without any harm done to the apple ; and from hence it is supposed , that the physitians learned their parakentesis pricking of sore eyes with a needle . the females never wink in their sleep , being herein like the roe-bucks . there are certain birds ( called capri-mulgi ) because of their sucking of goats , and when these or any of them have sucked a goat , she presently falleth blinde . if at any time she be troubled with the dropsie , an issue must be made under her shoulder , and when the humour is avoided , stop up the hole with liquid pitch . they drink the seed of seselis to make them have an easie deliverance of their young , and for that cause columella prescribeth a pinte of sod corn and wine to be infused into their throats in that extremity ; their other maladies being like unto sheep , we will reserve their description and cure to that history . these goats have in ancient times been used for sacrifices , not only by the soveraign command of almighty god , but also by the practise of heathen people ; for their perfect sacrifice which consisted of a ram , a goat , a hog , and a bull , was called hecatombe and tryttis . the reason why swine and goats were sacrificed among the heathen , was , because the swine dig up the earth with their noses , and root out the corn , they were sacrificed to ceres ; and the goats spoil the vines by biting , for which cause they sacrificed him to bacchus ; that so the drunken god might be pacified with the bloud of that beast , whose hallowed grapes he had devoured ; whereupon the poet writeth thus : sus dederat poenas : exemplo territus horum palmite debueras abstinuisse , caper . quem spectans aliquis dentes in vite prementem , talia non tacito dicta dolore dedit : rode caper vitem , tamen hinc cum stabis ad aras , in tua quod spargi cornua possit , erit . when they sacrificed a goat in graecia , they tryed him by giving him pease or cold water to drink , which if he refused , they also refused him for sacrifice , but if he tasted it , they took and offered him . martiall having seen , or rather heard of a countrey priest , sacrificing a goat , and being assisted by a countreyman , when the beast was slain , the priest commanded the poor countrey man to cut off the stones , teter ut immundae carnis abiret odor , to let the unwholesome vapour of the unclean flesh out of the body . afterward the priest being busie about the sacrifice , and stooping down to the carkass of the beast , his cods appeared behinde him betwixt his legs , the which when the countrey-man saw , he suddenly cut them off with his sharp knife , thinking that the ancient ceremony of fasting required this to be done : whereupon martial wrote this epigram , sto modo qui tuscus fueras , nunc gallus aruspex , dum jugulus hireum , factus es ipse caper . the mendesians worshipped goats both males and females , because as they imagine they were like to their god pan. the egyptians also deified the male goat for his genital members , as other nations did priapus . the gentiles had also a brazen goat , whereupon venus rode in brass , which picture they called ( pandemon ) and venus ( epitragia : ) i think that lust could not be better described then by this emblem , for venereous persons will suffer their whores to do any disgrace unto them , for their carnal pleasure . and thus much for these male and female goats , now follow the stories of the wilde goats and the kids in order . of the goat called by pliny a deer . there is no man that shall see this beast , but will easily yeeld unto my opinion , that it is a goat , and not a deer , the hair , beard , and whole proportion of body most evidently demonstrating so much , neither is there any difficulty herein , except forthe horns which turn forward at the point , and not backward , which thing yet swarveth not so much from a goat as from a deer , and therefore can be no good reason to alter my opinion . there are of this kinde , as doctor gay affirmeth , in the northern part of england , and that figure which is engraven at rome in a marble pillar , being a remembrance of some triumph which pliny setteth forth , differeth in no part from this beasts description and proportion : yet i take it that it may be brought into england from some other nation , and so be seen in some noble mans house , but that it should be bred there , i cannot finde any monument of authority , but i rather conjecture the same to be bred in spain . of these kindes there are three epigrams in martial , whereby is declared their mutual fights killing one another ; their fear of dogs , and their flesh desired both of men and beasts . the first epigram describing their wilful fight , one killing another , and so saving a labour to the hunter , for they kill themselves to his hand , is thus ; frontibus adversis molles concurrere damas vidimus , & fati sorte jacere pari . spectavere canes praedam , stupuitque superbus venator , cultro nil superesse suo . vnde leves animae tanto caluere furore ? sic pugnant tauri , sic cecidere viri . the second epigram is a dialogue speaking to the emperour , who took care to encrease his game , seeing not only men were enemies to them , but they also to one another , whereupon he writeth this distichon ; aspicis imbelles tentent quàm fortia damae praelia ; tam timidis quanta sit ira feris . in mortem parvis concurrere frontibus audent , vis caesar damis parcere ? mitte canes . the third epigram is a complaint of their weak and unarmed state , having neither teeth like bores , nor horns like harts to defend themselves , but lie open to the violence of all their enemies : dente timetur aper , defendunt cornua cer●um , imbelles damae quid nisi praeda sumus ? these are of a whitish yellow colour on the back , and are nourished sometime for the pleasure , and sometime for the profit of their possessors , for they will suffer hunting like a deer , and also be camed for milk like a goat . and hereof i finde no other especial mention among authors , beside that which is already rehearsed . of the wilde goat , and the figure of the helvetian , alpian , wilde or rock-goat . wilde-goats are transfigured into many similitudes , and also dispersed into many countries beyond the seas and in the alpes , the picture of the alpine wilde goat is here set down . they are also to be found in italy , in the mountains of fiscela and tetrica , in so much as the tame goats which are nourished there , are said to be derived of these wilde goats , these are called cynthian goats , because they are bred in the mountains of delos called cynthus . there are of these which are found in the tops of the lybian mountains as great as oxen , whose shoulders and legs abound with loose shaggy hair , their shins small , their faces are round , their eyes are hollow and hard to be seen . their horns crooking backward to their shoulders , not like other goats , for they stand far distant one from another : and among all other goats they are indued with a most singular dexterity of leaping , for they leap from one top to another , standing a great way asunder , and although many times they fall down upon the hard rocks , which are interposed betwixt the mountains , yet receive they no harm : for such is the hardness of their members , to resist that violence , and of their horns to break their falls , that they neither are offended thereby in head nor legs . such are the goats of soractum as cato writeth , which leapeth from rock to rock , above threescore foot : of this kinde are those goats before spoken of in the history of the tame goat , which are thought to breath out of their ears , and not out of their nostrils ; they are very swift and strong horned ; the love betwixt the dams and the kids in this kinde , is most admirable ; for the dam doth most carefully educate and nourish her young ; the young ones again , do most thankfully recompense their mothers carefulness , much like unto reasonable men , which keep and nourish their own parents in their old decrepit age , ( which the love of god and nature doth enjoyn them ) for satisfaction of their own education ; so do these young wilde goats , toward their own mothers ; for in their age they gather their meat and bring it to them , and likewise they run to the rivers or watering places , and with their mouths suck up water , which they bring to quench the thirst of their parents : and when as their bodies are rough and ugly to look upon , the young ones lick them over with their tongues , so making them smooth and neat . and if at any time the dam be taken by the hunters , the young one doth not forsake her till he be also insnared : and you would think by the behaviour of the imprisoned dam towards her young kids , and likewise of the kid towards his dam , that they mutually contend one to give it self for the other : for the dam foreseeing her young one to hover about her in the hands of her enmies , and continually to follow ; with sighs and tears seemeth to wish and perswade them to depart , and to save themselves by flight , as if they could say in the language of men , fugite filii infostos venatores , ne me miseram capti materno nomine private ; that is to say , run away my sons , save your selves from these harmful and greedy hunters , lest if you be taken with me , i be for ever deprived of the name of a mother . the young ones again on the other side wandring about their mother , bleat forth many a mournful song , leaping to the hunters , and looking in their faces , with pitiful aspects , as if they said unto him ; we adjure you ( oh hunters ) by the maker of us all , that you deliver our mother from your thraldom , and instead of her take us her unhappy children , bend your hard hearts , fear the laws of god which forbiddeth innocents to be punished , and consider what reverence you owe to the old age of a mother ; therefore again ( we pray you ) let our lives satisfie you for our dams liberty . but poor creatures , when they see that nothing can move they unexorable minde of the hunters , they resolve to dye with her whom the cannot deliver , and thereupon of their own accord , give themselves into the hands of the hunters , and so are led away with their mother . concerning the lybian goats before spoken of , which live in the tops of mountains , they are taken by nets , or snares , or else killed by darts and arrows , or some other art of hunting . but if at any time they descend down into the plain fields , they are no less troubled , then if they were in the waves of some great water . and therefore any man of a slow pace may there take them , without any great difficulty . the greatest benefit that ariseth from them is their skin and their horns ; with their skins they are clothed in winter time against tempests , frosts , and snow , and it is a common weed for shepherds and carpenters . the horns serve them in steed of buckets , to draw water out of the running streams , wherewithall they quench their thirst , for they may drink out of them , as out of cups ; they are so great , that no man is able to drink them off at one draught , and when cunning artificers have the handling of them , they make them to receive three times as much more . the self same things are written of the wilde goats of egypt , who are said never to be hurt by scorpions . there is a great city in egypt ( called coptus ) who were wont to be much addicted to the worship of isis , and in that place there are great abundance of scorpions , which with their stings and poyson , do oftentimes give mortal and deadly wounds to the people , whilest they mourn about the chappel ( for they worship that goddess ) with funeral lamentation : against the stinging of these scorpions , the egyptians have invented a thousand devises , whereof this was the principal ; at the time of their assembly , they turn in wilde female goats naked among the scorpions lying on the ground , by whose presence they are delivered and escape free from the wounds of the serpents , whereupon the coptites do religiously consecrate these female goats to divinity , thinking that their idoll isis did wholly love them , and therefore they sacrificed the males , but never the females . it is reported by plutarch , that wilde goats do above other meat love meal and figs , wherefore in armenia there are certain black fishes which are poyson ; with the powder or meal of these fishes they cover these figs , and cast them abroad where the goats do haunt , and assoon as the beasts have tasted them , they presently dy . now to the wilde goat before pictured , called in latine , rupicapra , and capricornus ; and in greek , a gargos , and aigastros , and of homer ixalon ; of the germans , gemmes , or gemmus ; the rhetians which speak italian , call it camuza ; the spaniards , capramontes ; the polonians , dzykakoza ; the bohemians , korytanski k●zlik ; that is to say , a carinthian goat , because that part of the alpes called carinthia is neer bordering upon bohemia . bellonius writeth , that the french call him chambris , and in their ancient tongue ysard , this is not very great of body , but hath crooked horns which bend backward to his back , whereupon he stayeth himself when he falleth from the slippery rocks or mountains . these horns they are not fit to fight they are so small and weak , and therefore nature hath bestowed them upon them for the cause aforesaid . of all other goats this is the least , it hath red eyes , but a quick eye-sight , his horns are black , being nine or ten fingers long , and compassed about with divers circles , but at the top none at all , which is sharp and crooked like a hook . they arise at the root parallelwise , that is by equal distance one from another , being hollow the breadth of ones thumb , the residue solid like the harts . the males in this kinde differ not from the females , neither in horn , colour , or proportion of body : they are in bigness like the common goat , but somewhat higher . their colour is betwixt brown and red . in the summer time they are red , and in the winter time they are brown . there hath been seen of them which were white and black , in distinct colour one from another : and the reason hereof is ; because they change colour many times in the year . there are some of them altogether white , but these are seldom found ; they inhabit for the most part the rocks or mountains , but not the tops like the ibecks , neither do they leap so far as the foresaid goats . they come down sometime to the roots of the alpes , and there they lick sand from the rocks , like as the villagetame-goats to procure them an appetite . the helvetians call these places in their natural tongue fultzen , that is salares : about these places do the hunters hide themselves , and secretly with guns , bows , or other such instruments , they suddenly shoot and kill them . when they are hunted they step up to the steepest rocks , and most inaccessible for dogs , by that means providing their own safety : but if the hunters press after them and climbe upon the rocks with hands and feet , they leap from thence , from stone to stone , making their way to the tops of the mountains , so long as they are able to go or climbe , and then they hang by the horns of their head , as if they were ready to fall , which caused martial to write thus : pendentem summa capream de rupe videbis , casuram speres , decipit illa canes . where the poet attributeth that to the roe which belongeth to the wilde goat , and there they hang many times till they perish , because they cannot loose themselves again , or else they are shot with guns , or fall down headlong , or else are driven off by the hunters . from the day of saint james they use themselves to the coldest parts of the mountains , that by degrees they may be accustomed to the cold . i have known some of these made tame , so that they have descended down to the flocks of tame goats , whom they do not avoid like the ibex . from these wilde goats hath that same herb ( called doronicum ) and of the graecians , doronicu , given a name among the germans , gemesseh wort ; that is , wilde-goats-herb , being excellent to cure the colick , and therefore highly esteemed among the arabians , graecians , and mauritanians . it is hot and dry in the second degree ; and the countrey people in helvetia , do give it against diziness in the head , because these wilde goats oftentimes feed upon the same , and yet are never troubled with that infirmity , although they run round about the mountains . there are hunters which drink the bloud of this goat coming hot out of his body , immediately after the wound given , against that sickness . the fat and milk of a wilde goat mingled together , have cured one long sick of the ptisick . the wilde goats of creet , being wounded with poysoned darts , run presently and eat of the herb dittani , by the vertue and juyce whereof , they not only avoid the arrow which sticketh in their skin , but also death , and cure the poyson . of the kid . having formerly discoursed of several kindes of goats , now it followeth that we should also intreat of the kid , which is the issue of a goat ; and first of the several names thereof . it is called in hebrew , egedi ; which because it signifieth also a lamb , they put unto it haissim , and the plural masculine is gedaiim , and the feminie gedioth , gen. . where the chaldean translation hath gadeia ; the persian , buskabale , or else cahali buson ; for the persians render cahale for sheter ; in hebrew , busan , for issim . the septuagints render erifon ; and vulgarly at this day , the graecians call him eriphon ; but the truth is , that eriphoi are kids of three or four months old , and after that time untill their procreation , they are called chimaroi ; the latines call him ho●di ab edendo , from eating ( as isidorus saith ) for then their flesh is tender and fat , and the tast thereof pleasant . the italians call it cauretto , or capretto , and ciaverello ; the rhetians which speak italian , vlzol : the spaniards , cabri●o ; the french , chereru ; the germans , gitse , or k●●slaein ; the polonians , coziel . it was a question whether nature would finish her parts upon a young one out of the dams belly , wherefore a triall was made upon a kid which never saw his dam , for upon a season a dissection was made upon a female-goat great with young , and out of her belly was a young one taken alive , so as it could never see the mother ; the same kid was put into a house where were many bowls full of wine , oyl , milk , and hony , and other liquid things : there also lay beside him divers kindes of fruits , both of the vine , of corn , and of plants ; at last this kid was seen to arise and stand upon his feet , and as if some body had told him that his legs were made to walk upon , he shook off all that moistness which he brought with him out of his mothers belly , afterward he scratched his side with his foot , and then went and smelled at all the former vessels , and at last coming to the milk bowl , he supped and licked thereof , which when the beholders saw , they all cryed out that hippocrat●s rule was most true , animalium naturas esse indoctas , that is to say , the natures of creatures are not formed by art , but of their own inclination . there is nothing more wanton then a kid , whereupon ovid made this verse : splendidior vitro , tenero lascivior hoedo . they often jump and leap among themselves , and then they promise fair weather , but if they keep continually with the flocks , and depart not from their mothers , or continually suck or lick up their meat , they fore-shew a storm , and therefore they must be gathered to their folds , adcording to the poets saying ; — si sine fine modoque pabula delibent cum tutas vesper adire compellat caulas , monstrabunt adfore nimbos . if geese swallow the hairs of kids or goats , they dy thereof kids are not to be separated from their dams , or weaned till they be three months old , at which time they may be joyned to the flocks : they are nourished when they are young after the same manner as they be at a year old , except that they must be more narrowly looked unto , lest their lasciviousness overthrow their age : and besides their milk , you must give unto them three-leaved-grass , ivie , and the tops of lentils , tender leaves , or small twigs of trees : and whereas commonly they are brought forth in twins , it is best , to choose out the strongest headed kid for the flock , and to sell the other away to the butchers . out of the rennet of the calves or kids is the coagulation . there was a certain law ( as appeareth by baifyus ) in the books of the civill lawyers , that shooes should be made of the skins of kids , as appeared by ancient marble monuments at rome , which thing martiall approveth in his verses to phebus ; shewing how time altereth all things , and that the skins of kids which were wont to cover bald heads , are now put upon bare legs ; the verses are these that follow , hoedina tibi pelle contegenti nudae tempora verticemque calvae , festive tibi , phaebe , dixit ille qui dixit caput esse calceatum . out of the hide of a kid is made good glew ; and in the time of cicero they stuffed beds with kids hair : their flesh hath been much esteemed for delicate meat ; and for that cause dressed and trimmed sundry ways ; the best kids for meat have been said to come from melos , or vmbralia , or viburtinum , which never tasted grass , but have more milk in them then bloud , according to the saying of juvenal . de viburtino veniet pinguissimus agro hoedulus & toto grege mollior , inscius herbae , nec dum ausus virgas humilis mordere salicti . for this cause they may safely be eaten all the year long while they suck , both of men of temperate and hot constitution , for they are less hurtful then the rams , and do easily digest , and nourish temperately , for they engender thin and moist bloud , and also help all hot and temperate bodies , and they are at the best when as they are neither two old , that is above six moneths , nor too young , that is under two moneths . the red or sandy coloured are the best , yet is their flesh hurtful to the colick . simeon sethi affirmeth , that if a man eat a kids liver before he drink in the morning , he shall not be over drunk that day . celtus also prescribeth it in the sickness of the holy-fire . they are wholesome , sod , roasted , or baked , but the ribs are best sod . platina teacheth one way whereby it was dressed in his time for a delicate dish ; they took some field herbs and fat broth , two whites of an egge well beaten together , with two heads of garlick , a little saffron , and a little pepper , with the kids flesh , put all together into a dish , rosted before at the fire upon a spit ( with parsely , rosemary , and lawrel leaves ) and so serv'd out with that sauce , and set on the table : but if they did not eat it before it was cold , it weakened the eye-sight , and raised up venereal lust . the bloud also of a kid was made into a bludding , and given to be eaten of them which have the bloudy-flix . they have also devised to dress a kid hot , and to fill his belly with spices and other good things : likewise it is sod in milk with lawrel , with divers other fashions , which every cook is able to practise without the knowledge of learning . and thus i might conclude the discourse of kids with a remembrance of their constellation in the waggoner , upon the bulls horn , which the poets observe for signes and tokens fore-shewing rain and clowdy weather , according to virgils verse : quantus ab occasu veniens pluvialibus hoedis . these stars rise in the evening about the nones of october , and in december , they wont to sacrifice a kid with wine to faunus . there is a bird called 〈…〉 ptilus , which is a great devourer of kids and lambs , and the same also is hunted by a dragon , for when she hath filled her self with these beasts , being wearyed and idle , the dragon doth easily set upon her and overtake her . also when they fish for the worm seven cubits long in the river indus , they bait their hook with a lamb or kid , as is reported by aelianus ; and the ancients were wont by inspection into the intrails of kids , to declare or search into things to come , as gyraldus amongst other their superstitious vanities rehearseth . the manifold medicinal properties of goats come now in the end of this story to be declared , and first of all it is to be noted , that these properties are several , both in the male , female , and kid ; and therefore they are not to be confounded , but as the diligence of learned authors hath invented , and left them severally recorded , so they require at our hands which are the heirs of such beneficial helps , the same care and needful curtesie . there are some which do continually nourish goats in stables neer their dwelling houses , with an opinion that they help to continue them in health , for the ancients ordained that a man which had been bitten or stroke by serpents , and could not easily be cured thereof , should be lodged in a goats stable . the hairs of a goat-buck burned and perfumed in the presence , or under a man whose genital is decayed , it cureth him . the powder of a wine bottle made of a goats skin with a little rozen , doth not only stanch the bloud of a green wound , but also cure the same . the powder of the horn with nitre and tamarisk seed , butter , and oyl , after the head is shaven , by anointing it therewith , strengthneth the hair from falling off , when it groweth again ; and cureth the alopecia , and a horn burnt to powder and mingled with meal , cureth the chippings in the head , and the scabs : for taking away the smell of the arm-pits , they take the horn of an old goat , and either scrape or burn the same , then adde they to it a like quaintity of myrrhe , the goats gall , and first scrape or shave off the hair , and afterward rub them therewith every day , and they are cured by that perfrication . the bloud fryed in a pan , and afterwards drunk with wine , is a preservative against intoxications , and cureth the bloudy-flix , and the bloud in a sear-cloth is applyed against the gout , and cleanseth away all leprosies , and if the bloud come forth of the nose without stay , then rub the nose with this bloud of a goat . it being fitted to meat cureth all the pains of the inward parts : being sod upon coals stayeth the looseness of the belly , and the same applyed to the belly mixed with fine flowre , and rozen , 〈…〉 aseth the pain in the small guts ; the same mixed with the marrow of a goat , which hath been fed with lentils , cureth the dropsie ; and being drunk alone , breaketh the stones in the reins ; and with parsley drunk in wine , also dissolveth the stone in the bladder , and preventeth all such calculating gravel in time to come . there is a medicine called by the apothecaries divina manus , gods hand , against the stone , and they make it in this manner . when grapes begin to wax ripe , they take a new earthen pot , and pour into it water , and seethe the same till all the scum or earthy substance thereof be ejected : and the same pot cleansed , then take out of the flock a male-goat of four year old , or thereabouts , and receive his bloud as it runneth forth of his slaughtered body into that pot , so as you let go the first and last stream thereof to the ground , and save the residue : then let it thicken in the pot , and so being therein congealed , break it into many pieces with a reed , and then covering it with some linnen cloth , set it abroad in the day time where it may gather dew , and then the next day set it abroad in the sun again to exhale the same dew , ( if in the mean time there fall no rain ) then let it dry , and afterward make thereof a powder , and preserve it in a box , and when the evill pincheth , use a spoonful of it with wine of creet : and philagrius commendeth the manifold benefit hereof , for he had often tryed it , and with a medicine made of an african sparrow mixed with this , he procured one to make water , and to void a great stone which had not vented his urine in many days , and lived in the mean time in horrible pains ; and the same vertue is attributed hereunto , if it be anointed neer the bladder ; and one be bathed in the warm air , and so oftentimes both the bath and the oyntment be reiterated . marcellus teacheth how one may make tryal of the vertue of this bloud , for if he take a male-goat , and put him up close seven days , feeding him in the mean time continually with bays , and afterward cause a young boy to kill him , and receive his bloud in a bladder , and put in the said bladder sandy stones , like unto those that are ingendered in the bladder of a man , within a short time he shall see those stones dissolved , and scarse to be found in the bladder of bloud , by which he confidently affirmeth , that nothing in the world is of like power to remove the stone ; but withal he willeth some superstitious observations , as namely , that he be killed by a chaste person ; and on a thursday , or sunday , or such like : but the conclusion is , that the said bloud must be dryed to powder in an oven , and afterward prescribeth that three ounces hereof , one ounce of thyme , one ounce of pennyroyal , three ounces of burned polypus , one ounce of white pepper , one ounce of apian , and one ounce of lovage seed to be given to the party in sweet wine fasting , and having no meat in his stomach undigested , and having digested the medicine , he must eat presently . and therefore if it be true , as all antiquity and experience approveth , that the goats bloud breaketh and dissolveth the adamant stone ; then much more ( saith jacobus silvius ) may it work upon the stone in a mans bladder . the flesh of goats decocted in water , take away all bunches and kernels in the body . the fat of this beast is more moist then a females or a kids , and therefore it is most strong in operation , to scatter , dissolve , and resolve more then a sheep . it cureth all fissures in the lips mixed with goose-grease , rozen , pitch , and the marrow of a hart. also if one be troubled with swellings in his temples or in his legs , let him use of this sewet half a pound , and a pound of capons-grease mixed therewith , and spreading it upon a cloth like a sear-cloth , let him apply it to the sore , and it shall help mightily . also when the neck of an ox swelleth , it hath been proved for a golden remedy , to take and anoint it with goats-grease , liquid pitch , the marrow of a bugle or ox , and old oyl , and may as well be called tetrapharmacum , as that of galen made of wax , rozen , pitch , and goats-sewet . also if the bloud be fallen into an oxens legs , it must be let forth , or else it will breed the mangy ; and therefore first of all the place must be cut with a knife , and then rubbed with clouts wet in salt and oyl , and last of all anoynted with old sewet and goats-grease . two ounces of this goats-grease , and a pinte of green oyl mixed together , and melted in a pot , and infused into one that hath the bloudy-flix , cureth him speedily : when the hot dung or fime of a goat is mixed with saffron , and applyed to the gowty members hydropick , it worketh upon them a strange cure : and some adhere unto the stalks of ivy beaten , mustard-seed , and the flower of a wilde cucumber . the liver of this beast laid upon a man that hath been bitten by a mad dog , causeth him never to be afraid of water : the same being sod , yeeldeth a certain liquor , and sore eyes being anointed with that liquor , within twelve times recover ; and drunk in sharp wine , and laid to the navel , stayeth the flux ; also sod in wine , no scum or froth being taken off from it , but permitted to joyn with it , helpeth the bloudy-flix . the entrails of a goat eaten are profitable against the falling-sickness . the gall killeth the leprosie , all swelling and botches in such bodies , and being mingled with cheese , quick silver , and powder of sponge , and made as thick as honey , taketh away the spots and burls in the face . it also rooteth out and consumeth dead flesh in a wound , and also mingled with bran and the urine of a bull , cureth the scurffe in the head . aetius also teacheth women how to conceive with childe , if she dip a purple cloth in goats blood , and apply it to her navell seven dayes , and afterward lie with a man in the prime and encrease of the moon . the gall of a wilde goat is commended privately for the help of them that are purblind , and for all whiteness and ulcers in the eyes : and when the hairs which trouble the eyes be pulled up , if the place be anointed with the gall of goats , the hair will never grow any more . the milt being sod , helpeth the flux , and the spleen taken out of the beasts belly , and applyed to the spleen of a man , doth within short time ease it of all pain , if afterward it be hanged up in any sume or smoak to be dryed . albertus and rasis say , that if a man eat two goats stones , and presently lie with his wife , she shall bring forth a male childe , but if he eat but one , then shall the childe have but one stone . the fime decocted with hony , and laid to ulcers and swellings , dissolveth or draweth them , and mingled with vinegar , is most profitably used to take away black spots in the face . and if he which is sick of the falling evill do eat thereof fifteen pils , or little bals , it shall procure unto him much ease . if it be mingled with mouse-dung , toasted at the fire and sprinkled with hony , and so anointed upon bald places , where you would have the hair to grow again , and mingled with vinegar wherein a sea-onion hath been steeped , and bound to the forehead or temples , asswageth the pain of the bran-pan . the pastoral carthaginians , to the intent that the humour flowing out at their childrens noses , may never hurt them , burn a vein in the crown of the head with wool , when they are four year old , and thereby they conceive that they are kept and conserved in perpetuall good health : and if when they burnt their children , they fell into a cramp , they eased them presently by casting upon them the urine of goats . when a man is thick of hearing , mingle together the gall of an ox , and the urine of a goat , and infused into the ears , although there be in them a very mattery substance . galen prescribeth this portion to evacuate that water which lyeth betwixt the skin by urine , if one drink hysope water and the urine of a goat ; likewise it helpeth the dropsie , and the dust of an elephants tooth drunk in this goats urine , it dissolveth the stone in the reins and bladder , without all fearful peril and danger . the medicines arising out of the female goat are these , we finde that the female goat , and the land toad being sodden together , are cures of singular worth for the diseases of all living four-footed beasts . the ( magi , or ) wisemen say , that the right eye of a green living lizard , being taken out , and his head forthwith struck off , and put in a goats skin is of a great force against quartan agues . the ashes of a goats hide besmeared over with oil , taketh away the spots in the face . the same ashes made of a goats hide , recovereth the blisters and gals of the feet . the shaving of the goats skin being rubbed with pumice stone , and mixed with vinegar , is an excellent approved good remedy for the smalpox . if a woman bleed overmuch at the nose , let her breasts be bound with a thong made of a goats skin . the same being sodden with the hair on it , the juyce being soked up , stayeth the belly . it is not good for those that have the falling sickness to sleep or lie in a goats skin , if at any time the passion moveth them to it ; yet it is hurtful for their head , by reason of the rank smell , and not for any other particular private cause . goats hairs being burnt , do appease all issues of bloud , which being mixed with vinegar they are good to stanch the bleeding at nose , and you may blow in their nostrils goats hairs burnt and whole , and also myrrhe mixed with goats hairs so burnt . the same also burned and mingled with pitch and vinegar , helpeth the bleeding at nose , and being put in the nose they stir up lethargies . the favour of the goats horn , or of the hair doth the like , goats dung in sweet water , doth expell the stone in the body , so doth the ashes of goats hair in like manner , which being burned and bruised , and given in a medicine , they do mightily help and recover the strangury . it is also reported that goats horn and the hair being burnt , will drive away serpents : and their ashes soked or anointed , is very good against strokes or stinging of serpents . to stay the flux in the belly , take the hairs that grow behind on the goats sitting place , and burn them , which being tempered with beaten barley and oil , must be perfumed under a mans seat . goats flesh being rosted by the fire where dead men are burnt , is good for those that have the falling-sickness . the same is a good remedy against the falling sickness . it is good for such to abstain from hogs flesh , beef , or goats flesh . they that drink goats bloud , wax pale presently on it , which is excellent to get out spots of any thing : it is also good against those that are intoxicate with poison , and therefore must be drunk with wine , and being sod with marrow , it is good against the same disease , so is the male goats bloud . the root of cinkefoyle drunk in wine , helpeth ill humors goats bloud also , either of the male or female , asswageth the inwards and the flowings or laskes of the belly : it is good for those that have the dropsie , being tempered with hony , and also sodden with marrow . some use it against the bloudy flux and pain of the belly , being also sodden with marrow , it is good against the same disease . if you mix goats bloud with chisel steept in broath , and a little rosin put into it , whereof make a plaister , and lay it to the belly or other parts , and it recovereth any pain thereabouts . the fat of a male goat is more faster , and therefore good for those that have the bloudy flux the substance of a goat is fat , yet is not the fat of a goat so moist as a swines , but for bitings , and those that are grieved in their belly goats fat is better then swines , not because it hath more operation in it to expell the grief , but by reason it is thick , whereas the swines grease will run about like oil : neither is the fat of kids so warm and dry as female goats , neither the male goats so fat as the gelded goats , in latin called hireus ; also female goats fat is more binding then the tallow of oxen , but the males fat is good against scorpions made in a perfume . it is also good for those that are poisoned with french green flies , called cantharides . being tempered with wax , it taketh away the stinging of serpents ; it helpeth any biting or wound . if a womans breast grieve her after her delivery of childe , let her seethe husked barley and scallions , and the fat of a male goat , whereof let her drink a little . against the ache of the eyes , take goats fat and sheeps together , with a little warm water . almost every grief of the body if it be no wound , will be more easily recovered by plaisters , but if the grief be as it were grounded , ( or an old grief ) let it be burned , and upon the place so scorched , put butter or the fat of a male goat ; it will also recover and heal kibes and chilblanes . it helpeth the kings evill ; so doth the fat of the female goats help the same disease . the males fat mixed with arsenicke , taketh away the roughness of the nails : it also healeth the nails of the leprosie without any pain , it expelleth the cantharidans being applyed with the juyce of the grape that groweth on a wilde vine . this goats fat is profitable to help any about the straightness of their mouths or lips , being tempered with wax it allayeth sores and blisters , and with pitch and brimstone it healeth them , and being applyed with hony and the juice of a brambel , it cureth the swellings arising in the hands or fingers , especially in curing of fellons . the fat of a bull well salted , or if it be in an ach or grief , dipt in oil without salt , and so after the same manner is the male goats fat used , which being tempered with roses , taketh away the wheales or blisters that rise in the night : being also dropped into the ears of one that is deaf , it recovereth him . it helpeth the falling sickness , putting thereto as much of the gall of buls , just of the same weight , and seethe it together , and then lay it in the skin of the gall that it touch not the ground , and drink it out of the water . it is also good against the stinging of scorpions , being applied with butter and the meal of zea , warmed and washed with red wine . the broath that is confected of goats fat sodden , is excellent for those that are troubled with the ptisick , to sup now and then a few ; also it helpeth the cough being tempered with new sweet wine , that an ounce may be put in a goblet , and so mixed with a branch of rue . it being also sodden with husked barley , easeth those that have fretting in the guts . the same also sodden with barley flowre and wine made of pomgranates and cheese , let it be given to those that are troubled with the bloudy flux , and let them take it with the juice of husked barly . rasis also saith , that the fat of a fierce lion is of such singular account , that if a glyster be made of it , with the water of barly sod , either with the water of tosted meal , and boyled sunach , and so dissolved with wax , it is a most pretious remedy for the swelling of the inwards . but goats fat doth much help the griefs of the inward parts that nothing cometh forth but cold water . the fat of the buck goat many use ( being sod with bread and ashes ) against the bloudy flux ; and also the she goats fat being taken out of her back alone being a little cold , and then supped up : other allow the fat to be sodden with barly flower , cinnamon , annise , and vinegar mixed together . the same fat taken so out of the back mixed with barly , bran , and cinnamon , annise , and vinegar , of each of them alike , and seethe thereof , and being strained give it the patient that is diseased with the bloudy flux , and it shall most speedily help him . the same also mixed with pellitory and cyprian wax , may be laid to the gowt . also sodden with goats dung and saffron , and layed on the gowt it asswageth the grief . the marrow of the female goat , in the fourth place next after the marrow of the hart , the calf and the bull is commended of dioscorides , but the last of all is the sheeps fat . the harts is most renowned of all , next the calves , then the buck goats , and last of all the female goats . to help the grief of the eye , take the marrow of goats and anoint your eyes , and it will cure them . goats bloud sod with marrow may be taken against all toxical poison . pliny saith , that their dung being anointed with hony , is good for the watering or dropping of the eys , and their marrow against aches . the bloud of goats , their marrow , and their liver , is very good to ease the belly . goats bloud sodden with the marrow , helpeth the bloudy flux , and those that have the dropsie ; and i think that the bucks is more effectual and of greater operation , so it be eaten with mastick . also the goats marrow is good for the eyes of horses . the right horn of a goat is of some held to be of more effect then the other , which i rather hold to be superstitious ; whatsoever other reason or secret quality the horn may afford for the bitings of serpents , take goats horn and burn the hairs of them , and the ashes of them soked in water , and goats milk with the horn , and wilde marjoram , and three cups of wine put together , and being drunk against the stinging of an adder expelleth the poison . the ashes of goats horn being all anointed with oil , tempered with mirtle , stayeth the sweating of the body . harts horn and goats being burned , and ( if it be requisite ) is good to wash the teeth withal , and it will make them look white , and the gums soft . it is also good against the bloudy flux and watering of the eyes in regard they are most usual ; yet they neither asswage the griefes nor consume them , which are of a cold and dry nature . harts horn being burnt as also a goats horn , taketh away bitings . goats dung or the horn being burnt to ashes , and dipped in vinegar , stoppeth the bloud . the corrupt bloud that cometh out of a buck goat , is more effectual and of a better operation ; and the ashes of a goats horn or dung soked in wine or vinegar , and anoint the nostrils , stayeth bleeding at the nose . goats horn being burned at the end , and the pieces or scorchings that arise thereof , must be shaken into a new vessel untill the horn be quite consumed , then beat and bruise them with vinegar made of sea onions , and anoint the evill called saint anthonies fire ; and it is of a miraculous operation . it will make one sleep that is troubled with the weakness of his head and watching , if it be laid under their pillow . it being mixed with bran and oil of mirtle , it keepeth the hairs fast that are falling off the head . the savour of the horn burned descrieth the falling sickness ; so doth the smell of the intrails of a goat or the liver eaten ; likewise it raiseth up a lethargick man. they use also the horns of harts and goats to make white the teeth , and to fasten the gums . the same shorn or shaven into mixt hony , represseth the flux of the belly . in the pain of the belly perfume the shavings of the same , mingled with oil and burned barly ; the same perfume is good to be laid upon the ulcers of horses . the hoofs of goats are prescribed by palladius to be burned for the driving away of serpents , and the dust of them put into vinegar cureth the alopecias . the dust of their hoofs is good to rub the teeth withall , also to drive away the swellings in the disease called st. anthonies fire , burn the foot of the goat with the horn , and reserve the dust thereof in a box , and when you will use it , wet the place first with wine , and afterwards cast on the powder . the juice of a goats head sod with hair , is commended for burstness in the belly , and the ancient magicians gave the brain of the goats to little infants against the falling sickness , but pressed through a gold ring , the same cureth carbunkles in the belly being taken with hony. if the body or head be rubbed with that water or meat which falleth out of the mouth of a goat ; mingled with hony and salt , they kill all kinde of lice , and the same thing giveth remedy to the pain of the belly , but if it be taken overmuch it purgeth . the broth of the entrails to be gargarized in the mouth , cureth the exulceration of the tongue and arteries . the liver of the female goat sod and eaten , is given against the falling evill , and taketh from them convulsion , and with the liquor thereof , after it is sod , it is good to anoint the purblind eyes , also it is good to hold the eyes open over it while it seetheth , and to receive into them the fume , and the reason hereof is , because goats see as perfectly in the night as in the day time , and therefore celsus saith , that this medicine is most agreeable to them that cannot see at all in the night , as it hapneth to women whose monethly courses are stopped , and then it is good for them to anoint their eyes with the bloud of a goat , and eat the liver sod or rosted . the powder of the liver burnt purged and drunk in wine cureth the colick . if a woman in travel or with childe be swollen up , let her take a goats liver rowled in warm ashes , and let her eat it in four dayes , and drink old wine thereunto , so shall she be delivered . the gall is contrary to all poisoned witch-craft made upon the rustick weasil ; and if the kings evill be daily touched therewith at the beginning , it will keep it from overspreading , and with beaten alum it disperseth scabs . the old magicians were wont to say , that when a man rubbed his eyes when he lay down , and put it underneath his pillow , he should sleep soundly ; it driveth away scabbes in the head if it be mingled with fullers chaulke , so as the hairs may be dry a little ; and the same with hony helpeth the eyes , according to the saying of serenus ; hyblaei mellis succi cum felle caprino subveniunt oculis dira caligine pressis . the physitians in application hereof to the cure of eyes take many wayes , and mixe it with other drugs , as when they give it against whiteness in the eyes with hellebore , against wounds and pin and webs with wine ; and against the broken tunicles with a womans milk , and therefore rasis and albertus do justly call the gall of a goat an eye-salve , and also being instilled into the ears when they are full of pain , it cureth them , first mingling it with a scruple of hony in an earthen sheard , and so infusing into the ear , and shutting it in with a little wool . also all the pains in the ears are cured by the stalkes or juyce of leeks , gall of goats , and sweet water ; and if there be any rupture in the ear , then use therewith a womans milk , or warm oil of roses : likewise against the cankers in the gums , and the squinancy , it is profitable to use it with hony. for all tumors or swellings in the neck , take equal quantities of this gall , of goose-grease , and the yolk of an egge , and these being all mingled together , let the offended place be rubbed therewith . the same with the juyce of cyclamine and a little alum looseneth the belly , and wool being well dipped therein and bound to the navel of the belly , expelleth the worms , it cureth the faults in the seat by anointment ; it also hath another virtue in it expressed by the poet in this verse ; languidus antiquo purgatur penis iaccho , ac super illinitur foecundae felle capellae . the melt sod cureth the bloudy-flix , and the bladder burnt and given in posset-drink is good for them that cannot contain urine in their sleep , and the secunds of a female goat being drunk in wine of women after their delivery , ejecteth and casteth forth their seconds also . the milk is many ways available , for democrates the physitian , in the recovery of confidia the daughter of servilius , which had been consul , used the milk of goats a long season which he fed with lentils : sea-crabs mixed with this milk , expelleth poyson ; and the first milk of a goat which is milked from her after the weaning of the kid , drunk by him that hath a quartane ague , easeth the fits thereof . and some of the ancient physitians gave as much dung of swallows as will ly upon three groats , mixed with this milk against a quartane ague , and when young lambs were sick , the shepheards cured them by insusing into their chaps the milk of goats ; the powder of betony drunk out of goats milk stayeth bleeding . the holy fire is a disease of sheep almost incurable , because if any remedy do but touch them , they fall mad : but they only in this malady admit for the recreation or remedy goats milk . the root of the greater siler decocted in goats milk , cureth those cold ustions in the flesh or belly , when the place looketh black or loseth sense : and aesculapius taught his followers and patients to drink it against the itch , or any biting , and if at any time there be any strain in any member of the body , so that the article seemeth to decline and lose his former strength and humor , it is recovered again by binding unto it lyne-seed sod in goats milk . funerius adviseth to wash the face therewith , that the beauty of it may be more splendant . take seven sea-crabs , and being beaten to powder , mingle them with one pinte of goats milk , and a cup of oyl , and so strain them diligently , and infuse them into a horses mouth which is sick of the head-ach , and it shall cure him . the milk also by the counsel of philistion , with the juyce of cabages , salt , and hony , is given against the shortness of breath ; and if the right eye of a chamaeleon be pulled out of her alive , and put into goats milk , and applyed to the eyes , it cureth the whiteness of the eyes . the fat of a bull mixed with this milk , and infused into the ears , cureth their mattery evils , and causeth them to hear more assuredly and firmly . the gums of children anointed therewith , causeth their teeth to come forth with less pain , and fasteneth the loose teeth by often rubbing : the corners in the throat , and the arteries are delivered from exulcerations by gargarizing this milk , either warmed at the fire , or else as it cometh forth of the udder . the seed of cresses decocted in this milk , and drunk , easeth the pains in the stomach , and also purgeth being mixed with salt and hony. marcellus prescribeth this excellent purgation , which shall never make the party sick , that is a pinte of goats milk , two ounces of salt ammoniack , and one ounce of the best mecis , beat them all together , and give them to the patient fasting , and so let him walk a good while , till the medicine be wrought in his body ; and if a woman be with childe , and oppressed with head-ach , or have an ague , she may safely take this milk sod with hony. the physitians make a special drink of this milk , which they call schiston ; it is sod in a new earthen pot , and hath put into it the branches of a fig-tree , and so many cups of sweet water , as there were pintes of milk , and when it boyleth , keep it from seething over , by putting into it a silver vessel with cold water , & being taken from the fire , divide it into many vessels till it be cold , so the whay will part from the milk : and some take the whay and seethe it again till the third part be only left , and afterward set it abroad in the sun to cool , and this may be safely drunk five days together ( every day a pinte ) at five several times , against the falling evill , melancholy , palsies in leprosies , gowts or pains in the articles , and the sickness of the liver , which is like to a pleuresie . or let him drink the goats milk , the third part thereof mingled with hony ( as hippocrates prescribeth ) or with the seed of mathrum , ( as serenus counselleth ) in this verse : — stomacho medentur semina mathri sactae cum lacte capella . a draught of goats milk sodden with mallows , and a little salt put to it , represseth the gripings of the belly , and if you put a little rennet unto it , it will be more profitable . goats milk tempered with rennet , before it be altogether strained , while it is warm , it must be given to those that have the bloudy-flix to drink , and it will help them presently : put also to a good potion of sweet wine mingled with goats milk , and a little rennet of a kid ( as much as a nut-kernel is ) which being tempered with the hand , let it be given to the patient , labouring with the bloudy-flix , before it be strained , for the space of three days . let this drink be given one that is fasting about the time he riseth , and being boyled , put sufficient-barley flowre to it , and being in like manner like pap or pottage ; you must give it to the patient to drink for the same disease . goats milk being sodden half away , may be given to those that have the bloudy-flix . if they that be troubled with fretting of the guts , and the flix , are weakened by reason of their often going to the stool . the broath of a fat hen sod with butter or goats milk , or sheeps , warmed by it self ; or else sod with butter , is very good to be given unto them . take three ounces of amylum , being a kinde of meat , three moneths old , into as much goats milk sod as you shall think fit , and so give it the patient by suppository means for the bloudy-flix . oxen , sheeps , or goats milk , stayeth the exulcerations and flowings of the belly , so it be sod on the coals , after the use of glysters , if a mans secret inwards do abound with filth , but if not , after the foments be laid to the roots and stock of the yard , fresh goats milk must be applyed about the measure hemian , and no less , but it must not be done all together , but apart . the next day let the milk seethe till the one half be diminished , still taking away that which is uppermost ( i mean the skin or froth that gathereth in setling ) and so use it . for the risings and flowings of the belly and the flix , it is very good to get cows milk or goats , as is before mentioned of the cow. panick being sod in goats milk , helpeth the belly , being taken twice a day , and so it is good for the fretting of the guts . old bread tempered with goats milk , being given those that have the flux in their belly twice a day , in manner of supping , it is a present help . the juyce of planted pease , soaked with goats milk , helpeth the lask of the belly . the milt is good with goats milk , after one hath fasted two days , let him drink goats milk , that are fed with ivy , without any other kinde of meat , for three days together . they that are troubled with the pain in the milt , the best remedy is this : let milch goats be kept fasting three days , and in the third day let him eat ivy only , and let them be milked before they drink ; and let the fasting patient grieved about his milt , take three sextaries warm of that milk , so soon as she is milked , and so let him drink it the space of three days , during which time he shall not eat nor drink any other meat , and it shall help him marvellously . he that hath the consumption of the spleen , let him drink the whay of goats that are fed with ivy. goats milk also half sodden , so it be of them that feed on ivy only , it may be given to children that are troubled with the pain in the milt . a drink made of goats milk and rennet put to it ( as cheese is accustomed to be made ) and given to those that have the dropsie , they shall be holpen . also goats milk killeth the worms . those that are troubled with the grief of the reins , let them take three cups of cretian sod in wine , and so much of goats milk , and three and thirty grains of cowcumber-seed , all well bruised together , which he may drink at one draught . anatolius saith , that a porrenger full of goats milk , with as much amylum , which is as much as three porrengers of sheeps milk , and three ounces of oyl , all which well tempered together , must be given through a horn to a horse that pisseth bloud , and it will remedy the same : and polygonius saith , that goats milk and amylum , with three egges and the juyce of pellitory , is good for the same disease in horses . the meal of betony soaked out of goats milk , stayeth the bloud dropping out of the paps . physitians do drink certain medicines made of goats milk that increase venus . the men of thessalia drink another root of a certain herb ( called orchim ) being softer and nothing inferior with goats milk to stir up men to carnal copulation , and they drink the harder kinde of root so tempered to stay it . the root rag●ort ( as some call it ) being given to women with childe , it maketh them that they cannot conceive , being of watery condition : against which goats milk soaked with honey , is an excellent remedy . if the hinder parts that are somewhat fleshy stand further out then the rest , and open , anoint them with goats milk warmed . if any mans sheep be sick , let him take goats milk mingled with wine , and so let him give it them to drink . if lambs be troubled with agues or sickness , let goats milk be given them through a horn . cheese made of goats milk is an excellent help for those that have drunk miselden . for other bitings of beasts , ( besides that of a mad dog ) goats cheese well dryed with wilde marjoram must be drink . the same also is excellent against the stinging of serpents ; for all other bitings and stingings of lesser beasts , it is also a very good remedy . being dryed out of vinegar and honey , taketh away ulcers and blisters . this same cheese when it is new , so it be well pressed , and no whay left in it , and mixed with honey , is most excellent against the quartain ague . goats cheese also represseth all dolors and punctions ; and being soft and new , and made with honey , and covered with a woollen or linnen cloth , taketh away the puffing up of the flesh . it being dryed with scallions , you may anoint saint antonies fire with it . being dryed out of honey and vinegar , ( when men do bath ) without oyl it may be anointed on black wheals . that which is fresh and well riwated , being laid on the eyes , it quickly asswageth the pain . it is also exceeding good for the pricking of the eyes , the grief of the head and feet , it is also good for the dropping of the eyes , with a little warm water applyed unto it , and if it be a swelling of the eyes , then out of honey , either of which griefs is to be kept warm with whay . for the grief of a mans yard , seethe goats cheese and honey , of a like quantity in a poultess made in a new earthen pot , and so laid thereunto twice a day , but first wash the place with old wine that is to be cured . it is good for carbuncles ; and if a woman be sick of her womb , and troubled with a fever , let her take half a chaenix of pettispurge , and so much nettle-seed , and half a chaenix of goats cheese scraped , being tempered with old wine , and afterward being sodden , let her sup it up , and if she have the flix , let her drink the black wilde grape , and the rinde of a pomgranate , and a net-kernel , and the rennet of a bull , these being washed in black wine , goats cheese , and wheat-flower , put them together . the fime or dung of such females as live in the mountains drunk in wine , cureth the falling evill ; and in galens time they gave the trindles of goats in wine against the jaundise , and with the fime they anoint them that have the flux , and made into a poultess , is very helpful against the colick ; but marcellus prepareth it on this manner : first it must be steeped in water and strained , with sixty grains of pepper , and three porringers of sweet water , and so divide it into three equal potions to be drunk , in three several days : but the body of the patient must be first washed or anointed with acopus , so as all perfrictions by sweat may be avoided . aetius against the hardness of the spleen , prescribeth a plaister made of goats dung , barley meal , and the dung alone against all tumors or swellings of the milt . against water lying betwixt the skin , and the skin and the flesh this is prepared many ways , and first against the dropsie , they seethe it the in urine of a boy which hath tasted of poyson , or in the goats urine , till it be as thick that it will stick and cleave , and it will purge all by the belly , and also the shavings of hides which coriers make , sod in vinegar with goats dung is accounted in england a singular medicine to repress all hydropick swelling in the legs and belly . the fime of female-goats drunk in sweet water expelleth the stone out of the bladder . against the pain in the hips , the arabians prescribe it in this manner , which they call adustion ( betwixt the thumb and the hand ) there is a hollow place wherein they put wool dipped in oyl ; afterward they set on fire little piles of goats dung in the same wooll , and there let it burn till the fume and vapour thereof be sensibly felt in the hip-bone : some use to apply this to the fat , but in our time it is all out of use , and seeing yet the pains of the hip do rather fall into the thighs , shins and legs , then ascend up into the arms and shoulders , aetius and cornarius say , that this adustion for the hips was used in the ancient time divers ways , and some on this manner , holding the burning dung in a pair of tongs unto the leg of that side where the pain lyeth , untill the adustion be felt in the hip , and this course used dioscorides . quintillius used another way , which was this : he first of all heat the goats dung , and therewithall burned the soft and fleshy part of the great toe , neer unto the nail , untill it pierced to the sick place ; after such ustions , they lay beaten leaves of leeks with salt to the place , but in the hard bodies of country men inured to labour , they apply the dung of goats with barley meal and vinegar . the same with saffron and goats sewet , applyed to the gowt , healeth it ; or else mustard-seed , stalks of ivy , bettony , or the flower of wilde-cowcumber , the same drunk with spikenard , or other spice , stirreth up a womans flowres , and causeth easie deliverance , but being beaten into meal and vinegar , and laid to a womans belly , with wooll and frankincense , stayeth all fluxes and issues : also little bals of the same with hairs , and the fat of a sea-calf , wrought al together and perfumed under a woman , hath the same effect , or else the liver of a sea-calf , and the shavings of cedar-wood . pliny affirmeth , that the mid-wives of his time stayd the greatest flux of the belly by drinking the urine of a goat , and afterwards anointing it with the dung of a horse that hath bruised his hoof ; goats bloud with vinegar cureth the same , and if an aple-tree have worms . in it , the dung of a goat and the urine of a man laid to the root drive them away . the urine of goats bloud drunk with vinegar , resisteth the stinging of serpents , and also being laid to bunches and swellings in the flesh , in what part soever they be , it disperseth and expelleth them . against the stifness of the neck , which they call opisthotones , take urine of a goat , and the heads of scallions bruised to juyce , and infuse them into the ears ; and the same mingled with the oyl of roses and a little nitre , cureth the pain in the ears by infusion , or by the smoke perfumed in a goats horn twenty days together . against natural deafness take the horn of a goat newly slain , and fill it with urine , and hang it up nine days in the smoke , and afterwards use it . the urine of a goat made warm , and instilled into the ears , and the fime anointed with fat , is good for the veins of the throat . for the dropsie drink one spoonful mingled with carduus , and warm it at the fire : also mingled with wine or water , it expelleth the stone in the bladder , according to the saying of serenus : nec non obscoenus caprae potabitur humor , obruit hic morbum tabefactaque saxa remittis . the same physitian prescribeth goats trindles to be d●●nk in wine against the jaundise , and to stay the fluxes of women , the same dung tyed in a cloth about unquiet children , especially women-kinde , maketh them more still ; being mingled with wine , cureth the bitings of vipers , and the dung taken out of the goats belly and anointed upon the sore , cureth it with all speed ; the same vertue it hath to heal men wounded by scorpions , being decocted in vinegar , it cureth also the biting of a mad dog , mixed with honey and wine . being laid upon a wound it keepeth it from swelling , it hath the same vertue mingled with barley-meal , but healeth the kings evill . it is used also to ripen sores and ruptures , being applyed to the suppurations , it keepeth down the swellings of womens brests , being first dryed , and then steeped in new wine , and so laid to the sore , for it digesteth inflamation . when the eye-lids be thick , hard red and bald , take goats dung and mouse dung , of either a like quantity burned , and twice so much of the powder of the graecian canes , with honey attick ; and anoint them therewith ; being heat with vinegar , and put upon the sore , it cureth tetters and ring-worms , and disperseth carbuncles in the belly : also being heated in vinegar with cow milk , oyl of cipress and laurel , it purgeth and cureth all wounds of the legs and shins , it pulleth out thorns or sharp pricks out of the body , as that learned physitian mytiae hath proved , as sheeps dung also doth : laying it round about the wound , it cureth burnings and draweth out heat , with oyl of roses and vinegar ( as galen writeth . ) it is also commended for broken joynts , because it suffereth them not to swell or start out , being once set , therefore it must be used with honey and wine , and it hath the same operation for broken ribs , for it openeth , draweth and healeth : also it being decocted with vinegar , it healeth the pains in the nerves , although they be ready to rot , and easeth the pain in the joynts : the fime of a fat goat cureth the gout , and the contraction or shrinking of the nerves , being dressed with vinegar , and made as thick as honey , it helpeth the trembling members . it is very dry , and therefore ( arnoldus saith ) it cureth the fistula , making a plaister thereof with the meal of beans , wine and leigh , which hath been seen wonderfully to dry up the fistula . with oxymel and vinegar it cureth the aleptius , but it must be burned . take seaven bals of goats dung , work them in vinegar , then anoint your fore-head therewith , and it easeth the pain in the head , or else mingle it with oyl of roses , and spread it upon a cloth laying it to your temples , change it morning and evening , and you shall finde great ease thereby . if the eyes be swoln at any time , binde this dung unto them : being mingled with liquid pitch and honey , healeth them which are sick of the quinsie ; being gargarized in the mouth , he which is sick of an old cough , let him take the dryed trindles and put them into the best wine , and drink it off , so shall he presently avoid his fleam and filthy humor , and be healed . the remedies out of a wilde goat . the same vertue which are in the goats before spoken of , do also belong to the wilde goats , the bloud taketh away bunc 〈…〉 in the flesh ; and being mingled with sea-palm , causeth the hair to fall off . an ointment made of the fat of goats , is profitable to them which have webs in their eyes ; and the fat of mountain goats , helpeth infected lights : his liver broiled upon coals and taken alone , helpeth the flix , but most certainly when it is dryed and drunk in wine : the gawl is good for many things ; especially it is a treacle against poyson , suffusions , whiteness and blindness of the eyes , by anointing , it cureth the purblinde and the webs in the eye ; and generally it hath the same properties in every part as the tame goats before spoken of . the like may be said of the kids or young goats , and first of all a kid being slit asunder alive , and his warm flesh said to a poysoned wound , doth most assuredly heal the same . others take the warm flesh of kids and perfume them with hair , by the savour whereof they drive away serpents : the skin newly pulled off , and put upon the body beaten with stripes , taketh away their pain : others again use it against the cramp ; and not without reason , for the tender skins of lambs & goats , being sprinkled or dipped in warm oyl , giveth very much strength and paience to endure the convulsion . praxagoras prescribeth the flesh against the falling evill ; and by gargarizing the broath when it was sod , cureth the quinsie and soreness of the throat . demetrius saith , that the brain being drawn through a gold ring , and given to a hawk which hath the falling sickness , it will work admirably upon her . the bloud being dryed and decocted with marrow , is good against all intoxicate passions , and being mingled with sharp vinegar before it be congealed , it helpeth the spitting of bloud : the same being eaten , cureth all kinde of flixes , being taken three days together . galen rehearseth in the antidote of urbane , among other things , the bloud of kids to draw the dead young ones out of the dams belly . with the fat there is an ointment made with rose water , to heal the fissures of the lips and nose , which is much desired of women , not only for the before rehearsed vertue , but also because by anointing they keep by it their face from sun-burning . the french and italians call it ( pomato ) because it smelleth like apples , they put also into it musk and rose water , a pound of kids sewet , and warm it in a bath untill all be white , and so wash it with the said rose water , and afterward repose it in a glass : the ointment which is called ( vnguentum album ) is like unto it : the ashes of the thighs of a kid , healeth burstness , and stancheth bloud : the rennet is also commendable against hemlock , or toad-stool , and against all the poysonful strokes of sea-beasts ; being drunk in wine , it stayeth bleeding , and refresheth excreations of bloud ; being taken with vinegar it helpeth also the flix ; being drunk fasting , it hath some operation to stay womens flowers . the lights of a kid sod and eaten fasting , preserveth from drunkenness that day ; and the powder of it burned , easeth the itching of the eyes ; and peel'd eye-lids , if it be applyed like stibium : likewise the bladder of a female kid drunk in powder , helpeth the inconstancy of urine : the milt laid upon the spleen of an infant , asswageth the pain and tumors thereof ; the liver is not fit for temperate men , but for weak cholerick men . the inhabitanes of the mount atlas do gather euforbium , and corrupt it with kids milk , but it is discerned by fire ; for the good euforbium being burned , yeeldeth an unacceptable savour , and so we conclude this story , with the two emblems of alciatus . one against them that take much pain , and make good beginnings , but evill ends , like a goat which giveth a good mess of milk , and over-turneth it with her foot : quod fine egregios turpi maculaveris orsus innoxamque tuum verteris officium , fecisti quod capra sui mulctraria lactis cum ferit , & proprias calce profundit opes . the other emblem is upon a goat , the which by her keeper was constrained to give a young wolf suck , who afterward notwithstanding that good turn , devoureth his nurse : and it may be applyed unto them which nourish their own harms , and save a theef from the gallows . capra lupum nen sponte meo nunc ubere lacto , quod male pastoris provida cura jubet : creverit ille simul , mea me post ubere pascit : improbitas nullo flectitur obsequio . there is a pretty comparison of a harlots love to a fisherman , which putteth upon him a goats skin with the horns , to deceive the sargus-fish , for that fish loveth a goat above all other creatures , and therefore the fisher-man beguileth her with a false appearance , as the flattering love of harlots doe simple mindes by fained protestations . of the gvlon . this beast was not known by the ancients , but hath been since discovered in the northern parts of the world , and because of the great voracity thereof , it is called ( gulo ) that is , a devourer in imitation of the germans , who call such devouring creatures vilsiuss , and the swedians , gerff ; in lituania and muscovia , it is called rossomokal . it is thought to be engendered by a hyaena and a lioness , for in quality it resembleth a hiaena , and it is the same which is called ( crocuta : ) it is a devouring and an unprofitable creature , having sharper teeth then other creatures . some think it is derived of a wolf and a dog , for it is about the bigness of a dog : it hath the face of a cat , the body and tail of a fox ; being black of colour : his feet and nails be most sharp , his skin rusty , the hair very sharp , and it feedeth upon dead carkases . when it hath found a dead carkass he eateth thereof so violently , that his belly standeth out like a bell ; then he seeketh for some narrow passage betwixt two trees , and there draweth through his body , by pressing whereof , he driveth out the meat which he had eaten : and being so emptied returneth and devoureth as much as he did before , and goeth again and emptieth himself as in former manner ; and so continueth eating and emptying till all be eaten . it may be that god hath ordained such a creature in those countries , to express the abominable gluttony of the men of that countrey , that they may know their true deformed nature , and lively ugly figure , represented in this monster eatingbeast : for it is the fashion of the noble men in those parts , to sit from noon till midnight , eating and drinking , and never rise from the table , but to disgorge their stomachs , or ease their bellies : and then return with refreshed appetites to ingurgitate and consume more of gods creatures : wherein they grow to such a heighth of beastliness , that they lose both sense and reason , and know no difference between head and tail . such they are in muscovia , in lituania , and most shameful of all in tartaria . these things are reported by olaus magnus , and mathias michou ; but i would to god that this same ( more then beastly intemperate gluttony ) had been circumscribed and confined within the limits of those unchristian or heretical-apostatical countries , and had not spread it self and infected our more civil and christian parts of the world ; so should not nobility , society , amity , good fellowship , neighbourhood , and honesty , be ever placed upon drunken or gluttonous companions : or any man be commended for bibbing and sucking in wine and beer like a swine : when in the mean season no spark of grace , or christianity , appeareth in them : which notwithstanding they take upon them , being herein worse then beasts , who still reserve the notes of their nature , and preserve their lives ; but these lose the markes of humanity , reason , memory and sense , with the conditions of their families , applying themselves to consume both patrimony and pence in this voracity , and forget the badges of christians , offering sacrifice to nothing but their bellies . the church forsaketh them , the spirit accurseth them , the civil world abhorreth them , the lord condemneth them , the devil expecteth them , and the fire of hell it self is prepared for them ; and all such devourers of gods good creature . to help their digestion , for although the hiena and gulon , and some other monsters are subject to this gluttony , yet are there many creatures more in the world , who although they be beasts and lack reason , yet can they not by any famine , stripes , or provocations be drawn to exceed their natural appetites , or measure in eating or drinking . there are of these beasts two kindes , distinguished by colour , one black , and the other like a wolf , they seldom kill a man , or any live beasts , but feed upon carrion and dead carkasses , as is before said ; yet sometimes when they are hungry , they prey upon beasts , as horses , and such like , and then they subtilly ascend up into a tree , and when they see a beast under the same , they leap down upon him and destroy him . a bear is afraid to meet them , and unable to match them by reason of their sharp teeth . this beast is tamed , and nourished in the courts of princes , for no other cause then for an example of incredible voracity . when he hath filled his belly , if he can finde no trees growing so near together , as by sliding betwixt them , he may expel his excrements ; then taketh he an alder-tree , and with his fore-feet rendeth the same asunder , and passeth through the midst of it , for the cause aforesaid . when they are wilde , men kill them with bows and gins , for no other cause than for their skins which are precious and profitable ; for they are white spotted , changeably interlined like divers flowers ; for which cause the greatest princes , and richest nobles use them in garments in the winter time , such are the kings of polonia , sweveland , goatland , and the princes of germany ; neither is their any skin which will sooner take a colour , or more constantly retain it . the outward appearance of the said skin is like to a damaskt garment , and besides this outward part , there is no other memorable thing worthy observation in this ravenous beast , and therefore in germany , it is called a four-footed vulture . of the gorgon or strange lybian beast . among the manifold and divers sorts of beasts which are bred in africk , it is thought that the gorgon is brought forth in that countrey . it is a fearful and terrible beast to behold , it it hath high and thick eye-lids , eyes not very great , but much like an oxes or bugils , but all flery-bloudy , which neither look directly forward ; nor yet upwards , but continually down to the earth , and therefore are called in greek , catobleponta . from the crown of their head down to their nose they have a long hanging mane , which make them to look fearfully . it eateth deadly and poysonful herbs , and if at any time he see a bull or other creature whereof he is afraid , he presently causeth his mane to stand upright , and being so lifted up , opening his lips , and gaping wide , sendeth forth of his throat a certain sharp and horrible breath , which infecteth and poysoneth the air above his head , so that all living creatures which draw in the breath of that air are grievously afflicted thereby , losing both voyce and sight , they fall into lethal and deadly convulsions . it is bred in hesperia and lybia . the poets have a fiction , that the gorgones were the daughters of midusa and phoroynis , and are called stringo , and by hesiodus sthenp , and euryale , inhabiting the gorgadian islands in the aethiopick ocean , over against the gardens of hesperia . medusa is said to have the hairs of her head to be living serpents , against whom perseus fought , and cut off her head ; for which cause he was placed in heaven , on the north side of the zodiack above the waggon , and on the left hand , holding the gorgons head . the truth is , that that there were certain amazonian women in africk , divers from the scythians , against whom perseus made war ; and the captain of those women was call medusa , whom perfeus overthrew , and cut off her head , and from thence came the poets fiction , describing it with snakes growing out of it as is aforesaid . these gorgons are bred in that countrey , and have such hair about their heads , as not only exceedeth all other beasts , but also poysoneth when she standeth upright . pliny called this catablepon , because it continually looketh downward , and saith that all the parts of it are but small , excepting the head , which is very heavy , and exceedeth the proportion of his body , which is never lifted up , but all living creatures dy that see his eyes . by which there ariseth a question , whether the poyson which he sendeth forth , proceed from his breath , or from his eyes . whereupon it is more probable , that like the cockatrice he killeth by seeing , then by the breath of his mouth , which is not competible to any other beasts in the world . besides when the souldiers of marius followed jugurtha , they saw one of these gorgons , and supposing it was some sheep , bending the head continually to the earth , and moving slowly , they set upon him with their swords , whereat the beast disdaining , suddenly discovered his eyes , setting his hair upright , at the sight whereof the souldiers fell down dead . marius hearing thereof sent other souldiers to kill the beast , but they likewise dyed as the former . at last the inhabitants of the countrey , told the captain the poyson of this beasts nature , and that if he were not killed upon a sudden , with the only sight of his eyes , he sent death into his hunters : then did the captain lay an ambush of soldiers for him , who slew him suddenly with their spears , and brought him to the emperour ; whereupon marius sent his skin to rome , which was hung up in the temple of hercules , wherein the people were feasted after the triumphs ; by which it is apparent that they kill with their eyes , and not with their breath . so that the fable of serviut , which reporteth that in the furthest place of atlas , these gorgons are bred , and that they have but one eye a piece , is not to be believed , except he mean , as else-where he confesseth , that there were certain maids which were sisters , call gorgons ; and were so beautiful , that all young men were amazed to behold them . whereupon it was said , that they were turned into stones : meaning that their love bereft them of their wit and sense . they were called the daughters of cetus ; and three of them were made nymphs , which were called pephredo , enyo , and the third dinon : so called as geraldus saith , because they were old women so soon as they were born , whereunto was assigned one eye and one tooth . but to omit these fables , it is certain that sharp poysoned sights are called gorgon blepen , and therefore we will follow the authority of pliny and atheneus . it is a beast all set over with scales like a dragon , having no hair except on his head , great teeth like swine , having wings to fly , and hands to handle , in stature betwixt a bull and a calf . there be islands called gorgonies , wherein these monster - gorgons were bred , and unto the days of pliny , the people of that countrey retained some part of their prodigious nature . it is reported by xenophon , that hanno king of carthage ranged with his army in that region , and found there certain women of incredible swiftness and pernicity of foot . whereof he took two only of all that appeared in sight , which had such rough and sharp bodies , as never before were seen . wherefore when they were dead , he hung up their skins in the temple of juno , for a monument of their strange natures , which remained there untill the destruction of carthage . by the consideration of this beast there appeareth one manifest argument of the creators divine wisdom and providence , who hath turned the eyes of this beast downward to the earth , as it were thereby burying his poyson from the hurt of man : and shadowing them with rough , long , and strong hair , that their poysoned beams should not reflect upwards , untill the beast were provoked by fear or danger , the heaviness of his head being like a clog to restrain the liberty of his poysonful nature ; but what other parts , vertues , or vices are contained in the compass of this monster , god only knoweth , who peradventure hath permitted it to live upon the face of the earth , for no other cause but to be a punishment and scourge unto mankinde ; and an evident example of his own wrathful power to everlasting destruction . and thus much may serve for a description of this beast , untill by gods providence , more can be known thereof . of the hare . a hare is a four-footed beast of the earth , which the hebrews call arnebet , in the feminine gender , which word gave an occasion to an opinion that all hares were females , or at the least that the males bring forth young as well as females : whereof we shall see more in the sequell of this story . and the jews say , that it signifieth nothing else in hebrew but a hare ; for which word deut. . the chaldee translateth arneba ; the arabians , ernab ; the persians , kargos . avicenna calleth it arneberri ; silvaticus , arnaberri , arnebus , and arnaben ; the saracens , arneph ; the graecians , lagoos , lagos , lageoos , because of his immoderate lust . it is called ptoox for his fear , and in latine , lepus , of levipes , signifying swiftness of feet , and that it is not heard when it goeth ; howsoever some men derive it from leporis the greek word , others derive lagos from la , betokening elevation , and oos , signifying an ear , because she pricketh up one of her ears when she runneth . the italians , call it livora ; the french , lieure , and leurault , leureteau ; the spaniards , liebre ; the germans , hass , or haas ; the ilyrians , zagicz . there be four sorts of hares , some live in the mountains , some in the fields , some in the marishes , and some every where without any certain place of abode . they of the mountains are most swift , they of the fields less nimble , they of the marshes most slow , and the wandring hares are most dangerous to follow : for they are so cunning in the ways , and muses of the field , running up the hils and rocks , because by custom they know the nearest way , and forbearing down hils , sometime making heads upon the plain ground , to the confusion of the dogs , and the dismaying of the hunter . pollux saith , that there be certain hares called elymaei ( almost as big as foxes ) being blackish , of long bodies , and large white spots upon the top of their tails ; these are so called of their countrey ( like the elymaan dogs . ) there be also hares called moschiae , so called because of their sweet smell , or else that they leave in their foot-steps such a strong savour , whereunto when the dogs smell , they are said , to be almost mad . at pisa the hares be very great , because there they have more gratefull meat then in other places . in the neither pannonia they are much fatter and better tasted than they be in italy , the italian hare hath its fore-legs low , a part of his back-pale or yellowish , the belly white , the ears long : in gallia beyond the alpes ; they are also white , and therefore some have thought that in the winter time they eat snow : and this is certain , that when the snow melteth , their colour is much altered . there hath been white haired conies , whose skin was black , and hair of their ears black . they are bred in lybia , in scythia , and in italy , in the top of the mountains , and so brought into other countries some again have been white in the winter , and return to their former colour in summer . there are great store of white conies in vilus ; and lethuania , but they are lesser esteemed and sold cheaper . ( schineborgerus saith ) the back of a hare is commonly russet , or like olive colour interlined with some black spots : the common hare of the alpes never changeth colour , and it is greater than the ordinary hare . there are white hares also in england , and in museovia , there are a multitude of hares of all colours , but no where so many as in the desert islands , because there are no foxes there to kill the young ones , or eagles , which frequent the highest mountains in the continent , and the people that inhabit there regard not hunting . in athens ( maucrates saith ) there were no hares , but alceus affirmeth the contrary . hares brought into ithaca , dy presently , and if they range a little about the countrey , yet return they back to the haven where they came to land , and depart not from the shore till they be dead . hegesander delphus writeth , that in the reign of antigonus , there was such a number of hares in astipalea , ( and afterward in leros ) that the inhabitants were constrained to go to the oracle , and demand counsel how to resist the hares , from whom they received answer , that they must nourish dogs and kill them ; and whereas they so abounded in leros , which at the peoples own request and care , multiplyed to their great harm ; afterward a sign of the hare was placed in heaven , to remember them , that nothing so much hurteth man-kinde , as their own desires : yet in ancient time there was not a hare in those countries . in the next place we are to describe all the parts and members of hares , for it is admirable to behold how every limb and part of this beast is composed for celerity : and first of all the head is round , nimble , short , and of convenient longitude , prone to turn every way ; the ears long and lofty like an asses , for nature hath so provided , that every fearful and unarmed creature should have long and large ears , that by hearing it might prevent its enemies , and save it self by flight . the lips continually move sleeping and waking , and from the slit which they have in the middle of their nose , cometh the term of hare-lips , which are so divided in men ; for if a woman with childe see one of them suddenly , it is dangerous , if the childe prove not hare-lipt . they have also teeth on both sides . whatsoever beast be born in your flock , having that mark upon them , which is commonly called hares-tooth , never suffer them to suck their dam , but cast them away as unprofitable and bastard cattel ; the neck of a hare is long , small , round , soft , and flexible , the shoulder-bone straight and broad , for her more easie turning ; her legs before soft and sound , standing a little asunder , very flexible , broader behind then before , and the hinder legs longer then the former ; a breast not narrow , but fitted to take breath in course ; a nimble back , and fleshie belly , tender loins , hollow sides , fat buttocks filled up , comely , strong , and nervy loins , the fore-feet very flexible ; only it wanteth a commodious tail for course . the eyes are brown , it is a subtile beast , but not bold ; it seldom looketh forward , because it goeth by jumps . the eye-lids coming from the brows , are too short to cover their eyes , and therefore this sense is very weak in them ; and besides their over-much sleep , their fear of dogs and swiftness , causeth them to see the less ; when they watch , they shut their eyes ; and when they sleep they open them . wherefore the egyptians when they will signifie and open a manifest matter , they picture a hare sleeping . they watch for the most part all the night : when the eye-lid of a man is pulled back , so as it will not cover the ball of the eye ; the graecians call it lagophthalmous , that is , hares-eyes , for so doth coelius define it , it cometh sometimes , when in the cure it is cut away too much , or else when the hinder lid falleth down , and standeth not up to meet the other , but concerning the colour of their eyes , it is not very possible to discover it , as well for the causes aforesaid , as also because it is seldom taken but dead ; yet this is certain , that with what colour it beginneth , in that it continueth to the last , according to virgils verses : quem fuga non rapit ore canum , non occulit umbra , concolor immonum sub jove terra tegit . the liver is so parted asunder , that a man would think there were two livers in one body , and pliny is bold to affirm , that in briletum , thirne , propontie , sycynum , bolba , and other places they are all such . archelaus upon this occasion affirmeth , that a hare beareth young both male and female , so that the grammarians know not of what sex to make it . albertus and democritus are absolute in this point . blondus confesseth he cannot tell ; the common sort of people suppose , they are one year male , and another female . aelianus also affirmeth so much , and by relation of his friend , he ventureth the matter , and saith moreover , that a male hare was once found almost dead , whose belly being opened , there were three young ones alive taken out of her belly , and that one of them looked up alive , after it had lien a while in the sun , and it put out the tongue as though it desired meat , whereupon milk was brought to it , and so it was nourished . but all this is easily answered , if a man follow the counsel of archadius , and look upon the secrets of nature , he shall finde a most plain distinction : but the hunters object that there be some which are only females , and no more : but no male that is not also a female , and so they make him an hermaphrodite . niphus also affirmeth so much , for he saw a hare which had stones and a yard , and yet was great with young , and also another which wanted stones ; and the males genital , and also had young in her belly . rondelius saith , that they are not stones , but certain little bladders filled with matter , which men finde in female hares with young , such as are upon the belly of a beaver , wherein also the vulgar sort are deceived , taking those bunches for stones , as they do these bladders . and the use of these parts both in beavers and hares is this ; that against rain both one and other sex suck thereout a certain humor , and anoint their bodies all over therewith , and so are defended in time of rain . the belly of a sow , a bitch , and a hare , have many cels in them , because they bring forth many at a time , when a hare lyeth down , she bendeth her hinder legs under her loins , as all rough-footed beasts do . they are deceived , which deliver by authority of holy scriptures , that hares love to lodge them upon rocks , but we have manifested elsewhere , that those places are to be understood of conies . they have fore-knowledge both of winde and weather , summer and winter by their noses , for in the winter they make their forms in the sun-shine , because they cannot abide frost and cold , and in the summer they rest toward the north , remaining in some higher ground , where they receive colder air . we have shewed already that their sight is dim , but yet herein it is true that plutarch saith , they have visum indefessum , an indefatigable sense of seeing , so that the continuance in a mean degree , countervaileth in them the want of excellency . their hearing is most pregnant ; for the egyptians when they signifie hearing , picture a hare ; and for this cause we have shewed you already that their ears are long like horns , their voyce is a whining voyce , and therefore authors call it vagitum , as they do a young childes , according to the verse of ovid : intus ut infanti vagiat ore puer . they rest in the day time , and walk abroad to feed in the night , never feeding near home , either because they are delighted with forein food , or else because they would exercise their legs in going , or else by secret instinct of nature , to conceal their forms and lodging places unknown ; their heart and bloud is cold , which albertus assigneth for a cause of their night-feeding : they eat also grapes , and when they are overcome with heat , they eat of an herb called lactuca leporina , and of the romans , and hetrurians , ciserbita , of the venetians , lactucinos ; of the french , lacterones ; that is , hares-lettice , hares-house , hares palace ; and there is no disease in this beast the cure whereof she doth not seek for in this herb . hares are said to chew the cud in holy scripture , they never drink , but content themselves with the dew , and for that cause they often fall rotten . it is reported by philippus belot , that when a hare drunk wine , she instantly dyed ; they render their urine backward , and their milk is as thick as a swines , and of all creatures they have milk in udders before they deliver their young . they are very exceedingly given to sleep , because they never wink perfectly : some author's derive their name lagon in greek , from laein to see , and thereupon the graecians have a common proverb lagos catheudon , a sleeping hare for a dissembling and counterfeiting person , because the h 〈…〉 seeth when she sleepeth ; for this is an admirable and rare work of nature , that all the residue of her bodily parts take their rest , but the eye standeth continually sentinel . hares admit copulation backward , and herein they are like to conies , because they breed every moneth for the most part , and that many ; at that time the female provoking the male to carnal copulation , and while they have young ones in their belly they admit copulation , whereby it cometh to pass , that they do not litter all at a time , but many dayes asunder , bringing forth one perfect , and another bald without hair , but all blinde like other cloven-footed-beasts . it is reported that two hares brought into the isle carpathus , filled that island with such abundance , that in short time they destroyed all the fruits , whereupon came the proverb carpathius leporem , to signifie them which plow and sow their own miseries . it falleth out by divine providence , that hares and other fearfull beasts which are good for meat , shall multiply to greater numbers in short space , because they are naked and unarmed , lying open to the violence of men and beasts , but the cruel and malignant creatures , which live only upon the devouring of their inferiours , as the lyons , wolves , foxes , and bears , conceive but very seldom , because there is less use for them in the world , and god in his creatures keepeth down the cruel and ravenous , but advanceth the simple , weak , and despised : when the female hath littered her young ones , she first sicketh them with her tongue , and afterward seeketh out the male for copulation . hares do seldom wax tame , and yet they are amongst them , which are neither plaoidae nor ferae , tame nor wilde , but middle betwixt both , and cardane giveth this reason of their untameable nature , because they are perswaded that all men are their enemies . scaliger writeth ; that he saw a tame hare in the castle of mount - pesal , who with her hinder legs would come and strike the dogs of her own accord , as it were defying their force , and provoking them to follow her . therefore for their meat they may be tamed and accustomed to the hand of man , but they remain uncapable of all discipline , and ignorant of their teachers voyce , so as they can never be brought to be obedient to the call and command of their teacher , neither will goe nor come at his pleasure . it is a simple creature , having no defence but to run away , yet it is subtile , as may appear by changing of her form , and by scraping out her footsteps when she leapeth into her form , that so she may deceive her hunters , also she keepeth not her young ones together in one litter , but layeth them a furlong one from another , that so she may not lose them all together , if peradventure men or beasts light upon them . neither is she careful to feed her self alone , but also to be defended against her enemies , the eagle , the hawk , the fox , and the woolf , for she feareth all these naturally , neither can there be any peace made betwixt her and them , but she rather trusteth the scratching brambles , the solitary woods , the ditches and corners of rocks or hedges , the bodies of hollow trees , and such like places , then a dissembling peace with her adversaries . the wilde hawk when she taketh a hare , she setteth one of her talons in the earth , and with the other holding her prey , striving and wrestling with the beast untill she have pulled out his eyes , and then killeth him . the foxes also compass the poor hare by cunning , for in the night time when he falleth into her foot-steps , he restraineth his breath , and holdeth in his savour , going forward by little and little , untill , he finde the form of the hare , and then thinking to surprize her , on a sudden leapeth at her to catch her ; but the watchful hare doth not take sleep after a careless manner , delighting rather in suspition than security , when she perceiveth the approaching of such a guest , ( for she windeth him with her nostrils ) and thinketh it better to go from home , than make a feast to her foe . wherefore she leapeth out of her form and runneth away with all speed she can . the fox also followeth , but a far off , and she hearing her adversary no more , betaketh her self to rest again , under some bramble , or other bush , supposing that the ground she hath gotten shall never be recovered of her again : but the proverb is old and true , fair and softly goeth far ; so the fox which seldom getteth meat , but winneth it with his wit and his heels , followeth as fast as he can ; for a slow pace over-taketh the hare at rest , which when she perceiveth , forth she goeth again , forsaking her quiet sleep , for the safe-gard of her life , and having gone so much ground as she did before , she betaketh her to rest the second time , hoping that now she hath quit her self from her foe ; but the foxes belly hath no ears , and therefore hunger is to him like a thousand whips , or a whole kennel of hounds , forcing him forward after his game . the hare for her better safegard getteth up into some small tree , being sleepy and weary through the foxes pursute ; the fox cometh to the tree and shaketh it by the roots , and will not suffer the hare to take any rest , for he hopeth that time and travel will bring her to his dish ; she leaps away again , and letteth no grass grow under his feet , hoping that her heels shall deliver her from the foxes teeth : after follows the fox , and at length ( as the greater purse over-weigheth the smaller , and the great horse of war over-wearieth the little hunting nag , ) so doth the lusty limbs of the fox , out-last the weak legs of the hare , and when she can go no more , needs must her weakness betray her to her foe , and so was her flight and want of rest like a sickness before her death , and the foxes presence like the voyce of a passing bell . and on the contrary , all the labour of the fox , like a gentle and kinde exercise for the preparing of his stomach to such a feast . the fift and least kinde of wolves are also enemies to hares , and the weasil do craftily sport and play with the hare untill he have wearied him , and then hangeth fast upon her throat , and will not lose her hold , run the hare never so fast , till at last through want of breath , and loss of bloud , she falleth into the hands of her cruel play-fellow , who turneth sport into good earnest , and taketh nothing from her but her bloud , leaving her carcase to be devoured by the hands of others , and in this manner is the silly hare hunted by beasts : now let us hear how she is hunted of men . it is before expressed , that every limb of a hare is composed for celerity , and therefore she never travelleth but jumpeth , her ears lead her the way in her chase , for with one of them she harkeneth to the voyce of the dogs , and the other she stretcheth forth like a sail to hasten her course , always stretching her hinder-feet beyond her former , and yet not hindering them at all ; but sometimes when her ardent desire maketh her strain to fly from the dogs , she falleth into the nets , for such is the state of the miserable , that while they run from one perill , they fall into another ; according to the saying of holy scripture , isa . . he that scapeth out of the snare , shall fall into the ditch . and this is to be noted , that if the hare had the wit to run forthright , and never to turn , she could not be so easily over-taken ; but because of her love to the place of her breed , there she is taken and loseth her life where she had her beginning : for she preferreth that place above all other for safety . again some of the elder hares ; assoon as they hear the dogs , fly to the tops of the high mountains , for they more easily run up the hill , then down . wherefore the hunter must studiously avoid that disadvantage , and keep her down in the vallies . in paths and high ways she runneth more speedily , wherefore they must be kept from that also . the hares of the mountains do oftentimes exercise themselves in the plain , and through practise grow acquainted with the neerest ways to their own lodging ; so that if at any time the husbandmen set upon them in the fields , they dally with them till they seem to be almost taken , and then on a sudden take the neerest way to the mountains , not suspected by the hunters , and so take sanctuary in the unaccessible places , whither dogs nor horse dare ascend . for the hares which we keep in the bushes are not able to endure labour , and not very swift ( by reason of the pain in their feet ) growing fat through idleness and discontinuance of running , they must be hunted on this sort : first of all they go through young woods and hedges , such as grow not very thick , for the thicker hedges they leap over , but when they come to many thick places that they must leap over , they quickly fall down and are tired . the dogs first of all go from them carelessly , because they cannot see them through the trees , but suffer them to run in the woods following a far off by the scent , untill at last they get the sight of her , and through their better exercise and skill , easily overtake her : but the campestrial or field-hare being leaner of body , and oftner chased , is taken with more difficulty , by reason of her singular agility , she therefore when she begins her course , leapeth up from the ground as if she flew ; afterward passeth through brambles and thick bushes with all expedition ; and if at any time she come into deep grass or corn she easily delivereth her self and slideth through it . and as it is said of the lyons , that with their tails they stir up their strength and courage ; so are the ears of this beast like angels wings , ships sails , and rowing oars , to help her in her flight ; for when she runneth she bendeth them backward , and useth them in stead of sharp spurs to prick forward her dulness , and in her course she taketh not one way , but maketh heads like labyrinths to circumvent and trouble the dogs , that so she may go whither she will , always holding up one ear , and bending it at her pleasure to be the moderator of her chase . neither is she so unprovident or prodigal of her strength , as to spend it all in one course , but observeth the force of her prosecutor , who if he be slow and sluggish , she is not profuse of her celerity , but only walketh gently before the dogs , and yet safely from their clutches , reserving her greatest strength to her greatest necessity ; for she knoweth that she can out-run the dogs when she pleaseth , and therefore it is a vain conceit to trouble her self more then she is urged . but if there be a dog following her more swiftly then the residue , then she setteth forward with all the force she can , and when she hath left both hunters and dogs a great way behinde her , she getteth to some little hill or rising of the earth , there she raiseth her self upon her hinder legs , like a watch-man in his tower , observing how far or near the enemy approacheth , and perceiving that she is delivered from persuit of all danger , seemeth to deride the imbecillity of their forces . the younger hares by reason of their weak members , tread heavier upon the earth then the elder , and therefore leave the greater savour behinde them : and in ancient time , if the hunters had taken a young leverit , they let her go again in the honour of diana . at a year old they run very swift , and their savour is stronger in the woods then in the plain fields . the hare is followed by the foot and so descryed , especially in soft grounds or high-ways , but if they go to the rocks , to the mountains , or to the hollow places , they are more uncertain , if they ly down upon the earth ( as they love to do ) in red fallow grounds they are easily descryed . when they are started in the plain fields they run far , but in the woods they make short courses : if they hear the dogs , they raise themselves on their legs and run from them ; but if fearful imagination oppress them , as they oftentimes are very sad and melancholy , supposing to hear the noise of dogs where there are none such stirring , then do they run to and fro , fearing and trembling , as if they were fallen mad . their footsteps in the winter time are more apparent then in the summer , because as the nights be longer , so they travel farther : neither do they smell in the winter mornings so soon as it is day , untill the frost and ice be thawed , but especially their footsteps are uncertain in the full moon , for then they leap and play together , scattering and putting out the savour ; nor in the spring time also when they do ingender , they confound one anothers footsteps by multitude . they which will go forth to hunt or take pleasure in that pastime , must rise early , lest they be deprived of the smell of her footsteps , so shall not the dogs be able any way to finde the hare , nor the hunters their game and pastime : for the nature of the footstep remaineth not long , but suddenly in a manner vanisheth away every hour . again , they must set the hils and rocks , the rivers , and also the brooks with nets and gins , thereby as it were stopping up the starting holes , paths , and ways , wherein the hare for the most part trusteth , whether they be broad or narrow : the best time for the effecting and bringing hereof is after the sun-rising , and not in twylight or break of the day , lest the nets be set neer the hares form , and she be scared away , but if they be set a far off , there is no danger of her departure after the sun is up , because then she giveth her self to sleep : the nets must be set on this manner , let the rodes be pitched upright , fastning their snares to the tops , raising the net in the middle , and hang a long stone at one side , that when the hare is in the net she may not go out again . when the hare is raised , he which followeth her to the nets , must drive her in with a great cry , and being in the net , he must gently restrain the dogs , and make signification to the hunter that she is taken , or else if it fail , let him shew the contrary . the keeper of the nets must keep silence , lest by hearing of his voice she be averted , and the hunter must take the dogs and go to the forme , there to start the hare ; and the fashion was in ancient time among the pagans , first of all to call upon apollo and diana , ( their imagined gods of hunting ) to speed their sport , and to whom they promised part of their game . but when the dog is sent forth , and after much winding and casting about , falleth into the footstep of the hare , then let him loose another , and seeing them run in one course , uncouple all the hounds , let him follow after , speaking to his dogs by name , saying now a , then b. hoika c. and such like words of art , not pressing them too eagerly at the beginning , but gently encouraging them to the pursuit . the dogs take this for a sign of joy , and being glad to gratifie their masters run along with a gallant cry , turning over the doubtful footsteps ; now one way , then another , like the cuts of indentures , through rough and plain , crooked and straight , direct and compass , wagging of their tails , and glistering with their eyes , untill they finde the hares form : then they make signification thereof to the hunter with their tails , voices , and paces ; now running together , now standing still divided asunder , they set upon the beast , who suddainly riseth and turns the cry of the hounds after her flight , then must the hunters cry out , jo dogs , there boyes , there , jo , a , jo , b , jo , c , and the shortest word is fittest to applaud the dogs . let the hunter also run after , so as he never meet the hare and trouble the hounds , the poor hare gets her out of sight , and runs to the place where she was first started , but if she fall into the nets by the way , the keeper of the nets must give token to the hunters by his hollowing voice , after the usual manner of woodmen : o oha , o ohe , that the game is at an end , and then call the dogs by name . if the hare run far , and stand long on foot , and if the dogs passe over the hares footsteps and discry them not , then must the hunter recall them with a peculiar hunting term , and lead them to the place , or casting himself about it as near as he can , rebuking the dogs that range at uncertainties , and exhorting them that be diligent ; who when they have found the footings again , run on as before , with all alacrity . in the mean season let the hunter stand still till the dogs do infallibly demonstrate unto him that they have found the game again , then let the hunter proceed as before , exhorting his dogs to the sport , and if it last all day , the hunter must regard that he restrain and keep the dogs to the wearied hare , lest if they start a fresh one , their labour be lost . if it be in summer about noon , let him rest his dogs for strengthning of their feet till the heat be over ; if it be snowie weather , and the winde set northerly , the footsteps remain long and are not easily melted , but if the south winde blow , the footsteps are very quickly shortned : and neither when the snow falleth fast , or the winde bloweth strong , must the dogs be led forth to hunting , for the snow burneth the dogs nose , and the frost killeth the heat of the hares foot ; then let the hunter take his nets and some other companion with him , and go to the woods or mountains , tracing out the footsteps of the beast in the snow unto the form , which is in some steep or shadowed place , where the windes blow over the snow , for in such places doth the hare seek her lodging ; having found it , let him not come too neer , lest he raise her from her seat , but cast round about , and if he find no footings from that place , he may take it for granted that the hare is found . having so done , let him leave her , and seek another before the snow be melt , and the footings dashed , having respect to the time of the day , that so he may inclose and take them before the evening : then let him draw his nets round about them , compasing the whole plat wherein she resteth , and then raise her from her stool : if she avoide the net , he must follow her by the foot unto her next lodging place , which will not be far off , if he follow her close , for the snow doth weary her and clot upon her hinder feet , so as the hunter may take her with his hand , or kill her with his staffe . blondus showeth another way of taking hares : the hunters spread and divide themselves by the untilled and rough wayes , leading a gray-hound in a slip , beating the dushes , hedges , and thorns , and many times sending before them a quick smelling hound , which raiseth the hare out of her muse , and then let go the gray-hound with hunting terms , and cryes , exhorting him to follow the game ; and many times the dogs tear the hare into many pieces , but the hunters must pull them bleeding from the mouth of their dogs . others again lie in wait behinde bushes and trees to take the hare on a sudden , and some in the vineyards , for when they are fat and resty , they are easily overtaken , especially in the cold of winter . cyrus ( as appeareth in xenophon ) was taught to make ditches for the trapping of hares in their course , and the eagles and hawkes watch the hare when she is raised and hunted by the hounds ; and set upon her on the right side , whereby they kill and take her , so that it is true which was said at the beginning , that hares are hunted by men and beasts . having thus discoursed of hunting and taking of hares , now it followeth also in a word or two to discourse of parks or inclosed warrens , wherein hares conies , deer , 〈…〉 ores , and other such beasts may alwayes be ready , as it were out of a store house or seminary , to serve the pleasure and use of their masters . grapaldus saith , that the first roman that ever inclosed wilde beasts , was fulvius harpinus , and gellius saith , that varro had the first warren of hares : the manner was ( saith columella ) that richmen possessed of whole towns and lordships , neer some village , inclosed a piece of land by pail , mudwall , or bush , storing the same with divers wilde beasts , and such a one there was in the lordship that varro bought of marcus piso in tusculanum ; and quintus hortensius saw at lauretum a wood inclosed , containing fifty acres , wherein were nourished all sorts of wilde beasts , within the compass of a wall . quintus althea commanded his forrester to call the beasts together before him , and his guests sitting at supper , and instantly he sounded his pipe , at the voice whereof there assembled together a great company of all sorts , to the admiration of the beholders . quintus fulvius had a park in tarquinium , wherein were included not only all the beasts before spoken off , but also wilde sheep , and this contained forty acres of ground besides he had two other , pompeius erected a parke in france , containing the compass of three thousand paces , wherein he preserved not only dear , hares , and conies , but also dor-mise , bees , and other beasts : the manner whereof ought to be thus ; first that the wals or pales be high , or close joynted , so as neither badgens , nor cats may creep through , or wolves , or foxes , may leap over : wherein ought also to be bushes , and broad trees for to cover the beasts against heat and cold , and other secret places to content their natures , and to defend them from eagles and other ravening fowls : in which , three or four couple of hares do quickly multiply into a great warren . it is also good to sow gourds , miseline , corn , barly , peas , and such like , wherein hares delight and will thereby quickly wax fat . for their fatting the hunters use another devise , they put wax into their ears , and so make them deaf , then turn them into the place where they should feed , where being freed from the fear of sounds ( because they want hearing ) they grow fat before other of their kinde . concerning the use of their skins , in some countries they make sleeves and breeches of the 〈…〉 , especially lynings for all outward cold diseases , heliogabalus lay upon a bed filled with flew or wool of hares , for than that , there is nothing more soft , for which cause the gregians made soungat thereof , to clense the eyes of men . the goldsmiths use the feet or legs of hares in stead of brushes or brooms , to take of the dust from their plate . the flesh of hares hath ever been accounted a delicate meat ( among all other four-footed beasts ) as the thrush among the fowls of the air , according to the saying of marlial : inter aves turdus , si quis me judice cartet , inter quadrupedes , gloria prima lepus . in ancient time ( as coelius saith ) the britans were forbidden to eat hares , like as the jews by the law of moses , lev. . deut. . plutarch enquireth the reason why the jews worship swine , and hares , because they did not eat their flesh : whereunto answer was made . that they abstained from hares , because their colour , ears and eyes , were like asses ; wherein the ignorance of gods law appeared , for they abstained from hares at gods commandment , because they were not cloven-footed , for the egyptians accounted all swift creatures to be partakers of divinity . their flesh ingendereth thick bloud , therefore it is to be prescribed for a dry diet , for it bindeth the belly , procureth urine , and helpeth the pain in the bowels : but yet it is not good for an ordinary diet , it is hot and dry in the second degree , and therefore it nourisheth but little being so hard , as gallen witnesseth . the bloud is far more hot then the flesh , it is thin , and therefore watery like the bloud of all fearfull beasts ; the hinder parts from the loins are most delicate meat , called in l 〈…〉 , pulpamentum , it was wont to be dressed with salt , and coriander seed , yet the forepart is the sweeter , for the manner of the dressing whereof i leave to every mans humour . it was once believed that the eating of the hinder loins of a hare would make one fair , or procure beauty , whereupon martial received a hare from gellia a friend of his with this message ; fermosus septem marce diebus eris . and he retorted the jest in this manner upon gellia ; si me non fallis , si verum ( lux mea ) diois , ed●sti nunquam , gellia , tu leporem . lampridius writeth that a certain poet played upon alexander severus the emperour for eating hares flesh , which made him fair , whereas in truth he was very black ; in this manner : pulabrum qu 〈…〉 d vides esse nostrum regem , quem syrum suum detulit propago , venatus facit , & lepus comesus , ex quo continuum capit leporem . the emperour seeing those verses , for emperours have long ears and hands , made answer unto them as followeth ; pulchrum quod putas esse vestrum regem vulgari ( miserande ) de fabella , si verum putas esse , non irascor ; tantum tu comedas velim lepusculos , vt fias animi malis repulsis pulcher , ne invideas livore mentis . if any man finde fault with the emperours verses , erasmus hath already answered the objection , that kings and emperours are not subject to laws of versifying ; besides his answer was in greek , and this but translated . the eating of hares procureth sleep , and thus much for the flesh and parts . the epithets of a hare expressing their natures are , eared , trusting their feet , fearful , careful , fruitful , flying , raging , unhorned , little , crafty , tender , sharp-smelling , swift , whining , and wandring , besides many other greek names . when xerxes gathered his army to go against grecia , a mare brought forth a hare , which foreshewed that great army should work no strange effect . and another mare of three years old brought forth an hare which spake as soon as it was littered , biting her mother with her teeth , and killing her , and while they looked upon her , sucking her dams bloud , feathers grew out of her back in fashion of wings , which being done , the monster lifting up the voice , spake in this manner ; fundite jam lachrymas & suspiria miseri mortales , ego hinc abeo : that is to say , o ye wretched mortal men weep and sigh , i go away : at which words she flew away and was never seen more . there were present at the sight hereof seven publick notaries , which called witnesses and made instruments thereupon , ( as antonius bautius writeth in his epistle to petrus tolet us of lyons in the year . in december : ) whereunto the said tolet us made this answer , the dayes shall come ( saith he ) except the mercy of god prevent them , that children shall think they do obedience to their parents if they put them to death . they shall grieve because they were born , and say they are adulterate , as the hare that was born of the mare . likewise it is reported by lisander , that when the corinthians refused the conduct of the lacdemonians , and the lacedemonians besieging the city , fell to be very much afraid , and unwilling to scale the wals ; whiles they stood in this amaze , suddenly a hare leaped out of the town ditch ; which thing when lisander saw , he exhorted his souldiers , saying , be not afraid ( o ye spartant ) of this sluggish and unexercised people , for you see they stir not out of the city , but suffer hares to lodge under their wals ; whereupon came the proverb ( dormire lepores sub moenibus ) hares sleep under their wals , to signifie a slothfull , secure , sluggish , idle , and unthrifty people . the eagles of norway lay their young ones in hares skins , which themselves pull off . there is also a bird in scythia ; about the bigness of a bustard , which bringeth forth two at a time , and keepeth them in a hares skin which he hangeth upon a bough . hares were dedicated to love , because ( xenophon saith ) there is no man that seeth a hare but he remembreth what he hath loved . they say the city bocas of laconia was builded by a sign of good fortune taken from a hare , for when the inhabitants were driven out of their countrey they went to the oracle to desire a place to dwell in , from whom they received answer , that diana should shew them a dwelling place : they going out of their countrey a hare met with them , which they consented to follow , and there to build where the hare should lodge , and they followed her to a myrtle tree , where the hare hid her self , in which place they builded their city , and ever afterwards retained with veneration a myrtle tree . and thus i will conclude this moral discourse of hares , with that epigram of martial made upon occasion of a hare that in sport passed through the mouth and teeth of a tame lion , saying that she was ambitious in offering her life to the lions teeth in this wise : non facit ad saevos cervix nisi prima leones , quid fugis hos dentes , ambitiose lepus ? scilicet a magnis ad te descendere tauris , et quae non cernunt frangere colla velint . desperanda tibi est ingentis gloria fati : non potes hoc tenuis praeda sub hoste mori . the powder of a hare with oil of myrtle , driveth away pain in the head , and the same burned cureth the cough : the powder thereof is good for the stone in the bladder : also the bloud and fime of a hare burnt in a raw pot to powder , afterwards drunk fasting with wine and warm water , it cureth the stone : and sextus saith , he made triall of it by putting a spoonful of the powder into water wherein was a sand stone , and the same stone did instantly melt and dissolve : so likewise a young hare cut out of the dams belly and burnt to powder , hath the same operation . a wastcoat made of hares skins straighten the bodies of young and old : also the same dipped in oil laid to the sore places of a horses legs where the skin is off by over reaching , it often cureth the sore : the bloud taken warm out of the body amendeth sun burning , freckles , pimples , and many other faults in skin and face ; which c 〈…〉 sus prescribeth to be done , first by washing the place many hours together , in the morning with the bloud , and afterwards anointing it with oil : the same virtue is in the fat of swans mingled with oil , according to the saying of serenus : cygnaeos adipes hilarl misceto lyaeo , omne malum propere maeuloso ex ore fugabis , sanguine vel leporis morbus delabitur omnis . it also cureth and taketh away the thick skin of the eye , it adorneth the skin , produceth hair in bald places , and easeth the gowt . orno cutim , produce piles , & sedo 〈…〉 gram , sanguine si fuerint membra peruncta meo . it being sryed , helpeth the bloudy flux , ulcers in the bowels , and old laske , and taketh away the poison of an arrow ; it being anointed upon a hot outward ulcer , it ripeneth it . after a batli , it cureth a great leprosie by washing . the rennet of a hare stayeth looseness , the flesh is profitable for ulcers in the bowels , it breaketh the stone being beaten , and being decocted like a fox easeth the gowt and the shrinking up of the sinews . the fat with the flowers of beans beaten together , draweth thorns out of the flesh : if a nail stick in the sole of the foot , beat together the fat of a hare and a raw sea-crab , then lay it to the place , and right against it upon the same foot lay also two or three bean flowers , and let it lie a day and a night , and so it shall be cured : and the same draweth a poisoned arrow out of a horse ; andreas reporteth to gesner , that he hath often heard that the sewet of a hare layed to the crown of a womans head , expelleth her secunds , and a dead childe out of the womb . the powder made of this wool or hair stancheth bleeding , if the hairs be pulled off from a live hare , and stopped into the nose . the powder of the wool of a hare burned mingled with the oil of myrtles , the gall of a bull , and allum warmed at the fire , and anoint it upon the head , fasteneth the hair from falling off : also the same powder decocted with hony , helpeth the pain in the bowels , although they be broken : being taken in a round ball the quantity of a bean together ; but these medicines must be used every day . arnoldus preseribeth the hair to be cut short , and so to be taken into the body against burstness : a perfume made of the dung and hairs of a hare , and the fat of a sea calfe , draweth forth womens flowers . the seed of a wilde cowcumber , and an oyster shell burned , and put into wine , mingled with the hair of a hare , and wool of a sheep , with the flower of roles , cureth inflamations of womens secrets after their child-birth . also hippocrates prescribeth the shell of a cuttle-fish to be beaten into wine and layed in sheeps wool and hares hair , helpeth the falling down of the womb of a woman with childe . if a mans feet be scorched with cold , the powder of a hares wool is a remedy for it . the head of a hare burned and mingled with fat of bears and vinegar , caureth hair to come where it is fallen off , and galen saith that some have used the whole body of a hare so burned and mingled for the foresaid cure , being layed in manner of a plaister . by eating of a hares head , the trembling of the nerves and the losse of motion and sense in the members receiveth : singular remedy . there things also preserve teeth from aking : the powder of a hares head burned with salt mingled to gether , rubbed upon the teeth , or if you will put thereunto the whitest fennel , and the dryed beans of a cutle fish . the indians burn together the hares head and mice for this purpose . when ones mouth smelleth strong , this powder with spick 〈…〉 rd asswageth the smell . the brain is good against poison . the heart of a hair hath in it a theriacal virtue also . the brain is proved to have power in it for comforting and repaining the memory . the same sod and eaten helpeth trembling which happen in the accessions ; of sickness , such an one as is in the cold shaking fit of an ague : it is to be noted , that all trembling hath its original cause from the infirmity or weakness of the nerves , as is apparent in old age , although the immediate causes may be some cold constitution , as abundance of cold humors , drinking of cold drink , and such like ; all which tremblings are cured by eating the brain of a hare roasted , ( saith dioscorides and e 〈…〉 a. ) it also helpeth children to breed teeth easily , if the gums be rubbed therewith , for it hath the same power against inflamation , that hony and better hath : being drunk in wine and the stones thereof rosted and eaten , it is good for him that hath any pain in his bladder , and if the urine exceed ordinary , for staying thereof , take the brain hereof to be drunk in wine . the tooth of a hare layed to that part where the teeth ake , easeth them . take the maw with the dung , in it , and wash it in old wine so as the dung may mingle there with , and then give it to one sick of the bloudy-flux , and it shall eare him . the rennet hath the same virtue that is in a calves or kids , and whereas nicander praiseth it in the first place , for the virtue it hath in it against poison , nicoon an ancient physitian giveth it the second place , for it is full of sharp digesting power , and therefore hath a drying quality . it dissolveth the congealed and coag 〈…〉 ted milk in the belly , and also clotted bloud within in the stomach more effectually then the re●net of any other beast , being alway the better for the age . being mingled with vinegar , it is drunk against poison ; and also if a man or beast be anointed with it , no serpent , scorpion , spider or wilde mouse , whose teeth are venomous will venture to sting the body so anointed ; or else inwardly take thereof three spoonfuls with wine against the said b●tings , or of any sea-fish or hemlock after the wound received ; and with vinegar it is soveraign against all poison of chamaeleons , or the bloud of buls . the same being drunk in vinegar , or applyed outwardly to womens breasts , disperseth the coagulated milk in them : also being mingled with snails , or any other shelfish , which feed upon green herbs or leaves , it draweth forth thornes , darts , arrowes , or reeds out of the belly : or mingled with gum of frankincense , oil , bird lime , and bees-glew , of each an equall quantity with vinegar , it stancheth bloud , and all issues of bloud flowing out of the belly : and it also ripeneth an old sore , according to the saying of serenus ; si inducas leporis aspersa coagula vino . being layed to the kings evill in lint with vinegar , it disperseth and cureth it : also it healeth cankers , it cureth a quartan ague ; also mixed with wine and drunk with vinegar , against the falling evill and the stone in the bladder : if it be mixed with sagapanum and wine amyny , and infused into the ears , giveth help , as also the pain of the teeth . it dissolveth bloud in the lights , and easeth the pain of bloud congealed in your stomach : when one spitteth bloud , if he drink samia and myrtle with the rennet of a hare , it shall give him very present ease . the latter learned physitians take a drink made of vinegar and water , and give it warm to eject and expell bloud out of the lights ; and if any drop thereof cleave in the bowels , then do they three or four times together iterate this potion , and after apply and minister all binding astringent medicines and emplasters , and for the bloudy flux it is good to be used : it is held also profitable by dioscorides and other the ancients , that if the pap or brest of a woman be anointed therewith , it stayeth the sucking infants looseness in the belly , or else given to the childe with wine , or ( if it have an ague ) with water . there is , saith aristotle , in the rennet a fiery quality , but not in the highest degree , for as fire dissolveth and discerneth , so doth this in milk distinguish the airy part from the watery , and the watery from the earthy : wherefore when one tasteth an old rennet , he shall think he tasteth an old putrified cheese , but as leaven is to bread , which hardneth , joyneth , and seasoneth the same , so is rennet to cheese ; and therefore both of them have the same qualities of dissolving and binding ; galen affirmeth that he cured one of gowty tumours and swellings , by applying thereunto old and strong putrified cheese beaten in a morter , and mixed with the salted fat or leg ▪ of a swine . if a man sick of the bloudy flux drink thereof in a reer egge two scruples for two dayes together fasting , it will procure him remedy . for pacifying the colick , drink the rennet of a hare : the same mingled with goose grease , stayeth the incontinencie of urine , it also retaineth womens flowers . if it be drunk with vinegar it helpeth the seconds , and being applyed with saffron and the juyce of leeks , driveth a dead childe ou● of the womb . if it be drunk three or four dayes together after childe-birth , it causeth barrenness . there are ( saith pliny ) a kind of wormes which being bound to women before the sun rising in a harts skin , cause them that they cannot conceive : this power is called asocion . masarius saith , that if a woman drink this rennet to her meat before she conceive with childe , she should be delivered of a male child : and such is the foolish opinion of them which affirm at this day , that if men eat parsly or white buds of black ivie , it maketh them unable to carnall copulation . the rennet of a hare easeth and disperseth all tumors and swellings in womens brests ▪ the lights of a hare powdred with salt , with frankincense , and white wine , helpeth him that is vexed with the falling sickness , if he receive it thirty dayes together . sextus ascribeth the same remedy to the hart , and pliny commendeth the lights to heal the pain in the eyes . being drunk in powder , it cureth the secrets . if the heels be troubled with kibes they are healed with the fat of bears ; but if they be wr●ng with a cold , they are healed with the dust of a hares hair , or the powder of the lights ; likewise when the foot is hurt with st●ait shooes , it hath the same operation . the ancient mag● took the skin of an oxe in powder , with the urine of boyes , and sprinkled it on the 〈◊〉 of their feet , binding the heart of a hare to the hands of him that hath a quartan ague : and some cure it by hanging the heart of a young hare or leveret to the neck or arme , in the beginning of the fit of him that is so visited . the heart of a hare dried mixed with frankineense or manna 〈…〉 white wine drunk thirty dayes together , cureth the falling sickness . for the pain in the belly take the same medicine , and drunk with warm water mingled with samia , cureth the fluxes of women ; also if a man that hath the flux eat the liver of a hare dipped in sharp vinegar it helpeth him if he be liver sick : or if one have the falling sickness , eat the quantity of an ounce thereof , and it helpeth him . the gall of a hare , the heart , lungs , lights and liver of a weasel , mixed together , three drams , one dram of castoreum , four drams of myrrha ; a dram of vinegar and hony beat together , cureth him that hath a swimming or dizziness in his brain . the gall newly taken forth mingled with a like portion of hony , and warm in the skin of an onion , and so put into the ear , giveth remedy to him that can hear nothing . if he that is sick in the milt , that is , if it be over hard , swallow down the milt of a hare not touching it with his teeth , or seeing it with his eyes , it cureth him . the belly of a hare with the intrails tosted and burned in a frying-pan mixed with oil , and anointed upon the head , restoreth decayed hairs . the reins of a hare inveterated and drunk in wine , expelleth the stone , and being sod , cut and dryed in the sun , helpeth the pain in the reins , if it be swallowed down and not touched with the teeth . the reins of a hare , and of a moor-hen , cureth them that are poisoned by spiders , the stones of a hare roasted and drunk in wine , stayeth the incontinency of urine . in the pain of the loins , and of the hip bones , they have the same operation . the secrets and stones of hares are given to men and women to make them ap●er to copulation and conception , but this opinion hath no other ground beside the foecundity of the beast that beareth them . they which carry about with them the ankle bone of a hare , shall never be pained in the belly ( as pliny saith ) so likewise sextus and marcellus . take the ankle bone out of a live hare , and hairs from her belly , therewithal make a threed and bind the said bone to him that hath the colick , and it shall ease him . the said bone also beaten to powder is reckoned among the chief remedies against the stone . when women have hard travel , put it into cretick-wine with the liquor of penyroyal , and it procureth speedy delivery , being bound to the benummed joynts of a mans leg bringeth great ease : so also do the feet being bruised and drunk in warm wine , relieve the arteries and shortness of breath : and some belive that by the foot of a hare cut off alive , the gout is eased . the fime of a hare cureth scorched members , and whereas it was no small honour to virgins in ancient time , to have their brests continually stand out , every one was prescribed to drink in wine or such other things , nine grains of hares dung : the same drunk in wine in the evening stayeth coughing in the night ; in a potion of warm wine it is given to them that have the bloudy flux , likewise if a man be sick of the colick , and drink three pieles thereof in sweet wine , it procureth him much ease : being decocted with hony and eaten every day , the quantity of a bean in desperate cases , mendeth ruptures in the bowels . asclepiades in his medicine whereby he procured fruitfulness to noble women , he gave them four drams of myrrha , two drams of flower-deluce , two of hares dung , confected with collyrial water , & so put up into their bellies after ceasing of the flowers , before they lay with their husbands . albertus and raphael prescribe this medicine to help a woman that wanteth milk in her brests , crystal , white mustard-seed , and hares dung put into broath made with fennel . of the hedge-hog . forasmuch as there be two sorts of hedge-hogs , one of the sea , and another of the land , our purpose in this place is only to discourse of the land hedge-hog , the hebrews call him kipod , which in the . of isa . and zepha . . is so translated by the septuagints ; although that some of the hebrews would have it to signifie , a ravening bird , but seeing that i find the word kapaz in most hebrew dictionaries to signifie claudere and contrahere , and that is most proper to shut up and draw together , i do rather believe that the proper meaning thereof is a hedge-hog , because this beast so draweth it self together , when it is in danger , as we shall hear more at large afterwards , according to the old verse ; implicitumque sinu spinosi corporis erem . the arabians call him ceufud , or coufed ; the caldeans , caupeda ; the septuagints , mugale . silvaticus calleth it agilium ; avicen , aduldus , and ali●erha signifieth a great mountain hedge-hog : the grecians , cher , and acanthonocos , or echinos , by reason of the prickes upon his back . the latines , echinus , ericius , ricius , herix , and erinaceus ; the italians , riccio , and rizo ; the spaniards , erizo ; the portingals , ouriso , or orizo , cache , because of hiding themselves ; the french , herison ; the germans , igal , as in lower germany ; in holland , een yjeren verchen ; in english a hedge-hog , or an vrchine ; by which name we call a man that holdeth his neck in his bosome : the italians , gess , malax : and the illyrians , azvuiier , zatho , and o●zischax . so then for the entrance of our discourse , we take it for granted , that herinaceus and echinus signifie one thing , except one of them signifie that kinde which is like to a hog , and the other that kinde which is like to a dog , for they differ in place , or in habitation : some of them keep in the mountains , and in the woods or hollow trees , and other about barnes and houses : in the summer time they keep neer vineyards and bushie places , and gather fruit , laying it up against winter . it is about the bigness of a cony , but more like to a hog , being beset and compassed all over with sharp thorny hairs , as well on the face as on the feet : and those sharp prickles are covered with a kind of soft mosse , but when she is angred or gathereth her food she striketh them up by an admirable instinct of nature , as sharp as pins or needles : these are hair at the beginning , but afterwards grow to be prickles , which is the lesse to be marvelled at , because there be mise in egypt ( as pliny saith ) which have hair like hedge-hogs . it hath none of these prickles on the belly , and therefore , when the skin is off , it is in all parts like a hog . when they are nourished at home in houses and brought up tame , they drink both milk and wine : but there is an herb ( called potomagiton ) whereof if they tast , they die presently . when they are in carnall copulation they stand upright , and are not joyned like other beasts , for they imbrace one another , standing belly to belly : but the prickly thornes upon their backs will not suffer them to have copulation like dogs or swine , and for this cause they are a very little while in copulation , because they cannot stand long together upon their hinder legs . when the female is to bring forth her young ones , and feeleth the natural pain of her delivery , she pricketh her own belly , to delay and put off her misery , to her further pain , whereupon came the proverb ( as erasmus saith ) fchinus partum differt , the hedge-hog putteth off the littering of her young ; which is also applyed against them which put off and defer those necessary works , which god and nature hath provided them to undergo ; as when a poor man deferreth the payment of his debt , untill the value and sum grow to be far more great then the principal . the inward disposition of this beast , appeareth to be very crafty and full of subtlety , by this , because ( lycophron saith ) that nauplius had a cunning crooked wit , and was called by him a hedge-hog . when they hide themselves in their den , they have a natural understanding of the turning of the winde , south and north , and they that are nourished came in houses , immediately before that change remove from one wall to another ; the wilde ones have two holes in their cave , the one north , the other south , observing to stop the mouth against the winde , as the skilful manner , to steer and turn the rudder or sails , for which occasion aristotle saith , that some have held opinion , that they do naturally foreknow the change of weather . there is mortal hatred betwixt the serpent and the hedge hog , the serpent seeketh out , the hedge-hogs den , and falleth upon her to kill her , the hedge-hog draweth it self up together round like a foot-ball , so that nothing appeareth on her but her thorny prickles ; whereat the serpent biteth in vain , for the more she laboureth to annoy the hedge-hog , the more she is wounded and harmeth herself , yet notwithstanding the height of her minde , and hate of her heart , doth not suffer her to let go her hold , till one or both parties be destoyed . the hedge-hog rowleth upon the serpent piercing his skin and flesh , ( yea many times tearing the flesh from the bones ) whereby he scapeth alive and killeth his adversary , carrying the flesh upon his spears , like an honorable banner won from his adversary in the field . the wolf also is afraid of , and flyeth from the hedge-hog ; and there is also a story of hatred between the hare and the hedge-hog , for it is said , that a hare was seen to pluck off the prickles from the hedge-hog , and leave her bald , pieled and naked , without any defence . the fox is also an enemy to the poor , hedge-hog , and lyeth in wait to kill it , for the proverb is true , multa novit vulpes , echinus vero unum , magnum ; that is to say , the fox knoweth many devises to help himself ; but the hedge-hog knows but one great one , for by rowling up her self ( as before said ) she opposeth the thorns of her back ▪ against the foxes teeth : which alone were sufficient to secure her from a greater adversary ; but the wily fox perceiveth that he can no where fasten his teeth without danger of himself , pisseth upon the hedge-hogs face and poisoneth her : whereupon the poor beast is forced to lay open himself , and to take breath against the foxes stinking excrement : which thing the fox espying , loseth no opportunity , but presently teareth the hedge-hog in pieces ; thus the poor beast ayoiding the poison , falleth into the mouth of her enemy . the manner of hedge-hogs is , that whensoever they are hunted by men , they draw up their legs and put down their head to the mossie part of their belly , so as nothing of them can be taken but their prickles : and perceiving that shift will not serve the turn , but their case growing desperate , they render out of their own bodies a certain urine hurtful to their skin and back , envying that any good thereby should ever come to mankinde ; and therefore seeing they naturally know the manifold uses of their own hides , here is the cunning of her hunting , to cause her first of all to render her urine , and afterward to take her , for the urine maketh the thornes of her back to fall off every day , and therefore they take this course for their last , refuge . but in these cases the hunters must poure upon the hedge-hog warm water , for feeling warmth she presently unfolds her self , and lyeth open ; which the hunter must observe , and instantly take her by one of her hinder legs , so hanging her up till she be killed with famine ; otherwise there cometh no benefit by her taking . with the same skin flead off , brushes are made for garments , so that they complain ill which affirm , that there is no good or profitable condition coming to mankind by this beast . again this is to be reserved and used for dressing of flax ( as massarius saith ) and also it is set upon a javeline at the dore to drive away dogs . in ancient time they did not eat the flesh of hedge-hogs , but now a dayes men eat thereof , ( of them which are of the swinish kind ) when the skin is off their bodies , they scald it a little in wine or vinegar , afterward lard it and put it upon a spit , and there let it be roasted , and afterwards eaten , but if the head be not cut off at one blow , the flesh is not good . the epithets belonging to this beast are not many ; it is called red , sharp , marine , volible , and rough , whereupon erasmus said , ex hirco in laevem nunquam mutabis e●hinum . and thus much for the natural and moral parts of this beast . now followeth the medicinall . ten sprigs of lawrel , seven grains of pepper , and of opepanax , as big as a pease , the skin of the ribs of a hedge-hog , dryed and beaten cast into three cups of water and warmed , so being drunk of one that hath the colick , and let rest , he shall be in perfect health ; but with this exception , that for a man it must be the membrane of a male hedge-hog , and for a woman a female . the same membrane or the body of all hedge-hogs burnt to ashes , hath power in it of cleansing , digesting , and detracting , and therefore it is used by physitians for taking down of proud swelling wounds , and also for the cleansing of ulcers and boyles , but specially the powder of the skin hath that virtue ; also it being roasted with the head , and afterwards beat unto powder and anointed on the head with hony , cureth the alopecias . the same powder restoreth hair upon a wound if it be mingled with pitch , and if you add thereunto bears grease , it will restore unto a bald man his head of hair again , if the place be rubbed untill it be ready to bleed . the same powder cureth the pistula , and some mingle red snails with this dust , applying it in a plaister to ruptures and swellings in the cods , and being mingled with oil by anointment , it taketh away the burles in the face , and being drunk in wine is a remedy against the pains of the reins or the water betwixt the skin and the flesh . a suffumigation made of a hedge-hogs skin , under them that have their urine stopped , by gods help ( saith my author ) the stopping shall be removed , if it proceed not from the stone , nor from an impostume . the flesh salted , dryed , and beat to powder , and so drunk with sweet vinegar , helpeth the pain in the reins , the beginning of dropsies , convulsions , and leprosies , and all those affections which the grecians call cachectae . the mountain hedge-hog is better then the domestical , having prickles like needles points , but legs like to the other : the meat is of better taste , and doth more help to the stomach , softning the belly , and provoking the urine more effectually , and all this which is attributed to hedge-hogs is much more powerful in the porcupine . the hedge-hog salted and eaten is good against the leprosie , the cramp , and all sickness in the nerves and ptisick and pain in the belly , rising of windiness and difficulty of digestion : the powder anointed on women with childe , alwayes keepeth them from abortment . the flesh being stale given to a mad man , cureth him ; and being eaten keepeth one from the strangury ; also being drunk in wine , expelleth the stone in the bladder , and is good against the quotidian feaver , and the bitings of serpents . the fat of a hedge-hog stayeth the flux of the bowels : if the fat with warm water and hony be gargarized , it amendeth a broken and hoarse voice ; the left eye being fryed with oil , yeeldeth a liquor which causeth sleep , if it be infused into the ears with a quill . the gall with the brain of a bat and the milk of a dog , cureth the reins ; likewise , the said gall doth not suffer uncomely hairs to grow again upon the eye-browes , where once they have been pulled up . it maketh also a good eye salve . warts of all sorts are likewise taken away by the same ; the milt fod and eaten with meat , it healeth all pains in the milt , and the reins dryed are good against a leprosie or ptisick coming by ulcer , or the difficulty of urine , the bloudy flux and the cough . the dung of a hedge-hog fresh , and sandaracha with vinegar and liquid pitch , being layed to the head , stayeth the falling away of the hair . when a man is bitten with a mad dog , or pricked with prickles of a hedge-hog , his own urine laid thereunto with a spunge or wool , is the best cure : or if the thornes stick in the wound of his foot , let him hold it in the warm urine of a man , and it shall easily shake them forth : and albertus and rasis affirm , that if the right eye of a hedge-hog be fryed with the oil of alderne or linseed , and put in a vessel of red brasse , and afterward anoint his eyes therewith , as with an eye-salve , he shall see as well in the dark as in the light . and thus i will conclude this discourse with one story , that a hedge-hog of the earth was dedicated to the good god among the foolish pagans , and the water hedge-hog to the evill , and that once in the city of phrygia called azanium , when a great famine troubled the inhabitants , and no sacrifice could remove it ; one euphorbus sacrificed a hedge-hog , whereupon the famine removed , and he was made priest , and the city was called traganos upon the occasion of that sacrifice . of the horse . when i consider the wonderful work of god in the creation of this beast , enduing it with a singular body and a noble spirit , the principal whereof is a loving and dutiful inclination to the service of man ; wherein he never faileth in peace nor war , being every way more neer unto him for labour and travel : and therefore more dear ( the food of man only excepted ) we must needs account it the most noble and necessary creature of all four-footed beasts , before whom no one for multitude and generality of good qualities is to be preferred , compared or equalled , whose commendations shall appear in the whole discourse following . it is called in hebrew , sus , and a mare susah , the which word some derive from sis , signifying joy ; the syrians call it rekesh and sousias ; the arabians , ranica ; and the caldeans , ramak●n , susuatha ; the arabians , bagel ; the persians , asbaca ; the grecians , hippos , and at this day alogo ; the latins , equus , and caballus ; the italians and spaniards , cavallo ; the french , chevall ; the germans , kossz ; the bohemians , kun ; the illyrians , kobyla ; the polonians , konii . optat ephippia bos piger , optat arare caballus . the grecians call it hippos , which seemes to be derived from standing upon his feet , and this beast only seemeth to be one of the number of them , which are called armenta . and besides all histories are filled with appellative names of horses , such as these are , alastor , aethon , nicteus , and orneus , the horses of pluto . aetha a mare of agamemnon remembred by homer . aethion , statio , eous , phlego , pyrois ; the horses of the sun : lampus , podargus , xampus , arnon , the horses of erymus : by whose aid hercules is said to overcome cygnus , the son of mars : balius , xanthus , and padasus , the horses of achilles . boristenes , for whom adrianus made a grave ( as dion writeth ) bromius , caerus , calydon , camphasus , cnasius , corithe , and herpinus , two names of britain horses cited by martial and gillius . cylarus , the swift horse of castor , dimos , and phobos , the horses of mars . euriole , glaucus , and sthenon , the horses of neptune , parthenia , and euripha , mares belonging to the centaurs of hippodamia , slain by ornomaus . harpe , another mare . phoenix , and corax , the horses of eleosthenes . epidaminus , who wan the prizes in the sixty sixth olympiade , and caused a statue to be made in olympus , and his said horses and chariot called pantarces , and beside these , other cnacias and samus . also podarces , rhoebus , strymon , tagus , theron , thoes , volneris , which was a horse of prasinum , and it is repoted , that verus the emperor so much affected this horse , that he not only caused him to be brought into his own palace , and to have his meat alway given in his presence , but made of him a picture with a manger , wherein were grapes and corn , from whence came the first golden horses or prizes of chivalry ; primus equum volucrem massyli munera regis haud spernenda tulit : — unto these may be added the affected names of poets in love of their favorites , as rholandus , vegiantinus , baiardus , the horse of rainaldus , rubicanus of argalifas , hippogrysus of rugerius , frontinus and fratalatus of sacrapan , and rondellius of oliverius . the epithets that belong to horses , are either general or particular , the general may be rehearsed in this place , such as these are following ; brasse-footed , continual , horn-footed , sounding-footed , foming , bridle-bearer , neighing , maned , dusty , four-footed , fretting , saddle-bearing , watery , or sweating , whole-footed ; and many such others both among the greeks and latins , which howsoever they may contain divers allegories in them , and therefore may seem to be figuratively sed down , yet i thought good being of other opinion to reckon them in the beginning , that so the reader may consider , that i would be unwilling to omit any thing in this story , which might any way tend to the dignity of the subject we intreat of , or the expressing of his nature . wherefore we will first of all begin with the description of the natural parts of a good horse . the hair of a horse falleth off every year , the neather eye lid or brow hath no long hairs growing upon it , and therefore nicon that famous painter of greece , when he had most curiously limbed forth a horses perfection , and faild in no part of nature of art , but only in placing hairs under his eye , for that only fault he received a disgraceful blame . the hair of the manes ought to be long , that part which groweth betwixt the ears , upon the temples , hanging down betwixt the eyes , the grecians term procomion , the latins , caprona , and in english it may be called a fore-top , which is granted to horses not only for ornament sake , but also for necessity to defend their eyes . the horses are naturally proud of these locks and manes , as may appear by those mares which are kept for procreation of mules , by copulation with asses , which at the first despise to ingender with those shaveling and short haired stalions . wherefore their keepers shave off their manes , and their fore-tops , afterwards leading them to the waters , wherein while the mares behold their own deformity , they grow so shamed , dejected , and discouraged , that ever after they admit with quietness the asses to cover them . therefore it is never good to cut the mane or the fetter-locks , except necessity require , for the mane and fore-top is an ornament to the neck and head , and the fetter-locks to the legs and feet : and he that keepeth horses must as well regard to have them comely for outward grace , as strong and able for necessary labour . many use to cut the necks of their riding horses , even as they do of their drawing horses , which thing although it may seem to be done for greater encrease , and farther growth of hair , yet is it unseemly for an honest rider : some again cut it to stand compass like a bow , and many use the armenian fashion , cutting the mane by rowes , leaving some longer then other , as it were the batlements of a church ; but the best fashion of all is the persian cut , whereby the one half of the thickness is cut away on the left side , and the other on the right side smoothly turned over and combed , according to the saying of virgil : densa juba & dextro jactata recumbit in armo . but if the horse be double maned , and so the hair fall half on the one side , and half on the other , then cut all the middle hairs away , and leave both the sides whole ; for such was the intention of the parthians . in a colt or young fole , the hinder part is higher then the forepart , but as he grows in years , so likewise the forepart groweth higher then the hinder . this beast hath two bones in his head , and other two descending from his forehead to the nostrils , two inferiour gumbes , or cheek-bones , forty teeth , that is to say , four and twenty grinders , four canine , and twelve biting teeth ; there are seven crosse ribs in his neck , and seven from his reins to his hole , his tail hath twelve commissures , and two ragulae in his fore-shoulders , from his shoulders to his legs other two , from his legs to his knees two more , in his knees there are two supporters , and from the shin to the articles two more , there are sixteen small bones in the bottom of his hoof , and but one in his brest , in the inward parts there are six and twenty ribs , from the hinder parts to the top of his reins , the two grinding bones ; and from them to the hinder part of the head there are two more , and two little ribs from the upper part of the thigh to the gamba , and from thence to the hairs of the pasterns , there are two , and the little ones to the hooves sixteen ; so all the bones in number are accounted a hundred and seventy . now it followeth to declare the measure and number of the members ; there are twelve steps or degrees in the roof of his mouth , his tongue is half a foot long , the upper lip hath twelve inches , the under lip five , every one of the cheeks ten : from the fore-lock to the nostrils he hath one foot in length , his two ears contain six inches , and his eyes four inches a piece . from his fore-lock to the mercurius , there are contained eight inches , the back-bone containeth three and thirty crosse ribs . from the convulsion of the reins to the top of the tail , are twelve commissures , the length of his sagula containeth also twelve inches , from his shoulders to his legs six , from his legs to his knees a foot in length , from the articles to the hoofs four inches , in his whole length six feet . and this is the stature of a couragious and middle horse , for i know there are both bigger and lesser . the quality and the measure of the nerves or sinews is this , from the middle nostrils through the head , neck and back-bone , is a dubble file or threed to the top of the tail , which containeth twelve foot in length . the two broad sinews in the neck do contain four-foot , from the shoulders to the knees , there are two sinews , from the knee to the bottom of the foot there are four sinews , in the fore-legs there are ten sinews , in the hinder-legs there are other ten sinews , from the reins to the stones there are four sinews , so the whole number amounteth to thirty four . consequently the number of the veins is to be declared . in the palat or roof of the mouth , their are two veins , under the eyes other two , in the brest other two , and in the legs other two , four under the pasternes , two in the ancles , four in the crown of the pasternes , four out of the thighes , two out of the loins , two out of the gambaes , one out of the rail , and two in the womb or matrix , so the whole number is nine and twenty . there are certain veins above the eyes which are divided in horses , wherein they are let bloud , by making to them small incisions , the bloud also is taken out of the veins , in the palat or roof of the mouth . there was an ancient custome of letting horses bloud upon saint stevens day , by reason of many holy dayes one succeeding another , but that custom is now grown out of use . also some take bloud out of the matrix veins , but that is not to be admitted in geldings , because with their stones they lose a great part of their heat , excepting extream necessity , but out of the palat bloud may be let every moneth , and stallions when they are kept from mares if the vein of their mouths be opened , fall into blindness , although it is no good part of husbandry to let them bleed that year , wherein they admit copulation , for the vacuation of bloud and seed , is a double charge to nature . but the organical vein of the neck , is the best letting of bloud , both in stoned and gelded horses . the later leaches make incision in the great vein called fontanella , and in inen thymus or jugulis . the eyes of a horses are great or glassie , and it is reported by augustus , that his eyes were much more brighter then other mens , resembling horses : these eyes see perfectly in the night , yet their colour varieth as it doth in men , according to the caprine and glazie humour . and some-times it falleth out , that one , and the same horse hath two eyes of distinct colours . when the eyes of a horse hang outward , he is called exophthalmos . such fair eyes are best , for bucephalus the horse of alexander had such eyes , but when the eyes hang inward , they are called coeloph-thalmoi , and the parthians count them the best horses , whose eyes are of divers colours , and are therefore called heteroph thalmoi , because the breed of that horse was said to take the beginning from the parthians , and the reason why the people loved not these horses , was , because they were fearful , and apt to run away in wars . the ears of a horse , are tokens and notes of his stomach , as a tail is to a lion , his teeth are changed , yet they grow close together like a mans . it is a hard thing for a horse to have a good mouth , except his stallion teeth be pulled out , for when he is chafed or heated , he cannot be held back by his rider , but disdaineth the bridle : wherefore after they be three year and a half old , those teeth ought to be pulled forth . in old age , a horses teeth grow whiter , but in other creatures blacker . a mare hath two udders betwixt her thighes , yet bringeth forth but one at a time : many of the mares have no paps at all , but only they which are like their dams . in the heart of a horse there is a little bone , like as in an oxe , and a mule ; he hath no gall like mules and asses , and other whole-footed-beasts , howsoever ( some say ) it lyeth in his belly ; and others , that it cleaveth to his liver , or to the gut-colon . the small guts of a horse lie near that gut , that so one side of his belly may be free and full of passage ; and from hence it cometh , that the best horses , when they run or travel hard , have a noise or rumbling in their belly . the hip-bone of a horse is called by some the haunch , as the arabians say ; the tail ( because therewith he driveth away flies ) is called muscartum , it ought to be long , and full of hairs . the legs are called gambae of campo , signifying treading : the hoofs of a horse ought neither to be high nor very low , neither ought the horse to rest upon his anckles , and those horses which have straight bones in the articles of their hinder knees , set hard on the ground , and weary the rider : but where the bones are short in the same places , as they are in dogs , there the horse also breaketh , and woundeth one leg with another ; and therefore such horses are called cynopodae . they have also quick flesh in their hoofs , and their hoofs are sometimes called horns , upon which for their better travel , men have devised to fallen iron plates or shooes . this hoof ought to be hard and hollow , that the beast may not be offended , when he goeth upon stones ; they ought not to be white , nor broad , but almost kept moist , that so they may travel the better , having strong feet , hard and sound hoofs , for which cause the graecians call them eupodes . forasmuch as it is requisite for every man to provide him horses of the best race , and their kindes are divers in most places of the world , so the coursers of horses do many times beguile the simpler sort of buyers , by lying and deceitful affirmation of the wrong countreys of the best horses , which thing bringeth a confusion : for there are as many kindes of horses as nations . i will therefore declare severally the countreys breeding the horses , for the region and air maketh in them much alteration , that so the reader may in a short view see a muster of horses made of all nations . the wilderness of acarnania , and etolia is as fit for feeding horses as thessaly . the horses of the greeks , armenians , and trojans are fit for war , of the greckish i will speak more afterward . alexandria was wont to take great delight in horses , and combates of horses : apollonius writeth lib. . aethiopia ( as it is reported ) breedeth horses having wings and horns . varro commendeth the apulian horses , and volatteranus writeth , that they and the horses of rosea are most fit for war : he meaneth above all the horses of italy . there have been very fruitful pastures in arcadia for cattel , especially for breeding horses and asses that are stallions , for the procreation of mules , and the breed of the arcadian horses excelleth . the same man preferreth the horses of thessalia and the greekish horses , for they are sound of their feet and head , but not of comely buttocks , they have their back bone whole , great and short . the latter two i might have referred to the whole body of the horse . the horses of armenia are very necessary and convenient for war , for they and the capadocians do breed of the parthian horses , saving their heads are somewhat bigger . of the hackney or common horses , i will say more afterward , where i touch the difference of horses , and of their pace . the barbarian horses are the same as the lybian horses . vegetius commendeth the horses of toringa and burgundia , after them of vonusci . britain breedeth little horses and amblers . of horses that are celebrate of the calpian mountain : see in the spanish . the horses of cappadocia and armenia have the breed of the parthians ; but their heads are bigger , and are of a most famous nobility , for that countrey before any other land , is most commodious for the nourishing of horses , according to the verses of nemesian : cappadocumque notas referat generosa propago armata , & palmas nuper grex omnis avorum . the cappadocians do pay to the persians every year , beside silver , a thousand and five hundred horses , &c. the medes have the double of these , and they sur-name the cappadocians horses famous and swift ; for he saith , that whiles these are young , they are accounted weak by reason of their young teeth , and their body feeding on milk ; but the older they grow , so much the swifter they are , being very couragious , and apt for war and hunting , for they are not afraid of weapons , neither to encounter with wilde beasts . mazaca is a city of cappadocia , situate under the mountain argaeus , now called caesarea , as eusebius remembreth in his chronicles , and from that city cometh the mazacenian horse , for the cappadocian horse . and not only the countrey , but the city it self sometime was called cappadocia from this city or walled town , i suppose the horses of mazaca were so called , which oppianus calleth mazaci , of these also and more , i will set down these verses of nemesian : sit tibi praeterea sonipes , maurusia tellus quem mittit , modo sit gentili sanguine firmus , quemque coloratus mizan deserta per arva pavit , & assiduos docuit tolerare labores . ne pigeat quod turpe caput , deformis & alvus est illis , quodque infrenes , quod liber uterque , quodque jubis pronos carvix diverberet armos . nam flecti facilis , lasci vaque colla secutus paret in obsequium lentae moderamine virgae . verbera sunt praecepta sugae , sunt verbera fieni . quin & promissi spatiosa per aequora campi , cursibus acquirunt commoto sanguine vires , paulatimque avidos comites p●st terga relinquunt hand secus effusis nerei per caertaa ventis , cum se threicius boreas super extulit an●●o , &c. horum tarda venit longi fiducia cursus : his etiam emerito vigor est juvenilis in aevo . nam quaecunque suis virtus bene florius annis , non priut est animo quam corpore passa ruina . and peradventure nem sianus understood certain horses of lybia , by the name of the mazacian horses , when as he joyns them with the maurasian horses , and calls them painted mauzacian horses , which agreeth not with cappadocian ; writing also , that they are ruled with a stroke of air in stead of a bridle , which thing we have read in authors writing of the mass●lian horses , in the countrey of lybia , and whereof we will speak when we discourse of the lybian horses . but the cappadocian horses are swift and lusty in their old age , as it is related by oppianus . again , if mazacian horses be the same that the cappadocian are ; what is the reason why oppianus doth name them apt , unless peradventure every mazacian horse is a cappadocian , and not otherwise ? the horses of chalambria , are so named of a place in lybia ; the chaonian horses are the same with the aprirolan horses . the colophonians and magnetians do bestow great labour in breeding of horses ; for the colophonians dwell in a plain , as i have read in a certain greek author . strabo lib. . writeth , that the colophonians in times past did abound with sea-forces , and have much excelled in horse-men ; that wheresoever in any nation there was waged war , they hired and required the aid of the colophonian horse-men , and so it was made a common proverb : colophonem addidit . erasmus . the horses of crete are commended by oppianus , and elsewhere . from their loins upward they are as big as the cyrenian horses , with well set thighes , excellent for the soundness of their feet , and holding their breath a long time in riding , and therefore fit for single races or in chariots . the epean horses are remembred of oppianus , and the epeans are a people of achaia , and the achaian horses are commended of the same . the lipidanean kinde of horses is more excellent , and he preferreth the thessalian horses before those of epidauria , but the epieotian horses are biting and stubborn : absyrtus saith , that the epieotian horses , and the samerican and dalmatian , although they are stubborn and will not abide the bridle , and besides are base and contemptible , yet they are bold in war and combates , and therefore the epieotian horses and the sioilian despise not , if their qualities and comely parts be apparent in them , although sometime he hath run away from the enemy , as the poet saith : quamvis saepe fuga versos ille egerit hostes , et patria epirum referat . — epiria and chaonia , is also a part of epirus alpestrian , although sometimes it be taken for the whole countrey of epirus . the horses of chaonia are commended , as gratius remembreth , writing of the sicilian horses , in these verses to this effect , that no man hath presumed to strive with the chaonians , and the achaian hand doth not express their deserts : — queis chaonias contendere contra ausit , vix merita quas signat achaia palma . there are people of arabia called erembi , which some call ichthyophagans , and troglodytans . vegetius in the third place commendeth the frysian horses for swiftness , and long continuance of course , after the hunnian , burgundians . the french horse is the fame that the menapians , and s. hierom writeth , that worldly men are delighted with the french geldings ; but zachartes ass loosed from his bands , rejoyceth good men . lucius apuleius hath commended the french beasts , for if the young fole be derived of a generous kinde , it is an argument it will prove a noble beast . the gelanoian horses are a kinde of base horses , not fit for war ; whether this name proceed of a strange countrey , i have no certain knowledge thereof . there is a certain river in sicilia called gelas , of which countrey , the horses are of great value and much set by . and also the gelons are a people of scythia , who in their flight fight upon horses , of which lucanus writeth to this effect ; massagetes quo fugit equo , fortesque geloni : and virgil , bisaltae quo more solent , acerque gelonus , cum fugit in rhodopen , aut in deserta getarum , et lao concretum cum sanguine potat equino . signifying thus much , that the massagetes & valiant gelons fly away upon horses like the bisaltans , when they fly into rhodope , or into the wilderness of the gelans , and drink milk mixed with horse-bloud for hunger and famine : but these fearful horses are not meet for war. germania hath greater horses and hard trotters , whose pace is very hard and troublesome . the getican horses run most swiftly . the horses of the greeks have good sound broad feet , and of a great body , a comely fine head , their fore-part somewhat high of stature , straight and well compacted , and of a well fashioned body , but the joyning of their buttocks not so agreeable and answerable to the rest : they are most swift and couragious , yet notwithstanding in all greece the thessalian horses are most esteemed ; nemesianus writeth also of the greekish horses : greece therefore yeeldeth choice horses , and well hoofed . in helvetia the horses are fitted , and very expert in war , and especially the algecian horses , which will last and continue a long time . in spain also the horses are of a great stature of body , well proportioned and straight , having a fine head ; the joynts of their bodies very well divided , set apart , and ready or flexible , simple and short buttocks , but not very strong and comely . they are strong and able to sustain the undergoing or compassing of journeys ; neither are they slender bodyed or subject to leanness ; but they are nothing nimble for course , as shall appear by the words of the authors following , neither are they spurred when they are ridden : from their growing even to their middle age , they are pliant , and easie to be handled , afterward they wax wilde and biting . the cappadocian horse is renowned , the like , or the next triumph or victory have the spanish horses in running the ring . neither doth sivilia yeeld horses inferior for the ring then those : and africa is accustomed to bring forth the most swift horses by copulation with the spanish bloud to the use of the saddle . oppianus saith that their iberian horses are more excellent , and do so much surpass other horses in swiftness , how much the eagle or the winding hawk in the air , and the dolphin in the sea , excelleth other birds and fishes ; but they are small , and of little strength , and no courage : although absyrtus affirmeth ( if you read him well ) that they are of a great stature of body , they being rid but a little way do lose their swiftness of pace : they are of a comely body ; but their hoofs are not hollow or hard . the spanish horses are desired of great princes and peers , and the magnates , because their opinion is , that they are swift and nimble ; and out of spain they are respected for lightness and elegancy . the judgement of the ancients for the general breed of horses , was this ; that the greatest horses are bred from the third climate , to the end of the sixt ; and most of all in spain : yet we have seen stronger and bigger horses bred in the seventh climate , and those more able to endure labour then those that are under the third or fourth climate . the horses of the celtiberans somewhat a dusty colour : and they change if they be transported into the farther spain ; and the ●arthian horses are like them in regard they excel in nimbleness and dexterity of running , whereof martial writeth thus , videbis altam liciane bilbilim , equis & armis nobilem : which bilbilis is a city of celtiberia . of the callacians and gennets , we will speak also in the spanish horses that are bred in the calpian mountain , afterward , when we entreat of the differences of horses according to their degree . the huns bring up their horses hardly , able to endure cold and hunger , and they have great and crooked heads , staring eyes , strait nostrils , broad chaps , and strong and rough necks , and long manes down to their legs ; great ribs , straight backs , bushy tails , strong shanks or legs , small feet , full and wide hoofs , their flanks hollow , and their whole body full of holes . there is no fatness in their hanch or buttocks , they have no strings in their sinews or arteries , and they exceed in length more then in height , having great bellies hanging down , big-boned , and leanness ( which is a deformity in other horses ) in these it sheweth their stateliness : their courage is moderate and wary , and these are able to endure wounds . these hunnian horses elsewhere he calleth them hunnican horses , and the same in times past huns : but they are called now a days vngarian horses . the companies or armies of huns , wandering up and down with most swift horses , filled all things with slaughter and terrour . they are biting and kicking horses , as most pannonicks are , ( for they call pannonia at this day hungaria ) of which there is a proverb of malignity sprung up , non nisi irritati opinione aut offensae metu ferociunt : that is to say ; they wax not stern , or rage not , but either by opinion , or fear of offence , affirming that the pannonians are very fit for war. there is not any that can hold and constrain or draw the bridles in , or loose them forth , that rideth an indian horse when he pranseth and runneth violently , but such a one that hath been trained up from his childehood in the skill of horses : these men have accustomed to hold them with the bridle , and also to break their wilfulness by snaffles or hits , and those that are well skilled in handling horses , do compell them from their unruliness , as restrain them within a small circuit . yet notwithstanding to make this circle and finish it , it requireth the help of hands , and it is a great skil belonging to horsemen . they which are most skilful of this art , and cunning doers of it , know very well how to bring their course into a circle , whose compass is not to be regarded chiefly when it can bear but two souldiers fighting together at one time . there are among the indian psyllans ( for there are also other africks of that name ) horses bred no bigger then rams , and they say that in india there are horses with one horn , of which horn drinking cups may be made , having this vertue in them ; that if you put poyson into them , and a man drink thereof , it shall not hurt him , because the horn doth drive away or expell the evill or poyson . whereof you shall see more at large in the history of monocerotes : and aelianus himself elsewhere , and philes following him , write the the same thing of a cup made of the horn of an indian ass , having one horn . the istrian horses are of good able feet , very straight , whole backt , and hollow ; but swift of course . the moores horses ( saith oppianus ) are most excellent , as well to hold out long courses , as also to endure hard labours : the lybians next unto these are of a most durable celerity : they are shaped alike , except that the lybian horses are big , and of a longer body , having thicker ribs and sides , and their brest is larger before on their crest ; they can easily abide the heat of the sun and daily thirst . africa hath been accustomed to put the most swiftest horses of the spanish brood to the use of the saddle : ( and livius saith ) in lib . that it was a custom to the numidians , being in battel , to lead two horses together , and in manner of vauters oftentimes , in the most sharp conflict could leap from the weary horse to a fresh , ( so great was the dexterity of the rider , and the docibility of the beast . ) from tunis of africa , massalia , and numidia , there are also brought very singular horses , passing for running , which the common people call barbary horses . the massylians ( a people of lybia ) have very good horses , which they govern with a rod without a bridle , from whence virigil in his fourth of his aeneidos , calleth them untamed and wilde numides : and silius saith alslo , the numides a nation having no skill of the bridle , do leap up and down , here , and there , and every where : hic passim exultant numidae gens inscia freni , quis inter geminas per ludum nobilis aures quadrupedem flect it non cedens virga lupatis . also the rod rules the massylian horse : the same nemesianus writeth of those which he calleth mazacians , ( as i have before spoken of the cappadocian horses ) the dorcadian horses although they are of a marvellous swiftness , yet they are inferiour to the lybian horses in running . the lybian mares are taken with a pipe , and by these allurements they are made tame and leave off all wilde qualities , and whithersoever the pipe shall allure them , thither they follow , and the shepheard when he stands , they leave off marching forward ; and if he sing more pleasantly , they are so delighted with it , that they cannot hold tears . the shepheards of these flocks , make their shepheards pipe of the tree ( called rhododaphus ) the sound whereof delighteth those that go before the herd . gratius also writeth to this effect ; fingit equos fisis numidae , &c. — audax & patiens operum genus ille : vigebit centum actus spatiis , atque eluctabitur iram , nec magni culius sterilis quodcunque remisit terra sui , tenuesque sitis producere rivi . although the place be not perfect , yet that that is spoken concerning the numidian and lybian horses , is manifested as well by the words of oppianus before recited , as also by that which aelianus setteth down for ( saith he ) i have heard these things touching the lybian horses of the men of that nation , that of all other horses they are the swiftest , and that they have no sense of their labours , being lank by reason of their slenderness and thinness of their shape , and are wholly of themselves fit to endure their 〈…〉 gence , for their masters give them no meat or fodder , neither doth any man r 〈…〉 the curry combe after they have laboured or travelled : neither do they lay any 〈…〉 for them to ly on , nor 〈◊〉 their hoofs , but so soon as they have ended their 〈…〉 g off th 〈…〉 , they turn them to seen their food , and in like manner the men 〈…〉 with leanness , and all besmeared with filth 〈…〉 do ride on horses of this sort . the horses and oxen of 〈…〉 which dwell between getulia and as , are as ours , that is , having longer lips , ( the interpreters translate it hoofs . ) their kings take delight in troops of horses , so that there are numbred to him every year four hundred thousand colts . the chal 〈…〉 lybians are before spoken of and the nasavions we will speak of hereafter . barbary breedeth very few horses ; but the arabians which inhabit in the desert , and the people of lybia do breed very many , and they do not so much accustom them to journeys and warfare , as to hunting , and feeding them with camels milk only twice a day and night , whereby they keep them fine , but very lean , and in the time of grass they turn them out to feed in the field , but they ride not on them . the horses of massylia are equal with the lybians . the people of magnetia have been renowned in feeding and bringing up horses , and they are very skilful in combate on horse-back ( as lueanus saith . ) the magnetians are famous for horses , and the nation of n●taia for oars : magnetia is a countrey of macedonia , bordering upon thessaly , so the city and countrey of asia lyeth toward maeandius . oppianus commendeth the magnetian horses . the moores fight often on horse back with spears , but their horses are naked , and their bridles made of rushes . the massylians following the lybians ( for the most part ) are furnished after that manner , and they resemble others , having little horses , both swift , obedient , and easily to be ruled with a rod. the collars of their horses are made of wood or hair , whereby the bridles hang. the principal horses of barbary are not swift , but in respect they live on fodder , they are more handsome and better in flesh , which they use in eminent danger , when it standeth them upon to escape the rage of their enemies . thus far i have related the words of oppianus , touching the nourishing of horses , among the lybians , where he sheweth that they are all alike , both in shape and other proportion . touching the nemesian horses , they are all one with the maurans and marusans , ( as strabo witnesseth ) calling them nimble and swift kindes amongst the moores . the sicilians are swifter then the moores , and the moores are of a more valiant courage then the sicilians , or some such like other thing , who are furnished with yellow colours , and shew to the eye most shining and splendant , and which is more , they only desire the roaring of a lyon , for which when they come to other wilde beasts by way of hunting , he commendeth them to be excellent : then he saith that the yellow is the best colour . in the countrey of mauritania are great store of lyons , and of the nazacanos we have spoke of before sufficiently . the median horses are of exceeding greatness , and the men of that countrey are so bewitched with the rich attire and shape of their bodies , and also their horses being so loose with superfluity or rankness , that the horses take delight in their masters , both in greatness and in fairness of body , and such costly furniture upon their backs , that they seem to perceive their own stature and comeliness . the medes every year by way of custome pay three thousand horses . herodotus also calleth the nisean horses the medes , whereof more shall be spoke afterwards . the menapians amongst our country-men , the only men which i suppose were once call'd french of caesar , and the rugians , ( as warriours ) for the most part are in estimation . i also finde that the rugians inhabited that countrey which is now called rugerland , and that paulus diaconus remembreth them , lib. . touching the affairs of longobardus , there are that say they departed into mechelburgia . these are the right off spring of the germans ( saith althametus ) , they are counted as germans , both in language and vertue . gratius writeth of the marcibians , saying the marcibians scarse yeeld their tough neck to the sword . virgill also declareth mycenia to be a countrey of most notable horses : and gratius commendeth a horse fit for hunting highly in these verses : consule penei qualis perfunditur amne thessalus , aut patriae quem conspexere mycenae glaucum , nempe ingens , nempe ardua fundet in aur as crura , quis eleas potior lustravit arenas ? ne tamen hoc attingat opus , jactantior illi virtus , quam silvas durumque lacessere martem . the mysian horses were once great in estimation ( as camerarius writeth ▪ ) also the nasamonians are people of lybia , living as spoylers of the ships in the syrtes . of all these horses before said , the nisaean horse is the goodliest , and fittest to carry the body of a king , they are of a passing good shape , an easie pace , and very submissive to the bridle ; having a little head , and a long and thick mane , with yellow or brown hairs hanging down on both sides : armenia is very fit for feeding horses , wherein is a certain medow called hippoboans , by which they make their journey which pass from persia and babylon into the caspian border , in which place they feed five hundred mares which belong unto their king. the nisaean horses ( written with jota and simple sigma , as eustathius writeth ) are the most excellent and best ; some say that they have their generation from germany , others out of armenia , but they have a certain kinde of shape like the parthians . in india most of their living creatures are far greater then in other places ( except horses ) for the nisaean horses , do exceed the indian horses , ( as herodotus writeth ) in his seaventh book , describeing the persian horse . behinde the spears ( saith be ) came ten horses in most sumptuous furniture , which were nisaeans , so called , because there is a great field named nisaeus in the countrey of media , which yeeldeth horses of a great stature . after these followed jupiters chariot drawn with eight horses , after which xerxes was ●aryed in a chariot drawn by nisaean horses , and by how much the greater the lybian elephant is then the nisaean horse , so much the greater are the nisaean horses then the indian ( as the same man saith ) in his first book : but the king was about to offer a white horse , that is of the nisaean horses , having a better mark as some expounded . there are that say that nisaeus is a plain of persis , where the most famous and notable horses are bred . some interpret it to the yellow nisaean horse , because all the horses of nisaean are of this colour . between susinax and bactria , there is a place which the greeks call [ nisos ] in which the most singular fine horses are bred . there are also that suppose they are had from the red sea , and all those to be of a yellow colour . herodotus writing of nisaeus , maketh it a part of media . orpheus also writeth , that there is a place in the red sea called nisa . stephanus also maketh mention of [ nysaean ped●on ] with the medes , of which people the horses are so called . coelius rhodiginus reproved a certain man which translated the islandish horses for the nisaean horses . plutarch saith that pyrrbus . had an apparition of a nisaean horse armed and furnished with a rider , that alexander the great was captain thereof . the medes have colts of a most noble kinde of horses , which ( as antient writers do teach us , and as we our selves have seen ) men when they begin the battel with a fierce encounter are wont to prance valiantly , which are called nisaean horses . touching the paphlagonians , about the education of their horses , see more among the venetians : the parthian horses are of a large body , couragious , of a gentle kinde , and most sound of their feet . concerning those horses which have but one eye , commended among the parthians , and of those which are distinguished by diversity of colours , from those that come forth first , i have spoke already out of absyrtus , the armenian and parthian horses are of a swifter pace then the sicilians , and the iberi swffer then the parthians , whereof gratius writeth to this effect : scilicet & parthis inter sua mollia rura mansit honor : veniat caudini saxa taburni , garganumque trucem , aut ligurinas desuper alpes , ante opus excussis cadet unguibus ; & tamen illi est animus fingetque meas se nisus in artes ; sed juxta vitium posuit deus . — that is to say , among the parthians there hath remained honour for their soft countries ; but let him come to the rocks of caudmus , tabernus , and too rough garga●us , or upon the ligurian alpes , then he will quickly shake off his hoofs , and make a shew of great valiantness . the horses of the celtiberians are somewhat white ; and if they may be brought into spain they change their colour . but the parthians are a like , for they excel all others in nimbleness and dexterity of running : how the parthians do make their pace easie in the trotters and hard footing horses , after the manner of geldings , shall be declared afterwards , for persia preferreth these horses above the censure of their patrimonies as well to carry , ( having an easie pace ) and being of most excellent dignity : as for their pace it is thick and short , and he doth delight and lift up the rider , being not instructed by art , but effecteth it by nature . amongst these ambling nags , ( called of the latines among the common sort of tot●narii ) their pace is indifferent , and whereas they are not alike , they are supposed to have something common from both ; as it hath been proved : whereof vegetius writeth in this manner . in a short journey they have the more comeliness and grace in going , but when they travel far , they are impatient , stubborn , and unless they be tamed , will be stubborn against the rider ; and that which is a more greater marvel , when they are chafed , they are of a delightful comeliness , their neck turneth in manner of a bow , that it seemeth to ly on their breast . the pharsalian mares evermore bring foals very like their syre , and therefore very well so named , equae probae . we read of the phasian horses which receive their name ( from the mark or brand of a bird so named ) or else because of their excellent beauty and comeliness . the rosean horses , varro so nameth of rosea , which volatteranus writeth to be most fit for war : and this rosea , otherwise roscea , festus saith , that it is a countrey in the coasts of the reatians , so called , because the fields are said to be moist with that dew . the horses of sacae , if they happen to throw down their rider , they forthwith stand still , that they may get up again . vegetius having commended the persian horses saith , that the armenians and sapharens do follow next . this saphirine verily is an island in the arabian coast , and the people of saphiria lye beside pontus . the horses of epirota , salmarica , and dalmatia , although they will not abide to be bridled , yet they shew that they are warlike by their legs . the sardinian horses are nimble and fair , but lesser then others . the sarmatican kind of horses is feat and well fashioned in this kind , very fit for running , unmixt , having a well set body , a strong head , and a comely neck . some horses they call aetogenes , from a certain mark which they have in their shoulders and colour , which the sarmatians do take unto themselves as very good , with which they do contend about their cruelty , wherefore they imploy them in warlike out-rodes , but those that bear the eagles mark in their buttocks and tail , they are disallowed of them ; and they report that they mark them so , because they will not use them , by reason lest they should quickly be destroyed or run into some trouble . the sarmatians when they entend any long journeys , the day before they keep them fasting , giving them a little drink , and so they will ride them a hundred and fifty miles continually going . these horses are very fit for war , and many of them are sound gelded in their tender age , and they say they never lose their teeth . it is a custome of scythia and sarmatia to geld their horses to make them more gentle : they are swift , little , and fierce , but very stubborn and untamed ; neither doth circo , ( situate near sicilia ) breed horses inferiour to the spanish , as vegetius writeth . the epirotan and siculian horses are not to be despised , if they were well bred and educated , they want not comeliness and good qualities . the siculian horses are most swift . lilybaeum is a promontory of sicilia lying towards lybia , which a certain verse maketh more plain : but as i understand it is the three-clift-topt-mountain aetna , which casteth forth fire , and covereth the carkcase of enceladus the giant , lying there under ( whereof oppianus writeth ) and some others also . but ( saith he ) the armenians and parthians , have swifter coursers by far , then the siculians . now , let us hear gratius himself , discoursing of the siculian horses , as well as of the lybican . sic & strymonio facilis tutela bisaltae , possent aetneas utinam se ferre per artes . qui ludus siculis : quid tum si turpia colla , aut tenuis dorso curvatur spina ? per illos cantalus graiis agragas , victaeque fragosum nebroden liquere ferae . o quantus in armis ille meis , cujus dociles pecuaria foetus sufficient , queis chaonias contendere contra ausit , vix merita quas signat achaia palma . but as for gratius , i suspect the place to be unperfect ; for agragas is a mountain of sicilla , having a town situate in the top of it , bearing the same name , where their ancestors were wont to nourish and bring up the best horses . there is also in sicilia a mountain called nebrodes , which some think to be so called by reason of the plenty of dear , but they have no author for it , and as for the printed book of gratius , i finde it expresseth it not so well as virgill setteth it down , saying , that agragas was a breeder of most couragious and notable horses : but yet servius saith , ( according to ●ndarus ) that the agrigentines in times past sent their horses to the justing or combates of graecia , returning with victory from thence , and we have also read , that in cappadocia whole troops of horses have been destroyed . the men of delpbos by the answer of apollo got herds and great store of horses from agrigentine , and those were excellent . aristophanes calleth those great aetnean horses ( canthari ) either of the greatness of the mountain , or else great canthars are bred in it , or of the horses of aetna , being notable for swiftness and running . the horses that are bred in creet and cappadocia are also most excellent . in greece there are most notable horses of thessaly , which absyrtus saith be the best in all greece . the words of gratius the poet speaking of the thessalian horses are before recited . the mares of aametus were the most excellent , but as homer reporteth the thessalian were before them . the solitude or wilderness of arcananus is as commodious to feed horses , as thessalia . it is certain that thessalia excels with horses , from whence xerxes is said to have made a combate , that he might try his horses there where he understood the best breed of greekish horses to be , and from whence this proverb arose , decernatur equa thessalia ( viz. ) let the thessalian mare be tryed by battail , a proverb of excellent worth , because in old time the chiefest praise was of the thessalian mares : which is very apparent by the oracle that was delivered to the aeginensians . suidas relateth ( but i know not out of what author ) that thessalia hath excellent horsmen ; thracia expert shooters ; and india light armour : so hath likewise creet and caria . erasmus writeth , that thessalia is most fit to feed horses , who do far excel the arcadians and epidaures , as strabo witnesseth , lib. . caesar was said ( when he was dictator ) to have made the first shew among the romans of the horses , fighting against buls , and killing them , whereof lucanus writeth thus : thessalius sonipes bellis feralibus omen . that is to say ; the thessalian horse is profitable for fence and deadly conflicts . there is also in thessalia a city ( named pella ) from whence i deem the pellaean horses are so called of gratius , yet there be other places called pella ( as macedonia and achaia ) whereof gratius writeth thus : spadices vis pellaei valuere cerauni , et tibi devotae magnum pecuaria cyrrhae phoebe decus nostras agere in sacraria tonsas . which ( cerauni ) are mounts of epirus , and cyrrha is a town of phocis , situate at the foot of the hill parnassus , where apollo cyrrhaeus was worshipped . the tyrrheans being excellent warriors , are commended of oppianus . out of the islands of the tyrrbenian sea ( especially corsica and sardinia ) there be very short horses , but they are of good courage , and gentle withall . the thracian horses are foul and ill shapen , being rough all over their bodies , and having very great shoulders , which in the greek is named ( calomysten ) such a one as will cast down the rider on the ground from off his back , they are crook-backt , or bunched out ; or else of divers kindes ; and therefore they have an unsure and reeling pace , and their course is very unconstant . absyrtus saith , the thracian horses are the best . the thuringian horses are neighbours to hessis , which pliny and volatteranus supposed , are called ( mediterranean cimbri . ) there be some that suppose the venetians to descend from a people of paphlagonia ( called venetans ) which after the destruction of troy came to these places , and by these they make an argument , conjecturing it to be good , in regard they are wholly imployed about breeding horses , which at this time faileth altogether , but in former days they were very careful to follow their business about the training up of young mules , whereof homer writeth . and dionysius the tyrant of sicilia ordained , that the breed of horses should be fetcht from hence , to make warlike combates with them , that among the graecians the excellency of the venetian breed should remain , and that a great while after that breed of horses got the praise . vuallachus this day is called of the saxons a gelded horse , and brought out of that countrey , which sometimes was called dacia . the lycospa●es and lycophotians shall be spoken of hereafter . of the choice of good horses . palladius adviseth to observe four things in choice of a stallion horse , the form or outward proportion , the colour , the merit , and the beauty , all which are necessary to be observed in the choice of colts or elder horses , that they may be of a generous race , having soft legs , lofty paces , gently treading , such as will lead the way , and be not afraid of any water , bridge , or sudden noises ; having a gentle neck , a sharp head , a short belly , a fat back , a dapple colour , nimble ears , thick mane lying on the right side , a double bone descending by his loins , a sounding hoof , and legs that cannot stand still , which virgil expresseth in these words . nec non & pecori est idem delectus equino . tumodo , quos in sp 〈…〉 statuis summittere gent is , praecipuum jam ind● 〈…〉 impende laborem . continuo pecoris gen●●●s● pullus in arvis ▪ altius ingreditur , & nulla crura reponit . primus & ire viam , & fluvios tentare min●ces audet , & ignoto sese committere ponti : nec vanos horret crepittus , illa ardua cervix , a●g●t●mq●● caput , brevis alvus , obesaque terga luxuriatque toris animosum pectus , honesti spadices glaucique : color deterrimus albis et gilvo : tum , si qua sonum procul armadedere , star● loco nescit , micat auribus & 〈◊〉 emit artus : collectumque premens volvit sub naribus ignem . densa juba , & dextro jacta recumbit in armo . at duplex agitur per lumbos spina , cavatque tellurem , & solido gravites sonat ungula cornu . varro sheweth that at the first foaling of a colt , a man may observe by certain signes how he will prove when he is in perfection : for if he be chearful , bold , and not terrified at any strange sight , if he run before the company , be want on , and contend with his equals in course , and over-run them : if he leap over a ditch , go over a bridge , or through water , and being provoked appeareth meek ; these are the most true signes of an elegible colt. also it is to be considered , whether they rise quickly , being stirred from their rest , and run away speedily , if their bodies be great , long , full of muscles , and 〈…〉 arp , having a little head , black eyes , open and wide nostrils , sharp pricked ears , a soft and broad neck , not long , a thick mane curled , and falling on the right side , a broad and full breast , large shoulders , and shoulder-bones , round ribs , a little belly , a double back-bone , or at the least not thin , bunchy , and extended ; his loins pressed downwards , broad , and well set , little and small stones , a long tail , with curled hair , high , straight and equal legs , round knees , not great , not bending inward ; round buttocks , brawny and fleshy thighs , high , hard , hollow , and round hoofs , well set to the crown of their pastern , having veins conspicuous and apparent over all his body . that colt which at the time of his foaling hath the most highest legs , is likeliest by common reason to prove most able and noble in his age , for of all the joynts in the body the knees and legs grow least , and they which have flexible joynts in their infancy , will be more nimble and flexible in their age . and thus much for the parts of a colt. now , in the next place we must likewise take consideration of a horse untamed , and ready for the saddle . for the outward parts of his body , saith xenophon , yeeld evident signification of his minde , before he be backed . plato willeth that the state of his body be straight , and articulate , his head bony , his cheeks little , his eyes standing out , and not sunk into his head , flaming like bloud , looking cruelly if the body be black ; but black eyes if the body be white , do argue a gentler and better disposition ; short and little ear , the crown of his head greater then the residue , broad nostrils , whereby he not only looketh more terribly , but breatheth more easily ; for when one horse is angry with another , in their rage they are wont to stretch out their nostrils vehemently . the beak or snowt of a horse , ought not to stand out like a swines , but to bend down a little crooked , the head to be so joyned to the neck , as it may bend more commodiously , that is , if the neck be small next to the head , so will the neck stand before the rider , and his eyes appear before his feet : and although he be full of stomach , yet will he never be violent or stiffe necked . it ought also to be considered , whether his cheek bones be sharp , tender , or unequal , standing one above another , for their imparity maketh the horses neck to be hard and stubborn . the back-bone above his shoulders higher , commodious to set the saddle upon , and his whole body the better compacted , if the back-bone be double , and smooth ; for then shall the rider sit more easily , and the form of the horse appear more delectable . a large breast sheweth his comeliness and strength , making him fit to take longer reaches without doubling of his legs , because in a broad breast the legs stand further asunder : large side or ribs swelling out above the belly , for they shew the ability of the horse both to his food and work , a round even belly , and his loins being broad and short , causeth the fore-legs to be lifted up more easily , and the hinder-legs to follow ; for the small loins do not only deform , but enfeeble and oppress the horse , therefore the loins ought to be double , the ribs broad and fleshy , agreeable to the breast and sides , buttocks solid and broad , with a long tail reaching down to the heels of his hinder-legs , thighs full of sinews , the bones of his legs thick like posts of the whole body , but that thickness ought neither to be of veins nor flesh , for then they are quickly inflamed and wounded , when they travel in rough and sharp wa●s : for if the flesh be cut a little , the commissures part asunder , and causeth the horse to halt , and above all other things have a regard to his feet , and therein especially to his hoof , for being thick , it is better then being thin , likewise if they be hard , causeth the pastern to stand higher from the ground , for so in their pace the soft and hard parts of the foot do equally sustain one another , and the hard hoof yeeldeth a sound like a cymbal , for the goodness of a horse appeareth by the sound of his feet . now on the contrary side it is good also to set down the faults and signes of reprobation in horses , and first of all therefore , a great and fleshy head great tears , narrow nostrils , hollow eyes , a long neck , a mane not hairy , a narrow breast , hollow shoulders , narrow sides , and little fleshy sharp loins , bare ribs , hard and heavy legs , knees not apt to bend , weak thighs , not strong , crooked legs , thin , full fleshy , plain and low hoofs ; all these things are to be avoided in the choise of your horse . of the choise of stallions and breeding mares . now in the next place , let us consider the choise of horses and mares appointed for breed and procreation , and we have shewed already , that in a stallion , we are principally to consider the colour , form , merit , and beauty . this stallion is called in italy , rozz●ne ; in france , estalon ; in germany , ein springhengst ; and in latine , admissarius , quia ad generandam sobolem admittitur , because he is sent to beget and engender . the graecians , anabates , or oeheutes . first of all therefore , to begin with the colour : that horse is best which is of one continued colour , although oftentimes ( as rufus saith ) horses of a despicable colour prove as noble as any other . the chief colours are these ; bay , white , carnation , golden , russet , mouse-colour , flea-bitten , spotted , pale and black : of all those the black or bay is to be preferred . opplanus maketh distinction of horses by their colour in this manner , the gray or blewish spotted is fittest for the hunting of the hart , the bright bay for the bear and leopards , the black with flaming eyes against the lyons . the natural colour of the wilde horses are an ash colour , with a black strake from the head along the back to the tail ; but among tame horses there are many good ones of black white , brown , red , and flea-bitten colour . but yet it is to be remembred , that seldom or never colts be foaled white , but rather of other colour , degenerating afterward by the increase of their age , for such horses are more lively , durable , and healthy , then other of their kinde , and therefore plutarch commendeth a white horse of sylla for his swiftness of foot and stomach : among all colours , first the black , then the bay , next the white , and last the gray are most commended . camerarius commendeth a certain colour called in latins , varius , and may be englished daple gray , because of the divers in-textures of colours , which although many nations do disallow , yet undoubtedly that colour ( saith he ) is a signe and argument of a good nature , constituted and builded upon a temperate commixture of humors . where black , white , and yellow hairs appear , so that the sight of one of these is nothing inferiour to the equestrial party coloured caparisons : among horses which are divers coloured , they which have stars in their fore-head , and one white foot , were most commended ; such were the thracian horses not admitted in copulation , of which virgil speaketh in this manner ; — thraoius albis portat equus bicolor maculis , vestigia primi alba pedis frontemque ostentans arduus albam . black horses also which have one russet or swart spot in their faces , or else a black tongue are highly commended for generation , but the pale coloured horses are no wayes to be admitted to cover mares , because their colour is of no account : and likewise it is seldom seen that the foal proveth better then the sire . the bay colour hath been received without exception for the best travellers , for it is supposed , that baudius ( amongst the latines ) is derived of vadium , quia inter caetera animalia f●rtius vadat : because among other creatures he goeth most surely . it is also behoveful that in a stallion horse , the mane be of the same colour with the body . horse-keepers have devised to make their mares conceive strange colours , for when the mares would go to the horse , they paint a stallion with divers colours , and so bring him into the sight and presence of the mare ; where they suffer him to stand a good while , untill she perfectly conceive in her imagination the true idea and full impression of those pictures , and then they suffer him to cover her ; which being performed , she conceiveth a foal of those colours : in like manner ; pigeons conceive young ones of divers colours . the germans to mingle the colour of horses hairs ( especially to bring black among white ) take the roots of fearn , and of sage , and seethe them together in lee , and then wash their horses all over therewith . for the making of their horses white , they take that fat which ariseth from the decoction of a moul in an earthen pot , and therewithall anoint the places they would have white , also they shave off the hairs , and put upon the bald place crude hony , and badgers grease , which maketh the hairs to arise white : and many other means are used by horse-leaches , as afterward shall be shewed . in the old age of a horse his hair doth naturally change white , above all other beasts that we know , and the reason is , because the brain-pan , is a more thin and slender bone , then the greatness of his body would require , which appeareth by this , that receiving a blow in that place , his life is more endangered then by hurting any other meniber , according to the observation of homer : et quasetae haerent caepiti , lethaleque vulnus praecipue sit equis . — and thus much shall suffice for the colour of a stallion : now followeth the form or outward proportion of the body , which ought to be great and solid , his stature answerable to his strength , his sides large , his buttocks round , his breast broad , his whole body full and rough , with knots of muscles , his foot dry and solid , having a high hoof at the heel . the parts of his beauty are these , a little and dry head , the skin almost cleaving to the bones , short and pricked ears , great eyes , broad nostrils , a long and large mane and tail , with a solid and fixed rotundity of his hoofs , and such an one , as thrusteth his head deep into the water when he drinketh ; his ribs and loins like an oxes , a smooth and straight back , his hanches or hips long , broad , and fleshy , his legs large , fleshy and dry , the sinews and joynctures thereof great , and not fleshy near the hoofs : that the hinder part of his body be higher then his forepart , like as in a hart , and this beauty better appeareth in a lean body then in a fat , for fatness covereth many faults ; the former parts are thus expressed by horace : regibus hic mos est ubi equos mercantur , opertos inspiciunt , ne si facies ut saepe decora molli sul●a pede est , emptorem inducat hiantem , quod pulchri clunes , breve quod caput , ard●a cervix . if you will make trial of your stallion , whether he be fit for procreation , hipparchus teacheth you this experiment : press the genital member with your two fingers , and with locks of wooll draw out his seed , which being so drawn out , if it cleave and hang together , so as it will not be cut nor easily parted , it is a demonstration of a good stallion ; but if it hang not together like birdlime , but easily go asunder like milk or whay , such a horse is not to be admitted to cover your mares . when horses be old among other faults , they engender foals lame in their feet , and therefore they are to be kept , and not to be admitted to copulation nor war ; for his rage is like a weak fire among wet stuble , according to these verses : — morbo gravis aut segnior annis deficit , abde domo , nec turpi ignosce senectae . frigidus in venerem senior , frustraque laborem ingrasum trahit : & si quando ad praelia ventum est , vt quondam in stipulis magnus sine viribus ignis , incassum furit . — therefore it behoveth that a stallion horse be not under three years old when he covereth a mare , and it is best for him to begin at five , for so he will endure in generation , not only till he be twenty year old , but also to thirty or forty years , as in some countreys hath been often proved . they are not to be admitted to cover above fifteen in one year at the most , and a young horse not above ten or twelve in one year ; the residue may be suffered with observation of their strength and nature . the king of babylon beside his horses for war had eight hundred stallions , which were admitted to cover six thousand mares , so that every one had twenty a peece ; there is also a place in syria near apamia , where in one plot of ground were nourished thirty thousand mares , and three thousand stallions ( as coelius saith ) so that every stallion had an hundred mares to cover ( in that place ) which number exceedeth the proportion of nature . it is also to be remembred , that stallions are to be separated from mares all the year long , except at the time of procreation , and then also he must be largely fed according to these verses : his animadversis , instant sub tempus , & omnes impendunt curas denso distendere pingui , quem legere ducem , & pecori duxere maritum : florentesque secant herbas , fluviosque ministrant , farraque : ne blando nequeant superesse labori : invalidique patrum referant jejunia nati : ipsa autem macie tenuant armenta volentes . atque ubi concubitus primos jam nota voluptas sollicitat , frondesque negant , & fontibus arcent . saepe etiam cursu quatiunt , & sole fatigant : cum graviter tunsis gemit area frugibus : & cum surgentem ad zephyrum paleae jactantur inanes . hoc faciunt , nimio ne luxu ob●usior usus sit genitali arvo , & sulcos oblimet inertes , sed rapiat sitiens venerem , interiusque recondat . it is also to be observed , that the males which are designed for procreation be not over much labored , for then he will be the more weak for generation , nor yet suffered to be too idle , for then a certain fleamy humor is increased in them , which likewise disableth them in copulation ; and thus much for the males . almost all the same things which have been said of the male , belong to the female , except the belly of the female ought to be greater ; but if there be any white speckles or spots in the eyes of the female , such as are not contracted by accident , but breed in them by nature , such a one is refused for breed ; for an horse born of such a mare , when he cometh to be old , will likewise be affected with the same blindness ; but if it be a female , by reason of her yearly purgation , she may peradventure avoid that mischief . it behooveth therefore that the mares appointed for race , be well compacted , of a decent quality , being fair and beautiful to look upon , the belly and loins being great , in age not under three nor above ten years old . concerning their admission to generation , it is to be remembred , that the latins have a proper term to signifie the appetite of the female to the male , which they call , equire , that is , horsing , and they continue in that lust sixty dayes together ; the signes whereof are these , they forsake their company , running not toward the east and west , but the contrary , to the north and south : neither permit they any body to come near them , untill they either be wearied or meet with the male , and if they meet with a female like themselves , they joyn neer to her , and seem to rejoyce at her society , lifting up the tail , changing of the voice , and sending forth of her secrets , a certain thin humour , somewhat like the seed of a horse , which is called hippomanes . they also make water more often then at other times , so that among all the females in the world , there is none , beside a woman , that is more greedy of procreation then a mare , because they want a menstruous purgation , and yet eat aboundance of meat , which virgil expresseth , setting down their unlimitable rage , which carryeth them over mountains and rivers , in the time of this fury . scilicet ante omnes furor est insignis equarum , et mentem venus ipsa dedit , quo tempore glauci potniades malis membra absumpsere quadrigae . illas ducit amor trans gargara , transque sonantem ascanium , superant montes & flumina tranant . also at that time , their genital hangeth forth more then at other times , but if their manes be shorn off , their lust is extinguished . it is reported also by columella that in spain , in the mountain tegro which reacheth into portugal upon the ocean , there be mares which rage so far in lust , that by their ardent desire of copulation they conceive by the southwest winde , without the company of a horse , ( even as hens do lay egges being not troad by a cock ) which are called hypenemia , but those foales live not till they be above three year old . and it is the property of these mares ( saith avicen ) by kicking against the winde with their hinder legs , to open their own womb , and to receive in that delectable air , wherewithal they are satisfied . also he saith , that he heard of an old man , which was born in the isle of pealtupha , that the mares thereof never cease running , from the one end of the island to the other , when the rage of their lust is upon them ; which thing is elegantly described by a poet , how they turn themselves to the west , standing upon the rocks , and there draw in the cold aire , which oftentimes maketh them conceive , wondering that they conceive not rather by the east sunrising or south , then by the westerly winde bordering upon the north ; the poets words are these : continuoque avidis ubi subdita flamma medullis , vere magis ( quia ver● calor redit ossibus ) illa ore omnes versae in zephyrum , stant rupibus altis exceptantque leves auras : & saepe sine ullis conjugiis vento gravidae ( mirabile dictu ) saxa per , & scopulos , & depressas convalles diffugiunt , non eure tuos neque solis ad ortus : in boream caurumque aut unde nigerrimus auster nascitur , & pluvis contristat frigore coelum . sometimes horses and mares admit copulation at two year old , but those foales never prove excellent , but at three year old or thirty moneths , they suffer conjunction safely and with profit , because they cease to lose their teeth . they continue in their generation , bearing every second year , the male untill he be thirty year old , and the female as long as she liveth ; but the male engendereth yearly : and it is reported of a horse in opus , that covered a mare after he was forty year old , being only holp up and down from the mare . pliny , oppianus , aelianus , and aristotle do confidently affirm , that when the king of scythia had all his generous breed of horses destroyed by a pestilence ( except one of his best mares and a stallion which was a foale of that mares ) being desirous to continue the breed , caused his horse-keeper to put the son and the mother together , but the horse refused copulation with his own parent . afterward the horse-keeper covered the mare with artificial skins , and likewise dressed the horse in such manner , as one could not know the other , whereupon being brought together the second time , the stallion covered his own mother : afterward the horse-keeper discovered them , the one to the other , whereby they knew the fraud , and grew guilty in themselves of incestuous commixtion : whereupon they took no other revenge upon themselves , but ran to the top of an high rock , and there successively threw down themselves , one after another , so ending their miserable days , and preventing their masters hopes ; to teach all mankinde that they ought not to seek to thrive by sins against nature : the like is before rehearsed of a male camel. the very like story is reported of a horse in the coasts of rea , yet this is not held to be general : for beasts ( as aristotle saith ) do promiscuously cover one another ; the father the daughter , the son the mother , the brother the sister , and this maketh them to be perfect beasts ; and the stories before recited may be true , yet are they extraordinary : otherwise the common rule of ovid remaineth true , that it is not a filthy thing for beasts to observe no degrees of nature . — coeunt animalia nullo caetera delectu , nec habetur turpe juvencae ferre patrem tergo , fit equo jua filia conjux . the best time of the year for the joyning of horses and mares for copulation , is from the vernall aequinoctial to the summer solstice , because then the colts which are soaled in due time , have the green herbs and all the warm weather for the succour of their infancy : and if the mare ( after she have been once covered ) refuse the male , let her rest ten days , and then bring her to the male again ; if she refuse the second time , you may take it for granted , that she is filled already . wherfore seeing it is known certainly that a mare goeth twelve moneths with young , it is an easie matter so to order the time of her copulation , that her foale may alwayes be delivered in a warm and seasonable time of the year ; for which cause there is an invention for stirring up of the lust both in the male and female : the hymenaean shepherds , by the sweetness of songs upon their pipes , stirred up their horses and mares to copulation , but the more assured way is , to follow the direction of columella and absyrtus , to provoke them by natural means , like as buls and kine . and first of all for the male , give him the tail of a hart burned , mingled with wine , and anoint therewithal his stones and genital member , and so shall the dull stallion be more prone to venery ; also there is a kind of satyrium , which they give to them in drink , or the powder of a horses stones : likewise if the female refuse , take shrimpes beaten soft with water ( as thick as hone ) therewithal touch the nature of the mare in her purgation , and afterwards hold it to her nose ; or else take hens dung mixed with rozen and turpentine , and anoint the secrets of the mare , which shall so far increase her lust , as it cureth the lothsomeness better then the shrimps , and increaseth lust . but you must regard , that no lean and ill favoured mare be anointed , because the horse is quickly wearyed from his lust , and so delighteth only to be tickled therewith without doing any thing . other again do first of all bring some vulgar horse to the mare , who provoketh and stirreth her to lust , and when he is neer the very fact of filling her , they lead her away to a more generous stallion , to be covered by him : and so if none of these means do prevail with her , they do rub her secrets with a nettle , and that causeth her to suffer the horse to enter . democritus also saith that it is in our power to cause our horses to bring forth males or females ; for if we suffer them to couple when the north winde bloweth , or the third day before the full moon , or bind his left stone , he shall get a male ; but if when the south winde bloweth , or three days after the full moon , or bind the right stone of the horse , it will prove a female . also if at the time of copulation , the horse leap off from the mare on the right side , it is a token it will be a male , but if on the left side , it will be a female . carnal copulation is most acceptable to horses , and lesse grievous unto them then to neat , for there is no kind ( man only excepted ) that is so venereous and nimble in generation as is a horse or mare . the males know their females with whom they live , although they have been but a few days together ; and if strange females fall into their company , they expell them away by biting , feeding single and alone with their female by themselves ; but if any male or other stone horse come within their walke , then presently they make force at him ; if their female stir from them , they restrain her by biting : and in this time of their rage , they neither regard the rider , nor their adversary , nor the bridle , nor cruell stripes , nor steep hils , nor rocks , nor caves of the earth , if they winde the amorous savour of their fellowes ; according to the saying of virgil in these verses ; nonne vides , ut tota tremor pertentet equorum . corpora , si tantum notas odor at●ulit auras ? ac neque e●s jam frena viram , nec verbeta ●●va , non secpuli , ●upesque cavae , atque objecta retardam flumina , correptos unda torquentia montes . it hath been also received , that a barren mare shall conceive if you take a bunch of leeks bruised smal and put into a cup of wine and twelve french flies called cantharides in water , put them two dayes together into the genital of a mare , like a glyster , and afterwards put her to a horse anointing her secrets with the said ointment two several times , when the horse leaps down from her ; or else they take niter , sparrows dung , rozen , and turpentine , thrusting the same into the mares genital , whereby it hath been proved , that fecundity oftentimes followed . also some use siler of the mountains to procure conception in mares and cowes , and the true sign of conception is , when their nature ( that is ) the fluent humour out of their secre s ceaseth for a moneth , or two , or three : and pliny saith , that when a mare is filled , she changeth her colour , and looketh more red , which is to be understood not of her hair , but of her skin , lips and eyes , her hair standing more full then before . then let them be separated from the males , exempting them from moist places , cold and labour , for all these are enemies to her foaling , and cause abortment . likewise they must not have too much meat nor too little , but only a temperate diet , and soft lodging , their better ordering is elegantly described in virgil , by these verses . non illas gravibus quisquam juga ducere plaustris , non saltu superare viam sit passus , & acri carpere prata fuga : fluviosque innare rapaces . salribus in vacuis pascant : & plena secundum flumina , muscus ubi & viridissima gramine ripa , speluncaeque tegant : & saxea procubet umbra . this is most certain , that if a woman in her flowers , touch a mare with foal ( or sometime do but see her ) it causeth to cast her foal , if that purgation be the first after her virginity : in like manner if they smell of the snuffe of a candle , or eat buck-mast or gentian . the egyptians when they will describe a woman suffering abortment , they picture a mare treading upon a wolf , for if a mare kick at a wolf , or tread where a wolf hath troad , she casteth her foale : if an asse cover a mare which a horse hath formerly filled , there followeth abortment ; but if a horse cover a mare which an asse hath formerly filled , there followeth no abortment , because the horses seed is hotter then the asses . if a mare be sick of abortment or foaling , polypody mingled with warm water given her in a horn , is a present remedy . the scythians when they perceive their mares to be quick with foale , they ride upon them , holding opinion that thereby they cast forth their foales with lesse pain and difficulty . they carry their young one in their wombs , as hath been already said , twelve moneths , but sometimes they come at eleven moneths and ten dayes , and those are commonly males , for the males are sooner perfected in the womb then the females , and commonly the females are foaled at twelve moneths and ten days , and those which tarry longer are unprofitable and not worth education . a mare is most easily delivered of her young among other beasts , and beareth most commonly but one at a time , yet it hath been seen that twins hath proceeded from her . at the time of her delivery , she hath lesse purgation of bloud , then so great a molde of body can afford , and when she hath foaled , she devoureth her seconds , and also a thing that cleaveth to her foales forehead , being a piece of black flesh called hippomanes , neither doth she suffer her young one to suck until she have eaten that , for by smelling thereunto , the young and old horses , or other of that kind would fall mad : and this thing have the imposters of the world , used for a philtre or amorous cup , to draw women to love them , virgil speaketh thus of it ; quaeritur & nascentis equi de fronte tevulsus et matris prareptus amor — and again ; hino demum hippomanes vero quod nomine dicunt pastores , lentum distillat ab inguinevirus hippomanes , quod saepe malae legerenovercae , miscueruntque berbas & non innoxia verba . this poison made into a candle ( anaxilaus saith ) in the burning thereof , there shall be a presentation of many monstrons horses-heads . there is very great poison contained in this hippomanes , for the arcadian phormis made a horse of brasse at olympia , & put hippomanes into the same , and if the horses at any time seen this brazen horse , they were so far inraged with lust . that no halters or bands could hold them , but breaking all , run and leaped upon the said brazen horse , and although it wanted a tail , yet would they forsake any beautiful mare , and run to cover it ; neither when they came unto it , and found it by their heels to be sounding and hard brasse , would not they despair of copulation , but more and more , with noise of mouth , rage , and endevor of body , labour to leap upon the same , although the slippery brasse gave them no admission or stay of abode upon the back of that substance , neither could they be drawn from the said brazen image , iuntill by the great strength and cruell stripes of the riders they were forcibly driven away . some think this little piece of flesh to cleave to the forehead , others to the loins , and many to the genitals ; but howsoever it is an unspeakable part of gods providence , to make the mares belly a sepulchre for that poison ; for if it should remain in the males as in the females the whole race of horses would utterly perish and be destroyed through rage of lust , for which cause the keepers and breeders of horses do diligently observe the time of their mares foaling , and instantly cut off the same from the colt , reserving it in the hoof of a mare , to procure the stallions to carnal copulation , and the colt , from which they cut this piece of flesh , they sacrificed it , for it is manifest saith aelianus , that the mare will never love that foal , from whence she hath not eaten and consumed this piece of flesh . and this poison is not only powerful in brute beasts , but also in reasonable men , for if at any time by chance or ignorantly they tast hereof , they likewise fall to be so mad and praecipitate in lust , raging both with gestures and voice , that they cast their lustful eyes upon every kind of women attempting wheresoever they meet them to ravish or ingender with him : and besides because of this oppression of their minde , their body consumeth and fadeth away : for three dayes after the colt is soaled he can hardly touch the ground with his head . it is not good to touch them , for they are harmed by often handling , only it is profitable , that it be suffered with the dam in some warm and large stable , so as neither it be vexed with cold nor in danger to be oppressed by the mare through want of room . also their hoofs must be looked unto , lest their dung sticking unto them burn them , afterward when it waxeth stronger , turn him out into the field with his dam , lest the mare over-mourn her self for want of her foal , for such beasts love their young ones exceedingly . after three dayes let the mare be exercised and rid up and down , but with such a pace as the foal may follow her , for that shall amend and encrease her milk . if the colt have soft hoofs , it will make him run more speedily upon the hard ground , or else lay little stones under their feet , for by such means their hoofs are hardned , and if that prevail not , take swines grease , and brimstone never burned , and the stalks of garlick bruised and mingled all together , and therewithal anoint the hoofs . the mountains also are good for the breeding of colts , for two causes , first for that in those places their hoofs are hardened ; and secondly by their continual ascending and descending , their bodies are better prepared for induring of labour . and thus much may suffice for the educating and nursing of foals . for their weaning observe this rule , first separate them from their dams twenty four hours together , in the next morning let them be admitted to suck their belly full , and then removed to be never more suckled : at five moneths old begin to teach them to eat bread or hay , and at a year old give them barly and bran , and at two years old , wean them utterly . of handling , taming , or breaking of horses . they which are appointed to break horses are called by the grecians , eporedicae , hippodami , and hippocomi ; the latins , equi ones , arulatores , and cociones ; in italian , lo rozone . absyrtus is of opinion that foals are to be used to hand , and to be begun to be tamed at moneths old , not to be backed but only tyed by the head in a halter to a rack or manger , so that it may not be terrified for any extraordinary noise , for which cause they use them to brakes , but the best time is at three years old , as cresce 〈…〉 ensis teacheth in many chapters , wherefore when they begin to be handled , let him touch the rough parts of his body , as the mane and other places , wherein the horse taketh delight to be handled : neither let him be over severe and tyrannous , and seek to overcome the beast by stripes , but as cicero saith , by fair means , or by hunger and famine . some have used to handle them sucking , and to hang up in their presence bits and bridles , that so by the sight and hearing the gingling thereof in their ears , they might grow more familiar . and when they came to hand to lay upon their backs a little boy flat on his belly ; and afterward to make him sit upon him formally , holding him by the head , and this they do at three year old , but commit him to no labour untill he be four year old , yet domestical and small horses for ordinary use are tamed at two year old , and the best time for the effecting hereof , is in the moneth of march. it is also good in riding of a young horse to light often , and to get up again , then let him bring him home and use him to the stable , the bottom whereof , is good to be paved with round stones , or else planks of oak , strewing litter upon it when he lyeth down , that so he may lie soft and stand hard . it is also good to be regarded , that the plankes be so laid , as the urine may continually run off from them , having a little close ditch to receive it , that so the horses feet may not be hurt thereby , and a good master of horses must oftentimes go into his stable , that so he may observe the usage of this beast . the manger also ought to be kept continually clean for the receiving of his provender , that so no filth or noisome thing be mingled therewith : there ought also to be partitions in it , that so every beast may eat his own allowance , for greedy horses do not only speedily raven up their own meat , but also rob their fellows . others again have such weak stomachs that they are offended with the breath of their fellows , and will not eat except they eat alone . the rack also is to be placed according to their stature , that so their throat may not be too much extended , by reaching high , nor their eyes or head troubled , because it is placed too low . there ought also to be much light in the stable , lest the beast accustomed to darkness , be offended at the sun light , and wink over much , being not able to indure the beams when he is led abroad ; but yet the stable must be warm and not hot ; for although heat do preserve fatness , yet it bringeth indigestion and hurteth a horses nature , therefore in the winter time the stable must be so ordered , as the beast may not be offended or fall into diseases by overmuch heat or suddain cold . in the summer time let them lodge both night and day in the open air . this also in stabling of your horses must be avoided , namely , the sties of swine ; for the stink , the breath , the gruntling of hogs , is abominable for horses , and nature hath framed no sympathy or concord betwixt the noble and couragious spirit of a horse , and the beastly sluggish condition of a swine . remove also far away from your horses stables all kinde of fowl , which were wont to haunt those places to gather up the remnant grains of their provender , leaving behind them their little feathers , which if the horse lick up in his meat , stick in his throat , or else their excrements which procureth the looseness of his belly . it must also be regarded , that the stable must be kept neat , sweet , and clean , so as in absence of the horse , it may not lie like a place for swine . the instruments also , and implements thereof , such as are the horse cloathes , the curry-combs , the mane-combs , saddles and bridles , be disposed and hung up in order behind the horse , so as it may neither trouble him eating or lying , nor yet give him occasion to gnaw , eat , and devour them to their own damage or hurt , for such is the nature of some wanton horses , to pull asunder and destroy whatsoever they can reach . they are therefore oftentimes to be exercised and backed , and principally to be kept in a good diet , for want of food dejecteth the spirit of the noblest horse , and also maketh the mean horse to be of no use ; but on the contrary a good diet doth not only make a mean horse to be serviceable , but also continue the worth and value of the beast : which thing poets considered , when they fained that arion the horse of neptune and some others were made by ceres the goddess of corn , which any mean witted man may interpret to signifie , that by abundance of provender the nature of horses was so far advanced above ordinary , that like the sons of the gods they perform incredible things : whether therefore they eat chaffe , or hay , or grasse , or grain , according to the diversities of countries , let it be wholesome , clean , fresh , and sweet , without dust , gravel , mustiness , or evill smell . in the morning give them barly or provender , a little at a time in distinct or several portions , twice or thrice one after another , so as he may chew and eke digest it throughly , otherwise if he raven it in , as he will do having much at a time , he rendreth it in his dung whole and not digested . about three hours after , he hath eaten his provender , give him a little of hay , and three hours after that , his dinners allowance of grain , as in the morning , and afterwards about two or three a clock hay again , and then some drink ; last of all give him his allowance of provender for supper , with a bottle or two of hay , which ought to be more plentiful then the former servings : and yet these rules are not to be understood as though they might not be altered , for the times prefixed may be prevented if occasion require . their best provender is oats and barley , yet barly ingendreth the thinner and better bloud , and therefore it is to be preferred , only the measure of the provender is left to the discretion of the horse-keeper , and there is no meat more wholesome for a horse , then barly and chaffe ; because it will make him full of life , and also able to indure labour , yet not over fat . in england in many places they give their horses bread made of fitches , beans , and pease . when one is to make a journey on horse-back , let him not give his horse too much provender the noon before , but so much the more hay , and bread steeped in wine , and also let him serve him sooner at night then ordinary , that so the beast may take the more rest . there be which refuse to give horses wet provender or steeped bread , because they conceive that it will breed in them loathsomeness of meat ; but the truth is , a reasonable horse-keeper preventeth that mischief ; and besides , the meat of a horse is altogether so dry , that the beast himself is indangered to be sick of that disease ; and therefore it is as safe to give him moistened food sometimes , as well as to give him bread mingled with salt . when a horse is weary or sweateth , let him not drink nor eat provender , but after he is walked a little while , give him hay , first of all covering him with a large cloth , and remember , that hay is not to be cast before a horse , as it is out of the reek , but first of all it must be pulled , and shaken betwixt the hands , for the avoiding of dust and other filth . restrain the horse as much as you may from eating the litter under his feet , for even the best meat so defiled is unwholesome . it is also good sometimes to suffer him to pick up his meat on the ground betwixt his forelegs , that will make his neck to grow thinner , leaner and more comely . let his neck be fast bound in the stable with a leathern collar , and binde with a manicle his fore-leg to the hinder-leg on the contrary side , and so shall his be preserved in more health , because they cannot move out of their place but with difficulty . concerning the drink of horses , something more is to be added in this place , and namely brackish and troubled water , such as runneth softly , as in great ponds , is fittest for horses , because that water , being hot and thick nourisheth better , but the swift water is colder , and therefore more unwholesome , but in hot times ( as in summer ) the sweet and clearer water is more convenient if custome be not against it . and because a horse ( except he drink freely ) can never be fat , let his mouth oftentimes be washed within with salt and wine , and that will make him eat and drink more liberally : and yet the running water is more wholesome for horses , because whatsoever is moveably fluent , is lesse subject to poison then that which standeth still ; but if a horse sweat or be weary , it is not safe to let him drink any thing , except he first stale , for in such cases followeth distention . and it is better to turn or lead forth your horse to water , then to bring it unto them . and if at any time necessity cause this to be done , then let the water be very clear and fresh . his stable or lodging ought to be ordered , as neither it offend him by cold in winter , nor yet through heat in summer , for both these extremities are pernicious : and therefore when the weather is extream cold , then must the horses back and belly be covered with a cloth ; and when on the contrary it exceedeth in heat , then must his litter be taken away . also in heat he must be covered with linnen to avoid flies , and in cold with woollen to help nature : likewise it is good toward night to pick , cleanse , and open his hoofs , with some artificial instrument , and to thrust into the hollow cow-dung , or in defect thereof horse-dung with a little straw , that so he may not shake it out again : but this is not good to be done every day , but rather every second day , and it is good to mingle therewith sewet or grease , or else a new laid egge with warm ashes . in ancient time they used not to shooe their horses with iron , untill the dayes of catulius , who remembreth this custome , saying . ferream ut soleam tenaci in voragine mula : so that it seemeth that this devise was first of all invented for mules . the horse-shooes ought to be round like his feet , and not heavie , lest the horses nimbleness be thereby hindered ; and great care must be had in nailing or setting them on , lest the tender and fleshie part of the foot be thereby pierced . another charge of a horse-keeper is to keep his horses lips soft , tender , and gentle , so as he may more sensibly feel his bit : and for this cause let him often rub them with his hands and warm water , and if need require with oil also : and in handling of a horse this must be observed for a general rule , that neither he come to the horse right before his face , nor behind his tail , because both these are dangerous to the rider ; lest by his heels or mouth he harme him , but on his side he may safely set upon him or handle his horse , and when he leadeth him , he must likewise go on his side . likewise good and painful dressing of horses is no small means to retain him in sound and perfect health ; and therefore he must often be touched with the curry-comb , and afterward with a handful of straw , so as the hand may follow the stroke to lay the hair smooth : and their fashion was in old time to brush over their horses with a little linnen instrument made like a sword , whereby they excusse all dust from the beast : and herein it is wisdom to begin at the head and mane , and so to descend to other parts , and to touch the horses back gently : he may wash the head and mane because it being so bony , it is dangerous lest the comb offend and grieve the beast , except it be layed on very tenderly , but it is not good to wash the legs , because dayly washing loftneth the hoof by sliding down of the water , and therefore it is sufficient only to stroke them down with his hands . the neather part also of the belly is not to be kept over clean , for the more it is cleansed with water , the more is the horse pained therein : when a horse is dressed , it is good to bring him out of the stable , that so in the open air he may be tyed in a longer halter , and seem to be at liberty , whereby he shall be brought to more cleanness and tractable gentleness , standing upon some smooth stones , till all the dust and loose hairs both by the comb and brush be driven away , and in the mean time the stable be emptied , and this is to be performed before the horses watering . you must also regard the skin wherein the horses yard runneth be kept clean , for if it be stopped it hindereth urine , and maketh the horse sick , and when your horse is in dressing , let him have before him no manner of meat either of hay or provender . let them be led to the water twice a day , and wash therein both legs and belly , except in the winter time , wherein it is not safe to wet the beast so often : and if there be in them any appearance of sickness and infirmity , or if you have any purpose to give unto them any kind of medicine , then must you altogether forbear to water them . some use to wash their horses legs with warm wine-lees to refresh their joints and sinews after hard journies , which custome seemeth very allowable : other use in stead thereof warme dish-water out of the kitchin , and the backes they wash with cold water and salt . underneath their tails , and near their yards , you shall find them in the summer time to be much annoyed with flies , and therefore it is a needful part of the horse-keepers watchfulness to look in those places and drive them away , for so his charge will take the better rest . and evermore there must be nourished a mutual benevolence betwixt the horse and horse-keeper , so as the beast may delight in the presence and person of his attendant ; and for this cause he may be kept from hunger , wet litter , cold in the winter , and flies in the summer : and furthermore a diligent caution must be had , that the beast be not provoked through overmuch severity , for if the horse by his keepers violence be often driven to his rack and manger to avoid stripes , either he hurteth his shoulders or legs by his own weight or force , or else groweth into a trembling at the presence of a man , and so never yeeldeth any loving obedience ; or else falleth into some furious and unreclaimable evill qualities . the master therefore ought often to enter into his stable , and take a view of his horses usage , whereby the beast will quickly take notice of him , especially if he have but one , for it is a great folly and piece of ill husbandry to trust servants and not to oversee them . cato was wont to say , frons occipitio prior : that is , as the forehead is before the nape of the neck ; meaning thereby that nature hath set him highest and formost , which should not hide himself , but take his place upon him and discharge it , for it is not safe or any part of wisdome , to see by another mans eyes , or work altogether by deputies . men must also be affraid of lending their horses , for the germans have a pretty proverb , that they will not trust their wives at great feasts out of their sight , for commonly they learn some evill fashion or other more then they had before ; and so much more horses ( after lending ) return home again to their masters with alteration of strength and quality . of adorning and furnishing horses . i cannot approve them that cut off their horses tail or foretop ; one received beginning from an ignorant perswasion of increasing the strength of the horses back , and the other from an imagined comliness , by trimming it with ribben or some devised knot , or that it hindred the horses sight . in the first the beast is wronged and deprived of his help against the flies , and decency of his hinder parts ; and in the second nature accused , for not adorning the horses forehead with more gaudy and variable coloured hairs , and providing a bunch of hair to weaken his eyes ; but neither of these are tolerable , for a wise man once to imagine , and therefore i will not spend any more time to confute this vain adorning of horses . let the horse-keeper take heed that he harm not the beast when he putteth on his bridle , for a little negligence quickly bringeth a great offence , by touching , wringing , and oppressing any tender part in the horses head or mouth . he must alway put on his bridle on the left side , and if the horse of his own accord do not open his mouth to the bit , then must he gently open his mouth with one finger , and so put it upon him ; and if by that means he open not his mouth , then presse or wring his lip upon his great canine tooth , which thing causeth any horse to open his mouth . also it must be regarded that the horse in leading be not drawn after you , for so will he be made hard headed , unwilling to follow . again his cheeks must not be pinched by the bridle , left the skin grow senseless ; and also it must not hang long or loose in his mouth , for so he will be alway biting his bit , and give lesse obedience to his rider . camerarius writeth that he hath seen some put salt upon their bits , whereof the horse licking or tasting , became more willing to take it into his mouth ; and for the better performance hereof , it is necessary to observe by often triall , what kind or fashioned bit best beseemeth and fitteth the horses mouth , and finding it , keep him thereunto continually : and when it is put on , neither wring his cheeks , or let him rowl it betwixt his teeth . the saddle also must be so fastened to his back , as that it may not turn or rowl upon the same ; wherefore he which layeth it thereupon , must come on the left side , and gently without violence or noise , set it upon the beast ; so that neither girths , peytril , sturrops , trappings , or crupyard , fall betwixt the back and saddle , neither covering therewith the horses wither , nor yet touching his hips or loins . first of all let the peytrill on the breast be buckled , then the girths in order neer the forelegs , not upon the belly , for upon the belly they will be sliding off , and that is against the rules of riding ; for bene equitant qui bene cingunt ; that is to say , they ride well which bind fast : and this ought to be done in an open place , where both the rider and the horse may have more liberty : wherewithal a generous and great stomached beast is much delighted : neither must he be tyed or drawn too hard till the rider be seated . look also often to the girths , that they wring not the sides , or pull off the skin . of riding and sitting on horseback . when you are to get up and mount on horseback , take hold on the lower part of the bridle neer the bit , with the left hand , with such a distance as may both keep him from rising , nor give him offence , if you take advantage to get into the saddle , and with the right hand take the rains on the top of the shoulders and the mane , and so hold them , as you give no check to the horses mouth in mounting : there are other rules for this among riders , wherewithal i will not meddle , only it is good to use your horse to backing both sadled and bare , as well from the plain ground , as from blocks , and risings invented for the ease of man. therefore before you go to horseback , first stroke your horse , and make much of him with gentle words , or other convenient sound which the horse understandeth , and so will he stand more willingly till you be on his back : for this thing there is in plutarch an excellent story of alexander the great , when bucephalus was first of all presented to his father king philip , by a thessalian , called philonix : for when the king was perswaded to go forth into the field to try the qualities of this beast , which was so highly commended for rare parts , and valued at such a price , as none but a king might yeeld for him , then the horse began to snort , and kick , and to admit no man to come unto him within the length of the rains , but kept aloft like a wilde and untamed horse ; yeelding no obedience to voice or other signes of the riders : whereat the king fell exceeding angry , and bid them lead away the unruly and untamed horse : alexander being present , complained of the ignorance and fearfulness of the riders , and that they were the cause why such a generous and gallant beast was no better manned . at the hearing whereof , king philip smiled , and yet so carryed himself as though he had not heard the words of his son , untill alexander repeated his saying the second time ; whereunto his father replyed , what ( sir boy ) will you make your self more skilfull then these old cunning riders ? will you lay on them an imputation of fear and ignorance ? yes , said alexander , i will adventure to handle this horse better then any other : yea but ( said philip ) what punishment then wilt thou undergo if thou fail and perform not what thou hast said ? what punishment ? ( said alexander ) why i will give them the price of the horse : whereat the king laughed and struck up the wager , and so had alexander the rains of the horse delivered to him , who presently turned him about against the sun-rising , that so he might not be terrified with the shadow of the beholders , and so led him up and down softly two or three turns , and at last wan the horse to hand , which he gently stroked and applauded : and when he had gotten perfect intelligence and understanding of the horses stomach , he cast off his cloak , and addressed himself to mount on his back , so holding the rains and bearing his hand and whole body as he did not check or pinch the horses mouth : so he inclined him first of all to ●ay away his stirred and angry minde , and afterward paced him to and fro gently , which the horse endured : at last he put spurs unto him , and made him run , leap , carreer , and curvet , to the terrour , at the first , of all the beholders , and afterward to the singular admiration and praise of himself : which caused the company or train to applaude this fact , and forced the old man his father , to send forth tears for joy ; and when alexander descended from his horse , he could not contain himself , but he must needs go kisse and embrace such a son ; whereby it is manifest , that when a man is to ride on a generous spirited horse , he shall bend him to endure the burthen by gentleness and familiarity , so as the beast may still know and love his rider . likewise when the master mounteth , it is requisite that the servant be on the other side of the horse to hold the stirrop , for so shall he get up more surely , and set himself more softly . some horses are taught to bend their knees to take up their aged and sick masters , that so they may be the lesse offended in ascending to their backs , and this custom ( saith pollux ) did first of all begin among the persians . the ancient germans were so singularly exercised in horsemanship , that standing upon the ground and holding a spear or lance in their hands , they mounted without other stirrop or vantage upon their horses backs ; and not only when they were ordinary attired in common garments , but then also when they were armed , ( though julius caesar take from them all glory of chivalry ) yet now adayes the invention of saddles with stirrops , is most easie both for horse and horsemen , being then better the pelethronian invention time . when the rider is in his saddle , and is well seated , he must not sit as in a chair or chariot , bended together , but rather keep his body upright , only bowing outward his knees , for so shall he be better able to defend himself , or offend his adversary ; for he must rather seem to stand then to sit on horseback . the rider or master of horses must spare his horse in the heat of summer , ( about dog-dayes ) and in the cold of winter , and never at any time to ride past the twylight of the evening . the horse being empty , is more prone to make water then being full , and therefore must not be hindered in that desire : and alway after his staling , ride him not too fast , untill his nerves which were extended to let forth the urine be contracted , setled and drawn together again . if in the winter time a horse be to passe over a foord of water ( which will ascend up above his belly ) let him stale first , lest he fall into the strangury , and also be a little eased of his load . there is no beast that rejoyceth more in celerity and swiftness then a horse , because so soon as he is turned out of hand , he instantly runneth away speedily , and doth walke softly as at other times : and this is a pleasure to them , except when they are provoked above their desires : and the counsell of xenophon when you are to ride fast or for a wager , is this , bend the upper part of the body forward , stretching out the hand which carryeth the rains ; now drawing it in , and then letting it at length again ; and therefore it is good in such cases to use short rains , and if the horse in his course stretch forth the rains of his own accord , then is it a sign of an unskilful rider , or of a weak and tireable horse . add not spurs but in great necessity , but guide and provoke him with voice and riding rod , for quick and good metled horses are by the spur made fierce ; and gentle natured beasts made sluggards like asses , which by often beating seem to neglect and despise stripes . you must also shorten and lengthen your journies and times of ridings , so as they may neither be certain to the beast , nor yet over long ; and specially after a long journey , take a shorter if you ride upon the same horse . first of all let him be used to plain and equal wayes , and if he be to leap or go up a hill , it was a precept of the old grecians , that then the rider must lay the rains in his neck . if the horse at any time be either more fierce or sluggish then ordinary , he may be holp by these means . wildeness and fierceness of horses , is like to anger and rage in men ; and therefore occasions of offence in word and deed must be avoided : therefore as soon as the rider is upon his back , let him rest a little before he set forward , and then also let the horse move but his own pace : for as men are offended with suddain violence and imperious gestures , so also are horses : but if the horse being stirred to his race , be more forward and hot then ordinary , he must be gently restrained by the bridle ; and it is better to qualifie their rage in long and spacious direct journies , then in often windings and turnings . but if any man be so simple as to think that by length of journey or race , his horse will be more meek , because he may be tyred , he deceiveth himself ; for as rage in man inventeth hurtfull revenge , and turneth into malice by continuance , so also in horses it procureth a headlong ruine ( if it be not prevented ) both to horse and rider : and therefore if your horse be of a generous spirit , never provoke him to ferocity , for as they are wilde and fierce , so are they wicked and harmful . it is also better to use light and gentle bridles then heavy and sharp , except the rider can by his art so frame the sharp as the gentle bit : and also the rider must so frame himself in his art of riding , that in the commotion of his horse , he may not touch any member or part of him , but only his back whereupon he sitteth . he must also learn his different terms , to incite and stir up his horse to run forward , which the grecians call clogmos , or else to restrain him and keep him in , which they call poppysmus , the one closeth the lips , and the other toucheth the palat . if the horse be fearful of any thing , you must shew the thing to him plainly , that so by custom he may learn not to be skittish , and let him smell thereunto , till he learn not to be afraid ; but if men beat them , they do but fear them more ; for while they are so ill handled , they suspect that the things whereof they are afraid are the cause of their stripes . in like sort when they go on the one side , or turn back again , it is good to use the spurs , because they encrease their terrour and perverseness ; and therefore as peaceable encouragement and friendly perswasion is the best means to perswade a man in his fear , the like course must be taken with a horse , that so he may go straight on without doubt or trembling ; and learn not to account any thing horrible to his nature . when a horse is so tyred and wearied in his journey that a man would judge him unfit for any labour , take off his saddle and burthen , and put him into some stable or green field , where he may tumble and rowle over and over , and he shall easily recover . in ancient time , if horses were to be travelled through snow , they made them boots of sackcloth to wear in their journey . of the disposition of horses in general . among the flocks or heards of horses , there is not a captain or leader going before or governing the residue , as among oxen , sheep , and elephants ; because the nature of these is more instable and moveable it being a swift and high spirited beast , and therefore hath received a body furnished with such members as are apt to be swayed by such spirit : for lactantius truly observeth in them a desire of glory , because after victory , the conquerours exsult and rejoyce , but the conquered or overcome , mourn and hang down their heads ; which thing virgil expresseth in this verse ; insultare solo , & gressus glomerare superbos . but more plainly ovid , the triumph of the conquering horse ; saying , hic generosus honos & gloria major equorum ; nam capiunt animis palmam , gaudentque triumpho , seu septem spatiis circo meruere coronam . nonue vides victor quanto sublimius altum attollat caput , & vulgi se venditet aura , celsave cum caeso decoratur terga leone , quam tumidus , quantoque venit spectabilis actu ; compescatque solum , generoso concita pulsu , vngula sub spoliis graviter redeuntis opimis . and pliny affirmeth that when they are joyned together in chariots , they understand their encouragements of glory and commendation : and therefore there is not any beast of so high a stomach as a horse . of the natural disposition of horses . they love wet places and bathes , for which cause they are called philolutra , they also love musick , as hath been already declared , and the whole hoast of army or the sybarites , taught their horses to dance at the sound of a pipe : and coelius writeth hereof in this manner , so great ( saith he ) was the riot and wantonness of the sybarites , that at their common feasts they brought in horses to dance before men ; which thing being known by the crotoniatae , they offered them war , and agreed upon the fight : whereupon in the day of battle , the crotoniats brought with them divers pipers and minstrils , who upon a sign given to them , sounded their instruments , whereupon the sybaritan horses came running and dancing among their adversaries , and so betrayed themselves and their riders to the enemy . the like story is reported by athenaeus , of the people called cardiani , for they also taught their horses to dance upon their hinder legs , and to work many strange feats with their fore-feet , at the hearing of certain measures played upon pipes . the bisaltans waged war against the cardians , and they had to their captain a certain man called onaris , who when he was a boy was sold to cardia , and there he served with a barber : in the time of his service he oftentimes heard , that the oracle had foretold , how the cardians should be overcome by the bisaltans , and therefore he to prevent the worst , run away from his master , and came home safe to bisalta his own countrey , and was by his countrey-men created captain of all their warlike forces : he understanding what tricks the cardians taught their horses in dancing , brought out of cardia certain pipes , and taught divers bisaltans to sound and play the measures upon them , which the cardians taught their horses : whereupon when as they joyned battle with the cardian horses ( for all the force of the cardians lay in their horses ) he commanded his piping bisaltans to sound their musick , which the horses understood , who presently stood up upon their hinder-legs , and would not fight any more , or go any further , so as they were overthrown by their adversaries . they have also a singular pleasure in publick spectacles , and therefore have been observed to be provoked not only by pipes or such instrumentall musick , but also by songs or vocall harmony , by variety of colours , and by burning torches . dion also writeth that he saw a horse taught to know and to do reverence to a king. and textor affirmeth that he saw a horse at paris at the trumphs , tilt , and turnaments made for the mariage of lewis the twelfth to mary , a lady of britain , which being commanded by his rider to salute the queen , presently did bend both his knees unto her , and then rose again running away as fast as a bird could flie . homer seemeth also to affirm that there are in horses divine qualities , understanding things to come , for being tyed to their mangers they mourned for the death of patroclus , and also fore shewed achilles what should happen unto him : for which cause pliny saith of them , that they lament their lost masters with tears , and foreknow battles ; virgil writeth thus of the horse of pallas ; post bellator equus , positis insignibus , aethon it lachtymans , guttisque humectat grandibus ●ra . accursius affirmeth , that caesar three dayes before he died , found his ambling nag weeping in the stable , which was a token of his ensuing death , which thing i should not believe , except tranquillus in the life of caesar , had related the same thing , and he addeth moreover , that the horses which were consecrated to mars for passing over rubicon , being let to run wilde abroad without their masters , because no man might meddle with the horses of the gods , were found to weep aboundantly , and to abstain from all meat . whereof there could be no cause given , but the love of their former masters . it is also reported of rodatus , a captain to charles the great , who after the death of the emperour was made a monk , his horse would never suffer any to come on his back except his master , who likewise had abstained from riding many years : but it happened that certain pagans brake in upon the said monastery , whereupon poor rodatus went unto his horse , who after many years discontinuance , willingly took up his aged master upon his back , and so carryed him untill he triumphed over his adversaries ; and no marvel , for dogs and horses are most loving to men , if they be brought up carefully , and liberally , they recompense the good turns of their benefactors . it is observed in the nature of horses , that they seldom hurt a man or childe , except in their madness , yet are there malicious horses as well as men . it is reported by pliny and tzetzes , that when a foal hath lost his dam , the residue of the mares which give suck , bring it up , and that they are seldom found at variance , except the barren mares pull away the foals from the natural dams . for there is no creature so loving to their young ones , as are mares , neither any so desirous of young ; for which cause , when they are barren themselves , they labour to steal them away from others . they which were wont to races , would perform it upon mares newly delivered of foals they tyed up the foals at home , and led the mares to the beginning of the race , making the end thereof at the foals stable ; and so putting the beast forward , she runneth homewards more speedily for the remembrance of her foal . of the fear of horses , and their enemies in nature . horses are afraid of elephants in battle , and likewise of a camel ; for which cause when cyrus sought against croesus , he overthrew his horse by the sight of camels , for a horse cannot abide to look upon a camel. if a horse tread in the foot-path of a wolfe , he presently falleth to be astonished : likewise if two or more drawing a chariot , come into the place where a wolf hath trod , they stand so still as if the chariot and they were frozen to the earth , saith aelianus and pliny . aesculapius also affirmeth the same thing of a horse treading in a bears footsteps , and assigneth the reason to be in some secret , betwixt the feet of both beasts . we have shewed already , that if a mare strike a wolf , or tread in the foot-steps thereof , she presently casteth her foal ; and therefore the egyptians , when they signifie a woman suffering abortment , picture a mare kicking a wolf. the dextanian horses being not gelded , dare fight with lions , but being gelded , like all other horses , they are so afraid of lions , that no stripes , or spurs , is able to bring them in their presence , the caropian horses excepted . all kinde of swine are enemies to horses ; the estridge also is so feared of a horse , that the horse dares not appear in his presence . the like difference also is betwixt a horse and a bear ▪ there is a bird which is called anclorus , which neyeth like a horse , flying about , the horse doth many times drive it away , but because it is somewhat blind , and cannot see perfectly , therefore the horse doth oftentimes catch it , and devour it , hating his own voice in a creature so unlike himself . it is reported by aristotle , that the bustard loveth a horse exceedingly , for seeing other beasts feeding in the pastures , despiseth and abhorreth them , but as soon as ever it seeth a horse , it flyeth unto him for joy , although the horse run away from it ; and therefore the egyptians , when they see a weak man driving away a stronger , they picture a bustard flying to a horse . horses are also taught to leap , if a man take him by the rains , and go over the ditch before him , holding him fast , and pulling him to him . but if he be unwilling , then let another come behind him and strike him with a whip , or with a rod , so will he leap over without delay ; and thus when you have used him to leap empty , likewise accustome him loaded . first over smaller , and then over greater hedges . but at the beginning let him leap in soft ground , and being well practised in harder ; and when he beginneth to leap , let the rider put spurs unto him , for so will he performe his leap with more safety to himself and the rider ; and by custome he may leap and run as well down the hill as up hill ; and therefore the persians , and nodrisians use and accustome their horses to run both down hill , and up hill . these epithets following , do serve and expresse the nature of horses ; full of stomach , generous , magnanimous , strong , ardent , sharp , covetous , fierce , bolde , threatning , terrible , foaming ; such were the horses of acarnania , argos , mycena , aria , elis , epid , spain , thessali , farsalis , of which countrey was bucephalus , the horse of alexander . ballasia , a province addicted to mahomet , hath many of these excellent , great and swift horses , whose hoofs are so hard , that they need no iron shooes , although they travel over rocks and mountains . the arabians also have such horses , and in the kingdom of senega , they have no breed of horses at all , by reason of the heat of their countrey , which doth not only burn up all pasture , but also cause horses to fall into the strangury ; for which cause they do buy horses very dear , using in stead of hay , the stalkes of pease dryed and cut asunder , and millet seed in stead of oats , wherewithal they grow exceeding fat ; and the love of that people is so great to horses , that they give for a horse furnished nine bond-slaves , or if it please them well , fourteen ; but when they have bought their horses , they send for witches , and observe therein this ceremony . they make a burning fire with stickes , putting therein certain fuming herbs , afterwards they take the horse by the bridle , and set him over the smoaking fire , anointing him with a very thin ointment , muttering secretly certain charmes , and afterwards hanging other charmes about their neck in a red skin , shut them up close for fifteen dayes together : then did they bring them forth , affirming that by this means they are made more valiant and couragious in war. the love and knowledge of horses to men . and to this discourse of horses belongeth their nature , either of loving or killing men . of the nature of alexanders horse before spoken of , called bucephalus , is sufficently said , except this may be added , that so long as he was naked and without furniture , he would suffer any man to come on his back ; but afterwards being sadled and furnished , he could endure none but alexander his master : for if any other had offered to come near him , for to ride him , he first of all terrified him with his neighing voice , and afterwards trod him under foot if he ran not away . when alexander was in the indian wars , and riding upon this horse in a certain battle , performed many valiant acts , and through his own improvidence , fell into an ambush of his foes , from which he had never been delivered alive , but for the puissancy of his horse , who seeing his master beset with so many enemies , received the darts into his own body , and so with violence pressed through the middest of his enemies , having lost much bloud , and received many wounds , ready to die for pain , not once stayed his course till he had brought his master the king safe out of the battle , and set him on the ground ; which being performed , in the same place he gave up the ghost and dyed , ( as it were comforting himself with this service ) that by his own death he had saved the life of such a king : for which cause , after alexander had gotten victory , in that very place where his horse died , he built a city and called it bucephalon . it is also reported that when licinius the emperour would have had his horses to tear in pieces his daughter , because she was a christian , he himself was by one of them bitten to death . neocles the son of themistocles perished by the biting of a horse : neither herein only is the nature of horses terrible , because also they have been taught to tear men in pieces : for it is said that busiris and diomedes did feed their horses with mans flesh , and therefore hercules took the like revenge of diomedes , for he gave him to his horses to be eaten : of diomedes were these verses made ; vt qui terribiles pro gramen habentibus herb is , impius humano viscere pavit equos . the like also is reported of glaucus ( the son of sysiphus ) who fed horses with mans flesh at po●nia a city of boeotia , and afterward when he could make no more provision for them , they devoured their master : whereof virgil writeth thus ; et mentem venus ipsa dedit , quo tempore glauci pitniades malis membra absumpsere quadrigae . but this is thought a fiction , to expresse them which by feeding and keeping of horses , consume their wealth and substance . and thus much for the natural inclination of horses . of several kindes of horses . there be several kinds of horses which require a particular tractate by themselves , and first of all the martial or great warlike horse , which for profit the poet coupleth with sheep : laniferae pecudes & equorum bellica proles . the parts of this horse are already described in the stallion , the residue may be supplyed out of xenophon and oppianus . he must be of a singular courage and docibility , without maime , fear , or other such infirmity . he must be able to run up and down the steepest hils , to leap , and bite , and fight in battle , but with the direction of his rider : for by these is both the strength of his body and minde discovered ; and above all , such a one as will never refuse to labour , though the day be spent : wherefore the rider must first look to the institution and first instruction of his horse , for knowledge in martial affaires is not natural in men or horses , and therefore except information and practice adorne nature , it cannot be , but either by fear or heady stubborness , they will overthrow themselves and their riders . first of all they must not be geldings , because they are fearful , but they must be such as will rejoyce and gather stomach at the voice of musick , or trumpets , and at the ringing of armour : they must not be afraid of other horses , and refuse to combate , but he able to leap high and far , and rush into the battle , fighting ( as is said ) with heels and mouth . the principal things which he must learn are these ▪ first to have a lofty and flexible neck , and also to be free , not needing the spur ; for if he be sluggish and need often agitation to and fro by the hand of the rider , or else if he be full of stomach and sullen , so as he will do nothing but by flattery and fair speeches , he much troubleth the minde of the rider : but if he run into the battle with the same outward aspect of body , as he doth unto a flock or company of mares , with loud voice , high neck , willing mind , and great force , so shall he be both terrible to look upon , and valiantly puissant in his combate . wherefore the rider must so carry his hand , as the rains may draw in the horses neck , and not so easily , as in a common travelling gelding , but rather sharply to his grievance a little , by which he will be taught as it were by signes and tokens to fight , stand still , or run away . the manner of his institution may be this ; after the dressing and surnishing of your horse as aforesaid , and likewise the backing , first of all move , stir or walk your horse gently , untill he be well acquainted with the cariage of your hand and whole body , and afterward accustome him to greater and speedier pace or exercise , use him also to run longer races , and also by drawing in your hand to stay or stop suddenly ; for there are horses so instructed , that they can stay themselves in their speediest course upon an instant , without any circumambulation , shaking off the violence of their course , like an ordinary trotting nag , by mounting up a little with their forefeet . and alway it is to be remembred that after the mounting on horse-back , you must first of al begin on the left hand , bending your hand that way , and also to the right hand when you would have your horse to turn on that side . and above all other things horses are delighted with crooked , bending and round courses , such as are in circles and rings , and he must be accustomed to run from other horses leaving them behind him , and likewise turning toward them and making at them with his face to them : but h●adlong and precipitate courses , such as hunters make without guiding body , hand or horse , are evermore to be avoided , for many men have perished from theis horses , as the poets witness of nipheus , leucagu● , liger , clonius , remulus , 〈◊〉 . and also among the historiographers , agenor , fulco of jerusalem , philip son of ludovicus crassus king of france , and bela king of pa 〈…〉 nia . of horse-men , and the orders of chivalry and knighthood . the principal horse-men of the world celebrated in stories , for training , ruling , and guiding their horses according to the art of war , may for the dignity of knighthood ( wherewithal they are honoured ) and from whom that equestrial order is derived , be recited in this place . it is manifest by sipontinus , that the roman equestrial order , was in the middle betwixt the senatours and the common people , for at the first there was no difference betwixt equites and judices , for both of them had for a badge , cognisance , or note of their honour , power to wear a ring of gold , and in the consulship of marcus cicero the title was turned to equestrial , or name of a knight , or man at armes , by that means reconciling himself to the senate , and affirming that he was derived from that order , and from that time came the equester ordo , being , as is said before , the people , and recorded after the people , because of the latter creation thereof : yet had they not their beginning at this time , but only now they first came into the orders of the common-wealth ; for they were called celeres under romulus , of one celer who at the command of romulus slew remus ; and he was made the chief judge of three hundred . they were afterward called flexanimes , either because they swayed the minds of them whom they judged , or else which is more probable , because of martialling and instructing their horses for war : afterward because they took a great company of horse-men , without all and of footmen , at the city trossulum in thuscia , they were called trossulani , and trossuli , and yet some ignorant persons honoured with the title of trossuli in remembrance of that victory , were ashamed thereof as unworthy their dignities . they were forbidden to wear purple like as were the senatours , and their golden ring was a badge both of peace and war. the master of the horse among the romans , called by the grecians , hipparchus , and by the latins , magister equitum , was a degree of honour next to the 〈◊〉 , and marcius the dictator made the first master of horse-men , who was called spurius , and set him in place next to himself . these equestrial men or knights of state were wont to be publicans at the least , and it was ordained that no man should be called into that order , except both he , his father , and grandfather were free men , and were worth in value twenty thousand pound turon and tiberius made this law , but afterward it grew remisse and not observed ; whereby both bondmen and scribes were rewarded with this dignity from the emperour , for orations and preasing speeches : yet were the decurial judges chosen out of this rank ; for indeed by primary institution , they were the flower and seminary of the roman gentry . pliny complaineth that this dignity which was wont to be a reward for military men , who had adventured their lives for the honour of their countrey , was now bestowed corruptly , and for money upon mean bribing persons . it should seem they had every one a horse of honour given to him for his note , for if one of them had grown fat and unweeldy , not able to manage and govern this horse , it was taken from him . and cato took away the horse from scipio asiaticus , because he had intercepted money ; and from hence came the terms of their allowance , as equestre aes , for that money which was paid for a horse to one knight , and pararium aes , for a double fee to an equestrial man. among the athenians , the highest order was of them which were called pentacosiomedy 〈…〉 , which had plowed so much sand as had sowed an bushels of corn ; and the next degree were their equites , knights , or horse-men , because for the defence of their city , they were able every one to nourish a horse of war. there were of these in ancient time but , and afterward they were increased unto . and the sacrifices which were made for their pomps and triumphs , were called hippades : and they had liberty to nourish their long hair which was forbidden to other men , and their tax to the sacrifice was at the least half a talent , ( which is at the least crowns ) and this sacrifice was made for the health of their horses . there were two masters created over these , to wage and order war ; and ten inferiour governours or wardens to look to the provision and nourishing of horses . among the lacedemonians they had four governments ; the monarchy for the kings , the aristocraty for the old-men , the oligarchie for their ephori or commissioners , the democratie for their young-men , which governed , managed , and instructed horses . nestor that ancient knight was commended for his skill , and had therefore given him the title of hippotes . among the calcidensians there was not a rich man but they took him into this order , and the cretians likewise did ever highly account hereof , and made it their highest degree of honour , for even the romans did sometime govern whole provinces with no other then these ; and egypt had this in peculiar , that no other order , no not a senator might be president or govern among them . the achaeans had this degree in high estimate , like as the germans their batavi or states . the citizens of capua were and are disguised with a perpetuity of this honour , because in the latins war , they did not revolt from the romans ; and among all other , the gaditan were most honoured herewith , for at one time and for one battle : they created . this title hath spred and adorned it self with many more degrees , as that among the french , caballarii and equites aurati , and such as are knights of jerusalem and divers others , some for religion , and some for feats of armes : whereas the persians used a certain kind of garment in war , called manduas , from hence cometh the knights upper garment to be called a mantle , for all the persians were horsemen . the noblest horses and such as could run most speedily and swiftly were joyned together in chariots for races , courses , spectacles , games and combates , for great values and prizes . — nempe volucrem si● laudamus equum : facili cui plurima palma fervet , & exultat reuco victori circo . and again ovid saith ; non ego nobilium veris spectator equorum and horace ; nec te nobilium sugiat certamen equorum . there was one anniceris a cyrenian most skilful in this practise , and according to the vain humors of men , was not a little proud hereof , and for his love to plato would needs in the academy shew him and his scholars his skill , and therefore joyning his horses and chariot together , made many courses with such an even and delineate proportion , that his horses and wheels never wandered a hair breadth from the circle or place limited , but alway kept the same road and footsteps , whereat every one marvelled : but plato reproved the double diligence and vain practice of the man , saying to him in this manner , it cannot be , that a man which hath travelled and laboured so much in an art or skill of no worth or use in the common-wealth , that ever he can addict his mind to grave , serious and profitable business , for while he applyeth all his parts and powers of body and soul to this , he is the lesse able and more unapt to those things which are alone more worthy of admiration . the ancient custom was , to use other mens horses in this combate , and therefore in the funeral of patroclus , homer bringeth in menelaus , using the horse of agamemnon . there were four several places wherein these games of horses and chariots were wont to be observed and kept , and they were called after these places , olympia , pythis , nemea , and is 〈…〉 ia , and of all these the olympiads were the chief , whereof all stories are full , for they were celebrated in olympus every fifth year inclusively , that is , after the end of every fourth year . the writers of chronicles do agree that the games of olympus were first instituted by hercules in the . year of the world , beginning the world from noahs flood , and they begin to record and number the first olympiad to be about the . year of the world , about seventeen year before the building of rome . there were of these olympiads . and the last of these by computation or account fell about the year of our lord . after the birth of jesus christ the blessed saviour of the world . the perfection of these games began the twenty five olympiad , at what time pagondas the t●eban was pronounced victor : for then were swift horses brought into the games , and were called teleioi , that is , perfect in agility and growth ; and these are called by pindarus , mon●●pycia ; afterward came in synaris with two horses , and in succession both colts , mares , and mules : their courses are thus expressed by virgil ; — ergo animos 〈◊〉 notabis , et quis cuique dolor victo , quae gloria palmae , nonne vides ? cum praecip●ti certamine campum corripuere , ruuntque effus● carcere currus , cum spes 〈◊〉 rectae ●●verium , exultantiaque haurit c●rda pavor pulsans , illi instant verbere torte , et proni dant lora : volat vi fervidus ax 〈◊〉 . jamque humiles , jamque elati sublime videntur aera per vacuum ferri atque assurgere in auras , nec mora , nec requies : at fulva nimbus 〈◊〉 tollitur : humescunt spu●is , flatuque sequent●● : tantus amor laudum , tantae est victoria curae . sin ad bella magis studium turmasque fer●ces , aut alphaear●tis prael●bi flumina pisae , et j●vis in luce currus agitare volantes : primus equi labor est , animos atque arma vider● bellantum , lituosque pati , tractuque gementem ferre rota 〈…〉 , & stabul● frenos audire sonantes . and horace expresseth it in this manner : sunt quos curriculo pulverem olympicum collegisse juvat , metaque fervidis evitata rotis , palmaque nobilis terrarum dominos evehit ad deor . women were wont to be excluded from these games , untill cynisca the daughter of archidamus king of the spartans , first of all other women nourished and trained horses for these currule and chariot games , and when she brought her horses to olympus , she obtained the prize ; therefore her horses were consecrated to jupiter olympius , and their figures remained in brass in his temple . it is also said that echarates a thessalian overcame in the olympian games with a mare great with foal : and it is also reported that miliiades the son of cimon stesagora ( one of the ten captains of athens ) ran away from pisistratus the tyrant , and in the time of his absence , he was twice victor at olympus by four mares , the first time he bestowed the glory upon his cousen german miliiades , his mothers brothers son , and the second time he took it to himself ; for which cause he was slain by the sons of pisistratus ; his mares were also buryed over against him , with an inscription , , that they had won four games in olympus , so that it appeared , he ran divers times and never missed victory . at athens they observed these courses with horses in honour of theseus , and called the place of the running , hippodromus . the latines call it stadium , and curriculum , and it was appointed in some plain valley , according to the proverb , equus in planiciem ; in the midst whereof was a building called circus , whereon the beholders stood to look upon the pastime , and there were also places to contain the horses and chariots , till they were turned out to run , ( called carceres ) according to the verses of silius : sic ubi prosiluit piceo de carcere praeceps ante suos it victor equus . — and horace also , vt cum carceribus missos rapit ungula currus , instat equis auriga suos vincentibus , illum praeteritum temnens extremos inter euntem . and hereof came the proverb ( a carceribus ad calcem ) signifying from beginning of the race to the latter end . erichthonius invented a chariot called harma , and was the first that ever ran in olympus with four horses in the same , of whom virgill writeth thus : primus erichthonius currus & quatuor ausus jungere equos rapidisque insistere victor . and from hence came the tearm quadriga , for a chariot with four horses . there was a chariot in athens drawn by one horse , and the games thereof were called polemysteria . likewise at rome in the consul-feasts celebrated for the honour of neptune , they ran with horses both joyned and single . there were likewise games at rome , called equitia , and equitia , celebrated every year , the twelfth of the calends of may , wherein after the horses they coursed foxes tyed to pieces of wood set on fire ; this is called in latine also turneamentum ; and in italian by scoppa , hagi●stra ; and in french formierim . there is also a play with horses for children cal'd troia , first invented by ascanius , when he besieged alba , and by him brought and taught to the romans , of which virgill speaketh , saying ; incedunt pueri , pariterque ante ora parentum frenatis lucent in equis , — cornea bina ferunt praefixa hastilia ferro : pars laeves humero pharetras . — tres equitum numero turmae , ternique vagantur ductores : pueri bisseni quemque secuti . — signum clamore paratis aepytides longe dedit , insonuitque flagello . olli discurrere pares , atque agmina terni diductis solvere choris , rursusque vocati convertere vias , infestaque tela tulere . inde alios ineunt cursus , aliosque recursus adversis spatiis , alternosque orbibus orbes impediunt , pugnaeque cient simulachra sub armis . et nunc terga : fugae nudant , nunc spicula veriunt infensi : facta pariter nunc pace feruntur . hunc morem cursus , atque haec certamina primus ascanius , long am muris cum cingeret albam . 〈◊〉 , & priscos , docuit celebrare latinos . — hinc maxima parro accepit r●ma , & patrium servavit honorem : trojaque nunc pueri , trojanum dicitur agmen . of the greatest horse-masters and nourishers of horses . it is reported of king solomon , that he had forty thousand stables of horses for chariots , and twelve thousand for war. the lybians when they went to war , did fight out of their chariots , and therefore they were said to fight upon two horses . the centaures were the first that ever taught men to fight on horse-back , and the roman turnia consisted of two and thirty horse-men , the captain whereof was called br●●urio . the people of nomades called surgatii , brought eight thousand horse-men at one time into the field , which neither used armour nor brass , nor iron , except only their daggers , and a rope of leather thongs , wherewithall they entred the battail , and joyning with their enemy , they made certain gins , or loops thereupon , which they cast upon the necks of horses and men , and so with multitudes drew them unto them , in which draught they strangled them . the indians use the very self same armour on horse-back that they do on foot , but yet they lead empty horses and chariots to leap up and down upon , and to refresh their fighting horses ; and the number of their horse-men were at one time fourscore thousand . when pharnuches the arabian , was riding on horse-back , there was a dog ran betwixt his horses legs , wherewithall the horse being amazed , suddenly leaped upright , and cast off his rider , who being bruised with the fall , fell into a consumption : whereupon the servants at the commandment of their master , brought the said horse into the place where he cast his rider , and there cut off his legs about the knees . there was also a fashion for horses to fight in battails without bridles : for fulvius flaccus , when the romans overthrew the celtiberians in spain , caused them to pull off their bridles from their horses , that so they might run with all violence , without restraint of riders upon their enemies ; whereupon followed victory : for many times it falleth out that the horse hath more courage then his rider , wherefore a good horse-man must have skill to annoy his enemy , and defend himself ; and likewise , to make his horse to come off and on without fear or dread , according to necessity . there is a proverb in greek , ( choris hippeis ) that is , ( seorsim equites ) the horsemen are asunder , whereof suidas giveth this reason : when darius invaded the territory of the athenians ranging and destroying at his pleasure , no man daring to abide his forces , at his departure , the ionians climed up into trees , and signified unto the athenians , that the horse-men had broken rank and were asunder . whereupon miltiades set upon the scatered company , and obtained a noble victory . of fighting in war upon horses . the most cruel and fearful kinde of fight , is the arming of horses , which were called in antient time catafracti , and clibanarii , and acatafracti , and ferentarii , fighting first of all with spear , and afterwards with sword and shield , casting sometimes also darts at one another , and bearing bows to shoot arrows , their horses making room for them , which way soever they went : for with sharp pikes and other crooked-keen-cutting-instruments , fastened to their armour or chariot-wheels , in the violence of their course , they wounded , killed , over-turned , or cut asunder whatsoever flesh came in their reach . the ancient horsemen of the romans had no breast-plates , ( as polybius affirmeth ) and therefore they were naked in their fore-parts , providing for the danger that was behinde them , and defending their breast , by their own celerity : their shields were made of oxe skins plighted and pasted together , being a little round in compass like the fashion of a mans belly . there was also great use of swift horses in war , for the roman souldiers carryed with them two horses a peece , being taught and exercised like indians , when they had need to flie , to leap upon their empyty horse , for their sparing of the other : and they were therefore called amphippi being apt to carry their masters out of danger , and from hence ( aelianus saith ) the romans took the pattern of their phalanx , ( called antistomus ) with which they used to terrifie the barbarians , setting their horses in a double front , so as they appeared headed both waves ; and this was also the custom of all the germans , when the number of their horse-men was not equall , they mingled the foot-men , with their light-horses , who being experienced to run suddenly with the horse men , leaped into the battail , and surprized the enemies flying away : and the same fashion did the spaniards aso use ( strabo saith ) for the terrifying of their enemies , making the foot-men to fall into the battell among the horse-men . those which did shoot darts on horse-back , were called hippotoxotae , and therefore aristophanes in his discourse of birds , calleth hawks by that name , for the resemblance betwixt them and horses , bearing these riders . the hawks are so called in swiftness of their course ; and because the talons of the hawk are crooked like bows . arrianus writeth that the horse-men of alexander carryed spears in their hands fourteen cubits long , whereunto i cannot consent ; for eight cubits is a common size , as much as any souldier on horse-back is able to use . in battail there are wings of horse-men , which are so called , because like wings they cover and protect the army . and there were also legionary horse-men , because they were joyned to the legions of souldiers , and the company of elephants , foot-men , and horse-men which were wont to go before the king , were called agema . a company of horses set like a tower in a quadrangular form in a field , was called pergus . the armour of horses on his front or fore-part , is called prometopidia , upon the ears parotia , upon the cheeks paria , upon the breast prosternidia , upon the sides parapleuridia , upon the loins parameridia , upon the legs paracnemidia . and the time of arming a horse is known of every souldier . of riding . the medes , persians , and armenians , were the first that invented the art of riding and shooting , ( as strabo saith ) pausanias cald neptune hippeus for no other cause , but that it was supposed he was the first invented the art of riding . polydorus ascribeth it to bellerophon . lysias the orator saith , that the amazonian women were the first of all mortal creatures that first adventured to back horses . others ascribe it to the centaures : but to leave the invention , and come to the art. damis in the life of apollonius , setteth down the sum of the art of riding , which briefly is this ; to sit straight upon his horse , to rule him valiantly , to turn him with the bridle which way soever he pleaseth , to beat him when he is stubborn , to avoid ditches , gulfs , and whirpools when he rideth through waters ; going up a hill , to lengthen the rains , and to restrain and draw them in going down the hill ; now and then to stroke his hair , and not always to use stripes . martial hath an excellent epigram upon one priscus a rash-headed-hunter , who neither feared hedges , hils , dales , ditches , rocks , rivers , nor other perils ; using a bridle to his horse , but none to his affections ; and therefore he telleth him , that he may sooner break a hunters neck , then take away a hares life : for there are deceits in the rocks , hils , and plain fields , to shake the rider from horse-back to the earth . thus followeth the epigram ; parcius utaris moneo rapiente veredo , prisce , nec in lepores tam violentus eas . saepe satis fecit praedae venator , & acri decidit excussus nec rediturus equo . insidias & campus habet : nec fossa , neo agger , nec sint saxa licet , fallere plana solent . non deerunt qui tanta tibi spectacula praestent : invidia fati sed leviore cadunt . si te delectant animosa pericula , thuscis ( tutior est virtus ) insidiemur apris . quid te frena juvant temeraria ? saepius illis prisce datum est equitem rumpere , quam leporem . the best place for riding , is a barren and plain countrey . it is reported of claudius , that when he had road a great way in the countrey upon his enemies , and met no body , he returned back again into his own camp , and blamed the sluggishness of his enemies , because no one of them was seen abroad . it is reported by aristotle , that the further a man rideth , the more apt he shall be to weep ; and the reason is , because of all the motions of the body , riding is the wholesomest , both for the stomach and for the hips ; for a man must not sit on horse-back , as if he were carryed in a coach ; but rather keep his back-bone upright , not only to be moved by his horse that beareth him , but also by himself ; and there he must sit close to the horses hips , extending his legs to the uttermost , using not only his eyes to look before him , but also lifting up his neck to help his sight : for so the soft pace of the horse doth corroborate the spirit above all other exercises ; likewise , the body and stomach ; also it purgeth the senses , and maketh them sharp : yet sometimes by the violent course of a horse , the breast of a man , or some other part about the reins receive damage , ( as some have observed : ) yet is it not so much to be ascribed to the motion of riding , as to the uneasie pace , or rather to the uneasie seat of the rider . the scythians above all other nations have the loosest and broadest bodies ; and the reason is , because they wrap not their children in swadling cloaths as other people , and likewise because they have no regard unto their sitting upon horse-back ; and lastly , for their continual sloath and ease : for the men use much to ride in chariots , and litters , before they get on horse-back ; but after they are accustomed thereunto , they ride so much , that their hips and bones fall full of ach , and they are also thereby made unfit for generation , because in a journey of an hundred miles , they never light to ease themselves and their beasts . these men hereafter named , were excellent riders and tamers of horses . automedon , servant of achilles ; idaeus , servant to paraimus ; metiscus , servant to to turnus ; myrtilus , servant to oenomans ; ceberes , servant to darius ; anniceris , servant to cyreneus ; picus to mesapus ; and lausus silius remembreth cyrnas , durius , atlas , and iberus . the instruments of riding appertaining to a horse . a good rider must consider the hardness or softness of his horses mouth , that so he may temper his bit ; for a stiffe-necked horse , is not so much to be guided by rod and spur , as by bit , and bridle : wherefore it must sometime be hard , and sometimes gentle . the hard bits are called lupati , because they are unequal , and indented to a wolves teeth , whereunto the horse being accustomed , groweth more tractable and obedient to a gentle bit . according to the saying of ovid : tempore paret equus lentis animosus habenis , et placido dutos accipit ore lupos . and virgill again speaketh to like effect : — prensisque negabunt verbera lenta pati , & duris parere lupatis asper equus , duris contunditur or a lupatis . and silius saith : quadrupedem flectit non cedens virga lupatis . there is also another instrument made of iron or wood ( called pastomis ) and englished , barnacles ; which is to be put upon the horses nose , to restrain his tenacious fury from biting , and kicking , especially at such time , as he is to be shod or dressed . the indians were wont to use no bridles , like the graecians and celts , but only put upon their horses mouth a piece of a raw oxe skin , fastened round about , containing in it certain iron pricks standing to the horses lips , putting a long round trench through his mouth , to the edge whereof they fasten the rains , wherewithall they guide the beast . the turkish horses , and spanish jennets have bits , with open circles in the middle , consisting of leather , or iron , to restrain the horses fury . the rains are called habenae , because they make the horses , habiles , that is , tractable , and rulable , to be turned , restrained , or put forward , at our pleasure , according to the saying of silius ; ferrato calce , atque effusa largus habena , cunctantem impellebat equum . — and virgill : ipse ter adducta circum caput egit habena . neither is there any horse swift , or slow , noble , or unnoble , that can be guided without these ; which must be held continually in the hand of the rider , they must not be unequal , one longer then another , neither thick , neither weak , nor brickle . there was a certain golden chain ( called ampix ) wherewithal the fore-tops of horses were wont to be bound or tyed up , and thereupon homer calleth the horse of mars , chrysampix ; and from hence that custom of womens frontlets , to be adorned with gold and pretious stones . there are also other ornaments of horses called trappings ; and in latine , phalerae , derived from phalon in greek , signifying bright , because they were wont to put a great deal of gold and silver upon them , ( as livius saith ) which horses so trapped , were presents for great princes : and there is a kind of achates stone , wherewithal the indians do adorn their horse-trappings : and it was apparent in homers time , that they used little bels , or sounding pieces of brass to be fastened to their horses bridles and trappings ; they hanged likewise jewels and pearls to the beast of their horses , which virgill expresseth in this manner : instratos ostro alipedes , pictisque tape●is aurea pectoribus , demissa monilia pendent . t●cti auro , falvum mandunt sub dentibus aurum . a good horse-man must also have a paring knife , wherewithal to purge and open his horses feet : this is called by rusius , rossneta ; and by others soalprum . there is a kinde of manicle for the pasterns of horses , ( called numella . ) moreover a good rider must provide him stirrops , ( called subsellares and staphae ) which although it be but a new devise , yet are they so necessary for every rider , as without them they cannot long continue . they must not be made too straight for the foot , because that then they do not only hinder motion in that part , and so make it benummed and cold , but also give occasion of great hurt to the rider in case the horse fall , except he can so temper himself to put but a very little part of his foot therein . there are also spurs requisite to a rider ( called calcaria ) because they are fastened to the heel of a man , wherewithal he pricketh his dull horse when he would have him hasten the journey , and the greeks derive it from muops , signifying a pricking fly , from imitation of which creature it may seem they took this invention : but this must be remembred , that they are prepared for the dull and sluggish horse , and not for the free and full of life ; for such a horse being pricked therewith , runneth forth rather with rage and disdain , then for love of the journey , and many times the torment thereof maketh him by kicking out his heels to cast off his rider . lastly , he must have regard to his saddle , whereon he must sit : for the barbarians did use to ride upon bare horses backs ; but since that time , the wiser sort of horse-men have invented a seat for their own security . martiall writeth hereof thus : stragula succincti venator sume veredi , nam solet a nudo surgere ficus equo . of hunting horses . hunting horses because of their swiftntss , were wont to be called veredi ; according to the saying : sunt & veredi , cursu pernices : although they use this kinde also for posts , and performance of speedy journeys . the males are much better then the females , and therefore they seldom use mares in hunting , because they are not so well able to leap , or endure the woods , for which cause gratius writeth in this manner of them ; restat equos finire notis , quos arma dianae admittant : non omne meas genus audet in artes . est vitium ex animo : sunt quos imbellia fallant corpora : praeveniens quendam est incommoda virtus . oppianus in his discourse of hunting horses , ( as we have said already ) adviseth to make choise of them by the colour , unto whom gratius consenteth , saying : venanti melius pugnant color , optima nigri . they that are of blewish colour , having variable spotted legs ( he saith ) are fittest to hunt harts : they that are of a bright gray , to hunt bears , and leopards ; they that are bay , or of a reddish colour , to hunt the boars : they that are black , having glazen eyes , are good against lyons : and thus much for the hunting horses . of coursers , or swift light running horses . after the use of wagons , and chariots , which men had invented for their ease in travel , and growing to be weary thereof , by reason of many discommodities , they came also to the use of single horses , which therefore they called coursers , and now a days a horse for saddle , where-upon men perform their journeys ; and the poets say , the inventer hereof was bellerophon the son of neptune , to whom his father gave pegasus the flying horse ; which therefore they describe with wings , and place for a star in heaven like an angel , because of his incredible celerity : others attribute it to the invention of sesostris , otherwise called sesonchosis , a king of egypt ; some to orus , when he waged war against his brother typhon ; for these horses , are no less profitable in war , then in peace , although none use them in these days , but common souldiers ; yet in antient time the greatest nobles rode upon them . the emperor probus had one of these horses , which was nothing comely , nor very high , yet would he endure ordinary journeys , to run a hundred mile a day , whereupon his master was wont to say merrily ; that he was better for a flying , then a fighting souldier . the horses of spain are of this kinde , which they call jennets , of genibus their knees ; because when the rider is on their backs , he must hold his knees close to the saddle and sides , for his better ease . like unto these are the barbary horses , whom they geld , to keep them from the hardness of the nerves , which happenth unto them in their heat and travel . there are a kinde of horses called lycospacles , and the reason of this name is , as some say ; because when they were foals , they escaped the teeth of wolves , being set on by them : and therefore they run the more speedily to their dying day , for the wounds of wolves make a horse light footed ; but this is not likely , for fear cannot put that into them which is not bred of nature ; even as we say , that vlysses by avoiding circes cup , or cyclops , was therefore made wise ; but rather on the contrary ; because he was wise , therefore he did avoid circes cup ; so likewise we say , that these horses are not lighter of foot , nor fuller of courage , because they were set upon by wolves , and delivered by fear ; but because nature hath framed them , nimble , valiant , and couragious ; therefore they did avoid the wolf. aelianus also saith , that these horses had a wonderful knowledge , and sagacity , to discern betwixt graecians and other nations ; for when a graecian came unto them , they loved them , stood still , and took meat at their hands ; but if a barbarian , or stranger came unto them , they discerned them by their nose , as a dog doth the foot-steps of a beast , lifting up their voyce , they ran as fast away from them as they would from any ravening beast . these loved not only their familiars ; but above all other things to be neat , fine , and cleanly in chariots : for if at any time they came through water , drawing of a chariot , they took a pride in cleansing themselves from all durt and filthiness , cleaving to their legs or face . and that which is more strange , they were unwilling in race , to be stayed or taken out thereof , as appeared by this story , related by festus . there is saith he in rome a great gate called ratumena , which took his name from the death of a young man , an hertrurlan , who perished there in a race of chariots , being conqueror , because his horses would not stay untill they came into the capitol , and saw the framed earthen chariots , which were placed in the porch of jupiters temple by the romans , and were appointed to be fashioned in earth by the hand of a cunning potter , the which being wrought in earth , and put into the furnace , they grew so great that they could not be taken out whole ; at the sight of these , the horses of ratumena stood still , but first of all , their master was slain in the course by falling off . the horses of tartaris are so incredibly swift , that they will go twenty german miles in one day . there was a race of horses at venice ( called lupiferae ) which were exceeding swift , and the common same is , that they came upon this occasion . there was a certain merry fellow , which would become surety for every man , for which he was commonly jested at in the whole city . it fortuned on a day , as he travelled abroad in the woods ; that he met with certain hunters that had taken a wolf , they seeing him , asked him merrily , if he would be surety for the wolf , and make good all his damages that he had done to their flocks , and foals , who instantly confessed he would undertake for the wolf , if they would set him at liberty ; the hunters took his word , and gave the wolf his life , where-upon he departed without thanks to the hunters . afterward in remembrance of this good turn , he brought to the house of his surety a great company of mares without mark or brand , which he received , and branded them with the images of a wolf , and they were therefore called lupiforae , from whom descended that gallant race of swift horses among the veneti : upon these ride the posts , carrying the letters of kings and emperors to the appointed places , and these are said to refuse copulation with any other horses that are not of their own kinde and linage . the persian horses are also exceeding swift , which indeed have given name unto all others . the messengers of the great cam king of tartaria , have their posts so appointed at every five and twenty miles end , of these running light horses , that they ride upon them , two or three hundred miles a day : and the pegasarian coursers of france , by the like change of horses , run from lyons to rome in five or six days . the epithets of a swift running courser are these , winged or wing-bearing , lark-footed , breathing , speedy , light , stirred , covetous of race , flying , sweating , not slow , victorious , rash , violent , and pegasaean . virgil also describeth a swift and sluggish horse most excellently in these verses ; sending one of them to the ring , and victory of running , without respect of countrey or food , they are to be praised for enriching his master , and the other for his dulness to the mill , the verses are these following . — nempe volucrem sic laudamus equum , facili cui plurima palma fervet , & exultat rauco victoria circo . nobilis hic , quocunque venit de gramine , cujus clara fuga ante alios , & primus in aequore pulvis , sed venale pecus corithae , posteritas & hirpini , si rara jugo victoria sedit , nil tibi majorum respectus , gratia nulla vmbrarum , dominos pretiis mutare jubentur exiguis , tritoque trahunt epithedi● collo segnipedes , dignique molam versare nepo●●s . one of these swift light horses is not to be admitted to race or course untill he be past three year old , and then may he be safely brought to the ring , and put to the stretching of his legs in a composed or violent pace , as virgil saith : carpere mox gyrum incipiat gredibusque sonare compositis , sinuetque alterna volumina crurum . pliny affirmeth , that if the teeth of wolves be tyed to these horses , it will make them never to give over in race , and when the sarmatians were to take long journeys , the day before they gave their horses very little drink , and no meat at all , and so would they ride them an hundred and fifty miles out right . the arabians also in many regions use to ride upon mares , upon whom they perform great journeys , and king darius did also fight his battails upon mares which had foals ; for if at any time their affairs went to rack , and they in danger , the mares in remembrance of their foals at home would carry them away more speedily then any other horse : and thus much for the light or swift horses . of the gelding . they have used to lib their horses , and take away their stones , and such an one is called in latine , canterius , or cantherius , which is drived of cauterium , because they were seared with hot irons , or else from the stronger boughs or branches of vines , so called , because they were pruned . in french , cheval ogre , cantier , cheuron , and soppa doth interpret the spanish , janetto , to be a gelding . it is said of cato censorius , that he was carryed and rode upon a gelding ; and of these the turkish horses receive the greatest commendations . forasmuch as many horses by their seed and stones are made very fierce , truculent , and unruly , by taking away of them , they are made serviceable and quiet , which before yeelded unto man very little profit : and this invention may seem first of all to be taken from them which fed divers together in one herd , being taught the intolerable rage of their stoned horses towards their colleagues and guides ; for abating whereof they took from them their male parts . of the manner hereof you may read plentifully in rusius , and he affirmeth that the scythians and sarmatians , who keep all their horses in herds , were the first devisers thereof : for these people using to rob and forrage , were many times by the neighing of their unruly horses discovered ; for their property is to neigh not only at mares , but also at every stranger that they see or winde , and for males they were so head-strong , that they would divers times carry away the rider perforce , and against his will , to his own destruction , in the rage of their natural lust . if they he gelded under their dams when they suck , it is reported by some ; that from such their teeth never fall away ; and beside , in the heat of their course their nerves are not hardned , for which cause they are the best of all to run withall . they use to geld them in march , in the beginning of the spring , afterward being well nourished , they are no less strong , able and couragious then other unlibbed ; also there is a pretty proverb , cantherius in fossa , a gelding in a ditch , which is then to be used , when a man undertaketh a business which he is not able to manage ; for a horse can do much in a plain , but nothing at all in a ditch . it is reported that jubellius taurea , and c. assellius , fought a combate on horse-back near the city capua , and when one had provoked another a good while in the plain fields , taurea descended into a hollow way , telling his fellow combatant , that except he came down unto him , it would be a fight of horses , and not of horse-men ; whereunto assellius yeelded , and came down unto the ditch : at whom his adversary jested , asking him , if he did not know , that a gelding could do nothing in a ditch , from whence came the common proverb aforesaid . there is also another proverb ( cantherius in porta ) a gelding in the gate , to signifie a man who after he had undertaken the performance of a great exploit , his heart faileth in the very entrance , for it is reported of one sulpicius galba , who riding out of the city , his horse tyred in the gate . there is likewise another adage in plautus , which is this ; crete bac mulier cantherino ritu estans somniat . that is to say , this woman sleeps standing like a new dressed horse , and is applyed against them which in a kinde of foolish jesture shut their eyes when they talk or work : and thus much for the gelding . of careering horses for pomp or triumph . the nature of these horses is to lift up themselves and rise before , standing upon their hinder legs , which is not possible for any to do without a generous and gallant spirit , and also nimble and strong loins to bear up the hinder legs , for it is not as many suppose , that this power of rising before from the softness of his legs , but rather from his loins and hips betwixt his hinder legs , for when his mouth is a little checked with the bridle he presently bendeth his hinder pasterns and anckles , and so lifteth up his fore-parts , that his belly and yard do appear , and in doing hereof the rider must not bear his hand hard , but give him the bridle , that so he may do it willingly and with greater grace of the beholders . there are some which teach horses to lift up themselves by knocking their pasterns with a rod , which the horse understandeth as well as he doth his race , when he is stroke on the back by the rider . and in teaching of a horse this feat , it must be observed , that he never have rest untill he have learned it , and that at certain signs and tokens , he be taught of his own accord to perform divers and sundry gestures : but if after long riding and copious labour , he begin to understand his masters pleasure , and rise twice or thrice together , then you may give him the rains , nothing doubting but that he understandeth and will be obedient to the pleasure of the rider . and in this kinde he is accounted the best careering horse , which will rise high and oftnest together ; neither is there any quality so commendable in a horse as this , or that so draweth and ( as it were ) so imprisoneth the eyes of old and young , and other beholders , for which cause martial horses for service of war , are to be instructed herein ; and thus much for this horse . of load or pack-horses . where they keep horses in herds and flocks , they have some which are not fit for the faddle , nor for the wars , and therefore are to be employed for the carrying of burthens , or to the cart ; although ( as festus saith ) mules were first used for carrying and draught ; but forasmuch as all nations have not mules , they are therefore inforced to use horses , and for this purpose the geldings are much better then the stoned horses ; wherefore the countrey-men of most nations take horses , for this purpose , after they be old , past breeding , or have some other blemish in winde or limb , whereby they are disabled to travel under a man : for so great is the greediness of our age , that horses are not spared so long as they be able to live ; according to the common proverb , ( asinis , equis , mulis feriae nullae ) horses , mules , and asses , keep no holy-days : where the law of god concerning the sabbath is not observed ; for the nourishing of horses doth countervail the charges . among these may be remembred those little nags called hinni , and ginni , spoken of already in the discourse of asses , whereof some are generated betwixt a horse and an ass , and others fall to be very little , through some sickness which happeneth unto them in their dams belly : these are used with shorn manes according to the saying of propertius : huc mea detonsis aucta est cynthia mannis . they are used for pleasure , to carry the young sons of noble-men and gentle-men . there are also horses called equi funales , because in their triumphs they were led with a halter next after the triumph . of wilde-horses , the sea-horse , and the hart-horse , called hippelaphus . in the days of gordianus there were brought to rome forty wilde horses , and in the map of gordianus wood , there were pictured three hundred . they are called in latine , equiferi ; and in greek , hippagroi , they abound in spain , and in the alpes , and in the deserts of aethiopia there are many of them , which have two long venomous teeth standing out of their mouth : they differ also in their hoofs from other horses , for they are cloven-footed like harts , and they have a long mane growing all along their back to their tail : and if at any time the inhabitants take them by gins and other slights , they fall so sullen , that they abstain from meat and drink , disdaining to be kept in any servitude or bondage ; the wilde horses of india have but one horn : in the alpes they are of an ash-colour , with a black list down their backs . the wilde horses of scythia , near the river hypanis , are clean white . the wilde horses of syria live in flocks and herds together , and in every herd they have one captain or master over the residue , and if it fortune that any of the younger horses leap upon a mare , this captain-horse runneth after him , never giving over till he hath bit off his stones . there are wilde horses in brushia which are like to other horses in all parts , excepting their backs , which are so soft and weak , that they cannot endure to be sat upon , neither are they easily tamed , and the people of the countrey eat their flesh : in polonia there is a kinde of wilde horse which hath horns like a hart , and therefore i take it to be the same which is called hippelaphus , whose picture is here described as it was taken here in england , by that learned physitian doctor cay . the figure of hippelaphus . this beast was brought out of norway , having a mixt form , betwixt a hart and a horse , having a well compacted body , a long and lean leg , a cloven hoof , a short tail , and in all parts you would judge him to be a hart , but in his head and ears you would judge him to be a mule , and in his horns a roe , the upper lip hanging over the neather almost as much as an elks ; his mane like a horses , but thinner and standing more upright , without other alteration from their shoulders to their tail , they have a like bristling mane growing on the back-bone , as long as their other hair ; a bunch under their chaps , and upon that a bunch or shaggy hair , the hair about their shoulders is more longer then ordinary , but their necks so short , that they can neither drink their drink , nor eat their meat upon the ground , except they bend down upon their knees . the males in this kinde do only bear horns , and such as do not grow out of the crowns of their head , but as it were out of the middle on either side , a little above the eyes , and so bend to the sides : they are sharp , and full of bunches like harts , no where smooth but in the tops of the speers , and where the veins run to carry nutriment to their whole length , which is covered with a hairy skin : they are not so rough at the beginning , or at the first prosses , specially in the fore-part , as they are in the second , for that only is full of wrinckles : from the bottom to the middle they grow straight , but from thence they are a little recurved ; they have only three speers or prosses , the two lower turn away , but the uppermost groweth upright to heaven ; yet sometimes it falleth out ( as the keepers of the said beast affirmed ) that either by sickness , or else through want of food , the left horn hath but two branches : in length they are one koman foot and a half , and one finger and a half in breadth , at the root two roman palms . the top of one of the horns is distant from the top of the other three roman feet and three fingers , and the lower speer of one horn is distant from the lower of the other , two roman feet measured from the roots : in substance and colour they are like to harts horns , they weighed together with the dry broken spongy bone of the fore-head , five pound and a half , and half an ounce , ( i mean sixteen ounces to the pound : ) they fall off every year in the month of april , like to harts , and they are not hollow . the breadth of their fore-heads betwixt the horns is two roman palms and a half , the top of the crown betwixt the horns is hollow on the hinder part , and in that siecel lyeth the brain which descendeth down to the middle region of the eyes . their teeth are like harts , and inwardly in their cheeks they grow like furrows , bigger then in a horse ; the tooth rising out sharp above the throat , as it should seem that none of his meat should fall thereinto unbruised . this beast in young age is of a mouse or ass colour ; but in his elder age it is more yellowish , especially in the extream parts of his body : the hair smooth , but most of all on his legs , but under his belly , in the inner part of his knee , the top of his neck , breast , shoulders , and back-bone , not so smooth : in height it was about twenty two handfuls and three fingers , being much swifter then any horse ; the female beareth every year , as the keeper said in norway , two at a time ; but in england it brought forth but one . the flesh of it is black , and the fibres broad like an oxes ; but being dressed like harts flesh and baked in an oven , it tasted much sweeter . it eateth commonly grass ; but in england seldom after the fashion of horses , which forbear hay when they may have bread ; but leaves , rindes of trees , bread and oats , are most acceptable unto it . it reacheth naturally thirty hand breadths high , but if any thing be higher which it doth affect ; it standeth up upon the hinder-legs , and with the fore-legs there imbraceth or leaneth to the tree , and with his mouth biteth off his desire . it drinketh water , and also english ale in great plenty , yet without drunkenness ; and there were that gave it wine , but if it drink plentifully it became drunk . it is a most pleasant creature being tamed ; but being wilde , is very fierce , and an enemy to mankinde , persecuting men , not only when he seeth them by the eye , but also by the sagacity of his nose following by foot more certainly then any horse , for which cause they which kept them near the high ways , did every year cut off their horns with a saw : it setteth both upon horse and foot-men ; trampling and treading them under-foot whom he did over-match , when he smelleth a man before he seeth him , he uttereth a voice like the gruntling of a swine being without his female : it doth most naturally affect a woman , thrusting out his genital ( which is like a harts ) as if it discerned sexes . in norway they call it an elk , or elend , but it is plain they are deceived in so calling it , because it hath not the legs of an elk , which never bend , nor yet the horns , as by conference may appear . much less can i believe it to be the hippardius , because the female wanteth horns , and the head is like a mules ; but yet it may be that it is a kinde of elk , for the horns are not always alike , or rather the elk is a kinde of horse-hart , which aristotle calleth arrochosius of arracolos a region of assya , and herein i leave every man to his judgement ; referring the reader unto the former discourses of an elk , and the tragelaphus . of the sea-horse . the sea-horse , called in greek , hippotomos , and in latine , equus fluviatilis ; it is a most ugly and filthy beast , so called because in his voyce and mane he resembleth a horse , but in his head an oxe or a calf ; in the residue of his body a swine , for which cause some graecians call him some-times a sea-horse , and sometimes a sea-oxe , which thing hath moved many learned men in our time to affirm , that a sea-horse was never seen ; whereunto i would easily subscribe ( such bellon 〈…〉 ) were it not that the antient figures of a sea-horse , altogether resembled that which is here expressed ; and was lately to be seen at constantinople , from whom this picture was taken . it liveth for the most part in nilus ; yet is it of a doubtful life , for it brings forth and breedeth on the land , and by the proportion of the legs , it seemeth rather to be made for going , then for swimming : for in the night time it eateth both hay and fruits , sorraging into corn fields , and devouring whatsoever cometh in the way ; and therefore i thought it fit to be inserted into this story . as for the sea-calf , which cometh sometimes to land only to take sleep ; i did not judge it to belong to this discourse , because it feedeth only in the waters . this picture was taken out of the colossus in the vatican at rome , representing the river nilus , and eating of a crocodile : and thus i reserve the farther discourse of this beast unto the history of fishes , adding only thus much , that it ought to be no wonder , to consider such monsters to come out of the sea , which resemble horses in their heads , seeing therein are also creatures like unto grapes and swords . the orsean indians do hunt a beast with one horn , having the body of a horse , and the head of a hart. the aethiopians likewise have a beast , in the neck like unto a horse , and the feet and legs like unto an ox. the rhinocephalus hath a neck like a horse , and also the other parts of his body , but it is said to breath out air which killeth men . pausanias writeth , that in the temple of gabales , there is the picture of a horse , which from his breast backwards is like a whale . lampsacenus writeth , that in the scythian ocean , there are islands wherein the people are called hippopodes , having the bodies of men , but the feet of horses ; and lamia hereafter to be declared , hath the feet of a horse , but in other things the members of a goat : and thus much for the several kindes of horses , both for them that are properly so called , and also for any other , which like bastards retain any resemblance of nature with this noble and profitable kinde of beast . of the diet of horses , and their length of life . having thus discoursed of the kindes of horses , and their several accidents , and uses both for war , and peace , pleasure , and necessity ; now likewise it followeth , that we should proceed to their diet , and manner of feeding : wherein we are first of all to consider , that the natural constitution of a horse is hot and temperate . hot , because of his levity , and velocity , and length of life ; temperate because he is docible , pleasant , and gentle towards his master and keeper . he therefore that will keep horses , must provide for them abundance of meat ; for all other cattel may be pinched without any great danger , only horses can endure no penury . varro saith , that in feeding of horses , we must consider three things ; first of all , what food the countrey wherein we live doth yeeld : secondly , when it must be given : thirdly , by whom , but specially the place of feeding horses is to be considered ; for although goats can live in the mountains , better then in the green fields , yet horses live better in the green fields , then they can in the mountains . for which cause when we chuse pasture for horses , we must see that it be fat , such as groweth in meddows , that in the winter time it may be sunny , and in the summer it may be open and cold , neither so soft under-foot , but that the horses hoofs may feel some hardness , for horses , mules and asses , do love well green grass , and fruits , yet principally they grow fat with drinking ; when they are in the stables , let them have dry h●y . a mare when she hath foaled give her barly , and generally at all times in the winter season bullimung , or a mixture of all kindes of grain is fit for them in the house , according to these verses of nemtian : inde ubi pubentes calamos duravert aestas , lacten-sque urens herbas siccaverit omnem mensibus humorem , culmisque armarit aristas , ordea tum , paleasque leves , praebere memento . pulvere quinetiam , puras secernere fruges cura sit , atque toros manibus percurrere equorum , gaudeat ut plausu sonipes letumque relaxit corpus , & altores rapiat per viscera succos , id curent famuli , comitumque animosa juventus . we have shewed already , that they must have straw , or litter to ly upon , and pollux doth set down the kindes of meats for horses , as barley , hay , or french wheat , rice , and hay ; for hard and dry meat is fittest for horses , because it doth not fill them with winde ; but all green meat is the less approved , by reason of inflamation . three-leaved grass is also good for horses , especially if they be young , for chaffe , hay , grass , and oats , are their natural and pleasing food : and although grass be moist , yet in the young age of a horse , he delights in moist meats , for they stretch out his belly , and encrease his growth , but when he is elder , then ought he to be nourished with dryer food ; as chaff , barley , oats , and such things . for although chaff , by reason of their dryness , make not a horse fat , yet do they preserve him in perfect strength , for all hard things which are dissolved with difficulty , do retain their force of nutriment longer , but softer meats do not so ; therefore the best dyet or habitude for horses , is , to retain the mean betwixt fatness and leanness . for fatness ministreth many humors to the nourishment of sickness , and leanness diminisheth natural strength , maketh the body deformed . in some countreys they give their horses vine branches in the autumn , to move their bellies , and increase their strength . the herb medica , which aboundeth in media , is very nourishable to horses , but the first stalks are refused , saith aristotle , the residue being watered with stinking water , is most commodious . in italy they fat their horses with trifoly ; in calabria with sulla , or arthritica ; and the thracians , near the river strymon , with a green thistle . in the spring time give your younger horses bullimung for many dayes together , for that will not only make them fat , but also purge their bellies : for this purgation is most necessary for horses , which is called soyling , and ought to continue ten days together , without any other meat , giving them the eleventh day a little barley , and so forward to the fourteenth ; after which day , continue them in that dyet ten days longer , and then bring them forth to exercise a little , and when as they sweat , anoint them with oyl ; and if the weather be cold , keep a fire in the stable : and you must remember when the horse beginneth to purge , that he be kept from barley and drink , and give him green meat , or bullimung , whereof that is best that groweth near the sea side . but if the horse go to soil in april , after five days , bring him forth , and wash him all over with water , then wiping his hair from all wet and filth , and loose hairs , pour upon him wine and oyl , presling it smooth upon his back , down to his skin ; so let him be wiped all over again , and carryed into the stable , to be dieted with masline , or bullimung , as before , except he be troubled with the glanders , and then he must not feed on it in the day time , lest through the heat of the sun , he fall into the mangie , or into madness . it is also requisite , that while we feed our horses with green corn , they be let bloud in the veins of the breast , and also cut in the roof of their mouths , that so those places being emptyed which were stuffed with corruption , the vacuity may be replenished with better bloud ; a horse thus dyeted , shall not only live in more health , and free from sickness , but also be more strong to undergo his labour . with the bloud that cometh out of him , mingled with nitre , vinegar , and oyl , you shall anoint him all over , if so be he be subject to the glaunders , or to the mangie ; and then keep him in the stable five days together , suffering no curri combe to come upon him , untill the sixt day , feeding him in the mean time with green corn or bullimung ; and then bring him forth again , washing him all over with water , and rubbing him with a hard whisp , untill the humor or moistures be wholly wiped off , and he fed as before fourteen days together . if you please not to keep him in the stable , then in the spring time , turn him out in some meddow , or green pasture , and there let him feed at his own pleasure ; for it hath been often proved , that such a dyet hath recovered may sick horses . it is reported of the horotae , and gedrusii , and men of freeseland , the macedonians , and lydians , do seed their horses with fishes : likewise the paeonians which inhabit about prasius near the mountain orbelus , do feed their horses , and all cattel which they yoak with fishes . concerning the drink of horses we have spoken elsewhere , and therefore we shall not need to say any thing of it here , except that the drinking much , and the horse thrusting his head in deep into the troubled water , is an unfallible sign of his goodness ; and the custom of some is , for to give their horses mashes made of water and corn sod together , or else bear , ale or wine , by drinking whereof , they encrease their spirits and stomach . albertus saith , that some to make their horses fat , take snails , and beat them in pieces , so putting them into their meats , whereby they grow to a false fatnesse , which is easily dissolved . by eating of black hellebor , oxen , horses and swine are killed : and thus much for the food of horses . concerning the voice of horses , the latins call it hinnitum , and the grecians , phruma , and phrumatesta ; but this is certain , that from their very foaling , the females have a shrill and sharper voice then the males , which is fuller and broader , untill they be two year old , and after copulation their voice encreaseth , so continuing untill they be twenty year old , after which time , it falleth and decreaseth again . the length of a horses life ( according to aristotle ) is eighteen or twenty years , and if they be well tended and regarded in their youth , it hath been found , that some have lived unto five and twenty , or thirty year old . the females live longer then the males , because of their generation , for the immoderate lust of horses , shortneth their dayes . and it hath been found that a mare hath lived to forty or fifty years , and a horse to three and thirty : wherefore i do leave the relation of pliny and athenaeus , to be censured by the reader , who affirm , that horses in their time , lived threescore or seventy years . albertus also affirmeth , that a souldier told him for a certain truth , that he knew a horse which lived till he was threescore years old , and at that age did service in the field . and august . niphus also affirmeth , that the riders of ferdinand the first , told him there was a horse in their masters stable of seventy year old . the age of a horse may be known by his teeth , and the persian , bohemian , epirian , and sicilian horses , live longer then the spanish or numidian . in their years , the female never groweth after five , nor the male after six in height or length , so as the males are sooner perfited in the womb then the females , on the contrary the females do sooner grow to their perfection after their foaling then the males . the males have more teeth then the females , and in each sex they which have fewest teeth , live not so long , and in their old age their teeth grow white . now their age is discerned by their teeth on this manner , the first four , that is two above and two beneath , be changed after they be thirty year old , and a year after the four next are changed in like manner , again after another year four more are changed , so that after four year and six moneths , he looseth no teeth , except canine , which cometh again in the fift and sixt year ; so that afterwards their age cannot be discerned , because in the seaventh year , they are all filled . another unfaigned note of their age , is the hollowness of their temples , and their eye-lids beginning to wax gray , and their teeth hanging out of their mouths . they have also little blacks in the middle of their teeth . some try the age of their horses , as a wife and learned man writeth , by considering twelve teeth , six above , and six beneath , for the old horses have longer and thinner teeth , which are black at the top , and there are certain broaches or wrinckles in their teeth , which being filled , the mark is said to be out of their mouth . some try the age of their horses by their cheeks , for they pull up the skin from the bones , and if it will quickly fall back again into his former place , they take it for an assured token of the horses youth : but if it stand out and fall slowly down , then on the contrary , they judge the horse to be old , and thus much for the age and diet of horses . of the uses of horse-flesh , mares-milk , and other parts . there are certain people in scythia , which were called hippophagi , because they lived upon horse-flesh ; such also were the sarmatians and the vandals : likewise in scythia the lesse , neer taurica chersonnesus , the people do not only eat the flesh of horses , but also their milk , and make cheese thereof . athenaeus also affirmeth , that the manner of the ancient persians was , upon the feasts of their nativities to roast an ox , an asse , a horse , and a camel whole , and so set them before their guests . in like sort , they eat horse-flesh and camels-flesh at damascus ; and in polonia wilde horses , especially that part which groweth under the mane . the sarmatians made meat of millet-seed , and mingle it with mares milk , or with bloud taken out of the veins of their legs , wherewithal they make puddings , and this is their chief food . so wikewise do the tartarians , who having a horse sick , cut off his ulcer or wound , and so kill him and eat his flesh . the gothes also in the dayes of virgil did drink the bloud of horses , as appeareth in these verses ; profuit incensos aestus avertere , & inter ima ferire pedis , salientem sanguine venam : bisaltae , quo more solent , acerque gelonus , cum fugit in rhodopen , atque in deserta getarum , et lac concretum cum sanguine potat equino . the poets do also fain , that pelias the son of tirus and neptune , was educated by a mare , and meta 〈…〉 brought up his daughter camilla with mares milk , because she was born wilde , he also bred her among the bushes , according to these verses ; hic natam in dumis , interque horrentia lustra armentalis equae mammis , & lacte ferino nutribat , teneris immulgens ubera labris . the tartarians drinke mares milke , which they dresse like white wine , and call it chumis , whereof paulus venetus rehearseth this story : the king of tartar , saith , he , nourisheth above ten thousand milk-white horses and mares , and every year , upon the eight and twenty day of august , they observe a solemn feast , wherein the milk of these white mares is dressed and set forth in comely vessels . afterward the king taketh a bowl full thereof , and powreth it on the ground round about him , being so taught by his magitians , to offer sacrifice to the gods of his countrey : for they perswade him that the gods lick up that milk spilt on the ground , and afterwards the king drinketh up the residue , and besides him no body that day , except it be of the kings linage , or of the countrey of horiach ( for the people of that countrey have liberty to tast thereof that day ) because of a battle which once they obtained for the great cam. the property of this milk is to loosen the belly ; and because it is thin and hath no fat in it , therefore it easily descendeth , and doth not curdle in the stomach , and it is said , that the scythians can keep it twelve dayes together , therewithal satisfying their hunger , and quenching their thirst . and thus much shall satisfie for the natural discourses of horses : hereafter followeth the moral . the moral discourse of horses , concerning fictions , pictures , and other devises . and first of all for the moral dignity of horses , there is a celestial constellation called hippos , according to these verses of aratus thus translated ; huic equus ille jubam quatiens fulgore micanti summum contingit caput alvo stellaque jungens vna . — the latins call this star pegasus , and they say that he is the son of neptune and medusa ; who with striking his foot upon a rock in helicon a mountain of boeotia , opened a fountain , which after his name was called hippocrene . others tell the tale in this sort , at what time bellerophon came to praetus the son of abas the king of the argives , antia the kings wife fell in love with her guest , and making it known unto him , promised him half her husbands kingdom if he would lie with her , but he like an honest man abhorring so foul a fact , utterly refused to accomplish the desire and dishonesty of the lustful queen ; whereupon she being afraid lest he should disclose it unto the king , prevented him by her own complaint , informing the king that he would have ravished her : when the king heard this accusation ( because he loved bellerophon well ) would not give punishment himself , but sent him to schenobeus the father of queen antia , that he in defence of his daughters chastity might take revenge upon him , who presently cast him to chimaera , which at that time depopulated all the coast of lycia : but bellerophon by the help of the horse pegasus did both overcome and avoid the monster , and being weary of his life , perceiving that there was no good nor truth upon the earth , determined to forsake the world and flie to heaven : who coming neer to heaven , casting down his eyes to the earth , trembled to see how far he was distant from it , and so his heart fainting for fear , fell down backward and perished , but his horse kept on his flight to heaven , and was there placed among the stars by jupiter . euripedes telleth the tale otherwise , for he saith that chiron the centaure had a daughter nourished in the mountain pelius which was called theas and afterward hippe , because of her exceeding hunting on horse-back , she was perswaded by aeolus ( the son of hellen , a nephew of jupiters ) to let him lie with her , whereupon she conceived with childe , and when the time of her deliverance came , she fled from her father into the woods , for fear the loss of her virginity should be known unto him ; but he followed her to see what was the cause of his daughters departure , whereupon she desired of the gods that her father might not see her in travel , her prayer was granted , and she after her delivery , was turned into a mare , and placed among the stars . others say that she was a prophetesse , and because she revealed the counsels of the gods , was therefore metamorphozed in that shape in the place aforesaid . others say , that because she gave over to worship diana , she lost her first presence . but to return to the first tale of bellerophon , who after the death of chimaera , growing proud for his valor attempted to flie to heaven , but jupiter troubled his horse with a fury , and so he shooke off his rider , who perished in the field , alecus apo tese alese , because of his errour : and pegasus was placed in heaven . but to come nearer to the description of the poeticall horse , albertus magnus and some others say , that it is a beast bred in ethiopia , having the head and feet of a horse , but horned , and wings much greater then the wings of an eagle , which he doth not lift up into the air like a bird , but only stretcheth them out when he runneth , whereby his only presence is terrible to all creatures , unto whom he is enemy , but especially to men. but for the truth hereof ( although pliny and some others seem to affirm as much ) yet will i set down nothing for truth and certainty , because as the poets call every swift horse volucres , and alipedes ; so the errour of that figure , hath rather given occasion to the framing of this new monster pegasus , then any other reasonable allegory . likewise i know no cause why the poets should fain , that ceres was turned into a mare , and hid her self in the herds of oncius ; neptune falling in love with her , followed her to those fields , and perceiving that he was deceived , turned himself also into a horse , and so had to do with her , whereat ceres was grievously offended , and fell into a great fury , for which cause she was called erinnys : yet afterwards she washed her self in the river ladon , laying aside all her rage and fury , at the fulness of time she brought forth ation . and the arcodians also had a certain den , wherein they had a great remembrance of this ravishment of ceres , sitting in a den , wherein they say she hid her self from all creatures , and whereunto they offer divine worship . they picture her in a colts skin , sitting like a woman in all parts , with a long garment down to her ancles , but the head of a horse with the pictures of many dragons , and other such wilde beasts , holding in one of her hands a dolphin , and in the other a dove . by all which it is not uneasie for every man to know & conceive their meaning , that plenty of food signified by ceres , doth not only maintain men , fowls , beasts and fishes , but also the immoderate use thereof draweth men to inordinate lust and concupiscence , and that the gods of the heathen were more rather to be accounted beasts then men. diana also among the arcadians was called eurippa , for the finding out of those mares which vlysses had lost : which vlysses erected a statue for neptune the great rider , and they say that hippolytus being torn in pieces by horses , through the love of diana , and skill of aesculapius , by the vertue of certain herbs he was restored unto life again : whereupon jupiter being sore vexed and angry with aesculapius for such an invention , deluding as it were the fury of the gods , killed him with lightning , and thrust him down into hell , because no wretched man would fear death if such devises might take place : which fact virgil describeth in these verses : at trivia hippolytum secret is alma recondit sedibus , & nymphae aegeriae nemo●ique relegat , solus ubi in silvis itolis ignobleis aevum exigeret , verscque ubi nomine virbius esset . vnde etiam triviae templo lucisque sacratis cornipedes arcentur equi , quod littore currum et juvenem monstr is pavidi effudere marinis . the poets also do attribute unto the night , black horses , and unto the day white . homer saith , that the names of the day horses are lampus and phaethon ; to the moon they ascribe two horses , one black and another white ; the reason of these inventions for the day and the night is , to signifie their speedy course or revolution by the swiftness of horses , and of the darkeness of the night by the black horses , and the light of the day by the white ; and the moon which for the most part is hid and covered with earth , both increasing and decreasing , they had the same reason to signifie her shadowed part like a black horse , and her bright part by a white one . the like fiction they had of hecate , whom ausonius calleth tergemina , because she is described with the head of a horse , a dog , and a wilde man , the horse on the right hand , the dog on the left hand , and the wilde man in the middle : whereby they declared how vulgar , illiterate , and uncivilized men , do participate in their conditions , the labours and envie of brute beasts . we may also read in the annales of tacitus , that in his time there was a temple raised to equestrial fortune , that is , for the honour of them which managed horses to their own profit , and the good of their countrey , and that fulvius the praetor in spain , because he obtained the victory against the celtiberians , by the valour and diligence of his horse-men , was the first that builded that temple . likewise , there was another temple in boeotia for the same cause dedicated unto hercules . the ancient pagans call the god of horses hippona , as the god of oxen bubona . it is also apparent , that many nations use to sacrifice horses , for at salentinum a horse was cast alive into the fire and offered to jupiter . likewise the lacedemonians sacrificed a horse to the winds . at rome also they sacrificed a horse to mars , and thereof came the term of equus october , which was sacrificed every year in october , in campus martius . this horse was often take out of a chariot , which was a conqueror in race , and stood on the right hand ; as soon as he was killed , some one carried his tail to a place called regia , and for his head there was a continual combate betwixt the inhabitants of the streets , suburra , and sacravia , which of them should possesse it ; for the suburrans would have fastened it to the wal of regia , and the sacravians to the tower mamillia . the reason why they sacrificed a horse , some have conjectured because the romans were the off-spring of the trojans , and they being deceived by a horse , their posterity made that sacrifice for punishment of horses : but it , is more reasonable , that because they sacrificed a conquering horse , they did it only for the honour of mars ( the god of victory ) or else because they would signifie , that flying away in battle was to be punished by the example of sacrificing of a swift horse . the carmani did also worship mars , and because they had no horses to use in war , they were forced to use asses , for which cause they sacrificed an asse unto him . there is another fable amongst the poets , that the methimnaeans were commanded by the oracle to cast a virgin into the sea to neptune , which they performed : now there was a young man whose name was ennallus , which was in love with the said virgin , and seeing her in the waters , swum after her to save her , but both of them were covered with the waters of the sea ; yet after a certain space ennallus returned back again , and brought news that the virgin lived among the pharies of the sea , and that he after that he had kept neptunes horses , by the help of a great wave escaped away by swimming ; for the poets fain that neptunes chariot was drawn by horses of the sea , according to these verses of gillius ; non aliter quotiens perlabitur aequora curru extremamque petit phoebaea cubilia tethyn fraenatis neptunus equis — they also faign that the sun is drawn with two swift white horses , from whence came that abomination , that the kings of judea had erected horses and chariots in honour of the sun , which were set at the entrance of the temple of the lord ; which horses were destoyed by josias , as we read in holy scripture . and the manner of their abomination was , that when they did worship to the sun , they road upon those horses from the entrance of the temple to the chamber of nethan-melech . the persians also sacrificed a horse to apollo according to these verses of ovid : placat equ● persis , radiis hyperiona cinctum , ne detur sceleri victima tarda deo . and for this cause the massagetes sacrificed a horse ( the swiftest of all beasts ) unto the sun , the swiftest of all the gods. philostratus also recordeth , that palamedes gave charge to the grecians to sacrifice to the sun rising a white horse . the rhodians in honor of the sun did cast yearly away into the sea , the chariots dedicated to the sun , in imagination that the sun was carryed about the world in a chariot , drawn by six horses . as the army of the persians did proceed forward on their journey , the fire ( which they did call holy and eternal ) was lifted up on silver altars ; presently after this , there followed the wise-men , and after those wise-men came young men , being cloathed with as many red little garments as there are dayes in the year : instantly upon the same , came the holy chariots of jupiter , which was drawn by white horses ; after which , with a resplendent magnitude the horse of the sun was seen to appear ( for so it was called ) and this was the manner of their sacrifices . the king of indians also ( as is said ) when the dayes began to wax long , he descended down to the river indus , and thereunto sacrificed black horses and buls ; for the buls in ancient time were consecrated to the rivers , and horses also were thrown thereinto alive , as the trojans did into xanthus . the veneti ( which worshiped diomedes with singular honour ) did sacrifice to him a white horse : when the thebanes made war on the lacedemonians , it is said that caedasus apeared in a vision to pelopidas , one of the thebane captains , and told him that now the lacedemonians were at leuctra , and would take vengeance upon the thebanes , and their daughters ; whereupon pelopidas to avert that mischief , caused a young foal to be gallantly attired , and the day before they joyned battle , to be led to a sepulcher of their virgins , and there to be killed and sacrificed . the thessalians observed this custome at their marriages and nuptial sacrifices , the man took a horse of war armed and furnished , which he led into the temple ; after the sacrifice ended he delivered the rains of the bridle into the hands of his wife , who led the same horse home again : but for what signification or cause this rite was observed , aelianus which relateth the story sheweth not , but saith he referreth himself to the thessalians to declare their own reasons of this observation . and thus much shall suffice concerning the sacrificing of horses . another moral-honour done unto them was their burial ; for we have shewed already that volucer the horse of verus the emperour was honourably buried , the mares of cinon which had won three games at olympus , were likewise interred neer his own body . the scythians at the burial of their kings used for to strangle one of his harlots , his cupbearer , his cook , his horse-keeper , his messenger , and also horses and other cattle ; and after a year they do this the second time ; taking fifty of his dearest servants which were natural scythians and strangled them ; likewise fifty of his best horses , out of whose bellies they pull out their bowels and guts , and filling their bellies up again with chaffe , they sow them up : then make they half an arch upon two posts standing upright , and likewise the other half upon two other posts over the kings grave ; likewise fastening in the earth divers other sharp posts upon which they put the fifty horses , so fastening them with thick pieces of timber all along their neck and back , so that the shoulders of the horses rest upon the fore-arch and their bellies on the hinder , their legs standing upward , then bridle they the horses , and stretch forth the rains of their bridles unto the posts of the earth , afterwards upon every one of the dead horses they lay a dead man , putting a stake through his back out of his neck , and the neather part of the said stake they fasten in the post , which pierceth or goeth through the horse ; and thus having compassed about the grave of their king , with such horses and horse-men , they depart , leaving both the one and the other to the consumption of nature , and after this manner did they bury all their kings . adrian buryed his hunting horse , ennomaus his mares , partheria and eripha . likewise miltiodes , evagoras , and augustus the emperour . at agrigentum also there are many pyramides erected upon the sepulchres of horses . and thus much shall suffice for the burial of horses . we have shewed you already how men and women have been transformed into horses , according to the fiction of the poets , as of saturns , jupiter , neptune , ceres , hippes , and ocyrrhoes the daughters of chiron . in like sort there have been predictions or ostentations of things to come , taken from a wolf , a fox , a serpent , and a horse , which were called auspicia pedestria . dreams also have been declared by horses , for publius vatinius in the macedonian war , coming towards rome in the night time , supposed be saw two young men of excellent beauty to meet him , and tell him that perses the king was taken by paulus , which thing he declared to the senate , but was by them put into prison as a contemner of the majesty and honour of that captain , but afterwards it appeared by the letters of paul that perses was taken that very day ; whereupon vatinius was delivered out of prison , and rewarded with land and liberty . it also appeareth that the same day that castor and po 〈…〉 washed away the sweat of themselves and their horses in the lake of j 〈…〉 , that they watched for the safety of the roman empire , and their temple which was joyned to the same fountain being fast locked , upon a suddain flew open without the hand of man. aeneas also in virgil saith , that he knew war would follow by the appearance of four horses , which in a green field set upon a whole campe , whereupon in virgil , he speaketh thus to anchises . quatuor hic , primum omen , equos in gramine vidi tondentes campum late , candore nivali . ft pater anchises , bellum o terra hospita port as ; bello armantur equi , bellum haec armenta minantur . sed tamen 〈…〉 dem olim curru succedere sueti quadrupedes , & fraena jugo concordia ferre ; spes est pacis , ait . — lucan also speaketh to the same purpose that horses presage war ; primus ab aequorea percussis cuspide saxis thessalicus sonipes bellis feralibus omen exiluis . — alexander also writeth , that the germans were wont to bring up white horses which were never used to labour , by whose neighing they were forewarned of wars , and of other strange events . it is vulgarly known how dorins came to the kingdom of persia , after it was agreed amongst the seven princes , that he whose horse did first neigh in the morning in a place appointed , should be saluted king , ebores his rider in the night , time took one of the mares which he knew his masters horse loved , and led her into the suburbs , and there tied her , afterward he brought thither darius his horse , and led him about her two or three times , and at length suffered him to cover her , and so led them both away together . in the next morning the princes met as soon as day brake , and road up and down the suburbs , until at last they came to the place where the mare of darius was tyed the night before , whereunto the horse of darius ran neighing strongly , and presently it thundred and lightned in a clear day : whereupon the residue of the princes alighted from their horses , and did reverence to king darius , who by divine appointment was thus advanced to the scepter . although there be some that say ebores by handling of a mares genital and keeping his hand warm , untill they came to the place aforesaid , there stroking the nostrils of his masters horse , caused him thus to neigh and win the kingdom ; yet i rather in cline to the former opinion which was related by herodotus in his thalia . there have also been horses of strange fashions , for as we have shewed already , that a mare did bring forth a hare , so also ( livie saith ) an ox did bring forth a foal . nero did shew certain hermaphrodite mares , wherewithal his chariot was drawn , which was a thing worth the sight , that the monarch of the world should sit upon monsters . julius caesar had a horse which had cloven hoofs like a mans fingers , and because he was foaled at that time when the sooth-sayers had pronounced that he should have the government of the world , therefore he nourished him carefully , and never permitted any man to back him but himself , which afterwards he dedicated in the temple of ven 〈…〉 , for he conceived that such a strange beast bred in his own flock , was a prediction unto him of great honour . the palatine of vilva had a horse foaled with five legs , and henry the count-palatine had likewise a horse with six legs . thus much may suffice for the monster horses . in the next place it is good to enquire what the centaures are , who are described by the poets to have their forepart like men , and their hinder part like horses , the occasion whereof is thus related by pindarus : that centaurus the son of ixion , committed buggery with the mares of magnetia , under the mountain pelius , from whence came that monstrous birth in the upper part resembling the father and in the neather the mother . these saith he possessed the mountains and desert places of thessaly , being given to all manner of latrociny and depraedation . they were called also hippocentauri : and some say that they were first of all nourished by the nymphes in the mountain pelius , who afterwards being the first that tamed horses , were thought to be half men , and half horses , because they were seen backward , and from hence came the fable that they were tamed by hercules , which was one of his greatest labours : but yet that no man may wonder or think it impossible that such monstrous creatures should have existence in nature , these authorities following may perswade sufficiently . plutarch in his banket of wisemen , affirmeth , there was a horse-keeper which brought into the house of periander an infant or rather a monster which he had got upon a mare , which had the head , neck , hands and voice of a childe , and the other parts like a horse , diocles presently judged it to be a monster , and signified contentions and strifes in the world . but thales told periander he was of another opinion , namely , that it was no monster , but a meer natural birth from such a copulation , and therefore advised periander , that either he should keep no riders , or else let them have wives . claudius caesar also writeth , that in the time of his reign there was such a one born in thessaly , which dyed the same day it was born : and pliny that he afterwards saw it seasoned in hony , brought out of egypt to be shewed to the emperor . these centaures , homer calleth fera , that is , ferae , wilde persons . the lapithae and the centaures are said to be very like the one to the other , and were also once very loving , but they fell afterwards to deadly war , by reason the centaures in a banket being drunk , offered to ravish the females of the lapithae , for which cause the lapithae slew them in their jealousie , whereon fell a mortal war : whereby the poets signifie how intemperancy in men and beasts doth not only bring with it other sins , but also causeth much slaughter . and so i conclude the story of centaures , holding it possible that such should be generated by unclean and natural copulation , but unpossible that they should live long after birth , and therefore the centaures of the poets are nothing else but men sitting on horseback , mistaken for one entire creature which were divided , and so conclude with the verse of horace : humano capiti cervicem pictor equinam jungere si velit . — hoc monstrum puto centaurus foret . of the statues and figures of horses . it was no small dignity that the ancient cephalenes did stamp their money with the picture of a horse , for surely from them it came , that coin was first of all called currant , because of the image of a speedy horse , wherewithal it was imprinted . textor also writeth , that amongst the ancients there was a custom to make the charcter of a horse in the forehead of a bondslave ; there was also images of horsemen and horses renowned in many countries for the honour of both , such were the statues of the amazons ( cald hippiades ) who by lysias the orator are said to be the first that ever backed horses : such was the statue of claelia , quintus martius , tremulus , domitianus , and many other both men and women : for the romans had the equestrial statues in great reverence and ceremony , no doubt in imitation of the grecians , but with this difference , that they pictured none but the swift horses , but the romans , horses and chariots , and from hence came the custome to have chariots in triumph . but this custome to have six horses in a chariot was brought in last of all by augustus . aristodemus pictured the chariots and wagoner . pisicrates the woman pitho , with a wagon . euthycrates , the son of lysippus expressed the equestrial combate at the oracle of trophonium with singular art , also many chariots of medea , the horse and his carriage . there were also earthen chariots at rome in the porch of jupiters temple , as we have shewed before in the discourse of chariots . when constantinus the great took a view of the city of rome , and passing from place , to place , came at length to forum trajani , the most exquisite building of all the world , he stood amazed at the admirable frame of giants , which were lineally deciphered therein , whereof despairing to imitate any part of that work , he chose only to erect the picture of such a horse and prince , as in the middle of the same was erected in remembrance of trajane , and so much he intimated to his followers : close by him stood that princely hormisda ( a persian ) who made the emperour this answer , ante imperator stabulum tale condi jubeto si vales : equus quem fabricare disponis ita ●●te succedat ut iste quem videmus : o noble emperour before you make such a horse , first of all build such a stable ; that your work in all parts may be correspondent to this which you propose unto your self to imitate . metellus the macedonian raised two porches which were compassed about with two horses , without inscription or dedication , which now are compassed with the porches of octavia , and the row of equestrial statues in the front of the said buildings , now the greatest ornament of that place , he also brought out of macedonia . and it is said that alexander the great caused lysippus ( that singular workman ) to frame the pictures of all those knights which in his company were slain at the river granicum , and also to place his own picture among them . in the city of rome there are two mountains called equilini , in one of them are the bathes of diocletian , and the great marble horses , with two men half naked , holding their rains , being most singular wormanship , whereof one hath this inscription in latin letters , opus praxitelis , the work of praxitelis ; the other opus phidiae , the work of phidias : and it is clear , that they were brought thither by ty●●dates king of armenia , for whose entertainment nero caused the theatre of pompey to be covered all over with gold in the space of one day . the story of the trojan horse is vulgarly known , which is also called equus durateus , or dureus , wherein the grecian princes hid themselves , when they took troy , according to these verses ; nec cum durateus trojanis pergama p 〈…〉 inflammascit equus nocturno grajugenarum . the truth whereof standeth thus , the grecians making shew that they had vowed a vow unto pallas , framed a horse of so great higness , that it could not be taken into troy , except the gates were pulled down ; and this they placed hard to the wals of troy : sinon ( the counterfeit runnagate ) being then within the wals among the trojans , perswaded them to pull down their wals and pull in that wooden horse ; affirming that if they could get it , pallas would stand so friendly to them that the grecians should never be able to move war against them : wherefore they pull down their gates , and part of their wall , and by that means do bring the horse into the city : while the trojans were thus revelling and making merry with themselves , and not thinking of any harm might ensue upon them , the leaders of the grecian army who by deceit all this while kept themselves close hid , ( ever since which time the grecians are tearmed of all nations deceitful ) on a suddain rose out of their lurking places and so going forward invaded the city , being destitute of any defence , and by this means subdued it . others are of opinion , that the poets fiction of the trojan horse , was no other but this , that there was a mountain neer troy called equus , and by advantage thereof troy was taken , whereunto virgil seemeth to allude , saying ; instar montis equum divina palladis arte aedificant . — for they say that pallas and epeus made the horse , and therefore i conjecture , that the trojan horse was nothing else but an engine of war , like unto that which is called aries : for pausanias saith , that epeus was the inventer thereof . and higinus saith , that the trojan horse was machina oppugnatoria , a devise of war , to overthrow the wals . of this horse there was a brazen image at athens in acropolis , with this inscription , chaeridemus , fuangeli filius caelen 〈…〉 dicavit . when alexander , looked upon his own picture at ephesus which apelles had drawn with all his skill , the king did not commend it according to the worth thereof : it fortuned that a horse was brought into the room , who presently neighed at the picture of alexanders horse , smelling unto it as to a living morse , whereat apelles spake thus to the king ; ho men hippos ●oice sou graphicoteros cata polu . that is to say , the horse is a better discerner of truth then you . there was one phormis which went from mae●alus in arcadia into sioilla , to serve gelon the son of dinomenes , under whom and his brother hier● he arose to great estate of wealth , and therefore he gave many gifts to apollo at delphos , and made two brazen horses with their riders at olympia , setting dionisius the grecian upon one and simon egineta upon the other . aemilius censorinus ( a cruel tyrant in sicilia ) bestowed great gifts upon such as could invent new kinde of torments ; there was one a●untius paterculus , hoping to receive from him some great reward , made a brazen horse , and presented it to the tyrant : to include therein such as he should condemn to death : at the receipt whereof aemilius which was never just before , first of all put the author into it that he might take experience how cursed a thing it was to minister unto cruelty . apelles also painted clytus on horse-back hastening to war , and his armour-bearer reaching his helmet unto him , so lively , that other dumb beasts were affraid of his horse . and excellent was the skill of nealces , who had so pictured a horse foaming , that the beholders were wont to take their handkerchefs to wipe it from his mouth . and this much for the moral uses of horses . of the several diseases of horses and their cures . seeing in this discourse i have principally aimed at the pleasure , delight , and profit of englishmen , i have thought good to discourse of the diseases of horses and their cures in the words of our own countreymen , m. blundevile , and m. markham , whose works of these matters are to be recorded like the iliads of homer in many places and several monuments , to the intent that envy of barbarism may never be able to bury them in oblivion , or neglect to root them out of the world , without the losse of other memorable labours . wherefore good reader , for the ensuing tructure of diseases and cures compiled by them , after that i had read over the labours of c. gisner , and compared it with them , finding nothing of substance in him , which is not more materially , perspicuously , profitably , and familiarly , either extracted or expressed by them , in a method most fitting this history , i have thought good to follow them in the description of the disease and the remedy ; first ( according to time ) declaring them in the words of m. blund . and afterwards in the words of m markham , methodically one after the other , in the same place : wherewithal i trust the living authors will not be displeased , that so you may with one labour examine both ; and i hope , that neither they , nor any of their friends or scholars shall receive any just cause of offence , by adding this part of their studies to our labours , neither their books imprinted , be any way disgraced or hindered , but rather revived , renobled , and honoured . to begin therefore ( saith master blundevile ) after the discourse of the nature of a horse followeth those things which are against nature , the knowledge whereof is as needfully profitable as the other . things against nature be those whereby the healthful estate of a horses body is decayed , which are in number three ; that is , the causes , the sickness , and the accidents ; of the two first in order , and the other promiscuously as need requireth . of causes and kinds thereof . the causes of sickness be unnatural affects , or evill dispositions preceding sickness , and provoking the same , which of themselves do not hinder the actions of the body , but by means of sickness coming betwixt . of causes , some be called internal , and some external . internal be those that breed within the body of the beast , as evil juice . external be those that chance outwardly to the body , as heat , cold , or the stinging of a serpent , and such like . in knowing the cause of every disease , consisteth the chief skill of the farriar . for unlesse he knoweth the cause of the disease , it is impossible for him to cure it well and skilfully . and therefore i wish all farriars to be diligent in seeking to know the causes of all diseases , as well in the parts similar , as instrumental , and to know whether such causes be simple , or compound ; for as they be simple or compound , so do they engender simple or compound diseases . of sickness , what it is , and how many general kinds there be ; also with what order the diseases of horses are herein declared . and finally , of the four times , belonging to every sickness . sickness is an evill affect contrary to nature , hindering of it self , some action of the body of sickness there be three general kinds , where of the first consisteth in the parts similar ; the second in the parts instrumental ; and the third in both parts together . the first kind is called of the latins intemperies , that is to say , evil temperature , which is either simple or compound . it is simple , when one quality only doth abound or exceed too much , as to be too hot , or too cold ; it is compound , as when many qualities do exceed , as when the body is too hot and too dry , or too cold and too moist . the second kind is called mala constituti● , that is to say , an evill state or composition , which is to be considered , either by the shape , number , quantity , or sight of the member , or part evill affected or diseased . the third kind is called vnitatis solutio , that is to say , the loosening or division of the unity , which as it may chance diversly , so it hath divers names accordingly ; for if such solution or division be in a bone , then it is called a fracture ; if it be in any fleshie part , then it is called a wound or ulcer ; in the veins , a rupture ; in the sinews , a convulsion or cramp ; and in the skin , an excoriation . again , of diseases , some be called long , and some sharp and short , called of the latins , m 〈…〉 , which be perillous and do quickly kill the body . the long , do 〈…〉 rry longer by it . yet moreover , there is sickness by it self , and sickness by consent : sickness by it self , is that which being in some member , hindereth the action thereof by it self sickness by consent , is derived out of one member into another , through the neighbourhood and community that is betwixt them : as the pain of the head which cometh from the stomach . thus the learned physitians which write of mars body , do divide sickness ▪ but absyrtus writing of horse-leach craft , saith of that sickness , or rather malady ( for so he termeth it , using that word as a general name to all manner of diseases that be in a horse ) there be four kinds , that is to say , the moist malady , the dry malady , the malady of the joynts , and the malady betwixt the flesh and the skin . the moist malady is that which we call the glanders . the dry malady is an incurable consumption , which some perhaps would call , the mourning of the chein , but not rightly , as shall appear unto you hereafter . the malady of the joints comprehendeth all griefs and sorentes that be in the joints . and the malady betwixt the flesh and the skin , is that which we call the 〈◊〉 , u 〈…〉 which four kindes of maladies , vegetius addeth three others , that is , the forcine , the 〈◊〉 of the reins or kidnies , and the con 〈…〉 ered marginess , most commonly called of the old writers the 〈…〉 sic ; and so maketh seven kindes of maladies , under which all other perticular diseases are comprehended . again , laurentius rusius , useth an other kind of division of sickness . of horses diseases , saith he , some be natural , and some accidental . the natural be those that do come either through the excesse , or lack of engendring seed , or by error of nature , in misforming the young , or else by some defect of the dam or sire , in that perhaps they be diseased within , and have their seed corrupted . the accidental diseases be those that come by chance , as by surfetting , of cold , heat , and such like thing . but forasmuch as none of these writers do follow their own divisions , nor handle the parts thereof accordingly : to avoid their confusion , and to teach plainly : i thought good and profitable therefore to use this my own division and order here following . first , then , of diseases some be inward , and some be outward . the inward be those that breed within the horses body , and are properly called maladies and diseases , whereof some do occupy all the whole body , and some particular parts or members of the body . of those then that occupie all the body , and not be accident to any private member , i do first treat , as of agues , of the pestilence , and such like , and then of those that be incident to every particular member , beginning at the head , and so proceed orderly throughout all the members , even down to the sole of the foot , observing therein so nigh as i can , the self same order that galen useth in his book , de locis male affectis , declaring what manner of disease it is , and how it is called in english , and also in italian , because the kings stable is never without italian riders , of whom our farriars borrowed divers names , as you shall perceive hereafter . then the causes whereof it proceeds , and the signes how to know it , and finally , the cure and diet belonging to the same ; and because i find not inward diseases enow to answer every part of the body , i do not let to interlace them with outward diseases incident to those parts , yea rather , i leave out no outward disease belonging to any particular member , and to the intent you may the better know to what diseases or sorances every part or member of the horses body is most commonly subject . and note by the way , that i call those outward diseases that proceed not of any inward cause , but of some outward cause , as when a horse is shouldered by means of some outward cause , or his back galled with the saddle , or his sides spurgalled , or his his hoof cloid with a nail , which properly may be called sorances or griefs . thirdly , i talk of those diseases as well outward as inward , that may indifferently chance in any part of the body , as of impostumes , cankerous ulcers , wounds , fistulaes , burnings , b●usings , breaking of bones , and such like . fourthly , because most diseases are healed either by letting of bloud , by taking up of veins , by purgation , or else by cauterisation , that is to say by giving the fire : i talk of those four necessary things severally by themselves ; and finally i shew you the true order of paring and shooing all manner of hoofs , according as the diversity of hoofs require : and to the intent you may the better understand me , you have the perfect shapes of all necessary shooes , plainly set forth in figures before your eyes . thus much touching mine order which i have hitherto observed . now it is necessary to know , that to every disease or malady , belongeth four several times , that is to say , the beginning , the increasing , the state , and declination , which times are diligently to be observed of the farriar , because they require divers applying of medicine ; for that medicine which was meet to be used in the beginning of the disease , perhaps is not to be used in the declination thereof : and that which is requisite , and very needful , to be applyed in the state or chiefest of the disease , may be very dangerous to be used in the beginning . and therefore the farriar ought to be a man of judgement , and able to discern one time from another , to the intent he may apply his medicines rightly . hither of causes and sickness in general . now it is also meet , that we speak in general of signes whereby sickness is known . of the signes of sickness in general . sickness according to the learned physitians , is known four manner of wayes . first , by inseparable or substantial accidents , as by the shape , number , quality , and sight of the part or member diseased . for if it be otherwise formed , or more or lesse in number or quantity , or else otherwise placed then it ought to be , then it is not well . secondly , sickness is known by alteration of the quality , as , if it be too hot , or too cold , too moist , or too dry . thirdly , when the action of any member is hurt or letted , as when the eye-sight is not perfect , it is a manifest sign that the eye is evill affected or sick . likewise , when there breedeth no good bloud in the body , it is an evident token that the liver is not well . fourthly , sickness is known by the excrements that come from the beast , as by dung or stale ; for if his dung be too strong of sent , full of whole corn● , or of wormes , too hard , or too soft , or evill coloured , it is a token that he is not well in his body : so likewise if his stale be too thick , or too thin , too white , or too red , it betokeneth some surfet , raw digestion , or else some grief in his reins , bladder or stones . but vegetius saith , that it is best known , whether a horse be sick or not , or toward sickness , by these signes here following ; for if he be more slow and heavie in his trotting , or gallopping , harder of spur then he was wont to be , or spreadeth his litter abroad with his feet , often tumbling in the night season , fetching his breath short and violently , loud snuffling in the nose , and casting out vapors at his nostrils , or lyeth down immediately after his provender , or maketh long draughts in his drinking , or in the night season is now down , and now on foot , or if in the next morning he be very hot in his pasterns , or betwixt his ears , or that his ears hang more then they are wont to do : again , if his eye sight be dim , and his eyes hollow in his head , his hairs standing right up , and his flanks hollow and empty , whensoever two or three of these signes do concur together , then it is to be thought , saith vegetius , that the horse is not well , and therefore he would have him immediately to be separated from his companions that be whole , and to be placed by himself untill his disease be perfectly known and cured , and especially if it be any contagious disease . i have seen divers farriars here in england to use that for the trial of a horses sickness , which i never read in any author , that is , to feel his stones , whether they be hot or cold , and tosmell at his nostrils , and so by the savour thereof to judge what sickness the horse hath . truly i think that no evill way , if they can discern with their sense of smelling , the diversity of savours , that cometh out of his nostrils , and then aptly apply the same to the humours whereof such savours be bred , and so orderly to seek out the originall cause of his sickness . but i fear me , that more farriars smell without judgement , then with such judgement , and no marvell why , sith that few or none be learned , or have been brought up with skilful masters . but from henceforth i trust that my travail will cause such farriars as can read , and have some understanding already , to be more diligent in seeking after knowledge then they have been heretofore , whereby they shall be the better able to serve their countrey , and also to profit themselves , with good fame , whereas now for lack of knowledge they incur much slander . of the fever and divers kinds thereof in a horse . i think it will seem strange unto some , to hear that a horse should have an ague or fever , but it was not strange unto the men of old time , as to absyrtus , hierocles , xenophon , vegetius , and such like old souldiers , throughly experimented in horses griefs . a fever , according to the learned physitians , is an unnatural and immoderate heat , which proceeding first from the heart , spreadeth it self throughout all the arteries and veins of the body , and so letteth the actions thereof . of fevers there be three general kinds , whereof the first , is that which breedeth in the spirits , being inflamed or heated more then their nature requireth . the second breedeth in the humors , being also distempered by heat . the third in the firm parts of the body , being continually hot . what spirits and humors be , hath been told you before in the keepers office. of these three general kinds do spring many other special kinds , as quotidians , tertians , quartans , fevers hectick , and very many others , whereunto mans body is subject , whereof none of my authors do treat , unless vegetius , who speaketh somewhat of a fever quotidian , of a fever continual , and also of a fever accidental . he speaketh also of summer , autumn , and winter fevers , without making any great difference betwixt them , more then that one is worse then another , by reason of the time and season of the year , so that in effect all is but one fever . wherefore according unto absyrtus opinion , i will briefly shew you first the causes whereof it proceeds , and then the signes how to know it , and finally how to cure the same . the fever chanceth sometime by surfetting of extreme labour or exercise , as of too much travelling , and especially in hot weather , of too swift gallopping and running , and sometime by extreme heat of the sun , and also by extreme cold of the aire , and sometime it breedeth of crudity or raw digestion , which many times happeneth by over greedy eating of sweet green corn , or of such provender as was not thoroughly dryed or cleansed : for after such greedy eating , and specially such meat , never followeth perfect digestion . the signes to know a fever be these , the horse doth continually hold down his head , and is not able to lift it up , his eyes are even blown so as he cannot easily open them : yea and many times they be watering , the flesh of his lips and of all his body is lush and feeble , his stones hang low , his body is hot , and his breath is very hot and strong , he standeth weakly on his legs , and in his going draweth them lasiely after him , yea he cannot go but very softly , and that staggering here and there he will lie down on his side , and is not able to turn himself , or to wallow ; he forsaketh his meat both hay and provender , and is desirous of nothing but of drink , which , as absyrtus saith , is an assured token of a fever : he also sleepeth but little . the cure and diet . let him bloud in the face and temples , and also in the palat of his mouth , and the first day give him no meat , but only warm drink , and that by little and little . afterward give him continually grasse , or else very sweet hay wet in water , and let him be kept warm , and sometime walke him up and down fair and softly in a temperate air , and then let him rest , and when you see that he begins to amend , give him by little and little at once barley fair sifted and well sodden , and also mundified , that is to say , the huske pulled away , like as when you blanch almonds . of divers sorts of fevers according to vegetius , and first of that which continueth but one day . the fever of one day called by the greek name ephemera , or else by the latin name diaria , chanceth many times through the rashness and small discretion of the keeper , or some other that letteth not to ride a horse unmeasurably , either before or after watering , whereby the horse afterward in the stable entreth into an extream heat , and so falleth into his fever , which you shall know partly by his waterish and bloud-shotten eyes , and partly by his short violent and hot breathing and panting . moreover , he will forsake his meat , and his legs will wax stiffe and feeble . the cure , let him have rest all the next day following , and be comforted with warm meat , then let him be walked up and down fair and softly , and so by little and little brought again to his former estate . of the fever continual . the fever continual , is that which continueth without intermission , and is called in italian by the latin name febris continua , which springeth of some inflamation or extream heat , bred in the principal members or inward parts , about the heart , which is known in this sort . the horse doth not take his accustomed rest , whereby his flesh doth fall away every day more and more , and sometime there doth appear hot inflamations in his flanks , and above his withers . the cure ; purge his head by squirting into his nostrils mans urine , or the water of an ox that hath been rested a certain time , to the intent such water may be the stronger , and then give him the drink written in the next chapter . of the fever taken in the autumn , that is to say , at the fall of the leaf . if a horse chance to get a fever at the fall of the leaf , cause him immediately to be let bloud in the neck vein , and also in the third furrow of the roof of his mouth , and then give him this drink ; take of jermander four ounces , of gum-dragant , and of dryed roses , of each one ounce , beat them all into fine powder , and put them into a quart of ale , adding thereunto of oil-olive four ounces , and of hony as much , and give it the horse lukewarm . of the fever in summer season . a fever taken in summer season is much worse then in any other time , and especially if it be taken in the dog days , for then the accidents be more furious . the signes be these , his arteries will beat evidently , and he will shed his seed when he staleth , and his going will be unorderly . the cure ; let him bloud in a vein that he hath in his hinder hanch , about four fingers beneath the fundament , or if you cannot finde that vein , let him bloud in the neck vein , toward the withers , and if it be needful you may also give him this drink ; take the juyce of a handful of parslein mingled with gum-dragant , with ensens , and a few damask roses , beaten all into fine powder , and then put thereunto a sufficient quantity of ale made sweet with hony. of the fever in winter . for the fever in winter , it shall be good to take the powder of the drugs last mentioned , and with a quill or reed , to blow it up into his left nostril to make him to neese . it shall be good also to let him bloud in the neck vein , and in the palat of the mouth , and then give him one of these drinks here following ; take of ireos six ounces , of round pepper one ounce , of bay berries , and of the seed of smallage , of each one ounce , and let him drink them with sodden wine . or else take a pinte of good milk , and put therein of oile four ounces , of saffron one scruple , of myrrhe two scruples , of the seed of smallage a spoonful , and make him drink that : or make him this drink ; take of aristoloch , otherwise called round hartwort , one ounce , of gentian , of hysop , of worm-wood , of sothernwood , of each one ounce , of dry fat figs six ounces , of the seed of smallage three ounces , of rue a handful , boil them all in a clean vessel with river water , untill the third part be consumed , and when you see it look black and thick , take it from the fire , strain it , and give the horse to drink thereof lukewarm . as touching his diet , let his water be alwayes lukewarm , wherein would be put a little wheat meal , and remember to give him no meat so long as his fit continueth . and because in all agues it is good to quicken the natural heat of the horse , by rubbing and fretting his body ; it shall not be amisse in some fair day to use this friction , called of the ancient writers apotorapie , which is made in this sort , take of damaske roses one pound , of old oil a pinte , of strong vinegar a pinte and a half , of mints and rue beaten into powder , of each one ounce and a half , together with one old dry nut , beat them and mingle them together , then being strained and made lukewarm , rub and chafe all the horses body therewith against the hair , untill he beginneth to sweat , then set him up in the warmest place of the stable , and cover him well . of the fever which cometh of raw digestion , or of repletion . you shall know if the fever proceedeth of any such cause , by these signes here following . the horse will blow at the nose more then he is accustomed to do , seemeth to fetch his winde only at his nose , and his breath will be short , hot and dry , you shall see his flanks walk , and his back to beat . the cure : cause him to be let bloud abundantly in the head and palat of his month , and by squirting warm vinegar in the morning into his nostrils , force him to neese : and if he be costive , let his fundament be raked , or else give him a glyster to ease the pain in his head . and as touching his diet , give him but litttle provender or hay , neither let him drink much nor often , but betwixt times . but in any wise let him be well rubbed and chafed , and that a good while together , and if you use the friction declared in the last chapter before in such sort as there is said , it shall do him very much good . of the fever accidental coming of some vlcer in the mouth or throat . the horse not being well kept and governed , after that he hath been let bloud in the upper parts ; yea , and also besides that of his own nature is subject unto the distillation in his throat , or parts thereabout , the painful swelling or ulcer whereof , causeth the horse to fall into a grievous ague . whereof , besides the former remedies apt to purge humors , it shall be necessary also , to let him bloud in the vein of the head , and in the palat of his mouth , and to be short , in all those places where the disease causeth most grief . and if the horse be so sore pained as he cannot swallow down his meat , it shall be good to give him lukewarm water mingled with barley meal , or wheat meal , and beside that , to make him swallow down seven sops sopped in wine one after another , at one time : some use at the second time to dip such sops in sweet sallet oil. thus far v●getius . of the pestilent ague . it seemeth by laurentius russius , that horses be also subject to a pestilent fever , which almost incurable , is called of him infirmitas epidemialis , that is to say , a contagious and pestiferous disease , whereof there dyed in one year in rome above a thousand horses , which as i take it came by some corruption of the air , whereunto rome in the chief of summer is much subject , or else corrupt humours in the body ingendered by unkind food , by reason perhaps , that the city was then pesteted with more horse-men then there could be conveniently harbored or fed laurentius himself rendreth no cause thereof , but only sheweth signes how to know it , which be these , the horse holdeth down his head , eateth little or nothing , his eyes waterish , and his flanks do continually beat . the cure : first give him this glyster , take of the pulp of coloquintida one ounce , of dragantum one ounce and a fals , of ceutaury and wormwood , of each one handful , of castore 〈…〉 half an ounce , boil them in water , then being strained , dissolve therein of gerologundinum six ounces , of salt an ounce and a half , and half a pound of oil-olive , and minister it lukewarm with a horn , or pipe made of purpose . make also this plaister for his head ; take of squilla five ounces , of elder , of castoreum , of mustard seed and of eusorbium , of each two ounces , dissolve the same in the juice of daffodil , and of sage , and lay it to the temples of his head next unto his eares ; or else give him any of these three drinks following , take of the best triacle two or three ounces , and distemper it in good wine , and give it him with a horn ; or else let him drink every morning the space of three dayes , one pound or two of the juyce of elder roots ; or else give him every morning to eat , a good quantity of venus hair , called of the latins , capillus veneris , newly and fresh gathered , but if it be old , then boil it in water , and give him the decoction thereof to drink with a horn . martins opinion and experience touching a horses fever . though martin have not seen so many several kinds of fevers to chance to horses , yet he confesseth that a horse will have a fever , and saith , that you shall know it by these signes ; for after the horse hath been sick two or three dayes , if you look upon his tongue you shall see it almost raw and scalt , with the heat that comes out of his body , and he will shake and trembles , reel and stagger when his fit cometh , which fit will keep his due hours , both of coming and also 〈◊〉 continuance , unlesse you prevent it by putting the horse into a heat , which would be done so soon as you see him begin to tremble , either by riding him , or tying up his legs , and by chasing him up and down in the stable , untill he leave shaking , and then let him be kept warm , and stand on the bit the space of two houres , that done , you may give him some hay , by a little at once , and give him warm water , with a little ground malt twice a day , the space of three or four dayes ; and once a day wash his tongue with alomwater , vinegar & sage . but if you see that all this prevaile not , then purge him with this drink , after that he hath fasted all one night ; take of aloes one ounce , of agarick half an ounce , of licoras and annis seeds , of each a dram beaten to powder , and let him drink it with a quart of white wine likewarme , and made sweet with a little hony in the morning fasting , and let him be chafed a little after it , and be kept warm , and suffered to stand on the bit meatlesse two or three hours after , and he shall recover his health again quickly . of sickness in general , and the fever . in general , sickness is an opposite foe to nature , warring against the agents of the body and mind , seeking to confound those actions which uphold and maintain the bodies strength and livelyhood . who coveteth to have larger definition of sickness , let him read vegetius , rusius , or excellent master blundevile , who in that hath been admirably well-deserving painful . for mine one part ▪ my intent is to write nothing more then mine own experience , and what i have approved in horses diseases most availeable : and first of the fever or ague in a horse , though it be a disease seldom or not at all noted by our mechanical horse farriars , who cure many times what they know not , and kill where they might cure , knew they the cause : yet i have my self seen of late ( both by the demonstrate opinions of others better learned , and by the effects of the disease ) some two horses which i dare avouch were mightily tormented with a fever ; though divers leeches had thereof given divers opinions , one saying it was the bots , by reason of his immoderate languishment : another affirmed him to be bewitched , by reason of great shaking , heaviness , and sweating : but i have found it and approved it to be a fever , both in effect , nature , and quality : the cure whereof is thus ; for the original cause of a fever , is surfet , breeding putrifaction in the bloud ; then when his shaking beginneth , take three new laid egges , break them in a dish , and beat them together , then mix thereto five or six spoonfuls of excellent good aquavitae , and give it him in a horn , then bridle him , and in some close or court , chafe him till his shaking cease , and he begin to sweat : then set him up and cloath him warm . and during the time of his sickness , give him no water to drink , but before he drink it , boil therein mallowes , sorrel , purslain , of each two or three handfuls . as for his food , let it be sodden barly , and now and then a little rie in the sheaf to clense and purge him , chiefly if he be dry inwardly and grow costive . this i have proved uneffectless for this disease , and also much availeable for any other inward sickness proceeding either of raw digestion , too extream riding , or other surfet . divers have written diversly of divers agues , and i could prescribe receipts for them , but since i have not been experimented in them all , i mean to omit them , intending not to exceed mine own knowledge in any thing . of the pestilence . the pestilence is a contagious disease , proceeding , as pelaganius saith , sometime of overmuch labour , heat , cold , hunger , and sometime of sudden running after long rest , or of the retention or holding of stale or urine ; or of drinking cold water whiles the horse is hot and sweating ; for all these things do breed corrupt humors in the horses body , whereof the pestilence doth chiefly proceed , or else of the corruption of the air , poisoning the breath whereby the beasts should live , which also happeneth sometime of the corruption of evill vapors and exhalations that spring out of the earth , and after great floods or earthquakes , and sometime by means of some evill distillation or influence of the planets , corrupting sometime the plants and fruits of the earth ▪ and sometime divers kind of cattle , and sometime both men , women and children , as we dayly see by experience . it seemeth that this evill or mischief in times past came suddenly , without giving any warning , for none of mine authors doth declare any signes how to know whether a horse hath this disease or not , but only affirm , that if one horse do die of it , all his fellows that bear him company will follow after , if they be not remedied in time : so that as far as i can learn , the sudden death of one or two first , must be the only mean to know that this disease doth reign . and the remedy that they give is this ; first separate the whole from the sick ; yea , and have them 〈◊〉 out of the air of those that be dead , the bodies whereof , as vegetius saith , if they be not 〈◊〉 buryed , will infect all the rest . and let them bloud as well in the neck , as in the mouth ▪ and then give them this drink , take of gentian , of aristoloch , of bay 〈…〉 es ▪ of 〈…〉 of the scraping of ivory , of each like quantity , beat them into fine powder , and give as 〈◊〉 to the sick as to the whole , whom you would preserve from this co●tagion , every day a spoonful 〈◊〉 two of this powder in a pinte of good wine , so long as you shall see it needful . this 〈◊〉 before rehearsed , is called of the ancient writers diapente , that is to say , a composition 〈…〉 simples , and is praised to be a soveraign medicine and preservative against all inward diseases , and therefore they would have such as travell by the way , to carry of this powder alwayes 〈◊〉 them . there be many other medicines which i leave to write , because if i should rehearse every 〈◊〉 medicine , my book would be infinite ; i for my part would use no other then that before expressed , or else wine and treacle only . of the diseases in the head. the head is subject to divers diseases according to the divers parts thereof : for in the panicles or little fine skins cleaving to the bones , and covering the brain , do most properly breed head-ach and migram . again , in the substance of the brain , ( which in a horse is as much in quantity as is almost the brain of a mean hog ) do breed the frensie , madness , sleeping evill , the palsie and forgetfulness . finally , in the ventricles or cels of the brain , and in those conducts through which the spirits animal do give feeling and moving to the body , do breed the turnsick or staggers , the falling-evill , the night-mare , the apoplexy , the palsie , and the convulsion or cramp , the catar or rhume , which in a horse is called the glaunders : but first of head-ach . of head-ach . the head-ach either cometh of some inward causes : as of some cholerick humor , bred in the the panicles of the brain , or else of some outward cause , as of extream heat or cold , of some blow , or of some violent savour . eumelus saith , that it cometh of raw digestion : but martin saith most commonly of cold : the signes be these ; the horse will hang down his head , and also hang down his ears ; his sight will be dim , his eyes swollen and waterish ; and he will forsake his meat the cure . let him bloud in the palat of his mouth : also purge his head with this perfume ; take of garlike stalks a handful , all to broken in short pieces , and a good quantity of frankincense , and being put into a chafing-dish of fresh coals , hold the chafing-dish under the horses nostrils , so as the fume may ascend up into his head : and in using him thus once or twice , it will make him to cast at the nose , and so purge his head of all filth . pelagonius saith , that it is good to pour into his nostrils wine , wherein hath been sodden euforbium , centaury , and frankincense . of the frenzy and madness of a horse . the learned physitians do make divers kindes , as well of frensie , as of madness , which are not needful to be recited , sith i could never read in any author , nor learn of any farriar , that a horse were subject to the one half of them . absyrtus , hierocles , eumelus , pelagonius , and hippocrates , do write simply de furore & rabie : that is to say , of the madness of a horse . but indeed , vegetius in his second book of horse-leach-craft , seemeth to make four mad passions belonging to a horse , intituling his chapters in this sort , de appioso , de frenetico , de cardiacis , de rabioso , the effects thereof , though i fear me it will be to no great purpose , yet to content such as perhaps have read the author as well as i my self , i will here briefly rehearse the same . when some naughty bloud ( saith he ) doth strike the film or pannicle of the brain , in one part only , and maketh the same grievously to ake , then the beast becometh appiosum ; that is to say , as it seemeth by his own words next following , both dull of minde and of sight . this word appiosum is a strange word , and not to be found again in any other author , and because in this passion , the one side of the head is only grieved , the horse turneth round , as though he went in a mill. but when the poyson of such corrupt bloud doth infect the mid brain , then the horse becometh frantick , and will leap and fling , and will run against the wals . and if such bloud filleth the veins of the stomach , or breast , then it infecteth as well the heart as the brain , and causeth alienation of minde , and the body to sweat , and this disease is called of vegetius , passocardiaca , which if equus appiosus chance to have , then he becometh rabiosus , that is to say , stark-mad . for saith he , by overmuch heat of the liver and bloud , the veins , and arteries of the heart are choaked up , for grief and pain whereof the horse biteth himself , and gnaweth his own flesh . of two sorts of mad horses , i believe i have seen my self here in this realm . for i saw once a black sweatbland horse ( as i took him to be ) in my lord of hunsdons stable at hunsdon , coming thither by chance with my lord morley , which horse would stand all day long biting of the manger , and eat little meat or none , suffering no man to approach unto him , by which his doings , and partly by his colour and complexion , i judged him to be vexed with a melancholy madness called of the physitians mania , or rather melancholia , which cometh of a corrupt melancholy , and filthy bloud or humor , sometime spread throughout all the veins of the body , and sometimes perhaps remaining only in the head , or else in the spleen , or places next adjoyning . the other mad horse was a roan of master ashlies , master of the jewel house , which with his teeth crushed his masters right fore-finger in pieces , whilest he offered him a little hay to eat , whereby he lost in a manner the use of his whole hand , to the great grief of all his friends , and also of all the muses , which were wont to be much delighted with such passing sweet musick as that his fine quavering hand could sometime make upon divers instruments , but especially upon the virginals . this horse i say , though he could eat his meat , drink his drink , and sleep : yet if he were never so little offended , he would take on like a spirit , and both bite and strike at any man that came nigh him : yea and would bite himself by the shoulders most terribly , pulling away lumps of flesh , so broad as a mans hand : and whensoever he was ridden , he was fain to be musled with a muslel of iron , made of purpose to keep him from biting either of his rider or of himself , which no doubt proceeded of some kinde of frenzy or madness , whereunto the horse was subject ; by means that hot bloud ( as i take it ) abounded over-much in him . but now as touching the causes , signes , and cure of horses madness , you shall hear the opinion of old writers : for martin never took such cure in hand . absyrtus and the other authors before mentioned , say , that the madness of a horse cometh either by means of some extream heat taken by travelling , or long standing in the hot sun , or else by eating over many fitches , or by some hot bloud resorting to the panicles of the brain ; or through abundance of choler remaining in the veins ; or else by drinking of some very unwholesome water . the signes be these , he will bite the manger and his own body , and run upon every man that comes nigh him , he will continually shake his ears , and stare with his eyes , and some at the mouth : and also , as hippocrates saith , he will forsake his meat , and pine himself with hunger . the cure , cause him to be let bloud in his legs abundantly , which is done ( as i take it ) to divert the bloud from his head . notwithstanding it were not amiss , to let him bloud in the neck and brest veins . then give him this drink : take the roots of wilde cowcumber , and boil it in harsh red wine , and put thereunto a little nitre , and give it him with a horn luke-warm : or if you can get no cowcumber , then take rue , and mints , and boil them in the wine : it were not amiss also to add thereunto a handful of black elleborus , for that is a very good herb against madness . eumelius saith , that if you give him mans dung in wine , to drink three mornings together , it will heal him : also to take of black elleborus two or three handfuls , and boil it in a sufficient quantity of strong vinegar , and therewith rub and chafe both his head , and all his body once or twice a day ; for the oftner his head is rubbed , the better , and often exercise is very profitable to all his body . some again would have the skin of his body to be pierced in divers places with an hot iron , to let out the evill humors : but if none of all this will prevail , then the last remedy is to geld him of both his stones , or else of one at the least ; for either that will heal him , or else nothing . as touching the diet and usage of a mad horse , the authors do not agree ; for some would have him kept in a close , dark and quiet house , void from all noise , which as absyrtus saith , will either make him madder , or else kill him out of hand . his diet would be thin , that is to say , without any provender , and that day that he is let bloud , and receiveth his drink , they would have him fast untill even , and then to have a warm mash of barley meal : yea , me thinks it were not amiss to feed him only with warm mashes and hay ; and that by a little at once , untill he be somewhat recovered . another of the head-ach . the head-ach , as most are opinionated , proceedeth of cold and raw digestion : the cure is ; take a goose feather anointed with oyl-de-bay , and thrust it up into the horses nostrils , to make him neese ; then take a wreath of pease-straw or wet hay , and putting fire thereunto , hold it under the horses nose , so as the smoke may ascend up into his head ; then being thus perfumed , take a knife and prick him in the palat of the mouth , so that he may lick up and chaw his own bloud , which done , have great care in keeping his head warm , and doubt not his recovery . of the sleeping-evil . this is a disease forcing the beast continually to sleep , whether he will or not , taking his memory and appetite clean away , and therefore is called of the physitians lethargus , it proceedeth of abundance of flegm moistning the brain overmuch . it is easie to know it , by the continual sleeping of the horse . the cure of this disease according to pelagonius , vegetius , and others , is in this sort : let him bloud in the neck , and then give him this drink : take of camomile and mother-wort , of each two or three handfuls , and boil them in a sufficient quantity of water , and put thereunto a little wheat-bran , salt and vinegar , and let him drink a pinte of that every day , the space of three or four days together . it is good also to perfume and chafe his head , with thyme and pennyroyal sodden together in vinegar , or with brimstone and feathers burned upon a chafingdish of coals under his nose : and to provoke him to neese , by blowing pepper and pyrethre beaten to powder , up into his nostrils : yea and to anoint the palate of his mouth , with honey and mustard mingled together , and in his drink , which would be always warm water , to put parsley seed , and fennel seed , to provoke urine . his legs also would be bathed , and his hoofs filled with wheat-bran , salt , and vinegar , sodden together , and laid to so hot as he may endure it , and in any case suffer him not to sleep , but keep him waking and stirring , by continual crying unto him , or pricking him with some sharp thing that cannot pass through the skin , or else by beating him with a whip , and this doing he shall recover . another of the sleeping-evill . the sleeping-evill in a horse , differeth nothing from that which the physitians call the lethargy in men , for it provoketh the horse to sleep continually , without desisting , robbing his memory and appetite of their qualities : the knowledge thereof is easily known by his drowsiness , and the cure in this sort : let one stand by him , and either with fearful noise or stripes , perforce keep him waking ; then let him bloud under the eyes , and in the neck , and then take a leaf or two of the best tobacco , which being dryed and beaten to powder , with a quill blow it up into his nostrils , and give him to drink vinegar , salt , and mustard mingled well together , to which if you put a little honey , it shall not be amiss ; and also when he drinketh any water , put thereto either fennel-seeds , aniseeds or pepper . of a horse that is taken . a horse is said to be taken , when he is deprived of his feeling and moving , so as he is able to stir no manner of way , but remaineth in such state and form , as he was taken in ; which disease is called of the physitians by the greek name catalepsis , and in latine , deprehensio , or congelatio ; and of vegetius , sideratio ; which also calleth those beasts that have this disease jumenta sideratitia . the physitians say , that it cometh of abundance of phlegm and choler mixt together , or else of melancholy bloud , which is a cold dry humor oppressing the hinder parts of the brain . but vegetius saith , that it comes of some extream outward cold , striking suddenly into the empty veins , or some extream heat or raw digestion ; or else of some great hunger , caused by long fasting . it is easie to know by the description before mentioned . as touching the cure , vegetius saith , that if it come of cold , then it is good to give him to drink one ounce of laserpitium , with wine and oyl mixt together , and made luke-warm : if of heat , then to give it him with water and honey : if of crudity , then to heal him by fasting : if of hunger , then by feeding him well with pease ▪ but martin saith , that this disease is called of the french men surprins , and it cometh ( as he saith ) most chiefly of cold taken after heat , and he wisheth a horse that is thus taken , to be cured in this sort . first to be let bloud on both sides of the breast , and then to be put in a heat either by continual stirring and molesting him ; or else if he will stir by no means , then to bury him all save the head in a warm dunghill , and there to let him ly untill his limbs have some feeling . and before you so bury him , it shall be good to give him this drink : take of malmsie three pintes , and put thereunto a quartern of sugar , and some cinamon and cloves , and let him drink it good and warm , and untill he be perfectly whole , let him be kept warm , and often exercised and walked up and down in the stable , and thinly dieted , and drink nothing but warm water , wherein if you put some fennel and parsley seed , to provoke him to urine , it shall be the better . and if he cannot dung , let him be raked , and have a glyster made of the broth of mallows and fresh butter . another of a horse that is taken . a horse which is bereft of his feeling , moving or stirring , is said to be taken , and in sooth so he is , in that he is arrested by so villainous a disease ; yet some farryers , not well understanding the ground of the disease , conster the word taken , to be stricken by some planet , or evill spirit , which is false ; for it proceedeth of too great abundance of phlegm and choler , symbolized together : the cure is thus ; let him bloud in his spur veins , and his breast veins , and then by foulding him in abundant number of cloaths , drive him into an extream sweat , during which time of his sweating , let one chafe his legs with oyl-de-bay ; then after he hath sweat the space of two hours , abate his clothes moderately ; and throughly after he is dry , anoint him all over with oyl petrolium , and in twice or thrice dressing him he will be found . of the staggers . this is a dizziness of the head , called in latine , vertigo ; and of the italians , as i remember , capistura . it cometh of some corrupt bloud , or gross and tough humors oppressing the brain , from whence proceedeth a vaporous spirit , dissolved by a weak heat , which troubleth all the head . the signes be these ; dimness of sight , the reeling and staggering of the horse , who for very pain will thrust his head against the walls , and forsake his meat . the cure according to martin is thus : let him bloud in the temple veins , and then with a knife make an hole an inch long over-thwart his fore-head , hard underneath his fore-top , and raise the skin with a cornet , thrusting it upward towards the head-stale a good handful , and then put in a tent dipt in turpentine and hogs grease molten together , renewing the tent every day once untill it be whole , and do the like upon the ridge of the rump ; but me thinks it were better to do the like , in the powl of his head , or nape of his neck , for so should the evill humors have both ways the easier and speedier passage : and as touching his diet , let him have continually warm drink , and mashes ; and once a day be walked up and down fair and softly to exercise his body . of the staggers . the staggers is a dizy disease , breeding frenzy in a horse , which if it be not instantly helped , is mortal : the cure is thus ; let him bloud in the temple veins , and then apply to his temples cloth wet in the juyce of garlike , and aqua vitae mixt together : if you crush garlike , and put it in his ears , it is excellent ; or if you slit his fore-head , and loosening the skin from the bone , taint is with turpentine and sallet-oyl , it will undoubtedly help him . of the failing-evil . this is a kinde of convulsion or cramp , called of the latines by the greek name epilepsia ; in italian , il morbo caduco , depriving the beast at certain times , and for a certain space of the use of feeling , hearing , and seeing , and of all the other senses . and although it be a disease hath been seldom seen to chance unto horses of this countrey , yet it appeareth by absyrtus , and also by vegetius , and divers others , that horses he subject thereunto . for absyrtus writing to his friend tiberius claudius saith , that unto horses chanceth many times the falling-sickness . the signs whereof are these ; the horse will fall down suddenly , partly through the resolution of his members , and partly through distension of his sinews , and all his body will quiver and quake , and sometime he will some at the mouth . vegetius again writeth in this sort ; by a certain course of the moon horses and other beasts many times do fall , and dy for a time as well as men . the signes whereof are these : being fallen , their bodies will quiver and quake , and their mouths will some , and when a man would think that they would dy out of hand , they rise suddenly up and fall to their meat . and by feeling the gristle of their nostrils with your finger , you shall know whether they will fall often or not ; for the more cold the gristle be , the oftner , and the less cold it be , the seldomer they will fall . the cure : let him bloud abundantly in the neck veins , and within five days after , let him bloud again in the temple veins , and let him stand in a warm and dark stable , and anoint all his body with comfortable ointments , and his head and ears with oyl of bay , and liquid pitch or tar , mingled together . and also put some thereof into his ears , and then make a biggen for him of some sort warm skin , as of a sheeps skin , or else of canvas stuffed underneath with wool , and make him this purging drink . take of radish roots two ounces , of the root of the herb called in latine , panex or panaces , and of scammony , of each one ounce ; beat all these things together , and boyl them in a quart of honey , and at sundry times as you shall see it needful , give him a good spoonful or two of this in a quart of ale luke-warm , whereunto would be put three or four spoonfuls of oyl . it is good also to blow the powder of motherwort , or of pyrethrum , up into his nostrils ; and if the disease do continue still for all this , then it shall be needful to pierce the skin of his fore-head in divers places with a hot iron , and to let out the humors oppressing his brain . of the night-mars . this is a disease oppressing either man or beast in the night season when he sleepeth , so as he cannot draw his breath , and is called of the latines , iucubus . it cometh of a continual crudity or raw digestion of the stomach , from whence gross vapours ascending up into the head , do oppress the brain , and all the sensitive powers , so as they cannot do their office , in giving perfect feeling and moving to the body . and if this disease chancing often to a man , be not cured in time , it may perhaps grow to a worse mischief , as to the falling-evil , madness , or apoplexy . but i could never learn that horses were subject to this disease , neither by relation , nor yet by reading , but only in an old english writer , who sheweth neither cause nor signes , how to know when a horse hath it , but only teacheth how to cure it with a food foolish charm ; which because it may perhaps make you gentle reader to laugh , as well as it did me , for recreation sake i will here rehearse it . take a flint stone that hath a hole of his own kinde , and bang it over him , and write in a bill , in nomine patris , &c. saint george our ladies knight , he walked day , so did he night , vntil ●e her found , he her beat , and he her bound , till truly her tr●ath she him plight , that she would not come within the night , there as saint george our ladies knight , named was three times , saint george . and hang this scripture over him , and let him alone : with such proper charme as this is , the 〈◊〉 fryers in times past were wont to charm the money out of plain folke purses . of the apoplexy . the apoplexy , is a disease depriving all the whole body of sense and moving . and if it deprive but part of the body , then it is called of the latines by the greek name paralysis , in our tongue a palsie . it proceeds of cold , gross , and tough humors , oppressing the brain all at once , which may breed partly of crudities and raw digestion , and partly by means of some hurt in the head , taken by a fall , stripe , or otherwise . as touching apoplexy , few or none writing of horse-●leach-craft , do make any mention thereof : but of the palsie vegetius writeth in this manner ; a horse ( saith he ) may have the palsie as well as a man , which is known by these signes : he will go 〈…〉 ing and 〈◊〉 like a crab , carrying his neck awry , as if it were broken , and goeth crookedly with his legs , beating his head against the wals , and yet forsaketh not his meat nor drink , and his provender seemeth moist and wet . the cure . let him bloud in the temple vein , on the contrary side of the ●rying of his neck , and anoint his neck with comfortable oyntment , and splent it with splents of wood to make it stand right , and let him stand in a warm stable , and give him such drinks as are recited in the next chapter following . but if all this profiteth not , then draw his neck with a hot iron on the contrary side : that is to say , on the whole side , from the neather part of the ear down to the shoulders , and draw also a good long strike on his temple , on that side , and on the other temple make him a little star in this sort * , and from his reins to his mid back , draw little lines , in manner of a ragged staffe , and that will heal him . of the cramp or convulsion of the sinews and muscles . a convulsion or cramp , is a forcible and painful contraction or drawing together of the sinews and muscles , which do happen sometime through the whole body , and sometime but in one part or member only . and according as the body may be diversly drawn , so do the physitians , and also mine authors that write of horse-leech-craft , give it divers names . for if the body be drawn forward , then they call it in greek , emprosthotonos ; in latine , tensio ad anteriora . and if the body be drawn back , it is called in greek , opisthotonos ; in latine , tensio ad posteriora . but if the body he stark and strait , bowing neither forward , nor backward , then it is called simply in greek , tetanos ; in latine , distensio or rigor : which names also are applyed to the like convulsions of the neck . notwithstanding , vegetius writing of this disease , entituleth his chapters de roborosis , a strange tearm , and not to be found again in any other author : a convulsion , as i said before , may chance as well to one part or member of the body , as to the whole body : as to the eye , to the skin of the fore head , to the roots of the tongue , to the jaws , to the lips , to the arm , hand or leg : that is to say , whensoever the sinew or muscle serving to the moving of that part , is evill affected or grieved ▪ of which convulsions , though there be many divers causes : yet hippocrates bringeth them all into two : that is to say , into fulness and emptiness : for when a convulsion proceedeth either of some inflamation of superfluous eating or drinking , or for lack of due purgation , or of overmuch rest and lack of exercise , all such causes are to be referred to repletion or fulness . but if a convulsion come by means of over-much purging or bleeding , or much watching , extream labour , long fasting ; or by wounding or pricking of the sinews , then all such causes are to be referred unto emptiness . and if the convulsion proceed of fulness , it chanceth suddenly , and all at once ; but if of emptiness , then it cometh by little and little , and leisurely . besides these kindes of convulsions , there is also chancing many times in a mans fingers , legs and toes , another kinde of convulsion , which may be called a windy convulsion , for that it proceeds of some gross or tough vapour , entred into the branches of the sinews , which maketh them to swell like a lute string in moist weather , which though it be very painful for the time , yet it may be soon driven away ; by chasing or rubbing the member grieved with a warm cloth . and this kinde of convulsion or cramp chanceth also many times to a horses hinder-legs standing in the stable . for i have seen some my self , that have had one of their hinder-legs drawn up with the cramp almost to the belly so stiffe and hard , as no man hath been able to stir it , neither could the horse himself set it down to the ground of a long season , which i think might be soon remedied : first by continual chasing , fretting , or rubbing his legs with a good wispe , and then by tying up the other hinder-leg , or else the foreleg on the sore side , whereby he should be forced to set down the pained leg : thus far i have discoursed of the convulsion of sinews , and of the causes thereof , according to the opinions of the learned physitians . now i will briefly shew you the causes , signes , and cure thereof , according to the doctrine of mine authors that write of horse-leech-craft . absyrtus saith , that this disease doth come , either by driving the horse into a sweat when he halteth , or for that he hath troden upon some nail , or by taking cold after journeying and sweating in winter season , whereby his lips are clung together , or by long lying and rest after sweating , whereby the sinews of his fore-legs be nummed , or by having some stripe of his privy members ; or by long travelling in the cold mountains , where snow and ice doth abound . for theomnestus writeth , that coming out of paeonia , with the king and his army , and passing over the mountains to go into 〈…〉 ly there fell such abundance of snow , as not only many souldiers dyed , sitting still on their horses backs , with their weapons in their hands , being so stark and stiffe , and cleaving so fast to their saddles , as they could not easily be pulled out of them : but also divers horses in their going were so nummed as they could not bow their legs : yea and some were found stark dead , standing still on their feet , and few horses or none escaped at that time free from this convulsion of sinews , insomuch that theomnestus his own horse which he loved dearly , was sore vexed therewith . the signes to know whether a horse be troubled with the convulsion in the sinews or not , be these : his head and neck will be so stiffe and stark , as he can bow it no manner of way , his ears will stand right up , and his eyes will be hollow in his head , and the fleshy parts thereof in the great corners , will be turned backward ; his lips will be clung fast together , so as he cannot open his mouth , and his tongue so nummed as he can neither eat nor drink ; his back-bone and tail will be so stiffe , as he cannot move it one way nor other and his legs so stiffe , as they will not bow , and being laid he is not able to rise , and specially on his hinder-legs , but falleth down on his buttocks , like a dog when he sitteth on the ground ; and by means of the convulsion in his back , his bladder also for neighbour-hood sake , suffereth , whereby the horse cannot stale , but with great pain : the cure . put him into a sweat , either by burying him all save the head in some warm dunghill ; or it he be a horse of price , carry him into a hot house , where is no smoke , and let him sweat there . then anoint all his body , head , neck , legs , and all , with oyl of cypres , and oyl of bay mingled together . or else with one of these ointments : take of hogs grease two pound , of turpentine half a pound , of pepper beaten in powder one dram , of new wax one pound , of old oyl two pound ; boil all these together , and being made very warm , anoint all his body therewith . or else with this ointment : take of new wax one pound , of turpentine four ounces , of oyl-de-bay as much , of opopanax two ounces , of deers sewet and oyl of storax , of each three ounces , melt all these together , and anoint all his body therewith . it is good also to bath his head with the decoction of fitches , or else of lupines , and make him this drink : take twenty grains of long pepper , finely beaten into powder , of cedar two ounces , of nitre one ounce , of laserpitium as much as a bean , and mingle all these together with a sufficient quantity of white wine ; and give him thereof to drink a quart every morning and evening , for the space of three or four days ; or else this drink : take of opopanax two ounces , of storax three ounces , of gentian three ounces , of manna succary three ounces , of myrrhe one scruple , of long pepper two scruples , give him this with old wine : or make him a drink of laserpitium , cumin , a ●ise seed , fenigreek , bay-berries , and old oyl . in old time they were wont to let him bloud in the temples , which absyrtus doth not allow , saying , that it will cause the sinews of his lips to dry up , so as the horse being not able to move them , shall pine for hunger . as touching his diet , give him at the first warm mashes , and such soft meat as he may easily get down , and wet hay , bringing him to harder food by little and little . and in any case , let him be kept very warm , and ridden or walked once a day to exercise his legs and limbs . theomnestus cured his horse , as he saith , by placing him in a warm stable , and by making a clear fire without any smoke round about him ; and the horse not being able to open his jaws of himself , he caused his mouth to be opened , and put therein sops dipt in a confection called entrigon conditum , and also anointed all his body with a medicine or ointment called acopum ( the making whereof hereafter followeth ) dissolved in cypres oyl , which made him to fall into a sweat , and being before half dead and more , brought him again to his feeling and moving , so as he did rise and eat his meat . of the cramp or convulsions of the sinews or muscles . a convulsion or cramp , is a forcible drawing together of the sinews , sometimes universally over the whole body ; as i have seen one horse in my life time , and sometimes but in one part or member , as i have known and helpt divers . these convulsions have two grounds , namely , either natural , or else accidental ; natural , as proceeding of cold windy humors ingendered in the body , and dispersed into those parts , work there the effects of grievance . accidental , is by wounding or pricking the sinews , of which immediately ensueth a convulsion● if it be natural , and the disease generally dispersed ; then the cure is thus : dig a great deep hole in some old dung-hil , and there bury him all save the head , so as he may sweat there for the space of two hours at the least ; then take him out , and anoint ▪ his body all over with nerve oil , turpentine , and deers suet mingled together on the fire , and bath his head in the juyce of rue and camomile . then give him to drink old ale brewd with cinamon , ginger , fenigreek and long pepper : of each three ounces . as for his diet , let it be warm mashes , sodden wheat and hay , throughly carded with a pair of wool-cards : let him be kept very warm and aired abroad once a day at the least . if this convulsion be but only in one member , then it is sufficient , if every day with hard ropes of hay or straw you rub and chafe that part exceedingly , and apply there to a little quantity of the oyl of pepper . if the convulsion be accidental , proceeding of some hurt , whereby the sinew is wounded or prickt ; then shall you incontinently take up the sinew so wounded , searching the wound with great discretion , and cut it clean in sunder ; then shall you endeavour to heal up the same with unguents , plaisters and balms , as shall be hereafter mentioned in the chapters of wounds and ulcers , of what kinde or nature soever . of the cold in the head. according as the cold which the horse hath taken , is new or old , great or small , and also according as humors do abound in his head , and as such humors be thick or thin , so is the disease more or less dangerous . for if the horse casteth little or no matter out of his nose , or hath no very great cough , but only heavy in his head , and perhaps lightly cougheth now and then , it is a sign that he is stopped in the head , which we were wont to call the pose . but if his head be full of humors congealed by some extream cold taken of long time past ; and that he casteth foul filthy matter out at the nose , and cougheth grievously ; then it is a sign that he hath either the glaunders , or the strangullion , mourning of the chein , or consumption of the lungs . for all such diseases do breed for the most part of the rheume or distillation that cometh from the head . of the cures thereof we leave to speak , until we come to talk of the diseases in the throat , minding here to shew you how to heal the pose or cold before mentioned . martin saith , it is good to purge his head , by perfuming him with frankincense , and also to provoke him to neeze , by thrusting two gouse feathers dipt in oyl-de-bay up into his nostrils , and then to trot him up and down half an hour , for these feathers will make him to cast immediately at the nose , lautentius russius would have him to be perfumed with wheat , pennyroyal , and sage sodden well together , and put into a bag so hot as may be ; which bag would be so close fastened to his head , that all the savour thereof may ascend up into his nostrils , and his head also would be covered and kept warm : and to provoke him to neeze , he would have you to binde a soft clout anointed with sope ; or else with butter and oyl-de-bay unto a stick , and to thrust that up and down into his nostrils , so high as you may conveniently go , and let him be kept warm , and drink no cold water . yea , it shall be good for three or four days , to boil in his water a little fenigreek , wheat meal , and a few anise-seeds . and every day after that you have purged his head by perfuming him , or by making him to neeze , cause him to be trotted up and down , either in the warm sun , or else in the house half an hour , which would be done before you water him , and give him his provender . of the cold in the head. the pose or cold in a horse , is the most general disease that hapneth , and is the easiest perceived , both by stopping , ratling in the nose , and coughing , the cure thereof is in this sort : if it be but newly taken by some-careless regard , and immediately perceived , you shall need no other remedy , but to keep him warm every morning and evening after his water , to ride him forth , and to trot him up and down very fast till his cold break , and then gently to gallop him a little , which moderate exercise with warm keeping will quickly recover him again ; but if the cold hath had long residence in him , and still encreaseth , then you shall give him this drink three days together : take of strong ale one quart , of the best treakle six penny-worth , of long pepper and grains , of each as much beaten to powder , of the juyce of garleek two spoonfuls , boyl all these together , and give it the horse to drink ; so warm as he may suffer it , and then trot him up and down by the space of an hour or more , and keep him warm , giving him to drink no cold water . of the diseases of the eyes . horses eyes be subject to divers griefs , as to be waterish or bloud-shotten , to be dim of sight , to have the pin and web , and the haw , whereof some comes of inward causes , as of humors resorting to the eyes , and some of outward , as of cold , heat , or stripe . of weeping or watering eyes . this , as laurentius russius saith , may come sometime by confluence of humors , and some-time by some stripe , whose cure i leave to recite , because it doth not differ from martins experience here following ▪ take of pitch , rosen and mastick , a like quantity , melt them together . then with a little stick , having a clout bound to the end thereof , and dipt therein , anoint the temple veins on both sides , a handful above the eyes , as broad as a testern , and then clap unto it immediately a few flocks of like colour to the horse , holding them close to his head with your hand , untill they stick fast unto his head , then let him bloud on both sides , ( if both sides be infected ) a handful under the eyes . russius also thinketh it good to wash his eyes once a day with pure pure white wine , and then to blow therein a little of tartarum , and of pumice stone , beaten into fine powder . of watering eyes . watering eyes come most commonly in some stripe or blow , and the cure is thus : lay unto his temples a plaister of turpentine and pitch molten together , then wash his eyes with white wine , and afterward blow the powder of burnt allum into the same . of bloud-shotten eyes , also for a blow or itching , and rubbing in the eyes . martin never used any other medicine , then this water here following , wherewith he did always heal the foresaid griefs : take of pure rose water , of malmsie , of fennel water , of each three spoonfuls , of tutia as much as you can easily take with your thumb and finger , of cloves a dozen beaten into fine powder ; mingle them together , and being luke-warm , or cold if you will , wash the inward part of the eye with a feather dipt therein , twice a day untill he be whole . russius saith , that to bloud-shotten eyes it is good to lay the white of an egge , or to wash them with the juyce of celidony . another of bloud-shotten eyes , or any other sore eye , coming of rheume or other humor . for any sore eye make this water : take of the water of eye-bright , of rose water , and malmsey , of each three spoonfuls , of cloves six or seven beaten to fine powder ; of the juyce of houseleek two spoonfuls ; mix all these together , and wash the horses eyes therewith once a day , and it will recover him . of dimness of sight , and also for the pin and web , or any other spot in the eye . if the horse be dim of sight , or hath any pearl growing in his eye , or thin film covering the ball of his eye , then russius would have you take of pumice stone , of tarturam , and of sal gemm● , of each like weight , and being beaten into very fine powder , to blow a little of that in his eye , continuing so to do every day once or twice , untill he be whole . martin saith , that he always used to blow a little sandivoir into the eye once a day , which simple he affirmeth to be of such force , as it will break any pearl or web in short space , and make the eye very clear and fair . russius amongst a number of other medicines , praiseth most of all the powder of a black flint stone . of the pin and web , and other dimness . for to cure the pin , web , pearl , film , or other dimness , use this means following : take of sandivoir , the powder of burnt allum , and the powder of black flint-stone , of each like quantity : and once a day blow a little thereof into the horses eye , and it will wear away such imperfect matter , and make the eye clear . of the haw , called of the italians , ilunghia de gli occhi . this is a gristle covering sometime more then one half of the eye : it proceedeth of gross and tough humors , descending out of the head ; which haw , as martin saith , would be cut away in this sort : first , pull both the eye-lids open with two several threds , stirched with a needle to either of the lids . then catch hold of the haw with another needle and thred , and pull it out so far as you may cut it round the bredth of a penny , and leave the black behinde . for by cutting away too much of the fat and black of the eye , the horse many times becometh blear-eyed . and the haw being clean taken away , squirt a little white wine or beer into his eye . another of the haw . a haw is a gross gristle growing under the eye of a horse , and covering more then one half of his sight ; which if he be suffered will in short time perish the eye : the cure is thus : lay your thumb under his eye , in the very hollow , then with your finger pull down the lid , and with a sharp needle and thred take hold of the haw , and plucking it out , with a sharp knife , cut it away the compass of a penny , or more , that done , wash the eye with a little beer . of lunatich eyes . vegetius writeth de oculo lunatico , but he sheweth neither cause nor signes thereof , but only saith that the old men tearmed it so , because it maketh the eye sometime to look as though it were covered with white , and sometime clear . martin saith , that the horse that hath this disease , is blinde at certain times of the moon , insomuch that he seeth almost nothing at all during that time , and then his eyes will look yellowish : yea , and somewhat reddish , which disease according to martin , is to be cured in this fort : first , use the platster mentioned before in the chapter of waterish or weeping eyes , in such order as is there prescribed ; and then with a sharp knife make two slits on both sides of his head an inch long , somewhat towards the nose , a handful beneath the eyes , not touching the vein : and with a cornet loosen the skin upward the breadth of a groat , and thrust therein a round peece of leather , as broad as a two penny peece , with a hole in the midst to keep the hole open , and look to it once a day , that the matter may not be stopped , but continually run the space of ten days , then take the leather out , and healthe wound with a little flax dipt in the salve here following : take of turpentine , of honey , of wax , of each like quantity , and boyl them together , which being a little warmed , will be liquid to serve your purpose , and take not away the plaisters from the temples untill they fall away of themselves , which being fallen , then with a small hot drawing iron , make a star in the midst of each temple 〈…〉 where the plaister did ly . which star would have ●hole in the midst made with the button end of your drawing iron . another of lunatick or moon-eyes . of these lunatick eyes , i have known divers : they are blinde at certain times of the moon , they are very red , fiery , and full of film : they come with over-riding , and extraordinary heat and fury , the cure of them is thus : lay upon the temples of his head a plaister of bitch , rozen , and mastick molten together very exceeding hot : then with a little round iron made for the purpose , burn three or four holes an inch or more underneath his eyes , and anoint those holes every day with hogs grease , then put it in his eyes every day with a little honey , and in short time he will recover his sight . of the canker in the eye . this cometh of a ranck and corrupt bloud descending from the head into the eye . the signes . you shall see red pimples , some small , and some great , both within and without upon the eye-lids , and all the eye will look red , and be full of corrupt matter . the cure according to martin is thus : first , let him bloud on that side the neck , that the eye is grieved , the quantity of a pottle . then take of roch allum , of green copperas , of each half a pound , of white copperas one ounce , and boil them in three pintes of running water , untill the half be consumed , then take it from the fire , and once a day wash his eye with this water being made luke-warm with a fine linnen cloth , and cleanse the eye therewith so oft as it may look raw , continuing thus to do every day untill it be whole . of diseases incident to the ears , and poll of the head , and first of a● impostume in the ear. impostumes breed either by reason of some blow or bruising , or else of evill humors congealed in the ear by some extream cold ; the signes be apparent , by the burning and painful swelling of the ear and part thereabout . the cure according to martin is in this sort . first , ripe the impostume with this plaister . take of linseed beaten into powder , of wheat flowre , of each half a pinte , of honey a pinte , of hogs grease , or barrows grease one pound . warm all these things together in an earthen pot , and stir them continually with a flat stick or slice , untill they be throughly mingled and incorporated together , and then spread some of this plaister , being warm , upon a peece of linnen cloth , or soft white leather , so broad as the swelling , and no more , and lay it warm unto it , and so let it remain one whole day , and then renew it with fresh ointment , continuing so to do untill it break ; then lance the sore , so that it may have passage downward , and tent it to the bottom with a tent of flax dipt in this ointment : take of mel rosatum , of oyl olive and turpentine , of each two ounces , and mingle them together , and make him a biggen of canvas to close in the sore , so as the tent with the ointment may abide within , renewing the tent once a day untill it be whole . but if the horse have pain in his ears , without any great swelling or impostumation , then thrust in a little black wooll dipt in oyl of camomile , and that wil● heal it ▪ of the poll evill . this is a disease like a fistula growing betwixt the ears and the poll or nape of the neck , and proceedeth of evill humors gathered together in that place , or else of some blow or bruise , for that is the weakest and tenderest part of all the head , and therefore soonest offended , which rude carters do little consider , whilest in their fury they beat their horses upon that place of the head with their whip-stocks ; and therefore no horse is more subject to this disease then the cart-horse ; and this disease cometh most in winter season . the signes . you shall perceive it by the swelling of the place , which by continuance of time will break it self , rotting more inward then outward and therefore is more perillous if it be not cured in time ; and the sooner it be taken in hand , the better . the cure according to martin is thus ; if it be not broken , ripe it with a plaister of hogs grease laid unto it so hot as may be ; and make a biggen for the poll of his head to keep it from cold ; which biggen would have two holes open , so as his ●ars may stand out ; and renew the plaister every day once , untill it break , keeping the sore place as warm as may be . and if you see that it will not break so soon as you would have it , then there as it is softest and most meetest to be opened ; take a round hot iron , as big as your little finger , and sharp at the point and two inches beneath that soft place , thrust it in a good deepness upward , so as the point of the iron may come out at the ripest place , to the intent that the matter may descend downward , and come at the neather hole , which would be always kept open ; and therefore tent it with a tent of flax dipt in hogs grease , and lay a plaister of hogs grease also upon the same , renewing it every day once the space of four days , which is done chiefly to kill the heat of the fire . then at the four days end , take of turpentine half a pound , clean washed in nine sundry waters , and after that throughly dryed , by thrusting out the water with a slice on the dishes side , then put thereunto two yolks of egges , and a little saffron , and mingle them well together : that done , search the depth of the hole with a whole quill , and make a tent of a piece of spunge , so long as it may reach the bottom , and so big as it may fill the wound , and anoint the tent with the aforesaid ointment , and thrust it into the wound , either with that quill , or else by winding it up with your finger and thumb , by little and little , untill you have thrust it home : and lay on the plaister of hogs grease made luke-warm renuing it every day once or twice , untill it be whole . but if the swelling cease , then you need not to use the plaister , but only to tent it , and as the matter decreaseth , so make your tent every day lesser and lesser , untill the wound be perfectly whole . of the vives . the vives be certain kernels growing under the horses ear , proceeding of some rank or corrupt bloud resorting to the place , which within are full of little white grains , like white salt kernels . the italians call them vivole , which if they be suffered to grow , laurentius russius saith , that they will grievously pain the horse in his throat , so as he shall not be able to swallow his meat , nor to breath . they be easie to know , for they may be felt , and also seen : the cure according unto martin , is in this sort : first draw them down in the midst with a hot iron , from the root of the ear so far as the tip of the ear will reach , being puld down : and under the root again draw two strikes on each side like a broad arrow head ; then in the midst of the first line lance them with a lancet , and taking hold of the kernels with a pair of pinsons , pull them so far forward , as you may cut the kernels out without hurting the vein ; that done , fill the hole with white salt. but hierocles would have them to be cured in this sort : take a piece of spunge sowsed well in strong vinegar , and binde that to the sore , renewing it twice a day untill it hath rotted the kernels ; that done , lance the neathermost part where the matter lyeth , and let it out , and then fill it up with salt finely brayed , and the next day wash all the filth away with warm water , and anoint the place with honey and fitchflowre mingled together . but beware you touch none of the kernels with your bare finger , for fear of venoming the place , which is very apt for a fistula to breed in . another of the vives . the vives be certain kernels , growing under the horses ear , which come of corrupt bloud , the cure is diversly spoke and written of ; but this is the best mean which i have tryed , that if you finde the kernels to enflame and grieve the horse , take a handful of sorrel , and lay it in a bur-dock leaf , and rost it in the hot embers like a warden ; then being taken out of the fire , apply it so hot as may be to the fore part , suffering it to ly thereunto the space of a day and a night , and then renew it , till such time that it ripen and break the sore , which it will in short space do . when it is broken , and the vilde matter taken away , you shall heal up the sore place with the yolk of an egge , half a spoonful of honey , and as much wheat-flowre as will serve to make it thick , plaister-wise , which being bound thereunto , will in three or four days heal the same . of the cankerous ulcer in the nose . this disease is a fretting humor , eating and consuming the flesh , and making it all raw within , and not being holpen in time will eat through the gristle of the nose . it cometh of corrupt bloud , or else of sharp humors ingendered by means of some extream cold . the signes be these : he will bleed at the nose , and all the flesh within will be raw , and filthy stinking savours , and matter will come out at the nose . the cure according to martin is thus : take of green copperas , of allum , of each one pound , of white copperas one quartern , and boil these in a pottle of running water , untill a pinte be consumed , then take it off , and put thereunto half a pinte of honey : then cause his head to be holden up with a drinking staffe , and ●quirt into his nostrils with a squirt of brass , or rather of elder , some of this water being luke-warm , three or four times one after another , but betwixt every squirting , give him liberty to hold down his head , and to blow out the filthy matter , for otherwise perhaps you may choke him . and after this it shall be good also without holding up his head any more , to wash and rub his nostrils with a fine clowt bound to a white sticks end , and wet in the water aforesaid ; and serve him thus once a day untill he be whole . of bleeding at the nose . i have seen horses my self , that have bled at the nose , which have had neither sore nor ulcer in their nose , and therefore i cannot choose , but say with the physitians , that it cometh by means that the vein which endeth in that place , is either opened , broken or fettered . it is opened many times by means that bloud aboundeth too much , or for that it is too fine , or too subtil and so pierceth through the vein . again , it may be broken by some violent strain , cut or blow . and finally , it may be fretted or gnawn through , by the sharpness of some bloud , or else of some other humor contained therein . as touching the cure , martin saith , it is good to take a pinte of red wine , and to put therein a quartern of bole armony , beaten into fine powder , and being made luke-warm , to pour the one half thereof the first day into his nostril that bleedeth , causing his head to be holden up , so as the liquor may not fall out , and the next day to give him the other half . but if this prevaileth not , then i for my part would cause him to be let bloud in the breast vein , on the same side that he bleedeth at several times : then take of frankincense one ounce , of aloes half an ounce , and beat them into powder , and mingle them throughly with the whites of egges , untill it be so thick as honey , and with so●t hares hair , thrust it up into his nostril , filling the hole so full , as it cannot fall out ; or else fill his nostrils full of asses dung , or hogs dung , for either of them is excellent good to restrain any flux of bloud . of the bleeding at the nose , or to stanch flux of bloud in any sort . i have known many horses in great danger by bleeding , and i have tryed divers remedies for the same , yet have i not found any more certain then this : take a spoonful or two of his bloud , and put it in a sawcer , and set it upon a chafing dish of coals , and let it boyl till it be all dryed up into powder , then take that powder , and if he bleed at the nose , with a cane or quill blow the same up into his nostrils : if his bleeding come of any wound or other accident , then into the wound put the same powder , which is a present remedy . new horse-dung , or earth , is a present remedy , applyed to the bleeding place ; and so are sage leaves bruised and put into the wound . of the diseases in the mouth , and first of the bloudy rifts , or chops in the palat of the mouth . this disease is called of the italians , palatina ; which as laurentius russius saith , cometh by eating hay or provender that is full of pricking seeds , which by continual pricking and fretting the furrows of the mouth do cause them to ranckle , and to bleed corrupt and stinking matter , which you shall quickly remedy , as martin saith , by washing first the sore places with vinegar and salt , and then by anointing the same with honey . of the bladders in a horses mouth , which our old farriers were wont to call the gigs . the italians call them froncelle . these be little soft swellings , or rather pustules with black heads , growing in the inside of his lips , next unto the great jaw-teeth , which are so painful unto the horse , as they make him to let his meat fall out of his mouth ; or at the least to keep it in his mouth unchawed , whereby the horse prospereth not : russius saith , that they come either by eating too much cold grass , or else pricking , dusty , and filthy provender . the cure whereof , according to martin , is in this sort : slit them with a lancet , and thrust out all the corruption , and then wash the sore places with a little vinegar and salt ; or else with allum water . of the bladders in a horses mouth . some horses will have bladders like paps growing in the inside of their lips , next to their great teeth , which are much painful : the cure whereof is thus : take a sharp pair of shears , and clip them away close to the gum , and then wash the sore place with running water , allum and honey boiled together , till it be whole . of the lampass . the lampass , called of the italians , lampasous , proceedeth of the abundance of bloud , resorting to the first furrow of the mouth , i mean that which is next unto the upper fore-teeth , causing the said furrow to swell so high as the horses teeth , so as he cannot chew his meat , but is forced to let it fall out of his mouth . the remdy is to cut all the superfluous flesh away , with a crooked hot iron made of purpose , which every smith can do . another of the lampass . the lampass is a thick spongy flesh , growing over a horses upper teeth , hindering the conjunction of his chaps , in such sort that he can hardly eat : the cure is as follloweth . cut all that naughty flesh away with a hot iron , and then rub the sore well with salt , which the most ignorant smith can do sufficiently . of the canker in the mouth . this disease , as martin saith , is a rawness of the mouth and tongue , which is full of blisters , so as be cannot eat his meat . which proceeds of some unnatural heat , coming from the stomach . for the cure whereof , take of allum half a pound , of honey a quarter of a pinte , of columbin● leaves , of sage leaves , of each a handful : boyl all these together in three pintes of water , untill a pinte be consumed , and wash the sore places therewith so as it may bleed , continuing so to do every day once untill it be whole . another of the canker in the mouth . this disease proceedeth of divers causes , as of unnatural heat of the stomach , of foul feeding , or of the rust or venome of some ●it o● sna●●el , undiscr 〈…〉 lookt unto . the cure is thus ; wash the sore place with warm vinegar , made thick with the powder of allum , two or three dayes together , every time until it bleed , which will kill the poison and vigor of the exulcerated matter : then make this water ; take of running water a quart , of allum four ounces , of hony four or five spoonfuls , of woodhine leaves , of sage leaves , and of columbine leaves , of each half a handful , boil all these together till one half he consumed , then take it off , and every day with the water warmed , wash the sore until it be whole . of the heat in the mouth and lips . sometime the heat that cometh out of the stomach breedeth no canker , but maketh the mouth hot , and causeth the horse to forsake his meat . the cure whereof , as martin saith , is in this sort : first , turn up his upper lip , and jagge it lightly with a launce● , so as it may bleed , and then wash both that and all his mouth and tongue with vinegar and salt. of the tongue being hurt with the bit or otherwise . if the tongue be cut or hurt any manner of way , martin saith , it is good first to wash it with allum water , and then to take the leaves of black bramble , and to chop them together small with a little lard , that done , to binde it up in a little clout , making it round like a ball , then having dipt the round end in hony , rub the tongue therewith : continuing so to do once a day until it be whole . of the barbles or paps underneath the tongue . these be two little paps , called of the italians , barbole , growing naturally ( as i think ) in every horses mouth underneath the tongue , in the neather jawes , which if they ●hoot of any length , russius saith , that they will hinder the horses feeding , and therefore he and martin also would have them to be clipt away with a pair of sheers , and that done , the horses mouth to be washed with vinegar and salt. of the pain in the teeth and gums , of the wolfsteeth , and jaw teeth . a horse may have pain in his teeth , partly by descent of humors from his head , down into his teeth and gums , which is to be perceived by the rankness and swelling of the gums , and partly having two extraordinary teeth , called the wolfs teeth , which be two little teeth growing in the upper jawes , next unto the great grinding teeth , which are so painful to the horse , as he cannot endure to chaw his meat , but is forced either to let it fall out of his mouth , or else to keep it still half chawed , whereby the horse prospereth not , but waxeth lean and poor , and he will do the like also when his upper jaw-teeth be so far grown as they overhang the neather jaw-teeth , and therewith be so sharp , as in moving his jawes they cut and rase the insides of his cheeks , even as they were rased with a knife . and first as touching the cure of the pain in the teeth , that cometh by means of some distillation : vegetius saith , it is good to rub all the outside of his gums with fine cha●k and strong vinegar mingled together , or else after that you have washed the gums with vinegar , to strew on them of pomegranate piles . but me thinks that besides this ▪ it were not amisse to stop the temple veins , with the plaister before mentioned , in the chapter of weeping and waterish eyes . the cure of the wolfs teeth , and of the jaw-teeth , according to martin , is in this sort ▪ first cause the horse head to be tyed up to some raster or post , and his mouth to be opened with a cord ▪ so wide as you may easily see every part thereof ; then take a round ●●rong iron ●oole , half a yard long , and made at the one end in all points like unto the carpenters go●ge ▪ wherewith he ●aketh his horse● to be bored with a wimble or a●ger , and with your left hand set the edge of your ●oo● at the ●oot of the wolfs teeth , on the outside of the jaw , turning the hollow side of the tool downward , holding your hand steadily , so as the tool may not slip from the aforesaid tooth : then having a mallet in your right hand , strike upon the head of the tool one prety blow , and therewith you shall loosen the tooth , and cause it to bend inward : then staying the midst of your tool upon the horses neather jaw , wrinch the tooth outward , with the inside or hollow side of the tool ▪ and thrust it clean out of his head : that done serve the other wolfs tooth on the other side in like manner , and fill up the empty places with sale finely brayed . but if the upper jaw teeth do also over●ang the neather teeth , and so cut the inside of his mouth as is aforesaid , then keeping his mouth still open , take your tool and mallet , and pare all those teeth shorter , running along them even from the first unto the 〈◊〉 , turning the hollow side of your tool towards the teeth , so shall not the tool cut the inside of his cheeks , and the back or round side being turned towards the foresaid cheeks , and that done wash an his mouth with vinegar and salt , and let him go . why the diseases in the neck , withers , and back , be declared here before the diseases in the throat . having hitherto spoken of the diseases incident to a horses head , and to all the parts thereof , natural order requireth that we should now descend into the throat , as a part next adjacent to the mouth . but forasmuch as the diseases in the throat have not only affinity with the head , but also with the lungs and other inward parts , which are many times grieved by means of distillation coming from the head , and through the throat : i will speak of the diseases incident to the neck , withers , and back of a horse , to the intent that when i come to talk of such diseases , as rheumes and distillations do cause , i may discourse of them orderly without interruption . of the crick in the neck . because a crick is no other thing then a kinde of convulsion , and for that we have spoken sufficiently before of all kindes thereof in the chapter of convulsion , i purpose not here therefore to trouble you with many words , but only shew you russius opinion , and also martins experience therein . the crick then called of the italians , scima , or lucerdo according to russius , and according to martin is , when the horse cannot turn his neck any manner of way , but hold it still right forth , insomuch as he cannot take his meat from the ground but by times , and that very slowly ; russius saith , it cometh by means of some great weight laid on the horses shoulders , or else by overmuch drying up of the sinews of the neck . the cure whereof , according to martin , is in this sort . draw him with a hot iron from the root of the ear on both sides of the neck , through the midst of the same even down to the brest , a straw deep , so as both ends may meet upon the breast , then make a hole in his forehead , hard under the foretop , and thrust in a cornet upward betwixt the skin and the flesh a handful deep , then put in a goose feather , doubled in the midst and anointed with hogs grease to keep the hole open , to the intent the matter may run out the space of ten dayes . but every day during that time , the hole must be cleansed once , and the feather also cleansed and fresh anointed , and so put in again . and once a day let him stand upon the bit one hour or two , or be ridden two or three miles abroad , by such a one as will bear his head , and make him to bring it in . but if the crick be such as the horse cannot hold his neck straight , but clean awry , as i have seen divers my self : then i think it not good that the horse be drawn with a hot iron on both sides of the neck , but only on the contrary side . as for example , if he bend his head toward the right side , then to draw him as is aforesaid only on the left side , and to use the rest of the cure as is abovesaid , and if need be , you may splent him also with handsome staves meet for the purpose to make his neck stand right . of wens in the neck . a wen is a certain kirnell like a tumor of swelling , the inside whereof is hard like a gristle , and spongious like a skin full of wrets . of wens , some be great , and some be small . again , some be very painful , and some not painful at all . the physitians say , that they proceed of grosse and vicious humors ; but vegetius saith , that they chance to a horse by taking cold , or by drinking of waters that be extreme cold . the cure according to martin is thus , take of mallowes , sage , and red nettles , of each one handful , boil them in running water , and put thereunto a little butter and honey , and when the herbs be soft , take them out and all to bruise them , and put thereunto of oil of bay two ounces , and two ounces of hogs grease , and warm them together over the fire , mingling them well together ; that done , plaister it upon a piece of leather so big as the wen , and lay it to so hot as the horse may endure it , renewing it every day in such sort , the space of eight days , and if you perceive that it will come to no head , then lance it from the midst of the wen downward , so deep as the matter in the bottom may be discovered and let out ; that done , heal it up with this salve , take of turpentine a quarter , and wash it nine times in fair new water , then put thereunto the yolk of an egge and a little english saffron beaten into powder , and make a tent or rowle of flax , and dip it in that ointment , and lay it unto the sore , renewing the same every day once untill it be whole . of swelling in the neck after blood-letting . this may come of the fleam being rusty , and so causing the vein to rankle , or else by means of some cold wind striking suddainly into the hole . the cure according to martin is thus ; first anoint it with oil of camomile warmed , and then lay upon it a little hay wet in cold water , and bind it about with a cloth , renewing it every day the space of five dayes , to see whether it will grow to a head , or else vanish away . if it grow to a head , then give it a slit with a lancer , and open it with a cornet that the matter may come out . then heal it up , by tenting it with flax dipt in turpentine and hogs grease molten together , dressing it so once a day untill it be whole . how to 〈◊〉 bloud . if a horse be let bloud when the signe is in the neck , the 〈◊〉 perhaps will not leave bleeding so soon as a man would have it , which if any such thing chauce , then russius saith , it is good to binde thereunto a lettle new horse dung tempered with chalke and strong vinegar , and not to remove it from thence the space of three dayes , or else to lay thereunto burnt silk , felt , or cloth , for all such things will staunch bloud . of the falling of the crest . this cometh for the most part of poverty , and specially when a fat horse falleth away suddainly . the cure according to martin is thus ; draw his crest the deepness a straw , on the contrary side with a hot iron , the edge of which iron , would be half an inch broad , and make your beginning and ending somewhat beyond the fall , so as the first draught may go all the way hard upon the edge of the mane , even underneath the roots of the same , bearing your hand right downward , into the neckward , then answer that with another draught beneath , and so far distant from the first as the fall is broad , compassing as it were all the fall , but still on the contrary side : and betwixt those two draughts right in the midst , draw a third draught , then with a button iron of an● inch about , burn at each end a hole , and also in the spaces betwixt the draughts , make divers holes distant three fingers broad one from another : that done , to slake the fire anoint it every day once , for the space of nine dayes , with a feather dipt in fresh butter moulten . then take mallows and sage , of each one a handful , boil them well in running water , and wash the burning away untill it be raw flesh then dry it up with this powder ; take of hony half a pinte , and so much unfleck't lime as will make that hony thick like paste ; then hold it in a fire-pan over the fire untill it be baked so hard as it may be made in powder , and sprinkle that upon the sore places . of the falling of the crest . the falling of the crest is occasioned most commonly through poverty ; yet sometimes i have seen it chance thorugh the ill proportion of the crest , which being high , thick and heavy , the neck thin and weak underneath , is not able to support or sustain it up , however it be , there is remedy for both : if it proceed of poverty , first try by good keeping to get it up again , but if it will not rise , or that the original of the disease be in the ill fashion of the crest , then let this be the cure , first with your hand raise up the crest as you would have it stand , or rather more to that side from which it declineth , then take up the skin between your fingers on that side from which the crest swarveth , and with a sharp knife cut away the breadth of very near an inch , and the length of four inches ; which done , stitch up the skin together again with three or four stitches , and by means of strings , weights , or other devises , keep the crest perforce on that side , applying thereunto a plaister of deers sewet and turpentine , boiled together , till the sore be healed ; and at the self same instant that by this manner of insition you draw together and straiten the skin on that side , you shall in this sort give liberty to the other side , whereby the crest may the easier attain to his place ; take a hot iron made in fashion of a knife , the edge being a quarter of an inch broad , and therewith from the upper part of his crest unto the neather part of the same extending towards his shoulder , draw three lines in this forme and the same anoint dayly with fresh butter , untill such time as it be perfectly whole . by this manner of cure , you may make any lave-ear'd horse , to be as prick-ear'd and comely , as any other horse whatsoever . of the manginess of the mane. the manginess proceedeth of rankness of bloud , or of poverty , of lowsiness , or else of rubbing where a mangy horse hath rubbed , or of filthy dust lying in the mane for lack of good dressing . the signes be apparent by the itching and rubbing of the horse , and the scabs fretting both flesh and skin . the cure , according to martin , is thus ; take of fresh grease one pound , of quicksilver half an ounce , of brimstone one ounce , of rape oil half a pinte , mingle them together , and stir them continually in a pot with a slice , untill the quicksilver be so wrought with the rest , as you shall perceive no quicksilver therein . that done , take a blunt knife , or an old horse-comb , and scratch all the mangy places therewith untill it be raw and bloudy , and then anoint it with this ointment , in the sun-shine if it may be , to the intent the ointment may sink in : or else hold before it in a fire-pan or some broad bar of iron made hot , to make the ointment to melt into the flesh . and if you see that within the space of three dayes after , with this once anointing , he leave hot rubbing , then marke in what place he rubbeth , and dresse that place again , and you shall see it heal quickly . of the falling of the hair of the mane. it falleth for the most part , because it is eaten with little wormes , fretting the roots in sunde● ; which , according to martin , you shall remedy in this sort ; anoint the mane and crest with sope , then make strong lie and wash all the mane and crest withall , and that will kill the wormes , within twice or thrice washing . of griefs in the withers . to a horses withers and back , do chance many griefs and sorances , which , as russius saith , do sometime proceed of inward causes , as of the corruption of humors ; and sometime of outward causes , as through the galling and pinching of some naughty saddle , or by some heavy burthen laid on the horses back , or such like . and of such griefs , some be but superficial blisters , swellings , lightgals or bruisings , and be easily cured . some again do pierce to the very bone , and be dangerous , and especially if they be nigh the back bone ; let us first then shew you the cure of the smaller griefs , and then of the greater ▪ another of blisterings , or small swellings in the withers or back and gallings . whensoever you see any swelling rise , then martin would have you to binde a little hot horse dung unto it , and that will asswage it . if not , then to prick it round about the swelling , either with a fleam , or else with a sharp pointed knife not too deep , but so as it may pierce the skin , and make the bloud to issue forth . that done , take of mallowes or else of smallage , two or three handfuls , and boil them in running water untill they be so soft as pap ; then strain the water from it , and bruise the herbs in a trean dish , putting thereunto a little hogs grease , or else sallet oil , or sheeps sewet , or any other fresh grease , boil them and stir them together , not frying them hard , but so as it may be soft and supple , and then with a cloud lay it warm upon the sore , renewing it every day once untill the swelling be gone . for this will either drive it away , or else bring it into his head , which lightly chanceth not , unlesse there be some gristle or bone perished . russius biddeth you , so soon as you see any swelling rise , to shave the place with a rasor , & lay thereunto this plaister ; take a little wheat flower and the white of an egge beaten together , and spead it on a little clout , which being laid unto the swelling two or three dayes and not removed , will bring it to a head , and when you come to take it off , pull it away so softly as you can possible , and whereas you see the corruption gathered together , then in the lowest place thereof , pierce it upward with a sharp iron somewhat hot , that the corruption may come out , and anoint the sore place every day once with fresh butter , or hogs grease ; but if the skin be only chafed off without any swelling , then wash the place with water and salt , or else with warm wine , and sprinkle this powder thereon ; take of unsleck't lime beaten into fine powder , and mingle it with hony untill it be as thick as any paste , and make rols or bals theof , and bake them in a fire-pan over the fire , untill they be so hard as they may be brought to powder , for this is a very good powder to dry up any galling or sore . the powder of myrrhe or burnt silk , felt , or cloth , or any old post , is also good for such purposes ; but whensoever you use this powder of lime and hony , let the place be washed , as is aforesaid . of great swellings and inflamations in a horses withers . if the swelling be very great , then the cure according to martin is thus ; first draw round about the swelling with a hot iron , and then crosse him with the same iron in manner of a checker , then take a round hot iron having a sharp point , and thrust it into the swelling place on each side up toward the point of the withers ; to the intent the matter may issue downward at the holes . that done , tent both the holes with a tent dipt in hogs grease to kill the fire , and also anoint all the other burnt places therewith , continuing so to do untill the swelling be asswaged , renewing it every day once , untill the fiery matter be clean fallen away , and then tent him again with washed turpentine mingled with yolks of egges and saffron in such manner as hath been aforesaid , renewing the tent every day once untill it be whole . if you see that the swelling for all this go not away , then it is a signe of some impostumation within , and therefore it shall be necessary to lance it , and to let out the corruption ; then take of hony half a pinte , of verdigrease two ounces beaten to powder , and mingle it together with the hony , then boil them in a pot untill it look red , then being lukewarm , make either a tent or plaister , according as the wound shall require , renewing the same every day once , untill it be whole . but the sore may be so vehement , that for lack of looking in time , it will pierce downward betwixt both shoulders toward the intrails , which is very dangerous : yea , and as russius saith , mortal , because the corruption of the sore infecting the lungs and heart ( which be the vitall parts and chief preservers of life ) the body must needs decay . and therefore martin would have you to fill the hole with the salve last mentioned , and to thrust in afterward a piece of a spunge , as well to keep the hole open , as also to suck out the corruption , renewing it every day once untill it be whole . of the horns or hard knobs growing under the sadle side . this is a dead skin like a piece of leather , called of the italians , gorno , that is to say , a horn , for that it is hard under hand , and cometh by means of some strait saddle , pinching the horse more on the one side then on the other ; or else on both sides equally . the cure whereof according to martin , is in this sort ; anoint them with fresh butter or hogs grease , untill they be mollified and made so soft as you may either cut them , or pull them away , and then wash the wound with mans stale , or with white wine , and dry it with powder of unsleck't lime mixt with hony. of wens or knobs growing about the saddle skirts . these be great hard knobs growing most commonly betwixt two ribs , apparent to the eye , which by their hardness seem to come of some old bruise , and are called of the italians , le cuis . the cure whereof , according to martin , is thus ; first mollifie them , by anointing them with hogs grease every day once or twice , the space of eight dayes , and if you perceive that it will come to no head with this , then lance it from the middle downward , that the matter may come out : then tent it with washed turpentine , yolks of egges , and saffron mingled together as is aforesaid , renewing the tent everyday once until it be whole , of the navillgall . the navil gall , is a bruise on the back behinde the saddle right against the navil of the horse , and thereof taketh his name . it cometh either by splitting of the saddle behinde , or for lack of stuffing , or by means of the hinder buckle fretting that place , or else by some great weight laid on his back : you shall perceive it by the puffed up and spungy flesh , looking like rotten lights or lungs , and therefore is called of the italians , pulmone , or pulmonsella . the cure whereof , according to martin , is thus ; out it round about with a sharp knife or rasor even to the bone , leaving no rotten flesh behinde : that done , take the white of an egge and salt beaten together , and lay that plaisterwise to the sore upon a little towe , renewing it once a day the space of two dayes . then take of hony a quartern of a pinte , and of verdigrease an ounce beat into powder , and boile them together in a pot , stirring it still untill it look red , and being lukewarm , make a plaister with towe and clap it to the wound , washing and cleansing well the wound first with a little warm vinegar or white wine , continuing it once a day untill it begin to heal and skin , then dry it up , by sprinkling thereon this powder following ; take of hony a quartern , and as much of unsleck't lime as will thicken the hony like unto paste , and in a fire-pan over the fire , stir it still until it be hard baked , so as it may be beaten into powder , but before you throw on the powder , wash the wound first with warm vinegar , continuing so to do untill it be perfectly skinned and whole . of the swaying of the back . this is called of the italians , malferuto , and according to russius and martins opinions , cometh either by some great strain , or else by heavy burthens : you shall perceive it by the reeling and rolling of the horses hinder parts in his going , which will faster many times , and sway some-times backward , and sometime sideling , and be ready to fall even to the ground , and the horse being laid , is scant able to get up . the cure , according to martin , is thus ; cover his back with a sheeps skin , coming hot from the sheeps back , laying the fleshie side next unto his back , and lay a housing cloth upon the same to keep his back as warm as may be , and so let it continue until it begin to smell ; then take the old skin away , and lay a new unto it , continuing so to do the space of three weeks . and if he amend not with this , then draw his back with a hot iron out on both sides of the ridge of his back , from the pitch of the buttocks , unto a handful within the saddle , and let every line be an inch distant one from another , and then again overthwart checker-wise , but let not such strokes be over deep , and so burned as every one look yellow , then say on this charge following ; take pitch one pound , of rozen half a pound , of bole armony half a pound made in powder , and half a pin●e of tar , and boil all these together in a pot , stirring it untill everything be molten and thoroughly mingled together , then being lukewarm , dawb all the burnning therewith very thick , and thereupon clap as many flocks of the horses colour , as you can make to abide on , and remove it not before it fall away it self , and if it be in summer , you may turn him to grasse . of the weakness in the back . it doth appear by laurentius russius , that there is another kind of weakness in the back , called in italian , le gotte or morsecatura de le reni , that is to say , the fretting or biting of the reins , which as the said russius saith , proceedeth of abundance of humors resorting to that place , whereby all the hinder parts of the horse do lose their feeling and strength , and the horse falleth down on the ground ; yea , and such humors resorting to the heart , do suffocate the same , and in two or three hours do cause the horse to die . the remedy , according to russius , is in this sort ; let him bloud abundantly in the neck , and draw his back with a hot iron , in such sort as is declared in the last chapter . he saith also it is good to make him swim thorugh a river , and to rowel him on his hanches nigh the huckle bones ; and to make the hair to grow again , it is good , as he saith , to anoint the place with hogs grease , and three leaved grasse stamped together . of hidebound . hidebound , is when the skin cleaveth so fast to the horses back , that a man cannot pull it from the flesh with his hand , which ruellius calleth coriago ; it cometh for the most part of poverty , or else when the horse after some great heat hath been suffered to stand long in the rain or wet weather , for that will cause the skin to shrink , and to cling to his ribs . it is known by the leanness of the horse , and gantness of his belly , and by fast sticking of the skin unto the ribs when you pul at it with your hand . the cure , according to martin , is thus : let him bloud on both sides the belly in the flank veins betwix the flank and the girding place : that done , give him this drink ; take a quart of white wine , or else of good ale , and put thereunto three ounces of good sallet oil , of cumin one ounce , of annis seeds two ounces , of licoras two ounces , beaten all into fine powder , and give it him lukewarm with a horn . and when he hath drunk , let one standing at his huckle bone , rub him hard with his hand along the back , and overthwart the ribs , the space of half an hour : that done , set him in a warm stable , and let him stand in litter up to the belly , and cover all his back and ribs with a sack first , throughly soaked in a tub of cold water , and then well and hard wrung , and over that cast another cloth , and gird it fast with a surcingle , stuffing him well about the back with fresh straw , continuing thus to do every day once the space of a week , during which time give him no cold water , but lukewarm , and put therein a little ground mault . the wet sack will cause the back to gather heat it self , and the skin to loosen from the flesh , and if you will bestow more cost , you may anoint all his body with wine and oil mingled together , according to the opinion of the old writers , which no doubt is a very comfortable thing , and must needs supple the skin , and loosen it from the flesh . of the diseases in the throate and lungs , and why the griefs of the shoulders and hips be not mentioned before amongst the griefs of the withers and back . some perhaps would look here , that for so much as i have declared the diseases of the neck , withers and back , that i should also follow on now with the griefs of the shoulders and hips . but sith that such griefs for the most part doe cause a horse to halt , and that it requireth some skill to know when a horse halteth , whether the fault be in his shoulder , hip , leg , joint , or foot , i think it is not good to separate those parts asunder , specially sith nature hath joyned them together , that is to say , the shoulders to the forelegs , and the hips to the hinder legs . and therefore according to natures order , i will treat of them in their proper place ; that is to say , after that i have shewed all the diseases that be in the inward horses body , not only above the midriffe , as the diseases of the throat , lungs , breast and heart , but also under the midriffe , as those of the stomach , liver , guts , and of all the rest . and first , as touching the diseases of the throat , the glaunders , and strangullion , to all horses is most common . of the glanders and strangullion , so called according to the italian name stranguillion . most farriars do take the glanders and strangullion to be all one disease , but it is not so , for the glanders is that which the physitians call tonsillae , and the strangullion is that which they call in latine , angina , in greek , gynanch , and we commonly call it in english the squina●cy , or quinsie . tonsillae , is interpreted by them to be the inflamations of the kirnels , called in latine , glandes , the italian , glandulae , which lie on both sides of the throat , underneath the root of the tongue , nigh unto the swallowing place ; of which word glandes , or glandulae , i think we borrow this name glanders ; for when the horse is troubled with this disease , he hath great kirnels underneath his jawes , easie to be seen or felt , paining him so , as he can not easily swallow down his meat , which cometh first of cold distillations out of the head : but if such kirnels be not inflamed , they will perhaps go away of themselves , or else by laying a little hot horse-dung and straw unto them , the warmth thereof will dissolve them , and make them to vanish away . but if they be inflamed , they will not go away but encrease and wax greater and greater , and be more painful every day then other , and cause the horse to cast continually filthy matter at his nose . the cure whereof , according to martin , is this ; first ripe the kernels with this plaister ; take of bran two handfuls , or as much as will thicken a quart of wine or ale : then put thereunto half a pound of hogs grease , and boyl them together , and lay it hot to the sore with a cloth , renewing it every day until it be ready to break , then lance it , and let out all the matter , and tent it with a tent of flax dipt in this salve ; take of turpentine , of hogs grease , of each like quantity , and a little wax , and melt them together , and renew the tent every day until it be whole . laurentius russius saith , that this disease is very common to colts , because in them doth abound fluxible moisture , apt to be dissolved with every little heat , and to turn to putrifaction : and therefore if the horse be not over young , he would have you first to let him bloud in the neck vein , and then to lay unto the same sore a ripening plaister , made of mallowes , linseeds , rew , wormwood , ground ivy , oyl of bayes , and dialthea , and to anoint his throat also , and all the sore place with fresh butter : and the sore being ripe , to lance it , or else to rowel it , that the matter may come forth . but if the kernels will not decrease , then pull them away by the roots , and dry up the ulcerous place with an ointment made of unsleck't lime , pepper , brimstone , nitrum , and oyl olive . it shall be also good to purge his head by perfuming him every day once , in such sort as hath been before declared . and let the horse be kept warm about the head , and stand in a warm stable , and let him drink no cold water : but if you see that after you have taken away the kernels , the horse doth not for all that leave casting filthy matter at the nose , then it is to be feared that he hath some spice of the mourning of the chine , for both diseases proceed of one cause , and therefore i think good to speak of it here presently . but first i will set down a drink which i have seen proved upon a horse that i thought could never have been recovered of the same disease , and yet it did recover him in very short space , so as he travelled immediately after many miles , without the help of any other medicine . a drink for the strangullion or glanders , take of warm milk as it cometh from the cow a quart , or in stead thereof a quart of new beer or ale warmed , and put thereunto of moulten butter the quantity of an egge ; and then take one head of garlick , first clean pilled and then stamped small , which you must put into the milk or drink being made lukewarm , and give it the horse with a horn , and immediately after the drink be given , catch hold of his tongue with your hand , and having broken two raw egges , either upon his foreteeth , or against the staffe wherewith his head is holden up , cast those broken egges , shels and all into his throat , making him to swallow down the same ; that done , ride him up and down till he begin to sweat , then set him up covered warm with an old coverlet and straw , not suffering him to eat nor drink for the space of two or three hours after , and let his drink for the space of two or three dayes be somewhat warm , whereunto it is good to put a hand●ul or two of ●ran or ground malt , and in giving the said drink , it shall not be amisse to powre some thereof into either nostril . of the mourning of the chine . this word , mourning of the chine , is a corrupt name borrowed of the french tongue , wherein it is called morte deschien , that is to say , the death of the back . because many do hold this opinion , that this disease doth consume the marrow of the back ; for remedy whereof , they use strange kinds of cures . for some taking it to be a rheume , go about to stop it , by laying astrictive , or binding charges to the nape of the neck . some again , do twine out the pith of the back with a long wire thrust up into the horses head , and so into his neck and back , with what reason i know not . well ; i know that few horses do recover that have this disease . some again think that the lungs of the horse be rotten , and that the horse doth cast them out at his nose . but martin saith , that he hath cut up divers horses which have been judged to have dyed of the mourning of the chine , but he could finde never either back or lungs to be perished , but only the liver , and most commonly that side of the liver which answereth the nostril whereat he casteth , whereof we will talk in his proper place , when we come to speak of the diseases in the liver . the italians do call this disease ciamorro , the old authors do call it the moist malady , whereof theomnestus maketh two differences . for in the one the matter which he doth cast at the nose is white , and doth not smell at all : and in the other that which he casteth is filthy and stinking corruption ▪ they proceed both of cold humors congealed in the head , but more abounding in the one then in the other ; by reason perhaps that the horse was not cured in time : for of cold first cometh the pose , and the cough , then the glanders , and last of all the mourning of the chine , when the horse casteth matter at the nose that is not stinking ; he may easily be cured by such remedies as have been before declared in the chapter of the pose ; but if the matter be very filthy and stinking , then it is very hard to cure . notwithstanding it shall not grieve me to write unto you here , the experience of theomnestus , and of laurentius russius . theomnestus cure is thus ; take of water and hony , called of the physitians hydromel , a quart , and put thereunto three ounces of oyl , and powre that into his nostril every morning the space of three dayes ; and if that do not profit him , then let him drink every day , or once in two dayes , a quart of old wine , mingled with some of the medicine , or rather the precious meat , called of the old writers tetrapharmacum , and that will restore him to his former estate . laurentius russius saith , that of all diseases there is none more perillous , nor more to be suspected , then the rheume which cometh of cold , for horses have large conduites , and are full of moisture , and therefore if cold once enter , it findeth matter enough to work on , to breed continual distillation , as well outwardly at the nose , as inwardly , descending down to the vitall part in such sort , as it doth not suffocate the same . the signes , according to the said russius , be these ; the horse doth cast matter continually at the nose , sometime thin , and sometime thick , his nostrils , ears , and all his outward parts , will be cold to the feeling , his eyes , head , and all his body heavy , and he will cough , and have small appetite to his meat , and lesse to his drink , and sometime he will tremble and shake . his cure is in this sort ; purge his head , partly by perfuming him , & partly by making him to neeze in such sort as hath been before taught in the chapter of the pose , which wayes of perfuming and purging his head as they be good , so doth russius praise these two here following to be most excellent ; the first is this : take of the stalks of vitis alba , otherwise called brionie , or wilde vine , two or three good handfuls , and being bruised put them into a linnen bag , and fasten the bag to the horses head , so as he may receive the sent up into his nostrils , without touching the hearb with his mouth , and this will cause the humors to run down abundantly . the second medicine ; take of euforbium beaten into fine powder , three ounces , of the juice of betes one pound , of swines bloud half a pound , boyl all these together until they be throughly mingled together , and liquid like an ointment , and then take it from the fire , and put thereunto one ounce more of euforbium , and mingle them again throughly together , and preserve the same in a box , to use at needful times in this sort ; make two stiffe long rols or tampins of linnen clouts , or such like stuffe , sharp pointed like sugar loaves : which tampins are called of the physicians in latin , pessi , and being anointed with the ointment aforesaid , thrust them up into the horses nostrils , and let them abide therein a pretty while , then pull them out , and you shall see such abundance of matter come forth at his nose , as is marvellous to behold . russius also praiseth very much this medicine here following . take as much of the middle bark of an elder tree , growing on the water side , as will fill a new earthen pot of a mean size , putting thereunto as much clear water as a pot will hold , and let it boyl until one half be consumed , and then to be filled up again with fresh water , continuing so to do three times one after another , and at the last time that the one half is consumed , take it from the fire , and strain it through a linnen cloth . then take two parts of that decoction , and one part of hogs grease , or butter , and being warmed again together , give the horse to drink thereof one hornful , and powre another hornful into his nostril that casteth ; and whensoever you give him this medicine , let the horse be empty and fasting , and keep him without meat also two or three hours after , for this is a very good drink for any sickness that cometh of cold . moreover , open the skin of his forehead , and of his temples , and also of his tail with a sharp hot iron , that the corrupt humors may issue outward . that done , take hot brickes , or else a pan of fresh burning coles , and hold it nigh unto his belly and flanks , to the intent that they may be throughly warmed , and being so warmed , anoint them all over with oyl-de-bay , or dialthea , to defend his body from the cold , and let his head be well covered , and all his belly kept warm . yea , and it were good to bathe his head sometime , as russius saith , with a bath made of rew , wormwood , sage , ju●iper , bay leaves , and hysop . and let his drink be warm water mingled with wheat meal ; yea , and to make it the more comfortable , it were good , as russius saith , to put thereunto some cinamon , ginger , galingale , and such hot pieces . and his meat in winter season would be no other but sodden corn , or warm mashes , made of ground malt and wheat bran : in summer season , if he went to grasse , i think it would do him most good , so that he go in a dry warm ground , for by feeding alwayes downward , he shall purge his head the better , as russius saith . thus much of the glanders , and mourning of the chine . now we will speak somewhat of the strangullion , according to the opinion of the authors , though not to the satisfaction perhaps of our english farriars . of the strangullion or squinancy . the strangullion , called of the latines , anginae , according to the physitians , is an inflamation of the inward parts of the throat , and as i said before , is called of the greeks , cynanche , which is as much to say in english as strangling , whereof this name strangullion as i think is derived , for this disease doth strangle every man or beast , and therefore is numbred amongst the perillous and sharp diseases , called of the latines , morbi acuti ; of which strangling , the physi●ians in mans body make four differences ; the first and worst is , when no part within the mouth nor without , appeareth manifestly to be inflamed , and yet the patient is in great peril of strangling . the second is , when the inward parts of the throat only be inflamed . the third is , when the inward and outward parts of the throat be both inflamed . the fourth is , when the muscles of the neck are inflamed , or the inward joynts thereof so loosened , as they straiten thereby both the throat , or wesand , or wind-pipe ; for short breath is incident to all the four kinds before recited , and they proceed all of one cause ; that is to say , of some cholerick or bloudy fluxion , which comes out of the branches of the throat veins into those parts , and there breedeth some hot inflamation . but now to prove that a horse is subject to this disease , you shall hear what absyrtus , hierocles . vegetius , and others do say , absyrtus writing to his friend a certain farriar or horse-leach , called a●storicus , speaketh in this manner , when a horse hath the strangullion it quickly killeth him ; the signes whereof be these ; his temples will be hollow , his tongue will swell and hang out of his mouth , his eyes also will be swollen , and the passage of his throat stopt so as he can neither eat nor drink . all these signes be also confirmed by hi●rocles . moreover , vegetius rendereth the cause of this disease , affirming that it proceedeth of aboundance of subtle bloud , which after long travel will inflame the inward or outward muscles of the throat or wesand , or such affluence of bloud may come , by use of hot meate after great travel , being so alterative as they cause those parts to swell in such sort , as the horse can neither eat nor drink nor draw his breath . the cure , according to vege●ius , is in this sort : first bathe his mouth and tongue in hot water , and then anoint it with the gall of a bull ; that done , give him this drink , take of old oyl two pound , of old wine a quart , nine figs , and nine leeks heads well stamped and brayed together . and after you have boiled these a while before you strain them , put thereunto a little nitrum alexandrinum , and give him a quart of this every morning and evening . absyrtus and hierocles would have you to let him bloud in the palace of his mouth , and also to powre . wine and oyl into his nostrils , and also give him to drink this decoction of figs and nitrum sodden together , or else to anoint his throat within with nitre , oil , and hony , or else with hony and hogs dung mingled together , which differeth not much from galên his medicine , to be given unto man. for he saith , that hony mingled with the powder of hogs dung that is white , and swallowed down , doth remedy the squinancy presently . absyrtus also praiseth the ointment made of bdellium , and when the inflamation beginneth somewhat to decrease , he saith it is good to purge the horse , by giving him wilde cucumber and nitre to drink . let his meat be grasse if it may be gotten , or else wet hay , and sprinkled with nitre . let his drink also be lukewarm water , with some barley meal in it . of the cough . of coughs , some be outward , and some be inward . those be outward which do come of outward causes , as by eating a feather , or by eating dusty or sharp straw , and such like things : which tickling his throat , causeth him to cough : you shall perceive it by wagging and wrying his head in his coughing , and by stamping sometime with his foot , labouring to get out the thing that grieveth him , and cannot . the cure , according to martin , is thus : take a willow wand , rolled throughout with a fine linnen clout , and then anoint it all over with hony , and thrust it down his throat , drawing your hand to and fro , to the intent it may either drive down the thing that grieveth him , or else bring it up , and do this twice or thrice , anointing every time the stick with fresh hony. of the inward and wet cough . of inward coughs , some be wet , and some be dry . the wet cough is that cometh of cold , taken after some great heat given to the horse , dissolving humors , which being afterward congealed , do cause obstruction and stopping in the lungs . and i call it the wet cough , because the horse in his coughing will void moist matter at his mouth after that it is once broken . the signes be these ; the horse will be heavie , and his eyes will run with water , and he will forsake his meat ; and when he cougheth , he thrusteth out his head , and reacheth with great pain at the first , as though he had a dry cough , untill the fleam be broken , and then he will cough more hollow , which is a signe of amendment . and therefore , according to martins experience , to the intent the fleam may break the sooner , it shall be necessary to keep him warm , by clothing him with a double cloth , and by littering him up to the belly with fresh straw , and then to give him this drink ; take of barley one peck , and boyl it in two or three gallons of fair water , untill the barley begin to burst , and boyl therewith of bruised licoras , of anise seeds or raisins , of each one pound , then strain it , and to that liquor put of hony a pinte , and a quartern of sugarcandy , and keep it close in a pot to serve the horse therewith four several mornings , and cast not away the sodden barley with the rest of the strainings , but make it hot every day to perfume the horse withal , being put in a bag and ●ied to his head , and if the horse will eat of it , it shall do him the more good . and this perfuming in winter season would be used about ten of the clock in the morning , when the sun is of some height , to the intent the horse may be walked abroad , if the sun shine , to exercise him moderately . and untill his cough wear away , fail not to give him warm water , with a little ground mault . and as his cough breaketh more and more , so let his 〈◊〉 every day be lesse warmed then other . of the dry cough . this seemeth to come of some grosse and tough humor cleaving hard to the hollow places of the lungs which stoppeth the winde-pipes , so as the horse cannot easily draw his breath , and if it continue , it will either grow to the pursick , or else break his winde altogether . the signs be these ; he will cough both often , drily , and also vehemently , without voiding at the nose or mouth . the cure , according to martin , is in this sort ; take a close earthen pot , and put therein three pintes of strong vinegar , and four eggs , shels and all unbroken , and four garlick heads clean pilled and bruised , and set the pot being very close covered in some warm dunghil , and there let it stand a whole night ; and the next morning with your hand take out the egges , which will be so soft as silk , and lay them by untill you have strained the garlick and vinegar through a fair cloth , then put to that liquor a quartern of hony , and half a quartern of sugarcandy , and two ounces of licoras , and two ounces of anise seeds , beaten all into fine powder and then the horse having fasted all the night before , in the morning betwixt seven and eight of the clock , open his mouth with a cord , and whorle therein one of the egges , so as he may swallow it down , and then immediately powre in after a hornefull of the aforesaid drink , being first made lukewarm , and cast in another egge with another hornful of drink , and so continue to do , untill he hath swallowed up all the egges , and drunk up all the drink ; and then bridle him , and cover him with warmer clothes then he had before , and bring him into the stable , and there let him stand on the bit , at the bate rack , well littered up to the belly , the space of two hours . then unbit him , and if it be in winter , offer him a handfull of wheaten straw ; if in summer , give him grasse , and let him eat no hay unless it be very well dusted and sprinkled with water , and give him not much thereof . and therefore you shall need to give him the more provender , which also must be well cleansed of all filth and dust , and give him no water the space of nine dayes . and if you perceive that the cough doth not wear away , then if it be in winter , purge him with these pils ; take of lard two pound laid in water two hours , then take nothing but the clean fat thereof , and stamp it in a morter , and thereto put of licoras , of anise seeds , of fenegreek , of each beaten into powder three ounces , of aloes in powder two ounces , of agarick one ounce : knead these together like paste , and make thereof six bals as big as an egge . then the horse having fasted over night , give him the next morning these pils one after another , anointed with hony and oyl mingled together in a platter ; and to the intent he may swallow them down whether he will or not , when you have opened his mouth , catch hold of his tongue , and hold it fast while you whirle in one of the pils ▪ that done ▪ thrust it into his throat with 〈◊〉 rolling-pin , and then let his tongue go untill he hath swallowed it down ; then give him 〈…〉 all the rest of the pils , and let him stand on the bit warm clothed and littered , the space of three hours at the least , and after that give him a little wet hay , and warm water with a little ground mault in it to drink , and let him drink 〈◊〉 other but warm water the space of a week ▪ and now and then in a fair sunny day , it shall be good to trot him one hour abroad to breath him . of the fretized , broken and rotten lungs . this proceedeth , as absyrtus and theomnestus saith , either of an extreme cough , or of vehement running , or leaping , or of over greedy drinking after great thirst , for the lungs be inclosed in a very thin film or skin , and therefore easie to be broken , which if it be not cured in time , doth grow to apostumation , and to corruption , oppressing all the lungs , which of old authors is called vomic● , and suppuratio . but theomnestus saith , that broken lungs , and rotten lungs , be two divers diseases , and have divers signes , and divers cures . the signes of broken lungs be these ; the horse draweth his wind short , and by little at once , he will turn his head often toward the place grieved , and groaneth in his breathing , he is afraid to cough , and yet cougheth as though he had eaten small bones . the same theomnestus healed a friends horse of his , whose lungs were st 〈…〉 , or rather broken as he saith , by continual eating of salt , with this manner of cure here following ▪ let the horse have quiet and rest , and then let him bloud in the hanches , where the veins appear most : and give him to drink the space of seven dayes , barley ▪ or rather oates sodden in goats milk ▪ o● if you can get no milk , boil it in water , and put therein some thick collops of lard and of 〈…〉 , and let him drink that : and let his common drink in winter season ●e the decoction of wheat meal ; and in the summer time , the decoction of barley ▪ and this as he saith will bind his ●●ngs again together . vegetius utterly disalloweth letting of bloud in any such disease as this is and all manner of sharp medicines , for fear of provoking the cough , by means whereof the broken places can never heal perfectly . and therefore neither his medicines nor meat would be harsh , but smooth , gentle and cooling . the best medicine that may be given him at all times is this ; take of f 〈…〉 k , and of linseed , of each half a pound , of gum dragant , of mastick , of myrrhe , of sugar , of fitch flowre , of each one ounce . let all these things be beaten into fine powder , and then 〈◊〉 o●● whole night in a sufficient quantity of warm water , and the next day give him a quart of this luke-warm , putting thereunto two or three ounces of oyl of roses , continuing so to do many dayes together , and if the disease be new , this will heal him ; yea , and it will ease him very much , although the disease be old , which is thought uncurable . and in winter season so long as he standeth in the stable , let him drink no cold water , and let his meat be clean without dust , but in summer season it were best to let him run to grasse ; for so long as he eateth grasse , a man shall scantly perceive this disease . thus much of broken lungs . of putrified and rotten lungs . the signes to know whether a horses lungs be putrified or rotten , according to theomnestus are these ▪ the horse will eat and drink greedilye● then he was wont to do ▪ he shall be oftner vexed with a cough , and in coughing he will cast little lumps of matter out of his mouth . the cure whereof , according to theomnestus , is thus ; give him to drink every morning , the space of seven dayes , the juyce of purslain mingled with oil of roses , and add thereunto a little tragagantum that hath been layed before in steep in goats milk , or else in barley or oaten milk , strained out of the corn. when the apostume is broken , then a very strong vile and evill ●avour will come out of his nostrils , for remedy whereof it shall be good to give him the space o● seven dayes this drink here following ; take of the root called costus two ounces , and of gasia or else of cinnamon three ounces into fine powder , and a few raisins , and give it him to drink with wine . but vegetius would have him to be cured in this sort , and with lesse cost i assure you ; take of frankincense and aristoloch , of each two ounces , beaten into fine powder , and give him that with wine ; or else take of unburnt brimstone two ounces , and of aristoloch one ounce and a half beaten into powder , and give him that with wine . and he would have you also to draw his beast with a hot iron , to the intent the humors may issue forth outwardly . of shortness of breath . a horse may have shortness of breath , by hasty running after drinking , or upon a full stomach , or by the descending of humors unto his throat or lungs after some extreme heat dissolving the said humors , which so long as there is nothing broken , may in the beginning be easily holpen . the signes be these ; the horse will continually pant , and fetch his breath short , which will come very hot out at his nose , and in his breathing he will ●quise in the nose , and his flanks will beat thick : yea and some cannot fetch their breath unlesse they hold their necks right out and straight , which disease is called of the old writers by the greek name orthopnoea . the cure ; let him bloud in the neck , and give him this drink ; take of wine and oil , of each a pinte , of frankincense half an ounce , and of the juice of horehound half a pinte . it is good also to powre into his throat hony , butter and hogs grease moulten together , and made lukewarm ▪ tiberius saith , it is good to give him whole egges , shels and all , steeped and made soft in vinegar ; that is to say ; the first day three , the second day five , and the third day seven , and to powre wine and oil into his nostrils . i for my part would take nothing but annis seeds , licoras and sugarcandy , beaten all into fine powder , give him that to drink , with wine and oil mingled together . of the pursick . this is a shortness of breath , and the horse that is so diseased is called of the italians , cavallo pulsivo , or bolso , which i think is derived of the latin word vulsus , by changing v. into b. and i think differeth not much from him that hath broken lungs , called of vegetius and other old writers vulsus , for such shortness of breath comes either of the same causes , or else much like ▪ as aboundance of grosse humors , cleaving hard to the hollow places of the lungs , and stopping the windepipes . and the winde being kept in , doth resort downward , as russius saith , into the horses guts , and so causeth his flanks to beat continually without order ; that is to say , more swiftly and higher up to the back , then the flanks of any horse that is sound of winde . and if the disease be old , it is seldom or never cured ; and though i finde many medicines , prescribed by divers authors , few or none do content me , unless it be that of vegetius , recited before in the chapter of broken lungs . and if that prevaileth not , then i think it were not amisse according to russius to purge him with this drink here following ; take of maiden hair , of ireos , of a●h , of licoras , of fenigreek , of raisins , of each half an ounce , of cardanum , of pepper , of bitter almonds , of baurach , of each two ounces , of nettle seed , and of aristoloch , of each three ounces , boil them all together in a sufficient quantity of water , and in that decoction dissolve half an ounce of agarick , and two ounces of coloquintida , together with two pound of hony , and give him of this a pinte or a quart at divers times : and if it be too thick , make it thinner , by putting thereunto water wherein licoras hath been sodden : and if need be , you may also draw both his flanks crosse-wise with a hot iron , to restrain the beating of them , and also slit his nostrils , to give him more air . and if it be in summer , turn him to grasse ; if in winter , let him be kept warm , and give him now and then a little sodden wh●at . russius would have it to be given him three dayes together , and also new sweet wine to drink , o●●lse other good wine mingled with licoras water . of a consumption . a consumption is no other thing but an exulceration of the lungs , proceeding of some fretting or gnawing humor , descending out of the head into the lungs and i take it to be that disease which the old writers are wont to call the dry malady ; which perhaps some would rather interpret to be the mourning of the chine ▪ with whom i intend not to strive . but thus much i must needs say , that every horse having the mourning of the chine , doth continually cast at the nose , but in the dry malady it is contrary . for all the authors that write thereof affirm , that the horse avoideth nothing at the nose . and the signes to know the dry malady , according to their doctrine , be these : his flesh doth clean consume away , his belly is gaunt , and the skin thereof so hard stretched , or rather shrunk up , as if you strike on him with your hand it will sound like a taber , and he will be hollow backt , and forsake his meat , and though he eateth i● , ( as absyrtus saith ) yet he doth not digest it , nor prospereth not withal , he would cough and cannot but hickingly , as though he had eaten small bones . and this disease is judged of all the authors to be incurable . notwithstanding they say , that it is good to purge his head with such perfumes as have been shewed you before in the chapter of the glanders , and also to give him always coleworts , chopt small with his provender . some would have him to drink the warm bloud of sucking pigs new slain ; and some the juyce of leeks , with oyl and wine mingled together . others praise wine and frankincense ; some , oyl and rue ; some would have his body to be purged and set to grass . of the consumption of the flesh , and how to make a lean horse fat . martin ●aith , that if a horse take a great cold after a heat , it will cause his flesh to wast , and his skin to wax hard and dry , and to cleave fast to his sides , and he shall have no appetite unto his meat , and the fillets of his back will fall away , and all the flesh of his buttocks , and of his shoulders will be consumed . the cure whereof is thus : take two sheeps heads unflead , boyl them in three gallons of ale , or fair running water , until the flesh be consumed from the bones , that done , strain it through a fine cloth , and then put thereunto of sugar one pound , of cinamon two ounces , of conserve of roses , of barberries , of cherries , of each two ounces ; and mingle them together , and give the horse every day in the morning a quart thereof luke warm , untill all be spent : and after every time he drinketh , let him be walked up and down in the stable , or else abroad if the weather be warm , and not windy , and let him neither eat nor drink in two hours after , and let him drink no cold water , but luke-warm , the space of fifteen days , and let him be fed by little and little , with such meat as the horse hath most appetite unto . but if the horse he nesh and tender , and so wax lean without any apparent grief or disease , then the old writers would have him to be fed now and then with parched wheat , and also to drink wine with his water , and eat continually wheat-bran mingled with his provender , untill he wax strong ; and he must be often dressed and trimmed , and ly soft , without the which things his meat will do him but little good . and his meat must be fine and clean , and given often and by little at once . russius saith , that if a horse eating his meat with good appetite , doth not for all that prosper , but is still lean : then it is good to give him sage , savin , bay-berries , earth-nuts , and boares-grease , to drink with wine : or to give him the intrails of a barbel or tench , with white wine . he saith also that sodden beans mingled with bran and salt , will make a lean horse fat in very short space . of grief in the breast . laurentius russius writeth of a disease called in italian , gravezza di petto , which hath not been in experience amongst our farriers , that i can learn. it comes , as russius saith , of the superfluity of bloud , or other humors dissolved by some extream heat , and resorting down the breast , paining the horse , so as he cannot well go . the cure whereof according to russius is thus : let him bloud on both sides of the breast in the accustomed veins , and rowel him under the breast , and twice a day turn the rowels with your hand , to move the humors that they may issue forth , and let him go so roweled the space of fifteen days . of the pain in the heart called anticor , that is to say , contrary to the heart . this proceedeth of abundance of ranck bloud bred with good feeding and over much rest : which bloud resorting to the inward parts doth suffocate the heart , and many times causeth swellings to appear before the brest , which will grow upward to the neck , and then it killeth the horse . the signes : the horse will hang down his head in the manger , for saking his meat , and is not able to lift up his head . the cure according to martin is thus : let him bloud on both sides abundantly in the plat veins , and then give him this drink : take a quart of malmsie , and put thereunto half a quartern of sugar , and two ounces of cinamon , and give it him luke-warm , then keep him warm in the stable , stuffing him well about the stomach , that the wind offend him no manner of way ; and give him warm water with mault always to drink , and give him such meat as he will eat . and if the swelling do appear , then besides letting him bloud , strike the swelling in divers places with your fleam , that the corruption may go forth : and anoint the place with warm hogs grease , and that will either make it to wear away , or else to grow to a head , if it be covered and kept warm . of tired horses . because we are in hand here with the vital parts , and that when the horses be tired with over-much labour , their vital spirits wax feeble , i think it best to speak of them even here , not with long discoursing , as vegetius useth ; but briefly to shew you how to refresh the poor horse , having need thereof , which is done chiefly by giving him rest , warmth and good feeding as with warm mashes and plenty of provender . and to quicken his spirits , it shall be g●od to pour a little oyl and vinegar into his nostrils , and to give him the drink of sheeps heads recited before in the chapter of consumption of the flesh ; yea , and also to bath his legs with this bath : take of mallows , of sage , of each two or three handfuls , and of a rose-cake ; boil these things together , and being boyled , then put unto it a good quantity of butter , or of sallet-oyl . or else make him this charge : take of bole armony , and of wheat-flowre , of each half a pound , and a little rozen beaten into powder , and a quart of strong vinegar , and mingle them together , and cover all his legs therewith ; and if it be summer turn him to grass . of the diseased parts under the midriff , and first of the stomach . the old authors make mention of many di●eases incident to a horses stomach , as loathing of meat , spewing up his drink , surfeting of provender , the hungry evil , and such like , which few of our farriers have observed : and therefore i will briefly speak of as many as i think necessary to be known ; and first of the loathing of meat . of the loathing of meat . a horse may loath his meat through the intemperature of his stomach , as for that it is too hot or too cold . if his stomach be too hot , then most commonly it will either inflame his mouth and make it to break out in blisters , yea and perhaps cause some cancker to breed there . the cure of all which things hath been taught before . but if he forsake his meat only for very heat , which you shall perceive by the hotness of his breath and mouth , then cool his stomach by giving him cold water , mingled with a little vinegar and oyl to drink , or else give him this drink : take of milk , and of wine , of each one pinte , and put thereunto three ounces of mel rosatum , and wash all his mouth with vinegar and salt. if his stomach be too cold , then his hair will stare and stand right up , which absyrtus and others were wont to cure , by giving the horse good wine and oyl to drink , and some would seethe in wine rew , or sage ; some would adde thereunto white pepper and myrrhe ; some would give him onyons and rocket-seed to drink with wine : again , there be other some which prescribe the bloud of a young sow with old wine . absyrtus would have the horse to eat the green blades of wheat , if the time of the year will serve for it . columella saith , that if a horse , or any other beast , do loath his meat , it is good to give him wine , and the seed of gith ; or else wine and stampt garlick . of casting out his drink . vegetius saith , that the horse may have such a palsie proceeding of cold in his stomach , as he is not able to keep his drink , but many times to cast it out again at his mouth . the remedy whereof is to let him bloud in the neck , and to give him cordial drinks , that is to say , made of hot and comfortable spices ; and also to anoint all his breast , and under his shoulders with hot oyls , and to purge his head , by blowing up into his nostrils , powders that provoke neezing , such as have been taught you before . of surfeting with glut of provender . the glut of provender or other meat not digested , doth cause a horse to have great pain in his body , so as he is not able to stand on his feet , but lyeth down , and waltereth as though he had the bots. the cure whereof according to martins experience , is in this sort : let him bloud in the neck , then trot him up and down for the space of an hour ; and if he cannot stale , draw out his vard , and wash it with a little white wine luke-warm , and thrust into his yard either a bruised clove of garlick , or else a little oyl of camomile , with a wax candle . if he cannot dung , then rake his fundament , and give him this glyster : take of mallows two or three handfuls , and boil them in a pottle of fair running water ; and when the mallows be sodden , then strain it , and put thereunto a quart of fresh butter , and half a pinte of oyl olive ; and having received this glyster , lead him up and down , untill he hath emptyed his belly , then set him up , and keep him hungry the space of three or four days , and the hay that he eateth , let it be sprinkled with water , and let him drink water , wherein should be put a little bran , and when he hath drunk , give him the bran to eat , and give him little or no provender at all , for the space of eight or ten days . of another kinde of surfeting with meat or drink , called of us , foundering in the body . this disease is ●alled of the old writers in greek ; crithiasis ; in latine , hordeatio ; it cometh as they say , by eating of much provender suddenly after labour , whilest the horse is hot and panting , whereby his meat not being digested , breedeth evill humors , which by little and little do spread throughout his members , and at length do oppress all his body , and do clean take away his strength , and make him in such a case , as he can neither go , nor bow his joynts , nor being laid , he is not able to rise again ; neither can he stale , but with great pain . it may come also , as they say , of drinking too much in travelling by the way when the horse is hot , but then it is not so dangerous , as when it cometh of eating too much . but howsoever it cometh , they say all , that the humors will immediately resort down into the horses legs , and feet , and make him to cast his hoofs : and therefore i must needs judge it to be no other thing but a plain foundering , which word foundering is borrowed , as i take it , of the french word fundu , that is to say , molten . for foundering is a melting or dissolution of humors , which the italians call infusione . martin maketh divers kindes of foundering , as the foundering of the body , which the french men call most commonly mor●undu ; and foundering in the legs and feet ; also foundering before and behinde , which some authors do deny , as magister maurus , and laurentius russius , affirming that there are fewer humors behinde then before , and that they cannot easily be dissolved or molten , being so far distant from the heart , and the other vital parts . whereunto a man might answer , that the natural heat of the heart doth not cause dissolution of humors , but some unnatural and accidental heat , spred throughout all the members , which is dayly proved by good experience . for we see horses foundered not only before or behinde , but also of all four legs at once , which most commonly chanceth either by taking cold suddenly after a great heat ; as by standing still upon some cold pavement , or abroad in the cold winde ; or else perhaps the horse travelling by the way , and being in a sweat , was suffered to stand in some cold water whilest he did drink , which was worse then his drinking : for in the mean time the cold entering at his feet , ascended , upward , and congealed the humors which the heat before had dissolved , and thereby when he cometh once to rest , he waxeth stiffe and lame of his legs . but leaving to speak of foundering in the legs , as well before as behinde , untill we come to the griefs in the legs and feet ; we intend to talk here only of foundering in the body , according to martins experience . the signes to know if a horse be foundered in the body , be these : his hair will stare , and he will be chill , and shrug for cold , and forsake his meat , hanging down his head , and quiver after cold water ; and after two or three days he will begin to cough . the cure , according to martin is thus : first , scour his belly with the glyster last mentioned , and then give him a comfortable drink made in this sort : take of malmsie a quart , of sugar half a quartern , of honey half a quartern , of cinnamon half an ounce , of licoras and anise seeds , of each two spoonfuls , beaten into fine powder , which being put into the malmsie , warm them together at the fire , so as the honey may be molten , and then give it him luke-warm : that done , walk him up and down in the warm stable the space of half an hour , and then let him stand on the bit two or three hours without meat ; but let him be warm covered , and well littered ; and give him hay sprinkled with a little water , and clean sifted provender by a little at once ; and let his water be warmed with a little ground malt therein . and if you see him somewhat cheered , then let him bloud in the neck , and also perfume him once a day with a little frankincense ; and use to walk him abroad , when the weather is fair and not windy , or else in the house , if the weather be foul : and by thus using him you shall quickly recover him . of the hungry evill . this is a very great desire to eat , following some great emptiness , or lack of meat , and it is called of the old authors by the greek name bulimos , which is as much to say , as a great hunger proceeding , as the physitians say , at the first of some extream outward cold , taken by long travelling in cold barren places , and especially where snow aboundeth , which outward cold causeth the stomach to be cold , and the inward powers to be feeble . the cure according to absyrtus and hierocles , is in the beginning to comfort the horses stomach , by giving him bread sopt in wine . and if you be in a place of rest , to give him wheat-flowre and wine to drink ; or to make him cakes or bals of flowre and wine kneaded together , and to feed him with that ; or with wine and nuts of pine trees . hierocles saith , if any such thing chance by the way whereas no flowre is to be had , then it shall be best to give him wine and earth wrought together , either to drink , or else to eat in bals. of the disease in the liver . all the old authors speak much of the pain in the liver , but none of them do declare whereof it cometh , or by what means , saving that hippocrates saith , that some horses get it by violent running upon some stony or hard ground . i for my part think that the liver of a horse is subject to as many diseases as the liver of a man , and therefore may be pained diversly . as sometime by the intemperateness of the same , as for that it is perhaps too hot , or too cold , too moist , or too dry : sometimes by means of evill humors , as choler , or flegm abounding in the same , according as the liver is either hot or cold : for heat breedeth choser , and cold , flegm , by means of which intemperature proceedeth all the weakness of the liver . it may be pained also sometime by obstruction and stopping , and sometime by hard knobs , inflamation , a postume , or ulcer bred therein , sometime by consumption of the substance thereof . the signes of heat and hot humors , be these ; loathing of meat , great thirst , and looseness of belly , voiding dung of strong sent , and leanness of body . the signes of cold , and cold humors be these : appetite to meat without thirst , a belly neither continually loose nor stiptike , but between times , no strong sent of dung , nor leanness of body , by which kinde of signes , both first and last mentioned , and such like , the weakness and grief of the liver is also to be learned and sought out . obstruction or stopping most commonly chanceth by travelling or labouring upon a full stomach , whereby the meat not being perfectly digested , breedeth gross and tough humors , which humors by vehemency of the labour , are also driven violently into the small veins , whereby the liver should receive good nutriment , and so breedeth obstruction and stopping . the signes whereof in mans body is heaviness and distension , or swelling , with some grief in the right side under the short ribs , and especially when he laboureth immediately after meat , which things i believe if it were diligently observed , were easie enough to finde in a horse , by his heavy going at his setting forth , and often turning his head to the side grieved : of an old obstruction , and especially if the humors be cholerick , breedeth many times a hard knob on the liver , called of the physitians schirrus , which in mans body may be felt , if the body be not over fat : and it is more easie for him to ly on the right side than on the left , because that lying on the left side , the weight of the knob would oppress the stomach and vital parts very sore , by which signes methinks a diligent farrier may learn , whether a horse hath any such disease or not . the inflamation of the liver cometh by means that the bloud either through the abundance , thinness , boyling heat , or sharpness thereof ; or else through the violence of some outward cause , breaketh out of the veins , and floweth into the body of the liver , and there being out of his proper vessels doth immediately putrifie and is inflamed , and therewith corrupteth so much fleshy substance of the liver as is imbrewed withall ; and therefore for the most part , the hollow side of the liver is confumed ▪ yea , and sometime the full side . this hot bloudy matter then is properly called an inflamation , which by natural heat is afterward turned into a plain corruption , and then it is called an impostume , which if it break out and run , then it is called an ulcer , or filthy sore : thus you see , of one evill fountain may spring divers griefs , requiring divers cures . and though none of mine authors , nor any other farrier that i know have waded thus far , yet i thought good by writing thus much , to give such farriers as he wise , discreet and diligent , occasion to seek for more knowledge and understanding then is ●aught them ; and me thinks that it is a great shame , that the farriers of this age should not know much more than the farriers of old time , sith that besides that the old mens knowledge is not hidden from them , they have also their own experience ; and time also bringeth every day new things to light . but now to proceed in discoursing of the liver according to the physitians doctrine as i have begun ; i say then of an inflamation in the hollow side of the liver , the signes be these : loathing of meat , great thirst , looseness of belly , easie lying on the right side , and painful lying on the left . but if the inflamation be on the full side or swelling side of the liver , then the patient is troubled with difficulty of breathing , with a dry cough and grievous pain , pulling and twitching the winde-pipe , and to ly upon the right side is more painful than the left , and the swelling may be felt with a mans hand . but you must understand by the way ▪ that all these things last mentioned be the signes of some great inflamation , for small inflamations have no such signes , but are to be judged only by grief under the short ribs and fetching of the breath . the signes of apostumation is painful and great heat . the signes of ulcerations is decrease of the heat with feebleness and fainting . for the filthy matter flowing abroad with evill vapours corrupteth the heart , and many times causeth death . the signes of the consumption of the liver , shall be declared in the next chapter ; and as for the curing of all other diseases before mentioned , experience must first teach it ere i can write it . notwithstanding , i cannot think but that such things as are good to heal the like diseases in mans body , are also good for a horse ▪ for his liver is like in substance and shape to a mans liver , differing in nothing but only in greatness . and therefore i would wish you to learn at the physitians hands , who i am s 〈…〉 first , as touching , the weakness of the liver , proceeding of the untemperateness thereof , will bid you to heal every 〈◊〉 untemperateness by his contrary ; that is to say , heat by cold , and driness by moisture : and so contrary : and therefore it shall be very necessary for you to learn the qualities , natures , and 〈◊〉 of hear●● , drugs , and all other simples , and how to apply them in time . and for to heal the obstruction of the liver , they will counsel you perhaps to make the horse drinks of 〈◊〉 〈…〉 ples as these be , agrimony , fumitory , camomise , wormwood , licoras , anise seeds , smallage , parsly , spikenard , gentian , succory , endive , sperage , lupines , the vertues whereof you shall learn in the herbals : but amongst all simples , there is none more praised than the liver of a woolf beaten into powder , and mingled in any medicine that is made for any disease in the liver . the cure of an inflamation consisteth in letting bloud , and in bathing , or fomenting the sore place with such herbs and oyls , as may mollifie and disperse humors abroad , wherewith some simples that be astringent would be always mingled : yea , and in all other medicines that be applyed to the liver , for any manner of diseases . simples that mollifie and disperse be these : linseed , fenigreek , camomile , anise seeds , melliot ; and such like things . simples astringent be these : red rose leaves , bramble leaves , wormwood , plantain , myrrhe , mastick , stirax , and such like . apostumes are to be ripened and voided . ulcers must be cleansed , and scowred downward , either by the belly , or by urine : and therefore the use of such simples as provoke urine in such case is necessary . the old writers of horse-leech-craft do say , that when a horse is grieved in his liver , he will forsake his meat , and his body will waste , his mouth will be dry , his tongue rough and harsh : yea , and it will smell , and he will refuse to ly on that side where his grief is . the cure whereof according to absyrtus is in this sort : let him drink stampt ireos with wine allayed with water . he praiseth also an herb much like unto calamint ; called of pliny , polymoria ; or let him drink savory with wine and oyl . i think that agrimony or liver-wort is as good as the best of them . absyrtus would have his body to be chafed with wine and oyl mixt together ; and to be well littered that he may ly soft ' : and his provender that should be given him to be steeped first in warm water : and now and then some nitrum to be put into his drink . of the consumption in the liver . i believe that no inward member of a horse doth suffer so much as the lungs and liver , and that not so much by continual , as by unordinate , and untimely travail , labour , and exercise , whereby either the horses lungs , or his liver do most commonly perish , and is consumed : yea , and some-time both . of the consumption of the lungs , we have talked sufficiently before : therefore let us shew you here the causes whereof the consumption of the liver proceedeth . the physitians say , that it may come of any humor , but chiefly and most commonly of cholerick matter , shed throughout the substance of the liver , which putrifying by little and little , and leisurely , doth at length corrupt and perish all the substance of the liver , which thing in mans body doth first proceed , as the physitians say , either by eating corrupt meats , or else by continual drinking of sweet wines . but me thinks that the consumption of a horses liver , should come by some extreme heat , inflaming the bloud , which afterward being putrified , doth corrupt and exulcerate the substance of the liver . for after inflamation , as i said before , cometh apostumation , and exulceration , which is very hard to cure , because the substance of the liver is spongeous like unto the lungs . and whilest the liver is so corrupted , there can be no good digestion , for lack whereof the body receiveth no good nutriment , and therefore must needs also languish and consume . the signes according to martin be these : the horse will forsake his meat , and will stand stretching himself in length , and never cover to ly down ; and his breath will be so strong , as no man can abide it , and he will continually cast yellowish matter at the one nostril , or else at both , according as one or both sides of the liver is corrupted ; and on that side that he casteth most , he will have under his jaw , even about the midst thereof , a knob or kernel as much as a walnut , which when martin findeth , he committeth his carkase to the crows , taking him to be past cure . but if he were let bloud in time , and had such drinks given him , as are good to comfort and strengthen the liver , he thinketh that the horse might be recovered . i never read any medicine for the wasting of the liver , as i remember , but this only diet , which i found in an old english book : let him drink for the space of three days no other thing but warm wort ; and let him eat no other meat but oats baked in an oven , and let him stand meatless the first night before you give him the wort : but i think it were not am iss to put into the wort that he drinketh every morning some good confection of powder made of agrimony , red rose leaves , saccharum , rosaceum , diarchadon , abbatis , diasantalon , licoras , and of the liver of a wolf , and such other simples as do comfort and strengthen the liver ; or else to give him the same things with goats milk luke-warm . of the diseases in the gall. in my opinion the gall of a horse is subject to divers diseases , as well as the gall of a man , as to obstruction , whereof cometh the fulness and emptiness of the bladder , and likewise the stone in the gall . but obstruction may chance two manner of ways : first , when the way , whereby the choler should proceed from the liver unto the bladder of the gall as unto his receptacle , is stopped , and thereby the bladder remaineth empty , whereof may spring divers evill accidents : as vo-miting , the lax or bloudy flix . secondly , when the way whereby such choler should issue forth of the bladder of the gall down into the guts is shut up , whereby the bladder is over full and aboundeth with two much choler , which causeth heaviness , suffocation , belching , heat , thirst , and disposition to angryness . the signes of both kindes of obstruction in the gall is costiveness and yellowishness of skin infected with the yellow jaundise . the stone in the gall , which is somewhat blackish , proceedeth of the obstruction of the conduits of the bladder , whereby the choler being long kept in , waxeth dry , and turneth at length to hard gravel or stones , whereof because there is neither signes nor any grievous accident known to the physitians , i leave to talk any farther thereof , and the rather for that none of mine authors do make any mention of the gall at all . notwithstanding to give some light to the learned farriers , and that they may the better understand the inward parts of a horse ; i thought good to write thus much , thinking it no time lost while i may profit them any way . of the diseases in the spleen . the spleen , as i have said before in many places , is the receptacle of melancholy , and of the dregs of bloud , and is subject to the like diseases that the liver is , that is to say ; to swelling , obstruction , hard knobs , and inflamation , for the substance of the spleen is spongeous , and therefore apt to suck in all filth , and to dilate it self ; wherefore being full it must needs swell , which will appear in the left side under the short ribs ; and such swelling causeth also shortness of breath , and especially when the body doth labour or travel . it is painful also to ly on the right side , because the spleen being swoln so oppresseth the midriffe , and especially when the stomach is full of meat , and the patient hath worse digestion then appetite , and is troubled with much winde , both upward and downward . moreover the vapour of the humor doth offend the heart , making it faint , and causeth all the body to be heavy and dull ; and if such swelling be suffered to go uncured , then if it be a melancholy humor , and abounding over-much , it waxeth every day thicker and thicker , causing obstruction not only in the veins & arteries , which is to be perceived by heaviness and grief on the left side , but also in the spleen it self ; whereas by vertue of the heat it is hardned every day more and more , and so by little and little waxeth to a hard knob , which doth not only occupy all the substance of the spleen , but also many times all the left side of the womb , and thereby maketh the evill accidents or griefs before recited much more than they were . now as touching the inflamation of the spleen which chanceth very seldom ; for so much as every inflamation proceedeth of pure bloud ▪ , which seldom entereth into the spleen : i shall not need to make many words , but refer you over to the chapter of the liver , for in such case they differ not , but proceeding of like cause , have also like signes , and do require like cure . the old writers say , that horses be often grieved with grief in the spleen , and specially in summer season with greedy eating of sweet green meats , a●d they call those horses l●eno●os ; that is to say , spleenetick . the signes whereof ( say they ) are these , hard swelling on the left side , short breath , often groning , and greedy appetite to meat . the remedy whereof according to absyrtus is to make a horse to sweat once a day during a certain time , by riding him , or otherwise travelling him , and to pour into his left nostril every day the juyce of mirabolans mingled with wine and water , amounting in all to the quantity of a pinte . but me thinks it would do him more good , if he drank it as hierocles would have him to do . eumelius praiseth this drink : take of cummin seed and of honey , of each six ounces , and of laserpitium as much as a bean , of vinegar a pinte ; and put all these into three quarts of water , and let it stand so all night , and the next morning give the horse thereof to drink , being kept over night fasting . theomnestus praiseth the decoction of capers , especially if the bark of the root thereof may be gotten sodden in water to a syrup . or else make him a drink of garlick , nitrum , hore-hound , and wormwood , sodden in harsh wine : and he would have the left side to be bathed in warm water , and to be hard rubbed . and if all this will not help , then to give him the fire , which absyrtus doth not allow , saying the spleen lyeth so , as it cannot easily be fired , to do him any good . but for so much as the liver and spleen are members much occupied in the ingendring and separating of humors , many evill accidents and griefs do take their first beginning of them , as the jaundise , called in a horse , the yellows , driness of body , and consumption of the flesh , without any apparent cause why , which the physitians call atrophia ; also evill habit of the body , called of them cachexid , and the dropsie . but first we will speak of the jaundise or yellows . of the yellows . the physitians in a mans body do make two kindes of jaundise : that is to say , the yellow , proceeding of choler dispersed throughout the whole body , and dying the skin yellow ; and the black , proceeding of melancholy , dispersed likewise throughout the whole body , and making all the skin black . and as the yellow jaundise cometh for the most part , either by obstruction or stopping of the conduits belonging to the bladder of the gall , which ( as i said before ) is the receptacle of choler ; or by some inflamation of the liver , whereby the bloud is converted into choler , and so spreadeth throughout the body : even so the black jaundise cometh by mean of some obstruction in the liver-vein ▪ that goeth to the spleen , not suffering the spleen to do his office , in receiving the dregs of the ●loud from the liver , wherein they abound too much ; or else for that the spleen is already too full of dregs , and so sheddeth them back again into the veins . but as for the black jaundise ▪ they have not been observed to be in horses as in men , by any of our ●arriers in these days that i can learn. and yet the old writers of horse-leech-craft , do seem to make two kindes of jaundise called of them cholera , that is to say , the dry choler , and also the moist choler . the signes of the dry choler , as absyrtus saith , is great heat in the body , and costiyeness of the belly , whereof it is said to be dry . moreover , the horse will not covet to ly down , because he is so pained in his body , and his mouth will be hot and dry . it cometh , as he saith , by obstruction of the conduit , whereby the choler should resort into the bladder of the gall , and by obstruction also of the urine vessels , so as he cannot stale . the cure according to his experience , is to give him a glyster made of oyl , water and nitrum , and to give him no provender , before that you have raked his fundament , and to pour the decoction of mallows mingled with sweet wine into his nostrils , and let his meat be grass , or else sweet hay sprinkled with nitre and water ; and he must rest from labour , and be often rubbed . hierocles would have him to drink the decoction of wilde coleworts sodden in wine . again of the moist choler of jaundise , these are the signes : the horses eyes will look yellow , and his nostrils will open wide ; his ears and his flancks will sweat , and his stale will be yellow and cholerick ; and he will grone when he lyeth down ; which disease the said absyrtus was wont to heal , as he saith , by giving the horse a drink made of thyme and cumin , of each like quantity stampt together , and mingled with wine , honey , and water , and also by letting him bloud in the pasterns . this last disease seemeth to differ nothing at all from that which our farriers call the yellows . the signes whereof , according to martin , be these : the horse will be faint , and sweat as he standeth in the stable , and forsake his meat : and his eyes , and the inside of his lips and all his mouth within will be yellow . the cure whereof according to him is in this sort : let him bloud in the neck-vein , a good quantity , and then give him this drink : take of white wine , of ale a quart , and put thereunto of saffron , turmerick , of each half an ounce , and the juyce that is wrung out of a handful of celandine , and being luke-warm , give it the horse to drink , and keep him warm the space of three or four days , giving him warm water with a little bran in it . of the yellows . the yellows is a general disease in horses , and differ nothing from the yellow jaundise in men : it is mortal , and many horses die thereof : the signes to know it is thus ; pull down the lids of the horses eyes , and the white of the eye will be yellow , the inside of his lips will be yellow , and gums ; the cure followeth : first , let him bloud in the palat of his mouth , that he may suck up the same , then give him this drink : take of strong ale a quart , of the green or dure of geese strained , three or four spoonfuls , of the juyce of celandine as much , of saffron half an ounce ; mix these together , and being warm , give it the horse to drink . of the evill habit of the body , and of the dropsie . as touching the driness and consumption of the flesh , without any apparent cause why , called of the physitians as i said before atrophia ; i know not what to say more then i have already before in the chapter of consumption of the flesh , and therefore resort thither . and as for the evill habit of the body , which is to be evill coloured , heavy , dull , and of no force , strength , nor liveliness , cometh not for lack of nutriment , but for lack of good nutriment , for that the bloud is corrupted with flegm , choler , or melancholy , proceeding either from the spleen , or else through weakness of the stomach or liver , causing evill digestion , or it may come by foul feeding : yea , and also for lack of moderate exercise . the evill habit of the body , is next cousen to the dropsie , whereof though our farriers have had no experience , yet because mine old authors writing of horse-leech-craft do speak much thereof : i think it good here briefly to shew you their experience therein , that is to say , how to know it , and also how to cure it . but sith none of them do shew the cause whereof it proceeds ; i think it meet first therefore to declare unto you the causes thereof , according to the doctrine of the learned physitians , which in mans body do make three kindes of dropsies , calling the first anasarca , the second ascites , and the third timpanias . anasarca , is an universal swelling of the body through the abundance of the water , sying betwixt the skin and the flesh , and differeth not from the disease last mentioned , called cachexia , that is to say , evill habit of the bloud , saving that the body is more swoln in this then in cachexia , albeit they proceed both of like causes as of coldness and weakness of the liver , or by means that the heart , spleen , stomach , and other members serving to digestion , be grieved or diseased . ascites is a swelling in the covering of the belly , called of the physitians . abdomen , comprehending both the skin , the fat , eight muscles , and the film , or panicle called peritoneum , through the abundance of some whayish humor entred into the same , which besides the causes before alleadged , proceedeth most chiefly by means that some of the vessels , within be broken or rather cracked , out of the which , though the bloud being somewhat gross cannot issue forth , yet the whayish humor being subtil , may run out into the belly , like water distilling through a cracked pot . timpanias , called of us commonly the timpany , is a swelling of the aforesaid covering of the belly , through the abundance of winde entred into the same , which winde is inge 〈…〉 ered of crudity and evill digestion , and whilest it aboundeth in the stomach , or other intrails finding no issue out , it breaketh in violently through the small conduits among the panicles of the aforesaid covering not without great pain to the patient , and so by tossing to and fro , windeth at length into the space of the covering it self . but surely such winde cannot be altogether void of moisture . notwithstanding , the body swelleth not so much with this kinde of dropsie as with the other kinde called ascites . the signes of the dropsie is shortness of breath , swelling of the body , evill colour , lothing of meat , and great desire to drink , especially in the dropsie called ascites , in which also the belly will sound like a bottle half full of water : but in the timpany it will sound like a taber . but now though mine authors make not so many kindes of dropsies , yet they say all generally , that a horse is much subject to the dropsie . the signes according to absyrtus and hierocles , be these : his belly , legs , and stones , will be swoln ; but his back , buttocks , and flancks , will be dryed and shrunk up to the very bones . moreover the veins of his face and temples , and also the veins under his tongue will be so hidden , as you cannot see them ; and if you thrust your finger hard against his body , you shall leave the print thereof behinde , for the flesh lacking natural heat will not return again to his place , and when the horse lyeth down he spreadeth himself abroad , not being able to lie round together on his belly ; and the hair of his back by rubbing will fall away . pelagonius in shewing the signes of the dropsie , not much differing from the physitians first recited , seemeth to make two kindes thereof , calling the one the timpany , which for difference sake may be called in english the winde dropsie , and the other the water dropsie . notwithstanding both have one cure , so far as i can perceive , which is in this sort : let him be warm covered , and walked a good while together in the sun to provoke sweat , and let all his body be well and often rubbed alongst the hair , and let him feed upon coleworts , smallage , and elming boughs , and on all other things that may loosen the belly , or provoke urine ; and let his common meat be grass if it may be gotten , if not , then hay sprinkled with water and nitrum . it is good also to give him a kinde of pulse called cich , steeped a day and a night in water , and then taken out , and laid so as the water may drop away from it . pelagonius would have him to drink parsly stampt with wine , or the root of the herb called in latine , panax , with wine . but if the swelling of the belly will not decrease for all this , then slit a little hole under his belly a handful behinde the navil , and put into that hole a hollow reed or some other pipe , that the water or winde may go out , not all at once , but by little and little at divers times , and beware that you make not the hole over wide , lest the kall of the belly fall down thereunto ; and when all the water is clean run out , then heal up the wound as you do all other wounds , and let the horse drink as little as is possible . of the evil habit of the stomach . if your horse either by inward sickness , or by present surfeit , grow to a loath of his meat , or by weakness of his stomach cast up his meat and drink ; this shall be the cure for the same : first , in all the drink he drinks , let him have the powder of hot spices ; as namely , of ginger , anise seeds , licoras , cinamon , and pepper ; then blow up into his nostrils the powder of tobacco to occasion him to neese , instantly after he hath eaten any meat , for an hour together after , let one stand by him , and hold at his nose a piece of sowre leaven steept in vinegar , then anoint all his breast over with the oyl of ginnuper and pepper mixt together . of the diseases of the guts of a horse , and first of the colick . the guts of a horse may be diseased with divers griefs , as with the colick , with costiveness , with the lax , with the bloudy flux and worms . the colick is a grievous pain in the great gut , called of the physitians colon , whereof this disease taketh his name , which gut , because it is very large and ample , and full of corners , it is apt to receive divers matters , and so becometh subject to divers griefs . for sometime it is tormented with the abundance of gross humors gotten betwixt the panicle of the said gut , and sometime with winde having no issue out , sometime with inflammation , and sometime with sharp fretting humors . but so far as i can learn ; a horse is most commonly troubled with the colick that cometh of winde , and therefore our farriers do tearm it the winde colick . the signes whereof be these : the horse will forsake his meat , and lie down and wallow and walter upon the ground , and standing on his feet he will stamp for very pain with his fore-feet , and strike on his belly with his hinder foot , and look often towards his belly , which also towards his flancks will swell , and seem greater to the eye then it was wont to be . the cure whereof according to martin , is in this sort : take a quart of malmsie , of cloves , pepger , cinamon , of each half an ounce , of sugar half a quartern , and give it the horse luke-warm , and anoint his flancks with oyl of bay , and then bridle him and trot him immediately up and down the space of an hour , until he dung , and if he will not dung , then take him ; and if need be provoke him to dung , by putting into his fundament an onyon pilled and jagged with a knife cross-wise , so as the juyce thereof may tickle his fundament ; and for the space of three or four days let him drink no cold water , and let him be kept warm . russius was wont to use this kinde of cure : take a good big reed a span long or more , and being anointed with oyl , thrust it into the horses fandament , fastning the outward end thereof unto his tail , so as it cannot slip out , and then having first anointed and chased all the horses belly with some hot oyl , cause him to be ridden hastily up and down some hilly ground , and that will make him to void the winde out of his belly through the reed : which done , let him be kept warm and fed with good provender , and warm mashes made of wheat-meal , and fennel seed , and let him drink no cold water until he be whole . absyrtus would have you to give him a glyster made of wilde cowcumber , or else of hens dung , nitrum , and strong wine . of costiveness , or belly-bound . costiveness is when a horse is bound in the belly and cannot dung , which may come by glut of provender , or overmuch feeding and rest , whereof we have talked sufficient before , also by winde , gross humors , or cold causing obstruction , and stopping in the guts . the cure whereof , according to martin , is in this sort : take of the decoction of mallows a quart , and put thereunto half a pinte of oyl , or in stead thereof , half a pinte of fresh butter , and one ounce of benedicte laxative , and pour that into his fundament with a little horn meet for the purpose , that done , clap his tail to his fundament , holding it still with your hand , whilest another doth lead him in his hand , and trot him up and down , that the medicine may work the better , and having voided all that in his belly , bring him unto the stable , and there let him stand a while on the bit well covered , and warm littered , and then give him a little hay , and let his drink be warmed ; it shall not be amiss also to give him that night a warm mash . of the lax. the italians call this disease ragiatura , and the horse that hath this disease cavallo arragiato , or sforato . it may come through the abundance of cholerick humors descending from the liver or gall , down to the guts . but russius saith , that it cometh most commonly by drinking overmuch cold water immediately after provender , or by sudden travelling upon a full stomach , before his meat be digested , or by hasty running , or galloping immediately after water . if this disease continue long , it will make the horse very weak and feeble , so as he shall not be able to stand on his legs . notwithstanding , sith nature feeling her self oppressed , endevoureth thus to ease her self by expelling those humors that grieve her , i would not wish you suddenly to stop it , lest some worse inconvenience grow thereof . but if you see that the horse looseth his flesh , and waxeth more dull and feeble then he was wont to be ; then give him this drink often experimented by martin , and that shall stop him : take of bean-flowre , and of bole armony , of each a quartern ; mingle these things together in a quart of red wine , and give it him luke-warm , and let him rest and be kept warm , and let him drink no cold drink but luke-warm , and put therein a little bean-flowre , and let him not drink but once a day , and then not over-much , for the space of three or four days . of the bloudy flux . it seemeth by the old writers , that a horse is also subject to the bloudy flux . for absyrtus , hierocles , and democritus , say all with one voyce , that the guts of a horse may be so exulcerated , that he will void bloudy matter at his fundament , yea and his fundament therewith will fall out , which disease they call dysenteria , which is as much to say , as a painful exulceration of the guts , under the which the old men as it seemeth by the words of hierocles , and absyrtus , would comprehend the disease called of the physitians tenasmus , that is to say , a desire to dung often , and to do but little , and that with great pain : and also another disease called procidentia ani , that is to say , the falling out of the fundament , which the physitians do account as several diseases . notwithstanding , for so much as dysenteria , and tenasmus , do spring both of like causes : yea , and also for that the falling out of the fundament hath some affinity with them , i will follow mine authors , in joyning them all together in this one chapter . the physitians make divers kindes of bloudy flux , for sometime the fat of the slimy filth which is voided , is sprinkled with a little bloud , sometime the matter that voideth is mixt with the scraping of the guts , and sometime it is waterish bloud , like water wherein flesh hath been washed , and sometime bloud mixt with melancholy , and sometime pure bloud , and by the mixture of the matter you shall know in mans body , whether the ulceration be in the inner small guts or no ; if it be , the matter and bloud will be perfectly mixt together ; but if it be in the outward guts , then they be not mingled together , but come out several , the bloud most commonly following the matter . of this kinde is that disease called before tenasmus , for that is an ulcer in the right gut serving the fundament ; and doth proceed even as the flux doth of some sharp humors , which being violently driven , and having to pass through many crooked and narrow ways , do cleave to the guts , and with their sharpness fret them , causing exulceration and grievous pain . the flux also may come of some extream cold , heat or moistness , or by mean of receiving some violent purgation , having therein over-much scammony , or such like violent simple ; or through weakness of the liver , or other members serving to digestion . now as touching the falling out of the fundament , the physitians say , that it cometh through the resolution or weakness of the muscles , serving to draw up the fundament , which resolution may come partly by over-much straining , and partly they may be loosened by over-much moisture , for which cause children being full of moisture are more subject to this disease then men . and for the self same cause i think that horses having very moist bodies be subject thereunto . thus having shewed you the causes of the diseases before recited , i will shew you the cure prescribed by the old writers . absyrtus would have the fundament on the outside to be cut round about , but so as the inward ring thereof be not touched , for that were dangerous , and would kill the horse , for so much as his fundament would never abide within his body ; and that done , he would have you to give him to drink the powder of unripe pomgranate shels , called in latine , malicorium , together with wine and water , which indeed because it is astringent , is not to be misliked : but as for cutting of the fundament , i assure you i cannot judge what he should mean thereby , unless it be to widen the fundament , by giving it long slits or cuts on the outside ; but well i know that it may cause more pain , and greater inflamation . and therefore me thinks it were better in this case to follow the physitians precepts , which is first to consider whether the fundament being fallen out be inflamed or not ; for if it be not inflamed , then it shall be good to anoint it first with oyl of roses somewhat warmed , or else to wash it with warm red wine . but if it be inflamed , then to bathe it well , first with a spunge dipt in the decoction of mallows , camomile , linseed , and fenigreek , and also to anoint it well with oyl of càmomile and dill mingled together , to asswage the swelling , and then to thrust it in again fair and softly , with a soft linnen cloth . that done , it shall be good to bathe all the place about with red red wine , wherein hath been sodden acatium , galles , acorn cups , parings of quinces , and such like simples as be astringent , and then to throw on some astringent powder made of bole armony , frankincense , sanguis draconis , myrrhe , acatium , and such like : yea , and also to give the horse this drink , much praised of all the old writers . take of saffron one ounce , of myrrhe two ounces , of the herb called in latine , abrotonum , named in some of our english herbals southernwood , three ounces , of parsly one ounce , of garden rue , otherwise called herb grace three ounces , of piritheum , otherwise called of some people spittlewort , and of hysop , of each two ounces , of cassia , which is like cinamon , one ounce . let all these things be beaten in fine powder , and then mingled with chalk and strong vinegar wrought into paste , of which paste make little cakes , and dry them in the shadow , and being dryed , dissolve some of them in a sufficient quantity of barly milk , or juyce called of the old writers , and also of the physitians , cremor ptisanae , and give to the horse to drink thereof with a horn , for the medicine , as the authors write , doth not only heal the bloudy-flix , and the other two diseases before recited , but also if it be given with a quart of warm water , it will heal all grief and pain in the belly , and also of the bladder , that cometh for lack of staling . and being given with sweet wine , is will heal the biting of any serpent or mad dog. of the worms . in a horses guts do breed three kindes of worms , even as there doth in mans body , though they be not altogether like in shape . the first long and round , even like to those that children do most commonly void , and are called by the general name worms . the second little worms having great heads , and small long tails like a needle , and be called bots . the third be short and thick like the end of a mans little finger , and therefore be cald troncheons : and though they have divers shapes according to the diversity of the place perhaps where they breed , or else according to the figure of the putrified matter whereby they breed : yet no doubt they proceed all of one cause , that is to say , of a raw , gross and flegmatick matter apt to putrifaction , ingendered most commonly by foul feeding : and as they proceed of one self cause , so also have they like signes , and like cure . the signes be these : the horse will forsake his meat , for the troncheons and the bots will covet always to the maw , and pain him sore . he will also lie down and wallow , and standing he will stamp and strike at his belly with his hinder-foot , and look often toward his belly . the cure according to martin is thus : take of sweet milk a quart , of honey a quartern , and give it him luke-warm , and walk him up and down for the space of an hour , and so let him rest for that day , with as little meat or drink as may be , and suffer him not to lie down . then the next day give him this drink : take of herb-grace a handful , of savin as much , and being well stampt , put thereunto a little brimstone , and a little soot of a chimney , beaten into fine powder , and put all these things together in a quart of wort or ale , and there let them lie steep the space of an hour or two , then strain it well through a fair cloth , and give it the horse to drink luke-warm , then bridle him , and walk him up and down the space of an hour : that done , bring him into the stable , and let him stand on the bit two or three hours , & then give him a little hay . laurentius russius saith , that it is good to give the horse the warm guts of a young hen with a salt three days together in the morning , and not to let him drink untill it be noon . some say that it is good to ride him , having his bit first anointed with dung coming hot from the man : some again use to give him a quantity of brimstone , and half as much rozen beaten into powder , and mingled together with his provender , which he must eat a good while before he drinketh . i have found by often tryal , that if you give the horse with a horn a good pretty dishful of salt brine , be it flesh brine , or cheese brine , it will kill any of the three kindes of worms , and make the horse to avoid them dead in short time after . of worms in general . besides the bots , there are other worms , which lie in the great paunch or belly of a horse , and they be shining , of colour like a snake , six inches in length , great in the midst and sharp at both ends , and as much as a spindle : they cause great pain in a horses belly , as you shall perceive by his continual striking of himself on the belly with his foot . the cure is thus : give him two or three mornings together new milk and garlick boyled together , or chopt hay in his provender , either of both will serve : it killeth the worms and maketh them to void . of the pain in the kidneys . me thinks that the kidnies of a horse should be subject to as many griefs as the kidnies of a man , as to inflamation , obstruction , apostumes and ulcers , and specially to obstruction that cometh by means of some stone or gravel gathered together in the kidnies whereby the horse cannot stale but with pain ; for i have seen divers horses my self that have voided much gravel in their stale , which without doubt did come from the kidnies ; but my authors do refer such griefs to the bladder and urine , and write of no disease but only of the inflamation of the kidnies , which is called of them nephritis , and so it is cald of the physitians . it cometh , as they say , by some great strain over some ditch ; or else by bearing some great burthen . the signes whereof be these : the horse will go rolling behinde and staggering , his stones will shrink up , and his stale will be blackish and thick . i think this disease differeth not from that which we called before the swaying of the back when we talked of the griefs in the back and loins , and therefore resort thither . the cure of this disease , according to the best of the old writers , is in this sort : bathe his back and loins with wine , oyl , and nitrum warmed together , after that you have so bathed him , let him be covered with warm clothes , and stand littered up to the belly with straw , so as he may lie soft ; and give him such drinks as may provoke urine , as those that be made with dill , fennil , anise , smallage , parsley , spikenard , myrrhe , and cassia . some say it is good to give him a kinde of pulse called cich with wine . some again do praise ewes milk , or else oyl and deers sewet molten together , and given him to drink , or the root of the herb called asphodelus , englished by some daffadil , sodden in wine . of the diseases belonging to the bladder and urine of a horse . hierocles saith , that a horse is subject to three kinde of diseases incident to the bladder or urine , the first is called stranguria ; the second dysuria ; the third ischuria . stranguria , otherwise called in latine , stillicidium , and of our old farriers , according to the french name chowdepis , is , when the horse is provoked to stale often , and voideth nothing but a few drops , which cometh , as the physitians say , either through the sharpness of the urine , or by some exulceration of the bladder , or else by means of some apostume in the liver or kidnies ; which apostume being broken , the matter resorteth down into the bladder , and with the sharpness thereof causeth a continual provocation of pissing . dysuria is when a horse cannot piss but with great labour and pain , which for difference sake i will call from hence forth the pain-piss . it may come sometime through the weakness of the bladder and cold intemperature thereof , and sometime through the abundance of flegmatick and gross humors , stopping the neck of the bladder . ischuria , is when the horse cannot piss at all , and therefore may be called the piss-supprest , or suppression of urine , whether you will : me thinks always that the shorter and the more proper the name is , the better and more easie it is to pronounce . it may come , as the physitians say , by weakness of the bladder , or for that the water conduit is stopt with gross humors , or with matter descending from the liver or kidnies , or with the stone : yea and sometimes by means of some inflamation or hard knob growing at the mouth of the conduit , or for that the sinews of the bladder is nummed , so as the bladder is without feeling : or it may come by retention , and long holding of the water , most of which causes hierocles also reciteth , adding thereunto that it may chance to a horse through over-much rest and idleness , and also by means of some extream cold , and especially in winter season ; for the which , warmth of the fire is a present remedy . but now mine authors do not shew for every one of these three kindes of diseases several signes ; but only say , that when a horse cannot stale , he will stand as though he would stale , and thrust out his yard a little ; and also for very pain , stand beating his tail betwixt his thighes . neither do they seem to appoint several cures , but do make a hochpoch , mingling them all together : some of them praising one thing , and some another : for some say it is good to mingle the juyce of leeks with sweet smelling wine and oyl together , and to pour it into his right nostril , and then to walk him up and down upon it , and that will make him to stale . some say it is good to give him smallage seed , or else the root of wilde fennil sodden with wine to drink ; or to put fine sharp onions clean pilled , and somewhat bruised into his fundament , and to cha●e him immediately upon it , either by riding him or otherwise , and that shall cause him to stale presently . it is good also to bathe all his back and loins with warm water . the scraping of the inward parts of his own hoofs beaten into powder and mingled with wine , and poured into his right nostril , will make him to sta●● ; if you chafe him upon it , and the rather as hierocles saith , if you cary him to some sheeps cot , or other place where sheep are wont to stand , the smell of whose dung and piss , without any other medicine , as he ●aith , will provoke him to sta 〈…〉 some will give the horse white dogs dung 〈…〉 ed and mingled with salt , wine , and ammoniacum to drin 〈…〉 some hogs dung only with wine , and some the ●regs of horse pi●s with wine , and many other medicines which i leave to rehearsed , for fear of being too tedious , and especially , 〈◊〉 martins experience doth follow here at hand ; agreeing in all points with laurentius russius cure , which is in this sort : first , draw out his yard , and wash it well in white wine , and scour it well , because it will be many times stopped with durt and other baggage together , and hardned like a stone ▪ and then put a little oyl of cam 〈…〉 into the condu●t ; with a wax candle and a brui●ed clove of garlick , and that will provoke him to stale . and ●f that will not help : take of parsley two handfuls , of coriander one handful , stamp them and strain them with a quart of white wine , and dissolve therein one ounce of cake-sope , and give it luke-warm unto the horse to drink , and keep him as warm as may be ; and let him drink no cold water for the space of five or six days ; and when you would have him to stale , let it be either upon plenty of straw , or upon some green plot , or else in a sheeps cot , the savour whereof will greatly provoke him to stale , as hath been aforesaid . of pissing blo●d . pelogonius saith , that if a horse be over-much laboured , or over-charged with heavy burthen , or over fat , he will many times piss bloud , and the rather as i think , for that some vein is broken within the horses body , and then cleer bloud will come forth many times , as the physitians say , without any piss at all . but if the bloud be perfectly mingled together with his stale , then it is a signe that it cometh from the kidnies , having some stone therein , which through vehement labour , doth fre● the kidnies and veins thereof , and so cause them to bleed , through which while the urine passeth , most needs be infected and dyed with the bloud . it may come also by some stripe , or from the muscle that incloseth the neck of the bladder . the cure according to pelagonius , absyrtus , hierocles , and the rest , is thus : let the horse bloud in the palate of the mouth , to convert the bloud the contrary way ; then take of tragagant that hath been steeped in wine , half an ounce , and of poppy seed one dram and one scruple , and of ●tirax as much ; and twelve pine-apple-kernels : let all these things be beaten and mingled well together , and give the horse thereof every morning , the space of seven days , the quantity of a hasel-nut distempered in a quart of wine : me thinks that the quantity of a wal-nut were too little for so much wine some write that it is good to make him a drink with the root of the herb a●phodelus , which some call daffadil , mingled with wheat-flowre and s●mach sodden long in water , and so to be given the horse with some wine added thereunto ; or make him a drink of goats milk and oyl , straining thereunto a little fromenty . anatolius saith , that it is good to give the horse three days together , sodden beans clean pilled , whereunto would be added some deers sewet , and a little wine . of the colt evil. this name colt evil , in my judgement , doth properly signifie that disease , which the physitians call p●iapismus , which is a continual standing together , with an unnatural swelling of the yard proceeding of some winde , filling the arteries and hollow sinew or pipe of the yard ; or else through the abundance of seed , which do chance oftentimes to man , and i think some-time to stoned horses . notwithstanding martin saith that the colt evil is a swelling of the sheath of the yard , and part of the belly thereabout , caused of corrupt seed , coming out of the yard , and remaining within the sheath where it putrifieth . and geldings most commonly are subject to this disease , not being able for lack of natural heat , to expel their ●eed any further . for horses , as martin saith are seldom troubled with this disease , because of their heat , unless it be when they have been over travelled , or otherwise weakened . the cure according to him is thus : wash the sheath clean within with luke-warm vinegar then draw out his yard and wash that also : that done , ride him into some running stream up to the belly , tossing him therein to and fro to allay the heat of the members , and use him thus two or three days , and he shall be whole . another of the colt evil. the colt evil is a disease that cometh to stoned horses , through ran●kness of nature and want of vent , it appeareth in his cod and sheath , which will swell exceedingly ; the cure is nothing : for if you will but every day , twice or thrice drive him to the mid-side in some pond o● running river , the swelling will fall , and the horse will do well . if the horse be of years , and troubled with this grief ; if you put him to a mare , it is not amiss ; for standing still in a stable without exercise , is a great occasion of this disease . of the mattering of the yard . it cometh at covering time , when the horse and mar● both are over-hot , and so perhaps 〈◊〉 themselves . the cure according to martin is thus : take a pinte of white wine , and boil therein a quartern of roch allum ; and squirt thereof into his yard three or four squi●efuls , one after another , and thrust the squirt so far as the liquor may pierce to the bottom , ●o scour away the bloudy matter , continuing thus to do once a day untill he be whole . of the shedding of seed . this disease is called of the physitians go●●rrhea , which may come sometime through 〈◊〉 dance and ranckness of seed , and sometime by the weakness of the stones and seed vessels not able to retain the seed untill it be digested and thickned . vegetius saith , that this disease will make the horse very faint and weak ; and especially in summer season . for cure whereof , the said vegetius would have the horse to be ridden into some cold water , even up to the belly , so as his stones may be covered in water ; and then his fundament being first bathed with warm water and oyl , he would have you to thrust in your hand and arm even to the very bladder ; and softly to rub and claw the same , and the parts thereabouts , which be the seed vessels : that done to cover him warm that he take no cold , and every day he would have you to give the horse hogs dung to drink with red wine untill he be whole . i for my part , if i thought it came of weakness , as is aforesaid , which i would judge by the waterishness of the seed and unlustiness of the horse , would give him red wine to drink , and put therein a little acatium , the juyce of plantain , and a little mastick ▪ and bath his back with red wine and oyl of roses mingled together . of the falling of the yard . it cometh , as i take it , through the weakness of the member , by means of some resolution in the muscles and sinews serving the same , caused at the first ( perhaps ) by some great strain or stripe on the back . it may come also by weariness and tiring . for remedy whereof , absyrtus was wont to wash the yard with salt water from the sea , if it may be gotten ; and if not , with water and salt ; and if that prevailed not , he would all to prick the outmost skin of the yard with a sharp needle , but not deep , and then wash all the pricks with strong vinegar , and that did make the horse , as he saith , to draw up his yard again immediately ▪ yea , and this also will remedy the falling out of the fundament . pelago●ius would have you to put into the pipe of his yard , honey and salt boyled together and made liquid , or else a quick flie ; or a grain of frankincense , or a clove of garlick clean pilled , and somewhat bruised ; and also to pour on his back oyl , wine , nitre made warm and mingled together . but martins experience is in this sort : first ; wash the yard with warm white wine , and then anoint it with oyl of roses and honey mingled together , and put it up into the sheath , and make him a cod-piece of canvas to keep it still up , and dress it thus every day once until it be whole . and in any case let his back be kept warm , either with a double cloth , or else with a charge made of bole armony , egges , wheat-flowre , sanguis draconis , turpentine , and vinegar ; or else lay on a wet sack , which being covered with another dry cloth will keep his back very warm . of the swelling of the cod and stones . a●syrtus saith , that the inflamation and swelling of the cod and stones , cometh by means of some wound , or by the stinging of some serpent , or by fighting one horse with another . for rememedy whereof , he was wont to hathe the cod with water wherein hath been sodden the roots of wilde cowcumber and salt , and then to anoint it with an ointment 〈…〉 de of gerusa oyl , goats grease , and the white of an egge . some again would have the cod to be bathed in warm water , nitrum , and vinegar together , and also to be anointed with an ointment made of chalk , or of potters earth , oxe dung , cumin , water and vinegar , or else to be anointed with the juyce of the herb solan●m , called of some night-shade , or with the juyce of hemlock growing on dunghils : yea , and also to be let bloud in the flanks . but martin saith , that the swelling of the cods cometh for the most part after some sickness or surfeting with cold , and then it is a signe of amendment . the cure according to his experience is in this sort . first let him bloud on both sides the flank veins . then take of oyl of roses , of vinegar of each half a pinte , and half a quartern of bole armony beaten to powder . mingle them together in a cruse , and being luke-warm , anoint the cods therewith with two or three feathers bound together , and the next day ride him into the water , so as his cods may be within the water , giving him two or three turns therein , and so return fair and softly to the stable , and when he is dry anoint him again as before , continuing thus to do every day once until they be whole . the said martin saith also , the cods may be swollen by means of some hurt or evill humors resorting into the cod , and then he would have you cover the cods with a charge made of bole armony and vinegar wrought together , renewing it every day once untill the swelling go away , or that it break of it self , and if it break , then tent it with mel rosatum , and make him a breech of canvas to keep it in , renewing the tent every day once untill it be whole . of incording and 〈…〉 g. this term incording is borrowed of the 〈…〉 say as bursten and might 〈…〉 , his ●uts falleth down into the 〈…〉 . the italians , as i take it , did call it 〈◊〉 , because the ●ut follows the string of the stone ; called of them 〈◊〉 , or 〈◊〉 , whereof 〈◊〉 ‑ 〈◊〉 seems to be derived with some reason . according to which reason we should call it rather instringed , then ▪ incorded ; for corde doth signifie a string or word . notwithstanding , sith that incording is already received in the stable , i for my part am very well content therewith , minding not to contend against it , but now you have to ●o●e ; that either man or beast may be bursten diversty , and according to the names of the pants grieved , the physitians do give it di●ers names , for you shall understand , that next unto the thick outward skin of the belly , there is also another inward thin skin covering all the muscles , the caul , and the guts of the belly , called of the anatomists peritoneum , which skin cometh from both parts and sides of the back , and is fastened to the midriffe above , and also to the bottom of the belly beneath , to keep in all the contents of the neather belly . and therefore if the skin be broken , or over sore strained or stretched , then either some part of the caul or guts slippeth down , sometime into the cod , sometime not so far . i● the guts slip down into the cod , then it is called of the physitians by the greek name 〈◊〉 , that is to say , gut-bursten , but if the caul falldown into the cod , then it is called of the physitians 〈…〉 le , that is to say , caul-bursten . but either of the diseases is most properly incident to the male kinde , for the female kinde hath no cod . notwithstanding they may be so bursten , as either gut or cau● may fall down into their natures , hanging there like a bag ; but if it fell not down so ●low , but remaineth above nigh unto the privy members or flanks , which place is called of the latins , inguen , then of that place the bursting is called of the physitians b 〈…〉 c●le , whereunto i know not what english name to give , unlesse i should call it flank bursten . moreover , the cod or flank may be sometimes swollen , by means of some waterish humour gathered together in the same , which is called of the physitians hydrocele , that is to say , water-bursten ; and sometimes the cod may be swollen by means of some hard peece of f●esh cleaving the thin skins or panicles of the stones , and then it is called of the physitians ▪ s 〈…〉 that is to say , flesh-bursten . but forasmuch as none of mine authors , mar●i● ▪ nor any other farrier in these dayes that i know , have intermedled with any kind of bursting , but only with that wherein the gut falleth down into the cod ; leaving all the rest apart , i will only 〈◊〉 of this , and that according to martins experience , which i assure you differeth not much from the precepts of the old writers ▪ but first you shall understand , that the gut-bursten , and flank-bursten , doth proceed both of one cause , that is to say , by means that the skin , called before petitoneum ; is either fore strained , or else broken , ●ither by some stripe of another horse , or else by some strain in leaping over a hedge , ditch , or pale , or otherwise ; yea , and many times in passing a career , through the carelesness of the rider , stopping the horse suddenly without giving warning , whereby the horse is forced to cast his hinder legs abroad , and so straineth or bursteth the skin aforesaid , by means whereof the gut falleth down into the cod . the signs be these ; the horse will forsake his meat , and stand sho●ing and lea●ing alwayes on that side that he is hurt ; and on that side if you search with your hand betwixt the stone and the thigh upward to the body , and somewhat above the stone you shall find the gut it self big and hard in the feeling , whereas on the other side you shall find no such thing . the cure , according to martin , is thus ; bring the horse into some house or place that hath over head a strong balk or beam going overthwart , and strew that place thick with straw ; then put on four pasternes with four rings on his feet , and then fasten the one end of a long root to one of those rings , then thread all the other rings with the loose end of the rope , and so draw all his four feet together , and cast him on the straw . that done , cast the rope over the baulk , and hoise the horse so as he may lie flat on his back , with his ●egs upward without strugling ▪ then bathe his stones well with warm water and butter most ●n together , and the stones being somewhat warm ; and well mollified , raise them up from the body with both your hands being closed by the fingers fast together , and holding the stones in your 〈…〉 in such manner , work down the g●● into the body of the horse , by striking it downward continually with your two thumbs , one labouring immediately after another , untill you perceive that side of the stone to be so small as the other , and having so discorded , that is to say returned the g●t into his right place ; take a list of two fingers broad throughly anointed with fresh butter , 〈…〉 stones both together with the same so nigh as may be , not over hard , but so as you may put your finger betwixt . that done , take the horse quietly down , and lead him fair and softly into the stable , where he must stand warm ▪ and not be stirred for the space of three weeks . but forget ●ot the next day after his discording to unloosen the list , and to take it away , and as well at that time , 〈◊〉 every day once or twice after , to cast a dish or two of cold water up into his cods , and that will cause him to shrink up his stones , and thereby restrain the g●t from falling down , and at the three weeks end be sure , it were not amisse to gold the stone on that side away , so shall he never be encorded again on that side . but let him not eat much nor drink much , and let his drink be alwayes warm . of the b●toh in the grains of a horse . if a horse be full of humours and then suddenly laboured , the humours will resort into the wea●est part● and there gather together and breed a b 〈…〉 h , and especially in the hinder parts betwixt the thighs , not far from the cods . the signes be chese ; the hinder legs will be all swollen , and especially from the hoofs upward , and if you feel with your hand you shall find a great kind of swelling , and if it be round and hard it will gather to a head . the cure , according to martin , is thus ; first r●pe it with a plaister ; take of wheat-flowre , of turpentine , and of hony , of each a like quantity , stirring it together to make a stiffe plaister , and with a cloth lay it unto the sore , renewing it every day once untill it break or wax soft , and then lance it as the matter may run downward ; then ●ent it with turpentine and hogs grease molten together , renewing it every day once , untill it be whole . of the diseases incident to the womb of a mare , and specially of barrenness . it seemeth by some writers , that the womb of a mare is subject to certain diseases , though not so many as the womb of a woman , as to ascent , descent , falling out , convulsion , barrenness , aborsement ; yea , aristotle and others do not let to write , that menstrual bloud doth naturally void from the mare , as from the woman , though it be so little in quantity , as it cannot be well perceived . but sith none of mine authors have written thereof to any purpose , nor any farrier of this time that i know , have had any experience in such matters , i will passe them all over with silence , saving barrennesse , whereof i promised before in his due place , to declare unto you the causes and such kind of cure for the same , as the old writers have taught . a mare then may be barren through the untemperateness of the womb or matrix , as well for that it is too hot and fiery , or else too cold and moist , or too dry , or else too short , or too narrow , or having the neck thereof turned awry , or by means of some obstruction or stopping in the matrix ; or for that the marc is too fat , or too lean , and many times mares go barren , for that they be not well horsed . wel , the cure of barrenness that cometh through the fault of the matrix or womb according to the old writers is thus ; take a good handful of leeks , stamp them in a morter with half a glasse full of wine , then put thereunto twelve flies , called of the apothecaries cantharides , of divers colours if they may be gotten , then strain all together with a sufficient quantity of water to serve the mar● therewith two dayes together , by powring the same into her nature with a horn or glyster-pipe made of purpose , and at the end of three dayes next following offer the horse unto her that should cover her , and immediately after that she is covered , wash her nature twice together with cold water . another receipt for the same purpose . take of nitrum , of sparrows dung , and turpentine , of each a like quantity well wrought together and made like a suppository , and put that into her nature , and it will cause her to desire the horse , and also to conceive . hippocrates saith , that it is good also to put a nettle into the horses mouth that should cover her . of the itch , scab , and manginess in the tail , and falling of the tail . in spring time horses many times are troubled with the troncheons in their fundament , and then they will rub their tail , and break the hair thereof , and yet in his tail perhaps , shall be neither itch , scurffe nor scab ; wherefore if you rake the horse well with your hand anointed with sope , and search for those troncheons and pull them clean out , you shall cause him to leave rubbing and if you see that the hair do fall away it self , then it is a sign , that it is either eaten with worms , or that there is some scurffe or scab fretting the hair , and causing such an itch in his tail as the horse is alwayes rubbing the same . as touching the wormes , scurffe or scab , it shall be good to anoint all the tail with sope , and then to wash it clean even to the ground with strong lie , and that will kill the wormes , and make the hair to grow again . and if much of the tail be worn away , in shall be needful to keep the tail continually wet with a spunge dipt in fair water , and that will make the hair to grow very fast . but if the horses tail be mangy , then heal that like as you do the manginess of the mane before rehearsed . again , if there breed any canker in the tail ( which will consume both flesh and bone , and as laurentius russius saith , make the joints to fall away one by one ) it shall be good , as martin saith , to wash all his tail with aqua fortis , or strong water made in this sort : take of green coppera● of allum , of each one pound , of white copperas a quartern . boyl of all these things together in three quarts of running water in a strong earthen pot , untill one half be consumed , and then with a little of this water being made luke warm , wash his tail with a little clout , or flax bound to the end of a stick , continuing so to do every day once untill it be whole . of the scab . the scab is a foul scurffe in divers parts of a horses body , and cometh of poverty or ill keeping , or many times by going amongst woods wherein they are infected with water boughs : it is most incident to old horses , which will die thereof , and chiefly in the spring time when the new bloud appears : the cure whereof i have spoken before . how to know when a horse halteth before in what part his grief is . being now come to talke of the griefs in the shoulders , legs , hips , houghes , joynts and hoofs , causing the horse most commonly to halt : i think it good first to shew you the way how to find in what part of his legs the horse is grieved when he halteth either before or behind . and first you have to consider that if a horse halteth before , it must be either in his shoulders , in his legs , or in his feet . if it be in his shoulders and new hurt , the horse will not lift that leg , but trail it nigh the ground . if it be old hurt , he will cast that leg further from him in his going then the other , and if he be turned on the foreside , then he will halt so much the more . if a horse halteth in the leg , it is either in the knee , in the shank , or else in the pastern joynt ; if it be either in the knee , or pastern joynt , he will not bow that leg in his going like the other , but go very stifly upon it . if he halteth in the shank , then it is by means of some splent , wind gal , or such apparent grief , apt to be seen or felt . if he halt in the foot , it is either in the cronet , heel , in the toe , in the quarters , or sole of the foot . if it be in the cronet , the grief will be apparent , the skin being broken or swollen some manner of way . if in the heel , as by over-reach , or otherwise , then he will tread most on the toe . if upon any of the quarters , then going on the edge of a bank or hilly ground , he will halt more then on the plain ground , and by the horses coming toward you , and going from you upon such edge or bank , you shall easily perceive whether his grief be in the inward quarter or in the outward quarter ; the quarter is to be understood , from the mid hoof to the heel . if he halt in the toe , which is not commonly seen , then he will tread more upon the heel . if the grief be in the sole of the foot , then he will halt all after one sort upon any ground , unlesse it be upon the stones . and to be sure in what part of the foot the grief is , it shall be good first to make him go upon the plain ground , and then upon a hard and stony ground : yea , and also a bankie ground . thus having declared unto you in general , how to know in what part a horse is grieved when he halteth before : i think it meet first to shew you orderly all the particular griefs and sorances , whereunto the foreparts of a horse is subject , together with the causes , signes and cure thereof . that done , i will speak of halting behind , and shew you first generally where the grief is , and then particularly declare unto you every grief incident to the hinder parts of a horse . and lastly , i will speak of such griefs and sorances as are commonly in both parts , that is to say , as well to the fore legs and fore feet , as to the hinder legs and hinder feet . of the grief and pinching in the shoulder . this cometh either by labouring and straining the horse too young , or else by some great burthen ; you shall perceive it by the narrowness of the breast , and by consuming flesh of the shoulders , insomuch as the forepart of the shoulder bone will stick out , and be a great deal higher then the flesh . and if it be of long continuance , he will be very hollow in the brisket towards the armeholes , and he will go wider beneath at the feet , then above at the knees . the cure , according to martin , is thus . give him a slit of an inch long with a sharp knife or rasor upon both sides an inch under the shoulder bones : then with a swans quill put into the slit , blow up first the one shoulder , and then the other , as big as can possible , even up to the withers , and with your hand strike the winde equally into every place of the shoulders . and when they be full , then beat all the windy places with a good hasell wand , or with both your hands , clapping upon the places puffed up with wind , so fast as they can walk one after another over all the shoulder ; then with a flat slice of iron , loosen the skin within from the flesh : that done , roll the two slits or cuts with two round rols made of the upper leather of an old shooe , with a hole in the middest that the matter may issue forth , and let such rols be three inched broad , and so put in as they may lie plain and flat within the cut ; then make a charge to lay upon the same in this sort ; take of pitch , and rosen , of each one pound , of tar half a pinte , boyl these things all together in a pot , and when it is somewhat cooled , take a stick with a woollen clout bound fast to the end thereof , and dip it into this charge , and cover and daub all the shoulder therewith . that done , clap thereunto a pound of flox of such colour as the horse is , or as nigh unto the same as may be , every other day cleanse both the wounds and rols , and put them in again , continuing thus to do the space of fifteen dayes . then take them out ; and heal up the wounds with two tents of 〈◊〉 dipt in turpentine , and 〈…〉 le molten together , renewing the same every day once , untill the wounds be whole . but let the change lie still , untill it fall away of it self , and let the horse run to grasse untill he hath had a 〈…〉 . of the wrinching of the shoulder . this cometh sometime by a fall , and sometime by turning too suddenly in some uneven ground , or by rash running out of some door , or by some stripe of another horse , or by some sudden stop in passing a career : you shall perceive it in his going , by trailing his legs upon the ground , so close unto himself as he can possible . the cure , according to martin , is thus : let him bloud the quantity of three pintes , on the breast in the palat-vein , receiving the bloud in a pot ; and thereunto put first a quart of strong vinegar , and half a dozen broken egges , shels and all , and so much wheat-flowre as will thicken all that liquor . that done , put thereunto bole armony beaten into fine powder one pound , sanguis draconis two ounces , and mingle them all together , so as the flowre may not be perceived , and if it be too stiffe , you may make it more liquid or soft , with a little vinegar . then with your hand daub all the shoulder from the mane downward , and betwixt the fore-bowels , all against the hair , and let not the horse depart out of that place , untill the charge be surely fastned unto the skin . that done , carry him into the stable , and tie him up to the rack , and suffer him not to lie down all that day , and give him a little meat , dieting him moderately the space of fifteen days : during which time he may not stir out of his place , but only lie down , and every day once refresh the shoulder point with this charge , laying still new upon the old , and at the fifteen days end , lead him abroad to see how he goeth , and if he be somewhat amended , then let him rest without travelling , the space of one month ; and that shall bring his shoulder to perfection . but if he be never the better for this that is done , then it shall be needful to rowel him with a leather rowel upon the shoulder-point , and to keep him rowelled the space of fifteen days , renewing the rowel , and cleansing the wound every other day ; and then walk him up and down fair and softly , and turn him always on the contrary side to the sore ; and when he goeth upright , pull out the rowel and heal the wound with a tent of flax dipt in turpentine , and hogs grease molten together . and if all this will not serve , then it shall be needful to draw him checker-wise with a hot iron over all the shoulder-point ; and also make him to draw in a plough every day two hours at the least , to settle his joynts for the space of three weeks or a month ; and if anything will help him , these two last remedies will help him , and make him to go upright again . of splaiting in the shoulder . this cometh by some dangerous sliding or slipping , whereby the shoulder parteth from the breast , and so leaves an open rift , not in the skin , but in the flesh and film next under the skin , and so he halteth and is not able to go ; you shall perceive it by trailing his leg after him in his going . the cure according to martin is thus : first put a pair of straight pasterns on his fore-feet , keeping him still in the stable without disquieting him : then take of dialthea one pound , of sallet oyl one pinte , of oyl-de-bays half a pound , of fresh butter half a pound ; melt all these things together in a pipkin , and anoint the grieved place therewith , and also round about the inside of the shoulder , and within two or three days after , both that place and all the shoulder besides will swell . then either prick him with a lancet or fleam , in all the swelling places , or else with some other sharp hot iron , the head whereof would be an inch long , to the intent that the corruption may run out , and use to anoint it still with the same ointment . but if you see that it will not go away , but swell still , and gather to a head , then lance it where the swelling doth gather most , and is soft under the finger , and then tent it with flax dipt in this ointment : take of turpentine and of hogs grease , of each two ounces , and melt them together , renewing the tent twice a day untill it be whole . of the shoulder pight . this is when the shoulder point or pitch of the shoulder is displaced , which grief is called of the italians , spallato ; and it cometh by reason of some great fall forward , rush or strain . the signes be these : that shoulder-point will stick out further then his fellow , and the horse will halt right down . the cure according to martin is thus : first make him to swim in a deep water up and down a dozen turns , and that shall make the joynt to return into his place . then make two tough pins of ashen wood as much as your little finger , sharp at the points , each one five inches long : that done , slit the skin an inch above the point , and an inch beneath the point of the shoulder , and thrust in one of the pins from above downward , so as both ends may equally stick without the skin . and if the pin of wood will not easily pass through , you may make it way first with an iron pin . that done , make other two holes cross to the first holes , so as the other pin may cross the first pin right in the midst with a right cross , and the first pin would be somewhat flat in the midst , to the intent that the other being round , may pass the better without stop , and close the just●● together . then take a piece of a little line somewhat bigger then a whip-cord , and at one end make a loop , which being put over one of the pins ends , winde the rest of the line good and straight about the pine ends , so as it may lie betwixt the pins ends and the skin , and fasten the last end with a pack-needle and packthread unto the rest of the cord , so as it may not slip : and to do well , both the pricks and the cord would be first anointed with a little hogs grease . then bring him into the stable , and let him rest the space of nine days , but let him lie down as little as may be , and put on a pastern on the sore leg , so as it may be bound with a cord unto the foot of the manger , to keep that leg always whilest he standeth in the stable more forward then the other . and at the nine days end take out the pricks , and anoint the sore places with a little dialthea , or with hogs grease , and then turn him out to grass . of the swelling of the fore-legs after great labor . great labour and heat causeth humors to resort down into the legs making them swell . the cure whereof according to martin is thus : bathe them with buttered beer , or else with this bath here following : take of mallows three handfuls , a rose cake , sage one handful : boil them together in a sufficient quantity of water , and when the mallows be soft , put in half a pound of butter , and half a pinte of sallet oyl , and then being somewhat warm , wash the swelling therewith every day once , the space of three or four days . and if the swelling will not go away with this ; then take wine lees , and cumin , and boil them together , and put thereunto a little wheat-flowre , and charge all the swelling therewith , and walk him often : and if it will not serve , then take up the great vein above the knee on the inside , suffering him not to bleed from above , but all from beneath . of the foundering in the fore-legs . the cause of this grief is declared before in the chapter of foundering in the body , whereas i shewed you , that if a horse be foundered in the body , the humors will immediately resort down into his legs , as martin saith , within the space of hours , and then the horse will go crouching all upon the hinder-legs , his fore-legs being so stiffe , as he is not able to bow them . the cure whereof , according to martin , is in this sort : garter each leg immediately one handful above the knee , with a list good and hard , and then walk him or chafe him , and so put him in a heat , and being some-what warmed , let him bloud in both the breast veins , reserving the bloud to make a charge withall in this manner : take of that bloud two quarts , and of wheat-flowre half a peck , and six egges , shels and all , of bole armony half a pound , of sanguis draconis half a quartern , and a quart of strong vinegar ; mingle them all together , and charge all his shoulders , breast , back , loyns , and fore-legs therewith , and then walk him upon some hard ground , suffering him not to stand still ; and when the charge is dry , refresh it again . and having walked him three or four hours together , lead him into the stable , and give him a little warm water with ground mault in it , and then a little hay and provender , and then walk him again , either in the house , or else abroad , and continue thus the space of four days : and when all the charge is spent , cover him well with a housing cloth , and let him both stand and lie warm , and eat but little meat during the four days . but if you see that at four days end he mendeth not a whit , then it is a sign that the humor lies in the foot , for the which you must search with your butter , paring all the soles of the fore-feet so thin as you shall see the water issue through the sole . that done , with your butter , let him bloud at both the toes , and let him bleed well . then stop the vein with a little hogs grease , and then tack on the shooes , and turpentine molten together , and laid upon a little flax ; and cram the place where you did let him bloud hard with tow , to the intent it may be surely stopt . then fill both his feet with hogs grease , and bran fryed together in a stopping pan , so hot as is possible . and upon the stopping clap a piece of leather , or else two splents to keep the stopping . and immediately after this , take two egges , beat them in a dish , and put thereto bole armony , and bean-flowre so much as will thicken the same , and mingle them well together , and make thereof two plaisters , such as may close each foot round about , somewhat , above the cronet , and binde it fast with a list or roller , that it may not fall away , not be removed for the space of three days , but let the sole be cleansed , and new stopped every day once , and the cronets to be removed every two days , continuing so to do untill it be whole . dating which time let him rest walked , for fear of loosening his hoofs . but if you see that he begin to amend , you may walk him fair and softly once a day upon some soft ground , to exercise his legs and feet ; and let him not eat much , nor drink cold water . but if this fundering break out above the hoof , which you shall perceive by the looseness of the coffin , above by the cronet ; then when you pare the sole , you must take all the fore-part of the sole clean away , leaving the heels whole , to the intent the humors may have the freer passage downward , and then stop him , and dress him about the cronet as is before said . of foundring . of all other sorances , foundering is soonest got , and hardlyest cured : yet if it may be perceived in twenty four hours , and taken in hand by this means hereafter prescribed , it shall be cured in other twenty and four hours : notwithstanding , the same re●eit hath cured a horse that hath been foundered a year and more , but then it was longer in bringing it to pass . foundering cometh when a horse is heated , being in his grease and very fat , and taketh thereon a sudden cold which striketh down into his legs , and taketh away the use and feeling thereof . the sign to know it is , the horse cannot go , but will stand cripling with all his four legs together ; if you offer to turn him , he will couch his buttocks to the ground , and some horses have i seen sit on their buttocks to feed . the cure is thus : let him bloud of his two breast veins , of his two shackle veins , and of , his two veins above the cronets of his hinder hoofs ; if the veins will bleed , take from them three pintes at least ; if they will not bleed , then open his neck vein , and take so much from thence . save the blood , and let one stand by and stir it as he bleeds , lest it grow into lumps ; when he hath done bleeding , take as much wheat flowre as will thicken the blood , the whites of twenty egges , and three or four yolks ; then take a good quantity of bolearminack , and a pinte of strong vinegar , incorporate all these well together , and withal charge his back , neck , head , and ears ; then take two long rags of cloth and dip in the same charge , and withal garter him so strait as may be above both his knees of his forelegs ; then let his keeper take him out to some stony causie , or high-way paved with stone , and there one following him with a cudgel , let him trot up and down for the space of an hour , or two , or more : that done , set him up and give him some meat ; and for his drink , let him have a warm mash : some three or four hours after this , take off his garters , and set him in some pond of water up to the mid-side , and so let him stand for two hours , then take him out and set him up ; the next day pull off his shooes , and pare his feet very thin , and let him blood both of his heels and toes ; then set on his shooes again , and stop them with hogs grease and bran boiling hot , and splint them up , and so turn him out to run , and he shall be sound . of the splent as well in the inside or outside of the knee , as other where in the legs . this sorance to any mans feeling , is a very gristle , sometime as big as a walnut , and sometime no more then a hasel-nut , which is called of the italians , spinella , and it cometh , as laurentius russius saith , by travelling the horse too young , or by oppressing him with heavie burthens offending his tender sinews , and so causeth him to halt . it is easie to know , because it is apparent to the eye , and if you pinch it with your thumb and finger , the horse will shrink up his leg . the cure whereof , according to martin , is in this sort : wash it well in warm water , and shave off the hair , and lightly scarifie all the sore places with the point of a rasor , so as the blood may issue forth . then take of cantharides half a spoonful , and of euforbium as much , beaten into fine powder , and mingle them together with a spoonful of oyl-de-bay , and then melt them in a little pan , stirring them well together , so as that they may not boil over , and being so boiled hot , take two or three feathers , and anoint all the sore place therewith . that done , let not the horse stir from the place where you so dresse him for one hour after , to the intent he shake not off the ointment . then carry him fair and softly into the stable , and tie him as he may not reach with his head beneath the manger , for otherwise he will covet to bite away the smarting and pricking medicine , which if it should touch his lips , would quickly fetch off the skin . and also let him stand without litter all that day and night . the next day anoint the sore place with fresh butter , continuing so to do every day once for the space of nine dayes , for this shall allay the heat of the medicine , and cause both that , and the crust to fall away of it self , and therewith either clean take away the splent , or at least remove it out of the knee into the leg , and so much diminish it , as the horse shall go right up , and halt no more through occasion thereof . laurentius russius would have the splent to be cured by firing it longst wise and overthwart . i have seen the splent to be clean taken away thus : first having clipt away the hair growing upon the hard place , you must beat it with a good big stick of hasel almost a foot long , in which stick somewhat distant from the one end thereof would be set fast a sharp prick of a little bit of steel , to prick the sore place therewith , once or twice to make the bloud issue out , never leaving to beat it first softly , and then harder and harder until it waxeth soft in every place to the feeling , and to thrust out the blood , partly with the stick , leaning on it with both your hands , and partly with your thumbs : that done , wind about the sore place with a piece of double red woollen cloth , holding it so as it may lie close thereunto ; then sear it upon the cloth with the flat side of your searing iron , made hot , and not red-hot , but so as it may not burn through the cloth ; that done , take away the cloth , and lay upon the sore a piece of shoomakers wax , made like a little cake , so broad as is the sore place , and then sear that into his legs with your searing iron , until the wax be throughly moulten , dryed , and sunken into the sore : that done , sear another piece of wax in like manner into the sore , until it be dryed up , and then you may travel your horse immediately upon it if you will , for he will not halt no more . of the splent . a splent is a sorance of the least moment , unlesse it be on the knee , or else a through splent , both which cannot be cured . a splent is a spungy hard gristle or bone , growing ●ast on the inside of the shin-bone of a horse , where a little making stark the sinews compels a horse somewhat to stumble . the cures are divers , and thus they be ; if the splent be young , tender , and but new in breeding , then cast the horse , and take a spoonful of that oyl called petrolium , and with that oyl rub the splent till you make it soft ; then take a fleam , such as you let a horse bloud withal , and strike the splent in two or three places , then with your two thumbs thrust it hard , and you shall see crush't matter and bloud come out , which is the very splent ; then set him up and let him rest , or run at grasse for a week or more . others for a young splent do thus ; take a hasell stick and cut it square , and therewithal beat the splent till it be soft , then take a blew cloth and lay upon the splent , and take a taylors pressing iron made hot and rub it up and down upon the cloth over the splent , and it shall take it clean away . but if the splent be old and great , and grown to the perfection of hardness , then you must cast the horse , and with a sharp knife slit down the splent ; then take cantharides and euforbium , of each like quantity , and boyl them in oyl-de-bay , and with that fill up the slit , and renew it for three dayes together , then take it away and anoint the place with oyl-de-bay , oyl of roses or tar , until it be whole . of a malander . a malander is a kinde of scab growing in the forme of lines , or strokes , overthwart the bent of the knee , and hath long hairs with stubborn roots , like the bristles of a bore , which corrupteth and cankereth the flesh , like the roots of a childes scabbed head : and if it be great , it will make the horse to go stiffe at the setting forth , and also to halt . this disease proceedeth some-time of corrupt bloud , but most commonly for lack of clean keeping , and good rubbing . the cure , according to martin , is thus ; first wash it well with warm water , then shave both hair and scab clean away , leaving nothing but the bare flesh , whereunto lay this plaister : take a spoonful of sope , and as much of lime , mingle them together , that it may be like paste , and spread as much on a clout as will cover the sore , and binde it fast on with a list , renewing it every day once the space of two or three dayes , and at the three dayes end , take away the plaister and anoint the sore with oyl of roses made luke-warm , and that shall fetch away the crust-scurfe , bred by means of the plaister , which being taken away , wash the sore place well every day once with his own stale , or else with mans urine , and then immediately strow upon it the powder of burnt oystershels , continuing thus to do every day once until it be whole . another of the malander . a malander is a peevish sorance , and cometh of ill keeping , it is on the fore-legs , just on the inside , at the bending of the knee , it will make a horse go stark , and stumble much . the cure is in this sort ; cast the horse , and with some instrument pluck off the dry scab that will stick thereon , and rub it till it bleed , then take and bind it thereto for three days , in which space you shall see a white asker on the sore , then take that off and anoint it with oyl of roses or fresh butter until it be throughly cured . of an upper attains or over-reach upon the back sinew of the shanke , somewhat above the joynt . the italians call this sorance attincto , which is a painful swelling of the master sinew , by means that the horse doth sometimes over reach , and strike that sinew with the toe of his hinder-foot , which causeth him to halt . the signes be apparent by the swelling of the place , and by the horses halting . the cure , according to martin , is thus ; wash the place with warm water , and shave all the hair so far as the swelling goeth , and scarifie every part of the sore place lightly with the point of a rasor , that the bloud may issue forth . then takeof cantharides and of euforbium , of each half an ounce , mingle them together with half a quartern of sope , and with a slice spread some of this ointment over all the sore , suffering him to rest there as you dresse him for one half hour after , and then you may carry him into the stable , and there let him stand without litter , and tyed as hath been said before in the chapter of the spleen , and the next day dresse him with the same ointment once again , even as you did before . and the third day anoint the place with fresh butter , continuing so to do the space of nine dayes , and at the nine dayes end , make him this bath ; take of mallowes three handfuls , a rose-cake , of sage a hardful ; boyl them together in a sufficient quantity of water . and when the mallowes be soft , put in half a pound of butter , and half a pinte of sallet oyle ; and then being somewhat warm , wash the sore place therewith every day once , the space of three or four dayes . of a nether taint . this is a little bladder full of jelly , much like unto a wind-gal , not apparent to the eye , but to the feeling , growing in the midst of the pastern , somewhat above the frush . it cometh by a strain , or else by some wrench , or by any other over-reach , and maketh the horse to halt . the signes be these ; the neather-joynt toward the fewter-lock will be hot in feeling , and somewhat swollen . the cure , according to martin , is in this sort ; tie him above the joynt with a list somewhat hard , and that will cause the bladder to appear to the eye . then lance it with a sharp pointed knife , and thrust out all the jelly . that done , lay unto it the white of an egge , and a little salt beaten together , and laid upon flax or tow , and bind it fast unto the sore , renewing it once a day the space of four or five dayes , during which time let him rest , and then you may boldly labour him . of an attaint . an attaint is a grief that cometh by an over-reach , as clapping one leg upon another , or by some other horses treading upon his heels . the cure is ; take a sharp knife and cut out the over-reach , that is , if it be never so deep like a hole , cut it plain and smooth , how broad so ever you make it , then wash it with beer and salt , and lay to it hogs grease , wax , turpentine , and rosen , of each like quantity , boyled and mingled together , and this will in few dayes heal him , be it never so sore . of an over-reach upon the heel . this is a cut , so as the skin hangs down at the heel , made with the toe of the hinder foot , and is apparent to the eye , and it will cause the horse somewhat to halt . the cure whereof , according to martin , is thus ; cut away the skin that hangeth down , and bind a little flax dipt in the white of an egge mingled with a little bole-armony , renewing it every day once the space of three or four days , and that will heal it . of false quarters . this is a rift sometime in the outside , but most commonly in the inside of the hoof , because the inside is ever the weaker part , which sides are commonly called quarters , and thereof this sorance taketh his name , and is called a false quarter ; that is to say , a crased or unsound quarter , which name indeed is borrowed of the italians , calling it in their tongue , fals● quarto . it cometh by evill shooing , and partly by evill paring . the signes be these : the horse will for the most part halt , and the rift will bleed , and is apparent to the eye . the cure , according to martin , is thus ; if the horse halt , then pull off the shooe , and cut so much away on that side of the shooe where the grief is , as the shooe being immediately put on again , the rift may be uncovered . then open the rift with a rosenet or drawer , and fill the rift with a roll of toe dipt in turpentine , wax , and sheeps sewet molten , renewing it every day once until it be whole . and the rift being closed in the top , draw him betwixt the hair and the hoof with a hot iron overthwart that place , to the intent that the hoof may shoot all whole downward , and when the horse goeth upright , ride him with no other shooe , until his hoof be throughly hardned again . of halting behind , and where the grief is . if a horse halt behind , the grief must either be in the hip , in the stifle , in the hough , in the ham , in the leg , in the neather joynt , pastern or foot . if he halt in the hip of a new hurt , the horse will go sideling , and not follow so well with that leg as with the other ; but if it be old hurt , the sore hip will shrink and be lower then the other . and is best seen , when he goeth up a hill , or upon the edge of some bank , so as the worst leg may go on the higher side , for then he will halt so much more , because it is painful unto him to go so unevenly wrinching his leg . if the grief be in the stifle , then the horse in his going will cast the stifle joynt outward , and the bone on the inside will be far bigger then the other . if the grief be in the hough , then it is by means of some spaven , or some other hurt apparent to the eye . and the like may be said of the ham , wherein may be seen the selander , or such like apparent sorance , causing the horse to halt . if the grief be either in the leg , pastern or foot , then you shall finde it by such signes as have been taught you before . and therefore let us now speak of those sorances that are properly incident to the hinder legs . of th● string halt . the string-halt is a disease that maketh a horse twitch up his leg suddenly , and so halt much , it cometh sometimes naturally , and sometimes casually , by means of some great cold whereby the sinews are strained : the best cure thereof , is to dig a pit in some dunghil , as deep as the horse is high , and set the horse in , and cover him with warm dung , and so let him stand the space of two hours , then take him out and make him clean , and then bathe him all over with train-oyl made warm , and it will help him . of a horse that is hipped , or hurt in the hips . the horse is said to be hipt , when the hip-bone is removed out of his right place , which grief is called of the italians , mal del ancha . it cometh most commonly by some great stripe or strain . slipping , sliding or falling . the signes be these : the horse will halt , and in his going he will go sideling , and the sore hip will fall lower then the other , and the flesh in processe of time will consume clean away . and if it be suffered to run so long , it will never be restored unto his pristine estate . the best way , as martin saith , to make him go upright , is to charge his hip and back with pitch and rosen molten together , and laid on warm , and then some flocks of his own colour to be clapped upon the same , and so let him run to grasse untill he go upright . but the sore hip will never rise again so high as the other . if the horse be not hipped , but only hurt in the hip , and that newly , then first take of the oyl de-bay , of dialthea , of nerval , of swines grease , melt them all together ▪ stirring them continually until they be throughly mingled together , and anoint the sore place against the hair with this ointment every day once , the space of a fortnight , and make the ointment to sink well into the flesh , by holding a hot broad bar over the place anointed , weaving your hand to and fro , until the ointment be entred into the skin . and if at the fortnights end , you see that the horse amendeth no whit for this , then slit a hole downward in his skin , and an inch beneath the hip-bone , making the hole so wide , as you may easily thrust in a rowel with your finger , and then with a little broad slice or iron , loosen the skin from the flesh above the bone , and round about the same , so broad as the rowel may lie flat and plain betwixt the skin and the flesh , which rowel would be made of soft calves leather , with a hole in the midst like a ring , having a threed tied unto it , to pull it out when you would cleanse the hole , and if the rowel be rolled about with flax fast tyed on , and anointed with the ointment under written , it will draw so much the more ; and thrust in the rowel first double , and then spread it abroad with your finger . that done , tent it with a good long tent of flax or tow dipt in a little turpentine and hogs grease molten together and made warm , and cleanse the hole , and the rowel every day once , and also renew the tent every day for the space of a fortnight . and before you dresse him , cause him every day to be led up and down a foot pace a quarter of an hour , to make the humors come down , and at the fortnights end pull out the rowel , and heal up the wound with the same salve , making the tent every day lesser and lesser until it be whole . and so soon as it is whole , draw with a hot iron crosse lines , of eight or nine inches long , right over the hip-bone , so as the rowelled place may be in the very midst thereof , and burn him no deeper , but so as the skin may look yellow , and then charge all that place , and over all his buttocks with this charge : take of pitch a pound , of rosen half a pound , of tar half a pinte ; boyl them together , and then being good and warm , spread it on with a clout tyed in a riven stick , and then clap on a few flocks of the horses colour . and if it be in summer ; let the horse run to grasse a while , for the more he travelleth at his own will , the better it is for him . of stifling , and hurts in the stifle . the horse is said to be stifled , when the stifling bone is removed from the place ; but if it be not removed nor loosened , and yet the horse halteth by means of some grief there , then we say that the horse is hurt in the stifle , and not stifled . the stifle cometh by means of ●ome blow , or some great strain , slipping or sliding . the signes be these ; if he be stifled , the one bone will stick out farther then the other , and is apparent to the eye . martin would have you to cure the stifle in all points like unto the shoulder-pight , saving that the pins need not be so long , because the stifling place is not so broad as the shoulder , and standing in the stable , let him have a pastern with a ring on his sore-leg , and thereunto fasten a cord , which cord must go about his neck , and let it be so much strained , as it may bring his sore leg more forward then the other to keep the bone from starting out . but if the horse be but hurt in the stifle with some stripe or strain , then the bone will not stand out , but perhaps the place may be swollen . the cure , according to martin , is thus ; first anoint the place with the ointment mentioned before , every day once the space , of a fortnight ; and if the horse amend not with this , then rowel him with a hearen rowel , or else with a quill , and let the neather hole be somewhat before the sore place , and cleanse the hole every day , by turning the rowel , continuing still to anoint the place with the ointment aforesaid , and that will make him whole . of foundering behind . this haps most commonly when a horse is very fat , and hath his grease moulten within him , which is soon done with every little heat . you shall perceive it by his going , for he will be afraid to set his hinder-feet to the ground , and he will be so weak behind , as he will stand quivering and shaking , and covet alwayes to lie down . the cure , according to martin , is thus : first garter him about the houghes , and then force him to go a while to put him in a heat , and being some-what warm , let him bloud in the thigh veins , reserving of that bloud a pottle , to make him a charge in this sort ; put unto that bloud , of wheat-flower and of bean-flower , of each a quarter of a peck , of bole-armony one pound , of sanguis draconis two ounces , six egges , shels and all , of turpentine half a pound , of vinegar a quart ; mingle all these things together , and therewith charge both his hinder-legs , his reins , and flanks , all against the hair . and if the horse cannot dung , let him be raked , and give him this glyster ; take of mallowes three handfuls , and boyl them well in fair water from a pottle to a quart ; then strain it , and put thereunto half a pound of butter , and of sallet oyl a quarter of a pinte , and having emptied his belly , give him also this drink to comfort him ; take of malmesie a quart , and put thereunto a little cinamon , mace , and pepper , beaten into fine powder , and of oyl a quarter of a pinte , and give the horse to drink of that luke-warm with a horn . that done , let him be walked up and down a good while together if he be able to go ; if not , then tie him up to the rack , and let him be hanged with canvas and ropes , so as he may stand upon the ground with his feet : for the lesse he lyeth , the better ; and pare his hinder-feet thin , untill the dew come out , and tacking on the shooes again , stop the hoofs with bran and hogs grease boyled together , and let both his feet , having this geer in it , be wrapped up in a cloth even to his pasterns , and there tie the clout fast . let his diet be thin , and let him drink no cold water , and give him in winter wet hay , and in summer grasse . of the dry spaven . the dry spaven , called of the italians , spavano , or sparavagno ; is a great hard knob as big as a walnut growing in the inside of the hough ; hard under the joynt , nigh unto the master vein , and causeth the horse to halt , which sorance cometh by kinde , because the horses parents perhaps had the like disease at the time of his generation ; and sometime by extreme labor and heat dissolving humors which do descend through the master vein , continually feeding that place with evil nutriment , and causeth that place to swell . which swelling in continuance of time becometh so hard as a bone , and therefore is called of some the bone spaven . it needeth no signes or tokens to know it , because it is very much apparent to the eye , and therefore most farriers do take it to be incurable . notwithstanding , martin saith , that it may be made lesse with these remedies here following ; wash it with warm water , and shave off the hair so far as the swelling extendeth , and scarifie the place so as it may bleed ; then take of cantharides one dozen , of euforbium half a spoonful , break them into powder , and boyl them together with a little oyl-de-bay , and with two or three feathers bound together , put it boyling hot upon the sore , and let his tail be tyed up for wiping away the medicine ; and then within half an hour after , set him up in the stable , and tie him so as he may not lie down all the night for fear of rubbing off the medicine , and the next day anoint it with fresh butter , continuing thus to do every day once the space of five or six days , and when the hair is grown again , draw the sore place with a hot iron ; then take another hot sharp iron like a bodkin , somewhat bowing at the point , and thrust it in at the neather end of the middle line , and so upward betwixt the skin and the flesh to the compasse of an inch and a half . and then tent it with a little turpentine and hogs grease moulten together and made warm , renewing it every day once the space of nine dayes . but remember first immediately after his burning to take up the master vein , suffering him to bleed a little from above , and tie up the upper end of the vein , and leave the neather end open , to the intent that he may bleed from beneath until it cease it self , and that shall diminish the spaven , or else nothing will do it . of the spaven , both bone and bloud . doubtless a spaven is an evill sorance , and causeth a horse to halt principally in the beginning of his grief ; it appeareth on the hinder-legs within , and against the joynt , and it will be a little swoln ; and some horses have a thorough spaven , which appeareth both within and without . of the spaven there are two kindes , the one hard , and the other soft ; that is , a bone-spaven , and a bloud-spaven : for the bone-spaven , i hold it hard to cure , and therefore the lesse necessary to be dealt withal , except very great occasion urge ; and thus it may be holpen . cast the horse , and with a hot iron slit the flesh that covereth the spaven , and then lay upon the spaven , cantharides and euforbium boyled together in oyl-de-bay , and anoint his legs round about , either with the oyl of roses , and with vnguentum album camphiratum . dresse him thus for three dayes together , then afterward take it away , and for three dayes more lay unto it only upon flax and unsleck't lime , then afterward dresse it with tar until it be whole . the cantharides and euforbium , will eat and kill the spungy bone , the lime will bring it clean away , and the tar will suck out the poison , and heal all up sound : but this cure is dangerous , for if the incision be done by an unskilful man ; and he either by ignorance , or by the swarving of his hand , burn in twain the great vein that runs crosse the spaven , then the horse is spoiled . now for the bloud spaven that is easily helpt , for i have known divers which have been but newly beginning , helpt only by taking up the spaven vein , and letting it bleed well beneath , and then stop the wound with sage and salt , but if it be a great bloud spaven , then with a sharp knife , cut it as you burnt the bone spaven , and take the spaven away , then heal it up with hogs grease and turpentine only . of the wet spaven , or through spaven . this is a soft swelling growing on both sides of the hough , and seems to go clean through the hough , and therefore may be called a through spaven . but for the most part the swelling is on the inside , because it is continually fed of the master vein , and is greater then the swelling on the outside . the italians call this sorance l●ierda , or gierdone , which seemeth to come of a more fluxible humour , and not so viscous or slimy as the other spaven doth , and therefore this waxeth not so hard , nor groweth to the nature of a bone as the other doth , and this is more curable then the other . it needs no signes , because it is apparent to the eye , and easie to know by the description thereof before made . the cure , according to martin , is thus ; first wash , shave , and scarifie the place as before ; then take of cantharides half an ounce , of euforbium an ounce broken to powder , and oyl-de-bay one ounce , mingle them well together cold , without boyling them , and dresse the sore therewith two dayes together , and every day after , until the hair be grown again anoint it with fresh butter . then fire him both without and within , as before , without tenting him , and immediately take up the master vein , as before ; and then for the space of nine dayes , anoint him every day once with butter , until the fired place begin to scale , and then wash it with this bath ; take of mallowes three handfuls , of sage one handful , and as much of red nettles , boyl them in water until they be soft , and put thereunto a little fresh butter , and bathe the place every day once for the space of three or four dayes , and until the burning be whole , let the horse come in no wet . of the selander . this is a kinde of scab breeding in the ham , which is the bent of the hough , and is like in all points to the malander , proceeding of like causes , and requireth like cure , and therefore resort to the malander . of the hough bony , or hard knob . this is a round swelling bony , like a paris ball , growing upon the tip or elbow of the hough , and therefore i thought good to call it the hough-bony . this sorance cometh of some stripe or bruise , and as martin saith , is cured thus ; take a round hot iron somewhat sharp at the end like a good big bodkin , and let it be somewhat bending at the point ; then holing the sore with your left hand , pulling it somewhat from the sinews , pierce it with the iron , being first made red-hot , thrusting it beneath in the bottom , and so upward into the belly , to the intent that the same jelly may issue downward out at the hole , and having thrust out all the jelly , tent the hole with a tent of fla● dipt in turpentine , and hogs grease molten together , and also anoint the outside with hogs grease made warm , renewing it every day once until the hole be ready to shut up , making the tent every day lesser and lesser ; to the intent it may heal up . of the curb . this is a long swelling beneath the elbow of the hough , in the great sinew behind , and causeth the horse to halt , after that he hath been a while laboured , and thereby somewhat heated for the more the sinew is strained , the greater grief , which again by his rest is eased ▪ this cometh by bearing some great weight when the horse is young ; or else by some 〈◊〉 or wrinch , whereby the tender , sinews are grieved , or rather bowed ( as russius saith ) whereof it is called in italian , curba 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is to say of bowing , for anguish whereof it doth swell , which swelling is apparent to the eye , and maketh the leg to shew bigger then the 〈◊〉 ▪ the cure , according to martin , is thus ; take of wine-lees a pinte , a porringer full of wheat flowre , of cumin half an ounce , and stir them well together , and being made warm , charge the sore three or four dayes , and when the smelling is almost gone , then draw it with a hot iron , and cover the burning with pitch and rosen molten together , and lay it on good and warm , and clap thereon some flocks of his own colour , or so nigh as may be gotten , and remove them not , until they fall away of themselves . and for the space of nine dayes let the horse rest , and come in no wet . another of the curb . a curb is a sorance that maketh a horse to halt much , and it appears upon his hinder legs , straight behind upon the cumbrel place , and a little beneath the spaven , and it will be swoln as big as half a walout . the cure followeth ; take a small cord and bind his legs hard above it , and beneath it , then beat it , and rub it with a heavy stick till it grow soft , then with a fleam strike it in three or four places , and with your thumbs crush out the filthy bruised matter , then loose the cord , and anoint it with butter uutil it be whole . of the pains . this is a kind of scab , called in italian , crappe , which is full of fretting matterish water , and it breedeth in the pasterns for lack of clean keeping and good rubbing after the horse hath been journyed , by means whereof , the sand and dirt remaineth in the hair , fretteth the skin and flesh , and so breedeth a scab . and therefore those horses that have long hair , and are rough about the feet , are soonest troubled with this disease , if they be not the cleanlier kept . the signes be these ; his legs will be swollen and hot , and water will issue out of the scab , which water is hot and fretting , as it will scald off the hair and breed scabs , so far as it goeth . the cure , according to martin , is thus ; first wash well all the pasterns with beer and butter warmed together , and his legs being somewhat dryed with a cloth : clip away all the hair , saying the s●wter locks . then take of turpentine , of hogs grease , of hony , of each like quantity , mingle them together in a pot , and put thereto a little bole-armony , the yolks of two egges , and as much wheat flowre as will thicken the things aforesaid , and make it plaister like , and for that cause it had need to be very well wrought and stirred together . then with a slice strike some of the plaister upon such a piece of linnen cloth as will serve to go round about the pastern , and bind it fast on with a roller , renewing it once a day until it be whole , and let not the horse be travelled nor stand wet . another of the pains . pains is a sorance that cometh of hot ill humors of ill keeping ; it appeareth in the fetlocks , and will swell in the winter time , and will send forth a sharp water ; the hair will stare : and the cure is thus ; wash them every day twice or thrice with gunpowder and vinegar , and they will be whole in one week at the most . of mules or kibed heels , called of the italians , mule. this is a kind of scab breeding behind , somewhat above the neather joynt , growing overthwart the fewter lock , which cometh most commonly for being bred in cold ground , or else for lack of good dressing , after that he hath been laboured in foul mire and dirty wayes , which durt lying still in his legs , fretteth the skin , and maketh scabby rifts , which are soon bred , but not so soon gotten away . the anguish whereof maketh his legs somewhat to swell , and specially in winter and spring time , and then the horse goeth very stifly , and with great pain . the sorance is apparent to the eye and is cured , according to martin , in this sort ; take a piece of linnen cloth , and with the salve recited in the last chapter , make such a plaister as may cover all the sore place , and bind it fast on that it may not fall off , renewing it every day once until the sore leave running , and beginneth to wa● dry , then wash it every day once with strong water , until it be clean dryed up , but if this 〈◊〉 be but in breeding , and there is no raw flesh , then it shall suffice to anoint it with sope two or three dayes , and at the three dayes end , to wash them with a little beef broath or dish water . of frettishing . frettishing is a sorance that cometh of riding a horse till he sweat , and then to set him up without litter , where he taketh suddenly cold in his feet , and chiefly before ; it appears under the heel in the heart of the foot ; for it will grow dun , and wax white and crumbly like a 〈◊〉 , and also in time it will show , by the wrinkles on his hoof , and the hoof will grow thick and 〈◊〉 he will not be able to tread , on stones or hard ground , nor well to travel but stumbl● and fall ▪ the cure is 〈◊〉 take and pare his feet so thin as may be , then lost two or three egges in the embers very hard , 〈◊〉 being extreme hot taken out of five , trush them in his foot , and then clap a piece of leather there 〈◊〉 and splint it that the egges may not fall out , and so let him run and he will be sound . of sorances or griefs that be common to all fore-feet . hitherto we have declared unto you the causes , signes and cure of all such griefs as are properly incident , either to the fore-legs , or hinder-legs : now therefore we speak of those griefs that be common to them both , and first of windgals . of windgals . the windgal called of the italians , galla ; is a bladder full of corrupt jelly , whereof some be great , and some be small , and do grow on each side of the joynt , and is so painful , 〈◊〉 especially in summer season , when the weather is hot and the ways hard , as the horse is not able to travel , but halteth down right . they come for the most part through extreme labour and hext , whereby the humors being dissolved , do flow and resort into the hollow places about the ●eather joynts , and there be congealed and covered with a thin skin like a bladder . they be apparent to the eye , and therefore need no other signes to know them . the cure whereof according to martin is thus : wash them with water , and shave off the hair , scarifie them with the point of a rasor , and dress them with cantharides in the self same manner as the splent in the knee was taught before and anoint them afterward with butter untill the skin be whole . and if this will not heal it , then draw them with a hot iron like a ragged staffe . that done , slit the middle line which passeth right down through the windgal with a sharp knife , beginning beneath , and so upward the length of half an inch , to the intent you may thrust the jelly out at that hole ; then lay unto it a little pitch and 〈◊〉 zen molten together , and made luke-warm and put a few flocks on it , and that will heal him . and you may dry up the windgal in such manner as here followeth : first chop off the hair so far as the wind-gal extendeth , and having strieken it with a fleam , thrust out the jelly with your finger . then take a piece of red wollen cloth and clap it to the place , and with a hot broad searing iron sear it , so as the iron may not burn through the cloth , which is done to dry up the humors . then having taken away the cloth , lay unto the place a piece of shoomakers 〈◊〉 made like a flat cake , about the breadth of a testron , and with your iron not made over hot , streek softly upon it to and fro , untill the said wax be throughly melted into the sure ▪ whereupon lay a few flocks , and let him go . which flock will afterward fall away of their own a●cord . of windgals . wingals are easie to cure , they be little swellings like blebs or bladders , on either side the joynt next unto the fewter-locks , as well before as behinde , and they come through the occasion of great travel , in hard , gravelly , or sandy ways . the cure is : take pitch , rozen , and mastick , of each like quantity , melt them together , and with a stick lay it round about the horses legs , and whilest it is hot lay flocks thereon : the nature of this plaister , is never to come away whilest there is 〈◊〉 windgal on the horses legs ; but when they are dryed up , then it will fall away of it self . of wrinching the neather joynt . this cometh many times by treading away in some care root or otherwise . the signes be these : the joynt will be swollen and sore , and the horse will halt . the cure whereof according to martin is thus : take of dialthea half a pound , and as much of 〈◊〉 ▪ mingle them together , and anoint the sore place therewith chasing it well with both your hands , that the ointment 〈◊〉 enter , continuing so to do every day once , until the ointment be all spent , and let the horse rest . but if this will not prevail , then wash it with warm water and 〈◊〉 away all the 〈◊〉 saving the 〈…〉 lock . scarifie it , and lay to it clantharides , and heal it as you do each spleat 〈◊〉 the knee . of enterfering . because enterfering is to be h●lpen by sh●●ing , we purpose hot to speak of it , untill we come to talk of the order of paring and sh●●ing all manner of ho●fs . another of enterfering . enterfering is a grief that cometh by sometimes by all shooing , and sometimes naturally , 〈◊〉 horse trots so narrow that he ●ews one leg upon another , it appeareth both before and he , hinde , between the feet against the set lo●ks , and there is no remedy but shooing him with 〈◊〉 made than and flat on the outside , and narrow and think within . of the shakel-gall . if a horse be galled in the pasterns , with shakel , lock pastern , or haster , anoint the sore place with a little honey and verdigrease boyled together , untill it look red , which is a good ointment for all gallings on the withers , and immediately strow upon the ointment , being first laid upon the leg , a little chopt flax or tow , and that will stick fast , continuing so to do every day once untill it be whole . of hurts in the legs , that cometh by casting in the halter or collar . it chanceth many times , that a horse having some itch under his ears ; is desirous to scratch the same with his hinder-foot , which whilest he reacheth to and fro , doth fasten in the collar or halter , wherewith the more that he striveth the more he galleth his legs ; and many times it chanceth for that he is tyed so long , by means whereof being laid , and the halter slack about his feet , rising perhaps or turning he snarleth himself so as he is not able to get up , but hangeth either by the neck or legs , which sometime are galled even to the hard bone . russius calleth such kind of galling capistratura , which he was wont to heal with this ointment here following , praising it to be excellent good for the cratches , or any seab , bruise , or wound : take of oyl olive one ounce , of turpentine two or three ounces ; melt them together over the fire , and then put thereunto a little wax , and work them well together , and anoint the sore place therewith . martin saith , it is good to anoint the sore place with the white of an egge and sallet oyl beaten together ; and when it cometh to a scab , anoint it with butter being molten , until it look brown . of the cratches , or rats tails , called of the italians , crepaccie . this is a kinde of long scabby rifts growing right up and down in the hinder part , from the fewter-lock up to the curb , and cometh for lack of clean keeping , and is easily seen if you take up the horses foot , and lift up the hair . the cure according to martin is thus : take of turpentine half a pound , of honey a pinte , of hogs grease a quartern , and three yolks of egges , and of bole-armony a quartern , beaten into fine powder , of bean-flowre half a pinte ; mingle all these well together , and make a salve thereof , and with your finger anoint all the sore places , sheading the hair as you go , to the intent you may the easier finde them , and also to make the salve enter into the skin , and let the horse come in no wet , untill he be whole . of the scratches . scratches will cause a horse to halt sore , and they come only by naughty keeping , and they appear in the pasterns under the fet-locks ; as if this skin were cut over-thwart , that a man may lay ●o a wheat-straw . the cure is thus : binde unto them , ( the hair being cut clean away ) black-sope and lime kned together , for three days , then lay that by , and anoint the place with butter ; and heal the sore with bores grease and tar mixt well together . of the ring-bone . this is a hard gristle growing upon the cronet , and sometime goeth round about the cronet , and is called in italian , soprosso . laurentius russius saith , that it may grow in any other place of the leg ; but then we call it not a ring-bone , but a knot or knob . it cometh at the first either by some blow of another horse , or by striking his one foot against some stub , or stone , or such like casualty . the pain whereof breedeth a viscous and slimy humor , which resorting to the bones , that are of their own nature cold and dry , waxeth hard , cleaveth to some bone , and in process of time becometh a bone . the signes be these : the horse will halt , and the hard swelling is apparent to the eye , being higher then any place of the cronet . the cure according to martin is thus : first wash it well with warm water , and shave away all the hair , so as the sore place may be all discovered . then scarifie it lightly with the point of a rasor , so as the bloud may issue forth . then if the sore be broad , take of euforbium one ounce , of cantharides half an ounce , broken into fine powder , and of oyl-de-bay one ounce ; and if the sore be but little ; the one half of this may serve : boyl these things together , stirring them continually , lest it run over ; and with two or three feathers , lay it boiling hot unto the sore , and let not the horse ●he from that place for half an hour after , then carry him into the stable , both using and turing him for the space of nine days , in such order is ha●● been said before in the chapter of the splent . but when the hair beginneth to grow again , then fire the sore place with right lines from the pastern down to the could of the hoof ; and let the edge of the drawing iron be as thick as the back of a meat-knife , and burn him so deep as the skin may look yellow : that done , cover the burning with pitch and rozen molten together , and clap thereon flocks of the horses own colour , or somewhat nigh the same , and about three days after lay again some of the last mentioned plaister , or ointment ; and also new flocks upon the old , and there let them remain , until they fall away of themselves . but if these ring-bones , or knobs , breed in any other place , then in the cronet , you shall cure them as is before said , without firing them . of the ring-bone . the ring-bone is an ill disease , and appeareth before on the foot above the hoof , as well before as behinde , and will be swoln three inches broad , and a quarter of an inch or more of height , and the hair will stare and wax thin , and will make a horse halt much . the cure is : cast the horse , and with an iron made flat and thin , burn away that gristle which annoys him ; then take wax , turpentine , rozen , tar , and hogs-grease , of each like quantity , mingle them together plaister-wise , and with it cure the sore : this plaister will also cure any other wound or ulcer whatsoever . of the crown-scab . this is a kinde of filthy and stinking scab , breeding round about the feet upon the cronets , and is an elvish and painful disease , called in italian , crisaria . it seemeth to come by means that the horse hath been bred in some cold wet soil , striking corrupt humors up to his feet ; and therefore the horse that hath this grief is worse troubled in winter then in summer . the signes be these : the hair of the cronets will be thin and staring like bristles , and the cronets will be always mattering , and run on a water . the cure according to martin is thus : take of sope , of hogs-grease , of each half a pound , of bole-armony a little , of turpentine a quartern ; and mingle them all together , and make a plaister , and binde it fast on , renewing it every day once , until it leave running , and then wash it with strong vinegar , being luke-warm , every day once , until the sore be clean dryed up ; and let him come in no wet until it be whole . of hurts upon the cronet crossing one foot over another , which the italians call supraposte . martin saith , wash it well with white wine , or with a little stale , and then lay unto it the white of an egge , mingled with a little chimny soot and salt , and that will dry it up in three or four days , if it be renewed every day once . of the quitter-bone . this is a hard round swelling upon the cronet , betwixt the heel and the quarter , and groweth most commonly on the inside of the foot , and is commonly called of the italians , setula or seta . it cometh by means of gravel gathered underneath the shooe , which fretteth the heel , or else by the cloying or pricking of some nail evil driven , the anguish whereof looseneth the gristle , and so breedeth evil humors , whereof the quitter-bone springeth . the signes be these : the horse will halt , and the swelling is apparent to the eye , which is four or five days coming to a head , will break out with matter at a little deep hole like a fistula . the cure according to martin is thus : first , burn about the quitter-bone with a hot iron , in manner of half a circle , and then with the same iron draw another right strike through the midst thereof . then take of arsenick the quantity of a bean beaten into fine powder , and put it into the hole , thrusting it down to the bottom with a quill , and stop the mouth of the hole with a little tow , and binde it so fast with a cloth , and cord , as the horse may not come at it with his mouth , and so let it rest for that day . and the next day , if you see that the sore looketh black within , then it is a signe that the arsenick hath wrought well and done his part . then to allay the burning thereof , tent the hole with flax dipt in hogs-grease , and turpentine , molten and mingled together , and cover the tent with a bolster of tow dipt also in the ointment aforesaid , continuing so to do every day once , until you have gotten out the core . then shall you see whether the loose gristle in the bottom be uncovered or not ; and if it be uncovered , then feel with your finger , or with a quill , whether you be nigh it or not . and if you be , then raise the gristle with a little crooked instrument , and pull it clean out with a pair of small nippers , meet for the pupose . that done , tent it a gain with a full tent dipt in the aforesaid ointment , to asswage the anguish of the last dressing , and stop it hard , to the intent that the hole may not shrink together , or close up ; and the next day take out the tent , and tent it a new with the salve or ointment taught in the chapter of the shakel-gall , renewing it every day once until it be whole , keeping always the mouth of the sore as open as you may , to the intent that it heal not up too fast ; and let not the horse be in any wet , nor travel , until he be perfectly whole . of the quitter-bone . quitter-bone is a round hard swelling upon the cronet of the hoof , betwixt the hoof and the quarter , and for the most part groweth on the inside of the foot : the original effect thereof is the fretting of gravel underneath the shoo● , which bruiseth the heel ; or else by means of some stub , or the pricking of some nail , through the pain whereof the gristle is loosened , breeding evil humors , which be indeed the ground of the quitter-bone : it is to be known by the horses hasting , and by the apparent swelling to the eye of that part , which in three or four days will grow unto a head and break , evacuating great abundance of filthy matter at a little hole . the cure is thus : take a hot iron , made in fashion of a knife , and with it burn out the flesh , in compass of a moon , till you come to feel the gristle , then burn it out too : then take verdigrease , fresh butter , and tar , molten together , and dip fine tow therein , stop up the hole , then lay thereon a sear-cloth of deer-sewet and wax , and so let him rest for the first day : the next day ; take of mel rosatum , oyl of roses , wax , and turpentine , of each like quantity , infuse them all on the fire together ; and with the salve dress the sore morning and evening , till it be whole . but if you finde any proud flesh to grow , then forget not to lay thereon some red lead , or verdigrease : and withall have an especial regard , that the upper part of the wound heal not faster then the bottom , for fear of fistulating . of the gravelling . this is a fretting under the foot , most commonly in the inside , and sometime in the outside , and sometime in both sides together of the heel . it cometh by means of little gravel stones getting betwixt the hoof , or calking , or spunge of the shooe , which by continual labour and treading of the horse , doth eat into the quick , and the rather , if his heel be soft and weak , or that the shooe do lie flat to his foot , so as the gravel being once gotten in , cannot get out . the signes be these : the horse will halt , and covet to tread all upon the toe , to favour his heel . the cure according to martin is thus : first pare the hoof , and get out the gravel with a corner , or drawer , leaving none behinde , for if you do , it will breed to a quitter-bone . that done , stop him with turpentine and hogs-grease molten together , and laid on with tow or flax , and then clap on the shooe to keep in the stopping , renewing it every day once until it be whole . and suffer the horse to come in no wet , until he be throughly whole . if a gravelling be not well stopt to keep down the flesh , it will rise higher then the hoof ; and not only require more business in bolstering it , but also put the horse to more pain . of gravelling . gravelling is a hurt will make a horse to halt , and cometh of gravel and little stones , that goeth between the shooe and the heart of the foot . the cure is : take off the shooe , and let him be well pared ; then set on the shooe again , and stop it with pitch , rozen , and tallow , and this shall help . of surbating . this is a beating of the hoof against the ground , called of the italians , sobatitura ; it cometh sometime by means of evil shooing , lying too flat to his foot ; or by going long bare foot , and sometime by the hardness of the ground , and high lifting of the horse . and those horses that be flat-footed , the coffins whereof are tender and weak , are most commonly subject to this sorance . the signes be these : the horse will halt on both his fore-legs , and go stiffely and creeping , as though he were half foundered . the cure according to martin is thus : take off his shooes , pare him as little as may be ; and if the shooes be not easie , that is to say , long , large , and hollow enough , then make them so , and then tack them on again with four or five nails . that done , stop his feet with bran , and hogs-grease boyled together , so hot as may be ; and also cover all the coffin round about with the same , binding all in together with a cloth , and a list fastened about the joynt , renewing it every day once , until it be whole , and give the horse during that while warm water ; and let him stand dry and warm , and not be travelled until he be whole . of a prick in the sole of the foot , by treading on a nail , or any other sharp thing that doth enter into the foot. the signes be these : if a man be on his back when he treadeth on any such thing , he shall feel that the horse will lift up his ●oot , and covet to stand still to have help . and if it chance at any other time , the halting of the horse , and the hurt it self will shew . the cure according to martin is thus : pull off the shooe , and pare the foot ; and with a drawer uncover the hole , making the mouth so broad as a two penny piece , then tack on the shooe again . that done , stop it , by pouring into the hole turpentine and hogs-grease molten together , and lay some flax , or tow upon it ; and then stop all the horses foot with horse-dung , or rather with cow-dung , if you can get it ; and splent it either with sticks , or else with an old shooe-sole , so as the stopping may abide in , renewing it every day once until it be whole , and let the horse come in no wet . if this be not well cured , or looked to in time , it will cause the hoof to break above , and to loosen round about , and perhaps to fall clean away . but if you see that it begins to break above , then make a greater issue beneath by opening the hole wider , and taking more of the sole away , that the flesh may have the more liberty . then take of bole-armony half a quartern , bean-flowre , and two egges . beat them , and mingle them well together , and make a plaister thereof upon tow , and lay it round about the cronet , binde it fast on , and so let it remain the space of two days , and then renew it again , not failing so to do every two days untill you see it wax hard and firm above . for this plaister being restrictive , will force the humors to resort all downward , which must be drawn out with turpentine and hogs-grease as before , until it leave mattering , and then dry it up with burnt allum beaten to powder , and strowed upon it , with a little flax laid again upon that , continuing so to do every day once , until it be hardned ; and let not the horse come in any wet , until he be whole . of accloyd or prickt . accloyd is a hurt that cometh of shooing , when a smith driveth a nail in the quick , which will make him to halt . and the cure is ; to take off the shooe , and to cut the hoof away , to lay the sore bare : then lay to it wax , turpentine , and deer-sewet , which will heal it . of the fig. if a horse having received any hurt , as before is said , by nail , bone , splent , or stone , or otherwise in the sole of his foot , and not be well dressed and perfectly cured , there will grow in that place a certain superfluous piece of flesh , like a fig : and it will have little grains in it like a fig , and therefore is rightly called of the italians , vnfico , that is to say , a fig. the cure whereof according to martin is thus : cut it clean away with a hot iron , and keep the flesh down with turpentine , hogs-greese , and a little wax laid on with tow , or flax , and stop the hole hard ; that the flesh rise not , renewing it once a day until it be whole . of a retreat . this is the pricking of a nail , not well driven in the shooing , and therefore pulled out again by the smith , and is called of the italians , tratta messa . the cause of the pricking may be partly the rash driving of the smith , and partly the weakness of the nail , or the hollowness of the nail in the shank . for if it be too weak , the point many times bendeth awry into the quick when it should go right forth . it flatteth and shivereth in the driving into two parts , whereof one part raleth the quick in pulling out , or else perhaps breaketh clean asunder , and so remaineth still behinde , and this kinde of pricking is worse than the cloying , because it will ranckle worse , by reason of the flaw of iron remaining in the flesh . the signes be these : if the smith that driveth such a nail be so lewd , as he will not look unto it before the horse depart , then there is no way to know it , but by the halting of the horse , and searching the hoof first with a hammer by , knocking upon every clinging . for when you knock upon that nail , where the grief is , the horse will shrink up his foot . and if that will not serve , then pinch or gripe the hoof with a pair of pinsons round about , until you have found the place grieved . the cure according to martin is thus : first , pull off the shooe , and then open the place grieved with a butter or drawer , so as you may perceive by feeling or seeing , whether there be any piece of nail or not ; if there be , to pull it out , and to stop the hole with turpentine , wax , and sheeps-sewet molten together , and so poured hot into the hole , and then lay a little tow upon it , and clap on the shooe again renewing it thus every day , until it be whole , during which time , let not the horse come in any wet , and it must be so stopped , though it be but prickt without any piece of nail remaining . and if for lack of looking to it in time , this retreat cause the hoof to break above , then cure it with the plaister restrictive in such order as is mentioned in the last place saving one before this . of cloying . cloying is the pricking of a whole nail , called of the italians , inchiodatura ; passing through the quick , and remaining still in the same , and is clenched as other nails be , and so causeth the horse to halt . the grieved place is known , by searching with the hammer and pinsons , as is before said : if the horse halt immediately , then pull off his shooe , and open the hole , until it begin to bleed ; and stop it with the ointment aforesaid , in the same page of the retreat , and clap on the shooe again ; and the hoof may be so good , and the harm so little , as you may travel him immediately upon it , but if he be ranckled , then renew the stopping every day once ; let him come in no wet , until it be whole . of loosening the hoof. this is a parting of the hoof from the cronet , called of the italians , dissolatura del unghia , which if it be round about , it cometh by means of foundering ; if in part , then by the anguish caused by the pricking of the canel nail , piercing the sole of the foot , or by some quitter-bone , retreat , gravelling , or . cloying , or such like thing : the signes be these : when it is loosened by foundering , then it will break first in the fore-part of the cronet , right against the toes , because the humor doth covet always to descend towards the toe . again , when the pricking of a canel nail , or such like cankered thing is the cause , then the hoof will loosen round about , equally even at the first . but when it proceedeth of any of the other hurts last mentioned : then the hoof will break right above the place that is offended , and most commonly will proceed no further . the cure according to martin is thus : first , of which soever of these causes it proceeds , be sure to open the hoof in the sole of the foot , so as the humor may have free passage downward , and then restrain it above with the plaister restrictive before mentioned , and in such order as is there written , and also heal up the wound , as is before taught in the chapter of a prick in the sole of the foot . of casting the hoof. this is when the coffin falleth clean away from the foot , which cometh by such causes as were last rehearsed , and is so apparent to the eye , as it needeth no signes to know it . the cure according to martin is thus : take of turpentine one pound , of tar half a pinte , of unwrought wax half a pinte : boil all these things together , and stir them continually until they be throughly mingled , and compact together . then make a boot of leather with a good strong sole meet for the horses feet , to be laced or buckled about the pastern ; and dress his foot with the salve aforesaid laid upon the flax or tow , and bolster or stuffe his foot with soft flax , so as the boot may grieve him no manner of way , renewing it every day once until it be whole , and then put him to grass . of the hoof-bound . this is a shrinking of all the whole hoof . it cometh by drought , for the hoofs perhaps are kept too dry , when the horse standeth in the stable , and sometime by means of heat , or of over-straight shooing . the italians call the horse thus grieved incastellado . the signes be these : the horse will halt , and the hoofs will be hot ; and if you knock on them with a hammer , they will sound hollow like an empty bottle , and if both the feet be not hoof-bound , the sore foot will be lesser than the other indeed , and appear so to the eye . the cure according to martin is thus : pull off the shooes , and shooe him with half moon ▪ shooes called lunette ; the order and shape whereof you shall finde among the farriers , and rase both the quarters of the hoof with a drawer , from the cronet unto the ●ole of the foot , so deep as you shall see the dew it self come forth . and if you make two rases on each side , it shall be so much the better , and inlarge the hoof the more . that done , anoint all the hoof about , next unto the cronet round about , with the ointment prescribed before in the chapter of casting the hoof , continuing so to do every day once until he begin to amend for the space of a month ; and if he goeth not well at the months end , then take off the half shooes , and pare all the soles , and thrushes , and all so thin as you may see the dew come forth , and tack on a whole shooe ; and stop all the foot within with hogs-grease and bran boiled together , and laid hot to the foot ; renewing it dayly once the space of nine days , to the intent the sole may rise . but if this will do no good ; then take away the sole clean , and clap on a whole shooe , and stop the foot with nettles and salt brayed together , renewing it once a day , but not over hard , to the intent the sole may have liberty to rise , and being grown again , let him be shod with the lunets , and sent to grass . of the running frush . the frush is the tenderest part of the hoof towards the heel , called of the italians , fettone , and because it is fashioned like a forked head , the french men call it furchette , which word our farriers , either for not knowing rightly how to pronounce it ; or else perhaps for easiness sake of pronuntiation , do make it a monosyllable , and pronounce it the frush ; in which frush breedeth many times a rottenness or corruption proceeding of humors that cometh out of the leg , whereby the leg is kept clean from the windgals , and all other humors and swellings by means that the humors have passage that way . notwithstanding the discommodity of the sorance is greater then the commodity , because it maketh the horses feet so weak and tender , as he is not able to tread upon any hard ground . the signes be these : the horse will halt , and specially when the passage of the humor is stopt with any gravel gathered in the frush , and not being stopt it will continually run , the savour whereof will be so strong , as a man is not able to abide it , and in some places it will look raw . the cure according to martin is thus . first take off the shooe and pare away all the corrupt places , and make them raw , so as you may see the water issue out of the raw places , then tack on the shooe again , being first made wide and large enough . that done , take of soot one handful , of salt as much ; bruise them well together in a dish , and put thereunto the white of three egges , and temper them together , and with a little tow dipt therein , stop all the foot , and especially the frush , and splent it so as it may not fall out , renewing it once a day the space of seven days , and then he will be whole . during which time let the horse rest , and come in no wet , at the seven days end leave stopping him , and ride him abroad , and always when he cometh in , let his sore foot be clean washed , that no gravel remain therein , without doing any more unto him . of the frush . the frush is the tenderest part of the sole of the foot , which by humors distilling many times down from the legs , occasion inflamations in that part , which may easily be perceived by the impostumation of the same . the cure is thus : first having taken off the shooe , pare away all the corrupted and naughty matter , until the sore look raw , then nail on a hollow shooe made for the same purpose ; and take of soot a handful , of the juyce of house-leek and of cream , with the white of an egge or two , as much as will thicken the same : with this stop up the sore , and splint it , so as it may not fall out , renewing it until it be whole : but during the cure , have regard that the sore foot touch not any wet , for that is very much hurtful . of diseases or griefs indifferently incident to any part of the body , but first of the leprosie , or universal manginess , called of the old writers elephantia . this is a cankred manginess , spreading over all the body , which cometh of abundance of melancholy , corrupt and filthy bloud . the signes be these : the horse will be all mangy and scurvy , full of scabs , and raw plots about the neck , and evil favoured to look on , and always rubbing and scratching . the cure according to martin is thus : let him bloud the first day in the one side of the neck , and within two days after that , in the flanck veins ; and last of all , in the vein under the tail . then wash all the sore places with salt brine , and rubbing them hard with a wispe of straw hard twisted , so as they may bleed well , and be all raw . that done , anoint the place with this ointment : take of quick-silver one ounce , of hogs-grease one pound , of brimstone beaten into powder a quartern , of rape oyl a pinte ; mingle these things well together , until the quick-silver be throughly incorporated with the rest ; and having anointed all the raw places with this ointment , make it to sink into the flesh , by holding and weaving up and down over it a hot broad bar of iron , and then touch him no more again the space of two or three days ; during which time , if you see that he rubbeth still in any place , then rub that place again with an old horse-combe , to make it raw , and anoint it with fresh ointment . but if all this will not help , then with a hot iron , and blunt at the point , so big as a mans little finger ; burn all the mangy places , making round holes , passing only through the skin , and no further . for which intent it shall be needful to pull the skin first from the flesh , with your left hand , holding it still until you have thrust the hot iron through it , and let every hole be a span off one from another , and if need be , you may anoint those holes with a little sope , and let the horse be thin dieted , during his curing time . of the farcin , called in italian of some il verme , and of some farcina . this kinde of creeping ulcer groweth in knots , following a long some vein , and it proceedeth of corrupt bloud ingendered in the body , or else of some outward hurt , as of spur-galling , or the biting of some other horse ; or of biting of ticks , or of hogs lice , or such like casualities : or if it be in the legs , it may come by interfering . it is easily known , partly by the former description , and also it is apparent to the eye . the cure according to martin is thus : let him bloud in that vein where it cometh , as nigh the sore place as may be , and let him bleed well ; then fire every knot one by one , taking the knot in your left hand , and pulling it so hard as you can from his body , to the intent you may better pierce the knot , with a blunt hot iron , of the bigness of a mans fore-finger , without doing the body any hurt , and let out the matter , leaving none unburn'd , be it little or much . that done , anoint every knot so burned with hogs-grease warmed every day once , until the coars be ready to fall away : and in the mean time prepare a good quantity of old urine , and when you see the coars ready to fall , boil the urine , and put therein a little copperas and salt , and a few strong nettles , and with that water being warm , wash out all the coars , and the corruption . that done , fill every hole immediately with the powder of fleck't lime , continuing thus to do every day once , until the holes be closed up ; and if any be more ranker then other , fill those with verdigrease ; and during this cure let the horse be thinly dieted , that is to say , with straw and water only , unless it be now and then to give him a loaf of bread : for the lower he be kept , the sooenr he will be whole . and in any wise let his neck be yoked in an old bottomless pail , or else with short staves to keep him from licking the sores , and the less rest he hath , the better . or do thus : take a good great dock-root clean scraped , and cut thereof five little rundles or cakes to be used as followeth . first with a knife make a slit right down in the horses fore-head three inches long , then with a cornet loosen the skin within the flesh , so as you may easily put therein five rundles of dock , that is to say , two on each side of the slit one above another , and put the fift rundle in the very midst betwixt the other four : that done , fasten to each of the slits two short shoomakers ends , to serve as laces to tie in the foresaid rundles , so as they may not fall out , and clense the sore every day once , for the vertue of the root is such , as it will draw all the filthy matter from any part of the body ; yea , though the farcin be in the hinder-legs , which matter is to be wiped away from time to time , and new roots be thrust into the slit according as you see it needful . of the farcion . the farcion is a vilde disease , ingendered of ill bloud , flegmatick matter , and unkindely feeding ; it appeareth in a horse like unto little knots in the flesh , as big as a hasel-nut ; the knots will encrease daily and inflame , impostume , and break ; and when the knots amount to threescore , they will every night after breed so many more , till they have over-run the horses body , and with the poyson , which is mighty and also strong soon bring him to his death : this disease is very infectious and dangerous for some horses , yet if it be taken in any time , it is easie to be holpen : the cure thereof is in this manner : take a sharp bodkin , and thrust it through the neather part of his nose , that he may bleed : or if you will , to let him bloud in the neck-vein shall not be amiss , then feel the knots , and as many as are soft lance them and let them run ; then take strong lye , lime , and allum , and with the same bathe all his sores , and it shall in short space cure him . there is also another manner of curing this disease , and that is thus : take a sharp lance-knife , and in the top of the horses fore-head , just between his eyes , make a long slit even to the skull : then with a blunt instrument for the purpose lose the flesh from the scalp a pretty compass : then take carret-roots cut into little thin round pieces , and put them between the skin and the skull , as many as you can , then close up the wound , and once a day anoint it with fresh butter : this is a most sure and approved way to cure the farcion ; for look how this wound thus made , shall rot , waste , and grow sound , so shall the farcion break , dry up , and be healed , because all the poyson that feedeth the disease shall be altogether drawn into the fore-head , where it shall die and waste away . the only fault of this cure is , it will be somewhat long , and it is a foul eye-sore until it be whole . some use to burn this sorance , but that is naught and dangerous , as who so proves it shall finde . a most approved medicine to cure the farcion . take of aqua-vitae two spoonfuls , of the juyce of herb of grace as much ; mingle them together , then take of plegants or bals of flax or tow , and sleep them therein , and stop them hard into the horses ears ; then take a needle and a thread , and stitch the tips of his two ears together , by means whereof he cannot shake out the medicine , and use him thus but three several morning , and it will kill any farcion whatsoever , for it hath been often approved . another medicine of the same . slit every hard kernel with a sharp knife , and fill the hole with an ointment made of old lard , sope , and gray salt , for that will eat out the coar , and cause it to rot , and so fall out of the own accord . of the canker , called of the italian , il cancro . a canker is a filthy creeping ulcer , fretting and gnawing the flesh in great breadth . in the beginning it is knotty , much like a farcine , and spreadeth it self into divers places , and being exulcerated , gathereth together in length into a wound or fore . this proceedeth of a melancholy and filthy bloud ingendered in the body , which if it be mixt with salt humors , it causeth the more painful and grievous exulceration , and sometime it cometh of some filthy wound that is not cleanly kept , the corrupt matter whereof cankereth other clean parts of the body . it is easie to be known by the description before . the cure whereof according to martin is thus : first let him bloud in those veins that be next the fore , and take enough of him . then take of allum half a pound , of green copperas , and of white copperas , of each one quartern , and a good handful of salt : boil all these things together in fair running water , from a pottle to a quart . and this water being warm , wash the sore with a cloth , and then sprinkle thereon the powder of unsleck't lime , continuing so to do every day once the space of fifteen days ; and if you 〈◊〉 that the lime do not mortifie the ranck flesh , and keep it from spreading any further ; then take of black sope half a pound , of quick-silver half an ounce , and beat them together in a pot , until the quick-silver be so well mingled with the sope , as you can perceive none of the quick-silver as it . and with an iron slice , after that you have washed the sore with the strong-water aforesaid , cover the wound with this ointment , continuing thus to do every day once , until the canker leave spreading abroad . and if it leave spreading , and that you see the ranck flesh is mortified , and that the edges begin to gather a skin , then after the washing , dress it with the lime as before , continuing so to do until it be whole . and in the dressing , suffer no filth that cometh out of the sore , to remain upon any whole place about , but wipe it clean away , or else wash it away with warm water , and let the horse during this cure , be as thinly dieted as may be , and throughly exercised . of the fistula , called of the italians fistula . a fistula is a deep hollow crooking ulcer , and for the most part springs of malign humors , ingendered in some wound , sore , or canker , not throughly healed . it is easie to know by the description before . the cure according to martin is thus : first , search the depth of it with a quill , or with some other instrument of lead , that may be bowed every way , meet for the purpose . for unless you finde the bottom of it , it will be very hard to cure : and having found the bottom , if it be in such a place as you may boldly cut , and make the way open with a lancet or rasor , then make a slit right against the bottom , so as you may thrust in your finger , to feel whether there be any bone or gristle perished , or spongy or loose flesh , which must be gotten out , and then tent it with a tent of flax dipt in this ointment : take of hony a quartern ; and of verdigrease one ounce beaten into powder . boil them together , until it look red , stirring it continually , lest it run over ; and being luke-warm , dress the tent wherewith , and bolster the tent with a bolster of flax . and if it be in such a place , as the tent cannot conveniently be kept in with a band , then fasten on each side of the hole , two ends of shoomakers thread right over the bolster to keep in the tent , which ends may hang there as two laces , to tie and untie at your pleasure , renewing the tent every day once until the sore leave mattering . and then make the tent every day lesser and lesser , until it be whole . and close it up in the end , by sprinkling thereon a little sleckt lime . but if the fistula be in such a place as a man can neither cut right against the bottom , or nigh the same : then there is no remedy , but to pour in some strong-water , through some quill , or such like thing , so as it may go to the very bottom , and dry up all the filthy matter , dressing him so twice a day , until the horse be whole . of an aubury . this is a great spungy wart full of bloud , called of the italians , moro , or selfo , which may grow in any place of the body , and it hath a root like a cocks stone . the cure according to martin is thus : tie it with a thread , so hard as you can pull it , the thread will eat by little and little in such sort , as within seven or eight days it will fall away by it self . and if it be so flat as you can binde nothing about it , then take it away with a sharp hot iron , cutting it round about , and so deep as you may leave none of the root behinde , and dry it with verdigrease . russius saith , that if it grow in a place full of sinews , so as it cannot be conveniently cut , away with a hot iron ; then it is good to eat out the core with the powder of resalgar , and then to stop the hole with flax dipt in the white of an egge for a day or two ; and lastly , to dry it up with the powder of unsleck't lime and hony , as before is taught . of wounds . wounds come by means of some stripe or prick , and they are properly called wounds , when some whole part is cut or broken . for a wound according to the physitians , is defined to be a solution , division , or parting of the whole ; for if there be no solution or parting , then me thinks it ought rather to be called a bruise then a wound . and therefore wounds are most commonly made with sharp or piercing weapons , and bruises with blunt weapons . notwithstanding , if by such blunt weapons , any part of the whole be evidently broken , then it ought to be called a wound as well as the other : of wounds some be shallow , and some be deep and hollow : again , some chance in the fleshy parts , and some in the bony and sinewie places : and those that chance in the fleshy parts , though they be very deep , yet they be not so dangerous as the other ; and therefore we will speak first of the most dangerous : if a horse have a wound newly made , either in his head , or in any other place that is full of sinews , bones , or gristles : first , martin would have you to wash the wound well with white wine well warmed : that done , to search the bottom of the wound with some instrument meet for the purpose , suffering it to take as little winde in the mean while as may be . then having found the depth , stop the hole close with a clout , until your salve be ready : then take of turpentine , of mel rosatum , of oyl of roses , of each a quartern , and a little unwrought wax , and melt them together ; and if it be a cut , make a handsome roll of clean picked tow , so long and so big as may fill the bottom of the wound , which for the most part is not so wide as the mouth of the wound : then make another roll greater than that , to fill up the rest of the wound , even to the hard mouth , and let both these rolls be anointed with the ointment aforesaid luke-warm . but if the hurt be like a hole made with some prick , then make a stiffe tent , such a one as may reach the bottom , anointed with the aforesaid ointment , and bolster the same with a little tow ; and if the mouth be not wide enough , so as the matter may easily run forth , if it be in such place you may do it without hurting any stnew , then give it a pretty slit from the mouth downward , that the matter may have the freer passage , and in any wise have a special regard , that the tent may be continually kept in by one means or other , as by binding or staying the seme with the ends of shoomakers thread as is aforesaid . and if the hole be deep , and in such place as you may not then make your tent of a spunge , and so long as it may reach to the bottom , and the tent , being made somewhat full , with continual turning and wrying of it , you shall easily get it down , and then dtess the wound with this twice a day , cleansing the wound every time with a little white wine luke-warm . for this spunge , anointed with the ointment aforesaid , will both draw and suck up all the filthy matter , and make it so fair within as is possible : and as it beginneth to heal , so make your tent every day lesser and lesser , until it be ready to close up , and never leave tenting it , so long as it will receive a tent , be it never so short . for hasty healing of wounds breedeth fistula's , which properly be old wounds , and therefore must be cured like fistula's . of wounds in the fleshy parts . use the same ointment and manner of proceeding as before . and if the wound be large , then to keep in the tent or rolls , you shall be fain to put two or three shoomakers ends on each side of the sore , leaving them so long as you may tie them together , and loosen them when you will like laces . of old ulcers or wounds . to cure an old ulcer , as fistula , gall , or botch , or any new received wound , these are the best salves , and most approved in mine experience : take of hony half a pinte , of deer-sewet two ounces , of verdigrease beaten into powder as much ; boil all these exceeding well upon the fire , then with the same luke-warm , tent or plaister any venemous sore , and it will recure it . if you take of wax , turpentine , oyl of roses , of hogs-grease , of each like quantity , and half so much tar as any one of the other simples ; melt all these together , and being well incorporated together , either tent or plaister any wound , and it will heal it . also , if you take the green leaves of tobacco bruised , and put them into a green wound , they will heal it : the ashes of tobacco burnt , if they be strewed upon any sore that is neer skinning , it will also skin it perfectly , and it will incarnate well , if the ulcer be not too deep and dangerous . there be many other salves , plaisters , and unguents which i could set down ; but since i have experienced these for most effectual , i omit the others as superfluous . of an hurt with an arrow . if the horse be hurt with an arrow , tent the hole with hogs-grease and turpentine molten together , renewing it every day once until it be whole . of pulling out shivers or thorns . martin saith , that if it be not very deep , sope being laid unto it all night will make it to appear , so as you may pull it out with a pair of nippers . but if it be very deep , then you must open the place with a knife or lancet , and get it out , and afterward heal up the wound as hath been taught you before . russius saith , that the roots of reed being stampt and mingled with hony , will draw out any thorn or shiver : and so will snails , as he saith , being stampt and wrought with fresh butter ; and if the place be swoln , he saith it is good to mollifie it with hogs-grease and hony , which will asswage any new swelling , that cometh by stripe or otherwise . of bruisings or swellings . martin saith , first prick it with a fleam . then take of wine lees a pinte , as much wheat-flowre as will thicken it , and an ounce of cumin ; boil them together , and lay this somewhat warm unto it , renewing it every day once until the swelling either depart , or else come to a head . and if it do , then lance it , and heal it up as a wound . of sinews cut , prickt , or bruised . take of tar , and bean-flowre , and a little oyl of roses , and lay it hot unto the place . and if this do no good , then take worms and sallet oyl fryed together , or else the ointment of worms , which you shall have at the apothecaries , and one of these will knit it again , if it be not clean asunder . how to cure a wound made with harquebush-shot . martin saith , first seek with an instrument whether the pellet remain within or not , and if it do , you must get it out with an instrument meet for the purpose . then to kill the fire : take a little vernish , and thrust it into the wound with a feather , anointing it well within with the feather , and after that , stop the mouth fair and softly with a little soft flax , to keep the winde out , and on the outside , charge all the swelling with this charge : take of bole-armony a quartern , of linseed beaten into fine powder half a pound , of bean-flowre as much , and three or four broken egges , shels and all , and of turpentine a quartern , and a quart of vinegar , and mingle them well together over the fire , and being somewhat warm , charge all the sore place with part thereof , and immediately clap a cloth , or a piece of leather upon it , to keep the wound from the cold air , continuing both to anoint the hole within with vernish , and also to charge the swelling without , the space of four or five days , and at the five days end leave anointing of it , and tent it with a tent reaching to the bottom of the wound , and dipped in turpentine and hogs-grease molten together , renewing it every day twice until it be throughly killed , which you shall perceive by the mattering of the wound , and by falling of the swelling : for so long as the fire hath the upper hand , no thick matter will issue out , but only a thin yellowish water , neither will the swelling asswage . and then take of turpentine , washed in nine several waters , half a pound , and put thereon three yolks of egges , and a little saffron , and tent it with that ointment , renewing it every day once until the wound be whole . of burning with lime or any other fiery thing . martin saith ; first wash away the lime , if there be any , with warm water . then kill the fire with oyl and water beaten together , dressing him so every day until it be all raw , and then anoint it with hogs-grease , and strew thereupon the powder of slecked lime , dressing him so every day once until it be whole . of the biting of a mad dog. if a horse be bitten with a mad dog , the venom of his teeth will not only pain him extremely , but also infect all his bloud , and make him to dye mad . the cure according to the old writers is thus : take of goats dung , of flesh that hath laid long in salt , and of the herb ebulus , called of some danewort , of each half a pound , and forty walnuts . stamp all these things together , and lay thereof unto the sore , and this will suck out the venom , and heal the wound . it is good also to give the horse treacle , and wine to drink : yea , and some would have the sore place to be fiered with a hot iron . of hurts by tusks of a boar. if a horse be hurt with the tusk of a boar , say vitriol , and copperas thereunto ; and the powder of a dogs head being burned , but let the tongue be first pulled out and cast away . to heal the biting or stinging of serpents . laurentius russius saith ; take a good quantity of the herb called sanicula , stamp it , and distemper it with the milk of a cow , that is all of one colour , and give him that to drink , and that will heal him . another medicine for the same purpose . make a plaister of onions , hony and salt , stampt and mingled together , and lay that to the sore place , and give the horse wine and treacle to drink . absyrtus would have you to give him white pepper , rhue , and thyme , to drink with the wine . of drinking of horse-leaches . if a horse chance to drink horse-leaches , they will continually suck his bloud , and kill him . the remedy , according to absyrtus , is to pour oyl into the horses mouth , which will make them to fall away and kill them . of swallowing down hens dung . if a horse swallow down hens dung in his hay , it will fret his guts , and make him to avoid filthy matter at the fundament . for remedy whereof , absyrtus would have you to give him drink made of smallage-seed , wine , and hony , and to walk him throughly upon it , that he may empty his belly . of lice , and how to kill them . they be like geese lice , but somewhat bigger , they will breed most about the ears , neck , and tail , and over all the body . they come of poverty , and the horse will be alwayes rubbing , and scratching , and will eat his meat , and not prosper withal , and with rubbing he will break all his mane and tail . the cure , according to martin , is thus ; anoint the place with sope and quicksilver , well mingled together , and to a pound of sope , put half an ounce of quicksilver . of lousiness . there be horses that will be lousie , and it cometh of poverty , cold and ill keeping , and it is oftnest amongst young horses , and most men take little heed unto it , and yet they will die thereon . the cure is , to wash them three mornings together in stau-aker and warm water . how to save horses from the stinging of flies in summer . anoint the horses coat with oyle , and bay-beries , mingled together , or tie to the headstal of his collar , a sponge dipt in strong vinegar , or sprinkle the stable with water wherein herb-grace hath been laid in steep , or perfume the stable with ivie , or with calamint , or with gith burned in a pan of coles . of bones being broken out of joynt . few or none of our farriers do intermeddle with any such griefs , but do refer it over to the bonesetter , whose practised hand , i must needs confesse , to be needful in such business . notwithstanding , for that it belongeth to the farriers art , and also for that the old writers do make some mention thereof , i thought good not to passe it over altogether with silence . albeit , they speak only of fractures in the legs beneath the knee . for they make little mention or none of bones above the knee , taking them to be incurable , unlesse it be a rib , or such like . if a bone then be broken in the leg , it is easie to perceive , by feeling the roughness and inequality of the place grieved , one part being higher then another . the cure whereof , according to absyrtus and hierocles , is in this sort : first put the bone again into his right place : that done , wrap it about with unwash't wool , binding it fast to the leg with a small linnen roller , soaked before in oyl and vinegar mingled together . and let that roller be laid on as even as is possible , and upon that again lay more wool dipt in oyl and vinegar , and then splent it with three splents , binding them fast at both ends with a thong , and let the horses leg be kept straight , and right out , the space of forty days , and let not the bonds be loosened above three times in twenty days , unless it shrink , and so require to be new drest , and bound again . but fail not every day once , to pour on the sore place , through the splents , oyl and vinegar mingled together . and at the forty dayes end , if you perceive that the broken place be ●owdered together again with some hard knob or gristle ; then loosen the bonds , so as the horse may go fair and softly , using from that time forth to anoint the place with some soft grease or ointment . of broken bones . i have not for mine own part had any great experience in broken bones of a horse , because it chanceth seldom , and when it doth chance , what through the horses brutish unruliness , and the immoderate manner of the act , it is almost held incurable ; yet for the little experience i have , i have not found for this purpose any thing so soverain or absolute good , as oyl of mandrag , which applyed , conglutinateth and bindeth together any thing , especially bones being either shivered or broken . of bones out of joynt . if a horses knee or shoulder be clean out of joynt , and no bone broken , martin saith the readiest way is , to bind all the four legs together , in such sort as hath been taught before in the chapter of incording , and then to hoise the horse somewhat from the ground , with his heels upward , so shall the weight and poise of his body , cause the joynt to shoot in again into the right place : for by this means he pleasured not long since a friend and neighbour of his , who going with his cart from s. albons , towards his own house , his thiller fell and put his shoulder clean out of joynt , so as he was neither able to rise , nor being holpen up , could stand on his legs : to which mischance martin being called , made no more ado , but taking his friends cart-rope , bound the horses legs all four together , and with a lever being staid upon the cart wheel , they putting their shoulders to the other end , hoised up the horse clean from the ground , the poise of whose body made the bone to return into his right place , with such a loud knack or crack , as it might be heard a great way off , and the horse immediately had the use of his leg , so as he drew in the cart , and went also safe home without complaining thereof ever after . certain receipts of plaisters , very good for broken bones , taken out of the old authors , writing of horse-leach craft . take of spuma argenti , of vinegar , of each one pound , of sallet oyl half a pound , of ammoniacum , and turpentine , of each three ounces , of wax , of rosin , of each two ounces , of bitumen , of pitch , of verdigrease , of each half a pound . boyl the vinegar , oyl and spuma argenti together , until it wax thick , then put thereunto the pitch , which being molten , take the pot from the fire , and put in the bitumen , without stirring it at all , and that being also molten , then put in all the rest , and set the pot again to the fire , and let them boyl all together until they be all united in one : that done , strain it , and make it in a plaister form , and this is called hierocles plaister . another receit for broken bones . take of liquid pitch one pound , of wax two ounces , of the purest and finest part of frankincense one ounce , of ammoniacum four ounces , of dry roses , and of galbanum , of each one ounce , of vinegar two pintes . boyl first the vinegar and pitch together , then put in the ammoniacum , dissolved first in vinegar , and after that , all the rest of the aforesaid drugs , and after they have boyled together , and be united in one , strain it , and make it plaisterwise , and this is called emplastrum flavum , that is to say , the yellow plaister . an ointment for broken bones . take of old sallet oyl a quart , and put thereunto of hogs grease , of spuma nitri , of each one pound , and let them boyl together until it begin to bubble above , and let this ointment be very warm when you use it . hitherto of all the diseases belonging to a horse . now therefore my promise was made unto you to speak of those things wherein the cure of all diseases do consist , that is to say , in letting of bloud , in taking up of veins , in purging , and in giving the fire ; yea , and also order it self bindeth me to treat of the said things presently , and first of letting bloud . in how many veins a horse may be let bloud , and to what end . as touching the order , time of the year , moon , and day , and other circumstances belonging to letting of bloud , we have sufficiently spoken already in the keepers office , in the chapter . it resteth therefore here to shew you what veins should be opened when the horse is sick of any disease , according to vegetius opinion . but first i will rehearse unto you once again , in how many veins a horse may be let bloud , and the rather for that i follow vegetius . a horse then may be let bloud in the two temple veins . item , in the two eye veins , which are easie to finde in the face of the horse , somewhat beneath the eyes . item , in the two palat veins of the mouth . in the two neck veins . item , in the two palat veins which are in the breast . item , in the two fore thigh veins . item , in the four shakle veins before . item , in the two toe veins before . item , in the two side veins , which may be otherwise called flank veins . item , in the tail vein . item , in the two hanch veins . item , in the two hough veins . item , in the four shakle veins behind . item , in the two toe veins behind ; so that by this account , a horse may be let bloud in veins . all which veins are easie enough to know , because that every one lyeth in a little gutter , which by feeling softly with your finger , you shall finde immediately . and vegetius saith , that if any horse be pained with any grief in his head , as with ach , heaviness , frenzy , falling-evil , or such like , then it is good to let him bloud in the two temple veins with a fleam . if his eyes be waterish , bloudshotten , or grieved with pin , web , or haw , then it is good to strike the eye vein with a fleam . if he have any heaviness or weariness of body , or be diseased in the throat with the strangullion , quinzie , or swelling of the arteries , either within or without , then it is good to let him bloud in the mouth , in the palat veins with a cornet . if he be vexed with an ague , or with ony other disease universally hurting the body , then let him bloud in the neck veins . if his grief be in the lungs , liver , or in any other inward member , then let him bloud in the brest veins , which we called before the palat veins . if he be grieved in the shoulder , then let him bloud in the fore-thigh veins above the knee with a lancet , and that very warily , because that place is full of sinews , and if he be grieved in his joynts , then let him bloud in the shakle veins , and that warily , because that place is also full of sinews . and if he be foiled on his fore-feet , by foundering or otherwise , then let him bloud in the toe veins , making way first with your drawer , or cornet in the hoof to come to the vein . if he be diseased in the kidnies , reins , back , or belly , then let him bloud in the flank veins , and in the tail . if he hath any grief in his hips , or houghs , then let him bloud in the hip or hough veins . and if his hinder-legs , joynts , or feet be grieved , then let him bloud in the shakel veins , and toe veins , as is aforesaid . the order of taking up veins , and wherefore it is good . the order observed by martin , is in this sort ; first , if the horse be very curst and shrewd , then cast him upon a dunghil , or some straw , then having found the vein that you would take up , marke well that part of the skin which covereth the vein , and pull that somewhat aside from the vein with your left thumb , to the intent you may slit it with a rasor , without touching the vein . and cut no deeper then only through the skin , and that longst wise , as the vein goeth , and not above an inch long . that done , take away your thumb , and the skin will return again into his place , right over the vein , as it was before . then with a cornet uncover the vein and make it up , and being bare , thrust the cornet underneath it , and raise it up , so as you may put a shoomakers threed underneath , somewhat higher then the cornet , to knit the vein when time is . and if your cornet had a hole in the small end to put in the threed , it should be the easilier done . then the cornet standing so still , slit the vein longst wise that it may bleed , and having bled somewhat from above , then knit it up with a sure knot , somewhat above the slit , suffering it to bleed only from beneath , and having bled sufficiently , then knit up the vein also beneath the slit with a sure knot , and fill the hole of the vein with salt , and then heal up the wound of the skin with turpentine and hogs grease mol●en together , and laid on with a little flax. the taking up of veins is very necessary , and doth ease many griefs in the legs : for the taking up of the fore-thigh veins easeth farcins , and swellings of the legs ; the taking up of the shakel veins before , easeth the quitter-bone and swelling of the joynts , scabs , and cratches . the taking up of the hinder veins , helpeth the farcin , swellings , and both the spavens ; the taking up of the shakel veins behind , helpeth swelling of the joynts , the pains , and kibed heels , and such like diseases . of purging with purgation or glyster . purgations is defined by the physitians , to be the emptying or voiding of superfluous humors , annoying the body with their evill quality . for such humors bring evill juyce and nutriment , called of the physitians cacochymia , which when it will not be corrected or holpen with good diet , alteration , nor by the benefit of nature and kindly heat , then it must needs be taken away by purgation , vomit , or glyster . but forasmuch as horses are not wont to be purged by vomit , as men be , i will speak here only of glysters and purgations . and first because a horse is grieved with many diseases in his guts , and that nothing can purge the guts so well as a glyster , and especially the thick guts , i wish that our farriers would learn to know the diversities of glysters , to what end they serve , and with what drugs or simples they should be made , for as the disease requireth , so must the glyster be made ; some to allay griefs and sharpness of humors , some to binde , some to loosen , some to purge evill humors , some to cleanse ulcers : but our farriers use glysters , only to loosen the belly , and for no other purpose ; yea , few or none do that unlesse it be martin , and such as he hath taught , who is not ignorant that a glyster is the beginning of purgation . for a glyster , by cleansing the guts , refresheth the vital parts , and prepareth the way before . and therefore whensoever a horse is surfeited and full of evill humors , needing to be purged , and specially being pained in the guts , i would wish you to begin first with a glyster , lest by purging him by medicine upon the sudden , you stir up a multitude of evill humors , which finding no passage downward , because the guts be stopt with winde and dregges , do strike upwards , and so perhaps put the horse in great danger . but now you shall understand , that glysters be made of four things , that is to say , of decoctions , of drugs , of oyls , or such like unctious matters , as butter and soft grease , and fourthly of divers kindes of salt to provoke the virtue expulsive . a decoction is as much to say as the broth of certain hearbs or simples boyled together in water till the third part be consumed . and sometime in stead of such decoction , it shall be needful perhaps to use some fat broth , as the broth of beef , or of sheeps heads , or milk , or whay , or some other such like liquor , and that perhaps mingled with hony or sugar , according as the disease shall require , the glyster to be either lenitive , that is to say , easing pain ; or glutinative , that is , joyning together ; or else abstersive , that is to say , cleansing or wiping away filthy matter , of which decoction of broth being strained , you shall need to take three pintes or a quart at the least . and then into that , you may put such drugs as shall be needful to the weight of three or four ounces , according as the simples shall be more or lesse violent . of oyl at the least half a pinte , and of salt two or three drams , and then to be ministred luke-warm with a horn or pipe made of purpose , when the horse is not altogether full panched but rather empty , be it either in fore-noon , or after-noon . and as touching the time of keeping glysters in the body , you shal understand , that to glysters abstersive half an hour or lesse may suffice to glysters lenitive , a longer time if it may be : and to glysters glutinative , the longest time of all 〈◊〉 most needful . of purgations . purgations for men may be made in divers sorts and forms ; but horses are wont to be purged only with pils , or else with purging powders put into ale , wine , or some other liquor . but the simples whereof such pils or powders be made , would be chosen with judgement and aptly applyed , so as you may purge away the hurtful humors , and not the good . learn first therefore to know with what humor or humors the horse is grieved , be it choler , flegm , or melancholy , and in what part of the body such humors do abound : then what simples are best to purge such humors , and with what property , quality , and temperament they be indued . for some be violent and next cousins to poy●on , as scammony , or coloquintida . some again are gentle , and rather meat than medicines , as monna , cassia , whay , prunes , and such like . and some again be neither too violent , nor too gentle , but in a mean , as rhubarb , agarick , sene , aloes . the old men did use much to purge horses with the pulp of coloquintida , and sometime with the roots of wilde cowcumber ; and some-time with the broath of a sodden whelp mingled with nitrum , and divers other things , whereof i am sure i have made mention before in the curing of horses diseases . notwithstanding i would not wish you to be rash in purging a horse after the old mens example . for as their simples many times be very violent , so the quantities thereof by them prescribed are very much , and dangerous for any horse to take in these days , in the which neither man nor beast , as it seemeth , is of such force or strength as they were in times past . and therefore whensoever you would purge him with such like kindes of purgations as martin useth . whereof you have example before in divers places ; and whensoever you list for knowledge sake to deal with other simples , to prove them first upon such jades as may well be spared . for whosoever mindeth to purge a horse well , that is , to do him good and no hurt , had need to consider many things : as the nature of the horses disease , and the horses strength : also the nature , strength and quantity of the medicine that he ministreth : the region , or countrey , the time of the disease , the time of the year and day . for as the diseases and evil humors causing such diseases are divers , so do they require to be purged with divers medicines , diversly compounded , wherein consisteth a point of art to be learned at the physitians hands , and not at mine . again , weak , delicate , and tender horses may not be purged in such sort , as those that be of a strong sturdy nature . and therefore in such cases the quality and quantity of the simples is not a little to be considered ; neither is the hotness or coldness of the region to be neglected , nor the time of the disease . for some require to be purged in the very beginning some not until the matter be throughly digested : and though the disease proceed perhaps of cold , and cold humors , yet a man may not minister such hot things in summer , as he would do in winter , nor in the contrary case , such cold things in winter as he would in summer . and therefore the time and season of the year is also to be observed : yea the day and time of the day . for the more temperate the day is , the better ; not in an extreme hot day , for making the horse to faint ; nor yet when the winde bloweth in the cold north , for that will stop and hinder the working of the medicine , but rather in a temperate moist day , when the winde is in the south , if it may be ; for that will further and help the working of the medicine , and make the body loose and soluble . again for a horse , whether you purge him with pils or drink , it is best for him ( as martin saith ) to take them in the morning , after that he hath fasted from meat and drink all the night before . and having received his medicine , let him be walked up and down , one hour at the least , and then set him up , and suffered to stand on the bit two or three hours without any meat , but in the mean time see that he be well littered , and warm covered : and at three hours end , offer him a little of a warm mash made with wheat-meal , or with bran or else with ground mault . give him little meat , or none until he be purged : all which things have been shewed you before in divers places , and therefore i think it not good to be tedious unto you with often recital thereof . of cauterization , or giving the fire , as well actual as potential . forasmuch as the fire is judged of all the old writers to be the chiefest remedy , and as it were the last refuge in all diseases almost whereunto a horse is subject , i thought good therefore to talk of it in this place ; and the rather , for that few or none of our farriers , unless it be martin , or such as have been taught , do know how to give the fire , or to what end it serveth . but first you shall understand , that according to the learned chirurgeons , yea , also according to my old authors , there be two kindes of cautery , the one actual , and the other potential . the cautery actual is that which is done only by fiering of the grieved place with a hot iron . the potential cautery is done by applying unto the grieved place some medicine corrosive , putrifactive , or caustick . but we will speak first of the actual cautery , shewing you wherefore it is good , then of what metal and fashion your instrument should be made , and finally how and when to use them . avicen saith , that an actual cautery moderately used , is a noble remedy to stop corruption of members , to rectifie the complexion of the same , and also to stanch bloud . howbeit you must beware ( saith he ) that you , touch not the sinews , cords , or ligaments , lest the member be weakened , or that the cramp ensueth . vegetius also writing of horse-leach-craft , praiseth the actual cautery very much , speaking in this sort : the actual cautery saith he , bindeth together parts loosened , it doth attenuate parts blown and puffed up , it dryeth up superfluous moisture , it looseneth and divideth evill matter gathered together into knots , it asswageth old griefs , it rectisieth those parts of the body that are corrupted by any manner of way , reducing them to their pristine estate , and suffereth no superfluity to grow or increase , for the skin being opened with a hot iron , all kind of corruption by virtue of the fire is first digested and ripened , and then dissolved , so as the matter doth issue out at the holes , whereby the member or part before offended is now heased ; and eased of all pain and grief ; yea the holes being once closed and clean shut up , that place is stronger and better knit , and covered with a tougher skin then ever it was before . now as touching the instrument whereof , and of what fashion they should be made , you shall understand , that vegetius and the other old writers would have them to be made of copper , praising that metal to be far better to burn with , then iron ▪ the chirurgions for mans body do praise gold and silver ; but as for the fashion of the irons , it is to be referred to the kind of sore place and grieved , wherewith you have to deal , according to the diversity whereof , the instruments are to be made of divers fashions , as some with searing irons with sharp edges , and some with blunt and broad edges , some like right , and some like crooked bodkins , and some like hooks and sickles , and some with a great button , and some with a small button at the one end ; in making whereof , the farriers judgement is most needful , who ought to be so skilful as he may be able to make all manner of irons that he should occupie , and to alter them according as need shall require . and therefore i thought good only here to speak of the common drawing iron , and of the button iron , like in form to those tha● martin useth , referring all the rest to your own judgement , and specially sith you have been fully instructed before of what sort they should be made meet to serve your turn in any disease . now as touching the use of the instruments , two things are specially to be considered , that is the heating of the iron , and the bearing of the hand . for the back of the iron may not be red hot , but only the edge , for fear of yeelding too much heat . and therefore though it be made red hot at the first , yet it shall be good before you occupie it , to cool the back of the instrument in water ; and as touching the bearing of the hand , more evenly and lightly it is done , the better and that according as the fineness and thinness of the skin shall require , which is to be judged by the hair . for if the hair be short and fine , then it is a signe of a fine skin , if long and rough , then it betokeneth a thick skin . the fine skin requireth the lighter hand , and not to be burned so deep as the thick skin , yet both must be burned until they look yellow . but the fine skin will look yellow with lesser burning then the thick skin . for the thick skin with his long hair doth choke the fire , and therefore requireth a more heavy hand : yea , and more often heating of the instrument then the thin skin doth , and be sure to draw alwayes with the hair , and not against the hair , in what forme and in what manner of lines hath been taught you before ; for those must be made either long , short , deep , shallow , right-crooked , or over-thwart , according as the disease doth require : you have learned also how to allay the heat of the fire , after such drawing . and therefore i have no more to say here , but only to admonish you according to vegetius precepts , not to fire any sinewie place , nor bone that is broken or out of joynt , for fear of weakning the whole member , not to bear so heavie or uneven hand , as you should thereby deform or misfashion any part of the horse , nor be too hasty in giving the fire , but to attempt first all other convenient remedies , and when nothing else will help to make the fire your last refuge , and yet not so much to neglect it and abhor it , like the ignorant sort , as you will not use it when need requireth , for lack whereof many horses go lame , and uncured of divers diseases . practise your selves therefore in giving the fire at needful times with judgement and discretion , so shall you do it to the horses benefit , and to your own great praise and profit . of cauteries potential . cauteries potential , as johannes vigo saith , are medicines corrosive , putrifactive and caustick . this word corrosive , is derived of the latin word corrodo , which is as much to say , as to gnaw and fret ; and of such corrosives , some be simple and some compound . the simple , as vigo saith , be such as these be , roch alum , as well burnt as not burnt , spunge of the sea somewhat burnt , lime , red coral , powder of mercury . compound corrosives be these , vnguentum apostolorum , vnguentum aegyptiacum , vnguentum ceraceum . medicines putrifactive , called of the learned sort , septica , according to avicen , be those that have strength to corrupt the complexion of the member , and to induce any scar like dead flesh , causing great pain ; yea and fevers , and therefore ought not to be ministred but to strong bodies and in strong diseases , as in carbuncles , cankers , ulcers , and such like , and they be these , arsenicke , sublimat , resalgar , and otder medicines compound therewith . silvius also addeth thereunto sandaraca , chrysocolla , and aconitum , but he doth not agree with avic●n in the description of the putrifactive medicines : for he saith , that they have little pain or none ▪ neither be they so hot and drie as those that are called escharotica ; that is to say , crustive : which be hot in the fourth degree , and do breed a crust and scar , and cause great pain , as unsleck't lime , and the burned dregs of wine : wherefore it seemeth that avicens description belongeth rather to the crustive then to the putrifactive medicines . notwithstanding , i must needs say that our chirurgions and also farriers , do finde both arsenicke and resalgar , to be so sharp , hot and burning things , as when they minister the same to any part of the body , they are forced to allay the sharpness thereof : the chirurgions with the juice of plantain , or daffadil , or else of house-leek , the farriers with hogs grease . medicines caustick , that is to say , burning , are those whose operation are most strong and incline to the nature of the fire , and yet more easily allayed as vigo writeth , then the medicines putrifactive , and therefore may be more safely used . they be made as he saith , of strong lie , called capite 〈…〉 um , or magistra , of vitriolae roman● , sal nitri , aqua fortis , of this sort be all those which vigo calleth the blistering medicines , as apium , cantharides , c●clamine , onions , strong garlick , melanacardinum , the stones or grains of vitis alba , otherwise called brionie . moreover , vigo maketh every one of these cauteries potential to excell one another , as it were by certain degrees , saying , that corrosives be weaker then putrifactives , and putrifactives be weaker then causticks , and therefore corrosives work in the upper part , and in soft flesh ; putrifactives , in hard flesh and deep . but causticks have power to break the skin in hard flesh , and do enter most deeply . the use of the most part of which things have been taught you before in sundry places , according to martins experience . and therefore i leave to trouble you any further , wishing you that are desirous to know any more of those matters , to read taugant●us writing depiroticis ; and silvius de medicamentorum compositione ; and john vigo writing of surgery , englished but few years since . but the old writers , so far as i can judge by the words of absyrius , and others , that write of horse-leach craft , do apply this word caustick , to such medicines as are astrictive , and binding , called of martin and other farriers in these dayes , binding charges , as may well appear by the composition and use here following , recited by vegetius in this sort . the receipt of a caustick used by chiron , to dry up the superfluous moisture , and to bind parts loosened , and to strengthen parts weakned . take of bitumen judaicum two pound , of bitumen apollonii two pound , of the purest part of frankincense six ounces , of bdellium arabicum two ounces , of deers sewet two pound , of populeum two ounces , of galbanum two ounces , of the drops of storax two ounces , of common wax two pound , of resin gabial one pound , of viscus it●lic●● three ounces , of apoxima two ounces , of the juyce of hysop two ounces , of the drops of armoniack two ounces , of pitch one pound . another caustick used by pelagonius , to dry up swellings , bladders , wind-gals and splents in the legs and joynts . take virgin wax one pound , of rosin two pound and a half , of galbanum three ounces , of asphaltum judaicum two pound , of mirrhe secondary two pound , of bitumen one pound , of armoniack six ounces , of gostas six ounces . boyl all these things together in an earthen pot , saving the asphaltum , armoniack and costum , which being first ground like fine flowre , must be added unto the other things , and after that they have been boyled and cooled , and then boiled all together again , and well stirred , so as they may be incorporated together , and made all one substance . these kindes of emplaisters or ointments ought in my judgement to be so called , as i said before , rather binding charges , then caustick medicines , because there be no such extreme corrosive or burning simples in these , as are before recited . notwithstanding i refer my judgment to those that be better learned , and so end for being over tedious . for if i would , i could take very good occasion here to speak of divers other medicines , whereof some are called anodyna , easing pain and grief . martin calleth them linoges , which are made of linseed , camomile , soft grease and such like things , as are hot in the first degree ; some again are called narcotica , that is to say , astonying or bringing to sleep , as those that are made of opi 〈…〉 , mandragora , poppie , and such like cold and grosse things . and some are called sarcotica , that is , breeding flesh , as barly flowre and prankincense . and many other kinds of emplaisters , ointments , waters and salves , which would occupy a book of no small volum , to be written hereafter by some other perhaps , if not by my self . and in the mean time , let this that i may have already written suffice . of the anticor . an anticor cometh of superfluity of evill-bloud or spirit in the arteries , and also of inflamation in the liver , which is ingendered by means of too choise keeping , and overmuch rest , which choaketh the vital power , and occasions unnatural swellings in the brest , which if they ascend upward and come into the neck , they are instantly death . the cure whereof is in this sort ; let him bleed so as he may bleed abundantly , then with a sharp knife in divers places cut the swelling : which done , set a cupping-glasse thereon , and cup it till the glasse filled with foul water fall away it self ; then give the horse to drink three mornings together a pinte of m 〈…〉 esie well stirred with cinamon , licoras , and a little b●zar stone , and during his sickness , let his drink be warmed , and mingled with either bran or malt. of the cords . the cord is a disease that maketh the horse stumble , and many times fall , and they appear in a horses fore-legs : this is the cure thereof ; take a sharp knife , and cut a slit even at the top of his nose , just with the point of the gristle , open the slit being made , and you shall perceive a white string , take it up with a boars tooth , or some crooked bodkin , and cut it in sunder , then stitch up the slit and anoint it with butter , and the horse doubtless shall be recovered . of the millets . the millets is a grief that appeareth in the fetlocks behind , and causeth the hair to shed , three or four inches long , and a quarter of an inch in breadth , like as it were bare and ill to cure . but thus is the cure ; first wash it well with wrong lie , and rub it till it bleed , then binde unto it hony , unsleck't lime , and deers sewet , boyled and mingled together , this do for the space of a week , and it shall be whole . of the serew . a serew is a foul sorance , it is like a splent , but it is a little longer , and is most commonly on the outside of the fore-leg , as the splent is on the inside . the cure is thus ; take two spoonfuls of strong wine vinegar , and one spoonful of good sallet oyl , mingle them together , and every morning bestow one hour in rubbing the sorance with it altogether downward till it be gone , which will not be long in going . the medicines arising out of horses . the grecians have written nothing at all concerning wilde horses , because in their countrey there was none of them usually bred or gotten : yet notwithstanding the same we ought to think that all medicines or any other things , which do proceed from them , are more strong in operation , and have in them greater force and power then any common horses have , as it falleth out in all sorts of other beasts . the bloud of a horse ( as pliny affirmeth ) doth gnaw into dead flesh with a putrifactive force ; the same vertue hath the blood of mares , which have been covered by horses : also the bloud of a horse ( but especially of one which is a breeder ) doth very much make and help against impostumes , and small bunches which do arise in the flesh . moreover it is said that the bloud of a young asse is very good against the jaundies , and the over-flowing of the gall , as also the same force and effect is in the bloud of a young horse . the horse-leaches do use the bloud of horses for divers diseases which are incident unto them , both by anointing or rubbing the outward parts , as also within their bodies . furthermore if one do cut the veins of the palat of a horses mouth , and let it run down into his belly , it will presently destroy and consume the maw or belly-worms , which are within him . when a horse is sick of the pestilence , they draw bloud out of the veins in his spurring place , and mingling the same upon a stone with salt , make him to lick it up . the bloud of a horse is also mingled with other medicines , and being anointed upon the armes and shoulders of men or beasts , which are broken or out of joynt , doth very much help them . but a horse which is weary or tyred , you must cure after this manner ; first , draw some bloud out of his matrix or womb , and mingle it with oyl and wine , and then put it on the fire till it be luke-warm , and then rub the horse all over against the hairs . if the sinews of horses do wax stiffe or shrink in together , it is very necessary that the sick parts should be anointed with the hot bloud which doth proceed from him , for horses also which are fed in the field use their flesh and dung , against the biting and stinging of serpents . we do also finde that the flesh of horses being well boiled is very medicinable for divers diseases . moreover it is very usuall and common with the women of occitania to take the fat or grease of horses to anoint their heads to make the hair of their heads multiply and increase ; and certain later physitians do mingle the marrow of a horse with other ointments for a remedy against the cramp . the marrow of a horse is also very good to loosen the sinews which are knit and sastned together , but first let it be boyled in wine , and afterwards made cold , and then anointed warmly either by the fire or sun. if a horse do labor in that kinde of impostume which they vulgarly call the worm , either any where as well as in the nose , they do open the skin with a searing iron , and do sprinkle verdigrease within the horses mouth being brent , and being added thereunto sometimes the seed of henbane . the teeth of a male horse not gelded , or by any labour made feeble , being put under the head , or over the head of him that is troubled or starteth in his dream , doth withstand and resist all unquietness which in the time of his rest might happen unto him . pliny also doth assent that flowre doth heal the soreness of a horses teeth and gums , and the clefts and chinks of a horses feet . the teeth also of a horse is very profitable for the curing of the chilblanes which are rotten and full of corruption when they are swollen full ripe . marcellus saith , that the tooth of a horse being beaten and crushed into very small powder , and being sprinkled upon a mans genital doth much profit and very effectually help him : but the teeth which were first ingendred in a horse , have this virtue in them , that if they should touch the teeth of man or woman who are molested and grieved with the tooth-ach , they shall presently find a final end of their pain : if in the like manner a childe do kisse the nose or snowt of a horse , he shall never feel pain in his teeth , neither at any time shall the childe be bitten by the horse . the teeth which do first of all fall from horses , being bound or fastned upon children in their infancy , do very easily procure the breeding of the teeth , but with more speed and more effectually if they have never touched the ground , wherefore the poet doth very well apply these verses , saying ; collo igitur molli dentes nectentur equini , qui prima suerint pullo crescente cadu●i . it is also said , that if the hair of a horse be fastned unto the house of a mans enemy it will be a means that neither little flies or small gnats shall flie by his dwelling place or aboad . the tongue of a horse being never accustomed unto wine , is a most present and expedient medicine to allay or cure the milt of a man or woman ( as caecillus bion reporteth unto us , that he learned it of the barbarians . ) but marcellus saith , that the horse tongue ought to be dryed and beaten into small powder , and put into any drink , except wine only , and forthwith it will shew the commodity which riseth thereupon , by easing either man or woman , of the pain of the spleen or milt divers also do think that a horses tongue used after this manner , is a good means or preservative against the biting of serpents or any other venemous creatures . but for the curing of any sores or griefs in the inward parts , the genital of a horse is most of all commended : for as pliny supposeth , this genital of a horse is very medicinable for the loosing of the belly , as also the bloud , marrow , or liver of a goat , but these things do rather dry up and close the belly ( as before we have taught ) concerning the goat . in the heart of horses there is found a bone , most like unto a dogs tooth , it is said that this doth drive away all grief or sorrow from a mans heart , and that a tooth being pulled from the cheeks or jaw bones of a dead horse doth shew the full and right number of the sorrowes of the party so grieved . the dust of a horse hoof anointed with oyl and water , doth drive away impollumes and little bunches which rise in the flesh , in what part of the body soever they be● and the dust of the hoof of an asse anointed with oyl , water and hot urine , doth utterly expell all wens and kernels which do rise in the neck , arme-holes , or any other part of the body , of either man or woman . the genital of a gelded horse dryed in an oven , beaten to powder , and given twice or thrice in a little hot broth to drink unto the party grieved , is by pliny accounted an excellent and approved remedy for the seconds of a woman . the soam of a horse , or the dust of a horse hoof dryed , is very good to drive away shamefastness , being anointed with a certain titulation . the scrapings of the horses hoofs being put in wine , and poured into the horses nostris , do greatly provoke his urine the ashes also of an horses hoof being mingled with wine and water , doth greatly ease and help the disease called the colick or stone : as also by a perfume which may be made by the hoofs of horses being dryed , a childe which is still born is cast out . the milk of mares is of such an excellent virtue , that it doth quite expell the poison of the s●ahare , and all other poison whatsoever : drink also mingled with mares milk doth make the body loose and laxable . it is also counted an excellent remedy against the falling sickness 〈◊〉 drink the stones of a boar out of a mares milk or water . if there be any filth or m 〈…〉 ying in the matrice of a woman , let her take mares milk boiled and througly strained , and presently the 〈◊〉 and excrements will void clean away . if so he that a woman be barren and cannot conceive , leb her then take mares milk ( not knowing what it is ) and let her presently accompany with a man , and she will conceive . the milk of a mare being drunk doth asswage the labor of the matrice , and doth cause a still childe to be cast forth . if the seed of henbane be beaten small and mingled with mares milk , and bound with a harts skin , so that it may not touch the ground , and fastened or bound to a woman , they will hinder her conception . the thinnest or latest part of the milk of a mare , doth very easily , gently and without any da●ger purge the belly . mares milk being dayly anointed with a little hony doth without any pain or punishment take away the wounds of the eyes being new made cheese made of mares milk doth represse and take away all wringings or aches in the belly , whatsoever . if you ●●dint a co 〈…〉 w●th the foam of a horse , wherewith 〈◊〉 young man or youth doth use to comb his head , it is of 〈…〉 as it will cause the hair of his head heither to encrease , or any whit to appear . the 〈…〉 a horse is also very much commended for them which have either pain or difficulty of hearing in their ears , or else the dust of horse dung being new made and dryed , and mingled with oyl of roses . the grief or soreness of a mans mouth or throat , being washed or anointed with the foam of a horse which hath been sed with oates or barly , doth presently expell the pain of the foreness , if so be that it be two or three times washed over with the juyce of young or green sea-crabs beaten small together ; but if you cannot get the sea-crabs which are green , sprinkle upon the grief the small powder which doth come from dryed crabs which are baked in an oven made of brasse , and afterward wash the mouth where the pain is , and you shall finde present remedy . the foam of a horse being three or four times taken in drink , doth quite expell and drive away the cough . but marcellus doth affirm that whosoever is troubled with the cough , or consumption of the lungs , and doth drink the foam of a horse by it self alone without any drink , shall finde present help and remedy : but as sextus saith , the horse will presently die after it . the same also being mingled with hot water , and given to one who is troubled with the ●ame diseases , being in manner past all cure , doth presently procure health , but the death of the horse doth instantly ensue . the sweat of a horse being mingled with wine , and so drunk , doth cause a woman which it very big and in great labor , to cast a still childe . the sweat of any beast , ( but as albertus saith only of a horse ) doth breed wind in a man or womans face , being put thereupon , and besides that , doth bring the squince or squincy , as also a filthy stinking sweat . if swords , knives , or the points of spears when they are red fire hot , be anointed with the sweat of a horse , they will be so venemous and full of poyson , that if a man or woman be smitten or pricked therewith , they will never cease from bleeding as long as life doth last . if a horse be wounded with an arrow , and have the sweat of another horse , and bread which hath been brent , being mingled in mans urine , given him to drink , and afterwards some of the same being mingled with horse grease put into the wound , it will in short time procure him ease and help . there are some which will assure us , that if a man be troubled with the belly worms , or have a serpent crept into his belly , if he take but the sweat of a horse being mingled with his urine , and drink it , it will presently cause the worms or the serpent to issue forth . the dung of a horse or asse which is fed with grasse , being dryed and afterward dipped in wine , and so drunk , is a very good remedy against the bitings and blowes of scorpions . the same medicines they do also use , being mingled with the genital of a hare in vinegar , both against the scorpion , and against the shrew-mouse . the force is so great in the poyson of a mad dog or bitch , that his pargeted urine doth much hurt , especially unto them that have a ●ore boil upon them ; the chiefest remedy therefore against the same is the dung of a horse mingled with vinegar , and being warmed put into the scab or sore . the dung as well of asses as of horses , either raw , cold , or burned , is excellent good against the breaking forth or issues of the bloud . the dung of horses or asses being new made or warm , and so clapped and put to a green wound , doth very easily and speedily stanch the bleeding . if the vein of a horse be cut , and the bloud do issue out in too much aboundance , apply the dung of the same horse unto the place where the vein is cut , and the bleeding will presently cease , wherefore the poet doth very well express it i● these verses following ; sive fimus manni cum testis uritur ovi , et reprimit flu●dos miro 〈…〉 . the same doth also very well drive away the corruption in mens body which doth cause the bloud to stinke if it be well and justly applyed unto the corrupt place . the same also being mingled with oyl of roses , and new made , and so applyed unto the ears , doth not only drive away the pain , but also doth very much help for hearing : there is another remedy also for the hearing , which is this , to take the dung of a horse which is new made , and to make it hot in a furnace , and then to 〈◊〉 it on the middle of the head against the vv●●a , and afterward to 〈◊〉 the aforesaid dung 〈…〉 woollen cloth unto the top of the head in the night time . the dung of a young asse when he is first foaled , given in wine to the quantity or magnitude of a bean , is a present remedy for either man or woman who is troubled with the jaundice or the over-flowing of the gall : and the same property hath the dung of a young horse or cost when he is new foaled . but the dung of an old horse , being boiled in fair w 〈…〉 , and afterward strained and so given to the party to drink , who is troubled with water in his belly or stomach , doth presently make vent for the ●ame . there is also an excellent remedy against the colick and stone , which is this , to ●ake a handfull of the dung of a horse which hath been fed with 〈◊〉 and barly , and not with grasse , and mingle very well it with half a pinte of wine , all which i do 〈◊〉 will amount unto the weight of eight 〈…〉 ounces , and then boyl them all together untill half of them be boyled or consumed away , and then drink the same by little and little until it be all drunk up , but it will be much better for the party that is troubled to drink it up all together if he be able . there is moreover a very good and easie way by horse dung to cure the ague or 〈…〉 , which is thus , to burn the foresaid dung , and to mingle the very 〈◊〉 it self thereof in old wine , and then beat it unto small powder , and so give it 〈◊〉 the party who is 〈…〉 bled therewith , to drink or suck without any water in it , and this will very speedily procure ease and help ▪ ●f that a woman supposeth her childe which is in her womb to be dead , let her drink the milt or spleen of a horse in some sweet water , not to the smell , but to the taste , and she will presently cast the childe . the same virtue are in the persume which is made of a horses hoof , as also in the dry dung of a horse : there is some which do use this means against the falling sickness , or the sickness called saint johns evill , that is to mingle the water or urine which a horse doth make with the water which cometh from the smiths trough , and so to give it the party in a potion . there is a very good help for cattel which do avoid bloud through their nostrils or secret parts , which is this , to make a paste of wheat flowre , and beat it and mingle it together with ●utter and egges in the urine of a horse which hath lately drunk , and afterward to give that paste or 〈…〉 tess baked even to ashes to the beast so grieved . to provoke urine when a mans yard is stopt , there is nothing so excellent as the dung or filth which proceedeth from the urine which a horse hath made , being mingled with wine , and then strained , and afterwards poured into the nostrils of the party so vexed . there are certain tetters or ring-wormes in the knees of horses , and a little above the hoofs in the bending of these parts , there are indurate and hardned thick skins , which being beaten into small powder and mingled with vinegar , and so drunk , are an exceeding good preservative against the falling-sickness : the samé is also a very good remedy for them which are bitten with any wilde beast whatsoever . by the tetter or ring-worm which groweth in a horses knees or above the hoofs , beaten and mingled with oyle , and so poured in the ears , the teeth of either man or woman which were weak and loose , will be made very strong and fast . the aforesaid tetter , without any mingling with oyl , doth also heal and cure the head-ache and falling-sickness , in either man or woman . the same also being drunk out of clarret wine or muscadel for forty dayes together , doth quite expell and drive away the colick and stone . if that any man do get and put up the shooe of a horse being struck from his hoof as he travelleth in his pace ( which doth many times happen ) it will be an excellent remedy for him against the sobbing in the stomach called the hicket . of the hyaena , and the divers kinds thereof . we are now to discourse of a beast whereof it is doubtful whether the names or the kinds thereof be more in number , and therefore to begin with the names , it seemeth to me in general , that it is the same beast which is spoken of in holy scripture , and called zeeb-ereb , and araboth , zephan . . principes urbis hierosolymae velut leones i●gientes , judices ejus similes sunt lupis vesper 〈…〉 is qui ossa non relinquunt ad diluculum : their princes are roaring lions , and their judges are like to night-wolves which leave not the bones till the morning , as it is vulgarly translated . in like sort jer. . calleth them zeeb-araboath , wolves of the wilderness , and the prophet habakkuk , cap. . useth the word zeeb-ereb , wolves of the evening . by which it is made easie to consider and discusse what kinde of beasts this hyaena may be deemed ; for the hyaena , as i shall shew afterward , is a greek word . and first of all i utterly seclude all their opinions , which translate this word arabian wolves , for the hebrew notes cannot admit such a version or exposition : but seeing we read in oppianus and tzetzes , that there are kinds of wolves which are called harpages , more hungry then the residue , living in mountains , very swift of foot , and in the winter time , coming to the gates of cities , and devouring both flesh and bones of every living creature they can lay hold on , especially dogs and men , and in the morning go away again from their prey , i take them to be the same beasts which the grecians call hyaenae , which is also the name of a fish much like in nature hereunto . it is also called glanos , and by the phrygians , and bythinians , ganos , and from one of these came the illyrian or sclavonian word san , and it seemeth that the grecians have given it a name from swine , because of the gristles growing on the back , for an hyaena can have no better derivation then from hus or hyn. julius capitolinus calleth it belbus in latin , in the same place where he recordeth that there were decem belbi sub gordiano , ten hyaenaes in the days of gordianus : and the reason of this name is not improbably derived from belba a city of egypt . pincianus a learned man calleth it grab●hier , because it hunteth the scpulchres of the dead . albertus in stead of hyaena , calleth it iona. the arabians call it kabo , and zabo , or ziba and azaro . i take it also to be the same beast which is called lacta , and ana , and zilio , because that which is reported of these , is true in the hyaena ; they frequent graves , having sharp teeth and long nails , being very fierce , living together in herds and flocks , and loving their own kinde most tenderly , but most pernicious and hateful to all other , being very crafty to set upon a fit prey , defending it self from the rage of stronger beasts by their teeth and nails , or else by flight or running away . wherefore we having thus expressed the name , we will handle the kinds , which i finde to be three , the first hyaena , the second papio or dabu● , the third crocuta , and leucrocuta , whereunto by conjecture we may add a fourth , called mantichora . the figure of the first hyaena . this first and vulgar kinde of hyaena , is bred in africk and arabia , being in quantity of body like a wolfe , but much rougher haired , for it hath bristles like a horses mane all along his back , and in the middle of his back it is a little crooked or dented , the colour yellowish , but bespeckled on the sides with blew spots , which make him look more terrible , as if it had so many eyes . the eyes change their colour at the pleasure of the beast , a thousand times a day , for which cause many ignorant writers have affirmed the same of the whole body , yet can he not see one quarter so perfectly in the day as in the night ; and therefore he is called lupus vespertinus , a wolf of the night . the skilful lapidarists of germany affirm that this beast hath a stone in his eyes ( or rather in his head ) called hyaena or hyaen●us ; but the ancients say , that the apple or puple of the eye is turned into such a stone , and that it is indued with this admirable quality , that if a man lay it under his tongue , he shall be able to foretel and prophesie of things to come ; the truth hereof i leave to the reporters . their back-bone stretcheth it self out to the head , so as the neck cannot bend except the whole body be turned about , and therefore whensoever he hath occasion to wry his neck , he must supply that quality by removing of his whole body . this beast hath a very great heart , as all other beasts have which are hurtful , by reason of their fear . the genital member is like a dogs or wolfs ; and i marvail upon what occasion the writers have been so possessed with opinion that they change sexes , and are some-time male and another female , that is to say , male one year , and female another , according to these verses , si tamen est aliquid mirae novitatis in istis alternate vices , & quae modo foemina tergo passa marem est ▪ nunc esse marem miremur hyaenam . both kindes have under their tails a double note or passage , in the male there is a scissure like the secrets of a female , and in the female a bunch like the stones of the male , but neither one nor other inward , but only outward ; and except this hath given cause of this opinion , i cannot learn the ground thereof : only orus writeth , that there is a fish of this name which turneth sex , and peradventure some men hearing so much of the fish , might mistake it more easily for the four footed beast , and apply it thereunto . these engender not only among themselves , but also with dogs , lions , tygers , and wolves , for the ethiopian lion being covered with an hyaena , beareth the crocuta . the thoes , of whom we shall speak more afterward , are generated betwixt this beast and a wolf : and indeed it is not without reason that god himself in holy scripture calleth it by the name of a vesperti 〈…〉 wolfe , seeing it resembleth a wolf in the quantity , colour , in voracity and gluttoning in of flesh , in subtilty to overcome dogs and men , even as a wolf doth silly sheep . their teeth are in both beasts like sawes , their genitals alike , and both of them being hungry , range and prey in the night season . this is accounted a most subtill and crafty beast , according to the allusive saying of mantuan ; est in ●i● pietas crocodili , asturia hyaen● . and the female is far more subtill then the male , and therefore more seldom taken , for they are afraid of their own company . it was constantly affirmed that among eleven hyaenaes , there was found but one female ; it hath been believed in ancient time that there is in this beast a magical or enchanting power , for they write , that about what creature so ever he goeth round three times , it shall stand stone-still , and not be able to move out of the place : and if dogs do but come within the compasse of their shadow and touch it , they presently lose their voice : and that this she doth most naturally in the full moon ; for although the swiftness or other opportunity of the dogs helpeth them to flie away from her , yet if she can but cast her shadow upon them , she easily obtaineth her prey . she can also counterfeit a mans voice , vomit , cough and whistle , by which means in the night time she cometh to houses or folds where dogs are lodged , and so making as though she vomited or else whistling , draweth the dogs out of doors to her , and devoureth them . likewise her nature is , if she finde a man or a dog on sleep , she considereth whether she or he have the greater body , if she , then she falleth on him , and either with her weight , or some secret work of nature by stretching her body upon him killeth him , or maketh him senselesse ; whereby without resistance she eateth off his hands : but if she finde her body to be shorter and lesser then his , then she taketh her heels and flyeth away . if a man meet with this beast , he must not set upon it on the right hand , but on the left , for it hath been often seen , that when in haste it did run by the hunter on the right hand , he presently fell off from his horse senseless ; and therefore they that secure themselves from this beast , must be careful to receive him on the left side , that so he may with more facility be taken , especially ( saith pliny ) if the cords wherein he is to be ensnared be fastened with seven knots . aelianus reporteth of them , that one of these coming to a man asleep in a sheep-cot , by laying her left hand or fore-foot to his mouth , made or cast him into a deed-sleep , and afterward digged about him such a hole like a grave , as she covered all his body over with earth , except his throat and head , whereupon she sat untill she suffocated and stifled him ; yet philes attributeth this to her right foot . the like is attributed to a sea-calf , and the fish hyaena , and therefore the old magicians by reason of this exanimating property , did not a little glory in these beasts , as if they had been taught by them to exercise diabolical and praestigious incantation , whereby they deprived men of sense , motion , and reason . they are great enemies to men , and for this cause solinus reporteth of them , that by secret accustoming themselves to houses or yards , where carpenters or such mechanicks work , they learn to call their names , and so will come being an hungred and call one of them with a distinct and articulate voice , whereby he causeth the man many times to forsake his work and go to see the person calling him ; but the subtile hyaena goeth further off , and so by calling allureth him from help of company , and afterward when she seeth time devoureth him , and for this cause her proper epithet is aemula ●●cis , voyce-counterfeiter . there is also great hatred betwixt a pardall ▪ and this beast , for if after death their skins be mingled together , the hair falleth off from the pardals skin , but not from the hyaenaes ; and therefore when the egyptians describe a superiour man overcome by an inferiour , they picture these two skins ; and so greatly are they afraid of hyaenaes , that they run from all beasts , creatures and pla●es , whereon any part of their skin is fastened . and aelianus saith , that the ibis bird which liveth upon serpents , is killed by the gall of an hyaena . he that will go safely through the mountains or places of this beasts abode , rasis and allertus say , that he must carry in his hand a root of colloquintida . it is also believed that if a man compasse his ground about with the skin of a crocodile , an hyaena , or a sea-calf , and hang it up in the gates or gaps thereof , the fruits enclosed shall ●ot be molested with hail or lightning . and for this cause mariners were wont to cover the tops of their sails with the skins of this beast , or of the sea-calf : and horns saith , that a man clothed with this skin may passe without fear or danger through the middest of his enemies : for which occasion the egyptians do picture the skin of an hyaena to signifie fearless audacity . neither have the magicians any reason to ascribe this to any praestigious enchantment , seeing that a fig-tree also is never oppressed with hail nor lightning . and the true cause thereof is assigned by the philosophers to be the bitterness of it ; for the influence of the heavens hath no destructive operation upon bitter , but upon sweet things , and there is nothing sweet in a fig tree , but only the fruit . also columella writeth , that if a man put three bushels of ●eed grain into the ●kin of this beast , and afterward sow the same , without all controversie it will arise with much encrease . g 〈…〉 worn in an hyaenaes skin seven dayes instead of an amulet , is very soveraign against the biting of mad dogs . and likewise if a man hold the tongue of an hyaena in his hand , there 〈◊〉 dog that dareth to seize upon him . the skin of the forehead , or the bloud of this beast , resisteth all kinde of witchcraft and incantation . likewise pliny writeth , that the hairs layed to womens lips , maketh them amorous . and so great is the vanity of the magicians , that they are not ashamed to affirm , that by the tooth of the upper jaw of this beast on the right side bound unto a mans arme or any part thereof , he shall never be molested with dart or arrow . likewise they say , that by the genital of this beast , and the article of the back-bone which is called atlantios , with the skin cleaving unto it preserved in a house , keepeth the family in continual concord , and above all other , if a man carry about him the smallest and extreme gut of his intrails , he shall not only be delivered from the tyrany of the higher powers , but also foreknow the successe and event of his petitions and sutes in law. if his left foot and nails be bound up together in a linnen bag , and so fastened unto the right arme of a man , he shall never forget whatsoever he hath heard or knoweth . and if he cut off the right foot with the left hand and wear the same , whosoever seeth him shall fall in love with him , besides the beast . also the marrow of the right foot is profitable for a woman that loveth not her husband , if it be put into her nostrils . and with the powder of the left claw , they which are anointed therewith , it being first of all decocted in the bloud of a weasil , do fall into the hatred of all men . and if the nails of any beast be found in his maw after he is ilain , it signifieth the death of some of his hunters . and to conclude , such is the folly of the magi●ians , that they believe the transmigration of souls , not only out of one man into another , but also of man into beasts . and therefore they affirm , that their men symis and religious votaries departing life send their souls into lions , and the religious women into hyaenaes . the excrements or bones coming out of the excrements when it is killed , are thought to have virtue in them against magical incantations . and democritus writeth , that in cappadocia and mesia , by the eating of the hearb therionarcha , all wilde beasts fall into a deadly sleep , and cannot be recovered but by the aspersion of the urine of this beast . and thus much for the first kinde , now followeth the second . the second kinde of hyaena , called papio or dabuh . this beast aboundeth near caesarea in quantity resembling a fox , but in wit and disposition ▪ wolf ; the fashion is , being gathered together , for one of them to go before the flock 〈…〉 or howling , and all the rest , answering him with correspondent tune ▪ in hair it resembleth a 〈◊〉 and their voices are so shrill and sounding , that although they be very remote and far off , yet do men hear them as if they were hard by : and when one of them is slain , the residue flock about his carcase , howling like as they made funeral lamentation for the dead . when they grow to be very hungry by the constraint of famine they enter into graves of men , ●nd eat their dead bodies , yet is their flesh in syria , damascus , and ber●tus , eaten by men . it is ●alled also randelos , aben●●m , aldabha , dabha , dabah , and dhoboha , which are derived from the he 〈…〉 ew word deeb , or deeba ▪ dabuh is the arabian name , and the africans call him les●ph , his feet and 〈…〉 gs are like to a mans , neither is it hurtful to other beasts being a base and simple creature . the 〈…〉 olour of it is like a bear , and therefore i judge it to be a●●●o●●on , which is ingendered of a bear and 〈◊〉 dog , and they bark only in the night time . they are exceedingly delighted with musick , such 〈◊〉 is used by pipes and timbrels , wherefore when the hunters have found out their caves , they spread their nets and snares at the mouth thereof , and afterwards striking up their instruments , the silly beast inconsiderate of all fraud cometh out and is taken , the picture hereof is formerly expressed . and there was one of these in germany in the year of our lord . at the city auspurg to be seen publickly . it was brought out of the wilderness of india , it did eat apples , pears , and other fruits of trees , and also bread , but especially it delighted in drinking of wine : when it was an hungry , it climed up into trees , and did shake the boughs to make the fruit 〈…〉 ll ; and it is reported , that when it is in the tree , it feareth not an elephant , but yet avoideth all 〈◊〉 - beasts which it is not able to resist . it was of a chearful nature , but then especially when it saw a woman , whereby it was gathered that it was a lustful beast . his four feet were divided like a mans fingers ; and the female ever bringeth forth twins , a male and a female together . it continually holdeth up his tail , shewing the hole behinde , for at every motion it turneth that , as other beasts do their head . it hath a short tail , and but for that , i should judge it to be a kinde of ape ; i know not whether it be that kinde of little wolf which bellonius saith aboundeth in cilicia and asia , which in the night time raveneth and cometh to the bodies of sleeping men , taking away from them their boots , caps , or bridles : when they are shut up in the night time they bark like dogs ; but being at liberty they live two hundred in a company , so that there is no beast so frequent as these in all cilicia . as for the golden wolf spoken of by oppianus , i defer the description of it to his due place , for they are not all of one colour : and thus much shall suffice for the second kinde of hyaena . of the crocuta . the third kinde of hyaena is called crocuta , not the gulon aforesaid , but another different from that , which is said to be an aethiopian four-footed beast , because it is ingendred betwixt a lyoness and an hyaena . his teeth are all of one bone , being very sharp on both sides of his mouth , and included in the flesh like as in a case , that they may not be ●ulled : with their teeth they break any thing . it is said also by solinus , that it never winketh , and that their nature seemeth to be tempered betwixt a dog and a wolf , yet is it more fierce then either of both , more admirable in strength , and especially of the teeth and belly , having power to break and digest any bone : it imitateth also the voyce of a man to devour them , as is said before in the hyaena . in the region dachinabades , which is a mediterranean country in the east , 〈…〉 taining great and high mountains , amongst other wilde beasts , are abundance of these crocutaes ▪ and at the marriage of antonius the son of severus the emperor , to plautilla the daughter of plautia 〈…〉 ●mongst the spectacles set forth for the delight of the beholders , was a combate betwixt an elephant and this beast , which before that time was never to be seen at rome ( as dion reporteth ) and ●●us much for the third kinde of hyaena , except i may adde thereunto that beast which the italians call loupchat , that is lupus catus , a wolfe-cat , resembling in face a cat with sharp and harmful claws ▪ being betwixt a black and spotted colour , and was called an indian wolf , and this was to be publickly seen , in the bishops castle at trent . of the mantichora . this beast or rather monster ( as ctesias writeth ) is bred among the ind 〈…〉 〈…〉 ing a treble row of 〈…〉 h beneath and above , whose greatness , roughness , and feet are 〈…〉 his face and ●●rs like unto a mans , his eyes g●●y , and colour red , his tail like the 〈◊〉 of a 〈…〉 of the earth , ●rmed with 〈◊〉 sting , casting for 〈…〉 sharp pointed quils ; his voyce like the 〈…〉 or pipe , being in course as swift as a hart ; his wildeness such as can never 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ and his appetite 〈◊〉 especially 〈◊〉 the flesh of man. his body like the body of a lyon , being 〈…〉 both to leap ●nd to run , so as no distance or space doth hinder him ; and i take it to be the same beast which avicen calleth 〈◊〉 ▪ and m●●●comorion , with her tail she woundeth her hunters , whether they come before her or behinde her , and presently when the quils are cast forth new ones grow up in their ●●om , where withal she overcometh all the hunters : and although india be full of divers ravening ●●asts , yet none of them are stiled with a title of anthropophagi , that is to say , men-eaters ; except only this 〈◊〉 . when the 〈…〉 ns take a whelp of this beast , they all ●o 〈◊〉 the b●●●o●ks and tail thereof , that so it may never be fit to bring starp quils , afterwards it is tamed without peril . this also is the same beast which is called 〈◊〉 about the bigness of a wilde ass , being in legs and hooss like a hart , having his mouth reaching on both sides to his ears , and the head and face of a female like unto a badgers . it is called also martiora , which in the persian congue signifieth a devourer of men ; and thus we conclude the story of the hyaena for her description , and her several kindes : now followeth the medicines arising out of her several parts . the medicines of the hyaena . the oyl in which a fox is baked either alive or dead ; doth either altogether cure and make whole those which are troubled with the gout , if so be that the disease or sickness be green or new , or at the least not of too long continuance ; it doth so cure them , that although it may happen to return again , yet it will be much more milde and gentle then before it had been . but the oyl which proceedeth from foxes doth nothing more drive away the forenamed disease , then that which likewise is got or prepared out of the hyaena ; for that hath an excellent and eminent quality of dissolving and dispersing . the flesh of the alzabo is both hot and cold , and being baked with oyl , doth very much help either men or women which have their feet gowty , or have any pain in their joynts , which may happen or come by the occasion of cold : for it is of a slender and dissolute substance . the vanity of the megl , or wise-men , which is witty in nothing but in circumstance of words , doth say , the best time to take hyaena's , is , when the moon passeth over the signe called gemini , and that for the most part the hairs be kept and preserved . the magi do also affirm , that the skin of an hyaena being spread upon a sore which was bitten by a mad dog , doth presently and without any pain cure the same . the same also being bound to that part of the head , which doth ake , will immediately drive away the pain and grief thereof . the same doth very effectually and speedily help them which are troubled with the gout , or swelling in the joynts . the flowre of barley being mingled with the bloud of an hyaena , and fryed or baked over the fire and so taken ; doth very much asswage the wringings and wrinchings either in the guts or belly of a man or woman . if the bloud of an hyaena being hot be anointed on them which are infected with the leprosie , it will without delay very effectually cure them . the hyaena's flesh being eaten , doth much avail against the bitings of ravenous dogs ; but some are of opinion , that the liver being only eaten is of more force and power to cure or heal them . the nerves or sinews of an hyaena , being beaten to small powder , and dryed and mingled with frankincense , together , and so drunk , doth restore fertility and plenty of seed in that woman which before was barren . there is also for the biting of a ravenous dog another excellent remedy , which is this , first to anoint the place so bitten with the fat or grease of a sea-calf , or else to give it in drink : and then to make the operation more effectual , mingle the marrow of an hyaena , and oyl that cometh from the mastick tree and wax together , and being so applyed and anointed upon the sore , it will presently cure the same . the same marrow of the hyaena is very good and effectual against the pain and grief in the sinews , as also for the looseness and weakness of the reins . the marrow which proceedeth from the chine bone of an hyaena , being mixed with his gall and old oyl altogether , and so boiled until they come unto a soft temperance , and mollisying medicine , being anointed upon the sinews , doth expel and force away an pain of grief thereof whatsoever . the same marrow being bound unto the back of either man or woman , who are troubled with vain phantasies or dreams in their sleep , doth very speedily and very effectually help them . the fat or grease of an hyaena being butnt , doth drive away all venemous serpents from the place where it is so used . the same being mingled with leaven , and so being wrought into a plaister , is a very good cure or remedy for the falling of the hair , or the disease called the foxes evill . the left part of the brain of an hyaena being either anointed upon the nostrils of either men or beasts , is of such vertue , that it will cure diseases upon them which are in a manner mortal . for the sterility or barrenness of women , the eye of an hyaena being mixed with licoras , and the herb called dill , and so taken in drink , is of such force and power , that in three days it will make them fit for conception . the teeth of an hyaena either touched , or bound in order unto the teeth of any man or woman who are troubled with the tooth-ach , will presently ease the pain and vexation thereof . one of the great teeth of an hyaena , being bound with a string unto any that are troubled in the night times with shadows and phantasies , and which are frayed out of their sleep with fearful visions , doth very speedily and effectually procure them ease and rest . the tooth of an hyaena ( called alzabo ) being bound upon the right arm of any one which is either oblivious or forgetful , and hanging down from the arm unto the middle finger or wrist , doth renew and refresh their decayed memory . the palat of an hyaena being dryed and beaten to powder , and then mingled with egyptian allum , and so made hot and mixed altogether , being three times turned in any ones mouth , which hath either sore or ulcer in it , will in small time procure them remedy and help of their vexation and trouble . the flesh which groweth upon the hinder part of the neck , being burned , and then eaten or taken in drink , doth very speedily help and cure the grief and aches of the loins . the shoulders likewise being used in the aforesaid manner , doth profit much for the healing of any who are vexed with any anguish or pain in their shoulders or sides . the lungs being dryed and taken in drink , do ease any , either man or woman which is troubled either with colick or stone . but being dryed into powder , and mingled with oyl , and so anointed upon the belly ; it killeth the worms , and expelleth all aches away from the belly . the heart being used in the aforesaid manner and taken in drink , doth ease and help all aches , pains or griefs in the body whatsoever . the white flesh being taken from the breast of an hyaena , and seven hairs , and the genital of a hart , being bound all together in the skin or hide of a buck or a doe , and afterwards hanged about the neck of a woman which is in travel , will greatly hinder her for bringing forth her childe . if there shall be any flesh or bones of men found in the body of a dead hyaena , being dryed and beaten to powder , and then mixed with a certain perfume , they will be very excellent to help the gowt , or drive away the convulsion of the sihews . the kell or caull wherein the bowels are contained , being used in the aforesaid manner , and also mixed with oyl , will be a present remedy against the burnings and inflamations of sores , botches , and ulcers . the chine bone of an hyaena being bruised and beaten into small powder , and so dryed , and then mingled with the tongue and the right foot of a sea-calf , the gall of an ox being added thereunto , and all of them boyled or baked together , and anointed upon the hide or skin of an hyaena ; and so lapped about the legs or joynts of them which are troubled with the gowt , will in short time ease the pain , and rid them altogether of the grief thereof . the chine bone being also beaten to powder , and given in wine to drink , is very profitable and necessary for those which are in sore travel or pain of childe-birth . the first or eighth rib of the same beast , being beaten and mingled with a certain perfume , is very good and medicinable for sores and botches which do break through the flesh . their flesh also being eaten , doth quickly cure and heal the bitings or tearings of a ravenous dog ; but their liver being so used , is more effectual and speedy for the curing thereof . the liver of the aforesaid beast is also very curable for agues or quartern feavers being beaten to powder , and drunk in wine , before the augmentation or second assaults thereof . the same also is an excellent and speedy remedy for the wringings and aches of the belly , as also for that grievous and painful disease called the colick and stone . for the same diseases , the gall of a sea-scorpion , and of a fish called haelops , and of a sea-crab , and of an hyaena , being beaten to powder , and mixed together , and so drunk in wine , is a very good and effectual cure and help . the gall of an hyaena , by it self alone being rub'd or anointed upon the head of either man or woman whose hairs are fallen off , doth presently procure the hair to renew and grow again ; it will also bring hair upon the eye-lids , being rubbed thereupon . the gall of an hyaena being mingled with hony , and anointed upon the eyes ; doth sharpen and clear the eye-sight , and expel and drive away all blemishes and small skins which cover the sight of the eye ; as also the pain in the eyes called the pin and the web. but apollonius pitaneus doth say , that the gall of a dog being used in the aforesaid manner , is better to cure the sight of the eyes then the gall of an hyaena . but pliny whom i think best to follow , and worthyest to be believed , doth best allow of the hyaena's gall for the aforesaid purpose ; and also for the expelling of certain white spots in the eye , which do hinder the sight thereof . the gall of a bear and of a hyaena , being dryed and beaten to powder , and so mixed with the best hony which is possible to be had , and then stirred up and down a long time together , doth help them unto their eye-sight which are stark blinde , if that it be daily anointed and spread upon the eyes for a reasonable space together : the gall of a hyaena being baked in a cruse of albenian hony , and mingled with the crooked herb crocis , and so anointed upon the brows or fore-head of them which are purblinde , doth speedily help them ; it doth also ease them which are troubled with the water or rheume which falleth in the eyes . democritus doth also affirm , that if the brow of either man or woman be anointed with the gall of an hyaena only , it will drive away all darkenings , and blemishes in the eyes , and expel the water or rheume thereof , and also asswage the pain or grief which may come or happen in them whatsoever it be . the marrow which proceedeth from the chine-bone of an hyaena , being mixed with his own gall , and with old oyl , and then baked or boiled in a cruse until it come unto a temperate and mollifying medicine , and then being laid or anointed upon the sinews or nerves , who is in those parts troubled ; will throughly heal and cure any default or pain which may happen thereunto . the gall of a male hyaena being pounded or beaten , and bound about the left thigh of any woman that is barren , doth help for conception . the gall of the same beast being drunk in wine , to the value of a dram , with the decoction or liquor which cometh from spike-lavender , called oyl of spike , is a very good remedy and help against the tympany or swelling of the belly . the gall also being beaten and mixed with the stone called eat-flesh , is very good and profitable for them which are troubled with the gowt . the milt of an hyaena is very effectual to cure and heal any pain or grief in the milt of either man or woman . the lungs being dryed and beaten to powder , and mingled with oyl , and anointed upon the loins of any one who is grieved or troubled in those places , will speedily cure the aches or griefs thereof . the bladder of an hyaena being drunk in wine , is a very good and effectual remedy against the incontinency of man or womans urine , or the running of the reins . but if there be any urine in the bladder of the hyaena found when he is taken , let it be poured forth into some clean vessel , and mixed with oyl which proceedeth from the pulse or corn of india , and so drunk up , and it will much ease and help them who are troubled in minde , and are full of care and grief . the secret parts of a female hyaena beaten and mixed with the rinde or skin of a pomgranate , and taken in drink , is very profitable to cure the inconveniences or pain of a womans secret parts . the genital of a male hyaena dryed and beaten to powder , being mingled with a certain perfume , doth cure and help those which are troubled with the cramp , and convulsion of the sinews . the feet of an hyaena being taken , doth heal and cure those which are sand-blinde , and such as have botches and sores breaking through the skin and flesh ; and also such as are troubled with inflamations or breedings of winde in their bodies , only by touching and rubbing them over . the durt of dung which is found in the interior parts of an hyaena , being burned , and dryed into powder , and so taken in drink , is very medicinable and curable , for those which are grieved with painful excoriations and wringings of the belly , and also for those which are troubled with the bloudy-flix . and the same being mingled with goose-grease , and anointed over all the body of either man or woman , will ease them of any pain or grief which they have upon their body whatsoever . the dung or filth of an hyaena also , being mingled with certain other medicines , is very excellent to cure and heal the bites and stingings of crocodiles , and other venemous serpents . the dung it self is also very good to purge and heal rotten wounds and sores which are full of matter , and filthy corruption . of the ibex. this beast deut. the . is called ako , and is there rehearsed among the clean beasts , which although the septuagints translate tragelaphus , yet we have shewed already in that story , that it cannot stand with the meaning of the holy ghost , because that beast is found no where but near the river phasis , or in arabia , ( as pliny and diodorus write : ) and besides the chaldee translation hath jaela ; the persians , cotziotu ; the arabians , ohal ; all which by abraham ezra , and rabbi solomon , and many other of the learned jews , are interpreted to be the ibex , which of the germans is called steinbock ; and the female of the helvetians is called ybschen , and ybschgeiss ; which words seemeth to be derived from the latine word ibex , and the cisalpine french , which speak italian , dwelling about millain , retain the german word for the male , but the female by a proper word they call vesina , and so also do the rhaetians . the transalpine french , bouc estane ; the illyrians , kozoroziecz , and some latine authors call him capricornus . the graecians , ixalos , and aegoceros : although i have never read capricornus to signifie a beast , but only a star , excepting some poetical grammarians , who affirm this beast to be a monster of the sea ; and that pan when he fled out of egypt , with other gods from typhon the giant , their great enemy , cast himself into the water , and was transformed into this beast . but jupiter admiring his wit , placed him among the stars near to leo , according to this verse : humidus aegoceros , nec plus leo tollitur urna . although there be some that affirm , this capricorn to be placed among the s 〈…〉 by jupiter , becaust he was nursed with him . and that pan hath his hinder parts like a fish , and his fore-part like a goat , according to these verses : tum gelidum valido de pectore frigus anhelans , corpore semifero , magno capricornus in or be . wherefore by the signes cancer and capricornus , the ancients were w●nt to understand the descending and ascending of the soul : that is to say , by the cancer or crab which goeth backward , the souls descent , by capricorst , ( because the goat climbeth ) the souls ascent : and therefore they place it in the zoduck , where the sun after the short days beginneth to ascend , for no other cause then for that which i have rehearsed . the epithers that are given unto this capricorn , do also belong unto the ibex , such as are these , moist , cold , swift , horn-bea●er , watery , snowy , wool-bearer , tough , bristly , cared , horrible , fierce , tropick , frowning ; showring , threatning , black , and such like . to return therefore unto the ibex , although i do not dislike the opinion of them , which take it to be a wilde goat , yet i have reserved it into this place , because of many eminent differences , as may appear by the story . first these are bred in the alpes , and are of an admirable celerity , although their heads be loaded with such horns , as no other beasts of their stature beareth . for i do read in eusiathius , that their horns are sixteen palms long , of five spans and one palm , and sometimes ●eaven spans ; such was the horn consecrated at delos , being two cubits and a span long , and six and twenty pounds in weight . this beast ( saith polybius ) in his neck and hair is like a buck-goat , bearing a beard under his chin of a span long ; as thick as a colts tail , and in other parts of his body resembleth a hart. these beasts inhabit and keep their abode in the tops of those mountains , where the ice never thaweth or dissolveth ; for it loveth cold by nature , otherwise it would be blinde ; for cold is agreeable to the eye sight and beauty . it is a noble beast , and very fat . in the small head , and lean legs , it resembleth a hart ; the eyes are very fair and bright ; the colour yellowish ; his hoof cloven and sharp like wilde goats . it far excelleth a wilde goat in leaping ; for no man will believe how far off , or what long space it will leap , except he saw it . for there is no place so steep or cragged , that if it afford him but so much space as his foot may stand on , but he will pass over it with a very few jumps or leaps . the hunters drive them to the smooth and high rocks , and there they by enclosing them , take them in ropes or toils , if they cannot come near them with shot or swords . when the beast seeth his hunter which descendeth to him by some rock , he observeth very diligently , and watcheth if he can see any distance or space betwixt him and the rock ; yea , but so much as his eye-sight can pierce through : and if he can , then he leapeth up and getteth betwixt the hunter and the rock , and so casteth him down head-long ; and if he can espy no distance at all , then doth he keep his standing until he be killed in that place . the hunting of this beast were very pleasant , but that it is encumbred with much labour and many perils , and therefore in these days they kill them with guns . the inhabitants of valuis ( neer the river sedunus ) take them in their infancy when they are young ; and tame them , and until they be old , they are contented to go and come with the tame goats to pastune , but in their older and 〈◊〉 age they return to their former wilde nature . aristotle affirmeth , that they couple or engender together ( not by leaping upon each other ) but standing upright , upon their hinder legs : whereunto i cannot consent , because the joynts and nerves of their hinder-legs will not be stretched to such a copulation ; and it may be that he or his relator had seen them playing together as goats do , standing upright , and so took that gesture in their pastime for carnal copulation . the female hath lost 〈◊〉 then the male , but a greater body ; and her 〈◊〉 are very like to a wilde goats . when this beast feeleth 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of her death , and perceived in that her end by some wound or course of nature approacheth , and is at hand , it is reported by the hunters , that the ascendeth to the top of some mountain or high rock , and there fasteneth one of her horns in the same sleep place , going round continually and never standing still ? until she have worn that horn asunder , whereby she stayeth her self , and so at length at the instant or point of death , breaking her horn , falleth down and perisheth . and because they the among the rocks , it falleth out seldom that their bodies are found , but many times when the snow falleth from the mountains in great and huge masses , it meeteth wish a living 〈◊〉 , and other wilde beasts , and to oppressing them 〈…〉 veth them down to the foot of the hils or mountains , as it doth trees and small houses , which are built upon the sides of them . in creet they make bows of the horns of these beasts . and concerning their taking it is not to be forgotten how the hunter which persueth her from one rock to another , is forced many times for the safegard of his own life , to forsake his standing , and to observe the beast when it maketh force at him , and to rid himself from danger of death by leaping upon his back , and taking fast hold on his horns , whereby he escapeth . in the house of pompey , where the memorable forrest of gordianus was painted , there were among other beasts , two hundred ibices , which pompey gave unto the people at the day of his triumph , for to make spoil thereof at their own pleasure . the m 〈…〉 es of the ibex . some do commend the bloud of the ibex to be a very good remedy against the stone of the bladder , being used in this manner : first , they divide it in parte , and put one part of the bloud , and about some six parts of wine apiat , and hony mixed together , and do 〈…〉 them both together luke-warm , and afterwards they reserve it in a clean vessel , and the third day in the morning they give it unto the party to drink who is grieved and then they put him into a bath about noon time , and in the evening , and this order is to be obse 〈…〉 for three days together for it will come to pass , that in that space the stone will be dissolved and turned into sand gravel , and so by that means will have vent together with the urine . there is also by the dung of the aforesaid beast , an excellent remedy against the sciatica or hip-gout , by which that most excellent physitian ausonius himself was healed , and many other lying desperate of remedy , which is this ; to gather the dung of this beast in the seventeenth day of the moon , neither is it any great matter whether you gather it in some part of the old moon , for it will have the same operation : you shall therefore take as much or this dung as you can hold in your hand or fist at one time : so that the quantity of the dung be unlike , and you shall put it in a morter and beat it to powder , and cast twenty grains of pepper into the same fime , being very diligently pounded or bruised , and then you shall adde nine ounces of the best hony unro the aforesaid mixture , and four pounds of the best wine , and mix the potion in the manner of a compound wine , and the dung or dirt being dryed and beaten first 〈◊〉 on sha 〈…〉 mingle all the rest , and put them together in a vessel made of glass , that when you have any need , you may have the medicine ready prepared , to comfort him or her which is so afflicted . of the ichneumon . marcellus and solinus , do make question of this beast ( ichneumon ) to be a kinde of otter , or the otter a kinde of this ichneumon , which i find to be otherwise called enydros , or 〈◊〉 , because it liveth in water ; and the reason of this name i take to be fetched ab investigando , because like a dog or hunting hound , it diligently searcheth out the seats of wilde beasts , especially the crocodile and the asp , whose egs it destroyeth , and for the enmity unto serpents , it is called ophi 〈…〉 us . is 〈…〉 is of opinion , that the name of this beast in the greek is given unto it , because by the favour thereof , the venom and wholesomess of meates is deseried . whereof , dracontius writeth in this manner : praed 〈…〉 t suillus 〈…〉 cujuscunque 〈◊〉 the ic 〈…〉 foretelleth the power , and presence of all poyson . and it is called suillus in latine , because like a hog , it hath bristles in stead of hair ; albertus also doth call it neomon , mistaking it for ichneumon . there be some that call it an indian mouse , because there is some proportion or similitude in the outward form between this 〈…〉 st and a mouse . but it is certain , that it is bred in no other nation but only in egypt , about the river nilus ; and of some it is called mus pharaonis , pharaohs mouse , for iber 〈…〉 was a common name to all the egyptian kings . there be some that call it thyamon , and ans 〈…〉 , and also damula , mistaking it for that weasil which is an enemy to serpents called by the italians , do 〈…〉 〈◊〉 yet i know no learned man but taketh these two names , to signifie two different bensts . the quantity of it or stature is sometimes as great as a small cat or ferret , and the hairs of it like the hairs of a hog ; the eyes small and narrow , which signifie a malignant and crafty disposition ; the tail of it very long like a serpents , the end turning up a little , having no hairs but scales , not much unlike the tail of a mouse aelianus affirmeth , that both sexes bear young , having seed in themselves , whereby they conceive . for those that are overcome in combates one with another , are branded with a warlike mark of villanage , or subjection to their conquerours ; and on the contrary side they which are conquered and overcome in fight , do not only make vassals of them whom they overcome but in token thereof for further punishment , fill them with their seed by carnal copulation , so putting off from themselves to them , the dolours and torments of bearing young . this first picture of the ichneumon was taken by bellonius except the back be too much elevated . the second picture taken out of oppianus poems , as it was found in an old manuscript . when it is angry the hairs stand upright , and appear of a double colour , being white and yellowish by lines or rows in equal distance , entermingled , and also very hard , and sharp , like the hair of a wolf , the body is something longer then a cats , and better set or compacted , the beak black , and sharp at the nose like a ferrets , and without beard ; the 〈…〉 a short and round ; the legs black , having five claws upon his hinder-feet , whereof the last or hindmost of the inner 〈…〉 de of the foot is very short ; his tail thick towards the rump : the tongue , teeth and stones are like a cats , and this it hath peculiar , namely a large passage , compassed about with hair , on the outside of his excrement hole like the genital of a woman , which it never openeth but in extremity of heat ; the place of his excrements remaining shut , only being more hollow then at other times . a 〈…〉 it may be that the authors aforesaid , had no other reason to affirm the mutation of feeble or common transmigration of genital power , beside the observation of this natural passage in male , and female . they bring forth as many as cats and dogs , and also eat them when they are young : they live both in land and water , and take the benefit of both elements ; but especially in the river nilus , amongst the reeds , growing on the banks thereof , according to the saying 〈◊〉 nemetian ; — et placidis ichneumona quaerere ripis , inter arundineas segetes . — for it will dive in the water like an otter , and seem to be utterly drowned , holding in the breath longer then any other four-footed beast , as appeareth by his long keeping under water , and also by living in the belly of the crocodile , until he deliver forth himself , by eating through his bowels , as shall be shewed afterwards . it is a valiant and nimble creature , not fearing a great dog , but setteth upon him and biting him mortally , but especially a cat ; for it killeth or strangleth her with three bites of her teeth , and because her beak or snout is very narrow or small , it cannot bite any thing , except it be less then a mans fist . the proportion of the body is much like a badgers , and the nose hangeth over the mouth , like as it were always angry ; the nature of it is , finding the crocodile asleep , suddenly to run down into his throat and belly , and there to eat up that meat which the crocodile hath devoured , and not returning out again the way it went in , maketh a passage for it self through the beasts belly . and because it is a great enemy and devourer of serpents , the common people of that countrey do tame them , and keep them familiarly in their houses like cats , for they eat mice , and likewise bewray all venemous beasts : for which cause as is said before , they call it pharaohs mouse , by way of excellency . at alexandria they sell their young ones in the market , and nourish them for profit : it is a little beast , and marvellously studious of purity and cleanliness . bellonius affirmeth that he saw one of them at alexandria , amongst the ruines of an old castle , which suddenly took a hen and eat it up , for it loveth all manner of fowls , especially hens and chickens , being very wary and crafty about his prey , oftentimes standing upright upon his hinder-legs , looking about for a fit booty , and when it espyeth his prey near him , it slideth so close to the ground , as is very admirable , until it be within the reach , and then leapeth upon it with incredible celerity , flying to the throat , and like a lion killeth all by strangling . it eateth indifferently every living thing , as snails , lizards , camelions , all kindes of serpents , frogs , mice , and asps . for strabo saith , when he findeth an asp by the water side , it catcheth hold on the tail , and so draweth the beast into the water , and receiveth help from the flouds to devour her enemy ; and whereas we have said already , that the ichneumon entreth into the belly of the crocodile , ammianus marcellinus , strabo , pliny , and oppianus , maketh thereof this discourse following when the crocodile hath filled his belly , and over-glutted himself with meat , he cometh to the land to sleep . now there is in egypt , a certain bird called crochillus , whose nature is to wait upon the crocodile , and with her breath and claws , gently and with a kinde of delight , to pull out the remnants of the meat sticking in the crocodiles teeth ; wherewithal the crocodile being pleased , openeth his mouth wide , to be thus cleansed by this bird , and so falling fast asleep gaping , watched all the while by the vigilant eye of the ichneumon , perceiving him to be deeply plunged in a senseless security , goeth presently and walloweth in sand and dirt , and with a singular confidence entereth into the gate of death , that is , the crocodiles mouth , and suddenly pierceth like an arrow through the monsters wide throat down into his belly . the crocodile feeling his unlooked for evil , awaketh out of sleep , and in a rage or madness , void of counsel , runneth to and fro , far and wide , plunging himself into the bottom of the river , where finding no ease , returneth to land again , and there breatheth out his untolerable poyson , beating himself with all his power , striving to be delivered from this unsufferable evil . but the ichneumon careth not for all this , sitting close upon the liver of the crocodile , and feeding full sweetly upon his intrails , until at last being satisfied , eateth out her own passage through the belly of her hoast . the self same thing is related by plutarch : but i wonder for what cause the beast should rowl her self in sand and dirt , to enter into the crocodiles belly ; for first of all , if after her rolling in dirt , she dry her self in the sun , yet will not that hard crust be any sufficient armour of proof to defend her small body from the violence of the crocodiles teeth , and besides , it encreaseth the quantity of her body , making her more unfit to slide down through the crocodiles narrow throat : and therefore , the authors cannot be but deceived in ascribing this quality to her , when she is to enter into the crocodile , but rather i believe , she useth this defence against the asp , as aristotle saith , and therefore the author seeing her so covered with mud , might easily be mistaken in her purpose . for it is true indeed that when she seeth the asp upon the land , she calleth her fellows , who arm themselves as before said before the combate , by which means they are safely preserved from the bitings of their enemies ; or if it be true that they wallow themselves in the mud , they do not dry themselves in the sun , but while their bodies are moist , slide down more easily into the crocodiles belly . concerning their fighting with asps , and the arming of themselves as aforesaid , the aegyptians make this hieroglyphick of the ichneumon , to signifie a weak man , that wanteth and craveth help of others ; pliny also saith that when the asp fighteth with this beast , the ichneumon turneth to her , her tail , which the asp taking for defiance , presently maketh force at it , whereby she is overtaken and destroyed by the ichneumon , but in my opinion this combate is better expressed by oppianus . for saith he , the ichneumon covereth her body in the sand , as it were in a grave , leaving nothing uncovered but her long serpentine tail , and her eyes , and so expecteth her enemy . when the aspe espyeth her threatning rage , presently turning about her tail , provoketh the ichneumon to combate , and with an open mouth and lofty head doth enter the list , to her own perdition . for the ichneumon being nothing afraid of this great bravado , receiveth the encounter , and taking the head of the asp in his mouth , biteth that off , to prevent the casting out of her poyson : afterwards tearing her whole body in pieces , although gathered together wound in a circle ; for the success of these two combatants , lyeth in the first blow . if the asp first bite the ichneumon , then doth her poyson destroy her adversary ; and so on the contrary , if the ichneumon first bite the asp , then is the ichneumon conquerour ; and for this cause she covereth her body as aforesaid . furthermore , this beast is not only enemy to the crocodile and asp , but also to their egs , which she hunteth out by the sagacity of her nose , and so destroyeth them , yet doth she not eat them : whereby the merciful providence of god doth notably appear , for the safeguard of mankinde , which in those countries where these noisome beasts are bred , hath provided such an enemy to destroy them , both egs , and birds , as is friendly and tameable by the hand and wit of man. for which cause the blinde pagans , consecrated this beast to latona , and lucina , and the heracleopolites did think that they possessed all religion ; the egyptians themselves did worship them , because as their countrey is above all other plagued with serpents , so they are much eased by the help of this little beast . and when they die , they do not only lament them , but also bury them religiously . and thus much for the description of the ichneumon . now followeth their medicinal vertues . the medicines of the ichneumon . the skin of the ichneumon , being dryed and beaten into small powder , afterwards mingled with wine vinegar , and anointed upon those which are grieved with the venemous or poysonsome bites of the same beast ; doth very effectually and speedily cure them of the same . the pretious stone called by the name of iris , which is very hard , as horus saith , being burned , and afterward beaten or pounded into powder , is an excellent remedy against the venemous biting of the ichneumon . it is also said , that all beasts ( but especially the crocodile ) do for the most part hate and detest the society of this beast . there is moreover a very ranck and venemous poyson , which proceedeth from the genital or groin of this beast . the hairs of the ichneumon being taken in a certain perfume , doe very much help and cure those which are troubled or grieved with the maw-worms . the dung of a cat , or the dung of this beast , is very medicinable to be put in any salve , or potion , for the strengthening and confirming of the body . the urine or tail of an ichneumon , being mixed with the milk of a black cow , and given unto those which are troubled with that grievous disease , called the colick and stone , for the space of three days together in any kinde of drink , will easily and speedily cure them of their pain . the stones of an ichneumon , being either beaten in powder , or taken raw , either in wine or any other drink , is very medicinable , and cureable for the easing of all such as are troubled or grieved with any ach , pain , or disease in their belly : and thus much shall suffice concerning the cures , and medicines of the ichneumon . of the lamia . this word lamia hath many significations , being taken sometime for a beast of lybia , some-times for a fish , and sometimes for a spectre or apparition of women called phairies . and from hence some have ignorantly affirmed , that either there were no such beasts at all , or else that it was a compounded monster of a beast and a fish , whose opinions i will briefly set down . aristophanes affirmeth , that he heard one say , that he saw a great wilde beast having several parts resembling outwardly an ox , and inwardly a mule , and a beautiful woman , which he called afterwards empusa . when apollonius and his companions travelled in a bright moon-shine-night , they saw a certain apparition of phairies , in latine called lamiae , and in greek , empusae , changing themselves from one shape into another , being also sometimes visible , and presently vanishing out of sight again : as soon as he perceived it , he knew what it was , and did rate it with very contumelious and despiteful words , exhorting his fellows to do the like , for that is the best remedie against the invasion of phairies . and when his companions did likewise rail at them , presently the vision departed away . the poets say , that lamia was a beautiful woman , the daughter of bellus and lybia , which jupiter loved , bringing out of lybia into italy , where he begot upon her many sons , but 〈◊〉 jealous of her husband , destroyed them as soon as they were born , punishing lamia also with a restless estate , that she should never be able to sleep , but live night and day in continual mourning , for which occasion she also stealeth away and killeth the children of others , where-upon came the fable of changing of children : jupiter having pity upon her , gave her exemptile eyes that might be taken in and out at her own pleasure , and likewise power to be transformed into what shape she would : and from hence also came the faigned name of acho , and al 〈…〉 , wherewithal women were wont to make their children afraid , according to these verses of 〈◊〉 . terrioblas lamias , fuuni quas pompiltique institue●e nu●ae , tremithas , &c. of these angelus politianus relateth this old wives story , in his preface upon aristotles first book of analyticks , that his grand-mother told him when he was a childe , there were certain lamiae in the wilderness , which like bug bears would eat up erying boys , and that there was a little well near to fesulanum , being very bright , yet in continual shadow , never seeing sun , where those phairy women have their habitation , which are to be seen of them which come thither for water . plutarch also affirmeth , that they have exemptile eyes as aforesaid , and that as often as they go from home , they put in their eyes , wandring abroad by habitations , streets , and cross ways , entring into the assemblies of men , and prying so perfectly into every thing , that nothing can escape them , be it never so well covered : you will think ( saith he ) that they have the eyes of kites , for there is no small mote but they espy it , nor any hole so secret but they finde it out , and when they come home again , at the very entrance of their house they pull out their eyes , and cast them aside , so being blinde at home , but seeing abroad . if you ask me ( saith he ) what they do at home , they fit singing and making of wool , and then turning his speech to the florentins , speaketh in this manner : vidistisne ●●secro lamias istas , viri florentini , quae se & sua nesciunt , alios & aliena specu antur ? negatis ? atqui tamen sunt in urbibus friquentes : verum personatae incedient , homines credas , lamiae sunt : that is , to say ; o ye floremines , did you ever see such phairies ; which were busie in prying into the affairs of other men , but yet ignorant of their own ? do you deny it ? yet do there commonly walk up and down the city , phairies in the shapes of men . there were two women called macho , and lamo , which were both foolish and mad , and from the strange behaviours of them , i came the first opinion of the phairies : there was also an ancient lybian woman called lamia , and the opinion was , that if these phairies had not whatsoever they demanded , presently they would take away live children , according to these verses of horace . nec quodcunque ●olet , poscat sibi fabula credi , neu pransae lamiae vivum puerum extrabat alvo . it is reported of m●nippus the lycian , that he fell in love with a strange woman , who at that time seemed both beautiful , tender , and rich , but in truth there was no such thing , and all was but a fantastical ostentation ; she was said to insinuate herself into his famillarity , after this manner : as he went upon a day alone from corinth to conchrea , he met with a certain phantasm or spectre like a beautiful woman , who took him by the hand , and told him that she was a phoenician woman , and of long , time had loved him dearly , having sought many occasions to manifest the same , but could never finde opportunity until that day , wherefore she entreated him to take knowledge of her house , which was in the suburbs of corinth , therewithal pointing unto it with her finger , and so desired his presence : the young man seeing himself thus woo●d by a beautiful woman , was easily overcome by her allurements , and did oftentimes frequent her company . 〈…〉 pus in this manner : o formose , & a formosis expetite mulieribus , ophin thalpeis , cai su ophis ? that to say , o fair menippus , beloved of beautiful women , art thou a serpent and dost nourish a serpent ? by which words he gave him his first admonition , or inkling of a mischief ; but not prevailing , menippus purposed to marry with this spectre , her house to the outward shew being richly furnished with all manner of houshold goods ; then said the wise man again unto menippus , th 〈…〉 gold , silver , and ornaments of house , are like to tantalus apples , who are said by homer to make a fair shew , but to contain in them no substance at all : even so whatsoever you conceive of this riche 〈…〉 there is no matter or substance in the things which you see , for they are only inchanted images and shadows , which that you may believe , this your neat bride is one of the empusae called lamiae of mormolyciae , wonderful desirous of copulation with men , and loving their flesh above measure , but those whom they do entice , with their venereal marts , afterward they devoure without love or pity feeding upon their flesh : at which words , the wife man caused the gold and silver plate and houshold stuffe , cooks and servants , to vanish all away ; then did the spectre like unto one that wept , entreat the wise man that he would not torment her , nor yet cause her to confess what manner of person she was ; but he on the other side being inexorable , compelled her to declare the whole truth , which was , that she was a phairy , and that she purposed to use the company of me●ippus , and feed him fat with all manner of pleasures , to the intent that afterward she might eat up and devour his body ; for all their kinde love was but only to feed upon beautiful young men . these and such like stories and opinions there are of phairies , which in my judgement arise from the prestigious apparitions of devils , whose delight is to deceive and beguile the mindes of men with errour , contrary to the truth of holy scripture , which doth no where make mention of such inchanting creatures ; and therefore if any such be , we will hold them the works of the devil , and not of god , or rather i beleeve , that as poets call harlots by the name of charybdis , which devoureth and swalloweth whole ships and navies , alluding to the insatiable gulph of the sea , so the lamiae are but poetical allegories of beautiful harlots , who after they have had their lust by men , do many times devour and make them away , as we read of diomedes daughters ; and for this cause also harlots are called lupae , she-wolves , and lepores , hares . to leave therefore these fables , and come to the true description of the lamia , we have in hand . in the four and thirty chapter of esay , we do finde this beast called lilith in the hebrew , and translated by the ancients lamia ; which is there threatned to possess babel . likewise in the fourth chapter of the lamentations , there it is said in our english translation , that the dragons lay forth their breasts in hebrew they are called eihannim , which by the confession of the best interpreters ▪ cannot signifie dragons , but rather sea-calves , being a general word for strange wilde beasts . howbeit the matter being well examined , it shall appear that it must needs be this lamia , because of her great breasts , which are not competible , either to the dragon or sea-calves ; so then we will take it for granted , by the testimony of holy scripture , that there is such a beast as this ▪ chrysostomus d 〈…〉 also writeth that there are such beasts in some part of lybia , having a womans face , and very beautiful , also very large and comely shapes on their breasts , such as cannot be counterfeited by the art of any painter , having a very excellent colour in their fore-parts without wings , and no other voice but hissing like dragons : they are the swiftest of foot of all earthly beasts , so as none can escape them by running ; for by their celerity they compass their prey of beasts , and by their 〈◊〉 they overthrow men . for when as they see a man , they lay open their breasts , and by the beauty thereof , entice them to come near to conference , and so having them within their compass , they devour and kill them : unto the same things subscribe coelius and giraldus ; adding also , that there is a certain crooked place in lybia , near the sea-shore , full of sand like to a sandy sea , and all the neighbour places thereunto are deserts . if it fortune at any time , that through shipwrack men come there on shore , these beasts watch upon them , devouring them all , which either endevour to travel on the land , or else to return 〈◊〉 again to sea , adding also that when they see a man they stand stone still , and stir not till he come unto them , looking down upon their breasts , or to the ground ; whereupon some have thought , they seeing them at the first sight , have such a desire to come near them , that they are drawn into their compass , by a certain natural magical witch-craft : but i cannot approve their opinions , either in this or in that , wherein they describe him with horses , feet , and hinder-parts of a serpent ; but yet i grant that he doth not only kill by biting , but also by poysoning , feeding upon the carcasse which he hath devoured : his stones are very filthy and great , and smell like a sea-calves , for so aristophanes writing of cleon a coriar , and lustful man , compareth him to a lamia , in the greatness and filthiness of his stones ; the hinder part of this beast are like unto a goat , his fore-legs like a bears , his upper parts to a woman , the body sealed all over like a dragon , as some have affirmed by the observation of their bodies , when probus the emperour brought them forth into publick spectacle : also it is reported of them , than they devour their own young ones , and therefore they derive their name lamia of l 〈…〉 . and thus much for this beast . of the lion . being now come to the discourse of the lion ( justly styled by all writers the king of beasts ) i cannot chuse but remember that pretty fable of esope , concerning the society and honour due unto this beast . for ( saith he ) the lyon , asse , and the fox entred league and friendship together , and foraged abroad to seek convenient booties , at last having found one and taken the same , the lion commanded the asse to make division thereof , the silly asse regarding nothing but society and friendship , and not honor and dignity , parted the same into three equall shares ; one for the lion , an other for the fox , and the third for himself : whereat the lion disdaining , because he had made him equall unto the residue , presently fell upon him and tear him in pieces ; then bidding the fox to make the division , the crafty . fox divided the prey into two parts , assigning unto the lion almost the whole booty , and reserving to himself a very small portion ; which being allowed by the lion , he asked him , who taught him to make such a partition , marry ( quoth the fox ) the calamity of the asse , whom you lately toar in pieces . in like manner , i would be loath to be so simple , in sharing out the discourse of the lion , as to make it equall with the treatise of the beasts , lately handled , but rather according to the dignity thereof , to expresse the whole nature , in a large and copious tractate . for such is the rage of illiterate or else envious men , that they would censure me with as great severity , if i should herein , like an asse , forget my self ( if i were in their power ) as the lion did his colleague for one foolish partition . and therefore as when lysimachus , the son of agathocles , being cast by alexander to a lion to be destroyed , because he had given poison to calisthenes the philosopher , that was for the ending of his misery , who was included by the said alexander in a cave to be famished to death ; upon some slight displeasure the said lysimachus , being so cast unto the lion , did not like a cowardly person offer himself to his teeth , but when the lion came gaping at him to devour him , having wrapped his arme in his linnen garment , held him fast by the tongue , untill he stopped his breath , and slew him ; for which cause , he was ever afterwards the more loved and honored of alexander , having at the time of his death , the command of all his treasure . in like sort , i will not be afraid to handle this lion , and to look into him both dead and alive , for the expressing of so much of his nature , as i can probably gather out of any good writer . first of all therefore to begin with his several names , almost all the nations of europe do follow the greeks in the nomination of this beast , for they call him leon ; the latines , leo ; the italians , leone ; the french and english , lion ; the germans and illyrians , lew ; the reason of the greek name leon , is taken ●ara to leussein , from the excellency of his sight ; or from laoo signifying to see , and alaos signifyeth blinde ; for indeed there is no creature of the quantity of a lion , that hath such an admirable eye-sight . the lionesse , called in greek , leaena , which word the latines follow , from whence also they derive lea for a lionesse , according to this verse of lucretius ; irritata leae jaciebant corpora saltu . the hebrews have for this beast male and female , and their young ones , divers names : and first of all for the male lion , in deut , . they have ari , and atieh , where the caldeans translate it ariavan , the arabians , asad ; the persians , gehad , and plurally in hebrew , araiius , ara●ot , ara●th , as in the first of zeph. araoth , scbojanim , roaring lions ; and from hence comes ariel , signifying valiant and strong , to be the name of a prince : and isai , . ezek. . it is taken for the alcar of burnt-offerings , because the fire that came down from heayen , did continually lie upon that altar , like a lion in his den : or else because the fashion of the temple was like the proportion of the lion ; the assyrians call a lionesse arioth , the hebrews also call the male lion l●bi , and the female lebia , and they distinguish ari , and labi , making ari to signifie a little lion , and labi a great one ; and in num. . in this verse , containing one of gods promises to the people of israel for victory against their enemies ; behold my people shall arise like labi , and be lifted up like ari : there the caldee translation rendereth labi , leta , the arabian , jebu ; the persians , seher ; and munster saith that labi is an old lion. in job , lebaim signifieth lions , and in psal . . leba●● signifieth lionesses . in the prophet nahum the . leisch is by the hebrews , translated a lion , and the same word isa . the . is by the caldees translated a lions whelpe ; and in the aforesaid place of the prophet nihum , you shall finde arieb , for a lion , for a lionesse , cephirim for little lions , 〈◊〉 and gur for a lions whelp , all contained under one period . the 〈◊〉 call a lion at this day sebey . and thus much for the name . in the next place we are to consider the kinds of lions , and those are according to aristotle two , the first of a lesse and well compacted body , which have curled manes , being therefore called acro-leonies , and this is more sluggish and fearful then the other . the second kinde of lion hath a longer body , and a deeper loose hanging mane , these are more noble , generous , and couragious against all kinds of wounds . and when i speak of manes , it must be remembred , that all the male lions are maned , but the females are not so ; neither the leopards which are begotten by the adultery of the lionesse ; for from the lion , there are many beasts which receive procreation , as the leopard or panther . there is a beast called leontophonus , a little creature in syria , and is bred no where else but where lions are generated . of whose flesh , if the lion taste , he loseth that princely power which beareth rule among four-footed beasts , and presently dyeth ; for which cause , they which lie in waite to kill lions , take the body of this leontophonus , which may well be englished , lion-queller , and burneth it to ashes , afterwards casting those ashes upon flesh , whereof if the lion taste she presently dyeth , so great is the poison taken out of this beast for the destruction of lions ; for which cause , the lion doth not undeservedly hate it , and when she findeth it , although she dare not touch it with her teeth , yet she teareth it in pieces with her claws . the urine also of this beast sprinkled upon a lion , doth wonderfully harm him , if it doth not destroy him : they are deceived that take this lion-queller to be a kinde of worm , or reptile creature , for there is none of them that render urine ; but this excrement is meerly proper to four-footed living-beasts . and thus much i thought good to say of this beast in this place , which i have collected out of aristotle , pliny , solinus , and other authors aforesaid , although his proper place be afterward among the lions enemies . the chimaera is also faigned to be compounded of a lion , a goat , and a dragon , according to this verse ; prima leo , postrema draco , media ipsa chimaera . there be also many fishes in the great sea , about the isle taprobane , having the heads of lions , panthers , rams , and other beasts . the tygers of prasta are also engendred of lions , and are twice so big as they . there are also lions in india , ( called formicae ) about the bigness of egyptian wolves . camalopardales have their hinder parts like lions . the mantichora hath the body of a lion. the leucrocuta the neck , tail , and breast like a lion , and there is an allogorical thing cald daemonium leoninum , a lion devil , which by bellunensis , is interpreted to be an allegory , signifying the mingling together reasonable understanding with malicious hurtful actions . it is reported also by aelianus , that in the island of cheos , a sheep of the flock of nicippus , contrary to the nature of those beasts , in stead of a lamb , brought forth a lion , which monstrous prodigy was seen and considered of many ; whereof divers gave their opinions what it did portend , namely , that nicippus of a private man should effect superiority and become a tyrant : which shortly after came to passe , for he ruled all by force and violence , not with fraud or mercy ; for fraus ( saith cicero ) quasi vulpeculae , vis leonis esse videtur ; that is , fraud is the property of a fo● and violence of a lion. it is reported that meles the first king of sardis , did beget of his concubine a lion , and the sooth-sayers told him that on what side soever of the city he should lead that lion , it should remain inexpugnable , and never be taken by any man ; whereupon meles led him about every tower and rampier of the city , which he thought was weakest , except only one tower , standing towards the river tmolus , because he thought that side was invincible , and could never by any force be entred , scaled or ruinated . afterwards in the reign of cresus , the city was taken in that place by darius . there are no lions bred in europe , except in one part of thracia , for the nemaean , or celonear lion is but a fable ; yet in aristotles time , there were more famous and valiant lions in that part of europe , lying betwixt the rivers achelous and nessus , then in all africa and asia . for when xerxes led his army through paeonia over the river chidorus ; the lions came and devoured his camels in the night time : but beyond nessus towards the east , or achelous towards the west , there was never man saw a lion in europe ; but in the region betwixt them which was once called the countrey of the abderites , there were such store , that they wandered into olympus , macedonia , and thessalia ; but yet of purpose princes in castles and towers for their pleasures sake , do nourish and keep lions in europe , where sometimes also they breed , as hath been seen both in england and florence . peloponnesus also hath no lions , and therefore when homer maketh mention of dian●ts hunting in the mountains of erimanthus and taygetus , he speaketh not of lions , but of harts and boars . ethiopia also breedeth lions , being black coloured , having great heads , long hair , rough feet , firy eyes , and their mouth betwixt red and yellow . cilicia , armenia , and parthia , about the mouth of ister , breed many fearful lions , having great heads , thick and rough necks and cheeks , bright eyes , and eye-lids hanging down to their noses . there are also plenty of lions in arabia , so that a man cannot travel neer the city aden over the mountains , with any security of life , except he have a hundred men in his company . the lions also of hircania are very bold and hurtful ; and india , the mother of all kinde of beasts , hath most black , fierce and cruell lions . in tartaria also , and the kingdom of narsinga , and the province of abasia , are many lions , greater then those of babylon and syria ; of divers and sundry intermingled colours , both white , black and red . there be many lions also in the province of gingui , so that for fear of them , men dare not sleep out of their own houses in the night time . for whomsoever they finde , they devour and tear in pieces . the ships also which go up and down the river , are not tyed to the bank side for fear of these lions , because in the night time they come down to the waterside , and if they can finde any passage into the barks , they enter in , and destroy every living creature , wherefore they ride at ancor in the middle of the river . the colour of lions is generally yellow , for these before spoken of , black , white and red , are exorbitant . their hair some of them is curled , and some of them long , shaggy and thin , not standing upright , but falling flat , longer before , and shorter behind , and although the curling of his hair be a token of sluggish timidity , yet if the hair be long and curled at the top only , it portendeth generous animosity . so also if the hair be hard : for beasts that have soft hair , as the hart , the hare , and the sheep , are timorous , but they which are harder haired , as the boar and the lion , are more audacious and fearless . there is no four footed beast , that hath hairs on his neather eye-lids like a man , but in stead thereof , either their face is rough all over as in a dog , or else they have a foretop as a horse and an asse , or a mane like a lion. the lionesse hath no mane at all , for it is proper to the male , and as long hairs are an ornament to a horses mane , so are they to the neck and shoulders of a lion ; neither are they eminent but in their full age , and therefore pliny said ; turrigeros elephantorum miramur humeros , leonum jubas . we wonder at the tower-bearing shoulders of elephants , and the long hanging manes of lions . and aelianus rationis expertibus mari praestantiam quandam natura largita est , juba leo antecellit foeminam , serpens crista . nature hath honoured the male , even in creatures without reason , to be distinguished from the female , as the mane of the male lion , and the comb of the male serpent do from their females . martial writeth thus of the lions mane : o quantum per colla decus , quem sparsit honorem , aurea lunatae cum stetit unda jubae ! a lion hath a most valiant and strong head , and for this occasion , when the nymphes were terrified by the lions and fled into carystus , the promontory wherein they dwelled was called coleon , that is , the lions-head , where afterwards was built a goodly city . it fortuned as themistocles went thither to manage the affairs of the grecians , epiries the persian , president of phrygia , intended his destruction , and therefore committed the business unto one pisis , with charge that he should behead themistocles , who came thither to execute that murder ; but it happened as themistecles slept at the noon day , he heard a voice crying out unto him , o themistocles effuge leonum caput ne ipse in leonem incurras ; that is to say , o themistocles get thee out of the lions head , lest thou fall into the lions teeth : whereupon he arose and saved his life . the face of a lion is not round as some have imagined , and therefore compared it unto the sun , because in the compasse thereof , the hairs stand out eminent like sunbeams , but rather it is square figured like as his forehead , which aristotle saith , you may chuse whether you will call it a forehead , or epipedon frontis , that is , the superficies of a forehead ; for like a cloud it seemeth to hang over his eyes and nose , and therefore the germans call a man that looketh with such a countenance , niblen of nubilare , to be cloudy , and it betokeneth either anger or sorrow ; also it is called scythicus aspectus , because the scythians were alwayes wont to look as though they were ready to fight . the eyes of a lion are red , firy , and hollow , not very round nor long , looking for the most part awry ; wherefore the poets style the lioness torva leaena . the pupils or apples of the eye shine exceedingly , insomuch as beholding of them , a man would think he looked upon fire . his upper eye-lid is exceeding great , his nose thick , and his upper chap doth not hang over the neather , but meet it just : his mouth very great , gaping wide , his lips thin , so that the upper parts fall in the neather , which is a token of his fortitude : his teeth like a wolves and a dogs , like sawes , losing or changing only his canine teeth , the tongue like a cats or leopards , as sharp as a file , wearing through the skin of a man by licking ; his neck very stiffe , because it consisteth but of one bone without joynts , like as in a wolfe and on hyaena ; the flesh is so hard as if it were all a sinew : there are no knuckles or turning joynts in it called spondyli , and therefore he cannot look backward . the greatness and roughness of his neck , betokeneth a magnanimous and liberal minde ; nature hath given a short neck unto the lion , as unto bears and tygers , because they have no need to put it down to the earth to feed like an ox , but to lift it up to catch their prey . his shoulders and breasts are very strong , as also the forepart of his body , but the members of the hinder part do degenerate . for as pliny saith , leoni vis su●●na in pectore , the chiefest force of a lion is in his breast . the part above his throat-hole is loose and soft , and his metaphreno● or part of his back against his heart ( so called ) betwixt his shoulder-blades , is very broad . the back bone and ribs are very strong , his ventricle narrow , and not much larger then his maw . he is most subject to wounds in his flanck , because that part is weakest , in all other parts of his body he can endure many blowes . about his loyns and hip-bone he hath but little flesh . the lionesse hath two udders in the midest of her belly , not because she bringeth forth but two at a time , for sometimes she bringeth more , but because she aboundeth in milk , and her meat ( which she getteh seldom ) and is for the most part flesh , turneth all into milk . the tail of a lion is very long , which they shake oftentimes , and by beating their sides therewith , they provoke themselves to fight . the grecians call it al●●a : and alciatus maketh this excellent emblem thereof upon wrath . alc 〈…〉 v●teres caudam dixere leonis ▪ qud stimulante iras concipit ille graves ▪ lutea quum surgit bilis crudescit , & atro ▪ felle dolor , furias excitat indomita● . the neather part of his tail is full of hairs and gristles ; and some are of opinion , that there is therein a little sting wherewithal the lion pricketh it self , but of this more afterwards . the bones of lions have no marrow in them ▪ or else it is so small that it seemeth nothing : therefore they are the more strong , solid , and greater then any other beast of their stature , and the males have ever more harder bones then the female , for by striking them together you may beget fire , as by the percussion of flints ; and the like may be said of other beasts that live upon flesh , yet are some of the bones hollow . the legs of a lion are very strong and full of nerves , and in stead of an ankle-bone it hath a crooked thing in his pastern , such as children use to make for sport , and so also hath the lynx . his forefeet have five distinct toes or clawes on each foot , and the hinder feet but four . his clawes are crooked , and exceeding hard , and this seemeth a little miracle in nature , that leopards , tygers , panthers , and lions , do hide their clawes within their skin when they go or run , that so they might not be dulled , and never pull them forth except when they are to take or devour their prey : also when they are hunted , with their tails they cover their footsteps with earth , that so they may not be bewrayed . the epithets of this beast are many , whereby the authors have expressed their several natures , such are these , the curst kind of lions , full of stomach , sharp , bold , greedy , blunket , flesh-eater , caspian , cleonean , the lord and king of the beasts ▪ and woods , fierce , wilde , hairy , yellow , strong , fretting , teeth-gnashing , ne 〈…〉 ean , thundering , raging , getulian , rough , lowring , or wry-faced , impatient , quick , untamed , free , and mad , according to this saying of the poet ; fertur pr●methe●● insani ▪ l●onis vim stomacho opposuiss●●ostro ▪ for as the eagle is faigned to feed upon the heart of prom●theus ; so also is the lion the ruler of the heart of man , according to the astrologians ▪ and from hence it cometh that a man is said to bear a stomach when he is angry , and that he should be more subject to anger when he is hungry , then when he is full of meat . these also are the epithets of lions , wrathful , maned , lybian , deadly , stout , great , mas●li 〈…〉 , mauritanian , part●ian , phrygian , molorchaean ▪ carthaginian , preying , ravening , stubborn , snatching , wrinkled , cruell , bloudy , terrible , swelling , vast , violent , marmarican . these also are the epithets of the lionesse , african , ●old , stony-hearted , vengible , cave-lodging , fierce , yellow , getul●an , hyrcanian , ungentle ▪ lybian , cruell , frowning , and terrible . by all which the nature of this beast , and several properties thereof , are compendiously expressed in one word . the voice of the lion is called rugitus , that is , roa●ing , or ●ellowing ; according to this verse of the poet ; tigrides indomita rancan● , rugiuntque le●n●● ▪ and therefore cometh rugitus leonis , the roaring of the lion. it is called also gemitus , and fremitus , as virgil , fremit leo ore cruento . and again ; hinc exaudiri gemitus , iraeque leonum vincla recusantum , & sera sub nocte rudentum . and when the young lions have gotten a prey , in token thereof they roar like the bleating of a calf , thereby calling their elders to participate with them . the places of their aboad are in the mountains , according to this saying ; leo cacumina montium amat . their sight and their smelling are most excellent , for they sleep with their eyes open , and because of the brightness of their eyes , they cannot endure the light of fire : for fire and fire cannot agree : also their smelling ( for which cause they are called odorati ) is very eminent , for if the lionesse have committed adultery with the leopard , the male discovereth it by the sense of his nose , and for this cause also they are tamed in tartaria , and are used for hunting boars , bears , hares , roe-bucks , wilde asses , as also for wilde and outlandish oxen , and they were wont to be carryed to hunting , two lions in a cart together , and either of them had a little dog following them . there is no beast more vehement then a she or female lion , for which cause semiramis the babylonian tyranness , esteemed not the slaughter of a male lion or a libbard ; but having gotten a lionesse , above all other she rejoyced therein . a lion when he eateth is most fierce , and also when he is hungry , but when he is satisfied and filled he layeth aside that savage quality , and sheweth himself of a more meek and gentle nature , so that it is lesse danger to meet with him filled then hungry , for he never devoureth any till famine constraineth him . i have heard a story of an englishman in barbary which turned moor , and lived in the kings court , on a day it was said in his presence that there was a lion within a little space of the court , and the place was named where it lodged . the englishman being more then half drunk , offered to go and kill the lion hand to hand , and therewithal armed himself with a musket , sword and dagger , and other complements , and he had also about him a long knife ; so forth went this regenerate english moor , more like a mad man then an advised champion to kill this lion , and when he came to it , he found it a sleep , so that with no perill he might have killed her with his musket before she saw him : but he like a fool-hardy fellow , thought it as little honour to kill a lyon sleeping , as a stout champion doth to strike his enemy behind the back . therefore with his musket top he smote the lion to awake it , whereat the beast suddenly mounted up , and without any thankes or warning , set his forefeet on this squires brest , and with the force of her body overthrew the champion , and so stood upon him , keeping him down , holding her grim face and bloudy teeth over his face and eyes ; a sight no doubt that made him wish himself a thousand miles from her , because to all likelihood they should be the grinders of his flesh and bones , and his first executioner to send his cursed soul to the devill for denying jesus christ his saviour . yet it fell out otherwise , for the lion having been lately filled with some liberal prey did not presently fall to eat him , but stood upon him for her own safegard , and meant so to stand till she was an hungry ; during which time , the poor wretch had liberty to gather his wits together , and so at the last , seeing he could have no benefit by his musket , sword , or dagger , and perceiving nothing before him but unavoidable death , thought for the saving of his credit , that he might not die in foolish infamy , to do some exploit upon the lion whatsoever did betide him ; and thereupon seeing the lion did bestride him , standing over his upper parts , his hands being at some liberty , drew out his long barbarian knife , and thrust the same twice or thrice into the lions flank : which the lion endured , never hurting the man , but supposing the wounds came some other way , and would not forsake her booty to look about for the means whereby she was harmed . at last finding her self sick , her bowels being cut asunder within her ( for in all hot bodies wounds work presently ) she departed away from the man above some two yards distance , and there lay down and dyed . the wretch being thus delivered from the jawes of death , you must think made no small brags thereof in the court , notwithstanding , he was more beholding to the good nature of the lion , which doth not kill to eat except he be hungry , then to his own wit , strength , or valour . the male lion doth not feed with the female , but either of them apart by themselves . they eat raw flesh , for which cause the grecians call them omesteres , omoboroi , and omophagoi : the young ones themselves cannot long be fed with milke , because they are hot and dry ; being at liberty they never want meat , and yet they eat nothing but that which they take in hunting , and they hunt not but once a day at the most , and eat every second day : whatsoever they leave of their meat , they return not to it again to eat it afterwards , whereof some assigned the cause to be in the meat , because they can endure nothng which is unsweet , stale , or stinking ; but in my opinion they do it through the pride of their natures , resembling in all things a princely majesty , and therefore scorn to have one dish twice presented to their own table . but tame lions being constrained through hunger , will eat dead bodies , and also cakes made of meal and hony , as may appear by that tame lion which came to apollonius , and was said to have the soul in it of amasis king of egypt , which story is related by philostratus in this manner . there was ( saith he ) a certain man which in a leam led up and down a tame lion like a dog , whithersoever he would , and the lion was not only gentle to his leader , but to all other persors that met him ; by which means the man got much gains , and therefore visited many regions and cities , not sparing to enter into the temples at the time of sacrificing , because he had never shed bloud but was clear from slaughter , neither licked up the bloud of the beasts , nor once touched the flesh cut in pieces for the holy altar , but did eat upon cakes made with meal and hony ; also bread , gourds , and sod flesh , and now and then at customary times did drink wine . as apollonius sat in a temple , he came unto him in more humble manner , lying down at his feet , and looking up into his face , then ever he did to any , as if he had some special supplication unto him , and the people thought he did it for hope of some reward , at the command and for the gain of his master : at last apollonius looked upon the lion , and told the people that the lion did entreat him to signifie unto them what he was , and wherewithal he was possessed ; namely that he had in him the soul of a man , that is to say , of amasis king of egypt , who raigned in the province of sai . at which words the lion sighed deeply , and mourned forth a lamentable roaring , gnashing his teeth together , and crying with abundance of tears ; whereat apollonius stroked the beast , and made much of him , telling the people that his opinion was , forasmuch as the soul of a king had entred into such a kingly beast , he judged it altogether unfit that the beast should go about and beg his living , and therefore they should do well to send him to leontopolis , there to be nourished in the temple . the egyptians agreed thereunto , and made sacrifice to amasis , adorning the beast with chains , bracelets , and branches , so sending him to the inner egypt , the priests singing before him all the way , their idolatrous hymnes and anthems ; but of the transfiguration of men into lions , we shall say more afterward , only this story i rehearsed in this place to shew the food of tame and enclosed lions . the substance of such transfigurations , i hold to be either poetical , or else diabolical . the food therefore of lions is most commonly of meek and gentle beasts , for they will not eat wolves or bears , or such beasts as live upon ravening , because they beget in them melancholy : they eat their meat very greedily , and devour many things whole without chewing , but then they fast afterwards two or three days together , never eating untill the former be digested ; but when they fast , that day they drink , and the next day they eat , for they seldom eat and drink both in one day : and if any stick in his stomach which he cannot digest , because it is overcharged , then doth he thrust down his nails into his throat , and by straining his stomach pulleth it out again ; the self same thing he doth when he is hunted upon a full belly : and also it must not be forgotten that although he come not twice to one carcasse , yet having eaten his belly full , at his departure by a wilful breathing upon the residue , he so corrupteth it , that never after any beast will taste thereof : for so great is the poison of his breath , that it putrifieth the flesh , and also in his own body after it is suddainly ripped up , the intrails stink abominably . the reasons whereof i take to be their great voracity which cannot but corrupt in their stomach , and also the seldom emptying of their belly , for they utter their excrements not above once in three days , and then also it is exceeding dry like a dogs , stinking abominably , and sending forth much winde : and because their urine smelleth strongly , which also they render like a dog holding up one of their legs : they never make water , but first of all they smell to the tree , i mean the male lion. they fall upon some creatures for desire of meat , and especially when they are old , and not able to hunt they go to towns and villages , to the stables of oxen ; and folds of sheep , and sometimes to men and devour them , wherefore they never eat herbs but when they are sick . polybius affirmeth that he saw them besiege and compasse about many cities of africk , and therefore the people took and hanged them up upon crosses and gallowses by the high wayes to the terror of others . wherefore as they excell in strength and courage , so also they do in cruelty , cattel , carrying some alive to their young ones , killing five or six at one time , and whatsoever they lay hold on , they carry it away in their mouth , although it be as big as a camel ; for they love camels flesh exceedingly . and therefore the lions that set upon the camels of xerxes , neither medled with the men , oxen , nor victuals , but only the camels : so that it seemeth no meat is so acceptable unto them . they hate above measure the wilde asses , and hunt and kill them , according to the saying of the wiseman , leonum venatio onager ; the wilde asse is the game of lions , ecclus. . they hate also the thoes , and fight with them for their meat , because both of them live upon flesh , of whom gratius writeth ; thoes commissos ( clarissima sama ) leones et subiere aftu , & parvis domaere lacertis . they eat also apes , but more for physick then for nourishment . they set upon oxen , using their own strength very prudently , for when they come to a stall or herd , they terrifie all , that they may take one . they eat also young elephants , as we have shewed before in the story of elephants : and so terrible is the roaring of the lion , that he terrifieth all other beasts , but being at his prey , it is said he maketh a circle with his tail , either in the snow , or in the dust , and that all beasts included within the compasse of that circle , when they come into it presently know it , and dare not for their 〈…〉 ve passe over it ( believe this who that list . ) it is also said , that when the beasts do hear his voice , all of them do keep their standing and dare not stir a foot ; which assertion wanteth not good reason , for by terrour and dread they stand amazed . and the writer of the glosse upon the prophet amos , upon these words of the prophet , nunquid rugiet leo in saliu , nisi habuerit praedam ? will the lion roar except he have a prey ? leo ( saith he ) cum famem patitur , si videt praedam dat rugitum , quo audito ferae stant fixo gradu stupefacte : that is to say , the lion when he is hungry and seeth his prey roareth , and then all the wilde beasts stand still amazed . they drink but little , and also seldom , as we have said already , and therefore gyrus praising good souldiers in xenophon , useth these words , vos famem habetis pro opsenio , & hydroposian de raon teon leontoon pherete ; that is to say , hunger is your shambles , and you are more patient of thirst then lions , although you drink water . notwithstanding this great valiancy of lions , yet have they their terrors , enemies , and calamities , not only by men , but also by beasts , over whom they claim a soveraignty . we have shewed already in the story of dogs , that the great dogs in india and hireania , do kill lions , and forsake other beasts to combat with them . there is a tygre also called lauzani , which in many places is twice as big as a lion , that killeth them , and despiseth the huge quantity of elephants . martial also writeth , that he saw a tame tygre devour a wilde lion. a serpent , a snake doth easily kill a lion , whereof ambrosius writeth very elegantly ; eximia leonis pulcritudo per comantes cervicis toros excutitur , cum subito a serpente os pectore tenus attollitur , itaque coluber cervum fugit sed leonem interficit . the splendant beauty of a lion in his long curled mane is quickly abated and allayed when the serpent doth but lift up his head to his breast ; for such is the ordinance of god , that the snake which runneth from a fearful hart , should without all fear kill a couragious lion ; and the writer of s. maro 〈…〉 life , alla o men dracon , &c. how much more will he fear a great dragon , against whom he hath not power to lift up his tail ? and aristotle writeth that the lion is afraid of the swine ; and rasis affirmeth as much of the mouse . the cock also both seen and heard for his voice and comb , is a terror to the lion and basiliske , and the lion runneth from him when he seeth him , especially from a white cock ; and the reason hereof , is because they are both partakers of the suns qualities in a high degree , and therefore the greater body feareth the lesser , because there is a more eminent and predominant sunny property in the cock , then in the lion. lucretius describeth this terrour notably , affirming that in the morning when the cock croweth the lions betake themselves to flight , because there are certain seeds in the body of cocks , which when they are sent and appear to the eyes of lions , they vex their puples and apples , and make them against nature become gentle and quiet ; the verses are these ; quinetiam gallum nocte explaudentibus alis auroram clara consuetam voce vocare , quem nequeunt rapidi contra constare leones inque tueri : ita continuo meminere fugai . nimirum quia sunt gallorum in corpore quedam semina ; quae quum 〈◊〉 〈…〉 〈◊〉 pupillas intersodiunt , acremque delorem praebent , ut nequeant contra durare serocer . we have spoken already of the leontophonus how she rendreth a urine which porsoneth the lion ; the noises of wheeles and chariots do also terrifie them , according to the saying of seneta , leoni povida sunt ad 〈…〉 vissimos strepitus pectora . the high stomach of a lion is afraid of a little strange noise . anthologius hath an excellent epigram of one of cybels priests , who travelling in the mountans by reason of frost , cold , and snow , was driven into a lions den , and at night when the lion returned , he scared him away by the sound of a bell. the like also shall be afterwards declared of wolves in their story . they are also afraid of fire , ardentesque faces , quas quamvia savids horret ; for as they are inwardly filled with natural fire ( for which cause by the egyptians they were dedicated to vulcan ) so are they the more afraid of all outward fire , and so suspicious is he of his welfare , that if he tread upon the rinde or bark of oke or the leaves of osyer , he trembleth and standeth amazed . and democritus affirmeth that there is a certain herb growing no where but in armenia and cappadocta which being laid to a lion , maketh him to fall presently upon his back and he upward without stirring , and gaping with the whole breadth of his mouth , the reason whereof ( pliny faith ) is because it cannot be bruised . there is no beast more desirous of copulation then a lioness , and for this cause the males oftentimes fall forth , for sometimes eight , ten , or twelve males follow one lioness , like so many dogs one salt bitch : for indeed their natural constitution is so not , that at all times of the year both sexes desire copulation , although aristotle seemeth to be against it , because they bring forth only in the spring . the lioness ( as we have shewed already ) committeth adultery by lying with the libbard , for which thing she is punished by her male if she wash not her self before she come at him ; but when she is ready to be delivered , she flyeth to the lodgings of the libbards , and there among them 〈◊〉 deth her young ones , ( which for the most part are males ) for if the male lion finde them , he knoxeth them and destroyeth them , as a bastard and adultenous issue , and when she goeth to give them suck she saigneth as though she went to hunting . by the copulation of a lioness and an hyaena is the ethiopian crocuta brought forth . the arcadian dogs , called leontomiges , were also generated betwixt dogs and lions . in all her life long she beareth but once , and that but one at a time , as esop seemeth to set down in that fable , where he expresseth that contention between the lioness and the fox , about the generosity of their young ones : the fox objecteth to the lioness , that she bringeth forth but one whelp at a time , but he on the contrary begetteth many cubs , wherein he taketh great delight ; unto whom the lioness maketh this answer : parere se quidem unum sed leonem ; that is to say , she bringeth sorth indeed but one , yet that one is a lion ; for one lion is better then a thousand foxes , and true generosity consisteth not in popularity , or multitude , but in the gifts of the minde joyned with honorable descent . the lionesses of syria bear five times in their life ; at the first time five , afterwards but one , and lastly they remain barren . herodotus speaking of other lions , saith , they never bear but one , and that only once , whereof he giveth this reason , that when the whelp beginneth to stir in his dams belly , the length of his claws pierce through her matrix , and so growing greater and greater , by often turning leaveth nothing whole ; so that when the time of littering cometh she casteth forth her whelp and her womb both together , after which time she can never bear more : but i hold this for a fable , because homer , pliny , oppianus , solinus , philes , and aelianus affirm otherwise contrary , and besides experience sheweth the contrary . when apollonius travelled from babylon by the way they saw a lioness that was killed by hunters the beast was of a wonderful bigness , such a one as was never seen : about her was a great cry of the hunters , and of other neighbours : which had flocked thither to see the monster , not wondering so much at her quantity , as that by opening of her belly , they found within her eight whelps , whereat apollonius wondring a little , told his companions that they-travelling now into india should be a year and eight moneths in their journey ; for the one lion signified by his skill one year , and the eight young ones eight moneths . the truth is that a lion beareth never above thrice , that is to say , six at the first , and at the most afterwards two at a time , and lastly but one , because that one proveth greater , and fuller of stomach , then the other before him ; wherefore nature having in that accomplished her perfection , giveth over to bring forth any more . within two moneths after the lioness hath conceived the whelps are perfected in her womb , and at six moneths are brought forth blinde , weak , and ( some are of opinion ) without life , which so do remain three dayes together , untill by the roaring of the male their father , and by breathing in their face they be quickned , which also he goeth about to establish by reason ; but they are not worth the relating . isidorus on the other side declareth that for three dayes and three nights after their littering , they do nothing but sleep , and at last are awaked by the roaring of their father : so that it should seem without controversie , they are senseless for a certain space after their whelping : at two moneths old they begin to run and walk . they say also that the fortitude , wrath , and boldness of lions , is conspicuous by their heat , the young one containeth much humidity contrived unto him by the temperament of his kinde , which afterwards by the driness and calidity of his complection groweth viscous and slimie like bird-lime , and through the help of the animal spirits prevaileth especially about his brain , whereby the nerves are so stopped , and the spirits excluded , that all his power is not able to move him , untill his parents partly by breathing into his face , and partly by bellowing , drive away from his brain that viscous humor ; these are the words of physiologus , whereby he goeth about to establish his opinion ; but herein i leave every man to his own judgment , in the mean season admiring the wonderful wisdom of god , which hath so ordered the several natures of his creatures , that whereas the little partridge can run so soon as it is out of the shell ; and the duckling the first day swim in the water with his dam , yet the harmful lions , bears , tygres , and their whelps are not able to see , stand or go , for many moneths ; whereby they are exposed to destruction when they are young , which live upon destruction when they are old : so that in infancie , god clotheth the weaker with more honor . there is no creature that loveth her young ones better then the lioness , for both shepherds , and hunters , frequenting the mountains , do oftentimes see how irefully she fighteth in their defence , receiving the wounds of many darts , and the stroaks of many stones , the one opening her bleeding body , and the other pressing the bloud out of the wounds , standing invincible , never yielding till death , yea death it self were nothing unto her , so that her young ones might never be taken out of her den ; for which cause homer compareth ajax to a lioness , fighting in the defence of the carcass of patroclus . it is also reported , that the male will lead abroad the young ones , but it is not likely , that the lion which refuseth to accompany his female in hunting , will so much abase his noble spirit , as to undergoe the lionesses duty in leading abroad the young ones . in pangius a mountain of thracia , there was a lioness which had whelps in her den , the which den was observed by a bear , the which bear on a day finding the den unfortified , both by the absence of the lion and the lioness , entred into the same and slew the lions whelps , afterward went away , and fearing a revenge , for her better security against the lions rage , climed up into a tree , and there sat as in a sure castle of defence : at length the lion and the lioness returned both home , and finding their little ones dead in their own bloud , according to natural affection fell both exceeding sorrowful , to see them so slaughtered whom they both loved ; but smelling out by the foot the murderer , followed with rage up and down untill they came to the tree whereinto the bear was ascended , and seeing her , looked both of them gastly upon her , oftentimes assaying to get into the tree , but all in vain , for nature which adorned them with singular strength and nimbleness , yet had not endued them with power of climbing , so that the tree hindring them from revenge , gave unto them further occasion of mourning , and unto the bear to rejoyce at her own cruelty , and deride their sorrow . then the male forsook the female , leaving her to watch the tree , and he like a mournful father for the losse of his children , wandred up and down the mountain making great moan and sorrow , till at the last he saw a carpenter hewing wood , who seing the lion coming towards him let fall his axe for fear , but the lion came very lovingly towards him , fawning gently upon his breast with his forefeet , and licking his face with his tongue ; which gentleness of the lion the man perceiving ; he was much astonished , and being more and more embraced , and fawned on by the lion , he followed him , leaving his axe behind him which he had let fall , which the lion perceiving went back , and made signes with his foot to the carpenter that he should take it up : but the lion perceiving that the man did not understand his signes , he brought it himself in his mouth and delivered it unto him , and so led him into his cave , where the young whelps lay all embrewed in their own bloud , and then led him where the lionesse did watch the bear , she therefore seeing them both coming , as one that knew her husbands purpose , did signifie unto the man that he should consider of the miserable slaughter of her young whelpes , and shewing him by signes , that he should look up into the tree where the bear was , which when the man saw , he conjectured that the bear had done some grievous injury unto them ; he therefore took his ax and hewed down the tree by the roots , which being so cut , the bear tumbled down headlong , which the two furious beasts seeing , they toar her all to pieces : and afterwards the lion conducted the man unto the place and work where he first met him , and there left him , without doing the least violence or harm unto him . neither do the old lions love their young ones in vain and without thanks or recompence , for in their old age they requite it again , then do the young ones both defend them from the annoyances of enemies , and also maintain and feed them by their own labor ; for they take them forth to hunting , and when as their decrepit and withered estate is not able to follow the game , the younger pursueth and taketh it for him : having obtained it , roareth mightily like the voice of some warning piece , to signifie unto his elder that he should come on to dinner , and if he delay , he goeth to seek him where he left him , or else carryeth the prey unto him : at the sight whereof , in gratulation of natural kindness , and also for joy of good success , the old one first licketh and kisseth the younger , and afterward enjoy the booty in common betwixt them . admirable is the disposition of lions , both in their courage , society and love , for they love their nourishers and other men with whom they are conversant : they are neither fraudulent nor suspicious , they never look awry or squint , and by their good wils they would never be looked upon . their clemency in that fierce and angry nature is also worthy commendation , and to be wondered at in such beasts , for if one prostrate himself unto them as it were in petition for his life , they often spare , except in extremity of famine ; and likewise they seldom destroy women or children : and if they see women , children , and men together , they take the men which are strongest , and refuse the other as weaklings and unworthy their honor ; and if they fortune to be harmed by a dart or stone by any man , according to the quality of the hurt , they frame their revenge ; for if it wound not , they only terrifie the hunter , but if it pinch them further , and draw bloud , they increase their punishment . there is an excellent story of a souldier in arabia , who among other his colleagues , rode abroad on geldings to see some wilde lions : now geldings are so fearful by nature , that where they conceive any fear , no wit or force of man is able by spur and rod to make him to come near the thing it feareth , but those which are not gelded are more bold and couragious , and are not at all afraid of lions , but will fight and combate with them . as they road they saw three lions together , one of the souldiers seeing one of them stray and run away from his fellowes , cast a dart at him , which fell on the ground neer the lions head , whereat the beast stood still a little and paused , and afterward went forward to his fellowes . at last the souldier road betwixt him and his fellowes which were gone before , and run at his head with a spear , but missed it , and fell from his horse to the earth , then the lion came unto him and took his head in his mouth , which was armed with a helmet , and pressing it a little did wound him , taking of him no more revenge , then might requite the wrong received , but not the wrong intended ; for generally they hurt no more then they are harmed . there is an obscure author that attributeth such mercy and clemency to a beast which he calleth melosus , for he persecuteth with violence and open mouth stout men , and all whom he is able to resist , but yet is afraid of the crying of children . it is probable that he mistaketh it for the lion , for besides him , i have not read of any beast that spareth young children . solinus affirmeth that many captives having been set at liberty , have met with lions as they returned home , weak , ragged , sick , and disarmed , safely without receiving any harm or violence . and in lybia the people believe that they understand the petitions and entreatings of them that speak to them for their lives ; for there was a certain captive woman coming home again into getulia her native countrey through many woods , was set upon by many lions , against whom she used no other weapon but only threatnings and fair words , falling down on her knees unto them beseeching them to spare her life , telling them that she was a stranger , a captive , a wanderer , a weak , a lean and lost woman , and therefore not worthy to be devoured by such couragious and generous beasts as they : at which words they spáred her , which thing she confessed after her safe return : the name of this woman was called juba . although about this matter there be sundry opinions of men , some making question whether it be true , that the lion will spare a prostrate suppliant , making confession unto him that he is overcome ; yet the romans did so generally believe it , that they caused to be inscribed so much upon the gates of the great roman palace in these two verses ; iratus recolas ; quam nobilis ira leonis ; in sibi prostratos , se negat esse feram . it is reported also , that if a man and another beast be offered at one time to a lion to take his choise whether of both he will devoure , he spareth the man and killeth the other beast . these lions are not only thus naturally affected , but are enforced thereunto by chance and accidental harmes ; as may appear by these examples following ; mentor the syracusian as he travelled in syria met with a lion , that at his first sight fell prostrate unto him , rolling himself upon the earth like some distressed creature , whereat the man was much amazed , and not understanding the meaning of this beast , he indevoured to run away ; the beast still overtook him , and met him in the face , licking his footsteps like a flatterer , shewed him his heel , wherein he did perceive a certain swelling , whereat he took a good heart , going unto the lion , took him by the leg , and seeing a splint sticking therein , he pulled it forth , so delivering the beast from pain ; for the memory of this fact , the picture of the man and the lion were both pictured together in syracusis , untill plinies time as he reporteth . the like story is reported of elpis , the samian , who coming into africk by ship , and there going a shore , had not walked very far on the land , but he met with a gaping lion , at which being greatly amazed , lie climed up into a tree , forasmuch as there was no hope of any other flight , and prayed unto bacchus ( who in that countrey is esteemed as chief of the gods ) to defend him , as he thought , from the jawes of death ; but the lion seeing him to climb into the tree stood still , layed himself down at the root thereof , destring him in a manner , by his heavie roaring , to take pity upon him , gaping with his mouth and shewing him a bone sticking in his teeth , which through greediness he swallowed , which did so pain him that he could eat nothing ; at the last the , man perceiving his minde ( moved by a miracle ) said aside all fear , and came down to the dumb speaking distressed lion , and eased him of that misery : which being performed , he not only shewed himself thankful for the present time , but like the best natured honest man , never forsook shore , but once a day came to shew himself to the man his helper , during the time that they abode in those quarters ; and therefore elpis did afterward dedicate a temple unto bacchus in remembrance thereof . and this seemeth to me most wonderful , that lions should know the vertue of mens curing hands above other creatures , and also come unto them against nature and kinde , but so much is the force of evill and pain , that it altereth all courses of savage minds and creatures . when androcles a servant run away from a senator of rome , because he had committed some offence ( but what his offence was i know not ) and came into africa , leaving the cities and places inhabited to come into a desert region : afterwards when androcles had obtained a master being consull of that province of asrico , he was compelled by dayly stripes to run away , that his sides might be free from the blows of his master , and went into the solidary places of the fields , and the sandes of the wilderness ; and if he should happen to stand in need of meat ; he did purpose to end his life by some means or other ; and there he was so schortched with the heat of the sun , that at last finding out a cave , he did cover himself from the heat of it therein ; and this cave was a lions den . but after that the lion had returned from hunting , ( being very much pained by reason of a thorn which was fastened in the bottom of his foot ) he uttered forth such great lamentation & pitiful roarings , by reason of his wound , as that is should seem , he did want some body to make his moan unto for remedy ; at last coming to his cave , and finding a young man hid therein , he gently looked upon him , and began as it were to flatter him and offered him his foot , and did as well as he could pray him to pull out the piece of splint which was there fastened : but the man at the first was very sore afraid of him , and made no other reckoming but of death : but after that he saw such a huge savage beast so meek and gentle began to think with himself , that surely there was some sore on the bottom of the beast , because he lifted up his foot so unto him and then taking courage unto him , lifted up the lions foot and found in the bottom of it a great piece of splint , which he plucked forth , and so by that means onsed the lion of his pains , and pressed forth the matter which was in the wound , and did very curiously without any great fear throughly dry it , and wipe away the bloud : the lyon being cased of his pain , laid himself down to rest , putting his foot into the hands of androcles . with the which cure the lion being very well pleased , because he handled him so curteously and friendly not only gave him for a recompence his life , but also went dayly abroad to forrage and brought home the fattest of his prey . androcles whom all this while ( even for the space of three years ) he kept familiarly , without any note of truely or evill nature in his den , and there the man and the beast lived mutually at one commons , the man roasting his meat in the hot sun , and the lion eating his part raw , according to kind . when he had thus lived by the space of three years , and grew weary of such habitation , life , and society , he bethought himself of some means to depart ; and therefore when the lion was gone abroad to hunting , the man took his journey away from that hospitality , and after he had travelled three days ( wandering up and down ) he was apprehended by the legionary souldiers ; to whom he told his long life and habitation with the lion , and how he ran away from his master a senator of rome ; which when they understood , they also sent him home again to rome to the senator . and being received by his master , he was guilty of so great and foul faults , that he was condemned to death , and the manner of his death was , to be torn in pieces of wild beasts . now there were at rome in those days many great , fearful , cruell , and ravening beasts , and among them many lions : it fortuned also that shortly after the taking of the man , the aforesaid lybian lion with whom he lived long , seeking abroad for his companion and man-friend , was taken and brought to rome , and there put among the residue , who was the most fierce , grim , fearful , and savage , above all other in the company , and the eyes of men were more fastened upon him then all other beside . when androcles was brought forth to his execution , and cast in among these savage beasts , this lion at the first sight looking stedfastly upon him , stood still a little , and then came toward him softly , and gently , smelling to him like a dog , and wagging his tail : the poor examinate and forlorn man , not looking for any thing but present death , trembled and was scarce able to stand upright in the presence of such a beast ; not once thinking upon the lion that had nourished him so long , but the beast accepti beneficii memore mindful of former friendship , licked gently his hands and legs , and so went round about him touching his body , and so the man began to know him , and both of them to congratulate each other in that their imprisoned occurrence , and to signifie to all the beholders their former acquaintance and conversation , the man by stroking and kissing the lion , and the lion by falling down prostrate at the mans feet . in the mean time a pardall came with open mouth to devour the man , but the lion rose up against her , and defended his old friend , and she being instant , the lion toar her in pieces , to the great admiration of the beholders , as it could not otherwise chuse . then caesar which had caused those spectacles , sent for the man , and asked him the cause of that so rare and prodigious an event , who incontinently told him the story before expressed . the rumor whereof was quickly spred abroad among the people , and tables of writing were made of the whole matter , and finally all men agreed that it was fit that both the man and the lion should be pardoned and restored to liberty : and afterward ( saith appion ) all the people and beholders of that comedy were ●suters to the senat for the accomplishment thereof , and so the man was pardoned , and the lion was given unto him for a reward or suffrage , who led him up and down the streets in a learn or slip ; androcles receiving money , and the lion adorned with flowers and garlands , and all men that saw or met them said , hic est leo hospes hominis , hic est homo medicus leonis : here goeth the lion which was this mans host , and here is the man which was this lions physitian . seneca also in his book de beneficiio , out of gellius writeth so much of another lion : and indeed there is no man or other beast more fixed and constant in their love and friendship , or more ready to revenge the breach of amity and kindeness , then is a lion ; as appeareth by this story of eudemus , who writeth of a certain young man , that he nourished together many years a dog , a bear and a lion , who lived in perfect peace and concord without breach , snarling , or appearance of anger . on a day as the bear and dog played together and biting one another gently , it happened that the dog fastened his teeth ( in sport ) deeper then the bear cold digest , and therefore presently he fell upon him , and with his claws toar out the soft part of his belly , whereof he presently dyed : the lion sitting by , and seeing this cruelty , and breach of love , amity , and concord among them that had so long lived together , fell to be inflamedito revenge that perfidie , and like a true king of beasts , measured the same measure to the bear as he had done to the dog , and served him with the same sauce , tearing him instantly in pieces . there is also in the lise of s. jerome , a story of a lion that was cured by him , as you have read before the lion was by elpis , and that the beast in gratitude of that good turn , did ever afterward follow the asse which brought him home his carriage and provision through the woods ; till at last the lion being asleep , the asse was stolen away , for sorrow whereof , the lion put himself in the asses stead , to bear burthens as he did ; within short time after he found out the asse in the theeves stable , and brought him home again ; but i am of erasmus minde concerning this story , that the author thereof took upon him to write wonders and not truth . the kings of egypt and syria did keep tame lions , to accompany them into their wars , which were led about their own bodies for their guard and custody , against all peril and invasion . it is also very pertinent to this place , to express the clemency of these beasts towards the martyn and servants of jesus christ , both men and women , that so we may observe the performance and accomplishment of that prophesie , psal . . they should walke upon the aspe , and the cockatrice , and softly tread upon the lion and the dragon : this we are not to attribute to the nature of lions , but rather to the over-ruling hand of our and their creator , who in remembrance of his o 〈…〉 promise , and advancement of his own glory , stoppeth the mouth of lions , and restraineth all violence both of living creatures and elements ; yet i will not impose any necessity of believing these stories upon the reader , for i my self report them not for truth , but because they are written . when s. anthony went about to make a grave for the interring of the carkass of paul the first anaccorite , and wanted a shovel or spade to turn up the earth , there came two lions , and with their claws opened the earth so wide and deep , that they performed therein the office of a good grave-maker . the prophet daniel was cast unto the lions , to whom ( according to the babylonian story ) was given for their diet every day , two condemned men , and two sheep , and yet by power of the almighty whom he served , the angel of the lord came down and stopt the lions mouths , so that in extremity of hunger , they never so much as made force at him , but sate quietly at his feet like so many little dogs ; by which means he escaped all peril and torments of death . eleutherius being cast to the lions at the command of adrian the emperor , and prisca a noble virgin , at the command of claudius caesar , both of them in their several times , tamed the untamed beasts and escaped death . macarius being in the wilderness or mountains , it fortuned a lioness had a den neer unto his cell , wherein she had long nourished blinde whelps , to whom the holy man ( as it is reported ) gave the use of their eye and sight ; the lioness requited the same with such gratification as lay in her power , for she brought him very many sheep-skins to clothe and cover him . primus , and foelicianus , thracus , vitus , modestus , and crescentia , all martyrs , being cast unto lions received no harm by them at all , but the beasts lay down at their feet , and became came , gentle , and meek , not like themselves , but rather like doves . when a bear and a lion fell upon tecla the virgin , a martyr , a lioness came and fought eagerly in her defence against them both . when martina , the daughter of a consul could not be terrified or drawn from the christian faith by any imprisonment , chains , or stripes , nor allured by any fair words to sacrifice to apollo , there was a lion brought forth to her , at the commandment of alexander the emperor , to destroy her ; who assoon as he saw her , he lay down at her feet wagging his tail , and fawning in a loving and fearful manner , as if he had been more in love with her presence , then desirous to lift up one of his hairs against her . the like may be said of daria , a virgin , in the days of numerian the emperor , who was defended by a lioness ; but i spare to blot much paper with the recital of those things ( which if they be true ) yet the authors purpose in their allegation is most profane , unlawful and wicked , because he thereby goeth about to establish miracles in saints , which are lone agone ceased in the church of god. some martyrs also have been devoured by lions , as ignatius bishop of autioch , satyrus and perpetua , he under trajan the emperor , and they under valerian and galienus . in holy scripture there is mention made of many men killed by lions . first of all it is memorable of a prophet , king. . that was sent by the almighty unto jereboam , to cry out against the altar at bathol , and him that erected that altar , with charge , that he should neither eat nor drink in that place . afterward an old prophet which dwelt in that place hearing thereof , came unto the prophet , and told him that god had commanded him to go after him , and fetch him back again to his house to eat and drink ; wherewithal being deceived ; he came back with him contrary to the commandment of the lord given to himself : whereupon as they sat at meat , the prophet that beguiled him , had a charge from god to prophesie against him , and so he did : afterward as he went homeward a lion met him and killed him , and stood by the corps , and his ass , not eating of them till the old prophet came and took him away to bury him . in the twentieth chapter of the same book of kings , there is another story of a prophet , which as he went by the way he met with a man , and ●ade him in the name of the lord , to wound and smite him , but he would not , preferring pity before the service of the lord : well ( said the prophet unto him ) seeing thou refusest to obey the voyce of the lord , behold as soon as th●● art departed , a lion shall meet thee and destroy thee : and so it came to pass ; for being out of the presence of the prophet , a iaon met him and tore him in pieces . the idolatrous people that were placed at jerusalem by the king of babel , were destroyed by lions ; and unto these examples of god his judgements , i will adde other out of humane stories . paphages a king of ambracia , meeting a lionese leading her whelps , was suddenly set upon by her and torn in pieces , upon whom ovid made these verses : foeta tibi occurrat patrio popularis in arvo , sitque paphageae causa leaena necis . hyas the brother of hyades , was also slain by a lioness . the people called ambraciotae in africk , do most religiously worship a lioness ; because a notable tyrant which did opprese them was slain by such an one . there is a mountain neer the river indus ( called lnaus ) of a shepheard so named , which in that mountain did most superstitiously worship the moon , and contemned all other gods , his sacrifices were performed in the night season ; at length ( saith the author ) the gods b 〈…〉 angry with him , sent unto him a couple of lions who tore him in pieces , leaving no monument behinde but the name of the mountain for the accident of his cruel death . the inhabitans of that mountain wear in their ears a certain rich stone ( called 〈◊〉 ) which is very black , and bred no where else but in that place . there is a known story of the two babylonian lovers , pyramus and th 〈…〉 , who in the night time had covenanted to meet at a fountain new the sepulchre of ninus , and t 〈…〉 coming thither first , as she ●ate by the fountain , a lioness being thirsty , came thither to drink water , ( after the slaughter of an ox : ) at sight whereof , thisbe ran away and let fall her mantle , which the lioness finding tore it in pieces with her bloudy teeth . afterward came pyramus , and seeing her mantle all bloudy and torn asunder , suspecting that she that loved him , being before him at the appointed place had been killed by some wilde beast , very inconsiderately drew forth his sword , and thrust the same through his own body , and being scarce dead , thisbe came again , and seeing her lover lie in that distress , as one love , one cause , one affection had drawn them into one place , and there one fear had wrought one of their destructions , she also sacrificed her self upon the point of one and the same sword . there was also in scythia a cruel tyrant ( called therodomas ) who was wont to cast men to lions to be devoured of them , and for that cause did nourish privately many lions : unto this cruelty did ovid allude , saying : therodomantaeos ut qui sensere leones . and again : non tibi therodomas crudusque vocabitur atreus . unto this discourse of the bloud-thirsty cruelty of lions , you may add the puissant glory of them , who botl● in sacred and prophane stories are said to have destroyed lions . when sampson went down to timnath , it is said , that a young lion met him roaring to destroy him , but the spirit of the lord came upon him , and he tore it in pieces like a kid ; wherein he was a type of jesus christ , who in like sort being set upon by the roaring of the devil and his members , did with facility ( through his divine nature ) utterly overthrow the malice of the devil . afterward sampson went down to the philistine woman whom be loved , and returning , found that bees had entred into the lions carcass , and there builded , whereupon he propounded this riddle ; a v●raci exiit cibus , & ex forti egressa est dulced● : out of the devourer came meat , and out of the strong came sweetness . benaiah the son of jehoiada one of davids worthies , did in the winter time in the snow kill a lion in a ditch : david himself feeding his fathers flock , slew a lion and a bear which had robbed him of a lamb. it is reported of perdiccas ( one of the captains of alexander ) a valiant man , that he went alone into the den of a lioness , but not finding her therein , took away her whelps , and brought them forth to the admiration of all me● ; for the lioness both among the barbarians and graecians is accounted the strongest and most unresistible beast . in the northern parts of the world ( saith pausanias ) near the monuments of al●ma● and hyllus , the sons of heicules , there was a lion which slew many people , and at last also euippus the only son of king megareus ; whereat the king grew so sorrowful and angry , thirsting after revenge , that he promised to the man that could overcome him his daughter , and the succession of his kingdom : there was a noble and valiant young man called alcath●s , who undertook the action and killed the lion , for which thing he obatained both the wi●e and the kingdom according to the promise of megareus , and therefore in thankfulness of so good fortune , he builded there a famous temple , dedicating it to diana agr●t 〈…〉 and apollo agreus . we have spoken before of lysimachus , unto whom we may add polydamas the scotu 〈…〉 who in all things he took in hand , propounded unto himself the example of hercules , and did kill a lion of monstrous stature and bigness , being unarmed , in the mountain olympus ; as at another time he held a buls leg so fast in his hand , that while the beast strove to loose himself , he left the hoof of his foot behinde him . when hercules was a boy or stripling , he slew the teumessian lion in t●umessus a mountain of beolia , and pulled off his skin which ever after he wore in stead of a cloke . this lion is also called a nemaean lion , yet some are of opinion that the nemaean lion , was another called also the molorchaean , because having killed the son of molorchus he perswaded hercules which did so journ with him , to take revenge in his stead . from whence the nemaean sacrifices is performed by the graecians in remembrance of hercules , and lucan maketh mention of this nemaean lion in this verse : si saevum premeres nemeaeum saeva leonem . and upon the den of the lion was a temple builded and dedicated to jupiter nemaeus ▪ v 〈…〉 speaking of the nemaean lion , telleth this story thereupon ▪ whereas saith he the said lion could not be killed with any sword , dart , or other sharp instrument , hercules ●or● him in pieces with his hands without all weapons , and afterward wore his skin in remembrance of that victory : it happened on a day , that as he travelled he met with his friend t 〈…〉 , who wanted children , of whom he was intreated that he would make sacrifice to jupiter for him in that weed or garment , and also intre●● for a son . hercules yeelded , and taking the golden c●ns●r in his hand , made the sacrifice and supplication to jupiter , that telamon might have a son , and as he sacrificed , an eagle flew over them , which in greek is called aetus , wherefore when hercules saw the same , he charged tel 〈…〉 that his son should be called a 〈…〉 os ; that is , an eagle : and so he was , but afterward he was called aiax , and wore continually that lions skin which was given him by hercules : and therefore he could not be wounded : but i take this to be but a fable : rather this was the truth ; aiax was a valiant souldier , and so warily carried himself in many battails , that he never received wound , but at last he flew himself with his own sword , thrusting it through his neck ; and for this cause it was fabled , that he never could be wounded , by a vertue ( as was imagined ) conferred on him from hercules . ovid hath a witty fiction of one phyllius , who fell so deeply in love with a little boy , that at his pleasure he took many wilde beasts , birds , and lions , and tamed them to the delight of his amasius : at length the insatiable boy required him to do the like by a bull , which he had overcome , but phyllius denying that request , they boy presently cast himself down from a rock , and was afterward turned into a swan ; by which the poet declareth , the unmerciful regard which wretchless and childish mindes bear towards the greatest labours and deserts of the best men ; and that in such society a man is no longer beloved , then he giveth ; also the denial of one small request cannot be endured , although a thousand good turns have gone before it ; wherefore such mindes may well be transfused into swans , which forsake their owners and breeders , going and swimming far from their first and proper habitation . having but mentioned such a story , it is not exorbitant to add in one word other fictions of metamorphosing , and transfiguring men into lions , which we promised in the former discourse of amasis and apollonius , when i discoursed of the food of lions . and first of all , it is not unproper to remember the caution of timaeus the pythagoraean , who affirmeth , that the mutation of men into beasts , is but a fiction brought in for the terrour of wicked men , who seeing they cannot be restrained from vice , for the love of well doing , they may be deterred for the fear of punishment , which is meant by such beastly transfigurations . and this thing is thought to be most consonant to the opinion of plato , for in consideration of the habit , and not of the kinde ; a good house-keeper , and charitable nourishing man , is said to be transmuted into a tree : he which liveth by catching and snatching , to serve his own concupiscence , into a kite ; he which for love of military discipline and martial affairs , into a lion ; he that was a tyrant and a devourer of men , into a dragon : and empedocles also said , that if a man depart this natural life , and be transmuted into a brute beast , it is most happiest for him if his soul go into a lion : but if he loose his kinde and senses , and be transmuted into a plant , then is it best to be metamorphosed into a laurel or bay-tree . and for these causes we read of hippo changed into a lion , and atlas into a lioness , and the like i might say of proteus , of the curetes , and others : and generally all the eastern wise men believed the transmigration of spirits from one into another , and insinuated so much to their symmists and disciples , making little or no difference betwixt the natures of men and brute beasts . therefore they taught that all their priests after death were turned into lions , their religious vestals or women into hyaena's , their servants or ministers in the temples , about the service of their vain gods into crows and ravens ; the fathers of families , into eagles and hawks ; but those which served the leontick altars , meaning nemeaea sacra , instituted for the honour of hercules , were transformed diversly : but of all these we have already expressed our opinion ; namely , to believe and think so basely of mankinde , created after gods image , as once to conceive or entertain one thought of such passing of one from another , were most lewd and diabolical ; but to conceive them as allegories , by which the mindes of the wise may be instructed in divine things , and god his judgements ; as it is poetical , so is it not against any point of learning , or good religion . as that which hath been already expressed most notably describeth the nature of the lion , which so that succeedeth hath the same use for the manifestation of the dignity and honour of beast . first of all therefore , to begin with his understanding , and to shew how neer he cometh to the nature of man. it is reported by aelianus , that in lybia they retain great friendship with men , enjoying many things in common with them , and drinking at the same well or fountain . and if at any time he being deceived in his hunting , and cannot get to satisfie hunger , then goeth he to the houses of men , and there if he finde the man at home , he will enter in and destroy , except by wit , policy , and strength , he be resisted ; but if he finde no man , but only women , they by railing on him and rebukes , drive him away , which thing argueth his understanding of the lybian tongue ; the sum and manner of those speeches and words which she useth to affright and turn them away from entering houses , are these : art not thou ashamed being a lion , the king of beasts , to come to my poor cottage to beg meat at the hands of a woman ? and like a sick man , distressed with the weakness of body , to fall into the hands of a woman , that by her mercy thou mayst attain those things which are requisite for thy own maintenance and sustentation ? yea rather thou shouldst keep in the mountains , and live in them , by hunting the hart and other beasts , provided in nature for the lions food , and not after the fashion of little base dogs , come and live in houses to take meat at the hands of men and women . by such like words she enchanteth the minde of the lion , so that like a reasonable person , overcome with strong arguments , notwithstanding his own want , hunger , and extremity , he casteth his eyes to the ground ashamed and afflicted , and departeth away without any enterprise : neither ought any judicious or wise man think this thing to be incredible ; for we see that horses and dogs which live among men , and hear their continual voyces , do discern also their tearms of threatning , chiding , and rating , and so stand in aw of them ; and therefore the lions of lybia , whereof many are brought up like dogs in houses , with whom the little children play , may well come to the knowledge and understanding of the maurisian tongue . it is also said they have understanding of the parts of men and women , and discern sexes , and are indued with a natural modesty , declining the sight of womens privy parts . and unto this may be added the notable story of a lion in england , ( declared by crantzius ) which by evident token was able to distinguish betwixt the king nobles , and vulgar sort of people . as the ears of horses are a note of their generosity , so is the tail of lions , when it standeth immoveable , it sheweth that he is pleasant , gentle , meek , unmoved , and apt to endure any thing , which falleth out very seldom , for in the sight of men he is seldom found without rage . in his anger , he first of all beateth the earth with his tail , afterwards his own sides , and lastly leapeth upon his prey or adversary . some creatures use to wag their tails , when they see suddenly those which are of their acquaintance , as dogs ; but lions and buls , do it for anger and wrath . the reason both of one and other , is thus rendred by aphrodiseus . the back-bone of such beasts is hollow , and containeth in it marrow , which reacheth to the tail , and therefore there is in the tail a kinde of animal motion , and power . for which cause when the beast seeth one of his acquaintance , he waggeth his tail by way of salutation for the same reason that men shake hands , for that part is the readiest and nimblest member of his body ; but buls and lions are constrained to the wagging of their tails for the same reason that angry men are light fingered , and apt to strike : for when they cannot have sufficient power to revenge , they either speak if they be men , or else bark if they be dogs , or smite their sides with their tail if they be lions ; by that means uttering the fury of their rage to the ease of nature , which they cannot to the full desire of revenge . but we have shewed before that the lion striketh his sides with his tail , for the stirring up of himself against dangerous perils , for which cause lucan compareth caesar , in his warlike expedition at pharsalia , against his own countrey , before his passage over rubicon , ( whilest he exhorted his souldiers ) to a lion beating himself with his own tail in these verses ; inde mora solvit belli , tumidumque per amnom , signa tulit propere : sicut squallentibus arvis aestiferae lybies , viso leo cominus hoste , subsedit dubius , totam dum colligit iram ; mox ubi se saevae stimulavit verbere caudae , er●xitque jubas , vasto & grave murmur hiatu , infremuit : tum torta levis si lancea mauri haereat , aut latum subeant venabula pectus , per ferrum tanti securus vulneris exit . there are many epigrams , both greek and latine , concerning the rage , force , friendship , and society of lions with other beasts , whereof these are most memorable : the first of a hare , which through sport crept through the mouth of a tame lion , whereof martial writeth in this sort , teaching her to flie to the lions teeth against the rage of dogs in these verses : rictibus his tauros non eripuere magistri , per quos praeda fugax itque reditque lepus . quodque magis mirum , velocior exit ab hoste , nec nihil à tanta nobilitate refert . tulior in sola non est cum currit arena : neo caveae tanta conditur ille fide , si vitare canum morsus , lepus improbe , quaeris , ad qnae confugias , ora leonis habes . there is another of the same poets , about the society of a ram and a lion , wherein he wondereth , that so different natures should live together , both because the lion forgetteth his prey in the woods , and also the ram , the eating of green grass , and through hunger , both of them constrained to taste of the same dishes : and yet this is no other , then that which was foretold in holy scripture , the lion and the lamb should play together : the epigram is this ; massyli leo fama jugi , pecorisque maritus lanigeri , mirum qua posuere fide , ipse licet videas , cavea stabulantur in una , et pariter socias carpit uterque dapes , nec foetu memorum gaudent , nec mitibus herbis , concordem satiat sed rudis agna famem . for we have shewed before , that a lion in his hunger will endure nothing , but fiercely falleth upon every prey , according to these verses of manilius : quis dubitet , vasti quae sit natura leonis ? quasque suo dictet signo nascentibus artes ? ille novas semper pugnas , nova bella ferarum apparat , & pecorum vivit spolio , atque rapinis . hoc habet , hoc studium postes ornare superbos pellibus , & captas domibus configere praedas , atque parare metum sylvis , & vivere rapto . concerning the hunting and taking of lions , the indian dogs , and some other strong hunters do set upon buls , bores , and lions , as we have said before in the history of dogs : but dogs , which are begotten of tygers , amongst the indians , and those of hyrcania , especially do this thing , as it is noted by mantuan , concerning the fortitude and courage of a dog , saying : et truculentus helor certare leonibus audens . in the province of gingui , which is subject to great cham king of tartaria , there are very many lions which are very great and cruel : and in that region the dogs are accounted so bold and strong , as they will not fear to invade or set upon those lions ; and it oftentimes cometh to pass , that two dogs and a hunting atcher sitting on horse-back do kill and destroy a lion : for when the dogs perceive the lion to be near them , they set upon him with great barking , but especially when they know themselves backed with the help of a man , they do not cease to bite the lion in his hinder parts and tail : and although the lion doth oftentimes threaten them with his frowning and terrible countenance , turning himself this way and that way , that he might tear them in pieces , notwithstanding the dogs looking warily unto themselves , are not easily hurt by him , especially when the hunting horse-man following them , doth seek the best means to fasten his dart in the lion , when he is bitten of the dogs , for they are wise enough to consider their own help . but the lion then flyeth away , fearing lest the barking and howling of the dogs , may bring more company both of men and dogs unto him . and if he can he betaketh himself rightly unto some tree , that he may enjoy the same for a place of defence for his back , then turning himself with a scornful grinning , he fighteth with all his force against the dogs . but the hunter coming nearer upon his horse , ceaseth not to throw darts at the lion until he kill him : neither doth the lion feel the force of the darts until he be slain , the dogs do unto him so great hurt and trouble . if a lion be seen in the time of hunting , being ashamed to turn his back , he doth a little turn away himself if oppressed with a multitude : but being removed from the sight of the hunters , he doth hastily prepare for flight , thinking that his shame is cleared by concealing himself ; and therefore knoweth that the woods cannot give testimony of his fear . he doth want in his flight the leaping which he useth in pursuing other beasts . he doth craftily dissemble and abolish his foot-steps to deceive the hunters : poll 〈…〉 affirmeth , that if a hunter do fight against any wilde beasts , as a bore , he must not straddle with his legs wide abroad , but keep them together within the compass of a foot , that he may keep his ground stedfast and sure , even as the manner is in wrestling : for there are some wilde beasts , as panthars and lions , when they are hunted , and are hindred in their course by their hunters , if they be any thing near them , do presently leap upon them . but the stroke which is given ought to be directed or levelled right against the breast , and the heart , for that being once stricken is incurable . xenophon saith , in his book concerning hunting , that lions , leopards , bears , pardals , lynxes , and all other wilde beasts of this sort which inhabit desert places ( without g 〈…〉 ) are taken about the ●ang●an mountain , and the mountain called cyrtus , about macedony : some in olympus , mysius , and 〈…〉 s : some in mysia above syria , and in other mountains which are fit for the breeding and nourishing beasts of this kinde . but they are taken partly in the mountains by poyson of wolf-bane ; for the sharpness of the region ( because that can admit no other kinde of hunting as by nets and dogs ) but mingling this with that thing in which every wilde beast delighteth ; the hunters do cast it unto them near the waters . there are some also which do descend down in the night time , who are taken in regard that all the ways by which they should ascend unto the mountains are stopped with hunts-men , and weapons , neither being so excluded , are they taken without great peril unto the hunts-men . there are some also which make pitfals or great ditches in the ground to catch lions , in the midst whereof , they leave a profound stony pillar , upon which in the night time they tie a goat ; and do hedge the pitfals round about with boughs , lest that it might be seen , leaving no entrance into the same . the lions hearing the voyce of the goat in the night , do come unto the place and walk round about the hedge , but finding no place where they may enter , they leap over and are taken . oppianus doth describe three manner of ways of hunting lions , which and bellisarius doth , but he doth describe them my minde very unskilfully . the first of them is rehearsed out of xenophon ; we will notwithstanding also add thereunto oppianus : for he doth in vary 〈◊〉 of them . the second is made by fire . the third by whips or scourges . the first manner of way is therefore as gill●us for the most part , translate out of oppianus , in this sort : where the hunters of lybia do observe the beaten path or way of the lion going out of his den unto the water , they make a broad and round ditch near unto it , in the midst whereof they raise up a great pillar , upon this they hang a sucking lamb ; they compass the ditch ●ound about with a wall of stones heaped together , lest that wher the wilde beast cometh near he perceive the deceit . the lamb being fastned upon the top of the pillar , doth incitate the hunger-starven heart of the lion by his bleating , therefore coming near , and not being able to stay longer about the wall , he doth presently leap over and is received into the unlooked for ditch , in which being now included , he vexeth himself in all the parts of his body , lifting himself up rather at the lamb , then to go forth , and being again overthrown , 〈…〉 these things 〈◊〉 affirmeth . the other manner of hunting by fire , is the device of the people which inhabit about the river euphrates , who hunt lions after this manner : the 〈…〉 g horses , and some upon gray horses , with glasen eyes , which are most swift , and which dare only meet lions , when other horses dare not abide the sight of lions being on foot do set the nets . three of them being placed in the snares remain to under prop the nets , with 〈◊〉 and 〈…〉 ddle , all the rest in both the bendings or turnings of the same , so that ●e which is in the middle can hear both the other at the farther ends : some setting round about in warlike manner , holding pitchy fire-brands in their right hands , and bucklers in their left , for with those they make a very great noise and clamor , and with shewing their fire brands , put the wilde beasts in an incredible fear : therefore when all the horse-men being spred abroad invade the beasts , and the foot-men likewise do follow with a great noise : the lions being terrified with the crying out of the hunters , not daring to resist , give place : and aswell for fear of fire , as of the men , they run into the nets and are taken : like as fishes in the night time , by fire are compelled and driven into the nets of the fishers . the third manner of hunting is done with lesser labour : that is , four strong men armed with shields , and fortified all over with thongs of leather , and having helmets upon their heads , that only their eyes , noses , and lips may appear , with the brandishing of their fire-brands , rustle in upon the lion lying in his den : he not bearing this indignation , with a gaping and open wide mouth , the lightning or burning of his eyes being inflamed , breaketh forth into a great roaring , and with such celerity rustleth upon them , as if it were some storm or tempest : they with a firm and constant courage abide that brunt : and in the mean while that he coveteth to catch any of them in his teeth or claws , another of them , provoking him behinde doth smite him , and with a loud noise or clamour doth vex him : then the lion in hast leaving the first which he had taken in his mouth , turneth back his mouth unto the hinder : each of them in several parts do vex him ; but he breathing forth warlike strength , runneth here and there , this man he leaveth , that he snatcheth up on high : at the length being broken with long labour , and wearyed , foaming in his mouth , he lyeth down straight upon the ground , and now being very quiet they binde him , and take him from the earth as if he were a ram. i do also finde that lions are intricated in snares or traps , bound unto some post or pile , nigh unto some narrow place , by which they were wont to pass . but pliny saith , that in times past it was a very hard and difficult manner to catch lions , and that the chiefest catching of them was in ditches . in the mountain zaronius in africk , the strongest men do continually hunt lions , the best of which being taken , they send them unto the king of eesse : and the king ordereth his hunting in this manner ; in a very spacious field there are little hutches built of that height as a man may stand upright in them : every one of these is shut with a little gate ; and within standeth an armed man , the lion being raised , and forced to that place the dores being open , then the lion seeing the dores open , runneth with great force , which being shut again , he is provoked to anger : afterward they bring a bull to combate with him , where beginneth a cruel fight , in which , if the bull shall kill the lion , the honour of that day is finished ; but if the lion overcome him , all the armed men , which in number are almost twelve , come forth to fight against the lion ; some of them having boar-spears of six cubits long : but if the armed men shall seem to overcome the lion , the king commandeth the number to be diminished , and if on the contrary , the armed men be overcome , the king with his nobles sitting in an high place to see the hunting kill the lion with cross-bows ; but it cometh oftentimes to pass , that every one of them is slain before the lion. the reward of those which combate with the lion , is ten golden crowns , together with a new garment : neither are any admitted unto this fight , except they are of a most pregnant and valorous strength , and born in the mountain zalag , but those which do first of all provoke and give on set to the lions , are born in the mountain zaronius . to conclude this discourse of the hunting of lions . if it fortune that he be followed with men and dogs , yet in the plain fields he never mendeth his pace , as some writers affirm , oftentimes turning about and looking upon his pursuers , as it were to dare their approchment , and to give defiance unto all their pretences : yet having gotten the thickets , he looketh to his safety with his best celerity and speed , so wisely tempering his fear before his foes , that it may seem a boldness , and so politickly when he thinketh no eye seeth him , no longer dissembleth with himself , but runneth away like a fearful hart , or hare , laying down his ears , and striking his tall betwixt his legs , like a cur-dog , seldome times looking behinde him , but most irefully upon those that come before him , especially if he receive from them any wound , whereunto horace alluded , saying : quid ut noverca me intueris , aut ut petiia ferro bellua ? in his course he spareth no beast that he meeteth , but falleth upon it like a mad dog , ( except swine ) for he is afraid of their bristles ; and if a man do not attempt to wound him , he will snatch at him , and overthrow him , but do him little harm ; according to these verses of ovid : corpora magnanimo satis est prostrasse leoni : pugna suum finem , cum jacet hostis , habet . he observeth most vigilantly the hand that woundeth him , and laboureth to take revenge for the evil turn , and so it remaineth in his minde , till opportunity send him his adversaries head : as may appear by this story following . when juba king of moors ( the father of him which when he was a childe was brought in triumph ) travelled through the wilderness with an army of souldiers , to repress certain rebels in one part of his dominion , which had shaken off his government , and to settle them again in their first allegiance . there was a noble young souldier in his train , of the race of the nobility , and not only very strong , but also well experienced in hunting , and by the way he with other of his fellows met with a lion , at whom he presently cast a dart , and gave him a sore wound , but not mortal ; after the wound received , the lion went away guilty of his hurt , and the young men did not prosecute him , but went forward on their journey : after a whole year , the king returned homeward the same way , and his company that he carryed with him , among whom was this young gallant that wounded the lion : the lion having recovered his hurt , and having his den near the way and place of his harm , perceiving a return of the army , went furiously among them , and found out the man whose hand had wounded him , and could not by any help of his associates be stayed from a revenge , but tore the young souldier in pieces , and departed away safe , for the residue seeing his rage , ran all away , thinking him to be some devil in the likeness of a lion. after the taking of lions , it followeth that we should intreat of their taming , and first of all , they which are tamed in their infancy while they are whelps , are most meek and gentle , full of sport and play , especially being filled with meat ; so that without danger , a stranger may meet with them : but being hungry , they return again to their own nature , for as it is true ( which seneca saith ) leonibus manus magister inserit , osculatur tigrim suus custos , that is to say ; the master of a lion may put his hand in his mouth , and the keeper of a tyger may kiss him , yet is it also to be feared , tigres leonesque nunquam feritatem exuunt , aliquando submittunt , & cum minime expectaveris , torvitas maligna redibit . lions and tygers do never leave off their wildeness , although sometimes they yeeld , and seem to be submiss , yet upon a sudden when a man expecteth not , their malignant wrath breaketh forth , and they are exasperated . wherefore after they grow to be old , it is impossible to make them utterly tame ; yet we read in divers stories of tame lions , whether made so from their littering , or else constrained by the art of man , such are these which follow ; hanno had a certain lion , which in his expeditions of war carryed his baggage , and for that cause the carthaginians condemned him to banishment , for said they , male credi libertas ei , cui in tantum cessit etiam seritas , it is not safe to trust such a man with the government of the common-wealth , who by wit , policy , or strength , was able to overcome , and utterly to alter the wilde nature of a lion : for they thought he would prove a tyrant , that could bring the lion to such meekness , as to wait on him at table , to lick his face with his tongue , to smooth his hand on his back , and to live in his presence like a little dog. the indians tame lions and elephants , and set them to plough . onomarchus the tyrant of cattana , had lions with whom he did ordinarily converse . in the countrey of elymis there was a temple of adonis , wherein were kept many tame lions which were so far from wildeness , and fierceness , that they would imbrace and salute the people that came in there to offer : also if any one called them to give them meat , they would take it gently , and depart from them with quietness . likewise in the kingdom of fes , in a plain called adecsen , there are certain forrests wherein live tame and , gentle lions , which if a man meet , he may drive away with a small stick or wand without receiving any harm . and in another region of africk , the lions are so tame , that they come daily into cities , and go from one street to another , gathering and eating bones ; from whose presence neither women nor children run away . likewise in many parts of india , they have lions so tame , that they lead them up and down in learns , and accustom them to the hunting of boars , bulls , and wilde asses , like dogs ; for their noses are as well fitted for that purpose , as the best hounds ; as we have shewed before of the king of tartary . and the best means of taming them is the rule of apollonius , which he said was the precept of phareotes , which is , that they be neither handled too roughly , nor too mildely , for if they be beaten with stripes , they grow over stubborn ; and if they be kept in continual flatteries , and used over kindely , they grow over proud : for they held opinion , that by an equal commixtion , of threatning , and fair speaking , or gentle usage , by which means they are more easily brought to good desired conditions ; and this wisdom the ancients did not only use in the taming of lions , but also in restraining of tyrants , putting it as a bridle to their mouths , and a hook in their nostrils , to restrain them from fury and madness . albertus saith , that the best way to tame lions , is to bring up with them a little dog , and oftentimes to beat the same dog in their presence , by which discipline the lion is made more tractable to the will of his keeper . it is said of heliogabalus , that he nourished many tame lions , and tygers , and other such noisome beasts , calling himself their great mother ; and when he had made any of his friends drunk in the night time , he shut them up together ( who quickly fell asleep ) through the heaviness of their heads , who being so asleep , he turned in amongst them some of his foresaid children , both lions , bears , tygers , and such like : at whose presence in the morning , his drunken friends grew so amazed , that oft-times , some of them fell dead for fear : and to conclude , there is a story in a certain epigram , of a lion wandering abroad in the night time , for the avoiding of frost , and cold , came into a fold of goats : at the sight whereof the goat-heards were much afraid , calling in question not only the lives of the flock , but also their own ; because every one of them , thought himself bound to fight unto death in defence hereof : whereupon according to the manner of men in extremity , they all made their prayers , desiring god to be delivered from the lion , and according to their wishes so it came to pass ; for after the lion had lodged in the warm fold of goats a whole night , he departed in the morning , without doing any harm to man or beast ; wherefore i take this lion to be of the tame kinde , and as in all beasts there are differences both of natures , and inclinations , as we may see in dogs , some of them being more apt after the manners of men , and to be ruled by them then others ; so also i see no reason , but that in the fierce , and royal nature of lions , some of them should be more inclinable to obedience , subjection , and submission ; whereunto being once won , they never afterwards utterly shake off their vassasage and yoke of them which overcome them . from hence it came , that there were so many spectacles at rome ; as first of all lucius sylla , in the office of his aedility , or oversight of the temple , brought into the roman circle or ring , one hundred great maned lions loose , which always before that time , were turned in bound or muffled . and king bochus sent so many valiant archers , and dart-casters , to fight with them and destroy them . after him pompey the great , in the same place brought in a combate , consisting of six hundred great lions , and among them there were three hundred fifty maned lions : also he instituted hunting of lions at rome , wherein were slain five hundred . caesar when he was dictator , presented in spectacle four hundred lions . quintus scaevola caused lions to fight one with another . but marcus antonius in the civil war , after the battail of pharsalia , did first of all cause lions to be yoked , and draw the chariot of triumphs ; where he himself sate , with one citheris a jester : which thing was not done , without shew and observations of a prodigious and monstrous action , and especially in those times , wherein it was interpreted , that as the noble spirits of those lions were so much abased , and vassalaged , in stead of horses to draw a chariot , they being in nature the king of beasts , so it was feared that the ancient nobility of rome , the grave senators , and gallant gentlemen , commanders of the whole common-wealth , should in time to come , through civil wars , and pride of the people , be deprived of all honour , and brought down to the basest offices of the whole state. antoninus pius nourished a hundred lions . domitian the emperor , called for acillius gabrio the consul , into albania , about the time that the games were celebrated , for the prosperity of youth and young men , which were called juvenalia , to fight with a great lion , and acillius coming wisely into the combate , did easily kill him . in ancient time when lions could not be tamed , they did discern them by their teeth , and nails , and so taking as it were the sting and poyson from the serpent , and the weapons wherein consisteth all their strength , they were without all peril , sent into the publick assemblies , at the time of their general meetings , and great feasts . martial hath an excellent epigram , of the great lion before exhibited in publick spectacle by domitian , wondering that the massylian and ausonian shepheards were so afraid of this lion and made as great a noise , and murmur , about his presence , as if he had been a heard of lions , and therefore he commendeth the lybian countrey for breeding such a beast , and withal expresseth the joy of the shepheards for his death , as are shown in these verses following : auditur quantum massyla per avia murmur , iunumero quoties sylva leone furit : pallidus attonitos ad plena mapalia pastor cum revocat tauros , & sine mente pecus : tantus in ausonia fremuit modo terror arena ; quis non esse gregem crederet ? unus erat , sed cujus tremerent ipsi quoque jura leenes , cui diadema daret marmore picta nomas . o quantum per colla decus , quem sparsit honorem aurea lunatae cum stetit unda jubae 〈◊〉 grandia quam decuit lotum venabula pectus , quantaque de magna gaudia morte tulit ? vnde tuis lybie tam felix gloria sylvis ? a cybeles nunquio venerat ille jugis ? an magis hereulo germanice misit ab astro hanc tibi vel frater , vel pater ipse feram ? we have shewed already that lions although never so well tamed , become wilde again , and that through hunger , which breaketh through stone walls , according to the common proverb , and therefore maketh them to destroy whatsoever cometh in their way , according to these verses of virgil ; impastus ceu plena leo per ovilla turbans , ( suadet enim vesena fames ) manditque trahitque molle pecus , mutumque metu , fremit ore cruento . such a one was the lion of borsius duke of ferrara , who being in his cave would devour bulk , bears , and boars , but with a hare or little whelp he would play , and do them no harm ; at 〈◊〉 leaving all his tamable nature , he destroyed a young wench , who oftentimes came unto him to com 〈…〉 and stroke his mane , and also to bring him meat and flowers , upon whom stroza made these two verses ; sustulit ingratus cui quondam plurima debens pectendasque jubas , & fera colla dabat . the like unto this also , was the tame lion that marital speaketh of , who returning to his first 〈◊〉 ture , destroyed two young children , and therefore he saith justly , that his cruelty exceedeth the cruelty of war ; the epigram is this : verbera securi solitus leo ferre magistri , insertamque pati blandus in ora manum , dedidicit pacem subito , feritate reversa , quanta nec in lybicis debuit esse jugis . nam duo de tenera puerilia corpora turba , sanguineam rastris quae renovabat humum , saevus & infoelix furiali dente peremit , martia non vidit majus arena nefas . having thus spoken of the taming and taking lions , it also now followeth to entreat of the length of their life , and the diseases that are incident unto them , with their several cures : first therefore , it is held that they live very long , as threescore , or fourscore years : for it hath been seen , that when a lion hath been taken alive , and in his taking received some wound whereby he became lame , or lost some of his teeth , yet did he live many years ; and also it is found that some have been taken without teeth , which were all fallen out of their head through age , and aelianus saith , that a lion and a dolphin , do both consume away through multitude of years . the sicknesses wherewithal they are annoid , are not very many , but those which they have are continual : for the most part their intrails or inward parts , are never sound , but subject to corruption , as may appear by their spittle , and also by their biting , and scratching of their nails ; for a man lightly touched by them at some times is as much poysoned , as the biting of a mad dog ; also by reason of his extreme hot nature , every each other day he suffereth one sickness or other , at which time he lyeth prostrate upon the earth , roaring not all the day long , but at certain hours , and in his wrath he is consumed through the heat inclosed in his own body . and in his best estate he is afflicted with a quartane ague , even then when he seemeth to be in health , and except this disease did restrain his violence and malice by weakning of his body , he would be far more hurtful to mankinde then he is : and this is to be understood , in the summer time he falleth into this disease sometime at the sight of a man , and is cured by the bloud of dogs , according to albertus and physiologus , when he feeleth himself sick , through abundance of meat , he falleth a vomiting , either by the strength of nature , or else helpeth himself by eating a kinde of grass , or green corn in the blade , or else rapes ; and if none of these prevail , then he fasteth , and eateth no more till he finde ease ; or else if he can meet with an ape , he devoureth and eateth his flesh , and this is the principal remedy and medicine which he receiveth against all his diseases , both in youth and age ; and when he groweth old , being no more able to hunt harts , boars , and such beasts , he exerciseth his whole strength in the hunting and taking of apes , whereupon he liveth totally ; and for these causes , there is a comparison betwixt the lion and the dolphin , in aelianus . leoni , & delphino multa sunt communia , uterque imparat , ille terrenis , hic aquatilibus bestiis , senectute ambo tabescunt , & cum sunt in aegritudine , illi terrestris simia medetur , huic marina quoque simia remedio est : that is , the lion and the dolphin do agree in many things , both of them are kings , this ruleth over the beasts of the earth , and that over the beasts of the sea ; both of them consume through age , and long life ; and as the lion recovereth by eating an ape of the earth , so is the dolphin cured by eating an ape of the sea ; and thus much for the diseases and cures of lion. unto this natural discourse of lions belongeth the use of their parts , both outward and inward , and also the several pictures and statues erected for their singular monuments . first therefore with the skins of lions were the ancient moores and barbarians , inhabiting betwixt the mountain caucasus and the river cophena , and so they appeared to apollonius and his companions ; as also in the skins of panthers , with both which , they did not only clothe themselves in the day time , but also slept upon them in the night ; and therefore hercules is pictured wearing a lions skin , that the world might be admonished , what was the antient attire of their fore-fathers . virgil describeth aventinus covered with a lions skin in this sort : — quem fulva leonis pellis obit totum praefulgens unguibus aures . and again : ipse pedes tegmen torquens immane leonis , terribili impexum seta , cum dentibus albis , indutus capiti , &c. — and aeneas sleeping upon a lions skin , saying : — fulvique insternor pelle leonis . and elsewhere , praecipuumque toro , & villosi pelle leonis accipit aeneam . — adrastus was commanded by the oracle to marry his daughters to a boar and a lion , when they came a wooing unto them . whereupon tydeus came in a boars skin , and polynices in a lions skin , unto whom he gave his daughters in marriage , taking it to be the meaning of the oracle , that men clothed in those skins should be the husbands of his daughters . from hence came the common proverb ; induitis me leonis exuvium , you put upon me a lions skin , to signifie a man that taketh upon him more then he is able to perform , and spend more then their condition will afford , and the beginning of the proverb was taken from hercules , who clothed in a lions skin as we have said before , and bearing in one hand a club , and in the other a bow , in which attire he went down to hell to fetch out cerberus . afterwards there was one bacohus , which clothed with the same weed , and armed with the same weapons in like sort , in the imitation of hercules , went down to hell , to hear the fained disputation betwixt the two poets , euripides , and aeschylus , at the sight whereof hercules laughed , telling him , that such apparel did nothing at all become him , because he was wanton , tender , and effeminate . for it is not available to have a rich ceremony , and want the true substance ; a glorious outside , and a shameful inside ; the armour of a champion , and the heart of a base coward ; the outward shews of holiness , and the inward love of profaness . others do think that the proverb was taken from that ass called asinus cumanus , who being weary of his servitude and bondage , slipt collar , and ran away into the wilde woods , where finding by chance a lions skin , he crept into it , and wore it upon his body , under colour whereof he ruffled up and down the woods , to the terrour of all the beasts , both with his tail and his fearful voice : and the cumanes themselves , which had never seen a lion , were not a little afraid of this counterfeit beast . in this fashion he domineer'd a good time , until at last there came a stranger to cumae , who seeing the counterfeit personate ass-lion by the way , having oftentimes seen both lions and asses , knew it for an ass in a lions skin ; for if all other conjectures failed , yet this proved true , namely the length of his ears ; wherefore he beat him well , and brought him home to his master , before whom he pulled off the lions skin , and then his master knew him to be his ass . from which socrates concludeth wisely , that no man ought to be afraid of outward greatness , because though the ass was clothed with a lions skin , yet he was but an ass . and that the skins of lions was used in garments , the saying of lysander the lacedemonian doth sufficiently prove ; for when he was blamed for his outward pomp , whereby he beguiled others , therefore condemned for foolish hypocrisie , he made this answer , quo leonis pervenire pellis non potest , vulpinam ●ssuisse decuerit , every man ought to have two sutes of apparel , one of a fox , and another of the lion. for whither the lions skin cannot come , the fox will creep , and where the fox cannot come , the lion can . clothes wrapt in a lions skin killeth moths : also a mans body anointed with the fat of a lion mingled with garlick , so as the savour of the garlick may overcome the lions grease , he shall never be molested with wolfs . also if the folds of sheep be compassed about with the melted grease of lions , there is no wolfs , nor ravening beasts will annoy the flock . and so great is the fear of lions to wolfs , that if any part of a lions grease be cast into a fountain , the wolves never dare to drink thereof , or to come near unto it . also pliny affirmeth , that if an amulet be made of lions grease , no man shall be harmed , wounded , or killed , by treachery or deceit : but you must understand , that this was an invention of the magicians or wise men , that by such pretences and promises of great matters , they might insinuate themselves into the favour of princes and noble men , and so make fools of the world ; and therefore they prescribe the fat which is taken from betwixt the eye-lids , or from the right part of their mouth or teeth , and the hairs from the neather chap. it is likewise affirmed , that a man anointed all over with the bloud of a lion , shall never be destroyed by any wilde beast . there is an herb which democritus calleth heliani●e , growing in the maritime mountains of cilicia , and themiscira , wherewithal the fat of lions decocted with saffron , and paulm wine , with which all the kings of persia were anointed , to make them beautiful bodies to look upon . and above all other things , the magitians prescribed this composition , to make a man invincible ; the tail and head of a dragon , the hairs of a lions fore-head , and the marrow of his bones , the spume or white mouth of a conquering horse , bound up together with a dogs claws in a harts skin , with the nerves of a hart or roe . the dung of a lion drunk in wine , maketh a man for ever more to abhor wine . it was also wont to be observed , that when lions forsook the mountains and woods , to come and live in fruitful and fertil soils , it did fore-shew some great drought ; and the like divination did agarista the mother of pericles make upon her dream , when she was with childe , for she thought she brought forth a lion , and so in short time after she brought forth pericles , who was a valiant man , and a great conqueror in graecia . the sight also of a lion as a man travelleth by the high ways , is very ominous , and taken for an evil signe . there was also a prophesie given out by pythias , concerning cypselus , the son of action , which said in this manner ; concipit in petris aquila enixura leonem robustum , saevum , genua & qui multa resolvet . haec bene nunc animis versate , corinthia proles , qui colitis pulchram pallenem , altamque corinthum . in the year of our lord ▪ there was a certain noble woman in the bishoprick of kostnizer , which brought forth a childe like to a lioness in all parts , but it had the skin of a man : unto this discourse i may add the images of lions , both in temples , and also upon shields ; and first of all in the temple where the shield of agamenmon hung up ; ( as paucennius writeth ) there was the picture ( fear , ) drawn with a lions head , because as the lion sleepeth little , and in his sleep his eyes be open ; so is the condition of fear ; for we have shewed already , that the lion when he sleepeth hath his eyes open , and when he waketh he shutteth them , and therefore the ancients did symbolically picture of a lion upon the doors of their temples , and upon the ships also , in the fore-part of them , they ingraved the figure of lions , according to this saying of virgil : — aeneia puppis prima tenet rostro , phrygios subjecta leones . it was also a usual custom to picture lions about fountains and conduits , especially among the egyptians , that the water might spring forth of their mouths , quoniam nilus arvs● aegypti novam uquam invehit , sole transeunte leonem ; because that nilus did ove● flow the fields of egypt , at what time the sun passed through the sign leo. therefore also the river alpheus was called leontios poros , the lions fountain , because at the heads thereof , there were dedicated the pictures of many lions . there was a noble harlot called leaena , which was acquainted with the tyrannies of harmodius , and aristogiton ; for which cause she was apprehended , and put to grievous torments , to the intent she should disclose them , but she endured all unto death , never bewraying any part of their counsel : after her death , the athenians devising how to honour that vertue , and because she was a harlot or common curtizan , they were not willing to make a statue for her in the likeness of a woman , but as her name was leaena , that signifieth a lioness , so they erected for her the picture of a lioness ; and that they might express the vertue of her secresie , they caused it to be framed without a tongue . upon the grave of lais , there was a covering containing the picture of a lion , holding a ram in his fore-feet by the buttocks , with an inscription that a lion held the ram ; so do harlots hold their lovers , which alciatus turned into this epigram : quid scalptus sibi vult aries , quem parte leaena vnguibus apprensum posteriore tenet ? non aliter captos quod & ipsa teneret amantes , vir gregis est aries , clune tenetur amans . there was also a lion at delphos , which weighed ten talents of gold ; and at the entrance of thermopylae upon the tombe of leonides the captain of the spartans , there stood a lion of stone : upon the steps of the capitol of rome , there were two lions of black marble touch-stone . and the cyziceni ingraved upon one side of their money the picture of a lion , and on the other side the face of a woman . king solomon built his ivory throne upon two lions of brass ; and upon the steps or stairs ascending up to that throne were placed twelve lions , here and there . and from hence it came , that many kings and states gave in their arms the lion , rampant , passant , and regardant , distinguished in divers colours in the fields of or , argent , azure , and sables , with such other terms of art. the earth it self was wont to be expressed by the figure of a lion ; and therefore the image of atergas was supported with lions . cybele the faigned goddess of the mountains was carryed upon lions . and it is faigned that the curetes , which nourished jupiter in creet , who was committed to them by his mother rhea , by the anger of saturn , were turned into lions , who afterwards by jupiter when he reigned , were made the kings of beasts , and by him enjoyned to draw the chariot of his mother rhea , according to this verse ; ei junctae currum domina subiere leones . there is a constellation in heaven called the lion , of whom germanicus writeth in this sort , that he is the greatest and most notable amongst the signes of the zodiack , containing three stars in his head and one clear one in his breast , and that when the sun cometh to that signe which happeneth in the month of july , at which time the vehement heat of summer burneth the earth , and dryeth up the rivers . and therefore because the lion is also of a hot nature , and seemeth to partake of the substance and quantity of the sun , he hath that place in the heavens . for in heat and force he excelleth all other beasts , as the sun doth all other stars . in his breasts and fore-part he is most strong , and in his hinder-part more weak , so is the sun , encreasing until the noon or fore-part of the year , until the summer , and afterwards seemeth to languish towards the setting , or later part of the year called the winter . and the lion also seemeth always to look up with a fiery eye , even as the sun which is patent with the perpetual and infatigal sight upon the earth . the lion also is a signification of the sun , for the hairs of his m 〈…〉 e do resemble the streaming beams of the sun , and therefore this constellation is styled with the same epithets that the lion and the sun are , as heat-bearing , aestive , ardent , arent , calent , hot , flammant , burning , herculean , mad , horrible , dreadful , cruel , and terrible . it is feigned of the poets , that this lion was the nemaean lion slain by hercules , which at the commandment of juno was fostered in arcadia , and that in anger against hercules after his death , she placed him in the heavens . to conclude this story of the lions , it is reported of the davils called onosceli , that they slew themselves sometimes in the shapes of lions and dogs , and the dog of serapis , which was feigned to have three heads , on the left side a wolfs , on the right side a dogs , and in the middle a lions . we have shewed already , that the people called ampraciotae , did worship a lioness , because she killed a tyrant . and the egyptians builded a city to the honor of lions , calling it leontopolis , and dedicating temples to vulcan for their honor . and in the porches of heliopolis , there were common stipends for the nourishing of lions . as in other places where they are fed daliy with beef , and have also windowes in their lodgings , with great parkes and spaces allotted unto them for their recreation and exercises : with an opinion that the people that came unto them to offer and worship them , should see a speedy revenge through divine judgement upon all those that had wronged them by perjury , or broken the oath of fidelity . to conclude , in holy scripture we finde that our saviour christ is called the lion of the tribe of judah ; for as he is a lamb in his innocency , so is he a lion in his fortitude . the devil also is called a roaring lion , because lions in their hunger are most of all full of fury and wrath . and so i will conclude and end this story of lions with that emblem of alciatus , describing how little hares did rejoyce and leap upon dead lions : aeacidae moriens percussu cuspidis hector , qui t●ties hostes vicerat ante suos ; comprimere haud potuit vocem insult antibus illis , dum curru & pedibus nectere vincla parant . distrahite ut libitum est : sic cossi luce leonis convellant barbam vel timidi lepores . the medicines of the lion. the bloud of a lion being rubbed or spred upon a canker , or upon a sore which is swelled about the veins , will presently and without any pain cure and ease the grief thereof . whosoever doth anoint his body all over with the bloud of a lion , may safely and without any danger travel amongst any wilde beasts whatsoever . the flesh of a lion being eaten either by a man or woman which is troubled with dreames and fantasies in the night time , will very speedily and effectually work him ease and quietness . the same also being boyled or baked , and given to them which are distraught of their wits to eat , doth bring them ease and comfort , and renew their wits again : it is also very good for the pains of deafness or the ears . and being taken in drink , it helpeth those which are troubled with the shaking of the joynts or the palsie . whosoever shall have shooes made of the hide or skin of a lion or wolf , and wear them upon his feet , he shall never have any pain or ach in them . they will also defend him that useth them from the gowt , or swelling in the feet or legs . the skin or hide of a lion is also very good for either man or woman which are troubled with the piles or swelling of the veins , if they shall but at some several times sit upon it . the fat of a lion is reported to be contrary to poison , and venemous drinks , and being taken in wine , it will by the sent expell all wilde beasts from any one ; and it doth also resist and drive away the sent or smell of serpents , by which they follow men to destroy them . whosoever doth anoint his body all over with the tallow or fewet of the reins or kidney of a lion , shall by the sent and savour thereof expell and drive away from him all wolves , how greedy and ravenous soever they be . a man being throughly anointed with the grease of a lion being melted , doth drive away from him and put to flight any living creature whatsoever , and also venemous and poisonous serpents themselves . if any wilde beast be anointed with the tallow or sewet of a lion which is dissolved and clarified , he shall neither be troubled with the stinging of flies or bees . the fat or grease of a lion being mingled with oyl of roses doth keep the skin of the face free from all blastings and blemishes , being annointed thereupon , and doth also preserve the whiteness thereof , and being mingled with snow-water , doth heal any flesh which is burnt or scorched upon a man , and doth also cure the swelling of the joynts . the sewet or fat of a lion being mingled with other ointments , and anointed upon the places of either man or woman who have any blemishes in any part of their bodies , doth presently expell the same . the same virtue hath the dung or dirt of a lion being mixed with the aforesaid unguent . the grease of a lion being dissolved and presently again conglutinated together , and so being anointed upon the body of those who are heavie and sad , it will speedily extirpate all sorrow and grief from their hearts . the same also being mixed with the marrow of a hart and with lettice , and so beaten and bruised , and afterwards mingled all together , is an excellent remedy against the shrinking of the nerves and sinews , and the aches of the bones and knuckles about the legs , being anointed thereon . the grease of a lion by it self only , mixed with a certain ointment , is also very profitable to expell the gowt . the same being mingled with oyl of roses , doth ease and help those which are troubled dayly with agues and quartern fevers . the i same also being dissolved and powred into the ears of any one which is troubled with any pain in them , will presently free him from the same . there is also in this lions grease , another excellent virtue which is this , that if the jawbone of any one be swelled and anointed over with this grease being melted , it will very speedily avoid the pain thereof . the fat or sewet of a lion being melted and mixed with certain other things , and so ministred unto any one that is troubled with the wringing of the bowels , and bloudy flux , in the same manner as a glyster is used , is commended for an excellent remedy for the same . the same also being mingled with a certain oyl and warmed together , and anointed upon the head of any one , whose hair doth shed , or is troubled with the foxes evill , doth immediately help and cure the 〈…〉 the seed of a hare being mixed with the fat of a lion , and anointed upon the privie 〈◊〉 of any one , will stir and incitate them up to lust , how chast soever they shall be . the fat of a lion mingled with the fat of a bear , and melted together , being anointed upon the belly , doth allay and asswage the hardness thereof , as also any other pain or grief in the same . the brains of a lion as also of a cat , being taken in drink , doth make him and unto whom it is given . the same being mingled with some small quantity of oyl of spike , and powred or distilled into the eares of any one which is deaf or thick of hearing , will very effectually cure the deafness . if the eye teeth of a lion be hung about the neck of a young childe before that he cast his teeth , and the beginning of his second or new teeth , they will keep him for ever from having any ach or pain in them . the heart of a lion being beaten into small powder , and taken in drink , doth very speedily cure and heal those which are troubled with agues or quartain fevers . the liver of the lion being dryed and beaten to powder , and put in the purest wine which is possible to be gotten , and so drunk , doth take away the pain and grief from any one which is troubled with his liver . the gall of a lion being taken in drink by any one , doth kill or poison him out of hand . but some do impute this venom to be in the gall of a leopard . the gall of a lion being mixed with pure water , and anointed upon the eyes of any one , will take away the blemishes thereof , and cause them to see clearly : and the fat of the lion being added thereunto , is an excellent remedy against the falling sickness . a very little part or dram of the gall of the lion being put in wine and so drunk , will speedily help and cure those which are troubled with the yellow jaundise . the same disease is also cured by yellow carets being stamped and put in wine , and so given in drink . for the sores or blemishes in the eyes , the gall of a lion being mingled with hony , and so anointed upon them , is commended for a very special and effectual cure or healing . the gall of a lion , a bear , or an ox being mixed with certain other unguents , is very much used for the extending or moving forward of conception . the right stone of a lion ▪ being beaten together with roses , and so strained hard untill some liquid juyce or water doth proceed from them , and so taken in drink , doth make that party barren unto whom it is given : it hath the like effect in it , if it be eaten either roasted or broyled , or raw and bloudy . the fat which proceedeth from the privity or secret parts of a she lion being put in a vessell made of ivory , and so being temperately mollified , is commended for a very effectual and speedy means to hinder conception . the dung or dirt of a lion being dryed into powder , and mixed with some certain soft and easie ointment , with which any one may be easily anointed over all his body , doth drive away the blemishes and spots in the skin . the hurts or sores which are bitten either by a male or female lion , are so full of matter and filthy corruption , that the running thereof can be stayed and repressed neither by lapping of clothes about them , nor by washing them by spunges : they are cured by the same means as the sores which are bitten by ravenous dogs are , as i have before declared in the cures of the hyaena . the wounds which are made by the teeth of a lion are very hurtful ; for as much as the venome of their interior parts doth go into the wounds , and when the wounds are tied , the venome issueth from them into the things with which they are tied , 〈…〉 again bound upon the wound , doth so infect it , that it can be cured by no other means but by the afore-said medicine . the bitings of lions and such like beasts are so dangerous , i● regard of their strength and 〈…〉 ness , for they do not only bite , but also wr●●th and 〈…〉 teeth or nails . and t 〈…〉 of the linx . the picture of a linx once in the tower of london , which was first described by doctor cay . the wilde beast which among the germans is named luchss , by making a name from the linx , or as others write lux , or luxs : amongst the italians is at this day called lupo 〈◊〉 , or cerverio , being engendéred betwixt a hinde and a wolf ; and likewise amongst the rhaetians which speak italian : and the sabaudians , and the dalmatians or illyridns , cerviro . but there was a certain b●bemia● of late , which declared that the linx as he conjectured ; was called among the illyrians , rys , ( and that it was called luchss among the germans ) but that amongst the illyrians was lesser then the other , yet very like . the spaniards do as yet call him by the latin name lince , even as certain italian writers in their vulgar tongue , as alunnus doth testifie . in certain places in helvetia , and about sed●●● , they call him thierwolf . amongst the barbarous writers he is called by the name of an ounce ; which i do suppose to be a panther . fr. alunnus doth say , that this beast was called of certain italian writers in the vulgar tongue , lonza , some interpreting it to be a lioness , some a pardal , a panther , or a wolf , engendred of a hinde and a wolf. ounces do commonly seem to be called rather linxes then panthers ; but although some late writers do attribute the name to a leopard or a lesser panther , it seemeth notwithstanding corrupt from the linx : for he is a creature very like him both in his craft and shape of his body , but a linx hath his tail shorter , and his longer . libards-bane doth kill leopards and linxes . these figures were taken by olaus magnus , wherein the linx pursneih a wilde cat. the latins call this beast lupus cervarius , and lynx of the greek word lugx , from whence the german , ein luchs : and it hath been believed , that the latin name was given unto it , because they were ingendred betwixt a wolf and hind , but there is no wise man that will suppose or be easily induced to believe , that beasts of such hostility , and adverse dispositions in nature , should ever ingender or suffer copulation together ; and therefore i rather suppose that it is called cervarius , either because it hunteth harts and hinds , or else because it imitateth their young ones in the outward colour and spots in the skins . there was a beast ( saith pliny ) which was called chaus , and by the french , raphlus , brought in publick spectacle by pompey the great , out of france , which in shape resembleth a wolf , and in spots a leopard ; and therefore i think that chaus , raphlus , and lupus cervarius , are divers names of one and the same wilde beast and yet by divers writers it is confounded with the thoes , or with the panther , or with the ounce . but i cannot agree thereunto , seeing it is written by pliny , that about the river padus in kuly , there are certain beasts called lynces , from whence cometh the lyncurion , which by zenothomis are called langae , and by others languriae . and solinus also agreeth thereunto , taking lupus gervarius , for a kind of linx . some have fabled that there is a beast called lynceus , which suidas and varinus call oxurderches : and they say , that the eyes of it are the best sighted of all the beasts in the world . oppianus maketh two kind of linxes , one a greater , and hunteth harts and great beasts ; the other a smaller , and hunteth wilde cats and hares . and first of all i will set down the description of this beast , according as it was taken in england by that learned physitian d. cay , whose words i do here expresse . there is in the tower of london ( saith john cay ) a beast which eateth 〈◊〉 , his whole body being of the greatness of a lamb of two moneths old , having his head , mouth , feet , and nails like to a cat. but concerning his beard and tail , his beard hangeth down on both sides , divided in the middle with sundry colours , the former being white , and the latter black ; his tail is short and thick , being from the middle to the uppermost prart red , and to the lower part black ; his eyes being yellow , the hair of the eye-lids obscurely waxing white . his ears erected upright , as the ears of a cat , being replenished within with white hair , without covered with white and black , but so that the upper part is black , the middle ( for it is divided into three parts ) be white , and the lowest black again . neither is it content to be ended in his own course , except also that his former parts , or the farthest brinkes or edges , and also his latter may be bended on the other side , in like manner as the edges of the priests hat of the grecian church are folded amongst the venetians . in the top of his ears there are placed some black hairs , as it were a foretop or tust . the colour of this beast in the outmost parts is red , in the innermost white , but sprinkled here with black spots , and almost by rowes ; and there with spots somewhat lighter then the other , all his hair being for the most part white all over : all his body , except the aforesaid spots , as it is in certain black skins of young conies . and on both the sides of his nose there are four spots set in order . in both his lips , as now we will declare : in his uppermost lip there are five orders or rowes , being of a very eqnall distance . in the first row , and the upper , four ; in the second , five ; in the third , eight ; in the fourth , five ; in the fift , there are four ; and these also every one in his order , having an equall distance . in the lower lip there are only seven more manifest and evident , being placed in two rowes . in the first , four , to the very mouth of the lip ; in the second after them three others ; after these , other lesser but not placed with so certain and true order as the uppermost . in the upper lip on both sides there are certain white hairs being rougher then those in cats and , lions . his nose is somewhat of a pale red colour , being somewhat distinct or apart from the rest rest of his face on every side with a black line . another line also doth divide the outermost part of his nose by length ( as in an ounce ) but only being lightly lead by the top or highest parts , not impressed higher by the lowermost . the skin of his feet are exceeding hard , and his nails are hid in his feet ( as the nails of an ounce and a cats are ) neither doth he put them forth at any time , unlesse in taking of his prey as they do . he doth climb wonderfully , so that what he may be able to do in that thing ( either in his cave or den ) nature her self doth teach . he is a quick-moving creature , and cannot stand still in a place , so that except ( by meer chance ) the voice of a wood-pecker in the basket of a certain countrey man ( who came then only to see the lions ) had made him quiet and attentive , there had been no hope of the portraiting out the picture of his body . he being present he was most quiet ; but he going away , he would never stand still : wherefore i was constrained to send my man after the countrey-man to buy the bird , which being present , he stood very still untill the business was dispatched and the work absolutely perfected . our countreymen call it luzarne , it is doubtful whether we should call it leunce , or lynx , in the affinity of the words . his skin is used by noble men , and is sold for a great price . he is angry at none but them which offer him injury ; his voice is like a cats , when he would snatch away the food from his fellow . he is loving and gentle unto his keeper , and not cruell unto any man. so far doctor cay . unto this description of doctor caius , i may add another description that was taken by the sight of the skin of this beast . the length whereof from the tip of the nose unto the very tail , was four spans and five fingers , and the length of the tail seven fingers , the breadth of the shoulder-blades of his back , and the top of his neck , was two palmes six fingers and a span ; the length of his forelegs , a span and five fingers ; and the length of his hinder-legs , a span and three fingers ; the hair was very soft , but yet thick and deep , the tips of the hair upon his back were white , but in the neathermost parts they were red , and they are most white which fall downwards on both sides from the middle of his back . in the middle they are more red and duskie , the middle of the belly , and especially the lower part is white , but both sides of it are white and red , and every where upon his belly there are black spots , but most plentiful in the bottom of the belly , and on both sides . the uppermost part of his neck , right over against his ears , hath great black spots , his ears are small , and not bigger then a little triangle , in the edges they are black , although with the black hairs there are mingled some white . his beard is mixed with black and white hair , which hair is great like to bristles . the teeth are most white , and the upper canine teeth hang over the neather the breadth of a finger , whereof six are small , and of those six two are the greatest , and all the residue are very small on the neather chap ; and to conclude , all the teeth were like a common weasils or martil . his feet were very rough , being five distinct claws upon the fore-feet , and four upon the hinder , which claws were very white and sharp . the tail was of equall bigness and thickness , but in the tip thereof it is black . these skins are sold for three nobles a piece , and sometimes for six , and sometimes for lesse , according to the quantity of the skin and countrey wherein it is sold . and unto this description do bellonius and bonarus agree . for bellonius at constantinople saw two linxes , much like unto cats ; and bonarus had oftentimes seen them hunted in moschovia , lituania , polonia , hungaria , and germany ; but he commendeth above all the linxes of scotland and swesia , as most beautiful , having triangular spots upon their skins . but the indian and african linxes , he saith have round spots , sharp-bristly short hair , and full of spots on all parts of their body , and therefore they are not so delicate as the linxes of europe . which with good cause he conjectureth to be the linx that pliny speaketh of , and not unlike to that which is bred in italy . there are linxes in divers countries , as in the forenamed russia , lituania , polonia , hungary , germany , scotland , so also they are most abundant in scandinavia , in swesia , so also about hyelsus , and helsyngia : likewise in all the regions upon the alpes , and in sylva martia , they are also very plentiful in ethiopia , in france and italy , about the river padus , and in the island carpathus . and thus having discoursed of their countrey and proportion , whereby their differences and kinds may be discerned , we will leave every one of them to their particular , and proceed to the treatise and description of their general natures . there is no great difference betwixt their outward shapes and proportion , for both the smaller and the greater have bright eyes , divers coloured skins , a little head , a nimble and chearful face , and ( albertus saith ) that their body is longer then the body of a wolf , but their legs shorter , mistaking the linx for the thoes . their eyes stand forth of their heads very far , their tongue like the tongue of a serpent , and textor affirmeth that they have paps or udders in their breasts , but surely he taketh lynx for sphinx . their meat goeth into the belly straight through the maw , without staying , and therein is a note of their insatiable voracity , for none but insatiable beasts or birds are so affected , as in birds , the cormerant . it hath no ankle bone , but a thing like unto it ; the nails are very long , as you may see in two of the former pictures , but he hideth them within his skin till he be angry , ready to fight or climb , or otherwise affected , as you may see by the picture of the linx taken in the tower of london . the inward proportion and anatomy of their bodies is like unto a man , and therefore galen giveth this lesson to students in physick , prastat simiarum homini quam simillimarun artus diss●care , cum 〈◊〉 in exemplo exercese institues , sin ea non detur , aliquam ei proximam deligito , an t si nulla omnino simia reperiatur , cynocephalum , vel satyrum , vel lincem , ea omnia , quibus artuum extrema in digitos quieque discreta sual ; that is to say , it is good to diffect those bodies which are likest to a man , when one would instruct himself in anatomy , and if he cannot finde an ape , let him take a baboon , a satyr , or a linx , and generally any creature , the extremity of whose sinews and joynts are divided into five fingers or toes . there be some that have thought , that panthers , pardals , linxes , or tygers , had been all of the kinde of cats , because of mutual resemblance in the greatness and strength of their nails , in the distinction of their skins , which are party coloured and fair , having also a round head , a short face , a long tail , a nimble body , a wild mind , and get their meat by hunting : but herein i leave every man to this own best liking and opinion : for when we have done our best to expresse their natures and several properties , it shall be idle to spend time about disputation to what rank or order every beast ought to be referred . for every one that readeth our story , and seeth out pictures may either be satisfied , or else amend our labour . the linx therefore biteth most cruelly and deep , and therefore is accounted , rapax animal , instar lupi , sed callidius , a beast as revening as a wolf , but more crafty ; they get up into trees , and from them leap down upon very great beasts , and destroy them , being enemies both to men and beasts , and at their pleasure , according to necessity , set upon both . they are taken sometimes in germany , in the dutchy of wertinberg , and that it was once credibly affirmed , one of them leaped down from a tree upon a countrey man , as he passed under the same tree , but being weary , and having an ax on his neck , received her on the sharp edge thereof , and so killed her , otherwise she would soon have killed him . they live in the mountains also , where they are killed by poison , or else hunted by armed men on horse-back , and included with multitudes , for their hunting is perilous , and therefore they must be inclosed with great company . some take them with ditches , as we heard before lions were taken ; others in snares or gins laid upon the rocks , and stones , and whensoever they are hunted with dogs , they run directly to the woods or to the next trees , wherein they are killed by gun shot . in the summer time they are very weak and live among the rockes , never straying far from their own lodging , hurting no man untill the autumn . they hunt wilde goats , whom they follow from rock to rock , leaping as fast or faster then the goats . they hunt also wilde cats and hares , and some other little beasts ; but the greatest linxes hunt harts and asses , and their manner is as we have said already , to get up into trees , and there to lie in wait for their prey , untill they espy it under the boughs , and then suddenly leap into the neck thereof , whether it be a man or a great beast , wherein they fix their claws so last , that no violence can shake them off , but with the sharpness of their teeth , bite into the scull , and eat out the brains , to the utter destruction of the man or beast , whomsoever they light upon , but if it be a small beast , they eat the whole body thereof , and not only the brains . yet this is a wonderful secret in their nature , that although they be long afflicted with hunger , yet when they eat their meat , if they hear any noise , or any other chance cause them to turn about from their meat , out of the sight of it , they forget their prey notwithstanding their hunger , and go to seek another booty , never remembring that which they had before them , nor yet return back again to eat thereof . the voice of this beast is called by a speciall word in latin , orcare , or corcare , which i may english croaking , or whining , for the voice thereof is not great , and therefore the author of philomela saith , dum linces orcando fremunt , ursus ferus uncat ; while the linx croaketh , the wilde bear whineth . and arlunus saith , corcare vox lupi cervarll ; to croak is the voice of a linx . it is thought that of all beasts they see most brightly , for the poets faign , that their eye sight pierceth through every solid body , although it be as thick as a wall : yet if you offer unto it any thing which is transparent , it is much offended , and sometimes blinded , but i cannot tell , whether the sight be attributed to the linx truely according to nature , or fabulously in imitation of the poetical fiction of lynceus , of whom it was said in ancient time , that he saw through stone wals , of whom horace writeth thus : si poss●s oculo , quantum contendere lyneeus , non tamen 〈◊〉 contemn●● lippus inungl . marcus tullius also saith in this manner , in the admiration of lynceus eye-sight , as though darkness did not hinder it , quis est tam lynccus qui in tantis tenebris nihil effendat ? apollonius saith , that so great was the perfection of this mans eye-sight , as he was believed to see perfectly down into the earth , and what was done in hell. plutarch saith , that he could see through trees and rocks . pausanias writeth , that he was a king , and raigned after danaovita . pyndarus writeth , that ida and lynceus were the sons of aphareus , and that a contention growing betwixt ida , and castor , and pollux at the marriage of helena because they twain would have ravished phoebe and illayra , the wives of ida and lynceus ; ida did therefore slay castor , and afterwards lynceus slew pollux when he spyed him lie under an oake , from the mountain taygetus . wherefore jupiter slew ida with lightning , and placed castor and pollux in heaven among the stars . there was another lynceus husband of hypermnestra , daughter of danaus , which danaus having commanded all his daughters in the night time to kill their husbands , she only spared her husband lynceus . but the truth is , that lynceus of whom there is so many fables of his eye-sight , was the first that found out the mines of gold , silver and brasse in the earth , and therefore simple people seeing him bring gold and silver out of the earth , and coming now and then upon him while he was digging deep for it , using the light of candles , which he never brought out of the pits , they foolishly imagined , that by the sight of his eyes he was first of all led to seek for those treasures , and from hence came the common proverb , lynceo perspicacior , for a man of excellent eye-sight . and to conclude , others say , that lynceus could see the new moon the same day or night that she changed , and that therefore the fame of his eye-sight came so to be celebrated , because never any mortall man saw that sight , himself excepted . and from these fables of lynceus came the opinion of the singular perspicacity of the beast linx : of whom as i said before , as the sight is very excellent , and so far excelling men ( as galen saith ) like as is also the sight of eagles , so i do not hold any such extraordinary and miraculous sense to be in this beast , after any other manner , then the poets did faign it to be in lynceus , except as before said , omnes imbecilliore sumus cernendi potestate , si aquilarum & lyncis acuminibus conferamur . and therefore the proverb before spoken of , may as well be applyed metaphysically to the beast linx , as poetically to the man lynceus ; and so much may suffice for the sight . it is reported also that when they see themselves to be taken , they do send forth tears and weep very plentifully . their urine they render all backwards , not only the female but the male also , wherein they differ from all other beasts : and it is said of them , that they knowing a certain virtue in their urine , do hide it in the sand , and that thereof cometh a certain pretious stone called lyncurium , which for brightness resembleth the amber , and yet is so congealed and hardned in the sand , that no carbuncle is harder , shining like fire , wherewithal they make sealing rings , which caused ovid to write thus ; victa racemifero lyncas dedit india baccho , equibus , ut memorant , quicquid vesica remisit vertilur in lapid●s , & congelat aere tacto . but they say that of the male cometh the fiery and yellow amber , and of the female cometh the white and pale amber . in italy they call it langurium , and the beast languria , and lange . this lyncurium is called of some electrum , pterygophoron , and they say it is the same which will draw unto it leaves , straw , and plates of brasse and iron , according to the opinions of diocles and theophrastus , and that being drunk out of water is good for the stomach , and very convenient for the flux of the belly , according to dioscorides ; and that it cureth the pains of the reins , and healeth the kings evill , according to solinus : and theophrastus goeth about to establish this opinion by reason , and laboreth to perswade it as probable , that the urine of a linx should congeal into a stone among sand , as well as the urine of a man , to ingender a stone in the reins or in the bladder . and of this opinion is pliny , theophrastus , hesychius , varinus , zenothimis , plutarch , and aristotle . but in my opinion it is but a fable : for theophrastus himself confesseth that lyncurium , which he calleth lyngurion , and amber hualos , is digged out of the earth in lyguria . sudines and metrodorus say that there is a certain tree in lyguria , out of which amber is taken , and this tree is the black popler , and it is also very probable , that seeing this amber was first of all brought into greece out of lyguria , according to the denomination of all strange things , they called it lyngurium after the name of the countrey , whereupon the ignorant latins did faign an etymology of the word lyncurium , quasi lyncis urinam , and upon this weak foundation have they raised that vain building ; and for further demonstration of this truth , dioscorides saith in his discourse of the popler , that it growing about the river eridanus , sendeth forth a certain humor like tears , which groweth hard , whereof they make that which is called electrum , being rubbed , it smelleth sweet , and for that it hath not only power to draw unto it brasse , iron , and such things , but also gold , it is also called chrysophoton ; unto this lucianus subscribeth : and whereas it was said that in italy this amber-stone is begotten , neer the river padus , where stand many white poplers ; my conjecture is , that some such like humor may issue out of them , and not only by accident , but through affinity of nature , and condensate into a stone , which the people finding , covered in the sand under the trees , and through their former perswasion , might easily take it for the stone engendred by the urine of the linx . hermolaus also writeth this of the lyncurium , that it groweth in a certain stone , and that it is a kind of mushrom , or padstoole which is cut off yearly , and that another groweth in the room of it , a part of the root or foot being left in the stone , groweth as hard as a flint , and thus doth the stone encrease , with a natural secundity : which admirable thing , ( saith he ) i could never be brought to believe , untill i did eat thereof in mine own house . euax ( as it is recited by sylvatious ) saith that the urine of the linx , d●mi servatus , generat optimos fungos suprase quotannis , reserved at home in ones house , bringeth forth every year the best mushroms . this is also called lapis litzi , and lapis prasius , which is divided into three kindes , that is , jaspis , armeniacus , and lapis phrygius , called also belemintes ; wherewithal the chirurgians of prussia and pomerania , cure green wounds , and the physitians break the stone in the bladder . but the true lyxcurium which is extant at this day , and currant among the apothecaries , is as light as the pumice-stone , and as big as filleth a mans fist , being of a blackish colour , or of a russet ; the russet is more solid , sandy , and fat , and being bruised or eaten , tasteth like earth : both kindes are covered with little white skins , and there is apparent in them , a spungy tenacious substance , and this i take to be the mushrom whereof hermolaus speaketh . and by the little stones and small skins , it may be conjectured to be corpus heterogenes , in terra coalescens : a hetrogenean body encreasing in the earth , wherewithal it hath no affinity . there was another stone of the urine of a linx to be seen in savoy , the substance whereof was clearly crystal , the form of it was triangular , the hardness so , as you might strike fire with it , and the colour partly white , and partly like wine mingled with water ; so that i will conclude , that the urine of a linx may engender a stone , though not in such manner as is beforesaid . for the arabian j●rath affirmeth , that within seven dayes after the rendring , it turneth into a stone ; but it is not the lyncurium properly so called , for that is the amber or gum before spoken of , although catachrestically so called . and if it be true , that there be certain mushroms neer the red-sea , which by the heat of the sun are hardned into stones , then also it may follow very naturally , that those stones may produce mushroms again , for both the dissolution and the constitution of things are thought to be grounded upon the same principles . and thus much shall suffice for the urine of the linx , and the stone made thereof . the skins of linxes are most pretious , and used in the garments of the greatest estates , both lords , kings and emperors , as we have shewed before , and for that cause are sold very dear . the claws of this beast , especially of the right foot , which he useth in stead of a hand , are encluded in silver , and sold for nobles a piece , and for amulets to be worn against the falling sickness . the love of these beasts to their young ones is very great , like as the pardals , lions , and tygers . the king of tartaria hath tame linxes which he useth in hunting , in stead of dogs . the antient pagans dedicated this beast to bacchus , feigning that when he triumphed in his chariot of vine branches , he was drawn by tygers , and linxes . and therefore virgil saith ; quid lynces bacchi variae , — and ovid ; dicta racemisero lyncas dedit india baccho . all the nails of a linx being burned with the skin , beaten into powder , and given in drink , will very much cohibite and restrain abominable lechery in men : it will also restrain the lust in women being sprinkled upon them : and also very effectually and speedily take away either itch or scurf in man or womans body . the urine of this beast is accounted very medicinable for those which are troubled with the strangury , and running of the reins . the same is also very good and wholesome for the curing of any pain or grief in the winde-pipe or throat ; bonarus baro doth a affirm that the nails of linxes which are in their countrey , are had in great estimation and price amongst their peers and noble men : for there is a very certain opinion amongst them , that those nails being put upon the yard of either horse or beast whose urine is kept back or restrained , will in very short space cause them to void it without any grief at all . he reporteth also that their nails do there wax white , and that they include them all in silver , and do commend them for an excellent remedy against the cramp , if they be worn ( peradventure because they are bending and crooked ) by which perswasion there are some superstitious men which hang certain roots which are crooked and knotty about them against the cramp . there are some which do ascertain that these nails are good and ready helps for the soreness of the uvula which is in the horses mouthes : and for that cause there are many horsemen which carry them continually about them . the linx or wolf , which is begotten of a wolf and a hinde , the musk-cat , the weasill and all such other like beasts , do more hurt men by their biting teeth-wounds then by poison . there was a certain hunter , as collinus reporteth , which told him that the flesh of a linx being sod in some hot pottage or broath , and afterwards eaten , would be a very good and wholesome medicine for the expelling of the ague , or quartan fever ; and that the bones of the same beast being burnt and pounded into powder , would be a very excellent remedy for the curing of wounds which are old and stale , and full of putrifaction , as also the fistulaes which grow in the thighes or hips of men . of the marder , martel , or marten . and therefore the french call the word martin by the name of foines : and the skins of the fir-martin , or house-martin , are far more beautiful to look upon , then those that live wilde in the trees or woods . agricola calleth the wood-martin baummarder , because it liveth for the most part in trees , and saith that it never forsaketh the woods , or very seldom , and therefore in that thing differeth from the fir-martin . but herein he seemeth to be deceived , that he ascribeth to the beech-martin , a loamy or red throat , and also a continual abode among the woods . for they come some-times to houses , and to rocks ; for which , as we have said already , it is called a housemarder , and rock-marder . and all these multitude of names , do but express the two kindes afore-named , whereof the fir-martin is most excellent ; for princes and great nobles are clothed therewith , every skin being worth a french crown , or four shillings at the least . and they are so much the better , when there are more white hairs aspersed among the yellow . for their ordinary colour is a deep brown yellow , and these that are clean white , are four times worse then the former ; and therefore are not sold for above three or four groats a piece , howsoever the saying of martial , venator capta marte superbus adest . here cometh the proud hunter that hath killed a martin , may very well be applyed unto them which take any of these beasts , for they cannot chuse but be very joyful , which get a good sum of money for a little labour , as they have for a martins skin . by inspection of the foins , that is , the martins of the beech ; for the french men called a be●ch , fau , from whence cometh the word foines , you may see , that their skins are more dusky , having a tail both greater and blacker then the martins of the firs . and therefore you must understand , that they of the firs are by way of excellency called martins , and the other of the woods called foines . there is no great difference betwixt their bigness : and if by their skins at any time there seem any inequality , in breadth , or length , it must be attributed to their age and difference of years , and not to any proportion in nature or distinction of kinde . and as we have said that the fir-martins are absolutely the best , yet that is not to be understood generally . for the martins of polonia are so brown , that they are altogether disliked , and are accounted no better then the common beech-martins . wherefore the bright-brown aspersed with white hairs is ever accounted more pretious without all exception , and by that colour upon the back of the skin , the skinner judgeth of the worth , and not by the yellowness of the throat . of these beech-martins there are great plenty in the alpes , especially on the south-side , which look towards italy , but very few of the wal-martins . but on those parts of the alpes which look towards germany and the north there are aboundance of fir-martins with yellow throats , for you must remember that the 〈…〉 martin hath a white thro 〈…〉 , and the fir-martin a yellow throat . there are also of both kinds in helvetia , and the most excellent are in the vales towards the alpes . in france there are no martins of the wall , but the beech-martins live in hollow beeches . there are also woods ▪ full of the beasts in brussia , which the people there call gayni . lanzaerucca a wood of scandenavia fourscore miles long , is full of martins . also muscovy , and lituania have store of these beasts , and sabels . but they of lituania , are the whitest in the world . the people of sarmatia in europe , wear garments of these in sables ; and the inhabitants of scythia , hungaria , neer tanais , do pay yearly unto the emperor of russia , once called the duke of muscovia , a certain number of sabels and martins skins . there are also store of martins neer bragansa , and generally in all parts of europe except in england . they are in quantity about the bigness of a cat , having longer bodies , but shorter legs , with heads and tails like a fox , their skins ordinarily brown , white on the throat , and more yellow on the back . their teeth are exceeding white , and unequal , one longer then another , being above measure sharp , and the canine teeth both above and beneath hang out very long . amongst which on the neather chap , stand six small cutting teeth in a right line over against one another , which i think happeneth not in any other , beast of the world . the grinding teeth are like a saw , being triangular in fashion , eight above and eight beneath . whereof the furthermost upon the upper-most side of the mouth , are more deep and inward in the palat , then all the residue , the whole number is thirty two . the long hairs upon their upward lip doe bend clean backwards . notwithstanding that there be two kindes of this beast , as already we have said , yet do the wood-martins , or beech-martins , greatly desire copulation with the other wherefore albertus saith , miscentur inter se haec genera , & martesphagi , fere sequitur , martem ablet●m , tanquam nobiliorem , ut foetum ex ea nobiliorem acquirat . the beech-martin followeth the fir-martin , und desireth her copulation as the nobler kind , that he may thereby dignifie his own issue . it should seem that they breed in march , and make their nests like the draies of squirrels , and bring forth many at a time ; for it was constantly affirmed by a countrey-man of germany , that he found a nest of these martins builded like a squirrels , having four young ones in it , in the beginning of april . if they be taken when they are young , both one and other kind grow wonderful tame and familiar with men and dogs . and gesner had one of these , which loved a little dog wonderfully , and would follow him abroad whithersoever he went for or neer . it would also play with dogs and men , with teeth and nails , lying flat upon the back like a cat , and never give any little hurt . but loosened from his chain it would wander abroad into the neighbours houses , and many times far off , but alwayes returne home again . they which tame them , because that they are easily exasperated , and bite deeply when they are angry , do break off the tops of their canine teeth , with a pair of pinsons for the preventing of that mischief 〈…〉 eth , that the excrement of this beast smelleth like a musk-●at , and saith the reason 〈◊〉 because they feed upon sweet fruits ; but we have heard that they eat pullen-birds , egs , and mices but that they eat of fruits it cannot be proved ▪ 〈…〉 it unto their own nature . for as the martin●●esmelleth sweetly after her meat , so may this martin - 〈…〉 〈…〉 . to conclude , the skins of these beasts is applyed to gow●y legs , and the white hairs of the throat made into a cap , is very soverain for the head-ach . they may be taken with dogs , or in traps , but commonly they are taken in ditches or pitfals , according to this verse of calemius , wherewithal , i will conclude ; et laqueo vulpe , & decipe cassi f●inas . of the mole or want . i do utterly dissent from all them that hold opinion that the mole or want is of the kind of mite , for that all of them in general , both one and other , have two long crooked foreteeth which is not in moles , and therefore wanting those as the inseparable propriety of kinde , we will take it for granted that it pertaineth not to that rank or o 〈…〉 er of four-footed beasts . but concerning the hebrew name thereof , there is much variance , and little certainty amongst writers . some of them calling it tinschemet , which word is found deut. . which is also translated by the chaldees , bots or baveta , a swan , and the septuagints and jerom , ibis , and rabbi solomon in another place of the same chapter translateth it a bat , which the french call chaulve-souris . but in that place of levit. . where the stellio , the lizard , and tinschemet , are reckoned unclean beasts ; rabbi solomon interprets it talpom , the mole . the septuagints , aspalox ; the caldee , aschuta : the arabian , lambaraz ; the persian , angurbah-dedach . there is a sentence , isa . . in hebrew thus , lachepon perot ve 〈…〉 ephim : which by munster is thus translated , in die projiciet homo eur 〈…〉 & argent 〈…〉 dea 〈…〉 in fossuras talparum & vespertilionum . in that day shall a man cast away his goods of silver and gold into the holes of moles and bats . by s. jerom it is translated thus , projiciet home i 〈…〉 la , usque u 〈…〉 aret 〈◊〉 & verspertiliones . a man shall cast away his idols to worship moles and bats . some again make but one word of latheporperot , and translate it a beast digging ditches ; and the septuagints , idols or abominations , and think that they were so called , because their outward farme representeth some such reptile creature , and symmachus ; unprofitable things ; but aquila , orugas , digging beasts : and therefore at this day all the learned take perot for moles , so called by reason of their digging . avicen calleth it pelagon , a blinde mouse . in greek it is called sometimes spa 〈…〉 , but more often aspalax : yet albertus calleth it by a strange grecian name gol 〈…〉 and keky , which he took from avicen . the italians retain the latin word talpa ; the spaniards , topo ; by which word the italians at this day call a mouse . the french call it taulpe ; the germa 〈…〉 mu 〈…〉 f , and in saxon , molwurffe , from whence is derived the english mole , and molewarp . the h 〈…〉 tians , schaer and schaermouse , and the molehil they call schaerusen of digging . the holland 〈…〉 and the flemmings call it mol and molmuss , in imitation of the german word : the illyrians , 〈◊〉 . and generally the name is taken from digging and turning up the earth with her nose and back , acco●to the saying of virgil ; aut oculis cap●● fodere cubilia talp 〈…〉 some are of opinion , that it is called toilpa , because it is appointed to an everlasting darkness in the earth ; of which sort isidorus writeth thus , talpa dicta est to quod per 〈…〉 〈◊〉 〈…〉 ris dammata , est enim absqu 〈…〉 is . it is called also in greek , indouros , and siphneus , of siphnon the earth , because in liveth the earth , and turneth it upward to make it hollow for passage . the like i might say of his other names , ixliocha , and orthoponticos ; but this shall suffice for his name . in butotia about the champaig 〈…〉 called orchomani 〈…〉 , there are the greatest store of moles in the world : for by digging they undermine all the fields , and yet in l●●badia another countrey of boeotia , there are none at all , and if they be brought thither from any other place they will never dig but die . rodolphus , oppianus , and albertus affirm , that they are created of themselves of wet earth and rain water , for when the earth beginneth to putrifie , the mole beginneth to take life . they are all for the most part of a black duskie colour , with rough , short and smooth soft hair as wooll , and those hairs which were whitest when they are yong , are most glistering and perfect black when they are old : and gesner affirmeth that he saw in the end of october , a mole taken which was very white , mixed with a little red , and the red was most of all upon her belly , betwixt her forelegs and the neck , and that it could not be a young one , because it was two palms in length betwixt his head and tail . these beasts are all blinde and want eyes , and therefore came the proverb talpa caecior , tuphloteros aspalacos , blinder then a mole ; to signifie a man without all judgement , wit or foresight ; for it is most elegantly applyed to the minde . yet if any man look earnestly upon the places where they should grow , he shall perceive a little passage , by drawing up the membrane or little skin which is black , and therefore aristotle saith of them in this manner probably ; all kindes of moles want their sight , because they have not their eyes open and naked as other beasts , but if a man pull up the skin of their browes about the place of their eyes , which is thick and shadoweth their sight , he shall perceive in them inward covered eyes , for they have the black circle , and the apple which is contained therein , and another part of the white circle or skin , but not apparently eminent ; neither indeed can they , because nature at the time of generation is hindered , for from the brains there belong to the eyes two strong nervie passages , which are ended at the upper teeth , and therefore their nature being hindered , it leaveth an imperfect work of sight behinde her . yet there is in this beast a plain and bald place of the skin where the eyes should stand , having outwardly a little black spot like a millet or poppey-seed , fastened to a nerve inwardly , by pressing it , there followeth a black humor or moistness , and by dissection of a mole great with young , it is apparent ( as hath been proved ) that the young ones before birth have eyes , but after birth , living continually in the dark earth without light , they cease to grow to any perfection ; for indeed they need them not , because being out of the earth they cannot live above an hour or two . esop hath a pretty fable of the asse , ape , and mole , each once complaining of others natural wants ; the asse , that he had no horns , and was therefore unarmed ; the ape , that he had no tail like other beasts of his stature and quantity , and therefore was unhandsome ; to both which the mole maketh answer , that they may well be silent , for that she wanteth eyes , and so insinuateth , that they which complain shall finde by consideration and comparison of their own wants to others , that they are happy and want nothing that were profitable for them . oppianus saith , that there was one phineus which was first deprived of his eye-sight , and afterward turned into a mole : it should seem he was condemned first to loose his eyes , and afterward his life . these moles have no ears , and yet they hear in the earth more nimbly and perfectly then men can above the same , for at every step or small noise and almost breathing , they are terrified and run away , and therfore ( pliny saith ) that they understand all speeches spoken of themselves , and they hear much better under the earth then being above and out of the earth . and for this cause they dig about their lodging long passages , which bringeth noises and voices to them , being spoken never so low and softly , like as the voice of a man carryed in a trunk , reed or hollow thing . their snout is not like a weasils , as suidas saith , but rather like a shrew-mouses , or ( if it be lawful to compare small with great ) like to a hogs . their teeth are like a shrews and a dogs ; like a shrews in the neather teeth and furthermost inner teeth , which are sharp pointed and low inwardly ; and like a dogs , because they are longer at the sides , although only upon the upper jaw , and therefore they are worthily called by the grecians , marootatous ; that is dangerous biting teeth ; for as in swine the under teeth stand out above the upper , and in elephants and moles , the upper hang over the neather , for which cause they are called hyperphereis . the tongue is no greater then the space or hollow in the neather chap , and they have in a manner as little voice as sight , and yet i marvel how the proverb came of loquax talpa , a pratling mole , in a popular reproach against wordy and talkative persons , which ammianus saith , was first of all applyed to one julianus capella , after he had so behaved himself , that he had lost the good opinion of all men . the neck seemeth to be nothing , it is so short , standing equall with the forelegs . the lights are nothing else but distinguished and separated fibres , and hang not together upon any common root or beginning , and they are placed or seated with the heart , which they enclose , much lower toward the belly then in any other beast their gall is yellowish , their feet like a bears , and short legs , wherefore they move and run but slowly ; their fingers or toes wherewithal they dig the earth , are armed with sharp nails , and when she feeleth any harm upon her back , presently she turneth upward and defendeth her self with her snowt and feet : with her feet she diggeth , and with her nose casteth away the earth , and therefore such earth is called in germany , m●l●werff , and in england , mole-hill : and she loveth the fields , especially meddowes and gardens , where the ground is soft , for it is admirable with what celerity she casteth up the earth . they have five toes with claws upon each forefoot , and four upon each foot behind , according to albertus , but by diligent inspection you shall finde five behind also , for there is one very little and recurved backward , which a man slightly and negligently looking upon , would take to be nothing . the palm of the fore feet is broad like a mans hand , and hath a hollow in it if it be put together like a fist , and the toes or fingers with the nails are greater then any other beasts of that quantity . and to the end that he might be well armed to dig , the forepart of her fore-legs consist of two solid and sound bones which are fastened to her shoulders , and her claws spread abroad , not bending downward , and this is peculiar to this beast not competible to any other , but in her hinder legs both before and behind they are like a mouses , except in the part beneath the knee , which consisteth but of one bone which is also forked and twisted . the tail is short and hairy . and thus much for the anatomy and several parts . they live as we have said in the earth , and therefore cardan saith , that there is no creature which hath blood and breath that liveth so long together under the earth , and that the earth doth not hinder their expiration and inspiration ; for which cause they keep it hollow above them , that at no time they may want breath , although they do not heave in two or three dayes ; but i rather believe when they heave , they do it more for meat then for breath , for by digging and removing the earth they take wormes , and hunt after victuals . when the wormes are followed by moles , ( for by digging and heaving , they foreknow their own perdition ) they flie to the superficies and very top of the earth , the silly beast knowing that the mole their adversary , dare not follow them into the light , so that their wit in flying their enemy is greater , then in turning again when they are troad upon . they love also to eat toads and frogs , for albertus saith , he saw a great toad whose leg a mole held fast in the earth , and that the toad made an exceeding great noise , crying out for her life , during the time that the mole did bite her . and therefore toads and frogs do eat dead moles . they eat also the root of herbs and plants , for which cause they are called by oppianus , poiophagi herbivora , herb-eaters . in the month of july they come abroad out of the earth , i think to seek meat at that time when wormes be scanty . they are hunted by weasils , and wilde cats , for they will follow them into their holes and take them , but the cats do not eat them : whereas we have said already , that they have an understanding of mens speech when they hear them talk of them ; i may add thereunto a story of their understanding , thus related by gillius in his own experience and knowledge . when i had ( saith he ) put down into the earth an earthen pot made of purpose with a narrow mouth to take moles , it fortuned that within short space as a blind mole came along she sell into it and could not get forth again , but lay therein whining ; one of her fellowes which followed her seeing his mate taken , heaved up the earth above the pot , and with her nose cast in so much , till she had raised up her companion to the brim and was ready to come forth : by which in that blind creature confined to darkness , doth not only appear a wonderful work of almighty god , that endoweth them with skill to defend , and wisely to provide for their own safety , but also planted in them such a natural and mutual love one to another , which is so much the more admirable , considering their beginning or creation as we have shewed already . because by their continual hearing and laboring for meat , they do much harm to gardens and other places of their aboad , and therefore in the husband-mans and house-wifes common-wealth , it is an acceptable labor to take and destroy them . for which cause it is good to observe their passages , and mark the times of their coming to labor , which being perceived , they are easily turned out of the earth with a spade , and this was the first and most common way . some have placed a board full of pikes which they fasten upon a small stick in the mole hil or passage , and when the mole cometh to heave up the earth , by touching the stick she bringeth down the pikes and sharp nailed boards upon her own body and back . other take a wyar of iron , and make it to have a very sharp point , which being fastened to a staffe and put into the earth where the moles passage is , they bend and so set up , that when the mole cometh along , the pike runneth into her and killeth her . the grecians ( saith palladius ) did destroy and drive away their moles by this invention , they took a great nut , or any other kind of fruit of that quantity , receipt and solidity , wherein they included chaffe , brimstone and wax ; then did they stop all the breathing places of the mole , except one at the mouth , wherein they set this devise on fire , so as the smoak was driven inward , wherewithal they filled the hole and the place of their walks , and so stopping it , the moles were either killed or driven away . also paramus sheweth another means to drive away and take moles : if you take white hellebor , and the rindes of wilde mercury in stead of hemlock , and dry them and beat them to powder , afterward sift them and mix them with meal and with milk-beaten with the white of an egge , and so make it into little morsels or bals and lay them in the mole-hole and passages , it will kill them if they eat thereof , as they will certainly do . many use to kill both moles and emmets with the froath of new oyl . and to conclude , by setting an earthen pot in the earth and brimstone burning therein , it will certainly drive them for ever from that place . unto which i may add a superstitious conceit of an obscure author , who writeth , that if you whet a mowing sythe in a field or meddow upon the feast day of christs nativity ( commonly called christmas day ) all the moles that are within the hearing thereof , will certainly for ever forsake that field , meddow or garden . with the skins of moles are purses made , for the rough , and soft hair , and also black russes colour is very delectable . pliny hath a strange saying , which is this ; ex pellibus talparum cubioularis vidimus stragula ; adeo ne religio quidem a portentis summov●● delicias ; that is ; we have seen the hangings of chambers made of mole skins , so that no conscience of religion cannot avert the monstrous love of delights from the affectation of men . for all the ancient wise men and magicians did hold , that this beast was capeable of religion , nullis aeque credunt extis , nullum religionis capacius judicant animal , ut si quis cor ej 〈…〉 r 〈…〉 s pa 〈◊〉 ; deporaris , divinationis & rarum efficiendarum eventus promittat ; they give not so much credit to any intrails as to theirs ; for they judge that no beast is so capable of religion , because if a man eat the heart of a mole newly taken out of her belly and panting , he shall be able to divine and foretel infallible events . another saith , veteribus monumentis traditur gullinaceorum fibras maximè d●is gratas videri : sicut talparum viscera magi verissima dicunt , illisque hand seous quam solenni victima litari , haec enim sunt exta argutissima , in quibus divina mens inesse creditut : that is , the fibres of cocks were wont among ancient monuments to be accounted most acceptable to the gods , even as the bowels of moles ( as the wise men say ) and to offer these as a most solemn sacrifice grateful to the gods , and that in those intrails it was believed that the minde and pleasure of god was seated and engraven ; and a little after he saith , that the bowels of moles and frogs do foretel many great and fortunate events . but i will leave this paganism , and let it never enter into the heart of a reasonable man , that such beasts can love religion , or that god hath planted in their bowels and corrupt parts , such letters of his wisdom and fore-knowledge , which he hath not granted to the immortal and incorruptible soul of man. only this i finde by experience , that before any rain and change of weather , these silly beasts heave up the earth more abundantly then at other times ; and that in thessaly ( as varro saith ) a whole town was once undermined by moles . they were wont to sacrifice this beast to neptune , because of the affinity betwixt their names , for in greek asphaloos , signifieth neptune , and asphalax , a mole . alunnus also writeth , that they were sacred and dedicated to hell , because they kept continually within the bosom and bowels of the earth ; and to conclude , because that moles would not live in coronea a part of boeotia , before spoken of , and thereof came the common proverb , asphalaca eis coronean , a mole is brought to coronea , to signifie the hatred of a gift or ghest to him that is forced to receive him . thus much for his natural and moral story ; now followeth his medicinal . the medicines of the mole . there is nothing which is more profitable or medicinable for the curing of the bites of a shrew , then a mole being flead and clapped thereunto . the same doth also very effectually cure and heal the blows or bitings of a scorpion . pills being made with that which proceedeth from moles with hony , eaten nine days together , doth preserve the body of any one from swellings or bunches in the flesh , who shall so eat them . for the avoiding or driving away the hairs which grow in any part of mans body , that they may never return or be renewed again : take a mole and lay her in water to besteeped or soaked , so long as she shall not have any hairs left upon her , with this water anoint the place which is full of hairs , and afterwards wash it with lie made of ashes ; and then rub it with a linnen cloth ; then if you shall see the hairs to return again , wash it twice or thrice in the afore-said manner , and they will be quite expelled away , and by no means can be made either to renew or come again . for the renewing , and bringing again of those hairs which are fallen or decayed , take a mole , and burn her whole in the skin , and mingle the dust or powder which cometh from the same with hony unto the thickness or fashion of an ointment , and this being rubbed or anointed upon the bare or bald place will without doubt in some short time or space procure the hair to grow thick . for the renewing of hairs which fall from horses ; take a mole and boil her in oyl , until all the flesh be consumed and quite dissolved into a liquid juyce , with this oyl anoint the place which is bare or destitute of hairs twice every day for some short space , and it will make the hairs to grow in great abundance . for the changing of the hairs of horses from black to white , take a mole and boil her in salt water , or lye made of ashes three days together , and when the water or lie shall be quite consumed , put new water or lie thereunto this being done wash or bathe the place with the water or he some-what hot ; presently the black hairs will fall and slide away , and in some short time there will come white . whosoever shall take a mole and hold her in his right hand until she die , shall have such an excellent vertue therein , that she shall ease the pain of a womans breasts only by touching them . the dust of a mole being burnt , mingled with the white of an egge , and anointed upon a sheep , is an excellent and medicinable remedy against the leprie , which cometh oftentimes upon them . the dust of a mole mixed with oyl or hony , and anointed upon the skin of either man or woman which is full of lepry , will very speedily and effectually cure and heal the fame . the same being used in the aforesaid manner , is very good for the curing of those which are troubled with the disease called the kings e 〈…〉 ; as also for those which have hardbunches of kernels arising in their arm-holes , and in other parts of their body . the whole body of a mole being taken and burned in the skin into dry dust , or powder , is an excellent remedy against the disease called the fistula , as also for the purging of the corruption in them and healing of them , being once taken by any man. the same being also mixed with hony , and rub'd upon the teeth of any one who hath pam in them , doth not only ease the pain and grief thereof , but also doth strengthen and make them fast . the bloud of a mole being killed , spread or anointed upon the head of any one which is bald , will very speedily renew and bring the hairs again . the head of a mole being cut off and beaten together with the earth which is stirred up by moles , and wrought into a paste , and rowled together liked little loaf , is very much used for the healing of all swellings , and for those things which they call impostumes ; as also for all swellings or kernels which arise in the neck ; so that in the time of the curing of these things , the party which is pained and grieved , be not suffered to eat any swines flesh . the tooth of a living mole taken out and tyed or bound to the teeth of any who is grieved therein , is commended by the magi , or wise-men to be an excellent remedy and cure for the same . the heart of a mole being eaten nine days together , doth very speedily and effectually cure either him or her which shall so eat it , of that pestiferous disease call'd the kings evil , if it be so that it hath not been of too long continuance with them . the same is also very good and profitable for the asswaging of wens , being used in the aforesaid manner . the liver of a mole being beaten between the hands of him that is troubled with bunches or swellings in his back , and afterwards put upon the same , is a present help and cure . the same effect hath the right foot of a mole for the asswaging of bunches and swellings arising in the flesh . of the vulgar little mouse . as we have handled the natures , and delivered the figures of the great beasts , so also must we not disdain in a perfect history to touch the smallest : for almighty god which hath made them all , hath disseminated in every kinde both of great and small beasts , seeds of his wisdom , majesty , and glory . the little mouse therefore is justly tearmed , incola domus nostrae , an inhabitant in our own houses , et rosor omnium rerum , and a gnawer of all things . and therefore from the sound of her teeth which she maketh in gnawing , she is called sorex . although we shall shew you afterwards , that sorex is a special kinde , and not the name of the general . wherefore seeing there be many kindes of mise , and every one of them desireth a particular tractate , i thought good to begin with the vulgar little mouse , and so to descend to the several species and kindes of all ; according to the method of the philosopher , a notioribus ad minus nota , from things that are most known to them that are less known . in hebrew it is called achar , levit. . where the septuagints translate it muys ; the chaldee , acbera ; the arabians , fer , or phar ; from whence cometh the saracen word fara . the persians , an mus ; the latines , mus ; the italians , topo , or sorice , alsorgio , o rato , di cas● , although rato signifieth a rat , both among the germans , french , and english . the spaniards cal the little mouse , ra 〈…〉 ; and the great rat , ratz ; the french the little mouse , souris ; which word seems to be derived from the latine , sorex , and the great mouse they call ra 〈…〉 . the germans the great ones raiz , and the little one muss ; the illyrians and polonians , myss , which is the greek word ; and the great one they call sczurcz ; the venetians call the rat pantegana , of pontis the vulgar greek name , and the romans , sourco . now the dignity of this little beast , may appear by the name , which hath spread it self both to beasts , fishes , men , herbs , and cities . to beasts as we have shewed before in the ichneumon , which is vulgarly called the indian mouse , or pharaohs mouse and to fishes ; for there is a little fish called musculus , and in greek , mystocetos , the whale-mouse , because it leadeth the way , and sheweth the whale whither soever she swimmeth , for the avoiding of rocks , ( according to pliny ) although rondoletius affirmeth otherwise , namely , that that guide of the whale is called egemon , and egetur , and mystocetus ( he saith ) is a shell-fish . generally most kinde of oysters are also called myss , because sometimes they gape and make a noise like a mouse , and close their shels again . the purple fishes be also called myss ; there is likewise a kinde of pretious stone called mya , about bosphorus thracius , and many other such dignities , hath the the name of this beast attained . there was one mys , the servant of that famous philosopher epicurus : likewise the name of a champion or challenger , in suidas and varinus , and there was another called mus , of excel-cellent skill for ingraving in silver , and therefore did draw upon the shield of min 〈…〉 a , the fight betwixt the lapithae , and the centaurs , and many other things . whereupon martial made this verse ; quis labor in phiala ? docti myos ? anne myronis ? there was a consul of rome , whose name was mus , and therefore camerarius made this riddle of the mouse ; parva mihi domus est , sed janua semper aperta , acciduo sumptu , furtive vivo sagina , quod mihi nemen inest , romae quoque consul habebat . the thracians call'd argilus a mouse , and the city which he builded argelus . myes was a city of ionia , and a citizen of that city was called myetius . myon a city of locri in epirus , and the people thereof are called myones . myon sus , a little region betwixt teon and lebedon , and according to stephanus , an island near ephesus ; the first port or haven of egypt , opening to the red sea , is called muos armos , the mouses haven , and mysia also seemeth to be derived from their stem . there is an island under the equinoctial line , called insuia murium , the mouse island , because of the abundance of mice therein : and to conclude , even the herbs and plants of the earth , have received names from this little beast , as hordeum , murinum myacantha , sperage , myopteton , myuoos , myortocon , mouse-ear , mouse-foot ; and such like . there have been also comedies made of myss , as that of carsinus , called myes , wherein the weasil strangleth the night-wandering myss . and another greek , called galeomyomachia , that is a fight betwixt cats and mice , wherein the poet doth most pleasantly faign names of mice , as their king he calleth greilius , that is , a flesh-eater , and his eldest son psicarpax , a corn-eater ; and his second son psitodarpes , bread-eater , and his eldest daughter , lyenogluphe , candle-eater ; and all his ancestors carpodaptai , that is , fruit-eaters . and then he bringeth other mice in , as turolicos , psicolices , cholecoclophos homer in his batrachomyomachia , that is , a fight betwixt frogs and mice , doth very elegantly describe divers proper names of mice . as piscarpax , whose father was tuoxaties , and his mother lychomile , daughter of pternotrocta the king , and then other mice , as lychopinax , terogliphus , embaschitrus , lychenor , troglodites , artophagus , ptermogliphus , pternophagus , cnissodioctet , sitophagus , artophilus , meridarpax , and thulacotrox , all which are not only out of the abundance of the authors wit , but invented for the expressing of the mouses nature . the epithets of mice are these ; short , small , fearful , peaceable , ridiculous , rustick , or country mouse , urbane , or city mouse , greedy , wary , unhappy , harmful , black , obscene , little , whiner , biter , and earthly . and the greek ones are expressed before in the proper names , and thus much may suffice for the names of mice . now to come to their several nature and significations . first of all concerning their colour . it is divers , for although color murinus be a common tearm for a mouse colour of asses , yet notwithstanding mice are sometimes blackish , sometimes white , sometimes yellow , sometimes brown , and sometime ash colour . there are white mice among the people of savoy , and dauphin in france called allobroges , which the inhabitants of the countrey do believe that they feed upon snow . but the white mouse is above all other most lascivious and leacherous , and therefore it came into a proverb , mys leucos , mys cacos , the white mouse is an ill mouse , of whose lust alciatus made this emblem ; delitias & mellitiem , mus creditur albus , arguere ; at ratio non sat aperta mihi est . an quod ei natura sala 〈…〉 , & multa libido est ? ornat romanas an quia pelle nurus ? sarmaticunt murem opcitant plerique zibellum , et celebris suavt est ungu 〈…〉 muscus arabs . of all which conjectures of the poets , the first is most probable ; for the ancients were wont to call wanton and effeminate men pygargot , and leucopygoi , from their beauty and whiteness . and as there is a difference in their colours , so also there is in their quantity : for some are very great , some meanly great , and some very small . their heart is very great , and their liver and lights increase in the winter time . also the fibres that are in them , do increase and decrease with the waxing and waning of the moon . for every day of the moons age , there is a fibre increased in their liver . and therefore lucilius said well , luna alit ostrea , & impiet echinos , & muribus fibras auget : that is to say , the moon feedeth oysters , filleth hedgehogs , and encreaseth fibres in mice . some of these mice have a gall , and some have none , as aristotle and pliny shew in many places . the mouses place of conception have many holes in it , during the time she beareth her young ones . there is no creature that heareth more perfectly then a mouse , they dwell in houses of men , especially near supping and dining rooms , ●itchins , or larders , where any meat is stirring . and they make themselves places of abode by gnawing with their teeth ; if they finde not convenient lodgeings prepared to their hand , and they love the hollow places of wals , or the roofs of homes ; and therefore the walps which in aristophanes are called drophae , that is gnawers of roofs , are to be understood to be mice , because mys drophia is a mouse in the house top . in the day time they he still , so long as they either see or hear a man , or any other beast harm●ul unto them , for they discern their enemies ; not fearing an ox , though they run away from a cat. they are very desirous of bread , and delight to all those meats which are mad 〈…〉 fruit , for the nourishment of men. it is a creature very diligent and exquisite , both to compass , seek out and chuse the same , so that therefore it doth often endanger and lose his own 〈…〉 e : and finding any cu●boards , wood , or such like hard matter , to with stand his purpose , and hinder his passage , it ceaseth not to weary it self with gnawing , until it obtain the purpose . all kindes of mice love grain and corn , and prefer the hard before the soft ; they love also cheese , and if they come to many cheeses together , they tast all , but they eat of the best . and therefore the egyptians in their hierogly phicks do picture a mouse , to signifie a sound judgement and good choice . buckmast is very acceptable to mice , and the mice in the isle par●● , in 〈…〉 dos , in the island gyuros , which is one of the islands of the sporads in cypr●● , and in ch 〈…〉 , they did eat iron , as appeareth by aristotle , aelianus , and heraclides . and it was also found , that in a certain island near chalybes , mice eat and devour gold , and therefore the gold-smiths did cut them in pieces among their metals . plutarch , in the life of marcellus saith , that there were many prodigies and fearful signes that did precede the war of marius , amongst other , he saith that mice did eat the gold hanging in the temple , and that one of the temple-keepers in a certain trap took a female mouse alive , who littered five little mice in that place , and devoured three of them . anthologius rehearseth a witty hexastichon of antiphilus , upon a mouse which was slit asunder alive , for certain gold-dust , which she had devoured , whereby was signified how men procure unto themselves exquisite torments , and unavoidable mortal harms by stealing , and increasing of riches signified by gold. vulgar mice do ruminate or chew the cud as well as the pontick , and they drink by licking or lapping , although their teeth be not sawed . it is reported that the mice of africk , and especially of lybia , die assoon as they drink . and the reason thereof we will shew afterwards in the taking of mice , when we come to discourse of their poysons . and for the present it should seem their temperament , or constitution is so moist , that nature can endure no addition . yet in the plains of arcadia , there are mice which drink of a certain fountain without any harm . the generation and procreation of mice , is not only by copulation , but also nature worketh wonderfully in ingendering them by earth and small showers , as we will shew in the discourse of wilde mice . but the house mouse whereof we now intreat , is engendered by copulation betwixt male and female , and they are in general most libidinous , as may appear by that saying of cratinus against xenophon , phere nun ex aithrias katapuposunen muos astrapso xenophontos , go to now , for from the skies i will strike by lightning the murin wantonness of xenophon : and the female is much more venereous then the male , as appeareth by that fable of ipicrates describing the rage of a lustful woman . postremo subiit me detestabilis lena , dejerans per di●nam , per puellam , per persephattam , se esse vitulam , esse virginem , esse pullam indomitam , at illa myonia erat . then followed me that detestable baud , swearing by diana , and persephatta , that she was a heifer never touched , a virgin never stained , and a colt never covered , but the truth is , she was as good a maid as a mouse . politianus in stead of at illa myonia erat , hath at illa cavus erat murinus , that she was a mouses hole , signifying that her virginity was lost , and that she suffered any lovers , as a mouse-hole doth any mice . and from hence came that verse of martial , describing the speech of a lover to his love , calling him her mouse and her joy ; nam cum me muremtu , cum mea lumina dicis . so that in general all mice , and not only the white mouse , are most desirous of copulation . and when they are in copulation , they embrace with their tails , filling one another without all delay . by tasting of salt , they are made very fruitful , and therefore aristotle , and the souldiers of alexander the great , do report , that mice by licking one another , and by the licking of salt , do ingender & conceive with young without any other copulation . but what reasons they have to lead them to that opinion , i know not ; beside that wonder reported by pliny and aristotle , that in a certain part of persia , a female mouse being slit asunder alive , all the young females within her belly are also found pregnant conceived with young . it is very certain , that for the time they go with young , and for the number they bring forth , they exceed all other beasts , conceiving every fourteen or sixteen days , so that it hath been found by good experience , that a female mouse having free liberty to litter in a vessel of millet-seed , within less compass , then half a year she hath brought forth one hundred and twenty young ones . they live very long , if they be not prevented of their natural course , and dying naturally , they perish not all at once , but by little , and little , first one member , and then another , ( pliny saith ) evolucirbus hirundines sunt indociles , 〈…〉 terrestribus mures , among the fowls of the air , the swallows are undocible , and among the creatures of the earth , a mouse : athertus writeth , that he saw in upper germany , a mouse hold a burning candle in her feet , at the commandment of her master all the time his guests were at supper . now the only cause why they grow not tame , is , their natural fear , such as is in conies , hares , and deer . for how can any man or beast love or hearken unto him , who they are perswaded lyeth in wait for their life , and such is the perswasion of all them that fear : which perswasion being once removed by continual familiarity , there is no cause in nature , but that a mouse may be docible as well as a hare or cony , which we have shewed heretofore in their stories . it is also very certain that mice which live in a house , if they perceive by the age of it , it be ready to fall down or subject to any other ruin , they foreknow it and depart out of it ; as may appear by this notable story which happened in a town called helice in greece , wherein the inhabitants committed this abominable act against their neighbours the greeks . for they slew them , and sacrificed them upon their altars : whereupon , followed the ruine of the city , which was premonstrated by this prodigious event . for five days before the destruction thereof , all the mice , weesils , and serpents , and other reptile creatures , went out of the same in the presence of the inhabitants , every one assembling to his own rank and company , whereat the people wondered much , for they could not conceive any true cause of their departure ; and no marvail . for god which had appointed to to take vengeance on them for their wickedness , did not give them so much knowledge , nor make them so wise as the beasts to avoid his judgement , and their own destruction ; and therefore mark what followed . for these beasts were no sooner out of the city , but suddenly in the night time , came such a lamentable earth-quake and strong tempest , that all the houses did not only fall down , and not one of them stood upright , to the slaughter of men , women , and children , contained in them ; but lest any of them should escape the strokes of the timber and house tops , god sent also such a great floud of waters , by reason of the tempestuous winde which drove the waters out of the sea upon the town , that swept them all away , leaving no more behinde then naked and bare significations of former buildings . and not only the city and citizens perished , but also there was ten ships of the lacedemonians in their port all drowned at that instant . the wisdom of the mouse appeareth in the preparation of her house ; for considering she hath many enemies , and therefore many means to be hunted from place to place , she committeth not her self to one lodging alone , but provideth many holes ; so that when she is hunted in one place she may more safely repose her self in another . which thing plautus expresseth in these words ; sed tamen cogitato , mus pusillus , quam sapiens sit bestia , aetatem qui uni cubili nunquam committit suam : cum unum obsidetur , aliunde perfugium quaerit : that is to say , it is good to consider the little mouse , how wise a beast she is , for she will not commit her life to one lodging , but provideth many harbors , that being molested in one place she may have another refuge to flie unto . and as their wisdom is admirable in this provision , so also is their love to be commended one to another , for falling into a vessel of water or other deep thing , out of which they cannot ascend again of themselves , they help one another , by letting down their tails , and if their tails be too short , then they lengthen them by this means : they take one anothers tail in their mouth , and so hang two or three in length , until the mouse which was fallen down take hold on the neathermost , which being performed , they all of them draw her out . even so wolves holding one another by their tails , do swim over great rivers : and thus hath nature granted that to them which is denyed to many men , namely , to love , and to be wise together . but concerning their manners , they are evil , apt to steal , insidious , and deceitful ; and men also which are of the same disposition with these beasts , fearing to do any thing publickly , and yet privately enterprise many deceits , are justly reproved in imitation of such beasts . for this cause was it forbidden in gods law unto the jews , not only to eat , but to touch mice , and the prophet esai . ch . . saith , comedentes carnem suillam , & abominationem , atque murem , simul consumentur , inquit dominus , that is , they which eat swines flesh , abomination , and the mouse , shall be destroyed together , saith the lord : wherein the prophet threatneth a curse unto the people , that broke the first law of god in eating flesh forbidden ; and the physitians also say , that the eating of the flesh of mice engendereth forgetfulness , abomination , and corruption in the stomach . the eating of bread or other meat which is bitten by mice , doth encrease in men and children a certain disease in their face , and in the flesh , at the roots of the nails of their fingers certain hard bunches , called by the venetians , spelli ; and by the germans , leidspyssen ; and by the latines , dentes muris : yet it is affirmed , that the flesh of mice is good for hawks , to by given them every day , or every each other day together with the skin ; for it helpeth their intrails , purgeth fleam and choler ; restraineth the fluxions of the belly ; driveth out stones and gravel ; stayeth the distillation of the head to the eyes ; and finally corroborateth the stomach . yet we have heard that in the kingdom of calecut , they do eat mice and fishes roasted in the sun. and it is said by some physitians and magicians , that the flesh is good against melancholy , and the pain of the teeth ; but the medicinal vertues we reserve it to its proper place . pliny affirmeth a strange wonder , worthy to be remembred and recorded , that when hannibal besieged casselinum , there was a man that sold a mouse for two hundred pieces of coin , so great was the extremity of famine , that the man which sold it , dyed for hunger , and as it should seem through the want of it , but he which bought it lived by eating thereof ; the which thing argueth , that necessity , hunger , and famin , maketh men for the safegard of life , to make more reckoning in extremity of the basest creatures , then in prosperity they do of the best . for that person which gave so much money for a mouse , at another time would have scorned to have given so much for four oxen. and on the other side , the wretched love of gain , which causeth a man to endanger his own life for love of silver . but i rather think that it was the hand of god himself taking vengeance of such a covetous disposition , which would not suffer him to live , that like midas had gotten so much gold . the enemies of mice are many , not only men , which by sundry artificial devices kill them , because of harm , but also beasts and wilde fowl do eat their flesh , and live upon them . and first of all cats and weesils do principally hunt to catch mice , and have been therefore by the late writers called murilegi , for their taking of mice . and the nature of the weesil is not only more inclined to hunt after them , then the cat , but is more terrible also unto them ; for if the brains of a weesil , the hair or rennet be sprinkled upon cheese , or any other meat whereto mice resort , they not only forbear to eat thereof , but also to come in that place . they are also driven away by the sprinkling of the ashes of weesils ; and as all noises make them afraid , so none so much as the skreeching or crying of a weesil , for at the hearing thereof they all fall astonished . and besides , they have more opportunity to follow and take them then cats , because their bodies are lesser , and their noses and snowts longer , and therefore they follow them many times into their holes , and very nimbly pull them forth when they think they are most secure . foxes also kill mice ; and in italy there is a black snake called carbonario , from his colour , resembling coals , which i think to be the same that the graecians call myagros , from his hunting of mice : this snake d●th also eat and devour mice . hawks eat mice , and all the night-birds , especially the night-crows and owls . how hateful a mouse is to the elephant , we have shewed already in that story , how in the presence thereof he will not touch his meat , nor eat any thing over which a mouse doth run . nor yet eat in the cratch or manger wherein a mouse hath been . ponze●●us affirmeth , that there is great love between mice and serpents , for sometimes they play together . there is a hatred betwixt bats , frogs and mice , as may appear by anthologius , museus , and others . it is said also that they are hateful to oysters , whereof i know no reason , except it be because they love their fish . and alcia●●s hath a pretty embleme , which he entituleth captivus ob gulam , wherein he sheweth , that a mouse watcheth an oyster when he gapeth , and seeing it open , thrusts in his head to eat the fish ; assoon as ever the oyster felt his teeth , presently he closeth his shell again , and so crusheth the mouses head in pieces , whereby he deciphereth the condition of those men which destroy themselves to serve their bellies . and thus much for the love and enmity betwixt mice and other beasts . now concerning the actions of men , they hunt mice to be rid from their annoyances , because they do not only destroy the things they eat , and live upon other mens cost ; and therefore parasites are compared unto unto them whom the germans call schmorotzer , and tellerlecker , that is , smell-feasts , and lick-spickets , are compared to mice , because they live at other mens tables . but also mice do defile and corrupt , and make unprofitable whatsoever they taste ; and therefore the egyptians when they would describe corruption , do picture a mouse . for these causes have men invented many devices , snares , and gins , the general whereof is called by the latines , muscipula ; and by the graecians , muspala , and myagra , the divers and several forms whereof i will not disdain to set down . for the wise reader must consider , that it is as necessary , or rather more necessary for most men to know how to take mice , then how to take elephants . and although every woman , and silly rat-catcher can give instruction enough therein , yet their knowledge cannot excuse my negligence , if i should omit the inventions and devices of the ancients , whereby they delivered themselves from the annoyances of these beasts . and therefore first of all to declare the manner of catching them in places where corn is kept : let your mouse-trap be placed to catch mice , right against the door , but let them have room to come in , and in short time it will so fear them , that they will trouble you no more . but if mice breed in the ground under crevices , except you fill all the crevices with mouse-traps , you will never catch them , which the inhabitants of the island pandataria are fain to do . there are other kinde of mouse-traps which do catch mice alive : and othersome which do kill them , either being pressed down with the weight of it , or stifled with water , or otherwise , as with a strong piece of iron being small , and hung right against the button of the trap , on the which piece of iron they hang meat , and so by that means the mouse is catched by putting her head through the hole to snatch at the meat ; for she by stirring the iron doth loosen the button , and so her head is shut fast in the hole . and there are other kinde of mouse-traps which are covered all over , into the which the mouse may run ; and if you have put any water therein they are presently stifled . of all which kinde of traps shall be severally tracted : and first of all those which do catch mice alive . the common kinde of this mouse-trap is made of wood , long , and four-cornerwise , and is framed of four boards , but the hinder part is strengthened with strong wiers of iron , that she may without danger look in to see what she may get there ; and that the smell of that which she findeth there , may allure her to come to it . and the former part hath a hole in the top , through which there is put a small piece of iron ; and also there is made a trap-door in form of a percullis , to the which the iron is very slightly hung , that when the mouse cometh to catch at the meat , she is suddenly taken by falling of the same ; but the meat which you fasten to the neather end of this iron hook must be fat , or the crust of cheese or bread ; which if it be a little toasted at the fire , it will not be amiss , that the mouse may smell it far off . some do make these kinde of traps double , with one door at one end , and another door at another end . these kinde of mouse-traps petrus cresoent . doth call traps belonging to houses , which shall be spoken of hereafter . the other kinde of mouse-trap is made with iron hooks hung in the round circle ; in the midst of the which brim is put a great many of the same wiers , which being made sharp at every end , are after the form of the top of a crest , or helmet , or as it is made in a bow-net to catch fishes ; and upon the hook let there be hung meat , by which means the mouse coming to the meat , sticketh herself upon the hooks . the manner of making lesser mouse-traps is with walnut-tree , and that the middle part of it be not covered , and that there be put to the mouth or brim thereof some kinde of mettle , so that the open part may bend inward , and that the mouse may not gnaw that which is within , except she creepeth under : which if she shall do , she shall presently be shut in by stirring the trap . also there is another kinde of mouse-trap which is covered with the bark of a tree , which is cut into equal pieces , and laid cross one over another ; but there is tied a swines skin in the middle , and also an earthen pot covered with the same bark , being first sprinkled with corn , that the mice may custom to come to it , and being dryed with lying , they break in pieces , but you must lay them together again , and fill your pot with water , by the which means assoon as ever they are upon the same , they fall into the pit , and so are stifled . and also it is reported of those which have tryed the same , that if mice fall into a vessel without water , and remain there a long time without meat , that then they devour one another , but if they remain there so long until one among them all be left alone , that is to say , the strongest of them all , and that he be suffered to go out , wheresoever he shall finde any mice he will eat them up , and they shall have much ado to escape him , because he hath been so long accustomed unto them . i was told also of a certain friend of mine , that a man of senensis did set a purse in a hollow place , and made it to open and shut by some devise , so that at length he took a mouse , which mouse he fed only with the flesh of mice , and after he had fed it so a long time , he let it go , who killed all the mice he did meet , and was not satisfied with them , but went into every hole that he could finde , and eat them up also . also mice are taken in vessels , from whence they cannot escape , upon the which vessel let there be put a small staffe , which is so cut in the middle , that she may only hold her self by the meat , and when you have so done , put the kernel of a nut upon the middle of the staffe , to the which the mouse coming , doth fall into the vessel with the staffe , and they will be stifled if there be any water : but if there be none she will be killed . and again , he telleth of another manner of catching of mice , which is as great as the first , and it is after this manner : take two smooth boards about the length of thy arm , and in breadth half thy arm , but joyn it so together , that they may be distant from the lower part in length some four fingers or little less , with two small spindles or clefts , which must be at every end one , and fasten paper under them , and put a piece of paste therein , being cut overthwart in the middle , but you must not fasten it nigh the middle , and let it be so bound , that it may easily be lifted up betwixt the spindles , that if by slipping it should be altered , it might be brought again to the same form . but the two spindles spoken of before , ought to be joyned together in the ends above , and beyond them another small spindle to be made , which may hold in the middle a crooked wedge or butten , upon the which may be hanged a piece of hogs skin , so that one of them may easily be turned upsidedown with the skin , and put thereunto a little piece of earth or stick , that the mice may easily come to it : so that how many mice soever shall come thereto , and to the meat , shall be taken , always by rowling the paper into his wonted place . there is another manner also , which is to make a round piece of wood fastened on both sides with needles , and made so that the hinder part of it weigh heavier then the former , and that it stand an inch higher then the other , and then when you have so placed it , throw some corn thereon , that the mice may be allured thereto , and tie also a piece of flesh upon the former end of it ; and so the mouse going into the middle , by the rowling off the same , slippeth into the kettle which standeth under it , which must be half full of water , the circle presently being as it was before , that very often many mice are catched in one night by this work , all falling into the kettle . also there are many kindes of mice-traps , where mice do perish by the weight thereof , and they are made of a small piece of wood made hollow , into the which shall fall down another small piece of wood ; but i● must be made so , that it may fall weighty to press down the mice going to the meat , and let the meat be tied to another little small piece of wood , which being touched , the heavy piece doth presently fall down , and so by that means the mouse is taken . our country men do make a trap which is somewhat like to this , let two pieces of boards be joyned together one foot broad , & two foot long , and afterwards let there be put in them a wooden pin , which you must fasten to the lower board ; so that it may not touch the uppermost ; and you must set it so , that the former part may easily move backward and forward ; but moreover , the former board must be fastened to the hinder , like the fashion of a gibbet or gallows , with two pieces of wood standing upright , one being put overthwart , or after the fashion of the greek letter 〈◊〉 , and it must stand some nine inches high , and as broad as the board will suffer you , and let the meat be hung in the middle of it , but that board which is uppermost , must touch both the ends of the other , and notched according to the breadth , the notch being made after the form of a wedge divided into two parts ; and another small piece of wood must be put to that which is uppermost , almost two fingers long , and one finger broad , and let there be put into the lower notch a piece of wood with meat at it , so that it may be slightly fastened to the brim of the uppermost , that the meat being presently touched , the other may the easi●er fall . and you may lay a stone upon the uppermost board , that it may fall the heavier . and there are some also which to the lower board do fasten iron pins , made very sharp ; against the which the mice are driven by the weight of the fall . furthermore , there is another kinde of trap made to cover them alive , one part of it cut out of a small piece of wood , the length of the palm of thy hand , and the breadth of one finger , and let the other part of it be cut after the form of a wedge : and let this piece of wood be erected like a little pillar , and let the wedge be put into the notch of another piece of wood , which must be made equal with the other , or very little shorter : and this pillar must be so made , that the moule may not perish before she come to the meat : the wood where the meat must stand , ought to be a span long , and you must fasten the meat about the middle of it , but the former part of it must have a cleft , which must begin a little from the brim , and shall be made almost the length of two fingers , and you must make it with two straight corners , and take away half the breadth of the wood . these three pieces of wood being thus made ready , thou shall erect a little pillar , so that the wedge may be downward , whereby the mouse may see the meat every where : and let the meat be hung in the former corner of the pillar , so if the mouse shall touch the meat , he shall be pressed down with the fall of the board . mice also by the fall of a cleft board are taken , which is held up with a pillar , and having a little spattular of wood , whereon the meat shall lye , so made that the pillar doth not open being parted , except when the mouse cometh to touch the meat , and so by that means she is taken . there is also another manner of mouse-trap used among us , which is , let there be a hole made and compassed about with a board of a foot long , and five or six fingers broad , the compass whereof must be four fingers ; into this hole let there be put a vessel made of wood the length of ones fist , but round and very deep ; and in the middle of each side of this vessel let there be made a hole , wherein there is put in a thread made of iron with meat , and let it be compassed about with a small thread which must be fastened overthwart the hole : and the part of the thread which hangeth down must be crooked , that the meat may be fastened thereto , and there must be a piece of the thread without ; to the which may be tied a stronger piece of wood , which is the thread whereon the meat is hanged , by the which the mouse is taken , by putting her head into the vessel to catch at the meat . and also mice are taken otherwise , with a great cane wherein there is a knot , and in the top of it let there be made a little bow with a lute string , and there stick a great needle in the middle of the pole of the cane , and let the pole be made just in the middle , and let there be bound a piece of flesh beneath , so prepared , that when the mouse shall bite , and move the skin , that then the string slippeth down , and so the needle pierceth through his head , and holdeth him that he cannot run away . but among all the rest , there is an excellent piece of workmanship to catch mice ; which i will here set down : take a piece of wood , the length of both thy fists , one fist broad , and two fingers thick , and let there be cut off about some two fingers , a little beyond the middle of half the breadth . and that breadth where it was cut , ought to be more declining and lower , after the manner of this letter a. and you must put to the side of this a piece of wood , half a circle long , bending , and in the middle part of each side holes pierced through , so that the half circle may be strait , and plainly placed to the foundation of the wood , that the trap being made , it may rest upon the same half circle , and upon this half circle let there be placed iron nails very sharp , so that the instrument by falling down may cover the irons of the half circle assoon as ever they touch the same . furthermore , there is another manner of trap , when a vessel out of which they cannot escape , is filled half up with water , and upon the top thereof oat meal is put , which will swim , and not sink , making the uppermost face of the water to seem white , and solid , whereunto when the mouse cometh , she leapeth into the oatmeal , and so is drowned : and the like may be done with chaffe mingled with oatmeal : and this in all traps must be observed , wherein mice are taken alive , that they be presently taken forth , for if they make water in the place , their fellows will for ever suspect the trap , and never come near it , till the favour of the urine be abolished . ●alladius saith , that the thick froth of oyl , being infused into a dish or brasen caldron , and set in the middle of the house in the night time , will draw all the mice unto it , wherein they shall stick fast , and not be able to escape . pliny saith , that if a mouse be gelded alive , and so let go , she will drive away all the residue ; but this is to be understood of the sorex . if the head of a mouse be flead ; or if a male mouse be flead all over , or her tail cut off ; or if her leg be bound to a post in the house , or a bell be hung about her neck , and so turned going , she will drive away all her fellows . and ( pliny saith ) that the smoke of the leaves of the ewe tree , because they are a poyson , will kill mice , so also will libbards-bane , and henbane-seed , and wolf-bane , for which cause they are severally called my●ctonos , and the roots of wolf-bane , are commonly sold in savoy unto the country people for that purpose . in germany they mingle it with oatmeal , and so lay it in balls to kill mice . the fume of wallwort , calcauth , parsely , origanum , and deaths-herb do also kill mice : you may also drive them away with the fume of the stone haematites , and with green tamarisk , with the hoof of a mule , or of nitre , or the ashes of a weesil , or a cat in water , or the gall of an ox put into bread . the seed of cowcumbers being sod , and sprinkled upon any thing , mice will never touch it , likewise wilde cowcumber and coloquintida , kill mice . to keep mice from corn , make morter of the froth of oyl mingled together with chaff , and let them well dry , and afterwards be wrought throughly , then plaister the walls of your garnery therewith , and when they are dry cast more froth of oyl upon them , and afterwards carry in your corn , and the mice will never annoy it . wormwood laid among clothes , and skins , defend them from mice : and also the water of worm-wood sod , sprinkled upon clothes hath the same operation . ink tempered with water , wherein wormwood hath been washed , or sod , causeth that the parchment and paper written therwith , shall never be eaten , or touched with mice . anatolius and tarentinus , in the discourse of the granery or barn , do write , that milk thistle mingled with hony , water , and fine flower , or mil-dust , made into little balls , and laid where mice may eat of it , doth make them blinde if they cast thereof . white hellebore mixed with pottage , or the seeds of wilde cowcumber , coloquintida , and meal , mingled with black hellebore , and put into cheese or bread , or any other kinde of fat meat , killeth both rats and mice . so likewise a white camelion sod in broth , mingled with water and oyl , killeth dogs , swine and mice . the juyce of the root of the herb camelion , mixed with water and oyl , draweth mice unto it , and killeth them by tasting thereof , if they drink not presently : so also doth henbane . the roots of the bramble tree , mingled with butter , bread , or hony , elecampane , and sea onions , scammony , wilde sparage , arsenick , mug-wort , otherwise called mouse-wort ' , mingled with lard in small pieces , with auripigment , killeth wolfs and mice ; and in some countries , for the better dispersing of the poyson , set drink beside the same , whereof assoon as they tast , they swell and die ; but i have seen them die without drinking at all . mice and wolfs , if they tast of the wilde rose , and drink after it , do not only die , but also fall into madness and bite their fellows , communicating the quality of the disease to every one they bite . flesh cut into little pieces , and fryed with butter in a frying pan , and afterwards when it is cold , adde half so much soft pitch thereto , and mingle it together , rowling up the flesh in the pitch , then distribute it upon little bords , and set it in the place , and places whereunto the mice do much resort , and water beside it , and when that they have tasted of it a little , they are so eagerly a thirst , that they drink and die . the like i may say of rats-bane , quick-silver , sublimate , and precipitate , and divers other things ; and thus much may suffice for the catching , taking , and killing of mice , whereunto i may adde the use of their members and parts , not medicinal , but natural , although i have touched it heretofore in part . the scythians were wont to be clad with the skins of mice and woolfs , and it is observed , that when mice cry and screeketh above their ordinary custom , it presageth an alteration and change of the weather ; and thus much shall suffice for their natural discourse . having thus discoursed of the nature of the vulgar mouse , i may also add the moral use thereof , as i finde it recorded among learned writers , delivered either in history , or in proverb . it is reported of glaucus the son of minos and pasiphae , that while he followed a mouse to take her , he fell into a vessel of hony ; but after polyades the prophet , by laying an herb on him , raised him again to life . hatto an archbishop of metz in the frontiers of germany , was destroyed by mice , or as other say by rats ; but the words of textor are ; hatto archiepiscopus moguntinus à muribus fertur devoratus . and the error may proceed , because that mus is a general word for the rat and mouse ; and therefore they which have thought it an unreasonable thing , that so small beasts should destroy so mighty a prince , have rather attributed it to the rats then to the mice ; but they ought to have remembred , that it was an extraordinary judgement of god to punish a cruel covetous wretch , and that therefore it was as easie for him to make the little mouse his instrument , as the great rat : for we read , that herod was devoured by worms ; and other have been eaten up with lice . adrian the pope was strangled by a fly ; and therefore hatto an archbishop might aswell perish through the afflicting hand of god by a multitude of mice . heliogabalus that wretch , amongst other his monstrous desires , and tyrannical commands , lampridius affirmeth , that upon a time he commanded , that there should be brought unto him ten thousand mice alive , a thousand weesils , and a thousand sorices , or wilde field-mice , so base were his thoughts , that while he should have attended his emperial calling , and hearkened to the suits and complaints of poor distressed subjects , he was busied in killing of mice , and therefore in ancient time , a mouse-killer was taken for an opprobrious speech , for a base , sluggish , and idle companion . the like is reported of a muscovian emperour , who to afflict his people , and to gather mony from them , commanded the citizens of musco , to bring him a peck full of fleas : whereunto the people answered , that if they could take so many , yet could not they keep them together from leaping away . and mice have been brought into publick spectacle , because at lavinium they gnawed asunder the shields of silver ; and it was afterward judged a prodigy ; for there followed the marsick war. when the soythians understood that darius with his great army , stood in need of victuals , they sent unto him a provant-master with these presents or gifts , a bird , a mouse , a frog , and five darts . at the receit whereof the persians wondered what should be meant thereby ; and demanded of the messenger the meaning of the mystery . but the ambassador answered , he knew not any signification of his presents , but only received charge to deliver them , and make hast back again , and to bid the persians , if they were wise , to lay their wits together , to know and understand the meaning thereof . when the persians heard him say so , they fell to consultation . darius gave his opinion , that the mouse , signified the earth ; the frog , the waters ; the bird , horses ; and the darts , warlike furniture and strength of forces ; and that the scythians by sending all these unto them , yeelded that the persians should be lords of their land , sea , horses , and themselves , and that therefore they ought to be of good courage . but one gobr●as , a grave counsellor , who was one of the seven that slew the magi , or wizards , answered otherwise , for his conjecture was more true : for said he ; o persae , nisi effecti ut aves sub●letis in coelum , aut ut mures subeatis terram , aut ut ranae insiliati● in paludes , non remeabitis unde venistis 〈◊〉 sagittis confecti : o ye persians , except ye become like birds , to flie up into heaven ; or like mice , to creep into the earth ; or like frogs , to leap into the waters , you shall not return back again unto the place from whence you came , and so indeed it came to pass . we read sam. . that when the ark of god was taken by the philistines , and they kept it in their temple at hazzah , the hand of the lord fell upon their princes , and he smote them with emrods , in the bottom of their belly , that is , god punished them with mice , for he afflicted their bodies , and the fruits of the earth , for which cause cap. they advice with themselves , to send back again the ark of the lord with a present of golden mice . ovid , homer , and orpheus , call apollo smyntheus , for the cretians in ancient time called mice smynthae : now the faigned cause thereof is thus related by aelianus : there was one crinis which was a priest of apollo ; who neglected his daily sacrifice , for the which through abundance of mice he was deprived of the fruits of the earth , for they devoured all . at which loss apollo himself was moved ; and taking pity of the misery , appeared to one ho●da a neat-heard , commanding him to tell crinis , that all the cause of that penury was , for that he had omitted his accustomed sacrifice , and that it was his duty to offer them again diligently , or else it would be far worse afterward . crinis upon the admonition amended the fault , and immediately apollo killed all the devouring mice with his darts , whereupon he was called smyntheus . others again say , that among the aeolians , at troas and hamaxitus , they worshipped mice and apollo both together , and that under his altar they had meat and nourishment , and also holes to live in safely : and the reason was ; because once many thousand of mice invaded the corn fields of aeolia and troy , cutting down the same before it was ripe , and also frustrating the husbandman of fruit and hope : this evil caused them to go to delphos , to ask counsel at the oracle what they should do to be delivered from that extremity ; where the oracle gave answer that they should go sacrifice to apollo smyntheus ; and afterward they had sacrificed , they were delivered from the mice , and that therefore they placed a statue or figure of a mouse in the temple of apollo . when the trojans came out of creet , to seek a habitation for themselves , they received an oracle , that they should there dwell , where the inhabitants that were born of the earth should set upon them ; the accomplishing whereof fell out about hamaxitus ; for in the night time a great company of wilde mice set upon their bows , quivers , and strings , leathers of their bucklers , and all such soft instruments , whereby the people knew , that that was the place , wherein the oracle had assigned them to build the city ; and therefore there they builded ida , so called after the name of ida in creet : and to conclude , we do read that mice have been sacrificed , for the arcadians are said first of all to have sacrificed to their gods a mouse ; and secondly a white horse ; and lastly the leaves of an oak . and to conclude , aelianus telleth one strange story of mice in heraclea , that there is not one of them which toucheth any thing that is consecrated to religion , or to the service of their gods. insomuch , that they touch not their vines which are sacred to religious uses , but suffer them to come to their natural maturity , but depart out of the island , to the intent that neither hunger nor folly cause them to touch that which is dedicated to divine uses . and thus much for the natural and moral hory of mice ; now followeth the medicinal . the medicines of the mouse . the flesh of a mouse is hot and soft , and very little or nothing fat , and doth expel black and melancholy choler . a mouse being flead or having his skin pulled off , and afterwards cut through the middle , and put unto a wound or sore wherein there is the head of a dart or arrow , or any other thing whatsoever within the wound , will presently and very easily exhale and draw them out of the same . mice being cut and placed unto wounds which have been bitten by serpents , or put to places which are stinged by them , do very effectually , and in short space of time cure and perfectly heal them . mice which do lurk and inhabit in houses , being cut in twain , and put unto the wounds which are new made by scorpions , doth very speedily heal them . a young mouse being mingled with salt is an excellent remedy against the biting of the mouse called a shrew , which biting horses and labouring cattel , it doth venome until it come unto the heart , and then they die , except the aforesaid remedy be used . the shrew also himself being bruised and laid unto the place which was bitten , is an excellent and very profitable remedy against the same . a mouse being divided and put or laid upon warts , will heal them and quite abolish them , of what kinde soever they shall be . the fat which is distilled from mice , being mixed with a little goose-grease and boyled together , is an excellent and medicinable cure for the asswaging and mollifying of swellings and hard lumps or knots which do usually arise in the flesh . young mice being beaten into small bits or pieces , and mixed with old wine , and so boyled or baked , until they come unto a temperate and mollifying medicine ; if it be anointed upon the eye-lids , it will very easily procure hair to grow thereon . the same being unbeaten and roasted , and so given to little children to eat , will quickly dry up the froath or spittle which aboundeth in their mouth . there are certain of the wise men or mag● , who think it good that a mouse should be flead , and given to those which are troubled with the tooth-ach , twice in a month to be eaten . the water wherein a mouse hath been sod or boyled , is very wholesome and profitable for those to drink who are troubled with the inflammation of the jaws or the disease called the squincy . mice , but especially those of africk , having their skin pull'd off , and well steeped in oyl , and rubbed with salt , and so boiled , and afterwards taken in drink , are very medicinable for those which have any pain or trouble in their lights and lungs the same medicine used in the aforesaid manner is very profitable for those which are troubled with a filthy , mattery , and bloudy spitting out with retching . sodden mice are exceeding good to restrain and hold in the urine of infants or children being too abundant , if they be given in some pleasant or delightsome drink . mice also being cut in twain , and laid unto the feet or legs of those which are gowty is an excellent remedy and cure for them . mice being dryed and beaten to powder , doe very effectually heal and cure those which are scalded or burned with hot water , or fire . cypres nuts being burned and pounded , or beaten into dust , and mixed with the dust of the hoof of a male or female mule , being dryed or stamped small , and the oyl of myrtle added unto the same , with the dirt or dung of mice being also beaten ; and with the dung of a hedge-hog new made , and with red arsenick : and all mingled together with vinegar , and moist or liquid pitch and put unto the head of any one who is troubled with the abundance and loose hanging down or over-growning of his hair , it will very speedily and without any difficulty ease him of the same . the dust of a mouse pounded and beaten to powder , and mingled with a certain oyl , is very good and wholesome , for those which are grieved with a tetter , or scab , which may over-run their whole body . the brains or tail of a mouse being dryed and beaten to powder , is very medicinable for those which are troubled with the casting and shedding of their hair ; as also for the disease called the foxes evill ; but this operation will work more effectually , if the shedding of the hair doth happen by any venom or poyson . the same in operation hath the whole body of the mouse being used in the aforesaid manner . there is also another excellent remedy to cure and heal the aforesaid disease , which is this ; to take mice which inhabit in houses , and to burn or dry them in a pot , and then beat them ; and being so used , to mix them with oyl of lawrel , and to rub the hairs which are like to fall or shed with garlick ; and to put them all together into a frontlet or fore-head cloth , and daily to keep the same medicine or plaister unto them , until the hair do grow fast , and they be rid of that disease . there is also another remedy for the same disease , which is this : to burn a mouse , and beat him into powder , and then to mingle the same with hony , and the grease of a bear , and so to anoint the head , and this is accounted for a very speedy and effectual cure . the dust or powder of mice being mixed with hony and oyl of roses , and so baked , or boiled together , and afterward distilled into a clear water , and so poured into the ears of any one which is deaf , or troubled with any pain in his ears , and it will quickly bring him help and remedy . the dust of a dryed mouse being also mingled with hony , and rubbed upon the teeth of any one which is troubled with a stinking breath , will presently take away the savour thereof . if the urine of a man or woman be too fluent and abundant , let them take the dust or powder of a dryed mouse , being beaten and stamped , and mix it with wine , or with goats milk , and so drink it up , and he shall speedily have remedy . the grievous and violent inflammation or turning of the eye-lids , is cured after this manner : first , they take the flesh of the mice , assoon as ever it is beaten small , and mingle it with the yolk of an egge , and mollifie it into a salve or plaister like unto wax , and then put it into a linnen cloth , and so wrap it upon the eye-lids in the time of sleep , and it will easily bring help and remedy . there is an excellent remedy for the over-spreading of the eyes , or to cure the disease in them , called the pin and the web ; or to help them which are altogether blinde , which is this : to take the bloud of a mouse , the gall of a cock , and some part or quantity of womans milk , and to take of each of them alike , and then to mingle or mix them together , and being well wrought or kneaded until it come to an ointment , to rub or spread it upon the eyes : and this will in very short space help them unto their sight ; for it hath been tryed ; and hath helped many . the skin of a mouse being burned or dryed , and beaten into powder , and so mingled with vinegar , and then anointed upon the head of any one who is pained or troubled with the head-ach , it will presently ease and help him . the head of a mouse being also born or carryed in a linnen cloth , doth cure the same disease : the heads of mice being burned , and beaten into small powder , and then mixed or mingled with hony , and so anointed upon the legs or feet of them which are troubled with the gowt , are excellent good and wholesome for the curing of that grievous disease . the same vertue hath the tails or bodies of mice , being used in the aforesaid manner in them . some do think , that the aforesaid disease is more speedily and effectually cured after this manner : first , to take a beetle or horse-fly , and stamp it all to pieces , and then to mingle it with soft and liquid pitch , the skin being prepared or made ready with nitre : but there must be great care taken , that it eat not too far in the flesh : then to take the head of a mouse , and the gall and dung of a mouse , and mingle them together with ling-wort and pepper , and so to anoint them , and spread them upon the aforesaid eaten or lanced wounds : and this is very much commended for a very good and medicinable cure for the aforesaid disease . the heads of mice dryed and beaten into powder or dust , and then mixed with hony , and so anointed upon the eyes for the space of ten days together , will clarifie the eyes , and expel all pain or blemishes from them . of the heads of mice being burned , is made that excellent powder , for the scowring and clensing of the teeth called tooth-soap : unto which if spikenard be added or mingled , it will take away any filthy sent or strong savour in the mouth . the brains of a mouse being taken and put or steeped in wine , and stamped , and beaten small , and anointed upon the brow or fore-head of any one who is troubled with a pain or ach in the head , and the shall soon finde ease and remedy . if any man shall but touch or kiss with his mouth the snowt or nostrils of a mouse , and be troubled with the disease called the rhume , which falleth down and stuffeth the nostrils , he shall in very short space be eased of the same . the magi● or wise men do very much commend this medicine for the expelling of a quartain ague or fever , which is thus ; to take the nose or snowt of a mouse , as also the very tops of the ears , and bruise them together , and afterward tie them in a linnen cloth , which hath had roses or rose-leaves in the same , and then binde them unto the arms or wrists of him which is so troubled , and they will very effectually and speedily cure and heal him . for the rottenness and deminishing of the teeth , the best remedy is to take a living mouse , and to take out one of her teeth , whether the greatest or the least it is no great matter , and hang it by the teeth of the party grieved : but first kill the mouse from whom you had the tooth , and he shall presently have ease and help of his pain . the heart of a living mouse being taken out , and hanged upon the left arm of any woman , is of such force and power , as it will cause her never to conceive . the laps or fillets of the liver of a mouse , being beaten small and mingled with four drams of sowre and unpleasant wine , is an excellent remedy for those which are troubled with quakings in their joynts ; as also for fevers and shaking agues . a mouse being cut or parted in the conjunction of the sun and the moon , and the liver pulled out and roasted or boiled , and given to one which is troubled with the aforesaid disease to eat , will very speedily and without any difficulty or pain cure and heal him of the same . the gall of a mouse being beaten very small , and steeped or washed in vinegar , and so poured or distilled into the ears of any one who is deaf or thick of hearing , or hath any ach or pain in the same , is counted for the chiefest , and most singular and chiefest remedy or cure which is used for the same . the dung or dirt of a mouse being new made , is very profitable for those which are troubled with the disease called the sciatica , or hip-gowt , anointed or rubbed upon the same . mouse-dung being also mingled with vinegar and oyl of roses , and so anointed or spread upon the fore-head or temples of any one who is troubled with the head-ach , will presently ease and help him of the same . the gum called benzoin being mixed with wine and safron , and pepper ; as also with the dirt or dung of mice being new made , and mixed with vinegar , and mingled all in one medicine , and so strained and given to one to drink , which is spare and lean , in some short space or time it will make him grow very fat . the dung or dirt of a mouse being mingled with certain other medicines , is very good and wholesome for those which are troubled with tetters , and dry scabs which over-run the whole body . the dung of mice being mingled with the dust or powder of frankincense , with a little red arsenick added thereunto , is a very profitable and wholesome medicine for those to use which are troubled with little hard red bunches and swellings arising in divers and several parts of the body . seven pills being taken out of the dung of a mouse , and mingled with vinegar , and anointed upon the fore-head and temples , of those which are grieved therein , will very speedily help and cure him . the inward parts of earth mixed with mouse-dung , white pepper , and myrrhe , beingof each of them half an ounce , and afterwards mingled with vinegar all together ; and so anointed upon the head of any one which is troubled with the megrim , will very effectually and speedily ease and rid him of the same . the herb called strumus beaten together with mouse-dung , and afterwards mixed with vinegar , is an excellent remedy against the swellings in the head , or little bunches which arising therein become sores , and are full of matter and filthy corruption . the dung or dirt of mice being melted , dissolved , and mingled with vinegar , and then rubbed upon the head of any one who is troubled with the scurf or s●a●les thereon in a bathe or stove , will presently expell and drive them quite away . the dung of mice being mingled with frankincense , and so beaten or tempered together until they come unto the likeness or thickness of hony , and then anointed upon the legs or feet of any one that is troubled with the gowt , he shall finde present help and remedy . the same disease also is very effectually cured by the dung of a mouse , and burned or scorched barley mingled together , of each being the same weight or quantity , and afterwards mixed with vinegar all together , and so spread or anointed upon the diseased parts . there is also another excellent remedy for curing of the aforesaid disease , which is thus : to take cantharides , and bruise them all to pieces , and mingle them with soft or liquid pitch , and also with nitre , and so anoint or rub them upon the skin being prepared for the purpose ; but there must be great care had , that the skin be not rubbed or lanced too far . afterwards unto the wound so made , there must be taken the heads , galls , and dung of mice , being mixed with the herb lingwort , and pepper ; and so beaten all together until they come unto a temperate salve or medicine , and then anointed upon the said wounds , and they will in very short space cure the same . the hairs and dung of a mouse , parched or dryed by the fire , and anointed upon the eye-lids of any one which are pield or bare , will presently procure hair to grow thereon . mouse-dung being dryed in the shade is an excellent remedy against the voiding or spitting of bloud which floweth from some parts of the body , but especially from the belly . the same is also very good to stanch the bloud which issueth from wounds being new made . white sceny-seed , and the dung of a mouse or hare being put into broth , with the stem or stalk of fennil , and so boyled together , and afterwards given unto a woman to drink who is destitute of milk in her breasts , will presently and very speedily procure her milk in great abundance . the dung of mice being steeped or washed in rain water , doth ease and refresh the swelling of womens dugs in their time of delivery . the dung of a mouse being given in any drink or liquor to one that is troubled with the disease called the colick and stone to drink , will in very short space or time cure him of the same . mouse-dung being also taken in drink , doth loose the body of either man or woman , how fast soever they be bound . there is an excellent remedy arising from mouse-dung against the sciatica , or hip-gowt , which is this : to take nine grains of a mouses dung mixed or mingled with half a pinte of wine , and given to the party grieved upon a bench or foot-stool to drink , so that he drink it standing upon that foot only which paineth him , even at the sun rising ; and having so drunk it , let him leap down , and afterwards let him leap three times , and let him do this but three days together , and he shall have present help and remedy of his disease . mouse-dung mixed with frankincense and sweet wine , and so drunk by any one which is troubled with the colick and stone , will presently ease him of the same . but the dung of mice mingled with frankincense , water , and hony , and so boyled together , and drunk , doth not only drive away the pain of the aforesaid disease , but also doth break and quite dissolve the stone . mouse-dung also being taken in drink by it self alone , doth dissolve and melt the stone in the bladder . the same being also boyled in water , is very good and profitable for those which cannot make water . the same being new made and anointed upon the belly of any one who is troubled with the colick or stone , shall finde present ease and remedy thereby . there is yet moreover another excellent medicine proceeding from this dung , whereby the fruit in a womans womb may be brought forth either dead or putrified , without any hurt or prejudice unto the woman , which is thus ; first to take egyptian salt , mouse-dung , and gourds which are sowen in woods ; and afterwards to pour in half a pinte of hony , being half boyled , and to cast one dram of rozen into the hony , the gourds , and the mouse-dung , and beat them well and throughly together , and then rowl them up , and fashion them in the manner of acorns , and put them to the belly of the party ●o grieved as often as you shall think it meet and convenient , and in using this some short space or time , you shall see the aforesaid putrified fruit to proceed and issue forth . mouse-dung being parched or burned , and mingled with hony , is very good and medicinable aswell for those which are troubled with the swellings in their legs and feet ; as also for those whose eye-lids are pilled and bald , to make hair to grow again upon them , being spread or anointed there-upon . the dung of mice being dryed and beaten into small dust or powder , and put into the teeth of any one which are hollow , will presently expel away all pain from them , and also confirm and make the teeth strong . the dust or powder which proceedeth from mouse-dung , is also very good to cure any disease in the fundament of either man or woman . the urine of a mouse is of such strong force , that if it shall but touch any part of a mans body , it will eat unto the very bones . the bitings of mice are healed by no other means but by green figs and garlick being mixed or mingled together , and so anointed thereupon . of the rat . there is no doubt that this beast belongeth also to the rank of mice , and the name thereof we have shewed already , is common both to the french , spanish , italian , and english , and it may seem to be derived from the greek word rastes , or heurex , or riscos , for the graecians use all those words ▪ and this beast is four times so big as the common mouse , being of a blackish dusky colour , more white on the belly , having a long head , not much unlike the head of the martin ; short and round ears , a reasonable rough skin , short legs , and long claws , and exceeding great eyes , such as can see very perfectly in the dark night , and more perfectly then by candle , light ; with their nails they climbe up steep and hard walls , their tail is very long , and almost ▪ naked , void of hair , by reason whereof it is not unworthily counted venomous ; for it seemeth to partake with the nature of serpents . the quantity of their body is much like a weesils ; and sometime you shall see a rat exceeeding the common stature , which the germans call ratzen kunig , the king of rats , because of his larger and greater body ; and they say that the lesser bring him meat , and he lyeth idle . but my opinion is , that as we read of the dor-mouse , she nourisheth her patent when she is old ; so likewise the younger rats bring food unto the elder , because through their age , they are not able to hunt for themselves , and are also grown to a great and unweeldy stature of body . sometimes you shall see white rats , as was once seen in germany , taken in the middle of april ; having very red eyes standing forth of their head , and a rough and long beard . and at auspurg in germany , about the temple called the church of s. huldric , they abound in greater number then in other places . they do not lie in the earth like mice , except in the vally of ioachim , where for the summer time they forsake houses , and go into cony holes , but in the winter time they return to the houses again . they are more noysome then the little mouse , for they live by stealth , and feed upon the same meat that they feed upon , and therefore as they exceed in quantity , so they devour more , and do far more harm . they are killed by the same poysons and meats that the common mice are killed , except wolf-bane ; for if they eat thereof , they vomit it up again , and are safe . they are also taken in the same traps , but three or four times so big : their flesh is far more hot and sharp then the flesh of the vulgar mouse , as we have gathered by the dissection of it , and therefore in operation it is very like that it expelleth and dryeth more then the other . the excrements are also of the same vertue ; and with the dung of rats the physitians cure the falling off the hair . and it is said also that when they rage in lust , and follow their copulation , they are more venemous and dangerous then at other times . for if the urine do fall upon the bare place of a man , it maketh the flesh rot unto the bones , neither will it suffer any scar to be made upon the ulcer ; and thus much of the vulgar rat. of the water-rat . seeing there are two kindes of rats , one of the earth called rattus terrestris , and the other of the water called rattus fluviatilis , of which we are now to entreat , being also called of the latines , mus aquaticus ; by the germans , twassermaus , and wafferrat ; by the italians , sorgomogange ; by the french , rat d' eau . this beast hunteth fishes in the winter , and have certain caves in the water sides , and banks of the rivers or ponds : for which occasion it being seen in the waters , deceiveth their expectation which look for the return of it to the land . and this beast hath been forgotten by the ancients , for they have left of it no description nor story , because it liveth partly in the water , and partly on the land , and therefore he said true , that spake of the habitation and place of abode of this beast , in this sort ; ego non in fluviis , nec aliis aquis magnis , sed parvis tantum riois atque herbosis omnium ripis , hoc a●urnal frequentissimum versari audio . that is to say ; that this beast doth not keep in great waters of rivers , but in small and little currents and ponds , where abundance of grass and other weeds do grow on the sides and banks : pliny attributeth that to the water-rat , which is proper to the tortoise ; for indeed there is some similitude of natures bewixt these beasts , with this exception , that the females in this kinde have three visible passages for their excrements , one for their urine , another for the dung , and the third for the young ones , that is a peculiar place for the littering of their young ones ; and this water-rat over and beside her common nature with other rats , doth swim over rivers , and feed upon herbs ; and if at any time she be hunted from her native biding and accustomed lodging , then also she goeth among vulgar and common rats and mice , and feedeth upon such as they eat : and ( bellonius saith ) that there are great store of these in nilus and strymen , and that in calm nights when there are no windes , they walk to the shores , & get up upon the banks , eating and gnawing such plants as grow near the waters ; and if they hear any noise , they suddenly leap into the waters again . he expresseth also the figure of this rat , which we have omitted because it resembleth in all parts the common rat , excepting the snowt or beak which is rounder or blunter . among some of the ancients also , there is mention made of this beast , and no more . therefore aristotle saith in the arcadian lusae , which is a city so called , ( as stephanus writeth , ) where malampus did wash the daugliters of proetus , and delivered them from their madness : there is a certain fountain , wherein do live rats of the earth , ( they should say rats of the water , ) for hereunto agree both pliny and theophrastus . likewise in a river of cassinus , the ancient wise-men , which were followers of zoronstres , made great account of the hedgehog , but hated deadly the water-rats , and said , that he that could kill most of them , was most deat and acceptable to god. and further more they said , that dogs , hens , and hedgehogs , did proceed , and were attended from and by good angels , and water-rats by evill . and thus much shall suffice for the discourse of the rat. the story which ensueth is of strange and less known mice ; and therefore i will distribute them after an alphabetical order , according to their several names . of the alpine movse . the alpine mouse taketh her name from the alpes , wherein she is bred , and although there be many other kindes of mice bred in the alpes , yet this being the principal thereof , receiveth denomination from the mountains , because they are bred in the very tops of the mountains , and seldom or never come down to the roots . the italians call it marmota , and murmont , and according to matheolus , marmontana ; the rhaetians , montanella ; and in some part of italy , varrosa ; in france , marmote ; although marmot be also a word among them for a munkey . the germans , and especially the helvetians , by a corrupt word drawn from a mouse of the mountain , murmelthier , and murmentle , and some misibellerle , by reason of his sharp whining voyce like a little dogs in latine it is called also emptra , which seemeth to be compounded of embdor , and this is the least kinde of alpine mice , which is found in all the german regions ; of which we will speak in the end of this story . some take this to be called taxus , amongst , whom brassavolus is one ; yet it hath no property with the alpine mouse , except lying in a cave ; for it doth not sleep in the winter , nor hath no outward resemblance with mice , neither can have any affinity in disposition or manner of living , and therefore i cannot assent thereto . grapaldus & alunnus , both learned italians , say , that the armelins are called alpine mice , whereunto they are led , because they sleep all the winter long , like the alpine mouse ; but we shall shew in their due place , that these belong to the weesils , and not to the mice , which living in cold countries , grow white in the winter time : the hebrew word is saphan , according to some authors , and is translated arcktonim , but we will shew in due place , that the arktomys is the crycetus , or grycet mouse , and the saphan we have shewed already to be the cony . these alpine mice are in the tops of the apennine hills , and none of the ancients except pliny make mention thereof , and it is doubtful whether he doth describe it or no. for his words are , sunt his muribus alpin●● pares & in aegypto , similiterque residunt in clunibus & binis pedibus gradiuntur , prioribusque ut manibus ut untur , that is to say , there are mice in egypt like to the alpine mice ; for they fit upon their buttocks , and go with their fore-most two feet , which also they use instead of hands , by which we collect , that they are not the same , but like the alpine mice . the alpine mouse is in quantity like a hare , or at the least betwixt a hare and a cony , being more fat , and of a thicker body then a cat , but shorter legs , in outward appearance most like a mouse , and therefore it is called an alpine mouse . the back of it is very broad , and the hair harder and harsher then a conies . the colour for the most part is yellow , which in some is more clear , and in others more obscure and brown . their eyes of a reasonable quantity , standing far out of their heads . their ears very short like cropt ears . the head like a hares , and their feet with long nails ; his fore-teeth like a squirrels , two above , and two beneath , but long and sharp like a beavers , in colour yellow ; about the nose and upper lips he hath long black bristle hairs like a cat. the tail is half a cubit long , according to stumpsius , but two palms according to agricola . his legs very short and thick , covered with long deep thick hair , like to the bottom of his belly . the toes of his feet are like a bears , and his claws long and black , wherewithall he diggeth the earth to make his den ; he goeth upon his hinder-feet like a bear , or like an ape , by jumps , and with his fore-feet he taketh his meat like a squirrel and an ape , sitting in the mean time upon his buttocks . his back is also very fat , although all the other parts of his body be lean , and yet that on his back cannot be said to be fat , but rather like a cows udder , neither fat nor flesh , and they encrease or grow more in breadth then in length . they play many times before the mouth of their den together , and in their sport or pastime , bark like little dogs . when they go out of their cave into the mountains to gather food , or to play , or to fetch in grass ; always one of them remaineth like a watch-man near the mouth of the cave upon some high place , looking most diligently and vigilantly , both far and near ; and if he see either a man or wilde beast coming towards them , then he suddenly cryeth out , and with his voyce giveth the warning word , whining like the whisling of a pipe , if his fellows be far off ; or else barking like a dog , if they be near at hand . when the residue hear it , they presently repair home , and he which kept the watch , entereth into the den last of all . and it is reported by a certain greek writer , that if their speculator do not give them the watch-word , but that they are endangered by any man or beast through his negligence , they tear him in pieces with their teeth . there is no beast so strong as this , considering the quantity ; for it hath been seen , that when a lusty young man took one of them by the hinder-leg as it ran into the den , he could not with all his might pluck it back again . the claws of it are exceeding sharp , and fit to dig ; so that it is thought if a man finde them in the earth , and seek to take them by digging unto them , he shall labour in vain , because the beast diggeth faster from him then he can follow her ; they cannot run very fast in the plain ground , but are easily killed by a man , except they get into the earth : with their teeth they bite deep , for they can sheer asunder wood with them like beavers , they eat or live upon fruits , and especially being tamed when they are young ; they refuse not bread , flesh , fish , or pottage , and above all they desire milk , butter , and cheese ; for in the alpes they will break into the little cottages where milk is kept , and are oftentimes taken in the manner sucking up the milk , for they make a noise in sucking of milk like the pig in the moneth of may they are much delighted to eat hornets , or horse-flies , also they feed upon wilde sagapen of the meddow , and seeded cabages , and while they are wilde in the mountains , they never drink ; the reason is , as i suppose , because in the summer time they eat moist green herbs , and in all the winter time they sleep . towards the feast of saint michael the archangel , and of gallus , they enter into their caves ; and as pliny saith , they first of all carry provision of hay , and green herbs into their den to rest upon , wherein their wit and understanding is to be admired ; for like beavers one of them falleth on the back , and the residue load his belly with the carriage , and when they have laid upon him sufficient , he girteth it fast by taking his tail in his mouth , and so the residue draw him to the cave ; but i cannot affirm certainly , whether this be a truth or a falsehood . for there is no reason that leadeth the author thereunto , but that some of them have been found bald on the back . but this is certain , when the snow begins to cover the mountains , then do they enter into their dens , and shut up close the passages , with sticks , grass , and earth , both so hard and so thick , that it is easier to break the solid ground , then the mouths of their caves , and so being safely included both from the fear of the hunters , from rain , snow , and cold , there they live until the spring , without all manner of meat and drink , gathered round together like a hedgehog , sleeping continually ; and therefore the people inhabiting the alpes have a common proverb , to express a drowsie and sleepy fellow in the german tongue thus ; er musse syuzyt geschlaffen haben wie ein murmelthier : in latine thus ; necesse habet certum , dormiendo , tempus consumere , instar mutis alpini . he must needs sleep a little , like the mouse of the alpes . they sleep also when they be tamed , but it hath been found by experience , that when a tame one hath been taken a sleep , and laid in a warm barrel upon hay , the mouth being shut and closed to keep out rain and snow , at the opening thereof it was found dead ; and the reason was , because it lacked breath , and therefore this is most wonderful , that in the mountains , notwithstanding the close stopping of the mouth of their caves , yet they should not be deprived of refrigeration , that is , fresh air , for expiration , and respiration . but this is to be considered , that after they have been long tamed , they sleep not so much as when they are wilde ; for i think that their continual eating of raw and green herbs , ingendereth in them so many humors as cannot be dispersed without a long continuing sleep ; but afterwards when they are dieted with such meat as is provided for the nourishment of man , they are eased of the cause , and so the effect ceaseth . during the time that they sleep , they grow very fat , and they are not awaked very easily , except with the heat of the sumor fire , or a hot-house . now the manner of their taking while they are wilde , is thus ; in the summer time when they go in and out of their caves , they are taken with snares set at the mouth thereof ; but in the winter time , when they go not abroad , then also are inhabitants forced to another devise , for then in the summer time , they set up certain pillars or perches near the mouth of their den , whereby they may be directed , when the snow doth cover the mountains . for the pillars or poles stand up above the snow , although the snow be very deep . then come the inhabitants upon round pieces of wood in the midst of the winter , fastned to their shooe-soles over the deep snow with their pyoners and diggers , and cast away the snow from the den , and so dig up the earth , and not only take the beasts , but carry them away sleeping , and while they dig , they diligently observe the frame and manner of the stopping of the mouses den . for if it be long and deep , if is a sign of a long and a hard winter , but if they be shallow and thin , of the contrary : so coming upon them as we have said , they take them and carry them away asleep , finding always an odd number among them ; and they diligently observe , that whilest they dig , there be no great noise , or that they bring not their fire too near them . for as stumpsius saith , experrecti enim capi non possunt , nam utcunque strenue fodiat venator , ipsi fodiendo simul & retrocedunt & pedibus quam effoderint , terram rejiciendo fossorem impediunt . that is to say , if they be once awaked , they can never be taken , for howsoever the hunter dig never so manfully , yet they together with him , dig inward into the mountains , and cast the earth backward with their feet to hinder his work . being taken as we have said , they grow very tame , and especially in the presence of their keepers , before whom they will play and sport , and take lice out of their heads with their fore-feet like an ape . insomuch as there is no beast that was ever wilde in this part of the world , that becometh so tame and familiar to man as they ; yet do they always live in the hatred of dogs , and oftentimes bite them deeply , having them at any advantage , especially in the presence of men , where the dogs dare not resist nor defend themselves . when they are wilde , they are also killed asleep ; by putting of a knife into their throat , whereat their fore-feet stir a little , but they die before they can be awaked . their bloud is saved in a vessel , and afterwards the mouse it self is dressed in hot scalding water like a pig , and the hair thereof plucked off , and then do they appear bald and white ; next to that they bowel them , and take out their intrails : afterwards put in the bloud again into their bellies , and so seethe them , or else salt them , and hang them up in smoke , and being dressed after they are dryed , they are commonly eaten in the alpine regions with rapes and cabbages , and their flesh is very fat , not a fluxible or loose fat like the fat of lambs , but a solid fat , like the fat of hogs and oxen. and the flesh hereof is commended to be profitable for women with childe ; and also for all windiness and gripings in the belly , not only the flesh to be eaten in meat , but also the fat to be anointed upon the belly or navil : and for this cause it is used to procure sleep , and to strengthen decayed and weak sinews : the flesh is always better salted then fresh , because the salt drieth up the overmuch humidity , and also amendeth the gravity and ranckness of the savour : but whether it be salt , or whether fresh , it is always hard to be digested , oppressing the stomach , and heating the body overmuch . the ventricle or maw of the mouse alpine , is prescribed to be laid upon the belly against the colick . if the hands of a man be anointed with the fat of this beast , it is said he shall be the better able to endure cold all that day after : also the same fat being drunk up in warm broath by a woman in travail , are believed to accelerate and hasten her delivery . certain horse-leeches , in the cure of that disease which they call the worms , which are certain ulcers rising in the body , do mingle this fat with other medicines which are very drying or stiptick . and mathaeolus doth prescribe it for the softning and mollifying of contracted nerves and joynts in the body . by the discourse aforesaid , it doth appear , that of these alpine mice there are two kindes , one great like a badger , and the other in stature of a hare or cony : this lesser seemeth to be proper to germany , which there they call embdor , of the latine word emptra , a mouse of the mountain . the story whereof i thought good to express , being short , out of stumpsius and agricola . the males and females say they of this kinde , do gather together wilde corn which groweth among the rocks in the summer time against the winter , and carry the same into the holes of the earth , where their lodging is . now the female in this kinde is crafty , and more apt to devour ; the male on the other side more thrifty and sparing , wherefore he driveth his female out of the den in the winter time , and stoppeth the mouth of his cave , to forbid her entrance , but she getteth behinde the same , and diggeth a secret hole , whilest the male lyeth at the mouth asleep , she consumeth the whole store behinde him ; wherefore in the spring time she cometh forth very fat and comely , and he very lean . and therefore in my opinion , the makers of emblems may very well describe an unthrifty wife , that consumeth her husbands wealth , by the picture of this female , as by the picture of the ass behinde ocnus , biting asunder the cord that he weaveth , as we have shewed before in the history of the ass . these beasts give themselves much to sleep , and when they are awake they are never idle , but always carrying into their den straw , hay , sticks , rags , or pieces of cloth , wherewith they fill their mouth so full , that it may receive no more , and if they meet with any thing which is too big for their mouth , by the help of their feet they draw and rowl it to their own den. whereas they are nourished tame in houses , it it is observed , that they are a neat and cleanly kinde of beast , for they never defile their lodgings with their excrements , but seek out some secret corner , wherein they both render urine , and empty their bellies . with their teeth the gnaw wood , and make holes in bords , so large as their bodies may pass through ; and while they live , they have a very ranck and strong savour like a mouse , especially in the summer time while they are lean , and before they grow fat ; for such is the nature of this beast , that in the summer time they labour and grow lean ; but in the winter time they sleep and grow fat . and thus much for the alpine mouse . of the dormouse . the dormouse is called in latin , glis ; and in greek , myoxes ; the reason of the latine name glis , is taken from gliscere , which signifieth to grow fat , according to the saying of columella , paleis vero quibus fere omnes regiones abundant asinus gliscit ; that is to say , an ass groweth fat by eating chaffe which aboundeth in all countries . this word glis , signifieth not only a beast , but a piece of fat earth , and also a thistle ; whereupon sylvaticus made this verse : glis animal , glis terra tenax , glis lappavocatur . the italians call it lo galero , lo gliero , or giero ; the spaniards , liron ; the french likewise liron , and rat , liron , and vngloyer , and vngratvel ; the germans , eingreul ; the helvetians , ein rell , or rel 〈◊〉 , or gros haselmus ; but our english , dormouse , seemeth to be a compounded word of dormiens 〈◊〉 , that is , a sleeping mouse . the polonians call him seurez . but concerning his name myoxus , there is some question among the authors . for saint jerom writing upon the eleventh chapter of leviticus , and the . chapter of esay , translateth akbar the hebrew word for a mouse , glirem , a dormouse , and he giveth this reason , because all the countries of the east , meaning graecia , do say , that myoxus is a dormouse . and this myoxus by epiphanius in his anchoret is alleadged to prove the resurrection . myoxus , saith he , animal semestre moritur , & rursus post tempore suo reviviscit . the dormouse at half a year old dyeth , and after her full time reviveth again : and in his book against heresies , he speaketh thus to origen ; tradunt naturae rerum experti , myoxum latitare , & foetus suo simul in eodem loco multos parere ; quinque , & amplius : viperas autem hos venari , & si invenerit totum latibulum ipsa vipera , quum non posset omnes devorare pro una vice ad sacietatem edit unum aut duos , reliquorum vero oculos expungit , & cibos affert , excaeatosque enutrit , donec voluerit unumquemque eorum devorare . si vero contigerit , ut aliqui inexperti in hos incidant , ipsosque in cibum sumant , venenum sibi ipsis sumunt , eos qui à viperae veneno sunt enutriti . sic etiam ô tu origenes à graeca doctrina mente excaecatus , venenum his qui tibi crediderunt , evomuisti , & factus es ipsis in edulium venenatum , it a ut per quae ipse injuria affectus es , per ea plus injuria afficeris . the philosophers which are cunning in the nature of things do write , that the dormouse doth lie hid , and bring forth many young ones in the same place where he lyeth , five or more at a time , and the vipers do hunt these to destroy them : now if the viper finde their nest , because she cannot eat them all at one time at the first , she filleth her self with one or two , and putteth out the eyes of the residue , and afterwards bringeth them meat and nourisheth them , being blinde , until the time that her stomach serveth her to eat them every one . but if it happen that in the mean time , any man chance to light upon these viper-nourishedblinde-dormice , and to kill and eat them , they poyson themselves through the venom which the viper hath left in them : so fareth it with thee o origen , for thou art blinded with the graecians doctrine , and dost vomit out that poyson into their hearts which do believe thee , that thou art made unto them a venemous meat , whereby thou dost wrong others , as thou hast been wronged thy self . py which it is manifest , that myoxus is neither a toad nor a frog , but the dormouse . and the charm which is made for the asses urine , as we have shewed already in his story , gallus bibit , & non meiit , myoxus meiit , & non bibit . the cock drinketh , and maketh not water , the dormouse maketh water , and never drinketh . but whether it be true or no that she never drinketh , i dare not affirm : but this is certain , that she drinketh but very seldom ; and it ought to be no wonder that she should make water , for tame conies , as long as they can feed upon green herbs , do render abundance of urine , and yet never drink . the graecians also do call this beast elayos , although that word do likewise signifie a squirrel . in maesia a wood of italy , there is never found dormouse , except at the time of their littering . they are bigger in quantity then a squirrel , the colour variable , sometimes black , some-times grisled , sometimes yellow on the back , but alwayes a white belly , having a short hair , and a thinner skin then the pontique mouse . they are also to be found in helvetia , about clarona . it is a biting and an angry beast , and therefore seldom taken alive . the beak or snowt is long ; the ears short and pricked ; the tail short , and not very hairy at the end ; the middle of the belly swelleth down betwixt the breast and the loins , which are more narrow and trussed up together , they are always very fat , and for that cause they are called lardironi . buck-mast is very acceptable meat unto them , and doth greatly fatten them , they are much delighted with walnuts , they climbe trees , and eat apples , according to some : but albertus saith more truly , that they are more delighted with the juyce then with the apple . for it hath been oftentimes found , that under apple-trees , they have opened much fruit , and taken out of it nothing but the kernels , for such is their wit and policy , that having gathered an apple , they presently put it in the twist of a tree betwixt boughs , and so by sitting upon the uppermost bough press it asunder . they also grow fat by this means . in ancient time they were wont to keep them in coops or tuns , and also in gardens paled about with board ; where there are beeches or walnut trees growing , and in some places they have a kinde of earthen pot , wherein they put them with walnuts , buckmast , and chesnuts . and furthermore it must be be observed , that they must be placed in rooms convenient for them to breed young ones ; their water must be very thin , because they use not to drink much , and they also love dry places . titus pompeius ( as varro saith ) did nourish a great many of them enclosed , and so also herpinus in his park in gallia . it is a beast well said to be animal semiferum , a creature half wilde , for if you set for them hutches , and nourish them in warrens together , it is observed , that they never assemble , but such as are bred in those places : and if strangers come among them which are separated from them , either by a mountain , or by a river , they descry them , and fight with them to death . they nourish their parents in their old age , with singular piety . we have shewed already , how they are destroyed by the viper , and it is certain , that all serpents lie in wait for them . their old age doth end every winter . they are exceeding sleepy , and therefore martial saith : somniculosos illi porrigit glires . they grow fat by sleeping , and therefore ausonius hath an elegant verse ; dic , cessante cibo , somno quis opimior est ? glis . because it draweth the hinder-legs after it like a hare , it is called animal tractile , for it goeth by jumps and little leaps . in the winter time they are taken in deep ditches that are made in the woods , covered over with small sticks , straw , and earth , which the countreymen devise to take them when they are asleep . at other times they leap from tree to tree like squirrels , and that they are killed with arrows as they go from bough to bough , especially in hollow trees : for when the hunters finde their haunt wherein they lodge , they stop the hole in the absence of the dormouse , and watch her turn back again ; the silly beast finding her passage closed , is busied hand and foot to open it for entrance , and in the mean season cometh the hunter behinde her , and killeth her . in tellin● they are taken by this means : the countrey men going into the fields , carry in their hands burning torches in the right time , which when the silly beast perceiveth , with admiration thereof flocketh to the lights , whereunto when they were come , they were so dazled with the brightness that they were stark blinde , and might so be taken with mens hands . the use of them , being taken , was to eat their flesh , for in rhetia at this day they salt it and eat it , because it is sweet and fat like swines flesh . ammianus marcellinus wondereth at the delicacy of his age , because when they were at their tables , they called for ballances to weigh their fish , and the members of the dormouse , which was not done ( saith he ) without any dislike of some present , and things not heretofore used , are now commended daily . apitius also prescribeth the muscles and flesh inclosed in them , taken out of every member of a dormouse , beaten with pepper , nut kernels , parsenips , and butter , stuffed all together into the belly of a dormouse , and sewed up with thread , and so baked in an oven , or sod in a kettle , to be an excellent and delicate dish . and in italy at this day , they eat dormice ( saith coelius , ) yet there were ancient laws among the romans ; called leges censoriae , whereby they were forbidden to eat dormice , strange birds , shel-fish , the necks of beasts , and divers such other things . and thus much shall suffice for the description of the dormouse . the medicines of the dormouse . dormice being taken in meat , do much profit against the bulimon ; the powder of dormice mixed with oyl , doth heal those which are scalded with any hot liquor . a live dormouse doth presently take away all warts being bound thereupon . dormice , and field mice being burnt , and their dust mingled with hony , will profit those which desire the clearness of the eyes , if they do take thereof some small quantity every morning . the powder of a dormouse , or field mouse rubbed upon the eyes helpeth the aforesaid disease . a dormouse being flead , roasted and anointed with oyl and salt , being given in meat , is an excellent cure for those that are short winded . the same also doth very effectually heal those that spit out filthy matter or corruption . powder of dormice or field mice , or young worms , being mixed with oyl doth heal those that have kibes on their heels , or chilblains on their hands . the fat of a dormouse , the fat of a hen , and the marrow of an ox melted together , and being not infused into the ears , doth very much profit both the pains and deafness thereof . the fat of dormice being boiled , as also of field-mice , are delivered to be most profitable for the eschewing of the palsie . the fat of a dormouse is also very excellent for those which are troubled with a palsie , or shaking of the joints . the skins and inward part of a dormouse being taken forth , and boiled with hony in a new vessel , and afterwards poured into another vessel , will very effectually heal all diseases which are incident to the ears , being anointed thereupon . the skin of a dormouse , or a silkworm being pulled off , and the inward parts thereof being boiled in a new brafen vessel with hony , from the quantity of twenty seven ounces , even to three , and so kept , that when there is need of a certain bathing vessel , the medicine being made warm and poured into the ears , doth help all pains , deafness , or inflammation of the ears . the fat of a dormouse is commended to be very medicinable for the aforenamed diseases . the same is profitable for all pains , aches , or griefs in the belly . the urine of a dormouse is an excellent remedy against the palsie . and thus much shall suffice concerning the medicinal vertues of the dormouse . of the hamster or cricetus , the first figure taken by michael horus . the second picture taken by john kentmant , and it is her fashion and and protracture to lie thus when she is angry , for so doth her colour appear both on the back and belly . this beast is called in latine , cricetus , and in the german tongue hamester , traner , and k●rnfaerle , that is , pigs of the corn . it is a little beast , not much bigger then a rat , dwelling in the earth of the roots of corn , she is not drawn against her will out of her cave at any time , but by pouring hot water or some other liquor . the head of it is of divers colour , the back red , the belly white , and the hair sticketh so fast to the skin , that it is easier to pull the skin from the flesh , then any part of the hair from the skin . it is but a little beast as we have said , but very apt to bite and fight , and full of courage , and therefore hath received from nature this ornament and defence , that it hath a bony helmet , covering the head and the brain when it standeth up upon the hinder-legs : it resembleth both in colour and proportion a bear. and for this cause some writers have interpreted it to be the beast called arctomys , thus described by saint jerom. it is a creature ( saith he ) abounding in the regions of palestina , dwelling always in the holes of rocks and caves of the earth , not exceeding the quantity of a hedgehog , and of a compounded fashion , betwixt a mouse and a bear. but we have shewed already , that this is the alpine mouse , and therefore we will not stand to confute it here . the name cricetus seems to be derived from the illyrian word , which we read in gelenius to be skuzecziek : this beast , saith he , is common in the northern parts of the world , and also in other places , in figure and shape it resembleth a bear , in quantity it never exceedeth a great sorex . it hath a short tail , almost like no tail , it goeth upon two legs , especially when it is moved to wrath . it useth the fore-feet in stead of hands , and if it had as much strength , as it hath courage , it would be as fierceful as any bear. for this little beast is not afraid to leap into the hunters face , although it can do no great harm either with teeth or nails . it is an argument that it is exceeding hot , because it is so bold and eager . in the uppermost chap it hath long and sharp teeth , growing two by two . it hath large and wide cheeks , which they always fill , both carrying in , and carrying out , they eat with both , whereupon a devouring fellow , such a one as stasimus a servant to plautus was , is called cricetus , a hamster , because he filleth his mouth well , and is no pingler at his meat . the fore-feet are like a moulds , so short , but not altogether so broad , with them he diggeth the earth , and maketh his holes to his den , but when he diggeth so far as he cannot cast the earth out of the hole with them , then he carryeth it forth in his mouth . his den within he maketh large , to receive corn , and provision of fruit for his sustentation , whereinto he diggeth many holes , winding and turning every way , that so he may be safe both against beasts that hunt him , and never be killed in his den : and also if a man dig the earth , he may finde his lodging with more difficulty . in the harvest time he carryeth in grain of all sorts , and my author saith , neque minus in colligendo industrius , quam in eligendo , conservandoque est astutus , optima enim reponit . he is no less industrious in the gathering of his provision , then crafty and politick in the choise , and keeping it , for it lays up the best ; and lest that it should rot under the earth , it biteth off the fibres and tail of the grain , laying up the residue amongst grass and stubble . it lies gaping over his gathered grain , even as the covetous man is described in the satyre sleeping upon his mony bags . it groweth fat with steep like dormice , and conies . the holes into the cave are very narrow , so that with sliding out and in , they wear their hair . the earth which cometh out of their holes doth not lie on heaps like mole-hils , but is dispersed abroad , and that is fittest for the multitude of the holes , and all the holes and passages are covered with earth : but that hole which for the most part he goeth out at , is known by a foot path , and hath no hinderance in it , the other places at which she goeth out are more obscure and hid , and she goeth out of them backwards . the male and female do both inhabit in one cave , and their young ones being brought forth , they ●leave their old den and seek them out some new habitation . in the male there is this perfidity , that when they have prepared all their sustenance , and brought it in , he doth shut out the female , and fuffereth her not to approach nigh it , who revengeth his perfidiousness by deceit . for going into some adjoyning cave , she doth likewise partake of the fruits which were laid up in store by some other secret hole in the cave , the male never perceiving it . so that nature hath wonderfully , fore-seen the poverty of all creatures : neither is it otherwise amongst men , for that which they cannot do by equity , they perform by fraud . this also cometh in the speech of the common people against one that will thrive . the young country wenches concerning this matter , do chant out a verse not unpleasant , which i am contented to express in iambicks , consisting of four feet : hamester ipse cum sua ▪ prudens catusque conjuge , stipat profundum pluribus per tempus antrum frugibus , possitque solus ut frui , lectis acervis hordei avarus antro credulam extrudit arte conjugem . serva , inquit , exiens foras , coeli serena & pluvias . sed foeminis quis insitam , vincant dolis astutiam ? nevum parans cuniculum , 〈…〉 ratur omne triticum . egens maritus perfidam quaerit per antra conjugem , nec se repellat blandulis demulce● inventam sunis , ille esse jam communia servata dum sinit bona . at perfidus multiplices opponit intus obices . rursus fruuntur mutuis antris , cibis , amplexibus . this beast doth devour all kinde of fruit , and if he be nourished in a house he eateth bread and flesh : he also hunteth the field mice . when he taketh his meat , he raiseth himself upon his fore-feet : he is also wont with his fore-feet to stroke his head , ears , and mouth , which thing the squirrel and the cat do also , and as the beaver amongst those creatures which live as well by water as by land : but although in his body he seemeth but small , notwithstanding he is by 〈◊〉 apt to fight , and very furious being provoked , with his carriage in his mouth : he beateth away with both his feet that which resisteth him , directly invading his enemy : in the spirit and assaulting of his mouth he is wayward and threatning , from whence our country men were accustomed to say of any one which was angry ; he breatheth his wrath out of his mouth like a hamster : du spruest vuie ein hamster : neither is he easily affrighted , although he be far unequal unto those in strength with whom he is in combate . wherefore some do give it in the place of a proverb , that our countrymen do call a man which is madly rash , ein tollen hamster , as foot-hardy as a hamster . he flieth from any one that doth sharply resist him , and doth greedily follow after them that flie from him . i my self saw one of these , who by assaulting a horse gat him by the nose , and would never leave his hold until he was killed with a sword : he is taken by divers means , for he is expelled either by hot water poured into his den , or is choaked within ; or being digged up with a mattock or spade he is killed ; or by dogs . he is some-times pulled out by the fox , or hurt : or oppressed by some snare , a great weight being put about it : or to conclude , he is taken by art alive , and that in the night time , when he goeth to seek his prey , for in the day time for the most part he lyeth hid . before his usual cave ( as i have said ) he is taken by the path which is worn , by a pot which is put into the earth , and afterward made plain about it like other places of the field ; there is earth cast into the bottom of the pot to the deepness of two fingers , above every where covering the pot there is placed a stone , which is held up by a piece of wood , to which there is bound below a fragment of bread : in the space between the cave and the pot there are crums of bread scattered , which he following and leaping into the pot , the wood falling , he is taken . being taken after the manner of other beasts , he toucheth no food . if a broad stone , such an one with which they cover pavements , or of which they make roof tiles , shall be joyned unto the pot , and the beast be taken , he will be very hardly known in the morning ; for the spirit of the beast being shut in , and waxing wroth , piercing for thinness doth moisten the stone . the skins of hamsters are very durable , of which there are certain long coats which come down unto the heels , and divers coloured cloaks made , which the women of misena and silesia do use , and account them very honorable , of a black and red colour , with broad guards or edges of the skins of otters : the same coats are for the most part valued at the price of fifteen or twenty renensian crowns : for it doth out-wear in length three or four garments made either of linnen or woollen cloath . in turingia and misena this beast is frequent , notwithstanding not in all places , for in turingia his chiefest abode is about efurdanus , and salcensis in misena , about lipsia , and the field pegensis , the plentifullest and most fertilest places of both those regions . in lusatia about radeburge , he is digged out of those places where painick groweth . at mulberge and albis , he is found in the vineyards , for he is also fed with ripe grapes . our country men are wont to burn a living hamster in a pot , being shut , for the medicines of horses . it hath been seen that one of these hath leaped up and caught a horse by the nose , never letting go his hold until she was cut off with a sword . the skin is of three or four different colours , besides the spotted sides , and therefore the skin is very pretious . they abound in turingia where the soil is good , and there is also great store of grain . of the norician mouse . the norician mouse is called in latine , citellus , and it keepeth like the wilde mice in the caves and dens of the earth . the body is like to a domestical weesils , long and slender , the tail very short , the colour of the hair like to a gray conies , but more bright . it wanteth ears like a mole , but it hath open passages in stead of ears , wherewithal it heareth the sound , as you shall see in many birds . the teeth are like the teeth of mice , and of their skins ( although they be not very precious ) they use to make garments . in germany they call it pile and zisel , and of this german word was the latine citellus feigned ; and it appeareth by agricola , that there are two kindes of these ; one greater , which are call'd zysell and zeiseile , and another lesser ( called pile ) which may be the same that is also called bilchmuss , and differeth from other , because it is used for meat . these are bred in croatta , and in the country about venice . they have a strange smell or savour , which is said to be hurtful to the head : they eat both salted and hung in the smoke , and also fresh and new killed . with their skins they edge the skirts of garments , for it is as soft as the skin of a hare : and beside the common nature of mice they are tamed . they also have very large cheeks , whereinto they gather an innumerable quantity of grain , and carry it into their den , as it were in bags against the winter . they live thirty and forty together in a cave , and are not driven forth but by infusion of hot water . they gather 〈…〉 ore of nuts into their caves , and therefore as well as for their flesh do men hunt and seek 〈…〉 em . of the mouse pontiqve . the name of this mouse is given unto it from the island out of which it was first brought , named pontus , and for this cause it is also called venetus , because it was first of all brought into germany from venice . it is called also varius by idorus , from whence cometh the german word vutrck , from the diversity of the colour grauvuerck . it is called also pundtmuss , as it were ponticusmus , or rather of bundi , because they were wont to be brought in bundles to be sold fifty together , and they were sold for twenty groats , volaterranus , and hermolaus are of this opinion , that the white one in this kinde , be called of the italians , armelline , and the germans , hermelin , but we have promised already to prove that hermelin is a kinde of weesil , which in the winter time is white , by reason of extremity of cold , and in the summer returneth into her colour again , like as do the hares of the alpes . this pontique mouse differeth from others only in colour , for the white is mingled with ash colour , or else it is sandy and black , and in polonia at this day they are found red and ash coloured . their two lowermost teeth before are very long , and when it goeth , it draweth the tail after it like mice ; when it eateth it useth the fore-feet in stead of hands , and feedeth upon walnuts , chesnuts , filbeards , small nuts , apples , and such like fruits . in the winter time they take sleep in stead of meat ; and it is to be remembred , that the polonians have four kindes of pretious skins of mice which they use in their garments , distinguished by four several names . the first of grisel colour , called popieliza . the second is called gronosthaii , a very white beast all over , except the tip of the tail which is all black , and this is the hermelin . the third is called novogrodela , from the name of a town , and this is white mingled with grisel , and this is also a kinde of pontique mouse . the fourth vvieuvorka , of a bright chesnut colour , and this is the squirrel , for they call squirrels , weesils , and hermelins all by the name of mice . these pontique mice have teeth on both sides , and chew the cud . in the winter time as we have said they lie and sleep , especially the white ones , and their sense of taste doth excel all other , ( as pliny writeth ) they build their nests and breed like common squirrels . their skins are sold by ten together , the two best are called litzschna ; the third , a little worse , are called crasna , and the fourth next to them pocrasna , and the last and vilest of all moloischna : with these skins they hem and edge garments ; and in some places they make canonical garments of them for priests , unto which they sew their tails to hang down on the skirts of their garments ; of which custom hermolaus writeth very excellently in these words . instruxit , & ex muribus , luxuriam suam vita , alios magnis frigoribus , alios medio anni tempore , a septentrionibus petendo , armamus corpora , & debellamus animos . that is to say ; the life of man hath learned to be prodigal , even out of the skins of mice , for some they use against extremity of cold , and they fetch others out of the farthest northern parts , for the middle part of the year : thus do we arm and adorn our bodies , but put down and spoil our mindes . i send unto thee a little skin , the upper place of the hairs thereof being of a white ash colour , but the root of the hair or inner part thereof is a black brown . they call it popyelycza lataacza , that is , a pontique flying mouse : it is always so moist , that it can never be dressed by the skinner , or lether-dresser . the people use it to wipe sore running eyes , having a perswasion that there is in it a singular vertue for the easing and mitigating of those pains : but i think that the softness was the first cause which brought in the first use thereof , but if the hairs do not cleave hard to the skin , it cannot be done without danger . also the hairs hanging as it were in a round circle against or above the two former feet , they call wings , wherewithal they are thought to flie from tree to tree . thus far antonius . gesner after the receit of these skins , being willing to preserve them from moths , because they were raw , for experience sake gave them to a leather dresser , who presently dressed them with vinegar , and the lees of wine , so that it appeareth the skinners of lituania had not the skill how to dress it . after they were dressed they were so soft , that they stretched above measure , so that every one of them were square , that is to say , their length and breadth were equal , for they were two palms or eight fingers broad : and no more in length , the head and tail excepted : wherefore it may well be called a square mouse , or sciurus quadratus , because we are sure of the former , but not of the flying ; the tail was as long as four or five fingers are broad , being rough like the tail of other squirrels , but beset with black and white hairs , the whole colour both of the belly and upper part was whitish , as we have said , but black underneath , the hair is so soft as any silk , and therefore fit for the use of the eyes . the ears shorter and rounder then a squirrels , the feet did not appear by the skin : the neather part was distinguished from the upper part , by a certain visible line , wherein did hang certain long hairs , which by their roughness and solidity under the thin and broad frame of their body , might much help them to flie ; even as broad fishes swim by the breadth of their bodies , rather then by the help of their fins . the helvetians wear these skins in their garments . it is reported by aelianus , that the inhabitants of pontus , by making supplication to their gods , did avert and turn away the rage of mice from their corn-fields , as the egyptians did , as we have said before in the story of the vulgar mouse . of the mouse called the shrew , or the erd shrew . the word hanaka of the hebrews remembred in the . chapter of leviticus , is diversly interpreted by the translators , some call it a reptile beast which always cryeth : some a reptile flying beast ; some a horse-leach , or bloud-sucker ; some a hedgehog ; and some a beaver , as we have shewed before in the hedgehog . but the septuagints translate it mygale ; and s. jerom , mus araneus , that is , a shrew . dioscorides calleth it miogale ; the germans and helvetians ; call it mutzer ; in some parts of germany , from the figure of the snowt it is called spitzmus , by some zissmuss , from the fiction of his voice ; and some gross zissmuss ; the hollanders call it moll musse , because it resembleth a mole mathaolus for the italians call it toporagno ; that is , a mole-shrew . the helvetians call it bisem-muss , that is , a musk-mouse , because it being dryed in a furnace smelleth like musk. the skin pulled from the flesh , smelleth best by it self , and yet the flesh smelleth well also , and so do the excrements . but to return to the greek name , why it should be call'd mygale , there is not one opinion amongst the learned : but i do most willingly condescend to the opinion of aetius , who writeth that it is called mygale , because in quantity it exceedeth not a mouse , and yet in colour it resembleth a weesil , and therefore it is compounded of two words , mys , a mouse , and galee , a weesil . amyntas is of opinion , that it is so called , because it is begot betwixt a mouse and a weesil , but this is neither true nor probable . for is it likely that weesils and mice will couple together in carnal copulation , whose natures are so contrary , the one living upon the death of another , that is , the weesil upon the mouse ? and beside the difference of quantity betwixt them , maketh it impossible to have such a generation . the other derivation of mygal● , which is made by rodolphus writing upon leviticus , fetching mygale from mus gulosus , that is , a devouring mouse , it is against the order of all good linguists , to derive greek words from latine , but rather consonant to learning , to fetch the latine from the greek . there is no less inquiry about the latine name , why it should be called mus araneus , seeing aranea signifieth a spider . this mouse saith albertus , is a red kinde of mouse having a small tail , a sharp voice , and is full of poyson , or venom : for which cause cats do kill them , but do not eat them . sipontinus writeth thus , of this shrew ; mus araneus , exiguum animal , atque leviss 〈…〉 est , quod araneae modo tenuissimum filum , & gladil aciem conscendit . that is to say , this shrew-mouse is a little and light creature , which like a spider climeth up upon any small thread , or upon the edge of a sword : and therefore you see , they derive the latine name from his climing like a spider . but in my opinion it is more reasonable , to derive it from the venom and poyson which it containeth in it like a spider . for which cause silvaticus writeth thus ; mugali id est , draco marinus , & animal venenosum , pusillum muri simile : nam & araneum piscem , propter venenum pungentibus in 〈…〉 um spinis , veteres ophim , id est , serpentem nominarunt , & hodie quam vulgo draconem vel dracaenam . that is to say ; there is a fish of the sea , and a little beast on the earth like a mouse , which by a general word are called mugale , and the spider-fish called at this day a dragon , or dragonist , was in ancient time called a serpent , because by his prickly fins , he did poyson those which were strucken by him . and concerning the description of this beast , it may be taken from the words of an ancient english physitian , called doctor william turner . i have seen ( saith he ) in england , the shrew-mouse of colour black , having a tail very short , and her snowt very long and sharp , and from the venemous biting of this beast , we have an english proverb or imprecation , i beshrow thee , when we curse or wish harm unto any man , that is , that some such evil as the biting of this mouse may come unto him . the spaniards call this beast ralon pequenno ; the illyians , viemed kamys ; and the polonians , kerit . they were wont to abound in britany , as hermolaus writeth . they are also plentiful in italy beyond the mountains apennine , but not on this side ( as pliny writeth ) yet in the hither parts of italy and germany , there are many found , especially in the country neer trent , in the valley anania , where this is admirable , that by reason of the coldness of that country their bitings are not venemous . for the scorpions there are not venemous , although in other places of italy they poyson deeply . this beast is much less then a weesil , and of an ash colour , in most places like a mouse , although the colour be not always constant . the eyes are so small , and beneath the proportion of her body , that it hath not been unjustly doubted of the ancients , whether they were blinde or no , but in their best estate their sight is very dull . and for this cause the ancient egyptians did worship it : for as they held opinion , that darkness was before light , so they deemed that the blinde creatures were better then the seeing . and they also believed , that in the wane of the moon the liver of this beast consumed . it hath a long and sharp snowt like a mole , that so it may be apt to dig . the teeth are very small , but so as they stand double in their mouth , for they have four rows of teeth , two beneath , and two above , which are not only apparent by their dissection or anatomy , but also , by their bitings , for their wounds are quadruple , wheresoever they fasten their teeth . their tail is slender and short . but the description of this beast was better apprehended by gesner , at the sight of one of them , which he relateth on this manner : the colour ( saith he ) was partly red , and partly yellow , mingled both together , but the belly white . the hinder-feet seemeth to cleave to the body or loins . it smelleth strongly , and the savour did bewray or signifie some secret poyson . the tail about three fingers long , beset with little short hairs . the residue of the body was three fingers long . the eyes very small and black , not much greater then moles , so that next to the mole they may justly be called , the least sighted creature among all four footed beasts ; so that in old age they are utterly blinde by the providence of god , abridging their malice , that when their teeth are grown to be most sharp , and they most full of poyson , then they should not see whom nor where to vent it . they differ as we have said in place and number , from all four-footed beasts , so that they seem to be compounded and framed of the teeth of serpents and mice . the two fore-teeth are very long , and they do not grow single as in vulgar mice ; but have within them two other smal and sharp teeth . and also those two long teeth grow not by themselves , as they do in other mice , but are conjoyned in the residue , in one continued rank . they are sharp like a saw , having sharp points like needles , such as could not be seen by man , except the tips of them were yellow . of either side they have eight teeth , whereas the vulgar mice have but four , beside the two long fore-teeth , which also seem divided into two or three , which except one mark diligently , he would think them to be all one . it is a ravening beast , feigning it self gentle and tame , but being touched , it biteth deep , and poysoneth deadly . it beareth a cruel minde , desiring to hurt any thing , neither is there any creature that it loveth , or it loveth him , because it is feared of all . the cats , as we have said , do hunt it and kill it , but they eat not them , for if they do , they consume away in time . they annoy vines , and are seldom taken , except in cold ; they frequent ox-dung , and in the winter time repair to houses , gardens , and stables , where they are taken and killed . if they fall into a cart-road , they die and cannot get forth again , as marcellus , n 〈…〉 der , and pliny affirm . and the reason is given by philes , for being in the same , it is so amazed , and trembleth , as if it were in bands . and for this cause some of the ancients have prescribed the earth of a cart-road , to be laid to the biting of this mouse for a remedy thereof . they go very slowly , they are fraudulent , and take their prey by deceit . many times they gnaw the oxes hoofs in the stable . they love the rotten flesh of ravens ; and therefore in france , when they have killed a raven , they keep it till it stinketh , and then cast it in the places where the shrew-mice haunt , whereunto they gather in so great number , that you may kill them with shovels . the egyptians upon the former opinion of holiness , do bury them when they die . and thus much for the description of this beast . the succeeding discourse toucheth the medicines arising out of this beast ; also the cure of her venemous bitings . the medicines of the shrew . the shrew , which falling by chance into a cart-rode or track , doth die upon the same , being burned , and afterwards beaten or dissolved into dust , and mingled with goose grease , being rubbed or anointed upon those which are troubled with the swelling in the fundament coming by the cause of some inflammation , doth bring unto them a wonderful and most admirable cure and remedy . the shrew being slain or killed , hanging so that neither then nor afterwards she may touch the ground , doth help those which are grieved and pained in their bodies , with sores called fellons , or biles , which doth pain them with a great inflammation , so that it be three times invironed or compassed about the party so troubled . the shrew which dyeth in the furrow of a cart-wheel , being found and rowled in potters clay or a linnen cloth , or in crimson , or scarlet woollen cloth , and three times marked about the impostumes , which will suddenly swell in any mans body , will very speedily and effectually help and cure the same . the tail of a shrew being cut off and burned , and afterwards beaten into dust , and applyed or anointed upon the sore of any man , which came by the biting of a greedy and ravenous dog , will in very short space make them both whole and sound , so that the tail be cut from the shrew when she is alive , not when she is dead , for then it hath neither good operation , nor efficacy in it . the former hoofs of a horse being scraped , and the same fragments or scantlings thereof being beaten in the dust or earth , which hath been digged up by a shrew , in four measures of water , poured down the mouth of a horse which is troubled with any pain or wringing in his bowels , will soon give him both help and remedy . the shrew being either applyed in drink , or put in the manner and form of a plaister , or hanged upon the sore which he hath bitten , is the most excellentest , and most medicinable cure for the helping and healing thereof . a preservative against poyson , would be an excellent remedy , that neither man nor any other living creature , should be bitten if they should leave or would want that superstition called an enchantment against poyson , being hanged about the neck , whereof we will speak more in the curing of the bites of this beast . that the biting of a shrew is venemous , and of the reason of healing in this kinde . in italy the biting of a shrew is accounted for a very strong poyson , and that except there be some medicine very speedily applyed for the curing and healing thereof , the party so bitten will die . these shrews are truly so venemous and full of poyson , that being slain or killed by cats , whose nature is to kill whatsoever mice they take , they will not offer to touch or eat the least part of them . but the biting of a female shrew is most obnoxious and hurtful when she is great with young , but most dangerous of all when she biteth any one which is great with young , either a woman or any other beast whatsoever , her self being also with young , for then it will hardly be cured . if a shrew shall bite any creature while she is great with young , the pushes or biles will in time be broke which they make , and will come unto a very great and malignant wound and sore . if the shrew do also bite any creature during the time she is with young , she will presently leap off , notwithstanding she biteth more dangerous . there is nothing which do more apparently explain and shew the biting of a shrew then a certain vehement pain and grief in the creature which is so bitten , as also a pricking over the whole body ; with an inflammation or burning heat going round about the place , and a flery redness therein , in which a black push or like swelling with a watery matter , and filthy corruption doth arise , and all the parts of the body which do joyn unto it seem black and blew with the marvellous great pain , anguish , and grief , which ariseth and proceedeth from the same . when the push or bile which cometh by the occasion of a shrew cleaveth or is broken , there proceedeth and issueth forth a kinde of white flesh , having a certain rinde or skin upon it , and some-time there appeareth in them a certain burning , and sometimes the same is eaten in and falleth out , but in the beginning there is a most filthy green corruption and matter which floweth in the same , afterward it is putrefied , and eaten in , and then the flesh falleth forth : the wringings also of the inward parts , the difficulty of voiding the urine , and a corrupted sweat doth follow and accompany the same . but avicenna affirmeth , that in what place soever this beast shall bite , the sores thereof with great anguish will pant or beat , and that in every hole wherein his venemous teeth have entred , there will a certain fiery redness appear , the skin whereof being broken there will come a very white and mattery fore , which will breed much pain and trouble in all the parts of the body for the most part . the sores or wounds which are made also by this beast are very manifestly known by the marks of the fore-teeth standing all in a row together , as also by the bloud which issueth from the wound , being at the first pure , clear , and exceeding red , but afterwards corrupt , blackish , and full of putrefaction . there do also divers bunches arise in the flesh usually after the biting of this beast , which if any man shall break , he shall see the flesh which lyeth under them corrupted , and divided with certain clefts or rifts in the same . moreover the nature of this beast is such , that for the most part he doth covet to bite those whom he can come unto by the stones or genital , not only men , but also all other brute beasts whatsoever : and thus much shall suffice concerning the biting of this beast . wormwood being beaten or bruised small , strained in a fine linnen cloth , and mingled in wine , given to the party , either man or woman , in wine to drink , who is bitten by a shrew , will procure him present ease and remedy . the same also is an excellent remedy for the bitings or stingings of a sea-dragon . vinegar is very medicinable for the bitings of the shrew , and of dogs , as also for the fish called by the latines , scolopendra , ( which voideth all her bowels out until the hook come forth , wherewith she is taken , and then sucketh them up again ) the scorpion and all other venomous serpents . but the graeclan physitians affirm , that the same ought to be mingled with other medicines for the helping of the aforesaid diseases , as to take the ashes of the shrew being burnt , the gum or liquor of the herb called fennil-giant , dryed barly beaten into small powder , mustard-seed pounded small with the herb called purple , or mothmullein , and mingle them all together with vinegar , and being so applyed they will presently cure the aforesaid stings or bitings . garlick being bruised , and the juyce thereof anointed upon the place which was bitten by a shrew , will presently expel the pain , and wholly cure the sore . for the expelling of the superfluities of the parings of the dead flesh , growing round about the sore , being not cast away but remaining thereon . take cummin and cover the wound or biting therewith , then apply garlick being beaten into oyl thereunto , and anoint the places about the sore , as also the sore it self very diligently , and in very short space of time it will cause the same to fall away of it own accord . for the healing also of the bites of this beast : take garlick , the leaves of a fig-tree , and cummin , mingle them very well all together , till they come to a mollifying or temperate substance ; then take the same , and fashion it in the form or manner of a plaister , and it will very speedily and effectually cure the sore . the seed or leaves of coleworts , being beaten together with vinegar , and the herb call'd assa so ida , is very good and profitable to be applyed either to the bites of this beast , or a ravening dog. the dung of a dog being taken and anointed upon either man or horse which hath been bitten by a shrew , will be an excellent remedy both for the curing and healing them of the same . the hoof of a ram being dryed , beaten into powder & afterwards mixed with hony , will be likewise very good for those which are bitten with the same beast , so that they be first tempered and fashioned in the manner of a plaister , and then applyed thereunto . the little white stalks which proceed from a black fig , being beaten with the leaves of the herb called moth-mullein , wax , and vinegar , until they come unto a mollifying juyce or salve , will be an excellent remedy against the biting of the shrew , being anointed thereupon . the young or tender stalks of a wilde fig-tree , be they never so few or small , being first steeped in wine , then lapped in a leaf of the same tree , and so applyed unto the stings and bites of scorpions , and the shrew , will in very short time cure and heal the same . provided always that the wound be well and diligently bathed or washed , before any thing be put or applyed thereunto . dioscorides , avicenna , and actuarus , do affirm , that the excellentest , and medicinablest cure for the bites of a shrew is this : to take the spleen of the same beast , and beat it together with vinegar , and the gum called galbanum , then to anoint it or rub it upon the sore , and it will presently expel away all pain , and in some short space altogether heal it . if the red bunches or ulcers which do usually grow about the bites of a shrew , do fortune to break ; take very sharp and strong brine or pickle , and rub it both about , and within the sore , and afterwards apply . barly being burned and beaten into small dust or powder thereunto , which medicine although it seem somewhat grievous and painful , yet it is very good and profitable for the expelling either of the stings of scorpions , or the bites of the shrew or ravenous dog. the genital of a hare being beaten into powder mingled with vinegar , and anointed upon the bites of a shrew , doth speedily cure them . wilde mallows being mingled with those mallows that grow in the garden , have in them a very effectual force and power to cure all stings or venomous bitings , especially of scorpions , shrews , wasps , and such like stinging creatures . the shrew being cut and applyed in the manner of a plaister , doth effectually cure her own bites . the shrew being killed and anointed all over with oyl , and dirt or mire , applyed unto the ulcers or red swellings which come by her venomous teeth , will very speedily procure them to break . the shrew being cut or beaten into small pieces , dryed into powder , mixed with vinegar , and fashioned in the form of a plaister , will very speedily and effectually cure the bites of a shrew , whether she be great with young or not , so that they be well applyed thereunto . but there are some which do think it nothing convenient to mingle the shrew with any other thing whatsoever , but that it is only after this manner to be applyed by it self , as to take it burned or dry it , and then to pound it in powder , and so to sprinkle it in the wound or sore , which in very short time will easily heal it . the shrew falling into the furrow of a cart wheel doth presently die : the dust thereof in the passage by which she went , being taken and sprinkled into the wounds which were made by her poysonsome teeth , is a very excellent and present remedy for the curing of the same . maithaeolus alleadgeth out of nicander , that the dirt which cleaveth unto the wheels of a chariot being scraped off and sprinkled into the bites of a shrew , will be very medicinable for the healing of them , which thing he himself thinketh a meer fable , and not to be believed . if the pimples or bladders which arise in the bites of a shrew shall be thought convenient to be broken , for the performing of the same , take the skin of a baked or roasted pomgranate , and spread it upon the aforesaid red pimples , as hot as possible may be suffered for some small time , and it will cause the ulcers to break , and all the corruption to issue forth . if it grow unto an impostume , take the little berries or pellets which are within the pomgranare , being very well baked , and apply them unto the sore some short time and they will very easily cure the same . mustard-seed being mingled with vinegar , anointed upon the bites of a shrew , doth very effectually heal them . a moul being bruised into small pieces , and applyed unto the bites of a shrew in the form of a plaister , is a very excellent remedy for the curing of them . pitch and trifoly being baked , and rubbed very hot upon the bites of a shrew , is accounted a very medicinable cure : but it is requisite that this fomentation be given unto none but such as are of a strong and powerful body , and are also able to endure pain . the liquor of the herb called southern-wood being given in wine to drink doth very much profit those which are troubled , and painted in their limbs with the bites of shrews . wormwood being used in the like manner , will cure those which are bitten by a shrew . the genital of a lamb or kid being mingled with four drams of the herb called aristolochia , or hart-wort , and six drams of the sweetest myrrh , is very good and medicinable for curing of those which are bitten or stung with shrews , scorpions , and such like venemous beasts . the leaves of coleworts being dryed , mingled with flower , and tempered together , until they come into the form of a plaister , will very much help against the venemous bites of the shrew . the seeds of coleworts , and the leaves of the same herb being mingled with vinegar , and the herb called assa foetida beat or pounded together , do very well and speedily cure the bites of the shrews , as also of a ravenous dog , if the same in due time be applyed thereunto . the liquor also of the leaves of coleworts being given in any kinde of drink , is good and wholesome for the curing of the aforesaid bites or wounds . the nuts of a young cypres tree being mixed with a certain syrup or potion made of hony , water , and vinegar , and afterwards drunk , doth very speedily procure ease and help for those which are bitten by a shrew . the root of a white or black thistle , being beaten or bruised and given in drink , doth very effectually help or cure those which are bitten by a shrew . the like vertue hath the herb called rocket in it , and also the seed thereof being given in any kinde of drink . the gum or liquor which proceedeth from a kinde of ferula , being given in wine to drink , doth very much help and cure those which are bitten by a shrew . the same vertue also in it hath the root of the herb called gentian or bitterwort , being given in wine to drink . one or two drams of the youngest or tendrest leaves of the laurel tree , being beaten small and given in wine to drink , doth speedily cure the sores or wounds which are bitten by a shrew : the same being also used in the said manner , and given in some certain portion unto horses to drink , doth quickly help and heel them : but there are some which before all other medicines do commend this for the best , and chiefest ; that is , to take the juyce which proceedeth from the leaves of the lawrel tree , and the leaves themselves , being moist and new growing , and to boil them in wine , and being once cooled , to give it to any which is bitten by a shrew , and this will in very short space altogether help them . a young weesil being given in wine to drink , is accounted very medicinable for those which are bitten by a shrew , or stung by a scorpion or any other venemous creature . the herb called baltsamint or costmary , the herb called bartram , or wilde pellito , the herb called betony , the herb called water-mint , or water , cresses ; the sweet and delicious gum called storax , as also the herb called vervin , being each of them severally by themselves , either given in wine to drink , or applyed in the manner of a plaister or anointed upon the bites or wounds which come by the venemous teeth of a shrew , will very effectually cure the pain thereof : the biting of a field mouse or shrew , is very troublesome or grievous to all labouring beasts ; for instantly after her bitings there do little red pimples arise , and there is most danger of death in those beasts which she biteth when she is great with young ; for the afore-said pimples will then presently break , after which the beast so bitten will instantly die . the shrew doth also kill some labouring beasts with poyson , as chiefly horses and mules , but especially and for the most part mares , which are great with young . there are some which do affirm , that if horses , or any other labouring creature do feed in that pasture or grass in which a shrew shall put forth her venome or poyson in , they will presently die . in what place soever a shrew shall bite in any creature , it will be compassed with an exceeding hard swelling , the beast also being so bitten , doth express his grief or sorrow with much pain , and straining his body doth likewise swell all over , his eyes do in a manner weep , the swelling in his body doth sq 〈…〉 e out matter , or filthy putrifaction , he voideth poyson out of his belly ; and doth vo 〈…〉 it all su 〈…〉 nce up assoon as ever he receiveth it . if an ass being great with young be bitten by this beast , it is a very great chance if she scape death . but if the shrew do bite any beast when she is great with young , it is known by these signes , or marks , there will certain red pimples compass the sore round about , and also spread themselves over all the body of the bitten beast , and will in short space destroy him , except there be procured some present remedy . the normans in france , do suppose the shrew to be a beast so full of venom , and poyson , that if he shall but pass over either an ox , or a horse lying down along upon the ground , it will bring such a dangerous disease upon them , that the beast over which she shall pass , shall be lame about the loins , or shall seem as if he were immoveable , and that he can be cured by no other means but by the same shrew , who either of his own accord , or by compulsion must pass over the contrary side of the beast , and that then he will be cured ; which thing i do hold to be very vain and not to be believed . for the curing of beasts which are bitten by a shrew , thou shalt boil the seed of parsly together with wine and oyl , and thou shalt cut the place which swelleth with a pen-knife , by which the poyson may issue forth , and the wound being pointingly pulled or torn may wax raw : if by these the inflammation do wax more servent and hot , thou shalt eat the sore with iron instruments burning with fire , taking away some part of that which is whole and sound : then shalt thou renew the wound with the iron instruments being governed rightly , by which the corruption may issue forth : but if that part do chance to swell by the exculceration , thou shalt sprinkle barley being burned and dryed therein ; but before you do this , it is meet to joyn the old fat . there is also another excellent medicine for the curing of the shrew , which startonicus himself doth much commend , which is this : to lance or scarifie the wound assoon as it is bitten , but especially if it be compassed with an inflammation , afterwards to sprinkle salt and vinegar upon it , then to encourage or provoke the beast the next day following by some sweet water or liquor to run or go some little journey , first having anointed the sore with fullers-earth , being beaten small and mixed with vinegar , and then daily to nourish or bathe it with water which cometh from bathes where some have washed themselves , and this in very short time being so used , will very well and altogether cure the beast . against the biting of a shrew garlick is accounted for an excellent remedy being mingled with nitre ; but if there shall be no nitre to be had , mix it with salt and cumin , then to dry and beat them al together into powder , and with the same to rub the places which are infected with the biting : but if the venemous wounds do chance to break ; then to take barly being scorched or burned , and pound it into small powder , and steep it in vinegar , and afterwards to sprinkle it into the wound : this medicine pelagon affirmeth , will only heal the bites of a shrew , and that the grief of the sore , by the use of any other medicines doth rather encrease , then decrease . the flowre which is made of red wheat , the herb called dill , the liquor or rozen which runneth out of the great cedar , and two pound of the best wine , being mingled all together , given in a potion , and poured down the throat of any labouring beast which is bitten by a shrew , will presently ease and cure him of his pain . there is also another potion for the curing of the bites of this beast ; which is this ; to take cloves of garlick being bruised small , salt , cumin , and wine , of each the like quantity ; these being given to any beast to drink , doth presently cure him ; as also any man being anointed upon the wound , but not given to drink . the herb called nard or pepper-wort , being beaten to the quantity of two ounces and a half , and mingled with some sweet smelling wine , will presently help any beast which is bitten by the shrew , being poured through his nose , and his sore being at that instant time anointed with dogs dung : the same is also very medicinable or wholesome for men which are troubled with the said biting . the bites of a shrew being pricked with an aul , and anointed with dust which is found in the furrows of carts under the marks or signes of the wheel , being mingled with sharp vinegar , doth presently asswage the pain , and heal the sore . the earth of the track of a cart also mingled with stale or urine , being applyed unto the bites of a shrew , will very speedily cure them either upon men or beasts . a shrew being new killed and rubbed over with salt , applyed unto the wounds which she shall bite in any beasts , will instantly cure them : this vertue also hath the gall of a rere-mouse or bat , being mixed with vinegar . there is a very good remedy against the bitings of shrews , or to preserve cattle from them , which is this ; to compass the hole wherein she lyeth round about , and get her out alive , and keep her so till she dye , and wax stiffe , then hang her about the neck of the beast which you would preserve , and there will not any shrew come near them ; and this is accounted to be most certain . and thus much shall suffice concerning the bitings of the shrews , and of the cures thereof . of wilde field-mice . this wilde mouse called by the latines , mus agrestis , mus sylvestris , sylvaticus , subterraneus , and some say nitedula , ( although i rather take that word to signifie a glare-worm . ) it is called also exiguus mus , and rustious . the graecians call it myss arourayos ; the germans ; field-mouse , and erd-mouse , that is , a mouse of the earth , and nuelmus , nualmuss , schorrmuss , schoermowss , stiss●●ss , and luckmuss , by reason of her digging in the earth like a mole . the french call it mu●●on . there is of these mice two kindes , a greater and a lesser . the picture of the greater we have described here , for bearing the lesser , because in all parts it resembleth this , except in the quantity . this greater kinde is not much lesser then a rat , having a long broad tail like it . the ears of it are round ; the head round and great ; and the showt or chaps do not stand out long . they are of two colours in both kindes , some red and some black . they have a beard betwixt their mouth and their eyes ; and the lesser mice have a short tail . a physitian taking occasion of the writings of bassianus landus , to dissect one of these mice , found it to be true which he saith , that their maw and guts lie all straight and upright . we have shewed already , that all kinde of mice are generated out of the earth , although also they suffer copulation . and in egypt it is very common about thebais , and the places where nilus overfloweth , that in the decrease and falling away of the waters , the sun engendereth many mice upon the slime of the earth ; so that it is ordinary to see at one time their fore-parts to have life , flesh , and motion , and the hinder-parts deformed , and nothing but earth . and about this matter there is some disputation among the authors , for there be philosophers which affirm , that every creature as well perfect as unperfect , may be made both by seed and of putrified matter ; and from hence came the opinion in the poets , of the sons and daughters of the earth , and so they say , that things grow by generation in infinitam : some say , that perfect creatures cannot be generated in that manner , but the imperfect ones , such as mice are , may be ingendered by seed and putrified matter , and afterwards beget more of his one kinde . but aristotle confesseth the first generation , and denyeth the second , and saith ; although they do generate by copulation , yet it is not idem sed animal specie diversum , à quo nihil amplius gigni possit ; and therefore jeronimus gabucinus endeth this controversie , saying ; mures ex putredine nati , generant quidem & ipsi , sed quod ex eis generatur , nec mus est , nec soemina , nec amplius generat : that is ; mice engendered of putrified matter do also engender , but that which is begotten of them is neither male nor female , neither can it engender any more , that it may not proceed in infinitum , like a mouse engendered by copulation . but concerning the beginning of these wilde field-mice , and their encrease , aristotle speaketh in this manner : we have received ( saith he ) the wonderful generation of wilde field-mice , abounding in every place , and especally in corn-fields , which by their multitude , do instantly eat up and devour a great deal of grain , insomuch as it hath been seen , that divers poor husbandmen , which have determined to day , to reap their corn on the morrow , in the mean season it was so destroyed by mice , that when the reapers came in the morning , they have found no corn at all . and as the encrease of these mice was extraordinary , so also was the destruction , for men could not drive them away , as in former times , by smoking them , or else by turning in swine to root out their nests from the earth , or by s●nding foxes , or wilde cats among them , but their multitude did always prevail ; and yet after a few days , the showers of the clouds destroyed them . and pliny saith , that this ought to be no marvail , that there should be so great a harvest and store of these mice , seeing that men yet never knew how to hinder their generation , or to kill them , being engendered , and yet for all that they are seldom found in the winter time either alive or dead . and seeing that we have entred into the mention of the damage of these wilde field-mice , it is profitable to set down some stories out of authors , recording the place and persons , whom they have very much annoyed . pliny writeth , as we have shewed in our former discourse , that the inhabitants of troas , were driven from their habitation by these field-mice ; because they devoured all their fruits , and when they dyed , there was a worm engendered in their heads . diodorus siculus in his fourth book of ancient monuments recordeth , that there were certain people of italy , which by incursion of field-mice were driven to flight , and to forsake their patrimonies , for they destroyed the roots of the corn , like some horrible drought , or some unresistible cold frost . cossa a town of vmbria , in the days of pliny , which at this day is called orbi tellus , was destroyed by field-mice , ( as volaterranus writeth . ) niphus also saith , that he saw in one night , all the corn-fields at calenum destroyed by the mice . there are such a number of these mice in spain , that many times their destruction caused pestilent diseases , and this thing hapned amongst the romans when they were in cantabria , for they were constrained to hire men by stipends to kill the mice , and those which did kill them , scarse escaped with life . the inhabitants of gyarus , an island of the cyclades , after they had long resisted the violence of these mice , yet at length they were fain to yeeld unto them , and forsake their territory ; and the mice after their departure , through hunger did gnaw the iron . we have shewed already how the philistines were punished with mice , before they sent away the ark of the lord , and how the aeolians and trojans were annoyed with them , until they had sacrificed to apollo smintheus , and how the mice of heraclea , at the time of grape-gathering , do go out of the countrey and return again in the autumn . when senacharib , king of the arabians and egyptians , invaded egypt , it is said by herodotus , that vulcan in the night time sent upon his army such an innumerable swarm of wilde mice , that before morning they had eaten asunder their quivers , arrows , bows , and all warlike instruments , so that the next day , for the want of weapons , and fear of their enemies , they were constrained to take their heels and run away . and to conclude , by the same means the chalcidensians were driven out of elymnium , a city of the mountain athos ; and thus much shall suffice for the harm of these mice . they make their dwellings and habitation in the earth , according to this saying of virgil : — saepe exiguus mus sub terra posuitque domos , atque horrea fecit . yet now and then they come out of the earth , although it be but seldom . they heave up hills like moles , and they eat and devour the roots of corn and herbs . they make not very deep holes , but dig under the turss and upper face of the earth ; so that when a man walketh upon it , he may perceive it by the sinking in of his foot-steps : if the hole be opened with a spade , they close it again as a mole doth , but not so speedily , for they defer it two or three days together ; and therefore if it be watched , they may kill her at her return by treading upon her ; concerning the manner of taking them , these observations following may be put in practise . these kinde of mice are driven or chased away with the ashes of a weesil , or of a cat mingled with water , and by sprinkling or scattering seed or corn abroad , or by some things well sodden in water : but the poysoning of those mice is in the scent or savour of bread : and therefore they think it more profitable to touch the seed or corn lightly with the gall of an ox. apuleius doth affirm , that to soke the grain or corn in the gall of an ox before you sprinkle it abroad , is very good against these field-mice : also ( as it is read in geopon graec. ) it doth very much commend the gall of oxen , wherewith as he saith , if the seed or corn be touched , they shall be freed from the molestation or trouble of these field-mice . notwithstanding in the dog-days hemlock-seed with the herb hellebore is better , or with wilde cowcumber , or with hen-bane , or being beaten with bitter almonds , and bears-foot , and to mingle with them just as much meal or corn , and beat and stamp them in oyl , and when you have so done , put it into the hollow places of these field-mice : and they will die assoon as ever they shall tast of it . avicen doth affirm also , that hen-bane-seed doth kill these kinde of mice , without the mixture of any other thing . very many do stop the passages of them with the leaves of rhododaphne , who do perish in the time they are labouring to make their passage , by the gnawing of them . apuleius also saith , that the people of bithynia have had much experience of these things , who stopped the passages of these mice with these rhododaphne leaves , so that they desire to come forth by touching the same often with their teeth : which truly so soon as they shall touch or come unto , they shall presently die . but they use a kinde of incantation which is this that followeth ; i do adjure all ye mice , which do remain or abide here , that ye do not offer me wrong , or suffer me to be wronged of any other . for i do assign and appoint you this field ( then he nameth the field ) in which if i should surprize you hereafter , i call luna to witness , i will tear every one of you into seven pieces : when as thou hast writ this charm , binde paper fast to the place wherein the mice haunt , and that before the rising of the sun : so that the characters or marks may appear on the outside cleaving to a natural stone of that place . i have written this ( saith the author ) lest any thing should seem to be overskipped : neither do i allow or prove such things can be done , but i rather counsel all men that they do not set their minde to any of these , which are more worthy of derision then imitation . if thou shalt fill the passages of these rustical or field-mice with the ashes of an oak , he shall be possessed with a fervent desire to it , often touching it , and so shall die . these countrey mice , that is to say , those mice which are found in the fields , being bruised and burned to ashes , and mingled with fresh hony , doth comfort or restore the sight of the eyes by diminishing the darkness or dimness thereof , in what field soever you shall finde any thing , dig them up by the roots with a little stake or post . of the wood-movse . pliny doth oftentimes make mention of this wood-mouse , or rather a mouse belonging to the wood , but he doth it only in medicines ; but that it doth differ from this countrey or field-mouse we have have shewen in the chapter going before , because it doth not inhabit or dwell in the countries or tilled places , as the countrey or field-mice do , but doth inhabit in woods and forrests . the wood-mouse is called in greek as the countrey-mouse : but i think it to be a kinde of dormouse , which proceedeth from the kinde of wood-mouse . pliny truly doth make the same remedy or medicines of a dormouse , as he doth of a wood-mouse , as i will a little after rehearse or recite unto you . also i should have thought that a sorex had been the same , because it is a wood-mouse , but that , that one place of pliny did hinder me , where he commendeth the ashes of a wood-mouse to be very good for the clearness of the eyes , and by and by after did shew or declare that the ashes of the sorex were good also in the same use , as i will recite or rehearse below in the medicines or remedies of the wood-mouse . agricola , a man of great learning , doth interpret or judge the wood-mouse to be that mouse , to the which they do appoint the name deriyed from avellana : but he doth account that to be the sorex , which i will shew or declare beneath to be the shrew . i do understand that there are properly two kindes of the wood-mouse spoken of before . the one of them that which albertus doth write , saying that there is a certain kinde of mouse which doth build or make her habitation in trees , and of a brown or swart colour , and having also black spots in her face , which only is called by the universal name of a wood-mouse . of the same kinde pliny doth mean , ( if i be not deceived ) when he writeth , that the mast of a beech-tree is very acceptable to mice , and therefore they have good success with their young ones . the other which is peculiarly named the sorex , which ( saith pliny ) doth sleep all the winter time , and hath a tail full of hair : whose shape or form we propose and set evidently before you . but that i may more distinctly handle those things which pliny hath shewed to us concerning the wood-mouse ; i will write her down separately , or by it self , and afterwards concerning the mouse which hath her name derived from fil-birds , which the germans have left in writing , and which i my self have considered or observed ; and last of all i will write concerning the sorex peculiarly and severally from the ancient writers . the ashes of a wood-mouse being mingled with hony , doth cure all fractures of bones , the brains also spread upon a little piece of cloth , and covered with wooll is good also ; but you must now and then spread it over the wound , and it doth almost make it whole and strong within the space of three or four days : neither must you mingle the ashes of the wood-mouse with hony too late : hony also being mingled with the ashes of earth-worms , doth draw forth broken bones . also the fat of these beasts , being put to kibes is very good ; but if the ulcers are corrupt and rotten , by adding wax to the former things doth bring them to cicatrising . the oyl of a burned locust is also very good ; and also the oyl of a wood-mouse with hony , is as effectual as the other . they say also that the heads and tails of mice mixed with the the ashes of them , and anointed with hony , doth restore the clearness of the sight , but more effectually being mingled with the ashes of a dor-mouse or a wood-mouse . of the nut-mouse , hasel-mouse , or filbird-mouse . this beast is a kinde of sorex , and may be that which the germans tearm ein gross haselmus , a great hasel-mouse , so called because they seed upon hasel-nuts , and filbirds . the flemings call it ein slaperat , that is , a sleeping rat ; and therefore the french call it by the name lerot , whereby also we have shewed already , they understand a dormouse . for this sleepeth like that , and yet the flesh thereof is not good to be eaten . the colour of this mouse is red like the hasel , and the quantity full as great as a squirrel , or as a great rat : upon the back and sides it is more like a mouse , and upon the head more red . his ears very great , and pilled without hair . the belly white , so also are his legs . the neathermost of his tail towards the tip white . his nostrils and feet reddish . the tail wholly rough , but most at the end with white hairs . the eyes very great hanging out of his head , and all black , so that there is not in them any appearance of white . the beard partly white , and partly black , both above and beneath his ears , and about his eyes , and the upper part of his tail next his body all black . upon his forefeet he hath four claws or distinct toes , for he wanteth a thumb . but upon his hinder-feet he hath five , i mean upon each severally . the outside of his hinder-legs , from the bending to the tip of his nails is altogether bald without hair . and the savour of all this kinde is like the smell of the vulgar mice . they live not only in the earth , but also in trees which they climbe like squirrels , and therefore make provision of nuts and meat against the winter , which they lodge in the earth . the countreymen finding in the summer their caves and dens , do wisely forbear to destroy them , knowing that they will bring into them the best nuts and fil-birds can be gotten , and therefore at one side they stick up a certain long rod , by direction whereof in the winter time they come and dig out the den , justly taking from them both their life and store , because they have unjustly gathered it together : some have eaten it , but they were deceived , taking it for the dormouse . of the lascitt mouse . this mouse is called by the germans , lascitts , and also harnebal , because of the similitude it holdeth with the ermeline weesil . the skin of it is very pretious , being shorter then the ermeline two fingers breadth . and forasmuch as else , there is no difference between the lascitt mouse , and the lascitt weesil , except in the quantity : my opinion is , that they are all one , and differ only in age . and i am rather led to affirm thus much , because there are skins annually brought to the mart of franckford , out of polonia ( cal'd lascet ) which are no other then the weesils of nov● grodela , whose white skins are intermixed with grisseld ; and thus much shall suffice to have said of this mouse . of the sorex . i am of opinion , that this kinde of mouse belongeth to the hasel mouse before spoken of , because it is wilde , hath a hairy tail , and sleepeth in the winter , all which things are by pliny ascribed to the sorex ; only this hindereth , that he maketh the sorex to have rough hairy ears , and the sorex of germany hath bald ears . for answer whereof this shall suffice , that the other three notes being so great and pregnant , there is no cause why the want of one , and that so little as the hairs on the ears , should deprive it of his naturall due and kinde . the italians and the french use this word sorex , for a domestical vulgar mouse , and so peradventure did the antients before them ; but it is greater then the domestical mouse , although plinies sorex be neither greater nor lesser . the spaniards call a sorex , sorace , or raton pequenno . the illyrians , viemegka myss , by which word also they understand a shrew-mouse . the fibres of the intrails of the sorex do encrease and decrease with the moon , so that the number of them , do always answer the number of the days of her age . her ears as we have said are full of hairs , but in the lowest part or tip thereof . the reason of her name is taken from the skreeching voice she maketh in gnawing . for it is a very harmful biting beast , cutting asunder with her teeth like a saw . some do derive the greek word from huras , which anciently did signifie a mouse , and therefore they call this syrax , and saurex , but i lift not to stand any longer upon the name , seeing the beast it self affordeth little worthy matter to entreat of . it is reported by varro , that in arcadia there was a hog so fat , that a sorex did eat into her flesh , and made her nest and brought forth young ones therein , which may very well be ; for such is the nature of a fat swine , that he will hardly rise to eat his meat , or ease himself of his excrements : and besides , fatness stoppeth sense , burying both the nerves and arteries very deep : so that in the body of a man , his fattest part is least sensible . lycinius the emperor going about to restrain the insolency of the eunuches and courtiers , called them tineas , soricesque palatinos , that is moths and sorices of the court. there was an ancient garment ( as pliny writeth ) called vestis soriculata , and this was very pretious in my opinion , because it was garded or fringed with the skins of the sorex . if this beast fall into any wine or oyl , she corrupteth the same , and it is to be recovered by the same means , as we have formerly described in the vulgar mouse . it should seem there was great store of them in the days of heliogabalus , for he commanded ( as lampridius writeth ) to be brought unto him , not only a thousand of these beasts , but also a thousand weesils , and ten thousand vulgar m●ce , as we have shewed before in the story of the vulgar mouse . when the sooth-sayers were about their divinations , pliny writeth , that if they heard the squeaking of the sorex , they brake off , and gave over their labour , holding it unprofitable to go any further therein : and it is also reported , that the voyce of this mouse gave occasion to fabius maximus , to give over his dictatorship , and unto caius flaminius , to give over the mastership of the horse-men , such fear of silly beasts , was begotten in the mindes of gallant and magnanimous spirits , by the unprofitable and foolish behaviour and doctrines of the magitians . it is said by nigidius , that these sorices do sleep all the winter and hide themselves like the dor-mouse . they also when they eat any corn , do screetch and make a greater noise then other mice , whereby they bewray themselves in the dark unto their enemies , and are killed , which was the occasion of that proverbial speech of parmeno in terence , egomet meo indicio miser , quasi sorex perii . saint austine , and saint origen , do also make use of this proverb , the one in his book of order , the other in a homily upon genesis , which caused erasmus to write in this manner , sed videbor ipse meis indiciis captus , that is , i have overthrown my self with my own tale . these sorices do make hollow the trees wherein emets or ants breed , and there is perpetual hatred betwixt the bittors , and these , one lying in wait to destroy the others young . the medicines of the sorex . serenus and pliny say , that if a woman with childe do eat the sinews of a sorex , if her eyes be black , so shall the infants be likewise ; si praegnans artus captivi soricis edit , dicuntur foetus nigrantia lumina fingi . the fat of these beasts or of dormice , is very profitable against the palsie . the powder of the heads and tails anointed with hony upon the eyes , restoreth the clearness of sight , and with hony attick , the powder and fat of a sorex burned , helpeth running eyes ; and the same powder mingled with oyl , cureth bunches in the flesh . there is another mouse called by mathaeolus , mus napelli , that is , a wolf-bane-mouse : so called , because it feedeth upon the roots of that herb ; although there be some of opinion , that it is not a creature , but another little herb growing near unto it for a counter-poyson . and marcellus also maketh mention of napellus , and antinapellus , whereunto i should easily condescend , but that the eyesight of mathaeolus leadeth me to the contrary . for he writeth that he took one of them in the top of a high mountain in italy . and sylvaticus calleth this mouse mus suring , or sucsinus , and calleth it a counter-poyson to wolf-bane , and that god might shew thus much unto men , he causeth it to live upon the roots , in testimony of his natural vertue destroying poyson and venemous herbs . the indian mouse , and divers other kindes of mice , according to their countries . i do finde that divers times mice do take their names from regions wherein they inhabite , which happeneth two manner of ways : one , because the form of their bodies will somewhat vary : the other , because not only in shape , but also in wit they have some things in them common to mice , over and above the mice of our countries ; therefore we will briefly comprehend all their surnames of whatsoever regions they are in one order or alphabet . in the oriental parts of the world , there are great mice , ( as alexander writeth ) of the quantity of foxes who do harm both men and beasts , and although they cannot by their biting kill any man , yet do they much grieve and molest them . americus vespucius writeth , that he found in an island of the sea being distant from vlisbona a thousand leagues , very great mice . the hair of the egyptian mice is very hard , and for the most part like a hedge-hogs : and there are also some which walk bolt ▪ upright upon two feet , for they have the hinder-legs longer , and their fore-legs shorter , their procreation is also manifold ; and they do likewise sit upon their buttocks , and they use their fore-feet as hands . but herodotus affirmeth these mice to be of africk● and not of egypt ; amongst the african or carthaginian pastures ( saith he ) in africk towards the orient , there are three kindes of mice , of the which some are called bipedal or two-footed , some in the carthaginian language zetzeries , which is as much in our language as hills , some hedge-hogs . thare are more kindes of mice in the cyrenaican region : some which have broad fore-heads , some sharp , some which have pricking hair in the manner of hedge-hogs . it is reported that in cyrene there are divers kindes of mice both in colour and shape , and that some of them have as broad a countenance as a cat ; some have sharp bristles , and bear the form and countenance of a viper , which the inhabitants call ethenetae , but improperly , as it appeareth by the words of aristotle in his book of wonders . herodotus also affirmeth the like of those mice , to be in shape and colour like vipers : but pliny and aristotle do both disallow it , and say that in those juice there is nothing common to vipers , but only to hedge hogs , as concerning their sharp bristles . there are also some mice in egypt , which do violently rush upon pastures and corn : of which things aelianus speaketh , saying in this manner ; when it beginneth first to rain in egypt , the mice are wont to be born in very small bubbles , which wandering far and near through all the fields , do affect the corn with great calamity , by gnawing and cutting asunder with their teeth the blades thereof , and wasting the heaps of that which is made in bundles , do bring great pains and business unto the egyptians : by which it comes to pass , that they endure all manner of ways to make snares for them , by setting of mice-traps , and to repel them from their inclosures , and by ditches , and burning fires to drive them quite away : but the mice as they will not come unto the traps , for as much as they are apt to leap , they both go over the hedges , and leap over the ditches . but the egyptians being frustrated of all hope by their labours , all subtil inventions and policies , being left as it were of no efficacy , they betake themselves humbly to pray to their gods to remove that calamity from them . whereat the mice by some fear of a divine anger , even as it were in battel aray of observing a squadron order , do depart into a certain mountain : the least of all these in age do stand in the first order , but the greatest and eldest do lead the last troups , compelling those which are weary to follow them . but if in their journey the least or youngest do chance through travail to wax weary , all those which follow ( as the manner is in wars ) do likewise stand still , and when the first begin to go forward , the rest do continually follow them . it is also reported , that the mice which inhabit the sea , do observe the same order and custom . the african mice do usually die assoon as ever they take any drink : but this is commonly proper unto all mice , ( as ephesius affirmeth ) where it is written above concerning the poysoning of mice . mice , ( but especially those of africk ) having their skins pulled off , boiled with oyl and salt , and then taken in meat , doth very effectually cure those which are troubled with any pains or diseases in the lungs or lights . the same doth also easily help those which are molested with corrupt and bloudy spettings with retchings . the kindes of african mice are divers ; some are two footed ; some have hair like unto hedge-hogs ; some faces of the breadth of a weesil : but some call these mice cirenacian ; some egyptian , as i have before declared . in arabia there are certain mice much bigger then dormice , whose , former legs are of the quantity of a hand breadth , and the hinder of the quantity of the joynt to the end of the finger : i do understand them to be so short , that nothing thereof may seem to appear without the body , except the space of the joints of the finger , as it is in martinets . it is said , that the garments of the armenians are usually woven with mice which are bred in the same countrey , or diversly docked with the shape of the same creature . the author writeth , that pliny maketh mention of the armenian mouse , but i have read no such thing : therefore he doth perchance take the armenian mouse for the shrew . in cappadocia there is a kinde of mouse which some call a squirrel . aelianus writing of the caspian mice ; amyntas ( saith he ) in his book entituled de mansionibus , which he doth so inscribe , saith that in caspia , there do come an infinite multitude of mice , which without any fear do swi inm the flouds , which have great and violent currents , and holding one another by their tails in their mouths , ( as it is likewise reported of wolves ) have a sure and stable passage over the water . but when they pass over any tillage of the earth they fell the corn , and climing up into trees , do eat the fruit thereof , and break the boughs : which when the caspians cannot resist , they do by this means endevour to restrain their turbulent incursions ; for they remove all things which may hurt birds having crooked talons , who come presently so flying in such great flocks , or companies , that may seem to be clouds to expel the mice from their borders , and by a proper gift incident unto them by nature , do drive away hunger from the caspians . neither in quantity are these mice inferiour to the egyptian ichneumons : they are also ungentle , and they do no less devour with the strength of their teeth , then the mice of teredon in babylon do iron , whose soft skins the merchants carry to the persians . the indian mouse , or pharaohs mouse ( as some learned later writers do write ) is no other then the ichneumon . antonius musa brasavolus , took the before expressed figure of an indian mouse , ( for so he did call it ) which before that time was shewn by bellonius , and i guessed it to be an ichneumon ; and truly in the snowt ( if you take away the beard ) and in the ears it doth agree , but in the tail it doth differ , which doth rather resemble a cats : and in many other things , which by conferring them are eas●e to be marked , and as i conceived it , i have set it down . of the moschatte , or musk-cat . this beasts name is derived from the hebrew word bosem , which signifieth sweet odour , for the germans call the same bisem , and the beast it self bisemthier . and the graecians derive their moschos of moo and ozo , to seek , and to smell , and of mesou cheisthai , to proceed out of their middle ; because the true liquor cometh out of the navel , as we shall shew : but i rather think they derive it from the arabian words mesch , and misch , and almisch . the italians , french , and spaniards use musci and muschi , which is derived from the later latines ; and beside the italians call it capriolo del musco ; and the french , cheureul du musch : the musk it self is called in italy , muschio ; of the latine , muschum , and muscatum : the illyrians , pizmo ; and the germans , bisem . the arabians were the first that wrote any discovery of this beast , and therefore it ought not to seeme strange , that all the graecians and latines derive the name from them . and although there be an unreconcilable difference amongst writers about this matter , yet is it certain that they come neerest unto the truth that make it a kinde of roe : for the figure , colour , stature , and horns , seem to admit no other similitude , except the teeth which are like a dogs , whereof two are like a boars teeth , very white and straight . and there be some ( as simeon sei●●t , and aetins ) which say he hath also one horn , but herein is a manifest error , because no man that ever saw one of these beasts doth so much as make mention thereof ; and therefore the original of this error came from the words of avicen , who writeth that his teeth bend inward like two horns . cardan writeth , that he saw one of these dead at millain , which in greatness , fashion , and hair resembled a roe , except that the hair was more thick , and the colour more gray . now the variety of the hair may arise from the region wherein it was bred . it hath two teeth above , and two beneath , not differing absolutely from a roe in any thing , except in the savour . it is called gazella , they are lesser , thinner , and more elegant creatures then the roes are . paulus venetus writeth thus of this beast . the creature out of whom the musk is gathered , is about the bigness of a cat , ( he should say a roe ) having gross thick hair like a hart , and hoofs upon his feet . it is found in the province of cathay , and the kingdom of cergoth , which is subject to the great king of tartars . likewise there was a most odoriferous musk-cat at venice , which a merchant there had to be seen , brought as he said out of cathay , and for proof whereof he shewed the way that he went , namely through the euxine sea , colchis , iberia , and albania , even to the entrance of scythia . for the countrey cathay is a part of scythia , beyond imaus , neither ought this to seem wonderful , for in that place there was a region , called by ptolemeus , randa marcostra , wherein he placeth the eleventh table of asia . this region is watered by the river sotus , and therein aboundeth spikenard , and the inhabitants call the countrey wherein the best musk-cats are bred , ergimul , and the greatest city of that countrey singuy . the same author writeth also , that musk-cats are brought out of egypt , and out of many places of africk . in thebeth also there are many cities , and beasts about those cities called gadery , which do bring forth the musk ; and the inhabitants hunt them with dogs . the province of canicluet , doth also yeeld many of these beasts , and likewise syria . s. jerom also writeth thus : muscus & oenanthe , & peregrini muris pellicula , by which skin of the strange mouse , he meaneth the little bag , or skin wherein the musk of the musk-cat is included . the princes of europe do nourish these tame , being brought out of the new-found world , and many other rich men especially in italy , be delighted with the odoriferous savour which cometh from it . brassavolus saith , that he saw a merchant offer one of these to be sold unto alphonsus dake of ferrara , which had the navel full of musk. and catherinus zenus , an ancient nobleman of venice , had a roe of this kinde , which he left after his death unto his heirs ; and by this it doth plainly appear , that the musk-cat is neither like a cat , nor a mouse , and that all those which have affirmed so much thereof , have been deceived of their own conjectural derivation of moscus or muscus , or by the errour of some writer of the ancient books , which instead of magnitudo capreoli a roe , have inserted catti , a cat. and thus much shall suffice for the description of this beast , and for the regions where it is bred , except i may adde the relation of ludovicus romanus , who affirmeth , that the musk-cats of calecut are brought out of the countrey pegus . these roes of the new-found-land are wonderful nimble and quick , and so swift , that they are seldom taken alive ; but after they are taken , by pulling out their longer teeth they wax tame . when they are prosecuted with the hunters , and with dogs , they defend themselves with their teeth . in some places they take them in snares , and in ditches , also kill them with darts ; and so having killed them , they cut off the little bag wherein the musk groweth , for that musk doth exceed in sweetness of odor all things that were ever made by the art of man , and therefore the use of it is more plentiful then of any other thing , for they carry it about in garments . they make perfume of it ; they anoint beads whereupon they tell their prayers ; they also make bals of it , and include it in gold or silver , carrying it about , either to be seen , or because they are delicate and wanton ; or to shew their riches and abundance ; or to preserve themselves from putrified and stinking airs ; or else against cold and moist diseases of the brain . with this the luxurious women perfume themselves , to entrap the love of their wooers : for as the thing it self is a vice or sickness of the breast ; so also by men it is used to vice and wickedness ; yet the venetian matrons will never use it , and he that beareth it about him shall never perceive it himself . we haye shewed already , that it groweth in the nav●l , ●or in a little bag neer unto it ; and it is true by gyraldus and varinus , that when the beast beginneth to be luxurious , and prone to the rage of venery and carnal copulation , then the bloud floweth to the navel , and there putteth the beast to pain , because it swelleth above measure . the beast then abstaineth from all meat and drink , and rowleth himself upon the ground , and so by the waight of his body presseth forth the humor that troubled him , which after a certain time doth coagulate and congeal together , and then rendereth such an acceptable savour , as you see it hath . the relation whereof you shall hear out of the words of serapion . the wilde roes ( saith he ) which wander to and fro in the mountains freely , without the government of man , have in a little bag , certain putrified matter or bloud , which of it self groweth to be ripe , whereunto when it is come , the beast itcheth , and is pained as it were with launcing , therefore he rubbeth himself upon stones , rocks , and trees , a great while together , for it delighteth him , whereby the stones grow white through his rubbing , and therefore in time he weareth the bag asunder , making issue unto it for the corruptible matter to come forth , which presently runneth out upon the sores , no otherwise then if it had been lanced . then the wound groweth to be whole again , and the beast departeth , until the like exsuperance of bloud come into the same place again . for every year this happeneth them . the inhabitants of the countrey know all the hunters of these wilde beasts , and therefore note them where they empty their bellies . for the humor so pressed out as before is declared , through the heat of the sun congealeth and dryeth upon the stone , growing more commendable and pleasant through the suns heat ; then come the inhabitants , and in little bottles made of the skins of these beasts , which before they have killed , and so put the musk into them . this they sell for a great price , because it is thought , ( and that worthily ) to be a gift fit for a king. but if this musk be taken out of the creature by violence , then will he bring forth no more ; yet express it by his own natural art he beareth again and again . the greatest cause of this humor is the sweetness of his food , and the air wherein they are bred ; therefore if one of them be brought into this part of the world , with musk in his cod , it will grow to ripeness in a temperate air , but if it be brought without musk in the cod , then it will never yeeld any among us : and besides that it liveth but a little while . and therefore my opinion is , that this excremental humour , is unto it like a menstruous purgation , for the want whereof it dyeth speedily . every part of this beast is called musk , which cometh forth of his ulcerous issue ; for although the other parts smell sweet , yet we will shew afterwards more at large , that it is not of themselves , but by reason of this humor . the pretiousness of this thing deserveth a further treatise , for thy better direction and instruction of the knowledge hereof , both for the choise of that which is best , and for the avoiding and putting away of that which is adulterate . at venice at this day it is sold in the cods , and the indian musk is better then the african . the brown is always better then the black , except it be of catha ; for that of catha is black , and best of all . there is some that is yellowish , or betwixt red and yellow , after the very same colour of spikenard ; this also is of the best sort , because the beasts that render it do feed upon spikenard . therefore this is good to be chosen , because it cannot be adulterated , and besides the tast of it is bitter , and assoon as ever it is tasted , it presently ascendeth to the brain , where it remaineth very fragrant without resistance , and is not easily dissolved . it is not bright within , but muddy , having broad grains , and equal throughout , like the wood of baulm . but according to the regions , they chuse musk in this sort . of the indian musk , that of the region of sceni , ( called antebeuus , ) they set in the first place , and next unto it , the beasts of the sea side ; the musk of cubit is known by the thin bladder of the beast wherein it is contained ; but that of gergeri , is less aromatical , and more thick . the musk of caram is in the middle place betwixt both , wherewithal they mingle powder of gold and silver , to encrease the waight . the musk of salmindy is worst of al , because it is taken out of his bladder or cod , and put into a glass . there are some which prefer the tumbascine musk , and they say , that the odor thereof cometh from the sweet herbs whereupon the beast feedeth , and the like is said of the region of sceni ; but the odor is not equal to the other . and the tumbascines do not gather the musk after the fashions of others : for they draw not forth this matter out of the cod , nor yet gather it in calm weather . the genians , they press forth the matter out of the ventricle , and when they have it forth , mingle it with other things , and that in cloudy and tempestuous weather : afterwards they put them up in glasses , and stop the mouth close , and so they send it to be sold unto the sarizines , and to amanus , and to parsis , and to haharac , as if he were a tumbescine . when this beast goeth furthest from the sea , and feedeth toward the desert upon spikenard , then is his musk sweeter , but when they feed neer the sea , it is not so fragrant , because they feed upon myrrh . avicen saith , there is some kinde of musk like a citron , but such hath not been seen in this part of the world , for our musk is most commonly like the colour of iron , and the savour of it like a cyrenian apple , but stronger ; and consisteth of little pieces , but it is better that hangeth together , and hath a savour of the wilderness ; but if it be adulterated with snakes or birds-dung , then will it be lesser pleasant in the savour , and also pinch and offend the nose . the hunters of tebeth , and seni , as we have shewed already , do kill their sweet rose , and afterwards take out from them their bladder of musk , which musk being excerpted before it be ripe , smelleth strongly and unpleasantly . and then they hang it up a little while in the open and free air , wherein it ripeneth as it were by concoction in the sun , and thereby receiveth an admirable sweetness . and the like do divers gardners use towards apples , and fruits of trees which are gathered before they be ripe . for by laying them up in a dry place , they wear away their sharpness and become pleasant . but it is to be remembred , that musk is the best which doth ripen in its own cod , before it be taken out of the beast , for before it is ripe , it smelleth displeasantly . there is not much perfect musk brought into this part of the world , but the strength of it cometh from the vertue of the cod wherein it is put , and so it is brought to us ; but the best is brought out of the east , where groweth spikenard and sweet herbs . rodericus lusitanus saith , that our musk is compounded of divers things , the ground whereof is the bloud of a little beast like a cony , which is brought out of pegun a province of india . but the means whereby to try it may be this , after it is waighed , they put it into some moist or wet powder , and after a little while they weigh it the second time , and if it exceed the former waight , then do they take it for sound , perfect , and good , but if it do not exceed , then do they judge it adulterate . some merchants when they are to buy musk stop it to their noses , and holding their breath run half a stones cast , afterwards they pull it from their nose , and if they perceive the savour of the musk , then do they buy it , and take it for good , but if not , they refuse it for corrupted . in some churches they make perfumes with musk , and by mingling stirax , aloes , amber , and juyce of roses , they make a perfume called regium suffumigium , the kings perfume ; likewise unto sweet waters , drawn out of the furnaces of chymists , whereunto they add simple rose water , and for the richer sort of people musk and camphory . andreas furnerius , in his french book of adorning mans nature , teacheth a composition to be made of certain oyls , sope , and musk ; and also ointments and musked oyls . he also sheweth how to make little round balls of musk , and other confections , and afterwards to draw a thread through the middle of them , and so wear them about ones neck . some put it into silken wool , through which they first draw a thread , and so dissolve it in rose water , afterward make it up in medicines , and use it as aforesaid . it may be preserved in a vessel of lead , close stopped a long time , for the lead which is cold and moist , agreeth well with the nature of the musk , and therefore if a leaden vessel be wanting , so as ye be forced to use glass and silver , then must you put two or three pieces of lead into it , for the better preservation , and covering the passage all over with wax , and above all things you must avoid all kinde of spices , taking heed that no grain thereof come into it . if while it is in the vessel it lose the savour and be dead , then it is to be recovered by opening the mouth of the vial , and hanging it over a privy ; for when the stink and evill savour cometh unto it , contra foetorem eluctatur , & quasi luctando reviviscit , it striveth against the filthy stink , and as it were reviveth in that contention , saith isidorus , albertus , and platearius . but concerning the adulterating of musk , i will say more in this place . first of all , the mounte-banks do corrupt it by mingling with it the liver of a calf . also by a root called makir , and an herb salich . many times the dung of mice is sold for musk , and so great is the deceit herein , that a man may not trust the outward shape of an intire cod , for there be imposters which can counterfeit them , and make them in all parts for the outward appearance , and fill them with certain stuffe , interposing some little true musk among it until it have a reasonable savour , and therewithal deceive simple people . it is also adulterated by mingling with it a little goats bloud fryed , or brown bread fryed , so that three or four parts of these , will receive seasonable tast from one part of the musk. it is also adulterated in the skin by putting pieces of the skin into it , and it may be known from the true musk , because it will weigh twice so heavy . the sarazens use this shift above all others , and there is one principal way of making counterfeit musk , which is this ; they take nutmegs , mace , cinamon , cloves , gilly-flowers , and spikenard , of every one a handful , all these being beat diligently together , and dryed and sifted , they are mingled with the warm bloud of a dove , and afterwards dryed in the sun , then are they seven times sprinkled over , or moistened with the water of musk-roses , and betwixt every sprinkling they are dryed ; at length they mingle therewithall a third or fourth part of true musk , and then sprinckle it over again with musk-rose-water , so divide it into three or four lumps , and take the white hairs from under the tail of a roe or kid , and so put it in a vessel of glass . benyvine , white wax taken out of a new hive of bees , the rotten part of eve-tree , and a little musk , are mingled all together to make a counterfeit amber , for it will smell like civet , or musk , or else stirax , and the powder of lignum aloes , with civet , and rose-water ; but the fraud in one and other is easily deprehended , for both the odor and the colour are different from the true amber , and also it will sooner wax soft in water , then that which is natural . some do corrupt their musk with the seed of angelica , or rather with the root of it , because the root smelleth sweet like musk , but the cosenage may be easily discovered , by putting it into water : for the angelica will sink , and the musk will swim . the true musk is sold for forty shillings an ounce at the least . it is also observed by arnoldus villanovanus , that in the presence of assa foetida or castoreum , the best musk will have a horrible and intolerable savour , although they touch not one another , which cannot be ascribed to any known reason , but to some secret in nature . the sweetness of the arabian musk is described by alciatus in this verse ; et celebris suavi est unguine muscus arabs . there be divers herbs which smell sweet like musk , as angelica , dorsis , musk-gilliflowers , musk-grapes , the leaves of a winter cherry , and an herb growing near basil without a name , like wilde parsley , the damasine-rose , and many other . wilde cats and martins do also render an excrement much like , musk ; and there are hares called moschiae , which leave such an intolerable smell in the impression of their foot-steps , that the dogs by touching them grow mad , as we have shewed in the story of the hare : and thus much for the description of this beast ; now followeth the medicines . the medicines of the musk-cat . a very little part or quantity of a musk-cat is of great vertue and efficacy ; wherefore it is very sparingly used in medicines or potions , neither is there any part thereof beaten or bruised , as it is of all other beasts , but it is melted and dissolved in water which proceedeth from the sweetest roses . it is also a beast which is very hot and dry , but rather more dry then hot , yet notwithstanding the same his heat is asswaged and allayed by no other thing but only the gum called camphire ; and his driness is only moistned or mollified with oyls , and very sweet , as oyl of violets , and oyl of roses . amongst sweet smels and savours , the principallest and chiefest laud and commendation is attributed unto the smell which proceedethfrom the musk-cat : for he doth not only with his odoriferous and delightful savour please and content the scent of men , but also doth strengthen the spirits , and all the parts of mans body , yea and that in a moment , for the slenderness of his parts , which although it doth forthwith penetrate or enter into the scent of man , yet doth it endure longer , and is not so speedily or quickly dissolved as the scent or savour of any other sweet smell whatsoever . a musk-cat and the herb called mercuries-fingers or dogs bane , being given in purging medicines to drink , do greatly renew and refresh the decayed strength or force of those which have been before times weakened with divers and continual medicines in their members . the same is also very profitable for those which are effeminate or defective , and eclipsed in their minde or courage , as also for those which are weak and feeble in their joynts , not by any hurt , or any other casuality being enfeebled , but being always so even from their childhood . a musk-cat is an excellent remedy for those which are troubled with fear in their heart ; and also for those which do quiver or shake either for fear of any other thing throughout all the parts of their body . the same is a very profitable and medicinable cure for those which are grieved with any ach or pain in their head , or with any enormity or trouble in their liver , and is also being given simply by it self , without any thing mixed in it , or compounded in wine , very good and wholesome for the healing and curing of those who have any pain or grief in their stomach , which cometh by the occasion of any cold . a musk-cat being put unto the body of any man in the form or manner of a plaister , doth confirm and make strong both his heart and all the rest of his bowels , or interior parts : it doth moreover encrease both strength and power in all his members , yea and in the very bones , the efficacy thereof is of such and power and vertue . the same being laid or anointed upon the head , is very effectual for the expelling or driving away of the rheume which falleth from the head into the nostrils , and by that means procureth heaviness in the same ; and for the amending and curing of the swimming dizziness or giddiness in the head through the abundant humors which remain and stay therein , and also for the bridling and restraining of lust and venery . the same being used in the aforesaid manner doth temperate and confirm the brains of any man , besides it easeth and helpeth those which have pain about their heart , by the which they suppose their very heart to ake . the smell of this beast is both profitable and hurtful ; for unto those which are cold of constitution , the scent is very pleasant in regard that it is hot of it self , and is very delightful in their savours : but unto those which are hot of nature it is very noisome , in regard that the heat and strong scent thereof overcometh their senses , and oftentimes causeth their heads to ake , and be full of pain ; and doth also stir up in them that pestiferous disease called the falling-sickness : but unto women which are of a hot and fiery constitution it is more hurtful and noisome , for it breedeth in them a very pestiferous disease , which choaketh their matrice or womb , and causeth them oftentimes to swound , it is also called by some the mother . the sneezings of a musk-cat is an excellent remedy against the resolution of the sinews or the palsie . a musk-cat is very good and wholesome for the helping and curing of those which are troubled with any deafness or astonishment in any part of their bodies ; as also for the driving away of melancholick and sorrowful passions out of mens mindes , and for the incitating delightful mirth and pleasure in them . a musk-cat being mingled with dry plaisters which are used for the healing of the eyes , is an excellent remedy for the expelling and driving away of the white skin which doth usually cover the sight , and for the drying up of moist rheumes and humors , which in the night time do fall from the brains and the head , and by that means doth much hurt and damage the sight of the eyes , as also for the clarifying and healing up of any pain or disease therein . a musk-cat is an excellent remedy for those which have a desire to vomit and cannot , it doth also renew an appetite or stomach in those unto their victuals which do loath and abstain , from all sustenance , and doth loosen and dissolve all thick puffings or windiness in the interior parts or members of any one . a musk-cat being mingled with a caustick medicine , is very profitable and wholesome for the bringing forth of those womens menses or fluxes which are stopped , and also for moving conception in those women which are hindered in it by the occasion of some great cold . a medicine or suppository being made of ambergreese , and mingled with a gum comming out of syria called styrax , and then mixed both together with a musk-cat and so beaten , until they come unto a certain salve , and laid unto the secret parts of a woman , is very good for the aforesaid disease . there is a certain juyce or moistness in a musk-cat which being pressed forth or dissolved , and mixed with the oyl called palma christi , and anointed upon the yard of any man , doth stir him up to lust and venery . if the least part of a musk-cat be eaten by any one which is troubled with a stinking breath , it will presently expel and take away the stink thereof . and thus much shall suffice concerning the cures and medicines of the musk-cat . of the mvle. the mule is a beast , called by the hebrews , pered , from whence comes the feminine pirdah . of king. . and there be some that say that the reason of the hebrew word is , from the separation and sterility of this beast , for it is pered , quia non-pariat . the chaldy word is cudana , the arabian , beal ; but gen. . for the hebrew word jemin , many translate mules . the arabians , kegal ; but the gracian septuagints , hemionous . the graecians also call a mule astrabe , from the strength of his body . the latines call a mule mulus , and semiasinus , that is , half an ass , because on the one side he is an horse , and on the other side an ass , and therefore in his conditions he more resembleth an ass then an horse , whereupon lyeth this tale . a certain lydian mule seeing his image in the water , grew to be afraid of the greatness thereof , and thereupon took his heels and ran away as fast as he could ; neither could he be stayed by all the wit of his keepers : at length the mule remembring that he was the son of an ass , he stayed his course and came back again neighing . the italians call a mule mulo , and the female mula , like the latines , and the spaniards . the french , mulet , and the female mule , from whence cometh the english word mule. the germans , multhire , or mulesel . the illyrians , meseck , and the flemings , mul. but among the indian phyllians , their asses , mules , oxen , and horses , are no bigger then rams . as the mule is begotten betwixt an ass and a mare , so the burdon is begotten betwixt a horse , and a shee-ass , wherefore the italians call him mulo bastardo , that is , a bastard mule. for as the mule more resembleth the ass then the horse , so the burdon more resembleth the horse then the ass : the reason is ; because all kindes follow the father . the mule hath some parts proper to the ass , as long ears , a terrible voyce , a cross upon the shoulders , small feet , a lean body , and in all other things it resembleth a horse . the length of their ears serveth instead of their fore-top , their color is some-what brown , but it varieth ; for the roman cardinals have mules of an ash-colour , and those very great ones with long tails . they change their teeth , and have in number six and thirty , their neck is like the neck of an asses , long , but not standing upright , their bellies simple and of one quanty , they want a gall like all four-footed beasts ; and there is a thing in their heart like a bone , as we have shewed before in the story of the ass . they eat such food as horses , and asses do ; but they grow fat by drinking , yet they drink not like a horse , by thrusting in their noses into the water , but only touch it with their lips . they love cucumbers above all other meats , but the flowers and leaves of rhododaphne are poyson to mules and asses , and to many four-footed beasts . both a mule and a horse grow from the first coming forth of their teeth , ( by which their age is discerned ) and after all their teeth are come forth , it is hard to know their age . the females in this kinde are greater , more lively , and live longer then the males . it hath been found that they have lived to fourscore years of age . such a one was presented at athens , at what time pericles builded the temple of minerva , where by reason of his age , he was dismissed from all labour , yet afterwards he would not forsake his companions , but went with them , exhorting them with neighing to undergo the labour cheerfully ; whereupon there was a publick decree , that the said mule should have an ordinary of provender appointed him in prytanium , and that no body should drive him away from their corn when he eat it , although it were in the market place . we have shewed already that this beast is engendered betwixt an ass and a mare , and therefore if a man would create unto himself a notable breed of mules , he must look to the choice both of his male and female . first of all for the female , that she be of a great body , of sound bones , and of singular good shape , wherein he must not so much expect her velocity or aptness to run , as her strength to endure labour , and especially to bear in her womb a discordant foal , begotten by an ass , and to confer upon it both the properties of his body , and the disposition . for when mares do unwillingly receive the genital seed of the ass , the foal doth not grow to perfection in the mares belly , until she hath born it thirteen months , whereby it resembleth more the sluggish and dull nature of his father , then the vigor of his mother . but for the helping of their copulation , they pull certain hairs out of the tail of the female , and afterwards binde them together therewith . there is no lesser regard to be had of the stallion , lest the want of judgement in the choice of him do frustrate the experiment ; seeing therefore they are engendered betwixt a mare and an ass , or betwixt a mare and a wilde ass , and the mule , begotten betwixt the wilde ass and the mare , doth excel all others , both for swiftness of course , hardness of foot , and generosity of stomach : yet is the tame ass better for this breed then the wilde ass , for he will be more beautiful in outward form , and more tractable in disposition ; and the mules engendered by wilde asses may be compared to these ; yet can they never be so tamed , but they retain some qualities of their wilde father ; and therefore a mule begotten betwixt them ( i mean betwixt a wilde male ass and a tame female ass ) are fitter for nephews then for sons ; that is , their foals may beget good mules , and such as are tameable and tractable , because descent breaketh the corruption of nature , but themselves do never prove profitable . and therefore it is most commodious and necessary to get such a stallion ass to the procreation of mules , whose kinde by experiment is excellent , and outward parts every way acceptable , such as these are ; a long and great body , a strong neck , strong and broad ribs , a wide breast full of muscles , loins full of sinews , strong compacted legs , of colour blackish or spotted , for the mouse colour is too vulgar , and is not fit in a mule. for it is but folly in a man to allow and approve every colour he looketh upon , and therefore ( columella writeth ) when there are spots upon the tongue and palat of a ram , such also are found in the wooll of the lamb he begetteth . and so also if an ass have divers coloured hairs upon his eye-brows , or upon his ears , the foal he bringeth forth hath such colours in his skin ; and hereunto agree both palladius , and abstitus , saying ; he that will have a good breed of mules , must get an ass of elegant form , a great stature , square members , a great head not like a horses , his face , cheeks , and lips not small , his eyes standing out of his head , and not little or hollow , broad nostrils , great ears , not hanging down , but standing upright ; a broad and a long neck , a broad breast , rough with the plaights of his muscles , and strong to endure the kickings of the mare : great breasts , plates , and other parts under his shoulders , and so down to his legs , which ought to be strong , broad , and corpulent , and standing far asunder , so as he may easily cover the mare . a great back , and broad back-bone , neither hollow , nor standing up with bunches , bearing a direct line upon the middle . his shoulders not low , but standing up , the hip-bone full and long , not bending too narrowly nor pinde buttockt , nor standing out sharp , and they are best which have the shortest tails . furthermore let his stones be great , his knees great and round , standing both alike , his legs bony and without flesh , nothing appearing in them but nerves and skin ; not standing awry , nor yet of divers colours , his pasterns not high , nor yet over-low : his feet not low nor bending inward ; his hoof thick and hollow within ; the inward part of it being clear , according to the saying of juvenal : namque hic mundae nitet ungula mulae . his voyce clear and not hoarse , for so the mare will be terrified from copulation . his colour ought to be likewise clear , as all black , having no white belly ; or somewhat looking towards purple , and having one black spot upon his mouth , or rather a black tongue , and such as hath been brought up with horses . it is the fashion of some to take wilde asses to tame them , to make stallions for generation , for they beget the best mules , if they be liberally fed and not inclosed , and never wax wilde again if they be put among tame asses . and the young one so gotten by him , will be like the syre : and if any have a desire to make the mules of strange colours , they must cover the female with a cloth of that colour , wherewithal they desire the young one to be foaled , as we have shewed already in the disdourse of horses , whereby there are raised many excellent kindes and races ; or else they bring in their presence at the time of their copulation some great male horse or ass , by the sight whereof they are made more fruitful , or again , some base and despisable beast being offered to their view , doth make them to conceive more noble mules . if the wilde asses be at any time heavy , and not willing to cover the mare , then let there be another female ass brought into the presence , by the sight whereof his lust so burneth , that he rageth almost to madness for copulation : and therefore being denyed , the ass doth more willingly leap upon the mare , whom before he loathed . again , it must be regarded , that the stallion be tyed and bound fast , so that he may not cover the mare after she is with foal , nor yet have access unto her , lest by kicking and biting he cause abortment , for many times they break their bonds asunder , and greatly trouble the females with young , therefore they are accustomed to some labour , which taketh down the heat of their lust : yet at the time that they are to cover the mares , you must use all diligence to awaken the drousie nature of the beast , so that with greater spirit the seed of the male and female may meet together . the asses of lybia will not cover mares that have manes until they be shorn off , for it seemeth they disdain that their females should have more ornaments then themselves , which are their husbands . we have shewed already in the discourse of the ass , that mares do not willingly admit any stallion ass to cover them , except it be such a one as did suck a mare , which we called a horse-suckling , or equimulgus . for this cause men that propound unto themselves to nourish races of mules , take the colt of an ass so soon as it is foaled , and put to it a mare , giving milk in some dark place , wherein the mare not doubting any fraud , is deceived , and willingly yeeldeth her udders to the asses foal ; whereunto being accustomed for ten days together , at last she taketh it for her own ; and such a stallion ass loveth mares exceedingly : and on the other side , the mare refuseth not him . and some say , that although they suck their mothers milk , yet if from the time of their weaning they be brought up among horse-colts , it is as good as if they had sucked mares . if the ass be small which is a stallion , he will quickly wax old , and his issue be the worse , therefore they must provide the largest and strongest asses , and nourish them with the best hay and barly , that so his strength may abound before his copulation . he ought not to be under three years old , nor yet brought unto a mare which never knew male , for such a one will beat him away with her heels and mouth , and bring him into perpetual hatred with that kinde ; wherefore they use to bring some vile and vulgar ass into the presence of the mare , as it were to woo her , and provoke her to copulation , that so if she beat him away , it may be no hinderance to the stallion ; but if she seem to admit him , and desirous of copulation , then they take him away , and bring the appointed stallion into his room , and so the mule is engendered . for the effecting of their copulation , there must be a place appointed for the purpose , betwixt two walls , having a narrow passage , that so the mare may not have liberty to fight with the ass , and the mares head must be tyed down to a manger or rack , the ground being so fashioned , that her fore-feet may stand much lower then her hinder , and so ascend backward , to the intent that the ass may more easily leap upon her back , and she receive the seed more deeply . when the mare hath brought forth the mule , she giveth it suck half a year , and then driveth it away , which ought to be brought up in some mountains , or hard places , that so the hoofs may grow hard and indurable . having thus discoursed of the generation of mules , it now followeth , that we should enquire , whether mules thus engendered betwixt an ass and a mare , do likewise bring forth in their own kinde . observatum est ( saith pliny ) è duobus diversis generibus tertii generis fieri , & neutri pare●tum esse similia , caque ipsa quae ita nata sunt , non gign●re , in omni animalium genere , idci●co mul●s non parere . that is to say ; it hath been observed , that out of two divers kindes , a third hath been engendered , and yet like to neither of the parents , and those so engendered did not procreate others in the universal kinde of beasts , or among all creatures ; and therefore mules conceived betwixt asses and mares , do not bring forth young . whereupon camerarius made this pretty riddle of a mule : dissimilis patri , matri diversa figura confusi generis , generi non apta propago , ex aliis n●scor , nec quisquam nascitur ex me . d 〈…〉 itus is of opinion also , that mules cannot conceive , and that their secret places are not like other beasts , and the issue of confused kindes can never engender , but especially in a mule , because it is made of divers seeds , ( i mean divers in quantity , and almost contrary ) for the seed of the ass is cold , and the seed of the mare is hot . aristotle disputing of this matter concerning those kindes that are procreated of divers parents , writeth in this sort : those beasts joyn in copulation , whose kindes although they are divers , yet are not their natures very disagreeable . if the quantity and stature be alike , and the times of going with young be equal , yet they remain barren that are so begotten , of which cause empedocles and democritus yeeld reason : empedocles obscurely , and democritus more plainly , but neither of them both well ; for they alledge the same demonstration about all beasts out of their kinde . democritus saith , that the passages of the mules are corrupted in their wombs , because their beginning doth not consist of one and the same kinde ; but this is no reason , for that it happeneth also to other beasts that do engender . empedocles he yeelds a reason out of plutarch , about the joyning together of the seeds , and therefore compareth it to a commixtion of tin and brass together , but he saith he doth not understand their meaning , and therefore proceedeth to express his own opinion in these words . first ( saith he ) every one of the males do beget one of their own kinde , but the females cannot conceive , and this is no great wonder ; because that horses are not always fit for generation , nor mares to bring forth colts being covered : and therefore when asses and mares do couple together , their issue may be more barren , because they receive the greater hinderance in the diversity of kinde ; for besides the coldness of the asses seed which may be one great cause of his barrenness , they have another property , if they do not breed and engender before the casting of their colts-teeth , they remain steril and barren all their life long : for so doth the generative power of the asses body rest upon a tickle and nice point , apt to rise , or easie to fall away to nothing . and in like sort , is a horse prone to barrenness , for it wanteth nothing but cold substance to be mingled with his seed , which cometh then to pass when the seed of the ass is mixed with it , for there wanteth but very little , but that the asses seed waxeth barren in his own kinde , and therefore much more when it meeteth with that which is beside his nature and kinde . this also hapneth to mules , that their bodies grow exceeding great , especially because they have no menstruous purgation , and therefore where there is an annual breeding or procreation , by the help and refreshing of these flowers , they both conceive and nourish ; now these being wanting unto mules , they are the more unfit to procreation . the excrements of their body in this kinde they purge with their urine , which appeareth because the male mules never smell to the secrets of the female , but to their urine , and the residue which is not voided in the urine , turneth to encrease the quantity and greatness of the body , whereby it cometh to pass , that if the female mule do conceive with foal , yet is she not able to bring it forth to perfection , because those things are dispersed to the nourishment of her own body , which should be imployed about the nourishment of the foal : and for this cause , when the egyptians describe a barren woman , they picture a mule. alexander aphrodiseus writeth thus also of the sterility of mules . mules ( saith he ) seem to be barren , because they consist of beasts divers in kinde , for the commixtion of seeds , which differ both in habit and nature , do evermore work something contrary to nature , for the abolishing of generation ; for as the mingling together of black and white colours doth destroy both the black and white , and produce a swart and brown , and neither of both appear in the brown ; so is it in the generation of the mules , whereby the habitual and generative power of nature is utterly destroyed in the created compound , which before was eminent in both kindes , simple and several . these things saith he . alcmaeon , as he is related by plutarch , saith , that the male mules are barren by reason of the thinness and coldness of their seed , and the females because their wombs are shut up , and the veins that should carry in the seed , and expel out the menstruous purgation , are utterly stopt . and empedocles and diocles say , that the womb is low , narrow , and the passages crooked that lead into it , and that therefore they cannot receive seed , or conceive with young : whereunto i do also willingly yeeld , because it hath been often found that women have been barren for the same cause . to conclude therefore , mules bear very seldom , and that in some particular nations if it be natural , or else their colts are prodigious , and accounted monsters . concerning their natural birth , in hot regions where the exterior heat doth temper the coldness of the asses seed , there they may bring forth . and therefore collumella and varro say , that in many parts of africk , the colts of mules are as familiar and common , as the colts of mares are in any part of europe . so then by this reason it is probable unto me , that mules may ingender in all hot countries , as there was a mule did engender often at rome ; or else there is some other cause why they do engender in africk , and it may be that the african mules are like to the syrian mules before spoken of , that is , they are a special kinde by themselves , and are called mules for resemblance , and not for nature . it hath been seen that a mule hath brought forth twins , but it was held a prodigy . herodotus in his fourth book recorded these two stories of a mules procreation ; when darius ( saith he ) besieged babylon , the babylonians scorned his army , and getting up to the top of their towers , did pipe and dance in the presence of the persians , and also utter very violent & opprobrious speeches against darius and the whole army , amongst whom one of the babylonians said thus : quid istic desidetis ô pers● ? quin potius absceditis , tunc expugnaturi nos cum pepererint mulae . o ye persians , why do you sit here ? wisdom would teach you to depart away ; for when mules bring forth young ones , then may you overcome the babylonians . thus spake the babylonian , believing that the persians should never overcome them , because of the common proverb , epcan emionoi tek●sin , when a m●le beareth young ones . but the poor man spake truer then he was aware of , for this followed after a yeer and seven months : while the siege yet lasted , it hapned that certain mules belonging to z●pirus , the son of megabizus brought forth young ones , whereat their master was much moved , while he remembred the aforesaid song of the babylonian , and that therefore he might be made the author of that fact , communicated the matter with darius , who presently entertained the device ; therefore zopirus cut off his own nose and ears , and so ran away to the babylonians , telling them that darius had thus used him , because he perswaded him to depart with his whole army from babylon , which ( he said ) was in expugnable and invincible . the babylonians seeing his wounds , and trusting to their own strength , did easily give credence unto him ; for such is the nature of men , that the best way to beguile them is , to tell them of those things they most desire , for so are their hopes perswaded , before they receive any assurances . but to proceed , zopirus insinuated himself further into the favour of the babylonians , and did many valiant acts against the persians , whereby he got so much credit , that at last he was made the general of the whole army , and so betrayed the city unto the hands of dirius : thus was babylon taken when mules brought forth . another mule brought forth a young one , at what time xerxes passed over hellespont , to go against graecia , with his innumerable troops of souldiers , and the said mule so brought forth , had the genitals both of the male and female . unto this i may adde another story out of suetonius , in the life of galba caesar . as his father was procuring augurisms or divinations , an eagle came and took the bowels out of his hands , and carryed them into a fruit-bearing-oak , he enquiring what the meaning of that should be , received answer , that his posterity should be emperours , but it would be very long first : whereunto he merrily replyed ; sane cum mula pepererit ; i sir , when a mule brings forth young ones : which thing afterwards happened unto galba ; for by the birth of a mule , he was confirmed in his enterprises when he attempted the empire ; so that , that thing which was a prodigy and cause of sorrow , and a wonder to all other people , was unto him an ominous confirmation of joy and gladness , when he remembred his grand-fathers sacrifice and saying . therefore it was not ill said of democritus ; mulae non naturae opus , sed humanae machinationis , adultorinum inventum , & furiam esse videntur . mules are not the proper work of nature , but an adulterous invention of humane policy , robbing nature : for ( saith he ) when a certain median found his ass covering of his mare , whereupon afterwards she fell to be with foal , and seeing the young one to communicate with both natures , they drew it into a custom to cover the mares with their asses , for the engendering of such a breed . some are of opinion that mules first began among the paphlagonians , which before the trojan war were called eneti , and afterwards veneti : but in gen. . we finde that anab the son of zibeon , keeping his fathers asses , did invent gemim , that is , mules , as some interpret . but rather i believe , that while asses and horses ran wilde in the wilderness among themselves , the wilde asses first began this race . the male at seven years old may engender , because he is of a hotter nature then the female , and also doth not in his generation confer any part of his bodily growth to the young one , and sometimes he engendereth when he hath lost his foremost teeth , and after the first copulation , he never engendereth more . the young one so generated , is called ginnus and pumilio , for it is a very dwarf , according to the observation of martial : his tibi de mulis non est metuenda ruina , altius in terris p●ne sedere soles . such as these were kept in the court of the duke of ferraria , and although in all things they resemble the mother , yet are named after the father , and such also are the burdenes before spoken of in the story of the horse . mules are begotten both by mares , she-asses , and bulls , but yet those are the best that are begotten betwixt an ass and a mare . and thus much for the generation of mules . they are nourished with the same meat that horses and asses are , annoyed with the same sicknesses , and cured with the same means ; generally bloud-letting is good for them , and for their diet bullimung . in scythia they can abide no cold , and therefore the horses are there used in stead of mules . in some countries the horses can abide no cold , but the asses and mules bear out ( as herodotus writeth , ) and as we have shewed before in the story of the ass : when the graecians were at troy , and were destroyed by a consuming pestilence , the first of all their company that dyed were their dogs and their mules , and the reason of it was , because the pestilence arising out of the earth , they by the sense of smelling , which is very quick in both kindes , did first of all draw in that poyson from the earth . collumella saith , that the medicines for the oxen do also cure mules , yet there are special medicines not to be neglected , which we will express in this place . for a mule that hath a feaver , give her raw cabbage ; and for one that is short-winded use bloud-letting , and for a drink give it a pinte of wine and oyl mixed with half an ounce of frankincense , and half a pinte of the juyce of hore-hound . for the scratches or disease in the hoofs , lay to it barley meal , then make suppuration with a knife , and cure it by laying two linnen clothes , or by a pinte of the best garum , and a pound of oyl infused into the left nostril of the mule , whereunto you may adde , the whites of three or four egs separated from the yolks . the female mule may be burned in the feet , or let bloud after the manner of horses , and some countreymen give in their food the herb veretrum , or else the seed of hyoscamus or hen-bane beaten to powder and drunk in wine . for the languishing of the chine or leanness , they make this drink ; have an ounce of beaten brimstone , a raw eg , a penny weight of the powder of myrrh , mingled all three together in wine , and so poured down the mules throat , is a present remedy to cure it . as also for the pain in the belly and all manner of coughs , the herb medica is special good for the said languishing disease . so also to fat the mule if it be given green , and not dryed like hay , a little at a time for fear the beast be suffocated with overmuch bloud . when a mule is tired or heated , let the load be taken off , and turn her forth to wallow in some convenient place . if that suffice not , take some fat , and put it into her chaps , that so she may suck it down , and pour wine alter it . for to kee 〈…〉 the necks of mules from wringing and loosening their skin , use this medicine , take two pound of hogs-grease sod three times , or unto the third part two pintes of vinegar , and therewithall anoint the mules neck . as we have shewed that the pains of a horses belly and guts are best of all cured by the sight of a mallard , swimming in the water , whereby they are speedily delivered from all manner of torment , so the same hath as great or greater operation to cure the pains of the mules belly . it is reported by avicen , that mules fall into madness , and in that madness bite their master mortally . they are likewise subject to the gout , and especially to swellings about the crown of their pasterns , but they are cured as horses and oxen. they live long , ordinarily to fifty years , and sometimes to fourscore , the reason thereof is given by caelius : animalia quae frequenter coeunt brevieris sunt vitae , inde sit , ut muli equos superent , videndi diuturnitate ; that is to say , those beasts and creatures which oftentimes joyn in copulation have but short lives , and from thence it cometh , that mules live longer then horses . the epithets of a mule are these ; pack-bearer , dirty , spanish , rough , and bi-formed . there is an adage or proverb called mulus marianus , and by it is signified a man which is apt both for to obey and to rule ; it was taken from marius the great r●man souldier and commander , whose fashion was , when he had commanded any of his souldiers to fetch a burden , or do any vilde service , he himself would put his hand unto it . it signifieth properly a bearing back , or colt-staffe , as we say in english , whereupon poor men carry their burdens , and from thence it was translated into a proverb , to signifie all that do obey commands . there be some which give another reason of this proverb , for they say ; that when scipio did besiege n 〈…〉 amia , he did not only determin to look into the weapons of his souldiers , but also to his horses , mules , and chariots . then marius brought forth an horse , nourished by himself very delicately : besides the horse a mule of very comely body , fat excelling all other mules both 〈…〉 gentleness and in strength . therefore seeing the emperor was delighted with the beasts of marius , and would now and then make mention of the mule , at length it came to a common jest , to call a double diligent servant mulus mari 〈…〉 s. the italians do commonly call those men mules which are base born , and not by lawful marriage . concerning the disposition of mules , it is well observed by aristotle , that mules are always tame ; and if at any time they be more wilde , they abate their untameable 〈…〉 re by drinking of wine , because by the operation of the wine , their heels and hard parts do resolve and grow soft ; by the same reason that ape● by , drinking of wine mose their nails , and men accustomed to drunkenness fall into palsies : for there is such a dispersing and discussing nature in wine , that it dissolveth all nerves and hard things in the bodies of beasts , even as water dissolveth hard fruits and pease , and vinegar maketh lead as soft as an egge , that it may be drawn through a ring : and such is the nature of mules , that after they have drunk wine , they feel themselves disarmed , and therefore give over to resist , because by kicking backwards , they receive more harm then they give , and thus the guiltiness of their own weakness , maketh them gentle against their wills , for otherwise they hate mankinde , and are nothing so tractable as horses . for varro saith , that they have so much confidence in their heels , that by them alone , they kill wolves when they come among them . mules were wont to be used for plowing , and for carrying both of men and burthens ; but now in most parts of europe , judges and great princes ride upon them until they be old , and then they sell them to the poor men , who turn them into the mountains where they suffer them to run wilde , till their hoofs be hardned for long travails , and then they take them up again . they have been also accustomed to ploughing , according to these verses ; quantum mularum sulcus praecedit in arvo , tantum is praecurrit . — for the mules did plough more speedily , and come to the lands end more quickly then either the ox or horse . and martiall saith , that they were used in carts to draw timber , according to these verses ; vixque datur longas mulorum vincere mandras , quaeque trahi multo marmora fune vides . they were also used in race at the games of olympus , as we have already shewed in the story of the horse , but that custom dyed quickly , because that the arcadians could not endure mules . the price of mules was great , for crispine ( saith juvenul ) gave six thousand pieces of mony for a mule , and yet he saith it was not well worth six pound ; the verses of juvenal are these : — crispinus mulum sex millibus emit aequantem sane paribus sestertia libris , vt perhihent qui de magnis majora loquuntur . the cappadocians payed to the persians every year besides silver and gold , fifteen hundred horses , two thousand mules , and fifty thousand sheep ; but the medians payed twice so much . the dwarfish mules called ginni were also much set by , not for use , but only for delight , as dwarfs are kept in noblemens houses . when pysistratus the son of hippocrates first of all affected tyranny at athens , and laboured to get the government to himself , as he came out of his countrey , being drawn with a chariot by mules , he wounded himself and his mules very grievously , and so drave them into the market place , shewing his wounded body and beasts unto the athenians , telling them that so he was wounded by his enemies , and that he escaped death very narrowly ; but if it pleased them to grant him a gard of souldiers to defend his body , he would take revenge upon their and his enemies : whereunto they yeelded , and he having gotten a band of souldiers under that pretence , presently took upon him the government and soveraignty . to conclude this story of mules , i do read in aelianus , that serpents do love to feed on the flesh of dead mules ; and two things are very eminent in the nature of mules , one of their understanding , and the other of their friendship . concerning the first , plutarch relateth this story of a mule that was accustomed to carry salt , who upon a season going through a water , fell down underneath his burden , so that the salt took wet afterwards ; the beast perceived how by that means , his extream load melted away , and so became lighter and lighter ; afterward the mule grew to this custom , that whensoever he came loaded with salt over that water , he fell down in it for the easing of his carriage ; his master perceiving his craft , on a day he loaded him with wool , and spunges , and so the beast coming over the water , fell down as he was wont to do with his salt , and coming out of the water , he felt his load to grow heavier then it was wont to do , in stead of lessening , whereat the beast much mused , and therefore never afterward durst lie down in the water , for fear of the like increase of his load . the other observation of their love and friendship , ariseth from the proverb , mutuum muli scabunt , that is , mules scratch one another , and help one another in their extremity ; from whence cometh our proverb , o 〈…〉 good turn asketh another ; and the latine proverb , senes mutuum fricant , old men rub one another ; which did arise upon this occasion : as adrian the emperour so passed a long on a day by a bath , he saw an old souldier in the bath rubbing himself upon a marble stone for want of a man to help him , whereupon in pity of his case he gave him maintenance for himself and a man : afterwards other old souldiers seeing how well their fellow had sped , went likewise into the bath before the emperors eyes , and rubbed themselves upon the marble , thinking to get as much favour and liberty as their fellow had gotten , but the emperor seeing them , and perceiving their fetches , bid them rub one another , and thereupon came that proverb . and thus much fot the natural discourse of mules , now followeth the medicinal . the medicines of the mule. the dust wherein a mule shall turn or rowl himself , being gathered up and spread or sprinkled upon the body of any one who is ardently and fervently in love , will presently asswage and quench his inflaming desire . a man or woman being poysoned , and put into the belly of a mule or camel which is new killed , will presently expel away the force of the venom or poyson , and will confirm and make strong their decayed spirits , and all the rest of their members : for as much as the very heat of those beasts is an antidote or preservative against poyson . the skin or hide of a mule being put unto places in any ones body which are burned with fire , doth presently heal and cure the same : it doth also heal sores and grievous ulcers which are not come unto impostumes . the same is an excellent remedy for those whose feet are worn or wrung together through the pinching of their shoos , to help themselves withall , and for those which are lame , and those which are troubled with those grievous sores called fistulaes . if any man shall take either in meat or drink the marrow of a mule , to the weight or quantity of three golden crowns , he shall presently become blockish and altogether unexpert of wisdom and understanding , and shall be void of all good nutriment , and manners . the ear-laps or ear-lages of a mule , and the stones of a mulet being born and carried by any woman , are of such great force and efficacy , that they will make her not to conceive . the heart of a mule being dryed and mingled with wine , and so given to a woman to drink after that she is purged or cleansed thirty times , hath the same force and power that the aforesaid medicine hath for the making of a woman barren . the same effect against conception hath the bark of a white poplar tree , being beaten together with the reins of a mule , then mingled in wine , and afterwards drunk up . if the herb called harts-tongue , be tied upon any part of a woman , with the spleen of a mule , but as some have affirmed by it self only , and that in the day which hath a dark night , or without any moonshine at all , it will make her altogether barren and not able to conceive . if the two stones of a mule be bound in a piece of the skin of the same beast and hanged upon any woman , they will make that she shall not conceive so long as they shall be bound unto her . the left stone of a weesil being bound in the skin or hide of a mule , and steeped or soked for a certain space or time in wine , or in any other drink , and the drink in which they are so steeped given to a woman to drink , doth surely make that she shall not conceive . the stones of a mulet being burned upon a barren and unfruitful tree , and put out , or quenched with the stale or urine of either man or beast which is gelded , being bound and tyed in the skin of a mule , and hanged upon the arm of any woman after her menstrual fluxes , will altogether resist and hinder her conception . the right stone of a mule being burned and fastned unto the arm of a woman which is in great pain and travail , will make that she shall never be delivered until the same be loosened and taken away , but if it shall happen that a maid or young virgin shall take this in drink after her first purgation or menses , she shall never be able to conceive , but shall be always barren and unfruitful . the matrix or womb of a female mule taken and boiled with the flesh of an ass or any other flesh whatsoever , and so eaten by a woman which doth not know what it is , will cause her never to conceive after the same . the worm which is called a gloworm , or a globird , being taken out of the womb or matrice of a female mule , and bound unto any part of a womans body , will make that she shall never be to able conceive . the dust or powder which proceedeth from the hoofs of a male or female mule , being mixed or mingled with oyl which cometh from myrtleberries , doth very much help those which are troubled with the gout in their legs or feet . the dust of the hoofs of a mule being scorched or burned , and the oyl of myrtle-berries being mingled with vinegar , and moist or liquid pitch , and wrought or tempered in the form or fashion of a plaister , and opposed or put unto the head of any one whose hairs are too fluent and abundant , doth very speedily and effectually expel the same . the liver of a mule being burned or dryed unto dust , and mixed with the same oyl of myrtle-berries , and so anointed or spread upon the head , is an excellent and profitable remedy for the curing of the aforesaid enormity . the dust or powder of the hoofs of a female mule is very wholesome and medicinable for the healing and curing of all griefs and pains which do happen or come unto a mans yard , being sprinkled thereupon . the hoof of a mule being born by a woman which is with childe , doth hinder her conception . the filth or uncleanness which is in the ears of a mule , being bound in the skin or hide of a little or young hart , and bound or hanged upon the arm of a woman after her purgation , doth cause that she may not conceive . the same being in like manner mingled or mixed with oyl which is made of beavers-stones , doth make any woman to whom it is given to drink , altogether barren . the dirt or dung of a mule being mixed with a syrup made of hony , vinegar , and water , and given to any one to drink that is troubled with the heart swelling , will very speedily and effectually cure the pain thereof . the dung of a mule being burned or dryed and beaten small , and afterwards sifted , or seirced and washed or steeped in wine , and given to any woman to drink , whose menstrual fluxes come forth before their time , will in very short space cause the same to stay . the stale or urine of a male or female mule being mingled with their dirt : or dung , is very good and medicinable for those to use which are troubled with corns and hard bunches of flesh which grow in their feet . assa foetida being mingled with the urine of a mule to the quantity of a bean , and drunk , will altogether be an impediment and hinderance to the conception of any woman . the stale or urine of a mule being taken to the quantity of eight pounds , with two pounds of the scum or refuge of silver , and a pound of old and most clear oyl ; all these being beaten or pounded together until they come to the thickness of the fat or sweat which falleth from mens bodies and boiled until they come unto so liquid and thin a juyce , that they will speedily and effectually cure and help those which are troubled with the gout or swelling in the joynts . if a woman shall take the sweat which proceedeth from a horse , and anoint it upon a woollen cloth , and so apply it as a plaister or suppository unto her secret parts , it will make her altogether barren . there is an excellent remedy for those which are pursie or short winded , which cometh also by the mule : which is this ; to take or gather the froath or some of a mule , and to put it into a cup or goblet , and give it in warm water , for a certain space or time to be drunk , either to the man or woman which is troubled with this enormity , and the party which do so use it , shall in short space have remedy ; but the mule will without any lingring of time , or consuming of time in pain and sorrow die . the milt of a male or female mule , being drunk in a potion or juyce made of hony , water , and vinegar , to the value or quantity of three cruces or cups full , is commended for an excellent cure and medicine , for those which are troubled and grieved with that pestiferous and deadly disease called the falling-sickness , otherwise saint johns evil. there is an excellent remedy for those which are troubled in the voiding of their water , which is this ; to take the ring-worms or tetters which do grow upon both the legs of a mule above their knees , and which do stick thereupon in the manner of a dryed thick skin , and to burn or parch them , and afterwards to put or place them upon him which is troubled with the strangury , or cannot void his water but by drops-meal , so that there be great care had to cover close with cloven or clefted cloaths , or garments , the suffumigation thereof , lest that the smell or fume do fade , and void away , and this being so used will be very effectual for the curing and driving away of the aforesaid disease . the hairs of a mule and an ass being mingled together and dryed , and put into some certain perfume , and so given to any one to drink which is troubled with the falling-sickness , will presently expel and drive it quite away . in the place or part of mans body wherein a male or female mule shall bite , ponzettus affirmeth , there will presently arise , and grow small pushes , or little blisters which are always full of red and pale humors , and filthy corruption , which can almost be healed and cured by no salve , potion , or medicine , by any means applyed thereunto . there are some also which do suppose the biting of mules to be poyson , for truly there doth not only follow those aforesaid pushes and biles , but also an extream and almost indurable inflammation and burning , through all the parts of the body , which doth greatly distemperate and vex the same . but it is affirmed by others , that the biting of mules is to be cured after the same manner as the biting of a cat , which is thus : first , to wash and clarifie the wound or bitings where the corruption is with vinegar mingled with oyl of roses , and then to take peny-royal , or the herb called neppe , and boil it , and stroke or rub the wound very softly with it , and it will in time wholly cure it . and thus much shall suffice at this time concerning the cures and medicines of mules . of the neades , neides , or naides . heraclides , coelius , volaterranus , and euphorion , do all write that once the isle of sa 〈…〉 was a desert place , and that there were in it certain beasts called neades , whose voyce was so terrible that they shook the earth therewith , and from those strange and great voyces came the vulgar greek proverb , meizoon mia toon neaedbon , maius una neadum . that is , one of the neades was a great wonder , for it was used in ostentation , to shew that there was nothing in the whole world comparable to their vast and huge quantity . of the parts of these beasts there is no memory but only in suidas and aelianus , who affirm , that their bones were to be seen in their days . and this title i thought good to insert into this history , leaving the reader to consider , whether he will take them for elephants , or for any other greater beast ; for my opinion if it be desired , i think them rather ( if there ever were any such ) that they were elephants of greater stature then ever since were seen , and not any generation of beasts now lost and utterly perished . of the ounce , the description whereof was taken by doctor cay in england . there is in italy a beast called alph 〈…〉 , which many in italy , france , and germany , 〈◊〉 〈…〉 a , and some vnzia , from whence albertus , and isidorus make the 〈…〉 ine word v 〈…〉 , and i take it to be the same beast which is called l 〈…〉 um , and for the description of it , i can follow no better author then doctor cay , who describeth it in this fashion . the ounce ( saith he ) is a most cruel beast , of the quantity of a village or mastiffe dog , having his face and ears like to a lions , his body , tail , feet , and nails like a cats , of a very terrible aspect , his teeth so strong and sharp , that he can even cut wood in sunder with them : he hath also in his nails so great strength , that he only fighteth with them , and useth them for his greatest defence : the colour of the upper parts of his body being like whitish oak , the lower being of the colour of ashes , being every where mixed with a black and frequent spot , but the tail more black then the rest of his body , and as it were obscured with a greater spot then the residue . his ears within are pale without any blackness , without black , without any paleness , if you do but take away one dark and yellow spot in the midst thereof , which is made of a double skin rising , meeting in the top of the ear , that is to say , that which ariseth from the outward part of the jaw on the one side , and cometh from the upper part of the head on the other side , and the same may be easily seen and separated in the head being dryed . the rest of the head is spotted all over with a most frequent and black spot ( as the rest of the body ) except in that part which is betwixt the nose and the eyes , wherein there are none , unless only two , and they very small : even as all the rest are lesser then the rest , in the extream and lowest parts : the spots which are in the upper parts of the thighs , and in the tail , are blacker and more singular , but framed in the sides with such an order , as if all the spots should seem to be made of four . there is no order in the spots , except in the upper lip , where there are five rows or orders . in the first and uppermost two which are severed ; in the second , six , being joyned in that manner , as if they should seem to be in one line : these two orders are free , and not mingled amongst themselves . in the the third order there are eight joyned together , but with the fourth where it endeth , they are mixed together . the fourth and fifth in their beginning ( which they have to the nose ) being separated with a very little difference , do forthwith joyn themselves , and run together through all the upper lip , and do not make a spot through all the same , but a broad line . in the beast being dead the spots do so stand , ( as i suppose ) for the contraction of the skin . in the beast being alive , those spots do seem separated every one in their own orders . in the very middle between the lower lip , although they do keep the quantity , do not observe the order . the nose is blackish , a line being softly led through the length , and only through the top of the outside thereof . the eyes are gray , the former teeth are only six , not very unlike to mens teeth , except those which are , placed in the middle are lesser , and they in the uttermost part are greater , as also higher then those which are low . in this beast the teeth are both great , sharp , and long , being joyned to the rest in the lower jaw , and in the upper severed with so great space , that the lower teeth may be received therein . these when the beast liveth are covered with his lips , but when he is dead they are otherwise , his lips being through driness shrunk together . his fore-teeth are very big , and as long as two roman fingers , for at the very root thereof it cannot be comprehended in less then two roman fingers and a half compass . in his tooth there is a certain small hollowness through all the length thereof , which notwithstanding doth not appear except the tooth be broken . the lower jaw is very hard and stiffe having three teeth unequal in quantity , as the upper four . between the great tooth and the first cheek tooth of the under jaw , there is a void space to the quantity of one finger , from which the first is presently placed , lesser then the other two : to this there is another greater close adjoyning : and after this there is also a third greater then the second . in the upper jaw in that middle space ( which i said was of one roman finger ) between the great tooth and the first cheek-tooth , there is a very little tooth , and without any form , coming so smally out of the jaw , that there is no lower tooth which may answer to the same . after that , in the space of half a finger there is a second , to which there is joyn'd a third , and after this a fourth , between themselves the upper and the lower cheek-teeth , and so are joyned together as they agree in the manner of a comb ; the two first teeth in the lower jaw , and the second and third in the upper jaw are of the same figure , as the compass of the tops of the crowns of the kings of england and france . the third is of the same figure in the lower jaw , and the fourth of the upper jaw , except that the interior side of both the gums which is nearer to the throat , by nature is taken away . there was no other teeth joyned to these in both the jaws . but i do not know whether there be any more teeth in the gum beyond the reach of ones finger , in the farthest row or behinde the teeth . but this i know , that to all appearance there was none remaining , and it may be that his lips were cut or slit down beyond nature to shew his teeth . it liveth of flesh , and the female is more cruel then the male , though lesser , and one of either sex was brought out of mauritania into england in a ship , for they are bred in lybia . if they have any appointed time of copulation , it is near the month of june , for in that month the male covereth the female . we have shewed already that lions may be tamed , and that also hath been manifest in london , both in the tower and in the city , for there the lions did play with their keepers , and kiss them without harm , ( as doctor cay saith he saw them do ) but these beasts were so fierce and wilde as they could never be tamed , for when soever their keeper should change or remove them from place to place , he was constrained first of all to strike them so hard with a club upon the head , that they should lie half dead , and so put them in a sack or wooden chest made of purpose with holes in it for respiration and expiration , to carry them to and fro from one lodging to another : after an hour they revived again like a cat , but when they were to be taken out of the hutch or chest , he was constrained likewise to astonish them again with his club ; but afterwards they grew to invent an engine to put the beast in , and take him out of the hutch with a rope or cord , and so do remove them from place to place . the keepers affirmed , that they did seem much to disdain the lions , and oftentimes endevoured to fight with them , but they were kept asunder with grates : they would not hurt a little dog when he was put to them but when they were hungry ; but if a great dog were put unto them , they tore him in pieces , although their bellies were never so full . when they are angry , they utter a voyce like an angry dog , but they double the ( arr ) twice , and also bigger then any dogs , proceeding out of a large breast and wide arteries , much like to the howling of a great mastive , that is shut up in a close room alone against his will. some say it is longer then a dog , but it did not so appear in england , for we had many mastive dogs as long as it , but yet was it every way greater then any other kinde of dogs . it is but a vain report , that some have said , when a man or beast is bitten with an ounce , presently mice flock unto him , and poyson him with their urine . for it was seen in england , that two of the keepers were wounded and shrewdly bitten by one of the ounces , and there followed them no other harm then that which followeth the biting of an ordinary dog , or like a small incision with a knife . he never fighteth but at the head , and that treacherously , if he perceive his adversary to be too strong or too great for him , and that by counterfeiting quietness , benevolence and peace , as if he meant no harm : for so he served a great mastive dog in england , at the first sight he seemed to applaud his comming , looking cheerfully upon him , and wagging his tail , presently he fell down on his belly , as it were to invite the dog to come near him by his submission ; lastly , he got close unto him , creeping as though he would play with him , putting out one of his feet , as cats do when they play , wherewithal the great dog grew secure , and began nothing to mistrust the beast , at length when the ounce saw his opportunity , he suddenly leaped upon his neck , and took him by the throat , and pulled it out , after he had killed him , with his nails he opened the dogs breast , and taking out his heart , did eat it before all the people in most cruel manner ; thus far doctor cay speaketh of the ounce , and beside him no other author that i know . the gall of this beast is deadly poyson , it hateth all creatures , and destroyeth them , especially men ; and therefore it may well be said to be possessed with some evill spirit . it loveth none but his own kinde . and thus much for the ounce . of the oryx. this beast in pliny and oppianus is called orynx and oryx , and my conjecture is , that his name is derived from oryssein which signifieth to dig . saint jerom and the septuagints for theo , deut. . and isa . . translate oryx : but david kimbi , and the better learned men interpret it a wilde ox. but the hebrew dischon may in my opinion be so translated , yet herein i refer it to the learned reader . it is certain , that it is of the kinde of wilde goats by the description of it , differing in nothing but this , that the hair groweth averse , not like other beasts , falling backward to his hinder parts , but forward toward his head , and so also it is affirmed of the aethiopian bull , which some say is the rhinocerot . they are bred both in lybia and egypt , and either of both countries yeeldeth testimony of their rare and proper qualities . in quantity it resembleth a roe , having a beard under his chin . his colour white or pale like milk , his mouth black , and some spots upon his cheeks ; his back-bone reaching to his head , being double , broad , and fat ; his horns standing upright , black , and so sharp , that they cannot be blunted against brass or iron , but pierce through it readily . aristotle and pliny were of opinion , that this beast was bisulcus and vnicornis , that is , cloven-footed , and with one horn : the original of their opinion , came from the wilde-one-horned-goat , whereof schnebergerus a late writer writeth thus : certum est minineque dubium in carpathomonte , versus russian transylvaniamque reperiri feras similes omnino rupicapris , excepto quod unicum cornu ex 〈◊〉 fronte enascitur , nigrum , dorso inflexum , simile omnino rupicaprarum cornibus , that is to say ; it is without all controversie , that there are wilde beasts in the mountain carpathus , towards russia and tran●ylvania , very like to wilde goats , except that they have but one horn growing out of the middle of their heads , which is black and bending backward like the horns of wilde goats . but the true oryx is described before out of oppianus , and it differeth from that of pliny , both in stature and horns . aelianus saith , that the oryx hath four horns , but he speaketh of the indian oryx , whereof there are some yearly presented to their king , and it may be both there and elsewhere , diversity of regions do breed diversity of stature , colour , hair , and horns . simeon sethi affirmeth of the musk-cat , that it hath one horn , and it is not unlikely that he hath seen such an one , and that the oryx may be of that kinde . but concerning their horns , it is related by herodotus , pollux , and laur. valla , that there were made instruments of musick out of them , such as are citherns or lutes , upon whose bellies the musitians played their musick , by striking them with their hands ; and that those beasts were as great as oxen ; and all this may be true , notwithstanding we have shewed already , that they are as big as roes , for pliny speaking that by relation , or by sight , it is likely that he had seen a young one . there be also sea-beasts called oryges , and orcae ; and there is in egypt an oryx , which at the rising of ganis syrius , or the little dog is perpetually sorrowful ; and this cause the lybians to mock the egyptians for that they fable , the same day that the little dog-star riseth , their oryx speaketh . but on the contrary themselves acknowledge , that as often as the said star ariseth with the sun , all their goats turn to the east , and look upon it ; and this observation of the goats , is as certain as any rule of the astronomers . the lybians affirm more , that that they do presage great store of rain , and change of weather . the egyptians also say , that when the moon cometh near to the east , they look very intentively upon her , as upon their soveraign goddess , and make a great noise , and yet they say they do it not for her love , but for her hate , which appeareth by knocking their legs against the ground , and fastening their eyes upon the earth , like them which are angry at the moons appearance : and the self same thing they do at the rising of the sun. for which cause the ancient kings had an observer , or one to tell them the time of the day , sitting upon one of these beasts , whereby very accurately they perceived the sun rising ; and this they did by turning their tail against it , and emptying their bellies ; for which cause by an oryx the egyptians discipher an impure or godless wretch : for seeing that all creatures are nourished by the sun and moon , and therefore ought to rejoyce at their appearing , only this filthy wretch disdaineth and scorneth them . the reason why they rejoyce at the little dog-star , is , because their bodies do perceive an evident alteration of the time of the year , that cold weather and rain are over-passed , and that the vapors of the warm sun are now descending upon the earth , to clothe it with all manner of green and pleasant herbs and flowers . there is another kinde of oryx which according to columella , was wont to be impaled among deer and harts , the flesh whereof was eaten , and used for the commodity of his master : this was impatient of cold . it grew till it was four years old , and afterwards through age decreased , and lost all natural vigor . but to return to the oryx intended , from which we have digressed ; their horns whereof we late spake , are not only strong and sharp like the horn of the unicorn , and the rhinocerot , but also solid , and not hollow like the horns of harts . the courage and inward disposition of this beast , is both fearful , cruel , and valiant ; i mean fearful to men and beasts , but fearless in it self : for saith my author ; neque enim canis latratum timel , neque apri effervescentem seritatem , neque tauri mugitum refugii , neque pantherarum tristem vocem , neque ipsius leonis vehementem rugitum horret , neque item hominuni robore movetur , ac saepe robustum venatorem occidit : that is to say ; he feareth not the barking of the dog , nor the foaming wrath of the wilde boar ; he flyeth not the terrible voyce of the bull , nor yet the mournful cry of the panthers ; no , nor the vehement roaring of the lion himself ; and to conclude , he is not moved for all the strength of man , but many times killeth the valiantest hunter that pursueth him . when he seeth a boar , a lion , or a bear , presently he bendeth his horns down to the earth , whereby he conformeth and establisheth his head to receive the brunt , standing in that manner until the assault be made : at which time he easily killeth his adversary , for by bending down his head , and setting his horns to receive the beast , he behaveth himself as skilfully as the hunter , that receiveth a lion upon his spear . for his horns do easily run into the breasts of any wilde beast , and so piercing them , causeth the bloud , to issue , whereat the beast being moved , forgetteth his combate and falleth to licking up his own bloud , and so he is easily overthrown . when the fight is once begun , there is none of both that may run away , but standeth it out until one or both of them be slain to the ground , and so their dead bodies are found by wilde and savage men . they fight with all , and kill one another , also they are annoyed with linces , i mean the greater linces : of the cruelty of this beast martiall made this distichon : matutinarum non ultima praeda ferarum savus oryx , constat qui mihi morte canum . it is reported of this beast , that it liveth in perpetual thirst , never drinking by reason that there is no water in those places where it is bred , and that there is in it a certain bladder of liquor , whereof whosoever tasteth , shall never need to drink . this beast liveth in the wilderness , and notwithstanding his magnanimous and unresistible strength , wrath , and cruelty , yet is he easily taken by snares and devices of men ; for god which hath armed them to take elephants and tame lions , hath likewise indued them with knowledge from above , to tame and destroy all other noisome beasts . concerning the picture of this beast , and the lively visage of his exterior or outward parts , i cannot express it , because neither my own sight , nor the writings of any credible author , doth give me sufficient direction to deliver the shape thereof unto the world , and succeeding ages upon my credit : and therefore the reader must pardon me herein . i do not also read of the use of the flesh , or any other parts of this beast , but only of the horns , as is already expressed , whereunto i may adde the relation of strabo , who affirmeth the aethiopian silli , do use the horns of these beasts in wars instead of swords and spears : for incredible is the hardness and sharpness of them , which caused juvenal to write thus : et getulus oryx hebeti lautissima ferro caeditur . — for although of the own length they are not able to match a pike , yet are they fit to be put upon the tops of pikes , as well as any other artificial thing made of steel or iron ; and thus i will conclude the story of this beast . the scythian wolf . of the otter . there is no doubt but this beast is of the kinde of beavers , because it liveth both on the water and on the land , and the outward form of the parts beareth a similitude of that beast . the italians do vulgarly call this beast lodra , and the latines besides lutra , fluviatilis canicula , a dog of the waters ; and some call them cats of the waters ; the italians besides lodra , call it also lodria , and loutra ; the french , vne loutre , or vng loutre ; the savoyans , vne leure ; the spaniards , nutria ; and the illyrians , widra ; the graecians , lytra , because it sheareth asunder the roots of the trees in the banks of the rivers . some of the graecians call it enhydris , although properly that be a snake living in the waters , called by theodorus , and hermolaus , lutris . albertus calleth it luter , and anadrz for enhydris . also boatus by silvaticus ; and the graecians call filthy and thick waters lutrai ; for which cause , when their noble ancient women went to bathe themselves in water , they were bound about with skins called oan loutrida , that is , a sheeps skin used to the water . the french men call the dung of an otter , espranite de loutres ; the steps of an otter , leise marches ; the whelps of an otter , cheaux , by which word they call also the whelps of wolves , foxes , and badgers . although they be a kinde of beaver , as we have said already , yet they never go into the sea , and they abound almost in all nations , where there are rivers or fish-pools , as namely in italy , france , germany , helvetia , england , and scandinavia . likewise in all sarmatia , in the bay of borysthenes . they are most plentiful in italy , where the river padus is joyned to the sea. also they abound in noples . their outward form is most like unto a beaver , saving in their tail , for the tail of a beaver is fish , but the tail of an otter is flesh . they are less then beavers , some compare them unto a cat , and some unto a fox ; but i cannot consent unto the fox . they are bigger then a cat and longer , but lesser then a fox , and therefore in my opinion they are well called dogs of the water . they exceed in length , for in swetia , and all the northern rivers they are three times so long as a beaver . they have a rough skin ; and the hair of it very soft and neat , like the hair of a beaver , but different in this , that it is shorter and unequal , also of colour like a ches-nut , or brownish , but the beavers is white or ash-colour . it hath very sharp teeth , and is a very biting beast , likewise short legs , and his feet and tail like a dogs , which caused bellonius to write , that if his tail were off , he were in all parts like a beaver , differing in nothing but his habitation . for the beaver goeth both to the salt waters , and to the fresh , but the otter never to the salt . for in the hunting of fish it must often put his nose above the water to take breath : it is of a wonderful swiftness and nimbleness , in taking his prey , and filleth his den so full of fishes , that he corrupteth the air , or men that take him in his den : and likewise infecteth himself with a pestilent and noisome savour , whereupon as the latines say of a stinking fellow , he smels like a goat ; so the germans say of the same , he smels like an otter . in the winter time he comes out of the caves and waters to hunt upon the land , where finding no other food , he eateth fruits , and the bark of trees . bellonius writeth thus of him , he keepeth in pools and quiet aters & rivers , terrifying the flocks of fish , and driving them to the bank-sides in great number , to the holes and creeks of the earth , where he taketh them more copiously , and more easie : but if he want prey in the waters , then doth he leap upon the land , and eat upon green herbs : he will swim two miles together against the stream , putting himself to great labour in his hunger , that so when his belly is full , the current of the stream may carry him down again to his designed lodging . the females nourish many whelps together at their udders , until they be almost as big as themselves , for whom the hunters search , as for the dams among the leaves and boughs , which the over-flowings of waters in the winter time , have gathered together , and laid on heaps . it is a sharp biting beast , hurtful both to men and dogs , never ceasing or loosing hold after he hath laid his mouth upon them , until he make the bones to crack betwixt his teeth , whereupon it was well said by olaus mag. lutrae mordaces quadrato ore . otters are most accomplished biters . it is a very crafty and subtil beast , yet it is sometimes tamed , and used in the northern parts of the world , especially in scandinavia , to drive the fishes into the fisher-mens nets : for so great is the sagacity and sense of smelling in this beast , that he can directly winde the fishes in the waters a mile or two off , and therefore the fishers make great advantage of them , yet do they forbear his use because he devoureth more then needeth , for he is never so tamed , that he forgetteth his old ravening ; being tamed , on the land he is very full of sport and game . i marvail how it came into the writers heads to affirm , that the beaver constraineth the otter in the winter time , to trouble the water about her tail , to the intent it may not frieze , which opinion we have confuted already in the discourse of the beaver , for herein i agree with albertus . fiber sortior est lutra , & acutissimis dentibus , quepropter eam vel expellit , vel occidit . the beaver is much stronger then the otter , having also most sharp teeth , and therefore either expelleth her out of the waters , because they live both upon one kinde of food , or else destroys her : wherefore it is unreasonable to believe that he preserveth her to keep his tail from friezing . the flesh of this beast is both cold and filthy , because it feedeth upon stinking fish , and therefore not fit to be eaten . tragus writeth , that this notwithstanding is dressed to be eaten in many places of germany , and i hear that the carthusian fryers or monks ( whether you will ) which are forbidden to touch all manner of flesh , of other four-footed beasts , yet they are not prohibited the eating of otters . these otters are hunted with special dogs , called otter-hounds , and also with special instruments called otter-speares , having exceeding sharp points : for they are hardly taken , and beasts do not willingly set upon them , specially in the waters : when they feel themselves to be wounded with the spear , then they come to land , where they fight with the dogs very irefully , and except they be first wounded , they forsake not the waters : for they are not ignorant how safe a refuge the waters are unto them , and how unequal a combate they shall sustain with men and dogs upon the land , yet because the cold water annoyeth their green wounds , therefore they spin out their lives to the length of the thread , chusing rather to die in torments among dogs , then to die in the waters . there is a kinde of assa called benioyn ; a strong herb which being hung in a lionen cloth near fish-ponds , driveth away all otters and bevers . the hair of the skin is most soft , neither doth it leese his beauty by age ; for which cause as also for that no rain can hurt it , when it is well dressed it is of great price and estimation , and is sold for seven or eight shillings : thereof also they make fringes in hems of garments , and face about the collars of men and womens garments , and the skin of the otter is far more pretious then the skin of the beaver ; and for this cause the swetian merchants do transport many into muscovia and tartaria for clokes and other garments . thereof also in germany they make caps , or else line other caps with them , and also make stocking-soles ; affirming that they be good and wholesome against the palsie , the megrim , and other pains of the head . the bloud of an otter is prescribed against the swelling of the nerves . the liver dryed in an oven against the bloudy-flix , and against the colick being drunk in wine . the stones are also prescribed to be given against the falling-sickness , and all pains in the belly . and thus much for the otter . there be certain beasts which are kindes of otters , which because they live in the waters , and yet being unknown to us in england , i have thought good to express them in this place by their greek and latine names . in the first place that which the graecians call latax , broader and thicker then an otter , and yet liveth in the waters , or else goeth to the waters for his food , yet breatheth air and not water like otters . the hair of this beast is very harsh , betwixt the similitude of a sea-calf and a hart , and it hath also strong and sharp teeth , wherewithall in the night season they shear asunder small boughs and twigs : it is called also fast●z , lamyakyz , and noertza . there is another called satyrium , and fassuron , and chebalus , whose skin is black , and very pretious , and very much used for the edging of the best garments : these live also in ponds , lakes , and still waters . there is a third kinde called satherium , kacheobeon , and kachyneen , and martarus , having a white throat , and being as big as a cat ; and finally unto these may be added porcos , a four-footed beast living in the waters in the river isther : and maesolus another four-footed beast living in some rivers of india , being as big as as a calf . of the panther , commonly called a pardal , a leopard , and a libbard . there have been so many names devised for this one beast , that it is grown a difficult thing , either to make a good reconciliation of the authors which are wed to their several opinions , or else to define it perfectly , and make of him a good methodical history : yet seeing the greatest variance hath arisen from words , and that which was devised at the first for the better explication and description of it hath turned to the obscuration and shadowing of the truth , i trust it shall be a good labour to collect out of every writer that which is most probable concerning this beast , and in the end to express the best definition thereof we can learn out of all . first of all therefore for as much as all the question hath arisen from the greek and latine names , it is most requisite to express them , and shew how the different construction began ▪ the graecians do indifferently call pordalis , pardalis , and panther the latines , panthera , pardalis , pardus , and leopardus , and these names are thus distinguished by the learned . pordalis they say signifieth the male , and pardalis the female , and also panther● among the latines for the female , and pardus for the male , and these are understood of a simple kinde without commixture of generation . leopardus the leopard or libbard , is a word devised by the later writers , compounded of leo and pardus , upon opinion that this beast is generated betwixt a pardal and a lion , and so indeed it ought properly to be taken , if there be any such . pliny is of opinion , that pardus differeth from panthera in nothing but in sex , and other say , that betwixt the lions and the pardals there is such a confused mixed generation as is betwixt asses and mares , or stallions and asses : as for example , when the lion covereth the pardal then is the whelp called leopardus , a leopard or libbard , but when the pardal covereth the lioness , then is it called panthera a panther 〈…〉 in this controversie the hebre● and arabian names which are generally indifferently translated panthers or libbards , do take up the strife and almost end the controversie , for name● in hebrew , and alph 〈…〉 or al●hed in ara●●●k are so translated both in holy scripture , and also in avicen , as may appear by these places following ▪ esa . . habitabit lupus cum agno , & ( name● ) pardus cum ●●do de 〈◊〉 . that is to say . the wolf shall dwell with the lamb , and the pardal , libbard , and panther shall lie with the kid. so in the vision of daniel , chap. . among the four beasts comming out of the sea , the prophet seeth , name● a leopard . in the ▪ revel of . john , he seeth another beast rising out of the sea , having ten horns , and he saith it was like pardalet , which erasmus translateth pardo a leopard je● , pardus ( name● ) vigilat super civ●●atem eorum , ut omnen inde ●g●●dientem d●●ce●pat . that is a panther or pardal watcheth at the gates of the city , that he may tear in pieces every one that cometh forth , factus sum eis sicut leo , & sicut pardus ( sicut namer ) directus ad viam suam . for namer in that place the graecians translate pardalis , a pardal . in the . jer. si mu●are potest aethiops 〈◊〉 suam , ●ut pardus maculas suas , & vos poteritis be●e facere , cum diuiceritis malum . if the blackmoore can change his skin or the leopard his spots , the● may you do well which have learned to do ill cant , . coronab●●is de vertice siner , & hermon , de cubilibus leonum de montibus pardorum . that is , thou shalt be crowned from the top of siner and hermon , from the dens of the lions , and the mountains of the leopards . now according to brocardus , the mountain of the leopards is distant from tripolis , in the holy lan 〈…〉 two leagues ra●●s and avicen , two arabians , do call the panther and leopard by one name , alpheth , or alphil , so that by comparing all these together , the panther , pardal libbard , and leopard , are but one beast , called by divers names . for the farther manifesting hereof , it is good to examin what is said of the pardal and leopard in particular , that so having expressed that , it may be clear by the discourse succeeding , that there is no difference betwixt them and the panther , or very small . first of all therefore it is said of the pardus , that it differeth not from the panther , but only in sex , and that the skin hath received a natural tincture of divers spots . aristotle writeth thus of it , cutis chamaeleontis distincta m●culis ut pardalia . the skin of the chamaelion is spotted like a pardals , and in relation of lampridius , where he sheweth how heliogabalus was wont to shut up his drunken friends , ●um leonibus , leopardis , & ursis , ita ut expergefacti in cubiculo eodem leones , ursos , pardos cum luce , vel quod est gravius nocte invenirent , ex quo plerique exanimati sunt , and so forth . by which words it is apparent , that those which in the first place he calleth leopards , in the last place he calleth pardals , and the only difference betwixt the leopard , pardal , and lion , is that the leopard or pardal have no manes : and therefore they are called ignobiles leones . isidorus and solinus write in this manner : pardus secundum post pantheram est genus , varium ac velocissimum , & praeceps ad sanguinem , saltu enim ad mortem ruit , ex ad ulterio pardi & le●nae , leopardus noscitur , & tertiam originem efficit . that is to say , the pardal is the next kinde to a panther , being divers coloured and very swift , greedy after bloud , and catcheth his prey by leaping : the leopard is bred betwixt the pardal and the lioness , and so that maketh a third kinde : by which testimony it appeareth , that these names make three several kindes of beasts , not distinct in nature , but in quantity , through commixture of generation . the greatest therefore they call panthers , as bellunensis writeth . the second they call pardals , and the third , least of all , they call leopards , which for the same cause in england is called a cat of the mountain . and truly in my opinion , until some other can shew me better reason i will subscribe hereunto , namely that they are all one kinde of beast , and differ in quantity only through adulterous generation . for in africk there is great want of waters , and therefore the lions , panthers , and other beasts do assemble themselves in great numbers together at the running rivers , where the pardals and the lions do engender one with another : i mean the greater panthers with the lionesses , and the greater lions with the panthers ; and so likewise the smaller with the smaller , and thereby it cometh to pass that some of them are spotted , and some of them without spots . the pardal is a fierce and cruel beast , very violent , having a body and minde like ravening birds , and some say they are ingendered now and then betwixt dogs and panthers , or betwixt leopards and dogs , even as the lycopanthers are ingendred betwixt wolves and panthers . it is the nature of these pardals in africk , to get up into the rough and thick trees , where they hide themselves amongst the boughes and leaves , and do not only take birds , but also from thence leap down upon beasts and men when they espy their advantage ; and all these things do belong unto the panthers . concerning the leopard , the word it self is new and lately invented , for it is never found among any of the ancients , before julius capitolinus or spartianus . sylvaticus maketh no difference betwixt pardalis and leopardus , and the italians generally call a pardal leopardo , and never pardo , except some of the poets , for brevity sake in a verse . the leopard is like to a lion in the head and form of his members , but yet he is lesser and nothing so strong : by the sight of a leopards skin gesner made this description of the beast : the length ( saith he ) from the head to the tail , was as much as a mans stature , and half a cubit . the tail of it self three spans and a half , the breadth in the middle three spans , the colour a bright yellow distinguished into divers spots , the hair short and mossie . the price of the skin was about five nobles , or forty shillings , for they differ in price , according to the regions out of which they are brought , they which come furthest are sold dearest , and they which come less way are sold cheapest . it is a wrathful and an angry beast , and whensoever it is sick , it thirsteth after the bloud of a wilde cat , and recovereth by sucking that bloud , or else by eating the dung of a man. above all other things it delighteth in the camphory tree , and therefore lyeth underneath it , to keep it from spoil ; and in like sort the panther delighteth in sweet gums and spices , and therefore no marvel if they cannot abide garlick , because it annoyeth their sense of smelling : and it is reported by s. ambrose , that if the walls of ones house or sheep-coat be anointed with the juyce of garlick , both panthers and leopards will run away from it , but of this matter we shall say more afterwards . the leopard is sometimes tamed , and used in stead of a dog for hunting both among the tartarians , and other princes , for they carry them behinde them on horse-back , and when they see a deer or hart , or convenient prey , they turn them down upon them sodainly , who take them and destroy them ; yet such is the nature of this beast , as also of the pardal , that if he doe not take his prey at the fourth or fift jump , he falleth so angry and fierce , that he destroyeth whomsoever he meeteth , yea many times his hunter . therefore the hunters have always a regard to carry with them a lamb or a kid , or some such live thing , wherewithal they pacific him after he hath missed his game , for without bloud he will never be appea●ed : and thus much shall suffice to have spoken of the difference betwixt panthers , pardals , and leopards , and their several names in greek and latine , from whom almost all nations do derive their denomination , for the italians call it leonpardo ; the french , leopard , and lyopard ; and germans , leppard , and lefarad , and pantherthier ; the spaniards , leonpardal , and leopardo ; the illyrians , leuhart ; the chaldeans , nimra ; and some make no difference betwixt this and the arabian wolf : the reason of the greek word pardalis , or pordalis , ( for they signifie both one ) seemeth to me in most probability to be derived from the hebrew word pardes , signifying a garden , because as colours in a garden make it spotted , and render a fragrant smell , so the panther is divers coloured like a garden of sundry flowers , and also it is said to carry with him a most sweet savour whither soever he goeth , and therefore in ancient time they made their ivory tables standing upon pictures of panthers , whereof juvenal writeth thus in one of his satyres : olim ex quavis ●rbore mensa fie●at , at nun● divitbus c 〈…〉 ndi nulla voluptas — nisi sustinet orbes grande 〈◊〉 , & magne sublimis pardus ●iatu , dentibus ex illis quos mit 〈…〉 porta syenes jam nimi●s capitique graves , &c. for the same cause pardalis was the name of a notable harlot , for as the panthers by their sweet smells draw the beasts unto them and then destroy them , so also do harlots deck and adorn themselves with all alluring provocations , as it were with inchanted odours , to draw men unto them , of whom they make spoil and repine : there is a pretious stone also called lapis pantherus , brought out of india , whereupon if a man look before the sun-rising he shall see divers colours , namely , black , red , green , russet , purple , and rose colour , and they say it hath as many vertues as it hath colours , but i list not to follow the name any further . the countries breeding panthers are abasia in the kingdom of melacha , in the isle of sumatra . likewise 〈…〉 , especially syria , for there are none in europe , all africk over they are plentiful , as in lybia and mauritania , where abound all store of wilde beasts . likewise beyond g 〈…〉 p● ; for apollonius and his companions saw there many lions and panthers . in arabi● the furthest part , namely the promontory of dyra towards the south , are the strongest pardals of the world , ( as saith strab●● ) likewise in the mediterranean region beyond barygaza toward the south , unto dachinabades , and towards the east are all sorts of wilde beasts , both tygers and panthers ; and diodorus writeth that in that part of arabia , joyning upon syria , there lions and pardals are both more in number and greater in quantity then in lybia . also it is said by volaterranus and gillius , that the panther of lycia and caria are very long , but yet weak and without carriage , being not able to leap far , yet is their skin so hard as no iron can pierce . betwixt the river ganges and hiphasis , apollonius saw many panthers . the indians also breed many and make them tame , and leopards do live in the woods of barbaria . it is apparent by that which is already said , that the panther is the name of the greater pardal , and the leopard of the lesser , which the arabians call alne 〈…〉 , and alfbead , al 〈…〉 r is bigger then a linx , but like a leopard , having greater and sharper nails and feet , black and terrible eyes , and therefore stronger , fiercer , and bolder then the leopard , for it setteth upon men , and destroyeth them . oppianus describeth both kindes in this manner , there are ( saith he ) two kindes of pardals , a greater and a lesser , the greater are broader backe , and bigger in quantity , the lesser being less in quantity , but not inferior in strength : both of them have the same shape and colour of body , except in their tail : for the greater pardal hath the lesser tail , and the lesser the greater : either of them have solid and found thighs , a very long body , bright seeing eyes , the apples whereof do glister under their eye-lids , which are gray and red within like to burning coals , their teeth pale and venemous , their skin of divers colours , yet bright and pleasant , the spots standing like so many black eyes upon it : thus fat oppianus . such skins are oftentimes sold in the marts of europe which are brought in bundles twenty or thirty together , and it is not to be forgotten , which voleterran citeth out of aelianus , that there is in this kinde of pardals a beast called bitis not unlike to the vulgar leopards in all parts , except that is wanteth a tail ; and they say that if this beast be seen by a woman , it will instantly make her to be sick ; but to proceed to the residue of the parts of these beasts , we must remember that which aristole writeth in his physiognomy ; as is recorded by ada 〈◊〉 : leopersectis sim 〈…〉 〈◊〉 ideam prae se sert , pardalis vero 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 exceptis , quibus ad invadendum fortiter utitur , that is to say : among all beasts the lion doth most resemble the male , and the pardal the female , except in the legs which she useth to take her prey . in hath a little face , a little m●nth , little 〈◊〉 ▪ somewhat white , plain , and not much hollow , along fore-head , ears rather round then smooth or broad , a neck very long and slender , the breast not well set out with ribs , because they are small ; the back long , the buttocks and thighs very fleshy , the parts about the small of the belly or l●ins are more smooth , less hollow and bunchy ; the colour divers , and the whole body 〈◊〉 , and not well compounded for the outward sight : and it is to be remembered ( saith gard 〈…〉 ) that all ravening beasts like a cat , as lions , panthers , linces ; and pardals , for they have in common the length and strength of their claws , beautiful party coloured skins ; a little head and round face , a long tail , nimbleness of body , and wildeness of 〈◊〉 , living upon the meat they get in hunting . the persians call a pardal 〈◊〉 , and soaliger describeth it thus : in his red or yellow hair he is like a lioness , but set with divers black spots both in length and breadth , as if they were pa●●ted . it hath a brown face , aspersed with black and white , and it is to be remembered , that as other beasts are either all black , or all red , or all white , or all of one colour by nature , so also it is natural to pea-cocks and panthers , to have divers colours in them , for there are in hircania panthers with little round spots like eyes , both black , white , blew , and green , as both solinus and claudius testifie , which caused martial to write thus ; picto quod juga delicata collo pardus sustinet . there is a land called terra eremborum , inhabited by the troglodytes and sarazens in lybia , where the upper face of the earth is compared unto the panthers skin , because through the heat of the sun it is burned , and died as it were into divers colours ; so that ye shall see divers spots of white , black , and green earth , as if it were done of purpose by the hand of man. the teeth of the panther are like saws , as are also a dogs and a lions : their tongue of such incredible sharpness , that in licking it grateth like a file . the females have four udders in the midst of their belly , the heart is great in proportion , because he is a violent beast , terrifying man. there are many fissures in their feet . their former feet have five distinct claws or fingers , and their hinder-feet but four , for little ones among four-footed beasts have five fingers upon their hinder-feet : when they go , they hide their nails within the skin of their feet , as it were in sheaths , never bringing them forth but when they are in their prey , to the intent they should never be broken nor dulled . their tails have no long hairs at the end like a lions or oxes ; and the leopard hath a wider mouth then the pardal . the female is oftener times taken then the male , the reason is given by volaterran ; because she is inforced to seek abroad for her own meat and her young ones . the place of their aboad is among the mountains and woods , and especially they delight in the tree camphory . they raven upon flesh both birds and beasts : for which cause they hide themselves in trees , especially in mauritania , where they are not very swift of foot , and therefore they give themselves to take apes , which they attain by this policy : when they see the apes , they make after them , who at their first approaching climbe up into the tops of trees , and there sit to avoid the panthers teeth , for she is not able to follow them so high , but yet she is more cunning then the apes , and therefore deviseth more shifts to take them , that where nature hath denyed her bodily power , there she might supply that want by the gifts of the minde . forth therefore she goeth , and under the tree where the apes are lodged , she lyeth down as though she were dead , stretching out her limbs , and restraining her breath , shutting her eyes , and shewing all other tokens of expiration . the apes that sit on the tops of the tree behold from on high the behaviour of their adversary , and because all of them wish her dead , they more easily believe that which so much they desire , and yet dare not descend to make tryal . then to end their doubts , they chuse out one from among them all , whom they think to be of the best courage , and him they send down as it were for an espy , to certifie all the residue : forth then he goeth with a thousand fears in his minde , and leapeth from bough to bough with no great hast , ( for dread of an ill bargain : ) yet being come down , dareth not approach high , but having taken a view of the counterfeit , and repressed his own fear , returneth back again : after a little space he descendeth the second time , and cometh nearer the panther then before , yet returneth without touching him . then he descendeth the third time , looking into his eyes , and maketh trial whether he draweth breath or no , but the panther keepeth both breath and limbs immoveable , by that means im●oldning the apes to their own destruction ; for the spie-ape sitteth down beside the panther , and stirreth not : now when those which are above in the tree , see how their intelligencer abideth constantly beside their adversary without harm , they gather their spirits together , and descend down in great multitudes , running about the panther , first of all going upon him , and afterwards leaping with great joy and exultation , mocking this their adversary with all their apish toys , and testifying their joy for her supposed death : and in this sort the panther suffereth them to continue a great season , till he perceiveth they are throughly wearied , and then upon a sudden he leapeth up alive again , taking some of them in his claws , destroying and killing them with teeth and nails , till he have prepared for himself a rich dinner out of his adversaries flesh . and like as vlysses endured all the contumelies and reproaches both of his maids and wives suiters , until he had a just occasion given him of revenge , so doth the panther the disdainful dealing of the apes ▪ whereupon came the proverb , pardi mort●ni dissimulat , thanaton pardaleos hypo●rinetai , against a cunning dissembling fellow ; such a one as brutu● was , who counterfeited madness that he might get the empire . so great is the love of this beast to all spices and aromatical trees , that they come over all the mountain taurus through armenia and silia , when the windes bring the savour of the sweet gum unto them , out of pamphilia from the tree storax : whereupon lyeth this story ; there was a certain panther which was taken by king arsaces , and a golden collar put upon his neck , with this inscription ; rex arsaces deo nisaeo , that is , king arsaces to the god bacchus : for bacchus was called nisaeu● , of a city nisae in india . this beast grew very tame , and would suffer himself to be handled and stroked by the hands of men , until the spring time that he winded the savour of the aromatical trees , and then he would run away from all his acquaintance , according to his kinde , and so at last was taken in the neather part of the mountain taurus , which was many hundred miles distant from the kings court of armenia . we have shewed already how they love the gum of camphory , watching that tree , to the end to preserve it for their own use , and indeed as aelianus saith : admirab●lem quantam od●ris suavitatem o●et pardalis , quam bene olendi praestantiam divino munere donatam , cum sibi propriam plane tenet , tam 〈◊〉 ●●tera animalia ejus hanc vim praeclare sentiunt : that is to say , the panther or pardal smelleth most sweetly , which savour he hath received from a divine gift , and doth only feel the benefit of it himself , but also bewray it unto other beasts : for when he feeleth himself to be hungry and stand in need of meat , then doth he get up into some rough tree , and by his savour or sweet smell , draweth unto him an innumerable company of wilde goats , harts , roes , and hindes , and such other beasts , and so upon a sudden leapeth down upon them , when he espyeth his convenient time . and solinus saith , that the sweetness of his savour worketh the same effect upon them in the open fields , for they are so mightily delighted with his spotted skin and fragrant smell , that they will alwayes come running unto him from all parts , striving who shall come nearest him to be satisfied with the sight , but when once they look upon his fierce and grim face , they all are terrified and turn away : for which cause the subtle beast , turneth away his head , and keepeth that from their sight , offering the more beautiful parts of his body , as an alluring bait to a mouse , and destroy them : and from hence there are some which are of opinion , that he receiveth his name panthera , of congregating together all kinde of beasts to look on him , for pan signifieth all , and theria signifieth beasts . albertus is of opinion , that the report of the panthers savour or sweet smell is but a fable , because ( he saith ) it is written as a maxim among philosophers , that caetera . animalia praeter hominem neque suaviter neque moleste odoribus affici , that is : that no creatures ( man excepted ) can be said to smell either sweetly or sowrely : and theophractus writeth , animal nullum penitus odoratum est nisi qui● dixerit pardalin , belluarum censui bene olere , that is : there is no creature that can be said to be so odoriferous , except the pardal seem to smell well to the scents of other beasts : for it is certain , that there be some savours and smels which beasts do follow and refuse , being led thereunto onely for the choise of their meat ; for by their noses they choose that which is the convenient and agreeable to their natures , but that they should be drawn by any smells or savours meerly , and for no other cause but the pleasure of the scents , as it is a reasonable part in man , so it is unreasonable , to attribute the very same unto a beast . yet herein by the favour of albertus i dissent from him , for it being granted , which all men yeeld unto , that either the spots of his skin , which seem to be as many eyes as colours , or else the sweet favour which cometh from him is the occasion of the beasts assembling about him ; then it followeth , that when he is from the earth , and lodged in a tree , and so not visible to the eyes of the beasts , if then i say they assemble about the tree wherein he is lodged , there is no cause to draw the beasts unto him , but the attractive power of his sweet savour : and what want of reason can it be justly deemed , to say that beasts love sweet savours , seeing both albertus , and all other learned men that i know , do confidently affirm , that many wilde beasts do forsake their meat to hear musick ; and also the badger doth forsake his own den when he perceiveth the fox hath emptied his belly therein . therefore i will conclude this point with admiration of the work of the creator , to consider how wisely he hath disposed his goodness , and how powerfully he communicateth the affections of his divinity even unto brute beasts , who doth not distinguish them asunder only by their outsides and exterior parts , nor yet by their insides and qualities of their mindes , but also by the air they draw in , and the savour they send forth . among all kindes of beasts the male is most couragious and fierce , except in bears and panthers , for the female panther is more generous then the male . at the time of their lust , they have very peculiar voices , which caused the poet to write thus ▪ panther caurit amans , pardus hiando felit . at the sound of those voices other beasts come about them , as both lions , lionesses , wolves , and thoes . they never bear above once , because when the young ones begin to stir in the dams belly , and gather strength for birth , they cannnot tarry the just time of their delivery , but tear out the womb or bag wherein they lie with the sharpness of their nails , and therefore their dam is forced for the avoiding of pain to cast them forth of the womb both blinde and deformed , which yet she nourisheth tenderly , but afterwards can never conceive again , by reason that her womb is so torn with the claws of her first whelps , that it is not able to retain to perfection the received seed of the male . panthers live together in flocks or heards , and greatly delight in their own kinde , but in no other that i know , and therefore i wonder from what author isidorus wrote . panther omnium animaltum 〈…〉 icus est excepto dracone ; that the panther is friendly to all beasts except the dragon . it was not in vain , that the poets feigned the nurses of bacchus to be turned into panthers , and that they devoured pentheus ▪ because he railed upon bacchus ▪ for as a lion doth in most things imitate and resemble the very nature of man , so after the very self same manner doth the panther of a woman , for it is a fraudulent , though a beautiful beast , or ( as adamantius writeth ) anther● ingenium molle est , eff●●minatum , iracundum , insidiosum , & fraudulentum , timidum s 〈…〉 l & audax , his moribus corporis etiam forma resp●●dit : that is ; the disposition of the panther is wanton , effeminaco , outragious , treacherous , deceitful , fearful , and yet bold : and for this occasion , in holy scriptures it is joyned with the the lion and the wolf , to make up the triplicity of ravening beasts : and therefore also we read , that the wisest among the egyptians , when they will signifie a cunning man covering the secret corruption and evil disposition of his minde , pretending good , and yet intending evil , they picture a panther ; for we have shewed already , how he doth cover both his head and his body to take his prey . this beast is never so tamed but that he falleth into his wilde fits again . their love to their young ones is exceeding great , for if at any time while they are abroad to forage , they meet with hunters that would take them away , they fight for them unto death , and to save them from blows , interpose their own bodies , receiving mortal wounds , but if they finde their young ones taken out of their den in their absence , they bewail their loss with loud and miserable howling . demetrius the philosopher , relateth this story of a panther , that say in the high way to meet with a man to help her young ones out of a ditch or deep pit wherein they were fallen , at length there appeared in her sight the father of philinus a philosopher , who presently began to run away assoon as he saw the beast , but the poor distressed panther rowled after him in humble manner , as though she had some sute unto him , and took him lightly by the skirt of his garment with one of her claws : the man perceiving that she gave suck by the greatness of her udders hanging under her belly , began to take pity upon her , and layed away fear , thinking that indeed which happened , that her young ones were taken from her by one means or other ; therefore he followed her , she drawing him with one of her feet unto the cave whereinto her young ones were fallen , out of which he delivered them to the mother as ransome for his own life , and then both she and the young ones did follow him rejoycing , out of the danger of all beasts , and out of the wilderness , dismissing him without all manner of harm , which is a rare thing in a man to be so thankful , and much more in a beast : and unto this story of their love and kindeness to their young ones , i may add another , worthy to be remembred out , of aelianus : there was ( saith he ) a man which brought up a tame panther from a whelp , and had made it so gentle , that it refused no society of men , and he himself loved it as if it had been his wife . there was also a little kid in the house brought up tame , of purpose to be given unto the panther when it was grown to some stature or quantity , yet in the mean season the panther played with it every day : at last it being ripe , the master killed it , and said it before the panther to be eaten , but he would not touch it , whereupon he fasted till the next day , and then it was brought unto him again , but he refused it as before ; at last he fasted the third day , and making great moan for meat , according to his usual manner , had the kid laid before him the third time ; the poor beast seeing that nothing would serve the turn , but that he must either eat up his chamber-fellow , or else his master would make him continually fast , he ran and killed another kid , disdaining to meddle with that which was his former acquaintance , yea though it were dead ; herein excelling many wicked man , who do not spare those that have lived with them in the greatest familiarity and friendship , to undo and overthrow them alive for the advancement of themselves . we have said already , that they most of all resemble women , and indeed they are enemies to all creatures . the leopards of barbary do little harm to men that they meet , except they meet them in some path way where the man cannot decline the beast , nor the beast the man , there they leap most fiercely into his face , and pull away as much flesh as they can lay hold upon , and many of them with their nails do pierce the brains of a man. they use not to invade or force upon flocks of sheep or goats , yet wheresoever they see a dog , they instantly kill and devour him . the great panther is a terror to the dragon , and so soon as the dragon seeth it , he flyeth to his cave . the lesser panthers or leopards do overcome wolves being single , and hand to hand as we say , but by multitude they over-master and destroy him , for if he endevour to run away , yet they are swifter and easily overcome it . there is also great hatred and enmity betwixt the hyaena and the panther , for in the presence of the hyaena , the pardal dareth not resist ; and that which is more admirable , if there be a piece of an hyaenas skin , about either man or beast , the panther will never touch it , and if their skins after they be dead be hung up in the presence of one another , the hair will fall off from the panther ; and therefore when the egyptians would signifie how a superiour was overcome by a inferiour , they picture those two skins . if any thing be anointed with broath wherein a cock hath been sodden , neither panthers nor lions will ever touch it , especially if there be mixed with it the juyce of garlick . leopards are afraid of a certain tree called leopardi-arbor , leopards-tree . panthers are also afraid of the skull of a dead man , and run from the sight thereof : yet it is reported , that two year before the death of francis king of france , two leopards , a male and a female were ●et escape in france into the woods , either by the negligence or the malice of their keepers , that is , a male and a female , and about orleance tore in pieces many men and women ; at last they came and killed a bride , which was that day to have been marryed , and afterward there were found many carkases of women destroyed by them , of which they had eaten nothing but only their breasts : such like things i might express many in this place , whereby the vengeance of almighty god against man-kinde for many sins ▪ might seem to be executed by the raging ministery of wilde , savage , and ungentle beasts . for this cause we read in ancient time how the senators of rome gave laws of punishment , against them that should bring any panthers into italy , especially any african beasts : and the first that gave dispensation against those laws was cneius aus●●ius the peoples tribune , who permitted them for the sake of the cir●●ns●an games : and then sta 〈…〉 in the office of his aedility brought also in an hundred and fifty : after him po●●pey the great , four hundred and ten , and lastly augustus that ever remembred and renowned emperor , four hundred and twenty . thus laws which were first made by great men and good senators , for the safety of the common-wealth , became of no great value , because as great or greater then the law-makers , had a purpose to advance themselves by the practise of those things which law had justly forbidden : for if those decrees had stood effectual , as the victorious champions had lost that part of their vain triumphs , so many people had afterward been preserved alive , who by the cruelty of these beasts were either torn in pieces , or else received mortal wounds . it was not in vain that the blessed martyr of jesus christ ignatius , who was afterwards torn in pieces by wilde beasts at rome , did write thus in his epistle to the roman christians concerning his handling by the roman souldiers , as he was brought prisoner out of syria to rome . a syria romam asque cum bestiis depugnoper terram & mare , die nocteque vinctus cum decem leopardis , hoc est cum militari cus●odia , qui ex beneficiis deteriores fiunt . from syria ( saith he ) to rome i have fought with beasts , being night and day held in bondage by ten leopards , i mean ten souldiers , who notwithstanding many benefits i bestowed upon them , yet do they use me worse and worse : and thus much for the cruelty of panthers and leopards . we have shewed already how they become tame , and are used in hunting , unto which discourse ( somewhat out of the place ) i will adde a true narration of two panthers or leopards nourished in france for the king , whereof one was of the bigness of a great calf , and the other of a great dog , and that on a day the lesser was brought forth for the king to behold how tame and tractable he was , and that he would ride behinde his keeper upon a cloth or pillow being tyed in a chain : and if a hare had been let loose in his presence , and he turned down to her , within a few jumps or leaps he would attain and take her . when the keeper was to take up the leopard again , he did come to him backward , lest if he should see his face , he should leap upon him and wound him , ( for as we have said they are angry being chafed , and are ready to fly into the hunters face ) therefore he turneth his face away from him , and betwixt his legs reacheth him a piece of bread or flesh , and so he gently taketh him into his chain and collar again , leading him away to his house , and assoon as the man was mounted the beast also knew his seat , and leaped up after him . and the same party also related , that when as a lion was turned forth to a bull , the lion very quietly without stirring lay down and did no harm , or offer any violence or combate with the bull : but afterward when as the two leopards were turned forth to the same bull , they instantly ran and took the bull by the throat , and without all doubt they had strangled and pulled out his throat , ( had not their keepers which had long chains tyed about their necks in their hands ) restrained and pulled them off again . by this may be conjectured how great is the rage of the wilde and untamed leopards and panthers , seeing the tame and gentle are so cruel ; and therefore the lord in the prophets did most wisely compare the siege of the assyrians about jerusalem to a leopard , watching at the gates of the city to destroy all that came out thereat . having thus discoursed of the nature , parts , kindeness , love , and hatred of these beasts in general , it now followeth to express the best means to avoid and destroy them , that so we may not only know our enemy , but also learn the way to overmatch and curb him . there is a kinde of henbane which is called pardalianches or libbard-bane , which the inhabitants of pha●nacus , and the mount ida , were wont to lay in the mountains for the destroying of leopards , pardals , and panthers . this herb is not much known at this day , yet i take it to be the same which groweth in many places of france , and savoy , and it is called tora , by the root thereof beaten to powder , and stopped up in flesh , not only beasts , but also wolves and swine , as wilde boars are destroyed if they tast thereof : when the beast perceiveth himself poysoned , presently he seeketh for mans dung , for without that he cannot be delivered ; wherefore the hunters do also place near unto it some vessel of it hanging in a tree , with the mouth or way open that leadeth into it , whereinto the greedy beast leapeth , and being in , cannot get forth again but rather dyeth with hunger , or else is taken and killed ; or else the vessel is hanged up so high , that the beast by straining himself to leap into it , and get his desired medicine , ( but all in vain ) spendeth out the time of his recovery till the poyson hath throughly corrupted his body , and every part and member , for otherwise so great is the life , spirit , and stomach of this beast , that he will fight and not yeeld to his adversary , although his guts and intrails hang about his legs out of his belly . therefore the panthers of h●reania do more often perish by poyson then by other violence of swords , spears , or dogs : for by this poyson the beast many times falleth to such a looseness of his belly , and withall such a weakness thereby , that he is taken alive . likewise in armenia there are certain fishes which are poyson to lions , bears , wolves , lynces , and panthers , the powder of this fish the inhabitants out into the sides and flesh of their sheep , goats and kyds , without all harm to these beasts ; but if the panthers or any ravening beast come and devoure any of those sheep so dressed , presently they die by poyson . when they are hunted and forced in the presence of the hunters , then they leap directly unto their heads , and therefore the hunter taketh great care both of his standing and also of holding his spear , for if he receive not the panther in his leap , and gore him to the heart , or else otherwise wound him mortally , he is gone , and his life is at an end . oppianus also sheweth , that he is taken as lions are , especially by these means following ; for when the hunters perceive the way or path which he useth to his water , therein they make a deep ditch ( but not so great as they make for a lion ) wherein they erect a woodden pillar or great post , unto that they tie certain engins , and withall a male little dog , whose stones or tender cods they binde with some string or cord , so as the young beast may whine and cry for pain , by which voyce he inviteth and calleth the panther to his destruction : for the greedy beast winding the voice of the dog , bestirreth himself to meet with his desired prey or booty ; at last finding the ditch , and seeing the dog down , he leapeth , where the engins take present hold upon him and destroy him ; and so he describeth the same means to take great fishes by the sight of little fishes swimming in a net. in hunting of wilde beasts the wary wood-man must make good choice of his horse , not only for the metal and agility which are very necessary ; but also for the colour , as we have already expressed in the story of the horse : for the gray horse is fittest for the bear , and most terrible to him ; the yellow or fire colour against the bore ; but the brown and reddish colour against the panther . the moores also use other devises to take panthers and all such noisome beasts , they enclose in a little house certain rotten flesh , which by the savour thereof when it stinketh , draweth the wilde beasts unto it : for they make a dore , or a gate of reeds unto the said house , through which the filthy smell breaketh out and disperseth it self into the wide air ; presently the wilde beasts take it up , and follow it with all speed they can , for there is not any musk or other sweet thing wherewithal men are so much delighted , as ravening beasts are with the savour of carrion : therefore like an amorous cup it draweth them to the snare of perdition : for beside the rotten flesh , they erect many engins and unavoidable traps , to snare in the beast when he cometh to raven . the christians of africk did institute a general hunting of leopards , inclosing the ends of the ways through which the beasts were to pass : the leopard when he was stirred ran to and fro distracted , because in all his passages he found horse-men ready to resist him , neither left they any way for him to escape : at length wearyed with many windings , turnings , and provocations , the horse-men might easily come unto him and pierce him with their spears : but if it fortuned that the leopard escaped , and brake away from the hunters ; then he at whose corner he brake forth , was bound by ancient custome to make the residue a dinner or banquet . among the chaonians , there was a certain young nobleman which loved a virgin called anthippe , the which two lovers were walking together a good season in a wood ; it happened while they were there , that cichyrus the kings son prosecuted a pardal in hunting , which was fled into that wood , and seeing him , bent his arm against him and cast his dart ; the which dart missed the mark and killed the virgin anthippe , the young prince thought that he had slain the beast , and therefore drew neer on horse-back to rejoyce over the fall of the game , according to the manner of hunters ; but at his approach he found it far otherwise , for in stead of the effusion of the bloud of a beast ( that which was more lamentable ) his right hand had shed the bloud of a virgin : for when he came to them he saw her dying and drawing her last breath , and the young man held his hand in the wound to stanch the bloud : for sorrow whereof he presently fell distracted in his minde , and ran his horse to the top of a sharp rock , from whence he cast down himself headlong and so perished . the chaonians after they understood this fearful accident , and the reason of it , compassed in the place where he fell with a wall , and for the honour of their dead prince builded a city where he lost his life , and called it cichyrus after his own name . leopards and panthers do also love wine above all other drink , and for this cause both bacchus was resembled to them , and they dedicated to him : bacchum tauro assimilant & pardali , quod homines ●brii belluarum istarum ingenia referant , & omnia violenter agant , quidam enim iracundi fiunt taurorum instar , & pu●naces ferique ut pardales , saith plato in his second book of laws , they resemble and compare bacchus to a bull , or pardal , because drunken men in all their actions do imitate the disposition of these wilde beasts , both in their folly and violence : for some of them are wrathful like bulls , and some of them wilde apt to fight , like pardals : bacchus was also called nebrides , because he wore the skin of a hinde-calf , which is spotted almost like a panther : and therefore a fearful man , or a drunken , variable and inconstant man , is said to wear a skin of divers colours , but the chief cause why panthers were dedicated to bacchus , was for their love of wine ; for all writers do constantly and with one consent affirm , that they drink wine unto drunkenness : the manner and end thereof is elegantly described by oppianus in this sort : when the inhabitants of lybia do observe some little fountain arising out of the sand , and falling down again , ( as in the manner of small springs which cannot encrease into great rivers ) whereat the panthers and pardals use to drink early in a morning , before it be light ; after they have been at their prey in the night time , the hunters come and pour twenty or thirty pitchers of old sweet wine into the said fountain , then a little way from it they lie down and cover themselves with clothes , or with straw , for there is no shelter either of tree or bushes in that countrey . in the morning the panthers ardently thirsting , and being almost dead for want of drink , come unto the same fountain , and tasting of the wine drink thereof great aboundance , which presently falleth to work upon their brains , for they begin first of all to leap and sport themselves , until they be well wearyed , and then they lie down and sleep most soundly , at which time the hunters that lye in wait for them , come and take them without all fear or perill : thus far oppianus . concerning the use of their several parts , i finde little among the ancients , except of their skin for the foot-men and ancient souldiers of the moores did not only wear them for garments , but also slept upon them in the night time . the shepheards of aethiopia , called agriophagi do eat the flesh of lions and panthers , although it be hot and dry . the medicines of the panther , or leopard . if the skin or hide of a leopard being taken and flead , be covered or laid upon the ground , there is such force and vertue in the same that any venemous or poysonsome serpents dare not approach into the same place where it is so laid . the flesh of a panther being roasted or boiled at the fire , and smelled by any one which is troubled with the palsie , or shaking in the joynts , as also by them which are troubled with the beating and continual moving or turning of the heart , is a very profitable and excellent remedy for the same . the same fat or sewet of a leopard being mixed or mingled with the oyl which proceedeth from the bay-tree , and then mollified both together , and so anointed upon any one which is troubled with the scurse or mangy , the scabs whereof doth cut or pierce the skin , doth presently and without any grief or pain cure the same . the twigs of a vine-tree being dryed and beaten into small dust or powder , and mingled together with the fat or grease of a leopard , and so anointed upon the face of any one who is grieved with akings and swelling thereon , will not only cure and heal the same without any pain or sorrow , but also preserve the same free from blemishes in the time of healing . the grease also of a leopard by it self , being anointed upon the head of any one who doth shed or cast his hair , or is troubled with the foxes evill , doth immediately help and cure the same . the bloud of a panther being anointed upon the veins or sinews of either man or woman who is grieved with any swelling or akings therein , is very profitable and curable to expel the same away . the brains of a leopard being mingled with a little quantity of the water which is called a canker , and with a little jasmine , and so mixed together and then drunk , doth mitigate the pain or ach of the belly . the brains of the same beast being mixed with the juyce of a canker , and anointed upon the genital of any man , doth incitate and stir him up to lechery , but the marrow which cometh from this beast , being drunk in wine doth ease the pain or wringing of the guts and the belly . the gall of a panther being received into the body either in meat or drink , doth instantly and out of hand kill or poyson him which doth so receive it . the right stone of a leopard being taken of a woman of a far spent age , doth restore unto her , her menstrual purgation being ceased , and doth make her to purge , if she doth heartily receive her meat more often . of the poephagus . there is a beast in india called poephagus , because he feedeth upon herbs and grass like a horse , whose quantity he doth exceed double , for he is twice so big , his tail is most thick and black , the hairs whereof are thinner then the hairs of a mans head : and therefore indian women make great account of them , for with them they binde up their own hair , platting it , and folding it in curious manner , every hair is two cubits in length , and upon one root twenty or thirty of them grow together : this great beast is one of the fearfullest creatures in the world ; for if he perceive himself to be but looked at of any body , he taketh him to his heels as fast as he can go , and yet although his heart be light , his heels be heavy , for saith my author , magis studiose quam celeriter fugam peragit . that is , he hath a good will to run apace , but cannot perform it : but if he be followed upon good swift horses , or with nimble dogs , so as he perceiveth they are near to take him , and he by no means can avoid them , then doth he turn himself , hiding his tail , and looketh upon the face of the hunter with some confidence , gathering his wits together , yet in fearful manner , as it were to face out his pursuer or hunter , that he had no tail , and that the residue of his body were not worth looking after : but while he standeth staring on his hunter , another cometh behinde him and killeth him with a spear , so they take off the skin and tail , and throw away the flesh as unprofitable , for the other recompense their labour for their pains . volaterranus relateth this a little otherwise , and saith that the beast biteth off his own tail , and so delivereth himself from the hunter , knowing that he is not desired for any other cause . nicolaus venetus an earl , writing of the furthest part or province of asia , which he calleth macinum , and i think he meaneth serica , because he saith it lyeth betwixt the mountains of india and cathay , there are a generation of white and black oxen which have horses tails , but reaching down to their heels , and much rougher . the hairs whereof are as thin as the feathers of flying birds , these he saith are in great estimation ; for the knights and horsemen of that countrey do wear them upon the top of their lances and spears for a badge or cognizance of honour , the which i thought fit to be remembred in this place , because i take them to be either the same with these indian beasts , or very like unto them . the porcuspine or porcupine . i cannot learn any name for this beast among the hebrews , and therefore-by probability it was unknown to them : the graecians call it ac●nthocoiros and hystrix , that is sus setosa a hairy , or bristly , or thorny hog for their quils which they bear upon their back , are called both ●ili , is 〈…〉 ae , villi , pinn● , ac●l●i , and spin 〈…〉 that is , both hairs , bristles , rough hair , pins , prickles , and thorns . the arabians , call it adal●ull and aduaibul ▪ ad●bul , adulbus● and some 〈◊〉 , which by avicen and his glossographer , is defined to be 〈◊〉 ericius habens spinas 〈◊〉 , an hedghog● of the mountain , having quils or thorns upon his ba●k which he shooteth off at his pleasure . the graecians at this day call it 〈◊〉 which is derived or rather corrupted of 〈◊〉 . the italians call him porco-spinoso and histric● or ist●ice , without an aspiration ▪ the spaniards , 〈…〉 the french , porc-espic ▪ the i 〈…〉 ans , porscospino ▪ and mor●kas●wiiniia ▪ imitating therein the germans ▪ which call a sea-hog , ein ▪ m●●rsch●●yn : the germans in some places call it ●ar●n and in other places dornsch 〈…〉 , that is a thorny-hog , by a feigned name in imitation of other nations , and also porcopick following the italians , spaniards , french , english , and illyrians : i will not stand to consute them , who write that this beast is a sea-breast , and not a beast of the land , nor yet those that make question whether it be a kinde of hedge 〈◊〉 not for without all controversie , as the arabians , pliny , albertus , bellunensis , and other do affirm , the vulgar hedge-hog , is ericius sylvestris , and the porcupine ericius montanus . these are bred in india and africk , and brought up and down in europe to be seen for mony : likewise about the city cassem in tartaria , by the sight of one of these it appeared , that it was three foot long , the mouth not unlike to a hares but with a longer slit or opening : so also the head of the same similitude , the ears like to the ear● of a man ; the fore-feet were like the feet of a badger , and the hinder-feet like the feet of a bear : it hath a mane standing up in the upper part right or direct ▪ but hollow or bending before : upon the bunches of his lips on either side of his mouth , there groweth forth long black bristles . the general proportion of his body is like a swines , and they never exceed the stature of a swine of half a year old . the four formost teeth hang over his lips , and that which is most admirable in him , the quills or thorns growing upon his back in stead of hair , he useth for hands , arms , and weapons . they first grow out of the back and sides , which are of two colours ▪ , that is parly black , and partly white , which whensoever he pleaseth , he moveth to and fro like as a peacock doth his tail : they grow in length two , three , or four hands breadths , they stand not in any confused order of colours , but in well formed distinguished ranks , being sharp at the points like a knife : when they are hunted the beast stretcheth his skin , and casteth them off , one or two at a time , according to the necessity upon the mouths of dogs , or legs of the hunters that follow her , with such violence , that many times they stick into trees and wood , wherefore solinus writeth thus , and also paulus venetus ; cum capiuntur , spinis suis saepe homines , & canes laedunt 〈…〉 nam canes in eos provocati , adeo irritant feras illas , ut simul concurrentes terga sua quibus spina innituntur vehementer commoveant , atque in viciniores homines , & canes vibrent . that is to say , when they are taken they many times hurt both dogs and men , for when the dogs being provoked by them , run upon the backs which bear the quils , they are so far stirred , that they cast them off upon all that stand near them , and therefore they fight flying . the hunters to save their dogs do devise engins and traps wherein to take them ; besides the quills that grow upon their backs , they have also some upon their heads and necks , which they never cast off , but keep them on as a horse doth his mane . the pilgrims that come yearly from saint james of compostella in spain , do bring back generally one of these quils in their caps , but for what cause i know not . the pace of this beast is very slow and troublesome unto it , and therefore it is hardly drawn out of his den , which it diggeth like a badger , from which it never goeth far , but feedeth upon those things which are near unto it : it is a filthy beast , smelling ranck because it liveth so much in the earth , being wilde it never drinketh , and i think it eateth apples , roots , and rindes of trees , and peradventures snail , and such reptile creatures , but being tamed , it eateth all kinde of fruit , likewise bread , p●e-crust , and such things broken small . it drinketh also water , but above all other , wine mingled with water : in the day time it sleepeth , and in the night time it waketh , by which we gather , that being wilde it feareth the light , and therefore travelleth in the night time for his meat and living . it is a general live creature , and begetteth other in his own kind : the female bearing the young ones in her belly , as long time as a bear , that is , thirty days ; and also it hideth it self four moneths in the winter time , like a bear , but whether for cold or any other cause the authors do not express . in my opinion for cold rather then for any other reason , although there be some that affirm it lyeth hid in the summer time , and cometh abroad in the winter time , contrary to the course of all other beasts , and therefore such a paradox doth want the testimony of some credible writers , which should affirm it upon their own experience , or else it were requisite to bring sufficient reasons to lead their readers to believe it , but neither of both is discharged by them , and th 〈…〉 it is safer for us to follow aristotle and pliny , who hold the first opinion , then albertus and a 〈…〉 ola who encline to the later . in all other things ▪ both of their lying hid ▪ of their procreation , o 〈…〉 he comming out of their cave and nourishing their young ones , they imitate the manners and conditions of bears . concerning the use of their parts , i finde none but only of their quils , for with them it is said , if men scrape their teeth they will never be loose , likewise women were wont in ancient time to use them for parting asunder their hair in the top of their crowns . the flesh of this beast is like a hedge-hogs , neither very natural for meat and nourishment , nor yet very medicinable : yet it is said to help a weak and over-burthened stomach , to procure looseness of the belly , and to diminish all leprosies and scabbed exulcerations and pustules : being salted it is is good against the dropsie , and also very profitable , as platina writeth , to be eaten by them that cannot contain urine in their beds : yet the gracians attribute no such quality unto this , but to help the stomach and loosen the belly , they attribute to the sea-hog ; and against the leprosie , scabs , and incontinency of urine to the hedge-hog ; but peradventure the saying of pliny , ( quae de herinace is dicuntur o 〈…〉 tanto magis valebunt in histrice ) leadeth them to attribute these things to the porcuspine . the powder of their quils burnt , drunk or eaten in meats or broth , doth promote and help conception : thus saith avicen , and herewithall i conclude this short discourse of the hedg-hog . of the reyner , or rainger . this beast is called by the latines , rangifer ; by the germans , rein , reiner , raineger , reinsither ; by the french , raingier , and ranglier ; and the later latines call it rei 〈…〉 . it is a beast altogether unknown to the ancient graecians and latines , except the machlis that pliny speaketh of be it : but we have shewed already in the story of the elk , that , alces and mhlis are all one . this beast was first of all discovered by olam magnus , in this northern part of the world , towards the pole artique , as in norway , swetia , scandinavia , at the first sight whereof he called it raingifer , quasi ramifer , because he beareth horns on his head like the boughs of a tree . the similitude of this beast is much like to a hart , but it is much bigger , stronger , and swifter . it beareth three orders or rows of horns on the head , as by the direction of valentinus gr●vius , and benedictus martinus are here expressed . this beast changeth his colour according to the time of the year , and also according to the quality of the place wherein he feedeth , which appeareth by this , because some of them are found to be of the colour of asses , and shortly after to be like harts . their breast is full of long bristles , being rough and rigid through the same . the legs hairy , and the hoofs hollow , cloven , and moveable , which in his course he spreadeth abroad upon the deepest snows , without pressing his foot-steps far into them : and by his admirable celerity he avoideth all the wilde beasts which in the vallies lie in wait to destroy him . he beareth very high and lofty horns , which presently from the root branch forth into two stems or pikes , i mean both the horns severally into two , which again at the top disperse themselves into pikes like the fingers of ones hand ; in the middle of the horse there is a little branch standeth out like a knob , or as a huckle in the hinder-part of a beasts leg , from thence again they ascend upwards a great heighth , and do grow abroad at the top , where they are divided like the palm of a hand . the horns are white , distinguished with long apparent veins , differing both from the horns of elks , and the horns of harts , from elks in height , and from harts in breadth , and from them both in colour and multitude of branches : when he runneth he layeth them on his back , for when he stands still , the lowest branches coming forth of the roots of the horns , do almost cover his face with these lower branches . their carts which they draw must be made with a sharp edge at the bottom like a boat or ship as we have said already , for they are not drawn upon wheels , but like drays and sleads upon the earth . there was a lapponian which brought one of these into germany in december , & he professeth he never felt so much heat of the sun in all his life , as he did at that time , which is our coldest time in the year , and therefore how great is the cold which both men and beasts endure in that countrey ? the horns of these beasts are to be seen both in berne and at auspurge in germany ; the feet are some-what white , being rounder then a harts feet , and more cloven or divided , wherefore at some times one part of his hoof may be seen upon a stone , while the other part resteth upon the earth , and in the upper part of the hoof where it beginneth to be cloven near the leg , there is a certain thick skin or membrane , by vertue whereof the foot may be stretched in the division without harm or pain to the beast . the king of swetia had ten of them nourished at lappa , which he caused every day to be driven unto the mountains into the cold air , for they were not able to endure the heat . the mouth of this beast is like the mouth of a cow , they many times come out of laponia into swetia , where they are wonderfully annoyed with wolves , but they gather themselves together in a ring , and so fight against their enemies with their horns . they are also in their own natural countrey annoyed with gulons , and generally all beasts that live upon the spoil of flesh , are enemies unto them , and desire to destroy and eat them . in their pace , both slow and speedy , the articles of their lags make a noise like the cracking of nuts . there was one of these beasts given unto the duke of sax 〈…〉 y ; in the year of our lord . in scandivania they use them for the carriage of metals , drawing of chariots and riding , and the nerves of them when they are dead make bows , and for want of nails , they do fasten planks and boards together . of the rhinoceros . we are now to discourse of the second wonder in nature , namely of a beast every way admirable , both for the outward shape , quantity , and greatness , and also for the inward courage , disposition and mildeness . for as the elephant was the first wonder , of whom we have already discoursed ; so this beast next unto the elephant filleth up the number , being every way as admirable as he , if he do not exceed him , except in quantity or height of stature ; and being now come to the story of this beast , i am heartily sorry , that so strange an outside , as by figure you may perceive , yeelding no doubt through the omnipotent power of the creator , an answerable l●st de , and infinite testimonies of worthy and memorable vertues comprized in it , should through the ignorance of men , lie unfolded and obscured before the readers eyes : for he that shall but 〈◊〉 our stories of the apes , of the dogs , of the mice , and of other small beasts , and consider how large a treatise we have collected together out of many writers , for the illustration of their natures and vulgar conditions , he cannot chuse but expect some rare and strange matters , as much unknown to his minde about the story of this rhinoceros , as the outward shape and picture of him , appeareth rare and admirable to his eyes : differing in every part from all other beasts , from the top of his nose to the tip of his tail , the ears and eyes excepted , which are like bears . but gentle reader , as thou art a man , so thou must consider since adam went out of paradise , there was never any that was able perfectly to describe the universal conditions of all sorts of beasts ; and it hath been the counsel of the almighty himself , for the instruction of man , concerning his fall and natural weakness , to keep him from the knowledge of many divine things , and also humane , which is of birds and beasts , fishes and fowl , that so he might learn the difference betwixt his generation , and his degeneration , and consider how great a loss unto him was his fall in paradise ; who before that time knew both god himself and all creatures ; but since that time neither knoweth god as he should know him , nor himself as he shall know it , nor the creatures as he did know then . but for my part which write the english story , i acknowledge that no man must look for that at my hands , which i have not received from some other : for i would be unwilling to write any thing untrue , or uncertain out of mine own invention ; and truth on every part is so dear unto me , that i will not lie to bring any man in love and admiration with god and his works , for god needeth not the lies of men . to conclude therefore this preface , as the beast is strange and never seen in our countrey , so my eye-sight cannot add any thing to the description : therefore hearken unto that which i have observed out of other writers . first of all that there is such a beast in the world , both pliny , solinus , diodorus , aelianus , lampridius , and others , do yeeld irrefragable testimony . heliogabalus had one of them at rome . pompey the great , in his publick spectacles did likewise produce a rhinocerot ( as seneca writeth . ) when augustus rode triumphing for cleopatra , he brought forth to the people a sea-horse and a rhinocerot , which was the first time that ever a rhinocerot was seen at rome ( as coel●●s writeth . ) antonius pius the emperor , did give many gifts unto the people , amongst which 〈…〉 o th tygers and rhinocerots ( saith julius capitolinus in his life . ) martial also celebrateth an excellent epigram of a rhinocerot , which in the presence of caesar domitian did cast up a bull into the air with his horn , as if he had been a tennice ball , the epigram is this ; o quam terribiles exarsit pronus in iras , quantus erat cornu , cui pila taurus erat ! lastly to put it out of all question , that there is such a beast as this rhinocerot , the picture and figure here expressed , was taken by gesner from the beast alive at lysbon in portugale , before many witnesses , both merchants and others ; so that we have the testimony both of antiquity and of the present age , for the testimony of the form and fashion of this beast , and that it is not the invention of man , but a work of god in nature , first created in the beginning of the world , and ever since continued to this present day . concerning the name of this beast , the grecians because of the horn in his nose , call him rhinoceros , that is , a nose-horned beast , and the latins also have not altered that invention , for although there be many beasts that have but one horn , yet is there none that have that one horn growing out of their nose but this alone : all the residue have the horn growing out at their foreheads . there be some that have taken this rhinoceros for the monoceros the vnicorn , because of this one horn , but they are deceived , taking the general for the special , which is a note of ignorance in them , and occasion of errour unto others ; yet it is better to take the rhinoceros for the monoceros , because there is nothing in the special which is not contained in the general , according to the maxime in logick , nihil est in specie , quod non prius suit in genere : and yet that is also absurd , considering that monoceros is not only a word of generality for all one-horned beasts , but of particularity a name for the vnicorn , whereby is meant the indian asse , as we shall shew in the story of the vnicorn . this beast in the hebrew is thought to be called reem , or karas , and therefore munster so translateth it , deut. . tauri decor ejus , cornua rhinocerotis cornua ejus , in eis ventilabit nationes ad summum usque terrae . his beauty is like the beauty of a bull , and his horns like the horns of a rhinocerot , with the which he shall winnow the nations to the tops of the hils . and tertullian writing against the heretique praxeas , doth so translate it . if a man compare together the greek word rhinoceros , and reem , and karas , or rimna and karas , he will easily think that either the grecians have joyned together the two hebrew words , as rhinoceros quasi reem karas , or rimna karas ; or else the hebrews have parted asunder the greek word , for reem and rimna may very well come of rhino , and karas of keros , yet herein i leave the readers to their own judgement . the indians call this beast in their tongue , scandabenamet , as festus writeth , but we will leave the name and come to the description of it . in quantity it is not much bigger then an oryx : pliny maketh it equall in length to an elephant , and some make it longer then an elephant , but withall they say it is lower , and hath shorter legs . strabo in his . book speaking of the ethiopian region , neer india , called these rhinocerots , aethiopian buls , and saith that they are bred only in that countrey , and by the relation of artemidorus he writeth thus ; outoi de micron apoleipontai ton elephontoon oi rinokerotes , osper artemidoros ●●esi , epi seirau , to mekei , kai per eorakenai phesas an alexandria , alla schedon ti osoon to upsei apogetou aph ' 〈…〉 entos , &c. that is to say , the rhinocerotes are exceeded by the elephants in length , but in height they almost equall them ( as artemidorus said ) he saw by one that was at alexandria , and the colour thereof was not like a box-tree , but rather like an elephants , his quantity greater then a buls , or as the greatest bull , but his outward form and proportion like a wilde boars , especially in his mouth , except that out of his nose groweth a horn , harder then any bones , which he useth in stead of armes , even as a boar doth his teeth ; he hath also two girdles upon his body like the wings of a dragon , coming from his back down to his belly , one toward his neck or mane , and the other toward his loins and hinder parts . this far strabo . whereunto we may add the description of other parts out of oppianus , pliny , and solinus . his colour like rinde or bark of a box-tree ( which doth not differ much from an elephant ) and on his forehead there grow haires which seem a little red , and his back is distinguished with certain purple spots upon a yellow ground . the skin is so firme and hard , that no dart is able to pierce it : and upon it appear many divisions , like the shels of a tortoise set over the skales , having no hair upon the back . in like manner , the legs are scaled down to the hooves , which are parted into four distinct clawes ; upon his nose there groweth a hard and sharp horn , crooking a little towards the crown of his head , but not so high : flat and not round , so sharp and strong , vt quicquid impetiret , aut ventilet , aut perforet , & ferrum etiam & saxa transigat , saith oppianus and aelianus , that is , what soever it is set to , either it casteth it up into the air , or else boreth it through though it be iron or stones . eucherius saith , that the rhinocerot hath two horns in his nose , but that is utterly salse , as you may see in the picture : although martial seem to expresse so much in these verses ; namque gravem cornu gemino sit extulit ursum , jactat ut impositas taurus in astra pilas . the rhinocerot cast up a bear into the air , even as a bull would do a ball which were laid upon his two horns : we shall not need to apply gemino cornu to the bull , as politianus doth , but rather take it figuratively for a strong horn ; and if it must needs be literal , it is apparent by the picture that there is another little horn , not upon the nose , but upon the wither of the beast , i mean the top of his shoulder next to his neck , so that the error of eucherius lyeth not in the number , but in the place ; and that it may appear that this horn is not a faigned thing , paulanias above two thousand year ago writeth thus . rhinoceroti in summo naso cornu singulare est , & aliud supra ipsum non magnum , in capite nullum . i do marvel how it came to passe that men which can mock and deride others cunningly should be called proverbially nasuti homines , except the proverb were taken from the rhinoceros , who by reason of his crooked horn is said to have a crooked nose ; for indeed a deformed nose is more subject to derisi on then any other part or member of the body , which caused martial to write thus : majores nunquam rhoncbi : juvenesque senesque , et pueri nasum rhinocerotis babent . and thereupon horace also saith thus ; — naso suspendis adunco . oppianus saith , that there was never yet any distinction of sexes in these rhinocerotes : for all that ever were found were males and not females ; but from hence let no body gather that there are no females , for it were impossible that the breed should continue without females , and therefore pliny and solinus say , that they engender or admit copulation like elephants , camels , and lions . when they are to fight they whet their horn upon a stone , and there is not only a discord betwixt these beasts and elephants for their food , but a naturall description and enmity : for it is confidently affirmed , that when the rhinocerot which was at lisborne , was brought into the presence of an elephant , the elephant ran away from him . how and in what place he overcometh the elephant , we have shewed already in his story , namely how he fasteneh this horn in the soft part of the elephants belly . he is taken by the same means that the vnicorn is taken , for it is said by albertus , isidorus , and alunnus , that above all other creatures they love virgins , and that unto them they will come be they never so wilde , and fall asleep before them , so being asleep , they are easily taken and carried away . all the later physitians do attribute the virtue of the vnicorns horn to the rhinocerots horn , but they are deceived by imitation of isidorus and albertus : for there is none of the antient grecians that have ever observed any medicines in the rhinocerot . the indians make bottles of their skins , wherein they put their lycion , or succum medicatum , and therefore i will conclude this story , with the riddle of franciscus niger made upon the excellency of the horn that groweth upon the nose . dic mihi quae superis sint acceptissima dona . whereunto the answer is made in the next verse : principium nasi rhinocerotis amant . of the sheep . the hebrews have divers names , whereby they signifie a sheep , and all that kind , as zon , and zoneth , for which the septuaginis do always render probata , sheep or little cattell . the arabians , genas . the chaldeans , ana. the persians , gospand , also rachel in hebrew ; the plural whereof is rechelim , which signifieth sheep : kebesch , and kabsa , or kibsa , isa : tahel , nehelamah , that is , a dumb sheep , where the hebrews have rachel , there the chaldes translate rachla● . the arabians , akalak . the persians , comeschan thu . kebes and kibsa signifie a sheep , male and female under a year old , and aiil , and eel , for a sheep above a year old , male and female . in levit. . the chalde translateth for kebii , imar. the arabians , egel . the persians , bara , and keseb in hebrew is the same that kebesch . seh also signifieth a sheep , although it be sometime taken for a lamb or kid. likewise thaleh and theleh esai . . signifieth a lambe that sucketh . and epiphantus writeth , that by the same word the hebrew astronomers signifie the sign aries in the zodiack . the sarazens at this day call a sheep ganeme , and cattle garien , and the dung of cattle hara garien . the grecians call a sheep oiis , and probaton ; the latins ovis , and by excellency pecus ; the italians , pecora , the french , brebis ; the spaniards , oveia ; the germans , schaff ; the i y●●ans , owcze , or skop. these and such like i might add more concerning the names of this beast , and the aboundance of the names thereof in the hebrew tongue , is a notable testimony of the singular account which god himself made of this beast . the latines have so honored it that after it they have named many of their children , and stories make mention of most noble and gallant men , so called . such was ovinius camillus , severus ovinius , fabius maximus oviculus , oilecus , oileus ajax , oie , the wife of cha●hippus , and many such other , if it were necessary to this story to relate them , but i will not trouble the reader with any such unnecessary circumstances . i will therefore first of all begin with a relation of the sheep of other countries , and so in the end make a more particular discovery of our own at home . for the difference of regions do very much enlighten the description or history of sheep . it is reported that about erythrea , one of the islands of the gades , there is such aboundance of good pasture and hearbs so gratefull to sheep , that if they be not let bloud once in thirty dayes , they perish by suffocation , and that the milk of those sheep yeeldeth no whay , wherewithall they make abundance of cheese , although they powre water into it . the herbage of that island is dry , yet profitable to cattle and milch beasts , and from thence came the original of the fat cattel of geryon . the sheep of grecia are lesser then the sheep of egypt ; and the oves pyrrhicae , were like boves pyrrhicae , namely , of exceeding stature , which name was derived from pyrrhus their master and owner . among the psillians in india , their rams are greater then our lambs , and aechilades in his books of husbandry affirmeth , that the sheep of the isle chius , are very small , and yet their milk maketh very laudable cheese . in spain their best sheep have black fleeces : at polentia neer the alpes , they are gray of hony-woolled : in asia and boetica , called erythrea , they are red like foxes , and from thence came the term of erythreae oves . at canusium the sheep are yellow , or lion-tauny , and so also at tarentum . istria and liburnia yeeld sheep having wooll which is so course and rough , that it may rather seem to be hair then wooll , and therefore never fit for fine garments , nor for any other use , except by the singular art of spinning in portugal . and the like to this is the wool of the sheep of piscenae , and in egypt , of which latter it is said , that if it be dyed again after it is thread-bare , it will endure almost for ever . for the antients ( as homer writeth ) had the use hereof ( although the thread were rough ) in their works of tapestry , and this was dressed divers wayes , for the french in europe dresse it one way , and the parthians in asia another way . the sheep of apulta gave the name to lana italica , for excellent wool , and yet was it short and course , good for nothing but for clokes to ride in , and wear in rainy weather : unto these i may add the calabrian , milestan , and arentin an sheep , yet in the dayes of varro they covered their sheep with other skins to keep the wool both from losse , and other infection , so that it might be the better washed ; dyed and prepared , for these were nourished most of all in houses . the french sheep about altinas , and also those that are scabbed are folded in the plain and barren fields of parma and mutina . the sheep of helvetia feed in the tops of the mountains , whiles the goats keep beneath among the trees and gather fruits on the sides of the hils . the flemmish sheep have a soft and curled hair . there be in general two kinds of sheep , one called tectum , the other colonicum , as if you would say house-sheep , and field-sheep , for the grecian sheep which before we have called tarintinae , and were also called tarintinae , because of their soft wool , lived in houses , and they were also called pellitae , but the field sheep having by nature a greater , courser , and rougher hair , are suffered to lodge abroad in the fields . likewise the sheep of miletum and attica , and the region gadilonea , reaching to armenia , have very soft and gentle wool , which thing seldom cometh to passe in pontus , or cappadocia . in scotland also in a place thereof , called by hector beothius buthuguhania , are great store of sheep , bearing good wool , from whence almost all that countrey fetch their breed . the sheep of ethiopia bear no wool at all , but in stead thereof their hair is rough like camels hair : amongst the abidenes , and the beudiani , both aelianus and nicomachus the son of aristotle do testifie , that all their sheep are black , and that there was never white sheep bred in those countries . in gortynis their sheep are red and have four horns : in the fortunate islands of the red-sea all their sheep are white , and none of them have crooked horns . in beotia there are four rivers which work strange effects upon sheep after they drink of them ; namely , melas , cephisus , penius , and xanthus . the sheep drinking of melas and penius grow black , of cephisus white , and yet pliny saith , that this river cometh forth from the same fountain that melas doth . they which drink of xanthus grow red : i might adde here unto another special observation of difference betwixt the sheep of pontus and naxus , for in pontus they have no gaul , and in nexus they have two gauls . in some parts of india their sheep and goats are as big as asses , and bring fourth four lambs at a time , but never less then three , both sheep and goats . the length of their rails reacheth down to their hinder-legs , and therefore the shepheards cut them off by the secrets , to the intent that they may better suffer copulation , and out of them being so cut off , they express certain oyl ; also they cut asunder the tails of rams , the ends whereof do afterwards close so nearly and naturally together , that there appeareth not any scar or note of the section . in syria and india , the tails of their sheep are a cubit broad . there are two kinde of sheep in arabia , which are distinguished by the length and breadth of their tails : the one sort ha●e tails three cubits long , by reason whereof they are not suffered to draw them on the ground for fear of wounding ; and therefore the shepheards devise certain engins of wood to support them : the other kinde of sheep have tails like the syrian sheep . all sheep that live in hot and dry regions have larger tails , and harsher wooll , but those that live in the moist regions and salt places , have softer wooll and shorter tails . there were two of the arabian sheep brought into england , about the year . whose pictures were taken by doctor cay , and therefore i have expressed them here with their description . the arabian sheep with a bread tail . the arabian sheep with a long tail . this arabian sheep ( said he ) is a little bigger then our vulgar sheep in england , but of the same wooll , figure of body , and colour , only the shins , and fore-parts of their face , are a little red : the broad tail in the top was one cubit , but lower it was narrower , and like the end of a vulgar sheeps tail . they being brought on ship-board into england , were taught through famine and hunger to eat not only grass and hay , but flesh , fish , breed , cheese , and butter . herodotus sai●h , that such kinde of sheep are no where found but in arabia : the long tailed sheep he calleth macrokercos , and the broad tailed sheep plateukercos : yet leo afet saith , that these are of the african sheep , for thus he writeth : his arietibus nullum ab altis dis●rimen est , pr●ter quam in cauda quam la●issimam circumferunt , quae cuique quo opimior est , cras●i●r obtigit , ad●o ut nonnullis libras decem , aut ●igintipendat , cum sua sponte impinguantur . there is no difference betwixt these rams and other , except in their broad tail , which evermore as it grows in fatness groweth in breadth , for if they fat of their own accord , it hath been found that the tail of one of these sheep have weighed ten or twenty pound , and not only there , but also in egypt , where they cram and feed their sheep with barly , corn , and bran : by which means they grow so fat , that they are not able to stir themselves , so that their keepers are forced to devise little engins like childrens carts , whereupon they lay their tails when they remove their beasts : and the same leo afer affirmeth , that he saw in egypt in a town called asi●●a , standing upon nilus , a hundred and fifty mile from alcair , a tail of one of these sheep that weighed fourscore pound , and whilest he wondred at it , scarcely believing that which his eyes saw , there were some present , that affirmed it to be an ordinary thing , for they said according as he writeth ; se vidisse quae semi ducenta● libras expendissent : that is , they had seen some of them weigh a hundred pounds : and except in the kingdom of tunis in africk , and egypt , there are none such to be found in all the world , and by it , it appeareth , that all the fat of their bodies goeth into their tails . among the garamants their sheep eat flesh and milk , and it is not to be forgotten which aristotle , dionysius , afer , and varro do write , namely , that all sheep were once wilde , and that the tame sheep which now we have , are derived from those wilde sheep , as our tame goats , from wilde goats : and therefore varro saith , that in his days in phrygia there were flocks of wilde sheep , whereof as out of africk , and the region of the gadites , there were annually brought to rome both males and females , of strange and admirable colours , and that his great uncle bought divers of them and made them tame : but it appeareth that these wilde sheep or rams were musmons , of which we shall discourse afterwards : for wilde sheep are greater then the tame sheep , being swifter to run , stronger to fight , having more crooked and piked horns , and therefore many times fight with wilde boars and kill them . the subus doth also appear to be a kinde of wilde sheep , for after that oppianus had discoursed of the sheep of creet , he falleth to make mention of the subus , which he saith is of a very bright yellow colour like the sheep of creet , but the wooll thereof is not so rough , it hath two large horns upon the fore-head , living both on the water and on the land , eating fish , which in admiration of it in the water gather about it , and are devoured , as we shall shew afterwards in his due place . the colus also spoken of before , and called snake , seemeth to be of this kinde , for it is in quantity betwixt a sheep and a hart. it hath no wooll , and when it is hunted , the hunters use neither dogs nor other beasts to take it , but terrifie it with ringing of little b●ls , at the sound whereof it runneth to and fro distracted , and so is taken : and thus much i thought good to express before the general nature of sheep , of the divers and strange kindes in other nations , that so the studious reader may admire the wonderful works of god , as in all beasts , so in this , to whom in holy scripture he hath compared both his son and his saints : and for as much as their story to be mingled with the others , would have been exorbitant and far different from the common nature of vulgar sheep , and so to have been mixed amongst them , might have confounded the reader : it was much better in my opinion to express them al together , and so to proceed to the particular nature of vulgar sheep . and first of all the description of their outward parts : the sheep ought to be of a large body , that so their wooll may be the more , which ought to be soft , deep , and rough , especially about the neck , shoulders , and belly , and those that were not so the ancient graecians called apoki , the latines , apise , that is , peild sheep , for want of wooll , which always they did reject as unprofitable for their flocks : for there is no better signe , as pliny saith , of an acceptable breed of sheep , quam crurium brevitas , & ventris vestitus . the shortness of the legs , and a belly well clothed with wooll . the female to be admitted to the male after two years old . till they are five year old they are accounted young , and after seven unprofitable for breed . in your choice of sheep evermore take those which are rough with wooll even to their eyes , without any bald place upon them , and those females which bear not at two year old utterly refuse , avoid likewise partly coloured or spotted sheep , but choose them that have great eyes , large tails , and strong legs : let them be young also , and of breed , nam melior est ea aetas , quam sequitur spes , quam ea quam sequitur mors , & probata est progenies , si agn●s solent procreare formosos ( saith petrus cresce . ) that is , that age is better which hope followeth , then that which death followeth : and it is a good breed of sheep which bringeth forth beautiful lambs . and concerning their wooll , it is to be observed , that the soft wooll is not always the best , except it be thick withall , for hares have soft but thin wooll , and in sheep it ought to be contrary , and therefore the most fearful have the softest hair , the sheep of scythia in the cold countries have soft wooll , but in sauromatia they have hard wooll . florentinus prescribeth , that the fine wooll of a sheep is not curled , but standeth upright , for he saith , that curled wooll is easily corrupted or falsified . the head of the sheep is very weak ; and his brain not fat ; the horns of the female are weak if they have any at all , for in many places they have none , like hindes , and in england there are both males and females that want horns : and again the rams of england have greater horns then any other rams in the world , and sometimes they have four or six horns on their head , as hath been often seen . in africk their male-sheep or rams are yeaned with horns , and also their females : and in pontus neither males nor females have ever any horns . their eyes ought to be great , and of a waterish colour , and all beasts that want hands have their eyes standing far distant on their heads , especially sheep , because they had need to look on both sides , and because they are of a simple and harmless disposition , as we shall shew afterwards : for the little eye , such as is in lions and panthers , betoken craft and cruelty ; but the great eye , simplicity and innocency . their teeth stand in one continued row or bone , as in a horse , but in the upper chap there are no fore-teeth : the male having more teeth then the female . there be some that write , that virgil calleth sheep biden●es , because they have but two teeth , but they do it ignorantly , for we may read in servius , nigidius and nonius , that boars are called bidentes , and all beasts of two years old , for they were first of all called bidennes quasi biennes , by inter position of the letter d. according to the other words , as we do not say reir● , but redire ; nor reamate , but redam●re ; nor ●earguere , but redarguere ; and so bidennis , for biennis ; because sacrifices were wont to be made of sheep when they were two years old . if ever it happen that a sheep have but two teeth , it is held for a monster , and therefore a sheep is called ambidens , and bidens , because he hath teeth both above and beneath . the belly of a sheep is like the belly of a beast that chews the cud . the milk proceedeth from the ventricle or maw . the stones hang down to the hinder-legs . the females have their udders betwixt their thighes , like to goats and cows : some of them have galls , acccording to the ordinary custom of nature , and some of them have none at all , for in pontus where by reason they eat wormwood they have no gall . likewise in gal●is : some we have shewed have two galls , and the scythian sheep have galls at one time , and not at another , as aelianus writeth , for he saith in the very cold countries , when snow and winter covereth the earth , there sheep have no galls , because they keep within doores , and use no change of meat , but in the summer when they go abroad again to feed in the fields , they are replenished with galls . there is a region in asia called sc●psis , wherein they say their sheep have little or no milts . the reins of a sheep are equal , and there is no beast that hath them covered with fat like unto it . sheep are also apt to grow exceeding fat , for in the year . there was a fat sheep given to the king of fran●e in pickardy , whereof the inward hoofs or cloves of his fore-feet were grown to be as long as eight fingers are broad , the tops whereof were recurved backward like the horns of a wilde goat . concerning their tails we have spoken already , for the vulgar sheep have hairy tails like foxes and wolves . and thus much shall suffice to have spoken of their several parts . in the next place we are to consider the food and diet of sheep , and then their inclination , and the utility that ariseth by them , and lastly the several diseases with their medicines and cures . it is therefore to be remembred , that the ancients appointed shepheards to attend their flocks , and there was none of great account , but they were called shepheards , or neatheards , or goatheards , that is bucolici , opiliones , and aepoli , as we have shewed already in the story of goats : and the gentiles do report , that the knowledge of feeding oxen and sheep came first of all from the nymphs , who taught aristeus in the island of co. the graecians therefore call a shepheard poiman , that is , a feeder , of poimainein to feed ; and the poets also use poimant●r for a shepheard , and the shepheards dogs , that keep the flock from the wolf , pominitay kunes , for the sheep being not kept well , be overcome by the woolfs , according to the saying of virgil ; nam lupus insidias explorat ovilia circum , and ovid likewise saith ; incustoditum captat ovile lupus . the whole care therefore of the shepheard must be , first for their food ; secondly , for their fold ; and thirdly , for their health , that so he may raise a profitable gain , either to himself or to him that oweth the sheep . to begin with the food . their diet doth not much differ from goats , and yet they have some things peculiar which must now be expressed . it is good therefore , that their pastures and feeding places look towards the sun-setting , and that they be not driven over far , or put to too much labour : for this cause the good shepheard may safely feed his sheep late in the evening , but not suffer them to go early abroad in the morning . they eat all manner of herbs and plants , and some-times kill them with their bitings , so as they never grow more . the best is to give them always green meat , and to feed them upon land fallowed or ploughed to be sown with corn : and although by feeding them in fat pastures they come to have a softer wool or hair , according to the nature of their food , yet because they are of a moist temperament , it is better to feed them upon the salt and short pasture : for by such a diet , they both better live in health , and also bear more pretious wooll . in dry pastures they are more healthy then in the fenny , and this is the cause why it is most wholesome for them to keep in ploughed grounds , wherein they meet with many sweet and pleasant herbs , or else in upland medows , because all moisture breedeth in them rottenness : he must avoid the woods and shadowy places , even as he doth the fens , for if the sun come not upon the sheeps food , it is as hurtfull unto him as if he picked it out of the waters : and the shepheard must not think that there is any meat so grateful unto this cattle , but that use and continuance will make them to loath it , wherefore he must provide this remedy , namely to give them salt oftentimes in the summer when they retarn from feeding , and if he do but lay it in certain troughs in the folds , of their own accord they will lick thereof , and it will encrease in them great appetite . in the winter time when they are kept within doores , they must be fed with the softest hay , such as is cut down in the autumn , for that which is riper is less nourishable to them : in some countries they lay up for themselves especially green ewe leaves , or elm , three-leaved-grass , sowed-vines , and chaffe or pease , when other things fail : where there are store of vines , they gather their leaves for sheep to eat thereof without all danger , and very greedily , and i may say as much of the olive , both wilde and planted , and divers such other plants , all which have more vertue in them to fat and raise your beast if they be aspersed with any salt humor : and for this cause the sea-wormwood excelleth all other herbs or food to make fat sheep . and myndius writeth , that in pontus the sheep grow exceeding fat by the most bitter and vulgar wormwood . beans encrease their milk , and also three-leaved-grass , for that is most nourishable to the ews with young . and it is observed for the fault which in latine is called luxuria segetum , and in english ranckness of corn , there is no better remedy then to turn in your sheep in may when the ground is hard , if not before , for the sheep loveth well to crop such stalks , and also the corn will thrive never the worse , for in some places they eat it down twice , and in the countrey about babylon thrice , by reason of the great fertility thereabouts , and if they should not do so , it would turn or run all into stalk and idle and unprofitable leaves . the same extasie is reported to follow sheep when they have eaten ering●a , that we have expressed also in the history of goats , namely , that they all stand still , and have no power to go out of their pastures , till their keeper come and take it out of their mouths . it is reported that they are much delighted with the herb called laserpitium , which first purgeth them , and then do fat them exceedingly : it is therefore reported that in cyrene , there hath been none of this found for many years , because the publicans that hire the pastures are enemies to sheep . for at the first eating thereof the sheep will sleep , and the goat will fall a neezing . in india , and especially in the region of the prasians , it raineth many times a dew like liquid honey falling upon the herbs and grass of the earth : wherefore the shepheards lead their flocks unto those places , wherewithal their cattle are much delighted , and such as is the food they eat , such also is the taste of the milk they render ; neither need they to mingle honey with their milk , as the graecians are constrained to do , for the sweetness of that liquor saveth them of that charge . such a kinde of dew the hebrews call manna ; the gracians , aeromelos , and drosomelos ; the germans , himmelhung ; and in english honey-dew ; but if this be eaten upon the herbs in the month of may , it is very hurtful unto them . we have shewed already , that in some parts of africk and aethiopia , their sheep eat flesh , and drink milk , and it is apparent by philostratus , that when apollonius travelled towards india , in the region pegades , inhabited by the orite , they fed their sheep with fishes , and so also they do among the 〈…〉 nian indians , which do inhabit the sea-coasts : and this is as ordinary with them , as in caria , to feed their sheep with figs , because they want grass in that country : and therefore the flesh of the sheep doth tast of fish when it is eaten , even as the flesh of sea-fouls . the people of that countrey are called ichthy●phagi , that is fish-eaters : likewise the sheep of lydia and macedonia , their sheep grow fat with eating of fishes . aenius also writeth of certain fishes about the bigness of frogs which are given unto sheep to be eaten . in arabia in the province of aden , their oxen , camels , and sheep , eat fishes after they be dryed , for they care not for them when they be green : the like i might say of many other places , generally it must be the care of the shepheard to avoid all thorny and stony places for the feeding of his sheep , according to the precept of virgil ; si tibi lanicium curae , primum aspera sylva lappaeque tribulique absint . — because the same thing , as he writeth , maketh them bald , and oftentimes scratcheth their skin asunder , his words are these ; turpis oves tentat scabies — — cum tonsis illotus ad haesit sudor , & hirsuti secuêrunt corpora vepres . although a sheep be never so sound , and not much subject to the pestilence , yet must the shepheard regard to feed it in choice places : for the fat fields breed strait and tall sheep , the hills and short pastures broad and square sheep : the woods and mountain places , small and slender sheep : but the best places of all are the plowed grounds . although virgil prescribeth his shepheard to feed his flock in the morning , according to the manner of the countrey wherein he lived , for the middle part of the day was over hot , and not fit for cattel to eat in : yet other nations , ( especially germany and england and these northern parts of the world ) may not do so . the whole cunning of shepheards is excellently described , for the ordering of their sheep in these verses following ; ergo omni studio glaciem , ven●osque nivales , quo minus est illis curae m●rtalis egestas avertes : victumque feres , & virgea laetus pabula : nec to●a claudes foenilia bruma . al vero zephyr is cum laeta vocantibus aest is in saltus * * * utrumque gregem atque in pascua mittes . luciferi primo cum sydere frigida rura carpamus : dum mane novum , dum gramina canent : et ros in tenera pecori gratissimus herba est . inde , ubi quarta sitim coeli collegerit hora , et cantu querulae rumpent arbusta cicadae : ad puteos , aut alta greges ad stagna jub●to currentem illignis petare canalibus undam . aestibus at mediis umbrosam exquirere vallem , sicubi magna jovis antiquo robore quercus ingentes tendat ramos : aut sicubi nigrum ilicibus cr●bris sacra nemus occubet umbra . tum tenues dare rursus aquas : & pascere rursus solis ad occasum , cum frigidus ae●a vesper temperat : & saltus reficit jam roscida luna : litioraque halcyonem resonant , & acanthida dumi . when they return from their feeding , the shepheard must regard that he put them not into the folds hot , and if the time of the year be over hot , let them not be driven to pastures a far off , but seed them in those which are near and adjacent to their folds : that so they may easily have recourse unto the shadow : they ought not also to be turned out clustering al together , but dispersed abroad by little and little , neither must they be milked while they are hot , until they be cold a little , so likewise in the morning , let them be milked so soon as day appeareth , and the little lambs be turned out unto them which were shut from them . but if there appear upon the grass spiders webs , or cob-webs which bear up little drops of water , then they must not be suffered to feed in those places for fear of poysoning ; and in times of heat and rain , drive them to the highest hills ●or pastures , which do most of all lie open to the windes , for there shall the cattle feed most temperately : they must avoid all sandy places , and in the month of april , may , june , and july , they must not be suffered to feed overmuch , but in october , september , and november , let them have their full , that so they may grow the stronger against the winter time . the romans had a special regard to chuse some places for the summering of their sheep , and some place for their wintering , for if they summered them in apulia , they wintered them in samnis ; and therefore ( varro saith ) the flocks of apulia betimes in the morning in the summer season are led forth to feeding , because the dewy grass of the morning is much better then that which is dry in the middle of the day , and about noon when the season groweth hot , they lead them to shadowy trees and rocks , until the cool air of the evening begin to return , at which time they drive them to their pasture again , and cause them to feed towards the sun-rising : for this is a general rule among the shepheards : quod mane ad solis occasum , & vesper● 〈◊〉 sous ●●tum ▪ pascantur oves . that is , that in the morning they feed their sheep towards the sun-setting , and in the evening towards the sun-rising , and the reason of it is ; quia infirmissimum pecori caput , averso sole pasci cogendum . because the head of sheep is most weak , therefore it ought to be fed turned from the sun. in the hot countries a little before the sun-setting they water their sheep , and then lead them to their pasture again , for at that time the sweetness seemeth to be renewed in the grass , and this they do after the autumnal aequinoctium . it is good to feed them in corn fields after harvest , and that for two causes : first , because they are exceedingly filled with such hearbs as they finde after the plough , and also they tread down the stubble , and dung the land , whereby it becometh more fruitful against the next year . there is nothing that maketh a sheep grow more fat then drink ; and therefore we read in holy scripture how jacob watred the sheep , and the daughters of jethro their sheep , at what time moses came unto them , therefore it is best oftentimes to mingle their water with salt , according to these verses ; at cui lactis amer ▪ cytisum lotosque frequentes , ipse manu salsa● ferat praesepibus herbas . hinc & amant fluvios magis , & magis ubera tendant , et salis occultum referunt in lacte saporem . there be many that trouble themselves about this question ; namely , for what cause the sheep of england do never thirst , except they see the water ▪ and then also seldom drink , and yet have no more sheep in england , then are in any other countrey of the world ; insomuch that we think it a prodigious thing that sheep should drink : but the true cause why our english sheep drink not , is , for there is so much dew on the grass , that they need no other water ▪ and therefore aristotle was deceived , who thinketh that the northern sheep had more need of water then the southern . in spain those sheep bear the best fleeces of wooll that drink least . in the island of cephalene as we have shewed in the story of the goat ▪ all their cattle for want of water do draw in the cold air ; but in the hotter countries every day once at the least about nine or ten a clock in the morning they water their sheep ; and so great is the operation of drink in sheep , that divers authors do report wonders thereof , as valerius maximus , and theoph●asius , who affirm that in macedonia , when they will have their sheep bring forth white lambs , they lead them to the river alia 〈…〉 on ; and when they will have them to bring forth black lambs , to the river axius , as we have shewed already . it is also reported that the river scamander ▪ doth make all the sheep to be yellow that drink thereof : likewise there are two rivers in a●tandria which turn sheep from black to white , and white to black , and the like i might add of the river thrases , of the two rivers of beotia , all which things do not come to pass by miracle , but also by the power of nature , as may appear by the history of jacob , when he served his father in law laban . for after that he had covenanted with laban , to receive for his stipend all the spotted sheep , the scripture saith in this manner : then jacob took rods of green poplar , and of hasel , and of the ches-nut tree , and pilled white strakes in them , and made the white appear in the rods . then he put the rods which he had pilled into the gutters and watering troughs , when the sheep came to drink , before the sheep , and the sheep were in heat before the rods , and afterwards brought forth young of party colour , and with small and great spots . and jacob parted these lambs , and turned the faces ●f the flick towards these party-coloured lambs , and all manner of black among the she●p of laban , so he put his own flocks by themselves , and put them not with labans flock . and in every ramming time of the stronger sheep , jacob layed the rods before the eyes of the sheep in the gutters , that they might conceive before the rods , but when the sheep were feeble he put them not in , and so the feebler were labans , and the stronger were jacobs . upon this action of the patriarch jacob , it is clear by testimony of holy scripture , that divers colours ●aid before sheep at the time of their carnal copulation , do cause them to bring forth such colours , as they see with their eyes : for such is the force of a natural impression , as we read in stories , that fair women by the sight of blackamores , have conceived and brought forth black children , and on the contrary , black and deformed women have conceived fair and beautiful children ; whereof there could be no other reason given in nature , but their only cogitation of and upon fair beautiful men , or black and deformed moores , at the time of their carnal copulation . so that i would not have it seem incredible to the wise and discreet reader , to hear that the power of water should change the colour of sheep : for it being once granted , that nature can bring forth divers coloured lambs , being holpen by artificial means , i see no cause , but diversity of waters may wholly alter the colour of the elder , as well as whited sticks ingender a colour in the younger : and thus much shall suffice to have spoken concerning the summering of sheep . for their wintering i will say more when i come to entreat of their stabling or housing . now then it followeth in the next place to discourse of copulation or procreation ; for there are divers good rules and necessary observations , whereby the skilful shepheard must be directed , and which he ought to observe for the better encrease of his flock . first of all therefore it is clear , that goats will engender at a year old , and sometime sheep also follow that season , but there is a difference betwixt the lambs so engendered , and the other that are begotten by the elder : therefore at two year old they may more safely be suffered to engender , and so continue till they be five year old , and all their lambs be preserved for breeding ; but after five year old their strength and natural vertue decreaseth , so that then neither the dam nor the lamb is worthy the nourishing , except for the knife , for that is born and bred of an old decayed substance , will also resemble the qualities of his sires . there be some that allow not the lamb that is yeaned before the parents be four year old and so they give them four years to engender and breed , namely till they be eight year old , but after eight years , they utterly cast them off : and this opinion may have some good reason , according to the quality of the region wherein they live , for the sooner they begin to bear young , the sooner they give over ; and herein they differ not from cows , who if they breed not till they be four year old may continue the longer , and for this cause i will express the testimony of albertus , who writeth thus : oves parere usque ad annum octavum possunt , & si bene curentur vel in undec 〈…〉 facultas pariendi protrahitur , quod tempus est tota fere vita , oves in quibusdam tamen terris marinis ubi sic●● & salsa habent pascua vivunt per viginti annos & pariunt . that is to say , sheep may breed until they be eight year old , and if they be well kept until they be eleven , which time is for the most part the length of their days , although in some countries upon the sea coasts , they live till they be twenty year old , and all that time breed young ones , because they feed upon dry and salt pastures , and therefore aristotle also saith , that they bring forth young ones all the time of their life . the time of their copulation , as pliny and varro write , is from may till about the middle of august , and their meaning is , for the sheep of those hot countries . for in england , and other places shepheards protract the time of their copulation , and keep the rams and ewes asunder till september , or october , because they would not have their lambs to fall in the cold winter season , but in the spring and warm weather : and this is observed by the ancient shepheards , that if the strongest sheep do first of all begin to engender and couple one with another , that it betokeneth a very happy and fortunate year to the flock but on the contrary , if the younger and weaker sheep be first of all stirred up to lust , and the elder be backward and slow , it presageth a pestilent and rotten year . they which drink salt water are more prone to copulation then others , and commonly at the third or fourth time the female is filled by the male . there is a great similitude and likeness betwixt sheep and goats . first ; for their copulation , because they couple together at the same time . secondly , for the time they bear their young , which is five moneths , or a hundred and fifty days : also many times they bring forth twins like goats , and the rams must be alway so admitted as the lambs may fall in the spring of the year , when all things grow sweet and green ; and when all is performed , then must the males be separated from the females again , that so all the time they go with young , they may go quietly without harm . in their conception they are hindered if they be over fat , for it is with them as it is among mares and horses , some are barren by nature , and others by accident , as by overmuch leanness or over-much fatness . plutar●h maketh mention of an ancient custome among the graecians , that they were wont to drive their sheep to the habitation of agenor , to be covered by his rams : and i know not whether he relate it is a story , or as a proverb to signifie a fruitful and happy ramming time i rather incline to the later , because he himself saith in the same place , that agenor was a wise and skilful king , master of many flocks , whose breed of sheep was accounted the best of all that nation , and therefore either they sent their females to be covered by his rams , or else they signified a happy conjunction of the rams and ewes together . pliny writeth , that if the right stone of a ram be tyed or bound fast when he leapeth upon an ewe , he will engender a male , but if the left stone be tyed ▪ he will beget a female . near the city patrae there are two rivers , one of them called milichus and the other charadrus , and the cattle that drink of this water in the spring time , do beget males , and therefore shepheards when they bring their sheep and goats to that river , they drive them to the farther side of the river , because they would have more females then males : for that vertue lyeth in one of the sides , but their kine they suffer to drink on that side , because among their heards the male is best for bulls and oxen serve them for sacrifice , and to till the earth , and therefore the male in that kinde , but in all other the female is more acceptable . both males and females are begotten as well by the vertues of waters , as by the vertue of the rams , and likewise by the vertue of the winde : for when the north winde bloweth for the most part males are conceived , but when the south winde females : and therefore aristotle saith : in admissu●ae t●mpore observare siccis diebus habitus septentrionales , ut contra ventum gregem pascamus , & cum spectans admittatur pecus , at si foe●inae generandae sunt , austrinos flatus captare , ut eadem ratione matrices ●●eantur . that is to say , in the ramming time you must observe the blowing of the northern winde in dry days , and not only seed the flock against the winde , but also cause the ram to leap the ewe with his face to the north : but if you would engender females , then must you in like manner observe the south winde . unto this experiment do palladius , aelianus , and columella agree , and these things are necessary to be observed about the engendering of lambs . now after that the ewe is filled by the ram , the diligent shepheard must have as great regard to keep her from abortment , or casting of her lamb : therefore aristotle saith , if presently after copulation there fall a showre , or if when they are great with young they eat wallnuts , or acorns , they will cast their lambs : and likewise if in time of thunder the ewe with young be alone in the field , the claps of thunder will cause abortment ; and the remedy thereof , for the avoiding of that mischief , is prescribed by pliny : tonit●us ( saith he ) solitariis ovibus abortus inferunt , remedium est congregare eas ut coitu juventur , that is , to call them together in times of thunder , is a remedy against abortment . therefore he requireth of a skilful shepheard a voice or whissel intelligible to the sheep , whereby to call them together , if they be scattered abroad feeding , at the first appearance and note of thunder . it is also reported , that there are certain veins under the tongue of a ram , the colour whereof do presage or fore-shew , what will be the colour of the lamb begotten by them : for if they be all white , or all black , or all party coloured , such also will be the colour of it that they engender . ewes bring forth for the most part but one at a time , but sometimes two , sometimes three , and sometimes four , the reason whereof is to be attributed either to the quality of the food whereof they eat , or else to the kinde from which they are derived : for there be certain sheep in the orcades , which always bring forth two at one time , and many of them six . there are also sheep in magnetia , and africk , that bring forth twice in the year : and aristotle in his wonders writeth , that the sheep of vmbria bring forth thrice in a year , and among the illyrians there are sheep and goats , that bring forth twice in the year , two at a time , yea sometimes three , or four , or five , and that they nourish them all together , with their abundance of milk , and besides some of their milk is milked away from them . egypt is so plentiful in grass , that their sheep bring forth twice in a year , and are likewise twice lipped : so likewise in mesopotamia , and in all moist and hot countries . many times times it falleth out , that the ewe dyeth in the yeaning of her lamb , and many times they bring forth monsters : so also do all other beasts that are multipara : betwixt a goat and a ram , is a musmon begotten , and betwixt a goat-buck and an ewe is the beast cinirus ingendered ; and among the rhaetians many times there are mixed monsters brought forth , for in the hinder-parts they are goats , and in the fore-parts sheep : for rams when they grow strong , old and wanton ; leap upon the female goats , upon which they beget such monsters , but they die for the most part immediately after the yeaning . sometimes wilde rams come to tame sheep , and beget upon these lambs , which in colour and wooll do most of all resemble the father , but afterward when they bear young , their wooll beginneth to be like to other vulgar sheep : when the ewe is ready to be delivered , she travaileth and laboureth like a woman , and therefore if the shepheard have not in him some mid-wives skill , that in cases of extremity he may draw out the lamb when the members stick cross in the matrix , or else if that be unpossible , because it is dead in the dams belly , yet to cut it out without peril and danger to the ewe , in such cases the graecians call a shepheard embruoulcos . having thus brought the sheep to their delivery for the multiplication of kinde , it then resteth to provide that the new born lamb may be secured from dogs , woolfs , foxes , crows , ravens , and all enemies to this innocent beast , and also to provide that the ewe may render to her young one sufficient food out of her udder ; therefore they must be well and extraordinarily fed . we have shewed already the use of salt , and then also it is very profitable when the ewe is newly delivered of her lamb , for it will make her drink and eat more liberally . in the winter time for the encrease of their milk , in stead of green pastures , and such other things as we have expressed , it is requisite to give them corn , and especially plenty of beans . for this cause some prescribe to be given unto their sheep the herb lanaria , which they affirm to be profitable to be given to encrease milk ; some the stone galacites to be beaten to powder , and anointed upon the ewes udder ; and some prescribe to sprinkle water and salt upon them every morning in the house or field , before the sun rising . but herein i leave every man to his own judgement , hoping it will not be offensive to any , to relate those things before expressed , and resting in opinion , that both the food that is received inwardly , and also the ointments that are applyed outwardly , will be sufficient means to procure abundance of milk in the summer and winter seasons . now therefore it followeth to entreat likewise of the wintering of sheep , for as there is more cost to keep them in cold weather then in warm , so it doth require at our hands some discourse thereof . then it behoveth you to provide for them warm folds and stables , whereof the poet writeth in this manner : incipiens , stabulis edico in mollibus herbam carpere oveis , dum mox frondosa reducitur aestas : et multa duram stipula filicumque maniplis sternere subter humum ; glacies ne frigida laedat molle pecus scabiemque ferat , turpeisque podagras . whereby it is evident that the cold winters do beget in sheep divers and many diseases , and for that cause it was the counsel of a wise and learned man , that our sheep should not be turned out to feeding neither in cold or warm weather , until the frost were dissolved and thawed , from off the grass and earth . the tarentine , graecian , and asian sheep , were wont to be altogether kept in stables within doors , lying continually upon plancks and boards bored through , that so their precious fleeces might be the better safe-guarded from their own filth and urine ; and three times in the year they let them out of their stables , to wash them and anoint them with oyl and wine : and to save them free from serpents , they burned in their stables , and under their cratches , galbanum , cedar-wood , womans hair , and harts-horns : and of these tarentine and graecian sheep , columella writeth in this manner : it is in vain for any man to store himself with those tarentine sheep , for they ask as much or more attendance and costly food then their bodies are worth ; for as all beasts that bear wooll are tender , and not able to endure any hardness ; so among all sheep , there are none so tender as the tarentine or graecian sheep , and therefooe the keeper of them must not look to have any playing days , nor times of negligence or sluggishness , and much less to regard his covetous minde , for they are cattel altogether impatient of cold , being seldom led abroad , and therefore the more at home to be fed by hand ; and if by covetousness or negligence , one withdraw from them their ordinary food , he shall be penny wife , and pound foolish : that is , suffer a great loss in his cattel , for saving from them a little meat . every one of them all the winter long , were fed with three pintes of barley or pease , or beans three times a day , beside dryed ewe-leaves , or vine leaves , or hay late mown , or fitches , or chaff . besides there cannot be any milk taken from the dams , for at the first yeaning there is no more then to serve the little or least lambs , and after a few days , even while they smell and taste of their dams belly , they were to be killed for want of suck , that every lamb which was to be preserved for breed might have two dams or ewes to suck , and so the poor ewe was forced to a double miserie ; first to loose her young one , and afterward to lend her paps and milk to a stranger . and moreover , they were forced to nourish more males then females , for that at two year old they were gelded , or killed , to sell their beautiful skins to the merchant , for their wool was most pretious , by reason that never or seldom they went abroad to the fields . their custody in the house from serpents and other annoyances , is thus described by the poets : disce & odoratam stabulis incendere cedrum galbaneoque agitare graves nidore chelydros . saepe sub immotis praesepibus , aut mala tactu vipera delituit , coelumque exterrita fugit , aut tecto assuetus coluber . — in consideration whereof , and of all the pains about the housing of these tender sheep , the poet teacheth the shepheard or sheep-master to kill the serpents , and dash out the brains of snakes , saying : — cape saxa manu ; cape robora pastor tollentemque minas , & sibila colla tumentem dejice . — concerning the ancient forms of their sheep-stables . i finde this to be recorded by the ancients . first , they made them low and not of any high or lofty building , so stretching them out in length , and not in height , that it may be warm in the winter time , for although there be no creature better cloathed by nature then a sheep , yet is there not any more impatient of cold , nor more apt to take harm thereby . it must not be over-broad , yet so as the ewe and her lamb may lie both together , and the breathing place not left open at the top of the house or the sides , for that will let in too much air , but at the door or porch of their entrance , and that very low , that so the fresh air may quickly and easily come to their low heads and bodies , and also their breath the better avoid out of the stable . they also had a care to cover all the floor with straw or dry boared boards , or some such other matter , whereby they might stand continually dry and warm , and also clean and sweet , to the end they might not be annoyed in their own standings ; and therefore the floor was made shelving or falling low on the one side , or else of hurdles like baskets to let out their urine , for they often make water : and these were often changed , cleansed , and turned . in this stable there ought to be divisions or partitions wherein in time of necessity and sickness , they may easily abide alone and be parted from the residue , and feed without annoyance of one another , and especially that one may not ride another , and during the time of the winter , they did not let their cattel drink above once a day . and these were the cures of the ancients about their flocks of sheep . for upon them they lived , they bought and sold , and herein also it is profitable to observe the ancient manner of their bargains about these creatures : for when a man came and bought sheep , he made this protestation to the seller : tanti sunt mihi emptae ? to whom the seller answereth , sunt : then the buyer draweth his mony with these words ; sic illasce oves , qua de re agitur , sanas recte esse uti pe●●s ovillum , quod recte sanum est , extra luscam minam . ventre glabre , neque de pecore morboso esse , habereque recte licere : haec si recte fieri respondes ? &c. first , the buyer saith , shall i buy these sheep for thus much money ? and so draweth his money , to whom the merchant or seller answereth , you shall : then saith the chapman or buyer again to him , do you promise to me then that these sheep are as sound as sheep should be , without fault of winde or limb , without blindeness , without deafness , without pield bellies , not coming out of any infected flock ; and so as it shall be lawful for me to injoy them without all mens contradiction , if these things be true , then i will strike up the bargain : and yet doth not the seller change the property of his sheep , nor lose his lordship over them until the mony be paid . and hereupon it cometh to pass that the buyer may condemn the seller , if the cattel be not so good as his bargain , or if he do not deliver them ; even as the buyer is subject to the same judgement , if he do not deliver the price . and concerning shepheards , and custody of flocks i may adde a word or two more : first of all for the number of the sheep , how many may safely be kept in every flock . there is no need that i should give any rules about this business , for the ancients were wont to set one shepheard over a hundred rough or course woolled sheep , and two shepheards over a hundred fine woolled sheep : the common flocks were seaventy , or fourscore , and the shepheard that followed them , was charged to be both vigilant and gentle , and therefore his discipline was : duci propior esse quam domino , & in cogendis , recipiendisque ovibus , adclamatione , ac baculo minetur , nec unquam telum emittat , neque ab his longius recedat , nec aut recubet , aut concidat , na● nisi procedit , stare debet , quoniam grex quidem custodis officium sublimem celsissimamque oculorum , veluti speculam , desiderat , ut neque tardiores , & gravidas dum cunctantur , neque agiles & foetas dum procurrunt , separari à c●teris sinat , ne ●ur aut bestia hallucinantem pastorem decipiat , saith collumella : he must rather be a guide unto them then a lord or master over them , and in driving them forward , or receiving them home after they have stragled , he must rather use his chiding voice , and shake his staffe at them , then cast either stone or dart at them : neither must he go far from them at any time , nor sit down , but stand still , except when he driveth them , because the flock desireth the direction of their keeper , and his eye like a lofty watch-tower , that so he suffer not to be separated asunder , either the heavy ews great with young , because of their slow pace , nor yet the light and nimble ones which give suck , and are delivered of their young , which are apt to run away , lest that some ravening beast or thief deceive the loitering shepheard by taking away from him the hindmost or formost . there may also be more in a flock of sheep then in a flock of goats , because the goats are wanton , and so disperse themselves abroad , but the sheep are meek and gentle , and for the most part keep round together : yet it is better to make many flocks then one great one , for fear of the pestilence . in the story of the dogs we have shewed already , how necessary a shepheards dog is to the flock , to defend them both from woolfs and foxes , and therefore every shepheard must observe those rules there expressed , for the provision , choice , and institution of his dog : and to conclude this discourse of the shepheard , when the lambs are young he must not drive their dams far to pasture , but seed them neer the town , village or house , and his second care must be to pick and cull out the aged and sick sheep every year , and that in autumn or winter time , lest they die and infect their fellows , or lest that the whole flock do go to decay for want of renewing and substitution of others , and therefore he must still regard that when one is dead , he supply the place with one or two at the least , and if he chance to kill one at any time for the houshold , the counsel of antiphanes is profitable to be followed ; illas tantum mactare debes oves ex quibus nullas amplius fructus , vel casei vel velleris , vellactis , vel agnorum perveniet . that is , to kill those sheep from whom you can never expect any more profit by their lambs , milk , cheese , or fleeces . of the diseases of sheep , and their causes in general . in the next place it is necessary for the wise and discreet shepheard to avoid all the means whereby the health of his flock should be indangered , and those are either by reason of their meat and food that they eat , or else by reason of natural sicknesses arising through the corruption of bloud , and the third way is by the biting of venemous beasts , as serpents and wolves , and such like ; and a fourth way , scabs , gowts , swellings , and such like outward diseases . of venomous meats or herbs unto sheep . there is an herb which the latines call herba sanguinaria , pilosella , numularia , and by the germans and english cald fenugreek , and by the french because of the hurt it doth unto sheep , they use this circumscription of it : l'herbe qui tue les brebis , the herb that destroyeth sheep . it is called also serpentine , because when snakes and adders are hurt therewith , they recover their wounds by eating thereof ; when a sheep hath eaten of this herb , the belly thereof swelleth abundantly , and is also drawn together , and the sheep casteth out of his mouth a certain filthy spume or froath , which smelleth unsavourly , neither is the poor beast able to escape death , except presently he be let bloud in the vein under his tail next to the rump , and also in the upper lip : yet is this herb wholesome to all other cattle except sheep alone , wherefore the shepheards must diligently avoid it . it is a little low hearb , creeping upon the ground with two round leaves , not much unlike to parsley , it hath no savour with it , or smelleth not at all , the flower of it is pale and smelleth strong , and the stalk not much unlike the flower . it groweth in moist places , and near hedges and woods . if in the spring time sheep do eat of the dew called the hony-dew , it is poyson unto them , and they die thereof : likewise canes in the autumn do make their belly swell unto death , if they drink presently after they have eaten thereof , for that meat breaketh their guts asunder . the like may be said of savine , tamarisk , rhododendron , or rose-tree , and all kindes of henbane . the female pimpernel doth likewise destroy sheep , except assoon as they have eaten of it , they meet with the herb called ferus-oculus , wilde-eye ; but herein lyeth a wonder , that whereas there are two kindes of this herb , a male and a female , they should earnestly desire a male , and eagerly avoid a female , seeing that both of them have the same taste in the palat of a man , for they taste like the raw roots of beets . there is an herb in normandy called duna , not much unlike rubarb , or great gentian , but narrower leaves , and standing upright , the nerve whereof in the middle is red , and it groweth about the waters , and therefore i conjecture it may be water-sorrel , or water-planton , whereof when sheep have eaten , they fall into a disease called also duna , for there is bred in their liver certain little black worms or leeches , growing in small bags or skins , being in length half a finger , and so much in breadth , wherewithall when the beast is infected , it is uncurable ; and therefore there is no remedy but to take from it the life : and that this is true , the butchers themselves affirm , how many times they do finde such little worms in the sheeps liver , and they say , they come by drinking of fenny or marshy-water . and to conclude , there is a kinde of pannick also , whereof when sheep have eaten it destroyeth them , and there be other herbs which every common shepheard knoweth are hurtful unto sheep ; and the beast it self , though in nature it be very simple , yet is wise enough to chuse his own food , except the vehement necessity of famine and hunger causeth him to eat poysoned herbs . in cases when their bellies swell , or when they have worms in their belly which they have devoured with the herbs they eat , then they pour into their bellies the urine of men , and because their bellies presently swell and are puffed out with winde , the shepheards cut off the tops of their ears , and make them bleed , and likewise beat their sides with their staff , and so most commonly they are recovered . if sheep chance to drink in their heat , so as their grease be cooled in their belly , which butchers do finde many times to be true , then the shepheard must cut off half the sheeps ear , and if it bleed the beast shall be well , but if it bleed not , he must be killed and eaten , or else he will starve of his own accord . if at any time a sheep chance to devour a leach , by pouring in oyl into his throat , he shall be safe from danger . of the colds of sheep . sheep are known to be subject to cold , not only by coughing after they have taken it , but also by their strength before they take it ; for the shepheards do diligently observe , that when any frost or ice falleth upon a sheep , if he endure it , and not shake it off , it is a great hazard but the same sheep will die of cold , but if he shake it off , and not endure it , it is a sign of a strong , sound , and hea 〈…〉 by constitution : likewise for to know the health of their sheep ▪ they open their eyes , and if the veins appear red and small , they know they are sound , but if they appear white , or else red and full ; they know they are weak , and will hardly live out winter or cold weather : also when they are taken in their hands , they press their back bone near the hips , and if it bend not they are sound and strong , but if they feel it bend under their hand , they hold them weak and feeble : likewise if a man take them by the head or by the skin of the neck , if he follow him easily when he draweth him , it is a sign of weakness and imbecillity , but if it doth strive , and follow with great difficulty , then it is a token of health and soundness . of scabs , and the causes of them . the true original of scabs is either as we have said already , leanness , or else cold , or wet , or wounds in the flesh by clipping , or to conclude , by the heat of the beast in summer not washed off , by thorns and prickings of bushes , or by sitting upon the dung of mules , horses , or asses . now when this first of all beginneth , it is easie for the shepheard to observe by these signes and tokens , for the tickling or itching humor , lying betwixt the skin and the flesh , causeth the poor sheep either to bite the place with his teeth , or to scratch it with his horn , or to rub it upon a tree or wall , or if he can do none of these , stamp hard upon the ground with his fore-feet , for which it is good presently to separate the sheep so affected from the flock . the description and cure whereof is thus expressed by virgil : turpis 〈…〉 s tentat scabies , ubi frigidus imber altius ad vivum p●rsedit , & horrida cano brumagelu : vel cum tonsis illotus adhaesit sudor , & hirfuti secuerunt corpora vepres . dulcibus idcirco fluviis pecus omne magistri perfundunt , udisque aries ingurgite villis mersatur , missusque secundo defluit anmi . aut tonsum tristi contingunt corpus amurca ; et spumas miscent argenti , vivaque sulphura , idaeasque pices , & pingues unguine ceras , scillamque helleborosque graves nigrumque bitumen . non tamenulla magis praesens fortuna laborum est , quam si quis ferro potuit rescindere summum vlceris os ▪ alitur vitium , vivitque tegendo , dum medicas adhibere manus ad vulnera pastor abnegat . — which may be englished in this manner : when the poor sheep through wet showers , cold winter , summers sweat , or pricking of thorns , doth incur the filthy disease of scabs , then it concerneth his master to wash him in sweet rivers over head and ears , yea to cast him in to swim for his own life , or else to anoint his body after it is clipped with the spume or froth of oyl , and of silver with brimstone , and soft ideon pitch , with wax , hellebore , black-earth , or the flesh of shrimps ; or if it be possible to cut off the top of the wound with a knife . of the scabs of sheep , the first remedy . this disease the french men call letac , and of all other it is one of the most contagious , for our english proverb justifieth , one scabbed sheep infecteth a whole flock , and textor writeth thus of it ; oves frequentius quam ullum aliud animal infestantur scabit , quam facit macies , ut maciem inopia cibi , huic morbo nist occurratur unica totum pecus coinquinabit , nam oves contagione vexantur . that is to say , sheep are more oftentimes infected with scabs then any other creature , whereinto they fall through leanness , as they fall into leanness through want of food ; and therefore if a remedy be not provided for this evil , one of them infected will defile all the residue , for sheep are subject to contagion : for remedy whereof in france they use this medicine : first of all they shear the sheep , and then they mingle together the pure froath of oyl and water , wherein hops have been sod , and the lees of the best wine , and so let it soak in two or three days together : afterwards they wash them in sea water , and for want of sea water in salt water : and this medicine is approved , whereby both scabs and tikes are removed from the sheep , and also the wooll groweth afterwards better then ever it did before ; but it is better if a man can cure them without shearing then by shearing , as varro writeth ; and furthermore to wash sheep oftentimes with this medicine , doth preserve them from scabs before they be infected : and others adde unto this medicine little sticks of cypress-wood soked in water , and so wash them therewith ; some again make another medicine of sulphure or brimstone , cypress , white lead and butter , mingled all together , and so anoint their sheep therewith . some again take earth which is as soft as dirt , being so softned with the stale of an ass , but evermore they shave the scabbed place first of all , and wash it with cold or stale urine , and generally in arabia they were never wont to use other medicine then the gum of cedar , wherewithall they purged away by ointment all scabs from sheep , camels , and elephants : but to conclude , there is no better medicine for this evill then urine , brimstone and oyl , as diophones writeth . another medicine for the scabs . take the lees of wine , the froath of oyl , white hellebore mingled with the liquor of sod hops , also the juyce of green hemlock , which is expressed out of the stalk before it hath seed , after it is cut down and out into an earthen vessel with any other liquor mingled , with scorched salt , so the mouth of the vessel being made up close , set it in a dunghill a whole year together , that so it may be concocted with the vapour of the dung , then take it forth , and when you will use it , warm it , first of all scraping the ulcerous or scabbed part with an oyster shell , or else with a sharp pumice stone , untill it be ready to bleed , and so anoint it therewith . another medicine of the same . take the froath of oyl sod away to two parts , i mean three parts into two , put thereinto the stale urine of a man , which hath been heated by casting into it hot burning oyster-shels , and mingle a like quantity of the juyce of hemlock , then beat an earthen pot to powder , and infuse a pinte of liquid pitch and a pinte of fryed or scorched salt , all which being preserved together , do cure the scabs of sheep so often as they are used . another medicine . adrink being made of the juyce of hops , and the herb chamaelion , and given unto them cureth them . likewise the same being sod with the roots of black chamaelion , and anointed warm upon the place , according to dioscorides , have the same operation . likewise pliny writeth , that the scabs of sheep may be cured by salt water alone , either taken out of the sea , or made by art , and forasmuch as there is great danger in the decoction thereof , lest that the water overcome the salt , or the salt overcome the water , he prescribeth a mean how to know it , namely the equal and just temperament thereof , for ( saith he ) if it will bear up an egge then it is well tempered , so that the egg will swim and not sink , which you shall find by addition of equal and just quantity of water and salt , that is , two pintes of water , a pinte of salt , and so less to less , and more to more . but if there be any bunch or great scab which covereth any part of the skin , then open the scab and bunch , and pour into it liquid pitch and scorched salt : and thus much for the disease of the scabs . of the holyfire which the shepheards call the pox , or the blisters , or saint anthonies fire . this evill is uncurable , for it neither admitteth medicine nor resecation by knife , and therefore whensoever a beast is infected therewith , it ought presently to be separated from the residue of the flock , for there is nothing that spreadeth it self more speedily : whensoever you adventure to apply any thing unto it , it presently waxeth angry , and perplexeth the whole body except it be the milk of goats , and yet my author speaketh thus of it : quod infusum tantum velet , ut blandiatur , igneam saevitiam , differens magis occisionem gregis , quam prohibens . that is , it seemeth to close with raging fire , as it were to flatter it a little , rather deferring the death of the beast , then doing away the disease . it is therefore prescribed by the most memorable author of all the egyptians , that men do oftentimes look upon the backs of their sheep to see the beginning of this sickness , and when they finde a sheep affected herewith , they dig a ditch or hole fit for him at the entering in of the sheep-coat or stable , wherein they put the sheep alive with his face upward , and back downward , and cause all the residue of the flock to come and piss upon him , by which action it hath been often found ( as columella writeth ) that this evill hath been driven away , and by no other means . of the warts , and cratches of sheep . this disease called by the vulgar shepheards the hedghog , and it doth annoy the sheep two manner of ways ; first , when some gauling or matter ariseth upon the paring of the hoof , or else a bunch arise in the same place having hair growing in the middle like the hair of a dog , and under that a little worm , the worm is best drawn out with a knife , by cutting the top of the wound , wherein must be used great wariness and circumspect●ion , because if the worm be cut asunder in the wound , there issueth out of her such a venemous pustulate matter , that poysoneth the wound , and then there is no remedy but the foot must be cut off . but the wound being opened , and the worm taken out alive , presently with a wax-candle you must melt into it hot burning sewet , and if there be no bunch but only scabs , take allum , liquid pitch , brimstone , and vinegar , mingled all together , and apply it unto the wound , or else take a young pomgranate before the grains grow in it , and bake it with allum , casting upon it vinegar , sharp wine , and the rust of iron fryed all together . of the falling-sickness . it cometh to passe sometimes that sheep are infected with the falling-sickness , but the cure hereof can never be known , nor yet the sickness well till the beast be dead , and then ( as hippocrates writeth ) by opening of the brain it will evidently appear , by the over great moistness thereof . of the pains in the eyes . it is reported by theophrastus and pliny , that for clouds and other pains in the eye of a sheep , horned-poppy and chamaelia are very wholsome . of phlegme in sheep . for the remedy of this disease , take penyroyal , marjoram , or wilde nep made up together in wool , and thrust into the nose of the sheep , there turned round untill the beast begin to neeze , also a stalk of black hellebor boared through the ear of the sheep , and there tyed fast for the space of four and twenty hours , and then taken out at the same time of the day that it was put in , by pliny and columella is affirmed to be an excellent remedy against the phlegm . of the swelling in the jaws . there is sometimes an inflammation or swelling in the jaws of sheep , which the latins call tonsillae , coming by reason of a great flux of humors from the head unto that place , which may be cured two manner of wayes , first , by incision or opening the skin where the bunch lyeth , whereby all the watery tumors are evacuated , and the beast cured ; or else if through the coldnesse of the weather or some other accident you list not to cut the skin , then annoint it with liquid pitch , prepared in such manner as is before expressed for the scabs , by operation whereof , it will be dissolved and dispersed : when this evill ariseth in the begining of the spring , many times it is cured without all remedy , because the beast for the greediness of the sweet grasse stoopeth down her head , and stretcheth her neck , by which the straining and sorenesse of her jawes and throat departeth , and this sicknesse in a sheep is like the kings-evill in a man. there be some that cure it by putting salt among the meat of these beasts , or by juniper berries , and harts-tongue leaves beaten to powder . for the cough , and pain in the lungs . shepherds for these diseases do take the powder of the root of foal-foot , and mingle it with salt , so give it unto the sheep to lick , whereby they are perswaded , that the lungs of the beast are much comforted and strengthned , and furthermore against the cough , they take blanched almonds , and beat them to powder , and so tempering in them two or three cups of wine , do infuse it in at the sheeps nostrils , and likewise vervine which is called a kinde of germander , but falsely , because it hath no good smell , is given by shepherds at this day unto their sheep against the cough . of sighing and shortness of breath . for sheep that are affected with much sighing , they use to bore a hole with an iron through their ears , and remove the sheep out of the place where they feed to some other place , and if it come from the sickness of the lungs , then the herb called lungwort or creswort , is the most present remedy in the world : if the root thereof be drunk in water , or a piece thereof tyed under the sheeps tongue , or ( as celsus saith ) give unto it as much vinegar as the beast can endue , or half a point of a mans stale urine warmed at the fire , and infused into the nostril with a little horn , this also is a remedy against flegm in the summer time . of the loathing of sheep , and encreasing of their stomach . if at any time the sheep forsake his meat , then take his tail and pull off from it all the wool ▪ afterwards bind it as hard as ever you can , and so he will fall hard to his meat again : and pliny affirmeth , that the same part of his tail which is beneath the knot will die after such binding , and never have any sense in it again . of the fluxes of sheep , and looseness of the belly . for this disease the shepherds take no other thing but the herb tormentilla , or set-foyl , wherewithall they stop all manner of laxes , but if they cannot get the same herb , then they take salt and give it unto them ; and so having increased their thirst , they give unto them black wine , whereby they are cured . of the milt of sheep . in april and may , through the aboundance of thick grosse bloud , the milt of sheep is stopped and filled , then the shepherds will take two of their fingers , and thrust them within the nostrils of the sheep , there rubbing them untill they make them bleed , and so draw from them as much bloud as they can . of the sickness of the spleen . forasmuch as a horse , a man and a sheep , are troubled with the same diseases , they are also to be cured with the same remedies , and therefore spleen-wort given unto sheep , as to a man and a horse ( as we have already expressed ) is the best remedy for this malady . of the fevers of sheep . sometimes a shaking rage through an incensed and unnatural heat of the bloud in the sheep begeteth in him a fever , the best remedy whereof is to let him bloud , according to these verses ; quinetiam ima dolor babantum lapsus ad ●ssa , cum furit , atque artus depascitur arida febris : profuit incensos aestus avertere : & inter ima ferire pedis salientem sanguine venam , quam procul aut molli succedere saepius umbrae videris , aut summas carpentem ignavius herbas , extremamque sequi , aut medio procumbere ca 〈…〉 po pascentem , & serae solam decedere nocti . continuo ferro culpam compesce : priusquam dira per incautum serpat contagiovulgus . in which verses the poet defineth the signes of this disease and the cure . the signes he saith are solitariness , and a careless feeding , or biting off the top of his meat , following always the hindmost of the flock , and lying down in the middle of the field , when others be a feeding , also lying alone in the night time , and therefore he wisheth tolet them bloud under the pastern or ankle bone of their foot , but by often experiment it hath been proved , that to let them bloud under the eyes or upon the eares , is as availeable as in the legs ; but concerning the fever we will say more in the discourse of the lambs . of the pestilence or rottenness of sheep . this sickness first of all cometh unto sheep out of the earth , either by some earthquak , or else by some other pestilent humor corrupting the vitall spirit : for seneca writeth , that after the city pompeii in campania was overthrown by an earthquak in the winter time , there followed a pestilence which destroyed six hundred sheep about that city in short time after , and this he saith did not happen through any natural fear in them , but rather through the corruption of water and air which lyeth in the upper face of the earth , and which by the trembling of the earth is forced out , poysoning first of all the beasts because their heads are downward and feed upon the earth ; and this also will poyson men if it were not suppressed and overcome by a multitude of good air which is above the earth . it were endlesse to describe all the evils that come by this disease , how some consume away by crying and mourning , filling both fields and hils with their lamentations , leaving nothing behind them , no not their skins or bowels for the use of man : for the cure whereof , first change the place of their feeding , so that if they were infected in the woods or in a cold place , drive them to the hils or to sunny warm fields ; and so on the contrary , if in warm places and clement air , then drive them to more turbulent and cold pastures : remove and change them often , but yet force them gently , weighing their sick and feeble estate , neither suffering them to die through laziness and idleness , nor yet to be oppressed through overmuch labour . when you have brought them to the place where you would have them , there divide them asunder , not permitting above two or three together , for the disease is not so powerful in a few as in a multitude ; and be well assured that this removing of the air and feeding is the best physick . some do prescribe three leaved grasse , the hardest roots of reeds , sand of the mountain , and such other herbs for the remedy of this ; but herein i can promise nothing certain , only the shepherd ought oftentimes to give this unto his sheep when they are sound . i will conclude therefore this discourse of the pestilence with the description of virgil ; balatu pecorum , & crebris mugitibus amnes , arentesque sonant ripae c●llesque●upini , jamque catervatim dat stragem : atque aggerat ipsis in stabulis , turpi dilapsa cadavera tabo , donec humo tegere , ac foveis abscondere discunt , nam neque erat coriis usus , nec viscera quisquam aut undis adolere potest , aut vincere flamma . nec tondere quidem morbo , illuvieque peresa vellera , nec telas possunt attingere putres . verum etiam invisos si qu 〈…〉 tentarat amictus , ardentes papulae , atque immundus olentia sudor membra sequebatur : nec longo deinde morant● tempore , contactos artus sacer ignis edebat . it is reported by john s●owe , that in the third year of edward the first , and in anno . there was a rich man of france , that brought a sheep out of spain ( that was as great as a calf of two year old ) into northumberland , and that the same sheep fell rotten , or to be infected with the pestilence , which afterward infected almost all the sheep of england : and before that time the pestilence or rottenness was not known in england , but then it took such hold , and wrought such effects , as it never was clear since , and that first pestilence gave good occasion to be remembred , for it continued for twenty and six years together . and thus much for this disease of the pestilence caused in england for the most part in moist and wet years . of lice and tikes . if either lice or tikes do molest sheep , take the root of a maple tree , beat the same into powder , and seethe it in water , afterwards clip off the wool from the back of the sheep , and powre the said water upon the back , untill it hath compassed the whole body : some use for this purpose the root of mandragoras , and some the roots of cypresse , and i finde by good authors , that all of them are equivalent to rid the sheep from these annoyances : to conclude therefore the discours● of sheeps diseases , it is good to plant near the sheep-coats , and pastures of sheep , the herb alysson , or wilde gallow-grasse , for it is very wholesome for goats , and sheep ; likewise the flowers of wormwood dryed and beaten to powder given unto sheep with salt , doth asswage all inward diseases and pains , and also purge them throughly . the juice of centory is very profitable for the inward diseases of sheep , and likewise the flowers of ivy ▪ the hoom tree hath four kinds of fruit , two proper , the nut , and the grain ; two improper , the line , and hiphear , this hiphear is very profitable for sheep , and it is nothing else but a confection made out of the barks of the hoom tree : the word it self is an arcadian word , signifying no other thing then viscus and stelis . sheep also delight in the branches of maiden-hair , and generally the wool of sheep burned to powder and given them to drink , is very profitable for all their inward diseases . and thus much shall suffice to have spoken of the several infirmities and sicknesses of sheep , which i desire the english reader to take in good part , wondering very much at the manifold wits , and stirring pens of these dayes , wherein i think our times may be compared to the most flourishing times that ever were since the worlds beginning ; yet none have adventured to apply their times and wits for the explication of the several sicknesses of sheep and cattle . i know there are many noblemen , knights and gentlemen of the land , and those also which are very learned , that are great masters of sheep and cattle , and i may say of them as the prophet david saith : their oxen are strong to labour , and their sheep bringeth forth thousands and ten thousands in their fields : whereby they are greatly inriched , and yet not one of them have had so much commiseration , either towards the poor cattle , in whose garments they are warmed , or charity to the world ▪ for the better direction to maintain the health of these creatures , as to publish any thing in writing for the benefit of adams children , but such knowledge must rest in the breasts of silly shepherds ; and for the masters , either they know nothing , or else in strange visitation and mortality of their cattle , they ascribe that to witchcraft and the devill , which is peculiar to the work of nature . horses , dogs , and almost every crea●●re , have gotten favour in gentlemens wits , to have their natures described , but the silly sheep better every way then they , and more necessary for life , could never attain such kindnesse , as once to get one page written or indited for the safegard of their natures . i do therefore by these presents from my soul and spirit , invite all gentlemen and men of learning , not only to give their mindes to know the defects of this beast , but also to invent the best remedies that nature can afford , for it is a token of highest mercy unto brute beasts to feed them when they are hungry , and to recover them when they are sick . columella and varro two great romane , and such as had attained to some of the greatest place of the common-wealth , being men of excellent wits and capacity , yet had their names been forgotten and they never remembred , if they had not written of rustick and countrey matters , and it is no little honour unto them to have left that behind them in print , or writing , which themselves had observed from following the plough . therefore it shall be no disgrace for any man of what worth soever to bestow his wits upon the sheep for certainly it is no lesse worthy of his wit , then it is of his teeth and how necessary it is for the nourishment of man , we all know to this day , and besides there is nothing that so magnifyeth our english nation as the price of our wool in all the kingdoms of the world. but what account the antients made of sheep , i will now tell you ; for their greatest men both kings and lords were shepherds , and therefore you which succeed in their places shall bestow much lesse labour in writing of sheep then they did in keeping : with the picture of a sheep they stamped their antient money , and it is reported of mandrabulus , that having found a great treasure in the earth , in token of his blind thankfulness to god , did dedicate three pictures of sheep to juno , one of gold , another of silver , and a third of brasse ; and besides the antient romans made the penalties of the lawes to be oxen and sheep , and no man might name an ox untill he had named a sheep . among the troglodytes they had their wives common , yet their tyrants had lawes to keep their wives to themselves , and they thought it a great penalty for the adultery of their wife , if the adulterer payed them a sheep . the poets have a pretty fiction , that endymion the son of mercury fell in love with the moon , who despised him , and that therefore he went and kept sheep ; afterward the moon fell in love with his white sheep , and desired some of them , promising to grant his request , if he would gratifie her choice : whereupon the wise-man ( as probus writeth ) divided his flock into two parts , the whiter on the one side which had the courser wool , and the blacker on the other side which had the finer wool , so the moon chose the white ones and granted him her love , whereupon virgil thus writeth ; pan munere niveo lunae captum te luna fefellit . it may appear also in what great regard sheep were in antient time , for that their priests made holy water and sacrifices for their sanctification , whereof i finde these relations in gyraldus , virgil , and others . at the lustration of sheep there was another manner of sanctifying then at other times , for the shepherd rose betimes in the morning , and sprinkled his sheep all over with water , making a perfume round about the fold , with sulphur , sav 〈…〉 e , lawrell , wine and fire , singing holy verses , and making sacrifice to the god pan , for they did believe that by this lustration the health of their sheep was procured , and all consuming diseases driven away . it is reported that when sheep of strange colours were sprinkled with this water ▪ signified great happiness to the princes of the people , and they were gifts for the emperor , whereupon virgil made these verses ; ipse sed in pratis aries jam suave rubenti muric● , jam cr●ceo mutabit vellena luto . when men went to receive answers of the oracles , they slept all night in the skins of sheep . there was a noble sacrifice among the pagans called hecatombe , wherein were sacrificed at one time a hundred sheep at a hundred several altars . it is reported of king josias , that he sacrificed at one time twelve hundred oxen and eight and thirty hundred sheep ; so great was the dignity of this beast , that god himself placed in the death thereof one part of his worship : and whereas it was lawful among the heathens to make their sacrifices of sheep , goats , swine , oxen , hens , and geese , they made reckoning that the lamb and the kid was best of all , for that god was not pleased with the quantity , but with the quality of the sacrifice . the antient egyptians for the honor of sheep , did neither eat nor sacrifice them , and therefore we read in holy scripture , that the israelites were an abomination to the egyptians , because they both killed , and sacrificed sheep as all divines have declared . there is a noble story of clitus who when he sacrificed at the altar , was called away by king alexander , and therefore he left his sacrifices and went to the king , but three of the sheep that were appointed to be offered did follow after him , even into the kings presence , whereat alexander did very much wonder ( and that not without cause ) for he called together all the wise-men and sooth-sayers to know what that prodigy did foreshew , whereunto they generally answered that it did foreshew some fearful events to clitus , for as much as the sheep which by appointment were dead , that is , ready to die , did follow him into the presence of the king , in token that he could never avoid a violent death : and so afterwards it came to passe ; for alexander being displeased with him , because ( as it is said ) he had railed on him in his drunkenness , after the sacrifice commanded him to be slain , and thus we see how divine things may be collected from the natures of sheep . these things are reported by plutarch and pausanias . another note of the dignity of sheep , may be collected from the custom of the lacedemonians : when they went to the wars they drove their goats and their sheep b●fore them , to the intent that before they joyned battle they might make sacrifice to their gods : the goats were appointed to lead the way for the sheep , for they were drove formost , and therefore they were called 〈◊〉 , and on a time this miraculous event fell out , for the wolves set upon the flocks , and yet contrary to their ravening nature , they spared the sheep , and destroyed the goats , which notable fact is worthy to be recorded , because that god by such an example among the heathen pagans , did demonstrate his love unto the good in sparing the sheep , and his hatred unto the wicked in destroying the goats , and therefore he reserved the sheep to his own altar : idibus alba jovi , grandior agna cadit , so saith obid . ngram hiemi pecudem , zephyris foelicibus albam , so saith virgil. and again , — huc castus hibilla nig●●●um multo pecudumte sanguine ducet . to jupiter and to the sun , they were wont to sacrifice white sheep or lambs , but to pluto and to the earth , they sacrificed black sheep or lambs , in token of deadnesse : therefore tibullus writeth ; interea nigras pecudes promittite diti . and virgil saith ; duc nigras pecudes , ea prima piacula sunto . when the greoians sent their spies to the tents of the trojans , to discover what order , strength , and discipline they observed : nestor and the an●ients of greece vowed unto the gods for every one of the captains a several gift , that was , o 〈…〉 melainan , thelen hyporrenon ; that is , a black sheep great with young the reason whereof is given by the scholiast , they vowed ( saith he ) a black sheep , because the spies went in the night time , blackness being an emblem of darkness , and a sheep great with young because of good fortune , for they sped well in troy. in apollonia there were certain sheep that were dedicated to the sun , and in the day time they fed neer the river in the best pasture , being lodged every night in a goodly spa●ious cave neer the city , over whom the greatest men both for wealth , strength , and wit were appointed every night to watch by turns for their better safegard : and the reason of this custody , and the great account made of these sheep , was for that the oracle had commanded the apollonians to do so unto them , and make much of them : afterwards evenius a noble man among them keeping watch according to his turn , fell asle●p , so that threescore of the said sheep were killed by wolves ; which thing came in question among the common magistrates to know the reason of that fact , and how it came to pass , whether by negligence or by some other violent incursion : evenius being no wayes able to defend it , was condemned to have both his eyes put out , that so he might be judged never more worthy to see the light with those eyes , which would not wake over their charge , but wink and sleep when they should have been open . and to conclude , i will but add this one thing more , that whereas the egyptians worshipped the sheep for a god , god permitted the same unto the jews to be eaten among common and vulgar meats , and also to be burned at the altar for sacrifice ; and whereas the said egyptians did not only eat but sacrifice swines flesh , god himself did forbid his people that they should never eat or tast of swines flesh as an abominable thing : by which he signifieth how contrary the precepts of men are to his own laws , for that which he forbiddeth , they allow ; and that which they allow , he forbiddeth ; and therefore how far the people of god ought to be from superstition , and from the traditions of men , is most manifest by this comparison , for that was never sanctified that came not into the temple , and that was never lawful which was not approved by god : and those things which in his law have greatest appearance of cruelty , yet are they more just and equall then the most indifferent inventions of men , which seem to be stuffed but with mercy , and gilded over with compassion . and these things most worthy readers , i have thought good to express in this place for the dignity and honorable account which the greatest men of the world in former times have made of sheep , and thereby i would incite and stir you up , if it were but one noble spirited learned man , which is furnished with wit , means , and opportunity , to dive and pierce into the secrets of english sheep , and shepherds , and to manifest unto the world , the best and most approved means and medicines , for the propulsing and driving away of all manner of diseases from those innocent profitable beasts , and for their conservation in all manner of health and wel●are . i am sorry that our times are so far poysoned with covetousness , that there is no regard of god , man , or beast , but only for profit and commodity : for as for the service of god , we see that the common devotion of men , and practise of their religion , is founded upon a meer hope that therefore god will better prosper them in worldly affairs , and if it were not for the reward in this world , the professors of religion would not be half so many as now they are ; and that is true in them which the devil slanderously objected to job , namely , that they do not serve god for nothing , and they had rather with dives have the devils favour in rich garments and delicate fare , then with lazarus with misery and contempt , enjoy the favour of god , and to set up their hopes for an other world . as for men , we see that the son loveth his father but for patrimony , and that one man maketh much of another , for hope to receive benefit and recompence by them ; and therefore it is no marvell if the silly beasts have obtained so little mercy , as to be loved , not because they are gods creatures , but for that they are profitable and serviceable for the necessities of men : for this cause you nourish them , and not like the apollonians aforesaid for the oracles sake , but for their steeces and their flesh . therefore if you have any compassion , learn how to help their miseries , and publish them to the world for the general benefit ; for he cannot be good which is not merciful unto a beast , and that mercy doth easily die which groweth but in one heart of one mortall man. there were a company of people in egypt called lycopolitae , who worshipped a wolf for a god , and therefore they alone among all the egyptians did eat sheep , because the wolf did eat them ; even so i can make no better reckoning of those men that nourish sheep for their profit only , then i do of the lycopolitaes , which worshipped a wolf , for such men have no other god but their belly , and therefore i trust these reasons shall perswade some one or other to write a larger discourse of our english sheep . now in the next place we are to discourse of the utilities that cometh by sheep , for as it is the meekest of all other beasts , so as the reward of meekness , there is no part of him but is profitable to man : his flesh , bloud , and milk is profitable for meat , his skin and wool both together and a sunder for garments , his guts and intrails for musick , his horns and hoofs for perfuming and driving away of serpents , and the excrements of his belly and egestion or dung , for the amending and enriching of plowed lands , and for these occasions did the egyptians worship it for a god , for that they could see no creature in the world , but had some parts altogether unprofitable unto men , but in this they found none at all . first of all therefore to begin with their flesh , although physitians have their several conceits thereof , as galen ( who saith ) that the flesh of hares is better then the flesh of oxen and sheep ; and simeon zethi , who being forced to confess the goodness of mutton or sheeps-flesh in the beginning and middle of the spring , yet writeth that it is full of superfluities and evill juice , and hurtful to all flegmy and moist stomacks . crescentiensis also writeth , that the flesh of sheep hath an unpleasant tast through overmuch humidity , and fit for none but for countrey-labouring men : indeed i grant the opinion of platina , who writeth thus concerning rams : ovem arietem dentibus ne attingas , non modo enim ejus caro non prodest , verum etiam vehementer obest ; that is , that rams flesh we ought never to touch , for it is not only unprofitable ; but it is much hurtful : yet in england the flesh of rams is usually eaten , either through the craft or subtilty of the butchers , or else through covetousness . but in many houses ( as i have heard ) there is a kinde of venison made of the flesh of rams , which is done by this means ; first they take the ram , and beat him with stripes on all parts till the flesh grow red , for such is the nature of the bloud , that it will gather to the sick affected places , and there stand to comfort them , so by this means after the ram is killed , the flesh looketh like venison : but as in other discourses , namely , hares and conies , we have already shewed our hatred of all cruel meats , so also i utterly dislike this , for if it be not sufficient to kill and eat the beast , but first of all put it to tyrannical torments , i cannot tell what will suffice , except we will deal with beasts ; as pilate did with christ , who was first of all whipped and crowned with thorns , and yet afterward did crucifie him . but for the taking away of that rammy humour and rank moistness which is found in the male-sheep , they use to geld them when they are young and suck their dams , or else within the compass of a year after their yeaning , whereby the flesh becometh so temperate , sweet , and savory , as any other flesh in the world ; and if they passe a year , then do they use to knit them , and so in time their stones deprived of nourishment from the body by reason of knitting , do dry and consume away , or utterly fall off , whereby the whole flesh of the beast is made very seasonable and wholesome . it is granted by all , that when they are young , that is to say , a year old , their flesh is very wholesome , and fit for nourishment of mans nature , but that they increase much phlegm , which evill is allaied by eating vinegar and drinking wine unto it . in many places they salt their muttons when they are killed , and so eat them out of the pickle , or else roast them in the smoak like bacon . within the territory of helvetia , there is a publick law whereby the butchers are forbidden to buy any forain sheep , after the feast of st. james ; that is , the five and twenty day of july , for although that after that time they grow fat , yet is their flesh then lesse wholesome , and their fat more hurtfull , then that which is gotten in the spring of the year . it were needless for me to set down the division of a dead sheep into his quarters , shoulders , legs , loins , rackes , heads , and purtinances , for that they are commonly known , and the relation of them can minister small learning to the reader , but every part hath his use , even the bloud that is taken from him when his throat is cut , hath his peculiar use for the nourishment of man , and above all other things the fat of his loins commonly called his sewet wherein it excelleth all other beasts whatsoever , for their reins are covered all over with fat . there is no less use of their milk not only for young , but for old persons , and as well for the rich to beautifie their tables , as for the poor to serve their hungry appetites , and there be some people in africk that have no corn in all their countrey , and therefore in stead of bread , their common food is milk , the goodness whereof is thus expressed by fierra ; quod praestat ? caprae , post ? oves , inde boves . evermore the milk of an ewe is best that is newest and thickest ; and that which cometh from a black sheep is preferred before that which is milked from a white , and generally there is no beast whereof we eat , but the milk thereof is good and nourishable , therefore the milk of sheep is preferred in the second place , and there is no cause that it is put in the second place but for the fatness thereof , otherwise it deserved the first , for as the fatness maketh it less pleasant to the palate and stomach of man , yet is it more pretious for making of cheese and we have shewed already that in some places as in the island erythrea , the milk of sheep yeeldeth no whay , and that they can make no cheese thereof , but by mingling abundance of water with it ; they make abundance of cheese in the a●ennine hils , and in lyguria ; the cheese of siellia is made of goats and sheeps milk , and generally cheese made of sheeps milk is the better the more new it is . the nature of a sheep is to give milk eight moneths together , and in italy they make butter also of the milk of sheep , all the summer time unto the feast of st. michael they milk them twice a day , but after that , untill they cupple with their rams , they milk them but once a day ; the faults of cheeses made of their milk is either because they are over dry or hollow , and full of eyes and ho●●s or else clammy like birdlime , the last proceedeth from the want of pressing , the second through overmuch ●al● , and the third by overmuch drying in the sun. and thus much shall suffice to have spoken of those things in sheep which are fit to be eaten . in the next place we come to discourse of their wool , and of the shearing or clipping of sheep , for although their flesh be pretious , yet it is not comparable in value to their fleeces , for that when they are once dead , they yeeld no more profit , but while they live they are shorn once or twice a year , for in egypt they are shorn twice a year , and also in some parts of spain . and it appeareth that in antient , times there were great feasts at their sheep shearings , as is apparent in the holy scripture in many places , and especially by the history of ab●alon , who after he had once conceived malice against his brother amnon , he found no opportunity to execute the same , untill his sheep-shearing feast , at which time in the presence of all his brethren the kings sons ( even at dinner ) when no man suspected harm , then did absalon give a sign to his wicked servants to take away his life , which they performed , according to their masters malice . it appeareth by the words of pliny , who writeth thus ; oves non ubique tondentur , durat quibusdam in locis vellendi mos ; qui etiam nunc vellunt , ante triduo jejunas habent quo languidae minus radices lanae retinent ; that is , sheep are not every where shorn , for yet unto this time in many places they do commonly observe the old custom of pulling the wool off from the sheeps back and they which do now pull the wool and not shear it , do alwayes cause their sheep to fast three days before , that so being made weak the roots of the wool may not stick so fast , but come off more easily . and indeed i am confirmed in this opinion by the latine word vellus , which signifleth a fleece , which can be derived from no other radix or theam , nor admit any other manner or kinde of notation , then a vellendo , that is , from pulling . cato also in his book of originals writeth thus , palatini collis romae altera pars velleia-appellata fuit , a vellenda lana ante hetruscam tonsuram incolis monstratam ; that is to say , there was one part of the hill palatine at rome , which was called velleia , from the pulling of wool , for it was their custom there to pull their wool , before the inhabitants learned the hety●●ian manner of shearing sheep ; by which testimony we see evidently the great torment that the poor sheep were put unto when they lost their fleeces , before the invention of shearing , for it is certain by the antient pictures and statues of men , that there was no use of shearing either hair or wool , from men or sheep . but the hair of men grew rude , and in length like womens , and sheep never lost their fleeces but by pulling off , and therefore varro writeth , that four hundred and fifty years after the building of rome there was no barber or sheep-shearer in all italy , and that publius ticinius menas was the first that ever brought in that custom among the romans , for which there was a monument erected in writing in the publick place at ardea , which untill his time was there sincerely preserved . now concerning the times and seasons of the year for the shearing of sheep , it is not only hard , but also an impossible thing to set down any general rule to hold in all places . the best that ever i read is that of didymus , nec frigido adhuc , nec jam aestivo tempore , sed medio vere oves tondendae sunt ; that is , sheep must neither be shorn in extreme cold weather , nor yet in the extreme heat of summer , but in the middle of the spring . in some hot countries they shear their sheep in april , in temperate countries they shear them in may , but in the cold countries in june and july , and generally the best time is betwixt the vernal equinoctium , and the summers solstice , that is , before the longest day , and after the days and nights be of equall length ; there be some that shear their sheep twice in a year , not for any necessity to disburden the beast of the fleece , but for opinion that the often shearing causeth the finer wool to arise , even as the often mowing of the grasse maketh it the sweeter . in the hot countries the same day that they shear their sheep , they also anoint them over with oyl , the lees of old wine , and the water wherein hops are fod , and if they be near the sea side , three days after they drench them over head and ears in water , but if they be not near the sea side , then they wash them with rain water sod with salt : and hereby there cometh a double profit to the sheep : first , for that it will kill in them all the cause of scabs for that year , so as they shall live safe from that infection : and secondly the sheep do thereby grow to bear the longer and the softer wool . some do shear them within doors , and some in the open sun abroad , and then they chuse the hottest and the calmest days , and these are the things or the necessary observations , which i can learn out of the writings of the antients about the shearing of sheep . now concerning the manner of our english nation , and the customs observed by us about this businesse , although it be needlesse for me to expresse , yet i cannot contain my self from relating the same , considering that we differ from other nations . first therefore , the common time whereat we shear sheep is in june , and lambs in july ; and first of all we wash our sheep clean in running sweet waters , afterward letting them dry for a day or two , for by such washing all the wool is made the better and cleaner : then after two days we shear them , taking heed to their flesh , that it be no manner of way clipped with the sheares , but if it be , then doth the shearer put upon it liquid pitch , commonly called tar , whereby it is easily cured and kept safely from the flies : the quantity of wool upon our sheep is more then in any other countrey of the world , for even the least among us ( such as are in hard grounds ) as in norfolk , the uppermost part of kent , heitfordshire , and other places , have better and weightier fleeces then the greatest in other nations : and for this cause the forain and latin authors do never make mention of any quantity of wool they shear from their sheep , but of the quality . the quantity in the least is a pound , except the sheep have lost his wool , in the middle sort of sheep two pounds or three pounds , as is vulgar in buckingham , northampton , and leicester shires : but the greatest of all in some of those places , and also in rumney marsh in kent , four or five pounds : and it is the manner of the shepherds and sheep-masters to wet their rams , and so to keep their wool two or three years together growing upon their backs , and i have credibly heard of a sheep in buckinghamshire in the flock of the l. p. that had shorn from it at one time , one and twenty pound of wool . after the shearing of our sheep , we do not use either to anoint or wash them , as they do in other nations , but turn them forth without their fleeces , leaving them like medowes new mowen , with expectation of another fleece the next year . the whole course of the handling of our sheep is thus described by the flower of our english gentlemen husbands master thomas tusser ; wash sheep ' for the better where water doth run , and let him go cleanly and dry in the sun , then shear him and spare not , at two days an end , the sooner the better his corps will amend , reward not thy sheep when ye take off his coat with twitches , and slashes as broad as a groat : let not such ungentleness happen to thine lest flie with her gentles do make him to pine . let lambs go unclipped till june be half worne , the better the fleeces will grow to be shorne , the pye will discharge thee for pulling the rest , the lighter the sheep is , then feedeth it best . and in another place of the husbandry of sheep he writeth thus : good farme and well stored , good housing and dry , good corn and good dairy , good market and nigh , good shepherd , good till-man , good jack and good gill , makes husband and huswife their coffers to fill : let pasture be stored and fenced about , and tillage set forward as needeth without . before you do open your purse to begin , with any thing doing for fancy within , no storing of pasture with baggagely tit , with ragged and aged as evill as it : let carren and barren be shifted away , for best is the best , whatsoever you pay . and in another place speaking of the time of the year for gelding rams , and selling of wool which he admonisheth should be after michaelmas , he writeth thus : now geld with the gelder , the ram and the bull , sew ponds , amend dams , and sell webster the wool . but of the milking of sheep he writeth thus : put lamb fro ewe , to milk a few , be not too bold , to milke and fold , five ewes allow , to every cow , sheep wrigling tail , hath mads without fail . and thus far tusser , besides whom i finde little discourse about the husbandry of sheep in any english poet. and for the conclusion or rather farther demonstration of this part , concerning the quality of our english wool , i can use no better testimony then that of worthy mr. camden , in his britannia , for writing of buchinghamshire he useth these words , haec tota fere campestris est , solo item argillacto , tenaci & foecundo , pabulosis pratis innumeros ovium greges pascit , quarum mollia & tenuissima vellera ab asiat●cia usque gentibus expetuntur ; that is to say , the whole county of buckingham is of a clammy , champain , fertile soil , feeding innumerable flocks of sheep with his rich and well-growen pastures or medowes , whose soft and fine fleeces of wool are desired of the people of asia ; for we know that such is the trade of merchandise and transportation of english cloth , the rare finenesse and smoothnesse thereof is admired in asia ; namely , in palestina , and other kingdoms of the turk , and therefore they have english houses of merchants , both at altppo , ●●ripoli , and other places . again speaking of lemster ore , or lemster wool in herfordshire , he writeth thus : sed ei praecipua bodie gloria est a lana in circum vicinis agris ( lemster ore vacant ) cui excepta apula & tarentine , palmam deferunt europaei omnes . the greatest glory of that soil is in their wool , which ariseth from sheep , feeding in the fields and pastures adjoyning thereunto , ( which wool they call lemster ore ) and all christendom yeeldeth praise and price unto it next after the apulian and tarentinian wool . and indeed so sweet is the gain that cometh by sheep , that in many parts of the land there is a decay of tillage and people , for their maintenance , and therefore the said mr. camden saith most worthily , even like himself , that is honest and unpartial in all his writings , for in the beginning of his description of northamptonshire , where i think above all parts depopulation and destroying of towns is most plentiful , ( so that for christians now you have sheep , and for a multitude of good house-holders , you shall have one shepheard swain and his dog lying upon forty shillings a year , or little more ) he writeth in the words of hythodaeus after the commendation of the sheep and wool of that countrey : ovibus otpleta & quasi obsessa , quae ( ut hythodaeus ill● , dixi● ) tam 〈◊〉 esse tamque exi●uo ali solebant , nunc ( uti fertur ) tam edaces atque indomitae esse coeperunt ut homines d●vo●ent , ipsos agros , domos , oppida vastent , ac depopulentur ; which worlds i cannot better english then in the words of an epigrammatarian in our age , for to this effect , according to my remembrance he writeth ; sheep have eat up our pastures , our medowes , and our downes , our mountains , our men , our villages and towns ; till now i thought the common proverb did but just , that sayes a black sheep is a biting beast . concerning the goodness of english wool , and the difference of it from others , the reason is well given by gesner and cardan : lanae earum molles & crispae sunt , ideoque nunc ut olim milesia celebratur : nec mirum cum nullum animal , venenatum mittat anglia , & sins luporum metu 〈◊〉 vagetur : nulli enim in anglia hodie lupi reperiuntur . rore caeli sitim sedant greges , ab omni alio potu arcentur quod aquae ibi ovibus sint exitiales ; that is to say , the wool of english sheep is soft and curled , and therefore it is now commended as highly as ever was the milesian wool in ancient time : and not without just cause , for they are neither annoid with the fear of any venemous beast , nor yet troubled with wolves , and therefore the strength of their nature and peaceable quiet wherein they live , doth breed in them the better wool ; and besides they never drink , but quench their thirst with the dew of heaven . and thus much for the discourse of english wool . i am never able sufficiently to describe the infinite commodities that come unto men by wool , both for gardens , for hangings , for coverings , for hats , and divers such other things , and therefore it shall not be unpleasant i trust unto the reader , to be troubled a little with a farther discourse hereof , if i blot some paper in describing the quality of the best wool in other nations . first of all therefore we are to remember these two things , that the best wool is soft and curled , and that the wool of the old sheep is thicker and thinner then the wool of the younger , and the wool of the ram followeth the same nature , of whom we will speak more in his story . only in this place our purpose is to expresse the examination of wool as we finde it related by authors , according to their several countries . therefore as we have said already out of mr. camdens report , the tarentinian and apulian must have the first place , because the sheep of those countries live for the most part within doors , and besides that , are covered with other skins . in spain they make greatest account of the black wool , and it appeareth by good history , both in our english chronicle and others , that the sheep of spain were of no reckoning till they were stored with the breed of england . there is a little countrey called pollentia neer the alpes , of the wool where of martial maketh mention , as also of the canusine red wool , and therefore ovis canusina was an emblem for pretious wool , his verses are these : non tantum pullo lugentes vellere lanas , roma magis fuscis , vestitur gallia , ruffis , canusinatus nostro syrus assere sudet . we have spoken already of the wool of istria and liburnia , which if it were not for the spinning in portugal , and the websters art thereupon , it were no better for cloth then hair . strabo writeth , that the wool of mutina , whereby he meaneth all the countrey that lyeth upon the scutana , is very soft and gentle , and the best of italy , but that of liguria and millain , is good for no other use but for the garments of servants . about padua their wool is of a mean price , yet they make of it most pretious works of tapestry , and carpets for tables , for that which was rough and thick in antient time was used for this purpose and also to make garments , having the shags thereof hanging by it like rugs . there is a city called felirum , and the wool thereof by the merchants is called feltriolana , felt-wool they were wont to make garments hereof neither woven nor sewed , but baked together at the fire like hats and caps , whereof pliny writeth thus , lanae & per se coacta vestem faciunt , & si addatur a●etum etiam ferro resistunt , imo vero etiam ignibus novissimo s●● purgamemo quippe a●enis coquentium extracte indumentis us● veniant : gallorum ut arbitror invento , certe gallicis hodie nominibus discernuntur . wool hath this property , that if it be forced together it will make a garment of it self , and if vinegar be put unto it , it will bear off the blow of a sword , dressed at the fire and purged to the last , for it being taken off from the brazen coffer whereon it was dressed , it served for clothing , being as he thought an invention of the gals , because it was known by french names , and from hence we must see the beginning of our felt-hats . the betican wool is celebrated by juvenal , when he speaketh how catullus fearing shipwrack , was about to cast him out into the water ; infecit natura pecus , sed & egregius fons viribus occultis & b 〈…〉 adj 〈…〉 〈◊〉 . for the colour of wool in that countrey groweth mixed , not by any art , but naturally through their food , or their drink , or the operation of the air . the lavoditian wool is also celebrated , not only for the softnesse of it , but for the colour , for that it is as black as any raven , and yet there are some there of other colours , and for this cause the spanish wool is commended , especially turditania , and corax● ( as strabo writeth ) for he saith the glosse of the wool was not only beautiful for the purity of the black , but also it will spin out into so thin a thread as was admirable , and therefore in his time they sold a ram of that countrey for a talent . i may speak also of the wool of pa●ma , and altinum , whereof martial made this distichon ; velleribus primis appulia ; parma secundis nobilis , altinum ●ertid laudat ovis . we may also read how for the ornament of wool , there have been divers colours invented by art , and the colours have given names to the wool , as simatulis lana , wool of sea-water-colour , some colour taken from an amathyst stone , some from brightness or clearness , some from saffron , some from roses , from mittles , from nuts , from almonds , from wax , from the crow , as color coraxicus , and from the purple fish , as from the colassine , or the tyrian , whereof virgil writeth thus ; hae quoque non cura nobis levibre ●uendae , nec minor usus erit , quamvis milesia magno vellera mutentur tyrios incocta rubores . from hence cometh the chalke colour , the lettice colour , the loot-tree root , the red colour , the azure colour , and the star colour . there is an herb called fullers-herb , which doth soften wool , and make it apt to take colour , and whereas generally there are but two colours , black and white that are simple , the antients not knowing how to die wool , did paint it on the outside ; for the triumphing garments in homer were painted garments . the phrygian garments were colours wrought with needle-work , and there was one attalus a king in asia , which did first of all invent the weaving of wool and gold together , whereupon came the name of vestis attalica , for a garment of cloth of gold . the babylonians and the alexandrians loved diversity of colours in their garments also ; and therefore m 〈…〉 scipio made a law of death against all such as should buy a babylonish garment , that was carpets or beds to eat upon for eight hundred sesterces . the shearing of cloth or garments made of shorne cloth , did first of all begin in the dayes of st. augustine , as fenistella writeth . the garments like poppies had the original before the time of lucilius the poet , as he maketh mention in tarquatus . there was a fashion in antient time among the romans , that a distaffe with wool upon it , was carryed after virgins when they were going to be marryed : the reason thereof was this ( as varro writeth ) for that there was one tanaquillis , or , caia cecilia , whose distaffe and wool had endured in the temple of sangi many hundered years , and that servius tullus made him a cloke of that wool , which he never used but in the temple of fortune , and that that garment afterwards continued and years , being neither consumed by moths , nor yet growing threadbare , to the great admiration of all which either saw it or heard it . and thus much i thought good to adde in this place concerning the diversity of wool , distinguished naturally according to several regions , or else artificially after sundry tinctures . likewise of the mixing and mingling of wool one with another , and diversities of garments , and lastly of the lasting and enduring of wool and garments , for it ought to be no wonder unto a reasonable man , that a woollen garment not eaten by moths , nor worn out by use , should last many hundred years , for seeing it is not of any cold or earthly nature , but hot and dry , there is good cause why it should remain long without putrifaction : and thus much in stead of many things for the wool of sheep . as we have heard of the manifold use of the wool of sheep , so may we say very much of the skins of sheep for garments and other uses : and therefore when the wool is detracted and pulled off from them , they are applyed to buskins , brest-plates , shooes , gloves , stomachers , and other uses , forthey are also dyed and changed by tincture into other colours , and also when the wool is taken off from them , they dresse them very smooth and stretch them very thin , whereof is made writing parchment , such as is commonly used at this day in eng●and , and i have known it practised at tocetour , called once tripontium in the county of northampton : and if any part of it will not stretch but remain stiffe and thick , thereof they make writing tables , whereon they write with a pencil of iron or brasse : and afterward deface and rase it out again with a spunge or linnen cloth . hereof also ( i mean the skins of sheep ) cometh the coverings of books , and if at any time they be hard , stubborn ; and stiffe , then they soften it with the sheeps sewet or ●allow . the bones of sheep have also their use and employment for the ●asting of knifes . the rhaetians of the urine of sheep do make a kinde of counterfeit nitre . and russius faith , that if a man would change any part of his horses hair , as on the forehead , take away the black hairs and put them into white , 〈◊〉 him take a ●innest cloth and wet it in boyling milk of sheep , and put it so hot upon the place that he would have changed , so oftentimes together till the hair come off with a little rubbing , afterward set him wet the same cloth in cold sheeps milk , and lay it to the place two or three days together , and the hair will arise very wh●●e ( thus saith he ; ) and there are certain flies or moths which are very hurtful to gardens , if a man hang up the panch of a sheep , and leave for them a passage or hole into it , they will all forsake the flowers and ●●erbs , and gather into that ventricle , which being done two or three times together , make a quit riddance of all their hurts , if you please to make an end of them : the swallows take off from the backs of sheep flocks of wool , wherewithal the provident birds do make their nests to lodge their young ones after they be hatched . with the dung of sheep they compasse and fat the earth , it being excellent and above all other dung necessary for the benefit and encrease of corn , except pigeons and hens dung which is hotter , and the sandy land is fittest to be amended with sheeps dung , also plants and trees if you mingle therewith ashes . now we are to proceed to the gentle disposition of sheep , and to express their inward qualities and moral uses ; and first of all considering the innocency of this beast i marvel from whence the g●●tynia● cretian custom proceeded , which caused adulterers por their punishment to ride throughout the whole city crowned with wool , except that so they might signifie his tender and delicate effeminacy ; and therefore as some are crowned with gold in token of virtue and valiant acts , so vice ( especially the wantonness of the flesh ) deserveth to be crowned with wool , for the looseness and beastliness thereof , not because such a crown was a sufficient punishment , for an opprobry and continual badge of ignominy , even as forgerers and perjured persons ride with papers on their heads , upon bare horse backs , and so forth . by the behaviour of sheep at their rutting or ramming time the shepherds observe tempests , rains , and change of weather . if they be very lustful and leap often upon their females , but if they be slow and backward , then is the poor naked man glad , for that thereby he conceiveth hope of a gentle winter , and temperate weather . also if in the end of autumn they stamp upon the ground with their feet , it betokeneth hard weather , cold winter , much frost and snow , about the time of the first rising of the pleiades of seven stars . which thing is thus poetically expressed by avienus ; — si denique terram lanigerae fodiant caput , aut tendantur in arcton , cam madidus per marimora turbida condit ple●adas occ●sus , cum brumae in frigoracedit frugifer autumnus , ruet aethera concitus imber . concerning the simplicity of sheep , i must say more , and also of their innocency , yet the simplicity thereof is such , and so much , that it may well be termed folly , or animal ineptisstmum , for aristotle writeth thus of it , repit in deserta sine causa , hyeme obstante ipsum saepe egreditur stabulo , occupatum a nive , nisi pastor compulerit , abire non vult , sed perit desistens , nisi mares a pastore ducantur , ita enim reliquus grex sequitur ; that is , without cause it wandereth into desert places , and in the winter-time when the air is filled with cold winds , and the earth hardened with hoare frostes , then it forsaketh and goeth out of his warm coat or stable , and being in the cold snow , there it will tarry and perish , were it not for the care of the shepherd , for he taketh one of the rams by the horns , and draweth him in adoors , then do all the residue follow after . they are also very obedient to the voice and call of the shepherds , and to the barking and cry of their dogs , and no lesse is their love one toward another , every way commendable , for one of them pityeth and sorroweth for the harm of another , and when the heat of sun offendeth them , albertus writeth , that one of them interposeth his body to shadow the other . their dam or ewe loveth her lamb , and knoweth it by smelling to the hinder parts , and if at any time the dam do not love or make reckoning of her young one , they give her the herb penny-wort or water-wall to drink in water , and then as the schollast affirmeth , natural affection increaseth in her . of the foolishness of sheep , there was an emblem to signifie by a man riding upon a golden fleece , one ruled by his servant or wise ; tranat aquas residens pretioso in vellere phryxus . et flavam impavidus per mare scandit ovem . ecquid id est ? vir sensu habeti sed divite gaza , conjugis aut servi quem regit arbitrium . and therefore aristophanes reproving the stolidity of the athenians , calleth them sheep : and origen writing upon leveticus , saith ; ovium immolatio affectuum stultorum , & irrationabilium correctio . the sacrificing and killing of sheep , is nothing else but the correction of our foolish and unreasonable affections . we have shewed already in the story of the goat , of a goat that nourished a wolfs whelps , which in the end did destroy her , and the self same is ascribed also to a sheep . they observe great love and concord with goats , and live in flocks together , and fo● this cause it happeneth , that more goats are destroyed by wolves then sheep , for that the goats forsake their fellows , and straggle abroad for food , but the sheep very seldom : and it is observed , that if a wolf kill a sheep , and afterwards any garments be made of the wooll of that sheep , they easily and more speedily breed lice and vermin then any other , and also procure itch in the bodies of them that wear them , whereof cardan giveth this reason ; haud mirum videri debet ovis pellem a lupo dilaniatae pruritum movere , nam ob vehementem metum , tum etiam ob contrariam naturam mali afficitur , & si mori enim ultimum sit supplicium , magis tamen afficitur corpus in uno quam in altero genere , metuit 〈◊〉 magis in mari fluctuans quam coram hostibus . it ought not ( saith he ) move any man to wonder , that the wooll of a sheep torn asunder by a wolf should beget and breed itch , for that affection ariseth from both , from the vehemency of fear before it be dead through the sight and sense of the wolf , and also by reason of a contrary nature that is oppressed and devoured by another , and although death be the last punishment , yet we see divers affections follow dead carkases after death , and as a man is more afraid of the sea when he is in peril of death therein , then of the face of his enemy , so is it in this case , betwixt the sheep and the wolf. the same cardan affirmeth , that sheep are afraid of wolfs even after death ; for the wooll of a sheeps skin will fall off in the presence of a wolf. unto this subscribeth oppianus , or rather albertus received it from oppianus , and furthermore ( it is said ) that if the strings of a sheeps and wolfs guts be fastened to one and the same instrument , they will never make good harmony ; and furthermore , if a drum be made of a sheeps skin , and another of the wolfs skin , the drum of the sheeps skin will jar , and sound unpleasantly in the presence of the wolfs skin : but of these things i have no certain grounds , only i say , there may be natural reason from the substance and matter , both of one and other , why this accident may chance without discord and hatred of each other , but from the difference and solidity of the matter ; as for example ; the guts of a wolf are strong and hard , and will abide greater strain then the guts of a sheep ; if therefore the musitian will strain the one like the other , it must needs fly asunder : likewise the skin will give a deeper and lowder sound upon a drum , by reason of the substance , then a sheeps : and so some may ignorantly ascribe that difference to an antipathy in nature , for as a candle in the presence of a great torch or fire , giveth les● light to the eye , so doth a drum made of a sheeps skin , less sound to the sense of hearing , in the presence of another made of a stronger and harder beasts skin : and to conclude , as a twine thread will not hold stretching in the presence ( i mean in comparison ) of a silk thread , although it be of the same quantity , even so will not a lute string made of a sheeps gut , in comparison of another made out of a wolf. but all the question is , how it cometh to pass , that one of the skins hanged up in the presence of the other should be consumed before other , that is , a sheeps skin in the presence of the wolfs , as a gooses skin will loose the feathers before the eagles . the answer is easie , for the dryer that the body is , the less excremental humor it containeth : and so will last the longer , and all wilde silvestrial beasts are dryer then the tame , modern , and domestical , as for example , the wolf then the sheep ; the lion then the dog ; the pheasant then the cock ; the eagle then the goose : and for these causes the skins of the one do waste before the other , not for fear or secret opposition , but for want of better enduring substance . the poets do ascribe unto their gods laneos pedes , feet made of wooll , for that they come softly and suddenly without noise to take vengeance upon malefactors ; and therefore when they describe saturn tyed up a whole year with bands of wooll , their meaning is , to shew how with patience he forbare his wrath and indignation . bees are enemies to sheep ; and there are no cattel that do so much inrich men as sheep and bees . there is a story in suidas and hesychius , of one chrysamis , who was very rich in sheep in the island of cous , and there came every year an eel , and stole away his best sheep among all the flock , at last he met with it and slew it ; afterward the ghost of the eel appeared to him in the night , warning him ( for fear of other harm ) to see him buryed . chrysamis neglected it , and therefore he and all his family perished . by which story i cannot guess any other meaning , but that some man stole away his sheep , and for that he took upon him a private revenge , most inhumanely suffering him to lie unburyed , and setting more by a beast then the life of a man , as a just punishment of god he perished : and thus i conclude this natural and moral discourse of the sheep with that fiction of esop , who writeth , that on a time as the shepheards were making merry in a cottage , and eating a sheep , the wolf came and looked in , saying unto them : atqui ego si tantum facerem , quantum cicretis tumulium ? if i should eat a sheep as you do , you would all rise in an uprore : which is fitted against them that make good laws , and observe none themselves . of the ram . having thus made a general description of the sheep , wherein we have spent no more time then was fit and convenient , we are now forced to the several species and kindes , and first of all , order and nature teacheth us to discourse of the male , which in our english language is called a tup or ram , derived i do not doubt from the french , ran , although also they call him belie● ; the germans , hoden wider , and hammell ; the italians , montone , and ariete ; the spaniards , carnero ; the helvetians , ramchen ; the grecians in ancient time krios , ariacha , ceraste , and now in these days kriare ; the hebrews , ail , or eel ; the chaldees plurally , dikerin ; the arabians , kabsa ; and the persians , nerameisch . now concerning the greek and latine names , there is some difference among the learned about their notation , etymology , or derivation ; for although they all agree , that aries est dux & maritus pecorum , yet they cannot consent from what root , stem , or fountain , to fetch the same . isidorus bringeth aries ab aris , that is , from the altars , because the sacrificing of this beast was among all other sheep permitted , and none but this except the lambs . others derive it of aretes , which signineth vertue , because that the strength and vigor of sheep lyeth in this above all other , for there is in his horns incredible strength , in his minde or inwards part incredible courage and magnanimity , but the truest derivation is from the greek , word mrati●s ▪ some latines call him also nefrens , and plurally nefrendes , for distinction from the weather or gelded sheep , for the stones were also called nefrendes and nebrundines , and the epithets of this beast are , horn-bearer , insolent , violent , fighting , fearful , writhen , swift , wooll-bearer , leaping , head-long , warriour , and in greek , meek , gentle , and familiar , and is not known by the name ctilos , for that it leadeth the whole flock to the pastures , and back again to the folds . and thus much may suffice for the name and demonstrative appellation of this beast ; now we will proceed forward to the other parts of his story , not reiterating those things which it hath in common with the sheep already described , but only touching his special and inseparable proper qualities . first of all for the election of rams fit to be the father of the flock , and to generate and increase issue , and therefore varro and others , call him admissarius aries , a stallion ram. they were wont to make choise of such an one from an ewe that had brought forth twins , for that it is conceived , he will also multiply twins ; for first in the choise of a ram , they look unto his breed and stock from whence he is descended , and then to his form and outward parts : as in horses , oxen , dogs , lions , and almost all creatures , there are races and stocks preferred one before another , so is it also in sheep , and therefore require that he be boni seminis pecus , a ram of a good breed , and next of the form and outward parts , although some never look further then colour ; but columella adviseth that his wooll , palate of his mouth , and tongue be all of one colour , for if the mouth and tongue be spotted , such also will be the issue and lambs he begetteth , for we have shewed you already , that the lamb for the most part followeth the colour of the rams mouth , such a ram is th●● described by the poet. illum autem quamvis aries sit candidus ipse , nigra subest udo tantum cui lingua palato , rejice , ne maculis infuscet vellera pullis nascentum . — and therefore for as much as the young ones do commonly resemble the father , and bear some notes of his colour , let your ram be all black , or all white , and in no case party-coloured ; and for the stature and habit of his body let it be tall and straight ; a large belly , hanging down and well cloathed with wooll ; a tail very long and rough ; a broad fore-head ; large stones ; crooked winding horns toward his snowt , having his ears covered with wooll , a large breast , broad shoulders and buttocks ; his fleece pressed close to his body , and the wooll not thin nor standing up . and for the horns , although in all regions rams have not horns , yet for windy and cold countries the great horned beasts are to be preferred , for that they are better able through that defence to bear off winde and weather , yet if the climate be temperate and warm , it is better to have a ram without horns , because the horned beast being not ignorant what weapons he beareth on his head , is apter to fight then the pold sheep , and also more luxurious among the ewes , for he will not endure a rival or companion-husband , although his own strength and nature cannot cover them all : but the pold ram on the other side is not ignorant how naked and bare and unarmed is his head , and therefore like a true coward , sleepeth in a whole skin , being nothing so harmful to his corrivals , nor to the females , but well indureth partnership in the work of generation . there is no beast in the world that somuch participateth with the nature of the sun as the ram , for from the autumnal aequinoctium unto the vernal , as the sun keepeth the right hand of the hemisphere , so doth the ram lie upon his right side ; and in the summer season as the sun keepeth the other hand of the hemisphere , so doth the ram lie upon his other side . and for this cause the lybians which worshipped ammon , that is the sun , did picture him with a great pair of rams horns . also , although in the heavenly or celestial sphere or zodiack there be nothing first or last , yet the egyptians have placed the ram in the first place , for their astronomers affirm , that they have found out by diligent calculation , that the same day which was the beginning of the worlds light on the face of the earth , then was the sign aries in the midst of heaven , and because the middle of heaven is as it were the crown or upper-most part of the world , therefore the ram hath the first and uppermost place , because it is an equinoctial sign , making the days and nights of epual length , for twice in the year doth the sun pass through that sign , the ram sitting as it were judge and arbiter twice every year , betwixt the day and night . there be poetical fictions how the ram came into the zodiack ; for some say , that when bacchus led his army through the deserts of lybia , wherein they were all ready to perish for water , there appeared to him a goodly ram , who shewed him a most beautiful and plentiful fountain which relieved and preserved them all ; afterward bacchus in remembrance of that good turn erected a temple to jupiter ammonius , also in that place for so quenching their thirst ; placed there his image with rams horns , and translated that ram into the zodiack among the stars , that when the sun should pass through that sign , all the creatures of the world should be fresh , green and lively , for the same cause that he had delivered him and his hoast from perishing by thirst , and made him the captain of all the residue of the signes , for that he was an able and wise leader of souldiers . other again tell the tale somewhat different , for they say ; at what time bacchus ruled egypt , there came to him one a 〈…〉 n , a great rich man in africa , giving to bacchus great store of wealth and cattel to procure favour unto him , and that he might be reckoned an inventer of some things ; for requital whereof bacchus gave him the land of thebes in egypt , to keep his sheep and cattel , and afterward for that invention he was pictured with rams horas on his head , for remembrance that he brought the first sheep into egypt , and bacchus ; also placed the sign of the ram in heaven : these and such like fictions there are about all the signes of heaven , but the truer observation and reason we have shewed before out of the egyptians learning , and therefore i will cease from any farther prosecution of these fables . they ought to be two year old at least before you suffer them to joyn in copulation with the ewes , and for two months before to be separate and fed more plentifully then at other times , that so at their return they may more eagerly and perfectly fill the ewes : and then also before copulation , and at the time that they are permitted in some countries they give them barly , and mix onions with their meat , and feed them with the herb salomons seal , for all these are vertuous to stir up and incease their nature . and likewise one kinde of the satyrium and salt water , as we have said in the discourse aforegoing . now , at the time of their copulation they have a peculiar voice to draw and allure their females differing from the common bleating , whereof the poet speaketh , blaterat hinc aries , & pia balat ovis : this beast may continue in copulation , and be preserved for the generation of lambs till he be eight year old ; and it is their nature the older they be , to seek out for their fellows the elder ewes or females , forsaking the younger by a kinde of natural wisdom . now concerning the time of their admission to copulation , although we have touched it in the former treatise , yet we must add somewhat more in this place . in some places they suffer them in april , and some in june , that so they may be past danger before winter , and be brought forth in the autumn , when the grass after harvest is sweet , but the best is in october , for then the winter will be over-passed before the lamb come forth of his dams belly . great is the rage of these beasts at their copulation , for they fight irefully till one of them have the victory ; and for this cause arictare among the writers is a word to express singular violence : arietat in portas & duros objice poster . and silvis of dioxipp●● . arietat in primos objieitque immania membra . and so seneca in his book of anger , magno imperatori antequam actes inter se ari●tarent , cor exiluit : and indeed great is the violence of rams , for it is reported that many times in rheti● to try their violence , they hold betwixt the fighting of rams a stick , or bat of corn-tree , which in a bout or two they utterly diminish and bruise in pieces . there is a known fable in abstenius , of the wolf that found a couple of rams , and told them that he must have one of them to his dinner , and bad them agree betwixt themselves , to whose lot that death should happen , for one of them must die ; the two rams agreed together , that the wolf should stand in the middle of the close , and that they twain should part one into one corner , and the other into the other corner of the field , and so come running to the wolf , and he that came last should lose his life to the wolfs mercy ; the wolf agreed to this their device , and chose his standing , while the rams consented with their horns , when they came upon him to make him sure enough from hurting any more sheep : forth therefore went the rams , each of them unto his quarter , one into the east , and the other into the west , the wolf standing joyfully in the midst , laughing at the rams destruction ; then began the two rams to set forward with all their violence , one of them so attending and observing the other , as that they might both meet together upon the woolf , and so they did with vengeance to their enemy ; for having him betwixt their horns they crushed his ribs in pieces , and he fell down without stomach to rams flesh . this invention , although it have another moral , yet it is material to be inserted into this place to shew the violence of rams ; and from this came so many warlike inventions called arietes , wherewithal they push down the walls of cities , as the readers may see in vitruvius , valturnis , and ammianus , for they say that the warlike ram was made of wood , and covered over with shels of tortoyses , to the intent it should not be burned when it was set to a wall , and it was also covered with the skins of sack-cloth by rows artificially contrived , within the same was a beam which was pointed with a crooked iron , and therefore called a ram , or rather because the front was so hard that it overthrew walls , when by the violent strength of men it was forced upon them ; and whereas it was shaped over with tortoise shels , it was for the true resemblance it bare therewith ; for like as a tortoise doth sometime put forth his head , and again sometime pull it in , so also doth the ram sometime put forth the sicle , and sometime pull it in , and hide it within the frame , so that by this engine they did not over-turn the walls , but also they caused the stones to 〈…〉 ie upon the enemies like thunder-bolts , striking them down on every side , and wounding with their fall or stroke like the blows of an armed man ; and against these forces there were counter-forces devised on the part of the besieged , for because the greatness thereof was such as it could not be moved without singular note and ostentation , it gave the besieged time to oppose against it their instruments of war for their safeguard , such were called culcitrae , laquei , lupi ferrum , made like a pair of tongs , whereby as polyaenus writeth , many times it came to pass , that when the wall was overthrown the enemies durst not enter , saying : ce●●e hostes sponte ab obsessis destructa moenia me●uentes ingredi in urbem non audebam . and thus much for the force of rams both their true and natural strength , and also their artificial imitation by men . now on the other side the wise shepheards want not devises to restrain the wrath of these impetuous beasts . for epicharmus the syracusan saith , if there be a hole bored in the backer part of his crooked horn neer his ear , it is very profitable to be followed , for seeing that he is a captain of the flock , and that he leadeth all the residue , it is most necessary that his health and safe-guard be principally regarded , and therefore the ancient shepheards were wont to appoint the captain of the flock from the prime and first appearance of his horns , and to give him him his name , whereof he took knowledge , and would lead and go before them at the appointment and direction of his keeper . when he is angry he beateth the ground with his foot , and they were wont to hang a board of a foot broad , wherein were droven many sharp nails with the points towards the head , so that when the beast did offer to fight , with his own force he woundeth his fore-head . they were wont also to hang a shrimp at the horn of the ram , and then the wolf will never set upon their flocks . and concerning their horns which are the noblest parts of their body ; most regarded , yet i must speak more , for there was wont to be every year amongst the indians a fight betwixt men , wilde beasts , bulls , and tame rams : and a murtherer in ancient time was wont to be put to death by a ram , for by art the beast was so instructed , never to leave him till he had dashed out his brains . it is reported of a rams horns consecrated at delos , brought from the coast of the red sea , that weighed twenty and six pounds , being two cubits , and eight fingers in length . there was a ram in the flocks of poricles , that had but one horn , whereupon when lampon the poet had looked he said : ex duabas quae in urbe vigetent factionibus , fore ut altera obscurata ad anum periclem , apud quem visum foret portentum resideret civitatis potentia ; that whereas there were two contrary raging factions in the city , it should happen that pericles , from whose possessions that monster came , should obscure the one , and take the whole government of the city . it is reported by rasis & albertus , that if the horns of a ram be buryed in the earth , they will turn in to the herb spirage ; for rottenness and putrefaction is the mother of many creatures and herbs . there was , as aristotle reporteth in his wonders , a childe born with a rams head : and it is affirmed by ovid , that medea inclosed an old decrepit ram in a brazen vessel , with certain kinde of medicines , and afterwards at the opening of the said vessel , she received a young lamb , bred upon the metamorphofis of his body . concerning phrixus , whereof we have spoken in the former part of our discourse of the sheep , there is this story . he was the son of athaman , and nepheles : afterward his mother being dead , he feared the treachery of his mother in law , and step-dame inus , and therefore with his sister helle , by the consent of their father , he swam over a narrow arm of the sea upon the back of a ram , carrying a golden fleece , which before that time his father had bestowed upon him . his sister helle being terrified with the great roaring of the water , fell off from the rams back into the sea , and thereof came the name of hellespont , of helle the virgin , and pontus , the sea , but he came lately to colchis to king aetes , where , by the voyce of a ram , who spake like a man , he was commanded to offer and dedicate him to jupiter , surnamed phryxus , and also that golden fleece was hanged up and reserved in the temple of colchis , until jason by the help of medea aforesaid , did fetch it away , and the ram was placed among the stars in his true shape , and was called phrixeus , of phrixus , who was the father of the phrygian nation . of this fabulous tale , there are many explications and conjectural tales among the learned , not unprofitable to be rehearsed in this place . coelius and palaephatus say , that the ram was a ship , whose badge was a ram , provided by athaman for his son to sail into phrygia : and some say , that aries was the name of a man that was his foster-father , by whose counsel and charge he was delivered from his step-mother inus . other say , that there was a book of parchment made of a rams skin , containing the perfect way to make gold , called alchimy , and thereby phrixus got away . but in athens there was reserved the image of this phrixus , offering the ram ( upon which he was born over the sea ) to the god laphystius : and whereas there are in colchis certain rivers out of which there is gold growing , and oftentimes found , whereupon some of them have received their name , as chrysorrhoa , and the men of that countrey said to be greatly inriched thereby , they gave occasion of all the poetical fictions about the golden fleece . there are in some places of africk certain sheep , whose wooll hath the colour of gold , and it may be , that from this occasion came the talk of golden fleeces . it is said , that when atreus reigned in peloponnesus , he vowed to diana the best whatsoever should be brought forth in his flock , and it fortuned that there was yeaned a golden lamb , and therefore he neglecting his vow , did not offer it , but shut it up in his chest . afterward when he gloryed and boasted of that matter , his brother thyestes greatly envyed him , and counterfeiting love to his wife acrope , received from her the golden lamb. then being in possession thereof , ●he contradicted atreus before the people , affirming that he that had the golden lamb ought to be king , and to reign among them , and so laid a wager of the whole government or kingdom thereof with atreus , whereunto he yeelded , but jupiter by mercury discovered the fraud , and to thyestes took him to flight , and the lamb was commanded to be offered to the sun , and so i conclude this discourse with the verses of martial : mollia phryxei secuisti colla mariti , hoc meruit tunicam qui tibi saepe debit . and seeing that i have entered into the discourse of these poetical fables , or rather riddles , which seem to be outwardly cloathed with impossibilities , i trust that the reader will give me leave a little to prosecute other narrations , as that neptune transforming himself into a ram , deceived and defloured the virgin bisalpis , and the ancients when they swore in jest and merriment , were wont to swear by a ram , or a goose . when the gyants waged war with the gods , all of the gods ( as the poets write ) took unto them several forms , and jupiter the form of a ram , whereof ovid writeth , he was called jupiter ammonius : — vnde recur●●● ▪ nunc quoque formatis lybis est cum cornibus ammon 〈…〉 there be some that say that at what time hercules desired very earnestly to see jupiter , whereunto he was very unwilling , yet he cut off a rams head , and pulled off his thick woolly rough skin , and put it upon him , and so in that likeness appeared to hercules , and for this cause the thebanes to this day do not kill rams , but spare them like sanctified things , except one once in a year , which they sacrifice to jupiter , and say , that jupiter was called ammonius aries , because that his answers were mystical , secret and crooked , like a rams horn . now concerning the sacrificing of rams , we know that god himself in his word , permitted the same to the people of the jews , and therefore it cannot be but material for us to adde something also to the discourse before recited in the story of the sheep . the gentiles when they sacrificed a ram , they roasted his intrails upon a spit or broach , and there were certain days of sacrifice called dies agonales , wherein the principal ram of every flock after combate or fighting was slain and sacrificed for the safegard of the residue to janus , and others by the king : — ita rex placare sacrorum , numina lanigerae conjuge debet ovis ▪ there was at tanagrum a statue of mercury , carrying a ram ( and therefore he is called the kriophoros hermes , and by that name was worshipped of all the tanagreans . now there was a cunning workman of calamis that made that statue , for they say , that when the city was grievously afflicted with a pestilence , mercury by carrying a ram about the walls , delivered the same ; and therefore they did not only procure that statue for mercury , but also ordained that every year one of their most beautiful young men should carry a sheep on his shoulder round about the walls . in january they sacrificed to jupiter a ram , and in february a weather . pliny writeth a strange riddle , which is this ; cinnamomum in aethiopia gignitur , neque metitur nisi permiserit deus . there is cinamon growing in aethiopia , and yet it is not reaped by men , except the god thereof gave permission or leave , whereby some understand jupiter , whom they called sabin , and the latines , assabinus . now pliny saith , that if they had sacrificed forty and four oxen , buck-goats and rams , with their intrails , they purchased leave to gather that cinamon . when the romans observed their soli-taurilia , they sacrificed a bull , a goat , a ram , and a bore , but unto jupiter they held it not lawful to offer a ram. ulysses offered to neptune a ram , a bull and a boar ; and to conclude this discourse of the rams sacrifices , i finde a story worthy the nothing , recorded by paulus venetus , although it be altogether superstitious and full of humane blindeness and error . there is a city of tartary called sachion , the inhabitants whereof are mahometans and idolaters , assoon as any of them have a son born , be presently commendeth him to one idols tuition and protection or other : and that year together with his young son he nourisheth a ram camed in his own house : at the years end , he offereth his son and the ram at the next festival day of that idoll which he hath chosen ; that is , he presenteth his childe and killeth his ram , with great solemnity and ceremony in the presence of all his kindred , friends , neighbours , and acquaintance , and maketh earnest request to that idoll to protect his son , and to guide and govern him all the time of his life , and therefore he hangeth up the flesh of that ram in his presence , and afterward they take away again the same flesh , and carry it to another private place , wherewith the said father and all the kindred assembled do make a great and rich feast , reserving the bones for religions sake : and thus we see how miserable men beguiled with error , do not only make shew of false religion , but also play the hypocrites in that which is erroneous , thinking it an easie thing to deceive almighty god. concerning other things of rams , they concur with that which is said already of sheep in general , except their medicinal parts , which i will reserve to the due place : and herein adde one thing more of the horns of the rhaetian rams , and in some places of italy , namely , that after they be five , six , or seaven year old , they bring forth under their great horns two other little horns , and that these rams are weak of body , and have but rough and course wooll . in other places , if at any time they chance to bear moe horns then two , it is prodigious and unnatural . and thus much of the ram. of the weather-sheep . although this beast have all things in common with the ram aforesaid , for he is a male-sheep , and in nature differeth not from him , but only by the art of man , i might very well have confounded and conjoyned his story with the precedent : but seeing that all nations do distinguish him from the ram , because of one property or defect of him , for that he is not fit for generation , i will follow the stream , and not strive against my authors , nor swarve from their method . therefore in latine it is call'd vervex quasi versa natura , for that his natural seed is changed and turn'd in him , for his stones are taken away , and so he remaineth libbed and gelded , being an eunuch among beasts . the grecians call him krion tomian , that is , a gelded ram , for they have not one word to express him . the latines do also call him sectarius ; and festus rendreth this reason thereof , quia eum sequantur agni , because the little lambs love his company and follow him : and indeed by reason of his unaptness to generation , the ewes forsake his company , and the rams cannot endure him , therefore in stead of other he associateth himself with the lambs . in some parts of germany they call him frischling , and also hammel , which word seemeth to be derived from the arabian word lesan alhamel , a rams tongue . the italians call him castrone , castrato , and montone ; the french , mouton ; and the illyrians , beram . concerning the gelding of rams or making of weathers , i have not much more to say , then that which is already expressed in the general tractate of the sheep , and for the manner i do refer the reader , not only to that part , but also to the discourse of the calf and oxe , wherein i trust he shall finde satisfaction for this point , whether he will do it by a knife , by reed , by finger , or by hammer , for all those ways are in differently proponed . the best time for the gelding of rams , ought to be in the wane or decrease of the moon , at five months old , so as he may neither be troubled with extremity of cold or heat . and if it be not libbed at that age , but prolonged till two , three or four year old ; we have shewed already the english manner for knitting of rams . being thus libbed or knit , their horns grow not so great as the other males ungelded , but their flesh , and lard , or sewet , is more acceptable then of any other sheep whatsoever , except they be over old , for that it is neither so moist as a lambs , nor yet so ranck as a rams or ewes , whence baptista fiera made these verses ; anniculus placeat , vel si sine testibus agnus , pinguior est haedo quin calet ●lla , vores . hunc amo si duri per pascua montis anhelat . maluero , si auri vellere dives erit . platina also writeth thus of the flesh of weathers , vervecum caro satis salubris est & melior quam agnina , calida enim & humida habetur , ad temperamentum tendens , illa vero plus humiditatis quam calidit●tis habet , that is to say ; the flesh of weathers is wholesome enough , and better then the flesh of lambs , because it is hot and moist , but that hath in it more moisture then heat , and therefore this tendeth to a better temperament . munster writeth , that the inhabitants and people of valuis take this flesh of weathers , and salt it , afterward dry it in the air where no smoke may come unto it ; afterward they lay it up in straw , and so hold it much more delicate then that which is raised in the smoke . as the flesh of these beasts groweth the better for their gelding , because they live more quietly and peaceably , for that their fore-heads grow weak and tender , and their horns small , so also it is reported that their tails grow exceeding large and fat . in some regions , as in arabia foelix , and other places , and because the report should not seem feigned by me , i will describe it in the authors own words , paulus venetus writeth thus of the weathers of scythia , and in the region camandu , subject to the great tartar. in tartariae regione camandu arietes non minores asinis sunt , cauda tam longae & latae , ut triginta librarum pondus aequent . in camandu a territory of tartaria there are rams like asses in stature and quantity , whose tails are so long and broad , that they ballance in weight thirty pound . vartoman writeth ; in aedibus regis arabum fuisse praepinguem vervecem , cujus cauda adeo obesa fuit , ut libras quadraginta appenderet , & prope reame urbem arabiae foelicis , vervecum genera ●eperiuntur , quorum caudam animadverti ponde esse librarum quadraginta quatuor , carent cornibus , adeoque esse obesi pingues ut vix incedere possunt . circa zeclam urbem aethiopiae verveces non nulli ponderosissimas trabunt caudas , utpote pondo sedecim librarum . his caput & collum nigricant , caeteris albi sunt . sunt etiam verv●ces prorsus albicantes , quorum cauda cubitalis est longitudinis modo elaboratae vitis , palearia ut bubus à mento pendent , quae humum prope verrunt . that is to say , in the house of the king of arabis , there was a weather very fat , whose tail weighed forty pound , and near unto reamia , a city in arabia foelix , there are a breed or race of weathers , whose tails for the most part weighed four and forty pound . they want horns , and are so fat that they can scarcely go . also about the city zecla in aethiopia , the weathers draw long tails , weighing sixteen pound . whereof some have their heads and neck black , and all the other parts of their body white , some of them again all white , having a tail but of a cubit long , like a curious and planted vine , their crests and hair hanging from their chin to the ground . thus far of the arabian weathers . of the indians he writeth thus in another place : circa tanasuri urbem indiae tama est pecudum copia ut duodeni verveces singulo aureo vaeneu 〈…〉 . conspiciuntur illic verveces alii , cornua haud absimilia damis habentes , nostris longe majores ferocioresque . caudae vervecum in peregrinis regionibus tantae sunt , quantus nullus apud nos vervex . contingit hoc quia humidissimum hoc animal , & inter quadrupedia frigidissimum , cumque caetera ossa extendi nequeant , ne pinguedine immensa , extensis etiam ossibus & nervi● non parum , quae humida natura velut pisces semper incremento apta sunt . that is , about the city tarnasar in india , there is such great plenty of cattel , that they sell twelve weathers for a noble , and yet there are weathers which have horns like to the horns of deer , being longer , greater , and fiercer then our rams , and their tails in forein and strange countries are fatter then any weathers among us ; and the reason hereof is , because it is the moistest and coldest creature among all four-footed beasts : and because the bones cannot be enlarged to receive that moisture , and lest that it should destroy the beast by exuperance and abundance , therefore nature hath provided this remedy to send it forth into the tail , whereby in flesh and fat it groweth exceedingly , the bones and nerves whereof are not a little extended , for they are also of a moist nature like fishes , and therefore apt to encrease and grow immeasurably . thus much say they of the tails of weathers , now i know such is the solidity of divers readers and people , that for these reports , they will presently give both these authors and me the whet-stone for rare untruths and fictions ; i do not marvail , for such ( i dare assure my self ) do not believe all the miracles of christ , having short and shallow conceipts , measuring all things by their own eyes , and because they themselves are apt to lye for their profit , therefore they are not ashamed to lay like imputations upon honest men , yet i could shew unto them as great or greater wonders in our own nation ( if they were worthy to be confuted ) for which other nations account us as great liers ( nay as these infidel fools ) do them , and yet they are common among us . the use of the several parts of this beast , is no other then that which is already reported of the sheep and ram , and therefore i will not stand to repeat that which is so lately related , and for the remedies or medicinal vertues , i finde few that are special except those which are common between this and other of his kinde . it seemeth by plautus , that a weather sheep is accounted the most foolish of all other , a coward and without courage , for speaking of a mad dotish fellow , he writeth thus : ego ex hac statua vervecea volo erogitare , meo minore quod sit factum filio . that is , i will demand of this blockish weathers picture , ( meaning his foolish servant ) what is become of my younger son . these were among the pagans sacrificed ; but not among the jews , for they have not so much as a name for it , and it is probable , that seeing it is an unperfect beast , god forbade it into his sanctuary : when the gentiles brought a lamb at the side of a weather to be sacrificed , they called them ambegni , and so also a lamb and an ox. a●ciatus maketh this pretty emblem of a weather which with a hedg-hog is the arms of millain , wherewithal i will conclude this discourse ; bitu●icis vervex , heduis dat sucula signum , at populis patriae debita orig● meae est . quam mediolanum sacram dixere puellae terram : nam vetus hoc gallica lingua sonat . culta minerva fuit , nunc est ubi numine te●la mutato matris virginis ante d●mum . laniger huic signum sus est , animasque biforme . acribus hinc setis , lanitio inde levi . of the lamb . the lamb is diversly tearmed by the hebrews ; as is already shewed in the story of the sheep , ( in some part ) and now more particularly , seh signifieth a lamb , keseb and kebes , a lamb of a year old , also gedi , according to the opinion of david kimhi ; in greek , arniou ; and arna , and amnos , and at this day arni ; the italians , agna , agno , agnello ; the spaniards , cordero ; the french , agneau , and aguelet ; the germans , lamb , and lamblein , and as the first year we call it in english a lamb , so the second year a hog , lam-hog , or teg if it be a female , the third year hoggrils and theives : the latines calls it agnus , of the greek word agnos , castus quia est ●ostia pura 〈…〉 im 〈…〉 tioni apta , that is chaste , for that a lamb is pure and clean , and fit for sacrificing . and the common epithets expressing the nature of this beast are these , rough , yeanling , weak , unripe , sucking tender , butting , fat , milk-eater , merry , sporting , bleating , affable or gentle , field-wanderer , horn-bearer , horn-fighter , unarmed , vulgar , wooll-skinned , wooll-bearer , wanton , meek , delicate and fearful : and all these are the epithets of a male lamb , but of the female i finde these following ; dumb , snow-white , neat , young , fearful , black , tame , humble , and tender , and the grecians , hedypnous , because of the sweet smell that is found in them when they are young and suck their dams . we read that the lambs of africk , both males and and females , are yeaned with horns , the reason whereof is shewed in another place , and it is a common and natural thing to them all assoon as they are fallen out of their dams belly , they presently leap and about their dams , and also learn to know them by whom they are nourished , according to the saying of lucretius ; praeterea teneri tremulis in vocibus hoedi , corniferas norunt matres , agnique petulci . s. ambrose writeth thus of the inclination of a lamb to his mother , and the love of her milk . agnus simplicissimus ovium recegnoscit vocem parentis , cum a maire quandoque aberrat , frequenter eam bal●tu excitat , multisque licet versetur in millibus ovium , festinat ad eam : nam quamvis cibi & potus desiderio lenetur transcurrit tamen aliena ubera , licet humore lactis gravida exundent , soliusque materni lactis fontes requirit . the lamb is a most simple beast , and erreth many times from his mothers sides , having no other means to provoke his mother to seek him out but by bleating ; for in the midst of a thousand sheep it discerneth the voyce of his parent , and so hasteneth to her when it heareth her ; for such is the nature of this poor beast , that although there be many other ewes which give suck , yet they pass by all their udders to taste of their mothers fountains , and the ewe knoweth her young one by smelling to the backer part : the lamb all the while it sucketh waggeth and playeth with the tail . when the lamb is newly faln , in some countries they put them up close into a stable for a day , or two , or three , till they grow strong , and are well filled with milk , and know their dams , and so long as the rams feed with the females they keep in the lambes , that so they may be clear day and night from all violence of the rams , for at night they lodge single and alone by their dams sides . the like regard is to be had if they do not suck their mothers , they must anoint their lips with butter or hogs-grease and milk , and for two months after their yeaning it is not good to rob them of any milk , but suffer them to suck all that their dams can breed , for so their lambs will grow more strong , and also their wooll more fine . and when they are to be weaned , they must first of all be brought out of love of their mothers milk , lest after their separation they languish , and lose all natural joy , whereby they are never likely to come to good : afterward let them be herded or drove to field , but after their yeaning it is profitable when they are a week old to give them salt , and so the second time after they be fifteen days old . it is never good to nourish the firstling or first lamb of an ewe , for that commonly they are weaker and more tender then any other , but the best to be nourished are twins . they are also the best and strongest which are bred in the spring time , and much fatter , and more able then those which are yeaned in the autumn . and yet there are some that affirm , that they which are bred in the winter are fatter then those which are bred in the summer , for if strength of nature be able to live out the winter at the first yeaning , much more will they be able to endure when they are elder : in the first sucking of a lamb , the beestings must be milked out , for they are apt to fall into many diseases , such as are already mentioned in the discourse of the sheep : generally to preserve them in health , they give them ivy when they are vexed with an ague , and separate them from the ewes , lest by sucking they infect their mothers , then must they be milked alone , and their milk mixed with rain water , and so given to the sick lamb , and if they will not take it willingly , then infuse it into her throat with a horn , and if they be troubled with scabs , take hysop and salt , of each an equall quantity ; and if the mouth be broken out and blistered , then rub the afflicted place therewith , afterward wash them with vinegar , and then anoint them with liquid pitch and hogs grease ; there must be also a care had to keep them from lice . concerning the use of their several parts , we have already shewed in the story of sheep , and therefore we need not prosecute it in this place . their skins are fitter to clothe men , then the skirs of their dams , and therefore the hebrews say that they are fittest for the garments of young men , for they encrease their strength and natural vigor . the skinners make great account of these lamb-skins , and use them for the linings of many garments , such as are killed they call the skins of slaughter-lambs . the best are brought out of italy and apulia , and all those parts which are beyond rome ; narbon , and spain , yeeld plentiful store of black lambs , and their skins are sold by merchants : and white skins are plentiful in england . their flesh is nourishable and convenient for food , but yet inferiour to weather mutton , for that it containeth more moisture then heat . to conclude this discourse of the lamb , the greatest honour thereof is , for that it pleased god to call his blessed son our saviour by the name of a lamb in the old testament , a lamb for sacrifice , and in the new testament , stiled by john baptist , the lamb of god that taketh away the sins of the world . there is a proverb in greek , arneia soi lelaleken agnus tibi locutus est , a lamb hath spoken this unto you , and it was a proverbial speech to express a divine revelation of some business , that men cannot attain unto by ordinary and common means , because either it is concealed , or else it concerneth things to come . for it is reported by suidas , that once in egypt there was a lamb that spake with a mans voice , upon the crown of his head was a regal serpent having wings , which was four cubits long , and this lamb spake of divers future events . the like is said of another lamb that spake with a mans voice , at what time romulus and r 〈…〉 were born , and from these miraculous events , came that common proverb : and so for this story i will conclude with the verse of valerius : aspera nunc pavidos contra ruit agna leones . there is in m 〈…〉 neer volga , a certain beast of the quantity and form of a little lamb , the people call it b●ranz , and it is reported by sigismumdus , in his description of moscovia , that it is generated out of the earth like a reptile creature , without seed , with dam without copulation , thus liveth a little while and never stirreth far from the place it is bred in , i mean it is not able to move it self , but eateth up all the grasse and green things that it can reach , and when it can finde no more , then it dyeth . of the musmon . i have thought good to reserve this beast to this place , for that it is a kinde of sheep , and therefore of natural right and linage to this story , for it is not unlike a sheep , except in the wool which may rather seem to be the hair of a goat ; and this is the same which the antients did call vmbricae oves , vmbrian sheep , for that howsoever it differeth from sheep , yet in simplicity and other inward gifts it cometh nearer to the sheep . strabo calleth it musmo , yet the latins call it mussimon . this beast by cato is called an asse , and sometimes a ram , and sometimes a musmon . the picture which here we have expressed , is taken from the sight of the beast at caen in normandy , and was afterwards figured by theodorus beza . munster in his description of sardinia remembreth this beast but he saith that it is speckled , whereat i do not much wonder , seeing that he confesseth that he hath all that he wrote thereof , by the narration of others . some say it is a horse or a mule , of which race there are two kinds in spain , called by the latins , asturcones , for they are very small ; but i do not wonder thereat , seeing that those little horses or mules are called musimones , because they are brought out of those countries where the true musmones ( which we may interpret wilde sheep , or wilde goats ) are bred and nourished . there are of these musmons in sardinia , spain , and corsica , and they are said to be gotten betwixt a ram and a goat , as the cinirus betwixt a buck-goat and an ewe . the form of this beast is much like a ram , saving that his brest is more rough and hairy : his horns do grow from his head like vulgar rams , but bend backward only to his ears : they are exceeding swift of foot , so as in their celerity they are comparable to the swiftest beast . the people of those countries wherein they are bred , do use their skins for breastplates . pliny maketh mention of a beast which he called ophion , and he saith he found the remembrance of it in the grecian books , but he thinketh that in his time there was none of them to be found in the world : herein he speaketh like a man that did not know god , for it is not to be thought , that he which created so many kinds of beasts at the beginning , and conserved of every kinde two , male and female at the generall deluge , would not afterward permit them to be destroyed till the worlds end , nor then neither : for seeing it is apparent by holy scriptures , that after the world ended , all creatures and beasts shall remain upon the earth , as the monuments of the first six days works of almighty god , for the farther manifestation of his glory , wisdom , and goodness , it is an unreasonable thing to imagine that any of them shall perish in general in this world . the ta●dinians call these beasts , muffla , and erim mufflo , which may easily be derived from ophion , therefore i cannot but consent unto them , that the antient ophion is the musmon , being in quantity betwixt a hart and a sheep , or goat , in hair resembling a hart , and this beast at this day is not found but in sardinia . it frequenteth the steepest mountains , and therefore liveth on green grasse and such other hearbs . the flesh thereof is very good for meat , and for that cause the inhabitants seek after it to take it . hector boethius in his description of the hebridian islands saith , that there is a beast not much unlike to sheep , but his hair betwixt a goats and a sheeps , being very wilde and never found or taken but by hunting , and diligent inquisition . the name of the islands is hiethae , and the reason of that name is from his breed of sheep called hierth in the vulgar tongue , yet those sheep agree with the musmon in all things but their tails , for he saith , that they have long tails reaching down to the ground , and this name cometh from the german word herd a flock , and thereof ●irt cometh for all sheep in general . now followeth the conclusion of their story with their medicinal virtues . the medicines of the sheep in general . the bodies of such as are beaten , and have upon them the appearance of the stripes , being put into the warm skins of sheep when they are newly puld off from their backs , eateth away the outward pain and appearance , if it continue on a day and a night . if you seethe together a good season the skin of the feet , and of the snowt of an ox or a sheep till they be made like glew , and then taken forth of the pot and dryed in the windy air , is by silvius commended against the burstness of the belly . the bloud of sheep drunk , is profitable against the falling sickness : also hippocrates prescribeth this medicine following , for a remedy or purgation to the belly , first make a perfume of barly steeped in oyl upon some coles , and then seethe some mutton or sheeps flesh very much , and with decoction of barley set it abroad all day and night , and afterward seethe it again and eat or sup it up warm , and then the next day with hony , frankincense , and parsely , all beaten and mingled together , make a suppository , and with wool put it up under the party , and it shall ease the distress . the same flesh burned and mixed in water by washing , cureth all the maladies or diseases arising in the secrets , and the broth of mutton , goose , or veal , will help against the poison by biting if it be not drawn out by cupping glasse nor by horse-leach . the sewet of a sheep melted at the fire , and with a linnen cloth anointed upon a burned place , doth greatly ease the pain thereof . the liver with the sewet and nitro causeth the scars of the flesh to become of the same colour that it was before the wound , it being mixed with toasted salt , scattereth the bunches in the flesh , and with the dust of womens hair , cureth fellons in fingers , or any part of the bodies . the sewet of sheep or goats , being mingled with the juyce of rhenish wine grape , and shining horse flies , doth without all scruple or doubt , ease the pain of the milt , if it be anointed thereupon . the fat of sheep doth very easily expell the roughness of the nails . the sewet of sheep or any other small beast , being mixed with the herb called melander , and pounded with alum , afterward baked together , and wrought into the manner of a sear-cloth , doth very much ease those which are burned by fire in any parts of their body , being well applyed thereto . the sewet of a sheep being also applyed to those which have kibes in the heels , or chilblanes in their feet , will presently heal them . the sewet of a sheep mixed with womens hair which is burnt to powder , doth very effectually cure those which have their joynts or articles loose , being anointed thereupon . the fat of goats or sheep moistned with warm water , and boiled together , being anointed upon the eyes , doth speedily cure all pains , spots , or blemishes in the same whatsoever . the fat of a sheep boyled and drunk with sharp wine , is an excellent remedy against the cough . the same medicine is also effectually used for the expelling of horses coughes . the sewet of a sheep being boyled with sharp wine , doth very speedily cure the obstruction of the small guts , bloudy flux , and any cough of what continuance soever . the same being in like manner drunk while it is hot , is accounted for an excellent remedy against the colick passion . the sewet of a sheep , or of a male goat , being mingled with the fime or dung of a female-goat , and saffron , doth very effectually cure those which are troubled with the gowt or swelling of the joynts , being anointed upon the place so grieved . it is also reported that the outward sewet of sheep ( between the flesh and the skin ) between the hinder legs , is very wholesom for the curing of sundry pains and diseases . sheeps sewet or the fat of any other small beast being gathered from the reins , mixed with salt , and the dust of a pumice stone , being applyed unto the yard of any man , doth speedily cure all pains , aches , or swellings therein . the fat of sheep which is gathered from the caul or cell , being mingled with the aforesaid medicines do heal all other pains in the privy members of man or woman whatsoever . the same sewet doth stay the great excess of bleeding in the nose , being anointed thereupon . sheeps sewet being mixed with goose grease and certain other medicines , being taken in drink , doth help abortments in women . the liver of a sheep is accounted an excellent remedy against the shedding of the hair on the eye lids , being rubbed thereupon . the same being also baked or boyled , is accounted very profitable for sheeps eyes , if it be well rubbed thereon . the marrow of sheep is very good to anoint all aches and swellings whatsoever . the horns of sheep or of goats pounded to powder , mingled with parched barley which hath been well shaled , and altogether mixed with oyl , being taken in a certain per●ume , doth help women of their seconds , and restoreth to them their menstruall fluxes . sheeps hornes burned and beaten in wine untill they be tempered like a pill , the right foot being anointed with the right horn , and the left foot with the left , will mitigate the sorrow of those which are very ●ore pained and troubled with the gowt . rheumatick , or watry eyes , being anointed with the brains of sheep are very speedily and effectually cured . the brains of the same beast is exceeding profitable for the breeding of young childrens teeth , being anointed upon the gums . the lungs or lights of small beasts , but especially of a ram , do restore the true skin and colour of the flesh , in those whose bodies are full of chops and scars . the lungs or lights of the same beast concocted upon the uppermost skin of any man , and applyed very hot thereunto , do diminish the black or blew places therein , which have been received by the occasion of any stripes or blows . the lungs of sheep being new taken out of their bellies , and applied while they are hot unto beaten or bruised places , doth quite abolish the signes thereof , and in short space procure remedy . the lungs of sheep or small cattle being roasted and taken by any man before he drinketh , will resist all kind of drunkenness . the lungs of sheep taken out of their bellies , and bound about the heads of those which are phrensie while they are hot , will very speedily ease them of their trouble . the lungs of sheep being hot and bound to the head , is accounted very profitable for those which are troubled with the pestiferous disease called the drowsie evill . the lungs of sheep being boiled with hemp-seed , so that the flesh be eaten , and the water wherein it is sod be drunk , doth very effectually cure those which are grieved with excoriations in their bellies , and the bloody flux . the lungs of sheep being applyed while they are hot , doth heal the gowt . the liver of white sheep well boiled , made moist with water , throughly beaten and applyed unto the eye-lids , doth purge rheumatick eyes , and cause them to be of a more clear and ample sight . if a woman bearing young , shall be puffed up with winde , give her the liver of a sheep or goat beaten into small powder while it is hot , being pure and without mixture for four dayes together to eat , and let her drink only wine , and this will very speedily cure her . the gall of a sheep mingled with hony , healeth the ulcers of the ears , and procureth easie hearing . the gall of a sheep mingled with sweet wine , if it be tempered in the manner of a glyster , and afterwards rubbed upon the ear-laps , the ulcers being quite purged , will procure a speedy cure and remedy . the gall of the same beast distilled with a womans milk , doth also most certainly heal their eares which are broken within , and full of mattery corruption . the gall of a sheep being mixed with common oyl , or oyl made of almonds , doth also heal the pains of the ears , being powred therein to . cankers , or the corrosion of the flesh , being anointed with the gall of a sheep , is very speedily and manifestly cured . the dandraffe or scurfes of the head being anointed with the gall of a sheep mixed with fullers-earth which is hardned together while the head burneth , are very effectually abolished , and driven quite away . the gall of little cattle , but especially of a lamb , being mixed with hony is verily commended or the curing of the falling evill . the milt of a sheep new taken out by magicall precepts is accounted very good for the curing of the pain in the milt , he saying which may be healed that he maketh a remedy for the milt . after these things the magicians command that the grieved party be included in his dortor or bed-chamber , and that the doors be sealed up , and that a verse be spoken thrice nine times . the milt of a sheep being parched and beaten in wine , and afterward taken in drink , doth resist all the obstructions or stopping of the small guts . the same being used in the like manner is very medicinable for the wringing of the guts . the dust of the uppermost of a sheeps thigh , doth very commonly heal the looseness of the joints ; but more effectually if it be mixed with wax . the same medicine is made by the dust of sheeps jawes , a harts horn , and wax mollified or asswaged by oil of roses . the upper parts of the thighs of sheep decocted with hemp-seed , do refresh those which are troubled with the bloudy flux , the water whereof being taken to drink . for the curing of a horse waxing hot with weariness and longitude of the way ; mingle goats or sheeps sewet with coriander , and old dill , the coriander being new gathered , and diligently pounded in the juice of barley , and so give it throughly strained for three dayes together . the huckle-bone of a sheep being burned and beaten into small dust , is very much used for the making of the teeth white , and healing all other pains or aches therein . the bladder of a goat or sheep being burned and given in a potion to drink , made of vinegar and mingled with water , doth very much avail and help those which cannot hold their water in their sleep . the skins which cometh from the sheep at the time of their young , doth very much help very many enormities in women , as we have before rehearsed in the medicines arising from goats . the milk of sheep being hot , is of force against all poysons , except in those which shall drink a venemous fly called a wag-leg , and libbards bane . oatmeal also doth cure a long lingring disease , a pinte of it being sodden in three cups of water , until all the water be boyled away : but afterwards you must put thereunto a pinte of sheeps milk or goats , and also hony every day together . some men do command to take one dram of swallows dung in three cups full of goats milk or sheeps milk before the coming of the quartern ague . goats milk , or sheeps milk being taken when it is newly milked from them , and gargarized in the mouth , is very effectual against the pains and swellings of the almonds . take a pinte of sheeps milk , and a handful of sisted aniseeds , and let them seethe together , and when it is somewhat cold let it be drunk , and it is very good to loosen the belly . medicines being made of goats milk and sheeps milk , and so being drunk , is very good for the shortness of breath . a hot burning gravel stone being decocted in sheeps milk , and so given to one that hath the bloudy flix , is very profitable to him . goats milk or sheeps milk given alone luke-warm , or sodden with butter , is very profitable to those that are brought very weak with the passions of the stone , and fretting of the guts . to wash ones face with sheeps milk , and goats milk , is very good to make it fair and smooth . evenings milk of sheep , that is , the last milk that they give that day , is very good to loosen the belly , and to purge choler . the hairs of the head of a dog burned into ashes ; or the gut of the privy place sodden in oyl , is a very good and soveraign remedy for the looseness of the flesh about the nails , and for swelling of flesh over them , being anointed with butter made of sheeps milk and hony. an oyl sodden in hony , and butter made of sheeps milk , and hony melted therein , is very profitable to cure ulcers . old cheese made of sheeps milk , is very good to strengthen those which have been troubled and made weak with the bloudy flix . again , old cheese made of sheeps milk , taken in meat , or scraped upon it , and being drunk with wine , doth ease the passion of the stone . there was a certain physitian being skilful in making medicines , dwelling in asia by hellespont , which did use the dung of a sheep washed and made clean in vinegar , for to take away warts and knots rising on the flesh like warts , and kernels , and hard swellings in the flesh . also he did bring ulcers to cicatrising with that medicine which were blasted or scalded round about , but he did mingle it with an emplaister made of wax , rosin , and pitch . the dung of sheep also doth cure pushes rising in the night , and burnings or scaldings with fire , being smeared over with vinegar without the commixture of any other things . the dung of sheep being mixed with hony , doth take away small bumps rising in the flesh , and also doth diminish proud flesh : and also it doth cure a disease called an emmot , as rasis and albertus say . the dung that is new come from the sheep being first worked in thy hands , and applyed after the manner of an emplaister , doth eat away any great warts growing in any part of thy body . the dung of a sheep being applyed to thy feet , doth consume or waste away the hard flesh that groweth thereon . sheeps dung doth also cure all kinde of swellings that are ready to go into carbuncles . it is also good being sodden in oyl and applyed after the manner of an emplaister , for all new wounds made with a sword , as galen saith : aut si conclusum servavit tibia vulnus , stercus ovis placidae junges , adipesque vetustos , pandere quae poterant hulcus , patuloque mederi . the dung of sheep and oxen being burned to powder , and smeared with vinegar , is very good against the bitings and venemousness of spiders ; and again it is very effectual being new come from them , and sodden in wine against the stingings of serpents . sheeps dung being mixed with hony , and applyed to horses whose hoofs are broken , is very effectual . the dung of oxen and sheep being burned to powder , and intermixed therewith , is very effectual against cankers , and also the bones of the lambs thighes , being burned into ashes , is very profitable to be applyed to those ulcers which cannot be brought to cicatrise . also sheeps dung being made hot in a gally pot , and kneaded with thy hands , and afterwards applyed , doth presently cease the swellings of wounds , and doth purge and cure fistuals , and also diseases in the eyes . the oyl of cypress and hony , is very effectual against alopecia , that is , the falling off of the hair . an emplaister made of sheeps dung , and the fat of a goose and a hen is very effectual against hair rising in the root of the ear , as rasis and albertus say . sheeps dung being applyed hot , is very effectual against the swellings of womens paps or dugs . sheeps dung being put into the decoction of wood-bine , or hony and water , and so drunk , is very profitable against the yellow-jaunders . if the spleen be outwardly anointed with sheeps dung and vinegar , it doth lessen the rising of it . the dung of oxen and sheep which is very moist , doth ease all manner of gouts the thin or outmost skin which is taken from the privy part of sheep , is very profitable against the disease called the flowers in women . the dung also hath the same operation . the urine of sheep is very profitable against the hydropsie being mixed with hony. but rasis saith otherwise , which is , that the dung being drunk with hony is available against the dropsie . to take the weight of a penny of ox dung and sheeps dung , and a grain of myrrh , and two ounces and a half of wine , doth stay or resist the coming of the kings evill . the filth which is taken out of the ears of these beasts is said to be very effectual against the flowers . it doth make a barren woman to conceive with child also , as serenus saith in these verses : pendentem spumam molli deducet ab ore , aut ovis instabulis fractas cum ruminat herbas , atque illam memini misto potare falerno . the sweat of a horse being made warm and mixed with vinegar , is very convenient against the falling sickness , and is used against venemous bitings . and also the sweat of sheep is very much profitable unto it . if the hoof or anckle-bone of an ox chance to be cut with a plough-share , pitch and fat with sulphur is very good , but you must roul round about the wound wool. unwashed wool doth very much profit those that are frenzie being applyed with a fume that stoppeth humors from coming down from the head . unwashed wool being bound upon the forehead , is very good for the waterish humor that floweth out of the eyes . unwashed wool being heated in vinegar , and pressed into the ear , and afterwards the top of the ear being stopped with that wool , will by little and little ease the pains in the ears . unwashed wool dipped in oyl of roses and put into the nostrils doth stay bleeding at the nose . unwashed wool being plucked from the privy parts of sheep and moistned in oyl of roses , is very good to stop the fluxes of bloud in any part of mans body . unwashed wool being tyed on the outside of the knuckles or joynts , doth stop the bloud or humors from running to and fro . it is also said to be very good being dipped in hony ( and so rubbed upon the teeth or gums ) for to make one breath or gaspe easier . unwashed wool being smeard over with hony , and rubbed upon the teeth , doth make them look white presently after . unwashed wool with a little salt put to it and tyed close in a linnen cloth , and so scorched and beaten to powder , is very good to keep the teeth from pain , being rubbed upon them . unwashed wool being mixed with niter , brimstone , oyl , vinegar , and with tar , being applyed twice a day , doth ease all pains of the knuckles and anckles . sheeps dung and other things with unwashed wool is very effectuall against the stone in the bladder , as it is spoken above in the cure and remedies of sheeps dung . unwasht wool doth cure all the diseases in the privy parts of men or women being applyed thereunto . the black wool of sheep , is very profitable for all swellings in the stones or cods of men . the gall of buls put upon unwashed wool , is very profitable for the flowers of women . unwashed wool being applyed unto those parts that are dead , doth very much good unto them . white fleeces of wool being either applyed alone , or with brimstone , is very good for hidden pains and griefs . fleeces of wool given in a fume with brimstone , is very good for the remedy of the kings evill . wool being dyed of a purple colour , and so applyed , is very good against the pains of the ears . there are moreover very many remedies made against diseases by unshorn wool , besides the expelling of cold , being taken in oyl , wine , or vinegar , for as much as the same being applyed to the members which are out of joynt , or to any pains in the nerves , doth very speedily and tenderly heal the same . sheeps wool being mixed with herbgrace and sheeps grease , is very much applyed unto those which are bruised , or have hard swellings in any parts of their body . unwashed wool being often put into the sores which are bitten by mad dogs , doth perfectly cure them in seven dayes . sheeps wool in cold water doth bring remedy unto those whose skin is loose about the nailes . the same being steeped in hot oyl may be well applyed unto moist or running sores : but mingled with hony is very medicinable for old sores or festers ; and steeped in wine , oyl , vinegar , or cold water , doth heal any new wound which seemeth to bring the wounded party in danger of death . dioscorides doth also affirm that sheeps wool being unwashed is ●ur●ble for all kinds of wounds whatsoever . the same is very much applyed unto those whose bones are bruised or broken , if it be mixed with the brains of a wanton dog , and bound hard upon the grieved place in a linnen cloth . the carthaginian shepherds do use the unwashed wool of lambs of the age of four years , for the curing of the temples , or the crown of the head . if the plough share chance to hurt the huckle-bone or hoof of an ox take hard pitch and bacon grease mingled with brimstone , and nowled in unwashed wool , and mark the wounded place with all these together with a fiery hot iron , and it will bring present help and remedy . unwashed wool being taken in some certain perfume doth cure those which are frantick , and restore them to their former wits . spleen-wort being boyled in hony and mixed with unwashed wool which was steeped in oyl or wine , is very good for the aforenamed disease , being bound about the forepart of the head in a broad linnen cloth . sheeps wool being also applyed in the same manner , is an excellent cure for those which are troubled with a certain watery rheum running in the eyes , as also the ach in the fore part of the head . unwashed wool-boyled in vinegar and applyed unto the eares , doth expell all filth or moisture therein , and the issue thereof being afterwards stopped with the same kind of wool , is very speedily cured . sheeps wool is also very good and effectual for the curing the pains of the ears which are but new coming upon them . unwashed wooll being mixed with oyl of roses and put into the nostrils of any man , the ears being stopped close with the same kind of wool , will stay the issuing of the bloud at the nose , how fluent soever it be . the same being also steeped in oyl and put in the nose , doth restrain the bleeding thereof . wool being plucked or wrested from the back of sheep , and kept unwashed , doth cohibite the aboundance of bloud , being steeped in pure liquid oyl of roses . the same being taken from the back of a ram. doth stay over much bleeding at the nose , the joynts of the fingers being bound as hard as possible can be suffered . unwashed wool steeped in hony and rubbed upon the teeth or gums , doth make the breath of any man more sweet and delightful then it hath been accustomed . the same being used in the said manner , doth procure a very great whiteness and clearness in the teeth . unwashed wool being parched and bound in a linnen cloth , a third part or portion of salt being afterwards added thereunto , and all beaten together in small dust or powder , and rubbed upon the teeth , will keep them from any pain or grief therein . unwashed wool being dipped in nitre , brimstone , oyl , vinegar and liquid pitch , being all boyled together , doth asswage all pains in the hanches or loins whatsoever , being twice a day as hot as possibly may be suffered applyed thereunto . sheeps dung mingled with unwashed wool and certain other things , is very much applyed against that troublesom and painful disease called the stone or gravel . unwashed wool in cold water , doth cure diseases in the privy parts of any man or woman whatsoever . the wool of black sheep is commonly reported to be very commodious and helpful for those whose cods or stones are much swelled . the gall of an ox being mixed with unwashed wool , doth help the purgation or menstrual fluxes of women ; but olympies the thebane affirmeth , that hysop and nitre ought to be mixed with this wool for the helping of the same . unwashed wool being applyed unto the secret parts of women , doth cause a dead childe to come forth . the same doth also stay the issues of women . the pure or clear fleeces of sheep either applyed by themselves , or mingled with brimstone , do cure all hidden or secret griefs whatsoever : and pliny commendeth them above all other medicines whatsoever . fleeces of wool mingled with quicksilver , are very profitable to be taken for the same diseases in certain perfumes . the root of a mallow being digged up before the rising of the sun , and wrapped in undyed wool , doth cure the wens or mattry impostumes of those sheep which have lately brought forth young . sheeps wool being dyed in purple colour , doth very much profit the ears : but some do steep it in vinegar and nitre , to make the operation more effectual . the dust of wool being burnt , doth bring forth the matter or corruption lying hid under scabs , restrain the swellings in the flesh , and bringeth all ulcers to a scar . wool being burnt hath a sharp force , and likewise hot together with the slenderness of the parts , it doth therefore very speedily clense and purge the sores in the flesh , which are moist and too much full of matter . it is also put in drying medicines . it is burned as if there were many other things in it , filling a new pot , which may be covered with a cover which is bored through with many holes like unto a sive . the powder of unwashed wool is anointed upon divers sores and is very curable for them as bruised , new wounded , and sores half burnt , and it is used for the curing of the diseases in the eyes , as also in the easing of the fistulaes and corrupt mattery sores in the ears . the power of the powder of unwashed wool is clensing , and it doth very effectually purge the eye-lids or cheek-bals . it doth also clense and cure for the most part all diseases , as serenus saith in these verses ; succida cum tepido nectetur tana lyaeo , ambustaeve cinis complebit vulneris ora , aut tu succosae cinerem perducito lanae . the hairs which grow about the secret hole of sheep being burned , beaten and drunk in sweet wine , doth help the shortness of the breath , and ease the pursiness of the stomach . the wool of a little sheep being pulled from betwixt his thighes and burnt , and afterwards dipped in vinegar , doth very speedily cure those which are troubled with the head ach , being bound about the temples . the dust of sheeps fleeces is very medicinable for the curing of all diseases in the genital parts whatsoever . the dust of sheeps wool , doth heal all passions in cattle . the grecians plaister ( called enneapharmacum ) consisted of nine several things , and amongst the rest of unwashed wool . the filth which sticketh to the sheeps wool and groweth thereunto , from which the thing which the grecians call oesypon is made , hath the force of digestion like unto butter , and also a like ability of concoction . in a certain medicine of andromachus , for the curing of the disease of the secret parts , unwashed wool is added to the rest : but lepas ( as galen saith ) for unwashed wool doth add goose grease in the same quantity . some do also for unwashed wool use the marrow of a young calf , and apply it in the aforesaid manner ; but this unwashed wool is termed of the grecians , ae 〈…〉 pus , and therefore being by divers authors set down diversly concerning the making and virtue thereof , i have thought good to set down the truest and excellentest way to make the same ( as dioscorides ) whom in this i suppose best to follow , reporteth ; first to take new shorn wool which is very soft , and not trimmed with sope-weed , and wash it with hot water , then to presse all the filth forth of the same , and cast it into a cauldron which hath a broad lip , and afterwards to pour the water in , and to stir it up and down with a certain instrument with such great force as it may foam again , of with a wooden rod still greatly to turn and trouble it , so that the filthy froath or spume may more largely be gathered together , afterwards to sprinkle it over with sea water , and the fat remaining which did swim upon the top , being gathered together in an earthen vessel , to powr the water into the cauldron : then must the froath be powred again into the sea water ; and lastly , taken out again : this is so often to be done , that the fat being consumed , there will not any froath be left remaining : the aesypus then being gathered together , is to be mollifyed with mens hands , and if there be any filth therein , it must out of hand be taken away , and all the water by little and little excluded , and being fresh poured in , let it be mingled with ones hands , until the aesypus being touched with the tongue of any one , may lightly bind it , but not savour either sharp or tartly , and the fat may seem very white , and then let it be hid in an earthen vessel , but let there be great care had they be done in the hot sun . but there are some which use another manner of way to make the same , which is this , to cleanse the fleeces , and wash away all filth , and presse it forth of the same , and boyl them in water over a soft fire in a brazen vessel , then to wash the fat which swimmeth on the top being gathered together with water , and being strained in another platter which may have some hot water in it to hide or overcast it with a linnen cloth , and lay it forth in the sun until it be very white and thick enough . some also do use another way , as this , to wash the fat being strained with cold water , and to rub it with their hands , not much otherwise then women do a sear-cloth , for by that means it is made more white and purer . there is yet another kinde of way to make aesypus , described by aetius in these words , take ( saith he ) the greasie wool which groweth in the shoulder pits of sheep , and wash them in hot water , being thick and soft , and squeeze all the filth forth of the same , the washing whereof you shall put in a vessel of a large mouth or brim , casting afterwards hot water in the same , then take the water in a cup , or in some other such like instrument , and pour it in and out , holding it up very high until there come a froath upon it , then sprinkle it over with sea water , if you shall get any , if not , with some other cold water , and suffer it to stand still ; when it shall wax cold take that which shall flow on the top away with a sadle , and cast it into any other vessel , afterwards having put a little cold water in it , stir it up and down with your hands , then having poured out that water , put new hot water in it , and repeat again the same thing all together , which we have now taught , until the aesypus be made white and fat , containing no impure or filthy thing in it at all , then dry it in the sun , being hid for some certain days in an earthen vessel and keep it . but all these things are to be done when the sun is very hot , for by that means it will be more effectual and whiter , and not hard or sharp . there are moreover some which gather it after this manner ; they put new shorn wool which is very filthy and greasie in a vessel which hath hot water in it , and burn the water that it may somewhat wax hot , afterwards they cool it , and that which swimmeth above in the manner of fat , they scum it off with their hands , and put it away in a vessel of tin , and so do fill the vessel it self with rain water , and put it in the sun covered with a thin linnen cloth , and then we must moisten it again , and put up the aesypus , for it hath strength mollifying and releasing with some sharpness , but it is counterfeited with wax , sewet , and rozen , and it is straight ways perceived , and forasmuch as the true aesypus reserveth the scent of the unwashed wool , and being rubbed with any ones hands is made like unto ceruse , or white lead . even the filth and sweat of sheep , cleaving to their wool , hath great and manifold use in the world , and above all other that is most commended which is bred upon the athenian or grecian sheep , which is made many ways , and especially this way ; first they take off the wool from those places where it groweth , with all the sewet or filth there gathered together , and so put them in a brazen vessel over a gentle fire where they boyl out the sweat , and so take of that which swimmeth at the top , and put it into an earthen vessel , seething again the first matter , which fat is washed together in cold water , so dryed in a linnen cloth is scorched in the sun until it become white and transparent , and so it is out in a box of tin. it may be proved by this , if it swell like the savour of sweat , and being rubbed in a wet hand do not melt , but wax white like white lead , this is most profitable against all inflamation of the eyes , and knots in cheeks , or hardness of skin in them . of this aesypus or unwashed wool the grecians make great account , and for the variety of dressing or preparing it , they call it diversly , sometime the call it oesupon pharmaicon , sometime oesupon kerotoeide , or keroten , sometime oesupon hugron , and such like . of it they make plaisters to asswage the hypochondrial inflamations and ventosity in the sides . some use aesopus for oesypus ; but ignorantly , and without reason , it is better to let it alone , but in the collection hereof it must be taken from the sound and not from the scabby sheep . but when we cannot come by the true oesypus , then in stead thereof we may take that which the apothecaries and ointment-makers do ordain ; namely , melilo●i unc . . cardamoni unc . . hysopi herb . unc . . with the unwashed wool taken from the hams or flanks of a sheep . myrepsus used this oesypus against all gowts and aches in the legs or articles , and hardness of the spleen . galen calleth it jus lanae , and prescribeth the use of it in this sort ; make ( saith he ) a plaister of oesypus or jus lanae in this sort , take wax , fresh grease , scammonie , old oyl , one ounce of each , of fenny-greek six ounces , then seethe or boyl your-oyl with the jus lanae , and fenny-greek very carefully , until it equal the oyl , and be well incorporated together , and then again set it to the fire , with the prescription aforesaid ; and also he teacheth how to make this jus lanae , for ( saith he ) take unwashed wool and lay it deep in fair water until it be very soft , that is by the space of six days , and the seventh day take it and the water together , that seethe well , taking of the fat which ariseth at the top , and put it up as is aforesaid : these things saith galen . the use of this by reason it is very hot , is to display ulcers and tumors in wounds , especially in the secrets and seat , being mixed with melilot and butter , and it hath the same vertue against running sores . the same also with barly meal and rust of iron , equally mixed together , is profitable against all swelling tumors , carbuncles , tetters , serpigoes , and such like , it eateth away all proud flesh in the brims of ulcers , reducing the same to a natural habit and equality , also filling up the sore and healing it , and the same vertue is by disocorides attributed to wool burnt , also in bruises upon the head when the skin is not broken , a poultess made hereof , is said by galen to have excellent force and vertue . the same mingled with roses , and the oar of brasse ( called nil ) cureth the holy fire , and being received with myrrh steeped in two cups of wine , it encreaseth or procureth sleep , and also is very profitable against the falling-sickness . and being mixed with corsick hony , it taketh away the spots in the face , because it is most sharp and subtile , whereunto some add butter ; but if they be whealed and filled with matter , then prick and open them with a needle and rub them over with a dogs gall or a calfs gall mingled with the said oesypus , also being instilled into the head with oyl , it cureth the megrim , and furthermore it is used against all soreness of the eyes , and scabs in their corners , or upon the eye-lids , being sod in a new shell : and the same vertue is attributed to the smoke or soot thereof , if the eye-brows or eye-lids be anointed therewith ; mixed with myrrh and warmed , it is thought that it will restore the hair that is wanting and fallen off ; but marcellus prescribeth it in this manner , you must take oesypus or sweat of sheep from under the wool of their shoulders , and adding unto it a like quantity of myrrh , beat them together in a morter , and with a warm cloth anoint the bare places . if there be any bruise in the eyes , then you must anoint them first with goose grease , and the bloud of a mallard , and afterward with the sweat of a sheep , and the same cureth all ulcers in the mouth , ears , and genitals , with goose-grease . this is also mixed with a sear-cloth , and laid against the phthisis ( as aetius writeth ) with a moist cloth against the plurisie , also a plaister made hereof with goose grease , butter , allum , and the brain of a goose , is very profitable against the pains in the reins , and all other infirmities of the back , and for the same cause it is applyed to women , for it provoketh their monthly courses , and also causeth an easie deliverance in childe-birth , it healeth the ulcers in the secret and privy parts of men and women , and all inflamation in the seat , especially being mixed with butter , goose grease , and melilot : and some add thereunto the oar of brasse and roses . if there be a carbuncle in the privy parts , take this oesypus with hony and the froath of lead , also white lead , womens milk , and this sheeps sewet , cureth the gowt , at the least marvallously , asswageth the pain thereof , and some physitians for this evill take grease , goose grease , and the fat of buls , added to oesypus , also unwashed wool with the gall of a bull laid to a womans secrets , helpeth her monthly purgation , and olimpias added thereunto nitre . the dung which cleaveth to sheeps tails made into small bals , and so dryed , afterward beat into powder and rubbed upon the teeth , although they be loose , falling out , or overgrown with flesh , yet pliny saith , they will be recovered by that fricassing . if he which is sick of a dropsie drink this sweat or oesypus in wine with myrrh of the quantity of a hasel nut , goose grease , and mirtle oyl , it will give him great ease , and the same virtue is ascribed to the sweat of an ewes udder , which is and hath been said of all the former oesypus . the medicines of the ram. even as the skins of other sheeps newly plucked from their backs and applyed warm , do take away the ach , swelling , and pains of stripes and blowes from bodies , so also have the skins of rams , the same property . arnoldus commendeth a plaister made of a rams skin for burstning and falling down of the guts , and this is found ready prepared in many apothecaries shops , and the happy success thereof is much commended by alysius . if a man take the stones of a fighting cock , and anoint them with goose grease , and so wear them in a piece of a rams skin , it is certain that it will cohibite and restrain the rage of venereal lust ; and a woman wearing about her the right stone of a dunghil cock in a rams skin shall not suffer abortment . the washed fleece of a ram wet in cold oyl , putryfieth the inflamation of the secrets ; and likewise the black wool of a ram wet in water , and then in oyl , and so put to the sick places , keepeth the fundament from falling , and also asswageth the pain . also the wool of a fighting ram taken from betwixt his horns , and perfumed into a smoke , easeth the pain , and some take the powder thereof in vinegar for that malady . they say that lais and salp● cure the bitings of mad dogs , and also tertian and quartan agues , with the menstruous purgation taken in a piece of rams wool , and included in a bracelet of silver . also they write that a woman shall have an easie travail if she wear in the wool of a ram , seed of wilde cucumber about her loins , not knowing thereof , so as it be presently after the delivery cast out of doors . also marcelius saith , that if one take the wool from a rams fore-head , and burn in the cover of a new pot , and afterward beat it to powder in a morter , and so put it into venegar , and therewithal the forehead being anointed it easeth the head-ach . also the dust of rams wool mixed with water , cureth the pain in the yard . the matter of the liver sod , hath the same operation : and sextus writeth , that if the wool be taken from the head , ribs , and cods , and also worn by him that hath a tertian ague , it perfectly cureth him , and if a mans fingers ends and toes he tyed with the unwashed wool of a ram : it will stanch the bleeding at any part , especially the nose . also if you burn the greasie wool of a very fat ram , and in water wash the same , it will help all evils in the yard of man , if it be rubbed therewithal . the broath of the rump of a ram is commended against blisters . the flesh of a ram being burnt and anointed upon the body of any leaprous person , or any whose body is troubled with ring-worms or itches , is very effectual to cure them . the same force hath it against the bites of scorpions , and stingings of serpents , and algerarat : it also being taken in wine , is good for the bitings of mad dogs , and healeth the white skins in the eyes the fat of a sheep or weather hath the same in it , as pork grease , and cureth , the suffocation of the womb , and al other diseases incident unto the secret parts , and also helpeth places in the body being burnt by fire . the fat of a ram being mingled with red arsenick and anointed upon any scall or scab , the same being afterward pared or scraped , doth perfectly heal it . it doth also being mixed with allum , help those which are troubled with kibes or chilblanes in their heels . the sewet of a ram mingled with the powder of a pumice stone and salt , of each a like quantity , is said to heal fellons and inflamations in the body . the lungs of smal cattle , but especially of a ram doth restore chaps or scars in the body to their right colour . the same vertue hath the fat of a ram being mingled with nitre . the gall of a ram mingled with his own sewet , is very good and profitable for those to use who are troubled with the gowt or swelling in the joynts . the horn of a ram being burned , and the dust of the same mixed with oyl , and so pounded together , being often anointed upon a shaven head , doth cause the hair to frisle and curl . a comb being made of the left horn of a ram , and combed upon the head , doth take away all pain upon the left part thereof , if likewise there be pain in the right side of the head , the right horn of a ram doth cure it . for the curing of the losse of ones wits springing from the imperfection of the brain , take the head of a ram never given to venery , being chopped off at one blow , the horns being only taken away , and seethe it whole with the skin and the wool in water , then having opened it , take out the brains , and add unto them these kinds of spices , cinamon , ginger , mace , and cloves , of each one half an ounce : these being beaten to powder , mingle them with the brains in an earthen platter diligently tempering of them by a burning cole , not very big , for fear of burning , which might easily be done , but there must great care be had that it be not too much dryed , but that it might be so boyled that it be no more dryed then a calfs brains being prepared for meat . it shall be sufficiently boyled when you shall well mingle them at the fire , then keep it hid , and for three days give it dayly to the sick person fasting , so that he may abstain from meat and drink two hours after . it may be taken in bread , or in an egge , or in whatsoever the sick party hath a desire unto : but there must be regard that he be not in a clear place , and that he use this forty days space , which they are wont to use whose bloud is withdrawn or fled away : and let him abstain from wine assaying his head . there are those which are holpen in a short space , some in six or eight weeks by this medicine being received . but it is convenient that it be required for three moneths , and then it will have the more power therein . the lungs of a ram while they are hot applyed unto wounds wherein the flesh doth too much increase , doth both repress and make it equal . the lungs of small cattle , but especially of rams being cut in small pieces and applyed whiles they are hot unto bruised places , do very speedily cure them and reduce them to the right colour . the same doth cure the feet of such as are pinched through the straightness of their shooes . the lungs of a ram applyed unto kibed heels or broken ulcers in the feet ; doth quite expel away the pain , notwithstanding the exceeding ach or pricking thereof , one drop of the liquor which is boyled out of a rams lungs put upon the small nails upon the hand , doth quite expel them . the like operation hath it to expel warts being anointed thereupon . the corrupt bloud of the lungs of a ram unroasted , doth heal all pains in the privy members of man or woman ; as also expel warts in any place of the body . the juyce of the lungs of a ram while they are roasted upon a gridiron being received , doth by the unction thereof purge and drive away the little black warts which are wont to grow in the hair or privy parts of any man. the liquor which distilleth from the lungs of a ram being boyled , doth heal tertian agues , and the disease of the reins which grow therein . the lungs of a lamb or ram being burned , and the dust thereof mingled with oyl , or being applyed raw , do heal the soreness of kibes , and are accounted very profitable to be bound upon ulcers . the lungs of a ram being pulled forth and bound hot unto the head of any one that is frenzie , will presently help him . against the pestilent disease of sheep , take the belly of a ram and boyl it in wine , then being mixed with water , give it to the sheep to drink , and it will bring present remedy . the gall of a ram is very good for the healing of those which are troubled with any pains in the ears , coming by the casualty of cold . the gall of a ram mingled with his own sewet , doth ease those which are toubled with the gowt . the gall of a weather mingled with the wool and placed upon the navel of young children , doth make them loose in their bellies . the stones of an old ram being beaten in half a penny weight of water , or in three quarters of a pint of asses milk , are reported to be very profitable for those which are troubled with the falling sickness . the stones of a ram being drunk in water to the weight of three half pence , cureth the same disease . the dust of the inward parts of a ranis thigh being lapped in rags or clouts , washed very exactly before with womens milk , doth heal the ulcers or runnings of old sores . the dust of the hoof of a ram mingled with hony , doth heal the bitings of a shrew . the dung of weathers mingled with vinegar and fashioned in the form of a plaister , doth expel black spots in the body , and taketh away all hard bunches arising in the flesh . the same being applyed in the like manner , cureth st. anthonies fire , and healeth burned places . the filth or sweat which groweth between the thighs of a ram being mingled with myrrh and the herb called hart-wort , and drunk of each an equal part , is accounted a very excellent remedy for those which are troubled with the kings evil . but pliny commendeth the filth of rams ears mingled with myrrh , to be a more effectual and speedy remedy against the laid disease . the medicines of the lomb. the best remedy for bitings of serpents is this , presently after the wound to apply some little creatures to the same , being cut in small pieces , and laid hot unto it , as cocks , goats , lambs , and young pigs ; for they expel the poison and much ease the pains thereof . an ounce of limbs bloud being fresh before that it doth congeal mixed with vinegar , and drunk for three dayes together , is an excellent remedy against the vomiting or spitting of bloud . the like force in it hath the bloud of a kid. the bloud of a lamb mingled with wine , doth heal those which are troubled with the falling sickness , as also those which have the foul evil . for the conception of a woman , take the yard and gall of a buck , a kid , and a hare , with the bloud and sewet of a lamb , and the marrow of a hart , and mix them all together with nard and oyl of roses , and after her purgation , let them be laid under her , and this without all doubt will make her apt to conceive . the skins of serpents being anointed with water in a bath , and mingled with lime and lambs sewet , doth heal the disease called st. anthonies fire . the marrow of a lamb melted by the fire , with the oyl of nuts and white sugar , distilled upon a clean dish or platter , and so drunk , doth dissolve the stone in the bladder , and is very profitable for any that passeth bloud . it also cureth all pains or griefes of the yard , bladder or reins . the skin of a lamb being dawbed or anointed with liquid pitch , and applyed hot unto the belly of any one that is troubled with excoriations of the bowels or of the bloudy flux , will very speedily cure him , if he have any sense or seeling of cold in him . if a virgins menstrual fluxes come not forth at the due time , and her belly is moved , it is convenient to apply lambs skins being hot unto her belly , and they will in short space cause them to come forth . a garment made of lambs skins is accounted very good for the corroborating and strengthning of young men . the skins of lambs are more hot then kids skins , and are more profitable for the confirming of the back and the reins . the little bone which is in the right side of a toad being bound in a young lambs skin being hot , doth heal both quattain and all other fevers being applyed thereunto . the dust of lambs bones is very much and rightly used for ulcers which have no chops , or stars in them . the dust of small cattles dung being mingled with nitre , but especially of lambs , hath in them great force to heal cankers : the dust of lambs bones , is very much commended for the healing and making of green wounds sound and solid , which thing by the saracens is much verified in regard that at all times they go to war , they never forget to take of the same along with them . the lungs of lambs do very effectually cure those whose feet are wrung or pinched by their shoo-soles . the lungs of lambs or rams being burned , and the dust thereof mingled with oyl , is very profitable for the curing of kibes or ulcers , being applyed thereunto . it hath the same virtue being raw and bound upon the sore . the runnet of a lamb is of very great force against all other evil medicines . the runnets of small cattle , but especially of a lamb , is very effectual against all kinds of poyson . the runnets of a kid , a lamb , and a hind-calf are conveniently taken against wolf-bane drunk in wine . the runnet of a hare , a kid , or a lamb taken in wine to the weight of a dram is very effectual against the fork-fish , and cureth the bites or strokes of all sea-fishes . the runnet of a lamb drunk in wine is an excellent cure for the bitings of a shrew . the runnet of a lamb drunk in water is accounted for a safegard to young children who are vexed with thick and concrete milk : or if the default shall happen by curded milk , it will be soon remedyed by a lambs runnet given in vinegar . a lambs runnet hid or powred into water ; doth speedily colubit the bleeding of the nose , when nothing else can stay it the gall of small cattle , but especially of a lamb being mixed with hony , are thought to be very medicinable for the curing of the falling sickness . the places which are infected by cankers , being anointed over with the gall of a lamb are very speedily and effectually healed . there is also by the magitians delivered unto 〈◊〉 speedy means for the curing of the milt , which is this , to take a lamb new born , and instantly to pluck him in pieces with ones hands , and when the milt i● pulled out to put it hot upon the milt of the party so grieved , and bind it on fast with swadlin● , and continually to say , i make a remedy for the milt ; then in the last day the same being taken from his body to put it to the wall of the bed wherein the diseased party is wont to lie , it being first daubed with durt , that it might the better stick , and to 〈◊〉 the durt with seven and twenty marks , saying at every mark , i make a remedy for the milt ▪ this remedy being done three times it will heal the diseased party , although he be very weak and full of danger . but this is the opinion of the magitians , which i h●●e set down that they should rather see their folly then believe , knowing them to be meer fopperies . for making the wool to grow slower , the gelders of cattle anoint the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which cometh from the stones of gelded lambs , which being anointed , doth profit very much for hairs being pulled away , as also against poison . the dung of lambs before they have 〈…〉 any grasse , being dryed in the shadow , and rubbed to powder and applyed in the manner of a plaister , doth heal and ease all kinds of pain in the chaps or jawes . and thus much for the medicines of the sheep . of the strepsiceros . there is in crete neer the mountain ida , a kinde of sheep called by the shepherds strepsiceros , which is not different from the vulgar sheep , except only in the horne , for they bend not like other , but stand straight and upright like the vnicorn , and besides are circled about with certain round speers like a goats horn . this liveth in flocks , and we have here besides the figure of the beast , expressed a double form of their horns , and fore part of their head , the figure of a harpe being fastned to one of them as it was presently drawn . the description whereof was taken by doctor cay of england , in these words following . the horns of this strepsiceros are so lively expressed by pliny , and so fitly sitted to bear harps , that they seem not to aske any further narration of words . i will therefore only add this , they are hollow within , and long , about two roman feet and three palms if you measure them , as they are straight ; but if you take their scantling and length as they crook a little , then are they about three foot long , they are in breadth where they joyn to the head , three roman fingers and a half , and their whole compass in that place is about two roman palms and a half . in the top they are smooth and black , but at the root they are more dusky and rugged , growing lesser and lesser to a sharp point . they with the dryed face did weigh seven pounds and three ounces , and the face which remaineth is joyned to the horns , and likewise the hair of the neck and face . it is said that this beast is as great as a hart , having a red hair like a hart. unto this i may add another horn , which is to be seen in the castle of the l. william wernhere count of cimbria , being black , hollow , and of the length of ones arme , and as thick as a great staffe , and it was said , that the beast beareth two of them , which are to be seen among the rare monuments of ferdinandus the emperor . of the sqvirrel . the name of this beast is by the grecians called sciuros , and it was given them from the fashion and proportion of their tail , which covereth almost the whole body , for that which is fabulously said of the sciapodes to have feet that cover their whole body , is more truly verified of a squirrels tail , for in the day time being out of her nest , she hideth her self there under both from sun and rain . the first author that ever wrote of this beast was oppianus , who lived in the days of antonium caesar , and the latins have no proper or native name for it , but borrow from the grecians , although some of the latter writers call it pirolus , and spiurus , i think they would say sciurus , for so it is vulgarly termed in latin : some also call it sculurus a currendo , because of his nimble running upon boughs . but all the nations of the world derive their several denominations from the grecians , as the english squirrel from sciurus is not far fetched ; the french words escurieu , and escurieu , from whom the germans borrow their words eychorn , or eichorn , or eych horn , or eich hermlin , that a weasel of the tree , and das eychorn . the italians call it schirivolo , and the venetians ( as massarius testifieth ) schiriati ; the spaniards harda , and esquilo , and some do interpret coma dreia for a squirrel ; the ilyrians , weweeka , and some of the polonians , wije wijerka , and so they turn the mouse varius , as we have said else where in that story , and some of the germans call it werck , and veeh , and fech . now albertus and agricola say , that there is no difference betwixt the mouse varius and the squirrel , but only in the region which altereth the colour , and therefore we have expressed the same figure thereof , remitting the reader to that which is said in that history , for this ( say they ) in germany is red after it be a year old , but before that time it is blackish , that is till it be a year old : in polonia it is of a red-ash colour , or branded grysell , in russia of an ordinary ash colour , and for the quantity , food , and manner , or natural inclination , it hath the same in all parts with the mouse varius . varinus and hesychius say , that the grecians call this beast also campsiouros , and hippouros , and some call the cappadocian mouse n●●xis a squirrel ; the jewes at this day call a squirrel coach , for it is apparent that in antient time till they came into these parts of the world into grecia and europe , they never knew or saw this beast . and this shall suffice to have said of the name . a squirrel is greater in compass then a weasel , but a weasel is longer then a squirrel , the back parts and all the body is red , except the belly which is white . in helvetia they are black and branded , and they are hunted in the autumn at the fall of the leaf , when the trees grow naked , for they run and leap from bough to bough in a most admirable and agile manner , and when the leaves are on , they cannot be so well discerned . they are of three colours , in the first age black , in the second of a rusty iron colour , and last of all when they be stricken in age , they are full of white hoar hairs . their teeth are like the teeth of mice , having the two under teeth very long and sharp , their tail is always as big as their body , and it lyeth continually upon their back , when they sleep or sit still ; it seemeth to be given them for a covering as we have said already . the maw-gut differeth from all other , for it is coecum , that is , as i take it without a passage out of it into any other part then the other guts , or like a mans bladder ; and it is as great as their ventricle , which in dissection hath been found full stuft with excrements . the genital is like a bone , as vesalius writeth . they use their forefeet in stead of hands , for they sit upon their buttocks , and move their meat to their mouth with them , in this point resembling every little vulgar mouse , yet being put to the mouth , they hold it in their teeth . they will eat nuts and almonds very greedily , and also apples , buckmasts , acorns , and sometimes herbs , especially lettice , and all other sweet fruits . their seet are cloven like mice , and their hinder parts very fleshy to sit upon . in the summer time they build them nests , ( which in our countrey are called drayes ) in the tops of the trees , very artificially of stickes and mosse , and such other things as woods do afford them . the mouth of their nest is variable , sometimes at the sides , and sometimes at the top , but most commonly it is shut against the winde , and therefore i think that she maketh many passages , stopping and opening them as the winde turneth . in summer time they gather together aboundance of fruits and nuts for winter , even so much as their little dray will hold and contain , which they carry in their mouths , and they lodge many times two together , a male and female ( as i suppose . ) they sleep a great part of the winter like the alpine mouse , and very soundly , for i have seen when no noise of hunters could awake them with al their cries , beating their nests on the outside , and shooting bolts and arrowes thorough it , until it were pulled asunder , wherein many times they are found killed before they be awaked . they are of incredible agility and motion , never standing still , as it appeareth by them which are tamed . when they leap from tree to tree , they use their tail in stead of wings , which is most apparent , because many times they leap a great distance and are supported without sinking to mans appearance . and again i have seen them leap from the top of very high trees down to the ground in such an ordinary pace as birds flie from trees to light on the earth , and receive no harm at all ; for when they are hunted , men must go to it with multitude , for many men cannot take one with bowes and bolts with dogs , and except they start and rouze them in little and small slender woods , such as a man may shake with his hands , they are seldom taken . bowes are requisite to remove them when they rest in the twists of trees , for they wil not be much terrified with all the hollowing , except now and then they be struck by one means or other . well do they know what harbour a high oak is unto them , and how secure they can lodge therein from men and dogs-therefore seeing it were too troublesome to climb every tree , they must supply that business or labor with bowes and bolts , that when the squirrel resteth , presently she may feel the blow of a cunning archer , he need not fear doing her much harm , except he hit her on the head , for by reason of a strong back-bone and fleshy parts , she will abide as great a stroak as a dog ; yea , i have seen one removed from a bough with a shot to the ground . if they be driven to the ground from the trees to creep into hedges , it is a token of their weariness , for such is the stately minde of this little beast , that while her limbs and strength lasteth , she tarryeth and saveth her self in the tops of tall trees , then being descended , she falleth into the mouth of every cur , and this is the use of dogs in their hunting . the admirable wit of this beast appeareth in her swimmig or passing over the waters , for when hunger or some convenient prey of meat constraineth her to passe over a river , she seeketh out some rinde or small bark of a tree which she setteth upon the water , and then goeth into it , and holding up her tail like a sail , letteth the winde drive her to the other side , and this is witnessed by olaus magnus in his description of scandinavia , where this is ordinary among squirrels , by reason of many rivers , that otherwise they cannot passe over , also they carry meat in their mouth to prevent famine whatsoever befall them , and as peacocks cover themselves with their tails in hot summer from the rage of the sun , as under a shadow , with the same disposition doth the squirrel cover her body against heat and cold . they grow exceeding tame and familiar to men if they be accustomed and taken when they are young , for they run up to mens shoulders , and they will oftentimes sit upon their hands , creep into their pockets for nuts , go out of doors , and return home again ; but if they be taken alive , being old , when once they get loose , they will never return home again , and therefore such may well be called semiferi rather then cicures . they are very harmful , and will eat all manner of woollen garments , and if it were not for that discommodity , they were sweet-sportful beasts , and are very pleasant playfellowes in a house . it is said , that if once they tast of garlick , they will never after bite any thing , and this is prescribed by cardan to tame them , their skins are exceeding warm , and well regarded by skinners , for their heat is very agreeable to the bodies of men , and therefore they are mixed also with the skins of foxes . their flesh is sweet , but not very wholesome , except the squirrel were a black one . it is tender and comparable to the flesh of kids or conies , and their tails are profitable to make brushes of . the medicines are the same for the most part which are before expressed in the dormouse , saving that i may add that of archigenes , who writeth , that the fat of a squirrel warmed on a rubbing cloth , and so instilled into the ears , doth wonderfully cure the pains in the ears . and so i conclude this history of the squirrel with the epithets that martial maketh of a peacock , a phoenix , and a squirrel , in a comparison of a beautiful virgin erotion . cui comparatus indecens erat pavo , inamabilis sciurus , & frequens phoenix . of the getulian squirrel , described and figured by doctor cay . this getulian or barbarian squirrel , is of mixt colour , as it were betwixt black and red , and from the shoulders all alone to the tail by the sides , there are white and russet strakes or lines , which in a decent and seemly order stand in ranks or orders ; and there be some of these squirrels which have such lines of white and black , with correspondent lines in the tail , yet they cannot be seen except the tail be stretched out at length , by reason there is not much hair upon it . the belly seemeth to be like a blew colour upon a white ground . it is a little lesse then the vulgar squirrel , and hath not any ears extant or standing up as that , but close pressed to the skin round , and arising a little in length by the upper face of the skin . the head is like the head of a frog , and in other things it is very like the vulgar squirrel , for both the outward shape , the manner , and behaviour , the meat and means of life agree in both , and she also covereth her body like other squirrels . this picture and description was taken by him from one of them alive , which a marchant of london brought out of barbary . they are very pleasant and tame , and it is very likely that it is a kinde of egyptian or african mouse , whereof there are three sorts described by herodotus , the first called bipedes , the second zegeries , and the third echines , of which we have already spoken in the story of divers kinds of mice , and therefore i will here end the discouri● of this beast . of a wilde beast in the new found world called su . there is a region in the new-found world , called gigantes , and the inhabitants thereof are called pantagones ; now because their countrey is cold , being far in the south , they clothe themselves with the skins of a beast called in their own tongue ●u , for by reason that this beast liveth for the most part neer the waters , therefore they call it by the name of su , which signifieth water . the true image thereof as it was taken by thevetus , i have here inserted , for it is of a very deformed shape , and monstrous presence , a great ravener and untamable wilde beast . when the hunters that desire her skin set upon her , she flyeth very swift , carrying her young ones upon her back , and covering them with her broad tail : now for so much as no dog or man dareth to approach neer unto her , ( because such is the wrath thereof , that in the pursuit she killeth all that cometh near her : ) the hunters dig several pits or great holes in the earth , which they cover with boughs , sticks , and earth , so weakly that if the beast chance at any th●●e to come upon it , she and her young ones fall down into the pit and are taken . this cruel , untamable , impatient , violent , revening , and bloudy beast , perceiving that her natural strength cannot deliver her from the wit and policy of men her hunters , ( for being inclosed , she can never get out again , ) the hunters being at hand to watch her downfall , and work her overthrow , first of all to save her young ones from taking and taming , she destroyeth , them all with her own teeth ; for there was never any of them taken alive ; and when she seeth the hunters come about her , she roareth , cryeth , howleth , brayeth , and uttereth such a fearfull , noysome , and terrible clamor , that the men which watch to kill her , are not thereby a little amazed , but at last being animated , because there can be no resistance , they approach , and with their darts and spears wound her to death , and then take off her skin , and leave the ●arcass in the earth . and this is all that i finde recorded of this most savage beast . of the subus , a kinde of wilde water-sheep . this beast is called by oppianus soubes , and thereof 〈…〉 latines call it subus . bodine in his interpretation of oppianus , doth make it one beast with the strepsiceros , but because he expresseth no reason thereof , i take it that he was deceived by his conjecture , for we shall manifest , that either the colour or seat of living , cannot agree with the stre 〈…〉 ros , for he saith only it is the same beast which pliny calleth a strepsiceros . but we know by the description of oppianus , that this beast is of a red-gold-colour , having two strong armed horns on the head , and liveth sometimes in the sea , and water , sometime on the land . of all kindes of sheep this is the worst and most harmful , ravening after life and bloud ; for it goeth to the water , and therein swimmeth : when the silly simple fishes see this glorious shape in the waters , admiring the horns , and especially the golden colour , they gather about him in great flocks , and abundance , especially shrimps , lobsters , mackarel , and tenches , who follow him with singular delight on either side , both the right and the left , pressing who shall come nearest , to touch and have the fullest sight of him ; to they accompany him in ranks for love of his so strange proportion . but this unkinde and ravening beast , despising their amity , society , and fellowship , maketh but a bait of his golden outside and colour , to draw unto him his convenient prey , and beguile the innocent fishes , for he snatcheth at the nearest , and devoureth them , tarrying no longer in the water then his belly is filled , and yet these simple foolish fishes seeing their fellows devoured before their faces have not the power or wit to avoid this devourers society , but still accompany him , and weary him out of the waters till he can eat no more , never hating him , or leaving him , but as men which delight to be hanged in silken halters , or stabbed with silver and golden bodkins , so do the fishes by this golden-coloured-devouring-monster . but such impious cruelty is not left unrevenged in nature , for as she gathereth the fishes together to destroy them , so the fishermen watching that concourse , do entrap both it and them , rendering the same measure to the ravener , that it had done to his innocent companions . and thus much shall suffice for the subus or water-sheep . of the swine in general . the grecians do also use sus , or zus , choiros , and suagros . the wilde hog is called kapron , from hence i conjecture is derived the latine word apex ; the italians do vulgarly call it porco ; and the florentines peculiarly ciacco ; and also the italians call a sow with pig scrofa , and troiata , or porco fattrice . the reason why that they call a sow that is great with pig trojata , or trojaria is for the similitude with the trojan horse , because as that in the belly thereof did include many armed men , so doth a sow in her belly many young pigs , which afterward come to the table and dishes of men . a barrow hog is called m●jalis in latine , and the italians , porco castrato , and lo majale . the french call a swine porceau , a sow tr●ye coche , a bore verrat , a pig cochon porcelet , and about lyons , ca 〈…〉 . the barrow hog they call por-chastre . the spaniards call swine puerco ; the germans , saw , or suw , su , chwin , schw●in , a sow they call m●r and looss , a bore aeber , which seemeth to be derived from aper , a barrow hog barg , a splayed sow gultz , a pig faerle , and scuwle , and a sucking pig s●anfoerle . in little brittain they call a hog houch , and thereof they call a dolphin merhouch . the illyrians call swine swinye , and prase ; the latines , sus , porcus , and porcelius , and scrofa , and these are the common and most vulgar tearms of swines ; if there be any other , they are either devised or new made , or else derived from some of these . concerning the latine word sus , isidorus deriveth it from sub , because these beasts tread under-foot grass and grain , and indeed for this cause the egyptians kept their swine in the hills all the year long , till their seed time ; for when their corn was sowen , they drove them , over their new plowed lands , to tread in the grain , that the fowls and birds might not root it or scrape it forth again , and for this cause also they spared swine from sacrificing . but in mine opinion it is better derived from hus , the greek word : for the latine , porcus , is thought to be f 〈…〉 from porrectus , because his snowt is alway stretched forth , and so he feedeth , digging with it in the earth , and turning up the root of trees : but i better approve the notation of isidorus , por●us quasi spurcus , quia ●oeno & limo sevolutat . that is , because it rowleth and walloweth in the mire . porc●tra , or porceta for a sow that hath had but one farrow , and sc 〈…〉 ppa for a sow that hath had many . the grecians hus is derived from thuein , which signifieth to kill in sacrifice , for great was the use of sacrificing this beast among the paynims , as we shall shew afterward . the ancient grecians did also tearm swine sika , and when the swine-herds did call the beasts to their meats , they cryed sig , sig : as in our countrey their feeders cry tig , tig , ch 〈…〉 ros , of their feeding and nursing their young ones . and indeed from swine we finde that many men have also received names , as cipio suarius , and tremellius scrosa , whereupon lyeth this history as he writeth : when licinus nerva was 〈…〉 tor , his great uncle was left questor in his absence for macedonia , untill the praetor returned . the enemies thinking that now they had gotten opportunity and advantage against their besiegers or assaylants , caused an onset to be made , and a fight to be offered , then his uncle exhorting the roman souldiers to arms , told them , seceleriter hostes diljecturum ut , scrofa porcellas , that he would as easily cast them off and scatter them , as a sow doth her pigs sucking her belly , which he performed accordingly , and so obtained a great victory , for which nerva was made emperor , and he was always evermore afterward called scrofa . macrobius telleth the occasion of the name of the family of scrofa somewhat otherwise , yet pertaining to this discourse . tremellius , saith he , was with his family and children , dwelling in a certain village , and his servants seeing a stray sow come among them , the owner whereof they did not know , presently they slew her , and brought her home . the neighbour that did owe the sow called for witnesses of the fact or theft , and came with them to tremellius , demanding his scrofa or sow again . tremellius having understood by one of his servants the deed , laid it up in his wives bed , and covering it over with the clothes , caused her to lie upon the sows carkase , and therefore told his neighbour he should come in and take the scrofa , and so had brought him where his wife lay , and swore he had no other sow of his but that , shewing him the bed , and so the poor man was deceived by a dissembling oath , for which cause ( he saith ) the name of scrofa was given to that family . there was one pope sergius , whose christen and first name was os porci , hogs face , and therefore he being elected pope , changed his name into sergius , which custom of alteration of names , as that was the beginning , so it hath continued ever since that time among all his successors . likewise we read of porcellus a grammarian , of porcellius , a poet of naples , who made a chronicle of the affairs of frederick duke of vrbine , porcius , suillus , verres the praetor of sicilia , syadra , sybotas , hyas , hyagnis , gryllus , porcilla , and many such other give sufficient testimony of the original of their names to be drawn from swine , and not only men , but people and places ; as hyatae , suales , chorreatae , three names of the dori in greece : hyia a city of locris , hyamena a city of mesene , hyamajon a city of troy , hyampolis a city of phocis ; whereby to all posterity it appeareth , that they were swineherds at the beginning ; exul hyantaenos invenit regna per agros . hyape , hyops a city in iberia , hysia a city of boeotia , and pliny calleth the tall people of ethiop , which were eight cubits in height sybotae , and the like i might adde of many places , cities , people , fountains , plants , engins , and devises , plentiful in many authors ; but i will not trouble the reader any longer with that , which may be but thought to be unnecessary . only i cannot contain my self from the fiction of a swines name and testament , or last will , for the mirth and wit thereof , as it is remembred in coelius , and before in s. jerom , and lastly by alexander brassicanus , and geo , fabritius , i will express both in latine and english in this place . m. grunnius corocotta porcellus testamentum feai , quod quoniam manu men propria scribere non potui , scribendum dictavi . magirus cocus dixit , veni huc eversor domi , soliversor fugitive porcelle , ego bodie tibi vitam adimo . corocotta porcellus dixit , si qua feci , si qua peccavi , si qua vascula pedibus meis confregi , rogo domine coque , veniam peto , roganti concede . magirus coquus dixit , transipuer , adfer mihi de culina cultrum , ut hunc porcellum cruentum faciam . porcellus comprehenditur à famulis ductus sub die . cal. lucern 〈…〉 , ubi abundant cymae , clibanato & piperato consulibus , & ut vidit se moriturum esse , horae spacium petiit , coquum rogavit , ut testamentum facere posset . inclamavit ad se sues parentes , ut de cihariis suis aliquid dimitteret eis , qui ait , patri nes verrino lardino , do , lego , dati glandis madios . & matri mee veturrina scrofe do , lego , dari laconteae siliginis modios . & sorori meae quirinae , in cujus votum intercesse non potui , do , logo , dari hordei modios . & de me●● visceribus dab● , donabo sutoribus setas , rixatoribus capitinas , surdis auriculas , causidicis & verbosis lingüam , bubulariis intestina , esiciariis femora , mulieribus lumbulos , pueris vesicam , pueris caudam , cinaedis musculos , cursoribus & ven●t●tibus talos , latronibus ungulos , & neo nominando coquo , do , lego , ac dimino popam & pistitlam , quae mecum detuleram à querceto usque ad haram , liget sibi collum de reste . velo mihi fieri monumentam ex literis aureis scriptum . m. grunnius corocetta porcellus vixit annos occc . x● . . quod si semis vixisset , mille annos complevisset . optimi amatores mei vel consutes vitae , rogo vos ut corpori meo beneficiatis , bene condiatis , de bonis condimentis nuclei , piperis , & mellis , ut nomen meum in sempiternum n●●inetur . mel domini , & consobrini mel , qui huic testamento interfuistis , jubete signari . testes . lucanicus signavit , tergillus signavit , nuptialieus sig . celsanus sign . lardio sign . offelicus sign . cymatus sign . in english without offence i may translate it thus ; i , m. grunter hog-son little pig have made this my last will and testament , which because i could not write with my own hand , i have caused it to be endited by other . magirus the cook said unto me , come hither thou underminer of houses , thou rooter up of land , fearful , fugitive little pig , i must this day take away thy life . to whom hog-son made this answer ; if i have done any harm , if i have offended , if i have trod in pieces any vessels of worth under my feet , then iintreat thee good m. cook pardon me , and grant me my request . but mag●rus the cook said , run ( sir kitchin-boy ) and bring me a knife out of the kitchin , that i may let this little pig bleed : presently i the little pig was taken by the servants , and by them led the xvi . day of the calends of torch-light into the place of cool-worts , when fiery-furnace and pepper-spice were consuls , and when i saw no remedy but that i must die , i entreated the cook but an hours space to make my will. which when i had obtained , i call'd my parents and friends about me , and made my will in manner following : of all my meat and provision left behinde me , first i give unto bore-brown my father bushels of buck-mast . item i give to my mother townsow , bushels of the best wheat . item i give my sister whine-pig bushels of barly , and for my bowels i bestow them in manner following ; i bequeath my bristles to the coblers and shoomakers , my brains to wranglers , my ears to the leaf , my tongue to lawyers and pratlers , my intrails to the tripe-makers , my thighes to the pye-makers , my loins to women , my bladder to boys , my tail to young maids , my muscles to shameless dancers , my anckle-bones to lackyes and hunters , my hoofs to thieves . item i give unto this ( unworthy to be named ) cook the knife and the pestle , that i brought out of the spinny of an oak , into my stye , and so let him tie his neck with a halter . also my will is , that there be made for me a monument , wherein shall be ingraven in golden letters , this inscription or title , m. grunter hog-son , little-pig , lived nine hundred ninty nine years and a half , and if he had lived but one half year longer , he had lived a thousand years . and you my lovers and best counsellors of my life , i beseech you do good to my dead carkase , salt it well with the best season of nutmegs , pepper , and hony , that so my name and memory may remain for evermore . and you my masters and kindred which have been present at the making of my will , i pray you cause your marks to be put thereunto . witnesses ; wood-hogs mark , bristle-backs mark , town-boars mark , mountain-hogs mark , bacon-hogs mark , swill-hogs mark , marsh-hogs mark . i have expressed this discourse for no other purpose but to shew the reader , what proper feigned names have been or may be given to swine , and so not to hold him any longer in this discourse , i will proceed from the names to the natures of this beast . and first of all to begin with the common and vulgar epithets , which are as so many short definitions as they are words , as that of horace , amica sus luto , a dirt-lover , cloven-footed , beastly , clamorous , acron-eater , rough , horrible , fearful , sluggish , filthy , unclean , impatient , loud , glad of food , miry , fat , wet , follower , moist , greedy , tender , and milk-sucker , according to the poets sayings ; lacte mero pascum pigrae mihi matris alumnum , ponat : & aetolo de sue dives edat . swine are in the most countries of the world . yet aristotle and aelian report , that there are none in india , and arabia scein : and moreover there is in the people of those countries such a detestation of them that they cannot endure to eat their flesh , which is not wrought in them by any instinct or opinion of religion ( as it is in the , jews ) but rather by a natural inclination of the place and region wherein they live , for it is said also , that if swine be brought thither from any other place , they die within short space . pliny affirmeth , that there are boars among some of the indians which have horns , and the like is affirmed of the aethiopians . the swine of sicily are accounted the best of all other for food . in bavaria they are lean , but in burgundy , or the neather germany , they are fierce , strong , and very fat . those which are carried into hispaniola , are said to grow to the stature of mules . now concerning the several parts of swine , it is most certain that inwardly they do more resemble a mans body then an ape , for as all writers do affirm , that outwardly the proportion of apes come nearest to men , according to the poets verse ; simia quam sintilis turpissima bestia nobis . so on the other side a swines ▪ anatomy doth more lively express the inward members and seat of life , and therefore our predecessors did first of all dissect a swine , and then a man , for the swine was an example or introduction to the other ; and in swine they chuse a lean hog , because that all the vessels and instrumental parts do better and more clearly appear to the sight then in a fat hog . there is not according to aristotle , much marrow in their bones , and their skin is all over rough and hairy , and yet the hair not so thick as an oxes , yet much longer and stiffer , standing up upon the ridge of the back ; the colour of swine is uncertain , and varieth not only after the diversity of the countrey , but in every countrey it is divers in it self , some are white , some branded , some sanded , some red , some black , some pyed , some none of these , and some all of these ; yet in germany for the most part red , and in france and italy black . betwixt the skin and the flesh there lyeth a fat called lordo , barde , and ar●●na . their brain is very fat , and in the wane of the moon it is less then any other beasts . their eyes are hollow , and stand very deep in their heads , and therefore cannot by art of man he taken out without danger of death ; and if one of them be at any time perished , it is a hazzard but the swine dyeth . their eye-brows move more downward toward their noses , and are again drawn up toward their temples , and their fore-head is very narrow , by which in ancient time they judged or deemed a fool or foolish unwise disposition , as by standing up of the lips about the canine teeth , betokeneth a contumelious and clamorous rayler , and thick lips , and a round mouth standing forth , the disposition of a hog . the snowt is long and strong and yet broad to cast up the earth for food , having on the tip a rising gristle round , and more piked , at the top betwixt the nostrils , wherewithal it first entereth the earth by digging . upon their under chap there are teeth which grow out of their head , and the boars have some which the females have not : for even as the elephant hath two teeth growing downward , so hath the boar two growing upward . the male as we have said , hath more then the female , and neither of both do lose or change them by any course of nature . as the horse hath his mane , so hath a swine certain bristles on his neck ( called therefore by the grecians , lophia ) this neck is broad and thick , and in it lyeth the strength of the beast , and therefore it is observed by the physiognomers , that a man with such a neck is an angry fool . the collop next to the neck called vulgarly callasum , ought to be broad and stiffe . it is said of sore harts , that they have their gall in their ears , and indeed in the ears of swine there is found a certain humor not much unlike to a gall : yet less liquid , and therefore by reason of the density or thickness thereof , comparable to the humor of the spleen . the ventricle is large to receive much meat , and to concoct it perfectly , we call it vulgarly the buck , and there are in it but few smooth ribs or crests , and in the liver parts which are very great , there is a certain hard thing white like a stone . the females have twelve udders or d●gs under the belly , but never less then ten , if they want of twelve ; and the boars have their stones on their seat behinde them joyned together , which being taken off , are called by the latines , polimenta . but in the female there is a great miracle of nature , for the place of conception is only open to the udders , or downward , but when her lust cometh on her , by often tickling and striving she turneth it about to meet with the boars instrument in generation . and this bag is called apria , which hangeth in the female inward , as the stones of the boar do outwardly . in some places there are swine which are not cloven-footed , but whole hoofed like a horse , yet this is very seldom or accidental for the most part all are cloven-footed , aristotle affirmeth , that there are swine whole hoofed in illyria , paeonia , and macedonia , and albertus saith , that he hath been informed of some such seen in england , and also in flanders . the anckles are doubtful , as it were in proportion betwixt the anckle of a whole and of a cloven hoof . now by this that hath been said and shall be added , we must make up the description of a perfect swine , for the better knowledge of the reader , which may be this , of a straight and small head . the best form is to have large members , e●●ept the head and feet , and of one uniform colour , not parted or variable , not old , but of a good race or breed . there be some that for the choice of their swine do make this observation , they chuse them by their face , by the race , and by the region ; by the face , when the boar and sow are of good and beautiful aspects ; by the race , if they bring forth many and safely , not casting pigs ; by the region , when they are not bred where they be of a small , slender , or vile statute and especially this is observed in the male , because that in all beasts they are oftentimes more like the fire then the dam ; therefore it is better in swine to have a thick round , and well set hog , then a long sided one , howbeit some approve-hogs with long legs . the buttocks ought to be fleshy , the belly large and prominent , and the snowts short and turning upward , yet the sow is best , that hath the largest sides , if all the other members be correspondent . likewise in cold countries they must chuse their swine with rough and thick hair , but in warther and more more temperate climats , any hair be it never so small will serve the 〈◊〉 , especially if it be black ▪ and thus much shall serve in this place for their several parts and members : now 〈◊〉 will proceed on to their nourishment and copulation . it is most certain that swine are of a hot temperament , and for that cause it cometh to pass that they do not loose their winter hair , for by reason of the fat neer to their skin , there is abundance of heat which keepeth fast the roots of the hair . their food therefore and nourishment is easily digested in every part , for that which is so strong in the nouriture of the hair , must needs be of correspondent power in other parts . some have thought that swine care not for grass or herbs , but only roots , and therefore hath a peculiar snout to attain them , but i finde by experience , that they will eat grass above the earth , as well as roots beneath , and they love to feed in herds together . they love above measure acorns ; and yet being given to them alone they are hurtful , and bring no less damage to them then to sheep , ( though not so often ) especially to sows that be with pig. the best time for gathering of acorns is in november , and it is a work for women and children . the woods of italy are so full of acorns , that they nourish abundance of swine , and that therewith are fed the greatest part of the roman people . they delight also in buck-mast , and that meat maketh the swines flesh light , easie of digestion , and apt for the stomach : in some countries haws have the same vertue to fat hogs , that is in acorns , for they make them waighty , straight , neat , and sweet . the next unto this holm-berries do fat hogs , saving that they procure looseness , except they be eaten by little and little . there is a tree which hath such bitter fruit ( called haliphlocus ) whereof no beast will taste , hereof hogs will tast , but in extream famin and hunger , when they are without all other food and meat . the fruit or apples of palm-trees ( especially such as grow in salt grounds near the sea sides , as in cyrene of africa , and judea , and not in egypt , cyprus , syria , helvetia , and assyria ) do fatten and feed hogs : and indeed there is scarse any food whereof they do not eat , as also no place wherein they pick not out some living , both in mountains and fens , and plain fields , but best of all near waters , wherein by the banks sides they gather many sweet and nourishable morsels . there are no better abiding places for hogs then are the woods , wherein abound either oakes , beeches , cork-trees , holm , wilde olives , tamarisk , hasels , apples , or crab-trees , white thorn , the greek carobs , pine-trees , corn-trees , lote-trees , prune-trees , shrubs , haws , or wilde pears , or medlers , and such like ; for these fruits grow ripe successively one after the other , for there is no time of the year wherein some of them are not to be gathered soft and nourishable , whereby the herds of swine may be maintained . but if at any time this food cease , and not to be found , then must there be some other provision out of the earth , such as is corn , or grains , and turn your hogs to moist places , where they may pick up worms , and suck up fat fenny water , which thing is above all other things grateful to this beast ; for which cause it pleased the holy ghost in scripture , to compare the pleasure that beastly men take in ●●nning , to the wallowing of swine in the mire . the d●g ( saith s. peter ) is returned to his vomit , and the sow that was washed to wallow in the mire . for this cause also you must suffer them to dig in the water , and to eat canes and wilde bulrushes , likewise the roots and tops of water-cresses ; and you must provide to lay up for them in water acorns , and not spare corn to give it them by hand , as beans , pease , fitches , barly , and such like . and columella ( from whom i have taken these instructions ) addeth moreover , that in the spring time before your hogs go abroad to bite at the sweet and fresh growing herbs , lest they provoke them to looseness , you must give them some sodden drink , wash or swill , by vertue whereof that mischief must be avoided , for if it be not , such leanness will follow , that it will overthrow and kill them . in some countries they also give them the scapes or refuse grapes of vintage , and moreover the fruits of yew tree , which is poyson to dogs . aristomachus the athenian by many and sundry praises advanceth three-leaved-grass , and among other , for that as when it is green it is commodious for sheep , so being dryed it is wholesome to swine . they love green corn , yet it is reported , that if swine eat of it in the isle of salamine , their teeth by the law of the countrey are beaten out of their mouths . it is wholesome to give them crude or raw barly , especially to a bore when he is to couple with a sow , but unto a sow with pig sod . there is in bavaria a kinde of scallion which beareth a red purple-flower , like to the flower of the lilly of the vallies , which is greatly sought after and devoured by swine . they also seek after wilde vines , and the herb called hogs-bread , and the root of wilde rapes , which beareth leaves like unto violets , but sharper , and a white root without milk : by some it is called buchspick , because it groweth in woods among beeches . they eat also flesh , and abstain not from fat . bacon , and herein they differ from most of the ravening creatures , for dogs will not taste of dogs flesh , and bears of bears , yet will hogs eat of swines flesh , yea many times the dam eateth her young ones : and it is found that swine have not abstain'd from the flesh of men and children , for when they have been slain by theeves , before they could be found , the greatest part of their body was torn in pieces and eaten by wilde swine : and indeed as we see some hens eat up the egs that they themselves have laid , so shall we observe some sows to devour the fruits of their own wombs , whereat we ought not to marvel as at a monstrous prodigious thing , but rather acknowledge a nutural voracity , constrained in them through famine and impatience . they also eat snails and salamanders , especially the boars of the mountains in cilicia , and although there be in salamanders a very deadly poyson , yet doth it not hurt them at all , but afterward when men or beasts tast of such a swines flesh , the operation of the poyson worketh upon them mortally : neither is this any marvel , for so it is when a frog eateth of a toad : and whereas if a man eat hemlock , presently all his bloud congealeth in his body and he dyeth , but if a hog eat thereof , he not only not dyeth , but thriveth and groweth fat thereby . aristotle reporteth one great wonder of a place about thracia ( as he saith ) wherein for the compass of twenty paces there groweth barly , whereof men eat safely , but oxen and sheep , and other creatures avoid it as mortal poyson , and swine will not vouchsafe to tast of mens excrements that have eaten thereof , but avoid them carefully . at swine delight in meat , so also they delight more in drink , and especially in the summer time , and therefore they which keep sucking sowes , must regard to give them their bellyful of drink twice a day , and generally we must not lead them to the waters as we do goats , and sheep , but when the heat of summer is about the rising of the dog-star , we must keep them all together by water sides , that so they may at their own pleasure , both drink and lie down to wallow in the mire , and if the coasts be so dry that this cannot be obtained or permitted , then must they have water set in troughes and vessels , whereof they may tast at their own pleasure , for otherwise through want of water they grow liver and lung sick . the miery water doth most quickly make them fat , and they will drink wine or beer unto drunkenness , and in those countries where grapes grow , if the swine come into the vintage , they grow drunk with eating of grapes . also if the lees of wine be mingled with their meat , they grow fat above measure and senseless in their fat , whereby it hath been seen that a mouse hath eaten into the sides of a fat hog without the resistance of the beast : and the like is reported by pliny of the son of l. apronius who had been a consul , for his body grew so fat that it was taken from him , his body remaining immoveable . and in the spring time swine of their own accord grow so fat , that many times they cannot stand on their legs their bodies be so heavy , nor go any whit , so that if they are to be removed , they are not to be droven but to be carryed in a cart. varro and crescentiensis , do report admirable things of the fatness of swine . for first varro saith , that he received knowledge from a credible honest man in portugal , of a swine that there was killed , the offall whereof with two ribs was sent to volumnius a senator , which weighed twenty and three pounds , and the fat betwixt the skin and the bone , was a foot and three fingers thick . unto this he addeth the story of the arcadian sow , who suffered a mouse to eat into her fat , and breed young ones therein , after she made a nest : which thing he likwise affirmeth of a cow. and crescentiensis reporteth of an other lusitanian swine , which after the death , weighed five hundred seventy and five pounds , and the lard of that hog was one foot and three fingers broad . and the like may be said of a hog at basil , nourished by a certain oyl-man , in whose lard or fat , after his death were found many passages of mice to and fro , which they had gnawed into his body without the sense of the beast . hogs grow fat in short time . in antient days ( as pliny writeth ) they put them up to fatting threescore days , and first of all they made them fast three days together , after six days they may sensibly be perceived to grow fat . there is not any beast that can better or more easily be accustomed to all kinds of food , and therefore doth very quickly grow fat , the quantity and stature of their body considered ; for whereas an ox or cow , or hart , and such like beasts aske long time , yet a swine which eateth of all sorts of meat , doth very quickly even in a moneth or two , or three at the most , prove worthy the knife and also his masters table , although in some places they put them up to fatting a whole year together , and how much they profit & gather in their feeding , it is very easie for them to observe that dayly keep and attend them , and have the charge and overseeing of them . and there must be had great care of their drink . in thracia , after they put up a hog to fatting , they give him drink the first day , and then let him fast from drink two days , and so give him drink by that proportion till the seventh day , afterward they observe no more diet for their swine , but give them their fil of meat and drink till the slaughter day . in other countries they diet them in this sort ; after beans and pease they give them drink aboundantly , because they are solid and hard ; but after oats and such like , as meal , they give them no drink , lest the meal swim up and down in their belly , and so be ejected into the excrements without any great profit . there is nothing whereon it liveth , but thereby it will grow fat except grazing , and therefore all manner of grain , millet seed , figs. acorns , nuts , pears , apples , cucumbers , roots , and such things cause them to rise in flesh gratefully , and so much the sooner if they be permitted to root now and then in the mire . they must not be used to one simple , or unmingled , or uncompounded mear , but with divers compounds , , for they rejoyce in variety and change like other beasts , for by this mutation of food , they are not only kept from inflamation and windiness , but part of it alway goeth into flesh , and part into fat . some use to make their sty wherein they are inclosed to be very dark and close , for their more speedy satting , and the reason is good , because the beast is more apt to be quiet . you shall have bakers that will fat their hogs with bran ; and in elsatia a countrey of germany , they fat them with bean-meal , for thereby they grow fat very speedily , and some with barly-meal wet with flat milk . and in the alpes they fat them with whay , whereby their fat and flesh groweth more white and sweet then if they were fatted with acorns , yet whay is very dangerous : for such is the ravening intemperancy of this beast , to swill in whatsoever is pleasant to his tast , that many times in drinking of whay their bellies grow extended above measure , even to death , except that they be dieted by a wise keeper , and driven up and down not suffered to rest till it flow forth again backward . barly is very nourishable to them , whether it be sod or raw , and especially for sowes with pig , for it preserveth the young ones till delivery , and at the farrowing causeth an easie and safe pigging . and to conclude this part , millers and bakers fat with meal and bran , brewers with ale , or barly steeped in ale , oyl-men with the refuse of nuts and grapes . some again there be that grow fat with the roots of fern. when a sow is very fat she hath alway but little milk , and therefore is not apt to make any good tidy pigs , and yet as all other beasts grow lean when they give suck , so also doth swine . all swine in hot regions by reason of a viscous humor , grow more fat then in the cold regions . in that part of frisia neer germany , they fat oxen and swine with the same meat , for there you shall have in one stable an ox and a hog tyed behind him at his tail , for the ox being tyed to the rack eateth barly in the straw and chaffe , which he swalloweth down without chewing , and so the softest thereof is , digested in his belly , and the other cometh forth whole in his dung , which the hog licketh up and is therewithal fatned . and it is to be remembred , that swine gelded or splaied , do sooner fatten then any other . to conclude , they love the dung of men , and the reason thereof is , because the seat of their lust is in their liver which is very broad and insatiable , and there is nothing that hath a duller sense of smelling then this beast , and therefore it is not offended with any carrion or stinking smell , but with sweet and pleasant ointments , as we shall shew afterwards . concerning their generation or copulation , it is to be noted , that a boar or male swine will not remain of validity and good for breed past three year old , by the opinion of all the antient , for such as he engendereth after that age , are but weak and not profitable to be kept and nourished . at eight moneths old he beginneth to leap the female , and it is good to keep him close from other of his kinde for two moneths before , and to feed him with barly raw , but the sow with barly sodden one boar is sufficient for ten sowes ; if once he hear the voice of his female desiring the boar , he will not eat untill he be admitted , and so he will continue pining , and indeed he will suffer the female to have all that can be , and groweth lean to fatten her ; for which cause homer like a wise hushandman prescribeth , that the male and female swine be kept asunder till the time of their copulation . they continue long in the act of copulation , and the reason thereof is , because his lust is not hot , nor yet proceeding from heat , yet is his seed very plentiful . they in the time of their copulation are angry , and outragious , fighting with one another very irefully , and for that purpose they use to harden their ribs by rubbing them voluntarily upon trees . they choose for the most part the morning for copulation ; but if he be fat and young , he can endure it in every part of the year and day , but when he is lean , and weak , or old , he is not able to satisfie his females lust , for which cause she many times sinketh underneath him , and yet he filleth her while she lyeth down on the ground , both of them on their buttocks together . they engender oftentimes in one year , the reason whereof is to be ascribed to their meat or some extraordinary heat , which is a familiar thing to all that live familiarly among men , and yet the wilde swine couple and bring forth but once in the year , because they are seldom filled with meat , endure much pain to get and much cold ; for venus in men and beasts , is a companion of satiety , and therefore they only bring forth in the spring time , and warm weather , and it is observed that in what night soever a wilde hog or sow farroweth , there will be no storm or rain . there be many causes why the tame domestical hogs bring forth and ingender more often then the wilde ; first because they are fed with ease ; secondly because they live together , without fear , and by society are more often provoked to lust ; on the other side the wilde swine come seldom together , and are often hungry , for which cause they are more dull and lesse venereous , yea many times they have but one stone , for which cause they are called by aristotle and the antient grecians chlunes and monorcheis . but concerning the sow , she beginneth to suffer the boar at eight moneths of age , although according to the diversity of regions and air , they differ in this time of their copulation , for some begin at four moneths , and other again tary till they be a year old : and this is no marvel , for even the male which engendereth before he be a year old , begetteth but weak , tender , and unprofitable pigs . the best time of their admission is from the calends of february unto the vernal equinoctial , for so it hapneth that they bring forth the young in the summer-time , for four months she goeth with young , and it is good that the pigs be farrowed before harvest , which you purpose to keep all the year for store . after that you perceive that the sows have conceived , then separate them from the boars , lest by the raging lust of their provoking , they be troubled and endangered to abortment . there be some that say , a sow may bear young till she be seven year old , but i will not strive about that whereof every poor swineherd may give full satisfaction . at a year old a sow may do well , if she be covered by the boar in the moneth of february . but if they begin not to bear till they be twenty moneths old , or two years , they will not only bring forth the stronger , but also bear the longer time even to the seventh year , and at that time it is good to let them go to rivers , sens , or miery places , for even as a man is delighted in washing or bathing , so doth swine in filthy wallowing in the mire ; therein is their rest , joy , and repose . albertus reporteth that in some places of germany a sow hath been found to bear young eight years ; and in other till they were fifteen years old ; but after fifteen year it was never seen that a sow brought forth young pigs . if the sow be fat , she is always the lesse prone to conceive with young , whether she be young or old . when first of all they begin to seek the boar , they leap upon other swine , and in process cast forth a certain purgation called aprya , which is the same in a sow which hippomanes is in a mare , then they also leave their herdfellows , which kinde of behavior or action , the latins call by a peculiar verb subare , and that is applyed to harlots and wanton women , by horace ; — jamque subando , tenta cubilia tectaque rumpit . we in english call it boaring , because she never resteth to shew her desire till she come to a boar , and therefore when an old woman lusteth after a man , being past lust by all natural possibility , she is cald anus subans . and the beast is so delighted with this pleasure of carnal copulation , that many times she falleth asleep in that action , and if the male be young or dull , then will the female leap upon him and provoke him ; yea in her rage she setteth many times upon men and women , especially if that they do wear any white garments , or if their aprya and privy place be wetted and moistned with vinegar . they have their proper voices and cries for this time of their boaring , which the boar or male understandeth presently . they are filled at one copulation , and yet for their better safegard , and to preserve them from abortment , it is good to suffer the boar to cover her twice or thrice ; and moreover , if she conceive not at the first , then may she safely be permitted three or four times together , and it is observed that except her ears hang down flagging , and carelessely , she is not filled but rejecteth the seed , but if her ears fall downward , and so hang all the time that the boar is upon her , then is it a most certain token that she is filled , and hath conceived with young . after four moneths ( as we have said ) the sow farroweth her pigs , that is to say , in the fifth moneth , as it were in the seventeenth week : for so is this beast enabled by nature to bear twice in the year , and yet to suck her young ones two moneths together . and there is no cloven-footed beast that beareth many at a time except the sow , except in her age , for then she beginneth to lose her apria or purgation , and so many times miscarryeth , and manny times bear but one . yet this is marvailous that as she beareth many , so she engendereth them perfect without blindness , lamenesse , or any such other distresse , although as we have said before , that in some places you shall see swine whole hoofed like a horse , yet most commonly and naturally their feet are cloven , and therefore is the wonder accounted the greater of their manifold multiplication : and the reason thereof may arise from the multitude and great quantity of their food , for the humor cannot be so well avoided and dispersed in so little a body as swine have , as in mares and cowes , and therefore that humour turneth , to multiply nature and natural kinde , and so it cometh to pass , that by overmuch humour turned into a natural seed , it breedeth much young , and for little humor it bringeth forth a fewpigs , and those also are not only perfect , but also she is sufficiently furnished with milk to nourish them , till they be able to feed themselves . for as a fat ground or soil is to the plants that groweth on it , even so is a fruitful sow to the pigs , which she hath brought forth . their ordinary number which they bring forth and can nourish is twelve , or sixteen at the most , and very rare it is to see sixteen brought up by one sow . howbeit it hath been seen that a sow hath brought forth twenty , but far more often seven , eight or ten . there is a story in festus of a sow that brought forth thirty at a time , his words be these ; the sow of aeneas lavinus did bring forth thirty white pigs at one time , wherefore the lavinians were much troubled about the signification of such a monstrous farrow , at last they received answer that their city should be thirty years in building , and being so they called it alba , in remembrance of the thirty white pigs . and pliny affirmeth , that the images of those pigs and the sow their dam , were to be seen in his days in publick places , and the body of the dam or sow preserved in salt by the priests of alba , to be shewed to all such as desired to be certified of the truth of that story . but to return to the number of young pigs which are ordinary and without miracle bred in their dams belly , which i finde to be so many as the sow hath dugs for , so many she may well nourish and give suck unto , and not more , and it seemeth a special work of god which hath made this tame beast so fruitful , for the better recompence to man for her meat and custody . by the first farrow it may be gathered how fruitful she will be , but the second and third do most commonly exceed the first , and the last in old age is inferior in number to the first . juvenal hath a comparison betwixt a white sow and an heifer , scropha foecundior alba , more fruitful then a white sow ; but belike the white sowes do bring more then any other colour . now the reason of the poets speech was , because that there was an heifer in the days of ptolmy the younger , which at one time brought forth six calves ; whereupon came the proverb of regia vacca , for a fruitful cow , for helenus telleth this to aeneas . upon the sow and thirty pigs there is this answer of the oracle to the lavinians concerning alba ; cum tibi sollicito secreti ad fluminis undam , littoreis ingens inventa sub ilicibus sus , triginta capitum foetus enixa jacebit , alba solo recubans , albi circum ubera nati , is locus urbis erit , requies ea certa laborum . and juvenal saith thus of it ; conspicitur sublimis aper , cui candida nomen , scropha dedit laetis phrygibus mirabile sumen , et nunquam visis triginta clara mamillis . when the young one cometh forth of the dams ●belly wounded or imperfect , by reason of any harm therein received , ( it is called metacherum ) and many times swine engender monsters , which cometh to pass oftner in the little beasts then in the greatest , because of the multitude of cels appointed for the receipt of the seed , by reason whereof , sometimes there are two heads to one body , sometimes two bodies and one head , sometime three legs , sometime two before and none behinde ; such were the pigs without ears , which were farrowed at that time that dionysius the tyrant went to war against dion , for all their parts was perfect but their ears , as it were to teach how inconsiderately against all good counsel , the tyrant undertook that voyage ; such are commonly found to be bred among them , also now and then of an unspeakable smalness like dwarfs , which cannot live , having no mouth nor ears , called by the latines aporcelli . if a sow great with pig do eat abundantly of acorns , it causeth her to cast her farrow and to suffer abortment ; and if she grow sat , then is she less fruitful in milk. now for the choice of a pig to keep for store , it must be chosen from a lusty and strong dam bred in the winter time , ( as some say ) for such as are bred in the heat of summer are of less value , because they prove tender , small , and overmoist , and yet also if they be bred in the cold winter they are small , by reason of extreme cold , and their dams forsake them through want of milk : and more over because they through hunger pinch and bite their dugs , so as they are very unprofitable to be nourished and preserved in the winter time , rather they are fit to be killed and eaten young . but this is to be observed for reconciliation of both opinions , namely , that in hot countries such hogs are preferred that be bred in the winter , but in cold , such as are bred in maich or april : within ten days after their farrowing they grow to have teeth ; and the sow ever offereth her fore-most dug to the pig , that cometh first out of her belly , and the residue take their fortune as it falleth , one to one , and another to another , for it seemeth she regardeth the first by a natural instinct , not so much to prefer it , as that by the example thereof the residue may be invited to the like sucking by imitation , yet every one ( as tzetzes saith ) keepeth him to his first choice . and if any of them be taken away from his dug that is killed or sold , that dug presently dryeth , and the milk turneth backward , and so until all be gone , one excepted and then it is nourished with no more then was ordained at the beginning for it . if the old sow want milk at any time , the supply must be made by giving the young ones fryed or parched corn , for raw corn or drink procureth looseness ; and it is best for them to be suckled in the place where their dam usually abideth . for weaning of them it is not good to let more then five or six suck of her at one time , for although every one suck but his own dug , yet by the multitude , the milk is dryed up : after two months old they may safely be disjoined from their dam and weaned , so as every year the sow may breed eight months , and give suck four : it is best to let them feed asunder from their dams , till they have utterly forgotten to suck . and thus much for the procreation and nourishment of old and young swine . this beast loveth society , and to live in herds or flocks together , and therefore the ancients have invented hog-keepers , whom they call swine-herds , wherein there was wont to be considered these instructions , first he accustomed them to the sound of his horn , for by that he called them abroad out of their folds to their feedings , for they never suffered above twelve together at the trough or parcel of meat . it becometh a swine-herd ( saith collumella ) to be vigilant , diligent , industrious , and wise , for he must carry in his head the state of all that he nourisheth , both old and young , barren and fruitful ; and consider the time of their farrowing , whether they be near at hand , or far off , that so none may be lost through the want of his observation ; being farrowed , he must consider and look upon them to see which are fit for store , and which are not , what are their natures and probabilities ; how much milk their dam is able to afford them , and how many she is to bring up , especially to regard that every sow bring up no more then her own pigs ; for swine being out of the sty do mingle one with another , and lose their own young ones , and when she lyeth down to give them suck , she lendeth her paps as well to strangers as to her own , and therefore herein must the care and wit of the herdsman appear , for if there be many , he must shut up every sow with her young ; and if that cannot be , then with a little pitch or tar let him give several marks to the several farrows , that so his memory may not be confounded . another remedy to avoid the confusion of young pigs one among another , is so to frame the threshold of the stye , that the pigs may not be able to go in and out ; for the sow can more easily go over , and so she may be eased of their company , and they safely included at home , and so shall no stranger break into them ; but every one in their own nest expect the return of their dam , which ought not to exceed the number of eight ; for although the foecundity of swine be great , yet it is better to kill off two or three , if their number be above eight , then to permit them to suck their dam ; for this multitude of suckers do quickly draw away all nourishment from the dam : and when they are but eight at the most , regard must be had that the sow be well fed with sod barly , or such like , lest through a covetous pinching of the beast , leanness . follow to her overthrow and destruction . another point of a good swineherd , is to sweep oftentimes the stye , for although such be the nature of the beast , that it defileth all things , and will be wallowing in the mire , yet will she also be very desirous of a clean lodging , and delight much in the same ; and when they be shut up , they must not be enclosed like other beasts altogether , for one of them will throng and ly upon another , but there must be several porches and hatches to sever and distinguish their lodgings , so as the great with pig may lie in one place , and the other ready to be delivered by themselves , free from all incursion and violence . these divisions or separations ought to be some . or . foot high , so as they may not be able to leap over to one another , and not covered , to the intent that every swineherd both man and boy may freely look over to them , and tell them if any chance to be missing , or else help a poor pig when it is overlaid by his dam. whensoever the swineherd clenseth the sty , then let him cast in sand or some other drying thing into it , that all the moisture and wetness may be drunk up . the dam ought not to be permitted for the first ten days to go forth of the stable , except to drink , and afterward let her go abroad into some adjacent pasture , not far off , that so by her often return she may the better give suck to her young ones . when the little ones are a fortnight or three weeks old , they desire to follow their parent , wherefore they must be shut up from their mother , and feed alone in her absence , that they may better endure it afterward when they shall be weaned . they must be fed in the summer time in the morning , before the heat be strong , and in the heat of the day led into some watry or shadowy place , that so they may be freed from extremity till the cool of the day return again , wherein they must be suffered to feed . in the winter time they are not to be led abroad till the frost and ice be thawed and dissolved . ten boars are sufficient for an hundred sows , and although some keep five or six hundred in a herd , as we may read in scripture of the great herds of swine , into which our saviour christ permitted the devils to enter , yet is it not safe or wholesome to keep above an hundred together , for a less flock or herd requireth less cost , charge , and attendance . there is a speech of tremellius scrofa , tending to the commendation of the custody or nourishing of swine , for thus he writeth : agriculturae ab initio fui siudiosus , nec de pecore suillo mihi minor cura est , quam vobis magnis pecuariis . cui enim ea res non est communis ? quis enim nostrum fundum colit quin sues habet ? & quis non audierit patres nostros dicere ignavum & sumptuosum esse , qui succidiam in carnario suspendit potius ab laniario quam ex domestico sundo ? that is to say , i have been long given to follow husbandry , and i have alway had as great care of my swine , as other men of greater cattel . for what is there , whereunto swine are not profitable ? who tilleth land , and keepeth not hogs ? and who hath not heard our fathers say , that he is an idle ill husband which hangs up all his provision in the shambles , and liveth rather upon the butchers , then upon his own ground ? thus far tremellius . another part , of a good swineherd is , to look to the gelding of his swine , and splaying of the females , for if all be suffered to procreate and engender , it is more danger that swine would in short time eat up men , rather then men swine . the latines call such a hog gelded macalis , and porcastrus , that is porcus castratus , the germans , ein barg , or boetz , from whence seemeth to be derived our english barrow-hog ( for so we call a gelded male-hog ) and a female bass . the best time therefore to geld them is in the old moon , or as we say in the wane of the moon , but hesiod prescribeth , that an ox and a boar should be gelded in the second quarter , and first day thereof , and aristoile is of opinion that it skilleth not what age a boar be when he is libbed ; but it is clear by the best experienced among these beasts , there are two times of gelding them ; one in the spring , and the other in the autumn , and this is to be done after a double manner ; first , by making two incisions or wounds upon his stones , out of which holes the stones are to be pressed forth . the second way is more perillous , yet more cleanly ; for first of all at one wound or incision they take out one stone , then that being forth , with their knife they cut the small skin which parteth the stones in the cod , and so press forth the second stone at the first wound , afterward applying to it ordinary medicines , such as we will describe in the treatise of their diseases . and the opinion of varro is , that it is good to lib them at half a year old , or at a year old , or at three or four year old ; for their better fatting ; but best at a year , and not under half a year . when the stones are taken forth of an old boar , suppose two , or three , or four year old , they are called by the latines polimenta , because with them they polished and smoothed garments . the female also is gelt or splayed , ( although she often bore pigs ) whereof they open the side ( neer her loins ) and take away from her apria , and receptacles of the boars seed , which being sewed up again , in short time is enclosed in fat ; this they do by hanging them up by their fore-legs , and first of all they which do it most commodiously , must cause them to fast two days before ; and then having cut it , they sew up and close fast again the wound or incision , and this is done in the same place of the female , that the stones are to be taken out in the male ( as aristotle writeth ) but rather it appeareth by good examination and proof , that it is to be cut out on the right , against the bone ( called os sacrum . ) and the only cause of this sow-gelding is , for their better growth and fatning ; which in some countries they use , being forced thereunto through their penury and want of food ; but whereas is plenty of food , there they never know it : and the inventers hereof were the grecians , whose custom was to cut out the whole matrix . and thus much for libbing , gelding , and splaying of swine . this beast is a most unpure and unclean beast , and ravening ; and therefore we use ( not improperly ) to call obscoene and filthy men or women , by the name of swine or sows , they which have fore-heads , eye-lids , lips , mouth , or neck , like swine , are acounted foolish , wicked , and wrathful : all their senses ( their smelling excepted ) are dull , because they have no articles in their hearts , but have thick bloud ; and some say , that the acuteness and ripeness of the soul , standeth not in the thickness of the bloud , but in the cover and skin of the body , and that those beasts which have the thickest skins , are accounted the most blockish and farthest from reason , but those which have the thinnest and softest , are the quickest of understanding : an example whereof is apparent in the oyster , ox , and ape . they have a marvailous understanding of the voice of their feeder , and as ardent desire to come at his call , through often custom of meat , whereupon lyeth this excellent story . when certain pirates in the tyrrhene sea , had entred a haven , and went on land , they came to a swines stie , and drew out thereof divers swine , and so carryed them on shipboard , and loosing their . anckers and tacklings , do depart and sail away . the swineherds seeing the pirats commit this robbery , and not being able to deliver and rescue their cattle , because they wanted both company and strength , suffered the theeves in silence to ship and carry away their cattle ; at last , when they saw the theeves rowing out of the port , and lanching into the deep , then they lift up their voices , and with their accustomed cries or cals , called upon their swine to come to their meat ; as soon as the swine heard the same , they presently gat to the right side of the vessel or bark , and there flocking together , the ship being unequally ballanced or loden , overturned all into the sea , and so the pirates were justly drowned in reward of the theft , and the stolne swine swam safely back again to their masters and keepers . the nature of this beast is to delight in the most filthy and noisome places , for no other cause ( as i think ) but because of their dull senses . their voice is called grunnitus gruntling ; sordida sus pascens ruris gramina grunnit ; which is a terrible voice to one that is not accustomed thereunto , ( for even the elephants are afraid thereof ) especially when one of them is hurt or hanged fast , or bitten , then all the residue as it were in compassion condoling his misery , run to him and cry with him , and this voice is very common in swine at all hands to cry , except he be carryed with his head upwards towards heaven , and then ( it is affirmed ) he never cryeth , the reason whereof is given by aphrodisian : because it is alway accustomed to look downward , and therefore when it is forced to look upwards it is suddenly appaled and afraid , held with admiration of the goodly space above him in the heavens , like one astonished , holdeth his peace ( some say that then the artery of his voice is pressed ) and so he cannot cry aloud . there is a fish in the river achelous which gruntleth like a hog , whereof juvenal speaketh , saying ▪ et quam remigibus grunnisse elpenora porcis . and this voice of swine is by caecilius attributed to drunken men . the milk of swine is very thick , and therefore cannot make whay like a sheeps , howbeit it suddenly coagulateth and congealeth together . among divers males or boars when one of them is conqueror , the residue give obedience and yeeld unto him , and the chief time of their fight or discord is in their lust , or other occasions of food , or strangeness , at which time it is not safe for any man to come neer them , for fear of danger from both parties , and especially those which wear white garments . and strabo reporteth in general of all the belgian swine , that they were so fierce , strong , and wrathful , that it was as much danger to come near them as to angry wolves . nature hath made a great league betwixt swine and crocodiles , for there is no beast that may so freely feed by the banks sides of nilus , as the swine may , without all hurt by the crocodile . other serpents , especially the smaller serpents , are oftentimes devoured by swine . aristotle saith , that when many of them are together they fear not the wolf , and yet they never devour any wolf , but only with their scaring and gruntling noise fear them away . when a wolf getteth a swine , he devoureth him , and before he can eat him draggeth him by the ears to some water to cool his teeth in his flesh ( which above measure burn in devouring his flesh . ) it hath been seen that a lion was afraid of a sow , for at the setting up of his bristles he ran away . it is reported that swine will follow a man all the day long which hath eaten the brain of a crow in his pottage : and nigidius affirmeth , that dogs will run away from him that hath pulled off a tick from a swines back . the people of mossynaecum did engender man with woman publickly like swine ; and stobaeus writing against women saith , that some of them are derived from one beast , and some from another , and namely a woman descended of a sow sitteth at home , and doth neither good nor harm : but simonides writeth otherwise , and namely that a woman born of a sow sitteth at home suffering all things to be impure , unclean , and out of order , without decking , dressing or ornament , and so she groweth fat in her unwashed garments . and there are many fictions of the transforming into swine . homer faigneth that the companions of vlysses were all by circe turned into swine , which is interpreted in this manner , circe to signifie unreasonable pleasure , vlysses to signifie the soul , and his companions the inferior affections thereof , and so were the companions of vlysses turned into swine by circe . when unreasonable pleasures do overcome our affections and make us like swine in following our appetites : and therefore it was the counsell of socrates , that no man should at banquet eat more then sufficient , and those which could not abstain from them , should forbear their company that perswaded them to eat when they were not hungry , and to drink when they were not thirsty , and therefore he supposed that it was said in jest that circe turned men into swine . when as vlysses by his own abstinence and mercury his counsell , was delivered and saved from that most savage transformation , which caused horace thus to write ; vlysses si bibisset pocula circes — cum sociis vixisset canis immundus vel amica luta sus . and from this came the original proverb of forcellus acarnanius for a tender and delicate person , used so to fulness , that all ponury is death unto him . sweet favours as we have shewed already , are very hurtful to swine , especially the sweet oyl of marjoram . whereupon came the proverb nil cum amaracino sui ; and lucretius speaketh hereof in this sort ; denique amaracinum fugitat sus , & timet omne vnguentum : nam setigeris subus acre venenum est . and for this cause tullius cicero saith , illi alabastrus patet unguenti plena ; that is , a box of alabaster full of ointment is displeasing to this beast , for as the scarabee or horse flie forsaketh sweet places to light and sit upon horse dung , even so doth swine . there be many of the antients that have delivered merrily anima suis pro sale , that the swines soul is in their body but in stead of salt to keep the flesh from stinking , even as for no other purpose many among men seem to live and retain soul in body . they are very clamorous , and therefore are used for talking and pratling fellowes , where-upon the greek poet lucilius translated by erasmus alludeth , when he saith in this manner , under alia menecles , alia porcellus loquitur ; sucula , bos , & capra mihi periere menecles , ac merces horum nomine pensa tibi est . nec mihi cum ochryade quicquam estve fuitve negoti , nec fures ullos huc cito thermopylis . sed contra eutychidem nobis lis : proinde quid hic mi aut xerxes facit , aut quid lacedaemont●i ? ob pactum & de meloquere , aut clamavero clare , multo aliud dicit sus , aliud menecles . and to conclude , in latin they say sus minervam , when an unlearned dunce goeth about to teach his better or a more learned man , then doth the hog teach pallos , or as we say in english , the foul sow teach the fair lady to spin . there are in swine many presages and foretokens of foul weather , as swineherds have observed : as first if they lie long wallowing in the mire , or if they feed more greedily then they were accustomed , or gather together in their mouths , hay , stubble , or straw , as aratus writeth ; or if they leap and dance , or frisk in any unwonted sort : and for their copulation , in years that will prove moist , they will ever be boring , but in dryer years they are lesse libidinous . the greatest harm that cometh by swine is in rooting and turning up of the earth , and this they do in corn fields , for which we have shewed that the cyprians made a law to beat out the teeth of such swine : for this cause homer writeth that irus threatneth vlysses , because his companions eat up all his corn , to knock out their teeth : yet sometimes the husband men admit them of purpose , both into their land before it be plowed , and also into their vineyards . it is said that the egyptians forbear to sacrifice them , because they tread in their corn in their fields after it is swelled out of the earth , so as the birds cannot gather it up again , as we have shewed before . the jews and the egyptians accounted this beast most unclean . the jews , not as the vain gentiles imagined , because they worshipped it , for that it taught men to plow the earth , but for the law of god. and the egyptians hold it a profane thing , and therefore they had an antient law , that no swineherd should come into their temple , or that any man should give him his daughter in marriage . it is very certain that they were wont to be used in sacrifices . the said egyptians never sacrificed them to the moon and to bacchus , and at other times it was unlawful , either to offer them , or to eat them : but it seemeth by many authors , that their first sacrifices were of swine , for we read of antient customs in hetruria , that at their marriage feasts they offered and sacrificed a sow to venus , and at other times , especially in harvest , they did so to ceres . the latins do hold a swine very grateful and sacred to jupiter , because as they believed that a sow did first of all lend her paps to him , and therefore all of them worship a sow , and abstain from her flesh . likewise in mysia and phoenicia , there were temples of jupiter , wherein it was forbidden to sacrifice or kill swine by a publick law , like as it was amongst the jews . when the kings of sparta were first of all chosen into that royal place , they were permitted to execute the priests office , and to the intent that they might never want sacrifices , there was a priviledge granted them to take a pig of every sow : and when they sacrificed to jupiter a swine , it must be after or at a triumph : they were also sacrificed to neptune , because they were impetuous and ranging beasts ; and a boar was holy to mars , according to this saying of pomponius in attellana , mars tibi facturum , si unquam rediero , bidente verre . and there was a custom among the athenians , when a man had slain an hundred enemies , he was permitted to offer up to mars , some part of a man at lemnos , and afterward they grew out of liking of this vain custom , and in stead thereof sacrificed a barrow or gelded hog , and when they housled their army , they did it with hogs , sheep or buls , and nothing else , and they compassed it about three times with pomp and stately procession , and at last slew and offered them to mars . they were wont to sacrifice a hog for a man that had recovered his wits after he had been mad , and also they sacrificed swine to silvanus , according to these verses ; caedere silvano porcum quadrante lavari : and again ; tellurem porco silvanum lacte piabant . their pagan god terminus , had an ewe and a young sow offered to him ( as ovid writeth ) although by the laws of numa , all sacrifices of living things were forbidden unto him . to ceres and bacchus , we have shewed already how they were offered , and the reason of their sacrificing was , because they were hurtful to all green corn and vines . prima ceres avidi gavisa est sauguine porci , vlta suas merita caede nocentis opes , nam sata vere novo teneris lactentia succis , eruta setigerae comperit ore suis . and again in another place he writeth thus ; prima putatur hostia sus meruisse mori , — quia semina pando eve rtit rostro , spemque interceperit anni . the time of their sacrificing to ceres was in april , wherein the priests with lamps and torches , and apparelled in white garments , did first of all kill a female swine , and then offer her ; and some-time this was a sow with farrow , because thereby in a mystery they prayed for the fruitfulness and fecundity of the earth : and for these and such like causes we read of titles put upon them , as porca praecidanca , for the sow that was slain before the reaping , and porca praesa , for the sow that was offered at a funeral for the safety of all the family , wherein the dead man lived . they also sacrificed a barren sow to proserpina , because she never bore children , and to juno in the calends of every moneth : and thus much for their sacrificing . now we are to come to the use of swine and their several parts ; first of all it is certain that there is no beast lesse profitable being alive then a hog , and yet at his latter end he payeth his master for his keeping . cicero said well , sus quid habet praeter escam , cui quid em ne putresecret , animam ipsam pro sale datamesse dicit chrysippus . a hog hath nothing in him besides his meat , and that therefore the soul thereof was given to it in stead of salt to keep it from stinking : for indeed in lions , dogs , bears , horses , and elephants , all their virtue lyeth in their minds , and their flesh is unprofitable and good for nothing , but the swine hath no gifts at all in the minde , but in the body , the life thereof keeping the flesh and body from putrefaction . and there is no beast that god hath ordained for domestical provision of food and meat to man , except hares and conies , that is so fruitfull as swine are . god ( as we have touched already ) levit. . deut. . forbad his people of israel to eat hereof , because it was an unclean beast not chewing the cud ; and furthermore the observation of procopius is memorable , that whereas the egyptians did worship with divine worship , both oxen , kine , and sheep , and would not eat of their flesh or kill them in sacrifice , yet did eat , and kill , and sacrifice swine . the jews were permitted and commanded to eat oxen and sheep , and abstain from the flesh of swine ; thus manifesting how different his ways and thoughts are from the ways and thoughts of men . the lord doth not this for policy , but to try the obedience of his people , placeth therein one part of his worship , and therefore by his prophets , esa . . and . calleth the eating of swines flesh abomination , and threatneth thereunto a certain unavoidable judgement and damnation . the woman and her seven sons which were apprehended by king antiochus , and by him tempted to eat swines flesh which they refused to do ( being against the law of their god ) are remembred as most worthy martyrs of his church , that endured , cutting off their hands and feet , pulling out their tongue , and seething in a boyling caldron with other exquisite torments incident to such death , as is recorded by jason . macab . . we read that heliogabalus did abstain from swines flesh , because he was a phaenician , and they forbore to eat it . the women of braecea in africk , do never tast of cowes flesh or swines flesh . the arabian scenites never eat hereof , and swine cannot live in their countries . ( ctesias and aelianus affirme ) that in india there are no swine , either tame or wilde , and that the indians do as much forbear to eat of swines flesh , in detestation thereof , as they do of mans flesh . now concerning the flesh of swine , many opinions are held about the goodness and evill thereof , yet hippocrates writeth , that porcinae carnes pravae sunt quum fuerint crudiores & ambustae , magis autem choleram generant , & turbationem faciunt , suillae carnes optimae funt omnium carnium ; that is , the flesh of a boar being raw or roasted , is worst of all other , because it engendereth choler and wilde windy matter in the stomach ; but the flesh of a sow is the best of all flesh , with this proviso , that it neither exceed in fatness , leanness , or age . there is a merry and witty answer of a memorable noble man to an old gentlewoman ( if not a lady ) who dispraised bacon at the noble mans table , and said it was a churlish , unpleasant meat . the lord understanding a privy emphasis in that speech against himself , ( for his name was written with those letters and syllables ) answered her : you say truth , if the bacon be a piece of an old sow ( as peradventure she seemed to be at that time . ) the best opinion about the concoctive quality of this flesh is , that then it is best when it is in middle age , neither a pig , nor an old hog , for a pig is over moist , like the dam which is the moistest of all other earthly beasts ; and therefore cannot but engender much flegme : and for this cause the fattest are reproved for a good diet , for that it cannot digest well through over much humidity . and the old swine are most hard of concoction , ( yea though they be scorched or sindged at the fire ) because thereby is increased in their flesh much acrimony and sharpness , which in the stomach of men turneth into choler : for they bite all the vessels reaching to the stomach , making a derivation of all those ill humors into the belly and other parts . i do not like their opinion , which think that it is better cold then hot , for fear of inflamation ; this rule is good in the flesh of goats ( which are exceeding hot ) but in swine , where is no predominancy but of moisture , it is better to eat them hot then cold , even as hot milk is more wholesome then cold . hippocrates doth prescribe the eating of swines flesh in the sickness of the spleen ; and coelius aurelianus forbiddeth the same in the palsie or falling sickness . galen is of opinion that caro porcina potentissime nutrit , nourisheth most strongly , and potently ; whereof he giveth an instance for a reason taken from champions , combatants , or wrestlers , if the day before they wrestle or fight , they feed on an equall quantity of any other flesh , they feel themselves weak and feeble in comparison of that is gathered from swines flesh : and this ( he saith ) may be tryed in laborers , mioners , diggers , and husbandmen ; which retain their strength as well ( if not better ) by eating of swines flesh or bacon as any other meat : for as beef in thickness and solidity of substance to the eyes appearance , excelleth pork or bacon , so pork and bacon excelleth and is preferred before beef , for a clammy nourishing humor . and this comparison betwixt pork and beef , galen amplyfieth farther in these words , of swines flesh , those are best for men in their middle and ripe age , which are of hogs of an answerable age , and to other which are but growing to a ripeness and perfection , pigs , sheates , and young growing swine , are most nourishable . and on the contary , young growing oxen are most nourishable to men of perfect years and strength , because an ox is of a far more dry temperament then a hog . a goat is lesse dry then an ox , and yet compared to a man or a swine , it excelleth both of them ; for there is a great resemblance or similitude betwixt a mans flesh and swines flesh , which some have proved in tast , for they have eaten of both at one table , and could finde no difference in one from the other : for some evill inn-keepers and hoasts have so deceived men , which continued a great while , not descryed or punished , untill at last the finger of a man was mixed therewith , and being found , the authors received their reward . swines flesh also is lesse excremental then pigs flesh , and therefore more nutrible , for the moister that the flesh is , the sooner it is dispersed , and the vertue of it avoided , and old swine notwithstanding their primitive and natural moisture , yet grow very dry , and their flesh is worst of all , because in nature humidity helpeth the concoction thereof . all swines flesh being concocted engendereth many good humors , yet withal they contain a kind of glutinous humor , which stoppeth the liver and reins , especially in those which by nature are apt to this infirmity . and although some are of opinion , that the wilde boar is more nourishable then the tame swine , because of his laborious course of life , and getting his prey ; yet it appeareth that the tame swine by their resty life , and easie gathering of their meat , are made more fit for nourishment of man , for they are more moist : and swines flesh without convenient moisture ( which is many times wanting in wilde boars ) is poyson to the stomach , and yet for a man that hath propounded to himself a thin extenuating diet , i would wish him to forbear both the one and the other , except he use exercise , and then he may eat the ears , or the cheeks , or the feet , or the haslet , if they be well sod or dressed : provided they be not fresh , but sauced or powdred ; and it is no marvel that swines flesh should so well agree with ours , for it is apparent that they live in dirt , and love to muddle in the same . and if any man ask , how it cometh to passe , that swine which both feed and live so filthily , should be so nourishable to the nature of man ; some make answer , that by reason of their good constitution of body , they turn ill nutriment to a good flesh : for as men which be of a sound , perfect , and healthy disposition or temperature , are not hurt by a little evill meat , which is hard of digestion ; even so is it with well constituted and tempered swine , by continual feeding upon evill things , they grow not only to no harm , but also to a good estate , because nature in process of time draweth good out of evill : but if men which have moist stomachs , do eat of swines flesh , then do they suffer thereby great harm , for as water powred on wet ground , increaseth the dirt ; so moistness put upon a moist stomach , increaseth more feebleness : but if a man of a dry and moist stomach do eat hereof , it is like rain falling into a dry ground , which begetteth and engendereth many wholesome fruits and hearbs . and if a swine be fatted with dryed figs or nuts , it is much more wholesome . with wine all swines flesh is most nourishable , and therefore the university of salernum , prescribed that in their verses to the king of england , and also they commended the loines and guts : ilia porcorum bona sunt , mala sunt reliquorum . and fiera describeth the eating of hogs-flesh in this manner ; su● tibi coenoso sit coena domesticus ore , grata ferat nobis mensa hyemalis aprum . ille licet currat de vertice montis , aquosae carnis erit , pluri sed tamen apta cibo est . hinc feritas silvaeque domant , & i●ania saxa , post melius posita rusticitate sapit . and whereas hippocrates commended swines flesh for champions and combatants ; it is certain , that bilis the champion through eating of swines flesh , fell to such a height of choler , that he cast it upwards and downwards . when the womb of a woman is ulcerated , let her abstain from all swines flesh , especially the eldest and the youngest . it is not good for any man to tast or eat this flesh in the summer time , or any hot weather , for then only it is allowed when extreme frosts have tempered it for mans stomach , and the stomach for it : the flesh of wilde swine is most of all hurtful to them that live at ease , without exercise , because that they are immoderately given to sleep . some are of opinion that a sow which is killed immediately after the boar hath covered her , is not so wholesome as other : heliogabalus observed this custom , to eat one day nothing but phesant hens , another day nothing but pullen , and the third day nothing but pork . there was in antient time a dish of meat called trojanus , the trojan , hog , in imitation of the trojan horse , for as that was stuffed within with many armed men , so was this with many severall meats , and whole beasts , as lambs , birds , capons , and such like , to serve the appetites of the most strange belly-gods , and architects of gluttony : and therefore cincius in his oration , wherein he perswaded the senators and people to the law fannia , reproveth this immoderate riot in banquets , in apponendo mensis porcum trojanum : and indeed it wanted not effect , for they forbad both porcum trojanum , and callum aprugnum . there was another raven-monster-dish ( called pinax ) wherein were included many beasts , fowles egges , and other things which were distributed whole to the guests : and no marvell , for this beast was as great as a hog , and yet gilded over with silver . and hippolocus , in his epistle to lynceus , speaking of the banquet of caramis , saith thus , allatus est nobis etiam porcus dimidia parte diligenter assus sive tostus , & dimidia altera parte tanquam ex aqua molliter elixus , mira etiam coqui industria ita paratus , ut qua parte jugulatus esset , & quomodo variis deliciis refertus ejus vener non appareat . there was brought to us a hog , whereof the one half was well roasted , and the other half or side well sod , and this was so industriously prepared by the cook , that it did not appear where the hog was slain or received his deadly wound , nor yet how his belly came to be stuffed with divers and sundry excellent and delicate things . the romans had a fashion to divide and distribute a hog , which appeareth in these verses of martial ; iste tibi faciet bona saturnalia porcus , inter spumantes ilice pastus apros . and of the eating of a sucking pig , martial also writeth in this manner ; lacte mero pastum pigrae mihi matris alumnum ponat , & aetolo de sue dives edat . i might add many other things concerning the eating and dressing of swines flesh , both young and old , but i will passe it over , leaving that learning to every cook , and kitchin-boy . concerning bacon , that which is cald by the latins , perna , i might add many things , neither improper , nor impertinent , and i cannot tell whether it should be a fault to omit it in this place . the word perna after varro , seemeth to be derived from pede , but in my opinion , it is more consonant to reason , that it is derived from the greek word pterna , which is the ribs and hips of the hog hanged up and salted , called by martial petaso , and by plautus ophthalmia , horaeum , scombrum and laridunn : quanta pecus pestis veniet , quanta labes larido . the time of the making of bacon , is in the winter season , and all the cold weather , and of this martial writeth very much in one place ; musteus est , propera , charos ne differ amicos . nam mihi cum vetulo sit petasone nihil . and again , et pulpam dubio de petasone voras . — cretana mihi fiet , vel massa licebit de menapis lauti , de petasone vorant . strabo in his time commended the bacon of the gaules , or of france , affirming that it was not inferiour to the asian or lycian , an old city of spain ( called pompelon ) neer aquitania , was also famous for bacon . they first of all killed their hogs , and then burned or scalded off all their hair , and after a little season did slit them assunder in the middle , laying them upon salt in some tub or deep trough , and there covering them all over with salt , with the skin uppermost , and so heap flitch upon flitch , till all be salted , and then againe they often turned the same , that every part and side , might receive his season , that is , after five daies , laying them undermost which were uppermost , and those uppermost which were undermost . then after twelve days salting , they took all out of the tub or trough , rubbing off from it all the salt , and so hanged it up two days in the winde , and the third day they all to anoint it with oyl , and did hang it up two days more in the smoak ; and afterward take it down again , and hang it or lay it up in the larder , where all the meat is preserved , still looking warily unto it , to preserve it from mice and wormes : and thus much shall suffice at this time for the flesh of hogs , both pork and bacon . the milk of a sow is fat and thick , very apt to congeal , and needeth not any runnet to turn it ; it breedeth little whay , and therefore it is not fit for the stomach , except to procure vomiting , and because it hath been often proved , that they which drink or eat sow milk fall into scurfs and leprosies , ( which diseases the asians hate above all other ) therefore the egyptians added this to all the residue of their reasons , to condemn a sow for an unclean and filthy beast . and this was peculiarly the saying of manethon . with the skins of swine which the grecians did call phorine , they made shoo-leather , but now a days by reason of the tenderness and looseness thereof , they use it not , but leave it to the sadlers , and to them that cover books , for which cause it is much better then either sheep or goats skins , for it hath a deeper grain , and doth not so easily fall off . out of the parings of their skins they make a kinde of glew , which is preferred before taurocollum , and which for similitude they call choerocollum . the fat of swine is very pretious to liquor shooes and boots therewithal . the amber that is in common use groweth rough , rude , impolished , and without clearness , but after that it is sod in the grease of a sow that giveth suck , it getteth that nitour and shining beauty , which we finde to be in it . some mix the bloud of hogs with those medicines that they cast into waters to take fishes , and the hunters in some countries when they would take wolves and foxes , do make a train with a hogs liver sod , cut in pieces and anointed over with hony , and so anointing their shoos with swines grease , draw after them a dead cat , which will cause the beast to follow after very speedily . the hairs of swine are used by cobblers and shoomakers , and also with them every boy knoweth how to make their nose bleed . the dung is very sharp , and yet it is justly condemned by columella for no use , no not to fatten the earth , and vines also are burned therewithal , except they be diligently watered or rest five years without stirring . in plinies time they studied to enlarge and make their lettice grow broad , and not close together , which they did by slitting a little the stalk , and thrusting gently into it some hogs dung . but for trees there is more especial use of it , for it is used to ripen fruit and make the trees more plentiful . the pomegranats and almonds are sweetned hereby , and the nuts easily caused to fall out of the shell likewise , if fennel be unsavory , by laying to the root thereof either hogs dung , or pigeons dung , it may be cured ; and when any apple tree is affected and razed with worms , by taking of swines dung , mixed and made soft like morter with the urine of a man layed unto the root , it is recovered , and the wormes driven away : and if there be any rents or stripes visible upon trees , so as they are endangered to be lost thereby , they are cured by applying unto the stripes and wounds this dung of swine . when the apple trees are loose , pour upon their roots the stale of swine , and it shall establish and settle them , and wheresoever there are swine kept , there it is not good to keep or lodge horses , for their smell , breath , and voice , is hateful to all magnanimous and perfect spirited horses . and thus much in this place concerning the use of the several parts of swine , whereunto i may add our english experiments , that if swine be suffered to come into orchards , and dig up and about the roots of the apple trees , keeping the ground bare under them , and open with their noses , the benefit that will arise thereby to your increase of fruit will be very inestimable . and here to save my self of a labor about our english hogs , i will describe their usage out of mr. tussers husbandry , in his own words , as followeth : and first of all for their breeding in the spring of the year he writeth in general ; let lent will kept offend not thee , for march and april breeders be . and of september he writeth thus : to gather some mast it shall stand thee upon , with servant and children yer mast be all gone . some left among bushes shall pleasure thy swine , for fear of a mischief keep acornes fro kine . for ro●ting of pasture ring hog ye have need , which being well ringled , the better doth feed . though young with their elders will lightly keep best , yet spare not to ringle both great and the rest . yoke seldome thy swine , while shacke time doth last , for divers misfortunes that happen too fast , or if you do fancy , whole eare of the hog , give ear to ill neighbor , and ear to his dog. keep hog i advise thee from medow and corne , for out alowd crying , that ere he was borne . such lawlesse so haunting both often and long , if dog set him chaunting he doth thee no wrong . and again in octobers husbandry he writeth ; though plenty of acornes , the porkelings to fat not taken in season may perish by that , if ratling or swelling get once in the throat , thou losest thy porkling a crown to a groat . what ever thing fat is , again if it fall , thou venterest the thing and the fatnesse withall . the fatter , the better , to sell or to kill , but not to continue , make proof if you will. in november he writeth again ; let hog once sat , lose none of that ; when mast is gone , hog falleth anon , still fat up some , till shrovetide come , now porke and sowce bears tacke in a house . thus far of our english husbandry about swine . now followeth their diseases in particular . of the diseases of swine . hemlock is the bane of panthers , swine , wolves , and all other beasts that live upon devouring of flesh , for the hunters mix it with flesh , and so spread or cast the flesh so poysoned abroad in bits or morsels to be devoured by them . the root of the white chamelion mixed with fryed barly flour . water and oyl is also poyson to swine . the black ellebor worketh the same effect upon horses , oxen , and swine , and therefore when the beasts do eat the white , they forbear the black with all wearisomeness . likewise henbane worketh many painful convulsions in their bellies ; therefore when they perceive that they have eaten thereof , they run to the waters and gather snails or sea-crabs , by vertue whereof they escape death , and are again restored to their health . the hearb goosefoot is venemous to swine , and also to bees , and therefore they will never light upon it , or touch it . the black night-shade is present destruction unto them and they abstain from harts tongue , and the great bur , by some certain instinct of nature . if they be bitten by any serpents , sea-crabs , or snails , are the most present remedy that nature hath taught them . the swine of scythia by the relation of pliny and aristotle , are not hurt with any poyson except scorpions , and therefore so soon as ever they are stung by a scorpion , they die if they drink . and thus much for the poyson of swine . against the cold ( of which these beasts are most impatient : ) the best remedy is to make them warm sties , for if it be once taken , it will cleave faster to them , then any good thing , and the nature of this beast is , never to eat if once he feel himself sick , and therefore the diligent master or keeper of swine , must vigilantly regard the beginnings of their diseases , which cannot be more evidently demonstrated , then by forbearing of their meat . of the measels . the measels are called in greek , chalaza ; in latin , grandines ; for that they are like hailstones spred in the flesh , and especially in the leaner part of a hog , and this disease , as aristotle writeth , is proper to this beast , for no other in the world is troubled therewith : for this cause the grecians call a measily hog , chaluros , and it maketh their flesh very loose and soft . the germans call this disease finnen , and pfinnen ; the italians , gremme ; the french , sursume , because the spots appear at the root of the tongue like white seeds , and therefore it is usuall in the buying of hogs in all nations to pull out their tongue and look for the measels , for if there appear but one upon his tongue , it is certain that all the whole body is infected . and yet the butchers do all affirm that the cleanest hog of all , hath three of these , but they never hurt the swine or his flesh , and the swine may be full of them , and yet none appear upon his tongue , but then his voice will be altered and not be was wont . these abound most of all in such hogs as have fleshy legs and shoulders very moist , and if they be not over plentiful , they make the flesh the sweeter ; but if they abound , it tasteth like stock-fish or meat over-watered . if there be no appearance of these upon their tongue , then the chap-man or buyer pulleth off a bristle from the back , and if bloud follow , it is certain that the beast is infected , and also such cannot well stand upon their hinder legs . their tail is very round . for remedy hereof divers days before their killing , they put into their wash or swill some ashes , especially of hasel trees . but in france and germany it is not lawful to sell such a hog , and therefore the poor people do only eat them . howbeit they cannot but engender evill humors and naughty bloud in the body . the roots of the bramble called ramme , beaten to powder and cast into the holes , where swine use to bath themselves , do keep them clear from many of these diseases , and for this cause also in antient time they gave them horse-flesh sodden , and toads sodden in water , to drink the broath of them . the bur pulled out of the earth without iron , is good also for them , if it be stamped and put into milk , and so given them in their wash . they give their hogs here in england red-lead , red-oker , and in some places , red loam or earth . and pliny saith , that he or she which gathereth the aforesaid burre , must say this charm : haec est herba argemon quam minerva reperit , suibus his remedium qui de illa gustaverint . at this day there is great praise of maiden-hair for the recovery of swine , also holy thistle , and the root of gunban and harts-tongue . of leannesse or pining . sometime the whole herd of swine falleth into leannesse , and so forsake their meat , yea although they be brought forth into the fields to feed , yet as if they were drunk or weary , they lie down and sleep all the day long . for cure whereof , they must be closely shut up into a warm place , and made to fast one whole day from meat and water , and then give them the roots of wilde cucumber beaten to powder , and mixed with water , let them drink it , and afterward give them beans pulse , or any dry meat to eat , and lastly warm water to procure vomit , as in men , whereby their stomacks are emptied of all things both good and bad : and this remedy is prescribed against all incertain diseases , the cause whereof cannot be discerned ; and some in such cases do cut off the tops of the tails , or their ears , for there is no other use of letting these beasts bloud but in their veins . of the pestilence . these beasts are also subject to the pestilence , by reason of earth-quakes and sudden infections in the air , and in such affection the beast hath sometime certain bunches or swellings about the neck , then let them be separated ; and give them to drink in water the roots of daffadill : — quatit aegros tussis anbela sues ac faucibus angit obesis tempore pestis . some give them night-shade of the wood , which hath great stalks like cherry twigs , the leaves to be eaten by them against all their hot diseases , and also burned snails , or pepper-wort of the garden , or lactuca foetida cut in pieces , sodden in water , and put into their meat . of the ague . in ancient time ( varro saith ) that when a man bought a hog , he covenanted with the seller , that it was free from sicknesse , from danger , that he might buy it lawfully , that it had no manngie or ague . the signs of an ague in this beast are these . when they stop suddenly , standing still , and turning their heads about , fall down as it were by a megrim , then you must diligently mark their heads which way they turn them , that you may let them bloud on the contrary ear , and likewise under their tail , some two fingers from their buttocks , where you shall finde a large vein fitted for that purpose , which first of all we must beat with a rod or piece of wood , that by the often striking it may be made to swell , and afterwards open the said vein with a knife : the blood being taken away , their tail must be bound up with osier or elm twigs , and then the swine must be kept in the house a day or two , being fed with barly meal , and receiving warm water to drink as much as they will. of the cramp . when swine fall from a great heat into a sudden cold , which hapneth when in their travel they suddenly lie down through wearinesse , they fall to have the cramp , by a painfull convulsion of their members , and the best remedy thereof , is for to drive them up and down , till they wax warm again , and as hot as they were before , and then let them be kept warm still , and cool at great leisure , as a horse doth by walking , otherwise they perish unrecoverably , like calves which never live after they once have the cramp . of lice . they are many times so infested and annoyed with lice , that their skin is eaten and gnawn through thereby ; for remedy whereof , some annoynt them with a confection made of cream , butter , and a great deal of salt : others again anoynt them , after they have washed them all over with the lees of wine , and in england commonly the countrey people use stavesaker , red oaker , and grease . of the lethargy . by reason that they are much given to sleep in the summer time , they fall into lethargies , and die of the same : the remedy whereof is , to keep them from sleep , and to wake them whensoever you finde them asleep . of the head-aches . this disease is called by the grecians , scotemia , and kraura , and by albertus , fraretis . herewith all swine are many times infected , and their ears fall down , their eyes are also dejected , by reason of many cold humours gathered together in their heads , whereof they die in multitudes , as they do of the pestilence , and this sicknesse is fatall unto them , if they be not holpen within three or four dayes . the remedy whereof ( if there be any at all ) is to hold wine to their nostrils , first making them to smell thereof , and then rubbing it hard with it , and some give them also the roots of white thistles , cut small and beaten into their meat , but if it fall out that in this pain they lose one of their eyes , it is a sign that the beast will die by and by after , as pliny and aristotle write . of the gargarisme . this disease is called by the latines , raucedo , and by the grecians , branchos , which is a swelling about their chaps , joyned with feaver and head-ache , spreading it self all over the throat , like as the squinancy doth in a man , and many times it begetteth that also in the swine , which may be known by the often moving of their feet , and then they die within three dayes , for the beast cannot eat being so affected , and the disease creepeth by little and little to the liver , which when it hath touched it , the beast dieth , because it putrifieth as it passeth . for remedy hereof , give unto the beast those things which a man receiveth against the squinancy , and also let him blood in the root of his tongue , ( i mean in the vein under the tongue ) bathing his throat with a great deal of hot water mixed with brimstone and salt. this disease in hogs is not known from that which is called struma , or the kings evil at the first appearance , as aristotle and pliny write : the beginning of this disease is in the almonds , or kernels of the throat , and it is caused through the corruption of water which they drink ; for the cure whereof , they let them bloud , as in the former disease , and they give them the yarrow with the broadest leaves . there is a hearb called herba impia , all hoary , and outwardly it looketh like rosemary , some say it is so called because no beast will touch it , this being beaten in pieces betwixt two tiles or stones , groweth marvellous hot , the juice thereof being mixed in milk and wine , and so given unto the swine to drink , cureth them of this disease , and if they drink it before they be affected therewith , they never fall into it , and the like is attributed to the hearb trinity , and vi●la martia , likewise the blew flowers of violets are commended for this purpose by dioscorides . of the kernels . these are little bunches rising in the throat , which are to be cured by letting bloud in the shoulder , and unto this disease belongeth that which the germans call rangen , and the italians , sidor , which is not contagious , but very dangerous , for within two dayes the beast doth die thereof , if it be not prevented : this evil groweth in the lower part or chap of the swines mouth , where it doth not swell , but waxing white , hardeneth like a piece of horn , through pain whereof the beast cannot eat , for it is in the space betwixt the fore and the hinder teeth ; the remedy is to open the swines mouth as wide as one can , by thrusting into it a round bat , then thrust a sharp needle through the same sore , and lifting it up from the gum , they cut it off with a sharp knife ; and this remedy helpeth many if it be taken in time : some give unto them the roots of a kinde of gentian to drink , as a speciall medicine , which the germans for that cause call rangen cru●e ; but the most sure way is the cutting it off : and like unto this there is such another growing in the upper chap of the mouth , and to be cured by the same remedy : the cause of both doth arise from eating of their meat over hot , and therefore the good swineheard must labour to avoid that mischief : the mischief of this is described by virgil : hinc canibus blandis rabies venit , & quatit aegros tussts anhela sues , ac faucibus angit abe sis . of the pain in their lungs . for all manner of pain in their lungs , which come by the most part for want of drink , are to have lung-wort stamped and given them to drink in water , or else to have it tyed under their tongues two or three dayes together , or that which is most probable , because it is dangerous to take it inwardly , to make a hole in the ear , and to thrust it into the same , tying it fast for falling out : and the same vertue hath the white hellebor . but the diseases of the lungs are not very dangerous , and therefore the butchers say , that you shall seldom finde a swine with sound lungs or livers : sometimes it falleth out that in the lights of this beast there will be apparent certain white spots as big as half a walnut , but without danger to the beast , sometimes the lights cleave to the ribs and sides of the beast , for remedy whereof you must give them the same medicines , that you give unto oxen in the same disease . sometimes there appear certain blathers in the liver of water , which are called water-gals ; sometimes this is troubled with vomiting , and then it is good to give them in the morning , fryed pease mingled with dust of ivory , and bruised salt fasting , before they go to their pastures . of the diseases in the spleen . by reason that this is a devouring beast , and through want of water , it is many times sick of the spleen , for the cure whereof you must give them prunes of tamariske pressed into water , to be drunk by them when they are a thirst ; this disease cometh for the most part in the summer , when they eat of sweet and green fruits , according to this verse ; strata jacent passim sua quaque sub arbore poma . the vertue of these prunes of tamarisk is also very profitable against the diseases of the milt , and therefore it is to be given to men as well as to . beasts , for if they do but drink out of pots and cups made out of the wood of the tree tamariske , they are easily cleared from all diseases of the spleen ; and therefore in some countries of this great tree they make hog troughes and mangers , for the safegard of their beasts , and where they grow not great , they make pots and cups . and if a hog do eat of this tamarisk but nine dayes together , at his death he shall be found to be without a spleen , ( as marcellus writeth . ) when they become loose in their bellies , which happeneth to them in the spring time by eating of green herbs , they either fall to be lean , or else to die . when they cannot easily make water , by reason of some stoppage , or sharpness of urine , they may be eased by giving unto them spurge-seed . and thus much for the diseases of swine . for conclusion whereof i will add hereunto the length of a swines life , according to aristotle and pliny , if it be not cut off by sickness or violent death ; for in their dayes they observed that swine did live ordinarily to fifteen years , and some of them to twenty ; and thus much for the nature of swine in general . the medicines of the hog . the best remedy for the bitings of venomous serpents is certainly believed to be this , to take some little creatures , as pigs , cocks , kids , or lambs ▪ and tear them in pieces , applying them whiles they are hot to the wound as soon as it is made , for they will not only expell away the poyson , but also make the wound both whole and sound . for the curing of horses which are troubled with the inflammation of the lungs ; take a sucking pig and kill him neer unto the sick horse , that you may instantly pour the bloud thereof into his jawes , and it will prove a very quick and speedy remedy . the panch of a sucking pig being taken out and mingled with the yolk which sticketh to the inner parts of the skin , and moistned both together , doth very much ease the pain of the teeth being poured into that ear , on which side the grief shall lie . the liquor of swines flesh being boyled , doth very much help against the buprestis . the same is also a very good antidote against poyson , and very much helpeth those which are troubled with the gowt . cheese made of cowes milk being very old , so that it can scarce be eaten for tartness , being in the liquor or decoction of swines flesh which is old and salt , and afterwards throughly tempered , doth very much mollifie the stifness of the joynts , being well applyed thereunto . the indians use to wash the wounds of the elephants which they have taken first with hot water , afterwards if they see them to be somewhat deep , they anointed them with butter : then do they asswage the inflamation thereof , by rubbing of swines flesh upon them , being hot and moist with the fresh bloud issuing from the same . for the healing of the wounds of elephants , butter is chiefly commended , for it doth easily expell the iron lyrage hid therein , but for the curing of the ulcers , there is nothing comparable to the flesh of swine . the bloud of swine is moist , and not very hot , being in temper most like unto mans bloud , therefore whosoever saith that the bloud of men is profitable for any disease , he may first approve the same in swines bloud : but if it shew not the same , it may in a manner shew the like action . for although it be somewhat inferiour unto mans bloud , yet at the least it is like unto it ; by knowledge whereof , we hope we shall bring by the use thereof , more full and ample profit unto men . for although it do not fully answer to our expectation , notwithstanding there is no such great need that we should prove mens bloud . for the encouraging of a feeble and diminished horse , eumelius reporteth , the flesh of swine being hot , mingled in wine , and given in drink , to be exceeding good and profitable . there also ariseth by swine another excellent medicine against divers perillous diseases , which is this , to kill a young gelded boar pig , having red hairs , and being of a very good strength , receiving the fresh bloud in a pot , and to stir it up and down a great while together with a stick made of red juniper , casting out the clots of the bloud , being gathered while it is stirring . then to cast the scrapings of the same juniper , and stir the berries of the juniper in the same to the quantity of seven and twenty , but in the stirring of the same , let the clots be still cast out . afterwards mingle with the same these hearbs following , agrimony , rue , phu , scabious , betony , pimpernel , succory , parsly , of each a handfull . but if the measure of the bloud exceed three pints , put unto it two ounces of treacle : but if it shall be bigger , for the quantity of the bloud you shall diminish the measure of the treacle . ( but all things ought to be so prepared that they may be put to the bloud coming hot from the boar. ) these being mixed all together , you must draw forth a dropping liquor , which you must dry in the sun , being diligently kept in a glasse-vessell for eight dayes together , which you must do once every year , for it will last twenty years . this medicine is manifestly known to be a great preservative against these diseases following , namely the plague , impostumes in the head , sides , or ribs , as also all diseases whatsoever in the lungs , the inflammation of the milt , corrupt or putrified bloud , the ague , swellings in the body , shaking of the heart , the dropsie , heat in the body above nature , evill humors , but the principallest and chiefest vertue thereof is in curing all poysons , and such as are troubled with a noysome or pestilent fever . let him therefore who is troubled with any of the aforesaid diseases , drink every morning a spoonful , or four or five drops of the same liquor , and sweat upon the same , and it will in very short time perfectly cure him of his pain . some also do use almonds pounded or beaten in the bloud against the plague , the liquor being extracted forth by the force of fire . a young pig being killed with a knife , having his bloud put upon that part of the body of any one which is troubled with warts being as yet hot come from him , will presently dry them , and being after washed , will quite expell them away . the bloud of a sow which hath once pigged being anointed upon women , cureth many diseases in them . the brains of a boar or sow being anointed upon the sores or carbuncles of the privy members , doth very effectually cure them , the same effect also hath the bloud of a hog . the dugs of a woman anointed round about with the bloud of a sow , will decrease lesse and lesse . a young pig being cut in pieces , and the bloud thereof anointed upon a womans dugs , will make them that they shall not encrease . concerning the grease of swine , it is termed diversly of all the authors , for the grecians call it stear choirion , and oxungion , for the imitation of the latin word axungia ; but marcellus also applyeth axungia to the fat of other creatures , which among the ancient authors i do not finde : for in our time those which in latin , do call that fat axungia , which encreaseth more solid between the skin and the flesh , in a hog , a man , a brock or badger , a dor-mouse , a mountain-mouse , and such like . the fat of swine they commonly call lard which groweth betwixt the skin and the flesh , in expressing the vertues of this , we will first of all shew how it is to be applyed to cures outwardly , and then how it is to be received inwardly ; next unto butter , it hath the chiefest commendations among the antients , and therefore they invented to keep it long , which they did by casting some salt among it , neither is the reason of the force of it obscure or uncertain , for as it feedeth upon many wholesome herbs which are medicinable , so doth it yeeld from them many vertuous operations ; and besides the physick of it , it was a custom for new marryed wives when they first of all entred into their husbands house , to anoint the posts thereof with swines grease in token of their fruitfulness while they were alive , and remainder of their good works when they should be dead . the apothecaries for preparation of certain oyntments , do geld a male sucking pig , especially such a one as is red , and take from his reins or belly certain fat , which the germans call schmaer , and the french , oing , that is , vnguentum : the husbandmen use swines grease to anoint the axle trees of their carts and carriages , and for want thereof they take putrified butter , and in some countries the gum that runneth out of pine trees , and fir trees , with the scum of butter mingled together : and this composition taketh away scabs and tetters in men : but it is to be remembred that this grease must be fresh , and not salted , for of salt grease there is no use , but to skowre those things that are exulcerated . the antients deemed that this is the best grease which was taken from the reins of the hog washed in rain water , the veins being pulled out of it , and afterwards boyled in a new earthen pot , and so preserved . the fat of swine is not so hot and dry as the fat of other beasts , the chief use of it is to moisten , to fasten , to purge , and to scatter , and herein it is most excellent when it hath been washed in wine , for the stale salt grease so mixed with wine , is profitable to anoint those that have the plurifie , and mingled with ashes and pitch , easeth inflammations , fistulaes , and tumors , and the same virtue is ascribed to the fat of foxes , except that their fat is hotter then the swines , and lesse moist : likewise ashes of vines mingled with stale grease of hogs , cureth the wounds of scorpions and dogs , and with the spume of nitre , it hath the same vertue against the bitings of dogs . it is used also against the french disease ( called the french pox ) for they say if the knees of a man be anointed therewith , and he stand gaping over it , it will draw a filthy matter out of his stomach , and make him vomit . by serenus it is prescribed , to be anointed upon the knees , against the stifness of the neck . mingled with quicksilver and brimstone , it is soverain against the itch and scabs . this lard being sod with the fat , and applyed to the body , doth mightily expell corruptions that cleave to the skin . the fat of swine with butter and oyl of roses , is instilled into the broken skins of the brain for the cure of them . likewise buglosse plucked up by the root , and the roots cut off , and curiously washed , beaten and pounded into a ball , and mixed with swines grease , is good to be laid to any incurable wound . it is also profitable for the wounded nerves of the body , beaten together with wormes of the earth , according to these verses of serenus : — terrae lumbricos indere ●ri●os , que● vetus & ranis s●ciari axungia debet . when bones are broken , if they be anointed with the sod grease of swine , and so bound up fast together , after they be well set and closed , grow wonderful fast , sure and solid again : serenus writeth thus of it ; si cui forte lapis teneros violaverit artus , necte adipes vetulos , & tritam chamae●●sson . by the fat ( he meaneth the fat of swine ) because presently after he maketh mention of the dung of swine to be good for the same cure . being mingled with pitch , it scattereth all bunches and fellons . the hardness of the brests , ruptures , convulsions and cramps , and with white hellibor , it closeth up clifts and chinks in the flesh , and maketh the hard skin to be soft again . it is very profitable against inflamations of ulcers , especially the fat of the boar pig , mixed with liquid gum . women do also use the fat of a sow that never bore pig to cleare their skin , and to mix it with pitch , and one third part of asses grease against the scabs . the same mixed with white lead , and the spume of silver maketh the scars of the body to be of the same colour with the residue ; and with sulphur , it taketh away the spots in the nails , mingled with the powder of acorns : if the grease be salt , it softneth the hardness of the flesh . rue mixed with swines sewet or buls grease , taketh away spots and freckles out of the face , and it is also profitable against the kings evill , being mixed with the powder of a sea oyster shell , and being anointed in a bath , it taketh away the itch and blisters . featherfew and stale swines grease , is also prescribed against the kings evill . this same alone or with snow , easeth the pain of burnings in the flesh , and when there is an ulcer , by reason of the burning , mix it with toasted barly , and the white of an egge , according to these verses ; — combustis igni , hordea vel fruges , atque ovi candida junges , adsit adeps porcae ( mira est nam forma medelae ) junge chelidonias , ac sic line vulnera succis , quodque recens ussit glacies , axungia simplex mulcet , & ex facili grata est medicamine cura . fresh grease is very profitable for those members that are surboted or riven of their skin , and likewise to anoint them that are weary with long journies . the ashes of womens hair burned in a shell , and mingled with the fat of swine , are said to ease the pain of st. antonies fire , and to stanch bloud , and to cure ring-worms . the gall of a swine , or of a boar , and the lights with the fat , filleth up the kibes ; and the stalks of cabiges with the roots burned , and mingled with swines grease being applyed to the sides , do cure the dayly pains thereof . and thus far of the use of this grease for the bodies of men . now also it followeth in a word to touch the use thereof for the bodies of beasts . when the horns of oxen or kine are broken , they take a little lint , salt , vinegar , and oyl , and lay them upon the broken horn , powring in the liquid , and binding the rest close on the outside , and this they renew three dayes together ; the fourth day they take the like quantity of swines grease , and liquid pitch , and with a smooth rind or bark of pine they bind it to close , and so it is fastened again . when the hoof or anckles of an ox are hurt with the plough share , then take hard pitch , swines grease and sulphur , roul them up all together in unwashed wool , and with hot burning iron melt them upon the wound or horn . the ears of dogs in the summer time are exulcerated by flies , into the which sores it is good to instill liquid pitch sod with swines grease , and this medicine also is good to deliver beasts from the tickes , for they fall off as many as touch it . when lambs or kids are troubled with the sheep pox , some use to anoint them with swines grease and the rust of iron , that is two parts of swines grease , and one part of rust , and so warm them together . also for the scabs upon ●orses heels , that are called the scratches , which come for the most part in the winter time , they cure them on this manner ; they take the fat of swine , and melt it on the fire , and pour it into cold water , which afterwards they take it out and beat it well together , at last they mingle it with brimstone beaten small , and so anoint the place therewith three days together , and the third day they open the scabs , and so continue anointing till it be cured . when a horse cannot hold his neck right , it is good to anoint him with oyl , wine , hony , and hogs-grease ; the manner of some leeches is , when they have made a suppuration by oxen in burning , they first of all wash it with stale urine , and afterwards mingle an equal quantity of pitch and hogs grease together , wherewithal they anoint and cure the sore . sometime the bloud of oxen falleth down into their feet , wherein it congealeth and breaketh forth into scabs , then must the place first of all be scraped with a knife , and the scabs cut away , afterwards with cloaths wet in vinegar , salt , and oyl , moistened and pressed hard , and last of all by an equall quantity of hogs grease , and goats sewet sod both together , it will be cured by laying it unto it . and thus much for the remedies of swines grease towards beasts . the huskes of beans being beaten small to powder , and mixed with swines grease , is very profitable against the pain of the hips and the nerves . some physitians take the grease of swine , the fat of geese , the sewet of buls , and the oesypus or sweat of sheep , and anoint therewithal gowty legs , but if the pain remove not , then do they add unto it wax , mirtle , gum and pitch , and some use it mixed with old oyl , with the stone sacophagys , cinck-foyl beaten in wine with lime or ashes . this swines grease beaten in water with cumin , is prescribed by simeon lethi against the gowt . it remedieth the falling of the hair , and the pain in the heads of women , mingled with one fourth part of gals , and the like virtue it hath with wilde roses , lingulaca and hippocampinus with nitre and vinegar . when the corners of ones eyes are troubled with worms , by anointing them with the fat of a sow with pig , beating them together both within and without , you shall draw all the wormes out of his eyes . when one hath pain in his ears whereby matter issueth forth , let him beat the oldest lard he can in a morter , and rake the juyce thereof in fine wool , then let him put that wool into his ear , making it to work through warm water , and then infuse a little more of the juyce of that lard , and so shall he work a great cure in short time . and generally the fat of geese , hens , swine , and foxes , are prepared for all the pains in the ears . if there arise any bunch in the neck or throat , seethe lard and wine together , and so by gargarising that liquor , it shall be dispersed , according to the verses of serenus ; — in rigor● cervicis geminus mulcebitur unguine poples , hinc longam pariter nervos medicina sequetur . and it is no marvel that the vertue of this should go from the knees to the nerves , seeing that pliny affirmeth , that from the anointing of the knees the savour goeth into the stomach : there is so great affinity or operation of rue upon the stones , that in antient time they were wont to cure burstness by anointing the cods with wilde rue and swines grease . also this grease with rust of iron , is good against all the imperfections in the seat . butter , goose grease , and hogs grease , are indifferently used for this infirmity . also this is used to keep women from abortments that are subject thereunto , being applyed like an eye salve . in the diseases of the matrix , especially ulcers , they first of all dip spunges or wool in warm water , and so cleanse the places infected , and afterwards cure it with rozen and swines grease mingled together , and often using it in the day and night by way of oyntment ; but if the exulceration be vehement , after the washing they put hony unto the former confection , and some make a perfume with goats horn , gals , swines grease , and gum of cedars . and. fernerius saith , that lard cut small and beat in a morter of stone like paste , in a limbeck of glasse , rendereth a white water , which maketh the hair yellow , and also the face comely . if a man be poysoned with hemlock , he cannot avoid it better , then by drinking salt , wine , and fresh grease . a decoction hereof is good against the poyson of bouprestis , and against quicksilver . the sewet of a sow fed with green herbs , is profitable to them that are sick of a consumption of the lungs , according to this verse of serenus ; proderit & veteris sevi pila sumpta suilli . this may also be given them in wine , either raw or decocted , or else in pils to be swallowed down whole if it be not salted , and the fift day after they prescribe them to drink out of an egge-shell liquid pitch , binding their sides , breast , and shoulder bones very hard . it is also used for an old cough after it is decocted , the weight of a groat being put into three cups of wine with some hony. it is given also to them that have the flux , especially old lard , hony , and wine , being beaten together till they be all as thick as hony , whereof the quantity of a hasil-nut , is to be drunk out of water . also morsels of swines grease , butter , and hony , being put down into a horse throat , cureth him of an old cough ; and finally a piece of this grease being old , moistened in old wine , is profitable to a horse that hath been overheated in his journey . when calves be troubled with belly wormes , take one part of swines greasex ▪ and mingle it with three parts of hysop , afterwards thrust it down into the throats of the calves , and it shall expell the wormes . when the tongue and chaps wax black by a peculiar sickness of the mouth , which the physitians call morbus epidemius , it is most wholesome to rub the tongue with the inner side of the rines of bacon , and so draw out an extreme heat : and it is said if a man be deeply infected , whose tongue is thus rubbed ; the said bacon rine being eaten by any dog , will procure his death . the fat of wolves and the marrow of swine is good to anoint blear-eyes withal . by swallowing down the marrow of swine , the appetite to carnal copulation is encreased . the ashes or powder of hogs bristles which are taken out of plaisterers pencils , wherewithal they rub wals , and mixed with swines grease , doth ease the pain of burnings , and also stayeth the bleeding of wounds , and the falling down of the seat being first of all washed in wine and dryed pitch mingled therewithal . the powder of the cheek-bones of swine , is a most present remedy for broken bones , and also for ulcers in the legs and shins . the fat of a boar is commended against serpents , and so also is the liver of a bore pig when the fibres are taken from it , if the weight of two pence be drunk in wine . the brain of a sow toasted at the fire , and laid to a carbuncle , either disperseth or emptieth it . likewise the bloud and brains of a boar or a sow , or boar pig being mixed with hony , doth cure the carbuncles in the yard , and the brains alone , openeth the gums of children , to let out their teeth , as serenus writeth ; aut teneris cerebrum gingivis illine poroi . there are naturally in the head of a hog two little bones that have holes in them , one in the right part , and another in the left . now if it happen that a man finde these bones by chance , either one or both of them , let him lay them up safe , and whensoever he is troubled with the head-ach , let him use them , hanging them about his neck by a silken threed , that is to say , if the head ach on the right side , let him hang the right bone ▪ and if on the left , the left bone : these things i report upon the credit of marcellus . galen also writeth , that if the pole of the swines ear be hanged about ones neck , it will preserve him from all cough afterwards . they were wont , as dioscorides writeth , to seethe a gudgen in a swines belly , by the eating whereof , they stayed the falling down of the seat . if a man eat the lungs of a boar , and a sow sodden and fasting , they will preserve him from drunkenness all that day ; and likewise the said lungs doth keep the soles of the feet from inflamation which are caused by straight shooes . it also healeth the piles , clifts , and breaking of the skin , and kibes of the feet , by laying to it a boars gall , and a swines lungs . if a man drink the liver of a sow in wine , it saveth his life from the bitings of venemous beasts . also the liver of a boar burned with juniper-wood , cureth all the faults in the secrets ; and drunk in wine without salt after it is sod , stayeth the looseness of the belly . the gall of swine is not very vehement , for as the whole body is waterish , so also is that ; neither is there any beast herein comparable unto it , ( except the wilde ) and that is enemy to ulcers , ripening the sore , scattering the evill humors , and resisting the bitings of venemous beasts . also the gall of boars layed to bruised articles , doth procure unto them wonderful ease . one shall take away an old scurfe very easily by the gall of a sow , which farrow if it be mingled with the juyce of the hearb siclamine , and therewithal to rub the head well in a bath , to keep hair from growing upon the browes when it is once plucked off ; take the gall and fat of a boar , and put them into a smooth thick earthen pot , and of the sharpest vinegar and oyl of almonds four ounces a piece , pour that into it , and then binde the mouth of the pot close with a thick linnen cloth , so letting them stand seven dayes together , afterwards open them again , and you shall finde upon the top a certain scum like gold , wherewithal anoint those places , which you would have remain bald , after that you have beaten it together in a morter : likewise the gall of a barrow hog or boar pig , doth scatter apostumes and bunches in any part of the body . the gall of a hog dryed in an oven , and laid upon a carbuncle , as much as will cover it , it cleaveth fast to the sore , and draweth out the root and core thereof . it is likewise good against the ulcers of the ears , except the ulcer be of long continuance , and then it is good to use a sharper gall , such as is a sheeps , an oxes , a bears or a goats , they mingle herewithal sometimes oyl of roses ; but for old wounds in the ears , it is good to take one part of best hony , and two parts of the sharpest vinegar , and so let them boyl on the fire three walmes , afterwards set them far off from the fire , untill it leave seething or boyling , and then put nitre unto it , so long till you know by the vapor that the nitre is setled , then seethe it again upon a gentle fire , so as it boyleth not over , and lastly put into this the gall of a boar , or of a goat , and then seethe it the third time , taking it from the fire , when it is luke-warm , infuse it into the ears , and this gal must not be the gall of a sow , except of such as never bare pig. also this gall being dried doth cure the haemorrhoids and kibes . there are also certain slifters or clifts in the hoofs of ▪ horses , which are cured in one nights space , by applying unto them the gall of a barrow hog , mingled with the yolkes of egges . the blather of swine will provoke urine , and of a boar pig sod , roasted or boyled , and so eaten and drunk , causeth a man to contain his urine which never could before . when the head of a man is exulcerated and funneth , take the bladder of a barrow-hog , with the urine , and ca●● the same into the fat cut small , afterwards mingle it so with salt , that it may appear all white , then binde it up fast , and dig a hole in the garden about a cubit deep , wherein bury and cover the said gall , and so let it rest forty or fifty days in the earth , till the matter therein contained be putrified , then take it out and melt it in a dish , and keep the ointment that ariseth of it . then wash the head all over with lye , unto the intent that it may not be offended through the acrimony thereof , mingle it with new wine or with water , and then when it is dry after such washing , anoint it with the said ointment , and so will the noxious and unclean hairs fall every one off , and new pure ones arise in their place , and you must be very carefull to keep the head from cold . they were wont to give the stones of swine against the falling sickness , but when they were first dryed , and afterwards beaten to powder , and given to the sick party in swines milk , so he was commanded to abstain from wine many dayes before , and after he received it for many dayes together . in savoy they take the stones out of a young hog when they geld him , and scorch them at the fire so long , till they may be crushed to pieces , and this they prescribe to be drunk in wine against the colick . some give the powder of boars stones to men and women , to increase copulation and conception . the magicians or wise men of the east prescribed to be drunk for the incontinency of urine , the powder of a boar pigs stones out of sweet wine , and then to make water in a dogs kennel , which while he is doing , to speak to himself these words ; ne ipse urinam faciam ut canis in suo cubile : but i will leave this superstition , as not worthy to be englished . some take the bladder of a sow burned to powder , and drunk for this infirmity , and some a certain liquorish poyson , which droppeth from the navel of a boar pig , immediately after it is farrowed . bacon beaten together , and made like meal , is good against a continual cough , or stayeth bleeding at the mouth . bacon broath is also mingled with other medicines against the gowt , and they make an emplaister of bacon to scatter gravelly matter in the bladder . the bones of bicon about the hips are kept to clense and rub teeth , and by burning of them , not only the loose teeth in men are fastned , but also the wormes in the teeth of beasts are killed . if a horse be troubled with the glanders or any such liquid matter running out at his mouth and nose , then let the broath wherein bacon and swines feet hath been sod , be mixed with hony , and so strained afterward , let it be beaten well together with egges , and so infused into the left nostril of the horse . gagner 〈…〉 prescribeth an emplaister to be made of cheese , and the feet of swine against the shrinking up of the sinews . the ancle bone of a sow being burned untill it be white , and bruised and taken in drink , doth cure the swellings of the neck , and pains of long continuance . the ancle bone of a sow burned and bruised , and given to drink only in water , is a remedy against the colick and stone . the ankle bone of a sow doth drive away those swellings which arise in the stomach , and doth ease the pains of the head . the ashes of the ancle bone of a sow or boar , doth cure corns , clefts , or other ri●ts in the skin , and the hardness of the skin that is in the bottom of the feet . it is also shewed , that if the bone shall be hung about the neck of those that are troubled with quartain agues , that then they shall be far better , but of what bone he speaketh , it is uncertain , but as he remembreth it is the next bone before the fat of the anckle bone . the bones that are taken from the hoofs of sowes , burned and beaten to powder , are very good to rub and clense the teeth : also the bones next to the ribs of bacon , being burned , are very good to fasten the teeth . the bones that are taken from the hoofs of hogs , and burned to powder , are used to clense the teeth , and it is very good also to fasten the teeth . the ashes which are made of a harts horne , or of the hoof of a hog , are very good to clense or rub the teeth . the bones which are taken from the hoof of a hog burned and beaten to powder and ●ifted , and a little spicknard added thereto , doth make the teeth very white , by often rubbing them therewith . the ashes of the hoofs of a boar or sow , put in drink , doth stay the incontinency of urine , and also the bloudy flux . take as much mercurial sodden , as ones hand can hold , sod in two pintes of water unto one pinte , and drink the same with hony and salt , and the powder of a hogs hoof , and it shall loose the belly . the milk of a sow drunk with sweet wine , helpeth women in travell ; and the same being drunk alone restoreth milk in womens brests ; it is also good against the bloudy flux and tissick . the stones of swine beaten to powder , and drunk in swines milk , are good against the falling sickness . the wise men were wont to prescribe the left foot or leg of a camaelion to be bound unto the feet against the gowt . there are also many uses of the dung of swine , and first of all it being mixed with vinegar , is good against the bitings of venemous beasts , and aetius maketh an emplaister thereof , against the biting of a crocodile . it is to be applyed single against the stinging of scorpions , and also the biting of any other reptile creature . if a serpent bite an oxe or a horse , o● any other four-footed beast , take the stalk of nigella , and beat it into a pinte of old wine , so as all the juyce may go out thereof , then infuse it into the nostrils of the beast , and lay swines dung to the sore , so also it may be applyed unto men , whereunto some do add hony attick , and the urine of a man , and so it is to be applyed warm , it being also warmed in a shell , and dryed to powder , mixed with oyl , and layed to the body , easeth outward pains . i● it likewise profitable against burnings , itch , scabs , and blisters , and trembling of the body , according to these verses of serenus ; stercoris ex porco cinerem confundito lymphis : sic pavidum corpus , dextra pascente foveto . this is also commended against hard bunches in the body , hardness of the skin , clifts and chinks in the flesh , freckles , lice , and nits , and also the breaking of the sinews ; si cui forte lapis teneros violaverit artus , non pudeat luteae ster●us producere porcae . it is also good to stay bleedings at the nose , if it be layed to the nostrils warm , and to stay the bleedings of beasts , if it be given them in wine ; the same being mixed and covered with hony , is anointed upon horses for the q●insie , or swellings of the throat . if the breasts of a woman do swell after her delivery of childe , it is good to anoint them with water , and the dung of hogs , also the powder thereof mixed with oyl , is profitable for the secrets of men and women . if a man have received any hurt by bruises , so as his bloud stayeth in his body , or suffer convulsion of the nerves through cramps , those evils are cured by the dung of a boar gathered in the spring time , dryed and sod in vinegar , and some of the later physitians prescribe it to be drunk in water , and they say that nero the emperor was wont to use that medicine , when he would try the strength of his body , in a running chariot : also the powder of the same being drunk in vinegar , is profitable for the rupture and inward bruises , and warmed in wine against all manner of fluxes and tisicks . for the pains of the loins and all other things which need mollifying , rub them first of all with deers grease , and then sprinkle them with old wine mixed with the powder of swines dung . the urine of a swine is also good against all bunches and apostemations being layed to in wool . the urine of a boar pig dryed in the smoak , and drunk with sweet wine , the quantity of a bean , is profitable against the falling evill ; against the whiteness of the eyes , and the stone in the reins and bladder . and thus much of the swine in general . of the wilde boar. this beast is termed by no other name then the common swine among the hebrews , namely , chasir , as you may see in psal . . where the prophet speaketh of chasir de sylva ; that is , the boar out of the wood . the grecians call him capros and syagros , and clunis , although some take clu●is for a boar of an exceeding great stature . aristophone saith , that there are some of this kinde which are called monit , which word by st. cyril upon the prophet hosea is interpreted a wilde asse , but i rather incline to their opinion which say , that chlunis , monios , and chauliodon are poetical words for cruell boars . aristotle is of opinion , these boars being gelt when they are young , grow greater and more fierce , whereunto homer also yeeldeth as he is thus translated : nutriit exetum sylvis horrentibus aprum instar non bruti , sed dorsi montis opaci . but this is to be understood of such boars , as by accident geld themselves by rubbing upon any tree . the french call this beast , sanglier and porc sanglier ; the italiane , cinghiale and cinghiare , and porco . the spaniards , puerco sylvestre , and pueoco montes , and javali ; the germans , wild schwein ; the illyrians weprz ; and the latins , aper ; for porcus signifieth the tame swine , and aper the wilde . the reason of this latin name aper , is derived from asper , because he liveth among the sharp thorns and woods ; but i rather think , that aper is derived from capros the greek word , or else aper a feritate , from fierceness and wildeness , by changing one letter into another . the epithets of this beast are many , both in greek and latin , such as these are ; sharp , wilde , arcadian , atalantean , troubler , bloudy , toothered , hard , erymanthean , cruell , outragious , fierce , strong , gnashing , lightning , yellow , raging , acorn-gatherer , quick , rough , rough-haired , horrible , maenalian , mysian , meleagrean , threatning , woodwanderer , cruel , sabelican , bristle-bearer , foaming , strict , filthy , tegean , thuscan , fearful , wry-faced , truculent , devourer , violent , vmbrian , wound-maker , impetuous , mountain-liver , armed on both sides , and such like . but of these epithets there are only three , erymanthean , calydonian , and mysian , which do offer unto us peculiar stories , according as we finde them in the poets , which we will prefix by way of moral discourse before we enter into the natural story of this beast . first of all , erymanthus was a hill of arcadia , wherein was a wilde boar , that continually did descend down and depopulate their corn-fields ; hercules coming that way , and hearing of that mischief , did kill the said boar , and carryed him upon his back to eurystheus , whereat eurystheus was so much afraid , that he went and hid himself in a brazen vessell , whereof virgil speaketh thus : placarit sylvam , & lernam tremefecerit arcu . and of this erymanthean boar martial speaketh ; quantus erat calydon , aut erymanthe tuus . of the calydonian boar there is this story in homer ; when oeneus the prince of aetolia sacrificed the first fruits of his countrey to the gods , he forgot diana , wherewithal she was very angry , and sent among the people a savage boar , which destroyed both the countrey and inhabitants : against whom the calydonians and pleuronians went forth in hunting , and first of all that wounded the wilde beast was meleager , the son of oeneus ; for reward whereof , he received his head and his skin , which he bestowed on atalanta a virgin of arcadia , with whom he was in love , and which did accompany him in hunting : wherewithal the sons of thestius , which were the ulcles of meleager , were greatly offended ( for they were the brothers to his mother althea ) those men lay in wait to destroy him , whereof when he was advertised , he killed some of them , and put the residue to flight . for which cause the pleuronians made war against the calydonians : in the beginning of which war meleager fell out with his mother , because she did not help her countrey . at last when the city was almost taken , by the perswasion of his wife cleopatra , he went out to fight with his enemies , where in valiant manner he slew many of them , others he put to flight , who in ther chase running away , fell down upon steep rocks and perished . then althea the mother of meleager , began to rage against her son , and flung into the fire the torch which the fates had given unto her to lengthen his dayes ; so when she saw her son was dead , she repented and slew her self , and afterwards was cast into the very self same burning fire with him . in the hunting of this boar ancaeus the companion of jason to colchis was slain . this boar is also called a meliagran and atalantian boar , of whom martial writeth thus ; qui diomedeis metuendus setiger agris aetola cecidit cuspide , talis erat . and again in another place ; lacte mero pastum pigrae mihi mortis alumnum ponat , & aetolo de sue dives edat . it is said that this boar had teeth of a cubit long , and the manner of his hunting was expressed in the pinnacle of the temple of tegea , for which cause he is called the tegean boar. upon the one side of the boar against his middle , were painted atalanta , meleager , theseus , telamon , peleus , pollus , and iolaus the companion of all hercules travails . prothus and cometes , the sons of thiestius and brethren of althea , on the other side of the boar stood ancaeus wounded , and epochus sustaining his hunting spear ; next unto him stood castor and amphiaraus , the son of oicleus . after them hippothus , the son of cercion , agamedes the son of stymphelus , and lastly pyrithous . the teeth of this boar were taken taken away by augustus after the time that he had overcome anthony , which he hung up in the temple of bacchus , standing in the gardens of the emperor . and thus much for the calidonian boar. now concerning the mysian boar , i finde this story recorded of him ; when adrastus the phrygian , who was of the kings bloud , had unawares killed his brother , he fled to sardis , and after his expiation dwelt with cresus . it happened at that time that there was a wilde boar came out of olimpus , and wasted a great part of the countrey of mysia : the people oppressed with many losses , and terrifyed with the presence of such a beast , besought the king to send his own son attys with much company to hunt and kill the boar. the king was affraid thereof , because in his dream he saw a vision , his son perishing by an iron spear ; yet at last he was perswaded , and committed the safe-gard of his body to adrastus . when they came to the wilde beast , adrastus bent his spear at the boar , and while he cast it to kill him , the son of cresus came betwixt them , and so was slain with the spear , according to the dream of his father . adrastus seeing this misfortune ( that his hands which should have defended the young prince , had taken away his life ) fell into extreme passion and sorrow for the same , and although the king knowing his innocency , forgave him the fact , yet he slew himself at the funeral of attys , and so was burned with him in the same fire . and thus much for the mysian boar. now we will proceed to the particular story of the wilde boar , and first of all of the countries breeding boars . the spaniards say , that in the new found world , there are wilde boares much lesse then ours , which have tails so short , that one would think they had been cut off , they differ also in their feet , for their hinder feet are not cloven , but stand upon one claw , and their forefeet are cloven like common swines . their flesh also is more sweet and wholesome then common swines flesh , whereof peter martyr giveth reason in his ocean decads , because they feed under palm trees , neer the sea-shore , and in marshes . olaus magnus writeth , that in divers places of scandinavia , they hunt wilde boars which are twelve foot long . the wilde boars of india according to pliny have teeth , which in their compass contain a cubit , and besides their teeth growing out of their chaps , they have two horns on their head like calves horns . in the islands medera , there are abundance of wilde boars , likewise in helvetia , and especially in those parts that joyn upon the alpes , where they would much more abound , but that the magistrates give liberty to every man to kill and destroy them . there are no boars in africk , except in ethiopia , where their boars have all horns , and of those it was that lycotas the country-man saw in a publick spectacle at rome ; et niveos lepores , & non sine cornibus apros . that is , hares white like swine , and boars that have horns . it is a wonderful thing that there are no boars in creet , and no lesse admirable that the boars of macedonia are dum and have no voice : and thus much concerning the countries of boars . now concerning their colour , it is observed , that wilde boars for the most part are of a black and brown colour , especially at the top of their hair , and somewhat yellow underneath , and yet pausanias writeth , that he hath seen boars all white ; howbeit that is not ordinary . their bloud is sharp and black like black wine , and such as will never be thick , their eyes like to the eyes of wrathful beasts , as wolves and lyons . their tuskes are most admirable , for with them while they are alive , they cut like sharp knives , but when they are dead , they have lost that cutting property , the reason of it is in the heat of the tooth , for it is certainly affirmed by hunters of wilde boars that when the beast falleth first on the earth down before the dogs and hunters , if one pull off a bristle from his back , and lay it upon the tusk , the heat thereof will make it shrink up and turn together like a hot iron , and if dogs do chance to touch them , they burn their hairs from their back , whereby the ardent and fiery nature of this beast is manifest , as an evenlasting monument of the work of god , and yet notwithstanding all their wrath they have no gall , ( as pliny writeth ) their head and face are their strongest parts , and therefore upon them they receive the hunters blowes as upon a bucket . their tears which they send forth of their eyes are very sweet , and of all other things they cannot abide their own urine , for it is thought to be so hot that it burneth them , and they can never run away in flight till they have emptyed their bellies thereof . the place of their abode is for the most part in the marshes and woods : for the scythians did hunt harts and wilde boars in the marshes , but roes and wilde asses in the plain fields . sometimes they hide themselves among fern , which they have gathered together in the fields , and they dig holes and ditches for themselves , wherein they rest : and this is observed that they love not so much to wallow in the mire , as the tame and domesticall swine , although they be of a hot and fiery nature . their voice is like the voice of common swine , but the females is somewhat more shrill . they live for the most part solitary and alone , and not in heards as the other do , and feed upon such meats as the vulgar swine . tragus saith , that there is a kinde of green corn in germany , which is armed with very sharp stalks and points at both ends like barley , this the people do seethe and eat like pease . now forasmuch as wilde boars are destroyers of their corn , they sow that grain neer the woods sides where the boars abide , whereby they defend and safeguard their better corn. bores do also eat the worms of the earth , which they dig out with their noses ; and in pamphilia and the mountains of cilicia , they do eat salamanders without hurt or danger to themselves , and yet if men chance to eat of their flesh which have so devoured them , they die afterwards through the poyson : whereby it manifestly appeareth , that there is danger in eating wilde hogs flesh . hemlock and henbane is also poyson to swine , which they never eat but unawares , and having eaten it , presently they lose their strength in their hinder parts , whereby they are fain to draw them after them , and in that manner they crawl to the water sides , where they gather together snails and sea-crabs , by eating whereof they are restored to their former health . ivy is also a medicine for the diseases of boars , and old age maketh them altogether unfit to be preserved . therefore in ancient time when they kept boars in parks , whereof fulvius hirpinus was the first beginner , lucius lucillus and quintus hortensius the immediate followers , i say they never kept boars past four year old , because after that time they waxed lean and pined away . now concerning their generation or copulation to engender , it is certain that they do not couple often in the year , as the tame swine , but only once , and that in the beginning of winter , or the middle , so that they may bring forth in the spring time of the year ; and they choose the most unused , narrow , hollow , and steep places to couple in . the male abideth with the female thirty dayes together , and the female beareth her young ones , both for the number and the time answerable to the vulgar swine . when the boar is in copulation before-hand , while he worketh the sow , he carrieth a mouth as white as any horse , which as in the horse it riseth through vehement stirring , so in the boar it riseth through vehement heat and fervor . in the time of their lust they are very sharp , eager , and cruell , fighting with all males that come in their presence , and therefore they arm their bodies by rowling in the durt , and also by rubbing them against trees , that so they may be hard to withstand one another . this fight of boars is thus described of virgil : per silvas tum saevus aper , tum pessima tigris , ipse ruit dentesque sabellicus exacuit sus , et pedibus subigit terram , fricat arbore costas , atque hinc atque illinc humeros ad vulnera durat . being inflamed with venereal rage , he so setteth upright the bristles of his neck , that you would take them to be the sharp fins of dolphins ; then champeth he with his mouth , grateth and gnasheth his teeth one against another , and breathing forth his boyling spirit , not only at his eyes , but at his foaming white mouth , he desireth nothing but copulation , and if his female endure him quietly , then doth she satisfie his lust , and kill all his anger ; but if she refuse , then doth he either constrain her against her will , or else layeth her dead upon the earth . sometimes they force a tame sow , and then the pigs so begotten are called hibridae , that is , by way of contumely , bastards : and it is to be observed , that never any wilde beast being tamed , doth engender by copulation , except they be tamed very young , only wilde boars do quickly mingle with vulgar swine . the female of this kinde hath no teeth standing out of her mouth like the male , except very short ones , and therefore the residue are more like a saw then the teeth of a boar , for it is a generall rule ; nulli dentes exerti quibus serrati . concerning the disposition of boars in generall , it is brutish , stubborn , and yet couragious ; wrathfull , and furious , because their blood is full of fibres , and ministreth unto them sudden matter of anger ; neither are there any beasts so cloathed with hair as lions and boars ; wherefore both of them are of like fierce and angry nature , yet we have shewed in the story of the hart , how they were drawn from their meat and dens by the voice of musick . it is said , that they are not capable of any discipline or instruction , and yet scaliger affirmeth , that he saw a bore that belonged to the lord of salvimont , of an exceeding great stature , tamed by his master , who at the sounding of the horns , would come running like a dog to hunting , and go abroad with his master among the dogs , contending with the most swift in race to attain the prey . they naturally desire to bury their own footsteps in wet miery places , that they may not be found out by the hunters ; and as the rage of the boars is greatest in the time of their lust , so is it in the sowes after their farrowing ; and therefore it was an excellent speech of cyaxares unto cyrus , that swine when they see the hunter , although they be many , yet run away with their pigs ; but if the hunter follow one of the young ones , then doth the dam turn again , and with all her force endeavour to destroy him that would deprive her of her young ones . before the boars do fight , they go and whet their teeth , but while they are in contention , if it happen that a wolf cometh in sight , then they forsake their mutuall combats , and all of them joyn together to drive away the wolf. the beare dareth not to enter upon the wilde boar , except behinde him , and unawares . hesiod saith , that vulcan pictured upon the shield of hercules , the images and shapes of many wilde beasts fighting one with another , neither of both yeelding to other , till both of them fell down dead , which caused alciatus to make this emblem of a vulture standing by to see their contention , and suffered them to kill one another without parting , whereby afterwards she enjoyed their de●d carkases : dum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tel● , vngue 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , dent● 〈◊〉 aper , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , gloria victoris , praeda futurae sue est . it is reported that boars will swim single and alone like fishes , and some of them two together like wolves , and many times in flocks and heards like roes , for such is their ardent nature and desire of meat , that they fear not the highest mountains , nor the deepest waters . now concerning the flesh of wilde boars , although we have spoken abundantly in the former discourse of swine , yet must we adde something in this place ; for although generally the flesh of tame swine is viscous and cold , yet the flesh of the wilde is more temperate and nourishable , and therefore of lighter concoction and stronger nourishment . therefore those which had a timpany were prescribed to eat boars flesh and wilde sowes , for it drieth , strengthneth , and moveth ; and men that are vexed with saint anthonies fire , are forbidden to eat all salt meats , and leavened bread , yet permitted to eat of boars flesh . it is reported , that publius servillus rullus , was the very first among all the romans that did set at his table a whole bear , most delicately dressed and stuffed with variety of divers costly dishes ; which bear by varro is called aper millienius , that is , mill● librarum , of a thousand pound worth ; against which intolerable gluttony and cost , juvenal made these verses ; — quanta est gula quae sibi ●otos ponit apres , animal propter convivia netum . apitius in the beginning of his eight book , prescribeth the manner how to dresse the flesh of wilde boars , wherewithall if any be delighted , let him read that book ; for it is not my purpose in this treatise , to blot any paper with any long instruction for cooks and belly-gods , neither were it any part of this naturall history , nor yet agreeable to my calling or enterprise : and therefore i will only adde this observation of misaldus , that boars flesh salted in powdring tubs , doth change both colour and taste , at that time of the year wherein the living boars do rage upon their females : and thus much shall suffice to have spoken of boars flesh . now in the next place we will proceed to talk concerning the hunting of boars , which is not only a pastime for lords and princes , but also a necessary labour for meaner men ; for as the harm that cometh by boars is exceeding great , and so much the greater by how much he is poorer that doth sustain it , so the utility to learn the means of destroying this beast is is more commodious , because the common proverb is more true in this then in the vulgar swine , that they never do good till they are dead . it is reported of diocletian , when he was agent for the romans in france , there came an old woman called dryas unto him , and reproved him for his covetousnesse , telling him that he was over-sparing , and parsimonious ; to whom he answered in jest , when i am emperour i will be more liberall : dryas replyed unto him , noli jocare diocletiane , nam imperator eris cum aprum occideris . that is , jest not , o diocletian : for thou shalt be emperour when thou hast killed aper ; ( that was a boar as he thought ) and therefore he gave himself to the hunting of boars , never sparing any time that was offered unto him , alwayes expecting the event of that speech ; whereof he was frustrated untill he killed arius aper , the governour of the judgement hall , and then afterwards being emperour , he knew that the woman did not mean a boar , but a man. now therefore the hunting of boars , and the manner of their taking is many wayes , either by violence in chase , or by policy in ditches and traps , or else by impoysoned baits . the best time of their hunting is in the middest of winter , as some say ; but i think the winter is the worst time , because then they are strongest , and seeing all swine are impatient of heat , the summer will quickly end their life , if then they be chased . it behoveth therefore the hunter of boars to be very wary , and therefore the ancients ordained that such a one should wear a rough garment of a brown colour , and likewise that his horse should be of a yellow and fiery colour , and that the boar-spear should be strong and sharp , for this beast is armed with a very strong head and skin , and besides they cover themselves with dried durt , as it were with a coat of male to blunt the weapon , and therefore he runneth willingly either without dread or fear upon the hunters . in which encounter if he receiveth not a deadly wound , he overthroweth his adversary , except he fall flat on the ground , for the boars teeth cannot cut upward , but downward ; therefore if the hunter be a foot-man , he must seat himself neer some tree , and then also provide that if he misse the boar , he may easily climb into the bought , and so save himself ; but if the swine that is raised be a female , she will all to tear and bite the hunter with her teeth if she get him within her clatches : wherefore , for the more speedy ending of the hunting , it is good to raise the beast early in the morning , before he hath made water , for the burning of his bladder doth quickly make him weary . but if the boar have either made water before , or got liberty and rest in the chase to ease himself , then will his taking be very difficult and tedious , such is the nature of this couragious beast , that he never ceaseth running till he be weary , and being wearied dissembleth the same by sitting upon his buttocks , and offereth combate to his hunter , and yet he is not wont to strike a man , untill he be wounded first by him . when the boar is first raised out of the wood , he snuffeth in the winde , lifting up his nose to smell what is with him , and what is against him . the hunting spear must be very sharp and broad , branching forth into certain forks or horns , so as by no means the boar shall break through them upon the hunter , and when he bendeth the same before the beast , he must stand with one leg before another like a wrestler , holding his left hand upon the middle of the spear to direct the same , and the right hand behinde , to thrust it forward with violence , having his eye intent upon the beast , and if it be a boar to wound him in the middle of his forehead betwixt his eye-lids , or else upon the shoulder , for in both those places the wound is deadly ; but if he chance to hit him on the cheek , the greatest harm that he doth him , is that he maketh him unfit to use his tusks : of this he must be very carefull that if the boar le●p upon him , he likewise must give back and draw out his sword ; and if he chance to be overturned , then to lye down in some hollow place where the boar cannot come at him with his teeth . now concerning the instruction of dogs , and the choice of such hounds as are appointed for the hunting of boars , you must note , that every dog is not fit for the same , but great mastives , such as are used for the baiting of bears . for the boar first of all terrifieth the dog with his voyce , and if he be not ready to fight but to run away , then are the hunters in worse case then at the beginning . therefore they must be sure to have them well instructed before they give the onset , and be likewise at hand to encourage them . when they come first of all to the place wherein they conjecture the boar is lodged , if there be no appearance either by his footsteps , or by the wounds of his teeth upon the trees and boughs , then let them let loose one of the best hounds , and casting about the wood , follow with the residue whither the crie goeth . the dog presseth into the thickest bushes where commonly the boar lodgeth , and when he hath found the beast he standeth still and bayeth , then must the hunter come and take up that dog , for the boar will not stir very easily out of his lodging , and go and set up his nets and toyls in all the by-places , whereby it is likely the beast will passe , and these must he hang to some trees , for postes in the earth will not suffice , alwayes making the inside of them very light , that the beast may suspect no harm . the nets being thus set up , let him return again to his dogs , loosing them all ; and every hunter arming himself with darts and a boars spear , so let the most skilfull follow the dogs close to exhort them and set them on , the residue follow one after another a good distance , scattering themselves into sundry angles , for their better safeguard and end of their sport : for if they should come all together , the boar might light upon them , and wound some of them , for upon whomsoever he falleth in his rage he hurteth them : furthermore when the dogs begin to come neer to his lodging , then must they be set on more eagerly , and so heartned that they be no wayes appalled at the raising of the boar , for his manner is to make force at the foremost dog that is neerest to him , so must he be followed in chase even unto the nets , but if the nets stand upon a side-hill , or a steep rock , then when he is insnared he will get out with no difficulty ; but if it stand upon plain ground , the toyls will hold him till the hunters come , who must presently take care to wound him with darts and spears before they meddle with him , compassing him round about very warily , so that he nor they hurt any of the dogs , and especially they must wound him in the face or shoulders , where the wounds are mortall , as i have said before : but if it happen that the beast getteth loose when he feeleth the blowes , the hunters must not start away , but the strongest of them to meet him with his spear , setting his body as we have formerly expressed , having an especiall eye to the beasts head , which way so●ver he windeth and turneth the same , for such is the nature of the boar , sometimes he snatcheth the spear out of the hunters hands , or else recoyleth the force back again upon the smiter , for by both these means the hunter is overcome and overthrown : whensoever this hapneth , then is there but one means to save the hunters life , which is this ; another of his companions must come and charge the boar , making as though he would wound him with his dart , but not casting it for fear of hurting the hunter under his feet . when the boar seeth this , he forsaketh the first man , and rusheth upon the second , who must look to defend himself with all dexterity , composing his body , and ordering his weapons , according to artificiall boar-hunting , and in the mean season the vanquished hunter must arise again , taking fresh hold on his spear , and with all courage setting upon the adversary beast , to wound him either in the shoulders or in the head , for it is no credit to escape with life , except he kill and overcome the boar. when he feeleth himself thus wounded that he cannot live , if it were not for the crosses and forks upon the boar-spear , he would presse in upon the vanquisher to take revenge for his death : for so great is the fervent wrath of this beast , that he spareth not to kill and wound , although he feel upon him the pangs of death : and what place soever he biteth either upon dog or man , the heat of his teeth inflicteth a dangerous inflaming wound : and for this cause if he doth but touch the hair of dogs , he burneth it off : but if it be a female that is raised , ( for there is as great a rage in females as in males , though not so great power ) then must the hunter take heed he never fall to the ground , for as the male hurteth not but when a man standeth or lieth high , so the female hurteth not but when a man fulleth or lyeth low : therefore if the hunter chance to fall , he must raise himself with all speed , using no lesse dexterity and courage against the female , then he doth against the male . there is also another manner of hunting wilde swine , which is this . first of all they set up their nets in all passages , through which it is likely the beast will go , then do the men and dogs with a gallant crie , filling the woods and fields , raise them out of their lodgings . in the mean season setting some valiant hunters to keep the nets . when the beast perceiveth that he is sought after , up he starteth , looking about him like an evil spirit , where he may devour , but being terrified with the crie of men , and pursued by a multitude of greedy dogs , forth he runneth in some of his usuall wayes , carefully looking behinde him , to avoid the train that followeth , untill he fall fast enclosed into the hunters nets , then cometh the keeper of the nets , and woundeth him with his boar-spear , as i said before : but if it fortune that he fall out of the nets , or never cometh to them , then must they prosecute him , both men and dogs , untill they have wearied him , for such is the heat of his body , that he cannot long stand , and although he shall lodge himself in some marish or woods where the hunters can have no use of their nets , yet must they not be afraid to approach unto him , and with such hunting instruments as they have , shew the magnitude and courage of their minde , by attaining their game by the strength of hand , when they are deprived from the help of art : and to conclude , the same devises , diligence , labour , prosecution , and observations , are to be used in the hunting of the boar , which are prescribed for the hunting of the hart. it seldome falleth out that the pigs of wilde swine are taken , for they run and hide themselves among the leaves , and in the woods , seldome parting from their parents untill their death , and as we have said already , the dams fight for their young ones most ir●fully . for it is not with these as with the vulgar swine , that they beat away their young ones from following them , but because they conceive but seldome , they suffer their pigs to accompany them a whole year : and thus much for the violent and forcible hunting of boars . now followeth the artificiall devises and policies which have been invented for the same purpose , whereby to take them without pursuit of dogs : and first of all , the same engins which we have prescribed for taking of the hart , are also in use for taking of the boar , and petrus crescentiensis sheweth how a multitude of boars may be taken together in one ditch ; and first of all ( he saith ) neer to the place where boars make their abode , they sow in some plain fields a kinde of fatting corn which hogs love , and about that field they make a high and strong hedge , of the bough● of trees in the one part , whereof they leave a great gap , yet not altogether down to the ground . at the time of the year when the grain waxeth ripe , the boars gather thereinto in great number : now right over against the said gap on the other side , there is another little low place of the hedge left , over which the swine may easily leap . when the watch-man hunter seeth the field full , he cometh alone and unarmed to the first gap , and therein he standeth lewring and making a terrible noise to affright the swine ; now on the other side where the hedge is left low , there is also made a vast and deep ditch , the hogs being terrified with the presence and noise of the hunter , and seeing him stand in the place of their entrance , run to and fro to seek another escape , and finding none , but that low place of the hedge before the ditch , over they presse headlong as fast as they can , and so fall into the trench one upon another . again , neer rome there be divers that watch in the woods , and in the night time when the moon shineth , set up certain iron instruments through which there glistereth fire , unto which the boars and wilde swine will approach , or at the leastwise stand still and gaze upon them , and in the mean season the hunters which stand in secret come and kill them with their darts : and to conclude , in armenia , there are certain black venemous fishes , which the inhabitants take and mixe with meal and cast them abroad where boars and wilde swine did haunt , by eating whereof as also hemlock and henbane , they are quickly poisoned , and die : and thus much we have shewed out of xenophon and other authors , the severall wayes of hunting and taking of wilde swine . now forasmuch as the hunting thereof hath been often shewed to be dangerous both to men and dogs , i will a little adde some histories concerning the death of them , which have been killed by boars . for if that cometh not to passe which martiall writeth ; thusc● gla●dis aper populator , & ilice multa , impiger aetol● f●ma secunda forae , quem mens intravit splendenti cuspide cultor , praeda j●ces nostris invidios● foci● . i say , if the boar be not killed by men , the hunter is constrained many times to say with lydia in the same poet , fuhnineo spumanti●●pri sum dente perempt● . apuleius reporteth of one leopolemus , that he loved the wife of thrasillus ; now to the intent that he might possesse her , he took her husband abroad with him to the hunting of a boar , that under colour thereof he might kill him , and say the boar slew him : being abroad , the nets raised , and the dogs loosed , there appeared unto them a boar of a monstrous shape , wonderfull fat , with horrible hair , a skin set with standing bristles , rough upon the back , and his mouth continually foaming out abundance of froath , and the sound of his gnashing teeth ringing like the ratling of armor ; having fire-burning eyes , a despite●ul look , a violent force , and every way fervent : he slew the noblest dogs which first set upon him , not staying till they came to him , but he sought out for them , breaking their cheeks and legs asunder , even as a dog will do some small bones ; then he trod down the nets in disdain , passing by them that offered him the first encounter , and yet remembring his own vigor and strength , turning back again upon them , first overthrowing them , and grinding them betwixt his teeth like apples , at length he meets with thrasillus , and first teareth his cloth from his back , and then likewise tore his body in pieces , and this man i remember in the first place to be killed by this monster-boar , whether he was a beast or a man. martiall in his book of spectacles remembreth a story of diana , who killing of a wilde sow with pig , the young ones leaped out of her belly , and this i thought good to remember here , although it be somewhat out of place ; inter caesarea discrimina saeva dianae , fixisset gravidam cum levis hasta suem , exiliit partus miserae de vulnere matris , o lucina fero●c , hoc peperisse fuit ? anceus the father of agapenor was killed by the calidonian boar , as we have said already . ca 〈…〉 was slain by a boar in the mountain tmolus . there was one attas a syrian , and another an arcadian , and both these were slain by boars , as plutarch writeth in the life of sert●rius . it is reported of one attes a phrygian , that as he kept his sheep he did continually ●ing songs in commendation of the mother of the gods , for which cause she loved him , honoured him , and often appeared unto him ; whereupon jupiter fell to be offended , and therefore sent a boar to kill attes . rea after his death lamented him , and caused him to be buryed honourably . the phrygians in his remembrance did every year in the spring time lament and bewail him . adonis also , the leman of venus , is faigned of the poets to be killed by a boar : and yet macrobius saith , that it is an allegory of the sun and the winter , for adonis signifieth the sun , and the boar the winter : for as the boar is a rough and sharp beast , living in moyst cold , and places covered with frost , and doth properly live upon winter fruits , as acorns , so he is the fitter emblem for winter , that is , a devourer of the suns heat and warmth , both which fall away by death from all living creatures . when teuthras a king of mysia went to hunt in the mountain thrasillus , he started a huge great boar , which he and his guard followed and hunted unto the temple of diana orthosi● , whereinto the boar entred for sanctuary . the poor beast seeing the hunters at hand , cryed out with the voice of a man : parce ô rex pe●udi deae , o king spare dianaes boar : but the king being nothing at all moved therewith , slew him in the temple ; which wickednesse the goddess could not endure , and therefore first of all she restored the boar to life , and afterwards afflicted the king with madnesse , who was therefore driven into the mountains , and there lived like a beast . when lysippe his mother knew hereof , she went to him into the woods , and carryed cyranius the prophet , who instructed him to pacifie the gods by a sacrifice of oxen , which when it was performed , the king recovered again his right minde ; and so his mother in remembrance thereof ; built there a chappell to diana , and set thereupon the picture of a boar in gold , with a mans mouth . there was also a custome in ancient time for champions and their fathers brethren and kindred to swear by a boar cut in pieces . and thus much for the naturall and morall story of the boar , which i will conclude with those verses of horace , describing the prodigious habitation of boars in the waters , and dolphins in the woods , as if one had changed with another ; delphinum silvis appingi● , fluctibus aprum , qui variare cupit rem prodigialiter unam . the medicines of the wilde swine . there are declared a m. things concerning the remedies of goats , but a larger and more ample power shal be shewn of a wilde beast of the same kinde . also the same regard shall be had concerning the remedies of a tame sow and a wilde boar , yea , of all other tame and wilde beasts , that is , that the same or things like to either of them may be ended , differing only according to more or lesse , because the same parts of wilde beasts living , are lesse moist and cold then those that are tame . that which we repeat here concerning the common remedies of a boar and sow tamed , in some of the parts of them , to wit , the blood , the brain , the cheek-bone , the lungs or lights , the liver , the gall , the ankle bone , the hoof , the dung , and urine , is not in the sow repeated before . the brains of a boar taken with blood , is very much commended against the bitings of serpents . again , the brains and blood of a boar , doth help those that fear the coming of carbuncles . the lard and fat of a boar being sodden and bound fast together , doth with a wonderfull celerity make firm those bones that are broken . the fat of a boar mingled with hony and rozin , is very much commended against the bitings of serpents . the fat of a wilde boar mingled with the fat of the lungs or lights , doth very much profit those which have their feet broken or bruised by any mischance . the fat of a boar being mixed with oyl of roses , is very good for those that are troub●nd with blisters or pushes , it being anointed thereupon . the brains of a boar is very profitable for carbuncles , and the pains of a mans yard . the brains of a boar being bruised very small in hony , and put thereto , doth wonderfully make it sound . the brains of a boar sodden and drunk in wine , doth ease all the pains and griefs . there are more things spoken concerning the remedies of the brain in the medicines of the sow . the ashes of the cheek-bone of a boar doth cure those ulcers which do encrease bigger by little and little . also the same thing doth make firm those bones that are broken . the lungs or lights of a boar mixed with hony , and put upon the feet after the manner of a mollifying emplaister , they shall be freed from all exulcerations . dioscorides also doth commend the lungs or lights of sowes , lambs ; and bears . the liver of a boar being new killed and scorched by a fire , and beaten to powder , and so being taken in wine , is an especiall remedy against the bitings of serpents and dogs . the liver of a boar being old , and drunken in wine with rue , is very much commended against the bitings of serpents . the fibres of the liver of a boar , and those especially which are neerest to the entrance of the gall and liver , being taken in vinegar or rather wine , is much profitable against the bitings of serpents . the liver of a boar is good to revive those whose spirits are drowsie . the liver of a boar doth much profit , being stopped in the ears , for those that are troubled with apostumes or any running sores therein . the liver of a boar being new killed and drunken in wine is very effectuall against the loosenesse of the belly . there are certain little stones in the liver of a boar , as there is in a common or vulgar sow , or at leastwise like unto little stones , and they are also white , which being sodden and taken in wine , are very e●●ectuall against the disease of the stone . thou shalt read many more things concerning the remedies of the liver of a boar in the medicines of the sow . the gall of a boar is very much commended for wennes or swellings in the neck . the gall of a boar being mingled with rosin and wax , doth cure those ulcers which do encrease bigger and bigger . the gall of a boar , and lambs milk , being mingled together , and dropped in the ears , is very profitable for all pains therein . the body of a man being anointed with the gall of a boar , doth stirre him up to carnal copulation . the gall of a boar being mingled with sewet and applyed upon every joynt of the body , doth immediately cure all pains of the gowt . we have declared also many things in the medicines of the sow , concerning the remedies of the gall of a boar. the stones of a boar being eaten is very good against the falling sicknesse , or the stones of a boar being taken in mares milk or water , is also very effectual against the same disease . the hoofs of a boar being burned to ashes , and sprinkled upon drink , and so taken , doth very much help those that cannot easily make water . the hooves of a boar being burned and beaten to powder , and given in drink , is very effectual against the stopping of urine . the hooves of a boar or sow being burned , and given to drink in wine , is very much commended for those that cannot hold their urine in their sleep . the dung of a sow ( which liveth in the woods ) being dryed and drunk in water and wine , doth stay the voiding of blood , and doth ease also old pains of the sides : and again being taken in vinegar , it doth stay all ruptures and convulsions , and also being mingled with the syrup of roses , it doth remedy or help those places which are out of joynt . the dung of a boar being new made , and hot , is a speciall remedy against the flux of blood which issueth forth of the nostrils . the dung of a boar being mingled in wine , and applyed after the form of an emplaister , do presently draw away and make sound any thing which cleaveth to the body . it being also bruised and sodden with hony , and afterwards kneaded like dough , and so applyed to the joynts , doth ease all pains that arise therein . an emplaister made of the dung of a boar , is very profitable against all venemous bitings , for it draweth forth the poyson . all other ulcers are filled up and cleansed with the dung of a boar , except those which arise in the thighes . the dung of a boar dried and beaten to powder , and sprinkled upon drink , doth cure all pains of the sides . again , it being dried and beaten to powder , and administred in wine , doth not only cure the pain in the spleen , but also the pain in the kidneys the dung of a boar being burned to the ashes , and given to drink in wine , doth ease all pains in the knees and legs . the dung of a boar n●w made and anoynted upon those places that are out of joynt , is very profitable for them . the dung of a field-boar mixed with brimstone , and taken in wine , and strained pitch , is very commendable for pains in the hips . the dung of a boar being mingled with wine , and afterwards strained , and given to drink , about the measure of two little cup-fuls at a time , doth speedily help those which are troubled with the sciatica . it also being sodden in vinegar and hony , doth mitigate all pains that rise in the feet or ankles the dung of a boar burned to ashes , and sprinkled upon wine luke-warm , and so given to drink , doth help all those that are troubled with the bloody-flix . the rest of the remedies which concern the dung of a boar , thou shalt find in the medicines of the sow . the urine of a boar mingled with hony and water , and so taken , is a speciall remedy for those that are troubled with the falling sicknesse . again , the urine of a boar being taken in sweet vinegar , doth drive out those things which are dryed in the bladder . the urine of a boar being kept in a glasse , doth cure all diseases and pains in the ears , but it is especially profitable for those which cannot hear . the urine of a boar being kept in a glasse , and made luke-warm , and dropped into the ears , is a speciall remedy for all apostumes that are therein . the urine of a boar which is kept long , is far more profitable , if so be that it be kept in a vessel of glasse . again , the urine of a boar being dryed in smoak , and moistened with hony , and so powred into the ears , doth cure the deafnesse of the ears . the urine of a boar , and oyl of cypresse , each of them being equally mingled , and made luke-warm , is also good for the same disease . the urine of a wilde boar also is of the same force and vertue . the bladder of a wilde boar doth stay the incontinency of the urine , if it be eaten , rosted , or boyled . the blather of a goat being bur●ed to powder , and given to drink in water and wine , is very good and profitable for those which cannot make water easily . the urine of a boar being drunken , doth help those that are troubled with the stone in the bladder , but it is more effectuall if it be first of all mingled with the dung . the bladder of a boar moistened with the urine , and hung up untill the waterish humor cometh forth , and then boyled and given to those which are trueulent with the strangury , is very profitable and good for them . the bladder of a boar being dried and given in drink , is very profitable for those which are troubled with pains in the bladder and wringings of the guts . the urine of a tame boar hung up in the smoak in the bladder of a sow , and mixed with drink , is very profitable for those that are troubled with the strangury . the urine of a boar , or at least wise the bladder being given in drink , hath cured those which have been troubled with the hydropsy as some do say . the urine of a boar being taken in drink , is very good for those that are troubled with the stone . now forasmuch also as hunters are hurt by some , i thought it good to set down what remedies is fit for them . therefore the wounds made of them are dangerous , because they are not only deep , but also large and great , and it is also impossible to bring them to a glutination with medicines , for the lips of the wounds which is made by contusion , are cut off and burned . they use a mutuall gnashing and striking of their teeth together , as it were against a whe●stone , to take revenge upon those which pursue and follow them . therefore they cause a certain scab to grow upon the lips of the wound , wherefore it is meet to use a suppurative and not a glutinative manner of cure in them . it is meet to use in running and moist ulcers , not hot things , but cold , both in winter and summer . for it is an easie matter for a boar to hurt a horse in the inside of his knee , in the time of his hunting , which doth breed to a waterish ulcer , and there doth also follow a swelling . to this cold things are to be applyed , and it is to be cured by anointing it with a medicine which is called diachalcanthes , or the head of a dog , being burned about the tongue , and beaten into powder , and so to be applyed after the manner of a cataplasme . and thus much concerning the medicines of the boar. of the tatus , or guinean beast . this is a four-footed strange beast , which bellonius saith , he found in turchia , among the mountebanks and apothecaries . it is brought for the most part out of the new-found world , and out of guinea , and therefore may be safely conveyed into these parts , because it is naturally covered with a hard shell , divided and interlined like the fins of fishes , outwardly seeming buckled to the back like coat-armor , within which the beast draweth up his body , as a hedge-hog doth within his prickled skin ; and therefore i take it to be a brasilian hedge-hog . it is not much greater then a little pig , and by the snout , ears , legs , and feet thereof , it seemeth to be of that kind , saving that the snout is a little broader , and shorter then a pigs , and the tail very long like a lizards or rats , and the same covered all over with a crust or shell . the gaping of the mouth is wider then a swines ; and one of these being broug●t into france , did live upon the eating of seeds , and fruits of the gardens , but it appeareth by that picture , or rather the skin stuffed , which adrianus marcellus the apothecary of vlmes , sent unto gesner , from whence this picture here expressed was taken , that the ●eet thereof are not cloven into two partslike swine , but rather into many like dogs , for upon the hinder feet there are five toes , and upon the fore feet four , whereof two are so small that they are scarce visible . the breadth of that same skin was about seven fingers , and the length of it two spans , the shell or crust upon the back of it did not reach down unto the rump or tail , but broke off as it were upon the hips , some four fingers from the tail . the merchants as i have heard , and citizens of london keep of these with their garden worms . of the aiochtochth . there is another beast that may be compared to this , ( whereof cardanus writeth ) and he calleth the name of it aiotochth . it is a strange creature found in hispania n●va , neer the river alvaradus , being not greater then a cat , having the bill or snowt of a mallard , the feet of a hedge-hog , and a very long neck . it is covered all over with a shell like the trappings of a horse divided as in a lobster , and not continued as in an oyster ; and so covered herewith , that neither the neck nor head appear plainly , but only the ears ; and the spaniards for this cause call it arma 〈…〉 , and co●texto : there be some do affirm that it hath a voice like a swine , but the feet thereof are not indeed so cloven , that they remain unequal , but are like to a horses , i mean the severall cloves . there are of these as i have heard to be seen in gardens in london , which are kept to destroy the garden worms . of the tiger . the word tigris is an armenian word , which signifieth both a swift arrow , and a great river , and it should seem that the name of the river tigris was therefore so called , because of the swiftnesse thereof ; and it seemeth to be derived from the hebrew word gir and griera , which signifie a dart. munster also in his dictionary of three languages , doth interpret tigros for a tiger . in the . of job the word laisk by the septuagints is translated m●rmeleon , and by s. jerom , tigris . the jewes call the same beast phoradei , which the grecians call tigris ; and all the people of europe , to whom this beast is a stranger , call it after the greek name , as the italians , tigre and tigra , the french vn tigre , and the germans tigerthier . now concerning the name of the river tigris , which because it joyneth in affinity with this beast , it is necessary that i should say something in this place , because that we finde in holy scripture that it is one of the four rivers which runneth through paradise ; which according to josephu● , maketh many compasses and windings in the world , and at last saileth into the red sea ; and they further say , that there is no river of the world that runneth so swiftly as this : and therefore tigris vocatur , id est sagitta , quod jaculum vel sagittam velocitate aequet : that is , it is called a tiger , a dart , or arrow , because it runneth as fast as an arrow flyeth : and for this cause we finde in the●critus , that a river in sicilia was called acis , that is , spiculum , a dart. some of the poets do derive the name of the river tigris from this tiger the wilde beast , where-upon these histories are told . they say , that when bacchus was distracted , and put out of his wits by juno , as he wandered to and fro in the world , he came to the river sylax ( which was the first name of this water ) and being there desirous to pass over , but found no means to accomplish it , jupiter in commiseration of his estate did send unto him a tiger , who did willingly take him upon his back , and carry him over ; afterward bacohus called that swift river by the name of that swift beast , tiger . others do report the tale thus . when dionysius fell in love with the nymph alphesiboea , whom by no means either by promises , intreaties or rewards he could allure unto him , at last he turned himself into a tiger , and so oppressing the nymph through fear , did carry her over that river , and there begot upon her his son medius , who when he came to age , remembring the fact of his father and mother , called the name of the river tigris , because of his fathers transformation . but to leave this matter as not worth the standing upon , whether the river was called after the name of the beast , or the beast after the name of the river , or rather both of them after the name of the dart or swift arrow , we will proceed to the natural story of the tiger , commending that to the readers judgement which is essential to this story , containing in it necessary learning , and garnished with all probability . first of all therefore , tigers like lyons are bred in the east , south , and hot countries , because their generation desireth abundance of heat , such as are in india , and near the red sea , and the people called asangae , or besingi , which dwell beyond the river ganges , are much troubled and annoyed with tigers . likewise the prasians , the hyrcanians , and the armenians . apollonius with his companions travelling betwixt hiphasis and ganges , saw many tigers . in berigaza and dachinabades , which is beyond the mediterranean region of the east , there are abundance of tigers , and all other wilde beasts , as arrianus writeth . in hispaniola , ciamba , and guanassa , peter martyr saith , by the relation of a spaniard inhabiting there , that there are many lyons and tigers . the indians say , that a tiger is bigger then the greatest horse , and that for strength and swiftnes● they excel all other beasts . there be some which have taken them for tigers , which are called thoes , greater then lyons , and lesser then the indian tigers , as it were twice so big as lyons ; but i rather agree to the relation of arrianus , strabo , megasthenes , and mearcus ; for they say th●t a tiger feareth not an elephant , and that one of them hath been seen to fly upon the head of an elephant , and devour it : and that among the prastans , when f●ur men led one of these tigers tamed , by the way they met with a mule , and that the tiger took the mule by the hinder leg , drawing him after him in his teeth , notwithstanding all the force of the mule and his four leaders ; which is unto 〈◊〉 a sufficient argument not only of his strength , but of his stature also : and if any have been seen of lesser stature , they have been mistaken either for the linxes , or for the thoes . the similitude of the body of this beast is like to a lionesses , for so is the face and the mouth ; the lower part of the fore-head , and gnashing or grinning teeth , and all kinde of creatures which are ravening , are footed like a cat , their neck short , and their skins full of spots , not round like a panthers , nor yet divers coloured , but altogether of one colour and square , and sometimes long , and therefore this beast and the panther are of singular note among all the four-footed : yet solinus and seneca seem to be of opinion that their spots are sometimes of divers colours , both yellow and black , and those long like rods in these sayings : tibi dant vari● pectora tigres . and again : vbera virgata ferae caspiae . and silius saith : corpore virgato tigris . it were needless to speak of their crooked claws , their sharp teeth , and divided feet , their long tail , agility of body , and wildeness of nature which getteth all their food by hunting . it hath been falsely believed , that all tigers be females , and that there are no males among them , and that they engender in copulation with the winde ; whereupon camerarius made this witty riddle in his ●hetorical exercises : a fluvio dicor , flu●ius vel dicitur ex me , junctaque sum vento , vento velocior ipso , et mihi dat ventus natos , nec quaero maritos . the epithets of this beasts are these : armenian tigers , sharp , ganietican , hyrcanian , fierce , cruel , and wicked , untamed , spotted , divers coloured , straked , bitter , ravenous , african , greedy , caspian , c●rcesian , caucasean , indian , parthian , marsian , straight-footed , mad , stiffe , fearful , strong , foaming , and violent , with many such others , as are easie to be found in every author . the voice of this beast is called ranking , according to this verse : tigrides indomitae rancant , rugiuntque leones . now because that they are strangers in europe , as we have said already , never breeding in that part of the world , and as seldom seen , we must be constrained to make but a short story of it , because there are not many divers things concerning the nature of it , and in the physick none at all . for the manner of their food ; they prey upon all the greatest beasts , and seldom upon the smaller , as oxen , harts , and sheep , but hares and conies they let alone . it is reported by plutarch , of a tame tiger that was brought up with a kid , the said kid was killed and laid before him to eat , but he refused it two days together , and the third day oppressed with extremity of hunger , by her ranking and crying voice she made signes to her keeper for other meat , who cast unto her a cat , which presently it pulled in pieces and devoured it . the like story unto this we have shewed already in the panther . generally the nature of this beast , is according to the epithites of it , sharp , untamed , cruel , and ravenous , never so tamed , but sometimes they return to their former natures ; yet the indians do every year give unto their king tamed tigers and panthers , and so it cometh to pass , that sometimes the tiger kisseth his keeper as seneca writeth . in the time of their lust they are very raging and furious , according to these verses of virgil : per sylvas tum saevus aper , tum pessima tigris , heu male cum libyae solis ●rratur in agri● . they ingender as lions do , and therefore i marvel how the fable first came up , that they were all females & had no males among them , and that the females conceived with young by the west wind . we have shewed already in the story of the dogs , that the indian dog is engendered of a tiger and a dog , and so also the hircanian dogs : whereby it is apparent , that they do not only conceive among themselves , but also in a mingled race . the male is seldom taken , because at the sight of a man he runneth away , and leaveth the female alone with her young ones , for he hath no care of the whelps , and for this occasion i think that the fables first came up that there were no males among the tigers . the female bringeth forth many at once like a bitch , which she nourisheth in herden very carefully , loving them , and defending them like a lioness from the hunters , whereby she is many times ensnared and taken . it is reported by aelianus , that when they hear the sound of bels and timbrels , they grow into such a rage and madness , that they tear their own flesh from their backs . for the taking of tigers , the indians near the river ganges have a certain herb growing like bugloss , which they take and press the juyce out of it , this they preserve beside them , and in still silent calm nights , they pour the same down at the mouth of the tigers den , by vertue whereof it is said the tigers are continually enclosed , not daring to come out over it through some secret opposition in nature , but famish and dye , howling in their caves through intolerable hunger . so great is the swiftness of this beast , as we have shewed already , that some have dreamed it was conceived by the winde . for as the swiftest horses , and namely the horses of dardanus , are likewise fabled to be begotten by the northern winde , so the tigers by the west winde . therefore they are never taken but in defence of their young ones , neither is there any beast that liveth upon preying so swift as they : solam tigrim indis insuperabilem esse dicunt , quoniam fugiendi celeritate , quae ventos aequare dicitur , è conspectu aufugit . only the tiger , the indians say can never be conquered , because when he is hunted he runneth away out of sight as fast as the winde . for this cause they diligently seek out the caves and dens of the tigers where their young ones are lodged , and then upon some swift horses they take and carry them away : when the female tiger returneth and findeth her den empty , in rage she followeth after them by the foot , whom she quickly overtaketh , by reason of her celerity . the hunter seeing her at hand , casteth down one of her whelps : the distressed angry beast knowing that she can carry but one at once , first taketh up that in her mouth , without setting upon the hunter , contented with that one , returneth with it to her lodging ; having laid it up safe , back again she returned like the wind to pursue the hunter for the residue , who must likewise set her down another , if he have not got into his ship , for except the hunter be near the water side and have a ship ready , she will fetch them all from him , one by one , orelse it will cost him his life : therefore that enterprise is undertaken in vain upon the swiftest horses in the world , except the waters come betwixt the hunter and the tiger : and the manner of this beast is , when she seeth that her young ones are shipped away , and she for ever deprived of seeing or having them again , she maketh so great lamentation upon the sea shore howling , braying and rancking , that many times sh● dyeth in the same place , but if she recover all her young ones again from the hunters , she departeth with unspeakable joy , without taking any revenge for their offered injury . for this occasion , the hunters do devise certain round sphears of glass , wherein they picture their young ones very apparent to be seen by the dam , one of these they cast down before her at her approach , she looking upon it , is deluded , and thinketh that her young ones are inclosed therein , and the rather , because through the roundness thereof it is apt to rowl and stir at every touch , this she driveth along backwards to her den , and there breaketh it with her feet & nails and so seeing she that is deceived , returneth back again after the hunters for her true whelps ; whilest they in the mean season are safely harbored in some house , or else gone on some shipboard . it is reported by johannes ●edesma a spaniard , this excellent story of a male and female tiger . in the island dariene , standing in the occidental ocean of the new found world , some eight days sail from hispaniol● , it fell out ( saith he ) in the year of our lord . that the said island was annoyed with two tigers , a male and a female , for half a year together , so that there was no night free , but they lost some of their cattel , either a horse , or an ox , or a cow , or a mare , or a hog , and swine , and in the time that their young ones did suck , it was not safe for men to go abroad in the day time , much less in the night ; but they devoured a man , if they did not first of all meet with another beast : at length the countrey thus oppressed , necessity constrained them to devise a remedy , and to try some means to mitigate their calamities , wherefore they sought out all the ways and paths of the tigers to and from their dens , that so they might take vengeance upon the raveners for the loss of so much bloud : at the last they found a common beaten way , this they cut asunder and digged deep into a large dungeon : having made the dungeon , they strewed upon the top of it little sticks and leaves , so covering it to dissemble that which was underneath , then came the heedless tiger that way , and fell down into the ditch upon such sharp iron stakes , and pointed instruments as they had there set , with his roaring he filled all the places thereabout , and the mountain sounded with the eccho of his roaring voice . the people came upon him , and casting great and huge stones upon his back killed him , but first of all , he broke into a thousand pieces , both the stones , weapons , and spears , that were cast against him ; and so great was his fury , that when he was half dead , and the bloud run out of his body , he terrified the standers by beholding and looking upon him . the male tiger being thus killed , they followed the footsteps into the mountains where the female was lodged , and there in her absence took away two of her young ones , yet afterward changing their mindes , carryed them back again , putting upon them two brazen collers and chains , and making them fast in the same den , that so when they had sucked till they were greater , they might be with pleasure and safety conveighed into spain . at last when the time appointed was come that they should be taken forth to be sent away , the people went to the den , wherein they found neither young nor old , but their collers fastened in the same place that they had left them , whereby it was conceived that the envious mother had killed and torn her young ones in pieces , rather then they should fall into the hands of the hunters ; so that this beastly love of hers , ended in horrible cruelty , and for this occasion is it that medea thus speaketh in ovid ; hoc ego s● patiar , tum me de tigride natam , tu● serrum & scopulos gestare in cor de videbor . and for this cause it was faigned , not without singular wit by the poets , that such persons as satisfie the fulness of their wrath in extremity of revenge , are transformed into tigers . the same poet compareth the wrath of perseus standing betwixt two advantages unto a tiger betwixt two preys or herds of cattel , being in doubt whether of them to devour , in this manner ; tigris ut auditis diversa valle du●rum , e●timulata fame , mugitibus armentorum , nescit utro potius ruat , & ruere ardet utroque sic dubius perseus dextra lavave feratur . in ancient times these tigers were dedicated to bacchus , as all spotted beasts were , and that the said tigers did draw his charriot whilest he did hold the rains ; and therefore ovid saith thus ; bacchus in curru quem summum te●erat uvis , tigribus adjunctis aurea lora dabat . and horace in this manner ; hac te merentem bacche pater tuae vexer● tigres indocili jugum collo trahentes . tigers , notwithstanding their great mindes and untamable wildeness , have been taken , and brought in publike spectacle by men , and the first of all that ever brought them to rome , was augustus , when quintus tubero , and fabius maximus were consuls , at the dedication of the theater of marcelus ; the which tigers were sent unto him out of india , for presents ( as dion writeth . ) afterwards claudius presented four to the people ; and lastly heliogabalus caused his chariots to be drawn with tigers , whereunto martial alluded when he said ; picto quod juga delicata collo , pardus sustinet , improbaeque tigres , indulgent patienti 〈…〉 fl●gell● . ledesma of whom we spake before affirmeth , that he did eat of the tigers flesh that was taken in the ditch in the island dariene , and that the flesh thereof was nothing inferior to the flesh of an ox , but the indians are forbidden by the laws of their countrey , to eat any part of the tigers flesh , except the hanches . and thus i will conclude this story of the tiger , with the epigram that martial made of a tiger , devouring of a lion. lambere securi dextram & consueta magistri , tibris ab hyrca●o gloria rara jugo , saeva ferum rabido laceravit dente leonem : res nova , non ullis cognita temporibus . ausa est tale nihil sylvis dum vixit in altis : postquam inter nos est , plus feritatis habet . of the vnicorn . we are now come to the history of a beast , whereof divers people in every age of the world have made great question , because of the rare vertues thereof ; therefore it behoveth us to use some diligence in comparing together the several testimonies that are spoken of this beast , for the better satisfaction of such as are now alive , and clearing of the point for them that shall be born hereafter , whether there be a unicorn ; for that is the main question to be resolved . now the vertues of the horn , of which we will make a particular discourse by it self , have been the occasion of this question , and that which doth give the most evident testimony unto all men that haveever seen it or used 〈◊〉 hath bred all the contention ; and if there had not been disclosed in it any extraordinary powers and vertues , we should as easily believe that there was a unicorn in the world , as we do believe there is an elephant although not bred in europe . to begin therefore with this discourse , by the unicorn we do understand a peculiar beast , which hath naturally but one horn , and that a very rich one , that groweth out of the middle of the forehead , for we have shewed in other parts of the history , that there are divers beasts , that have but one horn , and namely some oxen in india have but one horn , and some have three , and whole hoofs . likewise the bulls of aonia , are said to have whole hoofs and one horn , growing out of the middle of their fore-heads . likewise in the city zeila of aethiopia , there are kine of a purple colour , as ludovicus romanus writeth , which have but one horn growing out of their heads , and that turneth up towards their backs . caesar was of opinion that the elk had but one horn , but we have shewed the contrary . it is said that pericles had a ram with one horn , but that was bred by way of prodigy , and not naturally . simeon s●thi writeth , that the musk-cat hath also one horn growing out of the fore-head , but we have shewed already that no man is of that opinion beside himself . aelianus writeth , that there be birds in aethiopia having one horn on their fore-heads , and therefore are called vnicornes : and albertus saith , there is a fish called monoceros , and hath also one horn . now our discourse of the unicorn is of none of these beasts , for there is not any vertue attributed to their horns , and therefore the vulgar sort of infidel people which scarsely believe any herb but such as they see in their own gardens , or any beast but such as is in their own flocks , or any knowledge but such as is bred in their own brains , or any birds which are not hatched in their own nests , have never made question of these , but of the true unicorn , whereof there were more proofs in the world , because of the nobleness of his horn , they have ever been in doubt : by which distraction it appeareth unto me that there is some secret enemy in the inward degenerate nature of man , which continually blindeth the eyes of god his people , from beholding and believing the greatness of god his works . but to the purpose , that there is such a beast , the scripture it self witnesseth , for david thus speaketh in the . psalm : et erigetur cornu meum tanquam mono●●rotis . that is , my horn shall be lifted up like the horn of a unicorn ; whereupon all divines that ever wrote , have not only collected that there is a unicorn , but also affirm the similitude to be betwixt the kingdom of david and the horn of the unicorn , that as the horn of the unicorn is wholesome to all beasts and creatures , so should the kingdom of david be in the generation of christ ; and do we think that david would compare the vertue of his kingdom , and the powerful redemption of the world unto a thing that is not , or is uncertain or fantastical , god forbid that ever any man should so despight the holy ghost . for this cause also we read in suidas , that good men which worship god and follow his laws are compared to unicorns , whose greater parts as their whole bodies are unprofitable and untamable , yet their horn maketh them excellent : so in good men , although their fleshy parts be good for nothing , and fall down to the earth , yet their grace and piety exalteth their souls to the heavens . we have shewed already in the story of the rhinocerot , that reem in hebrew signifieth a unicorn , although munster be of another opinion , yet the septuagints in the translation of deut. . do translate it a unicorn , for the rhinocerot hath not one horn , but two . rabbi solomon , david kimhi , and saadius do always take reem and karas for a unicorn , and they derive reem from rom , which signifieth altitudinem , height , because the horn of the unicorn is lifted up on high . hereunto the arabians agree , which call it barkeron ; and the persians , bark ; the chaldeans , remana . in the . of job , the lord speaketh in this manner to job : numquid acquiescet monoc●ros ut serviat tibi , aut ut moretur juxta praesepi● tua ? numquid ligabis monocerotem fune suo pro salco faciendo , aut complanabit glebas vallium post te ? that is to say , will the unicorn rest and serve thee , or tarry beside thy cratches ? canst thou binde the unicorn with a halter to thy plough to make furrows , or will he make plain the clots of the vallies ? likewise in the prophesie of esa . the . chap. and in many other places of scripture , whereby god himself must needs be traduced , if there be no unicorn in the world . besides the arabians , as and bellun . writeth , call this beast alcherceden , and say that it hath one horn in the fore-head which is good against poysons . the grecians call it monokeros , from whence pliny and all the ancient grammarians do call it monoceros , yet the divines both elder and later do name it by a more learned proper latine word vnicornis . the italians , alicorn● , vnicorno , liocorno , leocorno ▪ the french , licorne ; the spaniards , vnicorno ; the germans , einhorne ; and the ilyrians , gednorozecz : and thus much for the name . all our european authors which write of beasts , do make of the unicorn divers kindes , especially pliny , ludovicus romanus , paulus venetus , nicholaus venetus , aeneas sylvius , albertus magnus , out of whose words we must gather the best description that we can of the unicorn . the arcean indians ( saith pliny ) do hunt a certain wilde beast which is very curst , untamable , having one horn , which in the head resembleth a hart , in the feet an elephant , in the tail a boar , and in the residue of the body a horse ; the horn he saith , is about two cubits long , and the voice like the lowing of an ox , somewhat more shrill , and they deny that this beast is ever taken alive . aelianus writeth hereof in this manner , there are ( saith he ) certain mountains in the midst of india , unto the which the passage is very difficult , where are abundance of wilde beasts , and among other unicorns , which the indians call cartazon●ns , who in their ripe age are as big as a horse , and their mane and hairs are yellow , excelling in the celerity of their , feet and bodies , having feet cloven like an elephants , the tail of a boar , and one black horn growing out betwixt their eye-brows , not smooth , but rough all over with wrinckles , and the same groweth to a most sharp point , these things ( saith aelianus ) by comparing of whose words with pliny , it is apparent they describe in these words but one and the same beast , and so also doth phyles ; whereby i gather , that it is no other beast then the wilde ass , or at the least the wilde ass cometh nearest to the unicorn of all others , for they agree in these things ; first , in that both of them have one horn in the middle of the fore-head ; secondly , in that both of them are bred in india ; thirdly , in that they are both about the bigness of a horse ; fourthly , in their celerity and solitary life ; fifthly and lastly , in their exceeding strength and untamable natures ; but herein they differ both in their feet and colours , for the feet of the wilde asses are whole and not cloven like the unicorns , and their colour white in their body , and purple on their head ; and aelianus saith , that the horn also differeth in colour from the unicorns , for the middle of it is only black , the root of it white , and the top of it purple , which bellonius doth interpret , that the superficies or upper face of the horn is all purple , the inner part white , and the inward part or middle black ; but of this indian wilde ass we have spoken already , and therefore i will adde nothing in this place but the words of 〈…〉 stratus in the life of apollonius , who writeth in this manner ; there are many wilde asses which are taken in the fens , near the river hiphasis , in whose fore-head there is one horn , wherewith they fight like buls , and the indians of that horn make pots , affirming that whosoever drinketh in one of those pots , shall never take disease that day , and if they be wounded , shall feel no pain , or safely pass through the fire without burning , nor yet be poysoned in their drink , and therefore such cups are only in the possession of their kings , neither is it lawful for any man except the king , to hunt that beast , and therefore they say that apollonius looked upon one of those beasts , and considered his nature with singular admiration . now there was one damis in his company , who asked him whether he did believe that the vulgar report of the unicorns horns were true or no , apollonius made this answer : adhibeo si hujus regionis immortalem regem esse intellexero , qui enim mihi aut a●t●r● cuiquam poculum ita salubre potest dare , nónne verisimile est ipsum quotidie illo uti , & ex eo corn● frequenter vel ad crapulam usque bibere , nemo 〈…〉 m ut puto illum calumniabitur qui in tali poculo etiam inebr●etur . that is to say , i would believe that report , if i found in this countrey a king that were immortal and could never dye , for if a man would give me such a cup , or any other man , do not you think that i would believe he drunk in the same cup ? and who would blame a man if he drunk in such a cup till he were drunk ? for it were lawful to use that horn unto surfeiting : whereby we may gather the minde of that wise man concerning the asses horn , and the unicorns ; namely , that they may give one some ease against accicidental diseases , although they cannot prolong a mans life the space of one day : these things said he . there be beasts ( saith aristotle ) as the oryx and indian ass , which are armed with one horn , and the cloven footed oryx is no other then the whole footed ass , for in the middle of their fore-head they have one horn , by which both sides of their head are armed , cum medium pariter commune utrique extremo sit , because the middle is equally distant from both the extremes ; and the hoof of this beast may well be said to be cloven and whole , because the horn is of the substance of the hoof , and the hoof of the substance of the horn , and therefore the horn is whole , and the hoof cloven ; for the cleaving either of the horn or of the hoof cometh through the defect of nature , and therefore god hath given to horses and asses whole hoofs , because there is greatest use of their legs , but unto unicorns a whole and entire horn , that as the ease of men is procured by the helps of horses , so the health of them is procured by the horn of the unicorn . these things ( saith aristotle . ) and strabo also writeth , that there are horses in india , which have harts heads , with one horn , of which horn their princes make cups , out of which they drink their drink against poyson : and therefore by this which hath been said it appeareth unto me , that either the indian ass is a unicorn , or differeth from it only in colour ; and the objection of the hoofs is answered by aristotle . unto this discourse i will adde the travails of ludovicus roman , wherein he saw two unicorns at mecha in arabia , where mahomets temple and sepulcher is . there are preserved ( saith he ) within the walls and cloysters of that temple two unicorns , which by way of miracle they bring forth to the people , and truly not without cause , for the sight is worthy admiration . now their description is on this sort : one of them and the elder was about the stature of a colt of two years and a half old , having a horn growing out of his fore-head of two cubits length , and the other was much less , for it was but a year old , and like a colt of that age , whose horn was some four spans long , or thereabouts . the colour of them was like a weaseled coloured horse , the head like the head of a hart , the neck not long , and the mane growing all on one side . the legs slender and lean , like the legs of a hinde , the hoofs of the fore-feet were cloven like a goats feet , and the hinder-legs are all hairy and shaggy with the outside ; the beasts although they were wilde , yet by art or superstition , they seemed to be tempered with no great wildeness ; it was said that the king of aethiopia , did send them to the sultan of mecha , with whom he is constrained to observe perpetual amity . now these unicorns are of another kinde , then the unicorns of pliny and aelianus , because their unicorn hath a whole hoof , and this cloven , but this objection was answered before : and although pliny and aristotle do acknowledge no other unicorn then the oryx , whose horn is black , as hard as iron , and sharp at the point , yet it is clear that there is another unicorn beside that . now paulus venetus saith , that in the kingdom of basman , which is subject to the great cham , that there are unicorns somewhat lesser then elephants , having hair like oxen , heads like boars , feet like elephants , one horn in the middle of their fore-heads , and a sharp thorny tongue , wherewith they destroy both man and beast : and besides he addeth , that they muddle in the dirt like swine . now if it were not for the horn in the middle of the fore-head , i would take this beast for a rhinocerot , but because the horn of the rhinocerot groweth out of the nose , i deem this to be a second kinde of unicorn ; for there is no man that shall read this story , but will think that the learned author had reason to discern betwixt the eyes and the fore-head , and therefore there can be no exception taken to my observation . nicola● venetus an earl saith , that in masinum or serica , that is , the mountains betwixt india and cathay , ( as aeneas sylvius writeth ) there is a certain beast having a swines head , an oxes tail , the body of an elephant ( whom it doth not only equal in stature , but also it liveth in continual variance with them ) and one horn in the fore-head : now this if the reader shall think it different from the former , i do make the third kinde of the unicorn ; and i trust that there is no wise man that will be offended at it : for as we have shewed already in many stories , that sundry beasts have not only their divisions , but sub-divisions , into sub-alternal kindes , as many dogs , many deer , many horses , many mice , many panthers , and such like , why should there not also be many unicorns ? and if the reader be not pleased with this , let him either shew me better reason , ( which i know he shall never be able to do ) or else be silent , lest the uttering of his dislike , bewray envy and ignorance . now although the parts of the unicorn be in some measure described , and also their countries , namely , india and aethiopia , yet for as much as all is not said as may be said , i will add the residue in this place : and first of all there are two kingdoms in india , one called niem , and the other lamber or lambri ; both these are stored with unicorns : and aloisius cadamustus in his fifty chapter of his book of navigation , writeth that there is a certain region of the new-found world , wherein are found live unicorns ; and toward the east , and south , under the equinoctial there is a living creature ( with one horn which is crooked , and not great ) having the head of a dragon , and a beard upon his chin , his neck long , and stretched out like a serpents , the residue of his body like to a harts , saving that his feet , colour , and mouth are like a lions : and this also ( if not a fable or rather a monster ) may be a fourth kinde of unicorn ; and concerning the horns of unicorns , now we must perform our promise , which is to relate the true history of them , as it is found in the best writers . this therefore growing out of the fore-head betwixt the eye-lids is neither light nor hollow , nor yet smooth like other horns , but hard as iron , rough as any file , revolved into many plights , sharper than any dart , straight and not crooked , and every where black except at the point . there are two of these at venice in the treasury of s. marks church , as brasavolus writeth , one at argentarat , which is wreathed about with divers spires . there are also two in the treasury of the king of polonia , all of them as long as a man in his stature . in the year there was found the horn of a unicorn in the river a●rula , near bruga in helvetia , the upper face or outside whereof was a dark yellow , it was two cubits in length , but had upon it no plights or wreathings . it was very odoriferous ( especially when any part of it was set on ●iee ) so that it smelled like musk : assoon as it was found , it was carryed to a nunnery called campus regius , but afterwards by the governor of helvetia it was recovered back again , because it was found within his territory . now the vertues of this horn are already recited before , and yet i will for the better justifying of that which i have said concerning the unicorns horn , add the testimony of our learned men which did write thereof to gesner , whose letters according as i finde them recorded in his work , so i have here inserted and translated word for word . and first of all the answer of nicholas gerbelius unto his epistle , concerning the unicorns horn at argentoratum , is this which followeth , for , saith he , the horn which those noblemen have in the secrets of the great temple , i have often seen and handled with my hands ; it is of the length of a tall man , if so be that you shall thereunto add the point thereof : for there was a certain evil disposed person amongst them , who had learned ( i know not of whom ) that the point or top of the same horn would be a present remedy both against all poyson , and also against the plague or pestilence : wherefore that sacrilegious thief plucked off the higher part or top from the residue , being in length three or four fingers . for which wicked offence , both he himself was cast out of that company , and not any ever afterwards of that family might be received into this society by an ordinance gravely and maturely ratified . this pulling off the top brought a notable deformity to that most splendant gift . the whole horn from that which sticketh to the fore-head of this beast , even unto the top of the horn is altogether firm or solid , not gaping with chops , chinks or crevises , with a little greater thickness then a tile is usually amongst us . for i have oftentimes comprehended almost the whole horn in my right hand . from the root unto the point it is even as wax candles are rowled together most elegantly severed and raised up in little lines . the weight of this horn is of so great a massiness , that a man would hardly believe it , and it hath been often wondred at that a beast of so little a stature could bear so heavy and weighty a burden . i could never smell any sweetness at all therein . the colour thereof is like unto old ivory , in the midst betwixt white and yellow . but you shall never have a better pattern of this , then where it is sold in little pieces or fragments by the oylmen . for the colour of our horn is life unto them . but by whom this was given unto that same temple i am altogether ignorant . another certain friend of mine , being a man worthy to be believed , declared unto me , that he saw at paris with the chancellor , being lord of pratus , a piece of a unicorns horn , to the quantity of a cubit , wreathed in tops or spires , about the thickness of an indifferent staffe ( the compass thereof extending to the quantity of six fingers ) being within and without of a muddy colour , with a solid iubstance , the fragments whereof would boil in the wine , although they were never burned , having very little or no smell at all therein . when joannes ferrerius of piemont had read these things , he wrote unto me , that in the temple of dennis , near unto paris , there was a unicorns horn six foot long , wherein all those things which are written by gerbelius in our chronicles were verified , both the weight and the colour : but that in bigness it exceeded the horn at the city of argentorate , being also hollow almost a foot from that part which sticketh unto the fore-head of the beast , this he saw himself in the temple of s. dennis , and handled the horn with his hands as long as he would , i hear that in the former year ( which was from the year of our lord . ) when vercella was overthrown by the french , there was brought from that treasure unto the king of france , a very great unicorns horn , the price whereof was valued at fourscore thousand duckets . paulus poaeius describeth an unicorn in this manner ; that he is a beast , in shape much like a young horse , of a dusty colour , with a maned neck , a hairy beard , and a fore-head armed with a horn of the quantity of two cubits , being separated with pale tops or spires , which is reported by the smoothness and ivory whiteness thereof , to have the wonderful power of dissolving and speedy expelling of all venom or poyson whatsoever . for his horn being put into the water , driveth away the poyson , that he may drink without harm , if any venomous beast shall drink therein before him . this cannot be taken from the beast being alive , forasmuch as he cannot possibly be taken by any deceit : yet it is usually seen that the horn is found in the deserts , as it happeneth in harts , who cast off their old horn through the inconveniences of old age , which they leave unto the hunters , nature renewing another unto them . the horn of this beast being put upon the table of kings , and set amongst their junkets and bankets , doth bewray the venom if there be any such therein , by a certain sweat which cometh over it . concerning these horns , there were two seen , which were two cubits in length , of the thickness of a mans arm , the first at venice , which the senate afterwards sent for a gift unto solyman the turkish emperour : the other being almost of the same quantity , and placed in a silver pillar , with a short or cutted point , which clement the pope or bishop of rome , being come unto marssels , brought unto francis the king for an excellent gift . furthermore concerning the vertue of such a gift , i will not speak more of this beast , then that which divulged fame doth perswade the believers . petrus bellonius writeth , that he knew the tooth of some certain beast in time past , sold for the horn of a unicorn , ( what beast may be signified by this speech i know not , neither any of the french men which do live amongst us ) and so a small piece of the same being adulterated , sold some-times for . duckets . but if the horn shall be true and not counterfeit , it doth notwithstanding seem to be of that creature which the ancients called by the name of a unicorn , especially aelianus , who only ascribeth to the same this wonderful force against poyson and most grievous diseases , for he maketh not this horn white , as ours doth seem , but outwardly red , inwardly white , and in the midst or secretest part only black . but it cannot be denyed , that this our unicorns horn was taken from some living wilde beast . for there are found in europe , to the number of twenty of these horns pure , and so many broken● two of the which are shown in the treasury of saint marks church at venice , ( i heard that the other was of late sent unto the emperor of the turks for a gift by the venetions ) both of them about the length of six cubits : the one part which is lowest being thicker , and the othe● thinner , that which is thicker , exceedeth not the thickness of three inches just , which is also attributed unto the horn of the indian ass , but the other notes of the same are wanting . i do also know , that which the king of england possesseth to be wreathed in spires , even as that accounted in the church of s. dennis , then which they suppose none greater in the world , and i never saw any thing in any creatures more worthy praise then this horn . the substance is made by nature , not art , wherein all the marks are found which the true horn requireth . and forsomuch as it is somewhat hollow ( about the measure of a foot which goeth out of the head , and the bone growing from the same is comprehended ) i conjecture that it never falleth , as neither the horns of a musk-cat , a wilde goat , and an ibex do : but the horns of these beasts do yearly fall off , namely , the buck , the hart , field-goat , and camelopardal . it is of so great a length , that the tallest man can scarsely touch the top thereof , for it doth fully equal seven great feet . it weighteth thirteen pounds with their assize , being only weighed by the guess of the hand , it seemeth much heavier . the figure doth plainly signifie a wax candle , ( being folded and wreathed within it self ) being far more thicker from one part , and making it self by little and little less towards the point , the thickest part thereof cannot be shut within ones hand , it is the compass of five fingers , by the circumference , if it be measured with a thread , it is three fingers and a span . that part which is next unto the head hath no sharpness , the other are of a polished smoothness . the splents of the spire are smooth and not deep , being for the most part like unto the wreathing turnings of snails , or the revolutions or windings of wood-bine about any wood. but they proceed from the right hand toward the left , from the beginning of the horn , even unto the very end . the colour is not altogether white , being a long time somewhat obscured . but by the weight it is an easie thing to conjecture , that this beast which can bear so great burden in his head , in the quantity of his body can be little less then a great ox. there are found oftentimes in polonia certain horns which some men guess to be of the unicorns , by a double argument . first , because they are found several , never by twains which as yet is heard , although sometimes they may be found with the skull and bones of the rest of the body : furthermore , because their strength or vertue is approved against great and most grievous diseases : concerning which thing antonius schnebe●gerus , a physitian of great learning amongst the sarmatians , and an excellent observer of nature , writ unto me some five year past , to see some of these horns , having sent them by the labour of my very good friend joachinnus rhaeticus , a most excellent physitian in sarmatia , and incomparable in the mathematick arts in this age . the first of these horns ( saith he ) i saw being of the length of my fadom , with a duskish or darkish colour : the point thereof being exceeding sharp and smooth . the compass about the root of the horn did exceed six spans . the outside was plain , with no turnings of spires : the substance easie to be crumed , the figure crooked , the colour exceeding white within , which if it be drunk in wine , doth draw over it self a dark colour . eight such divisions were joyned to the same , as you shall see in the greater part which i send , but that part is not of the horn , but either the entrance of the palat , or some other things as i conjecture . this horn was found under the earth , ( not deeper then a foot , in a solitary and high place , as between two hils , through which a river runneth ) by countrey-men that were digging to lay the foundation of a house . but the horn was smitten with an ax , and severed into very small pieces : but that noble and excellent man joannes frikasz ( in whose field the horn was found , being distant from cracovia two miles ) by all diligence he could , lest that the small pieces should be cast abroad , took deliberate freed , that they should be taken out of the earth . from the root to the top it was all round and smooth , but touching it with ones tongue , it cleaveth fast unto it , the tooth was as big as a man could gripe in his hand , being in the upper or outward part bony or hollow within , white in the middle , and toward the end somewhat reddish . but there was found all the beast , as by the greatness of his bones might easily be perceived , being bigger in quantity then a horse . it is most certain that it was a four-footed beast , by the bones of the shoulders , thighs and ribs . but if this horn were the tooth of an elephant , as some do suppose , you would marvail why two ( which i have heard ) were never found together . but the teeth or rather horns of elephants are neither so crooked that they might come almost to half a circle as they did . the strength of this horn a penny weight thereof being put in wine or water of borage , healeth old fevers , as also tertian or quartern agues of three years continuance , and cureth many diseases in mens bodies , as asswaging the pain of the belly , and making of those to vomit , who can by no means ease their stomachs . hither to shall suffice to have spoken concerning one of those four horns which i saw . the other was like unto this , but less pure ; for the colour was outwardly most black , inwardly most white , being found in the river . the third , and fourth most hard , so that a man would think it were by the touching thereof stone or iron , being solid even unto the point , for i have not seen them wholly , but the part of one , to the length of a cubit ; of the other , to the length of half a cubit , with a dark colour , being almost of the same thickness as the two former : but forasmuch as the two former have no rifts or chinks in them , these have by their longitude , being like herbs bending or wreathing in their stalks . there was another found in a certain field , so much appearing out of the earth , that the rude or countrey sort did think it to be some pile or stake . many also are cured and freed from shaking feavers by the medicinal force of these , the cause whereof i suppose to be this , because the former are softer , for as much as one of them will●ly in the water for so long a time , but the other under the earth being scar●e well hid . i afterwards saw a fifth like unto the first , none of them being straight or direct up , but also crooked , some almost unto a half circle : hitherto schnebergerus , who also addeth this : that there are more of these to be found in polonia , and therefore for the most part to be contemned . there are moreover found in helvetia some of these horns : one in the river a●ula against the town of bruga , the other in the last year , in the river of birsa , but it was broken , even as the third with that famous earl of the cymbrians , william warner in a tower near unto the city r 〈…〉 , who gave unto gesner a good piece thereof , who found another piece as he was a ●ishing at birsa in the river . and it is no great marvail that they are found there , where through length of time they are broken into small pieces , and carryed by the force of the waters into divers places . but it is most diligently to be observed , whether they are found in the earth , as also to be known whether that great horn be of this beast , which hangs alone in the great temple at argen●aur , by the pillar , for it hath hanged there many years before , as now it appeareth , for that doth plainly seem the same magnitude , thickness , and figure which schnebergerus hath described in his own horn , that we have allowed before for wilde oxen. the ancients have attributed singular horns to the unicorn , whom some have cald by other names as it is said : and furthermore to the oryx ( a wilde beast unknown in our age except i be deceived ) which aristotle and pliny call a unicorn , aelianus a quadrucorn . oppianus doth not express it , but he seemeth to make it a two horned beast . simeon sethi doth also write , that the musk-cat or goat which bringeth forth musk , hath one horn . certain later writers ( as scaliger reporteth ) say , that there is a certain ox in ethiopia which hath one horn coming out in the midst of his fore-head , greater then the length of a foot , bending upwards , the point being wreathed overthwart , and they have red hair , whereby we gather that the horn of all unicorns is not pure . but the reason why these horns are more found in polonia , then in any other place , i cannot well guess , whether from thence we shall suspect them to be of certain vries , which at this day abide in the woods of sarmatia ; in times past , there were many more , which have lived both in greater and larger woods , neither were they killed with so often hunting : some whereof it is most like have come to great age , as appeareth by their great and stately horns , which things we leave to be considered of others . i suppose that the apothecaries never have the true horn of a unicorn , but that some do sell a kinde of false adulterated horn , other the fragments of this great and unknown horn , of which we have spoken , and not only of the horn , but also of the bones of the head ; some of which are so affected by longinquity of time , that you may take a three-fold substance in them , although it be broken by a certain distance , one being for the most part whitish and pale , the other whiter and softer , the third stony and most white . i hear that in the new islands there was a horn bought in the name of a unicorns horn , being much praised for expelling of poyson : which what it is i have not as yet examined , but it is to be inquired , whether it be rhinocerots or not , for both the ancient and late writers do mingle this with the unicorn . i do verily conjecture that the same strength is pertinent to both the horns . and thus much shall suffice concerning the true unicorns horn , and the vertues arising therefrom . in this place now we will proceed to the residue of the history , reserving other uses of this horn to the proper medicines . these beasts are very swift , and their legs have no articles . they keep for the most part in the deserts , and live solitary in the tops of the mountains . there was nothing more horrible then the voice or braying of it , for the voyce is strained above measure . it fighteth both with the mouth and with the heels , with the mouth biting like a lion , and with the heels kicking like a horse . it is beast of an untamable nature , and therefore the lord himself in job saith , that he cannot be tyed with any halter , nor yet accustomed to any cratch or stable . he feareth not iron nor any iron instrument , ( as isidorus writeth ) and that which is most strange of all other , it fighteth with his own kinde , yea even with the females unto death , except when it burneth in lust for procreation ; but unto stranger-beasts , with whom he hath no affinity in nature , he is more sociable and familiar , delighting in their company when they come willingly unto him , never rising against them , but proud of their dependence and retinue , keepeth with them all quarters of league and truce , but with his female , when once his flesh is tickled with lust , he groweth tame , gregal and loving , and so continueth till she is filled and great with young , and then returneth to his former hostility . he is an enemy to the lions , wherefore assoon as ever a lion seeth a unicorn , he runneth to a tree for succour , that so when the unicorn maketh force at him , he may not only avoid his horn , but also destroy him ; for the unicorn in the swiftness of his course runneth against the tree , wherein his sharp horn sticketh fast , then when the lion seeth the unicorn fastned by the horn , without all danger he falleth upon him and killeth him . these things are reported by the king of aethiopia , in an hebrew epistle unto the bishop of rome . it is said that unicorns above all other creatures , do reverence virgins and young maids , and that many times at the sight of them they grow tame , and come and sleep beside them , for there is in their nature a certain savour , wherewithal the unicorns are allured and delighted : for which occasion the indian and aethiopian hunters use this stratagem to take the beast . they take a goodly strong and beautiful young man , whom they dress in the apparel of a woman , besetting him with divers odoriferous flowers and spieces . the man so adorned , they set in the mountains or woods where the unicorn hunteth , so as the winde may carry the savour to the beast , and in the mean season the other hunters hide themselves : the unicorn deceived with the outward shape of a woman and sweet smells , cometh unto the young man without fear , and so suffereth his head to be covered and wrapped within his large sleeves , never stirring but lying still and asleep , as in his most acceptable repose . then when the hunters by the sign of the young man perceive him fast and secure , they come upon him , and by force cut off his horn , and send him away alive : but concerning this opinion we have no elder authority then tzetzes , who did not live above five hundred years ago , and therefore i leave the reader to the freedom of his own judgement , to believe or refuse this relation ; neither was it fit that i should omit it , seeing that all writers since the time of tzetzes , do most constantly believe it . it is said by aelianus and albertus , that except they be taken before they be two years old they will never be tamed ; and that the thracians do yearly take some of their colts , and bring them to their king , which he keepeth for combat , and to fight with one another : for when they are old , they differ nothing at all from the most barbarous , bloudy , and ravenous beasts . their flesh is not good for meat , but is bitter and unnourishable : and thus much shall suffice for the natural story of the unicorn ; now followeth the medicinal . the medicines arising from the vnicorn . concerning the horns of the unicorn , i have sufficiently already written , as the antients have delivered in their remedies : but in this place i will handle the remedies which late writers have attributed thereunto , as also our own observations of the same . i remember that in times past , i saw a piece of this horn of the weight of nine inches , with a certain merchant in the market , being black and plain , and not wreathed in circles or turnings , but at that time i did not so much observe it . now amongst our apothecaries i do not not only finde small or little fragments out of which there issued ( as they say ) some certain marrow , which are rounder , whiter , and softer . but both the same colour , as also the substance being put too much , and eaten , if it be easily crummed , and not stuft as other horns , doth signifie the same not to be good or perfect , but counterfeited and corrupted : as perhaps the horn of some other beast burnt in the fire , some certain sweet odors being thereunto added , and also imbrued in some delicious or aromatical perfume ; peradventure also bay by this means , first burned , and afterward quenched or put out with certain sweet smelling liquors . there is great care to be had , that it be taken new , and while it smelleth sweet , not either abolished by age , nor the vertue thereof diminished by often or frequent cups . for rich men do usually cast little pieces of this horn in their drinking cups , either for the preventing or curing of some certain disease . there are also some which inclose it in gold or silver , and so cast it in their drink , as though the force thereof could remain many years , notwithstanding the continual soaking in wine . but that which is so used and drunk in wine doth bring upon it a certain dark or obscure colour , the whiteness which before remained upon the same being quite lost , expelled and utterly abolished . most men for the remedies arising from the same , command to use the horn simply by it self : others prefer the marrow therein . it being cast in wine doth boil , which some men either through ignorance or deceit , impute to be a sign of the true horn , when as contrarily any other horns being burnt , do in water or wine cause bubbles to arise . there are some wicked persons which do make a mingle mangle thereof , as i saw amongst the venetians , ( being as i hear say , compounded with lime and sope ) or peradventure with earth or some stone : ( which things are wont to make bubbles arise ) and afterward sell it for the unicorns horn . wherefore it shall be more safe to buy it out of the whole horn if it may be done , or of greater crums , and which may well describe the figure of a horn ; then small fragments where you may receive less deceit . a certain apothecary which was at noremberg , in a stately mart town amongst the germans , declared the way unto me how to deface the colour of an adulterated unicorns horn , being made by some with ivory , either macerated or boiled with certain medicines ( by set-foil as i suppose , and other things ) by which means having scraped it , i found within the true substance to be ivory . antonius brasavolus writeth , that all men for the most part do sell a certain stone for unicorns horn : which truly i deny not to be done , who have no certainty therein my self : notwithstanding also it may to come pass , that a very hard and solid horn , about the point of asword especially ( which part is preferred to inferior , as also in harts horns ) to which either stones or iron may yeild , such as authors attribute to the rhinocerot . and other unicorns may bear the shape of a stone before it self . for if orpheus concerning harts horns rightly doubted , whether the same or stones were of greatest strength : i think it more to be doubted in the kinde of unicorns , for the horns of harts are not only solid ( as aristole supposed ) but also the horns of unicorns , as here i have said . the horn of an unicorn is at this day used , although age or longinquity of time hath quite abolished it from the nature of a horn . there are some which mingle the rhinoceros with the unicorn , for that which is named the rhinoceros horn , is at this day in physical use , of which notwithstanding the authors have declared no effectual force . some say that the unicorns horn doth sweat , having any poyson coming over it , which is false , it doth perhaps sometimes sweat , even as some solid , hard , and light substance , ( as also stones and glass ) some external vapour being about them , but this doth nothing appertain to poyson . it is in like manner reported , that a kinde of stone called the serpents tongue doth sweat having poyson come over it . i have heard and read in a certain book written with ones hands , that the true horn of a unicorn is to be proved in this manner . to give to two pigeons poyson ( red arsnick or orpin ) the one which drinketh a little of the true unicorns horn will be healed , the other will die , i do leave this manner of trial unto rich men . for the price of that which is true , is reported at this day to be of no less value then gold . some do sell the weight thereof for a floren , or eight pence : some for a crown , or twelve pence . but the marrow thereof is certainly of a greater price , then that which is of harder substance . some likewise do sell a dram thereof , for two pence half penny , so great is the diversity thereof . for experience of the unicorns horns to know whether it be right or not : put silk upon a burning coal , and upon the silk the aforesaid horn , and if so be that it be true the silk will not be a whit consumed . the horns of unicorns , especially that which is brought from new islands , being beaten and drunk in water , doth wonderfully help against poyson : as of late experience doth manifest unto us , a man , who having taken poyson & beginning to swell was preserved by this remedy . i my self have heard of a man worthy to be believed , that having eaten a poysoned cherry , and perceiving his belly to swell , he cured himself by the marrow of this horn being drunk in wine , in very short space . the same is also praised at this day for the curing of the falling sickness , and affirmed by aelianus , who called this disease cursed . the ancient writers did attribute the force of healing to cups made of this horn , wine being drunk out of them : but because we cannot have cups , we drink the substance of the horn , either by it self or with other medicines . i happily sometime made this sugar of the horn , as they call it , mingling with the same amber , ivory dust , leaves of gold , coral , & certain other things , the horn being included in silk , and beaten in the decotion of raisins and cinamon , i cast them is water , the rest of the reason of healing in the mean time not being neglected . it is moreover commended of physitians of our time against the pestilent feaver , ( as aloisius mundellus writeth ) against the bitings of ravenous dogs , and the strokes or poysonsome stings of other creatures : and privately in rich mens houses against the belly or maw worms ; to conclude , it is given against all poyson whatsoever , as also against many most grievous diseases . the king of the indians drinking out of a cup made of an indian unicorns horn , and being asked wherefore he did it , whether it were for the love of drunkenness , made answer , that by that drink drunkenness was both expelled and resisted , and worser things cured , meaning that it clean abolished all poyson whatsoever . the horn of a unicorn , doth heal that detestable disease in men called s. johns evill , otherwise the cursed disease . the horn of an unicorn being beaten and boiled in wine , hath a wonderful effect in making the teeth white or clear , the mouth being well cleansed therewith . and thus much shall suffice for the medicines and vertues arising from the unicorn . of the vre-ox . this beast is called by the latines , vrus ; by the germans , aurox , and vrox , and grossevesent ; by the lituanians , thur ; the scythians , bubri ; and these beasts were not known to the grecians , ( as pliny writeth ) of whom seneca writeth in this manner ; tibi dant variae pectora tigres , tibi villosi terga bisontes , latisque feri cornibus uri . and vi●gil also maketh mention of them in his georgicks ▪ writing of the culture or tilling of vines . texenda saepes etiam & pecus omne tenendum : praecipu● cum frons tenera , imprudens● ; laborum , cui super indignas hyemes , ●olemque potentem , silvestres uri assidue , capreaeque sequaces illudunt . — these wilde beasts or ure-oxes are wilde oxen , differing from all other kindes , already rehearsed in the story of oxen , bugles , bisons , or any other , although some have unskilfully taken them for bisons , and sir thomas eliot in his dictionary , doth english vrus a bugil but beside him no body , that i know , and for this cause he is reprehended by other . now although there be nothing in this beast but ordinary , yet seeing it is a creature so well known , we have less reason to omit his shape and story , lest we should justly be condemned of negligenee and carelesne●s . in outward proportion of the body it differeth little from the bull , it is very thick , and his back somewhat bunched up , and his length from the head to the tail is short , no ways answerable to the proportion of his stature and sides : the horns ( as some say ) are but short , yet black , broad , and thick , his eyes red , a broad mouth , and a great broad head , his temples hairy , a beard upon his chin , but short , and the colour thereof black , his other parts , as namely in the face , sides , legs , and tail , of a reddish colour . these are in the wood hercynia , in the pyr●ney mountains , and in mazovia , near lituania . they are call'd vri of oron , that is the mountains , because their savage wildeness so great , that they seldom descend from those safeguards . they far excel bulls , and other wilde oxen , coming nearer to the quantity or stature of elephants , then to the bull. in resemblance a man would think them to be compounded of a mule and a hart , for their outward resemblance so seem , it is said they could never be taken by men , although they were taken when they were young , yet they love other heards of cattel , and will not forsake them easily after they have once joyned themselves unto them , whereby many times they are deceived and killed , twenty , thirty , or forty at a time . caligula caesar brought of these alive to rome , and did shew them in publick spectacle to the people , and at that time they were taken for wilde bulls . some affirm that there are of these in prussia , and that they are so wilde , cruel , and untamable , as they fear or spare neither man nor beast ; and when they are set upon and wounded by the hunters in the woods among the trees , feeling their hurts , and perceiving their bloud issuing out of their body , they rage above measure ; for having no means to take revenge upon the hunter , by reason that he standeth behinde some great tree , for very wrath and fury they kill themselves with their own head-long force upon the same tree . it is said that their foreheads are so broad and large , that two men may easily sit betwixt their horns . they are able to take up an armed man and his horse , and to tosse him into the air like a bull , and the heads of these or such like beasts are to be seen publiquely fixed up in common places at mentz and wormes , which are worth the observation , because in all proportion they are twice so big as the vulgar bull or oxe . now although their large bodies and manes do also appertain to the bisons , yet it is not unfit to attribute the same also to the ure-oxe . for if it be in the pleasure of any man to make it also a kinde of bison , i will not deny that this must be remembred , that both the body of this beast is much larger , and also the aspect not so grim or fierce as is the bison . there are many of these found also in angremannia , and the confines of lapponia , and other northern parts of the world , where they are called by the illyrian term zubrones , and these are so high as a tall man can hardly lay his hand upon the top of their backs , although he strain himself very much . and some of them are fifteen cubits in length , of whom , beside their admirable strength , their velocity and nimblenesse is also remarkable , for it is said of them , that when they empty their bellies , they can turn about to take their dung or excrement upon their horns before it fall to the ground , which they cast upon the hunters or pursures , dogs or men , whereby they blinde and burn them . they which accustome or practise to kill and hunt these beasts , are greatly commended and rewarded when they have killed many of them , whereof they make proof , by bringing the horns of them that they have killed into the common market-place . in ancient time before the invention of iron weapons , they did take them in those countreys in ditches , and great caves of the earth , whereunto the strongest and most active young men did apply themselves , having both dogs and all other needfull instruments to take away the life of this beast ; and if it did not happen that he fastned his horns into some tree , then was all their labour lost , for they could never come neer to touch him , only when in his speedy swift fury among the woods , he ran his horns into the body of some oaks or such like , whereby he was stayed , ( for it is not so easie to pull them forth as to fixe them , because they are rugged , crooked , and stand upward ) then he was overtaken and killed by some hunter or other . and if at any time he met with a hunter , it was fatall and deadly to the man , except he could avoid the beast by getting unto some tree . sigismundus baro , that honourable man writeth thus hereof , that in malonia neer lituania , it is bred , and called thur , and they are a kinde of wilde oxen , not differing from the vulgar , ( except as aforesaid ) but in their colour , and a spotted strake or line which goeth all along their backs . and those ure-oxen are kept as it were in parks and chases , having a peculiar designment by the king , and the inhabitants of certain villages to keep and watch them . sometimes when they meet with a common or vulgar tame cow , they leap upon her , and fill her ; but such a calf liveth not long , but dyeth as if it were not perfect , and if it do chance to live , it never resembleth the ●ire , nor yet is admitted into their society and herd , but are refused for bastards and ignoble breed . and when he was ambassador to sigismundus the emperour he received for a gift one of these killed , and bowelled , having the skin of the forehead cut off and taken away , whereat he wondred much but durst not ask the question or reason thereof ; yet afterward he understood that there were girdles made of that part of the hide , whereby the women in that countrey were perswaded that they should be made apt to conceive and bring forth children : and bona the mother of sigismundus gave unto him two girdles for that purpose , whereof he said he bestowed one upon the queen of of romans , who did take the same at his hand very graciously and thankfully . and it is certain , that out of the hides of these beasts are made girdles , which are two fingers thick , and strong and yet the hair upon them is soft and gentle like any wooll . the flesh of these beasts is rank and heavy , and if it be eaten fresh it causeth loosenesse , but if it be salted a day or two it is nothing inferiour to beef , for so the humidity is taken away . with the horns are made drinking cups , and for that purpose the richer sort of people do edge or lip them over with silver and gold : they hold or contain as much as two ordinary pitchers of water . other take off the points and fasten them to spears , being very sharp , and not easily blunted or broken , and other make of them cut into slices or panes the best lanthorns in the world. and thus much for the ure-ox , unto whose history it is needfull for me to adde the story of divers other wilde oxen not yet described . strabo saith , that there are oxen called rhizes , among the hesperian aethiopians , who in outward proportion are much like the vulgar bulls , but in other parts , as quantity , strength , and vigour , comparable to the elephants . theuetus writeth , that betwixt florida and palma , in the new found world , there are very many strange shaped beasts , and among other a kinde of wilde bull , whose horns are a foot long , but on his back he hath a tumour or bunch like a camel , and is therefore called bos camelita , his hair all over his body is very long , but especially under his chin , and his colour like a yellow mule , and this beast is a continual enemy to a horse . like unto these are the tame scythian oxen , and some other in asia , who carry pac●s upon the bunches of their backs , and also bend their knees like camels . of the lybian oxe . there is so great an innumerability of lybian oxen , of so great swiftnesse and celerity , that the hunters are many times deceived in hunting them , and so do certainly chance or fall upon other wilde beasts for the same they raised , and he in the mean while doth hide himself in a place of brambles and briars , keeping himself there safe , while other wilde beasts doth appear like unto them , and so do deceive the eyes of the hunters : therefore if any man do begin to follow after either of them , it will be but labour lost , for he is not able to comprehend or attain them with a horse , except he may take them being wearied by longitude of time . but if any hunters shall finde a young calf , spare the life thereof , and shall not presently kill it , he shall reap a double profit by it : and first it doth bring profit to it self , and doth induce or lead his dam into captivity . for after that the hunter hath bound the calf with a rope , she being inflamed by the love or affection which she beareth to her calf , returneth back again unto it , coveting with an ardent desire to loosen and take away her calf out of the bond or halter , therefore she thrusteth in her horn that she may loosen the cord , and pluck her young one away , whereby she is kept ●ast bound with her calf , her horns being intangled in the rope . then cometh the hunter and killeth her , and taketh forth her liver , and also cuttech off her dugs or udder , and doth likewise pluck off her skin , and leaveth her flesh for the birds and wilde beasts to feed upon . there is another kinde of oxin lybia , whose horns do bend downward , and for that cause they are ●●in to seed going backwards . of the sayings of herodotus and aelianus , i have spoken before . philes doth write , that they are called oxen going backward , because the broadnesse of their horns doth cover their eye sight , so that it standeth them in no use to go forward , but is very commodious to go backward . there is an oxe which liveth in the woods of africk , which doth resemble a domesticall oxe , yet lesse in stature , of a brown or russet colour , and also most swift of foot . this beast is found in the deserts , or in the marches or limits of the deserts . their flesh is also of a perfect or absolute savour and taste , good for the nourishment of men . of the indian wilde oxen . the horns of the oxen of the garamantons do grow downwards toward the earth , and therefore when they feed they bow the hinder part of the neck , ( as solinus writeth ) and as we have spoken before in the diversities of wilde oxen. the woods also in india are filled with wilde oxen. in the province of india where the gy 〈…〉 its inhabit , are great multitudes of oxen which live in the forrests or woods . in the kingdoms which are upon the borders or confines of india , ( in the mid of the day ) are many fair and great oxen which live in the woods . there are mountains in the inmost regions of india , which are very hard to come unto , where they say live those beasts wilde , which are among us domesticall and tame , as sheep , goats , oxen , and so forth . the great king of india doth elect or choose a day every year for the runnings and combats of men , and also fightings of beasts , who setting their horns one against another , do fight irefully with admirable rage , untill they overcome their adversaries . they do also labour , and strive with all their nerves and sinewes , even as if they were champions , or fought for some great reward , or should get honour by their battell . wilde bulls , tame rams , asses with one horn , hyenaes , and lastly elephants , as if they were capable of reason , they wound them among themselves , and the one doth oftentimes overcome and kill the other , and sometimes fall down together being both wounded . i have also recited before in another place of the intreaty of oxen , those indian oxen which are said to be most swift in their joynts in running to and fro , when they are at combate , because there we had not distinguished whether these were wilde oxen or not : but it doth appear in this place , that they are wholly taken for wilde oxen : and the thing it self doth manifest that domesticall oxen are not so swift nor so strong . the oxen in india have altogether whole hoofs , and also but one horn . aethiopia also doth breed indian oxen , that is to say , oxen that are like to those of india , for some have but one horn , and other some three . solinus saith , that there are found in india some oxen which have but one horn , and othersome which have three horns , with whole hoofs and not cloven . the indian oxen are said to be as high as a camel , and their horn four foot broad . ptolemeus doth report , that he saw a horn of an indian oxe which did hold in the breadth of it thirty gallons . there are also oxen which are bred in india which in greatnesse are no bigger then a buck , or goat , they do run yoaked together very swift , nor do end their race with lesse speed then the goat , land horses , and i did not take them to be oxen living in the woods , for our rangifer and oxen which live in the woods , are the swiftest of all beasts in this kinde , and most apt to combats and runnings , and they may partly be called oxen having one horn , and partly oxen having three horns : neither are they found in scandinavia , but also in other regions and dominions of asia , as we beleeve that indian oxen are of the same kinde . solinus doth not rightly call those indian oxen , which aelianus calleth aethiopicos , as i have declared above in the story of the aethiopian oxen , for their horns are moveable . ctesias doth write , that there are sprung up among the same beasts , that beast which is called mantichora : which is manifested by aristotle in his history of four-footed beasts . hermolaus also and others have not considered this error . among the arachotans there are oxen which live in the woods , which do differ from those that are bred in the city , as much as wilde swine from tame . their colour is black , bending a little downwards , and their horns broad and upright . there is a city in india called arachotus , taking the name from the river arachotus , which doth flow out of caus●ous , what those beasts are which do bend their horns upward , i have declared in the story of the bison ; for as there may be spoken something concerning the difference of the plants of the woods , so also concerning the beasts that are bred in the city , and those that are bred in the woods . of the weasel . there are divers kindes of weasels , but in this place we do intreat of the least kinde , whose form and shape we have also here set down . it is likewise properly named of the latines , mustela , a weasel , for so we were wont plainly to name those which were common and domesticall , and to adde names to those which are more seldome seen , or live in the woods for difference sake . the word chol●d in levit. . is translated a weasel of all interpreters . the rabbins do call them chuldah , and commonly mustela , as david kimhi writeth . the chaldeans do translate it chulda , the arabians caldah , the persians gurba , and hieron . mustela . oach is an hebrew word , where-upon it was once called ochim , plurally in isai . . babylon subvertetur , & implebunt domos ●or●m ochim , munsterus cercopithecos vertit . that is to say , babylon shall be overthrawn , and their houses shall be filled with ochim , that is , weasels , but munsterus doth call them munkeys . david kimhi , and the master of thalmud , do call it nemiah , that is , like to a cat , but commonly they call it a martin , or firum , and furon . the authors of the concordances of the hebrewes , do interpret koph , circopithecum , or cephum , and culdah , that is to say , mustela , a weasel , as the jewes do think . the c 〈…〉 hath translated a martin ochijn . symmachus also hath left or forsaken the hebrew word . aquila doth translate it typhones , that is , a whirle-winde , hieronymus doth translate it draco , that is , a dragon . koah is truly interpreted to be a kinde of lizard , or a chamaelion ; in leviticus . we also read in albertus , his , and hyrzus , ( two barbarous words ) for a weasel , which he himself doth not understand : but i have discerned or taken this signification out of the words of aristotle : for albertus doth most unlearnedly expound hircum a hare , being deceived , because both the living beasts do often times remove their young ones from one place to another in their mouths . fe 〈…〉 s also doth seem to be according to aristotle , no other thing then gale , that is to say , a weasill . for feyton ( saith he ) it hath wit like a fox , that is to say , in setting upon hens or chickins , and the other shape and form of it is katiz , that is to say , ictis , a ferret . namfitza also is even to this day called a weasel among the grecians . ibanauge is also called a weasel , ibinuers is a little four-footed beast . bellula also doth seem to signifie a weasel , by a feigned word prodeeding from the french or italians , which do call also belettam , balottam pro mustela , for a weasel , but some of the later grecians do abuse it , in terming it a cat , as i have spoken before in the history of the cat. theodorus gaza in aristotle doth interpret it sometimes a weasel , and other sometimes a cat ; neither can i sufficiently gather wherefore he doth so change it , seeing that the grecians call ca 〈…〉 for a cat aeluron , and the latines felem . some say , that mustela for a weasel hath been interpreted or declared of late dayes , being only led ( if i be not deceived ) with the affinity of the german word , for the germans do call mustela a wisel . the grecians do usually take to this day mustela for a weasel , as i have read in the oration of suidas . a weasel is called in italy donn●la , or ballottula . it is apparent by the words of avicen , that donnula , and otherwise dannula is barbarously used pro mastela for a weasel : albertus and niphus do write damula for a weasel , by the which word , the later writers do very obscurely understand dama for a weasel , which is of the kinde of goats living in the woods . damma or dammula is a small and weak beast , ( as isidorus writeth ) speaking of those that are wilde , and will not come to hand . when it doth bring forth young , it doth presently devour the seconds or those that come after birth , before they touch the earth , and yet it is a prey it self to other four-footed beasts . you may also seem to take a little dear , or a kinde of young goat , or a weasel , for that kinde of beast which doth devour her seconds : but we read that neither of these do it . the lizard is said to devour her first litter which she littereth in her old age . we also call domesticall weasels , foinos . a weasel is called in france , belotte , or belotte , and albalotis . some as i do hear , which do inhabit about the towns of meta , do call them baccal , carolus figuli doth interpret a weasel in french ; fovinum , or morturellum , of which i have shewed before that there is two kindes , and also that there are weasels living in the woods . in spain also they are called comadreia . the people of rhetia which speak latine , do keep the latine name . the germans do call them wisel or wisele . georgius agricola saith , that it is called a weasel by reason of the noise that it maketh . othersome dwelling in helvetia , do call it hermelin , and some do call it by a corrupt word hamlin , but those ought only to be named so which are altogether white , and are found in winter time . but here in england it is called a weasell , and some do write it wesyll , or weasyll : but the white weasel is called minever , by the transposition of the letters of the french word , it is called herminne , and among the illyrians , kolczauna . some do think at this day , that the beast whose shape and form we have given for a weasel , is the shrew-mouse , but not rightly , for their only reason is , that the bitings of it doth poyson and harm almost in like manner . albertus also doth write , that the sea weasel is called the field-shrew , which is utterly false and untrue : for the shrew is called among the grecians , m●gale , male or female . they do now also commonly call ichneumon the indian mouse , and othersome the fallow deer : but damula , or donula , is of the italians and some later barbarous writers , altogether called a common weasel , and not ichneumon , which is a peculiar beast to the egyptians . now the reason of the latine name mustela , carolus figulus is of opinion , that it is derived of mys and steli● , two greek words , because it devoureth mice , and both the germans and the english derive their word steal , or stellen , to rob or filch , from the greek word stellein ; so that it is so called , because this weasel is a still , and secret , stealing , and devouring beast . calepin saith , that mustela is quasi longior mus. this beast is also called by aristotle , habeninum , and it is said , that it hunteth moles or blinde mice . the epithets hereof are , fearfull , in-creeper , and swift , and beside these i finde not any materiall , or worthy to be rehearsed . now concerning their outward proportion , it is as we have here described , a long and thin body , but the colour thereof varieth ; for some of them are brown , and branded , some black , and some clean white , which we have shewed already to be the ermyn : for in some places of germany , helvetia , and the alpes , the weasels in the winter become all white . but forasmuch as there are two kindes of weasels , one vulgar and domesticall , living in houses and cities , and the other wilde , living in the woods and mountains : we finde also that they differ in colour , neither of both being constant in the same ; for the domesticall weasel is upon the back , and side sandy , red , and sometime yellowish , and alwayes white on the th●oa● , yea , sometimes as geor. agricola writeth , they are all white , whereat no man ought to wonder , seeing the hares of helvetia do in the winter time turn white : and of these white weasels or ermyns there are abundance in the northern parts of europe , where their summers are short , and their winters long : and these white weasels differ nothing from the common vulgar weasels of other colours , except that their hair stick faster to their backs ; and it is observed , that in russia the noblest women are apparelled with these skins : and there is a wood in scandinavia ( called lanzetuoca ) which is fourscore mile long , wherein are abundance of white weasels : and the kings tents among the tartarians are said to be covered all over with the skins of lyons without , and the walls to be hung with these armins or white weasels within ; and although the price of these skins be very deer among them ( for sometimes so many as are used in one garment will cost two thousand crowns ) yet do the people earnestly seek after them , accounting it no small honour , to wear so much wealth upon their backs . now the reason why these beasts came to be called armilini , is from armilla a chain , because they did wear them in fringes about their garments like chains ▪ and although that some of the alpine mice be all white , and likewise the pontique mouse , yet there must be a difference observed betwixt these weasels which are properly called armins , and those mice which are so called , only by way of resemblance , as we have shewed already in their stories . and of the pontique mouse . i may adde thus much more , that they live in the winter time in hollow trees , wherein they become as white as snow all over , except their tails , and are in quantity like ▪ squirrels , but in the end of may they turn somewhat red , because that then they give themselves , to copulation and generation of young ones , when they lay aside their whitenesse , and live many dayes together in care all copulation , among the green and fresh herbs , leaving behinde them such rank and unsavoury smells , as are very odious to a good sent : and it is said , that every three year their skins through abundance of food grow greater and greater , to the exceeding commodity of merchants , and skinners in norway , and helsyngia . there are certain little four-footed beasts called lemmar , or lemmus , which in tempestuous and rainy weather , do seem to fall down from the clouds , and it was never yet found , whether their beginning arose first from heaven or earth , but this is certain that as soon as ever they have fallen to the ground , some of them have been opened , and in their bowels have been found green herbs , and therefore i marvel why ever it should be beleeved that these beasts are bred of some feculent matter in the clouds ; but if any man ask me from whence then have they their beginning , i answer from the earth , even as locusts and catterpillers , who are said in holy scripture to be carryed to and fro with the windes , and so these beasts being destitute of naturall food in their places of generation , do advance themselves into the winde , and so are carried into other strange and unknown countreys , where they fall like locusts upon every green thing , living untill they have devoured all , but when once they taste of new grown herbs , they perish and die , by means whereof they encrease great pestilence and corruption , but the ar●●lins or armins do eat and devour them . now the skins of these beasts are exceeding delicate having in them divers colours , and therefore the people flea them off from their bodies , and sell them by thirty or forty in bundles , for great price ; but of these skins i have said enough , both here and elsewhere . the wilde weasels differ not from the vulgar domesticall weasel , their foreteeth are short and not long like a mouses , the face broad , their genital part like a foxes , their tail short , their legs and clawes short ; strong and sharp ; and it is reported by strabo , that the weasels of mauritania are as big as cats , but their gaping and opening of their mouth much longer , and wider . there is an island called dordocel 〈…〉 , on the one side whereof ( as pliny writeth ) there are weasels , and through the middle there is a way over which they never passe , and on the other side there are not only not any bred , but also if they be brought into it , they die and perish , and so likewise it is reported of beotia . they make themselves caves and holes in the earth , rocks , and walls , wherein they lodge , into the which they frame two passages or doors , one into the south , the other into the north , ( resembling herein the squirrels ) that so they may be free from the winde , on which side soever it bloweth , sometimes they get into stacks of hay and straw , and there they lodge : those weasels which live neer houses sleep not much , for they have been seen abroad all the winter time , not only the vulgar but the armins : neither are they unthankfull unto the countrey men in whose houses they lodge , for they kill , eat , and devour all manner of mice , rats , and moles ; for because of their long , slender bodies , they are apt to creep into the holes of the earth , and narrow passages , fetching their prey from those places whither cats cannot come ; therefore in he 〈…〉 tia the countrey men nourish them more then cats , because they destroy more vermin then cats . the harm they do is to hens , chickens , and egs , and yet some say they eat the egs and ●et the hens alone : they are likewise enemies to geese , and devour their egs ; and aelianus writeth , that if they come unto dead men , they will pull out their eyes in such manner as they do egs , and therefore such carkases are to be watched against them . amyntat writeth , that the shrew-mouse is conceived betwixt a mouse and a weasel , which opinion is , not only r●diculous , but impossible , for how is it likely that a mouse will ingender with that beast which lyeth in wait to destroy her ? it is also said , that a weasel fighteth with those serpents that hunt after mice , for no other cause , but to gain the prey from him . there is nothing in this beast more strange , then their conception and generation , for they do not engender nor couple in their hinder parts , like other four-footed beasts , but at their ears , and bring forth their young ones at their mouth , and for this cause aristeas writeth , the jewes were forbidden to eat them , for this their action was an emblem of folly , and of foolish man , which can keep no secrets , but utter all that they hear ( thus saith he ) but we that are christians knew other reasons why the jewes were forbid to eat them . the egyptians make of it another sign , for they say , that their copulation at the ear , and generation at the mouth , are emblems of speech which is first taught to the ear , and then uttered by the tongue : there be other again that hold this to be a fable : and pope clement writeth , that they conceive at the mouth , and bring forth a● the ●ar . many say , it is true of the weasel of the sea , but not of the weasel of the earth , which is therefore called collipara , and this they would confirm by another fable of medus , whose ●ead after it was cut off , it is said to bring forth chrysaor and pegasus ; some do alledge for this opinion , that the crowes and the ibis do conceive at their mouths : but this is certain , that they have plac●s of conception underneath their tails like other four-footed beasts , and therefore how it should come to passe , that their young ones should come forth at their mouths , i cannot easily leard . it may be that the opinion thereof first arose from the sight of some old one carrying her young in her mouth , for the young ones are very small like mice , and therefore it is likely that they remove them to and fro , as cats do their young ones , for they are in continuall fear , lest they should be taken and destroyed by men , or by some other enemy beast . the dung of weasels doth smell many times like musk , the reason whereof we have shewed your in another place , all of them in generall have a most rank and filthy savour . it is a ravening and destroying beast ; and although the body of it be very small , yet is the wit and understanding of it very great , for with singular art and subtilty it com●asseth his prey , whereupon there lyeth this history of galanthis the maid of alomena , as perottus observeth out of ovid. when alomena was in long travel and childe-birth , it is said that the maid perceiving she was hindered by lucina , craftily obtained not only the knowledge of the cause by lucina , but also the remedy ; whereupon she ●ased her lady , ( like a true and faithfull servant ) of many pains . lucina seeing that she was beguiled by galanthis , and that her crafty wit had over-reached a goddesse , she turned her into a weasell , for her punishment , that as she had sinned by revealing of the counsell of the goddess , so she should be punished to bring forth all her young ones at her mouth , as weasels do ; and for this occasion , the domesticall weasel like a maid doth continually live in houses , and her colour yellowish like the hair of galanthis : thus say they of metamorphosing and transforming . other some say , that when alomena was in travail of hercules , having indured long torments , she was delivered by the sight of a weasel which came in her presence , and therefore the theban grecians do religiously worship a weasel , for they say , that as it was nourisht by hecate the goddesse , so it did nourish hercules ; but herein they take gale for galanthis aforesaid , that is , a weasel , for alomenaes maid : and seeing we have begun to talk of transformations , i will adde another thing out of stobeus , not impertinent to this common place , for he writeth in the dispraise of women , that the diversity of their dispositions perswadeth him that some of them are derived from one beast , and some from another : and namely those which come of weasels , are a miserable , sullen , and sorrowfull kinde of women , to whom nothing is pleasing , delightfull , or acceptable , but having no minde to the pleasure of venus , loathing her husband , hurteth her neighbours , robbeth her self , and devoureth consecrated and hallowed things , even after the manner of weasels , which will take a booty from the altar : thus saith he , which i beleive to be true in the comparison , but not in the generation or transmutation of women from weasels . i do marvail how it came to passe , that a weasel was called , an unhappy , unfortunate , and unlucky beast among hunters , for they held opinion here in england , that if they meet with a weasel in the morning , they shall not speed well that day ; therefore the grecians say galesteir , and alciatus hath an excellent emblem , whereby he insinuateth that it is not good to have a weasel run upon ones left hand , and therefore adviseth a man to give over his enterprize after such an omen . now although i would have no wise man to stand in fear of such a superstitious conceit , yet i will subscribe his verses , more for variety and elegancy , then for truth : auspiciis res coepta malis bone cedere nescit : foelici quae sunt omine facta , juvant . quicquid ages , mustela tibi si occurret , omitte : signa malae haec sortis bestia prava gerit . it should seem tha● the beginning of this opinion did come from the punishment of a certain generall of the corinthians navy , who being perjured in breaking his faith to that state , came running away from them ; and they say , that afterwards he could never sleep , but that he dreamed weasels came and tore his flesh from his body : at last through anguish and grief of minde , he slew himself . these things are reported by heraclides , which whether they be true or false , are but a silly and slender foundation to build upon them a propheticall opinion , or presage future evils ; and so i will leave the morall part of the weasel , and return again to the naturall . they have knowledge like mice and rats , to run out of houses before their downfall . they live in hatred with the serpent that hunteth mice , for by eating of rue they drive them out of houses wherein they inhabit ; and this is a wonderfull work of god , that this silly beast should have the knowledge of the vertue of that herb , and not only arm her self with it , because it is hatefull to serpents , and they in no wise in nature able to abide it , but also by it to restore to life again her young ones after they are dead . there is a poyson in weasels which destroyeth the cockatrice , for when the weasel findeth the cockatrices hole or den , she layeth her poyson in the mouth thereof , whereby two contrary natures meet and fight , and the lesser overcometh the greater ; and this is affirmed both by pliny and solinus ; wherefore all manner of cattle do fear weasels . they hunt all manner of birds , pulling out their throat as a wolf doth a sheeps . they will play with hares till they have wearyed them , and then destroy them ; they are in perpetuall enmity with swine , ravens , crowes , and cats , for although cats sometimes set upon them , yet they cannot overcome them . in many places of italy they are nourished tame , for as ferrets are used to fetch conies out of the earth , so are weasels by tying a string about their neck , to fetch young pigeons out of dove-cotes , and birds out of their nests . if the powder of a weasel be given unto a cock , chickens , or pigeons , it is said , they shall never be annoyed by weasels . likewise if the brain of a weasel be mingled with a rennet in cheeses , it keepeth them from being touched with mice or corrupted with age . the flesh of a weasel is not used for meat , but dried and preserved for medicines . the powder thereof mixed with water , driveth away mice , by casting the gall of stellius in a house where weasels are gathered together , and then by oyl of bitter almonds , or salt ammoniak they are killed , but if one of their tails be cut off , all the residue do forsake the house . and thus much shall suffice concerning the history of weasels , now followeth the medicines arising out of their bodies . the medicines arising from the weasel . a weasel being applyed unto those which are troubled with agues or quartern feavers , doth in short time cure them . it doth also being mingled with other things make a wonderfull pleasant mollifying medicine for those which are troubled with the gout , or any other infirmity in the joynts , and easeth those which have a continuall ache in the head , leaving a certain matter on the top thereof , and stroaking it from the forehead to the hinder part of the head . for the curing also of the gout , this is an excellent remedy . to take a little young whelp alive , well fatted , and a living vveasel in nine pints of oyl , and unto the same two or three pounds of butter , and to boyl them together , untill the beasts be made lank or lither , and then to put your hands or feet a whole day in hot oyl well strained . avicenna attributeth certain things to vveasels flesh only , which the classicall authors rather ascribe to the powder of vveasels which are these : to be applyed to the gout , being drunk in wine against the failing sicknesse , and the head-ache , but it is accounted an especiall remedy against the bitings of scorpions . the flesh of a vveasel being taken is a very good and effectuall preservative against all poysons . the same being taken in meat , the head and feet only cast away , doth help those which are troubled with wens or bunches in the flesh , being first anoynted with the blood of the same beast . the bloud of a vveasel is very well applyed to broken or exulcerated sores in the flesh . the same vertue hath the whole body of a weasel , boyled in wine , being in the manner of a plaister placed thereunto . for the expelling of the gout take a dead weasel , and boyl him in oyl , untill it be made liquid , then strain forth the oyl , and mingle it with wax , fashioning the same in the form of a plaister , and this being in good order applyed , will in very short time expell it quite away . a house weasel is wont to be burned for divers remedies , and to be embowelled with salt , and dryed in a shade . but there are some late writers which affirm , that a weasel is better being dryed or burned for the said disease , then used in the aforesaid manner , some also which are more foolish , think it best , being only salted , but it is more proper , being used in the first manner . the bodies of creatures which are dry by nature being dryed by the sprinkling of salt upon them , are unmeet for food , for a certain man going about to salt a hare , made it like unto a dryed vveasel . some have written that the flesh of a hedge-hog dried , doth very much profit those which are troubled with an outward or inward leprosie : which if it can effect , it will more strongly have a drying force or power : even as the flesh of a vveasel being dryed , and drunk in wine , expelleth poyson . a vulgar vveasel being kept very old , and drunk in wine , to the quantity of two drams , is accounted a present remedy against the venom or stings of serpents . a young vveasel being prepared , as is before said , that is to say embowelled with salt , is of good force against all ill medicines . a vveasel used in the same manner doth presently cure the bites of serpents . a vveasel being burnt and dryed , especially the belly thereof , is accounted an excellent remedy against the bitings of any other wilde beast . some small part of the belly of a young vveasel , to the quantity of two drams being stuffed with coriander , and drunk in wine , is given to those that are smitten by serpents , and is curable for them . the flesh of a vveasel being burnt , mingled with rue and wine , and so drunk , is very medicinable for the curing of the bites of all creatures . the young whelps of vveasels being imbowelled with salt , is very profitable for the healing of the deadly stinging or biting of the spider called phalangium . the whelp of a weasel doth cure the venemous bitings of the shrew . the flesh of a weasel being dryed , doth strongly drie and separate , by both which forces those are healed which are troubled with the falling sicknesse having drunk it in wine . this vertue is also attributed unto the bloud of weasels . a weasel being dryed and drunk in wine , doth heal those that are troubled with the palsie or shaking of the joynts . concerning the powder of weasels , there are many things read : but galen writeth , that he never burned this creature , that he might try the excellency thereof . the bloud and powder of a weasel are very profitable , being anoynted on those whole bodies are vext with the leprosie , according to the saying of serenus in these verses ; — elephanti morbo adversus erit cedri de cortice succus , mustelaeve cinis vel fusus sanguis ab illa . the powder of a weasel being mingled with the bloud of a young swallow doth heal the quinsie or squinzie , the inflamation of the jawes , as also those which are grieved with the strangury , being either taken in bread or in drink . the same is also very effectuall for the expelling of wens or bunches in the body , and healeth those which are troubled with the falling sicknesse , being dayly taken in drink . the same diseases are both healed by this medicine , to burn a living weasel altogether in an earthen pot , and to mingle with the powder thereof hony , turpentine , and butter , of each a sufficient quantity , and in the manner of an oyntment , to apply it unto the bodies of the grieved parties . the bloud of a swallow and a weasel are commended by some to be very congruent and agreeable , but pliny , avicenna , and the rest of the antient writers commend the blood of a weasel only to be very medicinable for these diseases following ; namely , the falling sickness , the foul evil , and the head-ache . the powder of a weasel being mingled in water , and given to one that is mad or frenzy to drink , is reported by some to be very good and profitable for him , if so be that they can compell the frantick person to perceive it . the powder of a weasel is very effectuall for the expelling or taking away of the pin and web in the eyes . there is a speedy remedy for the driving away of rheum in the head , and the catarrh swelling by rheum in the jawes , which is this , to take a weasel upon a thursday in the old moon , and put him alive in an unburned pot , that in the boyling he may be torn , and dryed into powder , which powder being gathered together and well tempered with hony , to give it to the diseased person every day in a spoon fasting , to the quantity of three drams , and it will in short space wonderfully ease him . a weasel being burnt , and the powder thereof wrapped in some sear-cloth which is anoynted over with the oyl of flower-deluces , doth help and heal all sores or impostumes proceeding from the head to the ears , being applyed thereunto . a vveasel being beaten to powder , mingled with wax , and in the manner of a sear-cloth applyed unto the shoulders , doth expell all pains , aches , or griefs therein whatsoever ; it doth also purge or cleanse sores very effectually , according to these verses of serenus following ; obscoenos si pone locos nova vulnerae carpant , horrentum mansa curantur froride ruborum . et si jam veteri succedit fistula morbo , mustelae cinere immisso purgabitur ulcus , sanguine cum ricini , quem bos gestaverit ante . a vveasel being burned in an earthen pot , is very medicinable for the curing of the gout . the powder thereof being mingled with vinegar , and in that manner thereunto applyed . the dust of a living vveasel burnt , mingled with wax rose-water , and anoynted with a feather upon gouty legs , cureth the same disease . the brain of a vveasel being kept very long , and throughly dried , afterwards mingled with vinegar , and so drunk , doth very effectually cure the falling sicknesse . the brains of a camel mingled with the brains of a vveasel , being both well dryed , and drunk in vinegar , speedily helpeth those which are troubled with the disease called the foul evill . if a horse shall fall into a suddain disease ( being for the most part termed dangerous ) which our countrey-men call raech , concerning which i have spoken in the horse , he is cured by some horse-coursers by a small quantity of a vveasels skin , being about the bignesse of aforesaid golden crown ) which is given to him inwardly , whether in a potion by some horn , or cut small and mingled with chaffe , i know not . some do give to the horses troubled with the aforesaid disease the tail of a white vveasel being half black , and half white , cut exceeding small in their chaffe or provender . if a serpent or any other venemous creature shall sting or bite an oxe , let the wounded place be stroked or smoothed with the skin of a vveasel , and it shall in short time be perfectly cured . the same they do in a manner command to be done to horses which are so stung or bitten , rubbing the wound with a weasels skin untill it wax hot , ministring in the mean time some certain antidote within the horses body . there are some also which are of opinion that the skin being in the said manner applyed , is of no efficacy , but that the whole beast being cut and applyed while it is hot , will rather profit , which both in a shrew , as also in many other creatures is manifest . the bloud of a weasel being anoynted upon any impostume arising behinde the ear , doth instantly cause the swelling to cease , or being broken , doth speedily heal the sore . the same also being anoynted upon any impostumes in the head either whole or broken , doth very effectually cure them . the bloud of a weasel being anoynted upon wens or bunches of flesh in any part of the body doth instantly expell them . the same doth also help those which are troubled with the falling sicknesse : which disease is also cured by the whole body of a vveasel either burnt or embowelled with salt . the head and feet of a vveasel being cast away , and the body taken in any kinde of drink , doth perfectly heal those which are troubled with that pestiferous disease called s. johns evil . the bloud of the same same beast is an excellent remedy for the expelling of the foul evil . the bloud of a weasel being anoynted upon broken or exulcerated bunches in the flesh , doth not only mitigate the pain , but also heal the wounds . the bloud of a weasel being anoynted upon the jawes , doth heal all pains or sores therein whatsoever . the powder and bloud of a weasel being both mingled together , and anoynted upon the body of any leprous man , doth in short time drive away all scabs or scurfs thereon . the bloud of a vveasel being anointed with a plantain upon the legs or feet of any one that is troubled with the gout , doth very speedily mitigate or asswage the pain thereof . the same being anoynted upon the nervs or sinewes which are shrunk together , doth easily mollifie them again , and loosen the grievous pain either in the joynts or articles . the liver of a vveasel mingled with his own brains , being both well dryed , and taken in any kinde of drink , doth very much profit those which are troubled with the disease called s. johns evil . the liver of a vveasel , being throughly dryed , and afterwards taken in water to drink , doth heal the disease called the foul evil , taking hold of sense and minde together : but there must great care be had that this medicine be ministred unto the sick party , even when the disease is coming on him . the gall of a hare being mingled with the liver of a vveasel to the quantity of three drams , one dram of oyl of beavers stones , four drams of myrrhe , with one dram of vinegar , and drunk in hony , or bastard wine , doth heal those which are troubled with a dizzinesse or certain swimming in the head . the liver of a weasel is reported to be very good and medicinable for the curing of the lethargy , or dropsie evil . the liver of a weasel being bound to the left foot of a woman , doth altogether hinder her from conception . the gall of a weasel is a very excellent and effectuall remedy against the venom or poyson of asps , being taken in any kinde of drink . the yard of a weasel , hart , or doe , being dried , and beaten to powder , and taken in wine , or any other drink , is an excellent medicine for the curing of the bites or stings of serpents . the yard of a weasel or ferret , is commended for a very excellent remedy against the strangury , or disease called the colick and stone . the stones of a male weasel , or the secret parts of a female weasel , is reported by some to be very medicinable for the curing of the falling sicknesse . the stones of a weasel being bound unto any part of a woman while she is in travail of childe birth , doth altogether hinder her from her delivery . by the left stone of a weasel being bound in a piece of a mules hide , there is a certain medicine made , which being drunk by any woman not being with childe , causeth barrennesse , as also by women being with childe , hard and grievous pain in delivery . the efficacy or force in them , have the stones of a weasel being cut off in the change of the moon , and he suffered to go away alive , being tied upon any part of a woman in the hide of a mule. the heel of a living weasel being taken away and bound unto a woman , doth make her that she shall not conceive so long as she shall so bear it . the powder of a dogs head dried , being put into any broken or exulcerated sores , doth eat away all the corruption or dead flesh encreasing therein . the same vertue hath the powder of weasels dung , being used in the said manner . the dung of mice or of a weasel , being anoynted upon the head , is an excellent remedy for the falling off of the hair on the head , or any other part of mans body , and doth also cure the disease called by some the foxes evil . the biting of a weasel is reported by some to be very venemous , and in his ravening or madnesse not to be lesse hurtfull then the bitings of mad dogs . for weasels and foxes are very often mad . but arnoldus is of a contrary opinion , and affirmeth that the weasel doth more hurt by his biting , then by any venom he can put forth . others also do affirm , that there is venom in weasels for this cause , that in all kinde of weasels when they are angry , the force of their smell is so rank and strong . the best way to drive away mice , is by scattering the powder of weasels or cats dung up and down , the savour whereof mice cannot abide , but the same being made into some certain kinde of bread will smell more strongly . that the bites of a weasel are venemous and deadly , there is an example written by aristides , of a certain man , who being bitten by a weasel , and ready to die , gave a great sigh , and said , that if he had died by a lyon or panther , it would never have grieved him , but to die by the biting of such an ignoble beast , it grieved him worse then his death . the biting of a weasel doth bring very quick and grievous pain , which is only known by the colour , being dusky or blewish : and it is cured by onions and garlick , either applyed outward , or taken in drink , so that the party drink sweet wine thereon . unripe figs also mingled with the flour of the grain called orobos , doth much profit the same . treacle in like manner being applyed in the manner of a plaister , speedily cureth them . garlick being mingled with fig-tree leaves and cinamon , and so beaten together , are very well applyed to the said bites . it cometh also to passe , that sometimes the weasel biteth some cattell , which presently killeth them , except there be some instant remedy . the remedy for it is this , to rub the wounded place with a piece of a weasels skin well dryed untill it waxe hot , and in the mean time give the best treacle to drink in the manner of an antidote . the weasel usually biteth cowes dugs , which when they are swollen if they be rubbed with a weasels skin they are instantly healed . of the wolf . a wolf is called in hebrew zeeb , as it is said in gen. . and among the chaldeans , deeba and deba , among the arabians dib . the female is called zebah a she-wolf , and the masculine zeebim , but in ezek. . it is called zebeth , that is to say , a wolf. alsebha ( saith and. bellun . ) is a common name for all four-footed beasts which do set on men , killing and tearing them in pieces , devouring them with their teeth and clawes , as a lyon , a wolf , a tiger , and such like , whereon they are said to have the behaviour of alsebha , that is , wilde beasts which are fierce and cruel . from hence happily cometh it , that not only albertus , but also some ignorant writers do attribute unto a wolf many things which aristotle hath uttered concerning a lyon. oppianus among the other kinde of wolves hath demonstrated one which is bred in cilicia . and also he doth write , that it is called in the mountains of taurus and amanus , chryseon , that is to say , aureum , but i conjecture that in those places it was called after the language of the hebrewes or syrians which do call sahab , or schab aurum , and seeb lupum for a wolf , or dahab , or debah for aurum : they also do call deeb or deeba for a wolf. dib ( othertherwise dijb ) is an arabian or saracenican word : also the translation of this word in the book of medicines is divers , as adib , adep , adbip , and aldip : but i have preferred the last translation , which also bellunensis doth use . aldip alambat doth signifie a mad or furious wolf. the wolf which oppianus doth call aureum , as i have said even now , doth seem to agree to this kinde , both by signification of the name aurum , and also by the nature , because it doth go under a dog close to the earth , to eschew the heat of the summer , which oppianus doth write , doth seek his food out of hollow places , as a hyena or dabh doth out of graves where the dead men are buryed . the golden coloured wolf is also more rough and hairy then the residue , even as the hyena is said to be rough and maned . and also these wolves necks in india are maned , but it differeth according to the nation and colour where there are any wolves at all . lycos a wolf among the grecians , and lugos , and lucania , and lycos , among some of the arabican writers , is borrowed from them , as munster hath noted in his lexicon of three languages . in italy it is called lupo . in french loup , in spain lobo , in germany vulff , in england wolf. in illyria vulk , as it were by a transposition of the letters of the greek word . now because both men , women , cities , places , mountains , villages , and many artificiall instruments have their names from the latine and greek words of this beast , it is not vain or idle to touch both them and the derivation of them , before we proceed to the naturall story of this beast . lupus as some say in latine is quasi leopos , lyon-footed ; because that it resembleth a lyon in his feet , and therefore isidorus writeth , that nothing liveth that it presseth or treadeth upon in wrath . other derive it from lukes , the light , because in the twilight of the evening or morning it devoureth his prey , avoiding both extreme light , as the noon day , and also extreme darknesse as the night . the grecians do also call them nycterinoi canes , dogs of the night . lupa and lupula were the names of noble devouring harlots , and from thenceforth cometh lupanar for the stewes . it is doubtfull whether the nurse of romulus and remus were a harlot , or she-wolf , i rather think it was a harlot then a wolf that nursed those children . for we read of the wife of fostulus , which was called laurentia , after she had played the whore with certain shepherds was called lupa . in all nations there are some mens names derived from wolves , therefore we read of lupus a roman poet , lupus servatus a priest or elder , of lupus de oliveto a spanish monk , of fulvus lupinus a roman , and the germans have vulf , vulfe , hart , vulfegang . the grecians have lycambes , of whom it is reported he had a daughter called neobole , which he promised in marriage to archilochus the poet , yet afterwards he repented and would not perform his promise , for which cause the poet wrote against him many bitter verses , and therefore lycambes when he came to knowledge of them , dyed for grief . lycaon was a common name among the grecians for many men , as lycaon gnotius an excellent maker of edged tools . lycaon the brother of nestor another , the son of priamus slain by achilles : but the famous and notorious among all , was lycaon , the king of arcadia , the son of titan and the earth , whose daughter calisto was deflowred by jupiter , and by juno turned into a bear , whom afterwards juno pitying , placed for a sign in heaven , and of whom virgil made this verse ; pleiadas , hyadas , claramque lycaonis arcton , there was another lycaon the son of pelasgus , which built the city lycosui , in the mountain lyceus , this man called jupiter lyceus , upon a time sacrificed an infant upon his altar , after which sacrifice he was presently turned into a wolf. there was another lycaon after him , who did likewise sacrifice another childe , and it was said , that he remained ten years a wolf , and afterwards became a man again : whereof the reason was given , that during the time he remained a beast , he never tasted of mans flesh , but if he had tasted thereof he should have remained a beast for ever . i might adde hereunto lycophron , lycastus , lycimnius , lycinus , lycomedes , lycurgus , lycus , and of womens names , lyca , lyce , lycaste , lycoris , lycias , and many such others , besides the names of people , as irpinia , of mountains and places , as lycabetus , lyceus , lycerna , lycaonia , lycaspus , lyceum aristotles school . of flouds and rivers , as lycus , lycormas . of plants , as wolfbane , lupum salictarium , lupinus , lycantheum , lycophrix , lycophone , lycopsis , lycoscitalion , and many such others , whereof i have only desired to give the reader a taste , following the same method that we have observed in other beasts : and thus much shall suffice to have spoken of the names of this beast . the countreyes breeding wolves , are for the most part these that follow . the inhabitants of crete were wont to say , that there was neither wolves , bears , nor vipers could be bred in their island , because jupiter was born there ; yet there is in a city called lycastus , ( so named for the multitude of wolves that were abiding therein . ) it is likewise affirmed of sardinia , and olympus , a mountain of macedonia , that there come no wolves in them . the wolves of egypt are lesser then the wolves of greece , for they exceed not the quantity of foxes . africa likewise breedeth small wolves , they abound in arabia , swevia , rhetia , athesis , and the earldome of tyrol in muscovia , especially that part that bordereth upon lituania . the wolves of scanzia , by reason of extremity of cold in those parts , are blinde and lose their eyes : there are no wolves bred in lombardy beyond the alpes , and if any chance to come into that countrey , presently they ring their bells , and arm themselves against them , never giving over till they have killed him , or drove him out of the countrey . in norway there are three kinde of wolves , and in scandinavia the wolves fight with elks. it is reported that there are wolves in italy , who when they look upon a man , cause him to be silent that he cannot speak . the french men call those wolves which have eaten of the flesh of men encharnes . among the crotoniatae in meotis , and divers other parts of the world , wolves do abound : there are some few in france , but none at all in england , except such as are kept in the tower of london , to be seen by the prince and people , brought out of other countreys , where there fell out a rare accident , namely , a mastive dog was limed to a she-wolf , and she thereby conceived , and brought forth six or seven young whelps , which was in the year of our lord . or thereabouts . there are divers kindes of wolves in the world , whereof oppianus in his admonition to shepherds , maketh mention of five , the first is a swift wolf , and runneth fast , called therefore toxeuter , that is , sagittarius , a shooter . the second kinde are called harpages , and these are the greatest raveners , to whom our saviour christ in the gospel compareth false prophets , when he saith , take heed of false prophets which come unto you in sheeps clothing , but are inwardly lyce harpages , ravening wolves ; and these excell in this kinde . the third kinde is called lupus aureus a golden wolf , by reason of his colour ; then they make mention of two other kindes , ( called acmonae ) and one of them peculiarly ictinus . the first , which is swift , hath a greater head then other wolves , and likewise greater legs fitted to run , white spots on the belly , round members , his colour betwixt red and yellow , he is very bold , howleth fearfully , having fiery-flaming eyes , and continually wagging his head . the second kinde hath a greater and larger body then this , being swifter then all other ; betimes in the morning he being very hungry , goeth abroad to hunt his prey , the sides and tail are of a silver colour , he inhabiteth in the mountains , except in the winter time , wherein he descendeth to the gates of cities or towns , and boldly without fear killeth both goats and sheep , yet by stealth and secretly . the third kinde inhabiteth the white rocks of taurua and silicia , or the the tops of the hill amanus , and such other sharp and inaccessible places , being worthily for beauty preferred before the others , because of his golden resplendent hairs : and therefore my author saith , non lupus sed lupo praestantior fera . that he is not a wolf , but some wilde beast excelling a wolf. he is exceeding strong , especially being able with his mouth and teeth to bite asunder not only stones , but brasse and iron : he feareth the dog star , and heat of summer , rejoycing more in cold then in warm weather , therefore in the dog dayes he hideth himself in some pit or gaping of the earth , untill that sunny heat be abated . the fourth and fifth kindes are called by one common name acmone , now acmon signifieth an eagle , or else an instrument with a short neck , and it may be that these are so called in resemblance of the ravening eagle , or else because their bodies are like to that instrument , for they have short necks , broad shoulders , rough legs and feet , and small snowts , and little eyes : herein they differ one kinde from the other , because that one of them hath a back of a silver colour , and a white belly , and the lower part of the feet black , and this is ictinus canus , a gray kite-wolf ; the other is black , having alesser body , his hair standing continually upright , and liveth by hunting of hares . now generally all authors do make some two , some three , some four , and some five kindes of wolves , all which is needlesse for me to prosecute , and therefore i will content my self with the only naming of such differences as are observed in them , and already expressed , except the thus and the sea-wolf , of whom there shall be something said particularly in the end of this history . olaus magnus writeth , in his history of the northern regions , that in the mountains called d●ffrini , which do divide the kingdomes of swetia and norway , there are great flocks or heards of wolves of white colour , whereof some wander in the mountains , and some in the vallies . they feed upon little , small , and weak creatures , but there are also wilde common wolves , who lie in wait to destroy their herds of cattell , and flocks of sheep , against whom the people of the countrey do ordain generall huntings , taking more care to destroy the young ones then the old , that so the breeders and hope of continuance may be taken away . and some also do keep of the whelps alive , shutting of them up close and taming them , especially females , who afterwards engender with dogs , whose whelps are the most excellent keepers of flocks , and the most enemies to wolves of all other . there be some have thought that dogs and wolves are one kinde ; namely , that vulgar dogs are tame wolves , and ravening wolves are wilde dogs . but scaliger hath learnedly consuted this opinion , shewing that they are two distinct kindes , not joyned together in nature , nor in any natural action , except by constraint ; for he saith , that there are divers wild dogs that are not wolves , and so have continued for many years in a hill called mountfalcon , altogether refusing the society and service of men , yea , sometimes killing and eating them ; and they have neither the face , nor the voyce , nor the stature , nor the conditions of wolves , for in their greatest extremity of hunger . they never set upon flocks of sheep : so that it is unreasonable to affirm , that wolves are wilde dogs , although it must needs be confessed , that in outward proportion they are very like unto them . some have thought that wolfs cannot bark , but that is false ( as albertus writeth ) upon his own knowledge , the voyce of wolfs is called vlulatus , howling , according to these verses ; ast lupus ipse ululat , frendet agrestis aper , and again : per noctem resonare lupis ululantibus urbes . it should seem that the word vlulatus , which the germans translate heulen ; the french , hurler ; and we in english , howling , is derived either from imitation of the beasts voice ; or from a night whooping bird called vlula , i will not contend , but leave the reader to either of both , for it may be that it cometh from the greek word ololu zein , which signifieth to mourn and howl after a lamenrable manner , and so indeed wolfs do never howl , but when they are oppressed with famin : and thus i leave the discourse of their voyce with the annotation of servius : vlulare canum est & furiarum . to howl is the voyce of dogs and furies . although there be great difference of colors in wolfs , as already i have shewed , yet most commonly they are gray and hoary , that is , white mixed with other colours , and therefore the grecians in imitation thereof , do call their twy-light which is betwixt day and night , as it were participating of black and white lycophos , wolf-light , because the upper side of the wolfs hair is brown , and the neather part white . it is said , that the shaggy hair of a wolf is full of vermin and worms , and it may well be , for it hath been proved , that the skin of a sheep which was killed by a wolf breedeth worms . the brains of a wolf do decrease and increase with the moon , and their eyes are yellow , black , and very bright , sending forth beams like fire , and carrying in them apparent tokens of wrath and malice ; and for this cause it is said , they see better in the night then in the day , being herein unlike unto men , that see better in the day then in the night , for reason giveth light to their eyes , and appetite to beasts , and therefore of ancient time the wolf was dedicated to the sun , for the quickness of his seeing sense , and because he seeth far . and such as is the quickness of his sense in seeing , such also it is in smelling , for it is reported , that in time of hunger by the benefit of the winde , he smelleth his prey a mile and a half or two mile off : for their teeth they are called charcharodontes , that is sawed , yet they are smooth , sharp , and unequal , and therefore bite deep , as we have shewed already , for this cause the sharpest bits of horses are called lupata . all beasts that are devourers of flesh do open their mouths wide , that they may bite more strongly , and especially the wolf. the neck of a wolf standeth on a straight bone that cannot well bend , therefore like the hyaena , when he would look backwards he must turn round about , the same neck is short , which argueth a treacherous nature . it is said that if the heart of a wolf be kept dry , it rendreth a most fragrant or sweet smelling savour . the liver of a wolf is like to a horses hoof , and in the bladder there is called a certain stone call'd syrites , being in colour like saffron or hony , yet inwardly contains certain weak shining stars : this is not the stone called syriacus or indicus , which is desired for the vertue of it against the stone in the bladder . the fore-feet have five distinct toes , and the hinder-feet but four , because the fore-feet serve in stead of hands , in lions , dogs , wolfs , and panthers . we have spoken already of their celerity in running , and therefore they are not compared to lions which go foot by foot , but unto the swiftest dogs . it is said they will swim , and go into the water two by two , every one hanging upon anothers tail , which they take in their mouths , and therefore they are compared to the days of the year , which do successively follow one another , being therefore called lucabas . for by this successive swimming they are better strengthened against impression of the flouds , and not lost in the waters by any over-flowing waves or billows . great is the voracity of this beast , for they are so insatiable that they devour hair and bones with the flesh which they eat , for which cause they render it whole again in their excrements , and therefore they never grow fat . it was well said of a learned man : lupus vorat potius quam comedit carnes , & pauco utitur potu . that is , a wolf is said rather to raven then to eat his meat . when they are hungry they rage much , and although they be nourished tame , yet can they not abide any man to look upon them while they eat ; when they are once satisfied , they endure hunger a great time , for their bellies standeth out , their tongue swelleth , their mouth is stopped , for when they have drove away their hunger with abundance of meat , they are unto men and beasts as meek as lambs , till they be hungry again , neither are they moved to rapine , though they go through a flock of sheep : but in short time after , their bellies and tongue are calling for more meat , and then saith mine author : in antiquam figuram redit , iterumque lupus existit . that is , they return to their former conditions , and become as ravening as before . neither ought this to seem strange unto any man , for the like things are formerly reported of the lion ; and it is said that wolfs are most dangerous to be met with all towards the evening , because of their fasting all the day before , and for this is alleadged the saying of holy scripture where the prophet makes mention of lupi vespertini , but we have shewed already in the story of the hyaena , what those signifie . it is said that wolfs do also eat a kinde of earth called argilla , which they do not for hunger , but to make their bellies waigh heavy , to the intent , that when they set upon an horse , an ox , a hart , an elk , or some such strong beast , they may weigh the heavier , and hang fast at their throats till they have pulled them down ; for by vertue of that tenacious earth , their teeth are sharpened , and the weight of their bodies encreased ; but when they have killed the beast that they set upon , before they touch any part of his flesh , by a kinde of natural vomit , they disgorge themselves , and empty their bellies of the earth , as unprofitable food . the remainder of their meat they always cover in the earth ; and if there be many of them in hunting together , they equally divide the prey among them all , and sometimes it is said , that they howl and call their fellows to that feast which are absent , if their prey be plentiful . now this they have common with lions , in their greatest extremity of hunger , that when they have election of a man and a beast , they forsake the man and take the beast . some are of opinion , that when they are old , they grow weary of their lives , and that therefore they come unto cities and villages , offering themselves to be killed by men , but this thing by the relation of niphus is a very fable ; for he professeth that he saw an old wolf come into a village , and set upon a virgin to destroy and eat her , yet he was so old that he had scarse any teeth in his head , but by good hap company being at hand , the maid was saved , and the wolf was killed . now those wolfs that are most sluggish and least given to hunting , are most ready to venture upon men , because they love not to take much pains in getting their living . this wolf is called vinipeta , but the industrious hunting wolf kunegeiseia . it is reported that a wolf will never venture upon a living man , except he have formerly tasted of the flesh of a dead man , but of these things i have no certainty , but rather do believe the contrary ; that like as tyrants in an evill grieved estate , do pick quarrels against every man that is rich for the spoil of their goods , accounting them their enemies , how well soever they have deserved at their hands : in like manner , wolfs in the time of their hunger fall upon all creatures that come in the way , whether they be men or beasts , without partiality , to fill their bellies , and that especially in the winter time , wherein they are not afraid to come to houses and cities . they devour dogs when they get them alone , and elks in the kingdom of norway , but for dogs it hath been seen , that they have lived in a kinde of society and fellowship with wolfs , but it was to steal and devour in the night time , like as theeves do cover their malice and secret grudges one to other , when they are going about to rob true men . wolfs are enemies to asses , bulls , and foxes , for they feed upon their flesh , and there is no beast that they take more easily then an ass , killing him without all danger , as we have shewed already in the story of an ass . they also devour goats and swine of all sorts , except boars ; who do not easily yeeld unto wolfs . it is said that a sow hath resisted a wolf , and that when he fighteth with her , he is forced to use his greatest craft and subtlety , leaping to and from her with his best activity , lest she should lay her teeth upon him , and so at one time deceive him of his prey , and deprive him of his life . it is reported of one that saw a wolf in a wood , take in his mouth a piece of timber of some thirty or forty pound weight , and with that he did practise to leap over the trunk of a tree thas lay upon the earth ; at length when he perceived his own ability and dexterity in leaping with that weight in his mouth , he did there make his cave and lodged behinde that tree ; at last it fortuned there came a wilde sow to seek for meat along by that tree , with divers of her pigs following her , of different age , some a year old , some half a year , and some less . when he saw them near him , he suddenly set upon one of them , which he conjectured was about the weight of wood which he carryed in his mouth , and when he had taken him , whilest the old sow came to deliver her pig at his first crying , he suddenly leaped over the tree with the pig in his mouth , and so was the poor sow beguiled of her young one , for she could not leap after him , and yet might stand and see the wolf to eat the pig which he had taken from her . it is also said , that when they will deceive goats , they come unto them with the green leaves and small boughs of osiers in their mouths , wherewithal they know goats are delighted , that so they may draw them therewith , as to a bait to devour them . their manner is when they fall upon a goat or a hog , or some such other beast of small stature , not to kill them , but to lead them by the ear with all the speed they can drive them to their fellow wolfs , and if the beast be stubborn and will not run with him , then he beateth this hinder-parts with his tail , in the mean time holding his ear fast in his mouth , whereby he causeth the poor beast to run as fast or faster then himself unto the place of his own execution , where he findeth a crew of ravening wolfs to entertain him , who at his first appearance seize upon him , and like devils tear him in pieces in a moment , leaving nothing uneaten but only his bowels . but if it be a swine that is so gotten , then it is said , that they lead him to the waters , and there kill him , for if they eat him not out of cold water , their teeth doth burn with an untolerable heat . the harts when they have lost their horns do lie in secret , feeding by night for fear of the wolfs , untill their horns do grow again , which are their chiefest defence . the least kinde of wolfs we have shewed already , do live upon the hunting of hares , and generally all of them are enemies to sheep , for the foolish sheep in the day time is easily beguiled by the wolf , who at the sight of the sheep maketh an extraordinary noise with his foot , whereby he calleth the foolish sheep unto him , for standing amazed at the noise he falleth into his mouth and is devoured : but when the wolf in the night time cometh unto a fold of sheep , he first of all compasseth it round about , watching both the shepheard and the dog , whether they be asleep or awake , for if they be present and like to resist , then he departeth without doing any harm , but if they be absent or asleep , then loseth he no opportunity , but entereth into the fold , and falleth a killing , never giving over till he have destroyed all , except he be hindered by the approach of one or other ; for his manner is not to eat any till he have killed all , not because he feareth the over-livers will tell tales , but for that his insatiable minde thinketh he can never be satisfied , and then when all are slain he falleth to eat one of them . now although there be great difference betwixt him and a bull both in strength and stature , yet is he not afraid to adventure combat , trusting in his policy more then his vigor , for when he setteth upon a bull , he cometh not upon the front for fear of his horns , nor yet behinde him for fear of his heels , but first of all standeth aloof from him , with his glaring eyes , daring and provoking the bull , making often proffers , to come near unto him , yet is wise enough to keep aloof till he spy his advantage , and then he leapeth suddenly upon the back of the bull at the one side , and being so ascended , taketh such hold that he killeth the beast before he loosen his teeth . it is also worth the observation , how he draweth unto him a calf that wandereth from the dam , for by singular treachery he taketh him by the nose , first drawing him forward , and then the poor beast striveth and draweth backward , and thus they struggle together , one pulling one way , and the other another , till at last the wolf perceiving advantage , and feeling when the calf pulleth heavyest , suddenly he letteth go his hold , whereby the poor beast falleth back upon his buttocks , and so down right upon his back ; then flyeth the wolf to his belly which is then his upper part , and easily teareth out his bowels , so satisfying his hunger-greedy appetite : but if they chance to see a beast in the water , or in the marsh , encombred with mire , they come round about him , stopping up all the passages where he should come out , baying at him , and threatning him , so as the poor distressed ox plungeth himself many times over head and ears , or at the least wise they so vex him in the mire , that they never suffer him to come out alive . at last when they perceive him to be dead and clean without life by suffocation ; it is notable to observe their singular subtilty to draw him out of the mire , whereby they may eat him ; for one of them goeth in , and taketh the beast by the tail , who draweth him with all the power he can , for wit without strength may better kill a live beast , then remove a dead one out of the mire : therefore he looketh behinde him and calleth for more help , then presently another of the wolfs taketh that first wolfs tail in his mouth , and a third wolf the seconds , a fourth the thirds , a fifth the fourths , and so forward , encreasing their strength , until they have pulled the beast out into the dry land : whereby you may see , how they torment and stretch their own bodies , biting their tails mutually , pinching and straining every joynt until they have compassed their desire , and that no man should think it strange for a wolf to kill an ox ; it is reported that danaus did build a temple to apollo at argos , in the very same place where he saw a wolf destroy an ox , because he received instruction thereby , that he should be king of greece . wolfs are also enemies to the buffes , and this is no marvail , seeing that it is confidently reported by aelianus , that in time of great famine when they get no meat , they destroy one another ; for when they meet together , each one bemoaning himself to other , as it were by consent they run round in a circle , and that wolf which is first giddy , being not able to stand , falleth down to the ground , and is devoured by the residue , for they tear him in pieces , before they can arise again . pliny affirmeth that there be wolfs in italy , whose sight is hurtful to men , for when a man seeth one of them , though he have never so much desire to cry out , yet he hath no power : but the meaning of this is , as we find in other writers , that if a wolf first see a man , the man is silent , and cannot speak , but if the man see the wolf , the wolf is silent and cannot cry , otherwise the tale is fabulous and superstitious , and thereupon came the proverb lupus in fabula est , to signifie silence . now although these things are reported by plato , ruellius , vincentius , and ambrose , yet i rather believe them to be fabulous then true , howbeit albertus writeth , that when a man is in such extremity , if he have power to loose his cloak or garment from his back , he shall recover his voyce again . and sextus saith , that in case one of these wolfs do see a man first , if he have about him the tip of a wolfs tail he shall not need to fear any harm . there be a number of such like tales concerning wolfs and other creatures , ( as that of pythagoras ) a beast making water upon the urine of a wolf , shall never conceive with young . all domestical four-footed beasts , which see the eye of a wolf in the hand of a man , will presently fear and run away . if the tail of a wolf be hung in the cratch of oxen , they can never eat their meat . if a horse tread upon the foot-steps of a wolf which is under a horse-man or rider , he breaketh in pieces , or else standeth amazed . if a wolf treadeth in the foot-steps of a horse which draweth a waggon , he cleaveth fast in the rode , as if he were frozen . if a mare with foal tread upon the foot-steps of a wolf , she casteth her foal , and therefore the egyptians when they signifie abortment , do picture a mare treading upon a wolfs foot . these and such other things are reported , ( but i cannot tell how true ) as supernatural accidents in wolfs . the wolf also laboureth to overcome the leopard , and followeth him from place to place , but forasmuch as they dare not adventure upon him single , or hand to hand , they gather multitudes , and so devour them . when wolfs set upon wilde boars , although they be at variance among themselves , yet they give over their mutual combats , and joyn together against the wolf their common adversary . for these occasions a wolf hath evermore been accounted a most fierce and wilde beast , as may further appear by this history following . when euristines and procles intended to marry the daughter of some grecian , that so they might joyn themselves in perpetual league and amity by affinity , they went to delphos to ask counsel of apollo in what place they should meet with their wives . apollo gave them answer , that when they should meet with an extreme wilde beast , as they went into lacedemonia , and yet the same beast appear meek and gentle unto them , there they should take their wives . when they came into the land of the cleonians , they met with a wolf carrying a lamb in his mouth , whereupon they conceived that the meaning of apollo was , that when they met with a wolf in that countrey , they might very happily and successively take them wives , and so they did , for they married with the daughters of thesander cleonymus , a very honest man of that countrey . it is reported of milo crotoniata , that valiant strong man , how upon a season rending a tree in sunder in the woods , one of his arms was taken in the closing of the tree , and he had not strength enough to loose it again , but remained there inclosed in most horrible torments , until a wolf came and devoured him . the like story unto this , is that which aelianus reporteth of gelon the syracusan , a scholar , unto whom there came a wolf as he sat in the school writing on his tables , and took the writing tables out of his hand the schoolmaster being inraged herewith , and knowing himself to be a valiant man , took hold of the same tables in the wolfs mouth , and the wolf drew the master and scholars in hope of recovery of the tables out of the school into a plain field , where suddenly he destroyed the schoolmaster and a hundred scholars , sparing none but gelon , whose tables were a bait for that prey , for he was not only not slain , but preserved by the wolf , to the singular admiration of all the world ; whereby it was collected , that that accident did not happen naturally , but by the over-ruling hand of god : now for these occasions , as also because that the wooll and skin of beasts killed by wolves are good for nothing , ( although the flesh of sheep is more sweeter ) are unprofitable and good for nothing . men have been forced to invent and finde out many devises for the destroying of wolfs , for necessity hath taught men much learning , and it had been a shameful misery to indure the tyranny of such spoiling beasts , without labouring for resistance and revenge : for this cause they propounded also a reward to such as killed vvolfs , for by the law of draco , he that killed a young vvolf received a talent , and that killed an old vvolf received two talents . solon prescribed that he that brought a vvolf alive , should receive five pieces of money , and he that brought one dead , should receive two . apollo himself was called lycoctonos , a vvolf-killer , because he taught the people how to put away vvolfs . horner calleth apollo lycegenes , for that it is said immediately after he was born of his mother latona , he was changed into the shape of a vvolf , and so nourished ; and for this cause there was the image of a vvolf set up at delphos before him . others say , that the reason of that image was , because that when the temple of delphos was robbed , and the treasure thereof hid in the ground , while diligent inquisition was made after the theeves , there came a vvolf and brought them to the place where the golden vessels were covered in the earth , which she pulled out with her feet . and some say that a vvolf did kill the sacrileger , as he lay asleep on the mountain parnassus , having all the treasure about him , and that every day she came down to the gates of delphos howling , until some of the citizens followed her into the mountain , where she shewed them the theef and the treasure both together : but i list not to follow or stand upon these fables . the true cause why apollo was called a vvolf-killer was , for that he was feigned to be a shepheard or herdsman , and therefore in love of his cattle to whom vvolfs were enemies , he did not only kill them while he was alive , but also they were offered unto him in sacrifice , for vvolfs were sacred to apollo , jupiter , and mars : and therefore we read of apollo lycius , or lyceus , to whom there were many temples builded , and of jupiter lyceus , the sacrifices instituted unto him called lycaea , and games by the same name . there were other holy-days call'd lupercalia , wherein barren women did chastise themselves naked , because they bare no children , hoping thereby to gain the fruitfulness of the womb , whereof ovid speaketh thus : excipe foecundae patienter verbera dextrae : jam socer optatum nomen habebit avi . propertius and some other writers seem to be of the minde that those were first instituted by fabius lupercus , as appeareth by these verses : verbera pellitus seto samovebat arator , vnde licens fabius sacra lupercus habet . and juvenal thus : nec prodest agili palmas praebere luperco . now concerning the manner of taking of vvolfs the ancients have invented many devises and gins , and first of all an iron toil which they still fasten in the earth with iron pins , upon which pins they feave a ring , being in compass about the bigness of a vvolfs head , in the midst whereof they lay a piece of flesh , and cover the toil , so that nothing is seen but the flesh , when the wolf cometh and taketh hold of the flesh , feeling it stick , pulling hard , he pulleth up the ring , which bringeth the whole toil on his neck , and sharp pins . this is the first manner that crescentiensis repeateth of taking vvolfs , and he saith there are other devises to ensnare their feet , which the reader cannot understand , except he saw them with his eyes . the italians call the nets wherein vvolfs are taken , tagliola , harpago , lo rampino , and lycino , the french , hauspied ; and blondus affirmeth , that the shepheards of italy make a certain gin with a net , wherein that part of the vvolf is taken which is first put into it . now the manner of taking vvolfs in ditches and pits is divers , first of all they dig a deep ditch , so as the vvolf being taken , may not go out of it , upon this pit they lay a hurdle , and within upon the pillar they set a live goose or lamb , when the vvolf windeth his prey or booty , he cometh upon the trench , and seeing it at a little hole which is left open on purpose to cast the vvolf into the deep ditch ; and some use to lay upon it a weak hurdle , such as will not bear up either a man or a beast , that so when the vvolf cometh upon it , it may break , and he fall down ; but the best devise in my opinion that ever was invented in this kinde , is that the perch and hurdle may be so made , and the bait so set , that when one vvolf is fallen down it may rise again of it owne accord , and stand as it did before to entrap another ; and great care must be had , that these kinde of ditches may be made in solid and strong earth , or if the place afford not that opportunity , then must the inside be lined with boards , to the intent that the beast by scraping and digging with his feet make no evasion . the rhatians use to raise up to a tree a certain engine like a mouse-trap , but much greater , through which there is a cord where they hang a bait of flesh or pullen , or some such thing which the vvolf loveth ; when he cometh unto it , he suddenly snatcheth at it , and so pulleth the trap upon his own pate . the teuorians , mysians , and thraseans , inhabitants of asia , were wont to carry short weapons to kill vvolfs , and they used also the strongest dogs , who by the incouragement of the huntters would tear the vvolfs in pieces , for there is hardly any dog so couragious , as to adventure upon a vvolf at single hand . the dogs have therefore certain collers made unto them of leather stuft full of sharp iron nails , to the intent that their necks may be safe guarded from the vvolfs biting . now blonus saith , that all hunting of vvolfs with dogs is in vain , except there be also set up certain great nets made of strong cords , stretched out and standing as stiffe as may be immoveably fastned to the bodies of trees , or strong pillars in the earth , and in divers places of these nets they must set boughs to cover them , to the end the vvolf descry them not ; and at either end of the net must be made a little shed with boughs to cover a man , wherein the hunter must lodge with his spear , ready to pierce through the vvolf when he perceiveth him in the net , for if the vvolf be not instantly wounded , he will deliver himself and escape , and then also he must be followed with the cry of men and dogs , that he may not return back again into his den , and the hunters observe this order in hunting of a vvolf , and driving him to their nets . vvhen they are far from their nets , they hunt them but gently , and let them go at leisure , but when they are closer and nearer unto them , they follow them with all speed and violence , for by that means many are intrapped and suddenly killed ; and these are those hunting observations which i finde to be recorded in authors for the taking of vvolfs . and this is the nature of this beast , that he feareth no kinde of weapon except a stone , for if a stone be cast at him , he presently falleth down to avoid the stroke , for it is said that in that place of his body where he is wounded by a stone , there are bred certain worms which do kill and destroy him ; and therefore the egyptians when they do decipher a man that feareth an eminent danger , they picture a vvolf and a stone ; as orus writeth . vvolfs do likewise fear fire even as lions do , and therefore they which travel in woods and secret places by night , wherein there is any suspicion of meeting of vvolfs , they carry with them a couple of flints , wherewithal they strike fire , in the approach of the ravening beast , which so dazleth his eyes , and danteth his courage , that he runneth away fearfully . it is said that vvolfs are afraid of the noise of swords or iron struck together , and it may well be , for there is a true story of a man travelling near basil , with a bell in his hand , who when he saw that the throwing stones at the vvolf which followed him would nothing avail , and by chance fell down , in the mean time a bell which he carryed about him did give a sound , at which sound the vvolf being affrighted ran away , which when he perceived , he sounded the bell aloud , and so drove away the wilde ravening beast . as the lion is afraid of a white cock and a mouse , so is the vvolf of a sea-crab or shrimp . it is said that the pipe of pithocaris did repress the violence of vvolfs when they set upon him , for he sounded the same unperfectly , and indistinctly , at the noise whereof the raging vvolf ran away ; and it hath been believed , that the voyce of a singing man or woman worketh the same effect . horace testifieth so much of himself , that by singing he drove away a vvolf , as in these verses ; namque me sylva lupus in sabina , dum meam canto lalagen , & ultra terminum curis vagor expeditus , fugir inermem . quale portenium neque militaris daunia in latis alit esculetis , nec jubae tellus generat leonum arida nutrix . if at any time a vvolf follow a man afar off , as it were treacherously to set upon him suddenly and destroy him , let him but set up a stick or staffe , or some such other knowledgable mark , in the middle space betwixt him and the vvolf , and it will scare him away ; for the suspicious beast feareth such a man , and thinketh that he carryeth about him some engin or trap to take away his life : and therefore also it is said , that if a traveller do draw after him a long rod or pole , or a bundle of sticks and clouts , a vvolf will never set upon him , worthily mistrusting some deserved policy to overthrow and catch him . aesculapius writeth , that if a man do anoint himself with the fat or sewet taken out of the reins of a lion , it will drive away from him all kinde of wolfs . there be some that take vvolfs by poysoning , for they poyson certain pieces of meat , and cast them abroad , whereof when the wolfs do eat , they die immediately . there were certain countrey men which brought the skins of wolfs into the city of rome , and carryed them up and down the streets publiquely to be seen , affirming that they had killed those wolfs with the powder of a certain herb call'd cardus varius , and that therewithall also they would kill rats and mice . pausanias saith , that there was a temple of apollo lyceus , at sicyon , and that on a time the inhabitants were so annoyed with wolfs , that they could receive no commodity by their flocks , whereupon apollo taking pity of them , told them that there was in their temple a certain piece of dry wood , commanding them to pull off the rinde or bark of that wood , and beating it to powder , to mingle it with convenient meat for vvolfs , and so cast it abroad in the fields . the people did as they were commanded by the oracle , and thereby destroyed all the vvolfs ; but what kinde of wood this was , neither pausanias nor any of the priests of sicyon could declare . in one part of the world the ewe-tree , and certain fragments of juniper . the spindle tree , and rododaphne do yeeld poyson unto vvolfs mixed in their drink , and besides them we know no trees that are venemous , and yet plants innumerable , especially vvolf-bane . and the occasion why there are more poysonful herbs then trees , is in the juyce or liquor whereby they are nourished , for where the juyce is wholesome and well tempered , there it increaseth into a great tree , but where it is imperfect and venomous , there it never groweth tall , nor bringeth forth any great stock . there are certain little fishes called by the grecians , lycoi , and by the latinists , blenni , which we may english vvolf-fishes , and these the hunters use to take wolfs in this manner : when they have taken a great many of them alive , they put them into some tub or great mortar , and there kill them by bruising them to pieces , afterwards they make a fire of coals in the mountains where the vvolfs haunt , putting into the same some of these fishes mixed with bloud and pieces of mutton , and so leaving it , to have the savour thereof carryed every way with the winde , they go and hide themselves : whilest that in the mean time the vvolfs enraged with the savour of this fire , seek to and fro to finde it , because of the smell , the fire before they come is quenched or goeth out naturally , and the vvolfs by the smoak thereof , especially by tasting of the flesh , bloud and fish which there they finde , do fall into a drowsie dead sleep , which when the hunters do perceive , they come upon them and cut their throats . the armenians do poyson them with black fishes , and some do take a cat , pulling off her skin , taking out the bowels , they put into her belly the powder of frogs , this cat is boyled a little upon coals , and by a man drawn up and down in the mountains where vvolfs do haunt ; now if the vvolfs do chance to meet with the train of this cat , they instantly follow after him , inraged without all fear of man to attain it , therefore he which draweth the cat , is accompanyed with another hunter armed with a gun , pistol , or cross-bow , that at the appearance of the vvolf , and before his approach to the train , he may destroy and kill him . i will not discourse of vvolf bane , commonly called aconitum in latine , wherewithall both men and beasts are intoxicated , and especially vvolfs , but referring the reader to the long discourse of conradus gesner , in his history of the vvolf , i will only remember in this place an epigram of ausonius wherein he pleasantly relateth a story of an adulterated woman , desiring to make away her jealous husband , and that with speed and vehemency , gave him a drink of vvolf-bane and quick-silver mingled together , either of both single are poyson , but compounded are a purgation , the epigram is this that followeth : toxica zelotypo dedit uxor moecha marito , nec satis ad mortem credidit esse datum , miscuit argenti letalia pondera vivi , cogeret ut celerem vis geminata necem . dividat haec si quis , faciunt discreta venenum ; antidotum sumet , qui sociata bibet . ergo inter sese dum noxia pocula certant , cessit letalis noxa salutiferae , protinus & vacuos alvi petiere recessus , lubrica dejectis qua vita nota cibis . concerning the enemies of wolfs , there is no doubt , but that such a ravening beast hath few friends , for except in the time of copulation wherein they mingle sometime with dogs , and some-time with leopards , and sometime with other beasts , all beasts both great and small do avoid their society and fellowship , for it cannot be safe for strangers to live with them in any league or amity , seeing in their extremity they devour one another : for this cause , in some of the inferiour beasts their hatred lasteth after death , as many authors have observed ; for if a sheep skin be hanged up with a wolfs skin , the wool falleth off from it ; and if an instrument be stringed with strings made of both these beasts , the one will give no sound in the presence of the other ; but of this matter we have spoken in the story of the sheep , shewing the opinion of the best learned , concerning the truth hereof . the ravens are in perpetual enmity with wolfs , and the antipathy of their natures is so violent , that it is reported by philes and aelianus , that if a raven eat of the carcase of a beast which the wolf hath killed , or formerly tasted of , she presently dyeth . there are certain wilde onions called scillae , and some say the sea-onion , because the root hath the similitude of an onion , of all other things this is hateful to a wolf , and therefore the arabians say , that by treading on it his leg falleth into a cramp , whereby his whole body many times endureth insufferable torments , for the cramp increaseth into convulsions ; for which cause it is worthy to be observed how unspeakable the lord is in all his works , for whereas the vvolf is an enemy to the fox and the turtle , he hath given secret instinct and knowledge both to this beast and fowl , of the vertuous operation of this herb against the ravening vvolf ; for in their absence from their nests , they leave this onion in the mouth thereof , as a sure gard to keep their young ones from the vvolf . there are certain eagles in tartaria which are tamed , who do of their own accord being set on by men adventure upon vvolves , and so vex them with their talons , that a man with no labour or difficulty may kill the beast , and for this cause the vvolves greatly fear them and avoid them ; and thereupon came the common proverb , lupus fugit aquilam : and thus much shall suffice to have spoken in general concerning their taking . now we will proceed to the other parts of their history , and first of all of their carnal copulation . they engender in the same manner as dogs and sea-calves do , and therefore in the middle of their copulation they cleave together against their will. it is observed that they begin to engender immediately after christmass , and this rage of their lust lasteth but twelve days , whereupon there was wont to go a fabulous tale or reason , that the cause why all of them conceived in the twelve days after christmass was , for that latona so many days together wandered in the shape of a she vvolf in the mountains hyperborei , for fear of juno , in which likeness she was brought to delus ; but this fable is confuted by plutarch , rehearsing the words of antipater in his book of beasts , for he saith when the oaks that bear acorns do begin to cast their flowers or blossomes , then the vvolves by eating thereof do open their wombs , for where there is no plenty of acorns , there the young ones dye in the dams belly , and therefore such countries where there is no store of oaks , are freed from vvolves ; and this he saith is the true cause why they conceive but once a year , and that only in the twelve days of christmass , for those oaks flower but once a year , namely , in the spring time , at which season the vvolves bring forth their young ones . for the time that they go with young , and the number of whelps , they agree with dogs , that is , they bear their young nine weeks , and bring forth many blinde whelps at a time , according to the manner of those that have many claws on their feet . their legs are without articles , and therefore they are not able to go at the time of their littering , and there is a vulgar opinion , that a she vvolf doth never in all her life bring forth above nine at a time , whereof the last which she bringeth forth in her old age is a dog , through weakness and infirmity : but the rhaetians among whom vvolves do abound , do affirm constantly , that in the beginning of may , they bring their young out of their dens , and lead them to the water , sometimes seven , and sometimes nine , every year encreasing their number ; so that the first year she littereth one whelp , the second year two , the third year three , and so observeth the same proportion unto nine , after which time she groweth barren and never beareth more : and it is said when she bringeth her young ones to the water , she observeth their drinking very diligently , for if any of them lap water like a dog , him she rejecteth as unworthy of her parentage , but those which such their water like a swine , or bite at it like a bear , them she taketh to her , and nourisheth very carefully . vve have said already that vvolves do engender not only among themselves , but among other beasts , and such are to be understood of them which bear their young an equal proportion of time , as of dogs and vvolves cometh the lupus canarius , or panther , and the crocuta . of the hyaena and the wolf come the thoes , of whom we shall speak in their due place in the end of this story , and the hyaena it self seemeth to be compounded of a wolf and a fox . concerning the natural disposition of this beast we have already spoken in part , and now we will adde that which doth remain ; and first of all their epithets which are attributed unto them among several authors are most clear demonstrations of their disposition ; as sowre , wilde , apulian , sharp , fierce , bold , greedy , whoar , flesh-eater , wary , swift , bloudy , bloud-lovers , degenerate , hard , glutton , hungry , cattle-eater , famishing , furious , yellow , fasting , ungentle , unhonest , untameful , harmful , cattle-hurter , teeth-gnasher , insatiable , treacherer , martial , sorrowful , mountain , nightly , robber , strate , ravener , mad , snatcher , cruel , pack-bearer , bloud-sucker , foamer , proud , fearing , sullen , terrible , vehement , howling , and such other like belonging to the male wolf. now unto the female there are some peculiar ones also , as inhumane , ungentle , martial , obscure , rank , ravener , sanded , romulian , greasie , terrible , and volscan : and the ravening desire of this wolf doth not only appear in the proverbs of holy scripture already repated , as where christ compareth the hereticks to wolves , but also from hand instruments and sicknesses , for a little hand-saw is called of the latines and germans lupus , a wolf ; because of the inequality of the teeth , wherewithal a man sheareth asunder violently any piece of wood , bones , or such like thing . there is a disease called a wolf , because it consumeth and eateth up the flesh in the body next the sore , and must every day be sed with fresh meat , as lambs , pigeons , and such other things wherein is bloud , or else it consumeth all the flesh of the body , leaving not so much as the skin to cover the bones . also the galls on a mans seat which cometh by horse-riding , are by the ancients called lupi , and by martial , ficus , whereof he made this distichon ; stragula succincti venator sume veredi , nam solet à nudo surgere ficus equo . there be also instruments called lupi , and harpages , or harpagones , wherewithall ankers are loosed in the sea , or any thing taken out of the deep . there is a certain territory in ireland , ( whereof mr. camden writeth ) that the inhabitants which live till they be past fifty year old , are foolishly reported to be turned into wolves : the true cause whereof he conjectureth to be because for the most part they are vexed with the disease called lycanthropia , which is a kinde of melancholy causing the persons so affected , about the moneth of february to forsake their own dwelling or houses , and to run out into the woods , or near the graves and sepulchres of men , howling and barking like dogs and wolves . the true signes of this disease are thus described by marcellus : those saith he which are thus affected , have their faces pale , their eyes dry and hollow , looking drousily , and cannot weep . their tongue as if it were all scabd , being very rough , neither can they spit , and they are very thirsty , having many ulcers breaking out of their bodies , especially on their legs ; this disease some call lycaon , and men oppressed therewith lycaones , because that there was one lycaon as it is faigned by the poets , who for his wickedness or sacrificing of a childe , was by jupiter turned into a wolf , being utterly distracted of humane understanding , and that which poets speak of him , may very well agree with melancholy , for thus writeth ovid : territus ipse fugit , nactusque silentia ruris exululat , frustraque loqui conatur . and this is most strange , that men thus diseased should desire the graves of the dead . like unto this is another disease , called by bellunensis , daemonium leoninum , which is saith he , confusio rationis cum factis malis , noxiis & iracundis ; à leone dictum videtur malum , quod eo detenti alios homines ledant , & leonum instar in eos saviant ; that is , the lion-devil disease is a confusion of reason , joyned with wrathful , and impious facts ; and it seemeth to be named of lions , because that such as are oppressed therewith , do rage against men , and wound them like lions . there is a pretty apology of a league that was made betwixt the wolves and the sheep , whereupon came the word lycophilios , my author rehearseth it thus : lupis & agnis foedus aliquando fuit , datis utrinque obsidibus , lupi suos catulos , oves canum cohortem dedere . quietis ovibus ac pascentibus lupuli matrum desiderio ululatus edunt , tum lupi irruentes fidem foedusque solutum clamitant , ovesque canum praesidio destitutas laniant , that is to say , there was a peace made betwixt the wolves and the sheep , either side giving hostages to other , the wolves gave their young whelps , and the sheep gave the shepheards dogs to the vvolves . now when the young vvolves were among the flock of sheep , they howled for their dams , which when the old vvolves heard , they came rushing in upon the sheep , crying out that they had broken the league , and therefore they destroyed the sheep in the absence of the dogs that should keep them : whereby is notably signified the simplicity of innocent men , and the impiety of the wicked , for whatsoever bonds of truce and peace are made with them , they ever respect their own advantage , taking any small occasion , like vvolves at the crying of their young ones , without all offence of the innocent and harmless , to break through the brazen walls of truce , peace , and amity , for the execution of their bloudy and ungodly mindes . vvolves are truly said to be fierce and treacherous , and not generous and bold , and noble like lions . they especially rage in the time of their hunger , and then they kill not so much as will suffice , but all the flock before them ; but being satisfied , as we have said already , they seem rather lambs then vvolves . the male is always as careful of the young ones as the female , for while she suckleth her young ones , he bringeth meat unto her in the den , and when that they are greatly constrained both to fly away , they carry their young ones along with them . great is their malice toward them that hurt them , as niphus saith , he tryed one day when he was a hunting near rome , for his dog was fighting with a vvolf , and he comming in with the multitude of hunters , alighted from his horse , and drew his sword , and gave the vvolf a wound , the vvolf feeling the stroke of the sword forsook the dog and turned upon the man , making all force at him he could to bite him , but he professed he escaped with singular danger , more by the help of his fellow hunters , then by his own valour ; wherefore he concludeth , that as vvolves are enemies to all , so they take special revenge of them that harm them , as we have said before of lions . some say that when many of them have obtained a spoil , they do equally divide it among them all , i am sure the like is reported betwixt the old lion and the young , but whether it be true in vvolves i cannot tell , but rather think the contrary , because they are insatiable and never think they have enough . and albertus saith , they do not communicate their prey like lions , but when they have fed sufficiently , they hide the residue in the ground till they hunger again . vvhen they set upon horned beasts , they invade them behinde , and on their backs ; when they set upon sheep , they choose a dark cloudy day or time , that so they may escape more freely ; and to the intent that their treadings should not be heard , they lick the bottom or soles of their feet , for by that means they make no noise among the dry leaves ; and if going along they chance to break a stick , and so against their minde make a noise , then presently they bite their foot , as if it were guilty of that offence : for the most part they set upon such cattle as have no keepers , and raven in secret . if they come unto a flock of sheep where there are dogs , they first of all consider whether they be able to make their party good , for if they see they cannot match the dogs , they depart away although they have begun the spoil , but if they perceive their forces to be equal or superior , then they divide themselves into three ranks , one company of them killeth sheep , a second company fighteth with the dogs , and the third setteth upon the men . when they are in danger to be taken by the hunters , they bite off the tip of their tails , and therefore the egyptians , when they would describe a man delivered out of extremity and danger , do picture a wolf lacking that part of his tail . to conclude , when they are in peril they are extreamly fearful , astonished , and afraid , especially when they are unavoidably included they seem harmless , and this argueth the baseness of their minde which is subtil , cowardly , and treacherous , daring do nothing but for the belly , and not then neither , but upon a singular advantage , and for the manifesting hereof , i will express these two stories following , as they were related to gesnes by michael herus , and iustinius goblerus . it happened ( saith the first ) , that a certain wolf constrained by famine , came unto a village near millan in italy , and there entred into a certain house , wherein sat the good wife and her children , the poor woman being terrified herewith , and not knowing what she did , ran out of the house , pulling the dore to after her , and so shutting the wolf in among her children , at last her husband returned home , unto whom she related the accident , and how she had shut up the wolf ; the man being more afraid then was cause , lest the wolf had devoured some of his children , entered hastily in a dores , longing to save and deliver his poor infants , whom the fearful mother had left with the wolf , when he came in he found all well , for the wolf was in worse case , astonished , amazed , daunted , and standing like a stock without sense , not able to run away , but as it were offering himself to be destroyed : and this is the first history . the second is like unto this , but more admirable , for the great uncle of goblerus , being marvellously addicted to the hunting of wilde beasts , had in his land divers ditches and trenches cast up with other pits and caves wrought very artificially for the safe keeping of such beasts as should fall into them . now it hapned that upon one sabbath day at night there fell into one of those pits three creatures of divers disposition , and adverse inclination , none of them being able to get out thereof : the first was a neighbors wife of his a poor woman , which going to the field to gather beets and rapes for her meat the day following , it fortuned that she fell down by a mischance into the said pit , wherein she was fain to lodge all night ( you must think with great anguish , sorrow , and perillous danger to her self ) beside that which her husband and family conceived at home , but she had not tarryed long in the said pit ere a fox was likewise taken and fell down upon her , now began her grief to be encreased , fearing lest the wilde best should bite and wound her , having no means to escape from him , nor no man to help and rescue her , although she cryed as loud as ever she could ; wherewithal being wearyed , necessity made her to be patient , being a little comforted to see the fox as much afraid of her , as she was of him , and yet she thought the night full long , wishing for the break of the day , when men stir abroad to their labours , hoping that some or other would hear her moan , and deliver her from the society of such a chamber-fellow : while thus she thought , striving betwixt hope , fear , and grief , so what befel her more wofully then before , for suddenly a wolf was taken and fell down upon her , then she lost her hope , and in lamentable manner thinking of husband and children , how little they conceived of her extremity , resolved to forsake the world , and commended her soul to god , making no other reckoning but that her distressed lean limbs should now be a supper and breakfast to the wolf , wishing that she might but see her husband , and kiss her children before she lost her life by that savage execution ; but all her wishes could not prevail , nor clear her heart from fear and expectation of an unavoidable death : while thus she mused , she saw the wolf lie down , she sitting in the one corner , and the fox resting in another , and the wolf appaled as much as either of both , so the woman had no harm but an ill nights lodging , with the fear whereof she was almost out of her wits . early in the morning came his great uncle the hunter to look upon his trenches and pits what was taken , and coming unto that pit , he found a treble prey ; a woman , a wolf , and a fox ; whereat he was greatly amazed , and stepped a little backward , at the first sight the woman seeing him cryed out , calling him by his name , and praying his aid : he knowing her by her voyce , presently leaped down into the pit , ( for he was a valiant man ) and with his weapon first slew the wolf , and then the fox , and so delivered the woman from the fear of them , yet there was forced to leave her till he went and fetched a ladder , for she was not able to come forth as he was ; then having brought the ladder , he went down again into the pit , and brought her forth upon his shoulders , in that manner delivering her safe to her husband and family . now these two stories do plainly set forth , that a wolf dareth do nothing when he is in fear himself . it hath been a question whether wolves can be tamed or no , some say that they are always wilde and can never be tamed . albertus writeth , that being taken whelps , they are tamed and will play like dogs , yet he saith , they never forget their hatred against the hunter and the desire of lambs or other beasts which are devoured by wolves , whensoever he goeth abroad . and stumpsius writeth , that even when they are tamed , they are angry with their masters that look upon them while they eat their meat . strabo writeth a fable of two woods among the ancient veneti , one of them dedicated to juno , and the other to diana , and he would make the world believe , that therein the wolves lived peaceably and gently with the harts , and did come to the hands of men like familiar and tame dogs , suffering themselves to be stroked with their hands . aelianus and stephanus do say , that near the plain of meotis , there are wolves which live like tame dogs with men , being continually conversant among the fishermen , and these vvolves do part stakes and divide their prey with the inhabitants dwelling upon the sea-shores , and there is such a mutuall charity and commons observed betwixt them and the men , for sometimes the wolves take fishes when the men take none , and then they part with the wolf , sometimes the men take fishes when the wolves have none ; and thus they live together in quiet manner like confederates , each one relieving and helping other ; but if the men at any time break with the wolves , and do not give them a share , they recompense their ingratitude and falshood with tearing in pieces their nets : which thing if it be true , is a singular example of that rare concord and agreement which was primitively ordained by god to be betwixt man and beast : some say , these kinde of wolves be otters , but i rather beleeve that they be sea-wolves , of whom we shall talk presently . there be many magicall inventions about the parts of wolves , namely , their heads , teeth , ears , tails , and privy parts , which i will not stand to recite in this place , because i cannot tell what benefit shall come to the knowledge of them by the english reader . wolves are subject to the same diseases that dogs are , especially the swellings of the throat , madnesse , and the gout : when they are sick , they eat of an herb which makes them cast , some say , it is ground ivy , some say it is grasse , and some otherwise , of this they eat when they have a pain in their bellies , and not otherwise . the reason why dogs and wolves are more subject to madnesse then any other beast , is because their bodies are cholerick , and their brains increase and decrease with the moon . if a man be bitten by a mad wolf , he is to be cured by the same medicines that are applyed to the bitings of a mad dog. they live very long , even untill they lose their teeth , therefore in their old age oppressed with famin they flie unto cities and houses to seek meat . they have no friends but the parrots . a wolf was once the part of the arms of rome ; and the judgement-seat at athens had in it the picture of a wolf. there were ancient coins of money stamped with the image of a wolf , both among the grecians and among the romans , which were therefore devised , because romulus and remus were said to be nursed by a wolf : with the skins of wolves after they were dressed by curriers , we do read that there were garments made , wherewithall great princes and noble men were cloathed , the bare being inward next to their bodies , and the rough being outward , these were used in journeys and huntings , and they were the proper garment of the guards of tyrants . and this shall suffice of the vulgar wolf. of the sea-wolf . although nothing hath hitherto been brought to light concerning the sea-wolf of the ancient writers , that i know , yet his form is notable to be observed ; and you may chuse whether you will call him a thief or a sea-monster , much differing from the wolf-fish , as that he seemeth to challenge a particular description or treatise . it is also a four-footed beast that liveth both on sea and land , satisfying his hunger on the most part upon fishes : it hath been seen upon the britain ocean shoar , and it doth resemble the wolf that liveth on the land , that it is not undeservedly called among the common people a wolf. it doth live also a long time being tamed , it hath a dangerous head , and very many hairs growing on both sides of his eyes to shadow them , his nostrils and teeth are like unto a dogs , and strong hairs growing about his mouth : also small bristles growing upright upon his back : and adorned and marked on every side with black distinct spots , a long tail , thick and hairy , all the other parts being like to a wolves , as you may easily see by this expressed picture : and unto this belongeth the story of the wolves last before expressed , which live upon fishes , and divide them familiarly with men . of the thoes . there are two kinds of thoes , as there are of panthers , differing only in magnitude or greatness . but the lesser thoes is like unto the lesser panther , a lycopanther , and the lupus canarius engendered betwixt a vvolf and a dog , are all one four-footed beast . the thoes also are a kinde of vvolf . and again there is a kinde of vvolf which aristotle doth call chabez , but avicen doth write , that it ought to be called beruet , in the persian tongue . and again in another place , where he doth write , that the lion and the thoes are utter enemies , and albertus doth translate it , that a vvolf doth fight with the four-footed beast toboz , which is a corrupted word , toboz for thoes , as cabez for thohoz , and this some men think to be the lynx . thoes is called in hebrew , tabas ; alshali is a four-footed beast like to a wolf. adeditach is also a kinde of wolf , but i do not know whether these names belong only to the thoes , or to any other kinde of wolf. solinus doth call thoas aethiopian wolves , and a little before he said that lycaon was an aethiopian wolf , mained on the neck , and so divers coloured that a man would think there were no colors wanting in them . the people of scythia likewise say , that the buff doth change his colors , neither is there any other beast covered with hair , except the lycaon among the indians , ( as pliny also writeth ) and besides this there is no mention made of the lycaon among all the ancient writers . lycaons are called dogs , in the story of the diversities of dogs . the lesser kinde of thoes are the best , for some make two kinde of thoes , and some three , and these like birds , and other four-footed beasts , change their color , both in winter and summer , so that sometime they appear bare , and again at other times rough all over , that is bare in the summer , and rough in the winter , but it doth plainly seem that there is no more kinde of thoes but one , which the things that come after doth prove and make manifest . nearchus saith , that those tigers are not true tigers , which are commonly called tigers , but changeable thoes ( as if that every thoes were not changeable ) and greater then the other thoes . they have no reason which take the lupus cervarius for a thoes , which we have already shewed to be a lynx ; for the rhaetians which speak italian , & the savoyans do to this day call him cervario , and for the armenian wolf the cicatus , and the lupus canarius we have already shewed , that it is a panther , and therefore it is needless to stand any longer upon those names in this place . we will therefore take it for confessed , that the thoes is a beast engendered betwixt a wolf and a fox , whereof some are greater and some are smaller , and these are found about the mountain pangeus , cittus , olympus , mysius , pindus , and nisa , beyond syria , resembling for the most part a hyaena , having a longer body , and a straighter tail then a wolf , and although it be not so high of stature , yet it is as nimble and as strong as is the wolf , and it seemeth that the very name thoes is taken from the celerity and swiftness in running and leaping , for it getteth his living by the quickness of his feet . in the outward face it much resembleth a wolf his father , but in spots and length of his body it resembleth a panther his mother ; they couple in generation like dogs , bringing forth two or four at a time , like wolves , which are blinde , and their feet cloven into many toes . they are enemies to lions , and therefore they do not live in the same place where lions are , not only because they live upon the same victuals and food , but also because they are a more pitiful creature then they , especially to man , for if they see the face of a man at any time , they run unto him and do him all such reverence as their brutish nature can demonstrate . and further philes and selius write , that if they see a man oppressed by any other beast , they run and fight for him , although it be with the lion , not sparing to offer their own lives , and to spend their dearest bloud in the defence of him , who by secret instinct of nature they understand to be ordained of god , the king and chiefest of all worldly creatures : therefore gratius called this kinde , semiferam , thoem de sanguine prolem , and of their taming and fighting with lions , he speaketh : — thoes commisses leoues et subiere actu , & parvis domuere lacertis . they live for the most part upon harts , whom they take in the swiftness of their course , these they bite and suck their bloud , then suffering them to run away to some mountains , thither they follow them and take them the second time , not destroying them all at once , but by distance of time , whereby the harts bloud groweth sweeter unto them , and they have the better appetite thereunto to destroy them . the lyco panthers , and also the beast pathyon , whereof albertus speaketh , i do take to be two several distinct beasts from the thoes , although the quantity and stature agree , and i see no cause if there be any such beast in the world , but that we may truly say they are a lesser kinde of panthers : and this shall suffice to have said of these beasts , which are deemed to be of the kinde of wolves , wherein we have endevored to say so much of the general and special as we could collect out of any good authors ; and thus we will shut up the story of the wolf with a short remembrance of his medicinal vertues . the medicines of a wolf. a wolf being sodden alive until the bones do only remain , is very much commended for the pains of the gout , or a live wolf steeped in oyl and covered with wax , is also good for the same disease . the skin of a wolf being tasted of those which are bit of a mad or ravenous dog , doth preserve them from the fear or hazard of falling into water . the skin of a wolf is very profitable for those which are troubled with the winde colick , if it be bound fast about the belly : and also if the person so affected doth sit upon the said skin , it will much avail him . if any labouring or travelling man doth wear the skin of a wolf about his feet , his shooes shall never pain or trouble him . the skin of a wolf being new plucked off from him , and especially when it hath the natural heat in it and rowled about the member where the cramp is , is very effectual against it . the bloud of a wolf being mixed with oyl , is very profitable against the deafness of the ears . the dung and bloud of a wolf is much commended , for those that are troubled with the colick and stone . the bloud of a buck , fox , or wolf being warm , and so taken in drink , is of much force against the disease of the stone . he which doth eat the skin of a wolf well tempered and sodden , will keep him from all evill dreams , and cause him to take his rest quietly . the flesh of a wolf being sodden , and taken in meat , doth help those that are lunatick . the flesh of a wolf being eaten is good for procreation of children . you may read more things in the chapter going before , concerning remedies of the flesh of a wolf taken in meat . the fat of a wolf is no less efficable , then the flesh . the fat of a wolf doth very much profit , being anointed upon those whose joynts are broken . some of the later writers were wont to mingle the fat of the wolf , with other ointments for the disease of the gout . some also do mingle it with other ointments , for the palsie . it doth soften also the uvula , being anointed thereon . the same also being rubbed upon the eyes , is very profitable for the bleardness or bloud-shot of the eyes . the head also of a wolf is very good for those that are weak to fleep upon , being laid under their pillow . the head of a wolf being burned into ashes , is a special remedy for the loosness of teeth . the right eye of a wolf being salted , and bound to the body , doth drive away all agues and feavers . the eye of a wolf being rubbed upon the eye , doth diminish all diseases that rise in the sight of the eye , and it doth also take away all marks or prints being made with hot irons . the right eye of a wolf also is profitable for those that are troubled with stitches on the right side of the belly ; and the left eye of a wolf for pains on the left side . the right eye of a wolf is very good against the bitings of dogs . also the eye of a wolf is much commended for those that are lunatick by the bitings of dogs . the teeth of a wolf being rubbed upon the gums of young infants , doth open them , whereby the teeth may the easier come forth . again , the gums of children are loosened with the tooth of a dog , being gently rubbed thereon , but they are sooner brought forth with the teeth of a wolf. some men do commend the tongue of a wolf to be eaten of those that are troubled with the falling-sickness . the artery which springeth in the throat of a wolf being taken in drink , is a most certain cure against the squinsie . the throat of a wolf taken in drink , is very much commended for those that are troubled with the falling-sickness . the lungs or lights of a wolf being sodden and dryed , and mingled with pepper , and so taken in milk is very profitable for those that are puffed up or swoln in the belly . the heart of a wolf being burned and beaten to powder , and so taken in drink , doth help those that are sick of the falling-sickness . take one ounce of the gum of an oak , and half an ounce of the gum of a pear-tree , and two drams of the powder made of the top of a hart-horn , and one dram of the heart of a wolf , all which being mingled together , and made into medicine , is always used for the cure of all ulcers : but it will be more effectual if thou dost add thereto the hinder-part of the skull of a man beaten to powder . the liver of a wolf is of no less vertue then the lungs or lights , which i have manifested in the medicines of the fox . the liver of a wolf helpeth or profiteth those that are sick of the falling-sickness . the liver of a wolf being washed in the best white wine , and so taken , is very good for those diseases that arise in the liver . the liver of a wolf mixed in the medicine made of liver-wort , is very much commended for the diseases in the liver . galen also doth say , that he hath holpen those which have been diseased in the liver , only using the medicine made of liverwort , and he saith , if he did apply any other medicine thereto , it did little or nothing at all profit him . the liver of a wolf is very profitable for those that are troubled with the scurfe in the mouth . the liver or laps of a wolf is much used for those that are troubled with diseases in the liver ; but you must dry it and afterwards beat it to powder , and so give the party so affected one dram of it in sweet wine . the liver laps of a wolf saith marcellus , being dryed and beaten to powder , and a little part of it mingled in like portions with the powder made of fenegreek , of lupines , wormwood , and of the herb called herba mariae , and so mingled that it may be about the quantity of a cup full , and so given him that day which he is not troubled with the feaver , but if he shall be troubled with it , let him take it in water for the space of three days , and after he hath drunk it , let him lie for the space of half an hour with his arms spread abroad : and afterwards let him walk very often , but eat very seldom , and let him be sure he keep himself for the space of those three days well ordered , and from drinking any cold drink , or eating any salt or sweet thing , and within a little space after he shall be freed from that disease . the liver laps of a vvolf being wrapped in bay-leaves , and so set to dry at the sun or at the fire , and being dryed , beat it to powder in a mortar , first taking away the leaves very warily , which being powdered , you must keep it in a clean vessel , and when you give it him to drink , you must adde thereto two leaves of spoonwort , with ten grains of pepper beaten very small , and as much clarified honey as is needful , and also made hot with a hot burning iron , and mingled very diligently in a mortar , which being so warmed , you must give him to drink sitting right up in his bed , that after he hath taken the potion , he may lye down on his right side for the space of an hour , drawing his knees together , and after that he hath done so , let him walk up and down for the space of an hour , and this will likewise cure him of the same disease . avicen doth set down a medicine concerning the cure of the hardness of the liver , which is , take opium , henbane , oyl made of beavers stones , myrrhe , saffron , spicknard , agrimony , the liver of a wolf , and the right horn of a goat burned , of each equal parts , and make thereof a medicine . the liver of a wolf being made in the form of a dry electuary and given as a lozeng , doth also very much profit against the diseases of the liver . gugir a philosopher doth affirm , that the liver of al living beasts doth very much profit against all pains of the liver . the liver of a wolf being throughly dryed and drunk in sweet wine , doth mitigate all griefs or pains of the liver . the liver of the same beast to the quantity of a penny , taken in a pinte of sweet wine , is very medicinable for the curing of all pains in the liver whatsoever . the liver of a wolf being taken in hot wine , doth perfectly cure the cough . if an intolerable cough doth vex any man , let him take of the liver of a wolf , either dryed or burnt , as much as he shall think convenient , and therewith let him mingle wine , honey , and warm water , and afterward drink the same fasting every day , to the quantity of four spoonfuls , and he shall in short space be cured of the same . the laps or fillets of a wolves liver , being applyed unto the side , doth perfectly heal any stitch or pricking ach therein . the liver of a wolf being taken in sweet wine , doth heal those which are troubled with a tisick . the liver of a wolf being first boyled in water , afterwards dryed , beaten and mingled with some certain potion , doth instantly heal the grief and inflamation of the stomach . the powder of a wolves liver mingled with white wine , and drunk in the morning for some certain days together , doth cure the dropsie . the liver of a wolf taken either in meat or drink , doth asswage the pains of the secret parts . two spoonfuls of the powder of a wolves liver being given in drink , doth cure all pains or sores of the mouth . the gall of a wolf being bound unto the navel of any man , doth loosen the belly . the gall of a wolf taken in wine , doth heal all pains in the fundament . the entrails of a wolf being washed in the best white wine , blown upon , dryed in an oven , pounded into dust , afterwards rowled in wormwood , is a good and effectual remedy against the colick and stone . if some part of the yard of a wolf being baked in an oven , be eaten by any , either man or woman , it instantly stirreth them up to lust . concerning the genital of a wolf i have spoken before in the medicines of the fox : but antiquity , as pliny saith , doth teach that the genital of beasts which are bony , as wolves , foxes , ferrets , and weasels , are brought to an especial remedy for many diseases . if any man take the right stone of a wolf , being bloudy , steep it in oyl , and give it unto any woman to apply it unto their secret parts , being wrapped in wooll it instantly causeth her to forsake all carnal copulation , yea although she be a common strumpet . the same being taken in some certain perfume , doth help those which are troubled with the foul evil . the eyes being anointed with the excrements of a vvolf , are instantly freed from all covers or spreading skin therein . the powder of the same vvolf being mingled with the sweetest hony as can possible be had , and in like manner rubbed or spread upon the eyes , doth expel all dazeling from them . the fime of a vvolf long rubbed , until it be very light , being mingled with honey , by the unction thereof , causeth the filth or scurfe growing about the eyes to avoid away , and restoreth them to an exceeding clearness : the powder of a vvolves head being rubbed upon the teeth , doth make fast and confirm the looseness thereof , & it is most certain that in the excrements of the same beasts , there are certain bones found , which being bound unto the teeth , have the same force and efficacy . the dung of a vvolf or dog being beaten into small powder , mingled with honey and anointed upon the throat , doth cure the quinsie or squinansie , as also all other sores in the throat whatsoever . the fime of a vvolf being given to those which are troubled with the colick to drink , doth easily cure them , but this dung is more effectual if it have never touched ground , which is very hard to come by , but it is found by this means . the nature of the vvolf both in making his water , as also in voiding his excrements is like unto a dogs , for while he voideth his water he holdeth up his hinder-leg , and voideth his excrements in some high or steepy place far from the earth , by which means it falleth down upon bushes , thorns , fruits , elder-trees , or some other herbs growing in those places , by which means it is found never touching the earth . there is furthermore found in the fime of vvolves certain bones of beasts which they have devoured , which for as much as they could not be grinded or chawed , so also can they not be concocted , which being beaten and bruised small , are by some commended to be excellent given in drink for the ease of the cosick , but if the grieved party shall be some fine or delicate person which cannot endure so gross a medicine , then mingle it with salt , pepper , or some such like thing , but it is most often given in sweet wine , so there be but a small quantity thereof drunk at one time . but this dung which the graecians call lagonas , and is to be applyed to the groin of the diseased person , ought to be hanged in a band made of wooll , but not of any wooll : but it would be more effectual if it were made of the wooll of that sheep which was slain by a vvolf . but if the same cannot be got , then is it fit that there be two bands , one which may be bound about the groin , and another which may be bound upon the dung to keep it from falling . there are also some which cast a small quantity of the same dung to the bigness of a bean in a little pot , fastening the same to any one which is troubled with the said disease , and it healeth them ( which in a manner seemeth incredible ) in very short time . the dung of a wolf boyled in small white wine , and afterwards taken in drink , is very profitable for those which are troubled with the colick : and it is also reported that if the same dung be covered with the skin of the same beast , and hung upon the thigh of any one which hath the colick being bound with a thread made of the wooll of a sheep slain by a wolf , it will instantly cure the said disease . the fime of a wolf , so that it be not found upon the earth , but upon some trees , brambles , or bultushes , being kept , and when there shall be need bound unto the arm of him that shall be troubled with the colick , or to his neck being included in a bone , or in copper , and hung with the thread wherewith silk-women weave , doth wonderfully and most speedily cure him , so there be great care had , that in the mean time there be a little of the same dung given to the grieved party to drink , not knowing what it is . the dung of a wolf being taken , and the bones therein beaten into powder , mingle therewith cold water , giving it to any one to drink which is troubled with the stone , and it will instantly cure him . the dung of a wolf beaten into the smallest powder then strained and given unto any in his fit which is troubled therewith to the quantity of half a spoonfull in hot water , is a very effectuall and approved cure for the stone . the bones which are found in wolves , being bound unto the arm of any one which is troubled with the colick , having never touched the ground , do with great speed and celerity cure him . the pastern bone of a hare found in the dung of a wolf , being bound unto any part of the body of him which is troubled with the colick , doth very effectually cure him . the dung of a wolf with the hairs of a white asse , taken by any woman in a certain perfume , maketh her apt for conception . the teeth of a wolf are unequall , wherefore their bitings are very dangerous . a ravening wolf by his biting bringeth the same danger , as a ravenous dog , they also are cured by the same medicins , as we have declared at large in the story of the dog. the wounds which come by the teeth or nails of a wolf are very dangerous , for the filth which pieroeth through all clouts or spunges which are laid upon them : but they are cured by no other means then the bitings of dogs : aristotle writeth these things concerning the biting of a lion , and not of a wolf. johannes vitus the hungarian declared that there were certain men in hungary bitten by a mad wolf , and that they were as it seemed presently cured : but before forty dayes expired they all died by a most bitter or painfull disease , small pieces of flesh encreasing through their urine in the form of dogs , with an exceeding pain or torment . it is also reported of a certain countreyman , who when he had striken a wolf with his club , and the wolf had so torn his face with his nails , that he pulled off the skin , he was in short time healed that there appeared no sign of any harm , but in short time after he began to be sick , and to howl like unto a dog , and so perished ; by which it was conjectured that that wolf was mad . an oxe being bitten by a mad wolf or dog is cured by garlick , being beaten and rubbed upon the wound : the wolf himself is also healed of any wound by old salt flesh applyed unto the same . two drams of gentian being drunk in wine , is an excellent cure for the bites of a mad dog and ravening wolves , as also of all beasts tearing with their teeth or nails . the bites of wolves being marked in the bodies of any cattell , are burned or seared with a hot iron , lest that the biting be assuredly hurtfull , may draw unto it self corruption . and thus much shall suffice concerning the medicines of the wolf. of the zebel , commonly called a sabel . among all the kindes of weasels , squirrels , wood-mice , wilde mice , or other little beasts of the world , there is none comparable to this zebel , commonly called in latine zebellus , and zobela , from whence the germans call it zobel , the illyrians and polonians , sobol and soboel , the italians , sesi , and sablines : the skins hereof are called zebellinae , and zobellinae , and sometimes zibellinae . it is bred in muscovia , and the northern parts of the world , among the lapones , but no where more plentifull then in tartaria , scythia , and sarmatia , and it is therefore called by some mus scythicus , the scythian mouse . the french men because of the similitude it hath with a martin , do call it by a compounded name , marteis soublineis . it liveth for the most part in the woods , being lesser then a martin every way , and hath also shorter legs : they run up and down upon trees like squirrels , easily fastning their clawes in the boughes ; when they leap , their tail serveth them instead of a cross beam to direct them . they bite most irefully , for their teeth are as sharp as razors , and there is no beast in the world of their quantity so angry and terrible as they : their flesh is unprofitable and good for nothing . the only price and estimation of this beast is for the skin , which farre excelleth all the skins of the world , either ermins , martins , or foines , differing herein from the martins , because their hair is thinner , and if you stroke them from the head to the tail , or on the contrary from the tail to the head , they do lie every way smooth , whereas the martins do only fall smooth from the head to the tail . these are more subject to worms then other skins , except they be continually worn , or laid up with bunches of wormwood ; but above all other things the laying of them open one day together in the sun or air , doth him more harm then a whole years wearing , for the beast it self liveth evermore in shadowy places , forbearing the sun except she be hunted , and catcheth small birds in secret . in the furthest part of lituania they have little or no money , and therefore the merchants which traffique thither do exchange their wares for zebel or sabel skins ; those are the best which have most white and yellow hairs mingled in them , and the garments of princes are only fringed and lined with these sabel skins , and honourable matrons , ancient noble men and their wives do likewise use two or three of these to wear about their necks ; for it is certain that a garment of these skins is much dearer then cloth of gold , and i have heard and also read , that there have been two thousand duckets payed for so many as were put in one cloak . it is a very libidinous and lustfull beast , and at that time stinketh very rankfully , wherefore it mingleth it self with martins of all sorts that it meeteth . and thus much shall suffice to have discoursed of this little beast . now there are divers other which seem to be of this kinde , of which , though i have not much to say , yet rather then they should be omitted , i will expresse their bare names , that so i may give occasion to all our countrey-men that shall travail into other nations , to make enquiry after them , that so at their return , if they have any conscience of publique good , they may get themselves eternall fame and names , by communicating publiquely their own knowledge , experience , and learning , which they have gained in these , or other four-footed beasts . of the noerts . this beast is of the quantity of a weasel , and by the germans called noerts , and nerts , from which word the latines have their noerza , for this beast . it liveth ( as georgius agricola writeth ) in the woods , betwixt swevia and vistula , the colour of the hairs which is short and smooth , is for the most part like an otters . their skins are sold at franckford by forty in a heap or bundle , they are long , and more red then the ferrets , every bundle most commonly is sold for six and twenty nobles . some think that this is the latax , spoken of before , because it getteth his living in the waters . of the varmel . this beast is called by the latines vormela , by the germans wormiein , it is lesse then a ferret , the belly whereof is black , all the residue of the skin full of white , pale , red , and yellow spots , which adorneth it in admirable manner , very comely and excellent to be looked upon , the tail not past half a hand breadth long , the tip whereof is black , but the hairs of the residue mixed with white and ash colour together . there is another beast which for the variety of the colours , which are apparent in his skin , he is called a salamander , not that which liveth in the fire , but one like unto it , having a gentle hair , distinguished all over into black and yellow spots , and these because of our ignorance we reckon among our outlandish weasels . in india there is a little beast called chiurca , having a very precious skin , and this ( as cardan writeth ) hath a bag under the belly , wherein it suffereth his young ones to go in and out , as before we have said of the simivulpa , or foxe-ape . there is another little beast in hungaria , called vnoken , which dwelleth in holes of the earth as conies do , the outward proportion whereof is like a weasel , but it is much thinner and longer , the colour of the back is red , and all the residue of the body mouse colour . now although i do not read any speciall use of the skin of this beast , yet i thought it good to name it in this place , because it is reported that the breathing thereof upon the face of man is venemous and poysonfull , for when souldiers sleep in their tents upon the earth , they come many times and look in their faces and poyson them : and thus much for the zebel , and the severall kindes of this little beast . of the zibeth , or sivet-cat . the best description that is of this beast in all the world , that i could ever finde , was taken by doctor cay , and thus sent as it is here figured to doctor gesner with these words following . there came to my sight ( saith doctor cay ) a zibeth or sivet very lately , which was brought out of africa , the picture and shape whereof in every point i caused to be taken , which is this prefixed , so that one egge is not more like another , then this is to the said sives or zibet . it is greater then any cat , and lesser then a taxus , having a sharp face like a martin , a short , round , blunt ear , which was black without , but pale within , and on the brims a blew sky-coloured eye , a foot and leg black , and more broad or open then a cats : likewise a black claw , neither so crooked , nor so hid in the foot as it is in a cat , but their teeth are more fearfull and horrible . it is all spotted over the body , but the nose thereof is black , the nether part of the upper chap pale , and the middle part black , and from thence to the top of the head it is of the colour of a badger . the lower chap was all black , and the bristles of the upper chap were white , growing forth of a pale skin , and a little above the eye there were two other white ones growing forth of a black skin . the throat thereof was black , and a little above the eye there arise three black lines or strakes , whereof the first or uppermost descendeth down right to the throat , the second descendeth compasse in and out to the middle of the neck , and the third down to the shoulder , and then a little beneath that place on the contrary , arise two other black lines like circles ascending in the compasse of the shoulder to the back bone : and all the residue of the body is distinguished and parted into many colours , having divers and sundry black spots scattered abruptly throughout the whole circuit , whereof some are continued and joyned together . for that which is upon the back is continued from the shoulder , and the second and third arising in that part , are broken and divided , the fourth and all the residue are in like sort discontinued and separated one from the other , so that their position runneth all in length . the first part of his tail to the middle is spotted , and all the residue black . the hair both on the face , legs , and feet , is soft , and very gentle to be handled , falling down , but in all other parts of the body , it is harsh , deep , and standing upright : the spots doth both ascend and descend , the tongue hereof was smooth and not rugged , and under the tail was the passage for the excrements after the fashion in other beasts , and a little beneath the same was the receptacle or bag containing the sivet , and a little space after that the privy part of the male which was hid or sheathed in the body . the beast being moved to anger , uttereth a voyce like to the voyce of an angry cat , withall doubling the letter r r. but being not angry the voyce is like a young cats although lower . this zibeth was in length from the head to the tail , one foot , three palms , and one roman fingers breadth , but the breadth thereof under the belly , was one foot , two palms , and three roman fingers . it was a gentle and tractable creature , and was sold for eight pounds of english money , which was in french twenty four crowns , or in florens forty and eight . these things are said by doctor cay . now unto this gesner addeth , that he received such another picture from one johannes kentmannus , which he took by another of these cats in the possession of the duke of saxony , and he said that it was bought by him for seventy taters ( every tater being worth in our english money eight pence half penny ) in the year of the lord , . this beast is a very clean beast , i mean , a hater of filthinesse : and therefore the place wherein it lyeth must be swept every day , and the vessels clean washed . the sivet or liquor distilled out of the cod , must be taken away every second or third day , or else the beast doth rub it forth of his own accord upon some poste in his kennel , if he be tamed or inclosed . this sivet is an excrement not growing in the secret part only , but in a peculiar receptacle by it self , increasing every day the weight of a groat ; the colour whereof at the beginning is like butter , but afterwards it groweth more sad and brown : one ounce of it if it be pure and not sophisticated , is sold for eight crowns at the least . there be impostors , which do adulterate it with an oxes gall , styrax , and hony. this is of a strange savour , and preferred before musk by many degrees , yet it smelleth worse if it be held hard to the nose : it is said that the liquor running out , doth go back again if any vessel be put to receive it , except it be a silver spoon or porringer . leo afer saith , these beasts are wilde , untamable , and live upon flesh , but the european merchants buy of the young ones and nourish them tame , with bran , milk , hard egges , and other things , and that so they convey them into europe out of africk , emptying their cods twice or thrice a day in the hot countreys ; and that this sivet is nothing else but the sweat of the beast under the ribs , fore-legs , neck , and tail . there were divers of these zibeths tamed among other . it is reported of a consul of the florentine merchants at alexandria , that had one of these so tame , that it would play with a man , and bite his nose , ears , cheeks , or lips so gently that it should not be felt , the reason whereof was given , because it was at the first nourished with the milk of a woman . cardinall galeottus had three of these at rome , which he kept for their sivet : and otho duke of bavaria , had also one which he nourished with sugar . they are bred in aethiopia and india , about the city pegus and tarnasari . their sivet is not savoury till it be washed and cleansed . it is said to be very excellent against the strangulations of the wombe ; and it is good against the colick : it hath also vertue to purge the wombes of women , to purge the brain , and is applyed to many other diseases and infirmities . the end of the history of four-footed beasts . the history of serpents . or , the second book of living creatures : wherein is contained their divine , natural , and moral descriptions , with their lively figures , names , conditions , kindes , and natures of all venomous beasts : with their several poysons and antidotes ; their deep hatred to mankinde , and the wonderful work of god in their creation , and destruction . necessary and profitable to all sorts of men : collected out of divine scriptures , fathers , philosophers , physitians , and poets : amplified with sundry accidental histories , hierogliphycks , epigrams , emblems , and aenigmatical observations . by edvvard topsell . the boas london , printed by e. cotes , . to the reader . gentle and pious reader , although it be needlesse for me to write any more of the publishing of this treatise of venemous beasts , yet for your better satisfaction and direction , briefly take this which followeth . after the publishing of the former book of four-footed beasts , i understood of two things much misliked therein , wherein i also my self received a just offence . first , the manifold escapes in the presse , which turned and sometimes over-turned the sense in many places , ( especially in the latine ) which fault as it may in part concern me , so yet it toucheth another more deeply , yet are both of us excusable : he in wanting the true knowledge of the latine tongue ; and i , because of my employment in my pastorall charge , and both of us together , because we were not so throughly estated , as to maintain a sufficient scholar to attend only upon the presse . wherefore , in this second book , we have removed away that blot , and used a more accurate diligence , and i trust there is no escape committed perverting the sense , and not very many altering the letters . the second exception taken against the former treatise , was the not englishing or translating of the latine verses , which thing i purposed to have done , if i had not been overhastened in the businesse ; for it had been to the work an ornament , and to the history a more ample declaration : this fault i have now amended in the setting forth of this second book of living creatures . all therefore that can be said for your direction , i could wish the history more compleat for the manifestation of the most blessed trinities glory , whose works are here declared ; and for the better revelation of the severall natures of every serpent . i may fail in the expressing of some particular , yet i suppose that i have omitted no one thing in their narration , which might be warranted by good authority or experience . and therefore , although i cannot say that i have said all that can be written of these living creatures , yet i dare say i have wrote more then ever was before me written in any language . now therefore ask the creatures ( after god ) and they will tell you : for , saith s. austin , interrogatio creaturarum profunda est consideratio ipsarum : responsio earum , attestatio ipsarum de deo , quoniam omnia clamant , deus nos fecit . the asking of the creatures is a deep and profound consideration of their severall natures : their answer is , their attestation or testimony of god , because all ofthem cry out , the lord hath made us . wherefore , seeing it is most true , incognita non desiderantur , things unknown are not desired , to the intent that all true english christians may hereafter more affectionately long after and desire , both the mysticall vision of god in this world , and also his perfect sight in the world to come , i have ( for my part ) out of that weak ability wherewith i am endued , made known unto them in their own mother tongue , the wonderfull works of god ; for the admiring of gods praise in the creatures , standeth not in a confused ignorance , not knowing the beginnings and reason of every thing , but rather in a curious and artificiall investigation of their greatest secrets . therefore , let all living men consider every part of divine wisdome in all his works ; for if it be high , he thereby terrifieth the proud ; by the truth he feedeth the great ones ; by his affability he nourisheth the little ones . and so i will conclude my preface with the words of the three children : o all ye works of the lord , praise him and magnifie him for ever . edward topsell . a general treatise of serpents , divine , moral , and natvral . of the creation and first beginning of serpents . there is no man that can justly take exception that this history of serpents beginneth at their creation : for seeing our purpose is , to set forth the works of god , by which as by a clear glass , he endevoureth to disperse and distribute the knowledge of his majesty , omnipotency , wisdom and goodness , to the whole race of mankinde , it seemeth most proper that the first stone of this building , laid in the foundation be fetched from the creation : and the rather , because some naturalists ( especially amongst the ancient heathen ) have taken the original of these venomous beasts , to be of the earth , without all respect of divine and primary creation . and hereunto some hereticks , as the manichees , and marcionites , have also subscribed , though not directly , for they account the creation of these venomous and all hurtful beasts an unworthy work for the good god , because they could never see any good use of such creatures in the world. yet we know the blessed trinity created the whole frame of this visible world by it self , and for good , reasonable , and necessary causes , framed both the beneficial and hurtful creatures , either for a physical or metaphysical end . therefore it is most certain , that if we consider the outward parts of these creatures endued with life , no man nor nature could begin and make them , but the first essence or fountain of life : and if we can be brought to acknowledge a difference betwixt our shallow capacity , and the deep wisdom of god , it may necessarily follow by an unavoidable sequel , that their uses and ends were good , although in the barrenness of our understanding , we cannot conceive or learn them . but i purpose not to follow these things philosophically by arguments , but rather divinely by evident demonstration of the things themselves . and first of all , it appeareth , gen. . . that god brought out of the earth all creeping things after their kinde : and lest that any man should doubt , that under the general name of creeping things , serpents , and other venomous beasts , were not intelligibly enough expressed , it is added chap. . . that the serpent was more subtile then all the beasts of the field which god had made . the prophet david also , psal . . . among other things which are exhorted by the prophet to praise their creator , there are named dragons , which are the greatest kinde of serpents . unto this also alluded s. james , ch . . . saying : that the whole nature of beasts , and of birds , of creeping things and things in the sea i● tame● by the nature of man : for man , which is next unto god , hath authority and power , to rule over all his works , and therefore over serpents . and herein it is fit to shew , what wonders men have wrought upon serpents , taming and destroying them rather like worms and beasts , no ways enemies to mankinde , but friendly , and endued with sociable respect , or else as weaklings commanded by a superior power . such an one was atyr a notable inchanter , who by touching any serpent brought it into a deadly sleep : according to these verses ; nec non serpentes diro exarmare veneno , doctus atyr : tactuque graves sepire chelydros . in english thus ; the cunning atyr , serpents fierce , of poyson did disarm , and water-snakes to deadly sleep , by touching he did charm . alvisius cadamustus , in his description of the new world , telleth an excellent history of a ligurian young man , being among the negroes travelling in africk , whereby he endevoureth to prove , how ordinary and familiar it is to them , to take and charm serpents , according to the verse of the poet : frigidus inpratis cantando rumpitur anguis . that is , the cold-earth-snake in medows green , by singing , broke in pieces may be seen . the young man being in africk among the negroes , and lodged in the house of a nephew to the prince of budoniel , when he was taking himself to his rest , suddenly awaked by the hearing the unwonted noise of the hissing of innumerable sorts of serpents ; whereat while he wondred , and being in some terror , he heard his host ( the princes nephew ) to make himself ready to go out of the doores , ( for he had called up his servants to saddle his camels : ) the young man demanded of him the cause , why he would go out of doores now so late in the dark night ? to whom he answered , i am to go a little way , but i will return again very speedily : and so he went , and with a charm quieted the serpents , and drove them all away , returning again with greater speed then the lig●●ian young man his guess expected . and when he had returned , he asked his guess if he did not hear the immoderate hissing of the serpents ? and he answered , that he had heard them to his great terrour : then the princes nephew ( who was called bisboror ) replyed , saying ; they were serpents which had beset the house , and would have destroyed all their cattel and herds , except he had gone forth to drive them away by a charm , which was very common and ordinary in those parts , wherein were abundance of very hurtful serpents . the ligurian young man hearing him say so , marvailed above measure , and said , that this thing was so rare and miraculous , that scarsely christians would believe it . the negro thought it as strange that the young man should be ignorant hereof , and therefore told him , that their prince could work more strange things by a charm which he had , and that this and such like were small , vulgar , and not to be accounted miraculous . for when he is to use any strong poyson upon present necessity , to put any man to death , he putteth some venom upon a sword , or other piece of armor , and then making a large round circle , by his charm compelleth many serpents to come within that circle , he himself standing amongst them , and observing the most venomous of them all so assembled , which he thinketh to contain the strongest poyson , killeth him , and causeth the residue to depart away presently ; then out the dead serpent he taketh away the poyson , and mixeth it with the seed of a certain vulgar tree , and therewithal anointeth his dart , arrow , or swords point , whereby is caused present death , if it give the body of a man but a very small wound , even to the breaking of the skin , or drawing of the bloud . and the said negro did earnestly perswade the young man to see an experiment hereof , promising to shew all as he had related , but the ligurian being more willing to hear such things told , then bold to attempt the trial , told him , that he was not willing to see any such experiment . and by this it appeareth , that all the negroes are addicted to incantations , which never have any approbation from god , except against serpents , which i cannot very easily be brought to believe . and seeing i have entered into this passage of charming , being ( no doubt ) an invention of man , and therefore argueth his power to tame these venomous beasts , according to the former saying of saint james , although i condemn such courses utterly , yet it is lawful to prosecute the same , seeing the holy ghost , psalm . vers . , . affirmeth a practise against serpents , a dexterity and ripeness in that practise , and yet an impossibility to affect any good , except the voyce of the charmer come to the ear of the adder : for thus he writeth ; their poyson is like the poyson of a serpent , like a de●f a●der that stoppeth his ear . . which heareth not with the voyce of the inchanter , though he be most expert in cunning ▪ upon which words saint augustine , saint jerom , and cassidorus writing , say ; that when the charmer cometh to inchant or charm , then they lay one of their ears to the earth so close , as it may not receive the sound , and their other ear they stop with their tail . i will therefore yet add somewhat more of this taming of serpent . i have heard a gentleman of singular learning , and once my worshipful good friend , and dayly encourager unto all good labours , report divers times very credibly , upon his own knowledge and eye-sight , that being at padua in italy , he saw a certain quack-salver , or mountebanck upon a stage , pull a viper out of a box , and suffered the said viper to bite his flesh , to the great admiration of all the beholders , receiving thereby no danger at all . afterward he put off his doublet and shirt , and shewed upon his right arm a very great unwonted blew vein , standing beyond the common course of nature ; and he said , that he was of the linage of saint paul , and so were all other that had such veins , and that therefore ( by special vertue to that family given from above ) no viper nor serpent could ever annoy or poyson them : but withall , the fellow drank a certain compound water , or antidote , for fear of the worst , and so at one time vented both his superstitious hypocrisie , and also much of his antidote to his great advantage . it was an invention of ancient time among the wise magitians , to make a pipe of the skins of cats legs , and therewithall to drive away serpents ; by which it appeareth , that the soveraignty of man over serpents , was given by god at the beginning , and was not lost , but continued after the fall of man , ( although the hand that should rule be much weaker ) and practised by the most barbarous of the world , necessity of the defence forcing a violence and hatred , betwixt the serpent and the womans seed . for this cause we read of the seaven daughters of atlas , whereof one was called hyas , whose daily exercise was hunting of venomous beasts , and from her the hyades had her denomination . and for a conclusion of this argument , i will adde this one story more out of aelianus . when thonis the king of egypt had received of menelaus , helen to be safely kept , whiles he travelled through aethiopia , it hapned that the king fell in love with her beauty , & oftentimes endevoured by violence to ravish her ; then , it is also said , that helen , to turn away the kings unlawful lust , opened all the matter to . polydamna the wife of thonis , who instantly fearing her own estate , lest that in time to come , fair helen should deprive her of her husbands love , banished her into the island of pharus , which was full of all manner of serpents , and yet taking pity on her for her simplicity , gave her a certain herb , whereby she drove away all serpents . for ( it is said ) when the serpents and venomous beasts do but smell the same herb , they instantly hide their heads in the earth . helen coming into that island planted the same there , and was therefore called by the inhabitants after her own name helenium , which the skilful herborists at this day affirm to grow in pharus . unto this discourse of the taming of serpents , i may add yet more strange things , if any thing be strange in the nature of this world . and those are some histories of the familiarity of men , women and serpents . alexander was thought to be begotten of a serpent , for it is said , that on a time there was found a great serpent upon his mother olympia as she was sleeping ; and some say ( for the honour both of the mother and the son ) that this serpent was jupiter , turned into the likeness of a serpent , as we read he changed himself into many other shapes . and the like story unto this , is alledged of soipio africanus his mother , who long time remained barren without the fruit of the womb , insomuch as p. scipio her husband utterly despaired of posterity . it hapned one day , as she was in her bed , her husband being absent , there came a great snake and lay beside her , even in the presence of the servants and family , who being mightily astonished thereat , cryed out with loud voyces for fear , whereat the woman awaked , and the snake slid away invisibly . p. scipio hearing this report at his return home , went to the wizards to understand the secret or signification of this prodigie : who making a sacrifice , gave answer that it betokened prolification , or birth of children , and thereupon followed the birth of scipio africanus . we read also in plutarch of certain serpents , lovers of young virgins , who after they were taken and insnared , shewed all manner of lustful , vitious , and amorous gestures of uncleanness and carnality ; and by name , there was one that was in love with one aetolia a virgin , who did accustom to come unto her in the night time , sliding gently all over her body never harming her , but 〈…〉 one glad of such acquaintance , tarryed with her in that dalliance till the morning , and then would depart away of his own accord : the which thing being made manifest unto the guardians and tutors of the virgin , they removed her unto another town . the serpent missing his love , sought her up and down three or four days , and at last met her by chance , and then he saluted her not as he was wont , with fawning , and gentle sliding , but fierce assaulted her with grim and austere countenance , flying to her hands , and binding them with the spire of his body fast to her sides , did softly with his tail beat upon her backer parts . whereby was collected , some token of his chastisement unto her , who had wronged such a lover with her wilful absence and disappointment . it is also reported by aelianus , that egemon in his verses , writeth of one aleva a thessalian , who feeding his oxen in thessaly , near the fountain haemonius , there fell in love with him a serpent of exceeding bigness and quantity , and the same would come unto him , and softly lick his face and golden hair , without doing him any manner of hurt at all . these , and such like things do evidently prove , that serpents are not only involuntarily tamed by men , but also willingly keep quarter with them , yeelding to the first ordinance of the creator , that made them subjects and vassals to men . and thus much shall suffice to have spoken in this place , concerning the first cteation of serpents . of the natural generation of serpents , and their several originals . it being thus cleared , that serpents were at the beginning created by god , and are ruled by men , it now followeth , that we should in the next place talk of the matter of their beginning , and the means of their continuance ever since their creation . first therefore it is most plain in genesis , that the earth ( by the vertue of the word of god ) did produce all creeping things , and among them serpents : but since that time , they have engendered both naturally , and also prodigiously . as concerning their constitution , it is held to be most cold , above all other living creatures ; and therefore pliny writeth , that they have neither heat , nor bloud , nor sweat . hereunto subscribeth galen and rasis ; yet avicen seemeth to affirm the contrary . mercurial decideth this controversie , and proveth that serpents are extreamly cold , and their bodies outwardly moist . first , because those which are stung and poysoned by serpents , are oppressed with an unnatural cold , which overcometh natural heat , and distendeth all their parts , vexing them intolerably . secondly , there can be assigned no other reason why these creatures hide themselves four moneths in the year , but only their natural cold , making them so tender , as they are altogether unfit to endure any external frigidity . thirdly , if a man take a snake or a serpent into his handling in the midst of summer , and warmest part of the year , yet shall he perceive that they are cold in a palpable manner being alive , which is not a quality competible to any other creature . fourthly , seeing that bloud is the proper and native seat of all heat in natural living bodies , serpents having a very small quantity of bloud , must also have a smaller proportion of heat : and therefore it followeth unavoidably , that the eminency of their temperament is cold in the highest degree , above all other living creatures . and that their bodies be outwardly moist , it appeareth ( saith isidorus ) by this , that when they slide along upon the earth , ( which way soever they go ) they leave behinde them in their train or path a slimy humour . by this therefore it is confirmed , that they are of the earth and of the water , as afterward we shall shew in the description of their kindes . but yet there are prodigious beginnings of serpents , whereof some seem to be true , and other to be fabulous . the first sort are those which pliny affirmeth to be engendred of the marrow in the back-bone of a man , and that indifferently , out of the dead bodies of good and evill men . yet some more modest , thinking it unreasonable , that the remnants of a good meek man , should beget or be turned into so barbarous , venomous , and cruel a nature ; rather taking it for granted , that peace and quietness is the reward of such persons , attribute these beginnings or alterations to the bodies of wicked men , as a just deserved punishment of their former evils , that the reversions of their bodies should after death turn into serpents , whom they resembled being alive in the venomous fraud of their spirits . of this ovid speaketh . sunt quae cum clauso putrefacta est spina sepulchro , mutari credunt humanas angue medullas . which may be thus englished , some think the putrid back-bone in the grave rack'd , or marrow chang'd , the shape of snakes to take . in egypt , as frogs and mice are engendred by showres of rain , so also are serpents : and avicen saith , that the longest hairs of women are easily turned into serpents . nicander dreameth , that all venomous beasts are engendred of the bloud of the titans or giants . acusilaus , of the bloud of typhon . apollonius rhodius , of the drops of bloud which do distil from gorgons . virgilius saith , that dung being laid in a hollow place , subject to receive moisture , engendereth serpents , of the gorgons drops , ovid writeth thus ; cumque super lybicas victor penderet arenas , gorgonei capitis guttae cecidere cruentae , quas humus exceptas , varios animavit in angues , vnde frequens illa est infestaque terra colubris . which may thus be englished : — and as he over flew the lybick sands , the drops of bloud that from the head did sew of gorgon being new cut off , upon the ground did fall , which taking them , and as it were conceiving them withall , engendred sundry snakes and worms : by means wbereof that clime did swarm with serpents ever since ▪ to this same present time . but most strange of all other , are the succeeding narrations . for it is reported that when l. scipio , and c. norbanus were consuls , that the mother of clusius in hetruria , brought forth a living serpent in stead of a childe , and the said serpent by the command of the wizards was cast into a river , nevertheless it would not drown , but swimmed against the stream . and pliny saith , that at the beginning of the marsyck war , there was a maid-servant that brought forth another serpent . and faustina the empress dreamed that she brought forth serpents , when she was with childe of commodus and antoninus , and one of these serpents seemed more fierce then the other , which proved allegorically true : for afterward commodus was so voluptuous and tyrannous , that he seemed like a serpent to be born for nothing , but for the destruction of mankinde . in the year of our lord . there was a little latine book printed at vienna , wherein was contained this history following . in this summer ( saith the book ) about s. margarites day , there happened most rare and admirable accidents : for near a village called zichsa , by the river theose in hungaria , there were many serpents and lisards bred in the bodies of men , very like to such as are bred in the earth , whereupon they fell into exquisite torments : and there dyed of that calamity , about three thousand , and some of the bodies being laid against the sun gaping , the serpents came forth of their mouths , and suddenly entred into their bellies again . amongst other , there was a certain noblemans daughter which dyed of that malady , and when she was dissected or ripped , there were found in her body two great serpents . these things seem to be miraculous , and above the order of nature : yet credible , because in our experience in england , there have been worms like serpents found in the bodies of men , whereof some have been ejected the parties being alive , and other when as the parties were dead . but that these beginnings of serpents being unnatural , are divine and sent from god as scourges , it may appear by another notable history , recorded in the aforenamed book , both in the same year , and in the same countrey . there was ( saith mine author ) found in a mow or ryck of corn , almost as many snakes , adders , and other serpents , as there were sheafs , so as no one sheaf could be removed , but there presently appeared a heap of ugly and fierce serpents . the countrey-men determined to set fire upon the barn , and so attempted to do , but in vain , for the straw would take no fire , although they labored with all their wit and policy to burn them up . at last , there appeared unto them at the top of the heap a huge great serpent , which lifting up his head spake with mans voice to the countrey-men , saying : cease to prosecute your devise , for you shall not be able to accomplish our burning , for we were not bred by nature , neither came we hither of our own accord , but were sent by god to take vengeance on the sins of men . and thus much for the true and natural beginnings of serpents . now we read in read in holy scripture , that the rod of moses was turned into a serpent by divine miracle , whereby he was assured of the power that god would give him to deliver his people israel out of egypt , which land abounding with serpents , both natural bred in the earth , and moral , such are crafty and politick princes and people : yet moses should take them as he did his serpent by the tail , and cause them to bend unto him like as it were a wand , or else some other little walking staffe : and also that his power should be unresistible , because his serpent devoured others . the magitians or sorcerers , ( as jannes and jambres ) resisted him , and also turned their rods into serpents . but moses did it by true piety , they by diabolical delusions , as false christians many times work miracles by outward signes of true piety , and therefore moses rod overcame the sorcerers serpents , because the end of fraud and falsehood is , to be overcome by truth and piety . from this changing of rods into serpents , came the several metamorphosing of sundry other things into serpents also , as that tale of orpheus head , after he was torn in pieces by the thracian women ; and the same thrown into a river , was taken up in lemnos . the poet describeth it thus ; hic ferus exposito peregrinis anguis arenis os petit , & sparsos stillants rore capillos lambit , & hymniferos inhiat divellere vultus : tandem phoebus adest : morsusque inserre parantem arcet , & in lapidem rictus serpentis apertos congelat , & patulos ut erant indurat hiatus . in english thus ; no sooner on the forain coast now cast a land they were , but that cruel natur'd snake did straight upon them fly , and licking on his ruffled hair , the which was dropping dry , did gape to tyre upon those lips that had been wont to sing the heavenly hymnes . but phoebus straight preventing that same thing , dispoints the serpent of his bait , and turns him into stone , with gaping chaps , &c. — so isacius tzetzes writeth , that when tiresia found serpents in carnal copulation in cithaeron , he slew a female , who presently after death was turned into a woman , then also he slew a male , who likewise being dead , was in the same place and manner turned into a man. when cadmus was was sent by his father , to seek out his sister europa that was ravished by jupiter , with straight charge not to return back again except he could finde her , having spent much time in seeking her to no purpose , because he could not finde her , and not daring to go back again to his father ; he was warned by the oracle that he should go into boeotia to build a city . coming thither , he sent his companions to the fountain of mars that was in the countrey to fetch water , where a great serpent came and killed them ; at last , cadmus not finding their return , went likewise to the same fountain , where he he found all his men slain , and the serpent approaching to assail him , but he quickly killed it . afterward he was admonished by pallas , to strew the teeth of the same serpent upon the ground , which he performed , and then out of those teeth ( saith ovid ) arose a multitude of armed men , who instantly fell to fight one with the other , in such cruel and bloudy manner , that at the last there were but ▪ five of them all left alive , which five ( by the will of pallas ) were preserved to be the fathers of the people of thebes . and so apolio 〈…〉 us faigneth , that with the help of men bred of serpent ▪ teeth , came jason to obtain the golden fleece . they faign also , that achelous when he strove with hercules about deianira , turned himself into divers shapes , and last of all into a serpent , or as some say , into a river . so likewise cadmus afore-said , being overcome with the sight and sense of his own miseries , and the great calamities that befell to his daughters and nephews , forsook thebes , and came into illyrium , where it is said , that he earnestly desired of the gods to be turned into a serpent , because a serpent was the first original of all his extremities . antipater faigneth jupiter to be turned into a serpent ; and medusa refusing the love of neptune , is also faigned by ovid to be turned into a serpent , when he writeth ; hanc pelagi rector templo vitiasse minervae dicitur , aversa est & castos aegide vultus nota jovis texit : neve hoc impune fuisset , gorgoneum crinem turpes mutavit in hydros . nunc quoque ut attonitos formidine terreat hostes , pectore in adverso , quos fecit sustinet angues . in english thus ; it is reported how she should abus'd by neptune be , in pallas church , from which foul fact joves daughter turn'd her eye : and left it should unpunisht be , she turnd her seemly hair to loathsome snakes , the which the more to put her foes in fear , before her breast continually she in her hand doth bear . pterius writeth , that the myrtle rod was not lawful to be brought into the temple of hecate , and that a vine branch was extended over the head of her sign : and whereas it was not lawful to name wine , they brought it into her temple under the name of milk , and that therein continually lived harmless serpents . the reason of all this was , because that her own father faunus fell in love with her , whom she resisted with all modesty , although she were beaten with a myrtle rod , and made to drink wine ; but at last the beastly father was transformed into a serpent , and then he oppressing her with the spires of his winding body , ravished her against her minde . these and such like stories and fables are extant about the beginnings of serpents ; all which , the reader may consider , to stir up his minde to the earnest and ardent meditation of that power that of stones can make men , of rocks , water ; of water , wine ; and of small rods great serpents . then thus having expressed the original of serpents in their creation , it followeth now to add the residue of this chapter about their generation . it is a general rule that all beasts wanting feet and have long bodies , perform their work of carnal copulation by a mutual embracing one of the other , as lampreys and serpents : and it is certain , that two serpents in this action seem to be one body and two heads , for they are so indivisibly united and conjoyned together , and the frame of their body is altogether unapt for any other manner of copulation . when they are in this action they send forth a rank savour offensive to the sense of them that do perceive it : and although like unto many fishes , they want stones , yet have they two open passages wherein lyeth their generative seed , and which being filled provoketh them to their venereal lust , the seed it self being like a milky humor ; and when the female is under the male , she hath also her passages to receive the seed , as it were into the cells of her womb , and there it is framed into an egge , which she hide●h in the earth an hundred in a cluster , about the quantity of a birds egg , or a great bead , such as are used some-time by women . and this is general for all serpents , except vipers , who lay no egges , but hatch in their wombs their young ones , as we shall shew at large in their particular history . the serpent having laid her egge sitteth upon them to hatch them at several times , and in a year they are perfected into young ones . but concerning the supposed copulation of serpents and lampreys , i will not meddle in this place , reserving that discourse to the history of fishes , and now only it sufficeth in this place to name it , as a feigned invention ; although saint ambrose and other ancient writers have believed the same , yet aihenaeus , and of late days p. jovlus , have learnedly and sufficiently declared by unanswerable arguments the clean contrary . the serpents love their egges most tenderly , and do every one of them know their own , even among the confused heaps of the multitude , and no less is their love to their young ones , whom for their safeguard , sometime they receive into their mouths , and suffer them to run into their bellies : and thus much for the generation of serpents . of the names of serpents , and their several parts of anatomy . by serpents we understand in this discourse all venomous beasts , whether creeping without legs , as adders and snakes , or with legs , as crocodiles and lizards , or more neerly compacted bodies , as toads , spiders , and bees , following herein the warant of the best ancient latinists , as namely cornelius celsus , pliny and apuleius do call lice serpents , in that their relation of the death of pherecydes the syrian , who was the praeceptor of pythagoras , of whom it is said , serpentibus periisse , to have perished by serpents , when on the contrary it is manifested he was killed by lice . aristotle and galen define a serpent to be animal sanguineum pedibus orbatum & oviparum , that is , a bloudy beast without feet , yet laying egges ; and so properly is a serpent to be understood . the hebrews call a serpent nachasch . darcon and cheveia by the chaldees : so also thanintus and schephiphon , by the hebrews ; as rabbi solomon , munster and pagnine write . the grecians , ophidi and ophis , although this word do also signifie a viper in particular , even as the latine , serpens , or serpula do , sometime a snake , and sometime an adder . the arabians , haie , and hadaie , for all manner of serpents . and testuh , or tenstu , or agestim for serpents of the wood , likewise apartias and atussi . the germans , ein schlang ; which word seemeth to be derived from anguis , by an usual figure , and after the german fashion , preposing sch. the french call it vn serpent ; the italians , serpe & serpente : and massarius saith , that scorzo and scorzone , are general words for all manner of serpents in italy , which strike with their teeth . the spaniards call them sierpe ; the grecians call the young ones in the dams belly , embrua ; and the latines , catuli . and thus much for the names in general , which in holy scripture is englished a creeping thing . now it followeth , that i should set down a particular description of all the outward parts of serpents ; and first of all , their colour is for the most part like the place of their habitation , or abode , i mean like the earth , wherein they live ; and therefore i have seen some black , living in dung ; some yellow , living in sandy rocks ; and some of other colour , as green , living in trees and fields ; but generally they have spots on their sides and belly , like the scales of fish , which are both white , black , green , yellow , brown , and of other colours also , of which ovid writeth : — longo caput extulit antro caeruleus serpens , horrendaque sibila misit . that is , the greenish serpent extold her head from den so steep , and fearful hissing did send forth from throat so deep . the frame of their bodies do not much vary in any , except in the feet and length , so that with a reservation of them , we may express their universal anatomy in one view ; for almost all of them are of the same proportion that is seen in lizards , if the feet be excepted , and they made to have longer bodies . for they are inclosed in a kinde of shell or crusty skin , having their upper parts on th●●r back , and their neather parts on the belly like a lizard , but they want stones , and have such manner of places for copulation as fishes have , their place of conception being long and cloven all their bowels , by reason of the length and narrowness of their bodies , are also long and narrow , and hard to be discerned , because of the dissimilitude of their figures and shapes . their artery is long , and their throat longer then that : the ground or root of the artery is near the mouth , so as a man would judge it to be under the tongue , so as it seemeth to hang out above the tongue , especially when the tongue is contracted and drawn backward . the head long like a fishes , and flat ; never much bigger then the body , except in monstrous and great shaped serpents , as the boas . yea , aristotle maketh mention of a serpent that had two heads ; and arnoldus , of a serpent in the pireney mountains , slain by a souldier , that had three heads , in whose belly were found two sons of the said souldier devoured by him , and the back-bone thereof was as great as a mans skull , or a rams head . and such an one we read in our english story was found in england , in the year . and the year of edward the third , there was a serpent found in oxfordshi●e , near chippingnorton , that had two heads and faces like women , one being shaped after the new attire of that time , and another after the manner of the old attire , and it had great wings , after the manner of a bat. the tongue of a serpent is peculiar , for besides the length and narrowness thereof , it is also cloven at the tip , being divided as it were with very little or small nails points . it is also thin , long , and black of colour , voluble ; neither is there any beast that moveth the tongue so speedily : wherefore some have thought , that a serpent hath three tongues , but in vain , as isidorus sheweth , for they deceive by the nimbleness thereof . their ventricle is large , like their maw , and like unto a dogs , also thin , and uniform at the end . the heart is very small , and cleaveth to the end of their artery , but yet it is long , and sheweth like the reins of a man : wherefore sometimes it may be seen to be 〈…〉 the tip or lap thereof to the breast-ward . after this followeth the lights , but far separate from 〈◊〉 , being simple , full of fibres , and open holes like pipes , and very long : the liver long and simple ; the milt small and round as in lizards . the gall is for the most part as in fishes , but in water-snakes it is joyned to the liver : in other serpents to the stomach or maw . all their teeth stand out of their mouth , and they have thirty ribs , even as there were among the hebrews and egyptians thirty days to every moneth . aristotle saith , that as their eyes be small , so also they have the same good hap that befalleth young swallows , for if by chance they scratch or rend out their eyes , then it is faid they have other grow up naturally in their places ; in like manner their tails being cut off , grow again . and generally serpents have their heart in the throat , the gall in the belly or stomach , and their stones near their tail : their egges are long and soft , and in their teeth they cary poyson of defence and and annoyance , for which cause they desire above all other things to save their heads . their sight is but dull and dim , and they can hardly look at one side , or backward , because their eyes are placed in their temples , and not in their fore-head , and therefore they hear better then they see . they have eye-lids , for generally no creatures have eye-lids , except those which have hair in the other parts of their bodies ; four-footed beasts in the upper cheek , fowls in the neather , or lizards which have egs , or serpents which have soft backs . they have also certain passages of breathing in their nostrils , but yet they are not so plain that they can be termed nostrils , but breathing places . their ears are like to finny fishes , namely small passages , or hollow places in the backer parts of their head , by which they hear . their teeth are like sawes , or the teeth of combes joyned one within the other , that so they might not be worn out by grinding or grating together ; and yet they bend inward , to the end that they may the better hold their meat in their mouths , being without all other externall help for that purpose ; for even those serpents which have feet , yet can they not apply them to their chaps . in the upper chap they have two longer then all the residue , on either side one , bored thorough with a little hole like the sting of a scorpion , by which they utter their poyson . yet there be some good authors that affirm , that this poyson is nothing else but their gall , which is forced to the mouth by certain veins under the ridge or back-bone . some again say , that they have but one long tooth , and that a crooked one , which turneth upward by often biting , which sometime falleth off , and then groweth again , of which kinde those are , which men carry up and down tame in their bosoms . although they be great raveners , yet is their throat but long and narrow , for help whereof , when they have gotten a booty , they erect themselves upon their tails , and swallow down their meat the more easily . they cannot be said properly to have any neck , yet something they have , which in proportion answereth that part . they have tails like all other creatures , except men and apes , and some say that their poyson is contained in their tails , and is from thence conveyed into little bladders in their mouths , therefore the mountebanks or juglers , break that bladder , that they may keep them without poyson , but within the space of twenty four hours they are recollected , and grow anew again . their bodies are covered over with a certain skin like a thin bark , and upon serpents it supplyeth the place that scales and hair do upon beasts and fishes ; for indeed , it is a pure skin , and in most things they are like to fishes , except that they have lights , and fishes have none : the reason is , they live on the earth , and the fishes in the sea , and therefore have fins and gills instead thereof . the little serpents have all their bones like thorns , but the greater , which stand in need of greater strength , have solid bones for their firmitude and better constitution . it is questionable whether they have any milt or no , and some say they have at the time of their laying of egges , and not otherwise . their place of conception or secret , is large , and standeth far out , beginning beneath , and so arising up to the back-bone double ; that is , having one skin or enclosure on either side , with a double passage , wherein the egs are engendered , which are not laid one by one , but by heaps or clusters together . they have no bladder to contain urine , like to all other creatures which have feathers , scales or rinde-speckled skins , except the tortoises : the reason is , because of the exiguity and smallnesse of the assumed humour , and also all the humour acquired , is consumed into a loose and evaporate flesh . and to conclude this anatomy , i will adde a short description which gregorius macer a physitian wrote to gesner , . by 〈…〉 is own dissection as followeth , saying . as i ●ay at rest in a green field , there came unto me a great serpent hissing , and holding up her neck , which i suddainly with a piece of wood amazed at a stroak , and so slew without peril to my self . afterward , sticking her fast to a pale , i drew off her skin , which was very fast and sharp , and i found betwixt the skin and the flesh , a certain little thin skin , descending all upon the body with the outward skin , and this was somewhat fat . and when i came unto the place of excrements i found it like a fishes , but there issued forth certain filth , farre exceeding in stinking savour the excrements of a man. after i had thus pulled off the skin , it was easie for me to look into the inward parts , which i found to answer the inward anatomy of fishes and fowls in some parts , and in other things , there appeared a proper disposition to the serpent it self . for the artery trachea was about three or four fingers long , turned about with little round circles , and so descended to the lights , unto which the heart and the bladder containing the gall , did adhere or cleave fast . then the liver was long , like the fish lucius , and so a white caul or fatnesse covered both the liver and stomach , which was half a span long : the guts began at the chaps , and so descended down to the place of excrements , as we see they do in fishes . beneath the liver were the guts , upon either side descended a certain nervy or hard vein , unto which the egs did cleave : which were covered with such little skins as hens egs are before they be layd , but yet they were distinguished in seat or place , because of their multitude ; for upon either side i found two and thirty egs . the tongue of the serpent was cloven , and very sharp , but there appeared not any poyson therein . and so it is evident , that in the vein trachea , heart and lights , it agreeth with birds ; in the liver , guts and caul , it resembleth a fish , but in the place of the gall , and disposition of the egs , it differeth from both . and thus farre macer , with whose words i will conclude this chapter of serpents anatomy . of the quantity of serpents , and their abode , food , and other accidents . so great is the quantity of serpents , and their long during age increaseth them to so great a stature , that i am almost afraid to relate the same , lest some suspicious and envious minded persons , should utterly condemn it for fabulous ; but yet when i consider not only the plentiful testimonies of worthy and undoubted antiquaries , and also the evidence of all ages , ( not excepting this wherein we live ) wherein are and have been shewed publiquely many serpents , and serpents skins , i receive warrant sufficient to express what they have observed , and assured answer for all future objections , of ignorant , incredulous , and unexperienced asses . wherefore as the life of serpents is long , so is the time of their growth ; and as their kindes be many , ( as we shall manifest in the succeeding discourse ) so in their multitude , some grow much greater and bigger then other . gellius writeth , that when the romans were in the carthaginian war , and attilius rogulus the consul had pitched his tents near unto the river bragrada , there was a serpent of monstrous quantity , which had been lodged within the compass of the tents , and therefore did cause to the whole army exceeding great calamity , untill by casting of stones with slings , and many other devises , they oppressed and slew that serpent , and afterward fleyed off the skin and sent it to rome , which was in length one hundred and twenty feet . and although this seem to a beast of unmatchable stature , yet possidonius a christian writer , relateth a story of another which was much greater , for he writeth , that he saw a serpent dead , of the length of an acre of land , and all the residue both of head and body , were answerable in proportion , for the bulk of his body was so great , and lay so high , that two horsemen could not see one the other being at his two sides , and the wideness of his mouth was so great , that he could receive at one time within the compass thereof , a horse and a man on his back both together : the scales of his coat or skin , being every one like a large buckler or target . so that now there is no such cause to wonder at the serpent which is said to be killed by s. george , which was as is reported so great , that eight oxen were but strength , enough to draw him out of the city silena . there is a river called rhyndacus near the coasts of bythinia , wherein are snakes of exceeding monstrous quantity , for when through heat they are forced to take the water , for their safegard against the sun , and birds come flying over the pool , suddenly they raise their heads and upper parts out thereof , and swallow them up . the serpents of megalauna , are said by pausanias to be thirty cubits long , and all their other parts answerable . but the greatest in the world are found in india , for there they grow to such a quantity , that they swallow up whole bulls and great stags . wherefore i do not marvel that porus the king of india , sent to augustus caesar very huge vipers , a serpent of ten cubits long , a tortoise of three cubits , and a partridge greater then a vulture . for alexander in his navigation upon the red-sea , saith ; that he saw serpents forty cubits long , and all their other parts and members of the same quantity . among the scyritae , the serpents come by great swarms upon their flocks of sheep and cattel , and some they eat up all , others they kill and suck out the bloud , and some part they carry away . but if ever there were any thing beyond credit , it is the relation of volateran , in his twelfth book of the new-found lands , wherein he writeth , that there are serpents of a mile long , which at one certain time of the year come abroad out of their holes and dens of habitation , and destroy both the heards and heard-men if they find them . much more favourable are the serpents of a spanish island , who do no harm to any living thing , although they have huge bodies , and great strength to accomplish their desires . in the kingdom of senega , their serpents are so great that they devour whole beasts , as goats , and such like , without breaking any one of their bones . in calechute , they are as great as their greatest swine , and not much unlike them , except in their head , which doth far exceed a swines . and because the king of that countrey hath made a law , that no man kill a serpent under pain of death , they are as great in number as they are in quantity : for so great is his error , that he deemeth it as lawful to kill a man as a serpens . all kindes of serpents are referred to their place of habitation , which is either the earth , or the waters of the earth ; and the serpents of the earth are more in number then the serpents of the water , except the serpents of the sea : and yet it is thought by the most learned rabbins , that the serpents of the sea , are fishes in the likeness of dragons . now the places of serpents abode being thus generally capitulated , we must enter into a farther narration of their habitations , and regions of their native breeding . in the first place , india nourisheth many and divers sorts of serpents , especially in the kingdom of morfilium , and alexander the emperor , found among other beasts , sundry kindes of serpents in a long desert , which is on the north-side of india . but all the nations of the world may give place to aethiopia for multitude and variety , for there they gather together on heaps , and lie in compass like round hills , visibly apparent to the eyes of them that behold them a far off . the like is said of all africa , for in numidia , every year there are many men , women and children destroyed by serpents . the island pharus , is also ( by the testimony of the egyptians ) filled with serpents : the coasts of elymais are annoyed by serpents ; and the caspians are so annoyed by serpents which come swimming in the floods , that men cannot sail that ways but in the winter time . for from the beginning of the spring , or aequinoctal , they seem ( for their number ) to approach ravening , like troops and armies . there are certain islands called ophiusae ins●●ae , named after ophis a serpent , for the multitude bred therein : and there are serpents in candy , ephesus , and all hot countries , for this priviledge hath god in nature given to the colder countreys , that they are less annoyed with serpents , and their serpents also less nocent and hurtful : and therefore the serpents of europe are fewer in number , lesser in quantity , and more resistable for their weakness and strength . there were a people in campania called osci , because of the multitude of serpents bred among them : likewise there are great store in lombardy and ferrata . and whereas we have said , that the most nocent and harmful serpents are bred in the hottest regions , where they engender more speedily , and also grow into greater proportions , yet is it not to be understood of any special property appertaining to them alone , for i read in olaus magnus his description of the northern regions , of serpents of as great quantity as in any other place of the world ; but yet their poyson is not half so venomous and hurtful , as in the hotter regions , especially the african serpents . in b●tina near livonia , there are great store of great serpents also , so that the heard-men are at continual war and contention with them for defence of their flock : likewise in the mountains of helvetia and avergne , whereof there are many wonders reported in the world , which i will not stand upon to relate in this place . we read also , that some places have been disinhabited , and dispeopled by serpents , such were the people of scythia , called neuri , who before the war of darius , were constrained to forsake their soil , because they were annoyed , not only with home-bred serpents , but also with many other which came from other parts : and so the countrey remaineth desolate to this present day , the ancient inhabitants being all removed to dwell among the buditani . the city amyclae in italy , ( as m. varro writeth ) was destroyed also by serpents . and there be certain places of the world , which have received their denomination from serpents , besides the ophiusae near creie . the island tenos , was called hydrussa and ophiussa , so were cremiuscos , aepolium , and the mountains macrocremnii , rhodus , and the long islands ophiades in the arabian coast , which after it had remained along time desert , was purged and cleared from serpents by the kings of egypt . nicanetus also calleth cyprus , ophiodia . and in pausanias , we read of a place named opheos kephale , the serpents head . the like might be said of rivers , as of orontes , called also ophites , and ophis in pontus , which divideth asunder colchis , and the countrey thiamica . ebusus nourisheth no serpents , and the earth thereof hath in it a secret vertue to drive away serpents , wherefore it is much desired of all men to carry about them , for that it hath been often proved , that never any venomous beast durst adventure upon any man possessed thereof . the like is said of ireland , as our own chronicles do plentifully declare , and therefore i will spare to enter into any narration thereof . to come therefore to the more particular abode of serpents , especially of such as are known to us , we must leave off the talk and nomination of kingdoms , and descend to dens , holes , caves , dunghils , sheep-coats , valleys , rocks hollow-walls and trees , woods , green pastures , hedges , and such like places , wherein they make their most abode : and now and then in these northern parts of the world ( and yet seldom ) they dive down into the bottom or roots of trees , especially such as are green all the winter time : for they finde in them a greater heat or warmth , then in other , whose leaves fall off and decay in the cold weather , except in the roots of birth . and by reason of their multitude gathered together at the root of this tree , it falleth out that their breath heateth the same , and so preserveth the leaves from falling off : wherefore in ancient time , the ignorant multitude , seeing a birch tree with green leaves in the winter , did call it our ladies tree , or a holy tree , attributing that greenness to miracle , not knowing the former reason , or secret in nature . solinus reporteth of such a like wood in a part of africa , where in all the winter time , the leaves of all the trees abide green , the cause is as before recited , for that the serpents living at the roots of the trees in the earth , do heat them with their breath . neither ought any man to wonder that they should so friendly live together , especially in the winter and cold time , seeing that by experience in england , we know that for warmth they will creep into bed-straw , and about the legs of men in their sleep ; as may appear by this succeeding discourse , of a true history done in england , in the house of a worshipful gentleman , upon a servant of his , whom i could name if it were needful . he had a servant that grew very lame and feeble in his legs , and thinking that he could never be warm in his bed , did multiply his clothes , and covered himself more and more , but all in vain , till at length he was not able to go about , neither could any skill of physitian or chirurgeon finde out the cause . it hapned on a day as his master leaned at his parlour window , he saw a great snake to slide along the house side , and to creep into the chamber of this lame man , then lying in his bed ( as i remember , ) for he lay in a low chamber , directly against the parlour window aforesaid . the gentleman desirous to see the issue , and what the snake would do in the chamber , followed , and looked into the chamber by the window ; where he espyed the snake to slide up into the bed-straw , by some way open in the bottom of the bed , which was of old boards . straightway his heart rising thereat , he called two or three of his servants , and told them what he had seen , bidding them go take their rapiers and kill the said snake . the serving men came first and removed the lame man ( as i remember ) and then the one of them turned up the bed , and the other two the straw , their master standing without at the hole , whereinto the said snake had entered into the chamber . the bed was no sooner turned up , and the rapier thrust into the straw , but there issued forth five or six great snakes that were lodged therein : then the serving-men bestirring themselves , soon dispatched them , and cast them out of doors dead . afterward , the lame mans legs recovered , and became as strong as ever they were : whereby did evidently appear , the coldness of these snakes or serpents , which came close to his legs every night , did so benum them as he could not go . and thus for heat they pierce into the holes of chimneys , yea into the tops of hills and houses , much more into the bottoms and roots of trees . when they perceive that winter approacheth , they finde out their resting places , wherein they lie half dead four months together , until the spring sun again communicating her heat to all creatures reviveth , and ( as it were ) raiseth them up from death to life during which time of cold winter , as seneca writeth , tuto tractari postifera serpens potest , non desunt tuno illi venena , sed 〈◊〉 : they may be safely handled , without fear of harm , not because they want poyson at that time , but because they are drouzy , and deadly astonished . but there is a question , whether when they be in this secresie or drouziness , they awake not to eat , or else their sleep be unto them in stead of food . olaus magnus affirmeth of the northern serpents , that they eat not at all , but are nourished with sleep . cardan saith , that they take some little food , as appeareth by those which are carryed up and down in boxes to be seen , and are fed with bran or cheasil ; but this may be answered , that serpents in boxes , are not so cold as those in woods and deserts : and therefore seeing cold keepeth them from eating , the external heat of the box-house , or humane body which beareth them about , may be a cause , that inclosed serpents feed in winter as well as in summer , and yet the serpents which run wilde in the fields eat nothing at all , during the time of their chias or ehiaus , that is , their lying hid . grevinus that learned man proponeth this question , si serpentes calidi sunt , qui fit ut integros tr●t aut quatuor menses , id est toto illo tempore quo delitescunt , absque cibo vivunt ? if ( saith he ) serpents be hot , how cometh it to pass that they can live three or four moneths without all food , that is , all the time of their lying secret ? he maketh ( in my opinion ) a sufficient answer to this question , which for me shall conclude the cause , saying ; doth it not fall out with serpents as it doth with some women , who being full of humor , and thick phlegmatick matter , have but a little and weak natural heat , ( yet proportionable to the said humor ) do live a great time by reason thereof without food or nourishment ? and for this cause , all the hoasts of philosophers do define , that serpents do also abstain from eating a long season . for nature hath clothed them with a more solid skin , and lined them with a more thick and substantial flesh , to the intent that their natural heat should not easily vanish away and decay in their bodies , but remain therein permanent , for the feeding and preserving of life . when they sleep , they seem to sleep with open eyes , which is elegantly described by philes in these greek verses : opos kathéude kai dokei palin blepein ophis te kai ptox ka● thumou pleres león epipetatai gar he chlamys ton ommaton allou tinos chitonos hapaloterou . phrorountos autois os dioptras , task-óras . which may be englished thus ; how can the hare , the serpent , and the lion bold , both sleep , and see together at one time ? within their eye-lids , a soft skin their sight doth fold , shilding their apples , as glass doth weakened eyne . the food of serpents that is permitted them by god , is the dust of the earth , as may appear by that first and just sentence , which god himself gave upon them , for seducing our first parents , ad 〈…〉 and eve , gen. . . because thou hast done this thing , thou art accursed above all the beasts of the field , for thou shalt go upon thy belly , and eat dust all the days of thy life . and again , esay . . dust shall be me●t to the serpent . and lest that we should think that this curse hath not taken hold upon the serpent , we may finde the express practise hereof , mich. . . where it is said of gods enemies , that , they shall lick the dust like the serpent . yet aristotle affirmeth truly , that serpents are omnitori , that is , devourers of flesh , fish , herbs , or any other things ; howbeit , herein they pass their kinde , or else the curse of god reacheth not to any other kindes then to that alone which deceived our first parents . we have shewed already , how they eat and devour men , women and children , oxen , sheep , and goats , but whatsoever they eat , they retain nothing but the moisture of it , and the residue they eject whole and undigested . whatsoever is offered them , that they take , either a bird , or a small chicken , or an egge , having it , they take hold but of one end , as of the head of a chick , or small end of an egge , and so set it directly before them ; then do they gather themselves together in as short a compass as may be , that so their bodies which seem long and small , being extended , may appear great and wide , reduced into a short and compacted frame . and surely hereby they open and make wider their passage and swallow for then they suddenly goble in the beast or meat before them , without any great ado ; and having kept it in their body till it be dryed from all moisture , they cast it out again as they swallowed it up , at another ordinary place . but for birds and chickens , they strive with them till they have gotten off their feathers , or else , if they swallow them whole , they eject the feathers as they do egge-shells . the serpents of the north do in the summer time eat the flesh of birds , and herbs , and after the eating of them , they taste of a little water , or milk if they can attain it , or else wine . for this cause they will suck the udders of kine , or goats , or sheep , as hath been seen in england , yet is their appetite to drink but small , as is in all other creatures , whose livers are fungous , and soft like spunges ; and so are all beasts and creatures which lay egges . above all kindes of drink they love wine , and thereof they be drunk , wherefore in italy they set pottles of wine to entrap vipers : for if once they smell the wine , they enter the vessel gladly and speedily , and the wine or milk whereof they drink , is poysoned by them . but in those places of africk where it never raineth , they eat a kinde of black moist worm , which hath many legs , as is said by theophrastus . and to conclude , their meat and drink is so small , that it is received for truth , nulluns venenatum perit fame velsiti , that no venomous beast perisheth by hunger or thirst . the voyce of serpents is called sibilus , a hissing , and their voyce differeth from all other beasts hissing , in the length thereof : for the hissing of a tortoise is shorter and more abrupt . of this hissing voyce speaketh lucan , saying ; quod strident ululantque ferae , quod sibilat anguis . in english thus ; g●●shing and howling is the voyce of-wilde beasts ; long hissing in snakes and serpents doth rest . among other things notable in a serpent , this is one , because it casteth off his old age every year , whereof the grecians tell this fabulous reason . once man-kinde strove earnestly with the gods by supplication for a perpetual youth , that they might never wax old : and obtaining their desire , they laid the same to be carryed upon an ass . the silly beast waxing sore athirst in his travail , at last came unto a water , and thereof endevoured earnestly to drink ; but the keeper of the same water being a serpent , denyed leave to the ass to drink thereof , except he would grant him his carriage , which was perpetual youth : the poor ass ready to perish for thirst , easily condescended thereunto . whereupon the serpent changeth her age for youth , and men their youth for old age ; and the ass for his punishment , is more tormented with thirst then any other beast . but to leave fables , and to come more neer the mark , the latines call the casting off their skin , anguina senectus , spolium serpentis , & vernatio ; the grecians , opheos derma , suphar , leberis & geras ; the arabians , geluc & genlut , & fulcalhaileb ; the italians , spoglia delle serpi : and the spaniards , pelle de la culebra . about this snakes skin there is great difference among authors , some affirming it to be the very skin . other , that it is nothing but a kinde of hard leprosie , grown upon them during the winter time while they lie hid . some again say , that they cast it twice a year , first in the spring , and then secondly in the autumn . but by conference of all together it appeareth , that while the serpents he hid , by reason of their drought now in the beginning of the spring when they come first abroad , they rub off this skin by sliding betwixt two stones , or underneath some root of a tree , or else betwixt some boughs or small trees , beginning at the head , and so continuing to the tail . and within four and twenty hours , that which was raw and bald , beginneth to have another skin upon it ; and so as a young childe or beast cometh out of the secondine doth a serpent come out of the skin . as concerning their eye-sight , they naturally do take the juyce of fennel , which they eat , and by that recover their seeing again : and if it happen that they caanot finde sufficient , they rub their dim eyes thereupon . and if it happen that any of his scales be bruised , or fall senseless , then do they rub themselves upon the thorns of juniper . and whereas it is thought that they cast their skins again in autumn , that is to be attributed either to vipers alone , which cast their skins twice a year , or else to those which are long before they cast , and so it falleth off in harvest or autumn the first time , which by reason of the unseasonableness , is thought to be a second coat . and this have i my self often found here in england in the summer time . the casting off this skin is thus elegantly described by tibullus : crudeles divi ! serpens novus exuit annos , forma non ullam fata dedere moram . anguibus exuitur tenui cum pelle vetustas : cur uos angusta conditione sumus ? which may thus be englished ; o cruel gods , sith serpents change their yearly age , and fates delay not to resine their form , sith snakes with tender skin excuss'd their years enlarge , why unto worser hap is mankinde born ? of the inward disposition of serpents , and of their concord and discord with other creatures . it is ever to our woe to be remembred , that which the lord himself hath left recorded in genesis , that , the serpent was more subtile then all the beasts which god had made . by which is expressed the natural disposition of this beast above other to subtilty and policy ; for i cannot approve the saying of them , who think that the devil at the beginning might as well have used the tongue of an ass or a dog to have deceived man , as well as a serpents ; but surely that old serpent knew very well , ( better then all they which speak the contrary ) that he could not have so fit a subject in all the world , as the shape , wit , and cunning of a serpent . and that this came not into the serpent at that time when the devil framed his tongue to speak , may appear by the precept of our saviour christ , where he saith ; be wise as serpents , be innocent as doves . for if there had not been naturally , some extraordinary faculty of understanding in this beast , as there is of meekness in a dove , his wisdome would never have sent us to a serpent possest with a devil , but rather to some other ingenious beast , whereof there were great store in the world. and therefore i conclude , that subtilty and prudence came not to the serpent as speaking into balaams ass , but rather by nature or creation . and yet concerning this last sentence of our most blessed saviour , i cannot but express the words of tzetzes , who writeth thus upon it , servate capita vestra , quemadmodum serpens qui insidiis petitus vapulansque ad mortem , omnimodò caput suum abscondit , sicves à●tyrannis & impiis cruciati , caput servate mihi , fidem vestram , & ne deum neget is usque ad ipsam mortem . that is , it is as much as if our saviour christ should say ; even as when a serpent is set upon and stroken , by all the means she can she hideth her head , and exposeth all her other parts to blows , reserving that sound ; so you , when you are persecuted by tyrants , preserve your head , that is , your faith , and deny not your god to death . and this thing is affirmed by all writers , both divine and humane , which have ever touched this point , that above all the parts of the body the serpent preserveth his . for pliny saith , that if his body be cut off but two fingers length from his head , he will go away as if he had no harm at all , and live longer . paulus fagius writing upon genesis , saith ; it is the opinion of some hebrews , that the serpent at the beginning did go upright , and was indued with all the affections of men : but this jewish fable is not worthy to be confuted , because humane affection cannot proceed but from a reasonable foul , which to ascribe to the serpent , were blasphemous and absurd . besides , that then the soul might die , and that god had created such a soul , otherwise then by breathing into the body the breath of life . serpents have many epithets given unto them , as illiberal , perfidious , treacherous , venomous , poysonful , stinging , implacable , surious , savage , merciless , devourer , and such like : and indeed the holy writers , by a serpent do understand implacable fury : for they are immitissimum animalium genus , a most ungentle and barbarous kinde of all creatures , as may appear by the rage of a little snake , one of the least of serpents kinde : for when he perceiveth that he is hurt or wounded , he never ceaseth casting out his poyson , until he have done harm , or die for madness . two things i finde to be notable in serpents , the first is proper to their kinde , the second is common to them with swine , rats , and mice . first , they are above measure kinde , not only to their young ones , but also to their egges . for funckius confidently sweareth , that at lostorfium he saw a serpents egge taken and cast into a hot furnace , and when it began to fry in the same , whether by natural instinct , or by smell thereof , the old serpent came , and would have run into the fire to fetch it out , but that he and other strangers hindered her by killing her . and so likewise , if in a wood one of them be set on fire , all the serpents that are within the savour thereof , or within the hearing of the hissing , will instantly gather unto it , even as beasts when they hear one another roar . and so great is their love one toward another , ( as pliny and textor write ) that it was a vulgar saying , serpentium morsus non petit serpentes , one serpent will not bite another . and juvenal writeth ; sed jam serpentum major concordia — scilicet , quam hominum inter se . that is to say ; better do serpents with serpents accord , then man with man , who should be their lord. i cannot conceal a most memorable history as ever was any in the world ; of a fight betwixt the serpents of the land and the water . this history is taken out of a book of schiltbergerus , a bavarian , who knew the same ( as he writeth ) while he was a captive in turky , his words are these . is the kingdom called genycke there is a city called sampson , about which while i was prisoner with baiazeta king of turkes , there pitched or arrived an innumerable company of land and water serpents , compassing the said city a mile about . the land-serpents came out of the woods of trienick , which are great and many , and the water serpents came out of the bordering set. these were nine days together assembling in that place , and for fear of them there was not any that durst go out of the city , although it was not observed that they hurt any man , or living creature thereabouts . wherefore the prince also commanded , that no man should trouble them , or do them any harm , wisely judging , that such an accident came not but by divine miracle , and that also to siguifie some notable event . upon the tenth day these two valiant troops joyned battel early in the morning before the sun-rising , so continuing in fight until the sun-set , at which time the prince with some horse-men , went out of the city to see the battel , and it appeared to him and his associates , that the water serpents gave place to the land serpents . so the prince and his company returned into the city again , and the next day went forth again , but found not a serpent alive , for there were slain above eight thousand : all which he caused presently to be covered with earth in ditches , and afterward declared the whole matter to baiazeta by letters after he had gotten that city , whereat the great turk rejoyced , for he thereby interpreted happiness to himself . but i have been too long in this first and proper affection of serpents , namely , their mutual concord ; and this example of the land and water serpents , doth not break the common promised rule , because it is to be understood of serpents that live in the same element . the second property is to presage pestilence , rottenness of air , famine , floods , and ruine of those places wherein they are commorant , and have their abiding : so do they know to chuse a good air , and fore-know fertility of fruits , earth-quakes and great tempests . when helice was destroyed , five days before , the serpents , snakes , rats , mice , and weasels , departed all out thereof , being wiser then men , that misdeeming no harm , although they saw and wondered at these removals , yet stood it out to their own utter ruine , overthrow and destruction . of the friendship and enmity which serpents keep with other creatures . ever since the devil entered into the serpent , it became hateful to all , or the most part of the beasts of the field , so that it may as truly be verified of the serpent as it was of esau , that the hands of all men and beasts are against them , ( except very few ) for they are strangers to all , and finde very few or no friends . yet it is reported , that the serpent and the fox will live peaceably together in one cave or lodging . there is a story , not unpleasant , of a man that found a serpent enclosed betwixt two stones , and at the intreaty of the serpent , he loosed him out of danger , and did him no harm . the serpent being released and free from death , in stead of other recompence for so good a turn , told the man that he had been therein a long time inclosed , and was very hungry , and therefore was forced ( against his will ) to make the best of his fortune , and therefore must needs eat the man , and bad him prepare himself for death . the man astonished at this motion , replyed to the serpent , that he hoped he would not deal so with him , having delivered him from death , now to put his deliverer to death : and said moreover , that he would not be the judge of his own case , but refer the same to the next they found : and the serpent also yeelded to that judgement , being assured that no creature would quit the man , lest he should cast his own life into peril . forth then they went and met with an ass , to whom the man told the difference betwixt him and the serpent , how kindely he saved the serpents life , and how unkindely he again would take away his life . and then the serpent bade the ass consider what judgement he gave , and for whom he spake . the ass adjudged it lawful for the serpent to kill the man. lo now , said the serpent , make you ready , for the matter is judged against you , and withall , began to make force at him with mouth and sting . but the man said , that he would not take this asses deree for reasonable , and therefore prayed the serpent to tarry yet a little longer , and try once more the next . beast they met withall ; and the serpent thinking himself sure of the booty , yeelded thereunto . then forth they passed again , and shortly after met with a fox , to whom the man related his case , and the benefit he had done to the serpent : the serpent again confessed he released him , but withall , denyed his case to be as the man had said , so desperate , but only he entrapped himself the better to compass a booty . the fox having heard them both , ( desirous to end the matter for the mans benefit ) would needs go with them both to the place where the serpent was inclosed , and so all parties consented . and when the fox came thither , he bade the serpent go into the same place again , that so he might the better judge of the whole matter . the serpent went in again betwixt the stones , and was so inclosed as he was before , for he could not stir neither backward nor forward . then the fox asked the man if this were the serpents case , from which he had delivered him ? the man answered yea , in all points . then he bade the serpent come out again , as he said he could , without the help of the man. but the serpent called the man to help him again . nay , said the fox , i found you two at variance , because of your discharge from this place , and seeing now you are as you were before , and the man as he was before your enlargement , my sentence is , that when you come forth of that place you are in , then shall you eat the man : and if he will let you forth again , i will never pity him . by this fable is shewed , that foxes love not serpents so well as they love men , and yet they never love men , but they are afraid , suspitious , and willing to forsake their familiarity . some say there is a kinde of love betwixt serpents and cats , whereof i finde this story in ponzettus . there were certain monks , who all of them fell sick upon a sudden , and the physitians could not tell how or whence this sickness came , except from some secret poyson . at last , one of the servants of the abbey , saw the cat which was daily fed at the monks table , to play with a serpent ; and thereby it was conjectured , that the serpent having in his sport lost or left some poyson upon the cats skin , the monks by stroking of the cat were infected therewith . and the cause why the cat was not harmed thereby , was for that she received the poyson from the sport , and not from the anger of the serpent . and this thing surely is not so marvellous , seeing that little mice and rats do also play with serpents , and herein politicians play the serpents , who hold correspondence and peace both with the cat and the mouse : that is , with two sworn and natural enemies together . the like peace and league they are also said to keep with eeles , as may more plainly appear by this following history , of a certain monk called rodolphus a will monachus capellensis . there was ( as this monk affirmeth ) one of his fellow monks , which did often tell him , that being a little boy , and using to sport himself by the water side , he hapned to catch an eele , which he attempted ( for his own pleasure ) to carry to another water , and by the way as he went , he passed through a wood , at which time when he was within the wood , the eele began to hiss and cry mainly , at the hearing whereof , there gathered together very many serpents round about him , insomuch that he was afraid , and set down his basket fast pinned and ran away ; afterward he came again and sought for his basket , but he found not the eele therein , wherefore it was supposed , that the serpents delivered the same eele out of the basket , by some sleight of nature : the only doubt is , whether eeles do hiss or not , seeing they are fishes and omnes pisces muti , all fishes are mute or dumb . but for answer to this objection , it is most certain that eeles have a voyce , as all they know which use fishing in the night ; for i my self , have not only heard such a voyce in the night time in rivers , and other waters where eeles abounded , but have had it confirmed by divers other , of greater practise and experience in fishing . the reason whereof , may be their manner of generation ; for they engender not by spawn as other fishes , but of the slime of the earth or water , and differ not from serpents in their external form , except in their colour , and therefore may be said to partake with fishes and serpents in both their natures : that is , having a voyce like a serpent ' , and a substance like a fish . such is their confederacy with living creatures , and with no more that i ever read or heard of . but moreover , it is said that they love some plants or herbs above measure , as the fennel and ivy ; and for this later , both pliny and textor do not without great cause wonder , that ever there was any honour ascribed or given to the ivy , seeing that serpents ( the most unreconcileable enemies of man-kinde ) delight so much therein . but herein the devil blinded their reason , as he did the modest women , that worshipped priapus ; or the tartars , which at this day worship the devil , to the end that he should do them no harm . thus much i can only say of the friends and lovers of serpents , by the multitude whereof we may conjecture , how among other parts of the curse of god upon them , they are held accursed both by man and beast . now then it followeth , that we enter into a more particular description , or rather a relation of that hatred which is between them and other creatures , and first i will begin with their arch enemy , i mean man-kinde for when god at the beginning did pronounce his sentence against the serpent , for deceiving our first parents , among other things he said , i will put enmity betwixt thee and the woman , betwixt thy seed and the womans seed . whereby he did signifie that perpetual war , and unappeasable discord , which should be for ever ( by his own appointment ) betwixt them . and the truth hereof is to be seen at this day , for by a kinde of secret instinct , and natural motion , a man abhorreth the sight of a serpent , and a serpent the sight of a man. and as by the tongue of the serpent , was wrought mans confusion , so by the spittle of a mans tongue , is wrought a serpents astonishment . for indeed such is the ordinance of god , that men and serpents should ever annoy and vex each other . and this erasmus saith shall continue , as long as meminerimus illius inauspicati pomi , we shall remember that unfortunate apple . isidorus saith , that serpents are afraid of a man naked , but will leap upon , and devour a man clothed . which thing is also affirmed by olaus magnus , for he saith , that when he was a boy he often tryed it , that when he was naked , he found little or no resistance in serpents , and did safely without all danger combat with them hand to hand . i my self also in my younger time , when i was about ten or twelve years old , used many times in the spring and summer time , to wash my self with other my colleagues , in certain fish-ponds , wherein i have seen and met with divers water-snakes without all harm ; and i did never in my life , hear of any harm they did to any of my fellows being naked , neither did i ever see any of them run away so fast on the land , as they did fly from us in the water ; and yet are not the water-snakes less hurtful then the land-adders . and this was well known to many . about the beginning or fountain springs of euphrates , it is said , that there are certain serpents which know strangers from the people of the countrey , wherefore they do no harm to the natural born country-men , but with strangers , and men of other countreys they fight with might and main . and along the banks of euphrates in syria , they also do the like ; saving that if they chance to be trode upon by any of the people of those parts , they bite ( like as a dog doth ) without any great harm ; but if any , other , forainer or stranger annoy them , they also repay him with malice , for they bite him , and intolerably vex him ; wherefore the countrey-men nourish them , and do them no harm . such as these are also found in tirinthus , but they are very little ones , and are thought to be engendered of the earth . the first manifestation in nature , of mans discord with serpents , is their venom ; for as in a serpent there is a venom which poysoneth a man : so in a man , there is the venom of his spittle which poysoneth a serpent . for if the fasting spittle of a man fall into the jaws of a serpent , he certainly dyeth thereof . and of this , thus writeth the poet lucretius ; est utique ut serpens , hominis quae tacta salivis disperit , ac sese mandendo conficit ipsa . in english thus ; as serpent dyeth when spittle of man he tasteth , gnashing his teeth to eat himself he wasteth . the cause of this , the philosophers ( which knew nothing of adams fall , or the forbidden apple ) do assign to be in the contrariety betwixt the living souls or spirits of these creatures : for the serpents life is cold and dry , and the humane life hot and moist , wherefore either of both abhorreth one the other ; and the serpent leapeth as far from a mans spittle , as it would do out of a vessel of scalding water . agatharsides writeth , that there was a king in africk called psyllus , whose sepulchre was preserved in the greater syrtes . from this king there were certain people named psyllians , in whose bodies there was a certain inbred and natural power to kill , or at the least to astonish serpents , spiders , toads , and such like , and lay them for dead , even by the savour or smell of them . and the manner of these men , to try the chastity of their wives , was to take their children newly born , and to cast them unto direful serpents : for if they were of the right line , and lawfully begotten , then did the serpents die before them , but if they were adulterous , and the children of strangers , the serpents would eat and devour them . pliny affirmeth , that even in his days there were some of those people alive among the nasamons , who destroyed many of them , and did possess their places ; yet some running from death , escaped . generally , such people were called marsi and psilli , for the marsi were a people of italy , descended of circes ( as is said ) in whom there was a vertue to cure all the stinging of serpents , by touching the wounded places . such saith crates pergamenus , are in hellespont , about the river parius . and some are of opinion , that at the beginning they were ophiogenes , born or bred of serpents ; or that some great nobleman , father of that countrey , was of a serpent made a man. and vario saith , that in his time there were some few men alive , in whose spittle was found that vertue , to resist and cure the poyson of venomous beasts . but having named ophiogenes , or angu●genae , that is , men bred of serpents or snakes , i see no cause why it should be judged , that those which cure serpents poyson , should be so misjudged ; for to cure poyson , is not the work of poyson , but of an antidote , or contrary power to poyson : and therefore curers and resisters of poyson , are without all learning called ophiogenes , that is , serpents brood : but rather , that term belongeth more justly to those people , whose nature is sociable with serpents , and serpents agree with them , as they would do with their own kinde . such an one was exagon the embassadour of rome , who at the commandement of the consuls , ( for their experience ) was cast naked into a vessel or tun of snakes , who did him no harm , but licked him with their tongues , and so with great miracle , he was let forth again untouched ; and yet there is no more reason to say , that this man was born of the linage of serpents , because those men-enemies did not hurt him , then it was to say , that daniel was born of lions , because that the lions did not harm him . or that romulus and remus were born of the kindred of wolfs , because a she wolf did nourish them . we do read of many people in the world , which were surnamed of serpents , all which may as well be deemed to be descended of such creatures , because of their name , as well as the other , who were by god for their innocency preserved from death . ebusus was called colubraxia , and the people thereof ophiussae , and in arabia we read of the ophiades , both which are derived from serpents , called in greek , opheis eustathius also relateth a story of a man called ophis . i omit to speak of the ophitae and others ; yet thus much i must needs say , that commonly such names have been given to serpents , for some cause or accident , either faignedly or truly derived from serpents . so we read of ophion , a companion of cadmus , and a builder of thebes , who was said to be made by pallas of a dragons tooth . likewise the spartanes were called oph●odeiroi by pythius , because in a famine they were constrained to eat serpents . s. augustine maketh mention of certain blasphemous heretiques , who were called ophitae , because they worshipped a serpent , and said that the serpent which deceived our first parents adam and evah , was christ . wherefore they kept a serpent in a cave , whom they did nourish and worship , which at the charm of the priest would come out of his cave , and lick the oblations which they set upon his den ; rowling and folding himself round about them , and then would go in again : then did these abominable hereticks break these oblations into the eucharist , and receive them as sanctified by the serpent . and such also is the story of coelius rhod. where he tearmeth the great devil ophioneus , whom both holy scripture , and ancient heathen say , that he fell out of heaven . but all these things are but by the way , upon occasion of that unnatural conceit of those men called ophiogenes : that is , descended or begotten by serpents . therefore i will return where i left , namely , to the hatred of men to serpents , and of serpents to men again : in testimony whereof , there have been mutual slaughters , namely men which have killed monstrous serpents , and serpents which have killed men again . hercules being but an infant , ( as poets faign ) killed those two serpents which juno sent to his cradle to destroy him ; for juno is said to be much offended at his birth , because he was begotten by jupiter upon alomena ; and therefore there was reserved the image of hercules at athens , strangling a serpent . but pierius maketh of this fiction a good moral or hieroglyphick , when he saith , that by hercules strangling of the serpents in his cradle , is understood , how those men which are born for any great enterprises , should kill their pleasures while they be young . i need not to stand long upon this point , for it is evident , that to this day there are many hyades , both men and women , which are not afraid to kill the serpents brood . but such as have perished by serpents , i mean men of any note , are also expressed , whereof ovid writeth of aelacos , the son priamus and alixothoes , who following the nymph hesperia , ( with whom he was in love ) was suddenly killed by a snake biting his foot . so were apaesantus , munitus , eurydice , laocoon , opheltes the son of lycurgus king of nemea , orestes , id 〈…〉 and mopsus , slain by serpents : whereof opheltes , by the negligence of his nurse hypsiphile , leaving him ungarded in his cradle . it is recorded by aelianus and pliny , that when a serpent hath killed a man , he can never more cover himself in the earth , but in punishment of so vile an offence , wandereth to and fro , subject to infinite miseries and calamities , being not acknowledged by his female if he be a male , nor yet by the male if it be a female ; and is forsaken of all his crew or society . the earth it self not daigning to entertain a man-murtherer into her bowels , but constraining him to live winter and summer abroad upon the open earth . and thus hath the divine providence dispensed his justice , that he suffereth not murther of men to be unpunished among the greatest haters and enemies of men . what monsters therefore are they which have serpents in their delights , and admire that in them which should be hated of all men . and how base were those minded grecians , which worshipped the serpent for a god ? or the athenians , which kept a serpent in their temple , for an opinion that the same did conserve their tower or castle from all enmity . jupiter was also worshipped in many places in the shape of a serpent . and the ancient borussians worshipped a natural serpent of the earth . it is strange to consider the errour of the king of calechut , who doth as severely punish the slaughter of a serpent , as he doth the slaughter of a man ; and not only restraineth his subjects from harming them , but also buildeth for them little coats , wherein they safely lodge in the winter time . and the cause of this errour , is their conceit , that they think serpents are divine powers dropped out of heaven , which they prove , because when they sting fiercely , they quickly kill , and dispatch their enemy suddenly . wherefore they think that no creature can kill so speedily , except an angel of god. some of the heathen had their ophio●ephale beasts with serpents heads , which they did worship for a god. and the poet virgil hath an excellent description of aeneas his sacrificing to the ghost of his father anchises . — adytis tum lubricus anguis ab imis septem ingens gyros septena volumina traxit amplexus placide tumulum , lapsusque per aras caeruleae cui terga notae , maculosus & auro squammam incendebat sulgor : ceu nubibus arcus mille trahit varios adverso sole colores , obstupuit visu aeneas , ille agmine longo tandem inter pateras , & laevia pocula serpens libavitque dapes , rursusque innoxius imo successit tumulo , & depasta altaria liquit . which may be thus englished ; then from the hollow holes , a sliding snake appeared , which seaven ways did winde and turn , and dead-mans tomb embrace , gliding along the altar from , and back , with colour cleered , by sun-shine-light , like spots of gold each varied to the face a thousand hiews ; whereat aeneas marvelled : but yet at last , this snake the holy dishes , and smoothest cups of choice did hast to touch , like as it would the sacreds tast , and so sunk down from altar clean , without both harm or noise . and to make an end of this section , of the antipathy betwixt men and serpents , that whosoever is of the womans seed , may profess himself an enemy to the serpent , let him but consider how that hateful monster heliogabalus , having by the help of the marsick priests gathered together many serpents , one day in the morning , when the people were gathered together to see some rare and unheard of spectacle , suddenly he let loose the serpents , and hurt many of the people . tzetzes telleth another story , of a devise or warlike stratagem , how serpents by slings or trunks , were sent abroad among the camps of their enemies . so doth galen , of serpents included in an earthen pot , and cast like darts among the tents of the romans . and so did hannibal shew to antiochus , how in a battel by sea , he might shoot serpents among the mariners to his enemies , and hinder their rowing : ●or when he did follow the same devise at prusiae , he went away victor and conqueror . and thus i will conclude this part , with the emblem of alciatus , which he wrote unto the duke of milli●● upon his arms , being an infant proceeding out of a snakes jaws . exiliens infans sinuosi è faucibus anguis , est gentilitiis nobile stemma tuis . talia pelleum gessisse numismata regem vidimus , ●●sque ●uum concelebrasse genus , dum se ammone satum , matrem anguis imagine lusā , divini & sobolem numinis esse docet . ore exit , tradunt sic quosdam enitier angues , an quia sic pallas de capite orta jovis ? in english thus ; out of the mouth of winding snake , great duke , this is thy crest , a leaping infant making scape from jawes , a wofull rest : the like coat did pelleus king vpon his silver presse , as we have seen , the fame to sing of kindreds worthinesse . for whiles of jove he glorieth , descended of his race , he feigns his mother like a snake , born of divinest grace . but why proceeding from the mouth ? some serpents so are bred , or else that pallas issueth out of great jove his head . and the like by the same author is expressed upon this theam , that the wisdome of man is foolishnesse with god ; therefore upon the unnaturall conjunction of two mortall enemies , framed into one body , he thus writeth elegantly ; quid dicam , quodnam hoc compellem nomine monstrū ? b●forme quod non est homo , nec est draco . sed sine vir pedibus , summis sine partibus anguis , vir angui-pes dici , & homiceps anguis potest : anguem pedit homo , hominem ructavit & anguis , nec finis hominis est initium , nec est fera . sic olim cecrops doctis regnavit athenis , sic & gigantes terra mater protulit . haec vafrum species , sed & religione carentem terrena tantum quique curet induat . that is to say ; what shall i call ? or how this monster rightly name ? biformed , which nor man nor dragon , in all the same . but man unlegged , and snake unheaded : doubtfull parts , man ▪ snake , snake-man , exceeding humane arts . mans tail breeds snake , and snake a man up-casteth , one end is not of man , nor other of wilde beast tasteth . such one was cecrops , learned athens king , and giants such did earthly mother bring . mishapen then , an earthly minde expresseth , devoid of grace for worlds good only wisheth . thus then i will leave to talk of our most just ( and by god ordained ) hostility , betwixt men and serpents , and descend to a particular discovery , how serpents and other beasts are for mans sake at the like enmity . and first of all i will begin with the fowls , and so descend to four-footed beasts , and insects , or imperfect creatures . eagles are alway in warre with serpents , from an high they espy them , and suddainly flie down upon them , with a great noyse or cry , tearing out their bowels , and casting aside their venom or poyson . and some ( as albertus ) say , that they will in particular deal with vipers , tigers , and dragons , when she seeth them hunting those small beasts or birds which are her prey . this fight is thus described by virgil , how the eagle griping the serpent in her talons , flyeth into the air . vtque volans alte raptum cum fulva draconem fert aquila , implicuitque pedes , atque unguibus haesit . saucius & serpens , sinuosa volumina versat , arrectis horret squammis , & sibilat ore , ardu●s insurgens : illa haud minus urget adun●● luctantem rostro , simul aethera verberat alis . in english thus ; as eagle flyeth on high , and in her clawes a dragon beareth , folded within her feet , wounded , dying to her talons cleaveth . the serpent fierce now windeth round , and with her head erected , hissing out threats , rough scales upsetteth that were dejected , to fright her ●o : but all in vain , for she with beak doth strive , and beat the air with wings of force , till dragon cease to live . there is in the seventh book of aelianus history of living cretures , a notable and elegant story of an eagle which was almost overcome by a serpent , and yet preserved and made conquerour by a man. there was ( saith he ) sixteen men which were threshing of corn in the heat of the sun , by reason whereof they became very thirsty , then they agreed to send one of their company to a fountain not far off , to fetch some water for them all to drink ; and so the messenger coming to the fountain , found an eagle almost killed by a serpent : for whiles from an high she beheld the serpent , being more greedy of the prey for to feed her young , then wary to avoid danger , fell down upon her booty , which was too strong for her ; for the serpent received her adversary with fell force , power , and preparation to stifle her , and so indeed she had accomplished , had not by chance this thresher come unto them : for the serpent had so ensnared and wrapped up the eagle with her long body , that she was nearer ad pereundum quam ad perdendum , that is , to be killed , then to kill , or get a prey . the man beholding the sight , with his sickle cut asunder the serpent , and so delivered the eagle : but how the eagle requited the man , shall be shewed in the history of the eagle . in the mountains of morfilium , there are great store of great serpents , which are very dangerous , but there are also great white eagles , which do eat and destroy them . some say that the vulture doth destroy serpents , but herein i cannot be satisfied , for all eagles do not hunt after this game , but only the lesser sort of them . eagles when they build their nest to breed in , they seek out a certain stone called aëtites , the vertue whereof keepeth serpents from their young , and also make their eggs fruitful , so as it is a very rare thing for eagles to have a rotten egge . all kindes of great hawks , bussards and kites , are also enemies to serpents , snakes , and adders , and the kites will eat them , if they finde them alive or dead , as i my self have often seen by experience . the storks also do hunt after serpents , wherefore in thessaly , it is as unlawful to kill a stork as to kill a man ; for they have many devises to catch serpents , and all venomous beasts , and thereof to eat without harming themselves : and not only eat themselves , but give thereof to their young ones , as juvenal witnesseth : — serpente ciconia pullos nutrit , & inventa per devia rura lacerta . in english thus ; the stork her young ones , according to kinde , in serpents and lizzards , do their meat finde . sometimetime they fight together irefully , and the serpent strangleth the stork by twyning about her neck ; again , the stork killeth the serpent by pecking upon her head , and so sometimes they are both found dead together . as the eagle hath the stone aëtites , so hath the stork lychnites , to defend herself and her young ones from the rage of serpents . there is ( as oppianus writeth in his ixeuticis ) this vulgar story in italy . there was a certain serpent , which came two years together to the nests of divers storks , and destroyed their young ones , neither could all the storks make sufficient force against her with all their might to save their brood . the third year the serpent came again to attempt the like slaughter ; but there among the storks she found a certain strange bird never seen before , being shorter then the storks , and yet had a great long sharp bill , as sharp as the point of any sword . this bird ( as it seemeth ) was brought thither by the storks to guard their young ones , when the parents were gone abroad to forrage for them . then , assoon as the young ones were hatcht , out cometh the serpent from his hole , and beginneth to assail the nests of the storks , but the guardian bird , ( according to the trust committed to her ) resisted the serpent , and pecked at her mortally with her sharp beak . the serpent to end his adversary , nimbly advanced himself upright , and endeavoured to reach the bird , but the wary bird soared so high above his reach , that the langrel serpent could not catch him , and so they continued in fight , till at last the bird killed the serpent , after that the serpent had once only fastened his venomed teeth upon the bird , which afterward so wrought upon this bird , that all her feathers did flie off from her back . but of all other fowls enemies to serpents , there is none greater or more deadly , then the bird called ibis , which the egyptians do wonderfully honour ; for when swarms of serpents come into egypt , out of the arabian gulfs and fens , these birds meet and destroy them : and there is such an admirable fear in serpents of these birds , that they do not only tremble , and fall senseless at their sight , but also at the sight of their feathers : they do harm to no other living thing , except locusts and caterpillers , wherefore they are worthily nourished , and called inimicae & populatores serpentum , enemies and destroyers of serpents . all kinde of pullen , as cocks and hens , are likewise enemies to the brood of serpents . and a good couragious cock , ( as columella saith ) is able to kill and resist a serpent . for , ( as rondoletius saith ) he hath found in the crop or craw of pullen , young serpents devoured by them . but from whence albertus had his relation , that a hen cannot be hurt that day by a serpent wherein she layeth an egge , i cannot tell , and therefore leave it to the reader to believe or refuse . and it is also said , that the flesh of hens applyed to the bitings of serpents , doth cure them , or else cause a hen to sit upon the wounded place ; but if the beast which is wounded , be a cow with calf , or any such other femal with young , howsoever it fareth with the old one , surely the young ones shall perish . there is also another bird , which for his combating with serpents , is termed ophiomachus , a fighter with serpents . although gesner be of opinion , that ophiomachus never signifieth a bird. of this bird the septuagints make mention , levit. . but many of the better learned , do interpret it for a lizard , or a locust , or an ichneumon . the peacock also is a terrour to serpents , so as they will not abide within the hearing of his voyce , for it is perpetual with all venomous beasts . and the vulture , as we said before , is a terrour unto them , insomuch as one of their feathers burned will by the savour of the smoak drive away the serpent . and to conclude , the swallows also are at variance with the serpents brood , for the snake will creep up to the swallows nest , and therein suddenly surprize the young , for the old ones will fly away chattering , and chirping in mournful sort , not being able to hinder or resist their chick-devouring foes . but at the last , when they see all their young ones dispatched , as if they could not endure to live for , sorrow , or else thinking it possible to fly into the snakes belly to fetch out again their devoured young ones , they fall down upon their enemies jaws , doing what they can to make them devour and swallow them up also . and thus much for the hatred betwixt fowls and serpents : wherein , although they kill the serpent , either in their own defence , or else for raven and prey , yet may we admire the prudence of the most mighty creator , who hath so disposed of his power , that he causeth the fowls of heaven to revenge mans quarrel upon the serpents of the earth , by whose subtilty man was plucked from heaven , and they made subject to corruption . in the next place , god hath also framed an opposition betwixt serpents , and the beasts of the earth and water , which live with serpents in the same element , that so they might be both annoyed at home and abroad . i will therefore begin with the dog , who is a notable enemy to the serpents , as i my self have seen many in england , for he will earnestly seek them out with nose and foot , both in waters , dunghils , and hedges , and when he hath found any one , he will suddenly snatch him into his mouth , biting him about the middle , and so holding it in equal poyse , will sling and shake it about his ears very fast and violently , till he perceive it can stir no more , and then suddenly again setteth it fall out of his mouth to the earth ; but if it begin to stir , he snatcheth it up again , and shaketh it about his ears as before , and so never giveth over till it appear dead : but they seldom kill them , only they astonish them , and so may a young childe knock out their brains . howbeit , when they fight in defence of their masters , then they kill them , by biting them in pieces . and yet is it more safe for them , to astonish them , and leave them for dead , by shaking them about their ears , then by biting them in pieces , for that commonly then , while they share them a sunder , they are stung or bitten by the serpent . and this i have seen often in mine own experience . but one of the greatest enemies of serpents are harts , a timorous beast of all other , and yet greedy to combat with the serpent , wherefore i will briefly describe this their war and hatred , out of solinus , aelianus , plutarch , and oppianus . the hart will greedily follow out the path of the serpent , and finding it lodged in his den or hole , by the vertue of his nose draweth it out of the earth , and thereof some have derived elaphos , a hart , of elaunein tous opheis , that is , driving away of serpents . and herein i think it not reason to follow the opinion of aelianus , who intreating of harts drawing serpents out of the earth , saith , that the serpent is inticed and allured out of her hole , by the breath of the hart , as by a philtre or cup of love ; for seeing that there is so great an hostility , and antipathy in nature , betwixt their whole disposition , how can it come from any secret sympathy , that the serpent ( which is the subtillest of of all beasts ) should be bewitched with the love of his enemies breath ? but if it be said that serpents , which are by nature very cold , can easily be drawn forth by a warmer breath , as it were by the sweet beams of the hot sun ; how then falleth it not out , that when any other beast breatheth upon their lodging , and into their dens , they are not removed ? but let it be granted that the warmness of the harts breath , maketh him for sake his den , yet it cannot be ascribed to any secret in nature , as if there were a fire of love in the harts throat or bones , but only from the natural concomitant quality of heat , with exspiration , respiration , and inspiration : and therefore i cannot but conclude , that there is not any possibility or probability in nature , that where the spirits , which take and make the breath , are at such variance , there the breath proceeding from the one adversary , should so inchant and beguile the other . but the true cause of this extraction of serpents out of their lodgings , is , as i conjecture , not her warm breath that allureth , nor yet scorcheth and burneth her adversary ; but that when the hart hath found the den of the serpent , by her violent attraction of the air out from the serpent , she enforceth it for the safegard of life to follow it out of the den . as when a vessel is broched , or vented , the wine followeth the flying air ; or as a cupping-glass draweth bloud out of a scarified place of the body : and so is a serpent against her will , drawn to follow the breath of her destroyer . oribasius and gunterius do subscribe unto this opinion , and take it for most consonant to reason and truth , and therefore i will not follow it any further : for by the self same manner do the sea-rams draw the sea-calfs out of their lodgings among the rocks under the earth , for when they have found the calf , they keep it from air , and prevent their refrigeration . when the serpent seeth himself so drawn forth by his adversary , he being above measure incensed to rage , flyeth away , and maketh his poyson more noisome , violent and powerful , for which cause , there was wont to be a proverbial caveat or warning : cave ne incider is in serpentem , quum extracta à latebr is anhelitu cervi effugerit , tum enim propter iracundiam vehementius ei venenum ust . take heed lest you meet with a serpent flying away from the hart , after she is drawn out of her den by her breath , for then , by reason of her rage , her poyson is more for cible . but i will proceed to the more strange and wonderful combate betwixt serpents and harts . for when the serpent perceiveth the unavoidable danger , and that she must needs fight for her life , she hisseth strongly , lifting up her head from the earth , even to the throat of the hart , and thereat catcheth and gnasheth with her teeth ; but on the other side , the valiant hart , ( if such a word may be given to a fearful beast ) as it were deriding his adversaries weak endevours to harm , suffereth the serpent to winde about his breast and belly , and to embrace both neck and legs with his long and weak body , that so he may have the more power upon it , for he teareth it into an hundred pieces . but the most strange combats are betwixt the harts and serpents of lybia , where hatred hath his deepest footing , for there the serpents watch the hart when he lyeth down to sleep upon the ground , and being a multitude of them set upon him all together , fastning their poysonfull teeth in every part of his skin , some on his neck and breasts , some on his sides and back , some on his legs , and some hanging upon his privy parts , biting him with mortall rage , to end and overthrow him . the poor hart being thus oppressed with multitude , and assailed without any warning to the battle , in vain attempteth to run away , for their cold earthy bodies , winding tayls , and pinching teeth , hinder his wonted pace , and overcharge his strength : whereat being forced to quit himself in the best manner he can , enraged , with teeth , feet , and horns assaileth his enemies , whose spears and arrowes of teeth and stings , stick so fast in his body ; tearing them in pieces which he can touch with his teeth , beating others asunder where he can reach them with his horns , and trampling under his feet those which cleave to his lower parts : and yet such is the rage and dauntlesse courage , or rather hatred of these enemies , not willing to die alone , ( but like champions to end their lives upon and with their adversary ) do still hold fast , and even when their bodies are beaten in pieces , their heads stick close , and hang sharp upon the harts skin , as though they would grow with him , and never fall off till he should also fall down dead . but the hart feeling some ease , and having by the slaughter of their bodies delivered his feet from thraldome , by a divine naturall instinct , flyeth and runneth fast to some adjoyning fountain , where he seeketh for sea-crabs , whereof he maketh a medicine , that shaketh off their heads which cleave so fast unto him , and also cureth all their wounds and poyson . this valiant courage is in harts against serpents , never yeelding , tyring , or giving over , and yet otherwise , are afraid of hares and conies by nature . but what is the cause of this hostility betwixt harts and serpents ? is it for meat , or for medicine and cure ? surely they would abhorre to eat them , if it were not for health and naturall medicine , for sometimes the pores of their body are dulled and shut up , sometimes the worms of their belly do ascend up into the roof of their mouths while they chew the cud , and there cleave fast ; for remedy whereof , the hart thus afflicted , runneth about to seek for serpents , for the eating of a serpent cureth this malady . pliny saith , that when the hart waxeth old , and perceiveth that his strength decayeth , hair changeth , and his body begins to be feeble , then for the renewing of his strength , he first devoureth a serpent , and afterward runneth to some fountain of water , whereof when he hath drunk , he findeth a sensible alteration , both in horn , hair , and whole body , and this thing is also delivered by the writer of the glosse upon the . psalm , which beginneth , like as the hart desireth the water springs , so longeth my soul after my god. but for the ending of this question , we must consider and remember , that there are two kindes of harts , one eateth serpents , and feeling the poyson to work , straight-way by drinking casteth up the poyson again , or else cureth himself by covering all his body over in water . the other kinde only by nature killeth a serpent , but after victory forbeareth to eat it , and returneth again to feed in the mountains . and thus much for the discord betwixt harts and serpents . in the next place , great is the variance betwixt serpents , dragons , and elephants , whereof pliny and solinus write as followeth . when the elephants called serpent-killers , meet with the dragons , they easily tread them in pieces , and overcome them , wherefore the dragons and greater serpents use subtilty in stead of might ; for when they have found the path , and common way of an elephant , they make such devises therein to intrap him , as a man would think they had the devise of men to help them , for with their tails they so ensnare the way , that when the beast cometh , they intangle his legs as it were in knots of ropes ; now when the beast stoopeth down with his trunk to loose and untie them , one of them suddenly thrusteth his poysoned head into his trunk , whereby he is strangled . the other also ( for there are ever many which lie in ambush ) set upon his face , biting out his eyes , and some at his tender belly ; some winding themselves about his throat , and all of them together , sting , bite , tear , vex , and hang upon him , untill the poor beast , emptyed of his blood , and swollen with poyson in every part , fall down dead upon his adversaries , and so by his death kill them at his fall and overthrow , whom he could not overcome being alive . and whereas elephants ( for the most part ) go together in flocks and troops , the subtile serpents do let passe the foremost of every rank , and set only upon the hindermost , that so one of the elephants may not help another ; and these serpents are said to be thirty yards long . likewise , forasmuch as these dragons know , that the elephants come and feed upon the leaves of trees , their manner is to convey themselves into the trees , and lie hid among the boughs , covering their foreparts with leaves , and letting their hinder parts hang down , like dead parts and members ; and when the elephant cometh to brouze upon the tree-tops , then suddenly they leap into his face , and pull out his eyes , and because that revenge doth not satisfie her , thirsting only after death , she twineth her gable-long body about his neck , and so strangleth him . it is reported that the blood of elephants is the coldest bloud in the world , and that the dragons in the scorching heat of summer , cannot get any thing to cool them except this bloud ; for which cause they hide themselves in rivers and brooks , whither the elephants come to drink , and when he putteth down his trunk they take hold thereof , and instantly in great numbers leap up into his ears , which only of all his upper parts are most naked and unarmed , out of which they suck his bloud , never giving over their hold till he fall down dead , and so in the fall kill them which were the procurers of his death . so that his and their bloud is mingled both together , whereof the ancients made their cinnabaris , which was the best thing in the world to represent bloud in painting : neither can any devise or art of man ever come neer it ; and beside , it hath in it a rare vertue against poyson . and thus much for the enmity betwixt serpents and elephants . the cat also by albertus is said to be an enemy to serpents , for he saith she will kill them , but not eat thereof ; howbeit , in her killing of them , except she drink incontinently , she dyeth by poyson . this relation of albertus cannot agree with the monks of mesuen their relation about their abby-cat . but it may be that albertus speaketh of wilde-cats in the woods and mountains , who may in ravin for their prey kill a serpent , which followeth with them the same common game . the roes or roe-bucks do also kill serpents , and the hedge-hog is enemy unto them , for some-times they meet both together in one hole , and then at the sight of the serpent , the hedge-hog foldeth himself up round , so as nothing appeareth outwardly , save only his prickles and sharp bristles : the angry serpent fetteth upon him , and biteth him with all her force ; the other again , straineth herself above measure , to annoy the serpents teeth , face , eyes , and whole body : and thus when they meet , they lie together afflicting one another , till one or both of them fall down dead in the place . for sometime the serpent killeth the hedgehog , and sometime the hedge-hog killeth the serpent , so that many times she carrieth away the serpents flesh and skin upon her back . the weasels also fight with serpents with the like successe ; the cause is , for that one and other of them live upon juyce , and so for their prey or booty , they fall together in mortall warre . herein the weasel is too cunning for the serpent , because , before she fighteth , she seeketh rue , and by eating thereof quickly discomforteth her adversary . but some say , that she eateth rue afterward , to the intent to avoyd all the poyson she contracted in the combat . the lyon also and the serpent are at variance , for his rufling mane is discouraged by the extolled head of the serpent to his breast . and therefore as s. ambrose saith , this is an admirable thing , that the snake should run away from the hart , the most fearfull of all other beasts , and yet overcome the lyon , king of all the residue . the ichneumon or pharos mouse is an enemy to serpents and eateth them , and because he is too seeble to deal with a snake alone , therefore when he hath found one , he goeth and calleth as many of his fellowes as he can finde , and so when they find themselves strong enough in company , they set upon their prey , and eat it together ; for which cause when the egyptians will signifie weaknesse , they paint an ichneumon . the peacock is also a professed terror and scourge to snakes and adders , and they will not endure neer those places where they hear their voice . the sorex and swine , do also hate and abhor serpents , and the little sorex hath most advantage against them in the winter-time , when they are at the weakest . to conclude , the horse is wonderfully afraid of all kindes of serpents if he see them , and will not go over , but rather leap over a dead snake . and thus i will end the warre betwixt serpents and four-footed beasts and fowls . now lest their curse should not be hard enough unto them , god hath also ordained one of them to destroy another , and therefore now it followeth to shew in a word the mutuall discord betwixt themselves . the spider , ( although a venemous creature ) yet is it an enemy to the serpent ; for when she seeth a serpent lie under her tree in the shadow , she weaveth or twisteth a thred down from her web upon the head of the serpent , and suddenly biteth into his head a mortal wound , so that he can do nothing but only roul to and fro , being stricken with a megrim , whereby he hath not so much power as to break the spiders thred hanging over his head , untill he be dead and overthrown . the cockatrice is such an enemy to some kinde of serpents , that he killeth them with his breath or hissing . the lizard a kinde of serpent is most friendly to man , and very irefull against serpents , to the uttermost of his power , whereof erasmus ( in his book of friendship ) telleth this story : i saw ( saith he ) on a day , a very great lizard fighting with a serpent in the very mouth of a cave , at the first sight whereof i marvailed at the matter , for the serpent was not visible out of the earth : there was with me an italian , who said , that surely the lizard had some enemy within the cave . after a little while the lizard came unto us , and shewed us his side all wounded , as it were craving help , for the serpent had bitten him sore , for of green he made him appear red , and this lizard did suffer himself to be touched of us . thus saith erasmus . again , in the same place he saith , that when a lizard saw a serpent lye in wait to set upon a man being asleep , the lizard ran to the man , and never ceased running upon the mans face , scratching his neck and face gently with his clawes , untill he had awaked the man , and so discovered to him his great danger . the locust also fighteth with a serpent , and killeth him when he lusteth , for he getteth hold with his teeth upon his lower chap , and so destroyeth him ; but this is not to be understood of every kinde of locust , but only of one kinde , which for this cause is called ophiomachum genus . the serpent is also an enemy to the chamaeleon , for in the extremity of famine , she setteth upon them , and except the chamaeleon can cover herself from his rage , he hath no defence but death . albertus calleth a certain worm , spoliator colubri , because ( as he saith ) it will take fast hold upon a serpents neck underneath his jawes , and never give over till he hath wearied and destroyed his adversary . the tortoises are enemies to serpents , and will fight with them , but before they enter combat , they arm themselves with wilde marjoram or penniroyall . but there is not any thing in the world that fighteth more earnestly against serpents then sea-crabs and crevises , for when the sun is in cancer , serpents are naturally tormented with pains and feavers , and therefore if swine be stung or bitten with serpents , they cure themselves by eating of sea-crabs . there is a great water neer ephesus , at the one side whereof there is a cave full of many noysome and irefull serpents , whose bitings by often probation , have been very deadly both to men and beasts . these serpents do often times endevour to crawl over the pool ; now on the other side , there are great store of crabs , who when they see the serpents come crawling or swimming , they instantly put out their crooked legs , and as it were with tongs or pinsers , reach at the sliding serpent , wherewithall the serpents are so deterred , that through their sight , and often remembrance of their unhappy successe with them , they turn back again , and never dare any more adventure to the other side . where we may see the most wise providence of the creator , who hath set sea-crabs the enemies ; of serpents ; to guard both men and cattell , which are on the opposite side : for otherwise , the inhabitants would all perish , or else be drove away from their dwellings . to conclude , not only living creatures ; but also some kinde of earth , and plants are enemies to serpents : and therefore most famous are ebusus and creet , as some say , although bellonius say , that there are scolopendraes vipers , and slow-worms in creet , yet he saith they are without venom : and there are very few in england and scotland , but none at all in ireland , neither will they live if they be brought in thither from any other countrey . this antipathy with serpents , proceedeth from living to dead and vegetable things , as trees , herbs , and plants , as may be seen by this discourse following . there is such vertue in the ash-tree , that no serpent will endure to come neer either the morning or evening shadow of it , yea though very far distant from them , they do so deadly hate it . we set down nothing but that we have found true by experience : if a great fire be made , and the same fire encircled round with ashen boughs , and a serpent put betwixt the fire and the ashen boughs , the serpent will sooner run into the fire , then come neer the ashen boughs : thus saith pliny ; olaus magnus saith , that those northern countreys which have great store of ash-trees , do want venemous beasts , of which opinion is also pliny . callimachus saith , there is a tree growing in the land of trachinia , called smilo , to which if any serpents do either come neer or touch , they forthwith die . democritus is of opinion , that any serpent will die if you cast oken-leaves upon him . pliny is of opinion , that alcibiadum , which is a kinde of wilde buglosse , is of the same use and quality ; and further , being chewed , if it be spit upon any serpent , that it cannot possibly live . in time of those solemn feasts which the athenians dedicated to the goddesse ceres , their women did use to lay and strew their beds , with the leaves of the plant called agnos , because serpents could not endure it , and because they imagined it kept them chaste , whereupon they thought the name was given it . the herb called rosemary , is terrible to serpents . the egyptians do give it out , that polydamna , the wife of thorris their king , taking pity upon helen , caused her to be set on shore in the island of pharus , and bestowed upon her an hearb ( whereof there was plenty ) that was a great enemy to serpents ; whereof the serpents having a feeling sense ( as they say ) and so readily known of them , they straightwayes got them to their surking holes in the earth : and helen planted this herb , who coming to the knowledge thereof , she perceived that in his due time it bore a seed that was a great enemy to serpents , and thereupon was called helenium , as they that are skilfull in plants affirm ; and it groweth plentifully in pharus , which is a little isle against the mouth of nilus , joyned to alexandria with a bridge . rue , ( called of some herb of grace ) especially that which groweth in lybia , is but a back friend to serpents , for it is most dry , and therefore causing serpents soon to faint and lose their courage , because ( as s 〈…〉 catus affirmeth ) it induceth a kinde of heavinesse or drunkennesse in their head , with a vertiginy or giddiness , through the excess of his driness , or immoderate siccity . serpents cannot endure the savour of rue , and therefore a weasel when she is to fight with any serpent , eateth rue , as a defensative against her enemy , as aristotle , and pliny his interpreter are of opinion . the countrey-people leaving their vessels of milk abroad in the open fields , do besmear them round about with garlick , for fear lest some venemous serpents should creep into them , but the smell of garlick , as erasmus saith , driveth them away . no serpents were ever yet seen to touch the herb trifolie , or three-leaved grasse , as aedonnus would make us believe . and cardan the physitian hath observed as much , that neither serpents nor any thing that is venemous , will lodge , dwell , not lurk privily neer unto trifolie , because that it is their bane , as they are to other living creatures : and therefore it is sown to very good purpose , and planted in very hot countreys , where there is most store of such venemous creatures . arnoldus villanovanus saith , that the herb called dracoutes killeth serpents . and florentinus affirmeth , that if you plant wormwood , mugwort , and sothernwood about your dwelling , that no venemous serpents will ever come neer , or dare enterprise to invade the same . no serpent is found in vines when they flourish , bearing flowers or blossoms , for they abhor the smell , as aristotle saith . avicon an arabian physitian , saith , that capers doe kill worms in the guts , and likewise serpents . if you make a round circle with the herb betony , and therein include any serpents , they will kill themselves in the place rather than strive to get away . galbanum killeth serpents only by touching , if oyl and the herb called fennel-giant be mixt withall . there is alshrub called therionarca , having a flower like a rose , which maketh serpents heavy , dull , and drowsie , and so killeth them , as pliny affirmeth . albertus and kyranides affirm , that there is a certain tree in asia , called hyperdiocis , which soundeth as much as against the right hand , with whose sweet fruit doves are delighted ; but there are serpents which are sore enemies to the doves : so lying in wait for them , and not being able to abide the smell & shadow of the tree , the doves notwithstanding very safely do there in the tree seek their refuge , and finde food wherewith to sustain themselves . rasis ( who practised physick one hundred years ) affirmeth , that if any man do melt sal almoniack , in his mouth , and then spit it into a serpents mouth , that he will die of it . of the medicines made and taken on t of serpents . it is manifest , that if any man be wounded of a serpent , though the wound seem incurable , that the bowels or inward parts of the same serpent , being applyed to the wound , will cure the same ; and those that have eaten the liver of a boyled viper at any time , shall never after be wounded of any serpent . neither is a snake venemous , unlesse at some times of the moon , when she is throughly moved or angred . and a live snake or serpent being caught , if the bitten place be bathed , soked , or washed with the snake being bruised in any water , it is of notable effect . besides , they are thought to be very soveraign against many infirmities , and therefore ( as pliny saith ) they are dedicated to aesculapius . avicen saith , that if any be troubled with the leprosie , he is to be cured by taking a black serpent , 〈…〉 being excoriated , he must be buryed so long till there breed worms of him , and then he is to be taken forth of the earth and dryed , and so to be given to the leprous person for three dayes together , the quantity of one dram at every time , with syrup of hony. pliny , and with him agreeth cornelius celsus , affirmeth , that if any one do eat the middle part of snakes or serpents , casting away the heads and tayls , they cure strumes , which we in english call the kings-evil . there is a disease called ecephantia , or elephantiasis , which is a kinde of lepry proceeding of melancholy , choler , and flegme , exceedingly adust , and maketh the skin rough , of colour like an elephant , with black wannish spots , and dry parched scales and scurf : this disease ( i say ) so grievous , and strumes , are exceedingly holpen by eating often of vipers and serpents , as john taganet in his first book institut . chirurg . hath assured us . pliny saith , that if you take out the right eye of a serpent , and so binde it about any part of you , that it is of great force against the watering or dropping of the eyes , by means of a rheum issuing out thereat , if the serpent be again let go alive . and so he saith , that a serpents or snakes heart , if either it be bitten or tyed to any part of you , that it is a present remedy for the tooth-ache : and he addeth further , that if any man do taste of the snakes heart , that he shall never after be hurt of any serpent . paulus venetus in his second book , chap. . writeth , how that in the province of caraiam , there be serpents of exceeding greatnesse , which being killed , the inhabitants of the countrey do pull out their gall , which they use to prize at a very high rate when they sell any of it , for it is very medicinal ; so that they which are bit of a mad dog , if they take inwardly in any drink but the quantity of a penny weight of this gall , they are presently cured . and if a woman be in her travail of childe-birth , if she taste never so little of this gall , the birth will be the more speedy . so if any be troubled either with the pyles , or hemorhoids in the fundament , if that the place be anoynted with this gall , after a few dayes he is set free from his disease . hippocrates giveth the seed of serpents as a remedy against the suffocation of the belly . nicholaus myrepsus prescribeth this medicine against strains and hardnesses . take a dead serpent and put him into a new pot , luting it very well with gypsum , then set it in a furnace that it may be burnt , after that , commixe the ashes of a serpent with an equall portion of the seeds of fenugreek , so being wrought up with attick hony , and throughly digested , anoynt the place affected . and with him agreeth pliny , who expresly affirmeth , that the ashes of snakes and serpents , being anoynted upon strumes , either with oyl or waxe , is a singular medicine . and likewise to drink the ashes of a serpent that is burnt to powder in a new earthen pot , is very good : but it will be the more effectuall , if the serpents be killed between two tracks or furrowes that are made with cart-wheels . the ashes of a serpent burnt with salt in a pot , being put with oyl of roses into the contrary ear , helpeth the tooth-ache . an unguent against the morphue , prescribed by olaus magnus . take of the ashes of a serpent burnt in a new pot , and well covered , two ounces , lytharge , galbanum , ammoniacum , and opoponax , dissolved in vinegar , three ounces , boyl them untill the vinegar be consumed , then strain them , putting to them of turpentine three ounces , frankincense , mastick , and sarcocolla three ounces , saffron two ounces , working them with a spathuler till they be cold . the powder of a burnt serpent , is likewise good against fistulaes . the fat of a snake or serpent mixt with oyl ; is good against strumes , as pliny saith . the fat of snakes mixt with verdegrease , healeth the parts about the eyes that have any rupture . to which agreeth the poet , when he saith : anguibus ●reptos adipes aerugine misce , hi poterant ruptas oculorum jungere partes . which may be thus englished ; the sat of snakes mingled with iron rust , the parts of eyes doth mend , which erst were burst . it is certain that barrenness cometh by means of that grievous torment and pain in childe-birth ; and yet olympias of thebes is of opinion , that this is remedied with a bulls gall , the fat of serpents , and verdigrease , with some hony added to them , the place being therewith anointed before the coming together of both parts . when a woman is not able to conceive by means of weakness in the retentive vertue , then there is no doubt , but there must needs grow some membrane in the bellies entrance , for which it is not amiss to make a pessary of the fat of a serpent , verdigrease , and the fat of a bull mixt together , &c. and to be applyed , hippocrates in lib. de sterilibus . gesner had a friend who signified to him by his letters , that the fat of a serpent was sent to him from those sulphureous bathes which were neer unto cameriacum , and was sold at a very dear rate , namely , twelve pounds for every ounce , and sometimes deerer . they use to mix it with the emplaister of john de vigo , ( that famous chirurgeon ) for all hardnesses , and other privy and unseen ( though not unfelt ) torments proceeding of the spanish pox . they use it yet further , against leprous swellings and pimples , and to smooth and thin the skin . matthiolus saith , that the fat of a black serpent , is mixt to good purpose with those ointments that are prepared against the french or spanish pox . and pliny mixeth their fat with other convenient medicines , to cause hair to grow again . the suffmigation of an old serpent , helpeth the monthly course . michael aloisius saith , that oyl of serpents decocted with the flowers of cowslips , ( ever remembring to gather and take that which swimmeth at the top ) is singular to anoint podagrical persons therewith . now followeth the preparing of serpents : take a mountain serpent , that ha 〈…〉 black back , and a white belly , and cut off his tail , even hard to the place where he sendeth forth his excrements , and take away his head with the breadth of four fingers ; then take the residue and squeese out the bloud into some vessel , keeping it in a glass carefully , then fley him as you do an eele , beginning from the upper and grosser part , and hang the skin upon a stick and dry it , then divide it in the middle , and reserve all diligently . you must wash the flesh and put it in a pot , boyling it in two parts of wine , and being well and throughly boyled , you must season the broth with good spices , and aromatical and cordial powders , and so eat it . but if you have a minde to rost it , it must be so rosted , as it may not be burnt , and yet that it may be brought into powder , and the powder thereof must be eaten together with other meat , because of the loathing , and dreadful name , and conceit of a serpent : for being thus burned , it preserveth a man from all fear of any future lepry , and expelleth that which is present . it keepeth youth , causing a good colour above all other medicines in the world ; it cleareth the eye-sight , gardeth surely from gray hairs , and keepeth from the falling-sickness . it purgeth the head from all infirmity , and being eaten ( as before is said ) it expelleth scabbiness , and the like infirmities with a great number of other diseases . but yet such a kinde of serpent as before we have described , and not any other , being also eaten , freeth one from deafness . you may also finely mince the heads and tails of serpents , and feed therewith chickens or geese , being mingled with crums of bread or oates , and these geese or chickins being eaten , they help all to take away the leprosie , and other foulness in mans body . if you take the dryed skin , and lay it upon the tooth on the inner side , it will mitigate the pain thereof , specially if it proceed from any hot cause . in like sort , the same skin washed with spittle , and with a little piece of the tail laid upon any impostume , or noli me tangere , it will tame and master the pain , causing it to putrefie more easily and gently , and scarcely leaving behind any cicatrice or skar . and if a woman being in extremity of pain in childe-birth , do but tie or binde a piece of it on her belly , it will cause the birth immediately to come away . so the skin being boyled and eaten , performeth the same effects that the serpent doth . the bloud of a serpent is more precious then balsamum , and if you anoint your lips with a little of it , they will look passing red : and if the face be anointed therewith , it will receive no spot or fleck , but causeth to have an orient or beautifull hew . it represseth all scabbiness of the body , stinking in the teeth and gums , if they be therewith anointed . the far of a serpent , speedily helpeth all redness , spots , and other infirmities of the eyes , and being anointed upon the eye-lids , it cleereth the eyes exceedingly . item , put them into a glassed pot , and fill the same with butter in the moneth of may , then lute it with well with paste , ( that is , meal well kneaded ) so that nothing may evaporate , then set the pot on the fire , and let it boil welnigh half a day ; after this is done , strain the butter through a cloth , and the remainder beat in a mortar , and strain it again , and mix them together ; then put them into water to cool , and so reserve it in silver or golden boxes , that which is not evaporated , for the older , the better it is , and so much the better it will be , if you can keep it forty years . let the sick patient , who is tooubled either with the gowt , or the palsie , but anoint himself often against the fire with this unguent , and without doubt he shall he freed , especially if it be the gout . all these prescriptions , were taken from the writings of a certain nameless author . hippocrates saith , that a hart or stag having eaten any serpents , the worms in their guts are thereby expelled . and absyrtus hath the same words , that harts by eating of a serpent , do kill and expell worms from their guts . hierocles , to a certain medicine which he prepared for the strangulion in a horse , mingled the dung of a lyzard , and stear herpetuou , ( that is , as i interpret it ) the fat of a serpent , the bloud of a dove , &c. laurence rusius saith , that it is good to give the flesh and decoction of serpents to madde , biting ; and striking horses . and that the fat of a serpent , &c. doth cure the puffing or swellings that arise in horses backs , which come by means of any compression , or close fitting and thrusting down . item , the unguent that droppeth from a serpent , whilest he is rosted on a spit , is highly commended for fistulaes that are in horses hoofs . galen and rasius do counsell us to cut in pieces a snake or serpent , and to lay the fat thereof upon a stick , and to anoynt the outward parts of the hoof of any horse . horseleaches , live mice , the green lizard being burned , if they be given to a hawk in her meat , they do cause a speedy mutation of her feathers or wings ; and the same effect have little river-fishes , finely beaten or stamped , if they be cast upon any meat . item , the serpent that is speckled , and of divers and sundry colours , of all others hath the least poyson ; and in the german tongue it is called huf , ( peradventure it is that which we call a snake ) if ( i say ) you take this serpent , and boyl it with wheat , and give the same wheat to a hen to feed upon , being mingled amongst her meat and drink with the venom of a serpent ; a hawk being fed with the flesh of such a hen , forthwith casteth her sick feathers , and is freed from any other disease , if she have any at all , as albertus saith . the old skin of an adder or snake , that he casts off in the spring time , if it be rubbed upon the eyes , cleareth the sight , as pliny saith . and galen biddeth us , if any be troubled with bloud-shotten eys , to take the old cast skin of serpents , & being beaten with sea water , to anoint them therewithal . and cardan saith , that the cast skin of a snake , if the eyes be rubbed therewith every morning , that they will never be very dim of sight , nor yet ever have any pin or web in them , amongst compositions that are made for the eyes , they use to mix the cast skin of snakes , as diocles affirmeth ; adding further , that the old age , or cast skin of a snake being boiled in wine , is an excellent help for pain in the ears , if a little thereof be dropped into them . boyl the cast skin of a snake with tops of poppy , and drop a little thereof into the ears , if any be troubled with spain thereof , and this is an excellent remedy , as galen in his third book , de composit . medicam . s●c . loca , hath taught us , having himself learned the same from archigenes . the cast skin of serpents being burned in a pot , or on a hot burning tyle-shard , if it be mingled with oyl of roses , and so dropt into the ears , is proved to be very effectual against all sores , and sicknesses of the ears ; but especially against the stinking favour of them : or if they be purulent or full of matter , then to be mixt with with vinegar . some use to mingle bulls gall therewith , and the juyce of the flesh of tortoises being boyled . marcellus saith , that if you take the gall of a calf , with a like quantity of vinegar , and mix them with the cast skin of a serpent , if then you dip a little wooll into this medicine , and put it into the ear , that it helpeth very much , especially if with a spunge being soked in warm-water , you first foment the ear . diosoroides and galen do affirm , that the cast skin of a serpent , if it be boiled in wine , doth cure the tooth-ach , if the pained place be washed therewith . but yet , in intolerable pain 〈…〉 the teeth , this is proved more singular . take the cast skin of a serpent and burn it , then temper it with oyl , till it come to the thickness or consistence of hard honey , and cover the tooth ( being first scoured and cleansed therewith , anointing all the neer places to the same , and put some of it into the hollowness of the tooth . and as archigenes saith , if you lay the cast skin of a snake unto the teeth , not being burnt , they will all fall out . it cureth likewise the lowsie evill called phihiriasis . and galen prescribeth this cast skin of snakes or serpents , for a remedy against the colick , if it be put into a brass pot with some oyl , and so burnt to powder , if then it be dissolved in oyl , and the place therewith anointed , it is of great vertue . and if it be boiled in a tin vessel with some oyl of roses , it remedieth the bloudy-flix , and such as be troubled with tenesmus , which is , a great desire in going to stool , and yet can do nothing . arnoldus de villa nova , in his breviary saith , that if you take the cast skin of a serpent , opopanax , myrrhe , galbanum , castoreum , yellow sulphur , madder , pigeons or hawkes dung , and incorporate them with the gall of a cow , they being first pulverised , and the fume thereof received through a tunnel at the lower parts , it bringeth forth either the dead or living birth . cardan lib. de subtil . saith , that the cast skin of a serpent burned in the full of the moon , and entring into the first degree of aries ; if the ashes thereof be sprinkled on the head , that thereby terrible and fearful dreams will follow . and if the face be anointed or washed therewith , being first laid in water , that it will cause one to look very fearfully and horribly : and if it be held under the tongue , it will make one very wise and eloquent : and if it be kept under the soals of the feet , it maketh one very gracious among princes , magistrates and great men . and another saith , that this cast off skin being pulverised when the moon is in her increase , and in the first degree of aries , if the powder thereof be set on the table , in a wooden or metalline dish ; if any poyson be therein , it will be dispersed and do no hurt , and yet the powder will remain safe and whole : and if given to a leprous person , his disease will spread no further . and if you put a little of this powder into any wound , it will cure it within three days . i have seen ( saith galen ) goats that have eaten of the boughs and leaves of tamarisk , and i have found them without a spleen : also i have seen other goats that have lickt up serpents after they had cast their skin ; and i have proved , that after that , they have grown very white , and to have kept their young years a great while ; so that it was long before they waxed old . of the way to drive away serpents . of their poyson and bitings . a certain and sure way to cure those who either have been poysoned , invenomed , or bitten by them . to expell and drive farre away any venomous creatures , we use to make fumigations of the root of lillies , harts-horn , and the horns and hoofs of such beasts as be cloven footed : likewise of bay-leaves and berries , calamint , water-cresses , and the ashes of the pine-tree . the leaves of vitex , bitumen , castoreum , melanthium , goats-horns , cardamomum , galbanum , propolis , which may be called bee glew , the herb called horstrange , panax , opopanax , fleabane , the shavings or serapings of the cypresse or cedar tree being steeped in oyl , the jet-stone , sagap●num , the herb called poley , fern , and all other things that have a strong or vehement ill savour , being cast on the coals for a fumigation , do with their vapour chase away venomous beasts . for whereas all venomous creatures have the passages or pores of their bodies very straight and narrow , they are very easily filled and stuffed , and are quickly stopped and suffocated by such like sents and smells . aetius in his thirteenth book setteth down an excellent fume after this manner . take of galbenum , of sandracha , butter , and of goats-fat , of every one alike much , make them into pills , and use them for a fumigation . nicander in theriacis setteth down some for the same intentions , in these verses . cervinique gravi cornu nidore fugabis : et sic cum accendens gagatae quandoque lapillum , quem consumentis non exedit impetus ignis : multifidam filicem crepitantibus injice flammis , aut imas viridis libanotidos accipe fibras , tantundemque acris nasturci : his junge duobus aequali capreae jam jactum pondere cornu , aut exiccantem nares cerebrumque nigelam , interdum sulphur , foedum quandoque b●●●men , vt sumpta aequali pendantur singula parte . praeterea graveolens candentibus indita prunis galbana , & ignitum faciens urtica dolorem , dentatisque cedrum maxillis sectile lignum , omnibus invisum serpentibus eflat odorem . in english thus ; by hart-horn fume do serpents slide away when stone gagates burning's put thereto : which heat of fire doth not clean destroy : then in t ' those flames cast many-leaved fern also . of green hogs-fennel , take the lowest branches , of nosewort sharp , so much : then to them joyn a like proportion of roes horn in weight and kantches , or else nigella , drying nose and brain , or brimstone , called filthy sulphure , so all be equall in weight and parts to cure . besides , galbanum rank , laid on burning coals , or nettles , which do cause 〈…〉 ry pain , and cedar cut , all burn'd bout serpents holes , them overcome , and make them flie amain . the breath or vapour that issueth from serpents is so pestilent , that it killeth all young chickins , as columella saith ; and for preventing of this mischief , it is good to burn harts-horn , womens hair , or galbanum . vis & mirificos cautus perdiscere odores , accensis quibus arcetur teterrima serpens , aut styracem uras , aut atri vulturis alam , vel nepetam aut frondem rigidae stirpemque myricae . in english thus ; if thou wouldst learn what cdours for thy skill were best to scare the serpent fierce away , burn styrax , or black vultures winged quill , or neppe , green leaves , or stock of tamarisk assay . and pliny and sextus agreeing with him , do say ; that if you burn the feathers of a vultur , all serpents will quickly avoid the strong sent thereof . there is a certain river in the countreys of media and paeonia , ( as aristotle testifieth ) wherein there is a stone found , with whose fume serpents are chased away : whose property is such , that if any man cast water on it , it will burn , and burning , if with any fan you go about to make it to flame , it is straightway quenched ; and thus being extinguished , it sendeth forth a savour stronger then any brimstone . and to this subscribeth nicander in these words . veltu threicium flamma succende lapillum , quilicet irriguis mersus tamen ardet in undis , expressaque statim resting uitur unctus oliva , hanc quem fluctisoni mittant de littore p 〈…〉 i , qui , rudevulgus , ibi vescentes carne magistri pascendi pecoris sua post armenta sequuntur . in english thus ; or take the thracian stone , which set on fire will burn in water , yet quenched is with oyl . this cast from pontus shore , heard-men desire , the better to feed their flocks , and serpents foyle . the powder of a cedar tree , putteth to flight venomous serpents , as virgil in the third of his georgicks witnesseth . disce & odoratum stabulis accendere cedrum , galbaneoque agitare graves nidore chelydros . which may be englished thus ; learn how of cedar , fire in thy folds to make , and with galbanums savour , put to flight the snake . things that are strewed or said under us , both in our houses and in high-wayes or beds , will likewise defend and keep us from venomous creatures : as for example ; southernwood , dittander , flea-bane , calamint , gentian , hastula regia , sage , nightshade , s. johns wort , called of some fuga daemonum ; marjoram , origan , wilde rue , wilde thyme , bay-leaves , the shavings or tops of the cypres or cedar-tree , cardamomum , penyroyal , wormwood , mugwort , lysimachia , called in english loose-strife , and rosemary . and if we cannot lie upon such a bed ; tunc juxta virides sinuosi vorticis alveos , amnicolam nepetam per ●besas collige ripas . aut tibi costa salix , pulchro quae flore renidet , praebeat , instrata securum fronde grabatum . sic quoque montanum polium , cujus grave spirans horret odor , nomenque suum qua debet echidnae herba , & ab euxina quae fertur origanus urbe , quaecunque illarum decerpitur obvia , prodest . quin etiam multo per aprica cacumina flore ridens abrotonus , pecorique ingrata petitum pabula serpyllum , molli quod pascitur horto . praestat item exiguam circumlustrare conyzam , vrticeasque comas , & spinosas anagyros : sic & punicea sectis ex arbore ramis , regalisque amplis licet hastae frondibus uti . accipe item innocuo medicantem frigore strumum , atque invisa pigris scyra prima aestate bubulcis . nicander . in english thus ; then by the winding banks of crooked streams the water-nep take up , which under-foot is tread , or the chast osier , whose fair flower hath beams and leaves , secure from serpents make thy bed . the mountain poley , whose strong smelling breath the snakes abhor , & that which doth the hydra name , the origan which cometh from euxinus earth , doprofit all gainst serpent , if you bear the same . the smiling southernwood , which groweth on tops of hills , wilde marjoram , to beasts abhorred food , conyza strewed , the haunt of serpents spills , the nettle-crops , thorny anagres stay their mood , so do pomegranate branches cut from tree ; and the broad leaves of kingly hasta use , strume , bealing strumes in harmless cold i see , and scyra , which in summer neatheards do refuse . in like sort , to sprinckle the place with water , where in sal ammoniaoum is dissolved , driveth away serpents , as avicen affirmeth . if any one anoint himself either with dears-sewet , the fat of elephants or lions , serpents wil shun that person : and there be some , ( as pliny saith ) that for fear of serpents , do anoint their bodies with the seeds of juniper . the juyce of the black vine extracted from the root , and anointed on the body , performeth the like . for preservation from serpents , nicander compoundeth this ointment . take two vipers about the end of spring time , deer-sewet thirty drams , vngenti rosati thirty six drams , crude oyl of olives as much , commix them with nine ounces of wax , boil the serpents till the flesh fall from the bones , which you must cast away because they are venomous . they that will yet be more assured , let them anoint their bodies with a thin cerate , made of wax , oyl of roses , a little galbanum , some powder of harts-horn , or else cummin-seed of aethiopia , &c. aetius . if a man carry about him the tooth of a stag , or those small bones which are found in his heart , he shall be secured from serpents . if any one do bear about him wilde bugloss , or the root of the wilde carot , he cannot be wounded of any serpents , grevinus is of the minde , that the jet-stone , beside other manifest qualities , hath yet this as peculiar to it self , that he which carryeth it about with him , need neither to fear serpents , nor any other poysons . now for venomous beasts , which are found in any houses , the best way is to pour scalding water into their dens and lurking holes . and if any man ( constrained by necessity ) can finde no other place to sleep , but such a one as where salamanders , the spiders called phalangia , or the like serpents do abound , it is good to stop the holes and corners with garlick beaten with water , or some of those herbs which before we have spoken of . but yet men now adays hold it the safest course , to pour unquenched lime sprinkled with water into their dens and secret corners . as they that are bitten by a mad dog , so all such persons be wounded by venomous creatures , are in exceeding great danger , unless at the first they receive speedy help and succour ; the safest way therefore to cure the poyson , is by attractives , which draw from the more inward parts to the surface , and not to make too much post-hast in closing up the wound . but if any one hath swallowed down , and taken inwar 〈…〉 any poyson , the best way is ( as dioscorides writeth ) to vomit often ; but if any be wounded by biting , then it is best to use scarification , and to fasten cupping-glasses upon the place affected , to draw out the poyson . some use to suck the venom out , and others to cut off and dismember the part . and this is to be observed , that if any one will undertake to suck out the renom , the party that attempteth it must not be fasting ; and besides , he must wash his mouth with some wine , and after that , holding a little oyl in his mouth , to suck the part● , and to spit it presently forth . and before cupping-glasses be applyed , the part must first be fomented with a spunge , then scarified deeply , that the venomous matter may the more speedily be drawn out from the more inward parts ; and yet cutting off the flesh round in a compass , doth more good then any scarification . but if the place will admit no section or incision , then cupping-glasses , with deep scarification , with much flame , must needs be used : for by attraction of the bloud , and other humors with windiness , the poyson it self must of necessity follow . and aetius in his . book and tenth chapter , counselleth that the sick person be kept from sleep , and so sit still , until he finde some ceasing or releasing from his pain . besides , the member which is envenomed , ought to be be bound round about , that the poyson may not too easily convey it self , and penetrate into the more noble and principal parts , as the heart , liver , or brain . and in this manner having applyed your ligature , you must by the advice of fumanellus , set on your cupping-glasses , and they being removed , apply the herb calamint upon the place , and to give the patient some of the root of mugwort in powder , or the best treacle , and such cordials as do corroborate the heart ; and for this intent , bugloss , borage , balm , and any of their flowers are much commended . a dove or pigeon being divided in the midst , and applyed hot to the place affected , attracteth poyson to it self , and healeth . and the same effect and vertue have other living creatures , as namely , hens and chickens , young kids , lambs and pigs , if they be set to in the beginning , immediately after the cupping-glasses be removed , for being as yet hot and warm , they draw out the poyson , and mitigate pain . but if neither any one for love or money can be found , that will or dare suck out the venom , and that no cupping-glass can be provided , then it is best that the patient do sup of mutton , veal , or goose broth , and to provoke vomiting . yet they that will more effectually and speedily give help , use to kill a goat , and taking out the entrails , with the warm dung therein found , forthwith binde unto the place . the learned physitian matthiolus , in his comment upon dioscorides , saith ; that to avoid the danger that cometh by sucking out the venom , men now adays use to apply the fundament of some cock or hen , or other birds after the feathers are puld off , to the wounded place , and the first dying , to apply another in the same order , and so another and another , until the whole venomous matter be clean driven away : whereof one may be certainly assured , if the last hen or bird so applyed , do not die . avicen the arabian saith , that the physitians of egypt , ( in which countreey there be infinite store of venomous beasts ) do hasten to burn the part with fire , as the safest and surest remedy , when any one is this way endangered : for fire not only expelleth poysons , but many other grievances . but the way how they used to burn with fire , was divers in these cases : for sometimes they used to sear the place with a hot iron , and other whiles with a cord or match being fired , and sometimes scalding oyl , and many other devises they had with burning medicaments , to finish this cure , as saith hieron . mercurialis in his first book de morb. venenatis writeth , and john tagault , institut . chirurg . lib. . saith , that the wound must first be seared with a hot iron ( if the place can endure it ) or else some caustick and vehement corroding medicine must be used : for all such wounds are for the most part deadly , and do bring present death , if speedy remedy be not given : and therefore , according to hippocrates counsel , to extream griefs , extream remedies must be applyed ; so that sometimes the safest way is to take or cut off that member , which hath either been bitten or wounded . neither am i ignorant ( saith dioscorides ) what the egyptians do in these cases : for when they reap their corn in harvest time , they have ready at hand prepared , a pot with pitch in it , and a string or band hanging at it ; for at that time of the year they are most afraid of serpents , which then chiefly do hide themselves in dark holes , and caves of the earth , and under thick clots and turffs , for egypt aboundeth with such venomous and poysonful creatures . when as therefore they have wounded either the foot or any other part , they that are present , do put the string into the pot of pitch , and binding the place , they fall to cutting it with some instrument round in compass as the string is tyed , after this done , they pour in of the pitch a sufficient quantity , then untying and loosing the band , they lastly anoynt it with garlick and onions . a certain countryman being bitten of a serpent , perceived by and by his foot to swell , and by little and little the force of the poyson to swell up higher , and nearer to the heart , the castle of life : who being taught and instructed of an old woman , to bury his foot under the earth , and to cut a a hen into two parts to apply to the wound , and to the hen she wished him to lay a live frog , who continually sucking the bloud from the hens flesh , might by this means at length attract and draw all the poyson into it self . so when he had held his foot a whole night covered and buryed under the earth , and finding no abatement , but rather an increase of his tormenting pain ; at length by the advise and direction of a certain noble matron , he drank a good draught of theriaca and hony tempered in ale , and so after a few hours fell on a great and continual vomiting , by which means he was perfectly freed from the pains of the upper parts of his body , his fe 〈…〉 notwithstanding continuing in their former swelling : which was also taken clean away , only by drinking the milk of a black goat , so much in quantity at a time as one egge-shell would contain , his foot in the mean space being held or plunged in a sufficient quantity of the same milk . from which there issued and ran a foul stinking glutinous and snivelly matter , and this he was admonished to do by a certain priest . but yet afterwards by chance , washing himself in a hot sunny day in a certain river , and sitting upon the bank , his feet hanging down into the water , and he falling fast asleep , ( he knew not well how long time he so continued ) at length awaking , he plainly perceived the water that was neer , on all sides to be filthy , stained and polluted with much stinking matter , and as it were dreggy , refuse and feculency , and from that time forwards , he remained well and lusty , and as sound as a bell. another time a maid being bitten of a serpent , laid presently upon the wound some fresh cheese made of the milk of a white goat , and pouring or sprinkling her foot with the milk of the same goat , as a defensative for that part , was by this means restored to her former health , as a certain learned man testified in his letters written to gesner . vegetius affirmeth , that if any living creature be bitten and wounded of venomous beasts , the place which is hurt , must first of all be suffumigated with hens egge-shels burnt , which first ought to be infused in vinegar , with a little harts-horn , or galbanum . after fomentation , the place must be scarified , and the bloud must be let out , or else the place must be seared with a hot iron , so far as the venom stretcheth . and this care must be had , that the cauter be never applyed and laid either above the joynts , or sinewy parts at any time , for the sinews or joints being seared and burnt , there must of necessity a continual weakness and debility follow . therefore great diligence must be used , that neither a little above , nor a little beneath the nerves and joynts , we lay any cauterizing medicine , yea , although necessity biddeth us . but it is also requisite that every one thus wounded , do gently and easily provoke sweating with warm clothes cast upon him , and afterwards to walk up and down , and to take barley-meal in his meat , with some leaves of the ash-tree , and the white vine added to it . and to the wound it is good to apply attick honey , or cummin heated and parched , and so mixed with old wine . some use to mix new hogs dung and attick hony tempered together with wine , and so being warmed , to apply it as a cataplasm , adding to it some urine of a man. i have said before , that young chickens being dissected or cut in pieces when they are warm , ought to be laid to the stinged part : and some there be that yeeld this reason why they should be good for this purpose , because ( say they ) there is a natural antipathy betwixt them , and venomous creatures . but this reason is reasonless , and i think rather , that hens or young birds , being of a very hot nature and complexion , do easily concoct and digest notablepoyson , and their stomacks do consume most dry and hard seeds , which the strongest man living cannot do ; which may easily also be proved by this argument , that many times by their ravening , they swallow down sand and little stones , which they do easily dissolve , and their crops very soon discharge , without any offence to them at all . and therefore the spirits of an invenomed person , being helped and refreshed with the lively and strong natural heat of these sowls thus applyed , and receiving and acquiring strength from the part wounded , and so hastily leaping out as it were , and quickly sparkling forth , they do expel , shut and draw out the poyson . now , after we have described the general method of curing this mischevious evil , we will now descend to particular remedies , observing ever this rule and order , that first i will speak of such means as are topical , or such as are outwardly applyed ; and next of such as be taken inwardly , and in both of them i will first describe compound , before i speak of simple medicaments . this one lesson you must carry with you , that many remedies are prescribed and set down , which be not only good for the bitings of serpents , but also for the bitings and stingings of all other venomous creatures , as namely , of scorpions , tarantulaes , spiders , and the like . but yet , sith these do properly respect serpents , i will in this place set them down : beginning first ( according to my promise ) with such compounded medicines , as are applyed outwardly for the help against the stinging of serpents . theriaca andromachi applyed plaister-wise , is natable for this purpose . so there be other vehement strong plaisters , whose vertue is to attract , expel , and discuss venom , of which are those which are made of salt , niter , mustard-seed , and rosemary-seeds , dittany , or dittander , and the root of chamaeleon : and this that followeth is of singular vertue . take of the scum , froth , or spume of silver one pound , ceruse , and of the best turpentine , of either as much as of the former , old oyl three pounds , wax six ounces , ammoniacum thymiama , four ounces , and of galbanum as much : boyl the ceruse , the scum of silver , and the oyl so long , that they will not cleave unto the hands , then melting the other ingredients , incorporate them all together , and use them when need is for any bitings , &c. there is an emplaister fathered upon one epigonus , and bearing his name : for this epigonus being in close prison , and condemned to die , for revealing this medicine had his pardon granted him , and was freely discharged , because he therewith healed the daughter of the emperour marcus : for being forely wounded by a serpent in her breast , and all other physitians despairing of help , yet with this she was recovered . it is also good for all new and old ulcers , and for such as are either bitten by any kinde of venomous creeping worms and serpents . take of squamma eris , ( which is the scales and offal of brass , blown from it in melting ) of ammoniacum , aloes hepatica , verdigrease , of ae● ustum , of frankincense , sal ammoniacum , aristolochia rotunda , of every one half an ounce , turnep-seeds three scruples , of the root of dragon-wort half an ounce , seeds of mugwort nine scruples , pure wax five pound , of colophenia one pound , old oyl three ounces , sharp vinegar half a spoonful , mustard-seed three scruples , spodium nine scruples , stone-allum and opopanax , of either half an ounce : infuse the metalline ingredients for three days space in vinegar , and beat and powder them together , melting those that are to be melted , then sprinkle on those that are dry ; and all of them being throughly wrought and made up , according to the form of an emplaister , use them where necessity requireth . antonius fumanellus , a late physitian , prescribeth an experimented , and ( as he calleth it ) a divine oyl against any poyson taken into the body , or the biting of any venomous beasts and serpents , whether it be received inwardly by drinking it down , or anointed outwardly upon the body , and this is it that followeth . take of oyl of olives one pound , the flowers and the leaves of the herb called s. johnswort bruised , boyl them for the space of three hours , and strain them , then boyl again other fresh flowers and leaves of the same herb and strain them hard , and do so again the third time , then add to them of the roots of gentian and tormentil , of either one ounce , boyl and strain them as you did before , and reserve this oyl for your use . andreas matthiolus in his commentaries upon dioscorides , doth exceedingly commend oyl of scorpions , because being anointed upon the pulses outwardly , it is ( as he affirmeth ) a singular remedy , not only against any poyson taken inwardly into the body by the mouth , but for the bitings and stingings of any venomous creature whatsoever . the way to prepare and make it , he describeth at large , in his preface upon the sixt book of dioscorides , which i think needless here to describe to avoid tediousness ; therefore if any one be desirous to know the composition of it , let him read matthiolus in the place before cited . unquenched lime mixed with hony and oyl , and applyed to the place the thickness of a cerote , is good against the wounds that come by any venomous beasts biting . now i think it meet to set down those simple medicaments which are outwardly to be applyed , either by laying on , or by anointing , against the sting and venomous biting of serpents . it is best first to foment the sore place with hot vinegar , wherein catamint hath been boyled , and in stead of vinegar , one may take salt-water , or southernwood , maidenhair and garlick , either in drink , meat , or to be used as an ointment . the root of aram , and astrologe , and the leaves of the true daffadil , and oyl of balm , is most effectual : also bdellium , and the root either of the white or black beet , is good against the bitings of serpents . betony , coleworts , especially the wilde coleworts , calamint , the leaves of the wilde fig-tree , centory , onions , germander , chamaeleon , the herb called fleabane , wilde carrets , rocket , heath , fennil , figs , winter cherries , enula campana , barly-meal , the day-lilly , hysop , the flower-deluceroot , horehound , balm , water-cresses , basil , origan , plantine , leeks , turneps , madder , r●e , verven , mustard-seed , scabious , and saint johnswort , all these plants are greatly praised amongst the writers of physick , for the mischiefs abovesaid . pliny is of opinion , that the bowels or entrails of serpents themselves , being applyed , will surely cure the wounds of all other serpents , although they seem incurable . a live serpent being caught , if it be bruised , beaten and stamped in water , and the hurt place fomented therewith , will assuredly help and do much ease . quae nocuit serpens , fertur caput illius aptè vulneribus jungi , sanat quae sauciat ipsa , vt larissea curatus telephus hosta . qu serenus . which may be thus thus englished ; what serpent hurteth , men say by long experience , his head applyed doth cure : for where the wound , the help is also made , as in telephus sense , harm'd by larissus spear , by it was cured found . and guil. varignana saith , divide or cut a serpent , and lay it upon the place , and it will mitigate the anguish and pain . the seed of thraspi and of tithimal ( which is a kinde of spurge ) is greatly used for this ; aut tithimallus atrox , vulnus quae tuta perungat . some besides these , do put the root of black hellebore into the wound , because it draweth out the poyson , as i by mine own experience can testifie , saith matthiolus . there be also sundry antidotes and preservatives which are taken inwardly , that are very effectual against the bitings of serpents and venomous beasts , as namely that , which is called theriaca andromachi , or mithridate , and the like compositions . galen in his book de theriaca ad pisonem , preferreth theriaca andromachi before all other medicines either simple or compound , for virulent wounds ; because it performeth that effect for which it is ministred . for it was never as yet heard , that ever any one perished of any venomous hurt or biting , who without any delay forthwith drank this medicine : and if any man had taken it before he received any such dangerous hurt , if he were set upon and assailed by any poysonous creature , it hath not lightly been heard that he hath dyed of the same . there be many antidotes described by the ancients , which they set down to be admirable for thesepassions : as for example , that which avicen tearmeth theriaca mirabilis , whose composition is as followeth . take of opium and of myrrhe , of either of them a dram , pepper one dram and a half , the root of aristolochia longa and rotunda , of each of them three drams , wine two drams ; make them up with hony and rocket water , so much as is sufficient for an electuary : the quantity to give , is four scruples , relented in some fit and convenient decoction . king antiochus , surnamed magnus , had a kinde of theriaca which he used against all poysons , which is described of pliny in his . book and last chapter in this wise . take of wilde thyme , opopanax , and the herb called gromel , of each a like much , two drams , trifolie one dram , of the seeds of dill , fennil , smallage , anise , and ameos , of every one alike six drams , of the meal of orobus twelve drams : all these being powned and finely searsed , must with wine a sufficient quantity , be made into trochisces , whereof every one must weigh one dram , give thereof one dram at a time in a draught of wine . there is another antidote and preservative against any poyson , described by paulus aegineta , much like unto this , which is thus : take of bryony , opopanax , of the root of iris illirica , and of the root of rosemary , and of ginger , of each of these three drams , of aristolochia five drams , of the best turpentine , of wilde rue , of each three drams , of the meal of orobus two drams ; make them into trochisces with wine , every one weighing one scruple and a half , or two scruples to be given in wine . galen in his second book de antidotis , chapter . discourseth of a certain theriacal medicament , called zopyria antidotus , ( so taking the name of one zopyrus ) which was notable against all poysons , and bitings of venomous creeping creatures . this zopyrus in his letters written unto mithridates , sollicited him very much , that he would make some experiment of his antidote : which as he put him in minde he might easily do , by causing any one that was already condemned to die , to drink down some poyson aforehand , and then to take the antidote : or else to receive the antidote , and after that to drink some poyson . and put him in remembrance , to try it also in those that were wounded any manner of way by serpents , or those that were hurt by arrows , or darts , anointed or poysoned by any destroying venom : so all things being dispatched according to his praemonition , the man ( notwithstanding the strength of the poyson ) was preserved safe and sound by this alexipharmatical medicine of zopyrus . matthiolus in his preface upon the sixth book of dioscorides , entreating of antidotes and preservatives from poyson , saith ; that at length , after long study and travail he had found out an antidote whose vertue was wonderful and worthy admiration ; and it is a certain quintessence extracted from many simples , which he setteth down in the same place . he saith it is of such force and efficacie , that the quantity of four drams being taken either by it self , or with the like quantity of some sweet senting wine , or else with some distilled water , which hath some natural property to strengthen the heart ; if that any person hath either been wounded or strucken of any venomous living thing , and that the patients life be therewith in danger , so that he hath lost the use of his tongue , seeing , and for the most part all his other senses , yet for all that , by taking this his quintessence , it will recover and raise him as it were out of a dead sleep , from sickness to health , to the great astonishment and admiration of the standers by . they that desire to know the composition of this rare preservative , let them read it in the author himself , for it is too long and tedious to describe it at this time . there be besides these compounds , many simple medicines , which being taken inwardly , do perform the same effect , as namely the thistle , whereupon serenus hath these verses following : carduus & nondum doctis fullonibus aptus , ex illo radix tepido potatur in amni . that is to say ; the root of teasil young , for fullers yet unfit , drunk in warm water , venom out doth spit . that thistle which qu. serenus here understandeth , is properly that plant which of the greeks is called scolymos . yet it is taken sometimes for other prickly plants of the same kinde , as for both the chamaeleons , dipsacos , or labrum veneris , spina alba , eryngium , and some other . but dioscorides attributeth the chiefest vertue against poysons , to the thistle called chamaeleon albus , and to the sea-thistle called eryngium marinum , which some call sea-hul , or hulver : for in his third book and ninth chapter , entreating of chamaeleon albus , he saith thus ; the root of it taken with wine inwardly , is as good as treacle against any venom : and in the chapter of the same book , eryngium , is ( saith he ) taken to good purpose with some wine , against the biting of venomous creatures , or any poyson inwardly taken . and the same serenus adscribeth to the same vertue to the harts curd or rennet , as followeth . cervino ex soetu commixta coagula vi●o sumantur , quaeres membris agit atra venena . in english thus ; wine mixt with rennet taken from a hart , so drunk , doth venom from the members part . he meaneth a young hart , being killed in the dams belly , as pliny affirmeth also the same in his . book and . chapter in these words ; the chiefest remedy against the biting of serpents , is made of the coagulum of a fawn , kill'd and cut out of the belly of his dam. coagulum , is nothing else but that part in the belly which is used to thicken the milk. proderit & caulem cum vino haurire sambuci . qu. serenus . which may be englished thus ; in drink , the powder of an elder-stalk , gainst poison profiteth , as some men talk . that vertue which serenus here giveth to the stalk of dwarf elder , ( for that is meant in this place ) the same effect dioscorides attributeth to the root in his fourth book , and pliny to the leaves . the herb called betony is excellent against these foresaid affects , and by good reason , for the greatest part of poysons do kill through their excess of coldness , and therefore to overcome and resist them , such means are necessary , by which natural and lively heat is stirred up and quickned , and so the poyson hindred from growing thick together , and from coagulation . again , all men do agree , that those medicines are profitable which do extenuate , as all those do which have a property to provoke urine , and betony is of this quality , and therefore being taken with wine , it must needs do good in venomous bitings , and that not only in the bitings of men and apes , but in serpents also . radish also hath the same quality , being taken with vinegar and water boiled together , 〈◊〉 else outwardly applyed , as serenus affirmeth . sive homo , seu similis turpissima bestia nobis vulnera dente dedit , virus simul intulit atrum , vetonicam ex duro prodest assumere baccho . nec non & raphani cortex decocta medetur , si trita admor●is fuerit circumlita membris . in english thus ; if man , or ape ( a filthy beast most like to us ) by biting wound , and therein poyson thrust , then betony in hard wine steeped long , or rinde of radish sod as soft as pap , do heal , applyed to the members st●●g . there be certain herbs and simples , as wilde lettice , vervin , the root called rhubarb , agarick , oyl of oliander , and the leaves of the same , the seeds of peony , with a great number a little before described , that being taken either inwardly or outwardly in juyce or powder , do cure poyson , yea though it be received by hurt from envenomed arrows , shafts , or other warlike engines and weapons : for the arabians , indians , the galls ( now tearmed french-men ) and scythians , were wont to poyson their arrows , as paulus orosius in his third book testifieth of the indians , where he writeth , how alexander the great , in his conquering and winning of a certain city , under the government of king ambira , lost the greatest part there of his whole army with envenomed darts and quarrels . and celsus in his fifth book saith , that the ancient galles were wont to anoint their arrows with the juyce of white hellebore , with which they they did great mischief . pliny affirmeth the same to be used of the scythian nation . the scythians ( saith he ) do anoint their arrow-heads with the corrupt , poysonous , and filthy stained dreggy bloud of vipers , and with mans bloud mixed together : so that the wound seemeth to be incurable . and to this alludeth quintus serenus . cuspide non quisquam , longa neque caede sarissae , fulmine non gladii , volucris nec felle sagittae , quàm cito vipereo potis est affligier ictu : quare aptam dicamus opem , succosque manentes . which may be thus englished ; there is no man with spear or launces point , sharp edge of sword , or swift arrows might , to kill so soon , as vipers force doth dint : then fit is the aid and means that it acquite . there is a certain kinde of people to whom it is naturally given , either by touching or sucking , to cure the wounding of venomous serpents , called psylli , ( a people of lybia ) and marsi , people of italy , bordering upon the samnites , and aequiculania , and those that were called by the ancient writers ophiogenes , which dwelt about hellespont , as both pliny , aelianus , and aeneas sylvius do witness . callias in his tenth book of the history which he wrote of agathocles the syracusan saith , that if any man were bitten of a serpent , if either a lybian by birth , or any psyllus , whose body was accounted venom to serpents , was either purposely sent for , or came that way by chance , and saw the wound but indifferently , and not very sore tormenting the patient , that if he did lay but a little of his spittle upon the biting or stroke , that presently the aking and pain would be mitigated . but if he found the sick patient in great and intolerable anguish and pain , he took this course i● his curation , that first he would suck and draw up into his mouth a great deal of water , and first ri●se and wash his own mouth therewith , and after this , pouring it all out of his own mouth into a cup , he would give it to the poor wounded person to sup off . lastly , if the malignity and strength of the venom had crept and spread it self very far and deep into the body , so that there was danger of death , then would he strip himself stark naked , and so lie and spread his body upon the naked body of the sick person , and so by this way of touching , break the malice and quality of the poyson , and give perfect cure to the man. for more confirmation hereof , nicander colophonius , is sufficient au●hority , whose verses i will here describe . audivi libycos psyllos , quos aspera syrtis serpentumque ferax patria alit populos , non ictu inflictum diro , morsuve venenum laedere : quin laesis ferre & opem reliquis , non vi radicum , proprio sed corpore juncto . which is in english thus ; the people psylli bred in lybia land neer syrtes , where all serpents do abound , are never stung nor bitten by that band vnto their harm , or any bodies wound : but straight one naked man anothers burt doth heal , no roots , but bodies vertue danger doth repeal . some of the greeks have left in writing , that the idolatrous priests and prelates of the god vulcan , that dwelt in isle lemnos , had a special vertue given them to cure those who were wounded by serpents : whereupon it is said , that philoctetes being wounded by a serpent before the altar of apollo , went thither to be remedied of his hurt . cornelius celsus saith flatly , that the people called psylli had no such peculiar gift in healing them that were hurt of serpents , either by sucking or touching the place , but being boldly adventurous , had presumed thereby to attempt and do that , which others of less courage had no stomach to do : for whosoever durst be so confident as to follow their example , should be himself out of danger , and assure the other safe and free from fear of further hurt . galen in his book de theriaca ad pisonem , manifestly sheweth , that the marsi , who lived in his days , had no such special quality against the poyson of serpents , but that with their crafty dealing , and knavish tricks , they beguiled the common people . for saith he , those juglers and deceivers do never hunt vipers at any convenient time , but long after the prime of the year and spring , wherein they cast their skins , when as they are weak , and have lost their strength , and are very faint : then do they take them , and so by long use and continuance , teach them , and inure themselves one to another , and bring it so to pass , that they wil feed them with strange and unaccustomed meats to their nature ; yea they will permit them to tast of flesh , and constrain them to be continually gnawing and biting of the same , that by their so labouring and striving , their poyson may by little and little be spent , and purged out of their bellies . besides all this , they give them a kinde of bread made of milk and flour , that by this means the holes in their teeth may be stopped : and so by this laborious course of dieting them , they bring the matter so about , that their bitings are very weak , and do small annoyance to any that they strike at . so that the seers and lookers on , account it a thing exceeding common reason and nature , and blaze it abroad for a miracle . matthiolus also , a physitian of late days , agreeth with him in this point , affirming expresly , that these kinde of trumperies and crafty fetches are much put in practise in these times , by such bold and impudent quacksalvers , mountebanks , and couseners of plain countrey people , who dare face it out , lie , faign and cog , that they are descended from the race and linage of saint paul , wherein they shew themselves notorious lyers , &c. thus far matthiolus . serpents do sometimes creep into the mouths of them that are fast asleep , whereupon a certain poet saith ; non mihi tunc libeat dorso jacuisse per herbdnt . which may be englished thus ; then would i not upon the grass , lie on my back where serpents pass . for if a man sleep open mouthed , they slily convey themselves in , and winde and roll them round in compass , so taking up their lodging in the stomach , and then is the poor wretched man miserably and pitifully tormented ; his life is more bitter then death , neither feeleth he any release or mitigation of his pain , unless it be by feeding this his unwelcome guest in his guest-chamber , with good store of milk , and such other meats as serpents best like of . the only remedy against this mischief , is to eat good store of garlick , as erasmus in his dial. de amicitia saith . cardan saith , how that it was reported for a certain , that a viper entring into a mans mouth being asleep and gaping with his mouth , the venomous worm was expelled only with burning of leather , and so receiving the stinking fume at his mouth , the viper not enduring it , he escaped with life . but of this more in our discourse of the viper . a certain man called ciss●s , being very devout in the service , and much addicted to the worship of the god called serapis , being treacherously wound in and intrapped , by the crafty wiliness of a certain woman , which first he loved and afterward marryed , when by her means he had eaten some serpents egges , he was miserably vexed , and torn and rent with disquiet and torment through all his body , so that he seemed to be in great hazard of present death . whereupon , forthwith repairing and praying heartily to this his god , for his help and deliverance , he received answer , that he must go and buy a live lamprey , and thrust his hand into the vessel or place where it was kept and preserved ; which he forthwith did , and the lamprey caught fast hold on his hand , biting hardly , and holding fast by the teeth : and at length , when she was pulled from her fast hold , the sickness and grievous torment of his body was plucked away , and he freely delivered from that threatning danger . thus far aelianus . the conclusion of this general discourse of serpents . having thus discoursed of the medicinal qualities in serpents , and the remedies which almighty god in nature hath provided against their venom , now for a conclusion , i will add some other natural uses of them , and shut up all in moralities , and in sundry ways to take them . there were certain amazons , as pierius noteth , that in their warlike preparations and arms , did use the skins of serpents . and to the intent that this may not seem strange , the tragladytes did ●at serpents and lyzards , for they lived in caves in stead of houses , and their voyce was not a significant voyce , but a kinde of scrietching , like gnashing . and for these causes , serpents are very much afraid of any one of this nation . likewise certain of the candeans were called ophiophagi , that is , eaters of serpents ; and one part of the people of arabia eat snakes . but in india , ethiopia , and an island in the ocean , found out by jambolus , there are serpents which are harmless , and their flesh very sweet and pleasant to be eaten : so are there in macinum , a province of asia . in manzi in the upper india , and caraia , they sell the flesh of serpents in open markets . these serpents are called juanae , and the common people are forbidden to eat them , because they are very delicate , even as pheasants , partridges and peacocks are in france . yet is there but one way to dress them , which is , to roul them in lard , and so to seethe them . for first they bowel them , then wash them and fold them up together round , putting them into a pot no bigger then to receive their quantity ; upon them they cast pepper with water , and so seethe them upon wood and coals that will not smoak . with this lard there is made a broth sweeter then any nectar , which they use in many banquets of great account . but for the taking of serpents , i will yet add one or two more experiments , wherein the ancients revenged themselves upon these irreconcileable enemies of mankinde . they did use to set into the earth a deep pot , whereinto all venomous creatures would gather and hide themselves , then came they suddenly and stopped the mouth of that vessel , whereby they inclosed all that were taken , and so making a great fire , cast the said pot of venomous serpents into the same , which consumed them all . otherwise they took a living serpent , and digged in the earth a deep well or pit so sleep , as nothing at the bottom could climbe up to the top thereof , into this pit they would cast this serpent , and with her a brand of fire , by means whereof the enclosed serpent would fall a hissing for her life , at the hearing whereof , her fellows of the same kinde , were thereby easily invited to come at her call to give her relief , ( as we have shewed elsewhere ) who finding the noise in the bottom of the pit , do slide down of their own accord , whereby they likewise intrap themselves in the same pit of destruction . but the juglers or quack-salvers take them by another course , for they have a staffe slit at one end like a pair of tongs , those stand open by a pin , now when they see a serpent , viper , adder or snake , they set them upon the neck neer the head , and pulling forth the pin , the serpent is inevitably taken , and by them loosed into a prepared vessel , in which they keep her , and give her meat . it is reported , that if a serpent be strucken with a reed , she standeth still at the first blow , as if she were astonished , and so gathereth herself together ; but if she be so strucken the second or third time , as one delivered from her astonishment and fear , she recollecteth her wits and strength , and slideth away . the like observation unto this , is that of the ancients , that a serpent cannot be drawn out of her den by the right hand , but by the left , for they say , if one lay hold on her tail by the right hand , she will either slide farther into the earth from him , or else suffer herself to be pulled in pieces , never turning again , and therefore saith mine author , non cedit trahenti , sed elabitur fugiens , aut certe abrumpitur , she yeeldeth not to him that draweth her , but slideth away , flying from him , or else suffereth herself to be pulled in pieces in the combate . the sundry hieroglyphicks , statues , figures , images , and other moral observations about serpents , are next here to be expressed , which the ancients in their temples , shields , banners , theatres , and publique places had erected for their honours and dignity . and first of all in the temple of delphos , near the oracle , there was placed the serpent which provoked apollo to fight with him , wherein it was by him slain . and the hermopolitans , did reserve the image of typhon , in a sea-horse , whereupon sat fighting a hawk and a serpent : by the sea-horse they signified the monster typhon , by the other beasts , as namely the hawk and the serpent , how by this principality and government , which he had gotten by violence , he troubled both himself and others . hercules had in his shield certain serpents heads , pictured with these verses . bis sena hic videas , stridentibus effera flammis , colla venenato vultu maculosa draconum . tum magis offenso spirantia gutture virus , quam magis alcides effuso sanguine pugnat . which may be englished thus ; of dragons heads twise six here maist thou see , raging amongst the flames with poysoned spotted face : casting most venom forth when they enraged be , as when alcides saw his bloud distil apace . and so virgil ▪ saith of aventinus . — clypeoque imsigne parentum centum angues , cinctamque gerit serpentibus hydram , that is to say , his shield an hundred snakes , his fathers crest , an hydra in their compass is entest . oscus which raigned among the tyrrhenians , gave in his standard and coat of arms a serpent . now the people osci ( from whom it may be he was sprung and derived ) lived in campania in italy , as we have shewed already . in ancient time we read , that when hostility began to be compounded , they had heralds and embassadours of peace , which they called caduceatores , which carryed upright a certain rod or staffe called caduceus ; this rod was very straight , and at the either side were artificially joyned two serpents figures , winding and crooking into each other as the manner of serpents is . this rod was so sacred , that it was a great offence to violate or offer any injury unto it : for by the straight rod , was signified perfect and upright reason or understanding ; by the two crooked serpents at either side thereof , was figured the two armies invading and assailing the upright understanding , yet not prevailing : for this passed through and betwixt them without harm , by truce and entreaties of peace . this rod was therefore consecrated to mercury , the tails of the serpents reaching down to the handle or half of the rod , where they were adorned with with wings . alciatus made these emblematical verses upon the caduceus . anguibus implicitis , geminus caduceus alis , inter amalt heae cornua rectus adest . pollentes sic mente viros , fandique peritos judicat , ut rarum copia multa beet ▪ in english thus ; twixt ceres horns the rod of peace doth stand vpright with winding snakes , and double-winged tails , to shew that mindes and tongues with learnings brand , are blest with plenty in all wordly vails . but having thus entred into the hieroglyphical emblems , if i should say so much as i finde made ready , and squared for the architecture of this discourse , i might lose my self in a voluminous world of matter , therefore i will but give the reader a taste hereof . by the serpent in holy writ , are many observative significations ; and first , that the devil himself , which is malus deus mali mundi , an evil god of an evil world , should be tearmed and expressed by a serpent . the cause saith pierius , is linguae motatio , the continual and never ceasing motion of a serpents tongue : and so the continual and ever-working perswasions of diabolical tentations , and a true mixture and limb of this old serpent , speaketh otherwise with his tongue , then he thinketh with his heart . therefore it is also said , that a natural serpent hath a cloven or twisted tongue . clemens saith truly , that serpents do also signifie men given over to sins , and fraudulent impostures or malices , ●nos hybristes ho akotactos , lukos agrios ho pleonecticos , kai ophis h● apatroon , that is , there is an insolent and an intemperate ass , there is a raging wolf which is covetous , and there is a serpent which is an impostor and fraudulent . the same learned man saith , that riches are like to a serpent : for as when an ignorant man thinketh to take a serpent without harm by the tail , she turneth back again and biteth him ; but if he take her by the neck , she cannot execute any part of her malice : even so when a wise man hath the managing of riches , by vertue of his discretion he so charmeth them , that there is not in them any harm at all : but the foolish man is mortally stung by his imprudent possession and dispensation of them . of the adder . it falleth out in the particular discourse of serpents , that i express the most known serpent to us in england , in the first place , according to alphabetical order , that is , the adder . for although i am not ignorant , that there be which write it nadere , of natrix , which signifieth a water snake , yet i cannot consent unto them so readily , as to depart from the more vulgar received word of a whole nation , because of some likelyhood in the derivation from the latine : for whereas nadere may seem not improperly to be derived of natrix , and natrix of natando , that is , swimming in the water , the first conjectural derivation is destroyed by the latter , because this serpent whereof we now intreat , haunteth not the waters , except for drink in her time of thirst , and therefore i mislike the writing of nadere for adder : and rather take that word to signifie a land snake . and yet if there be any good argument of derivation of english from latine , i would not have the reader think , but that the adder may as well be derived a terra , from the earth which it use●h , or of ater , black , which is the colour that it beareth , or from atrox , fierce , ( for there is no serpent of that quantity , more fierce , angry , or hurtful , ) as well as nadere from natrix . the latines do express this kinde of serpent by the word coluber , whereof some give sundry reasons , either because colit umbras , it hanteth and liveth in hedges and shadowy places , or else à lubricis tractibus , of his winding pace or path . gelenius deriveth it of the greek word kolob●uros , which signifieth wanting a tail , because the snakes which are about houses , are sometimes found without tails , which have been strook off by men : but this opinion hath no reason for the adder , which is not domestical . indeed i confess that pliny useth coluber for a general word for serpents , when he saith coluber in aqua vivens , which deceived theophrastus and gaza , applying it to the water serpent . and so erasmus and others , translate ophis coluber , that is , the general greek word for a serpent , an adder . there is also colubra , as in lucilius , varro , & nonius marcellinus appeareth ; whereunto agree horace , virgil , and cornelius celsus . the italians call this serpent lo scorzone , scorsoni , colubra , la scorzonara , la scorsonae . the french , colenure ; the spaniards , culebra , and at this day the grecians , nerophis . and thus much for the name ; except i may adde these verses of virgil in his georgicks . aut tecto assuetus coluber succedere & umbrae pestis acerba boum , pecorique aspergere virus fovit humum . cape saxa manu , cape robora pastor . tellentemque minas , & sibila colla tumentem dejice , jamque fuga tumidum caput abdidit altè cum medii nexus , extremaeque agmina caudae solvuntur , turdosque trabit sinus ultimus orbes . in english thus ; or when the adder using house or shade bred in the earth , the bane of sheep and neat , then shepheard take both stone in hand and blade , to quash his swelling neck and hissing threat . or when his fearfulhead he puts full deep in earth to fly thy wrath , him sunder in the midst , or cut his tail , if no part else appeareth , for that will stay his pace , while on 't thou treadest . this is usual to call a water-adder , a house-adder , a land-snake , and such other , but catachrestically confounding one kinde with another . and thus much for the name of this serpent . the parts differ not from the general description before recited , it is long like an eele , and hath many epithets , as virides colubri , green adders , long , rough , venomous , divers coloured , swelling , sliding , winding , blew , terrible , secret , hurtful , medusaean , cyniphian , gorgonean lybissine , biting , spotted , wreathing , black , bending , heavy , scaly , and divers such other , as the grammarians have observed . but concerning the colour hereof ; it is most commonly black on the back , sometimes greenish and yellowish . the scales of it are more sharp then of the snake , and therefore the egyptians were wont to say of the thebane adders , that they had a certain appearance of horns upon them , as we shall shew more at large in the story of cerastes , or the horned serpent . victorius speaking of the great worms which are bred in mens belles , doth call them caecat colulras , blinde adders ; but otherwise , the adder which is proper to the earth , is not blinde , but seeth as sharply as any other serpent either by day or by night . they are hotter then the snakes , and therefore live more in the shadows , and lye for the most part round , folded up together like a rope , as the poet noteth saying ; hirtus & ut coluber , nodoso graemine tectus ventre cubat flexo , semper collectus in orbem . in english thus ; as the rough adder in knotty grass is covered , lyeth on her belly , and round in circle gathered . they are a crafty and subtil venomous beast , biting suddenly them that pass by them , whereupon jacob said that his son dan should be coluber in via , an adder biting the horse-heels . when she hath bitten , with her forked or twisted tongue she infuseth her poyson , whereof and the remedy serving thereunto , there is this history in ambrosius p 〈…〉 s. at what time ( saith he ) gharles the ninth lay at melines , i and doctor le feure the kings physitian , were sent for to cure a certain cook of the lady custropersees , who was bitten by an adder , as he was gathering wilde hops in a hedge . the cook assoon as he was bitten in the hand , sucked the wound with his mouth , thinking thereby to mitigate the pain , and draw out again the poyson ; but assoon as his tongue touched the wound , presently it so swelled that he could not speak : and besides his arm or shoulder swelled into a high bunch or tumour , which did put him unto painful torments , insomuch that he swounded twice in our presence ; his face and colour changed as though he would presently die : whereat we all despaired to cure him , yet did not forsake him , nor left to try some means to ease his torments . then we washed his tongue with triacle , mixed with an equal proportion of white wine and aqua vitae ; then also i caused the arm to be scarified all over , and launced the place where the adder had bitten him , out of which flowed abundance of corrupt mattery bloud . then we washed the wound with triacle and mithridate , in aqua vitae ; so we caused him to be laid into warm bed ; there to sweat , and commanded to keep him awake , which was done accordingly ; and so the next day the swelling was abated , and the malignant symptomes were all evacuated : so we gave order to keep the wound or launced place open , and afterward the cook began to be well again . this one example in stead of many , i thought good to insert into this place , that hereby the general cure may be learned and followed . it agreeth with all other serpents in the changing or putting off the skin ; for after that by fasting it hath made his flesh low and abated , then by sliding through a narrow passage , whereof virgil thus writeth . qualis ubi in lucem coluber , mala gramina pastus , lubrica convolvit sublato pectore terga frigida sub terra , tumidum qu●m bruma tegebat : arduus ad soleth & linguis micat orat trisulcis , nunc positis novus exuviis , nitidusque juventa . which may be englished thus ; even as the adder in the spring ill fed and lean moveth her winding limbs , holding up her breast , whom winters cold whiles hid earth made swell , in sun shine with her treble tongue exprest doth lick and make to shine her skin , neat youth renueth , and casts old coat , for heat ensueth . s. jerom saith , that when the adder is thirsty and goeth to drink , she first of all at the water side casteth up her venom , lest that by drinking it descend into her bowels , and so destroy herself , but after that she hath drunk , she licketh it up again ; even as a souldier re-armed after he was disarmed . the voyce of this serpent is hissing , although it be very seldom heard . and it is said , that when croesus undertook to wage war with cyrus , the suburbs of sardis were all filled with adders , which were devoured afterward by horses in the pastures . whereat the king and people were not a little moved : but the priests , after consultation with the oracle , told them that it signified , how strangers should devour the people of that city ; because that adders were bred in those coasts , therefore they took them to signifie natural inhabitants , and because horses came from other countries , therefore strangers , ( as cyrus and his souldiers ) should be thereby signified . and this is to be noted , that the enemies of this serpent , are the same that are common to other , and the hart above all other beasts of the earth . yet this serpent ( saith s. ambrose ) will kill a lion and run away from a hart. ¶ the medicines arising out of this beast , are briefly these ; the water wherein an adder is preserved alive , is a remedy against the poyson of a toad : also adders or vipers included in a pot with the scrapings of vines , and therein burnt to ashes , do help the wens or kings-evill . and pliny also affirmeth , that if a man which hunteth grocodils , bear about him any part of the fat of an adder , or the gall mixed with the herb potamigiton , he cannot be hurt by that beast . serpents and adders , especially deaf adders , signifie unrepentant wicked men , and also discord , as the poet describeth it , when alecto sent a serpent , snake or adder , to move contention in the family of anata . libro . aeneid . and thus much for the adder . of the ammodyte . this serpent i call after the greek name , ammodytes , an ammodyte . it is also found to be called ammodyta , and conchrias , or rather centrias , or centrites , because of the hardness of their tails , which are also cloven on the upper side . the italians call it aspido del corno , because it hath upon the upper chap a hard wart like a horn . the head of this serpent is longer and greater then a vipers head , and her chaps wider ; besides the late expressed difference upon the upper lip : and yet it may well be tearmed a kinde of viper . it is immanis fera , a fierce wilde beast , in length not above a cubit , having divers black spots upon the skin , and certain appearances of strakes or small lines upon the back . the colour of the other parts is ever like the sand wherein it keepeth and maketh abode , according to these verses of lucan . concolor exustis , atque indiscretus are●i● ammodytes . — in english thus ; the ammodyte , indiscreet on the land , doth hold the colour of the burning sand . the countries most of all annoyed with these serpents , are lybia , italy , and illyria , especially about gortinium , and the mountains of lampidia . their harms are not inferiour to the stinging and poyson of asps , for matthiolus writeth , that he hath known some to die thereof within three hours after the wound received . and if they do not die within short time , then doth the bloud issue forth in abundant manner out of the hurt , and the wound swelleth . afterward , all is turned into matter , and then followeth dulness in the head , and distraction in the minde ; they live long which endure it three days , and it was never known that any lived above seven days : this also being observed , that those that be hurt by a female do die soonest . for together with their biting , they infuse a vehement pain , which causeth swelling , and the sore to run . i finde the cure hereof in aetius to be thus , first of all triacle must be given to the sick person to drink , and also laid upon the wound , also drawing or attractive plaisters , and such poultesses which are fit for running ulcers . but first before the plaisters , scarifie all the places about the hurt , and binde the upper parts hard , then launce the sore a little with a pen-knife , and let him drink sweet water with rungwort , gourds , castoreum , and cassia . avicen prescribeth in the cure of these serpents venom castoreum , cinamon , the root of centory , of each two ounces with wine , and the root of long hartwort , of assoasier , the juyce of the root gentian . and for emplaister , hony sod and dryed , and so pounded , the roots of pomgranates , and centory , the seed of flax , and lettuce , and wilde rue : and so i conclude with doctor gesner , percussus ab ammodyte festinet ad remedium , sine quo nemo affugere , he which is hurt by an ammodyte , let him make hast for a remedy , without which never man escaped death . of the arges and argolae . there is mention made in galen and hippocrates , of a serpent called arges : now arges signifieth in greek white , swift , idle , ill mannered : of this serpent hippocrates telleth this story . there was ( saith he ) a young man drunk , which lay asleep upon his back in a certain house , gaping : into this mans mouth entered a serpent called argoes , the young man perceiving it in his mouth , strived to speak and cry , but could not , and so suddenly gnashing his teeth , devoured and swallowed down the serpent : after which he was put to intolerable pains , his hands stretching and quivering like as a mans that is hanged or strangled , and in this sort he cast himself up and down and dyed . it seemeth therefore that this serpent hath his name from the sudden destruction he bringeth to the creatures it smiteth , and therefore in ancient time we read that mercury was called argiphon , for killing of serpents . the argolae are only mentioned by suidas , for he saith , that alexander brought them to alexdria from argos , and cast them into the river to expel and devour the aspes : where they continued a long time , till the bones of the prophet jeremy were brought out of egypt unto alexandria , which slew them , ( as the same author writeth : ) and thus much of these two kindes of serpents . of aspes . in hebrew as appeareth , deut. . the asp is called pethen , in psal . . akschub , in isa . . & jer. . zipheoni , an asp or a cockatrice , worse then a serpent . the arabians , has●or , and hascos ; the greeks , aspis ; the italians , aspe , and aspide : the spaniards , bivora ; the french , vn aspic ; the germans , ein sclang gennant ; and the latines , aspis . about the notation or derivation of this word , there is some difference among writers . aristophanes deriveth it from alpha , an intensive particle , and spizo , which signifieth to extend ; either by reason of his sharp shrill hissing , or for the length of his body . others derive aspis from hios , which signifieth venom or poyson , and therefore saith the scripture ; the poyson of asps , because that is a predominant poyson . the latines call it aspis , quòd venenum aspergit morsu , because it sprinkleth abroad his poyson when it biteth . besides we read of aspis a buckler , an island in the lycian sea , a mountain in africk , and there is a fashion of camping souldiers in the field called aspides . the epithets declaring the nature of this pestiferous serpent , are i●cheeir● , rejoycing in poyson , elikoessa , winding , lichmeres , putting out the tongue , smerdalee , fearfull , phoinessa cruelly killing . likewise in latine , dry , sleeping , drousie , deadly , swelling , and aspis pharia , a pharian asp , so called of the island pharus , where they abound . it is said that the kings of egypt did wear the pictures of asps in their crowns ; whereby they signified the invincible power of principality in this creature , whose wounds cannot easily be cured : and the priests of egypt and aethiopia did likewise wear very long caps , having toward their top a thing like a navel , about which are the forms of winding asps , to signifie to the people , that those which resist god and kings , shall perish by unresistible violence . likewise by an asp stopping his ear , was figured and understood a rebel , obeying no lawes or degrees of the higher power : but let us leave this discourse of moralities , and come neerer to the naturall description of asps . there are many kindes of asps after the egyptian division , for one kinde is called aspis sicca , a dry asp . this is the longest of all other kindes , and it hath eyes flaming like fire , or burning coals ; another kinde is called asilus , which doth not only kill by biting , but also with spitting , which it sendeth forth while it setteth his teeth hard together , and lifteth up the head . another kinde is called irundo , because of the similitude it keepeth with swallowes , for on the back it is black , and on the belly white , like as is a swallow . we read also in albertus of aspis hipnalis , and hippupex , but it may be that both these names signifie but one kinde . this hypnale killeth by sleeping , for after that the wound is given , the patient falleth into a deep and sweet sleep , wherein it dyeth : and therefore leonicenus saith ; illam fuisse , ex cujus veneno sibi cleopatram s●avem mortem conseivit , that it was the same which cleopatra bought to bring upon her self a sweet and easie death . there is also an asp called athaes , which is of divers colours : but i do consider that all the kindes may well be reduced to three , that is , ptyas , chersaea , and chelidonia ; ptyas hurteth by poysoning mens eyes , by spitting forth venom , chersaea liveth on the land , and chelidonia in the waters . the asp is a small serpent , like to a land snake , but yet of a broader back , and except in this differeth not much from the snake , their necks swell above measure , and if they hurt in that passion , there can be no remedy , for the stroak of their eyes are exceeding red and flaming , and there are two pieces of flesh like a hard skin which grow out of their foreheads , according to these verses of nicander ; praeterea geminae ●alli instar fronte carunclae haerent , sanguine is scintillant lumina flamis . that is to say ; at hard as brawn two bunches in their face do grow , and flaming bloudy eyes their grace . and the dry asp , so called because it liveth in mid-lands , farre from any water , hath a vehement strong sight , and these eyes both in one and other are placed in the temples of their head . their teeth are exceeding long , and grow out of their mouth like a boars , and through two of the longest are little hollowes , out of which he expresseth his poyson : they are also covered with thin and tender skins , which slide up when the serpent biteth , and so suffer the poyson to come out of the holes , afterward they return to their place again . of all which thus writeth nicander ; quatuor huic intra marillae ●●n●ava dentes , radices fixere suas , quas juncta quibusdam pelliculis tunica obducit , triste unde venenum effundit , si forte suo se approximet hosti . in english thus ; within the hollow of their cheeks fiery teeth are seen fast rooted , which a coat of skin doth joyn and over-hide , from whence sad venom issueth forth when she is keen , if that her ●o she chance to touch as she doth glide . the scales of the asp are hard and dry , and red , above all other venomous beasts , and by reason of her exceeding drought , she is also accounted deaf . about their quantity here is some difference among writers : for aelianus saith , that they have been found of two cubits length , and their other parts answerable : again , the egyptians affirm them to be four cubits long : but both these may stand together , for if aelianus say true , then the egyptians are not deceived , because the greater number containeth the lesser . the asp ptyas is about two cubits long : the chersaean asps of the earth , grow to the length of five cubits ; but the chelidonian not above one , and this is noted , that the shorter asp killeth soonest , and the long more slowly : one being a pace , and another a fathom in length . nicander writeth thus ; tam proceram extensa quaerunt quom brachia duci , tantaque crassities est , quantum missile telum , quod faciens hastas doct 〈…〉 faber expolit art● . which may be thus englished ; as wide as arms in force out-stretched , so is the asp in length , and broad even as a casting dart , made by a wise smiths strength . the colour of asps is also various and divers , for the irundo asp , that is , the chelidonian , resembleth the swallow ; the ptyas or spitting asp resembleth an ash colour , flaming like gold , and somewhat greenish : the chersaean asp of an ash-colour or green , but this later is more rare , and pierius saith , that he saw a yellow asp neer bellun : of these colours writeth nicander : squalidus interdum color albet , saepe virenti , cum maculis saepe est cineres imitante figura , nonnunquam ardenti veluti succenditur igne , idque nigra aethiopum sub terra , quale refusus nilus saepe lutum , vicinum in nerea volvit . thus overtherwise ; their colour whitish pale , and sometime lively green , and spots which do the ash resemble , some fiery red : in aethiop black asps are seen , and some again like to nerean mud , cast up by flowing of the nilus floud , the countreys which breed asps , are not only the regions of africk , and the confines of nilus , but also in the northern parts of the world ( as writeth olaus magnus ) are many asps found : like as there are many other serpents found , although their venom or poyson be much more weak then in asrica ; yet he saith , that their poyson will kill a man within three or four hours without remedy . in spain also there are asps , but none in france , although the common people do style a certain creeping thing by that name . lucan thinketh that the originall of all came from africa , and therefore concludeth , that merchants for gain have transported them into europe , saying ; ipsa coloris egens , gelidum non transit in orbem sponte sua , niloque tenus metitur arenas . sed quis erit nobis lucri pudor ? inde petuntur , huc lybicae mortes & fecimus aspida merces . in english thus ; the asp into cold regions not willingly doth go , but neer the banks of nilus warm , doth play upon the sands . oh what a shame , of wicked gain must we then undergo , which lybian deaths and aspish wares have brought into our lands ? their abode is for the most part in dryest soyls , except the chelidonian or water asp , which live in the banks of nilus all the year long , as in a house and safe castle , but when they perceive that the water will overflow , they forsake the banks sides , and for safeguard of their lives , betake them to the mountains . sometimes also they will ascend and climbe trees : as appeareth by an epigram of anthologius . it is a horrible , fearfull , and terrible serpent , going slowly , having a weak sight , alwayes sleepy and drowsie , but a shrill and quick sense of hearing , whereby she is warned and advertised of all noyse , which when she heareth , presently she gathereth her self round into a circle and in the middest lifteth up her terrible head : wherein a man may note the gracious providence of almighty god , which hath given as many remedies against evil , as there are evils in the world. for the dulnesse of this serpents sight , and slownesse of her pace , doth keep her from many mischiefs . these properties are thus expressed by nicander ; formidabile cui corpus , tardumque volumen , quandoquidem transversa via est prolixaque ventris spira , veternosique nivere videntur ocelli . at simul ac facili forte abservaverit aure ▪ vel minimrm strepitum , segnes è corpore somnos excutit , & teretem sinuat mox asperatractum , horrendumque caput , porrectaque pectorat●llit . in english thus ; this feared asp hath slow and winding pace , when as her way on belly she doth traverse , her eyes shrunk in her head winking , appear in face , till that some noise her watchfull eat doth 〈…〉 ish , then sleep shak'd off , round is her body gathered , with dreadfull head , o● mounted neck up lifted . the voice of the asp is hissing , like all other serpents , and seldome is it heard to utter any voyce or sound at all , except when she is endangered , or ready to set upon her enemy . where-upon saith nicander ; — grave sibilat ipsa bestia , dum ceriam vomit ira concita mortem . in english thus ; this beast doth hisse , with great and lowdest breath , when in her mood she threatneth certain death . that place of david , psalm . . which is vulgarly read a death adder , is more truly translated a deaf asp , which when she is enchanted , to avoid the voyee of the charmer , she stoppeth one of her ears with her tail , and the other she holdeth hard to the earth : and of this incantation thus writeth vincentius belluacensis . vertute qu 〈…〉 dam verborum incantatur aspis , ne veneno interimat , vel ●t quidam dicunt ut quieta capi possit , & gemma de fronte ejus auferri , quae natur 〈…〉 ter in eo nascitur , that is to say , the asp is enchanted by vertue of certain words , so as she cannot kill with her poyson , or as some say , be taken quietly without resistance , and so the gem or pretious stone be taken out of her fore-head , which naturally groweth therein . and from the words of the psalm aforesaid , not only the certain and effectual use of charming is gathered by pierius , but also by many justified in the case of serpents . whereof i have already given mine opinion in the former general treatise , unto the which i will only adde thus much in conclusion , which i have found in a certain unnamed author ; daemones discurrunt cum verbis ad serpentes , & infectione interiori hoc faciunt , ut serpentes ad nutum eorum movean 〈…〉 , ae sine l●sione tractabiles exhibeantur : which is thus much in effect ; devils run up and down with words of enchantment to serpents , and by an inward or secret infection , they bring to pass that the serpents dispose themselves after their pleasure , and so are handled without all harm . and indeed , that it may appear to be manifest , that this incantation of serpents is from the devil , and not from god , this only may suffice any reasonable man : because the psalmist plainly expresseth , that the serpent shifteth if off , and avoideth peritissimas mussitantium 〈…〉 antationes , the most skilful charmers . now if it came from the unresistable power of almighty god , it should pass the resistance of them or devils ; but being a fallacy of the devil , the serpent ( wiser in this point then men that believe it ) easily turneth tail against it : and in this thing we may learn to be wise as serpents , against the inchanting temptation of the devil or men , which would beguile us with shadows of words and promises of no valuable pleasures . if we may believe pliny , aelianus , and philarchus , the egyptians lived familiarly with asps , and with continued kindeness wan them to be tame . for indeed among other parts of their savage beastliness , they worshipped asps even as houshold gods , by means whereof the subtil serpent grew to a sensible conceit of his own honour and freedom , and therefore would walk up and down and play with their children , doing no harm , except they were wronged , and would come and lick meat from the table , when they were called by a certain significant noise , made by knacking of the fingers . for the guests after their dinner , would mix together hony , wine , and meal , and then give the sign , at the hearing whereof they would all of them come forth of their holes ; and creeping up , or lifting their heads to the table , leaving their lower parts on the ground , there licked they the said prepared meat , in great temperance by little and little without any ravening , and then afterward departed when they were filled . and so great is the reverence they bear to asps , that if any in the house have need to rise in the night time out of their beds , they first of all give out the sign or token , lest they should harm the asp , and so provoke it against them : at the hearing whereof , all the asps get them to their holes and lodgings , till the person stirring be laid again in his bed . the holy kinde of asps they call thermusis , and this is used and sed in all their temples of isis with the fat of oxen or kine . once in the year they crown with them the image of isis , and they say that this kinde is not an enemy to men , except to such as are very evill , whereupon it is death to kill one of them willingly . it is reported of a certain gardiner making a ditch or trench in his vineyard , by chance and ignorantly , he set his spade upon one of these thermusis asps , and so cut it asunder , and when he turned up the earth , he found the hinder part dead , and the fore-part bleeding and stirring : at which sight his superstitious heart overcome with a vain fear , became so passionately distressed , that he fell into a vehement and lamentable frenzy . so that all the day time he was not his own man , and in the night , in his mad fits he leapt out of his bed , crying out with pitiful and eager complaint , that the asp did bite him , the asp did wound him , and that he saw the picture of the said asp ( by him formerly slain ) following him , and tearing his flesh , and therefore most instantly craved help against it , saying still he perished by it , he was mortally wounded . and when he had now ( saith aelianus ) continued a while in this superstitious fury and disease of the minde , his kindred and acquaintance brought him into the house of serapis , making request unto that fained god to remove out of his sight that spectre and apparition ; and so he was released , cured and restored to his right minde . this kinde of asp they also say is immortal and never dyeth , and besides it is a revenger of sacriledge , as may appear by such another history in the same place . there was a certain indian peacock sent to the king of egypt , which for the goodly proportion and feature thereof , the king out of his devotion consecrated to jupiter , and was kept in the temple . now there was ( saith he ) a certain young m●n which set more by his belly , then by his god , which fell into a great longing for to eat of the said peacock : and therefore to attain his appetite , he bribed one of the officers of the temple with a good sum of money to steal the said peacock , and bring it to him alive or dead . the covetous wretch enraged with the desire of the money , sought his opportunity to steal away the pea-cock , and one day came to the place where he thought and knew it was kept , but when he came , he saw nothing but an asp in the place thereof , and so in great fear leaped back to save his life , and afterward disclosed the whole matter . thus far aelianus . the domestical asps understand right and wrong , and therefore philanthus telleth a story of such an asp , which was a female , and had young ones : in her absence one of her young ones killed a childe in the house : when the old one came again according to her custom to seek her meat , the killed childe was laid forth , and so she understood the harm : then went she and killed that young one , and never more appeared in that house . it is also reported , that there was an asp that fell in love with a little boy that kept geese in the province of egypt , called herculia , whose love to the said boy was so fervent , that the male of the said asp grew jealous thereof . whereupon one day as he lay asleep , set upon him to kill him , but the other seeing the danger of her love , awaked and delivered him . there is much and often mention made of asps in holy scripture , beside the forenamed place , psal . . as in esa . . the jews are compared to asps , and their labours to spiders webs . and esa . . the sucking childe shall play upon the hole of the asp . whereupon a learned man thus writeth ; qui●unque ex h●minibus occulto veneno ad nocendum referti sunt , sub regno christi mutato ingenio fore velpueris innoxios ; that is , whosoever by secret poyson of nature are apt to do harm to other , in the kingdom of christ their nature shall be so changed , that they shall not harm sucklings , not able to discover them . great is the subtilty and fore-knowledge of asps , as may appear by that in psal . . against the charmers voyce . as also it is strange , that all the asps of nilus do thirty days before the flood remove themselves and their young ones into the mountains , and this is done yearly , once at the least , if not more often . they sort themselves by couples , and do live as it were in marriage , male and female , so that their sense , affection , and compassion , is one and the same : for if it happen that one of them be killed , they follow the person eagerly , and will finde him out , even in the midst of many of his fellows : that is , if the killer be a beast , they will know him among beasts of the same kinde : and if he be a man , they will also finde him out among men : and if he be let alone , he will not among thousands harm any but he : breaking through all difficulties ( except water , ) and is hindred by nothing else , except by swift flying away . we have shewed already , how the psyllians in asia cast their children newly born to serpents , because if they be of the right seed and kindred to their father , no serpent will hurt them , but if they be bastards of another race , the serpents devour them : these serpents are to be understood to be asps . asps also we have shewed were destroyed by the argol● , which alexander brought from argos to alexandria , and therefore those are to be reckoned their enemies . shadows do also scare away & terrifie asps , as seneca writeth . but there is not more mortal hatred or deadly war betwixt any , then betwixt the ichneumon and the asp . when the ichneumon hath espyed an asp , she first goeth and calleth her fellows to help her , then they all before they enter fight do wallow their bodies in slime , or wet themselves , and then wallow in the sand , so har●essing , and as it were arming their skins against the teeth of their enemy : and so when they finde themselves strong enough , they set upon her , bristling up their tails first of all , and turning to the serpent till the asp bite at them , and then sodainly ere the asp can recover , with singular celerity they flie to her chaps and tear her in pieces , but the victory of this combate resteth in anticipation , for if the asp first bite the ichneumon , then is he overcome , but if the ichneumon first lay hold on the asp , then is the asp overcome . this hatred and contention is thus described by nicander ; solus eam potis est ichneumon vincere pestem , cum grave cautus ei bellum parat , editaque ova , quae fovet in multorum hominum insuperabile lethum , omnia fiacta terit , mordaceque dente lacessit . that is to say ; ichneumon only is of strength , that pest to overquell , gainst whom in wary wise his war he doth prepare , her egges , a deadly death to many men , in sand he doth out smell , to break them all within his teeth , this nimble beast doth dare . pliny , cardan , and constantine affirm , that the herb arum , and the root of winterberry , do so astonish asps , that their presence layeth them in a deadly sleep : and thus much of their concord with other creatures . galen writeth , that the marsians do eat asps without all harm , although as mercurial saith , their whole flesh and body is so venomous , and so repleat with poyson , that it never entereth into medicine , or is applyed to sick or sound upon any physical qualification : the reason of this is given by himself and fracastorius , to be either , because asps under their climate or region are not venomous at all , as in other countries , neither vipers nor serpents are venomous : or else because those people have a kinde of sympathy in nature with them , by reason whereof they can receive no poyson from them . the poyson of asps saith moses , deut. . is crudele venenum , a cruel poyson , and job , . cap. expressing the wicked mans delight in evil , saith ; that he shall suck the poyson of asps . for which cause , as we have shewed already , the harm of this is not easily cured . we read that canopus , the master of menelaus ship , to be bittten to death by an asp at canopus in egypt . so also was demetrius ph 〈…〉 , a scholar of theophrastus , and the keeper of the famous library of ptolemaeus seter . cleopatra likewise to avoid the triumph that augustus would have made of her , suffered her self willingly to be bitten to death by an asp . wheeupon propertius writeth thus : brachia spectavi sacris ●dmorsa colubris , et trahere occultum membra soporis iter . in english thus ; thus i have seen those wounded arms , with sacred snakes bitten deep , and members draw their poysoned harms , treading the way of deaths sound sleep . we read also of certain mountebanks , and cunning juglers in italy , called circulatores , to perish by their own devises through the eating of serpents , and asps which they carryed about in boxes as tame , using them for ostentation to get money , or to sell away their antidotes . when po 〈…〉 peius rufus was the great master of the temple-works at rome , there was a certain circulator or quacksalver , to shew his great cunning in the presence of many other of his own trade , which set to his arm an asp , presently he sucked out the poyson out of the wound with his mouth : but when he came to look for his preservative water , or antidote , he could not finde it ; by means whereof the poyson fell down into his body , his mouth and gums rotted presently , by little and little , and so within two days he was found dead . the like story unto this is related by amb. paraeus , of another , which at florence would fain sell much of his medicine against poyson , and for that purpose suffered an asp to bite his flesh or finger , but within four hours after he perished , notwithstanding all his antidotical preservatives . now therefore it remaineth , that we add in the conclusion of this history , a particular discourse of the bitings and venom of this serpent , and also of such remedies as are appointed for the same . therefore we are to consider , that they bite and do not sting , the females bite with four teeth , the males but with two , and when they have opened the flesh by biting , then they infuse their poyson into the wound . only the asp pty●s , killeth by spitting venom through her teeth , and ( as avicen saith ) the savour or smell thereof will kill , but at the least the touching infecteth mortally . when an asp hath bitten , it is a very difficult thing to espy the place bitten or wounded , even with most excellent eyes , as was apparent upon cleopatra aforesaid ; and the reason hereof is given to be this , because the poyson of asps is very sharp , and penetrateth suddenly and forcibly under the skin , even to the inmost parts , not staying outwardly , or making any great visible external appearance . yet galen writing to piso , affirmeth otherwise of the wound of cleopatra ; but because drowsiness and sleep followeth that poyson , i rather believe the former opinion : and therefore lucan calleth the asp , somnifera , that is , a sleep-bringing serpent . and pictorius also subscribeth hereunto . aspidis & morsu laesum dormire satentur in mortem , antid●tum nec valuisse serunt . which may be englished thus ; he that by rage of asps tooth is bitten or is wounded , they say doth sleep until his death cureless , he is confounded . the pricks of the asps teeth , are in appearance not much greater then the prickings of a needle , without all swelling , and very little bloud issueth forth , and that is black in colour ; straightway the eyes grow dark and heavy , and a manifold pain ariseth all over the body , yet such as is mixed with some sense of pleasure , which caused nicander to cry out , perimitque virum absque dolore , it kills a man without pain . his colour is all changed , and appeareth greenish like grass . his face or forehead is bent continually frowning , and his eyes or eye-lids moving up and down in drowsiness without sense , according to these verses following . nec tamen ulla vides impressi vulnera morsus , nec dignus fatu tumor ictum corpus adurit . sed qui laesus homo est , citra omnem fata dol●rem claudit , & ignavo moriens torpore fatiscit . which i translate thus ; wounds of impressed teeth , none canst thou see , nor tumour worth the naming , smitten body burning , but yet the hurt man painless taketh destiny , and sleeping dyeth , sluggishly him turning . the true signes then of an asps biting , is stupour or astonishment , heaviness of the head , and slothfulness , wrinking the fore-head , often gaping and gnawing , and nodding , bending the neck , and convulsion : but those which are hurt by the ptyas , have blindeness , pain at the heart , deafness , and swelling of the face . and the signes of such as are hurt by the chalidonian or chersaean asp , and the terrestrian are all one , or of very little difference , except that i may adde the cramp , and the often beating of the pulse , and frigidity of the members or parts , or pain in the stomach , but all of them in in general , deep sleep , and sometimes vomiting . but by this , that the bloud of the place by them bitten turneth black ; it is apparent and manifest , that the poyson of the asp mortifieth or killeth the natural heat , which is overcome by the heat of the poyson outwardly , and the darknesse or blindnesse of the eyes proceedeth of certain vapours which are infected , and ascend up to the disturbance of the brain : and when the humors are troubled in the stomach , then followeth vomiting or else the cramp , and sometimes a looseness when the knuckles are drawn in by the venomous biting , or the infected humors falling down into the intrails . to conclude , so great is the tabifical effect of this poyson of asps , that it is worthily accounted the greatest venom , and most dangerous of all other ; for aelianus saith , serpentum venenum cum pestiferum sit , tum multò aspidu pestilentius , the poyson of all serpents is pestiferous , but the venom of the asp most of all . for if it touch a green wound , it killeth speedily , but an old wound receiveth harm thereby more hardly . in alexandria , when they would put a man to a sudden death , they would set an asp to his bosom or breast , and then after the wound or biting , bid the party walk up and down , and so immediately within two or three turns he would fall down dead . yet it is reported by pliny , that the poyson of asps drunk into the body doth no harm at all , and yet if a man eat of the flesh of any beast slain by an asp , he dyeth immediately . but concerning the cure of such as have been , or may be hurt by asps , i will now entreat , not spending any time to confute those , who have wrote that it is incurable : on the contrary it shall be manifest , that both by chirurgery and medicines , compound and simple , this both hath been and may happily be effected . first it is necessary when a man is stung or bitten by a serpent , that the wounded part be cut off by the hand of some skilful chirurgeon , or else the flesh round about the wound , with the wound it self to be circumcised and cut with a sharp rasor ; then let the hottest burning things be applyed , even the ●earing iron to the very bone . for so the occasion being taken away from the poyson to spread any further , it must needs die without any further damage . then also the holes in the mean time before the ejection must be drawn , either with cupping-glasse or with a reed , or with the naked rump of a ringdove or cock ; i mean the very hole set upon the bitten place . and because the hole is very narrow and small , it must be opened and made wider , the bloud be drawn forth by scarifications , and then must such medicinal herbs be applyed as are most opposite to poyson , as rue , and such like . and because the poyson of asps doth congeal the bloud in the veins , therefore against the same must all hot things made thin be applyed , as mithridatum and triacle dissolved in aqua vitae , and the same also dissolved into the wound ; then must the patient be used to bathings , fricasing or rubbing , and walking , with such like exercises . but when once the wound beginneth to be purple , green , or black , it is a sign both of the extinguishment of the venom , and also of the suffocating of natural heat , then is nothing more safe then to cut off the member , if the party be able to bear it . after cupping-glasses , and scarifications , there is nothing that can be more profitably applyed then cen●ory , myrrh , and opium , or sorrel after the manner of a plaister . but the body must be kept in daily motion and agitation , the wounds themselves often searched and pressed , and sea-water used for fomentation . butter likewise , and the leaves of yew , are very good to be applyed to the bitings of asps . and in the northern regions , ( as witnesseth olaus magnus , ) they use nothing but bran like a plaister , and their cattle they anoint with triacle and salt all over the bunch or swelling . and thus much for the chirurgical cure of the biting of asps . in the next place , we may also relate the medicinal cure , especially of such things as are compound , and received inwardly . first , after the wound , it is good to make the party vomit , and then afterward make him drink juyce of yew and triacle , or in the default thereof , wine , as much of the juyce as a groat weight , or rather more . but for the tryal of the parties recovery , give him the powder of centory in wine to drink , and if he keep the medicine , he will live , but if he vomit or cast it up , he will dye thereof . but for the better avoidance and purging out the digested venom , distributed into every part of his body , give the party garlick beaten with zythum , until he vomit , or else opoponex in wine allayed with water : also origan dry and green . after the vomit , the former antidotical medicines may be used . and the northern people use no other triacle then venetian . whereas there are aboundance of all manner of serpents in the spanish islands , yet never are any found there to use triacle , neither do they account of it as of a thing any whit vertuous , but instead thereof they use the bearded thapsia , gilly-flowers , and red violets , and the herb avance , boyled in wine vinegar , the sharpest that may be gotten , and a sound mans urine , wherewithall they bathe the wounded part , although much time after the hurt received . but saith amb. paraeus , it is much better for the patient to drink thereof fasting , and before meat two hours , three ounces at a time . and by the help of this notable experiment , the inhabitants of those islands are nothing afraid to offer their bodies to be bitten by the most angry asps . and thus much for compound medicines in general . it is said , that the first and chiefest easie remedy for such as are bitten by asps , is to drink so much of the sharpest vinegar , as he can sensibly perceive and feel the same upon the right side of his midriffe , because that poyson first of all depriveth the liver of sense . for pliny saith , that he knew a man carrying a bottle of vinegar to be bitten by an asp , whiles by chance he trode thereupon , b●● as long as he bore the vinegar and did not set it down , he felt no pain thereby , but as often as to ease himself he set the bottle out of his hand , he felt torment by the poyson , which being related to the physitians , they knew thereby that vinegar drunk into the stomach was a soveraign antidote against poyson . yet some say , that the first knowledge of this vertue in vinegar , grew from the necessity which a little boy bitten by an asp had of drinking , and finding no other liquor but a bottle of vinegar , drank thereof a full draught , and so was eased of his pain . for the reason is , that it hath both a refrigerative , and also a dissipating vertue , as may appear when it is poured on the earth , because it yeeldeth a froth , and therefore when it cometh into the stomach , it disperseth all the infected humors . the northern shepheards do drink garlick and stale ale against the bitings of asps . and some hold an opinion that aniseed is an antidote for this sore . others use hart-wort , apium seed , and wine . aron being burned , hath the vertue to drive away serpents , and therefore being drunk with oyl of bays in black wine , it is accounted very soveraign against the bitings of asps . the fruit of balsam , with a little powder of gentian in wine , or the juyce of mints , keepeth the stomach from the cramp after a man is bitten by an asp . others give castoreu 〈…〉 , with lignum cassiae , and some the skin of a storks stomach or maw . there be certain little filthy and corrupt worms bred in rotten wood or paper , called cimices , these are very profitable against poyson of asps , or any other venomous biting beast , and therefore it is said that hens and other pullein do earnestly seek after these worms , and that the flesh of such fowl as have eaten thereof , is also profitable for the same purpose . athenaeus also writeth , how certain theeves were condemned to be cast to serpents to be destroyed , now the morning before they came forth , they had given them to eat citrons ; when they were brought to the place of execution , there were asps put forth unto them , who bit them , and yet did not harm them . the next day , it being suspected , the prince commanded to give one of them a citron , and the other none , so when they were brought forth again the asps fell on them , and slew them that had not eaten citron , but the other had no harm at all . the egyptian c 〈…〉 matis or periwink drunk in vinegar , is very good against the poyson of asps ; so likewise is corral in wine , or the leaves of yew . henbane bruised with the leaves thereof , and also bitter hops have the same operation . the urine of a tortoise drunk , is a medicine against all bitings of wilde beasts , and the urine of a man hurt by an asp , as marcus varro affirmed in the eighty ninth year of his age , according to the observation of serenus saying ; si vero horrendum vulnus fera fecerit asp is , vrinam credunt propriam conducere potu : varronis fuit ista senis sententia , nec non plinius ut memorat , sumpti juvat imber aceti . which may be englished thus ; if that an asp a mortal wound do bite , it 's thought his urine well doth cure again , such was the saying of old varro hight , and pliny too , drink vinegar like drops of rain . but it is more safe to agree with pliny in the prescription of mans urine , to restrain it to them that never had any beards . and more particularly against the asp called ptyas , and matthiolus out of dioscorides saith , that the quintessence of aqua vitae , and the usual antidote , both mixed together and drunk , is most powerful against the venoms of the deaf asp . and thus much for the antipathy and cure of asps biting venomous nature , whereunto i will add for a conclusion , that proverbial speech , of one asp borrowing poyson of another , out of tertullian against the heretick m 〈…〉 cion , who gathered many of his absurd impieties from the unbelieving jews . de 〈…〉 nunc h 〈…〉 cus à judaeo aspis quod aiunt á vipera 〈…〉 tuari venenum , that is , let the heretick now cease to borrow his 〈◊〉 of a jew , as the asps do borrow their poyson from vipers . and true it is , that this proverb hath especial use , when one bad man is holp or counselled by another ; and therefore when di●genes saw a company of women talking together , he said merrily unto them , asp is par ' echidnes pharmacon danet 〈…〉 tai , that is , the asp borroweth venom of the viper . thus much of the asp . of the description and differences of bees . amongst all the sorts of venomous insects , ( or cut-wasted creatures ) the soveraignty and preheminence is due to the bees , who only of all others of this kinde , are made for the nourishment of mankinde , all other ( cut-wasted ) serving only for medicinal use , the delight of the eyes , delectation of the ears , and the ornament , trimming , and setting forth of the body , which they perform at the full ▪ they are called of the hebrews , deborah ; the arabians term them , albara , n 〈…〉 halea , and z●har ; the illyrians and sclavonians , wezilla ; the italians , ape , api , vna sticha , mos●atell● ape or scoppa , pecchi ; the spaniards , abeia ; frenchmen , mousches au miel ; the germans , ee 〈…〉 the flemings , bie ; the polonians , pzizota ; the irish men , camilii . in wales a bee is called gwen●v . amongst the grecians they have , purchased sundry names , according to the diversity of nations , countries and places , but the most vulgar name is melissa , and in hesiodus , meli● . othersome call a bee plastis , á fingendo , of framing . some again anthedon : and of their colour , 〈…〉 hai . of their offices and charge , egemones , ab imperando , from governing . sirenes , à suavi cantu , from their sweet voyce . the latines call them by one general name , apis and apesd varro sometimes terms th 〈…〉 ave● ; but very improperly , for they might better be named volucres , not aves . so much for their names , 〈…〉 ow to the de 〈…〉 . bees even by nature are much different : for some are more domestical and tame , and other again are altogether wilde , uplandish , and agrestial . those former are much delighted with the familiar friendship , custom and company of men , but these can in no wife brook or endure them , but rather keep their trade of honey-making in old trees , caves , holes , and in the ruders , and rubbish of old walls and houses . of tame bees again , some of them live in pleasant and delightful gardens , and abounding with all sweet senting and odoriferous plants and herbs ; and these are great , soft , sat , and big bellyed . others again , there be of them that live in towns and villages , whose study and labour is to gather honey from such plants as come next to hand , and which grow farther off , and these are lesser in proportion of body rough and more unpleasant in handling ; but in labour , industry , wit and cunning , far surpassing the former . of both sorts of these , some have stings ( as all true bees have : ) others again are without a sting , as counterfeit and bastardly bees , which ( even like the idle , sluggish , lither , and ravenous cloystered monks , thrice worse then theeves ) you shall see to be more gorbellied , have larger throats , and bigger bodies , yet neither excellent or markable , either for any good behaviour and conditions , or gifts of the minde . men call these unprofitable cattle , and good for nothing , fuci , that is drones ; either because they would seem to be labourers , when indeed they are not : or because that under the colour and pretence of labour ( for you shall sometime have them to carry wax , and to be very bufie in forming and making honey-combes , ) they may eat up all the honey . these drones are of a more blackish colour , some-what shining , and are easily known by the greatnesse of their bodies . besides some bees are descended of the kingly race , and born of the bloud royal : whereof aristotle maketh two sorts ; a yellow kinde , which is the more noble , and the black , garnished with divers colours . some make three kings , differing in colour , as black , red , and divers coloured . menecrates saith , that those who are of sundry colours are the worser , but in case they have diversity of colour with some blacknesse , they are esteemed the better . he that is elected monarch caesar , and captain general of the whole swarm , is ever of a tall , personable , and heroical stature , being twice so high as the rest , his wings shorter , his legs straight , brawny , and strong , his gate , pace and manner of wa●●ing is more lofty , stately , and upright , of a venerable countenance ; and in his fore-head there is a certain red spot or mark with a diadem ; for he far differeth from the popular and inferiour sort in his comelinesse , beauty , and honour . the prince of philosophers confoundeth the sex of bees , but the greatest company of learned writers do distinguish them : whereof they make the feminine sort to be the greater . others again will have them the lesser , with a sting : but the sounder sort ( in my judgement ) will neither know nor acknowledge any other males , besides their dulles and princes , who are more able and handsome , greater and stronger then any of the rest , who stay ever at home , and very seldom ( unlesse with the whole swarm ) they stir out of doors , as those whom nature had pointed out to be the fittest to be stander-bearers , and to carry ancients in the camp of venus , and ever to be ready at the elbows of their loves to do them right : experience teaching us , that these do sit on egges , and after the manner of birds , do carefully cherish and make much of their young , after the thin membrane or skin wherein they are enclosed is broken . the difference of their age is known by the form , state , and habit of their bodies . for the young bees have very thin and trembling wings , but they that are a year old , as they that are two or three years of age are very trim , gay , bright-shining and in very good plight and liking , of the colour of oyl . but those that have reached to seaven years , have layed away all their flatness and smoothness , neither can any man afterwards either by their figure and quality of their bodies or skins , judge or discern certainly their age ( as we say by experience in horses : ) for the elder sort of them are rough , hard , thin and lean scrags , starvelings , loathsome to touch and to look upon , somewhat long , nothing but skin and bone , yet very notorious and goodly to see to , in regard of their gravity , hoariness and anciency . but as they be in form and shape , nothing so excellent , so yet in experience and industry they far out-strip the younger sort , as those whom time hath made more learned , and length of days joyned with use , hath sufficiently instructed and brought up in the art or trade of honey-making . the place likewise altereth one whiles their form , and sometimes again their nature , ( as their sex and age do both . ) for in the islands of molucca , there be bees very like to winged pismires , but somewhat lesser then the greater bees , as maximilian transilvonus , in an epistle of his written to the bishop of salspurge , at large relateth it . andrew thevet in his book that he wrote of the new-found world , chap. . amongst other matters reporteth that he did see a company of flies or honey-bees about a tree named vhebehason , which then was green , with the which these honey-bees do live and nourish themselves : of the which trees there were a great number in a hole that was in a tree , wherein they made honey and wax . there is two kindes of the honey-bees , one kinde are as great as ours , the which cometh not only but of good smelling flowers , also their honey is very good , but their wax not so yellow as ours . there is another kinde half so great as the other : their honey is better then the other , and the wilde men name them hira . they live not with the others food , which to my judgement maketh their wax to be as black as coals , and they make great plenty , specially near to the river vasses , and of plate . the bees called chalcoides , which are of the colour of brass , and somewhat long , which are said to live in the island of creta , are implacable , great fighters and quarrellers , excelling all others in their stings , and more cruel then any others , so that with their stings they have chased the inhabitants out of their cities ; the remainder of which bees do remain and make their honey-combes ( as aelianus saith ) in the mountain ida. thus much of the differences of bees ; now it remaineth to discourse of the politick , ethical , and oeconomick vertues and properties of them . bees are governed and do live under a monarchy , and not under a tyrannical state , admitting and receiving their king , not by succession or casting of lots , but by respective advice , considerate judgement , and prudent election ; and although they willingly submit their necks under a kingly government , yet notwithstanding they still keep their ancient liberties and priviledges , because of a certain prerogative they maintain in giving their voices and opinions , and their king being deeply bound to them by an oath , they exceedingly honour and love . the king as he is of a more eminent stature , and goodly corporature ( as before we have touched ) then the rest : so likewise ( which is singular in a king ) he excelleth in mildness and temperateness of behaviour . for he hath a sting , but maketh it not an instrument of revenge , which is the cause that many have thought their king never to have had any . for these are the laws of nature , not written with letters , but even imprinted and engraven in their conditions and manners : and they are very slow to punish offenders , because they have the greatest and soveraign power in their hands . and although they seem to be slack in revenging and punishing private injuries , yet for all that they never suffer rebellious persons , refractorious , obstinate , and such as will not be ruled , to escape without punishment , but with their pricking stings they grievously wound and torment , so dispatching them quickly . they are so studious of peace , that neither willingly nor unwillingly they will give any cause of offence or displeasure . who therefore would not greatly be displeased with , and hate extreamly those dionysian tyrants in sicilia , clearchus in heraclea , and apollodorus the theef , pieler and spoiler of the cassandrines ? and who would not detest the ungratiousness of those lewd claw-backs , and trencher-parasites , and flatterers of kings , which dare impudently maintain , that a monarchy is nothing else but a certain way and rule for the accomplishing of the will , in using their authority as they list , and a science or skilful trade , to have wherewith to live pleasantly in all sensual and worldly pleasure : which ought to be far from a good prince , who whilest be would seem to be a man , he shew himself to be far worser then these little poor winged creatures . and as their order and course of life is far different from the vulgar sort , so also is their birth ; for they of the kingly race are not born after the manner of a little worm , as all the comminalty are , but is forthwith winged , and amongst all his younglings ; if he finde any of his sons to be either a fool , unhandsome , that none can take pleasure in , rugged , rough , soon angry , furnish or too teasty , ill shaped , not beautiful or gentleman-like , him by a common consent , and by a parliamentary authority they destroy , for fear lest the whole swarm should be divided and distracted into many mindes , and so at length the subjects undone by factions , and banding into parts . the king prescribeth laws and orders to all the rest , and appointeth them their rules and measrues : for some he straightly chargeth and commandeth , ( as they tender his favour , and will avoid his displeasure ) to fetch and provide water for the whole camp. he enjoyneth others to make the honey-combes , to build , to garnish , and trim up the house well and cleanly , to finish perfectly the work , to finde and allow , to promote and shew others what to do . some he sendeth forth to seek their living , but being worn with years , they are maintained at the common stock at home . the younger and stronger being appointed to labour , and take their turns as they fall : and although ( being a king ) he be discharged and exempt from any mechanical business , yet for all tliat , in case of necessity he will buckle himself to his task , never at any time taking the field or air abroad , but either for his healths sake , or when he cannot otherwise chuse , by means of some urgent business . if in respect of his years he be lusty and strong , then like a noble captain he marcheth before his whole winged-army , exposing himself first to all perils , neither with his good will will he be carryed of his souldiers , unless he be wearied and weakened by means of crooked age , or mastered and clean put out of heart , by any violent sickness , so that he can neither stand on his legs , nor flie . when night approacheth , the sign and token being given by his honey-pipe , or cornet , ( if you will so call it ) a general proclamation is made through the whole hive , that every one shall betake himself to rest , so the watch being appointed , and all things set in order , they all make themselves ready and go to bed . so long as the king liveth , so long the whole swarm enjoy the benefit of peace , leading their lives without any disquieting , disturbance , vexation , or fear of future wars . for the drones do willingly contain themselves in their own cells , the elder living contented with their own homes , and the younger not daring for their ears to break into their fathers lands , or to make any inrodes or invasion into the houses of their predecessors . the king keepeth his court by himself , in the highest and largest part of the whole palace , his lodging being workmanlike and very cunningly made of a fine round or enclosure of wax , being thus as it were fenced and paled about as with a defensible wall . a little from him dwell all the kings children , being very obedient to their parents beck : their king being dead , all his subjects in an uprore , drones bring forth their young in the cells of the true bees , all are in a hurly burly , all being out of season and order . aristotle saith , that bees have many kings , which i would rather tearm viceroys or deputies , sithence it is certain ( as antigonus affirmeth ) that as well the swarms do die and come to nought , by having of many kings , as none at all . and thus to have spoken of good kings let this suffice . evill kings are more rough , rugged , browner , blacker , and of more sundry colours : whose natures and dispositions you will condemn , in respect of their habit and manner of body and minde , the one and other are thus physiognomically described by the poet ; namque duae regum facies , duo corpora gentis . alter erit maculis auro squallentibus ardens , et rutilis clarus squamis , insignis & ore . faedior est alter multo , quàm pulvere abacto quum venit & sieco terram spuit ore venator : desidia latamque trahens inglorius aluum — hunc dede neci , melior vacua sine regnet in aula . in english thus ; the two aspects of kingly bees , two nations do disclose , one of them , golden spotted red , burning with pale hew , and having scales both red and clear , and great about the nose , the other filthy to behold like dust , for it is true , which hunters spit upon dry land , when all is crusht and prest , in sloth belly broad , doth travail worser then the least , him kill , let the other raign alone , in empty court , do not disdain . and thus hitherto have we spoken of their kings and dukes : now will we bend our discourse to the common sort of bees . bees are neither to be accounted wilde , nor altogether calm and quiet creatures , but of a nature betwixt both : and of all other they are esteemed most serviceable and profitable . their sting giveth both life and death to them , for being deprived of it , they surely die : but having it , they repell all hostility from their swarms . of these there are none idle , although they be not all honey-makers , neither are the most sluggish of them all , like unto the drones in their inclination and manners : for they do not corrupt and mar the honey-combes , neither do they lie in wait by treachery and deceit to filch honey , but are nourished by flowers , and flying forth with their fellows , do get their living with them ; although some of them want the skill to make and lay up the honey finely and safely , yet notwithstanding every one hath his proper charge and business to use and practise ; for these bring water to the king , and to the older bees that cannot travail . the elder sort if they be of a strong and robustious constitution , are chosen for the guard of the kings person , as the fittest persons to be about him , in respect of their approved worth , faithful dealing , and uprightness of conscience , for the ordering and disposing of all matters . some give physick to those that are sick , by making and giving to them a medicinal aliment of honey , that is drawn from anise , saffron and hyacinthes . but if any through age or sickness chance to die , then they whose office it is to carry forth the dead bodies to burying do forthwith flock together , carrying the dead body of their brother on their shoulders , as it were on a beere , lest the pure honey-combes might be tainted with any uncleanliness , stink , or nastiness . bees have also their ambassadours and orators , sent with commission or authority , and put in trust to deal in their princes affairs , their old beaten souldiers , their pipers , trumpetters horn-winders , watchmen , scout-watches , and sentiness . likewise souldiers ever in a readinesse to defend , and look to their hony-wealth and goods , as if it were a city committed to their trust and valian●y , and these do punish , torment , and throw to the ground all flying theeves and worms , that dare invade secretly by any cunning passage , or mine into their mansions . and that they might bear the world in hand , that they are no privy or secret theeves in their flying , they make a noyse and humming , which together with their flight , is heard both to begin and end : which sound , whether it proceedeth from the mouth , or from the motion of their wings , aristotle and helychius do much vary and contend . their pipers and horn-blowers do edere ziggon , as hesychius saith ( the englishmen term it sing ) and that they make to be the watch-word and privy token , for their watch and ward , sleep , and daily labour . they love their king so entirely , that they never suffer him to goe abroad alone , but their army being divided into two parts , and by heaps winding themselves round , they do as it were enclose and fence him on all sides . if in any journey the king hap to wander from his company , and cannot be found , being driven away by the force of some stormy windes or weather , they all forthwith make a privy search , and with their quick-senting , persue and follow the chase so long , untill he be certainly found ; and then because he is tyred with flying , and the tediousness of tempests , the common sort lift him upon their wings , and so triumphantly convey him home as it were in a chariot . but if he die by the way , then they all mournfully depart , every one to his own place separating themselves , or peradventure for a while , they work up their honey-combes not yet finished , but never make any more honey ; so that at length , growing to be lazy , sickly , wasted , consumed and distained with their own filth and corruption , they all miserably perish . for they cannot possible live without a king , against whom , none is so hardy as to lift up his finger to offer him any violence , much less to conspire his destruction , unless he ( after the fashion of tyrants ) do overthrow and turn all things upside down , after his own will and lust , or neglecting carelesly the weal publique , setteth all upon six and seaven . yea , if he accustom himself to go often abroad , ( which he cannot do without the great hurt and prejudice of his citizens ) they do not by and by kill him , but they take from him his wings , and if he then amend his life and look better to his office , they singularly affect and honour him . when the king by flying away hath left his bees , they fetch him again , and being a fugitive from his kingdom , they follow him amain by his smell , as it were with hue and cry , ( for amongst them all the king smelleth best ) and so bring him back to his kingly house . none dare venture out of his own lodging first , nor seek his living in any place , except the king himself first going forth , do direct them the way of their flight . for i am hardly of aristotles minde , who affirmeth that the king never cometh abroad , but when the whole swarm doth , which is seldom seen . but if by reason of his tyranny , cruelty , and violent rule , they be forced to seek some other dwelling places , then a few days before the time appointed , there will be heard a solitary , mournful , and peculiar kinde of voice , as it were of some trumpet , and two or three days before they flie about the mouth of the hive ; so when all things are in a readiness for their flight , being all assembled , they flie all speedily away , and kill the tyrant ( whom they left behinde ) if he attempt to follow them . but a good king they never forsake ; and if at any time he pine and fall away by reason of sickness , any plague , or murrain , or through old age , all the meaner sort do make mone , the whole rout and multitude of senators and aldermen do greatly bewail him , not conveying any meat into their hives , nor yet looking out of doors for meer grief , filling the whole house with sorrowful hummings and laments , and gathering themselves by heaps about the carkass of the dead king , they do with great noise tragically mourn for him . neither doth continuance of time mitigate or take away their grief , but at length all of these faithful friends , partly through grief , and partly through famine , they are clean consumed and brought to death . whilest they have a king , the whole swarm and company is kept in awful order , but he being gone , they go under the protection of other kings . they have not many kings at once , neither can they endure usurpers , overthrowing their houses , and rooting out their stock and family . and if in one swarm there be two kings , ( as sometimes it falleth out ) then one part adhereth to the one king , and the other side cleaveth to the other , so that sometimes in one hive you shall finde honey-combes of sundry forms and fashions : where they behave themselves so honestly and neighbourly , that the one meddleth not with the others charge and business , having no minde to enlarge their empire , to entice , draw , or win by fair means the subjects of the other side , but every one being obedient to his own king without contradiction . they honour him so highly , that being lost they complain ; being decrepit , they preserve and keep him ; being weary , they carry him round about with them ; being dead , they bewail him with all funeral pomp and heaviness , yeelding up at length even their very lives for an assurance of their loves and faithful dealings . oftentimes they arrear deadly war against strangers born , for the honey that they have stoln from them , as for the catching and snatching up afore-hand those flowers whereon they purposed to sit on ; so that sometimes the quarrel is determined by dint of sword in a just battail . oftentimes again they wrangle about their honey-combes and dwelling houses , but then the deadly and unappeaseable war is , when the contention is about the life , crown , and dignity of their king , for then they bestir themselves most eagerly , defending him most valiantly , and receiving the darts or stings that are bended against him , with an undanted courage , by the voluntary and thick interposing of their own bodies , betwixt the darts and the person of their king. neither are bees only examples to men of political prudence and fidelity , but also presidents for them to imitate in many other vertues . for whereas nature hath made them zooa agelaia , that is , creatures living in companies and swarms , yet do they all things for the common good of their own rout and multitude , excepting ever the drones and theeves , whom if they take tripping in the manner , they reward with condign punishment . their houses are common , their children common , their laws and statutes common , and their countrey common . they couple together without question as camels do , privily and apart by themselves , which whether it proceed of modesty , or be done through the admirable instinct of nature , i leave it to the dispute and quaint resolution of those grave doctors , who being laden with the badges and cognizances of learning , do not stick to affirm that they can render a true reason even by their own wits , of all the causes in nature , though never so obscure , hid and difficult . flies and dogs do far otherwise , whose impudency is such , that having no regard of times , persons , or places , they will not give place , or be disjoyned . yea the massagets ( as herodatus writeth ) having their quiver of arrows on their carts , they dealt with their wives very unseasonably , and though all men beheld it , yet they most impudently contemned it . and that which is worser , this beastly fashion is crept amongst the usurpers , or at least professors of the christian name , who shame not openly to kiss and embrace , yea even to play and meddle with filthy whores and brothelly queans . bees surely will condemn these kinde of people of beastial impudency and wanton shamelesness ; or causing them to blush if they have any grace , will teach them repentance . neither are they altogether such creatures as cannot endure or away with musick , ( which is the princess of delights , and the delight of princes ) as many unlearned people cannot , but are exceedingly delighted with tune in any harmony wherein is no jarring , so the same be simple and unaffected . and although they have not the skill to daunce according to due time , order and proportion in musick , as they say elephants can , yet do they make swifter or slower their flight , according to the trumpetors minde , who with his sharp and shrill sound causeth them to bestir themselves more speedily ; but beating slowly and not so loud upon his brasen instrument , maketh them more slow , and to take more leisure . neither hath nature made them only the most ingenious of all living creatures , but by discipline hath made them tame and tractable . for they do not only know the hand and voice of the honey-man , or him that hath the charge and ordering of the same , but they also suffer him to do what liketh him best : which every man must needs confess to be an argument of a generous and noble disposition , thus to undergo the rule of their over-seers and surveyors , but the hand and discipline of a stranger they will by no means endure . as for oeconomical vertues they excel also , and namely for moderate frugality and temperance , not profusely and prodigally wasting and devouring the great store of honey which they gathered in the summer season , but they sustain themselves therewith in winter , and that very sparingly ; and so whilest they feed upon few meats , and those of the purest sort , they purchase long life , ( the reward of sobriety . ) neither are they so niggardly and sordidous minded , but when as they have gathered more honey then their number can well spend , they communicate and impart some very liberally amongst the drones . as for their cleanliness these may be certain arguments , that they never exonerate nature within their hives , ( except constrained thereto by some sickness , foul weather , and for some urgent necessity ) that they convey away the dead carkasses , that they touch no rotten nor stinking flesh , or any other thing , no herb that is withered , nor no ill senting or decayed flowers . they kill not their enemies within their hives , they drink none but running water , and that which is throughly defecated : they will not dwell in houses impure and foul , sluttish , black , or full of any feculent or dreggy refuse , and the excrements of the labourers and sickly , they gather on a heap without their pavilions , and assoon as their leisure serveth it is carryed clean away . concerning their temperance and chastity , ( although it hath been partly touched before , ) yet this i will add , that it is wonderful what some men have observed . for whereas all other creatures do couple in the open sight of men , the elephant only excepted , and wasps likewise not much differing in kinde , do the same : yet bees were never yet seen so to joyn together , but either within their hives very modestly they apply themselves to that business , or else abroad do it without any witnesses . and they are no less valiant then modest and temperate , dum corpora bello objectant , pulchramque petunt per vulnera mortem . their war is either civil or forain . of the former there be divers causes , that is to say ; the multitudes of their dukes or captains lying in wait to betray both king and kingdom ; scarsity of victual , straightness of place and room , corruption of manners and idleness . for if they have no dukes , then it is expedient ( as other whiles it happeneth ) they stay the overplus , left the number of them growing too great , either violence might be offered to the king , or the commons drawn to some sedition . they kill them most of all , when as they have no great store of young bees to plant any new colonies , overthrowing and spoiling withall their honey-combs ( if they have any ) they execute and theeves and drones , so often as they have not room enough to do their business in , ( for they bold the more inward part of the hive , ) so taking from them at one time , both their honey-combs and meat . the scarsity and lack of honey , causeth them also to be at deadly feud , so that the short bees do encounter the long with might and main . in the which bickering , if the short be conquerors , it will be an excellent swarm , but if fortune smile on the long bees side , they live idlely , making never any good honey . whosoever getteth the day , they are so given to rapine and revenge , as they take no prisoners , nor leave any place to mercy , but commit all to the sword . now concerning their forain wars , i must say they give place to no other living creature , either in fortitude , or hardy venturing : and if either men , four-footed beasts , birds , or wasps , do either hinder , disquiet , or kill any of them , so that they be not well contented , against all these they oppose themselves very stoutly , according to their power wounding them . they hate extreamly adulterous persons , and such men as be smeared with any ointment , those that have curled or crisped hair ( as also all unfaithful and base raskally people ) and all those that wear any red clothes of the colour of bloud : as contrariwise they love and reverence exceedingly their masters , keepers , tutors , defenders , and maintainers : so that sitting upon their hands , they do rather tickle and lick them in sporting wise , then either wound or hurt them , though never so little with their sting . yea these men may safely without any touch of hurt , and without any covering to their hands , gather together the swarms in a very hot summer : yea , handle , place them in order , heap up together , sit or stand before their hives , and with a stick take clean away drones , theeves , wasps , and hornets . if any souldier loseth his sting in fight , like one that had his sword or spear taken from him , he presently is discouraged and despaireth , not living long , through extremity of grief . going forth into the field to fight , they stay till the watchword be given , which being done , they flock in great heaps about their king ( if he be a good one ) ending all their quarrell in one set battel . in their order of fighting , how great vertue , courage , strength , and nobleness these poor creatures shew , as well we our selves can testifie , and they better who have assured us by their writings , that whole armies of armed men have been tamed by the stings of bees , and that lions , bears , and horses , have been slain by means of them . and yet ( how fierce and warlike soever they seem to be , ) they are appeased and made gentle with continual or daily company , and unless they be too much netled and angred , they live peaceably enough without any great trouble , never hurting any one maliciously or deceitfully , that standeth before their hives . if i should go about to declare at large their ingeny , natural inclination , cunning workmanship and memory ; i should not only give unto them with virgil : particulam aurae divinae , but also haustus mentis aethereae , and ( liccat pythagoricè errare , ) the metempsachoosis of that ingenious philosopher . for after that they are inclosed in a clean and a sweet hive , they gather out of gummy and moist liquor yeelding trees a kinde of glutinous substance , thick , clammy and tough , ( called of the latines , camosis , and of the greeks , mitys , ) especially from elms , willows , canes or reeds , yea even from stones ; and this they lay for the first foundation of their work , so covering it all over as with a hard crust at first , bringing to it afterwards another layer of pissocera , which is a kinde of juyce of wax and pitch , made with gum and rosin , and over that again they lay propolis , which we call bee-glew . in this same three-fold tilie , and sure ground-work thus artificially begun , they do not only laugh to scorn , jest at , and mock the eyes of the over-curious spectators of their common-wealth and works , but that which no man considers , they do hereby defend both themselves and theirs , against rain , cold , small vermin and beasts , and all their enemies . then after this they build their combes , with such an architectonical prudence , that archimedes in respect of them seems to be no body . for first of all they set up the cells of their kings and princes in the higher place of the honey-combes , being large , fair , sumptuous , stately and lofty , being cunningly wrought , of the most tried , purest and refined wax , trenching them round for the greater defence of the regal majesty , with a mound and enclosure as it were with a strong wall , bulwark , or rampire . and as bees in regard of their age and condition , are of three sorts , so likewise do they divide their cells : for to the most ancient they appoint houses next to the court , ( as those that are the fittest to be of his privy councel , and guarders of his person ) next to these are placed the young bees , and those that be but one year old . and they of middle years and stronger bodies , are lodged in the uttermost rooms , as those that are fittest and best able to fight for their king and countrey . yet aristotle saith , that bees in the making of their tents or cells , do first of all provide for themselves , and next for their king and his nephews , and lastly for the drones . and as in the fabricature of their honey-combes , they make the fashion according to the magnitude and figure of the place , fashioning it either orbicular , long , square , sword-like , or foot-like , &c. according to their own liking , running out sometimes in length eight foot : so their little cells contrariwise , are framed after a certain form in a geometrical proportion and measure ; for by rule they are justly sexangular , and capable enough to hold the tenant . the whole combe containeth four orders of cells ; the first the bees occupy ; the next the drones possess ; the third , those that are called of the greeks , chadoones ; of the latines , apum soboles , ( call them if you please schadones . ) the last is appointed for the room of honey-making . there be some who constantly aver , that the drones do make combes in the same hive the labouring bees do , but that they lack the skill and power of mellification , it being uncertain whether this comes to pass either through their grosseness and big-bellied fatness , or through their setled and natural laziness . and if through the weightiness of the honey the combes begin to shake and wag , and to lean and bend as though they were ready to fall , then do they rear them up , and under-prop them with pillars made arch-wise , that they may the more readily dispatch their business , and execute their charges , ( for it is necessary that to every combe there be a ready way . ) in some places , as in pontus , and in the city of amisus , bees make white honey , without any combes at all , but this is seldom seen . and if a man would consider the rare and admirable contexture and fabrick of their honey-combes , far excelling all humane art and conceit , who would not subscribe with the poet , esse apibus partem divinae mentis , & haustus aethereos ? who will deny them ( i say ) either imagination , fantasie , judgement , memory , and some certain glimpse of reason ? but i will not dispute of this , neither am i of pythagoras minde , who conceited that the souls of wise men , and of other ingenious creatures , departed into bees . but whosoever will diligently examine how they divide their labours , as some to make up the combes , some to gather honey , to heap together their meat , to trim and dress up the houses , to cleanse the common draught , to under-shore the ruinous walls , to cover those places wherein any thing is to be kept , to draw out the very strength of the honey , to digest it , to carry it to their cells , to bring water to the thirsty labourers , to give food at set and appointed hours to the old bees that sit to defend their king with such over-sight and painful regard , to drive away spiders , and all other enemies ; to carry forth the dead , ( that no stink or ill savour hurt , ) every one to know and go to his own proper cell , and generally , all of them not to stray far from home to seek their living ; and when the flowers are spent neer their lodgings , to send out their espials to look for more in places further distant , to lie with their faces upward under the leaves when they have set forth any voyage by night , lest their wings being much moistened by the dew , they should come tardy home the next day ; to ballance and poyse their light bodies with carrying a stone in stormy weather , and when there is any whirl-winde , to flie on the further side of the hedge , for fear lest either they might be disturbed , or beaten down by the boysterous violence thereof . whosoever ( i say ) will duly consider all this , must needs confess , that they observe a wonderful order and form in their common-wealth and government , and that they are of a very strange nature and spirit . i had almost omitted to speak of that natural love which they bear to their young , a great vertue , and seldom seen in the parents of this age . for bees do sit upon their combes ( when they have laid their increase ) almost like unto birds ; neither will they stir from thence but in case of pinching hunger , returning out of hand to their breeding place again , as though they were afraid lest that by any long stay and absence , the work of their little cell might be covered over by some spiders web ( which often happeneth ) or the young by taking cold might be endangered . their young ones be not very nice or tender , nor cockeringly brought up , for being but bare three days old , as soon as ever they begin to have wings , they enjoyn them their task , and have an eye to them that they be not idle , though never so little . they are so excellent in divination , that they even feel aforehand , and have a sense of rain and cold that is to come , for then ( even by natures instinct ) they flie not far from home : and when they take their journey to seek for their repast , ( which is never done at any set and ordinary time , but only in fair weather ) they take pains continually and diligently without any stay , being laden with such plenty of honey , that oftentimes being over-wearied , they faint in their return to their own private cottages , not being able to attain them . and because some of them in regard of their roughness are unfit to labour , by rubbing their bodies against stones and other hard matter they are smoothed , afterwards addressing themselves most stoutly to their business . the younger sort bestir them right doubtely without dores bringing to the hive all that is needful . the elder look to the family , placing in due order that honey which is gathered and wrought by the middle aged bees . in the morning they be all very silent , till one of them awaken all the rest with his thrice humming noise , every one bustling himself about his own propet office and charge . returning at night , they are as it were in an uproar at the first , and after that they make a little muttering or murmuring among themselves , until the principal officer appointed for the setting of the watch , by his flying round about , and his soft and gentle noise , doth as it were covertly and privily charge them in their kings name to prepare themselves to rest ; and so this token being given , they are as silent as fishes , so that laying ones ear to the mouth of the hive , you shall hardly perceive any the least noise at all : so dutiful they are to their king , officers , and rulers , reposing themselves wholly in his books , favour , and pleasure . and now i will intreat of their excellency and use . whereas the almighty hath created all things for the use and service of man , so especially among the rest hath he made bees , not only that they should be unto us patterns and presidents of political and oeconomical vertues , ( of the which before i have discoursed ) but even teachers and school-masters instructing us in certain divine knowledge , and like extraordinary prophets , premonstrating the success and event of things to come . for in the years . . . . before the birth of our blessed saviour , when as great swarms of bees , lighted in the publique and ox-market , upon the houses of private citizens , and the chappel of mars , many conspiracies and treasons were intended against the state at rome , with which the common-wealth was welnigh deceived , insnared , yea and overthrown . in the days of severus the emperour , bees made their combes in the ensignes , banners and standards of the souldiers , and most of all in the camp of niger , after which ensued divers conflicts betwixt the armies of severus and niger , fortune for a time impartting her favours equally to them both , but at length severus side carryed away the bucklers swarms of bees also filled the statuaes which were set up in all hetruria , representing antonius pius , and after that they fell in the camp of cassius , and what hurly but lies after that followed , julius capitolinus will resolve you . at which time also a great number of romans were intrapped and slain by an a 〈…〉 bush of germans in germany , p. fabius and q. elius , being consuls . it is written that a swarm lighted in the tent of hostilius rutilus , who was in the army of drusus , ard did there hang after such a manner , as they did enclose round his spear which was fastened to his pavilion , as if it had been a rope hanging down , m. lepidus and munatius plancus being consuls . also in the consulship of l. paulus and caius metellus , a swarm of bees flying up and down , presignified the enemy at hand , as the soothsayers well divined . pompey likewise warring against caesar , when for the pleasuring of his friends he had set his army in aray , going out of dyrrhachium , bees met with him , and darkened even the very ancients with their great multitude . we read in the histories of the helvetians , how that in the year of our lord god . when leopold of austrich prepared to go against sempach with an host of men , being yet in his journey , a swarm of bees fled to the town , and there rested upon a certain great tree called tilia ; whereupon the vulgar sort rightly foretold the coming of some strange people to them . so likewise virgil in the seventh book of his aeneids , seemeth to describe the coming of aeneas into italy after this manner . — lauri hujus apes summum densae ( mirabile dictu ) stridore ingenti liquidum trans aethera vectae obsedere apitem , et pedibus per mutua nexis examen subitò ramo frondente pependit . continuò vates : examen cernimus ( inquit ) adventare virum . — that is , a tale of wonder to be told , there came a swarm of bees , which with great noyse within the air a bay-tree did attain , where leg in leg they cleaped fast , and top of all degrees o're-spread , and suddenly a hive of them remaind there hanging down : whereat the prophet said , some stranger here shall come to make us all afraid . which thing also herodotus , pausanias , and divers other historiographers , have with greater observation then reason confirmed . laon acraephniensis , when he could not finde the oracle of trophonius , by a swarm flying thither he found the place . in like sort , the nurses being absent , jupiter melitaeus , hiero the syracusan , plato , pindarus , and ambrosius , were nourished by honey , which bees by little and little put in their mouths , as plutarch , pausanias , and textor are authors . xenophon likewise in his oeconomicks , termeth honey-making the shop of vertues , and to it sendeth mothers of housholds to be instructed . poets gladly compare themselves with bees , who following nature only as a school-mistresse , useth no art. so plato saith , that poets ruled by art , can never perform any notable matter . and for the same reason pindarus maketh his brags , that he was superior to bacchilides , and simonides , having only nature , not art to his friend . bees unlesse they be incensed to anger , do no hurt at all , but being provoked and stirred up they sting most sharply : and such is the disposition and naturall inclination of poets ; and therefore in his mino strictly enjoyneth , that those who love their own quiet , must take great heed that they make no wars either with poets or bees . finally , they have so many vertues which we may imitate , that the egyptians , chaldeans , and grecians , have taken divers hieroglyphicks from them . and he that will read over pierius , shall there finde store of emblems of them . the countrey people in like manner have learned of them aeromantie , that is , divination of things by the air , for they have a fore-feeling and understanding of rain and windes aforehand , and do rightly prognosticate of storms and foul weather ; so that then they flye not far from their own homes , but sustain themselves with their own honey-suck already provided . which being true , we must then think it no strange matter , that aristeus , philistius , aristomachus solensis , menus the samnite , and six hundred others that have writ of the nature of bees , bidding adiew to all those pleasures and delicacies that are found in cities , for fifty and eight yeers space together , inhabited the woods and fields , that they might more exactly come to the knowledge of their order of living , and naturall dispositions , leaving it as a monument for posterity to imitate . but what their bodies do work in ours , i judge worth the labour and pains taking to let you understand , that we may be assured there is nothing in bees , but maketh to the furtherance of our health and good . first therefore , their bodies being taken newly from the hives and bruised , and drunk with some diuretical wine , cureth mightily the dropsie , breaketh the stone , openeth the obstructed passages of the urine , and helpeth the suppression thereof . being bruised , they cure the wringings and gripings of the belly , if they be laid upon the place affected : and if any have drunk any poysonous honey , bees being likewise drunk do expell the same . they mollifie hard ulcers in the lips , and being bound to the part , they cure a carbuncle and the bloody-flixe , amending also the crudity of the stomack , and all spots and flecks in the face , being tempered with their own made honey ; as both hollerius , alexander , benedictus , and pliny have written . galen affirmeth , that if you take live bees out of their combes , and mix them with honey wherein bees have been found dead , you shall make an excellent oyntment to be used against the shedding and falling of the hair in any place of the head , causing it to grow again , and come afresh . pliny again willeth us to burn many bees , commixing the ashes with oyl , and therewith to anoynt the b●ld places ; but we must ( saith he ) take great heed that we touch no other place neer adjoyning . yea , he affirmeth , that honey wherein is found dead bees , is a very wholsome medicine , serving for all diseases . erotis , cap. . de morb . muliebrib . commendeth highly the ashes of pee ; beaten and tempered with oyl , for the dealbation of the hair . bees also are very profitable , because divers living creatures are nourished by , and do feed full savorly on their honey , as the bear , the badger or brock , lizards , frogs , serpents , the wood-pecker or eat-bee , swallows , lapwings , the little titmouse , which of some is called a nunne , because his head is filletted as it were nun-like , the robin-red-breast , spiders , and wasps , as bellonius hath well observed . but to what end ( you will say ) serveth their sting , against whose poyson pliny knew no remedy ? i must needs confesse truely that which cannot be denyed , that the stings of bees are sometimes venemous , but that is when either they are mad and raging , and be exceedingly disquieted by means of anger , or some vehement feaver , for otherwise they do not sting ▪ but prick but a little : and therefore dioscorides never made mention of the stinging of bees , supposing it very unmeet for a man to complain of so small a matter as the sting of a silly bee. but yet they that have succeeded him , have observed pain , rednesse , and swellings , as companions and effects of their malice , especially if the sting do stick in the flesh , which if it do very deep , then death hath sometimes followed , as nicander writeth in his theriacis . in like manner the people of the old world ( that we may prove the sting of bees to be converted to some good use ) did ( as suidas writeth ) punish those persons who were found guilty of cousenage , and deceitfull counterfeiting of merchandize , after this sort : first , they stripped the offender stark naked , anoynting his body all over with honey , then setting him in the open sun with his hands and feet fast bound , that by this means being tormented with flies , bees , and scorching beams of the sun , he might endure punishment , pain , and death , due to his lewd and wicked life . with which kinde of punishment and torture , the spaniards do grievously vex the poor naked islanders of america at this day , ( now called the west-indies ) who are under their rule and government , not for justice sake , ( as those ancients did ) but for satisfaction and fulfilling of their barbarous wills , and beastly tyranny , that they might seem to be more cruell , then cruelty it self . nonius faith , that if the herb balm ( called apiastrum ) be beaten , and anoynted with oyl upon the stinged place , that there will ensue no hurt thereby . florentius counselleth the gatherer of honey , to anoynt himself with the juice of marsh-mallowes , for by that means he may safely and without fear take away the combes . but the juice of any mallow will do as much , and especially if it be mixed with oyl ; for it both preserveth from stinging , and besides it remedieth the stinged . but admit that bees by their stinging do vexe and disease us , yet notwithstanding the dead bees so found in the honey do speedily bring cure to that hurt , if they be duly applyed , abating and taking away all the pain and poyson . what should i say ? no creature is so profitable , none lesse sumptuous . god hath created them , and a little money and cost will maintain them , and small provision will content them . they live almost in all places , yea , even in forrests , woods , and mountains ; both rich and poor by their good husbandry do gather good customs and pensions by them , they paying ( as all men know ) very large rents for their dwelling houses ; and yet for all their tribute they pay , a man need neither keep one servant the more for the gathering of it , nor set on pot the oftner . merula saith , that varro gathered yeerly five thousand pound weight of honey : and that in a small village of spain , not exceeding one acre of ground , he was wont to gain by honey there gathered , ten thousand sesterties , which is of our english coyn about fifty pounds . we are furnished also out of their work-houses or shops , with waxe , sandracha , bee-glew , combs , and dregs of wax , which no common-wealth can well spare . to speak nothing of the examples of their vertues and noble properties , being no lesse wholsome for the soul , then these others are for the good provision and maintenance of our life , and for nourishment of our bodies necessary and commodious . now for the conservation of bees , it is very meet ( as pliny writeth ) that we come by them lawfully , and by honest means , that is , either by gift , or by buying of them ; for being taken away by theft , they will not prosper with us : even as the hearb called rue being stolne , will very hardly or never grow . furthermore , to keep these good pay-masters , and to make them in love with you , you must remove from their hives mouthes , unlucky , mischievous , and deceitfull people , and idle persons that have nothing to do , causing them to stand further off : as also all those that are distayned with whoredome , or infected with the disease called gonorrhoea , or the fluxe of menstrues , bathes , or any thing that smelleth of smoak , mud , dung , or ordure of cattell , men or beasts , houses of office , sinks , or kitchens . mundifie and correct the air oftentimes , infected with the breath and vapour of toads and serpents by burning of balm , thyme , or fennel ; having great care to keep them neat , clean and quiet . destroy all vermine , and seekers to prey upon their honey , robbers , pillers and pollers , and if at any time they be sick , give them physick . now the signs of their unhealthinesse , as of all other living creatures , are known by three things ; that is , from the action offended , the outward affect of the body , and excrements . for their cheerfulnesse being gone , sluggish dulnesse , a giddy and vertiginous pace , often and idle standing before the mouth of the hive , lack of strength , wearinesse , lithernesse , languishing , and want of spirit to do any businesse , detestation of flowers and honey , long watchings , and continuall sleepings , unaccustomed noyses and hummings , are sure arguments , that bees are not in good health . as also if they be somewhat rough , not fine and trim , dry and unpleasant in handling , not soft , harsh , and rugged , not delicate and tender , if their combes be infected with any manner of filthy , corrupt , and noysome savour , and that their excrements melt , stink , and be full of worms , carrying dead carkases daily out of their houses , that they have no regard to their bees and bee-hives , it is a certain token that they are sick , and that some epidemicall , generall pestilence or plague rageth amongst them , whereof that famous poet virgil hath very elegantly , but confusedly touched some part , in the fourth book of his georgicks , in these following verses . si verò ( quoniam lapsus apibus , quoque nostris vita tulit ) tristi languebunt corp●rae , morbo , i 〈…〉 non dubiis poteris cogn●seere signis . continuo est agris ali●s color , horrida vultum deformat maties , tum corporaluc● c●rentum exportant tectis , & tristia funera ducunt , aut illae pedibus connexa ad limina pendent , aut intus clausis cunctantur in aedibus omnes , ignavaeque fame , & contracto frigore pigrae . tum sonus auditur gravior , tractimque susurrant . frigidus at quando silvis immurmurat auster , vt mare , solicitum stridet refluentibus undis , aestuat aut clausis , rapidus fornacibus igni● . in english thus ; the life of bees is subject unto fall , their bodies languish with diseases sad : this by undoubted signs discern you shall , their bodies then with other colour is clad . a leannesse rough doth then deform their face , then doth the living bring dead bodies out , and for their fellowes make a funerall place , mourning sad exequies their dwellings all about , or else with feet in feet they hang upon the threshold of their hive , or else abide close within doors , not looking on the sun , tell sloth by cold and famine their life up dry'd : then also is their sound and voice more great , drawing solt , like a southern winde in woods , or fire enclosed in burning furnace heat , or as in t ' sea falls back the sliding flouds . and so the sicknesses of bees being evidently known , plainly perceived , and cured , they will live many yeers , although aristotle , theophrastus , pliny , virgil , varro , columella , cardan , and finally all authors , would make us beleeve , that they seldome attain to nine years , but never to ten . although we know by good experience , knowledge of place , and the credible attestation of men worthy belief , that they have lived thirty years . which only reason hath induced me to believe , that bees ( even by natures appointment ) are long lived , and that only with albertus i only doubt , whether they die by means of old age . i am not ignorant , how they are made away with the rage and violence of diseases , and other enemies , but if they have all things furnished fit for the preservation of their life , and prolongation of health , and the contrary far from them , i know no reason but that i should conclude them long lived , yea , more durable then any other living creature , and never to die , but that i may not deny their time and turn to be mortall . for they only do feed upon honey , that immortall nectar , sent from heaven , and gathered from a divine dew ( the very life and soul of all herbs , fruits , trees and plants . ) of whose nature , use and excellency , if you would know more , i must referre you to the learned writings of physitians . of bees called drones and theeves . a drone or a dran in english , is of the latines called fucus , of the greeks kephen , and thronaz , of the illyrians czeno , of the germans traen , of the 〈…〉 sgics besonder strael , of the spaniards zangone , of the italians , ape che non fa mele , of the french baradon , and fullon , of the pannonians ( now called hungarians ) here , of the polonians czezew . this kinde of bee is called fucus , as some think , quasi fur , because he doth furtim mella devorare , devour honey by stealth : although it be more agreeable to truth that it is termed eucus , because he doth apibus fucum fraudemque facere : and through the colour and pretence of keeping warm the hives , he spendeth their stock and undoes all their honey-making . and therefore for some to derive fucus the latin word from phagomai the greek , seemeth to be farre fetched : some again will draw fucus , à fovendo , quia incubando apum juvant ●oeturas , and this in my minde is as harsh as the former . many men make the drone to be one of the four sorts of bees , which is very unadvisedly done , as some would make us beleeve : because they bestow no pains in gathering the honey , nor labour it throughly to have it perfectly wrought . he is twice so great as the common bee , and greater then the thief , so that in bignesse he eveneth , yea , surpasseth the king himself : and yet he attaineth unto this greatnesse , not by the gift of nature , but by his custom and trade of life . for whereas bees do prepare and make their cells for the breeding of drones : they make them lesser then the drones , and not here and there through the hive , but only in the uttermost , and as it were in the banished or most out-cast place of all in the whole camp and lodged army . besides , the small worms of the drones are far smaller at their first bringing forth , then those that are of the kingly race , and linage of their dukes : who yet at length grow greater then any of them all , in regard that by labour and travail , they waste and diminish nothing of superstuous matter and those grosse humours , wherewith they abound ; as also that both day and night ( like oxen lying at rack and manger ) they gluttonously raven and stuffe themselves with the honey-liquor , which they again pay for full dearly , in time of any general dearth and scarsity of victuall and provision . further this is to be added , that the drone is of a more shining black colour then the true labouring bee , he is also greater then the greatest , without sting sluggish , idle , slothfull , without heart or courage , cowardous , and unapt to war , not daring to venture life and limb in manly martial trade , as the true legitimate bees will. aristotle saith , that they breed and live amongst the true bees , and when they fly abroad , they are carryed scatteringly , here and there aloft in the air as it were , with some violence or tempest ; so exercising themselves for a time , they return from whence they came , there greedily feeding upon the honey . now why the drones may be compared with the dukes and princes , in respect of their corporature ; and bees like unto them in their sting , let us hear aristotles reason . nature would ( saith he ) there should be some difference , lest alwayes the same stock should encrease one of another confusedly , without order or consideration , which is impossible : for so the whole stock would either be dukes or drones . and therefore the true bees in strength and power of engendring , and breeding , are comparable to their dukes , and the drones onely in greatnesse of body resemble them : to whom if you allow a sting , you shall make him a duke . these drones further of the grecians are called cothouroi , because he putteth not forth any sting : whereof h●siodus hath these verses thus interpreted ; huic vero dii succensent & homines quicunque otiosus vivat , fucis ac aculeo carentibus similis studio , qui apum laborem absumant ottosi v●rantes . — in english thus ; both god and men disdain that man which drone like in the hive , nor good , nor ill , endeavour can vpon himself to live , but idle is , and without sting , and grieves the labouring bee devouring that which he home brings , not yeelding help or fee. so that either he hath no sting at all , or else maketh no use of it for revengement . pliny saith flatly , that they are stinglesse , and would have them called imperfect bees , and the famous poet virgil styleth them , ignavum pecus : that is , idle , and unprofitable , good for nothing columella maketh them a race or stock of a larger size , very like unto bees , and accounteth them very aptly to be placed in the rank of ordinary sorts of creatures , of the same kinde and company with bees . they suffer punishment and are scourged many times in the whole bee-common-wealth , not only for pretence of idlenesse , gluttony , extortion , and ravenous greedinesse , to which they are too much addicted ; but because lacking their sting , and by that defect , being as it were emasculated , they dare not shew themselves in publick . pliny doth not expresse their nature and quality . the drones are stinglesse and so to be reckoned imperfect bees , and of the basest sort , taking their originall from tired and worn out bees , and such as be past labour and service , living only upon a bare pension : we may call them the very slaves and bond-men of the true bees , to whom they owe all due homage and subjection , wherefore they exercise their authority over them , thrusting them first out of doors by head and shoulders , like a company of drudges to their work ; and if they be any thing negligent , not bestirring themselves quickly and lively , they give them correction , and punish them without all pity and mercy . for in the moneth of june , two or three bees ( especially of the younger sort ) will hase out of the hive one drone , there beating of him with their wings , pricking and tormenting him with their stings , and if he offer any resistance to their lordly rule , then they violently cast him down from the shelf or step whereon he holdeth , down to the earth as though they would break his neck . thus when they have glutted their wills , and punished him at the full , they at length put him to a shamefull death , all which we have often beheld , not without great admiration and pleasure . sometimes the drones remain like banished persons , before the entrance of the hive , and dare not venture to presse in . for three causes specially the bees do drive and cast out the drones : either when they multiply above measure , or when they have not place enough left for their labourers , or that they be pinched with hunger and famine , for lack of honey . and as they carry a deadly hatred against the drones , so to make it more apparent they will not hurt such persons as offer either to take away with their bare hands any of the drones , and to cast them away , yea , though they be in the greatest heat of their fight . aristotle in his ninth book , d● 〈…〉 t s . animal . cap. affirmeth , that bees are engendred apart one from another ; if their captain liveth : but in case their king and captain dies , some say they breed in the bees cells , and that of all others of this kinde , they are the most noble and couragious . the young drones are bred without any king , but the true younger bees never : for they derive their originall and petigree from the kingly stock . some will say that the young drones do fetch their original from the flowers of the herb 〈◊〉 ( described by pliny , which is a kinde of honey ●uckle , having the taste of the honey and wax together ) from the olive tree and reed ; but this opinion is weakly grounded , and standeth upon small reason . aristotle affirmeth , that they proceed from the longer and bigger bees , yea , and those that are termed thieves : which without question he received either from the ancient philosophers , or some others that had the charge and were skilful of ordering honey , that lived in his time . some will have them to breed and come from putrefaction , as isido●e from stinking and putrefied mules : cardan from asses . plutarch and servius from horses . othersome are of opinion , that they fi●st proceed of bees , and that afterwards they degenerate bastardlike from them , after they have lost their stings , for then they become drones : neither are they afterwards known to gather any honey , but being as it were deprived of their strength , they grow effeminate , ceasing either to hurt , or to do any good at all . some again hold the contrary side , assuring us upon their knowledge , that the true labouring bee fetcheth his beginning from the drone , because long experience ( the mistress of wisdome ) hath taught us , that there is yearly known to be the greater swarm , when there is the greater multitude of drones . but this to me seemeth rather the devise and invention of some curious brain , then any true grounded reason . for because that many drones breed ( as it cometh always to passe in good and plentiful years ) therefore there should be greater swarms , is no good consequent : but contrariwise , because the multitude of bees do greatly increase through the moderatenesse of the pure air , and the plenty of the honey-dropping dew , and through the abundance of this mellifluous moisture , there must needs follow a greater foison and store of drones : as the philosopher hath well observed . but admit that this be true , that whereas there is the greater encrease of drones , there should yearly ensue the more swarmings : yet must we not thereupon conclude , that bees do owe , and ought to ascribe their first original from drones , but rather that they are indebted and bound in honesty to the drones , because in time of breeding , they give much warmth and comfort to their young , ( as pliny lib. . c. . saith ) conferring upon them a lively heat , fit for their encrease and prospering . some divide them into male and female , and that by coupling together they make a propagation of their kinde , although ( as athenaeus writeth ) neither drones nor bees were ever yet seen of any one to couple together . but whereas wasps , hornets , and other cut-wasted creatures that make any combes , and breed in the same , have been sometimes ( though seldom ) seen , both by us and aristotle , to joyn together , i can surely see no cause why we should utterly take from them the use of venus , though in that respect they be very modest and moderate . i have before in the discourse of their generation , said , that the bees do make the male kinde , and the drones to be but the female ; but sith that in the of honey-making , they punish them so sharply after they have ejected them from possession first , so that afterwards they put them to death , i can hardly be induced to believe that the drones are but the female kinde , considering that one thing would eclipse and overcast all those resplendent vertues which all men know to be in bees , to deal thus cruelly with their parents . to what use therefore serve they in hives ? seeing virgil in the fourth book of his georgicks thus describeth them ; immunisque sedens aliena ad pabula fucus . that is to say ; the drones as free and bold doth sit , and wast of others food commit . where festus taketh immunis , for lazy , idle , unserviceable , unprofitable , and such as are nothing worth , except perchance after the guise of wicked men , they so serve their own turns , as to live by the sweat of other mens labours , and to bring out of order , or utterly seek to overthrow the whole frame of the common-wealth . but the most approved authors set down divers good use of drones . for if there be but a few of them among the bees , they make them the more careful about their affairs , and to look more duly to their task : not by their good example , ( for they live in continual idlenesse ) but because they might continue their liberality towards strangers , they work the more carefully in their honey-shop . and ( if bartholemaeus do not deceive us ) these drones be not altogether idle : but they imploy themselves about the building of the kings house , which they make large , stately , and very sumptuous in the higher and middle part of the combes , being very fair to see to in respect of their covering . so then they are but lazy , in respect of honey-making and gathering : but if you look toward their art or science of building , they are to be accounted excellent devisers of the frame and chief masters of the whole work . for as the bees do fashion out the combes of the drones nigh the kings palace : so again , for the like counterchange of kindenesse , the drones are the sole inventors , and principal work-masters of the kings court ; for which cause both they and their off-spring , kinsfolks and friends , ( if they have any ) are bountifully rewarded of the whole stock of bees , by giving them franckly and freely their diet and maintenance which costeth them nothing . the lockers or holes of the up-grown bees , are somewhat too large , if you respect the quantity of their bodies , but their combes lesser ; for those they build themselves , and these other are made by the bees , because it was not thought convenient and indifferent , so great a portion of meat to be given to such vile labourers and hirelings , as was due to their own sons and daughters and those that are naturally subjects . tzetzes , and some other greeks do besides affirm , that the drones are the bees butlers or porters to carry them water , ascribing moreover to them a gentle and kindely heat , with which they are said to keep warm , cherish and nourish the young breed of the bees ; by this means as it were , quick 〈…〉 g them , and adding to them both life and strength . the same affirmeth columella in these words . the drones further much the bees for the procreation of their issue , for they sitting upon their kinde or generation , the bees are shaped and attain to their figure , and therefore for the maintenance , education , and defence of a new issue , they receive the more friendly entertainment . and pliny lib. c . differeth not from him . for not only they are great helpers to the bees in any architectonical or cunning devised frame ( as he saith ) but also they do good in helping and succouring their young , by giving them much warmth and kindely heat , which the greater it is ( unlesse there be some lack of honey in the mean space ) the greater will the swarm be . in sum , except they should stand the bees in some good stead , the almighty would never have enclosed them both in one house , and as it were made them freemen of the same city . neither doubtlesse would the bees by main force violently break in upon them , as being the sworn and professed enemies of their common-wealth , except when their slavish multitude being too much increased , they might fear some violence or rebellion , or for lack of provision : at which time who seeth not , that it were far better the master work-men , free masons , and carpenters might be spared , then the true labouring husbandman , and tiller of the earth ? especially since that missing these , our life is endangered for lack of meat , and other necessaries , and those other for a time we may very well spare without our undoing , and for a need every one may build his own lodging . but as they be profitable members , not exceeding a stinted and certain number , so if they be too many , they bring a sicknesse called the hive-evill , as well because they consume the food of the honey-making bees , as for that in regard of their extream heat , they choke and suffecate them . this disease is by the author of geoponicon thus remedied . moisten with water inwardly the lid or covering of their hive , and early in the morning opening it , you shall finde drones sitting on the drops that are on the covers , for being glutted with honey , they are exceeding thirsty , and by that means they will stick fast to the moist and dewie places of the cover : so that with small ado , you may either destroy them quite , or else if you please , take away what number you list your self . and if you will take away withall their young , who are not yet winged , and first pulling off their heads throw them among the other bees , you shall bestow on them a very welcome dinner . but what the dreaning of drones portended , and what matter they minister in the hieroglyphical art , let apomasueris reveal and disclose out of the schools of the egyptians and persians . i think i have discharged my duty , if i have set down their true uses , true nature , generation , degeneration , description , and names . fur in latine , or theef in english , is by aristotle called phoor , of hesychius phoorios : from whence i take the latine word fur to be derived . some have thought that theeves are one proper sort of bees , although they be very great , and black , having a larger belly or bulk then the true bee , and yet lesser then the drones , they have purchased this theevish name , because they do by theft and robbery devour honey , belonging to others , and not to them . the bees do easily endure , and can well away with the presence of the drones , and do as it were greet and bid one another welcome , but the theeves they cannot endure , in regard that the bees do naturally hate them , for in their absence the theeves privily and by stealth creep in , there robbing and consuming their treasure of honey , so greedily and hastily ( without chewing ) swallowing it down , that being met withall by the true bees in their return homewards , and found so unweildy by means of their fulness , that they cannot get away , nor be able to resist , but are ready to burst again , they are severely punished , and for their demerits by true justice put to death . neither thus only do they prodigally consume and spend the bees meat , but also privily breed in their cells , whereby it often cometh to passe , that there are as many drones and theeves , as true and lawful bees . these neither gather honey , nor build houses , nor help to bear out any mutual labour with bees : for which cause they have watch-men or warders appointed to observe and oversee by night such as are over-wearied by taking great and undefatigable pains in the day time , to secure them from the theeves and robbers , who if they perceive any theef to be stoln in a doors , they presently set upon him , beat , and either kill him outright , or leaving him for half dead , they throw him out . oftentimes also it happeneth , that the theef being glutted and over-cloyed with honey , cannot flie away or get himself gone in time , but lyeth wallowing before the hives entrance , until his enemies either in coming forth or returning home do so finde him , and so with shame , discredit and scoffingscorn slay him . aristotle appointeth no office , charge or businesse to the theef , but i think that he is ordained for this end , that he might be as it were a spur to prick forwards , and to whet and quicken the courage of the true bees , when the other offer them any injury : and to stir and to encourage them to a greater vigilancy , diligence , and doing of right and justice to every one particularly . for i cannot see to what other purpose theeves should serve in a christian common-wealth , or what use might be made of such as lie in wait to displeasure , and practice by crafty fetches , ambushes , and deceitful treacheries to wound their neighbours , either in their estimation , credit , or goods . thus having at large discoursed of the lesse hurtful and stinging sort of bees , i will now apply my self to a more fumish , testy , angry , waspish , and implacable generation , more venomous then the former , i mean wasps and hornets . of wasps . a wasp of the chaldeans is tearmed deibrane . of the arabians , zambor . of the englishmen a wasp . of the germans , ein wespe . of the belgics , harsel . of the gothes , bool getingth . the common people of italy tearm it vespa , and some of them do usually call it muscone , and the bononians , vrespa . the french , guespe . the spaniards , abispa , and vespa , imitating the latines , who call it vespa . the polonians , ossa . the sclavonians , woss . the hungarians , daras . calepine saith , that it is called vespa , quia vesperi muscas venatur in cibum . the greeks do also name them diversly , for commonly they are called sphekes . the scholiast of nicander calleth them lucospades ; and suidas , dellides , and delithes . of hesychius , auletai , and passaleres ; and gaza nicknameth them anthrenai : for these ought rather to be called bees . eustathius deriveth tous spekas , apo tes diasphagon , because they seem to be so much cut asunder in the waste or middle , as that they seem to gape and to be clean cloven asunder , as by the figure here set before your eyes you may plainly perceive . a wasp is a kinde of insect , that is swift , living in routs and companies together , having somewhat a long body encircled , with four membranous wings , ( where of the two former are the greatest ) without bloud , stinged inwardly , having also six feet , and a yellow colour , somewhat glistering like gold , garnished with divers black spots all over the body in form of a triangle . whereupon peradventure pollio would needs have it called diachrusos . the body of a wasp seemeth to be fastened and tyed together to the midst of the breast , with a certain thin fine thread or line , so that by means of this disjoyned , and not well compacted composition , they seem very feeble in their loins , or rather to have none at all . whereupon aristophanes the greek poet , in his comedy , entituled spheces or wasps , tearmoth all those maids which are fine , slender , and pretty small in the waste , sphecodeis , resembling them to wasps , as if one should call them wasp-wasted-wenches , whom terence very quaintly and elegantly tearmeth junceas , that is , slender , long , and small , like to a bulrush . i think that all the whole pack of them have stings in general , although i am not ignorant that some authors hold the contrary , affirming that the breeding female wasps do want them : but thus much i can say of my own knowledge , that on a time finding a wasps nest , and killing them every one by pouring hot scalding liquor into their holes , because i would bolt out the truth , i plainly perceived by long viewing of their bodies , that there was not one of them all but had a sting , either thrust out evidently , or closely and secretly kept and covered . so that : — quid nobis certius ipsis sensibus esse potest , quo vera ac falsa notemus ? in english thus ; what can more certain be then sense , discerning truth from false pretence ? they make a sound as bees do , but more fearful , hideous , terrible , and whisteling , especially when they are provoked to wrath ; from whence theocritus fetcheth this proverb , sphex bomboom tettigos enantion , that is , scilicet obstrepitans argutae vespa cicadae : and this old said saw may well be applyed to those who being themselves unlearned , will not stick to cry out , exclaim , and procure trouble to those that be more learned : or to such as be weak , feeble , and impotent persons able to do nothing , that will offer to contend with their betters and superiors with their brawling speeches , and spiteful raylings . and this latine proverb carryeth the same sense , catulus leonem adlatrans . if you will have the gifts and ornaments of their mindes described , you must consider that a wasp is a creature that liveth in companies together , one with another , subject to a civil government under one king or ruler , industrious , mutual friends one to another , ingenious , crafty , subtle , quick , and cunning , of a very quarrelsome nature , and much subject to anger and testinesse . this is a good argument of their civil and political manner of life , in that they live not solitarily in a desert or wildernesse where no man keepeth , but they build for themselves a city , both excellent and admirable for the notable buildings and houses in it , where they spend their time ( for the most part ) according to the mutable and never-failing laws of nature , observing and keeping ever the golden mean , as well in their daily tasks , as in their dispositions and affections of minde . besides , they are governed with a kingly , not with a tyrannical government , ( as aelianus saith ) although by nature they are great fighters , eager , boysterous , and vehemently tempestuous : and he is led to say this , because their dukes or generals are stinglesse , or rather having stings as their subjects , they will not use the same to the hurt of their inferiors , by thrusting it forth , or striking in passion . now although they be twice so great , and harder and rougher then the other wasps , yet are they not unfurnished of the vertue of patience and clemency , or gentle and debonair behaviour , by which means they keep in order , and contain in their lists , as it were by gentle language , their unruly rout , and mutinous companies . there is no man but will confesse , that this is an evident token and argument of their mutual love , and great good liking which they bear one to another : for whosoever dare be so knack-hardy as to come neer their houses or dwelling places where they have to do , and to offer any violence or hurt to the same , at the noyse of some one of them , all the whole swarm rusheth out , being put into an amazed fear , to help their fellow-citizen , and do so busily bestirre themselves about the ears of their molesters , as that they send them away packing with more then an ordinary pace : and if we will credit aelianus , the phaselites in times past were constrained to forsake their city , for all their defence , munition , and armour , only through the multitude and cruel fiercenesse of the wasps , wherewith they were annoyed . again , this manifestly proveth that they want not a hearty and fatherly affection , because with more then heroicall courage and invincible fury , they set upon all persons , of what degree or quality soever , that dare attempt to lye in wait to hurt or destroy their young breed , no whit at all dreading neoptolemus , pyrrhus , hector , achilles , or agamemnon himself , the captain generall of all the whole grecians , if he were present . yea , the divine poet homer , in . lib. of his illades , when he would expresse the haughty and generous spirits of the greekish chieftains , he likeneth them to wasps in these words , spekessin ajolois cradien kai thumon echousais , that is , having the hearts and stomacks of wasps , when they are to fight for their private dwellings , their dear progeny and off-spring . the love that bees carry to their issue is great , but it cannot be greater then that of wasps , neither can they have a greater promptitude , alacrity , or desire to defend their young ones , if they be any way offended by passengers . which thing homer in his iliads , lib. . insinuateth by the example of the chafing god jupiter , who took it marvellous angry , and much repined at the sturdy stomacks of the grecians , adding , that the greeks did defend themselves as valiantly , and endured the shock and assault of their enemies , as ever wasps or bees would in defence of their children or issue ; in these verses following ; — non enim ego putavi heroas achivos sustentaturos nostrum robur , & manus invictas : illi autem quasi vespae acres atque apes , quae nidos faciunt ad viam pulverulemam , neque deserunt cavam domum : sed expectantes viros vendiores pugnant pro filiis . that is to say , i did not think our noble grecian lords could bear our force , and with unconquered hands maintain our right : but they like wasps and bees devoid of fear , which by high-wayes their houses use to frame , de not forsake their hollow dusty homes , what ere they be that come to hunt them out : fighting with valor , ( not fearfully like drones ) to rid their young ones both from death and doubt . besides this , they further build for them very large dwellings , with chambers and floors , in a round and orbicular form , with rooms one above another , finely and wittily compacted , so that there is space enough of ingresse and regresse , and very defensible against all windes and weather , and yet their nests or houses are not all made after one fashion , but very different , some of them representing a harp , some made much after the fashion of a pear , a toadstool , a bottle , or budget of leather , and some like a standing cup with handles . some affirm , that the matter of their combes is confused , rude , and ilfavouredly heaped up , full of bark and sand , but i could never as yet see it otherwise then light , slender , and thin like paper , dry , transparent , gummy and thin , as though it were thin leaves of gold , shaken very easily hither and thither with the winde , and rising many times from the foot or foundation very small , and broad above like unto a top. the place of this their building is divers , and much different for some respects . for if they have lost their duke or principall leader , then do they make them nests of clay in the high holes of walls and hollow trees ; and as some say ( although hitherto i could never see it ) they make wax there also . but in case they have a generall or duke , then they make their nests under the earth , their cells or chambers being formed with six angles or corners , much like unto bees . they make their combes round , much after the fashion of a broad toad-stool , from whose centers there goeth forth as it were a short stalk or tying , by which the comb cleaveth , and is fastened hard to the earth , or some tree , or peradventure to some other combe . they have such a tender care over their females , ( especially at such time as they are great with young ) and suffer them so much to have their own wills , as they will neither permit them to take any pains abroad for their living , nor yet to seek for their meat at home : but the males flying about , ( like good purveyers ) bring all home to their own dwellings , thereby as it were strictly enjoyning the females to keep themselves within doors . all which fore-cited particulars , if a man would duly enter into consideration of them , he must needs confesse , ( will he nill he ) the admirable industry , diligence , wit , prudence , art , sweat , and labour that is in these poor vermine . their naturall inclination to anger , and the hasty fumishness of wasps , not only cocks , which do scratch and scrape up with their spurs their nests , do finde implacable , but even all other disturbers and provokers : from whence i take it that proverb hath sprung , spekian erithizein , which the latines as plautus almost in the same sense useth , irritare crabrones : for crabro among the poets , is used sometimes for a hornet , and otherwhiles for a wasp . in like manner clemens alexandrinus , stromaton . when he would expresse and declare the foulness and abominable hurt of such sins that do lie in wait as it were to deceive , and watch to do displeasure to the life of man , hath these words , houtoi gar ( inquit ) oi antagonistai pacheis 〈◊〉 olumpicoi , sphecon hos eipein eisi drimuterai , kai malista hedone . that is , these fat , dull , grosse , and olympicall enemies of ours , are worser then wasps , more cruel and displeasant , and especially sensuall and worldly pleasure . yea , whosoever dare adventure to challenge into the field this hardy and couragious little creature , he shall ( i dare be bold to say ) but cadmeam victoriam reportare , lose more then he shall get , whet his sword against himself , and return home by weeping crosse , considering that besides the noblenesse of their stout stomacks , and armed stings , they are withall so stiffe and obstinate , as that they will never give over . they differ also in their first breeding , stock , sex , place , feeding , and manner of labour . isidore saith , ( although perhaps not so truly ) that wasps do first proceed from the rotten carkases of dead asses : for all hold opinion , that the black flies called beetles , do take their originall from them . but i am rather moved to think that they were first bred from the dead body of some warlike and fierce horse , and so also thinketh pliny , in his eleventh book and twentieth chapter . and the grecians have usually this famous and vulgar verse in their ordinary talk . hippoi men sphekon genesis , tauroi de melisson , equi enim vesparum generatio , tauri verò apum . in english thus ; wasps do first come from horses , and bees are bred from bulls . and surely their incredible swiftnesse in their flight , their ardent and burning desire they have to fighting , are sufficient inducements to move me to think , that they took their first beginning from some gallant horse , and not from asses , oxen , or cowes , and much lesse from the fearfull deer . for dame nature hath seldome been so indulgent and friendly to any one beast besides an horse , as to excell both in swiftnesse of pace , quicknesse of spirit , courage of stomack , and magnanimity . and i rather lean to this side , because else i do not know what sense i should give to that aristotelean proverb ; chairete aellopodoon thugateres ippon , salvete volucripedum filiae equorum : which may be englished thus ; all hail ye daughters of swift footed horses . for besides the truth that lyeth in the bare words , i take the morall of it to be uttered as a witty check , or a figurative flout , conceitedly to rebuke and hit in the teeth those shrewd women , curst and scolding wives , which are so peevish that they will not be pacified , who are like unto wasps in their sullen displeasant humours , tempestuous madnesse and pelting chafe . some wasps do proceed from the stinking carkase of a crocodile , if we may give any credit to the egyptians and their fellowes ; and for that cause , when they imagine or think a wasp , they paint and draw out the shape and form of a crocodile or a horse . from hence hierom cardan would make this collection , that of every corrupted living creature another doth proceed : which in my conceit is very absurd and against all reason . for this being granted , the generation of wasps would be infinite , and daily experience would read a lecture of contradiction against him , upon the progresse of natures works . many times wasps do breed by the mutuall company of the male and female together , which though athenaeus counteth but a fable , yet for all that , sith the philosopher doth plainly tell us , that he hath been an eye-witnesse to the same , ( as in his first book de generat . animal . cap. . and in his ninth book de histor . animal . cap. . ) i will wholly incline to his judgement . but what manner of beginning they have by joyning together , and how it is perfected and accomplished , let us a little lend our listening ears to aristotle , and pliny his interpreter . the princes or ring-leaders of the wasps , when they have made choice of a fit place for themselves under the earth , either in the holes , chinks , or clefts of the rocks , or in thatched houses , ( as i have often seen ) there they make their combes in the beginning of summer , fashioning their small cells with four little doors , wherein small worms do breed , who when they are more grown , they make yet other greater doors or hatches , and then again when their young are at the greatest , they make others , so that towards the end of autumn , you shall finde many , and those very large nests ; wherein their principal commander doth breed , not with every wasp indifferently , but only with those of his own race and princely linage . they are bred in the most eminent and highest place of the wasp-nest , like unto great worms , their cells being four or five in number , close joyned and couched together , for otherwise they would increase after the same sort in all respects , as the common wasps do . the excrement is only in the small worms , and their young increase remaineth immoveable without any stirring before they be able to flie , and whilest they are covered as it were with a thin membrane , and yet in the same season of the yeer , and in the space of one day , you shall manifestly perceive a great difference : for one flyeth out , another sticketh still as it were in the shell , another rolleth and tumbleth , and a fourth cannot stir one whit . all these have their beginning and increase for the most part in autumn , not in the spring , and especially in the full of the moon . this one thing here is to be noted , that wasps do not swarm , and that in summer-time they are subject to kings , and in winter , gunaicocrateia , the females regiment , or muliebre imperiam prevaileth . and when they have renewed and repaired their issue with a great supply , and that they be fresh and lusty , the empire again returneth to the masculine kinde , and yet it is but a short , brittle , and ruinous empire , not able to bear up it self , although by natures immutable decree orderly ruled , and rightfully governed . aristotle saith , that it is not likely that the young wasps are brought forth as a brood , because they be so great in bulk , as that in reason it should not seem probable , that so small a flie as a wasp , should have such great young ones . but this is a bare and weak reason , not beseeming the dignity of so great a philosopher . for what can any man alleadge to the contrary , why nature in a lawful birth and breeding , should not as soon and as speedily finish , and make to grow and increase , as she doth in generation that proceeds of rottennesse or corruption , which i hold to be but illegitimate ? let us but call to minde young birds , in how short time after they be out of the shell , they be feathered , they be able to go , to eat , yea quickly increased in strength , and grown to their full greatnesse , so that they are in their full flowre ere one be a ware . all which when one hath throughly considered , he will easily judge that famous philosopher aristotle , to have relyed but upon a weak prop , having scarse probability to stand on his side for the maintenance of his opinion . his credit therefore at this time must not be sufficient to barre us the liberty of contradicting him . the same aristotle , the monarch of our modern learning , saith that the small worms of wasps , before they have any wings at all , are somewhat long , not much unlike those worms which hippocrates calleth eulai , that breed in flesh , called ( as i judge ) maggots , but in our countrey , gentiles : and these waspish worms are somewhat white , known and easily discerned by their slits or dashes , the hinder part of their body being very thick and grosse , having a black list or line running along their backs , without feet , not creeping , but rolling and tumbling themselves this way and that way confusedly . when they have disburthened themselves of their breed , they close up their cells with a certain thin small skin , which again being broken when they come to any perfection or growth , they get themselves out of dores into the clear light , and at two days end will be able to flie round about . the philosopher maketh two kindes of wasps , the one wilde and fell , the other more meek and quiet . the wilder sort is seldom seen , for they live and breed in mountains and woods , in oke-trees , and not in the earth , and this kinde is greater , blacker , more diversly coloured , and stingeth more cruelly then the other . after they have lived one whole year , they are seen to flie away , if in the winter the tree be cut down . these kinde of wasps i did once see in a wood in essex , where going unwarily to gather simples with another physitian , and offending one of this furish generation , the whole swarm of them presently rushed forth about mine ears , and surely had i not had in my hand some sprigs or branches of broom for my defence , i had undoubtedly paid dearly for this my unadvisednesse , if it had not cost me my life , for they pursued me in every place of the wood , with a vehement rage for a long season , insomuch that i was fain to take me to my heels , and so to seek to save my self from further danger . and if our own countryman sir francis drake himself had been there , although he was ( as meteranus a stranger , ( and so unpartial ) in his belgick history right truly observed , ) omnium ducum nostri seculi fortissimus ac famosissimus , yet i make no doubt , but he would have taken my part , and been a companion with me in this my fearful flight . some of these wasps , as well those of the crueller kinde as those of the gentler , do lack a sting , ( or rather i think they use it not . ) othersome again of both sorts , are furnished with stings , and those that want them , are ever the lesser and weaker , neither revenging themselves any way , nor offering to make resistance . contrariwise , those who have stings are greater , stronger , more quarrellous contentious , stubborn and eager . some account these the males , and those other stinglesse to be the females . many of those which have stings , do forgoe and quite lose them when winter draweth on , as some make reckoning , but it was never my hap to see this , saith the philosopher in his . book de hist . animal . capit . . if you catch a wasp , holding her fast by the feet , suffering her to make her usual humming sound , you shall have all those that lack stings presently come flying about you , which the stinged wasps never are seen to do . therefore some hold this as a good reason , to prove that the one should be the male , the other the female . both these sorts , both wilde and unwilde , have been seen to couple toger after the manner of flies . besides , ( in respect of sex ) both kindes of wasps are divided into captains or ring-leaders , and into labourers : those former are ever greater in quantity , and of more calm disposition ; these other , both lesser , more froward , testy , peevish , and divers . the males of labourers , never live one whole year out , but all of them die in the winter time , which is evident by this , because in the very beginning of cold weather , they are as it were frozen or benummed , and in the depth or midst of hard winter , a man shall hardly or never see any of them . but yet for all that , their dukes or principal chieftains , are seen all the winter long to lie hid in their lurking holes under the earth : and indeed many men when they plowed or broke up the ground , and digged in winter , have found of this sort . but as for the labouring wasp , i never as yet heard of any that could finde them . their principal or captain , is broader , thicker , more ponderous and greater then the male wasp , and so not very swift in flight , for the weightinesse of their bodies is such an hinderance to them , that they cannot flie very far : whereby it cometh to passe , that they ever remain at home in their hives , there making and devising their combes , of a certain glutinous matter or substance , brought unto them by the work-wasps : thus spending their time in executing and doing all those duties that are meet , intheir cells . wasps are not long lived , for their dukes ( who live longest , ) do not exceed two years . and the labouring , that is the male wasps , together with autumn , make an end of their days . yea which is more strange , whether their dukes or captains of the former year , after they have ingendered and brought forth new sprung up dukes , do die , together with the new wasps , and whether this do come to passe after one and the self same order , or whether yet they do and may live any longer time , divers men do diversly doubt . all men hold the wilder kinde to be more strong of nature , and to continue and hold out the longer . for why , these other making their nests neer unto common high-ways and beaten paths , do live in more hazard , lie open to divers injuries , and so more subject to shortnesse of life . the brevity of their life , is after a sort recompensed , and some part of amends made by the rare clammy glewishnesse of the same : for if you separate their bulks from the head , and the head from the breast , they will live a long while after , and thrust out their sting almost as strongly as if they were undivideable , and free from hurt and deaths harm . apollonius calleth wasps omotoroi , and aristotle , meloboroi ; although they do not only feed on raw flesh , but also on pears , plums , grapes , raisins , and on divers and sundry sorts of flowers and fruits ; of the juyce of elms , sugar , honey , and in a manner of all things that are seasoned , tempered , made pleasant , or prepared with either of these two last rehearsed . pliny in his . book capit . . is of opinion that some wasps , especially those of the wilder and feller kinde , do eat the flesh of serpents , which is the cause that death hath sometimes ensued of their poysonous stinging . they also hunt after great flies , not one whit sparing the harmlesse bees , who by their good deeds have so well deserved . according to the nature of the soyl and place , they do much differ in their outward form and fashion of their body , and in the manner of their qualities and dispositions of their minde : for the common wasps being acquainted , and familiarly used to the company of men and beasts , are the gentler ; but the hermites and solitary wasps are more rude , churlish , and tempestuous : yea nicander tearmeth them oloous , that is , pernicious . they are also more unhappy , dangerous , and deadly in very hot countries , as ovidius reporteth , and namely in the west-indies : where both in their magnitude and figure , there is great difference betwixt theirs and ours , so that they are accounted far more poysonous and deadly , then either the english , french , spanish , or barbarian wasps . some of these dangerous generation do also abound in exceeding cold countries , as olaus magnus in his . book telleth us . their use is great and singular : for besides that they serve for food to those kind of hawks which are called kaistrels or fleingals , martinets , swallows , owls , to brocks or badgers , and to the camelion : they also do great pleasure and service to men sundry ways , for the kill the phalangium , which is a kinde of venomous spider , that hath in all his legs three knots or joynts , whose poyson is perilous and deadly , and yet wasps do cure their wounds . raynard the fox likewise , who is so full of his wiles and crafty shifting , is reported to lie in wait to betray wasps after this sort . the wily thief thrusteth his bushy tail into the wasps nest , there holding it so long until he perceive it to be full of them , then drawing it slily forth , he beateth and smiteth his tail full of wasps against the next stone or tree , never resting so long as he seeth any of them alive ; and thus playing his fox like parts many times together , at last he setteth upon their combes , devouring all that he can finde . pliny greatly commendeth the so litary wasp to be very effectual against a quartain ague , if you catch her with your left hand , and tie or fasten her to any part of your body , ( always provided , that it must be the first wasp that you lay hold on that year ) mizaldus memor . cent. . attributeth great vertue to the distilled water , and likewise to the decoction of common wasps , affirming expresly , that if any part be therewith anointed , it straight ways causeth it to swell monstrously , and to be pussed up , that you would imagine them to be sick of a dropsie : and this course crafty drabs and queans use to perswade their sweet hearts , that they are forsooth with childe by them : thus many times beguiling and blinding the eyes of wary and expert midwives . whereupon we may very confidently conclude , that their poyson is very hot , flatulous or windy . some do prole after wasps , and kill them by other sleights and devises . for when the labourers do much use and frequent elms , which they do very often about the summer solstice , to gather from them some gummy and clammy matter , their dukes and princes being at home , not standing still , but setling themselves to their businesse or trade , and helping to hatch up their young , they are suddenly choked with the fume of brimstone , garlick , the branches of coleworts , or other pot-herbs , or else by breaking down and overthrowing their combes , they dye through famine . when you are minded to defend the bees from the invasion and spoil of wasps , you must set a pot with some pieces of flesh in it neer the hive , and when the wasps ( in hope of some prey ) are entered , suddenly clap over the cover , and so destroy them ; or else by pouring in some hot water at the top , you may scald them all to death in the pot . in like sort ; some do gently breath upon raisins , fruits , sugar , honey , oyl , by which , either the wasps are chased away or by tasting the oyl do die . and again , some do mix corrosives with honey , ( as for example , sublimate , vitriol , auripigmentum , &c. ) that they by taking this venomous or poyson infected drink , may suffer condign punishment for their intemperate and insatiable gluttony . of the stinging of wasps there do proceed divers and sundry accidents , passions and effects , as pain , disquieting , vexation , swelling , rednesse , heat , sweatings , disposition or will to vomit , loathing and abhorring of all things , exceeding thirstinesse , and now and then fainting or swounding ; especially when after the manner of venomous creatures , they have infected their stings either by tasting the flesh of some serpents , or by gathering their food from venomous plants . i will now set before your eyes and ears one late and memorable example of the danger that is in wasps , of one allens wife , dwelling not many years since at lowick in northamptonshire , which poor woman resorting after her usual manner in the heat of the summer to drayton , the lord mordams house , being extreamly thirsty , and impatient of delay , finding by chance a black jack or tankard on the table in the hall , she very inconsiderately and rashly set it to her mouth , never suspecting or looking what might be in it , and suddenly a wasp in her greedinesse passed down with the drink , and stinging her , there immediately came a great tumor in her throat with a rednesse puffing and swelling of all the parts adjacent ; so that her breath being intercepted , the miserable wretch whirling herself twice or thrice round , as though she had had some virtiginy in her brath , presently fell down and dyed . and this is known for a truth , not only to me , but to most of the inhabitants thereabouts , being as yet fresh in their memories , and therefore their authorities as i take it , is unreproveable . now , for fear lest i should lose my self in this troublesome and vast ocean of natures admirable fabricature , i will now discourse of such medicinal means , as will defend from their furious malice . the vertue of mallows , and of althea , ( called marsh-mallow ) is notable against the prickings of wasps . for the softest and most emollient herb , is applyed as a contrary to a warlike and hurtful creature , whose juyce being anointed with oyl , either abateth the rage of wasps , or so blunteth and dulleth their sting , that the pain is not very sharp or biting . pliny lib. . copit . . and of the same minde is avicen : wasps ( saith he ) will not come near any man if he be anointed with oyl and the juyce of mallows . for as a soft answer doth frangere iram , and as the grecians have a saying , edus megiston estin orges pharmakon logos : so also in natural philosophy we see , that hard things are quailed , and their edge even taken off with soft and suppling : as iron with a fine , small , and soft feather , the adamant stone with bloud , and the sting of wasps , hornets and bees , with oyl and mallows . what is softer then a caterpiller ? and yet if aetius credit be of sufficience , the same being beaten with oyl , and anointed upon any part preserveth the same from the wounds and stings of wasps . and of the same vertue is the herb called balm , being stamped and mixed with oyl . the same symptomes or accidents do follow the stinging of wasps , as of bees , but far more painful , and of longer continuance , to wit , rednesse , and intolerable pain , and apostumes . and if any be strucken of the orange or yellow coloured wasps , especially in a sinewy or some sensible part , there will follow a convulsion , weaknesse of the knees , swounding , yea , and sometimes death , as before i have touched . against the stinging of wasps divers medicines are prescribed by physitians , but i will speak of such only as i have made proof of , and such as are confirmed by long experience . gilbert the englishman , saith , that wasps being bruised and applyed to the place affected , do cure their own wounds very strangely . the same vertue peradventure , not only the scorpion , but the greater part of insects have , if any one would make any diligent trial thereof . if a man be stinged of any venomous wasps ( which is easily known by the blewnesse of the place , madnesse , raving and fainting of the party , and coldnesse of the hands and feet ) after you have given him inwardly some alexipharmacal medicine , the place agrieved must be lanched , or rather opened with a cautery , so being thus enlarged and opened , the venom must be well sucked out , and the paring or shaving of that earth wherein the wasps build their nests , must be wrought and kneaded with vinegar , and so applyed like a cataplasm . a plaister also made of willow-leaves , mallows , and the combe of wasps , is very medicinable for the same , as by the counsel of haly abbas i have experimented . the english northern men , do prepare most excellent emplaister worth gold , against all stings of wasps , only of that earth whereof their ovens are made , having vinegar and the heads of flyes commixed therewith let the place be very well rubbed with the juyce of citrals , and withall , let the party that is pained drink of the seed of marjoram beaten to powder the quantity of two drams : or thus , take of the juyce of marjoram two ounces of bole armony two drams , with the juyce of unripe grapes so much as is sufficient , make an emplaister . another . anoint the place with the juyce of purcelane , beets , or sweet wine , and oyl of roses , or with cows bloud , or with the seeds of the spirting or wilde cucumber ( called noli●me tangere ) beaten with some wine . thus far galen . barley meal wrought up with vinegar , and the milk or juyce of a fig-tree , brine , or sea-water , are excellent for these griess ( as dioscorides lib. cap. . writeth ) if the wound be often fomented , bathed , or soaked with any of them . to drink , give two drams of the young and tender leaves of bays with harsh wine , and if the part affected be only anointed with any of these , they are much available . in like sort the decoction of marsh-mallows drunk with vinegar and water , are much commended , and outwardly salt with calves fat : oyl of bays draweth out the poyson of wasps . the leaves of marsh-mallows ( as aetius saith ) being bruised and applyed , do perform the same . the juyce of rue or balm , about the quantity of two or three ounces drunk with wine , and the leaves being chewed and laid on with honey and salt , or with vinegar and pitch , do help much . water-cresses , rosemary , with barley meal , and water with vinegar sod together , the juyce of by leaves , marigolds , the bloud of an owl , all these are very effectual against the stingings of wasps : as pliny lib. . cap. . telleth us ; the buds of the wilde palm-tree , endive with the root , and wilde thyme being applyed plaister-wise do help the stinging of wasps . after the venom is drawn out by sucking , the place affected must be put into hot water the space of an hour , and then suddenly they must be thrust into vinegar and brine , and forthwith the pain will be asswaged , the tumor cease , and the malice of the venomous humor clean extinguished . rhazes saith , that the leaves of night-shade , or of sengreen , do very much good in this case . and in like sort bole armony with vinegar and camphire , and nuts beaten with a little vinegar and castoreum . also take the combe with honey applying to the place , and hold the grieved place neer the fire immediately , and laying under them a few ashes , binde them hard , and forthwith the pain will be swaged . serapio saith , that savory , or cresses applyed , and the seed thereof taken in drink , and the juyce of the lesser centory mixt with wine , are very meet to be used in these griefs ; he also commendeth for the same purpose the leaves of basil , the herb called mercury , and mandrakes , with vinegar . ardoynus is of opinion , that if you take a little round ball of snow , and put it into the fundament , the pain will cease , especially that which proceedeth by wasps . let the place be anointed with vinegar and camphire , or often fomented and bathed with snow-water . take of opium , of the seed of henbane and camphire , of each alike much , and incorporate them with rose-water , or the juyce of willows , and lay it upon the wounded place , applying on the top a linnen cloth , first throughly wetted in wine . johannes mesue ( who of some is called evangelista medicorum ) prescribed this receipt of the juyce of sisimbrium two drams and a half , and with the juyce of tartcitrons make a potion . the juyce also of spina arabica , and of marjoram are nothing inferiour to these forementioned . aaron would in this grief have water lintels ( called by some ducks meat ) to be stamped with vinegar , and after to be applyed . constantine assureth us , that alcama tempered with barley meal and vinegar , and so bound to the place , as also nuts , leaves of wall-nuts , and bleets , are very profitable in this passion . item , apply very warm to the wound a spiders web , bruised with a white onion , and sufficient salt and vinegar , will perfectly cure it . guil. placentinus will warrant , that a plate of cold iron laid upon the wound , or lead steeped in vinegar , will do the deed . gordonius counsel is to rub the place with sage and vinegar , and afterwards to foment it with water and vinegar sod together . varignana would have us to apply chalk in powder , and inwardly to take the seeds of mallows boiled in wine , water , and a little vinegar . matthiolus much commendeth sperage being beaten and wrought up with honey , to anoint the place . likewise flies beaten and anointed on the place , winter savory , water-cresses , with oyl of momerdica , give most speedy help . arnoldus villanovanus assureth us , that any fresh earth , especially fullers earth , is very available , and the herb called poley , used as an unguent , or else goats milk . and marcellus empirious is not behinde his commendations for the use of bullocks dung , to be applyed as a poultesse to the stinged part . these and many others may any man ascribe that hath had but an easie tast of the infinity of physicks speculation , for the store-house of nature , and truly learned physitians , which way soever you turn you , will minister and give sufficient store of alexiterial medicines for the expulsing of this grief . in conclusion one and the self same medicament will serve indifferently for the curation of wasps and bees , saving that when we are stung with wasps more forcible remedies are required , and for the hurts that bees do us , then weaker and gentler are sufficient . in the hundreth and nintieth year before the birth of our blessed saviour , an infinite multitude of waspes came flying into the market place at capua , ( as julius witnesseth ) and lighted on the temple of mars , all which when with great regard and diligence they were gathered together and solemnly burnt , yet for all that they presignified the coming of an enemy , and did as it were fore-tell the burning of the city , which shortly after came to passe . and thus much for the history of the wasp . of hornets . a hornet is called of the hebrews , tsirbah . of the arabians , zabar , and zambor . of the germans , ein hornauss , horlitz , froisin , ofertzwuble . of the flemings , horsele . of the frenchmen , trellons , fonlons . of the italians , calauron , crabrone , scaraffon , and galanron . of the spaniards , tabarros ò moscardos . of the illyrians , irssen . of the sclavonians , sierszen . of us englishmen , hornets , and great wasps . the grecians call them anthrénas , and anthrenoùs , because with their sting they raise an anthrar or carbuncle , with a vehement inflamation of the whole part about it . the latines call them crabrones , peradventure of crabra , a town so named in the territory of tusculanum , where there is great plenty of them : or it may be they are tearmed crambrones of caballus ( a horse ) of whom they are first engendered : according to that of ovid , . metamorphos . pressus humo bellator equus crabronis origo est . that is to say ; when war-horse dead upon the earth lies , then doth his flesh breed hornet flies . albertus tearmeth a hornet apis citrina , that is a yellow or orange coloured bee. cardan laboureth much to prove that dead mules are their first beginners . plutarch is of opinion , that they first proceed from the flesh of dead horses , as bees do out of a bulls belly : and i think that they have their breeding from the harder , more firm and solid parts of the flesh of horses , as wasps do from the more tender or soft . hornets are twice so great as the common wasps , in shape and proportion of body much resembling one another . they have four wings , the inward not being half so large as the outward , being all joyned to their shoulders , which are of a dark , brownish , and of a chestnut-like colour , these wings are the cause of their swift flight : they have also six feet of the same colour and hew , that their breast and shoulders are of . there is somewhat long , of the colour of saffron , their eyes and looks are hanging or bending downwards , crooked and made like a half moon , from which grow forth two peaks like unto sithes or two sickles , nothing varying in colour from their feet . their belly is as though it were tyed to their shoulders with a very fine thred , the forward and middle part whereof is overcast with a brown colour , and begirt as it were with a girdle of saffron . the hinder part is altogether yellow , easily discerned and remarkable for those brown pricks or specks , every one of them being much like unto a small triangle , besides they have certain clefts or slits on both sides , both before and behinde , by which they can at their pleasure when they list , either shrink up themselves , or draw and gather themselves together , and with the same again lengthen and stretch out their bodies . they have also neer to their belly on both sides four black spots , and in their tail they are armed with a strong piercing sting , and the same very venomous . they make a sound or a buzzing strange noise , morehideous and dreadful then wasps do . they are shrewd , fierce and cruel , quickly angry and wrathful , and although they live in companies together , yet notwithstanding they are ever known to be but of an homely , rude , curst , and untractable disposition and nature , and will never be brought by any art or fashioning to lay aside their uplandish wildenesse , ( as some herbs will do that are transplanted into gardens . ) they are besides this of such a mischievous malignity and venomous quality , that as some affirm , nine of their stings will kill a man , and three times nine will be able to kill a strong horse ; especially at the rising of the dog-star , and after , at which time they have a more fiery , hasty , and inflaming nature , and men at that season , by reason of their large exaltation and sending forth of spirits , grow more weak and faint . and therefore it is no marvail though in holy scripture , they are compared or likened to most fierce and cruel enemies , which should put and cast forth the canaanites , plittites , and chevites , exod. . . so likewise ovid in the eleventh book of his metamorphos . hath these words , spicula carbtonum ardentia , the burning stings of hornets : and virgil in the fourth book of his georgicks , calleth them asperrima , most sharp and violent . terence ( the most eloquent of all comical poets ) in his comedy intituled phormio , and plautus in his amphitryo , have this proverb , irritavi crabrones , i have provoked or incensed the great wasps to anger : which i suppose they used as a by-word against the properties , natures , and froward behaviours of women , who being in their wonted furnish mood , if once you go about to overthwart them , or a little to contrary their wilfulnesse , you shall pull an old house over your own head by a further provocation , and perhaps if you get you not the sooner out of their sight and reach of their clutches , you may chance have somewhat more flying about you ears then you would . it is good therefore if you have a wife , that is calcato immitior hydra , unquiet and contentious , to let her alone , not to wake an angry dog : and when a mischief is well quieted and brought asleep , to go your ways and say never a word . whereas among bees , their drones and kings do want stings ; yea , and some wasps too , as before i have writ : yet notwithanding all hornets in general , as well the greater sort of them that build their houses in trees , as the lesser sort that dwell in the earth , are provided of stings , neither do their ring-leader seem to be unarmed . for wasps have their presidents of their own society , and their captains general as well as bees and wasps , whatsoever pliny lib. . cap. . dream to the contrary : which in proportion and quantity are far greater ( if you respect the bodies of other hornets ) then either the captains of the bees and wasps are in comparison of their subjects . these also spend their time within doors , as the captain of wasps do , not having many but one head to guide and rule over them , lest by banding into parties and factions , some civill war ( wherein all things are miserable , as tully saith ) or other mutiny might arise to their final destruction . they are great vexers and troublers , and even like such as had sworn the death of their enemies , robbers , and theeves : and yet at home they nourish peace , excelling even the very bees themselves in their painful , earnest , and willing desire to maintain their stock and common society . for neither do they chide , braul , or contend , nor yet make any stir or rustling when any is promoted to any office or place of preferment in their corporation ; neither are they distracted into divers mindes with their businesses , neither yet do they raise any tumult , make any uprore , or keep a coil or ruffling at the election of their prince and captain general , but with common consent they use but one table , taking their commons together like good friends and fellows , and whatsoever they kill , they carry some part of it home , frankly imparting it to their neighbors , children , and companions . neither do they yearly drive and expel forth of the doors to seek new habitations , where they can , ( as some bees deal very churlishly and unnatural with their young ) but they contrarywise in their bosome defend and keep warm their new springed up progeny and race , building for them greater houses , and raising of moe sellers and flores , bording and planking the same in case of necessity , never ceasing till they be fully rear'd and made fit for defence and safety . but as for their king and captain ( whom they exceedingly honor and highly esteem ) they make choyce of such a one , as neither seemeth to be a king without a kingdom , nor a prince without people and possessions , and yet he so behaveth himself , and carryeth himself so evenly , as though he had but little to do in this his empire . and yet in largenesse of body and greatnesse of his heart , in stoutnesse and statelinesse of stomach and person , he staineth all the rest , carrying away the prize from them all : and when there is proclamation of war to be made against any forain foes , and that their flags and ancients be displayed by sounding his deadly blast , he giveth defiance to his enemies , most couragiously bestirring himself more then any of his followers , shewing himself both most vehement , warlike , and skilful in fight , and yet again at home towards his subjects , ( like a true noble spirit ) he is very gracious , gentle , and temperate , tractable , easie to be ●ntreated , and most ready to forgive . they make for themselves certain holes or dwelling places under the ground , casting forth the earth much after the fashion of pismires : for you must understand that neither wasps nor hornets do send forth any swarms as bees do , but those young hornets which spring from them now and then , do there remain among their breeders , making their beds or hives much greater , by means of the earth formerly cast out . they enlarge their combes exceedingly , by adding more and more unto them , so that of a strong and healthy stock of hornets , it hath been known they have gathered three or four trays or baskets full of combes . if any hornets stray from their own home , they repair to some tree , and there in the top of it make their combes , so that one many times may very easily and plainly perceive them , and in these they breed one captain general , or great commander , who when he is grown to be great , he carryeth away the whole company , placing them with him in some convenient lodging . wilde hornets ( as pliny saith ) do live in the hollow trunks or cavities of trees , there keeping themselves close all the winter long , as other cut-wasts do . their life is but short , for they never exceed the age of two years . their combes are wrought with greater cunning , more exquisite art ; and curious conceit , then those either of wasps or bees , and these excellent devisers do make them one while in the trunks of trees , and sometimes again in the earth , encreasing them at their pleasure with more floors and buildings , according to the encrease of their issue , making them smooth and bright , decking and trimming them with a certain tough or binding slime or gelly gathered from the gummy leaves of plants . neither do any of the little mouths or entries of their cells look upwards , but every one bendeth downwards : and the bottom is placed upwards , lest either the rain might soke through them in long showers , or the head of them being built upwards , they might lie open and be the more subject , and exposed to the unruly rage and furious blasts of windes and storms . if you eye well their nests , you shall finde them all for the most part exactly sexangular or six cornered , the outward form and fashion whereof is divided with a murry coloured partition : and their membranous substance is much like unto the rinde or bark of birch , which in the parching heat of summer cleaveth and openeth it self into chaps . the stinging of wasps is for the most part accompanyed with a fever , causing withal a carbuncle , swelling , and intolerable pain . i my self being at duckworth in huntingtonshire , my native soyl , i saw on a time a great wasp or hornet making after , and fiercely pursuing a sparrow in the open street of the town , who at length being wounded with her sting , was presently cast to the ground , the hornet satisfying her self with the sucked bloud of her quelled prey , to the exceeding admiration of all the beholders and considerers of this seldom seen combate . aristotle , whom i so greatly reverence , and at whose name i do even rise and make curtesie , knows not of a surety how hornets do engender , nor after what manner they bring forth their young breed . but since we are assured of this , that they bring forth their young by the sides of their cells , as wasps and bees , we need not doubt , but that they do all other matter after their manner , and if they couple together , they do it by night , as cats do , or else in some secret corner , that argus with his hundred eyes can never espy it . hornets gather meat not from flowers , but for the most part they live upon flesh , whereby it cometh to passe , that you shall often finde them even in the very dunghils , or other ordure . they also proul after great flyes , and hunt after small birds , which when they have caught into their clutches , after the manner of hungry hawks , they first wound them in the head , then cutting it asunder , or parting it from the shoulders carrying the rest of the body with them , they betake themselves to their accustomed flight . the greater sort of them die in the hard winter , because they store not themselves sufficiently aforehand with any sustenance as bees do , but make their provision but from hand to mouth , as hunger enforceth them , as aristotle enformeth us . in like sort landius hath well observed , that hornets both day and night keep watch and ward besides the hives of bees , and so getting upon the poor bees backs , they use them instead of a waggon or carriage : for when the silly bee laboureth to be discharged of his cruel sitter : the hornet when he hath sucked out all his juyce , and clean bereft him of all his moisture , vigour and strength , like an unthankful guest and the most ingrateful of all winged creatures , he spareth not to kill , and eat up his fosterate and chief maintainer . they feed also upon all sweet , delicious , and pleasant things , and such as are not untoothsome and bitter , and the indian hornets are so ravenous , and of such an insatiate glutt only ( as ovidius reporteth ) that they flie upon oyl , butter , greasie cooks , all sorts of sharp sawce used with meats , and all moist and liquid things , not sparing the very napkins and table clothes , and other linnen that is any way soiled , which they do filthily contaminate with the excrements of their belly , and with their viscous laying of their egges . but as they get their living by robbery , and purloining of that which others by the sweat of their brows , by their own proper wits and invention , and without the aid and help of any do take great pains for : so again they want not revenge to punish , and a provost marshal to execute them for their wrongful dealings : tearmed of some a gray , brock , or badger , who in the full of the moon maketh forcible entrance into their holes or lurking places , destroying and turning topsie-turvy in a trice their whole stock , family , and linage , with all their houshold stuffe and possessions . neither do they only minister food to this passing , profitable , and fat beast , but they serve in stead of good almanacks to countrey people , to foretel tempests and change of weather , as hail , rain , and snow for if they flie about in greater numbers , and be oftner seen about any place , then usually they are wont , it is a signe of heat and fair weather the next day . but if about twilight they are observed to enter often their nests , as though they would hide themselves , you must the next day expect rain , winde , or some stormy , troublesome or boysterous season : whereupon avienus hath these verses ; sic & crabronum rauca agmina si volitare fine sub autumni conspexeris aethere longo , i am verspertinos primos cum commovet ortus virgilius , pelago dices instare porcellam . in english thus ; so if the buzzing troups of hornets hoarse to flie , in spacious air bout autumns end you see , when virgil star the evening lamp espie , then from the sea some stormy tempest sure shall be . furthermore , since it is most certain that those remedies which do heal the stingings of wasps , do also help those wounds and griefs which hornets by their cruel stinging cause , yet notwithstanding , as aggregator hath pronounced , the zabor is the bezoar , or proper antidote of his own hurt , if he be oftentimes applyed with vinegar and water , oyl and cow-dung tempered together . in like sort all manner of soils and earths that are miry and muddy , are much commended in this case , such as bacohus applyed to bald selenus , who was wounded with hornets , when longing for a little honey , he jogged and shaked their nests , thinking he had lighted upon some bees honey , which ovid most elegantly . fastorum hath described in these verses ; millia crabronum coëunt , & vertice nudo spicula defigunt , oraque prima notant . ille cadit praeceps , & calce feritur aselli : inclamat socios , auxiliumque vocat . concurrunt satyri , turgentiaque era parentis rident , percusso claudicat ille genu . ridet & ipse deus , limumque inducere monstrat ; hic paret monitis ; & linit ora luto . in english thus ; of hornets thousands on his head full bare , and on his face their poyson'd spears stick fast , then headlong down he fell , and asses foot him smote , whiles he for help his voyce to fellows cast . the satyres flock came run apace , and did deride their sires swollen mouth , whiles asse had made him lame . the god himself did laugh , yet shewed an earth to hide the wound which he received ; and so did heal the same . if any one be desirous of moe medicines against the perillous and transpiercing stinging of these horn-mad hornets , he shall finde store of them digested together in the history of wasps : for their remedies are common , belonging as well to the one as to the other , there being no other difference but this , that here they must be given in a greater measure or quantity , and their use ought longer to be continued . and let this suffice to have spoken thus much of such insects or cut-wasted vermine as are winged , and live in companies and routs together . now will i make choice to describe such as are winged and live solitarily , lest i should seem to lose my self in this troublesome and vast ocean of physical contemplation . of cantharides or spanish flies . this kinde of cut-wast is called of the grecians , kantharis , and among the latines it changeth not his name . of the frenchmen , cantaride . of the italians , cantarella . of the spaniards , cubillo . of the germans , grune kefer , goldkaefer . amongst the belgics or netherlanders , it is termed spaensche vlieghe ; and of us english men , cantharides , and spanish flies . i have seen two sorts of cantharides , the one great , and the other small . of the greater sort some are thick , and long bodyed , which are found among wheat , and these are thick , grosse , and unwieldy , like unto beetles , they are also of sundry colours , and changeable hew , with golden streeks or lines crossing their wings , and these are best to be used in physick . they of the other lesser kinde , are lean and thin scrags and starvelings , broad , hairy , heavy , and sluggish , and for physical uses little worth . the greater sort also are not always of a glistering green colour , but otherwhiles you shall have them somewhat reddish or murrey coloured , but yet all of them of a glittering brightnesse , and marvellous shining glosse , piercing the eyes with singular delight . the lesser sort are not so common as the greater , somewhat differing from them in shape and proportion of body , but in vertue , quality , and manner of breeding , there is no disagreement at all to be found . those of the lesser sort have their bodies and heads somewhat long and hooked , their eyes very black , and hanging out , their wings growing out from the midst of their loyns , being marked with two silver speeks or pricks , and some few white spots . they are commonly found in the summer season , in the herb that is called gicutaria , or wilde hemlock . their feet and legs are very small and long , finely decked and garnished , as it were with a vermillion red , or beautiful purple . there is also another sort of these answerable to the former , in colour of their bodies in every respect , saving that their eyes are green : their head very little ; and the hinder part of their shoulders round and crooked . the third sort have their head and shoulders all one , being so closely and confusedly joyned together , as if they were but one thing and could not by any means be separated , unlesse in imagination , and these are of a rusty colour , and their small pink eyes as black as jet , their wings as well as their heads are nothing differing in colour , saving that their wings do glister with some strakes of the colour of gold , their feet also are short , and as black as pitch . the fourth is very like to the third sort , but it is rather of a greenish , then of a rusty iron colour , but in all other respects there is no difference to be seen , saving in their magnitude , for this last described is the least of them all . but these kindes of cantharides as well the greater as the lesser , do first proceed not from any beasts , as some have thought , but they rather take their original from some rotten , stinking , and corrupt moisture and siccity , titectai gar en tois toon puroon leiois kai tais ageirais , kai tous sukais proseti to toon kantharidoon phulon , the meaning whereof is , that the whole stock and kindred of cantharides do bring forth or lay their young in the vile , base , and imperfect force of heat or warmth : and further in moist figs , as aelianus in his ninth book and thirty nine chapter , word for word hath exscribed out of aristotle . they do also breed from a certain little worm which is found in the sponge of the dog-bryer ( called of the physitians bedeguar ) and from caterpillers of the fig-tree , popler , pear-tree , ash , olive-trees and roses : for in all these there be found certain worms , the very founders and parents of cantharides , but yet in the white rose these worms are of much lesser force , power , and sufficiency , then in the former . cantharides do couple together and generate , but yet not any living creature of their own kinde , but only a little small worm . they feed upon all manner of pulse and corn , but especially wheat , and then they are best for medicinal uses . the smell like unto tar , and in their taste they much resemble the cedar-tree , as nicander reporteth . their vertue and quality is to burn the body , to parch and to bring a hard scale or crustinesse upon any part they shall be applyed to , or as dioscorides saith , to gnaw or eat into , to raise blisters , exulcerate and raise an inflammation , for which respect , they mix them with such medicaments as are appointed to heal leprosies , any dangerous tetters and ring-worms , or those that be cancrous . they are applyed to hard , scurvy , or mangy nails , being first tempered with some fit plaisters or cerotes tending to the same purpose , taking them so clean away , that they fall off by the roots . some use also to temper them with such convenient medicines as are warranted to take away warts , corns , or any hard knobs or pieces of flesh growing in the hands or feet . some again use to pulverise cantharides , and then mixing them with tar , do make an unguent to cure the falling away of the hair , or the shedding of it , either in the head or beard , but herein there must be good advice required , lest at any time by their caustick faculty they exulcerate too deep into the flesh . cantharides mingled with lime , serve in stead of a pen-knife to eradicate and take away those little hard and red swellings rising chiefly in the crown of the head , armpits , or privy parts , called of some physitians pani : and some there be again that will adventure a little of them in powder , to give with such medicines whose property is to provoke urine : but yet there is hard hold and tough reasoning on both sides , whether they ought to be given inwardly with diuretikes or no , considering that being so drunk , they are accounted amongst strong poysons , tormenting the bladder without any ceasing : othersome again hold the contrary , assuring us upon their own experience , that not exceeding their due quantity , they may be taken with other correctories , to serve as a retricle to transport them to the place affected , so that you see either side hath his strength and reasons . justa pari premitur veluti cum pondere libra , prona nec hac plus parte sedet , nec surgit ab isla . that is to say ; as when an even scale with equal weight is prized , nor falls it down this way , or is it that way raised . but being mingled and wrought up with the juyce of vna taminea , ( which is a kinde of berry , growing on the herb called ampelos angria , a kinde of briony ) sheeps or goats sewet , there is no doubt but that they do great good . some of my masters ( s●ith galen , the prince of all physitians next to hippocrates ) did use to put cantharides amongst such medicines as they prepared to move urine , taking only their wings with the feet , but i ( saith he ) am wont to take cantharides wholly , as well as some parts of them , and so i judge them the more safe to be used and prepared this way , especially i misse not to make choyce of such are found among corn , and have as it were a yellow circle or enclosure crossing overthwart their wings , lib. . lib. & . de simplie . facult . being applyed rightly , they do also provoke the monthly terms , and that very eff 〈…〉 ually , and put into antidotes , they are thought of many to help hydropical persons , as not only hippecrates and dioscorides , but also galen , avicenna , rhazes , pliny , and other physitians of best note and worth have witnessed : i cannot here sufficiently enough commend their assured , tryed , and approved use , being commixed with leaven , salt , and gum ammoniacum , for the diversion of rhumes or catarrhs , the taking away of all goutish pains , out of the hanch or hip ( called the sciatica of the popular sort ) whilest they draw forth and consume from the center of the body , ( being there throughly and deeply impacted ) to the surface the matter or offending humours causing these griefs above said . they are also good against the venom of a salamandra , as pliny in his . book , and . chapter assureth us . they are also highly esteemed of some , being duly prepared and orderly mixed with certain other medicines , to take away and correct the remisse negligence , falling-faintnesse , and heartlesse casting down of the virile part , yea they do ( as they say ) very much provoke to venerous incitements . but here i would counsel each one not to be knack-hardy bold , in medling with them , for these or the like intentions : for as they bring both health and help , being duly commixed , and orderly tempered , not exceeding their dose and first quantity ; so again , if you fail in their due and skilful application or propination , they induce and drive men into most intolerable grievous symptomes and accidents , and otherwhiles to death it self . john langius setteth down a true and very pleasant story , which in this place , because it maketh greatly for our matter in hand , i will not refuse briefly to describe it . there was ( saith he ) at bonony in italy , a certain rich and noble young man of france , ( which gallus , to use his own words , was gallo quovis gallinaceo salacior ) who falling extreamly in love with a certain maid in the same city , prevailed so far at length through his earnest importunities and incessant sollicitations , that at length they appointed and agreed upon the time and place of their meeting , to keep their revels for one night . so this lusty gallant being thus insnared in the inextricable labyrinth of her beauteous phisnomy , fearing deadly , lest his heart should turn into liver , or that he might faint and lose his courage before he should attain to his journeys end ; in this his doubtful coaping , and dangerous skirmishing conflict , like a wise man fearing the worst , casting all dangers afore-hand what might ensue would needs know of a fellow-souldier , and countreyman of his , who had as one may guesse born a standard in the camp of venus , what were best to be done , to move him to a more vigorous courage , and to keep his credit for that time , lest either he should turn craven like an overtyred jade , or else be utterly non-suited , which was worst of all : who presently wished him to take some cantharides in his broath , which the other at all adventures forth-with did . but it was not long before this jolly yonker felt an itching about his lower parts , then being frolike above measure , supposed it to be the operation of his medicine that caused this colt-evil , he without any more ado hyed him to his love , minding there indeed to draw the matter to a set battel , and to end all controversies by dint of sword . tunc animis opus , acnea , tunc pectore firmo . in english thus ; of courage then indeed , then of stout breast is need . but yet for all this , in the still of the night , when every one besides were at rest , my restlesse frank felt his whole body to be pockily torn , and miserably rent with sundry cruel prickings and stingings , feeling moreover a strange tast in his mouth , like the juyce or liquor that issueth from the cedar tree , stamping and staring , raging and faring like a furious , mad , frantike bedlam , being almost besides himself through the extremity of his pain , virtiginy and giddinesse of his brain , with inclination to fainting or swounding : so being troubled , tost , and perplexed , all sad , melancholike and male-content , destitute of counsel and comfort , like a silly miser , and an impotent suiter , and not like a couragious hot-spur , he let his action fall , turning h●● back like a novice and fresh-water souldier , full sore against his will you may be sure , but there was no remedy , and so with as much speed as he could , bidding his love adiew , he trudged home to his own lodging ; whither being come , and finding no relief , but rather an encrease of his torments , with a continual burning of his urine and strangury , he lamentably besought , and with weeping and tears most humbly craved and cryed out for help , requiring the favour and furtherance , both of my self and of another physitian for the cure : so i being admitted to visit this poor patient , i first gave him some oyl to drink , thereby to provoke vomiting : then was there prepared a glyster , made of the herbs mercurialis , mallows , and the root of altheae decocted , wherein was dissolved cassia , with oyl of violets and lillies . after the administring of this , i commanded him to take a good draught of cows or goats milk once in every hours space , and if milk could not be had , then i willed him to take an almond milk made ex nucleis pineae , seeds of mellons , gourds , and poppy bruised with the distilled water of mallows , and alkeakengy , and this would i have given to him in good quantity in stead of the milk if it were wanting . but after that my fiery frenchman had recovered his former health with these and the like remedies , and that the unadvised author of this rash counsel had very humbly intreated pardon at our hands for this his great fault , he protested solemnly with a great oath , that he would never hereafter prescribe any physick to any man living . thus far johannes langius in his first book epistola . medicinal . forty eight . there is also very profitable use to be made of cantharides , for if you beat them to powder , and convey a little of it into apples , pears , plums , figs , peaches , or quinces ; especially those that be fairest and ripest , and those that hang the lowest , finely closing it up again with the pill , which if any theeves or robbers of orchards shall tast of , they fall within a while after into an intolerable burning in their urine and strangury , making it only in dropping wise , whereby their theft is soon found out , and they well rewarded with sowre sawce for their sweet meat : and this is an excellent night-spell , and therefore i was loath to pretermit it , but to make you acquainted withall . there is also another excellent medicinal use of cantharides , if they be duly , and according to true art administred , and with great warinesse for that passionate grievance , which at this time though some foolish physitians never heard tell of any such , i will call pessuli infirmitas , yet i may not set it down in english , because i would have but a few acquainted with secrets . habeo enim ego singulare quoddam contra penis languorem remedium , quo cum promiscuè uterer , utramque multis nobilibus ( qui veneris vulgo studiosiores videntur ) animos & vires adauxit absque noxa . vni tamen inter caeteros sic obsuit , ut à venere ( cui●n mium litârat ) sanguinem continuò mingeret , & lipothymia frequenti làboret . sanè nisi lactis copia in procinctu suisset ; emninò interiisset venireus pullus , & meritas salacitatis cupidinisq poenas luisset . and let this suffice to have spoken of their medicinal vertues and qualities ; now will i proceed to tell you of their ill name , naughty , venomous , and pernicious properties . they are reckoned and scored up in the number of most deadly and hurtful poysons , not only because they cause erosion and inflamation , but more in regard of their putrefactive quality and making rotten , wherein they exceed . their juyce being taken into the stomach , and so piercing into the veins , or laid upon the skin outwardly so long till it hath entred the veins , is a most strong poyson , where-upon ovid when he wished ill unto , or cursed his enemy , writ this ; cantharidum succos dante parente bibas . lib. trist . cicero ad parum , in his ninth book of his familiar epistles hath these words , catus accusante l. crasso , cantharidas sumpsisse dicitur , as if he purposed by that way to make an end of himself by death . galen in his third book de simplic . medicam . facult . writeth thus : if they be taken inwardly into the body , though but in small quantity , and mixed with other convenient correctories , they do mightily provoke urine , and sometimes corrode and fret the bladder , so that it is as clear as the noon-day , that what things soever do overthrow nature , by reason of their extreme frigidity , if they be taken but in a very small quantity , yet will nourish the body : so on the other side , whatsoever is contrary , repugneth or goeth against humane nature , by means of corrupting or any putrefactive quality like unto cantharides , can never do so . bartholomeus montegnana , a learned physitian , assureth us , that he once knew one francis bracca a citizen of padua in italy , who having but outwardly applyed cantharides to his knee , yet their poyson spreading to other inwards parts , he voided five pintes of bloud by way of urine : and this may any man see , if he will take the pains to read over montegnana consil . . cap. . the same accident hath also befaln them , who to be remedied of rough , hard , mangy , or leprielike nails , have adventured to apply them to their great toe . so that cantharides must not rashly be applyed and used , as common deceivers , blinde empericks , and cousening land-lopers would make plain countrey people believe . pliny relateth a story of one cossinus a roman knight , who was deerly beloved of nero the emperor , who having a very dangerous tetter ( a disease in times past peculiar to the people of egypt ) a physitian of that countrey in stead of curing , did kill him by giving him cantharides to drink . but i should rather think that cossinus dyed by the outward application of cantharides , because by their burning and caustick quality , they clean eat and consume away filthy tetters or ring-worms , manginesse , scurvinesse , lepries , and all hard callous warts , corns , or pieces of flesh that grow in the hands or feet ; for i can see no reason why any would be so wilfully blinde , as to give them inwardly for the curation of any tetters or such like griefs : or at leastwise i must think that the right use of cantharides was unknown to the ancient physitians of the old world , as by galen it may appear in his . book de simplic . med. fac . and in his fourth book de victu acut. the same pliny ( in his twenty nine book and fortieth chapter ) witnesseth , that cantharides were reproachfully laid to cato vticensis charge , and that he was sorely blamed for offering to make a price of poysons , and to sell them openly , as in port-sail to any that would give most , so that their price rose to threescore sesterties . being drunk in too large a quantity , or else applied outwardly to any part , either too long or too deep , they produce these or the like symptomes , accidents , and effects . the party to whom they are any way given , feeleth a pricking pain and torment in his bowels and inward parts , extending from the mouth down to the lower parts about the bladder , reins , and the places about the waste and short ribs : they do also ulcerate the bladder very dangerously , inflaming the yard , and all other parts neer the same with a vehement apostumation : after this , they pisse bloud , and little pieces of flesh . otherwhiles there will follow a great lask or bloudy-flix , fainting and swounding , a numnesse or dulnesse of moving or feeling , debilitation , or feeblenesse of the minde , with alienation of the wit , as though they were bestraught ; likewise lothing or abhorring of meat with a disposition to vo-miting , and often an ordinary desire to make water , and to exonerate nature , but all in vain . he that taketh them findeth in his mouth the tast or tallage of pitch : and all these symptomes , passions , or effects , that they work , have i with much labour faithfully collected out of the sixth book of dioscorides , and the first chapter . and out of galen lib. de theriaca ad pisonem cap. . and lib. . de temperam . cap. . and out of ancient rhazes ( who practised physick one hundred years , if truth be truly related ) tit. . chap. . if any one be either affected or infected with any accidents , by means of cantharides , dioscorides doth thus cure them , as you may readily finde in the book and chapter before cited . first of all he causeth them to vomit often and much : and after that he prescribeth glysters to be made for the scouring of the belly with nitre , and to preserve the bladder inwardly , to take milk and psyllum : and then he would have the matter of glysters to be somewhat different from those which were taken in the beginning : as namely to be made of barley water , marsh-mallows , the white of an egge , the musciling of line-seeds , water of rice , the decoction of fenugreek , hydromel , fat broaths , oyl of almonds , the fat of a goose , and the yelks of egges . and inwardly to take at the mouth , he biddeth them to use cows milk , hydromel , the grains or fruit of the pitch-tree , both the greater and the lesser sort , wine sod to the half , ducks fat , a decoction with some diuretical seeds ( namely with the four greater cold seeds , which are cucumbers , gourds , citrals , and melons ) and likewise some decoction made of figs , with syrup of violets . oyl of quinces is highly commended of some as a proper and special antidote in this case , and so is oyl of lillies , and terra samia . rhazes counsel is , after the taking of some glysters made of any fat broaths , to make an injection into the yard with oyl of roses , and the sick person to sit in a warm bath . tit. . chap. . the writers and authors of physick and philosophy cannot agree , in what part of the cantharides their poyson chiefly lurketh : for some will have it to be principally in the head and feet , and others again will none of that : and yet they all agree upon this point , that in what part of the body soever their poyson is seated , that their wings are a soveraign remedy and preservative , and if they be wanting , that their poyson is deadly : so that although they be never so poysonous , yet have they their own remedy which in themselves they contain and carry about : thus saith pliny in his . book and . chapter . and peradventure for the same cause , galen in his eleventh book , which he intituled de simplie . medicament . facultatibus , adviseth us expresly and learnedly , that cantharides should be taken whole as they are , and so to be used either for inward or outward uses . for why it is far better , even in the outward application of them , that they should more gently and slowly corrode , gnaw , or fret asunder , and that their burning vertue and quality should be a little corrected and weakened , then to perform their full effect to the great danger of the patient , and many times to his utter undoing and destruction . therefore they are clean out of the way , who when they would use them for any inward cause , do cast away their wings and feet , whereas indeed they ought to take all of them , not rejecting any one part of them . for being given whole , they need not so much any correctives to bridle and lessen their powerful operation in regard of their wings and feet , the proper resisters and expellers of their own or other poyson . the fafest course is to use all , and every part of them without exception , unlesse you would have them to corrode , fret , inflame , or burn any part . lycus neapolitanus is of opinion , that purcelane is their proper counter-poyson , which vertue pliny in his twentyeth book , chap. . ascribeth to the herb called wilde basil : who also many ways commendeth acetum scyliticum , oleum oenanthium , cows milk and brethes made of goats flesh for these intentions , in his . book , chapter the second and fourth , and likewise in his . book and tenth chapter . and for our history of cantharides , let this for this time suffice , which i much wonder that the famous learned gesner hath in such deep silence passed over , never so much as mentioning them : whereof notwithstanding so many authors , both of the ancients and neotericks , do so much ring . many moe authorities could i have alleadged concerning this my discourse of cantharides , but that i suppose it a labour as endlesse in toyl , as needlesse in use ; the one savouring of too much curiosity , the other of a frivolous affectation : so that i hope even amongst the whole college of physitians , wheresoever in england ( if their ears be not too dainty ) to finde some few grains of their good words , and such curteous construction , as that i may neither be charged with partiality of concealing ( where it is meet i should be mute ) nor be suspected of unsufficiency , for not pursuing where i can finde no good footing . of caterpillers , or palmer-worms , called of some cankers . now i am come to speak of caterpillers , sometimes the destroyers and wasters of egypt : as well in regard of the great difference that is found in their several sorts , as for their great dignity and use , wherein some of them are most notable and excellent . some think that eruca , which is englished a caterpiller , hath his derivation ab erodendo , which is not altogether improbable : for they gnaw off and consume by eating , both leaves , boughs , and flowers : yea , and some fruits also , as i have often seen in peaches . ovidius the famous poet , stileth them by the name of tineae agrestes : quaeque solent canis frondes intexere filis , agrestes tineae , res observata colonis , feraci mutant cum papilione figuram . in english thus ; and those wilde mothes by husbandmen observed , which fold themselves in hoary springing leaves , gainst force of famine , and storm to be preserved , a shape from fruitful butterflies receives . the grecians call a caterpiller kampe , by reason of his crooked winding or bending pace in waving sort , whereby in creeping they bow , wry , and lift up themselves . of the hebrews it is termed gbazain , because it sheareth , pilleth , and devoureth the fruits of the earth , as kimhi upon the first of joel writeth . the italians call it rugaverme , and brucho , for so marcellus virgilius upon dioscorides saith expresly , that in his time all the people of italy , named it erucae , bruchi . the spaniards term it oruga . the frenchmen , chenille , and chattepeleuse . of the english they are commonly called caterpillers , of what kinde soever they be of . but the english northern men , call the hairy caterpillers , oubuts , and the southern men usually term them palmer-worms . of the polonians it is called by the name of ruphansenka . in the german tongue ein raup . in the belgian , ruipe . of the illyrians , gasienica . and silvaticus will have it called certris , and cedebroa . if i should go about to describe and set down all the differences and varieties of caterpillers , i might perhaps undertake an endlesse and tedious labour . i think it therefore fittest to bend my slender skil , and to imploy my best forces , in speaking of such as are more notable and common with us in this countrey : for some of them in touching are rough , hard , and stiffe ; and othersome again , are soft , smooth , and very tender . some are horned either in the head or in the tail ; and again , others have no horns at all . some have many feet , and some fewer , & none at all have above sixteen feet . most of them have a bending swift pace , and like unto waves , and others again keep on their way very plainly , softly , by little and little , and without any great hast . some change their skins yearly , others again there be that neither change nor cast their old dry skins , but keep them still . some of them ceasing altogether from any motion , and giving over to eat any thing at all , are transformed very strangely into a kinde of vermin or worms , who being covered with a hard crust or shell , lie as it were dead all the winter ; and from these come in the beginning of hot weather , our usual butter-flies . many of these caterpillers are bred of the egs of butter-flies ; and some again do breed in the leaves of trees , of their own proper seed , being left there in the time of autumn , included in a certain web , or else by means of the dew or air , therein shut and putrefied , as commonly the little hairy cankers or caterpillers which are so full of feet , do breed . besides , some of them do feed on leaves , some on flowers , and there are some which devour fruits . all smooth caterpillers which are not hairy , are of a yellow or green colour : some again are found of a reddish colour , or brownish , or else they be of sundry hews . but of all others , the most excellent is the green coloured caterpiller , which is found upon that great bushy plant , usually tearmed privet , or primprint , which hath a circle enclosing round both his eyes and all his feet , having also a crooked horn in his tail : these caterpillers are blackish-red , with spots or streaks going overthwart their sides , being half white , and half purpelish , the little pricks in these spots are inclining to red : the rest of their body is altogether green . there is another caterpiller feeding altogether upon elder-trees , not much differing from the former , saving that this is altogether of a green colour , and wanting those overthwarting cross white marks or spots , and the other small white pricks which we described in the former . there is also a third sort of green caterpillers , which when autumn or the fall of leaf draweth on , are turned into a certain sheath or case , being of a very hard and horny substance , of colour very brown , and this feedeth altogether upon pot-herbs , especially those that be soft , as lettice : where-upon it may not unfitly be termed , eruca lactucaria . lastly , there is to be seen another sort , of a green colour , which is the least of them all , and this kinde liveth and feedeth upon trees , ( especially in the oke ) there drawing out their web , by means of which being stirred and shaken , they easily fall down upon the heads of travellers and passengers by the way side , cleaving to their hats and garments . and this kinde of caterpiller is too well known and found in the summer time , and when cold weather approacheth , they fold themselves into a rude , plain , and nothing curious web . and thus being included in a greenish scabbard or case tending to red , they all die in winter , and all these have ten feet , as all they have that go ●●nding themselves upwards . but to leave the green , and come to them that are yellow , there is to be found a certain caterpiller called vinula , being as the word soundeth , a very elegant and fine insect to look upon , and pasting beautiful : and this kinde have i often found amongst willows , full savourly feeding upon their leaves . his lips and mouth are somewhat yellow , his eyes black as a cole , his fore-head purple coloured , the feet and hinder-part of the body , of a green grassie hue , his tail two-forked , and somewhat black . the whole body is as it were stained and dyed with thick red-wine , which runneth alongst the neck and shoulder-blades , as it were in form of a burgonian crosse , or of the letter x , made crosse-wise down unto the tail with a white line , addeth no small grace to the other parts . there is yet another caterpiller of yellow-blackish colour , called porcellus , we may in english call it pigs-snout , in respect of the fashion of the head , especially the greater sort of these , for the lesser have round white specks upon their sides , and these live and are altogether to be found amongst the leaves of the marsh trifoly , which they consume and devour with an incredible celerity . in the wilde night-shade , ( which the italians call belladena ) there is found a smooth caterpiller of a yellow-greenish colour , having a horn in his fore-head the length of a finger , which hierom cardan , the learned physitian , reporteth that he had often seen . the hairy caterpillers are most mischievous and dangerous amongst them all , and these are either thick or thin haired , and the most venomous is that which is called pityocampe , whose biting is poyson : and this is ever found in the pine-apple-tree , being as thick as three little fingers , and three fingers long being laid a crosse . they consist of eleven slits or cuts betwixt the head and the tail , and they have sixteen feet , according as all other hairy palmer-worms have . that is to say , neer the head on both sides , there , in the midst of their body on both sides , four , and at the end of the tail on both sides , one . their former feet are crooked and small , with which they feel , try and assay the way whether it be passable or no , their other feet are broader , with many jags and notches like a saw , to take the faster hold , and stay with surer footing upon smooth and stippery leaves . their head is much like a pismires , and the rest of their bodies like other common caterpillers . they are rough , and full of bristly standing up hairs on all sides , and those in their sides are white , but those on their backs do shine , being very bright and glistering , the midst whereof is garnished with many spots , as though it were full of eyes . their skin is black which is soon seen , their hairs being cut or taken clean away . all their hairs are but small and yet they sting more vehemently then any nettle , whereby is caused intolerable pain , burning itching , a fever , and much disquietnesse : when as their poyson is suddenly in a moment sent and conveyed without any manifest appearance , or sense of any wound to be judged by the eye , unto those parts that are next the entrails , as the heart , liver , and the rest . they weave their webs after a fine and exquisite manner , as spiders do , drawing out in length , framing and trimming in good order , their hairy small threads . and under these when ●ight draweth on , they lie as in their own proper tent and pavillion , aswell to avoid cold , as the 〈…〉 mmodities of furious blasts and storms : for the matter and substance of this their tent is so handsomely wrought , so firm , stiffe , clammy and sure , that they neither care for furious windes , nor yet any rain or storm will ever sole through . besides , the largenesse of this house is such , and of so great receit , as it will easily receive and lodge many thousands of caterpillers . they make their nests or buildings in the highest branches of the pitch and pine-trees , where they live not solitarily ( as other palmer-worms do ) but in flocks or companies together . which way soever they take their journey , they are still spinning and drawing out their threads for their web , and early in the morning ( if it be likely to prove fair ) the younger sort by heaps attend the elder , and having first bared and robbed the trees of all their boughs and leaves , ( for they make clean riddance of all wheresoever they come ) they afterwards dexterously bend themselves to their weaving craft . they are the only plague and destruction of pitch and pine-trees , for unto any other roziny or gummy trees they never do harm . there is great plenty of them to be found in the mountain of athos , situate betwixt macedonia and thrace , in the woods of trident , and in divers valleys beyond the alpes , in which places there is store of these fore-named trees , ( as matthiolus saith . ) they are doubtlesse most poysonous and venomous vermine , whether they be crushed outwardly with the hands , or taken inwardly into the body : yea they are so known , manifest , and so never failing a poyson , and so esteemed of in times past , as that vlpian the famous lawyer , interpreting the law cornelia de sicariis , or privy murtherers , that he in that place , calleth and esteemeth the giver of any pityocampie in drink or otherwise to any one , to be doomed a murtherer , and their punishment to be equallized . sect. alium ff . ad leg. corn. de sic . as soon as this kinde of caterpiller is received into the body , there followeth immediately a great pain , extremely tormenting the mouth and palate , the tongue , belly , and stomach are grievously inflamed by their corroding , and gnawing poysonous quality , besides the intolerable pain the receiver feeleth , although at first the party seemeth to feel a certain pleasant itching , but it is not long before he perceiveth a great burning within , loathing and detesting of meat , and a continual desire to vomit and go to the stool , which neverthelesse he cannot do . at length , unlesse speedy succour be given , they so miserably burn and parch the body , that they bring a hard crustinesse , skurffe or scald upon the stomach , as though the sides thereof had been plastered with some hard shards , or other like things , after the manner of arsenick , as dioscorides , aetius , pliny , and celsus do assure us . in like manner galen in his eleventh book simp. cap. . and avicen . cap. . have testified the same . and for this cause aetius and aegineta do say , that it is nothing wholesome for any to sit down ●o meat , to spread the table , or make any long tariance under any pine tree , lest peradventure through the savour or smell of the meats , the reek or vapour of their broaths , or noise of men , the pityocampies being disturbed from their homes and usual resting places , might fall down either into their meats beneath , or at least-wise cast down , or let fall any of their seed , as poysonous as themselves . they that receive hurt by them , must have recourse to those preservatives and medicines , as were prescribed to those that were poysoned by cantharides , for by them they are to be cured , and by no other means . yet for all that , oyl of quinces is properly commended to vomit withall in this case , which must be taken twice or thrice , even by the prescript of dioscorides and aetius . they are generated , or to speak more aptly , they are regenerated ( after the manner of vine-fretters , which are a kinde of caterpillers , or little hairy worms with many feet , that eat vines when they begin to shoot ) of that autumnal seed of theirs , left and reserved in certain small bags or bladders within their webs . there is another sort of these caterpillers , who have no certain place of abode , nor yet cannot tell where to finde their food , but like unto superstitious pilgrims , do wander and stray hither and thither , and ( like mice ) consume and eat up that which is none of their own : and these have purchased a very apt name amongst us englishmen , to be called palmer-worms , by reason of their wandering and roguish life , ( for they never stay in one place , but are ever wandering ) although by reason of their roughnesse and ruggednesse , some call them bear-worms . they can by no means endure to be dieted , and to feed upon some certain herbs and flowers , but boldly and disorderly creep over all , and tast of all plants and trees indifferently , and live as they list . there are sundry other sorts of these cankers or caterpillers to be found , in the herbs called cranesbil , ragwort , petie-mullen , hops , coleworts , hasels , marigolds , fennil , lycorice , basil , alder , nightshade , water-betony , garden-spurge , and other sorts of that herb ; in elm-trees , pear-trees , nettles , and gilliflowers . yea there is not any plant to be found , which hath not his proper and peculiar enemy and destroyer : all which because they are so commonly known of all , though perhaps not of all observed , i will ( lest i should seem to be infinite ) passe over with silence . but yet i will adde a word or two of a strange and stinking caterpiller , which it was never my hap as yet to see , described by conradus gesner , in these words following : this stinking caterpiller ( saith he ) is very like to those that are horned , but yet it wanteth horns , differing from them all in colour . i first espyed it creeping upon a wall toward the end of august , anno . there cometh from it a lothsome and an abominable savour and smell , so that you would verily believe it to be very venomous . it went forwards very frowningly , and with a quick , angry , and despightful countenance , as it were in bending wise , the head always stretched up a loft with the two former feet : i judge her to be blinde . she was the length and breadth of a mans finger , with a few scattering and rugged hairs , somewhat bristly and hard both on her back and sides , the back was very black , the colour of her belly and sides was somewhat red , enclining to yellow , and the whole body was distinguished , divided , and easily discerned with fourteen joynts or knots , and every joynt had a certain furrow like a kinde of wrinckle running all along the back . her head was black and somewhat hard : her mouth crookedly bending like hooks , having teeth notched like a saw , and with these teeth as with pincers or nippers , whatsoever she laid hold on , she ( as famished ) did bite . she went on sixteen feet , as for the most part all the sorts of palmer-worms do . without doubt , she must be concluded to be exceeding venomous . the learned man vergerus , took it to be a pityocampe , and others thought it a scolopendra : but that could not be , by reason of the number of her feet . i could hardly with much ado endure her tile smell , till i had drawn out her description . she so infected two hot-houses with her abominable savour and stink , that my self and they that were with me , could not endure in the place . thus far gesner , as i have to shew out of certain scroles of paper of his , never as yet imprinted . now will i proceed to discourse of the original , generation , aliment , and metamorphosis of caterpillers . chare liber , nostrûm testis benefide laborum , ne tua purpureo suffuderis ora rubore agrestes abacis tineas si expressero nostris , vermiculosque levem qui in thecam vellera mutant . hi siquidem artificis prudenti pollice divi finguntur , tenui qui non tenuatur opella et qui vermiculis , dextrae miranda potentis signa suae prodit , potius quam corpore vasti molifero barrhi , tumido vel robore ceti squamantisque aliis ; qui lata per aequora tentant fulmineas sine mente minas : & nostra profundó lintea qua mergant , largo mare gutture ructant . which may be englished thus ; deer book , a witnesse of my labour true , be not ashamed to write of little worms , nor caterpillers , which from base things ensue , and into easie cases again returns : for these are fram'd by hand of god most wise , never abased in any work so small : for out of worms his wonders do arise , as well as from great beasts so tall , tower bearing elephant , huge whale , and other monsters swimming in the seas , ireful beasts , in hills and deepest dale , death threatning to all that them displease . for so i think it best to begin with the ●erses of a good poet , who indeed did see and admire the inscrutable wisdom and divine providence of the almighty , in the generation and breeding of caterpillers . which whilest divers . authors laboured to expresse and set down diversly , i know not what clowds of errors they have thrust us into ; for swarving themselves besides the way , although they pretend a matchlesse understanding in these mysteries of philosophy , they have caused others to tread awry as much as themselves , and to be blinded with the mascarados of absurdities . and first , if we will begin to rifle in the monument of former times , i will here produce aristotles opinion in his fifth book , histor. cap. . who there expresly saith , that they take their beginning from the green leaves of herbs , and namely of radish and coleworts , by means of their small seed of generation , being like unto millet-seed , which is there left about the end of autumn , from which female worms proceed : and of these little worms in the space of three days a caterpiller is formed , about the spring time , or toward the later end thereof , which growing to their due quantity , and well fed withall , they cease at length from any further motion and when autumn beginneth , they change both form and life . pliny is of this minde , that caterpillers fetch all their pedegree , race , parentage and birth , from a dew thickned and incrassated by the heat of the sun , and so still left behinde in leaves : and arnoldus de villa nova is of the same judgement . othersome derive them wholly from butter-flies , and will have them to proceed of no other beginning , which as soon as they are crept out of their hard shells or scabbards , wherein they had lain as it were dead all the winter , assoon as summer and warm weather draweth on , they cast certain eggs either under or above the leaves of certain herbs , which egges according to the quantity of their bodies , are either greater or lesser , and some of these shells wherein they are included , are of a sky colour ; others yellow , white , black , green , or red : and so being at length about fourteen days quickned and nourished with the lively and kindely heat of the sun , their shell-house being broken , first cometh forth small caterpillers , like unto little worms , saving that they are diversly coloured , who at their first appearance , being as it should seem very hungry , do altogether bend themselves to devour and eat up both leaves and flowers , especially of those trees and plants whereon they were whilest they were in egges . but i am of opinion , that not only this , but by divers other ways and means they may proceed and increase , for although the doctrine of aristotle in this point seemeth to be unsavoury , and nothing relishing divers tastes , because he affirmeth , that that little worm which is found upon coleworts , doth turn into a caterpiller : yet for all that , it is not so much without smack of salt , or so abhorrent to reason as they would make some believe . for nature , as she is able , and doth produce and bring forth a living creature from an egge , so likewise from a worm she breedeth a more perfect living creature , by many degrees ; and that not by way of corruption , but by way and means of her excellent perfection . for although a worm afterwards be not that thing which before it was , ( so far as is apparent to outward sense ) yet for any thing we can gather or perceive , it is that which it was , and this that , is more by a great deal now , then before it was . for a worm dyeth not , that a caterpiller may thereby spring , but to the old body , nature addeth a greater magnitude : as for example , feet , colours , wings : so that whilest life remianeth , it acquireth other parts and other offices . there be some also that deride the opinion of pliny , because he contendeth that caterpillers have their beginning and production from dew . but it may not be denyed in my conceit , that some imperfect small creatures are bred and take life from dew , and not without great reason . for the sun by his kindely heat and warming quality , worketh and acteth , being as it were the form , and the moisture or humor is passive , as the matter or the subject , for the heat of the sun is different from that of the fire : for it either quickneth and inspireth with life , or at least-wise conserveth and maintaineth our life , by means of likenesse , proportion , or symmetry , wherein our lives and spirits respect each other . besides , there is nothing more nourishing then dew , for with it only some certain small creatures are fed , and do thereby live : which thing the divine poet very well observed , when he uttered these words ; quantum nos nocte reponit . so that in respect that it is humour , it is matter , in respect it is thin , it pierceth and easily entreth in , and in respect it is attracted and throughly concocted by the sun , it is the apter made to generation . for the preparation of the form , carryeth with it the matter or stuffe , as his mate and companion : so these two meeting together , there consequently followeth the quickning or taking life of some one creature . and not only are some caterpillers the off-spring and breed of dew , as common experience can witnesse , but even the greatest part of caterpillers do fetch their stock and pedegree from butter-flies , unlesse it be those that live upon coleworts and cabbages , and those that are called vine-fretters , with some few other . for those that live and breed in vines , ( called of the grecians , ipes , ) do proceed from dew , or some dewy and moist humor , which is included in their webs , and there grown to putrefaction . for then do they swarm so exceedingly in some countries , as i dare neither affirm , nor otherwise imagine , but that they must needs have such a mighty increase from putrefaction . and this for the most part happeneth when the eastern winde bloweth , and that the warmth of the air furthereth and hasteneth forwards any corruption . all the whole pack of them are great destroyers and devourers of herbs and trees : whereupon philippis the parasite , as athenaeus saith in pythagorista , braggeth of himself in this wise , apòlausae thumon lachanonte kampe . vescens thymo olereque eruca sum . i am ( saith he ) a caterpiller that eateth both thyme and pot-herbs . and to this sense speaketh martial , erucam malè pascit hortus unam . a garden hardly and slenderly can suffice to feed one caterpiller . i think he meaneth , when the time of their wasting and devouring is gone and past , for they commonly leave but little behinde . for that being past , they go wandering hither and thither , up and down uncertainly , wasted and hunger-starved , and so at length pining away by little and little through famine , some seek them fit places within , other-some above the earth , where they transform themselves , either into a bare and empty bag or case , or hanging by a thread into an autelia covered with a membrane . if this happen in the midst of summer , the hard rinde or shell wherein they are inclosed being broken , about the time of . days , there flieth out a butter-fly : but if it come to passe in the midst , or toward the end of autumn , the aurelia continueth a whole winter , neither is there any exclusion before the vernal heat . and yet notwithstanding , all caterpillers are not converted into auteliaes , but some of them being gathered and drawn together on a heap ( as the vine-fretters ) do grow at length to putrefaction , from which sometimes there falleth as it were three blackish egges , the true and proper mothers and breeders of flies and cantharides . when the butter-flies do joyn together very late , or after the time it ought to be , they do lay or cast their egges , which will continue vital , and that may live till the next spring , ( if a diligent care be had of them ) as well as is often seen in silk-worms , whose egs the spaniards sell , and that very usually by whole ounces and pounds . i have now according to my cunning , discoursed of the transmutations and variable changes of caterpillers ; it followeth next that i write of the qualities and use of caterpillers , together with those preservatives which experienced physitians have warranted for true and infallible . all caterpillers have a burning quality , and such as will readily fetch off the skin , and flea it quickly , and raise blisters . if any one drink the caterpiller that liveth in the pitch trees , there will forthwith follow a great pain about his mouth and jaws , vehement inflamation of the tongue , strong griping and wringing of the stomach , belly and intestines , with a sensible itching about the inward parts , the whole body is as it were burned and scalded with heat and hot vapours , and the stomach abhorreth all meat : all which are to be remedied with the same means , as those that have taken cantharides . yet properly , ( as heretofore i have touched ) oyl of quinces given to cause vomiting , is the best and safest . and if we may credit pliny , new wine boyled to the third part ; and cows milk being drunk , are very effectual . there is not any one sort of caterpillers , but they are malign , naught , and venomous , but yet they are least hurtful who are smooth and without hairs ; and the most dangerous of all the rest , is that which heretofore i termed a pityocampe , whose poyson for the most part is deadly . the daughter of caelius secundus living at basil in germany , ( as gesner saith ) when she had unwarily and greedily eaten some colewort-leaves , or cabbage in a garden , and with them some caterpillers , after a strong vomit that was given , her belly began to swell , which swelling , having continued these many years , could never as yet receive any cure . if you will have your gardens and trees untouched and preserved from their mischievous quality , you must first take clean away in the winter time their webs , or any part thereof ( though never so little ) that you can finde cleaving to the bare boughs : for if you let them alone till the spring , you shall sooner see them , then finde them removed , for in a short space of time they devour up all that is green both leaves and flowers . some use to anoint their trees with the gall of a green lizard , and some with a bulls gall , which as some constantly report , they can by no means away withall . the countrey people choke them with the vapour of a little brimstone , with straw being fired under the tree , and so to smoother them . some there be that make a fumigation with galbanum , harts-horn , the shavings of ivory , and goats hoofs , and ox-dung . didymus in georgicis saith , that if you bare the roots of your trees , and besmear or soyl them with doves dung , they shall never be hurt by any worms . i should willingly have omitted , and not renewed with any fresh discovery columellaes remedy against caterpillers , ( or rather the immodest deceit and deluding trick of democritus , ) unlesse experience , which is , iterata ejusdem eventus observatio , a repeated observation of the same event , had approved the verity thereof , especially in the countrey of stiria . and palladius in his first book ch . . and constantinus neer the end of his . and . books , whose words be these ; at si nulla valet medicina repellere pestem , da●daniae veniunt artes , nudataque plantas foeina , quae justis tum demum operata juventae legibus , obscoeno manat pudibunda eruore , sed resoluta sinus , resoluto moesta capillo ter circum areolas , & sepem ducitur horti : quae cum lustravit gradiens ( mirabile visu ) non aliter decussa pluit quam ex arbore nimbus , vel teretis mali , vel tectaecortice glandis , volvitur ad terram distorto corpore campe . which may be englished thus ; but when no medicine can that plague expell then use they arts , which once the trojans sound , a woman which had virgin-laws observed well , her bare and naked bring they to the ground , flowing with natures shameful filthy bloud : her bosome open , and her hair untrimmed falling like one ore'prest with grief , forgetting good , three times about the plots and hedges walking . which done , a wonder t is for to be told . as rain drops from the trees , ripe apples fall , walnuts out of husks : so cast you may behold these worms from trees , all torn , and cannot crall . theophrastus saith , that caterpillers will touch no plants which are moistened or besprinckled with wine . they will die if they take the fume , or be any way smoaked with the herb psora . aetius . whereby it is apparent ( saith silvius ) that the herb commonly termed scabious is not the true psora . caterpillers that live and feed on coleworts , if they be but touched with that kinde of worm which is found in the fullers teasel , they die . pliny . all to besprinkle a colewort whilest it hath but only three leaves , with nitre , or with saltish and brinish earth , and by means of the saltnesse , the caterpillers will be quite driven away . geopon . palladius in this case preferreth the ashes of fig-leaves . the sea-onion called squilla , being sown or hanged up in gardens , hindereth the breeding of caterpillers . othersome in the most places of their gardens , and round about them , sow and set mints , the pulse called orobos , which is somewhat like vetches , and some wormwood , or at least-wise hang them in bunches in divers places of the same , to expell this kinde of noysome creature . some very advisedly take dry leaves and stalks of garlick , and with the same do smoke and perfume their whole garden , so that by this way the smoke being conveyed into all places thereof , the caterpillers will fall down dead , as palladius hath written , in whose writings any man may read of plenty of such antidotes and alexipharmical medicines , as may serve to destroy caterpillers . now will i speak of their use in physick , and in the common-wealth . the web of caterpillers being taken inwardly , stayeth womens fluxes , as matthiolus saith . being likewise burnt and put into the nostrils , it stancheth bleeding at the nose . the caterpillers that are found amongst the herbs called spurges of all sorts , ( by the judgement of hippocrates ) are notable for purulent and mattery wombs , especially if they be first dryed in the sun , with a double quantity of earth-worms , and a little aniseed finely powdered , and so all of them to be relented , and taken in some excellent white-wine . but in case they feel any heavinesse or aking in the belly after the taking of this medicine , then it were good to drink a little mulse thereupon . this saith hippocrates in his book de superfoetat . dioscorides in his first book and . chapter , giveth in drink those common caterpillers that live in companies together , against the disease called the squinsie . but unlesse by some hid and secret property , they do good in this grief being received inwardly , it were needful ( in regard of their manifest venomous nature ) that they were utterly rejected and contemned . nicander useth them to provoke sleep , for thus he writeth ; ei de suge tripsas oligo en hammati kampen kepeien drosoeastan epi chloreida noto , &c. which hieremias martius hath thus translated ; quod si rodentes olus & frendentia vermes ( lueva quibus virides depingunt terga colores ) in medio sacra de palladis arbore succo triveris , hincque tuum colleveris undique corpus , tuta dabis dulci securus membra quieti . which may be englished thus ; with herb-eating , or green-leaf-gnawing worms , whose backs imprinted are with colours lively green , all bruised , mixed with juyce from pallas tree that runs , anointed body brought to sound sleep is often seen . there are to be seen in divers thorny , prickly , sharp and rough herbs , ( as for example in nettle ) sundry hairy or lanuginous caterpillers , which being tyed or hanged about some part of the body , do by and by ( as the report goeth ) heal those infants which have any stopping of the meats passage when they cannot swallow . a caterpiller breeding in pot-herbs , being first bruised and then anointed upon any venomous bitings of serpents , is of great efficacy : and if you rub a naughty or a rotten tooth with the colewort-caterpillers , and that often , within a few days following , the tooth will fall out of his own accord . avicenna . caterpillers mixt with oyl , do drive away serpents . dioscorides . if a man anoint his hands , or any other part with oyl , it will cause that he shall receive no hurt by the stinging of bees , wasps , or hornets , as aetius saith . pliny citeth many fond and superstitious fained matters , and lying tales , devised by those who in his time were called magi , soothsayers or diviners , concerning the admirable vertues of caterpillers . all which , because i see them hissed out of the school of divinity , and that in heart secretly i have condemned them , i will at this time let them passe without any further mention . they are also a very good meat to divers birds and fowls , which are so needful for the use , benefit , and food of mankinde , as to starlings , peacocks , hens , thrushes , daws or choughes : and to sundry fishes likewise , as to the tench , pike or pikerel , and to a certain sea-fish called a scorpion : also to the trout , and some others , who are easily deceived with a caterpillered hook . which kind of fishing fraud , if you would better be instructed in , i must refer you to tarentinus in his geoponicks , and to a little book dedicated to robert dudley , late earl of leicester , written by master samuel vicar of godmanobester in huntingtonshire . it is not to be passed over in silence , how that not many years since , there came infinite swarms of caterpillers out of thracia into polonia , hungaria , and beyond the limits of germany , which did not only devour the fruits of trees , but whatsoever was green either in the medows and tilled fields , besides the vines : which was taken for an evident prognostick and sign ( as many divined ) of some great turkish army to come swarming into those parts : neither herein did this their ghessing and mistrust deceive them , for the next year following was the siedge of vienna in austria , the wasting , spoyling and over-running of hungaria ; and the deadly english-sweating could not contain it self in an island , but must spread it self among them of the continent , whereupon ensued the destruction of many thousands of people , before any remedy could be found out . in the year of grace . there rushed infinite swarms of caterpillers into italy , where they spoyled and made havock of all green buds and grasse growing upon the face of the earth , so that with their unquenchable and insatiate voracity , they left nothing but the bare roots of trees and plants : and this hapned chiefly about mantua and brixia . and upon the neck of this , followed a terrible and fearful pestilence , of which there dyed about . thousand persons . also in the year of our lord god . there were two great and sudden swarms of caterpillers that came rushing into italy in the space of one summer , which put the romans into an exceeding great fear , for there was nothing left green in all their fields that could be preserved from their ravine , and from their gluttonous and pilling maw . and although the fertility of the year immediately following , did almost blot and rase out the memory of this their heavy punishment , and that many seemed as it were to repent them of their repentance ; yet are we not to doubt , but that many were truly penitent , and seriously were drawn to amendment of life by a due consideration hereof . god grant that we may be warned by other mens punishments , lest that poor creature , which we imagine to be the silliest and least able to do us harm , we finde the most heavy . of the boas. it was well known among all the romans , that when regulus was governor or general in the punick wars , there was a serpent ( neer the river bagrade ) killed with slings and and stones , even as a town or little city is overcome , which serpent was an hundred and twenty foot in length : whose skin and cheek bones were reserved in a temple at rome , until the numantine war. and this history is more easie to be believed because of the boas serpent bred in italy at this day : for we read in solinus , that when claudius was emperor , there was one of them slain in the vatican at rome , in whose belly was found an infant swallowed whole , and not a bone thereof broken . the germans call this serpent vncke , and besides them i do not read of any other name . some have ignorantly confounded it with chersydrus , an adder of the earth , but upon what reason i do not know , only solinus discoursing of calabria , might give some colour to this opinion , when he saith , calabria chersydris est frequent●ssima , & boam gignit quem anguem ad immensam molem ferunt coalescere : that is to say , calabria is full of earth-adders , and it breedeth the boas , which snake some affirm will grow into a monstrous stature . out of which words , there is no wise man can collect , that the boas and the adder of the earth are all one thing . the latines call it boa and bova of bos , because by sucking cows milk it so encreaseth , that in the end it destroyeth all manner of herds , cattel and regions . and our domestical snakes and adders , will also suck milk from kine , as in all the nations of the world is most manifest to them that will observe the same . the italians do usually call them , serpeda de aqua , a serpent of the water , and therefore all the learned expound the greek word hydra for a boas . cardan saith , that there are of this kinde in the kingdom of senega , both without feet and wings , but most properly they are now found in italy , according to these verses ; boa quidem serpens quem tellus itala nutrit hunc bubulum plures lac enutrire docent . which may be englished thus ; the boas serpent which italy doth breed , men say , upon the milk of cows doth feed . their fashion is in seeking for their prey among the heards , to destroy nothing that giveth suck so long as it will live , but they reserve it alive until the milk be dryed up , then afterward they kill and and eat it , and so they deal with whole flocks and herds . the poyson of it , saith festus , maketh tumor and swelling in the body , whereunto all other agree , except albertus , who in this point agrees not with himself , for in one place he saith , that they are venomous , and their teeth also like other dragons , in another place he saith , their poyson is very weak , and not to be regarded , because they be dragons of the third order or division . they go all upon their belly , and so i will conclude their story with mantuan . turpi boa flexilis alvo . that is to say ; the filthy boas on his belly moves . of the chamaeleon . it is very doubtful whether a chamaeleon were ever known to the ancient hebrews , because there is no certainty among them for the appellation thereof , some affirming one thing , and some another . we read levit. . among other beasts there forbidden to be eaten of , koab , or koach , which rabbi kimhi interpreteth a kinde of crocodile , ( hazab , ) rabbi jonas in the arabian , hardun , and so also doth avicen . the chaldee , koaha ; the perstans , an sanga ; the septuagints and s. je 〈…〉 , a chamaeleon . the self same word is found levit. . which the jews do vulgarly at this day take for senicus , a crocodile of the earth . the word oah or oach , seemeth to come neer to this , which is sometimes interpreted a tortoyse , a dragon , or a monkey . and oas by sylvaticus , is translated a salamander . kaath by the jews , is translated a cuckow , a jay , a pelican and an onocratua : and in the second of sophoni , for a chamaeleon . some have framed an hebrew word gamalion , which is absurd , for gameleon . zamelon , aamelon , hamalcon , and meleon , are but corrupted terms of chamaeleon , as istdorus well observeth , or else signifieth some of the kindes of lizards or stellions , as is manifest in albertus , and other learned writers . therefore i will not blot more paper about the arabian beasts , harbe and alharbe , alarbian or hardon , haerdun , or alharba , but leave them to the judgement of those , who delight in the investigation of such secrets . chamaeleon is a greek word , from whence the latines , and almost all nations have borrowed the name of this serpentine or creeping beast , except the germans , and they only have fained names , as lind●warm in albertus , that is , a worm of the wood , and rattader by gesner , that is , a ratmouse , because in quantity and composition it resembleth both those creatures . some latines by reason of the similitude it holdeth with a lizard , call it muri laccritus , a mouse lizard . the greek word chamaeleon , signifieth a low and humble lion , because in some parts and members , he resembleth that lofty and couragious beast . so do they derive the name of certain low and short herbs from great and tall trees , as chamaecyparissus , chamaedris , and chamaepitys , shrubs of plumtree , heath , cypres , germander , and ground ivy , from the cherry , the cypres , the cedar , and the pine tree . and thus much for the name of the chamaeleon . the countries breeding chamaeleons , are africa , asia , and india , and for the quantity thereof i do finde divers descriptions , some particular , as in bellonius , and scaliger , and some general in other writers , all which i purpose briefly and successively to expresse in this place . it is said ( saith bellonius ) that the frog and the chamaeleon are like one to the other , because they use the same art and industry in taking their meat : and to the intent that this thing may more evidently appear , both by the description and the picture , i have thought good to entreat of the chamaeleon , amongst the water-beasts , because it liveth for the most part in moist , marshy , and fenny places . i have seen of them two kindes , one , a lesser kinde in arabia , being of a whitish colour , all set over with yellowish or reddish spots , and in quantity not exceeding the green lizard . the other , in the hot places of egypt , being twice as big in quantity as the arabian , and of a changeable colour , betwixt white , green , brown and yellow , for which occasion some have called it versicolor chamaeleon , that is , a turn-coat-coloured chamaeleon . but both these kindes of chamaeleons have a copped head , like to a camel , and two bones at the top of their brows standing up on either side , and hanging out : their eyes are most clear and bright , about the bignesse of a pease , only covered with a skin , so that their appearance outward , exceedeth not the quantity of a millet-seed . they are very flexible , turning upwards and downwards , and are able at one time to look two several ways , distinctly upon two several objects , wherein they exceed all other beasts . it is a heavy and dull beast , like the salamander , neither can it run , but like a lizard , wherefore it is not afraid of the sight of men , neither doth it run from their presence , neither is it easily provoked to harm or bite a man : it climbeth little trees for fear of vipers and horned serpents . some have thought that it never eateth meat , but is nourished with the winde , because it draweth in very eagerly many times the winde into the belly , whereby it swelleth ; for it hath great lights stretched all along the sides of the belly : but this opinion is false , as shall be shewed hereafter , although it cannot be denyed that it is oviparum patientissimum famis : that is , the most induring famin among all other egge-breeding-beasts , for it fasteth many times eight moneths : yea , a whole year together . in stead of nostrils and ears , it hath certain passages in those places , whereby it smelleth and heareth . in the next place for the better manifestation of the nature of this beast , i will also adde the description that scaliger maketh thereof . for he faith , that when johannes landius was in the farthest parts of syria , he saw five chamaeleons , whereof he bought one , which with his tongue did very suddenly take off a fly from his breast : wherefore in the dissection of the said chamaeleon , he found that the tongue thereof was as long as a hand breadth , hollow and empty , in the top whereof there was a little hole with filthy matter therein , wherewithal he took his prey : which thing seemed new and slrange unto them which heretofore thought that a chamaeleon lived only by the air . his back was somewhat crooked , rising with spotted bunches like a saw , like the turbut fish , his belly closed with short ribs , his eyes most beautiful , which he turneth every way without bending his neck : his colour white , green , and dusky : naturally green , somewhat pale on the back , but paler and neerer to white on the belly , yet was it beset all over with red , blew , and white spots . it is not true that the chamaeleon changeth her self into all colours , upon green groweth greennesse , upon the dusky is tempered a dusky colour ; but upon blew , red , or white , the native greennesse is not blemished or obscured , but the blew , white , and red spots yeeld a more lively and pleasant aspect ; upon black , standeth brown , yet so as the green hew seemeth to be confounded with black , and it doth not change his own colour into a supposed colour , but when it is oppressed with fear or grief . that it liveth sometime of the air , a whole year or more , doth appear , because it eateth no meat during that time , but gaping with a wide mouth draweth in the air , and then shutting his chaps again his belly swelleth . yea , i found one that constantly affirmed , that they turn themselves to the beams of the sun , and gaping wide after them , follow them hard as it were to draw them in . they have five distinct claws upon every foot , with two of which they clasp the round boughs or twigs of trees , as parrats do when they sit upon their pearches , and these claws stand not as other birds do , three together and one by it self , but in imparity or dissimilitude , three on the one side , and two on the other , and so are parted with an inverse order , for the hinder and former are contrary one to the other , so as if there be three claws on the inside , and two on the outside of the leg before , then are there three on the outside behinde , and two on the inside : and thus much i received from langius . so far scaliger . now we will proceed to the particular description of their parts , as we finde them recorded in other writers , leaving those brief and pregnable narrations of bellonius and scaliger . and first of all for the figure and outward shape of their bodies , then for their colour , and the reasons of their mutability and variation of colour . for the figure and shape of their bodies , pliny is of opinion , that a chamaeleon is like to a crocodile of the earth , except in the sharp bending of the back-bone , or the length or greatnesse of the tail . some say that the whole parts of the body doth represent a lizard , excepting that the sides are joyned to the belly , and the back-bone standeth up as in fishes . arnoldus saith it resembleth a stellion if the legs were not straighter and higher : but the truth is , it is a four-footed-beast , much like to a lizard , yet it goeth higher from the earth , and always gapeth , having a rough skin all over the body like a crocodile , and is also full of scabs . the length of it from the tip of the nose to the rump of the tail is seven or eight fingers , the height of them five fingers , and the legs alone , three fingers and a half . the length of the tail eight or nine fingers , the back-bone eminent and standing up , crested or indented all throughout to the tip of the tail , but ●ear the rump , the crests are more low and lesse visible . on either side at the root of the ribs stand bony eminent bunches , from which descendeth a line , and is extended throughout the length of the tail on both sides , and if it were not for these bunches the turnings about , and the other three in the lower part , it would be so exasperated or extenuated toward the end like to the tail of a rat or great mouse . the middle place betwixt the bottom of the belly and the top of the back , containeth an angle or flexure of sixteen ribs , after the fashion or proportion of a greek lambda , except that the angle thereof be more wide and patent , which looketh backward toward the tail , and within these ribs is the whole hanch of the body and belly , contained in a round compasse on eitheir side . being black , it is not unlike the crocodile , and being pale , it like to the lizard , set over with black spots like a leopard . it changeth colour both in the eyes , tail , and whole body , always into the colour of that which is next it , except red and white , which colours it cannot easily undertake , so that it deceiveth the eyes of the beholders , turning black into green , and green into blew , like a player , which putteth off one person , to put on another : according to these verses of ovid ; id quoque quod ventis animal nutritur & aura , protinus assimilat , tetigit quoscunque colores . in english thus ; the beast that liveth by winde and weather , of each thing touched taketh colour . the reasons of this change or colour are the same which are given of the busse and p 〈…〉 fish ; namely , extremity of fear , the thinnesse , smoothnesse , and baldnesse of the skin . whereupon tertullian writeth thus ; hoc soli chamaeleonti datum quod vulgo dictum est de suo corio ludere : that is to say , this is the only gift of nature to a chamaeleon , that according to the common proverb it deceiveth with his skin : meaning that a chamaeleon at his own pleasure can change the colour of his skin . whereupon erasmus applyeth the proverb , de alieno corio ludere , to such as secure themselves with other mens peril . from hence also cometh another proverb , chamaileontos rumei ab 〈…〉 s , more mutable then a chamaeleon , for a crafty , cunning , inconstant fellow , changing himself into every mans disposition ; such a one was alciblades , who was said to be in athens , and of such a man resembling this beast , did alciatus make this emblem against flatterers : semper hiat , s●mper tenuem qua vescitur aurum , reciprocat chamaleon , et mutat faciem , varios sum●tque colores , praeter rubrum vel candidum . sic & adulator populari vescitur aura , hiansque cuncta devorat . et solum mores imitutur princip●s atros , albi & pudici nescius . that is to say ; it alway gapes , turning in and out that breath whereon it feeds : and often changeth hew : now black and green , and pale , and other colors hath , but red and white chamaeleons do eschew : so clawbacks seed on vulgar breath as 〈◊〉 , with open mouth devouring same and right , princes black-vices praise , but vertues ●read , designed in nature by colours red and white . a chamaeleon of all egge-breeding beasts is the thinnest , because it lacketh bloud , and the reason here of is by aristotle referred to the disposition of the soul : for he saith , through overmuch fear , it taketh upon it many colours , and fear through the want of bloud and heat is a refrigeration of this beast . plutarch also calleth this beast a meticulous and fearful beast , and in this cause concludeth the change of his colour , not as some say , to avoid and deceive the beholders and to work out his own happinesse , but for meer dread and terrour . johannes vrsinus assigneth the cause of the change of chamaeleons colour , not to fear , but to the meat and to the air , as appeareth by these verses ; non timor , im● cibus , nimirum limpidus 〈◊〉 , ambo simul vario membra colore novan● . which may be thus englished ; not fear , but meat which is the air thin , new colours on his body doth begin . but i for my part do assign the true cause to be in the thinnesse of their skin , and therefore may easily take impression of any colour , like to a thin fleak of a horn , which being laid over black , seemeth black , and so over other colours : and besides , there being no hinderance of bloud in this beast , nor intrails , except the lights , the other humors may have the more predominant mutation , and so i will conclude the discourse of the parts and colour of a chamaeleon , with the opinion of kiranides , not that i approve it , but to let the reader know all that is written of this subject , his words are these ; chamaelem singulis horis diei mutat colorem , a chamaeleon changeth his colour every hour of a day . this beast hath the face like a lyon , the feet and tail of a crocodile , having a variable color , as you have heard , and one strange continued nerve from the head to the tail , being altogether without flesh , except in the head , cheeks , and uppermost part of the tail , which is joyned to the body ; neither hath it any bloud but in the heart , eys , and in a place above the heart , and in certain veins derived from that place , and in them also but a very little bloud . there be many membranes all over their bodies , and those stronger then in any other beasts . from the middle of the head backward , there ariseth a three square bone , and the fore part is hollow and round like a pipe , certain bony brims , sharp and indented , standing upon either side . their brain is so little above their eyes , that it almost toucheth them , and the upper skin being pulled off from their eyes , there appeareth a certain round thing like a bright ring of brasse , which niphus calleth paila , which signifieth that part of a ring , wherein is set a pretious stone . the eyes in the hollow within are very great , and much greater then the proportion of the body , round and covered over with such a skin as the whole body is , except the apple , which is bare , and that part is never covered . this apple stands immoveable , not turned , but when the whole eye is turned at the pleasure of the beast . the snout is like to the snout of a hog-ape , always gaping , and never shutting his mouth , and serving him for no other use but to bear his tongue and his teeth ▪ his gums are adorned with teeth as we have said before , the upper lip being shorter and more turned in then the other . their throat and artery are placed as in a lizard : their lights are exceeding great , and they have nothing else within their body . whereupon theophrastus as plutarch witnesseth , conceiveth , that they fill the whole body within , and for this cause it is more apt to live on the air , and also to change the colour . it hath no spleen or milt , the tail is very long , at the end and turning up like a vipers tail , winded together in many circles . the feet are double cloven , and for proportion resemble the thumb and hand of a man , yet so , as if one of the fingers were set neer the side of the thumb , having three without and two within behinde , and three within , and two without before ; the palm betwixt the fingers is somewhat great : from within the hinder-legs , there seem to grow certain spurs . their legs are straight , and longer then a lizards , yet is their bending alike , and their nails are crooked and very sharp . one of these being dissected and cut asunder , yet breatheth a long time after , they goe into the caves and holes of the earth like lizards , wherein they lie all the winter time , and come forth again in the spring , their pace is very slow , and themselves very gentle , never exasperated but when they are about wilde fig-trees . they have for their enemies the serpent , the crow and the hawk . when the hungry serpent doth assault them , they defend themselves in this manner , as alexander mindius writeth ; they take in their mouths a broad and strong stalk , under protection whereof as under a buckler , they defend themselves against their enemy the serpent , by reason that the stalk is broader then the serpent can gripe in his mouth , and the other parts of the chamaeleon so firm and hard , as the serpent cannot hurt them : he laboureth but in vain to get a prey , so long as the stalk is in the chamaeleons mouth . but if the chamaeleon at any time see a serpent taking the air , and sunning himself under some green tree , he climbeth up into that tree , and setleth himself directly over the serpent , then out of his mouth he casteth a thread like a spider , at the end whereof hangeth a drop of poyson as bright as any pearl , by this string he letteth down the poyson upon the serpent , which lighting upon it , killeth it immediately . and scaliger reporteth a greater wonder then this in the description of the chamaeleon , for he saith , if the boughs of the tree so grow as the perpendicular line cannot fall directly upon the serpent , then he so correcteth and guideth it with his fore-feet , that it falleth upon the serpent within the mark of a hairs breadth . the raven and the crow are also at variance with the chamaeleon , and so great is the adverse nature betwixt these twain , that if the crow eat of the chamaeleon being slain by him , he dyeth for it , except he recovereth his life by a bay-leaf , even as the elephant after he hath devoured a chamaeleon , saveth his life by eating of the wilde-olive-tree . but the greatest wonder of all is , the hostility which pliny reporteth to be betwixt the chamaeleon and the hawk . for he writeth , that when a hawk flyeth over a chamaeleon , she hath no power to resist the chamaeleon , but falleth down before it , yeelding both her life and limbs to be devoured by it ; and thus that devourer that liveth upon the prey and bloud of others , hath no power to save her own life from this little beast . a chamaeleon is a fraudulent , ravening and gluttonous beast , impure , and unclean by the law of god , and forbidden to be eaten : in his own nature wilde , yet counterseiting meeknesse , when he is in the custody of man. and this shall suffice to have spoken for the description of this beast , a word or two of the medicines arising out of it , and so a conclusion . i finde that the ancients have observed two kindes of medicines in this beast , one magical , and the other natural , and for my own part , although not able to judge of either , yet i have thought good to annex a relation of both to this history . and first of the natural medicines , democritus is of opinion that they deserve a peculiar volume , and yet he himself telleth nothing of them worthy of one page , except the lying vanities of the gentiles , and superstitions of the grecians . with the gall , if the suffusions and leprous parts of the body be anointed three days together ; and the whitenesse of the eyes , it is believed to give a present remedy : and archigenes prescribeth the same for a medicine for the taking away of the unprofitable and pricking hairs of the eye-brows . it is thought if it be mixed with some sweet composition that it hath power to cure a quotidian ague . if the tongue of a chamaeleon be hung over an oblivious and forgetful person , it is thought to have power to restore his memory . the chamaeleon from the head to the tail , hath but one nerve , which being taken out and hung about the neck of him that holdeth his head awry , or backward , it cureth him . the other parts have the same operation as the parts of the hyaena and the sea-calf . if a chamaeleon be sod in an earthen pot , and consumed till the water be as thick as oyl , then after such seething take the bones out , and put them in a place where the sun never cometh , then if you see a man in the fit of the falling-sicknesse , turn him upon his belly , and anoint his back from the os sacrum to the ridge-bone , and it will presently deliver him from the fit : but after seven times using , it will perfectly cure him . the oyl thus made must be kept in a box. this medicine following is a present remedy against the gowt . take the head and feet of a chamaeleon , cut off also the outward parts of the knees and feet , and then keep by themselves those parts : that is to say , the parts of the right leg by themselves , and the parts of the left leg by themselves , then touch the nail of the chamaeleon with your thumb and right finger of your hand , dipping the tips of your fingers of the right hand in the bloud of the right foot of the beast : and so likewise the fingers of the left hand in the bloud of the left foot , then include those parts in two little pipes , and so let the sick person carry the right parts in the right hand , and the left parts in the left hand , until he be cured : and this must be remembred , that he must touch every morning about the sun-rising the said chamaeleon , yet living and lapped in a linnen cloth , with those parts that are oppressed with the gout . the like superstitious and magical devises are these that follow , as they are recorded by pliny and democritus . the head and throat being set on fire with wood of oak , they believe to be good against thunder and rain , and so also the liver burned on a tyle . if the right eye be taken out of it alive , and applyed to the whitenesse of the eyes in goats milk , it is thought to cure the same . the tongue bound to a woman with child , preserveth her from danger in childe-birth , if the same tongue be taken from the beast alive , it is thought it fore-sheweth the event of judgement . the heart wrapped in black wooll of the first shearing , by wearing it cureth a quartane ague ; the right claw of the fore-feet bound to the lest arm with the skin of his cheeks , is good against robberies and terrors of the night , and the right pap against all fears . if the left foot be scorched in a furnace with the herb chamaeleon , and afterward putting a little ointment to it , and made into little pasties , so being carryed about in a wooden box , it maketh the party to go invisible . the right shoulder maketh a man to prevail against his adversaries , if they do but tread upon the nerves cast down upon the earth . but the left shoulder they consecrate the same to monstrous dreams , as if that thereby a man might dream what he would in his own person and effect , the like in others . with the right foot are all palsies resolved , and with the left foot all lethargies : the wine wherein one side of a chamaeleon hath been steeped , sprinkled upon the head , cureth the ach thereof . if swines grease be mingled with the powder of the left foot or thigh , and a mans foot be anointed therewith , it bringeth the gout , by putting the gall into fire , they drive away serpents ; and into water , they draw together weasels , it pulleth off hair from the body , so also doth the liver , with the lights of a toad ; likewise the liver dissolveth amorous inchantments . melancholy men are cured by drinking the juyce of a chamaeleon out of a chamaeleons skin . they also say , that the intrails and dung of this beast washed in the urine of an ape , and hung up at our enemies gates , causeth reconciliation . with the tail they bring serpents asleep , and stay the flowing of the flouds and waters : the same mingled with cedar and myrrhe , bound to two rods of palm , and struck upon water , causeth all things that are contained in the same water to appear ; but i would to god that such magicians were well beaten with rods of stronger wood , until they forsook these magical fooleries : and thus much for the story of the chamaeleon . of the cockatrice . this beast is called by the grecians , basiliscos , and the latines regulus , because he seemeth to be the king of serpents , not for his magnitude or greatnesse . for there are many serpents bigger then he , as there be many four-footed beasts bigger then the lyon , but because of his stately pace , and magnanimous minde ; for he creepeth not on the earth like other serpents , but goeth half upright , for which occasion all other serpents avoid his sight . and it seemeth nature hath ordained him for that purpose : for beside the strength of his poyson which is uncurable , he hath a certain combe or coronet upon his head , as shall be shewed in due place . it is also call'd sibilus , as we read in isidorus , sibilus enim occidit antequam mordeat vel exurat : the cockatrice killeth before it burneth . the hebrews call it pethen , and curman , also zaphna , and zaphnaini . the chalde ▪ h●mene , and also carmene : the aegyptian , vreus ; the germans , e●n ertz schlengle ; the french , vn besilie ; the spaniards and italians , basilisco . there is some question amongst writers , about the generation of this serpent : for some ( and those very many and learned ) affirm him to be brought forth of a cocks egge . for they say that when a cock groweth old , he layeth a certain egge without any shell , in stead whereof it is covered with a very thick skin , which is able to withstand the greatest force of an easie blow or fall . they say moreover , that this egge is laid only in the summer time , about the beginning of dog-days , being not long as a hens egge , but round and orbicular : sometimes of a dusty , sometimes of a boxy , sometimes of a yellowish muddy colour , which egge is generated of the putrefied seed of the cock , and afterward set upon by a snake or a toad , bringeth forth the cockatrice , being half a foot in length , the hinder-part like a snake , the former part like a cock , because of a treble combe on his fore-head . but the vulgar opinion of europe is , that the egge is nourished by a toad , and not by a snake ; howbeit in better experience it is found that the cock doth sit on that egge himself : whereof levi 〈…〉 lemnius in his twelfth book of the hidden miracles of nature hath this discourse , in the fourth chapter thereof . there happened ( saith he ) within our memory in the city of pirizaea , that there were two old cocks which had laid egges , and the common people ( because of opinion that those egges would engender cockatrices ) laboured by all means possible to keep the said cocks from sitting on those egges , but they could not with clubs and staves drive them from the egges , until they forced to break the egges in sunder , and strangle the cocks . but this point is worth inquiry , whether a cock can conceive an egge , and after a certain time lay the same without a shell . i for my part am perswaded , that when a cock groweth old , and ceaseth to tread his female in the ordinary course of nature , which is in the seventh or ninth year of his age , or at the most in the fourteenth , there is a certain concretion bred within him by the putrefied heat of his body , through the staying of his seed generative , which hardeneth unto an egge , and is covered with such a shell , as is said already : the which egge being nourished by the cock or some other beast , bringeth forth a venomous worm , such as are bred in the bodies of men , or as wasps , horse-flies , and caterpillers engendered of horse-dung , or other putrefied humors of the earth ▪ and so out of this egge may such a venomous worm proceed , as in proportion of body , and pestiferous breath , may resemble the african cockatrice or basilisk , and yet it is not the same whereof we purpose here to intreat , but will acknowledge that to be one kinde of cockatrice , but this kinde is generated like other serpents of the earth , for as the ancient hermes writeth , it is both false and impossible , that a cockatrice should be hatched of a cocks egge . the same writer maketh mention of a basilisk ingendered in dung , whereby he meaneth the elixir of life , wherewithal the alchymists convert metals . the aegyptian hold opinion , that these cockatrices are ingendered of the egges of the bird called ibis , and therefore they break those egges wheresoever they finde them : and for this cause in their hieroglyphicks , when they will signifie a lawful execution after an upright judgment , and sound institution of their fore-fathers , they are wont to make an ibis , and a cockatrice . the countries breeding or bringing forth these cockatrices , are said to be these : first africk , and therein the ancient seat or land of the turks , nubia , and all the wildernesse of africa , and the countries cyrenes . galen among the physitians only , doubteth whether there be a cockatrice or no , whose authority in this case must not be followed , seeing it was never given to mortal man to see and know every thing , for besides the holy scriptures unavoidable authority , which both in the prophesie of esay and jeremy , maketh mention of the cockatrice and her egges : there be many grave humane writers , whose authority is irrefragable , affirming not only that there be cockatrices , but also that they infect the air , and kill with their sight . and mercurial affirmeth , that when he was with maximilian the emperor , he saw the carkase of a cockatrice , reserved in his treasury among his undoubted monuments . of this serpent the poet georgius pictorius writeth on this manner ; rex est serpentum basiliscus , quem modo vineunt mustelae insultus , saevaque bella ferae . lernaeum vermem basilisoum foeda cyrene producit cunctis maximè perniciem . et nasci ex ovogalli , si credere fas est , decrepiti , in fimo , sole nitente , docent . sed quoniam olyactu laedit , visuque ferarum omne genus , credas nulla tenere bona . that is to say ; the basilisk the serpents king i finde , yet weasels him do overcome in warre , the cyren land him breeds of lernaes kinde , they to all other a destruction are : and if we may believe , that through the heat of sun , in old cocks egges this beast is raised first , or beasts by sight or smell thereof are all undone , then is 't not good , but of his kinde the worst . we do read that in rome , in the days of pope leo the fourth , there was a cockatrice found in a vault of a church or chappel , dedicated to saint lucea , whose pestiferous breath had infected the air round about , whereby great mortality followed in rome : but how the said cockatrice came thither it was never known . it is most probable that it was created and sent of god for the punishment of the city , which i do the more easily believe , because sigonius and julius scaliger do affirm , that the said pestiferous beast was killed by the prayers of the said leo the fourth . i think they mean that by the authority of the said bishop , all the people were moved to general fasting and prayer , and so almighty god who was moved for their sins , to send such a plague amongst them , was likewise intreated by their prayers and suits , not only to reverse the plague , but with the same hand to kill the beast , wherewithal it was created : even as once in aegypt by the hand of moses , he brought grasse-hoppers and lice , so by the same hand he drove them away again . there is some small difference amongst the writers , about the quantity and parts of this serpent : which i will briefly reconcile . first aelianus saith , that a cockatrice is not past a span in compasse , that is as much as a man can gripe in his hand . pliny saith , that it is as big as twelve fingers . solinus and isidorus affirm , that it is but half a foot long . avicen saith , that the arabian harmena , that is , the cockatrice , is two cubits and a half long . nicander saith , et tribus extenso porrectus corpore palmis , that is , it is in length but three palms . actius saith , that it is as big as three handfuls . now for the reconciliation of all these . it is to be understood , that pliny and aelianus speaketh of the worm that cometh out of the cocks egge , in regard of the length , but not of the quantity , and so confound together that worm and the cockatrice . for it is very reasonable , that seeing the magnitude and greatnesse of the serpent is concluded to be at the least a span in compasse , that therefore the length of it must needs be three or four foot at the shortest ; else how could it be such a terror to other serpents , or how could the fore-part of it arise so eminently above the earth , if the head were not lifted at the least a foot from the ground . so then we will take it for granted , that this serpent is as big as a mans wrist , and the length of it answerable to that proportion . it is likewise questionable whether the cockatrice have wings or no : for by reason of his conceived generation from a cock , many have described him in the fore-part to have wings , and in the hinder part to have a tail like a serpent : and the conceit of wings seemeth to be derived from holy scripture , because it is written esay . vers . . de radice colubri egredietur regulus & 〈◊〉 ejus absorbens volucrem : that is to say , out of the serpents roots shall come a cockatrice , and the fruit thereof shall be a fiery flying serpent , as we translate it in english : but tremellius the best interpreter , doth render the hebrew in this manner : de radice serpentis prodit haemorrhus & fructus ●●lius prester volans : that is to say , word for word , out of the root of the serpent shall come the hemorrhe , and the fruit thereof a flying prester . now we know , that the haemorrhe and the prester are two other different kindes of serpents from the cockatrice , and therefore these interpreters being the more faithful and learned , we will rather follow the holy scripture in their translation , then the vulgar latine , which is corrupted in very many places , as it is also esay the . vers . . for prester there is again in the vulgar translation the cockatrice : and for this cause we have not described the cockatrice with wings , as not finding sufficient authority to warrant the same . the eyes of the cockatrice are red , or somewhat inclining to blacknesse , the skin and carkase of this beast have been accounted precious , for we do read that the pergament did buy but certain pieces of a cockatrice , and gave for it two pound and a half of silver : and because there is an opinion that no bird , spider , or venomous beast , will indure the sight of this serpent , they did hang up the skin thereof stuffed , in the temples of apollo and diana , in a certain thin net made of gold : and therefore it is said , that never any swallow , spider , or other serpent durst come within those temples : and not only the skin or the sight of the cockatrice worketh this effect , but also the flesh thereof , being rubbed upon the pavement , posts or walls of any house . and moreover , if silver be rubbed over with the powder of the cockatrices flesh , it is likewise said , that it giveth it a tincture like unto gold : and besides these qualities , i remember not any other in the flesh or skin of this serpent . the hissing of the cockatrice which is his natural voyce , is terrible to other serpents , and therefore as soon as they hear the same , they prepare themselves to fly away , according to these verses of nicander ; illius auditos expectant nulla susurros , quantumvis magnas sinuent animalia spiras , quandovel in pastum , vel opacae devia silvae , irriguósve locos , mediae sub luce diei excandescenti succensa furore feruntur , sed turpi conversa fugae dant terga retror sum . which may be englished thus ; when as the greatest winding serpents hear , ( feeding in woods or pasture all abroad , although inclos'd in many spiret , yet fear : or in mid-day the shadows near brooks road , ) the fearful hissing of this angry beast , they run away , as fast as feet can lead them , flying his rage unto some other rest , turning their backs whereby they do escape him . we read also that many times in africa , the mules fall down dead for thirst , or else lye dead on the ground for some other causes , unto whose carkase innumerable troops of serpents gather themselves to feed thereupon : but when the basilisk windeth the said dead body , he giveth forth his voyce : at the first hearing whereof , all the serpents hide themselves in the near adjoyning sands , or else run into their holes , not daring to come forth again , until the coackatrice have well dined and satisfied himself . at which time he giveth another signal by his voyce of his departure : then come they forth , but never dare meddle with the remnants of the dead beast , but go away to seek some other prey . and if it happen that any other pestiferous beast come unto the waters to drink near the place wherein the cockatrice is lodged , so soon as it perceiveth the presence thereof , although it be not heard nor seen , yet it departeth back again , without drinking , neglecting his own nutriment , to save it self from further danger ; whereupon lucanus saith ; — latè sibi sub 〈…〉 vet omne vulgus , & in vacua regnat basiliscus arena . which may be thus englished ; he makes the vulgar far from him to stand , while cockatrice alone raigns on the sand . so then it being evident that the hissing of a cockatrice is terrible to all serpents , and his breath and poyson mortall to all manner of beasts : yet hath god in nature not left this vile serpent without an enemy ; for the weasil and the cock are his triumphant victors ; and therefore pliny saith well : huic tali monstro quod saepe enectum concupivere reges videre , mustelaerum virus exitio est , adeò naturae nihil placuit esse sine pari : that is to say , this monster which even kings have desired to see when it was dead , yet is destroyed by the poyson of weasils , for so it hath pleased nature , that no beast should be without his match . the people therefore when they take weasils , after they have found the caves and lodging places of the cockatrices , which are easily discerned by the upper face of the earth , which is burned with their hot poyson , they put the weasil in unto her : at the sight whereof the cockatrice flyeth like a weakling over matched with too strong an adversary , but the weasil followeth after and killeth her . yet this is to be noted , that the weasil both before the fight and after the slaughter , armeth her self by eating of rue , or else she would be poysoned with the contagious air about the cockatrice : and besides this weasil , there is no other beast in the world which is able to stand in contention against the cockatrice , saith lemnius . again , even as a lyon is afraid of a cock , so is the basilisk for he is not only afraid at his sight , but almost dead when he heareth him crow , which thing is notoriously known throughout all africa . and therefore all travellers which go through the deserts , take with them a cock for their safe conduct against the poyson of the basilisk : and thus the crowing of the cock is a terror to lyons , and a death to cockatrices , yet he himself is afraid of a kite . there are certain learned writers in saxony , which affirm , that there are many kindes of serpents in their woods ; whereof one is not unlike to a cockatrice : for they say it hath a very sharp head , a yellow colour , in length not exceeding three palms , of a great thicknesse , his belly spotted and adorned with many white pricks : the back blew , and the tail crooked and turned up : but the opening of his mouth is far wider then the proportion of his body may seem to bear . these serpents may well be referred to cockatrices : for howsoever their poyson is not so great as the basilisks of africa , ( even as all other serpents of the hot countries are far more pestiferous then those which are bred in the cold countries : ) the very same reason perswadeth me , that there is a difference among the cockatrices , and that those of saxonia may differ in poyson from those in africa , and yet be true cockatrices : besides this , there is another reason in lemnius , which perswadeth the reader there are no cockatrices ; because when the countreymen set upon them to kill them with clubs , bills , or forks , they receive no hurt at all by them , neither is their any apparent contagion of the air : but this is answered already , that the poyson in the cold countrey is nothing so great as in the hot ; and therefore in saxony they need fear the biting , and not the airs infection . cardan relateth another story of a certain serpent , which was found in the walls of an old decayed house in millan , the head of it ( saith he ) was as big as an egge , too big for the body , which in quantity and shape resembled a stellion . there were teeth on either chap , such as are in vipers . it had two legs , and those very short , but great , and their feet had claws like a cats : so that when it stood it was like a cock , for it had a bunch on the top of the head , and yet it wanted both feathers and wings : the tail was as long as the body , in the top thereof there was a round bunch as big as the head of an italian stellion . it is very likely that this beast is of the kinde of cockatrices . now we are to intreat of the poyson of this serpent , for it is a hot and venomous poyson , infecting the air round about , so as no other creature can live near him ; for it killeth , not only by his hissing and by his sight , ( as is said of the gorgons , ) but also by his touching , both immediately and mediately ; that is to say ; not only when a man toucheth the body it self , but also by touching a weapon wherewith the body was slain , or any other dead beast slain by it ; and there is a common fame , that a horse-man taking a spear in his hand , which had been thrust through a cockatrice , did not only draw the poyson of it into his own body and so dyed , but also killed his horse thereby . lucan writeth ; quid prodest miseri basiliscus cuspide mauri transactus ? velox currit per tela venenum , invadit manum equumque . in english thus ; what had the moore to kill the cockatrice with spear , sith the swift poyson him did spill , and horse that did him bear . the question is in what part of this serpent the poyson doth lie ; some say in the head alone , and that therefore the basilisk is deaf , because the air which serveth the organ of hearing , is resolved by the intensive calidity : but this seemeth not to be true , that the poyson should be in the head only , because it killeth by the fume of the whole body , and besides when it is dead it killeth by only touching it , and the man or beast so slain , doth also by touching kill another : some again say , that the poyson is in the breast , and that therefore it breatheth at the sides , and at many other places of the body , through and betwixt the scales ; which is also true , that it doth so breath : for otherwise the burning fume that proceedeth from this poysonful beast , would burn up the intrails thereof , if it came out of the ordinary place ; and therefore almighty god hath so ordained , that it should have spiraments and breathing places in every part of the body , to vent away the heat , left that in very short time , by the inclusion thereof , the whole compage and juncture of the body should be utterly dissolved , and separated one part from another . but to omit inquiry in what part of his body the poyson lyeth , seeing it is most manifest that it is universal , we will leave the seat thereof , and dispute of the instruments and effects . first of all therefore it killeth his own kinde , by sight , hearing , and touching . by his own kinde , i mean other serpents , and not other cockatrices , for they can live one beside another , for if it were true ( which i do not believe ) that the arabian harmene were any other serpent then a cockatrice , the very same reason that ardoynus giveth of the fellowship of these two serpents together , ( because of the similitude of their natures ) may very well prove that no divers kindes can live so well together , in safety without harming one another , as do one and the same kinde together . and therefore there is more agreement in nature betwixt a cockatrice and a cockatrice , then a cockatrice and harmene , and it is more likely that a cockatrice doth not kill a cockatrice , then that a cockatrice doth not kill an harmene : and again , cockatrices are engendered by egges , according to the holy scripture ; and therefore one of them killeth not another by touching , hiffing , or seeing , because one of them hatcheth another . but it is a question whether the cockatrice dye by the sight of himself : some have affirmed so much , but i dare not subscribe thereunto , because in reason it is unpossible that any thing should hurt it self , that hurteth not another of his own kinde , yet if in the secret of nature god have ordained such a thing , i will not strive against them that can shew it . and therefore i cannot without laughing , remember the old wives tales of the vulgar cockatrices that have been in england ; for i have oftentimes heard it related confidently , that once our nation was full of cockatrices , and that a certain man did destroy them by going up and down in glasse , whereby their own shapes were reflected upon their own faces , and so they dyed . but this fable is not worth refuting , for it is more likely that the man should first have dyed by the corruption of the air from the cockatrices , then the cockatrices to die by the reflection of his own similitude from the glasse , except it can be shewed that the poysoned air could not enter into the glasse wherein the man did breath . among all living creatures , there is none that perisheth sooner then doth a man by the poyson of a cockatrice , for with his sight he killeth him , because the beams of the cockatrices eyes , do corrupt the visible spirit of a man , which visible spirit corrupted , all the other spirits coming from the brain and life of the heart , are thereby corrupted , and so the man dyeth : even as women in their monthly courses do vitiate their looking-glasses ; or as a wolf suddenly meeting a man , taketh from him his voyce , or at the least-wise maketh him hoarse . to conclude , this poyson infecteth the air , and the air so infected killeth all living things , and likewise all green things , fruits , and plants of the earth : it burneth up the grasse whereupon it goeth or creepeth , and the fowls of the air fall down dead when they come near his den or lodging . sometimes he biteth a man or a beast , and by that wound the bloud turneth into choler , and so the whole body becometh yellow as gold , presently killing all that touch it , or come near it . the symptomes are thus described by nicander , with whose words i will conclude this history of the cockatrice , writing as followeth : quod ferit hic , multo corpus succenditur igne , a membris resoluta suis caro defluit , & fit lurida & obscuro nigrescit opaca colore . nullae etiam volucres quae foeda cadavera pascunt , sic occisum hominem tangunt , ut vultur , & omnes : huic similes alia , pluviae quoque nuncius aurae corvus , nec quaecunque fera per devia lusira degunt , è tali capiunt sibi tabula carne . tum teter vacuas odor hinc exhalat in auras , atque propinquantes penetrant non segniter artus : sin cogente fame veniens approximet ales , tristia fata refert , certamque ex aëre mortem . which may be englished thus ; when he doth strike , the body hurt is set on fire , and from the members falleth off the flesh , withall , it ratten is , and in the colour black as any mire . refus'd of carrion-feeding-birds both great and small are all men so destroy'd . no vulture or biter fierce , or weather telling-crow , or desarts wildest beast , which live in dens sustaining greatest famines force , but at their tables do this flesh detest . then is the air repleat with 's lothsome smell , piercing vital parts of them approaching neer , and if a bird it tast to fill his hunger fell , it dies assured death , none need it fear . of the cordil . although i finde some difference about the nature of this living creature , and namely whether it be a serpent or a fish , yet because the greater and better part make it a serpent , i will also bring it in his due order in this place for a venomous beast . gesner is of opinion , that it is no other but a lizard of the water ; but this cannot agree with the description of aristotle and bellonius , who affirm the cordil to have gills like a fish , and these are not found in any lizard . the grecians call this serpent kordule , and kordulos , whereof the latines derive or rather borrow their cordulus , and cordyla . numenius maketh this a kinde of salamander which the apothecaries do in many countries falsely sell for the scincus or crocodile of the earth , and yet it exceedeth the quantity of a salamander , being much lesse then the crocodile of the earth , having gills , and wanting fins on the sides , also a long tail , and according to the proportion of the body , like a squirrels , although nothing so big , without scabs : the back being bald and somewhat black , and horrible rough , through some bunches growing thereupon , which being pressed do yeeld a certain humor like milk , which being laid to the nosthrils doth smell like poyson , even as it is in a salamander . the beak or snout is very blunt or dull , yet armed with very sharp teeth . the claws of his fore-legs are divided into four , and on his hinder-legs into five : there is also a certain fleshy fin growing all along from the crown of his head , unto his tail upon the back , which when he swimmeth he erecteth , and by it is his body sustained in the water from sinking , for his body is moved with crooked winding , even as an eel or a lamprey . the inward parts of this serpent are also thus described . the tongue is soft and spungy , like as is the tongue of a water-frog , wherewith as it were with glew , he draweth to his mouth , both leeches and worms of the earth , whereupon it feedeth . at the root of his tongue there is a certain bunch of flesh , which as i think supplyeth the place of the lights , for when it breatheth , that part is especially moved , and it panteth to and fro , so that thereby i gather , either it hath the lights in that place , or else in some other place near the jaws . it wanteth ribs as doth the salamander , and it hath certain bones in the back , but not like the ordinary back-bone of other such serpents . the heart is also all spungy , and cleaveth to the right side , not to the left : the left ear whereof supplyeth the place of the pericardium . the liver is very black , and somewhat cloven at the bending or sloap side : the milt somewhat red , cleaving to the very bottom of the ventricle . the reins are also very spungy , joyned almost to the legs , in which parts it is most fleshy , but in other places , especially in the belly and breast , it is all skin and bone . it also beareth egges in her place of conception , which is forked or double , which are there disposed in order , as in other living griftly creatures . those egges are nourished with a kinde of red fat , out of which in due time come the young ones alive , in as great plenty and number as the salamanders . and these things are reported by bellonius , besides whom i finde nothing more said , that is worthy to be related of this serpent , and therefore i will here conclude the history whereof . of the crocodile . in the same place of leviticus the word zab is interpreted a kinde of crocodile wherewithall david kimhi confoundeth greschint , and rabbi solomon , faget . the chaldees translate it zaba ; the persians , an rasu ; the septuagints , a crocodile of the earth ; but it is better to follow saint hierom in the same , because the text addeth according to his kinde , wherefore it is superfluous to adde the distinction of the crocodile of the earth , except it were lawful to eat the crocodiles of the water . in exod. . there is a fish called zephardea , which cometh out of the waters and eateth men , this cannot agree to any fish in nilus , save only the crocodile ; and therefore this word is by the arabians rendered al timasch . some do hereby understand pagulera , grenelera , and batra 〈…〉 , that to great frogs . aluka by the most of the jews understand a horsleach , prov. . but david kimhi taketh and useth it for a crocodile . for he saith , it is a great worm , abiding n●●r the rivers sides , and upon a sudden setteth upon men or cattel as they passe beside him . tisma and alinsa are by avicen expounded for a crocodile : and tenchea for that crocodile that never moveth his neather or under chap. strabo saith , that in the province of arsinoe in egypt , there is a holy crocodile , worshipped by the inhabitants , and kept tame by the priests in a certain lake , this sacred crocodile is called suchus , and this word cometh neer to scincus , which as we have said , signifieth any crocodile of the earth , from which the arabian tinsa semeth also to be derived , as the egyptian thampsai doth come neer to the arabian tremisa . horodotus calleth them champsai , and this was the old ionian word for a vulgar crocodile in hedges . upon occasion whereof scaliger saith , he asked a turk by what name they call a crocodile at this day in turky , and he answered kimpsai , which is most evidently corrupted from champsai . the egyptians vulgarly call the crocodile of nilus , c●catri● , the grecians , neilokrokodeilos , generally krocodeilos , and sometimes dendrites . the latines , crocodilus ; and albertus , crocodillus , and the same word is retained in all languages of europe . about the etymology of this word , i finde two opinions not unprofitable to be rehearsed : the first , that crocodilus cometh of crocus , saffron , because this beast , especially the crocodile of the earth , is afraid of saffron , and therefore the countrey people , to defend their hives of bees and honey from them , strow upon the places saffron . but this is too far fetched , to name a beast from that which it feareth , and being a secret in nature , it is not likely that it was discovered at the first , and therefore the name must have some other investigation . isidorus saith , that the name crocodilus cometh of croceus color , the colour of saffron , because such is the colour of the crocodile : and this seemeth to be more reasonable . for i have seen a crocodile in england brought out of egypt dead , and killed with a musket , the colour whereof was like to saffron growing upon stalks in fields . yet it is more likely , that the derivation of varinus and eustathius was the original , for they say that the shores of sands on the rivers , were called crocae and crocula : and because the crocodiles haunt and live in those shores , it might give the name to the beasts , because the water crocodiles live and delight in those sands , but the land or earth crocodiles abhor and fear them . it is reported that the famous grammarian artemidorus seeing a crocodile lying upon the lands , he was so much touched and moved therewith , that he fell into an opinion that his left leg and hand were eaten off by that serpent , and that thereby he lost the remembrance of all his great learning and knowledge of arts. and thus much for the name of this serpent . in the next place we are to consider the countries wherein crocodiles are bred , and keep their habitation , and those are especially egypt , for that only hath crocodiles of both kindes , that is , of the water and of the land , for the crocodiles of nilus are amphibil , and live in both elements : they are not only in the river nilus , but also in all the pools near adjoyning . the river bambotus neer to atlas in africa , doth also bring forth crocodiles : and pliny saith , that in darat a river of mauritania , there are crocodiles ingendered . likewise apollonius reporteth , that when he passed by the river indus , he met with many sea-horses and crocodiles , such as are found in the river nilus , and besides these countries i do not remember any other , wherein are ingendered crocodiles of the water , which are the greatest and most famous crocodiles of all other . the crocodiles of the earth , which are of lesser note and quantity , are more plentiful , for they are found in lybia , and in bythinia , where they are called azaritia , and in the mountain syagrus in arabia , and in the woods of india , as is well observed by arianus , dioscorides , and hermolaus , and therefore i will not prosecute this matter any further . the kindes being already declared , it follows that we should proceed to their quantity and several parts . and it appeareth that the water crocodile is much greater , and more noble then the crocodiles of the earth ; for they are not not above two cubits long , or sometimes eight at the most , but the others are sixteen , and sometimes more . and besides , these crocodiles , if they lay their egs , in the water ( saith dellunensis ) then their young ones are much greater , but if on the land , then they are lesser , and like the crocodiles of the earth . in the river ganges there are two kindes of crocodiles , one of them is harmlesse , and doth no hurt to any creature , but the other is a devouring unfatiable beast , killing all that he layeth his mouth on , without all mercy or exorable quality , in the top of whose snowt there groweth a bunch like a horn . now a crocodile is like a lizard in all points ( excepting the tail , and the quantity of a lizard , ) yet it layeth an egge no greater then a gooses egge , and from so small a beginning a beginning ariseth this monstrous serpent , growing all his life long , unto the length of fifteen or twenty cubits . and as phalareus witnesseth in the days of psammitichas king of egypt , there was one found of five and twenty cubits long : and before that , in the days of amasis , one that was above six and twenty cubits long , the reason whereof was their long life , and continual growth . we have shewed already , that the colour of a crocodile is like to saffron , that is betwixt yellow and red , more inclining to yellow then red , not unlike to the blacket kinde of chamaeleon : but peter martyr saith , that their belly is somewhat whiter then the other parts . their body is rough all over , being covered with a certain bark or rinde , so thick , firm , and strong as it will not yeeld ( and especially about the back ) unto a cart-wheele when the cart is loaded , and in all the upper parts , and the tail , it is impenetrable with any dart or spear , yea scarsely to a pistol or small gun , but the belly is softer , whereon he receiveth wounds with more facility : for as we shall shew afterwards , there is a kinde of dolphin which cometh into nilus , and fighteth with them , wounding them on the belly parts . the covering of their back is distinguished into divers divided shells , standing up far above the flesh , and towards the sides they are lesse eminent , but on the belly they are more smooth , white , and very penetrable . the eyes of a crocodile of the water , are reported to be like unto a swines , and therefore in the water they see very dimly , but out of the water they are sharp and quick sighted , like to all other four-footed serpents that lay egges . they have but one eye lid , and that groweth from the neather part of the cheek , which by reason of their eyes never twinckleth . and the egyptians say , that only the crocodile among all the living creatures in the water , draweth a certain thin bright skin from his fore-head over his eyes , wherewithall he covereth his sight : and this i take to be the only cause of his dim sight in the waters . the head of this beast is very broad , and his snout like a swines . when he eateth or biteth , he never moveth his neather or under chap. whereof aristotle giveth this reason , that seeing nature hath given him so short feet , as that they are not able to hold or to take the prey , therefore the mouth is framed in stead of feet , so as it may more vehemently strike and wound , and also more speedily move and turn after the prey , and this is better done by the upper then the neither chap. but it is likely that he was deceived , for he speaketh of crocodilus marinus , a crocodile of the sea : whereas there is no crocodile of the sea , but rather some other monster like a crocodile in the sea , and such peradventure albertus saw , and thereupon inconsiderately affirmed , that all crocodiles move their under-chaps , except the teuchea . but the learned vessalius proveth it to be otherwise , because that the neather-chap is so conjoyned and fastened to the bones of the temples , that it is not possible for to be moved . and therefore the crocodile only among all other living creatures , moveth the upper-chap , and holdeth the under-chap unmoveable . the second wonder unto this , is that the crocodile hath no tongue , nor so much as any appearance of a tongue . but then the question is , how it cometh to distinguish the sapours and tast of his meat . whereunto aristotle answereth that this crocodile is such a ravening beast , that his meat tarryeth not in his mouth , but is carryed into his stomach , like as other water beasts , and therefore they discern sapours , and relish their meat more speedily then other ; for the water or humor falleth so fast into their mouths , that they cannot stand long upon the tast or distast of their meat . but yet some make question of this , and they answer that most men are deceived herein , for whiles they look for his tongue upon his neather-chap , as it is in all other beasts , and finde none , they conclude him to want that part : but they should consider , that the tongue cleaveth to the moveable part , and as in other beasts the neather-chap is the seat of the tongue , because of the motion , so in this the tongue cleaveth to the upper-chap , because that it is moveable , and yet not visible as in other , and therefore is very hardly discerned . for all this , i rather conclude with the former authors , that seeing it liveth both in the waters and on the land , and therefore it resembleth a fish and a beast , as it resembleth a beast , locum obtinet linguae , it hath a place for a tongue ; but as it resembleth a fish , elinguis est , it is without a tongue . it hath great teeth standing out , all of them stand out before visibly when the mouth is shut , and fewer behinde . and whereas aristotle writeth , that there is no living creature which hath both dentes prominentes , & serratos , that is , standing out , and divided like a saw , yet the crocodile hath both . these teeth are white , long , sharp , and a little crooked and hollow , their quantity well resembling the residue of the proportion of the body : and some say , that a crocodile hath three rows of teeth , like the lyon of chius , and like the whale , but this is not an approved opinion , because they have no more then sixty teeth . they have also sixty joynts or bones in the back , which are also tyed together with so many nerves . the opening of his mouth reacheth to the place of his ears , and there be some crocodiles in ganges which have a kinde of little horn upon their noses or snout . the milt is very small , and this some say is only in them that bring forth egges , their stones are inward and cleave to their loyns . the tail is of the same length that the whole body hath , and the same is also rough and armed with hard skin upon the upper part and the sides , but beneath it is smooth and tender . it hath fins upon the tail , by the benefit whereof it swimmeth , as also by the help of the feet , the feet are like a bears , except that they are covered with scales in stead of hair ; their nails are very sharp and strong for if it had a thumb as well as it hath feet , the strength thereof would over-turn a ship . it is doubtful whether it hath any place of excrement except the mouth . and thus much for the several parts of the crocodile . the knowledge also of the natural actions and inclinations of crocodiles is requisite to be handled in the next place , because that actions follow the members as sounds do instruments . first therefore , although aristotle for the most part speaking of a crocodile , calleth it aquatilis & fluviatilis , yet it is not to confine it to the waters and rivers , as though it never came out of them like fishes , but only to note that particular kinde which differeth from them of the earth , for it is certain that it liveth in both elements , namely earth and water : and for the time that it abideth in the water , it also taketh air , and not the humor or moistnesse of the water , yet can they not want either humor of the water or respiration of the air ; and for the day time it abideth on the land , and in the night in the water , because in the day , the earth is hotter then the water , and in the night the water warmer then the earth : and while it liveth on the land , it is so delighted with the sun-shine , and lyeth therein so immoveable , that a man would take it to be stark dead . the eyes of a crocodile ( as we have said ) are dull and blinde in the water , yet they appear bright to others , for this cause , when the egyptians will signifie the sun-rising , they picture a crocodile looking upward to the earth , and when they will signifie the west , they picture a crocodile diving in the water , and so for the most part the crocodile lyeth upon the banks , that he may either dive into the water with speed , or ascend to the earth to take his prey . by reason of the shortnesse of his feet , his pace is very slow , and therefore it is not only easie to escape from him by flight , but also if a man do but turn aside and winde out of the direct way , his body is so unable to bend it self , that he can neither winde nor turn after it . when they go under the earth into their caves , like to all fore-footed and egge-breeding serpents , as namely lizards , stellions , and tortoises , they have all their legs joyned to their sides , which are so retorted as they may bend to either side ; for the necessity of covering their egges ; but when they are abroad , and go bearing up all their bodies , then they bend only outward , making their thighs more visible . it is somewhat questionable , whether they lye hid within their caves four months or sixty days , for some authors affirm one thing , and some another , but the reason of the difference is taken from the condition of the cold weather , for which cause they lye hid in the winter time . now forasmuch as the winter in egypt is not usually above four months , therefore it is taken that they lie but four months , but if it be by accident of cold weather prolonged longer , then for the same cause the crocodile is longer time in the earth . during the time they lie hid , they eat nothing , but sleep ( as it is thought ) immoveably , and when they come out again , they do not cast their skins as other serpents do . the tail of a crocodile is his strongest part , and they never kill any beast or man , but first of all they strike him down and astonish him with their tails , and for this cause , the egyptians by a crocodiles tail do signifie death and darknesse . they devour both men and beasts if they finde them in their way , or neer the bankes of nilus , wherein they abide , taking sometimes a calf from the cow his dam , and carrying it whole into the waters . and it appeareth by the pourtraiture of neacles , that a crocodile drew in an asse into nilus as he was drinking , and therefore the dogs of egypt by a kinde of natural instinct , do not drink but as they run , for fear of the crocodiles : where-upon came the proverb , vt canis è nilo bibit & fugit , as a dog at one time drinketh and runneth by nilus . when they desire fishes , they put their heads out of the water as it were to sleep , and then suddenly when they espy a booty , they leap into the waters upon them and take them . after that they have eaten and are satisfied , then they turn to the land again ; and as they lie gaping upon the earth , the little bird trochilus maketh clean their teeth , and is satisfied by the remainders of the flesh sticking upon them . it is also affirmed by arnoldus , that it is fed with mud , but the holy crocodile in the provinte of arsinoe , is fed with bread , flesh , wine sweet and hard , sod flesh and cakes , and such like things as the poor people bring unto it when they come to see it . when the egyptians will write a man eating or at dinner , they paint a crocodile gaping . they are exceeding fruitful and prolifical , and therefore also in hieroglyphicks they are made to signifie fruitfulnesse . they bring forth every year , and lay their egges in the earth or dry land . for during the space of theescore days they lay every day an egge , and in the like space they are hatched into young ones , by sitting or lying upon them by course , the male one while , and the female another . the time of their hatching is in a moderate and temperate time , otherwise they perish and come to nothing , for extremity of heat spoyleth the egge , as the buds of some trees are burned and scorched off by the like occasion . the egge is not much greater then the egge of a goose , and the young one out of the shell is of the same proportion . and so from such a small beginning doth this huge and monstrous serpent grow to his great stature , the reason whereof ( saith aristotle ) is , because it groweth all his life long even to the length of ten or more cubits . when it hath laid the egges , it carryeth them to the place where it shall be hatched , for by a natural providence and forelight ; it avoideth the waters of nilus , and therefore ever layeth her egges beyond the compasse of her floods : by observation whereof , the people of egypt know every year the inundation of nilus before it happen . and in the measure of this place it is apparent , that this beast is not indued only with a spirit of reason , but also with a fatidical or prophetical geographical delineation , for so she placeth her egges in the brim or bank of the flood ( before the flood cometh ) that the water may cover the nest , but not her self that sitteth upon the egges . and the like to this is the building of the beaver , as we have showed in due place before in the history of four-footed beasts . so soon as the young ones are hatched , they instantly fall into the depth of the water , but if they meet with frog , snail , or any other such thing fit for their meat , they do presently tear it in pieces , the dam biteth it with her mouth , as it were punishing the pusillanimity thereof , but if it hunt greater things , and be greedy , ravening , industrious and bloudy , that she maketh much of , and killing the other , nourisheth and tendereth this above measure : after the example of the wisest men , who love their children in judgement , fore-seeing their industrious inclination , and not in affection , without regard of worth , vertue , or merit . it is said by philes , that after the egge is laid by the crocodile , many times there is a cruel stinging scorpion which cometh out thereof , and woundeth the crocodile that laid it . to conclude , they never prosper but neer the waters , and they live threescore years , or the age of a mans life . the nature of this beast is to be fearful , ravening , malitious , and treacherous in getting of his prey , the subtilty of whose spirit , is by some attributed to the thinnesse of his bloud , and by other to the hardnesse of his skin and hide . how it dealeth with her young ones , we have shewed already , as it were trying their nature whether they will degenerate or no , and the like things are reported of the asps , cancers , and tortoyses of egypt . from hence came the conceit of pietas crocodili , the piety of the crocodile . but as we have said , it is a fearful serpent , abhorring all manner of noise , especially from the strained voyce of a man , and where he findeth himself valiantly assaulted , there also he is discouraged , and therefore marcellinus saith of him , audax monstrum fugacibus , at ubi audaecem senserit timidissimum : an audacious monster to them that run away , but most fearful where he findeth resistance . some have written , that the crocodile runneth away from a man if he wink with his left eye , and look sted fastly upon him with his right eye , but if this be true , it is not to be attributed to the vertue of the right eye , but only to the rarenesse of sight , which is conspicuous to the serpent from one eye . the greatest terrour unto crocodiles , as both seneca and pliny affirm , are the inhabitants of the isle tentyrus within nilus ; for those people make them run away with their voyces , and many times pursue and take them in snares . of these people speaketh solinus in this manner : there is a generation of men in the isle tentyrus within the waters of nilus , which are of a most adverse nature to the crocodile , dwelling also in the same place . and although their persons or presence be of small stature , yet herein is their courage admired , because at the sudden sight of a crocodile they are no whit daunted : for one of these dare meet and provoke him to run away . they will also leap into the rivers and swim after the crocodile , and meeting with it , without fear cast themselves upon the beasts back , riding on him as upon a horse . and if the beast lift up his head to bite him , when he gapeth they put into his mouth a wedge , holding it hard at both ends with both their hands , and so as it were with a bridle , lead , or rather drive them captive to the land , where with their noise they so terrifie them , that they make them cast up the bodies which they had swallowed into their bellies : and because of this antipathy in nature , the crocodiles dare not come neer to this island . the like thing we have before in our general discourse of serpents , shewed to be in the indian psylli against the greatest serpents . and strabo also hath recorded , that at what time crocodiles were brought to rome , these tentyrites followed and drove them . for whom there was a certain great pool or fish-pond assigned or walled about , except one passage for the beast to come out of the water into the sun-shine : and when the people came to see them , these tentyrites with nets would draw them to the land , and put them back again into the water at their own pleasure . for they so hook them by their eyes , and bottom of their bellies , which are their tenderest parts , that like as horses broken by their riders , they yeeld unto them , and forget their strength in the presence of these their conquerors . peter martyr in his third book of his babylonian legation , saith , that from the city cair to the sea , the crocodiles are not so hurtful and violent as they are up the river nilus into the land , and against the stream . for as you go further up the river , neer the mountain and hilly places , so shall you finde them more fierce , bloudy and unresistible , whereof the inhabitants gave him many reasons . first , because that part of the river which is betwixt the city cair and the sea , is very full of all sorts of fishes , where by the beasts are so filled with devouring of them , that they list not come out of the water on the land to hunt after men or cattel , and therefore they are the lesse hurtful , for even the lyon and wolf do cease to kill and devour when their bellies are full . but sometimes the crocodiles beneath the river , follow the gales or troups of fish up the river , like so many fisher-men , and then the countrey fisher-men inclose them in nets , and so destroy them . for there is a very great reward proposed by the law of the countrey , to him that killeth a crocodile of any great quantity ; and therefore they grow not great , and by reason of their smalnesse are lesse adventurous . for so soon as a great crocodile is discovered , there is such watch and care taken to interrupt and kill him for hope of the reward , that he cannot long escape alive . thirdly , the crocodiles up the river , towards the mountains , are more hurtful , because they are pressed with more hunger and famine , and more seldom come within the terror of men , wherefore they forsake the waters , and run up and down to seek preys to satisfie their hunger , which when they meet withall , they devour with an unresistible desire , forced and pressed forward by hunger , which breaketh stone walls . but most commonly when the river nilus is lowest , and sunck down into the channel , then the crocodiles in the water do grow most hungry , because the fish are gone away with the floods ; and then the subtile beast will heal and cover himself over with sand or mud , and so lie the bank of the river , where he knoweth the women come to fetch water , or the cattel to drink , and when he espyeth his advantage , he suddenly taketh the woman by the hand that she taketh up water withall , and draweth her into the river , where he teareth her in pieces and eateth her . is like sort dealeth he with oxen , cows , asses , and other cattel . if hunger force him to the land , and he meet with a camel , horse , asse , or such like beast , then with the force and blows of his tail he breaketh his legs , and so laying him flat on the earth , killeth and eateth him : for so great is the strength of a crocodiles tail , that it hath been seen that one stroke thereof hath broken all the four legs of a beast at one blow . there is also another peril by crocodiles , for it is said that when nilus falleth , and the water waxeth low , the barks through want of winde , are fain by the mariners to be tugged up the stream with long lines and cords : the subtile crocodile seeing the same , doth suddenly with his tail smite the same line with such force , that either he breaketh it , or by his forcible violence tumbleth the mariner down into the water , whom he is ready to receive with open mouth before he can recover . yea many times by means thereof the bark it self so tettereth and reeleth , that the violent beast taketh a man out of it , or else clean over-turneth it , to the destruction of all that are in it . aelianus saith , that among the ombitae which are in arsinoe , the crocodiles are harmlesse , and having several names when they are called , do put their heads out of the water and take meat gently , which meat is the head and garbage of such sacrifices as are brought thither . but in another place he writeth , that among the ombitae or coptitae , it is not safe for a man to fetch water from the river , or to wash their feet , or walk on the rivers side , but with great caution and warinesse . for even those beasts which are most kindely used by men , do rage against their benefactors , as namely the crocodile , the ichneumon , the wilde-cats , and such like . and yet plutarch in his book vtra animalium , saith , that the priests , by the custom of meat-giving , have made some of them so tame , that they will suffer their mouths and teeth to be cleansed by men . and it is further said , that during the seven ceremonial days of the nativity of apis , there is none of them that sheweth any wilde trick or cruel part , but as it were by compact betwixt them and the priests , they lay aside all cruelty and rage during that time . and therefore cicero writeth most excellently , saying ; aegyptiorum morem quis ignoret ? quorum imbutaementes pravitatum erroribus , quamvis carnificinam potius subierint , quam ibim , aut aspidem , aut crocodil 〈…〉 violent . that is to say , who is ignorant of the custom of the egyptians ? whose mindes are so seasoned and indued with erroneous wickednesse , that they had rather undergo any torment , then offer violence to an ibis , an asp , or a holy crocodile . for in divers places , all these , and cats also , were worshipped by the people , according to the saying of juvenal : crocodilon adorat pars haec aegypti , — illa pavet saturam serpentibus ibim . which may be englished thus ; this part of egypt crocodiles adore , that , the ibis , fed with serpents store . but the reason of divine worship or honour given to the crocodiles are worth the noting , that the diligent reader may the better have some taste of that ancient blindenesse whereby our fore-fathers were misted and seduced , to forsake the most glorious and ever-blessed principles of divinity , for arguments of no weight . first therefore the idolatrous priests thought there was some divine power in the crocodile , because it wanted a tongue , for the deity or divine speech hath no need of a voyce to expresse his meaning , according to the saying of the grecians , kai di apsophon bainoon keleuthon kai dikes , ta thueta agrikata diken : for by a mute and silent way it ascendeth , and bringeth all things mortal to a vocal justice , which speaketh in action though not in in voyce even as all that is in the crocodile , is action and not voyce . secondly , by reason of a certain thin smooth skin coming from the midst of his fore-head , wherewithall it covereth his eyes , so that when it is thought to be blinde , yet it seeth : even so is it with the divine power , for even then when it is not seen , yet doth it see perfectly all mortal things . again , by their egges and nests they usually fore-shew the over-flowing of nilus , to the infinite benefit of their countrey wherein they live , for thereby the husband-men know when to till their land , and when not , when to sow and plant , and lead forth their flocks , and when not : which benefit is also ascribed to divinity , and therefore the crocodile is honoured with divine power . again , it layeth threescore egges , and liveth threescore years , which number of threescore , was in ancient time the first dimension of heaven and heavenly things . cicero also speaking against this egyptian vanity , saith , that they never consecrated a beast for a god , but for some apparent utility , as the ibis for devouring of serpents , and the crocodile for being a terror to theeves : and therefore the arabian and lybian theeves durst not come over the river nilus to rob the egyptians for fear of the crocodiles . there is a tale in diodorus siculus of the original of a crocodiles divine worship , which although it cannot be but fabulous , yet i have thought good to insert it in this place , to shew the vanity of superstition and idolatry . there was a king of egypt called minas , or as herodotus calleth him menes , who following his hounds in hunting into a certain marish of moeris , fell in with his horse , and there stuck fast , none of his followers daring to come after him to release him , so that he had there perished , had not a crocodile come and taken him up upon his back , and set him safe upon the dry land . for which miracle , the said king built there a city , and caused a crocodile to be worshipped , which was called sychus by all the inhabitants of that city , and also gave all the said marish of moeris , for the sustenance of the same . it was nourished with bread , flesh , and wine , cakes , sod slesh , and sweet new wine : so that when any man came to the lake wherein it was kept , the priests would presently call the beast out of the water , and being come to the land , one of them opened his mouth , and the other put in meat , delicacies , and wine . this crocodile of moeris , is the same that is called arsinoe , and like to that at thebes , about which they did hang jewels of gold , silver , and jems of ear-rings , bracelets , and such other things of price . when it dyed , they did season the body thereof with salt , and buryed it in the holy tombes or burying pots . the same also are called ombitae , i mean the people of that egypt which dwell in arsinoe , and for the love of the crocodiles , they abandon all manner of hawks their enemies , insomuch that many times they take them and hang them up in publique upon gallows for that purpose erected . and further , they keep certain days of triumphs like the olympiades , and games of honour : and so far they were blinded with that superstition , that they thought themselves exceedingly blessed if they lost their children by them , and thought themselves much honoured , if they saw them with their eyes fetched out of the streets and playing places by crocodiles . again , all the egyptians hold opinion , that the crocodile is a divinator , which they prove by the testimony of ptolomeus , who calling one of the sacred crocodiles , which was the oldest and best of all , he would not answer him , and afterward offering him meat , he also refused it , whereat many wondered : and some of the priests said , it was some prognostical sign either of the kings death or his own , and so it fell out shortly after , for the same crocodile dyed . as though a swine might not as well be accounted divine , seeing it also refuseth all meat and provocation at the time of their sicknesse , and before death . there is a city in egypt called apollinopolis , the city of apollo , where the inhabitants abhor and condemn the worship of crocodiles , for when they take any of them they hang them up and beat them to death , notwithstanding their tears and cryings , and afterwards they eat them : but the reason of their hatred is , because typhon their ancient enemy , was clothed with a crocodiles shape . others also say , the reason of their hatred is , because a crocodile took away and devoured the daughter of psamnites , and therefore they enjoyned all their posterity to hate crocodiles . to conclude this discourse of crocodiles inclination , even the egyptians themselves account a crocodile a savage and cruel murthering beast , as may appear by their hieroglyphicks , for when they will decipher a mad man , they picture a crocodile , who being put from his desired prey by forcible resistance , he presently rageth against himself . and they are often taught by lamentable experience , what fraud and malice to mankinde liveth in these beasts , for they cover themselves under willows and green hollow banks , till some people come to the waters side to draw and fetch water , and then suddenly , or ever they be aware , they are taken and drawn into the water . and also for this purpose , because he knoweth that he is not able to over-take a man in his course or chase , he taketh a great deal of water in his mouth , and casteth it in the path-wayes , so that when they endevour to run from the crocodile , they fall down in the slippery path , and are over-taken and destroyed by him . the common proverb also , crocodili lachrymae , the crocodiles tears , justifieth the treacherous nature of this beast , for there are not many brute beasts that can weep , but such is the nature of the crocodile , that to get a man within his danger , he will sob , sigh ; and weep , as though he were in extremity , but suddenly he destroyeth him . others say , that the crocodile weepeth after he hath devoured a man. howsoever it be , it noteth the wretched nature of hypocritical hearts , which before-hand will with faigned tears endevour to do mischief , or else after they have done it be outwardly sorry , as judas was for the betraying of christ , before he went and hanged himself . the males of this kinde do love their females above all measure , yea even to jealousie , as may appear by this one history of p. martyr . about the time that he was in those countries , there were certain mariners which saw two crocodiles together in carnal copulation upon the sands neer the river , from which the water was lately fallen into a certain island of nilus , the greedy mariners forsook their ship , and be took themselves to a long boat , and with great shouting , hollowing and crying , made towards them in very couragious manner : the male at the first assault fell amazed , and greatly terrified ran away as fast as he could into the waters , leaving his female lying upon her back , ( for when they ingender , the male turneth her upon her back , for by reason of the shortnesse of her legs she cannot do it her self ) so the mariners finding her upon her back and not able to turn over her self , they easily slew her , and took her away with them . soon after the male returned to the place to seek his female , but nor finding her , and perceiving bloud upon the sand , conjectured truly that she was slain , wherefore he presently cast himself into the river of nilus again , and in his rage swam stoutly against the stream untill he over-took the ship wherein his dead female was , which he presently set upon , lifting up himself and catching hold on the fides , would certainly have entered the same , had not the mariners with all their force battered his head and hands with clubs and staves , until he was wearyed and forced to give over his enterprise , and so with great sighing and sobbing departed from them . by which relation it is most clear what natural affection they bear one to another , and how they choose out their fellows , as it were fit wives and husbands for procreation . and it is no wonder if they make much of one another , for besides themselves they have few friends in the world , except the bird trochilus and swine , of whom i can say little , except this that followeth . as for the little bird trochilus , it affecteth and followeth them for the benefit of his own belly ; for while the crocodile greedily eateth , there sticketh fast in his teeth some part of his prey , which troubleth him very much , and many times ingendereth worms , then the beast to help himself taketh land , and lyeth gaping against the sun-beams westward , the bird perceiving it , flyeth to the jaws of the beast , and there first with a kinde of tickling-scratching , procureth ( as it were ) licence of the crocodile to pull forth the worms , and so eateth them all out , and clenseth the teeth throughly , for which cause the beast is content to permit the bird to go into his mouth . but when all is clensed , the ingrateful crocodile endevoureth suddenly to shut his chaps together upon the bird , and to devour his friend , like a cursed wretch which maketh no reckoning of friendship , but the turn served , requiteth good with evill . but nature hath armed this little bird with sharp thorns upon her head . so that while the crocodile endevoureth to shut his chaps and close his mouth upon it , those sharp thorns prick him into his palate , so that full sore against his unkinde nature , he letteth her flye safe away . but whereas there be many kindes of trochili , which are greedy of these worms or clensings of the crocodiles , some of them which have not thorns on their heads pay for it , for there being not offence to let the closing of the crocodiles mouth , they must needs be devoured : and therefore this enforced amity betwixt him and the crocodile , is only to be understood of the cledororynchus , as it is called by hermolaus . there be some that affirm , that he destroyeth all without exception that thus come into his mouth , and othersome say he destroyeth none , but when he feeleth his mouth sufficiently clensed , he waggeth his upper chap , as it were to give warning of avoidance , and in favour of the good turn , to let the bird flie away at his own pleasure . howbeit , the other and the former narration is more likely to be true , and more constantly affirmed by all good authors except plutarch . and leo afric . saith , that it was the constant and confident report of all africa , that the crocodile devoureth all for their love and kindenesse , except the cledororynchi , which they cannot , by reason of the thorns upon their head . that there is an amity and natural concord betwixt swine and crocodiles is also gathered , because they only among all other living four-footed beasts , do without danger dwell , feed and inhabit upon the banks of nilus , even in the midst of crocodiles ; and therefore it is probable that they are friends in nature . but oh how small a sum of friends hath this beast , and how unworthy of love among all creatures , that never in nature hath but two , in heaven or earth , air or water , that will adventure to come neer it , and one of these also , which is the best deserving , it devoureth and destroyeth if it get it within his danger . seeing the friends of it are so few , the enemies of it must needs be many , and therefore require a more large catalogue or story . in the first rank whereof cometh , ( as worthy the first place ) the ichneumon , or pharaohs-mouse , who rageth against their egges and their persons , for it is certain that it hunteth with all sagacity of sense to finde out their nests , and having found them , it spoileth , scattereth , breaketh and emptieth all their egges . they also watch the old ones asleep , and finding their mouths open against the beams of the sun , suddenly enter into them , and being small , creep down their vast and large throats before they beware , and then putting the crocodile to exquisite and intolerable torment , by eating their guts asunder , and so their soft bellies , while the crocodile tumbleth to and fro sighing and weeping , now in the depth of water , now on the land , never resting till strength of nature faileth . for the incessant gnawing of the ichneumon so provoketh her to seek her rest in the unrest of every part , herb , element , throws , throbs , rowlings , tossings , mournings , but all in vain , for the enemy within her breatheth through her breath , and sporteth her self in the consumption of those vital parts , which waste and wear away by yeelding to unpacificable teeth , one after other , till she that crept in by stealth at the mouth , like a puny thief , come out at the belly like a conqueror , through a passage opened by her own labour and industry , as we have also shewed at large in the story of ichneumon . but whether it be true or no , that the trochilus doth awake the sleeping crocodile , when he seeth the ichneumon lie in wait to enter into her , i leave it to the credit of strabo the reporter , and to the discretion of the indifferent reader . monkeys are also the haters of crocodiles , as is shewed in the story , and lie in wait to discover , and if it were in their power to destroy them . the scorpion also and the crocodile are enemies one to the other , and therefore when the egyptians will describe the combat of two notable enemies , they paint a crocodile and a scorpion fighting together , for ever one of them killeth another : but if they will decipher a speedy overthrow to ones enemy , then they picture a crocodile ; if a slow and slack victory , they picture a scorpion . and as we have already shewed out of philes , that out of the egges of crocodiles , many times come scorpions , which devour and destroy them that lay them . fishes also in their kinde are enemies to crocodiles , the first place whereof belongeth to the most noble dolphin . of these dolphins it is thought there be two kindes , one bred in nilus , the other forrain and coming out of the sea , both of them professed enemies to the crocodile : for the first , it hath upon the back of it sharp thorny prickles or fins , as sharp as any spears point , which are well known to the fish that beareth them , as her armour and weapons against all adversaries . in the trust and confidence of these prickles , the dolphin will allure and draw out the crocodile from his den or lodging place , into the depth of the river , and there fight with him hand to hand . for the dolphin as it knoweth his own armour and defence , like other beasts and fishes , so doth it know the weakest parts of his adversary , and where his advantage of wounding lyeth . now , as we have said already , the belly of the crocodile is weak , having but a thin skin , and penetrable with small force , wherefore when the dolphin hath the crocodile in the midst of the deep waters , like one afraid of the fight , underneath him he goeth , and with his sharp fins or prickles on his back , giveth his weak and tender belly mortal wounds , whereby his vital spirits , with his guts and entrails , are quickly evacuated . the other dolphins of the sea being greater , are likewise armed with these prickles , and of purpose come out of the sea into nilus to bid battel to the crocodiles . when bibillus ( a worthy roman ) was governor of egypt , he affirmed that on a season the dolphins and the crocodiles met in the mouth of nilus , and bade battel the one to the other , as it were for the soveraignty of the waters , and after that sharp combat , it was seen how the dolphins by diving in the waters , did avoid the biting of the crocodiles , and the crocodiles dyed by strokes received from the dolphins upon their bellies . and when many of them were by this means as it were cut asunder , the residue betook themselves to flight , and ran away , giving way to the dolphins . the crocodiles do also fear to meddle with the sea-hog , or hog-fish , because of his bristles all about his head , which hurt him also when he cometh nigh him : or rather i suppose , as it is friend to the swine of the earth , and holdeth with them a sympathy in nature , so it is unto the swine of the water , and forbeareth one in the sea , as it doth the other on the land . there is likewise a certain wilde ox or bugil among the parthians , which is an enemy to the crocodile , for as albertus writeth , if he finde or meet with a crocodile out of the water , he is not only not afraid of him , but taketh heart and setteth upon him , and with the weight and violent agitation of his body , treadeth him all to pieces : and no marvail , for all beasts are enemies to the crocodiles on the land , even as the crocodile lyeth in wait to destroy all them in the water . hawks are also enemies to crocodiles , and especially the ibis bird , so that if but a feather of the ibis come upon the crocodile by chance , or by direction of a mans hand , it maketh it immoveable and cannot stir . for which cause , when the egyptians will write or decipher a ravening , greedy , idle-fellow , they paint a crocodile , having an ibis feather sticking in his head . and thus much for the enmity betwixt the crocodiles and other living creatures . it hath been seldom seen that crocodiles were taken , yet it is said that men hunt them in the waters , for pliny saith , that there is an assured perswasion , that with the gal & fat of a water-adder , men are wonderfully holpen , and as it were armed against crocodiles , and by it enabled to take and destroy them , especially when they carry also about them the herb potamegeton . there is also a kinde of thorny wilde bean growing in egypt , which hath many sharp prickles upon the stalks , this is a great terrour to the crocodile , for he is in great dread of his eyes , which are very tender and easie to be wounded . therefore he avoideth their sight , being more unwilling to adventure upon a man that beareth them , or one of them , then he is to adventure upon a man in compleat armour , and therefore all the people plant great store of these , and also bear them in their hands when they travail . there be many who in the hunting and prosecuting of these crocodiles , do neither give themselves to run away from them , nor once to turn aside out of their common path or road , but in a foolish hardinesse , give themselves to combat with the beast , when they might very well avoid the danger , but many times it hapneth that they pay dearly for their rashnesse , and repent too late the too much reputation of their own manhood : for whiles with their spears and sharp weapons they think to pierce his sides , they are deceived , for there is no part of him penetrable except his belly , and that he keepeth safe enough from his enemies , blunting upon his scales ( no lesse hard then plates of iron ) all the violence of their blows and sharpnesse of weapons , but clubs , beetles , and such like weapons are more irksome to him , when they be set on with strength , battering the scales to his body , and giving him such knocks as doth dismay and astonish him . indeed there is no great use of the taking of this serpent , nor profit of merchandize cometh thereby , his skin and flesh yeelding no great respect in the world . in ancient time they took them with hooks baited with flesh , or else inclosed them with nets as they do fishes , and now and then with a strong iron instrument cast out a boat down in the water upon the head of the crocodile . and among all other there is this one worthy to be related . the hunter would take off the skin from a swines back , and therewithal cover his hook , whereby he allured and inticed the serpent into the midst of the river , and there making it fast , he went afterward to the next watering place , and there holding another hog , did beat and smite him , till he cryed ardently , with which voyce or cry , the crocodile being moved , goeth presently to the bait and swalloweth it up , and maketh after the noise : at last , coming to the land , the hunter with valiant courage and diligence , casteth mud and dirt into his eyes , and so blindeth him that he may oppresse and kill him with ease . leo afric . relateth also this means or way to take crocodiles : there be many trees planted upon the banks of nilus , unto one of these there is a long and strong rope tyed , and at the end of the same there is fastened a hook of a cubit long , and a finger in quantity : unto this hook for a bait is tyed a ram or a goat , which being set close to the river , and tormented with the hook upon which it is fastened , cryeth out amain , by hearing of whose voyce , the hunger-greedy crocodile is raised out of his den , and invited as he thinketh to a rich prey , so he cometh ( although it self of a trecherous nature , yet suspecteth not any other ) and swalloweth the bait , in which he findeth a hook not to be digested . then away he striveth to go , but the strength of the rope stayeth his journey , for as fast as the bait was to the rope and hook , so fast is he also ensnared and tyed unto it , which while he waveth and straineth to unloose and break , he wearyeth himself in vain . and to the intent that all his strength may be spent against the tree and the rope , the hunters are at one end thereof , and cause it to be cast to and fro , pulling it in , and now letting it go again , now terrifying the beast with one noise and fear , and anon with another , so long as they perceive in him any spirit of moving or resistance : so being quieted , to him they come , and with clubs , spears , beetles , staves , and such manner of instruments , pierce through the most tenderest parts of his body and so destroy him . peter martyr hath also other means of taking crocodiles . their nature is , that when they goe to the land to forrage and seek after a prey , they cannot return back again but by the same footsteps of their own which they left imprinted in the sand : whereupon , when the countrey people perceive these footsteps , instantly with all the hast they can make , they come with spades and mattocks and make a great ditch , and with boughs cover the same , so as the serpent may not espy it , and upon the boughs they also again lay sand to avoid all occasion of deceit or suspicion of fraud at his return : then when all things are thus prepared , they hunt the crocodile by the foot untill they finde him , then with noises of bells , pans , kettels , and such like things , they terrifie and make him return as fast as fear can make him run towards the waters again , and they follow him as neer as they can , until he falleth into the ditch , where they come all about him , and kill him with such instruments or weapons as they have prepared for him , and so being slain , they carry him to the great city cair , where for their reward they receive ten pieces of gold , which amounteth to the value of ten nobles of our english coin . there have been some brought into that city alive , as p. martyr affirmeth , whereof one was as much as two oxen and two camels could bear and draw , and at the same time there was one taken by this devise before expressed , which had entered into a village in saetum neer nilus , and swallowed up alive three young infants sleeping in one cradle , the said infants scarcely dead were taken again out of his belly , and soon after when no more tokens of life appeared , they were all three buryed in a better and more proper grave of the earth . then also there was another slain , and out of his belly was taken a whole ram not digested , nor any part of him consumed , and the hand of a woman which was bitten or torn off from her body above the wrist , for there was upon the same a bracelet of brasse . we do read that crocodiles have been taken and brought alive to rome . the first that ever brought them thither , was marcus scaurus , who in the games of his aedility , brought five forth and shewed them to the people in a great pond of water , ( which he had provided only for that time ) and afterward heliogabalus and antoninus pius . the indians have a kinde of crocodile in ganges , which hath a horn growing out of his nose like a rhinocerot : unto this beast they cast condemned men to be devoured , for in all their executions , they want not the help of men , seeing they are provided of beasts to do the office of hang-men . aurelius festivus writeth , that firmus a tyrant of egypt , being condemned to nilus to be devoured by crocodiles , beforehand bought a great quantity of the fat of crocodiles , and so stripping himself stark naked , laid the same over his body , so he went among the crocodiles and escaped death : for this savage beast being deceived with the savour of its own nature , spared the man that had but so cunningly carryed it . and this is a wonderful work of almighty god , that so ordereth his actions in the nature of this beast , that he beguileth the cruel nature of the living , by the tast and savour of the dead : howbeit some think that the water crocodile is daunted with the savour of the fat from the land crocodile , and the land crocodile by the water again . and some again say , that all venomous beasts run away from the savour of the fat thereof ; and therefore no marvail if it also be afraid , being venomous as well as any other . wherefore the saying of firmus was not to be attributed to any indulgence of the crocodile toward their own kinde , but rather to a deadly antipathy reflecting themselves upon themselves , though not in shape and figure as the cockatrice , yet in sense , savour , and rancknesse of their pestiferous humor . the use of crocodiles taken , is for their skin , flesh , caul and medicine arising out of it . their skin as it is exceeding hard upon their backs while they are alive , so is it also when they are dead , for with that the common people make them better armour then coats of mail , against darts , spear , or shield , as is well known in all egypt at this day . for the flesh of crocodiles , it is also eaten among those people that do not worship it : as namely the people about elephantina apollinopolis . notwithstanding by the law of god , levit. . it is accounted an unclean beast , yet the tast thereof being found pleasant , and the relish good , without respect of god or health , the common people make use thereof . the medicines arising out of it are also many . the first place belongeth to the caul , which hath moe benefits or vertues in it then can be expressed . the bloud of a crocodile is held profitable for many things , and among other it is thought to cure the bitings of any serpent . also by anointing the eyes , it cureth both the dregs or spots of bloud in them , and also restoreth soundnesse and clearnesse to the sight , taking away all dulnesse or deadnesse from the eyes . and it is said , that if a man take the liquor which cometh from a piece of a crocodile fryed , and anoint there withall his wound or harmed part , that then he shall be presently rid of all pain and torment . the skin both of the land and water crocodile dryed into powder , and the same powder with vinegar or oyl , laid upon a part or member of the body , to be seared , cut off , or lanced , taketh away all sense and feeling of pain from the instrument in the action . all the egyptians do with the fat or sewet of a crocodile anoint all them that be sick of feavers● for it hath the same operation which the fat of a sea-dog or dog-fish hath , and if those parts o , men and beasts which are hurt or wounded with crocodiles teeth , be anointed with this fat , it also cureth them . being concocted with water and vinegar , and so rowled up and down in the mouth , it cureth the tooth-ach : and also it is outwardly applyed against the biting of flies , spiders , worms , and such like , for this cause , as also because it is thought to cure wens , bunches in the flesh , and old wounds . it is sold dear , and held pretious in alcair . scaliger writeth , that it cureth the gangren . the canine teeth which are hollow , filled with frankincense , and tyed to a man or woman which hath the tooth-ach , cureth them , if the party know not of the carrying them about : and so they write , that if the little stones which are in their belly be taken forth and so used , they work the same effect against feavers . the dung is profitable against the falling off of the hair , and many such other things . the biting of a crocodile is very sharp , deep , and deadly , so that wheresoever he layeth his teeth , seldom or never followeth any cure . but yet the counsel of physitians is , that so soon as the patient is wounded , he must be brought into a close chamber where are no windows , and there be kept without change of air , or admission of light , for the poyson of the crocodile worketh by cold air and light ; and therefore by the want of both is to be cured . but for remedy ( if any be ) they prescribe the same which is given for the cure of the biting of a mad dog , or ( as avicen ) the biting of a dog not mad . but most proper is the dung of a man , the fish garum and mysy pounded together , and so applyed , or else the broth of salt sod flesh , and such other things as are vulgarly known to every physitian : and therefore seeing we live in a countrey far from the annoyance of this serpent , i shall not need to blot any paper to expresse the cure of this poyson . the crocodile of nilus only liveth on land and water , all other are contented with one element : the picture of the crocodile was wont to be stamped upon coin , and the skin hanged up in many famous cities of the world , for the admiration of the people , and there is one at this day at paris in france . of the arabian or egyptian land crocodile . the figure of this crocodile sheweth evidently the difference betwixt him and the other of nilus ; and beside it is neither so tall or long as is the other , the which proportioned beast is only particular to egypt and arabia , and some because of his scaly head , legs , articles , and claws , have observed another difference in it from the former : yet in his nature , manner of living and preying upon other cattel , it differeth not from that of the water . the tail of this crocodile is very sharp , and standeth up like the edges of wedges in bunches above the ground , wherewithal when he hath mounted himself up upon the back of a beast , he beateth and striketh the beast most cruelly , to make him go with his rider to the place of his most fit execution , free from all rescue of his heard-man or pastor , or annoyance of passengers , where in most cruel and savage manner he teareth the limbs and parts one from another till he be devoured . the apothecaries of italy have this beast in their shops to be seen , and they call it caudiverbera , that is , a tail-bearer , for the reason aforesaid . and thus there being nothing in this beasts nature different from the former , besides his figure , and that which i have already expressed , i will not trouble the reader with any more narration about it . of the land crocodile of bresilia . the figure and proportion of this serpent was altogether unknown in this part of the world , till of late our discoverers and navigators brought one of them out of bresilia . the length of it is about a fathom , and the breadth as much as ten fingers broad : the fore-legs have ten claws , five upon a foot , the hinder-legs eight , and both before and behinde they are of equal length . the tail exceeding long , far exceeding the quantity and proportion of his body , being marked all over with certain white and yellowish spots . the skin all covered with an equal , smooth and fine coloured scale , which in the midst of the belly are white , and greater then in other parts . it can abide no water , for a little poured into the mouth killed it , and after it had been two or three days dead , being brought to the fire , it moved and stirred again faintly , even as things do that lye a dying . it is not venomous nor hurtful to eat ; and therefore is digged out of his cave by any body safely without danger . of the crocodile of the earth called scincus , a scink . there have been some that have reckoned scinks and lizards among worms , but as the greek words expeix , and scolex , differ in most apparent dialect , and signification , and therefore it is an opinion not worth the confuting , for there are no worms of this quantity . but for the better explication of the nature of this beast , because some have taken it for one kinde , and some for another : some for a crocodile , and others for a beast like a crocodile ; we are to know that there are three kindes of crocodiles : the first is a water beast or serpent , and vulgarly termed a crocodile , the second is a scink or a crocodile of the earth , which is in all parts like that of the water , except in his colour and thicknesse of his skin : the third kinde of crocodile is unknown to us at this day , yet pliny and others make mention of it , and describe it to be a beast having his scales like a gorgon , growing or turning to his head from the tail , and not as others do , from the head to the tail . the grecians call this beast skigkot , and some unlearned apothecaries stincus , and myrepsus sigk. it is also called kikaeros , and the hebrew , koach , doth more properly signifie this beast , then any other crocodile or chamaeleon , or lizard . some of the hebriws do expound zab for a scink ; and from thence the chaldees and the arabians have their deo and aldab , turning z into d : so , we read guaril and adhaya , for a scink or crocodile of the earth : alarbian is also for the same serpent among the arabians , balecola , and ball●●ar● sehanchur , and asehanchur , and askincor , and scerantum , and nudalep , and nudalepi , are all of them synonymaes , or rather corrupted words for this crocodile of the earth . but there are at this day certain ps 〈…〉 scink : set out to be seen and sold by apothecaries , that are nothing else but a kinde of water lizard : but the true difference is betwixt them , that these water lizards are venomous but this is not , and neither living in the northern parts of the world , nor yet in the water : and so much shall suffice for the name and first entrance into this serpents history . they are brought out of the eastern countries or out of egypt : yet the monks of mesuen affirm , that they had seen scinks or crocodiles of the earth about rome . sylvaticus and platearius in apulia . but howsoever their affections may lead them to conjecture of this serpent , i rather believe that it is an african beast , and seldom found in asia or europe . they love the banks of nilus , although they dare not enter the water , and for this cause some have thought ( but untruly ) that when the crocodile layeth her egges in the water , the young is there also engendered and hatched , and is a crocodile of the water , but if they lay their egges on the dry land , from thence cometh the scink or crocodile of the earth . this folly is evidently refuted , because that they never say egs in the but all upon the dry land . they are found ( as i have said before ) in egypt , and also in africk , and among the lydians of mauritania , otherwise called lodya , or rather lybia , among the pastoral or plow-men africans ; among the arabians , and neer the red-sea , for all those at this day sold at venice , are brought from those parts . the greatest in the world are in india , ( as cardan teacheth ) who are in all things like lizards , saving in their excrements , which smell or savour more strongly , and generally the difference of their quantity ariseth from the countrey which they inhabit , for in the hotter and moister countrey they are greater , in the hotter dryer region they are smaller , and generally they exceed not two or three cubits in length , with an answerable proportionable body , which is thus described . there be certain crosse lines which come along the back one by one , somewhat white , and of a dusky colour , and those that be dusky have also in them some white spots . the upper part of the neck is very dusky , the head and the tail are more white , the feet and all the neather part of the breast and belly are white , with appearance upon them of some scales , or rather the skin figured in the proportion of scales : upon either feet they have five distinct fingers or claws , the length of their legs is a thumb and a half : that is , three inches , the tail two fingers long , the body six , so that the whole length from the head to the tip of the tail , ( which is first thick , and then very small at the end ) is about eight fingers . when they have taken them they bowel them , and fill their bodies with sugar , and silk of wooll , and so they sell them for a reasonable price . that which i have written of their length of eight fingers , is not so to be understood , as though they never exceeded or came short of that proportion : for sometimes they are brought into these parts of the world twenty or four and twenty fingers long , sometimes again not above five or six fingers long . when they lay their egges , they commit them to the earth , even as the crocodiles of the water do . they live upon the most odoriferous flowers , and therefore is his flesh so sweet , and his dung or excrements odoriferous . they are enemies to bees , and live much about hives , insomuch as some have thought they did lay their egges in hives , and there hatch their young ones : but the occasion of this error was , that they saw young ones brought by their parents into some hive , to feed upon the labouring bee. for the compassing of their desire they make meal of any tree , which they have ground in the mill of their own mouths , and that they mix with black hellebore juyce , or with the liquor of mallows , this meal so tempered they lay before the hives , whereof assoon as the bees tast , they die , and then cometh the crocodile with her young ones , and lick them up ; and beside bees , i do not read they are hurtful to any . the indians have a little beast about the quantity of a little dog , which they call phattage , very like to a scink or crocodile of the earth , having sharp scales , as cutting as a saw . there is some hurt by this beast unto men , for which cause i may justly reckon it among the venomous , for if it chance to bite any man , if the wounded man falleth into a fever before he make water , he dyeth for it , but if he first make water , the beast dyeth and the man escapeth . it is thought that it containeth a kinde of natural magick , witch-craft , or sorcery ; and therefore they say it hath a stupifying power , changing the minde from love to hatred , and from hatred to love again . the powder of this serpent drunk in wine , if it stir venereous lust , it hurteth the nerves and sinews . there be certain magical devises raised out of this serpent which are not worth the writing , as not having in them any dram of wit , learning , or truth ; and therefore i will not trouble the reader with them , but follow on the conclusion of this crocodiles story in the narration of the medicinal vertues , which are far moe and more operative then those in the former crocodile , for i think almighty god blesseth meeknesse and innocency with excesse of grace in men and beasts , as may be seen in these two kindes of crocodiles , the dung and excrement of the one , being more worth then the body of the other , through harmlesse innocency . the body of this serpent to be dryed , after it hath lyen long in salt , and to be preserved in nose-wort , as ruellius and marcellus write : ( but truth is , there is no need of salt where nosewort is applyed , because the acrimony of this hearb doth easily dry up the moisture of this beast , keeping worms from breeding in it . ) with the powder thus prepared , venereous men stir up their lusts . mithridate is called diascncu , because it is compounded of the scink or crocodile of the earth , and it containeth in it a most noble antidote against all poysons . galen had an antidote against scorpions , which among other things containeth in it the flesh of a crocodile of the earth , wherewithall he cured all them that had been stung with scorpions in lybia . it is also good against the bitings of mad beasts , and pleurisies ; against poysoned honey , or the crudity and loathing that cometh in the stomack by eating of sound honey : it is profitable against empoysoned arrows or darts , being taken immediately before or after the wound , as apelles hath observed . screpio did make a medicine compounded of the dung of this crocodile , and applyed the same against the falling-sicknesse . of the body of this scink , except the head and feet being sod or rosted , and eaten by them that have the sc 〈…〉 , and old cough ( especially children , ) or the pain of the loins , giveth them much ease . they are also mixed with medicines against the pain of the feet , as galen did for amarantus the grammarian . they are also good in medicine against the coldnesse of the sinews . this beast is very hot , and therefore increaseth the seed of man , and provoketh lust ; and for this purpose the greatest and fattest , and such a one as is taken in the spring time , when they burn in lust for copulation , is preferred . but this is not to be meant of the fleshy parts , but only of those parts that are about the reins , if a man drink thereof the weight of a groat in wine afterwards , for the alaying of the heat thereof , the physitians do prescribe a decoction of lentiles with honey , and the seed of lettice drunk in water . the snout of this crocodile with the feet drunk in white wine , hath the same operation : but we have shewed already , that these parts are to be cut off and thrown away , because if there be any venom in the beast it lyeth in them . a perfume being made of the body and intrails of this crocodile under the womb of a woman labouring with childe , is thought to yeeld much help , for her safe , speedy , and easie travail , or flocks of wool perfumed therewith , and laid to her belly . but it is the part of good physitians to be wary in giving of medicines for stirring up of lust in any , except in marryed persons , and then also when they are young , to procure a lawful issue and posterity into the world 〈◊〉 otherwise they shall both decay the body , for all violent helps of carnal copulation , do in the end prove detriments to nature , if they continue any time , and also they are hurtful to the soul , when not only the unnatural desire of lust , but also the intemperate pleasure of sin is increased thereby ; and that is a miserable cure , which killeth the soul to help one part of the body . besides all kindes of medicines for this purpose , ( amongst which this crocodile is the chief ) have their peculiar venom , and when they are ministred , either they have no effect at all through age or overmuch impotency , or else they work too violently , which is most dangerous , or some one hurt or other followeth the poyson : and so i will leave the prosecution of this part . the dust of the skin of this crocodile being anointed with vinegar or oyl upon any part or member which is to be cut off , taketh away the sense of pain in the time of execution . the bloud is good for the eyes , and taketh away the filthy skin of the body , with the spots and burls in the face , restoring the first , true , native , and lively colour . the fat taketh away the pain in the reins , and causeth a distillation of the seed of man , yet this fat touching the hair of a man , maketh it to fall off ; and a man anointed herewith , is safe from the annoyance of crocodiles , although they play with him . it also cureth the bitings of crocodiles ; the instillation of this crocodile , folded up in the wooll of a black sheep of the first birth , and wherein is no other colour , hath power to drive a quartane ague . and rhasis saith , that it being hung over the head of a woman in travail keepeth her from delivery . in the gall of this serpent there is a power against the falling off of the hair , especially if the medicine be made of the roots of beets to neese withall ; and besides , the eyes being anointed therewith , and with honey , there is nothing more profitable against suffusions . the stones and reins have power to provoke generation ; and aetius prescribeth an antidote to be made of the tail of this beast , against the gout . great is the vertue of the dung or excrement of this serpent , if the same could be easily found , but while it is sought for , it loseth the vertue . it is called crocodillia , and is profitable to give a good colour to womens faces , that is the best which is whitest , short , and not heavy , feeling like leaven betwixt the fingers , that is , smelling somewhat sharp like leaven . it is adulterated with meal , chalk , white-earth , or painting but is is discerned by the heavinesse . the reason of the vertue of this is , because it feedeth upon the sweetest and best smelling herbs , whereby it cometh to passe , that it doth not only smell fragrantly , but also contain in it many excellent vertues . first therefore it is good for the comelinesse of the face , to give colour to it , according to the saying of horace : colorque ster●●re fucatus crocodili : a colour in-grained with the dang of a crocodile : and for this cause also is the verse of ovid , nigrior ad phati● confuge piscis opem : that , is , the black woman goeth to crave help of the fish pharius , to become more beautiful ; for by the fish pharius is understood a crocodile . as some think , eight grains of this dung , or rather the weight of eight groats , with half so much mustard-seed and vinegar , cureth the falling off of the hair . arnoldus doth prescribe a composition of the dung and cantharides , for the regenerating and bringing again of hair that is decayed . if a perfume hereof he made and infused by a tunnel into the holes of serpents , it will drive them away , by reason of the sharp and leavenish savour thereof . tralianus maketh a medicine thereof for an eye-salve against the whitenesse and bloud-eyes . it is good also against dimnesse and suffusions , being anointed with the juyce of leeks : and to conclude , it is drunk in sweet wine and vinegar , against the falling-sicknesse , and also being applyed unto women , stirreth up their monthly courses . and thus much shall suffice for the story of the crocodile . of the dart . among the divers kindes of serpents , there is one of special note , which the graecians call acontia . the latines , jaculares , or jaculi , or sagitta , a dart or arrow . the graecians at this day saetta . the turks , orchilanne : in calabria and sicilia , saettone , and of the germans , ein schossz oder angelsch lang . the reason of this name is taken from his swift leaping upon a man to wound and kill him ; and therefore the poets say , jaculique volucres , speaking of these kindes of serpents . albertus and avicen also calleth them cafezati , and cafezaci , altararat , acoran , and altinanti . the manner of this serpent is to get up into trees or hedges , and from thence to flie like an arrow upon the upper parts of men , and so to sting , bite , and kill them : and of this kinde it is thought that was , which came upon the hand of the apostle paul , whereof the poet writeth ; ecceprocul saevus sterilis derobore trunci torsit , & immisit ( jaculum vocat africa ) serpens : perque caput pauli transactaque tempora fugit . nil ibi virus agit : rapuit cum vulnere fatum , deprensum est , quae funda rotat , quàm lenta volarent , quàm segnis scythicae strideret arundinis aer . in english thus ; lo● from afar , a cruel serpent from an oke came flying like a dart , in africa the same a dart is cold , the head and temples stroke of paul , by winding spires to work his bane : but nothing could the poyson there avail , for with the wound he put away his death faster then swift est flye , or turning ball , or scythian reed remov'd with windy breath . this kinde of serpent is for the most part in lybia , in rhodes , in lemnus , in italy , calabria , and sicilia , and in many of the northern countries , and also in germany , whereof gesner telleth this story following . there is neer the coasts of zurick a river called glat , and a village or town upon that river glatfelden . near this river , as a poor man was gathering wood , there was a serpent of some three or four foot long , which from a tree endevoured to leap upon the poor man , by gathering his body together , ( as it were into four spires or risings like half hoops ) the man seeing it , left his sack and ran away : neverthelesse , the serpent leaped after him at the least sixteen or seventeen foot , but yet for that time he last turned about him , and not seeing the serpent to follow him , gathered courage and comfort , and would come back again for his sack that he had left behinde him . the crafty serpent expecting so much , had set himself again in another tree , and privily lay till the man came for his sack , and then ere he was aware came flying at him as he did before , and presently winded about his left arm ; all his body except his tail hung down , and his neck which he held up hissing in the mans face : the man having no sleeve on his arm except his shirt , yet did the serpent so presse the skin and flesh , that the circles of his winding spires and prints of his body appeared therein after he was taken off , yet did he not bite the man , for the poor countrey fellow did presently with his other hand take him by head and cast him away , notwithstanding he had so folded himself about his arm : shortly after that arm began to grow mattery , and all the flesh to the bone consumed , yet was all the rotten putrified envenomed flesh and substance , by the skill of a worthy learned physitian taken away , and as good flesh brought in the room thereof as ever was before ; yet was the man every year prescribed to let that arm bleed , and then issued forth black thick bloud : some of the wounds or rather scars , of the poyson outwardly remaining . in the northern parts they leap ten foot at a time , first gathering themselves into the similitudes of bows or half hoopes , and then fight with those that they would devour , making many times a noise among the herbs or flowers , which are parched or withered by the sun ; and therefore by the bounty of god in nature , their own noise bewrayeth them to their suspitious adversaries , and so many times are avoided in safety . like unto these are certain in hungary , ( as johannes vitus reported unto gesner , ) whose bodies of an equal crassitude or thicknesse , so as they appear without tails , being for that purpose called decurtati , curtails , these in the same manner do leap upon men as these darters do , but they are very short , seldom exceeding the length of two hands breadth . there is some difference , among authors about the nature of this serpent : for aelianus confoundeth it with the snake of the earth , called chersydrus , and saith it liveth sometime in the water , and sometime on the land , lying in wait to destroy all living creatures . and ( he saith ) it useth this fraud , it ever lyeth hid in secret neer the high-ways , and many times climbeth up into trees where it roundeth it self round into a circle , and hideth his head within the folds of his own body , so soon as ever it espyeth a passenger , either a man or beast , it leapeth upon him as swift as a dart flyeth . for it is able to leap twenty cubits space , and so lighting upon the man or beast , sticketh fast unto it without falling off of his own accord , until they fall down dead . but herein aelianus seemeth to be deceived , because he maketh but one serpent of twain : namely , this dart and the land-snake , which are most apparently different in nature , kinde , and quality . aetius also confoundeth this serpent with the millet-serpent , called cenchrites , and saith it is of the quantity of two cubits , great on the head , and the fore-part smaller at the tail , being of a greenish colour . and he saith further , that at such time as the millet-seed groweth and flourisheth , this serpent is most strong and hurtful , and so with the residue he agreeth with aelianus , but herein he is also deceived , writing by hear-say as himself confesseth , and therefore it is more safe for us to have recourse to some eye-witnesse for the description of this serpent , then to stand upon the opinions of them which write by the relation of others . bellonius faith , that he saw one of these in rhodes , being full of small round black spots , not greater then the seeds of lentiles , every one having a round circle about him like an eye , after such a fashion as is to be seen in the little fish called the torpedo . in length it exceedeth not three palms , and in bignesse no greater then the little finger . it was of an ash-colour , coming neer to the whitenesse of milk , but under the belly it was altogether white : upon the back it had scales , but upon the belly a thin skin , as in all other serpents . the upper part of the back was somewhat black , having two black lines in the middle , which begin at the head , and so are drawn along the whole body to the tail . as for the cafezati , and alteratati or altinatyri , those are red serpents , ( as avicen saith ) which are but small in quantity , yet as deep and deadly in poyson as in any other , for they hurt in the same manner that these darts do . some of them do so wound with their poyson , as the afflicted person dyeth incontinent without sense or pain : some again die by languishing pain after many hopes of recovery , losing life . among all the people of the world , the sabeans are most annoyed with this kinde of red serpents ; for they have many odoriferous and sweet smelling woods , in the which these serpents do abound , but such is their rage and hatred against men , that they leap upon them and wound them deadly , whensoever they come within their compasse . and surely if it be lawful to conjecture what kinde of serpents those were , which in the scripture are called fiery serpents , and did sting the israelites to death in the wildernesse , until the brazen serpent was erected for their cure ; among all the serpents in the world , that kinde of pain and death can be ascribed to none more properly then to these cafezati , or red-dart-serpents . for first the wildernesse which was the place wherein they annoyed the people , doth very well agree to their habitation . secondly , those fiery serpents are so called by figure , not that they were fiery , but as all writers do agree , either because they were red like fire ; or else because the pain which they inflicted , did burn like fire , or rather for both these causes together which are joyntly and severally found in these red serpents ; and therefore i will conclude for my opinion , that these serpents ( as the highest poyson in nature ) were sent by god to afflict the sinning israelites , whose poyson was uncurable , except by divine miracle . m●●thi●lus also telleth a story of a shepheard which was slain in italy by one of these , as he was sleeping in the heat of the day under the shadow of a tree , his fellow shepheards being not far off looking to their flocks , suddenly there came one of these dart-serpents out of the tree , and wounded him upon his left pap , at the biting whereof the man awaked and cryed out , and so dyed incontinently : his fellow shepheards hearing this noise , came unto him to see what he ailed , and found him dead , with a serpent upon his breast ; now knowing what kinde of serpent this was , they forsook their flocks and ran away for fear . the cure of this serpents biting , if there be any at all , is the same which cureth the vipers , as aetius and avicen writeth , and therefore i will not relate it in this place . the gall of this beast mixed with the scythian stone , yeeldeth a very good eye-salve . the which gall lyeth betwixt the back and the liver : and thus much shall suffice for this serpent . of the dipsas . this dipsas hath many names from many occasions : first dipsas in greek signifieth thirst , as sitis doth in latine , and thereof also it is called situla , because whosoever is wounded by this serpent dyeth . it is also called by some prester ; and by some causon , because it setteth the whole body on fire : but we shall shew afterwards , that the prester is a different serpent from this . it is called likewise melanurus , because of his black tail , and ammoatis , because it lyeth in the sand , and there hurteth a man. it is not therefore unfitly defined by avicen , to be vipera sitim faciens , that is , a viper causing thirst , and therefore ovid sporting at an old drunken woman named lena , calleth her dipsas in these verses ; est quaedam nomine dipsas anus , ex re noniex habet , nigri non illa parentem memnonis in roseis sobria vidit equis . in english thus ; there is a woman old , which dipsas may be hight , and not without some cause , thirsty she ever is , for never memnons sire , all black and seldom bright , did she in water sweet behold in sobernesse . they live for the most part neer the waters , and in salt marishy places : whereupon lucan said : — stant in margine siccae aspides , & mediis sitiebant dipsades undis . that is to say ; vpon pits brink dry aspes there stood , and dipsads thirst in midst of water flo●d . it is called torrida dipsat , and arida dipsas , because of the perpetual thirst , and therefore the egyptians when they will signifie thirst , do picture a dipsas : whereupon lucianus relateth this story , there is ( saith he ) a statue or monument upon a grave , right over against the great syrtes betwixt sillya and egypt , with this epigram : talia passus erat quoque tantalus aethiope ortus , qui nullo potuit fonte levare sitim . tale nec è danao natas implere puellas assiduis undis vas potuisse reor . that is to say ; such tantalus indured in aethiope bred , which never could by water quench his thirst , nor could the grecian maids with water sped , that with dayly pourings till the vessel curst . the statue was the picture of a man like unto tantalus , standing in the midst of a water ready to drink , by drawing in of the water , about whose foot was folded a dipsas : close by stood certain women bringing water , and pouring it into him to make it run into his mouth ; besides , there were certain egges as it were of estriches lay pictured beside them , such as the garamants in lybia seek after . for it is reported by lucianus , that the people of that countrey do earnestly seek after the estriches egges upon the sands , not only to eat the meat that is in them , but also to make sundry vessels or instruments of the shell , and among other things they make caps of them . near unto these egges do these treacherous serpents lie in wait , and so while the poor countrey man cometh to seek for meat , suddenly he leapeth upon him , and giveth him a mortal wound . alciatus hath an embleme , which he seemeth to have translated out of greek from antipater sidonius , of a falconer , which while he was looking up after birds for meat for his hawk , suddenly a dipsas came behinde him and stung him to death . the title of his embleme is , qui alta contemplatur cadere , he that looketh high may fall , and the embleme it self is this that followeth : dum turdos visco , pedica dum fallit alaudas , et jacta altivolam figit arundo gruem , dipsada non prudens auceps pede perculit , ultrix illa mali , emissum virus ab ore jacit . sic obit , extento qui sidera respicit arcu , securus fati quod jacet ante pedes . which may be thus englished ; whiles thrush with line , and lark deceived with net , and crane high flying pierced with force of reed , by falconer was : behold a dipsas on the foot did set , as if it would revenge his bloudy foul misdeed , for poyson out of mouth it cast , and bit his 〈◊〉 , whereof he dyed , like birds by him deceived , whiles bending bow alost unto the stars did look , saw not his fate below , which him of life bereaved . this dipsas is inferior in quantity unto a viper , but yet killeth by poyson , much more speedily , according to these verses ; exiguae similis spectatur dipsas echidnae , sed festina magis mors ictus occupat aegros . parva & lurida cui circa ultima cauda nigrescit . that is to say ; this dipsas like unto the viper small , but kills by stroke with greater pain and speed , whose tail at end is soft and black withall , that as your death avoid , with careful heed . it is but a short serpent , and so small ( as arnoldus writeth , ) it killeth before it be espyed , the length of it not past a cubit , the fore-part being very thick , except the head which is small , and so backward it groweth smaller and smaller : the tail being exceeding little , the colour of the fore-part somewhat white , but set over with black and yellow spots , the tail very black . galen writeth , that the ancient marsi which were appointed for hunting serpents and vipers about rome , did tell him that there was no means outwardly to distinguish betwixt the viper and the dipsas , except in the place of their abode , for the dipsas ( he saith ) keepeth in the salt places ; and therefore the nature thereof is more fiery , but the vipers keep in the dryer countries , wherefore there are not many of the dipsades in italy , because of the moistnesse of that countrey , but in lybia , where there are great store of salt marishes . as we have said already , a man or beast wounded with this serpent , is afflicted with intolerable thirst , insomuch as it is easier for him to break his belly , then to quench his thirst with drinking , always gaping like a bull , casteth himself down into the water , and maketh no spare of the cold liquor , but continually sucketh it in till either the belly break , or the poyson drive out the life , by overcoming the vital spirits . to conclude , beside all the symptomes which follow the biting of vipers , which are common to this serpent , this also followeth them , that the party afflicted can neither make water , vomit , nor sweat , so that they perish by one of these two ways ; first either they are burned up by the heat of the poyson , if they come not at water to drink , or else if they come by water , they are so unsatiable , that their bellies first swell above measure , and soon break about their privy parts . to conclude , all the affections which follow the thick poyson of this serpent are excellently described by lucan in these verses following ; signiferum juvenem tyrrheni sanguinis aulum torta capu● retrò dipsas calcata momor dit . vix dolor aut sensus dentis fuit : ipsaque leti frons caret invidia : nec quicquam plaga minatur . ecce subit virus tacitum , carpitque medullas ignis edax , calidaque incendit viscera tabe . ebibit humorem circum vitalia fusum pestis , & in sicco linguam torrere palato coepit , def●ssos iret qui sudor in artus non fuit , atque oculos lachrymarum vena resugit . non decus imperii , non moesti jura catonis ardentem tenuere virum , quin spargere signa auderet , totisque furens exquireret agris , quas poscebat aquas , sitiens in corde venenum . ille vel in tanaim missus , rhodanumque padumque , arderet , nilumque bibens per rura vagantem : accessit morti libyae : fatique minorem famam dipsas habet teriis adjuta perustis . scrutatur venas penitus squallentis arenae : nunc redit ad syrtes & fluctus accipit ore : aequoreusque placet sed non & sufficit humor . nec sentit fatique genus , mortemque veneni : sed putat esse sitim : ferroque aperire tumentes sustinuit venas , atque os implere cruore . lucan . lib. . in english thus ; tyr●henian aulus , the ancient-bearer young , was bit by dipsas , turning head to heel , no pain or sense of 's teeth appear'd , though poyson strong , death doth not frown , the man no harm did feel , but loe , she poyson takes the marrow , and eating fire burning the bowels ●arm till all consumed , drinking up the humor about the vital spire , and in dry palat was the tongue up burned . there was no sweat the sinews to refresh , and tears fled from the vein that feeds the eyes , then catoes law , nor empires honor fresh , this fiery youth could hold : but down the streamer flies , and like a mad man about the fields he runs , poysons force in heart did waters crave : though unto tanais , rhodanus , padus he comes , or nilus : yet all too little for his heat to have . but dry was death , as though the dipsas force were not enough , but holp by heat of earth , then doth he search the sands : but no remorse , to syrtes floud he hies , his mouth of them he filleth , salt water pleaseth , but it cannot suffice , nor knew he fate , or this kinde venoms death , but thought it thirst , and seeing his veins arise them cut , which bloud stopt mouth and breath . the signes of death following the biting of this serpent , are extreme drought and inflamation both of the inward and outward parts , so that outwardly the parts are as dry as parchment , or as a skin set against the fire , which cometh to passe by adustion and commutation of the bloud , into the nature of the poyson . for this cause many of the ancients have thought it to be incurable ; and therefore were ignorant of the proper medicines , practising only common medicines prescribed against vipers : but this is generally observed , that if once the belly begin to break , there can be no cure but death . first therefore they use scarification , and make ustion in the body , cutting off the member wounded . if it be in the extremity , they lay also playsters unto it , as triacle , liquid pitch with oyl , hens cut asunder alive , and so laid to hot , or else the leaves of purslain beaten in vinegar , barley meal , bramble leaves pounded with honey , also plantain , hysop , white garlick , leeks , rue and nettles . then must the government of their bodies be no lesse looked unto ; first , that they be kept from all sharp and salt meats , then , that they be made continually to drink oyl , to procure vomit , and with their vomits which they cast out of their stomach , to give them glysters ; that so the waters may be drawn to their lower parts . besides , some take medicines out of fishes , especially such as are salt , and the leaves , bark , or sprigs of laurel : and to conclude , there is nothing better then triacle compounded of vipers flesh . and thus much for the dipsas . of the double-head . because the grecians call this serpent amphisbaina , and the latines from thence amphisbaena , because it goeth both ways , as if it had two heads and no tail : and for this purpose it is never seen to turn his body , as it were turn about his head . when it hath a purpose to avoid that thing which it feareth , or wherewithal it is offended , he doth but only change his course backward as he went forward ; so that it is as happy as lynceus , whom the poets faign to be very quick-sighted , or as those monsters which are said to have eyes in their backs , or rather like to janus , which is said to have two faces , one forward , and another backward , and therefore i have called it double-head , i trust fitly enough to expesse the greek word , although compounded of two words together , for so is the greek word also , which the french do expresse by a like compounded word , double-marcheur , that is , going two ways . it is likewise called ankesime , alchismus , and amphisilene . and thus much may suffice for the name . it is said that this serpent is found in the island lemnus , but among the germans it is unknown . there is some question whether it may be said to have two heads or no. galen affirmeth , that it is like a ship having two fore-parts , that is , one behinde , and another before . pliny also subscribeth hereunto , and maketh it a very pestilent serpent , geminum habet caput amphisbana , tanquam parum esset , uno ore fundi venenum , saith he ; it hath a double-head , as though one mouth were not enough to utter his poyson according to the saying of the poet : est gravi● in geminum surgitis caput amphis-benae serpens qui visu necat & sibilo . which may be englished thus ; this serpent double-head , is grievous to be seen , whose cloven-head doth kill with sight and hissing keen . unto this also aelianus subscribeth , that it is a true serpent , and hath two heads , so that whensoever it is to go forward , one of them standeth in the place of the tail , but when it is to go backward , then the head becometh the tail , and the tail the head . so also mantuan saith it is a double-headed serpent , and a fearful stinging asp . and so generally all the ancients , until matthiolus and grevinus time , who first of all began to contrary this opinion , affirming it to be impossible in nature , for one serpent to have two heads , except it be monstrous , and exceed the common course of nature . such a one was that serpent with two heads that aristotle speaketh of , which doth easily happen to all those creatures which at one birth bring forth many young ones ; for so their bodies may be conjoyned into one , while theit heads stand asunder like twain . and they say that this serpent doth resemble a worm of the earth , whose head and tail is hard to be distinguished asunder except you see it going . and they say further , that this serpent is like to the scytal , of which we shall speak afterwards , differing from it in nothing except in going backward and forward , and this is all that they can bring against the opinion of the ancients , whom i will not stand to confute , but leave the reader to believe one or other : for it shall not bring to me any great disadvantage , except the losse of this new english name , for i have dealt faithfully with the reader in setting down the opinion of both sides , and if i do fail in a fit name , yet will i not swerve from the best description of his nature . the whole proportion of his body is of equal magnitude or greatness , and the two extremities do answer the middle . his eyes are for the most part shut , the colour like earth , not black , but tending to blacknesse , the skin rough and hard , and set over with divers spots : all which properties , or rather parts are thus described by nicander . cujus perpetua est caecum caligine lumen , quod latas utrinque genas porrrectaque menta , terreus est illi color , & densissima pellis plurima quam varii distinctam signa figurant , plus aliis alto serpentibus aggeretendat . in english thus : whose eye is ever void of light , because two cheeks both broad and standing up it hides , the colour earth , thick skin , with spots in rows , then other serpents with greater bulk it glides . solinus polihistor affirmeth , that they ingender and bring egges forth of the mouth , that is , out of that mouth which is toward the tail , if there be any such . there is no serpent that doth more boldly adventure to indure the cold then this doth , for it cometh out of his den not only before other serpents , but also before the cuckoe sing , or the grashopper cometh forth . they are exceeding careful of their egges , and therefore seldom depart from them until they be hatched , whereby also may be collected their great love to their young ones . and further , by their forward and timely coming out of their holes , grevinus maketh a good observation , that their temperament or constitution , is more hot then any other serpent . the grecians have all observed , that this kinde of serpent is hard to be killed , except with a vine-branch , which they say was demonstrated by dionysius , who being turned by juno into madnesse , one day falling fast asleep , this serpent leaped upon him and awaked him , whereat he being angry , presently killed it with a vine-branch . some have affirmed that a small rod or bat covered with the skin of this serpent , and so laid beside a man , driveth away all manner of venomous beasts . a wilde olive-branch or sprig wapped in this skin , doth cure the senselesse and benummed estate of the sinews , and also is good for many things , as nicander expresseth in these verses : haec ubi jam crevit , caedentes ligna coloni sectamdeglabrant oleastri ex arbore virgam , quale pedum , strictisque prehensi pellibus anguis infectam obvolvunt , quas certis deinde diebus exarere sinunt , cantantes ante cicadas . vtilis hic baculus frigentibus artubus esse fertur , ubi ex animis digitos torpedo fatigat , tunc quia constrictos , & eorum vincula , nervos calfacit immisso fovet extenditque calore . which may be englished thus ; when this is grown , the peasants cutting wood , do peel a branch taken from olive-wilde , a foot in length , of strained snakes-skin good , rowling it up herein , till days fulfild , and let it dry before grashoppers green : thus made , is good for sinews cold , or nummed fingers , whose force hath been by heat extending what cold band did hold . the wounds that come by the biting or stinging of this serpent , are not great , but very small , and scarcely to be discerned outwardly , yet the accidents that follow , are like to those which ensue the bitings of vipers , namely , inflamation , and a lingering death . the cure thereof must be the same which is applyed unto the sting of vipers . and peculiarly i finde not any medicine serving for the cure of this poyson alone , except that which pliny speaketh of , namely coriander drunk by the patient , or laid to the sore . it is reported by galen and grevinus , that if a woman with childe do chance to go over one of these double-headed serpents dead , she shall suffer abortment , and yet that they may keep them in their pockets alive without danger in boxes . the reason of this is given by grevinus , because of the vapour ascending from the dead serpent , by a secret antipathy against humane nature , which suffocateth the childe in the mothers womb . and thus much for this serpent . of the dragon . among all the kindes of serpents , there is none comparable to the dragon , or that affordeth and yeeldeth so much plentiful matter in history for the ample discovery of the nature thereof : and therefore herein i must borrow more time from the residue , then peradventure the reader would be willing to spare from reading the particular stories of many other . but such is the necessity hereof , that i can omit nothing making to the purpose , either for the nature or mortality of this serpent , therefore i will strive to make the description pleasant , with variable history , seeing i may not avoid the length hereof , that so the sweetnesse of the one , ( if my pen could so expresse it ) may countervail the tediousnesse of the other . the hebrews call it thanin , and wolphius translateth oach a dragon , in his commentaries upon nehemiah . the chaldees call it darken , and it seemeth that the greek word dracon is derived of the chald●● . we read of albedisimon , or ahedysimon , for a kinde of dragon , and also alhatraf , and hauden , haren carn●m , and such other terms , that may be referred to this place . the grecians at this day call it drakos ; the germans , trach lindtwarm ; the french , vn dragon ; the italians , drago , and dragone . the derivation of the greek word , beside the conjecture afore expressed , some think to be derived from derkein , because of their vigilant eye-sight , and therefore it is faigned that they had the custody not only of the golden-fleece , but also of many other treasures . and among other things , alciatus hath an emblem of their vigilancy standing by an unmarried virgin. vera haec effigies innuptae est palladis : ejus hic draco , qui dominae constitit ante pedes . cur divae comes hoc animal ? custadia rerum huic data , sic lucos s●craque templa colit . innuptas opus est cura asservare puellas pervigili : laqueos undique tendit amor . which may be englished thus ; this dragon great which lady pallas stands before , is the true picture of unmarried maids : but why a consort to the goddesse is this ? and more then other beasts more meek , who never fades ? because the safegard of all things belong to this , ●et , wherefore his house in groves and sacred temples vnmarried maids of guards must never misse , which watchful are to void loves snares and net . for this cause the egyptians did picture serapis their god with three heads , that is to say , of a lyon in the middle , on the right hand a meek fawning dog , and on the left hand a ravening wolf , all which forms are joyned together by the winding body of a dragon , turning his head to the right hand of the god ; which three heads are interpreted to signifie three times ; that is to say , by the lyon the present time ; by the wolf , the time past ; and by the fawning dog , the time to come ; all which are guarded by the vigilancy of the dragon . for this cause also among the fixed stars of the north , there is one called draco , a dragon , all of them ending their course with the sun and moon , and they are in this sphear called by astronomers the intersections of the circles , the superior of these ascending , is called the head of the dragon , and the inferior descending , is called the tail of the dragon . and some think that god in the . of job , by the word gneish , meaneth this sign or constellation . to conclude , the ancient romans ( as vegetius writeth ) carryed in all their bands the escutchion of a dragon , to signifie their fortitude and vigilancy , which were born up by certain men called for that purpose draconarii . and therefore when constantius the emperor entered into the city of rome , his souldiers are said to bear up upon the tops of their spears , dragons gaping with wide mouths , and made fast with golden chains and pearl , the winde whistling in their throats , as if they had been alive , threatning destruction , and their tails hanging loose in the air , were likewise by the winde tossed to and fro , as though they strove to come off from the spears , but when the winde was laid , all their motion was ended , whereupon the poet saith : mansuescunt varii vento cessante dracones . in english thus ; when whistling winde in air ceast , the dragons tamed then did rest . the tale also of the golden-fleece , if it be worth any place in this story , deserveth to be inserted here , as it is reported by diodorus siculus . when aetes reigned in pontus , he received an answer from the oracle , that he should then dye when strangers should come thither with ships and fetch away the golden-fleece . upon which occasion he shewed himself to be of a cruel nature , for he did not only make proclamation that he would sacrifice all strangers which came within his dominions , but did also perform the same , that by the fame and report of such cruelty , he might terrifie all other nations from having accesse unto that temple . not contented herewith , he raised a great strong wall round about the temple wherein the fleece was kept , and caused a sure watch or guard to attend the same day and night , of whom the grecians tell many strange fables . for they say there were bulls breathing out fire , and a dragon warding the temple and defending the fleece , but the truth is that these watchmen because of their strength were called bulls , because of their cruelty , were said to breath out fire , and because of their vigilancy , cruelty , strength and terror , to be dragons . some affirm again , that in the gardens of hesperides in lybia , there were golden apples , which were kept by a terrible dragon , which dragon was afterward slain by hercules , and the apples taken away by him , and so brought to eurystheus . others affirm that hesperides had certain flocks of sheep , the colour of whose wooll was like gold , and they were kept by a valiant shepheard called draco : but i rather agree with solinus , who giveth a more true reason of this fable , ne fam● licentis vulneretur fides , lest ( as he saith ) faith and truth should receive a disgrace or wound by the lavish report of fame . there was among the hesperides a certain winding river coming from the sea , and including within it the compasse of that land which is called the gardens of hesperides , at one place whereof , the falling of the water broken by a rock , seemeth to be like the falling down of snakes , to them that stand a far off , and from hence ariseth all the occasion of the fable aforesaid . indeed there was a statue of hercules , in the left hand whereof were three apples , which he was said to have obtained by the conquest of a dragon , but that conquest of the dragon did morally signifie his own concupiscence , whereby he raigned over three passions , that is to say , over his wrath by patience ; over his cupidity by temperance ; and over his pleasures by labour and travail : which were three vertues far more pretious then three golden apples . but i will stay my course from prosecuting these moral discourses of the dragon , and return again to his natural history , from which i have somewhat too long digressed . there are divers sorts of dragons , distinguished partly by their countries , partly by their quantity and magnitude , and partly by the different form of their external parts . there be serpents in arabia called sirenae , which have wings , being as swift as horses , running or flying at their own pleasure , and when they wound a man , he dyeth before he feeleth pain . of these it is thought the prophet esay speaketh , chap. . vers . . serpens clamabit in templis voluptariis : and for serpents the old translators read syrenae , and so the english should be , the syrene dragons should cry in their temples of pleasure : and the ancient distinction was , angues aquarum , serpentes terrarum , dracones templorum : that is to say , snakes are of the water , serpents of the earth , and dragons of the temples . and i think it was a just judgement of god , that the ancient temples of the heathen idolaters were annoyed with dragons , that as the devil was there worshipped , so there might be appearance of his person in the ugly form and nature of a dragon . for god himself in holy scripture , doth compare the devil unto a dragon , as rev. . vers . . and there appeared another wonder in heaven , for behold a great red dragon , having seven heads , and ten horns , and seven crowns upon his head . vers . . and his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven , and cast them to the earth : and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered , to devour her childe when she had brought it forth . vers . . so she brought forth a man childe , which should rule all nations with a rod of iron . and her son was taken up unto god and to his throne . vers . . and the woman fled into the wildernesse , where she hath a place prepared of god , that they should feed her there days . vers . and there was a battail in heaven , michael and his angels fought against the dragon , and the dragon fought and his angels . vers . . but they prevailed not , neither was their place found any more in heaven . vers . . and the great dragon that old serpent called the devill and satan , was cast out , which deceiveth all the world , he was even cast unto the earth , and his angels were cast out with him . vers . . and when the dragon saw that he was cast unto the earth , he persecuted the woman which had brought forth a man childe : and so forth , as it followeth in the text. whereupon saint augustine writeth , diabolus draco dicitur propter insidias , quia occulte insidiatur : that is , the devill is called a dragon because of his treachery , for he doth treacherously set upon men to destroy them . it was wont to be said , because dragons are the greatest serpents , that except a serpent eat a serpent , he shall never be a dragon : for their opinion was , that they grew so great by devouring others of their kinde ; and indeed in aethiopia they grow to be thirty yards long , neither have they any other name for those dragons but elephant-killers , and they live very long . onesicritus writeth , that one aposisares an indian , did nourish two serpents dragons , whereof one was six and forty cubits long , and the other fourscore : and for the more famous verification of the fact , he was a very earnest suter to alexander the great , when he was in india , to come and see them , but the king being afraid , refused . the chroniclers of the affairs of chius do write , that in a certain valley neer to the foot of the mountain pellenaeus , was a valley full of straight tall trees , wherein was bred a dragon of wonderful magnitude or greatnesse , whose only voyce or hissing , did terrifie all the inhabitants of chius , and therefore there was no man that durst come nigh unto him , to consider or to take a perfect view of his quantity , suspecting only his greatnesse by the loudnesse of his voyce , until at length they knew him better by a singular accident worthy of eternal memory . for it hapned on a time that such a violent winde did arise , as did beat together all the trees in the wood , by which violent collision the branches fell to be on fire , and so all the wood was burned suddenly , compassing in the dragon , whereby he had no means to escape alive , & so the trees fel down upon him and burned him . afterward , when the fire had made the place bare of wood , the inhabitants might see the quantity of the dragon , for they found divers of his bones and his head , which were of such unusual greatnesse , as did sufficiently confirm them in their former opninion : and thus by divine miracle was this monster consumed , whom never any man durst behold being alive , & the inhabitants of the countrey safely delivered from their just conceived fear . it is also reported , that alexander among many other beasts which he saw in india , did there finde in a certain den a dragon of seaventy cubits long , which the indians accounted a sacred beast , and therefore intreated alexander to do it no harm . when it uttered the voyce with full breath , it terrified his whole army : they could never see the proportion of his body , but only the head , and by that they guessed the quantity of the whole body , for one of his eyes in their appearance seemed as great as a macedonian buckler . maximus tyrius writeth that in the days of alexander , there was likewise seen a dragon in india , as long as five roods of lands are broad , which is incredible . for he likewise saith that the indians did feed him every day with many several oxen and sheep . it may be that it was the same spoken of before , which some ignorant men , and such as were given to set forth fables , amplyfied beyond measure and credit . whereas dragons are bred in india and africa , the greatest of all are in india , for in aethiopia , nubia , and h●sp●●ia the dragons are confined within the length of five cubits and twenty cubits : for in the time of 〈◊〉 , there were three brought into egypt , one was nine cubits long , which with great care was nourished in the temple of esculapius , the other two were seaven cubits long . about the place where once the tower of babel was builded , are dragons of great quantity , and under the equ●noctial , as nicepho●us callistus writeth , there are serpents as thick as beams , in testimony whereof their skins have been brought to rome . and therefore it is no marvail , although s. austine writing upon the . psalm , doth say , dracones magna quaedam sunt animantia , majora non sunt super terram : dragons are certain great beasts , and there are none greater upon the earth . neither is it to be thought incredible , that the souldiers of attilius regulus did kill a dragon which was a hundred and twenty foot long , or that the dragons in the dens of the mountain atlas , should grow so great that they can scarse move the fore-parts of their body . i am yet therefore to speak of the dragons in the mountains emo 〈…〉 or of a●igia , or of dachinabades , or the regions of the east , or of that which augustus shewed publiquely to the people of rome , being fifty cubits long ; or of those which be in the alpes , which are found in certain caves of the south-sides of the hills , so that this which hath been said , shall suffice for the quantity and countries of dragons . besides , there are other kindes of dragons which i must speak of in order : and first of all of the epidaurian dragons , which is bred no where but in that countrey , being t●me , and of yellow golden colour , wherefore they were dedicated to aesculapius , of whom nicander writeth in this manner . nunc viridem & nigrum post dicta venena draconem aspice , quem patula fago phoebeia proles in gelido peli nutrivit culmin● , juxta lae●a pelethuniae quondam de●livia vallis . in english thus ; after these venoms now behold the dragon black and green , nourished by apollos son under a beech ful broad , on top of the cold pelus , as often hath been seen , by fertil vale of pelethan his sliding road . there are likewise other kinde of ●ame dragons in macedonia , where they are so meek , that women feed them , and suffer them to suck their breasts like little children their infants also play with them , riding upon them and pinching them , as they would do with dogs , without any harm , and sleeping with them in their beds . but among all dragons , there was none more famous then the dragon python , or pythias , as the poets faign , which was bred of the flime of the earth , after the flood of deucalion , and slain afterwards by apollo , whereof there lyeth this tale ; that when laton● was with childe by jupiter of apollo and diana , juno resisted their birth , but when they were born and laid in the cradle , she sent the dragon python to devour them , apollo being but a young infant , did kill the dragon with a dart . but this tale seemeth too fabulous and incredible , and therefore they have mended the matter with another device ; for they say that python by the commandment of juno , did persecute latona throughout all the world , seeking to devour her , so as she had no rest until she came unto her sister asteria , who received her into delos , where she was safely delivered of apollo and diana . afterward , when the childe was grown up , he slew the dragon in remembrance and revenge of the wrong done to his mother . but the true cause of this history is delivered by pausani●s and macrobius , to be thus ; that apollo killed one python , a very wicked man in delphos , and that the poets in excuse of the fact , did faign him to be a dragon , as aforesaid . and so i shall not need to say any more of python , except these verses following out of ovid about his generation : — sed te quoque maxima python , tum genuit populisque novis incognite serpens terror eras : tantum spa●ii de monte tenebas . hunc deus arcitenens & nunquam talibus armis antè , nisi in damis , caprisque fugacibus usus : mille gravem telis exhaustapene pharetra perdidit effuso per vulnera nigra veneno . neve operis famam posset delere vetustas , instituit sacros celebri c●rtamine ludos pythia perd●mitae serpentis nomine dictos . caeruleus tali prostratus apolline python . which may be englished thus ; but yet thou ugly python wert engendered by her , tho a terror to the new-made-folk , which never erst had known , so foul a dragon in their life so monstrously fore-grown , so great a ground thy poyson'd paunch did underneath thee hide , the god of shooting , who no where before that present tide those kinde of weapons put in ure but at the speckled deer , or at the roes so light of foot , a thousand shafts well neer did on the hideous serpent spend , of which there was not one but forced forth the venomd-bloud , along his sides to gone : so that his quiver almost void , he naild him to the ground , and did him nobly at the last by force of shot confound . and lest that time should of this work deface the worthy fame , he did ordain in minde thereof a great and solemn game , which of the serpent that he slew , of python bare the name . of the indian dragons there are also said to be two kindes , one of them fenny , and living in the marishes , which are slow of pace and without combes on their heads like females : the other in the mountains , which are more sharp and great , and have combes upon their head , their backs being somewhat brown , and all their bodies lesse scaly then the other . when they come down from the mountains into the plain to hunt , they are neither afraid of marishes nor violent waters , but thrust themselves greedily into all hazards and dangers : and because they are of longer and stronger bodies then the dragons of the fens , they beguile them of their meat , and take away from them their prepared booties . some of them are of a yellowish fiery colour , having also sharp backs like saws ; these also have beards , and when they set up their scales they shine like silver . the apples of their eyes are precious stones , and as bright as fire , in which there is affirmed to be much vertue against many diseases , and therefore they bring unto the hunters and killers of dragons no small gain , besides the profit of their skin , and their teeth : and they are taken when they descend from the mountains into the valleys to hunt the elephants , so as both of them are kill'd together by the hunters . their members are very great , like unto the members of the greatest swine , but their bodies are leaner , flexibly turning to every side , according to the necessity of motion : their snouts are very strong , resembling the greatest ravening fishes ; they have beards of a yellow golden colour , being full of bristles : and the mountain-dragons commonly have more deep eye-lids then the dragons of the fens . their aspect is very fierce and grim , and whensoever they move upon the earth , their eyes give a sound from their eye-lids , much like unto the tinckling of brasse , and sometimes they boldly venture into the sea and take fishes . of the winged dragon . saint augustine saith , that dragons abide in deep caves and hollow places of the earth , and that some-times when they perceive moistnes in the air , they come out of their holes , & beating the air with their wings , as it were with the strokes of oars , they forsake the earth and flie aloft : which wings of theirs are of a skinny substance , and very voluble , and spreading themselves wide , according to the quantity and largenesse of the dragons body , which caused lucan the poet in his verses to write in this manner following : vos quoque qui cunctis innoxia numina terris serpitis , aurato nitidi fulgore dracones , pestiferos ardens facit africa : ducitis altum aera cum pennis , &c. — in english thus ; you shining dragons creeping on the earth , which fiery africk holds with skins like gold , yet pestilent by hot infecting breath : mounted with wings in th' air we do behold . the inhabitants of the kingdom of georgia , once called media , do say that in their vallies there are divers dragons which have both wings and feet , and that their feet are like unto the feet of geese . besides , there are dragons of sundry colours , for some of them are black , some red , some of an ash-colour , some yellow , and their shape and outward appearance very beautiful , according to the verses of nicander . ●or 〈…〉 u apparet species pulchro illius ore , triplice conspicui se produni ordine dentes , magna sub egregia scintillant lumina fronte , tinctaque felle tegunt imum palearia mentum . which may be englished thus ; their form of presence outwardly appears all beautiful , and in their goodly mouth their teeth stand double , all one within another : conspicuous order so doth bewray the truth . vnder their brows , which are both great and wide , stand twinckling eyes , as bright as any star , with red galls tincture are their dewlaps dyed , their chinor under-chap to cover far . gillius , pierius , and grevinus , following the authority of this poet , do affirm that a dragon is of a black colour , the belly somewhat green , and very beautiful to behold , having a treble row of teeth in their mouths upon every jaw , and with most bright and cleer seeing eyes , which caused the poets to faign in their writings , that these dragons are the watchfull keepers of treasures . they have also two dewlaps growing under their chin , and hanging down like a beard , which are of a red colour : their bodies are set all over with very sharp scales , and over their eyes stand certain flexible eye-lids . when they gape wide with their mouth , and thrust forth their tongue , their teeth seem very much to resemble the teeth of wilde swine : and their necks have many times grosse thick hair growing upon them , much like unto the bristles of a wilde boar. their mouth , ( especially of the most tameable dragons ) is but little , not much bigger then a pipe , through which they draw in their breath , for they wound not with their mouth , but with their tails only beating with them when they are angry . but the indian , aethiopian , and phrygian dragons , have very wide mouths , through which they often swallow in whole fowls and beasts . their tongue is cloven as if it were double , and the investigators of nature do say , that they have fifteen teeth of a side . the males have combes on their heads , but the females have none , and they are likewise distinguished by their beards . they have most excellent senses both of seeing and hearing , and for this cause their name drakon cometh of derkein , and this was one cause why jupiter the heathens great god , is said to be metamorphosed into a dragon , whereof their flyeth this tale : when he fell in love with proserpina , he ravished her in the likenesse of a dragon , for he came unto her and covered her with the spires of his body ; and for this cause the people of sabazii did observe in their mysteries or sacrifices the shape of a dragon rowled up within the compasse of his spires : so that as he begot ceres with childe in the likenesse of a bull , he likewise deluded her daughter proserpina in the likenesse of a dragon ; but of these transmutations we shall speak more afterwards , and i think the vanity of these took first ground from the africans , who believe that the original of dragons took beginning from the unnatural conjunction of an eagle and a she wolf. and so they say that the wolf growing great by this conception , doth not bring forth as at other times , but her belly breaketh and the dragon cometh out , who in his beak and wings resembleth the dragon his father , and in his feet and tail , the wolf his mother , but in the skin neither of them both : but this kinde of fabulous generation is already sufficiently confuted . their meats are fruits and herbs , or any venomous creature , therefore they live long without food , and when they eat , they are not easily filled . they grow most fat by eating of egges , in devouring whereof they use this art , if it be a great dragon , he swalloweth it up whole , and then rowleth himself , whereby he crusheth the egges to pieces in his belly , and so nature casteth out the shells , and keepeth in the meat . but if it were a young dragon , as if it be a dragons whelp , he taketh the egge within the spire of his tail , and so crushed it hard , and holdeth it fast , untill his scales open the shell like a knife then sucketh he out of the place opened all the meat of the egg . in like sort do the young ones pull off the feathers from the fowls which they eat , and the old ones swallow them whole , casting the feathers out of their bellies again . the dragons of phrygia when they are hungry , turn themselves towards the west , and gaping wide , with the force of their breath do draw the birds that flie over their heads into their throats , which some have thought is but a voluntary lapse of the fowls , to be drawn by the breath of the dragon , as by a thing they love , but it is more probable , that some vaporous and venomous breath is sent up from the dragon to them , that poysoneth and infecteth the air about them , whereby their senses are taken from them , and they astonished fall down into his mouth . but if it fortune the dragons finde not food enough to satisfie their hunger , then they hide themselves until the people be returned from the market , or the heard-men bring home their flocks , and upon a sudden they devour either men or beasts , which come first to their mouths : then they go again and hide themselves in their dens and hollow caves of the earth , for their bodies being exceeding hot , they very seldom come out of the cold earth , except to seek meat and nourishment . and because they live only in the hottest countries , therefore they commonly make their lodgings neer unto the waters , or else in the coldest places among the rocks and stones . they greatly preserve their health ( as aristotle affirmeth ) by eating of wilde lettice , for that they make them to vomit , and cast forth of their stomach whatsoever meat offendeth them , and they are most specially offended by eating of apples , for their bodies are much subject to be filled with winde , and therefore they never eat apples , but first they eat wilde lettice . their sight also ( as plutarch saith ) doth many times grow weak and feeble , and therefore they renew and recover the same again by rubbing their eyes against fennel , or else by eating of it . their age could never yet be certainly known , but it is conjectured that they live lon● ▪ and in great health , like to all other serpents , and therefore they grow so great . they do not only live on the land , as we have said already , but also swim in the water , for many times they take the sea in aethiopia , four or five of them together , folding their tails like hurdles , and holding up their heads , so swim they over to seek better food in arabia . we have said already , that when they set upon elephants , they are taken and killed of men : now the manner how the indians kill the mountain dragons is thus ; they take a garment of scarlet , and picture upon it a charm in golden letters , this they lay upon the mouth of the dragons den , for with the red colour and the gold , the eyes of the dragon are overcome , and he falleth asleep , the indians in the mean season watching , and muttering secretly words of incantation ; when they perceive he is fast asleep , suddenly they strike off his neck with an ax , and so take out the balls of his eyes , wherein are lodged those rare and precious stones which contain in them vertues unutterable , as hath been evidently proved by one of them , that was included in the ring of gyges . many times it falleth out , that the dragon draweth in the indian both with his ax and instruments into his den , and there devoureth him , in the rage whereof , he so beateth the mountain that it shaketh . when the dragon is killed , they make use of the skin , eyes , teeth , and flesh ; as for the flesh , it is of a vitrial or glassie colour , and the aethiopians do eat it very greedily , for they say it hath in it a refrigerative power . and there be some which by certain inchanting verses do tame dragons , and rideth upon their necks , as a man would ride upon a horse , guiding and governing them with a bridle . now because we have already shewed , that some dragons have wings , lest it should seem uncredible , as the foolish world is apt to believe no more then they see , i have therefore thought good to add in this place , a particular relation of the testimonies of sundry learned men , concerning these winged serpents or dragons . first of all megasthenes writeth , that in india there be certain flying serpents , which hurt not in the day , but in the night time , and these do render or make a kinde of urine , by the touching whereof , all the parts of mortal creatures do rot away . and there is a mountain which divideth a sunder the kingdom of narsinga from alabaris , wherein be many winged serpents sitting upon trees , which they say poyson men with their breath . there be many pestilent winged serpents which come out of arabia every year by troups into egypt , these are destroyed by a certain black bird called ibis , who fighteth with them in the defence of that countrey where she liveth , so that there lie great heaps of them many times destroyed upon the earth by these birds , whose bodies may be there visibly seen to have both wings and legs , and their bones being of great quantity and stature , remain unconsumed for many years after . these kinde of serpents or dragons , covet to keep about trees of frankincense which grow in arabia , and when they are driven away from thence with the fume or smoak of stirax , then they flie ( as is aforesaid ) into egypt , and this is to be considered , that if it were not for this stirax , all that countrey would be consumed with dragons . neither have we in europe only heard of dragons and never seen them , but also even in our own country , there have ( by the testimony of sundry writers ) divers been discovered and killed . and first of all , there was a dragon or winged serpent brought unto francis the french king , when he lay at sancton , by a certain countreyman , who had slain the same serpent himself with a spade , when it set upon him in the fields to kill him . and this thing was witnessed by many learned and credible men which saw the same : and they thought it was not bred in that countrey , but rather driven by the winde thither from some forain nation . for france was never known to breed any such monsters . among the pyrenes also , there is a cruel kinde of serpent , not past four foot long , and as thick as a mans arm , out of whose sides grow wings much like unto gristles . gesner also saith , that in the year of our lord . there came many serpents both with wings and legs into the parts of germany neer stiria , who did bite and wound many men incurably . cardan also describeth certain serpents with wings , which he saw at paris , whose dead bodies were in the hands of gulielmus musicus , he saith that they had two legs and small wings , so that they could scarce flie , the head was little , and like to the head of a serpent , their colour bright , and without hair or feathers , the quantity of that which was greatest , did not exceed the bignesse of a cony , and it is said they were brought out of india . besides , a further confirmation of these beasts , there have been noted in all ages ; for it is written in the roman chronicles , the times of their apparition and manifestation . when the river of tiber over-flowed above the banks , then were many serpents discovered , and many dragons , as in the time of mauritius the emperor , at what time a dragon came along by the city of rome , upon the waters in the sight of all men , and so passed to the sea : after which prodigy , there followed a great mortal pestilence . in the year . the . day of may , there came a dragon to the city of lucerne , which came out of the lake through rusa , down along the river , many people of all sorts beholding the same . there have been also dragons many times seen in germany , flying in the air at mid-day , and signifying great and fearful fires to follow , as it happened neer to the city called niderburge , neer to the shore of the rhene , in a marvellous clear sun-shine day , there came a dragon three times successively together in one day , and did hang in the air over a town called sanctogoarin , shaking his tail over that town every time : it appeared visibly in the sight of many of the inhabitants , and afterwards it came to passe , that the said town was three times burned with fire , to the great harm and undoing of all the people dwelling in the same : for they were not able to make any resistance to quench the fire , with all the might , art , and power that they could raise . and it was further observed , that about that time there were many dragons seen washing themselves in a certain fountain or well neer the town , and if any of the people did chance to drink of the water of that well , their bellies did instantly begin to swell , and they dyed as if they had been poysoned . whereupon it was publiquely decreed , that the said well should be filled up with stones , to the intent that never any man should afterwards be poysoned with that water ; and so a memory thereof was continued , and these things are written by justinus goblerus , in an epistle to gesner , affirming that he did not write faigned things , but such things as were true , and as he had learned from men of great honesty and credit , whose eyes did see and behold both the dragons , and the mishaps that followed by fire . when the body of cleomenes was crucified , and hung upon the crosse , it is reported by them that were the watch-men about it , that there came a dragon and did winde it self about his body , and with his head covered the face of the dead king , oftentimes licking the same , and not suffering any bird to come neer and touch the carkasse . for which cause there began to be a reverent opinion of divinity attributed to the king , until such time as wise and prudent men , studious of the truth , found out the true cause hereof . for they say that as bees are generated out of the body of oxen , and drones of horses , and hornets of asses : so do the bodies of men ingender out of their marrow a serpent , and for this cause the ancients were moved to consecrate the dragon to noble-spirited men , and therefore there was a monument kept of the first africanus , because that under an olive planted with his own hand , a dragon was said to preserve his ghost . but i will not mingle fables and truths together , and therefore i will reserve the moral discourse of this beast unto another place ; and this which i have written , may be sufficient to satisfie any reasonable man , that there are winged serpents and dragons in the world . and i pray god that we never have better arguments to satisfie us , by his corporal and lively presence in our countrey , lest some great calamity follow thereupon . now therefore we will proceed to the love and hatred of this beast , that is observed with man and other creatures . and first of all , although dragons be natural enemies to men , like unto all other serpents , yet many times ( if there be any truth in story ) they have been possessed with extraordinary love , both to men , women and children , as may appear by these particulars following . there was one aleva a thessallan neatherd , which did keep oxen in ossa , hard by the fountain hemonius , there was a dragon fell in love with this man , for his hair was as yellow as any gold , unto him for his hair did this dragon often come , creeping closely as a lover to his love : and when he came unto him , he would lick his hair and face so gently , and in so sweet a manner , as the man professed he never felt the like , so as without all fear he conversed with him , and as he came , so would he go away again , never returning to him empty , but bringing some one gift or other , such as his nature and kinde could lay hold on . there was a dragon also which loved pindus the son of macedo king of emathia : this pindus having many brothers most wicked and lewd persons , and he only being a valiant man of honest disposition , having likewise a comely and goodly personage , understanding the treachery of his brethren against him , bethought himself how to avoid their hands and tyranny . now forasmuch as he knew that the kingdom which he possessed , was the only mark they all shot at , he thought it better to leave that to them , and so to rid himself from envy , fear , and peril , then to embrew his hand in their bloud , or to lose his life and kingdom both together . wherefore he renounced and gave over the government , and betook himself to the exercise of hunting , for he was a strong man , fit to combate with wilde beasts , by destruction of whom , he made more room for many men upon the earth , so that he passed all his days in that exercise . it hapned on a day that he was hunting of a hind-calf , and spurring his horse with all his might and main in the eager persuit thereof , he rode out of the sight of all his company , and suddenly the hind-calf leaped into a very deep cave , out of the sight of pindus the hunter , and so saved himself . then he alighted from his horse , and tyed him to the next tree , seeking out as diligently as he could for a way into the cave , whereinto the hind-calf had leaped : and when he had looked a good while about him , and could finde none , he heard a voyce speaking unto him , and forbidding him to touch the hind-calf , which made him look about again , to see if he could perceive the person from whom the voyce proceeded , but espying none , he grew to be afraid , and thought that the voyce proceeded from some other greater cause , and so leaped upon his horse hastily , and departed again to his fellows . the day after he returned to the same place , and when he came thither , being terrified with the remembrance of the former voyce , he durst not enter into the place , but stood there doubting and wondering with himself , what shepheards or hunters , or other men might be in that place to diswarn him from his game , and therefore he went round about to seek for some , or to learn from whence the voyce proceeded . while he was thus seeking , there appeared unto him a dragon of a great stature , creeping upon the greatest part of his body , except his neck and head lifted up a little , and that little was as high as the stature of any man can reach , and in this fashion he made toward pindus , who at the first sight was not a little afraid of him , but yet did not run away , but rather gathering his wits together , remembred that he had about him birds , and divers parts of sacrifices , which instantly he gave unto the dragon , and so mitigated his fury by these gifts , and as it were with a royal feast , changed the cruel nature of the dragon into kinde usage . for the dragon being smoothed over with these gifts , & as it were overtaken with the liberality of pindus , was contented to forsake the old place of his habitation , and to go away with him . pindus also being no less glad of the company of the dragon , did daily give unto him the greatest part of his hunting , as a deserved price and ransome of his life , and conquest of such a beast . neither was he unrequited for it , for fortu●e so favoured his game , that whether he hunted fowls of the air , or beasts of the earth , he still obtained and never missed . so that his fame for hunting procured him more love and honor , then ever could the imperial crown of his countrey . for all young men desired to follow him , admiring his goodly personage and strength , the virgins and maids falling in love , contended among themselves who should marry him : the wives forsaking their husbands , contrary to all womanly modesty , rather desired his company then the society of their husbands , or to be preferred among the number of the goddesses . only his brethren inraged against him , sought all means to kill and destroy him . therefore they watched all opportunities , lying in continual ambush where he hunted to accomplish their accursed enterprise , which at last they obtained : for as he followed the game , they enclosed him in a narrow straight neer to a rivers side , where he had no means to avoid their hands , they and their company being many , and he alone , wherefore they drew out their swords and slew him . when he saw no remedy but death , he cryed out aloud for help , whose voyce soon came to the ears of the watchful dragon , ( for no beast heareth or seeth better ) out he cometh from his den , and finding the murtherers standing about the dead body , he presently surprized and killed them , so revenging the quarrel of pindus , and then fell upon the dead body of his friend , never forsaking the custody thereof , until the neighbours adjoyning to the place , taking knowledge of the fact , came to bury the bodies . but when they came and saw the dragon among them , they were afraid , and durst not come neer , but stood afar off , consulting what to do ; till at last they perceived that the dragon began to take knowledge of their fear , who with an admirable curtesie of nature , perceiving their mourning and lamentation for their dead friend , and withall , their abstinence from approaching to execute his exequies , or funerals , began to think that he might be the cause of this their terror , and far standing off from the dead bodies , wherefore he departed , taking his farewell of the body which he loved , and so gave them leave by his absence , to bestow upon him an honourable burial , which they performed accordingly , and the river adjoyning , was named by the name of pindus-death . by which story may appear , that these savage dragons are made loving and tame to men , by good turns and benefits bestowed upon them , for there is no nature which may not be overcome by kindenesse . and yet i may not leave this matter thus , nor from these two examples alone , conclude the practise and possibility of love betwixt men and dragons : i will therefore add some three or four examples more . there was a dragon the lover of aetholis ( as plutarch writeth ) who came unto her every night , and did her body no harm , but gently sliding over her , played with her till morning , then also would he depart away assoon as light appeared , that he might not be espyed . the maidens friends came to the knowledge hereof , and so removed her far away , to the intent the dragon might come no more at her : and thus they remained asunder a great while , the dragon earnestly seeking for the maiden , wandered far and neer to finde her out . at last he met with her , and not saluting her gently as he was wont , flew upon her , binding her hands down with the spire of his body , hissing softly in her face , and beating gently with his tail her back-parts , as it were taking a moderate revenge upon her , for the neglect of his love by her long absence . another like story unto this is reported by aelianus , of a great dragon which loved a fair woman , beloved also of a fair man , the woman oftentimes did sleep with this dragon , but not so willingly as with the man : wherefore she forsook the habitation of her place for a month , and went away where the dragon could not find her , thinking that her absence might quench his desire . but he came often to the place where he was wont to meet with the woman , and not finding her , returned quietly back again , and came again another time : at last he grew suspicious , and like a lover failing in his expectation , grew very sorrowful , and so continued till the month was exspired , every night visiting the accustomed place . at last the woman returned , and the dragon presently met with her , and in an amorous fashion , full of suspicion and jealousie , winding about her body , did beat her as you have heard in the former story : and this ( saith aelianus ) happened in judea , in the days of hered the king. there was a little dragon-whelp bred in arcadia , and brought up familiarly with a little boy from his infancy , until the boy became a young man , and the dragon also became of great stature , so that one of them loved another so well as man and beast could love together , or rather two play-fellows from the cradle . at last the friends of the boy seeing the dragon grow so great in so short a space , began to be suspicious of him ; whereupon they took the bed wherein the boy and the dragon were lodged , and carryed the same into a far remote place of woods and wildernesse , and there set down the bed with the boy and the dragon together . the boy after a little while returned , and came home again to his friends ; the dragon wandered up and down in the woods , feeding upon herbs and poyson , according to his nature , and never more cared for the habitation of men , but rested contented with a solitary life . in the length of time it came to passe that the boy grew to be a perfect man , and the dragon also remained in the wood , and although absent one from the other , yet mutually loving as well as ever . it hapned that this young man travelled through that place where the dragon was lodged , and fell among theeves , when the young man saw their swords about his ears ▪ he cryed out , and the dragons den being not far off , his cry came to the dragons ears , who instantly knowing the voyce of his play-fellow , answered the same with another , at whose hissing the theeves grew afraid , and began to run away , but their legs could not carry them so fast , as to escape the dragons teeth and claws ; for he came speedily to release his friend , and all the theeves that he could find , he put to cruel death , then did he accompany his friend out of the place of peril , and returned back again to his den , neither remembering wrath , for that he was exposed to the wildernesse , and there left by his play-fellow , nor yet like perverse men , forsaking their old friend in danger . they that desire to read more of this subject , shall finde store of examples in aelianus his sixt and thirteen books . to conclude , when messalina the wife of claudius , did send certain men to take away the life of nero , who was a rival of britannicus ; it is said that when they had him in their hands to strangle him , a dragon appeared out of the earth , or floor of the chamber , and did so terrifie these hangmen , that they ran away and spared neroes life . by which example , another example of piety in dragons is observed . again , telephus ignorantly lying with his mother , had committed incest with her , had not a dragon by divine providence come and parted them asunder : therefore draconi similis est virtus indagatrix quae diligenter omnia perscrutatur , rimaturque studiosissimè , the vertue of discretion or perfect knowledge , is like a dragon , which diligently searcheth all things , and studiously looketh into every chink : so did this dragon preserve the chastity of the mother and the son , when they ignorantly and in the dark had defiled each other , but for his appearance and demonstration . i will add but this one example more of their love of chastity in men and women . in lavinium there was a great holy wood , neer unto which stood a temple of juno , in that wood there was a great deep den of a dragon , unto the which dragon the virgins came every year being blinde-folded with clowts , and carrying marchpanes in their hands : when they entred the wood , there was a certain spirit ( as it was said ) without offence did lead them to the den of the dragon , and so every one of the virgins did severally offer up their marchpanes to the dragon : the dragon received the marchpane at the hand of every pure virgin and unspotted , but if they were defiled , and held only the name of virgins , then the dragon refused the marchpane , and therefore they were all examined at their coming forth , that those which had lost their virginity might be punished by the law. and by this story , ( although none but heathens will believe it to be true , because it is a fable meerly invented to defend idolatry , which with my soul and spirit i do detest ) yet i may collect thus much as a moral out of a fable , that dragons in ancient time did honor virginity . and thus seeing they neither love , nor are beloved of any other creature , i will here leave to talk of their love and friendship , and passe on to their hatred and adversaries . the examples before expressed being all extraordinary and beside nature , do not conclude , but that there is an ordinary hatred betwixt men and dragons , and therefore in the discourse of their enemies , men must have the first place , as their most worthy adversary , for both dragons have perished by men , and men by dragons , as may appear by these stories following . when the region of helvetia began first to be purged from noysome beasts , there was a horrible dragon found neer a countrey town called wilser , who did destroy all men and beasts that came within his danger in the time of his hunger , insomuch that that town and the fields there to adjoyning , was called dedwiler , that is , a village of the wildernesse , for all the people and inhabitants had forsaken the same , and fled to other places . there was a man of that town whose name was winckelriedt , who was banished for man-slaughter , this man promised if he might have his pardon , and be restored again to his former inheritance , that he would combate with that dragon , and by gods help destroy him : which thing was granted unto him with great joyfulnesse . wherefore he was recalled home , and in the presence of many people went forth to fight with the dragon , whom he slew and overcame , whereat for joy he lifted up his sword imbrued in the dragons bloud , in token of victory , but the bloud distilled down from his sword upon his body , and caused him instantly to fall down dead . and thus this noble conqueror , a man worthy to be remembred in all ages and nations , who had strength to kill the dragon being alive , yet had no power to resist the venom of his bloud , he being dead . but had it not been that his hand had been before imbrewed in the bloud of a man , i do not believe that the bloud of a dragon could have fallen so heavy upon him . but this is the judgement of god , either to punish murder in the same kinde , or elso to teach us , that we should not rejoyce in our own merits , left god see it and be angry . for our saviour christ forbade his disciples that they should rejoyce that the devils were subject to them ; and therefore much lesse may we poor creatures rejoyce for overcoming men or beasts . and yet one thing more is to be considered in the death of this man , who was banished for killing a man , and was pardoned for killing a dragon , and yet killed by the dragon after the dragon was slain . thus bloud was the sin because it brought death , & death again brought bloud to be the revenger of the first , that the bloud of man might be washed away with the bloud of man , and the bloud of a serpent coming betwixt . and thus i may truly say as the christian poet saith in another case , sanguine succrevit , sanguine finis erit , as it grew , so shall it end in bloud . in the days of philip king of macedon , there was a way into a mountain of armenia , over which the king had prayed , that never man might go but he might die : wherefore socrates , to try the effect of the kings prayer , set his optick philosophical glasse that he might see what was in that way , and presently he perceived two great dragons , who coming out of their dens , did infect the air there abouts with a pestilent evaporation of their own breath . this he declared to the king , who for the revocation of his own prayer , armed divers men to go out against them and kill them : who likewise performed the same , and so cleared the way from that annoyance . and thus we see another story of dragons slain by men . hereunto may be added , how hercules , when he was a childe in his cradle , slew two dragons , as pindarus relateth . and the corcyreans did worship diomedes for killing of a dragon . donatus a holy bishop in germany , finding a dragon to lie secretly hid beside a bridge , killing men , oxen , horse , sheep , and goats , he came boldly unto him in the name of christ , and when the dragon opened his mouth to devour him , the holy bishop spitting into his mouth killed him . when orpheus was in hawking , and while he intended his sport , suddenly a dragon set upon him , but his hawking spaniels or dogs released him of that danger , for they tore the dragon in pieces . many such other stories i could relate , but i spare them here , because i have handled them in the beginning of this story : and so i passe over the slaughter of dragons by men , and come to the slaughter of ●en by dragons , which are briefly these that follow . petrus damianus declareth of a certain husband-man , who rising early in the morning , and travelling by the way side , saw a great dragon lie still upon the earth without motion , he being weary , thought him to be a trunck of some tree , wherefore he sate down upon him , & the beast endured him a little while , but at the last he turned his head in anger , and swallowed him up . after that the graecians faigned as though they would go away from troy , and sinon the traytor was received by the trojans into the city , there were two dragons which slew the sons of laocoon as they landed in the island porcy , caribeae , and chalidnae , which is thus described by virgil ; at gemini lapsu delubra ad summa dracones effugiunt , saevaeque petunt tritonidos arcem , sub pedibusque deae clypeique sub orbe teguntur : tum verò tremefacta novus per pectora cunctis insinuat pavor , & scelus expendisse merentem laocoonta ferunt , sacrum qui cuspide rob●r laeserit , &c. — which may be englished thus ; two dragons si de , and to the top of temple flie , making their way unto the fort of trit●ns feirce , vnder the goddesse feet and shield , in circle down they lie , what fear did mortal breast possesse then cannot i rehearse : for then laocoon did begin to think on 's former sin , when he did harm the sacred thing by thrusting spear within . about the temple of jupiter nemeus , there is a grove of cypresse trees , among which there is a place wherein a dragon did destroy opheltes , when he was laid under a green bush by his nurse . there is a proverb , bonos viros vel à mure morderi , malis ne draconem dentes audere admoliri : that is to say , every mouse will bite a good man , but evill men are not touched with the teeth of dragons . alciatus hath a pretty emblem , whose title is , ex arduis perpetuum nomen , from difficult things and great labours , ariseth immortal fame : wherein he pictureth a dragon following young sparrows to take and eat them . his verses in latine are these : crediderat platani ramis sua pignora passer . et bene , ni saevo visa dracone for ent . clutiit hic pullos omnes , miseramque parentem saxeus & tali dignus obire neoe . haec nisi mentitur chalcas , monimenta laboris sunt longi , cujus fama perennis eat . which may be thus englished ; to plantain-leaves the sparrow did her young commit , and safe enough , had not the dragon them espyed , he eat the young ones all , the dam with sons destroyd , well worthy such a death , of life to be deuyed ; this is by chalcas said , a type of labour long , whose fame eternal lives in every tongue . there be certain beasts called dracontopides , very great and potent serpents , whose faces are like to the faces of virgins , and the residue of their body like to dragons . it is thought that such a one was the serpent that deceived eve , for beda saith , it had a virgins countenance , and therefore the woman seeing the likenesse of her own face , was the more easily drawn to believe it : into the which when the devil had entred , they say he taught it to cover the body with leaves , and to shew nothing but the head and face . but this fable is not worthy to be refuted , because the scripture it self doth directly gainsay every part of it . for first of all it is called a serpent , and if it had been a dragon , moses would have said so , and therefore for ordinary punishment , god doth appoint it to creep upon the belly , wherefore it is not likely that it had either wings or feet . secondly , it was unpossible and unlikely , that any part of the body was covered or concealed from the sight of the woman , seeing she knew it directly to be be a serpent , as afterward she confessed before god and her husband . there be also certain little dragons called in arabia , vesga , and in catalonia , dragons of houses , these when they bite , leave their teeth behinde them , so as the wound never ceaseth swelling as long as the teeth remain therein , and therefore for the better cure thereof , the teeth are drawn forth , and so the wound will soon be healed . and thus much for the hatred betwixt men and dragons , now we will proceed to other creatures . the greatest discord is betwixt the eagle and the dragon , for the vultures , eagles , swans and dragons , are enemies one to another . the eagles when they shake their wings , make the dragons afraid with their ratling noise , then the dragon hideth himself within his den , so that he never fighteth but in the air , either when the eagle hath taken away his young ones , and he to recover them flyeth aloft after her , or else when the eagle meeteth him in her nest , destroying her egges and young ones : for the eagle devoureth the dragons and little serpents upon earth , and the dragons again and serpents do the like against the eagles in the air . yea many times the dragon attempteth to take away the prey out of the eagles talons , both on the ground and in the air , so that there ariseth betwixt them a very hard and dangerous fight , which is in this manner described by nicander . hunc petit invisum magni jovis armiger hostem , cumque genis parat acre suis ex aethere bellum : pascentem in silvis quam primum viderit illum , quod totos ferus is nidos cum mitibus ovis , et simul ipsa terens , & vastans pignora perdat . non timet hoc serpens , imò quodam impete dumis prosiliens , ipsamque aquilam , leporemque tenellum extrahit ex rapidis vi fraudeque fortior uncis . cauta malum declinat avis , fit ibi aspera pugna , vt queat extortam victor sibi tollere praedam . sed frustra elapsam , & volitantem hino inde voluerem insequitur , longos sinuum contractus in orbes , obliquoque levans sursum sua lumina visu . which may be englished thus ; when as the eagle , joves great bird , did see her enemy , sharp war in th' air with beak she did prepare gainst serpent feeding in the wood , after espy cause it her egges and young fiercely in pieces tare . the serpent not afraid of this , leaps out of thorns with force upon the eagle , holding tender hare , out of her talons by fraud and force more strong , that takes and snatches despight her enemies fear . but wary bird avoids the force , and so they fight amain , that victor one of them might joy the prey alone , the flying fowl by winding snake is hunted all in vain , though up and down his nimble eyes this and that way be gone . in the next place we are to consider the enmity that is betwixt dragons and elephants , for so great is their hatred one to the other , that in aethiopia the greatest dragons have no other name but elephant-killers . among the indians also the same hatred remaineth , against whom the dragons have many subtile inventions : for besides the great length of their bodies , wherewithall they claspe and begirt the body of the elephant , continually biting of him until he fall down dead , and in the which fall they are also bruised to pieces ; for the safegard of themselves they have this device . they get and hide themselves in trees , covering their head , and letting the other part hang down like a rope : in those trees they watch until the elephant come to eat and crop of the branches , then suddenly before he be aware , they leap into his face , and dig out his eys , then do they clasp themselves about his neck , and with their tails or hinder-parts , beat and vex the elephant , until they have made him breathlesse , for they strangle him with their fore-parts , as they beat them with the hinder , so that in this combat they both perish : and this is the disposition of the dragon , that he never setteth upon the elephant , but with the advantage of the place , and namely from some high tree or rock . sometimes again a multitude of dragons do together observe the paths of the elephants , & cross those paths they tie together their tails as it were in knots , so that when the elepant cometh along in them , they insnare his legs , and suddenly leap up to his eyes , for that is the part they aim at above all other , which they speedily pull out , and so not being able to do him any harm , the poor beast delivereth himself from present death by his own strength , and yet through his blindenesse received in that combat , he perisheth by hunger , because he cannot choose his meat by smelling , but by his eye-sight . there is no man living that is able to give a sufficient reason of this contrariety in nature betwixt the elephant and the dragon , although many men have laboured their wits , and strained their inventions to finde out the true causes thereof , but all in vain , except this be one that followeth . the elephants bloud is said to be the coldest of all other beasts , and for this cause it is thought by most writers , that the dragons in the summer time do hide themselves in great plenty in the waters where the elephant cometh to drink , and then suddenly they leap up upon his ears , because those places cannot be defended with his trunck , and there they hang fast , and suck out all the bloud of his body , until such a time as he poor beast through faintnesse fall down and die , and they being drunk with his bloud , do likewise perish in the fall . the gryffins are likewise said to fight with the dragons and overcome them . the panther also is an enemy unto the dragons , and driveth them many times into their dens . there is a little bird called captilus , by eating of which the dragon refresheth himself when he is wearyed in hunting of other beasts . and to conclude , he is an enemy unto all kinde of beasts , both wilde and tame , as may appear by these verses of lucan , where he saith . — armentaque tota secuti , rumpitis ingentes amplexi verbere tauros : nec tutus spacio est elephas . which may be englished thus ; and following close the heards in field , great bulls with force of might , and elephants are made to yeeld by dragons valiant sprite . in the next place i will passe unto the poyson and venom of dragons , omitting all poetical discourses about the worshipping and transmutation of dragons from one kinde to another , such as are the hairs of orpheus , or the teeth of the dragon which cadmus slew , into armed men , and such like fables , which have no shew nor appearance of truth , but are only the inventions of men , to utter those things in obscure terms , which they were afraid to do in plain speeches . it is a question whether dragons have any venom or poyson in them , for it is thought that he hurteth more by the wound of his teeth , then by his poyson . yet in deut. . moses speaketh of them as if they had poyson , saying : their wine is as the poyson of dragons , and the cruel venom of asps . so also heliodorus speaketh of certain weapons dipped in the poyson of dragons . for which cause we are to consider , that they wanting poyson in themselves , become venomous two manner of ways : first by the place wherein they live , for in the hotter countries they are more apt to do harm then in the colder and more temperate , which caused the poet in his verses to write of them in this manner following ; vos quoque qui cunctis innoxi numina terris serpitis aurato nitidi fulgore dracones , pestiferos ardens facit africa : ducitis alium aëra cum pennis , &c. — which may be englished in this manner ; you shining dragons creeping on the earth , which fiery africk yeelds with skin like gold , yet pestilent by hot infecting breath , mounted with wings in t' air we do behold . so that which is spoken of the poyson of dragons infecting the air wherein they live , is to be understood of the meteor called draco-volans , a fire-drake , which doth many times destroy the fruits of the earth , seeming to be a certain burning fire in the air , sometime on the sea , & sometime on the land , whereof i have heard this credible story from men of good worth and reputation , happening about some twelve years ago , upon the western seas , upon the coasts of england , which because it is well worthy to be kept in remembrance of all posterity , and containeth in it a notable work of god , i have thought good to set it down in this place . there was an old fisher-man , which with his two hired servants went forth to take fish , according to his accustomed manner and occupation , and having laid their nets , watched them earnestly to finde the booty they came for , and so they continued in their labour untill mid-night or thereabouts , taking nothing . at last there came by them a fire-drake , at the sight whereof the old man began to be much troubled and afraid , telling his servants , that those sights seldom portended any good , and therefore prayed god to turn away all evill from them , and withall , willed his servants to take up their nets , lest they did all repent it afterward ; for he said he had known much evill follow such apparitions . the young men his servants comforted him , telling him that there was no cause of fear , and that they had already committed themselves into the hands of almighty god , under whose protection they would tarry untill they had taken some fish : the old man rested contented with their confidence , and rather yeelded unto them , then was perswaded by them . a little while after the fire-drake came again , and compassed round about the boat , and ran over the nets , so that new fears , and more violent passions then before possessed both the old man and his servants . wherefore they then resolved to tarry no longer , but hasted to take up their nets and be gone . and taking up their nets , at one place they did hang so fast , as without breaking they could not pull them out of the water , wherefore they set their grab-hooks unto them to loose them ; for the day before they remembred that a ship was cast away in the same place , and therefore they thought that it might be the nets were hanged upon some of the tacklings thereof : and therein they were not much deceived , for it happened that finding the place whereupon the net did stay , they pulled and found some difficulty to remove it , but at last they pulled it up , and found it to be a chair of beaten gold . at the sight hereof their spirits were a little revived , because they had attained so rich a booty , and yet like men burdened with wealth , ( especially the old man , ) conceived new fears , and wished he were on land , lest some storm should fall , and lay both it and them the second time in the bottom of the sea. so great is the impression of fear , and the natural presage of evill , in men that know but little in things to come , that many times they prove true prophets of their own destruction , although they have little reason till the moment of perill come upon them : and so it fell out accordingly in this old man ; for whilest he feared death by storms and tempests on the sea , it came upon him , but by another way and means . for behold the devill entred into the hearts of his two servants , and they conspired together to kill the old man their master , that so between themselves they might be owners of that great rich chair , the value whereof ( as they conceived ) might make them gentlemen , and maintain them in some other countrey all the days of their life . for such was the resolution that they conceived upon the present , that it would not be safe for them to return home again after the fact committed , lest they should be apprehended for murder , as they justly deserved , their master being so made away by them . the devill that had put this wicked motion into their mindes , gave them likewise present opportunity to put the same in execution , depriving them of all grace , pity , and piety , still thrusting them forward to perform the same . so that not giving him any warning of his death , one of them in most savage and cruel manner dashed out his brains , and the other speedily cast him into the sea. and thus the fear of this old man , conceived without all reason , except superstition for the sight of a fiery-drake , came upon him in a more bloudy manner then he expected : but life suspected it self , and rumors of peril unto guilty consciences , ( such as all we mortal men bear ) are many times as forcible as the sentence of a judge to the heart of the condemned prisoner ; and therefore it were happy that either we could not fear , except when the causes are certain , or else that we might never perish but upon premonition . and therefore i conclude with the example of this man , that it is not good to hold a superstitious fear , lest god see it , and being angry therewith , bring upon us the evill which we fear . but this is not the end of the story , for that fire-drake , ( as by the sequel appeareth ) proved as evill to the servants as he did to the master . these two sons of the devill , made thus rich by the death of their master , forthwith they sailed towards the coast of france , but first of all they broke the chair in pieces , and wrapped it up in one of their nets , making account that it was the best fish that ever was taken in that net , and so they laid it in one end of their bark or fisher-boat . and thus they laboured all that night and the next day , till three or four of the clock , at what time they espyed a port of britain , whereof they were exceeding glad , by reason that they were weary , hungry , and thirsty with long labour , always rich in their own conceit by the gold which they had gotten , which had so drawn their hearts from god , as they could not fear any thought of his judgement ; and finally it so blinded their eyes , and stopped their ears , that they did not see the vengeance that followed them , nor hear the cry of their masters bloud . wherefore , as they were thus rejoycing at the sight of land , behold they suddenly espyed a man of war coming towards them , whereat they were appalled , and began to think with themselves that their rich hopes were now at an end , and they had laboured for other , but yet resolved to die rather then to suffer the booty to be taken away from them and while they thus thought , the man of war approached and hailed them , summoning them to come in and shew what they were : they refused , making forward as fast to the land as they could . wherefore the man of war shot certain muskets at them , and not prevailing , nor they yeelding , sent after them his long-boat , upon the entrance thereof they fought manfully against the assaylants , until one of them was slain , and the other mortally wounded ; who seeing his fellow kill'd , and himself not likely to live , yet in envy against his enemy , ran presently to the place where the chair lay in the net , and lifting the same up with all his might , cast it from him into the sea , instantly falling down after that fact , as one not able through weaknesse to stand any longer : whereupon he was taken and before his life left him he related the whole story to them that took him , earnestly desiring them to signifie so much into england , which they did accordingly : and as i have heard , the whole story was printed , and so this second history of the punishment of murder , i have related in this place , by occasion of the fiery-drake , in the history of the dragon . a second cause why poyson is supposed to be in dragons , is for that they often feed upon many venomous roots , and therefore their poyson sticketh in their teeth , whereupon many times the party bitten by them , seemeth to be poysoned ; but this falleth out accidentally , not from the nature of the dragon , but from the nature of the meat which the dragon eateth . and this is it which homer knew and affirmed in his verses , when he described a dragon making his den neer unto the place where many venomous roots and herbs grew , and by eating whereof he greatly annoyeth mankinde when he biteth them . os de drakoon espi xein oresteros andra menesi bebrocos kaka pharmaka . — which may be thus englished , and the dragon which by men remains , eats evill herbs without deadly pains . and therefore aelianus saith well , that when the dragon meaneth to do most harm to men , he eateth deadly poysonful herbs , so that if he bite after them , many not knowing the cause of the poyson , and seeing or feeling venom by it , do attribute that to his nature which doth proceed from his meat . besides his teeth which bite deep ; he also killeth with his tail , for be will so begirt and pinch in the body , that he doth gripe it to death , and also the strokes of it are so strong , that either they kill thereby forthwith , or else wound greatly with the same , so that the strokes of his tail , are more deadly then the biting of his teeth ; which caused nicander to write thus ; nec tamen illegraves , ut caetera turba , dolores si velit , infixo cum forte momorderit ore , suscitat : exiguus non noxia vulnera punctus ( qui ceu rodentes noctu quaeque obvia muris ) infligit , modicum tenuis dat plaga cruorem . which may be thus englished ; nor yet he when with his angry mouth doth bite , such pains and torments bringeth as other serpents , if ancients tell the truth , when with his teeth and spear he stingeth : for as the holes which biting mice do leave , when in the night they light upon a prey , so small are dragons-bites which men receive , and harmlesse wound makes bloud to run away . their mouth is small , and by reason thereof they cannot open it wide to bite deep , so as their biting maketh no great pain ; and those kinde of dragons which do principally fight with eagles , are defended more with their tails then with their teeth : but yet there are some other kinde of dragons , whose teeth are like the teeth of bears , biting deep , and opening their mouth wide , wherewithall they break bones , and make many bruises in the body , and the males of this kinde bite deeper then the females , yet there followeth no great pain upon the wound . the cure hereof is like to the cure for the biting of any other beast wherein there is no venom , and for this cause there must be nothing applyed thereunto which cureth venomous bitings , but rather such things as are ordinary in the cure of every ulcer . the seed of grasse , commonly called hay-dust , is prescribed against the biting of dragons . the barble being rubbed upon the place where a scorpion of the earth , a spider , a sea or land-dragon biteth , doth perfectly cure the same . also the head of a dog or dragon which hath bitten any one , being cut off and flayed , and applyed to the wound with a little euphorbium , is said to cure the wound speedily . and if alberdisimon be the same that is a dragon , then according to the opinion of avicen , the cure of it must be very present , as in the cure of ulcers . and if alhatraf and haudem be of the kinde of dragons , then after their biting there follow great coldnesse and stupidity ; and the cure thereof must be the same means which is observed in cold poysons . for which cause the wound or place bitten , must be embrewed or washed with luke-warm vinegar , and emplaistered with the leaves of bay , anointed with the oyl of herb - mary , and the oyl of wilde-pellitory , or such things as are drawn out of those oyls , wherein is the vertue of nettles , or sea-onions . but those things which are given unto the patient to drink , must be the juyce of bay-leaves in vinegar , or else equall portions of myrrhe , pepper , and rew in wine , the powder or dust whereof must be the full weight of a golden groat , or as we say a french crown . in the next place , for the conclusion of the history of the dragon , we will take our farewell of him in the recital of his medicinal vertues , which are briefly these that follow . first , the fat of a dragon dryed in the sun , is good against creeping ulcers : and the same mingled with honey and oyl , helpeth the dimnesse of the eyes at the beginning . the head of a dragon keepeth one from looking asquint : and if it be set up at the gates and dores , it hath been thought in ancient time to be very fortunate to the sincere worshippers of god. the eyes being kept till they be stale , and afterwards beat into an oyl with honey made into ointment , keep any one that useth it from the terrour of night-visions and apparitions . the fat of a hart in the skin of a roe , bound with the nerves of a hart unto the shoulder , was thought to have a vertue to fore-shew the judgement of victories to come . the first spindle by bearing of it , procureth an easie passage for the pacification of higher powers . his teeth bound unto the feet of a roe , with the nerves of a hart , have the same power . but of all other , there is no folly comparable to the composition which the magitians draw out of a dragon to make one invincible , and that is this : they take the head and tail of a dragon , with the hairs out of the fore-head of a lyon , and the marrow of a lyon ; the spume or white mouth of a conquering horse , bound up in a harts skin , together with a claw of a dog , and fastned with the crosse nerves or sinew of a hart , or of a roe ; they say that this hath as much power to make one invincible , as hath any medicine or remedy whatsoever . the fat of dragons is of such vertue that it driveth away venomous beasts . it is also reported , that by the tongue or gall of a dragon sod in wine , men are delivered from the spirits of the night , called incubi and succubi , or else night-mares . but above all other parts , the use of their bloud is accounted most notable . but whether the cynnabaris be the same which is made of the bloud of the dragons and elephants , collected from the earth when the dragon and elephant fall down dead together , according as pliny delivereth , i will not here dispute , seeing it is already done in the story of the elephant : neither will i write any more of this matter in this place , but only refer the reader unto that which he shall finde written thereof in the history of our former book of four-footed beasts . and if that satisfie him not , let him read langius in the first book of his epistles , and sixty five epistle , where that learned man doth abundantly satisfie all men concerning this question , that are studious of the truth , and not prone to contention . and to conclude , andreas balvacensis writeth , that the bloud-stone called the haematite , is made of the dragons bloud : and thus i will conclude the history of the dragon , with this story following out of porphyrius , concerning the good successe which hath been signified unto men and women , either by the dreams or sight of dragons . mammea the mother of alexander severus the emperor , the night before his birth , dreamed that she brought forth a little dragon , so also did olympia the mother of alexander the great , and pomponia the mother of scipio africanus . the like prodigy gave augustus hope that he should be emperor . for when his mother aetia came in the night time unto the temple of apollo , and had set down her bed or couch in the temple among other matrons , suddenly she fell asleep , and in her sleep she dreamed that a dragon came to her , and clasped about her body , and so departed without doing her any harm . afterwards the print of a dragon remained perpetually upon her belly , so as she never durst any more be seen in any bath . the emperor tiberius caesar , had a dragon which he daily fed with his own hands , and nourished like good fortune , at the last it happened that this dragon was defaced with the biting of emmets , and thef ormer beauty of his body much obscured : wherefore the emperor grew greatly amazed thereat , and demanding a reason thereof of the wisemen , he was by them admonished to beware the insurrection of the common people . and thus with these stories representing good and evill by the dragon , i will take my leave of this good and evill serpent . of the dryine . there be some that confound this serpent with the water-snake , and say it is none other then that which of ancient time was called hydrus , for so long as they live in the water , they are called hydri , that is , snakes of the water , but when once they come to the land , they are called chelidri , and chersydri : but it is certain that the chelidrus , is different from the chersydrus , by the strong smell and savour which it carryeth with it wheresoever it goeth , according to these verses made of vmbo the priest in virgil. viperio generi & graviter spirantibus hydris , spargere qui somnos cantuque manuque solebat . which may be englished thus ; who could by song and hand bring into deadly sleep all kinde of vipers , with snakes smelling strong and deep . which being compared with that instruction which he giveth to shepheards , teaching them how to drive away the strong smelling serpents from the folds , he calleth them chelydri , when he writeth in this manner ; disce & odoratam stabulis accendere cedrum , galbanioque agitare graves nidore chelydros . that is to say in english thus ; learn how to drive away strong smelling chelyders from folds , by galbanum and savoury cedars . so that it is clear that these dryines are the same which are called chelydri , who do stink on the face of the earth , whereby they are oftentimes disclosed although they be not seen : howbeit , some think that this filthy favour doth not proceed from any fume or smoak coming out of their bodies , but rather from their motion , according to the opinion of macer in these following verses . seu terga expirant spumantia virus seu terra fumat qua teter labitur anguis . which may be englished in this manner ; whether their foming backs that smell do send abroad such poyson pestilent , or whether th' earth whereon this snake full fell doth slide , yeelds that unwholesome sent . it is said that these dryines do live in the bottom or roots of oaks , where they make their nests , for which cause they be called quetculi , as if they were derived from an oak , which caused the countrey people to call it dendrogailla , which signifieth the male and female in this kinde : being bred only in one part of africk and in hellespont , and there be of them two kindes , one of the length of two cubits , being very fat and round , and very sharp scales over the back ; and they are called druinae of d●us , that signifieth an oak , because they live in bottom of oaks : and they are also called chelydri , because of their sharp skins or scales , for it is the manner of the latines and the grecians , to call the hard and rough skin of the body of man and beast , by the name of chelydra : and i take the serpents cylmdri , to be the same that the dryines be . within the scales of this serpent there are bred certain flyes with yellow wings , as yellow as any brasse , the which flyes at length do eat and destroy the serpent that breedeth them . the colour of their back is blackish , and not white as some have thought , and the savour or smell coming from them like to the smell of a horses hide , wet as it cometh out of the pit , to be shaven by the hand of a tawyer or glover . and bellonius writeth , that he never saw any serpent greater then this dryine , which he calleth dendrozailla , nor any that hisseth stronger ; for he affirmeth , that one of these put into a sack , was more then a strong countreyman could carry two miles together without setting it down and resting . and likewise he saith , that he saw a skin of one of these stuffed with hair , which did equall in quantity the leg of a great man. the head of this beast is broad and flat , and olaus magnus writeth , that many times , and in many places of the north , about the beginning of summer these serpents are found in great companies under oaks , one of them being their head or captain , who is known by a white crest or comb on the top of his crown , whom all the residue do follow , as the bees do their king and captain . and these by the relation of old men are thought to beget a certain stone , by their mutable breathing upon some venomous matter , found in the trees leaves , or earth where they abide : for they abide not only in the roots , but in the hollow bodies of the trees , and sometimes for their meat and food , they leave their habitation , and descend into the fens and marishes to hunt frogs : and if at any time they be assaulted with the horse-flie , they instantly return back again into their former habitation . when they go upon the earth , they go directly or straight , for if they should winde themselves to run , they would make an offensive noise , or rather yeeld a more offensive smell : according to these verses of the poet lucan ; natrix & ambiguae ooleret qui syrtidos arva chersidros , tractique via fumante chelydri . in english thus ; the snake which hant the doubtful syrtes sands , and chelyders by sliding fume on lands . georgius fabricius writeth , that he saw in the temple of bacchus at rome , a company of drunken men dancing , leading a male goat for sacrifice , having snakes in their mouths , which snakes prudentius the christian poet calleth chlydri , that is , dryines in these verses following ; — baccho caper omnibus aris caeditur , & virides discindunt ore chelydros , qui bromium placare volunt , quod & ebria jam tum ante oculos regis satyrorum insania fecit . in english thus ; a goat to bacchus on every altar lies , while sacrificers tear dryines in pieces small by force of teeth , and that before the eyes of satyres king , mad drunk they fall . the nature of this serpent is very venomous and hot , and therefore it is worthily placed among the first degree or rank of serpents , for the smell thereof doth so stupifie a man , as it doth near strangle him , for nature refuseth to breath , rather then to draw in such a filthy air . and so pestilent is the nature of this beast , that it maketh the skin of the body of a man hurt by it , loose , stinking , and rotten , the eyes to be blinde and full of pain , it restraineth the urine , and if it come upon a man sleeping , it causeth often neezing , and maketh to vomit bloudy matter . if a man tread upon it unawares , although it neither sting nor bite him , yet it causeth his legs to swell , and his foot to lose the skin thereof : and that which is more strange , it is reported , that when a physitian cured the hand of one bitten by this serpent , the skin of his hand also came off , and whosoever killeth one of these , if once he smell the savour of it , whatsoever he smelleth afterwards , he still thinketh it smelleth of the dryine . and therefore most pestilent must this serpent needs be , which killeth both touching and smelling . when it hath wounded or bitten , there followeth a black or red swelling about the sore , also a vehement pain over all the body through the speedy dispersing of the poyson ; also pusiules or little wheals , madnesse , drinesse of the body , and intolerable thirst , trembling and mortification of the members wounded , whereof many die . the cure is like to the cure of vipers , and besides it is good to take hart-wort drunk in wine , or trifoly , or the roots of daffadil . acorns of all kinde of oaks , are profitable against this poyson , being beaten to powder and drunk . and thus much shall suffice for this serpent . of the serpents called elephants . there be also serpents called elephants , because whomsoever they bite , they infect with a kinde of leprosie , and i know not whether the serpent elops , elopis , and laphiati be the same , but because i finde no matter worthy in them to be spoken of , and they are strangers in our countrey , the reader must be contented with their bare names without further description . of frogs . frogs are called by the hebrews , zab , zephardea , vrdeana , and vrdea akruka , and maskar ; by the arabians , hardun , difdah , dijphoa , difdapha , altahaul ; by the grecians , batrachos : whereof cometh the corrupted word brackatas , and garazum . lalages and kembroie , signifieth green frogs ; the italians and spaniards call it rana , by the latine word ; the french , grenoville ; the germans , frosch , and frosche , and grassfroch , for a green frog . the flemings , vrosch , and vruesch , and pivit ; the illytians and polonians , zaba , by a word derived from the hebrew . it is some question from whence the word rana is derived , and because of much controversie whether it hath received name , because it liveth on the land and in the water , or from the croaking voyce which it useth : i will not trouble the english reader with that discourse , only i am assured , that the word frog in english , is derived from the german word frosch , as many other english words are derived besides the common name of many frogs . homer in his comedy of the fight betwixt frogs and mice called batrachomyomachia , hath devised many proper names for frogs , such as these are ; limnocharis , gracediet , pleus , dustliver ; hydromedousa , water-hunter ; phusignathos , nature-cryer ; hypsiboas , loud-cryer : leuthai●s , love-liver ; poluphonos , great labourer ; krambophagos , brasil-eater ; lymnesios , pool-keeper ; kalaminthius , mint-eater ; hydrocharis , water-childe ; borborokoites , noise-maker ; prassaphagos , grass-eater ; pelousios , dust-creeper ; pelobates , dust-leaper ; krawgasides , drought-hater ; prassaios , grasse-green : and such other like , according to the witty invention of the author , all which i thought good to name in this place , as belonginging to this history . in the next place we are to consider the diversity and kindes of frogs , as they are distinguished by the place of their abode : for the greatest difference is drawn from thence ; some of them therefore are water-frogs , and some are frogs of the land : the water-frogs live both in the water and on the land , in marishes , standing pools , running streams , and banks of rivers , but never in the sea ; and therefore rana marina is to be understood of a fish , and not a frog , as massarius hath learnedly proved against marcellus . the frogs of the land are distinguished by their living in gardens , in meddows , in hollow rocks , and among fruits : all which several differences shall be afterward expressed , with their pictures in their due places : here only i purpose to talk of the vulgar and common frog , whose picture with her young one is formerly expressed . beside , these differ in generation : for some of them are engendered by carnal copulation , and of the slime and rottennesse of the earth . some are of a green colour , and those are eaten in germany and in flanders ; some again are yellow , and some of an ash-colour , some spotted , and some black , and in outward form and fashion they resemble a toad , but yet they are without venom , and the female is always greater then the male : when the egyptians will signifie an impudent man , and yet one that hath a good quick sight , they picture a frog , because he liveth continually in the mire , and hath no bloud in his body , but about his eyes . the tongue is proper to this kinde , for the fore-part thereof cleaveth to the mouth , as in a fish , and the hinder part to the throat , by which he sendeth forth his voyce ; and this is to be understood , that all frogs are mute and dum , except the green frogs , and the frogs of the water , for these have voyces . and many times the voyces of frogs proceedeth from the nature of the countries wherein they live : for once all the frogs , in macedonia and cyrenia , were dum , until there were some brought thither out of some other countries , as at this day the frogs of seriphus are all dum , whereupon came the proverb , batrachos ec seriphon , a frog of seriphus , because the frogs of that countrey do never croak , although you carry them into any other countrey . this seriphus is one of the islands of the sporades in greece , wherein is the lake called pierius , which doth not run in the summer , but only in the winter , and all the frogs which are cast into that lake , are perpetually silent , and never utter their voyce ; whereof there are assigned two causes , one fabulous , and the other true and natural . the first , the seriphians say , that when perseus returned with the head of medusa , having gone very far till he was weary , laid him down beside that lake to sleep , but the croaking frogs made such a noise , as he could take no rest : whereat perseus was much offended ; and therefore prayed jupiter to forbid the frogs from crying , who instantly heard his prayer , and injoyned perpetual silence to the frogs in that water : and this is the fabulous reason , being a meer fiction of the poets . the second and more true reason is that of theophrastus , who saith , that for the coldnesse of the water , the frogs are not able to cry in that place . the voyce of frogs is said by the latinists to be coaxare , and by the grecians , ololugon ; peculiar words to set forth this crying : now because their tongue cleaveth to the palat of their mouth , and their voyce proceedeth but from their throat to their mouth , and the spirit is hindered by the tongue , so as it cannot proceed directly ; therefore it hath two bladders upon either side of the mouth , one which it filleth with winde , and from thence proceedeth the voyce . now when it croaketh , it putteth his head out of the water , holding the neather lip even with the water , and the upper lip above the water : and this is the voyce of the male provoking the female to carnal copulation . they have but very small lungs , and those without bloud , full of froth like to all other creatures of the water , which do lay egges , and for this cause they do never thirst : wherefore also sea-calves and frogs are able to live long under the water . they have a double liver ; and a very small milt , their legs behinde are long , which maketh them apt to leap ; before they are shorter , having divided claws which are joyned together with a thin broad skin , that maketh them more apt to swim . the most place of their abode is in fens , or in warm waters , or in fish-pools : but yellow and ash-coloured frogs abide in rivers lakes , and standing pools , but in the winter time they all hide themselves in the earth . and therefore it is not true that pliny saith , that in the winter time they are resolved into slime , and in summer they resume again their first bodies , for they are to be seen many times in the winter ; especially in those waters that are never frozen , as agrecolaand mathiolus hath soundly observed , and they have been seen in certain running streams , holding small fishes in their mouths , as it were sucking meat out of them . sometimes they enter into their holes in autumn before winter , and in the spring time come out again . when with their croaking voyces the male provoketh the female to carnal copulation , which he performeth not by the mouth ( as some have thought ) but by covering her back : the instrument of generation meeting in the hinder parts , and this they perform in the night season , nature teaching them the modesty or shamefastnesse of this action : and besides in that time they have more security to give themselves to mutual imbraces , because of a general quietnesse , for men and all other their adversaries are then at sleep and rest . after their copulation in the waters , there appeareth a thick jelly , out of which the young one is found . but the land frogs are ingendered out of egs , of whom we discourse at this present ; and therefore they both suffer copulation , lay their egges and bring forth young ones on the land . when the egge breaketh or is hatched , there cometh forth a little black thing like a piece of flesh , which the latines call gyrini , from the greek word gyrinos , having no visible part of a living creature upon them , besides their eyes and their tails , and within short space after their feet are formed , and their tail divided into two parts , which tail becometh their hinder-legs : wherefore when the aegyptians would describe a man that cannot move himself , and afterwards recovereth his motion , they decipher him by a frog , having his hinder-legs . the heads of these young gyrini , which we call in english horse-nails ; because they resemble a horse-nail in their similitude , whose head is great , and the other part small , for with his tail he swimmeth . after may they grow to have feet , and if before that time they be taken out of the water , they die , when they begin to have four feet . and first of all they are of a black colour and round , and hereof came the proverb , rana gyrina sapientior , wiser then a horse-nail ; because through the roundnesse and volubility of his body , it turneth it self with wonderful celerity , which way soever it pleaseth . these young ones are also called by the grecians , molurida , brutichoi , and batrachidae , but the latines have no name for it , except ranunculus , or rana nasoens . and it is to be remembred , that one frog layeth an innumerable company of egges , which cleave together in the water , in the middle whereof she her self lodgeth . and thus much may suffice for the ordinary procreation of frogs by generation out of egges . in the next place i must also shew how they are likewise ingendered out of the dust of the earth by warm , aestive , and summer showers , whose life is short , and there is no use of them . aelianus saith , that as he travailed out of italy into naples , he saw divers frogs by the way near puteoli , whose fore-part and head did move and creep , but their hinder-part was unformed and like to the slime of the earth , which caused ovid to write thus ; semina limus habet virides generantia ranas , et generat truncas pedibus , & eodem corpore saepe altera pars vivit , rudis est pars altera tellus . that is to say ; durt hath his seed ingendring frogs full green , yet so as feetlesse without legs on earth they lie , so as a wonder unto passengers is seen , one part hath life , the other earth full dead is nye . and of these frogs it is that pliny was to be understood , when he saith , that frogs in the winter time are resolved into slime , and in the summer they recover their life and substance again . it is certain also , that sometime it raineth frogs , as may appear by philarchus and lembus , for lembus writeth thus : once about dardania , and paeonia , it rained frogs in such plentiful measure , or rather prodigious manner , that all the houses and high ways were filled with them , and the inhabitants did first of all kill them , but afterwards perceiving no benefit thereby , they shut their doores against them , and stopped up all their lights to exclude them out of their houses , leaving no passage open , so much as a frog might creep into , and yet notwithstanding all this diligence , their meat seething on the fire , or set on the table , could not be free from them , but continually they found frogs in it , so as at last they were inforced to forsake that countrey . it was likewise reported , that certain indians and people of arabia , were inforced to forsake their countries through the multitude of frogs . cardan seemeth to finde a reason in nature for this raining of frogs , the which for the better satisfaction of the reader , i will here expresse as followeth : fiunt haec omnia ventorum ira , and so forward in his . book de subtilitate , that is to say ; these prodigious rains of frogs and mice , little fishes and stones , and such like things is not to be wondered at : for it cometh to passe by the rage of the windes in the tops of the mountains , or the uppermost part of the seas , which many times taketh up the dust of the earth and congealeth them into stones in the air , which afterwards fall down in rain ; so also doth it take up frogs and fishes , who being above in the air , must needs fall down again . sometimes also it taketh up the egges of frogs and fishes , which being kept aloft in the air among the whirl-windes , and storms of shewers , do there engender and bring forth young ones , which afterwards fall down upon the earth , there being no pool for them in the air . these and such like reasons are approved among the learned for natural causes of the prodigious raining of frogs . but we read in holy scripture among the plagues of egypt , that frogs were sent by god to annoy them ; and therefore whatsoever is the material cause , it is most certain that the wrath of god and his almighty hand , is the making or efficient cause , and for the worthinesse of that divine story , how god maketh and taketh away frogs , i will expresse it as it is left by the holy ghost , in ch . . exod. ver . . also the lord said unto moses , say thou unto aaron , stretch thou out thy band with thy rod upon the streams , upon the rivers , and upon the ponds , and cause frogs to come upon the land of egypt . ver. . then aaron stretched out his hand upon the waters of egypt , and the frogs came up and covered the land of egypt . vers . . and the sorcerers did likewise with their sorceries , and brought frogs upon the land of egypt . vers . . then pharaoh called for moses and aaron , and said ; pray ye unto the lord , that he may take away the frogs from me , and from my people , and i will let the people go , that they may do sacrifice to the lord. vers . . and moses said unto pharaoh , concerning me , command when i shall pray for thee and thy servants , and thy people , to destroy the frogs from thee , and from thy houses , that they may remain in the river only . vers . . then he said to morrow , and he answered , be it as thou hast said , that thou mayst know that there is none like the lord our god. vers . . so the frogs shall depart from thee , and from thy houses , and from thy people , and from thy servants , only they shall remain in the river . ver. . then moses and aaron went out from pharaoh , and moses cryed unto the lord concerning the frogs which he had sent unto pharaoh . vers . . and the lord did according to the saying of moses , so the frogs dyed in the houses , and in the towns , and in the fields . vers . . and they gathered them together by heaps , and the land stank of them , &c. and this was the second plague of egypt , wherein the lord turned all the fishes into frogs : as the book of wisdom saith , and the frogs ahounded in the kings chamber : and notwithstanding this great judgement of god for the present , pharaoh would not let the people go , and afterwards that blinde superstitious nation became worshippers of frogs , ( as philastrius writeth ) thinking by this devotion , or rather wickednesse in this observant manner , to pacifie the wrath of god , choosing their own ways before the word of almighty god : but vain is that worship which is invented without heavenly warrant , and better it is to be obedient to the will of god , then go about to please him with the cogitations of men , although in their pretended holinesse we spend much time , wealth , and bloud . there was one cypselus , the father of periander , who by his mother was hid in a chest called kypsele , to be preserved from the hands of certain murtherers , which were sent to kill him . wherefore afterwards the said cypselus consecrated a house at delphos to apollo , because he heard his crying when he was hid in a chest , and preserved him . in the bottom of that house , was the trunk of a palm-tree and certain frogs pictured running out of the same : but what was meant thereby is not certainly known , for neither plutarch which writeth the story , nor chersias which relateth it , giveth any signification thereof : but in another place where he enquireth the reason why the oracle of pythias gave no answer , he conjectured because it was that the accursed thing brought out of the temple of apollo from delphos , into the corinthian house , had ingraven underneath the brazen palm , snakes , and frogs , or else for the signification of the sun rising . the meat of frogs thus brought forth are green herbs and humble-bees , or shorn-bugs , which they devour or catch when they come to the water to drink : sometime also they are said to eat earth , but as well frogs as toads do eat the dead mole , for the mole devoureth them being alive . in the moneth of august , they never open their mouths , either to take in meat or drink , or to utter any voyce , and their chaps are so fast joyned or closed together , that you can hardly open them with your finger , or with a stick . the young ones of this kinde are killed by casting long-wort , or the leaves of sea-lettice , as aelianus and suidas write : and thus much for the description of their parts , generation , and sustentation of these common frogs . the wisdom or disposition of the aegyptian frogs is much commended , for they save themselves from their enemies with singular dexterity . if they fall at any time upon a water-snake , which they know is their mortal enemy , they take in their mouths a round reed , which with an invincible strength they hold fast , never letting go , although the snake have gotten her into her mouth , for by this means the snake cannot swallow her , and so she is preserved alive . there is a pretty fable of a great bull which came to the water to quench his thirst , and whilest the beast came running greedily into the water , he trod in pieces two or three young frogs ; then one of them which escaped with life , went and told his mother the miserable misfortune and chance of his fellows : she asked who it was that had so killed her young ones , to whom he answered : it was a great one , but how great he could not tell ; the foolish mother-frog desirous to have seen some body in the eyes of her son , began to swell with holding in of her breath , and then asked the young one if the beast were as big as she ? and he answered much greater , at which words she began to swel more , and asked him again if the beast were so big ? to whom the young one answered , mother leave your swelling , for though you break your self , you will never be so big as he : and i think from this fable came the proverb , rana gyrina sapientior , wiser then the young frog . this is excellently described by horace in his third satyre , as followeth ; absentis ranae pullis vituli pede pressis vnus ubi effugit matri denarrat , ut ingens bellua cognates eliserit , illa rogare , quantánt ? num tandem , se inflans sic magna fuisset ? major dimidio : num tanto ? cum magis atque se magis inflaret , non si te ruperis , inquit , par eris : haec à te non multum abludit imago . which may be englished thus ; in old frogs absence , the young were prest to death by feet of a great calf , drinking in the water , to tell the dam , one ran that scap't with life and breath , how a great heast her young to death did scatter . how great said she ? so big ? and then did swell . greater by half , said he : then she swoll more , and said thus big ? but he : cease swelling dam , for i thee tell , though break thy self , like him thou never canst be made . there is another pretty fable in esop , tasking discontented persons under the name of frogs , according to the old verse : et veterem in limo ranae cacinere querelam , nam neque sicca placet , nec quae stagnata palude perpetitur , querulae semper convitia ranae . which may be englished in this manner ; the frogs amidst the earthly slime , their old complaints do daily sing : not pleas'd with pools , nor land that drine , but new displeasures daily bring . when ceres went about seeking proserpina , she came to a certain fountain in lycia to quench her thirst , the uncivil lycians hindered her from drinking , both by troubling the water with their feet , and also by sending into the water a great company of croaking frogs ; whereat the goddesse being angry , turned all those countrey people into frogs . but ovid doth ascribe this transmutation of the lycians , to the prayer of latona , when she came to drink of the fountain to increase the milk in her breasts , at such a time as she nursed apollo and diana , which metamorphosis or transmutation , is thus excellently described by ovid ; aeternum stagno ( dixit ) vivatis in isto . eveniunt optata deae , jnvat esse sub undis , et modo to●a cava summergere membra palud● , nunc proferre caput , summo modo gurgite nare , saepe super ripam stagni consistere , saepe in gelidos resi●ire lacus , sed nunc quoque turpes litibus exercent linguas , pulsoque pudore quamvis sint sub aqua , sub aqua male dicere tentant . vox quoque jam rauc● est , inflataque colla tumescunt : iplaque dilatant patulos convitia rictus . terg● caput ●angunt , colla intercepta videntur . spina viret , venter pars maxima corporis albet , limosoque novae saliunt in gurgite ranae . in english thus ; — for ever mought you dwell in this same pond she said : her wish did take effect with speed , for underneath the water they delight to be indeed : now dive they to the bottom down , now up their heads they pop , another while with sprawling legs they swim upon the top , and oftentimes upon the banks they have a minde to stond , and oftentimes from thence again to leap into the pond : and there they now do practise still their filthy tongues to scold , and shamelesly , though underneath the water they do hold their former wont of brauling , still avoid the water cold : their voyces still are hoarse and harsh , their throats have puffed goawls , their chaps with brawling widened are , their hammer-headed joawles , are joyned to their shoulders just , the necks of them do seem cut off : the ridge bone of their back sticks up with colour green . their panch which is the greatest part of all their trunck is gray , and so they up and down the pond made newly frogs do play . whatsoever the wisdom of frogs is , according to the understanding of the poets , this is certain , that they signifie impudent and contentious persons , for this cause there is a pretty fiction in hell betwixt the two poets , furipides and aeschylus : for the ending of which controversie , bacchus was sent down to take the worthyest of them out of hell into heaven : and as he went over charons ferry , he heard nothing but the croaking of frogs , for such contentious spirits do best befit hell. and thus much shall suffice to have spoken of the wisedom of frogs . their common enemies are the weasels , poul-cats , and ferrets , for these do gather them together , and lay of them great heaps within their dens : whereupon they feed in winter . the hearn also and bittern , is a common destroyer of frogs , and so likewise are some kinde of kites . the night-birds , gimus and gimeta , the water-snake ( at whose presence in token of extream terror ) the frog setteth up her voyce in lamentable manner . the moles are also enemies to frogs , and it is further said ; that if a burning candle be set by the water side , during the croaking of frogs , it will make them hold their peace . men do also take frogs , for they were wont to bait a hook with a little red wooll , or a piece of red cloth , also the gall of a goat put into a vessel , and set in the earth , will quickly draw unto it all the frogs that be near it , as if it were unto them a very grateful thing : and thus much shall suffice to have spoken of the enemies of frogs . now in the next place we are to consider the several uses , both natural , medicinal , and magical , which men do make of frogs . and first of all the green frogs , and some of the yellow which live in flouds , rivers , lakes , and fish-pools , are eaten by men ; although in ancient time they were not eaten , but only for physick , for the broth wherein they were sod , and the flesh also , was thought to have vertue in it to cure them which were strucken by any venomous creeping beast , especially mixed with salt and oyl : but since that time aetius discommendeth the eating of frogs , proving that some of them are venomous , and that by eating thereof , extream vomits have followed , and they can never be good , except when they are newly taken , and their skins diligently flayed off , and those also out of pure running waters and not out of muddy stinking puddles : and therefore adviseth to forbear in plenty of other meat , this wanton eating of frogs , as things perilous to life and health , and those frogs also which are most white when the skin is taken off , are most dangerous and fullest of venom , according to the counsel of fiera , saying ; vltima , sed nostros non accessura lebetes , noluimus , succi est pluvii & limosa maligni . ni saliat , putris rana paraba titer . irata est & adhuc rauca coaxat aquis . in english thus ; we will not dresse a frog unlesse the last of all to eat , because the juyce thereof is muddy and of rain unclean , except it go on earth , prepared way to leap . for , angry it ever is , and hath hoarse voyce amid the stream . they which use to eat frogs , fall to have a colour like lead , and the hotter the countries are , the more venomous are the frogs ; in colder countries , as in germany they are not so harmful , especially after the spring of the year , and their time of copulation passed . besides , with the flesh of frogs , they were wont in ancient time to bait their hooks , wherewithal they did take purple fishes , and they did burn the young frogs , putting the powder thereof into a cat , whose bowels was taken out , then rosting the cat , and after she was roasted , they anointed her all over with honey , then ●aid her by a wood side , by the odour and savour whereof , all the wolfs and foxes lodging in the said wood were allured to come to it , and then the hunters lying ready in wait , did take , destroy , and kill them . when frogs do croak above their usual custom , either more often , or more shrill then they were wont to do : they do foreshew rain and tempestuous weather . wherefore tully saith in his first book of divination , who is it that can suspect , or once think that the little frog should know thus much , but there is in them an admirable understanding nature , constant and open to it self , but more secret and obscure to the knowledge of men ; and therefore speaking to the frogs , he citeth these verses ; vos quoque signa videtis aquai dulcis alumnae , cum clamore paratis inanes fundere voces , absurdoque sono fontes & stagna cietis . in english thus ; and you o water-birds which dwell in streams so sweet , do see the signes whereby the weather is foretold , your crying voyces wherewith the waters are repleat , vain sounds , absurdly moving ools and fountains cold . and thus much for the natural use of frogs . now followeth the magical . it is said that if a man take the tongue of a water-frog , and lay it upon the head of one that is asleep , he shall speak in his sleep , and reveal the secrets of his heart : but if he will know the secrets of a woman , then must he cut it out of the frog alive , and turn the frog away again , making certain characters upon the frogs tongue , and so lay the same upon the panting of a womans heart , and let him ask her what questions he will , she shall answer unto him all the truth , and reveal all the secret faults that ever she hath committed . now if this magical foolery were true , we had more need of frogs then of j●stices of peace , or magistrates in the common-wealth . but to proceed a little further , and to detect the vanity of these men , they also say , that the staffe wherewithal a frog is struck out of a snakes mouth , laid upon a woman in travail , shall cause an easie deliverance : and if a man cut off a foot of a frog as he swims in the water ▪ and binde the same to one that hath the gout , it will cure him . and this is as true as a shoulder of mutton worn in ones hat healeth the tooth-ach . some again do write , that if a woman take a frog , and spit three times in her mouth , she shall not conceive with childe that year . also if dogs eat the pottage wherein a frog hath been sod , it maketh him dum and cannot bark . and if a man cast a sod frog at a dog , which is ready to assault him , it will make him run away , ( i think as fast as an old hungry horse from a bottle of hay . ) these and such like vanities have the ancient heathens ( ignorant of god ) firmly believed , till either experience disapproved their inventions , or the sincere knowledge of religion inlightning their darknesse , made them to forsake their former vain errors , which i would to god had come sooner unto them , that so they might never have sinned ; or else being now come unto us their children , i pray god that it may never be removed , lest by trusting in lying vanities , we forsake our own mercy . and so an end of the magical uses . now we proceed to the medicinal , in the biting of every venomous creature . frogs sod or roasted , are profitable , especially the broth , if it be given to the sick person without his knowledge , mixed with oyl and salt , as we have said already . the flesh of water frogs is good against the biting of the sea-hare , the scorpion , and all kinde of serpents ; against leprosie and scabs , and rubbed upon the body , it doth cure the same . the broath taken into the body with roots of sea-holm , expelleth the salamander : so also the egges of the frog , and the egges of the tortoise , hath the same operation , being sod with calaminth . the little frogs are an antidote against the toads and great frogs . albertus also among other remedies , prescribeth a frog to be given to sick faulkons or hawks : it is also good for cricks in the neck , or the cramp . the same sod with oyl , easeth the pains and hardnesse of the joynts and sinews : they are likewise given against an old cough , and with old wine and sod corn drunk out of the vessel wherein they are sod , they are profitable against the dropsie , but with the sharpest vinegar , oyl , and spume of niter sod together , by rubbing and anointing , cureth all scabs in horses , and pestilent tumors . there is an oyl likewise made out of frogs , which is made in this manner ; they take a pound of frogs , and put them into a vessel or glasse , and upon them they pour a pinte of oyl , so stopping the mouth of the glasse , they seethe it as they do the oyl of serpents , with this they cure the shrinking of the sinews , and the hot gout , they provoke sleep , and heal the inflammations in fevers , by anointing the temples . the effect of this oyl is thus described by ser●nus ; saepe ita per vadit vis frigoris , ac tenet artus , vt vix quasito medicamine pulsa recedat . si renam ex ●leo decoxeris , abjice carn●m , membra fove . — that is to say ; often are the sinews held by force invading cold , which scarse can be repelled back by medicines tried might , then scethe a frog in purest oyl , as ancients us have told , so bathe the members sick therein , frogs flesh cast out of sight . and again in another place he speaking of the cure of the fever , writeth thus ; sed prius est oleo partus fervescere ranae , in triviis , ill●que artus perducere succo , in english thus ; but first let oyl make hot young frogs new found in ways , therewith bring sinews weak to weal full sound . to conclude , it were infinite and needlesse to expresse all that the physitians have observed about the medicines rising out of the bloud , fat , flesh , eyes , heart , liver , gall , intrails , legs , and sperm of frogs , besides powders , and distillations ; therefore i will not weary the reader , nor give occasion to ignorant men , to be more bold upon my writing of physick then is reason , lest that be said against me which proverbially is said of unnecessary things , ranis vinum ministras , you give wine to frogs , which have neither need nor nature to drink it , for they delight more in water . and so i conclude the history of this vulgar frog . of the green frog . this frog is called calamites , and dryophytes , and man●is , and rana virens . in arabia b●e●haricon , and cucunoines , and cucumones , irici , ranulae , brexantes , of brex●ein , to rain , and thereof cometh the faigned word of aristophanes , brekekekex koax ; but i think that as our english word frog is derived from the german word frosch , so the germans frosch from the greek word brex . it is called also zamia , that is , damnum , losse , hurt or damage , because they live in trees , and many times harm men and cattle underneath the trees ; and therefore called zamiae , of the greek word zen 〈…〉 . the italians call it racula , ranocchia , lo ronovoto , ra 〈…〉 onchia de rubetto . the french , croissetz , and some-times graisset , verdier ; in savöy , renogle . in germany , lou●srosch . in poland , zaba t●awna . some of the latines for difference sake call it rana rubeta , because it liveth in trees and bushes : and for the same cause it is called calamites , because it liveth among reeds , and dryopetes , because it selleth some-times out of trees . it is a venomous beast , for sometimes cattle as they brouse upon trees , do swallow down one of these upon the leaves not discerning it , because it is of the same colour : but presently after they have eaten it their bellies begin to swell , which must needs proceed from the poysoned frog . a second reason proving it to be venomous , is for that many authors do affirm , that hereof is made the psilothrum , for the drawing out of teeth by the roots , and for this cause is concluded to be venomous , because this cannot be performed without strong poyson . but for the cure of the poyson of this frog , we shall expresse it afterward in the history of the toad , and therefore the reader must not expect it in this place . always before rain they climbe up upon the trees and there cry after a hoarse manner very much , which caused the poet serenus to call it rauco ga●rula qu●s●u : at other times it is mute , and hath no voyce : wherefore it is more truly called manlis , that is , a prophet or a diviner , then any other kinde of frog , because other frogs which are not altogether mute , do cry both for fear , and also for desire of carnal copulation , but this never cryeth but before rain . some have been of opinion , that this is a dum frog ; and therefore vincentius bellu●censis faith , that it is called a mute frog from the effect : for there is an opinion , that this put into the mouth of a dog , maketh him dum , which if it be true ; it is an argument of the extreme poyson therein contained , overcoming the nature of the dog , whose chiefest senses are his taste and his smelling . and thus much shall suffice for the description of this frog . the medicinal vertues observed herein are these that follow . first if a man which hath a cough , do spet into the mouth of this frog , it is thought that it doth deliver him from his cough , and being bound in a cranes skin unto a mans thigh , procureth venereous desires : but these are but magical devices , and such as have no apparent reason in nature , wherefore i will omit them , and proceed to them that are more reasonable and natural . first , for the oyl of frogs , that is the best which is made out of the green frogs , as it is observed by silvius ; and if they are held betwixt a mans hands , in the fit of hot burning ague , do much refresh nature , and ease the pain . for fever-hecticks they prepare them thus : they take such frogs as have white bellies , then cut off their heads and pull out their bowels , afterwards they seethe them in water , until the flesh fall from the bones , then they mingle the said flesh with barley meal , made into paste , wherewithal they cram and feed pullen with that paste , upon which the sick man must be fed , and in default of frogs they do the like with eels , and other like fishes . but there is no part of the frog so medicinable as is the bloud , called also the matter or the juyce , and the humor of the frog , although some of them write , that there is no bloud but in the eyes of a frog : first therefore with this they kill hair , for upon the place where the hair was puld off , they pour this bloud , and then it never groweth more : and this as i have said already , is an argument of the venom of this frog ; and it hath been proved by experience , that a man holding one of these frogs in his hands , his hands have begun to swell , and to break out into blisters . of this vertue serenus the poet writeth thus ; praeterea quascunque voles avertere setas , atque in perpetuum rediviva occludere tela , corporibus vulsis saniem perducito ranae , sed quae parva situ est , & rauco garrula questu . that is to say ; besides , from whatsoever bodies hairs thou will be clean destroyed , and never grow again on them , the mattery bloud of frogs , all spread and spill , i mean the little frog questing hoarse voyce amain . the same also being made into a verdigrease , and drunk the weight of a crown , stoppeth the continual running of the urine . the humor which cometh out of the frog , being alive when the skin is scraped off from her back , cleareth the eyes by an ointment : and the flesh laid upon them , easeth their pains ; the flesh and fat pulleth out teeth . the powder made of this frog being drunk , stayeth bleeding , and also expelleth spots of bloud dryed in the body . the same being mingled with pitch , cureth the falling off of the hair . and thus much shall suffice for the demonstration of the nature of this little green frog . of the padock or crooked back frog . it is apparent that there be three kindes of frogs of the earth , the first is the little green frog : the second is this padock , having a crook back , called in latine , rubeta gibbosa ; and the third is the toad , commonly called rubetax , bufo . this second kinde is mute and dumb , as there be many kinde of mute frogs , such as is that which the germans call feurkrott , and our late alchymists puriphrunon , that is , a firefrog , because it is of the colour of fire : this is found deep in the earth , in the midst of rocks and stones when they are cleft asunder , and amongst metals , whereinto there is no hole or passage , and therefore the wit of man cannot devise how it should enter therein , only there they finde them when they cleave those stones in sunder with their wedges and other instruments . such as these are , are found near tours in france , among a red sandy stone , whereof they make the milstones , and therefore they break that stone all in pieces before they make the milstone up , lest while the padock is included in the middle , and the milstone going in the mill , the heat should make the padock swell , and so the milstone breaking , the corn should be poysoned . assoon as these padocks come once into the air , out of their close places of generation and habitation , they swell and so die . this crook-backed padock is called by the germans , gartonfrosch , that is , a frog of the garden , and grasfrosch , that is , a frog of the grasse . it is not altogether mute , for in time of peril , when they are chased by men , or by snakes , they have a crying voyce , which i have oftentimes proved by experience , and all snakes and serpents do very much hunt and desire to destroy these : also i have seen a snake hold one of them by the leg , for because it was great she could not easily devour it , and during that time it made a pitiful lamentation . these padocks have as it were two little horns or bunches in the middle of the back , and their colour is between green and yellow , on the sides they have red spots , and the feet are of the same colour , their belly is white , and that part of their back which is directly over their breast , is distinguished with a few black spots . and thus much may serve for the particular description of the padock , not differing in any other thing that i can read of from the former frogs , it being venomous as they are , and therefore the cure is to be expected hereafter , in the next history of the toad . of the toad . now i finde of these toads two kindes , the one called rubeta palustris , a toad of the fens , or of the waters ; the other rubeta terrestris , a toad of the earth ; and these in authors are sometimes confounded , one taken for another . the greatest difference that i can learn , is their seat or place of habitation , for they live both of them in the land and in the water . and of them that be in the water , some of them be smaller then the other , and are therefore called rubetulae , that is , little toads : and i think they be the same which are called by some authors ranae simoides . near unto zurick , there are toads not half so big as the vulgar toads , at a place called kiburg , being of a durty colour on the back , and sharp boned , the belly white and yellow , or rather betwixt both , the eyes of a gold flaming colour , the buttocks and hinder-legs hairy , and besides that place , these kindes of toads are no where found . they have a very shrill voyce , so as they are heard a great way off , like a small bell or trumpet , and they never utter their voyce but in the spring , and the fore-part of the summer ; for about september they hide themselves in trees , neither do they live among the waters , but on the dry land ; when they cry , it is certain that the night following will bring forth no frost . like unto this there is a toad in france called bufo cornutus , a horned toad , not because it hath horns , for that is most apparently false , but for that the voyce thereof is like to the sound of a cornet , or rather ( as i think ) like to a raven called cornix , and by a kinde of barbarism called bufo cornutus . the colour of this toad is like saffron on the one part , and like filthy dirt on the other : besides , there are other venomous toads living in sinks , privies , and under the roots of plants . there is another kind also , like to the toad of the water , but in stead of bones it hath only gristles , and it is bigger then the toad of the fen , living in hot places . there is another also , which although it be a toad of the water , yet hath it been eaten for meat not many years since : the mouth of it is very great , but yet without teeth , which he doth many times put out of the water like a tortoise to take breath , and in taking of his meat , which are flies locusts , caterpillers , gnats and small creeping things , it imitateth the chamaeleon , for it putteth out the tongue , and licketh in his meat by the space of three fingers , in the top whereof there is a soft place , having in it viscous humor , which causeth all things to cleave fast unto it which it toucheth , by vertue whereof it devoureth great flies . and therefore the said tongue is said to have two little bones growing at the root thereof , which by the wonderful work of nature , doth guide , fortifie and strengthen it . and thus much may serve as a sufficient relation unto the reader for the diversity of toads . now we will proceed to the common description of both kindes together . this toad is in all outward parts like unto a frog , the fore-feet being short , and the hinder-feet long , but the body more heavy and swelling , the colour of a blackish colour , the skin rough , viscous , and very hard , so as it is not easie to be broken with the blow of a staffe . it hath many deformed spots upon it , especially black on the sides , the belly exceeding all other parts of the body , standing out in such manner , that being smitten with a staffe , it yeeldeth a sound as it were from a vault or hollow place . the head is broad and thick , and the colour thereof on the neather part about the neck is white , that is , some-what pale , the back plain without bunches , and it is said , that there is a little bone growing in their sides , that hath a vertue to drive away dogs from him that beareth it about him , and is therefore called apo●ynon . the whole aspect of this toad is ugly and unpleasant . some authors affirm that it carryeth the heart in the neck , and therefore it cannot easily be killed , except the throat thereof be cut in the middle . their liver is very vitious , and causeth the whole body to be of ill temperament : and some say they have two livers . their milt is very small ; and as as for their copulation and egges , they differ nothing from frogs . there be many late writers , which do affirm that there is a precious stone in the head of a toad , whose opinions ( because they attribute much to the vertue of this stone ) it is good to examine in this place , that so the reader may be satisfied whether to hold it as a fable or as a true matter , exemplifying the powerful working of almighty god in nature , for there be many that wear these stones in rings , being verily perswaded , that they keep them from all manner of gripings and pains of the belly and the smal guts . but the art ( as they term it ) is in taking of it out , for they say it must be taken out of the head alive , before the toad be dead , with a piece of cloth of the colour of red scarlet , wherewithal they are much delighted , so that while they stretch out themselves as it were in sport upon that cloth , they cast out the stone of their head , but instantly they sup it up again , unlesse it be taken from them through some secret hole in the said cloth , whereby it falleth into a cistern or vessel of water , into the which the toad dareth not enter , by reason of the coldnesse of the water . these things writeth massarius . brasavolus saith , that he found such a thing in the head of a toad , but he rather took it to be a bone then a stone , the colour whereof was brown , inclining to blacknesse . some say it is double , namely outwardly a hollow bone , and inwardly a stone contained therein , the vertue whereof is said to break , prevent , or cure the stone in the bladder . now how this stone should be there ingendered , there are divers opinions also , and they say that stones are ingendered in living creatures two manner of ways , either through heat or extream cold , as in the snail , pearch , crab , indian tortoyses and toads ; so that by extremity of cold this stone should be gotten . against this opinion the colour of the stone is objected , which is sometimes white , sometimes brown , or blackish , having a citrine or blew spot in the middle , sometimes all green , whereupon is naturally engraven the figure of a toad , and this stone is sometimes called borax , sometimes crapadinae , and sometimes nisae , or nusae , and cholonites . others do make two kindes of these two stones , one resembling a great deal of milk mixed with a little bloud , so that the white exceedeth the red , and yet both are apparent and visible : the other all black , wherein they say is the picture of a toad , with her legs spread before and behinde . and it is further affirmed , that if both these stones be held in ones hand in the presence of poyson , it will burn him . the probation of this stone is by laying of it to a live toad , and if she lift up her head against it , it is good , but if she run away from it , it is a counterfeit . geor. agricola calleth the greater kinde of these stones , brontia , and the lesser and smoother sort of stones , ceraunie , although some contrary this opinion , saying that these stones brantia , and ceraunia , are bred on the earth by thundering and lightning . whereas it is said before , that the generation of this stone in the toad proceedeth of cold , that is utterly unpossible , for it is described to be so solid and firm , as nothing can be more hard , and therefore i cannot assent unto that opinion , for unto hard and solid things , is required abundance of heat : and again , it is unlikely , that whatsoever this toad-stone be , that there should be any store of them in the world as are every where visible , if they were to be taken out of the toads alive , and therefore i rather agree with salveldensis a spaniard , who thinketh that it is begotten by a certain viscous spume , breathed out upon the head of some toad , by her fellows in the spring time . this stone is that which in ancient time was called batrachites , and they attribute unto it a vertue besides the former , namely , for the breaking of the stone in the bladder , and against the falling-sicknesse . and they further write , that it is a discoverer of present poyson , for in the presence of poyson it will change the colour . and this is the substance of that which is written about this stone . now for my part i dare not conclude either with it , or against it , for hermolaus , massarius , albertus , sylvaticus , and others , are directly for this stone ingendered in the brain or head of the toad : on the other side , cardan and cesner confesse such a stone by name and nature , but they make doubt of the generation of it , as others have delivered ; and therefore they being in sundry opinions , the hearing whereof might confound the reader , i will refer him for his satisfaction unto a toad , which he may easily every day kill : for although when the toad is dead , the vertue thereof be lost , which consisted in the eye , or blew spot in the middle , yet the substance remaineth , and if the stone be found there in substance , then is the question at an end , but if it be not , then must the generation of it be sought for in some other place . thus leaving the stone of the toad , we must proceed to the other parts of the story , and first of all their place of habitation , which for them of the water , is neer the water-side , and for them of the earth , in bushes , hedges , rocks , and holes of the earth , never coming abroad while the sun shineth , for they hate the sun-shine , and their nature cannot endure it , for which cause they keep close in their holes in the day time , and in the night they come abroad . yet sometimes in rainy weather , and in solitary places , they come abroad in the day time . all the winter time they live under the earth , feeding upon earth , herbs , and worms , and it is said , they eat earth by measure , for they eat so much every day as they can gripe in their fore-foot , as it were sizing themselves , lest the whole earth should not serve them till the spring . resembling herein great rich covetous men , who ever spare to spend , for fear they shall want before they die . and for this cause in ancient time the wise painters of germany , did picture a woman sitting upon a toad , to signifie covetousnesse . they also love to eat sage , and yet the root of sage is to them deadly poyson ; they destroy bees , without all danger to themselves , for they will creep to the holes of their hives , and there blow in upon the bees , by which breath they draw them out of the hive , and so destroy them as they come out : for this cause also at the water-side they lie in wait to catch them . when they come to drink in the day time they see little or nothing , but in the night time they see perfectly , and therefore they come then abroad . about their generation there are many worthy observations in nature , sometimes they are bred out of the putrefaction and corruption of the earth ; it hath also been seen that out of the ashes of a toad burnt , not only one , but many toads have been regenerated the year following . in the new-world there is a province called dariene , the air whereof is wonderful unwholesome , because all the countrey standeth upon rotten marishes . it is there observed , that when the slaves or servants water the pavements of the dores , from the drops of water which fall on the right hand , are instantly many toads ingendered , as in other places such drops of water are turned into gnats . it hath also been seen , that women conceiving with childe , have likewise conceived at the same time a frog , or a toad , or a lizard , and therefore platearius saith , that those things which are medicines to provoke the menstruous course of women , do also bring forth the secondines . and some have called bufonem fratrem salernitanorum , & lacertam fratrem lombardorum : that is , a toad the brother of the salernit●ns , and the lizard the brother of the lombards : for it hath been seen that a woman of salernum , hath at one time brought forth a boy and a toad , and therefore he calleth the toad his brother ; so likewise a woman of lombardy , a lizard , and therefove he calleth the lizard the lombards brother . and for this cause , the women of those countries , at such time as their childe beginneth to quicken in their womb , do drink the juyce of parsley and leeks , to kill such conceptions if any be . there was a woman newly marryed , and when in the opinion of all she was with childe , in stead of a childe she brought forth four little living creatures like frogs , & yet she remained in good health , but a little while after she felt some pain about the rim of her belly , which afterward was eased by applying a few remedies . also there was another woman , which together with a man-childe , in her secondines did bring forth such another beast ; and after that a merchants wife did the like in aneonitum . but what should be the reason of these so strange and unnatural conceptions , i will not take upon me to decide in nature , lest the omnipotent hand of god should be wronged , and his most secret and just counsel presumptuously judged and called into question . this we know , that it was prophesied in the revelation , that frogs and locusts should come out of the whore of babylon , and the bottomlesse pit , and therefore seeing the seat of the whore of babylon is in italy , it may be that god would have manifested the depravation of christian religion , beginning among the italians , and there continued in the conjoyned birth of men and serpents : for surely , none but devils incarnate , or men conceived of serpents brood , would so stiffely stand in romish error as the italians do , and therefore they seem to be more addicted to the errors of their fathers , ( which they say is the religion wherein they were born ) then unto the truth of jesus christ , which doth unanswerably detect the pride and vanity of the romish faith . but to leave speaking of the conception of toads in women , we will proceed further unto their generation in the stomachs and bellies of men , whereof there may more easily a reason be given then of the former . now although that in the earth toads are generated of the putrefied earth and waters , yet such a generation cannot be in the body of man , for although there be much putrefaction in us , yet not so much to ingender bones and other organes , such as are in toads ; as for worms they are all flesh , and may more easily be conceived of the putrefaction in our stomachs . but then you will say , how comes it to passe that in mens stomachs there are found frogs and toads ? i answer that this evill hapneth unto such men as drink water , for by drinking of water , a toads egge may easily slip into the stomach , and there being of a viscous nature , cleaveth fast to the rough parts of the ventricle , and it being of a contrary nature to man , can never be digested or avoided , and for that cause the venom that is in it , never goeth out of the egge either in operation or in substance , to poyson the other parts of the body , but there remaineth until the egge be formed into a toad , without doing further harm : and from hence it cometh that toads are bred in the bodies of men , where they may as well live without air , as they do in the midst of trees and rocks , and yet afterwards , these toads do kill the bodies they are bred in . for the venom is so tempered , that at last it worketh when it is come to ripenesse , even as we see it is almost an usual thing , to take a poyson , whose operation shall not be perceived , till many days , weeks , or moneths after . for the casting out of such a toad bred in the body , this medicine is prescribed : they take a serpent and bowel him , then they cut off the head and the tail , the residue of the body they likewise part into small pieces , which they see the in water , and take off the fat which swimmeth at the top , which the sick person drinketh , until by vomiting he avoid all the toads in his stomach , afterwards be must use restorative and aromatical medicines . and thus much may suffice for the ordinary and extraordinary generation of toads . these toads do not leap as frogs do , but because of their swelling bodies and short legs , their pace is a soft creeping pace , yet sometimes in anger they lift up themselves , endevouring to do harm , for great is their wrath , obstinacy , and desire to be revenged upon their adversaries , especially the red toad ; for look how much her colour inclineth to rednesse , so much is her wrath and venom more pestilent . if she take hold of any thing in her mouth , she will never let it go till she die , and many times she sendeth forth poyson out of her buttocks or backer parts , wherewithal she infecteth the air , for revenge of them that do anoy her : and it is well observed that she knoweth the weaknesse of her teeth , and therefore for her defence she first of all gathereth abundance of air into her body , wherewithal she greatly swelleth , and then by sighing uttereth that infected air as neer the person that offendeth her as she can , and thus she worketh her revenge , killing by the poyson of her breath . the colour of this poyson is like milk , of which i will speak afterward particularly by it self . a toad is of a most cold temperament , and bad constitution of nature , and it useth one certain herb wherewithal it preserveth the sight , and also resisteth the poyson of spyders , whereof i have heard this credible history related , from the mouth of a true honourable man , and one of the most charitable peers of england , namely , the good earl of bedford , and i was requested to set it down for truth , for it may be justified by many now alive that saw the same . it fortuned as the said earl travailed in bedfordshire , neer unto a market-town called owbourn , some of his company espyed a toad fighting with a spyder , under a hedge in a bottom , by the high-way-side , whereat they stood still , until the earl their lord and master came also to behold the same ; and there he saw how the spyder still kept her standing , and the toad divers times went back from the spyder , and did eat a piece of an herb , which to his judgement was like a plantain . at the last , the earl having seen the toad do it often , and still return to the combate against the spyder , he commanded one of his men to go , and with his dagger to cut off that herb , which he performed and brought it away . presently after the toad returned to seek it , and not finding it according to her expectation , swelled and broke in pieces : for having received poyson from the spyder in the combate , nature taught her the vertue of that herb , to expell and drive it out , but wanting the herb , the poyson did instantly work and destroy her . and this ( as i am informed ) was oftentimes related by the earl of bedford himself upon sundry occasions , and therefore i am the bolder to insert it into 〈◊〉 story . i do the more easily believe it , because of another like story related by erasmus in his book of friendship , hapning likewise in england , in manner as followeth . there was a monk who had in his chamber divers bundles of green rushes , wherewithal he used to strow his chamber at his pleasure , it hapned on a day after dinner , that he fell asleep upon one of those bundles of rushes , with his face upward , and while he there slept , a great toad came and sate upon his lips , bestriding him in such manner as his whole mouth was covered . now when his fellows saw it , they were at their wits end , for to pull away the toad was an unavoidable death , but to suffer her to stand still upon his mouth , was a thing more cruel then death : and therefore one of them espying a spiders web in the window , wherein was a great spyder , he did advise that the monk should be carryed to that window , and laid with his face upward right underneath the spyders web , which was presently accomplished . and assoon as the spyder saw her adversary the toad , she presently wove her thred , and descended down upon the toad , at the first meeting whereof the spyder wounded the toad , so that it swelled , and at the second meeting it swelled more , but at the third time the spyder kild the toad , and so became grateful to her host which did nourish her in his chamber ; for at the third time the toad leaped off from the mans mouth , and swelled to death ; but the man was preserved whole and alive . and thus much may suffice for the antipathy of nature betwixt the toad and the spyder . the mole is also an enemy to the toad , for as albertus writeth , he himself saw a toad crying above the earth very bitterly , for a mole did hold her fast by the leg within the earth , labouring to pull her in again , while the other strove to get out of her teeth , and so on the other side , the toads do eat the moles when they be dead . they are also at variance with the lizard , and all kindes of serpents , and whensoever it receiveth any wound by them , it cureth it self by eating of plantain . the cat doth also kill serpents and toads , but eateth them not , and unlesse she presently drink she dyeth for it . the buzard and the hawk are destroyers of toads , but the stork never destroyeth a toad to eat it , except in extremity of famine , whereby is gathered the venomous nature of the toad . now to conclude , the premisses considered which have been said of the toad , the uses that are to follow are not many , except those which are already related in the frog . when the spaniards were in bragua an island of the new-found-world , they were brought to such extremity of famine , that a sick man amongst them was forced to eat two toads , which he bought for two pieces of gold-lace , worth in spanish money six duckats . i do marvel why in ancient time the kings of france gave in their arms the three toads in a yellow field , the which were afterwards changed by glodoveus into three flower-de-luces in a field azure , as arms sent unto him from heaven . when the trojans dwelt neer moeotis , after the destruction of troy , they were very much annoyed by the gothes , wherefore marcomirus their king , determined to leave that countrey , and to seek some where else a more quiet habitation . being thus minded , he was admonished by an oracle that he should go and dwell in that countrey where the river rhene falleth into the sea , and he was also stirred up to take upon him that journey , by a certain magitian-woman , called alrunna , for this cunning woman caused in the night time a deformed apparition to come unto him having three heads , one of an eagle , another of a toad , and the third of a lyon , and the eagles head did speak unto him in this manner , genus tuum ô marcomire opprimet me , & conculeabit . leonem , & interficiet bufonem ; that is to say , thy stock or posterity , o marcomirus , shall oppresse me , it shall tread the lyon under foot , and kill the toad . by which words he gathered , that his posterity should rule over the romans , signified by the eagle ; and over the germans , signified by the lyon ; and over the french , signified by the toad , because the toad , as we have said , was the ancient arms of france . it is an opinion held by some writers , that the weasels of the water do ingender in copulation with the toads of the water , for in their mouths , and feet of their belly , they do resemble them : whereupon these verses were made ; bufones gigno putrida tellure sepulta , humores pluvi● forte quod ambo sumu● , humet is & friget , mea sic vis humet & alget , cum perit in terra qui prius ignis erat . which may be englished thus ; buryed in rotten earth , forth toads i bring , perhaps because we both are made of rain , that 's moist and cold , moist i and ever freezing , when in the earth , that force from fire came . and thus we will descend to discourse of the toads poyson , and of the special remedies appointed for the same . first therefore , all manner of toads , both of the earth and of the water are venomous , although it be held that the toads of the earth are more poysonful then the toads of the water , except those toads of the water which do receive infection or poyson from the water , for some waters are venomous . but the toads of the land , which do descend into the marishes , and so live in both elements , are most venomous , and the hotter the countrey is , the more full are they of poyson . the women-witches of ancient time which killed by poysoning , did much use toads in their confections , which caused the poet in his verses to write as followeth . occurrit matrona potens , quae molle calenum porrectura viro , miscet sitiente rubetam . which may be englished thus ; there came a rich matron , who mixed calen wine , with poyson of toads to kill her spouse , o deadly crime . and again in another place , — funus promittere patris nec volo nec possum ranarum , in viscera nunquam inspexi . — in english thus ; i can nor will of fathers death a promise make , for of toads poyson i never yet a view did take . when an asp hath eaten a toad , their biting is incurable , and the bears of pamphilia and cylicia , being killed by men after that they have eaten salamanders or toads , do poyson their eaters . we have said already , that a toad hath two livers , and although both of them are corrupted , yet the one of them is said to be full of poyson , and the other to resist poyson . the biting of a toad , although it be seldom , yet it is venomous , and causeth the body to swell and to break , either by impostumation , or otherwise , against which is to be applyed common antidotes , as womens milk , triacle , roots of sea-holm , and such other things . the spittle also of toads is venomous , for if it fall upon a man , it causeth all his hair to fall off from his head ; against this evil paracelsus prescribeth a plaister of earth , mixed with the spittle of a man. the common people do call that humor which cometh out of the buttocks of a toad when she swelleth , the urine of a toad , and a man moistned with the same , be-pissed with a toad ; but the best remedy for this evil , is the milk of a woman , for as it resembleth the poyson in colour , so doth it resist it in nature . the bodies of toads dryed , and so drunk in wine after they be beaten to powder , are a most strong poyson , against which and all other such poyson of toads , it is good to take plantain and black hellebore , sea-crabs dryed to powder and drunk , the stalks of dogs-tongue , the powder of the right horn of a hart , the milt , spleen , and heart of a toad . also certain fishes called shel-crabs , the bloud of the sea-tortoise mixed with wine , cummin , and the rennet of a hare . also the bloud of a tortoise of the land mixed with barley-meal , and the quintessence of triacle and oyl of scorpions , all these things are very precious against the poyson of serpents and toads . we have promised in the story of the frog , to expresse in this place such remedies , as the learned physitians have observed for the cure of the poyson of frogs . first therefore the poyson of the frog causeth swelling in the body , depelleth the colour , bringeth difficulty of breathing , maketh the breath strong , and an involuntary profusion of seed , with a general dulnesse and restinesse of body : for remedy whereof , let the party be inforced to vomit by drinking sweet wine , and two drams of the powder of the root of reeds or cypresse . also he must be inforced to walking and running , besides daily washing . but if a fever follow the poyson or burning in the extremities , let the vomit be of water and oyl , or wine and pitch ; or let him drink the bloud of a sea-tortoise , mixed with cummine , and the rennet of a hare , or else sweat in a furnace or hot-house a long time : besides many other such like remedies , which every physitian , both by experience and reading , is able to minister in cases of necessity , and therefore i will spare my further pains from expressing them in this place , and passe on to the medicinal vertues of the toad , and so conclude this history . we have shewed already that the toad is a cold creature , and therefore the same sod in water , and the body anointed therewith , causeth hair to fall off from the members so anointed . there is a medicine much commended against the gowt , which is this : take six pound of the roots of wilde cucumber , six pound of sweet oyl , of the marrow of harts , turpentine , and wax , of either six ounces , and six toads alive , the which toads must be bored through the foot , and hanged by a thred in the oyl until they grow yellow , then take them out of the oyl by the threds , and put into the said oyl the sliced root of a cucumber , and there let it seethe until al the vertue be left in the oyl . afterwards melt the wax and turpentine , and then put them all together in a glasse , so use them morning and evening against the gowt , sciatica , and pains of the sinews , and it hath been seen that they which have lyen long sick , have been cured thereof , and grown perfectly well and able to walk . some have added unto this medicine oyl of saffron , opobalsamum , bloud of tortoises , oyl of sabine , swines grease , quicksilver , and oyl of bays . for the scabs of horses , they take a toad killed in wine and water , and so sod in a brazen vessel , and afterwards anoint the horse with the liquor thereof . it is also said that toads dryed in smoak , or any piece of them carryed about one in a linnen cloth , do stay the bleeding at the nose . and this frederick the duke of saxony , was wont to practise in this manner ; he had ever a toad pierced through with a piece of wood , which toad was dryed in the smoak or shadow , this he rowled in a linnen cloth ; and when he came to a man bleeding at the nose , he caused him to hold it fast in his hand until it waxed hot , and then would the bloud be stayed . whereof the physitians could never give any reason , except horror and fear constrained the bloud to run into his proper place , through fear of a beast so contrary to humane nature . the powder also of a toad is said to have the same vertue , according to this verse ; buffo ustus sistit naturae dote cruorem . in english thus ; a toad that is burned to ashes and dust , stays bleeding by gift of nature just . the skin of a toad , and shell of a tortoyse , either burned or dryed to powder , cureth the fistulaes : some add hereunto the root of laurel and hen-dung , salt , and oyl of mallows . the eyes of the toad are received in ointment against the worms of the belly . and thus much shall suffice to have spoken of the history of the toad and frogs . of the green serpents . in valois there are certain green-serpents , which of their color are called grunling , and i take them to be the same which hesychius called sauritae , and pliny by a kinde of excellency , snakes , of whom we shall speak afterwards , for i have no more to say of them at this present , but that they are very venomous . and it may be that of these came the common proverb , latet anguis sub herba , under the green herb lyeth the green-snake , for it is a friendly admonition unto us to beware of a falshood covered with a truth like unto it . of the haemorrhe . this serpent hath such a name given unto it , as the effect of his biting worketh in the bodies of men , for it is called in latine , haemorrbous , to signifie unto us the male , and haemorrbois , to signifie the female , both of them being derived from the greek word aima , which signifieth bloud , and reo , which signifieth to flow , because whomsoever it biteth , it maketh in a continual bleeding sweat , with extremity of pain until it die . it is also called affodius , and afudius , sabrine , and halsordius , or alsordius , which are but corrupted barbarous names from the true and first word haem●rrbous . it is doubtful whether this be to be ascribed to the asps or to the vipers , for isidorus saith it is a kinde asp , and aelianus , a kinde of viper . they are of a sandy colour , and in length not past one foot , or three handfuls , whose tail is very sharp or small , their eyes are of a flery-flaming colour , their head small , but hath upon it the appearance of horns . when they goe , they go straight and slowly , as it were halting and wearily , whose pace is thus described by nicander ; — et instar ipsius obliquae sua parvula terga cerastae claudicat : ex medio videas appellere dorso paroum navigium , terit imam lubrica terram alvus , & haud alio tacitè trahit ilia 〈…〉 tu , ac per arundineum si transeat illa grabatum in english thus ; and like the horned-serpent , so trails this elf on land , as though on back a little boat it drave , his sliding belly makes paths be seen in sand , as when by bed of reeds she goes her life to save . the scales of this serpent are rough and sharp , for which cause they make a noyse when they goe on the earth ; the female resteth her self upon her lower part neer her tayl , creeping altogether upon her belly , and never holdeth up her head , but the male when he goeth holdeth up his head : their bodies are all set over with black spots , and themselves are thus paraphrstically described by nicander ; vnum longa pedem , totoque gracillima tractu , ignea quandoque est , quandoque est candida forma , constrictumque satis collum , et tenuissima cauda . bina super gelidos oculos frons cornua profert , splendentem quadam radiorum albentia luce , silvestres ut apes , populatricesque locustae : insuper horribile ac asprum caput hortet . which may be englished in this manner following ; on foot in length , and slender all along , sometime of fiery hue , sometime milk-white it is , the neck bound in , and tayl most thin and strong , whose fore-head hath two horns above cold eyes : which in their light resemble shining beams , like bees full wilde , or locusts spoylers bred , but yet to look upon all horrible in seams , for why ? the cruel bore they shew in head . they keep in rocks , and stony places of the houses and earth , making their dens winding and hanging , according to these verses ; rimosas colit illa petras , sibique aspera tecta , et modice pendens facit , inflexumque cubile . in english thus ; the chinks of rocks and passages in stone they dwell , wherein their lodgings bare , a little hanging made for every one , and bending too their sleepy harbours are . it is said that canobus the governour of menelaus , chanced to fall upon this serpent , in revenge whereof helen his charge , the wife of menelaus broke his back-bone , and that ever since that time they creep lamely , and as it were without loyns ; which fable is excellently thus described by nicander ; quondam animosa helene cygni jovis inclyta proles eversa rediens troia ( nisi vana v●tustas ) huic indignata est generi , pharias ut ad oras venit , & adversi declinans flamina venti , fluctivagam statuit juxta nili ostia classem . namque ubi nauclerus se fessum forte canobus sterneret , et bibulis fusus dormiret arenis : laesa venenosos h●morrhois impulit ictus , illatamque tulit letali dente quietem : protinus o●iperae cernens id filla ledae , oppressae medium serpenti fervida dorsum infregit , tritaeque excussit vinculae spinae , quae fragili illius sic dempta è corpore fugit , et graciles haemorrhoiae , obliquique cerastae ex hoc clauda trahunt jam foli tempore membra . which may be englished thus ; once noble helen , joves childe by swan-like shape , returning back from troy , destroyed by grecian war , ( if that our ancients do not with fables us beclap ) this race was envied by pharias anger farre , when to his shores for safety they did come , declining rage of blustring windy seas , water-biding-navy at nilus mouth gan run , where canobus all tyred , sainted for some ease : for there this pilot , or master of the fleet , did hast from boat to sleep in ●rery sand , where he did feel the teeth of hemorrhe deep , wounding his body with poyson , deaths own hand . but when egge-breeding ledaes wench espyed this harm , she prest the serpents back with stroke , whereby the bands thereof were all 〈◊〉 ▪ which in just wrath for just revenge she broke . so ever since out of this serpents fr 〈…〉 and body they are taken , which is the cause that cerasts and lean haemorrhs are ever 〈◊〉 , drawing their parts on earth by natures lawes . they which are stung with these haemorrhs , do suffer very intolerable torments , for out of the wound continually floweth bloud , and the excrements also that cometh out of the belly are bloudy , or sometimes little rouls of bloud in stead of excrements . the colour of the place bitten is black , or of a dead bloudy colour , out of which nothing floweth at the beginning but a certain watery humour , then followeth pain in the stomack , and difficulty of breathing . lastly , the powers of the body are broken , and opened , so that out of the mouth , gums , ears , eyes , fingers ends , nayls of the feet , and privy parts , continually issueth bloud , untill a cramp also come , and then followeth death , as we read in lucan of one tellus a young noble man , slain by this serpent , described as followeth ; impressit dentes haemorrhois aspera tullo magnanimo juveni , miratorique catonis : v●que solet pariter totis se effundere signis coricii pressura croci : sic omnia membra emisere simul rutilum pro sanguine vir●s . sanguis erant lachrymae : qu●cunque foramina novit humor , ab iis largus manat cruor , ora redundant , et patulae nares , sudor rubet , omnia plenis , membra fluunt venis : totum est pro vulnere corp●s . in english thus ; the haemorrhe fierce , in noble tullus fastened teeth that valiant youth , great catoes scholar deer : and as when saffron by corycians skeeth is prest , and in his colour on them all appear : so all his parts sent forth a poyson red in stead of bloud : nay all in bloud went round . bloud was his tears , all passages of it were sped , for out of mouth and ears did bloud abound . bloud was his sweat , each part his vein out-bleeds , and all the body bloud that one wound feeds . the cure of this serpent , in the opinion of the ancients , was thought impossible , as writeth dioscrides ▪ and thereof they complain very much , using only common remedies , as scarification , ●stions , sharp meats , and such things as are already remembred in the cure of the dipsas . but besides these they use vine-leaves , first bruised and then sod with honey : they take also the head of this serpent and burn it to powder , and so drink it , or else garlick with oyl of flower-de-luce , they give them also to eat reisins of the sun. and besides , they resist the eruption of the bloud , with plaisters laid to the place bitten , made of vine-leaves and honey , or the leaves of purslane and barley-meal . but before their urine turn bloudy , let them eat much garlick stamped , and mixed with oyl to cause them to vomit , and drink wine delayed with water , then let the wound be washed with cold water , and the bladder continually fomented with hot spunges . some do make the cure of it like the cure of the viper , and they prescribe them to eat hard egges with salt fish , and besides , the seed of radish , the juice of poppy , with the roots of lilly , also daffadil , and rue , trefolie , cassia , opoponax , and cinnamon in potion : and to conclude , the flowers and buds of the bush are very profitable against the biting of the haemorrhe , and so i end the history of this serpent . of the horned serpent . this serpent because of his horns ( although it be a kinde of viper ) is called in greek rerastes , and from thence cometh the latine word cerastes , and the arabian , cerust , and cerustes . it is called also in latine , ceristalis , cristalis , sirtalis , and tristalis . all which are corrupted words , derived from cerastes , or else from one another , and therefore i think it not fit to stand upon them . the hebrewes call it schephiphon , the italians , cerastes , the germans , en ge●urnte schl●●g ; the french , vn ceraste , un serpent cornu , that is , a horned serpent ; and therefore i have so called it in english , imitating herein both the french and germans . i will not stand about the difference of authors , whether this serpent be to be referred to the asps or to the vipers , for it is not a point materiall , and therefore i will proceed to the description of his nature , that by his whole history , the reader may choose whether he will account him a subordinate kinde unto others , or else a principall of himself . it is an african serpent , bred in the lybian sandy seas , places not inhabited by men , for the huge mountains of sands are so often moved by the windes , that it , is not only impossible for men to dwell there , but also very dangerous and perilous to travel through them , for that many times whole troops of men and cattell , are in an instant overwhelmed and buryed in those sands . and this is a wonderfull wor● of god , that those places which are least habitable for man , are most of all annoyed with the most dangerous biting serpents . it is also said , that once these horned serpents departed out of lybia into egypt , where they depopulated all the countrey . their habitation is neer the high-wayes , in the sands , and under cart-wheels : and when they goe , they make both a sound with their motion , and also a surrow in the earth , according to the saying of nicander ; ex iis alter echis velocibus obvia spinis , recto terga tibi prolixus tram te ducit , sed medio diffusius hic cerastes se corpore volvit : curvum errans per iter , resonantibus aspera squamis . qualiter aequoreo longissima gurgite navis , quam violentus agit nunc huc , nunc africus illuc , pellitur , et laterum gemebunda fragore suorum extra sulcandas sinuose fluctuat undas . which may be englished thus ; of these the viper with swift bones thee meets , trayling her back in path direct and strait , the cerast more diffused in way thee greets with crooked turning , on scales make sounds full great : like as a ship tossed by the western winde , sounds afarre off , moved now here , now there , so that by noyse of shrilling sides we finde his furrowes turned in seas and water sphere . the quantity of this horned serpent is not great , it exceedeth not two cubits in length ; the colour of the body is branded like sand , yet mingled with another pale white colour , as is to be seen in a hares skin . upon the head there are two horns , and sometimes four , for which occasion it hath received the name cerastes , and with these horns they deceive birds ; for when they are hungry , they cover their bodies in sand , and only leave their horns uncovered to move above the earth , which when the birds see , taking them to be worms , they light upon them , and so are devoured by the serpent . the teeth of this serpent are like the teeth of a viper , and they stand equall , and not crooked : in stead of a back-bone they have a gristle throughout their body , which maketh them more flexible and apt to bend every way : for indeed they are more flexible then any other serpent . they have certain red strakes crosse their back , like a crocodile of the earth , and the skins of such as are bred in egypt are very soft , stretching like a cheverell-glove , both in length and breadth , as it did appear by a certain skin taken off from one being dead ; for being stuffed with hay , it shewed much greater then it was being alive , but in other countreys the skins are not so . i have heard this history of three of these serpents brought out of turkey , and given to a noble man of venice alive , who preserved them alive in a great glasse ( made of purpose ) upon sand , in that glasse nee●the fire : the description as it here followeth , was taken by john faltoner , an english travailer , saying . they were three in number , whereof one was thrice so big as the other two , and that was a female , and she was said to be their mother ; she had laid at that time in the sands four or five egges , about the bignesse of pigeons egges . she was in length three foot , but in breadth or quantity almost so big as a mans arm : her head was flat , and broad as two fingers , the apple of the eye black , all the other part being white . out of her eye-lids grew two horns , but they were short ones , and those were truly horns , and not flesh . the neck compared with the body was very long and small , all the upper part of the skin was covered with scales , of ash-colour , and yet mixed with black . the tail is at it were brown when it was stretched out . and this was the description of the old one : the other two being like to her in all things , except in their horns , for being small , they were not yet grown . generally , all these horned serpents have hard dry scales upon their belly , wherewithall they make a noyse when they go themselves , and it is thus described by nicander ; nunc potes actutum , insidiatoremque cerasten noscere , vipereum veluti genus , huic quia dispar non is corpus habet , sed qnatuor aut duo profert cornua , cum mutila videatur vipera fronte . squalidus albenti color est . in english thus ; you well may know the treacher cerasts noyse , a viper-kinde , whose bodies much agree , yet these four h●rns and brandy colour , poyse , where viper none , but forehead plain we see . there is no serpent except the viper that can so long indure thirst as this horned serpent , for they seldome or never drink ; and therefore i think they are of a vipers kinde : for besides this also it is observed , that their young ones do come in and out of their bellies as vipers doe : they live in hatred with all kinde of serpents , and especially with spiders . the hawes of aegypt also do destroy horned serpents and scorpions : but about thebes in aegypt there are certain sacred snakes ( as they are termed ) which have horns on their head , and these are harmlesse unto men and beasts , otherwise all these serpents are virulent and violent against all creatures , especially men : yet there be certain men in lybia called psilli , which are in a league , or rather in a naturall concord with horned serpents . for if they be bitten by them at any time , they receive no hurt at all : and besides , if they be brought unto any man that is bitten with one of these serpents , before the poyson be spread all over his body , they help and cure him , for if they finde him but lightly hurt , they only spit upon the wound , and so mitigate the pain , but if they finde him more deeply hurt , then they take much water within their teeth , and first wash their own mouth with it , then spit out the water into a pot , and make the sick man to drink it up . lastly , if the poyson be yet strong , they lay their naked bodies upon the naked poysoned body , and so break the force of the poyson . and this is thus described by the poet , saying , audivi lybicos psyllos , quos aspera sir●is serpentumque ferax patria alit populos , non ictu inflictum diro , morsuve venenum laedere : quin laesis ferre & opem reliquis , non vi radicum proprio , sed corpore juncto . that is to say , the lybian psylli , which serpent-breeding syrtes dwell as i have heard , do cure poyson , stings , and bites , nor hurt themselves , but it in other quell : by no roots force , but joyning bodies quites . when a horned serpent hath bitten a man or beast , first about the wound there groweth hardnesse , and then pustules . lastly , black , earthy and pale matter : the genital member standeth out straight and never falleth , he falleth mad , this eyes grow dim , and his nerves immanuable , and upon the head of the wound groweth a scab like the head of a nail , and continually pricking , like the pricking of needles : and because this serpent is immoderately dry , therefore the poyson is most pernicious ; for if it be not holpen within nine dayes , the patient cannot escape death . the cure must be first by cutting away the flesh unto the bone , where the wound is , or else the whole member if it can be , then lay upon the wound goats dung sod with vinegar or garlike , and vinegar or barley-meal , or the juice of cedar , rue , or nep , with salt and honey , or pitch and barley-meal , and such-like things outwardly : inwardly daffadil and rue in drink , radish-seed , indian cummin , with wine and castoreum , and also calamint , and every thing that procureth vomit . and thus much for the description of the horned serpent . of the hyena . there be some that make question whether there be any such serpent as this or no , for it is not very like that there is any such , and that this hyaena is the self same which is described to be a four-footed beast , for that which is said of that , is likewise attributed to this : namely , that it changeth sex , being one yeer a male , another yeer a female , and that the couples which seem to be marryed together , do by continuall entercourse , bring forth their young ones , so that the male this yeer is the female next yeer , and the female this yeer is the male next yeer . and this is all that is said of this serpent . of the hydra , supposed to be killed by hercules . the poets do fain , that neer to the fountain amymona , there grew a plantain , under which was bred a hydra which had seven heads : whereof one of these heads was said to be immortall : with this hydra hercules did fight ; for there was in that immortall head such a poyson as was uncurable ; wherewithall hercules moystened the head of his darts after he had killed it : and they say , that while hercules struck off one of these heads , there ever arose two or three more in the room thereof , untill the number of fifty , or as some say , fourscore and ten heads were strucken off : and because this was done in the fenne of l●rns , therefore there grew a proverb of lerna malorum , to signifie a multitude of unresistable evils . and some ignorant men of late dayes at venice , did picture this hydra with wonderfull art , and set it forth to the people to be seen ; as though it had been a true carkase , with this inscription . in the year of christs incarnation , . about the moneth of january , this monstrous serpent was brought out of turkey to venice , and afterwards given to the french king ; it was esteemed to be worth . d●cats . these monsters signifie the mutation or change of worldly affairs , but ( i trust said the author of the inscription , who seemed to be a german ) the whole christian world is so afflicted that there is no more evil that can happen to the ▪ christian world , except destruction ; and therefore i hope that these monsters do not foreshew any evil to the christians . therefore seeing the turkish empire is grown to that height , in which estate all other former kingdomes fell , i may divine and prophesie that the danger threatned hereby , belongeth to the turks , and not unto us , in whose government this monster was found to be bred : and the hinder part of his head seemeth to resemble a turks cap. thus far this inscribing diviner . but this fellow ought first of all to have enquired about the truth of this picture , whether it were sincere or counterfeit , before he had given his judgement upon it : for that there should be such a serpent with seven heads , i think it unpossible , and no more to be beleeved and credited , then that castor and p●llux were conceived in an egge , or that pluto is the god of hell , or that armed men were created out of dragons teeth , or that vulcan made achilles his armour , or that venus was wounded by diomedes ; or that vlysses was carryed in bottles , so true i think is the shape of this monster : for the head , ears , tongue , nose , and face of this monster , do altogether degenerate from all kindes of serpents , which is not usuall in monsters , but the fore-parts do at most times resemble the kinde to which it belongeth ; and therefore if it had not been an unskilfull painters device , he might have framed it in a better fashion , and more credible to the world . but let it be as it is , how doth he know that this evil doth more belong to the turks then to the christians ? for shall we be so blinde and flatter our selves so far , as not to acknowledge our sins , but to lay all the tokens of judgement upon our adversaries ? but if there appeared in us any repentance or amendment of those faults , for which god hath suffered in his justice , that impious tyrant and tyrannicall government to prevail against christians , then we might think that god would look mercifully upon us , and avert his wrath from us upon our enemies . but with sorrow and grief be it spoken , all the kings and people of christendome , do directly go forward without stumbling in those vile courses , and odious crying sins , for which god hath set up the tu●ks against former ages , and therefore we have no cause to hope that ever this rod shall be cast into the fire , untill the chastisement of gods children have procured their amendment , and if no amendment , then all the powers of heaven ( the blessed trimty excepted ) cannot keep christendome from ruine and destruction , which god of his infinite mercy turn away from us . to turn again to the story of the hydra , i have also heard , that in ve●ice in the dukes treasury , among the rare monuments of that city , there is preserved a serpent with seven heads , which if it be true , it is the more probable that there is a hydra , and then the poets were not altogether deceived , that say , hercules killed such a one . this hydra which hercules slew , they say was ingendred betwixt echidna and typhaon , and nourished by juno in le●na , in hatred of hercules : and they say further , that when he came to kill it , there came a crab or cancer to help the hydra against hercules , who instantly called upon iolaus for help , and so iolaus slew the crab , and he●cules the hydra . phaaephatus maketh the story of he●cules by killing the hydra , to be a meer allegory , saying , that the hydra was a castle kept by fifty men , the king whereof was called lernus , who was assisted by a noble man ( called cancer ) against the assaults of hercules , and that hercules by the help of him , king of the thebanes , overcame that king and castle . other say that lerna and hydra signifie the two kindes of envy , distinguished by invidia , and invidentia , in himself , which arise out of the monstrous filthy fenne of humane corruption ; like a monstrous hideous dragon , with whom he strore , and as he struck off one head or tentation , so two or three other continually arose in the room thereof . and thus much for the hydra , whether it be true or fabulous . of innocent serpents . i doe read of two kindes of innocent serpents , one called lybies , because they are only in africk , and never do hurt unto men , and therefore nicander was deceived , which maketh this kinde of serpent to be the same with the am●dyte , whose sting or teeth are very mortall and deadly . there be also other kindes of harmlesse serpents , as that called molurus , mustaca , and mylacris , which is said to go upon the tail , and it hath no notable property , except that one thing which giveth it the name , for molurus is derived from molis our●n , that is hardly making water . there be also domesticall innocent serpents , myagrus , orophia , and spathiurus , which whether they be one kinde or many , i will not stand upon , for they are all termed by the germans , hussunck , and husschlang , that is , a house-snake . they live by hunting of mice , and weasels , and upon their heads they have two little ears , like to the ears of a mouse , and because they be as black as coals , the italians call them serpe nero , and carbon , and garabonazzo , and the french-men , anguille de hay , that is , a snake of hedges . there be some that nourish them in glasses with branne , and when they are at liberty they live in dung-hills also , wherein they breed sometimes , they have been seen to suck a cow , for then they twist their tails about the cowes legs . matthiolus writeth , that the flesh of this snake , when the head , tail , intrails , fat , and gall are cut off and cast away , to be a speciall remedy a-against the french-pox . there are are also other kindes of innocent serpents , as that called parea , and in italy baron , and pagerina , which are brought out of the east , where these are bred . there be no other harmfull serpents in that countrey . they are of a yellow colour like gold , and about four spans long : upon either side they have two lines or strakes , which begin about a hand breadth from their neck , and end at their tail . they are without poyson as may appear by the report of gesner , for he did see a man hold the head alive in his hand . and thus much shall suffice to have spoken of innocent serpents . of the lizard . although there be many kinds of lizards , yet in this place i will intreat first of the vulgar lizard , called in the hebrew letaah , lanigerm●sha , lyserda , carbo , pelipah , and eglose ; the chaldeans , haltetha , and humeta ; the arabians , ataia , albathaie , or albadaie , hardun , atab , samabras , saambras ; the grecians in ancient time sauros , and saura , and vulgarly at this day kolisaura ; the italians in some places , liguro , ●●eguro , lucerta , and lucertula ; about trent , racani , and ramarri , and yet remarro is also used for a toad ; the spaniards , lagarto , lacerta , lagartisa , and lagardixa ; the french , lisarde ; the germans , adax , and when they distinguish the male from the female , they expresse the male , ein egochs , and the female , egles ; in hessia , lydetstch ; in flanders and illyria , gessierka , and gesstier ; the latines , lacertus , and lacerta , because it hath arms , and shoulders like a man , and for this cause also the salamander , the stellion , the crocodile , and scorpions are also called sometimes lacerti , lizards . and thus much shall suffice for the name . the vulgar lizard is described on this sort ; the skin is hard and full of scales , according to this saying of virgil ; absint & picti squalentia terga lacerti . in english thus ; — those put away and painted lizards ▪ with their ▪ scalie backs . the colour of it is pale , and distinguished with certain rusty spots , as pliny writeth , with long strakes or lines to the tail ; but generally they are of many colours , but the green with the white belly living in bushes , bedges , and is the most beautifull , and most respected ; and of this we shall peculiarly intreat hereafter . there have been some lizards , taken in the beginning of september , whose colour was like brasse , yet dark and dusky , and their belly partly white , and partly of an earthy colour , but upon either side they had certain little pricks or spots like printed scarres : their length was not past four fingers , their eyes looked backward and the holes and passages of their ears were round , the fingers of their feet were very small , being five in number , both before and behind , with small nails , and behind that was the longest which standeth in the place of a mans fore-finger , and one of them standeth different from the other , as the thumb doth upon a mans hand , but on the forefeet all of them stand equall , not one behinde or before another . these little lizards do differ from the stellions in this ; that they have bloud in their veins , and they are covered with a hard skin , winking with the upper eye-lid . all manner of lizards have a cloven tongue , and the top thereof is somewhat hairy , or at the least wise divided like the fashion and figure of hair . their teeth are also as small as hair , being black , and very sharp , and it seemeth also they are very weak , because when they bite , they leave them in the wound . their lungs are small and dry , yet apt to swell and receive wind● by inflamation : their belly is uniform and simple , their intrails long , their milt round round and small , and their stones cleave inwardly to their loyns : their tail is like the tail of a serpent ; and it is the opinion of aristotle , that the same being cut off , groweth again . the reason whereof is given by cardan , because imperfect creatures are full of moystnesse ; and therefore the parts cut off do easily grow again . and pliny reporteth that in his dayes he saw lizards with double tails , whereunto americus vespusius agreeth , for he saith , that he saw in a certain island not far from lisbon , a lizard with a double tail . they have four feet , two behinde and two before , and the former feet bend backward , and the hinder feet forward , like to the knees of a man. now concerning the different kinds of lizards , i must speak as briefly as i can in this place , wherein i shall comprehend both the countreys wherein they breed , and also their severall kinds , with some other accidents necessary to be known . there is a kinde of lizard called guarell , or v●ell , and alguarill , with the dung whereof the physitians do cure little pimples and spots in the face , and yet bel●unensis maketh a question , whether this be to be referred to the lizards or not , because lizards are not found but in the countrey , out of cities , and these are found every where . there is also another kinde of lizard called lacertus martensis , which being salted , with the head and purple wooll , oyl of cedar , and the powder of burnt paper , so put into a linnen cloth , and rubbed upon a bald place , do cause the hair that is fallen off to come again . there be other lizards , called by the grecians arurae , and by the latines , lacertae p●ssininae , which continually abide in green corn ; these burned to powder , and the same mixed with the best wine and honey , do cure blinde eyes by an oyntment . albertus writeth , that a friend of his worthy of credit , did tell him that he had seen in provence , a part of france , and also in spain , lizards as big as a mans leg is thick , but not very long , and these did inhabit hollow places of the earth , and that many times when they perceived a man or beast pass by them , they would suddenly leap up to his face , and at one blow pull off his cheek . the like also is reported of p●emont in france , where there be lizards as great as little puppies , and that the people of the countrey do seek after their dung or excrements , for the sweetnesse and other vertues thereof . in lybia there are lizards two cubits long , and in one of the fortunate islands called cap●●ria , there are also exceeding great lizards . in the island of dioscorides , neer to arabia the lesser , there are very great lizards , the flesh whereof the people eat , and the fat they seethe , and use in stead of oyl : these are two cubits long , and i know not whether they be the same which the africans call du●h , and live in the deserts of lybia . they drink nothing at all , for water is present death unto them , so that a man would think that this serpent were made all of fire , because it is so presently destroyed with water . being killed there cometh no bloud out of it , neither hath it any poyson but in the head and tayl . this the people hunt after to eat , for the taste of the flesh is like the taste of frogs flesh , and when it is in the hole or den , it is very hardly drawn forth , except with spades and mattocks , whereby the passages are opened , and being abroad it is swift of foot . the lizards of india , especially about the mountain nisa , are foot in length , their colour variable , for their skin seemeth to be flourished with certain pictures , soft and tender to be handled . i have heard that there hangeth a lizard in the kings house at paris , whose body is as thick as a mans body , and his length or stature little lesse ; it is said it was taken in a prison or common g●ole , being found sucking the legs of prisoners : and i do the rather beleeve this , because i remember such a thing recorded in the chronicles of france , and also of another somewhat lesser , preserved in the same city , in a church called saint anthonies . and to the intent that this may seem no strange nor incredible thing , it is reported by volatteran , that when the king of portugall had conquered certain islands in aethiopia , in one of them they slew a lizard , which had devoured or swallowed down a whole infant , so great and wide was the mouth thereof : it was eight cubits long , and for a rare miracle it was hanged up at the gate flumentana in rome , in the roof , and dedicated to the virgin mary . besides these , there are other kinde of lizards , as that called lacerta vermicularis , because it liveth upon worms and spiders , in the narrow walls of old buildings . also a silver-coloured lizard , called liacome , living in dry and sun-shining places . another kinde called senabras , and adare , and sennekie . scen is a red lizard , as silvaticus writeth , but i rather take it to be the scinck , or crocodile of the earth , which abound neer the red sea. there is also another kinde of lizard called lacertus solaris , a lizard of the sun , to whom epiphanius compareth certain hereticks called samps●i , because they perceive their eye-sight to be dim and dull . they turn themselves fasting in their caves to the east , or sun-rising , whereby they recover their eye-sight again . the picture of the lizard with the belly upward . in sarmatia , a countrey of the rutenes , there is a province called samogithia , wherein the lizards are very thick , black , and great , which the foolish countrey people do worship very familiarly , as the gods of good fortune ; for when any good befalleth them , they entertain them with plentiful banquets and liberal chear : but if any harm or mischance happen unto them , then they withdraw that liberality , and intreat them more coursely , and so these dizzardly people think to make these lizards by this means , more attentive and vigilant for their welfare and prosperity . in the proyince of cataia , subject to the tartars , there are very great lizards , ( or at least wise serpents like lizards ) bred , containing in length ten yards , with an answerable and correspondent compasse and thicknesse . some of these want their fore-legs , in place whereof they have claws like the claws of a lyon , or talons of a falcon. their head is great , and their eyes are like two great loaves . their mouth and the opening thereof so wide , as it may swallow down a whole man armed , with great , long , and sharp teeth , so as never any man or other creature durst without terror look upon that serpent . wherefore they have invented this art or way to take them . the serpent useth in the day time to lie in the caves of the earth , or else in hollow places of rocks and mountains . in the night time it cometh forth to feed , ranging up and down seeking what it may devour , neither sparing lyon , bear , nor bull , or smaller beast , but eateth all he meeteth with until he be satisfied , and returneth again to his den . now for as much as that countrey is very soft and miry : the great and heavy bulk of this serpent maketh as it were a ditch by his weight in the sand or mire , so as where you see the trailing of his body , you would think there had been rowled some great vessel full of wine , because of the round and deep impression it leaveth in the earth . now the hunters which watch to destroy this beast , do in the day time fasten sharp stakes in the earth , in the path and passage of the serpent especially neer to his hole or lodging , and these stakes are pointed with sharp iron , and so covered in the earth or sand , whereby it cometh to passe , that when in his wonted manner he cometh forth in the night season to seed , he unawares fastneth his breast , or else mortally woundeth his belly upon one of those sharp-pointed stakes . which thing the hunters lying in wait observing , do presently upon the first noise with their swords kill him if he be alive , and so take out his gall which they sell for a great price , for therewithal the biting of a mad dog is cured , and a woman in travel tasting but a little of it , is quiclky discharged of her burthen . it is good also against the hemroids and piles . furthermore , the flesh of this serpent is good to be eaten , and these things are reported by paulus venetus , and this story following . as americus vesputius sayled in his journey from the fortunate islands , he came unto a countrey where he found the people to feed upon sod flesh , like the flesh of a serpent , & afterwards they found this beast to be in all things like a serpent without wings , for they saw divers of them alive , taken and kept by the people to kill at their own pleasure . the mouths whereof were fast tyed with ropes , so as they could not open them to bite either man or beast , and their bodies were tyed by the legs . the aspect of these beasts was fearful to his company , and the strangers which did behold it , for they took them to be serpents , being in quantity as big as roe-bucks , having long feet and strong claws , a speckled skin , and a face like a serpent : from the nose to the tip of his tail , all along the back there grew a bristle , as it were the bristle of a bore , and yet the said nation feedeth upon them , and because of their similitude with lizards , i have thought good to insert their relation among the lizards in this place , leaving it to the further judgement of the reader , whether they be of this kinde or not . in c●lechu● there are serpents also , or rather beasts remaining in the fenny places of the counrtey , whose bodies are all pild without hair like serpents : also in their mouth , eyes , and tail they resemble them , and in their feet lizards , being as great as boars , and although they want poyson , yet are their teeth very hurtful where they fasten them . like unto these are certain others bred in hispaniola , in an island called hyvana , having prickles on their back , and a comb on their head , but without voyce having four feet , and a tail like lizards , with very sharp teeth . they are not much greater then hares or conies , yet they live indifferently in trees , and on the earth , being very patient , and induring famine many days . their skin smooth and speckled like a serpents , and they have a crap on the belly from the chin to the breast , like the crap of a bird. besides these , there are also some called ba●bati , about the bignesse of conies , and of a white ash colour , yet their skin and tail like a snakes , and they resemble trapped horses . they have four feet , and with the foremost they dig them holes in the earth , out of which they are drawn again like conies to be eaten of men , for they have a pleasant tast . to conclude , we do read that in the year there came many winged serpents and lizards into germany , neer syria , and did bite many mortally : and in the year . there were such bred in the bodies of men and women , as we have shewed already in the general discourse of serpents , first of all recited in the beginning . in all the nature of lizards , there is nothing more admirable then that which is reported of them by aelianus of his own knowledge . when a certain man had taken a great fat lizard , he did put out her eyes with an instrument of brasse , and so put her into a new earthen pot , which had in it two small holes or passages , big enough to take breath at , but too little to creep out at , and with her moist earth and a certain hearb , the name whereof he doth not expresse : and furthermore , he took an iron ring , wherein was set an engagataes stone , with the picture of a lizard ingraven upon it . and besides , upon the ring he made nine several marks , whereof he put out every day one until at the last he came at the ninth , and then he opened the pot again , and the lizard did see as perfectly as ever he did before the eyes were put out : whereof albertus enquiring the reason , could give none , but having read in isidorus , that when the lizards grow old and their sight dim or thick , then they enter into some narrow hole of a wall , and so set their heads therein , directly looking towards the east or sun-rising , and so they recover their sight again . of this albertus giveth good reason , because he saith , the occasion of their blindenesse cometh from frigidity congealing the humor in their eyes , which is afterward attenuated and dissolved by the help and heat of the sun. the voyce of the lizard is like the voyce of other serpents , and if it happen that any man by chance do cut the body of the lizard asunder , so as one part falleth from another , yet neither part dyeth , but goeth away the upon two legs that are left , and live apart for a little season , and if it happen that they meet again , they are so firmly and naturally conjoyned by the secret operation of nature , as if they had never been severed , only the scar remaineth . they live in caves of the earth , and in graves , and the green lizards in the fields and gardens , but the yellowish or earthy brown lizard among hedges and thorns . they devour any thing that comes to their mouth , especially bees , emmets , palmer-worms , grassehoppers , locusts , and such like things , and four months of the year they lie in the earth and eat nothing . in the beginning of the year about march , they come out again of their holes , and give themselves to generation , which they perform by joyning their bellies together , wreathing their tails together , and other parts of their bodies ; afterwards the female bringeth forth egges , which she committeth to the earth , never sitting upon them , but forgetteth in what place they were laid ( for she hath no memory . ) the young ones are conceived of themselves by the help of the sun. some there be which affirm that the old one devoureth the young ones assoon as they be hatched , except one which she suffereth to live , and this one is the basest and most dullard , having in it least spirit of all the residue : yet notwithstanding , afterwards it devoureth both his parents , which thing is proved false by albertus , for seeing they want memory to finde out their own egges , it is not likely that they have so much understanding as to discern their own young ones , nor yet so unnatual as to destroy the noblest of their brood , but rather they should imitate the crocodile , which killeth the basest and spareth the best spirits . it is affirmed , that they live but half a year or six months , but it is also false , for they hide themselves the four coldest moneths ; and therefore it is likely that they live more then six , for else what time should they have for generation ? twice a year they change their skin , that is in the spring and autumn , like other serpents that have a soft skin , and not hard like the tortoises . their place of conception and emission of their egges is like to birds : and therefore it is a needlesse question to enquire whether they bring egges forth of their mouth or not , as some have foolishly affirmed , but without all warrant of truth or nature . they live by couples together , and when one of them is taken , the other waxeth mad , and rageth upon him that took it , whether it be male or female : in the old testament lizards , weasels , and mice are accounted impure beasts , and therefore forbidden to be eaten , not only because they live in graves and design inconstancy of life , but also theeves and treatherous persons . they are afraid of every noise , they are enemies to bees , for they live upon them ; and therefore in ancient time they mixed meal and juyce of mallows together , and laid the same before the hives , to drive away lizards and crocodiles . they fight with all kinde of serpents ; also they devour snails , and contend with toads and scorpions . the night-owls and spiders do destroy the little lizards , for the spider doth so long winde her thred about the jaws of the lizard , that he is not able to open his mouth , and then she fasteneth her stings in her brains . the storks are also enemies to lizards , according to this saying of the poet ; — serpente ciconia pullos nutrit & inventa per deviarura l●certa . in english thus ; with lizards young and serpents breed , the stork s●eketh her young ones to feed . notwithstanding , that by the law of god , men were forbidden to eat the lizard , yet the trogladites , ethiopians , did eat serpents and lizards , and the amazons did eat lizards and tortoises , for indeed those women did use a very thin and slender diet ; and therefore coelius doth probably conjecture , that they were called amazons , because mazis carebant , that is , they wanted all manner of delicate fare . we have also shewed already , that the inhabitants of dioscorides isle , do eat the flesh of lizards , and the fat after it is boyled , they use in stead of oyl . concerning the venom or poyson of lizards , i have not much to say , because there is not much thereof written : yet they are to be reproved which deny they have any poyson at all , for it is manifest that the flesh of lizards eaten , ( i mean of such lizards as are in italy , ) do cause an inflamation and apostumation , the heat of the head-ach , and blindenesse of the eyes . and the egges of lizards do kill speedily , except there come a remedy from faulkons dung and pure wine . also when the lizard biteth , he leaveth his teeth in the place , which continually aketh , until the teeth be taken out : the cure of which wound is first to suck the place , then to put into it cold water , and afterward to make a plaister of oyl and ashes , and apply the same thereunto . and thus much for the natural description of the lizard . the medicines arising out of the lizard , are the same which are in the crocodile , and the flesh thereof is very hot : wherefore it hath vertue to make fat , for if the fat of a lizard be mixed with wheat - 〈…〉 al , halinitre , and cumin , it maketh hens very fat , and they that eat them much fatter : for gordan saith , that their bellies will break with fatnesse , and the same given unto hawks , maketh them to change their feathers . a l●zard dissected , or the head thereof being very well beaten with salt , draweth out iron points of nails , and splents out of the flesh or body of man , if it be well applyed thereunto , and it is also said , that if it be mingled with oyl , it causeth hair to grow again upon the head of a man , where an ulcer made it fall off . likewise a lizard cut a sunder hot , and so applyed , cureth the stinging of scorpions , and taketh away wens . in ancient time with a field-lizard dryed and and cut asunder , and so bruised in pieces , they did draw out teeth without pain ; and with one of these sod and stamped , and applyed with meal or frankincense to the fore-head , did cure the watering of the eyes . the same burned to powder , and mixed with cretick hony by an ointment , cureth blindenesse . the oyl of a lizard put into the eat , helpeth deafnesse , and driveth out worms if there be any therein . if children be anointed with the bloud fasting , it keepeth them from swellings in the belly and legs : also the liver and bloud lapped up in wooll , draweth out nails and thorns from the flesh , and cureth all kinde of freckles , according to this verse of serenus ; verrucam po●erit sarguis curare lace●ta . that is to say ; the bloud of lizards can , cure feeckles in a man. the urine ( if there be any at all ) helpeth the rupture in infants . the bones taken out of the lizards head in the full moon , do scarifie the teeth , and the brain is profitable for suffusions : the liver laid to the gums , or to hollow teeth easeth all pain in them . the dung purgeth wounds , and also taketh away the whitenesse and itching of the eyes , and so sharpneth the sight , and the same with water , is used for a salve . arnoldus doth much commend the dung of lizards mixed with meal , the black thereof being cast away , and so dryed in a furnace , and softned again with water of nitre , and froth of the sea , afterwards applyed to the eyes in a cloth , is very profitable against all the former evils . and thus much shall suffice to have spoken of the first and vulgar kinde of lizard : for killing of whom apollo was in ancient time called sauroctonos . of the green lizard . the greater lizard which is called lacerta vir●dis , the green lizard , by the grecians , chlorosaura ; by the italians , gez ; and by the germans , gruner heydox , is the same which is called ophiomachus , because it fighteth with serpents in the defence of man. they are of colour green , from whence they are named , and yet sometimes in the summer they are also found pale . they are twice so big as the former lizard , and come not neer houses , but keep in medows and green fields . they only abound in italy , and it is a beast very loving and friendly unto man , and an enemy to all other serpents . for if at any nime they see a man , they instantly gather about him , and saying their heads at the one side , with great admiration behold his face : and if it chance a man do spit , they lick up the spittie joyfully , and it hath been seen that they have done the like to the urine of children and they are also handled of children without danger , gently licking moisture from their mouths . and if at any time three or four of them be taken , and so set together to fight , it is a wonder to see how eagerly they wound one another , and yet never set upon the man that put them together . if one walk in the fields by hollow ways , bushes , and green places , he shall hear a noise , and see a motion as if serpents were about him , but when he looketh earnestly upon them , they are lizards wagging their heads , and beholding his person : and so if he go forward they follow him , if he stand still they play about him . one day ( as frasmus writeth ) there was a lizard seen to fight with a serpent in the mouth of his own cave , and whilest certain men beheld the same , the lizard received a wound upon her cheek by the serpent , who of green , made it all red , and had almost torn it all off , and so hid herself again in her den . the poor lizard came running unto the beholders , and shewed her bloudy side , as it were desiring help and commiseration , standing still when they stood still , and following when they went forward , so that it acknowledged the soveraignty of man , appealing unto him as the chief justice , against all his enemies and oppressors . it is reported by the italians , that many times while men fall asleep in the fields , serpents come creeping unto them , and finding their mouths open , do slide down into their stomachs : wherefore , when the lizard seeth a serpent coming toward a man so sleeping , she waketh him , by gently scratching his hands and face , whereby he escapeth death and deadly poyson . the use of these green lizards , is by their skin and gall to keep apples from rotting , and also to drive away caterpillers , by hanging up the skin on the tops of trees , and by touching the apples with the said gall : also when the head . feet or intrails are taken away , the flesh of the green lizard is given in meat to one that hath the sciatica , and thus much for the natural uses of the green lizard . the remedies arising out of this lizard , are briefly these : first it is used to be given to hawks , and to be eaten in small pieces , provided so as it be not touched with their talons , for it will hurt their feet , and draw their claws together ; also they seethe it in water , then beat it in a mortar : lastly , when they have poured warm water upon it , they let the hawk wash her feet in it , and so it causeth her to cast her old feathers and coat , and bringeth a new in the room thereof . this lizard eaten with sauces to take away the loathing thereof , is good for the falling-evil : and being sod in three pintes of wine , until it be but one cup full , and thereof taken every day a spoonful , is good for them that have a disease in the lungs . it is also profitable for them that have pain in the loins and there are many ways to prepare it for the eyes , which i will not stand to relate in this place , because they are superstitious , and therefore likely to do more harm then good to the english reader . there is an oyl made of lizards , which is very precious , and therefore i will describe it as i finde it in brasavolus . take seven green lizards , and strangle them in two pound of common oyl , therein let them soke three days , and then take them out , and afterwards use this oyl to anoint your face every day , but one little drop at once , and it shall wonderfully amend the same . the reason hereof seemeth to be taken from the operation of the dung or excrements , because that hath vertue to make the face white , and to take away the spots . if the upper part in the pastern of a horse be broken , put thereinto this oyl with a little vinegar , then rub the hoof about therewith , so shall it increase and grow again , and all the pain thereof shall passe away . the making of the medicine is this : take a new earthen pot , put thereinto three pintes of oyl , wherein you must drown your lizards , and so seethe them till they are burned away , then take out the bones , and put in soft lime half a-pound , liquid pitch a pinte , of swines grease two pound ; then let them be all ●od together again & afterwards preserved and used upon the hoof as need shall require : for it shall fasten and harden the horses hoof , and there is nothing better for this purpose then this oyl . the ashes of a green lizard do reduce skars in the body to their own colour . the bones of a green lizard are good against the falling-evil , if they be prepared in this manner following : put your green lizard alive into a vessel full of salt , and there shut it in safe , so in few days it will consume all the flesh and intrails from the bones , and so the bones may be taken and used in this case like the hoof an elk , which are very precious for this sicknesse , and no lesse precious are these bones . the bloud doth cure the beating , bruizings and thick skins in the feet of men and beasts , being applyed in flocks of wooll . the eye is superstitiously given to be bound to ones arm on a quartane ague , and the eyes pressed out alive , and so included in golden buttons or bullets , and carryed about , do also help the pain of the eyes , and in default hereof the bloud taken out of the eyes in a piece of purple wooll , hath the same operation . the heart of a lizard is also very good against the exulcerations of the kings-evil , if it be but carryed about in the bosome in some small silver vessel . the gall taketh away the hairs upon the eye-lids that are unseemly , if it be dryed in the same to the thicknesse of honey , especially in the dog-days , and mixed with white-wine then being anointed upon the place , it never suffereth the hairs to grow again . and thus much for the history of the green lizard . of the millet or cenchrine . this serpent called by the grecians cenchros , cenchrines , cenchridion , and cenchrites ; is by the latines called cenchria , cenchrus , and milliaris : because it cometh abroad at the time that millet-seed floureth , and is ready to ripe , or else because it hath certain little spots upon it like millet-seed ; and is also of the same colour . it is likewise barbarously called famusus , aracis , and falivisus . the germans of all others have a name for it , for they call it punter-schlang , and berg-schlang . other nations not knowing it cannot have any name for it ; and therefore i cannot faign any thereof , except i should lie grosly in the beginning of the history . this serpent is only bred in lemnus and samethracia , and it is there called a lyon , either because it is of very great quantity and bignesse , or else because the scales thereof are spotted and speckled like the lybian lyons : or because when it fighteth the tail is turned upward like a lyons tail , and as a lyon doth . but it is agreed at all hands , that it is called milliaris , a millet , because in the spots of his skin and colour it resembleth a millet-seed ; which caused the poet to write on this manner ; pluribus ille notis variatam tingitur alvum ; quàm parvis tinctus maculis thebanus ophites . in english thus ; with many notes and spots , his belly is bedyed like thebaneher , ophites sighily tryed . but not only his belly , for his back and whole skin is of the same fashion and colour . the length of this serpent is about two cubits , and the thick body is attenuated toward the end , being sharp at the tail . the colour is dusky and dark like the millet , and it is then most ireful and full of wrath or courage , when this herb or seed is at the higohst . the pace of this serpent is not winding or travailing , but straight , and directed without bending to and fro : and therefore saith lucan ; et semper rectolapsurus limite cenchris : that is , and the millet alway standing in a straight and right line , and for this cause when a man flyeth away from it , he must not run directly forward , but winde to and fro , crooking like an indenture , for by reason thereof this serpents large body cannot so easily and with the like speed turn to follow and persue , as it can directly forward . it is a very dangerous serpent to meet withal , and therefore not only the valiantest man , but also the strongest beast is , and ought justly to be afraid thereof , for his treacherous deceits and strength of body ; for when it hath gotten the prey or booty , he beclapseth it with his tail , and giveth it fearful blows , in the mean time fasteneth his jaws or chaps to the man or beast , and sucketh out all the bloud till it be fully satisfied ; and like a lyon he beateth also his own sides , setting up the spires of his body when he assalteth any adversary , or taketh any resisting booty . i take this to be the same called in slcilia , serpaserena , which is sometimes as long as a man , and as great as the arm about the wrist . in the heat of summer they get themselves to the mountain , and there seize upon cattel of all sorts , as often as anger or wrath enforceth them . the nature of it is very hot , and therefore venomous in the second degree : wherefore when it hath bitten any , there followeth putrefaction and rottennesse , as flesh where water lyeth betwixt the skin , like as in the dropsie : for besides , the common affections it hath with the viper , and the biting thereof , alike in all things , more deadly and unresistible evils followeth , as drouzy , sleepinesse , and lethargy , and pain in the belly , especially the golick , pain in the liver and stomach , killing within two days , if remedy be not provided . the cure is like the cure of the vipers biting , take the seed of lettice , and flax-seed , savory beaten or stamped , and wilde rue , wilde betony , and daffadil two drams in three cups of wine , and drink the same , immediately after the drinking hereof , drink also two drams of the root of centaury , or hartwort , nosewort , or gentian , or sesamine . and thus much for a description of this venomous serpent , one of the greatest plagues to man and beast in all those countries or places , wherein it is ingendered , and it is not the least part of english happinesse to be freed by god and nature from such noysome , virulent and dangerous neighbours . of the nevte or water-lizard . this is a little black lizard , called wassermoll , & wasseraddex , that is a lizard of the water . in french , tassot ; and in italian marasandola , which word is derived from marasso , a viper , because the poyson hereof is like the poyson of vipers , and in the greek it may be termed enudros sauros . they live in standing waters or pools , as in ditches of towns and hedges . the colour as we have said is black , and the length about two fingers , or scarse so long . under the belly it is white , or at least hath some white small spots on the sides and belly : yet sometimes there are of them that are of a dusty earthy colour , and towards the tail yellowish . the skin is strong and hard , so as a knife can scarse cut the same , and being cut , there issueth out a kinde of white mattery liquor , like as is in salamanders . being taken , it shutteth the mouth so hard as it cannot be easily opened , neither doth it endevour to bite , although it be plucked and provoked . the tongue is very short and broad , and the teeth so short and small , as they are scarcely visible within the lips . upon the fore feet it hath four fingers or claws , but upon the hinder-feet it hath five . the tail standeth out betwixt the hinder-legs in the middle , like the figure of a wheel-whirl , or rather so contracted , as if many of them were conjoyned together , and the void or empty places in the conjunctions were filled . the tail being cut off , liveth longer then the body , as may be seen in every days experience , that is , by motion giveth longer signes and token of life . this serpent is bred in fat waters and soils , and sometimes in the ruines of old walls , especially they delight in white muddy waters , hiding themselves under stones in the same water if there be any , and if not , then under the banks side of the earth , for they seldome come to the land . they swim underneath the water , and are rarely seen at the top . their egges are not past so big as pease , and they are found hanging together in clusters . one of these being put alive into a glasse of water , did continually hold his head above the water like as frogs do , so that thereby it may be conjectured it doth often need respiration , and keepeth not under water except in fear , and seeking after meat . there is nothing in nature that so much offendeth it as salt , for so soon as it is laid upon salt , it endeavoureth with all might and main to run away , for it biteth and stingeth the little beasts above measure , so that it dyeth sooner by lying in salt where it cannot avoid , then it would by suffering many stripes , for being beaten it liveth long , and dyeth very hardly . it doth not like to be without water , for if you try one of them , and keep it out of water but one day , it will be found to be much the worse . being moved to anger , it standeth upon the hinder-legs , and looketh directly in the face of him that hath stirred it , & so continueth til all the body be white , through a kind of white humor or poyson , that it swelleth outward , to harm ( if it were possible ) the person that did provoke it : and by this is their venomous nature observed to be like the salamander , although their continual abode in the water , maketh their poyson the more weak . some say that if in france a hog do eat one of these , he dyeth thereof , and yet doth more safely eat the salamander . but in england it is otherwise , for i have seen a hog without all harm carry in his mouth a newt , and afterward eat it . there be some apothecaries which do use this newt in stead of skinks or crocodiles of the earth , but they are deceived in the vertues and operation , and do also deceive other , for there is not in it any such wholesome properties , and therefore not to be applyed without singular danger . and thus much may suffice to be said for this little serpent , or water-creeping creature . of the pelias . aetius making mention of the elaps and pelias , two kindes of serpents , doth joyntly speak of them in this sort , saying that the signes of these serpents were so common and vulgarly known , that there was no descriptions of them among the ancient writers . but the pelias biting causeth putrefaction about the wound or bitten place , but yet not very dangerous , and it bringeth obfuscation or dimnesse to the eyes , by reason that as the poyson is universally distributed over all the body , so it hath most power over the tenderest part , namely the eyes . it is cured by a ptisane with oyl in drink , and a decoction of such docks as grow in ditches , and other simple medicines , such as are applyed to the curing of the yellow-jaundise . the eyes must be washed with the urine of a childe or young man which never knew any woman carnally , and this may be applyed either simply and alone , or else by brine and pickle , so also must the head . after that the body is purged , anoint it with balsamum and honey , and take an eye-salve to sharpen again and recover the sight , and for this cause it is very good to weep , for by evacuation of tears , the venom also will be expelled . but if the eyes grow to pain , then let their eye-salve be made more temperate and gentle , to keep the head and brain from stupefaction . and thus much for the pelias out of aetius . of the porphyre . there is among the indians a serpent about the bignesse of a span or more , which in outward aspect is like to the most beautiful and well coloured purple , the head hereof is exceeding white , and it wanteth teeth . this serpent is fought for in the highest mountains , for out of him they take the sardius stone . and although he cannot bite because he wanteth teeth , yet in his rage when he is persecuted , he casteth forth a certain poyson by vomit , which causeth putrefaction where ever it lighteth . but if it be taken alive and be hanged up by the tail , it rendereth a double , one whiles it is alive , the other when it is dead , both of them black in colour , but the first resembleth black amber . and if a man take but so much of the first black venom as is the quantity of a sesamine seed , it killeth him presently , making his brains to fall out at his nostrils , but the other worketh neither so speedily , nor after the same manner ; for it casteth one into a consumption , and killeth within the compasse of a year . but i finde aelianus , volateran , and textor to differ from this relation of ctesias , for they say , that the first poyson is like to the drops of almond trees , which are congealed into a gum , and the other which cometh from it when he is dead , is like to thin mattery water . unto this porphyre i may add the palmer serpent , which strabo writeth doth kill with an unrecoverable poyson , and it is also of a scarlet colour , to the loyns or hinder-parts . of the prester . although there be many writers which confound together the prester & the dipsas , and make of them but one kinde , or serpent of divers names , yet seeing on the contrary there he as many or more which do distinguish or divide them , and make them two in nature different , one from another , the dipsas killing by thirst , and the prester by heat , as their very names do signifie , therefore i will also trace the steps of this latter opinion , as of that which is more probable and consonant to truth . the grecians call it prester of prethein , which signifieth to burn or inflame , and tremellius and junius think , that the serpents called fiery serpents , which did sting the israelitos in the wildernesse , were presters . we finde in suidas , prester for the fire of heaven , or for a cloud of fire carryed about with a vehement strong winde , and sometimes lightenings . and it seemeth that this is indeed a fiery kinde of serpent , for he himself always goeth about with open mouth , panting and breathing as the poet writeth ; oraque distendens avidus fumantia prester , inficil , ut laesus tumida membra gorat . which may be englished thus ; the greedy presters wide-open foming mouth infects , and swelleth , making the members by un●outh . when this serpent hath struck or wounded , there followeth an immeasurable swelling , distraction , conversion of the bloud to matter , and corrupt inflamation taking away freedom or easinesse of aspiration , likewise dimming the sight , of making the hair to fall off from the head ; at last suffocation as it wereby fire , which is thus described by mantuan upon the person of one narsidus , saying as followeth ; ecce subit facies leto diversa fluenti . narsidium marsi cultorem torridus agri percussit prester : illi rubor igneus ora succendii , tenditque cutem pereunte figura , misoens ouncta tumor toto jam corpore major . humanumque egressa modum super omnia membra efflatur sanies , latè tollente veneno . ipse late penitus congesto corpore mersus . nec lorica tenet distenti corporis auctum . spumeus accenso non sic exundat aheno vndarum cumulus : nec tanto carbasa core curvavere sinus : tumides j am non capit artus informis globus & confuso pondere tri●●● . intactum voluctum rostris , epulasque duturum haud impune feris , non aufi tradere busto , nondum siante modo crescens fugere cadaver . which may be thus englished ; lo suddenly a divers fate the joyful current stayed , narsidius , which marsinus mirror did adere , by burning sting of scorching prester dead was layed , for fiery colour his face enflam'd , not as before . the first appearing visage faild , all was out-stretcht , swelling cover'd all , and bodies grosnesse doubled surpassing humane bounds and members all ore reacht , aspiring venom spreads matter blown in carkasse troubled . the man lyeth drownd within swoln bodies banks , no girdle can his monstrous growth contain . not so are waters swoln with rage of sandy flanks , nor sails bend down to blustering corus wain . now can it not the swelling sinews keep in hold , deformed globe it is , and trunk ore-come with waight , vntoucht of flying fowls , no beaks of young or old do him dare eat , or beasts full wilde upon the body bait , but that they die : no man to ●ury in earth or fire durst once come nigh , nor stand to look upon that haplesse cste , for never ceased the heat of corps , though dead to swell , therefore afraid they ran away with speedy pace . the cure of the poyson of this serpent , is by the physitians found out to be wilde purslain , also the flowers and stalk of the bush , the beavers stone called castoreum , drunk with opoponax and rew in wine , and the little sprat-fish in diet . and thus much of this fire-burning venomous serpent . of the red serpent . this kinde of serpent being a serpent of the sea , was first of all found out by pelicerius bishop of montpelier as rondoletus writeth , and although some have taken the same for the myrus or berus , of which we have spoken already , yet is it manifest that they are deceived , for it hath gills covered with a bony covering , and also fins to swim withal , much greater then those of the myrus , which we have shewed already to be the male lamprey . this serpent therefore for the outward proportion thereof , is like to the serpents of the land , but of a red or purplish colour , being full of crooked or oblique lines , descending from the back to the belly , and dividing or breaking that long line of the back , which beginneth at the head , and so stretcheth forth to the tail . the opening of his mouth is not very great , his teeth are very sharp and like a saw , his gils like scaly fishes , and upon the ridge of his back , all along to the tail , and underneath upon the rine or brim of his belly are certain hairs growing , or at the least thin small things like hairs , the tail being shut up in one undivided fine . of this kind no doubt are those which bellonius saith he saw by the lake abydus , which live in the waters , and come not to the land but for sleep , for he affirmeth that they are like land serpents , but in their colour they are red spotted , with some small and dusky spots . gillius also saith , that among the multitude of sea serpents , some are like congers , and i cannot tell whether that of virgil be of this kinde or not , spoken of by laocoon the priest of neptune . solennes taurum ingentem mactabat adaras . ecce autem gemini à tenedo tranquilli per alta ( horreico referens ) immensis orbibus angues incumbunt peiago : pariterque adlittora tendunt . pectora quorum inter fluctus arrecta , jubaeque sanguineae exuperant andas : pars caetera pontum pone legit , sinuatque immensa volumine terga . fit sonitus spurnante salo , &c. — which may be englished thus ; 〈◊〉 be a bull at al●ars solemn sacrifice , 〈◊〉 ( i fear to tell ) two monstrom snakes appeared , out of tenedus shore both calm and deep did rise one p●●t in sea , the other on land was reared : their 〈◊〉 and red bloud manes on waters mounted , but back and tail on land from foaming sea thus sounded . of the salamander . i will not contrary their opinion which reckon the salamander among the kindes of lizards , but leave the assertion as somewhat tolerable : yet they are not to be followed , or to be believed , which would make it a kinde of worm , for there is not in that opinion either reason or resemblance . what this beast is called among the hebrews i cannot learn , and therefore i judge that the jews ( like many other nations ) did not acknowledge that there was any such kinde of creature , for ignorance bringeth infidelity in strange things and propositions . the grecians call it salamandra , which word or term is retained almost in all languages , especially in the latine , and therefore isidore had more boldnesse and wit , then reason , to derive the latine salamandra , quasi valincendram , resisting burning , for being a greek word , it needeth not a latine notation . the arabians call it saambras , and samabras , which may well be thought to be derived or rather corrupted , from the former word salamandra , or else from the hebrew word semamit , which signifieth a stellion . among the italians and rhaetians it retaineth the latine word ; and sometimes in rhaetia it is called rosada . in the dukedom of savoy , pluvina . in france , sourd , blande , albrenne , and arrassade , according to the divers provinces in that kingdom . in spain it is called salamamegua . in germany it is called by divers names , as maall , and punter maall , olm , moll , and molch , because of a kinde of liquor in it like milk , as the greek word molge , from amelgein to suck milk . some in the countrey of helvetia do call it quatiertesh . and in albertus it is likewise called rimatrix . and thus much may suffice for the name thereof . the description of their several parts followeth , which as avio●n and other authors write , is very like small and vulgar lizard , except in their quantity , which is greater ; their legs taller , and their tail longer . they are also thicker and fuller then a lizard , having a pale white belly , and one part of their skin exceeding black , the other yellow like verdigrease , both of them very splendent and glistering , with a black line going all along their back , having upon it many little spots like eyes : and from hence it cometh to be called a stellion , or animal stellatum , a creature full of stars , and the skin is rough and bald , especially upon the back where those spots are , out of which as writeth the scholiast , issueth a certain liquor or humor , which quencheth the heat of the fire when it is in the same . this salamander is also four-footed like a lizard , and all the body over it is set with spots of black and yellow , yet is the sight of it abominable and fearful to man. the head of it is great , and some-times they have yellowish bellies and tails , and sometimes earthy . it is some question among the learned , whether there be any discretion of sex , as whether there be in this kinde a male and a female . pliny affirmeth that they never engender , and that there is not among them either male or female , no more then there are among eeles . but this thing is justly crossed , both by bellonius and agricola , for they affirm upon their own knowledge , that the salamander engendereth her young ones in her belly like unto the viper , but first conceiveth egs , and she bringeth forth forty and fifty at a time , which are fully perfected in her womb , and are able to run or go so soon as ever they be littered : and therefore there must be among them both male and female . the countries wherein are found salamanders , are the region about trent , and in the alpes , and sometime also in germany . they most commonly frequent the coldest and moistest places , as in the shadow of woods in hedges neer fountains and rivers , and sometimes they are found among corn and thorns , and among rocks . they are seldom seen except it be either in the spring-time , or against rain , and for this cause it is called animal vernale , and pluviosum , a spring or rainy creature . and yet there were many of them found together in a hole neer unto the city sneberg in germany , in the month of february , for they love to live in flocks and troups together , and at another time in november , a living salamander was found in a fountain . how beit , if at any time it be seen forraging out of his den or lodging place , it is held for an assured presage of rain . but if the spring-time fortune to be cold or frosty , then they keep home , and go not visibly abroad . some do affirm that it is as cold as ice , and that it therefore quencheth heat or fire like a piece of ice , which if it be true , then is the old philosophical maxime utterly false , namely , that all living creatures are hot and moist , being compared to creatures without life and sense , for there is not any dead or senselesse body that so quencheth fire as ice doth . but the truth is , that the salamander is cold , and colder then any serpent , yet not without his natural heat , which being compared to armans , may truly be said to be hot , and therefore the venom of the salamander is reckoned among septicks , or corroding things . it naturally loveth milk , and therefore sometimes in the woods or neer hedges , it sucketh a cow that is laid , but afterwards that cows udder or stock dryeth up , and never more yeeldeth any milk . it also greatly loveth the honey-combe , and some authors have affirmed , that they use to gape after air or fresh breath , like the chamaeleon , yet they which have kept salamander●h glasses , never p●●ceived by them any such thing . they are slow of pace , and void ground very sluggishly , and therefore it is justly tearmed a heavy and slothful beast . but the greatest matter in the salamander to be enquired after , is whether it can live and be nourished by and in the fire , or whether it can passe through the fire without any harm , or quench and put out the same . which opinions in the very relation and first hearing , do crosse one another , for how can that either be nourished or live in the fire , which quencheth the same being put into it ? aristotle that never saw a salamander himself , but wrote thereof by hear-say , hath given some colour to this opinion , because he writeth , nonnulla corpora esse animalium quae igne non absumaniur salamandra documento est : quae ( ut aiunt ) ignem inambulans eum extinguit . that is to say , the salamander is an evidence , that the bodies of some creatures are not wasted or consumed in the fire , for ( as some say ) it walketh in the fire and extinguisheth the same . now whether this beseemed so great a philosopher , to write upon hear-say , who took upon him to gather all natural learning into his own graunge or store-house , and out of the same to furnish both the present and all future ages , i leave it to the consideration of every indifferent reader that shall peruse this story . i for mine own part , rather judge it to be lightnesse in him , to insert a matter of this consequence in the discourse of this beast , without either authors , or experience gathered by himself . this one thing i marvail at , why the egyptians , when they will expresse or signifie a man burnt , do in their hieroglyphicks paint a salamander , except either fire can burn a salamander , or else contrary to all their custom , they demonstrate one contrary by another . nicander plainly affirmeth , that the salamander doth without all harm passe through the fire , and the scholiast addeth , that there are certain passages in the skin , out of which issueth a kinde of liquor that quencheth the fire : and he telleth a story of one andreas , who did dip a piece of cloth in the bloud of a salamander , and tryed afterward whether it would burn or not , but did not finde that it would burn , wherefore he put it upon his hand , and thrust that into the fire , and then also he felt no manner of pain . and therefore the said nicander calleth this creature ciporrhinon , because of a certain fat humor which issueth out of it , quenching the fire , but i rather think that this fat humor maketh the skin to glister , for if it were properly fat , it would rather kindle and increase the fire then quench or extinguish the same . suidas followeth the common received opinion , that the salamander quencheth the fire , ( although it be not bred of the fire as krickets are ) like ice ; and when the fire is so quenched , it is in vain to blow or kindle the same again with any bellows , as they say have been tryed in the forges of smiths . and this also caused serenus to write , seu salamandra potens , nullisque obnoxia flammis : the potent salamander is never hurt by flames . seneca consenteth hereunto , and zoroastres : and so great hath been the dotage about this opinion , that some have written that it ascendeth up to the fire neer the moon , far above the reach of the eagles or swiftest fowls . thus say they that write , and maintain the salamanders abiding in the fire without harm . now on the contrary , let us also hear their opinions , which deny this natural operation in the salamander . pliny affirmeth , that in his own experience he found that a salamander was consumed in the fire , and not the fire by it , for he saith he burned one to powder , and used the same powder in medicines . sextus also denyeth that it quencheth the fire , and unto this opinion agreeth dioscorides . actius writeth , that when it is first put into the fire , it divideth the flame , and passeth through speedily without harm , but if it tarry long therein it is burned and consumed , because the liquor or humidity thereof is wasted . and this is also granted by galen , theophrastus , and niphus . and matthaeolus affirmeth that he tryed the same , and found that if burning coals were laid upon it , then it burned like unto any other raw flesh , but being cast into the fire , it burneth not speedily . albertus writeth , that there were some which brought to him a certain thing which they called wooll , and said that it would not burn , but he found it not lana , wooll , but lamygo , that is , a vapoury adhaerency of a thing which flyeth from the strokes of hammers upon hot burning iron , and being collected upon cloth , or cleaving to any part of the forge , it there becometh in shew like yellowish pale wooll . the said author affirmeth , that he took a spider , and laid the same upon a hot burning iron , where it continued unburned and unharmed without motion a great while , by reason of his thick skin and coldnesse , and unto another he suffered a little candle to be put , which instantly put it out . and for the same causes , that is to say , both the thicknesse of the skin , and cold constitution , cometh it to passe , that a salamander can live so long in the fire without burning or consuming to ashes : for indeed the skin thereof is so hard , that it is cut or pierced with a knife with great difficulty ; and so when the force of the fire hath broken the skin , then also issueth forth a cold humor , which for a season keepeth the heat out . for this beast is said to be very full of humor , and the certainty thereof may most manifestly appear by his full and grosse body , and also by this , that it is seldom seen to issue or come forth of his den , except it be against rainy weather , and yet as the egges of other serpents being cast into a hot burning furnace , do for a season rest in the same unburned , and yet are afterward consumed , so is it with the salamander . there be some that have found a web out of the hair growing upon salamanders , which can by no means be set on fire , but this is very false , because the salamander hath no hair upon it at all . and this kinde of web rather cometh of a kinde of flax that pliny writeth of , or rather of the amiantus-stone , called the asbest , which is found in cyprus , whereof they used to make coverings for the theaters . this being cast into a fire , seems to be forthwith all in a flame , but being taken out again , it shineth the more gloriously . some also do affirm , that such a piece of cloth or web , may be wrought out of the salamanders skin , but brasavolus denyeth both the vertue of the stone , and of the salamanders hide or shell , for he saith he tryed the stone , and it would not be wrought into wooll or spun into thread , and when he cast the salamanders shell or hide into the fire , it burned , and the mattery cold liquor thereof did almost flie into his face . but some then will demand , where had pope alexander that coat , which could not be purged but by fire , which made it alway as white as snow , or that map or net at rome , wherein ( it is said ) the napkin of our saviour christ is preserved , which men say is not washed but in the fire , which thing was sent to a bishop of rome for a present from the king of tartars . unto whom i answer out of paulus venetus as followeth . there is a province in tartaria called chinchnitalas , wherein is a mountain abounding with mines of steel and copper ; now in this mountain there is a kinde of earth digged up , which yeeldeth a thred like the thred of wooll . after the digging of it up they dry it in the sun , and then beat it in a brazen mortar , afterward they spin it and weave it , in the same manner that they spin and weave other woollen cloth . after it is made , they have no means to purge it from spots or from filthinesse , but to cast it into the fire for the space of an hour , and then it is taken forth again as white as any snow . there is also an allum called alumen sciolae , and it is the same which among the ancients is called aster samius , out of which also is made cloth that cannot burn , by reason of a certain oyl that it containeth or yeeldeth to resist the fire . so out of the stone pyritis found in kisheba , there cometh out a green liquor pressed with dead coals , and after that , no fire can burn that cloth . there are also certain mantles in bohemia , ( as witnesseth agricola ) which could never be burned . and out of magnesia a scaly stone in boldecrana , they make tables , which cannot be clensed but by fire . it is also recorded , that the fore-named aster samius , and pitch quenched in the juyce of mallows or mercurial , being anointed upon a mans hand , doth keep them from burning , or sense of extraordinary heat . so albertus writeth of a stone which he calleth iscullos , or iscustos , which i take to be a kinde of the aibeste or amiantus . and this stone is found ( as the same author writeth ) in the farthest parts of spain , neer the straights and hercules-pillars . and this thing seemeth the lesse strange , because they which are anointed with bird-lime , or else with vinegar and the white of an egge , do not so quickly feel the strength of fire and heat , when they thrust their hands into the midst of it . it is also found , that the hearts of them that die of the heart-burning disease , or else are killed by poyson , cannot be burned with fire . and therefore when germanicus caesar was dead , it being suspected that he was poysoned by piso , they cast his heart into the fire and it would not burn , which thing was alleadged against him by vitellius the oratour . and one aesculapius in an epistle which he wrote to octavian augustus saith , that there is a poyson so extream cold , that it keepeth the heart of a man poysoned therewith from burning , and if it lie long in the fire , it waxeth as hard as a stone , which so concreted is called profilis , from the force of the fire , and from the matter whereof it consisteth it is called an humane stone . he also saith , that this is red in colour , mixed with some white , and is accounted precious , because both it maketh a man that weareth it to be a conqueror , and also preserveth him from all manner of poyson . when the salamander is provoked , it casteth forth a white mattery liquor or humor , and it is an audacious and bold creature , standing to his adversary , and not flying the sight of a man ; and so much the lesse , if it perceive that a man prosecute and follow it , to harm and kill it . the biting of it is very exitial and deadly , and therefore the french men use this speech upon the biting of a salamander ; si mordu t' a une aressade , prens ton linceul & ta flassade . that is , if a salamander bite you , then betake you to the coffin and winding sheet . the rhaetians do ordinarily affirm , that when a man is bitten by a salamander , he hath need of as many physitians as the salamander hath spots . and arnoldus saith , that it hath in it as many venoms and means of hurting , as it hath colours distinguished one from another . for when it once biteth and fasteneth teeth , it never letteth go , and being pulled off , it leaveth the teeth behinde , and then there never can be any remedy , and therefore it must be suffered to hang upon the wound until it fall off , either willingly or wearied , or else compelled by the medicines that the wounded patient receiveth . for by this means only is the patient kept alive : yet this is alway to be remembred , that the salamander doth not alway bite , although provoked , for gesner affirmeth , that he having two of them , could never by beating make them open their mouths , nor that in all his life did he ever hear of any man bitten by them . and of this thing he not only gathereth the difference of time , wherein their rage sheweth it self by biting , and when not , but also the difference of place and region , for that they bite in some countries , and not in other . when they have bitten , there followeth a vehement pain and scab upon the place , for the cure whereof there must be taken a decoction of frogs , and the bròth must be drunk , and the flesh applyed to the sore ; or else other common remedies against the poyson prescribed in the treatise following . the poyson hereof is great , and not inferior to the poyson of any other serpent , for some-times by creeping upon apple-trees , it infecteth and poysoneth all the fruit , so that those which eat the same , die and languish they know not whereof : and if the heel of a man do but touch any small part or portion of the spittle of a salamander , it maketh all the hair of the body to fall off . the poyson it self is not cold , as some have thought , but hot , like to the poyson of cantharides , and therefore to be cured by the same means , as by vomits , glysters , ephemeron , and such like . only swine do eat salamanders without harm or damage , for there is in them a kinde of resistance in nature , and yet if man or dog do chance to eat of that swine that hath eaten a salamander , it hath been observed that they perished by the same . and this poyson spreadeth it self the further when it is dead , because it is strengthened by putrefaction , and wine and water wherein one of these lyeth dead , is empoysoned and made mortal thereby to others . but in our days salamanders are not so venomous , if there be any credit in brasavolus , howbeit i have heard and read , that if at this day a salamander get into a heap of corn , she so infecteth it , that whatsoever eateth of that corn , dyeth as it were of poyson , and the kine of helvetia , which are sucked by salamanders , do ever after remain barren , and without milk , and sometime also they die of that evil . and as arnoldus writeth , it casteth forth a certain mattery white humor like milk out of the mouth , whereupon if a man or any other living creature do but tread , he is poysoned thereby , and at the least , all the hair of their body falleth off , and in like sort they infect herbs and plants of the earth by their poyson . sometimes it happeneth that beasts or men have swallowed salamanders , and then the tongue is inflamed , and all the body falleth into grievous torment , by cold corruption and putrefaction , part after part , and also pains in the fundament and in the stomach , likewise dropsies , and impostumation in the belly , cramp of the guts , and retention of the urine . for the cure whereof they give sweet water , calamints , saint johns wort , sod with the shells of pine-apples , leafs of cypresse , galbanus , and honey or rozen , ammoniack , and stirax , new cow-milk , the meal made of flax-seed with sweet water , sweet wine and oyl to cause vomits : scammony , and a decoction of calamints and figs , fat bacon or hogs-flesh , and also the egges of a tortoise , with the flesh thereof ; besides infinite other remedies , ordained by the goodnesse of almighty god , as physitians know by their own studies and daily experiments . and therefore i hold it sufficient for me to have lightly touched them , referring those that are desirous to know more , unto the learned collection of carromus . out of the salamander it self arise also some medicines , for it a hath a septick power to eate and corrode to take away hairs , and the powder thereof cureth corns and hardnesse in the feet . the hear tyed to the wrist in a black skin , taketh away a quartain ague ; and also kiranides writeth , that being bound unto a womans thigh , it stayeth her monethly flowers , and keepeth her barren : but this is worthily reproved for untruth , and therefore i will not commend it to the reader . and thus much for the salamander . of the scorpion . scorpios in greek is attributed both to the scorpion of the land and of the sea , although some-times for difference sake , the scorpion of the earth be called scorpios chersaios . the derivation is manifold according to some writers , either of scorpizein ton ion , that is , dispersing his poyson , or of sckanoos erpein , because the motion of it is oblique , inconstant and uncertain , like as the flame of fire beaten with a small winde . the grecians also use for a scorpion blesta , because it casteth poyson , and octopos from the number of his eight feet . and in aethiopia there is a kinde of scorpion which the greeks call sybritae . the latines doe use indifferently scorpius , sorpio nepa , and cancer also vinula and geptaria , as we finde in ponzettus . the arabians have many words , as harab , acrob , achrach , and satoracon , hacbarab , algerarat , algeterat , and algenat and alkatareti , for little scorpions which draw their tails after them . howbeit , among these names also algarat signifieth that little kinde of scorpions , and algararet the scorpion with bunches on his back . the hebrewes according to the opinion of some , call a scorpion acchabim ; the italians , scurtigicio , and scorpione terrestre ; the french , vn scorpion ; the speniards , alacram and alacrani , which name they have also given to an island in the west-indies subject to their dominion . in castilia it is called escorpion , and in germany , ein scorpion . the kindes of scorpions i finde also to be many , but generally they may be referred unto twain , whereof one is called the scorpion of the earth , and the other the scorpion of the water or of the sea , whose discourse or history is to be found among the fishes , for we in this place doe only write of the scorpion of the earth , which is also called by avicen a wilde scorpion . of this kinde there are many differences . first they differ in sex , for there are males and females , and the female is greater then the male , being also fat , having a grosser body , and a greater and sharper sting , but the male is more fierce then the female . again , some of these have wings , and some are without wings , and some are in quantity greater then a bean , as in helvetia , neer rapirsnill by zurick . the scorpions called vinulae , are of a reddish colour , as it were rose-water and wine mixed together : and from thence it is probable that they took their name , and from their colour , the authors have observed seven severall kinndes . the first is white , and the biting of this is not deadly . the second is reddish , like fire flamant , and this when it hath wounded causeth thirst . the third is of a pale colour , and therefore called by the grecians , zophorides , and these when they have wounded a man , cause him to live in continuall motion and agitation of his body , so as he cannot stand still , but remaineth distract and without wit , alway laughing , like a fool . the fourth kinde is greenish , and therefore termed chloros , which having wounded , causeth intolerable trembling , shaking , and quivering , and cold , so that if the patient be laid in the hot sun , yet he thinketh that he freezeth like hayl , or rather feeleth hayl to fall upon him . the fifth kinde is blackish pale , and it is called empelios , it hath a great belly and broad , whereof the poyson is great , and causeth after stinging and admirable heavinesse , and sorrowfull spirit . this kinde is called by gesner , ventricosum , because of the large belly , by the arabians , algetarat , and by ponzettus , geptaria . it eateth herbs , and the bodies of men , and yet remaineth insatiable , it hath a bunch on the back , and a tayl longer then other scorpions . the sixth is like a crab , and this is called by aelianus a flamant scorpion , it is of a great body , and hath tongs and takers very solid and strong , like the gramuel or crevish , and is therefore thought to take the beginning from that fish . the seventh is called mellichlorus , because of the honey-colour thereof , or rather waxe-colour , and the wings it hath on the back , are like the wings of a locust . also scorpions do differ among themselves in regard of their outward parts , for some of them have wings , as those in india , which are spoken of by strabo , nicander , and others , and therefore many times when they settle themselves to flie , they are transported by the winde from one countrey to another . there is also another difference observed in their tayls , and in their stings , for some of them have six knots on their tayls , and some of them seven and those which have seven , are more hardy and fierce , but this falleth out very seldome that the scorpions have seven knots in their tail , and therefore much seldomer to have nine , as writeth apollodorus . for if any have seven , then is there likewise in them a double sting , for there is also another difference , some of them having a single , and some a double sting , yea , sometimes a treble one , and the sting of the male is more thick and strong then the sting of the female . and to conclude , there is also a difference in motion , for some of them hold up their tayls from the earth , and these are not much venomous , others again draw them along upon the earth , a little rowled together , and these are most deadly and poysonfull , some of them also flie from one region to another , as we have shewed already . again , there is nothing that giveth a man a more lively difference , then the consideration of their poyson , for the scorpions of pharus , and that part of the alpes neer noricum , do never harm any living creature , and therefore are they suffered to abound , so as they live under every stone . in like sort in the isle sanguola , the scorpions are like unto those that are in castilia or spain for there the sting of the scorpion doth not bring death , yet they cause a smarting pain , like the pain that cometh by the stinging of a wasp , differing herein , that the scorpions stinging is more lasting , and continueth songer then the stinging of a wasp , for it tarrieth about a quarter of an hour , and by the biting thereof all are not pained alike , for some feel more , and some lesser pain . contrary to these are the scorpions of pes●ara in af●●k , who ever with their tails wound mortally , and those in scythia , which are great , and hurtfull unto men and beasts , killing swine , who do not much care for any other serpent , especially the black swine , who do also die the sooner , if they drink immediately after the wound received . the like may be said of the scorpions of egypt . and thus much for the different kindes of scorpions , wherein nature produceth a notable variety , as may appear by all that hath been said . now it followeth that we likewise make some relation of their congruity one with another . they are all little living creatures , not much differing in proportion from the great scarabee or horse-flie , except in the fashion of their tails . their back is broad and flat , distinguished by certain knots or seams , such as may be seen in sea. crabs , yet their head differeth , and hath no resemblance with the crab , because it is longer , and hangeth farre out from the body , the countenance whereof is fawning , and virgin-like , and all the colour a bright brown . notwithstanding the fair face , it beareth a sharp sting in the tail , which tail is full of knots , wherewithall it pricketh and hurteth that which it toucheth . and this pliny affirmeth to be proper to this insect , to have a sting in the tayl and to have arms : for by arms he meaneth the two crosse forks or tonges which come from it on both sides , in the tops whereof are little things like pinsons , to detain and hold fast , that which it apprehendeth , whiles is woundeth with the sting in the tayl . it hath eight feet , four on the one side , and four on the other , from whence , as we have shewed already , it is called octopos . for the feet and arms thereof is very much like unto the sea-crab , and therefore may not unfitly be called either the mother or the daughter thereof . they have also tongues , wherewithall they use often to lick and smooth over their own bodies . and seeing of all other things they love fresh and clean linnen , whereinto they insinuate , and wrap themselves when they can come unto it , then also first of all they cleanse their whole bodies all over with their tongues , and next to their flesh put on this clean linnen , as a man would put on a shirt . as we have said already it hath a tayl , wherein the sting thereof is placed , but what this sting is , divers authors are of divers opinions concerning the same , some affirming it to be hollow , others denying it , finding in it no passage at all to contain or convey poyson . aelianus again saith , that there must needs be in it a passage or cavity , although it be so small as by no means it can be perceived with the eyes of any mortall man , and in that sting is the poyson lesse visible , which when it striketh , disperseth it self instantly into the wound . but what should this poyson be ? whether a substance or spirituall humour ; surely a substance , which although it be mole minima , yet faculiate maxima , that is , of great power , although of small quantity . and therefore another author ( namely gerardus ) writeth hereof after this manner ; scorpius e centró quod cavum esse oreditur emittit humorem venenosum : that is to say , the scorpion out of a hollow center , sendeth forth a venemous humour . and of this venom we will afterwards discourse more at large . thus much in this place may serve to make known the severall parts and members of this serpent . now then it followeth that we inquire about the manner of their breed or generation , which i find to be double , as divers authors have observed , one way is by putrefaction , and the other by laying of egges , and both these wayes are consonant to nature , for lacinius writeth , that some creatures are generated only by propagation of seed , such are men , vipers , whales , and the palm-tree , some again only by putrefaction , as the louse , flie , grasse , and such like imperfect things , and some both wayes , as mice , scorpions , emmets , spiders , purslain , which first of all were produced by putrefaction : and since their generation are conserved by the seed and egges of their own kinde . now therefore we will first of all speak of the generation of scorpions by putrefaction , and afterward by propagation . pliny saith , that when sea-crabs dye , and their bodies are dryed upon the earth , when the sun entreth into cancer and scorpius , out of the putrefaction thereof ariseth a scorpion ; and so out of the putrefied body of the crevish burned , arise scorpions , which caused ovid thus to write ; concava littoreo si demas brachia cancro , caetera supponas terrae , de parte sepulta scorpius exibit , caudaque minabitur unca . and again ; obrutus exemptis cancer tellure lacertis , scorpius exiguo tempore factus erit . in english thus ; if that the arms you take from sea-crab-fish , and put the rest in earth till all consumed be , out of the buried part a scorpion will arise , with hooked tayl doth threaten for to hurt thee . and therefore it is reported by aelianus , that about estamenus in india , there are abundance of scorpions generated , only by corrupt rain-water standing in that place . also out of the basilisk beaten into pieces and so putrefied , are scorpions engendred . and when as one had planted the herb basilica on a wall , in the room or place thereof he found two scorpions . and some say that if a man chaw in his mouth fasting this herb basill before he wash , and afterward lay the same abroad uncovered where no sun cometh at it for the space of seven nights , taking it in all the day time , he shall at length finde it transmuted into a scorpion , with a tayl of seven knots . hollerius , to take away all scruple of this thing , writeth that in italy in his dayes , there was a man that had a scorpion bred in his brain , by continuall smelling to this herb basill , and gesner by relation of an apothecary in france , writeth likewise a story of a young maid , who by smelling to basill , fell into an exceeding head-ache , whereof she dyed without cure , and after her death being opened , there were found little scorpions in her brain . aristotle remembreth an herb which he calleth sissimbria , out of which putrefied scorpions are engendred , as he writeth . and we have shewed already in the history of the crocodile , that out of the crocodiles egges do many times come scorpions , which at their first egression do kill their dam that hatched them , which caused archelaus which wrote epigrams of wonders unto ptolemaeus , to sing of scorpions in this manner ; in vos dissolvit morte , & redigit croc●dilum natura extinctum , scorpii omnipotens . which may be englished thus ; to you by scorpions death the omnipotent ruines the crocodil in natures life extinct . and thus much for the generation of scorpions out of putrefaction . now we will proceed to the second manner of their generation , which is by propagation of seed : for although ponzettus make some question about their copulation , yet he himself inclineth to that opinion , as neerer unto truth , which attributeth carnall copulation unto them , and therefore he alledgeth the example of flies , which admit copulation although they engender not thereby . wherefore we will take it for granted , that scorpions lay egges after copulation , which hapneth both in the spring and autumne . and these are for the most part in number eleven , upon which they sit and hatch their young ones , and when once they are perfected within , those egges ( which are in sight like the little worms out of which spyders are engendred ) then do they break their egges , and drive the young out . for as isidorus writeth , otherwise the old should be destroyed of the young , even as are the crocodiles . some again say , that the old scorpions do devour their young ones . being thus produced by generation , they live upon the earth , and those which are bred of the sea-crab , do feed upon the foam of the sea-water , and a continuall white mould or chalk neer the sea. but the scorpions of aethiopia do eat all kinde of worms , flyes , and small serpents . yea those serpents whose very dung being troden upon by man , bringeth exulcerations . and a tryall that scorpions eat flies , was made by wolphius at montpelier , for having a young one in a boxe , for one whole moneth together it lived upon flies , and grew by the devouring of them bigger , being put into the glasse unto him . they live among tiles and bricks very willingly , and for this cause they abound in rome in the hill called testaceus . they are also in bononia found in the walls of old houses , betwixt the , stones and the morter . they love also clean clothes , as we have said already , and yet they abhorre all places whereon the sun shineth . and it seemeth that the sun is utterly against their nature , for the same scorpion which wolphius had at montpeller , lived in the glasse untill one day he set it in the sun , and then presently after it dyed . to conclude , they love hollow places of the earth neer gutters , and sometimes they creep into mens beds , where unawares they do much harm : and for this cause the lybians , who among other nations are most of all troubled with scorpions , do use to set their beds far from any wall , and very high also from the floor , to keep the scorpions from ascending up into them . and yet fearing all devises should be too little to secure them against this evil , they also set the feet of their beds ●n vessels of water , that so the scorpion may not attempt so much as to climbe up unto them for fear of drowning . and also for their further safeguard , they were socks and hose in their beds so thick as the scorpion cannot easily sting through them . and if the bed be so placed that they cannot get any hold thereof beneath , then they climbe up to the sieling , or cover of the house , and if there they finde any hold for their pinching legs to apprehend and fasten upon , then in their hatred to man-kinde , they use this policy to come unto him . first one of them ( as i have said ) taketh hold upon that place in the house or sieling over the bed wherein they finde the man asleep , and so hangeth thereby , putting out and stretching his sting to hurt him , but finding it too short , and not being able to reach him , he suffereth another of his fellowes to come and hang as fast by him as he doth upon his hold , and so that second giveth the wound : and if that second be not able likewise , because of the distance , to come at the man , then they both admit a third to hang upon them , and so a fourth upon the third , and a fifth upon the fourth , untill they have made themselves like a chain , to descend from the top to the bed wherein the man sleepeth , and the last striketh him : after which stroke he first of all runneth away by the back of his fellow , and every one again in order , till all of them have withdrawn themselves . by this may be collected the crafty disposition of this scorpion , and the great subtilty and malice that it is endued withall in nature , and seeing they can thus accord together in harming a man , it argueth their great mutuall love and concord one with another , wherefore i cannot but marvell at them who have written that the old ones destroy the young , all but one , which they set upon their own buttocks , that so the dam may be secured from the sting and bitings of her son . for seeing they can thus hang upon one another , without harm , favouring their own kinde , i see no cause but that nature hath grafted much more love betwixt the old and the young ones , so as neither the old do first destroy the young , nor afterward ; that young one preserved , in revenge of his fellowes quarrell , killeth his parents . it is reported by aristotle , that there is a hill in caria , wherein the scorpions do never sting any strangers that lodge there , but only the naturall born people of that countrey . and hereunto pliny and aelianus seem to subscribe , when they write that scorpiones extraneos leniter mordere , that is , scorpions bite strangers but gently . and hereby it may be collected , that they are also by nature very sagacious , and can discern betwixt nature and nature ; yea the particular differences in one and the same nature . to conclude , scorpions have no power to hurt where there is no bloud . the naturall amity and enmity they observe with other creatures commeth now to be handled , and i finde that it wanteth not adversaries , nor it again hath no defect of poyson or malice to make resistance and opposition , and to take vengeance on such as it meeteth withall . the principall of all other subjects of their hatred , are virgins and women , whom they do not only desire to harm , but also when they have harmed , are never perfectly recovered . and this is at all times of the day , but unto men they are most dangerous in the morning fasting , before they have vented their poyson , and this is to be observed , that their tayls are never unprovided of stings , and sufficient store of venome to hurt upon all occasions . the lyon is by the scorpion put to flight wheresoever he seeth it , for he feareth it at the enemy of his life , and therefore writeth s. ambrose , exiguo scorpionis aculeo exagitatur leo , the lion is much moved at the small sting of a scorpion . scorpions do also destroy other serpents , and are likewise destroyed by them . there was one cellarius a physitian in padua , who put together into one viall , a viper and a scorpion , where they continually fought together , untill they had killed one another . the swine of scythia , which do safely eat all other kinde of serpents and venemous beasts , without all harm , yet are destroyed by eating of scorpions , and so great is the poyson of the sibarite scorpion , that the dung thereof being trode upon breedeth ulcers . and as in this manner we see the virulence , and naturall evill of scorpions against other living creatures , so now we are to consider the terrors of the scorpion , for god in nature hath likewise ordained some bodies , whereby the scorpion should be , and is driven away , scared and destroyed . first of all therefore men , which are the chief , and head of all living creatures , do by natural instinct , kill and destroy scorpions , and therefore galen writeth thus , let us ( saith he ) kill scorpions , spiders , and vipers , not because they are evill in themselves , but because it is ingrafted in us by nature , to love that which is good unto us , but to hate and avert from that which is evill unto us , non corsiderantes genitum ne ita sit an secus , not considering whether it were so bred or not . as we have shewed their generation out of putrefaction to be by heat , so also is their destruction by heat , for they are not able to abide the heat of the sun , and therefore , although they cannot live in cold northern countreys , but in the hotter , yet in the hotter they choose shadowes , holes of the earth , coverture of houses , and such like vile and obscure places , to succour and secure themselves in . it is also reported , that if scorpions do at any time behold a stellion , they stand amazed and wonderfully astonished . the viper also having killed a scorpion , becometh more venemous , and the ibis of egypt destroyeth scorpions . there are a little kinde of emmets , called by the arabians , gerarets , which are eaters of scorpions . the quick-sighted hawks also , from whose piercing eye no serpent can be hid , when he 〈◊〉 a scorpion , he neither feareth nor spareth it . it is also thought that hares are never molested by scorpions , because if a man or beast be anoynted with the rennet of a hare , there is no scorpion or spider that will hurt him . wilde goats are also said to live without fear of scorpions ; even as the african psylli of whom we have often spoken . now this vertue against scorpions is not only in living things , but also in the plants of the earth , and therefore sestius writeth , that the seed of nose-wort burned or scorched doth drive away serpents , and resist scorpions and so doth the root of the mast-tree , and the seed of violets , and the same vertue is ascribed to the herb lychius , which is englished calves-snout , and also to the seed of wilde parsnip . the smell of garlick and wilde mints set on fire , or strewed on the ground , and dittany have the same operation : and above all other , one of these scorpions burned , driveth away all his fellowes which are within the smell thereof , and therefore this is a most usuall thing in asia and africk , to perfume their houses with scorpions burned , and in stead thereof they make as it were little pills of galbanum sandaracha , with butter , and the fat of goats , and thereof altogether make their perfume : also bettony , and wilde pellitory with brimstone . they use also to cover pans with certain things called by them . alkitran and asa , and with these they compasse the place wherein the scorpion lodgeth , and then it is found that they can never stir any more from that place . and some in stead thereof , powr oyl into their holes after them for the same effect . and the husband-men of mauritania doe tye and fasten to their bed-side , sprigs of white thorn , and hasell-nuts , wherewithall by a secret antipathy in nature , they drive away and keep themselves safe in their beds from the annoyance of scorpions . by touching of hen-bane they lie dead and overcome , but if one touch them again with white ellebore , they revive , and are released from their former stupefaction . it is also said that the leaves of water-mallowes do also astonish scorpions , and so also doth the radish-root . the sea-crab with basil in her mouth destroyeth the scorpion , and so doth tunicle and mushrom of trees . to conclude , the spittle of a man is death unto scorpions ; and therefore when a certain fellow took upon him to be a cunning charmer , and by incantation to kill a scorpion , he added to the words of his charm a treble spitting in the mouth of the serpent , and so it dyed : whereupon welphius which was present , and saw this charmer , did afterward by himself alone at home , make triall of spittle without a charm ; and so found that it alone killeth scorpions , especially the spittle of a man fasting , or very thirsty . moreover , there be certain lands wherein no scorpions will live , as that about clispea in africk , and the dust of the island gaulus neer cercina , being sprinkled upon a scorpion , doth incontinently kill it . and so much also writeth hermolaus , of the region galatha . these and such like things are observed by our painfull and industrious ancestors about the nature of scorpions , as well that which is hurtfull unto them , and they are afraid of , as those to which they are enemies in nature , and wound mortally when they light upon them . it is remembred by textor that orion was slain by a scorpion , whereupon the poets have made many tales . they say , that when he was grown to be a man he was a great hunter , and a continuall companion of diana , who glorying much in his own strength , boasted that he was able to overcome any serpent or other wild beast , whereat the gods being angry , for revenge , and taking down the pride of this young man , caused the earth to bring forth a scorpion , who killed orion . whereat diana was very sorry , and therefore in lamentation of her champion , and for the good deeds he had done unto her , translated him into heaven , close by the constellation of the bull. lucan on the other side saith , that diana sent this scorpion to kill him , envying his famous success in hunting , and that afterward the goddess taking pity on him , translated him into heaven . others write again , that he had his eyes put out by oenopion , and that he came blind into the island lemnos , where he received a horse of vulcan , upon which he rode to the sun-rising , in which journey , he recovered again his eye-sight , and so returning , he first determined to take revenge upon oenopion for his former cruelty . wherefore he came into greet , and seeking oenopion , could not finde him , because he was hid in the earth by his citizens , but at last coming to him , there came a scorpion and killed him for his malice , rescuing oenopion . these and such like fables are there about the death of orion , but all of them joyntly agree in this , that orion was slain by a scorpion . and so saith anthologius was one panopaeus a hunter . there is a common adage , cornix scorpium , a raven to a scorpion , and it is used against them that perish by their own inventions : when they set upon others , they meet with their matches , as a raven did when it preyed upon a scorpion , thus described by alciatus , under his title justa ultio , just revenge , saying as followeth . raptabat volucer captum pede corvus in auras scorpion , audacipraemia parta gulae . ast ille infuso sensim per membra veneno , raptorem in stygias compulit ultor aquas . o risu res digna ! aliis qui fata parabat , ipse periit , propriis succubuitque dolis . which may be englished thus ; the ravening crow for prey a scorpion took within her foot , and therewithall aloft did flie , but he impoyson'd her by force and stinging stroke , so ravener in the stygian lake did die . o sportfull game ! that he which other for bellyes sake did kill , by his own decreis should fall into deaths will. there be some learned writers , who have compared a scorpion to an epigram , or rather an epigram to a scorpion , because as the sting of the scorpion lyeth in the tayl , so the force and vertue of an epigram is in the conclusion , for vel acriter et salse mordeat ; vel jucunde & dulciter delectes , that is , either let it bite sharply at the end , or else delight pleasingly . there be many wayes of bringing scorpions out of their holes , and so to destroy and take them , as we have already touched in part , unto which i may adde these that follow : a perfume made of oxe-dung , also storax , and arsenick . and pliny writeth , that ten water-crabs beaten with basil is an excellent perfume for this purpose , and so is the ashes of scorpions . and in padua they use this art , with small sticks or straw they touch and make a noyse upon the stones and morter wherein they have their nests , then they thinking them to be some flies for their meat , instantly leap out , and so the man that deluded them is ready with a pair of tongs or o●●er instrument to lay hold upon them and take them , by which means they take many , and of them so taken , make oyl of scorpions . and constantius writeth , that if a mans hand be well anoynted with juice of radish , he may take them without danger in his bare hand . in the next place we are to proceed to the venom and poyson of scorpions , the instrument or sting whereof , lyeth not only in the tail , but also in the teeth , for as ponzettus writeth , laedit scorpius morsu et ictu , the scorpion harmeth both with teeth and tail , that is , although the greatest harm do come by the sting in the tayl , yet is there also some that cometh by their biting . this poyson of scorpions , ( as pliny out of apollodorus writeth ) is white , and in the heat of the day is very fervent and plentifull , so as at that time they are insatiably and unquenchably thirsty , for not only the wilde or wood scorpion , but also all other are of a hot nature , and the symptomes of their bitings are such as follow the effects of hot poysons : and therefore saith rasis , all their remedies are of a cold quality . yet galen thinketh otherwise , and that the poyson is cold , and the effects thereof are also cold . for which cause rondeletus prescribeth oyl of scorpions to expell the stone , and also the cure of the poyson is by strong garlick and the best wine , which are hot things . and therefore i conclude , that although scorpions be most hot , yet is their poyson of a cold nature . in the next place , i think it is needfull to expresse the symptomes following the striking or stinging of these venemous scorpions , and they are ( as aetius writeth ) the very same which follow the biting or poyson of that kinde of great phalanx spider , called also teragnatum , and that is , they are in such case as those persons be which are smitten with the falling sicknesse . he which is stung by a scorpion , thinketh that he is pressed with the fall of great and cold hayl , being so cold , as if he were continually in a cold sweat , and so in short space the poyson disperseth it self within the skin , and runneth all over the body , never ceasing untill it come to possesse some predominant or principall vitall part , and then followeth death . for as the skin is small and thin , so the sting pierceth to the bottom thereof , and so into the flesh , where it woundeth and corrupteth either some vein , or arterie or sinew , and so the member harmed swelleth immediately into an exceeding great bulk and quantity and aking , with insufferable torment . but yet ( as we have already said ) there is a difference of the pain , according to the difference of the scorpion that stingeth . if a man be stung in the lower part of his body , instantly followeth the extension of his virile member , and the swelling thereof : but if in the upper part , then is the person affected with cold , and the place smitten is as if it were burned , his countenance or face distorted , glewish spots about the eyes , and the tears viscous and slimy , hardnesse of the articles , falling down of the fundament , and a continuall desire to egestion , foaming at the mouth , coughing , convulsions of the brain , and drawing the face backward , the hair stands upright , palenesse goeth over all the body , and a continuall pricking like the pricking of needles . also , gordomus writeth , that if the prick fall upon an artery , there followeth swouning , but if on a nerve , there speedily followeth putrefaction and rottennesse . and those scorpions which have wings , make wounds with a compasse like a bow , whose succeeding symptomes are both heat and cold , and if they hurt about the canicular dayes , their wounds are very seldome recovered . the indian scorpions cause death three moneths after their wounds . but most wonderfull is that which strabo relateth of the albenian scorpions and spiders , whereof he saith are two kindes , and one kinde killeth by laughing , the other by weeping . and if any scorpion hurt a vein in the head , it causeth death by madnesse , as writeth paracelsus . when an oxe or other beast is strucken with a scorpion , his knees are drawn together , and he halteth , refusing meat ; out of his nose floweth a green humour , and when he is laid , he careth not for rising again . these and such like are the symptomes that follow the bitings and stingings of scorpions , for the cure whereof i will remit the reader to that excellent discourse written by wolphius , wherein are largely and learnedly expressed , whatsoever art could collect out of nature . and seeing we in our countrey are free from scorpions , and therefore shall have no need to fear their poyson , it shall not i trust offend my reader , if i cut off the relation of scorpions cures , as a thing which cannot benefit either the english reader , or else much adorn this history , and so i will proceed to the medicines drawn out of scorpions . the application or use of scorpions in medicine , is either by powder or by oyl , or by applying them bruised to their own wounds , wherefore every one of these are to be handled particularly ; and first of all for the powder , it is made by ustion or burning in this manner . they take ten scorpions and put them alive into a new earthen pot , whose mouth is to be dammed up with loam or such like stuffe , then must it be set upon a fire of vine-tree-shreds , and therein must the pot stand day and night untill all within it be consumed to powder , and you shall know by their white colour when they be enough ; otherwise , if they be brown or burned , they must be continued longer , and the use of this powder is to expell the stone . again , they use to make this powder another way , they take twenty scorpions , and put them in a little earthen pot with a narrow mouth , which mouth must be stopped , and then the pot put into a furnace by the space of six hours ; which furnace must also be kept close within , and with a gentle fire : then after six hours take off the pot ; and bruise the scorpions into powder , and keep that powder for the use aforesaid . there are other wayes also to prepare this powder , but in all preparations the attendant and , assistant must take heed of the fume or smoak that cometh from it , for that is very venemous and contagious . but besides , there are many things to be observed herein , as first , that the scorpions be alive , and that they be killed in oyl , then , that they be put in whole , with every member , without mutilation , and that the scorpions appointed for this confection , be of the strongest poyson , and the time of their collection to be when the sun is in leo , and not in scorpias , as some without reason have imagined . the oyl so made , is distinguished into two kindes , one simple , and the other compound . the simple is made of a convenient number of scorpions , ( as it were twenty if they be great , and more if they be little ) and they being put into a glasse vessel , oyl of bitter-almonds must be powred upon them , and so the vessel stopped close and set in the sun by the space of thirty dayes , and then stirred and used . yet the women of ferrara use oyl-olive in stead of oyl of bitter almonds , and also observe no quantity of oyl , but fill the pot full , and likewise no order in the number of the scorpions , putting one to day and another to morrow , and so more the next week or moneth , as they can finde them . the compound-oyl is thus made , they take round astrologe , cypresse , and gentian , the roots of capars , and upon these they pour oyl of bitter almonds , and soak the roots in the oyl in the hot sun for the space of twenty dayes , then take they a complete number of scorpions , from betwixt ten to fifteen , these they put again to the oyl , and so stop up the mouth again , and set it the second time in the sun thirty dayes , and afterward strain it and use it . this compound-oyl is not so much approved by brasavolus , as the former simple , because the first hath more scorpions , and the second is stuffed or seasoned with spices . the green scorpion which is bred of basill , having seven knots in the tayl , being beaten and pounded with the herb scorpion , and so made into pills , then dryed and put into a glasse , are very profitable to him that hath the falling-sicknesse , if he take of them three every morning fasting in temperate wine , but these being given to a sound man putteth him clean out of his wits . if a man take a vulgar scorpion and drown the same in a porringer of oyl in the wane of the moon , and therewithall afterward anoynt the back from the shoulders to the hips , and also the head and forehead , with the tips of the fingers and toes of one that is a demoniack or a lunatick person , it is reported , that he shall ease and cure him in short time . and the like is reported of the scorpions sting joyned with the top of basil wherein is seed , and with the heart of a swallow , all included in a piece of harts skin . the oyl of scorpions made of common oyl-olive , is good for the pain in the ears infused by distillation ; also it cureth a pleurisle in this manner . they take meal out of a windmill , and make thereof with water , paste , or little cakes , in quantity like a french crown , these must be sod in a frying-pan in oyl of scorpions , and so applyed as hot as can be to the place where the pricking is , and so kept to the same very hot , and when it beginneth to be cold , let new be applyed still , nine times together , successively one time after another . scorpions bruised in new sweet wine , doe cure the kings-evil . the ashes of a scorpion infused by the yard into the bladder , breaketh and disperseth both the stone of the bladder and the reyns . and the like operation hath a vulgar scorpion eaten with vinegar and rose-cakes applyed to the gowty members , it many times easeth the inflaming pains thereof . the oyl of scorpions is very available in the time of plague , both by oyntment and also in potion : wherewithall one did affirm to wolphius that he gained a great summe of money , which he prepared in this manner . he took a hundred scorpions , and sod them in the oldest oyl-olive he could get , untill such time as the scorpions were consumed , then did he strain them through a linnen cloth , adding unto it an ounce of rubarb , and so shutting it close in a glasse bottle , he set it forty dayes together in the sun , and afterward he gave of it to be used in time of infection , advising them that had it to apply it in oyntment to the pulse , heart , hinder part of the head , neck and nostrils . and if a man began to be sick , within twelve hours after the first sense of his pain , he was annnoynted herewith about the tumour , and then was it launced . this oyntment is also commended against all manner of poyson ; not onely of other serpents and venemous beasts , but also of the scorpion it self . and thus much for the history of the scorpion . of the scytall . this serpent called by the grecians scytale , is likewise termed by the latinists , scytalis , and by some scicalis , picalis , sciscetalis , and seyseculus , and by albertus , situla , which we have already interpreted a dipsas , but all of them are most manifestly corrupted from scytale , the first grecian word . and therefore i will not stand to confute them that call it also caecilia , a blinde worm , because ( after the manner of other serpents ) it eateth no fennell , but this caecilia or blinde worm , we shall afterward demonstrate to be our english slow-worm . this scytall is very full of marks or spots upon the back , so variable and delectable , that it possesseth the beholders with admiration , and almost bringeth them asleep looking thereon : for it is also slow , and moveth softly , wherefore it cannot pursue where it would do harm ; in stead therefore of celerity , these naturall spots doe hold them that it doth desire to harm , like as they were stupefied and astonished . and in this brightnesse of the scales , first of all it must lay aside the winter-skin , or else there appeareth not any splendour at all . and it is also said to be so hot and fervide , that it casteth skin in the winter , according to this saying of lucan ; et scytale sparsis etiam nunc sola pruinis exuvias positurasuas . — that is in english thus ; none but the scytall while winter-frosts abide , out of his spotted skin and seales doth glide . the outward form or visible proportion of this serpent , is like that which we have already called a double-head , and the latines , amphisbena , except that the tayl hereof is flatter and thicker . the length of this serpent is like the longest worms of the earth , and the thickness like the helve or handle of a spade . and the greatest difference betwixt this and the double-head , is that this goeth but one way , and the double-head goeth as well one way as another : and the colour hereof is like the colour of the other . the generall description of this serpent is thus expressed by nieande● ; bifronti similem reperis scytalam amphisbena ptnguior est tamen , & cauda , quae nulla fere exit , crassior , ut quantum solita est comprendere lignum , curva manus strictum quoties tenet ipsa ligonem . tam prolixa , vagans , pluvio quam reptile coelo , quod foecunda genus suq gignit viscera tellus . nec postquam ●uvenis venienti tempore veris , magna deum quando profert serpentia mater , liquerit obscuram consueta cubila petram , et nitidos tepido sub sole extriverit artus , pandentis se foeniculi teneram exedit 〈◊〉 , sed per opaca morans imi declivia montis se tenet , & multo graviter latet obruta somme , eque alta sua conquirit sibi pabula terra : nec licet id magno cupiat , studeatque labare arescente sitim potis est depellere fa●es . which may be englished thus ; the scytall like the double-head thou shalt in feature finde , yet is it fatter , and tayl that hath no end much thicker is , as big as crooked hand is wonted for to winde the haft and helve of digging spade the earth that rifts . as long it is as that thin crawling worm which heavens rain begets on fruitfull earth , when bowels warmly maystened are , and when the mother-goddesse great sends forth her creoping train , which is yeers-youth , fresh time of spring , both calm and fair . then leaves it off his wonted bed in rock obscure , and in what sun he stretches out his limbs , and sinewer all , eating the new sprung-blades of fennell-herb , so putting teeth in ure , in holes of the declining hills so keeps both great and small , where time in deepest sleep of buried nature it doth passe , and being hungry , the earth in top of hole it eats , quenching the thirst by force of dryest chappes as grasse , though without pain , desirelesse it seeks these drinks and meats . the biting of this serpent is like the biting of the double-head , and therefore the cure is in the same manner , wherefore i shall not need to repeat the signs thereof , or the cure in this place . and so i will conclude the story of this serpent . of the sea-serpents . among the manifold kinds of sea-serpents , as well known as unknown , ( whereof some are like the lamprey , some like the myrus , and many other like the serpents of the earth , except in their head , as aristotle writeth , for that is more like the head of a conger then a serpent ) it peculiarly hath one kinde , in colour and form not unlike an eel , in length about three cubits , in the gills and sinnes resembling a conger , but it hath a longer snout or beak , which is also fortified inwardly with very many small sharp teeth , the eyes not so great , a smooth or pield skin , and hanging over at the back , having no scales , so as it may easily be fleyed . the belly of it is betwixt red and white , and all the body over is set with spires , so as being alive it is not handled without danger . and this is by pliny called the dragon of the sea , which cometh out of the sea into the sands , and therein with an admirable celerity and dexterity maketh his lodging place . for the snout thereof is sharper then the serpents of the earth , therefore therewith it diggeth and hideth it self in the hole or hollow place which it hath made . this is also called by pliny ophidion , but i think it better to follow aristotle , who doth call it ophis thalattios , a sea-serpent , the colour whereof is blacker or dimmer then the conger . there be also vipers of the sea , which are in shew little fishes , about a cubit long , having a little horn in their forehead , the biting or sting whereof is very deadly , and therefore when the fisher-men have taken any one of these , they instantly cut off the head and bury it in the sand , but the body they eat for good meat : yet these serpents are thought to be none other then the fishes called arauci , or spider-fishes , saving that they are said to have a sharp sting in their head , & this a horn , for all water or sea-serpents have harder and less heads then the serpents of the land . in the germane , ocean there is found a serpent about the bignesse of a mans leg , which in the tayl carryeth a sting as hard as any horn , this haunteth only the deepest part of the sea , yet is it sometime taken by the fisher-men , and then they cut off the tail , and eat the residue of the body . yet i will not expresly define whether this may be called a sea-serpent , or a serpentine-fish ; it may be it is the same that is a fork-fish , or ray , which by reason of the tayl thereof , it might give occasion to albertus to call it a serpent of the sea. there be also snakes or hyders in the sea , for although all water-serpents , as well of the fresh , salt , and sweet waters may be called hyders , or snakes , yet there be some peculiar snakes , such are those in the indian sea , where they have broad tayls , and they harm more by biting with the sharpnesse of their teeth , then by any venom that is contained in them ; and therefore in this they somewhat resemble the snakes of the earth . and pliny writeth , that once before persis , upon the coasts of certain islands , there were seen of these sea-hyders very many , of the length of twenty cubits , wherewithall a whole navy or fleet of ships were mightily affrighted . and the like is reported of three other islands , lying betwixt the promontory of carmania and arabia ; and such were those also in the african sea , who are said by aristotle not to be afraid of a gally , but will set upon the men therein , and over-turn it . and he himself saw many bones of great wilde oxen , who had been destroyed by these kinde of sea-snakes or hyders . the greatest river that falleth into the red sea , is called sinthus , the fall whereof afar off , seemeth to the beholders to be like winding snakes , as though they were coming against the passengers , to stay them from entrance into that land ; and there is not only a sight or resemblance of serpents there , but also the very truth of them , for all the sea-men know when they are upon these coasts , by the multitude of serpents that meet them . and so do the serpents called graae about persis . and the coast of barace hath the same noysome premonstration , by occurrence of many odious , black , and very great sea-serpents . but about barygaza they are lesse , and of yellow earthy colour ; their eyes bloody , or fiery red , and their heads like dragons . keranides writeth of a sea-dragon , in this manner , saying : the dragon of the sea is a fish without scales , and when this is grown to a great and large proportion , whereby it doth great harm to other creatures , the winds or clouds take him up suddenly into the air , and there by violent agitation , shake his body to pieces : the parcels whereof so mangled & torn asunder , have been often found in the tops of the mountains . and if this be true ( as it may well be ) i cannot tell whether there be in the world a more noble part of divine providence , and sign of the love of god to his creatures , who armeth the clouds of heaven to take vengeance of their destroyers . the tongue of this sea-dragon ( saith he ) is like a horses tayl , two foot in length ; the which tongue preserved in oyl , and carried about by a man , safeguardeth him from languishing infirmities , and the fat thereof , with the herb dragon annoynted on the head or sick parts , cureth the head-ache , and driveth away the leprosie , and all kinde of scabs in the skin . there be also in the swevian ocean or balthick sea , serpents of thirty or forty foot in length , whose picture is thus described , as it was taken by olaus magnus , and he further writeth , that these do never harm any man untill they be provoked . the same author also expresseth likewise the figure of another serpent , of a hundred and twenty foot long , appearing now and then upon the coasts of norway , very dangerous and hurtfull to the sea-men in calms and still weather , for they lift up themselves above the hatches , and suddenly catch a man in their mouths , and so draw him into the sea out of the ship : and many times they overthrow in the waters a laden vessel of great quantity , with all the wares therein contained . and sometimes also they set up such a spire above the water , that a boat or little bark without sayls may passe through the same . and thus much for the sea-serpents . of the seps or sepedon . although i am not ignorant that there be some which make two kindes of these serpents , because of the two names rehearsed in the title , yet when they have laboured to describe them severally , they can bring nothing or very little wherein their story doth not agree , so as to make twain of them , or to handle them asunder , were but to take occasion to tautologize , or to speak one thing twice . wherefore gesner wisely pondering both parts , and after him carronus , deliver their opinions , that both these names do shew but one serpent , yet according to their manner , they expresse them as if they were two . for all their writings do but minister occasion to the readers to collect the truth out of their labours , wherefore i will follow their opinion , and not their example . sepedon and seps cometh of sepein , because it rotteth the body that it biteth : in colour it neerly resembleth the haemorrhe , yet it usually goeth by spires and half-hoops , for which cause as it goeth , the quantity cannot be well discerned , the pace of it being much swifter then the haemorrhe . the wound that it giveth is smarting , entring deep and bringing putrefaction , for by an inexplicable celerity , the poyson passeth over all the body , the hair rotteth and falleth from all parts , darknesse and dimnesse is in the eyes , and spots upon the body , like as if a man had been burned in the sun. and this serpent is thus described unto us by nicander ; jam quae sepedonis species sit , qualeque corpus accipe : diversa tractum ratione figurat . quin etiam mutilae nulla insunt cornua fronti , et color , hirsuti qualem est spectare tapetis , grande caput , brevior dum currit , cauda videtur : quam tamen obliquo majorem tramite ducit . quod fit ab hoc vulnus , magnos nocuosque dolores excitat , interimens quia fundit & ipse ve 〈…〉 , quo sata marcentes tabes dep●soitur artus , indeque siccata resolutus pelle capillus spargitur , & volitans candentis pappus achantae , praeterea foedum turpi vitiligine corpus , et veluti urenti maculas a sole videre est . which may be englished thus ; sepedons shape now take , and what his form of body is , it doth not go as haemorrhe doth , but traileth diversly . his powled head of haemorrhs horns full happily doth misse , and colours are as manifold as works of tapestry : great is his head , but running seems the tail but small , which winding , it in greater path draws after to and fro , but where it wounds , by pains and torments great it doth appall , killing the wounded , infusing poyson so , whereby consumed are the lean and slender sinews , and dryed skin lets hair fall off apace , like as the windes drive whites from top of thistle cardus , besides the body filth , as with sun parched , looseth grace . thus doth nicander describe the sepedon : now also we will likewise relate that which another poet saith of the seps , that both compared together , may appear but one , therefore thus writeth lucan , upon occasion of one sabellus wounded by this serpent . — miserique in crure sabelli seps stetit exiguus , quem flexo dente tenacem auu●sitque manu , piloque affixit arenis . parva modò serpens , sed qua non ulla cruenvae tantum mortis habet : nam plagae proxima circum fugit rapta cutis , pallentiaque ossa retexit . jamquae sinu laxo nudum est sine corpore vulnus : membra natant sanie , surae fluxere , sine ullo tegmine poples erat : femorum quoque musculus omnis liquitur : & nigra distillant inguina tabe . dissiluit stringens uterum membrana , fluuntque viscera , nec quantum toto de corpore d●bet , effluit in terras saevum , sed membra venenum decoquit : in minimum mors contrahit omnia virus . vincula nervorum , & laterum textura , cavumque pectus , & abstrusum fibris vitalibus omne , quicquid hum● est , aperit pestis : natura profana morte patet : manant humeri , fortesque lacerti : colla caputque fluunt , callido non ocyus austro nix resoluta cadit , nec solem cera sequetur . parva loquor , corpus sanie stillasse perustum : hoc & flamma potest , sed quis rogus abstulit ossa , haec quoque discedunt , putresque secuta medullas nulla manere sinunt rapidi vestigia fati . cyniphias inter pestes tibi palma nocendi est : eriplunt omnes animam , tu sola cadaver . mole brevis seps , peste ingens , nec viscera solum , sed simul ossa vorans tabificus seps . which is to be englished thus ; on wretched sabels leg a little seps hung fast , which with his hand from hold of teeth he pluck : away from wounded place , and on a pile the serpent all agast he staked in sands , to him o woful wretched day , to kill this serpent is but small , yet none more power hath , for after wound falls off the skin , and bones appear full bare , as in an open bosome , the heart whole body gnaweth , then all his members swam in filth : corruption did prepare to make his snaks fall off , uncovered were knee-bones , and every muscle of his thigh resolved , no more did hold , his secrets black to look upon , distilled all consumptions , the rim of belly brake out fierce , which bowels did infold , out fell his guts on earth , and all that corps contain , the raging venom still heating members all , so death contracted all by little poysons main , vnloosing nerves , and making sides on ground to fall : this plague the hollow breast and every vital part abstrused , where the fibres keep the life in ure , did open unto death : the life , the lungs , the heart . o death profane , and enemy unto nature . out flow the shoulders great , and arm-blades strong , both neck and head gush out in matter , all doth run . no snow doth melt so soon the southern blast among , nor wax so fast dissolve by heat of shining sun. these things which now i speak i do account but small , that corps should run with filthy core , may caused be by flame 〈…〉 yet bones are spared in fire , here all away they fall , of them and marrow sweet , fate lets no sign remain . among the cyniph plagues , this still shall bear the bell , the soul they take , this soul and carkasse both , the seps , though short it be , in force it is a hell , devouring bones , the body all undoth . thus you hear that more largely expressed by lucan of the seps , which was more briefly touched by nicander of the sepedon , and all cometh to one end , that both kill by putrefaction . the length of this serpent is about two cubits , being thick toward the head , but thin and slender toward the tail . the head thereof is broad , and the mouth sharp , it is of many colours , so as some have thought that it could change colour like a chamaeleon . the four under teeth are hollow , and in them lyeth the poyson , which are covered over with a little skin . pausanias affirmeth that he himself saw one of them , and that egyptus the son of elatus , a king of arcadia was slain by one of these . they live in rocks , in hollow places of the valleys , and under stones , and they fear no winter , acording to this verse of pictorius . hic hyemis calidus frigora nulla timet . which may be englished thus ; of winters cold it hath no fear , for warm it is throughout the year . first of all after the wound appeareth some bloud , but that symptom lasteth not long , for by and by followeth matter smelling very strong , swelling tumor , and languishing pain , and all the parts of the body affected herewith become white , and when the hair falleth off , the patient seldom liveth above three or four days after . the cure hereof is by the same means that the poyson of the viper , the ammodyte and horned-serpent is cured withal . and particularly aetius prescribeth a spunge wet in warm vinegar to be applyed to the wound , or else to lay the ashes of chaffe with the earth upon which they are burned , to the place , and to anoint it with butter and honey , or else lay unto it millet and honey , likewise bay-sprigs , oxymel , purslain , and in their dyet salt fish . aristotle writeth of a little serpent , which by some are called a sacred and holy serpent , and he saith that all other serpents do avoid it , and flie from it , because what soever is bitten by it , presently rotteth . it is in length ( as he saith ) a cubit , and it is rough all over , and therefore i take this serpent to be a kinde of sepedon . also aristoxenus saith , that he knew a man by touching this serpent to die , and afterward that the garment which he wore at the time of the touching of the serpent , did likewise rot away . and thus much for the seps and sepedon . of the slow-worm . this serpent was called in ancient time among the grecians tythlops and typhlynes , and cophia , because of the dimnesse of the sight thereof , and the deafnesse of the ears and hearing , and vulgarly at this day it is called in greece , tephloti , tefliti , and tephlini , and from hence the latines have taken their word , caecilia , que : caecus serpens , a blinde serpent , and it is also called cerula , caecula , and coriella , as witnesseth albertus , because the eyes thereof are none at all , or very small . the italians call it bisaorbala ; and the florentines , lucignola ; the germans , blyndensclycher ; the helvetians , envieux , al' annoilx , and the people of narbon , nadels . it being most evident that it receiveth name from the blindenesse and deafnesse thereof , for i have often proved , that it neither heareth nor seeth here in england , or at the most it seeth no better then a mole . the teeth are fastned in the mouth , like the teeth of a chamaeleon , the skin is very thick , and therefore when the skin is broken by a hard blow , the whole body doth also break and park asunder . the colour is a pale blew , or sky-colour , with some blackish spots , intermixed at the sides . there is some question whether it hath one or two rims on the belly , for seeing they conceive their young ones in their womb , they have such a belly by nature , as may be distended and stretched out accordingly as the young ones grow in their womb . it hath a smooth skin without all scales . the neather eye-lid covereth all the eye it hath , which is very small : about the head they are more light coloured , then about the other parts of the body : the tongue is cloven , and the top thereof very black . they are in length about a span , and as thick as a mans finger , except toward the tail which is more slender , and the female is more black then the male . the passage or place of excrements or conception is transverse . if they be killed with the young in their belly , the little ones will instantly creep out at their dams mouth , and sometimes ( as witnesseth bellonius ) in this little serpent are found forty little young ones . they are in greece and england , and come not abroad till july , and they go into the earth in august , and so abide abroad all harvest , and they love to hide themselves in corn-fields under the ripe corn when it is cut down . it is harmlesse except being provoked , yet many times when an ox or a cow lyeth down in the pasture , if it chance to lie upon one of these slow-worms , it biteth the beast , and if remedy be not had , there followeth mortality or death , for the poyson thereof is very strong . if it swell , it is good to prick the place with a brazen bodkin , and then apply unto it fullers-earth and vinegar . there is a triacle made of the slow-worm , which smelleth like aqua-vitae ; with this some men are cured of the plague . and thus much of this little serpent . of the snake . there is no reasonable learned man that maketh question , that anguis in latine is a general word for all kinde of snakes and serpents , and therefore when virgil writeth of the fury alecto , how she cast a snake into the bosome of amata , he first of all calleth it anguis , a snake , and presently after coluber & vipera , a serpent , as appeareth by these verses following . aeneid . . huic dea coeruleis unum de crinibus anguem conjicit , inque sinum praecordia adintima subdit : vipeream inspirans animam , fit tortile collo aurum ingens coluber . — which may be englished thus ; to her the goddesse a snake made of the gorgons hair , which to the bottom of her breast and entrails made to slide , inspiring to her a vipers soul though she were fair , for chain of gold an adder bout her neck did glide . and this is the lesse to be admired or doubted , ●eeing the very word anguis seemeth to be derived of angulosus , winding or turning , for every kinde of serpent may be folded or winded up together almost in every fashion . yet sometimes , as the graecians use ophis for one kinde , as haemorrbe or hor for asp , so also is the word anguis used for one kinde , which we call a snake , that is , a little serpent living both in the water and on the earth . howbeit , as we shall shew afterward , when it is in the water it is cailed hydrus and na : rix , and when it is on the land , it is called chersydrus . among the ancient pagans , snakes were accounted the gods of the woods , and this caused persius to write this verse following ; pingite duos angues , pueri , sacer est locus . that is , oye children , draw the figure of two snakes , for this place , ( meaning the grove of wood ) is a holy place , and sacred to the gods. and in like sort , the snake in ancient time was sacred to aesculapius , because it was thought to be without venom , and to contain in it many excellent medicines or remedies against other evills , and also a kinde of divine power or help to drive away calamities , whereof i remember that i have read this story in valerius maximus . rome ( saith he ) our city was for three years together continually vexed with pestilence , so as neither the mercy of god could be obtained for the release of this evil , nor all wit , power , or industry of man put an end unto it . at last by the care and travail of the priests , it was found in the writing and books of sibyll , that unlesse they could obtain of the epidaurians the holy snake of aesculapius , there should be no end of that pestilence . for which cause there were ambassadours sent to the city of epidaurus , to entreat at the hands of the citizens and priests , that holy beast or snake ( as was prophanely supposed ) and they attained the end of their journey , for the epidaurians did kindely entreat them , and sent the snake of aesculapius , and then ( saith he ) tam promptam epidauriorum indulgentiam numen ipsius dei subsecutum , verba mortalium coelesti absequi● comprobavit : that is , the very grace and power of god seconded that favourable indulgence of the epidaurians , and with an heavenly obsequiousnesse allowed and performed the words and writings of mortal creatures , ( meaning the sibyls writings aforesaid ) for that snake ( which the epidaurians never see but they worship , with as great reverence as they would aesculapius himself ; for it never appeareth but for their exceeding great good and commodity ) began to slide about the broadest streets and noblest part of the city , gently looking upon every body , and licking the earth , and so continued three days , to the religious admiration of all the beholders , bearing an undoubted aspect and alacrity , for the obtaining and aspiring a more beautiful habitation : so at last it came to the isle neer rome , called triremis , whereinto in the sight of all the mariners it did ascend and enter , and lodged it self round in that place , where standeth the house of quintus ogulimus : which story is thus most excellently followed by ovid in his metamorphos . the folk of rome came hither all by heaps , both men and wives , and eke the nuns that keep the fire of v esta as their lives to meet the god , and welcome him with joyful noise : and as the galley rowed up the stream , great store of incense was on altars burnt on both the banks , so that on either side , the fuming of the frankincense , the very air did hide , and also slain in sacrifice full many catteldyed . anon ●e came to ro●ie , the head of all the world : and there the serpent lifting up himself began his head to bear right up along the mast , upon the top whereof on hie , he looked round a●out a meet abiding place to spie : the tyber doth divide it self in twain , and doth embrace a little isle triremis , for so the people tearm the place , from either side whereof , the banks are distant equal space : apollo's snake descending from the mast , conveyed him thither , and taking off his heavenly shape , as one repairing hither , to bring our city healthfulnesse , did end our sorrows quite . thus saith ovid : but the truth is , that the poet did but faign this thing for the excitation and stirring up of the mindes of men to religion and religious worship of the heathen gods ; and therefore this snake of epidaurus was but a fiction , and therefore in the beginning of the history he maketh it to be aesculapius in the likenesse of a snake , for in a vision he sheweth how that aesculapius appeared to the roman ambassador , and told him that he would appear in that form , saying ; pone metus , veniam , simulachraque nostra relinquam , hunc modo serpentem , baculumque neribus ambit , perspice & usque nota , visum ut cognoscere possis ; vertar in hunc , sed major ero , tantusque videbor , in quantum verti coelestid corpora possunt . which may be englished thus ; fear not , for i will come and leave my shrine . this serpent which doth wreath with knots about this staffe of mine , mark well and take good heed thereof , for into it tranformed will i be , but big too i will be , for i will seem of such a size , as wherein may celestial bodies turn suffice . but all poets are so addicted to faigning , that i my self may also seem while i imitate them , to set down fables for truth : and if ever there were such a snake as this , it was diabolical , and therefore in nature nothing to be concluded from it , and in that place of rome called biremis and triremis , was aesculapius worshipped . and at this day in the gardens called s. bartholomews-gardens , there is a marbleship , on the side whereof is the figure of a creeping snake , for the memory of this fact , as writeth gyraldus . but in the emblems and documents of the ancient heathen , it is certain that aesculapius , and the snake and the dragon , did signifie health , and from hence it came to have the name of the holysnake , and also to be accounted full of medicine . the true occasion in nature , was for that about the countries of bortonia and padua , they have a snake which they call bisse , and bisse-angua sanca , and about padua , autza , which they say is harmlesse . and as well children as men , do often take up the same into their hands , with no more fear and dread then they would do a coney , or any other tame and meek creature . by the relation of pellinus , it is in length five spans and five fingers , the head also compared with the body , is long , and in the neck thereof are two blanches , and betwixt them a hollow place , the back part whereof is attenuated into a thin and sharp tail , and upon either chap they have many teeth , which are sharp , and without poyson ; for when they bite , they do no more harm then fetch bloud only , and these men for oftentation fake wear about their necks ; and women are much terrified by them in the hands of wanton young boys . the back of this snake , ( as writeth erastus ) is blackish , and the other parts green , like unto leeks , yet mixed with some whitenesse , for by reason it seedeth upon herb , it beareth that colour . they are also carryed in mens bosoms , and with them they will make knots . for the same erastus affirmeth , that he saw a fryer knit one of them up together like a garter , but when he pulled it harder then the snake could bear , it turned the head about and bit him by the hand , so as the bloud followed , yet there came no more harm , for it was cured without any medicine , and therefore is not venomous . in the mountain of maur 〈…〉 ia called ziz , the snakes are so familiar with men , that they wait upon them at dinner time like cats and little dogs , and they never offer any harm to any living thing , except they be first of all provoked . among the bygerons inhabiting the pyrenes , there be snakes four foot long , and as thick as a mans arm , whith likewise live continually in the houses , and not only come peaceably to their table , but also sleep in their beds without any harm , in the night-time they hisse , but seldom in the day time , and pick up the crums which fall from their tables . among the northern people they have household snakes , as it were houshold gods , and they suffer them both to eat and to play with their infants , lodging them in the cradles with them , as if they were faithful keepers about them , and if they harm any body at any time , they account it pium piaculum , a very divine and happy mischance . but after they had received the christian faith , they put away all these superstitions , and did no more foster the serpents brood , in detestation of the devil , who beguiled our first parents in the similitude of a serpent . yet if it happen at any time that a house be burned , all the snakes hide themselves in their holes in the earth , and there in short space they so encrease , that when the people come to re-edifie , they can very hardly displant their number . plautus in his amphitryo , maketh mention of two named snakes , which descended from the clowds in a shower ; but this opinion grew from the fiction of the epidaurian snake , which only by the poets is described with a mane and a combe , and therefore i will not expresse the snakes to have a mane . there is no cause why we should think all snakes to be without poyson , for the poet hath not warned us in vain , where he saith ; frigidus , ô pueri fugite hinc , latet anguis sub herba : which may be englished thus ; fly hence you boys as far as feet can bear , vnder this herb a snake full cold doth lear . for this cause we will leave the discourse of the harmlesse snake , and come to those which are no way inferior to any other serpent , their quantity and spirit being considered , wherefore we are to consider , that of snakes which are venomous and hurtful , there are two kindes , one called the water-snake , the other the land-snake . the water-snake is called in greek , hydra , hydros , hydrales , karouros , and enhydris , in latine , natrix , and lutrix . munster calleth it in hebrew , zepha , and avicen relateth certain barbarous names of it , as handrius , andrius , and abides , and kedasuderus , echydrus , and aspistichon . the germans call it nater , wasser-nater , and wasser-schlange : and they describe it in the manner as it is found in their countrey , which doth not very far differ from them of our countrey here in england . it is ( as they say ) in thicknesse like the arm of a man or childe , the belly thereof yellow , and of a golden colour , and the back blackish-green , and the very breath of it is so venomous , that if a man hold to it a rod newly cut off from the tree , it will so infect it , that upon it shall appear certain little bags of gall or poyson . and the like effect it worketh upon a bright naked sword , if it do but touch it with the tongue ; for the poyson runneth from one end to the other , as if it were quick , and leaveth behinde a line or scorched path , as if it had been burned in the fire . and if this serpent fortune to bite a man in the foot , then is the poyson presently dispersed all over the body , for it hath a fiery quality , and therefore it continually ascendeth , but when once it cometh to the heart , the man falleth down & dyeth . and therefore the meetest cure is to hang the party so wounded up by the heels , or else speedily to cut off the member that is bitten . and that which is here said of the water-snake , doth also as properly belong the land-snake , seeing there is no difference betwixt these , but that at certain times of the year they forsake the water when it draweth or falleth low , and so betake themselves to the land . they live in the water and in the earth , ( but they lay their egges on the land in hedges or in dung-hils ) and especially in those waters which are most corrupt , as in pools where there is store of frogs , leaches , and newts , and but few fishes , as in the lakes about puteoli , and naples , and in england all over the fens , as ramsey , holland , ely , and other such like places , and when they swim they bear their breast above the water . they abound also in corcyra , and about taracina in italy , and in the lake nyclea , and especially in galabria , as the poet writeth : est etiam ille malus calabris in saltibus anguis , squanimea convolvens sublato pectore terga , atque notis longam maculosus grandibus alvum , qui dum amnes ulli rumpuntur fontibus , & dum vere madent udo terrae ac pluvialibus austris , stagna colit , ripisque habitans hicpiscibus atram improbus ingluviem , ranisque loquacibus explet . postquam exhausta palus terraeque ardore debiscu● , exilit in siccum & flammantia lumina torquens saevit agris , asperque siti , atque exterritus 〈◊〉 which may be thus englished ; that evil snake in the calabrian coasts abides , rowling his scaly back by holding up the breast , and with great spots upon large belly glides , when as the rivers streams in fountains all are ceast . for whiles the moistened spring with rain from south wind falls , it haunts the pools , and in the water all black it feeds , in ravening wise both fish and frogs do fill his gall , for why , when summers drought enforce , then must it needs fly to dry land , rowling his flaming eye ; rage in the fields to quench his thirst full dry . there be some writers that affirm , that there is a certain stone in a water-snakes head , which it easteth or vomiteth up when the skin thereof is fleyed from the body , and after it is so cast up , it must be received into a piece of silk , the vertue whereof is to be proved after this manner ; fill a brasse caldron or kettle full of water , and about the same vessel so filled , binde this stone fast , as it were to the handle or bayl thereof , and you shall finde that every day this stone so remaineth bound to the kettle , that the water will decrease eighteen ounces . and this kiranides affirmeth that he bound to a woman that had the dropsie , and she was thereby delivered from her disease ; for every day he found that her belly did fall the quantity of four fingers , until it came to the natural bignesse , and then he took it off , for he saith , that if he had not then taken it off , it would also have dryed up the native humidity . in like sort , the vertue of this stone is applyed against the rheume in the legs , or any flux of the eyes , ears or head , but the use of it must not exceed the quantity of three hours at a time . it also driveth out of the body all venomous worms , and is a special remedy against their biting and stinging . this stone is also called serpentinus and draconites , but it is questionable whether it be generated in the head of the snake , or by their vaporous breath , concurring together in the spring or winter season . some of these stones are said to be of a blewish green colour , and the form thereof pyramidal : albertus saith , he hath seen one of them that was black , and not lightsome , only about the edges of it there was some palenesse apparent , and in the superficies or upper part thereof , there was ( as he writeth ) a beautiful picture of a snakes proportion , and the vertue thereof did put to flight venomous beasts , and also cure their harmful poysons . such like things we have already shewed to be in the stone which the toad is said to have , but this stone is more likely to be the ophites , for in the castle of tangra , once the seat or habitation of charles the fourth , there is a chappel wherein are many precious stones , wrought in the walls and doors , and among divers other these ophites . but whereas there is a pyramidal form attributed to these stones , i take it therefore that it is the same which pliny calleth glossapetra , for in shew it resembleth the tongue of a snake , and the tongue of a snake being great or broad at the root , and smaller toward the end or tip thereof , is rightly said to be of a pyramidal form : and among the germans it is called by a peculiar word , naterzungeu , that is , snakes-tongue . and such a kinde of stone as this snakes-tongue , ( as agricola and some other authors write ) is found in a certain earth neer linuburgh in saxony . and conradus gesner affirmeth , that there is a certain town in germany called aenipo● , where there is one of these stones half a cubit long , and therefore it seemeth that they are not all generated in serpents or snakes heads . among the french-men this stone is called sugne , because there be serpents seen in it twyning their tails together , or folding them one within another . there was wont to be a superstitious way to extract or expresse this stone from out of the snake , which was done in this manner ; first , when they had taken the snake alive , they did presently hang her up by the tail , then just underneath her they did make a suffumigation of laurel , and so did conjure the snake , saying ; per dominum qui te creavit , lapidem tuum quem in capite tenes te instanter ejicere jubeo : this kinde of enchanting charm , i hold not worthy to be translated , and yet let me not be blamed for the relation of it , seeing it is pertinent to this story to know all the good and evill about these serpents . and therefore , not to expresse the same at all , might argue in me , either ignorance , or silly precisenesse : and again on the other side , to make it vulgar , might bring me into suspicion of some approbation : therefore let the reader know it from me , but understand it from some other . and for mine own opinion , i account no better of these snake-stones then i do of the toad-stones , concerning which i have already given my opinion in another place . and therefore what here is related of this stone , let it be examined , and then be either received or refused . many , and almost infinite are the epithets which are given to snakes , whereby their nature is expressed , as aliger anguis , the winged snake , black , fierce , blew , greedy , wilde , cold , gorgonean , wreathen , sliding , deadly , lightsome , spotted , martial , threatning , purple , wholesome , scaly , terrible , winding , grim , swelling , fearful , venomous , green , infolded or implicit , horrible , hissing , marsian , maurian , pestilent , retorted , and such other like , as it hath pleased the several authors writing hereof to ascribe and attribute unto it . which we will not prosecute with any explication , but only leave them to the readers pleasure , being only content to nominate them . there is great account or reckoning made of their egges , which they lay in the summer time , for first of all they are so glewed and conjoyned together , partly with the speetle and moistnesse which proceedeth from their mouths , and partly with the spume and froath of their own body , that a man seeing their beaps , would judge them to be coupled together by some artificial devise . these egges thus knotted together in bunches , the latinos call 〈◊〉 . the dr●ides or ancient wisards of england and scotland , have delivered , that if the snake hisse , these will of their own accord fly up into the air , and then if some wise man take them by prevention , before they touch the ground again , the snakes will follow him as fast as any horse , until he come to some river , into the which they dare not enter . and the folly of these also proceeded so far , that they were not ashamed to report , that if one of these anguines or bunches of egges , were tyed to a piece of gold , it would swim in a river against the stream . these they commended unto princes and great m●n to carry about with them in the time of wars and other contentions , and that therefore when a roman knight of volentii , was found by claudius to carry one of these about him , he was by the emperors commandment put to death . but to leave vanities , we will prosecute the true and natural description of their egges in this manner ; they are round and soft , in colour white , cleaving ( as we have already said ) together in great bunches forty , or fifty , or a hundred in a cluster , without , they are covered with a skin or crust , much harder and whiter then the substance contained within it , which is like matter , or the rotten egges of a hen or duck , in quantity as big as bullies , plums , and seldom bigger , being most commonly very round and orbicular . yet gesner reporteth , that he had one sent him of the proportion of lentil , and as great as the fist of a man , and within every egge appear certain small things , like the tails of serpents , or leaches , being in number ten , five greater and five smaller , one folded or lapped within another . and these have also little pustules upon the skin or crusts , whereof one doth not touch the other . out of these egges come the young ones , but i cannot affirm what great affection the old ones bear unto them , or that when many snakes lay their egges together every one in that multitude hath skill to discern her own egges from the other . for i have been with other my colleagues or school-fellows when i was young , at the destruction of many thousands of them , and never perceived that the old snake did with any extraordinary affection fight for their egges , but rather forsook them , and suffered us to do with them what we pleased : which sometimes we brake , sometimes scattered abroad upon the dunghill out of which we digged them , and sometimes we cast them into the next river we came at , but never saw any of them recollected again to their former place by the snakes , although the place were very full of them , and therefore i conclude for mine own experience , that snakes cannot be perceived to bear any exceeding love in nature to their egges or young ones . their ordinary food for the most part , is earth , frogs , worms , toads , and especially paddocks , or crook-backed frogs , newts , and small fishes . the foxes and snakes which are about the river nilus are at continual variance , and besides , the harts are by nature common enemies to all serpents . they are not in venom inferiour to other serpents , for they infect the waters neer to houses , and are many times the causes of diseases and death , whereof the physitians cannot discern . when they bite or sting , there followeth extream pain , inflamation , greennesse or blacknesse of the wound , dizzinesse in the head , and death within three days . whereof dyed phyloctetes , general of the fleet of greece , in lemnos , daedalus and menalippus . the cure of this evil must be by origan stamped and laid to the sore with lie and oyl , or ashes of the root of an oak with pitch , or barley-meal mixed with honey and water , and sod at the fire . and in drink take wilde nosewort , daffadil flowers , and fennel-seed in wine . and it is also said , that a man carrying about him the liver of a snake , shall never be bitten by any of that kinde . and this liver is also prescribed against the stone in the bladder , being drunk in strong drink . and thus much for this serpent . of spiders and their several sorts . and first of those that are commonly called phalangies . this kinde of venomous creature , of the latines is called araneus , or aranea , and of cicero in his books de natura deorum , araneola , and araneolus . of the grecians , arachnes or arachne . hesichius termeth it stibe ; the hebrews name it acobitha , acbar , acabith , and semamith ; the arabians , sibth , and phihib ; in the german tongue spin , and banker ; in english , attercop , spider , and spinner ; of the brabanders , spinne ; in france , araigne ; in italy , ragno , and ragna ; in spain ; arana or taranna ; of the illyrians it is called spawanck ; of the polonians , pajak , and pajeczino ; of the hungarians , pox ; of the barbarians , koatan , and kersenat . isidore in his twelfth book saith , that the spider is termed araneus ; because she is both bred and fed in the air : but herein he hath fallen into a double error . for if they lived only in the air , and by the air , as he would seem to enforce , i marvel to what end and purpose they should so bustly make and pitch their nets for the ensnaring of flies ? and if they receive their first being and breeding in the air , i cannot see to what purpose they do either lay egges , or exclude small little worms after their coupling together . but we will easily pardon this presumptuous etymologist , and diver deep into interpretations , with others also of the same humor , whose ordinary custom thus to to dally and play with words , is with them esteemed as good as statute-law , for the most part . there are many sorts of spiders , and all of them have three joynts a piece in their legs . estque caput minimum toto quoque corpore parvum est , in latere exiles digiti pro crutibus haerent , latera venter habet , de quo tamen illa remittet stamina . — which may be englished thus ; little is their head , likewise the body small , all over is , and fingers thin upon the sides , in stead of legs , out of the bellies flanck do fall : yet out of which she makes her web to glide . all spiders are venomous , but yet some more , and some lesse . of spiders that neither do nor can do much harm , some of them are tame , familiar , and domestical , and these be commonly the greatest among the whole pack of them . others again be meer wilde , living without the house abroad in the open air , which by reason of their ravenous gut , and greedy devouring maw , have purchased to themselves the names of wolfs , and hunting spiders . the least sort of these weave no webs at all , but the greater beginneth to make a small and harsh web about hedges nigh unto the earth , spreading and setting the same abroad in the very entry , and in void places neer their lurking holes , their deceitful nets , observing very diligently the stirring of their deceitful webs , and perceiving them moving , though never so lightly , she maketh no stay , but with all speed possible hastneth her self to the place , and whatsoever she there findeth , she seizeth upon as her lawful prize . the most dangerous and hurtful spiders are called phalangia , if they bite any one , ( for they never strike ) their poyson is by experience found to be so perillous , as that there will a notable great swelling immediately follow thereupon . these kindes of venomous spiders , are of two sundry sorts , for some of them are lesser , and some greater . the lesser sort are very unlike one to another , and of changeable colours , violent , libidinous , hot , stirring , sharp-topped , holding on their pace and way , as it were in jumping manner or leaping-wise : and these i finde to be called by aristotle in his . book de animal . psullas , or pulices , and pitheci or simii . of some they are called oribates , because they are usually found among trees that grow upon mountains . they are also called hypodromi , because they live under the leaves . the phalangium or phalanx spider , is unknown in italy ( as pliny saith ) and there are found many sorts of them . one sort of them is very like unto a great pismire , but much bigger , having also a red head , but all other parts are black , speckled , and garnished with many white spots running all alongst their bodies . this formicarian or pismire-like phalanx , of aetius is described to have a body much resembling soot in colour , his neck ash-coloured , and his back glistering , as it were with many stars on it . nicander calleth it agrostes , and aetius , lucos . the latines tearm it venator , that is , the hunter . this stingeth but weakly , without any pain at all , but yet it is somewhat venomous , though not very much . this kinde of phalanx is often found among spiders webs , where ( after the fashion of some hunters ) they beguile and intrap flies , gnats , and bees , gad-flies and wasps . and ( if lonicerus write no more then may be warranted for truth , ) those great horse-flies or ox-flies and brimsees , that in summer season vex cattle , and whatsoever they lay their clowtches on , that they hold fast and destroy ; and thus live they by taking of booties and preys . there is no man ( i think ) so ill advised , that will confesse this to be the same creature which aristotle calleth pulex , for the body of that by his description is broad , rowling , round , and the parts about the neck have certain lines or cuts : and besides , about the mouth there appear and seem to bud forth three eminencies or standings out . there is another sort of phalangium , called by nicander , rox , of aetius , ragion , of aelianus , rhax , ( because it is so like the kernel or stone that is found in grapes , ) and this kinde of spider is of a round figure , black in colour , the body glistering , and round as a ball , with very short stumped feet , yet neverthelesse of a very swift pace . they have teeth , and their mouth is nigh their belly , and when they stir , they gather up their feet very round . in the description of this spider , aetius , aelianus and pliny do wholly consent and agree in opinion , and yet aelianus was a little besides the way , when he set down pod●s macrous , for microus , long feet for short feet ; and that this kinde of spider was only found in lybia , and not elsewhere . that kinde of spider termed of pliny , asterion , seemeth to be all one with the former , saving that this is more known by his little white spots made star-wise , and the glistering stripes or rays wherewith his body seemeth to be over-sprinckled . pliny only mentioneth this , as if aristotle , aetius , galen and avicen , had never heard of it . the most venomous and hurtful of all these , is that which nicander calleth pedcoros , of colour azure , or bright blew , which hath long , high , and lofty feet on both sides of the body . the scholiast addeth dasu and meteoron , that is , lanuginosum and sublime , soft like cotten or wooll , and lofty or high , and not sublime lanuginosum , as lonicerus translateth it . pliny saith , that this spider hath a black mossinesse or soft down , although it will scarse sink into my head , that any spider that is of an azure or blew colour , hath any soft hairs , or woolly substance of a black colour . there is another kinde of phalangium spider called of nicander , dysderi , which name is neither to be found in aristotle , pliny , nor aetius , nor yet in any other ancient author that ever i could read , which some others call , and that very properly , sphekion , quasi vesparium , because it is so like a red wasp , saving that it lacketh wings , and this wasp-like spider is of a passing deep red colour , and counted far worser then the blew spider , although the azure or blew spider only by touching doth infect with poyson , and will break any crystal glasse , if it run over it though never so speedily , or do but touch it in glancing wise , as scaliger beareth witnesse . there are two sorts of phalangie spiders called tetragnatha , and the worser is that which hath half of his head divided with one white line , and another white line running crosse-wise . there is another of these not so hurtful as the former , and this is of an ash-colour , and very white in the hinder-parts . there is also a spider coloured as this is , that maketh her web by walls sides for the taking of flies , which as some affirm , hath little or no venom in it at all . aetius saith , that the tetragnathus is a kinde of phalangium , having a broad and whitish body , rough footed , with two swelling or little bunches standing out in the head , the one somewhat broad , the other standing right forth , so that at the first , one would imagine that it had two mouths , and four jaws . aelianus in his xvij . book , chap. . saith , that there is great store of these to be found in india about the river arrhata , where their multitude is so dangerous and mischievous , as that they bring death and destruction to the citizens and people bordering nigh those places . and strabo the geographer , in his xvj . book telleth us , that beyond the lybians and on the western side of africk , there is a countrey left destitute of inhabitants , having goodly large fields and pastures , being unhabitable by reason of the multitude of scorpions there bred , and of the spiders called tetragnathoi . there is to be found in harvest-time amongst pease , beans , and other sorts of pulse , ( when they are gathered and reaped by the hand ) certain small spiders called kantharidessi eikela , in shew like unto cantharides or spanish-flies , of a very red and fiery colour , such as we englishmen call twinges , by eating or licking up of which , both oxen and other beasts do many times die . there is another kinde of phalangium that breedeth altogether in the pulse , called ervum , which is like unto tares , and likewise in the peach tree , which nicander and aetius tearm cranocalaptes , and dioscorides nameth it kephalokroustes , because it is so presumptuous bold as to strike at the hands of travellers by the high-ways , when as either it passeth down in gliding manner by her fine thread , or that she tumbleth down without any stay of thread or other support . it is a small creature to see to , keeping on the pace very fearfully , nodding with the head , reeling , and as it were staggering , being great and heavy in the belly , somewhat long of body , and of a greenish colour . it carryeth a sting in the top of her neck , and striking at any , she commonly aimeth at those parts which are about the head . and as actius saith , en tois phullois tes per seias trepheteis , kai ta ptera echei homoia tais en tais kustais psuchais : that is , they are nourished in peach tree-leaves , and they have wings like unto butter-flies that are found amongst barley . whereupon the scholiast seemeth to insinuate to us , that this kinde of spider is winged , which no man ( as i judge ) hath hitherto observed . ponzettus and ardoynus do take the cranocalaptes to be a tarantula , but herein they are both mistaken , as was rabbi moses before them . the spider called sclerocephalus , in form differeth but little from the former . it hath a head as hard as a stone , and the lineaments and proportion of the body do much resemble those small creatures which are seen about lamps lights , or candles in the night time . there cometh in the last place to be described , the phalangie spider of apulia , commonly known by the name of tarantula , taking his denomination from the countrey of tarentum , where there are found great store and plenty of them . ferdinandus ponzettus imagineth , that it hath but only six feet , and ardoynus is of the same judgement , and further faigneth , that it hath a stretched out tail . rasis calleth a torantula , by the name of sypta , albucasis , alsari , rabbi moses , aggonsarpa , avicen , sebigi , doctor gilbert , taranta , therein following ardoynus , which maketh two sorts of tarantulaes , the one of a brown , the other of a yellow colour and cleer shining , such as are to be found in egypt . pliny ( as you read a little before ) said that the phalangium was not known in italy , but in these days they are found throughout all the southern parts of that countrey , especially nigh the sea-shore , as both harvest-men and hunters can well testifie by their own wofull experience . ponzettus was much deceived , when in his third book and xv . chapter entreating of the scorpion , he expresly affirmeth the phalanx to be such a venomous flye . it is a vengible and cruel creature ( as alexander ab alexandro saith ) and to be touched , horrible , venomous and pestilent : and most especially their biting is exceeding venomous in the parching heat of the summer , but at other seasons of the year not so great . there be many sorts of spiders found in very cold countries , but no phalangies at all ; or if there be any , yet have they very little poyson in them , and nothing comparable to them of hotter climates . all the sorts of phalangies do lay their egges in a net or web , ( which for the purpose they make very strong and thick , ) and sit upon them in very great number , and when their brood is increased to some growth , they kill their dam by their hard embracements , and fling her clean away ; and further , casting off al fatherly affection , they many times serve the male with the same sauce , if they can come handsomely by him , for he is a helper to the female in sitting over their egges . they hatch at one time three hundred , as hath been seen by the testimony of bellonius , in his book singul. observat . chap. . the tatantulaes lie commonly lurking in holes , chinks , and chaps of the earth , and with their teeth they bite and wound at unawares , incircumspect . mowers , and harvest-folks , and rash huntsmen , who think of no such matter : and therefore they that are acquainted with their sleights , do wear boots and gloves on their hands and legs , for their further defence , so often as they go forth either to hawking , hunting , or to reaping and mowing , or any such like labour in the common fields . all these spiders are venomous even naturally , for that is so setled and deeply fastened in them , as it can by no means be eradicated or taken away . neither suck they this venom and poysonous quality from plants or herbs , as many men think , which in very truth they never so much as tast of , neither do they purchase this venomous complexion and nature from any naughty , hurtful , and malignant quality that is in their meat , by reason their chief food and sustenance is flyes , gnats , and bees ; and without question they can suck and draw no such cacochymical juyce from their bodies . if the formicarian ( which i call the pismire-like ) phalangie do bite any man , there will presently follow most fearful accidents : for it bringeth an exceeding great tumor upon the wounded place , the knees are loose and seeble , trembling of the heart , and decay of strength do succeed , and sometimes it induceth death it self . nicander saith , that they who are bitten of this kinde of spider , do fall into such a profound sleep , as that they will never be awaked , for they have and suffer that which histories report of cleopatra queen of egypt , who to escape the fingers of augustus , because she would not be brought to rome in triumph , caused two serpents called asps , to be set to her breasts , which did sting her to death , whose nature is to give a heavinesse and sleep , without any shrinking or mark in the skin , only putting forth a gentle sweat out of the face , as if one were in a trance and hard to be awaked . the spider called agrostis , maketh but a small wound with her biting , and in a manner without any pain at all , and no ways deadly , unlesse it be but slightly regarded , or that no care be had for the cure in the beginning . the phalangie that is called dusderus , which is fashioned like a wasp , if he hurt any one by his biting , it causeth the same accidents that the azure or blewish-coloured spider doth , but yet not altogether so terrible and vehement . and besides , the dusder-spider with her poyson , bringeth a wasting and pining away of the whole body by degrees , without any great sense . if a man be poysoned with that kinde of spider which is found among pulse , and is ( as i said before ) like unto spanish flies , there will presently arise certain pustules , risings or swellings , much like unto blisters , as if one were scalded with hot water , in which swellings there will commonly be much yellowish matter ; besides , the patient is much disquieted , vexed , and too much out of order ; the eyes seem to be writhed , deformed , looking asquint on the one side , the tongue faltereth and stammereth , not being able to sound their words , or to pronounce directly : their talk is idle , they wander and rove up and down in great perplexity ; their heart being tormented , tossed and turmoiled with an extraordinary kind of furious passion . the spider that is found in the pulse , called ervum , which is very like to tares or vetches , produceth by his venom the same evil effects that the former doth ; and if horses or other beasts do by chance devour any of them , their bodies are so inflamed by means of their unquenchable thirstinesse the poyson causeth , that many times they burst asunder in the midst . if the cranocalaptes wound any man ( as pliny assureth us ) it is not long before death it self do succeed . and yet nicander and aetius hold the contrary , and would make us believe that his hurt is soon remedyed , without any great ado : yet herein they do consent , that if any be hurt with any spider of this kinde , there will follow a great pain of the head , coldnesse , swimming and giddinesse of the brain , much disquietnesse of the whole body , and pricking pains of the stomach . but notwithstanding all this ( saith nicander , ) the patient is soon remedied , and all these above rehearsed passions quickly appeased and brought to an end . the sclerocephalus , as it much resembleth the cranocalaptes spider in form and proportion , so in his force , effect and violence they are much alike , causing the same symptomes , accidents and passions as the former . the wound that the spider called ragion inflicteth , is very small , so that a man can hardly discern it with his eyes ; but yet if one be hurt therewith , the lower part of the eyes , and the eye-lids wax very red . besides , the patient feeleth a shivering cold or chilnesse in his loins , with weaknesse and feeblenesse in the knees , yea the whole body is taken with a great quaking cold , and the sinews by means of the violence and rancknesse of the poyson , suffer a convulsion . the parts serving to generation , are made so impotent and weak , as that they are not able to retain the seed , nor yet to contain their urine , which they void forth much like in colour to a spiders-web , and they feel the like pain as they do which are stung with scorpions . of the the wounding of the star-spider feeblenesse and weaknesse followeth , so that one cannot stand upright , the knees buckle , sleep and shaking drousinesse seizeth upon the hurt parts : and yet the worst of all is the blewish spider , for this bringeth dimnesse of the eye-sight , and vomiting , much like unto spiders and cobwebs in colour , fainting and swounding , weaknesse of the knees , heavy sleeps , and death it self . if a man be wounded of the tetragnathian spider , the place waxeth whitish , with an intolerable , vehement , and continual pain in it , and the member it self withereth and pineth away even to the very joints . finally , the whole body by receiving any wholesome sustenance , is nothing at all relieved thereby , yea and after a man hath recovered his health , yet is he neverthelesse disquieted by much watching for a long time after , ( as actius writeth . ) nicander in expresse words confesseth , that the ash-coloured tetragnath , doth not by his biting infuse any venom or like hurt . if the speckled phalangie of apulia , which is usually known by the name of tarantula , do bite any one , there will follow divers and contrary accidents and symptomes , according to the various constitution , different complexion , and disposition of the party wounded . for after they are hurt by the tarantula , you shall see some of them laugh ; others contrariwise to weep , some will clatter out of measure , so that you shall never get them to hold their tongues , and othersome again you shall observe to be as mute as fishes : this man sleepeth continually , and another cannot be brought to any rest at all , but runneth up and down , raging and raving like a mad man. there be some that imagine themselves to be some great lords or kings , and that their authority , empire and signory , extendeth it self far and wide ; and for that cause they will seem to charge others by vertue of their absolute and kingly authority , and as they tender their favours , and will avoid their displeasure , to see this or that businesse dispatched ; and with others again the contrary conceit so much prevaileth , as by a strong imagination they cannot be otherwise disswaded but that they are taken prisoners , that they lie in some deep dungeon or prison , with bolts and shakels about their feet , so many as their legs can bear , or that their neck and feet lie continually in the stocks . you shall see some of them to be cheerful , quick of spirit , and lively , with dancing , swinging and shaking themselves . with others again you shall have nothing but sadnesse , and heavinesse of minde , brown-studies , unaptnesse to do any thing , as if one were astonyed , so that nothing but numnesse , and dulnesse of moving and feeling , seemeth to pinch them , being to see to very senselesse . in conclusion , as drunkennesse to sundry persons is not all one , but much different , according to the diversity of complexions , and natural constitution of the brain : so neither is the madnesse or frenzy sits of these persons all one that be infected with a tarantulaes poyson : but some of them are fearful , silent , ever trembling and quaking : and others again are more fool-hardy , rash , presumptuous clamorous , full of noise , doing nothing else but call and cry out ; and some few seem to be very grave , constant and stedfast , that will not alter their purposes for a world of wealth . but let them be affected either with this or that passion , yet this is common to them all , as well to one as to another , that they are generally delighted with musical instruments , and at their sound or noise will so trip it on the toes dancer-like , applying both their mindes and bodies to dancing and frisking up and down , that during the time of any musical harmony , they will never leave moving their members and limbs , like a jackanapes that cannot stand still . and which is more strange , they will use these motions and gestures when they are ready to depart this life , through the lingering stay and vehement cruelty of the poysons operation : and yet for all this , though they be so neer unto death , yet if they hear any musick , they come again to themselves , newly gathering their spirits and strength , and with a greater alacrity , promptnesse of minde and cheer , they foot it as frolickly as ever they did or could have done . and thus doing and dancing both day and night , without any notorious intermission , and by their continued sweating , the poyson being dispersed into the pores of the skin , and evaporated by insensible transpiration or breathing out , are at length by this means recovered to their former health and state of body . and if the pipers and fidlers cease playing with their musick , though never so little a while , before the matter of the poyson be in some part exhausted , then will they make a recidivation and returning to their former passions and griefs , wirh which they were at first tormented and disquieted . but yet this is the most strange , deserving the greatest admiration of all , that all those persons which are bitten or wounded by any tarantula , they will dance so well , with such good grace and measure , and sing so sweetly , and withall descant it so finely and tunably , as though they had spent all their life time in some dancing and singing-school . neverthelesse , cardan , contrary to all authority and experience , calleth in doubt and question this point , and at last concludeth that they cannot be restored to health again by musick . wherein he doth marvelously repugn and contrary , both foelix , platerus , theodorus , zuingerus , andreas , matthiolus , bellunensis , ponzettus , paracelsus , and many other famous learned men . truly , a bare contradiction against so great authorities , is far unworthy and unbeseeming a man any thing ( though never so little ) seen or exercised in philosophy : much more so great a philosopher and physitian as cardan was . yet sure i am of the opinion , that cardan did not erre in philosophy through ignorance , but having a desire to appear more learned , he did ever bend himself to impugn that , which he knew the soundest and best part of men did hold and maintain . but this little which i have here spoken , shall serve sufficiently for the discussing of cardans opinion . and surely , if the harmonical sound and melody of warlike drums and trumpets , hath cured surious , mad , and enraged horses , and mitigated the pain of their legs and hips , as asclepiades hath written , i see nothing to the contrary , but that it may help those persons that are wounded of any tarantula . the pope with his poll-shorn generation , have mustered divers of the saints together , and have assigned and appointed to each his sundry charge and several office apart , for the cure of sundry diseases . as for example , s. anthony can heal the burning ; s. rooh the pestilence , notwithstanding that s. sebistian hath some skill in it also . saint cosmus and damian are good for all biles and swelling diseases . s. job for the pocks . s. appolin for the tooth-ach . s. petronella can drive away all manner of agues . and s. vitus or vitulus ( we may well call him s. calf ) that in times past excelled in the musical art , doth direct all dancers , or such as will leap or vault : so that if this saint be invocated and pacified with musical harmony and melodious sound of instruments , he will be an excellent apothecary and doctor for the curation of any that are wounded with a tarantula . superstitious people fondly imputing that to the patron and proctor sometimes of musick , which ought rather to be attributed to musick it self , and motion of the body . dioscorides concerning the common bitings of hurtful spiders or phalangies , writeth thus : the accidents ( saith he ) that do accompany the bitings of spiders , are these that follow : the wounded place waxeth red , yet doth it not swell nor grow very hot , but it is somewhat moist . if the body become cold , there will follow trembling and shaking , the groin and hams do much strout out , and are exceeding distended ; there is great provocation to make water , and striving to exonerate nature , they sweat with much difficulty , labour and pain . besides , the hurt persons are all of a cold sweat , and tears distil from their eyes that they grow dim-sighted therewith . aetius further addeth , that they can take no rest or sleep , sometimes they have erection of the yard , and the head itcheth , other whiles the eyes and calfs of the legs grow hollow and lank , the belly is stretched by out means of winde , the whole body is puffed up , but in especial the face , they make a maffeling with their mouth , and stammer , so that they cannot distinctly be understood . sometimes they can hardly void urine , they have great pain in the lower parts , the urine that they make is waterish , and as it were full of spiders webs , the part affected hath a great pricking and swelling , which dioscorides ( as you read a little before ) will by no means yeeld to , and it is a little red . thus far aetius from whom paulus aegineta , actuarius , ardoynus and some others differ but a little . in zacynthus an isle in the ionian-sea , on the west of peloponesus , if any there be hurt of a phalangium , they are otherwise and more grievously tormented then in any other place , for there the body groweth stiffe and benummed ; besides , it is very weak , trembling and exceeding cold . they suffer also vomitting with a spasm or cramp , and inflamation of the virge , besides an intolerable pain in the ears and soals of their feet . the people there do cure themselves by bathes , into which if any sound man after that do enter to wash himself , or be drawn into the same by any guile or deceitsul means , he will forth-with fall into the same griefs and passions , that the other sick patient endured before he received remedy . and the like to this writeth dioscorides , in his chapter of trifolium asphaltites , in these words following . the decoction ( saith he ) of the whole plant being used by way of fomentation , bathing or soking the body , ceaseth all those pains which are caused by the biting or stinging of any venomous serpent : and with the same bathing or fomenting whatsoever ulcerous persons shall use or wash himself withall , he will be affected and have the same accidents , as he that hath been bitten of a serpent . galen in his book de theriaca ad pisonem , ascribeth this to miracle , accounting it a thing exceeding common reason and nature : but i stand in doubt that that book was never galens , but rather fathered upon him by some other man. and yet aelianus writeth more miraculously , when he affirmeth that this hapneth to some healthy persons , and such as be in good plight and state of body , never so much as making any mention of ulcer or sore . thus much of the symptomes , accidents , passions or effects which stick and wait upon those that are hurt by spiders . and now i come the cure . the general cure , according to the opinion of dioscorides , is , that first there must , be scarification made upon the wounded place , and that often , and cupping glasses must be applyed and fastened with much flame to the part affected . absyrtus counsel is to make a fumigation with egge-shels first steeped in water , and then being cast on the coals with harts-horn or galbanum , to perfume the venomed part therewith . after that to use scarifications , to let bloud , or to suck the place ; or to draw out the venom with cupping-glasses : or ( which is the safest course of them all ) to apply an actual cautery , except the place affected be full of sinews . lastly , to provoke sweat well , either in bed , covering the patient well with cloathes , or it is better by long and easie walking to procure sweating . in some to attain to the perfect curation , you must work both with inward and outward means , such as here shall be prescribed and set before your eyes : whereof the most choise and approved i have set down for the benefit of the reader : and first i will begin with dioscorides . inward medicines out of dioscorides . take of the seeds of southern-wood , anise , dill , the wilde cicer , of the fruit of the cedar tree , plantain and trifoly , of each a like quantity ; beat them to powder by themselves , before you do mix them : the dose is two drams to be taken in wine . likewise one dram of the seeds of tamarisk drunk in wine , is very effectual . some use decoction of chamaepitys , and the green nuts of the cypress tree in wine . there be some which praise the tree of cray-fishes , to be taken with ashes , milk , and smallage seed ; and this medicine experience hath approved and confirmed , for the ceasing of all pains . lye made of fig-leaves is drunk with good successe against all bitings of spiders . it is good also to take the fruit of the turpentine tree , bay-berries , leaves of the balm , and the seeds of all sorts of carrots : or to drink the juyce of mirtle-berries , of the berries of ivy , or mulberries , the juyce of colewort leaves , and of clives or goose-grease with wine or vinegar . a dram of the leaves of been-trifoly drunk in wine , the decoction of a sparagus , juyce of sen-green , or any opening juyce is good for the same . some use with very good successe , the leaves of the herb called balm with nitre , and mallows , boyled both leaf and root , and so taken often in a potion . the leaves of the herb called phalangium , with his flowers and seeds . the seeds of nigella also serve to the same end . medicines out of galen . take of aristolochia , of opium , of either alike much , four drams , of the roots of pellitory of spain three drams . make thereof trochisces , to the quantity of a bean. the dose is two trochisces , with three ounces of pure wine . the ashes of a rams hoof tempered with honey , and drunk with wine . remedies of diophantes against the bitings of phalangies . take of astrologe or hartwort four drams , of pellitory of spain as much , pepper two drams , opium one dram , make thereof trochisces to the quantity of a bean , and take two of them in a good draught of pure wine . another more excellent : take of the seeds of wilde rue , rocket-seed , styrax , sulphur vivum , of either alike much six drams , of castoreum two drams , commix them to make trochisces , as before , with the bloud of a crevish . the dose is one scruple and a half in wine . another : take of myrrhe , castoreum and styrax , of either one dram , opium two drams , of galbanum three drams , smallage-seeds and anise-seeds , of either alike two ounces and a half , pepper thirty grains ; make them up with wine so much as is sufficient . another : take of myrrhe five ounces , of spikenard six drams , of the flower of juncus rotundus two drams and a half , cassia four drams , cinamon three drams , white pepper one dram and a half , frankincense one dram and half a scruple , costus one dram , make them up with attick honey : the dose is the quantity of a hasel nut , to be taken either in mulse or water . remedies out of apollodorus . take of wilde cummin two ounces and a half , the bloud of a sea tortoise four drams , the rennet of a fawn or hare three drams , the bloud of a kid four drams ; make them up with the best wine , and reserve it to your use : the dose is the quantity of an olive , in a draught of the best and purest wine . another : take of the seeds of trifolium bituminosum , of round astrologe , the seeds of wilde rew , the seeds of ervum dryed in the sun , of each alike six drams ; work them with wine and make trochisces thereof , every one of them weighing four drams : the dose is one trochisce . read more in galen , in his second book de antid . where any man may find many for the same purpose , which he had gathered and selected from divers authors . out of aetius , and paulus aegineta . take of sulphur vivum , and of galbanum , of either four drams , of bitter almonds excorticated one dram , of the gum called benzoin four drams , temper them in wine , and after their maceration , work them up with some honey to be taken nwardly . being thus prepared , it may likewise be applyed outwardly . another : take of ameos two drams , roots of flowre-de-luce one dram , or else of saint johns wort , or trisolium bituminosum , drink them out of wine . or take of anise-seeds , wilde carrets , cummin , nigella romana , pepper and agarick , of either one dram , and drink them . or take the leaves of the cypress tree , or the nuts beaten in wine , and three quarters of a pinte of the best oyl , and give it to drink . and to this end they do prescribe bay-berries , scorpion-grasse , wilde thyme , calamint , chamepitys , either to be taken by themselves alone , or with rew and pepper . asclepiades used these that follow : take of the seeds of angelica and calamint , of either alike much , and powned together , to be taken in six ounces of wine oftentimes in a day . another : take of benzoin , the seeds of the wilde carret , of dry mints and spikenard a little quantity , temper them up with vinegar : the dose is one dram , with pure water and vinegar mixed together about five or six ounces . another more excellent : take garlick and eat it , and a bath made of the same with wine , and likewise all those medicines which do heal the bitings of vipers , are notable in these cases . paulus aegineta commendeth all these very highly , and so doth he the seeds of agnus castus , or the leaves of the white popler . out of nicander . take of the purest turpentine that distilleth out of the pine-tree , and eat or drink it : for this is a very effectual medicine , which , as bellonius reporteth , he hath found to be true by experience . out of avicenna . the fruit of the myrtle tree , doronicum , mastick , assa faetida , dedder , with-winde and his root , the nut of india , and white bdellium drunk with wine . take of the roots of aristolochy , roots of floure-de-luce , of spike , pellitory of spain , the seeds of wilde carrot , black hellebore , cummin , the roots of the true daffadil , of the fruit of the carob-tree , the leaves of dates , tops of pomgranates , cinamon , of the juyce of rue , cray-fishes , styrax , opium , and carpobalsamum , of either alike , one ounce , all these being powdered , make thereof trochisces the weight of one dram or four scruples , which is their dose : take also in wine the decoction of the seeds of trifolium bituminosum , cypresse-nuts , and the seeds of smallage . besides let him drink the grains or fruit of the pine-tree , cumin of aethiopia , the leaves and rinde of the palne-tree , the seeds of siler montanum , black and wilde cicers , the seeds of nigella , southern-wood and dill , astrologe or hartwort , the fruit of the tamarisk-tree : for all these are very effectuall to cure the hurts that come by biting of any venomous spider . the juice also of wilde lettice and house-leek is excellent . the decoction of cypresse-nuts being boyled , especially with cynamon , the broth of crai-fishes , and of goose-flesh , and likewise the decoction of the roots of asparagus in wine and water . another . take of astrologe and cumin of each three drams to be drunk in warm water : an excellent and approved antidote . take of the seeds of git or nigella ten drams , cumin-seed , daucus-seed ( or wilde carret ) of either five drams , spikenard , bay-berries , round aristolochie , carpobalsamum , cinamon , roots of gentian , seeds of the mountain , siler , and smallage , of every one alike two drams , make a confection with honey . the dose is the quantity of a nut with old wine . a confection of assa . take of assa fetda , myrrhe , and leaves of rue , of every one alike quantity , temper them together with honey . the common dose is one dram , or two at the most in wine . certain other selected medicines out of absyrtus , albucasis , lullus , rhazes and ponzettus . take of white pepper thirty grains , drink it often in a draught of old wine . give also the herb thyme in wine . absyrtus . let him drink after it a spoonfull of wine distilled with balm . lullus . take of drie rue , of costus , horsemint , pellitory of spain , cardamomum , of each alike , of assa faetida a fourth part , honey so much as is sufficient , commixe them . the dose is the quantity of a hasel-nut in drink . albucasis . the brain of a hen drunk with a little pepper out of sweet wine or vinegar and water mixed together . a notable treacle or antidote against the bitings of phalangies or venemous spiders . take of tartarum six drams , of yellow sulphur eight drams , rue-seeds three drams , castoreum and rocket-seed , of either two drams , with the bloud of a sea-tortoise , make an opiate . the dose is two drams to be taken in wine . another . take of pellitory of spain , and the root of the round aristolochie of each one part , of white pepper half a part , horehound four parts , temper them up with honey , the dose that is to be given is one dram . another . take of the roots of capers , the roots of long aristolochie or hartwort , bay-berries , roots of gentian , of each a like quantity to be taken in wine , or let him drink diassa with sweet strong wine , cumin , and the seeds of agnus castus . another . take of the seeds of nigella ten drams , of daucus and cumin-seeds , of each alike five drams , seeds of wilde rue , and cypresse-nuts , of either three drams , spikenard , bay-berries , round astrologe , carpobalsamum , cynamon , the root of gentian , seeds of trifolium bituminosum , and of smallage-seed , of either two drams , make a confection with honey so much as is sufficient . give the quantity of a nut with old wine . rhazes . out of plny , celsus , and scaliger . it is good to give five pismires to them that are bitten of any phalangium , or the seeds of nigella romana one dram , or mulberries with hypocistis and honey . there is a secret vertue and hidden quality in the root of parsley , and of wilde rue , peculiarly against those hurts that spiders infect by their venome . the bloud of a land-tortoyse , the juice of origanum , the root of behen album , vervain , cinquefoil , all the sorts of sengreen , cypresse-roots , the ivy , of ivy-roots being taken with some sweet wine , or water and vinegar mixed and boyled together , are very speciall in this grief . likewise two drams of castoreum to provoke vomiting being relented in some mulse . apollodorus one of the disciples of democritus , saith , there is an herb called crocides , which if any phalangium or other poysonous spider do but touch , presently they fall down dead , and their poyson is so dulled and weakned as it can do no hurt . the leaves of the bul-rush or mat-rush which are next to the root being eaten , are found to give much help . pliny . take of myrrhe , of vna taminea , which is the berry of the herb called ampelos agria , being a kinde of bryony , which windeth it self about trees and hedges like a vine , of some called our ladies seal , of either alike , and drink them in three quarters of a pinte of sod wine . item , the roots of radish or of darnell taken in wine is very effectuall . celsus . but the excellentest antidote of all other is that which scaliger describeth , whom for his singular learning and deep conceit , i may tearm nostri orbis et seculi ornamentum : the form whereof in this place i will prescribe you . take of the true and round aristolochia , and of the best mithridate , ●of either one ounce , terra sigillata half an ounce , of those flies which are found to live in the flower of the herb called napellus , in number eighteen , juice of citrons so much as is sufficient , mixe them all together . for against this mischief of spiders , or against any other shrewd turns , grievances , or bitings of any serpents whatsoever art , as yet never found out so effectuall a remedy , or so notable an alexipharmacall . thus far scaliger . the juice of apples being drunk , and endive , are the proper bezoar against the venom of a phalangie . petrus de albano . thus much of inward : now will i proceed to generall outward medicaments and applications . five spiders putrefied in common oyl , and applyed outwardly to the affected place , are very good . ashes made of the dung of draught beasts tempered with vinegar , and used as an oyntment , or in stead of vinegar , water and vinegar boyled together , and applyed as before , are proved to be singular . take of vinegar three pintes and a half , sulphur vivum two ounces , mixe them , and foment , bath , or soke the wounded part with a spunge dipped in the liquor , or if the pain be a little asswaged with the fomentation , then wash the place with a good quantity of sea-water . some hold opinion that achates ( which is a precious stone , wherein are represented divers forms , whereof some have the nine masts , some of venus , &c. will heal all bitings of phalangies , and for this cause being brought out of india it is held at a very deer rate in this countrey . pliny . ashes made of fig-tree-leaves , adding to them some salt and wine . the roots of the wilde panax being beaten to powder , aristolochie , and barley-meal kneaded together and wrought up with vinegar . water with honey and salt applyed outwardly for a fomentation . the decoction of the hearb balm , o● the leaves of it being brought to the form of a pultesse , and applyed : but we must not forget to use warm bathes , and sometimes to the place agrieved . pliny . cut the veins that appear under the tongue , rubbing and chafing the swelled places with salt and good store of vinegar : then cause the patient to sweat carefully and warily for fear of cold . vigetius . theophrastus saith , that practitioners do highly commend the root of panax chironia . moysten the wound with oyl , garlick bruised , knot-grasse or barley-meal , and bay-leaves with wine , or with the dregs or lees of wine , or wilde rue applyed in manner of a cataplasm to the wounded place . nonus . take of sulphur vivum , galbanum , of each alike , four drams and a half , of euforbium half a dram , hasel-nuts excorticated two drams , dissolve them , and with wine make towards the curation . flies beaten to powder and applyed upon the place affected . the fish called a barble cureth the bitings of any venemous spider , if being raw it be slit asunder in the middest , and so applyed ( as galen saith ) anoynt the whole body with a liquid cerote , and foment the place affected with oyl wherein trifolium bituminosum hath been infused , or bathe it often with sponges soked in warm vinegar : then prepare and make ready cataplasmes of these ingredients following ; that is , of knot-grasse , stala caeli , called salomons seal , leeks , cheesill or bran decocted in vinegar , barley-meal and bay-berries , and the leaves boyled in wine and honey . some do also make cataplasmes of rue or herb-grace , and goats-dung tempered with wine , cypresse , marjoram and wilde rue with vinegar . an emplaster of asclepiades . take of the seeds of wilde rue , and rocket-seeds , stavesakre , rosemary seeds , agnus castus , apples and nuts , or in stead of these two , of the leaves of the cypresse-tree , of each alike , beat and temper them all together with vinegar and honey . aetius . apply the decoction of lupines upon the affected place , the eschar being first removed , then anoynt it in the warm sun-shine , or against the fire with the fat of a goose tempered with wilde rue and oyl , or else of the pap of barley , and the broth of lupines make a cataplasm . oribasius . the filberd-nut that groweth in india , healeth the biting of these phalangies . avicenna . goats dung dissolved with other convenient cataplasmes , and oyl of worm-wood , and the juice of figs helpeth much . kiranides . apply oftentimes a cold piece of iron to the place . petrus de albano . foment the place very often with the juice of the herb plantane . hildegardis . the artificiall oyl of balm is singular . euonymus . a fomentation made of the leaves and stalks of imperatoria called masterwort , and continued a good space : or else vervain bruised and stamped , the juice being taken in wine , and further , the herb outwardly applyed , is much commended of turneiser . beat and stamp herb grace with garlick and some oyl , and apply it outwardly , celsus . there be but a few particular cures for the bitings of spiders that physitians mention ; yet some they doe , although the generall be most effectuall . pliny against the biting of the formicarian or pismire-lik phalangie , that hath a red head , commendeth much another phalangie of the same kinde , only to be shewed to the wounded patient to look upon , and to be kept for the same purpose , though the spider be found dead . also a young weasel dryed , and the belly thereof stuffed with coriander-seed , and so kept till it be very old and stale , and drunk in wine , being first beaten to powder , is likewise good for the same intention . there is a certain little beast called ichneumon , of some it is called mus pharaonis , pharoes mouse , and for the enmity unto serpents , it is called ophiomachus , ( as bellonius reporteth ) being bruised and applyed to the biting of any wasp-like phalangie , doth utterly take away the venome of them . it often entreth and searcheth out the seats and holes of venemous spiders and phalangies , and if it finde any of them , she haleth and tuggeth them clean away as a pismire doth a small grain of corn : and if the phalangie offer any resistance , the ichneumon sparing no labour , pulleth her the contrary way : and by this strugling and striving , sometimes it so falleth out that the ichneumon is wearied , and then she breatheth a little , and gathering new strength and courage , setteth again upon the phalangie with a fresh assault , and woundeth her many times , so that at length she carrieth her to her own lodging there to be devoured . if the tarantula have hurt any one , the best remedy is to stirre and exercise the body continually without any intermission , whereas in all hurts that are caused by any other spiders , rest and quietnesse are the best means ( as celsus affirmeth . ) but their antidote is musick and singing . christophorus de honestis counselleth to take forthwith theriaca andromachi without any delay . he also adviseth to take butter tempered with honey , and the root of saffron in wine . his proper bezoar ( saith he ) or the green berries or seeds of the lentisk-tree . ponzettus in his book de venenis , adviseth to take ten grains of the lentisk-tree in milk , or an ounce and a half of the juice of mullberry-leaves . in the increase of the grief , he cureth them with agarick , or the white vine : and after much sweating , they are to be comforted and refreshed or strengthned with cold medicines , as with the water of popy , and the like ( merula saith ) they are to be remedied with the stone of musicall instruments , dancing , singing and colours : concerning the three former i will not contend , but how they should receive any part of help or health from viewing of any colours i do not well understand ; considering that the eye-sight of all those that are bitten of a taramula , is quite taken away , or they see but obscurely , as being mightily deceived in their objects . andreas matthiolus in his commentaries , upon the sixth book of dioscorides , chap. . reporteth a very strange story of a certain hermit , his old friend and acquaintance dwelling neer unto rome , who cured all those who were bitten or hurt of any venemous worms or serpents , which in this last place i will insert ( although some may say that it is needlesse , and belongeth not at all to this discourse in hand , or else will not beleeve it . ) for when as any of the inhabitants in those parts were wounded of any poysonous serpent , by a messenger forthwith signified the same to the old hermit ; who by and by demanded of the messenger , whether he could be content to take or drink any medicine in stead of the sick patient ; which if the other assented to , promising to take it , the hermit commanded him without any further delay , to pull off his right foot shooe , and to set his foot on the earth , drawing a line round about the foot with his knife : then he willed him to take away his foot , and within the space of the line so marked , he writ or engraved these words following caro caruze , sanum reduce , reputata sanum , emanuel paracletus . then immediately he pared away the earth with the same whittle , so that all the characters were quite defaced , putting the same earth into a little earthen vessell full of water , letting it there so long remain , untill the earth sunk to the bottom : lastly , he strained the water with a piece of the messengers shirt , or some other linnen that he wore next to his skin , and being signed with the sign of the crosse , gave it him to drink : but surely ( saith matthiolus ) it was marvellous strange , and a wonderfull thing to consider , how that the wounded patient was perfectly healed , even at that very hour and moment of time , that the messenger took the aforesaid potion of the hermit , as it is plainly known unto my self , and to all the people that dwell round about in that territory or shire . and thus much of this heremiticall curation by the way . now will i come into my path again . a man may finde a great sort both of these , and the like remedies both in pliny , dioscorides , and other , concerning the hurts of spiders , but i think i have been a little too redious , and you may imagine that i do nothing but ta arachina hyphainein , aranearum telas texere : that is , in a frivolous matter and of small moment spend infinite and curious labour ; so that i had more need to crave pardon for my long discourse about this subject , wherein though many things may want to the satisfaction of an afflicted and searching head , yet i am sure here is enough to warrant the discharge of my good will , and to repell the censure of the scrupulous ; — nunc imus ad illam artificem , mens nostra cui est conformis , arachnem , quae medio tenerae residens in stamine telae qua serit e●rus atrox , trepidot volitantibus auris tangitur , utque sono vagus illi byssus ab aestro . in english thus ; vnto arachne skilfull mistresse let us come , to whom conformed seems the minde of man , she sits in middest of web , her tender feet upon : whiles she is ●ost with east-winde now and than , she trembleth at the noyse of ratling winds , as when the humming flie hard wagging finds . of the tame or house spider . aristotle , that diligent searcher and seeker out of nature and naturall causes , termeth this kinde of spider a very gallant and excellent wise creature . king salomon himself , at whose high wisdome all succeeding ages have and will admire , amongst those four small creatures , which in wisdom do out-strip the greatest philosophers , reckoneth the spider for one , dwelling ( as he saith ) in kings courts , and there devising and weaving his inimitable web . the poets faign that the spider called arachne , was in times past a mayden of lydia , who being instructed of minerva in the cunning skill of embroydery and spinning , grew therein so excellent , and took such a pride in the same , ( for you must remember she was a woman ) that she stifly denyed , facing it out in braving wise , that minerva was never her instructer , and so arrogant presumptuous she was , as that she feared not to challenge her mistresse goddesse to work with her , if she durst for her ears enter the list , in all manner of embroydery , tapestry-works , and the like . at which , mistresse minerva being netled , and taking the matter in dudgeon , thus to be provoked , and withall reprehending the mayd very sharply for her sawcinesse , in a pelting chase she brake to pieces the wenches imagery work , that was so curiously woven , and so full of variety , with her shittle . the mayd hereat being fore grleved half in despair , not knowing what to doe , yeelding to passion , would needs hang her self . but minerva taking compassion upon her , would not have her die forth with , but transformed her into a spider , hanging by a fine small thred or line . atque ita vive quidem , pende tamen , improba , dixit , lexque eadem poenae , no ●is secura ●ututi , dicta tuo generi , serisque 〈…〉 epolibus esto . in english thus ; so live indeed , yet hang , thou womanvile , she said , and let the self same law of punishment be unto thee and all thy ofspring , while all kindred lasts : shall not futures thee content . if any be desirous to know more of this fable , let him read the famous poet ovid , who hath excellently written thereof in the sixth book of his metamorphosis , although somewhat differing from this of pliny . the grecians besides do write , as caelius rodoginus , in his . book lectionum antiq. chap. . affirmeth , how that there was in the countrey of attica a certain man called phalanx , who had also a sister named arachne , and when phalanx had perfectly learned of minerva the military science , and all other warlike exercises and offices that belong to a souldier , and that she had likewise instructed his sister arachne in weaving , spinning , and needle-work , they concluded a match between themselves , but the goddesse being much displeased with such a shamefull and incestuous marriage , marring their fashion , she disfigured them both into the number of creeping creatures , laying this as a just punishment upon them , to be destroyed of their own young ones . but it is at every mans choice to interpret these to be either fables and canterbury tales , or true historicall narrations : yet most are of this minde , that arachne first invented spinning of linnen , weaving and working with the needle , which this mayd of lydia first learned from the spiders , taking her first samplers and patterns from them for imitation ; which no man ought to think to be strange , sith the craft of playstering or working things in earth , and the art of curing the eyes , was first taken from the swallowes . the eagles have taught us architecture , and men first received the light of phlebotomie or letting of bloud from the hippopotamus , which is a beast living in the river of nilus , having feet like an oxe , and his back and mane like a horse , with a winding tayl , and tusked like a boar. the bird of egypt called ibis , first gave knowledge to physitians how to use the glyster ; yea , dogs , goats , harts , storks , swallowes and weasels , have taught men many medicines for many diseases . to begin therefore to make an enumeration of their prayses , i will declare unto you , the rich vertues and externall goods of the body , fortune and minde . and first to begin with the good gifts of their bodies . if you will weigh and consider the matter and substance of a spiders body , you shall finde it to be light , partaking much of fire and ayr , ( being two of the most noble and effectuall elements in operation ) and having but little earthy dragginesse and drossy refuse . if you behold their figure , they have either a sphaericall and heavenly , or at least wise an ovall form , which is next to the sphaericall , as being the perfectest of all other . besides , their substance is thin , fine , glistering , and subtile , yea , although they seem now and then to be fatted up with plenty of meat , that they grow as big in bulk as a walnut , and if the learned cardan may be credited , they grow otherwhiles as great as a sparrow : yet for all that , if you cast your eye on them against the light , hanging in their web , she glittereth and shineth on all parts like unto the chrysolite , which is a kinde of precious stone , shining with a golden colour quite thorow , causing a pleasant reflexion to the eyes , and piercing them with singular delight . the colour of a spider is somewhat pale , such as ovid a scribeth to lovers , and when she hangeth aloft in her web , with her legs wide and large spread abroad , she perfectly and lively expresseth the shape and proportion of a painted starre : as if nature had intended to give and bestow on her , not onely the resemblance and counterfeit similitude of heaven , but also the very lustre of the starres themselves . the skin of a spider is so soft , smooth , exquisite , pure , clean , and neat , that it farre surpasseth by many degrees , the polished skins of those maids that have the greensickensse , or those young whores that are so carefull in sparing no cost to preserve their beauties : and it is of such cleernesse and perspicuity , that it will easily represent the visage and physiognomy of any beholder of it , much like unto a fine glasse . further , it hath fingers , for all the world such as fair virgins desire to have , that is to say , long , round , and slender , being also endued with the most exquisite sense of touching that possibly can be imagined , insomuch that it farre surmounteth any mortall man living , and all other creatures in the world besides , according to that old and common verse ; nos aper auditupraecellit , aranea tactu , vultur odoratu , lynx visu , simia gustu . which may be englished thus ; to hear , the boar , to touch , the spider us excells , the lynx to see , the ape to taste , the vulture for the smells . it hath also feet , but yet not such a multitude as scolopendraes have , nor yet none at all , as the meanest rank and sort of creatures , nor yet six only , as the common sort of insects : but it hath eight , a number which the meanest sophister in cambridge can resolve , is next to the perfectest of all numbers , and these feet consisting of a sesquitertiall proportion , which of all mathematicians is esteemed to be wonderfull and admirable , so that although the hinder be shorter then the sore-legs , yet notwithstanding they retain a mutuall harmony , equality , and semblable concordance . many philosophers have not dared to affirm that they are blinde , but they themselves in this poynt are most blinde . for if they be deprived of their eyes and eye-sight , i would sain be resolved how they could make choice of such apt and convenient places for their hunting trade , and with what guide , captain , or directer , they do knit , fasten and tye one thred to another , in such admirable order , rank and range , as the excellentest work-men in the world stand amazed at . or else how they can come to the knowledge when their webs are broken by chance , or have the skill to amend them , being either shaken or burst in sunder . besides , we may all observe by our own experience , that if one take a flie , and hold her at the side of the web , the familiar , tame , or domesticall spider espying her , will make all the haste she can through thick and thin , yea though she be farre off , and will boldly assayl and devour her , and will ( as a man may say ) take her out of your hands into her own , which thing i have often seen done . surely therefore those persons are half blinde , who neither can conceive nor see , that spiders can see . now in that a spider seemeth to some to be an ugly and loathsome creature , and even at the first sight to be detested , in regard it is so mishapen , i will not impute this to any defect or default that is in their form or proportion , but i rather ascribe it to their exceeding great melancholy ( for this humour is most predominant in them ) and to their strange lusting or longing , by reason of naughty humours gathered about the mouth of the stomack , yea , and to their lack of stay and moderation in their lusts and affections . for they are no lesse beholding to nature for their elegancy , handsome and proper feature , then the butter-fly , or any other cut-waste whatsoever . to conclude this poynt , god hath given and bestowed upon this strange and admirable body , as strange and admirable a disposition , nature , and constitution of the skin . for a spider changeth her skin , not once only in a years space , ( as vipers do ) but once in the space of a moneth she reneweth it , ( if she be well fed , and not hunger-starved ) and putteth on a new hue and skin , and the same in all poynts more fresh , exquisite and neat , then the old skin which she cast off . amongst the blessings of fortune , or rather fate , i esteem this to be the excellentest that is conferred upon them , in that they bear about with them an inexhausted matter or substance in their bellyes , to make infinite webs , yea , such a matter as can never be consumed , wasted or spent , of which they have such foyson , as they are able to draw out in length and breadth , and to spin and devise innumerable threds and stuffe to make and finish their cob-webs of , so that i● a hundred flies light in them , they are of force sufficient so to entangle and ensnare them all , as they shall never get out again . furthermore , although they have neither food nor sustenance laid up in barns or store-houses , as pismires have , nor yet any meat set or sowed for them as bees have , but get their commons only by taking of booties casually , by hunting at all adventures , and by chanceable preys , yet do they satisfie nature , and expell hunger , by means of that hazardous and suddain spoyl ; and sometimes you shall see them grown very thick , fat , and unwieldy , by reason of these good dishes , and fat messes of meat which they can purchase by their own good wary husbandry , or by any means can lay hold on , and catch into their clawes . besides , i must tell you that spiders have not the least benefit of fortunes favour bestowed upon them , when as being inglutted with courtly viands , they have been glad to exchange lodgings with an old courtier called podagra , or the gowt , for it skilleth not whether of these two names you will chuse . for you have heard before , the wise king solomo● to have given them the most prime and chiefest places in princes courts , that she might be an absolute pattern and president of wit , wisdome , moderate frugality and vertue , and in divers poynts of regiment they might be our directors for imitation . further , beginning their cob webs , they have wholly bent and applyed themselves to their most ingenious weaving trade , they have given themselves to curious and superstitious hunting , to captious taking at advantage , watching and espying their prey , nothing at all fearing any ambushes , treacheries , traps or treasons and no whit dreading any assaults , much lesse triumphs : and to speak briefly , the wisest creature of the wisest king , beareth a great stroke , domineereth , and hath ( i may say ) the sole soveraignty in the most noble , greatest , and stateliest courts of princes . and yet for all these vertues , ( since salomons time ) there have risen up and followed some princes and governours , unadvised , desperately naught , and unthrifty , and such as were not well in their wits , and of those it cannot easily be spoken how churlishly they entertained her , how they sent out their proclamations and warrants , to expell the spider , to cast her down to the earth , tread under foot , undoe and kill , as a night-thief , with beesoms , brooms , brushes and long poles , so that by and by in a trice there flocked certain furies of hell , ( for so i think i may justly term them ) rubbing , brushing , spunging , making clean sluts-corners , beating and sweeping together , and whatsoever they found curiously wrought , all that either they swept clean away , or tore all to pieces , so that hardly they could escape the busie beesomes of these quick-sighted and lewd naughty packs . surely , miserable was her condition and estate , which in all that abundance of wealth , she only being indigent and bare , detesting idlenesse withall , might not yet be admitted tenant for some short term of time , in some small odde corner , in such large and spacious buildings , nor yet finde one hole to live at peace in . again , the great men , the rich misers and penny-fathers , following the example of their princes and governours , they in like sort sent packing out of their doors , the school-mistresse of all labour , diligence and vertue , and will not permit a web , the very pattern , index , and anathema of super naturall wisdome to remain untouched . this same spider which now we treat of , in times past , ( it was when dogs and cats could speak , for now because there are so many languages in the world , they turn all to plain barking ) took a long journey into a strange countrey , and by good hap fell into company with my lady pod●gra , although ( being none of the best footers ) she could hardly keep way with the spider , but lagged still behinde , and having now spent one whole day in travell , the night approaching that they should take up their inne to lodge in , they resolved betwixt them two to betake themselves to sundry houses ; so the spider entring the town , took up her lodging in the house of a certain wealthy citizen , ( i suppose it was neer the sign of the three tunnes in tower-hill-street ) where when according to her usuall manner , hating lewd idlenesse , she began to buckle her self to her wonted task , in weaving her fine tapestry , and other wrought work , being suddenly espyed of a company of corner-creepers , spider-catchers , fault-finders , and quarrell-pickers , they presently begin to expostulate the matter with her , and not staying to hear any reason for her just defence , they made no more adoe but gave her jack-drummes entertainment , thrusting her out of doors by the head and shoulders , to seek her lodging where she could finde it ; so that she lay abroad without doors a whole winters-night in the rain and cold : and all this happened about saint nicholas time , when dayes are at the shortest . now in the mean space podagra having none of the best feet , but indeed being somewhat lame , when she could travail no further , she by chance light into a poor cottage or cabbin of turfs , builded with elder-poles at the towns end , and yet in this poor shed she could hardly be received , but yet at length , through her incessant solicitation being admitted , she sate down to rest her weary bones , so at length , supper being prepared , the tender-hearted lady found course fare , and commons farre shorter and more homely , then ever lipsius found in westphalia : she indured all the miseries in the world , that pity it was to see . there was no infelicity , no distresse , misfortune and adversity to be compared unto hers , for there was nothing but a little brown barley-bread set on the board to sup withall , which this nice piece so much misliked and abhorred , as that at the very sight thereof she was ready to disgorge her queasie stomack , then was there brought some cock-crown keal , having no good relish , for they were not seasoned with salt , so that they were in taste very untoothsome , and when they should drink , they fetcht a little cold water out of a pit or pond , neer adjoyning to the house , in a wooden dish , whereof if mistresse podagra had fetched but one sound carouse , it would have made her run through an alphabet of faces : but there was no remedy , hunger breaketh stone-walls , and hard need makes the old wife trot , she must either quench her thirst with that or fast . having thus thinly supped , she called for her chamber , where they shewed her to climbe up a ladder , ( you would have taken it to have been the fleas ladder ) and behinde a corner there was provided a bed stuffed with good wheat-chaffe in stead of down , to harden her hide , and under her head a hard oken-logge , with the winnow-cloth , and the one end of an old hop-bag , cast over in stead of coverlet , ( for the poor man and his wife , thought that none but the lord of the town , and women in childe-bed used pillowes . ) but podagra not knowing how to mend the matter , groaned and made a lamentable noyse , and fetching a thousand sighes she couched her self down . but alas what ill rest she poor heart took that night , and how ill her soft and tender limbs agreed with such cold cheer and entertainment , i referre my self to your secret thought . so soon theresore as the day began to break , she started up , and the spider and she met together again at the appointed time and place : and first of all the spider began much to complain of the incivility of the rich chuffe his host the citizen . podagra contrary-wise found as much or more fault with the short and sharp commons , thin diet , miserable poverty , and indigency of his poor , bare and lean host , shewing her black and blew marks and prints , into whose tender skin the boards and planks had made a deep impression . for which cause , being both much discontented , after the matter was throughly debated betwixt them two , they determined and resolved within themselves , that the night following they would change hostes and innes , that is , that the spider should enter into some poor cottages , or houses of poor men , and podagra should bend her course unto noble and great mens houses , to kings courts , and princely palaces , to see what good was to be done there . so podagra not being unmindfull of her word , went with a fine and snail-like pace to the house of a certain fat , rich , and well monied man , and quietly laid herself down at the feet of this corsie sire : which as soon as the gentle host cast an eye upon , it is strange to tell with what mildeness , with what allurement and gentle intreaty , with what promptitude and alacrity she was welcomed ; they prepared soft pallats of down for her to lye upon , the bedsteds and the settles whereon she should rest , were covered with pillowes , soft cushions , and carpets of persia , the kitchen smokes , and all things are in a readinesse to give her a most friendly wellcome . according to the words of the poet , where he saith ; jam dapibus mensas oneraut et pocula ponunt . in english thus ; spread are the tables , and laded with store of delicates , the cups filled , could receive no more . briefly , he was in all points for person and provision such a one as chaucer in his works describeth his fra 〈…〉 lin to be : white was his beard as the daisis , and of complexion he was sanguine , well loved he by the morrow a sop in wine : to liven in delight was ever his won , for he was epicures own son , that held opinion that plain delight , was very felicity parfi●e . an housholder and that a great was he , saint julian he was in his countree , his bread , his ale , was alway after one , a better vi●●ded man was never none . without bake-meat was never his house , of fish and flesh , and that so plenteouse , it snewed in his house of meat and drink , of all dainties that men could think . after the sundry seasons of the yeer , so changed he his meat and his suppere . full many a fat patrich had he in m●● , and many a bream , and many a luce in flue . woe was his cooke , but his sawce ever were poynant and sharp , and ready all his gere . his table d 〈…〉 aunt in his hall alway , stood ready covered all the long day . nay , hither they brought fat and crammed capons , pheasants , quails , turtle-doves , larks , and nightingals . i passe over turbot or byrt , gilt-heads , sturgion , salmonds , soals , and the like , for they were not unfurnished of all these , and of other store of shell-fish , as lobsters , crevishes , oysters , and whatsoever the sea yeelded that might by love or money be purchased : for i will not speak of a great number of river-fish and fouls that are to be had about peterborow , wittlesey-mare , and those fennish countreys , for thither he sent his people to purvay for him all that was rare and dainty . here was red-wine , white , claret , muscadell , rhenish , sweet-wines , harsh-wines , wine of falernum , of the islands of creta , chio , madera , and those that are called baleares , lying neer unto the coast of spain . to speak nothing of their rear-suppers , their fine marchpanes , and curious confections , made with sundry devises , and exquisite skill of the apothecary . and to conclude , there was no wanton fare unsought for , no delicate juncate , no curious trimming and pickednesse that might gratifie , no fair words , and pleasant enticements fit to draw and allure , nor no delectation whatsoever omitted , that might seem to please this great lady podagra , ( for you must understand she was none of the coursest sort of ladies , whereof there be many now adaies , for all men know she was a gentlewoman born , both by the fathers and mothers side , as being the daughter of bacchus and venus , ) and all this , i say , was done to please both her and her two sweet sisters , chiragra and congra , a pox take them all three , and so i will let them go , and come to the spider , who likewise being directed by some favourable planet , boldly and luckily trudged to the poor mans house . — atque ibi miro dogmate , quidv● marem deceat deceatque marit am addocet , atque suo sese sudore saginat . which may be englished thus ; and there by strange instructions and documents , she teacheth male and female how to live , that is , both man and wife how to increase their rents , whilst she , on her own sweat and fat doth thrive . but some man may here object and say , i see here no such great blessings of lady fortune , more then besides a bare commendation , and good hap in this their exchange of lodging and lodgers . yes surely , very much , not only because she spendeth her dayes more freely and safely from danger , but also because as out of a high watch-tower , she no longer beholdeth in the houses of poor persons , lavish and needlesse prodigality , banquettings , quaffings , rioting , playes , dancing , dicing , and whoring , and a thousand vanities and villanies besides , whereof she knew her self conscious , and a privy witnesse unto , whilst she lived in the halls and bowers of the rich and wealthier sort ; who when they had thrust clean from house and home , and for ever banished the spider , ( the true school-mistresse of industry and frugality ) straightwayes the lazie gowt called podagra , arrested them . had it not been better for them ( think you ) to have granted a dwelling place to a saving , wise , prudent , and harmlesse little creature , then to have given entertainment to such a base , blockish companion and guest as the gowt is ? let not therefore , rich , covetous men wonder , if many times they be tormented with this sore grief , sith they will neither admit true physitian nor physick , i mean , travail , diligence , industry , moderation , and pains-taking , with the like . now to touch the rich and rare gifts and graces of the minde , and other noble qualities and dispositions of spiders , i know not whether i should first begin with the commendation of their prudence , justice , fortitude , temperance , their philanthropia , philoponia , autarkeia , their humanity and love towards men , their studious industry and love of labour , their contentation as having sufficient , and coveting no more then is allotted unto them . their wittinesse , policy , quickness and sharpnesse of sense , their cleanly neatnesse , with many other vertues , or else her admirable cunning and skilfulnesse in their weaving trade . their prudence , sagacity , and wittinesse to conjecture things future , appeareth in this one thing , that when great abundance of rain , flouds , swelling and overflowings of rivers , are like shortly to come to passe , and thereby to threaten houses , they then begin to build their webs higher by a great deal , then their usuall custome heretofore hath been . and this is another proof of the same , in that they weave not at all in a clear sun-shine-day , or when it is fair and calm weather , when flies are most busie in flying about to and fro , that they may be the better at leasure to give themselves to hunting and watching after them , to take advantage , and if any chance to light into their nets , forthwith to seize upon them for their repast . again , when houses are ready to drop down , they with their cobwebs first of all fall , and get them away packing , alter their climate to some other surer place and dwelling to rest in . if any thing touch her body that is hard or painfull , she immediately draweth up her legs round on a heap , for this end as i think , to feel the lesse pain , and the better to provide for the health and safety of her head , the directer and governer of the whole body : for if any other part be hurt , she can easily cure it . who hath manifested and made known this unto them ? hath any chaldean star-gazer , or figure-flinger , by the sight and position of the starres shewed it unto them ; no certainly . but a divine prudence and forefeeling knowledge , originally inbred by nature , to eschew that which is hurtfull , which is diffused into the spider , and as that famous poet virgilius hath excellently described , spirit us intus alit , totesque infusa per artus mens agitat molem . in english thus ; minde bred within , infused in all limbs , minde moves the bodies lump , and skins . furthermore , so soon as they espy their enemy to be caught in their nets , they do not first of all bite and prick him to death in any hostile manner , but they seem with their feet gently and softly to stroke him , yea even to intreat and allure him with tickling , and as it were clipping and colling , untill they have throughly insnarled him within their clammy and viscous gins , and being at length wearied , turmoiled , and tired with strugling and striving in vain , the silly flie is made unable either to get away , stir , or resist . so having made sure work with one , she hyeth her to the center of her web , observing and prying whether any new prey will come to hand again : so by this policy you shall see sometimes ten , yea otherwhiles twenty flies hanging alo●t by their strings and fine-spun threds . they only feed on the juice of flies , and the dry carkase without any moysture , they cast away as unprofitable stuffe to be used about any businesse . moreover , because the female spider is sometimes greater then the male , therefore she chuseth her standing in the lower part of the web , that the poor flies may seem carelesse of her , yet is she very observant , taking great heed to them : for they seeing her hanging below , thinking themselves safe , do fly up into the upper part of the net , but by this means seeking to shun charybdia , they fall into scilla , out of the smoke into the fire : for though in regard of her bodies magnitude , she be unwieldy , and very unfit to bestir her self in this hunting office : yet the crafty male spider playing bo-peep , and pretending some other businesse , though minding another , playing the dissembling hypocrite , hideth himself in the top of the web , noting well all occurrents , and being seen of no body , there he lurketh till some fish ( as we say ) come to his net , and having espyed his prey , being more light , quick , and lively , it is a wonder to see how diligent , vigilant , and earnestly bent he is to bend his course with all expedition toward this new offered booty ; for there he will not suffer it very long to remain , but descending in a trice , euro velocius , as quick as a bee from the upper to the lower part ( as i have said ) of the cobweb , he maketh a very quick dispatch , and having royally feasted himself , he reserveth and layeth up all his other enemies in one place , hanging them all by one of his own threds till some convenient time to feast himself again withall . then again when as by reason of long continuance and length of time , the webs have lost their binding viscosity , and tenacious substance , either the spider unweaveth them again , or else confirmeth and new strengthneth them afresh as it were , with another new glutinosity , or fast-binding clamminesse . this their work being finished , they either contain themselves in the center of it , or keeping sentinell and warding in the upper part , they hold as it were in their hands a thred drawn from the middest or center , by which they have easie accesse and recesse to and fro to their beguiling nets ; and withall this thred serveth to another profitable use , for if any prey be intangled , by the light moving and stirring of it , they presently feel and perceive it . but yet to make sure work , lest she should winde down in vain , or take bootlesse labour about nothing , she draweth back the thred a little now and then , and by the motion and poize of it , she putteth all out of doubt , being fully ascertained of the truth . then first , with all celerity possible she hies her to the center , which thing the silly flies being fast , and having some sense and feeling ( as it should seem ) that they are taken tardy , and for deeming some hurt , are as quiet as a mouse in a trap , making no noyse at all , left either they might bewray or betray themselves , and so be further enfolden in danger . but alasse in vain doth he avoyd warre , that cannot enjoy peace , and bootlesse doth he shun pain , that hath no means to feel rest : for this availeth but little , for they are not able with all these fetches to deceive their sharp inquisitors , for both with eyes and feet , they finely and quickly run unto them , making a clean riddance and quick dispatch of them every one . but yet it is more to consider what great justice and equity is observed to be in spiders : for there is not one of them so ill bent , so malapertly sawcy , and impudently shamelesse , that can be seen to lay claim unto , or to take away anothers wife or mate : there is none that intermedleth with anothers substance , businesse , or weaving ; every one liveth contented by the sweat of his own browes , by their own proper goods and industrious pains-taking procured by their own bodily labour : so that not one of them dare enter his neighbours freehold , but it is accounted a hainous matter , and very unlawfull , not one dare be so knack-hardy as to break into their friends and fellowes fence and enclosure , but it is even detested as a wicked and cursed deed . non ita mortales , quos ( proh dolor ) urget habendi tantus amor , domibus domus , arvis additur arvum , monticulus monti , maribus mare , sique potessint addiderint mundum mundo , suaque omnia dixint . in english thus ; then would not mortall men so farre ingag'd in love to have ( a death it is to think ) house to house , and land to land to lay , hillock to hill , sea unto sea , to adde they crave , and if they could , world unto world , and all their own would say . again , they spread not their gins and nets to entrap and deceive good creatures , and such as serve for mans use and benefit , but for wasps , horse-flies , or gad-bees , and brimsees , or oxe-flies , that in summer-time vexe cattle , for drones gnats , and other flies , which to us are like to theeves , parasites , bawds , panders , and such merchants that bring whores and knaves together , being telluris inutile pondus , an unprofitable burthen of the earth , serving to no good use . and besides , being a vermin of singular and incomparable courage , she dare adventure to give the onset upon those young serpents that are called lizards , who if they offer to contend and strive against her fury , she quickly enclaspeth them round about , and very nimbly and eagerly seizeth upon both their lips , biting and holding them together so fast , that she never giveth over till they be dead : and at length having vanquished her enemies , she like another cacus carrieth them into her cave , or some secret corner . now if it happen in this hot bickering , that the nets be either broken , intangled , or platted together , by and by without further delay she falls to mending what was amisse , to unwinde , spread open , and to set them again in due order and frame very ingeniously . what say you to this ? that the spider beareth a deadly feud and mortall hatred to serpents : for if so be the serpent at any time lie in the shadow under any tree to cool himself , where spiders do resort , some one of them levelleth directly at him , descending down perpendicularly to the serpents head , and with such a violence striketh and dasheth at his head with her beak or snout , that her enemy withall making a whizzing noyse , and being driven into a giddinesse , turning round , hisseth , being neither able to break asunder the thred that cometh from above , nor yet hath force enough to escape it . neither is this spectacle or pageant ended , untill this our champion with her battering , hath sent her life to pluto , the god of hell for a present . let men therefore be silent , and cease wondering at the amphitheatricall fights of the romans , which were made with seats and scaffolds to behold playes and sights , and where were presented to the spectators the bloudy fights of elephants , bears , and lions , sithence a small spider dare challenge to the field , and fight hand to hand with a black and blew serpent , and not only to come down to him in daring wise , but also victoriously to triumph over him , entirely possessing all the spoyl . who would not marvail that in so small , or in a manner no body at all , which hath neither bones , nor sinnewes , nor flesh , nor scarce any skin , there could be so great force , such incredible audacity and courage , such sharp and hard bitings , and invincible fury ? surely we must conclude necessarily , that this cannot proceed altogether from their valiant stomacks , but rather from god himself : in like sort , they dare buckle with toads of all sorts , both of the land and water , and in a singular combate overthrow and destroy them , which thing not only pliny and albertus do recite and set down for a certain truth , but erasmus also in his dialogue entituled de amicitia , maketh mention of , reporting how a certain monk lying fast asleep , on whose mouth a foul toad sate , and yet by the spiders means was freed from all hurt . yea , they dare enter the combat with winged and stinged hornets , having not soft but stiffe bodies , and almost as hard as horn , who although she many times breaketh through their cobwebs with main strength ( as rich men undoe and make a way through lawes with gold , and by that means many times scape scot-free ) yet for all that , at length being over-mastered , hand to hand in single combat , and intangled and insnarled with the binding pastinesse , and tenacious glewish substance of the web , she payeth a deer price for her breaking into anothers house and possession , yeelding at length to the spiders mercy . i will not omit their temperance , a vertue in former ages proper only to men , but now it should seem peculiar to spiders . for who almost is there found ( if age and strength permit ) that contenteth himself with the love of one as he ought , but rather applyeth his minde , body , and wandering affections to strange loves ? but yet spiders so soon as they grow to ripenesse of age , do choose them mates , never parting till death it self make the separation . and as they cannot abide corrivalls , if any wedlock-breakers , and cuckold-makers dare be so snappish to enter , or so insolently proud as to presse into anothers house or cottage , they reward him justly with condigne punishment for his temerarious enterprize , and flagitious fact : first by their cruell bitings , then with banishment or exile , and oftentimes with death it self . so that there is not any one of them , that dare offer villany or violence to anothers mate , or seek by any means unlawfully to abuse her . there is such restraint , such strict orders , such faithfull dealing , uprightnesse of conscience , and turtle love amongst them . further , if you look into their house-keeping , you shall finde there is nothing more frugall then a spider , more laborious , cleanly , and fine . for she cannot abide that even the least end or piece of her thred to be lost , or to be placed and set to no use or profit , and they ease and relieve themselves by substitutes , that supply their rooms and take pains for them : for whilest the female weaveth , the male applyeth himself to hunting , if either of them fall sick and be weak , then one of them doth the work of both , that their merits and deserts may be alike . so sometimes the female hunteth whilest the male is busie about net-making , if the one stand in need of the others help and furtherance . but yet commonly the female-spider being instructed of her parents when she was young and docible , the art of spinning and weaving ( which custome was amongst us also in times past ) beginneth the cobweb , and her belly is sufficient to minister matter enough for such a piece of work , whether it be that the nature or substance of the belly groweth to corruption at sun-set and appointed time ( as democritus thought ) or whether there be within them a certain lanigerous fertility naturally as in silk-worms . aristotle is of opinion , that the matter is outward as it were a certain shell or pill , and that it is unwound , loosened , and drawn out by their fine weaving and spinning . but howsoever it be , certain it is , they will not by their good wills lose the least jot of a threds end , but very providently see to all though never so little . the love they bear to their young breed is singular , both in the care they have for their fashioning and framing to good orders , and for their education otherwise , for the avoidance of idlenesse . for the male and female do by turns sit upon their egges , and so by this way interchangeably taking courses , they do stirre up , quicken , move and encrease naturall and lively heat in them , and although it hath been sundry times observed , that they have brought forth three hundred young ones at once , yet do they train them up all alike without exception , to labour , parsimony , and pains-taking , and inure them in good order , to fashion and frame all things fit for the weaving craft . i have often wondred at their cleanlinesse , when to keep all things from nastinesse or stinking , i have beheld with mine eyes those that were lean , ill-favoured , and sickly , to come glyding down from the upper to the lower part of their buildings , and there to exonerate nature at some hole in the web , lest either their shop , work-house , or frame might be distained or annoyed . and this is sufficient to have spoken of their politicall , civil , and domesticall vertues : now will i proceed to discourse of their skill in weaving , wherewith pallas was so much offended : for the scholar excelled her mistres , and in fine , cunning , and curious workmanship , did farre surpasse hers . first then let us consider the matter of the web , whose substance is tough , binding , and glutinous , pliant , and will stick to ones fingers , like bird-lime , and of such a matter it is compounded , as it neither loseth his clamminesse and fast-holding quality , either by siccity or moysture . the matter whereof it is made , is such as can never be consumed , wasted , or spent , whilest they live , and being so endlesse , we must needs here admire and honour the never ending and infinite power of the great god : for to seek out some naturall reason for it , or to ascribe it to naturall causes , were in my minde meer madnesse and folly . the autumnall spiders , called lupi or h●lci , wolves or hunters , are thought to be the most artificiall and ingenious : for these draw out a thred finer and thinner then any silk , and of such a subtilty , that their whole web being folded together , will scarce be so heavy as one fine thred of linnen being weighed together . edovardus monimius hath very finely and eloquently described both the males and females , heptam . lib. . in these words following ; — ille domum venatu pascit , at ista moeonio graciles orditur tegmine telas . stanniparus venter , vomifilus lanifer , ipsi palladiam cumulatque colum , calatosque ministrat . ipsius est fusum pondus , quod fila trahendo nectit & intorquet parili sub tegmine ducta . illa suam à mediis orditur daedala telam , et gracili tenues intendit stamine tractus . tela jugo juncta est , stamen secernit arundo , inseritur medium radiis subtegmen acutis , atque oram à centro panum sibi staminat illam , pervia tela patet gemina de parte , feroci ne concussa curo frangantur stamina , quoque musca volax tenui stretur sinuamine cassis , reticuli primam vix muscula contigit oram . mors abit in telae centrum , ut discrimine parvo vinciat ipse suo peregrinam casse volucrem . which may be englished thus ; the spider-male by hunting game the houses charge doth feed , the female with moeonian art begins to spin fine thred , out of web-breeding belly , breast woolly , upcasting twine , whereto the distaffe she applyes by art of pallas fine : to her belongs the pressed weight , which doth the teal out-draw , both matter , art , and substance , she doth shield by natures law. like daedala out of her middest , her web she doth begin , and stretching out her tender worke , by pressing it full thin : the which is joyned as in yoke , yet parted by a cane , and planted is the middle roof in a sharp beamy frame . and from the center draweth a thred like wooll to lye upon , while double work on every part doth fortifie her wono : wherewith the blasts of eastern winde unbroken web resists , and tender fly insnarled , is fallen into those lists . while scarce upon the edge or brim this little flie doth fall , but by and by death seizeth her within webs center thrall : and so the stranger winged flie with little or no adoe , she overcometh speedily when it the nets comes to . of these cobwebs there is great diversity , variety and differencé : for some of them are loose , weak , slack , and not well bound : other contrary-wise well compacted , and close couched together , some triangular , othersome quadrangular ; and some are made with all sides equall , but yet not right angled or cornered like a quarry of glasse ; others are made of such a form as will best fit the place where they hunt , you shall perceive some of them to be orbicular , if they weave between two trees , and you shall finde this fashion also among weeds , and oftentimes in windowes hanging together with many lines and different crosse pieces : so that herein no man can deny but that they shew forth great reason , wisdome , admirable judgement , and much gallant beauty worthy to see to . surely euclides that famous geometrician , who was scholar to socrates , and lived in the time of ptolemy the first , need not be ashamed to learn from spiders the drawing of divers of his figures and geometricall proportions . and fisher-men also from them have been glad to learn the trade of net-making . for from whom else could they borrow and fetch such lively representations and such expresse patterns , then from such a skilfull and industrious school-master . but the strength of the web seemeth to be very strange , which although it seemeth to be the most week of all other things , yet we see it is able to hold hornets , and to endure the furious blasts of raging windes , and if one throw or cast dust upon it , the same will rather be distended and stretched , then either undone , broken , or felled down . and yet this is the strangest of all , which many a man would think impossible but that it cannot be called in question , in regard we may daily see and observe the proof thereof cometh to passe , that a spider should begin to place the one end of her thred on the one side of a little river or brook , and how she should fasten the other end on the other side of the water , considering that nature never taught them the art either of flying or swimming . i would fain be resolved of this scruple , by what means they sayl and passe over . or do you imagine that they jump over , or convey themselves over in a leap ? surely i dare not say so , i much doubt thereof , i will not stand to it . the next that best deserveth to be marshalled in the second rank and place , for cunning work in weaving and spinning , be those kinde of spiders who build and labour about the rafters of houses , in cellars , floors , and about boards , planks , and such like , and of these some are wilder , which do fashion and dresse a broad , thick , and plain web in the grasse and fields all about , stretching out the same like a sayl , or some fine spread sheet or curtain . if you would duely look into their work , and throughly consider the strange trydles of their looms , the shittles they use , their combes to make all clean , the stay of their looms wherewith they dresse their webs , their crosse-lines , the frame , wouf , their fine spinning-stuffe , and so their whole cobwebs , you shall therein very plainly behold the finger of god working in his poor and weak creatures . and questionlesse in this excellent mystery they are able to put down , and farre surmount the egyptians , the lydians , penelope , tanaquil ( who was wife to tarquinius priscus ) amestris that famous queen of persia , claudiana , sabina , and julia , noble roman ladies , and all the queens of macedonia , who were esteemed and renowned throughout the whole world , to be the most curious and exquisite in this kinde of faculty , and who in needle-work , tapestry , and all embroydery , were thought to be peerlesse . for these spiders ( even contrary to all reason and art , as we think ) make a firm , strong , and well compacted web with no lines or threds drawn crosse-wise or overthwart , but only made out and continued still in length . when their work is perfected and brought to an end , they lay over it and cover it round about with a certain glutinous kinde of jelly , or slimed juice , by touching of which their prey being entangled , pay full deerly for their ignorant rashnesse , unadvised heed-taking , and lack of fore-sight . their web is of the colour of the air , or rather none at all , which easily deceiveth the foolish unwary flies , and such as be quick-sighted , circumspect , and can espy things very quickly . for if it did represent any notorious and manifest colour , they would provide in time against such dangerous devises , and take heed of such traps aforehand . the baser and vilder sort of spiders , and such as be least reputed of , are those that live in holes , caves , and corners of houses , and these in respect of the former are slow , slothfull , and lazy , fat , grosse , and big-bellyed corner-creepers , and these spin a very homely , rough , and course thred , which they spread abroad , and set before the hollow places and chinks of walls . these kindes of spiders have a more heavy and ponderous body , shorter feet , and more unhandsome to work or finish any webbes in their looms , and as for separating , dividing , picking , carding , or suting their stuffe , they are very bunglers to the first mentioned . they apprehend and take their preyes rather casually , then take any great pains to seek farre for it , because their hole being great outwardly , seemeth to be a good and convenient lurking-corner , and a safe corner for flies to hide themselves in : but being entangled and arrested in the very entry , they are snatched up suddenly by the watchfull spider , and carryed away into the more inward places of their dens , there to be slaughtered . for they watch and ward aloft in high walls and buildings , as well to deceive such birds as lye in wait to intrap and take them at unawares , ( as sparrowes , robin-red-breasts , wrens , nightingales , and hedge-sparrowes , which are all sworn enemies to spiders : and besides , the more easily to beguile the silly flies suspecting no harm at all . there be certain other sorts of spiders , which as yet i have not described : as for example ; there is one ( the greatest of all that ever i saw ) which spreadeth her artificiall nets in the harvest-time amongst the leaves and branches of roses , and entangleth either any other little spider that is running away , or else gnat-flies , and such like , being caught at unawares , and hanged by a kinde of thred , whom she first pursueth and layeth hold on with a wonderfull dexterity and quicknesse : and being fast hanged , and so made sure , she there leaveth them , for the satisfying of her hungry appetite till another time . the body of this spider is in colour somewhat whitish , resembling scumme or frothy some , and almost of an oval-figure , the head very little , placed under her belly , being withall crooked or bending like hooks , as is to be seen in the crab-fish , and her back garnished with many white spots . this is one kinde of autumnall lupi , or wolf-spider , which in a very short space of time do grow from the bignesse of a little pease , to a very great bulk and thicknesse . there are also found in all places of this countrey , long-legged spiders , who make a very homely and disorderly web. this kinde of spider liveth altogether in the fields , her body is almost of a round figure , and somewhat brownish in colour , living in the grasse , and delighting in the company of sheep : and for this cause i take it , that we english men do call her a shepheard , either for that she keepeth and loveth to be among their flocks , or because that shepheards have thought those grounds and feedings to be very wholesome wherein they are most found , and that no venemous or hurtfull creature abideth in those fields where they be : and herein their judgement is to be liked , for they are indeed altogether unhurtfull , whether inwardly taken , or otherwise outwardly applyed ; and therefore because i am tyed within a teather , and thereby restrained from all affectionate discoursing or dilating unlesse of poysonous and harmfull creatures , i will come into my path again , and tell you of another certain black spider , that hath very short feet , carrying about with her an egge as white as snow under her belly , and running very swiftly : the egge being broken , many spiders creep forth , which go forth with their dam to seek their living al together , and climbing upon her back when night approacheth , there they rest , and so they lodge . in rotten and hollow trees there are also to be found exceeding black spiders , having great bodies , short feet , and keeping together with cheeselips or those creeping vermine with many feet , called of some sowes . we have seen also ( saith the learned gesner ) spiders that were white all over , of a round compact and well knit body , somewhat broad , living in the flowers of mountain parsely , amongst roses , and in the green grasse : their egges were little , slender , and very long , their mouth speckled , and both their sides were marked with a red line running all alongest . he took them to be very venemous , because he saw a marmoset or munkey to eat of them , and by eating thereof hardly to escape with life , yet at length it did well again , and was freed from further danger , only by powring down a great deal of oyl into his throat . i my self have also seen some spiders with very long bodies and sharp tayls , of a blackish or dark red colour , and i have noted other-some again to be all over the body green-coloured . i will not deny but that there are many other sorts of spiders , and of many more different colours , but i never read , or yet ever saw them : neque enim nostra fert omnia tellus , the ages ensuing peradventure will finde more . i will only put you in remembrance of this one thing worthy to be observed , that all weaving and net-making spiders , according as they grow in years , so do they acquire more knowledge , and attain to greater cunning and experience in their spinning trade : but carrying a resolute and ready will to keep both time and measure with that musick which best contents most ears , i will now pass to speak of the propagation and use of spiders , and so i will close up this discourse . the propagation of spiders for the most part is by coupling together , the desire and action whereof continueth almost the whole spring-time , for at that time by a mutuall and often drawing , and easie pulling of their web , they do as it were wooe one another , then approach they neerer together , and lastly are joyned with their hippes one against another backwards as camels do , for that is the most fit for them , in regard of the round proportion and figure of their bodies . in like sort do the phalangies joyn together , and are generated by those of the same kinde , ( as aristotle saith : ) but the phalangies couple not in the spring-season , as the other spiders doe , but towards winter , at what time they are very swift , quick , nimble , and of most certain hurt , more dangerous , and more venemous in their bitings . some of them after their coupling together , do lay one egge only , carrying it under their belly , it is in colour as white as snow , and both male and female sit upon it by turns . some spiders do exclude many little egges very like unto the seeds of poppy , out of which it hath been observed , that sometimes there have been hatched three hundred spiders at one time , which after their vain and idle plying and sporting together in their web , at length come forth with their dam , and towards evening they all trudge home , until each one hath learned , and perfectly attained to the skill to spin his own web , that therein he may spend the residue of his days in more pleasure , ease and security . they make exclusion of their young breed in hopping or skipping-wise , they fit on their egges for three days space together , and in a moneths space their young ones come to perfection . the domestical or house-spider , layeth her egges in a thin web , and the wilde-spider in a thicker and stronger , because they are more exposed to the injuries of windes , and lie more open to the rage and fury of storms and showers . the place and countrey where they are , helpeth much , and is very available to their generation . there is no countrey almost , but there are many spiders in it . for in the countrey about arrha , which is in arabia foelix , there is an infinite number of them to be found , and all the island of candie swarmeth with phalangies . strabo saith , that in ethiopia there be a great number of phalangies found , of an exceeding bignesse : although as pliny saith in his eight book and chapter , there are neither wolfs , foxes , bears , nor no hurtful creature in it : and yet we all know that in the isle of wight ( a member of england , ) the contrary is to be found , for although there were never dwelling in it foxes , bears , nor wolfs , yet there be spiders enow . the kingdom of ireland never saw spiders , and in england no phalangies will live long , nor yet in the isle of mon , and neer unto the city of grenoble , in that part of france which lyeth next italy , gaudentius merula saith , there is an old tower or gastle standing , wherein as yet never any spider hath been seen , nor yet any other venomous creeping creature , but rather if any be brought thither from some other place , they forthwith die . our spiders in england , are not so venomous as in other parts of the world , and i have seen a mad man eat many of them , without either death or deaths harm , or any other manifest accident or alteration to ensue . and although i will not deny , but that many of our spiders being swallowed down , may do much hurt , yet notwithstanding we cannot chuse but confesse , that their biting is poysonlesse , as being without venom , procuring not the least touch of hurt at all to any one whatsoever ; and on the contrary , the biting of a phalangie is deadly . we see the harmlesse spiders almost in every place , they climb up into the courts of mighty kings , to be as it were myrrors and glasses of vertue , and to teach them honest prowesse and valiancy . they go into the lodgings , shops and ware-houses of poor men , to commend unto them contentment , patience , labour , tolerance , industry , poverty and frugality . they are also to be found in rich mens chambers , to admonish them of their duties . if you enter into your orchard , they are busie in clothing every tree ; if into the garden , you shall finde them amongst roses ; if you travail into the field , you shall have them at their work in hedges , both at home and abroad , whithersoever you bend your course , you cannot chuse but meet with them , lest perhaps you might imagine , or else complain and finde some faults , that the schoolmistresse and perfect president of all vertue and diligence were in any place absent . who would not therefore be touched , yea and possessed with an extream wonder at these vertues and faculties , which we daily see and behold with our eyes . philes hath briefly and compendiously described their nature , properties , inclinations , wit and invention in his greek verses , which being turned into latine , sound to this effect . araneis natura per quam industria est , vincens puellarum manus argutias . nam ventris humores supervaoaneos ceu fila nent , textoris absque pectine et implicantes orbium volumina , adversa sublegunt iis subtegmina : sed liciis hinc densioribus plagas in aëre appendunt , nec unde conspicor sejuncta cùm sit omnis a medio basis quae fulciat mirabilem operis fabricam . et staminum fallit ligamen lumina subtilitatis sub dio discrimine . firmatur autem densitas subtegminis , raras in ambientis oras aëris . muscis , culicibus , & id genus volantibus intensa nectens fraudulenter retia . quod incidit , jejuna pascit hoc famem , vitamque degit haud quietis indigam . suspensa centro , cassibusque providens , ne fila rumpat , orbiumque dissuat nexus retortos flaminis vis irruens . which may be englished thus ; industrious nature spiders have , excelling virgins hands of skill , superfluous humors of bellies save , and into webs they weave them still , and that without all weavers combes their folding orbes inrolled are , and underneath their woofs as tombes , are spread the worthy work to bear , and hang their threads in air above , by plagues unseen to the eye of man , without foundation you may prove all their buildings firmly stand : nor yet clear light to the eyes most bright can see the coupling of their thread , the thinnesse of the woof in sight , on pins of air are surest spread . on gnats and silly winged flies , which guilefully in nets they take , they feed their fill when they espy , and yet their life much rest doth make . they labour too , and do provide gainst windes and things that break their twails , that bands from tacklings may not slide , when greater strength doth them assail . and although minerva hath nick-named the spider , calling her malepert , shamelesse , and sawcie ; martiall , wandring , straying and gadding ; claudianus , rash , presumptuous , and adventurous ; politianus , hanging and thick ; juvenal , dry ; propertius , rotten ; virgil , light ; and plautus , unprofitable and good for nothing : yet it is clear , that they were made to serve and stead us to many excellent uses : so that you may plainly gather and perceive , that this is rather an amplification , then any positive or measured truth , concerning the fond epithets , vile badges and liveries , which these rehearsed authors have unworthily bestowed on them , as by that which followeth may plainly be seen . the spider put into a linnen clowt , and hung upon the left arm , is an excellent medicine to expel a quotidian ague , as trallianus saith : and yet it will be more effectual if many spiders be boyled with oyl of bay to the consistence of a liniment , to anoynt the wrists and the temples a little before the fit , for by this means the feaver will be absolutely cured , or will seldom return again . kiranides . a spider tempered and wrought up with milt-wast or ceterach , and so spred upon a cloth to be applyed to the temples , cureth the fits of a tertian feaver . dioscorides . the spider that is called , a wolf , being put into a quill , and so hanged about the neck performeth the same effect , as pliny reporteth . the domestical spider , which spinneth and weaveth a thin , a white , or a thick web , being inclosed in a piece of leather , or a nut-shel , and so hanged about the neck , or worn about the arm , driveth away the fits of a quartain feaver , as both dioscorides and fernelus have thought . for the pain in the ears , take three live spiders , boyl them with oyl upon the fire , then distil or drop a little of this oyl into the pained ear , for it is very excellent , as witnesseth marcellus empiricus . pliny steepeth them in vinegar and oyl of roses , and so to be stamped together , and a little thereof to be dropped into the pained ear with a little saffron , and without doubt , saith he , the pain will be mitigated , and the same affirmeth dioscorides . or else strain out the juyce of spiders , mixing it with the juyce of roses , and with some wooll dipped in the same liquor , apply it to the ear . sorastus in his book peri dakeon writeth , how that the spider which is called cranocalaptes , being stifled or choked in oyl , is a very present help against any poison taken inwardly into the body , as the scholiast of nicander reporteth . there be some that catch a spider in the left hand , and beat and stamp it with the oyl of roses , putting some of it into the ear , on the same side the tooth aketh , and as pliny telleth us , it doth exceeding much good . spiders applyed and laid upon their own bitings , or taken inwardly into the body , do heal and help those hurts themselves procured . what should i talke of the white spots of the eyes , a most dangerous grief ? and yet are they clean taken away with very small labour , if so be one take the legs , especially of those spiders which are of the whiter sort , and stamping them together with oyl , do make an ointment for the eys . pliny . the moist juyce that is squeesed out of a house spider , being tempered with oyl of roses , or one dram of saffron , and a drop or two thereof dropped into the eyes , cureth the dropping or watering of them , by means of a rhume issuing out thereat : or else the moisture of a spider or his urine being taken by themselves , laying a little wooll on the top of the part affected , worketh the same effect ; whereby you may well understand , that there is nothing in a spider so vile , homely , or sordidous , that doth not some good , and serveth to some end . against the suffocation of the belly , aetius doth counsel to apply a cerote to the navel made of spiders , and saith that he hath found it to prevail much in this kinde of passion . pliny saith , but he yeeldeth no reason for it , that spiders help the pain and swelling of the spleen . he writeth also further , that if a man catch a spider , as she is gliding and descending downwards by her thread , and so being crushed in the hand , and then applyed to the navel , that the belly wil be provoked to the stool , but being taken as she is ascending , and applyed after the same former manner , that any loosenesse or flux is stayed , and restrained thereby . the same pliny also writeth , that if a man take a spider , and lay it upon a fellon , ( provided that the sick patient may not know so much , ) that within the space only of three days , that terrible and painful grief will be clean taken away . and besides he affirmeth that if the head and feet of a spider be cast away , and the rest of the body rubbed and bruised , that it will throughly remedy the swelling in the fundament , proceeding of inflamation . if any be vexed with store of lice , and do use a suffumigation made only with spiders , it will cause them all to fall and come away , neither will there afterwards any moe breed in that place . the fat of a goose tempered and mixed with a spider and oyl of roses together , being used as an ointment upon the breasts , preserveth them safely , as that no milk will coagulate or curdle in them after any birth . anonymus . yea , that same knotty scourge of rich men , and the scorn of physitians , i mean the gowt , which as some learned men hold can by no means be remedied , yet feeleth mitigation and diminution of pain , and curation also , only by the presence of a spider , if it be taken alive , and her hinder-legs cut off , and afterward inclosed in a purse made of the hide of a stag. moreover , we see , ( which all other medicines can never do ) that all they are freed for the most part , both from the gowt in the legs and hands , where the spiders are most found , and where they are most busie in working , and framing their ingenious devised webs . doubtlesse , this is a rare miracle of nature , and a wonderful vertue , that is in this contemptible little creature , or rather esteemed to be so vile , abject , and of no estimation . rich men were happy indeed , if they knew how to make use of their own good . antonius pius was wont to say , that the sharp words , witty sayings , quirks and subtilties of sophisters , were like unto spiders webs , that contain in them much cunning art , and artificial conceit , but had little other good besides . if any one be newly and dangerously wounded , and that the miserable party feareth a bleeding to death , what is a more noble medicine , or more ready at hand , then a thick spiders web , to binde hard upon the wound , to stay the inordinate effusion of bloud ? questionlesse , if we were as diligent and greedy to search out the true properties and vertues of our own domestical remedies , which we would buy of others so dearly , we would not enforce our selves with such eager pursuit after those of forain countries , as though things fetcht far off , were better then our own neer at hand ; or as though nothing were good and wholesome , unlesse it came from egypt , arabia , or india . surely , unlesse there were some wilde worm in our brains , or that we were bewitched and possessed with some fury , we would not so far be in love with forein wares , or be so much besotted , as to seek for greedy new physick and physical means , considering that one poor spiders web will do more good , for the stanching of bloud , the curation of ulcers , the hindering of fanies , slime , or slough to grow in any sore , to abate and quench any inflamations , to conglutinate and consolidate wounds , more then a cart-load of bole fetcht out of armenia , sarcocolla , sandaracha , or that earth which is so much nobilitated by the impresse of a seal , and therefore called terra sigillata , the clay of samos , the dirt of germany , or the loam of lemnos . for a cobweb adstringeth , refrigerateth , soldereth , joyneth , and closeth up wounds , not suffering any rotten or filthy matter to remain long in them . and in regard of these excellent vertues and qualities , it quickly cureth bleeding at the nose , the haemorrhoids , and other bloudy-fluxes , whether of the opening of the mouths of the veins , their opertions , breakings , or any other bloudy evacuation that too much aboundeth , being either given by it self alone in some wine , either inwardly or outwardly , or commixed with the bloud-stone , crocus martis , and other the like remedies fit for the same intentions . the cobweb is also an ingredient into an unguent which is made by physitians , against the disease called serpego , and being bound to the swellings of the fundament , if there be inflamation joyned withall , it consumeth them without any pain , as marcellus empiricus testifieth . it likewise cureth the watering or dropping of the eyes , as pliny reporteth , and being applyed with oyl , it consolidateth the wounds of the joints : and some for the same intent , use the ashes of cobwebs , with fine meal and white wine mixed together . some chirurgeons there be that cure warts in this manner ; they take a spiders web , rolling the same up on a round heap like a ball , and laying it upon the wart they then set fire on it , and so burn it to ashes , and by this way and order the warts are eradicated , that they never after grow again . marcellus empiricus taketh spiders webs that are found in the cypresse tree , mixing them with other convenient remedies , so giving them to a podagrical person for the asswaging of his pain . against the pain of a hollow tooth , galen in his first book de compos : medicam . secundum loca , much commendeth , ( by testimony of archigenes ) the egges of spiders , being tempered and mixed with oleum nardinum , and so a little of it being put into the tooth . in like sort kiramides giveth spiders egges for the curation of a tertian ague . whereupon we conclude with galen , in his book to piso , that nature as yet never brought forth any thing so vile , mean , and contemptible in outward shew , but that it hath manifold and most excellent and necessary uses , if we would shew a greater diligence , and not be so squeamish as to refuse those wholesome medicines which are easie to be had , and without great charges and travail acquired . i will add therefore this one note before i end this discourse , that apes , marmosets or monkies , the serpents called lizards , the stellion , which is likewise a venomous beast like unto a lizard , having spots in his neck like unto stars . wasps , and the little beast called ichneumon , swallows , sparrows , the little titmouse , and hedge-sparrows , do often feed full favourly upon spiders . besides , if the nightingale , ( the prince of all singing birds ) do eat any spiders , she is clean freed and healed of all diseases whatsoever . in the days of alexander the great , there dwelled in the city of alexandria a certain young maid , which from her youth up , was fed and nourished only with eating of spiders , and for the same cause the king was premonished not to come neer her , lest peradventure he might be infected by her poysonous breath , or by the venom evaporated by her sweating . albertus likewise hath recorded in his writings , that there was a certain noble young virgin dwelling at colen in germany , who from her tender years was fed only with spiders . and thus much we english men have known , that there was one henry lilgrave , living not many years since , being clerk of the kitchen to the right noble ambrose dudley earl of warwick , who would search every corner for spiders , and if a man had brought him thirty or forty at one time , he would have eaten them all up very greedily , such was his desirous longing after them . of the stellion . they are much deceived that confound the green lizard , or any other vulgar lizard , for because the stellion hath a ru 〈…〉 colour : and yet ( as matthiolus writeth ) seeing aristotle hath left recorded , that there are venomous stellions in italy , he thinketh that the little white beast with stars on the back , found about the city of rome , in the walls and ruines of old houses , and is there called tarantula , is the stellion of which he speaketh , and there it liveth upon spiders . yet that there is another and more noble kinde of stellion , 〈…〉 iently so called of the learned , shall afterward appear in the succeeding discourse . this beast or serpent is called by the grecians , colottes , ascalobtes , and galeotes , and such a one was that which aristophanes faigneth from the side of a house eased her belly into the mouth of socrates as he gaped , when in a moon-shine night he observed the course of the stars , and motion of the moon . the reason of this greek name ascalabotes , is taken from ascalos , a circle , because it appeareth on the back full of such circles like stars , as writeth perottus . howbeit , that seemeth to be a faigned etymologie , and therefore i rather take it , that ascala signifieth impurity , and that by reason of the uncleannesse of this beast , it was called ascalabates , or as suidas deriveth it , of colobates , because by the help and dexterity of the fingers , it climbeth up the walls even as rats and mice ; or as kiramides will have it , from calos , signifying a piece of wood , because it climbeth upon wood and trees . and for the same reason it is called galeotes , because it climbeth like a weasil , but at this day it is vulgarly called among the grecians , liakoni ; although some are also of opinion , that it is also known among them by the words thamiamithos , and psammamythe . among the vulgar hebrews , it is sometimes called letaah , and sometimes semmamit , as munster writeth . the arabians call it sarnabraus , and senabras , a stellion of the gardens . and peradventure guarill , guasemabras , alurel , and gnases . and sylvaticus also useth epithets for a stellion . and the general arabian word for such creeping biting things , is vasga , which is also rendered a dragon of the house . in stead of colotes , albertus hath arcolus . the germans , english , and french , have no words for this serpent , except the latine word , and therefore i was justly constrained to call it a stellion , in imitation of the latine word . as i have shewed some difference about the name , so it now ensueth that i should do the like about the nature and place of their abode . first of all therefore i must put a difference betwixt the italian stellion or tarentula , and the thracian or grecian , for the stellion of the ancients is proper to grecia . for they say this stellion is full of lentile spots , or speckles , making a sharp or shrill shrieking noise , and is good to be eaten , but the other in italy are not so . also they say in sicilia , that their stellions inflict a deadly biting , but those in italy cause no great harm by their teeth . they are covered with a skin like a shell or thick bark , and about their backs there are many little shining spots like eyes , ( from whence they have their names ) streaming like stars , or drops of bright and clear water , according to this verse of ovid ; — aptumque colori nomen habet variis stellatus corpora guttis . which may be englished thus ; and like his spotted hiew , so is his name , the body starred over like drops of rain . it moveth but slowly , the back and tail being much broader then is the back and tail of a lizard , but the italian tarentulaes are white , and in quantity like the smallest lizards : and the other grecian lizards , ( called at this day among them haconi ) is of bright silver colour , and are very harmful and angry , whereas the other are not so , but so meek and gentle , as a man may put his fingers into the mouth of it without danger . one reason of their white bright shining colour , is because they want bloud , and therefore it was an error in sylvaticus to say that they had bloud . the teeth of this serpent are very small and crooked , and whensoever they bite , they stick fast in the wound , and are not pulled forth again except with violence . the tail is not very long , and yet when by any chance it is broken , bitten , or cut off , then it groweth again . they live in houses , and neer unto the dores and windows thereof make their lodgings , and sometims in dead-mens graves and sepulchres , but most commonly they climbe and creep aloft , so as they fall down again ; sometimes into the meat as it is in dressing ; and sometimes into other things , ( as we have already said ) into socrates mouth , and when they descend of their own accord , they creep side-long , they eat honey , and for that cause creep into the hives of bees , except they be very carefully stopped , as virgil writeth ; nam saepe favos , ignotus adedit stellio . many times the stellion at unawares meeteth with the honey-combs . they also of italy many times eat spiders . they all lie hid four months of the year , in which time they eat nothing , and twice in the year , that is to say , both in the spring time and autumn , they cast their skin , which they greedily eat so soon as they have stripped it off . which theophrastus and other authors write , is an envious part in this serpent or creeping creature , because they understand that it is a noble remedy against the falling-sicknesse : wherefore to keep men from the benefit and good which might come thereby , they speedily devour it . and from this envious and subtile part of the stellion , cometh the crime in vlpianus called crimen stellionatus , that is , when one man fraudulently preventeth another of his money , or wares , or bargain , even as the stellion doth man kinde of the remedy which cometh unto them by and from his skin . the crime is also called extortion , and among the romans , when the tribunes did withdraw from the souldiers their provision of victual and corn , it is said , tribunes qui per stellaturas militibus aliquid abstulissent , capitali poena affecit . and therefore budeus relateth a history of two tribunes , who for this stellature were worthily stoned to death by the commandment of the emperor . and all frauds whatsoever , are likewise taxed by this name , which were not punishable but by the doom of the supream or highest judge , and thereupon alciatus made this emblem following . parva lacerta , atris stellatus corpare guttis stellio , qui latebras & cava busta colit , invidiae pravique doli fert symbola , pictus : he● nimium nuribus cognita zelotypis . nam turpi obtegitur faciem lentigine , quisquis sit quibus immersus stellio , vina bibat . hinc vindicta frequens , decepta pellice vino , quam forma amisso flore relinquit amans . which may be englished thus ; the little lizard , on stellion starred in body grain in seoret holes , and graves of dead which doth remain , when painted you it see , or drawn before the eye , a symbole then you view of deep deceit and cursed envy : alas , this is a thing to jealous wives known too well , for whosoever of that wine doth drink his fill wherein a stellion bath been drencht to death , his face with filthy lentile spots all ugly it appeareth , herewith a lover oft requites the fraud of concubine , depriving her of beauties biew by draught of this sam● wine . the poet ovid hath a pretty fiction of the original of this cursed envy in stellions , for he writeth of one abas the son of motaneira , that received ceres kindely into her house , and gave her hospitality , whereat the said abas being displeased , derided the sacrifice which his mother made to cores ; the goddesse seeing the wretched nature of the young man , and his extream impiety against the sacrifice of his mother , took the wine left in the goblet after the sacrifice , and poured the same upon his head , whereupon he was immediately turned into a stellion , as it is thus related by ovil . metam . . combibit ●s maculas , & quae mode brachia gessit crura gerit , cauda est mutatis addita membris : inque brevem formam , ne sit vis magna nocendi , contrahitur , parvaque minor mensura lacerta est . in english thus ; his ●cuah suckt in those spots : and now where arms did stand , his legs appear , and to his changed parts was put a tail , and lest it should have power to harm , small was the bodies band , and of the lizards poysonous , this least in shape did vail . their bodies are very brittle , so as if at any time they chance to fall , they break their tails . they lay very small egges , out of which they are generated : and pliny writeth , that the juyce or liquor of these egges laid upon a mans body , causeth the hair to fall off , and also never more permitteth it to grow again . but whereas we have said , it devoureth the skin , to the damage and hurt of men , you must remember , that in ancient time the people did not want their policies and devises to take away this skin from them before they could eat it . and therefore in the summer time they watched the lodging place and hole of the lizard , and then in the end of the winter toward the spring , they took reeds and did cleave them in sunder , these they composed into little cabinets , and set them upon the hole of the serpent : now when it awaked and would come forth , it being grieved with the thicknesse and straightnesse of his skin , presseth out of his hole through those reeds or cabinet , and finding the same somewhat straight , is the more glad to take it for a remedy ; so by little and little it slideth through , and being through , it leaveth the skin behinde in the cabinet , into the which it cannot re-enter to devour it . thus is this wily serpent by the policy of man justly beguiled , losing that which it so greatly desireth to possesse , and changing nature , to line his guts with his coat , is prevented from that gluttony , it being sufficient to have had it for a cover in the winter , and therefore unsufferable that it should make food thereof , and eat the same in the summer , these stellions ( like as other serpents ) have also their enemies in nature , as first of all they are hated by the asses , for they love to be about the mangers and racks on which the asse feedeth , and from thence many times they creep into the asses open nostrils , and by that means hinder his eating . but above all other , there is greatest antipathy in nature betwixt this serpent and the scorpion , for if a scorpion do but see one of these , it falleth into a deep fear , and a cold sweat , out of which it is delivered again very speedily : and for this cause a stellion putrified in oyl , is a notable remedy against the biting of a scorpion ; and the like war and dissension , is affirmed to be betwixt the stellion and the spider . we have shewed already , the difference of stellions of italy from them of greece , how these are of a deadly poysonous nature , and the other innocent and harmlesse , and therefore now it is also convenient , that we should shew the nature and cure of this poyson , which is in this manner ; whensoever any man is bitten by a stellion , he hath ach and pain thereof continually , and the wound received looketh very pale in colour , the cure whereof , according to the saying of aetius , is to make a plaister of garlick and leeks mixed together , or else to eat the said garlick and leeks , drinking after them a good draught of sweet wine , unmixed and very pure , or else apply nigella romana sesamyne , and sweet water unto it . some ( as arnoldus writeth ) prescribe for this cure the dung of a faulcon , or a scorpion to be bruised all to pieces , and laid to the wound . but sometimes it happeneth , that a mans meat or drink is corrupted with stellions that fall into the same from some high place where they desire to be climbing , and then if the same meat or wine so corrupted be eaten or drunk , it causeth unto the party a continual vomiting and pain in the stomach . then must the cure be made also by vomits to avoid the poyson , and by glysters to open the lower passage , that so there may be no stop or stay , to keep the imprisoned meat or drink in the body . and principally those things are prescribed in this case , which are before expressed in the cantharides , when a man hath by any accident been poysoned by eating of them . the remedies which are observed out of this serpent are these : being eaten by hawks , they make them quickly to cast their old coats or feathers . others give it in meat after it is bowelled , to them that have the falling-sicknesse . also when the head , feet , and bowels are taken away , it is profitable for those persons which cannot hold in their urine ; and being sodden , is given against the bloudy-flux . also sod in wine with black poppy-seed , cureth the pain of the loins , if the wine be drunk up by the sick patient . the oyl of stellions being anointed upon the arm-holes or pits of children , or young persons , it restraineth all hair for ever growing in those places . also the oyl of stellions , which are sod in oyl-olive with lizards , do cure all boils and wens , consuming them without lancing or breaking . and the ashes of the stellion are most principally commended against the falling-sicknesse , like as also is the skin or trunck , as we have said before . the head burned and dryed , and afterward mixed with honey-attick , is very good against the continual dropping or running of the eyes ; and in the days of pliny , he writeth that they mixed stibium herewithal . the heart is of so great force , that it being eaten , bringeth a most deep and dangerous sleep , as may appear by these verses : mande cor , & tantus prosternet corpora somnus , vt scindi possunt absque dolore manus . which may be englished thus ; eat you the heart , and then such sleep the body will possesse , that hands may from the same be cut away painlesse . to conclude , the physitians have carefully observed sundry medicines out of the egges , gall , and dung of stellions , but because i write for the benefit of the english reader , i will spare their relation , seeing we shall not need to fear the bitings of stellions in england , or expect any drugs among our a pothecaries out of them , and therefore i will here end the history of the stellion . of the tyre . there be some which have confounded this serpent with the viper , and taken them both to be but one kinde , or at least the tyre to be a kinde of viper , because the arabians call a viper thiron , of the greek word therion , which signifieth a wilde beast , and whatsoever the grecians write of their echidna , that is their viper , the same things the arabians write of the tyre , and leonicenus compiled a whole book in the defence of that matter : and from hence cometh that noble name or composition antidotary , called theriaca , that is , triacle . but avicen in the mention of the triacle of andromachus , distinguisheth the triacle of the viper , from that of the tyre , and calleth one of them trohiscos tyri , and the other trohiscos viperae . so gentilis and florentinus do likewise put a manifest difference betwixt the tyre and the viper , although in many they are alike , and agree together . this tyre is called in latine tyrus and tyria , and also among the arabians , as sylvaticus writeth , eosmari , and alpfahex . rabbi moses in his aphorisms writeth , that when the hunters go to seek these serpents , they carry with them bread , which they cast unto them , and while the tyre doth eat it , he closeth his mouth so fast , that his teeth cannot suddenly open again to do his hunting adversary any harm , and this thing ( as he writeth ) is very admirable at the first , to them that are ignorant of the secret in nature . galen also writeth so much to piso of vipers , and he saith that the circulators , juglers or quacksalvers , did cast certain mazes or small cakes to them , which when they had tasted , they had no power to harm any body . this tyrus is said to be a serpent about the coasts of jericho in the wildernesse , where it hunteth birds , and liveth by devouring of them and their egs . and a confection of the flesh of this serpent , with the admixture of some few other things , taketh away all intoxicate poyson , which confection is called triacle . it is also reported , that whereas the dragons have no poyson of themselves , they take it away from this serpent , and so poyson with a borrowed venom . for this poyson is very deadly : and there is a tale ( which i will not tell for truth ) that before the coming and death of our saviour jesus christ , the same was unremediable , and they dyed thereof , whosoever they were that had been poysoned by a tyre ; but on the day of christ his passion , one of them was found by chance in jerusalem , which was taken alive , and brought to the side of our saviour hanging up on the crosse , where it also fastened the teeth , and from that time ever since , all the kinde have received a qualified and remediable poyson , and also their flesh made apt to cure it self , or other venoms . it is reported that when the tyrus is old , he casteth , or rather wresteth off his coat in this manner following ; first it getteth off the skin which groweth betwixt the eyes , by which it looketh as if it were blinde ; and if it be strange to a man , ( i mean the first time that ever he saw it ) he will verily take it to be blinde : afterward , it also fleyeth off the skin from the head , and so at last by little and little , the whole body , at which sight it appeareth as though it were an embryon , or skinlesse serpent . they keep their egs in their belly , and in them breed their young ones , as the vipers do , for before they come out of the dams belly , they are in all parts ( according to their kinde ) perfect creatures , and so every one generateth his like , as do four-footed beasts . i take it by the relation of gesner , that the dipsas in italy is called tyrus . also cardan writeth , that there is a supposed and false conceit , that with the flesh of this tyre , mixed with hellebore and water , is made a confection to restore youth : but the truth is , it rather weakeneth and destroyeth bodies , then helpeth them , and maketh a counterfeit or varnished false youth , but no true youth at all . thus far cardan , and thus much of this serpent , the other things written of it , are the same that are written of the viper . of the tortoise . the last four-footed egge-breeding beast , cometh now to be handled in due order and place ; namely , the tortoise , which i have thought good to insert also in this place , although i cannot finde by reading or experience , that it is venomous , yet seeing other before me have ranged the same in the number and catalogue of these serpents and creeping creatures , i will also follow them ; and therefore i will first expresse that of the tortoise , which is general and common to both kindes , and then that which is special , and proper to the land and sea tortoises . the name of this beast is not certain , among the hebrews some call it schabhul , some kipod , and some homet ; whereas every one of these do also signifie another thing , as schabhul , a snail ; kipod , a hedge-hog ; and homet , a lizard . the chaldeans call this beast thiblela ; the arabians term it sisemat , also kau●en salabhafe , and halachalie ; the italians call this testuma , testudine , veltestugire , tartuca , ●nsuruma , tartocha , & coforona . and in ferraria , gallanae , tartugellae , biscae , scutellariae ; the inhabitants of taurinum , cupparia ; the portugals , gagado ; the spaniards , galapago , and tartuga ; the french , tortue , and tartue ; and in savoy , boug coupe ; the germans , schiltkrot , and tallerkrot ; the flemings , schiltpadde , which answereth our english word shell-crab ; the grecians call it chelone ; and the latines , testudo : which words in their several languages , have other significations , as are to be found in every vocabular dictionary , and thefore i omit them , as not pertinent to this businesse or history . there be of tortoises three kindes , one that liveth on the land , the second in the sweet waters , and the third in the sea , or salt waters . there are found great store of these in india , especially of the water-tortoises , and therefore the people of that part of the countrey are called chelonophagi ; that is , eaters of tortoises , for they live upon them : and these people are said to be in the east-part of india . and in carmania the people are likewise so called . and they do not only eat the flesh of them , but also cover their houses with their shells , and of their abundance , do make them all manner of vessels . pliny and solinus write , that the sea-tortoises of india are so big , that with one of them they cover a dwelling cottage . and strabo saith , they also row in them on the waters , as in a boat. the island of serapis in the red-sea , and the farthest ocean islands , toward , the east of the red-sea , hath also very great tortoises in it : and every where in the red-sea they so abound , that the people there do take them and carry them to their greatest marts and fairs to sell them , as to raphtis , to ptolemais , and the island of dioscorides , whereof some have white and small shells . in lybia also they are found , and in the night time they come out of their lodgings to feed , but very softly , so as one can scarcely perceive their motion . and of one of these scaliger telleth this story . one night ( saith he ) as i was travelling , being overtaken with darknesse and want of light , i cast about mine eyes to seek some place for my lodging , safe and secure from wilde beasts ; and as i looked about , i saw ( as i thought ) a little hill or heap of earth , but in truth it was a tortoise , covered all over with mosse : upon that i ascended and sate down to rest , whereupon after a little watching i fell asleep , and so ended that nights rest upon the back of the tortoise . in the morning , when light approached , i perceived that i was removed far from the place , whereon i first chose to lodge all night ; and therefore rising up , i beheld with great admiration the sace and countenance of this beast , in the knowledge whereof , ( as in a new nature ) i went forward , much comforted in my wearisome journey . the description of the tortoise and several parts thereof now followeth to be handled . those creatures ( saith pliny ) which bring forth or lay egs , either have feathers as fowls , or have scales as serpents , or thick hides as the scorpion , or else a shell like the tortoise . it is not without great cause that this shell is called scutum , and the beast scutellaria , for there is no buckler and shield so hard and strong as this is . and palladius was not deceived when he wrote thereof , that upon the same might safely passe over a cart-wheel , the cart being loaded . and therefore in this the tortoise is more happy then the crocodile , or any other such beast . albertus writeth that it hath two shels , one upon the back , the other on the belly , which are conjoyned together in four places , and by reason of this so firm a cover and shell , the flesh thereof is dry and firm , also long lasting , and not very easie or apt to putrefaction . this shell or cover is smooth , except sometimes when it is grown old , it hath mosse upon it , and it never casteth his coat in old age , as other creeping things do . in the head and tail it resembleth a serpent , and the great tortoises have also shells upon their heads like a shield , yet is the head but short , and the aspect of it very fearful , until a man be well acquainted therewith . and by reason of the hardnesse of their eyes , they move none but the neather eye-lid , and that without often winking . the liver of it is great , yet without any bloud . it hath but one belly without division , and the liver is always foul , by reason of the vitious temperature of the body . the milt is exceeding small , coming far short of the bodies proportion . beside , the common nature of other thick-hided creatures . it hath also reins , except that kinde of tortoise called lutaria , for that wanteth both reins and bladder ; for by reason of the softnesse of the cover thereof the humor is over-fluent ; but the tortoise that bringeth forth egs hath all inward parts like a perfect creature : and the females have a singular passage for their excrements , which is not in the males . the egs are in the body of the belly , which are of a party-colour like the egs of birds . their stones cleave to their loins , and the tail is short , but like the tail of a serpent . they have four legs , in proportion like the legs of lizards , every foot having five fingers or divisions upon them , with nails upon every one . and thus much for the several parts . they are not unjustly called amphibia , because they live both in the water and on the land , and in this thing they are by pliny resembled to beavers : but this must be understood of the general , otherwise the tortoises of the land do never dare come into the water : and those of the water can breath in the water , but want respiration , and likewise they lay their egges and sleep upon the d●y land . they have a very slow and easie pace ; and thereupon pauvius calleth it tardigrada , and also there is a proverb , testudineus incessus for a slow and soft pace , when such a motion is to be expressed . the tortoise never casteth his coat , no not in his old age . the voyce is an abrupt and broken hissing , not like to the serpents , but much more loud and diffused . the male is very salacious and given to carnal copulation , but the female is not so ; for when she is attempted by the male , they fight it out by the teeth , and at last the male overcometh , whereat he rejoyceth as much as one that in a hard conflict , fight , or battail , hath won a fair woman ; the reason of this unwillingnesse is , because it is exceeding painful to the female . they engender by riding or covering one another . when they have laid their egges , they do not sit upon them to hatch them , but lay them in the earth , covered , and there by the heat of the sun is the young one formed , and cometh forth at due time without any further help from his parents . they are accounted crafty and subtle in their kinde , for subtlenesse is not only ascribed to things that have a thin bloud , but also to those that have thick skins , hides , and covers , such as the tortoise and crocodile have . the tortoise is an enemy to the partridge , as philes and aellanus write : also the ape is as fraid thereof , as it is of the snail : and to conclude , whatsoever enemy it hath , it is safe enough as long as it is covered with his shell , and clingeth fast to the earth beneath ; and therefore came the proverb , oikos philos , oikos aristos . that house which is ones friend , is the best house . the poets give a fabulous reason , why the tortoise doth ever carry his house upon his back , which is this : they say , that on a time jupiter bad all living creatures to a banquet or marriage feast , and thither they all came at the time appointed , except the tortoise : and she at last also appeared at the end of the feast when the meat was all spent : whereat jupiter wondered , and asked her why she came no sooner ? then it answered him , oikos philos , oikos aristos ; at which answer jupiter being angry , adjudged her perpetually to carry her house on her back , and for this cause they fable , that the tortoise is never separated from her house . flaminius the roman disswading the achaeans from attempting the island of zacynthus , used this argument ; and so afterward t. livius . caeterum sicut testudinem , ubi collecta in suum tegumen est , tutam ad omnes ictus vidi esse : ubi exerit partes aliquas , quodcunque nudavit , obnoxium atque infirmum habere : haud dissimiliter vobis achaei , clausis undique maris , quod intra peloponnesum est , termino , ea & jungere vobis , & juncta tueri facile : si semel aviditate plura amplectendi hinc excedatis , nuda vobis omnia quae extra sint & exposita ad omnes ictus esse . thus far pliny . that is to say , even as when the tortoise is gathered within the compasse of her shell , then is it safe and free from all stroaks , and feeleth no violence , but whensoever she putteth forth a limb or part , then is it naked , infirm , and easie to be harmed : so is it with you achaeans , for by reason of the inclosed seat of peloponnesus within the straights of the sea , you may well winde all that together , and being conjoyned , as well defend it : but if once your avidous and covetous mindes to get more , appear and stretch it self beyond those limits , you shall lay open your naked infirmity and weaknesse , to all force , blows , and violence whatsoever . wherefore the tortoise careth not for flies , and men with good armour care not much for light and easie adversaries . alciatus hath a witty emblem of a tortoise to expresse a good huswife , and that the fame of her vertues , spreadeth much further then either beauty or riches . alma venus , quaenam haec facies ? quid denotat illa testudo , molli quam pede diva premis ? me sic effinxit phidias , sexumque referri foemineum nostra jussit ab effigie , quodque manere domi , & tacitas debet esse puellas , supposuit pedibus talia signa meis . which may be englished thus ; loves holy god , what means that ugly face ? what doth that tortoise signifie indeed , which thou ô god ●desse under soft foot dost pace ? declare what means the same to me with speed : such is the shape that phidias did me frame , and bade me go resemble womankinde , te teach them silence , and in house remain , such pictures underneath my feet you finde . there is a manifold use of tortoises , especially of their cover or shell , and likewise of their flesh , which cometh now to be handled . and first of all , the ancient ornaments of beds , chambers , tables , and banquetting houses , was a kinde of artificial work , called carvilius , and this was framed in gold and silver , brasse and wood , ivory and tortoise-shels ; but , modo luxuria non fuerit content a ligno , jam lignum emi testudinem facit : that is to say , ryot not contented , sought precious frames of wood ; and again , the use of wood caused tortoise-shells to be deerly bought , and thereof also complained the poet juvenal , where he saith ; — nemo curabat rivalis in oceani fluctu testudo nataret clarum trojugenis factura & nobile fulorum . in english thus ; then none did care for tortoise in the ocean flood , to make the noble beds for trojans bloud . we have shewed already that there are certain people of the east called chelophagi , which live by eating of tortoises , and with their shells they cover their houses , make all their vessels , row in them upon the water , as men use to row in boats , and make them likewise serve for many other uses . but as concerning the eating of the flesh of tortoises , the first that ever we read that used this ill diet , were the amazons , according as coelius rhod : and other authors writeth . besides , aloysius cadamustus affirmeth , that he himself did tast of the flesh of a tortoise , and that it was white in colour , much like unto veal , and not unpleasant . but rasis is of a clean contrary opinion , condemning it for very unsavory , and unwholesome , because the taste and temperament thereof is betwixt the land and the water , it being a beast that liveth in both elements . and in eating hereof the grecians have a proverb , chelones kreas he phagein , he me phagein : that is , either eat tortoise flesh , or eat it not . meaning that when we eat it , we must eat nothing else , and therefore must be filled sufficiently only with that kinde of meat ; for to eat little , breedeth fretting in the belly , and to eat much is as good as a purgation , according to the observation of many actions , which being done frigide & ignoviter , that is , coldly and slothfully to halfs , do no good , but being done acriter & ●xplicate , earnestly and throughly bring much content and happinesse . but i marvail why they are used in this age , or desired by meat-mongers , seeing apicius in all his book of variety of meats , doth not mention them ; and i therefore will conclude the eating of tortoises to be dangerous , and hateful to nature it self , for unlesse it be taken like a medicine , it doth little good , and then also the sawces and decoctions or compositions that are confected with it , are such as do not only qualifie , but utterly alter all the nature of them , ( as stephanus aquaeus hath well declared in his french discourse of frogs and tortoises . ) and therefore to conclude this history of the tortoise , i will but recite one riddle of the strangenesse of this beast which tertullian out of pacuvius maketh mention of , and also in greek by mascopulus , which is thus translated . animal peregrinae naturae , sine spiritu spiro , geminis oculis retro juxta cerebrum , quibus ducibus antrorsum progredior . super ventre coeruleo pergo , sub quo venter latet albus , apertus & clausus . oculi non aperiuntur , neque progredior , donec venter intus albus vacuus est . hoc s●turato , oculi apparent insignes , & pergoaditer : et quanquam mutum varias edo voces : that is to say , i am a living creature , of a strange nature , i breath without breath , with two eye behinde , neer my brains do i go forward , i go upon a blew belly , under which is also another white , open and shut , my eyes never open , i go forward until my belly be empty , when it is full , then they appear plain and i go on my journey , and although i am mute or dumb , yet do i make many voyces . the explication of this riddle , will shew the whole nature of the beast , and of the harp called chelys . for some things are related herein of the living creature , and some things again of an instrument of musick made upon his shell and cover . and thus much for the tortoise in general , the medicines i will reserve unto the end of this history . of the tortoise of the earth , whose shell is only figured . these are found in the desarts of africa , as in lybia and mauritania , in the open fields , and likewise in lydia in the corn-fields , for when the plough-men come to plough their land , their shares turn them out of the earth upon the furrows as big as great glebes of land . and the shels of these the husbandmen burn on the land , and dig them out with spades and mattocks , even as they do worms among places full of such vermine . the hill parthenius , and soron in arcadia , do yeeld many of these land tortoises . the shell of this living creature is very pleasantly distinguished with divers colours , as earthy , black , blewish , and almost like a salamanders . the liver of it is small , yet apt to be blown or swell with with winde , and in all other parts they differ not from the common and vulgar general prefixed description . these live in corn-fields , upon such fruits as they can finde ; and therefore also they may be kept in chests or gardens , and fed with apples , meal , or bread without leaven . they eat also cockles , and worms of the earth , and three-leaved-grasse . they will also eat vipers , but presently after they eat origan , for that herb is an antidote against viperine poyson for them , and unlesse they can instantly finde it , they die of the poyson . the like use it is said to have of rue , but the tortoises of the sandy sea in africk live upon the fat , dew , and moistnesse of those sands . they are ingendered like other of their kinde , and the males are more venereous then the females , because the female must needs be turned upon her back , and she cannot rise again without help : wherefore many times the male after his lust is satisfied , goeth away , and leaveth the poor female to be destroyed of kites , or other adversaries : their natural wisdom therefore hath taught them to prefer life and safety before lust and pleasure . yet theocritus writeth of a certain herb , that the male tortoise getteth into his mouth , and at the time of lust turneth the same to his female , who presently upon the smell thereof , is more enraged for copulation then is the male , and so giveth up her self to his pleasure without all fear of evil , or providence against future danger : but this herb neither he nor any other can name . they lay egges in the earth , and do not hatch them , except they breath on them with their mouth , out of which at due time come their young ones . all the winter time they dig themselves into the earth , and there live without eating any thing , insomuch as a man would think they could never live again , but in the summer and warm weather they dig themselves out again without danger . the tortoises of india in their old and full age change their shells and covers , but all other in the world never change or cast them . this tortoise of the earth is an enemy to vipers , and other serpents , and the eagles again are enemies to this , not so much for hatred as desirous thereof for physick , against their sicknesses and diseases of nature ; and therefore they are called in greek chelonophagoi aeloi , tortoise-eating eagles : for although they cannot come by them out of their deep and hard shells , yet they take them up into the air , and so ●et them fall down upon some hard stone or rock , and thereupon it is broken all to peeces , and by this means dyed the famous poet aeschylus , which kinde of fate was foretold him , that such a day he should die : wherefore to avoid his end , in a fair sun-shine clear day he sate in the fields , and suddenly an eagle let a tortoise fall down upon his head which brake his skull , and crushed out his brains , whereupon the grecians wrote : aeschulo graphonti , epipeptoke chelone . which may be englished thus ; eschylus writing upon a rock , a tortoise falling , his brains out knock . the use of this land tortoise , are first for gardens , because they clear the gardens from snails and worms : out of the arcadian tortoises they make harps , for their shells are very great , and this kinde of harp is called in latine testudo , the inventer whereof is said to be mercury , for finding a tortoise after the falling in of the river nilus , whose flesh was dryed up , because it was left upon the rocks , he struck the sinews thereof , which by the force of his hand made a musical sound , and thereupon he framed it into a harp , which caused other to imitate his action , and continue that unto this day . these tortoises are better meat then the sea or water tortoises : and therefore they are preferred for the belly ; especially they are given to horses , for by them they are raised in flesh , and made much fatter . and thus much shall suffice for the tortoise of the earth . of the tortoise of the sweet-water . pliny maketh four kindes of tortoises , one of the earth , a second of the sea , a third called lutaria , and the fourth called swyda , living in sweet-waters , and this is called by the portugals , cagado ; and gagado ; the spaniards , galopag ; and the italians , gaiandre de aqua . there are of this kinde found in helvetia , neer to zurick , at a town called andelfinge : but the greatest are found in the river ganges in india , where their shells are as great as tuns , and damascen writeth , that he saw certain embassadours of india , present unto augustus caesar at antiochia , a sweet-water tortoise , which was three cubits broad . they breed their young ones in nilus . they have but a small milt , and it wanteth both a bladder and reins . they breed their young ones and lay their egges on the dry land , for in the water they die without respiration : therefore they dig a hole in the earth wherein they lay their egges , as it were in a great ditch , of the quantity of a barrel , and having covered them with earth , depart away from them for thirty days ; afterwards they come again and uncover their egs , which they finde formed into young ones , those they take away with them into the water : and these tortoises at the inundation of nilus follow the crocodiles , and remove their nests and egges from the violence of the flouds . there was a magical and superstitious use of these sweet-water tortoises against hail , for if a man take one of these in his right hand , and carry it with the belly upward round about his vineyard , and so returning in the same manner with it , and afterward lay it upon the back , so as it cannot turn on the belly , but remain with the face upward , all manner of clowds should passe over that place and never empty themselves upon that vineyard . but such diabolical and foolish observations were not so much as to be remembred in this place , were it not for their sillinesse , that by knowing them , men might learn the weaknesse of humane wisdom when it erreth , from the fountain of all science and true knowledge ( which is divinity ) and the most approved operations of nature : and so i will say no more in this place of the sweet-water tortoise . of the tortoise of the sea. it were unproper and exorbitant to handle the sea-tortoise in this place , were it not because it liveth in both elements , that is , both the water and the land , wherefore seeing the earth is the place of his generation , as the sea is of his food and nourishment , it shall not be amisse nor improper ( i trust ) to handle this also among the serpents and creeping things of the earth . pliny calleth this sea-tortoise mus marinus , a mouse of the sea , and after him albertus doth so likewise . the arabians call it asfulhasch ; and the portugals , tartaruga ; and in germany , mee●schiltkrott , which the common fisher-men call the souldier , because his back seemeth to be armed and covered with a shield and helmet , especially on the fore-part : which shield is very thick , strong , and triangular , there being great veins and sinews which go out of his neck , shoulders , and hips , that tie on and fasten the same to his body . his fore-feet being like hands , are forked and twisted very strong , and with which it fighteth and taketh his prey , and nothing can presse it to death except the frequent strokes of hammers . and in all their members except their quantity , and their feet , they are much like the tortoises of the earth , for otherwise they are greater , and are also black in colour . they pull in their heads as occasion is ministred to them , either to fight , feed , or be defended , and their whole shell or cover seemeth to be compounded of fine plates . they have no teeth , but in the brims of their beaks or or snouts are certain eminent divided things like teeth , very sharp , and shut upon the under lip like as the cover of a box , and in the confidence of the sharp prickles , and the strength of their hands and backs , they are not afraid to fight with men . their eyes are most clear and splendent , casting their beams far and near , and also they are of white colour , so that for their brightnesse and rare whitenesse , the apples are taken out and included in rings , chains , and bracelets . they have reins which cleave to their backs , as the reins of a bugle or ox. their feet are not apt to be used in going , for they are like to the feet of seals or sea-calves , serving in stead of oars to swim withall . their legs are very long , and stronger in their feet and nails , then are the claws of the lion. they live in rocks and the sea-sands , and yet they cannot live altogether in the water , or on the land , because they want breathing and sleep , both which they perform out of the water : yet pliny writeth , that many times they sleep on the top of the water , and his reason is , because they lie still unmoveable , ( except with the water ) and snort like any other creature that sleepeth , but the contrary appeareth , seeing they are found to sleep on the land , and the snorting noise they make is but an endeavour to breath , which they cannot well do on the top of the water , and yet better there then in the bottom . they feed in the night-time , and the mouth is the strongest of all other creatures , for with it they they crush in pieces any thing , be it never so hard , as a stone or such things : they also come and eat grasse on the dry land . they eat certain little fishes in the winter time , at which season their mouth is hardest , and with these fishes they are also baited by men , and so taken . pausanias writeth , that in africa that there are maritine rocks called scelestae , and there dwelleth among a creature called scynon , that is zytyron , a tortoise , and whatsoever he findeth on those rocks which is stranger in the sea , the same he taketh and casteth down headlong . they engender on the land , and the female resisteth the copulation with the male , until he set against her a stalk or stem of some tree or plant . they lay their egs and cover them in the earth , planing it over with their breasts , and in the night-time they sit upon them to hatch them . their egs are great , of divers colours● , having a hard shell , so that the young one is not framed or brought forth within lesse compasse then a year , ( as aristotle writeth ) but pliny saith thirty days . and for as much as they cannot by nature , nor dare for accident long tarry upon the land : they set certain marks with their feet upon the place where they lay their egs , whereby they know the place again , and are never deceived . some again say , that after they have hid their egs in the earth forty days , the female cometh the just fortieth day , not failing of her reckoning , and uncovereth her egs wherein she findeth her young ones formed , which she taketh out as joyfully as any man would do gold out of the earth , and carryeth them away with her to the water . they lay sometimes an hundred egs , and sometimes they lay fewer , but ever the number is very great . there is upon the left side of hispaniola , a little island upon the port beata , which is called altus bellus , where peter martyr reporteth strange things of many creatures ; especially of the tortoises , for he writeth , that when they rage in lust for copulation , they come on shore , and there they dig a ditch wherein they lay together three or four hundred egs , being as great as goose egs , and when they have made an end , they cover them with sand and go away to the sea , not once looking after them : but at the appointed time of nature , by the heat of the sun , the young tortoises are hatched , engendered , and produced into light without any further help of their parents . great is the courage of one of these , for it is not afraid to set upon three men together , but if it can be turned upward upon the back , it is made weak and unresistible . and if the head be cut off and severed from the body , it dieth not presently , nor closeth the eyes , for if a man shake his hand at it , then will it wink , but if he put it neer , it will also bite if it can reach it . if by the heat of the sun their backs grow dry , they also grow weak and inflexible , and therefore they hasten to the water to remollifie them , or else they die within short time : and for this cause this is the best way to take them , in the hottest day they are drawn into the deep , where they swim willingly with their backs or shells above the water , where they take breath , and in continuance , the sun so hardeneth them , that they are not able to help themselves in the water , but they grow very faint and weak , and are taken at the pleasure of the fisherman . they are also taken on the tops of the water after they return weary from their feeding in the night-time , for then two men may easily turn them on their backs , and in the mean while another casteth a snare upon them and draweth them safely to the land . in the phaenician sea they are taken safely without danger , and generally where they may be turned on their back , there they can make no resistance , but where they cannot , many times they would and kill the fisher-men , breaking the nets asunder , and let out all the other fish included with them . bellonius writeth , that there be of these sea-tortoises two kindes , one long , the other round , and both of them breath at their noses , because they want gills , and the long ones are most frequent about the port torra in the red-sea , whose cover is variable , for the males shell is plain and smooth underneath , and the females is hollow . the turks have a kinde of tortoise , whose shell is bright like the chrysolite , of which they make hasts for knives of the greatest price , which they adorn with plates of gold . in jambolus , an island of the south , there are also found certain monsters or living creatures , which are not very great , yet are they admirable in nature , and in the vertue of their bloud . their bodies are round and like the tortoise , having two crosse lines over their backs , in the ends of which is an eye and an ear at either side , so as they seem to have four ears , the belly is but one , into which the meat passeth out of the mouth . they have feet round about , and with them they go both backward and forward . the vertue of their bloud is affirmed to be admirable : for whatsoever body is cut asunder and put together , if it be sprinckled with this bloud during the time that it breatheth , it couniteth as before . the ancient troglodytes had a kinde of sea-tortoise , which they call celtium , which had horns unto which they fastened the strings of their harps ; these also they worshipped and accounted very holy . yet some think that they might better be called celetum then celtium ; but i think hermolaus doth better call them chelitium apotes cheluos , which signifieth both a tortoise and their broad breasts ; and with their horns they help themselves in swimming . albertus also maketh mention of a tortoise called barchora , but it is thought to be a corrupt word from ostra ●odermus . these sea-tortoises are found sometimes to be eight cubits broad , and in india with their shells they cover houses , and such use they also put them unto in taprobana , for they have them fifteen cubits broad . and thus much for all kinde kinde of tortoises . of the viper . notwithstanding the asseveration of suessanus , who will needs exclude the viper from the serpents , because a serpent is called ophis , and the viper echis , yet i trust there shall be no reasonable man that can make exception to the placing of this living creature among serpents ; for that great learned man was deceived in that argument , seeing by the same reason he might as well exclude any other , as the snake , dragon , scorpion , and such like , who have their peculiar names , besides the generall word ophis , and yet might he also have been better advised , then to affirm a viper not to be called a serpent : for even in aristotle whom he expoundeth and approveth , he might have found in his fifth book of gen. animal . and the last chapter , that the viper is recorded , inter genera opheon : that is , amongst the general kindes of serpents , although as we shall shew afterward , it differeth from most kindes of serpents , because it breedeth the young one in his belly , and in the winter time lyeth in the rocks , and among stones , and not in the earth . the hebrews as it appeareth , esa . . and job . call it aphgnath , and according to munster aphgnaim plurally for vipers , because of the variety of colours , wherewithal they are set all over . the arabians from the greek word thereon , signifying all kinde of wide beasts , do also call it thiron , and that kinde of viper whereof is made the triacle , they call a alafafrai , and alphai : they also call it eosman , ( as leonicenus writeth . ) beside it is called alphe , which seemeth to be derived of the hebre●s , and af●● , which may likewise be conjectured to arise from the greek word ophis . the greeks call the male peculiarly and properly echis , and the female echidna , and it is a question whether the vulgar word among the grecians at this day ochendra , do not also signifie this kinde of serpent . bellonius thinketh , that it is corrupted of echidna the female viper . the germans have many words for a viper , as brandt schla●gen , natet-otter , heck nater , and viper-nater . the french , une vipere ; the spaniards , bivora , and bicha ; the italians , vipera , maraesso , scurtio , and sometimes scorzonei , although scorzo , and scorzone , be general words in italy for all creeping serpents without feet , and that strike with their teeth . there is also about the word maraeso some question , although leonicenus decideth the matter , and maketh it out of all controversie , and rhodiginus thinketh it a very significant word derived from the people marsi , because they carryed about vipers . the mountebanks do also call suffili , from sibila , the hissing voyce which it maketh . some will have nepa to be also a viper , yet we have shewed that already to signifie a scorpion . the grecians say , that the viper is called echidna , para to echein in eaute ten gonen achri thanaton : because to her own death she beareth her young one in her belly ; and therefore the latines do also call it vipera , quasi vi pariat : because it dyeth by violence of her birth or young : and they attribute unto it venom and pestilence , and generally there are few epithets which are ascribed to the serpent , but they also belong unto this . there is a precious stone echites , ( greenish in colour ) which seemeth to be like a viper , and therefore taketh name from it . also an herb echite , like scammony , and echidmon or viperina . in cyrene there are mice , which from the similitude of vipers are called echenatae . ech●on was the name of a man , and ●ch●onidae and echionii , of people ; and echidnon a city beside the sea aegeum : also the eagle which by the poets is faigned to eat the heart of p●ome●heus , is likewise by them said to be begotten betwixt typhon and echidna , and the same echidna to be also the mother of chimaera : which from the navel upward was like a virgin , and downward like a viper , of which also diodorus siculus , and herodotus telleth this story : when hercules was driving away the oxen of geryon ▪ he came into scythia , and there fell asleep , leaving his mares feeding on his right hand in his chariot , and so it happened by divine accident , that whiles he slept they were removed out of his sight and strayed away from him . afterward he awaked , and missing them , sought all over the countrey for them ; at last he came unto a certain place , where in a cave he found a virgin of a double natured proportion , in one part resembling a maid , and in the other a serpent , whereat he wondered much , but she told him , that if he would lie with her in carnal copulation , she would shew him where his mares and chariot were : whereunto he consented , and begat upon her three sons , famous among poetical writers : namely , agathyrsus , gelonus , and scythus : but i will not prosecute either the names , or these fables any further , and so i will proceed to the description of vipers . the colour of vipers is somewhat yellowish , having upon their skin many round spots , their length about a cubit , or at the most three palms . the tail curled , at the end very small and sharp , but not falling into that proportion equally by even attenuation , growing by little and little , but unevenly sharped on the sudden from thicknesse to thinnesse . it is also without flesh , consisting of skin and bone , and very sharp . the head is very broad , compared with the body , and the neck much narrower then the head : the eyes very red and flaming , the belly winding , upon which it goeth all in length , even to the tail , and it goeth quickly and nimbly : some affirm that it hath two canine teeth , and some four , and there is some difference betwixt the male and female ; the female hath a broader head ; the neck is not so eminent , a shorter and thicker body , a more extended tail , and a softer pace , and four canine teeth . again , the male hath a narrower head , a neck swelling or standing up , a longer and thinner body , and a swifter pace or motion , so that in the pictures proposed in this discourse : the first of them are for the male , and the last for the female & this is the peculiar outward difference betwixt the male and the female vipers . avicen saith besides , that the tails of vipers make a noise when they go or move . those are taken to be the most generous and lively , that have the broadest and hollowest head like a turbot , quick and lively eyes , two canine teeth , and a gristle or claw in the nose or tail ; a short body or tail , a pale colour , a swift motion , and bearing the head upward . for the further description of their several parts . their teeth are very long upon the upper chap , and in number upon either side four , and those which are upon the neather gum are so small , as they can scarce be discerned , until they be rubbed and pressed ; but also it is to be noted , that while they live , or when they be dead , the length of their teeth cannot appear , except you take from them a little bladder , in which they lie concealed . in that bladder they carry poyson , which they infuse into the wound they make with their teeth : they have no ears , yet all other living creatures that generate their like , and bring forth out of their bellies have ears , except this , the sea-calf , and the dolphin , yet in stead hereof , they have a certain gristly cave or hollownesse in the same place where ears should stand . the womb and place of conception ( saith pliny ) is double , but the meaning is , that it is cloven as it is in all females , ( especially women and cows . ) they conceive egges , and those egges are contained neer their reins or loins . their skin is soft , yeelding also to any stroke ; and when it is fleyed off from the body , it stretcheth twice so big as it appeared while it covered the living serpent : to conclude , phyliologus writeth , that their face is somewhat like the face of a man , and from the navel it resembleth a crocodile , by reason of the small passage it hath for his egestion which exceedeth not the eye of a needle . it conceiveth at the mouth . and thus much for the description in general . there is some difference among this kind also , according to the distinction of place wherein they live , for the vipers in aethiopia are all over black like the men , and in othes countreys they differ in colour , as in england , france , italy , greece , asia , and aegypt , as writeth bellonius . there is scarce any nation in the world wherein there are not found some vipers . the people of amyctae which were of the grecian bloud , drove away all kind of serpents from among them , yet they had vipers which did bite mortally ; and therefore could never be cured , being shorter then all other kinds of vipers in the world. likewise in arabia , in syagrus , the sweet promontory of frankincense , the europaean mountaines , seiron , pannonia , aselenus , corax , and riphaeus : the mountaines of asta , aegages , bucarteron , and cercaphus , abound with vipers . likewise aegypt , and in all africa they are found also , and the africans affirm , ( in detestation hereof ) that it is not so much animal , as malum naturae : that is , a living creature , as evill of nature : to conclude , they are found in all europe . some have taken exceptions to crete , because aristotle writeth , that they are not found there , but bellonius affirmeth , that in crete also he saw vipers which the inhabitants call by the name of cheudra , which seemeth to be derived from the greek echidna . at this day it is doubted whether they live in italy , germany , or england , for if they doe , they are not knowne by that name : yet i verily think that we have in england a kinde of yellow adder which is the viper that bellonius saw here , for i my selfe have killed of them , not knowing at that time the difference or similitude of serpents , but since i have perceived to my best remembrance that the proportion and voyce of it did shew that it was a viper . the most different kinds of vipers are found in aegypt and asia . concerning the quantity , that is the length and greatnesse of this serpent , there is some difference , for some affirme it to be of a cubit in length , and some more , some lesse . the vipers in europe are very small , in comparison of them in africa , for among the troglodytes ( as writeth aelianus ) they are fifteen cubits long , and nearchus affirmeth as much of the indian vipers ; aristobulus also writeth of a viper that he saw one , which was nine cubits long , and one hand breadth : & some again ( as strabo ) affirm , that they have seen vipers of sixteen cubits long , and nicander writeth thus of the vipers of asia ; fert asia ultra tres longis qui tractibus ulnas se tendant , rigidum quales bucarteron , atque arduus aegagus , & celsus cercaphus intra se multos refovet . in english thus ; such as asia yeelds in length , as are three elles , in bucarteron steepy rough , these vipers flourish , hard egagus and high cercaphus cels , within their compasse many such do nourish . others there be in asia sixteen foot long , and some there beagain twenty , as in the golden castiglia , where their heads are like the heads of kids . there be some that make difference betwixt echis and echidna , because one of them when it biteth , causeth a convulsion , and so doth not the other , and one of them maketh the wound look white , the other pale , and when the echis biteth you shall see but the impression of two teeth , and when the echidna biteth you shall see the impression of more teeth . but these differences are very idle , for the variety of the pain may arise from the constitution of the body , or the quantity of the poyson , and so likewise of the colour of the wound , and it is already set down , that the echis or male viper hath but two canine teeth , but the other , namely , the echidna hath four : thus saith nicander ; masculus emittit , notus color , ipse caninos binos perpetuo monstrat , sed foemina plures . which may be englished thus ; the male two canine teeth , whose colour well is known , but in the female more continually are shown . but yet the male hath beside his canine teeth , as many as hath the female : and besides the male is known from the female , as the same nicander writeth , because the female when she goeth , draweth her tail as though she were lame , but the male more manlike and nimble , holdeth up his head , stretcheth out his tail , restraineth the breath of his belly , setteth not up his scales ( as doeth the female ; ) and besides , draweth out his body at length . the meate of these vipers are green hearbes , and also sometimes living creatures : and namely , hore-flies , cantharides , pithiocampes , and such other things as they can come by , for these are fit and convenient meat for them . aristotle writeth , that sometimes also they eat scorpions , and in arabia they not onely delight in the sweet juyce of balsans , but also in the shadow of the same . but above all kinds of drink , they are most insatiable of wine . sometime they make but little folds , and sometime greater , but in their wrath their eies flame , they turn their tailes and put forth their double tongue . in the winter-time as we have said already , they live in the hollow rocks , yet pliny affirmeth , that then also they enter into the earth , and become tractable and tangible by the hands of man , for in the cold weather they are nothing so fierce as they are in the hot , and in the sommer also they are not at all times alike furious , but like to all other serpents . they are most outragious in the canicular daies , for then they never rest , but with continual disquiet move up and down till they are dead or emptied of their poyson , or feel an abatement of their heat . twice in the year they cast their skins , that is to say , in the spring , and in the autumn : and in the spring time when they come out of their hole or winter lodgings , they help the dimnesse of their eye-sight by rubbing their eyes upon fennel . but concerning their copulation and generation , i find much difference among writers : wherefore in a matter so necessary to be known , i will first of all set down the opinion of other men , aswell historians as poets , and then in the end and conclusion , i will be bold to interpose my own judgment for the better information of the reader . herodotus in his thalia writeth , that when the vipers begin to rage in lust , and desire to couple one with another , the male cometh and putteth his head into the mouth of the female , who is so insatiable in the desire of that copulation , that when the male hath filled her with all his seed-genital , and so would draw forth his head again , she biteth it off , and destroyeth her husband , whereby he dieth and never liveth more : but the female departeth and conceiveth her young in her belly , who every day according to natures inclination , grow to perfection and ripenesse , and at last in revenge of their fathers death , do likewise destroy their mother , for they eate out her belly , and by an unnatural issue come forth into the light of this world : and this thing is also thus witnessed by nicander ; cum durum fugiens morsu ignescentis echidnae frendit echis , vel ubi fervente libidinis aestu saevo dente sui resecat caput illa mariti : ast ubi post vegetam ceperunt pignora vitam , jam propinqua adsunt maturi tempora partus , indignam chari mortem ulciscentia patris , erosa miserae nascuntur matris ab alvo . in english thus ; when the male viper gnasheth , avoyding females bite , whose fiery rage is all on ardent lust , yet when he burnes for copulation right , her cruel tooth doth husbandhead off crush . but yet alasse , when seeds begins to live , and birth of young ones ripen in her womb , then they for fathers death a full revenge d● give , eating forth their wretched mothres strong . vnto this agreeth galen , isidore , plutarch , aelianus : and lucan who writeth ; viperei coeunt abrupto corpore nati that is to say : the geniture of vipers blood engender , breaking bodies good . pliny agreeth with the residue for the death of the male in carnal copulation , but he differeth in this , about the female , affirming that when the young vipers grow ripe and perfect in their mothers belly , she casteth forth every day one for three daies together , ( for her number is sometimes twenty ) at last the other , impatient of delay , gnaw out her guts and belly , and so come forth , destroying their mother : and here is no great difference , for in the sum and destruction of father and mother they all agree , and saint jerom , saint basill , and horus do agree and subscribe to the truth of these opinions . thus we have shewed the opinions of the ancient and first writers : now it followeth that we should likewise shew the opinions of the latter writers , which i will performe with as great brevity and perspicuity as i can . pierius therefore writeth , that in his time there were learned men desirous to know the truth , who got vipers , and kept them alive , both males and females , by shutting them up safe where they could neither escape out , nor do harme , and they found that they engendred , brought forth , and conceived like other creatures , without death or ruine of male and female . amatus lusitanus also writeth thus . the male and female viper engender by wreathing their tails together , even to the one half of their body , and the other half standeth upright , mutually kissing one another . in the male there is a genital member in that part beneath the navel , where they embrace , which is very secret and hidden , and against the same is the females place of conception , as may appear manifestly to him that will look after the same ; and therefore all the philosophers and physitians have been deceived , that have wrote they have conceived at their mouth , or that the male perished at the time of engendering , or the female at the time of her delivery . thus saith amotus . theophrastus he likewise writeth in this manner ; the young vipers do not eate out their way , or open with their teeth their mothers belly , nor ( if i may speak merrily ) make open their own passage by breaking up of the doors of their mothers womb , but the womb being narrow , cannot contain them ; and therefore breaketh of it own accord : and this i have proved by experience , even as the same falleth out with the fish called acus : and therefore i must crave pardon of herodotus , if i affirm his relation of the generation of vipers to be meerly fabulous . thus sar theophrastus . apollonius also writeth , that many have seen the old vipers licking their young ones like other serpents . thus have i expressed the different judgements of sundry authors both new and old touching the generation of vipers , out of which can be collected nothing but evident contradictions , and unreconcileable judgements , one mutually crossing another . so as it is unpossible that they should be both true , and therefore it must be our labour to search out the truth , both in their words , and in the conference of other authors . wherefore to begin , thus writeth aristotle . the viper amongst other serpents , almost alone bringeth forth a living creature , but first of all she conceiveth a soft egge of one colour , above the egges lieth the young ones folded up in a thin skin , and some-times it falleth out , that they gnaw in sunder that thin skin , and so come out of their mothers belly all in one day , for she bringeth forth more then twenty at a time . out of these words of arstotle , evilly understood by pliny and other ancient writers , came that errour of the young vipers eating their way out of their mothers belly , for in stead of the little thin skin which aristotle saith they eat thorough , other authors have turned it to the belly , which was clean from aristotles meaning . and another error like unto this , is that wherein they affirm , that the viper doth every day bring forth one young one , so that if she hath twenty young ones in her belly , then also she must be twenty dayes in bringing of them forth . the words of aristotle from whence this error is gathered , are these , tectei de en mia emera kathon , tictei de pleo he eikosi , which are thus translated by gaza , parit enim singulos diebus singulis , plures quam viginti numero : that is to say , she bringeth forth every day one , more then twenty in number . but this is an absurd translation , and agreeth neither with the words of aristotle , nor yet with his mind , for his words are these : parit autem una die singulos , parit autem plus quam viginti numero . that is to say in english , she bringeth forth every one in one day , and she bringeth forth more then twenty : so that the sense of these words shall be ; that the viper bringeth forth her young ones severally , one at a time , but yet all in a day . but concerning her number , neither the philosopher , nor yet any man living , is able to define and set it down certain , for they vary , being sometimes more , and sometimes fewer , according to the nature of other living creatures . and although the viper do conceive egges within her , yet doth she lay them after the manner of other serpents , but in her body they are turned into living vipers , and so the egges never see the sun , neither doth any mortal eye behold them , except by accident in the dissection of a female viper when she is with young . i cannot also approve them that do write , that one , namely the viper , among all serpents , bringeth forth her young ones alive , and perfect into the world , for nicander and grevinus , do truly affirm , with the constant consent of all other authors , that the horned serpent called cerastes , of which we have spoken already , doth likewise bring forth her young ones alive . and besides , herodotus writeth of certain winged-serpents in arabia , which do bring forth young ones as well as vipers , and therefore it must not be concluded with apparent falshood , that onely the viper bringeth her young ones perfect into the world . the like fable unto this , is that general conceit of the copulation together , betwixt the viper and the lamprey ; for it is reported that when the lamprey burneth in lust for copulation , she forsaketh the waters , and cometh to the land , seeking out the lodging of the male viper , and so joyneth herselfe unto him for copulation . he againe on the other side , is so tickled with desire hereof , that forsaking his own dwelling and his own kind , doth likewise betake himselfe unto the waters and rivers sides , where in an amorous manner , he hisseth for the lamprey , like as when a young man goeth to meet and call his love ; so that these two creatures , living in contrary elements the earth and the water , yet meet together for the fulfilling of their lusts in one bed of fornication . upon which saint basill writeth in this manner : vipera infestissimum animal eorum quae serpunt cum muraena congreditur , &c. that is to say , the viper a most pernicious enemy to all living creeping things , yet admitteth copulation with the lamprey , for he forsaketh the land , and goeth to the water-side , and there with his hissing voyce , giveth notice to the other of his presence , which she hearing , instantly forsaketh the deep waters , and coming to the land , fuffereth herself to be imbraced by that venemous beast . also nicander writeth thus thereof in his verses . fama est , si modo vera , quod haec sua pascua linquat , atque eat in siccum cogente libidine littus , et cum vipereo coiens serpente gravetur , which may be englished thus ; fame saith ( if it be true ) that she her ●eed forsakes , i mean the shore , and goes upon dry land , where for her lust the viper-male she takes , in fleshly coiture to be her husband . but this opinion is vaine and fantasticall , as pliny and divers others have very learnedly proved , for the lamprey cannot live on the land , nor the viper in wet places , besides the waters : and therefore , besides the impossibility in nature , it is not reasonable that these will hazard their own lives , by forsaking their own elements for the satisfaction of their lusts , there being plenty of either kinds to work upon , that is to say , both of female vipers in the land , to couple with the male , and male lampreys in the water , to couple with the female . although i have else-where confuted this error , yet i must here again remember that which is said already . the occasion of this fable is this ; the male lamprey is exceeding like a viper , for they want feet , and have long bodies , which some one by chance seeing in copulation with his female , did rashly judge it to be a serpent because of his likenesse , as afore-said ; and therefore they devised a name for it , calling it myrus , which some have made a kind of viper , and others a snake : but andreas hath notably proved against archelaus , that this myrus neither is nor can be any other then the male lamprey : and so i will conclude , that neither vipers ingender with lampreys , nor yet the female vipers kill the male in copulation , or that the young ones come into the world by the destruction of their dams . in the next place we are to consider , the antipathy and contrariety that it observeth with other creatures , and the amity also betwixt it and others . first of all therefore it is certain and well known , what great enmity is betwixt man-kind and vipers , for the one alwaies hateth and feareth the other : wherefore , if a man take a viper by the neck , and spit in his mouth , if the spittle slide down into his belly , it dieth thereof , and rotteth as it were in a consumption . vipers also are enemies to oxen , as virgill writeth , pestis acerba bonum pecorique aspergere virus : that is , a sharp plague of oxen , casting his poyson upon all other cattel . they are also enemies to hens and geese , as columella writeth , wherefore in ancient time they were wont to make sure walls for the custody of their pullen against vipers . they are likewise enemies to the dormouse , and they hunt very greedily after their young ones , whereof epiphanius in a discourse against origen writeth thus ; when the viper cometh to the nest of a dormouse , and findeth there her young ones , she putteth out all their eies , and afterwards feedeth them very fat , yet killeth every day one , as occasion of hunger serveth ; but if in the mean time a man , or any other creature do chance to eate of those dormice , whose eies are so put out by the viper , they are poysoned thereby . and this is a wonderfull work in nature , that neither the little dormice receive harme by the poyson , but grow fat thereby , nor yet the viper be poysoned herself while she eateth them , and yet a man or beast which is a stranger unto it , dieth thereof . all kind of mice are as much afraid of vipers , as they be of cats , and therefore whensoever they heare the hissing of a viper , instantly they look to themselves and their young ones . there is a kind of harmelesse serpents called parea , whereof i have spoken before in his proper place , which is an enemy unto vipers , and that same which is harmlesse unto men , killeth them . albertus also telleth a story of a viper that climbed up into a tree , to the nest of a magpye , where-upon the old one was sitting , this poore pye did fight with the viper , untill the viper took her fast by the thigh , so as she could fight no more , yet she ceased not to chatter and cry out to her fellowes to come and help her , whereupon the male pye came , and seeing his female so griped by the viper , he ceased not to peck upon his head untill the braines came out , and so the viper fell down dead . this story is also alledged by cardan . the scorpions and the vipers are enemies one to another , for at padua a viper and a scorpion ( for the trial of this matter ) were both included in a vial , where they continued fighting a little while , but at last they both died by one anothers poyson . the tortoyse of the earth is also an enemy to the viper , and the viper to it , wherefore if it can get origan , or wild-savory , or rue , it eateth thereof , and then is nothing afraid to fight with the viper , but if the tortoyse can find none of these , then they die incontinently by the poyson of the viper , and of this there hath been triall , as both aristotle and other authors affirm . and as there is this contratiety betwixt vipers and other living creatures , so there is betwixt them and plants of the earth , and this blessing god in nature hath bestowed upon many beasts , that when they feel themselves to be hurt by one herb , they know another to cure them ; as for example , garlick is poyson to the viper , and therefore having tasted thereof she dieth , except she eat some rue . a viper being strook with a reede once , it amazeth her , and maketh her senselesse , but being stook the second time , she recovereth and runneth away : and the like is reported of the beech-tree , saving that it stayeth the viper , and she is not able to go from it . but most marvailous is the antipathy betwixt the viper and the yew-tree , for it is reported by mercuriall , that if you lay fire on the one side , and a peece of yew on the other side , and then place a viper in the middle betwixt them both , she will rather chuse to runne thorow the fire , then to go over the branches of yew . the viper is also afraid of mustard-seed , for it beeing laid in her path , she flieth from it , and if she taste of it , she dieth . there is an herbe called arum , if the hands or body of a man be anointed with the juyce of the root thereof , the viper will never bite him ; the like is reported of the juyce of dragons , expressed out of the leaves , fruit or root . it is also said , that if a viper do behold a good smaradge , her eyes will melt and fall out of her head . but above all other plants in the world , the viper is most delighted with vetches , and the savyne tree , for in italy ( as cardan writeth ) there was once seen a great number of vipers about a savyne tree , and many of them did climbe up and down upon that tree . there is no love betweene this serpent and other creatures , save onely to his own kind , and therefore there are two things memorable in the nature of this savage serpent , the one is the love of the male to the female , and the other of the female to her young ones . it is reported by saint ambrose and saint basill , that when the male misseth the female , he seeketh her out very diligently , and with a pleasing and flattering noyse , calleth for her , and when he perceiveth she approcheth , he casteth up all his venome , as it were in reverence of matrimonial dignity . the female on the other side , maketh much of her young ones , licking and adorning their skins , fighting for them unto death , both against men and beasts . for this occasion and some medicinal uses , the arabians counted vipers holy serpents , for by reason ( as we have said already ) that the vipers do haunt the balsom-trees , whereof there be plenty in that countrey , they hold them for holy keepers of that precious fruite ; wherefore they never kill them , but at the time of year when the balsom is ripe , they come unto the trees bearing in their hands two woodden rules , which they smite one against another , by the noise whereof the vipers are terrified and driven away , and so the trees are freed for the inhabitants to take the fruite thereof at their pleasure . now forasmuch as we read that porus king of india sent many great vipers for a gift unto augustus , it is profitable to expresse the meanes whereby vipers are safely taken without doing any harme . wherefore aristotle writeth , that they are very much desirous of wine , and for that cause the country-people set little vessels of wine in the hedges and haunts of vipers , whereunto the vipers coming , easily drink themselves tame , and so the hunters come and kill them , or else so take them , as they are without danger of harm . pliny reporteth , that in ancient time , the marsians in lybia did hunt vipers , and never received harm of them , for by a secret and innate vertue , all vipers and serpents are afraid of their bodies , as we have already shewed in other places . yet galen in his discourse to piso , writeth that the marsians in his time had no such vertue in them , as he had often tried , save onely that they used a deceit or sleight to beguile the people , which was in this manner following . long after the usual time of hunting vipers , they use to goe abroad to take them , when there is no courage nor scant any venom left in them , for the vipers are then easily taken if they can be found : and them so taken , they accustome to their own bodies , by given them such meats as doth evacuate all their poison , or at the least-wise doth so stop up their teeth , as it maketh the harm very small ; and so the simple people being ignorant of this fraud , and seeing them apparently carrying vipers about them , did ignorantly attribute a vertue to their natures , which in truth did not belong unto them . in like manner there were ( as hath already in another place been said ) certain iuglers in italy , which did boast themselves to be of the linage of saint paul , who did so deceitfully carry themselves , that in the presence and sight of many people , they suffered vipers to bite them without any manner of harm . others again when they had taken a viper , did drown her head in mans spittle , by vertue whereof the viper began to grow tame and meek . besides this , they made a certain oyntment which they set forth to sale , affirming it to have a vertue against the biting of vipers , and all other serpents , which oyntment was made in this manner . out of the oyl of the seed of wild-radish , of the roots of dragons , the juyce of daffadil , the brain of a hare , leaves of sage , sprigs of bay , and a few such other things , whereby they deceived the people , and got much money : and therefore to conclude , i cannot find any more excellent way for the taking and destroying of vipers then that which is already expressed in the general discourse of serpents . we do read that in egypt they eat vipers and divers other serpents , with no more difficulty then they would do eeles , so do many people both in the eastern and western parts of the new-found-lands . and the very self-same thing is reported of the inhabitants of the mountaine athos , the which meat they prepare and dresse on this manner . first they cut off their heads and also their tailes , then they bowel them and salt them , after which they seethe them or bake them , as a man would seethe or bake eeles , but sometimes they hang them up and dry them , and then when they take them down again , they eat them with oyl , salt , anyseedes , leeks and water , with some such other observations . whose diet of eating vipers i do much pity , if the want of other food constrain them thereunto ; but if it arise from the insatiable and greedy intemperancy of their own appetites . i judge them eager of dainties , which adventure for it at such a market of poyson . now it followeth that we proceed to the handling of that part of the vipers story , which concerneth the venom or poison that is in it , which must begin at the consideration of temperament of this serpent . it is some question among the learned , whether a viper be hot or cold ; and for answer hereof it is said , that it is of cold constitution , because it lieth hid , and almost dead in the winter-time , wherein a man may carry them in his hands without all hurt or danger : and unto this opinion for this self same reason , agreeth galen . mercuriall maketh a treble diversity of constitution among serpents , whereof the first sort are those that with their wound do infuse a mortal poyson that killeth instantly , and without delay : a second sort are those that kill , but more leasurely , without any such speed : and the third are those whose poyson is more slow in operation then is the second , among which he assigneth the viper . but although by this slowness of operation he would inforce the coldness of the poyson , yet it is alwaies to be considered , that the difference of vipers , and of their venom , ariseth from the place and region in which they are bred , and also from the time of the yeer wherein they bite and wound , so that except they fortune to hurt any one during the time of the canicular daies , ( in which season their poyson is hottest , and themselves most full of spirit ) the same is but weak , and full of deadness . and again it is to be considered , whether the viper harm in her mood and fury , for anger doth thrust it forth more fully , and causeth the same to work more deadly . likewise the region wherein they live , begetteth a more lively working spirit in the serpent , and therefore before all other , the vipers of numidia are preferred , because of the heat of that country . also their meat causeth in them a difference of poyson , for those that live in the woods and eat toades , are not so vigorous or venemous , but those that live in the mountaines , and eat the roots of certain herbs , are more poysonful and deadly . and therefore cardan relateth a story , which he saith was cold him by a phaenician , that a mountain-viper chased a man so hardly , that he was forced to take a tree , unto the which when the viper was come , and could not climbe up to utter her malice upon the man , she emptied the same upon the tree , and by and by after , the man in the tree dyed , by the savour and secret operation of the same . but of the arabian vipers which haunt the balsom-trees , i have read , that if at any time they bite , they onely make a wound like the pricks of yron , voide of poison , because while they suck in the juyce of that tree , the acerbity and strength of the venom is abated . about the mountain helicon in greece , the poison also of vipers is infirme and not strong , so that the cure thereof is also ready and easie . but yet for the nature of vipers poison , i can say no more then wolphius hath said , that it is of it self and in it selfe considered , hot : and his reason is , because he saw a combat in a glasse betwixt a viper and a scorpion , and they both perished one by the others poison . now he saith that it is granted , the scorpion to be of a cold nature , and his poison to be cold ; therefore by reason of the antipathy whereby one died by the malice of another , it must needs follow that the viper is hot , and her poison likewise of the same nature . for a serpent of a cold nature , killeth not another of the same nature , nor a hot serpent , one of his own kind , but rather it falleth out clean contrary , that the hot kill those that are cold , and the cold serpents the hotter . all the vipers that live neer the waters , are of more mild and meek poison then others . if there be any such , but i rather beleeve there be none , but that the same author which wrote of the vipers of the water , did intend serpents of the water . but coneerning the poison of vipers , there is nothing reported more strange then that of vincentius belluacensis , who writeth , that if a man chance to tread upon the reynes of a viper unawares , it paineth him more then any venome , for it spreadeth it self over all the body incurably . also it is written , that if a woman with child chance to passe over a viper , it causeth her to suffer abortment ; and the mushroms or toade stooles which grow neere the dennes and lodgings of vipers , are also found to be venemous . the scythians also do draw an incurable and unresistable poison out of vipers , wherewithall they anoint the sharp ends of their darts and arrowes when they goe to warre , to the end that if it chance to light upon their adversary , he may never any more do them harm . they make this poison in this manner . they observed the littering places and time of the vipers , and then with strength and art , did take the old and young ones together , which they presently killed , and afterward suffered them to lie and rot , or soake in some moist thing for a season : then they took them and put them into an earthen pot filled with the bloud of some one man ; this pot of mans bloud and vipers they stopped very close , so as nothing might issue out at the mouth , and then buried or covered it all over in a dunghil , where it rotted and consumed a few daies , after which they uncovered it again , and opening it , found at the top a kind of watery substance swimming , that they take off , and mixe it with the rotten matter of the viper , and hereof make this deadly poison . we have shewed already , that there is outwardly a difference betwixt the biting wound of the male and the female viper , for after the male hath bitten , there appeareth but two holes , but after the female hath bitten , there appeareth foure ; and this is also a great deal more deadly then is the biting of the male , according to the verses of nicander where he saith . porro ex vipereo quod noris germine pejor foemina : quae veluti majori accenditurira , sic vehemente magis fert noxia vulnera morsu , et plus gliscenti se cauda & corpore volvit , vnde citatior haec ictos mors occupat artus . which may be englished thus ; but of the vipers brood the female is the worst , which as it were , with greater wrath doth burn : and therefore when she bites , makes bodies more accurst inflickting hurtful wounds , to vehemency turnd . rowling her bulke and taile more oft about , whereby a speedier death doth life rid out . but avicen is directly contrary to this opinion , and saith , that as the bitings of male dragons are more exitiall and harmful then are the females , so is it betwixt the biting of the male and female viper ▪ this contrarietie is thus reconciled by mercuriall , namely , that it is true , that the wounds which the female maketh by her biting , being well considered , is more deadly then the wounds which the male giveth : yet for the proportion of the poison which the male venteth into the wound he maketh , it is more deadly then is the females : so that with respect of quantity : they both say true which affirm either the one or the other . but which soever is the greatest , it skilleth not much , for both are deadly enough , as may appear by the common symptoms and signes which follow , and also death . mathiolus reporteth a history of a country-man , who as he was mowing of grasse , chanced to cut a viper clean asunder about the middle , or some-what nearer the head , which being done , he stood still , and looked upon the dying dissevered parts a little while , at last , either presuming that it had no power left to hurt , or thinking it was dead , he took that part in his hand where-upon the head was : the angry viper feeling his adversaries warm hand , turned the head about , and bit his finger with all the rage , force , and venom that it had left , so that the bloud issued out . the man thus bitten for his boldnesse , did hastily cast it away , and began to suck the wound , putting his hand to his mouth , which when he had done but a little while , he suddenly fell down dead . the like story unto this , is related by amatus lusitanus of another , which more boldly then wisely , did adventure to take a live viper into his hand upon a wager of money , but as the other , so this paid for his rashnes , for the angry viper did bite him as did the former , and he sucked his wound as did the country-man , and in like manner fell down dead . by both which examples , we may well see the danger of the vipers poison , so that if once it come into the stomack , and touch the open passage where the vitall parts goe in and out , it never stayeth long but death followeth . wherefore aetius saith well , that sometimes it killeth within the space of seven houres , and sometimes again within the space of three daies , and that respite of time seemeth to be the longest , if remedie be not had with more effectual speed . the signes or effects of the vipers biting , are briefly these , first there issueth forth a rotten matter , sometimes blou dy , and sometimes like liquid or molten fatnesse , sometimes again with no colour at all , but all the flesh about the sore swelleth , sometimes having a red , and sometime a pale hiew or colour upon it , issuing also forth a corrupted mattery matter . also it causeth divers little blisters to arise upon the flesh as though the body were all scorched over with fire , and speedily after this , followeth putrefaction and death . the pain that cometh by this serpents wounding , is so universal , that all the body seemeth to be set on fire , many pitiful noyses are forced out of the parties throat by sense of that pain , turning and crackling of the neck , also twinckling and wrying of the eyes , with darknesse and heavinesse of the head , imbecillity of the loynes , sometimes thirsting intolerably , crying out upon his dry throate , and again sometimes freezing at the fingers ends , at least so as he feeleth such a pain . moreover , the body sweating a sweat more cold then snow it self , and many times vomiting forth the bilious tumors of his owne belly . but the colour going and coming is often changed , now like pale lead , then like black , and anon as green as the rust of brasse , the gums flow with bloud , and the liver it self falleth to be inflamed , sleepinesse and trembling possesseth the body and several parts , and difficulty of making urine , with feavers , neezing and shortnesse of breath . these are related by aetius , aegineta , grevinus and others , which work not alwaies in every body generally , but some in one , and some in another , as the humors and temperament of nature doth lead , and guide their operation . but i marvail from whence plato in his symposium had that opinion , that a man bitten and poisoned by a viper , will tel it to none , but onely to those that have formerly tasted of that misery : for although among other effects of this poison , it is said that madness , or a distracted mind also followeth , yet i think in nature there can be no reason given of platoes opinion , except he mean that the patient will never manifest his grief at all . and this howsoever also is confuted by this one story of grevinus . there was ( as he writeth ) a certain apothecary which did keep vipers , and it happened one day as he was medling about them , that one of them caught him by his finger , and did bite him a little , so as the prints of his teeth appeared as the points of needles . the apothecary onely looked on it , and being busied , either forgot , or ( as he said afterward ) felt no pain for an hours space : but after the hour , first his finger smarted and began to burn , and afterward his arm and whole body fell to be suddenly distempered therewith , so as necessity constrayning him , and opportunity offering it self , he sent for a physitian at hand , and by his good advise . ( thorow gods mercy ) was recovered , but with great difficulty ; for he suffered many of the former passions and symptoms before he was cured . therefore by this story , either plato was in a wrong opinion , or else grevinus telleth a fable , which i cannot grant , because he wrote of his own experience , known then to many in the world , who would quickly have contradicted it : or else if he had consented to the opinion of plato , no doubt but in the relation of that matter , he would have expressed also that circumstance . thus then we have , as briefly and plainly as we can , delivered the pains and torments which are caused by the poison of vipers ; now therefore it followeth , that we also briefly declare the vertue of such medicines , as we find to be applied by diligent and careful observations of many learned physitians , against the venom of vipers . first of all they write , that the general rule must be observed in the curing of the poison of vipers , which is already declared against other serpents : namely , that the force of their poison be kept from spreading , and that may be done either by the present extraction of the poison , or else by binding the wounded member hard , or else by cutting it off , if it be in finger , hand or foot . galen reporteth , that when he was in alexandria , there came to the city a countryman which had his finger bitten by a viper , but before he came , he had bound his finger close to the palm of his hand , and then he shewed the same to a physitian , who immediatly cut off his finger , and so he was cured . and besides he telleth of another country-man , who reaping of corne , by chance with his sickle did hurt a viper , who returned and did raze all his finger with her poisonfull teeth . the man presently conceiving his own peril , cut off his own finger with the same sickle , before the poison was spred too far , and so was cured without any other medicine . sometime it hapneth that the bite is in such a part that it cannot be cut off , and then they apply a hen cut in sunder alive , and laid to as hot as can be , also one must first wash and anoint his mouth with oyl , and so suck out the poison . likewise the place must be scarified , and party fed and dieted with old butter , and bathed in milk or seawater , and be kept waking , and made to walk up and down . it were too long , and also needlesse , to expresse all the medicines which by naturall meanes are prepared against the poison of vipers , whereof seeing no reasonable man will expect that at my hands ; i will onely touch two or three cures by way of history , and for others , refer my reader to physitians , or to the latine discourse of caronus . in norcheria , the country of that great and famous gentilis who translated avicen , there is a fountaine , into which if any man be put that is stung or bitten by a serpent , he is thereof immediatly cured ; which amatus lusitanus approveth to be very natural , because the continual cold water killeth the hot poison . the same author writeth , that when a little maid of the age of thirteen yeeres , was bitten in the heel by a viper , the legge being first of all bound at the knee very hard , then because the maid fell distract , first he caused a surgeon to make two or three deeper holes then the viper had made , that so the poison might be the more easily extracted , then he scarified the place , and drawed it with cupping-glasses , whereby was exhausted all the black blood , and then also the whole leg over , was scarified , and blood drawn out of it , as long as it would run of it own accord . then was a plaister made of garlick , and the sharpest onions rosted , which being mixed with triacle , was laid to the bitten place . also the maid drank three daies of treacle in wine , and foure houres after a little broth made with garlick . the second day after the abatement of the pain , he gave her the juyce of yew-leaves fasting , which he commendeth as the most notable antidote in this kind , and so made a second plaister , which lay on three days more , and in the mean time she drank fasting every day that juyce of yew-leaves , whereby her trembling and distracted estate was abated , but from the wounded place still flowed matter , and it looked black . then the four next daies , the said matter was drawn out by a linnen cloth , wherein was goates dung , powder of lawrell , and euphorbium in wine , all mixed together , and afterward he made this ointment , which did perfectly cure her , rec : of long aristolochii two ounces , of briony and daffadil one ounce , of galbanum and myrrhe , of each one ounce , with a convenient quantity of oyle of baies and waxe . this applied to the bitten place in a linnen cloth , and tentures twice a day , did perfectly recover her health within a month . ambrosius paraeus cured himselfe , with binding his finger hard that was bitten , and applying to it triacle dissolved in aqua vitae , and drunk up in lint or bumbast : and he adviseth in stead of old triacle , to take mithridate . gesner saith , that he saw a maid cured of the eating of vipers flesh , by being constrained to drink wine abundantly . theophrastus and asclepiades do write , that many are cured by the sound of good musick , as the like is already shewed , in the cure of the poison of the phalangium : and no marvail , for ismenias the theban affirmeth , that he knew many in baeotia , that were cured of the sciatica , by hearing of the musical sound of a good pipe . of the medicines which may be made of the viper . the eating of vipers is an admirable remedy against the leprosie . and being prepared after that sort as was mentioned immediatly before in the former section , they are ministred to the sick person sitting in the sun , yet his head must be well covered or shadowed . neither indeed to eat vipers once alone , or twice is sufficient , but it must be done often , sith it is without danger , and moreover bringeth great commodity . and let the vipers be new , and taken out of moist places , for those which are bred neer the sea , are very thirsty and dry . the broth also of sod vipers , is for such persons good supping meat . the flesh of vipers is in temperature apparantly hot and dry , and purgeth the whole body by sweat ; here-upon many sore tormented with leprosie , by eating and drinking them have been cured . averroes saith , the flesh of tyrus clenseth leprosie , because it driveth the matter thereof to the skin , and therefore they that drink it , fall first into the passion of tyria , that is , the pilling of the skin , and after are cured of it . chuse the vipers of the mountain , especially being white , and cut off their heads and tailes at once very speedily , and then if the issue of blood be plentiful , and they continue alive , and wallow to and fro a long time , these are good . after their beheading , let them be made clean and sod , and let the diseased party eat of them , and of their broth . and by the drinking of wine wherein a viper dieth or liveth , certain have been cured accidentally , or by an intent to kill them . the leaper must first drink the broth of vipers decocted , in manner as afore-said , then let him eat the flesh , no otherwise then as mutton or fowles , which daily men dine with , but fasting and in the morning this flesh must be eaten , half a viper at once , and sometime a whole viper , according to the strength of the party diseased . after the eating whereof , he must not eat or drink in the space of six houres : but if he doe sweat , it is most expedient that in his sweat he look to himself very carefully . and the skin is wont to flea off from the leaper , as it usually befalleth serpents . a man may easily see the flesh of vipers to be hot and dry , when they are dressed as eels . and that they purge the whole body thorow the skin , thou mayest learne even by those things , which my self being a young man , had experience of in our countrey of asia , which thing severally and in order i shall relate . a certain man infected with the disease which men call elephas , that is , leprosie , for a time conversed still with his companions , till by his company and conversation , some of them were infected with the contagion of the disease , and he now became lothsome to smell , and filthy to sight . building therefore a cottage for him neer the village , on the top of a bank , hard by a fountain , there they place this man , and daily bring to him so much meat as was sufficient to sustain life . but at the rising of the dog-star , when by good hap , reapers reaped not far from that place , very fragrant wine was brought for them in an earthen vessel : he that brought it , set it down neer the reapers , and departed ; but when the time was come that they should drink it , a young man taking up the vessel , that according to their manner having filled a boul , he might mingle the wine with a competent measure of water , he poured the wine into the bowl , and together with the wine fell out a dead viper . wherefore the reapers amazed thereat , and fearing lest if they drank it , they should receive some harm thereby , chose rather indeed to quench their thirst by drinking water : but when they departed thence , of humanity and in piety , gave the wine to this leper , supposing it to be better for him to die , then to live in that misery . yet he when he had drunk it , in a wonderful manner was restored to his health : for all the scurf of his skin ●ell off as the shales of tender shelled creatures , and that which remained , appeared very tender , as the skin of crabs or locusts , when their outward shell is taken away . another example by a chance not much unlike , hapned in mysia , a countrey of asia , not far from our city . a certain leper went to wash himself in spring-water , hoping thereby to receive some benefit . he had a maid-servant , a very fair young woman , importuned by divers suters : to her the sick man committed both certain other things pertaining to the house , and also the store-house . when they therefore were gone into the room , to which a filthy place and full of vipers adjoyned , by chance one of them fell into a vessel of wine there negligently left , and was drowned . the maid esteeming that a benefit which fortune offered , filled that wine to her master , and he drank it , and thereby in like sort as he that lived in the cottage , was cured . these are two examples of experiment by casual occasion . moreover , i will adde also a third , which proceeded from our imitation . when one was sick of this disease , in minde more then the common sort philosophical , and despising death , took it exceeding grievously , and said it were better once to suffer death , then to live so miserable a life : and drinking wine so mingled with poyson , he became a leper ; and afterward we cured his leprosie by our accustomed medicines . also a fourth man took vipers alive , but that man had only the beginning of this disease ; therefore our care and industry was very speedily to restore him to health : wherefore having let him bloud , and by a medicine taken away melancholy , we bad him use the vipers he had taken , being prepared in a pot after the manner of eels . and he was thus cured , the infection evaporating through the skin . lastly also , a certain other man very rich , not our country-man , but of the middle of thracia , admonished by a dream , came to pergamus , where god commanded him by a dream , that he should daily drink the medicine which was made of vipers , and outwardly he should anoint his body , and not many days after , his disease became the leprosie : and again also , this infirmity was afterward cured by the medicines which god commanded . matthew grady fed chickins and capons with the broth and flesh of vipers mingled with bread , till they cast their feathers , purposing by them to cure the leprosie . a certain noble-woman in this city , infected with this malady ( ●he leprosie ) after divers infortunate attempts of many , came to my hands , in whose cure , when generous medicines availed nothing , at last , with consent of her husband , i purposed to try her with vipers flesh : whereupon a female viper being cleansed and prepared after that sort as galen prescribeth in his book de theriaca , mingling the flesh of the viper with galangal , saffron , &c. i sod her very well : then i took a chicken , which i commanded well to be sod in the juyce and broth of the viper . and lest she should take any harm thereby , i first ministred unto her mithridate , then the chicken with the broth , by eating whereof she said she felt herself better : which when i saw , i took another male viper , whom i sod alone without adding any other thing , and the broth thereof i ministred to her three days , whereupon she began to sweat extreamly , the sweat i restrained by syrup of violets and pure water . after six days , scales fell from her , and she was healed . moreover , she soon after conceived a man-childe , having been barren before the space of forty years . antonius musa a physitian , when he met with an incurable ulcer , he gave his patients vipers to eat , and cured them with marvailous celerity . when the servants of craterus the physitian fell into a strange and unusual disease , that his flesh fell from his bones , and that he had proved many medicines which profited him nothing , he was healed by eating a viper dressed as a fish . vipers flesh if it be sod and eaten , cleareth the eyes , helpeth the defects of the sinews , and represseth swellings . they say they that eat vipers become lousie , which is not so , though galen affirm it . some adde them to live long who eat that meat , to wit , vipers . isogonus affirmeth the cirni , a kinde of indians , to live an hundred and forty years . also he thinketh the ethiopians , and seres , and the inhabitants of mount athos to be long lived , because they eat vipers flesh . the scythians cleave the head of the viper betwixt the ears , to take out a stone , which they say she devoureth when she is affrighted . the heads of vipers burnt in a pot to ashes , and after beaten together with the grossest decoction of bitter lupines , & spred as an ointment on the temples of the head stayeth the continual rheume of the eys . their ashes lightly beaten alone , and applyed as a dry medicine for the eys , greatly amendeth a dim sight . the head of a viper kept dry and burned , and after being dipped in vinegar and applyed , cureth wilde fire . the gall of the viper doth wonderfully cleanse the eye , and offendeth not by poyson . it is manifest against the stinging of all serpents though incurable , that the bowels of the very serpents do help and avail ; and yet they who at any time have drunk the liver of a sod viper , are never stung of serpents . the fat of a viper is effectual against the dimnesse and suffusions of the eyes , mixed with rosin , honey-attick , and a like quantity of old oil. for the gowt they say it availeth much to anoint the feet with the fat of vipers . vipers fat healeth them that are burned . the slow of the viper cureth the ring-worm . the skin of the viper beaten to powder , and laid upon the places where the hair is fallen , it doth wonderfully restore hair again . some extend and dry whole vipers , and after beat them to powder , and minister them in drink against the gowt . others about the rising of the dog-star , cut off the head and tail of vipers , and burn the middle , then they give those ashes to be drunk . days , so much at a time as may be taken up with three fingers , and so cure the swelling in the neck . joynts pained with the gowt , are profitably anointed with oyl wherein a viper hath been sodden , for this cureth perfectly . the making of the oyl of vipers , is described in these words ; take three or four vipers , cut off their extream parts , the head and the tail , in length four fingers , divide the rest into four gobbets , and put them in a pot open above and below , which pot must be put into another greater pot ; then the mouth of them must be well shut with clay , that they breath not forth ; then put them into a caldron full of seething water , and there let them continue boiling two hours in those pots : then will distil a liquor from the vipers , which were in the pot open above and below , with that oily liquor anoint the members of the party molested with the palsie , for by a secret property it cureth the grief of that disease . of triacle and trochuks of vipers . theriace or triacle , not only because it cureth the venomous biting of serpents , but also because the serpents themselves are usually mingled in the making thereof , fitly is so named of both significations . here also we will insert something concerning trochuks of vipers , which are mingled in the making of triacle . triacle is very ancient , and hath always very carefully , and not without ambition , been refined by the physitians , till andromochus nero his physitian , added the flesh of vipers , as the full accomplishment of this drug . the flesh of vipers alone is mingled in triacle , and not the flesh of other serpents , because all the rest have something malignant more then vipers . vipers are thought to have lesse poyson in them then other serpents . vipers for triacle must not be taken at any time , but chiefly in the beginning of the spring , when having left their dens , they come forth into the snn-shine , and as yet have not poyson much offensive . take female vipers , for we must take heed how we take male vipers for the confection of antidotes . for trochuks all vipers are not convenient , but those which be yellow , and of the yellow , the females only . vipers great with young you must refuse , for being pregnant , they are more exasperate then themselves at other times . of vipers be made trochisces , which of the grecians are called theriaci , four fingers being cut off at either end , and the inwards taken out , and the pale matter cleaving to the back-bone : the rest of the body must be boiled in a dish in water , with the herb dill , the back-bone must be taken out , and fine flowre must be added . thus these trochuks being made , they must be dryed in the shade , apart from the sun-beams , and being so prepared , they be of very great use for many medicines . the use of triacle is profitable for many things , for not only by his own nature it availeth against the biting of venomous creatures and poysons , but also it is found by experience , to help many other great infirmities . for it easeth the gowt and pain in the joynts , it dryeth fluxes , it very much profiteth men molested with the dropsie , leprous and melancholick persons , those that have quartane agues , or the jaundise , those that have a weak voice , or that spet bloud : those that are troubled with aking reins , with dysentery , with the stone , with short breath , with passion of the liver or milt , with choler , with heart-ach , with the falling-sicknesse . it driveth all kinde of worms out of the bowels it is the most soveraign remedy of the plague . even to them that are in health the often use of it is wholesome , for it promiseth long life , and firm health , it consumeth excrements , it strengtheneth natural actions , it quickeneth the wit , and sharpeneth all the senses ; it preserveth the body from poyson and other offences , and maketh it scarse subject to danger by such casualties ; it begetteth good bloud , it corrupteth the the air , and waters ; neither alone doth it deliver from instant diseases , but also preserveth from those that be imminent . of earth-worms . although there be many and sundry sorts of worms which do contain in them some poysonous quality , yet for all that , at this time my purpose is to discourse especially of earth-worms , whereof some are bred only in the earth , and others among plants , and in the bodies of living creatures . worms of the earth are termed by plautus and columella lumbrici , peradventure as being derived a lubricitate . they are called also terrae intestina of the latines , as well because they take their first beginning and breeding in the very bowels and inward parts of the earth , as because being pressed and squeesed betwixt the fingers or otherwise , they do void forth excrements after the fashion of living beasts that have intrails in them . the greeks call them ges entera ; hesychius calleth them embullous ; brunfelsius otho in his physick lexicon writeth , that they are usually called in the cilician tongue gaphagas , fetching the derivation of the word parà tò gaian phágein , for they feed upon earth . of the englishmen they are called meds , and earth-worms ; of the french , vers de terra ; of the germans , eert wurm , and erdwurmem , melet , ode regenwurm ; of the belgians , pier-wuorm , or rengenwuorm ; of the italians , lumbrichi ; of the spaniards , lumbrizes ; of the polonians , glisti ; of the hungarians , galisza ; of the arabians they are called charatin . manardus in his second book and . epistle writeth , that in times past they were called onisculi , and nisculi . there are found especially two sorts of earth-worms , which are either greater or lesser . the greater earth-worms are somewhat long , almost like in proportion and shape to those round worms which do breed in mens bodies . they are half a foot long at least , and being stretched out in length they are found to be a foot long , they are of a whitish colour , and sometimes though seldom of a bloudy hue : and for the most part they are all adorned with a chain about their necks , or rather they seem to wear a certain collar , wherein there is a little bloud contained , and they lack eyes and eye-sight , as all forts of worms do . they breed of the slime of the earth , taking their first being from putrefaction , and of the fat moisture of the same earth they are again fed and nourished , and into earth at last are resolved . when there falleth any showre of rain , then this kinde of worm creepeth suddenly out of the earth , where-upon old euclio in plautus being very careful of his pot of gold , speaketh aptly to his drudge strobilus in these words ; foras , foras lumbrice , qui sub terra erepsisti modo , qui modo nusquam camparebas , nunc autem cùm compares , peris . which may be englished thus ; away , away thou worm , late from the earth crept out , safe thou wast unseen , but seen , life fails i doubt . here euclio very properly termeth his bondman strobilus , a worm because not being espyed of his master before , he suddenly came sneaking out from behinde an altar where he was hid , much like a worm , that in moist weather issueth out of the ground . those little heaps which are cast up and lie shining and wrinckled before the mouth or edges of their holes , i take them to be their miery excrements : for i cold never as yet finde other excrementitious substance , drossy matter , or other feculency , but only bare earth in them , whose alimentary juyce and moisture being clean exhausted , they cast out the remainder , as an unprofitable burthen , nothing fit for nourishment . at the entrance of their doors , which yet steadeth them to some commodious use , for stopping and damming up their holes that the rain cannot so easily soke in , they are by these means safely defended from many anoyances and dangers , that otherwise might light upon them . their delight is to couple together , especially in a rainy night , cleaving together untill the morning : and in the same they are not folded round about one another like unto serpents , but are straightly closed together side-wise , and thus do they remain sticking close the one to the other . they send forth a certain froathy slime or jelly when that they joyn together . they do ever keep the middle part of their body within the earth , i mean their hinder-parts ; yea even in their mutual joyning together ; neither are they at any time so fast glewed and closed , but with the least stirring and motion of the ground that can be imagined , they are straight-ways severed , withdrawing themselves speedily into their lurking holes . in rainy weather they are whiter a great deal then at other times , unlesse it be when they couple together , for then they appear very red . i my self about the midst of april , did once open a thick female worm , and within the flesh i found a certain receptacle ringed round about , and filling up the whole cavity of the body , having a thin membrane or seat enclosing it , and in this aforesaid store-house the earth which she had fed on , and wherewith she was sustained , was held and contained . her egges were found to be in a safe place above the receptacle , next to the mouth , there were many of them on a heap together , being all of a whitish colour . the lesser earth-worms for perspicuities sake , we with georgius agricola will name ascarides : and these are often found in great numbers in dung-hills , mixens , and under heaps of stones . of this sort some are red , ( which we englishmen call dugs ) and these be they that anglers and fishers do so much desire , for fishes will greedily devour them , and for that end they with them do bait their hooks . there be some others of these lesser earth-worms that are somewhat of a blew colour , other-some again are yellow only about the tail : whereupon they have purchased the name of yellow ▪ tails . some again are ringed about the necks , withall very fat . some others there be that have neither chains nor rings , and these commonly be more lank and slender of body then the former , and these i judge to be the males . these worms do specially breed in autumn , or at the fall of the leaf , by reason then there is but little moisture in the earth , and this is aristotles opinion . both kindes do live long in the water , but yet at length for want of sustenance there they die . they move from place to place with a kinde of reaching and thrusting forwards , for we cannot properly say that they do either rowl or tumble . olympio in plautus would go about to make a simple plain fellow believe that worms did eat nothing but very earth , because he used these words to chalinus ; post autem nisi nisi ruri tu ervum comederis : ( for thus lambine readeth ) aut quasi lumbricus terram . in english thus ; and afterward thou nought but tares shalt eat , or else like worms , the earth shall be thy meat . but by earth here in this place , he understandeth not pure earth , and such as is without any other mixture , but rather the fat , juyce , and moisture of the same . and this is the reason , that earth-worms are not to be found in all soils alike , as in barren , sandy , stony , hard , and bare grounds , but only in fat , gravelly , moist , clammy and fertile . and for this respect england hath many worms , because both countrey and soil are very moist : and this moisture whereon they feed must not be salt , sowre , tart , or bitter , but sweet and toothsome : and therefore it is , that lucretius in his second book writeth , that worms are bred most when it showreth , as in rainy seasons and moist weather . quatenus in pullos animaleis vertier ova cerminus alituum , vermesque effervere terram intempestivos cùm putror coepit ob imbres . in english thus ; even as in time of rain , we see birds egges their young forth hatch , and worms in heat of gendering be when they clouds rot do catch . and to this opinion of lucretius , nicander seemeth to lean , when he affirmeth , that these worms are nourished altogether of the earth that is moistned with long rain , or with some smoaking shower : for making a difference between the serpent scytale , and the amphisbaena , he thus writeth ; steileies pachetos , tes elminthos pelei ogros he cai entera ges oia trephei ombrimos aia . id est . manubrii ligonis latitudo , longitudo verò ei quae lumbrico , aut terrae intestinis , quae imbribus irrigata terra alit . that is to say ; as broad as haft of spade , his length like little worm , and fed with dreary earth , moist by clouds and rainy form . the greater sort of earth-worms live in the bowels of the earth , and most of all in an open free air , and where there is some repair and confluence of people . every morning they withdraw themselves into their secret holes and corners within the ground , fencing the entrance of them with their excrements they have voided forth , in a fair and sunshine weather : but in rainy weather they use to stop the mouths of their holes with some stalk or leaves of herbs or trees , being drawn a little inwardly into the earth . they feed upon the roots of those plants which have any sweet juyce or moisture in them ; and therefore one may many times finde them amongst the roots of common meddow-grasse : and they do live for the most part by the fat moisture of the earth , yet will they also greedily devour crums of white bread unleavened , as i have often seen . in the spring time , they first appear to come forth from the bowels of the earth , and all the winter they lie hid in the ground , but yet if it be a very sharp and pinching cold winter , and a dry summer follow , for lack of moisture they do almost all die . besides , if you dig into the earth , or make a great motion , trampling , or hard treading upon the same pouring in any strange liquor or moisture into the same , wherewithall they are unaquainted ; as for example , the juyce of wall-nut-trees , the water wherein hemp either seeds or leaves are soaked , or been laid to rot in common lye , and the like , they will issue out of the earth speedily , and by this means fisher-men and anglers do take them . in like manner , they cannot endure salt , or aromatical things , nor by their good will come neer them , for but touching any of these they will draw themselves on a heap , and so die . worms are found to be very venomous in the kingdom of mogor , and the inhabitants there do stand in so great fear of them , that they be destroyed and slain by them when they travel any journey ; and therefore there they use ordinarily to carry beesoms with them to sweep the plain ways for fear of further hurt . georgius agricola saith , that the little worms called ascarides , are not all of one colour : for some are white , some yellow ( as i remembred a little before ) and others again are very black : and many of these in tilling the earth are cast up by the plough , and many found in divers places all on a heap together . these be they that destroy corn-fields , for by sharing or biting the roots the fruit dyeth . some say , that those worms do most mischief to corn-grounds , which in some places of italy the people term zaccarole , and these are thick , almost a finger long , being naturally of a very cold constitution of body ; and therefore they never use to come forth of the earth , but when the weather is passing hot , for then will they come forth , even to the surface of the ground , as it is notably set down , by the famous poet homer : — à quo ceu fonte perenni , vatum pieriis labra rigantur aquis . in english thus ; by whom , as by an everlasting filling spring , with muses liquor , poets lips are bath'd to sing . homer very fitly compareth harpalion when he fell down dead amongst his companions , to a silly worm , when as seeking to escape by flight out of the battel , he was wounded to death by meriones , shooting an arrow or steel dart into his hanch or hip , his verses be these ; meriones d' apiontos iei chalkere oiston , kai r'ebale gloucon kata dexion autar oistos , antikron kata kustin up ' osteon exeperesen : ezomenos de cat ' authi philon en chersin etairon , thumon apopneion , oste scolex epi gaia keito tacheis ecd ' aima melan ree , deue de gaian . id est . meriones autem in abeuntem misit aeream sagittam , et vulneravit coxam ad dextram , ac sagitta e regione per vesicam sub os penetravit : residens autem illic charorum inter manus sociorum animam efflans , tanquam vermis super terram jacebat extensus : sanguisque effluebat , ●ingebat autem terram . that is to say ; but as he went away , behold meriones with brazen dart , did his right hip-bone wound , which neer the bladder did the bone through pierce : in friends deer hands , he dyed upon the ground . so stretcht upon the earth as worm he lyed , black bloud out flowing , the same bedyed . mark well the slendernesse of this comparison , whereby he would give us to understand the base estate , and faint heart of harpalion . for in other places having to write of noble , valiant , and magnanimous persons , when they were ready to give up the ghost , he useth the words sphadazein , bruchein , and the like to these , secretly insinuating to us , that they fell not down dead like impotent cowards , or timorous abjects , but that they raged like lions , with grinding and gnashing their teeth together , that they were blasted , benummed , or suddenly deprived of all their lives and senses , &c. but here this pusillanimous and sordidous minded man harpalion , seemed to be disgraced by his resembling to a poor worm , being peradventure a man of so small estimation , and vile condition , as that no greater comparison seemed to fit him . it seemeth he was a man but of a faint courage , and very weak withall , because striking and thrusting with his spear or javellin at the shield or target of atrides , he was not able to strike it through . but although this famous poet doth so much seem to extenuate and debase a weak worm : yet others have left us in their writings such commendations of their singular use and necessity , for the recovery of mans health ( then which no earthly thing is more pretious ) and have so nobilitated the worth of these poor contemptible creatures , as i think , nature as yet hath scarse given any other simple medicine , or experience found out by tract of time , nor knowledge of plants by long study hath revealed ; nor paracelsus by the distillations of his limbeck hath made known to the world , any secret endued with so many vertues and excellent properties against so many diseases : and for proof hereof , it shall not be beside the purpose to examine and describe the rarest and most probable that are recorded amongst the learned . earth-worms do mollifie , conglutinate , appease pain , and by their terrestrial , and withall water ish humidity they do contemper any affected part , orderly and measurably moderating any excesse whatsoever . the powder of worms is thus prepared : they use to take the greatest earth-worm that can be found , and to wrap them in mosse , suffering them there to remain for a certain time , thereby the better to purge and clense them from that clammy and filthy slimynesse , which outwardly cleaveth to their bodies . when all this is done , they presse hard the hinder-part of their bodies neer to the tail , squeesing out thereby their excrements , that no impurity so neer as is possible may be retained in them . thirdly , they use to put them into a pot , or some fit vessel with some white wine , and a little salt , and straining them gently between the fingers , they first of all cast away that wine , and then do they pour more wine to them , and after the washing of the worms , they must also take away some of the wine , for it must not all be poured away ( as some would have it ) and this must so often be done and renewed until the wine be passing clear without any filth or drossinesse , for by this way their slimy jelly , and glutinous evil quality is clear lost and spent . being thus prepared , they are to be dryed by little and little in an oven , so long till they may be brought to powder , which being beaten and searsed , it is to be kept in a glasse vessel far from the fire by it self . a dram of this powder being commixed with the juyce of marigolds , cureth the epilepsie , with some sweet wine , as muscadel , bastard , or the metheglin of the welchmen . it helpeth the dropsie . with white wine and myrrhe , the jaundise , with new wine , or hydromel the stone ; ulcers of the reins and bladder : it stayeth also the loosnesse of the belly , helpeth barrennesse , and expelleth the secondine , it asswageth the pain of the hanch or hip● ; by some the sciatica ; it openeth obstructions of the liver , driveth away tertian agues , and expelleth all worms that are bred in the guts , being given and taken with the decoction or distilled water of germander , worm-wood , southern-wood , garlick , scordum , centory , and such like . the decoction of worms made with the juyce of knot-grasse , or comfery , salomons seal , or sarasius compound , cureth the disease tearmed by physitians diabetes , when one cannot hold his water , but that it runneth from him without stay , or as fast as he drinketh . a glyster likewise made of the decoction of earth-worms , and also taken accordingly , doth marvellously asswage and appease the pain of the hemorrhoids . there be some that give the decoction of earth-worms to those persons that have any congealed or clotted bloud in their bodies , and that with happy successe . the vertue of earth-worms is exceedingly set forth , both by the grecians and arabians , to encrease milk in womens breasts . hieronymus mercurialis a learned physitian of italy , adviseth nurses to use this confection following in case they want milk , always provided that there be not a fever joyned withall . take of the kernels of the fruit of the pine-tree , sweet almonds , of each alike , one ounce , seeds of fennel , parsley , and rapes , of either alike one dram , of the powder of earth-worms washed in wine , two drams ; with sugar so much as is sufficient , to be given the quantity of a dram or two in the morning , and after it drink some small wine , or capon-broth boyled with rape-seeds and leeks . against the tooth-ach the same powder of earth-worms is proved singular , being decocted in oyl , and dropped a little at once into the ear , on the same side the pain is , as pliny witnesseth , or a little of it put into the contrary ear , will perform the same effect , as dioscorides testifieth . and thus far of earth-worms taken into the body , and of their manifold vertues , according to the evidence and testimony of dioscorides , galen , aetius , paulus , aegineta , myrepsus , pliny , and daily experience which goeth beyond the precepts of all skilful masters ; for this is the schoolmistris of all arts , as manilius in his second book hath written ; per varios usus artem experientia fecit , exemplo monstrante viam . in english thus ; experience teacheth art by use of things , when as example plainest way forth brings . being also beaten to powder , and outwardly applyed , they do close and solder up wounds , and conglutinate sinews that are cut , and consolidating them again in the space of seven days , and to perform this cure the better , democritius adviseth to keep them in honey . the ashes of earth-worms duly prepared , cleanseth sordious , stinking and rotten ulcers , consuming and wasting away their hard lips , or callous edges , if it be tempered with tar and simblian honey , as pliny affirmeth . dioscorides saith , that the honey of sicilia was taken for that nf simblia in his time . their ashes likewise draweth our darts or arrows shot into the body , or any other matter that sticketh in the flesh , if they be tempered with oil of roses , and so applyed to the place affected . the powder also cureth kibes in the heels , and chilblanes on the hands , as marcellus testifieth , for hurts that happen to the sinews when they are cut in pieces , quintus serenus hath these verses ; profuerit terrae lumbricos indere tritos , queis vetus & rancens sociari axungia debet . it is good ( saith he ) to apply to sinews that are dissected . the powder of earth-worms mixed and wrought up with old , rammish , and unsavory barrows grease , to be put into the grief . marcellus empiricus , besides the powder of earth-worms and axunger , addeth further , grounswell , and the tender tops of the box-tree with olibanum : all these being made up and tempered together to make an emplaster , he counselleth to be applyed to sinews that are laid open , cut asunder , or that have received any puncture , or suffer any pain or aking whatsoever . pliny saith , that there cannot be a better medicine found out for broken bones , then earth-worms and field mice dryed and pulverised , and so mixed together with oyl of roses , to be laid in the form of an emplaster upon the part fractured . yea , to asswage and appease pain ; both in the joynts and in the sinews of horses , there hath not been found out a more notable medicine , as we may well perceive by the writings both of russius , absyrtus , and didymus : whereupon cardan hath observed , that all pains whatsoever may be mitigated by their apt using . carolus clusius saith , that the indians do make an excellent unguent of earth-worms against the disease called erysipelas , being a swelling full of heat and rednesse with pain round about , commonly called s. anthonies fire : and thus it is prepared : they first take earth-worms alive , feeding them either with the leaves of moeza , or else with fine meal , until by this means they grow fat ; afterwards boiling them in an earthen vessel , ( remembring ever to scum the same ) they do strain them , boyling them yet again , to the consistence almost of an emplaister , which if it be rightly prepared is of a yellow colour . and this medicine may well be used for any burning or scalding . my purpose is not to vouch all those authorities i might , concerning the admirable nature and vertue of earth-worms : for so i think i might alledge six hundred more , which is not meet to be inserted in this place . i will therefore now passe to their qualities and medicinal uses for irrational creatures . pelagonius much commendeth earth-worms as an excellent medicine for the bots or worms that are in horses , and in the bodies of oxen and kine , affirming that the best way is to put them alive into their nosthrils , although without question it were far better to conveigh them into their maws by the means of some horn . tardinus adviseth to give the powder of earth-worms with some hot flesh , to hawks when they cannot exonerate nature ( or how faulkeners tearm it , i know not . ) for that ( saith he ) will loosen their bellies . moles do also feed full savorly upon them , and if they fall a digging , it is strange to see with what sudden hast and speed then poor worms will issue out of the ground . in like sort hogs and swine ( as varro writeth ) by their turning up the mud , and rooting in the earth with their snowts , do by this means dig up the worms , that they may eat them . albertus magnus saith , that toads do feed upon worms . bellonius saith , that lizards and tarentinus , that the sea-fish called gryff , or grample , doth greedily devour them , and finally experience it self witnesseth , that frogs , eels , gudgeons , carps , breams , roches , and trowts , do satisfie their hungry guts by feeding upon them . aristotle in his eight book de nat. animal . cap. . describeth a certain bird that liveth in the waters , which gaza interpreteth capella , though the philosopher calleth it aix , and some have called it vdhellus , that liveth for the most part upon worms : yea , thrushes , robin-red-breasts , mun-murderers , and bramblings , hens , chaffinches , gnat-snappers , bull-finches , and all sorts of crows will feed upon them ; and therefore it is that there be more crows in england , then in any other countrey in the world , respecting the greatnesse , because here the soil being moist and fat , there is abundance of earth-worms serving for their food , as polydorus vurgilius in his first book of the history of england , ( which he dedicated to king henry the eight ) hath excellently delivered . the people of india , if we will credit monardus , do make of these worms divers juncats , as we do tarts , marchpanes , wafers , and cheese-cakes , to eat instead of other dainties . and the inhabitants of west-india do devour them raw , as francis lopez testifieth . the people of europe in no place that ever i heard or read of , can endure them to be set on their tables , but for medicinal uses only they desire them . plautus useth in stead of a proverb this that followeth ; nunc ab transenna hic turdus lumbricum petit . it is an allegory taken and borrowed from a gin or snare wherewith birds are taken : by which chrysalus the bond-man bringing certain letters to nicobolus an old man , signifieth and giveth warning , that the weak old man was by the reading of the letter no otherwise ensnared , intangled , and deceived , then some birds are taken by subtile and crafty sleights . for transenna is nothing but a deceitful cord stretched out to take birds , especially thrushes or mavisses withall , and worms is their proper food , which while they endevour to entrap , they themselves are deceived and taken . surely i should not think that those fishers and anglers be very wise , who to take worms , use to pour lye or water into the earth wherein hemp , southern-wood , centory , worm-wood , or vervin have been long soaked , or any other strange moisture , causing them by this mean to issue forth out of the earth , for the earth-worms by this kinde of dealing being made more bitter , unsavoury , and unpleasant , no fishes will once touch or tast them , but rather seek to avoid them . but contrarywise , if they will let them lie a whole day in wheat-meal , putting a little honey to it , and then bait their hooks with them , they will be so sweet , pleasant , and delectable , as that the unwary fish will sooner bite at it , then at ambrosia , the very meat of the gods. earth-worms do also much good to men , serving them to great use in that they do prognosticate and foretell rainy weather by their sodain breaking or issuing forth of the ground : and if none appear above ground over-night , it is a great signit will be calm and fair weather the next day . the ancient people of the world have ever observed this as a general rule , that if worms pierce through the earth violently , and in haste by heaps , as if they had bored it through with some little auger or piercer , they took it for an infallible token of rain shortly after to fall . for the earth being as it were imbrued , distained , made moist , and moved with an imperceptible m 〈…〉 on , partly the south winde , and partly also a vaporous air , it yeeldeth an easie passage for round worms to winde out of the inward places of the earth , to give unto them moist food , and to minister store of fat juyces , or fattish jelly , wherewith they are altogether delighted . some there be found , that will fashion and frame iron after such a manner , as that they will bring it to the hardnesse of any steel , after this order following . they take of earth-worms two parts , of raddish roots one part , after they are bruised together , the water is put into a limbeck to be distilled , or else take of the distilled water of worms l. iij. of the juyce of raddish l. i. mix them together , for iron being often quenched in this water , will grow exceeding hard . another . take of earth-worms l. ij . distil them in a limbeck with an easie and gentle fire , and temper your iron in this distilled water . another . take of goats bloud so much as you please , adding to it a little common salt , then bury them in the earth in a pot well glased and luted for thirty days together . then distil after this the same bloud in balneo , and to this distilled liquor , add so much of the distilled water of earth-worms . another . take of earth-worms , of the roots of apple-trees , of rapes , of each a like-much , distil them apart by by themselves , and in equal portions of this water so distilled , and afterwards equally mixed , quench your iron in it , as is said before . antonynus gallus . it shall not be impertinent to our matter we handle , to add a word or two concerning those worms that are found and do breed in the snow , which theophanes in strabo calleth oripas : but because it may seem very strange and incredible , to think that any worms breed and live only in the snow , you shall hear what the ancients have committed to writing , and especially strabo his opinion concerning this point . it is ( saith he ) received amongst the greater number of men , that in the snow there are certain clots or hard lumps that are very hollow , which waxing hard and thick , do contain the best water as it were in a certain coat ; and that in this case or purse there do breed worms . theophan s calleth them oripas , and apollonides , vermes . aristotle saith , that living creatures will breed also even in those things that are not subject to putrefaction ; as for example , in the fire and snow , which of all things in the world , one would take never to be apt to putrefie , and yet in old snow worms will be bred . old snow that hath lyen long , will look somewhat dun , or of a dullish white colour , and therefore the snow-worms are of the same hiew , and likewise rough and hairy . but those snow-worms which are found to breed when the air is somewhat warm , are great , and white in colour , and all these snow-worms will hardly stir , or move from place to place . and pliny is of the same judgement , and the author of that book which is intituled de plantis , falsely fathered upon aristotle . yet some there be that denying all these authorities , and rejecting whatsoever can be objected for confirmation thereof to the contrary , do stoutly maintain by divers reasons , that creatures cannot breed in the snow : because that in snow there is no heat , and where no quickning heat is , there can be no production of any living thing . again , aristotle writeth that nothing will come of ice , because it is ( as he saith ) most cold : and hereupon they infer that in all reason , nothing likewise can take his beginning from snow ; neither is it credible , that husbandmen would so often wish for snow in winter to destroy and consume worms , and other little vermine , that else would prove so hurtful to their corn and other fruits of the earth . and if any worms be found in the snow , it followeth not straightways that therein they first receive their beginning , but rather that they first come out of the earth , and are afterwards seen to be wrapped up , and lie on heaps in the snow . but by their leaves these reasons are very weak , and may readily be answered thus ; that whereas they maintain that nothing can breed in the snow , because it is void of any heat at all , herein they build upon a false ground . for if we will adhibit credit to averrhoes , there is nothing compounded and made of the three elements , that is absolutely without heat . and aristotle in his fift book de generatione animalium , telleth us precisely , that there is no moisture without heat . his words are ouden hugron aneu thermou . now snow is a compact , and fast congealed substance , and somewhat moist , for although it proceedeth by congelation , which is nothing else but a kinde of exsiccation , yet notwithstanding , the matter whereof it first cometh is a vapour , whose nature is moist , and with little ado may be turned into water . i must needs say that congelation is a kinde of exsiccation , but yet not simply : for exsiccation is , when as humidity goeth away , it putteth forth any matter , but in snow there is no humidity that is drawn out , but it is rather wrapped in and inclosed more strongly , and as it were bounded round . furthermore aristotle in his first book of his meteors saith , that snow is nubes congelata , a clowd congelated or thicked together , and that in snow there is much heat . and in his fift book de generatione animalium , he further addeth , that the whitenesse of the snow is caused by the air , that the air is hot and moist , and the snow is white ; whereupon we conclude , that snow is not so cold , as some would bear us in hand . i well hold that nothing will take his original from ite ; in regard of his excessive coldnesse , but yet snow is nothing nigh so cold as that . so then all the hinderance and let is found to exceed of cold , which is nothing so effectual or forcible as in ite , and the cold being proved to be far lesser , there can nothing be alleadged to the contrary , but that it may putrefie . now in that snow is such an enemy to worms , and many other small creatures , as that for the most part it destroyeth them , yet it followeth not , that the reason of aristotle is quite overthrown 〈…〉 because ( as we daily see ) that those creatures which live in the air , will for the most part be suffocare and die in the water ; and contrariwise , those that live in the water , cannot endure the a 〈…〉 yet hereupon it followeth not , that if they be choked in the water , that none at all will live in the water , and the same reason is to be alleadged concerning the air . therefore it is no marvail if those worms that first breed in the earth , and live in the earth , be killed by the snow ; yet it necessarily followeth not , that no living creature can take his first being either from or in the snow . but if it can , as aristotle witnesseth , it is so far unlikely that the same snow should be the destroyer of that it first was bred of , as i think rather it cannot live separately , but of necessity in the same snow ; no otherwise then fishes can live without water , from which they first sprung and had their beginning . and to this opinion leaneth theophrasius , in his first book de causis plantarum , whose words be these , apanta gar pha●n tai ta zoa , kai ta phuta kai diamenònta , kai genomena , en tois orkuiois topois : for all creatures ( saith he ) whatsoever seem , both plants to remain , and to be generated and bred , in their own due and proper places . and after this he addeth and urgeth a little further , aparthe men hupo touton ; from his own home and special particular place of abode , nothing can suffer , sustain harm , or be corrupted . and in his fift book de caus . plan. he setteth it down more perspicuously , how that worms which are bred in some special trees , being afterward translated and changed to other trees , where they never came before , cannot possibly live . wherefore it is more consonant to reason , and more agreeable to common sense , to affirm that those worms which are found folded and rolled up in the snow , to have been first bred in the same snow , rather then to have issued out of the earth . neither are we to make any question or scruple concerning their food ; for there is no doubt , but the mother from whence they proceeded , will provide sufficient nourishment for her own children . for as we said a little before , the snow is no simple thing , but compacted and concrete together of many , and of this nature ought every aliment to be . julius caesar scaliger is of this minde , that worms are ingendered and brought forth in the very snow , because there is in it much air and spirit , which afterwards being heated and brought to some warmth together , may cause them to generate ; for it is the nature and quality of snow to make fat the earth , of which fattish moisture or jelly , there may ( heat being joyned ) be produced a living creature . there be some that do constantly hold , that in the midst of certain stones , of which they use to make lime , there do breed divers creatures , of very different kindes , and sundry proportions and shapes , and likewise worms , with hairy backs , and many feet , which are wont to do much hurt to furnaces and limbeckils where they make lyme . yet caesalpinus in his first book de metal . chap. . thinketh the contrary , assuring us that in metal-mines , quarries of marble , and other stones , there can never any living body be found . and yet in rocks of the sea , within the hollow places and rifts of the stones , they do commonly finde certain small living things called dactili . i do not doubt , whatsoever he saith to the contrary , but that many creeping , and other living creatures , may be found both in the secret mines of stone , and sometimes also amongst metals , although it be seldom seen . and for confirmation hereof , i will alleadge one example happening not many years since in our own countrey . at harlestone a mile from holdenby in northamptonshire , there was a quarry of free stone found out , of which they digged for the building of sir christopher hattons house , where there was taken up one being a yard and a half square every way at the least , and being cloven asunder , there was found in the very midst of it a great toad alive , but within a very short space after , comming to the open air , it dyed . this stone amongst others , was taken very deep out of the earth , it was split and cut asunder by one whose name is lole , an old man yet living at this day , it was seen of five hundred persons , gentlemen and others , of worthy repute and esteem , the most part of them living at this hour , whose attestation may defend me in this report : and surely if toads may live in the midst of stones , i can see no reason but that worms may there be found , but as yet i could never see it . in the year of grace . at what time romualdus the son of sergius a young monk , was advanced by the nobility of ravenna to be their archbishop , there followed a great death and murrein among earth-worms : after that again ensued scarsity and death of all fruits of the earth , as carolus sigonius in his chronicle of the kingdom of italy declareth . henry emperor of rome , the son of the emperour henry the third , as crantzius hath written , when he took his voyage into italy , being suddenly stayed of his intended course , with an army sent against him by matild , that he should passe no further then lombardy , yet having taken mutina , there appeared a strange and uncouth sign in the air , for an innumerable company of worms , smaller and thinner then any flies , did flie about in the air , being so thick that they might be touched with any small stick or wand , and sometimes with the hand , so that they covered the face of the earth one mile in breadth , and darkned likewise the air two or three miles in length . some did interpret it as a sign or fore-telling , that some christian prince should go into the holy-land . in the year of our lord god one thousand one hundred and four , there were seen divers fiery and flying worms in the air , in such an infinite multitude , that they darkened the light of the sun , seeming to deprive mens eye-sight thereof ; and shortly after this monstrous and unnatural wonder , there followed other strange and seldom-seen prodigious sights on the earth : and what a boisterous storm of troubles , and raging whirl-winde of war and bloud-shed shortly after ensued , the event thereof did plainly manifest . finis . a physical index , containing plentiful remedies for all diseases incident to the body of man , drawn from the several creatures contained in this first volum . a. abortion , . . , . . . ac●es , . . . . . . . acorus good against poison , . agues , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ibid. ibid . . . alopecia , ibid. . . . . . . . . . almonds swoln , . amiantes what it is , . ancle pains , . ammodites bites cured , . amorcus to make , . antidote against poison , . . . . antonies fire , . . . ibid. . . . ibid . . apostumes , . . . . . apoplex , . appetite restored , . armepits stink , . arrowes to drawforth . . asps bitings , . . . b. baldness , . . . barrenness cured , . barrenness caused , . . . ibid. . . . . back-pains , . . . . . bel●y pains , . . . . . . . . ibid. . . . . . . . . . . . belly soft , . . . belly to make loose , . . . . . . . belly swoln , . . belly to stop , . . . ibid. ibid. . . . . bees differences , . . bees stings cured , ibid. ibid. bitings of men , . bees torment , . bees profit , ibid. bitings of adders , . bitings of mad dogs , . . . bitings , . . bitings venomous all cured , . . . . . boils , . blisters , . . . blindness cured , . bladder , . . . . bloudstone what it is , . bloud corrupt , . . bloud spitting , . . . . . . . . . . bloud congealed , . . ibid. . bloud pissing , . bloud stop , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . bloud stinking , . bloudy flux , . . ibid. ibid. . . . ibid. . . . . ibid. . ibid. . . ibid. . . . . ibid. . ibid. . . . . . . . bleeding at the nose caused , . blindness , . . blasted , . . blemishes , . . blockish , . bowels , . bones broken , . . . . . . bones out of joynt , . botches , . . . . . breath short , . . . . . . . . . . . . . breath stinking , . . . . breasts swoln , . ibid. . . breasts inflamed , . . bruises , . . . buls bloud poison , . . bunches in the face , . . bunches , . ibid. . . . . . . buprestis , . . burnings , . . ibid. . . . . . . . . burstings . . . . . c. cachectae , . cankers , . . . . . ▪ . cancers , . cantharides , . ibid. . . . ibid. . . carbuncles , . . . . . . ibid. . cauteries where not to apply , . castoreum , . caterpillars , . catarrhs , . . cattel bleeding , . chaps , . . . . cheeks softened , . children , . childrens teeth , . . . . . . . childrens loose bellies , . . childbirth , . . ibid. ibid. . . . ibid. . . . . . ibid. . . ibid. . . . . . . . . . child dead in the womb , . chilblanes , . . . citrons virtue , . colick , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ibid. . . . . . ibid. . . corus , . coriander seeds virtue , . cough , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . cockatrices killed , . cods swoln , . choler to purge , . coldprevented , . . . complexion restored , . conception , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . conception hindred , . . . . concord preserved , . cordial , . convulsions , . . . . . . . . cor●oborative , . consumption , . . . . . copulation , . . courage , . contraction of nerves , . costiveness , . corns . . . . cramp , . . . . . . . . . . . . cripples , . crocodiles , . . creeping vlcers , crick in the neck , d. dandraff , . darts drawn forth , . deafness , . . . . ibid. . ibid. . . . . . . . . . . . demoniacks cured , . digestion helpt , . . diureticks , . death of hunters , . dead sleep , . dead flesh , . . delivery to cause , . . delivery hindered , . diseases of beasts , . . . dismembring without pain , . diabetes , . . . . dogs soabbed , . dogs mad , . . . . . . . . . ibid. . . . . . . . . . . . . dogs appetite , dislocations , . . dissiness in the head , . dysentery , . . dysuria , . . . dragons bitings cured , . dreams , . . , . . . . drones use , . . . dropsie , . . . ibid. . . . ibid. . . . ibid. . . . . . . . . . ibid. . . . drunkenness , . . . . . drowsiness , . dryin's bites cured , . e. ears inflamed , . . . ears pained , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ears running , . . earth-worms prepared for medicaments , . ears ulcerated , . . . . . . . . . erysipelas , . ears tingling , . elephantiasis ▪ . eloquent to make , . ears , . . . eyes broken , . eyes dim , . . . . . . . . . . . . ▪ eyebrowes hair , . . eyes bleared , . . eyes a squint , . eye skin , . eyes superfluous flesh , . eyes running , . . . ibid. . . ibid. . . . . . . . eyes white , . . eyes spots , . . eyes blind , . . eye salve , . . . ibid. . . . eyes diseases , . . . . . . eyes , . . ibid. ibid. eyes closed , . eyes to clear , . . . . . . . eyes bloud shot , . eyes wounded , . eyes web , . . eyelids , . . . . . f. face to make horrible , . face to make fair , . . . . face spots , . . . . face swoln , . fat to make , . . faint heart , . falling sickness , . . . ibid. . ibid. . ibid. . . . ibid. . . . helpt in children , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ibid. ibid. ibid. . . . . . . . . . . ● . ibid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . fellons , . . . . . . fearless , . . . feet sore , . . . . feet swoln , . feet pinched , . . . . . feet pain cured , . fevers , . . . . ● . . . fire to resist , . fistulaes , . . . . . . . . . . fleas , . flesh spongy , . flies , . . flix , . ibid. . ibid ▪ . . flux of bloud , . flux , . . . . . ibid. . ibid. . . . . . flowers , . fortunate to make , . fractures of bones , . frantick , . freckles , . french pox , . fre●sie , . . . . ibid. . frogs use , . froth in childrens mouths , . fruitful to make , ● . fruit preserved , . fucus , . fumes , . fundament diseases , . . . . ● . . . . . g. gargarism , . . gall running over , . . gangrene , . genital sore , . . gonorrhea , . . . . gowt , . . . . , . . . , . . . . . ibid. . . . . ibid. . . ibid. . ibid. . ibid. . . ibid. . . . . . ibid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ibid . . . . . . . . . gracious amongst princes to make , . gravel , . greenfrogs best for use , . guts wringing , . . ibid. . . ibid. . . . . gums , . . . h. hair to increase , . . , . . . . hair to fasten , . . . . . . . hair to curle , . . . hair falling , . . . ibid. . hair to take away , . . . . . . . hair of the eye-lids , . . . . . . . . hair not to grow , . . . . hair yellow , . hair to renew , . . . . . . . hair , . ibid. . hairs gray to hinder , . . hair of horses to change , . hair to make white , . haws remedy , . hawks feathers renewed , . ibid. hawks cured , . . hands made white , . harts worms cured , . hatred procured , . hardnesse , ● . hemlock , . . . head cured , . headach , . . . . ibid. . . ibid. . . . . . . . . . . ibid. . . . . . ● . head bruised and sore , . . head boils , . . . head s 〈…〉 ings , . head scurf , . health preserved , . hearing helped , . . ibid. . . . heart sorrow , . . heart swelling , . heart pain , . . heart fear , . heart panting , . . heart trembling , . . heat unnaturall , . hemorrhes biting cured , . hickop , . higher powers pacified , . honey poisoned remedied , . hip pains , . . . . . hornets stings cured , . horse remedies , . . ibid. . horse to make stale , . hoarseness , . humours evill , . husbands to make to love their wives , . hypochondrial inflamations , . i. jaundies , . . . ibid. . . . . . jaws pained , . . jawbone swoln , . iliack pain , . impostumes , . . . . . . . impostume in the head , . inflamations , . . . inehantments of love , . intrails , . invincible to make , . invisible to make , . infants stopt , . inflamations , . joints pain , . . . . . joints loose , . . joints broken , . . joints stiffe , . itch , . . . . k. kerastes biting cured , . kernels , . . kibes , . . . . . . . . . ibid. . . . . . kidneys , . kings evill , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ibid. . . . ibid. . . . knees pain , . . knots , . . l. lamenesse , . lask , . . . law suits , . legs sore , . . legs swoln , . . leachery abated , . leprosie , . . . . . . ibid. . . . . . . ● . . . . . . . ibid. . ibid. . ibid. . . . . . . . lethargie , . . . . . . . leech to make fall off , . lingring diseases , . lice , . liver stopt , . life to make long , . lips , . . . liver sick , . . . . . . . lizard venomous , . lousie evill , . . . . . loins pains , . . . . . . . ● . . loosenesse , . . love procured , . lunatick , . . lungs consumed , . . . lungs , . . . lust provoked , . . . . . lust restrained , . . . . lust , . lyxnes skin pretious , . lyncurium , . m. mad beasts , . madnesse , . . mad man , . . magitians folly , . . . . . mans vrine , . manginess , . man to make gracious , . males , . . maw wormes , . matrix pains , . . megrim , . . . melancholy , . . . . . . . memory , . . . . . . meninx , . metempsychosis , . mice bitings cured , . mice piss dangerous , ibid. milk in breasts , . . . . milkin breasts curled , . . . . milk in breasts to make , . . miltpains , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . millets bite cured , . mind troubled , . monethly courses to stop , . mother , . . morphew , . . mouth sore , . . . . ibid. . . ibid. . . . . . mouth bleeding , . mouth scurf , . . mules biting venemous cured , . murrain , . musicks virtue , . musk , . n. nails rough , . . . . nails peeling , . nails loose , . . . . navel swoln , . nerves , . . . nerves shrunk , . . neck stiff , . . . neck swoln . . neck pains , . neuts falsly used by apothecaries , . nits cured , . . . night visions cured , . night gals , . noli me tangere , . nose bleeding , . . . ibid. . . . . . . . . nostrils sore , . o. oesypus what it is , and severall wayes to make it , . . obstructions , . . ophiogenes were juglers , . ox bloud , . p. pains inward , . pains secret , . . pains cured . pains , . . panacea , . palsey , . . ibid. . . ibid . . ibid. . ibid. . ibid. . . . . . . . . paps , . pelias bites cured , . piles , . . . . . . . . . pessuli infirmitas , . pimples on the face , . . ibid. . . pin and web , . . . plague cured , . pissing a bed , . . porphyries venom deadly , . pose , . poyson , . . . . . . ibid. . . . . . ibid. . . poyson to restrain , . . . . . . . . . poysoned arrowes , . poyson to expell , . . . . plurisie , . . . plague , . . pox , . . . . . pox small , . prester a fiery serpent among the israelites , . prints on the body , . privy members sore , . . ibid. . . . . ibid. . . . . . . procreation , . proud flesh , . ptisick , . . ibid. . . . . . . ibid. purblind , . . . . q qvick-silver , . quinsie , . . . . . ibid. . . . . . . r. reconciliation made , . reins weak , . reins wasted , . . . reins pained , . . . . ibid ibid. . . rest procured , . rheume , . . . . ribs , ring worms , . . ibid. . . . . robbers of orchards to find out , . running bloud , . rupture , . . . . . . . . . s. salamanders venom cured , . sand-blinde , . scabs , . . . . . . . . . st. pauls linage pretended , . . scars , . . . . . . . sealded , . . secondine , . . . . . sciatica , . . . . . . . . scurf , . . . . shoulders ach , . . serpents most spotted least venomous , . serpents , . . , . . . . , . . serpents prepared . . serpents bites cured , . . . . . serpents bloud better then balsam , . serpents crept into ones belly , . serpents to drive away , . serpents to take , . scorpians stinging , . . . . scorpions to drive away , . . scorpions antidote , . . scorpions kinds many , . shrewmouse bites , . . . . . . . ibid. . sh●tfree , . skin softned , . skin made fair , . skin foul , . skin made white , . skin to soften , . skin thick , . shamefacedness , . sides pain , . . sinews pain , . . . . . . ibid. . ibid. . . sinews shrunk , . . . . sleep , . . . . sleep caused , . . . . senses to sharpen , . sight to preserve , . smelling , . snakes venomous only at some time of the moon , . soft to make , . . . . slow-wormes venomous cured , . snakes remedy , . sneesing , . souls transmigration , . sores cured , . . . sores , . . sores inward , . spiders remedies , . . . spleen sick , . . . . . ibid . . . . . . . . spleen swoln , . . . splints to draw forth , . spitting matter , . spots , . . . . . stellions biting cured , . stiches , . . stinking breath , . stomach cold , . stomach raw , . stomach pained , . . . . . stomach weak , . stomach ulcerated , . stomach bleeding , . stone , . . ibid. . . . . . . ● . . . . . . . ibid. . . . stone of the bladder , . . . . . . . stone colick , . . . . strains , . . strangullion in a horse , . strangury , . . . . . . . . strength restored , . stripes healed , . . . struma , . surbated , . suff●cation of the belly , . suppositary , . sweating , . . sweating sicknesse , . sun burning , . . . suffusions , . swellings , . . ibid. . . . . . . . . . ibid. . . . . . . . t. tarantulaes venom cured , . tenasmus , . teeth , . . . . . ibid. . . teeth white , . . . teeth fastned , . . . . ibid . . teeth to make fall out , . . . . teeth breeding , . teeth-ach , . ibid. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ibid. . . . . . . tetters , . . . . . . temples , . tenasmus , . throat soar , . . . . . . throat swelling , . tongue sore , . thorns to pull out , . . . . . . toads and spiders antipathy , . toads poison cured , . . trembling , . . toad-stone its original and virtues , . toads bred in men how cured , . toads three , formerly the french arms , . touching with virtue , . tortoise good meat or not , . tortoise bloud unites any thing cut asunder , . tumours , . tympany , . tyranny freed from , . tyria what disease it is , . u. venery , . venery provoked , . . venomous bites , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . venomous bites healed , . . venomous beasts driven away , . . venom cured , . vertigo , . . victory foreshewed , . vipers to take without danger , . vipers bite cured , . vlcers , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . virgins breasts great , . voice weak , . vomit , . . . . vinegar good against asps , . vrine stopt , . . . . ibid. . vrines incontinency , . . . vrine to retain , . . . . vrine to provoke , . . . . . vvula , . . w. water in the belly or stomach , . warts , . . . . . . . . . wasps stings cured , . . . wens , . . . . . . ibid. . . . . web in a horses eye , . . weakness , . weasils bites cured , . whites , . . whore of babylon , . wise to make , . witches use toads , . witchcraft , . . windiness dissolved , . wit to quicken , . womens courses , . . . . ibid. . ibid. . . . ibid. . . . . . . . womens courses to stop , . . . . . . woment paps swoln , . . womens diseases , . womens breasts , . womb foul , . . . . womens love to husbands procured , . worms in calves , . . worms , . . . . . . . . . worms in the eys , . wounds bleeding , . wounds , . . . . . . . . . y. yard sore cured , . yard ulcerated , . . yard pains , . . . . youth preserved , . finis . the theater of insects : or , lesser living creatures . as , bees , flies , caterpillars , spidrs , worms , &c. a most elaborate work. by tho. movffet , doctor in physick . london , printed by e. c. . to the noble knight , and the kings chief physician , dr. william paddy : theodore mayerne , knight , baron of st. albons , and companion to the chief physicians in the court of britain , wisheth much health . your countryman mouffet , a notable ornament to the company of physicians , a man of the more polite and solid learning , and well experienced in most sciences , had formerly entituled this work of insects to the ever famous elizabeth , ( who was wise above her sex , valiant , born to reign well , and ruled so many years by the votes of her subjects , and by her own undertakings and actions , that were so successeful that they were envied at ) it was begun by others , but augmented by him , polished , and as it now comes forth exactly perfected , and he thought it no indignity to dedicate to the greatest princess the miracles of nature , which are most conspicuous in the smallest things ; which testifie the infinite power of the supreme creator of all things , and raise the mindes of princes who are the children of the most highest , to the cause of all causes , that they may in all places acknowledge the presence of the deity , and his bountiful hand in his singular direction in respect of them , and his influence that acts by election , and may adore him with an humble , as with a grateful minde ; so weighing by reason the degrees of proportion , that he is most obliged who hath received most . the author before he could accomplish this purpose , died ; he was worthy to have lived longer for the advantage of art and learning . thus the book was left after his death to his heir , who had a smaller estate than suited with the name of his father , or his merit required , and his many watchings and labours sustained for the publick good , in curing of the sick , justly deserved . fortune is blinde and will hardly favour those that are the best but against her will , as if it were disagreeing and dissonant that there should be any commerce between pluto with apollo , minerva and mercury . elizabeth being departed this life , and james then holding the reins of the british empire piously and justly , and ruling peaceably amongst the storms that at that time shook all europe , having weeded out by his majestick scepter , and by the providence of his soul which was prudent even to miracle , all monsters , which endevoured to shake the foundations of the kingdome by treason , deceit , wickedness , lust , and wrath. the over●●ers of this orphan left in a very poor condition , were resolved to dedicate this learned work to this noble heros , who was no less famous for his learning than for a concourse of all virtues that met in him : but great poverty at home , delayed the business , and hindred this windy intention from taking effect , and the off-spring from coming to the light . so the book lay for a long time in obscurity under the custody of the friends of the author departed , until such time as it was offered to me by darnellus , who was formerly his apothecary , and a very honest man , who wished well to his master being dead , and was very desirous of his glory ; so it lay for some years in my study cast aside in the dust among worms and moths ; truly it was no fault of mine , but of the printers who were so greedy of money , that though in many countreys i invited them by my letters , and did solicit them to receive the orphan , yet they refused ( as they said ) to take upon them an unthankful business ; they were not pleased with the benefit of a noble art , unless it would pay more than the fraight . o the times wherein the pains of learned men are valued at the price the work will be sold for , and the money that must be laid out for ink and paper , or by the depraved opinion of the vulgar ( who commonly applaud what is worst ) and not by the essence of the thing it self , or dignity of the subject , or the solid explanation of the same ! then t●ere was an epistle prefixed to the beginning which men call dedicatory , which being it was to carry the name before it of one of the foresaid princes , the edition seemed to come forth unseasonably after they were both dead . perchance some other man would have cacht at this occasion , to have brought it to king charles , the great son of a great father , under whose fortunate reign in his kingly person , all kingly virtues run together in troops , each striving to have the upper hand ) and kneeling down before his majesty , would have offered unto him , in hopes of a reward , another mans works vail'd with a false cover of commendations , or obscured with the great smoke of courtly eloquence . but i have no such genius , for though i have not lived hitherto unwelcome to princes , yet i have learned by long practise , that we must use their favour soberly , and never to abuse their ears or eyes , and though you do know easie entrance and fit times to come into their presence , yet importunity is alwaies unseasonable , and especially that which hires mercenary muses for money to set them forth , which are branded with marks of infamy . do not think that i detract so much from this work that i think it not worthy to carry the name of a king in the frontispice , and might live in publick under the protection of so ambitious an inscription ; but i held it no less than sacriledge to name the childe in stead of another of my own accord , or to bring a deaf person upon the stage , as to what concerns the exposition of the argument , and with other birds feathers in the very entrance of the work foolishly and vainly to pride my self : yet that the book might come forth every way compleat , and that the reader who is a lover of the custome may not desire an epistle , or complain that there is one wanting , according to my manner ( wherewith i honour great men with the honour that belongs unto them , but my friend i respect above all , and that continually ) i would prefix to this natural and physical history the famous name of some man , who by the common consent of the learned , is well acquainted with both , and who is joyned unto me by no ordinary alliance , who is dear to all good men , and eminent for his own endowments ; which office of reverence and good will may testifie to posterity , in what esteem such men are with me , who are intrinsecally furnished with the real tincture of manifold learning , but chiefly with that of the most noble art of all , which i practise : so i have made choice of thee alone amongst many , that thou mayst be to me in stead of them all , noble man , my dearest friend paddy , who art knighted by the wisest monarch james , who never did any thing vainly , who adornest thy virtues by thy titles , and thy titles by thy virtues , as our thorius hath written of thee . thou art he who after the wicked patricide of great henry , formerly my most milde master ( which shall for ever convey the said memory of his age to posterity ) when i was called by the most serene james from the french court by his own letters , and by a guide appointed to conduct me into britain , and was immediately honoured with the title of companion of the chief physicians , didst not look upon me with bleer and swoln eyes , with the viperous venome of envy ; but thou didst entertain me , being a stranger , candidly , and with a cheerful countenance , ( as it becomes one of noble birth ) ▪ contrary to that of horace , who accuseth the britains divided almost from all the world , of fierceness toward strangers . after that , in the many meetings we had amongst sick people , and in my practise in physick , when i pleasingly hearkned to the opinions of those that consulted , weighed them , and as it belonged to my place , concluded what was to be done , thou didst hear me without brawling or contradiction , which is the imbred evil custome of some unworthy physicians ; and thou didst very often approve of my opinion , as consonant to reason . in the famous colledge of london , ( where as thou wert alwaies most worthy , so thou wert often president ) when i was by the votes of the chiefest , and first of all by thy suffrage made a colleague , according to the kings character for my place at court , thou didst willingly suffer me to have the next place to our president : i farther add , that thou didst never oppose thy self to the many petitions or commendations that were offered by me to our most excellent colleagues ; but thou didst alwaies afford me thy ear to hear me , and thy hands to help me . lastly thou didst alwaies praise me being absent , and as far as it was in thy power , of thy own accord , from the imbred motion of thy noble minde , thou didst defend my good name privately wounded by the calumnies of envious men , and torn by malice , ( which is the condition of good , and of the greatest princes ) by that authority which thou hast amongst thy own countreymen of what condition soever , and thou wouldst not suffer this scab of backbiting to proceed any farther . o most excellent man ! what shall i repay unto thee , who as a true philosopher , hast no desire of vain glory , and such things as make a great shew and are vulgarly praised , sought for , and desired by other men , are now esteemed base with thee ? my grateful minde , and most full of love towards thee , commands me to offer this small token to thee in testimony thereof , which accept freely and willingly , and suffer that by this sincere gift , that wicked saying may be disanulled , that men of one profession cannot endure one the other . god the best and the greatest hath granted unto thee long life , by a prosperous aspect of the stars , for the good of thy citizens , whose health thou hast preserved and restored by thy care for very many years effectually hitherto , that posterity must justly acknowledge that thou hast lived long , worthy not only of a garland of oak , but a statue of gold also , ( if our times would afford such honour ) . now thou well deserving captain , discharged by age , thou champion freed by reason of years with a token of honour , thou conqueror of monsters , that daily spring up with too fruitful an increase for the destruction of mankinde , dwellest with thy self , thy soul yet sustaining thy dry body yeelding to wasting time by degrees very easily , which being defiled with no conditions of her prison , sees the hav 〈…〉 , and is almost come into it ; thy minde being abstracted from the sad vexations of humane life : and what time thou hast to spare from divine meditations , penetrating into all nature , and the secrets of things , thou dost expatiate into the pleasant green gardens of various natural philosophy . behold here is a most exquisite garland for thee gathered out of the most secret orchard of our great parent , which will not only feed the eyes , but will lead the singular acuteness of thy wit , which thou aboundest with into her most hidden places . thou being an excellent anatomist , i beseech thee try if thou canst dissect insects ; the great stagyrite being thy guide , who did not disdain to search into the parts of animals . thou shalt finde in the little body of bees a bottle which is the receptacle of honey sucked from flowers , and their legs loaded with bitumen which sticks fast to make wax . also in the tail there is a horny sting full of revenging poyson , that is ready to draw forth as soon as the bee please ; but the king of the swarm is said to want one , for there naturally belongs to the supreme power , who can overthrow all when he will at his pleasure , and there ought to be an imbred gentleness , whence it is that kings by their proper attribute are called fathers and pastors of the people . in gnats you shall observe their sounding trumpet that will suck bloud out of animals , and will draw out moisture through the joynts of the most solid wood , and wine-vessels . how wilt thou be pleased to see the small proboscis of butter-flies wreathed alwaies into a spiral line , after they have drawn forth nutriment from flowers , their extended large wings painted by natures artificial pencil , with paints cannot be imitated ; to which the very rain-bow is scarse comparable ; which right against the sun a thousand colours shewes . what a pleasant spectacle will this be when the artificial hands carefully and curiously guide the most sharp pen-knife , and very fine instrument by direction of the sight ! to behold the pipe of the grashoppers that live upon dew , and the organs of the shril sound they make , that in the heat of the dog-da●es importunately beats upon the ears of travellers , which are so framed , that their concave belly is made vaulted under the diaphragm , over which is extended a cover of a thin and dry membrane , like to a drum , which lets in the air by an oblique turning , which being beaten by the regular and successive motion of their wings , and stomach , coming in at a stra●t passage , and presently dilated , beating against the rough-cast wals of the hollow place , and refracted , makes a sound . to see the horns of the great beetles , that are like to stags horns , and with sharpest points are able to make wounds , and the muscles that move them , and tye them on exceeding fast . the rhinoceros is of the kinde of great beetles . the swelling purse which is the matter of the silk , and is wound back again into many turnings , by silk-worms which are chief of all caterpillers , of divers forms and colours ; in which after the time destinated for the concoction of their food , which is gathered chiefly from mulberry-leaves , a tenacious glew or jelly is reserved , untill such time as their ventricle swelling , and nature affecting to attain her end , the worm by degrees belcheth forth her spittle , the thred whereof growing firm by the air ( which is provided to make garments for great men ) this little creature dispenseth through her very narrow claws , and spinning with the motion of her head and of half her body , with the kembing of it by the help of her forefeet ; she first disposeth it for the strengthning of her clew of yarn , and after that upon her own sepulchre where she must receive her transmutation . how the spider thrusts out her excrements by her lower parts of her body , which is drawn forth into a web , of which she poor creature frames-nets with great labour , which are necessary to sustain her life ; and with her long legs that end in sharp clawes , she knits them into knots , being continually obnoxious to repair her work . in the uppermost cases of the green locusts which feed upon hedges , there are two scales that are hard as horn , the mutual rubbing together whereof by the ministration of the air beaten with their softer wings , make a very sharp sound . the head of all of this kinde is armed , their hinder legs are hard , dry , long , by the vehement thrusting whereof against some firm object , with the help of their most strong tendons , they will cast their body a great way , being equally ballanced , and is heavy enough for the proportion of it , like an arrow coming forth of a bow ; as it happens to fleas that leap with a huge force . but which is yet more , besides their pincers which are as sharp as keen rasors , where is a direct passage from their mouth to their tail ; the pylorus is compassed 〈…〉 out with toothed bars , that answer one the other with a thorny gomphosis , wherewith they destroy whole fields with devouring fore-teeth , like chizels , and grinde them as it were in a mill , and very suddenly they void it forth again ; their hunger never ceases until the vile creatures have consumed whole countreys which god is angry with , divine revenge commanding them ; and brings to nought that people , who ridiculously threaten heaven with destruction . you shall see the sharp spears that arm the mouth of the spiders phalangia , and by the small wounds they make , a strange venome enters , and penctrates into the center of the body , and sticks fast to the deepest marrow , lasting so long in the subject that receives it as the cruel beast lives ; and is exasperated periodically at certain hours , troubling the phantasie of the persons wounded , which is abated with colours objected like to this spider ; yet it ceaseth not to rage , until musick causeth them to dance , and provokes them to sweat abundantly , whereby the paroxysm is dissolved , which the day following returns at the same hour . you shall behold the internal fire of glow-worms fastned to their tails , and the torches of the indian cocuia that shines in the night , and overcomes cimmerian darkness . and moreover , if you take lenticular optick glasses of crystal , ( for though you have lynx his eyes , these are necessary in searching after atoms ) you will admire to see the dark red colour of the fleas that are curasheers , and their back stiffe with bristles , their legs rough with hair , and between two foreyards there stands a hollow trunk to torture men , which is a bitter plague to maids , and is the greatest enemy to humane rest , especially when that men would sleep . you shall see the eyes of the lice sticking forth , and their horns , their body crannied all over , their whole substance diaphanous , and through that , the motion of their heart and bloud , as if it floted in euripus . there will appear to thee the flat bodies of the petulant crab-lice , with their grapples , wherewith they perpetually lance mans skin between the hair with their mouth , and stick on faster than cockles do to the rocks . also little hand-worms which are indivisible they are so small , being with a needle pickt forth of their trenches neer the pools of water which they have made in the skin , and being laid upon ones nail , will discover by the sun-light their red heads , and feet they creep withall . and if from the inspection of parts you will recal your minde to consider the generation and beginning of insects , and will weigh the various transmutations which they undergoe , as of worms into flies ; of catterpillers ( the several species whereof have their original from the corruption of several vegetables ) into chrysallides , ( that shine as if leaves of gold were laid upon them ) and butterflies , whose egges again produce an off-spring like worms , nature acting successively in a circle , and constantly by a perpetual motion running back into her self : you will doubtless enter upon a large field of philosophy concerning three kingdoms of the universal spirit , ( the vegetable , animal , and mineral ) equally penetrating , replenishing , and governing , and upon the power and activity of it , introducing divers forms into beings that pertain to each of them , according to the disposition of the matter : also the commerce of all sublunary bodies amongst themselves will exercise your contemplation , which though oft times they seem to fight one against the other face to face ; yet they agree in one , and from one the other , all and each of them borrow something . and if animals and plants be transmuted , why should that be denied to metals ? which thing , many genuine ministers and legitimate helpers of nature boast , and not without reason , that they can do it by art : and that only by removing of impediments , and by a convenient application together of actives and passives ; which being done , the philosopher leaves the whole work to nature only , which by a gentle outward heat , being helped without too much haste , doth raise up an internal fire ; which is the workmaster of the elixir that must procure health and riches : that i may hisse out asses , who triumphing in the lions skin , erect a tumultuous and confused furniture in their laboratories , and dig forth all things under ground from the very bottoms of mines , and melt them in the fire , being desirous to make trial of their own dreams . their patrimonies they together pack , plying their hidden work with coles full black , when they have spent , and labour'd all in vain , nothing they finde , nothing they seek again . but passing over these blowers of the ashes , if you be pleased to reason deeper concerning insects ; you shall finde what will exercise you in the monarchical government of bees , the democratical of ants , and the oeconomical providence of them both : of that in gathering and laying up wax and hony : of this in replenishing her granaries , and biting asunder the grains of corn● at that end where they spring forth , lest the provision which is gathered with hard labour , and laid up for winter , by the force of an imbred heat in their work-house under ground ( which is hot whilest the winter lasts ) should corrupt , being spoyled by a sudden production , and a plague arising , together with a famine overspreading , should destroy the whole nest . nor can you lightly pass over the architecture in framing the cells in the combs of wax , mathematically to an exact hexagon ; in the hollow places of a wasps nest ; in the various chambers of the ant-hill , and winding meanders : in the joyning together whereof he saw granaries , chambers , hospitals , places of burial , besides the innumerable endowments of these indefatigable creatures , their functions and labours , and he could not admire or praise them sufficiently , who had spent a long time in the contemplation of them , thinking it a work worth his pains , his whole life past being employed in this negligent and very idle business . silk-worms , all caterpillars , and spiders , shew their art in spinning , making snares for flies , and pitching their nets to provide themselves victuals . the wood-worms practise graving , with the rasp of their mouthes piercing into the timber : ants and bees , amongst other insects , will teach men piety toward old men , tired , sick men , and their own children : oyl beetles sacred to apollo , will teach them to love their off-spring , who never cease for daies to rowl up and down a dung-pil , ( which is the receptacle of their seed ) from east to west , following the suns motion , until it be fit to hide in the ground for the production of their young , after the space of a lunar moneth , which nature hath assigned for the forming , and excluding of this worm , which shall at length become a fly. here take notice that the male hath a prolifick seed without help of the female , and can generate by it self putrefaction of fit matter interceding in a convenient matrix , though it be not animal . but ( that which crowns all the me●itations of a christian man , and carrieth him aloft ) consider how the silk-worm makes her self a tombe , that is unpassable , by reason of her woven work that is most compacted within , in which the worm contracted into it self seems to die , and by a prodigious metamorphosis it is born anew a butterfly , a more noble creature , which by the weaving of its wings flies up into the air toward heaven , whereas before its burial it lived a base creeping creature fastned to the earth , and glued to the food of the ground . see whether a little beast that is obscure , of the kinde of locusts , living amongst the stubble of the fields , when she is consumed with extreme leanness ( which from the posture of one that is praying , the french men of narbon call pregadion ) do not teach men to hold up their hands in prayer unto heaven , and admonish them to observe a convenient gesture in offering up their supplications unto god. what think you of the greater beetle , the indian rhinoceros , which being bred without a female ( as the rest of the like kindes are ) dies , and riseth again out of her own corruption , like a phoenix , after her change , when she was supposed to be wholly dead . lastly , what think you of flies , which when they are drown'd many hours in water , if you bury them in hot embers , you shall revive them again . truly i doubt not but that amongst those serious cogitations , ( the object whereof will seem not so serious in respect of other false appearances of men , that are illiterate and unreasonable ) thy minde may rise to its original , and fastning thy eyes on heaven inspired by god , wilt cry out , o the depth ! and with the divine psalmist wilt return a psalm of thanks to the maker of nature : how wonderful are thy works o lord ! in wisdom hast thou made them all , the earth ●s full with thy possession . so shall i have whereby i may rejoyce , that however the whole course of thy age hitherto hath been but one continual act of philosophy , yet that by the rare advantage of this present which is curious with variety , i have given thee a new occasion of no less solid and profitable , than of pleasant and ingenious meditation . suffer therefore that a friendly hand may convey into your library the off spring of the most learned mouffet , which is now at last published and brought to light , and amongst so many volumes wherewith thy study shelfs are most excellently furnished , assign a place for it , worthy of the father and the son. besides the good things mentioned that shall from thence accrew unto thee , and the very great increase thou shalt reap from the hours thou shalt spend in reading the book , ( if i may jest with thee ) thy own profit shall not want its advantage , lest thy proper benefit should here seem to be neglected . in these leaves thou shalt finde what will drive away the plague of thy delights , those beasts that are the greatest enemies to the muses & their darlings , i mean the moths that devour books , which with a greedy belly and iron teeth ( though their bodies be very smal ) prodigally waste and rend the lucubrations of whole ages . let those evil beasts that are the most deadly mischiefs of angry nature be destroyed after an ill manner : to prevent the propagation whereof , and to kill their infamous progeny ( whilest in the mean time learned writers of books endevour to abolish their kinde utterly , or their sedulous collectors do what they can ) this book ( which i send to thee as a remembrance of my love , will teach thee in the chapter that treats of it . but let it suffice , i began with a small pitcher , why should the wheel run till it fill an amphora ? the heat of good will and fruitfulness of the subject carry me away ; i must now take off my hand , lest my epistle should proceed absurdly beyond the bounds , which already unawares hath increased into a volume . believe that i am affectionated to thee , and how well i wish and desire to thee , these lines i have written may speak . what remains of thy daies which god hath appointed thee to run the race of thy life , before thou receive thy heavenly reward , i wish thou maist finish without any pain of minde or body ; and that i may speak with aristotle writing his last testament , i pray from my heart , that thou maist live longer here , for it is well , but if any thing happen , that thou maist safely arrive and enter gloriously into the harbour of the blessed at the moment decreed . farewel . from my study in the ides of may , and the year of mans redemption , . a preface upon the undertaking of this argument ; and of the worth and use of it . that the history of insects is worthy of the chiefest philosophers , the pains of great aristotle , and pliny , and of our wotton in describing them doth sufficiently demonstrate . after their time conradus gesner laboured not unfruitfully , to perfect that work which they began ; but by reason of his short life , he fainted in the beginning of the race , nor was he able to put an end to it . but when pennius of blessed memory met with those papers by a better fate , for fifteen years together by infinite reading of all authors , he enriched the history by the exceeding great help of quickelbergius , clusius , camerarius , sir thomas knivet , and of his most learned brother edmund , jo. jacob , roger broun , brite , but chiefly of our bruer ; and some courtesie of peter turner . that is to be lamented , that he also was taken away by untimely death , before he had disposed of the matter and framed it to the dignity of this work , which he had heaped up together on all sides ; hence it was that his letters were full of blots , and confused with doubtful characters : and they had perished , had not i laid them apart , when they were ready to be cast out of doors ; and with a great sum of money had redeemed all the torn pieces of it . for i had rather something should be taken off from my own estate , than from his glory , who had spent so much pains in the description of insects , and so much money for the platēs engraving ; wherefore this mans and gesners and wottons fragments being disposed in order , adding to them the light of oratory which pennius wanted , i forged the history , and according to my abilities , ( which i know how small they are ) i at last brought it to a period . at first i was deterred from it by the difficulty of the work ; because i saw that insects are hard to be explained , both in respect of the unusualness of the subject , and also of the sublime or rather supine negligence of our ancestors in this point : for they stood still in the very entrance , and they saluted them only by the way , or as the proverb is , at the threshold of the door . i also feared that ( which fell out it may be ) lest there should want dignity of oratory , for so exquisite a narration ; chiefly when as i oft observed pennius to be gravelled here , and i seldom went to those that were artists of words . also for a time i was detained by examining the causes of insects ; which being unknown , the history can neither be well pen'd , nor rightly conceived . moreover friends checkt me ( and that sharply ) that i did but rough-cast another mans building ; as though i were one who sought for the garland in every business , and thirsted after glory more than it was fit for me . they said moreover , that since some worthy honest and profitable end must be propounded to every business that is rightly undertaken , yet none of these was to be found in these imperfect creatures , but i should lose my time , charge and labour exceedingly . by these hinderances i was as it were made fast to an anchor , and left off for a short time to sail any farther : and some-times taking up my pen , sometimes casting it away again , i was in divers mindes , until that certain reasons allayed these florings of my thoughts , and did again kindle , as it were , a desire in me to hoise up sail again . i opposed against the difficulty of the work , the desire of attempting things that were very difficult ; remembring that for nine years troy seemed to be impregnable , but was taken in the tenth year it was beleaguered . as for the dignity of the style , i was perswaded that men of a sound judgement would not consider how neatly , but how well i discovered the nature of insects ; for however some mens vain wits , desire much affected eloquence , yet those that esteem of things soberly , altogether reject it . i put off the ignorance of the causes , with the answer of theophrastus , who though he sunk under his too earnest enquiring after them in plants , yet he did not conceal so profitable a history . it shall suffice us to have measured the causes by humane capacity and mete-yard ; for as it is the part of an ambitious man to promise a certain knowledge of them which is only in god , so to have no knowledge of them at all , is the part of a beast . the example of galen , took away from me the fourth scruple i had ; who though he added to hippocrates but a few things , except the grace of oratory , and did only open that way of physick which he had set down ; yet is he so placed in the second rank amongst physicians , that many think him worthy to have the first . which thing i have not only done in this book , ( i am willing to speak the truth concerning my own work ) but i have inserted intire histories , and above a hundred and fifty pictures , which gesner and pennius knew not ; i have mended the method and language , and i have put out above a thousand tautologies , trivial matters , and things unseasonably spoken : for i have had regard to the squemish stomachs of men of this nauseattng age , that not only loathe coleworts twice sod , but even ambrosia twice set upon the table . notwithstanding how small soever this my pains may appear , ( for it cannot be thought no pains ) he that shall make trial in something of this nature , he will rightly perceive my labour , and will of his own accord take heed how he go to repair old and decayed houses , with new matter ; it had been better to have written a new history than to have mended this which was fo tattered and confused . as for vain glory , i desire it may be as far from me , as i wish the light of this history may be near to you . i confess that not to love honour is contrary to mine , and all humane nature , yet so that i hold boasting to be amongst the greatest vices , and i equally reject foolish estentation in small matters . socrates , plato , hippocrates , have taught us better , who in their times both writ many things , and were exceeding far from the ambition of glory . i know not whether they are to be numbred amongst men most desirous of honour , who publishing nothing of their own , make unlearned men to conceive of them , that they abound with hidden learning ; as if they were like bottles forsooth , that were so full , that they drop very slowly or not at all . i shall add this concerning the dignity of this history of insects , ( lest we should think god made them in vain , or we describe them ) that in the universal world there is nothing more divine than these , except man. for however in shew they are most abject and sordid , yet if we look more nicely into them , they will appear far otherwise than they promise in the bare outside . it oft times comes into my minde ( saith gallisardus ) to think of our italians , who commonly admire vehemently things notable for magnitude , or new and unusual ; but things obvious in all places , and that are very small they despise ; yet if they look exactly to the matter , it will be easie to observe , that the divine force and power shew themselves more effectually in mean things , and they are far more miraculous , than those things the world with open mouth respects so much and admires . if any man bring from far the wonderful bittour , elephant , crocodile , there is no men but runs quickly to see that , because it is a new thing and unusual ; and when they have leave to see them as much as they will , they only wonder at their greatness , colour , and such things as fall under the apprehension of their senses . but no man regards hand-worms , worms in wine , earwigs fleas ; because they are obvious to all men , and very small , as if they were but the pastimes of lascivious and drunken nature , and that she had been sober only in making those huge and terrible beasts . nor is this vice peculiar to the italians only , but it is common to the english and to all mankinde ; who that they may see those large beasts that carry towers , the african lion , the huge whale , the rhinoceros , the bear and bull , take sometimes a long journey to london , and pay money for their places on the scaffold , to behold them brought upon the stage : yet where is nature more to be seen than in the smallest matters , where she is entirely all ? for in great bodies the workmanship is easie , the matter being ductile ; but in these that are so small and despicable , and almost nothing , what care ? how great is the effect of it ? how unspeakable is the perfection ? as pliny saith . do you require prudence ? regard the ant ; do you desire justice ? regard the bee ; do you commend temperance ? take advice of them both . do you praise valour ? see the whole generation of grashoppers . also look upon the gnat ( a little insect not worth speaking of ) that with her slender hollow nose will penetrate so far into the thick skin of the lion , that thou canst hardly or not at all thrust a sword or javelin in so far . a man hath need of steel to bore into oaks , which the wood-warm eats hollow with her teeth as the sound can testifie , and as if she had polycletus his graving instrument , she carves out seales . but if i would relate the skill of some of them in building , fighting , playing , working , perhaps i might be thought over-curious in these small things , ( of which the law takes no notice ) and more negligent in greater matters . now i come to their use , and that manifold , and in respect unto god , to nature , or to man , very great . for if the gentiles according to that saying of the a postle paul , know god by the creatures : truly they may hence , as from a higher watch-tower behold his omnipotence , majesty , providence . for some of them are so small , that like those lines callicrates drew , they cannot be seen but with good eyes , and when the sun shines very bright : as i remember i once saw a fly far smaller than a worm in wine . would you have a musician ? hearken to the grashopper , which is alwaies filled with singing , and lives without meat ; and by her most pleasant melody challengeth the nightingal . would you hear a trumpeter ? ●old your ear to the bee-hive , hear the humming noise : hearken a little to the gnat , in whose small beak the great master workman hath formed that horrid and clanging sound of the trumpet . do you despise a lowse ▪ yet when the egyptian magicians deceived pharaoh by producing the greater creatures , in the forming of this so contemptible a creature , they yeelded the garland to moses . wherefore galen ( . de usu partium ) breaks forth rightly into these words , after he had explained the wonderful generation of hairs , and the use of them : saith he , if there be so divine vertue in parts that are so sordid and nothing considerable , how great may we suppose the excellency of the same is which rules in the heart and brain ? truly if a man that is addicted to no sect , would freely ehter into the consideration of things , considering the fabrick of any even the smallest creature , and that in every part though never so base , so great vertue resides , he shall easily understand the excellency of the minde which is in man , and from the principles in physick shall ascend to divinity , which is far better and more excellent than all physick . i suppose that no nation nor society of men amongst whom there is any religion of the gods , have any thing comparable to the eleusinian or samothracian ceremonies ; yet these do set forth but obscurely the minde of all things which they profess ; which is plain enough in the fabrick of all living creatures . for you must not think that in man only the art of the great artificer is so great , as i have explained before , but what creature soever you would dissect , you shall finde the like art and wisdome to appear in it . and such creatures as you cannot possibly dissect , will make you to admire the more , the smaller they are . for if a certain carver lately obtained exceeding great commendations , and that deservedly , because on a very small ring he so curiously engraved phaeton riding in his chariot with four horses , that you might see their mouthes , bits , teeth , feet , and all their parts exactly framed : truly since all that workmanship had nothing in it more excellent than the leg of a flea , it is evident that god that made the flea , hath more art and excellency in him , that not only made it , but that he did it without any labour , and when he hath made it , doth continually feed and nourish it . wherefire let us leave off to admire any longer the vast and huge colosse , and with the chief master of true wisdome , let us descend from the cedar to the shrub , that is , from the most highest trees to the most contemptible weeds , or rather the most abject of all vegetables . and if he thought that the history of the meanest plant was not unworthy of a king to contemplate and write of , how much more excellent are animals than plants , so much more doth this work deserve the patronage of a king , and philosophical contemplation than that doth . when heraclides had invited some of his friends to his poor cottage , they stood only before the door , being afraid to come in because the place was so narrow , or the room so foul : to whom he spake thus : i pray come in , here are gods also : thereby implying that the greatest god was in the smallest matters ; and that there was a spirit in all things , though never so despicable . and truly , if the fabrick of insects were worthy of so great and divine artificer , how can the contemplation of them be unworthy of the understandings of poor contemptible men ? amongst the souldiers of palestina , god raised great goliah , a giant amongst men ; yet would he have him overthrown by the sling of one poor shepherd . amongst the spanish pilots , how many tall mariners there were ? yet they all submitted to one small drake , and neptune himself in a manner yeelded up his mace to him . the oke is great , and growes very large ; but god destroyes it by the slender ivy that clings about it , that it might not grow proud of its force and might . farewel then all those that so much esteem of creatures that are very large● i acknowledge god appears in their magnitude , yet i see more of god in the history of lesser creatures . for here is more of prudence , sagacity , art , ingenuity , and of certain evident divine being . wouldst thou praise nature , gods ordinary hand ? from whence wouldst thou take thy beginning better than from insects ? for where hath he planted so many senses in a gnat ? where ( saith pliny ) hath he set the eyes ? where the smelling ? with what curiosity hath he fastned the wings ? with what great art hath he extended the small legs ? and disposed the hungry hollow belly , and hath made it thirsty after mans bloud ▪ and as the small beak it hath cannot be seen , he hath so made it double by a reciprocal art , that it should be sharp pointed to enter , and hollow to draw it forth . i let pass that admirable variety , comeliness , and fecundity that is in insects , which commend the riches of quickning nature in greater multitudes , and set forth unto us the great plenty of it , which cannot be exhausted . if you consider men , as they cure almost all the diseases of mens bodies , ( as i shall declare more at large in their , history ) so they furnish their mindes with variety of examples of vertues , whereby they may instruct their souls , and teach them , that otherwise would be very wicked . wherefore solomon the principal master of true wisdome amongst men , sends sluggards to the arts hill , and tumultuous people to the bands of locusts , and incites mortal men to the contemplation of the spiders in their houses , that from the school of insects we may learn vertue , and may lift up our eyes unto the power of god , which are too much turned away from him . go to , saith tertullian , o man thou reliest upon thy own strength , and distrustest god , yet consider that there is so great strength in the smallest creature he hath made , that thou canst not endure it , nor ever be able to do as much . imitate if thou canst the spiders curiosity , endure the sting of the spider phalangium , avoid the nastiness of lice , take a gnat out of thy throat , sleep when fleas or wiglice bite fiercely , keep thy trees safe from caterpillers ; drive away weevils , trees-worms , vine-worms , and timber-worms : wherefore as god shews his power more in this more notable artifice of insects , so his great mercy it more apparent , because there is hardly any disease of the minde or body , but a remedy may be fetcht from this store-house to cure them both . if men should deny that they contribute very much to feed , and fat , and cure many other creatures , birds and fishes would plead for them , and the brute beasts that feed on grass would speak in their behalf : wherefore though with many every thing that is new , or hard to obtain , is most valued , and this is accused by the perverseness of wicked men , and ignorance of unlearned men , to be a work of curiosity , ostentation , and of no profit , yet see its shape of things that are so small , nature , and fate , and great originall . wherefore i exhort those chief men , which i named at the beginning , who have deserved excellent well in the history of insects , by communicating both the things themselves and their pictures , that with that humanity they have been assisting to me , and to pennius hitherto , they would continually proceed in the same for the augmenting of this work : for so shall they be truly accounted , as they are , physicians sons , and shall most amply set fortl the glory of god and nature . to which if i may appear to have had as much regard as i have had to the certain profit of men by this work , i shall not regard the envy of any man ; for i never studied to please all men , and yet i alwaies endevoured to offer unto the creator of all things , some part of thankfulness . the theater of insects : or , of lesser living creatures . chap. i. of the names , description , and differences of bees . of all insects , bees are the principal and are chiefly to be admired , being the only creature of that kinde , framed for the nourishment of man ; but the rest are procreated either to be useful in physick , or for delight of the eyes , the pleasure of the ears , or the compleating and ornament of the body ; the bee doth exceed them all in every one of these . they are called by the hebrewes , deborah . arabians , albara nahalea zabar . illyrians , weziela . italians , ape , api , una sticha , moscatella , ape a scoppa , pecchi . spaniards , abeia . french , mousches a miel . germans , ein ymme bynle . english , bee , bees , been . flandrians , bie . polonians , pztzota . irish , camlii . the grecians give divers names to bees , according to the diversity of nations , countreys , and places ; for divers nations do attribute divers names to them . but the most common and vulgar name is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ( but hesiod cals the bee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ) because they are busied in their work , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or because of their sweetnesse , or rather 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in regard of their honey , in making of which the bee is a cunning artificer . for they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because there is no insect more studious , more industrious , and laborious . hesiod calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , gesner had rather read 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , for it is also called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . but suidas , aristotle , and others , do rather make it a hornet or a wasp . although gaza's interpretation , and the poets do call it apis a bee. stephanus calleth them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , whence 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is , i do hive bees . hesychius calleth one kinde of bee 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and others call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 from its framing . they are called also from their destroying of flowers 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is , destroy-flowers ; or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is , yellow , from their natural soyl and seed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; and in regard they have blunter stings than wasps , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and from the sound and buzzing noise of their wings 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , though some in isocrates do interpret the name by gnats , when he writeth that some have writ in the praise of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . but bombus is properly the noise bees make : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , among so many significations , saith hesychius , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a kinde of stinglesse bee ; isidorus calleth him the king or emperor of the honey-tents . in respect of his common inheritance , he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , an airy inhabitant ; in respect of its countrey 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as it were the trojan wood : pecker . the bees receive also divers appellations and names from their offices and imployments , as some are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from their command ; some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from their sweet singing ; some from their work , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and some are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or potters , in regard of fashioning of their combs , or their emplaistring of their waxen 〈…〉 whereon the bees do secure themselves from the injury of the wind and rain . the latines call these insects by one name , apes or bees . varro calleth them sometimes birds , but improperly , for they are flying creatures but not birds . some think they are called bees , because their swarmes do cleave together by the feet , like a bunch of grapes . and beside the most conceive that this name of apes is compounded of a , a privative particle , and pes , a foot , as if they were produced without feet , as virgil saith , trunca pedum primo , that is , lame or deprived of feet . servius is of the same opinion . and truly the new fresh brood ( which the grecians call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) do want feet , but in the time appointed by nature , out of the crusty and waxy comb the bee doth creep forth . but in regard it keepeth not this analogie of the name of bipes , edis , tripes , edis , compes , edis , the name is more simple , from whence comes the diminutive apicula , or a little bee. the bee is an insect living creature , four-winged , bloudlesse , skilful only in his artificial making of honey . for he that writ the garden of health , seemed to dote much ▪ by confidently affirming that bees were four-footed beasts , for nature only bestowed on them four feet that they might go upright , and not more , lest it might hinder their flying . but omitting this futile author , let us more amply describe this most profitable and wi●e insect . their eyes are horney and made inwardly , and so is their sting , neither do they want tongue , and teeth ; they have four wings , which are dry ( as those of all other insects ) shining , and fastned or joyned to their shoulders , the last whereof are the least , that they might not hinder their flying ; two clawes as it were growing forth of the ends of their little feet , between which in stormy weather they carry a stone to poise and ballance their light bodies , lest the impetuous violence of the wind should drive them from their houses ; and therefore we need not give credit to lucian , that they ought to be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , footlesse creatures . they do not breath ( by pliny's favour ) but pant , and are refreshed by transpiration . their stomach is framed of the most thin membrane , wherein they not only conserve and keep their collected honey , but concoct , and purifie it ; which is the reason that bees honey may be kept longer then any manna or aerial body , or rather is altogether incorruptible , as we will shew hereafter . aristotle . hist . cap. . saith that there are nine kindes of bees , six whereof are sociable , and do live together , as bees , the kings of bees , drones , wasps , hornets , moths . also three solitary and insociable , the greater siren , the lesser siren , and the bumble-bee ; of which kinde simius albertus does reckon up nine , but gives them such harsh and barbarous names , that it seems he rather faigned them , than knew them . lib. . tract . . cap. . but bees do differ , and are distinguished in regard of their matter , form , wit , disposition , and office , and these are all their genuine , and natural differences , which i have collected out of infinite authors . concerning their matter ( if we may credit the curious searchers into the works of nature ) some of them are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or the lions brood ; others 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the bulls brood ; and some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or the oxe brood ; and some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or the calves brood . but the best and noblest bees are generated and bred out of the lion , and the kings and princes of them do derive their pedegree and descent from the brain of the lion , being the most excellent part of his body : it is no wonder therefore if they proceeding and coming from so generous a stock , do assail the greatest beasts , and being endued with a lion-like courage , do fear nothing . the noblest bees next unto these , are those that are generated out of the bull , being also a strong and valiant beast , the excellency both of their disposition and bodies being equal to their stock and pedegree . the next are the cow-bees , or oxe-bees , which are indeed very industrious , laborious and profitable , but of a milder disposition , and lesse inclinable to anger . the calves carkasse doth generate more soft and tender bees , excellent makers of honey , but not able to endure labour , in regard of their tendernesse , and in regard of the weaknesse of their matter short lived . some also do write , that bees may be bred out of their own ashes sprinkled with honey , and laid forth in the sun , or some warm place , which sort may be called in greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or self-begetters . bees of the best shape are small , variously coloured , round , and bending ; the worser shaped are long . the difference of their formes and shapes ariseth from four causes ; nature , place , sexe , and age . for some are domestick , or house bees ; others are wilde or wood bees , these delight in the familiarity and company of men , but not the other , which do exercise themselves in making honey in trees , clefts and crannies of the earth , and in the rubbidge of old houses and walls . again , some of the tame and gentler sort of bees , do live in pleasant gardens , decked and beautified with all sorts of flowers , these are great , soft , fat and large bellied : others are kept in villages , going far for their food , and feed on flowers they light upon by chance . the lesser more hairy , yet for their work , industry and skill , they exceed the other . of both kindes some are bred with stings ( as all true bees are ) and others without stings , as the bastard bees , which have a greater and softer belly , throat and body , but not famous either for manners , or ingenuity . they call this kinde of bee the drone , because they seem to be laborious , and are not ; or because under the colour of labour ( for they sometimes carry wax and diligently fashion their combs ) they devour the honey . and these are of a black shining colour and larger bodied . moreover some bees are descended from their kings and dukes , whereof aristotle maketh two kindes . the yellow , which is the best , and the black streaked . others do reckon three kings , differing in colours , black , red , and spotted , or streaked . menecrates doth report , that the divers coloured are an inferior sort of bees ; but those streaked and diversified with black , are the better . all of them are twice as big as other bees . he that is elected monarch or king of the whole swarm , is alwaies of an excellent shape and twice as big as any of the rest ; his wings are shorter , his thighs straight and strong , his gate loftier , his aspect more stately and majestical , and on his forhead a white spot like a shining diadem or crown , differing much from vulgar bees in regard of his shining colour . but the place doth alter , sometimes their form , and sometimes their nature , sex also and age do change them in both respects . for in the molucco islands bees are like to winged ants , but some-what lesser than the greater sort , as maximilianus transylvanus in his epistle to the bishop of salispurg , eloquently relateth : in america near the rivers of vasses and plate , the bees are not like ours , being no bigger than those small flies which trouble us in summer , they build their nests in hollow trees , and they make far greater combs and fuller of holes ; the end or tip of their wings ( as oviedus and thevetus relate ) seem to be bitten or cut off , in the middle whereof they have a white spot , and they have no offensive stings . the wax which they make is of a duskish pitchy colour , and they are for the most part evil conditioned . aristotle lib. . hist . cap. . mentioneth a certain kinde of bee , that is of a soft industrious nature , which maketh honey twice in a moneth , being of a gentle pleasing disposition , and busied only in making of honey . such there are also in the countrey of peru , which do make a soft and melting kinde of honey , which do stop their doors so close with wax , that they leave but a very small hole for their ingresse or egresse . but almost all our bees in europe are of a blackish colour , not so much in regard of the easie concoction of thin substance , than that they seem to be of a grosser diet , and of a thicker composure , and therefore the thicker matter doth remain within the skin , which the bees of peru and pontus , by reason of their thin skins , and the finenesse of their dewy nourishment , do easily thrust forth ; unlesse that be the cause , we must ascribe the variety of colour , to wanton nature : as we do for white bears , and white black-birds ; which seeing she her self is various and of many shapes , it is no wonder , since she delights in variety of colours that she hath not made all bees of one colour . the kindes of common bees , ( as columella observes out of aristotle ) are thus distinguished ; some are great , round , black , hairy : others are lesse , round , of a dark colour , rough hair : there are yet others lesse than they , and not so round , but more fat , of a straw colour on their sides : there are some least of all , very slender , sharp , whose bellies are various coloured from yellow , and very small . but the blackish are most to be approved of , that are very little , round , lively , shining , gentle , having ( if we credit virgil ) their bodies shine with equall spots of gold . the greater bees are , and fatter or longer , the worse they are : and if they be fierce and waspish , they are worst of all . but their anger is pacified by the daily company of their keeper , and they are made more tame with the only tinckling of brasse . the bees called chalcoides in crete , are of a brazen colour , and something long , and are said to be very implacable and given to fighting , exceeding all others in their stings , and pricking more fiercely ; so that they have driven the citizens out of the towns by their stings . and aelian out of antenor relates , that in the mount ida , the remainder of that race , dwell and make their combs . such are also the bees at carthagena like to muskitos . pausanias writes in atticis , that bees are so gentle in halizomus , that they go forth to feed amongst men , and wander where they please , for they are shut up in no hives ; wherefore they make their works every where , and that so fast , that you cannot part the honey from the wax . they are smooth , shining , of variable colours , and not unlike to our good bees . lastly , since all bees are by nature void of poyson , yet the place causeth the long bees , and the distaffe fashioned , about carthagena in america , to make venomous honey ; where they collect honey that is infected with the contagion of trees , winds , air , and earth it self ; and be it what it will be , they lay it up in their cellars . also bees subterrestrial have another form and nature . for those that work in hives and trees , are greater , longer , softer , better wing'd , more yellow on their backs and bellies . but they that are under the earth build in little holes , and are short compacted , with black heads and foresails , hairy almost on their whole body ; a yellow down colour on their sides and rump , and that doth much adorn them . of bees , some finde themselves houses in woods , some are received into houses made of straw or horn ; some civil and well nurtured bees , who will not refuse the care of the bee-master who hath skill , but will much love and delight in it . the prince of philosophers confounds the sex of bees : but most writers distinguish it : some say the females are the greater , and without stings ; others say they are lesse and have stings . the sounder philosophers , ( whose opinion i follow ) acknowledge no males but their chief leaders , which are more strong , greater , more able , and alwaies stay at home for propagation , and seldome go forth but with the whole swarm ; whom nature hath commanded to be frequent in venus occasions , and ordained them to stay alwaies at home with their females . experience witnesseth , that these do foster their young as birds do , very diligently , and sit upon them , and thrust forth their young bees , when the membrane is broken . the differences of their ages are known by the habit of their body : for those that are new come forth have most thin and trembling wings ; those that are a year old , as also , of two or three years old , are very bright , neat , and are of the likenesse and colour of oyl ; but at seven years old they lay aside all fatnesse and smoothnesse ; nor can any one tell certainly by their figure and quality of their skin and body ( as it useth to be with horses ) how old they are . the elder of them , are hairy , hard , full of wrinkles , lean , rough to your ●ight and feeling , long , starveling , and noted by a venerable kinde of hoarinesse . and this was shewed to the dutchesse of somerset when i was a youth , under whose chamber window there was the very same hive of bees that had been there years , and this justifies aelians relation of the same kinde . but as they appear more ugly in form , so are they before the rest in industry and experience , for years have taught them skill ; and by length of time and practise , they know better how to gather and make honey . chap. ii. of the politick , ethick , and oeconomick virtues of bees . bees are swayed by soverainty , not tyranny , neither do they admit of a king properly so called , by succession or by lot , but by due advice , and circumspect choice ; and though they willingly submit to regall authority ; yet so , as they retain their liberty ; because they still keep their prerogative of election ; and when their king is once made sure to them by oath , they do in a principal manner love him . he as he doth excell all the rest in portliness and feature of body ( as is above said ) so likewise ( which is the chief thing in a prince ) in gentlenesse of behaviour . for although he hath a sting as others , yet he never useth it to punish withall , insomuch that some have thought that the king is without a sting . for their law is the law of nature , not written but imprinted in their manners ; and they are yet more gentle in punishing , because they have the greater power ; and although they seem somewhat slow in revenging private wrongs , yet suffer they not the refractory and rebels to go unpunished , but wound and stab them with their stings . so desirous they are of peace , that neither with their wills nor against , do they offer any annoyance . who would not then utterly abhorre the diobysian tyrants in sicily , clearchus in heraclea , apollodorus the cassandrian robber ? who would not detest the villany of those close parasites to kings who affirm that monarchy is no other , but the means how to accomplish or satisfie the will , and a device how to maintain lust ? that which ought to be far from a vertuous prince , lest while he would seem to be a man , he betray himself to be worse then these little winged beasts . and as their manner of life is not pedantick or according to the vulgar sort , so neither is their birth . for the royal race is not begotten a little worm at the first , as the bees are , but presently able to fly . and if he chance to finde amongst his young ones any one that is a fool , unhandsome , hairy , of an angry disposition , ill shapen , or naturally ill conditioned , by the unanimous consent of the rest , he gives order to put him to death , lest his souldiery should be disordered , and his subjects being drawn into faction , should be destroyed . he sets down a way to the rest , gives order what they shall do , some commands to fetch water , others to make honey-combs within , to build them up , and garnish them ; othersome to go and get in provision : those that are stricken in years he cherisheth at home , the younger he exerciseth in labour and vicissitude of imployments ; and although he himself hath immunity from mechanick labour , yet as cause shall require , he also refuseth not to work ; nor ever doth he go abroad but for healths sake or necessity . if he be by reason of age in health , he marches as general in the vantguard of his army , and in person opposeth himself to all encounters ; neither is he born by his attendants willingly , unlesse it be when he is so old and diseased that he cannot either go or fly . when night come● on the signal being given by the trumpeter , the common sort are commanded to their lodging and the watch being set , every one betakes himself to his rest . as long as the king lives , all the swarm enjoyes peace , and all things are in quiet ; for the drones keep themselves willingly in their own cells , the elder bees are content with their own places , nor do the younger run out of their own into the elders lodgings . the king lives apart from the rest in a more eminent and large palace , with a waxen fence curiously made , compassed about as it were with a kinde of wall . a little way from him dwell the kings children , to whom if their father or mother do but hold up the finger ( as they say ) they are husht . but the king being dead , the subjects are perplext , the drones lay their young ones in the bees cells , and all things are out of order . aristotle makes mention of more kings or master bees than one in a swarm ; which i had rather terme vice-royes or petty kings ; for as much as antigonus testifieth , the swarm is in no lesse danger when it hath many kings , as when it hath none at all . and so much be spoken of the good kings . the bad are more hairy , and more dark , black and various coloured ; you will condemn their skill when you observe their habit . their kings in fabe and person differ , one bright , as it were with golden spangles drest ▪ and gorgeous glittering scales , to look upon , the other 's a foul , sordid , dusty beast , sluggish , large pauncht , unworthy of the train . kill this , ●ut give the other leave to reign . and thus far of the kings and nobility , now let us proceed to speak of the vulgar sort or commonalty of the bees . bees are neither wilde nor tame creatures , but a middle kinde of nature between both , but of all in a manner the most serviceable and most profitable . their sting both keeps them alive and kils them ; for if that be once lost , they cannot live , but being armed therewith , they guard the swarm from all hostile invasion . there are none of them idle , although all do not , have not the skill to make honey : neither do they which can do nothing at all , become like drones ; for they do not , as they do , spoyl the combs , nor steal the honey . but they themselves are nourisht by the flowers , and flying abroad with others feed together with them . albeit also there are some amongst them have not the industry to make and store up honey , yet every one hath his work , and his art wherein he doth imploy himself . some bear water to the king , and to such of the bees that are spent with old age , and are decrepit . the more ancient and graver sort of bees are chosen to be of the kings life-guard , or esquires of the kings body ; if they be any way in health , as being of known trust , and well seen in the right ordering and managing of state-affairs . others of them administer physick , and undertake to cure such as are sick ; and of the annise-flower , saffron , and violet , collect together , compound , and give them to drink , a most medicinable and cordial honey . it any of them chance to die by reason of age or sicknesse , forthwith the bearers meet together , which carry forth the corps on their shoulders as on a beer , out of doors ; lest they should any way pollute or defile their clean and neat hives with any uncleannesse , filth or putrefaction . neither are the bees without their commanders , captains , lievtenants , trained-bands , cornets , trumpeters , fifes , scoutmasters , watchmen , and souldiers , an army which do ( as if it were a little city ) guard and defend their honey : and do in condign manner punish and torment the dors that fly thither , and worms that undermine them . lest they should be taken for drones , as they fly they make 〈◊〉 buzzing or humming noise , which according as they begin to fly or cease , is heard or not heard ; which sound whether it proceed from their mouth , or from the motion of their wings , aristotle and hesychius do much contend about . neither was i ever so quick sighted , as to determine of a matter so exceeding intricare and obscure . but the fifes , and cornets , seem to make that sound or noise which hesychius calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the english call it singing ; and that they make their signal or watch-word when they are to watch , when to sleep , when to go to work . so great is their care of preserving their king , that they suffer him not to go abroad alone , but gathering close together on both sides , their company being divided , they hem him in and guard him as he goes along . but if perchance in their journey the king shall wander out of the way , or ▪ shall be gone out of sight , being driven by violence of stormy weather , then all make search after him , and do follow him by the sent as it were , till they know certainly what is become of him . and if he be tyred with flying , or tediousnesse of weather , the company bearing him up with strength of their wings as it were in a char●o● convey him home . if he die , all of them go their waies ; or if they chance to stay some time after , they make only combs , but no honey ; and within a while after , being altogether idle , full of diseases , starved , wall owing at last in their own filth , they miserably end their lives . without a king they cannot b● ▪ against whom they make not the least resistance , much lesse do they put him to death , unlesse as tyrants are wont he make his lust the rule of his government , or being negligent of the common-wealth , takes no care of it : yea if he use often to remove from place to place ( which he cannot do without grow detriment to his subjects ) they do not forthwith kill him , only crop his wings ; and if he amend his manners , and demean himself as he ought to do , afterward● they love an 〈…〉 pect him as well as ever they did before . if he shall fly away and leave the swarm , they sent for him back again , and if he fly out of the kingdome , they follow him ; and finding him out by his sent as it were by a track ( for above all the rest , the king of mast 〈…〉 hath a very 〈◊〉 smell ) they bring him back unto his royal palace again ▪ not a bee whatsoever da●es go out of doors to feed any where , unlesse the king 〈◊〉 master bee go out first and challenge 〈◊〉 priviledge of precedency . for i am scarce of aristotles 〈…〉 ind● , that the king never goes abroad except it be with the whole swarm ; which is a very ●are thing ▪ but when the swarm by reason of the tyranny of their p 〈…〉 ce are forc'd to remove to some other place , changing their soy● and habitation , as unwilling so to●dd ; then they make 〈…〉 noise , as it might be of a 〈…〉 pe● some daies before ▪ and two or three daies before , a few of 〈…〉 up and down about the hive . but when all things a●● ready for flight , away they fly all together , and 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 whom they left behinde 〈◊〉 and follow them , they kill him . but a good king they never desert , and if he die by any infection , sicknesse , treachery , or old age , the nobles , together with the common people lament and bewail him ; neither do they afterwards go abroad at all , or fetch in any provision , but fill all their houses with a sorrowful murmur , and througing about the corps , make most tragical lamentation . afterwards privately conveying him from the common multitude , they carry him out of the hive , and make a most dolefull cry all about the place . nor doth a day put a period to , or abate their sorrow , but they continue it so long , till by reason of grief and hunger they all die . take the king or master-bee , and you take all the swarm , if you misse of him , all the rest convey themselves away and go to others . they cannot endure more kings then one , the house of the usurpers they throw down and destroy their family . but if it be so that there be two kings or master-bees in one swarm , ( as sometimes it falls out ) one part adheres to one king , and the other to the other ; whence it comes to passe that in one hive divers forms of combs are found : where they so behave themselves , that the one doth not entrench upon the others bounds , or invade his terrirories . and as for their oeconomick or houshold vertues , they use parsimony : as the chief stay of their family , and having in the summer season gathered a sufficient stock , or store of honey , they do not profusely lavish it , but sustain themselves with it in the winter , and that very sparingly ; and so feeding themselves with a sparing diet , and that of the best and purest food , they gain that as a reward of their sobriety , thereby to lengthen their lives , and prolong their daies . neither are they so gripple or sordidly parsimonious , but that when they finde that they have gathered more honey then will serve the number of their family , they do freely impart and communicate some portion thereof to the dors or drones . these also are arguments of their cleanlinesse , that they never lay the excrements of their bodies ( unlesse sicknesse , extremity of weather , or meer necessity compell them ) in their hives ; as also that as soon as any of them dye they presently carry them forth , and quit the hive of them ; no flesh or putrid matter , no withering herb , no fading or stinking weed do they touch or come near . they never kill their enemy in the hives , they drink nothing but the purest running water they can get , they will by no means remain or dwell in an unclean , slu●tish , nasty house or room . the ordure of those that labour , and of those that are sick within , they lay upon a heap together without doors , and as soon as they have any leisure , the bearers carry it away . neither are they altogether impatient of musical sounds , as other ruder sorts of creatures are , 〈◊〉 are very much taken and delighted therewith ; provided it be without variety , simple and unaffected . and although they cannot dance by measure or according to the just number of paces , as the elephant is said to do ; yet according as he that tinks on the bra●●●●●ttle , pleaseth , so they slack or quicken their flying ; if 〈◊〉 fast and shrill , then they mend their motion , if dully and slowly , then they abate it . neither hath nature only made them the most ingehious of all other creatures ; but very tame , and tractable by discipline and education to the keeper of them ; for they are all at both his beck and his call , and whatsoeuer he pleaseth to do , none of them gainsay or forbid . if her beat them , they complain not , and if he rob them and spoyl their combs , they make not the least murmuring , or shew the least disco●●tent . who would not say this were an argument of a most noble and generous disposition , so to suffer the rigid commands of their keeper ; and yet by no means to obey or subject themselves unto the discipline of any stranger whatsoever ? it is wonderful what some do observe as touching the temperance and chast●●y of them ; for whereas all other beasts , the elephant only excepted , do couple in open view and the wasps not much differing in kinde from them do the like ; the bee is never seen to generate openly , but either doth it within doors with modesty , or without when none shall be by to observe it . neither , as the report goes of them , are they lesse valourous then they are chaste or temperate . whilest they expose their bodies in the war , and nobly dye , receiving many a skar . their war is either intestine or civil , or foreign and with strangers . of their civil wars there are divers causes , as the multitude of the nobility treacherous to king and state , dearth of 〈◊〉 al 's , narrownesse of place , when they are not able to live by one another ; as also comption of manners , and sluggishnesse . now if they super a bound in nobility ( as sometimes it falls one ) they put to death so many of them as seem to be superfluous , lest their number still increasing they should force and over-power the king himself , or entice the common people into sedi●ion . but they destroy them then chiefly when they have but a small issue , and have not where else to bestow them , those together with their combs ( if at least they have gotten any ) they throw down , and pluck to pieces . the dors also and drones they kill , as often as they want room for their works ( for they take up the innermost part of the hive ) and take away from them both their honey and their victuals . as also when their honey fails , and there is a dearth , then they go to pell mell amongst themselves , and fight as it were for life and bloud : the short bees they fall upon the long , the smaller sort set upon the drones ( as idle and unprofitable ) with all their skill and force they can use . in which conflict if it so come to passe that the short bees have the better , they will prove an excellent swarm ; but if fortune give the longer the day , they will live ever after idly , and make no hopy worth any thing . but that side which overcomes is so mightily bent upon rapine and reverge , that it puts all to the sword , yeelding no quarter or truce at all . as concerning their war with forein enemies , there is no creature under heaven so bold and adventurous as they are , insomuch , that what soever , whether man , or beast , or bird , or wasp shall molest them , vex and seek to destroy them , they sharply set themselves against , and according as they are able wound them with their stings . unclean persons , or any that use sweet oyls or perfumes about them , or those that wear curled or ruffled locks , or red clothes ( as resembling the colour of bloud ) they cannot in any wise endure ; as also all base and vile companions . whereas on the contrary their masters , keepers , governors , and those that make much of them they do most dearly love and affect , and sitting upon their hands in stead of stinging them , they seem rather to tickle , and as it were by way of sport to lick them without any the least harm at all . yea they may have free leave when they are uncovered in the hear of fummer , to gather their swarms with their bare hands , to handle them , to dispose of them at pleasure , tosse them to and fro , to sit or stand before the hives mouth , and therehence to ●●ive away the dors , drones , wasps and hornets with a wond . but if any of them have lost his sting in skirmish , as a souldier having his armes taken from him , he is quite disheartned , and living not long after dies with grief . when they go forth to battel , and are ready to give the onset , they carry while the signal is given , and then they surround their king ( if he be one they love ) and in one battel determine the quarrel . but in the fight , what wonderful valour , strength and courage those little beasts do shew ; both i my self have seen and know but they far better who report that whole fields of armed men , have been conquered by the stinging of them , and lions , and bears and hor●●● slain with them . but yet ( as fierce and warlike as the are ) by daily converse with them they become tame , and unlesse they be provoked they live very quietly , so that any man may stand before their hives , if not on purpose to disturb them , and they never offer to hurt him . but if we should go about to set forth at large their ingenious disposition , cunning workmanship , industry and memory , we should not with virgil the poet yeeld them only to be 〈◊〉 dued with a small portion of divine inspiration , but euen wholly to be possest with a 〈◊〉 soul , and ( to erre with pythagoras ) to have the understanding of the most ingenious man infused into them by a 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . for as soon as they are lodged in a clean and sweet hive , they gather from those plants that distil moisture and yeeld gum , ( as from the willow , elin , and reed ) and even from stones themselves , a kinde of glue very thick and cla●●y , and with that ( which the latines call commesit , the greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ) they lay the first fomidation of their work , and dawb it all over he with the first plaister or rough cast , the which afterwards they cover over again with a 〈◊〉 of wax mix with ros●● and gum , last of all with bee-glew . when this tripple wall is a●tificially finished , they do not only deceive the most curious and 〈◊〉 observer of there works , but without any man taking notice , they do better and better arm and fence themselves against wind and weather , vermine , and all their enemies whatsoever . when this is done they frame their 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 with that skilful architecture , as than they may seem to put down archimedes himself in his own art. for first of all they build the cells of the king and nobility in the upper or more eminent part of the comb , large , fair and stately , wrought with the most pure wax of all ; which also the better to secure and defend the kings persons they compasse round about as it were with a certain fence or wall . and as their bees are of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 sort or condition , so they make a threefold division of their cells . those that are aged and stricken in years ( being to be as counsellors of state , and esquires of the body ) have their lodgings near the kings court ; next of all to them , those of the first year , or young fry , these of 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 in body they place utmost of all , as those that should be able to fight for their king , and the royall issue . notwithstanding arastotle writes that they first provide cells for themselves and their 〈◊〉 afterwards for their kings , and last of all for the drones . 〈◊〉 in the making of their combs , they fashion them according to the largenesse , and figure of the place ; and those either round , or long , do square 〈◊〉 according as they please , and sometimes eight 〈◊〉 in length ; so 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their cell 〈◊〉 tyed to a strict geometrical for● 〈◊〉 to wi● 〈◊〉 or with fix 〈◊〉 , only 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 more for the bulk of the inhabitant . but those cells where they make their honey , and those which are for 〈◊〉 for their young ones , 〈◊〉 all double from one side of the honey 〈◊〉 the other , separated one from the others with a thin partition or mound . those ligatures whereby the combs are fastened to the side of the hive , are more 〈◊〉 and are empty of honey , being also much more firm and strong , that they may the better bear the rest of the weight which depends upon them . those combs likewise which they cover or plaisler most with wax , in those they use to store a greater quantity of honey , as in a more safe and 〈◊〉 repository . now the whole honey comb contains four ranks or divisions of cells , the first the bees take up , the next the drones , the third the gentles , and the fourth and last is set apart for a store-house for honey . there are that affirm that the drones do make combs in the same hive with the bees , but cannot make any honey at all ; whether it be by reason of unwieldinesse , or corpullency of their bodies or their natural inbred sloth , is uncertain . but if their combs begin by reason of the weight of the honey to shog , or to be ready to fall , they raise them up and under-prop them with arched pillars , that they may go under them , for to every comb there must of necessity be a ready passage ) and whereby they may execute their several offices which are appointed them . in some places as in pontus and the city anisum , they make white honey in trees without any hives at all . but as for the others in making their combs so beyond all humane art , who would not acknowledge for truth , that of the poet , esse apibus partem divina mentis & haustus aethereos — that the bee hath in it a particle of divine understanding , and heavenly wisdome ? who i say will deny them to have fantasie , memory , and some kinde of reason ? but i will not argue the truth of this , neither will i affirm with pythagoras , that the souls of other wise and ingeniors creatures , or of men , do passe from them into the bees . but yet notwithstanding he this shall warily weigh and observe how they give out to every one his several task , some to make combs , others to gather honey , dresse up their rooms , cleanse their laystals , to prop up and repair their ruin'd fences , to cover their boxes , to draw out the spirit of the honey , to doncoct it , to bring it to their cells , to serve those that are at work with water , to give food at certain set hours to those that are bed-ridden , feeble , and aged , with so great care to defend their king or master-bee , to drive away spiders and all other their invaders or annoyers ; to rid their hives of their dead , ( lest their work should be marred with stench or perefaction ) to be able every one to return to his particular cell : in a word , to seek their living as near home as they may ; when they have sucked dry the neighbouring herbs or flowers , then to send our spies to 〈◊〉 for pasture farther off , upon any night design or expedition , to lye under the leaves of the trees lest their wings being wet with the dew , their speed home the next day should be hindred ; in ●●oisterous weather , to poise or ballance their light bodies with a little stone taken up into their mouthes , and when the wind blowes hard , to recover the windy side of the hedge to shelter themselvs , and the like ; surely he will confesse of his own accord that their common-wealth is wonderful well ordered , and that there is very great discretion and understanding in them . i had almost let passe that natural 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or affection , that great constance seldome seen in parents of this age , wherewith they care for their young ones , in the hive where they have laid them they sit upon them as birds do , and never go abroad unlesse enforced with extreme hunger ; and when they do , they presently return in again , as if they were afraid lest the spider if they tarried long ( which many times happen ) should cover the mouth of the cell with his web , or their little ones being benumm'd with cold should be in danger to be starved . but yet neither are their children delicate , or nicely brought up , for at three daies end ( 〈◊〉 as they have any wings ) they set them to work , and have a strict care that they loyter not , or take a 〈◊〉 of idlenesse . so much fore knowledge likewise have they , that they can presage rains or cold weather to come . and then ( by instinct of nature ) they never go far abroad , but hover about their stocks or hives , and sit upon them as upon flowers . when they go forth to pasture ( which is not at see times , but only when it is fair weather ) then they labour and toyle so hard , and so lade themselves with honey , that oftentimes through wearinesse they fail in their journey , being notable to reach home ; and whereas some of them by reason of roughnesse and hairinesse become ●●apt for labour , then they rub themselves against rugged stones or the like , till they be smooth again , and so they buckle to their work afresh as hard as they can drive . the youth or middle aged bees are imployed abroad and bring home those things which the king or master-bee gives them in charge , the elder sort take care of the family at home , and doo orders : and dispose of the honey which the middle aged bees gather and make abroad . in the morning they are all still and silent till such time as the master-bee gives three hums and miseth them up , and then every one makes haste out to his several imployment . in the evening when they return home , they at the first make a great noyse and 〈◊〉 , and within a while afterward by little and little cease , till at length the captain of the watch flies about and makes a buzzing , as it were commanding them to their rest ; after which signal given , they are all so husht and still , that if you lay your ear to the hives mouth you cannot perceive the least noise they make , so subject are they to their rulers and governors , and at their beck and nod are presently quach't . chap. iii. of the creation , generation , and propagation of bees . forasmuch as philosophers have given out that bees ( for the first sin of mankinde ) are begotten of putrefaction ; there are not wanting those that deny they were created in the first week of the world : i leave the question wholly to be determined by others ; although some divines , especially dubravius and danaus do abundantly affirm that they were created with the perfect bodies . of the first generation of bees aristotle hath a long discourse . the philosophers following him have rightly determined in my opinion , that their generation doth proceed from the corruption of some other body : as of a bull , oxe , cow , calf , very excellent and profitable beasts : the which not only worthy men and without all exception do report ; but even rustical , and common experience doth confirm . they say that out of the brains of these beasts are bred the kings and nobility , and of their flesh the common sort of ordinary bees . there are likewise kings that are bred out of the marrow of the chine-bone , but then those that come of the brains do far excell the other in feature or comlinesse , in largenesse , in prudence , and in strength of body . now the first transformation of this flesh into these creatures as it were by a kinde of conception you shall then perceive to be when as these little imperfect creatures appear in great numbers about the oxe , lion , &c. in a small white hew , and as yet without motion ; but increasing by degrees , and their wings by little and little growing out , they come to their proper colour , flying to and hovering about their king or master-bee ; but yet with short wings and trembling as unaccustomed to flight , and by reason of the weaknesse of their limbs . now what countreys do most conduce to the generation of bees , and what are most hurtful to them , we shall afterwards handle when we come to treat of honey . but in general there are very few places in the world to be found , ( unlesse it be in a very barren countrey , and unwholsome air , and where no food fit for them can be had ) in which bees cannot breed and very well live . but where there is perpetual frost and snow ( as in scanzia ) or where the countrey is barren of herbs and trees , ( as in thule ) there they are neither able to breed nor live . as also for the poisonous condition of the airs and nature of the soil some sort of bees do not endure to live there , as in the isle of myoonos it is reported , that if bees be carried thither ( if aelian be to believed ) they presently dye . but whereas munster saith of ireland , and solinus of great britain , that those countreys are altogether without , and that they cannot live there , if they had not spoke rather by hearsay , then of their own knowledge , they would have written that every village or town almost is full of them . and thus much may suffice to have spoken of the generation of bees , come we now to their propagttion ; concerning which authors have divers opinions . some , say they , never couple , or bring forth , because no man ever yet saw or could tell whether they did so or no. others say , that when they have shed their seed upon the flowers or leaves of trees , they carry it to their hives , by diligent and soft sitting upon it , it comes to perfection . pliny will have it gathered from the flower of the honey-suckle , or honey-wort . aristotle from the flower calander , so called ; athenaeus of the reed-flower , some of the flower or berry of the olive ; taking that for an argument , that in those years wherein these flowers are most plenty , there are great store of swarms of bees ; but when there is scarcity , then few or none are to be seen : when as yet they do not consider or observe , that even in very cold countreys where none of these flowers grow , nor are so much as seen , there are plenty of bees . i am of opinion that they are propagated by copulation , and am confident the male bee is the greater , the female the lesse , who whether as cocks do tread their hens , so they accordingly engender , let experience teach : yet certain it is , that the lesser bees only , to wit , the females do sit upon the egge , and the shells being broken ( after the manner of hens ) they do by an admirable and natural midwifery put forth their young . aristotle on the contrary affirms , that the kings or master-bees themselves do first bring forth , and afterwards all the rest , as those also do the drones , but the drones beget nothing , and so their generation ceaseth . and this it may be , not without some reason , in regard that the kings or master-bees alwaies remain within , as if they were ordained by nature only for procteation , neither ever appear abroad but when together with the whole swarm they go to some other place to dwell . for the same reason also they are so extremely beloved of all the bees , and live exempted from all necessary businesse and labour . these do also excell the other bees both in bulk of body and strength , as if their bodies were by nature made only for breeders , but the greater drones keep a mean between both , and hold such a loving correspondence with the labouring bee , as that they may nourish both the drones their nephews , and the kings their parents . but as for that which the philosopher addes , that bees do not engende● by way of copulation , because their young is so small , the same argument may be , held of the flies , of which some are bigger than bees , who lay lesse worms , the which growing by little and little become like bees without wings , and afterwards become flyes . others there are who think that bees do spring from the honey , or with the honey , or at least of the most pure and excellent part of it : and that without all putrefaction . but yet something whatsoever it be , serving to engender , and out of which bees are engendred , without doubt is layed in the cells . scaliger thinks they lay eggs , although the bee-masters , with one consent , say that they lay little worms , not eggs. taxites is of opinion , that they do couple , and determines the bees to be the males , the kings the females ; and that the kings at a certain time do put forth little worms all about the hives , as the flyes do , and the drones sit upon them as the serpent useth to do , and by sitting upon them for such a time doth cherish them . then afterwards these little worms called in greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , are fed with the purest , as it were with a mixture of wine and honey together , till at length they grow to be nymphs , i. e. little bees , but without wings ; and then being wrapped up like to aurelia , they lye still in the cells , neither taking any food or making any excrement . till at length by such a day the shell wherein they lay being broken , out come the bees ; and addresse themselves to their several imployments , their wings being not yet fully grown . all this time the bees are much delighted with urine , especially of men , and therefore do frequent those places which are wet with it , but especially after rain . to the conservation or keeping of bees , many things are required , to wit , orderly diet , drink , sleep , watching , air , exercitation , habitation , convenience of place , as also moderation of minde , and physick fit to cure their diseases ; of which we shall speak in particular . as touching their provision , they seek for nothing , but they themselves being mindeful of the approaching winter , they take pains for in summer , and what they get store up accordingly . for they gather and cook or dresse their diet themselves , the prime or chief whereof is honey , which being over nearly drawn from them , they become gaunt , and lank , and transparent , that you may see through their bodies , and unlesse there be other means made to sustain their hunger , they all dye for want of food . they have also other meat to preserve themselves withall , as wan-wort , honey-wort , bees-meat called sandaracha ; but this is the worst , and tastes sweet like a fig : when these fail , the bee-masters lay before their doors , figs , sugar , dried raisins , the drones bruised , the heads of gentles , wool wet in sod or sweet wine , and also honey-water , lest they should faint and dye for hunger . pliny would have raw flesh , if it be sweet and fresh , to be laid for them to feed upon . generally all sweet things and of pleasant smell they covet , though at a great distance , not so much for the smells sake , but as being their natural food , as flies feed upon wine . no odoriferous and fragrant flowers do they refuse ; from whence they are in the latine called florilegae , in the greek , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from the delight they take in them , and their greedinesse in gathering them . the plants most acceptable to bees , are the white and red thyme , melicor , the myrtle , the willow , the broom , lavander , beans , wilde thyme , violets , kexes , rosemary , sweet fleabane , almonds , heath , the tamarisk , the cytisus , casia , daffodil , asphodil , but chiefly balm ▪ concerning which macer sang these macilent verses : that herb the greeks call balm , the bees approve ▪ and above other plants do highly love ; no flower or plant doth please them half so much . also the ivy , black . hellebore , origanum , savoury , wilde violets , sweet marjoram , the hyacynth , the palm-tree , the wilde olive-tree , the flower-de-luce , saffron , rose , lilly , the juniper-tree , pear-tree , peach-tree , turpentine , mastick , cedar , tiel-tree , the smaller oak , goldy-locks , wilde saffron , cumila , flowers of mustard , french spondilium , crowfoot , purging thom , all trees that bear mast , apple-trees which have no bitternesse in their blossoms : moreover they feed greedily on the flowers of dead nettles both white and yellow , whereupon this herb by the helvetians is called ( biensauge ) as if you would say , sucked by bees . as for their drink , if there be but a river or running water hard by in which there are stones , or pieces of wood cast ( upon which they may light conveniently , and bath or wash themselves ) they go no farther to drink , if there be none , they fetch their draught other where and quench their thirst , and when they have done , they carry of the same liquor to their king or master-bee , and to those that are at work within ( as hath been said before ) . whatsoever they eat or drink , must be undefiled , pure , sweet , and without any stench or putrefaction whatsoever . yea , so cleanly do they live , that if a menstruous woman come near them ; they are reported to forsake their food and feed no longer , as also those that use sweet oyls or perfumes about their bodies , and those that are given to overmuch lechery they hate above measure , and can by no means endure : also all things that smell of oyl or smoke , and dung and durt , they are very shie of coming near , nor will they touch any thing that savours of any such matter . all hurtful herbs , all that have any bitter , purgative , unpleasant or poysonous quality in them ; they forbear wormwood , rhubarb , senna , savin , tithymals , hellebore , wood-laurel , coccus gnidius , thapsia , wilde cucumers , yew , rhododendros , wolfs-bane , they will not once taste of . when they have laboured hard all the day , and come home weary , a certain signal or token being given , ( as is above mentioned ) they take their rest . the which oftentimes is many waies disturbed and hindred , and by this means the swarm being astonished and over wak'd do die : sometimes the gad-bee or horse-fly molests them , sometimes the bear making a noise wakes them , sometimes the approach of the enemy affrighteth them , viz. the lizzard , spider , or the land toad ; in which regard the comet presently sounds an alarm , and calls them all forth to arms in the night . if it happen to thunder or lighten by night , they are all presently in an uproar or tumult as if there should be a mutiny in the army , or some fatal battel to be fought . and the reason of it is in regard of the unwontednesse of the light at such a time , as also because they are afraid , and that not without cause , lest their hives being shaken , the combs should be disordered and displaced , or their little waxen vessels being melted , the honey should run out . that this is true by experience , no man can better speak then dr. penny and my self , who in the moneth of august . whilest we sate up and watched by the countesse of somerset then a widow lying dangerously sick , together with her two noble daughters mary and elizabeth , on a sudden ( after a great clap of thunder ) under the next ceiling between the joy●ts , we heard a great noise , as it had been an alarm of war , and as we thought the floor did resound with the noise ; being altogether ignorant of that ( which indeed was the matter ) that bees did harbour between the rafters and the ceiling ; where it seems they had remained for years together , and every year to have yeelded two ▪ or three swarms , as we understood afterwards by those which were eye witnesses of the same , and they of the chief nobility , who affirmed it to be for certain . the next day for want of sleep they flew about making a hoarse noise , trembling , and not knowing what they did ; they did touch those things which naturally they could not endure , they did dash themselves poor creatures against the windows , they did not spa●e to sting their friends and those that looked to them , even to the admiration of all that stood by and observed them . from whence we conclude without all doubt ; that bees are most patient of labour in the day time , but most impatient of being scared in the night , and of being disturbed of their rest . from whence they seem to have gained the name or epithet of solisequae , or sun-followers , for with it they rise , and with it they rest . none of them take so much as a wink of sleep all the day long , and all of them in the night sleep very soundly . now their exercise is of two sorts , either they fly abroad for their pleasure , or tarry at home and work for necessity . if that be denied them ( the crocodile , swallow , lizzard , spider , or other strange bees intercepting them ) either by reason of intemperate weather , or long rain they become pursie , unwieldy and nummed in their limbs , grow into diseases , and shortly after die , especially in the summer season , which is the only time they have to exercise themselves abro●d in the open air . when they have refreshed themselves with flying about , then they bath and wash themselves clean , and afterwards they lightly rub themselves smooth with leaves . moreover also sometimes they carry little stones , sometimes they carry water , and as little things as they are , will break through the wind though it sit against them ; and they will in a bravado , yea they will venture their very lives also to fight with the greatest of beasts ; horses , elephants , dogs , yea and men too ( archilochus was of this opinion ) if they offend them and quarrel with them they wound , and with their stings often and fiercely thrust into their bodies , they kill them . sometimes they appoint duels one with another , not in earnest , but in jest , for exercise and recreation , not with any intent to hurt one another . they will play together oftentimes , and tickle one another , and like doves bill and kisse each other , after which without doubt they couple together also , but at what time after , in what place , after what manner , let that all-eyed argus tell , who alone sits by the elephants and knowes when they engender , which no man ever yet saw but god. now as they perform the aforesaid exercises of slying , of fencing , of carrying of stones , &c. for their recreation , so necessity the mistresse of arts hath inured them to domestick labour , to which they diligently , not lazily apply themselves , no day ( if the weather let not ) is spent idly ; but how long they work , that wholly depends upon the constitution of the climate , or the air . for in cold countreys from the setting of the pleiades or seven-stars , to the vernal or spring aequinoctial ( or thereabout ) they keep close within their hives ; but like dormice without food , sleeping , and so they continue rouled ▪ up together like a ball , in a heap ; nor do they stir a jot from the place where they are : for else how should such little creatures as they , be able to endure frost and snow , and the bleak gusts of the north wind ? but if the temper of the year be more warm , and so continue for a great while together , 't is longer ere they leave their work , and that aethiopia proves by manifest experience , where through continual heat , and almost no cold that is there , the bees work almost all the year long . but in europe they seldom go abroad before the beans begin to bloom or blossom , ( as pliny witnesseth ) which they taste of the first of all flowers or herbs whatsoever . servius dreams that when winter drawes on , they stop their mouths with juice and flowers , and with these keeping in their hive to sustain themselves . but in summer they never loyter at all , but exercise themselves in constant employment ; and when they have gotten such a numerous off-spring that one house will not hold them , in the moneth of may they make a solemn expedition , and divide themselves into several swarms hanging upon the boughs of trees like bunches of grapes . the elder bees afterwards making two or three rounds or circles in the air go to their food and return to their hives : the young smarm or colony thus sent forth and left , unlesse they be entertained with fresh hives , wander up and down the woods , untill the publick overseers and hospitary bees have found a fit place for the swarm to settle in . now having spoken of their exercise , in the next place let us enter upon the description of the places or houses where they are to reside , which the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. the latines , alvus , alveus , alvearium , &c. now about these for the conservation of the bees , three things are requisite or needfull . the fashion or form , preparation , position , and the fitnesse of the place where they are to be set . the best receptacles for them , are made with barks , but especially with cork , which in the heat of summer doth not scorch them , and in the winter is very good to keep out the cold . the ancients were wont to make them of an hollow tree , or of boards artificially joyned together , also they were used to be very handsomely made of reeds , or of the holm-tree wreathed or twisted together . those of earth are counted the worst of all , as also those that are made of brick , or clay , because in summer they are over hot , and in winter as extreme cold . and yet ( as i hear ) in hungary they have certain thick pots or vessels to hang up from the ground , and these they hang up in trees , for the bees to make their combs in ; which when they have done , they at a certain time take away again . some make them of mud or ▪ dirt , but these likewise have their inconveniences and discommodities . the english use to enclose them in hives artificially wrought and built of straw ; that in winter they should not be starved , nor in the summer sweltered with heat . the ancients were wont to make them of a kinde of transparent stone , of horn , and glasse , to the intent that they might look in upon them and see how they wrought . but the bees lay a first , second , and third covering over their work withinside ( as i said before ) whence they perceived they lost their cost and labour in that contrivance , as being never the near by that way to gain their purpose . let the form of the hives be after the manner of an egge , the yolk and the white being clean taken out , as when we eat it , a little of the end being pared off . moreover the hives ought to consist of twelve rounds or wreaths of straw woven together after this manner . the first lowermost must be of one size or bignesse , a foot and a half in breadth : the next above them are to be a little bigger and more capacious , that the combs may be the better fastened , and may hang more steady : the other circles or rounds are to be narrowed and made steep up to the top by degrees , in the likenesse of a spire or pyramide ; but the whole hive ought to be of that content and bignesse that it may contain in it in all about l. weight . let the mouthes or passages into the hives ( by which the bees are to go out and in ) be about three or four ; and no bigger than that the bees when laden with honey may well go in ; for by this means , the lizzard , or beetle , venemous spider , moths , using to rob their hives , are barred of their entrance ; and the hive will not be so obnoxious to frost , and the extremities of the winter season . above these they use to make doors , also windowes to shut down with bolts , before , and behinde , that they may the better take out the combs , with lesse disturbance to the bees in their making honey . the preparation or seasoning of the hive after it is made , is reported to be divers . the english do take in new swarms into new hives , without perfuming or anointing them at all . the ancients after they had made them very clean , did use to rub them all over within with balm , thyme , fennel ; and did sprinkle them with some sweet thing made of honey sugred , or with sweet wine or metheglin , that so they might the more willingly come into them , and the longer remain in them . palladius was wont to anoint the insides of the hive with the dung of the first calf tha● the cow hath ; and this he accounted for a chief secret to retain bees in the hive . moreover it is requisite that about the midst of the hive there should three or four sticks be laid a cros●e to hold up the combs ; and then they are not subject with any light shaking of them to fall down ; and are more easily if need be , taken away . take heed also there be no chinks or clifts in them , whereby they may be annoyed with heat , cold , dust , vermine , the cankerworm . as for the placing or setting of bees , it is convenient that the hives should be mounted on forms , or stools , that they be not dirty or mouldy with standing on the ground , and that they may live more secure from noxious and hurtful beasts . let their standings be made of stones , chaulk , elm , or oak ; three foot high , covered over with slat tile , or pargeting , or whitelime , and that very smooth and sleek , that those honey and bee-devouring creatures may not be able to climb up . let them also be set shelving or casting forwards , lest the rain-water setling upon them should soak and wooze into their hives : for which cause ( as columella witnesseth ) they were wont to be placed in hollowed walls or porches of cities . let there be two handfuls distance between every hive , that one shogging or shaking , the next may stand unmoved , as it is usual when they are set close together . now as for their ranks or rowes how many they should be ; they are not to be above three at the most ; of which , let the younger bees have the first , the second sort or middle aged , the middlemost , and the elder bees , the highest or uppermost place . but yet both the hives and the forms whereon they are set must be conveniently placed for the benefit and advantage of the swarm ; in hot countreys , towards the north ; in cold , towards the south ; yea in aethiopia by reason of the excessive heat , and scorching of the sun , they keep them in their houses , a sufficient gap being made in the wall for them to go in and out at ; lest their combs should be melted . let the place where they are , be open , not over hot in summer , nor very cold in winter , quiet from wind , not woody , not inclosed with an over high wall or pale , not against a place where any eccho is given , planted with natural and ordinary food , remote from the company of men or cattel which may crop or shake off the dew from the flowers ; near no jakes , privy-houses , dung-hils , common-shores , standing ponds , bogs , gallows or place of execution , church-yards , or where bodies use to be buried ; and so ordered that it may be in the bottome of a hill or in a valley , to the intent the bees being laden may with greater ease fly down to their hives . to conclude , if there be a wind above other that doth infest any countrey , in that , let the hives be placed where they may suffer the least harm , and in no wise let them have any doors open against it . but this diet is necessary for the tame bees for to maintain their lives ; now as for the wilde and wood bees , they live after another manner , they chuse their places of residence themselves , and furnish them accordingly . ●n the countrey of the abissines under prester john , the bees live in the tradesmens houses , and slying up and down amongst them without fear , hang up their combs , their hives being made fast to the beams or joyces of the same , without any harm at all to those that work in the place . moreover in many places in england they have been known to have taken up their harbour ▪ of their own accord , and that for a long time together between the rafters and the ceiling of houses , and in the hollow trunks of trees , and from thence the old bees have sent forth three or four swarms of young ones in one year . and ( what is worthy to be noted ) they live here longer and more happily , then in their artificial woven hives , with so great diligence perfumed , so curiously set , ordered , digested and placed . but yet i commend their industry who have freed the bees from this trouble , and have no lesse ingeniously built them houses to keep them from wind and weather . but they above all the rest deserve commendation who have found out how to cure the diseases of their bodies and mindes , inward and outward , and have had the skill how to apply them accordingly . the passions or distempers of their mindes with which they are most troubled , are anger , grief , and fear . for they very hardly digest injuries , and they betray a great deal of choler and spleen to be in them , by their often fighting , even amongst themselves . for if they over abound with issue , they are all in an uproar about their cells and lodgings , nor can the quarrel be composed , till many are slain on either party ; or being divided into faction , they do of their own accord seek other places of habitation . more then this , even the souldiers of the same colony , when they ( for some private grudge or jealousie fall into a rage ) they make war , and fall foul one upon the other : the which the wary bee-master espying , and casting in dust or cold water by squirts in at the vent holes , where they go in and out , or making a terrible and hoarse noise with the palms of his hands , doth before it be too late pacifie . for if he should let them fight on , they would be so mad and cruel one against the other , that they would never be quiet till they were all killed . sadnesse and melancholy also doth very much distemper and disturb them , arising sometimes from the death of the king or master bee , sometimes of their young ones , sometimes of their keeper ; neither will a day cease their conceived sorrow , but they take it to heart , that their bodies pine away , and it consumes them to skin and bone . neither will the tinging or tinkling of the brasse pan , or any harmony whatsoever delight them ( which yet when they are mad , and dote so that they know not what they do , is wont to cure them ) there is no plague or disease that can be named , that is more deadly to them than this . they most stand in fear of the spider , lizzard , crocodile , toad , glow-worm , gad-bee , wasp , hornet , the multitude of dors or drones , a little bird called a houp , the titmouse , swallow , the woodpecker or eat-bee , the owle , and other the like destroyers and spoilers of the hives . they are likewise very fearful of an eccho , thunder and lightning , and the like sudden crackling noise ; as on the contrary with a soft still whistling , or murmuring noise , and tinkling of brasse they are exceedingly taken and delighted . when fear takes hold on them , poor creatures , they wander up and down they know not whither , and when they go out or in to their hives , they seem to be giddy , as if they had a vertigo in their brains whirling and turning round ; as for their honey , or their young ones , or for those that are sick , they scarce regard them ; and never leave trembling and quaking in their wings and shanks . the bee-master therefore ( when their provision fails ) ought to destroy the drones , and ( by putting raw flesh into a pot ) to take the hornets , and then burn them . to kill the frogs , butterflyes , wood-worms , and canker-worms , to wipe away their webs , to entrap the gnats and flyes , to stab through the lizzard , crocodile , black fly or beetle , and by putting in a candle ( to which they will come of their own accord ) to burn the glow-worms or moths ; to chase the frogs and hunt them from the standing waters and fenny places , to throw down all the nests of swallowes , modwals , owls , or wood-peckers ( especially in all the neighbourhood or places hard by them ) to destroy the muskin or titmouse ; and to defend them against all other beasts that lie in wait for them , and all other strange swarmes . in which fight the bees do as it were acknowledge their keeper , who after the victory issuing forth , set upon the vanquish'd troops , but to their defender or , champion offer not the least harm . the bees by these means thus quitted of their fears , only with the tinkling of the pan , and sometimes with the bee-masters voice only , are strengthened and brought to themselves again , and every one cheerfully returns to his several appointed imployment as before . some bees also are caught wandring up and down , and flying away from their hives , for they take pleasure in wandring delights and embracements , and never care at all for coming home to their own habitations : this ill habit and haunt , the bee-masters with clapping of their hands , and with the sound of the brasse ( in which bees are said extremely to delight ) do presently remedy ; although it is yet uncertain whether they do hear the sound , and are led by the pleasure of it ; or whether or no rather being affrighted and terrified with the trembling and reverberation of the air ( as when it thinders ) they return to their hives ; and i see no reason why pliny and niphus should here make a doubt . others lest the swarm should fly away and so be gone , do crop off half the wings of the king or master-bee . as also others do besmear or dawb the vent holes out of which they come , with the dung of a calf newly calved . moreover if you strew their passages with the leaves of the olive-tree boyled , they will not depart : also wine sod with water is very good , but above all , the juyce of the herb balm , wherewith ( as it were with a kinde of philtre or love-potion ) they are most powerfully retained , as the poet macer sings . smear but their hives with balm and they 'l abide , and much the rather if that milk beside , be us'd to keep them , that they wander not . pliny saith , if some of the dust over which the serpent hath gone , be cast upon the bees , they will return to their hives . others yet advise to sow goldilocks near where they are , as if they delighted most in that flower above all others , and would never forsake those places where these flowers abound . and authors report that the wilde bee is allured and tamed therewith . the bodies of bees likewise are subject to divers diseases , viz. repletion , inanition , drowth , moistnesse , cold , and unnatural heat . repletion , or abounding of humours is caused when the bee-master neglects to gather the honey in good time ; for then they do so fill and gorge themselves , till being grown over with scab and scurf , and swoln in their throats , they become sickly ; there follows upon these sluggishnesse , feavers , longings , loathing of their food , watching or wakefulnesse ; with which the miserable poor outworn bees , unlesse they have some timely remedy , do die ; wherefore of necessity they must have their honey gathered from them . in doing of which two things are to be observed , viz. the time when , and the quantity how much , the which according to the quality and custom of countreys , are divers . for in england they gather the honey every year , viz , either in the latter end of july or in the beginning of august . in hotter countreys they observe three times in the year to gather in this honey harvest , viz. at the rising of the pleiades , when their are at they zenith or vertical point , and presently after their setting . didymus in his geoponicks , writes that this time of the pleiades is the best . the romans did use to unbowel their hives , the first time in the moneth of may , and then again when summer was almost done , and thirdly about the ides of october . from whence it was called spring honey , summer honey , autumnal honey , or honey gathered in autumn . aristotle adviseth the first taking honey , to be when the wilde fig-tree begins to be green ; the second he commends to be done about autumn . generally it is very necessary that the honey should be taken when the hives do over abound with honey ; the which is certainly understood by the shrill or squeaking noise that the bees make . for if they be empty , they give out a more clear and loud sound , as being more full of air then meat : but most certainly it is known by looking in at those doors placed on both sides of the hive , being open ( saith columella ) of which we have made mention before in the building or structure of the hives . the manner of taking them is thus ; betimes in the morning while they are half asleep and drowsie , is the time when the work is to be affected , and their combs taken away ; it being not convenient to exasperate them in the heat of the day . columella prescribes for this use two iron instruments of a foot and an half long and somewhat longer ; the one must be a long knife with a broad edge on both sides , but dull , with a crooked head and sharp teeth to take out the combs withall , the other plain with two sharp edges , to cut down the combs . with these the vessel being opened , the businesse will very well be effected . in england as also in other countreys , viz. in helvetia , germany , and the low countreys ; they do not set upon them with these iron instruments , but with fire , and smoak , and water , with which they chase the elder bees from hive to hive and keep the swarm entire at their pleasure . moreover in taking away the combs , there ought a mean to be observed , according to the greatnesse of the swarm and number of bees . for with overmuch plenty of honey they grow ●ole , and both defraud their masters and themselves ; for when the abound with honey , they feed not on bee-bread , but glut themselves with the very purest of the honey : on the other side if there be not enough honey left them to feed on , languishing for want of sustenance they grow heartlesse , and live carelesly ; and becoming so thin that you may see through them , being starved and feeble , they miserably perish . moreover , the old and rotten combs ought to be taken away ( but not those wherein posterity is concerned ) and those which are whole , and which contain the young spawn or fry of the bees , unlesse you see that there is not so much honey left as may serve for the sustentation of the parents or elder bees . keep such a proportion , that in the abundance of honey you take two parts and leave a third ; if there be but indifferent store , take the half , if the combs be in a manner empty , take nothing at all out of them . but this proportion is not be observed in all places , because in regard of multitude of flowers , store of pasture , and goodnesse of it , together with the condition of the countrey , you may take away more or lesse as you shall see cause . for in aethiopia , syria , and palestine , they commonly take all the honey out of hives : which by reason of the fatnesse of the pasture , and continual dews , are filled again in very few daies . but if there chance to be famine and scarcity , you must not only drein the hives , but take away part of the bees also ; and choke the greater part of them , with the smoke of tow , reed , turpentine , or brimstone , or galbanum , or else drown them in water ; by which means the honey will become sweeter and purer . famine is caused especially two manner of waies ; either by scarcity of provision , or the badnesse of it by reason of corruption : when there is great want you should supply them with honey , sprinkle them with a liquor made of wine and honey boyled together , give grapes or figs bruised or pounded together , and sugar-sops . pliny would have hens flesh given to them , although he saith that bees will not touch any flesh whatsoever . now the corruption and unsoundnesse of this meat , doth procure first of all , longings , scowrings , barrennesse , and consumptions ; from whence and by the stench of dung and dead corpses , ill savours , plague and putrefaction , with other dysasters do arise . in their longing desire of what they fancy , they grow so nice and peevish , that disliking all things , they are ready to fly away , unlesse with the perfume or vapour of things of a very pleasant and grateful odour , with exquisite playing upon the brasse pan , and exceeding neat handling of them , they be retained . also they are taken with a lask or loosnesse in their bellies , both in regard of the naughtinesse of the juice it self , as also in regard they feed on those herbs and leaves that are purgative , as hellebore , spurge , both kinds of elder . for being greeedy of food after their fasting all the winter , assoon as the spring comes , tasting more greedily , than in way to their health , every herb that they light on , without putting any difference , having gathered unwholsome honey , they are taken with a cacochymia or ill humour or habit of body , and afterwards very suddenly fall into that lask or loosnesse , afore spoken of . against this disease ( saith pliny ) set them services with honey , or wet with man or oxe pisse . also pomegranat kernels moystened with wine of wilde briony ; palladius much commends the kernels of pomegranates or raisins boyled and pilled , with manna or sharp wine set before them in wooden gutters ; also he bids squirt in honey boyled in water , with the powder of galls , dried roses , or rosemary , or set it in with little sawcers . moreover , care is to be had , that they do not bring home any food gathered in the woods , where for the most part do grow harsh and sowre herbs , with the acrimony thereof the bellies of the bees are moved , and are scarce stayed but by the experience and accurate endevour of their keeper . from thence proceeds barrennesse , because by that means for want of seed they do not generate , or at least ( by reason of feeblenesse ) they are not able to hatch their young , or constantly to sit upon them , or to avoid the snares of the spiders which are drawn over the mouthes of their cells . this consumption and hectick feaver increasing yet more and more , higinus bids that flowers be brought , soaked in dew or a sweet liquor made of wine and honey , and so layed unto the holes or vents of the hive . also he commends for that purpose violets and buglosse flowers besprinkled with new wine boyled half away , after that their hives being very well cleansed , and the vermine and dead bees rid out of them , they are to be perfumed with oxe or calves dung ; because that takes away putrefaction and infection , and doth instill a new life or soul ( if columella say true ) into the almost expiring bees . they are also full of lice ( as florentius relates ) the which he cures with the shavings of the pomegranate and wilde fig-tree burnt to ashes . the same authors cure the dulnesse or purblindnesse of their eyes with the powder of wilde marjoram . they themselves are able to take away their scurf and dandrif , with a gentle rubbing of their bodies against the herb celandine , and against walls stained with urine ; their drinesse they cure with baths , and their throat with drinking mineral waters . the diseases that come of moisture , are swellings in the neck , tumors in the head , dropsies , which the ancients used to cure with dry herbs , and shaking off the dew from them betimes in the morning , and our countrey people do somewhat abate it , by keeping them from common water , for they keep them three daies together in their hives , by which it comes to passe that not only the superfluity of the bad humour is dried up , but the natural moisture is in some measure regained . hesychius writes of a disease very common to bees , which he calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but what it is he doth not tell us , neither could i learn from any other author , what , or what manner of disease it should be . the diseases proceeding of cold are congelation , nummednesse , stifnesse , and other of that sort , for you shall see them sometime so nummed and stiffe with cold , that you would not think they had the least motion , much lesse breath . on the other side , through extremity of heat , they are driven into madnesse , excesse of thirst , feavers , vertigo , and swimming in their heads , yea they grow stark mad , at which time they know no man , no not their keepers , and will strike their friends with somewhat venomed stings . in such sort therefore ought their hives to be placed in both seasons of the year , that in the winter they be not too much oppressed with cold ; and in the summer , that the shade of the trees do not keep the heat from them . bees do fail also some-times for want of issue , as in the plenty of pasture it happens to come to passe , at which time they are so intent upon their work in making of honey , that the care of copulation and propagation is quite laid aside ; and so the reparation of issue being omitted , the whole swarm being spent with labour , is extinguished . but when they fly away in stomack and anger , by reason of their hives being not kept sweet , or for some pestilent disease that reigns amongst them ; you must follow after them , and with that art ( palladius hath taught ) being found again , entertain them in clean hives , and remove them from the place where they were before into fresh dwellings . moreover , pliny saith it doth very much conduce to the keeping of bees , that they be lawfully and honestly come by , that is , that they are either given or bought , for if they be stoln they seldome thrive , and come to good ; as it is with rue or herb of grace , if stoln it very hardly growes . now if when we shall have removed from bees all creatures that annoy them , what we shall yet further adde to the conservation of their health , and the cure of their diseases , i do not see . first , therefore remove from them all filthy lechers , menstruous persons , those that have the running of the reins , baths , smoke , dunghils , laystals , all those that smell of grease or kitchingstuffe , or having nothing else to do , or on purpose to offend them , stand before their hives mouth . the air being infected with the breath of toads or serpents , purge with balm , gentle , thyme , or fennel burned . see that they live neatly and daintily ; kill all predatory or devouring vermine ; and the signs or symptomes of their diseases being perceived and known , apply the cure of them . now the signs of bees , as of other creatures also , being not well , are gathered from three things , that is to say , from their refraining to be in action , from the external garb of their bodies , and from their excrements . for the losse of mirth , lumpish melancholy , vertiginous or whirling gate or motion , their frequent and lazie standing at the door , their fainting in their work , their disdain of flowers and honey , their more then ordinary either sleeping or waking , unwonted hummings , are an argument that the bees are ill at ease . as also when their bodies are unhandsome , not trim , rough , not sleek or smooth , scurfie or scald , not shining or glissening , lean and transparent , not well liking , or well fed . moreover , if their combs have an ill savour , or if their dung or ordure turn to water , or be full of worms , and when they carry out every day their dead , not at all regarding their hives , these are infallible signs of sicknesse , and some epidemical disease that reigns amongst them , some part of which virgil in . geo. hath elegantly , though somewhat confusedly touched in these verses following . if bees be sick ( for all that live must dye ) that may be known by signs most certainly . their body is discoloured , and their face looks wan , which shewes that death comes on apace . they carry forth their dead , and do lament : hanging by th' door , or in their hives are pent . hunger and cold consumes them , you shall find they buz as doth 'i th woods the southern wind , or doth the sea when that the waves return , or fire clos'd up in vaults with noise doth burn . and thus their distempers being understood and cured , they live to extreme age ; which aristotle , theophrastus , pliny , virgil , varro , columella , cardan , and all authors whatsoever , do conclude not to extend it self to nine years . although i saw it by experience , and with no lesse delight to be otherwise at hanworth in the countesse of somersets bees ( before spoken of ) ( there are yet present witnesses , who are worthy of belief which will attest it ) that there they have lived in the same place above the space of thirty years ; and almost four times a year , have made out fresh flights or swarms of young ones . which reason doth induce me to believe , that bees in their own natural constitution are long lived , and i do with albertus alone make a question , whether they may not live so long till they dye of old age . well i know they may be taken away by diseases or incursion of their enemies ; but if they had alwaies all those necessaries for their life and health by them , and those things which should be destructory kept from them , i should easily grant that they would live to a very exceeding great age , if i did not altogether say they were immortal . for they alone , of all other creatures , are fed with honey that immortal nectar , dropt down from heaven , and with that divine dew ( which is the soul and spirit of all herbs , trees , and plants ) gathered together into one body or masse ; of whose nature , use , and excellent vertue , we shall speak in the following chapter . chap. iv. of the use of bees . whereas the most high god did create all other creatures for our use ; so especially the bees , not only that as mistresses they might hold forth to us a pattern of politick and oeconomick vertues , and inform our understanding ; but that they might be able as extraordinary foretellers , to foreshew the success and event of things to come ; for in the years , , , . before the birth of christ , when as mighty huge swarms of bees did settle in the chief market-place , and in the beast-market upon private citizens houses , and on the temple of mars , there were at that time stratagems of enemies against rome , wherewith the whole state was like to be surprised and destroyed . in the reign of severus , the bees made combes in his military ensigns , and especially in the camp of niger . divers wars upon this ensued between both the parties of severus and niger , and battels of doubtful event , while at length the severian faction prevailed . the statues also of antonius pius placed here and there all over hetruria , were all covered with swarms of bees ; and after that setled in the camp of cassius ; what great commotions after followed julius capitolinus relates in his history . at what time also through the treachery of the germans in germany , there was a mighty slaughter and overthrow of the romans . p. fabius , and q. elius being consuls in the camp of drusus in the tent of hostilius rutilus , a swarm of bees is reported to have sate so thick , that they covered the rope and the spear that held up the tent. m. lepidus , and minut. plancus being consuls , as also in the consulship of l. paulus , and c. metellus swarms of bees flying to rome ( as the augurs very well conjectured ) did foretell the near approach of the enemy . pompey likewise making war against caesar , when he had called his allies together , he set his army in order as he went out of dyrrachium , bees met him and sate so thick upon his ensigns that they could not be seen what they were . philistus and aelian relate , that while dionysius the tyrant did in vain spur his horse that stuck in the mire , and there at length left him , the horse quitting himself by his own strength , did follow after his master the same way he went with a swarm of bees sticking on his mane : intimating by that prodigy that tyrannical government which dionysius affected over the countrey of the galeotae . in the helvetian history we read , that in the the year . when leopoldus of austria , began to march towards sempachum with his army , a swarm of bees flew to the town and there sate upon the tyles ; whereby the common people rightly foretold that some forain force was marching towards them . so virgil in . aeucid . the bees flew buzzing through the liquid air : and pitcht upon the top o' th' lawrel tree ; when the soothsayers saw this sight full rare ; they did foretell th'approach of th' enemie . that which herodotus , pausanias , dio cassius , plutarch , julius caesar , julius cupitolinus , and other historians with greater observation then reason have confirmed . saon acrephniensis , when he could by no means finde the oracle trophonius ; pausanias in his boeticks saith he was led thither by a swarm of bees . moreover , plutarch , pausanias , aelian , alex. alexandrinus , theocritus and textor are authors that jupiter melitaeus , hiero of syracuse , plato ; pindar , apius comatus , xenophon , and last of all ambrose , when their nurses were absent , had honey dropt into their mouthes by bees , and so were preserved . xenophon also in his oeconomicks calls making of honey , the shop of vertue , and to it would have matrons and mothers of families go to be instructed . the poets willingly yeeld themselves to be compared with bees , who following nature as their only mistress , use no art at all . and so plato affirms that poets were never able by art to finish any master-piece . insomuch that pindar doth vaunt himself in this to be superior , or to go beyond bacchilides and simonides , in that he was taught by nature not by art. bees unless provoked are harmlesse , but being vext they will sting and that most shrewdly . such is the condition of poets : from whence are occasioned these verses of archilochus , he that doth move me , quickly finds my sting , i 'l make him cry , and through the city ring . wherefore plato in his minos gives it as a rule to those that desire peace and quiet , that they be very well advised how they intermeddle with poets and bees . to conclude , so many are their virtues worthy our imitation ; that the aegyptians , greeks , and chaldeans took divers hieroglyphicks from them ; as when they would express subjects obedient to their prince , they set it forth in figure of a bee very singular in that virtue ; when a king loving to his subjects , they portray it likewise and set it forth by a swarm of bees . other the like emblemes are to be found in pierius hieroglyphicks worth the labour of searching for . from them the countrey people learned their skill of prognostication of the weather . for they perceive wind or rain before it comes , and foretell storms and showres that are at hand ; when they are ready to come , they are sure not to fly far from their hives , but will feed themselves with their own moisture . all those things being as they are , 't is no wonder that aristaeus , philistrius , aristomachus , solensis , menus samnites , and six hundred others that have wrote of bees , have left the pleasures and delights of the city , and for years to have lived in the woods , that they might be the more parfectly acquainted with their conditions and manner of life , and be the better enabled to commend them for an example to posterity . neither was virgil e're the worse for being so well seen in their history , the which he hath most elegantly set down in the fourth of his georgicks . but what their bodies and their labours do work upon our bodies , it is now worth the pains to relate ; whereby we may assuredly know , that there is nothing in bees but what doth serve for our health and welfare . for , first of all , their bodies assoon as they as they are taken out of the hive , and pounded and drank with some diuretick , or wine and milk ; do strongly cure the dropsie , dissolve the stone or gravel , open all the passages of the urine , cure the stopping of the bladder . bees that die in the honey , cure impostumes , and help the dulnesse of sight or hearing . also being pounded together they cure the griping or wringing of the belly or guts , being applied to them . if poysoned honey be drank , they themselves being drank down after it , do expell it : they soften hard ulcers in the lips ; being bound to a carbuncle or running sore , they heal it ; they cure the bloudy flix . honey being strained with them , helps the crudities of the stomach , or specks or red pimples in the face , as you may see in hollerius , alexander bened. and especially in pliny . take bees dead in the combs , and when they are through dry make them into powder , as galen in euporist . writes , mingle them with the honey in which they died , and annoint the parts of the head that are bald and thin haired , and you shall see them grow again . pliny in like manner teaches to burn a great company of bees together , and mingle the ashes with oyl , and anoint the part ; only with this caution , that the adjacent parts be not touched therewith ; yea , honey scraped of bees that are dead , he affirms to be very soveraign in all diseases , and very useful . erotis in his . chap. de morb. mulieb . tells us that their ashes beaten with oyl , is good to make the hair white . moreover , bees are very profitable and useful in regard they serve for food to other creatures ; as to the bear , lizzard , frog , serpents , spiders , wasps , swallows , houp , robin-red-brest , titmouse or muskin ; as bellonius hath observed . palladius saith , that some men are wont to take great delight in hunting after them ; and he tells you how you shall finde them out in these words . in the moneth of april , in sunny places , if the bees do frequently resort thither , either for food or water , then certain it is , that their nest or honey-shop is not far off , but if there come thither but a few in a company , then 't is a sign that they harbour farther off . but when they come very thick , by this trick you shall finde out their swarms , take a little wet oaker and mark them on the back , and there remain , while those that were mark'd return back thither again , if they make a speedy return , then they make their abode not far off ; but if they tarry more then ordinary , then they reside farther off . now by this means those that are hard by may easily be found out ; but to come at them that are more remote and farther off , do thus ; take a piece of a cane and cut it off at either end at the joynt , and make a hole in the midst of it ; there put in a little honey , or sweet wine boyled half away , and lay it by the side of the fountain or water where they resort : when the bees come thither , and are drawn in by the sent of the honey , hold your thumb close upon the hole , and suffer but one bee to go out at once , follow that as far as you can well discern him , when that is out of sight let go another , and by this conduct at length you will easily finde the place where the swarm is . if it be in some hole or cavern of the earth ; make but a smoke upon the mouth of it , and all the swarm will hurry out , and when they come forth , being a little scared , with the tinkling of a brass pan , they will hang themselves upon a little bough as it were a bunch of grapes , from whence having a vessel to put them in , you may take them away . if they chance to make their nest in the arm of a tree , then take a sharp saw and saw off the bough above and below them , and cover the middle part where they are , with a clean cover , then carry them where you please , and put them in a hive . by this art you may finde their swarms where they use in woods , dens , or hollow places , stony or craggy rocks , or any place whatsoever : only see that you begin your sport betime in the morning , lest the night overtake you , and you lose your game . neither only are they delightfull sport to them that hunt them in the day time ; but also ( if fabritius and artemidorus do not deceive us ) if a man light upon them in his dream when he is a sleep ; if he be a poor man , it foretells he shall be rich ; if a king or a great man , that his subjects , or those that are under him will be loving and obedient . but he that dreams he had a stock of bees , but in present hath them not , 't is a sign of a decaying estate , and of some imminent approaching dis●aster to befall . of so great use are bees : and so variously hath dame nature the contriver of all things , spotted her self , or rather taken great pains indeed in furnishing them with such rare qualities of all forts , as where with you have heard them to be endowed . but to what purpose is ( will you say ) that sting , against whose poyson and venome pliny himself ●●ew no remedy ? i confess , and experience teacheth as much , that bees stings are some-times venomous ; but it is only of those bees which are raving mad , or burning with some feaver , anger , or hunger . otherwise they do little or no harm at all : and therefore dioscorides did not deign so much as to mention the symptomes of the stinging of bees ; supposing it a childish simple thing for any man so much as to complain of the sting of a poor little bee : later writers observe that the sting is accompanied with redness and tumor , especially if the sting do yet stick fast in the flesh , which if it go in very deep sometimes proves mortal , as nicander writes in his the●iaca . the ancients ( that we may prove the sting of bees to be converted to some good use ) as suidas reports , were wont to punish cheaters with them on this manner ; they strip the malefactor stark naked , and besmeared his body all over with honey , which done , and his hands and feet being bound , they exposed him to the heat of the scorching sun , that what with the piercing raies beating upon his body , what with the stinging of the bees and flies , and their often stabbing and wounding him , he did at length suffer a death answerable to his life . but if you would indeed resolve to go sting-free , or at least heal your self being stung ; expell out of your minde , idleness , impiety , theft , malice ; for those that are defil'd with those vices , they set upon to chuse as it were , and out of natural instinct . beware also in especial manner , you wear not red garments , which might represent you to them , to be a murtherer or man of bloud ; as also that you be not taken by them for an unchaste or unclean person , which it seems they naturally know and abominate ( as hath been said before ) they which carry the bill of a wood-pecker in their hands when they come near them , although they do somewhat disturb their swarms , yet ( as pliny saith ) the bees will not hurt them . nonnius reports , that if you rub and beat to powder the herb called balm-mint , or balm-gentle , their stings will not be able to hurt you . florentius gives in charge , that he that is to gather the honey should annoint himself with the oyl or juice of marshmallowes , whereby he may take away the combs without danger . but the juice of any mallowes whatsoever will do the like ; and the better if they be rubbed with oyl ; for it doth both preserve from stinging , and is a remedy to those that are stung . but be it granted that diseases be contracted by their stingings ; yet 't is but taking a few of these bees that are found dead in the honey , and let them be carefully applied , and they presently cure them ; and take away all the venome and aking of them . what shall i say ? god never created a creature lesse chargeable , and more profitable . they are bought for a very little money , they will live in all places whatsoever , even in woody and mountainous countreys . the poor as well as the rich gain a great return or revenue by keeping of them , and yet need they not put more in the pot , or keep a servant the more for them . merula reports that varro rented out his stocks of bees , for l. of honey ; and in spain out of a little village containing not above an acre at most , that he gained of the honey there gathered sestercies , i. e. l. of our english money in one year . besides all this , we have from their shops or store-houses , wax , bee-bread , bee-glew , rosin , honey-combs such as no common wealth can well be without ; not to repeat their virtues , which are no less wholsome for the minde , then those are profitable for the body and maintenance of life . and first of all we will treat of honey , that immortal , nectareal , pleasant , wholsome juice , and principal of all works and operations . chap. v. of the name , difference and vse of honey . at the first honey had but one name , called in the hebrew dabesch ; but since that strange and confused polyglottology , or speaking with divers tongues it was called of the inhabitants of arabia , hel , han ; of the french , miel ; of the italians , mele ; of the dutch , honich●●em ; of the germans , honig ; of the english , honey : the greeks called it , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from the admirable care and industry of the bee in making of it , as eustachius notes : from whence comes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , melitellum , of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in porphiry . this for the name : but what it is yet after all is much controve sed amongst the learned . some there are that fondly conceit it to be the spittle of the planets , or the gelly falling from the stars ; others , the purging of the air , or the sweat of the heavens ; but in my judgement it may more properly be termed the chylus of the bees , gathered from some sweet matter , but having its perfection and consummation from their ventricles ; and afterwards by expuition or vomit cast out into the cells or honey-combs . aristotle , pliny , avicen , seneca , would have the bees not be makers of the honey , but only gatherers of it : for thus they write ; the bees , ( say they ) do gather the honey from the dew of the air , especially at the rising of certain stars , and from the conjunction of the rain-bow ; for they make no honey , but honey-combs only . galen also lib. . de alim . fac . hath these words : i remember ( saith he ) upon a time , in summer we gathered a great quantity of honey from the leaves of the trees , and then the countrey in way of sport sang , jupiter rains honey . but then the night before had been exceeding cold , as it could be in summer : by the strength whereof the sweet exhalations , and vapours being drawn up by the sun were congealed together . now with us this is a very rare accident ; but in mount libanus it happens every year : and therefore they spread skins upon the ground under the trees , and shake them , and the aerial honey that falls from them , they put up in pots , and earthen vessels . now honey , as all other things , do differ in substance or matter , it is either aerial or terrestrial ; aerial hony is one thing , terrestrial another : for in the moneths of may , june , and july , a kinde of heavenly ambrosia falls down upon the leaves of plants ( which they call honey dew , but i rather mieldew ) very sweet in taste , liquid , pure , and as sweet as sugar it self ; this being gathered and drank in , the bees i grant do ripen or bring to maturity , but that they make any real mutation , i constantly deny ; unlesse perchance you will say that the refining the dew , is an alteration of the species . gal. lib. . de alim . fac . affirms that the matter of honey is not the very dew it self , but something near of kin to it : the which bees gathering do cast up again into their cells , but they do not change the species of the juice ; as avicen also saith . but this aerial dew , of which this aerial honey is gathered is of two sorts ; coagulated or thickned manna ; and liquid , of which the best honey is made ; especially if it retain the same vertue it had when it first fell : but falling from such a height , and even with the very sliding of the fall by reason of the impurity of the air contracting defilement , and being infected with the exhalation of the leaves , and juice of the flowers upon which it lights , it looseth much of that heavenly vertue , although some remain , and being so often shifted in the ventricles of the bees , cells , honey-combs , it hath some strange qualities joyned to it . but in the beginning , honey is like pure rock-water ; and in the first daies it boyls like new wine , in the . day it waxeth thick , a while after it is covered over as it were with a thin film or membrane , which with the froth of the heat of it , congeals together . terrestrial or earthy honey we call that , because the dew going away , it is suckt out of the very sweat of the earth , and the sweeter part of the plant , of a thick substance indeed , and a quality answerable to that from whence it was extracted . and from thence it takes the name of grasse-honey , bean-honey , lilly-honey , violet-honey , &c. respect being had to those things from which it is collected or gathered . but that honey is best for substance , which is of a fat oily consistence , partaking of both , which doth of its own accord run out of the combs , ( in greek called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; or rather 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) and doth not abound with dregs , and is quickly boyled , and doth cast up very little or no scum ; and alwaies so tenaciously sticking together , that if you lift it up a good height on the top of you finger , it falls to the earth still homogeneous , unsevered , no way parted asunder , but remaines in one continued flake , or line . and to conclude , that which if fire be put to it , will soonest arise in flame . unless there be all these properties or most of them in your honey , you shall discern the substance not of good honey indeed , but of base , adulterate , impure trash . the accidents or accidental properties of honey , are likewise some good , some bad , both of them are taken from the season , place , quality . if you respect the time or season , the newer the honey the better it is accounted , and the spring or summer honey far beyond that is gathered in autumn . the first of these is gathered from flowers only , and those very tender and newly budded ( thence called anthinum , or flower-honey ) . the second is collected of nothing but herbs , and ripe flowers , thence called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or summer honey . the third , last and worst , is had after the first autumnal showres , and that very sandy or gritty and woody , gathered only of heath or ivie ( which are then the only things green that are left ) and from thence is called ericaeum , heath-honey or ivie-honey : all which ( as i said before ) have their greatest commendation from their freshness or newness , because with long keeping and concocting , they wax bitter ; from whence the proverb , he that will make a good mixture of wine and honey , must mingle with new hymettian honey , old falernian wine . it is also better or worse in regard of the place whether proper or common . if you respect the proper place , or the vessel wherein it is contained ; the best honey is still found in the bottome , for the dross which is contracted either by soyl of herbs , or by the air whilest it falls from so high a place , is cast up to the top as froth ; and in the bottome it is found to be more glutinous , ponderous , luscious , and better compacted . if you would attend the common place or region wherein it is gathered ; according to the nature of the countrey , so is the value of it . in the first place and above all other , the attick , athenian , hymetick , especially , when made in the silver mines , hath been hitherto adjudged the best honey , both in regard of the excellent nature of the bees themselves , as also for that those countreys do abound with thyme and other choice plants and herbs , and likewise in regard of the goodnesse of the place where the combs are made . dioscorides gives the next place , to the islands of the cyclades , or the aegean islands ( which is very luscious and pleasant , and welnigh as good as the attick ) and the third and last place to the hyblean , and sicilian . johan . bauhinus a very learned physician , and surpassingly well seen in the knowledge of simples , saith that he saw of this attick honey in verona in an apothecaries shop , which he found put up in the bladder of an elephant , very thick , and weighing . pounds , of the length of two cubits , of the breadth of a cubit and a half . i suppose it was brought thither out of africk , for how should an elephants bladder be had in athens ? in the judgement of cardanus , that honey which comes from cephalenia , an island in the ionian sea is the best ; next to that in europe , is the spanish , and that not without reason ; in regard the dew for the most part in those hotter regions is better concocted : and ( in all countreys ) where the purest air is , there is the virgin honey ( i. e. ) pure pale , and is made up as it is , having no need of fire to purge it . the t 〈…〉 tine honey is also commended , as strabo reports . about tag●dast , melela , hea , hascora , the iron mountain rhahona , ech●●devona ; jo. leo saith there is very excellent african honey made . ludovicus cademustus prefers the honey of sineg●● , andreas corsalias the mombaren , edorades barbosa the aethiopick , thomas lopius the cathaian , fr 〈…〉 saus alvares the tigremahonen●ian , sebastianus baro the samogitick , euricus the lituanian , erasmus stella the ru●●●an , thevet the american , p. iovius is exceeding much in the commendation of moscovy honey , but not so advisedly , in as much as our merchants , and sebast . baro a very impartial writer of those things which are seen and done there , do very seriously affirm that in all the dukedom of mosco , there are neither bees nor honey . albert. campensis in his history of mysia which is called britus , saith that even in the hercinian woods , there is extraordinary good honey to be found , and that altogether as good as the cecropian or attick honey may be . aelianus affirms that in snowy and icy scythia , there is countrey honey very praise-worthy ; and that it is carried to mysia ( where it is sold at a very dear rate ) . but if the heat of the coutrey doth add to the honey pureness and goodness , how is it possible such excellent honey should be had in scythia , and samogithia ? is it because the flowers there growing and receiving the dew are better then in other places , and by that means cause it to be clearer and purer ? or is it because of the north winds which are most frequent in those parts , which do purge the air ? or is it because as well bees as men there are of more strong constitutions , and therefore are better able and do take more pains to refine and work the honey in their ventricles ? which is the more likely , seeing they were not able to live at all in that cold region , nor could not arrive at such an age ( for there they live very long ) if they were not very healthy and lusty of body . now whereas cardan denies that there is any exquisite honey made in moist countreys : let england and ireland challenge him for their right ; which being obnoxious to showres and very much rain , a thing fatall to islands , do yeeld such extraordinary pure honey , that it hath not the least mixture of venome , and doth last a long time before it be corrupted or putrified ; that we do not speak of its excellent whiteness , hardness , sweetness , hanging well together , viscosity and ponderousness ; and other principal signs of the goodness of it ; but let us leave off to commend our own countrey wherein good is to be found ; and set forth those countreys which are infamous for the badness of it . for the extreme bitterness the cholchian honey , and next the corsican , and in some places the hungarian , and the sardinian hath an ill name . for in sardinia wormwood , in corsica rose-lawrel , in col●his the venomous yew , and all of them in hungary . also the honey is venomous in heraclea of pontus , and in the flowers of goats-bane fading with the wetness of the spring ; for then the flowers contract that hurtfull venome ; which doth presently infect the honey-dew that falls upon them . there is also another kinde of pernicious honey made , which from the madness that it causeth , is termed mad-honey ; which pliny conceiveth to be contracted from the flower of a certain shrub , very frequently growing there in the woods . dioscorides and aetius do not amiss impute this poyson to be caused of great plenty of the venomous herb called libbardsbane , or wolf-wort which groweth there ; in that it is cured with the very same remedies as the venome of that herb is . in carina , persis , mauritania and getulia , bordering to massesulia , either by reason of vapours of the earth , or by reason of the virulent and poysonous juice of the plants , poysoned honey-combs are produced ; but are descried by their duskie or blackish colour . in trapezuntum in the countrey of pontus , pliny reports of a certain honey that is gathered of the flowers of the box-tree , which as it doth make those that are well sick with the noysome smell of it , so those that are not well it restores to health . on the trees of the heptocometanes , a people near unto cholchis , there growes a kinde of infectious honey . the which poyson being drank makes men stupid , and out of their wits . this was sent by the enemy to the three legions of pompey with a token for the desire of peace , they drinking very freely of it , were put both besides their wits , and their lives too ( as strabo saith ) . ovid makes mention of the corsick honey very infamous , being extracted from the flower of hemlock , speaking thus : i think it 's corsick honey , and the bee from the cold hemlocks flowers gathered thee . but yet it may seem to be not so much for dame nature● honour , that she should bring forth a thing so desired of all men , as honey is , and so ordinarily to temper it with poyson . nay but in so doing she did not amiss , so to permit it to be ; that thereby she might make men more cautious and lesse greedy , and to excite them not only to use that which should be wholesome , but to seek out for antidotes against the unwholsomeness of it . and for that cause she hath hedged the rose about with prickles ; given the bees a sting , hath infected the sage with toad-spittle ; mixed poyson ( and that very deadly too ) with honey , sugar , and manna . the signs of poysoned honey are these , it staines the honey-comb with a kinde of lead-colour , doth not become thick , it looks of a bright shining glistering hew ; sharp or bitter in taste , and hath a strange and 〈…〉 th smell , it is far more ponderous , then the other , as soon as it is taken it causeth ne●sing , and a loosness of the belly , accompanied with excess of sweating . they which have drunk it d● tumble themselves up and down upon the cold earth , very desirous of refrigeration . the 〈◊〉 poy 〈…〉 honey hath the same symptomes with the poyson of wolf●●ane , and hath the same way of cure . galen reports that two physicians in rome tasted but a very small quantity of poysoned honey , and fell down dead in the open market-place . against madness from eating honey , dioscorides prescribes rue to be eaten , and salt fish , and honey and water to be drank , but being taken they must be vomited up again ; and he prescribes the same remedie against this disease , as he doth against wolfs-bane , and rose-lawrel : and pliny agrees with him ; also he adds one singular antidote , to eat a fish called a gilt-head , which also wonderfully corrects the loathing of good honey . gulielmus placontia bids to cause vomit abundantly , with syrup of violets , acetosus simplex , and warm water , eating salt fish before vo-miting . afterwards he gives theriac with hot vinegar . christophanus de honest is perswades vo-miting , and to set cold water under the nosthrils , with the flowers of violets , water-lillies , and fleawort . but his bezoar stone , are quince kernels bruised , and given with hot water , as sanctus ardoinas relates . avicenna hath prescribed nothing worth speaking of , but what he had from others : for i understand not what he means by his aumeli . but what if i a youth and an english man , after so many grave and experienced physicians should asse●t this for a certain antidote , viz. to take nothing down but the bees themselves . the likelyhood of the conjecture doth perswade , and reason it self doth somewhat seem to favour it : for unless that dame nature had given to these bees , a very marvellous power against poysoned honey ( as amongst men to the psilli against serpents , to storks and peacocks amongst the birds ) without all doubt with gathering of it , swallowing of it , and for some time keeping of it in their bodies , yea concocting of it there , they would be grievously pained , and the poyson running and dispersing it self through all the parts would kill them . now the terrestrial honey , although it be not alwaies poysonous , yet by reason of the blackness and clamminess of it , 't is not much to be commended : also it is often found to be subject to be infected by the venomous breath of serpents , toads , red toads , and therefore is carefully to be avoided . now let us come to the qualities of honey ; whereof some are first or primary , others derived from them ; some formal , some specifical , which we deservedly call energetical , or operative . in respect of the first crasis or temper , honey is thought to be hot and dry in the second degree , for which cause galen did forbid those that are in hectick feavers , and in all feavers , young men , or those that have the yellow jaundies to use it ; whereas in cold distempers he doth very much commend it , and did prescribe it to those that were troubled with a raw and watry stomach ; whom if you gently anoint therewith , it doth very much nourish , and causeth a good colour and constitution of body . if you desire to know the second qualities of honey , ( viz. the smelling , tasting , visible , tactile ) the best honey ought not to have the eminent quality of any herb , or other thing whatsoever : and therefore the honey that doth strongly smell of thyme , galen rejects ; and yet is of it self a most sweet and fragrant smell , and not without a certain spirituous fragrancy ; such is that which in the middle of the spring , is perceived to be in the air about break of day . but if it have an ill savour , it is putrefied not being well kept . if it smell strong , it hath contracted some contagion from hemlock : if it sting as it were and prick the nose with its sent , it is an argument of some poyson , or too much acrimony couched in it . if it smell not at all , it is stark dead , no spirit in it . if it smell of thyme , linden , or teil-tree , rosemary , box , wormwood , &c. it shewes that it is degenerated into their nature . the like is to be said of the taste of honey , which is known either by the herbs , age of it , or by the colour of it to be mixt , or adulterate , or natural , that is to say , striking , and filling the tongue with a certain fine and lively sweetness , so that it may seem to some to be a little tart . as for what concerns the colour of the best honey ; in the tigremahonick and tagodostick region , that of a milky colour is preferred in hotter countreys , that which is white and transparent , but commonly that which carries away the garland and is esteemed above the rest , is yellow , and of the colour of gold. and in the second rank is that which is white and transparent , which i with aristotle should put in the first place . for that it is a sign of pure honey and not infected with any tincture of herbs . the bright shining is also by him commended if it be not summer honey , for the honey that is gathered at that season of the year ( like wax or butter ) either by reason of the abundance of yellow flowers , or the scorching heat of the air , it comes to be of a deep and full yellow , yea almost quite red . but if the erycaean or anthine appear reddish , it is not without cause accounted unwholsome , because it is not in its season . suspected and of ill name , are the black , duskie , bright red , and above all the lead colours , which whether they appear in the comb , or in the honey , sometimes are evident signs of corruption and putrefaction , and sometimes of poyson . that honey is best in touch that is fat , clammy , glutinous , heavy , and most like to the clear liquor of turpentine every where like it self , that is pure without any , or with very few dregs , that is melted with a very soft fire , and with the least cold as it were congealed into little stones . the energetical or operative qualities of honey are seen in the use of it ; the which is of divers sorts , whether you turn you to the apothecaries shop , or to the kitchen , for so mightily doth it nourish , and preserve health entire , and men long-lived , that the greeks thought the cyrneans by reason of their constant using of it , lived long , being old men , as herodotus , athenaus , and diodorus siculus testifie . pollio indeed being asked , how it came to pass that he lived to be so old as he was , made answer , because from his youth he used oyl without his body , and wine mingled with honey within . more then this all flowers , fruits , simples , and compounded medicaments , or confections by mingling them with honey are preserved entire from putrefaction ; in which faculty or virtue it so excells , that even the babylonians were wont to bury the dead corpses of their noble men in it ; as herodotus witnesseth in thalia . vintners also and such as deal in wines that will play the knaves , when they observe a piece of wine decaying , and at its last almost , then they put honey to it , to bring it to life again ; by which means the sophisticate wine appears pure , and relisheth very well upon the palat , though never so critical and curious . it is not subject to putrefaction . fruits , and all other bodies are kept in it very long . yet if it be but touched by its enemy , bread , it putrefies . they therefore that sell honey , are very wary , lest children as they pass by should dip their bread in it : for so it will presently corrupt , and turn into ants or such like creatures ; if we will believe paracelsus , for his natural skill , in the nature of things , a most famous philosopher . with admixtion of honey also galen amendeth the naughtiness of sweet meats when they begin to fail . honey mingled with other things , doth both nourish and cause a good colour ; but taken by it self without any other thing , it doth rather make the body lean than nourish it ; because it doth cause urine , and purge the belly beyond all measure . hippocrates saith , if you take the seeds of cucumers , or the seeds of any other plant , and keep them for some time in honey , and afterwards sow or set them , the fruit that groweth of them will taste the sweeter . as for the medicinal and physical vertues of honey ; it causeth heat , cleanseth sores and ulcers excellently , wears them away , and removes them in what part of the body soever gathered : as galen , avicen , celsus , and pliny have observed . it perfectly cureth the disease which causeth the hair of the head or beard to come off by the roots , called the foxes evill , and other filthy ulcers of the head . plin. to regain hair lost by the disease aforesaid , and for long agues , it is very effectual , if the party be anointed with it raw as it is ; or with the honey-comb newly dreined or emptied . galen . but above and beyond all , the oyl of honey distilled doth effect it . the water that droppeth from the honey , doth excellently cleanse the skin , provoke urine , extinguish the burning heat of feavers , open the obstructions of the bowels , quench thirst . the chaulk or salt of it , as it is of all corrosives , the least painful , so it is most energetical and operative , and therefore is very much commended by chymicks , and chirurgeons , for to cure that kernell or tumour of flesh which groweth upon the yard . but how many , and how ample virtues that quintessence of honey ( as they call it ) hath attained against the strength of all diseases whatsoever , is excellently described by isaacus belga , the predecessor of paracelsus . nay without doubt , if wilde honey , and raw , was able so to prolong the health and life of democrates , pollio , john the baptist , in a word , of the pythagoreans , and cyrneans ( as aforementioned ) how much more will it do being refined , and heightned to the highest degree of nutrition ? the epicureans who took the best way they could to provide for their health and their pleasure , fed alwaies upon ambrosia , as tzetzes reports , which did consist of a tenth part of honey ; as if they meant by the use of it , to stave off all pains and griefs , and live free from all diseases and maladies . it doth wonderfully help the ulcers in the ears if it be powred warm into them , and especially if an ill sent be joyned with them . moreover in their histing , noyses , inflamations , galen commands to instill attick honey , butter , oyl of roses , and as much warm water marcellus empyricus used to infuse into the ear that was pained . the same also very much commends honey mingled or kneaded with the ordure of a young infant , to cure the dulness of the sight , and the white spots in the eye . vegetius by this means cures the watery eyes and dropping of the eyes caused by rheume or distillation . first of all a little below the eye he drawes bloud and anoints them with the purest honey till it be whole . but yet care must be had ( as columella very well hints ) that as often as the eyes are anointed with honey , they be besmeared round about with melted pitch and oyl , lest the wasps and bees infest and hurt them . hear also what marcellus saith , touching the clearing up of the eyes , and he prescribes this : the honey pure and neat wherein the bees are dead , let that drop into the eyes ; or honey mixt with the ashes of the heads of bees , makes the eyes very clear . and again mingle attick honey with the first ordure the infant makes , together with the milk of the nurse ; and with that anoint the eyes that are so dull what ever the cause of it be ; but first of all you must binde the patient to a form or ladder ; for otherwise such is the strength of the medicine , that he will not be able to endure it . which is such a present remedy , that in three daies , it will fully restore the sight , and take away every blemish of the eye . the gall of a vulture mingled with the juice of horehound ( twice as much in weight as the gall is ) and two parts of honey cures the suffusion of the eyes . gal. in euporist . otherwhere , he mingles one part of the gall of the sea-tortoise , and four times as much honey , and anoints the eyes with it . serenus prescribes such a receipt to cause one to be quick sighted . mingle hybl●an honey with the gall of goats , 't is good to make one see withall . give infants butter and honey , for nothing is better for their breeding teeth , and for sore mouths . galen bids us rub their gums with nothing but honey . for it wonderfully helps to their breeding of teeth , preserving , cleansing and beautifying of them . also against the pain of the jawes . if with arabian honey you joyn field-poppy , it 〈◊〉 it . and sometimes pure honey is mingled with clear water : and this , as serenus and pliny testifie , doth notably cure the driness of the tongue in feavers , the quinsie ▪ and the diseases of the uvula , throat , jawes , of the tonsils ; against difficulty of breathing , and to cause one to expectorate , either by it self , or mingled with other things , it is highly commended by hippocrates . and for the convulsion of the laps of the lungs ( which useth to be a deadly disease ) the drinking of cold water , and of that wherein a honey-comb is steeped is very effectual . also , if the stomack be not hot , cholerick , bitter , nauseating or feaverish , it makes it strong and vigorous , and nourisheth it much , not suffering milk to curdle in it : it cleanseth the reins , boyled with water and butter it is good against the stone . avicenna . it easeth the pain of the spleen , but it must be outwardly applyed with the dead bees ; for taken inwardly it hurts both the liver and the spleen , saith galen . when it is raw it looseneth the belly , but boyled with the bees , or with new cheese it bindes the belly so much , that galen holds it to be a secret against the dysentery and colick passions : so doth celsus also and pliny . hippocrates mingled honey with all medicaments that were to soften the belly . honey mingled with rosin , is a cure for the cold testicles , as pliny saith , who also affirms that the ashes of oxe-leather mingled with honey , cures all running sores , and botches . nitre with honey and cowes milk , cures ulcers of the face ; and the froth of honey with oyl of walnuts , amends the burning of the skin : it is excellent for old people , and such as have cold stomachs ; and being boyled it discusses wind , and moves urine mightily . galen . hollerius reckoneth honey amongst diaphoreticks , because it openeth and maketh the passages clear : galen placeth it amongst diureticks . it layeth down its acrimony by being mingled with water , or being boyled ; and therefore galen prescribes boyled honey , to close up ulcers that are hollow . salt with meal and honey takes away the pain of a joynt that is dislocated , discusses the swelling , and makes it more apt to be reduced . i might here set down the plaister of aetius and aegineta called diamelleum , the tapsimel of arden , and all syrups that were anciently made of honey . in whose place the neotericks have put sugar , but i know not by what reason . for if honey of athens , or some as good , be at hand , and doth not want its due preparation , do not use sugar that is earthly , reedy and so full of dregs , not comparable either for use , original , or any way whatsoever with this heavenly dew honey . but to let this pass , let us reckon up the kinds of drinks and meats made of honey . six kindes of honey-drink the ancients made principally . honey and water , honey and wine , honey and vinegar , the washing of the combs , juice of some grapes and honey , sea-water and honey . the first is called by pollux and nicander , hydromel , or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . galen , pliny , aegineta and dioscorides have set down the making of it . hydromel of galen . take sweet pure clean fountain water . pounds , the best honey . pound , boyle them at a soft fire in an earthen vessel , take off the skim a top oft times , and boyl it to its thickness . if it must be drunk presently , it must be made thin as water , if it must be setup to keep , boyl it longer , till it be thick , as a julep ; if it be kept long it pierceth deeper into the parts far off , and is sooner converted into choler . also boyling acquires to it many more faculties ; for being little boyled it inflates more , it purges more , and nourisheth lesse . longer boyled , sit dissipates wind , nourisheth more and purges lesse . it is spiced at pleasure , with ginger , saffron , gallia moschata , lignum aloes , &c. it is made also another way , of honey . pound , water . pound , leaven . ovnces ; put all in a wooden vessel , leaving three or four fingers empty that it may work the better : when it hath done working , stop the vessel and let it be well hoopt , and after three months it will be fit to drink . hydromel of pliny , take of pure rain-water that hath been kept five years , pound , boyl it to thirds , add to it a third part of old honey , and in the dog-daies set it in the sun for daies , and letting it so stand , on the tenth day stop the vessel , this is called hydromel , that with age will taste like wine , made no where better than in phrygia . it was given to sick people that desired wine , but now it hath been forbidden many years . hydromel of aegineta , take the juice of bruised quinces pounds , fountain water sextarii , boyl them till they grow soft , take them from the fire , let them cool , then strain them , and crush out the quinces and cast them away , add to this water half honey , boyl it , scum it , till an eighth part be consumed : some make it of sweet apples or pears the same way . hydromel of dyoscorides , is made of two parts of old rain-water , and one part of honey mingled , and set in the sun. some call it hydromel , because it is wont to be made of the washing of the honey combs with water , but it must not be made stronger , because it will hurt sick people by too much matter proceeding from the wax . hydromel after it hath been long kept , is as strong as small wines , or lora , being but half so old . wherefore it is preferred before them in abating inflamations . the use of old metheglin is condemned , for such as are inflamed or costive , but it is good for weak stomacks , and such as loath their meat , or sick people that sweat much , or for those that are thirsty , or after a burning feaver hath wasted a man. aetius describes a clyster only of honey and water to move the belly , and with the same he cleanseth hollow ulcers . galen commends , and uses melicrate ( wherein some hysop , origanum , or thyme , or peniroyal hath been boyled ) to prepare and purge gross humours in an acute disease , but he commends it not for the want of a stomach . lately the english found out a new composition of hydromel , ( they call it varii ) and serves better for ships than any wine . the preparation is this , take barley torrefied after due sleeping in water , what you please , boyl it long in quarts of fountain water , till it taste well of the malt : i pound of this boyled with pounds of honey , and pounds of water , makes a drink that tasts most sweet , and is most healthful for use . it nourisheth well , is hardly corrupted , and keeps very long . hydromel of the moscovites , take of the decoction with hops pounds , purified honey scummed pound and half , tosted bread strowed with the flour of malt , one piece , put all into a wooden vessel well covered , and place it near a stool , take away the froth that riseth , twice a day , with a wooden skimmer that hath holes in it ; after daies set it up in your cellar , after daies drink it : they make it the same way in summer with fair water , and made this way they drink it in winter , and when they desire to be drunk . in russ and english they call it mede . . oenomeli , it is called honeyed wine . pollux calls it molicraton ; plautus , honeyed wine , others call it mulsum . aristaeus was the first that brought this into thrace , being taken with the incredible sweetness of honey and wine mingled together . mulsum made of honey of heraclea , when it growes old ceaseth to be hurtful . pliny . the new writers describe this potion thus , take gallon of the best honey , gallons of old wine , salt ounces ; it must then be skimmed as it works , then put in the salt , and season it with annise-seed , and roots of elecampane let down into the vessel with a bag . the egyptians make it otherwise , namely of raisins and honey , which they call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because it is of a very sweet taste . oenomeli spiced , take pepper washt and dried , scruples , athenian honey sextarius , and sextarii of old white wine , mingle them . celsus ( as i remember ) and caelius speak of it . aurelianus in the cure of the sciatica . also there is a kinde of mulsum which the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , consisting of ingredients . gorreus . may be it is the same which athenaeus cals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is a drink made of wine and honey , and divers herbs mingled . such as our welch men call metheglin . the irish prepare a distilled oenomeli made with honey , wine and some herbs , which they cal vsquebach , not unfit for a nation that feeds on flesh raw , or but half sod . mulsum made of sweet new wine the greeks call nectar ; to new wine sodden , they add a tenth part of honey , but this kinde is offensive to the stomach , and causeth windiness ; it is given to purge the belly . hippocrates cals it melihedia , and melichron , as galen notes . atheneus writes that another kinde , which was true nectar indeed , was wont to be made about olympus a mountain of lydia , of wine , bees-combs , and sweet flowers . i take notice that alexandrida did not think nectar to be drink , but the meat of the gods . for he saith , i eat nectar chewing , and ministring to jupiter , i drink ambrosia . yet homer and the greatest part of the poets took nectar for drink . dioscorides made oenomeli thus , take old wine sextarius's , the best honey sextarius . some that they may drink it the sooner , boyl honey with wine and strain it . some for profit sake to sextarius's of new wine working , add one of honey , and when it hath workt , they put it up in a vessel , for it remains sweet . the use of honied wine is this : it is given in long feavers that have weakned the stomach with crudities collected in it . it looseth the ▪ belly gently , it provoketh urine , it cleanseth the stomach , it is good for the disease of the joynts , faults of the reins , a weak head , and to women that drink no wine , for it is pleasant in smell , and nourisheth the body . it moveth vomit drunk with oyle , and it is profitably given to them that have drunk poyson ; as also for such as are weak , and their pulse is feeble ; for such as are troubled with a cough , and a short breath , or impostume in the lungs , and those that are wasted with extream sweating . but then it is for to mingle it with hydromel . also galen prescribes to them melicrate qualified with water , that have had a shaking fit not above a week , and nature being yet strong . some there are that utterly condemn this in feavers : but that must be understood of some times in feavers . romulus , a certain guest of caesars , being asked how he had preserved the natural vigor of his body and minde so long , ( for he was above a hundred years old ) he answered , without with oyl , within with honey and wine sodden together , as pollio did : that we may the more wonder at the use of mulsum , which the ancients esteemed very much , for that they were perswaded that all acrimony of the minde , was pacified with sweet liquors , and the spirits made peacable , the passages made softer and fitter for transpiration , and that it was also physick for manners . plinius . . oxymeli , or honeyed vinegar is thus made , as pliny thinks . take honey pound , old vinegar hemina , sea-salt pound , rain-water ( which galen likes not of ) sextarii . it must all be made scalding hot ten times , and then set in the sun , till it grow stale , and oxymel is made . but it lasts not above one year . all these , as also all made wines are condemned by themison a chief writer . galen prepares it thus . let the best honey be clarified , and add so much wine-vinegar to it , that it may please the sick mans palate , boyl them till they are well mingled ; and when you will use it , mingle as much water as you please : it is boyled enough when it sends forth no more scum . some there are perhaps that deliver these compositions somewhat otherwise , and dioscorides he differs from misues , and nicolaus from them both . in misue you shall finde ten several sorts of it ; in nicolaus i have seen seventeen : some simple , some compound with squills , thyme , flower de luce , and other herbs and roots . also gesner brought in an oxymel with hellebore , which he commends not a little in his greek epistle to adolphus otto . to make thin , thick and clammy humours , and to root them out ; but especially to make way for insensible transpiration , that is to draw forth from the center to the superficies of the body . but you shall finde every where scattered in the book of his epistles , what force it hath against melancholy , cacheria , dropsies , epilepsies , and feavers , where also you have the oxymels made with hellebore , the great and the small . . apomeli of philagrius in aegineta . take white combs full of honey pound , fountain-water pound and half ; break the combs and press out the honey , boyl this water and honey together , untill the froth of it , and that which as it were the waxy part swim a top , and be by degrees taken off , when it is cool put it into a vessel . it cools lightly , as galen saith , wherefore in phlegmone , and weariness in a feaver , it is very good . avicenna his syrup of honey , seems to be the same with this . in nicolaus you shal finde three kinds of apomeli , and in aetius , oribasius , actuarius yet more ; for they are changed according to the nature of the disease and the sick patient , that is the reason that we had rather only touch upon them , then to describe them at large . it is drunk all the summer to cool the body , at which time any man may drink of it , ( especially when it growes sowrish ) it is held to be of a middle nature between a mulsum and an oxymel . galen . it is also useful to expectorate with , to move urine , to purge the belly , and to ●ut thick humours . aegineta , ruelius . . omphacomeli , ( which grapoldus did not well translate bitter honey ) it is made of the juice of unripe grapes , saxtarii , and sextarius of honey , boyled together , or set a sunning for daies : when it hath done working , put it in a veslel and stop it close , and keep it for your u●e . the same way almost is melomeli of quinces made , rhodomeli of roses , honey of myrtils , rhoites , rhodostacte , &c. you may finde their descriptions and use in aetius . . thalassiomeli , is made of equal parts of sea-water , rain-water , and honey purified and set in the sun in a pitched vessel in the dog-daies : some to two parts of sea-water add one part of honey , and so tun it up . they both purge , but this hath far the less . gorraeus . it is pleasant in taste and smell , it purgeth gently , without troubling the stomach at all . pliny . and thus much of honied drinks . it would be too long for me , and tedious to the reader , should i set down all kinde of meats which the athenians provided with honey , and other ingredients ; therefore it shall not be needfull to rehearse them ; and it may be it is impossible : for divers nations did variously mingle honey with other things , as with milk , meat , flour , wheat , cheese , and with sesama , whence are these meats made of honey called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 juncates or honeymeats , and wafers , they have divers names as the thing is made . athenaeus . they sacrificed to ceres this bread of felicity , as the scholiast upon nicander sheweth , we call it honey-bread . also the scripture teacheth , that the nations offered wafers made with honey to the sun and moon , and to the queen of heaven : wherefore moses forbad the israelites to offer honey in their offerings unto god , leviticus the . but it may be that was rather forbid the jewes because honey hath a power of fermenting . also they made it with suet , fresh cheese , oyl and raisins ; also to cause sleep , the ancients made a kinde of meat of honey and poppy-seed , very pleasant , which they called cocetum , as festus reports . also ambrosia which was held to be the meat of the gods , had that exceeding sweetness , whereby it was thought to be so healthful , from honey , to make men immortal ; of which athenaeus and bellonius write at large . but the indians have the best and the most wholsome juncates , who were held to be barbarians , but the truth is , they may for their wit be compared with any in europe , and for what i can see , to be preferred before them . but before honey be used it must be clarified : which is thus performed : take honey and fountain water distilled of each pound , or as much as you please , boyl them and skim off all that swims a top , till all the water be consumed . then clarifie it with whites of eggs. abynzoar . but if you make it hard , pure , and fast together , mingle half a pound of the best wine to one pound of honey thus clarified , boyl them , skimming them till they grow hard , put it in a vial , and set it in boyling water , and it will grow clear , and stony like sugar-candy . if honey be but mean , it will grow better by boyling : whether honey be sophisticate or pure , you shall know by b●rning it ; for what is not sophisticate will burn purely . the author of the geoponicon . but if you would separate the quintessence of honey , oyl , salt , water , vinegar , see isaac belga , the treasure of euonymus and other chymists , we will not venture into this ocean , being already plunged in the harbour . now i shall shew you its first inventers . saturn was the first inventer of honey as macrobius and they of cyrene boast . cali●s and pliny say that aristaeus first invented honey-works . but diodorus siculus writes , that the curetes of crete first found out the use and way of honey . some ascribe this to the thessalians . others to melissus the most ancient king of the greeks . some to bacchus , as ovid testifieth . the greeks feign , that a nymph called melissa first found out honey , and the use of it , and thence she had her name given her from bees . who found it , or when , it is not much matter . it is a heavenly gift , and very profitable for men , if they use it well and warily . chap. vi. concerning wax , bee-glew , dregs of wax , pissoceros , bees-bread , and of their nature and use . wax in hebrew , donagh ; in arabick , mum , examacha , zamache , aberan ; in greek , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; in high duch , wachs ; in english , wax ; in brabant , wass ; in french , cire ; in italian , cera ; in spanish , cicrai ; it is either natural or artificial . simple and natural wax is the thicker part of the combs that contains the honey ; and it is either virgins wax , or of a second sort ; virgins wax is that the younger swarms of bees make from the young branches of flowers . ( that is the first swarm put into a new hive . ) for so , as aristotle and hollerius testifie , the bee-masters call it , which they diligently separate from the first and new combs , as being by nature the most perfect of all : the second sort , though they reject not , yet is it short of the other for esteem and worth . the way they make wax , is this : they creep upon the flowers first with their fore-feet , and they touch them but lightly , then they wipe and rub themselves in the middle of them ; then they nimbly and artificially lay down the tincture of the flowers which they have wrought with their water or moisture , and compacted between the legs of their hinder feet , and having gathered as much in quantity , and in form like a lentil , when they have this burden they carry it home to their houses . that matter is of divers colours for the nature of the flowers , as yellow , red , pale , saffron coloured , white , black : which is the cause that the wax is of so many colours : they make wax , saith pliny , of all flowers and plants , except sorrel and arrach . artificial wax , is that to which our labour and art must be used . divers authors use divers waies to make wax . palladius in the month of july , takes out the natural wax which he first prepares softly in a brass vessel full of boyling water , cutting the combs small , and after that in other vessels he makes it up into forms , being melted . pliny takes another way . the wax is made when the honey is pressed forth , but first they are cleansed with water , ( that no reliques of honey remain ) and he dries them three daies in the dark or in the shade . the fourth day he melts them at the fire in a new earthen pot , the water covering them , and then he strains them through a basket ; again the wax is boyled in the same pot and in the same water , and other cold water is put to it , so often as you see the vessels smeered about with honey . columella goes this way . after that the remainders of the combs are diligently washed with clear water , the honey having been first well strained out , they are cast into a brasse pan , then he put water to them , and melted them at the fire , then he powred the wax through straw or rushes to strain it , and then he boyled it again as he did before , and then putting water to it , he made it of what form he pleased , and when it grew hard it was easie to take it forth , because the wax hath water under it that will not let the wax stick to the forms . now wax differs two waies , for goodness and for use . the best wax is collected by the principal bees , and is so wrought by the best artists , that it may appear white , tender , handsome , all like it self , pure , somewhat fat , well sented , without nerves or skins , hairs or any superfluous matter . such as nonius marcellus describes out of varro for tarentine wax made by the bees or miletus . wax is so much the more depraved , the farther it is from these good signs . the use of wax is twofold , for physick , or for other matters what concerns physick : wax is a mean between hot and moist , cold and dry , and emollient . it hath some gross parts , and that stopt , it not only dries , but seems by accident to moisten by hindring transpiration . hence it is the matter of other medicaments . but by it self it digests lightly , being laid outwardly , for it hath a little discussing hot faculty , of which it partakes as much as honey doth . in drink it cures the dysentery , ten grains of wax swallowed so big as millet seeds , will not suffer milk to clodder in nurses breasts . dioscorid . aetius bids to give it in the bigness of three tares . a certain anonymus , prescribes this remedy against pains of the head and malignant humours arising from a feaver or any other cause . take virgins wax what you please , soften it at the fire that you may work it at your pleasure : lay it as a cap on the shorn head of the patient , and upon that put on a linnen cap that it fall not off . after three daies lay it off , or use it so long till you finde the pain gone . put wax into the hollow tooth that akes , and with a hot probe touch it . archigenes . wax applyed to the nerves and tendons being bare , will cover them with flesh and cure them . aetius . for the cold pain of the joynts . take a clout dipt in melted wax , lay it handsomely and as closely on as the sick can endure it for one night , and it will cure it . galenus . moreover it is good to anoint the ears with bears grease , and buls tallow , and melted wax . marcellus . you may discuss corns in the eyelids with a fomentation of white wax . gal. ex archigen . no man that is not an enemy of truth , will deny but that oyl of wax is of principal use to cure pains of the gout , to soften hard swellings , and to heal wounds and ulcers . also it is mingled as galen witnesseth to the medicament of asclepias against an ozena , and it is a certain cure for the jaundies . a certain lady of most blessed memory , wonderfully recommended these pills to gesner : take the yolk of an egge boyled hard , and as much wax , with some grains of saffron and syrup of worm-wood . make pills to take morning and evening . they cause thirst exceedingly , but being continued by degrees without drink , they root out the disease . also a ball is made of wax to keep up the womb subject to fall down ; and medicaments made up with it will last the longer . clodius the follower of asclepias . the greeks were wont to give the cyrenian juice wrapt up in wax , to swallow it the better . celius aurel. it is also the ground of all cerats and plaisters . myrepsus was the first that made a plaister without wax . it not only preserves the living , but it keeps the dead also from putrefaction , for which cause , as now it is used by us , to wrap up persons of great fortunes in wax , ( as strabo reports the persians were wont to do . ) by a waxen probe hollow ulcers are best to be searched . the carthaginian wax is the best for medicaments , the next is the pontick , which is very yellow , and smells like honey , being very pure . pliny . which thing i wonder at amongst honey that is venomous : the third in esteem is from crete , which is from abundance of bee-glew : the last is the corsick wax , because it is collected from box , it is thought to have a physical quality . now followes the use of wax otherwise . they that are rich , or sick , or great men , desire their candles to be made of it , by reason of the sweet smell . also the use of wax is not small in stopping the chinks in vessels , for tents in the camp to keep out rain , for bed-ticks that the feathers fly not out , to joyn pipes made of reeds , as ovid sang concerning the shepherds of old . and with the reed w●ll waxed they play'd and sang . also the most excellent painters painted with wax , as pliny reports , and they adorned ships with it . this kinde of painting , though it were not hurt by salt , nor by the sun , nor by the wind , yet it was lost we know not how , when apelles , protogenes , and zeuxis died . also the ancients were wont to smeer over their writing tables with wax before that paper was invented , as juvenal describes it . and the younger pliny in his epistle to trajan ; i sate by the nets , there was no hunting pole or lance by me , but a style and writing tables , i did meditate and set down some things , that though i should have my hands empty , my writing tables might be full . hence proceeded those old forms of speaking , in the first , second , third , or last wax . for suetonius proves that the romans writ their testaments in wax ; in the life of caesar in these words . he made q. pedius his heir to the last farthing , the rest he placed in the bottom of the wax , that is , in the last part of his will. nor is the use of sealing wax little , whereby we seal letters and instruments . of this there are four principal kindes , the punick or white , the red or indian , the black or american , the yellow or european . the punick is made thus . the yellow wax is often laid in the open air , then they boyl it in sea-water , adding nitre to it : then with skimmers they take off the flower of the wax , and they powr ●t into a vessel that hath a little cold water in it ; then they boyl it apart in sea-water , then they cool the vessel . this is done thrice , and they then dry it on a bul-rush hurdle by day and by night in the open air , for this makes it white , the honey being drawn forth by the sun , and the yellow colour breathed forth : when it is dryed they melt it , when it is melted they cover it with a thin cloth , and set it in the sun , after it hath stood in the sun it becomes exceeding white , being boyled once more . wax is made white otherwise , but this is the most proper for medicaments . pliny . i see that the greeks speak of is no other than which pliny calls the punick wax . aetius speaks of white wax in the vnguent martiatum , and paulus speaks of it also . black wax is either natural , as in the molucco islands , and many parts of america , it is gathered by the bees themselves ( as we read in thevet and in the centuries of navigations ) or artificial , adding the ashes of paper . red wax or like minium of india , is made with mingling anchusa or cinnaber . there is another kinde of red wax , hard like a stone , but easie to break , the merchants think their letters sealed with this to be very sure : yet there are some knaves so cunning that they will open them and shut them again not hurting them , that no man can possibly discern it ; which art , though a chief impostor shewed to pennius when he was at paris , yet he was too honest to reveal it to this mischievous age . the european honey is of the natural colour , that is , yellow . but the colour and variety of things hath so bewitched us , that we are not content with natural colours , but we must imitate the punick , indian , american waxes , and above those we must have green , dark light , blew wax , made of verdigrease and other paints , and some turpentine . propolis the arabians call kur , the greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the germans , vorstotz , neben wachs , wachs winden , stop wachs ; the helvetians , ( if i mistake not ) bet , and bi●●e● trost ; the english , hive-dross ; the spaniards , el vetun de las colmenas . scribanius takes it for virgins wax : sylvatieus falsly takes it for the dregs of the hives : andreas bellunensis calls it the foulness of the walls , and sayes , that some abuse it for bdellium . some maintain that propolis drops from trees , others say it is the first comb . it is indeed a thicker yellowish matter , sweet sented , like to storax , and dustie like mastick , like to wax , but not yet made wax , whereby all passages are stopt against cold and rain . the third sort is that black matter , and sharp sented , which aristotle calls mitys , gaza and pliny call commosis , the dregs of wax : the second is called pissoceros , as you would say , a matter made of pitch and wax . the third propolis is of a middle nature between these two supporters and wax , laid very thick at the mouthes of the hives , chiefly in summer ; and therefore it is called propolis , as you youl l say belonging to the suburbs . because the bees build with it at the doors before the hive . propolis ( saith cordus out of pliny ) perhaps is some rosin gum , growing upon the budding places of trees , which bees gather and hang about the entrances of their hives , to stop all chinks in winter against the cold . there are four sorts of it . the first is collected only out of the black poppy , which they call aegyrina , that is , yellow ; it is soft to be touched , and sticks like bird-lime , it smels sweet and comfortable to the head , causeth rest , and is like storax , it tastes like poplar buds . the second is gathered from the birch-tre● , and is of a colour between a yellow , ash , and green , it is soft and ductil also in handling . the third the bees make out of the gum of the poplar tree , called alpina , but it is but seldom , and only in those places , where no other poplar tree or birch abounds , but only that is called alpina . the fourth or mingled , is gathered and confounded from all these trees , so that it hath a mixt colour , sent , ●avour , and consistence . cordus saith almost so much ; now let us hear pliny . propolis is a kinde of middle substance between honey and wax ; rather between wax and pissoceros ; and it seems to be gum collected by the bees to stop up their hives . rondoletius saith , it hath a thick substance , and the smell of leaven . pliny saith , it smels so strong that some use it for galbanum . but in the spring gathering time of honey , this part that shuts their cells may be separated , of which politianus writes thus : that the bee laies a white foundation of his various coloured wax . so that propolis seems to be a thick foundation for the wax . but it is now out of use , nor can any man finde pure propolis . for most bee-masters taking out the hives , when all the honey is run forth , whatsoever is in the combs they mingle together , and keep none pure by it self ; nor is that wax which avicen calls black mum , any thing but the dregs of the combs , or else some sediment that sinks to the bottom of the water after the wax is boyled , and this is now propolis ; but propolis is not pure , but some mingled matter . the nature of propolis , is to dissolve in oylas wax , but it is more ponderous and thick , and sinks to the bottome of it being melted , when wax swims on the top . choose the sweetest , purest , not sophisticate with wax , which you may easily part by powring it into water . the best propolis is said to be pure , most fragrant , without wax . that of crete and passidium is the most effectual , the bees collect the greatest part of it from the unctuosity of storax and labdanum ; they collect it questionless out of other plants : for they make propolis where neither the poplar tree , nor birch , nor any of the foresaid plants grow . great is the vertue of pure propolis , upon the gross spirits , and it draws faulty matter out from the depth . hollerius . it is of the nature of wax , but it powerfully drawes forth . dioscorid . celsus placeth it in the number of biting remedies , saying that it digests and moves matter in ulcers . aetius sayes that it heats , discusses , ripens , cleanses , attracts . the cleansing force is not very strong , the attracting is strong enough , it is of thin parts , it heats in the second degree complete , or in the beginning of the third : you must first soften it with your hands before you mingle it with other medicaments , and then taking the rest from the fire , put it in and boyl it , for it will not well endure any boyling at the fire . it drawes out thorns and all splints that are within . aetius . varro saith , that for its manifold uses it was sold dearer in the market than honey . may be therefore propolis was called holy wax , because of viasacra where they sold it at rome , as largus writes in the cures of hard swellings . they draw forth thorns and such bodies sticking in the flesh , with runnet , ( especially of a hare ) powder of frankincense , and propolis . pliny . it helps an old cough with its smell . it cures the rose with water , and roots out ring-worms by anointing them . diorscorid . it cures ozaenas : serapio . pliny l. . c. . tells of more of its physical uses . aristotle calls erithaca sandaracha , others call it cerinthum , and smerion , l. . aristot . de plant. the learned call it vernilago ; some from the time of the year , vernix ; this glew , saith niphus , the countrey lombards call carbina , but ours taram . it is the meat the bees make , which they lay in the void spaces of their combs ; it tasts bitter , it is made of spring dew , the juice of trees , and sometimes of gum . that of africa smels little ; that from the south parts is blacker ; from the north is better and redder ; there is much from the grecian nut-trees . menecrates saith it is a flower , that shewes the future harvest . plin. varro saith , it is not meat , but glew , whereby the bees fasten their combs at the ends together . it forcibly calls forth the swarms : where they would have the swarms light , they anoint a bough with erithaw , or any other place , adding balm . virgil , i think , following varro , calls it glew . mytis , commosis , ( stephanus calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) and pissoceros , cures strokes and ulcers . aristotle . what use it hath in the hives , we said enough before . chap. vii . of drones and theeves . the drone called in latine , fucus , is called in greek , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in the illyrian tongue , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; in english , a drone , a dran ; in high dutch , traen ; low dutch , belonder strael ; in spanish , zangano ; in italian , ape che non fa mele ; in french , bourdon , and fullon ; in the hungarian tongue , here ; in the polonian , czezew . the word fucus , a drone , is derived as some think from fur , which signifies a thief , because privily and by stealth he makes prey upon the honey : although with more probability the word fucus may be so used , because he doth cheat and cousen the bees , and under colour of keeping the hives warm , ( which is his office to do ) he ransacks the combs . and for that reason , some with too much confidence , perhaps , derive the latine word fucus from the greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , signifying to eat or devour ; others will have it come à fovendo , in regard of their sitting upon , and nursing up the young swarm . some make the drone to be a fourth sort of bees , but not so well as others think , because he neither gathers honey himself , nor doth any way help in the working or making of it up . he is almost twice as big as the ordinary bee , and somewhat bigger also then the thief ; he is as big likewise as the king , and somewhat bigger . although they do not arrive at this corpulency , by the dispensation of nature , but by their course of life that they take . for when the bee doth set apart cells for the drones to breed in , they make them lesser then their own . and the little schadowes or worms whereof they come are far lesse than those of the bees ( who are sprung of the noble race , and of the stock of the bees ) in their first birth ; which at length become a great deal bigger than the bees , both by reason they never take any pains whereby to spend their natural superfluities ; and also in regard that they do nothing night and day but ( like oxen at the stall ) never leave glutting and gorging themselves with honey , which afterwards they dearly pay for , when provision happens to be short , and there fals out a dearth . they have a bright shining colour , but mixt with more black than that of the bees ; in bulk they exceed them all , but yet without sting and idle . they both breed and live amongst the bees , and when they go abroad , they presently spread all abroad aloft in the air , as if driven by violence , where for a while they bestir themselves , and afterwards return to the hives with good stomachs , falling greedily to the honey . but why the drone should equalize the chief bees in bigness , and the bees also in having stings as well as they ; let us hear aristotles reason . nature did desire , saith he , to put a difference between them , that they should not be all of one kinde , which is impossible ; for so the whole stock would be either kings or drones . the bees therefore are like unto the kings or master-bees in strength , and in the faculty of generation ; and the drones only in bulk or bignesse of body , to whom if you should give a sting also , they would be nothing inferiour to the kings themselves , l. . de gen . animal . c. . they are called also of the greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because they hide their stings . from hence hesiod , hath these words , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , who lives idly , having strength like the drone that never sheweth his sting ; certainly either they have no sting , or never use it to revenge themselves withall . pliny saith plainly they have none , and terms them no other then in a manner imperfect bees , and therefore virgil calleth them ignavum pecus , a sluggish kinde of creature . suidas calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from hiding their sting . columella , a sort of creatures of a greater growth , very like the bees , and accordingly he placeth them in the rank of herding or swarming creatures . they suffer egregiously of the whole swarm many times , not only for their sloth and rapacity ; but for that wanting a sting they seem effeminate , and not able to make any opposition . plin. l. . c. . describeth them thus : the drone is an imperfect bee without a sting ; and begotten then after all when the bee is decayed with labour , not being able to labour any longer . like as men past their labour , and stricken in age , beget of women when they have well-nigh left teeming through age and weakness , feeble children , uncapable of procreation , little better then eunuchs : so it may not seem strange , how these drones are too weak and impotent , being begotten of the bees when they are exhausted with age and labour , insomuch that they are fit neither to propagate their one species , nor to take pains as the other do . which is the reason why the bees so lord it over them , for they put them first forth to work , & if they loyter , they punish them without mercy . for in the moneth of june , two or three ( especially the younger fry ) drag out one drone by himself alone , buffet him with their wings , gore him with their stings , if he resist them , they cast him down from the form upon the ground , and at length when they have made him weary of his life for anguish , they make an end of him and kill him ; this i beheld with mine eyes , not without exceeding admiration and delight . sometimes the drones being banisht from the hive , are fain to remain without doors , not daring to enter . now for three reasons especially thereunto moving , the bees do shut out the drones : either when their number is above measure increased ; or when there is not room enough left for the bees to work in , or else when their honey fails , and they are straightned for want of provision . and as they bear a deadly hatred against the drones , so neither will they hurt any man if with his naked hands he shall take the drones and cast them forth , no although they be in fight . the drones , if the king be alive , ( as some affirm ) are begotten in a place by themselves . but if the king be dead , they are begotten of the bees in their cells , and those are a great deal lustier than the other , in which regard , they are said to have a sting in their souls , although they are allowed none in their bodies by nature . ' thus aelian . lib. . de animal . hist . c. . the drone which is bred amongst the bees , lies hid all day between the honey cells ; but in the night when he observes that the bees are gone to their rest and are fast asleep , he sets upon their works and preys upon their hives . this assoon as they understand ( for that most of the bees being weary with labour fall asleep , and some few watch ) when they espy the thief , they moderately and gently chastise him , crop his wings , thrust him out from thence and banish him . but not content with this punishment , whereby to amend his fault , being naturally possest with two ill qualities , idleness and luxury , he hides himself amongst the combs . but assoon as the bees are gone forth to pasture , presently he falls upon the works , doth as much as in him lies , gl●●s himself with honey , and utterly ransacks the sweet treasury of the bees . they coming home again from feeding , as soon as they meet with him , no more favour him as before , with easie stripes , or as if they were about only to banish him again , but setting upon him with their stings they wound the felon , and no more satisfie themselves with chiding of him , but then he payes for his voracity and gluttony with no lesse than his life . this the bee-masters say and perswade me that it is true . drones come forth without a king , the bees never . for they alwaies descend from kings . there are that affirm , that the young drones are brought thither from other places from the flowers of honey-suckles , or of the olive or ●eed : but this opinion is infirm , and doth not stand with reason . aristotle affirms that the great store both of drones and theeves are sprung of the longer and slender kinde of bees , which doubtlesse he was informed of by the ancient philosophers , or by bee-keepers , and honey-masters of his time . some likewise say they are ingendred of putrefaction ; as of mules , so isidore ; of asses , so cardane ; of horses , so plutarch and servius . others will have them to be the issue of bees by a certain degeneration , when they have lost their stings , for then they become drones , nor are observed to gather any honey , and being as it were gelt of their natural strength , they neither do harm or good . others on the contrary say , that the bees are bred of the drones , because long experience hath taught , that as the number of drones aboundeth , by so much every year is the number of the swarms greater . but that in my apprehension is rather a feigned than a solid reason : for therefore are there not ( as some seasonable years it comes to passe ) more swarmes of bees , because more drones are bred ; but rather on the contrary , because the increase of bees is more in regard of the clemency of the heavens , and the plenty of mellifluous dews , so from the abundance of superfluous moisture proceed the greater store of drones ; as the philosopher hath well collected . or if we grant them this , that the more the drones are every year , so the more bees ; yet nothstanding we ought not to conclude from thence , that the bees should derive their original of being to the drones , but rather are beholding and indebted to them for their conservation , whilest they at the time of sitting and incubation , by their company do much further the procreation of the bees ; the throng of them ( to use the words of pliny ) exceedingly encreasing the vegetative heat , by which they are sooner hatched up . there are that divide the drones into male and female , and will have them to propagate their species by way of copulation , although ( as athenaeus writes ) neither drone nor bee were ever seen to couple together . yet forasmuch as wasps and bumble bees , and all other hiveborn insects , are seen sometime ( though very seldome ) to couple : i see no reason why the modesty of the bee and of the drone , whereby they abandon publick scortation and venery , should debar them of the private use of copulation . for they , as the chaster sort of men are wont , do it privately , and do naturally detest the impudence of those that publickly prostitute themselves in the day time , and when all eyes are upon them . we have told you before in the generation of bees , that some would make the bees the male , and the drones the female . but when as ( about the time of making their honey ) they do so sharply punish them after they have cast them out of their hives , and kill them ( such violence which if used to their mothers , would much blemish the virtues of the bees ) i scarse think they are females . of what use then are they of in the hives ? is the drone altogether unprofitable , good for nothing , idle , without sting , fit for no service , no way helpful to the publick ? more than that , virgil himself chants it to that effect : immunisque sedens aliena ad pabula fucus . the drone sits free feeding on others food . where festus takes the word in that sense for a slothful , idle , unprofitable creature , void of all imployment , unlesse it be that of theeves and robbers , who take such a course that either they will live by the sweat of other mens browes , or else they will disturb the whole kingdom . such like hesiod makes women to be , when he compares them to drones . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 which is , i interpret it in latine thus : qui segnes resident contectis aedibus , atque sudorem alterius proprium furantur in alvum . or , in english thus : who sit at home , and to work have no will , with others sweat they do their bellies fill . but more creditable authors propound divers uses of drones : for if there be but a few of them amongst the bees , they make them more diligent and careful in their businesse , not by their example , ( for they live perpetually idle ) but because they take the more pains in making honey , that they may be able to continue their liberality to strangers . they discover also signs whereby to know when the honey is come to maturity : for when they have perfected their honey , then they kill them in abundance , lest they should ( as their custome is ) rob them of it in the night ; for as aelian saith , the drone all the day lies quietly in the honey cells , but in the night when he perceives that the bees are in their dead sleep , he sets upon their works and destroies their combs . but yet ( if barth●lomaeus deceive us not ) they are not unbusied neither ; but they build houses for the kings , large and magnificent in the top and middle part of the hive very finely covered over . they are therefore idle ( to say say with aristotle ) in regard of making honey or gathering dew ; but in regard of their architecture so they are workmen . for as the bees make the combs of the drones hard by the kings court , so under the same consideration the drones build the kings houses , which is the reason why they and their young ones ( if they have any ) are sustained by the bees . the cells of the drones now grown up according to the bulk of their bodies are larger , but their combs lesse , for the bees built these , but those the made themselves ; because it is not fitting that the same proportion of food should be allowed to hindes and hired servants , as to the child●en or masters of the family . tzetzes in his elegant poem , and other of the greek poets , make them to be the bees cellarmen , or water-bearers , and do assign unto them a most kindly heat whereby they are said to hatch the young bees and make them thrive . in like manner columella : the drones do very much help to breed the young bees , by sitting upon those seeds out of which they are made . and the●efore they are more familiarly admitted to the nursery to bring up and cherish the young b●ood , which when they have done , afterwards they are thrust out of doors . and pliny also in his . book . they do not assist the bees in their architecture only , but also in cherishing their young , the multitude of them causing heat and warmth , the which the greater it is ( unlesse the honey chance to fail in the mean time ) the more the swarmes of bees are increased . to conclude , unlesse they had been for some great use for the bees , almighty god had never housed them under one roof , nor made them , as it were , free denisons of the same city . neither would the bees lay hands on them at all as enemies of the state , but when their servile multitude doth increase and they take up offensive arms , or scarcity of provision were to be suddenly expected : in which tempest of affairs who would not rather judge that the carpenter should be dismissed than the ploughman ? especially when without him by reason of want of victuals , we may hazard our lives , but the other we may be without for a time , without prejudice to our lives , and our selves ( if need requires ) are able to build habitations every one for himself . now as these , being but a competent number of them , are very profitable to the bees , so if they be over many , plato not without cause terms them morbum alvearium , the pest or plague of the hive , in the . book of the common-wealth ( where you may see a most elegant comparison between acolastus and the drone ) both because they waste the provision of the labouring bees , as also with their too much heat stifle them . this inconvenience the author of the geoponicks doth thus remedy ; take the covers of the hives and sprinkle them on the inside over night with water , and you shall finde them betimes in the morning , when you take off the cover of the hives again all over covered with the drones ; for when their bellies are full of honey , they are very thirsty , and are mightily perplext with an intolerable desire of water ; so that they cling fast to the lid of the hive ; and it is an easie matter to put them all to death , or if you will rather to take away the greatest part of them . but if you take away the young ones and all , that are not yet come to have wings , and pluck off their heads , casting the bodies in again to the other bees , you shall offer to them a very dainty dish . moreover also if you shall take the drone and crop off his wings and cast it back into the hive , he will if we may credit pliny , pull of● all the wings of the rest , lib. . c. . or rather the bees themselves will devour the wings of the rest of the drones that are left . for so saith aristot . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . for it is not probable that either the bees should crop one the others wings ; or that the drones should so far adventure , or be able to offer such violence to the bees : so that as pliny was mistaken in reading 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , so also they do not a little speak by guesse , who refer the words 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the rest , to the bees and not to the drones . but what the dreaming of drones doth portend , what use they may be of in the way of hieroglyphicks : let apomasaris out of the schools of the persians and aegyptians declare . it shall abundantly satisfie for what we intended to speak of them , to shew their true use , true nature , generation , degeneration , description and name . but as for what belongs to emblemes and hieroglyphicks , and precepts for manners ; every mean capacity may furnish himself with a world of such like rules by observing their course of life ; without any need of consulting with those abstruse aegyptian priests . the theeves are thought to be amongst the bees of a kinde by themselves that are very big , and black , bigger in belly than the profitable bee , and lesser than the drone . so called because they devour the honey by stealth . bees admit of the drone into their company , and are glad , of it as being helpful to them , for their benefit sometimes . but the theeves being naturally odious to the bees , steal upon their labours when they are absent , wasting and spoyling their provision of honey . yea they do so glut themselves in the mean while , that they are not able many times to get out again they are so full , or to stand in their own defence ; whereupon the bees at their return without any more adoe , severely punish them , and according to their just demerits kill them outright . neither do they eat up the bees food , but also privily lay their young in their cells , whereby it comes to passe oftentimes , that the increase of the drones and theeves is no lesse than that of the true legitimate bees . now these neither gather honey , nor build houses , nor take any pains , as the other bees do , for which cause they have watchmen which observe at night when they come home , and they defend and secure them from the theeves , and if they spie a thief come in , they set upon him and beat him , throw him out of doors and there leave him for dead or half dead at least . for so it happens , that the thief having filled himself with honey is not able to fly away , but tumbles up and down at the door of the hive , till they that go out and in finde him , and having branded him with ignominy and scorn , deprive him of his life . aristotle doth not tell us of any office that the thief is good for : but i think that he was made for this end , namely , that he might put an edge to the courage of the bees in point of injuries offered them , and that they might be stirred up to more vigilancy and justice : for what use else do theeves serve for in a christian common-wealth , who with incredible fraud lie in wait for the credit and estates of their neighbours . chap. viii . of wasps . the wasp is called in hebrew , tsirgna ; in chaldee , deibrane ; in syriack , gnargnitha ; in arabick , zamber ; in english , ▪ a wasp ; in dutch , harsell ; in italian , vespa , vrespa , moscone ; in french , guespe ; in spanish , vespa and abilpa ; gothish , boolgetingh ; in slavonick , wols ; illyrick , osa ; hungarick , daras ; in latine , vespa . they are called vespae , as calepine notes , for that in the evening they seek about for flies to feed on . the greeks also have several names for them ; commonly they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , eustathius derives 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because you may perceive them so divided in the middle that they seem to gape , as you may observe in the figure set down . the scholiast of nicander calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; of suidas , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; hesychius termes them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; gaza ( but abusively ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , for they ought to be called rather crabrones . i think they all in general are armed with stings , ( what ever authors write that their females are without stings ) because when i was at ha 〈…〉 , a village town in the west , about the year . having found an entire wasps nest , i poured hot water upon all the females and killed them , and yet could finde none that had not a sting , either within their bodies , or sticking out . the body of the wasp is bound in the middle to the breast with a certain exceeding thin thred , that they seem to have no loins at all , and to be quite through open : whereupon that greek comick poet calls those maids , ( which terence by way of elegance calls bulrushes ) for their slendernesse in the waste 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , waspy or like wasps . they make a buzzing noise also like the bee , but more loud and hoarse , especially when they are angry ; upon which came that proverb made by theocritus in hodaeporis , in comparison of a bawling idiot , to a man of learning and parts , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. the buzzing wasp against the gras●opper . if you will have the endowments of his minde described , he is a political and flocking or gregal creature , subject to monarchy , laborious , a lover of his young , and a lover of his neighbour , of a very quarrelsome disposition , and very prone to choler . it is a sign that their life is political , because they live not solitary , but do build themselves a city eminent for structure , in which they are subject to their set lawes , and do yeeld to them as wel in their external actions , as in affections . whereupon he philosopher doth rightly reckon them in the number of the civil or political sort of insects . they are governed also by kingly power , not tyranny ( as aelian saith ) although by nature very fierce ; making his argument , because captains of the wasps want stings , or if they have any , they never put them forth or strike with them . and although they be twice as big and hard above all the rest , yet are they not without gentlenesse , and grateful demeanour , with which also sometimes they restrain , and appease their rebellious and mutinons subjects . but of their mutual love one towards another , every man is able to give a testimony ▪ whosoever he be that shall offer injury to any one of them near home , for with his buzzing and making a noyse , all the swarm being terrified issue out to the succour of their neighbour ; and will cause the troublesome stranger , although armed , to run away ( as they did the phaselites of old ) of whom aelian reports that by the multitude and fiercenesse of the wasps they were quite beaten out of the city . as for unnaturalnesse toward their young , that it is a vice which is very far from their disposition and nature , as many things do evince , so that above all , that with more than heroick undauntednesse of courage , they set upon those that would surprize them ; neither do they stand in fear of either neoptolemus , or hector , or achilles , or agamemnon , the general of all the grecian forces , yea that divine poet homer in the . of his iliads , when he would expresse the generous spirits of the grecian commanders , he compares them to a speckled wasp , and endowed with the wasps animosity and stout heartednesse , when they are put upon it to fight for their house and family . they do moreover erect for their children large structures , ( and as it were like those mausolea of the aegyptians ) of a round form , floored , and standing one on the top of the other . one of these fabricks most curiously built , was brought to pierius when he was at belunum out of a certain solitary grove . there were seven stories of building set one on the top of the other two fingers space between each of them , disjoyned by the putting of certain columns or pillars between them , that there might be a convenient space left to passe in and out of their lodgings . the diameter of the orbs up to the fifth story about twelve fingers over , all the other from the fifth are narrowed up to the top by degrees , so that the last is about five or six fingers broad . the greater round contains the first room , fastned to the bough of an old tree , very well fenced above with a certain rough-cast to keep off all wind and weather . within are six square cells standing very thick together ; but the middle concamerations the multitude of wasps had filled , a very thin leaf being laid over every hole for a covering , some of which when pierius had taken away he observed all those chambers to be full of wasps creeping with their heads to the bottome of them . those in the rooms below were certain imperfect things like embryons or little worms , which were covered over with the same covering , as it were a winter oister , in expectation of the more milde season of the spring . which building although there succeeded a very sharp winter did remain entire , and no way decayed ; at length pierius expecting what should be done with these little worms when the spring came , he perceived nature to make no further progresse in her work with them . but still the fabrick was kept by him , not without the great admiration of those that saw it , wondering much to see so much art and cunning in those little creatures , and that they were able to hold out to finish such an elaborate edifice . this relates pierius . i also have seen many such , but of a different fashion , some like a harp , some like a cup , some like a pear , some like a toadstool , some like a bottle . the matter of their combs is said to be confused , heaped up together , like bark or cobwebs , transparent , gummy , and made into very thin plates like leaf-gold ; but i found it alwaies light like paper , dry , easily puft hither and thither by the wind , and for the most part growing up from the bottom like a turban . as for the place where they use to build , it is thought to be divers . if their chieftain be dead , they make their nests alost in the hollow places of trees or walls , and in these as some affirm ( though i never could finde any ) they make wax also . but if they have their master wasp , they build under ground in six square cells according to the number of their feet , and after the fashion of the bees . their combs are made in the form of a large toadstool , round , out of which there comes out in the middle or center as it were a little foot by which the cell is fastened to the tree , or to the earth , or to another cell . but so tender are they over their mates or females , that they will neither suffer them to take any pains , nor to seek after any provision ; but they themselves bring in all necessaries to them , and do as it were enjoyn them to keep at home . all which things , and each particular being considered by any man , he must needs confesse the pain , industry , cunning , sweat and labour of the wasp . as for their choler and frowardnesse of the wasp , not only poultrey that scrape in their nests and trouble them , but in like manner all that provoke them do know them to be implacable : from whence arose the proverb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. to contend with a wasps nest . of which sort something to that purpose was written on the tomb of hippocrates , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. do not rouse a sleeping wasp . and so aristophanes in vespis , when he would expresse a cruel , morose , fretful , quarrelsome sort of people , calls them waspish , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . clem. alexandrinus also , when he would set forth the acerbity and bitterness of those vices that lye in wait for the souls of men , saith , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. these , especially pleasure , are sturdy olympick antagonists , and more tart than wasps . to which may be added a certain speech of themistius discour 〈…〉 ng of the speeches of many malevolous adversaries , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( saith he ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : they railed upon me as it had been a swarm of stinging wasps . which oftentimes proves mortall , as phrynichus knew by experience from the milesians , and the phaselites were sufficiently instructed by their own great miseries : yea , whosoever he be that shall challenge this generous and redoubted champion into the field ( to use nicander's words ) shall obtain but cadmus conquest , he shall surely be worsted and slain ; for they do not fight so much with their stings as with the strength of their bodies , and more than that , when they fight they will never give over , being not only strong but resolute . notwithstanding they differ in their original , kinde , sex , age , place , diet , and labour . isidore affirms that wasps come out of the putrefied carkasles of asses , although he may be mistaken , for all agree that the scarabees are procreated from them : rather am i of opinion with pliny l. . c. . and the greek authors , that they are sprung from the dead bodies of horses , for a horse is a valiant and warlike creature , hence is that verse frequently and commonly used amongst the greeks . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . wasps come of horses , bees from bulls are bred . and indeed their more then ordinary swiftnesse and their eagernesse in fight , are sufficient arguments that they can take their original from no other creature ( much lesse from an asse , hart , or oxe ) since that nature never granted to any creatures else , to excell both in swiftness and valour . and surely that i may give another sense of that proverb of aristotle , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , hail the daughters of the wing-footed steed : this would i suppose fit to be spoken in way of jest and scorn to scolding women , which do imitate the hastiness and froward disposition of the wasp . other sorts of them are produced out of the putrid corps of the crocodiles , if horus and the aegyptians be to be believed , for which reason when they mean a wasp , they set it forth by an horse or crocodile . nicander gives them the name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because they sometimes come from the dead carkasses of wolves . bellenacensis & vincentius say , that wasps come out of the putrefaction of an old deers head , flying sometimes out at the eyes , sometimes out of the nostrils . from hence cardan seems to have collected this observation , that out of the corruption of every creature , there is another sort produced ; which would be very absurd ; for by this means generation would be infinite , and likewise daily experience doth teach the contrary . for that little beast which i term tatinum alberti , doth naturally produce nothing at all , as i have tryed a thousand times . there are those also that affirm that wasps are begotten of the earth and rottenness of some kinde of fruits ; as albertus and the auabick scholiast : but for the most part they are begotten by copulation , and the mutual embraces of the male and female ; which although atheneus l. . dipnos . esteems as fabulous , yet when as the philosopher affirms that he saw it with his eyes ( as l. . de gen . anim . c. . & . hist . c. . it is evident ) i am wholly of his opinion , and do give full suffrage to his assertion . but how after copulation , they grow and come to maturity , we may know of arist . hist . . c. . and pliny his interpreter . the master wasps , when they have chosen them a convenient place under ground , in the chinks of walls , or ( which i have often seen ) in the thatch of houses ; in the beginning of summer they make their nests , and they contrive their little nests or cells ( which the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) with doors or passages , in which are begotten worms only , not wasps , which when they are grown up , then they make larger cells , and when they c●me to have young ones , then they make more still , so that at the latter end of autumn , you have many and large nests builded ; in which the chieftain or master wasp ( which is called the matrix ) procreates ●s more wasps , but those of his own sex ; which also are begotten aloft in the uppermost part of the nest , in the likeness of worms , but far bigger than the other , in four or more cells continued , or joyned one to another , otherwise there would be no difference in their breeding , between the master or nobler sort , and the ordinary wasp . they let fall their sperm as the bee doth at the sides of the cells of the comb , and sbove them close to the walls or outmost part . it is not all alike in all cells , nor of equal bigness , but in some unequall and strange ( saith pliny ) . in some so big that they are able to fly : in others only nymphs , covered with a thin membrane like an aurelia : some also have them yet in the worm . the worms only have excretion in like manner as the bees have . their sperm or spawn doth not stir at all whiles it is in the nymph , and is covered with a membrane . in the same time of the year , and the same very day you shall observe them to be of unequal growth , one flies abroad , another is only a nymph ; one is able to role or tumble , another not able to stir , a third is a little worm . all these things happen in the autumn , ●ut in the spring . they most increase at the time of the full moon . here then is to be noted , that the wasps have no swarms , and that all the summer they are governed by their masters or male wasps , but in the winter by their females . afterwards the multitude of their issue being rehewed , the government such as it is , of short continuance and weak , however , upheld with most just lawes , returns to the males . but yet notwithstanding their young seems not to be brought forth by way of birth , saith arist . because it presently becomes bigger than a wasp should be able to bring forth . a very sterile and empty conceit of so renowned a philosopher . for what should hinder that nature should not be able as quickly to perfect and increase that which is produced by a legitimate birth , as that which is generated of putrefaction ? let us but call to minde the young ones of fowles , which in a very short time when they are once out of the shell , do get feathers on their backs ; how soon do they go , feed , grow , and come to maturity ? and then we shall easily see the weakness and improbability of the philosophers argument . the master wasps are greatly increased in number , especially if there were great store of wasps , and a wet year the year before . aristot . the worms before they become nymphs , i. e. young wasps , are somewhat long , like those that breed in flesh ( which hippocrates calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) and small nuts , whitish , full of dints or wreathes , ●oward the tail thicker , with a blackish streak all over the back , without feet , not creeping , but as it were tumbling up and down and moving themselves from one place to another . when they have layed their young fry , they cover the cell with a kinde of a little thin skin as it were , which when they come to perfection they break , and two daies after fly about with wings . aristotle mentions but two kindes of wasps , one milde , the other fierce ; the fierce kinde is very rare , and breed in mountains and woods , and breeds not under the ground , but in an oak , being greater , more stretched out , blacker , longer , having a stronger sting , and stingeth more fiercely than the milder do , and is armed with a greater sting than his body seems to be able to carry . aristotle saith that they live till they be two years old , and when the tree is lopt , in the winter they are seen to fly away . they lye close all the winter , and most commonly live in old walls or trees . a sort of these i found once in a wood in essex , not without great peril of my life , at such time as by chance i carelesly wandered here and there a simpling , with my friend penny and one servant attending us . i would needs be prying into their nest : with which they being offended , all the swarm flusht out upon us with all the force they had , and but ( as god would have it ) we had carried in our hands some sprigs of broom , ( with which we used to catch those insects ) for our safeguard and defence , we had payed for our folly , not only with the hazzard of safety but of our lives ; for the followed us hard to the very middle of the wood , and a great while it was before they would leave pursuing us . of the wasps as well wilde as tame , some have no sting , ( or at least make use of none ) others have ; the lesser and more feeble are those that want , which neither are able to offend or defend . on the other side , they that have stings , are bigger , stronger , and able to fight . these , some would have to be the males , the other that have no sting females . also very many of them that have stings are conceived to lose them upon the approach of winter . but this as yet hath not been my chance to see ( saith the philosopher ) . if you take a wasp and hold him up and make him buz , those that have not stings do presently flock to him , which those that have do not ; which is the argument whereby some are to prore , the one to be male , the other female . of both sorts some are observed to couple together as the fly doth . moreover , ( according to their sex ) both kindes of them are divided into two sorts , either they are master wasps , or drudges and labouring wasps ; the one is greater and more gentle , the other less and more pettish . the drudge or labouring wasp doth not live ou● a whole year , for in the midst of winter they all die ; which is known , because so soon as winter comes they grow stupid , and in winter there are none to be seen : the others , that is to say , the lady wasps , are observed to hide themselves all the winter long underground . for divers men when they have gone to plow or dig in the winter , have seen them , though no man ever saw the other . now the female wasp is broader , weightier , thicker and bigger than the male wasp , and but slow of flight ; for by reason of the weight of her body she is not able to fly far ; by which it comes to pass that they for the most part sit at home , making of a certain glutinous material which the labouring wasps bring to them , combs and cells . no man ever observed these creatures to live long , for the longest lived , which are the matrices , female or lady wasps , live not above two years at the most , the other cie every autumn . now whether or no the female wasps of the former year , after they have brought forth another brood of master wasps , die together with the young wasps , or whether it alwaies fall out to be so , or whether or no they can possibly live any longer time , many authors leave undetermined . but the wilde wasp is accounted to be longer lived than the tame , the reason is because those making their nests commonly by the highway side ( from whence they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , by hom. i. e. highway dwellers ) are necessarily exposed to divers injuries , which hasten them to their death . and yet that little time that they live , is made up in the strength of it . for if you take them off at the head , and so again at the breast , they will continue a great while after , and putting forth their sting , will as shrewdly hurt any man that shall touch them as if they never had been pulled in sunder , or were alive as before . guillerinus in his book of shell-fish , writes very confidently that they put off their shells and renew their old age every year : certainly ( unless he dreams waking what he would have to be ) this must needs be discovered sometime or other in their nests . apollonius cals them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , aristot . l. . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , although they feed not on raw flesh only and ripe apples , but upon pears , pruines , grapes , flowers , and sundry sorts of fruits ; also on the sap of elms , sugar , honey , and almost whatever . they feed on flesh of serpents , and then they sting mortally . they hunt after the greater flyes , and spare not the harmlesse bees , who do so well deserve of the common-wealth of mankinde . according to the nature of the place they live in , they differ both in shape of body and disposition of minde ; the trivial and ordinary wasp being accustomed to the company of men and cattel , do seem to be more milde of nature ; but those that live in woods and solitudes are more fierce ; yea , insomuch that nicander in one word calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. perniciosas , pernicious and destructive . there are also , as oviedus affirms , in hotter regions , those that are more hurtful then others , as in the west-indies , whereas they differ from those of these parts both in bigness and shape , so also in their venome . for so are they reported to be far more deadly then the english , french , yea or the spanish or barbary wasps : such as these also , olaus magnus in his book , saith , are very frequent in some very cold countreys . the use or benefit of wasps is observed to be divers ; for besides that they serve for food for castrels , martins , swallowes , owls , badgers , chameleons , they are also many waies profitable to men , for they kill phalangium the most venomous kinde of spider , and they themselves are a plaister for their own stings . the pseudosphe or wilde wasp ( especially that which is taken in the beg 〈…〉 ning of that year ) being taken into the left hand and there held fast , pliny commendeth for an excellent remedy against a quartan feaver , l. . c. . miraldus attributes much vertue to the distilled water of common wasps , or decocted , for raising of a tumor in the place that is washt with it ; applied to the belly it makes it swell as if it had the dropsie , by which trick whores use to perswade their sweethearts that they are with childe by them ; and by this way also they deceive many times very cunning and expert midwives . mirald . memor . cent . . from whence it may be concluded that their venome is exceeding hot and inflative . the fox also ( a subtile creature ) is said to prey upon the wasps , on this manner ; he puts his tail into the wasps nest so long till it be all covered with wasps , which he espying , pulls it out and beats them against the next stone or tree he meets withall till they be all dead , this being done again and again till all the wasps be destroyed , he sets upon their combs and devours them . aelian . but men pursue and destroy them with other cunning . as thus , in the mean time that the labouring or working wasps flee to the elm , which useth to be in the solstice or at midsummer , to gather some gums material to work withall : the master wasps remain in the nest and sit upon their young , those they smother with the stinking vapour of sulphur , garlick , reed , or such like ; and throwing down their combs kill them with hunger . now when they would preserve their bees from being surprised by the wasps , they set by the hives side a pot with some little pieces of flesh in it : into which when the wasps in hope of prey are entred , they suddenwhelm the lid of the pot upon them and kill them ; or else putting hot water in at a hole scald them to death . others hang a net before their nests over a small menow . now the wasps being drawn by a natural and strange sympathy to the menow ( for no food more takes the 〈…〉 than that ) they are presently involved in the net , and so caught , and with casting on hot water are killed . aelian . as also they lightly spurt our of their mouthes oyl upon the grapes , fruits , sugar , honey , &c. which causeth them either to fly away , or tasting the oyl , to die ; sometimes they mingle corrosives with honey ( as mercury sublimed , vitriol , orpiment , &c. ) which when they take , eats o●t their bowels , and so they pay well for their gluttony and intemperance . now if at any time by reason of the stinging of wasps , the●e arise pain , perturbation , swelling , redness , heat , n●●seousness , and thirst ; and not long after swouning ( which happens when they have poysoned their stings with feeding on venomous herbs , and serpents flesh ) physicians have found out a preservative and remedy whereby to repell their stings and easily cure them . the virtue of mallowes , and marsh-mallowes is excellent against the stinging of wasps . thus the most soft and supple he●b becomes a remedy against the most warlike and injurious creature , with whose juice and a little oyl mingled with it , and the part anointed , doth either mitigate the rage of the wasp , or doth not suffer the sting to enter , plin. l. . c. . so avicen , the wasp , saith he , will not come near any man that is anointed with oyl and the juice of mallowes ; for as a soft answer appeaseth wrath , and ( as the greeks use to say ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. a milde reply is the best allay to anger : so also in physicks we see those things that are most stiffe and unyeelding , to be resisted and beaten off with the most soft things , as the iron with feathe●s , the adamant with bloud , the sting of wasps , hornets , bees , with oyl and the juice of mallowes . what is more soft than the silk-worm ? which yet aetius affirmeth being beaten together with oyl and the party anointed with it , is a preservative against the stinging of wasps ; the same doth the locust and the herb balm beaten together with oyl , if the greeks may be credited . the stone garatides , if it be the true , although dawbed over with honey , and born about , doth fray away all flyes and wasps whatsoever , as sylvaticus . out of albertus doth conjecture . the like virtue doth matthiolus ascribe superstitiously , and too confidently , to the iron that hath the figure of the shell-fish strombus graven in it . the symptomes that follow upon the stinging of wasps , are said to be these ; they suffer all alike as those that are stung with bees , to wit , smart , redness , swelling , but the pain is more grievous and of longer continuance , especially if they chance to be stung by the citron coloured greater wasps , in a sinewy and tender place , for then followes the cramp , weakness of knees , swouning , and sometimes death . physicians have found out many remedies against the stingings of wasps ; we shall first speak of those we have tryed and which may challenge your acceptance , being confirmed by long experience . we finde that wasps applyed to the wound they made do exceedingly help it , being perswaded to use them by gilbert an english man. it may be that not the scorpion only hath this vertue , but the greatest part of insects have it also , if we should make trial diligently . but if any man be stung by venomed wasps , ( which is easily known by the wound of the part , by raving and swouning , and coldness of the extreme parts ) then give antidotes against venome , and open the place with a knife , or rather lay on a caustick ; when it is laid open and dilated , suck it forcibly , and taking some of the earth of the wasps nest , make a plaister with vinegar , and lay it on the sore . also a cataplasm made of mallowes , willows and wasps combs helps wonderfully , as we proved by the cornsel of halyabbas . the north english men make a good plaister against the stinging of wasps , of the earth of furnaces , vinegar and flyes heads ; it is worth its weight in gold . rub the place with juice of citrals , and let the patient drink marjoram-seed drams : or take juice of marjoram ounces , bole armoniack drams , with juice of sowre grapes what may suffice ; make a plaister . another ; anoint the place with the juice of purslain or beets , or with sweet wine and oyl of roses , or cowes bloud , also with seeds of wilde cucumers bruised with wine . galen . barley meal with vinegar is good ; milk of the fig-tree dropt into the wound , brine or sea-water to foment the wound ; give in drink drams of the tender leaves of the bay-tree in sharp wine , which also will do much good in a fomentation . also drink the decoction of marsh-mallowes with posca : apply salt and calves fat . mallowes with posca is a principal remedy . dioscorid . l. . c. . aetius joyns an earth named cimolia to these , and clay , and oxe-dung , and sesamum , and many other things with posca . oyl of bayes drawes out the poyson of the sting of a wasp . leaves of marsh-mallowes bruised and rubbed on , cure the venome of wasps . drink a little measure of the juice of rue or of balm , with wine : and the leaves eaten , and applyed with salt and honey , or boyled with vinegar and pitch , are very good . water-mints , rosemary , with barley-meal and posca , juice of ivy-leaves , golden flower , and owles bloud , are excellent against the stingings of wasps . pliny l. . c. . galen praiseth water-mints and the seed of it drank , and centaury , if at the same time you lay on oxe dung for a plaister . lib. de simplicib . ad paternian●m . & lib. de centaur . ad papiam . a branch of the wilde palm-tree , endive root , and all wilde betony , laid on for a plaister , profit very much . also drink wilde betony drams with oxymel . first , suck out the poyson , then hold the part hurt in hot water for an hour , then s●eep it suddenly . in vinegar and fish pickle , so the pain is presently gone , and the swelling sinks away , and the venome is pacified . one half dram of marjoram seed applied stils the pain , or pugils of dry coriander seed , or cool juice drank . avicenna . leaves of nightshade or houseleek laid on are good . also bole armoniack with camphire and vinegar . nuts bruised with a little vinegar and castoreum ; apply a honey comb , and presently hold the part affected to the fire , or put hot ashes under it , and the pain will cease forthwith . it is good to lay on green coriander , or oyl and ashes mingled . rhasis . savorey or water-mints applied , and the seed of them drank , or the juice of the lesser-centory drank in wine is excellent . so are the leaves of river basil , mercury , mandragoro with vinegar . serapio . a snow ball put to the fundament takes off all pain , chiefly if it proceed from a wasps stinging : foment the part with camphire & vinegar , or oftentimes with snow-water . take opium , henbane-seed , camphire , of each alike , mix them with rosewater or juice of willowes , and apply it , lay over it a cloth wet in wine . ardoynus . take juice of wilde mints aurei . with juice of sowre lemmons , make a julep . also the juice of the arabian thorn , and of marjoram help much . mesue . water-lintels with vinegar anointed . aaron . rub the part well with the finest leaves of xylo●araster , that is , sweet cods of pliny , and the pain presently ceaseth . the juice of lettice doth the same , or the juice of dandelion drank . the mud in the bottom of a vessel where water hath stood long , applyed with vinegar , cures the wasps stinging . simeon . foment the part with snow-water till it be stupefied . jo●●nitius . any new earth , especially cimolia is good : poly smeered on , as also goats milk , cures wasps wounds . arnoldus . alcanna with barley meal , and vinegar , bound to the part , nuts , the leaves of walnuts , blites , are very good ; also lay on hot to the wound a spiders web beaten with a white onion and vinegar , it cures . constantinus . rub the place with sage and vinegar , and after with posca . guil. placentinus . lay iron on the part , or lead steeped in vinegar . gordonius . apply chalk in powder , and drink mallowes seed in wine and a little vinegar boyled together . varignana . his bezoar is coriander taken with sugar . christophorus probus , commonly called honeste nonius , commends balm leaves bruised with posca or with oyl and applied . nouius . sparagus bruised with honey and smeered on , flyes beaten and laid on , savory , wilde mints , oyl of momordica anointed , cure . matthiolus commends oxe dung laid on . marcellus . any man may finde these and a great many such like receipts , the storehouse of nature and of physicians affords infinite remedies and antidotes innumerable to your hand every where . the remedies for bees and wasps stings are the same , only that one requires them somewhat stronger than the other . in the year . before the birth of christ , as julius witnesseth , an infinite multitude of wasps flew into the market at capua , and sate in the temple of mars , they were with great diligence taken and burnt solemnly , yet they did foreshew the comming of the enemy and the burning of the city . chap. ix . of hornets and the tenthredo . they are called in the hebrew , tsirdah ; in arabick , zabor , zambor ; in the german tongue , ein hornauss horlits froisen pferzwuble ; in brabant , horsele ; in french , freslons , froisons , f●ulons ; in italian , colauroni , crabrone , scaraffon , galanron ; in spanish , tabarros o moscordos ; in the slavonian tongue , sierlern ; in illyrian , irssen ; in english , hornets , great wasps ; hungarian , lo daras . the greeks call them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; because with their sting they raise a carbuncle . they are called in latine crabrones , perchance from the village crabra in the countrey of tusculum , ( where there are great store of them ) or from the word caballus , i. e. a horse , who is said to be their father . according to that of ovid. met. . the warlike horse if buried under ground , shortly a brood of hornets will be found . albertus calls it a yellow bee. cardanus will needs have them to arise from the dead mule. plutarch in the life of cleomedes , saith they come out of horse flesh , as the bees do out of the oxe his paunch . now whereas they are more melancholy and sullen then the wasp , why should i not with virgil say that they are produced of the asse ? whom we have seen not only to fight with the horse , ( when as the female or she asse would be backt ) but also to chase and overcome him often times . i conceive that those are produced of the harder flesh of the horse , and the wasps of the more tender flesh . neither do they every year send out and expose to the wide world their young ones as the bees do ( and for which they are censured as in that respect unnatural ) to finde out an harbour where they can for themselves to dwell in : but all their new brood they nourish and bring up in their own bosome , and as need shall require build more and bigger nests to keep them in . as for their king or master hornet ( whom also they dearly love and respect ) such a one they have that doth appear not to want power to command , but occasion to exercise it . only he excels the rest in courage of minde and bignesse of body ( as it is usual for princes to do ) for he is more fierce than any of the rest when he is to encounter with forein enemies , as he is on the other hand most milde and gentle to his subjects at home . the hornets make their nests under ground : casting up the mould as the pismires do . for neither they nor the wasps send out young swarms as the bees do ( as is before said ) but as the young are bred there they remain , and so they dig their nests bigger and bigger , as the family growes greater and greater . they make their nests exceeding large ; we took or baskets full of combs of the lustier brood : they have very little or no honey in their cells ; a drop or so where their young are . if any of them chance to wander from their nest , they gather themselves together into some tree , and there make their combs in the top , which oftentimes are easie to be seen , in which they procreate one king or master hornet , who when he is grown up , leads away the whole troop and provides them a nest with himself . the wood or wilde hornet ( saith pliny ) live in hollow trees all the winter , like other insects they lie hid , they live not above two years . their sting is seldome without a feaver , causeth a carbuncle tumor , and exceeding great pain . they build their nests far more artificially than either the bee or wasp , sometimes in the hollow trunks of trees , or else under their roots in the ground , which they make bigger and bigger according as their family increaseth , and curiously plaister over with a kinde of slimy spittle gathered from gummy leaves . the mouthes or passages of their cells are never upward , but altogether downward ; and they very providently place the bottom , of their cels upwards , that the rain may not pierce through them , or lest otherwise they should be exposed to the extremity of wind and weather were the head above . all their nests in a manner are exactly square , the front or outside whereof is beset with white and rusty iron coloured segments ; the matter of them is membranous , much like pieces of beech-bark , when it is roll'd together and shrievel'd up with heat . whilest pennius was at peterborough in england , he saw in the wide and open street a hornet pursuing a sparrow , whom when he wounded with his sting he fell down dead to the ground , and with the admiration of all that beheld them , he suck't out and fill'd himself with the bloud of the slain prey . concerning the copulation of hornets arist . knew nothing of certainty , as neither from whence nor how they are bred . but for as much as they do for certain lay their young at the very sides of ▪ their cells , as bees and wasps do , it should seem after the same manner they bring them forth . but if they do couple , they do it in the night , as cats do , or in some secret places , out of all possibility of being seen ; where argus himself should not espie them . the hornet doth not feed on flowers , but lives for the most part on flesh : and rather then fail , oftentimes they will stoop to dung and excrements . they hunt after great flies also and the smaller birds , which when they take , they first wound the head as the hawk doth , and then pluck it off and fly away with the rest of the body . in the winter they die many of them : because they do not as the bee , lay up provision beforehand , but only live from hand to mouth , regarding nothing but their present necessity . arist . l. . hist . moreover , as landius observes ; they watch about the bee hives , and getting on their backs use them in stead of a coach or chariot to carry them ; for when the poor wretches strive to fly away , they carry a most cruel rider on their backs , who when he hath suckt out all the juice that is in the bees body , is the most ungrateful of all winged creatures , he kils and eats up him which supplied his hunger . also all sweet things whatsoever the hornet will feed on : insomuch that i have seen him with mine own eyes to eat of grasse worms . but the indian hornets have such a vast appetite ( as oviedus witnesseth ) that they will light upon oyl , butter , cakes , sawce , and all liquid things whatsoever ; not sparing napkins or table-clothes , which they will conspurcate and defile with their filthy excrement , and laying of their slimy eggs . now as they feed upon what they got from others , so they do not want one to prey upon them likewise . above the rest the brock , who about the full of the moon enters their dens or nests and destroys both house and family . nor are they food for this useful fat creature only , but they serve the countreymen by way of prognostick , to foreshew the alteration of weather ; for if toward the evening they are seen to fly about in greater store then ordinarily they are wont to do , it is a sign that the next day will be fair and hot : but if about twilight they often enter into their nests as it were to hide and shelter themselves , then expect rain , winds , and stormy weather to ensue . upon which avienus thus : so when you see troops of hoarse hornets fly , late at the end of autumn , they foreshew , when first virgilius stirs the evening skie , that storms at sea shall presently ensue . morever whereas the same medicines that cure the stinging of wasps , will prevail also against the stinging of hornets : yet as aggregator hath taught us , a hornet is the bezoar stone for its own wound laid on with posca , oyl , or oxe dung ; also bole , and all fat earths are commended , such as bacchus applied to bald silenus , who was stung with hornets , whilest he rifled their nest for honey supposing they were bees : ovid. describes it neatly in fastor : thousands of hornets his bald pate torment , and with their stings they wound his ugly face , he fals , and cries for help , a foul disgrace ; what remedy , it was too late for to repent . when that the satyrs came , & found poor silenus , his face all swoln , and halting on his knee , they could not choose but laugh , bacchus said thus , noint it with mud , it prov'd a remedy . he that desires more remedies against the sting of the hornet , may finde of them plenty in the story of the wasp . for authors do seem to make them all one , only with this difference , that in this case they ought to be given in greater quantity , and the use and application of them longer continued . now let us proceed to the insect called tenthredo . whether it ought to be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to aristotle , or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 according to nicander , let philosophers judge ; they seem to me to differ only in name and bignesse . for whereas the scholiast of nicander cals it insectum 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , an insect like a wasp , i do not weigh that , when as ever and anon , by poetical licence , he cals the wasp , apem croceam , a yellow bee. what name it hath in other nations i know not , and ( to say the truth ) nor know i the little beast it self . only this i finde , that authors describe it to be in colour like a wasp , like a bee in bulk or bigness , and in communication of labour like all other social winged insects . he is very sawcy , loves the kitchin well and fish , insomuch that some think it should be written 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in stead of 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because it is given so much to licorishnesse . hesychius cals it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i wood or wilde bee. hermolaus thinks they should rather be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , rather than 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as he saith it is corruptly read in aristotle : he makes his nest in the ground as the wasp doth , with many rooms very large and handsome . pennius will not by any means yeeld that the pemphredo should be the same with tenthredo . f 〈…〉 the pemphredo ( as the scholiast of nicander describeth it ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. the pemphredo is very like the bee , but the tenthredo like the wasp . but ye● notwithstanding the scholiast forgets himself ; who writes also of the pemphredo after this manner ▪ pemphredo is an insect like a wasp , it hath a sting , is greater than a pismire , but lesse than a bee ; it hath wings , and a various colour tending to black ; in fair weather it gathers sustenance from the shrubs in the valleys , then it flies and laies it up in the hollow oaks . this insect haunteth woods and mountains , gathers honey juice from flowers , and layeth it up in a hollow oak as being his repository for the sustentation of his life ; but honey he makes none , wherefore they differ in no other thing but in bignesse ; rightly termed● of the poet , parvula pemphredo , i. e. a small pemphredo : as degenerating only and especially by that mark from the tenthredo . of winged pismires , we shall speak in the chapter of ants. and this shall be sufficient hitherto to be spoken of winged insects , such as are social and live together . now we shall bend our discourse to speak of winged solitary insects , or such as live severally by themselves . amongst these solitary ones , some there are that have nests , as the young drone called siren , the drone called bombylius , and the bombyx ; others that have no nests , as the fly , the gnat , the butterfly , the moth , the flying glow-worm . those that build nests , are the sirenes of both kindes , so called by eustathius , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. because they seem to have a kinde of articulate or significant voice , or perhaps as that sea monster , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because with his pleasant noise and buzzing he doth as it were tickle and charme the ear ; and not unfitly 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because they beat a●d flutter in the air with their wings . of the sirens there are two sorts , the one lesse all of a duskie colour ; the other bigger black mixt with other colours . this sort pennius referreth to the species of the wasp , and so he describeth it in his drafts . all the body black , except the back , which is reddish from the middle almost to the tail , the extremity of which being black , hath silver coloured wings affixed , the former twice as big as the other : they harbour in wals , and in the brinks of ditches , and ruinous buildings ; whether they have any sting , or no i know not . the bombyx is so called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because they never flye but they whirle and turn round in their flight : whence the greeks call topps or wheels , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . it is a creature resembling the wasp , of a black hue , having a sting like as the wasp hath , but stinging so deadly , and with such force , that it leaves the weapon in the wound . as a remedy to this nicander commends the pine tree gum , and the unctuous honey of the tenthredo . parmeni in his iambicks makes mention of this creature , which in the time of vintage useth to eat the ripe grapes . another of this sort is found in assyria , but of greater bulk . some of them build their nests spire wise out of clay like to glasse or salt , fastening them to a stone or such like thing , but so hard and thick that you can scarse pierce them with a dart . for these they lay and bring forth little white worms , covered over with a black membrane ; in another membrane they make wax in clay , much paler in colour and in greater plenty than the bees . so aristotle and pliny . who indeed were very sparing in their relations concerning the tenthredo , bombyx , and humble bee ; either because their nature was not so well known to the generality of the grecians , or rather because they themselves were not so well vers'd in their history . they are of little or no use . insomuch that the greeks use to call an idle unprofitable man , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. a man no better than a humble bee ; for such is this kinde of bee , even of no use at all . neverthelesse one antisocraticus , to shew his wit , hath taken a great deal of pains to set forth the commendations of it . a cup with a wide mouth making a great noise as they drank , was in great request with the ancients ; that so , not only the brain might be intoxicated with the liquor , but the ears also with the greatnesse of the noise . they breed under stones hard to the ground , they build their nests sometimes with two doors , sometimes with three ; in which there is found a beginning of a certain course honey , and that ( as albertus relates , and pennius saw ) not of any great quantity ; who once found so much as he could scarse hold in three handfuls . the english humble bees have not all stings , only some few of them , but those that have do sting grievously ; the honey they make is not very sweet , and withall some what waterish . they fasten their wax as the bees do to their hinder legs : they couple tail to tail , in the mean while holding fast by some plant or tree , they continue long in the act of venery , and all the time clapping with their wings they make a harsh noise , as if they were singing a bridal song . chap. x. of flyes . in hebrew , zebub ; in arabick , dubene , aldubel ; in illyrian , muscha ; in spanish and italian , mosca ; in french , mousche ; in high dutch , flieg m' uck ; in low dutch , vliegh mugge ; in english , a fly , from flying or scaping away , for it signines both ; in scottish , flee ; in greek , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is , to suck deeply , or to mutter , the fly doth both . latine , musca . not as proceeding from muscus moss , as some do fondly dream , but from musculus a muscle ; for taking off his wings you shall see that his head is full of shewes , his body soft , his tail tendinous . hence the diminutive muscula in boethius , who thus elegantly cries out , quid homine imbecillius quem morsus muscularum necat ? vvhat so frail as man whom the smallest fly is able to bite to death ? now the frame both of its body and minde we describe thus out of lucian and others . the great fly is the least of winged insects , insomuch that it may be compared to the least fly or flee : only he is so much bigger than they , as the bee is bigger than he . it hath wings , not such as other things that flie have , but made of little skins as the locusts , grashoppers and bees are , but a very great deal softer , as an indian garment is softer than those of greece . if any man observe the fly when he opens his wings in the sun , he may perceive them painted with variety of colours , as the peacocks are . he doth not slie straight forward , as the bats do ; nor skipping as the locusts , nor making a noyse as the vvasp ; but winding in and out to what part of the air soever he pleaseth to move himself . neither doth he flie quietly and in silence but with singing and melody ; not so hard hearted and cruel as the gnat or little flyes , not as bees and wasps with a grave harshnesse , making a horrible and terrible murmuring : yea so far doth the fly exceed all these in sweetness of sound as he flieth , as the small pipe doth the trumpet and cymbal , or as still musick is sweeter then the loud . he hath a very little head bound to his neck , turning every way , not compacted and fastened to his shoulders as the locusts is . his eyes stand out very much , shining as if set in horn . his breast is very firm and well compacted . he hath six feet growing out of his body , not as the wasps fast bound or tyed to it ; he goeth only with four of them , the other two so emost serve in stead of hands ; as you see him commonly go upon four feet , in the other two holding up something or other that he hath gotten to feed on to his mouth as men do , and as we do . his belly is slender answerable to his breast , having broad girdles and scales . he doth not sting with a sting as the bee and the wasp do , but with his mouth and snout like the elephant , and he eats and takes up things with it , and sticking in a concave vessel he holds it in the top of his snout : out of this comes forth a tooth , with which he pricks o● bites : he drinks nothing but milk and bloud ; the which he draws forth of those he stings with very little or no pain at all , but only with a kinde of titillation or tickling . the light , like truth , he doth exceedingly rejoyce in , and doth behave himself honestly therein and civilly . yea the fly doth so covet the light , that many times with the spider or spinner he loseth his life for his pains ; at night he goes to rest ( as honest folk use to do ) and makes no noise . he does nothing in the dark , counting it unbeseeming for him to do any thing privately , or to be guilty of that fact which if done in the light would be a disgrace and disparagement to him . i can assure you it is no little understanding that he hath also ; whereby he doth escape the wiles of his treacherous enemy , the spider : for he marks him as he lies in wait for him and looks upon him , and so declines his force lest he should be taken in his net , and be destroyed . i must not speak of his prowesse and valour , for in that he may seem to surpasse man himself . homer the prince of poets , when he did endevour to set forth and commend the gallantry of the bravest noble man , doth not compare his strength to that of the lion , leopard , wilde boar or the like , but to the undaunted courage and confidence of the fly. who although he be never so often repulst and beaten off , comes on again , and bites as close as he did before : yea such a strength he hath with him , that he will not wound the skin of a man only , but of an oxe or horse : yea the elephant also when he gets between the wrinkles of his skins , he will shrewdly vex him , and according to the bignesse of his snout gash and wound him : when he bites , 't is not out of rusticity o● clownishness to get bloud only ; but by way of love & humanity , & for that reason especially he seiseth upon the fairest : yea what a pretty thing it is to see a company of flyes ●lying to and again playing and sporting one with another , and hanging upon a thred as it were dancers on the ropes ? moreover as the cleanly horse doth , she laies her ordure all in one place , so that upper wai●scot and seiling of the rooms where they use are all full of great spots which they make on that occasion , which is an argument that they are not altogether void of some kinde of memory also . tzetzes saith moreover , that such is their love to those of their own kinde , that they bury their dead corpses . aelian doth as much discommend them as lucian commends them : and he inveighs against their procacity and sauciness ; which is such , that being driven away never so often , they notwithstanding return with fresh assaults . he blames them likewise for their impudence , in that they couple in publick , and know no end of their venery almost ; ●either do they as the cock , when he once hath trodden presently fals off , but is born upon the back of the female a long while , and she carries him ; they fly away together into the air , yet are they not sundred with flight . learned pennius caught two flyes in the act , and shut them up in a box , and the next day found them together still in the same posture ; which doth much confirm what arist . aelian and niphus say , to wit , that flyes do continue very long in the act of generation . plutarch saith that the mouse and the fly are indocile and unteachable creatures , who although they use the company of men daily ; are by no means tamed , neither do they shew the least courtesie , or the least shew of a grateful minde for what they receive of any man : both of them are by nature very suspicious , alwaies fearful of treachery , afraid to be caught . she is altogether idle and carelesse , feeding upon the labours of others , and where ever she comes she hath a full table . for her the goats are milked , and the bee bestowes her pains as much for her as for any other ; the cooks provide messes for her , the confectioners sweet-meats , the apothecary syrups , and these she tastes before kings , and walking all over the table she feasts her self with them in their company , as also with all other whatsoever . plautus took her to be of no use in his curculio , where he thus speaks : in my conceit you are a kinde of lions amongst men , as flyes , gnats , sowlice , fleas , that do much hurt and do no good . well therefore did nature take care , that she should have no certain place to dwell in , as honest folks have , but should wander up and down , where she could get her a lodging and travelling harbour . but in impudence she goes beyond any begger whatsoever ; because they having had once a denial are therewith satisfied , but this begger will take no answer , but will fill his unprofitable gut with the best cheer in the house whether the master will or no. aristaphon in his pythagorista recited by athenaeus , brings in an impudent parasite speaking on this manner : coenis etiam non vocatus , ut musca , advolo . i hasten to supper as the fly , without any invitation . some such like matter socrates upbraids theodate withall in xenophon : wherefore the egyptians being to set forth dishonesty and impudence together , they made the picture of a fly , as orus saith . whence it is , that cicero ( if i be not deceived ) saith it was said sometimes by way of jest concerning a troublesome impudent youth , abige muscas puer : boy beat the flyes away . to this so pestilent a little beast nature ( as meet it should be ) hath denied long life therefore . for as soon as winter begins to come on , the greatest part of them expire ; and those that escape starving , in clifts , wals , hollow places , ovens and such like , they lie all the while weak and languishing , and not able to hold out another winter . all of them are begotten of filth and nastinesse , to which they most willingly cleave , and resort especially to such places which are so unclean and filthy ; unquiet are they , importunate , hateful , troublesome , tumultuous , bold , sawcy . homer amongst the battels of the gods and heroes elegantly descants upon the basenesse of the fly , who like the mouse , alwaies hath his hand upon another mans trencher . the fly , though often forced from your skin , yet she returns again , shee 'l never lin . yea solomon himself thought their nature to be so bad , that he saith in his proverbs , that one of them is able to spoil a whole box of ointment . to conclude , the hebrewes to set out the prince of devils , called him bahalzebub , i. e. a fly : which useth the same diligence , and never leaves off doing of hurt . which is the reason that witches and wizards will have their familiar to be alwaies in likenesse of a fly , using the body of a bad creature to far worse purposes . i could alledge much more a great deal than this against the fly , if i desired the name of antilucian , with whom it is a disparagement for a christian to contend , yea or to meddle withall , more than with the most loathsome carkasse . neither will it be more disgrace to me to make nothing of a fly , than for lucian to make him an elephant : both indeed being but losse of time , and vain ostentation of wit. but yet nevertheless that lest like the eagle i may seem to contemn flies , or to neglect the least of gods works ; i shall with all diligence set down the generation , difference , and use of flies . flies are generated two waies , by coupling with their own species ( which is done in the summer season , and in the winter if the weather be fair ) or by the putrefaction of other things . the flies use copulation , some of them dispatch the work sooner , others after some space of time : the manner whereof ( as arist , affirms ) is divers from most of the other insects ; for when the male ascends the female , he takes the member of the female ( that is stretched forth to seek for seed ) into his body , the which being accordingly received , he furnisheth with matter and strength to bring forth . reverend pennius saw two flyes at hedelberg flying in the act of copulation , who ( as it had been the son of mercury or venus ) seemed to be of a mixed nature , and they did get up by turns . somewhat a while after copulation they exclude or shoot forth little worms , as the hen doth eggs ; which afterwards by a strange metamorphosis are again changed into flyes . although pliny contrary to experience doth without ground affirm that nothing else doth arise out them . very rightly scaliger saith , that the flyes at first do generate insects unlike themselves , but yet in a capacity of becoming the same , ( that is to say ) white little worms , which afterwards being made like to flies , have eyes hanging down by their sides ; in reference to whose likeness there is a kinde of disease in the eye , called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. headed like a fly. now a great number of flyes , if not the more part of them , arise from dung , whence i have seen them to come perfect where before they were begun . but in this kinde of generation we must note , that flyes are not immediately procreated of dung , but of the little worms proceeding of digested dung , as the philosopher writes in these words . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. which gaza translateth thus : muscae ex vermiculis fimi digesti in partes gignuntur , &c. in english thus : flyes are begotten of dung digested into parts , therefore they that desire to meddle in this businesse , strive to distinguish the dung that is not digested , from that is mingled with that which is digested . now these worms at the first are exceeding small , afterwards begin to be red , then as yet without motion as it were , cleaving by fibres they begin to move ; then they become unmovable worms , afterwards they move again , then become they again to be without motion , and in conclusion by the assistance of air and sun there is begotten a living fly. arist . here , as it seems , spake rather from others observation than his own skill . for neither those worms that are generated by copulation ; nor those which are bred of putrefaction are subject to so many metamorphoses or transmutations , before they are transformed into flyes . for they only grow to such a bignesse , afterwards are turned into a nymph or young fly , and so lie still , then at a certain time appointed by nature the nymph groweth to be a fly. neither are flies begotten of dung only , but of any other filthy matter putrefied by heat , in the summer time , and after the same way spoken of before , as grapaldus and lonicerus have very well noted . but yet the question would be , whether flyes are not immediately generated of putrefaction , and not of those worms . for experience witnesseth that there are a certain kinde of flies which are begotten in the back of the elm , turpentine-tree , wormwood , and so perchance in other herbs and plants , without any preceding vermiculation , or being turned into little worms first . so that scaliger that angelical man , and the most learned of this age , writeth thus of their original : peradventure ( saith he ) they may seem not to arise from putrefaction , but from some certain principles changed as from some kind of liquid gum , or from some other matter concocted by nature for this end . now whether concoction can be without putrefaction there is the scruple . each part of mans body hath its conveyance for the expurgation of its excrements , called in latine emunctoria . but whether a living creature may be the excrement of a creature that never had life , let others determine ; here my sight fails me , or rather i am altogether blind . a third way how flyes are begotten , sir tho. knivett an english man , and of singular learning , did first of all inform pennius of , and it was thus : the corrupted body of a caterpillar or a little bruised , is converted into an imperfect aurelia , then from that not a butterfly , but three black eggs are cast out that are somewhat long fashioned , from whence proceed ordinary flyes , or others like to them ; and some times the aurelia being putrefied , neither butterfly nor eggs come forth of it , but white worms , ( sometimes one , sometimes many ) come forth , whence are generated very small flyes . the which famous observations of natural history truth it self doth enjoyn us to acknowledge received from the foresaid knight ; for no man before him did ever observe the like . peter martyr in his decad. and book , reports that he saw drops of sweat falling from the fingers of labourers , turned into flyes , and so they write that in the marshy countrey of paria , by reason of the contagiousnesse and venemous quality of the air , the drops that fall from the hands of the labourers do bring forth toads . but whether it be done immediately or mediately by some worm out of which the fly should break forth , he doth not shew . in the year . before the nativity of christ , rivallus then being k. of britains , there were showres of bloud three daies together very great , very many , from whence came abundance of flyes , and so poysonous , that with their stings they killed a great number of people : so saith the english history . now the fly for the most part is not at the first a fly , but a worm , proceeding either from the dead corpses of men , or the carkasses of other creatures , then it gets feet and wings , and so becomes of a creeping creature , a flying ; and begets a little worm , which afterwards becomes a fly. take off the head of a fly , yet the rest of his body will have life in it , yea it will run , leap , and seem as it were to breath . yea when it is dead and drowned , with the warmth of the sun and a few ashes cast upon it , it will live again , being as it were anew made , and a fresh life put into it , insomuch that lucians disciples were perswaded and did verily beleeve that the soul of them was indeed immortal . forasmuch as it goes and comes , it owns its own body and raiseth it up , so that it drinketh , eateth , wipes its head and eyes , makes clean its snout , rubs its shanks and legs , claps its wings and flies : verifying the opinion of plato concerning the immortality of the soul , and the fable concerning hermotimus clazomenius , whose soul would often go out of hi● body , wander up and down a great way by it self , and afterwards would return into the body , replenish and raise it up again . some will put drowned flyes into warm ashes , or warm bran , and in a quarter of an hour fostering them in their hands and breathing on them , they will bring them to life again . chap. xi . of the divers kindes of flies . there is a great deal of difference amongst flies , whether you respect the matter or form of them . some of them come from themselves by way of copulation as hath been said , others from some ascititious or external matter : such are they that are bred in dung , apples , oaks , beans , &c. in regard of their form or shape , some have two wings , others four , with horns or without ; some short , some long , some have round tails , others sharp or piked , hairy and without hairs : in a word , they vary in colour , shape , bigness according to the nature of the countrey they live in , or the putrefied matter whereof they are made . i wish i had seen them all , and i know apelles himself would hardly have been able to paint their fashions . the flesh-fly , in regard of his bignesse and bulk of his body , is the biggest of all other , he hath a reddish head , his body full of gray spots , his belly thick , blew , transparent , having two wings , hairy , very greedy of flesh . he flies for the most part alone , unlesse it be perhaps in the flesh-market or shambles ; where the butchers turn fencers , continually killing and beating them away with their fly-flaps , lest with their fly-blowes ( which hippocrates cals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in greek ) their flesh should be tainted . there is a story ( as caelius rhodiginus relates it ) that at toletum in the open butcher-row , one fly amongst the rest used to come by the space of an year , as white as snow , which i dare say was of this sort in regard it was seen to be so long together in that place . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , musca canum , in english a dog-fly ; in the german tongue hunds fliege , hunds mucken ; in the polonian , psia mucha ; isidore , and e●thy●ius , and philo , suppose it to be a wood-fly : very irksome to the ears of dogs , the which notwithstanding they shake it oft never so often , yet returns with as much violence as before ; where if he tarry any while , with the galling of the flesh he raiseth a blister : of whom homer in his iliad . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. c. why like a dog-fly dost thou contend with the gods ? athenaus also in his book , reports that the like name of dog-fly was given to a certain famous curtizan for her unparallel'd impudence , mordacity and troublesomenesse . now the dog-fly ( to borrow the words of philo ) is an insect that bites hard , is importunate and treacherous : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . this seemeth to me in holy writ , as in exod. . psal . . & . to be the common name of all hurtful insects , as appeareth by the chaldee paraphrase . as for their more special signification , they can be compared to no kinde of fly better than those black great broad flat ordinary flies which do so boldly fly upon cattel , and not only suck from the outermost skin of them watry bloud as other flies , but with great pain fetch out and suck bloud very deep . they want a snout , but in stead thereof they have two teeth as the wasps have , which they fasten deeply into the skin , but more especially they infest and annoy the ears of hounds in germany , insomuch that ( as camerarius witnesseth ) they even pluck off the skin . these an english gent. said he saw in italy in shape altogether like the dog-fly , only without wings : whose wings also are represented so close to his body that the learned dr. barbar takes them for the same . niphus doth ascribe unto it wonderful swiftnesse of flight and roundnesse of body . the nearest in likenesse to it is the tick or sheep-fly , making a kinde of a horrid noise as he flies , and is in his flight more slow and heavy then a gad-fly . there are two kindes of them , differing only in bignesse , the greater which is the forrest-fly , the other the lesse living in hedges and quicksets . this beast-fly is in latine called asilum ; in greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from striking or stinging : whence not only this insect but another that useth to scare bees ( of which hereafter ) and a third very so midable to some kinde of fish , are called by the same name of oestrum . of this kinde of fly the poet virgil in the of his georgicks chanteth after his manner : a fly there 's in silarus woods , that much vseth n●er to green holm , the greeks call such oistron , asilus is the latine name , it makes a sharp harsh noise , and with the same heards of cattel frighted fly and quiver , woods , and barks sound of tanagius river . calepine and other lexicographers of his gang , besides some physicians , and even pliny himself makes this fly one and the same with the oxe-fly , so that it is very probable that they did not so heedfully read aristotle as they might , or did not indeed understand his meaning . it is confest on all hands , that asilus and tabanus are a species of flies , and that both of them have a sting in their mouth , with which they pierce the sides of the beasts , and suck out their bloud . for so saith the philosopher , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : oxe-flies and brees make holes in the skins of four footed beasts , and they have a strong tongue which serve them for a sting , they are creatures that eat bloud , &c. but yet that they differ much , aristotle and aelian plainly shew . first the tabani are more frequent especially in woods and highwaies that are beset with trees and hedges , as they who use to travel on horseback know to their great trouble and vexation . for in the heat of the day they sting deeply : and being then greater in number do draw out such a quantity of bloud , that many times the horses strength fails them , insomuch that the countrey people are forced to beat them off from their horses with fly-flaps and boughs which they carry in their hands . but the asili are more rare , and never fly but near the water side . moreover the asili ( as witnesseth aristot . ) do take their beginning of certain kinde of broad and flat little creatures which haunt about rivers sides : but the tabani come of certain worms breeding in wood or timber ; that which sostrates wrote , and pierius diligently hath observed . besides the asili do trouble oxen and all living creatures , according to that of hesychius , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but the tabani trouble oxen only . to which agreeth that of orpheus , vers . . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. the horrid brees mans body doth not spare , he flies from us into the open air . and homer in his odysses . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . but they fled home as herds of oxen doe , when that the brees doth force them for to goe , in the spring time when daies do longer grow . where the scholiast thus defines this kinde of fly , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. the fly called oestrum is of a yellowish colour , who when it enters the ears of the oxe , causeth him to run mad : upon which callimachus in imitation of the countrey people cals him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , an oxe-driver . but the myopes or tabani do set upon men , horses , yea and serpents ( as nicander affirms ) . their shape and form is also different , as the philosopher sheweth de part . anim. l. . in these words : the tongues of the asili and tabani are alike , of a purple colour ; yet these dare seize upon men , the other upon oxen only . now the asilus hath a green he●d , and the rest of his body all over yellowish , having a greater snout than the tabanus , but making not so great a noise , or buzzing ; he carries before him a very hard , stiffe , and well compacted sting , with which he strikes through the oxe his hide ; he is in fashion like a great fly , and forces the beasts for fear of him only to stand up to the belly in water , or else to betake themselves to wood sides , cool shades , and places that the wind blowes through . for whilest they stand in the cold water they flap their wet tails all about their bodies , and so cause him to be gone . the scholiast of nicander saith that they are bred of horseleeches . as if he would have us to understand horseleeches by those slat creatures ( of which arist . makes mention before ) and yet it is against nature or experience that bloud-sucking mothers , should bring forth a bloud-sucking brood . he flies exceeding swiftly ; drawes bloud with much pain . pennius hath set down very ra●e kindes of asili , one of which was sent him out of virginia by white , the other out of russia by elmer a chirurgeon for a g●eat present . that out of virginia was full as big as the biggest flies , having a reddish head , and very like in shape too , but only that the head was black , and had from the shoulders a white streak drawn to the mouth , having also bigger and bla●ker eyes . he had in his mouth a long 〈…〉 ing and very strong , his shoulder of a blackish brown colour , from whence came forth two wings of a silver colour , to the tail downward , it had six or seven joynts or fissures , of a whitish colour , all the rest of the body blackish . in swiftnesse of flight inferious to none , surpassing the most ; his belly was between an ash and yellow colour , or a pale green . that of elmer which came from moscovia , had silver wings longer than the whole body , great eyes , very long , taking up almost all the head , a black bill or beak , hardish , tripartite , with which out of hand she penetrates hose lined with a three double cloth , skin , flesh and all , sucking it with great pain . as for the generation of the asili , or the fly with great eyes : i wonder at the inconstancy of the philosophers opinion thereupon . for first he makes them to come of a little flat creature swimming in the water ( which the scholiast of nicander not unfitly cals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. hirudines , in english horseleeches ) and in the . of his history , he will have them the off-spring of the gnats , in these words : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : some living creatures live first in moysture , and after that they change their shape and live out of it , as it fals out with gnats about rivers , from which proceeds the brees . but how that can be i know not : for of creatures that have wings , it is impossible that other winged creatures of a diverse form should be generated , as the diligent observer of nature may easily gather . and so much of the oxe-fly which the goths call hestabryviss : but the english have no name for it . [ wherein the author seems to me to be mistaken , because it hath afforded it a very proper name as is abovesaid ] . he feeds not only on the juice of flowers and honey , but on the bloud of beasts , which with great tediousnesse and pain he sucks out . there is another fly much of the same sort , with a head and body more inclining to green . his shoulders shine with greennesse , wings he hath two , whitish in the middle and outward parts , but are otherwise blackish or dunnish . this only once pennius saw it it hanworth in the year . in the moneth of august . in the year . he found in england two other sorts of flies like gnats ; one of which had a pretty big body , of yellow and red colour ; it had two wings , the head very long , the tail reddish . the other also had a long head , long and slender shanks of a very sad black colour : the latter were longer than the former which he stretched at length when he flew and let hang down . a countrey-man there was that affirmed for certain , that out of their eggs ( for he had observed them coupling together ) came those worms that usually eat the leaves of trees . the fly called in latine tabanus , is of the greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , by reason perchance of its stinging or pricking , for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 signifies also a spur wherewith horses are pricked or spurred . the french call it tahon ; the italians , tabano ; the spaniard , tavano ; the germans , braem , k●flyege , ross muck ; the brabanters , rochleghebrem ; the polonian , kirowia muka ; the english , a burrel-fly , stowt , and breese : and also of sticking and clinging , cleg and clinger . this calepine more boldly then truly saith hath four wings . but with more judgement aelian and others , say it hath but two silver white . the whole bulk or body is very long , divided into three principal parts , the head , shoulders , and the ventricle or belly , distinguished with five or six clefts or incisures , the whole body of a blackish white , in the mouth of it it carries a strong , long , and browny proboscis ; it hath six black feet , in all parts else representing much the dog-fly . in the moneths of july and august , by reason of the extremity of heat they are most fierce , and do miserably handle oxen and horses and young cattel , unlesse protected with fly-flaps , boughs of trees , or plants : which they follow by sent of their sweat , because they cannot reach them with their sight , being very weak sighted , from whence the infirmity of the eyes called purblindnesse is in greek termed 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . they are generated saith pliny of the worms that come out of the wood putrefied . which some cunning men before they have wings did use to binde about the wrist of the left arm as a remedy against quartain agues . they suck out bloud with such force and in so great abundance , that a friend of mine whom i dare believe told me , that his horse being tyed to a tree , was by reason of the multitude of them , killed in lesse then six hours , they had drawn out so much bloud that the spirits failing he fell down dead . by these things it is manifest , that the tabani are of a different nature from the asili , notwithstanding that most of the greek and latine authors do seem to confound them and make them all one . yea even gesner himself in this very matter could not tell what to say in his book de quadrup . and indeed unlesse it were only pierius and my friend pennius now deceased , no man as yet found the difference between them . ardoinus is here desired to be censured in the first place , because he saith that both the tabanus and asilus have stings in their tails as the wasps have : and secondly , because he makes them to have eight feet , where as none of them in the world was ever known to have above six . lastly , he reckons them in the classis or rank of gnats , whereas the gnat never bites in the heat of the day ( as the asilus and tabanus do ) but altogether in the night at what time they are very irksome indeed . next to these is another fly shrewdly annoying cattel in the heat of the day , which pennius cals curvicaudam , very well in english a wringle-tail , in regard that alwaies sitting upon the buttocks or belly of the beast , he bends his tail towards him with his sting started , that he may be ready to strike at-pleasure , whensoever opportunity may ofter it self . this fly the english in their proper tongue call a whame and a burrell-fly , and it is scarce found any where else but in england . this kinde of fly is almost like the bee in shape and colour , only it is bigger in body . it doth not cleave to the flesh , nor suck bloud as others do , but only stings with its tail , flying a long way after horses , and stinging them in their travel . horses are naturally afraid of this fly , whom upon the least touch they endevour by what means possible with their tails , feet and mouths to drive away . some are of a minde that these flies do not indeed use a sting , or prick , but with their tails they fasten their dung to the horses hair , from whence a while after come a number of very irksome nits . but experience must prove that , for reason in a matter so improbable is silent . true it is they are very violent upon their prey , as being blinde both the tabanus and the wringle-tail , which may be the reason why they are so bold and fearlesse , as being secure of any danger . but especially the oestrus , from whence those famous poets of old we●e said to be oestro perciti , stung with this furious fly called oestrum . plutarch cals them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , gad-stricken . those kinde of flies that follow are more rare . there are ●undry sorts of flies , of the greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in latine , pilicauda , setica●dae ; in english hair-tails , or bristle-tails . for some of them have one , others two , othersome yet three or four bristles in their tail : of which in order . the fly with four hairs represents the first of those with three hairs , only its tail is somewhat bigger at the latter end of it , the feet as also the horns black , the wings long , the outermost three times exceeding the innermost in bignesse , having a black spot in the middle , and in the tail four hairs or bristles . the greatest libellae . the mean. the smallest . the middle sort of the libellae do set forth natures elegancy beyond the expression of art. the first is of a most cutious colour . the body blue or sky colour , the wings of bright violet colour , the space between the shoulders is adorned with four golden gems , set as it were in a blackish collet . the second hath the head and body gray , the wings whitish , which are beautified with gray lines drawn quite through them , in the middle they are of a purple colour . the third hath its head and body of a greenish colour , the lines of the wings are marked as it were with bloud colour streaks , towards the edges or outmost parts like to a dark purple . the fourth-seems to be all over of the same colour , to wit , of a duskish colour mixt with a pale green . the eyes of the fifth are blue , the head green , the whole body mixt of green and blue , except the wings , which are most accurately wrought with silver colour and black , in the 〈…〉 adowed with a dark purple . the sixth is all over green ; yea and the wings themselves are of light green . i have seen four of the least 〈◊〉 of the 〈◊〉 . the first the body all over of a bright blue colour . the second red , the 〈…〉 to both of them a silver colour . the third yellowish , but the tail more thick ; the edges of the wings ( as also all the lines that run along them are red and marked with a bloud colour spot . the fourth which is the least of all , hath a long spiny tail , a great head , blue eyes standing out with two little horns to guard them ; the body somewhat long , slender , underneath greenish , above blackish , on the back it hath two greenish lines or streaks drawn along from the head to the 〈◊〉 of the wings , the tail bound together with five joynts or knots , in the end whereof is a ring of bluish colour . one there is of this number which ●●alleth some of the other bigger very speedily : of a thin gray coloured body , and the wings alike coloured , and when he creeps into an apple , no hole can be seen where he went in : he feeds also upon seeds . this fly william brewer a learned man and an excellent naturalist sent to pennius . there are found in the leaves of young fennel flies of an exceeding smalnesse , inasmuch as sometimes they are so little , that they are not able to be seen ; they run and fly very swiftly , insomuch that you would wonder how it were possible for nature to fasten feet and wings to such very exceeding small bodies . water flies , of the greeks called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or l●custres , ●s abiding in fenny places , are those that feed upon things that swim upon the su●●ce of the water , and that live especially upon the water , as these and the like , phryganides , 〈◊〉 , tigurina , aeschna , lutea , f●sca , &c. phryganides comes from the little worm phryga 〈…〉 ( which in english is called cados worm ) living in the waters , and in the midst of august ascending to the top or superficies of the waters ; it hath four wings of a brown colour , the body somewhat long , having two short horns , the tail forked , or rather bristles coming out of the tail . the form or figure of this fly is various , in regard of the great variety of those little cados worms whereof they come . chap. xii . of the use of flyes . these little creatures so hateful to all men , are not yet to be contemned as being created of almighty god for diverse and sundry uses . first of all , by these we are forewarned of the near approaches of foul weather and storms ; secondly , they yeeld medicines for us when we are sick , and are food for divers other creatures , as well birds as fishes . they shew and set forth the omnipotency of god , and execute his justice ; they improve the diligence , and providential wisdome of men . all which shall appear in their places . as for their presaging of weather : when the flies bite hardel then ordinary , making at the face and eyes of men , they foretell rain or wet weather : from whence politian hath it . — sitiensque cruoris musca redit , summosque proboscide mordicat artus . english : thirsty for bloud the fly returns , and with his sting the skin he burns . perhaps before rain they are most hungry , and therefore to asswage their hunger , do more diligently seek after their food . this also is to be observed , that a little before a showre or a storm comes , the flies descend from the upper region of the air , to the lowest , and do fly as it were on the very surface of the earth . moreover if you see them very busie about sweet meats , or unguents , you may know that it will presently be a showre . but if they be in all places many and numerous , and shall so continue long ( if alexander benedict . and johannes damascenus say true ) they foretel a plague or pestilence ; because so many of them could not be bred of a little putrefaction of the air . many waies doth natute also by flies play with the fancies of men in dreams , if we may credit apomasaris in his apotelesms . for the indians , persians , and aegyptians do teach , that if flies appear to us in our sleep , it doth signifie an herauld at arms , or an approaching disease . if a general of an army or a chief commander dream that at such or such a place he should see a great company of flies ; in that very place , where ever it shall be , there he shall be in anguish and grief for his souldiers that are slain , his army routed , and the victory lost . if a mean or ordinary man dream the like , he shall fall into a violent feaver , likely may cost him his life . if a man dream in his sleep that flies went into his mouth or nostrils , he is to expect with great sorrow and grief imminent destruction from his enemies . nor do they only foretell storms , that shall fall out such daies , or such times of the year ; but they do afford much matter for medicine , and cure for diseases . for galen out of saranus , asclepiades , cleopatra , and others , hath taken many medicines against the disease called alopecia or the foxes evill ; and he useth them either by themselves or mingled with other things . for so it is written in cleopatra's book de ornatu . take five grains of the heads of flies , beat and rub them on the head affected with this disease , and it will certainly cure it . asclepiades used to take a great many flies heads fresh pluckt from the body , and rub the part that was bare or bald with this disease , especially if they were exulcerated . for the bloud of flies ( saith he ) doth much help the parts that are exulcerated with nitrous medicines , or are otherwise galled or fretted . soranus used mix a pot full of whole flies dried to powder , with alcyonium , quick brimstone , gunpowder , sowes gall , and other like things against the fox-evil . some adde to these bears hair , roots of reed , and fern , and bark of chesnut ; and with which medicine they cure perfectly not only the fox-evill , but whatever defluxion of hair , and the thinnesse thereof however contracted ; the place affected being only first rubbed till it be red again , with fig-leaves . others use the bloud that runs out of the heads of flies : othersome apply the ashes of them ten daies together with the ashes of paper or nuts , so that the third part be the ashes of flies . some others do temper ashes of flies with womens milk , or coleworts ; some only with honey . pliny . after the same manner , haly and marcellus burn the heads of flies and mingle them with honey in stead of an oyntment . brassavolus lib. de morbo gallico , maketh use of both the bloud and the ashes of flies against the foxes evill . the like medicine pliny useth to procure hair on the eye-lids : take of ashes of flies and mouse-dung of each alike mingled half a penny weight , add to it two sixth parts of stibium , and with these and oesipus or sheeps fat anoint the part . some prescribe flies with the roots of docks for the leprosie to be annointed withall . pliny saith that there were some , that for the same cause did give red flies dead , in drink , but those that were very weak a fewer number . that flies are very good for sundry diseases of the eyes , not only haly , galen , pliny , and archigenes have affirmed , but also neotericks or later writers , especially for the pin and web , bleer-eye , squint-eye , and warts on the eye-lids . if the eyes be washed in the evening with water of ordinary flies distilled in way of bath , for a moneths space , it will cure them of all spots or films . if the hair be often wet with it , it will grow exceedingly . but the vessel must be buried in autumn , and the material distilled about winter . with two drops of this water put into the ears , gesner writes , the deafnesse of them will be cured ; and this medicine he saith he learned of a jew . mutianus which was thrice consul , from observation , did hang a live fly in a little linnen bag about his neck , wherewith the rhume or bloudshot of them was cured , as pliny affirmeth . flies in an odde number being rubbed together are reported to be very good to cure a fellon on the ring finger . bean flies drank with vinegar do drive forth a horsleech sticking in the throat . haly abbas . the fly napellaris , of the herb napellus or wolfebane so called , doth not only cure the poyson of that herb , but all other poyson whatsoever , as avicen witnesseth , and julius scaliger confesseth : from whence this antidote is made . take round birth-wort , mithridate of each two ounces , terra sigillata half an ounce , flies of napellus in number , juice of citrons what may suffice , mingle them , make an opiate . for ( saith scaliger ) against the biting of the tarantula , or any venomous beast , or the poyson of wolfebane there is no antidote comparable to this . the same do gainerius , and petrus apponensis teach us . yea , moreover when as there is no fly almost but will cause vomiting ( as i shall make good out of arnoldus ) why may not all of them be thought preservatives against poyson ? cardanus in like manner commends the wormed fly. but it is best learning of medicines by hands and eyes : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . i. e. by known experience , lest while we affect unknown medicines we lose the use of those we know . he tels us that an oyl made of wood flies was in great estimation ; yet he telleth not us how to make or to use it . a fly chewed and swallowed doth vehemently provoke vomiting . arnoldus . i have heard of a certain man ( saith gesner ) that was wont to take three or four flies into his body , which gave him a very good stool . take five grains of broom-flowers , let them be put into an earthen po● , with butter here and there laid between them bed upon bed , with which the vessel may be filled , and being very well closed , let it be buried in horse dung , where the sun useth to come , for the space of one year ; at the years end you shall finde the flies turned into an unguent ; the which afterwards are exceeding good for any grief whatsoever in any part of the body , as i have learned of a friend of very good credit . nonus adviseth to take the bodies of great flies when the heads are off , and rub'd between the fingers , and to annoint a small impostumate swelling therewith , for a special remedy . fortius the poet affirms , that there was a german maid which lived three years with eating of flies . if cattel cannot urine , or the urine scald their genitals , put but a live fly into them , and it will give them ease . columella . neither do they serve for the health of men and cattel ; but withall do seem to be created for food and sustenance of sundry sorts of creatures . for there are some kindes of spiders which hunt after flies and prey upon them . swallows feed on flies , and almost on them alone , as if they were to be supposed to be made only for them , inasmuch as without them the swallow could not live : and that the reason why in fair weather they hunt after them aloft in the air , in ●●iny below near to the earth . pliny affirms that the bird called himantopus , makes them his chiefest food . there is a kinde of duck called of the tigurini , muggent ( as if you would say , the duck that catcheth flies ) like to the tame duck in bignesse , which greedily snatches up the flies swimming on the water and eats them . the chamaeleon which some have reported , but falsly , to feed only on the air , feeds on flies , which with his tongu●●●ix inches long , putting it forth suddenly and waving it to and fro , he hits unawares , drawes to him and devours them , as i have seen with mine own eyes in the year . all those birds called wagtails ( if i am not deceived ) live upon flies , but especially those that are whitish about the tails : in the german tongue todten ' uogel , but others call it more properly muggen sticher ; in greek , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; in latine , muscivorum ; in english , the fly-eater , as being fed with nothing else , as bellonius writeth . the bigger sort of zigainae , so called , feed on flies which they catch as they fly , as swallows do , and never misse one , as i have taken a great deal of sport to behold . the worms of flesh-flies , which we english call maggots and gentles , fishes are very much taken with ; anglers use to fasten these to their hooks to catch roch , perche , carp , and other fish withall , very good they are for that purpose especially if preserved in honey . trouts are taken with the ground or gaipath fly , but chiefly with the dung fly ; so that the anglers use to fasten one or two of them to their hook , and with a sporting , or rather cunning snatching back of their line , do invite the trouts more greedily to bite , and the bait being swallowed down to hang the surer . others put as many of those flies upon their hooks as they will hold , and plunge them quite down to the bottome , especially where they know the greater trouts use to haunt , who are very desirous of the bait so laid before them , and by the their greedinesse become a prey , and lose their lives ; as william bruer informs me . the fly called phryganium ( in english , the cados fly ) serves for the like use , as also the fly which usually sits upon mans ordure . but every moneth must have his several fly , for that which is for one moneth is not for another ; the which the fishers very well know , who in defect of the natural fly do substitute artificial flies made of wool , feathers , or divers kinde of silken colours , with which they cousen and deceive the fish . only you must take heed that assoon as ever they bite , you pull your line to you , lest the fish refusing the unsavoury bait get away . in the river astraeum there swim fish of divers colours feeding upon the native fly that flies on the top of the water , which when the fishermen perceived , they began to catch of those kinde of flies , and fasten them on their hooks . now these flies it seemeth as soon as ever they are touched lose their native colour , and so become altogether unuseful to fish withal . wherefore they are fain to use aritificial ones made according to their shape and colour ( as aelian reports ) . they add also to the purple wool , and divers coloured , made into the shape of that fly , two cocks feathers of wax colour , and so exactly resemble the natural fly. from whence we conclude this art of making flies to be very ancient , and derived to us by long tract of time ; however we have some bold bragging hookmen at this day that ascribe it to their own invention . nor may we wonder that fishes and fishermen do so lie in wait to catch flies ; when as domitian the emperor thought it a work not unbeseeming caesar himself ; who as suetonius saith of him , with an iron pointed instrument stab'd all the flies in his chamber to the wals , as they stuck upon them , and would not leave so much as one ; insomuch that when it was asked by any who was within with caesar , the servants answered , ne musca quidem , no not so much as a fly. but how strongly do those infirm creatures demonstrate the great power of god ? for consider but the least fly that is , and observe how in so little a body the most high god hath cuririously fitted feet , wings , eyes , snout , and other parts , which yet are lesse then the least threed . how doth he out-●ly a fly of his own name ten times bigger then himself ? doth he not excell all other flies in running ? doth he not pierce deeper with his snout , and draws out whole vessels of wine ? the elephant , that great monster of creatures , is often vexed and molested with flies ; and that they are able to tame the lions , aesop shewes in his elegant fable . the horse , and bear are not able to endure their biting , much lesse then can the sheep , and asses , unlesse humane prudence came in for their aid , and did prevail against them . hence came the invention of that which some make of leather , rushes , or bristles which we call a fly-flap : and that orbicular fan fastened to a longstick made of the most choice peacocks feathers , of which propertius of old , makes mention in this distich : lambere quae turpes prohibet tua prandia muscas , alitis eximiae cauda superba fuit . that is to say , that which forbids the nasty fly thy dish to lick , is peacocks feathers fasten'd to a stick . the indians and germans make these , the one of oxes , the other of foxes tails . some make them of small willow twigs , others after another manner : the fashion whereof , aelian , vegetius , ovid , grapaldus do exactly describe . moreover , whereas the rugged skin of the elephant is in stead of tail , mane , hair , ( to speak in plinies language ) neither hath he any bristles to cover him , or tail to guard him , therefore men cover him all over with linnen or silk , the better to free him from the irksomnesse of the flies , and to keep him safe that they may not come at his skin . that oxen and cattel be not annoyed with flies , anoint them with oyl fryed in a frying-pan , or with lions grease , and flies will not settle on them . the same will origanum or wilde marjoram effect , if rubbed till it be limber and spread upon them . if you anoint the hairs with the juice of the leaves of a gourd , you would not a little wonder how it will free them from flies ; this i have oftentimes made use of with profit . selardanus . bay-berries being made into a very small powder and boyled with oyl , have the same virtue , if they be anointed with them ; as also the drivel or foam of oxen and horses . affricanus . oftentimes flies get into the wounds and ulcers of cattel , so that by reason of the worms which they breed , there is added much malignity . first of all therefore , those ulcers being made clean , columella applies an ointment made of pitch , old oyl , and bacon grease , both within and without ; afterwards he applies whey wingled with ashes . almost all the summer long the ears of dogs are so exulcerated with flies , that they often lose them quite . the which that it might be helped , they should be anointed with oyl . the fly ophioborus ( from eating or devouring of serpents ) gets close , saith aetius , between the scales of the serpent dryinam especially , insomuch that at length it kils him outright ; this fly from the colour of its wings is called of hesychius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or the brazen fly , because it resembles the colour of brasse , it feeds on black beetles ; and by biting begets in the serpent extremity of heat , after that unquenchable thirst , and death followes : having fed upon the carkasses of these serpents , if afterwards they happen to bite a man , the wound is incurable and deadly . the flies called m●rdivora or dung-flies are of divers sorts : one is like the flesh-fly but bigger , his eyes of a darkish red , shoulders black , in which there is a circle somewhat long and whitish ; the back black drawn over with crosse lines or streaks . the wings silver colour , longer then the body ; most commonly they are seen about mens excrements , seldome otherwhere . there is also a fly green all over , so resplendent and glittering as if it were transparent , the head dunnish , silver wings , frequently in the woods , and most commonly about dung ; in bignesse equal to the common or ordinary sort of flies . whether it be that which silvaticus cals giacucul , i know not . i have light upon another fly called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , dung-eater , lesse then the green fly , the body dun , the head of a full red , with a line along the middle of it . i have another the body rough , yellowish , the eyes black standing out ; the shoulders and back black , curiously spotted , the tail ash-colour . another fly there is whose shoulders are of a pale red , somewhat towards a saffron colour ; it hath two horns longer then the rest , silver wings covering all the body ; the head black , foursquare , and small , very frequently seen about horse-dung . to conclude about dunghils ( from whence also it is probable they are generated ) there are certain yellowish flies , the body somewhat longer than the rest , and bunching up ; of whose generation we have before made mention . also i saw another rare fly , not every where to be met withal , that feeds on a mudwall made with mud and putrefied materials , it was black all over , only it had silver wings , and in the shoulders it hath four white spots , in the rest of the body eight , i. e. on each side four ; the eyes white , the frontlet marked as it were with a white asterisk or little star ; out of which shoot out two black horns and long , it hath also upon the top of the thigh or shank a little white spot sprinkled up and down . this fly i keep , though dead , in a box for the rarity of it . bombilophagus , is a fly , montanous , big , very black , the body rough , the eyes somewhat long , great , the head of a bright red ; for his prey he fals fiercely on the humble-bee , and getting the better of him by flight , nimbly gets upon his back , and sticking close to him , doth so extremely bite , that he throwes him headlong to the ground , sucks out what honey he findes , and goeth away conqueror . in the top of cartmel hills pennius affirms in his papers , that he saw it as long as the fight lasted ; but the fortune of the battel falling to the flies , the humble-bees were put to the worst and slain . and thus much of the zoophagi or the flies that live upon living creatures . the azoophagi so called , are those that make their living out of creatures without life , and those are either on the land , or in the water : of the land flies , some feed only on the earth and the dew of it ; others of plants , herbs , and flowers growing thereon . the one i call ( in a term of my own ) ground-sucker● , humisugae ; the other , hearb-eaters , herbivorae . the humisuga , or ground-sucker , hath a dun coloured body , in the head toward the mouth , a whitish shining spot , the belly and feet black , at the comming forth of the wings on both sides a white spot , the back grey , in the shoulders according to the length of them four sullied white lines , the wings silver , and ( if they be put into the water ) shining like the glo-worm : it is found in foot-paths , and mole-heaps newly turned up ; for it loves the ground that is made plain and smooth with treading on , and therefore called in english the graypath fly : it seldome comes upon flowers , especially at what time the mole casts up fresh earth , of the juice whereof it is sustained . of the herbivora or those that feed on herbs or flowers there are divers sorts or species ; whereof three are like the bee termed of lucian 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , military or war flies . in regard they are bigger , lustier , and stronger , very specious to look on , very gallantly set out with two silver wings . the first and chief of these hath a blackish head , the middle of the back being cut crossewise with two overthwart lines , the end of the tail black : the body otherwise mud colour . the second not much unlike , the head blackish , the shoulders according to the length of them drawn with three yellow and black lines , the rest of the body marked alike and with the same colours . the third and least of these , the shoulders are rough and yellow , the head red , the ▪ rest of the body is divided with four yellow and four black lines going acrosse it . the bodies of all of them do glitter , and as if they had nothing in them are transparent . they are conversant in gardens , sucking the juice of the flowers . lucian describes these military flies thus : there are a kinde of fly which some call military , others dog-flies , that make a very harsh and shrill noise , and fly exceeding swiftly . these are very long lived , and continue all the winter without meat , especially when drawn together , and fastened to ridges and tops of houses . in whom this is most worthy of admiration , that both of them do the naturall office both of male and female , like the son of mercury and venus , who was of a mixt nature or hermophrodite . much like to these is there another fly called apiaria , of a shining black , having two wings , gathering wax , and fastening the juice that he hath gathered from the flowers to his hinder legs , as the bee doth : he comes abroad in autumn , and is seldome seen at any other time . whether this be that which arist . cals sirenis ; it differs certainly in the number of wings only , for that he makes to have four wings , whereas nature hath afforded this but two . there are other sorts of flies , that devour herbs and flowers , that are not like bees , to wit , the struthiopteri , eninopteri , and chelidonii , because it is like to the swallow . of the struthiopteri , i have seen three sorts . the first whereof is tender and sort , six footed , with two wings , the belly longer then ordinary , sending forth from the head a little above the eyes two feathers like ostriches feathers , as it were horns of a downy softnesse , as soft as any feathers whatsoever ; crump shouldered , all the rest of the body white , longer then the wings which are black . the second is of the same colour , whitish , the head of a dusky colour ; otherwise it differeth little or nothing at all from the former . the third is all alike , only the horns are not so soft and downy ; the tail is white , the body long , with five white lines going athwart it , the feet long , marked with black and white colours : as it goeth it lifteth up the tail a little , and softly claps his two transparent wings together . these three species do appear in the spring time with the first , in gardens , hedges and shady places very frequently before and after rain . the erinopteros is a fly all over white or rather silver colour , small and every where downy ; inasmuch as when it sits upon a flower , if you look not hard upon it , you would think it were a feather ; the wings of it are divided , the feathers being severed one from the other almost like birds wings . pennius received one of these painted , from edmund knivet : afterwards he often saw them in hedges , and places set with privet . the fly called chelidonius , is swifter of wing then all the rest , sides , tail , head , brown and hairy , the eyes black and hanging out , the bill or rather the nose picked , out of the top of which start out two horns ; the top of the shoulders as also the back black , two silver wings , the forepart whereof do answer to the blacknesse of the feet : sometimes it sits in one place for a great while together , as if it were unmovable , but as soon as you come near it , it s out of your sight before you can say , what 's this ? and will not yeeld a jot to the swallow ( from whom it hath its name ) for swiftnesse of ●light . pennius received another flower-fly of the learned carolus clusius , black , having two silver wings , two dainty white eyes in the back , having seven yellow spots , in the midst whereof is to be discerned a speck of black . there are flies that are found in beans , of sundry colours , but especially of a pale purple , which i conceive do come of the smal worms called midae . for when they are gone ( which is in the midst of summer ) suddenly there comes forth a great number of those flies swarming amongst the beans . the fly of napellus i have not seen , but those that come out of those black grains that stick to the stalk of the wormwood , much less than millet seed , more black than any moor , only famous for their wonderful smalnesse . there is a certain fly called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , very rare and wonderful , whether you respect the form or the shortnesse of its life . it hath many names : aelian calleth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; hesychius , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; of others it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; in latine , diaria : it moves with four wings and as many feet ; for that it hath not peculiar to it in regard of the shortnesse of its life only ( saith the philosopher ) but also as it is a four footed creature , and a flying creature . it comes forth with the sun , groweth , flourisheth , languisheth , and dieth the same day with the sun setting . in the time of the summer solstice , these diary creatures break forth out of certain husks of putrefied grapes , which husks ( or such as seem to be so ) whether they are a kinde of aurelia proceeding from some kinde of canker-worms living in the water , it is not easie to shew ; for in that particular the philosopher is silent , from whom most of this story is gathered . pliny cals them thin membranes ; aristot . small bottles , and saith they are common to be seen in the river hippane , by the cimmerian bosphorus of pontus . they live a life both short and sweet , for they live not beyond the space of a natural day , and in the evening they put an end as to their lives , so to their miseries . in the mean while they are sustained and kept alive with their own radical moisture , neither are beholding either to air or earth , hence we may gather the length of their life , yea rather admire and wish for it . these insects cicero speaks of in the first of his tuscul . questions : these also matthias michoides in his . book de sarmatia europaea describes in these words , you may take notice ( saith he ) that in the rivers of russia and lituania , especially in boristhenes and botus , in the summer there are a great company of the flies called ephemers , or day flies : they are worms and flies both , some have four , others six wings ; in the morning they run upon their feet over the water , about noon they fly about the banks , the sun setting , as many as were bred that day dye in the self-same day . which description doth much differ from aristotles history of them , first because in the morning it is a creeping worm , then about noon a fly altogether , besides that he giveth to some six wings contrary to the minde of arist . jul. scaliger in his learned exoterick exercitations against cardanus , describes this fly after this manner : i have observed a kinde of fly frequenting sarca , and the lake of bennacum , called ephemerus , in the evening , but never any in the morning ; being taken it lived only a night : it hath four very long wings , how many feet i know not ; but if it have six ( for i do not remember how many it hath ) it sufficeth : it hath a head like a fly , great eyes , the snout or beak rolled up together , the belly large , the tail exceeding long , and full of joynts , in the end forked , in some three forked , of colour a darkish yellow in the bigger sort , in the lesser of a brown or dunnish , very specious . the taurini call this insect monietta , as they would say monachella . the adriatick about meranum and tergeste , call it cuzotulum ; of my countreymen it is called sitivola , i. e. sagitella . aelian lib. . de animal . c. . sets forth another kinde of these insects , such as are bred of sowre wine lees , which when the vessell is opened come forth , and the same day , for nature hath given them a beginning of life , but in regard of the many miseries to which it is incident , quickly freeth them of it , before they can be sensible of their own , or any others unhappiness . but yet what these flies of which aelian speaketh be , unlesse they be those that we call bibiones , i know not : for that our vintners know of no other bred in their cask . but scaligers ephemerus , i should rather have reckoned amongst the flies called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , had not he himself referred it to this classis . i shall not think it much also to speak of pennius his triemerus , or a fly living three daies , for the likenesse of the one with the other , that so the mindes of the studious may be filled with variety and rarity . it is of body very long , and somewhat like a butterfly , the head little and yellowish , the eyes great , black , standing out of the head , the promuscis or beak winding in ; of the colour of yellow mulleins , with which it sucketh dew from the flowers ; two black cornicles fastened a little above the eyes , the back and belly blewish , the end of the tail dunnish ; it hath only four legs , the hindermost whereof are yellowish , the edges of the foremost black , it hath as many wings as feet , the outermost whereof are pale , wan , the utmost borders of them being of a dark yellow , the innermost of a brightish yellow . the outer wings when they are closed together for to cover the body , they are so contiguous , that you can hardly , yea very hardly perceive where they touch ; it flies heavily , and continues but a while in flight , within three daies it expires , it lives amongst mallowes and nettles , this was found at peterborough in england in the year . witnessed by very honest men and without exception . thus pennius . in flowers , or rather the buds of the flower called white bets , there is a kinde of fly that eats the flowers , very small , i know not whether bred there , or coming thither from some other place . it seems they abide there for warmth sake and feeding . pennius saith he was informed of this by his most learned friend dr. brown. i thought good to place the fly bibio in this number , because it is nourished by wine , i. e. the clear juice of the grape ( of which also it is bred ) . in the illyrian tongue called vinis robale ; by the germans , wein worme ; in the english , wine fly. cardanus cals it muscilio ; scaliger not amisse , volucessam , and vinulam ; for it flies into cellars often , cares for nothing but wine . if you take it and look upon it , you would think it had no snout or beak at all , and yet it is reported that they will strike through a cask made of inch board , insomuch that the wine sometime runneth all out . it may be grapaldus meaneth these , when he writeth thus : the muscillae , musculae , musciones , flies bred in autumn in the mother of wine , and soiling the wine-cups , do not live so long ( and that deservedly ) as to come upon the table in the winter . in the west countrey in a town called tanton , in the fruit of an apple tree called velin , in the summer being rotten to the core , there is found a glistering fly of a green colour ; which when the apple is cut in twain , flies out , and seemeth to be bred there of some kinde of worm that is in it . the wounds made by any of these flies , must be anointed with bitter almonds bruised , or walnuts ; when ulcers are made , it is fit to pour on liquid pitch boyled with hogs-grease . those things that kill and drive away the tyke-flies called ricini , for the most part kill and drive away the dog-flies . columella . the fly also by his boldnesse and saucinesse , hath taught men how to provide remedies against them ; for whereas both at home and abroad , every where they were so troublesome , that nothing could be so safely kept by the cook , but presently they would be at it and spoil it , yea all kinde of meats whatsoever , they now use to strew or stick up in their houses , or boyl and mingle with such kinde of things as flies love , nigella seed , elder , lawrel , coriander , hellebore , buglosse , borage , sage , beets , loose-strife , origanum , basil royal , henbane , licebane , balm , a shrub having a flower like a rose , pepper , ferula , cockle , libbards-bane ; some give them orpiment powdered with milk or sweet wine , and sprinkle it about . rhasis writeth that crocodile broth chaseth away flies ; who also commends the perfume of yellow arsenick , with olibanum , perfume of vitriol ▪ writing ink tempered with water wherein wormwood hath been washed keeps the flies from the letters . plin. the seed of henbane , black ellebore , and the froth 〈◊〉 quicksilver with barly flower beaten and kneaded , and made into little morsels with butter 〈◊〉 ▪ grease , and smeared with a little honey , and so cast to the flies kils them . aetius . the gall of a 〈…〉 are mingled with milk , or boyled in water , and sprinkled about the house will chase away all the flies . anonymus . flies are destroyed with the smell of wine distilled with the herb balm . 〈◊〉 . if you would gather flies together into one place , cast rhododaphne well bruised into a ditch ; the juice of the herb ferula sprinkled worketh the same effect . aetius . bury the tail of a wolf in the house , and the flies will not come into it . rhasis , avicen , albertus . boors grease and rosin melted , entangles them , oyl choaks them , verdigrease kils them outright . if you anoint any thing with casia beaten in oyl , it will be safe from flies . there is found in my countrey ( saith petrus cressentius ) a kinde of toadstool or mushrome , broad and thick , reddish about the top , which sendeth forth certain knobs or little bunches , some broken , some whole ; it is called the flies mushrome , because when it is made into a pultess with milk , it destroyeth the flies . if a man hold in his ●and the stone heraclites , or the touchstone , although he were dawbed all over with honey , yet will not the flies come at him , & by this means you may know whether the touch-stone he true or no. aetius . they write that the k. of cambayes son was brought up by poyson , who when he came to years , was all over so venomous , that flies at once sucking were swoln to death . scaliger . if the fly get into one eye you may shut the other hard and it helpeth . aphrodisaeus in problem . if camels chance to be stung by the tabanus or asilus ( a kinde of fly so called ) as it often cometh to passe in arabia , anoint them with whales grease and all sorts of fish , and they will presently be gone . plia . solion in geoponicis , biddeth to sprinkle cattel with the decoction of bay-berries ; and both these flies through a kinde of natural antipathy depart forthwith . if cattel be already stung with the asilus fly , anoint them with ceruse and water . the tabani will die ( saith ponzettus ) when you set before them oyl of the decoction of land crocodiles called scinci , bruised , with hogs seam & the flour of soot . moreover let cattel be led to pasture in the evening , the stars guiding them , in the day time let them be kept in folds with boughs laid under them , that they may lye the more easily and quietly . virgil. or else let them be brought to the sides of thick woods where these slies by reason of the dulnesse of their sight cannot fly so freely . sundry kindes of remedies against slies ruellius upon hippocrates , as also apollonius and brixtus have prescribed more remedies against slies ▪ now after what manner flies do execute the justice of god , let us briefly set down . no age but will speak of that famous army of flies , with which that great lord of hosts of heaven and earth did of old correct the fury of pharaoh , and of the aegyptians , being joyned with hardnesse of hart ; and yet the wicked hypocrite did not come to himself , but wallowing still in the mi●e of s●n without any sense , did afterwards invite greater and more grievous judgements to fall upon him . and that proud young gallant , who would needs ride to heaven upon his winged stead , was dismounted and cast down by the fly called oestrum . hercules also , although exceeding in strength , the poets inform , that he was almost vanquished by slies . in the time of k. rivallus , when as corruption of manners , and guilt had infected britany , there came down from heaven showres of bloud , and those being dried away , did produce swarms of poysoned flies , who if they did but once bire any man he presently died , as our annals report . nicolaus albanepolitanus an english man , being elected pope in the year . called by the name of hadrian the fourth , was choaked with a fly flying into his mouth . vrspergensis . others say that he was killed with drinking a draught of water in which a fly was drowned : and that by the just judgement of god ▪ who excommunicated frederick cesar , ( whose surname was barbarossa , or ae 〈…〉 barba ) and did incense all the princes of italy against him . nauclerus out of johannes cremonensis . an ancient writer reports also , that the army of julian the apostate was grievously infested with mighty swarms of flies ; and grillus saith that the megarenses were by them driven from their habitation . in the year . great numbers of flies dropping out of the air , did cause in the eastern countreys incredible noisomnesse and putrefaction ; upon which followed such a plague among the people , that scarce the tenth man among them was left alive . in the year . wonderful store of strange flies did fly up and down many countreys , who did sundry waies hurt the grasse , trees , cattel , and men also . cranzius . in the year . a sort of fly about the bignesse of the common sort of flies , only of somewhat a longer body , did so fill the air , that for many miles together the sun could not be seen , which were also very troublesome . vrspergensis . in the year . charles king of france leading an army into spain , and making war with peter king of aragon , an army of huge flies of divers colours set upon the french , and slew them with their beaks , as it had been with swords . marineus siculus l. . de hisp . reg. in the year . about the middle of august , upon the top of the temple of brumbium , there sare every year a swarm of flies which made such a noise with their wings as if they would throw down the ●oof ; timethy bright told this to pennius , a physician , a man both learned and vertuous , and of no small note with us . hither may be referred that which strabo reports , lib. georg. . that amongst the romans a plague did often happen by reason of them , insomuch that they were fain to hire men of purpose to catch them , who were payed according to the quantity more or les●e that they caught . but how greatly they annoy the inhabitants of africk , apulia , spain , italy , and the west-indies , how grievously they sting and wound the carthaginians , and the inhabitants of hispaniola , besides oviedus , let those englishmen speak who accompanied that flower of knighthood , and maul of the spanish pride , francis drake . as for those things which apollonius , fulgesus and pliny , fabulously and superstitiously relate concerning flies , i thought them unworthy of this place ; and therefore those flies called pisatides , cypriae , eliades , acteae , and the rest of meer invention i pass by . it shall not be from the matter to tax in brief the madnesse of the ancient gentiles , that we may thereby be taught to lift up our eyes to the true ▪ 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the god that doth indeed keep flies away from us . it is said of hercules in performing divine worship , whereas he was almost killed by the flies , that he offered sacrifice to jupiter , called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or the flyway-driver , by which means they were presently dispatcht into the river alphaeus , from whence he was afterwards called by the name of muscarius or fly-killer . the el●ans did invocate myagrus and myades , that multitude of flies might not cause a plague amongst them . pliny . he relates also how the cyrenaicks were wont to worship achor the god of flies , that by his means they might be secured from being troubled with them . pliny more truly might have read this name acaron , or ithekron , in stead of achor , if he had heard of the town acaron where bahal-zebub , i. e. the god of flies , that famous idol used to be worshipped . vrspergeusis saith that the devil did very frequently appear in form of a fly ; whence it was that some of the heathens called their familiar spirit musca or fly : perchance alluding to that of plautas : hic pol musca est , mi pater , sive profanum , sive publicum , nil clam illum haberi potest : quin adsit ibi illico & rem omnem tenet . this man o my father is a fly , nothing can be concealed from him , be it secret or publick , he is presently there , and knowes all the matter . but away with those false and filthy gods which ▪ the greeks therefore called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because they did serve for bugbears perhaps for children , and ignorant and heathenish people , which we that are christians , and professe the true creator of all things , ought not at all to regard . there is also said to be another use of flies . for plutarch in his artaxerxes relates that it was a law amongst a certain people , that whosoever should be so bold as to laugh at and deride their lawes and constitutions of state , was bound for twenty daies together in an open chest naked , all besmeered with honey and milk , and so became a prey to the flies and bees , afterward when the daies were expired he was put into a womans habit , and thrown headlong down a mountain : which place of plutarch ( by the translators leave ) i think should be interpreted not ciphone vinctus , but unctus ciphi , anointed with sweet smelling oyntment . of which kinde of punishment also suidas makes mention in his epicurus . there was likewise for greater offenders , a punishment of boats , so called . for that he that was convict of high treason , was clapt between two boats with his head , hands and feet hanging out : for his drink he had milk and honey powred down his throat , with which also his head and hands were sprinkled , then being set against the sun , he drew to him abundance of stinging flies , and within being full of their worms , he putrefied by little and little , and so died . which kinde of examples of severity as the ancients shewed to the guilty and criminous offenders ; so on the other side the spaniards in the indies , use to drive numbers of the innocents out of their houses , as the custome is among them , naked , all bed●wbed with honey , and expose them in open air to the biting of most cruel flies . but for these things let nemesis answer , who is at the back of cruel miscreants , yea may be said every moment to be present with them . to conclude ; the last use of flies ( and thatnot to be contemned neither ) appears to be this , that where is none of them passe a summer , yet some of them do not live out a short day , we should by them be put in minde of our own frailty , and of the uncertainty of this vanishing life ; the which although preserved with all the dainty food that can be got , with the softest raiment , and all the best waies and means that may be for a short space , yet when it seems most to flourish , it on a sudden declines and scarce with the fly holds out an autumn , much lesse a winter ; we are in pindars account but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , daiesmen , i. e. of a daies continuance , and as the dream of a shadow . and with the flies , short liv'd , yea shorter liv'd then they , for the most short lived of them liveth a day , whereas we have young children that survive not sometimes the fourth part of an hour . away then thou tyrant whoever thou art , make lawes as thou pleasest , persecute the godly , add impudence to thy strength , trouble and confound all things , give thy self up to all abominable and filthy lusts ; yet at length jupiter shall scare away these fl 〈…〉 s , and after thou art dead exercise thee with variety of torments . chap. xiii . of gnats . the gnat is called in hebrew arabick , heagi ; in italian , zenzala , zinzala , sanzara , sanzala ; in germane , mock , m' n' ucke schnack , flinger , braem ; in flanders , mesien ; in polony , komer , welchicomor ; in muscovy , coomor ; in spanish , moxquite & mosquito , whence our se 〈…〉 en call it a muschite ; in french , if it be lesser , moucheron , if greater , bordella ; in english , if bigger , a gnat , if lesser , midges ; in latine , culex , perchance from its sting as isidor saith , or from the word culeum , which signifies the same with cortum a skin . but if i might be bold to give the etymologie , i should rather read the word cuticem , not calicem , a skin fly , because it most affects that : whence by way of hieroglyphick it signifies a letcher ; because as the gnat covets the fairest skin , and strikes till bloud come forth , so doth the letcher : which plautus seems to intimate , when as the parasite , if i am not deceived , takes up an old fornicator for kissing his mistress too hard after this manner : eho tunihili , cane culex , &c. what , art thou not ashamed thou gray-headed gnat ? i can scarce forbear to tell thee thine own . the greeks have no general word that comprehends all kindes of gnats ; as on the other side the latines want words for particular gnats , with which the greeks abound . of the greek words , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 seems to be most comprehensive , whence the oeteans worshipt hercules by the name of conopius , because he was thought to have driven all the gnats out of their countrey . the same alexandrinus witnesseth that apollo was called in attica culicaris . the boeotians worshipt their god by the name of apollo parnopius , because he drave away their gnats called in their language , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , so pausanias . but since the greeks have one herb they call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. culicularia or gnatbane , a remedy against all sorts of gnats , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth indeed seem to be the most general word . that is evident by the network coverlid spread on beds , taken from the greeks which they call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and we also at this day name not much unlike , a canopy , a thing to catch all manner of gnats . the gnat seems to be a kinde of fly , yet as flies love sweet things , gnats love things sowre and tart . the flies do couple , the gnats do not . they are most troublesome in the day time , these in the night , they make a kinde of a dull humming noise , these sing shrill , loud and pleasantly . the gnat hath two wings , for the bigness of his body great , coming forth of his cromp shoulders , he hath six long crooked scambling legs going in and out , growing from his prominent square breast , with which as arist . saith , they with the more ease lift up their bodies and go the better ; he hath a very long body , as also a snout or proboseis three times as long as the flies have , with the sharp point whereof he breaks through the skin , and with the hollowness of his trunk he sucks bloud , which he makes use of in stead of a mouth and a tongue . pliny . he makes a terrible sound and great , for the bulk of his body , so that homer in his batrochomyomachia , makes them to give the signal for the fight . aristophanes in his nubibus , in derision of socrates , brings in chaerepho , demanding whether the gnats make that sound with their mouth or with their tail . yet in his avibus he terms them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which the scholiast expounds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , shrill singing . their proboscis ( saith pennius ) seems to be given them by nature to suck bloud and to feed themselves withall ; but we may not assent to him in this particular , even reason is against it , for that the gnat when he turns towards one sings more shrill , but in turning away more flat ; which could not possibly be , if they made their sound with their tail . the structure or make of the gnat there is no man but with pliny may justly admire . for in these so small insects and as good as none almost , what reason is there ? what force ? what inextrieable perfection ? where hath nature placed so many senses in the gnat ? where his sight , where his tâste , where his smelling ? where is begotten that terrible and great sound which that little body makes ? with what curiosity are the wings fastened , and the shanks and legs to the body ? an empty hollow place for a belly which causeth such a thirst after bloud , of mens especially ? but their dart wherewith they pierce the skin , how sharp is it ? as in the biggest it cannot be perceived , so it is doubled with reciprocal art , that it might be sharp to break through the skin , and fistulous to suck the bloud . their manners and conditions are very ill disposed , both in regard that by their good will they will wound none but the fairest ; and also those that are asleep , harmlesse and thinking no hurt . whence groweth the proverb of a very ill conditioned man , that he is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , mort mischievous than the gnat. the gnat certainly is a very mischievous little creature ( to use aelians language ) annoying men both day and night , both with his noise and his sting ; especially those that live near the fens or rivers . of whom tertullian against marcion , and his fifth book speaketh thus : endure , if thou be able , the trunk and launce of the gnat ; who doth not only offend the ear with the shrilnesse of his sound , but with his launce strikes through the skin , yea and veins also . the distinction of gnats is very perplex and obscure , it hath puzled all the philosophers ; which with the doubtful sense of words in authors have almost confounded the things themselves . but to me they seem to differ especially in magnitude and malignity . for there are these several sorts of them , the bigger , lesser , middlemost and least . the bigger may be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because they have their abode in fenny and marish places , there they are begotten , and there nourished , they have a very long slender body with two wings , which they never lift up above their body as the fly doth , but straight up from their shoulders , and those are very neat , polite and compleat as may be . they abound in woods that grow near the sea and the fens , not only in norway , russia , and other extreme cold regions ( as olaus magnus hath observed ) but in the west-indies , in hispaniola , peru ; and in italy , near eridanus , padus , adria , argenta , where great s●o●e and very great ones are to be seen , terrible for biting , and venomous , piercing through a three double stocking and boots likewise , sometimes leaving behinde them impoysoned , hard blue tumors , sometimes painful bladders , sometime itching pimples , such as hippocrates hath observed in his epidemicks in the body of one cyrus a fuller being frantick . nay sometimes the vein being struck , they do so suck the bloud , that when they are gone with their bellies full , it would flow out in drops of its own accord , even as we see in horses when they are bitten of the fly called tabanus . the italians use to clothe themselves with leather for that purpose , but yet scarsely and not altogether by any means they can use , can they escape their 〈…〉 ings . whether or no these are the styges inevitable of which theophrastus speaks of in his book de caus . pl. s . cap. . i have not to speak for the present ( saith the learned scaliger ) and it appears that they are the same , for that they are not bred in a place of free , thin and open air , but are bred and fed about fens and standing waters , as about argenta , and the mouth of padus . but if the be styges , they have found out a very fit name for them from their hatred and malice , which the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 doth import . but those which are in the hotter regions , and live by the sides of rivers and fens , are of a more fierce disposition , and sting more cruelly , as massarus hath informed gesner , and our countreymen the english under captain drake in their expedition into hispaniola felt by experience . there are others somewhat lesse then these , nothing differing in colour , form , and frame of body , but yet in disposition more milde , and sting lesse . in the summer time they are in the shady places , in the winter in snowy places neer hedges and bushes , sporting themselves in their swiftness of flight , and as it were trying the mastery in fleeing from this place to that . they seldome bite , and when they do bite they draw no bloud , but only a little salt sweaty matter which they feed upon ; which causeth only a little hard and itching pimple to arise . these two species are especially termed of the greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , others there are notwithstanding which have other names . there are in england , especially in the north part thereof , two other sorts of them , of a third and fourth bignesse , much lesse than the former , but amongst themselves not much differing in their dimensions . these like expert and well trained souldiers , alwaies march in an exact pyramidal figure , and although in themselves infinite , yet not any one of them breaks his rank . thus they move upwards and downwards , when as in the twinkling of an eye , and while you can say , what 's this ? they bring their army into a square body , and presently again into wings ; the which if you rout with a fly-flap , or with water sprinkled amongst them , or with a strong blast of breath , they will instantly rally again , and before you can give a fillip bring their whole body into a pyramidal figure . they being in great numbers , do much infest the faces and eyes of travellers , and bite them : so many and so frequent are they , that out of what kinde of wo●m they should have their original it cannot be imagined . countrey people suppose them , and that not improbably , to be procreated of some corrupt moisture of the earth . these small summer gnats are most frequent in the moneth of may , and seem to be nourished with a watery vapour , for their intestine or ventricle is very small , white and welnigh invisible , full of a white frothy thin moisture , and of little or no tenacity ; sometimes they fly farther off from the water , and gather themselves in great companies about houses , as men passe over bridges they swarm about their heads , they love places that are without wind , they shun what they can a turbulent air , for by the troublesomenesse of the air they are dispersed hither and thither . those kind of gnats are properly called in english midges . now we are to descend to other so●t of gnats , according as their names are given them in the greek . the chief of these are these three , viz. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : of which in order . empis●is a kinde of gnat living about rivers , especially about rocks , girt about the middle with a streak of white . it maketh a shril-like noise as the other kindes of gnats do , whence chaerephon in aristophanus his nubibus demands of socrates , whether he thought that the empides did make that sound with their mouth or their tail ? hesichius also calleth this empri , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or oxe-eater , because being deceived by the authority of aristotle , he thought the oestrus fly came from them : the which we have declared before at large that they were procreated of swallowes . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 &c. arist . hist . . c. . which theodorus latines thus : culices muliones ex ascaridibus gignuntur , hoc est tipulis . the gnats called muliones are begotten of the asarides , i. e. the tipulae . these tipulae for the most part come out of wells or standing waters , the earthly matter setling to the bottome ; for the mud first of all putrefying , becomes whitish , by and by after blackish , last of all bloud-red , when it is such , presently there come forth certain little red creatures called algulae , which remaining for a time , they move to their original , and afterwards come to perfection ; so that the tipulae so called , are carried by the water , then a few daies after they heave themselves above the water , hard and without motion ; not long after the shell being broken , cometh forth the empis , and sits there , till either moved by the wind or the sun he be able to fly . thus far gara . neverthelesse ( not to wrong a famous man ) i should think it a very eas●e matter to shew where in many things he is out . why doth he translate the empides muliones , who are said not to live above a day , and feed only upon honey ? which must needs be hard for them to get so readily in fens and marishes . for i may well call ( without wrong to the judgement either of pliny or penny ) the muliones as they call them , melliones , for they neither care for mules nor feed on them , but only upon honey , the which they can smell at a great ●istance ; they have a bill like a wood-pecker , long and sharp , with which they devour in honey so greedily , that at length they burst their bellies , and so presently expire . in this also did gaza trip , to say the least that may be , that he translates the word ascarides by the word tipulae . for the ascarides ( whether they come forth of the earth , or the water , or otherwise ) every man knowes do signifie little worms . besides , the tipulae alwaies keep the top of the water , seldome or never go down to the bottom . last of all , when as the tipulae themselves come of the ascarides , who can rightly say that ascarides are the tipulae ? 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , is called culex ficarius , i. e. fig gnat , not because it comes indeed from the fig-tree , but because it is fed and sustained by its fruit . for it is sprung of a certain worm that breeds in the figs , which when nature cannot make her perfect work upon , nor bring to the sweetness and perfection of other figs , lest she should make something in vain , by a certain quickning vertue , out of the grains of them being rotten and putrefied , she produceth these gnats . yet not so , as that the gnat is the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or besides the intention of nature ( as scaliger hath learnedly observed ) or if it be , the truth is , the work by the bye is of more dignity than the main . nature did propose to its self the perfection of a wilde fig , a thing not so much to be esteemed of : this she being not able to bring to passe , turns her self from so common a work , to an enterprise of greater weight , and produceth a gnat which she effecteth . concerning those gnats pliny hath these words : the wilde fig-tree brings forth gnats , these being defrauded of the nourishment they should have received from their mother , being turned to rottenness , they go to the neighbouring fig-tree , and with the often biting of the same fig-tree , and greedily feeding upon it , they let in the sun withall , and set open a door for plenty of air to enter in at . anon after they destroy the milky moisture , and infancy of the fruit ; which is done very easily and as it were of its own accord : and for that cause the wilde fig-tree is alwaies set before the fig-trees , that the wind , when the gnats fly out of them , may carry them amongst the fig-trees , who asloon as they come into them , the figs swell and ripening of a sudden grow very big and full . whence it is that the greeks to expresse a woman great with childe and near her time ( yea or newly conceived with childe ) call her 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , gnat-bitten . those kemb'd and curle lockt pathicks and prostitutes of unnatural lust , were called from hence capifricati , as witnesseth the greek iambick , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , nemo comptus nisi caprificatus . there is no man that curls and trims his locks that is not caprificatus . to this caprification turnebus thinks that adrian the emperor did allude , when he upbraids that effeminate poet florus with his pathick obscenity under the term of round gnats in a most bitter sarcasm : florus had said , ego nolo caesar esse , ambulare per britannos , scythicas pati pruinas . to whom caesar answereth , ego nolo florus esse ambulare per tabernas ; latitare per popinas , culices pati rotundos . in english thus : i would not caesar be to travel britany , to suffer scythian cold . i would not florus bee to walk the taverns free in sculking brothels hide , or the round gnats abide . but what time these gnats passe from the wilde fig to the fig-tree , they do it in such haste , that many of them leave either a foot or a wing behinde them . now that they generated of the grains of the unripe fig , may be evident in that the wilde fig is left void of grains . cnips ( some call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) so called of the greeks , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from biting or stinging , ( for that the twinge the flesh , and with their biting cause an itching in the same ) is a very small gnat , not unlike the conops , who although by his sitting upon the fig it may seem the same gnat spoken of before , called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ( as theophrastus saith ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . which place pliny interprets thus : there is a kinde of gnat very offensive to certain trees , as to the oak , of whose moisture that is under the bark they are thought to be bred . theophrastus cals all those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , what ever they be that are bred in the elm , naven , rapes , poley , the mastick , turpentine , and other trees , either with putrefaction or otherwise . these or the like , but a little bigger , cursius in his . book , saith are very hurtful to the orchard wal-nuts , which are called of those of lions , bordella , bordells . galens opinion is , they are great devourers of grapes . the moisture of the elm included in its first growth in the leaves , or rather bladders , if it dry up , is changed into these cnipae . in the autumn it brings forth other kinde of gnats , many , small , and black , called canchryes . symphorianus . they do especially haunt and spoil watered gardens , the crop and scrape most kindes of herbs . velarandus insulanus , an apothecary at lions hath observed them very frequently to come forth of the middle or heart of the oak apple , having a hole made into it : as also out of divers other herbs , not so much by reason of putrefaction , but rather out of the alteration of certain principles being digested into a better nature by successive labour . origen upon exodus , saith that with these little creatures god did the third time take down the proud heart of pharaoh : the which are hung in the air by the wings , but yet as it were invisible , and do so subtilly and quickly pierce the skin , that the fly which you cannot perceive flying , you may feel stinging . so all the ancient interpreters following origen , expound the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ only tremelius ( a very faithful interpreter of the hebrew text , and of sacred writ ) is of another minde , who thinks this plague to be a swarm of such kinde of creatures , as if the gnats and all other venemous and stinging flies joyning all their forces and coming together in troops ▪ and swarms , had agreed as being sent by god to break the pride of the aegyptians . they fly in the air aloft in manner of an obelisk or pyramide ; especially in the evening , they play up and down by hedge sides , when it is hot and fair weather , they fly in the sun-shine , against rain in the shade . it may be they are the same with those we call midges , and doth not much differ from that which albertus cals schaggen ; the italians , zenzalis ; the heathen , cinifes . there is a kinde of gnat which the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; the latines , herculei ; in sloth and malice like to drones , and never wound or hurt any but those of their own name and alliance ; for as soon as they perceive other gnats full of bloud and moisture , after they have fought with them , they take them for their prey and eat them ; whereas they live idly and do nothing else but seek for their food gotten by the labours of others . our ancestors have observed a kinde of gnat to be bred in the sowre lees of wine . which because they are not heard to sing or make any noise , i had rather think them to be those which scaliger cals vinulae musciliones , wine-flies . nor do i passe for the opinion of niphus , in regard they desire sowre things , and refuse sweet : when as he himself saith elsewhere , that they are fed chiefly with the juice of oxe dung , than which nothing can be mo●e sweet . the english gnats are not so stinging as others , nor do they raise so great pimples , but the lesser sort of them is the more cruel , and yet they leave nothing behinde them but a little itching spot , like a flea-biting . the gnats in america , especially those they call yetin , do so slash and cut , that they will pierce through very thick cloathing . so that it is excellent sport to behold how ridiculously the barbarous people when they are bitten will frig and frisk , and slap with their hands their thighs , buttocks , shoulders , arms , sides , even as a carter doth his horses . the gnats about terra incognita , or new-found-land , and port nicholas , as also in divers other northern parts , are to be seen in great numbers , and of an extraordinary bignesse , as the sea-men and olaus magnus affirm . the cause of their multitude cardanus attributes to the unintermitted heat and the length of the day . the cause of their bignesse to that watery and and unctuous moisture which was gotten together by reason of the long cold . but forasmuch as in the hotter parts of the indies , as oviedus ( and experience ) tellifieth there are altogether as great , and many more sorts greater and store , cardanus may well satisfie himself , though he cannot do me . of the generation of gnats natures secretaries do diversly dispute : albertus saith their material is watery vapours . aristotle denies that gnats should be generated of gnats unless by means of a little worm as flies are . but since that they do not use copulation , i do not perceive how that can be . pierius was the first that taught how that gnats do come of certain worms breeding in wood , when as yet every man knowes that gnats are produced of worms in the navew , privet , mastick , turpentine , wilde fig-tree , and other like trees , as if seed were sown , and that not by way of putrefaction , but animation . 〈◊〉 did chance to finde ( saith bruerus ) in a dirty filthy ditch an insect with very long feet , which for the likenesse of the form , you would say was one of the larger sort of gnats coming forth of a soft leathern purse . i did imagine that it might be bred of some worm like unto the canker shut up therein ; for the shell within was such as those the cankers transform themselves into ; whether it should be called culex , a greater gnat , or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , it is doubted by the author . to these ( as to all other the like hurtfull insects ) the merciful creator hath granted but a very short life , insomuch that they which are bred in summer never live till winter , and they that are bred in winter never see a summer . yet notwithstanding god hath created them for divers uses , whether we respect god himself , or other creatures , or our selves . for not only mynutii , mynsii , astabarani , arrhotenses , guavicani , were by the just judgement of god , driven our of their cities into deserts and solitudes , as pausanias , leo afer , aelian , and the indian histories relate : but even the aegyptian tyrant , of all that ever the earth bred , the most cruel , ( as the sacred scriptures that are more ancient then all the heathenish jupiters or other gods , do testifie ) was vanquished with an army of these . the least of those the pope could not rid out of his throat , but was with one of them miserably choaked . with what a fiercenesse did they charge the army of julian the apostate ? how did they make him turn his back , and fall down dead ? let apostates from the faith consider , and weigh the matter well ; let them think more seriously of the strength , power , and majesty of the creator , when as they see such cruel stings and more sharp than any poynard whatsoever , to be in such an ab●ect contemptible creature as this is . neither doth god make use of them to punish wicked and ungodly men , but also for the preservation and safety of mankinde . for about meroe and astaboras , as strabo reports , so great is the plenty and fierceness of the lions , that unless they were chased away by a great kinde of gnat ( that troops up and down all that region ) they were not able to live in safety , not in the most fenced cities from their invasion . the same is wont to happen in some parts of mesopotamia , as ammianus marcellinus writeth , where the lions being stung with the gnats , and defrauded of any remedy against them throw themselves headlong into rivers , and are drowned in the deep . to the aegyptians also , although sometime they were deadly enemies , yet are they now auxiliary to them , as herodotus writeth , in that they wound and sting to death the young axillae , before they get feathers , being noxious to them . moreover were it not for them , the whole species of bats , water frogs , and bank swallowes , which prey upon the gnats and feed only upon them , would perish . but whereas gaza saith that the bird called cnipologus ( a kinde of wood-picker with an ash-coloured back ) doth eat , gnats doth not agree with their nature . for that kinde of bird feeds on a little worm that breedeth in the rotten wood , called cossus , the which he picketh out with his bill : he was deceived , it seemeth , by the amphibology of the word , which signifieth both those worms , and gnats also , for so are they called in greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . but if there were such a bird , i should affirm without all doubt that it is the nycter , which by hesychius and varinus is called konopothera . the gnats called psenes do cause figs to ripen , by taking away their milky moisture , and by bringing in the sun beams with them : and for that reason in those places where figs do grow , they are bred in the wilde fig-tree , that from thence being blown with the wind , they may light amongst the fig-trees . by which words of pliny it is manifest that caprification is nothing else but a certain skill how to cause the gnats when bred in the green or raw wilde fig , to fly to the figs , that they by the wasting of their milky juice and moisture may bring them the sooner to maturity : the which is brought to passe two manner of waies : for either the wilde fig-trees were so disposed round about the fig-trees , that wind might blow them thence unto them ; or else wilde figs being gathered elsewhere , and bound together in a bundle , were cast into the trees ; and therefore the little beast like to a beetle , called in greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , with his noise scaring away the gnats , and feeding on them if he catch them , the fig-keepers are wont to chase away and destroy . the gnats also seem to be more worthy esteem than the ordinary sort of almanack-makers ; for they will tell you the weather at all times for nothing● and that more certainly and truly , than they which boast themselves born by the tripos of apollo , and a long while brought up at cuma . for if the gnats near sun-set do play up and down in open air , they presage heat ; if in the shade , warm and milde showres ; but if they altogether sting those that passe by them , then expect cold weather and very much rain . when a gnat comes forth of the oak-apple about michaelmas , it foretels war and hostility ; if a spider , dearth ; if a worm , fertility and fruitfulness . mizald. if any one would finde water either in a hill or valley , let him observe ( saith panano in geopon . ) the sun-rising , and where the gnats whitle round in form of an obelisk , underneath there is water to be found . yea if apomasaris deceive us not , dreams of gnats do foretell news of war or a disease , and that so much the more dangerous as it shall be apprehendad to approach the more principal parts of the body . upon a certain time there was seen in the air between the monasteries of sion and shene in england , such a pitch'd battel of gnats , that you could not see the sun at mid-day . the fight was maintained for four hours , as long as the armies could stand ; at length a mighty slaughter being made on both sides , so many dead carkasses of gnats were found in the hedges and high-waies , that they were feign to sweep the corn fields and medows with beesoms . there followed upon this the banishment of the monks in both the monasteries . stow. whether this be true or no , i leave to those that can resolve such truths ; i proceed to that may be of more certainty to be taken notice of . of great use are the gnats unto us , when as the fish called thymallus ( as aeliun witnesseth ) can be taken with no other bait then with gnats . but as they are sometimes useful and profitable , so are they for the most part very irksome and troublesome , wherefore nature and experience have taught us remedies against them . to which end you may make a fumigation or perfume of pomegranat pills , chamaeleon , thistle , lupines , wormwood , grist , pine , fleabane , elecampane , cedar , radish , cummin , rue , hemp , dung , galbanum , castoreum , feaver-stone , harts-horn , goats-hoofs , elephants dung , brimstone , sulphur , and vitriol , which will drive them away . there are prescribed also these compound receipts : take roots of elecampane dram , ammoniacum , thymiama , storax , of each drams ; burnt shels drams , put all these into the fire and perfume your cloathes . another ; make powder of harts-tongue , and with vitriol perfume them . another ; take wine-lees dryed , and ceruse , of each alike , with copperas and oxe dung , perfume them . aetius . another ; take vitriol , wilde gith seed , cummin seed , of each alike , with oxe dung , smoke them . also the vapour of very strong vinegar , and of origanum , doth chase them away . another ; a sponge dipt in vinegar and burnt in the house drives them away . so wormwood , with radish oyl , by anointing preserveth from gnats . novus . palladius adviseth to sprinkle new brine and soot in the chambers of the house . rue dipt in a decoction of flea-bane , and laid in the several corners of the house , kills the gnats . ruellius . if you make a circle of green wet hemp about the bed , gnats will not trouble you . geopon . if you anoint your self with oyl , or the manna of frankincense , they will presently be gone . the trees that grow in watery gardens , and plants infested with gnats , are freed from them by burning of galbanum as pliny saith . but a prodigious , that i say not superstitious , remedy seemeth that of rhasis to be , i know from what jugling democritus he had it , hang some horse hair and make it fast in the middle of the door , and gnats will not come in at it . but why should vinegar kill them , a thing which they naturally desire and thirst after ? unlesse it be the vapour of that thing that destroyeth them by taking away their breath ( as it often comes to passe ) whose substance would nourish them . apollonius tyaneus ( as tzetzes chil. . hath left recorded ) did so order the matter that no live gnat could come into the cities of antiochia and bizantium . but since we do not see how that should be done , the less credit may be given to it . the grecians have devised a kinde of tent or covering in manner of a net , of linne , woollen , or silk ; which being hung about their dining rooms and beds , kept the gnats from entring in . our countreymen that live about the fens have invented a canopy ( the first that ever i read of ) with less cost , but the same profit , which they call a fen-canopy , being made of a broad , plain , half dry , somewhat hard piece , or many pieces together of cowes dung , and these they hang at their beds feet : with the smell and juice whereof the gnats being very much taken and feeding thereon all the night long , let them sleep quietly in their beds without any disturbance or molestation at all , being sufficient reward for their pains so taken . in the day time they are kept off with a fly-flap made of peacocks feathers or other the like things bound together ; unless they be very numerous , and small gnats , for then they will fly into the eyes , ears , nostrils , and mouth also , and taking greater courage to them , sting more sharply , notwithstanding these remedies . chap. xiv . of butterflies . the butterfly is called of the greeks , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; but the more general name is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the latines , papilio , ardoynus calleth it campilo ; isidore , avicula ; the italians , farfalla ; the french , papillon , papilion ; the spaniards , mariposa ; the polonians , motill ; the hungarian , lovoldeck ; the illyrian , pupiela , meteyl , motyl ; the germans , pifnet , mulk , pfyfholter , summervnegel , zweifalter ; the flandrians , vleghebronfus , botershyte ; the brabanters , capelleken , vlindere , pellerin , boter vlieghe ; the english , butterfly . the butterfly is a volatile insect , having four wings , not two ( as constantinus friburgensis dreamed ) six feet , two eyes standing forth of his head , and two lither cornicles growing forth from before his eyes : the butterfly hath a two forked beak or bill , and within those forks is couched another little bill or beak , with which they suck in ; some the day dew , others the night . they couple sometime with their tails averse , sometimes reflex ; and continue long in the act of copulation . they lay and fasten their eggs , not little worms ( as arist . imagined ) on the top and under the leaves , some great , some small , yellow , blew , blackish , white , green , some lesser then millet seed , some twice as big , others just as big ; according to the colour and natural magnitude of each butterfly . these eggs being laid in a warm place , or being cherished and caused to grow in the day time with the heat of the suns beams , shoot forth a palmer or canker-worm , at the first all of one and the same colour with them , but afterwards , as they grow bigger they change their colour . out of some eggs the caterpillars appear at four daies end , others do not hatch before fourteen daies , which by little and little get strength and fly , but weakly ; yea some of them being kept from the injuries of cold and hard weather , endure all the winter , as experience doth sufficiently confirm in the silk-worm . after copulation all the butterflies do not presently die but live in a languishing condition , till winter , and some to the winter solstice ; the lesser and weaker sort of them are very short lived ; the more strong and hardy continue longer ; they appear in the spring time , out of the canker-worms , aureliae , growing by the heat of the sun , and by the temper of the air being in stead of a midwi●e to them , they are brought forth . the coming of them is for the most part a sign of the spring coming on , but yet not alwaies , nor in all places . for although they be very weak and not long lived ; yet while we were writing , thus ( saith pliny ) it was observed that their issue was thrice destroyed by cold weather coming again : and strange birds about the . of the kalends of february gave notice of the springs approach ; but a while after with a cruel bitter winter weather that succeeded , they were all destroyed . we ought not to wonder that those foolish icarian astrologers having no ground for what they say , do tell us that which is false ; whereas it doth appear by this , that nature her self is inconstant ; and we being more addicted to second causes than we should , and being unmindful of the first mover , are deceived by her . pennius reports of two swarms of butterflies in one autumn . now although . i do not deny with long and sharp frosts they may all die , yet they are able to endure moderate cold , and do live in warm places even in very cold seasons . for how commonly are they found in houses sleeping all the winter like serpents and bears , in windowes , in chinks and corners ? where if the spider do not chance to light on them , they live till the spring . arist . saith that they all take their colour from the worm they are bred of : but yet ( if this be granted ) they have other colours besides , as will appear in their particular descriptions and histories . they most abound in the time of mallowes blowing , out of whose flowers when they have thrust in their snout or proboscis , they suck a sweet juice with whichthey refresh their bodies . columella in his book de nat. rerum l. . c. . speaketh of the butterflies thus coupling , and beginning on this manner : the butterflies couple after august ; after they have coupled the male straight-way dies : out of their dung come forth worms . but all these things are so horribly strange that they have no shew of truth . for their chief time of coupling is in may and july : neither doth any male of them die immediately after copulation ; unless it be of that kinde of butterflies of which those caterpillars come which are called silk-worms . to conclude , those things he supposeth to be dung , are indeed eggs : out of which come not worms , but a great many little cankers , out of whose cases come butterflies . there are so many kindes of butterflies as there are of the cankerworms : out of whose aureliae they proceed . they differ generally in that some fly abroad , especially by night , these are called phalenae . others only by day , which are called therefore , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or day-flies . the name phalaina is a rhodian and cyprian word ; for so they ( as nicander the scholiast witnesseth ) call that creature which flies to the candle , viz. ( 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) turnebus out of nicolaus and lycophron , will have 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 to be taken for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : of whom , because with the motion and force of its wings it oftentimes puts out the candles , is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from the roughnesse , and the bran and meal which seems to be spread upon it , it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . and because some of them are so far taken with the love of the light , that they burn themselves with the flame , they are called pyraustae . there are those that interpret this phalaina to be the cicindela or glow-worm , but not rightly ; forasmuch as the glow-worm never desires the candle at all , but delights generally and chiefly in a dark night . the germans call it ein leight m' ucken , ein leight flugen ; the helvetians , flatterschen ; the italians , farfalla , paviglione , and poveia ; our north , as also the west countreymen , call it saule , i. e. psychen , animam , the soul ; because some silly people in old time did fancy that the souls of the dead did fly about in the night seeking light . nicander describes a phalaina thus : which hieremias martius interprets thus : consider what strange beasts rude memphis breeds ; one like a flying worm ; by candle light ; wherein he playes as if he took delight : driven from meats , whereon at night he feeds . his wings are narrow , of pale hue , not green , but more like ash-coloured to be seen . from these things therefore we may gather this description of the phalena , that it is a kinde of butterfly flying in the night , most desirous of enjoying the light ; from whence it takes its name , of a body rough , its wings powdered or sprinkled as it were with a fine kinde of ashes or dust ; lying hid all the day time under leaves , or in some obscure place of recesse , in the night flying about the candles , and by its too much desire of them reducing it self into ashes : seldome or never it flies but with the wings standing upright on the back , as on the contrary the day flies keep their wings even with their body . horns they have for the most part , either rough and large , or very little and short : but the day flies more long and tuberous in the extremity of them . the phalenae come out of the shels of the canker-worm covered with earth . the day flies from their aureliae , either hanging upon or sticking unto the boughs of trees . they are for the most part rough , and as it were dusty , flying in the dark , very tender ; these on the other side flying in the day light , are more plain , smooth , even , and have no dust upon them . they fly seldome in the day but toward the close of the evening , lest the dust that is upon them being dryed by the heat of the sun and drowth should shake off , being never used to be wet with rain . but these are not able to fly by night , lest the night dew should wet them quite through , and hinder both their flight and their health : wherefore in rainy weather and all night they shrowd themselves under the leaves , and never fly abroad but in clear and fair weather . the phalenae are no lesse affected with the candle than these with the day-light : wherefore these rejoyce at the day-star , that is to say , the sun ; but those at the night-star , to wit , the moon , and stars , and candle-light , resembling somewhat the nature , splendor , and glimmering light of the stars . the second phalenae of the first magnitude , as it is somewhat lesse in bulk of body than the former , so it far excels it in the gloss and splendor of colours : as if nature in adorning of this had spent her whole painters shop ; and had intended the former for the king of butterflies , that is to say , strong , valiant , blackish , freckled : and this for the queen , delicate , tender , fine , all beset with pearls and precious stones , and priding it self in embroidery and needle-work : her body downy like geese , something smooth and hairy , like martens or sable skins ; the head little , great eyes standing out , two cornicles like feathers , of a yellow or boxie colour : she hath four great wings , every one of them having eyes of divers colours , the apple whereof is black , the circle or roundle next to it of various colours , with yellow , flame-like , white , and black coloured circles , and semicircles . the outer wings from their original to their extremities are whitish , beautified with certain little veins and specks ; the edges whereof are adorned with a welt or guard , and a hem of dunnish or dark yellow colour : the inner wings brown or tawny , having one eye apiece as the former , with a three-fold border , the first whereof is plain , the middlemost part gosing in and out like a scollop ( both of a fiery colour ) the outmost of all of a pale white , and as it were sown on by some skinner or fur●●er ; she goes upon strong , rough , brawny thighs , of the same colour with the rest of her body . this did carolus clusius send from vienna , of so elegant and notable figure , that it is easier to wonder at and admire , than with fit expressions to describe . the third sort hath a great body rough and blackish ; each wing hath one eye , the sight or apple whereof is black , the roundle brown , the half circle white . there are divers pieces in the wings of a watry amethyst colour , the edges of the wings at the first sight appear ash-colour , afterwards eagle-colour . the head very short and little , putteth forth on either side a black eye , the apple whereof is of a notable whiteness , between those break forth two very small short horns of a dunnish colour . it is begotten of a rough canker-worm , not a smooth . the fourth hath a great dark coloured head , out of which arise two streight cornicles somewhat black , the neck is adorned with vermilion specks , the brest rough , square , duskish , the shoulders coil black , the belly of amethyst or purple colour , divided with five or six circles or rounds ; the feet black as pitch , the wings of a light brown , full of long black little veins . the fifth hath a white head , black eyes , the horns a little yellow , the outmost wings long , of a sad colour between white and brown , the innermost being lightly and as it were by the by coloured reddish , the shoulders very black , the rest of the body somewhat of a rose colour , bound about with seven black circles , a white line running all along the middle of the belly . the seventh hath the outer wings white , with certain brown spots here and there as if it were watered chamblet ; the neck ring'd about as it were with a red skin reaching all down the shoulders like a fryers cowle ; the head is red , the eyes pearl colour , the horns flame colour ; the innermost wings of a shining red speckled black ; the feet red , the belly all of the same colour , with seven incisures or clifts of a deep red lead colour . the eighth is almost all over brown , but the edges of the wings and the middle part of the horns are of yellow or box colour . the ninth is almost like unto it , but that the edges of the wings are like black sand , it hath horns broad and bended , of a whity-brown colour , the middle of the outermost wings stopped with a round white spot . the tenth is of a like bignesse , all over of a white brown , but that the middle of the outermost wings is marked with a white spot , and the eye with a very black apple . the head of the eleventh is tuberous , the horns slender , the body like clay trodden ; otherwise the wings are all of a dark silver colour . the twelfth somewhat of an ash-colour , the wings spotted black , the eyes black , the apple white . the thirteenth hath very little or no horns at all , the body all over yellow , except the eyes ( which are little and black ) and the wings which are whitish . the fourteenth appears of colour various , it hath black tuberous horns ; as also the eyes and feet ; the shoulders are drest with five white plumes as it were , of which the two middlemost have three black specks ; the wings snow white , bespeckled here and there with black , yellow and blew specks ; the body russet , articulate or jointed , the sides whitish , she puts her tail in or out as she pleaseth , it is sharp , yellowish , jointed ; all the body as it were sprinkled with dust ; otherwise in regard of the tuberous cornicles it had come in the number of the day butterflies . it layeth abundance of yellowish eggs , in the laying whereof she puts forth a little tail , which she puls in again at pleasure . the fifteenth hath two black slender cornicles , the head and shoulders hairy , of a dun colour , the neck adorned with a collar of vermilion , the shanks reddish ; the outmost wings chamoletted with white and dun , the innermost are exactly red spotted with black spots ; the body of a light vermilion , rounded about with six black guards , or welts . the sixteenth seems to be very rare : if you look upon it as it lies on its back , it seems to be all over of a murry colour ; if as it lies , green and yellow ; it hath five very red lines or streaks drawn along the shoulders ; as also seven spots set quite through the middle of the back , do adorn the rest of the body : the wings also traverst with murry spots or shadows rather , the beginning whereof from the head to the bottom of the breast is terminated with a line of whitish or silver colour . the seventeenth , when it goes upon its feet and its wings close to its body , looketh dun ; but when it flieth with the wings stretcht forth , the innermost wines are carnation set about the edges , with a blackish list or border : it hath very long cornicles , and the promuscis or snour doubled in or rolled up together : the gray shoulders are marked with round sand colour spots ; the side also , and all the joynts of the body are set and edged about with hoary hairs . the eighteenth being very rare indeed , was sent me by clusius . the hornes whereof pide colour , the head black as pitch , the nose crooked , the circle of the eye white , the neck scarlet or crimson ; the shoulders being rough of hairy , are covered as it were with a sable mantle ; the outer wings decked with a white and black hem ; the innermost red speckled here and there with black spots ; the body black , as likewise the feet ; but the sides of the body are set out on each side with seven bloud-colour spots . like unto this there was another sent , but with the cornicles altogether crow colour ; and on the middle of the shoulders dressed with a pure white list , as it were with a string of pearl . of all these the bodies seem to be of a great bignesse . now we shall addresse our discourse to the middle sort of phalenae . the first of which is white all over , but only that the outer wings are bedawbed with certain black spots & freckles ; and the innermost with very red specks and pimples white in the midst ; the eyes very black , the feet and horns yellowish ; in stead of a nose there comes forth a rough hair or bristle , the which is wound round up together like a roll . the second , the whole body rough or hairy , and of a light red ; and so are the outer wings , were it not for whitish spots , and hems that go about , and yellow little eyes in them ; the cornicles being yellow , are marked with black spots ; the inner wings are of the colour of the marygold , but adorned with eyes and hems like the former . the third hath four white wings ; the outer wings overcast with little blew veins here and there plentifully , and two round blackish spots in the middle ; the line that is about the wings is yellow , and the cornicles of the same ; the head and body black , the eyes exceeding white , the sides of the shoulders are marked with four very white oblique lines on each side . the fourth hath broad horns of crane colour , the body black , the sides gray , the wings yellowish , all over besprinkled with black spots like dragons , broad at the top , and afterwards round ; the edge of the wings like the bats snagged , and as it were prickly , all over black , within six white specks ; pearls being placed on each side do set it out . the fifth is all over black , but that it hath pale reddish spots upon the wings . the sixth hath the body and the cornicles black , the eyes white ; the wings are black underneath , above trimmed with golden hair & spots ; to which are joyned black studs , run through with asilver coloured threed : the outmost wings have a black border winding in and out , with gold laid underneath , and as it were wrought in and out with a needle . the seventh broad horned , the black body waxing hoary ; i know not whether i may count it for a discredit or a grace to it . the beginning of the wings are red , the rest yellowish , but each part embossed with black square spots and a golden threed running along the edges . the eighth hath four cornicles spreading wide , of ash-colour , two of them very long and larger in the borders ; the body like the former , the wings of a pale ash-colour , chequered with black , and painted every where about the edges with drops of the same colour . the ninth , the head , eyes , cornicles , body , and innermost wings do represent the golden ocre ; the shoulders and outmost wings are black , but only for a black border , having on each side of it an ash-colour line . the tenth hath its body yellow , bedropt with black from the neck to to the tail , both back and sides ; the eyes , cornicles , and feet perfect black , the outermost wings white , but garnisht with borders of yellow , black small studs , and spots likewise . the eleventh if you look on the wings , it is snow or milk white , but only that it is all to bespeckled with little black spots ; the shoulders also are white and downy ; the body and back yellow , and joynted , having eight little black spots ; the eyes big and standing out of the head , between which sprout out two black and hairy cornicles . in the night time she flies about the meadowes and pastures . the twelfth hath its wings so long that it can scarse fly ; it hath very short cornicles , little very black small eyes , all the body else is white , being here and there sprinkled with certain yellow veins and hairs . the thirteenth ( except its black eyes ) is of a crane-colour , somewhat blackish ; the cornicles more than ordinary long , the body rough and hairy , the wings of the same colour with the body , but about the edges glistering with a greenish , glassie varnish . the fourteenth is a very rare one , though all over almost of a sand-colour ; it hath cornicles for the bignesse of the body , strong , black , and crooked like the oxe , the eyes great and black , the head short , the neck thick ; the outermost wings adorned with certain black studs ; the ridge of the back is drest up as it were with five black heads of gilliflowers , three forked . the fifteenth hath its wings of a pale ash-colour all over , amongst all the rest it is destitute of cornicles , the eyes are some-what black ; the back yellowish and set with five dusky coloured spots . the sixteenth seemeth to be of the same colour , but that it is streaked with black athwart the outermost wings : but this is every where of one colour ( except the eyes which are black ) . it hath a long body , joynted , four long narrow wings , six feet , those behinde are twice as long as those before , it hath slender cornicles but growing out very far . . this comes of the caterpillar of a silk-worm , white all over but the eyes , which are blackish , and certain small yellowish veins running straight over the wings , and crosse the joynts of the body : i call it the silk-worm phalena . of which more in the story of the silk-worms . the least sort of phalenae . . in the classis of the least sort of all , we shall place one and the first very admirable , going on four very black feet ; it hath the outer wings azure , the innermost yellow , and the innermost ( which is not usual ) lesse then the outermost ; the yellow body also is so big , that the wings can scarce cover it ; the cornicles are full of little points , and the eyes all but the sight blackish ; the head and the snout ( being long , slender , and rolled up together ) are somewhat yellow . . the second appears blue and green , it hath a little body , the feet and cornicles blackish . . the third hath the shoulders and wings greenish , of the colour of leek blades ; the body dunnish ; the outmost wings are guarded with a guard set with white and dun spots ; it hath a very little head , the feet and the cornicles ash-colour . moreover there are found in houses a certain sort of little silver coloured phalens , marked with black spots , which fly to the candles , called mothes in english , which eat linnen and woollen clothes , and lay eggs , of which come moths , and of the moths again these phalens ; they are said to come first of all from rose leaves and other herbs putrefying . three others i have observed in pastures and medowes . the first whereof hath the outer wings black , each of them marked with red spots like bloud , the innermost wings are all over red , the body dun , the head , short cornicles , and the feet blackish . the second is all alike , only that it hath but four red spots in the outmost wings , and hath a more slender body . the third is almost of the like shape too , but the cornicles are a great deal longer , and the red spots seattered after another manner ; for there appear about the edges of the wings only two red bloud-like spots ; but from the rising of the wings two spots drawn at length . and thus much may suffice to be spoken of the night butterflies , or phalens ; passe we on now to the day butterflies . the day butterflies are to be described after such a sort , that all men may see the fruitfulnesse and elegancy of nature in this behalf and admire . for she hath not lesse played her part , or wrought hard rather in the variety of these , their colours , attire , rich apparel , roundles , knots , studs , borders , squares , fringes , decking , painting , making them , then she had done in the phalens . . the first day-butterfly being the greatest of all , for the most part all yellowish , those places and parts excepted which are here blacked with inke . moreover , the roundles of the inner wings are sky-colour , insomuch that you would think they were set with saphire stones ; the eyes are like the chrysolite : the bignesse and form is so exactly set forth in the figure , that there needs no more to be said of it . . the second differs very little from the first but in bignesse ; it hath neverthelesse , very black eyes & longer cornicles , where you see the color white , there suppose it yellow , except it be those great eyes at the end of the innermost wings , the apple whereof must be made flame-colour , but the semicircle bloud-red . . the third not much unlike in colour , but that the extuberances , and the outmost border of the innermost wings is sky or woad-colour ; as also those three taches which you see painted under the hollow part of them . . the fourth may be said to be the queen or chief of all , for in the uttermost part of the wings , as it were four adamants glistering in a beazil of hyacinth , do shew wonderful rich , yea almost dazle the hyacinth and adamant themselves ; for they shine curiously like stars , and do cast about them sparks of the colour of the rain-bow ; by these marks it is so known , that it would be needless to describe the rest of the body though painted with variety of colours . . the head , feet , cornicles are of bloud-red , but the eyes purple , the back black and blue , the belly yellowish , the wings at the basis of a bright yellow , and afterwards more sad ; the utmost parts of them being rusty colour , and waxing blackish with an unpleasing duskiness , are beautified with three little yellow spots ; to the innermost being sprinkled with rusty colour , first two yellow , afterwards three pale yellow spots do stick . if you consider them with the face upwards , the upper wings are of a greenish yellow , marked with six or eight spots , the innermost of a light grasse-green , stained with two white spots ; the belly and face yellowish ; it comes out of a whitish aurelia , spotted with little dark coloured spots . . the upper wings without are blackish , with a certain gard of a decayed red running through the midst ; the extremities of them glister with white spots and specks like drops , being sharpned with dark coloured notches round about ; but in the inside that guard doth shew of a more clear and full colour , and toward the bottome they seem blue ; the undermost wings appear of one colour without , of another within , without they are all over sad coloured , except a reddish border , with a prickly purle very small and blackish , marked with four little points , and two diverse coloured opals placed together ; within they shew nothing like to this , but from a black and purle embroidery , they end in a sad fading red , the body is black , the eyes , horns , feet , all dusky and of the same colour . . the whole body is black , yet in every incision of the back , it hath two white spots ; & wings between yellow and red , adorned with black and very white specks : but the bountifull mother of all things , dame nature , hath chiefly beautified the borders of the wings , which have little teeth set like to saws at an equal distance one from the other , in the border whereof blue studs pierced through with black lines , make a glorious shew . . nature bred this with a chamblet mingled coloured coat , but it wants lively colours , for the wings are of a black reddish fading yellow and russet colours , and it is more beautiful for its soft skin , than for its gallant apparel . . this is for the most part of an ash-colour , but if you look on the inside of the inmost wings , there is nothing that can better represent the wings of a turky-cock ; for the feathers that he flies withall , are covered by other feathers with scales ; the eyes are black , as the horns are also , which are swoln like water-cats-tails . . the body is black , the shoulders are covered with yellow down , as is also the whole head ; the horns are yellow also toward the head , which appears the sadder by 〈◊〉 spot of a dark red ; many round pearls set at just distances , do make the outward'st rounded skirt of all the wings to be more graceful : but withinside they are ●o●led with very black 〈…〉 like lintels . but as the part is less comely outwardly , so 〈◊〉 〈…〉 part of the inmost wings , shining with a whitish 〈…〉 spots upon it , shines gallantly : and those spots that 〈…〉 twardly round pearls , seem inwardly pure 〈◊〉 〈…〉 . it 〈…〉 list of oriental pearls 〈…〉 g in blue , the upper wi 〈…〉 ●eing of a flaming yellow , 〈◊〉 like fire paintted with six mo●●●●ack guards , the root of the 〈…〉 is black , then they shine from yellow to fiery colour ; the body is downy with darkish hairs , and the horns and feet are of the same colour . . it is wonderful beautiful , the wings are light bloud-colour , dipt with black spots , they shine with smal long beams dispersedly drawn like threds to the very outmost of the coat , and this is adorned within with golden crooked lines like the moon , being it self a murry , nicked on the sides like a saw : the body is purple coloured from black , the eyes shine like gold , the feet and horns are black . . the body and wings appear black , upon the black wings , jagged in the circumference , first hairs grow , then borders , and lastly golden studs : also the small eyes in the black head are tinctured with gold , but the horns grow forth with spots white and black , and end with a small very black knob . . it much delighteth in the curiosity of the decking of it ; the body is rough and blackish from white , a black eye , and a white pupilla , about the bald eye you shall see a circle almost white as snow , the horns are the same with the former , the outward face of the greater wing is known by the flaming colour , golden lines being drawn upon it , with four dinted skirts ; about the end of it three round pence set triangular , do adorn it . but the inward face of it seems most pleasant , with divers golden scales and studs put like a coat of male , and tyles of a house : also a golden line beautifies the utmost part of the wings . it represents a peacock very much by its wings , and as that is , so hath it a proud and gallant body ; the feet and legs are some-what black , ( lest it should be proud of its feature ) the snout is like a spiral line made up like a maze . . this hath also a hairy beak wreathed up like a vine tendrel ; it is inwardly ash-coloured , and outwardly a faint gray , the wings are prickly , jagged like bats wings , some dun lines do outwardly part these , inwardly six black studs do much set them forth . the outward wings of all are a dark green in sight , which some spots and pieces of white and yellow do beautifie ; the inward are perfectly red , being sprinkled with ten most black spots : the belly shines with eight yellow scales ; the back is red inclining to yellow , and the tip of the tail is a light blue . the rough shoulders are commended by a yellow moon drawn downwards , a white silver coloured apple makes the red eyes more sharp . . the eyes seem yellowish , the horns a decayed russet , the wings and all the rest of the body are a pale yellow ; the inward wings are marked outwardly with one only full yellow spot , but inwardly they are tinctured with a certain black spot upon a watry green ; the back is blackish from a blew , the belly is yellowish , it proceeds from an aurelia coloured with gold . . the second is not so pleasing a colour , the inward wings from a fading blew , decline to a crane colour , and end as it were into a lead-colour , the outward wings are blacker , noted here and there with dark spots , and the body seems to be the same , it flies rudely with dented wings , and retched in the borders , and as it were prickly , and like a mourner of that kinde , it never comes forth but in mourning apparell . . we have painted out this , as it were stiffe and raising it self with the wings lifted up , it hath also prickly dents , but the outward wing from a pale yellow is marked with the black pieces ; but the next part of the inward wing from the root is dark black , the middle part is pale , the last part is whitish , chequered with right and thwart fibres ; the body appears dusky , the eye is black as pitch , the horns are black . . this is distinguished two waies ; for when she opens either wing to ballance her body , the body shewes black , and four dark wings fastned to it ridged as it were with a black pencil , and ending in a shining rusty colour ; but when it sits on flowers and lifts up the wings , the first wing is yellowish , adorned with a comely round spot like a target , the colour whereofis pale , the boss of it black , the outward circle citron coloured ; the belly , and breast , and the whole face are white ; the black horns incline toward a yellow . . it seems inside and outside all alike ; the head and wings look pale ; the body is wan , as also the horns ; the eyes are flaming red , the shoulders are hairy with a pale down . when it stretcheth its wings towards you , it appears a shining sandy colour , like herb dragon , with black spots : the body also if you see the back , seems a watry black , the belly somewhat more dark ; they eye is black , clearwith a white or whitish apple ; the horns are black as a crow the wings from you are of an unpleasant brown , and of a decayed weesilcolour . . the jagged wings represent a fire-stone , shining with brasse coloured little veins , and the skirt also being sprinkled with black spots ; the whole body is of a shining black but that white points divide the horns , and in the black forehead golden eyes twinkle after a sort . . this hath the same kinde of body , but the horns are reddish from yellow , the wings appear changeable , marked with divers pleats , ridges , borders , skirts , of many colours : all these colours are sad and dull to the eye , they want all clearnesse and varnish , and are pleasant only in their mixture , placing , and number ; in some places they represent a smoky flame , elsewhere an unpleasing dark colour , and a fading red ; and the rubies included in the last border in white semicircles are nothing lively . . the outward wings are spotted with dirty muddy spots , about the last part they are adorned with a black target , the middle whereof is set forth with an ivory point : the inward wings have four such targets , but augmented with a yellow circle besides ; the two middlemost are of a fit magnitude , the two outmost are very small ; the body of this creature is a whitish dark , the eyes that stick out are black : but if you look upon the inward part of the inmost wing , they look smoky , and they are very beautifull , with six gilded leaves curiously disposed . . the head is a pure white , but some dusky and black spots adorn the milky wings , the back and sides are red from yellow , or black spots put under the cuts do adorn them . . in proportion , and almost in colour and form of the body it represents the eagle amongst birds of prey . it hath narrower wings than other butterflies , it hath as it were a broad feathery tail , the inward wings are not watry coloured , like the rest of the body , but red from yellow , or of a flame colour ; it hath a crooked nose like the eagle , a belly hoary , the horns are great and strong , of the same colour with the uppermost wings ; the eyes are pretty well prominent , black , with a pupill white as snow . . this hath the same form , it only differs in colour . the body is ash-colour , the tail is black , and the back is something , silver coloured ; the wings are long and blackish , and polluted with little black spots , the inward wings appear dusky dark coloured ; both these kindes of butterflies are wonderfull swift , and dare for flight to contend with the eagle . . this is the swiftest of all , and hath shoulders seeming of a yellow moss colour ; the wings are white as milk , in the extremities of them they are marked with five or six dusky feathers , the middle of the yellowish back is adorned with a cole black spot , of both sides two downy extuberances are thrust forth , the rump is compassed about with a certain black down , it will-fly as fast as any swallow , and indeed is swifter than any bird. we have seen but eight of the smaller kinde . . the first parts of the inner wings are of a full bright shining scarlet colour , and delicate red , but the outward wings represent a light purple , mingled of black and red , and drawn over with some snow white spots , the rest of the body is black , even the branched horns also . . this is silver colour at the roots of the wings , which afterwards are purple coloured from blue ; the uppermost wings are graced inwardly with two black white studs ; the body is full of dusky spots ; it hath six purple feet , three put forth on each side ; it hath a crooked bill ; out of the head four small horns break forth , besides the two long ones . . if you should see this fly , you would say that the wings are of a decayed purple colour passing to a lively blue , and all plighted severally , but inwardly there are round eyes , they seem more gray and cankered ; the head is blue from green , the body is deckt with dusky and white laces ; the eyes seem very black , and the apples of them very white . . it comes in a pleasant habit , with wings set with eyes , that are of a most heavenly incomparable blew . the most perfect artificer nature it self made it all eyes ; that you would say directly , that argus eyes were not set into the peacocks tail , but into the wings of this butterfly , which she doth stretch out against the sun with no lesse pride than the peacock doth , and ( by the heavenly colour which she excels in ) she is almost able to shame the peacock . . the body is of a crane colour , the upper wings are green in a white stalk ; in the middle they are yellow and ash-colour , the inferior wings are at the root of a dark green , otherwise whole , but inwardly they are sprinkled often with spots of an unpleasant green ; the eyes are black , as are the heads of their horns . . it hath round buncht smooth shoulders , which are of the colour of ashes mingled with ink , the body is full of cuts , and is of an ash kinde of colour ; it hath narrow wings , and the utmost are of a crane colour shining with some exceeding bloud red drops , the little head , the feet , the horns are like the body in colour . . you would say , that this is kin to that is bred of ginny pepper , and setting aside that it is lesse and more black in body ●nd the silver colour of his upper wings , it hardly differs from that . . all the wings are faint clay colour , or rather shining with a pale yellow , with some brown spots , and others that represent old cankered colours , the little eyes are black as a raven , otherwise it is all yellow . . all the wings are painted with white and gray like sea shell-fish , the borders are rounded , and deckt with white sines running through the middle with indentures . . this hath wings like perwinkle shels , set with studs , it is mingled colour of a white and obscure red , and doth set forth to us the unspeakable power of god in the diversity of its colours . of the use of butterflies . he that beholds the forms , clothing , elegancy , and rich habits of the butterflies , how canhe choose but admire the bountisul god , who is the author and giver of so rich treasure ? wherefore art thou proud in decking thy self , and takest so much delight in thy own beauty ? possess thy temporary fading goods without envie , for know that there is no butterfly but is as beautiful and pleasing , and for the length of their life they have a more constan● comeliness than thou hast : thou hast it may be an incredible agility of body , and numbleness in running , but yet o man if thou shouldest exceed all men , thou canst not equall a butterfly . but you will reply that your cloathing is incomparable , and that you can boast of the persian and tyrian silk , of the best purple dyes , brought unto you by shipping : truly should you but see the rich robes of any butter-fly , besides their purple dyes , and the rowes of pearls , and the borders set with diamonds , rubies , the pyropus , opals , emrods ; if you did but see and consider seriously the elaborate composition of their futures and joynts and the imbroidered work here and there , of fine divers coloured twine silk set with studs and eyes of gold and silver , thou wouldst let fall thy painted tail like the peacock , and casting thy eyes down to the ground from whence thou wert made , thou wouldst learn to be more wise . it may be thou wert born at first in a house of clay and mud walls , or else in a palace built of polished stones ; but some butterflies are born in their houses that are the aureliae like to pure gold , and exceed attalus for the excellency of their birth , and delicacy of their apparel . learn therefore o mortal man , who ever thou art , that god that is best and greatest of all , made the butterfly to pull down thy pride , and by the shorrness of their life ( which is of no great continuance ) be thou mindful of thy own failing condition . we●t thou as strong as milo or hercules , and wert fenced or guarded about with an host of giants for force and valour ; remember that such an army was put to the worst by an army of butterflies flying in troops in the air , in the year . and they hid the light of the sun like a cloud . licosthenes relates , that on the third day of august , . that no hea●b was left by reason of their multitudes , and they had cevoured all the sweet dew and natural moisture , and they had burn'd up the very grasle that was consumed with their dry dung . also in the year . as sleidanus reports , a little before the death of mauritius the duke of saxony , an infinite army of butterflies flew through great part of germany , and did infect the grasse , herbs , trees , houses and garments of men with bloudy drops , as though it had rained bloud . but it may be thou art in love with some female beauty , and desirest to please her ; o fool , remember the fate of the phalena butterfly , which being invited by the light of the candle , as by a fair beauty , is consumed by the flame it fell in love withall : and rejoycing like the pyrausta bred in the fire , removing but a little from it is presently dead . and thou great astrologer , who makest aries to be the forerunner of the spring , rather adore the butterfly that is a certain messenger of the spring , and a more sure prophet than your horned ram. would you allure fish to your hook , and catch them ? hear what gallant baits are made , as we finde it in the tarentine geopon . take ounce of the venomous dung of butterflies , anniseed , goats-milk cheese , hogs bloud , galbanum , of each half an ounce , opopanax drams , beat them all diligently , and powring on good sharp wine , make troches , dry them in the sun and keep them for your use . castrels , and almost all birds of prey are freed from consumptions by feeding on butterflies , and grow very fat thereby . nicolaus in a composition of some powder , makes mention of burnt butterflies ; by which words turnebus understands butterflies that fly to the candles : they cause urine exceedingly , as almost all insects do , but with less danger : moreover , since they feed on dew alone , as do snails , and abhor to meddle with sharp corroding or stinking things , or such as have any venomous or malignant quality in them ; truly the colledge of physicians are too wayward that dare prescribe a spanish fly inwardly , yet never made an essay to know what force there is in butterflies . plinius saith wisely ; that our greatest knowledge is very small compared to that we are ignorant of : for some small creatures upon the earth are despised , whose force , if we did know it , we should praise to the skies . you therefore sons of aesculapius , search out the vertues of butterflies to be used inwardly and outwardly , for the health of the body ; for had butterflies been useless , surely god would never have set them forth , bestowing so great liberality upon them . but since they are not only for a remedy for us , but may do us much hurt , being inwardly taken in too great a quantity , as being poyson ; i shall shew how that may be prevented , and driven off , if ardoynus deceive me not . phalenae or night butterflies , such as fly at candles at night , it may be were accounted of ancient time amongst dangerous medicaments , for the same reason that toads , bats , owls , howlets and gnats were ; for they held that all living creatures that labour in the day were safe to be used ; but night-workers most unhappy and accursed . pliny commends a goats liver to drive them away , yet he shews not the means to use it . but if night mothes go into a bee-hive and trouble bees in the night , bury dung mingled with the marrow of an oxe , and by the smell thereof these unquiet disturbers will presently fall down . columella . palladius , in april , ( for then they commonly do most hurt ) places a brass vessel between ▪ the hives , that is high and narrow , and puts a lighted candle in the bottom of it , and they will come in there for love of the light , and there they are half burnt , or choaked by the smoak in the narrow vessel . bitter vetches are held amongst edible herbs , to prevail most against butterflies ; others drive them away with smoak of ●ith and hemlock , as rhasis : others hang a horse tail pulled off , upon the door , and they wittily believe that moths are kept away thereby . thus much i had to say of the divers use of butterflies ; who though some despise them , yet are they of great use and admirable . chap. xv. of the glow-worm . the greeks have many names for this insect , for from the shining of the shanks and tail , it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . suidas calleth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; aristotle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; hesythius , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : it is also by way of metaphor perhaps called from the larine word scintilla , a spark , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the same author calleth the male of it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; but the female cannot be so called : some improperly call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , for it is one thing to covet the light , another to carry light with it . those which aristophanes calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , some interpret cicindelas or glow-worms , but upon what ground let them judge . the latines call it cicindela , nocticula , nitedula , lucio , lucula , luciola , tlamis , venus , lucernuta , incendula , as appears out of cicero , pliny , scoppa , agricola , varro , festus , plautds , scaliger , turnebus , albertus , and silvaticks . in arabick they are called allachatichi , that is to say , birds flying by night : in french verluisant , mouch claire ; of the germans some call it zinduerele , others liegth mugk . i. e. a shining fly , and zindwurmle , speaking of the male . for in some places of germany the male glow-worm , that is that which flies , doth not shine at all , but only the female called grass-wurm , gugle , and feurcdefer . about francofurt on the main , from the time in which they do most siequently appear they are called st. johanais kaefer , and st. johannis fliegen . in brabant ein light oft nacht mugge . in italian luci●la , lucio , farfalla , although they grant this to be the name of other sorts of flies that come about the candles . in vincentia , bissola fuogola , i. e. a fiery worm : in cremona , lucervola ; lombardy , luiserola ; in spain , luriergana and luciernega ; polonia , zknctnike , chazazezik ▪ h●noey , szwiecacy ; in hungary , eyel twnd●●klo , bodoratska vilantso . in english , glow-worm , shine-worm , glass-worm , i. e. a glissening or shining worm . for here , as also in gasconia , the male on flying glow-worm shines not , but the females which are meer worms . on the other side in italy , and in the county of heidelberg , the females shine not at all , and the males do . i leave the reason to be discussed by philosophers . the female glow-worm is a slow paced creature without wings , the breadth of two fingers in length ( although in gasconia joseph scaliger saw far greater and longer , those which they call luctarbae ) of the bigness of the mean canker-worm , to which it is not much unlike : the head small , flat , hard , black , long , and sharp toward the mouth ; out of the end of which come forth two short black cornicles ; it hath six feet , small , black , with three joynts , near the head like the canker-worm ; the body long , somewhat thick , and flat like a fillet , having twelve deep incisures , besides the neck which it puts out or in as it pleaseth , the parts between are like black plates heaved up when they go . all along the back there goes a very small whitish stroke from the head to the tail : the sides of the belly are of a bright murry colour , the belly and tail toward the end whitish , but the rump it self is black , by the benefit of which she lifts up her self and creeps , and by certain little forks that come out of the same , she hangs upon any thing ; under this part she voideth from her belly a clammy and flaky excrement like honey , which being brought back to her mouth , she takes in again , and then going backwards she seems to draw out clammy threeds , the which she devours the second time , and so by receiving in and casting fo●th she sustains her self . those parts that are white do glitter in the dark with a wonderful splendor , representing terrestrial stars : insomuch that they may seem to contend with candle or moon light . this is worthy observation , that that so bright lustre expires with the life ; where then is that perpetual light which some foolish naturalists so foolishly and impudently prate of ? some of them i have seen sometimes with wings , and sometimes in the fields , flying up and down in the streets and wals of the cities . at vincentia it italy , they say there are those somewhat bigger than ours ; all over black ; else they differ not at all . they feed upon herbs , they continue long in copulation , as julius scaliger ( a great philosovher of our times , not behinde any of the ancients ) hath diligently observed ; whose words are these : cicindelam volantem in coitu deprehendi , &c. i lighted upon ( saith he ) the cicindele or glow-worm flying with her male in the act of copulation ; the male being touched did not refrain , they were put into a box with holes in it all night , the next day the male stuck close ; at noon the male let go and died . after which time , about the evening many eggs were laid by the female , which within the space of twenty hours went away alive . this story william brewer an englishman , a learned man and my good friend affirms for truth , being an eye-witness thereof , seeing them once in the act of generation . they are long in the act , and so bring forth many insects , this the philosopher confirms speaking of insects thus in his . book de gen . cap. ult . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , shee tarries long in copulation , but afterwards brings forth speedily : i could wish scaliger had took notice what creatures came from those eggs , for so the story had been more perspicuous . though yet according to the course of nature it be easie to judge . for what could come out of them , but those small erucae , black , thick , and rough , of which arist . hist . . . saith those glow-worms without wings are generated . of these then come the unwinged glow-worms , and of them with some alteration the flying glow-worms called bostruchoi . from whence it is to be noted , that either aristotles copy is faulty , or that the interpreters have committed two errors ; they have altogether left out the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , ( which makes so much for the clearing of the story ) . secondly , out of those being changed they say come those ( which gaza translated ) cirros , altogether against the minde of the philosopher , if the greek copy be not corrupted . for so runs the greek , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. out of certain black rough small worms cometh the cicindele without wings ; out of which in the second place being altered into a chrysalis cometh the flying glow-worm ; and out of them in the third place those which are called bostruchoi . but what insects those should be which of the greeks are so called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , is not yet known , i beleeve there is not much difference between them and the former . ephesius a greek author a commentator on aristotle , saith that the bostruchoi are generated of the glow-worm , and are called by the countrey people ciccae or platae ; as niphus translates ricini , i. e. tykes . therefore in the judgement of ephesius , that bostruchoi or ricini take their original from the winged cicindele with some alteration . but of the ricini or tykes in their place . calius l. . antiq. lect . c. . cirrhum inquit dicerem , &c. i had rather call the cirrhus such a worm as that is , which according to dioscorides , is of colour between black and white ; but what that worm is , neither he nor any man else doth tell us . i wonder at cardane , who will have this cicindele to come of the crabrones , ascribing their splendor to the polishing of the outward skm . ex eruca in crabrones , &c. from erucae they become crabrones , or which is more likely , from crabrones they become erucae . forasmuch as the caterpillars called erucae are bigger than the crabrones or beetles , and do shine more dimly , as it were spent with age , and then is it probable that when she ceaseth to fly , she layeth eggs . here cardane confounds all . for of the crabrones come the glow-worms , not of them the crabrones , besides it is not the smoothness of the skin that makes them shine , as he overhastily concludes , neither do the wings cause it , which of all the rest of the parts are most sleek : what cardan means by his last words , i cannot tell . but of all the rest baptista porta and hesychius were grosly mistaken , who ascribe their original to the dew or tow . they appear from the middle of june to the middle almost of september . which pliny expresseth in these words : for before forrage is ripe , or after it is gone , they are to be seen : and elsewhere , when glow-worms appear , it is a common sign of the ripenesse of barley , and of sowing millet and pannick . but this must be understood of the countrey and place that pliny then lived in . in all countreys they have not the same time of barly harvest , nor of sowing pannick and mille● , though mantuan sang to the same tune : then is the time your barly for to mow , when glow-worms with bright wings themselves do show . yet as i said before , the shining comes not from their wings . they shine not before the twilight in the evening , as politian shewes elegantly : then they renew their labour , till at night , the little glow-worms shine most clear and bright . pliny cals these glittering flies , earthly stars ; nature , saith he , crying out and speaking to countrey people in these words : clown , wherefore dost thou behold the heavens ? why dost thou seek after the stars ? when thou art now weary with short sleep , the nights are troublesome to thee . see i scatter little stars in the grass , and i shew them in the evening when they labour is ended , and thou art miraculously allured to look upon them when thou passest by ; dost thou not see how that a light like fire is covered when she closeth her wings , and she carrieth both night and day with her : so far pliny . hence it is manifest that the shining doth not alwaies shew it self when she flies , though it shines forth both at her sides and thighs , because it appears not but to those that see her wings wide open , and lifted up , for where the wings are closed all the light is darkned . this flying glow-worm , antonius thylesius bonsentinus described elegantly in these verses : this little fly shines in the air alone ; like sparks of fire , which when it was unknown to me a boy , i stood then in great fear , durst not attempt to touch it , or come near . may be this worm from shining in the night , borrow'd its name , shining like candle bright . the caus 〈…〉 one , but divers are the names , it shines or not , according as she frames her self to fly or stand ; when she doth fly , you would believe 't were sparkles in the skie , at a great distance you shall ever finde prepar'd with light and lanthorn all this kindes darkness cannot conceal her , round about her candle shines , no winds can blow it out . sometimes she flies as though she did desire those that pass by to observe her fire ; which being nearer , seem to be as great , as sparks that fly when smiths hot iron beat . when pluto ravish'd proserpine , that rape , for she was waiting on her , chang'd her shape , and since that time , she flyeth in the night seeking her out with torch and candle light . those that are without as well as they that have wings do send forth such a bright light , that by it you may read a great print . in this also they surpass moon and stars , for that clouds and darkness soon eclipse their light ; where it is so far from obscuring the lustre of those , that it rather increaseth it . thus far of those glow-worms which are found in europe . in the commentaries of navigation this glow-worm is thus described : the cocuio is four times as big as our flying glow-worm ; it is of the kinde of beetles : the eyes whereof shine like a candle , with whose brightness the air is so enlightned , that any man may in his chamber , read , write , or do any necessary business . many of them joyned together make such a light that an army may march by them whither they please , ma●gre all winds , darkness , rain or storms whatsoever . their wings being lift up and also towards their shanks they shine very gloriously : the inhabitants before the spaniards came thither made use of no other light , neither within nor without their houses . but the spaniards ( because these lightsome creatures do by little and little lose their light with their lives ) do use within doors about their businesse lamps and candles . but if they are to march forth against an enemy newly arrived , they make use of them to conduct them , and each souldier carrying four of them about him , divers waies cousen the enemy . for when as that noble traveller sir tho. cavendish ( that compassed the world ) and robert dudley knight , son to robert earl of leicester , first landed in the indies , and that very night that they came ashore , saw hard by in the woods an infinite number of moving candles and torches as it were beyond their expectation , they thinking the spaniards were come upon them unawares with guns and pistols , and much light , speedily betook them to their ships . many other insects of this kinde are there to be found . but because this seemeth to be of most account , and to have the preheminence above the rest , oviedus hath left the rest undescribed . the indians use to rub their faces with a paste made of them , that so their bodies may seem all of a flame . how this may be , since as is said before , the light vanisheth with the life , i do not see , unless it be that the light may endure a while after they are dead , but that long it cannot remain is manifest by experience . the indians finding so great need of them , in that they could not rest in the night for the gnats stinging them ( the which these glow-worms being kept in the house did as greedily hunt after as swallowes do flies ) and because they could not work by night without this lanthorn of nature , before such time as the spaniards came thither ; they bethought themselves 〈◊〉 some means whereby to catch them ; the which i shall shew partly out of peter martyr , partly from those reports of others which were eye-witnesses of the same . whereas the indians were constrained by reason of want of light to lie all the night idle , they got them out of doors with a lighted firebrand and crying aloud , cucuie , cucuie , they do so beat the air , that either for love of the light they fly to them , or for fear of the cold they fall to the ground ; which some with leaves of trees , others with linnen rags , othersome with little nets made for the purpose detain , till they can come to take them with their hands . there are other little flying beasts , which shine by night , but a great deal bigger than ours , and sending forth a far greater light . for they shine so bright that those which take long journeys make them fast by a way to their heads and feet being alive ; for so they may be seen afar off to the astonishment of those that know not the matter : the women use no other light to do their business withall by night within doors but these . oviedus . there are yet other worms of another form , which give light by night , as we read in the commentaries of navigation . in the island called hispaniola , there are two sorts of worms which shine by night . some of the length of a mans little finger , slender , with many feet , gli●●ening so bright in the dark , that a man may see all round about him ●or fifty or an hundred paces easily . that clear light shines forth only out of the clifts , 〈…〉 f you will the junctures of the body near the feet . there are others like to these in bigness , and altogether as lightsome , but only that their light issues from the head . those things we finde in the histories of navigation . but whether these cicindelae be of the kinde of of the juli ( as i think them to be ) : or whether they be like to ours , is not declared . but i guesse them so to be by the multitude of the feet they have ; for the author reckons them in the number of the scolopenders : valerius cordus in dioscor . makes mention of the scolopender ( as he interptets it ) whereas it is indeed a kinde of the juli which in moist places , and in rainy weather shine very bright . such a one my friend brewer found in england in the heath grounds ▪ and sent the worm dryed to pennius . but that every man may better understand it , i shal set down his own words : i twice found a scolopendra that shines in the night ( yet as i said they are kindes of juli ) in summer nights , of a shining ●ery appearance , inheath and mossie grounds . the whole body shines something more darkly than a glow-worm . he further adds , it once hapned that i came sweating home to my house at night , that i wiped my head in the dark with a napkin , the napkin seemed to me all over of a flaming fire ; whereupon i wondred a while at this new miracle , all the lustre seemed to draw to one place , then folding the napkin together , i called for a candle , and opening the cloth , i found such a scolopendra , which i had rubbed against my head , and had caused this strange light like fire : thus far bruerus who affirms that it was like to the scolopenders commonly so called in gardens , and under stones and earthen vessels , wherein women are wont to set their choicer plants or slips . all the summer time and autumn ( saith gaudentius merula lib. . memor . c. . ) in grassie ditches and without water when i was at lebetium ( which is now called jamz●rius fort ) i gathered little shining hairy worms in the night . the same i saw in the ditches about viglevianum ( which of old was called vergeminum ) as simon puteus and i were walking abroad in the evening to take the air . but what those hairy worms should be , unless they be a kinde of juli , i do not know . there is another worm altogether unlike these of which we read in the book of the nature of things : there is ( saith he ) a worm like a star , which shines like a star in the dark , it is never seen but in great rains , and then it foretels fair weather to come shortly after . so great is the coldness of this worm , that it will just like ice put out the fire . if a mans flesh be but touched with the slime of this worm , all his hair will come of● ; and whatsoever it touched therewith it changeth the colour of it into green . but all these he handleth untowardly , for he confounds the stellia ( which he here cals stella ) with the salamander and cicindele , and of these he maketh a very confused and imperfect history . neither doth guillerinus de conchis , nor vincentius ( which transcribed all almost out of guillerine ) in his obscure and dark tract where he reports this story , correct it . but these things are nothing to the cicindele , and that which they write concerning the salamander is other where amended . hitherto of insects shining in the dark . whether or no the glow-worm being dead doth retain its splendor and shining , is wont to be a question . massarius a ve●y learned man writing on pliny his . book , saith it doth , and that boyes taking the glow-worms used to put about their head ▪ the shining parts of them ; with which if the hands or other parts of the body be rubbed , they also will shine in the dark . but by the leave of so great and learned a man as he is , experience teacheth the contrary . for after the glow-worm is dead , that part whereof which so shineth in the night , though not presently , yet within a few hours after is quite lost ; and seems altogether to go away with the vital spirits : this is a clear case , from experience , and i have often tried the same . this i will grant : if a certain number of those that have no wings ( for those that have , shine not but only when the fly ) be but put into a clear crystal glass , so that the air may freely come at them , with a little grass , they may perchance give light for the space of some daies , i● every day fresh gras●e be put to them ; but at the length as they languish and faint away , so the light by little and little is remitted and slackned , and in the end they dying ( as before is said ) it is totally extinguished . vainly therefore do some boast of compositions made of them , with which they will keep perpetual light , as they suppose ( amongst whom is cardanus ) as if they would bring down the moon from heaven . others there are not learned only but unlearned also , who have committed these compositions to writing , whereby they might the better betray their own ignorance . of this perpetual light . albertus makes mention , who in his works gathers a whole bundle of lies together as it were into one body . and here now i will set down some of them that the reader may be aware of them , and the vanity and levity of the writers themselves may be manifested . some there are which take a great many glow-worms , beat them together , put them into a vial of glass and bury them fifteen daies in horse dung . afterwards they distil them through an a●en●bick , and keep the water in a clear glass . to this end gaudentius merula , who hath heaped up many things together from this and that author , without any judgement , hath these words : of these glow-worms being putrefied , there is made a water , or a liquor rather , in a vessel which will wonderfully shine in the dark . such a light doth this water or liquor give , by report , that in the darkest night any one may read and write , and do any other business as he pleaseth . others lest they should seem not to add to what is invented to their hands ( for pregnant wits unless they bring forth some novelty are not well ) together with the glow-worms digest the gall of the tortoise , of a weasel , and sea-dog , puting them in dung , and afterwards they distill them . this water they say far excels all other whatsoever in lustre . others put whole glow-worms in dung for nine daies to digest , others for three weeks , then throwing away the glow-worms , they take the fat of them and keep it in a clean glass for to use . some yet more fondly take glow-worms , and casting away their heads , they put to them the scales of fishes , and rotten shining wood , such as glissens in the dark , with the gals of sea-dogs , and so distill them through an alembick . others promise confidently to make letters to shine in the dark , by pricking out the yellow moisture of the glow-worm , and anointing therewith the paper , or painting it with the same liquor in form of a star , some rub them with the oyl of linseed upon marble , and whatsoever you shall paint or write , they perswade us , may easily read in the night , be it never so dark ; but let them believe them that have made the trial . others after they have digested in horse-dung nine daies , take the liquor that is left in the bottome of the glass and write with it , and so think confidently to obtain their desire . john arden , a skilful chirurgeon , an english man , walking after their steps , above thirty years ago left such a description of this perpetual light in writing : he gathereth a great number of glow-worms , and shuts them in a glassen vessel well stopt , laies them in dung fifteen daies , then puts the water he findes in the bottome of the glass into a clean glass ; to which he adds as much of quicksilver , the dross being purged from it , and then he saith you must shut the glass mouth very close , and hang it where you will , and then for certain ( as he affirms ) it will produce the wished effect . some have told me that this is very true , whom notwithstanding i will not believe untill such time as the experiment be made before mine eyes . these and many the like you may finde by reading , but what credit may be given to them is easily conjectured out of what went before . hence then we may plainly understand how foolishly and vainly mans wisdome doth many times vaunt it self , and whither our wits may be carried , if not founded upon right reason , the mistress of all arts and sciences , shunning with all diligence the uncooth rocks of opinion and self concei● . how wonderful the works of god are in our eyes , none can be ignorant , who shall diligently consider this little creature and weigh its nature , and its light resembling that divine light . for who is he that beholds the vanishing light of this , that doth not fix the eyes of his minde upon christ the lasting , true , and the chiefest light of the world ; and doth not call to remembrance , that holy spirit which doth illuminate our spirits in the most obscure darkness of our understandings ? but this inbred light of the glow-worm , or rather borrowed light which some seek to extract , others strive to imitate ( as for example , albertus , cardan , merula , vitalis , mizaldus ) have shewed themselves very fools in my judgement . neither have they been warned by the fatal end of salmoneus or alladius , who going about to imitate jupiters thunder and lightning , were therewith by him struck dead , and so did reap a just reward of that their impious presumption , for they felt the force of true heavenly fire , who thought to counterfeit the like with a vain crackling . even so the wits of these times , while they seek to extract this light , by their bold enterprize do violate the deity , and while they would seem to adornand set forth the glory of that his work , they rather detract from it and disgrace it . but we leave these to ixions wheel , and proceed rather piously , and modestly to behold the majesty , wisdome , and divine light in this little creature . for he which shall go about fully to search the majesty of the creator in these small creatures shall soon be confounded with the glory of it . what necessary use the americans made of them in their night journeys and business , before the spaniard brought in the use of lamps and torches , hath been said already . but we that live in europe , as we travelled by night ( i remember ) in italy and other places , we took a great deal of delight in them , not so much because they dispelled the darkness with the beams of their splendor , but because they did illustrate the earth with their celestial light , which compared with the light of the sun and moon , were not to be despised . neither do they only please the eye , and instruct the minde , but they are good for the body in divers diseases , for the female cicindele being put into the matrix of the mule , causeth the woman that bears childe with much danger , to be barren ; saith kiranides . cicindeles being drank in wine make the use of lust not only irksome but loathsome , as benedictus saith ; the same also gilbertus an english physician , albertus , nicolaus , florentinus , and rhasis do confidently affirm . it were worthily wisht therefore that that unclean sort of letchers were with the frequent taking of these in potion disabled , who spare neither wife , widow nor maid , but defile themselves with lust not fit to be mentioned . rhasis saith that the glow-worms are very good for the stone , if beaten with oil , and therewith the place having the hair clipt off , be anointed , which will never suffer it to grow afterwards . bairus . if they be beaten and put behinde the ears , they will divert and evacuate all rhumes falling into the eyes and teeth . anonymus . the inh●bitants of the isle sorida take a good sufficient quantity of them , and mixing them with fresh black wax make them into a mass , and lay it in the hot sands till it be half consumed away : of this mass of the bigness of a walnut , both young and old do take two hours before meat and two hours after ; which do not only infuse heat into the obscene part , but vigour also . thevetu . but this is not to be understood of the ordinary or common cicindele , which as is aforesaid causeth sterility and barrenness ; by these thevetus meaneth those glow-worms reckoned amongst the kindes of juli , the which being taken in drink do after the same manner with the cantharides , as merula writeth , provoke both seed and urine . alexius very highly commends them for excellent baits to fish withall , being fastened to the hook . weckerus saith that by a gentle decoction of them in a glass alembick , is made a water very useful to that end . but i am rather of alexius minde , the which experience also confirmeth . chap. xvi . of the locusts . the locust is called of the arabian , gieat , gierad , gerad ; of the illyrian , kobilka , bruck ; of the sclavonian , knonick ; of the french , sauterelle , sautereau , languoste ; of the spaniard , lagousta , gasanhote , gaphantoles ; of the italian , cavalerto , soliotta , saltello ; of the german , heuschr●ck , sprinckhaen , sprinkell ; of the dutch , hupperlinck ; of the english , grashopper , from leaping upon the grass ; of the latine , locusta , as some think à locis ustis ; for that they scorch all places where they touch , and eat up and devour all things ; of the hebrew , arbeth ; of the polonian , konick , szarancza ; of the hungarian , saska ; of the greek , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , whence comes the diminutive 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , locustula , vel locustella , a little locust . the ionians call them from the number of their wings tetrapleurides ; that is to say , four winged creatures ; others call them cornopas , parnopas , and pornopas ; from whence hercules and apollo were called of the athenians parnopii , because they drave the locusts out of their countrey , as pausanias , hermolaus , caelius rhodoginus , lilius giraldus , camersius , strabo , &c. have observed . notwithstanding the word parnops ( if the interpreter of aristophanes deceives us not ) signifieth that sort of locust only which is easie to be handled with the hands . but before we enter into the description and division of them into their several kindes , i cannot but admire with marcellus virgilius , the workmanship of nature , in which i know not , as i may so say , whether she did more seriously sport her self , or more sportingly labour . for who first of all is able to describe so many colours in one body ? who is able to set forth so many divers shapes of bodies , goings , leapings , flyings . for some there are green , some black , some blue , some one part of them of this colour , on the other of another . there are those which are of another colour in their flight , then they seemed to be of before . there are some fly with one pair of wings , others with more ; those that have no wings they leap , those that cannot either fly or leap , they walk ; some have longer shanks , some shorter , and amongst these some have more and shorter joynts , some fewer and longer , some there are that sing , others are silent , as the seriphiae : some do no harm at all to tillage , so that children may take them up in their hands without hurt : others on the contrary are the pest and destruction of all that up growes through a whole countrey . and as there are many kindes of them in nature , so their names were almost infinite , which th●ough the neglect of naturalists are grown out of use . now all locusts are either winged or without wings . of the winged , some are more common and ordinary , some more rare ; of the common sort , we have seen six kindes all green , and the lesser of many colours . the first of the bigger , hath as it were a grass cowle or hood which covers the head , neck , and almost half the body : the wings come from the neck underneath , of a greenish colour , speckled with a few small black spots , the back green , the belly dusky coloured , the tail or stem at the end blackish ; it hath a great mouth ▪ and strong big teeth , excellently made to devour the fruits withall . the second seems to be like this , but that the hood is fastned to the neck ; the nose also and mouth are more red ▪ and it hath greater spots in the wings . 〈…〉 third is of a green co 〈…〉 〈◊〉 shanks whitish , the tail blackish ▪ 〈◊〉 wings beset with greater store of spots , and about the edges of a pale red . now these are females , from whom the three males differ in this , that either in the end or above the tail they have two or three prickles or stings , and the middle of their hood appeareth more red . the first sort of the lesser locusts , called of the tigurines , holtsspecht , is in body black , the utmost wings spotted , the innermost spattered with virmilion ; the thighs brown or swarthy , with black lines curiously drawn up and down . of the second the cornicles , eyes , and shanks are of a pleasant red , the thighs or shanks are also diversified with black lines , the wings speckled , the belly of a dark red upon yellow , all which do exhibit a very fine pretty creature . the third seems to be of a dark ash-colour , the cornicles very short , and the wings of an unusual length , longer then the body . the fourth is all over of a darkish green , but that the hood is set with two black lines , and the ends of the shanks are of a lively shining red . the fifth is a little lesser than the rest , but in ordering and variety of colour , more pleasant to the sight ; the body , head , and feet are of a faint red , with green wings , and a golden lace drawn through the middle of the head very bright and shining . all those of the lesser sort have wings as long or longer than their bodies , they have bendes no ●●ng or prickle in their tail , nor bear any s●em ; they are seldome seen in the corn but altogether in meddowes and pastures , as i have seen them in france , and our countrey of britannie : i have seen only three kindes very rare , i. e. italian , greek , and affrican : they are called mantes , foretellers , either because by their coming ( for they first of all appear ) they do shew the spring to be at hand , so anacreon the poet sang ; or else they foretell dearth and famine , as caelius the scholiast of theocritus have observed . or lastly , because it alwaies holds up its sorefeet like hands praying as it were , after the manner of their diviners , who in that gesture did pour out their supplications to their gods. of this italian mantis ( whose figure we do here represent ) rondeletius makes mention in his book de piscibus , in these words : it hath a long breast , slender , covered with a hood , the head plain , the eyes bloudy , of a sufficient bignesse , the cornicle short , it hath six feet like the locust , but the foremost thicker and longer than the other , the which because for the most part she holds up together ( praying-wise ) it is commonly called with us preque dieu , the whole body is lean . so divine a creature is this esteemed , that if a childe aske the way to such a place , she will stretch out one of her feet , and shew him the right way , and seldome or never miss . her tail is two forked , armed with two bristly prickles : and as she resembleth those diviners in the elevation of her hands , so also in likeness of motion ; for they do not sport themselves as others do , nor leap , nor play ; but walking softly , she retains her modesty , and shewes forth a kinde of mature gravity . though pennius affirms that he often saw this kinde at montpellier , yet in his papers he saith that he received the figure of it from the worthy antonius saracenus , a physician of geneva . another species of this mantis , carolus clusius sent from vienna exactly described , being brought thither out of greece , which is like unto the former in shape and magnitude , but of another colour bestowed on it either by nature or the place where it lives ; for it hath cornicles of a full yellow , the eye of hyacinth colour , the wings of a faint yellow , the rest of the body of amethyst , only that the feet shanks , as also the joynts of them were more hairy and white , and the clawes of the fingers bended backward were black . concerning the copulation of locusts , i rather subscribe to valeriola ( who hath searched diligently into their nature ) than to aristotle himself . they couple , saith he , ( as i have seen ) by the male getting upon the female , at what time he puts those two prickles that come out of the end of his back into the matrix of the female , and so they continue in conjunction very close and for a long time , in so much they can scarce with your hands be pulled asunder when once coupled , neither by leaping and motion , or any other way . the female being tickled underneath , moveth her womb very busily , and applying her self with the bottome thereof to the male , doth hold him for a long while , sometime with the opening of the matrix , sometimes with the shutting or closing of it again , augmenting the pleasure of her venery : for while the matrix is open the male gets into the bottome or farther end thereof ; and when it is contracted or closed , she is delighted with the affriction and tickling of the womb and the passages thereof . now●here are to be seen two passages in the secret part of the female separated by a kinde of partition , and are covered over with a little thick cover , which in the outside is black , hard , and gristly , but within somewhat roughish , hairy and wrinkled ; at the bottome of this the matrix appears whitish like that of women . now the female bringeth forth ( as aristot . saith ) the little stem that growes to her tail , being stuck in the ground , and then layeth all her burden together in the same place , not scattering up and down , but as it were like a honey comb . hence proceeds a kinde of little worm in the likeness of an egge , included in a little earthly thin membrane , the which being forced open , out come the locusts and fly abroad . but ( by the favour of so great a philosopher ) they lay eggs indeed in the beginning of autumn , though not of the fashion of eggs , as i have seen with my eyes , and have had them in my hands . the which feture is so tender , that with the least touch it is bruised to pieces . neither is it laid upon the superficies of the earth , but somewhat deeper , and in the winter under ground : where in the winter they being perfected by concoction , in the subsequent year , almost at the latter end of spring they come forth out of the shell or membrane aforesaid , wherein they were , being little blackish locusts creeping up and down without either shanks or wings , which afterwards in a short time become bigger . they bring forth at the latter end of summer , and when they have so done they forthwith die , certain little vermine breeding about their necks ( as it happeneth to the beetle ) in the time of their bearing , which do strangle them . these dying after such a foolish fashion as they do , are yet able at their pleasure , any one of them , if it do but fasten on his chaps , to kill a serpent . in a wet spring the eggs perish , but in a dry then there is a great increase of them . some will have them to be brought forth and to dye twice a year , ( in the number of whom is willichius ) that is to say , at the rising of the pleiades they come forth , and dye at the setting of the dog-star , then others to be brought forth . some say at the setting of arcturus . in mountainy places , and of a thin air there breed no locusts , but in plains and places full of clifts and chaps ; nor do they lay their egges upon the superficies , but in the chinks and caverns of the earth , both that they may be the better concocted , as also better preserved from cold and rain . that they should be generated of the carkasse of a mule or asse ( as plutarch reports in the life of cleonides ) by putrefaction , i cannot with philosophers determine ; first , because it was permitted to the jewes to feed on them : secondly , because no man ever yet was an eye-witness of such a putrid and ignoble generation of locusts . they dye several waies . for the male after copulation ( wherein he tarries very long , and as it is probable , till all his radical moisture , and all his spirits at once are exhausted with his venery ) presently expires . as in like manner all the females as soon as they have brought forth , whether with vehemency of pain , or numerous feture , i know not , the which being very great cannot chuse but spend and exhaust the strength thereof . oftentimes also great swarmes of them being lifted up into the air by the wind , which afterwards failing , they fall down into the sea , or standing lakes . they are reported to pass over to far remote shores , continuing their journey for many daies together , they are to be seen very great , and also they make such a noise with their wings , that you would think they were a flight of birds , and they darken the sun. they come oft-times out of africk into italy in great numbers , biting and gnawing all with their teeth , even the doors of their houses . neither do they hurt the corn fields , pastures , meadows , gardens , orchards , with their biting only , but also with their black , burning stinking d 〈…〉 g , and especially with their cholerick and bitter fome or spittle , the which ( as valeriola witnesseth ) they vent in great abundance out of their mouthes as they bite . yet notwithstanding they are not venomous , the parthians and certain of the aethiopians live of them , esteeming them very dainty meat . they are said in india to be three feet in length , their shanks and thighs when they are dry serving for sawes to saw withall . that sound or noise which they make , aristotle saith is made with the rustling of their wings . but according to pliny , it seems to proceed from the hinder part of their head . but i suppose it is caused three manner of waies , by the grating of their teeth as they bite the herbs , with the clapping together of their wings as they flutter up and down with them , with the rubbing of their hard neck and shoulders one against the other whilest they leap and themselves like souldiers armed with helmet and brestplate , are used to do . now we are to speak of the locusts which have no wings , and those especially are bruchus , attelabus , and asellus . five other kindes of locusts are numbred up , joel . amos . deut. . and psal . . namely gaza , from shearing ; jelak , from licking ; chazil , from destroying ; thelatsal , from the blasting and rust it brings to corn ; and chenamal , from staying ; because where it sets up its station , it tarrieth there , and forsakes it not ▪ rodulphus modius on leviticus and the prophet joel reckons divers kindes of bruchi ; some are golden colour , others yellow , others gray ; also from a whitish worm in frothy dew that in may sticks to plants , a certain winged green creature is bred , in form like to the smallest kinde of catterpillar , first it leaps , and and afterwards it flies , and therefore i think fit to call it locustella , a little locust . the english call that frothy matter woodsear , as if you would say the putrefaction of the wood . the germans call it cuckow-spittle : but what form that was of which suidas cals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; celius , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; nicander , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; hesychius , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; aristophanes , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; eustathius , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; phavorinus , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; isidore , ludolochra ; truly i cannot tell , and i would gladly see some oedipus who would declare their nature and use . but because marcellus affirms that there are some locusts that use but two wings : and willichius ascribes to some six wings ; they should either have described them , or have held their peace in a matter that exceeds belief . also he slipt very absurdly , when he assigned a king and a monarchy to be amongst them . may be amongst many little ones he found one great one , and saluted him for their king , because he excelled in magnitude ; but solomon , ( that was of philosophers and wise men the chief ) saith they have no king , but are subject to a common-wealth as pismires are . how god by these very little creatures did punish the pride and haughtiness , and hard heartedness of pharaoh , is apparent enough out of exodus , and is spoken o● every where . in the year . before the birth of christ , all the meadows almost were covered with clouds of locusts , and a hundred years after about capua a great multitude of them filled the countrey . julius obsequens . in the year after christ , . the war long enduring in illyricum , france , italy , and at last being ended , that nothing might be wanting to punish those nations , an innumerable company of locusts , and far greater than the ordinary ones , consumed all the grass round about . in the year of our lord , . when agilulphus reigned in lombardy , a very great plenty of locusts afflicted the countrey about trent , which are reported to be brought out of africa by force of the winds ; but the greater part of them were cast down with storms and drowned : but they were no less hurtfull and deadly to the italians ; for by the waves they were brought to the shores of cyrenis , and by their venomous stinking smell , they caused such a plague amongst mortals , that julius writes , that of men and cattel there died above . also at venice , and about brescia for want of corn , ( for the locusts had consumed all ) so lamentable a plague followed , that in the year . when these things hapned , above . men died of it . again in the years , , and . locusts came flying out of africa after a great drought , that devoured plants , herbs , and barks of trees , whence followed a strange famine , and such as is elegantly described by the author of naumachia , in these verses : — the nurse childe of death , famine was present with her empty veins , the poor with hunger starved , their breath was spent ; for neither broth nor bread remains : vpon their mouthes and guts hunger laid hold , they move their chaps , and bite their teeth , not meat , through wrinkled skin their bowels might be told : nothing but skin and bone , they 'd nought to eat , in stead of belly stood an empty place , the brest hung down , and seemed for to stay on the back bones rough grate , pale was the face , lips white , eyes sunk , teeth stark , all was like clay . nor was france free from their teeth and devouring , but in the years since the time the virgin brought forth her son , namely in the year , , , , . was miserably waited , and the citizens consumed by famine , and very many killed by a plague that followed it , and sometimes it lost a third part of the inhabitants . these locusts had commonly six wings , and were brought thither from the east . but at length by force of winds they were carried into the british sea and drowned there : but by the flowing of the sea they were cast to the shore , and infected the air , and caused a plague no less cruel than the famine that went before . otho frisingensis . also in the year , they wasted almost all polonia . in . innumerable troops of locusts were brought by winds from the sea euxinum into that part of sarmatia which is called podolia , they did change their camps in a military order , and they eat up all that was in the fields where they pitched both by day and night ; these of an unusual greatness at first wanted wings , then their wings growing forth , they flew at pleasure ; and what shall i say ? they eat not only herbs and leaves , and flowers , but hardly left any bark on the trees . then they wandred through germany , and came as far as millan , and having devoured all there they returned to polonia and silesia . at last in november , for so long they lived , when they were consumed by force of cold , they raised such a stench , that had they not been eaten up by hogs , and wilde bores , they would have caused as great a plague , as they had done a famine in germany and italy . in the year , locusts did a very great mischief to the countreys of misnia and marchia : at which time they were so frequent in lucania , that being in heaps they were above a cubit high . jacobus ekcelius . in the year , it is commonly known what great dammage the mighty company of locusts did at arles : whilest we were writing this , we received news that the spaniards were sorely afflicted with swarms of locusts brought thither out of africa . for they flew like armies through the skies , and darkned the air . and the people when they saw them , rang all their bels , shot off ordinance , sounded with trumpets , tinkled with brazen vessels , cast up sand , did all they could to drive them away ; but they could not obtain what they desired , wherefore sparing their labour in vain , they died every where of hunger and contagion : as the mariners and steer-men reported to us , who escaped very hardly from that danger themselves . eutropius lib. . makes mention of very great locusts , which were seen not far from rome , to the wonder and amazement of the beholders , the inhabitants were so afraid of them , for their devouring nature , that they were frighted at their sight . hence we may collect that those creatures are not the smallest amongst the armies of the lord of hosts , when he pleaseth to punish the sins of men , and to revenge himself on the despisers of his lawes . but as his justice is admirable , so in his greatest severity mercy is not wanting ; for being that locusts have brought sundry nations to want and hunger , and they have had no thing to eat , these locusts have died suddenly , and became meat for the people they afflicted before : the people of hot countreys , ( whom especially they spoil of their increase of fruits ) as the aethiopians , tagetenses , parthians , arabians , lybians , mellenses , zemenses , darienenses , africans , and those that live about lepris , the azanaghi , senegenses , people of mauritania , and others , live chiefly upon locusts , and account their eggs to be dainties ; others prepare them thus : first in a low large place they make a great smoak , by which the locusts in flying are hindred and forced to fall ; than when they have taken them they dry them with salt , the sun and smoke , and cutting them in pieces , they keep them for their yearly provision , as we do fish , not only those which have large legs , but the attelabi , the aselli , asiraci , and almost all kindes of locusts , as we collect out of dioscorides , strabo , pliny , solinus , agatharsis , plutarch , avicenna , posidonius , leo and dionysius africanus , aelian , diodorus siculus , aloysius , cadmustus , agricola , and the centuries of navigations , whence they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , locust-eaters . yet though they accounted them amongst their choicest meats , yet the grecians esteemed them but for meaner fare ; if we beleeve aristophanes and plutarch in sympos . where he cals them the sustainer of the countreymans table : s. matthew in the . chapter , saith that john the baptist lived upon them and wilde honey ; and god appointed four sorts of them to be clean , and suffered the people of israel to feed upon them : whosoever desireth more concerning locusts for food , let them read the most learned annotations of venerable bede upon st. matthew . they have no venome in them ; yet they that feed on them are not long lived , and seldome live to years , and frequently die young , as diodorus siculus , agatharsis , and strabo have observed . st. ambrose saith that locusts hurt neither men nor fruits by themselves , but nourish them ; and feed not on fruits unless god command them . but when god gives the word , they kill men , spoil the ground , and execute the vengeance of god. mantis , as i said , shewes travellers their right way ; ophiomachus kils serpents , all locusts foreshew the spring , and what is more acceptable to us ? and if by so great multitudes they foretell of famine , by that they sweetly invite us to prayers and repentance ; they live so lovingly together , that they stand in need of neither king nor emperor ; for they fly together as solomon saith , prov. . without a king and live in concord , whence is that saying of ecclesiastes , thy keepers are as locusts , and thy children as the young locusts : that is , not only numerous , but unanimous , and conspiring together . what concerns their use in physick , the locusts are serving to that end also : for their smell cures the strangury , especially of women . dioscorid . bread eat with the flesh of locusts , is good for those who are troubled with the stone : fryed locusts take away the roughness of the nails : locust legs bruised with goats tallow , cure the leprosie . pliny . mantes cure hard scrofulous tumors . aselli dried and drank with wine are excellent good against the stinging of the scorpion . attelabi , cure the stinging of bees , wasps , hornets , and hurts by bloud-suckers ▪ dioscorid . eupor . and pliny . . arnoldus prescribes this composition for the white skins of the eye for dimness , and a cloud , breviarii lib. . c. . let the locusts be not altogether green , nor wholly black thrust a string through them and strangle them in a little white-wine , then dry them in the shade , then take primros● roots , and fennel roots , dry and powder them , and mingle them with the powder of the locusts , then keep the powders bound in a cloth , in the said white-wine in a brazen vessell ; of which wine ( the cloth being first gently crushed ) drop two or three drops into the eyes : as for their quality and temperament ; unsalted they heat a little , they inflate , increase seed , stir up venery , when they are salted it seems they are of worse juice , they cause thirst and burn the bloud ; yet they hurt not dropsie persons , nor such as are leucophlegmatical . silvaticus . farther ▪ to touch upon other uses of them ; locusts , their feet and wings taken away , are good to feed young peacocks . columella . frogs about lakes , and many fish feed on locusts , which is so well known , that bellonius witnesseth the same . also the saleucians have a bird feeds on locusts , as hesychius remembers . jackdawes do also devour them ; wherefore at the publick charge they are maintained in thessalia , illyrium , and lemnos : for they not only destroy locusts coming , but they also devour their issue , whereby corn is preserved unhurt . also they are food for rooks , choughs , hens , geese , ducks , for hogs also and sheep , as besides histories , and long experience , plutarch witnesseth in his book of isis and osiris . lastly , if any credit may be given to apomasaris , a man most learned in the learning of the indians , persians , and egyptians , to dream of the coming of locusts is a sign of an army coming against us , and so much as they shall seem to hurt or not hurt us , so shall the enemy . now it will be time to shew by what means the over great abundance of them may be driven away by the providence and wisdom of man , and so i shall conclude this chapter . pliny saith , that in the countrey of cyrene , it was ordered by a law , that thrice in the year they should war against the locusts . first , breaking their eggs , then destroying their young ones , then by killing the grown locusts . if any failed of this duty they were punished for their default . the magnesii and ephesians march out in military order against them . it is no wonder that divers nations took counsel how to destroy so cruel an army , whereas in divers places of africa and mauritania , they are so numerous and mischievous , that they force the inhabitants to seek out new habitations . we observed out of pliny , valeriola and peucerus , divers waies to break and destroy their eggs . at the entring of the spring , rivers are turned upon the places where their eggs are , so that they abundantly wet all the surface of the earth , or the greatest part of it . if the place be so scituated that they cannot do this , multitudes of men trample over the ground , so that no place is left , that is either higher or deeper than the rest ; if they cannot prevail with their feet , they use a drag , a harrow , and a rowle that are very heavy , such as countreymen use , that they may the more easily bruise them , and level the ground the better . also abundance of military chariots would do no hurt here , for by frequent and often running up and down with the wheels , they would break the eggs : i should also commend the use of the plough , which would dig and turn up the earth , and cut the nests of the locusts . some counsel to fright the old locusts with ringing bels , sounding trumpets , beating drums , and by discharging great guns , to make that terrible salmonean noise , that may drive them away ; some think that by great cries and shoutings of men , they may be terrified , as if the beating of the air might shake them , or as though they heard any of those terrible noises , as some absurdly dream . others make deep ditches in the fields , and with crackers that beat the air , drive the fearful locusts thither by degrees , and when they are come into these ditches , they are suddenly overwhelmed with earth , or casting in rubbish , they cover and destroy them . some affirm that they are taken with pickle made with locusts , that by it they fall suddenly into a deep sleep , and afterwards dye . by these acts , saith valeriola , the locusts that vexed the people about arls were destroyed in twenty daies time . in syria they fight against them in a souldierly posture . in the island lemnos , all souldiers are bound to bring a certain measure of locusts to the magistrates every day . some nations , as i said , feed jackdawes at the publick cost , that as occasion is they may destroy the locusts . moreover the birds , namely storks , are called seleucides , which the inhabitants of the mount cassian formerly obtain'd to be sent by jupiter against the locusts that destroy'd their corn . these birds come yearly to help them , but whither they fly back , or whence they come , no man can tell . so soon as the locusts are destroyed they forsake the mountain , and go home again . our new authors mightily commend the smell of brimstone , and of gun-powder , and think they will kill locusts by their smell ; but if a cloud of locusts or swarm come tumbling into a land , let all the inhabitants lie close in their houses , for if they see no man in their journey , they will readily pass over that countrey , or else they will easily remain in that place . but if they be come before it be observed , they will touch no herb nor corn , nor any thing that is sprinkled with the decoction of bitter lupines , and wilde cucumers , for they perish so soon as they touch them . it may be the decoction of the lesser centory , wormwood or walnut leaves would do the same . also they are said to passe from those places where bats are hanged aloft on the trees . moreover , if you burn locusts taken in pits , the same way as i said , that fume will either choak the rest that are near , or will make them fall down , that they may be easily taken with your hands , or they will dye of themselves , being afterwards weakned with the sun. if you would defend vines from them , sow three grains of mustard-seed near the root , for they sprouting up afterwards , will by their sharp sent , kill all bruchi and locusts whatsoever that come near them ; as the geoponicks of cassius and dionysius vticensis ( not rightly ascribed to constantine the emperor ) do perswade us . aristot . . hist . . saith that locusts are driven away with the fume of brimstone , harts-horn , or storax . palladius from the rules of democritus , lib. . tit . . writes that locusts will hurt neither corn nor trees , if many river or sea crabs be put in an earthen vessel with water , and be covered and set in the sun , that they may evaporate so for ten daies , then whatsoever you would have take no harm , sprinkle with that water every eight daies , till the corn be perfectly grown . arnoldus saith that locusts are driven away with the fume of oxe or cow-dung , or the smoke of the left horn : but why doth he superstitiously exclude the right horn ? for reason and nature hold right to be better than left . the magicians trust much to their trifling charms , whom sith pliny hath lib. . cap. . charged with extreme madness , and vanity unspeakable , i shall say nothing to detain you with . peucerus ▪ lib. de divinat , gener . writes , that the romans when they knew not the true god , whensoever they saw swarms of locusts , used fasting , sorrow , sacrifices , and all means to pacifie the angry gods , and afterwards they more carefully adored jupiter , who drove them away . eudoxus saith , that the oriental galatians , upon such a tempest , come to the god of birds , and desire him often to drive away the locusts that swarm in their lands . this should admonish us christians that are entred into the rites of the true god , and are instructed by the perfect light , that the sure way to drive from us hurtful locusts is to call upon god by prayer joyned with true repentance a●d unfeigned piety , without which all our force and inventions will come to nought , nor will all our devices avail at all . for i highly approve of that saying , for all remedies without gods assistance are idle enterprises of men , but when god is pleased , and blesseth the means , then are they remedies indeed . chap. xvii . of grashoppers and krickets . of all the insects making a stridulous noise , the grashopper challengeth the chief place , and by great right too . for in the heat of the day he sends forth a most shrill and musicall sound , sustaining his life with dew without doing any harm to herb or trees . amongst the greeks he hath divers names , according to the diversity of countreys , generally and by a common name he is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , by the eleans , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; by the sideti , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; by the cretians , ( as bellonius saith ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; by the countreymen of suidas , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because it lives by sucking out of the dew . they attribute also divers names and appellations unto it from its sex , age , bigness , and singing . for the female which doth not sing at all aelian cals 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; stephanus , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that sings not ; eustathius thinks it is not a grashopper , but another kinde of creature like it . so doth athenaeus s . . from speusippus , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , like to a grashopper , or the bird called a small turtle . indeed the words of lia out of alexis cited by athenaeus in his thraso , give in a large testimony to the same , both that the cercopa had a voice , and was of a divers kinde from the cicada or grashopper ( i never saw the female cercope , nor the pye , nor the nightingale , nor the grashoppers male ) unless perhaps the grecians were wont to keep together in their caves the male and female turtle , so we should say they joyned together in like manner , the male grashopper and the female cercopa ; for that they did not only keep them together with the pye and the philomele , for their singing sake , but that they might behold their mutual embraces , dalliance and lustful pleasure . add to this that athenaeus calleth it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or the more talkative ; so far is he from attributing all the business of singing and making a noise to her male , contrary to the custome of the female . the grashopper when it comes to be old is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , when young and tender 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as hesychius observeth . the little grashoppers ( which gaza calleth cicadastras , and we cicadulas ) the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which signification i wonder that it is passed over by stephanus . the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , put substantively , signifieth the least grashopper of all , as eustathius witnesseth . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 also do signifie the lesser grashoppers , as we read in calius , although eustathius will have them to be creatures of another species , like to grashoppers , as otherwhere he cals them the females of grashoppers . these dionysius will have so called of the greek word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from the sound they make . the more vocal and obstreperous of them called e 〈…〉 eladi , are the achetai , or the males , making indeed a very pleasant and musical noise . the other being mute and more wilde are called sigalphi , from their silence , as also acanthii . in arabick , gituole , and cicuale , vulderetriche and robiche . silvat . cicara is a barbarous word of a latine or spanish word corrupted . in italian ligallo , cicara , and otherwhere lazenzala ; in spanish cignatregas , and ciganre ; in germany and england i do not hear that there are any grashoppers to be found , but if they be , they are in both countreys called bow-krickels , or ba●lm krickets ; in flanders , feildtdresin ; of the walloons , ( if i mistake not ) straffen ; in polonia , konick , zyemuyco , spiewa . sometimes the name krickets and grashoppers , are promiscuously used , which cannot be , unless you will say that the kricket is a grashopper without wings . the latines as some that hunt after words will have it derive the word cicada , quasi cito cadens , ( i. e. ) quickly perishing . and that indeed is the epither that arist . gives it , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the short lived grashopper , for so indeed it seems to be . the grashopper amongst the insects , is the only one of those kinde of creatures that is without a mouth , but hath it otherwise supplyed , by a long kinde of compact fast substance , which like a promuscis supplieth the place of a mouth and tongue fashioned round and hollow like a pipe or gutter , reserved for the most part within , having ten streaks running athwart it , with the which it sucks the dew , the only nutriment that it hath , and which is peculiar unto it , as virgil saith , pascuntur dum rore cicadae : whence it is in athenaeus that the question is controverted , afterward concluded , that water alone is able to maintain life , because with it alone the grashoppers are sustained . hence it is that elsewhere he repeats the saying of a certain parasite to this purpose 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. i am not such a one as liveth on dew nor herbs . and that of theocritus is very like it : doth he live on dew like a grashopper ? away then with that fable of aesop which is commonly received , that the grashoppers begged food from the ants , for we may learn out of plato , that the grashoppers are consecrated to apollo , and the muses bestowed on them this boon , that they should live only by singing , not so much as mentioning the dew . we shall also pass over those inventions of tzetzes as not worth the mentioning , who reports that the grashoppers are alwaies provided with food in great variety . it is reported by antonius altomarinus in his book de manna , that the grashoppers do suck the juice out of the bark and leaves of the ash-tree , or elm chiefly , the which we call manna , but yet it is more likely that they suck it off from herbs , or out of them , as the butter-flies do , both because they are alwaies found to be empty within , and for that they are not perceived to void any thing , unless it be when they have taken in a little more dew then ordinary , they cast out of their bodies the superfluity thereof , as the countreymen have observed . the body is fastned to the head by a very short neck , or rather none at all indeed , the shoulders are spotted with green and black , the breast is of a bright green well towards white , out of which come three feet and shanks on each side of a leek colour ; the belly in the bigger sort is two fingers in length , and one in breadth ; the inner part of the belly resembles a target ending in a sharp point , and is compassed about with an hem having twelve or thirteen joynts in it ; within appear certain incisures of the same colour with the belly ; the males ( that is , the least of the two ) have the end of their tail forked ; the females on the other side whole ; their back is blackish with seven or eight green lines or incisures drawn athwart the same ; the wings very curious , of a silver colour , and painted with dusky spots and specks very trim , the outermost twice as long as the innermost , and more various : the dark brown is more rarely seen , which ludovicus armacus a very diligent chirurgeon , brought from guinea , and gave to pennius : also mr. white a rare painter , gave him another brought forth from virginie , it was all of an ash-colour , ( it may be it was that the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) but it was like the former in proportion , it hath both its wings silver coloured , but not at all , spotted , and the former green ones were . those that live in quicksets are most green and big , those that are found in oats , or corn , or grasse , are of divers colours according to the place where they be , and are far lesse then the rest . amongst the grashoppers the females are silent ; the males do in a manner loath venery , neither are drawn unto it but by many enticements of the female . but our women have more tongue by far than men ; and the men behave themselves more lasciviously than women . what is to be added further . the grashoppers of all other insects seem to be without passion , but the perturbations of our mindes do carry us on so headlong , that upon every slight cause , yea none at all , we wax hot with anger , pine away with grief , burn with envy and jealousie . now for the musick which the grashoppers make , amongst all the insects there is none like it , accounted so sweet amongst the ancients , that they equalled it to the sound of the harp , as pollux writeth , and it may be lucretius therefore called grashoppers teretes . when timon sillographus would commend the eloquence of plato , he compared it to the musick of the grashoppers : his words are these : plato sings sweetly , and as well as the grashoppers . they begin to sing in the heat of the day , even at what time the reapers would otherwise leave work , whe●efore those laborious chanters get them up into trees , and there fill the ears of the labourers and passenge●s with their melodious noise . for as musick is a kinde refreshment and recreation to the fainting spirits and tired brain , so the unaffected notes and layes of the grashoppers , and the earnestness of their contention in singing , doth serve as a spur to provoke men to endure labour , and doth not only invite the reapers to gather the fruits , but detains th●m in their work . of the strife between eunomus of locris , and aristo of rhegium two harpers , and eunomus getting the better , by reason of a grashopper flying to his harp and sitting upon it and supplying the place of his broken string : read antigonus mirabilium narrat . l. . & strabo geograph . l. . of which contention also solinus makes mention : and indeed the ancients by the grashopper understand musick , and therefore they painted the grashopper sitting upon eunomus harp , as the known hieroglyphick of the muses , as strabo , phlegeton , and pausanias give us to understand . with the athenians it was the symbole of antiquity and nobility , and to that end ( as now the spaniard doth the golden fleece ) so they wear golden grashoppers embroydered on their hair , from whence they were called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the author of the anthologies saith further in his third book , that the ancients had the grashopper in such veneration , that they made a monument for it in the promontory of taenarus in the countrey of laconia , and engraved a very elegant elogy thereupon in its praise ; to which orus apollo , hieroglyph . . doth subscribe . in a word , there is none to whom the musick of the grashopper can seem harsh or unpleasant , but is either not well at ease in his minde or his body , and so can be no competent judge of musical strains . the grecians had them in such estimation , that they kept them in cages to please their ears with them . now to adde something concerning the manner how they make this noise , and then to proceed to their original and death . this stridulous and obstreperous noise they make , some think to be caused one way and some another . pierius thinks it is formed in the snout or promuscis : proclus diadichus , by the rubbing together of their wings , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is to say , the grashopper sings by frequent clapping of its wings together , and so it makes a noise . and the same thinks hesiod . but that they sing not with their mouth all men know , as neither by the rubbing of their wings together as the locust doth , but by the reverberation of a little membrame under the flabells ; ( so they call those two coverings behinde the hinder thighs cleaving to the belly ) or as aristotle describes it in brief . they make this noise by reason of the air striking against the membrane under the midriffe ; for by that means it being distended or remitted , and forced up and down , there breaketh forth a stridulous sound , such as the boyes make with their reed or oaten pipes , which have a thin skin , which being pressed down , shaken or intended , it must make a sound . and this is the reason why the female grashoppers sing not at all , because they want that space between the thighs , where this thin membrane growes in the males and causeth this sound . others make the females to be more cold by far than the males , and that they make the cause of their silence . but forasmuch as eunuchs , old men , and old women , make most noise and greater than young persons that are more hot , therefore frigidity cannot be the cause . add further ( if we will stand to the judgement of hippocrates ) that women are more ●ot than men ; but if they be not so , yet it must needs be acknowledged , that the female grashoppers are more hot than the male , because under the midriffe they are not so divided but the males in that place ( were it not for that little membrane to hinder ) they might easily be blown through . nature certainly intended by denying a voice to the females of these grashoppers to teach our women that lesson ; 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , what ornament silence brings to the female sex . they begin first of all to sing about the latter end of the spring , the sun being 〈◊〉 past the meridian , and perchance in hotter countreys sooner , where quickse●s or thicke●s are 〈◊〉 rare , there they live more happily , and sing more willingly . for they are of all creatures the least melancholy , and for that reason they do affect not only green and pleasant 〈…〉 es , but 〈…〉 on and open fields . yea they are not to be found in those places where there are no trees at all , nor where there are too many and too shady . hence it comes to passe , sa●t● arist ▪ that a● cyrene in none of the fields there is there any grashoppers to be found , whereas near the town they are frequently heard . they shun also cold places , indeed they cannot live in them . they love the olive tree , because of the thinness of the bough and narrowness of the leaves whereby they are lesse shady . they never alter their place , as neither doth the stork , or at least very seldome ; or if they do they are ever after silent , they sing no more ; so much doth the love of their native soyl prevail with them . in the countrey of miletus ( saith pliny ) they are seldome seen . in the island cepholenia there runs a river , on the one side whereof there is plenty of them , on the other in a manner none : that which i should take to be the cause , is either the want of trees , or the too much abundance , or else a certain natural antipathy of the soyl ; as ireland neither brings forth not breeds any venomous creature : for the same reasons they do not fancy the kingdome of naples ; although niphus relates that to be done by the enchantment of one maro . timaeus that writeth the history of sicily , reports that in the countrey of locris on the hither side of the river helicis they are marvellous loud ; on the other side toward the city of rhegium , there is scarce one to be heard : they are not therefore silent because hercules prayed against them for disturbing him of his sleep , as solinus fabulously relates , but because they are more merry and jocond at home ; as the cock is : whence it is that the locrian grashoppers will not sing at rhegium , nor theirs on the contrary near locris ; and yet there is but a small river runs between them , such a one as one may cast a stone over . much certainly doth their countrey ( which comprehends in it all the love that may be ) move them : where like the people of the jewes , they refuse to sing their native songs in a strange countrey ; who being cast out of their own habitation , seek means to die rather than waies to live ; so prodigal seem they of their short life , and desirous after their native dwelling . they do so affect the company of men , that unless they see fields full of mowers or harvest folk , and the waies with passengers , they sing very low and seldome , or silently and to themselves . but if once they hear the reapers making merry , talking and singing , ( which is commonly at noon ) then they sing so loud as if they strove who should sing loudest , together with them . wherefore not undeservedly was the parasice in athenaeus called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , who being naturally obstemious by nature , yet was so full of talk , as if he strove that no body should be heard at the table but he . socrates in his phaedro recites the history of the grashoppers very wittily , warning men not to sleep in the heat of the day , lest the grashoppers mock them : for the poets report how their diligence was highly rewarded . for they ●ay that the grashoppers before the muses were , were men ; who afterwards when the muses came taught them to sing ; but some of them were so delighted with musick and singing , that altogether neglecting their meat and drink inconsiderately , they perished ; the which afterwards being turned into grashoppers , the muses gave them that for a reward , that they should be able to live even in the heat of the day without meat or drink , neither to have any need of bloud or moisture . they couple and generate with creatures of the same kinde , as aristotle tels us , and the male casts his seed into the female , which she accordingly receives ; they bring forth in fallow grounds , hollowing it with that sharp picked hollow part of their tail , as the bruchus doth , and therefore there is great plenty of grashoppers in the countrey of cyrene . also in reeds , wherewith the vines are propped , they make hollow a place for their nest ; and sometimes they breed in the stalk of the herb squilla , but this brood soon fals to the ground . this is also worth the notice , which hugo solerius writing upon aetius affirmeth , that the grashoppers dye with bringing forth , the ventricle of the female being rent asunder in the birth ( the which some being very much deceived therein , do report of the viper ) the which i exceedingly marvel at . for they lay white eggs , and do not bring forth a living creature ( as the field mouse doth ) unless it be by reason of weakness : of the egge comes a little worm , of that comes a creature like to the aurelia of the butterfly , which is called tettigometra , ( at what time they are very delicate meat to be eaten before the shell be broken ) afterwards about the solstices , in the night come forth of that matrix , the grashoppers ; all black , hard , and somewhat big . when they are thus got out , those that are for the quicksets , betake themselves thither ; those that live amongst the corn , go and sit upon that , at their departue they leave behinde them a little kinde of moisture ; not long after they are able to take wing , and they begin to sing . that therefore which solerius feigneth concerning the bursting of the womb of the mother , i should conceive to be understood of the matrixes . a certain woman did bring up some young grashoppers , for her delight sake and to hear them sing ; which became with young without the help of the male , if we may believe arist . . l. de hist . anim . but since he hath told us that all the females of grashoppers are mute by nature , and this spontaneous impregnation is far from truth , either the woman deceived aristotle , or he us . there is another kinde of generation of grashoppers , that we read of . for if clay be not dug up in due time , it will breed grashoppers , so saith paracelsus , and before him hesychius . for this cause plato saith grashoppers were of old time men born of the earth , but by the favour of the muses turned into that musical sort of creatures , the grashoppers . even at this day sustaining their lives with no other food than dew , and feeding themselves by continual ●inging they live . for this cause the athenians were called tettigophori , because they wore golden grashoppers for ornament in their hair , and for a token of their nobility and antiquity ; as thucidides . syngraph . and heraclides ponticus de priscis atheniensibus testifie . erytheus makes a proof of this custome , being born of the earth as they say , who first governed the common-wealth of the athenians ▪ and they too in the judgement of plato , the natives were 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. born of the earth . afterwards it came to be a custome that none but an athenian , or one born in the place might wear a grashopper in his hair : of this opinion is aristoph . as also his scholiast . i●idore saith that the cuckow-spittle doth generate grashoppers , which is not true , but that it produceth small locusts is manifest . lucretius in his , book , saith that the grashopper in the summer doth shift his skin , according to this verse : cum veteres ponunt tunicas aestate cicada ; and for that reason he is called by hesychius , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , i. e. the naked grashoppers or without a skin : whom i should not have believed unless i had the picture of the skin so cast off by me . before copulation the males are of the more delicate taste , afterwards the females , for that they have in them white eggs very pleasant to the palat . the parthians , as pliny writeth , and the rest of the eastern nations feed upon them ; not only for nutrition sake , but to open their veins , and to stir up their languishing appetite , as atheneus in his . book , and natalis comes expresly affirm . hence aristophanes in his anagyrus out of theocritus , writes that the gods did feed upon grashoppers , at what time they had lost their appetite through choler or passion . i have seen , saith aelian l. . c. . those that sold them tyed in bundles together for men to eat , to wit , the most voracious of all living creatures did sell the most jejune , lest any thing should be lacking to their exquisite dainties . dioscorides gave rosted grashoppers to eat , and saith they are very good against the diseases of the bladder . some , saith galen , use dryed grashoppers for the colick ; they give according to the number , , or grains of pepper , as well when it goes off as when it comes on . trallianus bids to give them for the stone , dried and beaten , the wings and feet first of all taken away , and this to be done in a bath with sweet wine and hippocrass . aegineta useth them dryed for the stone in the reins , and for the diseases of the reins he invented the composition called diatettigon . such another like antidote doth myrepsus prescribe , but all heads and feet as supervacaneous members being cast away . luminaris hath transcribed an electuary out of nicolaus of this sort . take grashoppers , their heads and legs cast away , two ounces , grommel seed , saxifrage seed , each ounce : pepper , galanga , cinnamon , of each drams , lignum aloes , half a dram ; honey what is sufficient . nicolaus useth grashoppers burned and powdered , mingled with honey , and gives them about the bigness of a bean in a quantity of wine . aetius gives three grashoppers beat in wine . some in stead of cantharides use grashoppers to provoke urine , and in my judgement not without very good reason ; for they are taken with lesse danger , and do work sooner , as well in this disease , as in the weakness of venery . nonus the physician prescribes an antidote of grashoppers , and xenophyllum , against the stone in the kidneys . aretaeus for the remedies of the bladder , speaks thus of grashoppers ; the best remedy for the bladder , is a grashopper given in its time to eat ( males before copulation , but afterwards females , as we finde in aristotle ) but out of their time , dried and powdered ; boyl them with water and a little spike : also let the patient sit in the same for a bath to ease the pains of the bladder . some of our later practitioners , put grashoppers in oyl , and set them in the sun , and mingle them with oyl of scorpions , and anoint the privities of men and women , the testicles and parts about with it for pains of the bladder . arnoldus , breviar . l. . c. . & . commends the powder of grashoppers for the colick , and iliack passion , and also to drive forth the stone ; if half a grashopper in powder be drank with goats bloud , or diuretick wine . lauframus highly esteems the ashes of grashoppers to break the stone , taken with radish water , or the decoction of chich pease . also they cause idle and lazy boyes to hunt after them : theocritus speaks thus of it in his first idyllium . hee with thin ears of corn bound to a cane did make a whip , for grashoppers to hunt and take . neither are they only excellent meat , and very usefull in physick to men , but they feed birds also , and insnare them . for the youth of crete ( as bellonius witnesseth ) hide a hook in the body of a grashopper , and when they have fastned it to a line , they cast it up into the air ; which the merops seeing , catch it and swalloweth ; which when the boyes perceive they draw it to them ; and so do exercise their air-fowling not without profit and pleasure . the grashoppers abounding in the end of the spring , do foretel a sickly year to come , not that they are the cause of putrefaction in themselves , but only shew plenty of putrid matter to be , when there is such store of them appear . oftentimes their coming and singing doth pottend the happy state of things : so theocritus , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . niphus saith that what year but few of them are to be seen , they presage dearness of victuals , and scarcity of all things else . but whereas jo. langius ( a philosopher of great reading and learning , and a famous physician ) saith lib. . epist . that grashoppers did eat the corn in germany as the locusts do ; stumsius , that it was done in helvetia : lycosthenes lib. prodig . and the greek epigram doth affirm , that they eat the fruits and crop the herbs , truly ( unless they mean a locust in stead of a grashopper ) they declare a strange thing , and ( saving the credit of so famous men ) i will not believe , for they have neither teeth nor excrement as hath been said , but only feed and swell with the dew . besides , although i have gone over all helvetia , germany and england , and have searcht for a grashopper as for a needle , yet could i f●nde none . and therefore i suppose that both they themselves , as also guill . de conchy , and albert. vincentius , to have mistaken the locust or bruchus for the grashopper , being deceived by the common error , who take the one for the other . they that desire more of their nature and use , may consult the authors of the greek and latine epigrams , with praising them or dispraising them according to their own humour . the aegyptians by a grashopper painted , understood a priest and an holy man ; the later makers of hieroglyphicks , sometimes will have them to signifie musicians , sometimes pratlers or talkative companions , but very fondly . how ever the matter be , the grashopper hath sung very well of her self in my judgement in this following distich : sim licet insecti genus exiguum atque minutum , magna tamen parvis gratia rebus inest . although i am an insect very small , yet with great vertue am endow'd withall . next in order followeth the gryllus or kricket , both for that it resembleth it somewhat in shape , the wings excepted , but comes very near it in its note and manner of singing . calepine saith it is called in greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but citeth not his author , neither can he . others from the shrill sound think it to be so called , like the noise of the dashing of waves , which is called gryllismus , in the number of whom is isidore . hadrianus junius calleth it from the harshness of the sound 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but not rightly ; whereas i have proved one of arist . that to be a greater sort of locusts . freigius quest . lib. from pliny , calleth it tryxalis ; the which notwithstanding it be an insect without wings as the other is , yet it is not at all like to the gryllus in form of shape . it is called also in latine gryllus ; in french , un gryllon , crynon ; in arabick , sarsir , if we may believe bellunensis ; in barbary , gerad ; of avicen , algiedgied ; of the polonians , swierc ; hungarians , oszifereg ; in germany , ein grill , ein heyme ; about argentinum ( from the moneth wher●in it sings ) brach vogle ; of the illytians , swiertz , czwrczick ; of the italian and spaniard , gr●llo ; of the english , a kricket ; of the dutch creket , nachtecreket . the noise which they make is caused by the rubbing of their wings one against the other , as pliny witnesseth . jacob garret an industrious and ingenious apothecary did the same with the wings pluckt off and rubbed together , very cunningly imitating them : insomuch that i wonder at scaliger , who saith it cometh from a kinde of i know not what follicle and pipe placed in the hollow part of the belly ; and at sabinus who ascribeth it to the collision or grating together of their teeth : the which pliny also , but falsly , writeth of the locusts . when as either of them through the narrowness of the passages of their holes do lightly rub their wings , whether field kricket or domestick , they make but a small sound : but when they are out of doors and rub hard , they make a very shril loud noise , yet not at all without the motion and agitation of their wings : the which if you crop or pull off , you shall see all that noise presently to cease . in the heat of the day ( in which they are much delighted ) and in the night also they sing before their holes mouth . their common abode is in pastures and medows ; they do not willingly tarry in shady and opacous places , they seldome live till winter as george agricola writeth . nigidius gives great credit to them , but the magicians more ; because they go backward and make a noise in the night , and make holes in the earth . the farther off they are , they make the shriller noise ; whereas being near at hand they are silent , and through fear or suspicion presently betake themselves to their holes . the kricket , ( saith albertus l. . c. . exercit . . ) if it be divided in the middle , or have the head taken off , yet sings and lives a great while after . the which if it be true , what shall become of that pipe in the belly of them which scaliger saith doth cause the sound ? the children use to hunt them with a pismire tyed about the middle with a hair , which they put into their hole , blowing away first of all the dust lest she should hide her self again , and so is drawn out by the pismire . plin. l. . c. ult . but sooner and with less labour is she taken thus , take a long small twig or a straw , and put it into the hole , and draw it out by little and little , out she comes presently to her holes mouth , as it were to ask what the matter is , or who offered that injury to her hole ; and so is taken . from whence cometh the proverb , stultior gryllo , more silly than the kricket ; of him that for every light cause doth betray himself to his enemy , and wittingly brings himself into danger . they live upon new panick , ripe wheat and apples . the house kricket ( if we may believe albertus ) is called of the greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but no such name can be found . it may be he took a barbarous word for a greek : the english call them house krickets , the germans , heimgrill . in the moneths of july and august they fly , but not far nor long ; and that like the wood-pecker , or hickway , with a waving flight , sometimes flying aloft with her wings spread abroad , sometimes descending with her wings close to her body : the tail is forked . the female is the bigger and longer bellied , she flyeth with four wings , of which the outermost are shorter , the innermost narrower and longer ; the end of the tail hath three prickles or bristles . both the sexes fly , a●d leap and run , and that swiftly , they lick in greedily the scum of broth , and barm of ale or beer ; they feed likewise on the matter and liquor that cometh out of corrupted flesh or carrion . of this insect writeth albertus thus : the gryllus or kricket which sings in the night , seems to have no mouth as the field krickets have , but there is found in his head a long thing like a tongue , and it growes above the outer part of the head , and that part is not cloven , as the mouthes of other creatures ; neither is there found in the belly any superfluity at all , although it feed on the moisture of flesh and fat of broth , to which either powred out or reserved it runs in the night ; yea although it feed on bread , yet is the belly alwaies lank and void of superfluity . the kricket doth not only recreate men weary with labour , with their singing , but are good for physick also to drive away diseases . the ancients ( as scaliger hath observed exercit. . and found it by his own experience to be true ) did use them in stead of the cantharides , and with the like success . it being dug out of the earth with the earth with it , is good for the running of the ears . being rubbed between the hands it cureth the disease called st. anthonies fire , as also the swelling of the jawes : but this kricket must be digged out together with its earth with iron , and afterwards be rubbed ; and so the patient will not only be cured for the present , but shall be free for a year from having the disease again , plin. l. . , , . they cure also the parotides , i. e. an impostume or sore coming of matter distilled from the head into the kernels of the ears ; whether they be bound upon the place , or the place anointed therewith ; they serve also , together with their earth , to anoint the kings-evill . their ashes mixt with oyl , bring old ulcers to cicatrice . the kricket diluted in water is good against the stone or difficulty of urine . bellunensis used to drop the oyl of them into the ears of them that are diseased in that part ; by that means taking away all the dolour and pulsation of them . marcellus much commends the stroking of them upon the tumours of the jawes , and binding them upon the same : and in the opinion of haly being hung about the neck , they cure the quartan ague . serenus saith they cure the swelling of the tonsils in this distich : a kricket with right hand on tonsils prest , to kill the kricket , gives the patient rest . children ( as the italians do grashoppers ) do keep them in a box bored full of holes , or bags , to hear them sing in the night , giving them leaves of herbs whereon to feed , and so keep them all the summer . they are kept in africk in iron cages , and are sold at a great rate , as i have heard by some merchants , to cause sleep . for those of the inhabitants of fesse are exceedingly delighted with their shrill noise ; as much as the irish and welch with the sound of the harp. with which also learned scaliger seems to be not a little affected , when for their musick sake he kept them inclosed in a box , the which if he had kept in such a thing where they might have had air , he had not found dead after three daies , but able to live a long while : lib. de plant . for being secluded from the air they cannot live , which besides air and sound have nothing in them , nor seem to be any thing else . the last summer i had a male and a female of them ; but within eight , daies , i found the sides of the female eaten out by the male , which also it self two daies after expired . the bird lanio , as the learned brewer hath observed , is fed with them . the which she fastens upon thorns near to her nest of young , for fear they should want food . when they become offensive by reason of their number , thus they may be driven away or taken off . take a good deep dish filled of water , and place it before their holes mouth with a good deal of oatmeal round about it ; so the krickets leaping up into the boul are drowned ▪ or if you mix water with vitriol and inject it into their hole , they will be gone . hitherto i thought good also to refer the water grashopper of rondoletius , whose head is like a pentangle , having as it were five corners , the eyes round and standing out of the head , not great , but black ; the cornicles very short , coming forth out of the outermost part of the mouth ; on each side it hath three feet , the hindermost longer than the rest ; on the back it hath little wings , or some coming ; the tail forked , the belly oftentimes as it were cleft ; the colour of the body some-what dun , or rather black and white . i found them in muddy and standing waters , but the nature of it i yet know not . this differs from the land grashopper , both for that the head stands out more , and it seems to have some kinde of neck , and also it hath wings not fit for flight , but only to lift it self up . this is said to make a kinde of a pleasant noise like the land grashopper , upon the leaves of the water lilly , pond-weed , and other water herbs . the which i have not as yet heard . chap. xviii . of moths called blattae . most men talk much of the blattae , but few or none able to describe what the blattae , properly so called , are , neither do they give the least mark whereby they may be known ; but gathering divers notions here and there do put them all together and confound them . and but that pliny had brought some light to this history , the blattae had altogether been omitted or lost . first of all therefore we shall shew to what insects the name of blatta was given according to authors , then we shall set down what the true blatta and properly so called is ▪ now under the name of blatta are comprehended both the worms growing in the ears , as also those phalens which trouble the hives of bees . but since these desire the light , the other altogether shun it , why they should be accounted phalens , i do not see . the blatta also is a little worm eating cloathes or books . so horace in his sermons , blattarum & tinearum epulae &c. but martial altogether distinguisheth between the blatta and the tinea , and sheweth them to be creatures of several kindes . it is taken also of the moderns for the little worm called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , out of whose web silken garments are made . some call the little worm that groweth in the grain in the low oake , blatta , from whence cometh the blattean colour , or grain colour . so turneb . advers . l. . c. . & l. . c. . the blattean colour is died with worms which come out of the grain of cockle , out of who●e bloud is produced a most curious colour , not black , as some think , but a bright purple or scarlet . to which the book de natura rerum , & gualter de conchis do assent . the worms of the belly some call blattae . cardanus in one place calleth the worms that breed in meal or bran , blattae . gaza interprets the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as also 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , blattae . but the proper and right name thereof is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; according to pollux , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; as also according to lucian , de●iding a man that was no scholar , yet bought many books . the italians call it blatta , and tarma ; the hetrurians piattela ; the germans , wibell , brottworme , brottkarfaer , malkaefaer , springwibell ; they of norimberg call one species of them by way of sport , schavahen , because it cannot endure cold , as cordus writeth ; the illyrians , swinie ; the polonians , molulowy ; the hungarians , moly ; the spaniards , ropa cova potilla . now the blatta is an insect flying in the night , like to a beetle , but wanteth the sheath wings . the mill or bake-house moth , i have seen : the greeks call the female ( if i am not deceived , because it had no wings ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 & 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : it is longer , thicker , and of a more shining black colour than the ordinary soft moth , with a little forked mouth placed as it were under its belly ; the cornicles like to the first , little hollow eyes , or rather eye-holes ; the breast foursquare , with the four foremost feet fastned to it , the hindermost to the belly ; above the shoulders appear as it were little wings , though they are not so indeed ; the rest of the body somewhat thick , cut all over round about , circle or o●bicular wise ; in the sides resembling the form of a saw , the tip of the tail and a fork growing on each side is somewhat like a trident : these moth krickets take up their abode in warm places , as stoves and bake-houses , and such like ; let them be never so hungry , they will scarce indure to come into the light ; or if they be compelled so to do whereby to get some food , they betake themselves into the dark again with what speed they can , or else hide themselves in dust that they may not be found . about francford near the river main they are frequently seen , as also in london in wine-cellars , and dark dungeons ; the other species are more frequent in bake-houses , and warm places . the stinking beetle some confound with the cimex or wall-louse , a creature of the like quality ; but not rightly . the inhabitants of peru have certain creatures which they call araners : serius thinks them to be butterflies . they are of the bigness of the kricket , they go forth a great many of them together in the night time , and all that is in the house almost that is soft they nibble about and eat it . lib. navig . butterflies i cannot say they are , because they gnaw , and do not suck with their promuscis ; i would therefore either make them to be krickets , or some new kinde of moth , or some creature mixt and made of both . in an epistle of a certain learned man sent to gesner , there is a description of another kind of stinking moth. there is saith he a certain stinking flying insect in hungary that stinks beyond measure ; i should call it a stinking grashopper , but that it is more like the kricket . in winter it desires the light , in summer it shuns it ; when it flies it makes a kinde of a terrible horrid noise , leaving a most noisome stink behinde it . some there are when the air is infected , carry this creature about them as some secret remedy , and adore it ; nay some of them , which a hog would scarce do , will swallow them , so afraid are they of the plague , and so desirous to use means against it . they are bred in wals : where they are most frequent there grow as they say the most generous wines , & i have found it to be true by experience . so far epistle . all the younger moths are whitish , but at their full growth of a bright red or tawny . the stinking are as black as a coal . divers authors do speak of four other sorts of moths , viz. the venereal , bred in the genitals of men ; the bee moth , the cloth moth , and the library or book moth , from eating of the books : but none of these , but the bee moth agreeth with the description of the moth : but that neither is so stinking as the one called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or so soft as the others befote described ; but of a middle nature , rather pouldred with meal than anointed with oyl . of the rest of these we shall speak more fully when we come to speak , god willing , of the lice and moths called tineae . much variety of opinion there is among the learned of the colour of the blat moth , or the blattean colour . for if these insects ( of which we have now treated ) are the blattae truly so called , why should not the black be the blat colour , rather than red purple colours ? certain it is , it is that the bizantine blatta yeelds a purple colour , as that of the worm cochineal doth a red or scarlet ; either therefore all colours may be called blattean , or else this last of ours is not one . indeed i wonder at the boldness of turnebus and thylesius , which will have that of the worms to be the blattaean , when as they are of no author called blattae ; but rather properly it ought to be counted a scarlet red . the blattae an colour therefore , to say the truth , is the purple , notwithstanding our blattae send forth no such kinde of liquor ; but are fliers of the light , nasty , cruel , rough , theeving , living of nocturnal depredations after an infamous manner , whence servius cals them piratas noctu navigantes , night pirats . these little creatures , although they are hateful to nature it self , to men and bees , yet god hath endued them with sundry vertues , in which they excell the blattae bizantine . for take off his shell or nail , which is there between its head ( called papaver ) and its neck , what doth the belly contain but the ornament to dye withall , and to delight the eyes with their colour ? and be it so that princes and great men will buy it though never so dear , and by the greatness of the price make it only fit for kings to wear ; yet notwithstanding when you have heard the virtue of these blattae , otherwise so contemptible , you will say they are far more to be esteemed than purple . for they are wonderful good for the pains in the ears , taken after this manner : take twelve blats with their wings cropt off , of old wine and honey ana ℥ j. and half the rind of a pomegranate , of the juice of an apple spoonfuls , boyl them well in a new pipkin till the rind of the pomegranat be made limber and soft ; then beat them all together , which done , add unguentum syriacum ℥ j. of tarre ℥ j ss . the juyce of onions pressed out what may suffice ; beat all these together and lay them by for use : let this decoction be dropt into the ears , and a lock of new shorn wool stopt in warm . galen sec . loc . l. . experience witnesseth that the soft blats boyled in oyl and put upon warts , are ro good effect . the mill blat , the head being taken off and the body bruised , doth cure the leprosie , as masa and pithen have left in their receipts . the fat of the stinking blat , when the head is oft , beaten with oyl of roses , galen out of archigenes saith is very good for the ears ; but the wool in which they put it , must by and by be taken out : for that fat substance will quickly breed worms . others write that two or three of them boyled in oyl , bruised and put into a little linnen bag and applyed , are very good for the same purpose ; their entrails beaten with oyl or warm water are likewise good for the same , being dropped into the ears . pliny saith , l. . c. . that from the two first the heads must be pulled oft before they be used in medicine ; from the stinking , the feet and wings , or rather that crust or shell like wings on the back , that being more hard , and more poysonous ; but it hath no wings . the stinking blattae moreover mingled with oyl or pitch , are said to cure ulcers , otherwise incurable ; as also wenns and swellings in the neck , botches , being layed on for . daies together : they cure also the scab and fellons , bruised and festered sores , the wings and feet being first taken off . we disdain to hear of these things , yet truly diodorus ( as pliny saith ) reports that they have helped the kings-evill , and difficulty of breathing , mixed with ro●n and honey : the most learned thought fit to keep the ashes of them in a horn box for this purpose , or the powder of them to put into the body by way of clyster . cardan saith they take away pains ; but what pains , or what kinde of blattae should do it , he tels us not . the phrygians and lycaonians , anoint those with them that have a stoppage in the matrix . pliny l. . c. ult . last of all they may serve in stead of castore●m for an antiballomenon ; and galen useth them in stead of the buprestis . now if you would have a remedy against themselves , cast but a handfull of flea-bane ( the greeks mascula is the latines cunilago ) and all the blats will gather together to it . so called in rome blattaria or the blat-herb . nature hath provided a remedy against them for the swallowes ; they are wont commonly to spoyl the swallowes eggs , wherefore they use to fence their young with parsly or smallage , whereby the moths are forced away from their nests . the which might be thought to be the figment of aelian , but that zoroastes in his geoponicks doth affirm the same . the vpupa or houpe inclose their nests with earth flax against moths . the chough useth the herb vervin to the same purpose . if they be anointed with the oyl of spike , it works the like effect , as joach . camer . reports . that they may be rid out of gardens , let us hear diophanes his advice ; get the guts of a ram fresh killed and full of dung , bury it in the earth where many moths use , and cast the ground lightly upon it ; two daies after all the blats will gather to it ; the which at your pleasure you may carry other where , or bury them deep enough in the place , that they shall not be able to rise again . if you would preserve your bees from them , use sharp fumigations , or set lights near to the hives , or else anoint the props whereon they stand , that they may not get up . chap. xix . of the buprestis or burncowe , and the cantharides . many of the naturall philosophers have made mention of the buprestis , but so little , that they seem neither to have touched either their form , or qualities , no not so much as their true name . for ardoynus cals it buprestis ; vigelius , veter . l. . c. . cals it vulpester or bulpester ; and in the . chap. bustrepis most corruptly . silvaticus , if any other chief at barbarism , cals it bustasaris , bublistes , bubestis , so corrupted was the latine tongue in these blinde times , that barbarism had wrought a general confusion in all places . now the true name of it is in greek , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , quia boves rumpit , because it swels oxen ; nicander in alex. derives it ab incendendis bobus , from burning or enflaming the bowels of beasts : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. when cowes or calves are sick , and bellies swell , they 'ave eat buprestis keepers know full well . for first of all by their acrimony they enflame the belly of cattle , upon which followes a tumor , and a feaver , and a kinde of a hot tympany , by which in the end the bowels are burst . by other , as by hesychius in like manner 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which is more rightly ascribed to that kinde of red little spider , found in pasture grounds , which doth use to bite them . in english it is called a blain-worm , or troings , which being eaten by cattel doth produce the like symptomes : the latines retain the greek name of buprestis ; of the germans it is called geuch , gach , knoelster , gualster , die grunen , stinckhenden , wildenwentde , renkaefer ; of those of heidelburg , from its swift running , ein holtzbuck ; in italian , bupresti ; in spanish , arebenta busi , if mathiolus say true . b●t i for my part , somewhat boldly , though not improperly , do adventure to call it by a new name in english , burncow , or burstcow . although these insects are such as hath been said , that they fret with their acrimony ; that freeting they enflame , and with their poysonous inflamation cause extreme thirst , and a horrible swelling , insomuch that the very skin is burst ; yet hath dame nature made them notwithstanding very wholsome , which art afterwards hath prepared for medicine , before they be put in use . plinius and aegineta dispute whether they should not be prepared as the cantharides . dioscorides dries them in a sieve over hot embers , and so layeth them by . galen steeps them in vinegar . hippocrates commands to take off their wings and feet . and because they fret , exulcerate , inflame and swell up , and do strongly attract and heat the parts so fretted . diosc . l. . c. . saith , that being mixt advisedly with fitting ingredients , they may be applyed to the leprone , cancer , and wilde tetters . my opinion is , that they may be used in stead of the bigger sort of cantharides , rather than some kinde of blattae ( by pauius his leave , if i may say so ) not only because they are somewhat like in shape and figure , and in virtue also , as galen writeth . pliny saith that the buprestis by way of corrosive doth take away ringworms in the face . hippocrates doth much commend them in divers diseases of the womb . for so he writeth in his book of the nature of women ; and in his book of the diseases of women ; and in his book of barrenness . for the hardness of the womb , to emollient juices and fat add a buprestis , and use it . to drive out the monethly flowers and secondines , prepare half the body of a buprestis ( whether great or smal ) with twice as much pulp of a fig , and apply it ; for it purgeth the womb , and inflateth it , and is a special remedy to procure the flowers when they are past hope . sometimes he applies only a buprestis ( if it be a great one ) sometimes making a soft pessary , he takes ten , and adds to them a little sawcer of oyl , and mingles with it wine , aethiopian cumin , seseli , and anniseed , of each alike parts , and whilest they are hot he makes a pessary of them and useth them to the matrix . in the strangling of the womb , when the fit is over , the body first purged , hippocrates makes a medicament with a buprestis , and thrusts it into the matrix . also for a schirrous of the womb he useth a buprestis , but warily and with diligent consideration ; for he puts it in like a suppository for one day , and when it doth much vex the patient by corroding , he bids to take it forth : moreover he compounds a buprestis , myrrhe , and elaterium , and puts it in . so he doth also to bring forth a mola , gal. l. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 cap. . out of archigenes , describes a medicament of buprestes , with vinegar , crowfoot , and wakerobin root , against falling of the hair , leprosie , elephantiasis , &c. the cure whereof you may easily finde there . now as i have declared hitherto its profitable qualities , so ( lest i should transgress the bounds of history ) i shall open the terrible effects that this poysonous creature causeth in man and beast ; if a man swallow a buprestis , 't is all one as if it had been a cantharides : the body swelleth , as if it had a tympany , much wind creeps between the skin and flesh , which hapneth no doubt by the flux of humours melted by the poison , and the vapours elevated upwards . the lips are of a strong colour , to wit , of a dead violet . in the mouth there is the like poysonous taste ; the stomach , belly , and guts do ake extremely , the urine is stopt , the body is ill all over , as also the head and brain are sensible of it . a remedy of this is salt-peter , taken in wine and oxe gall . useful to that purpose is womans milk , suckt out abundantly , and in defect , cowes , goats , or sheeps milk . womans urine drank , and vomited up again ; but before a vomit they ought not be given , because by that means the feaver would be more sharp . dioscor . first of all therefore of good store of wine sodden , or with oyl of myttle bacon lard , or fat pork broth , or with good store oyl of olive , or boyled wine a vomit is to be made . new wine drank freely , is held to be a special remedy against the buprestis . galen and ardoynus . pliny commends nitre with water , or laserwort , asa dulcis , wine and honey , or bezoin dissolved in warm water ; or take red nitre . drams , and in warm water or posca cause vomit . after vomit there must be means used for purgation , afterwards use dry figs ( as galen prescribeth ) or a decoction of them in old generose wine when the fit begins to bate . the thebane date is prescribed to eat alone , or bruised in sweet wine or womans milk : all kinde of pears , and oyl of blossomes of apples , are much commended for this use . nicander commends wood-pears , ( for that i think he means by 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) and especially myrtle berries ) following the authority of dioscorides . for that they do refrigerate and bind , and by that means do as●wage the hot nature of the buprestis , and help the weakness of the stomach . but heed must be taken they be not eaten while the body is yet swoln , lest the disease be increased by the poyson being kept in . some with good reason give . berries of bladder nightshade , and with almonds the make almond-milk , together with the decoction of lettice , violets , borage , bugloss , garden nightshade , plantain , raisins , and the great cold seeds . aetius gives the root of scorpion — grass in sweet wine to drink . many extoll the wings and feet of the cantharides for an antidote against the buprestis , but either it hath an opposite quality by antipathy , which makes good that opinion , or else we may suspect it to be false . if an horse or an oxe eat one of these flies , presently he swels , growes mad , and shortly after bursteth and dieth . so aelian . . de anim. c. . and hierocles a greek writer witnesseth it . he bids to binde the horses head , and to open the veins about his nostrils , that the bloud may run forth of his mouth , and to rub it with coleworts , and give him fish-pickle and oyl : and vegetius likewise almost in the same words : if a horse or an oxe eat a buprestis with the grass , his belly will instantly swell , he is inflated all over , he refuseth his meat , and he often and by little and little sends forth his dung . to cure this , absyrtus and vigetius prescribe one and the same remedy : presently get upon the horse and cause him to gallop as fast as he is able , afterwards let him bloud a little in the roof of his mouth , and let him swallow the bloud as it runs forth , chewing it in his mouth ; then keep him continually walking ; let his diet be wheat steeped in sweet wine with leeks given him with a horn in wine warm well beaten with raisins . some , as praxanus taught them , pour oyl into the nostrils of the oxe , l. . c. . to goats that are swoln with the buprestis , apply bacon-lard , or pour the fat broth of it down their throat , saith the same author . the cynoprestis seems to be the same with the buprestis , for that works the same effects in dogs as this doth in cattel : or if it be a different sort of creature from this , i confess ingenuously i have not met with it . chap. xx. of the cantharides , or spanish fly. i know not what the reason was that the cantharides above the rest so well known , of so great use in physick were omitted by pennius and gesner . which task notwithstanding i shal willingly undertake , and thus i begin their history . the word 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in greek is the same in latine ; in french , it is cantaride ; in italian , catarella ; in spanish , cubillo ; in the german tongue , grune , kefer , goldkefer ; in low dutch , spaensche , vlieghe ; in english , cantharides , or spanish fly. of the cantharides two sorts have come to our knowledge , the one greater , the other lesse . of the greater sort there are some thick and long , taken in wheat ; and fat likewise as the blats are , drawn with variety of golden lines , which in the wings run athwart , and those are accounted of the best use in physick . others are lesse and lean , hairy , called the innermost , not so fit for medicine . of the greater sort also not all are of a glittering green , but some of them of a sad red , but all of them of an inexpressible splendor , and very pleasant to the eye . their virtue consists in burning the body , causing a crust , or ( as dioscorides will have it ) to corrode , cause exulceration , and provoke heat ; and for that reason are used mingled with medicines that are to heat the lepry , tettars , and cancerous sores . and in being mixt with cecots or fit plaisters , they do cure deformities of the nails , causing them to fall off . they are used in medicines for corns on the feet or hands . some anoint the places where the hair 〈◊〉 off , with cantharides bruised and liquid pitch , the skin being prepared with nitre : they are good for cauteries , but care must be had that they do not ulcerate so deep ▪ then some command to annoint those ulcers made , with the heads , of with the gall or dung of mice mixt with hellebo●e and pepper . cantharides mixt with quick lime , cure botches , as if you should cut them off with a razour . some use to cast a little of them into medicaments to provoke urine . but there is a great question of it , because they are poyson drank , in respect of the bladder that they afflict with perpetual toment● but these is no question but in oyntment they may do good with the juyce of wilde vine , or with sheeps or goats suet . some of my masters put only their wings and their feet into medicaments that provoke urine . we , saith galen , are wont to cast in the cantharides whole , and we judge those to be the best , that are found in wheat , and have a yellow girdle running athwart their wings to adorn them , l. . & l. . desimpl . fac . also put under , they mightily provoke the terms , and put to medicaments for the dropsie , they are a very good antidote against it ; as not only hippocrates , and dioscorides , but galen , avicenna , rhasis , pliny , and the best writers do testifie amongst physicians . i cannot here praise sufficiently the excellent use of them , with leven , salt , and gum ammoniac , to divert catarthes , to cure the gowt in the feet and hips ; by drawing the matter that lies deep , from the centre to the superficies . also they are good against the venome of the salamander , as pliny teacheth l. . c. . also in some cases and in some compositions , they are good for such as want erection , and do promote venery very much . but as rightly mixt and exhibited in due proportions , they are good for ones health , so being not rightly mingled and given disorderly , they cause cruel symptomes and sometimes death . when anno . i staid at basil , a certain married man ( it was that brazen bearded apothecary that dwelt in the apothecaries shop ) he fearing that his stopple was too weak to drive forth his wifes chastity the first night , consulted one of the chief physicians , who was most famous , that he might have some stiffe prevalent medicament , whereby he might the sooner dispatch his journey . but when it was day-break almost , there followed a continual distending of the yard without any venereous desires , and after that bloudy urine , with inflammation of the bladder , and the new married man almost fainted away , all antidotes profiting nothing a great while . i remember that the same thing hapned to a noble man of francfort in my remembrance , whom when an illiterate physician thought to cure him of the dropsie by giving him cantharides , one in number inwardly , he killed him with lamentable torments . i have a singular remedy against the weakness of the genital part , which when i used it indifferently ▪ however it did great help to many noble men , and no hurt , ( who generally are more studious in venereous matters ) yet it did one amongst the rest so much harm , that after venery ( which he was too much addicted to ) he pissed bloud continually , and swounded away frequently ; truly unless there had been plenty of milk at hand , this venus bird had died and suffered deservedly for his lechery and lasciviousness . thus far for their physical force , now we shall pass to their deadly and ignominious qualities . they are held to be amongst the number of poysons most deadly , not only by reason of their corroding and inflaming , but by reason of a putrefying quality they abound with . their juyce entring into the veins either from the stomach , or by the skin , destroys a man like to poyson . therefore ovid when he wished mischief to his enemy , lib. trist . wishes that his parents might give him the juyce of cantharides to drink cicero ad pecum l. . epist . famil . cajus by the accusation of l. grassus is said to have taken cantharides : as if by that means he was resolved to kill himself . gal. l. . de simpl. fac . writ thus : if they be taken inwardly in a very small quantity , mingled with things fitting , they powerfully move 〈◊〉 , and sometimes corrode the bladder : whence it is manifest , that all things that kill by a cold quality , if they be taken in a small quantity they may nourish the body : but such as kill by putrefying ( as cantharides do ) not at all ; since they are enemies to mans nature . cossiles a roman knight , well noted for his familiarity with nero , when he was sick of a dangerous tetter , a physician was sent for by caesar to cure him , who gave him cantharides to drink , and so killed him . pliny . also cantharides were objected against cato of vtica , ( as the same author saith , l. . c. . ) as if he had sold poyson by open sale , because he set them at . sextertia . but when they are drank too largely , or applyed outwardly too long and too deep , they are wont to produce these symptomes . there happens pricking and pain in the bowels ; which is extended from the mouth to the secrets , and to the loyns , and haunches , and hypochondres , and they ulcerate the bladder with a painful ulcer , and inflame the yard and the parts adjacent with a vehement impostume : then they piss bloud , and after that pieces of flesh . sometimes there followes a diarrhoea and dysentery , swounding and dulness , and the minde is perverted , and there is nauseating and heaviness , and a frequent desire to make water and go to stool ; but almost it is in vain . they taste a taste of pitch in their mouthes : all which symptomes are set down in dioscorides l. . c. . gal. lib. de theriac . ad pison . c. . and l. . de temper . c. . and in rhasis lib. . c. . to those that are so infected and affected , dioscorides first prescribes frequent vomiting , then frequent glysters made with nitre to cleanse the guts ; then to preserve the bladder , he gives milk inwardly and flea-seed . and he will have their clysters made of other matter than at first , namely of barley water , marsh-mallowes , whites of eggs , muscilage , of linseed , rice-water , decoction of f 〈…〉 greek , hydromel , fat broths , oyl of sweet almonds , goose-grease , yelks of eggs. also he bids to give inwardly cowes milk that is sowre , hydromel , kernels of the pitch-tree , the great and the small , sweet new wine , ducks grease , a decoction with diuretick seeds , ( namely the four great cold seeds ) and decoction of figs with syrup of violets . oyl of quinces is commended as the certain theriack for this disease , as also oyl of lillies , and samian clay . rhasis after that clysters of fat broth are cast in , will have incoction made into the yard with oyl of roses , and the sick shall be put into a warm bath in a great var. tit . . c. . authors are not agreed in what part the poyson of cantharides doth lie . some think it lyeth in he head and feet , and others deny that ; yet they all agree that the wings are an antidote in what part soever the poyson lyeth ; and those being taken off it is deadly ; so that this venome hath its remedy joyned with it . plin. l. . c. . lyrus of naples writes that purslain is an antidote against cantharides , which pliny l. . c. . affirms of white basil : who also l. . c. . and . l. . c. . commends very much vinegar of squils , oyl of dill , cowes milk , and broth of goats flesh . and thus much shall suffice for the history of cantharides , which i wonder that the most learned gesner , and especially pennius overslipt . chap. xxi . of beetles . the beetle is an insect that may be called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as if he had his wings in a sheath . it is bred of putrid things and of dung , and it chiefly feeds and delights in that . the greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; the tyrians , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; the germans kaefer ; the italians escuravaio , pololere ; the french , escarbot ; the polonians krewka ; the illyrians krabak ; the english ; beetle , or bug ; the northern english call it klock ; but the southern , starke●●eken ; the arabians , kanasis and kanases by avicenna . the greeks all with one consent , hold that all beetles are males , whence one may easily understand the sense of ausonius his epigram upon marcus that was gelded . rhodiginus l. . c. . antiq. lect . renders it to us . also the aegyptians caused a picture of this creature to be made on the statnes of their heroes , intimating thereby their manhood , that had no mixture of feminine weakness ; for men must be valiant and manly , 〈◊〉 pufillanimity is a great disgrace to them . all beetles cast their skins , and they have no sting : when you touch them they are afraid , and they leave off to move , and they g 〈…〉 〈◊〉 tus did vainly ascribe to them four wings hid under a crusty cover , for experience she 〈…〉 t two , very tender and frail , wherefore they have them shut up in a hard cover over 〈…〉 them that they may take no hurt by hard bodies . for the greatest part of them either 〈◊〉 under ground , or bites rotten wood with their teeth , and makes houses and nests there : so that if they were not excellent well guarded , they could never keep themselves safe from external injuries . when they fly they make such a humming or noise in the air , that laertius writ that the gods talk with men by these creatures . of all plants they cannot away with rose trees , and they hate them as the destruction of their kinde ; for they dye by the smell of them ( as we read in geopas ) but on the contrary they take great pleasure in stinking and beastly places . i have learned no other use of them in physick , than that taken in the left hand , they drive away quartain agues . plin. l. . cap. . it may be posterity , by better experience will discover more of their vertues , and will not suffer themselves to be perswaded that a creature god hath made so curiously can want rare vertues in medicaments , which he hath bestowed on far baser things ( according to his goodness unto mankinde ) flitter-mice take this for their chief dainties , and prefer it before gnats , especially if they can catch them and squeeze them alive . a hee begat me not , nor yet did i proceed from any female , but my self i breed . for it dies once in a year , and from its own corruption , like a phoenix , it lives again ( as moninus witnesseth ) by heat of the su 〈…〉 a thousand summers heat and winters cold when she hath felt , and that she doth grow old , her life that seems a burden , in a tomb of spices laid , comes younger in her room . the second kinde of nose-horn very rare and worthy to be seen , sacred to mercury , carolus clusius sent painted from vienna , where it is very frequent , the form is as you see it : it would seem all pitch colour , but that the belly is a full red ; that crooked horn in the nose is so sharp , that ( what is said of an elephant going to battle ) you would think it had got an edge by rubbing it against a rock . the third nose-horn , and fourth seem to be alike , but that the former hath wings growing out longer than the sheath covers , but the others are shorter . you would say they were rub'd with shining ink , they are so perfectly all over black . the ram or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , hath knotty horns , violet colour , a head greenish from gold colour , the shoulders like vermilion , a purple coloured belly , sheath wings of the colour of the head , it goes forward with legs and feet , of a light red , but the wings shut up in the sheath , do fitly express the small whitish membrane of a cane . the greater beetles without horns are many ; namely , that is called pilularius , and another that is called melolanthes ; another purple , one again that is dark coloured ; one called arboreus , and another fullo . some call the pilularius the dunghill beetle , because it breeds from dung and filth , and also willingly dwels there . the greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and from its form like a cat , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; the germans , rosskafer , kaat , or mistkafer ; in english , dung-beetle , sharnbugg ; in french , fouille merde , as you would say dung-digger ; the latines call it pilularius , because it turns up round pills from the dung , which it fashions by turning it backwards with its hinder feet . porphyrie doth thus describe the nature of it : all your pilularii have no females , but have their generation from the sun ; they make great balls with their hinder feet , and drive them the contrary way , like the sun it observes a circuit of . daies . aelian saith almost the same . there is no female beetle , it puts the seed into a round ball of dung , which it row●s and heats in . daies , and so produceth its young . they would say thus much : that the beetle called pilulari●● makes a round ball of the roundness of the heavens , which it turns from east to west so 〈…〉 brought it to the figure of the world ; afterwards 〈…〉 es it up ▪ 〈◊〉 the earth whe 〈…〉 up , it lets it remain there fo 〈…〉 when that 〈…〉 by it self , which being ●issolved in water , 〈…〉 ies it growes up to be a flying 〈…〉 for this 〈…〉 to apollo , and adored it for 〈…〉 mall god , by 〈…〉 lected , that the likeness of the sun was given to th 〈…〉 and so he excused the 〈…〉 ustomes of his countrey , pliny and plutarch , symp ▪ 〈…〉 gue of their family ; but dung , especially of cow 〈…〉 the smell of them a very great way off , they w 〈…〉 ●uddenly to it . 〈…〉 . of smel , but they 〈…〉 slowly , yet they labour continually and exceedingly , and delight , most of all to produce the 〈…〉 ●oung ones , for oft times the little 〈◊〉 bals that they make , by the injury of the winds or of the place , fall aw●y , and f●ll from a high place to the bottome ; but this bee●●e de 〈…〉 ing a propagation , watcheth with perpe 〈…〉 care , and raising this sisyphian ball to its hold with continual striving , and that tumbling back again , at length she reduceth it . and truly unless it were endued with a kinde of divine soul ( as all things are full of gods wonderfulness ) it would ●aint and be spent in this great contest , and would never take this pains any more . some say they die being blinded by the sun ; but the most think they are choked by lice ( that creep ▪ all about them ) they hardly hold out one winter . they chiefly delight in the shade of the ivy-tree , as most healthful for them . praxanus in geopon . i have ●et down the form of it so exactly , and in its colours ( for it is all black ) that i need say no more . beetles first breed from dung ( saith johan . langius ) as the worms b●eed out of rotten wood : then their seed being shed into a round ball , and the same being enlivened , breeds their young ones : every one knowe● this sufficiently , unlesse they live where no dung is ; for in dunghils they are obvious to every man. beetles serve for divers uses , for they both profit our mindes , and they cure some infirmities of our bodies . for when this living creature , ( and scarce a living creature , for it wants some senses ) being of the basest kinde of insects , and nothing but a crust , doth excel man in divers faculties ; this should teach us modesty , temperance , labour , magnanimity , justice , and prudence . for though its house be but a dunghill , yet it lives contented the ●ewith , and is busied and delighted in it ; nor doth it more willingly drink or eat amongst roses than in goats dung , which smels in its senses as sweet as marjoram . for it lives by the law of nature , and will-not exceed her orders . the greatest care it takes , is to make the greatest bals it can 〈…〉 as it they were sweet bals , which with wonderful labour it rolleth from her ; and if it chance to roll its-burden against some heap , that the bals slip away and fall down again , you would imagine that you saw sisyphus rolling a stone to the top of a mountain , and falling back again upon him , yet is it not weary , nor will it rest , till it hath rolled it to its nest , so earnest it is about its work . but we poor-men do nothing that is worth our labour , or as we have power to do , and we give off in the very steep entrance of vertue , and we spend all our pains and daies in idleness , following ill counsel , till we get a habit of mischief to our own destruction . who doth not see the courage of the beetle ? if he shall observe him fighting with an eagle ( as 't is related of the beetles in india ) i believe that it will come to pass , ( as erasmus said ) that some man extremely favouring the roman commanders , will lament for the eagle , that the combate fals out upon so kingly a bird to fight with so mean and despised enemy , for to conquer it , it is no glory , but to be conque●ed by it is the greatest shame , and the beetle will win praise enough that he strove with an eagle , though he should be overcome . the poets say that ajax was ashamed of so weak an adversary as vlysses was , and valiant captains disdain to contend with common souldiers ▪ again , a man would wonder whence this mean insect hath gained so much courage , and boldness , that it dares wage war with the strongest of birds ; also whence it hath means , force , faculties , and patience , that it can contend so many years with the eagle , without any reconciliation . but if any man will unfold this secret , and view this contemptible creature nearer , and as it were at home , he shall observe so many rare properties of it , that when he hath considered all , he will desire to be a beetle rather than an eagle : yet that no man may stop or stay me before he knowes the matter : first of all , it exceeds the eagle and men too in this respect , that it yearly renews its old age , and growes young again . this is so great a matter , that i think all earthly poten●●res● when they come to that unamiable old age , that they must part with all , would rather with beetles change and cast off their dregs , than they would receive a seven fold crown . again , what huge courage of the minde is there in so small a body ? what an heroical magnanimit● ? what a force it hath in battel ? that homers fly is nothing to the beetle . it hath not a wit so common , but it was of old reputed for it , and commended in all places . hence was that greek prove●b 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . wiser than a beetle : whereby they ascribe to it , a singular and incomparable wisdome . nor doth that concern me if any man will cavil and say he dwels ill favouredly in an uncome●y house , for i shall rather justly condemn their houshold government , who being ill favoured themselves , and of filthy conditions , do build their houses curiously and lostily with so great care , and charges of king attalus . moreover , that it useth the excrements of living creatures for its own commodity is no fault , but a commendation of its wit and ingenuity . as though we that are physicians did not the same things , as often as we apply the bloud , the flesh , the urine , and some-times the 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 of living 〈◊〉 to our patients , and sometimes we give them 〈◊〉 p 〈…〉 s. nor are alchymists 〈◊〉 who would be devide men indeed , and not mortal , could they obtain what they 〈…〉 draw forth that quintessence . nor are husband-men ( a sort of people that of old 〈◊〉 were 〈…〉 sacred now ) ashamed to dung their fields . and it is probable they first learned their art from the beetle called pilu 〈…〉 . ●or why should it chiefly include its sseed in duug , unless god would have that there should be in 〈◊〉 a great deal of 〈…〉 moisture , whereby 〈◊〉 generation is perfected . 〈◊〉 it is that wise farmers dung●● their fields to make them more 〈◊〉 , and 〈…〉 quered that 〈◊〉 lea●ness , barre●ness and poverty of their 〈◊〉 . but you will say that the beetles pi 〈…〉 like the smell of so sti●king ●●thing . it were a foll●●●ook for a ma 〈…〉 a beetle , for that is peculiar to man to be displeased with the sent of his own dung , and so is it not with any other creatures ; therefore the beetle is more happy than we , but not more 〈◊〉 ye● men are not so much oftended with it , as it is , but a● they 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 . for of old ●●me it did not seem abominable to them 〈◊〉 it doth to us , for they called it by a lucky word , l 〈…〉 , and they thought fit to call satur● the dunghill god ; for his honour , i● we will believe 〈◊〉 . ●or pliny saith that sterculus the son of 〈◊〉 go● not only the name , but also immo 〈…〉 by it in italy . moreover the same thing in gree●● procured to two kings great glory ; to 〈◊〉 who invented it , and hercules that spread it abroad . lastly , the memory of that old king will never be abolished , whom ho 〈…〉 ( as 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in cato ) commended to 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 the ground with his hands , and for no other thing ( but that the beetle is delighted in . a ro 〈…〉 ●mperor was nothing offended with the smell of urine , if it brought profit with it . wherefore then should ●●ve be of●ended with the pi 〈…〉 rli , who hath so many good properties , for one smal inconvenience ? if we call that an inconvenience that is most commodious for the so●●●ring of its young . lastly , when we are the beetle , though in the dung , alwaies 〈…〉 shell alwaies neat ; compare him with men polluted and infected with st●w● and ●wdy houses , and i shall ask which of the two is most cleanly ? and i think it had its name 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a beetle from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 pure and clearle . if any man thinks these gifts to be 〈◊〉 and vulgar , yet no ma● but will think that a 〈◊〉 thing 〈◊〉 worthy of great honour ; that of old time the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 was the chiefest amongst● their sacred images and mysteries of their 〈◊〉 it is the most apt . 〈◊〉 of a famous 〈◊〉 . for ( as 〈◊〉 , 〈…〉 his comment of is●● 〈…〉 in the 〈◊〉 pictures of the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ●ye was the 〈◊〉 of a king , 〈…〉 being added to it for it signified 〈…〉 ght and just administration of things . but he saith , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 their images that wanted hands , those represented ●udges , who ought to be free from 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 amongst these there was o●● 〈◊〉 that 〈◊〉 his eyes , which represented the chief judge , because he ought to be 〈◊〉 all 〈◊〉 , and to look 〈◊〉 business , and to hear of 〈◊〉 〈…〉 mans person . it was 〈…〉 ( as the proverb is ) 〈…〉 〈◊〉 a seal amongst the sacred images . and what did 〈◊〉 wise the old 〈◊〉 intimate to us thereby 〈…〉 , but 〈◊〉 and invin●ible captain . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 saith as much , that no man may suppose 〈◊〉 i 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 yo●● common ▪ th 〈…〉 use ●o 〈◊〉 ●●legories . but some 〈◊〉 follow may say , what hath a 〈◊〉 to be compared with 〈◊〉 commander in an army ? truly they agre● 〈◊〉 many things : first you see the 〈◊〉 all in 〈◊〉 , and there is 〈…〉 of its body but is guarded with plates and hardness , 〈…〉 〈◊〉 said to be 〈◊〉 arm 〈…〉 in compleat armour , and ●enced 〈…〉 his warlike march with a horrid and terrible humming : what is there 〈…〉 sounding of 〈◊〉 ? wh●● 〈…〉 of 〈…〉 〈◊〉 that kings now so much ●●light in the 〈◊〉 could 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 asle 〈…〉 asse was held abominable amongst 〈…〉 〈…〉 ( drivin●● 〈◊〉 burden , its i 〈…〉 ible 〈…〉 age , and 〈…〉 of life . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 say 〈◊〉 ●o females amongst 〈◊〉 but they 〈◊〉 all 〈◊〉 . what can 〈◊〉 bes 〈…〉 no● 〈◊〉 his camp ( 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 allow others to have them . 〈…〉 this is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the 〈◊〉 that in those 〈…〉 o● , they exclude their young 〈…〉 bring 〈◊〉 up , and they 〈◊〉 other place to breed in th●● they have to 〈…〉 is not 〈…〉 war can better do it , who know how to 〈…〉 their 〈◊〉 , or on ●he bare 〈…〉 that 〈…〉 the beetle have a face like a cat , a creature familiar with us , and more useful , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is desired for its self , yet in that respect the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it , and prefer it before all other insects by many degrees . 〈◊〉 . lastly , i● a horse 〈◊〉 beautiful in his kindes , and a dog in his , why should not the beetle be so in its kinde ? unless we measure tha● 〈◊〉 of all things by our own , that what is not like in must be held to be ugly . no man o● a found minde will finde fault with the colour of it , for it sets forth some jewels , and in special the diamond that is the chiefest 〈◊〉 . lastly , no man will think the bettle at all despicable , who shall consider with himself , that magicians and physitians ●etch remedies from this 〈◊〉 for the greatest diseases , for they are not only carried in mens purses , but also hang'd about their necks , and ofttimes 〈◊〉 up 〈◊〉 gold against all childrens diseases . what will you say if in the most effectual and incredible remedies almost , ( for pliny is the author of it ) it hath equal force with 〈◊〉 ? for that terrible beetle 〈◊〉 on an 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 a present remedy against all 〈◊〉 , and no le●s effectual than that m●ly which 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 gave vlyss●● . nor is it good only against these , but it is also very useful , if any 〈◊〉 be about to go before the king upon any occasion : ●o so that such a ring ought especially to be worn by them that intend to beg of noblemen some jolly preferment , or some rich province . it keeps away likewise the head 〈◊〉 , which truly is no small mischief , especially to great drinkers . who them can despise the beetle , whose very image engraven upon stones hath so great vertue ? the mentioning of precious stones puts me in minds of adding this also : that if the eagle delight in the precious stone of her name , the 〈◊〉 , the beetle comes not behinde her in it a share of the same honour , for the stone ca 〈…〉 rias also ●owes its name to it , wonderfully resembling the whole 〈◊〉 of the creature , so that one would say it is not the shape represented , but a living and true beetle inclosed in the stone . moreover this i●pure and filthy creature ( 〈◊〉 ) boyled with worms in oyl of roses , doth very well cu●● the pains of the eats . pli● . a 〈…〉 prescribes the beetles called pilularii being stamped alone , to be boyled without 〈◊〉 , which the author of the book ad 〈◊〉 , approves also , 〈◊〉 ● . sylvatic●● chap. . writer thus out of 〈◊〉 . the dung - 〈◊〉 help the pains of the womb , they provoke urine and monethly termes , they procure abortion ; with 〈◊〉 they are good to heal the haemorrhoids , and they help 〈…〉 which comes of venomes infused by living creatures ; and the oyl in which they are 〈◊〉 takes away the pains of the ears . the later writers commend th●se beetles 〈◊〉 among the remedies for the stone , especially alex 〈…〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 makes for the 〈◊〉 the stone th●● kinde of powder , which is no ordinary one● . burn the dung-beetle or any other after the same manner as you do grash●ppe●● , or scorpions ▪ take of the 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 of 〈◊〉 j. dram , of pigeons dung j. dram and a half , let them be 〈◊〉 and a powder made of them . the dose 〈◊〉 j. dram with water of the 〈◊〉 of 〈…〉 for 〈…〉 this ointment is very much commended . take of oyntment 〈◊〉 j. ounce ▪ of oyl of roses in which 〈◊〉 beetles and as many 〈◊〉 have boyled a good while j. ounce and half , of 〈…〉 them incorporate and be made into an oyntment 〈◊〉 〈…〉 reports that he had gotten of his master 〈…〉 against the convulsion , made of beetles after this manner : take of pepper , 〈◊〉 pellitory of spain , each alike , of beetles to the weight of all the rest ▪ 〈◊〉 them all , being brought to a powder and mixt , together in a bath with juyce of 〈…〉 much as 〈…〉 〈…〉 of an oyntment , with which let the 〈◊〉 of the 〈…〉 temple● with 〈…〉 back-bone , be anointed . moreover , 〈…〉 awakening of such as are troubled with the dead sleep , and 〈…〉 rides 〈…〉 have done 〈◊〉 good ) two or three dung 〈…〉 put up 〈…〉 half a 〈…〉 to be made fast about the ●●pe of the 〈…〉 well 〈…〉 the muscles of the fore 〈…〉 of the arms ( on every 〈◊〉 one ) 〈…〉 〈◊〉 , because this doth wonderfully 〈◊〉 up 〈◊〉 as are 〈…〉 〈◊〉 ( saith 〈◊〉 ) awakend done that had been held with a 〈◊〉 for 〈…〉 with this remedy , having tried all others in vain , and 〈◊〉 him afterward with 〈…〉 the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 his 〈◊〉 blister it . the dung - 〈◊〉 are best for this purpose , 〈…〉 which 〈…〉 be found under stones , and then they which are found in a 〈◊〉 . the 〈…〉 of using i● , which 〈…〉 〈…〉 testifie they have 〈◊〉 confirm 〈…〉 by many 〈◊〉 . yet the 〈◊〉 will 〈…〉 credit when foolishly rather than truly , they report and 〈…〉 〈…〉 that is adorned with golden 〈◊〉 , ●ut 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 water with 〈…〉 tempest● , pli● . 〈…〉 . i say 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 eagle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the 〈…〉 by 〈◊〉 , in whose nests beeth 〈…〉 ( which our 〈◊〉 first 〈…〉 〈◊〉 , that they serve for this use also ; to feed 〈◊〉 . nay 〈…〉 living 〈◊〉 , especially 〈◊〉 that are in 〈…〉 upon 〈…〉 the ●●gle , its 〈◊〉 cruel 〈◊〉 , do no less 〈…〉 〈◊〉 rank , 〈…〉 to do 〈…〉 〈◊〉 , it 〈◊〉 like for 〈…〉 〈◊〉 out of the ●est the 〈◊〉 one 〈…〉 ling , and being broken , the young ones while they are yet unshapen , being dasht miserably against the stones , are deprived of life , before they have any sense of it . neither do i see indeed how she should more torment the eagle than in her young ones . for some who slight the greatest torments of their own body , cannot endure the least torments of their sons . we see asses , ( those sluggish and almost senseless creatures ) run to the help of their foals through fire , if it be in their way , with a strange contempt of their life . so that i cannot but admire and magnifie the beetles inbred wisdome in the choice of its revenge . but enough of this , lest i should seem to have made ( not an elephant of a fly , but ) a gyant of a beetle . i will confess indeed , that as i was loath to make a great volume about a small thing , so i accounted it a 〈◊〉 to bury in silence what i had read . i wonder at pennius's brevity and emptiness in this argument , since in lucian , pliny , homer , aristophanes , theocritus , al●xandrinus , erasmus , and infinite other authors , wonderful things are recorded of the dung-beetle , well worth our mentioning . which , rolling bals of dung this potter frames , some black , like the scorcht moor are seen , the nobler sort are deckt with green : 〈◊〉 back hath ( to compare great things with small ) a mark , you may the half moon call . the english call 't the moons horse , so renown'd , but had there e're so fair been found , many a semiramis would love us then , and centaures had out numbred men . and indeed most of the beetles are hide 〈…〉 - black ; yet i make no question , but some of them have their 〈◊〉 shining with a blacker , others with a more pleasant green . th 〈…〉 re also that shine like gold , and those very great ones , wh 〈…〉 dig up the earth , and make their nests there . some there are which fly about with a little humming ; some with a terrible & with a formidable noise , so that they would not a little fright one that is not aware of them . there are other differences also of shapes amongst them : but their breeding in dung , their feeding , life , and delight in the same , this is common to them all . another beetle of a purple colour was brought to us from constantinople , which ( only that its eyes , belly , and feet were like pitch ) was all over of a purple and violet colour . the black one , which lives in dry wood , is formed after this manner : it is all over black , or russet rather , as if it were clad in mourning ; its mouth is forked , its shoulders almost square , its legs and horns somewhat short ; it seldome flies , but goes for the most part , and murmurs while it is going , as lewd servants use to do . the tree-beetle is very common , and every where to be met with , especially in the moneths of july and august , after sun-set : for then it flyeth giddily in mens faces with a great humming and loud noise , and vexeth cattel . these beetles spoil the leaves of trees , which they do not so much eat as tear in pieces out of an inbred malice ; for they feed upon gnats . we call them dorrs in english ; the dutchmen , baumkafer , loubkaefer ; jo. agricola l. de subterr . anim. seukaeser ; the french , hannetons . the sheaths of their wings are of a light red colour , and covered as it were with a very fine flower , otherwise they shine but a little ; their legs , feet , and prickly tail are of the same colour : it s other parts are all over brown : only that the circle about their eyes , and their 〈…〉 horns are yellowish , and of the same colour are they a little above the beginning of their 〈…〉 joynts of their bellies are whitish . in normandy they are much more numerous every third year , and therefore they call it l' an des hannetons . it is recorded in our chronicles , that in the year of our lord . on the . of february there fell such a multitude of them into the river s●vern , that they stopt and clog'd the wheels of the water-mils : and indeed , unless together with the industry of men , the hens , ducks , goat-milkers , castrels , bats , and other birds of prey ( which seem to make these their dainties ) had afforded their help , the mills had even to this day been choaked with them and stood still . there is another taken to be of kin to this , of a colour all 〈…〉 ween brown white , its belly gray and as it were hoary . of what 〈…〉 physick i confess i know not . fowlers indeed when they hunt 〈…〉 bait their hook with two or three dors or tree beetles , and tye a 〈…〉 ne to their line , which they cover with flags , that their wiles be 〈…〉 overed : the duck for greediness of meat presently swallowes the hook , which sticking fast she is punished for her folly . how cranes are taken with these wrapped up in a gourd , he that hath a mind to know may read gesner de grue . chap. xxii . of the lesser beetles . all the lesser beetles are either spotted in their body , or unspotted : the greeks call those 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , divers coloured ; and these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of one colour . the spots of some of them are of a black colour inclining to white others of them are yellow , others red . of those that are white from black there are seven kindes , of the yellow ones thirteen , of the red ones twelve ; which we have here ranked every one in its severall order . those that are unspotted , are observed to be all over of the same colour ▪ and of them we have seen six blackish ones , two of a bright bay , one round , one of a skie colour inchining to black , another between yellow and black . and one was very lately observed by us paintted with a light red , another seem'd drencht in the juyce of the purple fish . we have five which are as yellow as gold , very little ones ▪ indeed , but coloured all over with glittering gold , which , lest we should seem to have envied our posterity ( the knowledge of ) we have caused to be cut and described here . but for what use every one of them serveth , was declared when we spake in general of beetles . chap. xxiii . of the oyl-beetle , and the water-beetle . that oily fatness also healeth the chaps of the 〈…〉 heard of the countrey men about heidelburg , who have more than once 〈…〉 vertues to us . they do strongly expell urine , but withal , bloud . 〈◊〉 clo 〈…〉 veins , and nerv 〈…〉 wounds ; they throughly c●re horses gals and br●●ses in the ●●ck which co 〈…〉 by the badness of saddles . gasparus regl●●us l. de 〈◊〉 , adviseth to gather up twenty oyl-beetles , yet not with your hands , but with two little twigs : then being put into an earthen pot or glass , let them be smothered in as much of the sweetest oyl-olive as will suffice , and kept for use . he affirm● that by being anointed with this oyl sores in the ●rovn , ca 〈…〉 es , pestilential so 〈…〉 , 〈…〉 s , and 〈…〉 ounds made by a mad dog are cured . in an 〈…〉 he 〈…〉 that 〈…〉 draw a circle about the sore with a saphir st●ne , 〈…〉 meloes , or of juniper , as being that wherewith 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 affected presently reduced to its natural temp 〈…〉 eth a certa 〈…〉 ai●y beetle of the colour of a lion , and like one 〈…〉 else b 〈…〉 oughness . he ●ontends that it is called by its proper name culio ; it is found in old hedges , and unregarded dit●hes and banks this he w●ites is wonderful good for scabby eyes , and eye-lids which have been long fretted with a fa 〈…〉 and sharp humour , or eaten away with lice . thus he sheweth the way of using it first gather betimes in the morning a colewort l●af wet with the dew of the ●ight , and wrapit up so that all the 〈◊〉 r●n together to the bottome of the 〈◊〉 , then having taken up his hairy beetle with your fore-fingers and thumb ; put it up instantly within the leaf , that its urine ( which it presently makes upon its being bruised ) may be mingled with the dew of it ; for otherwise its pis● , in which all the s●cres ●eth will be 〈◊〉 . if with a probe you shall search the eye-lids , and 〈◊〉 the places , which are 〈◊〉 and eaten away , with its dew when it is now 〈…〉 it were with the p 〈…〉 e of this beetle , you will co 〈…〉 and wonderful 〈◊〉 . but what 〈◊〉 or what manner of beetle this is , i am altogether ignorant , nor can i call to minde any other authors who have made any mention of it . the w 〈…〉 do now challeng● to have some room allowed them , which the greeks call 〈…〉 ; the english , water-clocks . all these 〈◊〉 their bellies coloured with a light 〈◊〉 and their 〈…〉 〈…〉 all that border which compasseth about its shoulders and its whole o●al body , and make its eyes of a silver colour , you 〈…〉 more toward its 〈…〉 they have every 〈…〉 they 〈…〉 , lye hid their membranous wings of a silver hew , with which by night , having left the water , they nimbly fly through the air , which by day they very seldome ( or never ) use . but the least of all are those , which with a restless motion run about in a multitude this way and that way upon the surface of the water without order , and play as it were together , and when the water is troubled , either they dive down to the bottome , or hide themselves in holes of the banks : but afterward , as soon as the waves are still and calm , they leap about it again for joy . christophorus leustnerus writeth to gesner that he found a beetle in a certain place , ( with a sheathy crust ( as they use to have ) which had a head like an ant somewhat yellow , and many wings on the hinder part of the belly it had sins , such as are upon craps tayls , which they used as they wandred up and down ( like rowers upon the water ) it had a little tail sticking out for its defence , but which was 〈…〉 d into very long hairs , being thrown out of pond water into fountain water , it died within a few daies . and thus much of beetles : which , of countreys only olynthus , of plants only the wilde lilly , produce not : whereupon that is called by pliny , theopompus , and antigonus , cantharolethros : this by dioscorides , anticantharos . chap. xxiv . of the fen-kricket , the eve-churre , or the 〈…〉 give me leave here where names are wanting to make some . the creature which we have described is that which cordus calleth spondylis ; & dodoneus , bupresti 〈…〉 both of them amiss & without reason . for the spondylis hath no wings , you see this , insect is winged . the bupres 〈…〉 〈◊〉 by all to be like the cantharis ; but this creature neither in figure , nor colour , nor bigne 〈…〉 any thing near it ; to say nothing of its having no sheathy wings , 〈◊〉 all wise 〈…〉 ●antharides have . if we may make names , we may call it gry 〈…〉 be 〈…〉 shrill noyse which 〈…〉 et doth towards night 〈…〉 use it digs the e 〈…〉 h continually ; the netherlan 〈…〉 call it weemol . it is an insect ugly to sight and monstrous , four times bigger than the biggest of the cantharides : especially when it is pretty well grown . the shape you see before you : i will tell you the colours . the female is paler , the male of a deep brown ; that hath besides a long horns , knobs hanging out as it were of it nostrils and lips ; it hath also bigger eyes , and the root of its wings is bedecked with a red spot . but the male is without those buttons , and in s●ead of them hath two bristles twice as long as those buttons ; it seemeth to be of the same colour all over , and without any spot ; both their clawes are as black as a raven ; with their fore-feet which are very strong and bending inward they both dig through hillocks , and make holes under 〈◊〉 , they stand upon their middle feet , and with their hinder feet , when need is they leap ; their tail is forked , their wings longer than their body , and membranous , their body variously joynted . the young ones for the most part are all over black , the old ones seem to be without hair : it liveth the greatest part of 〈…〉 age under a moorish and moist ground , yet in the night it cometh a broad . it is a very ●lowe 〈…〉 e , and its flying , is like leaping ; whereupon it is reckoned by some among 〈…〉 begins to come forth as krickets do when the sun is going down , and pleaseth it self with i 〈…〉 which is lowd enough and may be heard above a mile off ; which as soon as the husband 〈◊〉 hear , they are glad presently : as though they knew by its coming , that the earth now teemed with moysture , and were brought as it were to maturity by the heat of the sun. it gathereth together grains of wheat , barly , and oats , and carrieth them into its nest , being to live upon them perhaps in the winter . some affirm that it feeds upon horse 〈…〉 〈◊〉 ▪ relates that this little creature kils cattel with its biting ; falling into this mistake , because he took it to be the buprestis . whether it do any hurt being taken inwards ▪ i know not : but p 〈…〉 s hath often handled it in his bare hands , and without harm , never observing in it any inclination to bite . our 〈◊〉 signified as much to p 〈…〉 who hired c 〈…〉 with his mo●●y to observe as often as might be its condition , and to make relation of it . chap. xxv . of the fire-fly . that which is called by aelian 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , other greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , hermolaus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , some 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aristot . l. . hist . c. . giveth these little creatures no proper name , but sayes they are 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : which gaza translateth bestiales fornacum , furnace creatures . strabo reckons them among gnats , they are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , by suidas , and by the scepticks , as we read in laertius l. 〈◊〉 . solinus calleth it carystia l. de mund . mirab. jul. scaliger , ignigena ; gaza , fur 〈…〉 and besti●la fornacum , out of aristotle , which he maketh bigger than the greater flies and winged : pliny affirmeth the same l. . c. . antigonus l. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ saith from aristotle that these fire-flies are bigger than mice ( not flies only ) ; where it is evident he foully mistook 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 for 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . mice , for flies ; which xylander his translator took no notice of . in shape it is somewhat like a very big gnat , of a bright fire-red colour , glittering with a kinde of fiery raies ; it leaps , goes , flies , and lives in the flame , as aristotle reporteth , l. . hist . c. . for i can scarce give credit to aelian l. . hist . c. . when he saith that the fire-fly as soon as it hath gone out of the place where it was bred , and flown into the air for food , dieth presently : for i cannot believe that any thing bred in the fire , goeth out of its element to seek for food ; nor is it likely that nature , that most loving parent of all things , should prescribe any creature such a way of getting its food , by which it should presently lose its life . neither is it , as it seems to me , so hard to finde out the reason of this their sudden dying in the air ( which aelian , leaves to be searched out by others ) for being bred in the extremity of heat , how should they live in a temperate place ? for it is evident by daily experience , that some fishes dye as soon as ever they are taken up o●t of the water into the air ; much less can those creatures that are bred in the fire , endure the air , since it differeth so much from the air , and indeed more than the a 〈…〉 from the water . these flies are bred in the brass furnaces of the isle cyprus , where the chalcitis ( or brassstone ) is burnt for many daies together : perhaps the sooty vapours which go up with the flame , while the stone is continually burnt , are the matter and cause of their generation . strabo speaking in his book of worms bred in the snow , addeth this which followeth : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : they conjecture that the generation of these creatures is like that of gnats , of the flame from metals and plates of brass ; where any man may see the error of the interpreter , for he renders it thus : horum animalium generationem talem putant , ut culicum ex flammâ & bracteâ metallorum . for they are bred in the flame ( as scaliger saith ) not in massa , that is ( as i interpret it ) in the fire which is condensed together : nor doth any thing forbid but that the most dry animals may be generated in the most dry element ( for there is mi●tion there also ) as the moistest are in the moistest ; for we have no pure fire with us . but what hinders but that living creatures may be generated of matter ready for them , or what natural reason contradicteth it ? they answer , that fire destroyeth all things , corrupteth all things . but they which have had but any taste of the secrets of philosophy , do evince that to be false by clear demonstration and experience . for so far is our fire from destroying or corrupting all things , that it even perfecteth some . it doth not corrupt nor consume gold , nor some sorts of metals , not ashes , not the stone amiantus which is very like sicil allum ; nor some other things which i will not now stand to reckon up for those froward mens sakes . what then should hinder fire from having the power of generating , so it be in a fit and convenient matter ? its very d●iness cannot hinder the generation from coming to effect ; because it proceedeth from the form ; but fire is the matter and the forms instrument for some operations . besides , our fire hath alwaies some moisture joyned with it ; for it would not take flame nor burn , if it were not cherished with a fat moisture ; for certainly those things are neither without earth nor water , which are generated in our terrestrial fire . g. agricola . but if this were not so , because fire putrefies not ; yet there is no reason we should doubt but that generation may be effected by the fire , as by the form in its proper matte● . for unless there were moisture in metals , they would not melt ; what therefore should hinder nature , but that it may give this a form ? aristotle maketh the question , whether in the sphere of the fire ( which is next to the moon ) there be generated any living creatures ? and he seemeth to be in doubt , and putteth off the question until another time ; but when he affirmeth that the fire-fly is generated in this fire of ours , i see no reason , why any should doubt of it : yet there are some very learned men , and eminent writers of our time ( who seem nevertheless to excel rather in wit , reading and language , than in the solid knowledge of things natural ) who condemn and reject not only the generation of these little creatures in the fire , but this whole history as frivolous , false , and unworthy of a philosopher . my readers expect now , that i answere these mens arguments . they object that aristotle doth in plain terms affirm , that the fire produceth no living creature . the philosopher doth there compare the heat of seed with the heat of fire , affirming that there is not a fiery heat in seed ; for ( saith he ) if there were , it would produce nothing . but this hinders not , but that a living creature may be generated in the fire without seed : but of some other fit and convenient matter , as we shall see anon . besides , the philosopher seems here ( as likewise elsewhere ) to speak of that fire only which is under the sphere of the moon , that that produceth no living creature ; not of ours , where there is both mixtion , and no pure fire . but they yet urge : our fire is substantia 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , a substance of most subtil parts , and seizeth upon all things that are in its way , devouring them and turning them into its own substance . this was answered before when we instanced in some things which are rather perfected in the fire , and which fire is by no means able to consume or turn into its substance . ic. langius ( a man of much reading , and a most learned philosopher ) and from him cardane grants that some animals may live in the fire , but not that they can be bred there ; for in this they yeeld to the philosopher . but who seeth not how absurd this yeelding is ? for i cannot see how things generated in a temperate place , should be able to live in that extreme . for that which they say of the salamander , is as good as nothing . the salamander ( as diosc . hath observed ) doth not live long in the fire : for as soon as that moisture , which runneth down on every side from its yellow spots ( as i conceive ) while it staies in the fire , is consumed ( which is quickly done ) it is presently brought to ashes , as pennius hath made trial with our bruerus in the countrey about heidelburg . erastus a most learned physitian , disputing about rotten feavers , endevoureth to overthrow all this history with these arguments . first , because aristotle compileth the history ( saith erastus ) who , it is confessed , writ many things from hearsay ; i grant it : but then he adds , ut aiunt , as it is reported , or some other word of the same importance ( as niphus hath well-observed ) even as in that very place , speaking of the salamander , he addeth , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . we may observe that this is the constant practise of the philosopher , when he speaks according to the opinion , or from the relation of others ; but grant it were so , that he from others related it ; they were deceived ( saith erastus ) who related it to him ; imagining those creatures bred in the fire , which fell by chance into it . but the circumstances of the place make it appear that this is false . if they had fallen from elsewhere into the fire , surely by his own confession they would be consumed by the fire . and unless they had been bred there , ( as i said before ) how should they be able to live in such an extremity of flame ? besides , spectators have observed the motion of their feet , the number of their wings , their flying , yea their death , and the cause of their death , viz. their flying somewhat too far out of the fire . these things and the like evince that those relators were not at all deceived , but that they related what was true and unquestionable . but no author either before or since aristotle affirms this , but one or other perhaps who hath transcribed it from him . this is more ( erastus ) than you know , you have not read all authors books : the greatest part of books is lost , as it appeareth plainly out of athenaeus , and histories bear witness . but how i pray you , came pliny to be assured that fire-flies have four feet ? he did not learn this from aristotle , nor is there any such thing to be found in his writings which are extant . wherefore either he learnt it from others , or else the history was known in pliny's time . pliny therefore added this , that he might make up the history compleat . nay , if you had read cicero l. de nat. deo. you had found him affirming for certain , that there are little winged creatures bred in the middle of the fire . neither did i before think you so ignorant in theology , as not to know what s. augustine ( l. de civit. dei . c. . ) hath observed of these pyribia : there are , saith he , creatures which live in the midst of the fire ; and there are found some worms at the spring-head of hot waters , whose heat no man toucheth without harm : while these remain there not only without receiving any hurt , but are not able to subsist out of them . and vincentius hist . nat. l. . c. . in some waters which are naturally hot , there are certain worms which live as well as fishes in cold : nay if they go out of those waters into cold they die . solinus also confirmeth it c. . who calleth these kinde of flies carystiae , and reporteth that in crete they fly into hot furnaces without harm . yea and seneca ( quest . natural . l. . ) affirmeth that some living creatures are generated of the fire ; and therefore these fire-flies likewise ; as lately marsilius cognatus teacheth us in a large discourse , variar . observ . l. . c. , . do not then any longer contend , that no author either before or since aristotle affirmeth it ; since besides these pious and grave men already named , i can bring others also , who would convince you either of plain falshood , or of a levity not hard to be discerned . but theophrastus maketh no mention of it in his book de igne . what do you conclude , erastus , from thence , that the history is false ? very fine . perhaps he beleeved it not ; is it therefore false ? but it is probable . i grant it . there are many things probable , and yet false , as experience teacheth us . erastus wrote many things against paracelsus which are probable , yet not all true , unless those things which he understood not , be true . certainly he endevoured to confute many things , which i know he never understood : i will not now descend to particulars . well , but the heat of fire is not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , fit for generation . this , erastus , you apprehend not ; but i told you before , that if it were in the seed , it were not , which was the philosophers meaning . for it is 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , corruptive , according to aristotle : but i answered before , that fire doth not corrupt all things . this barrenness therefore , or ( if you please ) destructiveness of the fire is to be limited . nor truly do i conceive this to be done miraculously , but by the power of nature ; neither do i take it for a tale , but for a history agreeable to nature . and as for what he writeth of the salamander , he adds 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as i said before : there was no need to add it . but i beseech those who believe nothing but what they see , to tell me , have any one of the ancients found fault with this history , or confuted it ? i speak of the greek writers . no , not so much as galen , who otherwise is a most sharp reprehender of the philosophers , and would have laid hold on this instantly , if he had had any such opinion . therefore it is likely that the history is true , because none of the old writers found fault with it . but come we now to matthiolus , who of all men hath contradicted this history most unhappily ; for in his margent he inveigheth against the vain opinions of the philosopher ( as he thinks ) where he appears in some things vainer than vanity it self . but i will return to the business . it is against ( saith he ) the work of nature . is it enough for matthiolus to say so , though he prove nothing ? if the story had been true , galen would never have omitted it , who hath searched out all things else so diligently , furnaces , and metals , and what not ? julius scaliger will make answer , to what end should he repeat a thing known before ? sooner would he ( as he was a famous and a malicious detracter ) if he had not found it so , have reprehended it , as he doth in some places make it ridiculous . he which continued so few daies , did not understand the whole matter ; they were not , they are not alwaies at hand ; he never enquired of the bakers . but if i should say that a little she colt newly foaled should have plenty of milk in its udder , and that it did issue forth in great quantity , what would they say then ? yet nevertheless i saw it at london about six years since , as also many others of good note and credit , who with their own hands did milk it out of its teats . they will say perhaps , we do not believe it ; let then chuse , it makes not much to the matter ; there are many productions of nature , the causes whereof it is impossible for any man to know , much less to shew to others . and that certainly not without great reason , that we might both admire the infinite power of god , and acknowledge our own blindness and ignorance . for these and the like did god create only for his glory , that he might both confound the shallow understandings of men , and also learn them to acquiesce in his wisdome only , for so much as in searching out the natural causes of things , it is impossible to go any farther . for this is amongst the works of god that may pluck down our ambition , and makes us with all our wit to fly to that common anchor of fools , namely hidden causes and the whole substance . what have we then to do ? surely only to apply our selves unto him , from whom all wisdom , knowledge , and perfection doth proceed : for whilest we relie on our own wits , and do pry into the majesty of god , we must needs ( as solomon in his proverbs speaketh ) be confounded by the same . what then remains ? this surely , that they which think these things to be impossible , do keep their opinion to themselves , without medling with those that think the contrary . the author of the geoponicks ( if i am not deceived ) cals this little animal a salamander : his words are these : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. that is to say , the salamander that little creature is begotten in the fire ; and living in the fire , is not consumed by it . here he tels three untruths together . for neither is this the least of creatures , but oftentimes bigger , sometime less , neither is it generated by the fire , nor doth it live long in the fire , as i said before , out of dioscorides . thus much i thought good to add , lest young students reading those geoponicks should erre so foully with zoroastes . for what purposes it serveth , i cannot boldly say : yet by its place of growth and principles it seemeth to dry and cleanse powerfully . it is also of very thin parts and body ; it pierceth to places very distant : and truly if the grashopper which feedeth upon air , be of so burning a faculty ; what shall we think of the fire-fly , which eateth and drinketh flames ? but the fire-flies are of this use to our mindes : they represent to our understanding the wonderful power of god , who hath made the greatest of all the elements , fire , subject to so small , so dry a creature : vouchsafing to be vanquished by these while it scorneth , i do not say to be vanquished ( to use majolus's words , dier . canic . colloq . . ) but even so much as to be touched by men , or the greater animals . chap. xxvi . of the water-spider . the water-spider is next , a little creature of exceeding nimbleness , whose history authors have so slightly handled , that we can hardly pick out any thing of weight or moment towards the illustration of this history : we shall yet perform what we can . i utterly deny 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 in aristotle , to be the same with tipula in plautus ( as gaza interprets it ) for i am not perswaded that mule-gnats can come of them . it is called in latine tipula : plautus , festus , and nonius marcellus write it tipul ; others , tipulla ; guillerinus de conchis reads tapula ; albertus and vincentius in his speculum , call it tappula : none of them aright . by plautus it is called tipula ; in greek ( as i found in gesner's papers ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which word truly i finde not any where any footsteps of , nor can i tell what it properly signifies ; some high-dutch call it wasser-gems , which is to say , a water-goat ; others wasser-spin , which is a water-spider ; the nether-lands , wasser-spinne ; with us it is called the water-spider , as with the high-dutch and netherlands , for likeness sake ; in spanish , gusano que corre sopra el aqua , a worm that runs upon the water ; in italian , capra di aqua ; in polonian , wood ny cieluck . there are two sorts of water-spiders , the greater and the less . they differ in bigness only , or perhaps in age : the greater are more common in coldest waters , the less are somewhat more blackish and of a more compact body . the greater more inclines to an ash-colour , being of a larger body . although severall men write severally , and neither tell any certain marks whereby it may be known , nor agree in the number of its feet , yet i hope we shall so clearly and perspicuously explain the history of the water-spider , that there will be no occasion of doubt left hereafter . the water-spider is a little creature , in shape very like a spider , of a body somewhat long and slander : it hath four feet fast to its breast , and two little armes stretched out before near its mouth , perhaps in stead of horns ; which if you reckon with its feet , it will have six feet : which yet ( so far as we could observe ) it useth not when it runneth : they are as short again as the rest of its feet , neither have they any knots or joynts like the other feet . therefore albertus and others allow but four feet to the water-spider : but festus six , reckoning these little armes together with its feet . it hath four wings , very feeble ones , which seem not to be made for flying , but for leaping . they are shorter than its body , and the uppermost of them a little thicker and larger than the others , but yet not of leather ( like those sheathy cases ) they are between a brazen colour and a black ; the inner wings are lesser and thinner , and of a silver colour . whether they fly by night like water-beetles or no , we are uncertain ; they leap sometimes upon the water so lightly , that they scarce so much as stir the surface of it . hence grew that proverb among the ancients , lighter than a water-spider . so pierius being to express the lightness of men ; and virgil , the nimbleness of camilla , compare them to the water-spider . plautus likewise in his persa , neque tipulae levius est pondus quam fides lenonia ( for so lambine reads it , against the consent of all copies , even that of nonius ) a panders honesty is lighter than a water-spider : it runneth not in a continued course , but with intermission . it goeth not under water , but when it is driven thither by force : its body is never wet . they are found all the summer time in standing waters and ponds which are free from the wind , and quiet : sometimes also they are met with in rivers , especially close by the banks of great rivers , and for the most part under the shades of trees ( as of the willow , or any other tree , ( which is not over tall ) : most commonly multitudes of them are together in companies . they are seen sometimes to couple leaping on one anothers backs , but they make an end of engendring very quickly . one shall hardly finde any one of them in winter . whether they be of any use in physick , besides the common use flies are of , we leave for others to make experiment : for we know of none ; nevertheless we utterly deny that these little creatures were brought forth by nature to no purpose . certainly the gudgeon , the rochet , the pearch , and other inhabitants in the dominions of the waters do sufficiently declare how useful they are for the feeding and fatning of fishes . without question festus , nonius , marcellus , sipontinus , and others , meant this water-spider now described , as it will appear by their words . the tipula ( saith festus ) is a kinde of little creature , having six feet , but so light , that in running upon the water it seemeth to take no steps . per●ttus saith upon the matter the same . the tipula ( saith nonius marcellus ) is a very light creature , which doth not swim but go upon the water . varro thus : levis tipula levissime frigidos transit lacus : for so the place which is corrupted , is to be read and corrected : the light water-spider very nimbly passeth over the cold ponds . albertus guillerinus de conchis , and vincentius call it araneus aquaticus , interpreting the dutch name ( for it hath some likeness with the spider ) ascribing but four feet to the tipula , not reckoning the little arms which are before , among its feet , since it doth not use them in going . others ( as i said before ) reckoning those little arms among their feet do allow water-spiders six feet . hence it does most certainly appear , that we have described that very tipula which plautus mentions , so that there is no room left for any ones doubting he eafter . but before we go any further , the truth requires of me , that i confute two notorious errors of guillerinus de conchis . the first error is , when he saith that the water-spider lives alike upon the water and upon the land : the other , when he saith , that it runneth very swiftly upon land ; both which do evidently contradict experience : for upon land it doth not live long , nor run at all , but move with a very slow pace , and sometimes leap , but that very little . whether catrab in avicen , which is called by silvaticus , cutubut and eckentubut , be the water-spider ( as wierus thinketh ) i cannot say for certain : although indeed i am easily perswaded by reason of the circumstances , to believe that catrab in avicen is not the water-spider . but let us hear avicens description : catrab ( saith avicen ) is a little creature having its being on the surface of the water , which moveth upon it divers waies without order , and diveth ever and anon to the bottome , and presently appeareth above again . sylvaticus hath almost the same word for word : only he adds , that whensoever any thing happens amiss to it , it runs away , and by and by appears again . from this little creature by reason of its restless and disordered motion , hither and thither , that kinde of melancholy which the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the latines insania lupina , is called by avicen , cathrab and alcathrab ; with which when men are taken , they fly from the living , and go out by night , and frequent graves ( as paulus writes ) and think indeed that they are turned into wolves , as wierus writes it befell a certain husbandman in germany in the year . the ancients ( saith wierus ) call a fly which is common in moorish grounds , tipula . and we think manardus made mention of this somewhere in his epistles . wherefore i am fully perswaded that catrab is not this water-spider , but some other little creature , the least of the kinde of water-beetles , which with a restless motion moveth almost continually upon the surface of the water hither and thither without order ( as we said in the history of them ) and upon the least disturbance or stirring of the water , goeth to the bottome , and presently hideth it self in the mud , but by and by assoon as the billowes are down , riseth up again to the surface of the water . this little creature is seldome single , but many of them sport together in the same place , running up and down several waies . i was once wont to behold with great delight these little very black and shining beetles pulling one another , and as it were wrestling together . but of these we have spoken at large among the water-beetles . and we shall take gaza's tipulae into our consideration among the water-worms . the word ascaris which they interpret tipula , maketh nothing toward the illustration of this history . chap. xxvii . of the forficula , or earwig . arnoldus his forficula , is called by the later latine writers , auricularia ; by the more ancient , mordella : niphus cals it vellicula à vellicando , from rending ; the french call the earwig aureilliez , or perceaureille ; the germans , oren-worm ; the low dutch orenmetel ; the english , earwig . hadrianus junius thinks it to be fullo , which notwithstanding much differs from the form of a beetle . is this the greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ? truly both the original of it and the biting agree thereunto ; for this is bred also in the hollow stalks of herbs , ( as of the wilde parsnip , angelica , fennel gigant ) and is frequently seen in coleworts . the northern english by an obscene name call it twich-ballock , as if you would call it scrotomordium , or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , for where ever it findes a rivled pleated skin , it will cause very great pain , either by biting with the mouth , or by winding about it with its forked tail ; which pennius saith once hapned to him being a boy . for we fell upon two sorts of earwigs , both were with wings , contrary to the opinion of many . for if you force them here and there back again with a bull-rush , when they are hem'd in in some place or upon a table , ( which the most illustrious knivet taught pennius ) they will presently open their wings that are hid under their covers , and fly away . but you must take diligent heed that you press it not too hard with a straw or or rush , or wound it , for then if it would never so fain it cannot fly away . the more common is seen with a light red colour ; his foreyards , feet , and forked tail are yellow . the other ( which is more rare in england , and was seen by me but once or twice ) is greater than the former , and of a blacker body , hath a silver ring about the neck to adorn it ; the outward covers of the wings are of a reddish colour : the mouth is forked and yellow ; on the back on both sides near the sides , there arise five yellowish spots , the fork of the tail is short and black , and she lifts this toward her head and flies , being angry , into the air . they are oft found in coleworts and hollow reeds , and in the little bladders of elm leaves . they breed of worms that breed in the stalks : they yearly cast their old skin , and that being gone they look white as snow . but with age it growes again , and is died with its ancient colour . the english women hate them exceedingly , because of the flowers of clove-gelliflowers that they eat and spoyl , and they lay snares for them thus : they set in the utmost void places ox-hoofs , hogs-hoofs , or old cast things that are hollow , upon a staff fastned to the ground , and these are easily stuft with cloathes or straw ; and when by night the earwigs creep into these to avoid the rain or to hide themselves , in the morning these old cast things being suddenly taken away and shook forth , a great multitude of them fals out , and are killed with treading upon them . arnoldus breviar . . cap. . bids us to boyl them in common oyl , or oyl of hearts-ease , and with that to anoint the arteries of such as are in a convulsion , both their temples and wrists , to cause a feaver , which is a remedy for a convulsion . josephus michaelis , an italian and a famous physician , is wont to collect a great number of them , and to bring them to a fine powder in balneo in a glass very close stopt . then he mingles as much powder with hares pisse , that he may pour into the ear morning and evening . he often protested to pennius that this was a secret to cure deafness . others mingle the powder with oyl of cloves and use it as before . the smaller gallinago , ( which the english call a suite ) and hens feed on earwigs : and i well remember that i have found a great number of them in their mawes . chap. xxviii . of the scorpion , the ant , and flying lice . it s generation is after the same manner with theirs that have no wings , of which we shall treat at large in the second book . the ant is called by the latines formica à ferendis micis , from carrying grains of corn , saith isidore . the greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , by hesychius and varinus ; it is called in hebrew , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; in french , fourmis ; in english , ant , emmet , pismire ; in spanish , hormiga ; in italian , formica ; in the sclavonian and polonian tongues mrawenecz ; in the illyrian , mpowka ; in low dutch , miere ; in flandrian , labuets ; it dutch , omays , omnes , eims . now some ants are winged , some without wings . one of the greeks call those that are winged ( of which only we treat in this book ) 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; another cals them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; they are named by aristotle 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and simply 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , l. . de anius . part . by the latines equites , because of their exceeding swiftness , wherein they excel the others . they are of a larger body and bigger limbs than those that go and have no wings , ( whereupon pliny , if i mistake not , call'd them herculanae ) and of a middle colour between black and swart : they have four silver coloured wings ; their uppermost bigger and longer than their whole body ; their inner wings half so big . i have nothing that i write for certain , concerning these indian flying ants. for authors themselves are uncertain , and many late writers , having travelled over almost all india on foot , have yet found none of those gold-horders and devourers of flesh ; of which megasthenes hath recorded thus much : there are found ( saith he ) among the dardae certain winged ants no less than foxes : now the gold-stealers understanding that they feed upon the flesh of wilde beasts , strew pieces of it along the waies , and so while the ants are over-busie about their meat , they take away without danger all the gold they had all this while stolen . onesicritus writeth that he saw some of their skins like panthers skins . the book entitled de natura rerum , so describes this winged creature , with hooked clawes , a winged body , and a crooked beak , that one would take it for a griffin rather than an ant. that aethiopia also breeds such , we read in philostratus , who placeth ants and griffins also in india ; which are not very like one another in shape , but both trusty keepers and diggers up of gold . the horns of the indian ant , set up in the temple of hercules at erythrae , were a wonder , as pliny witnesseth , or rather lieth . he that desireth more dreams concerning them , let him read herodotus , arrianus , tzetzes , strabo , aelian , and pliny , who gave so much credit to lies carried to and fro and entertained , that they were not ashamed to put them down even for truths . but passing over the indian ants , let us treat of those in europe only ; whose course of life , fights , victories , policies , prudence , sagacity , parsimony , cunning , frugality , industry , oeconomy , charity , fidelity , civility , valour , and laboriousness i would to the shame of men represent here ; but that it would be necessary to repeat the same things in the second book , when we shall treat of those that go , with which they agree in nature , and belong to the same common-wealth . with these herculean ants bruised , and salt and pepper put to them , the manginess , the leprosie , and the scurfe are cured . plin. oyl made of winged ants , provoketh and strengtheneth venus . wecker . to conclude , whatsoever diseases other ants are good for ( and they help very many , as you shall read ) the winged ones have the same or greater vertue in curing of them . agatharsides tels us , that the acridophagi or eaters of locusts are not far distant from the inhabitants of the red sea : which nation are of a lower stature than others , lean of visage , and extream black . about the vernal aequinoctial , when the south-west and west winds blow with the italians , an unspeakable multitude of great locusts is brought to them with those winds , out of some place unknown , which differ little from birds in their faculty of flying , but in the shape of their body very much . with this sort of creatures they are nourished all this season , feeding upon them salted or otherwaies drest . and they catch them by fetching them down from the air to the ground with a smoak . and these people are reported to excel in nimbleness and swiftness of foot : but taking a very dry nutriment , they do not prolong their life beyond forty years , nay and dye more miserably than they lived ; for when old age drawes nigh , there breed in their bodies certain sorts of flying lice , in figure indeed like dog-flies , but otherwise less ; they begin at the breast and the belly , and in a short space eat up all the skin of their face . others of them are taken like those which have the itch , thereupon they tear themselves grievously , and at length the disease being at a stay , and thin humours running at the coming out of these little creatures , they are fain poor wretches to undergo intolerable torments : and so by reason either of ill humors , or of their feeding , or of the badness of the air , they die . hieron . mercurial . de morb . cut . ex diodoro siculo . antiq. lib. chap. xxix . of the winged punie or wall-louse . when i had resolved to conclude this history of winged insects , we had three wood wall-lice of the sheath-winged kinde brought to us , which we here represent upon their backs , and upon their bellies . the back , the neck , the little hornes , and the sheathy cases of the first are of the colour of a leek ; its wings which are longer than its sheathy cases , are between green and yellow , as also its eyes and feet . the second is of a swart colour all over . the third hath its body variously coloured with black and red ; its little horns and feet coal-black : all of them do glitter here and there with a golden brightness ( which pennius observed not ) and seem to be of a very compact and tender body . they are found sitting most commonly upon mallowes , sometimes upon other plants and trees that bear apples like pine-apples , as likewise upon the elm and the willow . they copulate in the moneth of may tail to tail , and are almost a whole day about it . the male is less , the female bigger and broader . they fly in the heat of the day fast enough , but neither long nor far . there are bred with us ( saith cardane ) in the grass two animals like wall-lice , the one in smell but not in shape ; the other in shape but not in smell : but neither of them is of the species of wall-lice , because they both fly . lib. de variet . rer . but he that shall observe their stink and outward shape of body , will not turn them out of the family of the wall-lice , for their wings sake : although indeed the field kindes are six times as big as those in houses . jacobus quickelbergius sent two other kindes of them to pennius from the parts about vienna , which were waved with a golden and black colour . matthiolus not at all understanding pliny , denieth that they have any vertue in them . but pliny many waies commendeth the garden wall-lice , being reduced to ashes and infused in oyl of roses , against pains of the eats . palladius useth these with the lees of oyl , an oxe gall , ivy-leaves and oyl , for an oyntment for the bitings of venomous horsleeches . let the head of the yard be put into oyl of camomil pretty hot , in which wall-lice have boyled ; then let the head of the yard when it is taken out of the oyl , be anointed with pounded garlick , and the patient will certainly make water . arnoldus de villa nova l. . breviarii , c. de stranguria & dysuria . are not these to be taken for those wall-lice , which the dutch call knolsters and qualsters ? and hitherto hath been said what we know of winged insects : ye platerus's , camerarius's , clusius's , quickelbergius's , and ye later and more laborious sons of esculapius ( whom phoebus moulded out of richer clay ) if you have any thing which is here wanting , make addition of it , according to your wonted courtesie and ingenuity , remembring that of the old poet : 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . when you receive , you ought to give withall : the muses gates are wide , and liberall . of the division of the second book . the preface . by the clew of daedalus we are at last got out of the camps of winged horsemen ; where should i relate with how many stings the infects of the lower ranks have assaulted me , how much they have troubled my brain , my right hand , my eyes , whilest i accurately dissected and observed all their parts , truly i should either faint in rehearsing the wounds , or what i was resolved in my minde to finish , i should not be able to do . wherefore , what valiant souldiers are wont to do , whilest the wound is yet fresh and hot , we will break forth into both armies , and with better undertakings , so far as may be , strive to overcome them . thou o great god , who in the inventory of these smallest creatures , makest the most excellent understandings to stand amazed and stupid ; give me strength , that as by thy goodness i have mustered those insects that fly , by the same i may be enabled to draw forth all those foot-forces that want wings ; so that in all my labour , i may seem to have no other end than to seek thy glory , to advance learning , and nothing that concerns my own particular , but that i may finde thee in these thy works . go to therefore bold atheist , who art ignorant of god and the divine perfection : endure , if thou canst , the biting of the spider phalangium , or of the scorpion ; abide the pain of the worm scolopendra ; swallow down the pine-tree catterpiller , contend with worms , despise with herod , biting lice , so much as thou art able , at last thou shalt finde that there is no foot souldier so mean in this army , that will not quickly overcome all the forces of thy body and minde , and will make thy foul mouth to confess , by their ministry , that there is a god. thus then i draw forth my regiments , so i muster the souldiers . all insects without wings are either belonging to the earth or some with feet , these goe with many feet : the catterpillers , beetles , and such as are called staphlym . these goe with eight feet : the scorpion , the spider . with six : as wasps , glow-worms , the female meloe ; also worms in wood , trees , roots , fruits , meats , garments , chambers , humors . some without feet : as oripae , maw-worms , earth-worms . water , with feet , some swim with six feet : as the shrimp , the lake scorpion , the notonectus . with many feet : as the sea scolopendra , the many footed shrimp . without feet : as the horsleech , the hair-worm . the theater of insects : or , of lesser living creatures . book ii. chap. i. concerning catterpillers and their several kindes , and namely of silk-spinners , and silk-worms . wee thought fit to place in the front , catterpillers , the devourers of egypt : because they are most different in their kindes , and also some of them are excellent for their use and worth . it is no fond conceit to maintain that catterpillers had their name in latine from devouring , for they eat up leaves , boughs , flowers , fruits ; which also may be observed in the peach . ovid called these field-worms : field-worms that weave their hoary thred on boughs , we finde that they with painted butterflies do change their kinde . the greeks call a catterpiller 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from the waving and vaulting motion , when it creeps , whereby it lifts up and contracts it self . the hebrews call it ghazam , because it sheareth the fruits of the earth , as kimhi saith on joel the first . the italians call it rugaverme , and bruche , for so saith marcellus virgilius upon dioscorides . in our times , saith he , our whole countrey cals all kindes of catterpillers bruchi . the spaniards call them oruga ; the french , chenille , chattepeleuse ; the english , by the name of catterpillers ; but the northern people call the hairy catterpillers oubuts ; the southern call them palmer-worms ; in the poles language , a catterpiller is called rup hausenka ; in the german tongue ein raup ; in low dutch , ruype ; in sclavonish , gasienica ; the pesants call them certris , and cedebroa . i should be endless if i should add all kindes of catterpillers ; for some feel rough , others soft , some have horns , ( and that either in their head or in their tail ) ; some are without horns ; some have many feet , some fewer , but none have above sixteen feet . most of them move swiftly in a waving posture ; yet others there are that go even and slowly . some do yearly change their old skin , and others do not . some are changed into aurelia's fixed above the earth , whence are bred your ordinary butterflies , others are transformed under the earth , and become glow-worms . also some of their aurelia's are smooth and equal ; some again are hairy and wrinkled , pointed at the ends , sharp ; some ( namely of the harder kinde ) naked , but others ( namely of the tenderest ) are covered with moss or silken down . the most of them are bred of the eggs of butter-flies , and are changed into aurelia's : some are bred on the leaves of trees , of the proper seed left there in the web in autumn ; or of the dew or air shut up in it , and corrupting there , as vine-fretters . some again feed on leaves , some on flowers , and some on fruits . we , to express both kindes of catterpillers , shall divide them into those that are bred from other things ; and those that are bred from their own kinde alone . such as are bred from other things , again , are either smooth or hairy ; as also those are that proceed from their own kindes . amongst the smooth catterpillers , the silkworm deservedly challengeth the first place . a worm that to a fly transformed is , and then : transformed back once more is made a worm agen ; twice it both dies and lives an●w , is wafted ore by cha●on twice unto the elizian sh●re . it s successor is left half living and half dead , which after spins silk robes for those are finely bred . find thred this silk-worm makes , why doth she labour thus ? it is not for her self she labours , but for us . her fleece was formerly an ornament for kings , but this prodigious age confusion brings : so prodigal of silks , that the vile rabble , clowns , oyster-wives , herb-women , shine in silk suits and gowns : nothing more common now for all than silk attire , which wastes and burns mens hearts with continual fire . in which words , though our divine poet , who was more clear than the ancient bards , doth something touch upon the silk-worms , and paint them forth , yet he doth not describe them ●o fully , that it may suffice for the history of them . for silk-worms are smooth catterpillers almost of a milky colour , with small black eyes , and as you see , with a so ked mouth . the snow white ones are bred of butterflies eggs , which growing by degrees into little worms , produce silk-worms of the same colour with butterflies . and that i may not repeat this again , let it suffice that i have once said it ; the butterfly is almost alwaies of the same colour with its catterpillar . that butterfly forsaking its aurelia , as many eggs as it leaves , or seeds ( if you will ) like to eggs , they become so many silk-worms afterwards ; which , if you cherish them , when they are fostered by the suns heat , and full fed with mulberry leaves , they will repay a reward worth your cost and care , namely a silken fleece . they breed first in may , in which moneth and the two following moneths , they devour a multitude of leaves , and in eating as it were by sucking , they harden : when they are grown up with plenty of nourishment , being become able , they spin a most fine web out of themselves , like to a spiders web . then against cold weather , they grow rough with hair , and make themselves new thick coats for winter , by the sharpness of their clawes , pulling the down of their skins into fleeces : then they thicken and close it , carding it with their feet , then they draw it out amongst the boughs , and make it small as with a comb : lastly they take hold of this web , and wrap their body in it , making a round nest . then men take them , and put them in earthen vessels , and feed them with bran , and so there spring up seathers of their kinde ; which , so soon as they are prepared with , they are set to perform other tasks . but the spinning work they began , growes pliable by moisture , and is spun into threds on a smal spindle . some women do use to draw it forth into yarn , and then they weave it . pamphila the daughter of latous was the first that was reported to have woven in the island of co. also pliny reports that silk-worms are bred in that island , plin. lib. . cap. . the flowers of the cypress , turpentine , ash , oake-trees , being beaten down to the ground by showres , whence they receive life . though women were the first inventers of this art , yet men are not ashamed to wear these garments for lightness in summer . the customes of men are so far degenerate from arms , that their very cloathes are grown burthensome . the thinner and softer the leaves are they feed upon , the finer silk these silk-worms make : wherefore amongst the people of seres in scythia , the most soft garments are made ; which we call silken , as marcellinus witnesseth , lib. hist . . in india also and in aegypt there is great plenty and use of them , and are brought from thence to the spaniards and italians , being the greatest cause of wantonness amongst mortals . so often as i consider , that some ten thousands of silk-worms labouring continually night and day , can hardly make three ounces of silk , so often do i condemn the excessive profusion and luxuriousness of men in such costly things who defile with dirt , silks and velvets , that were formerly the ornaments of kings , and make no more reckoning of them now , than of an old tattered cloak , as if they were ashamed to esteem better of an honourable thing than of a base , and were wholly bent upon waste . the greeks call this catterpiller 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and bombyx , which name is become latine . the italians call it bigatto ; the spaniards , guafano della seda ; the french , ver à soye ; the germans , ein seyde worme ; the english , silk-worm . amongst whom a silken habit is so much loved and valued , that they despise their own wool , ( which compared with silk , is not contemptible , and is the most profitable and the greatest merchandise of the kingdome . ) but time will make them forgoe this wantonness , when they shall observe that their moneys are treasured up in italy at that time , when they stand in need of it for their private or publick affairs . this is a pleasant thing and worthy to be noted , that the head of the silk-worm , makes the tail of the butterfly in that golden coloured metamorphosis , and the tail the head ; which also happeneth in all other catterpillars that are changed into an aurelia . chap. ii. of the rest of the smooth catterpillers . the third , that is all green , when autumn comes is transformed into a blackish case : it feeds on the softer pot-herbs , especially on lettice , whence we call it the lettice catterpiller . the fourth upon the medlar-tree is less , all over green , drawing it self into an ash-coloured case , all besprinkled with most black spots . the fifth is least of all , spins its threds on trees , ( especially upon the oake , and descends by them upon the heads of those that pass along , and intangles their hats and cloathes : a very little creature , most noted in summer , and obvious every where , when the fall of the leaf is at hand ; he wraps himself in a course web , and being shut up in a red and green cover , he dieth in winter . he hath but ten feet , as all the rest that went before had . we call them yellowish , that are most part yellow : such these figures present you with , which is kept , wheresoever they are void of black , overcast that with a paler yellow , and you have their figures painted . they live on softer leaves , especially on the tiel-tree . vinula is next in order ; which is a most delicate catterpiller , and beautiful beyond belief , we have found it on the willow feeding greedily , the lips and mouth of it are a pale yellow , the eyes are fiery , the forehead is purple , the feet and the lower body green , the tail is forked , blacker than grapes , the whole body is spotted as with thick and dark red wine , which passing from the neck crossway to the very tail , a most white line doth wonderfully adorn it . the catterpiller called porcellus , is black , brown , especially the greater , but the lesser hath the circles white . frequently they are found on the leaves of meadow trifolie , and they devour them with wonderfull swiftness . three various colours are chiefly observed : the first hath a blewish face , and very black eyes , the outward skin of the back is grayish , much besprinkled with black and yellow spots : it is changed into an aurelia of a bright bay garnished with a white small membrane : it loveth cabbidge and all kinde of turneps . the second hath the head and feet and tail very black , being chequered with yellow ; the chequerings that are painted on them inwardly , are distinguished by channels black and gray , drawn long-waies by turns . it loveth fennel , and anniseed , and cummin . the third is green from white , buncht as it goeth along , for it hath only six feet on both sides , as those before . it is changed into an aurelia set with pricks , of a dark colour . it consumes olives . the fourth feeds on dragon-wort , and resembles a spotted viper : it goes alwaies with the head upright , and leans chiefly on its breast . it loves bul-rushes , and plants that bear down , and are bred in rivers . if you paint the ribs descending of the fifth kinde with old minium , there will be few things in the picture that shall not agree with the truth . in the sixth what you see white , paint with ocre . both of them delight in the black poplar-tree , and feed greedily on it . the chamferings bred in the seventh , must be white from yellow ; all the rest of the body is of a dark colour , and changeth it self into an aurelia , of a light red colour . the eighth seems of the colour of ashes , waving out of black : it makes a case between black and a bright red , whence growes a dusty coloured glow-worm . the ninth is various , and deservedly thought so : the roundles of the incisions are green ; the horn of the tail is bent backwards , and is of a bright blew ; under which a red coloured spot serves to make it beautiful : the middle part of the incisions is ashes colour . lastly , an aurelia is included of a murry colour . we found this in the high way ; it delights in the field crow-foot . the tenth is gray and black ; for what is here white , lay gray upon it , and it will represent the creature . it is changed into a spiral case , of a weak blew colour ; the roundles being somewhat red ; and it comes next to the form of a horn fashion periwinkle . the smooth catterpiller comes from the wilde night-shade ( which the italians call belladonna ) of a green and yellow colour , it hath a horn in the forehead as long as ones finger , which cardanus relates that he saw often . chap. iii. of catterpillers rough and hairy . those with hairs are the most mischievous of all : some are very thick of hair , others thinner ; whereof i here afford you the kindes . amongst those of the thicker hair , are walkers up and down , such as are upon nut-tree leaves , pine-trees ; such as have sayl-yards , such as are called neustriae , pear-eaters ; such as are upon nettles , cabbage , hedges , feeders on poplar , such as lose their skins , such as are amongst marigolds , black and green , &c. those that have thinner hairs are echini , dwellers amongst fennel , eaters of bushes , half white : of which we shall speak in order . pityocampes , that is , catterpillers on the pitch and pine trees , are as thick as a mans little finger , and as long as the breadth of three fingers . they have eleven incisions between their heads and tails , and they have sixteen feet like the rest , namely about the head on both sides three , on the middle of their bodies on both sides four , and at the ends of their tails on both sides one : but the first are crooked and small , wherewith they try their way , the rest are broades and jagged like sawes , that they may stick the faster to the boughs . the head is like an ant , ●he rest ike common catterpillers ; they are rough with hair and encompassed on all sides with straight bristles : the hairs bred on their sides are white , they shine on their backs ; the middle part whereof is adorned with spots like to eyes ; the bristles being shaved off , there is a black skin 〈…〉 eath , their hairs very slender , yet they prick more sharply than a nettle , and cause very great pain , heat , a feaver , pricking , unquietness . for the poyson enters suddenly without any sense of the wound , and is carryed to the parts next the bowels . they spin fine webs like to spiders , drawing and disposing their threds with their fore-feet . towards night they go under these , as they were tents , that they may escape the inconveniencies of cold and storms . the matter of this tent is so fast and fine , that it is not in danger by the greatest winds , nor is it sob'd with rain : and it is so spacious , that a thousand catterpillers may be under it . they make their nests in the small boughs of the pine and pitch trees , where they live not solitary as others do , but by flocks : which way so ever they bend their course , they spin and carry their thred for the web along with them ; and at break of day , if it be but fair weather , the great ones accompany the lesser by troops , and having made the trees void of leaves , for they consume them all , they labour hard in weaving . only these plagues of the pine and pitch trees do not meddle with other cone apple trees . in mount athos , the woods of trent , and in the vallies beyond the alps they abound very much , by reason of plenty of leaves for their nourishment , as matthiolus witnesseth . they are truly most venomous creatures , whether you touch them outwardly with your hands , or they be given inwardly . they were of old esteemed so certainly to be poyson , that vlpian interpreting the cornelian law concerning private murderers , set down amongst them to be punished those that give a pine catterpiller to drink . sect. alium . ff . ad leg . corn. de sic . when one hath swallowed a pine catterpiller , the pain grievously afflicts both the mouth and palat ; the tongue , belly and stomach are greatly inflamed by the corroding poyson : also a wonderful pain vexeth them , though at first they seemed only to feel a pleasant kinde of tickling : great heat followeth , loathing of meat , and a perpetual desire to vomit , but ineffectual . at length if it be not helped , they burn the body , and make the stomach crusty almost like to arsenick . diosc . aetius , plin. cels . gal. also . simpl . c. . and avic . sos . cap. . hence it is that aetius and aegineta held it dangerous to set the table for meat under the pine-tree , or for to stay there , lest perhaps by the reak of the meat or vapour of the broth , or by noise of men , these pine catterpillers should be moved and fall down upon the meat , or should let fall their seeds , that are as deadly as themselves . they that are hurt by these must use the remedies against cantharides , for the same means will cure them : but properly oyl made of quinces , called melinum , and oyl olive , is to be drank twice or thrice to cause vomit , as dioscorides from aetius hath prescribed . they are bred , or rather regenerated , as vine-fretters are , from autumnal seed left in the web in certain bladders , or from the vine-fretters themselves corrupted , as scaliger thought . now we proceed to walkers about . we call those walkers , who have no certain houses or food : wherefore they do something superstitiously wander like pilgrims , and like to mice , they alwaies feed on others meat , wherefore the english call them palmer-worms , namely for their wandring life , for they dwell no where , though by reason of their hair they are called bear-worms . they will not be tied to any kinde of flowers or leaves , but they pass on boldly , and taste of all plants and trees , and feed where they please . first those white spots which we see in their sides , must be such really ; the whole body is black , all the inward hairs must be somewhat yellow , but all the uppermost on the back must be hoary , except those three ranks that are bred in the neck near the head , for they have the same colour with the hairs of the belly . out of the aurelia of this comes forth the butterfly which you see here : whose colour , figure , and nature , we described in the book before . the second , if you make the neck and belly , and the hair there growing , yellow , you need do no more . the cover of it seems dusky , the eggs are pale . we explained the butterfly that growes from thence in the former book . the third is , the whole body and hair , dusky yellow , but that the spots on each side being obliquely made in each incision lie hid , and the head being of a light red , is adorned with a certain white fork . the fourth hath his belly and lower hairs dusky , the back and upper hairs are yellow from dusky , a double forked line in the face resembles the colour of whey , or milk mingled with water . the fifth hath a bright bay colour in the face , the sides of the belly hoary , a body various with small yellowish spots , and above these with black ; yellow hairs come forth like small rags ; they are sharp , and growing more sharp pointed from the middle : it hurts much the neighbouring herbs and the corn . the sixth is a brown colour'd , if the incisions were not died with black and white spots here and there ; the hairs are bred above and beneath , and set after a saw fashion ; they are very rough and hard , but they are of the colour of the body . the seventh hath a black skin , yet it hath hairs something of a dirty colour , i use to call it the pensill , because on both sides of the forehead , and also in the rump a soft pensil breaks forth of a crow-black colour : but those wedge fashioned eminences that you see in the back , are white as milk at the root , otherwise somewhat black . the eighth holds forth a mouse colour , on whose back those seven joynts resemble it . the ninth is a strange and rare colour : for all the incisions are painted with various colours one from another , yet mingled one with another , which a silver stud doth adorn severally one by one . the tenth is amongst the sports of wanton nature , not less elegant that it is rare , being streaked with black , green , blew , yellow ridges , and smooth strings ; which some golden spots do wonderfully illustrate : it hath very soft hair , of an admirable and most pleasing freshness ; it hath a purple cover fortified with a small membrane . suppose the white incisions of the eleventh to be green as leeks , and paint the skin and hairs half green . the nut-tree catterpillar is of a pale green , except three black spots between the joynts , and that horn at the end of the back , and growing as it were on the remp , which receives a fresh rose colour . it especially 〈…〉 s on the leaves of the hazel-nut , whence we call it corylaria . i saw two kinde of them , one was a full , the other a paler green . the manifold delicacy of nature shines forth in these , to which though it giveth them the face of a moor or aegyptian , yet it affords them a garment that is of changeable colours , shining in divers works and real art ; in the forehead ; the hairs are knit as into knotty locks , and resemble the sail-yard : the like are found in the extremity of their backs . the skin is like the rain-bow , and shines in circles deeply died with purple , which nature hath fastned to the sides like broad studs ; the hairs bred in the skin , shine like the sun , and dazle our eyes in a clear day . we received two neustriae out of normandy , the first had a face of a blew colour , and the body ridged with white red and gray streaks ; the hairs are comely with a golden shining colour . the lesser rolled together , is like an urchin ; the head is cole-black , the body is variously spotted with little blew spots ; the hairs resemble a saffron lustre . this corrupts the buds of the peat tree , having a black s 〈…〉 dged face ; the body is adorned with some black red white ridges ; in the middle as it were of the shoulders , and to the end almost of the back , little swellings or bunches arise of black and blew colour , sprinkled with white spots . the eggs from whence they breed are a bright bay colour , which is also the colour of the aurelia , and of the hair . we saw another of the same kinde , but only it had a bunch on the back . we call that half white , which is by nature yellow from the head to half the back , and the rest white as a lilly. the belly is yellow and ash-coloured , adorned with studs , and checquered in the middle . if you touch the feet of the nettle catterpiller lightly with a fading yellow , the figure will differ little from the natural : it hath hard upright hairs growing like thorns , they wound with a small touch , and at first they cause a pleasant itching , but venomous ; but after that a pain hard to be endured . some maintain that it is more venomous than the pine-tree catterpiller . on a cabbage a catterpiller breeds with a bright blew head , his body is marked with two yellow branches on both sides ; between which a grayish plat as it were , seems to be spotted with some black seeds : the hairs obtain the colour of the aurelia , which is ashes colour . here we shew you two hedge catterpillers , the greater hath a face saffron coloured , but that triangle you see in place of its nose , was lilly coloured : the body is varied with spots , white , yellow , red and black , ( which we have expressed ) placed in no order ; it is rough with yellowish hairs : it devours the leaves of hedges and makes them naked : where at length , leaving a bottom of yam of courser silk , she drawes her self into a case of a bay colour , as into a sepulchre . the lesser hath a countenance blewish , as also the whole body , except that it hath spots black and white ; it hath hairs of the same colour with the former . these have fewer hairs : namely , cranesbill-eater catterpiller , st. james w●rt catterpiller , sayl-yard , vrchin , bramble catterpillers , and that little horn beast , which the germans call horn-worm . we have here set down exactly the form and magnitude of the cranesbill-eater , you must make the white spots that adorn its black girdles of an iron colour ; and paint the belly and feet , and the white 〈◊〉 between the girdles , with a leek-green colour . c 〈…〉 arius sent this to pennius , with this subscription : a great catterpiller , feeding only on wilde herbs , and is especially an enemy to crowfoot cranesbill in the marishes . the body of the sayl-yard is various ; from the head to the third incision , you would say he were smeered with chalk , in the five following with ashy dark colour , and on the three last with white lead ; the sayls are made of hairs as it were platted together , the like stand up at the end of his back like a crest : those four tusts on the back are made of hairs also growing in order like to teeth . st. james wort catterpiller , or that which eats the greater groundsel ; with the head and feet of a decayed purple colour the belly of a pale green , hath the body of an impleasant fading green , and adorned with black yellow and fiery coloured spots ; the colour of the hair agree with the belly . i have observed two kindes of urchins , one of a blewish green , the other a mingled white . the first of the urchin . catterpillers hath a chequered body , varied with black and yellow ; the thorny bristles seem yellow , when autumn comes it is transformed into an ashy coloured aurelia . the second is perfectly like an urchin , half the back , namely the first half , is black from yellow , the latter is white from yellow , it hath pricks very sharp and thick , of a grayish colour . nature hath painted the bramble catterpiller ashy black , on both sides with three ridges of a pale yellow colour : the hairs are very thin , and altogether black . there is also the horn catterpiller , who hath many green spots from yellow , the hairs bred on the middle of the back are hoary , but the horn is notched and red . many diversities there are of these catterpillers upon the mullen , hop , pile-wort , bitter-sweet , nightshade , elder , elm , basill , tythimals , and almost every herb hath its particular devouring catterpiller : which , that i may not prove tedious , i overpass , as well enough known . i never had the hap to see the stinking catterpiller of gesner , described by him in these words , as i have it in writing : it is , saith he , most like the horned catterpiller , but it differs something in the horns and colour . i took one creeping on a wall at the end of august in . it sends forth a filthy smell , that you would verily believe it were venomous : it was angry , and with its two forefeet it held the head alwaies upright : i think it is blinde , it was a finger long , and thick , it was rough on the back and sides , with a few hairs scattering on them ; the back was black ; the colour of the belly and sides was reddish from yellow : the whole body is distinguished by fourteen distinct knots : all these joynts again have a prop or wrinkle over the back ; it hath a black some-what hard head , the mouth is forked and dented , or saw-fashioned ; whatsoever it catcheth with these nippers , it bites it : it goes on sixteen feet , as most of the catterpillers do , without doubt it is venomous . vergerus thought it to be the pine-catterpiller ; others thought it was scolopendra . but its number of feet will not let it be scolopendra . i could scarse endure the smell while i took the description alive : it did so infect two stoves with an extreme and intolerable stink , that i could not stay to endure it : so sayeth gesner . chap. iv. of the original , breeding , nourishment , and change of catterpillars . dear book , the faithfull witnesse of my pain , let not the purple red thy fair cheeks stain , whilest i in tables paint the rude worms race , and such as change their skins into a case . for these by gods wise hand created are ; which in small things is wonderful and rare , and more to be admired in worms , than whales , or elephants , leviathan with scales , arm'd as with harnesse● strong as iron bars , and roars like thunder terrible in wars ; who drinks the sea , and s●ews it up again , compar'd with worms , will be admir'd in vain . so i shall begin with our poet , who observed a divine power in catterpillers from their original ; which whilest divers authors have diversly expressed , i know not into how great darkness they have cast us . aristot . . hist . . writes , that they begin from green leaves of herbs , as from cabbage , or radish : namely by a seed like millet left there in autumn , whence little worms proceed . from these worms in three daies space catterpillers breed at the end of the spring ; which being augmented and nourished sufficiently , they leave off moving , and at the beginning of autumn they change their form and life for an aurelia . pliny saith that dew thickned by heat of the sun , is left upon the leaves , whence he derives all kindes of catterpillers , to whom arnoldus agrees : others say they all come from butterflies ; which so soon as they come forth of their a●reliae , they thrust forth ( above or beneath the leaves hard by ) some eggs ( the barbarous call them turds ) and these are greater or less , according to their bodies ( some of these have blew shels , some yellow , some white or black , green or red ) in fourteen daies they are hatched by heat of the sun , and the shell breaking , they thrust forth small catterpillers like very small worms , but coloured : at first beginning they are very hungry , and do nothing but devour leaves and flowers , especially of those herbs and plants where they were left in eggs . but i should maintain that they are not bred only one way , but all these waies : for though aristotles doctrine seems to some not acute enough , that the cabbage little worm grows to be a catterpiller ; yet it is not against reason ; for as nature from an egg , so from a worm she produceth a more perfect living creature , as perfecting , not as corrupting . for though the worm be not that it was before , ( as is clear to sense ) yet as much as can be perceived , it is both what it was , and is now somewhat more , for a worm doth not dye that a catterpiller may be bred : but adds a greater magnitude to its former body and feet , colour , wings ; so life remaining , it gets other parts , and other offices : so the off-spring of man ( i use scaligers words ) after some daies at first of a man in posse , is made a man actually ; you must understand its generation , in which time the intellective soul doth not yet act , but it bears the same proportion to a man that shall be , as a worm doth to a catterpiller or bee. so also pennius derided the opinion of pliny , when he writ that catterpillers were bred of dew , yet all philosophers with one consent agree , that the more imperfect small creatures are bred of dew . and not without cause . for the sun by heating acts , being like the form , and the humour is like the matter . the suns heat is different from the fire , for it gives life , or it preserves the souls in their likeness . for the dew hath the proportion and softness of the air , where theophrastus alledgeth the affect of softness ( in his book of plants ) as proper for generating air . also nothing is more nourishing than dew , by which alone some little creatures live : which also the divine poet said ; how much doth dew lay up in the night ! therefore as it is humour , it is the matter , as it is thin , it enters , as it is drawn by the sun , and concocted , it is the fitter for generation ; for the preparation of the form carries the matter along with it , and these going together it fals out that a living , creature is generated . and it is not only an off-spring of dew , but the daughter of butterflies , as we said , and as experience testifieth : and the greatest part of catterpillers come from them , besides the cabbage and vine-fretters , few are bred otherwise . for these that the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , are made of dew , or a humour shut up in webs and putrefying , especially when the wind is east , and the air warm , that hastneth corruption . for then such a mighty army of them breaks forth in our countrey , that we cannot truly say or think so many could be bred any way but from corruption . they are all gluttonous devourers of herbs and trees : whence philip the parasite boasts of himself in athenaeus in his pythago ist , for feeding on thyme and pot-herbs , i am a catterpiller . martial speaks to the same purpose , one garden will hardly feed a catterpiller . when their time of eating is over , they wander up and down here and there hungry , and by degrees growing lean with hunger , some within , some above the earth , seek for a fit place , where they are transformed into an aurelia covered with a membrane , and hanging by a thred , or into a bare case ; if this happen in the midst of summer , after daies the shell breaking , a butterfly presently flies out : but if autumn be well spent , the aurelia lasts all the winter , and shuts out nothing till the heat of the spring . yet all catterpillers are not changed into aurelia's , but some are contracted ( as vine-fretters ) and corrupt , from whom oft-times three blackish eggs fall , that are the mothers of flies or cantharides : when your butter-flies copulate very late , they bring forth eggs ( even untill the next spring ) that have life , ( if you take diligent care of them ) as it is usual in silk-worms , whose eggs are sold commonly amongst the spaniards by ounces , and pounds . theophrastus distinguisheth the transformation of these catterpillers rightly in these words , in his second of plants : first , of a catterpiller is made an aurelia , and of this a butterfly , then of that a catterpiller again . but whether this aurelian chryfallis be a living creature or not , we shall dispute when we come to speak of insects without feet . chap. v. of the quality and use of catterpillers , and of their antidotes . all catterpillers have a burning quality and pilling of the skin , and raising of blisters . the most deadly is the pine catterpiller , yet they are all venomous , but least of all those that are smooth and without hair . the daughter of caelius secundus , being at basil ( saith gesner ) when she had devoured some cabbage catterpillers in the garden , after much vomiting , her belly swelled , the swelling troubled her many years , and no cure would be found for it . william turner a divine and a learned physician , the happy father of one peter who was born to give physick to physick it self , prescribed a purging porion for a noble woman of england , by the help whereof she vomited up a hury catterpiller , which being swallowed by negligence , had long afflicted her with cruel torments : yet we may remember ( saith marcellus virgilius ) that there are beasts in the sea of the same names , and called catterpillers , and are far from being poyson : and amongst those men that live by the sea side , are the last dish at their tables . we have shewed remedies against the mischievous and venomous ones before , in the histories of cantharides , buprestis , and pityocampes , for they admit of , and require the same cure . if you would have your garden or trees free from them , what webs you see hang on the naked boughs you must sweep off in winter ; for if you let them remain till the spring , they will breed before you can remove them . in a short space they devour all green things , and consume the flowers : some anoint their trees with the gall of a green lizard , or of a bull , which as it is commonly reported , they cannot endure . the countreymen use to stisle them with some brimstone and straw set a fire under the trees . the earth dug up under the root of the great bearing mast tree , if it be strewed in a garden , drives away catterpillers , saith hildegard . i should pass over the remedy columella hath prescribed , as a shameless delusion of democritus , did not pliny and almost all the rest approve of it , who meddle with husbandry : the words are these : but if against this plague no art prevail , the trojan arts will do 't , when others fail . a woman barefoot with her hair untied , and naked breasts must walk as if she cried , and after venus sports she must surround ten times , the garden beds and orchard ground . when she hath done , 't is wonderful to see , the catterpillers fall off from the tree , as fast as drops of rain , when with a crook , for acorns or apples the tree is shook . they touch not plants that are besprinkled with wine . theophrast . they presently dye with the smoke of the herb psora . aetius . hence it appears ( saith silvius ) that the vulgarly called scabious , is not psora . the cabbage is free from catterpillers , if it be fenced with vetches . the worms found in fullers teasels , make them fall if they but touch the cabbage catterpillers . pliny . strew your cabbage with nitre , or salt earth , whilest it hath lost but three leaves , or strew it with ashes , and by the saltness of it , it will drive away catterpillers . geopon . palladius in this matter prefers the fig-tree ashes . if crabs or river crevish , were hanged up and exposed to the sun for ten daies , they will drive catterpillers from pot herbs . cardan out of palladius . others wet the seeds just before they set them , in the bloud of a catterpiller , or the juice of marjoram , to free them from catterpillers . a sea onion set or hung in a garden , hinders the catterpillers from breeding . some sow mints , others vetches , others wormwood about their gardens to drive away catterpillers . some not without cause , have coleworts and garlick leaves in ther gardens , by the fume whereof spread every way the catterpillers fall down . palladius , where any man may easily read of many remedies against them . if a horse devour them , swellings arise , the skin of him grows dry and hard , his eyes hollow , saith herocles , and he prescribes this remedy : you must take the sharpest vinegar and nitre three quarters of a pint , vitriol a fourth part ; mingle them and anoint the horses body , be careful that it enter not into his eyes . now we shall speak of the use of them in physick , and in the common-wealth . the catterpillers web and covering ( like to silk ) being drank stops a womans courses . math. if it be burnt and put into the nostrils , it stops bleeding at the nose . the catterpiller feeding on privet , doth not only in a strange manner allure the carp , if it be put on the hook for a bait , but also the dung of it put into the nostrils , presently helps the falling sickness in women , that proceeds from the matrix , as i was told by a midwife that was very experienced , and worthy to be believed . the catterpillers that are upon spurges ( in the opinion of hippocrates ) are very good for purulent wombs , especially if they be dried in the sun , with the double weight of dunghil worms , and adding a little anniseed , bringing them into powder , and infusing them in the best white wine , and so giving them to drink . but heaviness following in the belly with numbness , let the patient drink a little water and honey after it . hippocrat . lib. de superfoet . prescribes those ordinary catterpillers that are in troops to be given in drink against the quinsey . dioscor . lib. . cap. . but unless they do profit by their secret quality , i think they are to be rejected for their open quality , especially in that disease . the germans know that the hairy catterpiller dried and powdered , stops the flux of the belly . nicander also useth them to procure sleep : for so he writes . and jeremy martius thus translates him : stamp but with oyl those worms that eat the leaves , whose backs are painted with a greenish hue , anoint your body with 't , and whilest that cleaves , you shall with gentle sleep bid cares adieu . there are in prickly and hairy plants , such as the nettle is , some downy and hairy catterpillers , by tradition are held to cure children , when they cannot swallow their meat for straightness of their jaws . a catterpiller that lives on pot-herbs being bruised and anointed where a serpent hath stung , is very good . avicen . if you rub a rotten tooth often with a cabbage catterpiller , it will soon fall out of it self , saith the same author . catterpillers mingled with oyl , drive away serpents . dioscor . if you anoint your hands or other parts with the same oyl , it will keep them from being hurt by wasps or hornets . aetius . pliny citeth many superstitious things from the opinion of magicians concerning the vertue of catterpillers ; which because i see they are cast forth of the schools of divines , and i in my judgement do secretly disavow them , i will not repeat them here . they are meat also for divers birds that we eat , and are useful for us , as namely choughs , starlings , peacocks , hens , thrushes , to say nothing of trouts , robbinred-brests , tenches , carps , pikes , which are easily deceived by a catterpillar bait . and if you desire to know the waies of deceiving them ; see terentinus in geopon . who is there ( that i may not overpass the physick of the soul given by catterpillers ) that hath not sung of gods mercies shewed to the wandring israelites , when all egypt swarm'd and was even drowned with the deluge of them ? also amongst the romans there was twice in one summer such a cloud of catterpillers , anno . that put them in great fear , for they left no green thing in their fields , but devoured all . though the fruitfulness of the next year did blot out the memory of this grievous punishment , yet we may not doubt but it put many of them in minde to lead better lives . god grant that we may escape by being corrected in the punishment of other men . let us think no creature of god to be contemptible , for god can , if he please , make the smallest the greatest judgement . chap. vi. of the whurlworm . the greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; which gaza interprets by verticillus : pliny changeth not the greek word , but cals it sphondylam ; the germans eugerle , as george agricola teacheth . gesner writes it was called twaer , because it goeth diversly with sawed feet . the northern english call it andever ; the southern , whurlworm , that is , a whirl or little hairy worm with many feet : vincentius cals it zuvarola , because it hurts gourds : pliny was in an error , that makes this a serpent , since the kinde of life and reason it self numbers it amongst insects . should i here add the differences between gaza , pliny , theophrastus , absyrtus , phavorinus , and the scholiast on aristophanes , and erasmus , concerning the nature and form of this whurlworm , i should indeed trifle , and rather bring fire to quench this fire amongst wits , than water . but i rather collect out of their dissensions , that there are two kindes of whurlworms ; one about houses , another in the fields . for so aristotle and absyrtus write . staphulinus is like to the whurlworms that are about houses . for saith he , your house whurlworms copulate backward , and that in our sight , as beetles do , the male coming upon the female , and they stick long in copulation . away then with these triflings of pliny , that would have these to be serpents , which never copulate backwards . hesychius and favorinus that follows him describe them thus : men say that the whurl is like to an insect called silphium , making a stinking smell , if any one touch it . but aristophanes and his scholiast , paint it out thus : a whurl is an insect like to a bloud-sucker . camersius out of aristophanes saith , a whurl is a worm like a leech , smelling most stinkingly . whence i collect that there is a house whurl like to silphius , and smels so scurvily , which if you touch , runs away , and stinks for fear : for so aristophanes hath it , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . as the whurl flying from you breaks wind stinkingly . in which verse i cannot but wonder that erasmus ( i know not by what atticism ) cals the whurl telem , chil. adag . . cent . . pliny saith it is a very small body , and blackish , which if it be touched whilest it lives , and after it is dead , sends forth a most terrible smell . i confess ingenuously , that i never yet saw it nor know whether it be so by a contrariety in our land or climate . concerning the field whurl , we read thus in theophrastus , as gaza hath interpreted , of small wilde creatures that are bred outwardly , that is not in the roots but without them , none of them will feed on roots except the whurl , and that leaves none untouched , for it is the proper nature of this insect . george agricola a most learned philosopher , writes thus of whurls that feed on roots : the whurlworm is found under the earth wrapt up near the roots , ( which truly i could never observe ) and hence it hath its name sphondyle from a little wherve or whirl . it is so long and thick as ones little finger , a red head , the rest of the body white , but that it is black above , where it swels when it is full . this plague of orchards , which wants not feet ( for it hath six feet ) and doth not creep , eats up the pils about the roots of young trees ; nor doth it at all forbear the roots of wilde cucumers , black chameleon , centaury , hogs fennel , birthwort , briony , which no other insect whatsoever will touch . this whurl without all doubt is the insect that malleolus in his book of his filthy exorcisms brings in these words : there is , saith he , a certain worm which the germans call engar or ingar , it liveth under the earth , is so long as ones middle finger , of a white colour , a black head , six feet , which by turning about , furrowing and turning up the earth , and eating the roots , maketh plants barren . the third year after its generation , it breaks forth like flying pismires , which like their predecessors stick about trees , and consume the fruit . then they call it lawbkaefer . in the diocess of mentz there were such multitudes of them , that all remedies were attempted in vain , only they were driven away by charms ( for so malleolus reports ) cordus also speaks of them . spondyles are worms under ground , the germans call them engar or ingar , called so from the greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . chap. vii . of a catterpiller called staphylinus . gaza translates staphylinos , a parsnip , either by sleepy carelesness , or rather ignorance : but as it appears in the short expositions of nicander , the ancient physicians knew it not sufficiently . for the scholiast writes that staphylinus is a little creature like a whurl : others say it is like the spanish fly. hippocrates speaks once of it , but describes it not . aristotle treating of the diseases of horses , cals it an incurable disease , if a horse swallow a staphylinus , that is like to a whurl . but absyrtus writes thus : a staphylinus is like to a whurl that is about houses , but is greater ; it is bred every where in the fields , and goes holding up the tail . whence i perceive it were no hard matter to know a staphylinus , if the home bred whurls were not unknown to us . but that i may do my part and satisfie my reader , i will produce two insects with their figures , which i cannot tell whether they may be called staphylini or not . but that they are not far different from them is more than a conjecture . the first ( as you see ) is all shining black , not much unlike to beetles , but the body is more slender and longer . the whole body is two fingers square or somewhat less in length , the tail is with two forks ; which whilest it flies away ( for it will fly away and run very swiftly ) it lifts up , as it were in its own defence , and thrusts out like two short stings very white : but we never saw it sting or strike with them ; and the stings are too small and soft to enter : when he puts out these stings in anger , it pours forth with them a white and thick substance , but softer than a moist ointment . it lives most under ground , yet it is often seen amongst corn above the earth . but i cannot say that it is like to the whurl that aristotle or absyrtus speaks of . the countrey people in kent hold this to be a venomous creature , and that oxen are swollen by this poyson as they are with eating long-legs . it appears indeed that this staphylinus is a venomous creature , not only from their report , but by the authority of aristotle and nicander . i received the second kinde of staphylinus , a worm of a wonderful form , from a nobleman edmund knivet , exactly deciphered with his own hand , and they are very common in norfolk in england . he hath a small head , of a dark colour from red , almost round ; the mouth is small and forked . next the head it hath three feet on each side ; the two former of them are short ( like to catterpillers ) the other four are almost of a bloudy colour , four times as long . in the middle of the body under the belly it hath eight feet that are blunt , as also a catterpiller hath . the tail is bunchy and forked with two hairs . we learn hence that both these kindes are naturally venomous , because two horses eating hay and swallowing them down , were swoln all their bodies over , and died by them . in which disease it will not be useless to know absyrtus his remedy , that in the like case we may have it ready , and cure our horses . for if a horse eat a staphylinus , whilest he feeds on hay or eats , he presently casts him out again , by reason of the sharpness of the spirits of it , and as it were vipers bloud . but presently he swels exceedingly . first therefore foment the swellings , largely washing and rubbing them with salt water very hot : then take vinegar lees , and put into them fine linnen cut , and boyl this with water , and anoint him all over : but when he takes his physick , let him remain in a hot house , and a soft stall , covered well with cloathes , and let a good fire be kept continually by him . anoint him abundantly in the morning , then the third day wash him well with hot water , and dry up his sweat , then rub him in a close place , and having rubbed him , anoint him with nitre . and fear not though his lips and eyes swel , ( for it useth so to fall out ) for the horse will certainly recover suddenly by this means , and be as well as he was before . but whether these be the same with staphylinus of cordus , or the coursilles in france , let indifferent men judge . they are found in orchards sometimes so long as ones little finger , and they make hillocks like to moles , and there they sleep . they chiefly do mischief to thyme and elder , yet not so , but they hurt other plants and herbs also . if there be any that know any thing more certainly concerning staphylinus , they are to be desired , for physick and philosophy sake , that they will not refuse to add their talent . so at last the natural history of insects shall be enriched by their labour , and shall repay them not only great thanks , but also their part in a large increase . chap. viii . concerning the scolopendrae and juli. the scolopendrae , and juli , and cheeselips march in the last rank . they far surpass in the number of their feet , catterpillers , staphylini , and whurlworms , and all kindes of insects , whence they are called many-feet by a peculiar name belonging to them . aristotle cals this scolopendra ; theophrastus , scolopia ; dioscorides ( from the destruction of serpents ) cals it ophioctone ; varinus and hesychius call it amphydes phaganon ; others , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and some call it thousand-feet , and many-feet ; the vulgar greeks call it scolopetra ; the latines also call this scolopendra and sepa , and dirty-hog , and hundred-feet , thousand-feet , many-feet ; which three last names also they give to juli. in hebrew they call it ghazam ; in arabick , alcamptia , and alamula , as silvaticus testifies ; albertus cals it almuga , altapua ; in the polish tongue , stonogroback , gaflauka ; in the hungarian tongue , zones , hiragopap , matzkaia ; in high dutch , ein nassel ; in italian , centopede vermi ; in french , chenille , millepied ; in english , scolopender and manyfoot . in my judgement it differs as far from julus , as a sea lobster from a crevis . they are indeed like to one another , but these are alwaies less , nor are they so mischievous when they bite , nor so venomous . the great earth scolopender is as long and thick as you have it pictured ; the colour of the body is black from brown , and shining . to every incision a yellow little foot is joyned , that is , in the several sides sixty . it goeth forward and backward with equal ease . for it goes with the head forward , and with the tail forward ; and therefore nicander and rhodoginus call it two heads . it hath the part between the head and belly not single , but manifold ; whence it comes to pass that this kinde can live though it be cut in sunder . this scolopender being provoked bites so sharply , that ludovicus armarus ( who gave me one brought out of africa ) could scarce endure him to bite his hand , though he had a good glove on , and a double linnen cloth ; for he strook his forked mouth deep into the cloth , and hung a long time , and would hardly be shaken off . another was brought from new hispaniola , which had on the midst of the back a flame coloured line to adorn it ; and a red side , and colour of the hair set it forth . it had feet like to hairs , and lifting it self upon them all , it ran very swiftly : this is worthy of the greatest admiration , that nature having given to this creature a small head , yet it hath given memory to it , and the rule of reason , not in pints and pitchers , but in the largest measure . for seeing it hath feet innumerable as rowers , and many of them are from the rudder the head at a great distance , yet every one knows his own office , and as the head directs , so they all frame their motion . another was brought to us from st. augustines promontory out of india , something greater in body and feet : which had black and blew incisions , and twice as many light red feet . i doubt not but more sorts of scolopenders may be found , of almost all colours except green ; yet ardoynus makes mention of one that was green . each of them hath an inbred property , to go to the roots of sword grass ( as theophrastus thinks ) . but robertus constantinus deserves to be whipt , and so doth stephanus that followes him , and ardoynus himself , who invent that a scolopender is first a serpent , then hath eight feat , then a horn in its tail , and lastly , it is a slow goer . albertus , rhodoginus , avicenna , are to be blamed also , who affirm rashly , that no insect hath above twenty feet , and they put the scolopender in that number . yet nicander cals him two headed in these verses : the scolopender hath each end a head ; and stings with both , untill that men be dead : with feet like ores he wafts himself along , &c. yet by the favour of so great an author , i might say that he hath but one head ; though he can as easily move forward or backward with his tail conducting him , as with his head . and this i believe deceived nicander and others . but he saith farther , that he bites at both ends ; which is as false as the former ; for he bites only with his forked mouth , and hurts not with his tail , otherwaies than by a venomous touch , and by putting forth poysonous bloud . oppianus holds it to be more fierce than the sea scolopender , and so it is indeed : and i greatly wonder that grevinus parisiensis , upon no authority , in his book of venomes should oppose this . all histories testifie that this creature is dangerous and venomous , and so much the more as it is more hairy . we read in aelian that the rhytienses were driven out of their city by the multitudes of these creatures : and theophrastus affirms the like concerning the obterietes in pliny : therefore though we have ranked the scolopenders in the last place , yet in executing divine vengeance , they may sometimes challenge the first place . countrey people do judge of fair weather by the frequent coming forth of the scolopenders ; and when they hide themselves they foreshew rain , as marcellus virgilius hath noted on dioscorides . they have these uses in physick . if they be boyled in oyl , they take off hair with a little pricking , gal. . simpl. and aetius lib . they are enemies to wiglice , that are most stinking creatures , and kill them with their breath , or eat them alive . again , wiglice being either taken inwardly , or anointed outwardly , are a remedy for their bitings , by a reciprocal , and as it were emulating antipathy , as is manifest from pliny , and ardoynus lib. . concerning poysons . when the land scolopender hath bitten , the place is all black and blew , putrefies and swels , and looks like to the dregs of red wine , and is ulcerated with the first bite . aegineta . aetius adds that the pain is intolerable . dioscorides saith the whole body pricks . all hold that this bite is incurable , and will admit almost no remedy . it hath ( saith anazarbeus ) symptomes , prevention , and cure , the same as for the stinging of a viper , lib. . c. . against this disease some things are taken inwardly , some things are applied outwardly . amongst inward remedies , aegineta commends trifoly that smels like bitumen , drank with wine . dioscor . approves much of wild rue , the root of dragons bruised , the root , seeds , and flowers of asphodill , the branches and leaves of serpol , calaminth , the roots of fennel and birthwort , given with pure wine , or wine and oyl . actuarius gives nix with wine . pliny commends salt with vinegar , or rather the froth of salt as being the better . also he highly esteems of horse-mints , or wilde penniroyal taken in wine . aetius bids give wormwood and mints with wine . as for outward remedies , first scarifie the place hurt , make deep incision , and draw out the venome by cupping-glasses ; then put in the juice of the lesser centory , boyle with a third part of sweet wine to the consistence of honey , and binde a leather over it for eight or fourteen daies . then foment the place with a spunge dipt in hot wine , and this is a certain cure for the bite of a scolopender . anonymus . pliny also prescribed divers remedies for it , as the dregs of vinegar , washing the place with vinegar , the flower of millet with liquid pitch , butter with honey , the green figs of the wilde fig-tree with vetches and wine , the urine of the patient hurt and of a wether , burnt salt anointed with vinegar and honey , wilde penniroyal with salt , salt with tar and honey , wilde cummin with oyl ; and all kindes of maiden-hairs . dioscorides commends garlick , with fig-leaves and cummin , and with vetch meal and wine , also the leaves of calamint , and burnt barley with vinegar ; also he commends a fomentation made of sowre pickle : archigenes bids foment the part with allum-water : aegineta saith , with much hot oyl . nonius prescribes hot oyl of rue . some commend exceedingly both outwardly and inwardly such things as are given against the biting of a shrew . aristotle writes that the scolopenders are deluded and drawn forth with the fume of liquid storax , and are easily taken whilest they stick to the clamminess of it . of the juli. the kindes of the juli follow next : which the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; and that as i think not from their down , but from the tails of walnuts and smal nuts , whose hair being fastned in a hard substance , represents these cats-tails , whence they had the names of juli. i know the latines call them juli , but i should call them galleys . for lycophron called the galleys of paris that were swift with many ores , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . nicander applies the same similitude to scolopenders ; whence it may easily appear , that juli and scolopenders are like one to the other . the spaniards call these centopeas : the italians , cento gambi . it may be the english after me will call them gally-worms : numenius also called earth-worms black juli , as athenaeus witnesseth lib. . also it is found in another form , almost in the very same places , with a slender round body , the thickness almost of a thread , of an allayed bright bay colour , the feet are so many and so small , that it is impossible to number them . it is four fingers broad in length ; it remains under rotten trees and plants . avicenna makes the scolopender ( which is also a gally-worm ) to have feet only , and to be the palm of ones hand long ; so small and slender , that it can creep into the ears . lib. . feu . . tract . . cap. . this creature , saith he , hath no venome , or but very weak , and causeth no great pain : which is presently taken away with the flowers of asphodils , or with salt mingled with vinegar . our gally-worms ( saith gesner ) if they be in the houses , they will come together to st. thomas sugar , that is the most pure , ( as mice do to the best cheese ) . our countreyman bruerus ( a skilful and laborious searcher of nature ) reports that he hath seen here in england scolopenders , and kept them , that shined in the night , and in mossy and broomy grounds shined with their whole body : who was no lier , and i willingly give credit to him ; and so much the rather , because oviedus saith he observed the same in new hispaniola in the fields , and cordus did the like in germany in moist cellars . it seems strange that plutarch relates , lib. . sympos . problem . . that a stripling at athens cast up a small ragged creature , together with a great deal of seed : it had many feet , and walked exceeding fast . the galley-worm found in cellers , burnt to powder , doth wonderfully provoke urine . merula . the bloud of galley-worms , with the moisture pressed out of hog-lice , is a divine and excellent remedy to take away the white spots of the eyes . arnold . brev. . cap. . and thus much for galley-worms , concerning whose natures , i passe over the opinions of hesichius , aristotle , nicander , lycophron , ardoynus , because they are various , but not true . chap. ix . of chisleps . aristotle cals them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the greek physicians , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; theophrastus , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; dioscorides , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; absyrtus , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; those of asia called them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from the likeness of a bean , saith galen , for it looks like it , when the chislep rols himself up into a round body . or , because , as our most learned covntreyman stafford saith , ( who was president of the minorites at worcester in the reign of richard the second ) they are wont to come forth of the leaves and tops of beans , and to grow from thence . pliny cals it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from the brawny hardness of the skin . others call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , though for the fewness of its feet ( for it hath but fourteen at most ) and because it cannot arch it self , it seems to be a far different kinde from a scolopender or galley-worm . farewel then all those dreams of guillerinus , vincentius , and pliny , concerning this matter : for we deny that these are galley-worms . but it is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , not from the form or flowness of an asse , but because it is of the same colour , as pennius writes : for it is a little creature with many feet , asse-coloured , breeding in moist places . dioscorid . lib. . cap. . gal. . de loc . affec . & . de simp . fac . cap. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the latines call it asellum , cutionem , porcellionem ; pliny said not well to call it centipes , since it hath but fourteen feet : the english from the form call them sowes , that is , little hogs : from the place where they dwell , tylers-louse , that is , lice in roofs of houses : they are called also thurflows , or jovial lice , from a spirit that was not hurtful , to whom our ancestors superstitiously imputed the sending of them to us . in some places also they call them cherbugs , and cheslips , but i know not why . the germans call them esel , eselgen , holtzwentle , that is , wood-lice , because they are oft-times found between the bark and the tree : george agricola cals it also shefflein , and vulgarly keller esel , as if you would say a cellar-hog . the saxons call it eselchan from its asse-colour , as the greeks , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; the italians , porcelletto ; the french , cloporle ; the spaniards , galmilha ; the arabians , harva , gauda , schachalochada , kiren , grix , saith sylvaticus . the brabanders call it piffe de suege . it is indeed a very small insect , scarce a fingers breadth long , and half a finger almost broad ; ( i speak of the greater ) of a colour wannish black , especially that is found in dunghils and in the earth ; but that which is under tyles and buckets is a perfect asse-colour . it hath fourteen feet , seven on each side : every foot hath one joynt , hardly to be perceived . it hath two short sailyards , that it may prove its way . being touched it turns it self round or ( as galen saith ) into the form of a a bean , whence it was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the sides about the feet are dented like a saw . it is bred under tyles , water-vessels , in the pith of rotten trees , between the bark and the tree corrupting , as also under rocks , growing from moisture putrefying . then they copulate , and after copulation they lay eggs ( whence comes a worm ) that are white , shining , like to small pearls ; they are many , and heaped up in the same place , as we observed in the year . they live on warm moisture , and pass the winter in the chink , or wals , or secret places of houses . from the eggs first somewhat hard worms are thrust out , which for some time stick almost unmovable , and are white : at length like their parents , they suck the dew and moisture . they are found also in hot and dry countreys ; but where they regain by the dew of the night and vapours , what moysture was consumed in the day . galen describes a chislep thus : it is a house-bred living creature , with many feet , bred under watry vessels , and dunghils , and if you touch it with your fingers it rols it self up . it is clear that aristotle knew it , because he compares a sea-louse unto it , when his tail is taken off . chisleps attenuate , open and discuss , as galen hath taught us out of asclepias . they seem contemptible to the sight , but they are excellent for diseases of the eyes . also inwardly ( for they are free from all poyson ) they are of great use ; for being bruised and drank in wine , they help difficulty of making water . dioscorides . to which medicament he adds this : take , saith he , or chisleps , boyl them in a little fish pickle , & drink of the pickle with water in two smal cups of an ounce and half apiece . pliny useth them for the stone and difficulty of urine thus : take mice and pigeons dung , of each half a dram ; two hog-lice or chisleps bruised , drink it , and the pain will cease , and you shall void either the stone , or much smal sand . we finde in gesners papers , that marianus barolitanus affirms the same : galen gives them drink in sweet wine , and so he cured many of the kings evill . asclepias most successefully used this kinde of remedy against the asthma and short windedness : take elaterium four grains , three hog-lice from a dung-hil , well bruised , and drink it with an ounce and half of water . gal. 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . asclepias also , building on the authority of the ancient physicians , much commends live hog-lice burnt in the fire , and taken to a spoonful : for by their property they cure asthma . hollerius and johannes agricola make good this opinion by their practise . some do torrifie in a dish a smal quantity of them into most white ashes , and then give them with honey . pliny saith they cure short breaths being bruised with athenian honey , and with little hot water , drank through a reed , that the teeth and mouth may not grow black . aetius for the same infirmity , gives five or six with hydromel . and marcellus the emperick reports , ch . . that hog-lice stamped with the best honey , and drank with water , will cure short windedness , pursiveness , and such as are almost choked , and the leprosie also , beyond belief . pliny writes that they are good in drink for consumptions , who farther maintains , that a penny weight of them given in three ounces of wine to drink , will cure the pains of the loyns and hips . alexis of piemont subscribes to this ; but caelius aurelianus dislikes this , and the like remedies from insects ; being so perswaded from the unusualness of such remedies , rather than from any hurt or inconvenience that proceeds from them . experience confirms that many fresh hog-lice well bruised and drank with wine , ale , beer , or any convenient liquor , or applyed but outwardly , can cure almost all diseases of the eyes that arise from any thing growing in them , or growing to them , ( except the cataract ) which we observed in the former chapter out of the breviary of arnoldus . for a quinsey , saith galen , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . they must be licked with honey , and the outside of the throat must be anointed with the same . hog-lice boyled with oyl of roses and heated in a pomegranate shell , and poured into the ears that are pained , do cure them . dioscorides . gal. lib. sec . loc . & eupor , commanded to boyl , or in oyl , and to press out the oyl and drop it into the ears of those were deaf , or had pains or tinklings in their ears . oyl of chisleps dropped into that ear is next an aking tooth takes away the pain certainly , that ariseth from a hot cause . aetius . . some mingle them with some convenient unguent and drop them into the ears . severus ( saith galen ) , poured them into ulcerated ears with good successe . faventinus ptescribes chisleps boyled in sowr oyl , for pains of the ears proceeding from cold : in which he shews that they must be anointed about the ears , and a little must be dropped in . cardan justifies the same remedy by experience . for wens , pliny takes a fourth part of rosin or turpentine to the dunghil chislep , by which medicament ( saith he ) swellings under the ears , kings-evils , and all such tumors are cured . marcellus empericus hath the same , and avicenna . . cap. . and from the authority of others , he adds , that chisleps taken in drink , cure the cramp , and alcuzes , which we have never known any to have said besides . if you often apply oyl or butter of hog-lice to a pained head , you shall cure the pain . gal. eupor . . . and absyrtus de quadrup . bruised , they cure the tonsils , and the diseases of the chops , dioscor . a live chislep laid to a whitloaf , cures it ; and it takes away swellings , if it be laid on with a third part of rosin or turpentine . pliny . take unguent populeon j. ounce , oyl of roses wherein hog-lice have been boyled j. ounce and half , saffron iv . grains , mingle them and make an unguent , that is a most noble cure for the hemorrhoids , that swell and are painful . others ( saith alexander benedictus ) boyl these chisleps with fat or butter , then they put to it the yolk of an egg ; and with this they asswage that cruel pain . pliny saith , they cure all hardness of wounds , and cancers , and worms in ulcers , being mingled with turpentine . and to conceal nothing from you , i thought fit to add , that pennius himself lying sick of the asthma , used for a long time hog-lice steeped in wine : but having done it alwaies to no effect , by my advice at last he did twice or thrice take in the smoke of brimstone through a tunnel , and he grew perfectly well from that horrid symptome . take oyl of violets iij. ounces , wherein let four chisleps boyl till a third part be consumed : it restrains a salt humour , being outwardly anointed . an incertain author . hens , water lizards , land frogs , and serpents feed on chisleps , as theophrastus writes . ambrose paraeus , a chirurgeon of paris , relates that one vomited a small living creature like to a chislep : and such a like thing solerius hath written concerning a certain woman , upon the second book of aetius . chap. x. of land scorpions . take off the claws of crabs that use the shore , and from their bodies with earth covered ore , a scorpion growes threatning with crooked sting . aelian cals this the flame-coloured , for it is like the crab that becomes red with boyling . there is another kinde of scorpion which we call rhasis , and the arabians scorpion , for nicander and the greeks never saw it : it is very bunchy , and runs swiftest of them all : it hath a tail for its small body that is very great ; it seems to be pale , but the sting put forth is very white : rhasis cals it jararets ; albuchasis , grati ; avicenna , algeraratie . it is found in the eastern countreys , especially in coz , and in hascari , as gordonius notes . philosophers say that the stings of other scorpions infuse a cold poyson : the arabians say that only this one , infuseth poyson that is hot . i saw one brought sorth of barbary , and we here give you the picture of it . the sting of all the tailed scorpions is hollow , whereby they cast poyson into the wound : as aelian reports l. . c. . to which pliny subscribes , lib. . cap. . and nicander in his theriacks . yet our galen is of another minde , lib. . de loc . aff . c. . where he speaks in these very words almost , to those who ascribed a specifical quality of hurting or helping to humours or vapours . but the sting of the scorpion deserveth much more to be admired , which in a very short time causeth extreme symptomes ; and that which is injected when it stingeth , is either very little or nothing at all , there appearing no hole in its sting : and indeed , when we sen that from the teeth pricks and stings of some creatures , fishs or plants , there is solid poyson conveyed into the wound by them ; what need we fly unto secret bladders , and perchance such as were never seen , that lie hid under the root of their stings , such as fruitful wits have rather invented , than solid judgements and those that were studious for the truth ? as i said , they have all six feet , besides the clawes that are their fore-legs , as crabs have , ( which i should more willingly call arms ) some of them ( if you look narrowly ) are forked : their tail consists sometimes of , or knotted joynts : in the end of the tail is one hollow sting , two sometimes , ( but that is more seldome ) . if it had its sting any where but in the tail ( saith aristotle lib. . histor . ) because it moves it self by steps , it were unuseful to sting withall : aelian saith , that its sting is very small , and scarse visible : out of whose invisible pipe , if there be any , such a venomous spirit , or moister humour is poured in by a wound made , that is scarse perceived or sensible . it walks side-waies as crabs do , alwaies moving the tail ready to strike , that no opportunity may be let slip . the males are the fiercer , slenderer , longer , and more spotted on their bellies , clawes and stings . the females again ( as avicenna well observes ) are greater , fatter , greater bellies , and milder . the poyson of the male is also more dangerous , as pliny thought , the female is more gentle ; but all their venome is white , unless apollodorus deceive us . it is apparent that they which have seven or nine joints on their tails , are the most curst : many have but six , it strikes athwart and bendingly . all of them have their poyson more violent at noon day , and in summer , when they are hot with the sun-beams , and when they are thirsty and are unsatiable for drink . the plague of it seems intolerable , and which with a heavy punishment destroys a man with a ling●ing death in three daies . their stinging is alwaies mortal for maids , and most commonly for all women : and for men in the morning , before they have cast out their venome by some accidental stroke , and are new come forth of their holds . it is the property of scorpions , that they will not sting the palm of the hand nor smooth parts , and no where unless they feel the hair . scorpions , as pliny supposeth , will hurt no living creature that wants bloud : which dr. wolfius of turin a most learned physician hath proved to be false : for he saw , as he reported to pennius , a viper shut up in a vessel with a scorpion , and they killed one another with mutual bitings and stingings . and aelian writes , l. . c. . that they do fight and contend with vipers , and all kinde of venomous insects for their meat : gesner saith it is certain that a viper will devour a scorpion : and from thence his bite will be the more grievous . also theophrastus writes that by the sting of scorpions serpents will dye , and not men . but galen depending on experience , hath proved it to be false , and appeacheth it for a lie . pennius shewes the fraud of aelian , relating , lib. . c. . the wonderful fraud of scorpions : but since i observed the same in italy , i will maintain the truth of the author , and free him of it . we know that the skill men have in that countrey , they employ it all to escape from the scorpions : whereupon they use sandals to defend themselves , and hang their beds on high from the ground , they place the props or supporters of their beds far from the wals , and set them in vessels full of water , and many other inventions they have to deceive or to destroy the scorpions . but the scorpions get up to the roofs of houses , and if they can finde any tyle broken they will remove it , and one of the strongest of their captains , ( trusting to the force of his claws ) hangs down by this chink , and his tail hanging down , then another upon his back comes down as by a ladder , and takes hold by the others tail , and a third takes hold of the seconds tail , and a fourth by his tail , and so the rest , until such time as by links they can reach the bed , then the last comes down and wounds one that lies asleep in his bed , and runs back again by the links of his fellowes , and so all the rest in order shift away , unlosing as it were the chain , untill they are all got up again upon one anothers backs . also clem. alexan. . stromat . makes mention of this property . but they are not all venomous , no● do they hurt or sting all men alike . for they do not live in sicily , and if there be any there , yet they do no hurt ; and therefore the psilli lost their labour when they undertook to free italy from this mischief that was a stranger to them , in hopes of gain . plin. lib. . cap. . aristotle writes of the same thing concerning pharos lib. . histor . c. . of the island malta , diodorus lib. . cap. . of the countrey noricum , joseph . scaliger , exerc . . . where you shall come in no place but you shal finde abundance of them , and yet they either sting not at all , or else there is no danger unto men by it . but now in egypt , sicily , africa , and albania , they wound mortally , as we re●d in the books of alexander de alexandro , pliny , dioscorides , strabo . in england , scotland , ireland , and gascony , scorpions cannot live , nor in the colder islands more northward . for though they cannot well bear the heat of the sun by day , and therefore lie under stones all day ; yet it seems they want no less heat in the night , for love whereof they come not only into chambers , but get into feather beds , and lay themselves down sometimes close to those that are asleep . men report many things concerning the countrey of trent set free from the deadly sting of scorpions by the prayer of st. vigilius . but it is at the readers choise to take it for a truth or for a fable . in scythia it is far otherwise , for there if a scorpion sting a man , a hog , or any beast or bird , they are certainly killed . cardan saith that such as wound mortally are seldome bred . but matthiolus reckons up an army of desperate symptomes that happen there , especially in hetruria , by the stingings of scorpions , sometimes joyned with death . and aelian l. . cap. . reports that in aethiopia mens lives are not only endangered by the stinging of the scorpions ; but if they do but tread on their excrements , their feet blister , and they can hardly be cured . he cals these scorpions sibrittas , they feed on vipers , blind-worms , lizards , spiders , and other venomous insects : whence they are so forcible with poyson , and have a kinde of graduation ( that i may use paracelsus ) in the use of it . aristotle speaks of some scorpions in caria that are very loving to strangers . ( aelian reports that this is about latmus a mountain of caria , where they are sacred to hospital jupiter , and do not sting any stranger ; or if they do , they do them no great hurt , but they kill the inhabitants presently when they sting them . a lion whensoever he sees a scorpion flies from him as from an enemy to his life : witness physiologus and st. ambrose gives credit to it . men say that such are never stung by wasps , homets , or bees , who are stung by a scorpion . pliny . their generation is twofold , common by copulation , more seldome , ( so far as we know of it ) from putrefaction . some maintain that they are not bred by copulation but by exceeding heat of the sun. aelian lib. . de anim. cap. . amongst whom galen must first be blamed , who in his book de foet . form . will not have nature but chance to be the parent of scorpions , flies , spiders , worms , of all sorts , and he ascribes their beginning to the uncertain constitutions of the heavens , place , matter , heat : but doubtless they do copulate , and they produce little worms alive ( which i have seen ) they are white and like to eggs , and they sit upon them to hatch them . so soon as their young are brought to perfection by them , they are driven away by their young , as it fals out with spiders also , ( especially those are called phalangium ) and they are destroyed by their young ones in great numbers . scorpions are fruitful creatures , for oft-times they bring forth eleven . some also suppose that they devour their young ( namely antigonus ) but only one that is more cunning than the rest , which hides it self about the dams legs , and so escapes the danger of its sting and biting . this afterwards revengeth the death of all the rest , and kils its parents from above . they bring forth twice a year , namely in spring and autumn . the original of scorpions from putrefaction is more rare , and it is many waies . for they are bred from crevis corrupted , pliny lib. . cap. . and from the carkass of the crocodile , as antigonus affirms , lib. de mirab . hist . cong . . for in archelaus there is an epigram of a certain aegyptian , in these words : the carkass of dead crocodiles is made the seed , by common nature , whence scorpions breed . aristotle adds further , that from water mints corrupting , scorpions are bred . and kiramides and pliny say they breed of basil . an italian that delighted much in the smell of basil , a scorpion bred in his brain , which afterward caused most vehement , and long during tortures , and lastly death . hollerius , lib. . cap. . of his practise . gesner heard as much of a french maid , as he testifieth with his own hand writing . doctor banchinus second to none for anatomy , reported to doctor pennius , that he hid basil in a wall at paris , and after a certain time he found two scorpions in the same place . chrysippus therefore not without cause , dispraised basil to many men . there are some that maintain that if a man eat basil the day he is stung with a scorpion , he cannot escape death . others say , that if a handful of basil be bruised with ten sea crabs or river crabs , and be left in a place where scorpions haunt , all the scorpions will come about it . pliny lib. . cap. . but dioscorides lib. . , and lib. . cap. . saith that crabs will kill scorpions , if they be put to them with basil . albertus magn. lib. . anim . cap. . some are of avicenna's opinion that they breed of corrupt wood , and are made many waies . the place conduceth much to their generation and production . for in hispaniola , the canaries , numidia , scythia , pescara , barbary , aethiopia , there are such multitudes of scorpions , that the inhabitants are oftentimes forced to forsake their habitations : oviedus , thevetus , leo afer , pliny . the countrey about the lake arrhata , in the east indies near the river estamenum , is so fruitful and so pestered with scorpions , that the inhabitants not knowing what course to take , left the place to them . aelian lib. . cap. . when you are two daies journey from susa in persia into media , you shall light upon an infinite number of scorpions , whereupon the king of persia being to ride that way , commands the citizens three daies before to hunt the scorpions , and assigns a very great reward for those that catcht most of them . if he should not do so , by reason of the multitude of scorpions lying under every stone , there could be no passage . aelian . lib. . cap. . the east indies , as agatharsis testifieth , and africa also , breeds abundance and very great scorpions , which also wound with their stings as the others in europe do . the scorpions of america are the smallest of all , yet the most venomous , next to those of africa : their poyson works so suddenly , that it immediately flies to the heart and kils the party that is stung . the people of noricum near the alpes , have in their countrey many scorpions , but ( which is wonderful in nature ) they are all harmless , as scaliger affirms . in pharos also , and the territory of avarrium , the scorpions ( as we said before ) do no hurt . in some places of helvetia ( as about rappisvill ) there are found very small scorpions , and innocent . gesner . so it is also in some countreys of germany . in new hispaniola there are a great many scorpions , but not very venomous ; there is some pain that followes their stinging , but it is not great , nor of long continuance , and men are more hurt by the stings of wasps or bees : unless it were so that the scorpions were fasting , or newly wounded . manardus . but the scorpions in the island ferrata ( which is one of the fortunate islands ) and coptum in aegypt , cause great pain , and their venome is mortal . in castile a countrey of spain , the countrey folk oft-times whilest they plough up the ground , do finde innumerable scorpions , clustered together like pismires , where they lye hid all the winter . matthiolus . the colder countreys have no scorpions , as gascony , england , ireland , scotland , denmark , and great part of germany , or if there be any there , they are not venomous . aelian reports a wonderful thing concerning the priests of isis , which in copto , a city of egypt , where there are abundance of deadly scorpions , they can tread upon them , and cast them on the ground , and yet receive no harm by them . also psylli , a people of africa cannot be hurt not stung by scorpions . for when they come to any venomous creature , it presently becomes stupid , as if it were charmed or struck dead , that it cannot move . also all their hogs , but not the black ones , ( for if they be stung they die presently ) are free from their stings . lastly , a scorpion nor any other venomous beast , doth not hurt a stellio , an ascalabotes , a crab , a hawk , as galen ad pisonem , and our friend gesner have observed . they live by eating the ground , and in some places they feed on herbs , lizards , blinde-worms , whurls , beetles , and all poysonous beasts . aelian . but he that shall tread on the excrements will have his feet blistered . the hens , ibis , vipers eat abundantly of them , whence aristotle cals the viper 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . and they are not more fit for their food , than they are a remedy for us . for being laid to their own wounds they made , they cure them , as is generally known . also a scorpion bruised resists the poyson of a stellio . pliny . some bruise them and drink them in wine , casting away their tails . others lay them on burning coles , and perfume the wound , and then strew the scorpions ashes upon it . some binde them to the wound , being bruised with salt , linseed , and marsh-mallowes . against the stone , lanfrancus his powder : take . live scorpions , close them in a pot with a narrow mouth , and with a soft fire burn them to ashes , which is a wonderful remedy against the stone : a scorpion torrified and burnt to ashes and taken with bread , breaks the stone of the bladder . author ad pisonem . three scorpions closed in a new earthen pot , and covering it with a cover well luted , with a fire made of vine branches , bring them to ashes in an oven ; the dose is grains with syrup de quinque radicibus : it wonderfully drives forth stones of the kidneys . new authors exceedingly commend the ashes of scorpions amongst the remedies against the stone , and the oyl of them injected into the bladder , and anointed outwardly . alexand. benedictus , aggregator , and leonellus faventinus out of galen ( eupor . ) teach us to burn three small scorpions , and to give their ashes in syrup , or a decoction , or some confection proper for it , to break the stone . and lib. . he bids us to mingle them with fat , being calcined , and so to exhibit them ; because otherwise the patients would abhor the eating of them , wherefore they may be given without suspicion . that medicament of abolaus , that arnoldus praiseth so much , is made of the ashes of scorpions , as you may see in . breviarii cap. . as also the admirable syrup of the king of france against the stone , which is described in the same book and chapter . rondeletius , capite de calculo , in his practise , maintains that a scorpion is cold , and therefore to drive out the stone we must use the compound , and not the simple oyl of scorpions . matthiolus teacheth to make that compound oyl , commentar . pag. . . but before him , luminare maius , made that after this manner . take round birthwort , roots of gentian , ciperus , barks of capers , of each j. ounce , oyl of bitter almonds j. kist . let them stand in the sun daies ; then add to it scorpions , and shutting the vessel again very close set them in the sun so many daies as before . then strain the oyl and keep it for your use . others prepare it thus : take old oyl as much as you please , put as many scorpions into it as you can take in july ( for then are they most venomous and fittest for this remedy ) add to them white dittany , leaves of wormwood , betony , vervain , rosemary , of each j. handful , set them a sunning for a long time , then distil them in balneo in a limbeck . it is called st. bernards oyl . it powerfully provokes urine . anointed on the groin , it is prevalent against the bitings of scorpions , how venomous soever . it drives out worms miraculously . brassavolus . of oyl of scorpions and vipers tongues , is made a most excellent remedy against the plague , as crinitus testifies , . . manardus saith that oyl of scorpions is now made with old oyl , adding many medicaments thereto commended against poysons , and it is admirable in the plague , and against all venome . i know a man that having only this remedy , made no reckoning of the greatest plague ; and had not only preserved himself but his servants also , whom he sent to visit people that were sick of the plague ; and i know very many that escaped only by anointing themselves , having drank the most deadly poysons . so sayes manardus . a liniment of scorpions against the plague , and all poysons , is described by fumanellus , lib. de cur . pest . cap. . a scorpion is good also against a wound given by a viper , saith galen l. de simpl . samonicus commends them highly against pains in the eyes , in these verses : if that some grievous pain perplex thy sight , wool wet in oyl is good bound on all night . carry about thee a live scorpions eye , ashes of coleworts if thou do apply , with bruised frankincense , goats milk , and wine , one night will prove this remedy divine . if any one troubled with the jaundies take scorpions bruised in wine and honey , galen saith he shall quickly finde help . kiranides , against a quartain ague , quotidian , or tertian , prescribes a scorpion put into a glass of oyl about the wane of the moon , and kept there ; and with this oyl anoint the whole body on the joynts , and the soles of the feet , and the palms of the hands , very well before the coming of the ague . plinius secundus saith , that a quartan ague , as the magicians report , will be cured in three daies by a scorpions four last joynts of his tail , together with the gristle of his e●● , so wrapt up in a black cloth , that the sick parent may neither perceive the scorpion that is applied , nor him that bound it on . but let these superstitions pass , and we shall speak something of antidotes against scorpions . first therefore of prophylacticks . magicians deny that a scorpion can pass over if he be compassed in with a branch of turnsole : and the herb laid upon him kils him . pliny . a smoke made with brimstone , galbanum , and an asses hoof , dtives away scorpions . rhasis . take scorax , arsenick , sheeps-dung , fat of the caul of sheep , equal parts , dissolve them in wine , and make a fume by the holes of scorpions . if a radish cut be put into their holes , they will not come forth . a scorpion burnt is good , the liver of an asse , sandaracha , with butter or goats suet to make a fume . varignana and diophanes in geopon . rhasis commends the root of elecampane carried about one . macer writes of monsteek thus : men say that housleek hath so soveraign a might , who carries but that , no scorpion can him bite . if a man anoynt his hand with an herb called paris , or with the juice of the root , he may safely take a scorpion in his hand , flaminius . grapes preserve men from the stingings of scorpions , as also filberds carried in their purses . aetius . also the seed of wilde docks either drives them away , or their stinging is not mortall . dioscorid . who also saith from the africans , that basil will do the like . larks spur , and wilde campions also makes them stupid and astonished : the same author . and saith he , they report , as long as any man hold carduus in his hand , a scorpion will not bite him , or if he do , it will not hurt him . the seed of wood-sorrell drank , preserves one from scorpions . avicenna . if you lay solomons seal under you , it keeps off scorpions . isidorus . and pliny learned from the inhabitants of africa , that he that carries radish-root , or turnsole , or a dried beast like a lizard about him , scorpions will not hurt him : so dittany in smoke , or wilde mints , or oyl of scorpions anoynted about their holes , will keep them from coming into the chambers . rhasis . but these things will kill them laid upon them : radish-root chewed , broad leav'd basil that growes by the water side , mallowes leaves , black hellebore , ( but the white will quicken them when they are dying , if pliny may be believed ) scorpions grasse , rose-root , basil with a red flower , the spittle of a cholerick man fasting . rhasis , pliny , avicenna , democritus in geopon . to cure the sting and wound guilielmus de placentia , prescribes this in general , namely , to give and apply inwardly and outwardly , presently , good theriac ; then the part affected must be cut , and an actuall cautery set to it , and the poyson drawn forth with cupping-glasses . galen bids binde the part above , and to cut off the parts affected . gal. . de loc . aff . c. . but since that is a very hard and cruel remedy for the patient , i thought fit to write from the antients what remedies are cures for this wound . you shall first know the stinging of a scorpion thus : the place is presently red and inflamed , and by turns , ( as in an intermitting ague ) waxing cold , and the sick is sometimes better , sometimes worse . he sweats all over , his hairs stare upright , his whole body waxeth pale , his secrets swell , he breaks winde backwards , his eyes run with clammy tears and filth , his joynts grow hard , and he hath the falling of the tuel , he fomes at mouth , he is drawn backwards by convulsions , and troubled with the hickop , and sometimes great vomiting , he is quickly weary of labour , he is vexed and troubled with sense of horror , the outward parts of his body are cold , a pricking pain runs over all his skin , sometimes he thinks that hail falls upon him ; for galen asking one that was stung with a scorpion , what he felt , ( . de loc . aff . c. . ) he said he seemed all covered over and almost frozen with hail . aetius addes , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or warts of the fundament like ants ; after these fainting , then swounding , and finally death . aetius writes , that if the lower parts be stung , the groins swell presently , if the upper parts , then the arm-pits . the wound being now known and viewed , and opened by section , and the generall cure we speak of applyed , whereof authors are plentifull . galen amongst outward remedies , reckons balsamum , true worm-wood , or the juice of black mirtle-berries anoynted . also he diversly commends the spittle of one that is fasting , and useth it as a charm , lib. . simpl. and he bids give inwardly the balsam with womans milke , the saphire stone in powder , assa faetida , scordium , centaury the lesse , rue , castoreum . out of cassion the phisician he commends this : take assa faetida , galbanum , each alike , make it up with the decoction of scordium , and round birthwort . the dose is the bignesse of a small nut with hot water . out of andromachus he commends this , lib. de theriac . take theriac two drams , wine four ounces , mingle and drink them . dioscorides outward remedies applyed . cyprus bruised and laid on . amomum used with basil . the milk of the fig-tree , or the juice of sage dropt in , the scorpion it self bruised . sow-thistle beaten . succory . hawk-wood . balm . bush-flower . mull-berries . larks-heels . the flesh of a fish called smaris . the barbel fish cut in two . a fish called lacerta salted and cut in pieces . house mice cut asunder . internal remedies from dioscorides . cardamonum . juice of myrtles . bay-berries . horse or ass dung . seed of campions . mullens . chamaepitys . scorpion-grasse . turnsole . calamint . trifoly . scordium . lotus rustica . applyed . basil with barley-flour . wheat-meal with vinegar and wine . marjoram with vinegar and salt. assa dissolved in wine . sea-water . quick brimstone with rosin and turpentine . salt with linseed . galbanum made for a plaister . other external remedies out of avicenna . marjoram laid on with vinegar . root of coloquintida bruised . reed roots bruised . the shell of an indian small nut. rams flesh burnt . mummie four grains , with butter & cows milk . decoction of ameos . bran plaister-wise . wine new boyled . bark of frankincense . the white thistle . white thorn. pine kernels . dates . figs. mountain poly. anacardi . ashes of kaly . wheat bran boyled with pigeons dung . salt of urine . oyl of wormwood . decoction of nettles or chamomile . but white naptha is the principal remedy , laid on hot . it is also good to suck out the venome with ones mouth , unlesse it be first ulcerated , and then to apply such things as inflame , as pellitory of spain , and garlick . seed of sowr dock . the herb phalangium . daffadil seed and flowers drank in wine , and also bramble flowers so taken . parsnip-seed . turnsole . cypress boughs . rue . origanum . loveage with black leaves . the juice of dog-fennel sow-thistle drank . the decoction of gentian-root . the bark of birthwort . penniroyall . a broiled scorpion eaten . river-crabs raw and bruised , and drank with asses milk . mans urine drank . internals of the same author . juice of worm-wood with vinegar . doronicum . cinamon . myrrhe . wilde saffron-leaves and fruit . citron-seed . mummie . galbanum . roots of coloquintida and gentian . the indian small nut eaten , and the theriac of it . the root of squills eaten , is admirable against the bitings of scorpions . locusts broiled and eaten . juice of onions and of worm-wood . juice of the lesser centaury . also new boyled wine helps much . the antidote of anderam , otherwise braz . the king of sicily . take castoreum one dram , scordium two drams , costmary one dram and half , assa faetida three drams and half , make it up with honey . the dose is one dram and half , or two drams with wine . another of the same . take birthwort round and long , each one aureus , cumin-seed three drams , assa faetida , caraway , rue-seed , each two drams , castoreum four drams , make it up with honey . the dose is two drams with the hot decoction of gentian root , or birthwort , and wine ; he gave also two drams of assa faetida , and sometimes three drams , wood laurell with vinegar . a medicament of andro a greek philosopher . take rue-seed , live brimstone , of each six aurei , castoreum one aureus , assa faetida one aureus and half , pellitory of spain , liquid storax , of each one aureus , make it up with honey . the dose is half an ounce with vinegar of the best wine . another excellent remedy . take rue-seed one aureus , castoreum half so much , birthwort round and long , of each two aurei , roots of gentian , assa faetida , of each eight drams , ( or eight aurei ) make it up with honey . the dose is one dram and half with pure wine . the electuary of zeno , or diaruta . take assa faetida , bitter costus and sweet , each five aurei , round birthwort , agarick , each two aurei , castoreum , cinamon , aloes , each three drams , roots of orris , sarcocolla , each one dram and half , long birthwort , gentian , each six drams , make it up with honey . the dose is three drams . he commends also the great theriac of andromachus , esdras , mithridate , and the theriac diatesseron . the description of it is this . take gentian , bay-berries , long birth-wort , myrrhe , each alike , make it up with clarified honey . the dose is one aureus with hot water . another against the bitings of scorpions . take seed of wilde rue , aethiopian cumin , seed of trifolie , minianth , each alike , with vinegar what may suffice , make a confection . the dose is one aureus . another . take garlick , nuts , of each one part , rue leaves dried , assa faetida , myrrhe , of each half as much , make it up with milk . the dose is three drams . another . take castoreum , white pepper , myrrhe , opium , of each alike , make troches . the dose is three oboli with four ounces of wine . another . take opoponax , myrrhe , galbanum , castoreum , white pepper , each alike , make them up with liquid storax and honey . another . take roots of coloquintida , of capers , worm-wood , long birthwort , wilde succory , each alike . give children one scruple , men one dram , it is of wonderfull vertue in this disease . another . take green grassewort juice with cows milk , boyl it like to an electuary . the dose is two aurei , they say this helps much . another . take opium , seeds of white hen-bane , make it up with honey , and mingle it with hotter things to temper it . if any man will have more from avicenna , he shall finde it can. . fen. . tract . . externall remedies out of rhasis . the hot oyl of anacardi standing in the shell of an egge , rubbed in , let the wounded part be first bound , then let it loose , and anoynt it with jesamin oyl . the third day open a vein , but after meat and sleep . also anoynt the place with castoreum , melanacardinum , and garlick , laying on a plate of lead anoynted with quick-silver . sagapenum applyed outwardly heats the wound , and a weasels flesh laid over it . rub the place with a topaz , and it will be cured . the wound is bettered by rubbing a flie upon it . it may be cured with water from radish-leaves , and oyl of mustard-seed , and marjoram . serapio writes that boyled butter doth good . internals of rhasis . sweat must be procured any way , by external and internal means . take nuts , and garlick cleansed , of each alike , bruise them . the dose is one ounce , and an hour after let him drink wine . others adde to this a like quantity of dryed rue , myrrhe , and assa . the dose is three drams with pure wine . another . take nigella seed one part , assa three parts , the dose is one trochis , with one ounce of wine . another . let him drink strong wine till he be almost drunk , and in the morning open a vein . another . take roots of coloquintida , bark of roots of capers , worm-wood , long birthwort , endive-seed , of each alike , make a powder . the dose is one dram , for children one scruple . another theriac against the stingings of scorpions . take round birthwort , roots of gentian , bay-berries , roots of capers , coloquintida , worm-wood , swallow-wort , white briony , each alike , make it up with honey . another . take myrrhe , opoponax , smallage , each one dram and half , white briony , long birthwort , pellitory of spain , each six drams , seeds of rue , gith , trifoly , each three drams , gum , arabick , what may suffice , with vinegar make trochis . the dose is one dram to one dram and half . another . take cloves of garlick cleansed five drams , nuts ten drams , assa one dram , incorporate them well . the dose is two drams . another . take gentian , birth-wort , myrrhe , bitter costus , rue , castoreum , wilde mints dried , pellitory of spain , pepper , gith-seed , assa faetida , each alike , make them up with honey , the dose is one aureus with wine . also the powder of eringo root is good with hot water , and the powder of dodder . also one aureus of napellus with water . ivy and polium with water are very profitable . if a fever come upon it , open a vein . asses drie dung drank with wine is very helpfull . thus much from rhasis . external remedies from albucasis . anoynt the place with oyl of ben. for many dayes , or oyl of jasmin , grinde euphorbium with it , and castoreum , or else castoreum and garlick ground together , with old oyl for a plaister . a frog cut and laid on is very good . take old oyl one pound , wax four ounces , euphorbium one ounce , melt it in the oyl , and anoynt the place with it . internals from albucasis . let him drink hot milk from the cow with wine or honey . cinquefoil-seed , and lees of wine , are theriac in this disease , as also rocket-seed . hiera anacardina against the stings of scorpions . take pellitory of spain , gith-seed , bitter costus , black pepper , acorns , of each ten ounces , leaves of rue , assa faetida , roots of genrian , long birthwort , bay-berries , castoreum , cassia lignea , mustard , melanacardium , of each five drams , make up the powders with oyl of nuts , and with juice of radish-root make it compleat . the dose is one dram daily , it causeth sweat . the brains of a hen in drink is very usefull . haly abbas brings nothing that is new , but only takes other mens prescriptions . concerning some seals ( amongst the hundred sayings of ptolemy ) and some fashions for charms , both he and kiranides make mention , but a christian beleeves it not , nor are they worthy to be recorded by him . joannitius mightily commends a plaister with garlick and butter , or to anoynt the place with oyl of peter , or pure juice of leeks . he prescribes to give inwardly of the pith of the greater spurge four scruples , with warm water . rabby moyses prescribes one sextula of frankincense with wine sufficient . also he exhibits pigeons dung dried , and finely powdered with butter and honey . the dose is two sextulas . guil. de placentia bids men give drie or green marjoram inwardly , to drink it with mans urine , and to apply it outwardly . constantinus . pantechn . lib. commends hens dung , or the heart applyed outwardly , and pimpernel inwardly , taken with wine , and powder of gentian , cinamon , centaury . averrhois extolls bezar stone above all , the dose is the fourth part of an aureus . aristotles 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , describes a kinde of locust that is an antidote against the scorpion , which eaten presently cures the stingings of scorpions . serapio affirms the root of the male coloquintida bruised and laid to the wound , that it will take away the pain . he commends inwardly wormwood , lettice-seed with garlick , mummy two grains , with the decoction of sampire , and leaves of laserwort . oribasius approves of the lilly roots , and leaves , bruised and applyed , as also a plaister of vervain , and it is thus made . take vervain three ounces , rosin six ounces , wax , pitch , of each two ounces and half , oyl half an ounce , make a plaister . inwardly he commends the ashes of river-crabs with goats milk , or juice of agrimony two ounces , with a draught of wine , or the root of dragons bruised , with wine . aetius commends water calamints and nip , which some think to be so called because it is an antidote against nepas , that is scorpions . he saith , garden-snails bruised and laid on draws forth the venome ; he commends also upright and green vervain , if it be laid on for a cataplasm . also sheeps dung laid on with wine . he makes also this plaister . take wilde rue bruised with vinegar one dram , wax one dram , pine rosin three ounces , make a plaister , it is admirable against the stingings of scorpions . inwardly , he writes that garden parsnips cure beyond expectation , be it eaten green or dried , and drank with wine . take castoreum , lazerwort , pepper , of each four drams , bitter costus , spikenard , saffron , juice of centaury the lesse , of each two drams , clarified honey what may suffice , mingle them . the dose is the quantity of a hazel-nut with wine and water ; it drives the scorpions venome from any part , as aetius proved on himself . aegineta gives quick brimstone bruised with a river-crab to drink in wine . nonus bids lay on litharge or silver presently upon the place stung , and he commends brimstone , if it be taken the quantity of an aegyptian bean with eight grains of pepper in wine . anatolius commends this , to sprinkle crows dung upon the stinging of the scorpion . silvaticus out of haly , commends a want , or the greater house mouse laid on , and out of serapio , pewter powdered and drank . orpheus commends coral in drink , and the stone called scorpiodes laid on with a garlik-head . octavius , areteus , horatinus , zoroastres , florentinus , apuleius , democritus , and other authors of the geoponica , adde but a few things to the medicaments of the antients , besides some old wives fables , and inchanted prints that are hatefull to god and man. pliny tells such a fiction , but no man can tell with what reason or credit : if , saith he , one that is stung with a scorpion get up upon an asse , with his face toward his tail , he shall do well , but the asse will suffer . myrepsus extolls the herb flower-de-luce , well bruised , and then drank with wine or vinegar . quintus serenus writes thus , and adviseth , these are small things , but yet their wounds are great , and in pure bodies ●urking do most harm , for when our senses inward do retreat , and men are fast asleep , they need some charm , the spider and the cruel scorpion are wont to sting , witnesse great orion , slayn by a scorpion , for poysons small have mighty force , and therefore presently lay on a scorpion bruised , to recall the venome , or sea-water to apply is held full good , such vertue is in brine , and 't is approv'd to drink your fill of wine . pliny amongst outward means addeth these : mustard-seed bruised , pimpernel , roots of chamaeleon , sea-weeds , wilde onions , hares rennet , tortoyse-gall , ashes of hens dung , colts-foot , and mullen-leaves : it is exceeding good to purge the body within , very well , with the seed of wilde cucumber , and elaterium , and then to drink the juice of lettice , and to drink the dried leaves and stalks in vinegar . ammi drank with linseed . in wine . the seed of hyacinth with southern-wood . wilde cumin . seeds of trifoly , and rocket . the third kinde of canila . four oboli of agarick . fennel-seed . the juice of jelly-flowrs and plantain . root of cyprus . the ashes of river frogs . great saffron . chamaipythe . cresses . the herb nodia . yellow camomil . seed of white thorn. the tender stalks of green figs. flame-coloured campions . bay-berries .   arnoldus villanovanus hath these : herb trinity cures the wounds of scorpions , and kills the scorpions themselves . let the sick drink one spoonfull of the juice of the root of dwarf-elder with wine , and it is an infallible remedy . take of the roots of cappars , coloquintida , worm-wood , long aristolochia , gentian , bay-berrles , yellow ben. white briony , of each alike , make it up with honey . the dose is the quantity of a nut with wine . another . take seeds of wilde rue , cumin , garlick , hazel-nuts , of each one dram , leaves of dryed rue one grain and half , myrrhe , frankincense , each one grain , white pepper , opium , each three drams , opopon●x , galbanum , of each half a dram , make it up with honey . the dose is the magnitude of a bran with wine . john arden an english man , ( he was in his time the most skilfull chirurgeon in england ) after his long practise in england and france , he affirms he could finde nothing more safe against the sting of the scorpion , then to draw forth two or three drops of bloud hard by the wound , and presently to anoint the wound with the same bloud . celsus saith that those physicians did some such thing , who were wont to keep the bloud they drew forth of the arms of those that were stung . and this shall suffice for remedies against the stingings of scorpions . if any man chance to be bit by rhasis scorpion , ( which we called bunch't-back ) the first day a smal pain is perceived , but the second , straightness , heaviness , and sadness is seized on the sick ; the colour of the body is divers almost every hour , and changing from green , yellow , white , and red ; whence it may appear , that all the humours are infected , the place burns by the confluence of pain , and humour , swounding followes , and trembling of the heart , an acute feaver , and swelling of the tongue , by reason of humours melted and corrupting in the brain , and falling down on the roots and muscles of the tongue : sometimes also the urine is bloudy , by reason of the acrimony of the venomous matter , and green choler is cast forth by vomit , also the guts are tormented with a sharp and vehement pain . almost all symptomes fall upon the nerves that can happen to them . rhasis bids cure all these things this way : first , incision being made on the place , and cupping glasses applyed , burn it with a strong actual cautery , then anoint the wound with the juice of wilde endive , or with oyl of roses , barley water , juice of apples , and with all cold things . if the belly be not soluble , make it so with a gentle clyster , and the juice of blites , nitre , and oyl of violets , and let the patient take this theriack . take opopanax , myrrhe , galbanum , castoreum , white pepper , of each alike , make it up with liquid storax and honey . the dose is the quantity of a jujube : the part must be fumed with a piece of a milstone heat , and sprinkled with vinegar . also foment it with water of wilde lettice . the usual theriack . take the rind of the root of cappa●is , root of coloquintida , wormwood , round birthwort , hepatica , wilde dandelion , dried , each alike ; make a powder : the dose ●s two drams ; also sowre apples must be eaten , for pain in the belly : let him drink oyl of roses , with barley water , citrals , gourds , also give sowre milk. for trembling of the heart : let him take juice of endive , or syrup of vinegar , or syrup of apples , with troches of camphire , or sowre milk the same way . if the wound be afflicted with great pain : lay on a cataplasm of bole and vinegar : for a defensative and for a sharp remedy , lay on euphorbium , or castoreum , poly root drank with water , and a rams flesh burnt , is profitable . theriack called hascarina , first invented in the province of hascarum . take leaves of red roses iv . drams , spodium ij . drams , citron sanders ij . drams and half , saffron j. dram , licorice ij . drams , seeds of citrals , melons , cucumers , gourds , gum tragant , spike , e 〈…〉 j. dram , lignum aloes , cardamon , amylum , camphir , each j. dram , most white sugar , manna , each iij. drams , with the mucilage of fleawort and rose-water , what may suffice , make it up . the people of hascarum was wont to draw bloud from the sick ( saith holy abbas ) almost till they fainted : then they gave sweet milk to drink , and water distilled from sowre apples . also they gave sowre milk in great quantity . thus the arabians speak of this pestilent kinde of scorpions that nicander and all the greeks were ignorant of , and that was too common in the countrey of hascarum . now we will speak of spiders . chap. xi . of the name of spiders , and their differences . the latine name araneus , or aranea , is in greek , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , from the slender feet it hath , or from its high gate , fom the cobwebs it spins : others call him 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or muscatricem ; kiramides , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; hesychius , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; the hebrews , acabitha , acbar , acabish , semamith ; in arabick , sibth , and phihit , aldebahi , and aldebani , as it is called by bellunensis : the germans call it spinn , and banker ; the english , attercop , spider , spinner ; the brabants , spini , and french , araigne ; italian , ragno , ragna ; the spanish , arana , or taranna ; the sclavonians , spawauck ; the polonians , paiack ; the barbarians , koatan , kersenati ; isidore , l. . c. . saith it is called aranea , because it is bred and nourished by the air : a twofold error : for if they live by the air , wherefore are they so careful to weave nets , and catch flies ? and if they were bred of the air , wherefore do they copulate ? wherefore do they thrust forth little worms and eggs ? but we will pardon the elegant etymologer , because who makes a custome to play thus with words . there are many of these kindes , and all of them have three joynts in their legs : a little head and body small , with slender feet , and very tall , belly great , and from thence come all the webs it spins . now spiders are venomous , or harmless ; of harmless some are tame or house-spiders , those are the biggest of all ; others live in the open air , and from their greediness are called hunters or wolves : the smaller kindes of these do not weave ; but the greater sort begins his web very sharp and small by the hedges , or upon the ground , having a little hole to creep into , and laying the beginnings of his webs within , observing whilest something shakes the web , then he runs to catch it . the venomous spiders called phalangia , are so venomous , that the place they wound will presently swell . these are of two kindes ; for some are less , some greater ; the less are various , violent , sharp , salacious , and going as it were rebounding , which as we read , are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , or fleas , or apes ; others are called oribates , which are found especially on trees in mountains ; they are called hypodromi , because they live under leaves . gesnerus . it is a hairy creature , and breeds in the greater trees . the belly of it is moderately with incisions , that the cutting may seem to be marked by thred . aelianus . chap. xii . of spiders that are hurtful , or phalangia . grievous symptomes follow the bitings of pismire phalangium , for there followes a mighty swelling on the part bitten , the knees grow weak , the heart trembles , the forces fail , and oft-times death succeeds . nicander saith that the sick sleep so deeply , that they are alwaies asleep at last , and are in the same condition as those are that are stung by the viper : histories relate that cleopatra set one to her breast , that she might escape augustus without pain , nor is the wound deadly unless it be wholly neglected . rhagium makes very small wound , and that cannot be seen , after it hath bitten : the lower parts of the eyes , as also of the cheeks wax red , then horror and fainting seize on the loyns , and weakness on the knees , the whole body is very cold & hath no heat , and the nerves suffer convulsion from the malignity of the venome . the parts serving for generation are so debilitated , that they can harly retain their seed , they make water like to spiders , webs , and they feel pain as those do are stung with a scorpion . from the sting of asterion , men seem wholly without strength , their knees fail them , shivering and sleep invade the patient . the blew spider is worst of all , causing darkness and vomitings like spiders webs , then fainting , weakness of the knees , coma , and death . dysderi , or wasp-like phalangium , causeth the same symptomes with the blew , but milder , and with a slow venome brings on putrefaction . where the tetragraphii bite , the place is whitish , and there is a vehement and continual pain in it , the part it self growes small as far as the joynts . lastly , the whole body findes no profit by its nourishment ; and after health recovered , men are troubled with immoderate watchings . aetius : nicander denies directly that the ash-coloured tetragnathon can poyson one by biting him . the cantharis like , or pulse phalangium raiseth wheals , which the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the minde is troubled , the eyes are wrested aside , the tongue stammers and fails , speaking things improperly , the heart is as it were moved with fury , and flies up and down . the vetch kinde produceth the same mischiefs , and cause horses that devour them , and cattel to be very thirsty , and to burst in the middle . cranocalaptes , saith pliny , if it bite any one , death followes shortly after . but aetius and nicander affirm the contrary , and that the wound thereof is cured without any trouble almost at all . head-ache , cold , vertigo , restlesness , tossings , and pricking pains of the belly follow , but they are all asswaged ( saith nicander ) by fit remedies . sclerocephalus , is like to this in form , and forces and effects the same things , as also the scolecium . we said that the downy phalangium drives away barrenness , if it be carried about one , but whether it be violently venomous , i know no man that hath determined it . the spotted or phalangium of apulia , doth produce divers and contrary symptomes according to the complexion of him that is wounded , and his present disposition . for some laugh , some cry , some speak faulteringly , others are wholly silent , this man sleeps , the other runs up and down alwaies waking ; this man rejoyceth , is merry and moves up and down , that is sad , slothful , dull ; some think themselves to be kings , and command all ; some are sad , and think they are in captivity , and fettered : lastly , as men drunk are not of one quality : so are these that are mad , some are fearful , silent , trembling ; some are bold , clamo●ous , constant . this is common to them all , to delight in musical instruments , and to apply their mindes and bodies to dancing and leaping at the sound of them . lastly , when by continuance of the disease and the vehemency of it , they seem next unto death , yet when they hear musick they recollect their spirits , and they dance with greater chearfulness every day . these dancings being continued night and day , at length the spirits being agitated , and the venome driven forth by insensible transpiration they grow well . but if the musicians upon any cause do but leave off playing , before the fuel of this mischief be spent , the sick fall into the same disease that they were first oppressed with . we must admire this most , above other things , that all those that are stung with the the tarantula , dance so well , as if they were taught to dance , and sing as well as if they were musically bred . ( in italy it was first invented , and custome hath taken it up to call such as are bitten , tarantati , or tarantulati . ) cardanus against faith and experience , denieth that musick can restore any that are bitten ; yet we heard the same thing fell out at basil , from felix , platerus , theodore , zuingerus , our most famous , and dear masters , and we read the same in matthiolus , bellunensis , ponzettus , and paracelsus . and if the sweet musick of pipes could help mad horses , and pains of the hips , ( as asclepiades writes ) why may it not help those are stung with a tarantula ? some there are that assign to this disease , some i know not what small deity , as superintendent over it : they call him st. vitus that had formerly great skill in singing , he being called upon and pacified with musick , as he is the patron of musick cures them , so that men superstitiously impute that to him , which they should do to musick and dancing . bellonius reports that the cretian phalangium induceth the like mischiefs , and the pain and wound of it is also cured by musick . it is no wonder the ancients described not these two kindes of phalangia , because they knew them not , nor did the shew the waies how to cure their stingings . dioscorides writes thus of the common bitings of the phalangia . the symptomes that follow their bitings are commonly these : the place stung looketh red , but neither swels , nor waxeth hot , but it is something moist ; when it growes cold , the whole body quakes , the hams and groins are stretched out , there is a collection made in the loins , they are often urged to make water , and they sweat with very great pain , and labour to go to the stool , and cold sweat runs down every where , and tears trickle down from their darkned eyes . aetius adds further : they are kept waking , they have frequent erection of the yard , their head pricks , sometimes their eyes and their legs grow hollow . their belly is unequally stretched out with winds , and their whole body swels , chiefly their face , their gums , their tongues , and tonsils , they bring forth their words foolishly and gaping , sometimes they are troubled with difficulty to make water , they are pained in their secrets , they make urine like water and full of cobwebs . the part affected is pricked and swels , ( which dioscorides denied before ) and it is moderately red . so saith aetius , from whom paulus , actuarius , ardoynus , differ but little . gal. . de loc . affec . c. . hath it thus . the bitings saith he of the phalangia are scarce to be seen : it first affects only the skin , and from the superficies of it , it is carried by the continuity of the fibres to the brain , and into the whole body : for the skin comes from the membranes , and they from the nerves and the brain ; this is clear , because by presently binding of it on the farther parts , they are preserved from the venome that is near to them . in zacinthus they that are bit by the phalangia are otherwise affected , and more grievously , in other parts : their body is astonished , weakned , trembles , and is very cold : vomiting and convulsion followes , and inflation of the yard : their ears are afflicted with most cruel pains , and the soles of their feet . they use bathing for a remedy ; if the party recovered go willingly into bathes afterwards , or were by chance or by craft brought into them , by the hot water the contagion passeth over the whole body , and he perceives the same mischief in the whole body . dioscorides writes the same things in the chapter concerning trifoly that smels like asphaltum . the decoction of the whole plant easeth all the pain by fomentation , where serpents have stung men , what man soever that hath ulcers and washeth himself in the same bath , is so affected , as he that was bit by a serpent ; galen saith he thinks it is done by a miracle , lib. de theriaca ad pisonom , if galen did write that book . but aelian speaks more miraculously , where he affirms that may happen to those that are sound , making no mention of ulcers . and thus much for symptomes . now for the cure . the cure is particular or general . physitians speak of but a few particular cures , because the general is commonly effectual . but pliny sets down a remedy against the biting of the phalangium called formicarium , that hath a red head : to shew another of the same kinde to him that is wounded , and they are kept dead for this purpose . also a young weasil is very good , whose belly is stuft with coriander , kept long and drank in wine . a wasp , that is called ichneumon , bruised and applied , drives back the venome of the phalangium vesparium , ( saith bellonius ) not otherwise than as one living kils another , that is alive . for ichneumon ( saith aristotle , is a small creature that is an enemy to the phalangia ; it often goes into their holes , and goes forth again , losing its labour . for it is a matter of great labour for so small a creature to draw forth its enemy greater than it self by force ; but if he light upon his enemy preying abroad , he drags the phalangium as easily with him as a pismire doth a corn ; and the more stifly he drawes himself back , the wasp draws him on the more fiercely , and sparing no pains , doth bestir himself with all his might ; sometimes when he is tired with too much labour , he flies away and breathes himself , and having recovered breath , he goes to seek for the phalangium again , and striking him often with his sting , at last he kils him ; when he hath killed him , he carries him into his own habitation on high , and there it renewes its kinde by sitting upon them . those whom the tarantula strikes , are helped by violent and constant motion , but celsus on the other side commands those that are stricken by the other kindes of phalangia , to be quiet and to move but little . but musick and singing are the true antidote of it . christophorus de honestis , bids presently exhibit theriaca andromachi . also he gives butter and honey , and saffron root with wine . the bezar of it are the green grains of the mastick tree . ponzettus lib. de venen . perswades to give ten grains of mastick with milk , or juice of the leaves of mulberies , j. ounce and half . in the augmentation he cureth it with agarick of white briony , after sweating much they must be refreshed with cold and moist things , as with poppy-water . merula saith they are cured with singing , dancing , leaping , and colours ; i will not contend for the first three , but i cannot see how they can be cured with colours , especially when as they that are stung are blinde , or see very little . he saith also that inhabitants and citizens are hurt by them , but strangers are safe and out of danger , which no man of a smal belief , or not very great faith can believe . dioscorides appoints a general cure : first , scarifying must be repeated , and cupping glasses set on with a great fire . absyrtus counsels to fume the part stricken , with the shels of hens eggs first steeped in vinegar , and burned with harts-horn , or galbanum . then you must use scarification , and draw fouth the bloud by sucking or cupping glasses . or , which is safest , burn the place affected with an actual cautery , unless it were full of nerves ; for then it is best to set a cautery on the neighbouring parts . then sweat must be provoked with clothes laid on , or rather by gentle and long walking . lastly , to perfect the cure , you must prove by external and internal medicaments , such as we here set down , and the most commendable and most noted we mark with an asterisk . internal remedies out of dioscorides : take seeds of southernwood , anniseed , cummin seed , dill , round birthwort , wilde cicers , cedar fruit , plantain , trifoly , seed of minianthes , each alike , bruise them severally ; the dose of them severally is ij . drams in wine , but if you joyn many of them together , drink iij. drams or iv . with wine : also j. dram of the fruit of tamarisk is effectual , with wine . chamepithy , and the decoction of green cyprus nuts with wine . some prove of the juice of river-crabs with asses milk and smallage-seed , and they promise it shall presently take away all pains . also a ly of the fig-tree is drank against the bitings of the phalangia : also it is good to dtink the fruit of the turpentine tree , bav-berries , balm-leaves , the seeds of all the wilde carrots , and of coriander , the juice of myrtle-berries , ivy , mulberry , cabbage and cliver-leaves , with wine or vinegar , one dram of the leaves of bean trifoly drank with wine . decoction of sparagus root , juice of housleek , juice of clivers with wine . he also commends a snail bruised raw , and drank with asses milk . * also balm-leaves with nitre , and mallowes boyled with the roots , drank often . the leaves , flowers , and seeds of the herb phalangium , and the seed of gith , the decoction of asparagus , mock chervil , and the juice of mullberries . out of galen . take birthworth , opium , of each four aurei , roots of pellitory of spain three aurei , make trochis as big as a bean ; the dose is two trochis with three ounces of pure wine . the ashes of a rams hoof drank with wine and honey . the remedies of diophantis , against the bitings of the phalangia . take birthwort four drams , pellitory as much , pepper two drams , opium one dram , make little cakes as big as beans , take two , with two cyathi of the best wine . another that is better . take seeds of wilde rue , rocket-seed , pellitory , storax , quick brimstone , each six drams , castoreum two drams , mingle them , make trochis as before with snails bloud ; the dose is three oboli in wine . another . take myrrhe , castoreum , storax , each one dram , opium two drams , galbanum three drams , anniseed , and smallage of each one acetabulum , pepper thirty grains , make it up with wine . another . take myrrhe five drams , spike of syria six drams , flowers of the round cane two drams and half , cassia four drams , cinamon three drams , white pepper one dram and half , frankincense one dram and one obolus , costus one dram , make it up with athenian honey ; the dose is the quantity of a hazel-nut with water , or with honey and water . apollodorus * remedies . take wilde cumin one acetabulum , bloud of a sea-tortoise four drams , rennet of a hinde or hare three drams , kids bloud four drams , make them up with the best wine , and lay them up ; the dose is the quantity of an olive , in half a cyathus of wine . another . take seed of bituminous trifoly , round birth-wort , seeds of wilde rue , tare-seed dried in the sun , each six drams , drink them in wine , and make cakes , four drams weight ; the dose is one cake , gal. . de antid . where he hath collected many remedies from authors . out of aetius and aegineta . take quick brimstone , galbanum , each four drams , bitter almonds blancht , juice of laserwort two drams , of assa four drams , mingle them with wine and honey , and drink them , also lay them on thus . another . take ameos two drams , flower-de-luce one dram , or of st johns wort , or bituminous trifoly , drink them in wine . or take anniseed , wilde carriotseed , cumin-seed , gith , pepper , agarick , each one dram , drink it . or take leaves of cyprus-tree , or the nuts bruised in wine and oyl one hemina , and drink it . for this end he prescribes bay-berries , the herb scorpions grasse , serpolet , laserwort , calaminth , chamaepitha , by themselves , or with rue and pepper . another . a bunch of mints boyled in fresh posca , let the sick drink two cyathi : also germander , chamaepithy , white thorn , and peniroyall in decoction are good . also a ly , and juice of ivy with vinegar . asclepiades used these . take seed of sphondylium dried , calamint , each alike , bruise them , and drink often in a day two cyathi of wine with them . another . take juice of laserwort , daucus-seed , dried mints , spikenard , each alike , make it up with vinegar ; the dose is one dram : take it with posca and wine , four cyathi , and presently go into a hot bath ; when laserwort is wanting , take the double portion of pure assa . one that is better . * take of cenchryus , seeds of wilde rue , pepper , myrrhe , wilde vine , of each one dram and half , cyprus root one dram , make a confection ; the dose is one dram , with four cyathi of wine , and one cyathus of honey . also the eating of garlick is good , as also a bath and wine , and such things as help against vipers stingings . paulus repeats the same remedies , and theban cumin , or seed of agnus castus or leaves of the white poplar-tree drank in beer are very effectual . out of nicander . rosin of the turpentine tree , pine or pitch-tree , drank or swallowed , is exceeding good , which gesner and bellonius say they learned by experience , to be true . out of avicenna . the myrtle-tree and the fruit of it , doronicum , mastick , assa foetida , dodder and its root , the indian hazel-nut ( which is theriac for this disease ) white bd●llium , all of these drank with wine . take roots of birthwort , flower-de-luce , spike celtica , pellitory of spain , daucus , black hellebore , cumin , root of daffodil , leaves of winter wheat , leaves of dogs-tooth , pomegranate tops , hares rennet , cinamon , juice of river-crabs , storax , opium , carpobalsamum , of each one ounce , beat all to powder , and make troches , the weight of one aureus , which is the dose of them . also give in wine the decoction of the leaves of bituminous trifoly , of the cyprus nut , smallage-seed . moreover give to drink , pine kernels , aethiopian cumin , leaves and rinde of the plane-tree , seeds of siler montanum , black wilde chiches , seed of nigella , southern-wood , dill , birthwort , fruit of the tamarisk , for all these are very good . also the juice of wilde lettice and house-leek are commended . the decoction of cyprus nuts , especially with cinamon and river-crabs juice , and juice of a goose : also the decoction of sparagus with wine and water . another . take birthwort , cumin , each three drams with hot water : an approved theriac . take nigella seed ten drams , daucus , cumin , each five drams , cyprus roots and nuts , each three drams , spipenard , bay-berries , round birthwort , carpobalsamum , cinamon , gentian , seeds of siler montanum , and of smallage , each two drams , make a confection with honey ; the dose is the quantity of a nut with old wine . confection of assa . take assa foetida , myrrhe , rue-leaves , each alike , make it up with honey ; the dose is one or two drams with wine . out of absyrtus , lullus , albucasis , rhasis , ponzettus . take white pepper thirty grains , with a draught of old wine , take it often . also thyme is given in wine . ab●yrtus . drink upon it one spoonfull of wine distilled with balm . lullus . take dry rue , costus , wilde mints , pellitoty of spain , cardamum , each alike , assa foetida one fourth part , honey what may suffice , mingle all , and make it up ; the dose is the weight of an hazel-nut in drink . albucasis . a hens brain drank with a little pepper in sweet wine or posca . the decoction of cyprus-nuts with wine . a theriac against the bitings of phalangia . take tartar six drams , yellow brimstone eight drams , rue-seed three drams , castoreum , rocket-seed each two drams , with the bloud of the sea-tortoise , make an opiate ; the dose is one dram with wine . another . take pellitory of spain , round birthwort , each one part , white pepper half a part , horehound four parts , make it up with honey ; the dose is one dram . another . roots of capers , long birthwort , bay-berries , gentian root , each alike , drink it with wine . or drink diassa with strong wine , and cumin , and agnus castus seed , another . take nigella seed ten drams , daucus , cumin , each five drams , wilde rue-seed , cyprus nuts , each three drams , indian spike , bay-berries , round birthwort , carpobalsamum , cinamon , gentian root , seed of bituminous trifoly , smallage-seed , each two drams , make a confection with honey ; the dose is the quantity of a nut with old wine . rhasis . out of pliny , celsus , scaliger . it is good for those that are bitten by the phalangium to drink five pismires , or one dram of the roman nigella seed , or black berries with hypocistis and honey . also marish smallage and wilde rue , are peculiar against the bitings of the phalangia : also the bloud of the land tortoise is good , juice of origanum , the root of polymonia , vervain , cinquefoil , the seed of garden onyons , all the kindes of housleek , roots of cyprus , turnsole with three grains of juice of ivy-root , in wine or posca ; also castoreum two drams , in mulsum to cause vomit , or in juice of rue to stop it . also agnus castus seed two drams : apollodorus that followed democrates , , calls a kinde of herb crocides , by the touch whereof phalangia die , and their force is abated ; the mat-rush-leaves next the root , eaten do profit . pliny . take wilde vine-berries , myrrhe , each alike , drink them out of one hemina of sod wine . also the seed of radish , or root of darnel must be drank with wine . * celsus . but amongst many other remedies that are proved , one antidote is due to scaliger , who was the ornament of our world and age ; the form of it is this . take true round birthwort , mithridate , each two ounces , terra sigillata half an ounce , flies living in the flowrs of napellus , . citron juice what may serve turn , mingle them . for saith he , against this venome or any other bitings of serpents , art hath scarce yet found out so effectuall a remedy . scaliger . juice of apples drank , or of endive , are the bezar against the bitings of the phalangium : petrus de albano . these are the most approved outward remedies . five spiders putrefied in oyl and laid on , asses or horse dung anoynted on with vinegar or posca : take vinegar three sextarii , brimstone a sixth part , mingle them , foment the place with a sponge , or a bath , the pain being a little abated , wash the place with much sea-water : some think that the stone agates will cure all bitings of the phalangia , and for that reason it is brought out of india and sold dear . pliny . fig-tree ashes with salt and wine , the root of the wilde panace bruised , birthwort and barley-meal impasted with vinegar , water and honey and salt for a fomentation . decoction of balm , or the leaves of it made into a pultis and applyed ; we must constantly use hot baths . pliny . open the veins of the tongue , and rub the places swolne with much salt and vinegar , then provoke sweat diligently and warily . vigetius . the practicall men mightily commend the root of panax chironia . theophrastus . anoynt the wound with oyl , garlick bruised , or onyons , or knot-grasse , or barley-meal with bay-leaves , and wine , or wine lees , or wilde rue , lay it onwith vinegar for a cataplasme . nonus . take live brimstone , galbanum , each four denarii , lybian juice and euphorbium , each alike , hazel-nuts pild , each two drams , dissolve them in wine , and with wine make a cataplasme , also inwardly it helps much . flies bruised and laid on the part affected . also a barbel heals the bites of a venemous spider , if it be cut raw and applyed to it . galen . anoynt all the body with a most liquid oyntment with wax . foment the part affected with oyl , wherein bituminous trifoly hath been soked , or with a sponge and hot vinegar , very often . make also a cataplasme of these that follow , namely , with onyons , bloudwort , solomons seal , leeks , bran boyled in vinegar , barley-meal , and bay-leaves , boyled in honey and wine . make them also with rue , goats dung with wine , cyprus , marjoram , and wilde rue with vinegar . asclepias his plaister . take seed of wilde rue , rocket-seed , staves-acre , of cenchrus , agnus castus , of apples , nuts , of leaves of cypress , each alike , bruise all with vinegar , and with honey make a plaister . aetius . lay the decoction of lupines upon the place affected , the eschar being first taken away , then anoynt it with goose grease , wilde rue , and oyl in the hot sun or by the fire , or make a cataplasme of barley-pap , and broth of lupines . oribasius . an indian hazel-nut smeared on cures the bitings of the phalangia : oyl of worm-wood , and the milk of figs anoynted on , doth profit very much . avicenna . of hot ashes , figs and salt with wine make a plaister : also it is convenient to hide a great boll in sand or hot ashes , and by that means to sweat with antidotes . rhasis . goats dung must be dissolved with the pultesses , and laid to the part affected . kiranides . lay on often cold iron . petrus de albano . foment the place with juice of plantain daily . hildegard . oyl of artificiall balsam is exceeding soveraign . euonymus . a fomentation of the branches and stalks of masterwort must be continued , or let him drink vervain with wine , and lay it on outwardly , first bruised . turneifer . bruise rue with garlick and oyl and lay it on . celsus . you shall lastly finde divers such remedies in pliny and dioscorides , so digested into order , that they rather require our silence , than our curious , and unusefull repetition . of this therefore thus far . — now let us see that spider with which our mindes well agree , who sits within the midst of 's net to watch where the east winde blowes , it shakes , he doth catch flies that but touch his web , none can him match . chap. xiii . of the tame or house spider . amongst insects , though many may be found ( as pliny , caelius , curio the second , out of whom we have fetched many of these things , say rightly ) that may exercise great wits , yet the nature of spiders is worthy to be admired in chief , and is apparent by their curious working , as any reasonable man will judge . aristotle the greatest diver into nature , saith that this is the most magnificent , and wisest of all insects . and solomon himself at whose wisdome all the world admired , amongst those four animals that exceed philosophers for their knowledge , reckons up the spider , dwelling as he saith in kings palaces , and weaving webs that man cannot do the like . the poets faign that the spider was once a lydian mayd , that minerva had taught to work with the needle , and weaving all curious artificiall work : but she was grown so proud of this skill , that she denyed that ever she learned this of pallas , and she proceeded so farre in arrogancy , that she boldly challenged minerva to work with her in all these arts : wherefore pallas disdaining her pride , came , and sharply rebuking the mayd for her insolence , brake all her fine wrought works with a wand : at this the mayd was sore abashed , and thought to have hanged her self ; but the goddesse pitying the poor maids condition , would not suffer her to do so , but as she hung by a very fine cord , she changed her shape into a spider . pallas was angry , and in wroth she said , yet live and hang thou proud and haughty mayd , and that thou mayst still suffer 't is my minde , the same law lasts for thee and for thy kinde . but they that interpreted this a fable or a history , say that arachne found out the art of spinning , sowing , and weaving hemp , taking pattern by the spiders . and this needs not seem strange to any man , since the swallowes found out the art of plaistering , and for oculists , eagles for building , hippotamus for letting bloud , ibis for giving glysters , goats for antidotes , so tortoises , weasels , storks have instructed us . to praise the spider as i ought , i shall first set before you the riches of its body , then of its fortune , lastly of its minde . if you consider the matter of it , it is light , partaking much of air and fire ( that are the most active and noblest elements ) but it hath little of earthly dregs and gravity . consider the figure it is wholly round and orbicular , or at least ovall , that is next unto it . the substance of it is thin , transparent , subtile , and though sometimes by the abundance of plunder and prey , it becomes so cram'd , that it growes as great as a walnut , and ( if cardan erre not ) as great as a sparrow sometimes , yet if you see it hanging in its web , against the light , it shines all through like a chrysolite , and makes reflexion of beams most gratefull to the eye . it hath the same colour that ovid writes that lovers have , that is , pale ; and when she sticks aloft with her feet cast every way , she exactly represents a painted starre . as if nature had appointed not only to make it round like the heavens , but with rays like the stars , as if they were alive . the skin of it is so soft , smooth , polished and neat , that she precedes the softest skin'd mayds , and the daintiest and most beautifull strumpers , and is so clear that you may almost see your face in her as in a glasse ; she hath fingers that the most gallant virgins desire to have theirs like to them , long , slender , round , of exact feeling , that there is no man , nor any creature that can compare with her : she hath feet not numberlesse , as the scolopendrae , nor is she without feet , as some insects are , nor hath only six feet , as those that want wings have , but eight feet , which number is next to the most perfect number , as all men know . these legs also are made in a sesquitertiall proportion , which is most admirable and venerable ; so that though the latter feet be alwayes shorter then the former , yet they hold still their proportion . many philosophers who hold that spiders are blinde , are blinde themselves , for were they blinde , how should they make choice of those places that are most convenient for to pitch their nets , and who should lead them to fasten one thred to another , and should know how to mend their webs when they are broken by accident ? when as also the tame and familiar spiders will come from a distance to catch a flie that toucheth but the sides of their threds , they are the more bold to pursue them , and will take them as it were from hand to hand , as we have often seen . truly they are blinde at noon-day , and understand nothing , who say , that spiders are blinde . in this spider there is no poyson nor hurt , for if it bite it is without harm , and it is rather tickling then painfull . also their very carkases , and their bodies , their eyes , their excrements , are good and usefull for many diseases , as we shall make it plain enough when we speak of their use . i know not what it was that made pennius so frighted when he thought of eating them ; for he knew a noble english lady , and phaerus a physician , that did often eat them without any hurt at all . for the truth is , spiders are free from poyson , and are very good for ones health . but because it seems so horrid a creature to some people , that the very ▪ sight of it makes them fly from it , i rather attribute that to their melancholy apprehension , tendernesse and distemper , than to the ill form of the spider . nature hath used no lesse elegancy and bounty in the spider , then she hath done in the butter-fly , and flie , and it is no light disease of the minde to disdain so beautifull a work , and to be afraid of a creature that weaves so curiously . lastly god hath given a wonderfull disposition and nature of the skin to so wonderfull a body ; for it doth not only once a year ( as vipers do ) but every moneth if she be well fed she changeth her skin , and recovers a new one that is more curious . also it is of so excellent a temper , and so frugall in its diet , that in a wholesome place , where she can get any provision , she will live alwayes . i think that to be the chiefest good amongst the goods of fortune , or rather fate , that they carry the matter of their webs in their belly , and they are so well stored with it , that a spider can draw forth innumerable threds and weave them , and catch if need be , a hundred flies , and have nets enow to wrap them in . and though they , have not meat in a granary as pismires have , nor ready and growing up , as bees have , but they live only upon food they light upon by chance , yet by gods providence the prey comes flying by that sustains them , and oft times they grow fat with plentifull dishes that they take by hostility . further , i should think it no small part of good fortune given to the spider , that when she is satisfied with the troublesome fare of the court , yet she never hath the gout . you have heard that solomon of old assigned her a place in kings palaces , that she might be a pattern to his courtiers , to labour , to be ingenuous , wise , frugall , and vertuous . there beginning her webs she workt with hands and feet , and never need to goe a hawking for flies , she feared no assaults , no treachery : and briefly , this most wise creature did bear rule in the great palace of that great king. after him arose bad princes , that were idle , followed ill counsell , that came to ruine , it is hard to say , how hardly they used the poor spider , and commanded forthwith to sweep her down with beesoms and poles , as if she had been a night-robber , and to tread her under foot , and to kill her . presently furies ran and swept down and spoyled all those learned works that had been wrought , so that she could hardly escape the quick-sighted beesomes of those lazy devils . she was most miserable now , left all alone in so great abundance , and in so large houses , she could not finde one corner to be in . and by the kings example , the nobles and rich men drove out this mistresse of labour and vertue , and they would not suffer one thred to remain , that was a token and ensign of her great wisdome . she when once she went abroad to travell ( as the fabulist wittily saith ) the gowt by chance came to keep her company , though she could hardly hold pace with her , but with great toil . when as now they had travelled one dayes journey , at night they took counsell to try their host , but they were of different opinions . the spider going into the city , got into the house of a rich gitizen , and so soon as she began to work and to spread her tapestry and hangings , ( by the example of the bad kings ) he forthwith hates her , and drives her out , and the same night he expos'd her to the rain and open air . but the gowt being lame , when he could go no further , got into the first house of the town , and could scarce intreat to be harboured in the poorest cottage there ; and when she lay down , she found misery enough ; she had for supper brown bread that her stomach rose against , and a little herbs , scarce any salt upon them , and water was fetcht from the next pond , in an earthen pitcher to quench her thirst ; being thus entertained , she required a bed to ly on , she could get none but straw or the planks to ly upon , and so she lay down in pitifull misery , lamenting and sighing : but alas how wretched a thing it is for tender limbs , and that cannot endure to be touched ( as saith hippocrates ) to ly upon such a hard bed and pillowes . the next morning the spider and the gowt met again ; the spider complained terribly of the incivility and rudenesse of the rich citizen , and the gowt on the other side complained of her hosts poverty and poor fare , shewing the black and blew marks the hard lodging had made in her skin ; and when they had a while taken deliberation about it , they both agreed upon this , that the next night they would change their host ; that the spider should go to the poor cottages , and the gowt to the kings palaces and rich mens houses : the gowt not unmindful of this agreement , went to a very rich mans house , and lay down at the feet of a very well fed master , that was very rich , and so soon as this kinde host perceived her , with what humanity , embracings , and cheerfulness did he entertain her ! down pillowes were laid under her , all the stools and chairs in the chambers are filled with the best feathers , and cushions laid upon them ; the kitchen was very hot , and all officers at work for provision ; the table is spread with all dainties , and the cups fill'd with wine ; fat and cramb'd capons , pheasants , partridge , peacocks , quails , turtles , that feed on figs and grapes , and those birds that have two hearts to set them forth come flying to the table : turbots , gilt-heads , sturgeons , are not worth speaking of . the shell-fish of campania with purple juice , and oysters from abydus , and whatsoever the whole ocean can afford , are ready . the wines , are white , black , red , purple , sweet , delicate , sharp , cecubum , falernum , chium , powred forth in full bouls . to say nothing of the second table brought from tarentum , and the dainty cates , with rose , violet , and iacinth coloured . lastly , no delights , dainties , pleasures , or joyes are wanting , that the rich gowt , ( for she is daughter to bacchus and venus ) with her sisters , the hand and knee-gowts , may be entertained delicately . the spider also as good hap was , light upon a poor cottage instead of a rich palace , and there she teacheth man and wife what duties are useful for both , and fats her self with care . but perhaps some man wil object that they can finde no good fortune in this , but only the spider may be commended for changing her habitation and her host ; but it is very fortunate for her : for she lives not only safer , and more at rest , but she doth not from the roof as from a watch-tower , behold any more adulteries , gluttony , riot , prodigality , lasciviousness , plays , dancings , wantonness , dicings , cardings , and lastly those vanities , and beastliness , that never enter into poor mens cottages , whereof she knew her self to be guilty , whilest she lived in courts and palaces of great men , who so soon as they had driven forth the spider , ( the mistress of labour and frugality ) were presently seised on by the gowt , and not only so , but all luxury , dissembling , lying , flattering , pride , entred into their palaces , or rather into their ears , eyes , and mindes , and polluted them with all wickedness and companions of all mischiefs : were it not better for kings to allow this good , frugal , wise , harmless little creature a room in their large chambers , than to hearken to , and to reward so much such pick-thanks , and court-flatterers , and voluptuous persons , who by their wicked counsel and example will quickly corrupt the best men ? i know not whether i were best commend the spider for the gifts of her minde , as wisdom , justice , valour , temperance , humanity , love of poverty , love of works , sufficiency , cunning , cleanlinesse , and her other vertues ; or else her admirable art and skill in weaving her webs . her wisdom appears in that , that when the rivers are like to rise higher , and drown her house , she removes to some safer place . in fair weather when the flies fly about , they weave not , but wait on their prey : she runs away at the least touch of any thing that troubles her , and hides her head in her hole ( as vipers do ) that she may feel the lesse pain , and that her body being hurt , ( which is easily healed ) yet she may preserve her head that governs the whole body . who taught them to know this ? did any chaldean teach them , by the situation and position of the stars ? no indeed , but the spider hath a certain divine wisdom given her , as the poet sang truly , her body moves by vertue of her minde , diffused in every part — moreover , so soon as they see an enemy faln within their nets , they do not presently wound him , or bite him in a hostile manner , but they kisse as it were and tickle him , until they have all smeered him over with a clammy web fetcht out from the hinder parts with their hindermost feet , and have as it were bound him with bands , taking away from him all power of resistance , flying away or moving ; then that thred being fastned to their web , they run to the centre to observe , if any new prey may fall within their nets : and thus sometimes you shall see ten or twenty flies hung up on a line on high , and the spider will take them one after another , breaking their line they hang by , and fastned to one of the hinder legs , will carry them to the centre of her work , and there devour them : she feeds on nothing but the juice of flies , and when the carkass is dry and void of all juice , she throws it down as an useless burden to her web . moreover , because the female is something greater than the male , therefore she hangs under and observes , for fear the small creatures should perceive and take heed , but that they may fall unawares into her net , for by reason of her greater body she is not so fit to catch her prey . but the male is more active , and lies a top , as if he were otherwise imployed , or else seeing all things from a very little hole in his net , he conceals himself that he cannot be seen . and when any by chance comes to his lot , how vigilant is he and intent after his game ? for he will not let his prey escape , but he runs from the uppermost line to the lowest suddenly , and when he hath his belly full , he laies up the rest of his provant , and hangs them up by a thred to suck them another time . and when as by age the webs have lost their clammy quality to hold fast , the spider either new weaves them , or else beglewes them anew and repairs them . her work ended , she either contains her self in her hole , or watching above she holds the thread drawn from the centre , as it were with her hands , whereby she can go and come to her nets and retreat at pleasure , and also ( if any prey be taken ) she perceives it by the motion of her web . but to be more certain , before she comes down , she drawes her thred back sometimes , that she may know how it is by motion and weight . then first she hastneth to the centre ; which the ensnared little creatures either feeling or conjecturing , do lie still , lest by motion they should discover themselves and be more entangled ; yet they cannot deceive the spiders who with feet and eyes perceive their prey , and run swiftly unto it suddenly . but good god , what and how great justice is seen amongst spiders ? none of them robs another of his wife , none of them enters upon anothers house ; each of them lives by his own labour and possessions , and they hold it unlawful to break the bands that belong their neighbours : but men are not so just , oh pity 't is to see how covetous they are , lust reigns in each degree : adding house to house , both seas and lands , and more worlds they fain would have in their hands . farther , they do not pitch their nets for such creatures as are good , and useful , but to catch hornets , oxe-flies , horse-flies , wasps , drones , breezes , gnats , common flies , which are to us like bawds , theeves , flatterers ( as the comedian speaks ) that breed us many inconveniences , but are no way fit to do us any good . moreover , she dares ( as she is very valiant and magnanimous ) hunt after the lizards young ones , whom she presently involves in her net , as they make resistance , then laying hold of both their lips with a deadly biting , she holds them so fast , that she makes them dye under her . and lastly like another cacus she drawes them backward dead into her lurking place . and if by chance in this great contest , she findes her nets broken or folded together , she presently repairs , unfolds , and spreads them anew with great dexterity . farther yet , there is a fierce and everlasting fewd between the spider and the serpent : for if at any time the serpent seeking shady places , fals upon some places under a tree where many spiders are , one or other of them will fall right upon the serpents head with his net , and she will so beat upon his brain with her mouth , that he will make a noise and hiss , and be so vertiginous , that in this miserable condition , he can neither break her thread , nor escape from her . nor is their end of this combate , till the spider have destroyed him . let the romans be silent concerning their battails on the stage , and the cruel combates of elephants , when a little spider dares fight with a horrid and wan black serpent ; and not only to fight with him , but to triumph over him , and carry away the rich spoils of her victory . who would not admire so great force , so great weight , so sharp and hard bitings , and almost incredible strength , in so small a body , and of no consideration , having neither bones , nerves , flesh , and hardly any skin ? this cannot proceed from its body , but its spirit ; or rather from god himself : in the same fashion they enter the lists with land and water toads , and kill them in single fight . for not only pliny and albertus the philosopher mention this , but also erasmus in his dialogue of friendship , relates , how a certain monk , who slept with open mouth , and had a toad hanging at his lip , escaped by assistance of the spider . oft-times also they enter the stage with the winged hornet , that hath a strong sting , and fibres almost of horn , who straight by main force breaks through their webs , as great rich men do with the laws , yet at last he is wrapt in a more tenacious glew , and pays for breaking open their houses , and conquer'd in single duel , he becomes subject to the spider . i must not passe by their temperance that was once proper to man , but now the spiders have almost won it from them . who is there now , ( if age will let him ) who will be content with the love of one ? and doth not deliver up himself body and soul to wandring lust ? but the spider so soon as they grow up , choose their mates , and never part till death . moreover as they are most impatient of corrivals , so they set upon any adulterers that dare venture upon their cottages , and bite them , and drive them away , and oft-times justly destroy them . nor doth any one of them attempt to offer violence to the female of another , or to assault her chastity . so great command have they of their affections , so faithful and entire are they in their conjugal love , like turtles . if you respect their houshold government , what is there more frugal , more laborious , or more cleanly to be seen in the whole world ? for they will not suffer the least thread to be lost , or placed in vain ; and they ease themselves by interchangeable work ; for when the female weaves , the male hunts : if either be sick , the other supplies both offices , that they may deserve alike . so sometimes the female hunts , and the male weaves , and this at any time when the one wants the others assistance ; for we cannot think them so void of mutual love , that living so faithful in matrimony , the one should not lend a helping hand to the others necessities , and so by mutual courtesie they continues their friendship amongst themselves . the female at home being now learned from her parents to spin and weave ( as she is wont to do with us ) she begins her webs , and her belly contains all the matter of them , whether it be for that at a certain time her entrails are so corrupted ( as democritus said ) or that there is a kinde of woolly fruitfulnesse in her as there is in the silk-worm . yet aristotle will have the matter to be without , like a thin shell which is drawn in length , by spinning and weaving ; or after the manner of those that shoot out their bristles , as the porcupine . however it be , they lose not the least end of a thred , but they undertake all by providence . their love to their young ones no man can rightly describe , but he that loves his children himself . for by mutuall incubation , they foster their egges , and raise up and increase the he●t of them ; and thouhg oft-times they produce three hundred young ones , yet they bring them all up alike to labour , sparingnesse , discipline , and weaving , and love them all alike . i have oft wondred at their cleanlinesse , when i have seen those that were weak and sick to go down to the bottome of their web , out of their dens , and exonerate their bellies , lest by the filth of their excrements their houses , or web , or threds should be polluted . and these things shall suffice for their civill and oeconomicall vertues . now let us proceed to their art of making nets , which is so offensive to pallas , for the scholar exceeded her mistris in the curiosity of her work . first therefore we shall consider the clammy stuffe that drawes like bird-lime , which loseth not its tenaciousnesse by drinesse nor by moysture , we said from pliny , that she drawes this stuffe out of her belly . but seeing that the males weave also , i think on good grounds , with our friend bruerus , that it is drawn out of the entrails behinde . and since it cannot be exhausted , we may wonder at the infinite and endlesse power of god , and adore it , for it were next to madnesse to assign this to bodily or naturall causes . those spiders are held to be the best artificers that work in autumn , and are called holei ; they draw a thred that is smaller then any linnen or silk , and farre lighter , and so pure ( saith aelianus ) that the whole web wrapt together , will scarce make one thred as great as a linnen thred though it be never so small . edwardus monimus described these , both males and females , very elegantly heptam : l. . in these words : — he hunts at home , but she doth weave within her tender loom , and jugler-like , she from her belly casts great clewes of yarn and thred , which while it lasts she works to make her nets , and every part she frames exactly by dedalian art , her web is fastened to the beam , the threds are parted by fit lines at severall heads , she works from centre to circumference , the web is made on both sides for defence , pervious lest when the east-winde doth set strong , it might break this tender w●rke , and yet the strongest flie may be held in this net. no sooner can a flie but shake her thread , the male runs to the centre , and his head peeps forth to catch what comes , so is he fed . the variety of their nets is so great , that it is not called amisse , the goddesse of a thousand works ; some of them are looser , some thicker , some triangular , others square , some diamond figures , for the commodity of the swiftnesse of hawking : but that which is round is commonly wrought between two trees , or reeds , and oft times in divers windowes , hanged fast with ropes , and sail-yards . good god , what great reason , judgement , art , what admirable wisdome and beauty she shews ! truly we may not suppose amisse , to say that euclides learned to make his figures from hence , and fishermen their nets ; for from whence else could they fetch such an example of so curious and laborious a mistresse ? so finely is her work besmeared , and made so round and exact , and so equally ballanced , and she doth so work her body in place of a weight and spindle , that she may well be compared with minerva , but that the comparison makes me afraid . also the work is so firm , though it appear so weak , that it will hold hornets , endure force of windes , and dust being fallen into it , it rather yeelds than breaks or is hurt . the manner of her net-work is this : first she drawes her semidiameters to the places circumabient , most fit for her work , then with no compasse , but by a naturall skill of her feet , she makes circles with her thread from the center to the circumference , by equall parts more distant one from the other . moreover that is worth our knowing , as also it seemed most admirable to our most learned turnerus and bruerus , namely , that those spiders when they are purposed to fasten a thred from a high beam , in a right line to the earth , they hold a little stone with their feet , and then by degrees they let themselves down by a three doubled thred , that the angle at the earth may answer the angle above by the beam exactly . but that above all the rest is worthy of admiration , how they fasten the first thred on the hither side of the river , and the second on the farther side , whereas nature hath not taught them to ●ly , or to swim ; i much doubt whether they leap over or not . the second praises in weaving they deserve , that build on the rafts of houses , and other field-spiders , who upon the grasse weave a net , that is broad , thick , and plain , and it is a net indeed , spread forth like a sayl , or sheet . in the work of these spiders , if you consider , the wouf , the ska●ns of yarn ▪ the trendle , the shittle , the comb , the woof , the distaffe , the web , either you will see nothing , or you must see god insensible , yet really performing all these things : and truly in spinning , they go far before the egyptians , lydians , penelope , tanaquil , amestris , romes claudiana , sabina , julia , and the queens of macedonia , that were wonderfully skilled in spinning , because ( beyond all ordrdinary reason and art ) no threds being drawn overthwart , they make a solid and tenacious web , of a straight continued long thred . their work being ended , they smeer it over with a birdlimy glutinous spittle , by the touch of which alone the prey is entangled , and payes for its blindenesse and want of foresight . the colour of her web is aereall and transparent , or rather no colour , which is the thing deceives the flies that are not aware of it , and they that see best hardly escape it . for had it but any perfect colour , they would think what need they had to avoid it , and fly farther from it . the most ignoble spiders , ( namely , those that are sluggish , fat , and that ly in holes ) make but a very course web , and grosser thred by farre , which they hang only to holes in walls . these have a more heavy body , shorter feet , and are more unfit to spin or card , they light upon their prey rather by chance than seek for it , because the hole is great without , and seems a fit place for flies to hide themselves in ; but at the very entrance they are ensnared by the spider , and catcht , and are carryed into the shambles for flies to be slain . for they ly deep in walls , that they may escape the birds that ly in wait for them ( as sparrows , red-breasts , nightingales , hedge-sparrows ) and that they may the sooner ensnare the flies that suspect no harm . and for spiders that are harmlesse , and for their webs , let this suffice : now we shall adde something concerning those kindes i have observed . chap. xiv . of certain kindes of spiders observed by authors . you may remember that i so divided spiders , that some were venemous , and called phalangia , and others were harmlesse : few of the phalangia ( and perhaps none ) use to spin , but all the rest spend their time in making threds or nets . some of these net-workworkers are house spiders , others are field spiders , so also are those that make threds distinguished . amongst the net-workers i saw one the greatest of all , i have set down the picture of it here . in autumn amongst small rose-boughs it extendeth an artificiall net , and it catcheth either another spider running over it , or gnats or flies that come to it , when she pulls her cord with wonderfull dexterity , and when she hath hanged them thus up , she leaves them till she growes hungry again . she hath a frothy body , ovall figured almost , i● hath a little head with pinsers under the belly , and the back is adorned with white spots : this is one of the autumnal holci , and in a very short time it will grow from the bignesse of a pease to be as big as you see her here described . amongst the web-makers , we have seen some spin a very fine web , others spin one that was but moderately fine , some spin base stuffe , grosse , rude , and ill favoured : the most subtile work-masters are the house-bred-spiders , whereof we have here set down one of a brown colour , of the bignesse of the figure , and being placed between you and the sun , it is of some transparency . this is it whose commendation was written by coelius secundus curio , and the nature of it by pliny , which taught heba , penelope , the egyptians , lydians , macedonians , and others that were given to spinning . this field spider weaves a moderate and strong web in hedges , stretching forth his sheet with a coverlaid , and where he dwells he waits for his prey . his web is thicker that it may not rain through , and better to endure the force of windes , she hath a brown body , but feet that are changeable colours , varyed with black and white spots in order , she hath a forked mouth , fenced with clawes , the two white spots that are seen above in the head i know not whether they serve for eyes , the whole body is gently hairy ; she doth stretch out her web wide and long , that she may catch much prey , to which she is very much addicted . this field spider spins a base and unpolished thred , and gathers it as it were into a bundle . pennius first observed this kinde in colchester fields between wilde origanum watching for flies , and he never saw it otherwise . it hath feet like to those described just before , a round body like a globe , the back is marked with white spots , also it hath a fundament four ●quare , and black . hitherto also we referre three kindes of the spiders called lupi , who live in chinks of walls , heaps of stones , and old rubbish : they weave a base and small web in their holes , and in the day time they wander farther abroad in hopes of prey , which they set upon with great force , and draw into their dens . the greatest of them is of a brown colour , it hath a head almost of ovall figure , the body as a globe , both sides are adorned with two small and short white lines , about the middle of the back it is of a more whitish colour , it hath feet comely with divers black and brown spots : the middlemost is the least , and grey-coloured ; the ridge of the back is set forth by three pearles as it were , whereof that which is next to the neck is greater and longer . the third seems to be blacker , wearing a crosse overthwart the back very white , and with ●ight angles , and therefore some call it the holy spider . i conjecture that these are of the wolf kinde , because they run with a kinde of leaping , and discover a great ravening appetite , for they lay up nought for the morrow , but consume all their provision in one day . gesner saw one of this kinde that was ash-coloured . there are also spiders with long shanks , that make disorderly and most rude work . the field spider with a body almost round and brown , that lives about grasse and sheep , the english call it shepheard , either because it is pleased with the company of sheep , or because shepherds think those fields that are full of them to be good wholsome sheep-pasture , and no venome to be it , ( for this shepherd taken inwardly , or outwardly applyed , is a harmlesse creature . ) there are yet more kindes of spiders , for there is a kinde of black spider , with short feet , that hath a white egge under the belly , white as snow , and running swiftly ; when the egge breaks , many young spiders run forth , which go all with their dam to feed , and at night they rest upon the dams back . pennius supposed that this was rough with warts , untill he touched it with a straw , and saw the young spiders to run down . also in rotten hollow trees there are very black spiders , with great bodies , very short feet , that dwell with cheeslips , and catterpillers called juli. also saith gesner , we have seen them all white , with a compacted and broad little body , upon the flower of mountain parsley , roses , and grasse , they have most long slender legs , the mouth is noted with a spot , and both sides with a red line ; he thought it was venemous , because he saw a munkey almost dead that had eaten one , and could hardly be recovered by powring oyl down his throat . we know also spiders with a long body , and a sharp tail , they are red from black , as also green . also there are red ones of two kindes , one great one that dwells only in the caves of the earth , with a body cinnaber colour , with feet yellow from red , the tail and belly tend toward yellow a little from brown . there is another sort very small , lesse then a sheeps tike , as red as scarlet , it hath but six feet , being a monster amongst spiders ; it hath a head like as spiders have , but it is very small : it lives in the earth , and weaves a very course web , and not well wrought ; sometimes she wandreth abroad , and shews great agility to catch her prey . we grant willingly that there are more kindes of spiders , and of more colours , for our land brings not all things forth , nor yet did actorides , though he was called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , see all things . it may be future times may delineate the rest better . in the mean time we have spoken of spiders if not to delight , yet according as we thought fit , and we would do no more , because in writing so much of them we have taken great pains : yet this we shall observe , that all net-workers , and web-workers amongst spiders , do grow to have greater skill by age , and that shut up in wooll , they increase the generation of moths , and they yearly oft times cast off their old skin , and the greater and lustier they are , the more ingenious are they found to be in their gifts of life . chap. xv. of the generation , copulation , and use of spiders . it is manifest that spiders are bred of some aereall seeds putrefied , from filth , and corruption , because that the newest houses the first day they are whited will have both spiders and cobwebs in them . but their propagation is frequently by copulation , the desire and act whereof lasts almost all the spring . they do by a mutual and frequent attraction of their net , as it were kindle venery , and continually a● they draw , they come neerer , then at last they copulate backwards , because that manner of copulation , by reason of their round body was most convenient : after the same manner do all the phalangia that weave , copulate together , and they are generated from creatures of the same kinde as aristotle testifies . but they copulate not in the spring , but at beginning of the winter ; at which time they go fastest , and hurt certainly , and seem to be more venemous . some after copulation lay one egge alone , and carry it under their belly , and it is white as snow , and they sit on it by course , the male sometimes helping the female . others lay many and very small egges , like poppy-seeds , out of which sometimes thirty small spiders are bred , after some trifling sports in their web , they go forth with their dam , and in the evening they come in again , untill such time as each of them hath learned to spin its own web , to live more safely and pleasantly , they thrust forth their young by leaping , they sit on their egges three dayes , and in a lunar moneth , they bring their young to perfection . the house spiders lay their egges in a thin web , but the field spiders in a thick , because they may resist the greater forces of winde and rain ; the place helps much for generation . for as in the countrey of arrhentia , and in the island of crete there are great store of phalangia , so in ireland there are none ; they did not long indure in england , the tower at gratian●●o●is would suffer none , for though many of our spiders swallowed down do hurt us , yet their bite is harmlesse , and no man is killed by it , bu● the bitings of all phalangia are deadly . where shall you not finde these spiders that bite without doing hurt ? they climbe up into kings courts to teach them vertue : they work in noble mens chambers to teach them their duties : they dwell in poor mens houses to teach them patience , to suffer , and to labour ▪ goe but into your orchard , and each tree is inhabited by them , in your garden , they hide in roses , in the field they work in hedges , you shall finde them at home and abroad , that you may have no cause to complain that there are no examples for vertue and diligence every where . the spider , though pallas called her impudent , martial unconstant , claudian bold , politian pendulous , juvenal dry , propertius corrupt , virgil light , plautus unprofitable : yet is she good , and created for many uses , as shall appear clearly ; wherefore adoring the majesty of god who hath given so great vertues to so small a creature , we shall proceed to speak of the profits we receive by her . the flie-catching spider wrapt in a linnen cloth , and hang'd on the left arm , is good to drive away a quotidian , saith trallianus . but better i● many of them be boyld with oyl of bayes to the consistence of a liniment ; if you anoynt the arteries of the wrists , the arms and temples before the fit , the feaver abates , and seldome comes again . kiramides . a spider bruised with a plaister , and spread on a cloath and applyed to the temples , cures a tertian . dioscorides . the spider called loycos , put in a quill , and hang'd on the breast doth the same . pliny . that house spider that spins a thick fine and white web , shut up in a piece of leather , or a nur-shell , and hang'd to the arm or neck , is thought to drive away the fits of a quartane . dioscorid . pennius saith he proved it to be true . three living spiders put into oyl , let them presently boyl on the fire , drop some of that oyl warm into the ear that is in pain , and it profits much . or presse out the juice of spiders with juice of roses , and put it in with wooll . marcellus empir . pliny bids infuse them in vinegar or oyl of roses and stamp them , and then drop some into the ear with saffron , and it will still the pain certainly : dioscorides affirms as much . sostratus 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , saith , that cranocolaptes ( a certain spider ) drowned in oyl , is a present remedy against poysons , as the scholiast of nicander professeth . somecatch a spider with their left hand , and bruise her in oyl of roses , and drop some of it into the ear of the same side the tooth akes , and pliny saith it is a cure . laid upon their own bites , and taken inwardly they help us . what should i speak of the albugo of the eye , a most hurtfull disease ? yet that is taken away very easily by the help of one spider , if you do but bruise the longest and slenderest feet ( especially of that kinde of spiders that are the whitest ) with oyl , and anoynt the eyes affected with it . pliny . also the running of the eyes is stopped , ( which the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ) with the dung and urine of a house spider dropt in with oyl of roses , or one dram of saffron , or else laid on alone with wooll : whereby you may know that there is nothing so filthy in a spider that is not good for something . aetius for suffocation of the mother , applyed a cerate of spiders to the navel , and saith it did great good . pliny saith , that spiders help the swelling and pain of the spleen , but he tells us not his reason . he saith moreover , that if any man take a spider coming down with his thread , and bruised in the hollow of his hand , do lay it to the navel it will cause a stool , but if he takes him climbing up , and applies him , it stops the belly . he writes also that a spider applyed to one that knowes not of it , and taken off the third day , will cure a felon . the head and feet being taken away , it helps swellings of the fundament . the same author . by the fume of spiders all the lice fall down and never breed again . goose-grease and oyl of roses with a spider anoynted on the breasts , keeps the milk from curding in them . anonymuss . also that knotty whip of god , and mock of all physicians , the gowt , which learned men say can be cured by no remedy , findes help and cure by a spider layd on , if it be taken at that time when neither sun nor moon shine , and the hinder legs pulled off , and put into a deers skin and bound to the pained foot , and be left on it for some time . also for the most part we finde those people to be free from the gowt of hands or feet , ( which few medicaments can doe ) in whose houses the spiders breed much , and doth beautifie them with her tapestry and hangings . oh the rare miracle of nature ! o the wonderfull vertue of a poor contemptible creature ! o most happy rich men , if they knew many of them how to make use of a thing ready to do them so much good ! antoninus pius was wont to say , that the quirks of sophistry were like to spiders webs , that had a great deal of art and ingenuity in them , but very little profit . but how often hath the bloud run forth of the body most miserably by a fresh wound ? yet it had been easie to have stopt it by laying on a spiders web , something thick , and binding it fast on , were we but more attentive to look to such remedies that god affords us in our houses . but we are greedy after forain remedies , fetcht from farre , as if they were better that we bring with great pains from the farthest indies , or more healthfull because of their greater cost . but unlesse mad affection did drive us , as if we were gad-stung , through all the places of sea or land , to finde remedies to stop bloud , cure ulcers , hinder corruption , drive away inflamation , knit wounds ▪ one spiders web would do more good than sercocolla , sandaraca , bole brought from armenia , terra sigillata , argilla samia , terra lemnia : for it bindes , cools , dries , glutinares , and will let no putrefaction continue long there ; wherefore it suddenly stops all bleeding at the nose , ( as also bleeding of the emrods , and bloud in a dysentery , menstrual bloud , and all over great evacuations of bloud by the opening of the mouths of the veins ) whether you give it alone with wine inwardly , and lay it on outwardly , or else mingle it with bloud-stone , crocus martis , and other things of that kinde . also the spiders web is put into the unguent against tetters , and applyed to the swellings of the fundament , it consumes them without pain . marcel . emp. also pliny saith it cures runnings of the eyes , and layd on with oyl it heals up wounds in the joynts . some rather use the ashes of the webs with polenta and wine . our chirurgians cure warts thus : they wrap a spiders ordinary web into the fashion of a ball , and laying it on the wart , they set it on fire , and so let it burn to ashes ; by this means the wart is rooted out by the roots , and will never grow again . marcellus empiricus was wont to use the webs of spiders sound in the cypress tree , in a remedy for the gowt , to ease the pains . for the tooth-ache , galen . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . out of archigenes , commends highly spiders egges , mingled with spike oyl , and put into the tooth : also kiranides gives spiders egges to drink against a tertian ; whence we conclude with galen ad pison . from the spiders web we may understand enough , that nature hath made nothing so vile , but th●t it serveth for its necessary use ; if so be physitians would use more diligence , and would not disdaign to enter into the wood of such things as are easie to attain . now i will proceed to other things , least if i stay too long in the history of the spiders , i may indeed be said to weave the spiders web ; yet i will add this , that munkeys , apes , stellions , lizards , wasps , ichneumons , swallows sparrows , muskins , hedge-sparrows , feed on spiders . and the nightingale , that is the chief of singing birds , is cured from some diseases by eating of spiders . when alexander reigned , it is reported that there was a very beautifull strumpet in alexandria , that fed alwayes from her childehood on spiders , and for that reason the king was admonished that he should be very carefull not to embrace her , least he should be poysoned by venome that might evaporate from her by sweat . albertus also makes mention of a certain noble mayd of collen , that was fed with spiders from her childehood . and we in england have a great lady yet living , who ( as we said before ) will not leave off eating of them . i cannot but repeat a history that i formerly heard from our dear friend worthy to be believed , bruerus . a lustfull nephew of his , having spent his estate in rioting and brothel-houses , being ready to undertake any thing for money , to the hazard of his life ; when he heard of a rich matron of london , that was troubled with a timpany , and was forsaken of all physicians as past cure , he counterfeited hi●self to be a physician in practice , giving forth that he would cure her and all diseases . but as the custome is , he must have half in hand , and the other half under her hand , to be payed when she was cured . then he gave her a spider to drink , as supposing her past cure , promising to make her well in three dayes , and so in a coach with four horses he presently hasts out of town , lest there being a rumor of the death of her ( which he supposed to be very neer ) he should be apprehended for killing her . but the woman shortly after by the force of the venome was cured , and the ignorant physician who was the author of so great a work , was not known . after some moneths this good man returns , not knowing what had happened , and secretly enquiring concerning the state of that woman , he heard she was recovered . then he began to boast openly , and to ask her how she had observed her diet , and he excused his long absence , by reason of the sicknesse of a principal friend , and that he was certain that no harm could proceed from so healthful physick ; also he asked confidently for the rest of his reward , and to be given him freely . truly in this present corruption of manners and times , how highly is such a mountebank esteemed , wherein chance is accounted for skill , and one accidental rash cure of a disease , with danger oft-times of the patients life , makes a quacksalver a great physician , and he is judged worthy of praise and honour ? but a better revenging judge will correct these things ; we pass on to pismires . chap. xvi the commendation of pismires ; wherein we shall describe their differences , nature , ingenuity and vse . to begin with the commendations of the pismires , i know not whether i shall first speak of their body or minde , since ants for both are not only to be preferred before many insects , but also before many men ; for they are not one ey'd , nor horrid skew-ey'd , nor do they walk with crammed guts , as ballio doth in plautus , nor yet are they mishapen , crook-leg'd any way , gorbellied , over close kneed , blub-cheek'd , great mouthed , lean chopt , rude foreheads , or barren , as many great ladies , and noble women are , who have lost the faculty of generation ; but the beauty of their body followes the goodness of their minde , and nature hath given them for their degree and order , a constant and absolute perfection . cardan was the first said they were blinde , because their body is small ; not remembring that there are many flies and gnats that are far less than ants , yet they have eyes and can see well . if they were blind , i see not what the light could profit them , and they would work as well in the night as in the day . i confess that their foreyards serve them for a staff to prove the way , not that they do not see what way they go , but because by those means they try the hardness and softness of things . they have a very little head , but round as the heavens are , wilde brain'd , set with eyes , a mouth with teeth , and a throat not without a tongue and a palate ; they have a square breast with ribs to defend it , with lungs , or bellows that supply their room , that are so firm , and yet loose , that they never grow out of winde by labouring , but alwayes draw their breath most freely . they have a stomach in their belly that is strong to digest venome , ( for they feed often on serpents and toads ) and they are very hot in the matrix , and very fruitfull , to their commendation . what should i here mention their swift walking , and their equall motion when they goe ? fot they not only out-goe pack-horses for the proportion of their bodies , but out-run the swiftest chariots . they vary in colour , according to the difference of their kindes and places . for there are red ones in mauritania , and the inhabitants of budemelum have white ones . in europe they are most an end black ones , yellow , and somewhat red from tawny . here they seem very short , smaller , fine necked , slender , and weak bodied ; yet these will carry a weight thrice as great and heavy as themselves ; and those in india of a great bignesse , will carry great pieces of flesh with them , and devour it . their bodies you have seen , now see their minde , it 's a sparing and laborious kinde , and holds and keeps whatever she can finde . virg. . aeneid . truly , as often as i remember the profuseness of caius julius caesar , the luxury of caligula , the prodigality of nero , the excessive gluttony of apicius , and the great waste of heliogabalus ; so often do i exceedingly commend the wit and ingenuity of the pismire , and prefer her prudence before that of men. i know that they lived sweetly , and with fat patrimonies from their fathers , they gained large inheritances ; yet they found out new use of baths , dangerous kindes of meats , curiosity in banquets , ships made of cedars adorned with jewels , the drinking of pearls , and theywasted as much in one year , as they could extort for tribures and customes , or by plunder both at home and abroad all their life time . licinius crassus had formerly much riches , who being brought to need , was laught at by all that met him , and the people in a jeer , called him the rich crassus . and ( oh god! ) saith the comedian , what a miserable thing it is for a man to have had a great estate formerly , and to have nothing now ? how much better were it for us to imitate the ant , who gathering corn in autumn , doth not waste it prodigally in winter rioting , but keeps it providently for future use , and daily store ? hence it is that she is never tortured with hard poverty , nor is she tossed on the billowes of cross fortune , nor is she endebted or in danger by borrowing from others ; nor doth she seek from other creatures either work , or sustenance to maintain her , and keep her in health : and if frugality comes from fruits , as the etymologist derives it , ( for our ancestors , the masters of old sobriety , scarce knew any other diet ) it is very credible that that vertue is passed from our first parents into the pismires , who feed only on dry corn to maintain their lives , and avoid all superfluity of many dishes . hence the poet elegantly feigned that the myrmidons , the most excellent people of the greek nation ( if you consider their temperance , their labour and their diligence ) were descended of the pismires . for whence could they have gotten so great abundance of riches and goods , unless by an emmets prudence they had preserved what they had gotten and laid up to prevent poverty ? and as sparing in keeping , so diligence in getting , and wisdome and industry is found to be admirable in them . they take a very commendable way first to preserve their life , then for their posterity , and lastly to provide their victuals . first of all , they build themselves an house , as in the golden age , not covered with tyles for delight , but with green turfs , and not made of bricks , but fenced with mud-wals . histories do mightily magnifie the pyramides , and trenches of egypt , and the labyrinth of crete . but no man can sufficiently set forth the excellent work of 〈…〉 ches that the ants make , the figure , the magnificence , the turnings , windings , and revolutions thereof : for these by an unspeakable prudence , beyond all mans art , make houses under ground with such strange turnings , that they open only the way that is unaccessible to others , and is not possible for any that would do them wrong to enter at . first they make the earth hollow with their tender nails in the place of spades ; and to throw the earth forth , they use their hinder feet for shovels : hereby they cast up a mount , and fence it about as with wals or forts ; then they cover their work with chaffe , straw , leaves , bowes , bark , and pieces of sticks , and laying onnew matter , they raise a tower that may be seen afar off , ( called an ant-hill ) which is far higher and more sloping than the foundation , partly that their houses may not fall by rain staying about them , and partly that they may live the more healthfully by reason of the air that penetrates and passeth through . this divine little creature fetcheth the fashion of its building from heaven , either because their multitudes required room , or their excellence required the best . the entrance is not right forth but turning with many labyrinths and muses ; they distinguish their chambers in this tower of theirs in a threefold order , yet it is so hard to come into them , that argus who was all eyes , may be often deceived in them . the first room is large enough , like the presence-chamber , where they all meet , and convene , we call it the universal congregation house of ants : under this for the females , there is the feminine room arched by daedalean art , wherein the eggs are laid safe that they may produce their young ones , it is made lest they should be thought careless of posterity . the third chamber is most inward , and most safe from showres , and that is built for their store-house for their corn , that as it were in a granary they may lay up their belly-timber , and may fence it well from the winter cold that searcheth into all things ; the adjacent parts and outmost skirts of their castle they appoint for a place of burial , and there they bury their dead with honour and state . and this is the manner of their building , plain indeed , and within the ground , as were the houses of the wise men of elder times , before that pride , and the head-strong ambition of ninus invented to build up towers to heaven . since his death , shall i speak of kings or princes ? truly there are some citizens of the lower bench , who with extraordinary charge do build up , not an ant-hill , but mausoleum , or a prison for their bodyes , and adorn it with all the cost and art they can ; worthy they are indeed to be devoured by pismires whilest they live , that dying by the force of a wise creature , they may suffer for their folly . nor do ants build houses that are places for idle people , or such as are mischievous to harbour themselves in , but every one , yet without any commander , followes some honest labour , and for the good of their democraticall state , each one mutually employs his pains by turn . for they all , like those that labour in the mines , do stoutly exercise themselves in digging of trenches , some serve to repair their houses , to adorn them , and to keep them clean , others with great assemblies and funerall solemnities bury their dead , in the place of buriall adjacent , others again visit the sick , and out of their granary they fetch some physicall grain , ( for they have corn and grain almost of all plants ) and prepare that and carry it to them . they have officers of all sorts , as purveyours for corn , gleaners , storers , yeomen of the larder , housholders , carpenters , masons , arch-workers , pioners ; for such is the vertue and skill of every one , that each ant knowes what is needfull to be done , and willingly doth his best to help the common-wealth . but in their ordinary work what labour and diligence do they use ? if they be minded to build an ant-hill presently , or else are forced on a sudden to raise a new house , the old one being undermin'd and decayed by the moles digging under them , they go forth all in troops , and from the rubbish of their houses thrown down they build new ones hard by . first they gather together their scattered egges , and corn , and put each of them in their proper places , afterwards they repair their hill , and covering and thatching that well , they keep all safe and dry : when the sun shines , when they go forth to fetch corn , the greater and elder go before them as captains , the rest follow after . they creeping up to the top of the stalk , bite off the ears of corn , and the young ones stay and gather them up , and the chaffe being fallen off , they pull the corn out of the husks , and then they carry it home ; and the end of it being eaten off , if there be necessity , they set it at their doors a sunning , and when it is ventilated they lay it up again . when gleaning is done , they frequent the threshing floors , and there not by stealth , but openly they take sustenance for their lives , and they enrich their treasury . which labour of theirs virgil wittily describes in these verses . as when the ants plunder a heap of wheat , minding cold winter , store it up for meat . their black regiments through narrow wayes passe , and carry their prey over fields of grasse , some bear the burden , some them forward drive , chastning delayes , who shall work most they strive . wherefore not unfitly did the prince of morall wisdome , send those sluggish and slothfull monfters of mankinde ( who like mice live alwayes on other mens labours , and goe from dore to dore like vagabonds to beg a peny ) to learn wisdome of the ant , that by the example of the ant , they ma● use opportunity , and lay aside begging , esteeming labour much , which is the merchant for all that is good . hitherto belongs that of the french poet. poor sluggard who dost live in penury and want , behold the houshold prudence and wisdome o th' ant , lest she should stand in need , which she doth greatly fear . she gathers in one moneth , to serve her a whole year . this is their diligence in gathering , their care in preserving , their prudence in storing , their oeconomicall skill in distributing what they have laid up . i shall shew you also their modesty on the way , which me thinks should not be over-passed . for though they go in a narrow way , yet are there no brawlings , contentions or strivings for it , nor yet any murmurings , or fightings , or slaughters amongst them for place , ( as it is usuall amongst proud men . ) but the younger gives place to the elder , and he that carries no burden , to him that is loaded , and each of them is ready modestly rather to passe by an injury , then waspishly to offer one . if any man compare their burdens with their bodyes , he will confesse that no creature hath more strength , considering their proportion . they carry their burdens in their mouths ; the greater burdens they attempt to take up backwards with their hinder feet , and lay their shoulders to them with all their might . they have all a care and mindefulnesse and endeavour for the publick good . they store up the seed they first bite , lest they should grow again in the earth ; when they are subject to grow mouldy , and are wet with rain , they bring them out and dry them in the sun , wipe and torrefie them , and then they lay them up in their granaries again . the greater seeds they divide at the entring . they work also at the full moon in the night , ( as good mowers are wont to do ) and when the moon is in conjunction and hid , then they forbear labouring . but what pains do they take in labouring ? how dilgent are they ? and because they work in divers places , to come home with it , the one not knowing what the other doth . certain dayes ( saith pliny ) are appointed for a generall survey , and meeting to enquire into the businesse , what running together of them is there then ? how civill is their conversation ? how complementally do they salute one the other ? how diligently do they seem as it were to talk together , and to make enquiry ? you shall see see flints worn in the path they goe , and a path made in marble stones , that no man may doubt but that diligence will doe something in any matter ; for they all goe almost in the same path . for if one carry a burthen too heavy for him , the rest in the way will come and help him , lending their legs and shoulders , if it be a light burthen the fewer come to assist , if a weighty , more come , and either draw back , or thrust forward , or if the burthen be too great , by biting it in sunder , and dividing it , they promote their businesse : and by this means they bring home a great heap of straw and sticks to their houses . now if any will attempt to hinder the ants in their labour , ( as the serpents and toads often doe when they meet them , ) — they fight and will not flie , and hold it noble in these wars to die . for then ( making as it were an agreement ) they conspire together , and with horrid and cruell bitings , they destroy the enemy . he that hath not fastened upon the common enemy , thinks he hath deserved little of the common-wealth , and upon that score they fight . in the time of harvest , when such an accident falls out , they do not meddle with a dead body , but presently as the enemy is vanquished , they fall to their labour again , and they gather up again the corn they laid aside before the battell , and lay them up ; for they hold it no prudence to stay to plunder , when greater businesse doth require their industry , and they hold it ignoble to contest with those that are dead . they feed chiefly on grains of wheat , winter corn , barley , and hard meat which they delight in . they take great pleasure in cyprus nuts , and the tender flowers of herbs that are red . they eat scorpions ( called geraret ) saith rhasis , and they feed on the carkases of serpents and , frogs when they are hungry . otherwise they abhorre to eat corrupt and venomous things ; nor will they touch fruit polluted with menstruall bloud , nor taste of them . have not men by reason of hunger been compelled to feed on horses , wolves , serpents , grasse , and dead bodies in time of narrow sieges ? that is sufficient to prove their cleanlinesse , that they carry out their dead in the husks or bladders of trees and corn , as of old time the romans buried their dead in pots , but they now carry them forth on biers . they delight to live in clean houses , and for that purpose they do not lay their dung , ( that is like to urine ) within doors ; and when they travell through dirt , and are bedawbed , at the entrance of their houses , they rub themselves clean against some rough bark . they love and take such care for their young ones , that they alwayes carry their egges in their bosomes , so long as they are little , and not so overgrown that they hinder their labour ; but then they lay them up in their deep hollow cave , that they frustrate the birds that prey upon them , as the wood-pecker , the nightingale , and also the bear. but so soon as the young pismires come forth of the egges , they immediately shew them the way to labour and take pains , and if they refuse to work they will give them no meat . hence you may observe that they set every one his task : the stronger with their mouths , feet , little noses , do cast up the earth , and when they have cast it forth , they make it up in heaps , when they heap it up , they mingle straw with it , that it may lie light , and lie hollow . the wiser sort of them do build , the lesser of them remain in their trenches , and work , the more expert make windings like maeandres and labyrinths , and frame vaulted chambers . if they observe any to be idle , they not only drive them out , pinched with famine as a base breed , but they bring him before the door , and calling a councell of them all , they put them to death , that their young ones may take example , that they may not hereafter addict their mindes to sloth and idlenesse . the dayes appointed for labour and gathering corn , they set venereous action aside ; and chiesly in winter , ( when there is neither sowing nor mowing ) they couple together : yet for modesty sake they use venereous actions within doors , as the bees do , at this time they make much of their females , and when they are great with egges they embrance and love them most . above all they take care ( o wonderfull love to their young ones ) that nothing may be wanting to their off-spring for food or instruction . he only can doubt of the valour of pismires who nevet saw them fight , nor heard the report of their battels . for they are not only full of choler , ( as the proverb is ) but they have a purpose to fight , so that they either joyn battell with externall enemies , or else hold civill warres amongst themselves , when they want food . for though pismires never fight when their granary is full , and their democraticall government stands fast whilst they have plenty of food ; yet ( what we read to have hapned in the best ordered monarchies ) in a dearth , or rather want of provision , they fight desperately for food , and for their lives , and the lesser of them will rebell against the greater , ( as being the greater gulphs of the common-wealth . ) it is the nature of necessity to give and not to take lawes , and then chiefly when the belly a troublesome client , doth feed on it self , and the guts croke and are empty . there are few juster kings then lysimachus was said to be , nor were there better subjects then the athenians , yet both of them did many things disorderly in famin , and he gained thereby to be branded with the name of a pusillanimous , faint-hearted prince , and they of rebellious subjects . therefore this warre of the pismires is to be commended , that is not undertaken for a crown of ivy , bayes , or of gold , or of grasle , ( which was accounted the most ancient ) but from intestine necessity , and nature leads them to it ; for neither could solon himself endure thirst , nor solomon conquet hunger . for these will dig under all walls , will be held by no bands , and they only know neither lawes nor bounds . aeneas silvius relates a strange history of this fight , lib. de europa , c. . his words are these . in the county of bononia , many little pismires that were hungry , clambered up a dry pear tree to seek for food , the greater pismires came upon them in no small number , and these took the meat out of their mouths , and killed some of them , others they threw down , those that were cast down returned to their ant hill , or fort , in the way they meet with others , and seemed to talk with them , and rip up the injury they had received , and they bring forth all the forces they had , and their companions out of their tents . about two hours almost afterwards , so many bands of the lesser pismires , and such a mighty army drew forth , that the whole field appeared black by these black souldiers ; they came all well guarded , and compassing the stock of the tree round , they began to climbe up . the greater pismires when they saw their enemies at hand , drew close into a body to receive the encounter aloft ; so soon as the armies met and fought , the great ones killed abundance of the lesser ones with fierce biting them , and they destroyed all those in a terrible skirmish that first ventred up , that at the root of the pear-tree there lay a great heap of them slayn . the rest of the little pismires and the middle army would not be daunted by this , or run away , but they recollect their forces , and attempt to be revenged , and following more stifly , and pressing one army after another , they mounted up the tree in greater numbers than before , and they bite their enemies on the back , on the sides and in the front , and they forced them to yeeld , and leave the tree . the greater pismires were much too strong for them , but the numerous multitudes of the little ones prevailed against them , and twenty at least set upon one . this happened when eugenius the fourth was pope , nicolaux pistoriensis a most learned lawyer standing to behold it , and he related the manner of the fight sincerely and truly . olaus magnus reports the like accident to have hapned at vpsal and holme , before that barbarous and cruel tyrant christianus the second was driven forth by the inhabitants of sweden , from ruling over the goths and swedes . in which battel that must not be forgotten , the lesser pismires after they had won the field interred the bodies of their fellowes , leaving their enemies exposed to the crowes and muskins ; also they made choice of a high tower for the place of combat , as if they would with a clear voice call and draw unto them the prodigy of tyrants and his followers , to see their destiny revealed , and the punishment that hang over their heads . also they hurt elephants and bears , but not unlesse they be first hurt by them . they afflict serpents and dragons and make them mad , but it is either because they hinder them in their labour and stop the way , or because they breath their venemous breath into their caves and turrets . grashoppers and dormice they hate exceedingly , those because they spend the summer time in singing , these because they lose the winter in sleeping , for a common wealth well regulated doth punish idle persons as well as those that are wicked , and the spartans were wont to cast forth those that would not labour . they live very long , and would hardly ever die , unless the birds did catch them before their time , or the flouds and waters drowned them . they are for the most part very healthful , because they observe those three rules of plato very exactly , mirth in labour , temperance in diet , and sparing in venereous actions . for what creature labours more chearfully , diets more moderately , or did nature ever produce that is more temperate in venery ? also there is in them many seeds of domestick discipline , justice , friendship and other virtues ; and had we the like , either by nature or by art in us , we would scorn to live basely on the labours of others , and we would refuse to be slaves to our bellies . moreover they have some sense of future things ; for before a famine they labour exceedingly , continuing their work night and day , and every where laying up a great store , as juvenal hath it satyr . — hunger and cold away drive , and from the ant learn thou an art to thrive . since therefore ( to wind up all in a few words ) they are so exemplary for their great piety , prudence , justice , valour , temperance , modesty , charity , friendship , frugality , perseverance , industry , and art ; it is no wonder that plato in phaedone , hath determined , that they who without the help of philosophy have lead a civill life by custom or from their own diligence , they had their souls from ants , and when they die they are turned to ants again . to this may be added , as i related before , the fable of the myrmidons , who being a people of aegina , applied themselves to diligent labour in tilling the ground , continual digging , hard toiling , and constant sparing joyned with virtue , and they grew thereby so rich , that they passed the common condition and ingenuity of men , and theognis knew not how to compare them better then to pismires , that they were originally descended from them , or were transformed into them , and as strabo reports they were therefore called myrmidons . the greeks relate the history otherwise then other men do ; namely , that jupiter was changed into a pismire , and so deflowred eurymedusa the mother of the graces , as if he could no otherwise deceive the best woman , then in the shape of the best creature . hence ever after he was called pismire jupiter ; or , jupiter king of pismires . for the generation of pismires are endowed with so much virtue and justice , that they need no king to govern them , for each of them can regulate his own passions ; or if they have any king , it is the supreme jupiter , that governs all , who is deservedly thought to be the fountain and authour of all virtue both in men and pismires , and all other creatures . for there is none amongst men that doth govern better then the pismire ; and we that should teach them ( as saith st. hieronymus ) may learn of them divers things that are necessary for our souls and bodies . for when contrary to their nature and industry they hide themselves , we are certain that rain is not far off ; and when we see them running here and there , and carrying their egges before them , we are warned thereby of great winds and tempests . also those that are well acquainted with country learning , when they see the pismires run here and there , extreme fast , twice as much almost as at other times , and take such huge pains in gathering and storing up corn , they are warned of a famine at hand , and so buy up all the corn they are able . for they more rightly and certainly by their naturall magick foreshew tempests , then our soothsaying almanack-makers , that are derided and exploded for vain fellowes by all godly and truly learned men . for let ennius be heard ; they that are out shew other men the way , and promise riches who have none to pay . to whom they promised to them they pray . nor doth accius lesse elegantly describe them , who was the chief in writing of tragedies , in his atticis we read thus ; i trust no wisards , who have learn'd the skill , with gold their houses , others ears to fill . they do better in my opinion who observe the pismire , and grow rich by following his manners in labor , industry , rest and study . we read of midas that he was the richest king of all the west , and when he was a boy , the pismires carryed grains of wheat into his mouth whilst he slept , and so foreshewed without doubt that he should be endowed with the pismires prudence , and should by his labour and frugality gain so much riches , that he should be called the golden boy of fortune , and the darling of prosperity . aelianus . and when the ants did devour and eat up the live serpent of tiberius caesar , which he so dearly loved , did they not thereby give him sufficient warning that he should take heed to himself for fear of the multitude , by whom he was afterwards cruelly murthered ? suetonius . they do teach us by their example of labour and virtue , both because they do inculcate unto us parsimony and perseverance , and also because when they are grown rich they maintain perpetual and inviolable friendship . for though at such a time one man is a wolf to another , and the desire of having more increaseth with gain , ( which the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , covetousness ) yet as the comedian speaks ; in good or bad what ere it be , the ant with ant doth still agree . and they never fight and jar but upon occasion of extreme famine . horace chargeth them with covetousness , because they alwayes heap up more ; but since they do that for the common welfare , that reproach of his is not their fault . but they eat serpents , and live sometimes on venomous things : i grant that , and may be they use it for their theriac , and are not therefore pismires to be commended ? yes as well as the storks , they ought to be fed from the common treasure , and i might say to be adored as well as the indian rat ichneumon . in isthmus the priests sacrificed pismires to the sun , either because they thought the sun the most beautiful ▪ and therefore they would offer unto him the most beautiful creature , or the most wise , as seeing all things , and therefore they offered unto him the wisest creature . but you will say , they are most hurtful creatures to vines , to dittany , to young shoots , and to many tender plants , and pliny cals them the plague of trees . but gellius cals them more properly the revengers and judges of idle people ; for they by their labour call us out of our lurking holes , and drinking houses , to till our grounds , and take care of our orchards more diligently , and to exercise our wits , and to be more industrious in our business , and to do what is just and equall . go forth then idle companions , and powre on a little hot water wherein lime hath been infused , and believe me not , but you shall drive all pismires away , and shall infuse more life and spirit into all thy plants . origanum , brimstone , assa , nitre , snails-shels , lupines , lazerwort , wilde cucumbers , buls-gall , boyl , and cast on , or but in fume or sprinkled : also many things there are ready to be had for one that is diligent and laborious , whereby you may quickly drive out this plague from your grounds , and you may expect a great retribution for your pains , abundance of fruit . moreover all those things that drive away wasps and hornets , that we spake of before , will afford you a sufficient remedy , and will also kill all the pismires . yet in truth , thou sluggard , thou hast more need to nourish up this creature and set up for it a statue of gold . for so of old time they are said to have done , when they worshipped the ant , in an hieroglyphick , holding three ears of corn in the mouth of it , as being an emblem of divine providence , and labour , and of household care . for they are , to use aristotles words , without any king , and under a popular government ; yet every one of them is for himself a father of his countrey , and they do to their power increase the common good as if it were for themselves in particular . but if you object , that the pismires by biting cause redness , tumour , tickling , and then a grievous pain where they bite ; i do not wonder at that ; i rather wonder at this , how thou canst look upon them , and not blush extremely , for thou canst not chuse but blush to see luch great industry in so small a creature , and to behold the watchfulness , labours , journeys , sweat , and toil that he is busied in . yet they do not wound idle people so much ( whom alone they are said to sting ) but it will be cured with an emplaister of varignana , made of flies and pismires mingled together ; for as scorpions , so are they the remedy for the wounds they make ; and they bring their cure along with them when they bite . pliny , columella , arnoldus , aelianus , albertus , and vitalis , will direct you in other helps , but you must not draw them out and apply them , without using the prudence of the pismire . will you give me leave to reckon up the infinite benefits you may receive from them , for this small detriment you accuse them for ? now listen what the ancients write concerning the virtues of them , and judge uprightly concerning it . for they are not only meat for serpents , dragons , beares , locusts , rats , dormice , chameleons , lapwings , wood-peckers , larks , nightingales , pheasants , wagtails , hens , sometimes to satisfie their hunger , some-times as remedies to cure them of surfets , as pliny , solinus , plutarch , palladius , eustathius , bellonius , albertus , and experience do witness : but also the inhabitants of the countrey of mangi , do feed on red pismires seasoned with pepper , and they are their greatest dainties as nicolaus venetus doth testifie . also they are good to catch locusts , and to bait for many fishes , chiefly the roch. as concerning physick , there are but a few diseases that these creatures , as the hand of god , do not yeeld some help unto . doth a feaver burn and scorch thee alive as it were in the engine of perillus ? hearken● and i shall tell thee of an admirable water to quench that fire , and most effectual against it , as gesner received it from a friend : take fountain water one pound , honey three spoonfuls , shake them in a can , and set them in an emmets hill , so that pismires may easily fall into it ; when you find that so many are fallen in as will thicken the water , shake the can , and as you use to do in making rose-water , so distill them . the dose is half a spoonfull , or more as the patient can endure it by reason of his force more or lesse , it will wonderfully provoke vomiting , and will also evacuate the matter of the disease by urine . pliny is the authour from the old sayes , that a quotidian , tertian , quartan , and all intermitting fevers will be cured , if the sick cause the parings of his nails to be cast before the entring of the ant hill , and if he catch the first of them that layes hold of them , and bind him up and tie him about his neck . art thou troubled with pains in thy ears ? go to , fill a glasse with emmets and emmets eggs , and stop it well , and bake it in an oven with the bread , till it be as hot as the bread that begins to heat ; then shall you find a water that is very usefull to cure the pains in the ears if it be dayly dropped in . is there a cloud before the sight 〈◊〉 presse out the juyce of the red emmets , and drop it in , it doth corrode with some pain , and wholly extirpate it . erotus , trotula , theophrastus . emmets egges beaten and put into the ears , remove all deafness quickly . marcellus . some bruise them and press out the watry substance , and drop it in . some infuse them in a glasse vessell in oyl , and boyl that on the fire , and powre that into the ears . if urine be retained and cause the dropsie , drink twenty pismires , and so many egges with them in white wine , and they shall help you . also their egges distilled do much when urine is stopped . leo , faventinus . a maid that cares for her beauty , and would make the circles of her eye-lids black , emmets egges bruised with flies will perform that , and give them their desire . some again either through age or disease ( to use the poets phrase ) are beaten in their property , and have lost their generative power , that they cannot do the office of a husband if they would . some authours commend to these oyl of sesamum with emmets egges bruised and set in the sun , if the yard and testicles were anointed with it . to this oyl some add euphorbium one scruple , pepper , rew seed , of each one dram , mustard seed half a dram , and again they set it in the sun . rasis . arnoldus in this case commends black ants macerated with oyl of elder . nicolaus mingleth it with roots of satyrium ; and others do give the distilled water thereof to those that are fasting . gesner in euonymus describes a water conducing thereunto ; take saith he , a pot besmeered within side with honey , and half full of ants , then add long pepper , nutmegs , cardamon , pellitory of spain , each one pugil , butter what may suffice , and digest them fourteen dayes in horse dung , then distill them in a bath , and give a little duly to be drank fasting . others , saith merula , add comfery to oyl of pismires ; others borax , or root of masterwort with wine when the impotent man goes to bed , and thus they affirm that men may be cured of feeblenesse , and women of barrenness . but i wonder at the force of pismires in this case , for brunfelsius writes that but four ants taken in drink will make a man unfit for venery , and abate all his courage thereunto : yet he will maintain that emmets with common salt and egges , and old hogs grease , wrapt in a cloth and laid on , will cure the pain of the hip-gowt . marcellus saith , that if they be applyed with a little salt , they are a present remedy for a tetter : also as serenus relates , they are good against scabs and itch from an inflamation of bloud ; the dust in emmets hils doth deep ly , being mingled with oyl , will help it by and by . also arnoldus reckons emmets egges amongst such things as take off hair ; and commends water distilled from them against noli me tangere , and all corroding ulcers . albertus thinks that drank with wine , they do powerfully dissipate winde . reckon how many warts you have , and take so many ants , and bind them up in a thin cloth with a snail , and bring all to ashes and mingle it with vinegar . take off the head of a small ant , and bruise the body between your fingers , and anoint with it any impostumated tumour , and it will presently sink down . nonus . also god , that i may omit nothing , by the biting of ants called solipugae ( it is a kind of venomous ant ) drove the cynamolgi ( a slothful and idle people of aethiopia ) from their habitations , and destroyed them quite . pliny . some think they should be called solifugae , but cicero cals them solipugas . i have a few things to speak from authors , as from anthologius , apthonius , natalis comes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and moichea a witty book of the same argument . and aratus , herodotus , strabo , aristophanes , rasis , aggregator , beroldus , ryffius , zetzes , arnobius , have by the by run over the natures of them , and their polite life . but because they add but little to what hath been said , i would no longer play the pismire , lest seeming to be eloquent i might grow impertinent , and searching every creek too narrowly , i should make more gaps . god grant that we whom god hath commanded to learn of ants , when we are idle and mind nothing but our bellies , may by his good guiding learn of them , and he instructing us , we may perform our duty . it is a small creature , and contemptible for its magnitude , yet we must know that goodness is not in greatness , but what is good is to be accounted great . i have said . chap. xvii . of the gloworm , and the female melo , and of anthremus and the field chislep . oft-times those that are of a great faction , and of noble descent , will scorn to marry with one of a common family . yet the poets write that jupiter did not disdain to imbrace ordinary women ; and the cicindela or gloworm , and the oyl beetle or meloe , ( though they are of the winged order ) are not ashamed to couple with others that want wings . and for as much as these females are endowed with the same force and dignity by nature , which is seen in males , i know not why they should refuse or be weary of their chance , and of their females , when as ( if their wings be taken off ) they agree in the same endowments of their minds and bodies . we spake abundantly in the first book , concerning their form , figure , manners , virtues , use , when we speak of their males that have wings ; and though this treaty is allotted for insects without wings , yet i would not artificially separate the females from their males , whereas naturall love hath from the beginning united them together . from the similitude this insect hath with a chisl●p , we call it the field chisl●p ; for it is found in corn fields ; it differs from the rest only in the number of its feet , ( for it hath but six feet that are very small and black ) the neck of it is very short , the body something broad and compact , the tail somewhat painted . pennius saw one in july about colchester , or else he never saw it . what physicall use it hath it is yet unknown to us . chap. xviii . of mineral worms with six feet . in pennius his papers concerning the nature of wormes , i did for a time wonder at his opinion , when he spake of wormes in stones , and he averred that he saw little ones with six feet in old rotten stones . for i had received from all philosophers , that all things that are very bitter , salt , sowre , sharp , oyly , hot , cold , solid , hard , though they may corrupt in time , yet they will breed no worms , and therefore theophrasius cals them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , not that they want life , but because they breed no living creatures . i began to weigh the matter narrowly , and to put into an equall ballance , without fraud , all their opinions ; at last i found that our ancesters were here and there most foully deceived , and i ascribe more to mine and pennius his eyes , then to all their words . tell me in good earnest , is there any thing more bitter then gall or agarick , salter then the sea , more tart then leaven , more sowre then vinegar , more hot then fire , or more pure and cold then snow congealed ? yet certain it is , that worms breed out of all these : and it shall appear sufficiently by the sequell of the story , that worms are bred out of stones , neither drinesse , nor solidity , nor coldness nor want of heat or moisture can hinder it : nor will i allow of that , that nature produceth living creatures by a mixture of heat and moisture , and moisture is alwayes as the matter for heat to make a concoction of . for not only where moisture affords matter , and heat doth manifestly concoct it , are living creatures breed ; but there also , ( that we may not seem to set bounds to the power of god ) where we see with our eyes that there is neither of these , nay where we may conceive that they are both absent . the generation of the creature called pyrigonus in the flames , of oripa in the most frozen snow , will evidently prove this , and that was the cause that i sooner subscribed to the generation of worms in stones . moreover , they that with their graving tool , do make rough their milstones that are grown over smooth by using , find worms oft-times bred in them , as the brother of pennius testified . faelix platerus , the worthy president of the physitians at basil reported to me , that he found a great live toad in the middle of a hard stone that was saw'd in sunder , that was bred there . and that excellent man zuingerus relates the same thing of a scorpion . and indeed these things had seemed to me incredible and monstrous , had i not known the same thing to have happened in a quarry of willia● cave a noble man of leicester . and neither philosophy nor reason is contrary to this opinion , since in the earth , the mother of all things , there is all kind of heat and moisture , and all kind of spirits ; and ( to use the words of a principall physitian ) all things seem almost to be full , of all things . nor can i see the reason why stones should rather be bred in living creatures , then living creatures in stones ; and as i shall easily grant that there are minerall vapours in us , so i shall not fear but i may grant that there are animal spirits in them , and yet not wrong the truth . for they have invisible and secret passages , nervs , veins , and turnings , whereby they either draw to them strange moysture , strange seeds and different vapours , or else receive them being brought thither . some say , that the marrow of a mans back will produce a most venemous serpent . cardanus saith that worms will breed of the ashes of worms . many writers besides pliny report that scorpions will breed from basil buried between walls . all men do see that stones are bred in the air : and bonus ferrariensis is not ashamed to say that it hath rained calfs , bloud and stones , which things though they sound harsh , and not to be true , yet i dare not rashly deny it , not doth this at all impaire the opinion we hold concerning worms bred in stones . and if the reason of this seem to ly so deep , that it is too difficult for us to search out ; you must think that truth lyeth so deep , and covered with so much darknesse , that it could not be found out till of late years . and in the generations of these things , ( which god only knowes ) truth will never shew it self but by conjectures , similitudes , collations , proportions , and observations . god doth here seem to scoffe and deride the arrogancy of worthlesse men , that dare look asquint into the work-house of gods creation , and are not afraid to inquire into the reasons , and to search and trie , and to attempt to imitate the works of god. i wish we could be admonished either by the punishment of salmoneus , or by the counsell of solomon , to learn more modesty : for that is the only way i know to the true knowledge of things , and the safest for us to walk in . chap. xix . of worms in vegetables , that have six feet , and first of worms in trees . worms in vegetables are either worms in trees , or in shrubs or pulse , or corn , or herbs . the tree-worms some of them feed on the wood , some on the bark , some on the leaves , some on the fruit , and of all these we shall speak in order . those that corrupt or spoyl the wood are of divers sorts , for those that breed in green and growing wood are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , those that breed in dry wood without sap , are called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , those that are bred in solid and dry wood are called thripes , those that breed in hotter kindes of wood are called termites , those that breed in saw-dust are called cossi , those that breed in planks of ships are properly called teredines . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 it may be took their name from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , for they do bite and eat living trees , so that oft times about their roots a great deal of powder and dust may be seen , as if it came by sawing . this worm hath an ill-favoured head , of divers colours , covered with a covering , and he can put it forth and draw it in at pleasure . his feet are on the hinder part toward his tayl , as the cossi have theirs on their breast , the rest of the body is covered with a sandy coat , as it were their shell , and when they put that off they die , as snails out of their shells . if tempest comes , teredo enters , and the rain at all adventures , gets in , and rots the walls and wood , makes work for carpenters , that 's good , &c. these hurt especially great trees , as the oak , the pear-tree , the apple-tree , the chesnut , the larch , walnut , beech , the medlar , the elm , and broad leafed willowes : in which cut unseasonably , or planted , a ●oft and ill fatty humour breeds ( which wood-men call , the sap , and the white ) which is the matter and nourishment of all the teredines . trees that are drier , more bitter , more oily and hard , are thought to be so much the freer from these worms : yet some-times they will offer violence to the cypress-tree , the walnut , the guaiacum , the tiele-tree , and to ebony it self . the manner of their breeding in wood is thus : many are bred within , and do not come from without , and they eat up their original , that of what they were bred they may live by the same . the material and conjunct cause is the sweet moisture of wood that is fit for their nourishment , being corrupted , even as of sweet flegm , worms are bred in the belly . now that sweet humour purrenes from a twofold cause , either by distemper , or solution of continuity . by distemper the quality is corrupted , and by cutting not only the inbred humour runs forth , but some strange humour enters by rain and mists , and corrupts the wood . in old spongy , and dry trees , by reason of age , are the greater worms , both because the radical moisture is more diminished , and because the distemper , heat and moisture that are strangers , are more augmented : as oft-times old men are troubled with cruel scabs , and eating sores , and worms . wood lying open to the moon in the night , sooner breeds worms , because of the over much moisture of the air , and in the hotter sun , from too much heat . those that breed within , breed at all times , but for those that come from without , and are bred of the seed of gnats and flies ; the spring and summer are the chief times for them ; for in winter they are frozen and dye . also the climate and the ground a●e of great force , for the irish wood seldome corrupts , there is such vertue in the ground , and in arabia , in the climate . now we shall describe the particulars . of those worms that are in fig-trees , some are bred of the trees themselves , and another is bred withall , that is called cerastes . for since the greatest part of worms do differ in shape and form one from another , yet the principal difference amongst them is this , that those which are bred in one kinde of tree or fruit , if they be translated to another kinde , they will not live : yet men affirm that cerastes is bred in the olive-tree , and will breed in the fig-tree ; wherefore the fig-tree hath its worms , and sends forth those also that it receives from other trees : yet they are all like to cerastes , and they make a small shrill sound . sypontinus saith he hath two horns on his head : when he hath eaten the place so hollow that he can well turn himself , he begets another little creature , and changeth one kinde into another as catterpillers do . the service tree is infested with red worms , and hairy , and then it dyes . also the medlar-tree being old produceth such worms , but they are greater then in other trees , as theophrastus writes . the sap produceth a worm like to a thrips , from whence gnats and kindes of phaleuci are bred , wilde pear-tree worms , some sort of living creatures that feed on wood , saith hesychius , for they extremely hurt wilde pear-trees . a little worm in the oke-like tree ( suetonius calls it galbus ) is wonderfull slender , whence the first of the sulpitii was called galba , from his extreme slendernesse . the palm-tree produceth the carabus ( as hesychius and aristotle testifie ) a worm like to sea-lobsters , having only six feet ; by this means the carabick worm of hesychius is known : theophrastus writes that they cut off the small boughs of the cinamon tree , two fingers length , and when they are green they sow them up in ox-hides ; then they say that these boughs corrupting will breed worms that eat the wood , and will by no means touch the bark , because it is sharp . this wood was seen in pennius his house , eaten by a worm that was of an ash-colour , it was not very hard , but had neither taste nor smell ; contrary to that some portingal merchants and quacksalvers that are ignorant of simples affirm . the worms called raucae , breed in the root of the oak , and hurt it . pliny faith , an olive-tree is ill planted where an oake is dug up , for the worm raucae left in the roots of the oak , creep into the roots of the olive-tree , and endamage them . johannes de chaeul affirms the same . the ancients reckon up but few worms that feed on bark , except the scolopendrae , j●li , and those moths that are like little scorpions , whose nature we explained in the chapter of the scorpion . the germans call these clop● , they are not much greater than a flea , of a red colour , with ten feet , they are frequent in the wood and horses of the mu●covites built of pine-tree : in the day they feed on the moisture of the wood that sweats forth between the bark . in the night they creep out , and if they light upon men that are asleep , they will suck out their bloud , biting painfully . the worms called syrones feed on the leaves and flowers of trees , how small they are in thickness we may conjecture from this , that it creeps between the membranes of the thinnest leaf , digging , and not hurting either outward skin . next to the worms in vinegar ( saith joach . came 〈…〉 us ) i never saw a worm so compact . the mines that it makes do sometimes represent the most fine lines and fibres . they hurt exceedingly the leaves of the cherry-tree , and the apple-tree that are spotted ; and when they are full they fall off ; and they seem to be formed of many pompion-seeds glewed broad waies together , but that they are far smaller . from these when they are dead another small insect ariseth , as they grew from another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , are like to syrones , which the english , whether they breed in wood , or bark , leaf , or flower , or fruits of trees , as in cheese or wax , call mites , that is very little ones , or alomes ; they differ from syrones by this , that they seem to be made of many acari . but the acarus it self is a round white six-footed little creature like to a little lowse , of almost no substance , that if you press it violently between your fingers and your thumb , it is so small that you cannot feel it nor hurt it . antigonus and aristctle call it jupiters butler , it may be because it will eat with its nib into the thickest wine-cask . and certainly if there were not something of god in it , and of divine vertue , how could we finde so great force in so little and almost no body ? also in the leaves of the beech , little knots are found wherein there are small worms . the fruits of trees ( as theophrastus saith ) are sometimes worm-eaten , when they are yet green , as we see in services , medlers , pears and apples . the olive both in the skin and kernel hath worms called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and it is a mischief not to be neglected ( saith theophrastus ) for it will not only waste all the oyl and the juice , but will eat up the stones that are so hard wherein the kernel is . also little worms are found in galls that are eaten through , and they are bred in the very inmost pith , out of which afterwards ariseth a kinde of flies and gnats , as valerandus doures an apothecary of lions testifieth . moreover , in oak acorns , and spongy apples , sometimes worms breed , and astrologers presage that year to be likely to produce a great famine and dearth . i need not contend that there are worms in small nuts , for all men know it : especially when the summer is moist , and the wind blowes from the south . it is strange that ringelbergius writes , lib. de experiment . that these worms may be fed to be as big as a serpent , with sheeps milk , yet cardanus confirms the same , and shewes the way to feed them , lib. de rer . varictat . there are little worms bred in dry figs like those in hazel-nuts , with a black head , and the rest of the body is a whiti 〈…〉 yellow , but they are smaller . bellonius saith he found that cedar as well as pine apples were sub●ect to worms . they are for thickness like to the female glow-worm , a fingers breadth long , with a head like an emmer , but more compact , with twelve incisions ; on each side it hath three feet near to the head , and two circular foreyards , with a thick belly , and a sharp tail . also in the hard and woody hulls of the witch-tree , there is a broad seed , and oft-times eaten with worms : and you shall finde there oft-times their very aurelia's . lastly , no fruit can be named , but some moth or worm will infest it ; even manna it self sometimes ( which the poets feign to be the meat of the gods , the scriptures maintain to be the meat of the sons of god ) corrupted and bred worms , when contrary to gods word it was laid up till morning . chap. xx. of worms of fruits , pulse , corn , vines , herbs . upon the lower willow ( especially when swelling gals break forth ) sometimes there are found like to roses , that are full of worms , as it also happens in the leaves of the mastick-tree . quinqueranus saith there are two kindes of scarlet oak , one like a great tree , the other a small shrub , about a foot and half high ; it spreads very broad , and the leaves are smooth and shining , with a numerous thorny beard in the circumference rising up with many siences like to the rose-bush . our countreymen call it a beech-tree , though it be nothing like to a beech-tree . it growes on plain ground , but that stands high , with little dry hillocks , and unfruitfull : when the shrubs are bedewed with showres in the midst of the spring , the cochineal begins thus : when the lower stalk divides into two branches , and in the middle of these there comes forth a thing that is round , and of the colour and bigness of a pear , they call this the mo●her , because from this the other grains proceed . besides every one of these shrubs hath com●●only five mothers , which at the beginning of summer and in hot weather put forth a great company of little worms , and they cleave in the top . a new off-spring of shoots growes up severally on high of a white colour , that produce living creatures . but wheresoever they meet with the hollow places of the twig budding where the worms are , they fall down , and become as great , as millet-seed . then growing up more freely , the white colour changeth into ash-colour , and then they appear no more living creatures , but again like unto pease . then those grains being ripe gathered , now great with colour'd worms : whilest they are carried to the merchants , the thin skin that goes about them breaks . the price of a pound of these worms that are come forth of the skin is a gold noble ; but that part which is yet in the skin , is sold for a fourth part of it : the mean while the little worms are as if they were dead , and move not . but when the season of the year comes , they are hastned by putting them in linnen cloths , and exposing them to the sun. then but seeling the heat , they presently creep forth , and strive to fly away ; but by the keeper of them , who watcheth them continually , they are shaked back into the middle of the linnen cloth till they die ; whilest this is doing , and for three daies after , there is so sweet a smell and delightful , that no civet , musk , or amber-greece , nor yet lemon flowers can surpass it . but if any grains escape from him that gathers them , they presently send forth a numerous army of winged creatures into the air . it was observed one year , that in a stony field in the countrey by arles , the profit of this increase was reckoned at crowns . so writes quinqueranus . and carolus clusius saith , that in his time , the same fashion of gathering cochineal was observ'd about narbon in france , and also in spain . for they have plats of ground in the open air provided for the purpose , with the sides something high , and they lay a● linnen cloth upon them and pour forth the cochineal upon that ; the keepers stand ready about it with little wands continually when the sun shines very hot , and they strike the outsides of the linnen cloth , that they may drive back into the middle of the cloth these little worms that hasten to come forth . but petrus bellonius l. . observ . c. . tels us of another manner of preparing cochineal . the weevil spoils a mighty heap of corn . it is formed like a small beetle , it hath a beck proper to it self , and with three forks . some of them are with black bodies , others with brown , but others that are the greater are greenish , and the middle of their body very small . this creature is so dry , that with the least touch it will turn to dust . it is bred chiefly in the spring , some few daies before that bees swarm . theophrastus saith they breed of one part of the grain , and the other part they feed● on . our countrey-men finde by experience that this wheat-worm will lay eggs in chinks of wals , and under the tyles , and from thence by procreation comes a new off-spring . they speak of three wonders concerning these little creatures . first , that though they be but few at first , yet in a short time they will increase infinitely . secondly , that they will lie between the tyles and in chinks of wals without any meat at least three years . thirdly , that if they be put into water three daies with wheat or barly , when they are taken forth they wil live again . our countreyman siliardus ( a diligent observer of nature ) describes the propagation of weevils thus : when ants have eaten off the top of the ear of wheat , the weevill goes up , and in that little hole he laies one or two eggs ( but seldom three ) so great as a grain of millet , long and yellow , full of liquid yellow matter ; from this afterwards proceedeth another weevill . this little insect hath both sexes , for they copulate before they do this mischief . petrus comestor affirms that they proceed from beans corrupted , to whom no man but guillerinus de conchis assents , lest they should falsly confound a weevil with midas , or bean-worm . beside this weevil commonly known , joach . caemerarius sent two others to pennius out of the barns of germany , with a far greater belly ; one of them was a kinde of ash-colour , and the other green . also scaliger saith there is in wheat a worm without a beck , which perhaps pliny meant by his corn-beetle . to this i will refer a certain little creature that is frequent in barns , that creeps with six feet , and with two short sail-yards it tries its way , it is spotted on the middle of its back and sides , and the rest of the body is black , which i therefore call the spotted weevil . this creature doth no great harm to corn , because it is still alone , and seldom two of them are found in one barn . about lentzbourg , a town of germany , a certain insect is found in the fields , which some call vlput , some korn-worm , others kornevele . it is said to be so venomous and hurtful , that the husbandmen will leave their plough when they meet it , and run after it to kill it . it is black from a little red , dwelling amongst wheat and eating up the corn : worms bred in vines , the skarlet oak worms are like them , such as brassavolus doth strongly maintain and think that they are bred on the roots of pimpernel . amongst herbs , both for physick , and for meat , the violet , radish , rue , basil , and many more are molested with worms . the worms in violets are very small and black , and run very fast , as jacobus garetus a most diligent apothecary , and very famous in the knowledge of simples as there are not many , affirms , out of the root of the hartichoak a worm comes , that hath six feet , like to a catserpiller , and whitish , with a reddish black head ; where it bites the roots of hartichoaks it makes them black , and at last kils them . the radish produceth the like . cardan saith , men report that there is a worm found in the leaves of rue , and it will grow wonderful great , as the hazel-nut worm will do if it be fed with sheeps milk . a little worm that is the childe of the dew , and a guest in basil with a body almost upright , he sticks fast by his hinder feet , whilest he takes hold with his forefeet . sugar is made of the sugar cane , the sweetest of all salts , and as the common sort of physicians suppose , it is altogether free from corruption . yet under the authority of scaliger , i assert that a little worm is bred in sugar , long , black as a flea , and ( if you take away his beck ) like to a weevil ; and therefore we may justly call it a sugar-worm . bellonius also makes mention of this . but that insect which the germans call mayen wormlen , seems to breed very seldom , saith camerarius . for in the moneth of may dewes often fall that are very unhealthful , and if they fall upon the leaves of hops , they turn to little living creatures called hoppen . amongst thousands of these you shall sometimes see one far greater than the rest ( though it is scarse greater than a fat lowse ) it hath yellow circles about the belly , the back is cham●er'd , the tail is somewhat long , the colour of the body for the greatest part is blackish . this when it wants aliment from dew , devours one by one all of his own kinde , ever beginning with that is next to him : he changeth his skin like to silk-worms : lastly , when he is almost transparent , he putting off his last skin , he hangs by his head and feet by a kinde of thin bird-lime , by some leaf , and so he dies : why may we not call this worm the hop-worm ? in the stalk of the asphodil , a worm is bred of a clear colour when the herb begins to flower , out of his shoulders wings grow by degrees , and then when he can fly , he forsakes his habitation . in the swoln joynts of the codded arsmart , and the wilde thistle , little white worms breed , as yellow ones do in the purple flowers of the bastard wilde chervil , and red ones in the root of pimpernel . i often have seen in the female smallage downy worms ; in mushroms and coleworts , small black worms ; in the root of acorus , white ones : in the root of elecampane whilest it is green and growing , white worms breed in ten or eleven joynts that are visible , that are as thick as a goosquil , with a litblack head , and six short feet , and the body all black . the kings of the indians , as aelian testifieth , use to eat for their second course , a worm found in a certain plant , when it is rosted at the fire , and they commend it for the daintiest and sweetest meat . in the head or stalk of the fullers teasil , we have seen a worm very small , with a little head , and six black feet , with ten or eleven incisions . first it eats up the spongy pith of the stalk , and when that fails it dies for want of food . it is easily found at the beginning of october , though marcellus upon dioscorides , doth most shamefully deny it . if i am not deceived , this is that worm the ancients call tatinum . xenocrates cals a plant like to double camomel galedragon , ( saith pliny ) it hath a stalk like fennel gigant , with a tall and prickly head , and like to an egg in form : in this with age they say little worms breed , that are good against the tooth-ach . in the roots of white thistle ( which plant is luxuriant in the high mountains of savoy ) there is a little worm found , breeding in some , in others it growes great , and in most of them it grows to have wings and ready to fly , it is white , and hath some joynts that it is divided by , and very black shining eyes . it may be there is great use in physick of a little worm bred in wilde tansey : but i leave the enquiry of that to those that are curious in the secrets of nature . chap. xxi . concerning the use of worms that breed in minerals and vegetables , and the way to destroy them . some think that worms that are bred in stones , ( whereof we speak ) those i mean that are as great as hand-worms , beaten into powder with the stone , are good to cure ulcers . also marcellus witnesseth that these bruised and given with three cyathi of water , will break and drive forth the stone by urine . the ancients used the more solid wood that the thripes had carved with their teeth for seals , and antiquity ascribeth the invention of that to hercules . in old trees red worms breed , whereof serenus writes thus . from an old tree do but red worms procure , bruise them with oyl , and dropt in warm , be sure , for pains o th' ears this is the safest cure . galen out of apollonius subscribes this remedy . worms that breed in hollow and rotten trees heal secret ulcers and all symptomes of ulcers , and diseases of the head ; also being burnt and powdered with their weight of dry dill , they cure cankers . marcellus . but aetius addes three worms bred of wood to an oyntment against the elephantiasis , which he learned of a certain physitian that took his oath of secrecy . the rottennesse that is made by their biting dries without pain , and is profitable for many things . galen eupor . c. . commends this kinde of powder , against knobs , clifts , and sores of the fundament . take orpiment in pieces three ounces , rotten wood of an oke four ounces , make a fine powder , then foment the place affected , first with the warm urine of a young boy , and afterwards strew on this powder . but the cossi are not only food for the inhabitants of pontus and phrygia , and they delight much in them ( as worms in cheese are to the germans ) but they also cure ulcers , increase milk , and as pliny saith , when they are burnt to ashes they cure creeping sores . the worm in fullers teazil put into a hollow tooth , will give wonderfull ease . pliny . and if it be hanged in a bladder about the neck and arms , it will cure quartane agues . dioscorides . one samuel quickelbergius a learned young man , in an epistle he writ to d. gesner , hath these words , saith he , as i was gathering of simples , a certain old man came unto me whilst i sought for a little worm in the head of the fulle●s teazill , and he said unto me , o thou happy young man , if thou didst but certainly know the secret vertues of that little worm , which are many and great . and when i intreated him , that he would acquaint me with them , he held his peace , and by no intreaty could i obtain it of him . pliny asserts that the colewort catterpillars being but touched with it will fall and die . the worms of galedracon ( which plant some men confound with fullers teazil ) being put into a box , and bound with bread to the arm on that side the tooth akes , will wonderfully remove the pain , saith xenocrates . the worms of the eglantine will cause sleep , and therefore some germans call them schlafoirs : they are applyed alive to a felon ( but alwayes their number must be odde ) and they do certainly cure it saith quickelbergius . a little worm found in the herb carduus , bound up in a piece of skarlet and hang'd about the neck , will cure the tooth-ache . marcellus . the worms that are found in the root of pimpernel , make a most incomparable purple colour , ( gesner ) that i wonder the ancients said nothing of them . all little worms found in prickly herbs , if any meat stick in the narrow passage of the throat of children , will presently help them . pliny . rub a faulty tooth with the worms in coleworts , and it will in a few dayes fall forth it self . meal-worms are good and seem to be bred to catch black-heads , and nightingales , and to feed them ; nor is there in winter wholesomer meat for them : for they purge , heat , and nourish also , those birds that have but a thin nutriment to preserve them . i spake before of the profitablenesse of the cochineel worms . brassavolus affirms the same of vine-worms , but how rightly let others judge ; but they are not only good for dying , but necessary in physick , for they both binde and dry , and scowr without biting , and incarnate also , they cure rheumatick eyes , mingled with pigeons bloud , they help suffusions of the eyes , they cure dysenteries , they help hard labour in childe-birth , and debility , they cure melancholy , fear , epilepsies , they provoke urine and the terms , they heat the matrix , they dissolve water and choler , they abate the panting of the heart , and upon that score they are put into confection of alkermes , and are the basis thereof . dioscor . avicen , kiranides . i say nothing , how greedily sparrows , wood-peckers , hens , wood-cocks , snipes , the pardus , a black-bird , larks , gnat-snappers , reed-sparrows , and many other birds , that are good physick , or else meat for us , do feed on the worms of trees and herbs . now since god hath mingled conveniences and inconveniences together , both to rouse up our providentiall prudence , and to punish us with punishments due to our sins , how both of these may be prevented i shall shew briefly . jonas being cherished under the shadow of the gourd , he thought it safe and happy to be so , when the heat was so vehement . but god sent a worm and took that from him , both to try his patience , and demonstrate his frailty . there was an arch-bishop of yorke , whose surname was grey , as our histories relate , when he had abundance of all corn in the time of great scarcity , yet he refused to let the poor have victoals either for money or intreaty . a little after this his barns that were full of corn , were so exhausted with weevils , that they left not one whole grain of wheat or barley : even as solomon said , he that hoards up his corn the people shall curse him , but blessing shall be on the head of him that selleth it . so god , that he may call forth a sluggish father of a family , sends the moths and worms into his orchard● and fields , both to make him laborious by this means , and also to teach him to make use of such helps and means that god offers to him . our ancestors have delivered by tradition many of these : but because cato , vitruvius , pliny , palladius , theophrastus , columella , varro , virgil , and many of those that were princes in husbandry , have abundantly set down these things , we shall only give you a smack of them here , because others have given a full draught . that trees may not be eaten with worms , plant them in the new of the moon , and cut them down between the new and old moon in the conjunction . also anoynt them with tarre , and often wet them with the lees of oyl . also keep them under covert , every where , that they may not stand exposed either to great heat of the 〈◊〉 or tempests of weather . also that trees may not grow worm-eaten , anoynt their roots before the first planting of them , and then afterwards moysten their roots with mans urine and a third part of the strongest vinegar . some steep a long while squills with lupins , and they sprinkle the places that are worm-eaten or presse out their liquor with a sponge , or they besmear the stock of the tree till it be very wet , and they powr into the holes bitumen mingled with oyl . others sprinkle on quick-lime , others oyl-lees and old pisse , others hogs or dogs dung steept in asses pisse , the roots being first uncovered . democritus taught men to bruise terra lemnia with water , ( it may be he meant carpenters red ) and to smear them with that : some pick out the worm with a brasse pin and put cow-dung over the hole . red hairy worms search to the inward pith , if you can draw these forth and not break them , and burn them hard by , it is reported that all the rest will dy with it . it is good also to powr often upon the roots , bulls gall , and lees of oyl : to plant squills , rue , worm-wood hard by , to make a menstruous woman passe over the place often , to smear the pruning knifes with oyl of cantharides , and to avoid lean and dry ground . by these remedies oranges , peaches , pomegranates , quinces , pears , apples , olives , and okes , and other trees are kept sound a long time , and almost free from worms . ashes laid to fig-trees , drive away worms , for it hath the force of salt , though not so strong . the seeds of fig-trees or kernels will not be eaten by worms , if a slip of the mastick tree or turpentine tree be set by them . as for vines , aetius bids us to sprinkle sea-cole with water , and cast upon the place in the spring-time , and then to smear the roots of the vines that begin to bud . for if you smear the pruning knife with goats suet or frogs bloud , or do but anoynt the whet-stone with it , worms will not breed there . africanus saith that the tears of the vine mingled with the ashes of the vine-stalks , and put on the root with wine , it will do as much . lastly they are killed with a ●ume of oxe-dung , harts-horn , goats-clawes , lilly-roots , shavings of ivory , womens hair . the herb pionie or thorow-wax , planted where vines grow , drive away worms . some there are that boyl assa foetida , and lazerwort in oyl , and anoynt the stocks of vines with it ( beginning at the root ) or with garlick bruised . the seeds that must be sowed , should be kept in a tortoise-shell , or mints are to be sowed amongst pot-herbs , but chiefly tares . the bruised leaves of the cypresse-tree mingled with them , will avail much . aggregator . and palladius saith that all seeds will be free from worms , if a little before you sow them you soke them in the juice of wilde cucumbers . pliny bids to prepare seeds of lupins before you sow them , in the smoke or some hot place , because in a moyst place the worms will eat up the middle of it , and make it barren . varro saith that worms will never touch onyons that are set with salt and vinegar . moreover , the seeds of all pot-herbs wet with the juice of housleek , will admit of no worms . against weevils , that are a certain plague to corn , it is good to dawb the walls with lime and hair both within and without . others do for two dayes steep the fruit and leaves of wilde cucumbers in lime water , and with sand they mould it up like plaister , and with that they plaister the insides of their granaries ; though pliny writes that quick-lime is a very great enemy to corn. some put beasts pisse to the lime , some worm-wood , juice of great housleek , and hops , others powr on the ground oyl-lees , herring pickle , and the decoction of flea-bane . strabo mingles marle . others report that often fanning of wheat keeps it safe from weevils ; but columella denies this to be true . cato lib. de re rustica , commends clay mingled with oyl-lees , and he would have the granary to be fenced with that . varro useth it almost the very same way , but he commends clay with oyl-lees , maple tree and corn mingled together . our english men do deceive and destroy them divers wayes . some in the middle of the heap of corn do so place brasse vessels half full of hot water , that the corn may lie almost up to the mouth brims of the vessels ; for thus they think the weevils are taken or destroyed . some shut up an ant-hill and ants together in a bag , and after that they powr it forth in a corner of the granary : thus in ten daies will the ants destroy all the weevils , and when they are killed , they take them and carry them forth , that are going back to their former house . also they use to put into that place young chickens that will soon eat 〈◊〉 all the weevils . some sprinkle on salt water where garlick hath been in●●●ed , or hops , elder-leaves , worm-wood , rue , nigella seed , wilde mints , walnut leaves , savoury , lavender , southern-wood , flea-w●●t , bean trifoly , boyld in vinegar of squills . they are much delighted with navew seeds , for the sweetnesse of them , that they will leave the corn for that , and eat till they swell and break in sunder . though some may think these things too much , and beside my purpose , yet hippocrates proves that they are fit for philosophers and physitians ( epistola ad cratevam ) not only to know the art , to describe , gather , lay up , and use simples , but also in preserving them , and preparing them , and to purge them from inbred or inflicted venome , and from putrefaction and worms . chap. xxii . of the six footed worms of living creatures , and first of lice in men . the hebrewes call a lowse ki●im , and chinnam , the greeks 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 the italians pidocchio , the spaniards piecio , the french pou , the germans luss , the english lowse . the latines call it pes , as we read in plautus in curcul . wherefore you are a kinde of lions , and like flies , gnats , lice and fleas , you trouble all mens and are hated by all , but never do any good . and livy to gladiolus , are they fleas , wood-lice , or lice ? answer me . and lucilius when he sees me , he scratcheth his head , and picks lice . festus . where still a lowse is called pes. it is a beastly creature , and known better in innes and armies then it is wellcome . the profit it bringeth , achilles sheweth , iliad . in these words : i make no more of him then i doe of 〈◊〉 lowse ; as we have an english proverb of a poor man , he is not worth a lowse . the lice that trouble men are either tame or wilde ones , those the english call lice , and these crab-lice ; the north english call them pert-lice , that is a petulant lowse , comprehending both kindes , it is a certain sign of misery , and is sometimes the inevitable scourge of god. the tame ones that breed of corrupt bloud , are lesse , and reddish , from fleame white , from melancholy and adust humours , black , and from mixt humours they are of divers colours , as petrus gregorius noted l. . if you rub them gently between your fingers you shall see them four-square , and something harder than fleas , whence in the dark when you take them you may easily finde the difference . they that breed in the head are bigger , longer , blacker and swifter , those that breed in the body are fatter , bigger bellies , slower , darkish white , and marked with blackish streaks . some constantly affirm , that in may they have seen lice with wings , and that the locust-eaters of lybia , when they have fed too plentifully of them , after they come to be forty years old , will die with these lice , as diodorus siculus saith confidently , . antiquitat . agatharcides speaks of these lice , but he saith they are like to ticks . they chiefly fasten on the chin , eye-browes , and the privities full of hair , the groin , and the arm-pits , their body is more compact , their nib is sharper , they bite more , and tickle lesse . for tykes will sometime enter deep into the skin with their nose , that you can hardly pull them out but with the losse of their heads , and they seldome wander , but they bite cruelly , and make themselves a hollow place , and there they stand fast . some call these lice in latine , cicci , some mens tikes , others vultures lice ▪ aristotle calls them wilde lice , hist . animal . l. . c. . it is harder then a tame lowse , and is more hardly removed from the place it bites . our french men , saith joubertus , call them morpions , and pattae , the germans call them f●eultz leuss , gordonius pessolatas : they stick very fast to the skin , or bite through the cuticula ; they are of a dryer matter , and that which is half rosted , so they are not so swolne , but they are more compact . the arabians call them alcarad , guardam , faed , and with an article , alguardam , and alfaed , as ingrassias observed . also in the synonymaes contr . rhasis , they are called motes and immores . the italians call these piatolos , and chacillos , and albenzoar platulas . all lice breed from humours , flesh , fat , sweat corrupted , and differ exceedingly in respect of the place and humour . for those that breed of mans bloud will die if you smeare them with the bloud of other creatures . also they that breed in a mans head will hardly live , or not long in his body . so the wilde lice bred in the privities will die in the head . those that breed of flesh putrefied , such as often will abound in ulcers ill cured , will not be fed with the excrements of the skin , ( saith hieron . mercurialis , l. . c. . de morb . cut . ) the opinions of authors are divers concerning the genetion of this disease : aristotle . hist . anim . c. . thinks that lice breed of flesh corrupted , in which place he affirms three things . first , that they that breed lice , have some pulses arising before in their skin , which if a man prick , the lice will appear . then that this disease come not , but by moyst humours , or to such that have been troubled with a long and moyst disease . lastly , that all birds , fish , four-footed beasts , are molested with this disease , except an asse . the first opinion pleaseth me not : first because in the skin of the head lice breed most commonly , where there is the least portion of flesh . and again , if they should breed only of corrupt flesh , the heads of young children that are almost allwayes full of them would be so wanting of flesh , that it would almost wast all away . further , in consumptions , where the body nourisheth not , and is wholly consumed almost , they abound most commonly , where all the flesh is so dry , that there is no moysture almost to breed lice . theophrastus is of another minde from aristotle , affirming that lice breed of corrupt putrefied bloud ; which hieron . mercurialct in the quoted place labours to infringe by these reasons . first because in feavers that grow from putrefaction of bloud , there is seen no such increase of lice . secondly , if they should be made from bloud , some of them at least would be of a red sanguine colour , and restifie from whence they were bred , as other things doe , but we see no such , therefore , &c. in which place this otherwise very learned man , seems to beg his principle . for in the heads of our children we oft times finde very red lice , and in those that are upon recovery of a putrid synochus , we finde that oft times many red and mingled coloured lice breed . galen , . de comp . med . sec . loc . c. . and avicenna l. . sen . . tract . . c. . ascribe them to some other cause , and as mercurialis thinks , that their opinion is the truest of all , namely , that they breed from the hot excrements of the second and third concoction putrefied , nor sharp , nor bad . to understand rightly their opinion , we must know , that when bloud is changed into the substance of the limbs , many kindes of excrements are produced , whereof some are dissolved by insensible transpiration , others by sweat , others turn to filth , others stay in the skin : those that are retained in the upper skin , make dandruf , if they stay in the depth of the skin , or are bad and sharp , they cause sore heads . but since i have observed that in some that were in a consumption uncurable , where the sharpnesse of the humour eats up the very roots of the hairs , lice come forth abundantly , why may i not think by their leave that they may breed at first from sharp humours ? scaliger would prove that lice breed not from putrid humours , because herbs grow from the seed without putrefaction : for he thinks the principle is altered , but he beleeves not it can be corrupted . but by his leave i must say that scaliger or the apostle must be mistaken : for so st. paul , cor. . that which thou sowest is not quickened unlesse it die . but if death be a corruption , as the philosophers say , then scaliger was deceived , and ( yet keeping the laws of friendship ) we may deservedly reject his opinion . and epithymum breeds from thyme , and misseltoe ariseth from some trees , that are sound , and not yet corrupted . but i answer , that a lowse differs more from the principle it proceeds from , than epithymum doth from thyme , trees from misseltoe . for these are of the same kinde , and are as it were thrust forth from the abundance of fruitfull matter , and misseltoe is nourished from the pith of the tree . but it is apparent , that lice seldome breed in sound bodyes , or not at all , but those that are cachecticall , in consumptions , and full of putrefaction , and watry bloud , and whose flesh and skin are corrupt as well as their bloud , and fat , are troubled with them . oft times sound men sweat , and yet breed no lice , for they will not breed of all sweat , but from corrupt sweat , and that which is not bitter . but when it grows bitter , ( as we finde it in those that are dying , or troubled with the jaundies ) they forsake their stations and creep from the body into the pillowes that are under them ; yet they do not alwayes go to other places when men are dead , for as those that take care of the dead corpses affirm , they will still stick about the mouth of the stomack , and under the chin by the sharp artery ; which places which are most full of native heat , when they once creep unto , it is no small sign of death approaching . also the complexion serves much to breed lice , the countrey , and the dressing . for some have more , some fewer , and some in any climate will be free from them . oviedus l. navig . c. . writes , that christians in the west-indies have not so much as a low●e in their heads , and yet the ●nhabitants ( to use plautus his phrase ) are very lowsy , pedicosi . also our countrey-men have observed , that have passed upon the indian sea , when they have left the isle of azores behinde them , all the lice presently die , and when they see those islands again , they will revive abundantly . i think the reason is , ( that i may here help pennius out ) the extreme heat between the tropicks , that not only sucks aliment from them , but the element also . vespucius testifieth of the isle of st. thomas , that the blackmoors there are full of lice , but the white men are free of that trouble . as for dressing the body : all ireland is noted for this , that it swarms almost with lice . but that this proceeds from the beastliness of the people , and want of cleanly women to wash them is manifest , because the english that are more careful to dress themselves , changing & washing their shirts often , having inhabited so long in ireland , have escaped that plague . hence it is that armies and prisons are so full of lice , the sweat being corrupted by wearing alwaies the same cloathes , and from thence ariseth matter for their original by the mediation of hea● . so those that keep no diet , but delight in eating and filthines , and feed on vipers , radishes , basil , figs , lignum aloes , garden smallage , and dates too much , their bodies will from putrefaction of humours breed lice between their skin , as diodorus in empiricus , simon sethi , aetius , and pliny affirm . but dioscorides saith it is exceeding false , that lice will grow from eating vipers . sheeps-wool that a wolf hath killed will breed lice , if a garment made thereof be wet with sweat , which grant that it be an invention of aristotle and pliny , yet experience teacheth us , that cloathes smeered with horses grease , will breed lice presently . aelian saith that he will be full of lice , who is anointed with oyl wherein a st●llio is drowned . against this terrible disease , which the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , many have invented divers remedies . the irish and iseland people ( who are frequently troubled with lice , and such as will fly , as they say , in summer ) anoint their shirts with saffron , and to very good purpose , to drive away the lice , but after six moneths they wash their shirts again putting fresh saffron into the lye. but antigonus in synag . histor . paradox . so soon as little pushes or wheels appear upon the body , bids us prick them , and take forth the lice : but if they be left unprickt , that general lowsie disease will come , whereby they say that alcmaeon physicus , and pherecides syrus were destroyed . the general cure of the lowsie disease . amatus lusitanus cured that good venetian at ancona ( of whom i spake before ) who was s●ck of a general lowsie disease . first , by opening a vein , and then purging him ; for so he drove forth the corrupt humours that fomented the disease , not at once , but twice or thrice . afterwards by applying topical remedies , in a short time he grew free of this plague . topical medicaments were made thus : take bitter lupins iij. pugils , seeds of staves-acre ij . pugils , in the sharpest vinegar what is sufficient , boyl them , and with that vinegar wash the body from head to feed , then wipe and dry it , and anoint it with this oyntment following : take staves-acre two parts , sandaracha of the greeks one part , the finest nitre half a part , mingle them all with the sharpest vinegar and oyl of radishes , and pound them together very exactly , and with these make an oyntment : with which amatus soon attained his purpose , that the sick fell no more into the same foul disease . amat . lusitan . cent . . curat . . herod ( as josephus and aegesippus testifie ) when he had got this disease by his great pride , and he was so smitten from god , he went to the baths beyond jordan , and the bituminous lake , that were very good to cure this disease , but at that time they were of no force , when god was pleased to punish a proud prince with a contemptible creature . if the body be lowsie all over , it shewes a general cacochymia , wherefore it is best in my opinion , first to open a vein , and then to give a purge , as the humour requires , and so to proceed to specificals , and such as agree with the place affected . dioscorides prescribes such kindes of internal remedies : take garlick with the decoction of origanum ; drink this three daies . another , let the sick drink coriander bruised with origanum , and anoint himself outwardly with honey . he commends also alum-water , and the decoction of betes , juice of ivy and the gum of it with honey , liquid pitch , alum , synopex smeered on with vinegar , nitre with samian earth and oyl . other outward remedies that kill lice , out of pliny : seeds of staves-acre beaten , without the hulls , will free the body from lice , but better if you mingle them with the sandaracha of the greeks , mustard-seed , garlick , with vinegar and nitre are good for the same . oyl of radish doth cure the lowsie disease contracted for a long time . siler , mountain-seed beaten with oyl , hysop , mingled with oyl , tar , sweet gums , the juice of the wilde vine , and staves-acre boyl'd in vinegar , will free garments from them . so black hellebore with oyl or milk anointed on is very good . internal remedies out of pliny . a snakes cast skin powdred and drank for three daies , will keep the body free from lice . mustard-seed , or seed of tamarisk , drank , are good ; so is water of radish-leaves , and the juyce of privet-berries , plantain , garlick , the juyce of wilde cucumer , and tar. nonus commends the root of the sharp dock , bruised with oyl and anointed , first washing the body with the decoction of lupins , and he prescribes a remedy of sandaracha of the greeks , nitre , and staves-acre . oribasius approves the juyce of pellitory long rubbed on , or nitre with the wilde vine in a bath . rhasis prefers the leaves of barberies , gum of ivie , great knot-grass , and sea-water . avicenna commends quicksilver with oyl of roses , and wilde staves-acre with arsenick . haly abbas bids us purge the body , and then to eat meat of good juyce , to wash away the filth , and to change our clothes often : then he prescribes quicksilver bruised with staves-acre-seed , and oyl of wilde saffron , and with that to anoint the body morning and evening , after bathing . he farther commands us to use these remedies : take long birthwort , bruise it with pine-leaves and quicksilver , and with oyl of lupins what may serve turn , make an unguent . anoint the body with that at night , and in the morning wash it with hot water , after that , with a decoction of alum , wormwood , santonicum , or mugwo●t , rub it away . another : take round and long birthwort , red arsenick , that is the greeks sandaracha ; and with oyl of ben. make an unguent , with this anoint the body in the evening , and in the mo●ning rub the body with bran and barley-meal . another : take biter costus , cardamomum , buls gall , bray them with the oyl of pistaches , anoint the body with it , and in the morning wash it with the water of a decoction of clear bran , or of barley . constantinus used quicksilver with ashes , litharge , vinegar and oyl mingled together for hot complexions ; but for cold he used pine-tree juyce , sea-water , staves-acre , nitre , arsenick , and oyl of wilde saffron . johannes de rupescissâ , mingled quicksilver with aqua vitae , and the powder of wilde staves-acre , with that he provides a girdle , which worn about the bare loyns will kill the lice . serenus , abinzoar , amatus lusitanus , matthiolus , hildegardis , johan . vigo , and others , prescribe other remedies , but most of them of these materials . he that desires more remedies against the lowsie disease , let him read paulus aegineta , l. . c. . galen l. . de comp . med . sec . loc . and guiliel . de saliceto l. . c. . i knew one ( saith pennius ) who when he was governour of an hospital , he cured the lowsie disease thus : he whipt the sick till the skin came off with birchin rods , and where the prints were , the lice would never breed again : a new kinde of cure , and most fit for idle sea-men and slothful companions . amatus lusitanus ( if i do not mistake ) tels of a poor man that had a hole in his back by reason of an ulcer , out of which daily abundance of lice crept ; questionless they were bred between the skin and the flesh , and afterwards by an unguent of wilde staves-acre , quicksilver , pepper , and lard , he was cured . raland prefers the balsam of sulphur to all remedies , and not without cause . aetius writes , that wilde lice must first be picked out with great diligence , then the place must be fomented with warm sea-water ; yet very warily if they stick in the eye-browes , that you hurt not your eyes : then apply this remedy : take alum scissil ij . drams , staves-acre j. obolus , pepper j. obolus , burnt brass j. dram , myrrhe ij . oboli , scissil-stone ij . oboli and half , misy torrefied j. dram ; bruise it and dry it , and so use it : then let them bathe and heat their head with discutients and strengthners , wash the whole body , and rub it again . our countreymen pick them out , and then they anoint the places well with black sope , and if the body were too hot , anoint the body with the pap of a sweet apple mingled with quicksilver , and it is a certain remedy . celsus saith they offend the eye-brows so much sometimes , that the eyes being ulcerated they dim the sight , then incorporate purified quicksilver with tops of wormwood , and old hogs grease , for nothing doth more certainly cure one , if it be done with caution . also take aloes j. ounce , ceruse , frankincense , each v. ounces , lard what may suffice , make an unguent ; some mingle with this quicksilver and brimstone . but here observe , if crab-lice do breed thick on the beard , eye-brows , the share , and peritonaeum ; first all the hairs must be shaved off , so soon as a general purgation hath been taken , and then the forementioned topicks must be applyed , and all galls , especially buls gall , calfs gall , capons and partridge , with juyce of centaury and quicksilver , are held very good . a lye of the ashes of tamarisk destroyes the lice . rhasis and albertus commend the marrow of a live vulture taken forth . varignana useth the milk of the greater bindweed , wilde mints , and sow-bread , with a lotion of honey . but chiefly he extols this medicament : take staves-acre ij . ounces , wine iv . glasses , hogs bristles ij . ounces , purged quicksilver j. ounce , let them boyl , and foment the body with the decoction . marinellus and many others make great reckoning of wine-lees , juyce of broom , a lixivium of sena , acorns , cassia , pellitory of spain . but gilbert an englishman burns leeches and styrax calamita together , and with these and hogs bloud , he preparss an excellent unguent . these filthy creatures , and that are hated more than dogs or vipers , by our daintiest dames , are a joy to those that are sick , and sometimes a cure . for they that have lain long sick of a putrid disease , when lice breed in their heads , they foreshew the recovery of the sick . for it is a sign of the exhaling of it , and flying forth from the centre to the circumference , also experience proves that the jaundies are cured with twelve bruised lice drank with wine . pennius gave lice and butter to beggers and such as live on alms , very often , and so he recovered some that were almost desperate ; some for the dysurie are wont to put into the yard living lice the greatest they can , to draw forth the urine by their tickling : which alexander benedictus relates of wig-lice , when clammy humours have hurt the eyes , some cleanse them with lice put into them , which creeping here and there like oculus christi , collect the matter ; and wrapt up in that they will fall out . also what shall i say ? apes , baboons , will feed on them . and herodotus and strabo in pontus speaks of men that feed on lice , ( to whom arianus in periplo consents ) and the spaniards speake the same of the inhabitants of the province of cuenensis in the west-indies . and they hunt after them so greedily and desire them , that the spaniards can hardly keep their slaves from feeding on them . and it is no wonder that they can feed on lice , that devour horses , asses , cats , worms ( and more than that ) men that are raw . but because it is an idle work , the women have that task put upon them to catch lice , and they do that work almost , and therefore strabo cals them pedilegas . serenus makes another use of them and writes thus : some hurtful things our bodies do produce by nature , which do stand us in great use , to keep us waking , and to stop th' abuse of sleeping over much — see the chapter of nits amongst the insects without feet : chap. . chap. xxiii . of the lice of brute beasts and plants . this plague fell not only on man for his first transgression , but upon beasts also : yet amongst mankinde children are more full of them than young people , men than women , sick people than sound , nasty people than such as are cleanly ; and so it is with other creatures : only the asse is said to be free from this disease , not because christ rid upon him , ( as some fools dream ) but because he goes so softly that he seldom sweats , or else god hath bestowed upon him some peculiar antipathy . the lion is a couragious creature and king of beasts , yet is he so tormented with lice feeding on his eye-browes , that when he cannot help himself with scratching with his clawes , he will sometimes grow furious , as pliny reports . who hath not seen the lice of a horse , that most generous four-footed creature , and nits with red heads that are apparent , and the rest of their body is of a dark white ? the lice of oxen and calves are black , and those that are lean have very many , like to hog-lice almost , but shorter and somewhat thicker . hog-lice have the same form , but they are so great and hard that you can hardly kill them with your fingers , these are called vrii from burning , as albertus testifieth l. . c. . dogs though more seldom , yet are sometimes lowsie ; but their lice are small ones , speckled , and with a whitish head , the rest of their body is of a blackish or wan colour from blew , as i first observed by the dogs at malta . sheeps lice are very small , their heads are red , their bodies white . goats lice differ but little from these ▪ when the stag hath strove to cast his horns , he is troubled with an exceeding itching of his eye-lids , from lice that breed of the same colour with their head that thrusts forth : who doth not know by gesners history of birds , or by his own experience , that swans , hens , geese , pigeons , quails , pheasants , partridge , hawks , and other fowl have lice ? also palladius , columella , paxanus , varro , and other principal leeches for cattel , have shewed us remedies sufficient for to kill lice in brute beasts , that it will be no glory for me to insist upon them , nor fruitful to the reader : what avicenna l. . fen . . tract . . meant by vultures lice , i cannot conjecture , and i much desire the help of some oedipus to untie this riddle for me : we mentioned before in our first book , that your dung-beetles are killed by their own lice . also salmon-fishes , especially the leaner sort , were seen by pliny to have many lice under their gils oft-times . also they are found in plants , as southernwood , wormwood , flowers of water-lillies , and chiefly in columbine leaves , in june , by reason of its exceeding sweetness , ( saith gesner ) . also some plants a●e called lowsie plants , either because they are good against them , as staves-acre , or because they breed lice , as dodonaeus his fistularia , or because they abound with lice , as columbines , or from the great despicableness of them , as the fruit of the great plum-tree , which are therefore called lowsie plums . chap. xxiv . of little lice called syrones , acari , and tineae , or hand-worms , or mites in living creatures . tho . à viga falsly reports that the ancients knew not what syrones were , for aristotle cals it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , . hist . animal . c. . also they seem to be called syrones , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because they creep under the skin continually . it is the smallest living creature that is , which useth to breed in old cheese and wax , and also in mans skin . pollux and suidas say that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 is such a small thing as is too small to be divided . in latine they are called pedicelli ; in french , cirons ; in piemont sciri ; in gascony , brigantes ; in english , mites , in cheese , leaves , dry wood , and wax : but in men they are called wheal-worms ; the germans call them seuren . abinzoar saith that syrones are called assoalat , and assoab , they are little lice creeping between the skin of the hands , thighes , and feet , and raising watery blisters there , they are so small creatures , that a good eye can hardly discern them . gabucinus saith ; unto our times a kinde of filthy torture that is not to be endured , is continued , a very small lowse , not so great as a nit , creeps under the skin . and johan . phil. ingrassias out of abenzoar , describes them very handsomely thus : when the skin is excoriate when that small little pimple and push appears like to a red angry wheal , little living creatures creep forth so small a man can hardly see them . and joubertus writes that syrones are those that are the smallest lice of all , alwaies lying under the outward skin , and creep under it as moles do , biting it , and causing a fierce itching . they consist of a dryer matter than morpiones , which for want of glutinous matter , is almost divided into atoms . they breed often in the head , and eat the roots of the hair . the greeks call them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; some call them tineas by a peculiar name . syrones have no certain form as scaliger well observed , only they are round : our eye can scarsely discern them , they are so small , that epicurus said it was not made of atoms , but was an atom it self . it dwels so under the skin , that when it makes its mines it will cause a grear itching , especially in the hands and other parts affected with them , and held to the fire . if you pull it out with a needle , and lay it on our nail , you shall see it move in the sun that helps its motion ; crack it with the other nail , and it will crack with a noise , and a watry venome comes forth ; it is of a white colour , except the head ; if you look nearer it is blackish , or from black it is something reddish . it is wonder how so small a creature , that creeps with no feet as it were , can make such long furrowes under the skin . this we must observe by the way , that these syrones do not dwell in the pimples themselves , but hard by . for it is their property not to remove far from the watry humour , collected in the little bladder or pimple ; and when that is wasted or dryed up , they all die sho●tly after : whence we collect that as they breed from putrefied whey , so again they are sustained by it . none of the ancients , except abinzoar writes of these , who saw this disease , and rightly set down the remedy . nor are those syrones of the kinde of lice , as johan . langius seems to assert out of aristotle ; for they live without the skin , but these not , nor do i know that aristotle in any of his writings , placed acaros amongst lice . how cruel a disease this is , and to be compared with the lowsie disease , an honourable english lady of sixty years knowes , she was the most vertuous lady of penruddock a knight , that by drinking too much goats-milk ( for she feared a consumption ) was for ten years troubled with these wheal-worms , with which night and day she was miserably tortured in her eyes , lips , gums , soles of her feet , head , nose , and all her parts , that she lived a very grievous life , alwaies without rest , and at last in despite of all remedies , the disease increased , whereby her flesh was consumed , and she died thereof . i must not overpass this , that the more the women that sat by her , picked them out with their needles , the more their young ones bred , and when they had gnawed the flesh also , they grew to be bigger . hence let proud despicable mankinde learn , that they are not only worms but worms-meat ; and let us fear the power of that great god , who can with so contemptible an army confound all pride , haughtiness , daintiness , and beauty , and conquer the greatest enemy . it may be some will think it impossible for these wheal-worms to breed between the eyes ; but we see it is so , and we finde it was done so formerly , by an epistle of d. le ieune , a chirurgeon to jacob guillimaeus , his words are these : know , saith he , that in the conjunctive membrane , or white of the eye as they commonly call it , some great wheal-lice by creeping up and down here and there , biting , will make the place itch so much , that a man cannot hold from rubbing . i in this case used remedies the ancients used against the lowsie disease , but to no purpose . then my friends sent me to a sick woman , who with a silver needle pickt out these worms so cunningly and without all pain , that i wondred at it . and indeed had not i seen these little creatures to creep , with my own eyes , i could never have believed that wheal-worms could breed there . they dye for want of moysture that is salt , and are killed with contrary remedies . the common people ordinarily picks them out with a small needle , ( the germans call them seuren graben ) but since this takes not away the cause of them , which fosters them , the disease still abides : wherefore it is best to kill them with an unguent or fomentation , which may at once take off that troublesome itching . that which penetrates most and kils these syrones is salt and vinegar . laur. joubert . joh. arden , formerly the most learned chiruregeon of england , saith that a lotion with sublimate kils them quite . and it seems not to be against reason : for it dries , penetrates , resists putrefaction , and by its heating acrimony kils them all . abinzoar l. . c. . tract . . prescribes these following remedies . first purge the body with an infusion of wilde saffron-seed , and nettle-seed , after that anoint it outwardly with the oyl of bitter almonds , or de cherva , and with the juice of the leaves of peach-tree : give boyled partridge for meat , and leavened bread . let the patient abstain from all kinde of fruit ( except almonds ) especially from figs , grapes , jujubes , and apples ; rub the body often with the substance or pulp of melons , or with the mucilage of the seed . but if the body be fleshy , rub it with the juyce of the leaves of the peach-tree . pliny , where there is this disease , forbids oxe-flesh , hogs , geese , and all kindes of pulse . erotis l. de pas . mul. writes thus : wheat tempered with wine , adding thereto powder of frankincense , put to the parts affected for a plaister , will kill these wheal-worms every where , chiefly upon the cheeks and foreheads . another : take common salt , black soap , live brimstone , each alike , incorporate them with vinegar of squils , and anoint the place with them . another for syrones on the face , which the author of the english rose cals barrones : take sharp dock , frankincense , dragons cuttle-bone , each alike , make a powder , and thrice in a week rub the places where the worms breed , but first wash you face with a decoction of bran , and on sunday wash your face with the white of an egg and white starch , and then wash it often with river-water , or with white starch . alexander petronius traianus commends this remedy most : namely a fine linnen cloth made into lint , that it may be the softer , and stick the faster : binde this to the part affected , then lay on the white of an egge that is rosted hard , whilest it is hot , and cut into large pieces , and then binde upon it some thicker cloth , and so let it remain some hours . then taking all away , you shall finde the inward lint full of these small lice , which is thus proved : shake this over the fire , and you shall easily hear these young syrones crack . against hair-eating worms and mites in the heads of children , that are usual , and that will make little holes in them , alexius makes great account of this remedy . take frankincense , bores-grease so much as you please , let them boyl in an earthen vessel that is glased , and make an unguent . another : sprinkle on the powder of burnt allum , and lay on some lint . another not uneffectual : powder quick brimstone , with rose vinegar of squils , or else incorporate it with rose-water , and binde it on with a cloth for hours . another that is most certain : take juice of lemmons and aqua vitae , each alike , burnt salt what may suffice , mingle them , and anoint with them often . another of hildegard ; apply that skimming of the air , that is , those cobwebs that are scattered in autumn , and it will certainly destroy all those syrones and little worms . also strew on the powder of bees that are dead in their hives , on the places affected , and they will all dye , chiefly if it were mixt with aqua vitae , or vinegar of squils . again : binde on the crums of white bread whilest they are hot , do it often , the heat will kill them . fir-tree seed burnt to ashes , which growes on the top of the tree , if it be strewed on , will help much . also the kernels of barberries , powdered and laid to the place , will kill syrones . johan . vigo prescribes these remedies against syrones wheresoever they breed . all bitter things , saith he , are good against them , shave the patt affected , that they may penetrate the better . oyl of vitriol warily and lightly powred on will kill them mightily . quicksilver with french soap and a little orpiment , and some vinegar of squils and some aloes , doth much good . for syrons in the teeth : some call the worms that breed in mens teeth syrones , which they affirm have fallen forth like shavings of lute-strings by the smoke of henbane-seed , received at the mouth . though i should truly deny that these shavings are worms , yet that worms breed in rotten teeth barbers and every man knowes . against venomous syrones , abinzoar cals it the disease of oxen , between the flesh and skin there breeds a kinde of venomous worms ; which raiseth no small tumour , as great as a walnut , wherein the worm syro lies hid , ( he is venomous indeed , though he be but little ) . this disease neglected will kill . he appoints the remedy thus : the place must be presently burnt with an actual cautery , then apply lint with barly-meal and sweet water : when the pain of the burning is over , the humour will fall being anointed with unguent of agrippa and oyl of roses , then wash the place with water of honey , and strew on powder of roses ; and then using incarnatives , close up the wound . but if the part cannot be cauterized or cut , take lupine-meal , soot , pepper , root of endive , each alike , and bruising them all , and wetting them with alchitra , fill half a nut-shel with them , and keep them on so long , till the force of the medicament may penetrate to the worm : but great care must be had that no part be left bare without the shell . a little creature called nigua , as thevet imagineth , doth much vex the west-indian people . it is saith he an insect most offensive to mens hands , far less than a flea , but breeds in the dust as a flea doth . de lery was taken with the same oversight , and was not ashamed to be mad with thevet for company . but oviedus affirms that they breed between the skin and the flesh : but especially they breed under the nails of the fingers , into which place , when once they are rooted , the cause a swelling as great as a pease , with a mighty itching , and they multiply like to nits . now if this worm be not timely pickt forth with its brood , in a few daies this itching becomes a wonderful pain , and the sick dye with the violence of the disease . there is a worm that breeds on the bodies of hawks and faulcons under the roots of their wings , it is called trocta : we have left off to doubt any longer whether it be a syron , acarus , or tinea , or not , by reading albertus his book , wherein you may read a remedy for that disease at large . also , as bonaceiolus reports , in the urines of some women with childe , little red worms called syrones will be seen , which are a certain argument of conception . dermestes is an insect that will consume skins , and from skins it hath its name , and as the skins vary , so that changeth its colour . for oft-times it followes the colour the skin is of : it is as big as a flea , with six feet and a forked nib . also a moth consumes clothes , especially woollen clothes : for it is a very devouring creature , and breeds from butterflies as i said . chap. xxv . of wall-lice . the greeks call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the latins , cimex ; the hebrews , pischpescz , from seeking ; for it seeks after living creatures that are asleep , to suck their bloud . isidore will have it called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and cimex , from the herb 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which they call cimicaria ; i confess ingenuously i know not what herb it is , unless it be that low and stinking kinde of wilde orach , which growing near to wals and heaps of dirt , is called by a bawdy name , vulvaria . for coris of matthiolus smels well , and therefore agrees not with cimicaria . the arabians and barbarians call it alcarad , deboliar , fesases , coroda , and corab : the germans wantlausz ; the english , wall-lowse ; the saxons wantzen , that is wall-lowse ; the brabant people call it not amiss wuegluys , or lowse of bedsteds ; the spaniards call them chimesas ; the italians cimice ; the french punaise . now wall-lice are either home-bred and without wings , or winged and wilde lice . we spake of these in the first book , now we shall speak of those that breed in houses . shame not to drink three wall-li●e mixt with wine , and garlick bruised together at noon-day . moreover a bruis'd wall-louse with an egge , repine not for to take , 't is loathsome , yet full good i say . gesner in his writings confirms this experiment , having made trial of it amongst the common and meaner sort of people in the countrey . the ancients gave seven to those that were taken with a lethargy , in a cup of water , and four to children . pliny and serenus consents to it in these verses . some men prescribe seven wall-lice for to drink , mingled with water , and one cup they think i● better then with drowsy death to sink . and he of old sang , that bleeding at the nose would be stayed with the only smell of wig-lice . some there are , that cure dark sights by reason of a cataract , bruising these with salt and asses milk . many anoynt painfull ears with honey mingled with wall-lice , to good purpose . also marcellus saith they stay vomiting , and he saith it is a certain remedy , if a bruised wall-louse be swallowed in a rear-egge , by one that is fasting , and knowes nothing of it . pliny seems to prove from thence , that they are good against the stings of all vipers , adders , and all kinde of serpents , because that hens that feed on these , are free from the stinging of these creatures . aetius commends wall-lice against the strangury , and to drive forth the stone . vegetius in this case puts one wall-lowse into the ear , another into the passage of the yard , and with a gentle friction of the parts , he affirms that they will presently make water , which remedy he seems to have borrowed out of herod in his hippiatricks . galen eup. . reports , that wall-lice will not only provoke urine , but also drank for nine dayes space , will stop childrens water that goes from them against their wills . valarandus donures an islander , a most learned apothecary of lyons , often said , that these drank with water hot , or wine , or broth , would wonderfully help those that were troubled with the stone . moreover , the later writers wonderfully commend the ashes of them with a fit decoction cast in for a clyster , to bring forth the stone . if they be bruised and anoynted on the passage of the yard , it will presently provoke urine . marcellus . there are saith gesner , that for the colick prescribe four live wall-lice to drink in wine , in the morning , and then they command to fast two hours after , and they give as many to drink two hours before 〈…〉 pper , and so again the next day untill they have drank up twelve lice : truly it is a remedy to be despised , but it is no new remedy in that desperate disease , and it is a present cure . it helped functius the governour of zurick at the second taking , and so it did some of his kindred also , and he was like to have written a commendation in praise of wall-lice . what concernt outward diseases . if you pull up the hair by the roots , and anoynt the part affected with the bloud of wall-lice , and let it dry , it is the opinion of galen , aetius , and nonus , that they will never grow again . pliny saith that if you anoynt the breasts with goose-grease and wall-lice , the pains will abate , the moles of the matrix will break forth , and scabs of the privities will be cured . cornenelius gemma in his appendix of his cosmocritica , speaks of a woman in whose skull opened , were found abundance of wall-lice . chap. xxvi . of tikes , and sheeps lice . the tike in latine ricinus , in greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , hesichius calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , suidas 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and others call it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , sypontinus calls it 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , but that is not right , for it wants wings . the arabians call it alcharad , alfesafes , alhalem , as bellunensis reports . the f●rlini , saith hermolaus barbarus , to this very day call tikes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as we read in dydimus zelonotes . it is called ricinus in latine , because it is like the seed of the plant palma christi . gaza calls it reduvium , and albertus sometimes calls it taca . also albertus vinoentius , guillerinus de conchis , call it e●gulam . i think that at first it was called cica , saith scaliger , because cici is the same with croton . the italians call it zeva , the germans haltzback , the french plata from its compact body , the english wood-teek . some distinguish between ricinus and reduvius , thus very exactly . 't is good to noynt their ears , and set them in the sun , or use ared hot knife , when lice are first begun . rhasis commends against aschardes of dogs or dog-lice , to wash them with wine , and vinegar , cummin-seed and salt-water . th 〈…〉 and cato prepare oyl of bitter nuts , and with that they anoynt their claws and ears , and secrets also . tarre of cedar kills them . dioscorides . but columella forbids to pull off tikes from oren and dogs , left the places should exulcerate , and he highly commends tarre and hogs grease . pliny saith the juice of both chamaeleons will destroy them . albertus reports that tikes bloud will cleanse ulcers , and if they be infused in wine they will presently make one drunk . seranu● farther commends them for to cure a fistula in ano. if that n●w ulcers in the secrets chance to breed , chew'd bramble-leaves apply , you quickly shall be freed . or if from an old sore a fistula do grow , a weasils ashes burnt will help 't ; and further know , the bloud of an ox tike is no means else below . also the bloud of a tike will cure the shingles . also men say , that a tike pulled out of the left ear of a dog , if it be tied on , it will cure all pains . pliny writ this out of nigidius . also he asserts that if a womans loyns be anoynted with the bloud of it , she will abhorre venery . moreover nine or ten goats tikes taken in wine , will stop the terms . dioscorides . anoynt your eye-lids with the bloud of a tike taken from a bitch , the hairs being first pluckt off , saith galen , simpl. . c. . and they will never grow again : so also pliny and avicenna write , but it is from other mens opinions . dionysius melesius prescribes such a depilotary against pricking thorny hairs : burn a sea-hare in a new earthen pot , and keep the ashes with tikes bloud in a horn box , use this , first pulling out the hairs . many english men have learned by experience , that one dram and a half of sheeps lice given in drink will soon and certainly cure the jaundies . chap. xxvii . of the garment-eating moth. pennius beginning to write the history of this insect , saith that tinea is a word that signifies many things ; as lice of hawk-weed according to albertus , wood-lice in plautus , the plague of bee-hives in virgil , and it signifies the creeping ulcers of the head , that are eaten like to garments , whence it may be glaudian writes ; the filthy m●ths have gnawn the loathsome head . gaza translates 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 tineas , but very ignorantly , as we observed in the history of catterpillars . also pliny saith that tineae do destroy the seeds of figs , he means the worms that breed in figs , from whence grow 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . niphus cals that little scorpion which eats books tineas , whereof i spake in the history of scorpions . but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , if a man will speak properly , is a worm that eats garments . it is called in latine tinea , a tenendo from holding , for it sticks fast in garments , and will not easily change its station . the french call it teigne , the spaniards tina , the italians tignola , the muscovites mel , the polonians mol , the english moth , the hebrewes hhasch , and sas , as you shall finde it job chap. . and isai . . it is a little worm of a wan white colour , of which ariseth that small kinde of flie that will fly at night about the candle-light . there are some of them that are silver-coloured , the english call them silver-moths , the dutch schietes , from their swift motion . niphus greatly erred , making this the scorpion amongst books . there is also a certain worm that is thick , or with a coat , saith pliny , called tinea , that drawes its coat along with it , as a snail doth its shell , and when she is deprived of this she presently dieth . but if this coat grow too great , it changeth to a chrysali● , out of which at a set time a little glow-worm comes . this kinde hanging by a thred , hangs a long time in houses before it changeth to an aurelia . it hath a little black head , the rest of the body is a whitish dark brown , the case of it is something long , made almost of a cobweb , not round at all , but lightly compacted , and at each end something hairy . the phalenae that come from thence stick by the feet to the roofs of houses , untill their bodies being corrupted and putrefied they are bred again : when their bodies corrupt , and their wings and feet fall off of themselves , they hang with a thred by the tails . at length they get a case and are turned into this kinde of moth. in germany and helvetia there is a moth of a sad red colour , with a little thick head , the body grows by degrees smaller even to the tail . the colour of its belly is lighter , something yellow , and like a soft downy silk . it is a very tender creature , especially that which is silver'd over , and it is bruised to pieces if you do but touch it . whence that kingly psalmist , psal . . when thou with chastisements shalt correct man , thou makest him to consume away as a moth. and job , chap. . he amplifying the certain destruction of the wicked : they shall be bruised ( saith he ) before the moth. all moths are reckoned amongst the number of six-footed creatures , and they breed in garments as well of wooll , as skins that are not cleansed from dust and filth : and so much the sooner if a spider be shut in , as aristotle writes . for the spider drinks up all their inbred moysture , and dries them ; wherefore care must be had that garments be not layd up full of dust , and when the air is thick and moyst . some to avoid moths , ventilate their garments in the hot sun-shine : which our women severely forbid , and lay them up in the shade , and when the winde is high and very cold . for they hold that the sun-beams are kindly for moths , but windes and tempests and the shade are enemies to them . these worms when they have by degrees insensibly eat off the outmost superficies of the cloth , then they eat up the inward part , and so insinuate themselves into the middle substance of it , that those that search never so well for them can hardly finde them . the ancients were most expert to kill moths . for the garments of servius tullius lasted to the destruction of sejanus , for they were kept with so great diligence by the keepers of the wardrobe , that they neither consumed by age , nor were moth-eaten . they that sell woollen clothes , use to wrap up the skin of a bird called the kings-fisher amongst them , or else hang one in the shop , as a thing by a secret antipathy that moths cannot endure . they are handsomely destroyed by the sent and smoke of savin , hops , finger hood , wormwood , rosemary , poley , panax , aniseed , golden-flower , pomegranates , citron-pills , ( for this was the chiefest use of citrons in old time ) the out-landish myrtle , cedar , cypresse , calamint , brimstone , downy feathers . the books that were found in numa his tomb , were said to be anoynted with the juice of cedar : wherefore as pliny writes , they were supposed to be free from moths above . years . the bones of bergesterts ( i know not what beast it is ) being brought to powder , and strew'd amongst garments , will drive away moths , if we will credit hildegard : rhas●s reports that cantharides hung up in the middle of the house will do as much : who saith moreover that garments wrapt up in a lions skin , will never have any moths . some wet a a linnen cloth in a strong lie , and dry it in the sun without pressing it , and they affirm , that clothes wrapt in that will not be moth-eaten . cato bids sprinkle your wardrobe with oyl-lees . that which pliny reports is a wonder , that a cloth laid under the biere of a dead body , will never have moths to hurt it . the richer people , who ( as horace writes ) whose hangings rot in chests , rich for the worms and moths , take diligent care in summer to look up their garments , and taking them out of their coffers , they air them in open place for the winde , and then they beat off the dust with the leaves of indian millet , or hogs bristles , or broom mosse , or with worm-wood branches . of old they were wont to do it with an ox tail ; for so martial writes ; if that with yellow dust thy costly clothes abound , thou mayst with an ox tail brush't off upon the ground . there are also rich merchants , that have cedar and cypresse chests , and they put up powder of origanum , worm-wood , orris , citron-pills , myrtle-berries with their clothes , and by such remedies they drive far from them this wooll-devouring creature . we writ before amongst the six-footed worms , of worms in books , wood , the skin , the fruit devourers . i have nothing more to add to this chapter , but only to exhort rich men to lay up their treasure there , where neither moths shall eat their garments , nor rust confume their silver ; and let them in the mean time leave off that infinite expense in clothes , of which can they look for any better end , to use the words of the lyrick poet , than to feed black bugs , and the lazy moths ? if a man , saith calvin , born of a woman , having but a short time to live , and alwayes waxing old , and corrupting , would think himself to be like a garment that moths eat , certainly he would lay aside all pride , and blush , and fall lowly upon his knees unto almighty god. chap. xxviii . of the flea . the latin word pulex , in greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 or 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , comes saith isidore , from pulvis , dust , or the son of dust ; in spanish pulga , italian pulice , french puce , english flea , the germans from its nimblenesse in flight call it floch . fleas are not the least plague , especially when in greater numbers they molest men that are sleeping , and they trouble wear●ed and sick persons ; they escape by skipping from us , and so soon as day breaks they forsake the bed . they are a vexation to all men , but especially , as the wanton port hath it , to young maids , whose nimble fingers , and that are as it were clammy with moysture , they can scarce avoyd . these fleas are either common or extraordinary . the common ones are small creatures about the bignesse of lice , but their bodies are softer , and they are bunch-backt , almost like a hog , they are black and shining , their breast and belly is yellow from black , in white dogs they are more clear , in red more yellow , in black dogs blacker than in others . here i desire you to observe the wonder of nature , that their hinder little legs are bent backwards toward their bellies , and their forelegs toward their breasts , as four-footed beasts are , as it is usual almost in all insects to whom nature hath given but four feet . it may be for that end the joynts of fleas are so disposed , that they may with the more ●ase hide themselves in the long foldings and plights of the blankets from those that hunt after them . the ends of their feet are divided into two parts , and are hooked and sharp , and seem as it were to be horny , not only that they may more surely creep up upon high places , but also that they may sit and stick faster to the smooth skin : they have a little head , and a mouth not forked but strong and brawny , with a very short neck , to which one mark an englishman ( most skilfull in all curious work ) fastned a chain of gold as long as a mans finger , with a lock and key so rarely and cunningly , that the flea could easily go and draw them , yet the flea , the chain , lock and key were not all above a grain weight : i have also heard from men of credit , that this flea so tied with a chain , did draw a coach of gold that was every way perfect , and that very lightly ; which much sets forth the artists skill , and the fleas strength . the point of his nib is something hard , that he may make it enter the better . it must necessarily be hollow , that he may suck out the bloud , and carry it in . they seek for the most tender places , and will not attempt the harder places with their nibble ; with two very small foreyards that spring out of their foreheads , they both prove their way , and judge of the nature of the object , and whether it be hard or soft : where they bite they leave a red spot as a trophie of their force , which they set up . in rainy weather they bite sorely , and are bold to run over ever part of mans body . they have but one small intestine with folds inward , which is either relaxed or contracted as they eat more or lesse . the lesser , the leaner , and the younger they are , the sharper they bite , the fat ones play and tickle men more willingly . it is very probable that they have eyes , both because they choose their places of retreat , and because they withdraw themselves when the day breaks . they will not sit upon corrupt or dead flesh . those that have the kings evil , because they are of bitter juice , and such as will die , because of the corruption and stink of the same , they will not meddle with . at all times they trouble men and dogs , but chiefly in the night . though they trouble us much , yet they neither stink as wall-lice doe , nor is it any disgrace to a man to be troubled with them , as it is to be lowsie . they only punish sluggish people , for they will remove farre from cleanly houses : when they finde they are arraigned to die , and they feel the finger coming , on a sudden they are gone , and leap here and there , and so escape the danger : whilest those that hunt them endeavour to measure their jumps , as aristophanes saith , they but play the fools . in the morning , after they have fed , they creep into the rough blankets , and stick to the walls , or else they hide themselves in the rushes or dust : and so they ly in ambush for pigeons , hens , and other birds , also for men and dogs , moles , mice , and vex such as passe by . our hunters report , that foxes are full of them , and they tell a pretty story how they quit themselves of them . the fox gathers some handfulls of wool from thorns and briars , and wrapping it up , he holds it fast in his mouth , then he goes by degrees into a cold river , and dipping himself in by little and little , when he finds that all the fleas are crept so high as his head for fear of drowning , and so for shelter crept into the wooll , he barks and spits out the wooll full of fleas , and so very froliquely being delivered from their molestation , he swims to land . their first originall is from dust , chiefly that which is moystned with mans or goats urine . also they breed amongst dogs hair , from a fat humour putrefied , as scaliger affirms . a little corruption will breed them , and the place of their originall is dry filth . martyr the author of the decads of navigation , writes , that in perienna a countrey of the indies , the drops of sweat that fall from their slaves bodies will presently turn to fleas . some countreys are such enemies to fleas , that if they be brought in thither they cannot live , nor will they breed there ; as in the territory tefethor of sigelunum . contrarily the city hea by the sea-side , ( unlesse john leo deceives us ) is most fruitfull for fleas , by reason of the abundance of goats , as also dede . in hispaniola fleas are found , but neither many , nor great ones , but they bite more fiercely by farre than ours doe : they love hot places , where the sun shines . in the spring they multiply , at the beginning of winter they die , for they cannot endure the cold . they copulate , the male ascending upon the female as flies doe , and they both goe , leap , and rest together . they stick long together , and are hardly pulled asunder . after copulation presently almost , the female full of egges seems fatter ; which though in her belly they seem long , very small , very many , and white , yet when they are layd , they turn presently black , and turn into littles fleas , if we may grant what pennius saith , that bite most cruelly . philoponus in lib. de generat . maintains that fleas breed not egges but nits , and niphus saith the same : but they endeavouring to prove this because they crack when they are crusht , doth not confirm their opinion , for egges will not break under the nail without cracking . aristotle thinks , that from them , be they egges , nits , or little worms , no other creature breeds , and i should willingly subscribe to him , but that i think nature made nothing in vain . those fleas seem to be more rare that india produceth neer the river nigua , as we learn from thevet . they chiefly seize upon the softest parts of the feet under the nails , and bite venomously . after four dayes they raise a swelling as great as a pease , or a chich pease , and young ones like to white nits ; and if all these be not forthwith picked out , and the place affected burned with hot ashes , the part will be lost , as it falls out often with the slaves in numidia . he also in the province of peru was subject to this mischief , and could not recover but by washing himself in the river very often . cardan writes of a little flea . the west-indies , saith he , brings forth a kinde of flea called nigua , a very shrewd plague . this creature is far lesse then a flea , that sticking to a man will so torture him , that some lose their hands , others their feet . the remedy is , to anoynt the part with oyl , and shave it with a rasor : to whom scaliger answers thus . thy story of nigua is lame , yet not unprofitable if you consider philologie : i shall adde what you have omitted . this little flea hath a most sharp nib , and invades chiefly the feet , ( seldome other parts ) not only when men goe , but lye down also . therefore the indians lie high . most frequently they bite that part which is under the nails . the fourth day the swelling begins to increase , and grows to the bignesse of a great pease . this swelling is full of young nits ; they pick out these , and lay on hot ashes . benzo seems to say the same . the indians are mightily troubled with venomous insects . amongst the rest the niguae about the bignesse of a flea , insensibly creep in between the flesh and the nails especially , and they are bred in the dust . it falls out ost times that no pain is felt by them , till they grow as great as chich peasen or lentils ; and then with a wonderfull plenty of nits bred , they are hardly pickt out with a needle or thorn : and this mischief is cured with hot ashes . moreover , the slaves of africa that the spaniards have in their families , because they go barefoot , are shrewdly troubled with this plague , and they breed such numbers in their feet , that there is no remedy for them but the iron instrument of the fire , whence many of them want their toes or their feet . fleas will dye from extreme cold , and therefore in the colder winter they are not to be seen ; or else we kill them when we can catch them . and one dog will as willingly bite out the fleas of another dog , as they will scratch one the other . also most bountiful nature hath supplied us with a large field of remedies , that the fleas that hide themselves , and leap away from us , may be destroyed by us , and we preserved from them . for we have herbs , dwarf elder-leaves , fern-root , or anchusa , flowers of penniroyal , rue , coloquintida , brambles , oleander , mints , horse-mints , hops , rape-seed , cumin , staves-acre , fleabane , conyta , saffron , coriander , celendine , sweet cods , wilde cicers , arsemart , mustard , lupins , roots of chamaelea , hellebore , leaves of black poplar-tree , bayes , walnut-tree , with the oyls of these , or the boyl'd decoctions , if the pavement be sprinkled , or the house be perfumed , the fleas will be gone , and most of them are killed . above all , the dregs of mares-pisse , or sea-water are commended , if they be sprinkled up and down ; also harts-horn burnt is very good . goats bloud set in a bason or a pit , drawes all the fleas to it , as also a staffe anointed with the fat of a hedgehog or cony , ape , bear , bull , or fox , will do the like . the water of the decoction of arsenick or sublimate sprinkled is a certain experiment to destroy them . quicklime mingled with the juice of white hellebore , doth the same . a gloeworm set in the middle of the house , drives away fleas . fleawort in the city of cl●tire is powdred , and the powder is strew'd about the beds , which by its smell doth astonish the fleas that they will not bite . if a flea get into ones ear , pour in oyl mingled with a little vinegar or juice of rue , oyl of spike , turpentine , or oyl of peter , is very useful . these remedies may serve the turn , which are taken from apsyrtus , varro , columella , galen , aetius , palladius , avicenna , rhasis , kiramides , guilielmus , placentinus , joanicius , bellunensis , hermotaus barbarus , and pliny . the barbarians ( saith leneus ) that the fleas may not bite them , anoint themselves with oyl that is thick and red , pressed out of fruit , which they call courog . petrus gallisardus , caelius chalcagninus and tzetzes , are reported to have written the commendation of a flea ; it was my desire to have seen this , but it was never my chance . chap. xxix . of insects that want feet , and first of earth-worms . some earthly insects ▪ that have no feet are bred in the earth , some in living creatures , some in plants . earth-worms by plautus and columella are called lumbrici , may be from their lubricity . also they are called the entrails of the earth , both because they are bred in the bowels of the earth , and because being pressed , like the entrails of living creatures they cast forth excrements , also because they are like them in form and fashion . the greeks call these 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 hesichius , and the syracusians , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ; the english meds , earth-worms ; the french , vers de terre ; the italians lumbrichi ; the spaniards lombriz ; the germans , and those of flanders , erdwurmen : the arabians , charatits . manardus writes , l. . ep . . that earth-worms were called ovisculi . earth-worms are greater or lesser . the great ones , are long worms , almost like those round ones that are bred in mens bellies , half a foot long , and stretched out a foot long ; they are of a weak flesh-colour , and for the most part they have a ring or else a collar about their neck that is thick , wherein there is a little bloud contained : they have no eyes , for no worms have any . they first breed of putrefied earth , they are afterwards fed by the same , and lastly they are resolved to earth again . those that you see wreathing little hils at the brink of their holes , as i suppose those heaps are their excrements ; for in them we finde nothing but earth , the nutrimental juice whereof being spent , they cast forth the rest as unprofitable matter at their doors , and they are fenced by it against the rain falling in . at night chiefly when it is rainy weather , they willingly copulate , and stick fast till morning . they are not wrapt together in copulation like serpents , but they stick fast together by their sides , sending forth a frothy kinde of spittle when they copulate : when they are in conjunction , they keep the middle of their bodies , that is the hinder half in their holes , and they are never so fast glewed together , but with the least motion of the earth they can easily part : in rainy weather they are whiter , unless it be when they copulate , for then especially they are red . gesner saith in the middle of april he dissected a female earth-worm , that was very thick , within the flesh through the whole body , a receptacle descends , that is ringed , covered with a thin membrane : when he dissected it , it stank filthily : in this is the earth contained that they take in ; but above this receptacle there lie white eggs very many heaped together , next the mouth . the lesser worms , for clearet description sake , i will with george agricola call ascarides , they are frequently found in dung-hils , and under heaps of stones : some of them are red ones , they call them duggs , and f●shers much de 〈…〉 e them ; some are wan-coloured , others have yellow tails , and are so called ; some also are with collars and are fat , others without collars and slender , which i take to be the males . these are bred chiefly in autumn by reason of no plenty of moisture , as aristotle seems to affirm . both kindes live long in water , but at last they die for want of food . they move from place to place with a certain drawing and pulsation , for the philosopher saith they do not p●operly tumble along . the great ones live in the bowels of the earth , especially in the open air , and where men oft-times resort . in the morning when they withdraw themselves into their holes , when the air is clear they sence them with earth cast up , but in rainy weather , they slop them by drawing in some stalk , they feed frequently on earth , but most greedily on a piece of white bread unleavened , as i learned from our turner , a very credible man , and have oft-times seen it . many of them dye if the winter be too cold , or the summer too hot . moreover they are taken by fishermen , and driven forth of their holes either by digging , and shaking the earth , or by pouring in some liquor of strong juice , as of walnut leaves , hemp , or strong lye. it is good also in tempestuous and dark nights to go into gardens silently , ( which they miserably hurt ) and to creep upon them when they couple , by the help of fire carried in a horn : for so in one night thousands of them may be intercepted and killed . uses of this despicable creature are observed to be many ; and nature scarce affords any simple that she hath bestowed more vertues on against diseases . for earth-worms soften , glew together , ease pain , and by their earthly and watry moisture together , they duly temper the part affected . powder of earth-worms is thus prepared : wrap up great earth-worms for some time in earth-moss , that so they may free themselves of that glutinous matter that sticks on their outward parts ; then press their hinder parts next the tail , that they may cast forth their excrements and be cleansed . then cast them into a vessel of white wine and a little salt , and gently pressing them with your fingers , cast away that first wine : pour on more , and after the worms are washed , take some part of this away also : for it must not all be cast away , as some would have it , till it be perfectly clear , for so that glutinous clammy quality would be lost with it . thus prepared , they must be gently dried in a furnace , till they will crumble into dust when you touch them . then the powder being beaten and searced ( it will smell like runnet or cheese ) must be kept something far from the f●re in a glass vessel . otherwise i● is best to kill the worms cut in pieces in wine and salt , and when they are dead , to take them out and to cleanse them . this powder with the juice of marigolds , will cure the epilepsie ; with mead , the dropsie ; with white wine and myrrhe of the troglodytes , the jaundies ; with boyled wine , hydromel , or wine , the stone , the ulcers of the reins and bladder ; you may give a dram weight . in three cyathi of water they will break inward impostumes , and bring them forth , if seven or nine of them be brought into powder . they stay also the dyarrhoea , help barrenness , bring forth the secondine that staies behinde , ease the pains of the hip-gowt , open the liver , cure tertian agues , kill and drive out all belly-worms , given in liquors or decoctions that are proper for it . also the decoction of earth-worms d●ank with the juice of knot-grass or comfrey , is good against continual pis●ing , especially if it be also cast in by a clyster . also a clyster of their decoction easeth the emrods wonderfully . some , where they suspect clotted bloud , give the decoction of earth-worms to drink with great success . for the diseases of the ears almost past cure , boyl them in goose-grease and pour that in . boyled in oyl for the tooth-ache , and poured into the ear on that side the pain is , as pliny saith , they give ease , or if you drop them into the contrary ear , as dioscorides saith . thus far for earth-worms given inwardly , from experience and testimony of dioscorides , galen , aetius , aegineta , myrepsus , pliny , vularis . also outwardly applied and bruised , they joyn wounds and nerves cut in funder , and heal them in seven daies ; wherefore democritus would have them kept in honey . their ashes with old oyl , cleanseth corrupt ulcers ; and as pliny writes , consumes the hard edges of them , if it be mingled with liquid pitch and simblick honey , dioscorides saith sicilian honey is called simblick . a certain chirurgion now in england of good note , makes a liniment of earth-worms and honey , wherewith he anoints the tent , and sprinkles it with fine powdred allum , and puts it into a fistula , and so brings forth the core eaten out with no pain , and heals the wound also their ashes drawes forth things that stick within , and laid on with oyl of roses cures kibe-heels . marcellus . serenus saith , that when the nerves are cut in sunder , it is good to lay on earth-worms bruised with hogs-grease that is old and rank . marcellus empiricus adds groundsel to the hogs-grease and earth-worms , with the tender tops of box with frankincense , and this he laies on the nerves cut or pain'd : pliny saith that the ashes of these and of a wilde mouse , laid on for a plaister , with oyl of roses , is excellent for broken bones . for the great pains of horses in their nerves or joynts , to help them , russius , absyrtus , didymus , collect a great number of earth-worms : whence cardan gathers that they will ease all pains . mundella affirms that contraction of the nerves will be cured if you anoint them with oyl of camomil that is well replenished with worms . marcellus saith that the same is done with honey and worms , as before . aetius saith without doubt they are an excellent remedy for the gowt boyled in oyl , and a little wax : so saith marcellus , but he sometimes mingles honey with them . vigo , for pains in the joynts , makes a plaister of these and frogs , to which he adds vipets-grease . for pains of the joynts : take ashes of worms iij. ounces , oyl of roses , or foxes , what may suffice , mingle them to an ointment . another that is singular : take the marrow of a calfs leg compleat , and old oyl of roses iij. ounces , earth-worms cleansed with wine and salt ij . ounces , let them boyl in balneo to the consistence of a mucilage ; with this anoint the neck , shoulders , and the places where the pain is , for it gives great help , pliny . marcellus anoints them with honey , and then he laies on the mucilage prepared . when any part is wasted and receives no nutriment , cleansed worms must be put into a glass very well luted , that nothing may breathe forth , and so set in a warm oven or in balneo , and they will then resolve into a clammy moisture ; an admirable remedy and approved for the palsie of the limbs : take the ashes of tender earth-worms iij. pounds , ginger , galanga , of each iij. ounces , with clarified honey incorporate them for an unguent , with this for three nights together anoint the patient , binding his arms forcibly over his belly or stomach , then cover him warm , and let him beware of cold . jacobus de parma to drive away hoary hairs , women use these ashes mingled with oyl whilest they comb their head , as pliny saith , to whom serenus subscribes in these verses : earth-worms and oyl of olives , free from cares ; they will preserve a man from hoary hairs . we said before how they cure the tooth-ache . but further the powder of them rubb'd on will preserve the sound teeth , and being injected will make rotten teeth , though it be a grinder , to fall forth ; especially , if the tooth be first scarified , and fill'd with powder well sprinkled on it . aetius . gal. . sec . loc . bids us do almost the same out of archigenes . also they are good with the root of mulberries boyled in vinegar of squils , to wash the teeth . for purulent ears , poured in with oyl they help much , as galen thinks , and cure their inflamations , being boyled with oyl of roses . aetius . if that your hearing fail , an old disease , is cur'd with earth-worms boyled with ducks grease . serenus . myrepsus bruiseth worms with some small quantity of the earth from whence they were taken , and works them together , and anoints that upon ears that are bruised . marcellus bruiseth them with oyl of roses , celsus with oyl of olives . faventinus for pains of the ears anointeth the outward parts with oyl of earth-worms , and also pours it into the inward parts . marcellus bids to bruise leeks not planted but sowed , odd in number , and as many worms together , and boyl these in the best oyl to thirds , and he saith that this oyl put into the ears is very good for their greatest pains and deafness . abinzoar cures clefts of the hands and feet with oyl of earth-worms . for an old pain of the head , they are held very excellent bruised with vinegar , frankincense , and castoreum . galen for the same prepares in his euporists such a remedy : take xv . earth-worms , as many grains of pepper , vinegar what is sufficient , mingle them , smeer them on . another : take earth-worms , mouse-dung , white pepper , myrrhe , each half an ounce , bruise and mingle them with vinegar , and anoint that part of the head that the pain lies on . myrepsus will have the worms to be odd , and to be taken only with the left hand , and so superstitiously anointed . if thou wouldst try , saith marcellus , whether a swelling in thy neck be the kings-evill , lay a live worm upon each swelling : if it be a scrophulous tumour , each worm will turn to earth ; if not , he will be alive and receive no hurt : so saith pliny also . earth-worms are a part of that noble plaister of arnoldus ( breviarii ) of a rams skin , or the bloud of a man that is red , against the rupture : and hollerius commends it to cure enterocele and epiplocele . they also diminish the stone , both taken inwardly , as also anointed on the share somewhat thick . gal. what concerns womens diseases , bound to the neck they retain the birth , but contrarily applied to the hips , they draw the birth out and the secundine , for they draw mightily wheresoever they are applied living . plin. inflamations of the breasts , earth-worms alone laid on will cure , for they concoct , open , draw forth , and heal . alex. benedict . so myrepsus makes a plaister of them bruised . lay on earth-worms with quinces , or with dried barley flour , upon breasts hardned or inflamed . aetius . but if after delivery womens breasts swell , and to use the words of serenus : if the swoln breasts do feel great pain , smeer them with earth-worms 't will help them amain . for they will concoct the impostumes and suppurations of the breasts , and after concoction will heal them and void out the matter . for the shingles , the indians , saith carolus clusius , make an unguent thus : take earth-worms , and feed them some time with leaves , fine flour , or flour and milk , and when they are grown fat , boyl them in an earthen vessel ( alwaies scumming them ) when they are strained , boyl them again to the consistence almost of a plaister , which well prepared will be almost of a yellow colour ; dissolve some part of this in distilled water of roses , and wash the part affected with it twice a day . a most excellent remedy , saith clusius , and proved by very long experience . pliny saith they will do the same in vinegar , who together with aetius and myrepsus , affirms that worms bruised and laid on the place a scorpion hath stung , are an admirable remedy , for they presently ease the pain , and correct the malignity of the tumour . o●l of earth-worms is known by all to be good against divers infirmities , and the ancients made it thus . take earth worms half a pound , oyl of roses , omphacine , two pound , the best white wine two ounces , let them boyl in balneo till the wine be consumed . this cures the nerves relaxed , contracted , astonished , cut in sunder , or cooled , it easeth almost all pains , and wasts the stone , being anoynted on the share and loins . but in the preparing of it , every man followes his own opinion . for some before they adde oyl , wash and purge them with white wine , some neither wash them nor presse out the earth , and perswade to take the best wine , that it may penetrate the sooner : others use simple oyl , not oyl of roses , others again oyl of chamomile . also they shew us many wayes to boyl them , for one useth a furnace , another balneum , another doth it in dung , and some mingle of chamomil flowers , and of dill , to asswage pains , some of hypericon flowers to glew wounds together , others snails without shells , others with shells , every one as he thinks fit . the author of bartapalia prepares an admirable water of worms , fol. . that is very good for wounds and diseases both outward and inward . for worms of horses and oxen pelagonius ▪ puts live earth-worms into their nostrils , yet it were far better with a horn to put them down their throats into their stomacks . tardinus bids give ashes of earth-worms bruised with flesh to a hawk , when she cannot mute . they are also meat for moles , and when they dig , they will break out of the earth in wonderfull haste . sows ( as varro writes ) will trouble the mud , and dig up the earth with their snouts to feed on them . albertus saith that toads , bellonius lizards , tarentinus that sea grampets , and experience saith , that frogs , eels , gudgeons , carps , roches , trouts , darcae , and tenches will greedily devour earth-worms . also that bird aristotle calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , some call it vangellus , and hens , and all quails will feed on worms . but those are no wise fisher-men , that cause worms to come forth with medicinal juices , for when they are bitter the fish will not bite , but if they lie a day in wheat-meal and a little honey , and then put upon the hooks , they relish better then ambrosia : and it is no ordinary good we may receive by them , that they foreshew rain when they suddenly come forth of the earth , but if they lie hid the night before , it is a sign of fair weather . some do harden iron like steel thus . take earth-worms two parts , radish-roots one part , bruise them , and distill the water in a limbeck . or take distilled water of earth-worms three pound , juice of radishes one pound , mingle them , let iron hot be often quenched in this water , and lie in it ten dayes , and it will grow very hard . another . take earth-worms two pound , juice of radish one pound , distill them at an easie fire , and temper your iron with this distilled water . also draw forth juice of sorrel , stinking hemlock , and of round aristolochia , of each alike , and temper your steel often . the juice of sow-bread is thought to do the same . mr. fakenham a famous physitian writes thus . another . take goats bloud , adde to it a little salt , let glased pots be buryed in the earth , well luted for thirty dayes , then distill the bloud in balneo , and put as much of the distilled water to the same quantity of the water of worms . another . take water of worms , rapes , roots of apple-trees , each alike , distil them apart , and mingle equal quantities together , and quench your iron in that water , as we said before . a frenchman namelesse . chap. xxx . of worms in living creatures . isidorus thinks they are called lumbrici from lumbi the loins . for the ancients call the belly lumbos and 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 by hesichius , and suidas . some interpret that , those that are sick of worms . but more rightly from earth-worms , which they represent in form and nature , doe they borrow that name . cornelius celsus calls them worms , pliny the living creatures of the entrails . the greeks call them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and when they are extraordinary great , 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as appears out of aelian , l. . c. . you must observe , that latin writers make difference between vermes and vermina or verminationem , that is worms , and diseases from worms in the belly ; for vermina and verminatio , are the pains of the belly from worms , as celsus , serenus , pliny , and seneca epist . . testifie . the arabians call them emicar , sylvaticus elingen , the germans spulworm , bauchworm , the english gutworm , the sclavonians s●krkawka , a word hard to be pronounced . a belly-worm is a living insect , without feet , bred in the bodies of living creatures , hurting their operations diversly . i said a living creature , that i might exclude those broad worms called taeniae , which though they be of substance that grows to the guts , and are in form like to living creatures , yet they cannot properly be accounted living creatures , as hippocrates . de morbis , rightly affirms . i said an insect , both because they are of a round body , and because the ancients do not reckon them amongst serpents , nor have hitherto ranged them into any proper classis . i said without feet , that i might distinguish them from worms with feet . i said bred in the bodies of living creatures , because they are not only bred in the guts of living creatures , but in all the fleshy parts , and in the heart it self , as it shall appear by the history . and not only men are troubled with them ; but also horses , calves , dogs , hogs , hawks , and all perfect creatures . i said that diversly hurts actions , because from them , pains , consumptions , convulsions , epilepsies , frensies , and divers other mischiefs follow , especially if they be very great , or very many . and all these worms breed either in parts that are alive or dead . the worms in living creatures seem to be of three sorts , the round worms , gourd-like worms , and ascarides , such as are bred often in the intestines of living creatures : and not there only , but in other vessels and bowels ; of which matter i finde there was a great controversie amongst the old authors . for galen . l. de loc . aff . c. . assigns certain diseases to certain parts , as worms to the guts , the stone to the reins and bladder . but i my self with many other persons of the university , saw a stone as great and like a pigeons egge , voided by stool , at cambridge , by dr. larkin the kings professor in physick , who was long tormented with a pain of the colick , and wasting , and he voided that stone in the same form and magnitude , as a most troublesome birth at his fundament . montuus and benivennius write that they saw the like . also by giving but one clyster to the choise wife of noble leonardus , i brought forth stones like to medlar seeds , at one time in the year . many there are that question the credit of pedemontanus arculanus , guainerius , trallianus , benivennius , and montuus , because ( besides the opinion of galen ) they have written that they have more then once seen stones in the head , lungs , greater veins , the gall , bladder , under the tongue , in the joynts , and belly . but since daily experience doth clear them from a lie , we may say that the greek speak , as greeks were wont to doe , but that these men speak but the truth . galen might have remembred , that hippocrates , epid. . sec . . did not rashly affirm , that there was a sharp stone pressed out of a womans matrix , by the hand of the midwife , as great as the whirle of a spindle . this i thought fit to premise , lest when i shall report them , the faith of others and my own experience that worms are bred almost in every part , others should think i relate either a thing very strange , or what is false . worms seldome appear in the most vehement pain of the hemicrania , yet hollerius teacheth that it so comes to passe sometimes , l. . c. . the polonians call this disease stowny roback , the germans hauptwurm , and it was formerly frequent in germany and hungary , and all that were taken with it fell into the frenzie , or madnesse , and when they were dead , and their brains were opened , a worm was found there . then the physitians gave garlick with distilled wine once or twice a day , and all that drank of that recovered , the rest dyed . philip shot cured five of his servants that were sick of that disease , with the same remedy , as one writ in a letter to gesner . that worms are often seen in the brain , thomas a vega saith , com . in cap. . l. de loc . aff . galeni , and balthasar conradinus c. . de feb . hungar. also cornelius gemma , in appendic . operis cosmocritic . disputing of a pestilentiall semitertian , speaks of a woman in a city neer the river mosa , that had a long and vehement pain in her head , when she was dead of it her brain was opened , and there was found a great quantity of filth , and abundance of worms . that disease is known saith rhasis , by the internall corroding of the forepart of the head , and by the most vehement pain , that almost makes them mad . it is cured by neesings , and juices cast up into the nostrils , that wil kill worms . rhasis , l. . c. . but the worms that are yearly found in the brains of stags , and sometimes of goats , sheep , rams , ( chiefly those that are fat ) that hunters and butchers know better , than that i need to tell them . they are as big as the greatest worms , and of the same form with them , as alexander benedictus and matthiolus report . theophrastus mentions these hist . lib. c. . and alexander trallianus , l. . c. . it is reported that democritus of athens , when he was young was troubled with the falling sicknesse , and he went to ask counsell of the oracle of apollo , and apollo answered him thus : take a tame goat that hath the greatest head , or else a wilde goat in the field that 's bred , and in his forehead a great worm you 'l finde , this cures all diseases of that kinde . the young man was much troubled at this answer , and he repaired to theognostus democratius , that was then ninety yeers old , to tell him the meaning of the oracle . this theognostus told him that nothing could be plainer , for he had learned by long experience , that there were worms in the heads of sheep and of goats , that being wrapt in a black sheeps skin , and hanged about ones neck , would miraculously cure the falling sicknesse . some write , as pliny witnesseth , that two worms are found in the head of a downy phalangium , which worms bound up in a deers skin , and bound to a woman before the sun-rising , would hinder conception . concerning worms of the abdomen . a woman , saith pennius , that i knew very well , told me that she had seen more than once , some round worms , that crept forth of the belly by the navel . the ancients also say , that oft-times worms will breed in the ears , against which they prescribe these remedies . take the juice of wilde cucumbers , and the juice of garden-sage , or that with broad leaves , mingle them both alike , and pour that into the ears . gal. l. . sec . loc . where reckoning up the compositions of andromachus for the ears , he highly commends this of pritanis and harpalus . take opium two oboli , myrrhe , spikenard , saffron , of each three oboli , burnt brasse five oboli , and of round and sicil alum , each one dram , black hellebore two drams , mingle them with sod wine or oyl of roses , and apply them to the ears . lib. euporist . . he writes , that a locust will destroy worms in the ears , and he bids apply a sweet apple to the ear , with a hole in it almost quite through , for the worm will come forth , enticed by the sweet smell of it . pliny much commends the root of cypresse boyled in water , and the urine of a young boy , and the juice of hemp , rue , bramble , and of capers powred in . lastly , many remedies may be fetcht from columella , vegetius , marcellus empiricus , trallianus , vigo , tardinus , and all the arabians , and therefore here i supersede , passing on to other matters . monardus prescribed to one that had a polypus in his nose , the juice of tobacco to be injected ; whereby the ulcer was purged , and many little worms came forth : wherefore they breed also in the nostrils , ( for all the arguments that gabucinus hath alleadged against it ) and are not only cast forth of other parts . cow-heards know that worms will breed under the tongue , and the worm under a dogs tongue ( the carrying of which worm about one , saith pliny , will drive off the biting of a mad dog ) doth prove that sufficiently : and valescus saith he hath seen worms under mens tongues . it is known sufficiently by experience , that the very breast and lungs are not free from worms ; antonius benevennius , benedictus renius , mundella , antonius siculus , are my witnesses , who have seen them cast up , not by vomit or reachiing , but even by coughing . also alsaranius , capite de tussi , writes , that sometimes a cough is caused from living creatures bred in the hollow of the lungs , and cavity of the breast , which being no greater than little lute-strings , yet when they creep from place to place they make one cough , and when they lie still it ceaseth . also abenzoar abhomeron . lib. . tract . . c. . makes mention of them , affirming that the old physitians saw and writ of them . albertus and gentilis saw some in the liver and spleen , and platerus in the gall bladder . wherefore , whatever galen or avicenna may say to overthrow this from the perpetual motion of the lungs , the neerness of the heart , and other frivolous arguments , yet there is no man but will say , but that reason must give place to sense , especially in natural things . there was saith hieronymus gabucinus , a certain noble woman of fanes ( in his comment of worms , to which we are indebted for the great part of this history ) when she had a long time been tormented with pain of her stomach , at last she cast up a ball of hard flegme , this being dissected , it seemed like a piece of flesh , and in that there was a worm , and thus the woman recovered , whom the neighbours thought to be bewitched . of worms of the reins and bladders . when the reins putrefie , or the muscle of the bladder , oft-times little worms are cast out , concerning which i thought good to write these histories out of pennius . a woman thirty six years old , had great pain of an apostume in her reins , and she consumed , at length she cast forth little worms , a fingers breadth long , which i first saw in the bottome of her urine , anno . randulph a london physician , very learned and pious , when he looked on at the dissection of the body of one that was dead of the stone in the kidneys , he sound in one of the kidneys that was corrupted , it was wrinkled and putrefied , a worm of a full length . timothy bright , a very skilful physician , and to whom we are much indebted for the epitomie of the ecclesiastical history , saw a scholar at cambridge when he lived there , that pissed out a worm an inch and half long ; but it was not without feet as worms are , but it had many feet and was very nimble . aloysius mundella medicina dialog . . argenterius cap. de vesic . morb . rondeletius lib. de dign . morb . c. . scholiastes hollerii lib. de morb . in t . cap. de vesic . affec . ( to say nothing of levinus cardan , and my own experience ) do sufficiently testifie that such creatures breed also in the bladder : that worms come forth of the matrix , like to ascarides , i did not only see at frankfurt in a german woman , at eighty years of her age , but aloysius confirms the same in his epistle to gesner , and hippocrates . de m. mulier . and avenzoar . lib. . tract . . have said the like . kiranides writes , that there is a worm to be found in the matrix of a mule , which tied to a woman will make her barren . in india and the countreys above egypt there are some living creatures like to worms in form , ( they are commonly called dragons ) they are in the arms , legs , shanks , and other brawny parts , also in young children , they breed in secret places under their skin , and more apparently : when they have stayed there for some long time , at some end of this dragon the place comes to supputation , and the skin being opened out comes this dragons head . paulus lib. . c. . soranus granteth this , but he questions whether they be living creatures . moreover , in the bloud it self some living creatures breed , like to worms , that feed on the body , as pliny writes , hist . . c. . plutarch . sympos : who writes , that a young man of athens voided worms with his seed . aegineta saw them come forth at the groins and buttocks , as he saith lib. . to whom benevennius subscribes c. . also they breed under sheeps clawes , ( saith columella ) and such i have seen under the nails of those that were troubled with a whit-flaw . and thus farre concerning worms in the bodies of living creatures . but such as breed in dead and corrupt bodies , ( whether it be from the disease or the chirurgeons fault ) want a latin name , but the greeks call them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , as appears by hippocrates . the english call them maggots . coelius would also have them called eulas in latin , borrowing the word from the greeks . we will speak of these in order . and first concerning worms of the guts , the descriptions whereof , the causes , signs , symptomes and cure wil bring much light to the history of the rest . chap. xxxi . of the description of worms in the intestines . vvee shewed before that there are three sorts of worms that are bred in the guts . it will be worth our labour to describe what each of them is . the round worms are the first difference , and that manifest to all men , because these are the most common , and are so called , because they are indeed round and smooth , not unlike to those worms that breed in dunghils and gardens , which we said before are called by the greeks , the bowels of the earth . these as all other worms are blinde , without any eyes , and they are a hand length or something more : yet benivennius c. 〈◊〉 . affirms that a smith did vomit up a worm with grosse flegm , almost a foot and half long , very plain , with a red head that was smooth , and about the bigness of a pease ; but the body of it was downy , and the tail crooked like the half-moon . also at rome , anno . one that was now upon his youthful years , when as for many daies ( as gabucinns tels the story ) he had been in great torments of his belly , at last he voided by stool a great black worm with black hair , five feet long , as big as a cane . he saw one also that did not exceed the hands length , like to the round worms , but that the back of it was hairy , and set as it were with red hairs ; but this being cast forth by using good remedies , he grew very well . one antonianus a canon ( as hieronymus montuus tels the story ) voided a green worm , but he died shortly after he had voided that . but for the most part they are smooth and not hairy , a hand long and not a foot , at both ends pointed , as it were with a nib . and they differ so far from earth-worms , that they wear no collar nor girdle : what concerns their colours , i have seen some red , yellow , black , and partly white , or gold colour . green ones are seldom seen , yet montuus saw some . gourd-worms are those quick worms that are like unto gourd-seeds ; concerning which the question is so great between gabucinus and mercurialis ; for when he treats of a broad vvorm , that is made of an infinite number of gourd-seeds shut up in a skin ; he saith thus : i , saith he , think a broad worm to be nothing else but , according to hippocrates , as it were a white shaving of the guts , that comprehends all the intestines , between which some living creatures are bred like unto gourd-seeds : which may then be seen to be voided when all that shaving is voided , yet oft-times it is voided by parts : which if they break when they are voiding , then you may behold these worms like to cucumer-seeds voided by themselves , sometimes many of them being folded together , sometimes but a few . but if any man shall see all that portion , let him know , that that scraping off like a worm doth not live , but the creatures that are in it , like cucumer-seeds . i once saw this worm called a broad worm that pants , to have been of a wonderful length , and it crawled , a woman in a quotidian feaver voided it by siege , and when i did with ▪ admiration much view it , and sought to finde the cause of its motion : that other man , who said he voided a portion of a broad worm some daies before , which he would shew unto me for a wonder , did shew it me with incredible des ▪ i had to see it ; for this portion did move it self , whence i was more desirous to know the cause of that . at last searching diligently , i observed through the whole hollow part of it , a rank of living creatures like to cucumer-seeds , which crept forth of it as out of some bed , some-times one , sometimes two folded together , oft-times four , or more , and that part of the shaving of the guts that was empty of these creatures did not move at all , but sank down : whence it comes to pass that i think a broad worm is nothing else but snotty matter bred between the guts , or snivelly flegm thickned by the coldness of the guts , covering the inside of the guts like a coat , which women that assist the sick call a bed of worms . out of which snotty matter little living creatures like gourd-seeds proceed , as by way of a conception , which is covered all over by the second membrane in the womb which is first made of the seed . so saith gabucinus . avicenna agrees in this opinion , fen. . tract . . cap. . the gourd and broad worms are bred from the clammy matter that is fastned in the superficies of the guts , which is comprehended by a flegmatick pannicle covering it as if they were bred from that , and did putrefie within it . antonius benevennius a florentine saith the same , and more clearly , in com . de mirand . morb . causis , c. . who writes that in the mineral baths at avign●n , that are in the countrey of the senones , he saw a woman that for seven daies together drinking the water , did void these gourd-worms in abundance , that stuck so fast together , one being close to the other , that they were in a rank that was above four cubits long , yet you would judge them to be but one body and one worm . johannes a bookbinder at basil ( whilest i studied physick there in that academy , under zuingerus and platerus my masters , anno ) voided ▪ such a worm ten ells in length without any pain , and not many years before he had voided the like . it consisted of many gourd worms ; without which it had had no motion nor feeling , and might deservedly have been rejected from the number of living creatures . platerus had such a worm dried that was eighteen ells long , i saw it . pliny writes of a worm a sick person voided , was three hundred foot long : wherefore whatsoever mercurialis objects to the contrary , lib. . de morb . puer . cap. . since experience proves the thing , is without any firm ground . he saith it cannot be that any living creature can produce so many young ones , as there appear like unto gourd-seeds ; then , that the guts are not large enough to receive so many young ones . thirdly , that this comes to pass by reason of the violent putting them forth that gives the form , because the young one being broken by coming forth , is divided into those many pieces like gourd-seeds . and hence we may conclude that those are trifles that the arabians speak of gourd-worms , forasmuch as there are none such : what is that i hear , most learned jerome ? that thou being gray headed , and taught by long experience , shouldst so applaud thy own imagination , that thou shouldst dare to deny a thing obvious to sense , and plain to our eyes , and to gabucinus benevennius , and the arabians ? go to , no living creature can produce so many young ones like gourd-seeds : why not i pray ? when as one maid that took physick to kill worms , as gabucinus affirms , voided round worms ? to say nothing of that benevenius reporteth c. . of the incredible multitude of them : and he was a man to be believed . and what thou speakest of the capaciousness of the place , if that be an argument , it is an errour to be laughed at . for the guts will contain not only as many as are in a gourd , but the gourd it self prepared . by thy last objection thou dost but mock , but canst not weaken the opinion of avicennas and the arobians : for as much as in bodies diffected , gourd-worms have been seen wrapt up in a roll , wherefore they took not their gourd-form from the violent voiding them at the fundament , or from the manner of putting them forth , as thou either inventest maliciously , or ignorantly believest . i conclude therefore with gabucinus , that there are gourd-worms , and the broad worm called t●nia , is not properly a worm , nor yet a living creature , but something about the entrails like white shavings , as hippocrates saith , that is filled with these gourd-worms put in fashion of a coat of m●il . ascarides have their name from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because they bite and tickle very much , and so exercise the patients that are troubled with them : others derive them from 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , which signifies to move . the ancients called them beasts-worms , because they were seldom sound in men , but often in horses , dogs , hens , and oxen. and they were so seldom seen in men , that hippocrates , and celsus that followed him , either knew them not , or thought them not worth the mentioning , and so they said nothing of them ; and yet they writ at large of other worms . they are like the round worms , but ten times shorter , ( for they are seldom above an inch long ) and what length soever they be , they are thicker at the end of the longanum , and the sphincter of the anus they are found , causing a vehement itching in those parts . galen writes in lib. de ling. hippocratis , that gous an old man called ascarides long worms ; which difficulty mercurialis easily opens , for we should read it , saith he , not 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , great , but 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , small . moreover , though in consideration of their breadth and thickness they seem long ; yet compared with round worms , they may be called short . these and round worms are of divers colours , as the matter they are bred of is , or in respect of the heat that concocts them ; but gourd-worms are alwaies the same : whence i should conclude that gourd-worms breed only from flegm , but the rest from all humours and excrements . ascarides oft-times come forth in great numbers , and before they be voided they prick much . chap. xxxii . of the original of worms in the guts . aristotle lib. . generat . and hippocrates before him , . morb . make the material cause of worms to be dung . oribasius l. . aph. . and montanus that followed him being his master , thought that living creatures might breed in the guts from all kindes of humours : and mercurialis who thought they were deceived , was blinde himself at noon-day . but let us examine his arguments : it is found , saith he , that they will not breed from bloud , because bloud never putrefies so much , that living creatures may breed from it ; also he affirms from the judgement of alexander trallianus , that living creatures cannot breed in the veins . but experience cuts off the nerves of his first argument ; and the authority of rhasts , loppius and pliny , overthrows the second . also they cannot breed of a melancholy humour , because it is cold and dry ; nor of yellow choler , because it is bitter , and such creatures are not fed by bitter things , but destroyed . for which opinion , though he urge aristotle , hippocrates , galen , . simpl . med . aegineta , lib. . c. . yet what is there more slender than the opinion of them ? for butchers know that in the milts of sheep , which is the fountain of melancholy humour , and in the gall of oxen , which is the receptacle of bitter choler , innumerable worms are oft-times found . and i see no reason why worms may not breed from yellow choler , as well as in wormwood ; from melancholy as well as in stones , from bloud as well as in sugar . but if they be not bred from them , whence have they matter that they breed of ? the physician of padua will answer , it remains therefore that they can breed only of raw flegm , which either ariseth from too great quantity of the best meats for want of heat , or quantity of bad meats corrupt by depravation : which opinion , though it well agree with galen , aegineta , aetius , avenzoar , avicenna , colu●nella , celsus , alexander , and chiefly with our mercurialis , yet in my judgement hippocrates is in the right , who thought that living creatures are bred in the little world , as well as they are in the great . therefore as in the earth there are all kinde of humours , heat and spirit , that it may nourish living creatures that breed , so hath man all kinde of moisture that mourisheth things that breed . moreover , when as these living creatures do represent perfectly earth-worms , no man in his wits will deny but that they have both the same original . what flegm is there in the earth ? yet it breeds round worms , and gourd-fushioned , and ascarides , and all sorts of worms , and the best and warmest earth abounds with them , so far is it that they should breed only of raw and corrupt humours . do we not also daily see that worms are voided by men that are in health ? for i knew a woman of flanders , that at francfort on the main , which from her youth till she was forty years old , did daily void some round worms , without any impairing of her health , and she was never sick of them . i conclude therefore that from every raw humour of the body worms may breed ; and not only from crude or corrupted flegm . the formal cause depends from internal heat , which is weak , gentle , pleasing , and fit to breed living creatures ; wherein that plastick force of caleodick nature , ( to use the word of avicennas ) doth make the colours by the degrees of secret heat , and sporting her self doth make that broad form of gourd-worms , and some-times of lizards , toads , grass-worms , catterpillers , snakes , eels , as we read in histories . this doth give them taste , feeling and motion , this gives them that force of attracting , whereby they forcibly draw forth with greediness the juices that slip into the guts . if it were not so , that heat that consumes all things might perhaps dispose the matter that is changed by putrefaction , but it would never give the form and figure of a living creature . for it is not because the guts are round , that round worms are bred in them , as some men dream ; but the external form depends from the internal , and the spirit drawn forth of the bosome of the soul it self , doth frame the shapes without a carver or smith . this spirit is the mediate efficient cause : but god himself is the principal cause in this and other things , in whom , as well as we , the worms are , move and have their being . the final cause shewes their use , which declares gods omnipotency , natures majesty , and the singular providence of both for mans good . for there are collected in us some putrefied excremental superfluous parts , which the more bountiful hand of nature changeth into worms , and so cleanseth our bodies ; as we account it a good sign of health to be full of lice , after a long disease : also they consume much superfluous moisture in mans body , and unless they grow too many ( for then they feed on our nutrimental juice ) they are a great help to the guts ; so far is it that they should be accounted by physitians amongst diseases , or the beginnings of diseases . amongst the concomitant causes i reckon the place and the countrey . for though they are more common to children than to those that are of years , to women than men , in a pestilential than a healthful time , in autumn than in the spring , to such as use an ill diet rather than to those that keep an exact diet : yet they accompany all ages , sexes , conditions , seasons , diets ; for no man is priviledged from them , yet some places or climates are free , for according to the nature of them , in some many , in others no worms will breed : for all kinde of worms will not breed in each part of the guts , but round worms only in ●he small guts , ascarides in the longanum , the gourd-worms only are bred in all . also , as theophrastus and pliny testifie , there are no small differences amongst nations and countreys . ( lib. hist . pl. . c. . lib. nat. hist . . cap. . ) for broad or gourd-worms are common amongst the egyptians , arabians , syrians , and cilicians : again they of thracia and phrygia know them not . and though the boeotians and athenians are under the same confines , they are frequently full of worms , and these are by a priviledge as it were freed from them . he only will admire at this , or think it a fable , who knowes not that the nature of countreys vary according to the position of the stars , the nature of the winds , and the condition of the earth . there is a river ( saith aristotle , lib. de nat . anim . c. . ) in cephalenia that parts an island , and on one side of it , there is great abundance of grashoppers , but none on the other . in prodoselena , there is a way goeth between , and on one side of it a cat will breed , but not on the other side . in the lake orchomenius of boeotia , there are abundance of moles ; but in lebadius , that is hard by , there are none , and brought from other parts they will not dig the earth . in the island ithaca , hares cannot live ; nor in sicily , flying ants ; nor in the countrey of cyrene , vocal frogs ; nor in ireland , as we know , any kinde of venomous creature . the reason of all this he can only tell , who hath hanged the earth in the air without a foundation ; for it is not my eye that can see so far , nor have i any minde to affect to know things above my understanding . i leave that work to those that dare aspire to know gods secrets , let me them admire . chap. xxxiii . of the signs and cure of worms out of gabucinus . let us therefore shew the signs of worms , beginning from those that are called round worms ; both because these do more frequently vex children , and because they produce more cruel symptomes : of which paulus writes thus : they that are troubled with round worms , are cruelly torn in their bellies and guts ; and they have a tickling cough that is troublesome , and somewhat tedious , some have a hickop , others when they sleep leap up , and rise without cause ; sometimes they cry out when they rise , and then they fall asleep again ; their arteries beat unequally , and they are sick of disorderly feavers , which with coldness of the outward parts come thrice or four times in a day or a night without any reason for them . children will eat in their sleep , and put forth their tongues , gnash their teeth , wink with their eyes , they will be very silent , and are angry with those that rowse them up , the balks of their cheeks , in a short time , are sometimes red , sometimes wan-coloured . if the worms run up to the stomach , they cause nauseating , gnawing , and want of appetite ; and if the sick are forced to eat , they scarse can swallow it , and if they swallow it down , they vomit it up again , they void many corruptions of meat by their bellies , and they are swoln like a drum , the rest of the body growes unreasonable lean , not by reason of hunger , nor immoderate evacuations . these things happen when these creatures creep and gnaw in the belly . a feaverish heat sends up ill vapours to the brain , that arise from putrid moisture collected in the stomach . so writes paulus . but aetius out of herodotus writes thus : those that are troubled with worms have a most cruel pain of their stomach and bellies , and they have a little frequent tickling cough , and yet they spit up nothing : i● their sleep they shiver , and rise preternaturally ; some again put out their tongues and shut their eyes , and are silent , and cannot endure to be rowsed , and cannot watch for weakness : some have their eyes bloudshed , their pulses unequal , obscure , deficient , and recurrent : some want an appetite , children whilest they sleep , bite their tongues , and move their mouthes as if they sucked , or eat meat . but these things are done for a short time , and by circuits . moreover some children besides reason , rise with crying , and presently fall down again : some crash their teeth , which it seems happens when the worms suck , and gnaw their bellies and guts . and now it appears that some are come up into the stomach , and cause loathing , and bitings : oft-times also by themselves they are cast upward , but sometimes with some flegmatick humour . some infants neglected lose their motion , and are benummed , and like those that are in a swound , they sweat a cold thin humour , and most commonly they are wan-coloured : sometimes the face will be red , especially about the cheeks , but this colour again is changed into more than ordinary paleness . others again like dotards speak strange words in their sleep , others change their places they 〈…〉 y on , still sleeping , and they are vexed , and turn from place to place : but very few of those do cry , for most of them are void of reason , and are silent . also they that are vexed with round worms , loath their meat , and if they eat any thing , they cast it up again , or ●oath it so much they can hardly swallow it : for they fall into feavers with vehement cold in the outward parts : some have their bellies swoln like a drum . so saith aetius . but these are the marks he reckons from hippocrates opinion : worms in the belly are discovered by these marks : if they be sleepy , and the disease will not let them , and their outward parts be cold , and there be gnawing at their hearts , the urine troubled , and the tongue full of moisture ; also they that have worms in their stomach , are full of spittle ; and if any little worm comes forth they spit no more : therefore all those that have worms in the mouth of their stomach , do commonly cast them up all by vomit , but those that have belly worms , void them by siege . but they all nauseate , and vomit up what they take in . they are like to those that are pricked , that have contractions all over their bodies , and move suddenly and confusedly , and they have torments and pains of their guts . vapours carried to the head cause vertigoes . moreover the manner of diet that the party used will shew the generation of worms , and all the rest . these are the signs of round worms ; but all these signs must not be sought for in every one , as paulus saith ; but some and the principal of them . i might joyn here many things out of our new writers , unless what they say , and more also were not to be found in avicenna , whence they borrowed it . paulus gives us these notes of broad worms : sometimes they abound in those that have feavers , and sometimes in those that have none . in chronical diseases they breed , gnawing the stomach , and causing a greedy appetite . they eat the meat so fast , that we need more , and if it be not present , they bite shrewdly ; the body growes lean and weak , and unequal . but the most certain sign is , that some bodies like gourd-seeds come forth with our excrements : so saith paulus , and aetius doth not differ from him , but that he saith , that they gnaw the stomach continually , and cause an insatiable appetite , and that the meats eaten soon turn to excrements . they that are affected grow weak of body and sluggish , and are alwaies hungry , for what is living in the guts , when it hath consumed the meat , feeds on the body ; but this sign will not fail us , if some things like gourd-seeds be voided by stool . the signs hippocrates gives are these : he writes after this fashion : there is another kinde of this , that comes forth like the white shavings of the guts ; which hath these marks : the party voids seed like cucumer-seed , and when he is fasting he is vexed , and spits much , his liver being affected , sometimes not ; and sometimes when this vehemently affects his liver , it stops his speech , and he spits much , and after that it stops : and sometimes there is great pains in the guts , sometimes the shoulders ake , and then it stops again . sometimes these are the signs of the broad worms . he that is affected with this worm , is almost alwaies in health , but when he growes weak , he can hardly endure it , or be recovered . for this broad worm takes some part of those things that go down into the stomach , and if care be taken it may be cured , but if not , the worm will not come forth it self , nor doth it kill a man , but growes old with him , &c. ascarides are alwaies about the bottome of the belly as we said , and there they cause a great itching almost continually , as paulus and aetius have written ; and sometimes , as it is reported , they will make one faint . for that is shewed by their name . for they moving alwaies do continually exercise a man and tire him out . they that are troubled with these , feel alwaies a heaviness about their praecordia and backs . the signs of these are chiefly taken from the filthy smelling of the excrements . they that have worms their eyes at first shine , their cheeks are wan , in the night they have cold sweats , their mouth is pale , they start in their sleep , in the day they are more feaverish , their tongues and are dry lips , their breath commonly stinks , their face is pale , they nauseate and vomit often , they loath meat , they crash their teeth , especially in the night , they put forth their tongues ( and they seem to eat ) they are angry with those that awake them , they speak strange words , sometimes they are in a lethargy , and pick straws , and their heads ake , they cry out in their sleep , as the disease increaseth , their hearts beat exceedingly , their voice is interrupted , their arteries beat weakly , sometimes in the height of their pain , they are extended , and their mouth fomes as in the epilepsie , their belly is swoln like a tympany ; sometimes the pains abate , and again there follow torments , and colique pains , with a henterie flux of the belly , sometimes they are costive , and the excrements are hard . these are the signs of worms , now follow the prognosticks . the prognosticks are very necessary in all diseases to know what will be the event , and to know the condition of the patient serves much for the cure , as hippocrates , especially in his prognosticks , hath abundantly shewed ; who in the beginning of his book de prudent . medico , hath delivered it : especially foretelling here before the patient , things present , past , and to come , and what the sick have neglected , he is thought to understand the condition of the patient ; and hence it is that men wil better dare to trust the physitian . but because it is difficult to foresee all this , unlesse we use some artificial conjecture ( i call that an artificial conjecture , that comes very neer the truth ) and who can easily attain this , unlesse he have learned the things that belong to the art , and remember them , and hath with all diligence exercised himself in the practice of it ? the things wil be thus known . if a man suppose that there is any vital vertue , he must know the disposition of the patient in strength and weaknesse ; and when he is perfect in these , he must study further to know all differences of diseases in the greatnesse and manner of them , and then to learn the foreknowledge of the future state . and when he hath learned all these , then he must exercise himself both in comprehending the magnitude of the disease by exact conjecture , and the ●orce of the patient , and how long they may last . now practise wil help him much in this ; and before he hath diligently learned all these , it wil no whit profit him to see sick people : wherefore they that professe physick , proceeding in this method , shal never undergo any disgrace , neither in curing , nor foretelling of future events , which they report some famous paysitians have fallen into . hence it may be collected why some physitians are more fortunate then others , and what a fraud that is , to call a physitian more fortunate then another ; how absurd that is , galen and erasistratus have shewed ; saying , that a physitian must be exercised in all these things in his minde , and he must be diligent , and prudent by nature , that comparing all together , he may get a grosse summe of praedictions , that shal be useful for himself and for his patient . for such is the force of praediction , that alwayes for the most part , what the physitian foresces wil come to passe , where the physitian is perfect , and the sick doth not negiect his orders . but because , as it is evident , a physician by praedictions may get immortality almost , so chiefly from those things that do belong to this affect , he shal win glory to himself , by telling the sick their condition , who for the most part are children , or ignorant what their disease is . since therefore prognosticks are chiefly necessary for this disease , i wil not fail to set down what the ancients have written of this disease . paulus a great follower of galen , writes of these things to this purpose . worms bred at the beginning of feavers , have their subsistence from the corruption in the body , about the state of the disease , from the malignity of the disease , about the declining , they grow better . for hippocrates saith , it is good that round worms come forth , when the disease comes to a crisis . but aetius writes thus from the opinion of herodotus a physician . worms breed in feavers , and without , that differ one from the other in multitude , magnitude , colour , and time . for worms bred at the beginning of a disease , have their being from the corruption that is in the body , about the vigour of it , from the malignity of the disease , about the declination , from the change to better , and they are soon also voided forth , nature driving them to the outward parts , as she doth the rest of the excrements . but the greater ones are worse then the lesser , many than few , red than white , living than dead . our new writers adde to these ; if round worms are cast forth alive at the beginning of acute diseases , they shew pestilent diseases , but if dead ones be cast forth when the diseases decline , they are an ill sign also , however they appear both these times , it is bad . it may be because that feaver that follows worms is alwayes naught , because it consumes the matter for worms . it happens also that the worms are set on fire and grow hot by reason of a feaver , and so are wreathed together , and moved , that they so much the more affect and trouble those that have these worms . they adde further , that it is proved by experience , that worms are in the belly , if in the morning you sprinkle cold water on the mouth of childrens stomachs , for they will all gather to one place . worms sprinkled with bloud , so voided is ill , for they shew great hurt of the guts , to cast worms up by vomit is naught , for it shews the stomach to be stuffed with filthy humours . frequent cold breathing of children , their bodies yet swelling , is deadly , for it shews they will die the next day . if the eyes of the sick are somewhat held together , and cannot be closed by the fingers of those that stand by , death is at hand . some there are , it may be following the opinion of alsaravius , that say that those who are troubled with ascarides , are but short-lived . but there is a great question to be resolved , and that being done , i shal put an end to those things that concern the prognosticks taken from worms . aetius a little before said that live worms were worse than dead ones . but rhasis and avicenna that follows him ▪ think the contrary , absolutely preferring the dead ones before the living . in which question , to passe over other men , i shal say what i think , that the strongest affection is taken from those that are dead , because they must needs be driven forth , and cannot come forth of their own accord ; yet i follow hippocrates , who in a certain place useth some words that are difficult , wherein he would have us to consider diligently what symptoms vvorms breed , for if they come forth without any symptoms they foreshew a good sign . but he makes it clearer elsewhere thus . it is necessary that round worms should come forth with the excrements , when the disease comes to the crisis . so that by this we may understand , that if they be voided any other time , it is done rather symptomatically than by force of nature , and therefore they shew corruption or malignity , as paulus and aetius distinguished . but because we can never rightly undertake the methodicall way of curing worms , unlesse the belly in which they are be well disposed , nor can this be , unlesse the whole body be so , and this is excellent well performed by good diet ; wherefore that in the first place must be well ordered , for without that all helps are in vain , for the preserving and repairing our health . for this is so famous , and almost the best part of physick , that that admirable cous , celsus , galen , pliny , and almost all the old physicians , could never give it commendations enough . asclepias formerly esteemed it so much , that he almost took away the method of curing by physick , and wholly turned all curing upon diet . now this consists not only in the quantity and quality of meats and drinks , but also in all those things that befall us whether we will or no , as in sleeping and waking , motion and rest , as also in the repletion and emptinesse of the whole body and of every part , and in the affects of the minde , but chiefly in the air that is about us , which not only sticks fast to us outwardly , but continually enters into the inmost parts of our body by the drawing in of our breath . as for what concerns those things that we take , because they are such things that every man knows , i shall say nothing of them . for there is no man ignorant , that divers meats , and of ill and naughty juice , and disorderly taken , will breed crudities , and that gluttony and drunkenness do our bodies great hurt , yet many kinde of meats , that are hurtfull in other diseases , are profitable in these . wherefore we shall as it were besides our purpose , and by the way touch upon these , first adding what paulus writes . let the meats of those that have worms be of good juice , that may easily be dispersed , and passe to the parts , and neither foster the cause , nor weaken our forces . wherefore we grant them wine mingled with water , and let them eat often both for their need , and that the worms may not gnaw them . if there be a scowring of the belly , it is a sign that many are bred , the meat being not dispersed ; and in that case pears or quinces must be mingled with our broths ; wheaten bread is a wonderfull help , having anniseed mingled with it , or fennel or salt ; or bread that is between bran and wheat , called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because there are joyned together in it , the bran , the hulls , and the flour . men call also this bread 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , because all the wheat , without taking any thing from it , is made into bread . also the wheat it self that the meal is taken from must be the best , for some of these have much bran , which is the courser wheat , but the finer wheat is the best . but wine that is mingled with water , because it gently bindes , is held to be very convenient . mountain birds are fit for their meat , and young wood pigeons , green groundsel , and goats-beard , the broth of black chiches , and coleworts , and capers , and pickled olives eaten ; and if there be no feaver , let them eat their other meats with mustard , also sowr and oyly things are commended . also panick ( which diocles called the honey of corn ) is most durable , if so be it may be reckoned amongst corn. also spelt in the decoction of myxie , and a ptisane with a great quantity of oyl of unripe olives , besides these , lupines , cresses , betes , mints , smallage , radish , and sawce eaten are good . give children before all meat , a decoction of sebestens with mints . milk is very hurtful , as also fish , and pulse , and whatsoever is of a cold grosse substance , and hard to be digested . bread unleavened breeds worms , for it is good for no man , and so are all moyst meats , that easily turn to corruption within . for all kinde of worms it is most convenient to use abstinence from such things as breed them : and when they are bred , it is good to eat often , a little at a time ; and that is best , when they leave off gnawing . but those that have ascarides must eat meats of good juice , and of easie digestion , that the force of them may not reach so farre as the right gut . for the matter fit to breed them is so consumed . thus far for meats and drinks to be taken . but the other five kindes that are not so manifest , shal be handled by us also with all brevity . and we shal begin from sleep . it must not be too little nor too much , and in the night rather than in the day , at least two hours after meat . moreover , to be long idle is naught , let exercise precede meats , and rest after meats . nor is every motion to be taken for exercise , but that which makes us breath more ; unlesse it be when we have taken physick against worms ; for then we must ride or run , to shake our bodies ; for they are more easily cast forth by hard exercise or labour : but children will hardly observe these rules . care also must be had , that the belly may twice be unburdened , and if that will not do of it self , we must use a suppository or clyster to provoke it , made of such ingredients that are fit for this purpose . all affections of the minde whatever they be , must be set aside , as quarrelling , anger , sorrow , great cares , and thoughts , sadnesse , fears , envy , and all such kinde of perturbations , and chiefly after meat . for these change and turn the body from its natural state . let men beware of cold north windes , and let them not go barefoot . the air because it alwayes is about us , cannot be chosen at our pleasure : for it is sometimes a defence for us , and sometimes the cause that makes worms , or fosters them : it wil be a defence if it be very hot , and dry , pure , clear , and calm ; and it wil chiefly foster the disease , when it is very cosd , or moyst , or moved by the north or south winde , or by too great heat , dissolves our forces , and then by art it must be thus prepared : to burn in our chambers wood of juniper tree or of citrons , or peach-trees , and such wood as is against worms . also to perfume the place with tops of worm-wood , peach-tree leaves , citron pills , roots of pomegranate-trees , also with fern , and ivy. but that is the best that is made with myrrhe , and aloes . another remedy that succours the fainting spirits , by reason of worms . amber-greece two penny-weight , musk one peny weight , gum arabick , four peny-weight , roses , sanders , cloves , privet , frankincense , of each one peny-weight , gallia moschata so called , six peny-weight , lignum aloes burnt to a cole twenty peny-weight , the quenched coles of vine-branches , what is sufficient , make them up with rose vinegar . worms are oft-times exasperated with vehement remedies , that they bring children to convulsions , swoundings , and death ; wherefore they are not rashly to be given , and at all adventures . but because that remedies by reason of their different qualities are thought to be good to kill and bring forth worms , therefore in general , such remedies as heat , drie , cut , and are sharp , bitter , salt , or sowr , and attenuating , are to be used . for either they kill the worms by their sharpnesse , or bring them forth by their bitternesse , or they allure them to come forth , or else they are known to be good to bring them forth by the loosenesse that followes . they are brought forth 't is likely at once , by such supping means as make the passages slippery , or by some effectual quality , that is namelesse . there are some cool remedies that effectually drive forth worms , and some by a hidden quality , as shavings of harts-horn . but those things are best that kill the worms , for so long as they are alive they are an occasion of mischief . and they are hardly driven forth when they are killed , wherefore they must be drawn forth by clysters ; otherwise they send a filthy virulent vapour to the brain , and likewise inflame the body , and hurt the appetite and concoction . but because worms happen most to children , who are hard to be dealt withall , i thought it not fit to conceal that wonderful way that paulus mentions , whereby aloes , and certain broths are given to them by way of suppings . a certain cooks instrument or spoon that is called 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , is put into their mouths as they lie ▪ upon their backs , and by a ●little clyster with a strong pipe , aloes is forced down their throats , holding their mouths wide open as far as it is possible . pollux makes mention of this , but doth not tell us what it is . but whatsoever zomerysis is , we understand two things by it , that it is made descending , that thereby the bitternesse of the aloes is not tasted . but by that other instrument that paulus calls clysteridion , it is forced in by violence . but force and nature concurring , the motion is most swift , the heavy matter running downwards , and is violently driven in by it . paulus also describes another instrument , whereby moyst things are injected into the fundament , it hath many holes quite through it , and these from the matrix are called metrenchitae : but aetius speaks clearer thus . to which purpose you must provide a horn pipe that is full of holes through it , large at the bottome , and convenient for the largenesse of the place , which being thrust in beyond the sphincter of the anus , we fill with juice of cedar , so that the liquor may flie forth every way . but forasmuch as these instruments are unknown to us , when remedies are given either to kill or drive forth worms , stop the childes nostrils , and then wash its mouth with some sweet or sharp thing , and when he hath drank down the medicament to kill the worms , his stomach must be fomented with acacia or hypocistis with wine . those things that kill worms are best given in sweet milk or honey or oxymel , or syrup called acetosus . some first satisfie the children first with three dayes drinking of them , and then they give the physick afterwards . also they give clysters of the same sweet things , that they may entice those creatures to the lower parts . if the belly scowre , it is of necessity that the worms must be killed at last , for the motion of the belly will cast them forth . but when the appetite is hurt , and the belly loose , the worms must be killed with bitter things only , that are somewhat astringent , as with wormwood amongst hot things , or southernwood and worm-seed : or amongst cold things , with pomegranate pills , acacia , juice of plantain , purslane and such like . of hot things the seed of cresses drives forth all belly-worms , bruised and drank in wine or vinegar , yet more effectually if wilde mints be added , yet it troubles the belly . the meal of lupins licked with honey or drank in posca , and outwardly applyed to the navel with bulls gall , drives them forth . the same also being infused and eaten with their bitternesse , wil do the like . also their decoction can do as much , being drank with rue and pepper . sea worm-wood boyled by it self , or with rice , adding honey to it , kils worms in the guts , and it wil do it better with worm-wood . southernwood doth the same by its bitternesse ; cardamomum kils them . also the decoction of hysop drank , or the herb it self licked up with honey . so calaminth kills ascarides , and other vvorms , if it be drank with salt and honey , or if it be eaten raw or boyled , or the juice of it given in a clyster , or drank . also the decoction of thyme , or rue boyled and drank with oyl forceth them out . also wine of cedar , and the liquor of cedar it self . unripe oyl of olives , if it be drank plentifully , for it is pressed out unripe for children . juice of oenanth hath the same operation , as oyl of unripe olives . but the best thing against vvorms are sweet apples called st. johns apples , for they loosen the belly , and drive out the vvorms ; which by what faculty they can do it , ( being they are sweet , and of a honey taste , from whence they borrow their name , and since so they should rather feed vvorms ) is perhaps , because by this meat the belly is made loose , and the vvorms follow ; and the vvorms that otherwise would stay within , by the force of the excrements , as fishes in a torrent are carried away , when in summer great rains fall , and so are they carried downward . for dioscorides lib. . cap. de melimela , saith that those apples make the belly soluble : also the seed of coleworts , especially that which growes in egypt , drank , drives forth vvorms , namely , because the temper of it is drier , and more wilde . the same is done by oyl of falma christi drank . myrrhe also by its bitternesse both kills and drives them forth . the decoction of elecampane , squils taken with vinegar and honey , but the squils must be first rosted , or otherwise it is held ▪ to be most pernicious to the entrails . also they use to give against all vvorms the decoction of the root of capers in honey and vinegar . and dioscorides lib. . cap. . writes , that the herb called small turn-foil , drank with the seed , adding thereto nitre , hysop , cresses , and water , wil force out all sorts of vvorms , long and flat . but paulus , unless there be an error in the press , reckons cardamomum for cresses , lib ▪ . c. . rocket-seed in wine , wil drive out all living creatures bred in the body . also seven or five earth-worms drank with sweet wine , wil drive out all kinde of vvorms : bitter almonds and the oyl is good . agarick with honey , but it purgeth with trouble ; for it is hurtful to the stomach , by making it slippery and loose . storax swallowed with rosin of turpentine : aloes drank in cold water or milk , the same drank in a decoction mingled with honey , brings them forth without trouble . the seed of tithymal or the juice of it about five drops mingled with figs or dates . the leaves ▪ of agnus castus , polypode , chamepythe , centaury the lesse , bruised and drank with vinegar . also one peny weight of the root of the same drank in three cyathi of wine , doth help . horehound with wormwood and lupins , boyled in water and honey , of each alike , and with wine applyed twice or thrice , kills all worms in the belly : costus by its bitternesse , with water kills all worms . but dioscorides lib. . writes that it drives out only broad vvorms , with water and honey ; which place marcellus interpreting , blots out that word [ and honey ] as put in amisse , for this reason , because it is contrary , and seems not to agree with the cure for vvorms . for saith he , they are raised and nourished by sweet things , and belly vvorms are not driven forth by them , unlesse perhaps honey must be therefore added , that they being deceived by the sweetnesse of it , they may take in the bitter costus in greater quantity , as we use to do in curing children , when we give them bitter or strong potions , we cover them with some sweet savour , or pleasant smell . in which businesse he● seems to seek a knot in a bull-rush ( as we read in the comedy ) and yet he confesseth it to be otherwise . for whether the word honey be read in dioscorides or not ( for i am not yet certain of it , nor hath ruellius set it down ) it is sufficient that bitter medicaments , ( such as costus are , and such like ) were given alwayes almost by dioscorides , pliny , galen , and others , for to cure worms , with sweet things , and chiefly with honey , or mede , or oxymel , for the same reason that marcellus mentioneth , lib. . cap. . which paulus added in these words . because some men oft times refuse bitter potions , as having an ill taste , of these thing herein comprehended , they shal not give any that are manifestly bitter , but mingled with some sweet thing , as he said a little before , that all these medicaments must be mingled with honey or oxymel , and so given to drink : oras lucretius saith , that the improvident age of young people may be deceived , or else may be able to take it , being enticed by such a taste . for children most commonly are subject to worms . therefore nothing hinders but that the word honey should be added , as marcellus himself testifies , if we read him in some old copies . likewise a cantharis bruised , and drank with a briony root , drives forth worms , as galen writes , lib. de comp●s . theriaces . of cold things , the juice of mouse-ear , with ale , of each one cyathus . groundsel eaten , the juice of plantain , especially when the belly is loose , given one spoonful or a small measure to drink , and the herb it self bruised , laid to the navel . coriander seeds with the juice of pomegranates and oyl destroy the worms in the guts , or drank with sweet wine . hot things , as boyled beets , taken with raw garlick , by the nitrous quality it hath , brings them forth , but the juice is hurtfull . a pomegranate bruised , and boyled in three heminae of wine to one hemina , drives forth worms , takes away the pain , and the juice o 〈…〉 the root one dram and half weight , will kill them . sumach of syria will do the same , and the seed of orache . our new writers adde , that it is manifest by experience , that the sharpest vinegar drank when we go to bed will drive out the worms . but amongst those things that prevail much is corallina , so called , which being powred or mingled with honey or oxymel , or drank with honey-wine , doth wonderfully kill worms , or drive them out half dead . this took its name from the likenesse of corall , since both of them grow in the water , and for sixty years almost it hath been used to good purpose to drive forth worms ; if i be not mistaken , this is that which dioscorides lib. and galen call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is , sea-mosse ; and if that they did not attribute to it the same force we do to drive forth worms , as we see in corallina , as they call it , i shal not therefore think that it is any thing else , besides dioscorides and galens 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 : for the antients did not know the vertues of all simples , for the true nature of each cannot be found out by any other way than by its effects in physick . a mighty work and secret from god , than which there can be no greater found out . also many things are found now adayes that were not found out in our forefathers dayes ; and no wonder , since these experiments are made by countrey-men , and such as are ignorant of learning , who commonly live only where they grow , besides the negligence of seeking , when there are so many physicians at hand every where . also many things are found out that want nam●s : to this we may adde the uncertain way of finding out ; for in things that are found , some were found by chance , saith pliny , lib. . cap. . others were revealed by god. but the foulest cause of this rarity is , that they who know things will not discover them , as if they should quite lose what they acquaint others with . they are as envious indeed as those are who either suppresse the monuments of antiquity , or else utterly demolish them ; which they for that end , that what is written by the ancients may be attributed to themselves , or if they have delivered any famous matter , they that write other mens opinions will let that be lost . but if there be any that will contend , and say it cannot be that they should be ignorant that sea-mosse was good to drive forth worms , to those i answer , that the ancients did not commit to writing all the natures of simples that they knew . for we know many of the precepts of pythagoras and socrates ; which yet cannot be known out of their books , because they wrote none . and plato though he left so many books in writing , yet besides those he wrote , his followers take many things for his that he never put in writing . nor hath that 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 growing in every place , as they report , the same faculty , but the apothecaries in some certain places of italy fish for it , and they sell it under the name of corallina . but let this suffice . this is rather to be enquired into , why , being that corallina tasts salt , dioscorides , pliny , galen , and others report it to have a cooling faculty , when as it is known that all ●alt things are hot , and earthly , not unlike to bitter things that are hot ? whether it be , because the sea-water is salt , yet hath in it a great deal of potable water ( as aristotle hath sufficiently demonstrated it ) and therefore by that it is the less hot ? or else because it contains in it much earth , and so it is drier and thicker ? but such things as grow in the sea , must needs be of the same faculty with it . because therefore that sea-mosse growes in the sea , dioscorides and others attribute to it a thickning quality , but as it contains in it much water fit to drink ; and as it is of an earthly quality , by that it cools . lastly all that are troubled with worms , are helped with the smell of the hair of ichneumon ( they call it an indian rat ) as paulus writes . the juyce of housleek drank in wine , will drive out of the belly round worms : worm-wood wine drank doth the same . the herb of great turnfoil drank with its seed , adding thereunto nitre , hysop , cresses , and water , will cast them forth . the root of female fern , drams drank in wine , will force out the round and broad worms of the belly , as ruellius and marcellus , who interpreted dioscorides , do both assert . but galen saith that it kils not round worms , but ascarides and broad worms , for so he writes , lib. therapeut . method . cap. . but wormwood can destroy round worms broad worms require more strong helps , as fern is , and so doth that worm the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . theophrastus was of this opinion , who writes that female fern mingled with honey is good against broad worms of the belly , if it be mingled with honey ; and for ascarides , in sweet wine . for so he sets it down : female fern is good against broad worms and small ones : against broad ones mingled with honey , but against small ones in sweet wine . it is certain that ascarides both are , and are called small worms . moreover , galen lib de simpl . medic. facult . . ascribes the same vertue to the female fern , that the male hath . now pliny writes that the female will kill only broad worms and not round . pli 〈…〉 . lib. hist . . c. . and again , that both , ( that is , both male and female ) will drive forth worms of the belly , broad worms with honey , the rest with sweet wine drank for three daies , and he excludes neither round worms nor ascarides . but galen in one place excludes both round worms and ascarides ; and in another place he writes that it will destroy ascarides with broad worms . what now shall we say , where authors are of so many different opinions ? shall we say that female fern will kill all worms in the belly ? for galen ascribes the same virtue to it he doth to the male , but that especially it kils broad worms , and in the next place ascarides , which being at the bottome of the belly , require a stronger remedy , as fern is , that the force of it may come so far . but since it can drive forth broad worms and ascarides , that are more seldome , and the one is in the guts , the other farthest from the stomach , it will far sooner destroy round worms that lie in the upper guts . galen therefore will not fight with himself in this , for it sufficeth if it will kill broad vvorms , and if it can destroy them , it can more easily destroy ascarides , and easiest of all round vvorms . but pliny , as who best of all knew that , saith it will drive out the rest also , ( that is , both round vvorms and ascarides ) . but that he saith so is manifest out of paulus , lib. c. . who in his method of curing round and broad vvorms , mentions fern : which yet all men agree is most properly used to drive forth broad vvorms . avicenn . tertii tract . . c. . shewes this most clearly in these words : the medicins that kill ascarides are stronger than those that kill long worms ; and those things that kill long worms and ascarides will also kill broad worms . gith or nigella not only eaten but laid in a plaister to the belly , or anointed on the navil with water , brings them forth . in which place we must note marcellus , who saith it will drive forth broad vvorms and not round : but ruellius interprets this by the contrary . i● marcellus have done right , i leave other men to judge , this is certain that galen is of ruellius minde , who hath written only that it will kill vvorms ; and as i said before , it is taken generally for round vvorms . paulus and aetius , agree with ruellius , who in their curative method for round vvorms , often speak of gith , but never for broad vvorms . wormwood called santonicum , of it self or boyled with rice , adding honey to it , will kill worms . the seeds of nettles bruised , or of coleworts or cummin , with water , or mints with it , or hysop with honey and water or cresses-seed bruised with vinegar , kils them . celsus l. . c. . oribasius lib. ad enn●pium filium , hath written that calamint , cardamom , lupins , and the powder of them in drink , or with honey by way of electuary , or given in posca to drink , are sufficient to kill round worms . also the leaves and buds of the peach-tree bruised , and laid upon the belly can do as much ; also mints in drink and sorrel . purslain boyl'd , the juyce of succory , or the decoction of sebestens , or the sebestens themselves boyl'd and eaten are very good . also the ashes of burnt harts-horn is thought very effectual for this use , especially of that which growes on the right side of the stags head . it is burnt thus : break the harts-horn , and put it into a new earthen crucible , and lute it well , put it into the furnace and let it burn till it be white . scribonius largus , c. . gives it thus : harts-horn , saith he , raspt with a workmans rasp , with water of sebestens boyled , give or spoonfuls of it , which were soked the day before in cyathi , then bruise and give it , adding the water to it . an oxe shank burnt , and drank with milk , drives out round worms , saith galen . costus with water drives forth broad worms of the belly . galen de com . ther. ad pis . cardamom , garlick eaten . the leaves of female fern taken with honey in a lohock . but the root of the male drams with honey-water drank , will drive them forth , but better , if it be given with so many oboli of scammony , or black hellebore , also the root of white chamaeleon , drank a sawcer full , for which use it is drank with sharp wine and the decoction of origanum . walnuts eaten largely , the pill of the mulberry-root boyled in water and drank ; besides that it loosneth the belly , it will force out broad worms ; also the decoction of pomgranate roots drives them out and kils them . the decoction of pomgranate pils can do as much . the root of wilde bugloss a sawcer sull , with hysop and cardamom drank , doth the like . ruellius the interpreter of dioscorides , seems to have followed paulus , who say that with hysop and cardamom : but marcellus ▪ saith , with hysop and cresses drank , it will drive forth broad worms , what was said before of turnsoil . marcellus seems here to follow galen lib. . de simp . fac . who writes that a sawcer full of it is good drank with hysop and cresses . but the juyce of cedar kils ascarides , and so doth calamint , the juyce of it being drank or given in a clyster . the decoction of wormwood , mingled with oyl and given clyster-wise , and the decoction of the lesser centory given with salt-peter and honey , hath the same force , or the decoction of the wilde gourd , of wilde saffron , if the right intestine were first emptied with sharp pickle . the root of female fern drank for three daies in drams of wine , drives forth ascarides . also old hogs grease put into the anus , is excellent good . both paulus and aetius testifie that feavers commonly accompany round worms , and we found ▪ it true by daily experience . when therefore there is a feaver , sometimes we must take care to curc the feaver and the worms , and sometimes taking little care for the feaver , we must strive to drive the worms out of the belly . for many that have neglected them have died torn and eaten up by them , and some say they have seen them come forth at the groins . but we must first kill them all , and then drive them forth ; they are killed chiefly with bitter things . when therefore the cure is common both to the feaver and the worms , the more simple remedies are convenient , and where the disease is uncertain we must use things that are more milde . for the feaver is exasperated with strong remedies if we should be mistaken ; but when we are certain how the matter is , we must wait for the times of the disease . for about the first daies , and the rather if they should appear then , we must use stronger remedies . but those that appear when the disease declines , are more easily cured , and the better if there be no inflammations or tensions of the bowels . as hippocrates saith well , lib. aph. . cap. . in acute disease but seldome , and that at the beginning we must use purging medicaments ; and this must be done with premeditation , for these swell most , and are agitated as 't is often seen , and therefore about the beginning of those diseases , we may use sharper means with profit , but there must be much caution , and premeditation used therein . first examining whether the patient can endure such remedies , and be prepared rightly for them , and whether we may expect a right crisis by giving them . for there is no small danger in an acute disease , as the sickness of worms is , to use sharp remedies , because all such meaus are potentially hot . therefore they that suffer inflamations and extensions , must have cataplasms of linseed , with the like quantity of meal of lupins mingled , or else moist fomentations of oyl of camomil , wine , tops of wormwood , and aloes laid to their praecordia ; but where moderate feavers molest , give children before all meats , the decoction of myxato-drink , or give them the sebestens themselves to eat with mints . for these things wonderfully help those are troubled with worms , either because , saith serapion , they stick by reason of their sweetness to them , or else these are so glutinous , that they cannot be parted from them , and so must come forth with them . for myxa are very clammy , that in syria the best birdlime is made of them called damask-birdlime : wherefore because by their clamminess they bring forth worms , if they trouble the stomach , they must be given by the mouth ; but if they be in the belly and guts , by clyster : but to such as are come to ripe years , stronger remedies may be given , as the decoction of wormwood or southernwood , or the force of the root of the sowr pomgranat boyled to thirds , also three scruples of washt aloes is given , which is the most commendable remedy for those that are strong : also we use unwasht aloes , and both , if they be feaverish , and but three moneths old . earth-worms with boyled sweet wine may be given confidently ; but if they will not drink sweet wine , give them with water and honey , or as you think fit , fearing nothing , not despising the meanness of it , give or . but if it be not a naked suspicion , but a certain knowledge that there be worms , and that a proper cure belongs to them , then you must lay on cataplasms with lupins meal boyled in sweet wine , to which also sometime a root of briony must be added . in the mean time anoint the navil well with buls gall , or gith bruised with womans milk , or with wormwood , or southernwood , or briony mixed with fat old figs : anoint all the spina dorsi with deer-suet , and cover the upper belly with a cerate made of wormwood and cypress oyl . moreover a suppositar must be put up where the belly is bound , especially for children , and if it profit not , then give a clyster , the vigour of the disease abating , made of the decoction of wormwood , or southernwood , or centaury , with honey and nitre . and we shall endevour to draw them out by suppings , that make the passages slippery , such are oyl of unripe olives , supping up by little and little two spoonfuls of it , for as it is bitter it kils worms , and as it is glib it drawes them forth with the dung . but we must alwaies increase the potions of oyl for they are very commodious . the worms come forth , some yet alive , but they are giddy , and as we may say half killed , and many come out dead with the excrements . moreover worms will breed when there is a scowring of the belly , we must cure them by stopping the flux , and by bettering the concoction with meats and cataplasms . for the more the flux growes , the more the worms breed ; and when the flux ceaseth , the worms do the like : wherefore we must diligently endevour that the belly may be stopt and strengthned ; we must therefore add to such cataplasms as serve to stop other fluxes , such things as we said to be good against worms , and that cause no fluxes , such as are wormwood , southern-wood , santonicum ; also pomgranate pils , acacia , hypocistis , balaustia , and the like , with raw barley-meal . also cerats laid on must be made of these . also suppings must be used amongst all which the juyce of plantain is best ; and the dry plantain , for it is good both against the flux and the worms . farthermore the vvine of the pomgranate pressed forth with shell and all helps exceedingly . but for nauseating that ariseth from vvorms , and gnawing of the stomach , a grain of salt held in the mouth , and melted and swallowed down , profits wonderfully , for it should seem the tartness of it , makes them presently fall down . but if a hickop arise from the same causes , pils are good , that have the juice of ridder-spin , wormwood , santonicum , water-mints , scordium , of each four penny weight , boyl them to the thickness of honey , then add fifty penny weight of powdered aloes , and make pils of all , and swallow a penny weight , for this will take away the hickop , and kill the worms . but if from the feaver or filthy vapours arising from worms , or the fumes of medicaments ( as most of those are that are given against worms ) rise to the head , so that there be great pain thereof , then anoint the forepart of the head , the forehead and temples with oyl of roses , or the juice of acacia , or of hypocistis mingled with it , for it is most effectual . others lay on leaven with a little saffron and vinegar , on these parts being anointed : for this cures all intemperate sleep , and other perverse affects . but amongst those men call syrups , syrup of wormwood , calamint or horehound are commended : or make one thus : take juyce of mints , elecampane root , wormwood , rue , purified , for it is taken the sediment being cast away , of each of them haf a hemina in weight ; of the juyce of succory and grass , of each of them seven cyathi in weight , infuse in these torrefied harts-horn , sumach , purslain seed , and flowers of wilde pomgranates , strain the decoction and make up all with sugar , or the purest honey of athens . another : take southernwood , calamint eight penny weight , horse mints , elecampane-root fresh , six penny weight , boyl them in water to a third part : this decoction is given with syrup of wormwood , or oxymel of squils . also worm-wood-wine is much commended for these uses , but it is made divers waies , for some let down celtick nard drams bound in a linnen clout , into a measure of new wine ; and after daies they strain it . others cast a pound of wormwood into sextarii of sweet wine , and a sixth part of pitch , rosin , and after ten daies they strain it , and lay it up for use . a syrup against worms , with a feaver and the symptomes : take sixteen penny weight of grass-roots , purslain-seed , sowr dock , of each eight penny weight , ten sebestens , boyl all to thirds , to these add the juyce of pomegranates , and oranges , or sowr wine , of each one and half cyathus in weight , as much of juyce of garden succory , the best sugar what may suffice , boyl them to a syrup : you may give infants half an ounce , and young children one ounce without danger . a julep that shall help those are affected with worms : take dittany of crete , gentian zedoary , arabian costus , one penny weight , seeds of coleworts , dill , wormwood , purslain , of each alike as much ; water of mints , wormwood , grass , of each half a hemina weight , boyl them to thirds and strain them , to these add of the best sugar twenty penny weight . but in a feaver you may give the decoction in water , or grass-roots , wheat , barley , of each fifteen penny weight , to a large quantity to drink . another most effectual and very sweet : distilled water of sorrel , roses , grass , garden endive , bugloss , juyce of pomgranates , of each o●e hemina weight , seeds of purslain , orach , sumach , citrons , of each three penny weight ; coriander-seed , myrtle-berries , wilde smallage , of each two penny weight , seeds of sowr dock , coleworts , cummin , of each the same weight : red roses , tormentil , barberies , of each two penny weight , so much weight of balaustia , five penny weight of the ashes of burnt harts-horn , white dittany of crete eight penny weight ; the shels of mulberry-roots barked , fern-roots , of each two penny weight , ten sebestens , one penny weight of red coral , white sugar what may suffice , make a julep . but the most ▪ present remedy of all is that the apothecaries call commonly diaturpethum , but chiefly with rhubarb , three drams of it being swallowed down ; which being it is proved by long experience , so it hath also great reason for it , that it should be preferred before all other remedies . for children enticed by the sweetness of the antidote , will take it down willingly , and the rhubarb kils ▪ the worms , and the parts are strengthned by it . the turpeth drives them from their nests , and the rest of the ingredients do not only make it pleasant but harmless , so that it is most sweet , harmless and strong all at once : it is made thus : take white sanders and red , violets , ginger , of each two penny weight ; anniseed , cinnamon , saffron , mastick of chius , each one penny weight ; myrthita , which the apothecaries call turpeth , eight penny weight ; rhubarb , ten penny weight , scammony as it is usually prepared , four penny weight , the purest sugar penny weight , make up all with that and make troches ( as the greeks call them from the form ) each three drams weight , where you have need of them , give one for this disease . another antidote : take rhubarb , saffron , scammony , wormseed , dittany of crete , each two penny weight , the best sugar eighty penny weight , make them up with grass-water , and make troches ; one penny weight of this is given to infants without danger , being dissolved in grass-water ▪ the powder i use is good , and a powder thus prepared : take rhubarb , agarick , germander , of each two penny weight , sea-moss four penny weight , wormseed and purslain-seed of each two penny weight , unwashed aloes six penny weight , give a scruple of this or two oboli in wine to children safely . sometimes all these are bruised , and sifted and made into pils with the juyce of wormwood or mints , and three of them are swallowed down . another for the same by another author : take harts-horn burnt , the less centory , mints , penniroyal , water-mints , worm-wood , santonicum , germander , lupins , of each four penny weight , bring all to very fine powder and give it with milk , vinegar , or oxymel , or any way . another of the new writers that is approved : take rhubarb , coriander-seed , basil-seed , plantain , pomgranate pils , carway-seeds , sumach , of each two penny weight , carduus benedictus seed , shavings of harts-horn , and of ivory , of each eight penny weight , the bark of the roots of mulberries pill'd , colewort-seeds , citron apple-seeds , bark of willowes , of each six penny weight , purslain-seed , dittany of crete , four penny weight of each , pearls , red coral , of each two penny weight , dry them and bring them to fine powder : one or two drams of this with wine in winter , and where there is no feaver , or with oxycrate in summer or to those that are in a feaver is safely given . an antidote that kils worms , diminisheth a feaver , and helps against pains of the heart : take wormseed , sea-moss , seed of wilde smallage , harts-horn burnt white , of each alike , infuse them all three daies in vinegar , wherein let these things first boyl , purslain-seed , sorrel-seed , sumach , coriander , colewort-seed , and a little myrrhe ; then dry them , and add to them orange-seeds two parts , citron-seeds one part , make them up with sugar dissolved in the wine of pomgranates , and make morsels , to which you may add some little cinamon and musk. but because it hath been seen oft-times that medicaments outwardly applied have done much good against worms , it is but reasonable that i should set down the manner of them : for by these we not only defend our bodies , but also we kill the worms and drive them out dead : wherefore this may suffice that hath : lupin-meal , less centory , leaves of peach-tree and horehound , bruise them with posca and lay them to the belly . another tryed by our newer physitians : take the less centory boyled in the oyl of peach-kernels , anoint the navil with this , and it will drive forth the worms . another : tost barly-bread , and infuse it in vinegar , then press it out , and infuse it again in the juyce of peach-leaves , lay it on warm to the belly with a linnen clout . others mingle lupine meal . southernwood and buls gall . again : take lupine-meal , centory the less , of each four penny weight , aloes , buls gall , of each oboli , make them up with juice of wormwood , and laid to children very young . another : take wormwood , gith , ashes of harts-horn , of each a like quantity , mingle them with honey and anoint them . another good for the stomach , that kils worms , and is good against the belly flux : take wormwood , mints , roses , santonicum , lupin-meal , of each eight penny weight , tosted bread , infused in the sharpest vinegar four penny weight , buls gall sixteen penny-weight , mountain-nard , water-flag , ( gallia called moschata ) cloves sweet cane , nutmeg , galanga , carway-seed , of each twelve penny weight ; hippocystis , acacia , sumach , of each four penny weight , oyl of myrrhe , juyce of mints , and wax what sufficeth , make a plaister . if there be no feaver , the navil and thighs are to be anointed with honey , in a hot affect with milk , and then a little aloes is strewed on , for it wonderfully kils worms , also the nostrils are profitably anointed with theriac and vinegar . a cerate against worms out of paulus : take aloes , vvormwood , lupin-meal , seriphium , gith , of each six scruples , vvax an ounce and half , oyl of camomel what may suffice , make them up being bruised dry with buls gall . another out of aetius : lupin-meal , vvormwood in powder , barley in fine powder , of each seven penny weight ; buls gall , eight penny weight ; rasping of harts-horn , four penny weight ; vvax , twenty six penny weight ; weak oyl , twelve penny weight . another approved : take aloes half an ounce , saffron two oboli , juyce of pomecitrons as many drams , mingle them with sweet white vvine , and apply them to the heart . another approved : take buls gall , penny weight , choise frankincense penny weight , strong-water heminae , distil , all these chymically and in a glass vessel covered with vvax , keep what comes forth , and use it when occasion is . another very excellent , that kils and casts forth the worms : take vvormwood , gentian , centory the less , bark of the roots of mulberies , bay-berries wit● the kernels taken forth , bark of the roots of the pomgranate-tree , ash-root pils , of each penny weight ; marjoram penny weight ; southernwood aloes , myrrhe , agarick , of each penny weight , dittany of crete , germander , savin , of each penny weight ; poly-mountain , grass-roots , each penny weight ; staechas , chamaedrys , chamaepity , pomecitron-seed , each penny weight ; ashes of harts-horn , santonicum , penny weight , coloquintida-seed , penny weight , buls gall penny weight , the sharpest vinegar hemina and cyathi , a gallon of bitter oyl of unripe olives , and heminae ; let the dry things be beaten into most fine powder , and mingle them ten daies together , on the eleventh day let them boyl in a double vessel until the vinegar be consumed ; when these are cold , add one hemina of oyl of bayes , bitter almonds , and peach-kernels , of each beaten penny weight ; all these , as the former , must be put into a glass vessel , and be distilled . another most excellent and sure : take peach-kernels , garlick , earth-worms washed in vinegar , of each penny weight ; gentian , dittany of crete , grass-roots , and piony , pils of mulberry roots pilled , of each penny weight , saffron , sweet cane , cloves , aloes , calbanes , coloquintida , ginger , nutmegs , cassia , long pepper , frankincense , fruit of balsome , red coral , of each penny weight ; the best theriack penny weight , mints , wormwood , centory the less , peach-tree leaves , headed leeks , penniroyal , calamints , plantain , rue , black horehound , bay-leaves , sage , marjoram , betony , scordium , orange-pils , and bark of mulberry roots , of each penny weight ; seeds of wilde smallage , purslain , radish , coleworts , santonicum , plantain , headed leeks , sea mosse , garden smallage , ( that is , parsly ) each penny weight ; the sharpest vinegar , juyce of quinces , of each one hemina ; oyl of mastick , spike , liquid bitumen , ( they call it petroleum ) oyl of bayes , of each penny weight ; the oldest oyl , or oyl omphacine , heminae ; beat the dry things to powder , and mingle them , and in a glased vessel set them under horse-dung for a moneth , then boyl them in a double vessel to thirds , strain them when they are cold , and straining them out forcibly , keep in a glass , what comes forth for your use . but employ it thus : first anoint the temples , then the nostrils , next that the spondyls of the neck , four of them next the throat , then anoint the pulses of the arms , next to that the stomach , i mean by the stomach the mouth of the ventricle , taking the word stomach improperly , for properly it signifies the throat ; wherein i must not passe over the error of our new physicians , who in affects of the mouth of the stomach , lay their remedies upon the back over against it , which is both contrary to galen , and also to reason , . & . de m●rb . cur . libro . yet i believe thomas linacer did not rightly interpret that place , if i be not mistaken , who was indeed otherwise a very learned man , and most skilful in the interpretation of authors ; but it may be that greek book was faulty , or for some other reason . also it seems agreeing to reason , that for affects of the mouth of the stomach , the remedies should be applied before , immediately under that round gristle , which they call the shield or sword-fashion gristle , for at this place the mouth of the stomach best receives the force of cataplasms and cerats , forasmuch as there are no bones to keep it off , but the properly called stomach , that is , the throat is fenced with most strong bones , as under a fence ; for it hath the brest bones before , and the back behinde . but this is spoken by the by . now between the wetting of one place , and of another , we must stay so long as a man might walk about paces ; and when these places are wet , we must use more distance of time , when we anoint the reins and the navil . and these three remedies are so certain , that unless a childe be ready to die , he will recover from the point of death only by anointing these parts . that which is called the broad worm abounds in those that have no feaver , and breeds in long during diseases . the method to cure these is the same as for round worms . for bitter and sharp potions are most in use , and to eat garlick or calamint , dittany or penniroyal ; we must eat garlick largely for three daies , and old soft cheese . next let a man eat of macedonian fern dried and powdred and sifted , penny weight , with as much honey as he please ; after four hours give the patient aloes , and scammony , of each one half dram , in honey-water cyathi , when he begins to rise to stool , set hot water under ; also give water to drink in which lupins , or the bark of mulberry-tree is boyled , or to which there is added a sawcer full of pepper , or bruised hysop , and a little scammony : or else after the eating of garlick we speak of , let him vomit , and the next day let him gather as many pomgranate roots as he can hold in his hand , and bruise them and boyl them in sextarii of water , to a third part remaining , let him put a little nitre to this and drink it fasting ; three hours then past , let him take two potions either of water or salt pickle added to it ; then pour forth the hot water into a bason , as i said : also give earth-worms to drink , for they are exceeding good . but the juyce of mouse-ear is proper for them , drank two cyathi with one cyathus of ale : for it quickly drives forth the broad worms . but this remedy following must first be drank ; nor is it thought unfit for those that have worms , especially if they have no feaver . out of paulus . it consists of red nitre , pepper , cardamoms , of each equall parts , mingle all these and give of them a spoonfull in wine or hot water , for it quickly brings them out . another , which is an electuary of paulus . take pepper , bay-berries cleansed , aethiopian cumin , mastick of chios , of each alike , honey what may serve turn , give one spoonfull in the morning , and let them sleep upon it ; but if you would do this more effectually , adde nitre as much as of each . another of the same . t●ke fern a sawcer-full , nitre two peny weight , give it with a spoonfull of water , after evacuation , but it is better to adde a little scammony to it . another of the same , and of aetius . take of the bark of the root of a sowre pomegranate , scraped from the upper part , pepper , of each four peny weight , cardamoms six peny weight , horehound two penny weight , the best honey what is sufficient , give one spoonfull of it after eating garlick or leeks . but that the disease may be wholly driven away , give some theriac , for galen highly commends it for this use . another out of oribasius , that he alwayes used by the experience of his masters , and had a long time proved it for good . it contains scammony one scruple , euforbium as much and half as much , the powder of burnt feathers one scruple , nitre in weight one siliqua , give this to drink in honey'd or sweet wine . but it will fall out better if he first eat garlick or some sharp thing . also here is a plaister of another author , that is good against all worms , especially broad ones . take lupines , bay-berries cleansed , bulls gall , lay these on the navel , and binde it on with a swathe-band for one day and night , or else for two or three dayes . against broad worms from another authour . take southern-wood , scraped harts-horn , coccus gnidius , and sesamum , of each one penny weight , cardamoms three oboli , give this to drink with oxymel . another for the same use . take gum arabick , one peny weight , fern three peny weight , cardamoms one peny weight , nitre three peny weight , give it in hydromel or ale. also against the same , is the antidote called diaphereon . take fern eight peny weight , scammony , gith , cardamoms , salt nitre , of each two peny weight , give it in oxymel or ale , but adde polypode four peny weight . it is reported , that ascarides will trouble children , and such as are come to their full growth . but children are continually provoked to excretion , and after egestion they are the better most commonly , but those that are come to their full growth , observing the trouble of such things that are the cause of them , will thrust their fingers into their fundaments , and pull them forth , and further they will foment and abate these biting pains , with peble-stones that lie in the sun on the shores , or else with stones put into the fire . but some for fear will admit of none of these helps ; yet this disease ought not to be neglected , for worms will not easily yeeld to remedies , nor are they easily driven forth , but by strong means . wherefore children must be purged with suppositars made of honey and a little salt , or nitre , or sharp pickle , or with the decoction of wormwood mingled with oyl . also there ought to be a stronger purging , and when they have voided their excrements , the longanum , which is the place affected , must be anoynted with it . as for simples , they are acacia , hypocistis , the juice of sumach , with liquid allome or nitre , but the compounds are the troches of andron , and those that are called sphragides polydiae , and with fat wooll and such like ; for the flesh is made stronger by astringents , and loseth its readinesse to breed living creatures , and thrusts forth the ascarides . andron his troches are made thus . take flowers of garden pomegranates ten peny weight , galls eight peny weight , myrrhe four peny weight , long birthwort , and as much vitriol , saffron , scistil allum , dregs of the oyl of saffron , mysi , frankincense , of each two peny weight , they are powdered and mingled with astringent wine , or with vinegar . but sphragis polydiae is thus . take scistil allum three peny weight , frankincense four peny weight , myrrhe as much , or eight peny weight , vitriol two peny weight , flowers of tame pomegranates twelve peny weight , bulls gall six peny weight , aloes eight peny weight , make them up with sharp wine : but that which is made with fat wooll is thus made . take fat wooll forty peny weight , lead powder , shales of bitumen , of each ten peny weight , round scissil allum , pomegranate shells , galls , mysi , vitriol , frankincense , of each five peny weight , myrrhe two peny weight , lees of oyl eight heminae . those that are of riper years must be purged with sharper and hotter remedies , as with diapicra , and with oyl mixt with wine , in great quantity , and other things infused , as salt pickle , the decoction of centaury , with nitre and honey , or coloquintida , chamaeleon , anchusa , lupins ; then oyl of cedar must be given in clyster , and after that rest ; often repeating the same method of cure , also take salt flesh , scraping away the fat , and cut it long and round , and thrust that into the anus , and binde it in , to hold it there so long as may be , and then lose it , and in ject again the foresaid things , and let us often repeat the same remedies . chap. xxxiv . of worms that breed without the bowels , and chiefly of maggots . the living worms that are bred in the head , the brain , the liver , milt , bladder , reins , muscles , proceed from the same causes worms in the guts doe , and are destroyed by the same remedies . but those worms hippocrates calls eulas , the english call maggots or gentils , they are worms without feet , not unlike to ascarides , but that they are shorter a little , and thicker considering their length : there is no man almost that hath not seen these in carrion and corrupt flesh , and sometimes in limbs that are dead by the negligence of chirurgions , when as they apply a remedy that putrefies together with the wound or ulcer . hippocrates calls eulas worms bred in dead bodies . suidas calls them ill beasts , fl●sh-eaters . lucretius calls them cruel vermin , and plutarch , worms from corruption and putrefaction of the excrements boyling forth . homer in his iliads , and . saith they are worms arising from putrid matter , that are far smaller in the ears than in other ulcers : and coelius writes , that they are called eulae , which latin writers call improperly earmoths , since they agree with them neither in form nor figure nor in any mark whatsoever . lastly , those small worms that breed from flies egges in flesh , in summer , ( the english call them flie-blowes , and the germans maden ) as camersius observed , are reckoned amongst eulae or maggots . but those eulae or maggots that breed in hogs flesh or bacon , have a proper name given them by festus and perottus , who call them tarni , maggots . have either a tayl , or they are without a tayl : hens feed on both kindes of them , and so it is likely other birds doe . to make a woman conceive hippocrates prescribes three or four parts of those that have tayls , bruised with origanum and oyl of roses , to be laid to the mouth of the matrix . in his first de morb . mulier . and in another place of the same book , he bids apply with wooll the heads of these worms mingled with the secondine of a woman , and allum of egypt , and goose grease . it is reported that democrates of athens , when he was a youth , and was sick of the falling sicknesse , went to delphos , and enquired of apollo , what he would advise him to take against this troublesome disease , and that apollo answered ; take the greatest maggot you can finde in a wilde goats head and fast binde that in a sheep-skin , &c ▪ democrates having heard the answer of apollo , he repaired to theognostus democratius , who was then ninety yeers old , and he wondring at the providence of god , expounded this oracle that was so doubtfull : saith he , by nature the head of a wilde goat is full of abundance of worms , neer to the basis of the brain , and when he neeseth , many worms fly forth at his nostrils ; you must therefore lay a garment under the goat , that these worms may not touch the ground , but that you may catch them before , and so taking one or two of them , put it into a black sheep-skin and binde it to your tender neck , and this saith he , is a natural remedy against this disease . these things are good against maggots bred in ulcers and wounds in man or beast . first cleanse the parts affected , with the gall of frogs , the juice of celandine , sea water , or brackish water , with the decoction of honey , worm-wood , horehound , peach-leaves , groundsel , juice of betes , and wine ; then to kill the worms , strew on pepper , salt peter , or allum in powder , hellebore , henbane , round birthwort , vitriol , or wash the fore-places with the juice of river calamint , or the decoction of centaury , or with the juice of leeks or horehound . johannes agricola prescribes bugloss , but pliny preferres aristolochia with honey ; and paracelsus commends juice of celandine . montanus commends nitre before all other things . vegetius bids to wash the ●ores early in the morning with cold water , and to drench them throughly , for he affirms , that the worms by this means will be so contracted with cold that they will soon fall down . aetius commends poly , and worm-wood mingled with pitch , and he commends the anoynting of the parts with fasting spittle . hildegardis strews on the pith of smallage , the shell of a tortoise , bees that are dead in the hive , the leaves and the bark of the plum-tree , powdered and sprinkled on the ulcers . bayrus applies quick lime tempered with the sharpest vinegar . the places where the worms are being sprinkled with the juice of hippia , will be presently cured , saith tardinus ; but what this hippia is , no man hath determined : some think it is wilde tansey , some say 't is potentilla ; gesnerus understands it to be chickweed , which by its sharp and nitrous faculty ( as the betes have ) kills all the worms . chap. xxxv . of nits . nits in the greek are called dorcas and cumidas , the italians call them lendine , the spaniards liende , the germans niss , the english nits , the muscovites call them guida . these are little white living creatures , most like to syrones , if they had but feet , but they are twice almost as small ; and their body is somewhat long , out of which aristotle saith that nothing else can breed : crackt between the nails they make a noyse and die , they are not found only in the hair and eye-browes of men , but they abound also in the hair of oxen and cattel that are lean , and wanting feet , yet they will stick so fast sometimes , that you may as easily pull off the hair by the roots as pluck them off . trotul● not improperly calls them 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , hair-eaters , for as snails live on the juice of herbs , so these live on the moysture of the hairs , and feed thereon . the philosopher affirms , that they proceed from the copulation of lice , and therefore are called their egges . they are like to the flowers of jesemine that grows with us . for as jesmine brings flowers without ●e●d , so lice bring forth egges without young ones in them . they die either for want of nourishment , or by using a comb with close teeth , or by the use of such medicaments as the old and new physicians prescribe abundantly . pliny mingleth allum with vinegar , or vinegar with gall of a calf , and also ●aith , they are killed with goats milk . also he commends nitre mingled with terra samia and smeered on , and the powder of harts-horn drank in wine . abenzoar prescribes , to anoynt the hair with the lesser centaury , and alkitrum . brimstone in vinegar takes away nits , as also oyl mingled with lie. marcellus doth very much commend hogs dung mingled with wine and juice of roses ; also to anoynt with honey and sal armeniack , but chiefly oyl of radishes with a strong lie . hildegardis provides a lie made of date-stones , which being mingled with oyl of radish roots , will kill the nits . ardonus mingles some sublimate of quick-silver with spirit of wine : and he saith also , that if the head be first wet with a hens egge , and then with the juice of sow-bread , or sea-water , that the 〈…〉 will never breed again . gilbert an english man highly commends the gall of any creature , as also all bitter things , cleansers , and aromatical drugs , with the juice of marigolds . chap. xxxvi . of aureliae , and a wood-worm called teredo , without feet . that which the latins call aurelia , the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , the name is borrowed from the golden colour which appears in most of them . it hath no mouth , nor yet any apparent parts , nor doth it void any excrements , nor yet eat , or move , unlesse it be moved by some body , or hurt . that which pliny writes , that a chrysallis hath a hard body , i think that is meant in respect of a catterpillar . but that which he addes that it will move if a spider touch it , though i know this to be true by experience , yet i doubt he borrowed those words from the philosopher , and interpreted them amisse . for the sense seems to be thus . they move if they be touched , and they are covered with p●●es like to cobwebs . aristotle speaks nothing here of a spider passing over them , as pliny seems to translate it . aristotle shuts the aureliae not only out of the number of insects , but also of living creatures , and determins them to be as it were the caterpillars egges . but what agreement is here with an egge ? that is laid by another living creature , and is void both of actual life and motion . the aurelia is laid by none , but is changed from one to another , for it changeth its former shape into another shape , and retains both life and motion , not in possibility of being , but actually . but that doth not take away the life of it , because it neither eats , nor increaseth , for dormice sleep all the winter and eat nothing . the life of it doth resemble that sleep which is partly waking , wherein men are not properly awake , nor yet asleep ; but are alive , and move a little . but i conjecture that the philosopher wrote this , that he might confirm that axiome of his to credulous posterity , that all insects either lay egges or little worms . his words are these . insects first breed worms , but that which is called chrysallis , is an egge , and afterwards from this is bred a living creature , that at the third changing hath the end of its generation . yet it is manifest enough by what i said before , that an aurelia is no egge , and it ought not to be called a generation , but a transmutation of a caterpillar into this , and of this into a butterflie . i say this for that purpose , that such as adore aristotle for a god , may remember that he was but a man , and that he was subject to humane errors . there are two kindes of aurelias that i have seen , some are downy , and others smooth , both are of divers colours , and sometimes they are gold coloured , which are the true chrysallides , and others that are but bastard ones , are without any colour of gold. they have their original from the death of the catterpillars , which as they do waste by degrees in certain dayes , so by degrees their covering grows continually more hard , and changeth into an aurelia . these again the next spring or autumn , by degrees losing their life , a butterflie comes forth of them that is bred by the like metamorphosis . what use they serve for , for the good of man kinde , i am wholly ignorant of . i know well enough how much they perplexed aristotles wit by their wonderfull transmutation ; and they set forth to us the boundlesse power of almighty god. george agricola only propounds to us the teredo without feet , which from the brasen colour of it , he call kupter-worm : it creeps like a serpent , saith he , because it wants wings and feet . it is as thick as a small goose quill , and it is as long as a scolopendra : it is round , and breeds under rotten wood , and sometimes found hard by the scolopendra , or long ear-wig . you may easily finde the figure of it placed amongst the scolopendrae . chap. xxxvii . of water insects without feet , and first of the shrimp or squilla . wee said before that all water insects were with feet or without feet . some of those that have feet , swim with six feet , as the lobster , the shrimp , the lake scorpion , the evet , and the sea-lowse ; others with four feet , some with more . we shal treat of them severally . the squilla an insect differs but little from the fish squilla , but that it hath the sail-yards much shorter , and a more red colour , or rather a more earthly colour . some of these are covered with a thin shell , and some again are smooth and naked . those with shells live chiefly in small brooks , and stick to the roots of reeds or water-flags : they are of a yellowish colour , and sometimes of a white or ash-colour . they go only with six feet , the rest that are joyned to them , serve in stead of fins . the naked ones are either soft or hard . the soft ones are represented well e 〈…〉 ough by this figure , only suppose their heads to be of a bright bay colour , and their body died with a dark ash-colour . all those that are covered with a hard crust are made with joynts , but some have round joynts , others other fashions . the form of the round joynted is exactly represented here , if you suppose him to be easily dyed with a lighter red . and such is the colour of the first and second that are not round joynted . the third kinde is black upon the back , and with a brown belly ; but they are all with a forked mouth , and that will hold fast what is applyed to it . the fourth kinde moves it self with the three former feet , and useth the rest that hang by in stead of oares . the neck of it , and the sailyards , and the nippers are of a watry red colour , the body is brownish or more ash coloured . the fifth hath a very black head , and the body like to a pomegranate shell . the sixth seems to be cruel , and in the same form you see it , of an ash-colour . all of them have 〈…〉 ard eyes , and black , covered over with a membrane shining like unto glasse , which move continually almost , like to the ears of four-footed beasts . they leap quickly one upon the other as the fishes squillae doe in coupling , and when they grow bold and have liberty , they fill the females with young . the time when they are ready for this is signified by a gentle biting : the female takes hold with her mouth , and what she layes hold on she kills , and gives part of it to her companion ; for they couple at the mouth , as crabs and lobsters doe . but what use they serve for in physick , i cannot finde either in writers or from empiricks , who either knew not these squillae , or thought them not worthy to say any thing of them . yet this is certain , that in april and may there is no better bait to catch fish with . chap. xxxviii . of the locust , scorpion , notonectum , the grashopper , the wasp , the forked claw , the newt , the little heart , and the lowse , all water-insects . the insect-locust , is like the lobster , for that cannot be called either flesh or fish : you see the figure of it : it is of a pale green colour : i have seen three kindes of lake scorpions , and i have them by me : the first is somewhat black , the other two are like to white sand : we call some insects of the water noton●cta , which do not swim upon their bellies as the rest do , but upon their backs , from whence it is probable that men learned the art of swimming upon their backs also . some of these have eyes , shoulders , and bodies all black , some are green , some are fiery coloured , and some pitch coloured . for you shall seldom see two of them of the same colour ; nature hath so variously sported her self in adorning them . water-grashoppers hold the for●h described , but their eyes are extreme black , and their bodies are ash coloured . the wasp hath a brownish body all over , except the black eyes . the forked claw hath almost the same colour , but it is more full , it seems to want eyes , but it hath them hid within , whereby it both sees and perceives the object . the lizard is of divers colours , and delights in catching fish , it is common about the british shores , where it lyeth in wait to catch fish . the corculus hath the just fashion of a heart , the feet and head being taken away ; it hath very little black eyes , and six legs of the same colour , & each with two clawes . the sea-lowse is an insect that is an enemy to all kinde of whales , which by biting and tickling it puts into such a rage , that they are forced to run upon the sand , and hasten to dry land : i know nothing concerning the use of these creatures ; but i seriously exhort posterity to search out the use of them . chap. xxxix . of the flea or asellus , and the scolopendra found in the sea. the sea scolopendra , sometimes is of a grey colour , and sometimes you shall see others that are more red . these are longer and leaner , that is shorter and thicker . i saw both kindes in the year . in coves of oysters . for they are not found in the deep sea , as gesner supposeth , but in the muddy standing waters , where the oysters are fatted , there they lye hid , are bred , and do live . numenius warned fisher-men concerning these , when he said ; see therefore that you let not ingender , the stupid julii or deadly scolopender . they are as aristotle writes lesse than the land scolopendras , but not differing in their form . nonus the physitian makes of these a remedy to hinder hair from growing , or a depilatory , and highly commends it in his . chapter . take frankincense , vitriol , of each two ounces , sea scolopenders three ounces , grinde them all well , and mingle them with the powder of quick-lime , then pull out the hairs first , and anoynt the places with that . chap. xl. of water insects without feet , and first of oripes . no philosopher that understands as he should , will deny but that snow is water turned to froth , by long subliming in the air . in this worms are bred which the greeks call 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . aristotle writ something concerning these , which history i will briefly touch . in snow there are bred hairy worms , very sluggish , and that move slowly , wherefore i reckon them amongst worms without feet , so soon as they are taken out of the snow they die , as the worms bred in the fire doe , being taken from thence : with snow that is old and begins to look red , they become red also , but those that are found in new snow are white . it is , saith he , a certain thing that snow can no more corrupt than fire can . and indeed they cannot corrupt , yet in both of them are living creatures bred , and they are nourished in both . i cannot in any wise consent to eustathius the scholiast upon homer , who affirms , that snow growes red from minium , because those places are of a cinnaberous quality , whence he conceives , that from the vapours rising from cinnaber , the snow becomes red : i will not deny but that it is so in some places . but whether the interpreter be pleased or not , we must needs grant that in some places the snow grows red , where no cinnaber is . strabo makes mention of such places in these words . in charzena and the countrey of cambicium , and in places neer to the mountains of caucasus , some little beasts are bred in the deep snow , which apollonides calls 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and theophanes 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , that is , mountain little hairy worms , like unto the greater teredines . i think their generation as admirable , as of the fire worms ; yet living creatures are more easily bred in snow , than in fire , because in snow there is much air , earth and spirit , all which the fire consumes abundantly . and if the heat of the sun happen to be with these , i shall use scaligers words , they make dung that smells the sweetest of all ordure . also they are bred in abundance in carinthia , as joach . vadianus reports . but strabo in his comment upon pompon . mel. addes a thing that is admirable , saying that these worms are full of excellent water , which travailers take , by breaking the bladder or coat it is in , and they drink this pressing it forth gently . for it is very wholsome and seasonable when the fountains are troubled , as it falls out often in great snowes . chap. xli . of horsleeches . a blood-sucker or horsleech , in latin hirudo , in greek 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , in hebrew halukab , in french sangsue , in italian sansuga , in spanish sanguisuella , in high-dutch ein agel so das blut sauget , in english a horsleech . these are water worms that thirst exceedingly after the bloud of living creatures , and they will fill themselves with it sometimes till they burst and die . some of them are without any passage through their belly , some are open behinde ; we give you the pictures of them here . europe hath scarce any open behinde , but in america and india they are common . those that are not open behinde , are obvious to every man , and when they are filled with bloud , their skin seems checquer'd with fibres . some of them are of divers colours , some green , black , brown , yet not venomous , only the bright bay and chesnut colours , that are like to pills of trees . they breed chiefly in standing pools , where cattel are wont to be watred , for from their feet earth and foulnesse are washed , and fall to the bottome , to say nothing of the sediment of their dung , out of which , that want not vital heat , living creatures are bred . once bred , they most greedily thirst after bloud , and therefore they lie in wait in the very entrance of the pools , that they may light upon horses , oxen , elephants , &c. so soon as they come to drink for thirst of cold water . pliny writes , that they are so troublesome to the elephant , that the beast is by their tickling and sucking in his snout , almost mad ; which doth manifestly shew the wonderful power of insects : for what is there greater then an elephant ? and what is there more contemptible than a horsleech ? yet the greatnesse and wit of the elephant must give way and yeeld to this worm . they feed most on bloud of beasts , and watry bloudy matter ; yet when they want sustenance , they still themselves with the filth that riseth from the water . pliny saith they vanish in the spring , l. . c. . but we see that season to be most fit for the breeding of them . and indeed i can see no reason , that when they have overcome the winters cold , they should not be able to stand out the springs mildeness . and this we all know , that horsleeches will die in the winter , unlesse they be carefully preserved in warm water , and fed with bloud very plentifully . if any man swallow a horsleech , some perswade us to drink pickle , others snow-water : but asclepiades bids us first to wash the mouth , and to put a soft sponge wet in cold water into the mouth , that the horsleech sticking to the sponge may be drawn forth . after this he prescribes the juice of duck-weed , and to cover the neck with cooling plaisters . but apollonius , whose surname was mus , gave the sharpest vinegar with pickle to drink ; but those that gave snow , did first warm it , and used it being dissolved , and they did use meat and drink at fit times to make the belly soluble , that they might drive forth the horsleech , for they report that so they will oft-times come forth with the excrements . gal. l. de antidotis . in the dayes of pliny , wicked men did privily give horsleeches to their enemies to do them mischief ; but rue with vinegar , or only butter , ( as against all venoms that did exulcerate ) were a present remedy , lib. . c. . and lib. . c. . their use in physick is manifold . for some ( i use galens words , lib. de different . sanguinis detrahendi modis , tract . . ) take horsleeches and put them up , and they use them diversly : for when they are made tame they are easily put upon the skin ; but those that are taken must be kept one day , and must be fed with a little bloud ; and so it will be that whatsoever venome they have in them , they will soon cast forth . but when we have need to use them , that part to which you will apply your leeches must be first rubbed with nitre , and must be anoynted , and scratched with your fingers , that by this means they may fasten the more greedily ; but you must cast them into warm water that is contained in a large and a clean vessel , then you must lay hold of them with a sponge , you must cleanse them with your hand from all filth and dirt , and so they will be fit to be applyed . and when you have set them on , lest that part they stick to should grow cold , you must powr on warm oyl : but if they be to be applyed to your hands or feet , you must thrust them into the warm water that the leeches are cast into . and if they will not hold ●ast , you must cut off their tails with a pair of cizzers ; for when the bloud so runs forth they will not leave off sucking until you sprinkle salt or ashes upon their mouth : when they are fallen off , that venemous quality they use to leave behinde must be drawn sorth with a cupping glasse ; and if that may not be done , you must use a sponge to foment the place . and if yet any bloudy drops run forth , apply meal and cummin , and then binde on some wooll wet with a little oyl . but if yet the bloud will not stop , lay on a linnen clo 〈…〉 et in vinegar , or burnt glasse , or a sponge first put into liquid pitch , and afterwards burnt . and this also you must observe , that leeches draw that bloud that is next the flesh , and not that which is contained in the centre of the body . men use them commonly in stead of cupping glasses . mark also that you must take them off when they have drawn half the bloud . and you must beware that the bloud run not forth so long , untill it be sufficient : for the part it self will grow cold , both by reason of the leeches that are naturally cold , and because of the air that compasseth us about . so far galen . but cardan bids us not to anoynt the place with nitre , but with milk , that they may fasten the sooner ; and withall to pinch the leech close , that striving for revenge he may open the vein , lib. . de rer . var. c. . what help they were to dionysius the tyrant of heracleot 〈…〉 we may read in histories , who representing rather a beast than a man , sor he died with a might● great paunch , had been eaten by the worms long before , unlesse horsleeches had been applyed to both his sides , and drawn forth daily some quantity of the humours he was charged with . it were too tedious to reckon up all the melancholique and mad people , that have been cured by applying leeches to the hemorrods in their fundaments . yet i may not over-passe the noble richard cavendish , ( the most learned unkle by the fathers side of that famous navigator through the world thomas cavendish ) who was perfectly cured of his gowt that had held him many years , only by applying horsleeches to the emrods in ano every moneth , so that now to the great wonder of all the court , he walks alone without any help , and being sound and void of all pain , he lives an old man. also horsleeches set upon the fundament , will so wonderfully pluck back the humours that run from the whole body to the joynts , that they will presently ease the pains like a charm. this i proved at lions upon an excellent musitian , one rosolus ; who for the great pains he endured , and by continual waking , fell into a burning feaver , with raving , in the dog-dayes , at which time hippocrates saith it is dangerous to purge . it is in this case such a remedy , that it is to be preferr'd before all others , for they draw from the whole body without any trouble or losse of a mans forces . jac. aubert . exercit. . progymnasm . fernel . abdit . godfridus a cenami , a venetian , a famous man , and my very great friend , for just and lawfull causes , who told me that he saw one who had the joynt gowt , who lived many years free of all his pains , only by applying leeches to the part that was in pain . math. de grad . and savanrola , jacob dournet , apolog. lib. c. . perswade the same remedy . also gilbertus anglicus reports , that the lowsie disease generally is to be cured with the ashes of horsleeches boyled with storax : for they are not only usefull for men whilest they are alive , but when they are dead and burnt to ashes . pliny reports , lib. . c. . that horsleeches will black ones hair , if they be corrupted in black wine for sixty dayes : others bid us take one fextarius of leeches , and let them lie to corrupt in two sextarii of vinegar , in a leaden vessel for so many dayes , and then to anoynt with them in the sun. sornatius relates , that this medicament is of so great force , that ulesse they hold oyl in their mouths that die the hair , it will also black their teeth . meges writes , that live frogs putrefied in vinegar , will take off the hair , but the ashes of leeches anoynted with vinegar will doe the same . chap. xlii . of water-worms . in waters both salt and fresh , great and small worms will breed of putrefaction , especially in summer , very like earth-worms , but they want that knot or chain about their necks : also they are by far more sharp and lean ; oft-times they lie in the sand , and they cast up earth out of their holes , as earth-worms do : in sweet waters that are standing , and not deep , there is found a kinde of worms of a full red , that resemble in shape the teredo without feet , but that they have greater heads . their tail is forked , whereby they stay themselves , till lifting up their heads they may finde a place to fasten the rest of their body , and so they creep upon the mud and stones , and so they move in a brandishing manner crookedly . in summer , when it is clear weather and hot , they come forth together in great numbers , but if the mud move never so little they presently withdraw themselves . the english call them summer-worms , either because they are seen only in summer , or they die in winter . in the mediterranean sea there is a round worm found as great as a great snake , and of the same colour , but it hath neither head nor tayl , as weckerus observes . sometimes it is twenty foot long . what may be the use or nature of these i have not yet observed . but i hope that others will discover that light that shal shew us both . yet this is certain , that those worms serve for baits to catch fish , especially those small red ones , and fisher-men diligently seek after them for that purpose . we call them water-worms , because as earth-worms will not live long in water , so water-worms put upon dry land soon die , they wanting air , and these for want of water . finis . an index of all the chapters contained in the second volum . book i. chap. . of bees , their name , description , and differences , page chap. . of the politick , moral , and econimical virtues of bees , chap. . of the creation , generation , and propagation of bees , chap. . of the use of bees , chap. . of the name of honey , the difference and●se ▪ chap. . of bee glew , pissoceros , beesmeat , with the nature and use of them , chap. . of drones and theeves . chap. . of wasps , chap. . of the hornet and the tenthredo , chap. . of flies , chap. . of the differences of flies , chap. . of the use of flies , chap. . of gnats , chap. . of butterflies , chap. . of the gloworm , chap. . of locusts , chap. . of grashoppers and crickets , chap. . of mothes , called blattae , chap. . of the buprests or burncow , and cantharides , chap. . of the cantharides or spanish fly , chap. . of beetles , chap. . of the smaller beetles , chap. . of the proscarabeus , or oil beetle , and the water beetle , chap. . of the gryllotalpa , fen cricket , mole cricket , evechurro or churworm , chap. . of the fire fly , chap. . of the water spider , chap. . of the earwig , chap. . of the scorpion , ant , and lice winged , chap. . of the wood-wig lowse with wings , book ii. chap. . of caterpillers and their differences , and chiefly of silk-wormes and silk-spinners , pag. chap. . of the other smooth caterpillers , chap. . of caterpillers rough and hairy , chap. . of the original , generation , aliment and metamorphosis of caterpillers , chap. . of the quality and use of caterpillers , and the remedies against them , chap. . of the whurlworm , chap. . of the wine caterpiller , called staphylinus , chap. . of the scolopendrae , and juli , chap. . of hoglice , or chislips , chap. . of land scorpions , chap. . of the name and differences of spiders , chap. . of hurtful spiders , or phalangia , chap. . of the tame or house spider , chap. . of certain kinds of spiders observed by authours , chap. . of the generation , copulation , and use of spiders , chap. . a commendation of ants , wherein is described their differences , nature , cunning and use , chap. . of the cicindela , and female , melos , and of the h●r●et and field c 〈…〉 p , chap. . of mineral worms with six fe●t , chap. . of worms in vegetables with six feet , and first of worms in trees , chap. . of worms in puls , fruit , corn , vines ; herbs , chap. . of the use of worms in minerals , and vegetables , and the way to destroy them , chap. . of worms in living creatures that have six feet , and first of lice in men , chap. . of lice in brutes and plants , chap. . of hand-worms and mites , and worms in living creatures , chap. . of wiglice , chap. . of sheep , tikes , and the like , chap. . of the moth that devours clothes , chap. . of the flea , chap. . of the insects wanting feet , and first of the intestines of the earth , chap. . of worms in living creatures , chap. . of the description of worms in the intestines , chap. . of the original of worms in the intestines , chap. . of the signs and cure of worms out of gabusinus , chap. . of worms bred without the intestines , and first of eulai , gentils or maggots , chap. . of nits , chap. . of aureliae and teredo without feet , ibid , chap. . of water insects without feet , and first of squilla or shrimp , chap. . of the locust , scorpion , effet , grashopper , hornet , forked claw , lizard , corculum and lowse , all water insects , chap. . of the flea or sow , and scolopendra of the sea , chap. . of water insects without feet , and first oripes , ibid. chap. . of the horseleech , chap. . of water worms , the end . a physical index , containing plentifull remedies for all diseases incident to the body of man , drawn from the several creatures contained in this second volume . a. agues , . . . . . ● . . . ague quartan , . . albugo of the eye , . alopecia , . . ambrosia , . alkermes , . antidote , . anthonies fire , . alcures , . abortion , . arnoldus plaister , . asthma , . . ascarides breed only in the longanum , . . attenuating means , . b. barrennesse caused , . . . . baldnesse cured , . . bees stingings , . belly to stop or purge , . . belly griping , . belly-worms cured , . belly loose , . . bladder hurt , . bladder stopt , . bladder-worms , . bleer-eyes , . birds cured , . . blood pissing , . bloud clotted , . bloudy-flix , . bloud to stop , . boyls , . body to cool , . bones broken , . breath short , . . breasts pains , botches , . . broad worms , . butter-flies use , . . brains worms , . buprestis remedies , . birth restrained , . birth drawn forth , . breasts hard , . breasts inflamed , ibid. c. cachexia , . catarrhs , . cattel to make to stale , . cancrous sores , . . cantharias what it is , . carbuncle , . . cauteries , . clyster , . cold water drunk , . chaps , . clefts of hands and feet , . colick , . . convulsions , . . corrosive , . corns , . cough , . . consumptions , . cantharides remedies , . . childrens diseases , . . childe-birth , . cochineal , ibid. cramp , . creeping sores , . conception hindered , . cankers cured , . corallina good against worms , . corruption hindred , . chops diseases , . d. damask bird-lime , . deafnesse , . . . . . dead sleep , . depilatory , . dislocations , . diabete , . . diaphoretick , . diarrhea , . diuretick , . debility , . drying without pain , ibid. dropsie , . . . . . . dogs tongue worms , . drunk to make , . dysentery , . . . . dogs mad their bites hindered , . dysuria , . . . discussing remedies , . e. ears ulcers , . . ears mattery , . ears sores , . ears worms , . ears noyse and inflamation , . . ears pains , . . . . . . . . . epilepsie , . erection caused , . eye-lids corns , . . eye-lids cu●e , . eyes ●heum , . . . eyes cure , . . . . . . eyes suffusion , . eyes spots , . . eyes white spots cured , . eyes swoln , . eyes diseases , . . expectorate , . eye-browes to make black , . emerods , . . . enterocele , . epiplocele , ibid ▪ epilepsies , . ▪ elephantiasis , . f. face ulcers , . feavers cured , . . . . fulling sicknesse , . fears remedy , . felons , . . . . fish-baits , . fish to catch , . fistula in ano , . . flies remedies , . fleas remedy , . fortunate to make , . fundament swoln , . . g. glewing things , . glow-worms dead shine not . . gnats use , . . gnats remedy , . gowt , . . . ibid. . . glurd-worms , . gravel , . groin sore , . h. hair to take off , . . . . . hairs hoary to hinder , . hair to make white , . hair to make black , . hair falling , . head-ache , . . . . . head diseases , . hearing , . heart panting , . hemeroids , . hony poysoned remedies , . hip-gowt , . . hips pain , . honey drinks , . hemicrania , . honey good for all diseases , . honey to know the best , . honeys physical use , . honeys quintessence , ibid. horsleeches prepared , ●● . horsleeches use , ibid. honey better then sugar , . horsleeches removed , . . hydromel , . ● . horses cured , . . . humours salt , . i. jaws pain , . . jaundies , . . . . . impostumes , . . . impostume in the breasts , . infants gums , . inflamation hindred , . joynts pain , . . . . joints wounds , . iron to make hard , . itch , . k. kibe heels , . kings evil , . . . . kings-evil , tried , . krickets use , . l. lanfracks powder for the stone , . leprosie , . . . . . . lethargy , . . letters to open secretly , . lice cured , . . . . light artificial in the night , . lice in a disease sign of health , . life long to make , . lice in the eyes cured , . limbs wasted , . lips sore , . liver opened , . locusts use , . loins pain , . locusts remedies , . lowsie disease , . lungs remedies , . lungs worms , . m. magitians folly , . . melicrate , . manginesse , . melancholy , ● . matrix stopped , . metheglin good for weak stomachs , . milk a remedy for cantharides , . milk curdled , . . milk to keep from curdling , . morals , . . moths remedies , . . mouth sore , . melancholy people cured , . monstrual bloud , . mad people cured , ● . melancholy , . m●tre 〈…〉 , . matrix to heat , . maggots bred in ulcers cured , . moles of the matrix , . n. nails rough cured , . . nits remedies , . neck swoln , . n●● sings cure ●r●in worms , . nerves cut asunder , ▪ . nerves contracted , . noli me tangere , . nose bleeding , . numbnesse , ● . o. obstructions opened , . . old people , . oyl of earth-worms to make , . ozena , . opening remedies , . p. pains cured , . parotides , . phalangiums bites cured , . . . . pimples red in the face , . palsey , . pin and web , . plague cured , . poysons remedy , . . . privities scabs , . propolis , . . polypus in the nose , . purge , . purple colour , . pursivenesse , . pismires drove the cynamolgi an idle people out of their countrey , . q. qvinsey , . . quartan ague , . quotidian , ibid. r. rheums hindred , reins , . reins worms , . ring-worms , . reins impostume , . rose , . round worms bred only in the small guts , . ruptures cured , . s. scorpions stings , . . . . . . scolopenders bites cured , . sight helpt , . . scrofulous tumours , . . . skin cleansed , . . sleep caused , . . sores running , . . . sores pestilent . . stophily●us swallowed by a horse cured , . . stone , . . . . . . . . . . . . spiders eaten , . stomach raw , . . stomach worms , . spleen , . . storm● foreshewed , . squint eyes cure , ibid. strangury , . . . suffocation of the mother , . . suffusion of the eyes , . stones voided at the fundament , . stones bred in most parts of the body , ibid. sweating helped , . sweating caused , . swellings , . . . salamanders antidote , . scabs , ● . . scurf , . secondine , . . shingles , . . softning things , . short winde , . . scorpions stings prevented , . . scorpions cure their own stings , . st. bernards oyl powerfully provokes urine , ibid. t. tarantula , . tendons remedy , . teeth to make fall out , . teeth breeding , . teeth to preserve , . testicles cold helpt , . thirst quenched , . . tooth-ache , . . . . ibid. . . . tonsils swoln , . . thorns to draw out , . tumours , . . tonsils diseases , . tetters , . . . . terms provoked , . . . terms to stop , . tympany , . tinkling in the ears , . tertian ague , . v. venery provoked , . . . venery abated , . . . vlcers cured , . . . . . . . . vrine provoked , . . ▪ . . . . . . . vvula , . vipers bites cured , . w. wall . lice killed , . wasps stings , . . . wax to make , . wax the best , . . wax paint the best , . womens diseases , . wax vertues , . . weevils remedy , . winde helped , . witch-craft , . warts , . . . water dissolved , . wens , . . winde dissipated , . wombs pain , . whitloof cured , . worms in hands , . . . worms in trees and plants remedy , . worms in ulcers cured , . wounds cured , . . . wounds hard cured , . worms of three sorts in men , . worms use , . worms cause many diseases , ibid. worms breed in most parts of the body , . worms sign of health , . worms in feavers best voided when , . worms signs and cure , . . . . . . . . . . . . y. yards tumours , . z. zomerysis what , . the end . notes, typically marginal, from the original text notes for div a -e bish . juel . notes for div a -e countrey of breed . cicera . c 〈…〉 an . martial . horace . of the name . the small use of apes . * * * athenaeus . apes made for ●aughter . qualities of apes . * * * varinus . docibility of apes . hurts received by apes . ●n history . countreys breeding apes . book of voyages . labour of apes . diversity of apes . chymaera . lib. . . de animal . pygmeys . onesicritus . the anatomy of apes . the disposition of apes . an history . places of their abode . food of apes . the manner of taking apes . procreation of apes . secrets in their nature . their imitation . their love . their fear . an antiquity . the medicine of apes . joh. leo. african . the countrey of their abode and breed . hurt of munkeys . their food . diversities of munkeys . solinus . their anatomy and parts . vessalius . mammonets . festus . another kind . the names . diodorus siculus . pliny . the first knowledge of martines . their countrey of breed . strabo . their anatomy . strabo . scaliger . their colour . aelianus . cay . their disposition . the name . pliny . countrey of b 〈…〉 . their parts and colour . albertus . erasmus . their resembance . aelianus . place of their abode . their food . the hatred of these apes . his love . aristotle . pliny . description . arrianus . prester john ad rom pont . the in 〈…〉 of bab 〈…〉 〈◊〉 orus . a secret in their nature . circumcision natural in babouns . orus . another secret . a wonder . orus . heredotus . the countrey of their abode and breed . s 〈…〉 bo . arrianus . their anatomy and parts . albertus . thir voice . aelianus . their love and food . their activity in swimming . their nature in particular . their love of garments . an history . lib de natura rerum . theod. beza . superstitious error of satyres . their name . gyraldus . grapaldus . pliny . paul. venet. diversity of kinds . pliny . pliny . hermolaus . pliny . mela. resemblance of satyres . their provifion of food . their taking . taming of satyres . pausenias . macrobius . men like satyres . albertus . two beasts like satyres taken . another monster like a satyre . colour and nature . hect. boet. monsters like men. hatred to mankind . the great strength of these beasts . divers shaps of apes . the description of pan. nicephorus . calisthius . of the name and notation thereof . * * * hermolaus . * * * varrianus . hesiod . ausenius . the description of the poets sphinx . the riddle of the sphinx . the solution of the riddle by o●dipus . palaephatus . the true history of sphinx . suidas . meaning this poetical sphinx . the nature of the sphinx . suetonius . the use of sphinges . herodotus . pausanias . herodotus . the quality . colour . parts . procseation of sagoins . their meat . the price of a sagoin . theucius . of the name . his parts . a secret in nature . pisonius . gillius the description . aelianus . a miraculous thing of a fish . of the name and the reasons thereof . varinus . epithets of an asse . pliny . asses in celestial signs . hyginus . numb . . morals of the discourses of asses . proclus . ber●aldus . countreys breeding assea . paul. venes . pondera . aelianus . their breed . palladius . ahsirtus . aristotle . pliny . pliny . leonicenus . pliny . aristotle . aristotle . varro . pliny . pliny . aelianus . aelianus . absirtus . pliny . plutarch . pliny . ioan. monach. suidas . their meat . philemon died with laughing when he saw an asse eat sigs . val. max. mathaeclus . erastothenes . ovid. lactantius . a good horse-leach is a good asse-leach , vegetius . pliny . galenus . collumella . pliny . mulis , equis , asinis feriae nullae nisi , si in familiâ sunt . ad haet vehicula non nimio pondere trabit . strabo . aelianus . suidas . anatolius . hinc caput arcadici nudam cute fertur aselli , tirrhenus fixisse tages in limite ●uris . suidas . leo afric . aelianus . aelianus . aelianus . aristot 〈…〉 marcellius pliny . pliny . haly. pliny . marcellus avicen : sextus . rasis . marcellus . pliny . eseulapius , pliny . diosco●ides . rasis . pliny . trallianus . pliny . galenus . myrepsus . aetius . galen . marcellus . pliny . archigenus . pliny . pliny . galenus . pliny . dioscorides . galen . pliny . marcellus . dioscorides . aetius . caelius rhod. columella . pliny . hermolaus . varro . nonius . perot . porphyrius . avergnt & lodcue navert . a bertus . promptuar . martial . countrey of breed . pliny . their copulation . aelianus . albertus . oppianus . varro . aelianus . phyles . pliny . aelianus . medicines , milke . pliny . aelianus . lib. . countrey of breed . caelius curio . diversity of kinds . a secret in their manner of digging . ipdaus . albertus . their meat . cardanus . her defence against hunters and their dogs . badgers eaten . platina . medicine made of badgers . gratius . brasavolus . albertus . bovillus . brasavolus . of the name . epithets of the bear. of the kinds of bears . agricola . albertus . olaus . a formicarian bear. cardanus . countrey of breed . marcellinus . volaterran . a secret in the natures of bears . lust of bears . gillius . a history . time of their copulation . pliny . a secret . honor to the female . avoiding of cold . time of bearing the young bears . the bigness of a beat-whelp . bears not so unperfect as some have reported . number of young ones . remedy in nature . a fabulous tale , yet vulgarly believed . the meat of bears . horat. vespertinus circumgemit ursus evile . of the quantity and parts of bears . the parts or members . a superstitious use of bearslard or fat . a secret . meat of bears flesh . another secret . the skins . taking of bears . a history . herus . pollux . aelianus . albertus . a history . caelius . varrinus . sebab . frank. higinus . fight of bears . aeneas sil. secrets observed of bears . columella . arnoldus . virtues medicinal . of the name , silvaticus . the notation of fiber from the latine . the notation of the greek word castor . what manner of beast a beaver is . their several parts . silvius . bellonius . bellonius . their building of dens . albertus . olaus mag. albertus . a secret . the cods or stones of the beast . rondoletius . the beaver doth not bite off her own stones . herus . an emblem . their food ; thetr cause of taking . a secret . agricola . the medicina vertues . albertus . a●tius . pliny . pliny . hermolaus . 〈…〉 up 〈◊〉 of castoreum . the dangers in the use of castoreum . servius . castoreoque gravi mulier scpita recumbit . vegetius . a secret : a miraculous history of a monster . several kindes . the great bison . the several parts . the strength of this beast . the quantity of bisons . the strength of their tongue . the flesh of this beast . bonarus . baro. a secret in the inward heat of this beast . their hunting sigism . bars . in phocicis . how b 〈…〉 on s are taken alive . the medicines not known . places where these bisons abide . the nature of this bison . his parts . aristotle . his flesh , and d 〈…〉 n to anges . his light in flying . the secret operation of his dung . the reason of the heat and operation of their excrement . their place and succour for calving . the relation of john cay a doctor of physick in englan● . of the name and kind of buffes . pliny . the several parts . silvius . hesychius . a miracle in his colour . countries of buffes . stephanus . the quantity or stature of a buffe . the hide is most profitable to man. the several names . the original of the term bubalus . of the vulgar bugil and her parts bellonius . use of their horns . erasmus . albertus . the manner of his flight . nature of their breeding places . pet. crescent . o● their young ones and milk . albertus . their strength in labour . pet. crescent . use of their hides . bellonius . the physick made out of bugils . the nature of this beast . of a strange horn in argentine . the true etymologie of the name taurus . a riddle upon the word taurus . reasons why rivers are called taurocrani . the strength and several parts of bulls . the prodigicus strength of titornus . thei 〈…〉 several parts . countries of their best breed . their time of copulation . then 〈◊〉 procreation . quintilius . the 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 of 〈◊〉 . georg. . their enmity to other beasts . hor. apollo 〈…〉 a secret in the taming of a bu 〈…〉 . their hides . of the gall . of the flesh . leo afric . the sacrificing of balls . caelius . cyraldus . pliny . pausanias . proverbs of a ball. like the english proverb , if the sky fall , we shall have larks . the medicines of bulls . diosecrides . the description of this strange beast . the name . the several parts . pausanias . pliny . v●lla . of the nam● bos. of the name of a cow. the diversity of oxen in all countreys . varro . oxen of italy ▪ aristotle . oppianus . aonia . aelianus . leo afric . african oxen . armenian oxen . aelianus . vatinus . boe●tian oxen. carician oxen . epirus . pliny . aristotle . theodoret. euboea . aelianus . hispaniola oxen. peter martyr . rasis . indian oxen. ctesias . solinus . pliny . aelianus . aelianus . leuctrian oxen. garamantae . solinus . herodotus . bangala . aristotle . aelianus . nomadian oxen. aelianus . oppianus . phrygian and erythrean oxen. aelianus . oxen of syria . belgian oxen. guicciardine . milk of kine in italy . arabian cowes . pyrrhean cowes , phenician cowes . aelianus . hiring of cowes in germany and helvetia . the use of cow milk . pet. crescent . aristotle . marc. virg. food for cowes giving milk. palladius . aellanus . signes of a cowes desire to the bull. secrets to provoke lust in cattell . cellumella . signes at the copulation to know whether the calf will be male or female . aristotle . meaus to cause the calf at the time of copulation to be either male or female . the length of their age . a srcret in copulation . of the choise of kie . the description of oxen in common . time best to provide oxen. outward marks of good oxen. their several parts . the reasons why some oxen are polled . aelianus . aristotle . pliny . the parts of a cow different from oxen. galen . the manner how oxen seed fat . herodotus . paul. venet. the time of oxens age . the medicines to preserve an ox in strength . paxamus . vows and superstitious medicines for the cure of cattel : the discovery of the sickness of cattel , and the particular cure thereof . the diseases which infest oxen & kie . cursu● boum aut cict alvum , aut sebrim inducit . how to tame or yoak wi●de oxen. rosis . the understanding of oxen. guidus . aelianus . the love of oxen to their yoak-fellow . of the licking of oxen , natural observations . their aptness to go astray . the anger of oxen & kie . gillius . oxen provoked by colours . rasis . the natural uses of the several parts of oxen. how to fatten cattel . a strange report of a fat cow , if true . the medicines of the several parts of oxen and kie . rasis . furnerius . pliny . a history . the moral and external use of oxen both for labour and other industry . vatro . heraclides . augustinus . a history . clemens . giraldus . pliny . marc 〈…〉 . idolatry committed with ox 〈…〉 and 〈…〉 ye . of the choice of ap●● ▪ a history . herodotus . a history . of the pictures of oxen. of the monster minotaurus . the definition and name . the cyymology of vatulus . the epithites of a calf . varro . men named after calves . a secret by the hoof . the diseases of a calf . the cure of worms . to choose calves for store . the libbing of calves . aristotle . sotion . varro . palladius . sotion . collumella . varro . food for calves . sacrifices of calves . pliny . coelius . josephus . a wonder . monsters of calves . nic. villagag . the flesh of calves . pliny . of the medicines . marcellus . pliny . nicander . rasis . marcellus . pliny . marcellus . leonellus . pliny . of the name . artemidorus . the etymologie of the word . horus . the kindes of camels . the generation of bactrian camels . the parts and colour of these camels . the several parts of a camel . pliny . silvaticus . aristotle . pliny . their procreation . coelius . avicen . the pace and agility of camels . herodotus . of the labour and employment of camels . pliny . diodorus . pliny . of the use of their natural parts . aelianus . baytius . the flesh of a camel not to be eaten . diodorus . leo afric . lampridius . a history of their natural disposition . caelius . caelius . solinus . sacrifices of idolatry . gyraldus . aelianus . of the fear and hatred of camels . herodotus . solinus . porphyrius . the length of their life . pliny . the medicines in the bodies , of camels . pouzettus . cardinalis . avicenna . marcellus . the description of a dromedary , and the etymology of his name . didymus . isidorus . a history . aelianus . diodorus . a relation of joh. leo afer , out of his ninth book , of the description of africk . of the name . juli. capital . pliny . a history . isidorus . the generation and description . leo afric . oppianus . hel 〈…〉 rus . their manner of going . the countries breeding these beasts . their natural disposition and mildness . the skin . of the name . the nature and etymology of a cat. their use among the egyptians . a history . coelius . of the taming of cats and their countries . the best cats . gillius . pliny . the game and food on cats . pliny . a secret . of their love and hatred . aelianus . the love of home . albertus . a way to make cats keep home . a conjectural secret . their copulation . aristotle . aelianus . choise of yong cats . gillius . coelius . alu. mundel . their diseases . the hurt that cometh by the familiarity of a cat. alex. benidi . abynzoar . of a cats flesh . ponzettus . alexander . mathaeolus . perottus . galenus . the medicinal virtues of a cat. galen . sextus . aetius . rasis . albertus . pliny . olaus mag. the name . of the colour . a miraculous thing in her drink . strabo lib. . of the countries of their breed . of their hunting and taking . of their procreation . mat. michou strabo . of the name . platina . hermolaus . polybius . grapaldus . the etymology of the name . their countrey . munsterus . athenaeus . pliny . varro . their parts and members . agricola ▪ aelianus . the use of their skins . crescennensis . the use of their flesh . pliny . the places of their abode . their copulation and procreation . tho. gypson . tho. gypson . the cruelty of the males and of some females . their meat and sood . the danger in their meat and drink . albertus . the medicins in a cony . the name . gaza . of their horns , colour and other parts . what hippelaphus is . aristotle . a secret in the bloud . of the medicines . the reason of the latine name . avicen . the countries breeding roes . marcellus . albertus . pliny . strabo . their nature and several parts . stumpsius . albertus . pliny . pausanias . bellonius . edlebach . of their eye-sight . origen super cant. textor . pliny . cardanus . the place of then abode . their concord with other beasts . columella . of their takeing . bellisarius . cresconius . the use of their flesh . simion sethi . avicenna . trallianus . apicius . of the disposition and passion . their enemies in nature . sacrifices of roes . pausanias . aelianus . the medicines arising from a roe . sextus . actius . galen . plinius . of the generation of this beast . athenaeus . the countrirs of this beail , and the name hereof . xenophon . plutarch . coelius . of the parts . of the countries of this beast . agricola . of their strength and colour . a secret in their passion . a secret in the hoof . their quantity in length and breadth . of the description of this beast . the names of a hart. the names of a hinde . the names of a hinde-calf . aristotle . pliny . of spittards and subulons . of brocards . the quantity of brocards . of their horns . aristotle . of the achaian harts . gaza . a miracle in the horn of this beast . athenaeus . of the regions breeding harts . solinus . aelianus . aristotle . a secret in the ears of harts . ammianus . a history . pollux . varinus . of the colour . aristotle . buellius . philostratus . a history . plutarch . gellius . of their horns , and the beauty of them . the time of losing their horns . pliny . aelianus . a history of a hart with four horns . whether the right or left horn be most precious . of the horns of turkey harts . bonarus . orus . the reasons why harts and deer lose their horns yearly . a natural secret of gelded deer . aristotle . pliny . solinus . the several parts . aristotle . aristotle . aristotle . pliny . of their disposition . pliny . a secret to cure poyson . of their food . tragus . a secret in the hinde . how harts draw serpents out of their holes , and wherefore they eat and devour them . a 〈…〉 ianus . oppianus . 〈…〉 us . the fight betwixt harts and serpents . 〈…〉 ologus . varinus . isidorus . the several kindes of harts . the enemy beasts to harts . vincentius . albertus . aristotle . of the fear of harts . crinitus . nebridius . the epithets of a hart. a kinde of audacious harts . schneberg . pliny . the sub 〈…〉 lty of a hart , and their instruction and use . aristotle . isidorus . the several kindes of harts . a secret against poyson , solinus . aelianus . of the swiming of harts . tzetzes . gellius . opptanus . pliny . solinus . their love of musick . their rage in rutting time . solinus . oppianus . budeus . their copulation . aristotle . aristotle . the chastity of hindes , and the time they go with young . aristotle . pliny . cicero . pliny . aristotle . aelianus . the manner how the hinde educateth her calf . solinus . the time of their life . aristotle . coe●ius . hesiodus . a history . solinus . aristotle . pausanias . columello . solinus . the sickness of harts . gillius . lultius . aristotle . pliny . blondus . the use of the several parts . hesichius . varianus . dioscorides . aelianus . varro . palladius . rasis . gillius . pliny . solinus . albertus . cardanus . the use and benefit of the flesh . pliny . solinus . lib. . de alim . the medicines of a hart and his several parts . pliny . dioscoridet . solinus . sextus . marcellus . pliny . sextus . marcellus . sextus . marcellus . galenus . aetius . platerias . of the hunting and taking these beasts . horus . an hieroglyphical emblem . aelianus . xenophon . umbra metuicarab insantibus , a feris rubens penna . albertus . the name and deriva●ion thereof . the countries and diversities of dogs . the general nature of dogs their outward parts . aristotle . albertus . a secret in the brain . pliny . aristotle . pliny . aristotle . blondus . pliny . the parts of a female dog. galen . the voice of dogs . pliny . artemidorus . orus . emblematical description . the making of urine . aristotle . pliny . albertus . the factions of dogs for their own ease . the sl●ep of dog● . their copulation and lyming . columella . aristotle . tardinus . the time of bitches whelping and bearing her young . aristotle . aristotle . the first whelp is a male . the blindness of whelpes . aelianus . a secret in their food . tardinus . athenaeus . a remedy for loathing meat . of the choise of a generous whelp . tardinus . of the nature and inward qualities of dogs . of the love of a dog. pliny . plutarch . homer . a secret to pacifie an angry dog. aelianus . a history of a dogs memory . gillius . kiramides . a secret in the fear of a dog. the reason of dogs . solinus . aelianus . pliny . giraldus . the honour done to dogs . coelius . varinus . hesychius . arnobius . pliny . plutarch . festus . coelius . arnobius . gyraldus . of dishonour and ignobility of dogs . marcellus . porphyrius . homer . horace . constantius . stobaeus . the use of their parts . bloudus . oppianus . the flesh of dogs eaten . instaurione . admantius . munsterus . the name of a gray-hound . oppianus . their description . plutarch . their desire of fit game . countries of gray-hounds . generation by tygres . aristotle . pliny . a history of alexanders dogs . gillius . aelianus . pliny . strabo . pollux . pollux . the albanian dogs . solinus . seneca . the dogs molosse , or of creet . aristotle . albertus . varinus . pollux . xenophon . ctesias . of people that live upon the milk of dogs . aelianus . aelianus . dogs devouters of men . valerius max. ranisius . ranis . text. the french dogs . the qualities and parts of a good gray-hound . pliny . xenophori . bellisari●s . pollux . the time of reaching a gray-hound . aristotle , xenophon . the time of engendring . pliny . aristotle . albertus . an invention to make a gray-hound have a long neck . the diet of a good gray-hound . in curcul . what smelling or sagacity in dogs is . bellisarius . the choice of a hound of the best nose . xenophon . omni bonus . oppianus . the best time of hunting . the first training of hounds . of the hounds of sundry countre●s . stroza . commixtion of kindes in procreation . pliny . of dogs defenders and attenders on men . blondus . aelianus . a history of the rare trust of a dog , and care to keep his masters goods . tzetzes . aelianus . tzetzes . asclepiades . aelianus . pollux . of fighting dogs , defending men. aelianus . tzetzes . pliny . tzetzes . dogs detectors of murders . plutarch . blondus . a combate . blondus . the greater sociable dogs or defenders . blondus . of desending dogs . tzetzes . a 〈…〉 s. 〈◊〉 c 〈…〉 murthe 〈…〉 a queen by a dog. a most memorable story of the dogs of rhodes . aelianus . textor . pliny . pet. martyr . deserved punishment of unnatural copulation . the shepheards dog. columella . blondus . fronto . strabo . varro . fronto . the love of dogs to the cattel they attend . a prety fable of the sheep and the dog. the colour of this dog. of mariners dogs on ship-board . vegetius . artemidorus . aristotle . gyraldus . dogs keepers of temples . ●ion chryso . gyraldus . coelius . schneberg . john cay . the first generation of mimick dogs . the feats of dogs . albertus . strabo . of the melitaean dogs . aelianus . blondus . the art of making of little dogs . aelianus . a lamentable story of the discovery of an adulterer by a little dog. aelianus . solinus . pollux . aelianus . of the diseases of dogs and their cures . blondus . pliny . tardinus . albertus . albertus . elondus . plinius . tardinus . albertus , rasis . blondus . pliny . dioscorides . albertus . blondus . vincentius . tardinus . pollux . niphus . blondus . of the bitings of mad dogs and their cures . mathaeolus . a history of the death of baldus . michal ephesius . aug. niphus . ponzettus . pliny . dog-days most perillous for mad dogs . pliny . bertrutius . signes to know a mad dog. bertrurius . ponzettus . aetius . the cure of mad dogs either for preventing or recovering . pliny . pliny . albertus . blondus . the cure of a man or beast bitten by a mad dog. a foolish charm and prayer to vithus dioscorides . the natural medicines . amatus . hippocrates . furnerius . pliny . rasis . sextus . pliny . aesculapius . dioscorides . pliny . solinus . the great use of the consideration of an elephant . the first man in eu●ope possessor of elephants . pausanias . plutarch . eutropius . julius capit. of the several names in divers languages . the original of the caesars . countries of the breed of elephants . diodorus . aelianus . philostratus . solinus . vertomannus . leo afer . paul venetus . the height and stature of elephants . vertomannus . the colour and several parts . of the use of his skin . pliny . philostratus . the finding of hidden teeth . aelianus . a wonderful natural secret . rob. cenalis . pliny . whether elephants have ho●ns . aristotle . aelianus . gilliui . vertomannus . aristotle . coelius . gillius . their inward natural parts . aelianus . tzetzes . the places of their abode . pliny . leo afer . festus . philomelae author . the meat of wilde elephants . pliny . solinus . aelianus . hermolaus . aelianus . simocratus . a secret . pliny . a secret in a countrey of india . aelianus . their love to sweet flowers . aelianus . gillius . the shipping of elephants . aelianus . aelianus . the place and manner of their copulation . pliny . albertus . solinus . the time of copulation . arrianus . aristotle . the time of their going with young . diodorus . pogius . aelianus . the love of the male to the female , and of both to the calf . tzetzes . plutarch . aelianus . philostratus . the bringing of elephants out of ships . a secret , if true . aristotle . of their sighting . gillius . aelianus . coelius . zoroastres . their fear of rams , swine , and other beasts . volaterranus . the cruelty of the females to their wounded calves . solinus . stat. sebosi . aelianus . of cinnabaris or the best red colour . the sight of elephants . pliny . aelianus . oppianus . strabo . eustathius . vartomannus . the conditions & courage of male and female . gillius . albertus . the strength and burthen of an elephant . ●liny . the keepers & main●ainers of elephants . solinus . pollux . the instruction of elephants fot war. aelianus . the fight against elephants . games of elephants . fenestella . the taking of elephants . pliny . strabo . pliny . albertus . aelianus . pliny . strabo . other wayes of taking elephants . gillius . the subtilty of elephants against their hunters . aelianus . tzetzes . plutarch . the art of taming elephants . aelianus . plutarch . philosirartus . the taking up of their riders . vartomannus . gillius . nearchus . strabo . elephants for the plow. the price of elephants . their obedience and tractable ●e●tleness . pliny . their learning in letters . plutarch . aelianus . aristotle . the reverence of elephants to kings . three kinds of elephants . the religion of elephants . pliny . selinus . aelianus . elephants sacrificed , and what followed thereupon . aellanus . plutarch . tzetzes . p 〈…〉 ius . aelianus . tzetzes ▪ plinyus . their understanding of justice and equity . aelianus . the revenge of ad 〈…〉 ries by elephants . their love to their keepers and all men that harm them not . their love to their keepers and all men that harm them not . their love of beautiful women . plutarch . their revenge of harms and observation of the measure of their meat . strabo . gillius . gillius . philostratus . their mourning in secret . aristotle . the length of their life . arrianus . aelianus . of the eating elephants . strabo . pliny . solinus . vartomannus . the diseases of elephants , aristotle . aelianus . solinus . the medicines in elephants . marcellus . isidorus . rasis . albertus . the place of their abode . 〈…〉 arus baro balizce . countries breeding elks. the name of this beast . an elk the same that machlis . caesars description of an elk. of the quantity and stature . bonarus . the taming of elks and their labour . albertus . of his parts and manner of feeding . pliny . munster . kentmannus . pontanus . sigismundus . baro. of the colour . the manner of their fight . the place of his abode . the name of this beast in the german tongue , and the true signification thereof . the sickness of elks. their sight with wolves . their manner to hunt them without danger . their admirable fear and pusillanimity . the ancient manner of taking elks. vopiseus . their resistance in the waters . munster . the medicine in an elk. the use of their skins . a 〈…〉 t schnebergerus . the latine names . their courage and nature in the earth . scaliger . whether ferrets be ictys . gaz● . their several parts . countrey of breed . isidorus . pero●●us . their drinking of bloud . agricola , their provocation to hunt . their colour and eyes . the number of their young ones . their food . the medicines of ferrets . isidorus . the name and the notation thereof . the quantity and nature of this beast . stumpsius . agricola . the skins and use of them . isidorus . their meat and subtilty not to be descryed . the several names of foxes in sundry languages . the epithets of foxes . the countries breeding foxes . aelianus . munster . aristotle . albertus . the colour of foxes . olaus mag . adamantius . the parts and nature of foxes . aristotle . the flesh of foxes evill to be eaten . the use of their skins . alev. ab alex donatus . the voice of foxes . their dens and caves in the earth . gillius . oppianus . zoroastres . gillius . pliny . the food of serpents . the harme of foxes . dioscorides . serapio . their carnal cop 〈…〉 n. the diseases of foxes . albertus . liber . aetius . the length of their life . varinus . the hunting and taking of foxes . aelianus . oppianus . bellesarius . textor . oppianus . a noble instance of a foxes courage . the subtlery of a fox taken in a snare . the beasts that are enemies of foxes . abertus . g 〈…〉 us . the medicines arising out of foxes . sex●us . mathaeolus . albertus . silvius . a●syrtus . aetius . hierocles . absyrius . theomnestus . aegineta . dioscorides . pliny . sextus . albertus . bellonius . isidorus . vincentius . belnac . oppianus ; the several names . artumnus . their several parts . the epithers of goats . the venereous disposition of goats . aelianus . columella . coelius . a memorable story of the punishment of buggery . coelius . strabo . the lust of the females and their copulation . means to stir up the goats to copulation . aelianus . florentinus . the time of their going with young . the multiplication of yong kids . aelianus . aristotle . the time of their young bearing . the strong smell or savour of a goat . in mercat . plutarch . a secret in female goats . aelianus . the description of goat● and their best properties . lorentius . the several kinds of goats albertus . aelianus . pliny . orthagorus . aristotle . n●xus . aelianus . of the cilician cloth made of goats hair . bellnu . of the membrin or syrian goats . albertus . how goats take breath . varro . their quick sense of hearing . horace . alex. mind . the use of their several parts . suidas . varinus . baysius . pliny . the milk of goats . to increase goats milk . albertus . a secret in the milk of goats . myrepsus . hermolaus . agiochus . of the flesh of goats . aegineta . albertus . textor . pliny . hermolaus . pausanias . pallagdius . archachines . varinus . aristotle . constantinus . aelianus . diosoorides . pliny . horus . aelianus . aristotle . myndius . aelianus . columella . florentius . quintilius . coelius . aelianus . pliny . probus . gyraldus . varro . albertus . pliny . of the name . varin 〈…〉 . aelianus . anatollus . varro . palladius . albertus . arnoldus . pliny . the medicines arising out of male goats . s●xtus . pliny . sextus . dioscorides . aetius . marcellus . albertus . pliny . dioscorides . marcellus . columella . rasis . galen . myrepsis . marcellus . galen . herodotus . pliny . pliny . marcellus . pliny . marcellus . pliny . coelius . aurelianus . aesculapius . sextus . galen . marcellus . sextus . pliny . marcellus . pliny . hippocrates . sextus . coelius . marcellus . dioscorides . pliny . marcellinus . galen . aetius . pliny . galen . columella . pliny . aesculapius . dioscorides . marcellus . dioscorides . pliny . marcellus . pliny . pliny . sextus . pliny . galen . pliny . sextus . galen . dioscorides . trallianus . pliny . marcellus . marcellus . marcellus . sextus . pliny . columella . pliny . pliny . marcellus . hippocrates . pliny . marcellus . marcellus . pliny . marcellus . dioscorides . aetius . pliny . pliny . marcellus . aesculapius . sextus . anatolius . pelagonius . pliny . marcellus . sextus . innominatus . columella . serenus . pliny . aesculapius . pliny . pliny . dioscorides . archigenes . pliny . vegetius . anatolius . gallus . matthias . the kindes of gulons . the skins of gulons . the countrey and description . aelianus . hyginus . of the several names . o● the several kindes . of the elyan hares . hermolaus . a secret in the muschian hares . niphus . of the country hares , and their several parts . bonarus . the hares of ithaca . their several parts . of their several senses . a secret . orus . whether male bear young like females . aelianus . their nature and disposition . their time of sleep and food . aelianus . of their copulation and engendering . hares seldom tamed . an example of a tame hare . aelianus . the subtilty of hares . the defence of the hare against her enemies . albertus . aelianus . the hunting of hares . of parkes and warrens of hates . the civil use of their several parts . the bloud and flesh eaten . the epithets of hares . stories of monstrous hares . pausanias . the medicines of hares . pliny . serenus . rasis . aristotle . galen . dioscorides . marcellus . dioscorides . aetius . sextus . pliny . galen . avicen . of the kinds of hedge-hogs . their place of abode . the quantity . the parts . hermolaus . their copulation . their inward parts and disposition . oppianus . the enemies to hedge hogs ▪ coelius . the eating of their flesh . the medicinal parts of hedge-hogs . actius . rasis . marcellus . aelianus . dioscorides . marcelius . avicen . albertus . pliny . the several names of horses . claudian . the epithets of horses . the natural outward and inward parts of horses . aelianus . vigetius . coelius . aristotle . the horses of divers nations . oppianus . apollonius . horses with horns and wings . ruellius . absyrtus . vegetius . strabo . suctonius . varrius . strabo . oppianus . aelianus . absyrtus . ruellius . camerarius . albertus . strabo . vegetius . aelianus . oppianus . strabo . leo african . absyrtus . aelianus . coelius . aelianus . vegetius . pliny . nebrodon . strabo . textor . volatteran . the members of an eligible horse . signs to chuse a good colt. columella . varro . albertus . of the choise of a horse unbacked or never ridden . of the colour . varrinus . artificial means to make mares conceive the best coloured colts . the sorm . the beauty of a stallion . the age of a stallion . columella . palladius . absyrtus . the choise of mares . the copulation of horses and mares . aristotle . albertus . pliny . a history of a stallion to his own dam. the means to procure horses to copulation . to ingender a male or female the ordering of a mare with foal . varro . palladius . orus . aristotle . the time of their going with young . aristotle . vegetius . camerarius . camerarius . russius . pollux . camerarius . vegetius . the furniture of a horse and his trimming . xenophon . russius . absyrtus . pollux . a history . solinus . aristotle . orus . oppianus . cardan . aelianus . gillius . textor . xenophon . the institution of a warlike horse . men have perished by rashness in riding . the honour of horsemanship . festus . suidas . the athenian orders . aristophanes . coelius . suidas . pliny . dion . alexander . variomanus . grapaldus . camerarius . camerarius . livius . festus . xenophon . oppianus . albertus . aristotle . russius . palladius . mathaeolus . dioscorides . the time of their life . mat. michou . pau. venetus . textor . heliodorus . coelius . giraldus . festus . 〈…〉 try by the pictures of horses . munster . the ceremony of the persians going to war. coelius . varrinus . strabo . plutarch . the burial of horses . dion . aelianus . pliny . festus . predictions or augurisms by horses . valer. man. of monster horses . pliny . dion . coelius . of centaures . pollux . amianus . sipontinus . blundevile . blondevile . blundevile . blundevile . blundevile . blundevile . markham . blundevile . blundevile . markham . blundevile . markham . blundevile . markham . blundevile . markham . blundevile . blundevile . blundevile . markham . blundevile . markham . blundevile . markham . blundevile . markham . blundevile . markham . blundevile . markham . blundevile . blundevile . markham . blundevile . markham . blundevile . markham . markham . blundevile . markham . blundevilé . blundevilé . blundevilé . markhanm . blundevilé . blundevile . blundevile . blundevile . blundevile . blundevile . blundevile . blundevile . blundevile . blundevile . blundevile . blundevilé . markham . blundevik . markham . blundevile . blundevile . blundevile . markham . blundevile . blundevile . markham . blundevile . blundevile . blundévile . blundevile . markham . blundevile . markham . blundevil● . markham . blundevile . markham . blundevile . markham . blundevile . markham . blundevile , markham . blundevile . markham . blundevile . blundevile . markham . blundevile . markham . markham . blundevile . markham ▪ blundevile . markham . blundevile . markham . blundevile . markham . markham . markham . blundevile . blundevile . blundevile . markham . markham . blundevile . blundevile . blundevile . markham . pliny . theomnestus . vegetius . pliny . furnerius . albertus . marcellus . sextus . pliny . pliny . pliny . marcellus . hippocrates . marcellus . rasis . albertus . rasis . russius . dioscorides . pliny . marcellus . russius . pelagonius . albertus . aesculapius . marcellus . pliny . sextus . empiricus . marcellus . pliny . empiricus . dioscorides . galen . pliny . m●g● . the names and other general accidents albertus . hieronymus . aristotle . oppianus . the several parts . pliny . solinus . albertus . aristotle . whether they change sexes yearly . ovid. aelianus . their procreation . the disposition and natural properties of this beast . pliny solinus . aelianus . philes . solinus . aelianus . tex●or . aelianus ▪ their enmity with other beasts . g●us . the natural use of their skins . palladius . kasis . plutarch . coelius . actuarius . zoroastres . porphyrius . the region and quantity . the lamentation for the dead . albertus . ●●llunensts . the several names . the parts and natural disposition . the manner of their taking . the region , proportion , and other qualities . philes . the medicinal properties . galeu . rasis . pliny . pliny . albertus . rasis . pliny . pliny . democritus . myrepsus . alberius . pliny . dioscorides . marcellus . galen . marcellus . pliny . marcellus . pliny . marcellus . dioscorides . of the name . a fiction of capricornus . porphyrius . the attributes of this beast . textor . their countries of breed , and parts of their body . stumpsius . the benefit of cold . their several members . their taking . their copulation . their behaviour at their death . pelagonius . the use of their horns . the kindes and names with the reason thereof . hermolaus . gillius . albertus . vincentius . the quantity and leveral parts . their procreation and fights one with another . the places of their abode . the courage and strength of this beast . his entrance into a crocodile . the taming of ichneumons . their food . their subtilty in obtaining their prey . the crocodiles behavior feeling the ichneumon in her belly . their combates with asps . their enmity to all kindes of serpents , and their egs . pliny . avicenna . marcellus . herodotus . the signification of the word lamia . visions of phairies . philostratus . the poetical lamia . varinus . old wives tails of phal●ies . a story of a phairy woman . coelius , the true definition of phairies . their tames and description . the several names of lions the several kinds of lions . varinus . hesychius . aelianus . monsters bred like lions . coelius . herodotus . countries without lions . vartomannus . the colour of lions . cardanus . the several parts . plutarch . aelianus . aristotle . pliny . cardanus ▪ solinus . the epithets of lions . the voice of lions . pa. venetus . aelianus . the estimation of a lioness , and the general rage of lions . aristotle . their food and eating . albertus . avicen . aelianus . philes . solinus . pliny . aristotle . the cruelty of lions . leo afer . philes . herodotus . the hatred of lions and their several enemies . aelianus . ambrosius . the drink of lions . the terrors of lions and means whereby they perish . pliny . ambrose . animalia solaria . aelianus . pliny . leo afer . their lust of copulation . the adultery of lionesses . pliny . apollonius . ponux . caelius . philostratus . physiologus . aelianus . endemus . gillius . aelianus . the recompence of young lions to the old . tzelzes . aristotle . albertus . the love of lions to their benefactors . the nature of their revenge . pliny . solinus . pliny . solinus . textor . albertus . pliny . aelianus . gellius . a notable story of a lion. gellius . gillius . appion . a story of the justice of lions . aelianus . textor . diodorus . the clemency of lions in sparing men . textor . men devoured by lions . aelianus . plutarch . men that have overcome lions . men transfigured into lions according to poets and fictions . olympiodorus . porphyrius . the understanding of lions . leo afer . the anger of lions , and the signes thereof . adamantius . albertus . the hunting and taking of lions . paulus . v●neius . three ways to take lion. the second . the third . leo afer . pliny . aristotle . albertus . of the taming of lions . coelius . aelianus . leo afer . aelianus . the best means to tame lions . the triumphs , games and combates with lions . plutarch . pliny . tame lions become wilde again . the length of a lions life , and their diseases . albertus . cardan . the use of a lions several parts . ridiculous imitation . coelius . the fat of lions . rasis . albertus . marcellus . sextus . magical physick for to be invincible . alex. ab al. a monster like a lion. the images and several statues of lions . coelius . anthologius . varinus . pausanias . atheneus . agricola . oppianus . varinus . the constellation of the lion . macrobius . lions norished in temples , & worshipped . albertus . sextus . aesculapius . galen . rasis . galen . my●etsis . albertus . rasis . pliny . betrutius . albertus . galen . rasis . aetius . albertus . aristotle . the names of the linx . bellonius . avicenna . the reason of the latins names . two kinds of linxes . a story of a linx by d. cay , taken in england by the sight of this beast in the tower. another description taken by the sight of a skin . the price of a linxes skin . countries of linxes . their outward shape and several parts . the actions and dispositions of linxes . stumsius . the place of their abode . their meat or food . olaus mag. a singular note of forgetfulness . pliny . solinus . the voice of linxes . the sight of linxes . orpheus . the fables of the poets about lynceus . coelius . palaephaius . n. spreng . their urine and tears or weeping . urine congealed into a medicinal stone . mushroms grow out of a stone . uses of their several parts . eberus . linxes tamed . the medicines of the linx . pliny . arnoldus . the use of their skins , and how to chuse the best . difference betwixt foins and martins . regions breeding martins . eras stella . olaus mag. jo bohemus . their quantity and several parts . their copulation . the taming of martins . their food . the several names . countries of moles . aristotle . aelianus . pliny . generation of moles . blindness of moles . albertus . their several parts and members . cardanus . the places of their abode . enemies to moles . understanding of moles . taking of moles . paramus . use of their several parts . alex. ab al. pliny . arnoldus . furnerius . russius . pliny . marcellus . vinceniius . sextus . obscurvi . pliny . arnoldus . definition of a mouse . the several names . denomination of sundry creatures from the mouse . pausanias . theuetus . fictions learned and witty of the proper names of mice . the colour of mice . scaliger . albertus . the quantity and several parts of mice . mathaeolus . aristotle . cicero . albertus . orus . aelianus . pliny . albertus . m●ce cannot drink without d●nger . theophrastus . generation of mice , and their carnal copulation . albertus . copulation of mice . two miracles in their procreation and multiplication . volaterranus . gillius . whether mice be docible . presages and fore-knowledg of mice . aelianus . their natural wisdom . their natural love to one another . aelianus . their disposition , and their flesh . procopius . aristeas . arnoldus . hurt by mice to the body of mankinde . medicine of hawks . demetrius . eating of mice . enemies of mice . pliny . varrus . crescentien . crescentien . crescentien . anatolius . cato . tragus . avicen . paxausus . crescentiensis . cardan . the moral story of mice . tzetzes . herodotus . sacrificing of mice . scholiast . lic . albertus . marcellus . dioscorides . pliny . marcellus . pliny . dioscorides . pliny . marcellus . pliny . galen . galen . pliny . marcellus . galen . galenus . paral. . . pliny . galenus . pliny . sextus . pliny . marcellus . myrepsus . sextus . galen . pliny . varro . a●chig nes . pliny . marcellus . myrepsus . galenns . pliny . al●xius pedemontanus . screnus . marcellus . dioscorides . avicen . pliny . hippocrates . avicen . marcellus . the vulgar rat , or great domestical mouse . the quantity of rats and their parts . medicines by rats . poyson of rats . names of water-rats . meat of water-rats . places of water-rats abode . a wonder in the parts of a female rat. the quantity of this beast , and the several parts . mathaeolus . their observation of watch . stumpsius . the strength of this beast . their several food . entrance into their caves . their continual sleep all the winter time . growing fat with sleep . the taking of th●se beasts . their taming and conditions in the honse . the saving and use of their flesh . the medicines of this beast . the description of the emptra or little alpine mouse . albertus . the names and reasons thereof . the description of the dor-mouse out of epiphanius . whether they render urine and drink not . the quantity colour , and several parts . their food . nourishers and nourishing of dormice . society and charity in them . pliny . the means to take these dormice . the use of the flesh of these mice . pliny . marcellus . sextus . pliny . marcellus . the names . the description . of the arctomys . the voracity of the cricetus . the making of his den . his meat and food . the anger and fury of this beast . of the taking of this beast . the use of their skins . the name , description , and disposition . agricola . genelius . olaus mag . agricola . samonicus . vegetius . aetius . arnoldus . aelianus . marcellus . pliny . pliny . hippocrates . pliny . marcellus . dioscorides . avicenna . dioscorides . aegineta . a 〈…〉 a. pi 〈…〉 ides . pliny . avicenna . aetius . dioscorides . geopenica . pliny . aetius . aelianus . aetius . avicenna . aegineta . dioscorides . ruellius . dioscorides . aeginetta . aetius . avicennd . pliny . aegineta . avicenna . albertus . absyrtus . hierocles . vegetius . hippocrates . hierocles . vegetius . hippocrates . pliny . the epithets of wilde mice describing their kindes . their ●eve●al parts . whether mice engendred of the earth , can procreate other . aelianus . pliny . the damage done by wilde field-mice . strabo . places of their abode . driving away of these mice pliny . palladius . marcellus . the medicines of field-mice . scholiastes . the description . the medicines of the wood-mouse . pliny . marcellus . of the name and kinde . alunnus . egnatius . of the mouse called mus napelli . mice of the east . egyptian mice . cyrenean mice . pliny . a wonder in the egyptian mice . aelianus . medicine by african mice . pliny . the arabian mice . the armenian mice . of the caspian mouse . brassavolus . tame musk-cats . their strength , nimbleness , and quickness . alex. benedictus . of the musk , and the use thereof . the place where the musk groweth . the natural expression of musk. the best musk declared by these several countries . sylvius . avicenna . elluchacem . serap . the tryal of musk. simion 〈◊〉 . sylvius . platearius . the preserving of musk. benedictus . the adulterating of musk , and the means to descry it . herbs resembling musk. symeon . isidorus . dioscorides . avicenna . rasis . brassavolus . platearius . avicenna . the several names . plutarch . the generacion of burdons . the parts of mules and their colour . the food of asses . mizaldus . dioscorides . the length of a mules life . aristotle . aelianus . the generation of mules . the election of a mare to mules . pliny . the choice of a male. absyrtus . o us . an emblem . mules engender . a history of mules . the invention of mules . aelianus . aristotle . the quantity of a mules foal . sicknesses of mules and their cures . collumella . rutius . pelagonius the epithers and conditions of mules . alunnus . the inward disposition of mules . pliny . use of mules in their several works . cardan . pliny . ponzettus . avicenna . albertus . aesculapius . sextus . avicenna . albertus . aesculapius . sextus . rasis . kiranides . pliny . marcellus . sextus . marcellus . hippocrates . rasis . aegineta . rasis . marcellus . pliny . marcellus . trallianus . the names of this beast . the description of d. cay . the meat and nature . plutarch . aelianus . opptanus . pliny . albertus . of the names and the reasons thereof . stephanus . pliny . the places of their abode . hermolaus . olaus . the several parts . agricola . albertus . taking and hunting of otters . albertus . use of their skins . the several names of panthers . a more exact definition of pardals and leopards . boytius . pliny . of the leopard . albertus . the names in other languages . evax . sylvaticus . albertus . vartoman . countries of panthers . leo afric . the several parts of panthers . alb ▪ rtus . pliny . aristotle . the food of panthers . their love of spices . the savour or smell of panthers . aristotle . volaterranus . isidorus . their time of lust . their love and hatred , enemies and friends . the descrip●ion of panthers . the taming of panthers . a notable story of a panthers love to his companion . the harms of panthers . leo. afer . albertus . avicenna . pliny . orus . the terror of panthers . pliny . rasis . aesculapius . laws against ▪ panthers . the nature of tamed panthers . the taking of panthers . dioscorides . pliny . aristotle . oppianus . their love of wine . use of their parts . avicenna . albertus . rasis . arcteus . galen . aelianus . aeue . silvi . the several names . bellonius . bellonius . the quils and spears . the den and food . the use of the flesh , and other parts . of the several names . the colour and several parts . a preface to the succeeding story . that there is such a beast as the rhinoceros . the name and reason thereof . oppianus . the quantity and several parts . the several names . the description of dives kinds of sheep according to their country . strabo . the description of the arabian sheep . flocks of wilde sheep . oppianus . the several parts of sheep . the food of sheep and institution of shepheards . pliny . areanus . * * * oves & capras . the descripa●on of a shepheards care out of virgil . the reason why the sheep of england do not drink . of the copulation of sheep . aristotle . albertus . helps for the copulation of sheep . means to make the rams get males or females . albertus . the yeaning of lambs . bathius . albertus . custody of ewes and young lambs and means to encrease their milk . of the wintering and stabling of sheep . palladius . pet. crescent . the fashion of sheep-coats or stables . the manner how in old time they bought and sold sheep . the general discipline of shepheards . of the diseases of sheep . the original cause of scabs . coelius . herodotus . of the several commodity & utility coming by sheep , and first of their flesh . of their milk . columella . palladius . celsus . shearing time in england . the value of english wool and the use thereof . the wool of other countries . of the colours of wool. the lasting of wool. the use of sheep skins . ruellius . of the dung of sheep . the inward qualities of sheep and their moral uses . hermolaus . aratus . love and hatred of sheep . aristotle . coelius . the several names of rams . the chief of rams for breed . palladius . crescentius . golumella . albertus . the resemblance betwixt the sun and the ram. macrobius . coelius . the sign of the ram in the zodiack . poetical sictions & riddles . didymus . aristotle . the best time of copulation . their rage in ramming time . martial and warlike inventions called rams . moral uses of rams horns . aelianus . plutarch . coelius . cardan . the story of phryxus and the ram with a golden fleece . apollonius . hermolaus . apollonius . gyraldus . the fleece of colchis . tzetzes . transmutation of rams . herodotus . strabo . sacrificing of rams among the genules . gyraldus . pliny . festus . the several names . aristotle . aelianus . of the meek disposition of lambs . didymus . varro . pliny . democritus . pliny . galen . pliny . marcellus . pliny . marcellus . dioscorides . hippocrates . rasis . pliny . marcellus . hippocrates . pliny . albertus . pliny . marcellus . galen . pliny . marcellus . furnerius . crescentien . pliny . marcellus . dioscorides . pliny . vegetius . pliny . obscurus . rasis . pliny . albertus . pliny . sylvaticus . columella . marcellus . galen . pliny . serenus . galen . serenus . pliny . galen . marcellus . dioscorides . marcellus . pliny . avicenna . sextus . marcellus . marcellus . sextus , aesculapius . marcellus . pliny . sextus . aetius . pliny . hippocrates . marcellus . pliny . marcellus . pliny . marcellus . pliny . bellonius . sylvaticus . alunnus . erythraeus . the ●tim 〈…〉 gy of the greek and latine names . a history of the family of scrosa . coelius . names of men taken from swine . alex. ab ale. a fiction of a hogs will and and testament . the epithets of swine . countries wherein swine do not breed . pet martyr . the anatomy and several parts . aristotle . aristotle . the choice or outward marks of the best swine . the food of swine . nigidius . pliny . places of their abode . varro . aelianus . albertus . aelianus . columella . the great fatness of swine . the meat and best manner to fatten hogs . aelianus . albertus . of the copulation and breed of swine . the times of a sows boaring . pliny . niphus . aristotle . the number which a sow beareth . the office and first institution of swine-herds . columella . palladius . pliny . festus . abnezoor . the nature of this beast . adamantius pliny . aelianus . horus . calcagninus . varro . pliny . sextus . xenophon . coelius . gillius . erasmus . macrobius . vobiscus . palladius . the use of their skins . theophrastus . tuss . husb. pliny . aelianus . aetius . marcellus . aelianus . galen . marcellus . pliny . the epithets . of the wilde boars parts and other accidents . oppianus . gillius . the places of their abode . the generation of wilde swine . the fight of boars . swimming of boars . of the hunting of wilde boars . politick means to take boars . men that have perished by boars in hunting . pliny . marcellus . sextus . sextus . marcellus . the names of tigers . of the riv 〈…〉 tigris . countries breeding tigers . quantity of tigers . the several parts . oppianus . the epithes ▪ their food . a history . their copulation and generarion . the taking and killing of tigers . plutarch . calistenes . philostratus . eating of tigers . many beasts with horns , improper●y called unicorns . solinus . aelianus . oppianus . whether there be any unicorns in the world. the hebrew names in scripture prove unicorns . the kindes of unicorns . countries of unicorns . the use of a unicorns horn . o●her di●cou●s●s of the horn . philes . gerbellius . a second history of a unicorns born . a third history of a unicorns horn . another description of the unicorn . of adulterated unicorns horns . of the unicorns horns found in ●olonia . the natural properties of unicorns . philes . aelianus . the taking of unicorns . albertus . alunnus . tzetzes . the several names . the several parts . places of their abode . countreys of their breed . their stature . use of their parts . histories of other wilde oxen. aelianus . leo african . pliny . strabo . paul : venet. aelianus . pliny . aristotle . silvaticus . scopa . albertus . niphus . the etymology of weasels . the epithets , colour , and several parts . of the lemmar . places of their abode . their copulation and conception . the signification of a weasels occurrence . v●sinus . aetius . avicenna . theophrastus . dioscorides . galen . pliny . albertus . serenus . myrepsus . pliny . galen . dioscorides . rasis . archigenes . isidorus . galen . sextus . pliny . kiranides . aeginetta . avicenna . aelianus . the severall names . aesculopius . the notation of lupus and lycos . named apellatives derived from a wolf. countreys breeding wolves . the severall kindes of wolves . oppianus . wolves are not wilde dogs . the voices of wolfs . the several parts . coelius . stumpsius . the meat and voracity of wolfs . aelianus . philes . albertus . textor . albertus . aelianus . the harm of wolfs . orus . a history . men destroyed by wolls . c●lius . tzetzes . the taking of wolfs , and the reward of the hunters . divers policies and inventions to take wolfs . poysoning of wolves . the enemies of wolves . their copulalation and procreation . the epithets and natural disposition . the apology of wolves and lambs . the particular disposition of wolves . of tamed wolves . albertus . the wolf hath no friend but the parrot . bellonius . and. bellu. arrian . pliny . sextus . blondus . avicen . dioscorides . galen . pliny . sylvius . albertus . rasis . marcellus . galen . avicenna . notes for div a -e the first fault is in this edition amended . notes for div a -e augustine . epiphan . zanchius . textor . mr. will. morley of glynde in suffex . plutarch . ca. oppius . iul. higinus . gellius . pierius . pierius . pliny . galen . plutarch . pierius . textor . macrobius . coelius rho. pliny . obsequens . pliny . aristotle . aelianus . h●linshed . aelianus . isidorus . mela. pliny . megasth . solinus . textor . strabo . aelianus . alosius . gellius . scaliger . cardan . p. fagius . venetus . hatthonus . pierius . solinus . aelianus . cor. celsus . pierius . scaliger . olaus mag. eup●lides . diod. sicul. arrianus . suetonius . pliny . epist . aelianus . grevinus . olaus mag. textor . pliny . mercurialis . pliny . aelianus . ponzettus . at seaven-oak in k●nt , which ●o● belongs to sir ralph boss●vile , knight , &c. aelianus . pliny . pierius . coelius rho. diod. sicul. aelianus . herodotus . aeneas syl. gellius . lampridius . pierius . p. venetus . aristotle . philostratus . solinus . philes . marcedi . simocratus . diodorus . zoroaster . crescentius . textor . oppianus . aelianus . aristotle . perottus . isidorus . aelianus . bellonius . crus . pliny . erasmus . aelianus . thrafillus . pliny . aelianus . aelianus . constantinus . aelianus . elecampane in english . remedies to be had and taken from serpents . suffumigations to expell serpents . of such things as are laid under us , that will expel serpents . of unguents and things born about us , from which serpents will run away . all this medicinal description of serpents was written by tho. bonham doctor in physick . herodotus . mela. pliny . solinus . scaliger . boemus . aeneas syl. nicander . venetus . p. martyr . florentinus . caelius rho. aelianus . constantinus . pliny . textor . plutarch . pierius . pierius . suidas . isidorus . herodotus . pliny . silvius . virgil. olaus mag. avicenna . galen . hippocrates . cael. rhod. diodorus . pierius . aelianus . aetius . aegineta . pliny . aetius . avicenna . arnoldus . srabo . aetius . olaus . am. paraeus . bellonius . aelianus . gillius . 〈◊〉 . pli●y . suidas . textor . aelianus . mercurial . aetius . ponzettus . galen . dioscorid . actuarius . aegineta . mercurialis . paraeus . aetius . mercurialis . andreas . aetius . cor. celsus . olaus mag. pliny . orpheus . dr. bonban his discourse of bees , wasps and drones . names . d●fferences of bees from nature . description of the king. differences in regard of sex . the difference of the form of bees according to the place . bees of america . the government of bees . the use of bees . medicinal uses . the names . the description . arist . l. . de g●ner . an●m . c. . their generation . their uses . of bees called theeves . their uses . d. bonham . lucretius . in hoediporis . mizaldus . 〈◊〉 allens wife . salomon . the curation of their stings . gilbertus anglus . haly abbas . rhazes . serapio . ardoynus . mesus . aaron . constantine . gulielmus placentinus . gordonius . varignana . matthiolus . arnoldus dē villa nova . marcellus . the names . their description . in bellis civilibus omnna sunt misera . tul. ep . femal . their uses . remedies against their stings . the error of some medicine-givers . their name : their differences . the description of pityocampes . their qualities . their use in physick . aristotle . solinus . aristotle . pliny . solimis . aristotle . marcellus . rhazes . kiranides . trallianus . pliny . solinue . pliny . textor . avicenna . aelianus . solinus . solinus . scaliger . aelianus . ponzettus . aurelianus . aristotle . mela. diod. sicul. marcellinus . herodotus . isidore . coelius rho. herodotus . pliny . solinus . marcellinus . albertus . herodotus . p. martyr . aelianus . herodotus . pliny . orus . strabo . orus . aelianus . solinus . plutarch . solinus . p. martyr . marcellinus . caelius . herodotus . orus . aelianus . aristotle . marcellinus . aelianus . leo afric . plutarch . calcagninus . diod. sicul. strabo . strabo . solinus . seneca . strabo . orus . aelianus . crescenst . diodorus . herodotus . pliny . capitolinus . lampridius . vadianus . aetius . p. martyr . herodotus . dioscorides . pliny . arnoldus . aetius . rhazes . aetius . arnoldus . bellonius . aristotle . aelianus . rhazes . marcellinus . bellonius . olaus mag. olaus mag. aelianus . stu●psius . aelianus . scaliger . aelianus . herodotus . brodeus . scaliger . crini●us . stumpsius . aelianus . gillius . suetonius . stumpsius . aristotle . vincensius . solinus . aetius . grevin . avicen . aetius . albertus . albertus . ●iranides , democritus . a story . a story , pliny . avicenna . marcellus . strabo . solinus . aelianus . polycletus . marcellus . palladius . pliny . marcellus . nicander . gillius . lucan . matthiolus . willichius . orus . cordus . dioscorid . cardan . pliny . aelianus . gillius . aelianus . pliny . aristotle . pliny . aelianus . ia. lacinius . kiramides . philes . aelianus . pliny . aelianus . albertus . aelianus . galen . ponzettus . arnoldus , aetius . palladius . rasis . strabo . plutarch . gillius . actius . solinus . gyraldus . cardan . aetius . aelianus . brasavolus . kiranides . alexius . galenus . aelianus . solinus . aetius . scaliger . oswaldus . phurnut . lea afric . olaus . doctor bonhams discourse of spiders . the signes to know when one is bitten of any phalaangie and the effects of the same . their use . aetius . crescen . pliny . actorius . caelius rho. amatus . strabo . aelianus . aelianus . palladius . brasavolus . aristotle . oppianus . plinius . plutarch . aelianus . boemus . mercuriall . cardan . herodotus . scaliger . cardan . aelianus . galen . aristotle . aristotle . avicenna . coelius . aelianus . strabo . aelianus . gallen . dioscorid . rasis , pausanias . pliny . nicander . in vipera . funamellus . avicen . amatus . galen . galen . hellideus . pliny . porphyrius . dioscorides . pliny . aetius . albertus . pliny . galen . aetius . avicenna . leonell . faventin . galen . avicen . galen . aetius . doctor bonhams discourse of worms . in aulularia . in theriaca . ovi . amo . l. . in bacchide . lib . c. . notes for div a -e the name . apes or bees whence so called . the definition of the bee. the description of the bee. the difference of their shapes from nature . the difference of their minds from the place . differences of the corporeal form from the place . difference from their sex. creation . genetation . propagation . conservation . drink . exercise of bees . placing of the bees . fear . diseā es of bees ●nd the cures . the use . their use in medicine . the definition of honey . the best honey how known . accidental properties of honey . in what countreys the best honey is tobe found . what countreys produce bad honey . the signs of poysoned honey , and the remedies against it . the temper of honey . the medicinal vertues of honey . see huonymus his nectar in wickerus his special antidote . fol. . & . the use . the description of the drone . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 arist . l. . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . arist . l. . hist . c. . their generation . plin. l. . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 as the greeks very many of them have written . l. de animal . . c. . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . chil. . hist . . plat. l. . de repub. arist . l. . c. . plin l. . c. . aristotle calis fur 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , hesychius 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , and from thence i think the latine name was derived . their use . aristoph . in vespis . the gifts of his minde and wit. lib. . hist . c. . love to one another . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 ▪ love to their young . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . iliad . . love to their wives or females . strom. . their difference from others . lib. . albertus l. . tract . . l. . c. . hist . . c. . their age. their food . the place of wasps . the use of the wasp . preservatives against the stinging of wasps . tetrab . . se●m . . c. . remedies against the stings of wasps . habitation . l. . c. . their use . remedies against the stinging of hornets . in alexiph . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . description . the commendation of the fly. the flesh-fly . the dog-fly . brees or beast-fly . difference of asilus and tabanus . the second kinde of tabanus . gnat like . tabanus . presaging of weather . their use in medicine . remedies against fly-bitings . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 , &c. and then the gnats with their great trumpets sound alarm to the battle . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 〈◊〉 . the generation of gnats . the use . description . copulation . difference of butterflies . the middle sort of day-butterflies . the smaller day-butterflies . their copulation and generation . their death . the mischief they do . how the locusts make a noise . kindes of bruchi . the mischiefs locusts do . their use . levit. . their use in physick . how they may be killed and driven away . their copulation and generation . their use in physick . the name of the kricket . the use . name . their use ▪ remedies against them . the use . the signs of a buprestis being drank . the remedy . ▪ . de amid , in alex. . . . c●enate . signs and cure of cantharides drank . the name . their sex and description . their use for our understandings , and by example . the name . the name . the description . their use . the name . the difference and description . their use . the medicinal use . the way to make the oyl is found in rhasis and barthol . montag . l. . tract . . c. . their medicinal use . notes for div a -e the name . the differences . edward moni 〈…〉 ▪ beresish , lib. . the name . yellowish are . vinula . dark . various coloured . signs of a pine catterpiller drank and the cure . ionas . the name . the name . the us● . the name . the description . lib. . c. . lib. c. . their generation . nature . l. . c. . their food . their use . their use in physick . preventions against the stinging of scorpions , cure-of the stingings of scorpions . the name . the differences . signs of the bitings of phalangia . this is the sense of galen , but not the same words . the cure . the praise of the house spider taken from the body of it . the praise of the house spider from the goods of fortune . prayses of the spider from the gifts of her minde . generation . copulation . the use . their praise from their minde . their physicall use . fig-tree worms . the name . description of their differences . causes of a general lowsie disease . l. de plant. c. . prevention and cure. use of lice . the use . l. . subtil . exer. . n. . ad subtil . cardan . . in navig . hist . the use . the name . the description . remember the cook o● q●een mark that cast out a scolopendra by her nostrils , &c. mr. crane . see de vera m●d●nd . use . signs of broad worms . ascarides . prognosticks . the cure . a general cure of worms . simple hot medicaments against worms out of dioscorides , celsus , pliny , sc●ibonius , largus , galen , oribasius , paulus , aetius . cold simples against worms . simples severally that bring forth worms round , ascarides , and broad worms . the methodical cure of round worms , chiefly out of paulus and aetius . compound internal remedies to kill and sorce out worms . compound external medicaments against worms . the cure of broad worms , chiefly out of celsus , oribasius , scribonius , paulus , and actius . victoriatus , is a piece of money of oboli , or half a dram . the name and description . their originall . their end. the name and description . the kindes . their originall . their end. their use .